Celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties, China, Africa boost cooperation in advancing modernization Xinhua) 08:08, January 12, 2026 The launching ceremony of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges is held at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Jan. 8, 2026. (Xinhua/Han Xu) * The long-standing practice sends a consistent message: regardless of changes in the international or regional landscape, China remains Africa's most reliable friend, its most steadfast partner in pursuing development and revitalization, and the strongest supporter of Africa on the global stage. * Over the decades, China-Africa cooperation has been firmly anchored in shared development. Guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, as well as the pursuit of greater good and shared interests, bilateral cooperation has steadily advanced toward higher quality and greater sustainability. * Together, China and Africa account for one-third of the world's population. Without their modernization, there will be no global modernization. Their shared pursuit of modernization is not only vital to their own development but also to global progress. JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. At this milestone, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is making his first overseas trip of the year to Africa, continuing a diplomatic tradition maintained for 36 consecutive years. During the trip, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, attended the launch ceremony of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges at the headquarters of the African Union (AU) on Thursday. The long-standing practice sends a consistent message: regardless of changes in the international or regional landscape, China remains Africa's most reliable friend, its most steadfast partner in pursuing development and revitalization, and the strongest supporter of Africa on the global stage. SHARED DEVELOPMENT Over the decades, China-Africa cooperation has been firmly anchored in shared development. Guided by the principles of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, as well as the pursuit of greater good and shared interests, bilateral cooperation has steadily advanced toward higher quality and greater sustainability. At the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, China established or upgraded strategic partnerships with 30 African countries. As a result, China has established a strategic partnership with all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations. Both sides agreed to jointly advance modernization in six aspects and implement 10 partnership actions, opening a new chapter in building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Through practical cooperation, the two sides have aligned China's development experience with Africa's development needs, promoting shared growth through mutual benefit. China has applied zero tariffs to all African countries with diplomatic ties, and supported the construction or upgrading of nearly 100,000 km of roads, over 10,000 km of railways, nearly 1,000 bridges and close to 100 ports on the continent, contributing to Africa's modernization and coordinated economic development. Damaris Mutinda and Feng Xudong, head of the transportation and dispatch department in Africa Star Railway Operation Company, the operator of the China-built Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), check the work log at the Kenya Railways Dispatch Center of the Mombasa-Nairobi SGR in Nairobi, Kenya, Sept. 30, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guang) Take the Nairobi Expressway and the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway. Kenyan President William Ruto told Xinhua that they stand as testaments to the vitality and mutual benefits of the Kenya-China partnership, which has improved the domestic connectivity and promoted the regional integration in East Africa. According to the outcomes list of follow-up actions from the Beijing Summit, China has been actively advancing nearly 600 "small and beautiful" projects, covering connectivity, poverty alleviation for the benefit of farmers, health, green development, digital economy, and people-to-people exchanges, benefiting almost all African nations. At the G20 Johannesburg Summit last November, China and host country South Africa jointly launched the Initiative on Cooperation Supporting Modernization in Africa, reaffirming support for African countries to explore development paths suited to their national conditions and pursue sustainable growth. Peter Kagwanja, chief executive of the Africa Policy Institute, a Nairobi-based pan-African think tank, said China's modernization drive has become an inspiration for Global South countries, many in Africa, with China's success in poverty alleviation and grassroots governance inspiring African nations in their quest to chart homegrown development pathways. PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE BONDS Over the years, people-to-people exchanges have provided enduring support for China-Africa relations. The two sides have agreed to designate 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. During the year, China and Africa are set to host a series of people-to-people exchange activities aimed at promoting exchanges and mutual learning among the Chinese and African civilizations and strengthening people-to-people bonds, amity and cooperation, thus solidifying public support for China-Africa friendship. Addressing the launching ceremony of the year of exchanges in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, Wang highlighted the fruitful results and strong vitality of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and Africa. "Facts have proven that people-to-people exchanges are the most solid foundation of China-Africa friendship, while mutual learning between civilizations serves as the most powerful driving force behind China-Africa cooperation," he said. Citing progress in China-Africa vocational education cooperation, Wang noted that China has established 17 Luban Workshops in 15 African countries and trained tens of thousands of professionals, providing strong intellectual support for Africa's development. Li Wenbiao (1st R), a teacher from the Confucius Institute in Djibouti, teaches students Chinese at the Luban Workshop, a teaching site of the Confucius Institute, in Djibouti City, Djibouti, Nov. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Madagascar's Foreign Minister Rafaravavitafika Rasata said that Chinese institutions such as the Luban Workshop and the Confucius Institute have enabled young Madagascans to improve their technical skills and Chinese language proficiency. "Partnership with China is fruitful and brings tangible results," she said. Together, China and Africa account for one-third of the world's population. Without their modernization, there will be no global modernization. Their shared pursuit of modernization is not only vital to their own development but also to global progress. Looking ahead, the two sides will continue to advance together on the path to modernization, contributing to unity among Global South countries and to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said during the 2024 Beijing Summit of FOCAC that the 10 partnership action plans proposed by China are fully aligned with the AU's Agenda 2063. "The Beijing Summit reflects our shared desire for modernization, development and progress on the African continent," he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) China's Guiyang renovates old commercial zones to boost consumption Xinhua) 13:04, January 12, 2026 People visit the Qingyun Market in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 5, 2026. The city of Guiyang has been committed to the update and renovation of old commercial blocks, streets and factory areas. The renewed streets, such as Taiping, Minsheng, and Qingyun Roads have become vibrant spaces for relaxation and spending, driving urban consumption vitality and enhancing the city's youthful appeal. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) Baristas brew coffee at a coffee shop at a commercial complex in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 8, 2026. The city of Guiyang has been committed to the update and renovation of old commercial blocks, streets and factory areas. The renewed streets, such as Taiping, Minsheng, and Qingyun Roads have become vibrant spaces for relaxation and spending, driving urban consumption vitality and enhancing the city's youthful appeal. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) People dine at a restaurant at a commercial complex in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 8, 2026. The city of Guiyang has been committed to the update and renovation of old commercial blocks, streets and factory areas. The renewed streets, such as Taiping, Minsheng, and Qingyun Roads have become vibrant spaces for relaxation and spending, driving urban consumption vitality and enhancing the city's youthful appeal. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) People enjoy themselves at a coffee shop at a commercial complex in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 8, 2026. The city of Guiyang has been committed to the update and renovation of old commercial blocks, streets and factory areas. The renewed streets, such as Taiping, Minsheng, and Qingyun Roads have become vibrant spaces for relaxation and spending, driving urban consumption vitality and enhancing the city's youthful appeal. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) People visit the Qingyun Market in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 5, 2026. The city of Guiyang has been committed to the update and renovation of old commercial blocks, streets and factory areas. The renewed streets, such as Taiping, Minsheng, and Qingyun Roads have become vibrant spaces for relaxation and spending, driving urban consumption vitality and enhancing the city's youthful appeal. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) People visit the Xinyin 1950 Discovery commercial complex in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 6, 2026. The city of Guiyang has been committed to the update and renovation of old commercial blocks, streets and factory areas. The renewed streets, such as Taiping, Minsheng, and Qingyun Roads have become vibrant spaces for relaxation and spending, driving urban consumption vitality and enhancing the city's youthful appeal. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) People take photos at a coffee shop at a commercial complex in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 8, 2026. The city of Guiyang has been committed to the update and renovation of old commercial blocks, streets and factory areas. The renewed streets, such as Taiping, Minsheng, and Qingyun Roads have become vibrant spaces for relaxation and spending, driving urban consumption vitality and enhancing the city's youthful appeal. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) A barista brews coffee at a coffee shop at a commercial complex in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, Jan. 8, 2026. The city of Guiyang has been committed to the update and renovation of old commercial blocks, streets and factory areas. The renewed streets, such as Taiping, Minsheng, and Qingyun Roads have become vibrant spaces for relaxation and spending, driving urban consumption vitality and enhancing the city's youthful appeal. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Blog Archive: Feb 2026 (15) Jan 2026 (155) Dec 2025 (126) Nov 2025 (141) Oct 2025 (153) Sep 2025 (149) Aug 2025 (154) Jul 2025 (155) Jun 2025 (150) May 2025 (155) Apr 2025 (9) Mar 2025 (149) Feb 2025 (139) Jan 2025 (155) Dec 2024 (144) Nov 2024 (143) Oct 2024 (155) Sep 2024 (149) Aug 2024 (155) Jul 2024 (155) Jun 2024 (150) May 2024 (153) Apr 2024 (149) Mar 2024 (155) Feb 2024 (145) Jan 2024 (155) Dec 2023 (155) Nov 2023 (150) Oct 2023 (155) Sep 2023 (150) Aug 2023 (155) Jul 2023 (155) Jun 2023 (150) May 2023 (155) Apr 2023 (150) Mar 2023 (155) Feb 2023 (140) Jan 2023 (155) Dec 2022 (156) Nov 2022 (150) Oct 2022 (155) Sep 2022 (150) Aug 2022 (155) Jul 2022 (154) Jun 2022 (150) May 2022 (155) Apr 2022 (150) Mar 2022 (155) Feb 2022 (140) Jan 2022 (156) Dec 2021 (156) Nov 2021 (150) Oct 2021 (155) Sep 2021 (150) Aug 2021 (155) Jul 2021 (155) Jun 2021 (150) May 2021 (155) Apr 2021 (150) Mar 2021 (155) Feb 2021 (140) Jan 2021 (155) Dec 2020 (155) Nov 2020 (150) Oct 2020 (158) Sep 2020 (150) Aug 2020 (130) Jul 2020 (124) Jun 2020 (120) May 2020 (124) Apr 2020 (120) Mar 2020 (124) Feb 2020 (116) Jan 2020 (125) Dec 2019 (126) Nov 2019 (120) Oct 2019 (124) Sep 2019 (120) Aug 2019 (125) Jul 2019 (124) Jun 2019 (120) May 2019 (123) Apr 2019 (121) Mar 2019 (124) Feb 2019 (112) Jan 2019 (125) Dec 2018 (126) Nov 2018 (120) Oct 2018 (124) Sep 2018 (121) Aug 2018 (124) Jul 2018 (125) Jun 2018 (120) May 2018 (124) Apr 2018 (121) Mar 2018 (124) Feb 2018 (112) Jan 2018 (123) Dec 2017 (124) Nov 2017 (124) Oct 2017 (141) Sep 2017 (135) Aug 2017 (138) Jul 2017 (137) Jun 2017 (134) May 2017 (138) Apr 2017 (135) Mar 2017 (139) Feb 2017 (129) Jan 2017 (143) Dec 2016 (135) Nov 2016 (138) Oct 2016 (142) Sep 2016 (128) Aug 2016 (133) Jul 2016 (136) Jun 2016 (138) May 2016 (164) Apr 2016 (311) Mar 2016 (348) Feb 2016 (320) Jan 2016 (348) Dec 2015 (314) Nov 2015 (338) Oct 2015 (363) Sep 2015 (358) Aug 2015 (399) Jul 2015 (374) Jun 2015 (331) May 2015 (337) Apr 2015 (319) Mar 2015 (320) Feb 2015 (271) Jan 2015 (286) Dec 2014 (254) Nov 2014 (238) Oct 2014 (287) Sep 2014 (267) Aug 2014 (259) Jul 2014 (260) Jun 2014 (238) May 2014 (241) Apr 2014 (228) Mar 2014 (240) Feb 2014 (217) Jan 2014 (263) Dec 2013 (226) Nov 2013 (254) Oct 2013 (256) Sep 2013 (252) Aug 2013 (263) Jul 2013 (261) Jun 2013 (251) May 2013 (250) Apr 2013 (221) Mar 2013 (193) Feb 2013 (164) Jan 2013 (157) Dec 2012 (155) Nov 2012 (240) Oct 2012 (526) Sep 2012 (411) Aug 2012 (394) Jul 2012 (284) Jun 2012 (229) May 2012 (213) Apr 2012 (213) Mar 2012 (253) Feb 2012 (269) Jan 2012 (298) Dec 2011 (273) Nov 2011 (219) Oct 2011 (204) Sep 2011 (201) Aug 2011 (236) Jul 2011 (217) Jun 2011 (211) May 2011 (206) Apr 2011 (215) Mar 2011 (215) Feb 2011 (186) Jan 2011 (215) Dec 2010 (107) Nov 2010 (98) Oct 2010 (55) DALTON Like many rural areas in Massachusetts, the Central Berkshire Regional School District is facing a tough budget season. Michael Henault, Central Berkshire superintendent, said the Chapter 70 formula, which determines state aid, is partly to blame. It insufficiently funds our schools, he said. There was a commission for rural schools that put out a report a few years back, [and] they determined that it costs 20 percent more per student to run a regional rural district than it does a non-rural district. In 2026, advocating for regional schools at the state level is one of Henault's top priorities, and he expects it will be a challenge. As the state starts talking about opening up the Chapter 70 funding formula for reconsideration, Im trying to be an active participant in that conversation, he said. The states geographically largest school district, Central Berkshire, is composed of the towns of Becket, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington, Windsor and the Hampshire County town of Cummington. It had an enrollment of 1,537 in the 2024-25 school year, and its overall budget for fiscal 2026 is $36.6 million. In 2025, the district was recognized as one of only 13 in the state to meet or exceed pre-pandemic achievement levels in grades three to eight. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recognized the district for achievement in both English language arts and mathematics for grades three to eight, and Nessacus Regional Middle School was named one of DESEs Schools of Recognition in 2025. The academic recognition was among several positive developments in 2025, as the district also celebrated approval of a new regional agreement, a significant improvement in attendance, and a successful outreach effort to families about the path forward. The biggest systemwide driver of improvement was the commitment to high-quality instructional materials, or HQIM, Henault said. The district is currently using Wit & Wisdom, a comprehensive ELA curriculum for grades three to five; an Expeditionary Learning program for grades six to eight and Eureka Squared for math. Henault said the district has a three-year plan to move to a phenomenon-based science curriculum at the middle school level, along with a plan for HQIMs for ELA at the high school level for the next school year. The gap in Chapter 70 Program funding provides a challenge for the district as it creates a situation where our towns in our district are sometimes at odds with each other, Henault said. Chapter 70 provides state aid to support school operations, establishes minimum spending requirements for school districts and minimum requirements for each municipality's share of school costs, according to DESE. Were looking at ways to budget for sustaining our use of high-quality instructional materials, and it gets expensive, especially for a small district like ours, Henault said. As the district enters the fiscal 2027 budget season, Henault said it plans to hold another round of community forums. He added that his priority is working with the School Committee to build a budget that supports students, staff, and can be passed by the seven member towns. Becket Washington School and challenges ahead Henault also said that the district is focused on working with the Becket and Washington communities to help address declining enrollment and provide a high-quality education at Becket Washington School, located in Becket. Were looking at ways to leverage our districts position as a destination for school choice," he said, adding that the district is looking at potentially move away from mixed-grade classrooms. Currently, Becket Washington has a combined preschool and kindergarten and a combined first and second grade. The district is trying to be creative to get each grade back to stand alone, Henault said, adding, We dont know if were going to be able to do that for next [school year], but thats one of our goals. One of the biggest challenges facing the district is closing the gap between the students with disabilities and without disabilities, and Henault said that addressing that largely will come through the budgeting process. Recently, the district's administration team did a series of building walkthroughs, and they were in roughly 60 classrooms looking at instructional practices. Next school year, the district is looking to optimize its resources to get special education teachers in front of students more often instructionally and give general education teachers and special education teachers more time to collaborate. We think that those two things structurally will help start to close that gap, Henault said. The district is also navigating artificial intelligence and has established two AI ad hoc committees that are looking at policy implications, how it will affect education on a larger scale, and on-the-ground usage and experimentation with tools. Over 100 teachers and paraprofessionals attended an AI training in November, Henault said. The district is also looking forward to the amended regional agreement, which will take effect on July 1, according to Gregory Boino, the district's director of finance and operations. The agreement sets the districts process for generating and approving its budget; establishes the composition of its School Committee; and lays out the process for withdrawing from the district, among other functions. Henault said that the district is close to having DESE approval, which is the last step in the process. Once thats set, it is nice to know that at least for the next handful of years, well have a regional agreement thats set, he said. As for what Henault is most excited for in 2026? Our instructional leadership team, he said. We have a group [of a little over 30] teachers that make up our instructional leadership team Im excited about developing that team into a group that shares the leadership of the district. PITTSFIELD Planned as a No War Venezuela protest a week ago, no one predicted that Renee Nicole Good would be shot and killed on Wednesday by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis. Thus, a protest that would have focused on the U.S. invasion of Venezuela and capture of its president pivoted. Melt ICE was a common theme among the signs many of the about 300 protesters carried on Sunday. The sun shone, warming the air as temperatures hovered in the low to mid-30s. Good, 37, was a mother of three. Someone taped a photo of her on the tallest monument at Park Square, just above the words inscribed in the monument: For the Dead a Tribute, For the Living a Memory, for Posterity an Emblem of Loyalty to the Flag of their Country. This is an escalation of state violence, said Jess Dils, who was carrying a sign that read, We had whistles. They had guns, a statement attributed to Goods widow. Below that quote, she wrote on her sign, ICE Out 4 Good. Its all one and the same, the militarization and takeover abroad in Venezuela, the militarization in our own streets against our own people, our own citizens, for standing up for our neighbors and trying to protect them with our First Amendment rights, said Dils of Williamstown. You know we all kept hearing and saying and warning that it was going to get gong to get worse before it got better, and this is the worst. This is what we all feared. A steady stream of appreciative honks provided the backdrop to protest songs, including The Tide is Rising, by Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman and Yotam Schachter; Let it Be, by Paul McCartney; and All You Fascists Bound to Lose, by Woody Guthrie. Guthrie placed the words This machine kills fascists on his guitar in the 1940s. Robin O'Herin of Lee led chants at the protest she spearheaded as an organizer. We want to honor Renee," she told The Eagle. "We want to mourn her. We are horrified. When I say we, I mean everybody. I was devastated. It breaks my heart that our country has come to this." Organizers prepared a list of actions people could take to fight the Trump administration. Dont be quiet, O'Herin said. Silence is compliance. And we need to make a lot of noise. We need to call our representatives. We need to call Republican representatives. We need to tell them were unhappy. And they need to get a backbone and do whats right. Brian Isaac of Adams was carrying a sign depicting Donald Trump with a toothbrush mustache and in a Nazi uniform. Our voices are very much needed for this, Isaac said. Im hoping it will inspire more and more people who vote Democrat to stand up, to vote, to make their voices heard, to not sit around and wait for everything to work it out by itself. Among the speakers was Eric Wasileski, a U.S. Navy veteran and a founder of the Pittsfield chapter of Veterans for Peace. As military veterans, we hereby affirm our cause to work for world peace, the Pittsfield resident said. To this end, we will work with others both nationally and internationally to increase the public awareness of the causes and costs of war. To restrain our government from intervening overtly and covertly in the internal affairs of other nations. To resist racism and repression in our home communities. To oppose militarization of law enforcement. To end the arms race and reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons. To seek justice for veterans and victims of war. To abolish war as an instrument of national policy. To promote a sustainable and peaceful world. Wasileski then played a prayer drum from Japan. He invited those who knew the accompanying chant to join him. Clarisse Kilayko of Williamstown came to the protest with her daughter, Nadine, who is 10. Im an immigrant so all of this hits very close to home for me, said Kilayko, who was born in the Philippines. Ive always felt welcome in this country until recently. And even though we all come for the same reason we all come for a better life for us and our families I feel very strongly that the people who come across the border here, theyre all just trying their best to have a better life. For many who have built their lives here for many years, I think its not fair to just kick them out just because. Its also I think hypocrisy to depend on immigrants for running our businesses, for being health care workers, all these things that we do for our country, and then to say all of a sudden, No, we dont need you anymore.'" One of the mysteries of the Christian faith is the nature of God, because there is a picture painted of Him as three-in-one. The Trinity refers to the idea that God is three separate, unique identities that are also one being. These identities are The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The last one in that list is perhaps the most mysterious, but the one that guides Christians in their daily lives. People often pray to the Father and the Son, but sometimes feel hesitant to pray to the Holy Spirit. The Bible makes it clear the Holy Spirit is a part of prayer, with it guiding believers and even providing a method of communication between someone and God when they just cannot articulate their needs and pain in prayer. Invoking the Spirit in prayer is acceptable, especially when asking for help in something for which the Bible says the Holy Spirit is there to help. Who (or What) Is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is one of the three persons of God, an element of His character that touches the daily lives of those who love Him. The first mention of the Spirit is in Genesis; The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). Before anything was created, God existed in perfect unity with Himself: Father, Son, and Spirit, together. After the Fall, the Spirit stayed in Heaven, but it would descend on certain individuals, selected to do the Lords work, or who had a particularly close relationship to God. It is described by Jesus as the Helper, or the Comforter, whose presence is with the Church until He returns, and as a seal on Christians so they are marked as one of Jesus flock. Some of these individuals included: Joshua So the Lord said to Moses, Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him (Numbers 27:18). Othniel But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the Lord gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand. And his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim. So the land had rest forty years. Then Othniel the son of Kenaz died (Judges 3:9-11). David And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him, for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed [David] in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah (1 Samuel 16:12b-13). During the time before the Lord Jesus came to earth, the Spirit would rest with certain individuals, but not everyone, and it could leave them if they hardened their hearts or sinned greatly against the Lord. The most prominent example of the Spirit descending upon and then departing from someone was Saul - the first king of Israel. When the prophet Samuel first anoints Saul, ...the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he prophesied among them (1 Samuel 10:10b). Despite being powerfully used by God, Saul grows increasingly worldly. He disobeys the command to eliminate all the Amalekites, including their livestock, and finally, Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul (1 Samuel 16:14a). The Holy Spirit also dispensed gifts in the Old Testament. When the Hebrew people were making a Tabernacle for God, the Spirit endowed Bezaleel with wisdom and knowledge for crafting. Today, the Holy Spirit still dispenses gifts ranging from the practical, such as administration and teaching, to gifts like speaking in tongues and discernment. Can We Pray to the Holy Spirit? The Lords Prayer is considered the model prayer by many Christians, and the Holy Spirit is not mentioned. However, many Christians pray in the name of Jesus, something that is not present in the Lords prayer either. The Bible says the Holy Spirit is a part of prayer; the Apostle Paul wrote, Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26). Knowing the Spirit is interceding when prayers are inadequate is comforting. The Spirit is also the source of sanctification. It is what convicts believers of their sins, revealing even the most suppressed evil, and what cultivates godly character traits; And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules (Ezekiel 36:26-27). It is not sinful to ask the Holy Spirit to help with something that is under its domain during prayer. It indwells each believer to sanctify, convict, and prepare Christians for eternity in Heaven, and calling on it for help in those matters through prayer is appropriate. 3 Prayers to the Holy Spirit A Prayer for Understanding O Lord, I thank you that You are full of wisdom, and that You want to share that wisdom with us. Holy Spirit, I am in a complicated situation right now. I need understanding and discernment to navigate it in a manner that does not hurt those around me, maintains my testimony, and glorifies God. Fill me with the divine discernment that only comes from the Lord, so that I can navigate these rough waters. Guide me and help me to understand those who are not in agreement with me, so that I can see them the way the Lord sees them. Help me to know what is right, and to stand in the right. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen. A Prayer for Strength O Lord, I am weak, and need your help to do what is right. I am assailed on all sides by temptation, and my flesh is easily corrupted. You give strength to the weary and power to the weak. Holy Spirit, help me to feel Your presence, and fill me with the power to walk away from the things that are trying to pull me away from the path of righteousness. I need to feel Your presence, and I need Your power to say no. Spirit, guide me and lead me along the straight path and through the narrow gate. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen. A Prayer for Increased Godliness O Lord, Without you, I am wicked sinner, who thinks no good thought and does no good deed. I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to seal me as the guarantee of my inheritance until I acquire possession of it, to the praise of the glory of God. Holy Spirit, please increase godly character in me. Make me more like my Lord and Savior through conviction and sanctification. Find in me and remove sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, enmity, jealousy, wrath, envy, and any other sin that consumes my heart. Instead, fill me with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I want less of me, and more of my God, and I need your guidance Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen. While the Holy Spirit is difficult to understand, it is the way God abides and guides. The Holy Spirit is an active part of a Christians life, as long as they do not suppress it. It serves as the believers conscience, and to blaspheme it and ignore it is to bring condemnation upon oneself. Relying on the Spirit is a path toward righteousness, and reaching out in prayer for that guidance is a way to stay connected to God. Sources Hernandez, David Diga. Encountering the Holy Spirit in Every Book of the Bible. Destiny Image, Inc., 2018. Montague, George. Holy Spirit Make Me Your Home. Frederick: The Word Among Us Press, 2008. Smith, Gordon. Welcome, Holy Spirit. Westmont: Intervarsity Press, 2021. Related articles The Holy Spirit Is Here to Help When You Need It What Does It Mean to Pray in the Holy Spirit? 6 Ways the Holy Spirit Transforms Our Lives Photo credit: Unsplash/Naassom Azevedo Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Conservation charity An Taisce is urging the public to object to proposed caps on legal costs for judicial review challenges. The charity is warning that the changes could severely restrict public access to justice and undermine environmental protection. In all our time in An Taisce, this is one of the biggest threats to environmental protection that we have ever faced, An Taisce said in a statement on its website. "The Government is seeking to dramatically erode the public right of access to justice via the courts by imposing prohibitively expensive costs on eNGOs and members of civil society who seek to challenge unlawful planning, licencing, or policy decisions." Organisations and the public can challenge public decisions by invoking the High Courts judicial review mechanism, reports the Irish Times, which involves judges testing whether a decision is legally sound. An individual applicant needs to prove they are affected by the decision they seek to challenge, but an NGO that has been promoting relevant environmental protection for a year is not required to prove such interest. Advertisement Under current rules, applicants who lose a judicial review generally pay only their own legal costs, while those who win can recover their costs from the public authority. This system gives certainty to applicants and allows lawyers to take public-interest cases on a conditional or no win, no fee basis. However, the Governments proposal would cap the level of legal costs that successful applicants could recover, which could result in bills exceeding 100,000 even if they win. According to An Taisce, this would deter most public-interest cases and prevent lawyers from taking them on a conditional basis, as the costs the applicant can recover would only cover a fraction of the hours billed by the lawyer. State bodies and developers would face no equivalent limits on their own legal spending. The charity went on to say that even if most people might never intend to take a judicial review themselves, "it is very important that public authorities know they can be held to account before our courts". It warned of "public accountability" being "severely compromised" and "quality of decision making" being lowered. The charity cited a "negative narrative" against judicial reviews recently, whereby those who took them up were blamed for "holding up housing and strategic infrastructure". An Taisce also criticised the timing of the consultation, which is set to close on January 15th, saying that the Government began the consultation over the Christmas period when many people were too busy to engage with it. This unlawful proposal is a significant attack on civil society and public accountability it should be dropped, and the current system of cost rules should be maintained, it added, adding that the changes would lead to environmental harm. The charity recommends raising several points in submissions, including the manner in which the Government ran the consultation, how access to justice cannot be prohibitively expensive, and the impact of the proposal and the importance of public interest litigation. Submissions are due by 5.30pm on Thursday, January 15th and can be sent by email to aarhus@dcee.gov.ie. More information is available on An Taisce's website here. A judge has remarked that a woman who was allegedly very coercively controlled by her husband in a very long marriage was in a situation of "falling in love with your kidnapper to a certain degree. At the Family Law Court, Judge Alec Gabbett made his comment before granting the woman a Protection Order under the Domestic Violence Act. After reading her statement grounding her application for the Protection Order, Judge Gabbett said that he "understands why you didnt come to court sooner, it makes sense. He said: "It is almost Stockholm Syndrome, isn't it? Falling in love with your kidnapper to a certain degree. Judge Gabbett said that from the written information provided by the applicant, he can see that she has been "in a very long marriage and very coercively controlled". Advertisement He said: There have been lots of threats - some physical violence escalating late in 2025 when he took a sledgehammer to the bedroom door to get in." Judge Gabbett said to the woman: You left and he went to cancel your bank cards and you received abusive phone calls and messages. Judge Gabbett said: I get it - I have to ask the question why you didnt come sooner but I understand that. The woman replied, I couldn't take the chance. Judge Gabbett told her, You are a victim of your circumstance. Are you afraid of him?" to which the woman replied, "Yes." She confirmed that she no longer lives with her husband. The woman was accompanied to court by Sgt Caitriona Houlihan, who replied "yes" when Judge Gabbett asked her if she was progressing the matter another way. The husband was not present in court for the application that was made on an ex parte basis by the applicant. Judge Gabbett adjourned until April the hearing of the womans Safety Order, where the husband will be present to rebut any of the allegations made, and he will also have the option to consent to the Safety Order application. If the man breaches the terms of the Protection Order before then, he can be arrested without warrant by Gardai following a complaint from the woman, charged and brought before a district court judge. 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. Helmets may soon become compulsory for e-scooter users as ministers move to tighten road safety rules. The Government is examining tougher enforcement on speed limits and underage use, after a rise in serious injuries, reports on Monday have said. Three people died in e-scooter accidents last year. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister of State for Road Safety Sean Canney have said they are determined to strengthen regulations and improve enforcement of the rules around speed and underage use of e-scooters, The Irish Times reported. They are due to meet Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien early this year to discuss ways of strengthening the regulations. It is understood that compulsory helmets and high-visibility jackets will be their focus. However, The Irish Times understood that the Government will stop short of requiring e-scooters to be registered or for users to be licensed. Advertisement One backbench Government TD has called for registration, but Mr Canney has said safety can be improved without having to go through a lengthy process of drafting legislation. Doctors have warned that e-scooter crashes are now a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries among children. Shane O'Donoghue, editor of completecar.ie, told Newstalk that helmets should be compulsory. "I think its right to focus on what we can do to improve rider safety on e-scooters 100 per cent. Given the number of children, in particular, that have been admitted to hospital in the last year from e-scooters, I think compulsory helmets is a great idea," he said. E-scooters are classified under 2023 legislation as a new category of vehicle, Powered Vehicle Transporters. Users are not required to have a licence, be registered, or pay tax and insurance. Nor does the law specify that helmets or high-visibility jackets must be used. The regulations prohibit children under 16 from using them. The maximum legal speed for e-scooters is 20km/h, and their use on footpaths is prohibited. E-scooters are not allowed to carry more than one passenger at a time under the law. Those rules are regularly flouted by some users, and there is evidence of widespread use of e-scooters by children under 16. In response to a query from The Irish Times, the Taoiseach said there would be an evaluation of the public health aspect of the rules. There are rules in place already and they must be adhered to. I also believe people should strongly consider wearing helmets when riding an e-scooter, he said. Advertisement Mr Canney told The Irish Times the current regulations would be reviewed in January with a view to making helmets and high-visibility clothing mandatory. He referred to there being an issue enforcing the current rules. Some of the more powerful e-scooters on sale in shops and online in the Republic are advertised as having top speeds of 60km/h or more. Selling a machine that can go at a speed in excess of what is allowable is a huge anomaly, said Mr Canney. If the scooter can go up to 40km/h even though the regulation says 20km/h, people will go at 35km/h or even 40km/h, he said. A Garda helicopter was deployed in a recent incident in which a vulnerable minor subject to a High Court secure care order was a passenger in a stolen vehicle, the court has heard. The minor in question is one of five children in the State who are not in secure care despite the existence of a court order directing Tusla, the child and family agency, to detain them in a secure care unit. Highly troubled and vulnerable children aged 11 to 17 can be detained in a secure care unit, known as special care, on foot of a High Court order sought by Tusla. Of the existing 26 beds across the States three special care units, just 15 are operational due to severe difficulties recruiting and retaining staff. On Monday, Mr Justice John Jordan, who manages the High Courts special care list, reviewed the cases of the five children who are without a special care bed. The judge said Tuslas non-compliance with special care orders was completely and utterly unacceptable. Advertisement The judge noted that four sets of plenary proceedings issued on behalf of four of the children have been brought against Tusla, seeking declarations that the agency is in contempt of court for failing to comply with the orders. The judge said no judge should be expected to comment on and tolerate a situation where orders have been applied for, and the party that applied for the orders is failing to comply with the direction. He noted that the orders were obtained in circumstances whereby the children faced a danger to life, safety and welfare. He said it was quite extraordinary that Tusla and the powers that be are not sorting this out, referring to the agencys long-running inability to provide special care beds for children in need. Mr Justice Jordan said it appeared that financial constraints were not preventing the problem being sorted out, although he acknowledged the difficulties in recruiting sufficient staff to work within special care. The fact of the matter is beds are needed the beds that are there need to be opened up, the judge said. In the case of one of the children without a bed, barrister Nora Ni Loinsigh, appearing for the childs mother, said the child had recently been found to be travelling in a stolen vehicle. Gardai deployed a helicopter in the incident involving the vehicle, counsel said. Ms Ni Loinsigh said the level of risk to the child was extreme. Barrister Maeve Cox, appearing for the childs father, said her client echoed the concerns of the mother. It is impossible to overestimate the level of risk to [them], counsel said. Advertisement In the case of another of the children, barrister Brendan Hennessy, appearing for the childs mother, said the case was extremely urgent, and stated that the minor remains actively involved in the drug trade. Barrister Sarah McKechnie, appearing for Tusla, said the minor had appeared before the District Court earlier this month following his arrest over a breach of bail conditions. Ms McKechnie said the District Court judge did not revoke the minors bail, noting that there were no beds available at Oberstown youth detention centre. Counsel said that there continues to be significant concern about the minors welfare. A 21.5 million fine imposed by the Central Bank against a crypto services provider for breaches of its monitoring obligations linked to anti-money-laundering and combating the financing of terrorism has been confirmed by the High Court. High Court president Mr Justice David Barniville on Monday confirmed the sanction, which also includes a reprimand by the Central Bank on Coinbase Europe Ltd. The company is part of the global Coinbase Group, which operates a significant global trading platform for crypto assets. Coinbase Europe was set up six years ago to provide crypto asset and wallet services to customers in Europe and further afield. Coinbase Europe now has seven days to pay the fine after a settlement was negotiated with the Central Bank last November. Confirming the sanction, believed to be the first against the crypto sector, Mr Justice Barniville said it was an extremely large fine along with a reprimand, but this did not mean it was disproportionate. Advertisement The judge also noted that the Central Bank sanction was imposed with consent, and the application before the court was unopposed. The court also noted that the original monetary penalty imposed by the Central Bank was 30.6 million, but the final figure of 21,464,734 reflected a 30 per cent settlement scheme discount. In an affidavit to the court, Louise Gallagher of the Central Bank Enforcement Investigations Division said cryptocurrency firms are exposed to significant money laundering and terrorist financing risks due to their technological features, cross-border operations and anonymity-enhancing capabilities. Coinbase Europe agreed the undisputed facts. Last November, after the settlement was reached, the Central Bank of Ireland said as a virtual asset service provider, Coinbase Europe is required to monitor customer transactions on an ongoing basis. Where Coinbase Europe suspects that a transaction is facilitating money laundering or terrorist financing, it is required to file a Suspicious Transaction Report with the national Financial Intelligence Unit and Revenue Commissioners as soon as possible. Coinbase Europe, it said, had been fined due to faults in the configuration of its transaction monitoring system, which resulted in more than 30 million transactions not being properly monitored over a 12-month period. The value of these transactions amounted to over 176 billion, and accounted for approximately 31 per cent of all Coinbase Europe transactions conducted in the period when the faults existed. Further, it said it took Coinbase Europe almost three years to fully complete the monitoring of the impacted transactions. Coinbase Europe, it said, accepted that it breached its transaction monitoring obligations under the legislation by failing to fully and properly monitor 30,442,437 transactions as well as failing to adopt internal policies, controls and procedures to prevent and detect the commission of money laundering and terrorist financing; and failing to conduct additional monitoring in respect of 184,790 transactions. A High Court judge has praised a woman who was sexually abused by her uncle for her victim impact statement, which she said would help other victims to find their voices". Some people will find their voice and come forward, and you will have helped with that process. You should be proud of what you have done to help other victims, Justice Karen OConnor told the woman, after an investigating garda read the victim impact statement into the record. Her uncle, now aged 63, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to a number of charges but was convicted by a jury following a trial last year on three charges of indecent assault. The offences occurred on dates between February 1988 and December 1988, in the childs grandmothers home, where the uncle was living. Advertisement The court heard that the then 25-year-old man would regularly get into bed with the then five-year-old child naked and rub his body against her. Ms Justice OConnor remanded the man in custody and adjourned sentencing to later this month. Ms Justice OConnor spoke directly to the woman and thanked her for her very eloquent and detailed report. Thank you for the time and thought that has gone into it it is very important to have an insight, Ms Justice OConnor said. She said the woman, referring to herself as a very sad child and angry teenager, in her victim impact statement, is sadly not uncommon in such cases. The judge said teenagers dont have the voice or even the understanding of what happened to them as a child, and it is very common for them to become angry because they have no way of expressing the hurt that they are feeling. She also thanked the woman for her description of her experience of the trial process. Ms Justice OConnor told her that she has done something that will be most helpful to little people who dont have the voice to say anything that at this point. She said the case being reported in the media, which may be read or heard by a child, will help them to understand that they are not alone and that this (sexual abuse) happens to other people as well. Some people will find their voice and come forward, and you will have helped with that process. You should be proud of what you have done to help other victims, Ms Justice OConnor said. Advertisement I sincerely hope that you take any supports that are available to you you have done the right thing by proceeding, the judge said, before adding that the woman had shown dignity throughout the process. In her victim impact statement, the woman stated that she had buried her story for over 30 years before she ultimately reported it to the gardai. She said she ran away from home as a teenager and never understood until she grew older why she had done so. I never understood why I did it I was a good kid that very bad things happened to, the woman said. She described herself as a sad child and an angry teenager. I realise now that when I ran away from home, I disconnected myself emotionally from my younger self, she continued. She said she was angry with the adults in her life who she said should have protected her from the abuse. Reporting the abuse was 'the hardest thing' The woman said reporting the abuse was the hardest thing she had done in her life and described the trial process as an out-of-body experience and mental torture. She spoke of how her uncle made eye contact with her during the trial, which she said made her physically sick. The woman said that her younger self should be proud of her adult self for sticking up for her. She said she knows that she is a strong person and believes she will continue to heal. I always knew right from wrong. I always felt that I was born into the wrong family, the woman said before she added that she only ever trusted one man in her life her now husband. Advertisement At least I know that I have done the right thing maybe now I can stop running and find some inner peace, the woman said. She thanked the gardai, who she said have always supported her and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre. John Fitzgerald SC, prosecuting, told Ms Justice OConnor that the man is the victims fathers brother. The victim stayed most weekends in her grandmothers home, where the accused man was still living at the time. It was accepted that while the man always denied the charges, he cooperated with the garda investigation and always abided by his bail conditions. Garrett McCormack SC, defending, confirmed that his client continues to deny the charges and does not accept the verdict of the jury. He accepted that the offences involved a breach of trust and that there was a significant disparity in age between the man and the child. He asked the court to accept that the offence itself was in the lower range of such offences which come before the Central Criminal Court. This does not diminish what (the victim) has said or take away from it (the abuse), Mr McCormack said. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu said the Mercosur deal 'disproportionately impacts Irish farmers' and the process is not yet complete. She said the vote by member states to approve Mercosur does not mark the end of the process, but rather the start of lobbying efforts ahead of a critical vote in the European Parliament. The Ireland South MEP urged her fellow Irish MEPs to work together to lobby colleagues in the European Parliament. Ni Mhurchu said the agreement disproportionately impacts Irish farmers and rural communities, particularly in her own constituency, and she urged her fellow MEPs to consider the public health and environmental risks of allowing large amounts of Mercosur beef into EU markets. She highlighted the fact that Irish agriculture operates to some of the highest environmental, animal welfare, and food safety standards globally, with farmers having made significant investments to meet these requirements. Advertisement It is fundamentally unfair to expect Irish farmers, who comply with some of the strictest standards in the world, to compete with imports produced under far lower regulatory requirements, she said. She also pointed to serious concerns around traceability issues with Mercosur beef and public health concerns around the use of illegal hormones and antibiotics in the production of cheap Mercosur beef. I stand firmly with Irish farmers and rural communities and will do everything in my power to oppose this agreement, she said. Explained Explained: What's in the EU-Mercosur trade deal and why is it contentious? Read more Meanwhile, EU Commissioner for Democracy, Michael McGrath, has been asked to urgently intervene in a procedural row that could see attempts by the EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, to proceed with the implementation of the EU Mercosur trade deal before democratic ratification by the European Parliament. MEP Ciaran Mullooly wrote to Commissioner McGrath asking him to personally contact President von der Leyen and stop these attempts to side-step the European Parliament, who have a legal and legislative role in the final rejection or ratification of the deal. He asked for an urgent meeting with the Commissioner in the next 48 hours to discuss the situation, and will deliver a petition signed by over 30,000 people against the trade deal going ahead after a public protest in Athlone organised by the Independent Ireland party last Saturday. To ignore the procedures established under European treaties and proceed with implementation without the vote of the parliament would be dangerous, highly irresponsible, and hugely damaging to the relationship between the European Citizens and the Commission. The Department of Education has confirmed the approval of 168 new special classes nationally, across 159 schools. A significant number of the special classes have been allocated to schools in Cork. Schools were notified on Monday, with further special class sanctions to follow in the coming weeks. 13 special classes were announced for schools in Cork, eight were announced for schools in Co Tipperary, and six were allocated to schools in Co Meath. A Department of Education spokesperson said the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) expects to continue to sanction further new special classes over the coming weeks. "The earlier sanctioning of these classes will provide clarity for parents and allow schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes," they said. Special classes in Cork Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O'Shea welcomed the sanctioning of the new special classes across Cork, describing the announcement as a positive step for children with additional educational needs and their families. Advertisement He said the new classes will make a real difference on the ground. "This is very welcome news for parents, students and school communities right across Cork. These additional special classes will provide vital supports for children with additional needs, while also giving families reassurance that appropriate educational placements are being planned and delivered locally," he said. Deputy OShea praised the schools involved for their willingness to support inclusive education. I want to acknowledge the leadership and staff in these schools who have stepped forward to provide special classes. Their commitment to inclusion ensures children can access the supports they need within their own communities. Irish Prison Service vehicles were involved in dozens of crashes, prangs, and breakdowns over the past two years. The incidents, along with other wear and tear, resulted in repairs and recovery jobs costing the State well over 200,000, records released under FOI show. Figures provided by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) detail how fleet vehicles were involved in six road traffic collisions over the past two years, with three in each year. In addition to collisions, prison vehicles were damaged on 52 occasions during the same period. There were 21 incidents in 2024 and a further 31 in 2025, including cases where vehicles hit walls or were vandalised. The service also logged 96 vehicle recoveries over the two years, at a combined cost of around 35,000. In 2024, there were 54 recoveries costing 17,325, while 42 recoveries in 2025 cost 17,492. However, the IPS said it was not possible to determine how many of these recoveries related specifically to breakdowns, as the figures also include instances where vehicles were moved between facilities. Advertisement Separate figures show that repairs were needed to prison vehicles on 233 occasions across 2024 and 2025, at a total cost of almost 173,000. This included 135 repair jobs in 2024 costing 98,850 and 98 in 2025 costing just over 74,000. The service said not all of these repairs related to crashes or damage incidents and could also include body and chassis repairs carried out as part of routine maintenance for rust or general wear and tear. The IPS also said that no staff members were involved in a road traffic collision while using their own private vehicle for official business in either 2024 or 2025. They said they could not provide figures for compensation payments or repairs to privately owned vehicles, saying that legal claims for property damage are handled by the State Claims Agency. Asked about the records, a spokesman said their fleet operated 24/7 and last year travelled approximately 3.8 million kilometres reflecting the scale and intensity of daily operations. Ireland Prisoners making fewer complaints as system is 'manifestly unfit for purpose, says Chief Prisons Inspector Read more He said work included prisoner transfers, court appearances, hospital appointments, and essential logistics nationwide. This fleet ranges from passenger and commercial vehicles to a variety of cellular vehicles designed for the secure transport of people in custody, he said. The Prison Service maintains robust systems to minimise and manage these effectively, including strict roadsafety procedures, regular driver training and continuous review of fleet condition to ensure all vehicles remain roadworthy and safe. He added that all incidents were recorded, reviewed, and addressed as appropriate, and any third-party claims were managed by the State Claims Agency. The repression of citizens and protesters in Iran must end, Micheal Martin has said. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands detained in the uprising against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis rule. Protests in Iran began in late December over the ailing economy and have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years. The internet and telephone lines have been cut off, but footage of events in Tehran and other cities has made it to social media. US president Donald Trump said on Sunday night that Iran wants to negotiate after he threatened action following the crackdown. I strongly condemn the brutal and violent suppression of protestors that has left hundreds of civilians dead in Iran over recent days. pic.twitter.com/GrlRE4IZz6 Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 12, 2026 On Monday, the Taoiseach said the violence in Iran must stop and that Iranians had the right to protest. I strongly condemn the brutal and violent suppression of protestors that has left hundreds of civilians dead in Iran over recent days, he said in a statement on the social media site X. Advertisement The people of Iran have a fundamental right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. The repression must end. I urge the authorities in Tehran to uphold the rights of all their citizens. The violence must stop, the curtailing of basic freedoms must end, and dialogue begin at once. On Sunday, Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee said she was deeply concerned by developments in Iran. She said she was in contact with the Irish embassy in Tehran and with EU partners. I call on the Iranian authorities to refrain from any further violence, to restore communications, engage with demonstrators about their grievances and to uphold the fundamental rights of all Iranians. The Tanaiste is to meet with California governor Gavin Newsom as part of a visit to the US state. Simon Harris flew to California on Sunday for a visit his department is billing as strengthening Irelands economic partnership with the United States. Mr Harris will meet with IDA and Enterprise Ireland client companies in the sectors of tech, healthcare, and pharma. Tanaiste Simon Harris is visiting California (Brian Lawless/PA) His itinerary also includes meetings with Mr Newsom and the mayor of San Francisco Daniel Lurie. Mr Newsom is considered to be a 2028 presidential hopeful for the Democrats. Speaking before the visit, the Finance Minister said: Irelands long-standing economic relationship with California is a cornerstone of our wider partnership with the United States. The economic partnership between our two countries supports prosperity and employment on both sides of the Atlantic, and this visit provides an opportunity to further deepen that relationship. The scale of two-way trade and investment between Ireland and the US underscores the strength of our economic ties. The resumption of Irish beef exports to China will be important and positive for trade, the Taoiseach has said. Micheal Martin said it reflected the confidence in the robustness of Irelands food safety standards. The Taoiseach visited China last week and pressed for the Chinese market to be reopened to Irish beef products. He also met with Chinas President Xi Jinping and Zhao Leji, chairman of Chinas National Peoples Congress. The confirmation today that the Chinese market will reopen for Irish beef is a very important and positive development in our bilateral agri-food trade with China, Mr Martin said. This decision, which directly follows my positive engagements in Beijing with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in recent days, reflects the confidence of the Chinese authorities in the robustness, transparency, and effectiveness of Irelands animal health, traceability, and food safety systems. Advertisement This reflects a culmination of intensive political, diplomatic, and official engagement since the market was temporarily suspended in September 2024. He said: I look forward to the resumption of beef exports to China and to the continued constructive co-operation with the Chinese authorities to further strengthen agri-food trade between Ireland and China in a mutually beneficial manner. Ireland Simon Harris to meet California governor Gavin Newsom during US visit Read more Meanwhile, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said Irelands beef production involved comprehensive surveillance, strict regulatory oversight, and internationally recognised standards. The reopening of the Chinese market further underlines the strength of these systems and Irelands long-standing commitment to safe, sustainable, and high-quality agri-food production, he said. Id like to thank the Chinese officials who engage positively on an ongoing basis with our Beijing embassy and with my department. During the recent agri-food trade mission to China, in October, my colleague Minister of State Timmy Dooley had the opportunity to highlight the importance of the market re-opening with ministerial counterparts in the GACC (General Administration of Customs of China) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. The 15-year-old driver of a stolen car broke a gardas hand closing a door during a struggle as she tried to remove him from the vehicle, a court has heard. Detective Garda Kate Gilligan vividly described in her victim impact statement the danger the teenager was causing to himself and other road users during a garda pursuit as he drove on the wrong side of a motorway, rammed a patrol car and changed lanes constantly. The defendant, now aged 18, told the court through his counsel that he had not intended to injure the garda and was sorry. If he continued, it could have had devastating consequences for other road users and himself, Det Gda Gilligan said. She said she would take a broken hand any day over what could have happened. Advertisement The young man, who cannot be identified as he was a juvenile when charged with these offences, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, assault, unlawful use of a car, dangerous driving, and damaging an official garda vehicle at south Dublin locations along the M50 on August 24th, 2023. Judge Orla Crowe said the evidence of Det Gda Gilligan vividly captured the danger of driving in this way for the public and also for the gardai endeavouring to end it in a safe way. Judge Crowe commended the gardai for their fair evidence in the case. She noted that the boy had been showing significant improvement and was making positive progress. She imposed concurrent custodial sentences of 18 months which she suspended on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour. She also set as a condition of his release that he engage with the Probation Service for one year. Det Gda Gilligan told the court that on the night in question, gardai received reports of two stolen vehicles driving dangerously against traffic on the M11 at Rathnew, Co Wicklow. She said when gardai later encountered one of the vehicles, which was being driven by the boy, it was driving towards Dublin on the correct side of the road. It failed to stop, and a garda pursuit began. Det Gda Gilligan described how at one stage the boy rammed the patrol car and attempted to drive down a slip road onto the wrong side of the motorway. Gardai made a decision to stop the car and manoeuvred to bring it to a halt. Advertisement Det Gda Gilligan said she saw an opportunity to take the driver out of the car at this point, but her hand was injured as she struggled with the driver. She sustained two broken bones in her hand when the driver door closed on it and was out of work for 11 weeks. She said the incident has not had any lasting effects on her or her work. The teen tried to get away but was arrested and brought to hospital to be treated for injuries. He told gardai he was not the person who stole the car but he did have use of it the day after it was stolen. He apologised to other road users and cooperated with gardai. Dominic McGinn SC, defending, said his client was anxious to let the garda know the injury to her hand had not been deliberate. He said the boy had written a letter in which he apologised and said he regretted his actions. He said he has matured since these events and will never do anything like this again. Mr McGinn asked the court to take into account the fact his client had co-operated with the investigation, pleaded guilty at an early stage and expressed genuine remorse. Ireland Man (24) pleads guilty to knife attack on garda and arson of Conor McGregor's pub Read more He said his client had matured in the past year, part of which he had spent in detention. He said this had a salutary effect and he had used the experience to do something with his life and not go back into a spiral of offending. He has taken advantage of the services available to him. Counsel said the probation report outlined difficulties in the boy's up-bringing but his family is now stable and supportive of him. He is working to address his educational deficits. The report stated his risk of reoffending had reduced and he is no longer associating with negative peer influences. The court heard that since the offending in question the youth has racked up a number of convictions, including dangerous driving and criminal damage and offending involving stolen cars. Tesla is to open a new sales showroom and delivery centre on Dublin's northside, just off the M50 at Junction 5. The move comes as it launches new entry-level versions that mean a Model 3 can start from 32,984 after grants and a new 3,500 trade-in bonus. The new facility at Charlestown, a popular location for car dealerships, will open in autumn this year and feature a two-car showroom, handling new and pre-owned sales, handover and servicing. Tesla will retain its sales operation on the forecourt of the Pavillions Shopping Centre in Swords, Co Dublin. It also has sales staff working in Galway and Limerick, along with a sales and servicing outlet in Cork. The EV car brand will retain its current operation in Sandyford Business Park, in south Dublin. Handovers of new cars will also continue at the Tesla collection point in Baldonnell Business Park in west Dublin. Advertisement The carmaker has also announced new entry-level pricing and a trade-in bonus scheme for its Model 3 and Model Y ranges. The new entry-level Model Y Standard version will start from 39,332 if buyers avail of the new trade-in bonus, offering a claimed range of 505km. For the Model 3 Standard version, the price starts at 32,984 with the trade-in bonus and SEAI grants. This version claims an official WLTP range of 534km. The trade-in bonus could effectively act as a scrappage-style incentive, as the 3,500 discount is applied to the list price separately from whatever valuation is given to the used car. To qualify, buyers need only be the registered owner of a used vehicle with a valid NCT. The scheme could encourage some buyers to pick up a low-cost older car and trade it in against a new Tesla purely to secure the bonus. Lifestyle Mercedes-Benz CLA crowned Europe's Car of the Year 2026 Read more Tesla ended last year with 2,769 new registrations, down 5.4 per cent on 2024, but Kieran Campbell, its recently appointed strategic sales and operations leader in Ireland, expects growth to return in 2026 on the back of its new pricing, sales outlets and new products in the pipeline. These new products are expected to be variants of the current Model 3 and Model Y ranges, as Tesla has no plans to introduce either the Cybertruck or new Roadster to the Irish market. Figures for the first 10 days of this year show EVs are now outselling petrol cars for the first time. Of the 13,974 new registrations by close of business last Friday, 28 per cent were petrol hybrids, 22 per cent fully electric, 19 per cent petrol, 15 per cent plug-in hybrid and just 13 per cent diesel. Hyundai is the best-selling brand so far, with its Tucson the biggest-selling model, 68 per cent of which were plug-in hybrids. A woman has died following a road crash in Co Antrim. The woman, who was aged in her 30s, died following the two-car collision near Nutts Corner in Crumlin on Sunday afternoon. It came after a blue Ford Fiesta and a silver Skoda Superb collided on the Moira Road at about 2pm. A woman has sadly died following a road traffic collision close to Nutts Corner on Sunday afternoon.https://t.co/ndBrON8a7J pic.twitter.com/2GS84gI6al Police Antrim and Newtownabbey (@PSNIANDistrict) January 12, 2026 Police said the woman had been a backseat passenger and died in hospital from her injuries. They said a man in his 30s, also a passenger in the same car, was critically injured while a number of other people sustained minor injuries in the collision. A police spokesperson said: Our officers, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, attended the scene. Sadly, a woman later died from her injuries. We are investigating what happened and require the publics assistance with our inquiries. Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have any dash-cam footage of the road at the time which could assist with our investigation, please contact us in the collision investigation unit on 101, quoting reference number 735 11/01/26. Pope Leo XIV met with Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado in a private audience at the Vatican. The meeting, which hadnt been previously included in the list of Leos planned appointments, was later listed by the Vatican in its daily bulletin, without adding details. The details of the meeting were not revealed (Vatican Media via AP, HO) Ms Machado is touring Europe and the United States after she re-emerged in December after 11 months in hiding to accept her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. Today I had the blessing and honour of being able to share with His Holiness and express our gratitude for his continued support of what is happening in our country, Ms Machado said in a statement following the meeting. Advertisement I also conveyed to him the strength of the Venezuelan people who remain steadfast and in prayer for the freedom of Venezuela, and I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared, she added. Ms Machado also held talks with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who was Nuncio in Venezuela from 2009 to 2013. Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, has called for Venezuela to remain an independent country after US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his compound in Caracas and flew him to New York to face federal charges of drug trafficking. Leo had said he was following the developments in Venezuela with deep concern and urged the protection of human and civil rights in the Latin American country. Venezuelas opposition, backed by consecutive Republican and Democratic administrations in the US, had vowed for years to immediately replace Maduro with one of their own and restore democracy to the oil-rich country. But US President Donald Trump delivered them a heavy blow by allowing Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, to assume control. Meanwhile, most opposition leaders, including Ms Machado, are in exile or prison. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump and the people of Venezuela (Ariana Cubillos/AP) After winning the 2025 Nobel Prize for Peace, Ms Machado said shed like to give it to or share it with Mr Trump. Ms Machado dedicated the prize to Mr Trump, along with the people of Venezuela, shortly after it was announced. Mr Trump has coveted and openly campaigned for winning the Nobel Prize himself since his return to office in January 2025. The organisation that oversees the Nobel Peace Prize the Norwegian Nobel Institute said, however, that once its announced, the prize cant be revoked, transferred or shared with others. The decision is final and stands for all time, it said in a short statement. January 10, 2026: In Ukraine Russia expected a quick victory and did not have sufficient munitions for a World War Two-length war. Unlike Ukraine, which had substantial military and economic support from NATO nations, all Russia had were Iran and North Korea. These two nations had long been under economic sanctions for misbehavior. This made them ideal allies for wartime Russia. Iran provided missiles and drones while North Korea supplied artillery and lots of 152mm and 122mm shells to feed the guns. The North Koreans took advantage of Russian desperation and sold them older munitions. Some of those shells were past their use-by date and unreliable. The Russians were desperate and didnt bother to check for this. That was a costly mistake because their artillerymen found that many of the shells did not work and some exploded when fired. This destroyed the gun and sometimes killed or injured some of the artillerymen. North Korea also loaned the Russians two or three brigades of its own units. There were some Russian and North Korean bilingual officers and troops attached to the staffs of these brigades. That helped the brigade commanders to understand what the Russians wanted done, but there were problems getting that information to the North Korean soldiers in a timely and useful manner. One thing the Russians did notice was that the North Koreans were far more professional than Russians. Their attack tactics were more disciplined, and, unlike the Russians, the North Koreans took their dead and wounded off the battlefield. Russians also discovered that North Korean battlefield medical care was superior to what Russia offered. North Korea had also agreed to treat seriously wounded Russian soldiers in North Korean hospitals. The Russian patients noted that the care was far superior to what they would encounter in a Russian hospital. At the end of 2024 about 12,000 North Korean soldiers arrived in Russia and, after a short amount of additional training, were sent to fight along Russian troops in Ukraine. The North Koreans were first seen in combat during December. The Ukrainian forces facing them estimate that the North Koreans have suffered about 30 percent casualties so far because the Russians were using their Korean troops for frontal assaults. There were few Russian soldiers available for such costly attacks. Most remaining Russian troops were on the defensive. Ukraine had developed attack tactics that relied on self-propelled machine-guns and other close combat weapons as well as robotic vehicles to clear minefields. Russia urgently needed more soldiers and ammunition. Russia agreed to treat any wounded North Koreans but, when hundreds of wounded North Korean soldiers were taken to Russian military hospitals, it was discovered there were few, if any interpreters who could translate for the medical personnel to treat wounds. This complicated treatment and led to many avoidable deaths. There were few translators in combat, which led to at least two incidents of North Korean and Russian troops firing on each other. To the North Koreans, the Russians and Ukrainians looked similar, spoke similar languages and wore similar combat uniforms. The lack of interpreters led to the North Korean troops becoming a liability to the Russians as well. The Ukrainians captured two of the North Korean soldiers. This was not easy because the North Koreans had been ordered by their leaders back home to kill themselves rather than be captured. Many did so, to spare their families retribution from the North Korean government. The Ukrainians told their North Korean prisoners that they would not be identified. This would keep their families safe. In return, the North Korean prisoners would submit to questioning about the North Korean military and life in North Korea. The two soldiers revealed that they were trained more thoroughly and intensively than the Russian soldiers they worked with in Ukraine. The two prisoners knew little about the war before being sent to fight in it. They then discovered a new world outside the very confined and restricted lives they led in North Korea. There, young men are conscripted into the army at 18 and serve up to ten years. During that time most have little or no contact with their families. Home visits are allowed only when a parent dies. Many North Korean soldiers in Ukraine were able to obtain cell phones, most likely by trading some of their equipment for cell phones with corrupt Russian supply sergeants, and enough understanding of Russian to use the phones. This was a shocking and revealing experience. The phones enabled them to find out about a world they didnt know existed. They were shocked to find out how different life was in prosperous and democratic South Korea, although many North Koreans already knew this. Saying that out loud in North Korea was a criminal offense that often resulted in a long and often fatal time in a labor camp. It is likely that any of these North Korean troops who return to North Korea will be put in prison camps for the rest of their lives. North Korea has worked with Russia in the past but never to the extent that North Korean soldiers were sent to fight for Russia in Ukraine. That was because Russia finally agreed to upgrade North Korean strategic missiles. In June 2024, Russian and North Korea signed a Strategic Partnership treaty that obliged each nation to assist the other in wartime. In peacetime the two nations will supply mutual aid in military matters. North Korea wants assistance in perfecting and upgrading their nuclear weapons and launch platforms, including a modern SSBN/nuclear submarine carrying ready to launch missiles with nuclear warheads. Russia has such submarines but North Korea does not, and has been trying to develop them on its own but those keep sinking. The need for the North Korean treaty is because Russian troops in Ukraine have suffered such high losses since early 2022 that the Russian army has run out of soldiers. Russia has lost over a million killed, disabled or missing while fighting in Ukraine. Many of the wounded suffered further when they found that the Russian medical system was unable to adequately treat them. This led to many thousands of desertions and millions of military age men leaving the country. The North Korean army, or Choson inmin gun, has benefited greatly from its participation in the Ukraine War. As a longtime ally of Russia, North Korea responded to calls from Russia to supply weapons, munitions and eventually troops for the Ukraine operation. North Korea currently has one of the worlds largest armies with around 1.3 million active-duty soldiers, who spend most of their service time as slave labor for senior military officers. North Korea has not been directly involved in any major wars for over 70 years. Lack of battlefield experience is a source of considerable concern for North Korea anxious to counter South Koreas more technologically advanced military. Now North Korean soldiers are learning the realities of modern drone warfare first-hand. That included learning how to shoot down drones. These North Korean soldiers were young, motivated, disciplined, physically fit, brave, and good at using small arms. Russia pays North Korea $2000 per soldier each month. For North Korea the real prize was access to advanced Russian military technology. North Korea received support in increasing its anti-aircraft, submarine, and missile capabilities. Ukraine was a valuable testing ground for North Korea to assess the effectiveness of the weapons it supplied to Russia. Now North Korea can improve the quality of its own domestic arms industry and adapt future output to the realities of the modern battlefield. Troops who survive their time on the Ukrainian front lines are nominally expected to return home and become instructors, sharing their knowledge of modern warfare with colleagues. More likely they will immediately be sent to prison camps for many years. At this point, North Koreas participation in the Ukraine War looks to be less about supporting Russia's imperial ambitions and more about graft for North Korean senior officers and politicians. In the short term, the presence of North Korean soldiers allowed Russia to overcome growing manpower shortages. At the time Russia was losing tens of thousands of troops each month. For the first time in decades, the North Korean army might be gaining real military experience which might conceivably make it more capable of waging war against South Korea or Japan. North Korea continues to be a threat over 70 years since the Korean War ended in 1953. An armistice was signed and prisoners of war were exchanged, but troops remained lined up along a four kilometers wide DMZ/DeMilitarized Zone that stretched from coast to coast. There was a ceasefire agreement, not an end to the war. All attempts at negotiating an end to the war in the last half century have failed. The three years of fighting caused 325,000 American casualties, including 33,651 dead. South Korean troops suffered 415,000 killed, while other nations fighting North Korea suffered 15,000 casualties. The communist forces suffered 1.5 million killed, most of them Chinese because North Korea would have lost without massive reinforcements from China. There were several million civilian dead. After the war, North Korea experienced a period of economic growth as its industrial facilities were rebuilt with Russian aid. From 1904 to 1945, Korea was a Japanese colony, and the north had mines, railroads and factories built by the Japanese. The south, which always had more farmland, was turned into a largely agricultural area to help feed Japan. During the Korean War, industrial and transportation facilities were heavily damaged, and reconstruction was slower in the south. In the 1970s, foreign investment in the south began to grow, and local entrepreneurs began to start, or expand their businesses. By the 1980s, North Korea's centrally planned economy was falling apart because so much money was diverted to military spending, and lack of marketing resulted in products that could only be sold to other communist nations. When the Soviet empire fell apart in 1991, the markets for most North Korean goods disappeared. Corruption and lack of investment in agriculture resulted in food shortages, as well as the collapse of most industrial enterprises, except those that made weapons. Food aid from the Soviet Union ceased and that led to widespread hunger in North Korea during the 1990s when several million civilians starved to death. Post-1991 documents from the Russian archives showed that Stalin appointed Kim Il Sung as ruler of North Korea and in 1950 ordered him to invade South Korea and unite Korea. When that did not work, Russia ordered China to rescue the North Koreans. China complied and told Russia that the Chinese debt was paid to Russia for assistance in the 1949 Chinese Communist Party victory during the 22 year long civil war. In 2010, an article appeared in a Chinese magazine describing the beginning of the Korean War in 1950. What was unusual about the article, in a government approved publication, was the frank admission that North Korea had started it all, by invading South Korea. But once news of the article spread, and was posted on Internet sites, the Chinese government ordered the article withdrawn and denounced it as untrue. The unofficial reason was that China wished to avoid angering North Korea. This, despite the fact that Chinese participation in the war killed or wounded over a million Chinese soldiers. Even Chinese leader Mao Zedong lost a son in Korea. Since 1950, it had been the official Chinese position that the war started with a South Korean invasion of the north, to which the north responded by moving into South Korea. For decades, all communist nations accepted this version, even though all evidence pointed towards the north invading first. Then, in the 1990s, the Russian government released telegrams sent before 1960, by Russian and North Korean leaders, making it clear that Russia wanted the invasion, and that North Korea duly carried it out. Chinese troops entered North Korea in late 1950, to prevent American forces from occupying all of Korea, and that resulted in a two year stalemate along the current inter-Korean border which is now the DMZ Demilitarized Zone. To justify the Chinese losses, and maintain good relations with North Korea, China continued to insist that South Korea had started the war, even after everyone agreed that Russian leader Josef Stalin and North Korea had been the instigators. What this incident really tells North Korea is that China has admitted the truth about who started the war by authorizing the article's publication in the first place but is so sorry for this accident and officially sticks by the earlier lie. The Korean War lies and deceptions linger longer because China and North Korea want it that way. Advertisement Updated BusinessConsumer affairsE-commerce Halting all bookings: Sendle keeps customers in the dark amid abrupt closure Jessica Yun January 12, 2026 11:56am 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 sudden shutdown of delivery software platform Sendle has left small business owners frustrated and scrambling to fulfil orders after a major investor froze funding following the discovery of significant deficiencies in Sendles parent company. The courier network, which had been positioning itself as an alternative to Australia Post, issued an email to customers on Sunday morning stating that it was ceasing operations. I am sorry to let you know that, effective immediately, Sendle will be halting all bookings for parcel pick-up and delivery, the email said. Sendle founder James Chin Moody. Sendle has abruptly ceased operations in Australia and Canada. Deliveries scheduled for today or a later date have been cancelled, while parcels that have already been picked up or were on their way may have been fulfilled at the discretion of the delivery partner. Advertisement Sendle did not provide contact details for customers. Delivery questions should be directed to the relevant delivery partner, the email said. We understand this may be disruptive to your business, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused. Mark Dando, the founder of healthy milk powder flavouring business Rolley, which is based in Sydneys northern beaches, said he was annoyed and frustrated to find out about Sendles shutdown through media articles. Last night, Ive gone to go and pack all the orders, and the system just wasnt allowing any of the package pick-ups, which it usually does. I had another go at it this morning, and it still wasnt working, so I Googled it, he told this masthead. We werent actually told directly that what had happened. We had just been left in the lurch. Advertisement By Monday morning, Dando had more than 100 outstanding orders waiting to be packed and shipped. He printed shipping labels manually and took the packages to his closest Australia Post office, where he purchased prepaid satchels at about $9.70 a bag, incurring higher costs than what he would have paid through Sendle ($7 for a Sydney delivery). Im going to have to wear that cost on those orders, Dando said. Its a huge f---ing organisation For them to just shut down overnight and be done with it, without any thought of the absolute tsunami that it hits when it gets down to the ground level of not just the operators, but all the customers, theres just such a ripple effect throughout the e-commerce universe. Aramex, one of Sendles primary courier partners, said it was ready to support small businesses looking for a different delivery provider. Advertisement Aramex has a long history of delivering for Sendle customers. Aramex operations continue as normal, providing reliable courier services to our customers, said Aramex Oceania regional director Mark Little in a statement. We encourage customers impacted by Sendles operational cessation to open an aramexConnect account. An eBay spokesperson said it was implementing measures to minimise impact and encouraged sellers to switch to Australia Post for new orders. Shopify, which use Sendle as a delivery partner, have been contacted for comment. Sendle was founded in 2014 in Sydney to challenge Australia Posts monopoly by offering small business door-to-door delivery at a flat rate. Sendle does not own any trucks or warehouses of its own; it operates like an Uber for parcels, as a platform connecting small businesses to logistics companies and couriers. It expanded to the US and Canada in 2025. The shutdown has been attributed to a major investor, Federation Asset Management, which froze funding after finding deficiencies and financial irregularities in a three-way merger in 2025, of which Sendle was a party. Advertisement In August last year, Sendle merged with two US logistics firms, FirstMile and ACI Logistix, to form a new group called FAST Group. Federation Asset Management was a key architect and backer of the merger, dedicating 64 per cent of its $100 million Alternatives Fund to the newly created FAST Group. However, Federation Asset Management froze the fund in late December and told investors it had uncovered significant deficiencies in ACI Logistixs financial statements following the merger, reported US freight market publication FreightWaves. In total, Sendle raised about $110 million over its 12 years across investors including Giant Leap, Rampersand, Full Circle and NRMA. Co-founder James Chin Moody has been contacted for comment. PR representatives for Sendle declined to respond to further questions from this masthead. Advertisement Sendle has informed its customers that it is no longer taking any future bookings. We are not able to provide any further comment at this time. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning. Thanks so much for following along with us today! It was a big night for Australias Rose Byrne. After breaking into Hollywood with Bridesmaids 15 years ago, Byrne won her first Golden Globe for If I Had Legs Id Kick You, as One Battle After Another and Hamnet marched on triumphantly towards the Oscars and British streaming drama Adolescence continued its awards season success. Byrne, whose Australian breakthrough was opposite Heath Ledger in the 1999 classic Two Hands, played a stressed out psychotherapist in a tense film that was surprisingly classified as a musical or comedy at the Globes. I didnt sing, Byrne said in a sweet speech that noted the film cost like, $8.50 and her parents in Australia had gone to the trouble of signing up to streaming service Paramount+ so they could watch the awards. Loading Did any other Aussies win? Byrne was the only one of the Australian nominees to win at the awards. Also in contention were Jacob Elordi (both Frankenstein and The Narrow Road to the Deep North), Sarah Snook (All Her Fault), Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams) and Nick Cave (also Train Dreams). How was Nikki Glaser as host? Host Nikki Glaser played it safe during troubled times in the US but was funny as she poked barbs at Hollywood stars, joking in her opening monologue that Leonardo DiCaprio had achieved so much before his girlfriend turned 30. Who were the big winners in film? Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another won best film (comedy or musical) and three other awards: best director, screenplay and supporting actress for Teyana Taylor. Hamnet won best film (drama) and best actress for Jessie Buckley. Timothee Chalamet won best actor in a motion picture (musical or comedy) for Marty Supreme, while Brazils Wagner Moura won the drama equivalent for The Secret Agent. Loading Julia Roberts was beaten by Jessie Buckley but brought the audience to their feet shes now a beloved Hollywood veteran when she presented late in the ceremony. Stellan Skarsgard won best supporting actor for Sentimental Value. Which TV shows won? The television categories were dominated by Adolescence, which won best limited series (drama) and three acting awards for young Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty. One of the awards most stirring speeches was by Jack Thorne, who created the show with Graham. The other big TV winners were the intense medica drama The Pitt, which won best TV drama and best actor in a TV drama for Noah Wyle, and Hollywood satire The Studio, which won best TV series (musical or comedy) and best actor in the category for Seth Rogen. Read our full wrap of the awards including Rose Byrnes pathway to Oscars glory here. Advertisement NationalLiterature Adelaide Writers Week cancelled after director quits Kerrie O'Brien Updated January 13, 2026 2:18pm ,first published January 13, 2026 8:05am 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 years Adelaide Festival Writers Week has been cancelled after 180 writers boycotted the event and its director quit following a decision by the festival board to remove Palestinian-Australian writer Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from the line-up. The events director, Louise Adler, resigned on Tuesday morning, saying she cannot be party to silencing writers after the festival board removed Abdel-Fattah from the program last week. Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah has rejected the Adelaide Festivals apology. Writing for The Guardian, Adler said she did so with a heavy heart. In a statement announcing the cancellation of Writers Week, which had been due to start on February 28, the festival apologised to Abdel-Fattah for how the decision was represented. Advertisement It went on to say: [We] reiterate this is not about identity or dissent but rather a continuing rapid shift in the national discourse around the breadth of freedom of expression in our nation following Australias worst terror attack in history. Louise Adler has announced she is quitting as Adelaide Writers Week director. Eddie Jim As a board, we took this action out of respect for a community experiencing the pain from a devastating event. Instead, this decision has created more division and for that we express our sincere apologies. In an Instagram post, Abdel-Fattah said she refused and rejected the boards apology, describing it as disingenuous, and saying it adds insult to injury. It is clear the boards regret extends to how the message of my cancellation was conveyed, not the decision itself, Abdel-Fattah wrote. Advertisement New board appointments were announced on Tuesday afternoon by the South Australian Arts minister, Andrea Michaels. Judy Potter, immediate past chair of the Adelaide Festival, has been appointed chair, with previous AF executive director Rob Brookman, media identity Jane Doyle and accountant John Irving. The new board will meet on Wednesday. Just one member of the board involved with the decision to remove Abdel-Fattah remains, Cr Mary Couros, who represents Adelaide City Council. Reputationally it is an issue for us but we are the festival state and we will bounce back from this, Michaels said. On Sunday, Abdel-Fattah sent a letter, via her lawyers, to the festival asking why she was disinvited. Advertisement Adler argued vehemently against the boards decision, which was revealed last Thursday. Since then, four members of the board have resigned, including the chair, and writers have pulled out en masse. Adler says her count is 180. In the aftermath of the Bondi atrocity, state and federal governments have rushed to mollify the we told you so posse. With alarming insouciance, protests are being outlawed, free speech is being constrained and politicians are rushing through processes to ban phrases and slogans, she writes. Now religious leaders are to be policed, universities monitored, the public broadcaster scrutinised and the arts starved. Writers and writing matters, even when they are presenting ideas that discomfort and challenge us. We need writers now more than ever, as our media closes up, as our politicians grow daily more cowed by real power, as Australia grows more unjust and unequal. Sydney-based Abdel-Fattah had been scheduled to speak about her new novel, Discipline, which examines ideas of truth and censorship. In recent years, she has come under fire for past social media posts that said Zionists had no claim to cultural safety and that institutions that considered fragile feelings of Zionists were abhorrent. Advertisement She was also criticised for posting an illustration of a paraglider with a Palestinian flag parachute as her Facebook profile photo the day after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. She has since apologised. At that point, I had no idea about the death toll, about what was happening on the ground, Abdel-Fattah told ABC News on Monday. Of course I do not support the killing of civilians. Related Article Opinion Censorship Politicians shouldnt decide who appears at writers festivals. Its a dangerous path Richard Flanagan Writer Asked about the social media posts, Adler told the ABC on Tuesday night that she believed they had been deleted and were not relevant to the authors spot on the program. Shes not been asked to come to Writers Week because of her social media feed. Shes been asked to come to talk about a novel shes written called Discipline, a novel thats topical, of this moment, and I thought was worthy of a conversation, she said. Responding to Adlers announcement on Instagram, Abdel-Fattah wrote, I stand with her. Advertisement She continued: Zionists went after a Palestinian woman and an anti-Zionist Jewish woman. Thats their business model ... Judaism and Jewish identity is not Zionism, a political ideology. Solidarity with the brilliant Louise Adler, who has had her Jewish identity attacked and erased. Last Thursday, the Adelaide Festival board announced that while it was not suggesting in any way that Abdel-Fattah or her writing had any connection with the Bondi attack, given her past statements, it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to program her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi. Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern cancelled her appearance at the festival on Monday, following high-profile writers Trent Dalton, Helen Garner, Zadie Smith and Masha Gessen. Adler did not respond to requests for comment. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalLiterature Chair quits Adelaide Festival board as writers week crisis continues Kerrie O'Brien January 12, 2026 11:21am 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 Adelaide Festival chair Tracey Whiting has resigned, becoming the fourth board member to quit over the decision to remove Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from the Writers Week program. Tracey Whiting has resigned as chair of the Adelaide Festival board. Whiting announced her resignation in a post to LinkedIn on Sunday evening, writing, Recent decisions were bound by certain undertakings and my resignation enables the Adelaide Festival, as an organisation, to refresh its leadership and its approach to these circumstances. She did not offer further comment. With only three remaining members Leesa Chesser, Adelaide city councillor Mary Couros, and Brenton Cox former Adelaide Writers Week director Jo Dyer said on BlueSky the board was now in breach of the Adelaide Festival Corporation Act, which states, At least 2 members must be women and at least 2 must be men. Advertisement Last Thursday, the Adelaide Festival board announced that while it was not suggesting in any way that Abdel-Fattah or her writing had any connection with the Bondi attack, given her past statements it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to program her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi. Related Article Opinion Censorship Politicians shouldnt decide who appears at writers festivals. Its a dangerous path Richard Flanagan Writer The move prompted dozens of authors to pull out of the festival, including best-selling Australian author Trent Dalton. On Monday, Dyer who ran the event from 2019 to 2022 said on Radio National there had been pressure over the line-up in the past but that she and other directors pushed back. This time, however, she said the board had buckled and would no longer be able to legally function. Clearly, [the South Australian premiers pressure] puts the board in an invidious position. To their discredit, they were not able to withstand that pressure as they should have. But now we dont have a functioning organisation, and it is the people of Adelaide and South Australia who are the victims of this debacle, she said. Advertisement In 2024, Abdel-Fattah was among the signatories to a letter to Adelaide Writers Week requesting the removal of New York-based opinion writer Thomas Friedman from the line-up because of his comments in a New York Times article comparing the situation in the Middle East to the animal kingdom. However, in a response seen by this masthead, dated February 9, 2024, the festival board rejected this petition. Signed by the (now former) chair of the board, Whiting, it reads: Asking the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Writers Week to cancel an artist or writer is an extremely serious request. We have an international reputation for supporting artistic freedom of expression. Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah. Speaking to the Guardian on Sunday, Abdel-Fattah rejected any allegation of hypocrisy. We were concerned about the impact of Friedmans views on socially and historically marginalised people who have been dehumanised and discriminated against..., she said. Advertisement Related Article Literature Board members quit Adelaide Festival as dumped writer calls in lawyer In contrast, I was cancelled because my presence and identity as a Palestinian was deemed culturally insensitive and linked to the Bondi atrocity. The Adelaide Festival did not respond to questions about the incident. The Adelaide Advertiser reports that former Adelaide Festival board member Tony Berg resigned in October, citing concerns Writers Week director Louise Adler did not warn the board that she had already made an offer to Randa Abdel-Fattah and, given her anti-Zionist stance, he could not in all conscience remain. Abdel-Fattah sent a legal letter to the festival on Sunday, demanding to know why she had been disinvited from the event. Advertisement Editors note: this story was edited to amend quotes offensive to Muslims and Jews. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Save this video for later Add videos to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Advertisement NationalNSWBondi Junction attack She had our backs we got hers: Hero Bondi Westfield cop diagnosed with cancer Perry Duffin and Jack Gramenz Updated January 12, 2026 2:26pm ,first published 10:26am 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 heroic NSW Police officer who confronted and killed a knife-wielding attacker who took six lives and injured a dozen more in Bondi Junction Westfield has been diagnosed with cancer, spurring a wave of support and donations from Australians. Inspector Amy Scott ran towards danger as Joel Cauchi stabbed shoppers with a military-style knife inside the eastern suburbs shopping centre on April 13, 2024. Inspector Amy Scott receiving the NSW Police Commissioners Valour Award in June 2024. Kate Geraghty Scott was alone when she faced the attacker minutes after his rampage began. She raised her pistol and, as Cauchi charged towards her, shot him dead preventing the further loss of life, including her own. NSW Police Legacy on Monday announced that Scott had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer and launched an appeal to ease the financial burden on her family. Advertisement Beyond her dedicated service to the community, Amy is a devoted wife, a loving mother of two young boys, and has a family who depend on her and walk this journey beside her every day, Legacy wrote online. Amy is widely known as selfless, compassionate, and one of the kindest people you could ever meet. Scott with her wife and children, in a photograph shared by NSW Police Legacy on social media revealing her cancer diagnosis. NSW Police Legacy She is every bit the remarkable human you would think. She is fiercely independent and the first to champion others. Legacys fundraiser said Scott faced a long, uphill battle against the insidious disease. Advertisement This is a powerful reminder that even our strongest people are human, and this fundraiser has been created to ease the financial burden for Amy and her family during this incredibly challenging time. Legacy has so far raised more than $190,000. Hundreds of messages of support flooded in on Monday, along with the donations, many thanking Scott for her service as an officer. Loading She showed a heap of courage that day. She had our backs we got hers, Shane Brownlee wrote. Advertisement Amy you have been so strong and brave in choosing a career with the police and then especially with your actions at Bondi shopping centre that you will get through this. Love and prayers are with you, Pam Halcrow wrote. One donor gave $7500 without even leaving their name. Many donations came from other police, including from interstate forces. From one of your blue family xx, one wrote. Survivors of breast cancer also encouraged Scott with hundreds of messages on social media. Advertisement Scott was given a Commissioners Valour Award for displaying exceptional bravery in a life-threatening situation at a police graduation ceremony in June 2024 by then-commissioner Karen Webb. Scott (centre) arriving at the NSW Coroners Court in Lidcombe a year after the attack. Kate Geraghty Webbs successor, Commissioner Mal Lanyon, on Monday said that Scott was surrounded by the unwavering love and support of the entire NSW Police Force. I also know that the broader community is holding Amy and her family in their thoughts and extend their heartfelt support during this time, Lanyon said. Despite everything Amy is facing, she continues to show the remarkable person that she is by going out of her way to support her workmates, regularly coming into the station to offer comfort and assistance to those impacted by the recent Bondi terror attack. Advertisement Scott had quietly taken a leave of absence after the inquest into the Bondi Junction stabbing in the middle of 2025. She had told the inquest she had run into the shopping centre, resigned to her belief that she was going to die. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon in December. Sam Mooy Whilst I was the person who faced Joel, those same officers [went in too] I just want to acknowledge their courage and bravery, Scott told the inquest. As tragic as that day was, it restored my faith in humanity. Advertisement NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday said that Scott is a genuine, bona fide Australian hero. Related Article Graphic content Bondi Junction attack New video of hero cop Amy Scott facing Westfield Bondi Junction killer silences inquest [She is] someone we owe a huge debt of gratitude to, not just because of her heroic actions in Bondi Junction of a couple of years ago, but she has been an inspiration to the exact same officers that attended the terrorism event on the 14th of December, Minns said at a press conference on Monday. She is so important for NSW Police and our community. Im devastated to hear this news. If anyone deserves a break its Amy, and we just wish her the very best, she is an absolute champion. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley described Scott as the epitome of the brilliance of the NSW Police Force. Advertisement The whole police family are suffering at the moment with the knowledge of her diagnosis. We wish her and her family well. Catley said that Scott was the first person to call the local commander to offer assistance on the night of the Bondi Beach terror attack in December. Shes always the first one to put up her hand, to be there to support her colleagues, to support the community, and to be the best that she can be as a police officer, Catley said. We wish her all the best, and she will have our full support. Deputy Commissioner announces retirement It came as Catley paid tribute to Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell, who announced his retirement on Monday after more than four decades of service. Advertisement Thurtell joined the force in 1985, first posted to Redfern Police Station. He was awarded the NSW Police Commissioners Commendation for Service after he co-led the largest policing operation ever undertaken in regional NSW in the search for wanted murderer Malcolm Naden, who was arrested in 2012 after nearly seven years on the run. Deputy Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Chris Minns last year. Dominic Lorrimer Thurtell also led the COVID-19 hotel quarantine and repatriation operation in 2020. He will leave the NSW Police force with his head held high, Catley said. Advertisement He has an impeccable police record, and he will be recognised as he exits as one of the best police officers we have seen here in NSW. Thurtell will be formally farewelled at a ceremony on February 13. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalNSWSydney beyond 2026 Editorial Sydney in 2026? Weve come a long way, but theres still a long way to go The Herald's View Editorial January 13, 2026 4:00am January 13, 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 A decade ago the Herald examined what Sydney would look like and how it would function in 2026. Here is what did get done - and what needs to be done next. See all stories . A decade ago, the Herald published a series called Sydney 2026: How we will live and work in 10 years. Now that 2026 is upon us, our state reporters have revisited the series to see what has been achieved and what has not in the decade since and where we might focus our attention now. If you have ridden the Sydney metro even once, or arrived at the airport in a car by tunnel without enduring a hundred traffic lights, you will know our biggest achievement in the past decade has been transport and roads. Its hardly a secret that housing and healthcare remain enormous challenges. The Sydney metro is among the citys finest accomplishments of the past decade. Flavio Brancaleone Predictions that Sydney would end its love affair with the motor car have not materialised, despite the significant investment in public transport. And nor has the housing needed to cater for the population especially not at prices younger people and low-paid workers can afford. Advertisement The Sydney of 2026 will have crossed over that magical Australian barrier of the love affair with the motor vehicle, said David Pitchford, then chief executive of government property agency UrbanGrowth NSW in 2016. We will have moved away from everybody having three cars, and we will have moved into a situation like most European capitals, where people under 25 dont even have a drivers licence. Related Article City life Sydney 2026: How well live and how our city will work in 10 years Anyone who lives in the outer suburbs knows what three-car households look like, a situation exacerbated by adult children still living at home because they cant afford to move out. Try as the state might and the Minns government to its credit has pulled numerous levers, including the low- to mid-rise housing policy, the transport-oriented development policy and the inception of the Housing Delivery Authority the scale of housing in the pipeline barely meets demand. Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure secretary Kiersten Fishburn says more apartment blocks scattered throughout the city wont come at the cost of more detached houses on the fringe they will be a necessary addition to them. Advertisement Its everything, everywhere, all at once, she says, echoing the sentiments of former planning minister Rob Stokes, who told the Herald a decade ago that only a mix of new detached housing on the fringes, along with missing middle higher density in middle and inner suburbs, would move the dial. The kicking and screaming from councils representing residents in quiet suburbs is understandable, but the jig is up. Our children need somewhere to live. Related Article Sydney beyond 2026 Sydneys booming population wont kill the great Australian dream, but it will change it The other enormous challenge facing the state is the healthcare crisis, fuelled by an ageing population and an underinvestment in aged care. At last count, patients waiting for discharge to aged and disability care occupy 1200 hospital beds across NSW every night. Later in the week, we will examine what needs to change for our hospital system to cope with the challenges ahead. Sydney has come a long way since 2016 and our transport system is the envy of the nation. But resting for too long to admire what has been achieved will only diminish the citys liveability for future generations. Get a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up for our Opinion newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaBushfires Big as Black Saturday: Critically endangered species on brink as fires rip through habitats Bianca Hall January 13, 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 Victorias bushfires have torched almost as much land as the Black Saturday disaster, prompting grave fears for vulnerable animals, including a small and genetically distinct population of dingoes. The fires, which began last week, have so far burnt almost 400,000 hectares, nearly equalling the 450,000 hectares destroyed in 2009 during Black Saturday. Mount Lawson State Park, where the Walwa bushfire started last week, is now largely burnt. This years fires have burnt diverse ecosystems around Victoria from Big Desert in the states north-west, to cool and damp forests in the Otways and grasslands in central Victoria, and into far-east Gippsland. Advocates say the dingoes could have been killed by fires that have torn through more than 58,000 hectares in and around Wyperfeld National Park in the Wimmera. Advertisement Professor of wildlife ecology and conservation Euan Ritchie said he was not aware of another day in Victorias history in which so much of the state and so many different ecosystems had been so damaged. One of the really important things to bear in mind with these fires is that in some parts of the state, its not that long since the Black Saturday and 201920 fires, he said. So many plants, ecosystems and wildlife populations are probably still recovering, in some ways, from whats happened in the past. Ritchie said Australians generally considered native wildlife and plant species to be resilient to fires, but climate change was exacerbating the ferocity and frequency of bushfires, and weakening native species defences to fire. Even what we might think of as being resilient species may now not be able to cope because these fires are just coming too frequently, and theyre too large in scale, and theyre too severe, which means that recovery is sort of not possible. Advertisement The Dingo Conservancy secretary Jo Samuel-King said she held grave concerns for the fate of a genetically distinct population of dingoes living in Big Desert, after fires ripped through the dingoes known habitat. We dont know if theres any left, she said. We dont know. She urged the government to deliver water to the desert park. Dingoes in Big Desert are a genetically distinct population. Grave fears are held for their survival. Ellisha Martion Ellisha Martion, who has worked for five years to monitor the dingo population, which she estimated to have fewer than 100 adults left last year, said much of the 58,000 hectares of burnt landscape was dingo territory. Theres no water in the park, and theyre going to be forced onto private land, she said. Advertisement The Victorian National Parks Association believes the entire Mount Lawson State Park where the Walwa bushfire began has been burnt. Mount Lawson is home to critically endangered barking owls, endangered spotted-tailed quolls, and critically endangered Booroolong tree frogs, as well as numerous rare plant species. Wild Research senior ecologist Glen Johnson said another species of concern were long-footed potoroos, which would now be vulnerable to predator attacks, including by foxes. Barking owls are listed as critically endangered in Victoria. John Woudstra The long-footed potoroo is typically in really deep damp forests, which [are] generally not so accessible to foxes. So post-fire [the habitat] becomes much more accessible to foxes, and the impacts on species like potoroos are much more magnified. He urged the government to undertake feral animal control programs once the bushfires were out, similar to deer-control programs undertaken in the Grampians National Park following the 2019-20 Black Summer fires. Advertisement Related Article Animals For decades, people have believed this dingo myth. DNA testing has revealed the truth In the Alpine National Park, home to vulnerable snow gums and alpine ash, southern sections have burnt, as well as more than half the rugged and remote Wabba Wilderness Park in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Peter Jacobs, a former chief ranger in the Victorian alps turned Upper Ovens Valley Landcare Group president, said alpine ash forests and snow gum forests grew at high elevation in the Victorian Alps. Alpine ash rely on fire to produce seeds and regenerate. But this can only happen if there is sufficient time between fires, to allow the trees to reach sufficient maturity to produce seeds about 20 to 25 years. What were finding, more recent times, is these forests are getting burned multiple times, Jacobs said. And if they get burnt under a 20-year interval, it means theres very little seed to regenerate. And if that keeps happening over multiple times, the forest virtually becomes lost. The whole ecosystem collapses. Advertisement Related Article Updated Victoria bushfires CFA funding sparks political stoush as bushfires burn nearly 400,000 hectares A spokesman for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action said it was deploying staff to respond to wildlife welfare during the current fires. Further wildlife response activities will start as soon as its safe to do so for staff and accredited field assessment teams this will include on-ground teams searching for and assessing affected wildlife. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaUniversity Familiar face set to lead University of Melbourne Noel Towell January 12, 2026 2:13pm 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 University of Melbourne vice chancellor Glyn Davis will return as its interim leader while the university searches for a successor to Emma Johnston, who died last month. Chancellor Jane Hansen told university staff on Monday that Davis, who most recently headed the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, will take the reins in February. Returning University of Melbourne vice chancellor Glyn Davis. Alex Ellinghausen Davis previously served as the universitys 19th vice chancellor from 2005 to 2018. In making this appointment, the University Councils focus was on ensuring leadership, stability and confidence as we work toward realisation of the strategic goals outlined in the approved Strategy 2030, Hansen said via a statement. Advertisement Related Article Education Unfathomable loss: University of Melbournes vice chancellor dies at 52 Professor Davis, with his unique knowledge and experience of the University of Melbourne, and broader higher education sector, is perfectly placed to lead the university into semester one and begin implementation of the strategy. Professor Johnston, who was described as a visionary leader in science and research, had been in the universitys top job for less than 12 months when she died in December from cancer, aged 52. In her final weeks, Johnston finalised the first step in the University Strategy 2030 her 10-year plan that aims to build a more resilient institution amid challenging operating realities, anchored in the goal of benefiting society through education and research. Hansen said she was grateful to Davis for agreeing to take on the interim role on short notice. Advertisement Related Article Public service Public service heads shuffled as Albanese makes mark on bureaucracy Many of you will already know Glyn as our 19th vice-chancellor, Hansen said on Monday. During this time, he made an extraordinary contribution to our university, including the introduction of the Melbourne curriculum, Hansen wrote in her all-staff email. In his own message to staff on Monday, Davis praised Johnstons enthusiasm and vision. It was a shock and tragedy...when a short illness claimed our vice-chancellor, aged just 52, Davis wrote. We mourn not just a remarkable individual, but the future Emma could see and was so keen to share. Advertisement Professor Michael Wesley and Professor Jane Gunn will serve as acting vice chancellor until Davis begins on February 2. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. January 12, 2026: Boko Haram, a Nigeria based Islamic terrorist group, has embraced digital technology for their operations using encrypted apps like Telegram and WhatsApp to communicate. This goes beyond carrying out new attacks. These apps also allow Boko Haram to not only communicate securely but to also recruit new members, plan attacks and coordinate operations in general. One important operation is to spread disinformation on apps or social media sites that a lot of Nigerians frequent. Most of the messages go out in Hausa, the language of the Moslem north. Most Nigerians understand a local dialect of English and standard English is the official language for government, education, and business. Boko Haram exploits this widespread use of English to share their propaganda with more than a billion English speakers worldwide. Although Boko Haram literally means Western Education is Forbidden, this Islamic terrorist group educates themselves, or recruits members who are well educated, to help with communications and propaganda. Unencrypted apps like TikTok, along with propaganda videos in Social Media sites can enrage Muslims who will then attack their Christian attackers. Boko Haram regularly spreads false accusations to Christians abusing Moslems and before the accusations can be proven false, a lot of mayhem, deaths, injuries and tarnished reputations can occur. Given the nearly universal adoption of cellphones in Nigeria, this Boko Haram propaganda and other messages find a large audience and an endless supply of new recruits or supporters. The oil-rich west coast African nation of Nigeria continues to have problems with Islamic terrorist groups Boko Haram and especially the local Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/ISIL faction known as Islamic State West Africa Province/ISWAP. The latest disaster was a May 4, 2025, ISWAP attack on an army supercamp in northeastern Yobe State. This attack featured the ISWAP use of motorbikes instead of 4x4 vehicles. Yobe State terrain is flat with little cover. ISWAP found motorbikes more effective than larger vehicles. The attack on the supercamp left four soldiers dead and many more wounded. ISWAP gunmen vandalized part of the camp for several hours. They got away with weapons, ammunition and other supplies. ISWAP has stuck with its strategy of concentrating on the security forces, and doing so by assembling a large enough number of gunmen to ensure, most of the time, a quick victory. The continued prevalence of corruption and incompetent officers in the army has contributed to continued chaos and lawlessness in northern Borno State, where most of the population was displaced by Boko Haram violence in 2014-15 and when Boko Haram control was broken by 2017. After that government programs to revive the economy and restore law and order collapsed under the usual corruption and incompetence of local officials and security forces. Even a reform-minded president who was a former general and Moslem was unable to push military reforms far enough and fast enough. Boko Haram is not winning; but the government is failing to finish off a defeated Boko Haram and take advantage of an opportunity to regain the trust and loyalty of the local population. ISIL took advantage of similar conditions to quickly overrun more than a third of Iraq in 2014. Many Nigerian leaders are well aware of how that worked but the corruption is so entrenched and widespread that reform moves slowly and that left the army and government officials vulnerable to a well-organized Boko Haram comeback. ISWAP is also known as the Barnawi or AL Barnawi faction of Boko Haram. ISWAP has apparently received a lot of useful technical and tactical advice from ISIL veterans of fighting in Iraq, Syria and Libya. Boko Haram persists in the northeast in large part because of its willingness to experiment, innovate and take advice from foreign ISIL veterans. The Barnawi faction follows the current ISIL doctrine of concentrating attacks on security forces and government officials, preferably the corrupt ones. That makes it easier to extort more cash and other goods from the local population. In 2019 the Barnawi faction had over 3,000 active gunmen and operated mainly in the far north of Borno state near Lake Chad and the borders of Niger and Chad. The smaller Shekau faction has about half as many armed men and operates further south near the Borno State capital of Maiduguri and the Sambisa Forest. Both factions rely on the fact that the years of Boko Haram violence in Borno State, where Boko Haram originated in 2004, has increased the poverty and corruption the Islamic terrorist organization was founded to eliminate. Many potential recruits are discouraged by stricter standards and a more fanatic approach by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Compared to the original Boko Haram, the most hard core Islamic radicals are drawn to the more extreme groups and that way Boko Haram persists. Current ISWAP strength is closer to 4,000 fighters. Boko Haram is still around, with fewer gunmen than ISWAP. Both of these Islamic terrorist organizations have been fighting each other since 2021. The army has taken advantage of this, but corruption and frequent incompetence have enabled the Islamic terrorist groups to continue surviving. The government has tried to exploit the Islamic terrorists civil war. Back in 2020 some army commanders in the northeastern Borno State tried to blame foreign Non-Government Organizations/NGOs for providing a steady flow of reports, documented with pictures and videos showing army misbehavior and mistreatment of civilians. The foreigners were also accused of spying for Boko Haram and deliberately spreading false reports of army misbehavior to hurt the morale of troops and loyalty of local civilians. These accusations tended to be quickly withdrawn when senior officers back in the national capital heard of it. The generals in the high command knew the NGO reports were true because these reports were often quietly double-checked by high command investigators. Such retractions were just another reminder of the problems the military faced and were unable to fix, in the northeast. Advertisement As exhausted firefighters continue battle major blazes across the state, a political row has broken out over whether the Country Fire Authority was adequately funded to protect lives and homes ahead of a forecast catastrophic summer. Premier Jacinta Allan, the CFA board and its senior management denied funding had been cut and defended the organisations ageing fleet, and Chief Fire Officer Jason Heffernan confirmed the government responded to an emergency request for more money leading into this fire season. Loading As authorities confirmed the deadly Longwood fire was started by a trailer throwing sparks on the Hume Freeway, the CFA board and chief executive issued a statement to defend the preparedness of its ranks and confirm its budget had increased every year since the states fire services were restructured, including a $20.3 million boost for this year. The CFA disputes claims that funding to CFA has been cut and our volunteers and brigades are not prepared for the current fire season, the statement read. Advertisement The premier said arguments about funding would not help people responding to Victorias fire disaster. To suggest there has been anything other than an increase to the CFA is just incorrect, Allan said. The comments appear at odds with the most recent figures published by the CFA which show that, between 2020-21 and 2023-24, the agencys grant income the money it receives directly from government departments reduced from $351.6 million to $339.5 million. Treasurer Jaclyn Symes last year told parliament that the corresponding figure for 2024-25, although not yet published, was $337.6 million. National Party leader Danny OBrien said the figures made clear the trend in government funding for the CFA. Advertisement I am reluctant to engage on budget issues when communities are still under threat, but the premier and CFA board statements are directly contradicted by the CFAs own annual reports, OBrien told this masthead. Editor's pick Exclusive Victoria bushfires Cattle farmer identified as person who died in Longwood bushfire Its there in black and white that the budget has reduced over successive years. Unfortunately, we dont have the most recent figures because the government has failed to table the CFA annual report for 2024-25. A government spokesperson said annual budgets for the CFA fluctuated according to fire activity, with additional funding provided in response to significant bushfire events. This year, an additional $11.6 million was provided ahead of the fire season to fund a Get Fire Ready information campaign and secure access to more bulk water. Heffernan said the information campaign had contributed to saving properties and lives. Back in spring we went to the government and said we are in for a big one, he said. Advertisement United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall said the states ageing truck fleet, which includes 230 vehicles more than 31 years old and two-thirds of all vehicles past their used-by-date, had created an additional crisis. On Monday night, state authorities confirmed the deadly Longwood fire was started last Wednesday by a trailer throwing sparks on the Hume Freeway. As temperatures nudged 40 degrees, the sparks ignited nearby bushland. A State Control Centre spokesperson said the investigation was in its early stages meaning more details could not be released. More than 350 structures have been confirmed as destroyed in Victorias ongoing bushfire emergency, with authorities warning the state faces more high-risk conditions in coming weeks. Advertisement There are more than 20 active bushfires 12 of them classified as major burning across the state, which have so far torn through 395,000 hectares and private and public land and killed large numbers of livestock. CFA members Tyrone and Raewyn Rice at what remains of their home, which was destroyed in the Harcourt blaze. Jason South Some of the biggest blazes, one at Walwa in the north and two in the Otway Ranges, are both still rated at emergency level. Grants of up to $52,000 are available to householders who have lost their homes in the fires and were not insured, with payments expected to be available from Friday, the state government confirmed on Monday. The premier said 440 personal hardship payments of up to $1000 per adult and up to $400 per child had already been made. Advertisement Allan also offered her condolences to the man who died in the Longwood fire. The body of Maxwell Hobson was found 100 metres from a burnt-out vehicle that had run off the road in Gobur, between Yarck and Merton, on Sunday. Its a devastating impact, and its a devastating reminder of the tragedy that fire can bring to any community, to any household, to any doorstep, particularly on those difficult, catastrophic and extreme weather days, Allan said. My thoughts and condolences are with that persons family, their loved ones, the broader community too. Advertisement Allan was speaking from Natimuk, a tiny town 300 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, where 16 homes have been confirmed lost to the blazes. That figure was revised down from the 30 previously estimated by aerial surveillance. The premier said the Victorian Bushfire Appeal would be accepting donations from Tuesday. Firefighters at the edge of the Otways bushfire. Belmont Fire Brigade Every dollar raised through this appeal will go back into providing support for fire affected communities, and how that funding is allocated will be guided by the advice we get from fire-affected communities, she said. Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch welcomed calmer weather following last weeks catastrophic fire conditions. Advertisement But that doesnt mean that the risk is over, he warned. We still have three emergency warnings along with three watch and act warnings. In better news, Wiebusch confirmed that three of the dangerous fires, those at Streatham, Mount Mercer and Natimuk all in the states west had been contained. A home destroyed by fire in Ruffy. Eddie Jim But Heffernan warned of the potential for more hazardous days in a fire season that still has many more weeks to come. I can see that it is likely to be another heating event towards the end of January, to the extent thats yet to be determined, but I guess the indication theres been a lot of fire in the landscape, he said. Advertisement Much work will be done between now and then to contain these fires. Underlining the scale of the task, Barongarook CFA captain Steve Brooke, who has been battling the Otway fires, said on Monday that they were the largest blazes in the area since Ash Wednesday in 1983. Resident Robbie Cumming (right) is comforted after seeing the ruins of his home near Yarck. Jason South The fatal Longwood fire, which has destroyed 150 structures, was downgraded to watch and act on Sunday afternoon, but residents of Yarck, Ruffy, Longwood and surrounds were urged to cut travel in the fire-affected area. In the Ravenswood fire, 47 homes and three business structures have been lost. Advertisement Another 12 structures, as well as grazing and cropping land, have burnt in Yarroweyah, and more than 25 buildings have been lost in Streatham. Related Article Updated Bushfires Longwood bushfire turns fatal as fires set to burn for weeks In Walwa, near the Victoria-NSW border, a large fire is still burning uncontrolled after ripping down a 10,000-hectare pine plantation, as well as four structures. The regions of Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, the South West and Wimmera continue to experience poor air quality, while it is very poor in the Mallee, Northern Country, North East, and West and South Gippsland. A total fire ban remains in place for the North East and North Central districts. There is a high fire danger rating in the Mallee, Wimmera, North Central, North East and South West districts. Advertisement On Monday evening, 40 bushfire warnings were still in place around the state, mostly at watch and act level. But residents of Tallangatta Valley, Bullioh, Koetong, Shelley, Berringama, Lucyvale and surrounding areas in the states north were warned on Monday afternoon to take shelter from the Walwa fire. Those in surrounding areas are warned to monitor changing conditions. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Exclusive NationalVictoriaPublic transport The Metro Tunnel is open. But the City Loop still needs untangling, infrastructure boss says Patrick Hatch January 13, 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 Melbournes City Loop needs to be rebuilt as two cross-city rail lines that mirror the new Metro Tunnel to boost train services to the rapidly growing northern suburbs, the states infrastructure advisory agency says. The $15 billion Metro Tunnel will start running full timetable operations on February 1 after a two-month soft-launch, marking the biggest uplift to the citys rail network in four decades. The underground concourse connecting the new State Library station to Melbourne Central. Jason South But Infrastructure Victoria says the state needs to start work to further ease congestion in the City Loop or risk it being overwhelmed by demand from the northern suburbs within a decade. The independent agency says service on the Craigieburn and Upfield lines which have some of the least frequent services across the Metro network could improve significantly by reconfiguring the City Loop. Advertisement The real opportunity is to continue to disentangle the City Loop, Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Dr Jonathan Spear said. That would get us lots of benefits at a relatively small cost to really improve the reliability and frequency of services. The City Loop, which opened in 1981, comprises four sets of underground tracks shared by multiple metropolitan lines. Trains travel into the CBD, around the Loop and back to their suburban termini. The Craigieburn, Upfield and Sunbury lines currently share a set of tracks, limiting train frequency on each. The Metro Tunnel will free up some capacity by taking Sunbury trains out of the Loop. These services will instead run through the new nine-kilometre tunnel and continue through to Cranbourne and Pakenham in the citys south-east. But Spear said Craigieburn and Upfield trains would still be restricted by a bottleneck in the Loop. Advertisement Related Article Metro Tunnel Harveens daily trips will be 40 minutes shorter. Heres how the Metro Tunnel will change your commute Infrastructure Victoria supports addressing that problem with two short sections of tunnel, one between Flagstaff and North Melbourne stations and the other connecting Parliament and Richmond stations. That would connect the Craigieburn line to the Frankston line and the Upfield route to the Glen Waverley line, and turn two of the City Loops four tunnels into new cross-city lines. Spear said that with other track upgrades, trains could run every 3 minutes the same peak-hour frequency promised on the Metro Tunnel compared to a maximum of every 10 minutes on the Upfield line and every five minutes on the Craigieburn line. You basically get two more metro-style services, Spear said. You are disentangling the system further and unlocking capacity in the rail network where its most needed in a very cost-effective way. Advertisement Infrastructure Victoria has estimated rebuilding the City Loop would cost between $2 billion and $5 billion, plus another $1 billion for new trains and other infrastructure. Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Jonathan Spear. Spear said the proposed Loop project would take about five years to complete and would be needed to meet demand on the Craigieburn line by the mid-2030s. That meant, he said, the state should start work on a business case now. In the interim, the independent agency wants the states rail priorities to be extending the Upfield line to Kalkallo, on Melbournes northern fringe, and duplicating sections to unlock better frequency, as well as completing the long-awaited electrification of the Melton line. Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said he agreed the work of the Metro Tunnel should continue to separate each suburban line. Advertisement Related Article Exclusive Go west A second Metro Tunnel would have changed life in the west. Then the SRL came along However, Bowen said the proposed Melbourne Metro 2, which would link Melbournes western suburbs to the north-east through a new tunnel via Fishermans Bend, could be a better project to prioritise. Metro 2 is a bigger project but has more benefits, he said. Id almost put Metro 2 ahead of the Loop, if only because somethings got to be done about access into Fishermans Bend. As that area grows, trams and buses arent going to cut it. An Allan government spokesperson said Craigieburn and Upfield lines would have timetable improvements later this year, including running services at least every 20 minutes. The Metro Tunnel is the biggest transformation of Melbournes rail network in more than 40 years and frees up space in the City Loop to run more trains, more often, on more line, the spokesperson 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. Advertisement Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is weighing up his choice for the nations most prestigious diplomatic posting after Kevin Rudds surprise decision step down as Australias ambassador to the United States a year ahead of schedule. Kevin Rudd welcomes Anthony Albanese to the US in Seattle in June. Alex Ellinghausen The names being considered to succeed Rudds are being tightly held, with a decision expected to be made by Albanese in consultation with Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The news that Rudd was stepping down caught even some cabinet ministers by surprise, Labor sources said. Former Labor ministers Stephen Conroy and Joel Fitzgibbon have been mentioned within Labor as potential frontrunners to replace Rudd, who will step down in March. Advertisement Choosing Conroy would be complicated by the fact he previously labelled Trump moronically stupid and, like Fitzgibbon, currently serves as a lobbyist with clients including major defence firms with ties to the US military. Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Albanese announce Rudds resignation as ambassador on Tuesday. Alex Ellinghausen Some Labor insiders raised the possibility of Albanese appointing a current senior member of the government such as Trade Minister Don Farrell to the post, but Farrell ruled himself out of contention. Farrell said he was happy in his current role and not looking to move to the US. I have things I want to achieve here, Farrell said, referring to free trade pacts under negotiation with the European Union and India. Advertisement Several members of the foreign policy establishment noted there was no standout, obvious choice for the role. Justin Hayhurst, the recently departed Australian ambassador in Tokyo, has been mentioned as a well-credentialed non-political appointment, as has long-serving Defence Department secretary Greg Moriaty, a former ambassador to Indonesia and Iran. Addressing an early morning press conference at Parliament House on Tuesday, Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong lauded Rudds performance in the role, saying a replacement for the surprise resignation would be announced in the coming weeks. Albanese has told confidantes he is willing to consider an appointee from the Coalition side of politics, but former prime ministers Scott Morrison and Tony Abbott are not in the running. Advertisement Former NSW Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet, who is based in the US in a senior role with BHP, has been mentioned but is understood to have not sought the role. Former foreign minister Julie Bishop, now chancellor of the Australian National University, was widely discussed as a potential ambassador to Paris before the United Nations appointed her special envoy on Myanmar. In recent years, the plum positions of US ambassador and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom have usually been handed to former politicians from the party in power as opposed to career diplomats or former bureaucrats. During both the Democrat and Republican administrations, Kevin has worked in collaboration with our closest security ally and principal strategic partner to achieve concrete outcomes, Albanese told journalists in Canberra. As prime minister, I have visited the United States on no less than seven occasions. That is because of the productive work that Kevin Rudd has done across the board, including particularly advancing the economic relationship between our two nations, but also, of course, ensuring that AUKUS is able to proceed in a way that benefits Australia, the United States, as well as the United Kingdom. Advertisement Stephen Conroy as a minister in Kevin Rudds government in 2009. Conroy has been mentioned as a potential successor to Rudd as ambassador to the US. Glen McCurtayne Rudd began his four-year term as ambassador in March 2023 during the Biden administration, but the job became more challenging following Trumps election win in November 2024. The government singled out his work to secure the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, locking in support for AUKUS and negotiating a pact on critical minerals. He will return to the Asia Society think tank as global president, where he will head the groups Center for China Analysis. Rudd said it had been an honour to serve as ambassador for three years, and thanked Albanese and Wong for their comments. Advertisement He will be based in New York where the Asia Society is headquartered and Washington in his new roles. Asia Society co-chairs John Thornton and Chan Heng Chee said they were thrilled Rudd had accepted their invitation to return to the organisation at a critical moment for the world. He is a true statesman and a visionary leader with peerless experience, they said. Loading Rudd scrubbed critical comments about Trump from his online record when he was appointed, including posts in which he said Trump was the most destructive president in history and a traitor to the West. Video subsequently emerged of Rudd describing Trump as a village idiot in 2021. Advertisement During a White House meeting with Albanese in October, Trump told Rudd: I dont like you either [laughter], and I probably never will. Charles Edel, the Australia chair at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, praised Rudd for his work as ambassador, adding of the October encounter: No matter what anyone says, it was clearly an awkward moment despite the spin that came after that. It was an awkward moment at an extraordinarily successful meeting which he was a key contributor to. The Albanese government at the time shrugged off Trumps negative comments and opposition calls for him to be sacked. Rudd and Trump were heard making amends following the meeting. Related Article AUKUS Borderline frightening: Pentagon outlines major challenge to AUKUS Asked for comment on Rudds departure, a White House official said: Ambassador Rudd worked well with President Trump and the administration. We wish him well. Advertisement Albanese insisted that the decision was entirely Rudds, and that he was not pushed to move on early. Kevin Rudd has a work ethic unlike anyone Ive ever met, he has worked tirelessly, he said. Hes moving on to a role that he believes is pivotal. Former US ambassador Joe Hockey congratulated Rudd on social media, saying: Kevin Rudd has put in a huge effort as Australias Ambassador in Washington. It is not an easy job and he has worked really hard for Australia over the past three years. Rudds immediate predecessor Arthur Sinodinos said he was surprised that Rudd was ending his tenure a year early, but added that the workload under the Trump administration was intense. Its pretty exhausting here, its like dog years, Sinodinos told 3AW. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here. Advertisement PoliticsFederalBondi shooting Security agencies to swap notes on gun licences Nick Newling January 12, 2026 4:17pm 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 Red flags will be raised under new gun control reforms if anyone applying for a licence or in their networks raises security concerns, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced on Monday, a direct response to one of the Bondi terrorists accessing guns despite his son being investigated for links to Islamic State. New details on the governments legislative response to the December attack which Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he hopes will pass when parliament is recalled early next week came as Albanese said state and territory leaders would have to answer to their constituents if they opposed a jointly funded gun buy-back program previously announced. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke addressing a press conference on Monday. Alex Ellinghausen The legislation will allow us to use the AusCheck system ... to effectively create a pathway where states and territories can have a two-hurdle process before someone is issued with a gun licence, the final hurdle remaining the fit and proper person test that states already have, Burke told journalists at Parliament House. AusCheck is a service within the Department of Home Affairs that issues background checks and identity cards on behalf of the government. Burke said the measure will allow the intelligence that is held by ASIO and by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to be able to [be used] to create the extra layer of caution, if somebody is themselves a risk when theyre applying, or if the risk resides in a member of their family or a member of their household. Advertisement Bondi shooter Sajid Akram was issued a firearms licence in 2023, four years after his son Naveed Akram was investigated by ASIO for links to Islamic State. Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene, and Naveed was taken into custody and subsequently charged with 59 offences. Six guns belonging to Sajid were seized following the attack. The new screening measure will sit alongside an already announced national gun buy-back program, the largest of its kind since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. There are more guns now in Australia than there were at the time of the Port Arthur massacre. That is not good enough, Albanese said. The terrorists at Bondi Beach had hatred in their minds but guns in their hands. This law will deal with both, and we do need to deal with both of these issues. These are complex laws, and our focus is ensuring they are effective and practical. On Monday morning, Tasmanian Police Minister Felix Ellis pushed back against the program, saying communities had not been consulted and that the state could not handle the expense of the program. Advertisement For small states like Tasmania, this can be really impactful in terms of the cost of delivering these programs when really, when we talk about these kind of events, the key is about making sure that [guns] dont fall into the wrong hands, Ellis told ABC Radio National. Related Article Bondi shooting Gun-law loopholes to take months to close in national firearm crackdown He said that taxpayers money could be better spent on programs such as greater policing, accelerating the National Firearms Register, and a whole range of other areas that make sure that firearms arent in the hands of terrorists and people that would harm our community. Tasmania has the second-highest per capita gun ownership rate of any Australian jurisdiction, behind the Northern Territory, with 0.27 guns per person. The states gun owners collectively hold more than 156,000 firearms, far below Queensland and NSW, which host more than 1 million guns each. Asked if he was confident about support for the program from state and territory leaders, Albanese said: Well thats up to the states to speak for themselves, but I think that states who dont participate will have to justify that to their own people. Advertisement The gun reforms will be combined into a joint bill alongside hate speech legislation, a move that Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has expressed distrust in. We are deeply sceptical of the prime ministers decision to introduce a single bill that will attempt to cover multiple complex and unrelated policy areas; for example, issues of speech are clearly separate from the ownership and management of firearms, Ley said. As is so often the case with this prime minister, he is squarely focused on what he perceives to be his political interests, not the national interest. This is a political decision, aimed at fostering division, not creating unity, Ley said. Albanese said the combination of the bills was not a political move, but rather about getting it right. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsNSWEducation Private school threatened with closure over principals social media posts Emily Kowal January 12, 2026 5:14pm 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 regional NSW Islamic school whose principal once shared social media posts stating Zionists should burn in the pits of hellfire has seven days to prove its leader is fit and proper or risk being shut down. New Madinah College in Young has until January 19 to provide evidence its principal, Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf, meets fit and proper requirements or the states schools regulator will consider cancelling the schools registration. Abdulghani Albaf, the principal of New Madinah College. According to its website, New Madinah College teaches children the Koran, Arabic and fundamental Islamic values as well as core subjects. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) last January became aware of comments allegedly made by Albaf on his personal social media accounts over several years. Advertisement In one post shared in December 2023, prior to his appointment, Albaf described Zionists as absolutely worse than Nazis. The zionist terrorist regime is more devilish, evil and atrocious than any other terrorist in history. In 2024 he shared another status, stating: May Allah destroy the Zionist terrorist regime. While the majority of posts were made before Albafs appointment to the school in 2024, NESA monitored the school due to its history of inconsistent compliance with registration requirements. NESA requires the school to address its compliance issues, which could include removing an individual from their position. In mid-2025, while Albaf was principal, he made another post, prompting NESA to issue a show cause notice to the chair of New Madinah Colleges board about the conduct of the schools principal. Advertisement NESA was asked to provide examples of the post but was unable to do so due to an ongoing investigation. It confirmed the post triggered the show cause notice. As is the case for all schools, there is no tolerance for non-compliance with registration requirements, including the expectation that all responsible persons meet fit and proper requirements, a NESA spokesperson said in a statement. In a letter written in January 2025, the chair of the Young Muslim Association and chair of New Madinah College, Mohammed Barghachoun, defended Albafs record. Sheikh Abdulghani has consistently met all the necessary criteria for his position, including holding a valid Working with Children Check and maintaining a clear police record, Barghachoun said. He said the principals posts did not reflect his current conduct or values and has shown no signs of racism or hatred. Advertisement Referring to the posts made in 2023, Barghachoun said the principals comments should be understood in the context of his personal life before joining the school, and that it was inappropriate to hold him accountable for actions or statements made prior to his employment. Acting Education Minister Courtney Houssos directed NESA to strengthen its fit and proper person requirements for principals. This will ensure that unacceptable conduct does not go unchecked, as the community rightly expects, Houssos said. NSW schools must be welcoming places for everyone. The Herald contacted Albaf, New Madinah College and the Islamic Schools Association of Australia for comment. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsVictoriaVictoria bushfires Telcos face renewed pressure after fire outages leave people stranded and desperate Rachel Eddie and Alexander Darling January 12, 2026 7:19pm 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 Victorians in bushfire-ravaged parts of the state were unable to reach family, and firefighters also lost connectivity during last weeks catastrophic conditions, prompting renewed calls for telecommunications to be secured during natural disasters. Stephen Meyer, a local farmer group officer for the Natimuk area CFA stations in Victorias west, said he lost phone service while fighting the fire in the area on Friday. Meyer said this limited firefighters ability to tackle the blaze in a co-ordinated way. Lachlan Hick lost a property in the Natimuk fire. One of our commanders jumped in a vehicle and started finding fire trucks on the fire ground and giving them information. They did a great job ... because we couldnt communicate properly. Lachlan Hick, who lost one of his two properties in the Natimuk fire, grabbed his two elderly neighbours when a wind change suddenly resulted in evacuation orders about 1pm on Friday. But there was no reception as they drove away from town, and his neighbours couldnt communicate with their loved ones. Advertisement That was the difficult part, Hick said. It was about 20 minutes before reception returned once they got close to Horsham. Telstra confirmed a power outage at the Mount Arapiles mobile site, which covers Natimuk, temporarily cut services. Back-up power did not operate as expected, western Victoria regional engagement manager Adrienne Holobowski said. The generator had nine days worth of fuel, Telstra said, but suffered a mechanical fault in the extreme weather conditions. The failure is being investigated. Advertisement Our teams restored services the following day once it was safe to access the site, Holobowski said. Related Article Updated Victoria bushfires CFA funding sparks political stoush as bushfires burn nearly 400,000 hectares She noted Telstra had brought more than 100 mobile sites back online in the past week. Federal member for Indi Helen Haines has renewed calls for telecommunications to be secured during natural disasters. Multiple inquiries have advocated temporary disaster roaming, which allows for cross-network use if one network goes down. This is already available for Triple Zero calls, though it failed during last years Optus outages. Advertisement Haines, an independent whose electorate has been devastated by the Longwood fire, also called for mobile phone base towers to have back-up power to protect network coverage in emergencies. Towong and Strathbogie shires experienced outages due to the Longwood fire. The Natimuk fire area was also affected. Its an inconvenience on a regular day, but its a matter of life or death in a situation that were in right now, Haines said. Federal independent MP Helen Haines. Alex Ellinghausen Telstra, TPG and Optus began trialling disaster roaming in November. Advertisement The federal government has been working with the industry since 2023 on its commitment recommended by the Senates Connecting the Country report, the ACCCs regional mobile infrastructure inquiry, and the Bean review into the Triple Zero system and Communications Minister Anika Wells said last year that she expected the telcos to make it work. But Telstra warned challenges remained. While [temporary disaster roaming] is an innovative solution with the potential to provide temporary access to communications for regional and rural communities during disaster situations, there are several challenges to be managed, Telstra wrote in its November submission to a parliamentary inquiry into Triple Zero outages. These include ensuring any surviving network is not overloaded from an influx of traffic causing it to fail, which would be an even worse outcome for the impacted community. An Optus spokeswoman said 112 mobile sites were affected by extreme heat and bushfires in Victoria over the weekend, but all had been fully restored. Advertisement During the extreme weather, many sites lost mains power and operated on battery back-up. Our field teams worked around the clock in challenging conditions to deploy generators and maintain connectivity for customers, she said. Optus sites are designed to have a minimum of four hours battery back-up to ensure service continuity during power outages. Loading A federal government spokeswoman said significant investments had been made through programs to boost the resilience of telco networks. Funding for these programs has helped deliver back-up batteries and generators for communications infrastructure to keep communities connected for longer periods during and following emergencies and natural disasters, she said. The federal government is separately pursuing universal outdoor mobile obligation, which it plans to launch in December 2027. The obligation would force telcos to provide phone call and text coverage and in part relies on satellites rather than solely on land-based infrastructure. Advertisement National Farmers Federation president Hamish McIntyre, who backs the universal outdoor mobile obligation, has also been calling for temporary disaster roaming. When natural disasters hit, people shouldnt lose the ability to communicate just because one mobile network goes down. This can leave entire communities cut off, McIntyre said. Farmers are often on the front line of fires, floods and storms, and they are critical to local emergency response. Communication is key to a fast and effective response. Weve seen the Triple Zero fallback fail in recent outages. Strengthening that system is important, but communities also need to reach neighbours, family, and local responders. Advertisement In a statement, the Australian Communications and Media Authority said funding initiatives assisted telcos to prepare for emergencies. Telecommunications providers undertake planning to manage power outages and to engage back-up generators in the event of power outages. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsWARenewables The Perth suburbs where residents are taking up home batteries with gusto Hamish Hastie January 12, 2026 4:02pm 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 City of Armadale residents have been the biggest adopters of home solar batteries under the federal rebate scheme, with 828 batteries installed in the area since the scheme began on July 1. Outer suburban areas of Perth have been feverishly taking up the rebate, which in WA was combined with a state government scheme to give rebates of $5000 for Synergy customers and $7500 for Horizon customers, as well as no-interest loans of $10,000. Federal Fremantle MP and assistant climate change minister Josh Wilson. Philip Gostelow Following Armadales 6112 postcode, the City of Cockburn postcode of 6164 came a close second with 825 installations, followed by the 6065 postcode in Wanneroo with 773 installs. The rest of the top 10 list covers outer-suburban council areas including Canning, Gosnells, Mandurah, Swan and Rockingham. Advertisement More than 22,000 WA homes and businesses have used the rebates, making up about 12 per cent of the total 190,000 installs across the country to date. Federal Fremantle MP and Assistant Climate Change Minister Josh Wilson said the scheme had seen more than 400 megawatt hours of battery capacity added to the grid in WA. Thats basically double the size of the first phase of the Kwinana big battery project, he said. Six of the 20 leading postcodes in Australia are here in Western Australia, and they are generally out of metro suburbs where people want to reduce their energy prices and reduce emissions by adding to the remarkable progress weve made in rooftop solar with the addition of distributed battery storage. Advertisement Wilson visited a home in Gwelup, which recently had a home battery installed, where owner Oceana Penniment said the power bill for her family of six had dropped from about $1400. Related Article Opinion Global warming The data doesnt lie: its getting hotter and fossil fuels are fanning the flames Its a big house, so before the battery got put in, our bills were coming around $1600, now theyre like around $200 and thats when weve got the air con running on in summer, she said. Come winter, [the bills will be] probably nothing, which is great, especially when the pools always running. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Renewables Perth Hamish Hastie is WAtoday's state political reporter and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Prize for best political journalism. or email. Connect via X Advertisement WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Opinion Trump calls climate change a con job but it could drive his bid to seize Greenland David Crowe Europe correspondent January 13, 2026 4:00am January 13, 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 The wind is howling down the main street of Nuuk on Sunday afternoon, just as the sun sets about 4pm, and it sweeps ice crystals up from the ground and into the faces of the people walking down the street to the supermarket. The official temperature is zero degrees, but the weather report says the 70km/h wind has driven this down to minus 13 on the feels like scale. Visitors to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, shield themselves with thick layers of clothing and lean into the wind as they walk. You can tell the hardened locals, however, by the way they shrug off the deep freeze without putting as much as a cap or a beanie on their heads. One young mother, bundling two children and a pram onto a bus, lets her long hair fly up like a flag in the wind. Make America Go Away: a baseball cap, distributed for free by Danish artist Jens Martin Skibsted, in Sisimiut, Greenland. Juliette Pavy/Bloomberg via Getty This isnt cold, some of the Greenlanders tell me. They think it is unseasonably warm. By their reckoning, it should be much lower at this time of the year and not just on the feels like measure. The mean temperature in Nuuk in January is minus 7.7 degrees. At a time when temperatures are soaring in Australia and bushfires are destroying homes and lives, the conditions in Greenland seem like the opposite extreme. The common factor, however, is the concern about the warming planet. Advertisement This is another worry for the people of Greenland when US President Donald Trump is making them nervous by talking about taking control of their territory. Related Article Analysis Greenland Greenlanders tell absolutely insane Trump what they really think We are going to do something in Greenland, whether they like it or not, Trump said on Friday. I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we dont do it the easy way, were going to do it the hard way. He seems to mean Denmark when he talks about doing a deal, given it is the old colonial power that still funds many of the services in the autonomous territory, but this is not really clear. Whatever transaction Trump has in mind, he never seems to address what Greenlanders want. One young woman in Nuuk screws up her face when asked about Trump. He treats us as objects, not as human beings, she says. Advertisement There is a contradiction at the heart of Trumps demands, and it all comes back to the weather. Trump dismisses the science about climate change: Its the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, he told the United Nations last September. At the same time, his ideas turn in part on the way global warming changes the future of Greenland. When the Americans worry about Russian and Chinese ships in these northern waters, the climate is part of their calculations. Climate change has opened vast areas of the Arctic to surface ships, said an analysis from the US Department of Defence, now the Department of War, more than six years ago. Trump was president at the time. Related Article Exclusive Greenland The movement that could decide Greenlands deal with Trump The US response, however, has been to leave its military operations in Greenland largely unchanged. The major US base at Pituffik, previously known as Thule, is estimated to have about 150 personnel. Technology has replaced people at this remote base to detect missiles, but there is no public plan to scale up the military facilities. The climate is also a factor in the White House talk about extracting critical minerals in Greenland and countering Chinas control of these commodities. If the ice sheet melts, mining becomes more commercial in theory, at least. In fact, the scale and timing of the commercial shift is uncertain. Advertisement The greater concern is the impact on the people of Greenland and the world. The islands ice sheet is 1.2 metres thinner, on average, than it was in 2010, according to NASA and the European Space Agency. They calculate this has melted as much water as is stored in Lake Victoria in Africa. One man in Nuuk, who was raised in a small community on the western coast, tells me the winter ice used to be two metres thick in his village. These days, he says, it can be less than a metre. This is anecdotal, but it tallies with the science. No wonder Greenlanders are so anxious about Trump. He brings more uncertainty to their world when they are worried about the climate. One Nuuk local, Julia Pars, a business consultant, tells me some people say they cant sleep at night because they think about the US invading their territory. Pars shares the concerns, but she separates the anxiety about Trump from the security pact with America. Like others I spoke to, she has no problem with the US president sending more military forces into Greenland under the 1951 defence pact that has been updated to reflect the territorys autonomous government. Julia Pars, a business consultant in Nuuk, on Sunday. David Crowe Advertisement Of course Im OK with that, Pars tells me. Because its part of the agreement we have had for so long with the United States and with NATO, and its been a good idea. I believe in the institutions and agreements made after the Second World War, and I believe theyre important still. This is not an unusual response when I speak to people in Nuuk, and it is also the view of the major political leaders here. They seem to believe in the US alliance, and the unity of Western democracies, more than the US president. I do not hear objections to hosting more US forces in Greenland. Related Article Updated Trump diplomacy Military is always an option: White House escalates Greenland clash with NATO allies Trump seems intent on dividing NATO over this land. The Greenlanders would rather stick together. It is not hard to see what Trump should do if he is serious about the strategic importance of Greenland. He could expand the US missile defence and naval facilities. He could build more US submarines, more quickly, to patrol the northern Atlantic. He could also do everything possible to make AUKUS happen because Britain needs the new submarine fleet if it is to dominate the gap between Greenland, Iceland and itself the gap that Russian submarines slip through to approach the Americas. Advertisement Most of all, Trump could strengthen NATO. The US, Canada and Europe all need Greenland. Sooner or later, this strategic reality will dictate the decisions. The wind is still roaring through Nuuk after sunset, but the Greenlanders seem unflustered. Parents tow their toddlers along the street in small plastic sleighs. Friends emerge from cafes and walk in the chilly air to their cars. It is a harsh environment, especially in the middle of winter, and the Greenlanders know how to tough it out. They may be worried about Trump. But they will survive him. David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. 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. January 12, 2026: Ukraine is going after the Russian shadow fleet of lawless tankers moving sanctioned oil to customers. In the last few months at least a dozen attacks and sabotage attacks and sabotage efforts were launched against shadow fleet tankers. These included using naval drones in the Black Sea to sink or disable Russian tankers. This happened while the tankers were trying to reach the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which is the primary port for loading tankers. Russias economy and war effort against Ukraine is financed by oil and other energy exports. Russia is operating under severe economic sanctions imposed to reduce that income and create economic conditions for Russia that make it difficult to impossible to continue their war in Ukraine. The key to Russian oil exports is the use of foreign tankers to covertly smuggle their petroleum and coal from Russia to overseas customers. Eighty percent of the oil for China goes by pipeline and cannot be disrupted. China accounts for nearly half of Russian petroleum and other energy exports. Its the other half that is at risk because of a growing list of sanctions. The economic sanctions were imposed on Russia because of its 2022 invasion, in an effort to reduce its hard currency income from exports of oil and natural gas. These are the main Russian exports and the major source of income for the Russian government and war effort. To evade these sanctions, Russia created a growing shadow fleet of oil tankers purchased and/or leased abroad and obtained unrestricted access to a Chinese smuggler haven maintained in Hong Kong. Current estimates are that nearly 900 tankers are smuggling sanctioned Russian petroleum to customers in China, India, the European Union/EU, Turkey and Myanmar. Most refined petroleum products go to Turkey, China, Brazil, Singapore and India. The rest goes to nine countries, in the Middle East, Africa and Taiwan. China has been buying 47 percent of the crude oil while India takes 37 percent followed by Turkey and the EU with six percent each. China, India and Turkey account for about 90 percent of Russian income from the sale of oil, natural gas and coal. The U.S. is imposing additional tariffs on countries that import Russian oil. India is already subject to these tariffs, which increases what they have to pay for imports from the United States. The Americans are negotiating with China and Turkey over what tariffs will be imposed to discourage Russian oil imports. The nations enforcing the sanctions, particularly the United States, have tracked the routes of the Russian shadow fleet and noted the key role Hong Kong plays in arranging the movement of sanctioned Russian oil to its primary customers in China and India. Hong Kong is also a major source for supplying sanctioned nations with weapons and munitions. A current customer is Russia. Hong Kong does this by allowing Russian tankers and cargo ships, operating with fake credentials to disguise their Russian affiliation, to bring in Russian oil and other raw materials. The Russian ships then leave Hong Kong carrying weapons for their war in Ukraine. Another major player in the Russian smuggling effort is North Korea. For years North Korea has been buying small, second-hand cargo and tanker ships and using them for smuggling. A favored evasion technique consists of taking on or transferring cargo at sea in its own territorial waters. The North Korean merchant fleet consists of about 150 ships, mostly purchased from Chinese firms. North Korea is a notorious and persistent maritime smuggler. Because of North Korean smuggling, the United States expanded its maritime smuggling and sanctions enforcement program in 2018 when a new multi-national enforcement organization was created. Initial members were the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Britain, France, South Korea, and Japan. The Enforcement Coordination Cell, or ECC, is enforcing the UN sanctions that curb North Korean smuggling related to items needed for their nuclear and ballistic missile programs. In addition, the ECC allowed member nations to also enforce whatever other sanctions or naval missions their government put a priority on. The U.S. has since invited India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines to join and assist with monitoring growing Chinese violation of offshore water rights, especially in the South China Sea and other areas of the West Pacific. The ECC concentrates on the 2,000-kilometer-long shipping lane from the Indian Ocean, through the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea to North Korea. Along this route there are not only North Korean flagged ships participating in smuggling, but even more Chinese, Taiwanese, Liberian, Sri Lankan, and ships that are independent and fly whatever flag they believe will keep them from getting seized for smuggling. Earlier U.S. efforts had already identified many North Korean and Iranian owned tankers and cargo ships that were often engaged in smuggling. This led Iran and North Korea to use their own ships less and willing foreign ships instead. These third-party ships are the ones the ECC sought to identify. These ships can be identified, along with their owners and the owners can have banking and other sanctions placed on them. Many nations, not part of the ECC, but economic partners with ECC members, will cooperate if a smuggler ship visits one of their ports. At that point the captain can be arrested and the ship seized. The ECC member warships do not depend on inspecting suspicious ships while at sea, but confirming who is where and when. This is especially useful for spotting smugglers who often turn off their location beacons and continue in running dark mode. These location beacons transmit current ID and location to any nearby ships and often, via satellite, to their owner and international shipping organizations. The location data, past and current, can be found on several public websites. The beacons exist mainly as a safety measure for ships operating at night or in bad weather in heavily used shipping lanes. Smugglers have learned how to turn off their beacons near a port where, it is assumed, they have docked or anchored off the coast waiting for an available dock. Some smugglers are using spoofing, a form of jamming that just modifies the beacon signal to present a false location. This is where warships and maritime aircraft come in as these can identify ships visually or using radar followed by visual inspection. This is more damaging to the smugglers because it provides more evidence that their ship was involved in smuggling, and with enough evidence, you can go after the ship owners and seize the ship whenever it enters coastal waters, within 22 kilometers of land belonging to a nation that will seize outlaw ships. The Department of Education released a troubling update this week, revealing significant delays in processing student loan forgiveness applications, with massive backlogs continuing to grow despite court-ordered progress requirements. The Monday filing, submitted to a federal district court overseeing a settlement with the American Federation of Teachers, shows that over 802,000 income-driven repayment applications remain pending, while the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Buyback backlog has now reached 80,210 requests. Student Loan Processing The update marks the first time in months the department has provided detailed statistics on forgiveness processing. In November alone, the department processed 245,441 IDR applications, yet the backlog remains substantial after peaking at nearly two million earlier this year. More concerning to borrowers and advocates, the department approved loan discharges for only 170 borrowers throughout November, all enrolled in the Income-Based Repayment plan, according to Forbes. No discharges were granted for loans under the Income-Contingent Repayment or Pay As You Earn plans, despite the department's October commitment to resume processing forgiveness for these programs as part of its settlement agreement with the AFT. The court filing revealed that department systems are currently configured to verify eligibility exclusively for IBR discharges, with programming for other IDR plans still in development. The National Student Loan Data System will not regularly assess eligibility for these additional plans until February 2026. The department emphasized that the volume of applications processed monthly may not correspond to the number of discharges issued, as borrowers can opt out of an IDR discharge during a two-month notification period. Critical information remains missing from the filing. Under the October agreement with the AFT, the department was supposed to provide data on the number of IDR applications received, discharges processed, and specific approval or denial figures for applications. The absence of this data has raised concerns among advocates who argue that approval and denial information is vital for evaluating the department's progress. Without transparency, the department could deny every incoming application and label them as processed, though there is no evidence that this is happening. The PSLF Buyback situation presents an even more alarming picture. Despite consistently processing between one and three thousand applications monthly, the backlog surged from approximately 49,000 in April to over 74,000 by September. The department's latest filing shows the backlog has now climbed to 80,210, even after processing 2,960 applications in November. The rate of incoming applications continues to exceed the processing rate, with nearly 7,000 new PSLF Buyback applications submitted last month alone, CNBC reported. At the current pace, it would take the department 27 months to clear the existing backlog, not accounting for new applications that borrowers submit each month. Millions of Borrowers at Risk The processing delays come as approximately seven million borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan face an uncertain future. The Education Department announced a proposed settlement agreement with Missouri on December 9 that would end the program pending court approval. Under the settlement, the department will not enroll new borrowers in SAVE, will deny pending applications, and will transition all SAVE borrowers into other available repayment plans. The department has not specified a timeline for this transition, but the situation, combined with the anticipated introduction of a new Repayment Assistance Plan later next year, could significantly exacerbate the application backlog for IDR plans and PSLF Buyback, further complicating circumstances for borrowers seeking lower payments and eventual loan forgiveness, as per the Department of Education. Originally published on parentherald.com GARDAI are investigating two separate incidents in Rathvilly on Wednesday 8 January and have not ruled out a possible link between them. At around 8.40am, four men were disturbed as they attempted to steal tools from a work van in the village. The van owner interrupted the theft in progress, prompting the men to flee the scene in a black Kia vehicle bearing a Dublin registration. On the same day, a domestic residence under renovation in Rathvilly was broken into. Builders attending the property discovered a broken window, though nothing appeared to have been taken from the premises. An Garda Siochana are appealing to anyone who was in the Rathvilly area on the morning of 8 January to come forward with any information that might assist their investigations. Gardai are particularly interested in anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from around the time of the incidents. THE GRAIGUECULLEN and wider Carlow community has been left heartbroken following the sudden death of Dylan Kelly on Thursday, January 9th. Dylan, of 64 Chestnut Avenue, Fruithill Manor, Graiguecullen, passed away unexpectedly at his home. He was the beloved son of Philip and Elizabeth, much loved brother of Kaitlin, Alex and Robyn, and cherished boyfriend of Theresa. A student at Tyndall College, Dylan was remembered by his school community as a kind, polite and gentle young man who brightened the days of those around him. One of his teachers, Rachel Roche, paid tribute on RIP.ie saying: "He was the first student I taught in Carlow and I will always hold that privilege in my heart. He was the kindest young man and brightened my day when we encountered each other every day since. He will be sorely missed by me in our school community." Another member of the Tyndall College community, Mary Davis, wrote: "Dylan was a lovely kid, and will be sadly missed in school." Many heartfelt condolences have been posted online on RIP.ie from family, friends, neighbours, classmates and members of the wider community, reflecting the impact Dylan had on those who knew him. He was described repeatedly in tributes as polite, kind, gentle and mannerly, with many noting his quiet nature and the respectful way he greeted people. Funeral arrangements will be announced on Monday afternoon. CARLOW was well represented at the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition last week, when a project by a student from St Leos College, Naomi Picovici took home two awards. A second project was presented by Naomis schoolmates from St Leos College while three teams from St Marys Academy CBS also showcased the result of months of hard work as they exhibited their projects in front of large crowds over the course of three days at the RDS, Dublin. Naomi won the Climate Change Solutions Award and came in first place in the intermediate individual category for her project titled Like Mother Like Daughter: Pursuing beneficial traits of native Irish queen bees through controlled breeding to ensure species survival in changing climates. Naomis fellow St Leos students Amala Roney and twin sisters Lojain Abdallah and Liela Abdallah also presented their project titled Dont let it get Under your Skin: Exploring the hidden impact of beauty routinesfrom UV exposure to aesthetic pressureand our health beneath the surface. For their project, the girls collected over 380 surveys from students in local primary and secondary schools, staff groups and active retirement members. They also carried out a number of school visits and held discussions with teachers. Liela Abdallah, Amala Roney and Lojain Abdallah, with Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton. Our project began when we realised how common sunburn, tanning pressure and misinformation about UV are among young people in Ireland, explains Liela. We attend an all-girls school and we often saw girls around us making decisions that harmed their skin without properly understanding the outcomes or consequences. This is what truly drove us to make an impact with our project. We were inspired by the story of our mentor, skin cancer survivor Linda Chanders, whose experience made us realise how urgently sun safety needs to be taken seriously. Thats what pushed us to investigate what Irish students, staff and adults actually know about sun protection, she added. The girls have been invited to the Irish Melanoma Forum in UCD, where their findings will be shared with dermatologists and researchers. Their mentor Linda Chanders has also agreed to publish their results to support melanoma research centres. St Marys Academy CBS had seven students across three projects taking part in the exhibition. Emil Jaskuula, Muhammad Irshad and Siddharth Aryan Sharma presented an air quality device which monitors indoor air quality by measuring CO2 levels. The device works by mechanically opening a window if low air quality is detected in a room. Pictured are students Irshad Hanafi, Emil Jaskula and Siddharth Sharma from St Mary's Academy CBS in Carlow, with their project, 'AQD 17'. Photo credit: Fennell Photography For their project titled Watts at the Door, TJ Keating, Craig Power and Karol Szatkowski created an innovative energy harvesting system that converts the motions of a door into electrical power, providing an ecofriendly and sustainable source of energy through everyday movement. Taif Akbars showcased his project titled The Peoples Electrolyzer, which is an open-source project designed to analyse and quantify the efficiency limits of small-scale hydrogen production, making clean energy research more accessible to all. The overall winner of the exhibition was fourth-year student Aoibheann Daly from Mercy Mounthawk in Kerry for her project which aims to help doctors improve the treatment of brain cancer through the use of AI. In total, 550 students from 221 schools took part in the exhibition. By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association A prosecution is expected in relation to the killing of Denis Donaldson in Co Donegal in 2006, the Justice Minister has said. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent for over 20 years. In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for Mr Donaldsons killing. Mr Donaldsons daughter, Jane, has said the family did not accept the claim of responsibility and has called for a public inquiry into his death. Minister Jim OCallaghan said on Monday that directions had been received by gardai to prosecute a person in relation to the case and that proceedings are under way. Justice Minister Jim OCallaghan. Photo: PA He made the statement after meeting with Mr Donaldsons daughter Jane Kearney and her husband. It has now been nearly 20 years since Denis Donaldson was killed near Glenties, Co Donegal, in April 2006, he said in a statement. It is a matter of regret that it has not yet been possible to bring those responsible to justice. I met today with Mr Donaldsons daughter, Jane Kearney, her husband, Ciaran, and their solicitor to hear directly their concerns regarding the investigation into Mr Donaldsons killing. He said he had assured them that the Garda investigation into Mr Donaldsons killing remains active and open. He added: Furthermore, I have been informed by Garda authorities that directions have been received to prosecute an individual for offences in this case and proceedings are under way in this regard. In those circumstances, I conveyed to the Donaldson family that I did not consider it appropriate to establish a separate commission of inquiry. I emphasised the importance of allowing An Garda Siochana to continue its investigation with a view to bringing the individual before the courts as soon as possible. I reaffirmed the absolute commitment of An Garda Siochana to this outcome. An Garda Siochana has been contacted for comment. David Raleigh A woman who fled the Russian invasion of Ukraine with her family to Ireland later stabbed her eight-year-old daughter over 70 times in an attempt to murder the girl, it was alleged at her trial on Monday. The woman, who cannot be named to protect the identity of her now 11-year-old daughter, pleaded not guilty to the girls attempted murder at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Limerick. During her arraignment, in which she entered a not guilty plea, the woman told the court: I was out of my mind at that time. The court heard the woman used a knife and a phone charging cable as a ligature during the alleged attack on the girl, at a property in Co Clare, on September 27th, 2022. Outline the alleged facts, prosecuting barrister, senior counsel Lorcan Connolly, told the jury that Gardai responded to an alert at the property at 7.40am on the morning in question. Gardai forced their way into a locked room where they discovered the accused in a bathroom holding the girl who had cuts all over her body. Mr Connolly said the girl was bleeding heavily and had sustained in excess of 70 stab wounds, including to her neck and torso, and, he said, there was a phone charger cable in her hair. The girl was rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and later transferred to Crumlin Childrens Hospital, Dublin, where she was treated for life-threatening injuries and survived. Mr Connolly said that, when Gardai entered the room where the accused and her daughter were found, the accused was not very responsive and seemed confused. A number of packets of prescription drugs were also found at the scene. The woman was brought to UHL where she was treated for a suspected drug overdose, and she was later transferred to a psychiatric hospital. Mr Connolly told the jury they would hear from Garda interviews with the accused, in which she told gardai she intended to end her daughters life and then end her own life. The prosecution barrister told the jury they would have to determine on the evidence presented in court whether or not the accused was fully aware of what she was doing, or if she had been labouring under a mental disorder, and that she lacked the necessary intent. Mr Connolly said DVD-recorded interviews between the girl and specially-trained Garda interviewers, in which the girl describes her interactions with her mother, in the lead up to the attack, will be played in court. The accused has two barristers acting for her, including senior counsel, Mark Nicholas, and Antoinette Simon, BL, instructed by Kieran OBrien Solicitors. Mr Connolly, for the prosecution, is assisted by Rebecca Smart, BL, and instructed by the office of the State Solicitor. A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in before trial judge Kerida Naidoo. The trial continues on Tuesday. Hollywood press outlets recently announced the death of Con Pederson, the last of the four men credited as special photographic effects supervisor alongside Wally Veevers, Douglas Trumbull, and Tom Howard on Stanley Kubricks 1968 science-fiction epic 2001: A Space Odyssey. The four supervisors names appeared at the close of Kubricks film following a card announcing, Special Photographic Effects Designed and Directed by Stanley Kubrick. Kubrick went on to claim his sole Oscar for Best Special Effects for the film and was a no-show at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion ceremony in April 1969. Decades later, when the year 2001 dawned, and attention refocused on the film, Pederson remained reticent to speak to journalists on the topic, although his work with Kubrick remained close to his heart. It was a couple of years of unprecedented moviemaking, Pederson told an audience in Burbank, California, in 2018. It couldnt have been done here, and thats too bad. Itll never be done again. In a 1999 interview with CalArts film and animation professor William Moritz, Pederson expressed his affection for Kubrick as a deep thinker and a fellow maverick Hollywood outsider with whom he maintained a friendship through subsequent years. [Stanley] was wonderful, Pederson recalled. A generous man. Brilliant guy and surprisingly folksy He was always doing things where there was a high probability of failure, but he substituted something for fear. And I dont know what it was. Pederson was born in rural Minnesota on April 15, 1934, and later moved with his parents and two sisters to Inglewood, California, in 1943, where he developed a fascination with aircraft and science fiction. He studied at Los Angeles City College and, in 1951, pursued art and anthropology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Pedersons restless imagination led to his first experiments in animation in UCLAs Theatre Arts program, where he met his first mentor, tutor William Schull, a former Disney animator known for his work on Fantasia (1940), Dumbo (1941), and Bambi (1942). Pedersons animation tastes, he confessed to Moritz, gravitated more toward the 50s avant-garde of John Hubleys Rooty Toot Toot UPA cartoons. Nevertheless, Schull recognized his talent and recommended Pederson to Disney, which led Pederson to meet rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, who was technical advisor on Disneys animated space documentaries Man in Space (1955), Man and the Moon (1955), and Mars and Beyond (1957) with animation by Ward Kimball. In 1956, the U.S. Army draft sent Pederson to the First Armored Division in Louisiana, until Disney nominated him to join von Braun to assist in the creation of classified rocketry animations at Redstone Arsenal Army Post and Missile Agency in Alabama. Walt Disney personally brought me to the attention of Wernher von Braun because they had just gotten an animation camera there and didnt know how to use it, said Pederson. The next thing you know, I was in a nice outfit of scientific and professional personnel doing very short films to present ideas to Congress, to explain what they were doingmostly secret undertakings of the Cold War, atomic testing in the Pacific for which we supplied short-range missiles. I got a look at what was going on in astronautics at that time, which was mainly propulsion systems. When Pederson returned to Los Angeles, he briefly worked as an animator at Disney and then returned to UCLA to complete his graduate studies. In 1959, he joined Graphic Films, a production company formed by former Disney animator and USC cinema professor Lester Novros. The appointment led Pederson to write and direct Graphic Films 15-minute short To the Moon and Beyond (1964) as a special presentation at the Transportation and Travel section of the New York Worlds Fair in Flushing, Queens. Inside a domed theatre with a moon-textured roof, a fisheye lens magnified vertical strips of 70mm film, ten perforations wide, to fill an 80-foot curved screen. The hand-rendered images of swirling galaxies and balletic space stations caught the attention of Stanley Kubrick. In July 1965, Pederson and Novros visited Kubricks production offices, which at the time were based in the directors New York City apartment overlooking Central Park. In an unpublished 1984 interview with Cinefex publisher Don Shay, Novros revealed Kubricks early plans for his space-exploration picture and Graphic Films contributions. Working from a work-in-progress screenplay by Arthur C. Clarke and Kubrick and evolving production designs, Pederson shepherded the development of design, hardware, storyboards, [and] general ideas. Graphic Films funneled ideas to Kubrick via long-distance telephone xerography connections a lugubrious precursor to fax transmitting typewritten pages and illustrations to the directors home in England near MGM Borehamwood Studios, where the film was shot. Topics included spacecraft propulsion, computer interfaces, orbital heights, lunar locales, spaceship flight trajectories, and extraterrestrial manifestations. As ambassador for Graphic Films, Pederson twice visited Kubrick in the U.K. and then joined the production of 2001 full-time for the next two and a half years. Michael Bensons 2018 book Space Odyssey described Pedersons Borehamwood office as the War Room, borrowing a name from Kubricks 1964 Cold War satire Dr. Strangelove. The room was located down the corridor from Kubricks office and became a central hub for the films complex visual effects production. The experience was nerve-racking for many of its contributors, but in his 1999 interview, Pederson fondly recalled his collaboration with Kubrick, a month after the filmmakers death: He made an effect on me and, oddly enough, I think I made an effect on him, too. I sometimes made sense to him, which I am surprised to say. He often needed somebody to bounce off; he was always asking questions about whether he was doing the right thing. People dont know that about him, but he was not like most artists. After 2001, Pederson returned to Los Angeles and, in 1971, joined his former Graphic Films collaborator Robert Abel to co-found Robert Abel & Associates. The company quickly developed a reputation for its innovative work in emerging digital technology combined with computer-assisted motion control, animation, and optical effects for motion graphics and commercials. In addition to the motion-control rostrum work that created the swirling, streaking light effects of the ABC studio graphic, Abel & Associates famously produced the Canned Foods Information Councils Brilliance commercial, which stunned 1985 Super Bowl audiences with its chromium Sexy Robot. Inspired by the erotic robots of Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama, Abel, Pederson, and their team brought their gleaming female cyborg to life using motion sampled from a human performer, which they translated into computer-generated renderings using an interface derived from an Evans & Sutherland flight simulator. It was different than 2D rotoscoping, Pederson told Graffiti magazine in 1986. The computer was smoothing the motion from keyframes, keeping weight and mass consistent. He added, Its nice to be able to do what reality does and then do it better, instead of not being able to do what you want because you havent been able to achieve realism. Once you have the power to do reality, then you have a choice. I think then you begin to appreciate simplicity as an addition to reality. After his partnership with Abel, Pederson worked as creative lead with Tim McGovern at Metrolight Studios, producing visual effects for film and television, including his work as visual effects supervisor on two episodes of the Emmy Awardwinning 1998 HBO series From the Earth to the Moon. In the early 2000s, at age 70, Pederson returned to his roots, working as an animator at Rhythm & Hues Studios on Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed and Garfield: The Movie (both 2004). Con was working in the fishbowl or down on the stage with a bunch of 20-year-olds, recalled Ryan Donoghue, animation director on Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (2024), who was another animator in the trenches at R&H. It was a lot of peoples first jobs on animated films, and Con was pleased as punch to be there. Legend spread that the veteran had submitted a laminated letter of recommendation from Walt Disney with his R&H application. Pederson then embarked on training with the studios proprietary animation tools that, ironically, had grown from technology R&H co-founder John Hughes developed as Robert Abels former head of digital production. Donoghue recalled that Pederson retained an impish glee, sharing stories in the lunchroom: He was super sharp, absolutely a delight, and so incredibly humble to sit there without any ego, working on a relatively low-budget film for kids. Wed ask him, Why are you here? You dont have to be doing this! And hed say, I just like to. He just liked to animate. Pederson also retained his love of writing science fiction, dating back to his membership in the Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society in the 1940s, as well as his creation of crossword puzzles for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. He passed away on January 2 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills from complications of Alzheimers disease. Sign up to get our news digest delivered directly to your inbox twice a week. Emmy-nominated and Annie-winning composer Guy Moon, whose credits spanned generations of popular TV programs, most notably Nickelodeons The Fairly OddParents and Danny Phantom, was killed last week in a traffic collision, according to a statement released by his family. He was 63. We are overcome with grief to announce the passing of our beloved patriarch, Guy Moon, the Moon family wrote on Moons Facebook page. He has left an unmistakable legacy, and will be profoundly missed by us, his family, and countless others whose lives he impacted. A celebration of his life is planned for his birthday, February 7, in the Los Angeles area, with a second memorial to follow in his hometown in Wisconsin. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Moon began playing piano at five years old, taught by his father, who played boogie-woogie on the family piano, and later through classical instruction at the University of WisconsinWhitewater. Music, he said, quickly became not just an interest but a compulsion. I just asked him to show me how he was doing it, and he showed me and I started playing, Moon recalled of his father during a 2020 appearance on Butch Hartmans Speech Bubble podcast. And that was the beginning of my infatuation with music. By junior high and high school, Moon was performing in rock bands, first in a group called Thursday Morning, named because they rehearsed before school, and later in a more serious outfit called Bachs. He played keyboards, sang, and, he joked, grabbed any instrument possible. Moon later studied music at the University of Arizona. There, he gained early experience recording and producing a wide range of styles in a professional-grade studio in the schools basement. In the mid-90s, after college, he moved to Los Angeles, supporting himself through freelance work and studio jobs while his wife, Jennifer, worked as a bookkeeper. Those early years were lean but formative, and Moon looked back on them fondly. For seven years, I said yes to everything, Moon said. Any musical opportunity. His willingness to seize any opportunity paid off when a demo he assembled reached Hanna-Barbera music supervisor Bode Chandler. Though unrefined, Chandler heard promise in Moons work and gave him a chance, eventually leading to Moons first animation assignments and his career-defining collaborations with Butch Hartman, beginning with a Johnny Bravo short in 1995. From there, Moon and Hartman became inseparable. In 2001, The Fairly OddParents first hit the airwaves, and Moon would go on to score every episode of the series for more than two decades. He was responsible for thousands of minutes of music and more than 100 original songs. He also wrote and produced the music for Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy, and Bunsen Is a Beast, as well as all three Fairly OddParents live-action features. Among his most famous compositions was My Shiny Teeth and Me, the Chip Skylark pop parody that became a fondly remembered favorite of a generation of fans. Hartman wrote the lyrics, with Moon adapting them into fully realized songs. He would just instantly get it, Hartman recalled on Speech Bubble. Id say, Can we do something like a salsa beat with a trumpet? and hed be like, Yep, no problem. And it would just show up. More than just a hit with young fans, Moons work was repeatedly honored by his colleagues in the animation industry. He received multiple Daytime Emmy and Annie nominations, winning one of the latter for Best Music in an Animated Television Production for The Fairly OddParents in 2010. Other standout animation credits include memorable titles such as Cow and Chicken, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, 2 Stupid Dogs, and more. Outside of animation, his work was wildly diverse. His work appeared in live-action titles including The Brady Bunch Movie, A Very Brady Sequel, and he was credited with contributing to soundtracks for big-budget Hollywood films including Minority Report, Fight Club, Mystic Pizza, and Black Night. His ability to adapt to the needs of a production was key to Moons functionality on so many kinds of titles. You really need to serve the story in whatever way the producer wants, he explained. If somethings happening on camera, the music should go right along with it. Away from the studio, Moon was a devoted husband and father of three. His children, Dusty, Chelsea, and Savannah, all inherited the music bug from their dad. Dusty co-composed the boy-band musical feature Big Time Rush with Moon, while all three kids appeared at times during Fairly OddParents musical recordings when they were young. According to Moon, the three provided voices heard at the beginning of Icky Vicky. Moon was also a dedicated supporter of Hartmans Hartman House foundation and traveled with his family to Haiti to help with charitable work there. Moon is survived by his wife, Jennifer; his children, Dusty, Chelsea, and Savannah; and a grandchild. The Moon family said details of the upcoming memorial services will be announced soon. by TJ Price Its a few days before Christmas, but it doesnt feel like it. The weather app I use has subtitled the forecast for the holiday with a cheeky feels more like Spring than Christmas, and the temperature is hovering around seventy degrees Fahrenheit. Im visiting family down in Cape Fear, and my nephew, all of four years old, sits rapt and silent for approximately ten minutes before abruptly transforming into a firecracker of noise, babbling and shrieking, a whirligig that hurls itself at the legs of whoever happens to first verify his existence. Im probably reading into it, but it looks for all the world to me like a sudden paroxysm of solipsistic terroras if he has been seized by the irrational and intrusive thought that (despite the empirical evidence of nearby voices and bodies moving to and fro in the kitchen) he is feeling a kind of doubt in his own ability to adequately integrate with the rest of us. I understand this feeling, I think. As a child, my family would bring me over to my grandmothers house and conduct conversations that floated austerely over my head. Sometimes that height was intentional, positioned as such because they wanted it out of my reach, like the medicine they kept on the top shelf of the bathroom cabinet. Sometimes it was because they wanted to abstract complexity to the extent that it would befuddle me and discourage any continued questioning. (The joke was on themmore often than not, such behavior would only deepen my urge to decode those encryptions, even if it often led to frustratingly reductionist statements in the form of tautology like because thats just how it is.) I felt the terror of being excluded then not because something secret held any kind of promise or hope, but rather signified the coming of a threat against which I was unable to prepare. If I could not have defenses mounted to face obvious menaces, how could I be on guard against proverbial Greeks bearing gifts? I watch my nephew run around the room, but from a distance, cautious of being drawn into his maze of child-logic. It seems constructed purely of pathways which recurse, curving back toward him to feed an endless and insatiable appetite for attention. He seems to be aware of my remove and approaches me quietly, timidly, if at all. I wonder how I must appear to him, and return to memoryagain, my grandmothers house. My aunts husband (not quite an uncle) who sat on the couch in the living room from the moment he arrived to the moment he left. (Even in photographs, the family seemed to group around him, and though they all smiled at the camera, his gaze was fixed on the television.) I didnt know him, didnt interact with him. He was like a man-shaped fungus that only grew in that specific place, and only on holidays. I once saw him displaced from his usual seat during Christmas unwrapping, forced to lean against the wall, and the entire time he fidgeted, blinking more than he should have, fingers twitching at his sides, tongue flicking out to moisten his lips. (I had the sensation that, were my grandmother to have vacated that chair for whatever reason, he mightve leapt to occupy the spot.) To be clear: I dont dislike children. In fact, I find their joy delightful; Im just overly conscious of my own nerves around them, like how they say animals can sense fear. I worry that the childs guileless knack for sussing out prevarication will find me out, call me on any one of my innumerable bluffs. Hopefully, I am not that fungus uncle to my nephew. I try to smile at him, to be encouraging, to interact with just enough encouragement and good intention, but the truth is that I very rarely have interest in performances which demand iteven that of children. I am largely only willing to interact with those who dont wheedle or beg (similarly, I have no patience for hype, that poisonous hallmark of mediocrity.) Perhaps some of this instinct has its origin in contrariness for the sake of; other times I am convinced that Im reacting to something embedded in the transmission: a disingenuous motive, or something Ive detected in the eddying translucence of subtext. I react poorly to being asked to do thingsa part of me is convinced irrevocably that Im at fault for not having noticed in the first place. (This self-dooming prophecy brings to mind Cassandra, and I think about how doubt must have crazed {networked with fine cracks} her in the face of only non-believers; how that doubt must have accreted within and around her, like nacre in the tightly-pursed mouth of the oyster. {In the first books of Greek mythology I ever owned (Bulfinchs Mythology) I read about the cursed prophet, I encountered the lines of Schillers poem (via Bulwer-Lytton) Take back the clear and awful mirror}) Segue: it is about twenty-four hours later, but I am in the same place. Tonight, my nephew is on a different frequency. He claims to not feel very wella mysterious pain in his leg (not debilitating enough to keep him from bouncing on the couch cushion)and has developed a light cough that sounds like the crunch of wrapping paper. As I get into an unexpected dialogue with my septuagenarian father-in-law about The Conversation (that slow-boil masterpiece of paranoia from the 70s), my nephew wanders into the middle of the living room, his thumb firmly suctioned between his lips. Despite our dialogue (and the underscore of banal dialogue from 1990s-era Meg Ryan vehicle Youve Got Mail on the TV), the kid pulls out a toy and begins to engage with it. This distraction, of course, rattles at a volume that impedes any conversation, which immediately creates a mental image of Gene Hackman leaning into his earpiece, eagerly anticipating the next code phrase, when suddenly his aural surveillance is overshadowed by the violent static of a childs toy. My father-in-law has returned to his fuzzy cocoon, wrapped chin to toes in a blanket, his eyes fully-lidded. Hopes of a conversation involving his first-hand exposure to a world beset by Cold War tensions during his twenties are dashed. Unfortunately, most of my own family tree had been pollarded by the time I developed any curiosity regarding its branches, and regret had taken hold of the remaining limbslike a mistletoethat I had not spoken more to my own grandfather about his service in the Korean War. { [3 hours earlier] I am in a motel room, watching a show on television. A mother pulls her children close, knits her brow. Family is forever, she says, determined to believe her own statement despite the cataclysmic losses cratering her own past. I wonder how true it is, especially given that, onscreen, her children and husband are now vanishing in a storm of unraveling pixels. } I wonder if my nephew clocked the conversation happening, the one about The Conversation. For a moment, I see the whole living room zoomed out, then zoomed back in, but on him as he deliberates which toy to choose. In the array: a plush in the shape of a cat; a tablet whose rheumy screen is evidence of a dead battery; and some kind of pump-action gumball machine. Pressing down repeatedly on its bulbous head yields a sudden cacophony and clatter. I try to interpret the small glint in his eye as he reaches for the gumball machine. It was not intentional, I try to convince myself. Theres no way that the four year-old acted out of resentment, deliberately and maliciously interrupting out of a desperate need to be noticed, to remind us that he was there. Its the post-mirror stageunderstanding and acknowledging that there are other people in the world, but lacking the ability to recognize them as sovereign entities that also possess volition and agency. The scuttlebutt is that its Flu A, comes my husbands phlegmy warble from the next room. Its days later, and weve returned from the beach. Mom has a cough, but she had the flu shot, so the symptoms arent as bad. She wants to know how youre doing. Im not sick, or at least, Ive not shown any symptomsyet. Its got me thinking about the spread of germs. The seemingly aleatory nature of contagion. I took no especial precautions while visiting, but I did also spend a lot less time with my nephew, directly in his company. Letting him spit in my mouth was probably a bad choice, laments my husband, a bit hyperbolically. But then, he and his family are much, much closer than I am with my own. (He is near-constantly in contact with his mom via text, whereas with mine I exchange messages once every weeksometimes longer. Phone calls are a weekly occurrence for himfor me, maybe once a month, if that.) If he goes longer than a month or so without seeing them, he grows fidgety and needs to visit. {Blood is thicker than water, they say, an idiom which would commonly be defined as referring to the strength of the family bond, though its unclear what the water part stands for. (Dont Google this, because it will test your faith in what you can consider truth and what is just noise on the Internet, as it did me. Does it originate from a Biblical verse, The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb? Is that even a legitimate translation of Scripture? Is anything real?)} So, not sickat least, not in the body. But I have felt myself falling ill with a case of infoflu, or information influenza. For too long a time, we have considered quantity of available information as analogous to truth. Unfortunately, as time has gone on and the quantity of available information has become exponentially larger (not to mention more readily accessiblesometimes even {seemingly} instantaneously), this has been disproven. Now, we have Merriam-Websters editors bestowing the honor of Word of the Year for 2025 to slop, due to the ubiquity of LLM-generated garbage, most of it hallucinatory. Or at least, so Im told. I suppose Id have no way of verifying that this was the case unless I spoke to the editors themselves, face-to-face. But then, how would I even be able to distinguish them from possible androids, powered by LLMs? { In a 1951 essay, Jorge Luis Borges (author of The Library of Babel, which posits the thought experiment of a vast library containing all possible booksand the narratives focus that the vast majority are nonsense) commented on a critical edition of Blaise Pascals Pensees. he expressed his feelings like this: It [nature] is an infinite sphere, the center of which is everywhere, the circumference nowhere. That is the text of the Brunschvig edition, but the critical edition of Tourneur (Paris, 1941), which reproduces the cancellations and the hesitations of the manuscript, reveals that Pascal started to write effroyable: A frightful sphere, the center of which is everywhere, and the circumference nowhere. } You see, I keep interrupting myself with more information, and I dont know what parts of it are salient and what parts are to be jettisoned. I have tried, throughout this essay, to just go with the flow (another idiom whose provenance I cannot quote) but the more I try to do this, the more I fret about its legibility. About its substance. About what Im trying to say, in the words of anyone who has ever given feedback ever to someone who is stuck in the middle of writing something. Usually, when Im confronted with this challenge, I return to the beginning. What was my goal at the outset? So here, I look. The beginning of this was written almost a week ago, and now has barely any resemblance to the current form of this article. Not only was I in an entirely different location, but it was before Christmas. [The best part of the entire trip to see my in-laws came in the middle of the day on Tuesday, two days prior to Christmas. My husband had no work demands, and I was whiling away time by reading a bit of Czech writer Michal Ajvazs incredible novel The Golden Age. {The novel is a fictional travelogue divided roughly into two halves: (the first being a study of a fictional island culture who resist the common understanding of signifier/signified) the second of which is devoted largely to the creation and reading of the cultures single Book. Ajvazs narrator, in the middle of a series of nested narratives, describes the Book of the islanders as a curious artefact that has little pockets or insertions attached to every page, concertina strips that are lifted up and make the sound of birds wings whenever there is a gust of wind, followed by the sound of murmuring, whispering, sighing when the wind drops and they lay limp. On each of these strips are insertions, annotations, digressions, all added to the Book by readers who have come across it. However, before even plunging into the retelling of one of the stories found in the Book, Ajvazs narrator warns the reader of The Golden Age that to follow any of these digressions-on-digressions is to descend into a labyrinth from which escape may become impossible. Despite this, an islander tells the narrator that the main thing is that which is incidental. Later, mid-story, the narrator pauses to connect something in the retelling with something that happened in his own life. Unable to keep his quiet as per the relevance of digression, the narrator opines: I am well aware that all the bold words you have heard from me about the value of insertions and digressions have failed to convince you; you are distrustful and stubborn, dear reader, and no doubt you are preparing to skip this insertion and its savage intervention between you and the tale You probably wont miss anything important if you skip the next couple of chapters, but you could miss the encounter that holds the key to the entire text. The decision on which path in the labyrinth to take is yours and yours alone; whichever path you take, you do so at your own risk. After the retelling concludes, the narrator mentions thatas a work of artthe Book is almost certainly a failure, had been from the very beginning, but also mentions that perhaps that the islanders were even striving for that failure, to render the Book as less art, and more a parody of art.} My husband asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. The day was balmy for near-Christmas, and a forceful breeze was coming out of the southwest. I agreed, and we went off to the small strand of beach only two blocks away from our motel. The sand was shifting and unstable under our feet up by the boardwalk, so we went closer to the waves. We talked about the beach erosion; how it was necessary to pump in sand from other beaches to shore up the area. If they didnt do this, he told me, there would be no beach. (Later, I looked this upits called beach nourishment, in a surprising turn of phrase, costing millions of dollars to pump roughly 757,000 cubic yards of sand over about 18,000 feet of beachfront.) There was no plan to our walk. We just idly took steps across the strand. There wasnt a single other soul around. The ocean roared and foamed, falling into a hiss of static as the waves crept antlike into breakers, clawing at our feet. (I began to pick up shells. At first, I thought that the separate pieces must have been from the same shell, but that proved false as I kept gathering them. They were thick, scarred shards, like broken potterysome pieces even thicker than my thumbbut none of them would fit together to create a whole. At first, I thought that it must have all been from the same shell, but that proved false as I kept gathering them.) We didnt speak much. We stooped, then rose; up and down, our motions mimicked in time-lapse by the little frantic pipers bustling about the breakers. Each of us, content to comb the sandfirst raking it with our eyes, then with tremulous fingers. The setting sun struck our shadows to flight from our feet, but we stayed still, hands and pockets full of shell shards, staring out at the oceans illimitable expanse, all the way out to where the horizon bends, past the length of perception.] There is so much we dont know, cannot know. Wanting to know everything is not only impossible, but perhaps even a kind of evil. I know that I know nothing, as the famous paradox from Sophocles goes. A mystical text written by an anonymous 14th century Christian is titled The Cloud of Unknowing, and it refers to a mode of religious philosophy known as the via negativa (which attempts to approach the Divine only by terms of what it is not) insisting that God lives beyond the ken of mortals, and that in order to comprehend the Divine, one must set aside reason and knowledge. It recommends that the aspirant cultivate a cloud of forgetting, or temporary abandonment of all other concerns, to achieve this level of apophatic prayer. Perhaps it is possible to know too much. We are often critical of those who know too little, and much has been made of the axiomatic ignorance is bliss, but what if it truly is? Sapere aude! goes the cry. Dare to know! But every dare comes with a potential for costits whether or not that price is exacted wherein comes the risk, and sometimes the bill is not tendered until much later. Today, however, even unknowing has become risky, something divisible. Donald Rumsfeld, in 2002, famously said There are unknown unknowns, referring to a matrix of awareness and consideration when determining outcomes. (Now, a score of years later, we even have alternative facts, and truthful hyperbole, so its not as though were exactly trending upward in efforts to refine semantic meaning.) {No wonder the other Greeks didnt believe Cassandra when she said she knew the future, that most unknown of unknowns. I doubt they wouldve believed even without the curse of jealous Apollo.} So, in an effort to tease out the end of this essay (from the French essayer, to try), I return to the beginning. I rappel (from the French rappeler, to recall) down the length of twine that Ive left behind me, the pathway that I can follow back to the entrance of the labyrinth (unknown etymology). The readermyselfis left standing framed in the entrance, feeling the cold breath of the depths brush against their face as theyas Irealize that the entrance is the same as the exit, and that to exit one labyrinth is only to enter anotherone whose walls arent as easy to see. Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. The Planning Commission on Monday voted 8-4 to recommend denial of rezoning to allow a 12-story building that opponents said would threaten the historic Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. County Mayor Weston Wamp made the motion, saying the church dating to 1890 is a "sacred place" and in a category that citizens and government leaders "should fight to protect." The request from Nashville developers that would involve tearing down a line of historic buildings at Patten Parkway now goes to the City Council in a month. The council will have the final decision. This is the second time the request by Nashville developers has come before the planning panel, and their local attorney had asked for another deferral. Hannah-Claire Boggess said more time was needed to gather data on available nearby parking for residents of the planned 262-unit apartment project. Parking would also be needed for ground floor commercial space in the building that would face the Volunteer Building and Garage and back up to the Catholic church. County Mayor Wamp, who does not often attend Planning Commission sessions, said for certain older buildings, such as many out-of-date schools, it was logical to raze them. But he said a school like the building on East Third Street occupied by Chattanooga School for the Arts and Science and designed by famed architect R.H. Hunt, ought to be saved. He said Sts. Peter and Paul Church was in a third special category of historic buildings being "so central to our story as a community that those are buildings that we ought to fight to protect at virtually any cost." County Mayor Wamp said he had visited the church earlier and again last week, and noted that it is the only bascilica in the state of Tennessee. He said of the church, "It's a work of art - unrivaled in this part of the country. The light is not just a part of its beauty, it is necessary. It's a part of its function. The structural integrity of the building is not just important, it's a symbol of an enduring God." As at the first session on the topic, there was a large contingent from Sts. Peter and Paul saying pile driving would threaten the church and that the building would blot out the sun from the church's stained glass windows. Father David Carter said there had been increasing public support for the church with over 2,300 signing a petition. James Poston, a civil engineer and member of the church, said that section of downtown is a karst site with limestone caves and tunnels that require very deep piles. He said the pile work from nine feet away would very likely damage the church. Planning Commission members voting no included Chris Anderson of the Chattanooga Mayor's Office, City Councilwoman Jenni Berz, Brenda Jean Adamson and Nathan Byrd. Mr. Anderson said he agreed with almost everything said by County Mayor Wamp, but he said he thought the Planning Commission needed to gather more information before sending it on to the City Council. Mr. Byrd said he had never been so conflicted on a vote, saying he and two of his children were baptized in the church and he had just come from there. He said he agreed that the matter should be deferred for more information, and he said he was not ready to say that a building of that height should not come to that part of the city. The final decision will be by the City Council. A construction project at North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park will force the closure of the main parking area and forbid access to the popular Blue Hole in the park for about one year. The project will improve parking by adding asphalt and striping, improve the entrance to the park, add an ADA pier for river viewing, and include a restroom. The work will begin in early 2026. We are excited about these new features coming to our park. Unfortunately, the work will curtail parking and close access to the Blue Hole, said Park Manager Sarah Geeslin. We want visitors to know what to expect, and we appreciate their patience while we make these upgrades. Safety is our highest priority. All the popular water holes that are accessed from the main parking area will be closed, including the popular Blue Hole. The Blue Hole, about one mile from the parking area, is a section of the park that many guests enjoy. With the construction project, there is no safe way to allow visitors to get there. Both sides of the gorge are dangerous. Anyone who attempts to access the Blue Hole may face charges. Other locations at the park such as Flipper Bend or Barker Camp have limited parking, and carpooling is recommended. However, the terrain at those sites can be extremely difficult. Visitors to the park are encouraged to be prepared, do some research about the status of the park, and know their own physical limitations. The park often experiences high visitation, and visitors should not park on roadsides or in non-designated areas. If the park is full, people are asked to consider visiting another state park in the area, such as Cumberland Trail State Park, Harrison Bay State Park, and Booker T. Washington State Park. Access to all areas along Chickamauga Creek may close due to inclement weather and/or rising waters. Rangers and staff may close areas with little to no notice to park visitors. As we entered the new year, disturbing reports emerged from Minnesota about what may be one of the largest social services fraud schemes in American history. Federal prosecutors allege that stolen taxpayer dollars could exceed $9 billion.Independent journalist Nick Shirley broke this story wide open when he visited nearly a dozen child care centers across Minneapolis. What he found was shocking: Despite raking in tens of millions in taxpayer dollars, these facilities were empty. No children.No cars in parking lots. Hardly any staff to answer the door.But the child care scheme represents only one part of Minnesota's widespread fraud. Under state Democrat leadership, billions were stolen by front groups pretending to provide social services while pocketing the money. The Trump administration has spent months targeting this network, bringing dozens of criminal indictments. The alleged crimes are staggering in their scope.Up to $250 million disappeared through the Feeding Our Future program, where fraudsters claimed to provide thousands of daily meals to needy children. Instead, they spent taxpayer dollars on luxury vehicles and real estate. Tens of millions were stolen through Minnesota's Medicaid Housing Stabilization Services program, designed to help people with disabilities. In another case, a woman paid parents to enroll children in her fraudulent autism therapy program, even though most children weren't diagnosed with autism.The last two examples could help explain why Minnesota has the second highest per enrollee Medicaid spending under Obamacare: federal taxpayer dollars are underwriting nonexistent services and treatments.How could this happen? How did no one notice? The answer is simple. Much of the fraud was committed by members of Minnesota's Somali community, which maintains close ties to the state's Democrat machineso Democrats appear to have looked the other way.To make matters worse, the Biden administration eliminated critical safeguards to prevent fraud. In 2024, Biden scrapped a rule requiring child care centers to verify that children actually attended their facilities to receive federal funding, rolling out the red carpet for fraudulent applications. His administration paid out more than $19 billion to day care centers without any verification whatsoever.Fortunately, President Trump and his administration are working to ensure these fraudsters face justice and prevent future abuse. Federal authorities are on the ground in Minnesota identifying and arresting criminals. President Trump has frozen more than $10 billion in federal funding for social services programs to Minnesota and other statesCalifornia, Colorado, Illinois, and New Yorkall plagued by fraud.The message is clear: If these states want federal taxpayer dollars, they must prove they have adequate safeguards against fraud. With the spotlight on his failures, Democrat Governor Walz announced he won't seek reelection. But dropping out isn't enough. Minnesotans deserve his immediate resignation.This crisis extends far beyond Minnesota. California's nonpartisan auditor found that eight state agencies face "high risk" of waste, fraud, and abuse, yet they've taken zero corrective action. The state risks losing billions in food assistance, unemployment benefits, and Medicaid. In New York, Republican lawmakers are demanding an independent spending audit following multiple fraud scandals, including Brooklyn scammers who used two adult day care facilities to steal $68 million from the state's Medicaid homecare program. A state comptroller's audit revealed New York provided over $500 million in Medicaid benefits to out-of-state residents.Illinois's auditor general discovered the government paid out more than $5 billion in fraudulent unemployment insurance. Last month, the Trump administration indicted two men outside Chicago who submitted nearly $300 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers.While President Trump works to end this taxpayer abuse, Congress must support his efforts. Last week, I introduced the Fraud Accountability Act, which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to explicitly make fraud a deportable offense. If you come to our country to steal from the American people, you should be swiftly deported. And if you've somehow gained American citizenship, you should be stripped of it.Every member of Congress should support this legislation. Hardworking taxpayers deserve to know their money goes to those who truly need it, not to criminals gaming the system. The era of rampant fraud is over, and under President Trump, we are putting the American people first.U.S. Senator for Tennessee Marsha Blackburn Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced a settlement Monday with Metropolis Technologies, Inc., ending a years-long investigation by the Attorney Generals Office into the private parking company. Metropolis will pay $8.75 million to cover consumer refunds, litigation costs and a free parking program. Metropolis will also be required to implement numerous changes to its business practices to promote transparency and protect consumers. Two years ago, the Attorney Generals Office launched its investigation into Metropolis following more than one hundred consumer complaints about unclear pricing and inadequate signage at Metropolis parking lots, as well as misleading communications about parking fees and violation notices. A Metropolis spokesperson said, Metropolis looks forward to turning the page on long-past operational issues and continuing to bring forward a set of best-in-class parking standards in Tennessee. Our agreement with the AGs office allows us to put those issues to rest once and for all. We continue to make operational updates and improvements that will enable us to deliver an even more seamless consumer experience and look forward to serving and investing in Tennessee for years to come. The investigation revealed that Metropolis misled consumers about its prices with inaccurate signs, charged surprise fees due to technology glitches, made obtaining refunds nearly impossible and created confusion with notices that looked like government bills. To date, the office has received over 300 complaints related to Metropolis.Tennesseans work hard for their money, and when they park they deserve a clear price up front and no shenanigans with bogus charges and stonewalling customer service, said AG Skrmetti. My office is here to protect consumers and hold companies accountable, and this is exactly the type of situation where we need to step in. Im proud of the work of my consumer team and glad that Metropolis has agreed to make things right. If the company does not follow through and do right by Tennessee consumers, we stand ready to take further action.In addition to funding consumer refunds, under the settlement, Metropolis will: Create and implement the Tennessee Parking Program, which will provide $2.25 million in credits for free parking sessions for eligible Tennessee consumers; Display clear signage with accurate rates at every lot entrance, showing current active rates and the customer support phone number; Send text messages with rates upon entry to lots that use license plate reader technology; Never charge more than what is posted on the signage; Give consumers a 15-minute grace period to enter and exit with no charge in lots using license plate reader technology; Stop implying affiliation with any local or state agency in electronic or mailed notices; Comply with all state and local booting regulations; Automatically issue refunds where their technology malfunctions and wrongfully charges a consumer; and Evaluate each refund request individually.Tennessee consumers can be on the lookout for two things:Tennessee Parking Program: If you have Tennessee plates and park for an individual parking session at participating Metropolis lots in Nashville, Knoxville or Memphis, youre eligible for up to $30 in free parking credits. Metropolis will notify eligible parkers via email.Refunds for past overcharges: If you paid for parking at a Metropolis lot between July 1, 2021 and Jan. 6, 2026, and believe you were overcharged, you may be eligible for a refund.AG Skrmetti will make an announcement on how to file a claim as soon as details are available.Read the final order here Donna Jean Reagan, 85, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at her home on January 8, 2026, surrounded by the comfort of familiar surroundings. Donna was born on Oct. 5, 1941, in Chattanooga, to Ninna E. Reagan and Don Q. Reagan, both of whom preceded her in death. Throughout her life, she lived in several places, including LaFayette, Ga.; Fletcher, N.C.; Miami, Fl.; and ultimately Chattanooga, the place she called home and spent her last years. She received her early education at Fortune Elementary School in LaFayette and went on to attend Fletcher Academy, where she completed her remaining school years, including nursing school. Donna earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree, a profession that became not just her career, but her calling. For an extraordinary 47 years, Donna worked alongside Dr. Howard Derrick as his trusted nurse. She took immense pride in her work and was known for her skill, dedication, and genuine care for every patient she encountered. Dr. Derrick affectionately referred to her as Charming, a name that reflected the warmth and grace she brought to her role each day. In addition to her long tenure in Dr. Derricks office, Donna also worked with ASAP Paramedics and served as a paramedic examiner alongside her sister, Sandy Helms, for more than a decade. Of all her accomplishments, Donna was proudest of being an excellent nurse, one who served with both competence and heart. Donna was a devoted and longtime member of Standifer Gap Seventh-day Adventist Church, where her faith and fellowship were an important part of her life. Donna was known for her kind heart, gentle nature, and quick wit. She was a loyal and loving sister, aunt, and friend, someone who could always be counted on with unwavering devotion. Though naturally bashful, those who truly knew Donna cherished her playful humor and mischievous streak. She had a deep love for animals, especially her former Miniature Schnauzers, Zieben and Nikki, who brought her great joy, comfort, and companionship. Donnas presence will be deeply missed by her sister, Sandy Helms, niece, Missy Rogers, nephew, Chris Rogers, cousins, Billie Anne Abney and Russell Friberg, and other family and friends, and all who had the pleasure of knowing her. A graveside service will be held at the Outdoor Chapel at Collegedale Memorial Cemetery, on College Drive in Collegedale, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home & Crematory, Battlefield Parkway. Bobby R. Lamb, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and a beloved and honorable individual, passed away from complications of lung cancer on January 10, 2026, at the age of 80. Born on Sept. 19, 1945, in Gainesville, Ga., Bobby grew up in Fort Oglethorpe. He graduated from high school in the class of 1963 at LFO. Bobby was a Navy veteran, serving two tours in Vietnam. His dedication and bravery earned him a Vietnam Medal, two Bronze Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Air Medal First S/F Award. After his military service, Bobby continued to exemplify the traits of being hard-working and honest throughout his life. He is survived by his spouse, Marcia Lamb, his daughters, Stacy (Steve) Moyer and Laura (Jeff) Covington, and his son, Derrick (Carrie) Lamb. Bobby, affectionately known as Pappaw, leaves behind his grandchildren, Sara, Cheyenne, Chandler, Stephanie, Riley, and Evan, as well as his great-grandchildren, Caroline, Mia, and Lucas. He is also survived by his sister, Brenda (Les) Mullins, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Grace Lamb, his brother, Jerry Lamb, and his sister, Patsy Simpson. Bobby was a humorous and faithful man, an avid Tennessee Vols fan who loved taking care of his dog, Rosie. He was deeply involved in the lives of his grandchildren and cherished every moment with them. For nearly 60 years, Bobby was a dedicated member of Ridgedale Baptist Church. He was also part of the American Legion Post 14 and involved with the local veteran's community in the area. Bobby Lamb's legacy of humor, bravery to God, family and country will be remembered fondly by all who knew him. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 14, in the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, in the chapel with Pastor Doug Plumlee officiating. Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Ridgedale Baptist Church, 1831 Hickory Valley Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421 or at: www.ridgedalebaptist.org. Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com. Production at the German sites of DOMO Chemicals must be shut down with immediate effect and put into emergency operation. The background to this is that negotiations with the creditors for a short-term mass loan have failed. Without the financial means to finance business operations, the provisional insolvency administrator Prof. Dr. Lucas F. Flother is forced to shut down operations immediately. Without the financial means to finance business operations, the provisional insolvency administrator Prof. Dr. Lucas F. Flother is forced to shut down the company immediately. Flother & Wissing "The account balance of the insolvent companies is close to zero and the prospect of urgently needed interim financing has been dashed today," explained Flother. "This means that we unfortunately have to activate plan B, which we have been preparing with the management over the last few days. The top priority now is to continue to guarantee plant safety." Flother informed the employees and the relevant authorities immediately after the failure of the financing talks. The provisional insolvency administrator had been negotiating intensively with the creditors over the last few days. This involved the release of seized accounts by the creditors as so-called "mass loans" in order to enable business operations to continue at least until the end of the month. This release can only take place if all participating security creditors unanimously agree. "We fought for this until the very end, but unfortunately we were unable to achieve this unanimity among the creditors," says Flother. The consequences for the plant and its liquidation cannot yet be assessed. "We are supporting the management in shutting down the plants safely. The big question is whether they can then be restarted and used again at some point without damage," says Flother. "That would certainly be a disaster for the plants and the chemical site, but also for the creditors." The three German subsidiaries of the DOMO Chemicals Group filed for insolvency on December 25 after talks on further financing at Group level failed. The insolvency proceedings concern DOMO Chemicals GmbH (Leuna, approx. 35 employees), DOMO Caproleuna GmbH (Leuna, approx. 480 employees) and DOMO Engineering Plastics GmbH (Premnitz, approx. 70 employees). Other companies in the DOMO Group are not affected. DOMO Caproleuna manufactures organic base products (e.g. caprolactam, phenol, acetone) and polyamide 6 as its main product, also known as nylon 6. Polyamide 6 is a versatile engineering plastic characterized by high strength, good toughness and very good processability. It is used in the automotive industry, the electrical and electronics sector and in high-quality consumer goods for lightweight, durable and high-performance components. DOMO Engineering Plastics in Premnitz also produces polyamide 6 and compounds, i.e. engineering plastics in which polyamide 6 is specifically combined with additives. This allows properties such as strength, heat resistance, rigidity or impact resistance to be precisely adjusted. Such compounds are mainly used in the automotive, electrical and consumer goods industries. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Home News Bible sales double in the US, UK since 2019: 'A bigger search for hope' Bible sales in the United Kingdom reached their highest-ever level in 2025, while in the United States they hit a 21-year high, more than doubling in value since 2019, according to reports. The number of physical Bibles sold in the U.K. increased by 106% between 2019 and 2025, according to recent research by the Christian publisher Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. The year-on-year growth from 2024 to 2025 was 27.7%, with the English Standard Version (ESV), published by Crossway, topping the list of most purchased translations. In the U.K., sales rose from 2.69 million ($3.6 million) in 2019 to 6.3 million ($8.4 million) last year, an increase of 3.61 million ($4.8 million) over five years. That growth figure contrasts with the 277,188 ($372,774) rise seen over the entire period from 2008 to 2019. SPCK, one of the U.K.s oldest religious publishers, said the new numbers reflect a significant surge in interest in printed Bibles across age groups. The trend appears to coincide with growing engagement among younger Britons in religious and spiritual questions. The significant and sustained upward trend in Bible sales suggests that more and more people are investigating the Christian faith themselves and seeking to draw their own conclusions about its truth, SPCK CEO Sam Richardson told Premier Christian News. Richardson said 2025 was the first year the organization saw indications of what he referred to as a 'Quiet Revival." A YouGov poll published the same year found that 49% of U.K. residents aged 18 to 25 believed in a higher power. Richardson said the figures suggest a cultural shift. As we face worldwide political and social change, including the after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, global wars, the rise of AI, and a growing mental health crisis, individuals are re-engaging with questions of meaning and spirituality. SPCK is the parent organization for several Christian imprints and is among the largest publishers of religious materials in the U.K. The 2025 data represent the highest recorded sales since the group began tracking Bible distribution nationally. In the United States, Bible sales also hit record highs, according to statistics drawn from Circana BookScan. At 19 million units sold in the U.S., Brenna Connor, Circana's director and industry analyst for the U.S., told Publishers Weekly that "2025 marked a 21-year high for Bible sales in the U.S," a 12% increase compared to 2024 and double the figure from 2019. The bestselling adult Bible in the U.S. in 2025 was The Invitation New Testament published by B&H. "The greater interest in religious content in the U.S. reflects a bigger search for hope and community," Connor said, "[This] suggests that consumers are increasingly turning to faith-based resources as anchors of stability and sources of comfort during uncertain times." American publishers cited growing interest among students and young adults in religious texts as one contributing factor to the increase. Anecdotal reports from college campuses and church groups indicated higher demand for printed Bibles over digital versions, particularly among new readers. In 2024 in the United States, Bible sales grew at a far faster rate than the overall print book market. While total U.S. print book sales increased by less than 1% in the first 10 months that year, Bible sales rose by 22% during the same period, reaching 13.7 million copies sold, compared to 14.2 million in all of 2023, according to Circana BookScan. The Wall Street Journal reported at the time that publishers attributed the surge to heightened anxiety, renewed spiritual interest and targeted marketing efforts. People are experiencing anxiety themselves, or theyre worried for their children and grandchildren, Jeff Crosby, president of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, was quoted as saying. Its related to artificial intelligence, election cycles and all of that feeds a desire for assurance that were going to be OK. Home News Blessings in No Time couple convicted by grand jury of defrauding investors in pyramid scheme Quick Summary AI Summary Marlon and Lashonda Moore convicted of defrauding investors in a pyramid scheme. Scheme defrauded thousands, resulting in losses exceeding $25 million. Moores face up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy and wire fraud charges. 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 federal jury in Texas has convicted LaShonda and Marlon Moore, the couple behind Blessings in No Time, for running a multi-million-dollar pyramid scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pair defrauded thousands through an illegal investment structure that promised extraordinary returns and targeted the African American community. The Moores, who earlier appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Networks reality show Family or Fiance, were each convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, five counts of wire fraud and three counts of money laundering, according to The Dallas Morning News. They face up to 20 years in prison on each conspiracy and wire fraud count and up to 10 years for each count of money laundering. The scheme, which operated nationally from June 2020 to June 2021, was presented through weekly online broadcasts that invited participants to pay $1,400 into a closed network. Victims were told the program would yield an 800% return for every $1,400 investment within weeks. The couple, both of whom reside in Frisco, Texas, told victims they would refund the amount if unsatisfied, according to WFAA. Federal investigators found that more than 10,000 individuals were affected by the scam, with collective losses surpassing $25 million. Prosecutors said the Moores used their public image, including a reality TV appearance, to build trust among potential victims. The defendants operated Blessings in No Time, or BINT, using a structure of four tiers labelled Fire, Wind, Earth and Water, with new participants required to pay $1,400 to those at the top, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The model was designed so that once eight new recruits filled the bottom Fire tier, each would make a payment to the Water-level participant at the top. That participant would collect over $11,000. Others would then move up the ladder, with new members constantly needed to fund those above them. Prosecutors said the Moores placed themselves in positions that allowed them to receive final payments and diverted funds to personal use. The Department of Justice described BINT as a chain-referral scheme disguised as a mutual-aid group. The Moores falsely presented it as a way for participants to uplift their community during the pandemic-induced economic downturn. Refunds were never issued, and payouts were only possible if new people were recruited, according to court documents. One complainant noted in the lawsuit, This was my first encounter with gifting circles, I am ashamed I believed them. I brought in 6 of my family members. BINT used all 6 people & said they would return my fires when I needed them to ensure that I was blessed out. That never happened. Total family loss = $32K, of that, I lost $15,650 between my own spots & family I sponsored. ... Why would I believe they would give a refund? I believed we'd get a refund due to the heavily documented refund guarantees from BINT founders & staff. Federal agents from the IRS Criminal Investigation unit, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Secret Service investigated the case. Authorities said the Moores exploited cultural trust and community ties to recruit participants, particularly within the African American community. Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said in a statement that the couple orchestrated a lucrative pyramid scheme with the sole aim of enriching themselves, using lies and deceit to target vulnerable Americans. U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs of the Eastern District of Texas said the couples actions constituted a betrayal of trust and affirmed the departments intent to pursue fraud cases that result in substantial public harm. The scheme was civilly prosecuted in Texas in 2023, when a court issued a final judgment and permanent injunction against the couple. The pair were also featured in an episode of the investigative television series American Greed. No sentencing date has been set for the Moores. Home News Chris Tomlin releases Jesus Saves EP after chart-topping album, year of spiritual milestones Quick Summary AI Summary Chris Tomlin releases the 'Jesus Saves' EP following a successful year. The four-track project includes studio and live versions of the title track. Tomlin's previous album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart. 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 After one of the most successful and expansive years of his career, including leading worship at Charlie Kirks memorial service, Grammy Award-winning worship leader Chris Tomlin is opening 2026 with new music, releasing theJesus SavesEP. The four-track project from the 53-year-old artist includes multiple expressions of the title track, a studio version, a live recording and a collaboration with the Birmingham Youth & Young Adult Fellowship Choir, along with He Has Done Great Things, featuring fellow worship leader Phil Wickham. In a statement, the Texas native said his latest project is part of his mission to Help give people a voice to worship God. The new EP follows Tomlins 18th studio album, The King Is Still the King, which delivered the largest global streaming week of his career upon its release in late September and debuted at No. 1 on Billboards Top Christian/Gospel Albums chart. The albums single How Good It Is became Tomlins biggest radio debut since 2020, finishing the year in the Top 5 on Christian radio and reaching No. 2 on the Mediabase Audience Chart. The album also featured a revival of what scholars consider the oldest known Christian hymn. Working with Ben Fielding, Tomlin co-wrote The First Hymn using the original 35 words and melody discovered on an ancient papyrus dating to around A.D. 200. These lyrics are literally 1,800 years old, Tomlin previously told The Christian Post of the song. They were written by a small band of believers who probably lost their lives for their faith. And now, we get to sing them again. Its not my song, it belongs to the Church, he said. Just think about that: 1,800 years ago, people were singing these same words. Theres no other music with this kind of history. Country cant touch it. Hip-hop cant touch it. The music of the Church has been echoing since the beginning. Were just the next in line carrying the torch forward, he added. Over his career, the Texas native has earned 21 No. 1 radio singles, 30 Top 10 hits and more than 158 weeks at No. 1 on Christian charts, along with a Grammy Award, multiple Billboard Music Awards and 30 Dove Awards. And more than two decades into his career, Tomlin earned a Platinum certification for Holy Forever, his 21st No. 1 single, in 2025. In September, he stood before tens of thousands inside State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, to open the service honoring slain Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Standing before an audience of dignitaries, politicians and mourners, he began with one of Kirks favorite hymns, How Great Is Our God, and later, Holy Forever. I was so moved, Tomlin told CP the day after he led worship. For Jesus to be proclaimed so boldly throughout that whole day what an awakening moment in our nation. It felt like a shift, something people have been praying for. Ahead of the memorial, Tomlin said hed met an Uber driver who confirmed just how far the ripple had spread. He told me, Man, that thing that happened to Charlie, it woke me up. Im getting baptized this Sunday, the artist said. And I just thought, how many others across the country are feeling the same thing? Its undeniable. Gods doing something. Tomlin also served as executive producer for the film The Last Supper, contributing the song No Greater Love as the end-credits track, and appeared on the soundtrack of Amazon Prime Videos series House of David with After Your Heart, a collaboration with Ben Fielding and Benjamin William Hastings. "Worship is so much more right than singing; it's our life and devotion to God," Tomlin told CP. "This movie can unlock that for people. It can unlock the heart for God and hopefully increase people's faith. People are going to be inspired, and their faith is going to be energized. What a beautiful thing to help be a part of that." Tomlin also told CP that the scale of his recent success coincides with what he sees as a renewed spiritual hunger among audiences. Theres a hunger I havent felt in a while, he said. People are coming hungry, wanting to connect with God. It feels like were in a real moment, an awakening. Home News Man violently disrupts NYC church service, storms altar, gets tased by police Quick Summary AI Summary Police tased a man who violently disrupted a Catholic church service in Staten Island. The individual stormed the altar during a Friday morning mass at Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church. Two police officers sustained minor injuries while subduing the man, who was later hospitalized for evaluation. 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 Police have tased a man who violently disrupted a church service in New York, with the individual storming the altar before authorities subdued him. A man entered Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church in Staten Island during mass on Friday morning. Police officers were called in as he became disruptive in the sanctuary. When authorities arrived, the man was uncooperative and fought with the police officers. The ensuing fight inflicted some damage on the altar. Some flowers were thrown about. After considerable struggle, the man was tased and handcuffed, reports ABC 7 New York. Two police officers received minor injuries when subduing the subject. Amateur video posted by the outlet shows the figure and the police punching each other while at the front of the sanctuary. The disrupting man yelled throughout the struggle. A motive for the disruption has not been disclosed, though the individual, who was later hospitalized for evaluation, was reportedly not a member of the congregation. Authorities have not publicly identified the man at present, and specific charges have not yet been announced. At a mass held on Saturday afternoon, the Rev. Steve Challman briefly addressed the incident, noting that weve had a difficult couple of days here at St. Anns. But we find ourselves gathered here as we do each week in the presence of the Lord, he said. And as a parish family, we pray for all who were impacted by yesterdays events, and we thank the members of the NYPD who are with us tonight and who spend each day protecting Staten Island. According to a report from the Family Research Council released last August, more than 400 acts of hostility were recorded against churches in the United States in 2024. Documenting 415 hostile acts across 43 states, affecting 383 churches, the report relies on open-source documents, media reports and official records. "Although the motivations for many of these incidents remain unknown, the rise in crimes against churches is taking place in a context in which fewer Americans are attending religious services or identifying with a specific faith," stated the report. Home News Mass. women's prison 'a haven for sexual predators who pretend to be transgender': report An advocate for reform in womens prisons is calling for an overhaul of federal law following a recent report highlighting serious allegations of harassment and sexual assault at a Massachusetts womens correctional facility. The report, published Wednesday by The Hill as an opinion column from mental health professional and journalist Forest Romm, details claims from female inmates at MCI-Framingham, a 150-year-old medium-security prison in the Boston area. The report cited comments from inmates who described the facility as "a haven for sexual predators who pretend to be transgender" and allege that male offenders who self-identify as women have been housed there under the state's 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Act. Romm identifies several MCI-Framingham inmates with histories of violent sexual offenses against women and children, including cases where individuals discontinued hormone treatments after transfer while retaining male genitalia. According to the report, female inmates reportedly face harassment, abuse and retaliation for reporting incidents, with one woman claiming she was raped in November and then placed in restrictive housing, stating, It feels like Im being punished for speaking up. ... They are treating me as if I should have kept my mouth shut as if its my fault, or as though I should have defended myself. Amie Ichikawa, executive director and founding member of Woman II Woman, which advocates for the safety, dignity and re-entry support of incarcerated women, praised the article. "I appreciate all journalists who are willing to put their necks on the chopping block to expose this nationwide crime against women," Ichikawa told The Christian Post. Calling for systemic changes in response to the allegations, Ichikawa urged lawmakers to focus on an overhaul of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003, specifically language that she says made LGBT-identified inmates a protected class. She pointed to a 2012 regulation which had the possibly unintended outcome of creating an untouchable privilege class that wields power over staff and the female population with rights and benefits no one in the carceral system has ever had." Never has an inmate been able to have their own perception of safety and well being taken into serious consideration by any staff member for any reason until now, and exclusively for [transgender]-identified people," she said. The advocate called for greater accountability and proposed a judiciary committee hearing aimed at restorative justice both for incarcerated women and members of the [transgender-identified] community who have been used by agenda driven politicians and NGOs to further female erasure and to secure funding for their manufactured crisis. Such public hearings, she added, could increase pressure on the U.S. Supreme Court to determine whether were going to be a nation ruled by the fleeting fluid feelings associated with gender or a country with a judicial system based on the tangible reality of sex." The report comes against the backdrop of Massachusetts' ongoing efforts to modernize MCI-Framingham. Last June, Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announced a $20.5 million initial investment as part of a $360 million plan to renovate the historic facility, originally built in 1877. The project aims to transform the facility into a "modern and sustainable facility that supports rehabilitation and promotes public safety," including downsizing the footprint from 260,000 to 200,000 square feet, reducing bed capacity, modernizing housing and mental health treatment, and introducing energy-efficient infrastructure. As of May 2025, the prison housed 218 women well below its nearly 600-person operational capacity with many inmates over age 40, with significant mental health needs. At the time, Healey described the plan as "an investment in people, a commitment to second chances, and a responsibility to build a safer future for communities statewide." Foreign tourism to China surges as 2026 begins People's Daily Online) 13:09, January 12, 2026 As 2026 begins, several places across China have welcomed their first batches of inbound tourists for the new year. An increasing number of international visitors are now coming to China to travel, shop and experience the country's vibrant way of life. On New Year's Day, tourists from Germany, Argentina, Brazil, South Korea and other countries arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport, where the city held a welcome ceremony for its first group of inbound visitors in 2026. Beijing welcomes its first batch of inbound tourists in 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism) Zheng Fang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, noted that the capital received over 5 million inbound tourist visits in 2025 and has now entered a critical stage of transformation from "facilitating access" to "high-quality development." Many foreign tourists traveled to China to ring in the new year. Data from online travel service provider Qunar showed that during the New Year holiday, travelers holding non-Chinese passports booked domestic flights to 97 cities nationwide. Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Harbin, Haikou, Xiamen, Qingdao and Hangzhou ranked as popular destinations for foreign visitors. The main source countries for inbound tourists during the holiday were Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Indonesia, while visitors from Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, the United States and Australia also showed notable growth. Foreign tourists in traditional costumes pose for photos at an immersive restaurant in Shanghai. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) During the New Year holiday, Haikou and Sanya saw the fastest growth in inbound flight bookings nationwide. Tourists from Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia and Russia showed particular enthusiasm for Hainan. Several distinctive destinations also experienced rapid growth in inbound tourism, including Dali, Xishuangbanna, Beihai, Xuzhou and Zhanjiang, all of which increased by more than threefold. Inbound tourism orders in the first three quarters of 2025 grew by 100 percent, with orders from countries enjoying China's visa-free policies surging by an average of 153 percent, according to a report on China's inbound tourism in 2025 recently released by online travel agency Trip.com. The report identified South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia as the top three source countries in 2025, while Russian visitors surged 205 percent year on year. Foreign tourists attend a banquet at Puyuan ancient town in Jiaxing, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) Beijing and Shanghai often serve as the first stops for many foreign visitors to China, but travelers are increasingly seeking deeper experiences and more diverse destinations. Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality recorded a 170 percent year-on-year increase in inbound visitors, driven by its unique urban landscape and promotion by international social media influencers, with hotel bookings in some commercial districts rising eightfold. The report found that nearly all surveyed overseas social media users view "traveling to China" as an emerging global trend. Foreign visitors are capturing and sharing vivid "China moments" through photos and videos on social media, allowing more people around the world to discover the country's charm. The report also noted that the vast majority of foreign tourists regard China as one of the world's safest travel destinations. According to the report, China's inbound tourism market has vast growth potential, with the country well positioned to attract more international visitors. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Home News Nicaragua releases dozens of political prisoners amid US pressure Quick Summary AI Summary Nicaragua released dozens of political prisoners over the weekend. The release followed U.S. Embassy advocacy for their freedom. The move coincided with the 19th anniversary of Daniel Ortega's regime. 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 The Nicaraguan government released dozens of people from prison over the weekend, a move that took place shortly after the U.S. embassy in Managua publicly advocated for the freedom of political prisoners. Their release occurred on the 19th anniversary of Daniel Ortega's authoritarian Sandinista regime, following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces. The vice president and wife of the Nicaraguan president, Rosario Murillo, acknowledged the difficulty of the current moment during her anniversary message, urging the population to seek refuge in faith, a call that contrasts with the usual tensions between the government and religious leaders. "These are hard times and, therefore, times to strengthen our faith, our trust in the Father, and times to grow in spirituality," Murillo said, evidencing the fragility that the leadership is going through in the face of geopolitical change in the region. Some analysts suggest that the Ortega-Murillo administration is at a critical crossroads. The loss of strategic allies and economic dependence on the U.S. the main destination for Nicaraguan exports and a source of remittances forces the government to reconsider its authoritarian stance. Experts warn that isolation in Latin America is increasingly palpable, leaving the regime with little choice but to bow to international pressure to avoid an outcome similar to Venezuela's. Vladimir de la Cruz, former Costa Rican ambassador to Venezuela, warned of the urgency of real democratic changes in the Central American nation to guarantee stability. "Nicaragua either learns or they will be in a situation of danger that they can intervene there at any time," the diplomat said, stressing the need to restore the electoral process and return full freedom to the opposition and prisoners of conscience. As reported by Diario Cristiano Internacional last December, tourists entering Nicaragua are no longer allowed to carry Bibles. The restriction, which also applies to other printed materials and electronic equipment, is part of a growing list of items banned at the border and comes amid intensifying limitations on civil liberties and an ongoing crackdown on Christians. In August, it emerged that a political activist arrested during a police raid died in state custody amid a growing government crackdown on dissent and religious groups. Coroner's authorities informed his family of his death, but officials did not disclose how he died. Mauricio Alonso Prieto, who was arrested on July 18 along with his wife and adult son, was being held in the Department of Granada prison known as "La Granja," according to the London-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Also in August, the Nicaraguan regime confiscated the historic San Jose School, administered by the congregation of the Josephine sisters and with 40 years of experience, in a new offensive against educational and religious institutions. Murillo accused the school of being "a center where people were tortured and murdered" during the 2018 protests, although he did not present evidence to support his allegations. This article was originally published at CP Espanol Home News Australias largest Pentecostal denomination suspends Thrive Church leaders Brad and Amy Hagan Brad and Amy Hagan, lead pastors of Thrive Church in New South Wales, have been suspended for six months by the Australian Christian Churches following an investigation by the largest Pentecostal organization in Australia into complaints about the couples leadership. The Hagans announced their suspension in a letter to the congregation shared by Hillsong Accountability. The Christian Post reached out to both Thrive Church and the ACC for independent confirmation, but staff at Thrive did not immediately respond, and an automated email from the ACC stated they would be out of the office through Jan. 19. Being asked to step aside is very painful. Formally, this is considered a suspension and this has not been easy for us. However, we choose to submit ourselves to the State Executive (of Australian Christian Churches), trusting that God will use this time for healing, reflection, and growth after what has been a very challenging and emotional season, the couple told congregants in their letter. We continue to believe that God works all things together for good, that His call remains on our lives, and importantly, that He has a strong and fruitful future for Thrive Church, they added. The Australian Christian Churches is the new name for the Assemblies of God in Australia, which was adopted by the nearly 90-year-old denomination in 2007. The ACC has some 1,100 churches with a collective membership of about 400,000. In their letter to congregants, the Hagans said the ACC, which they described as their credentialing body, received several letters of complaint about their leadership in the second half of 2025. The complaints prompted an investigation, which found that the couple "unintentionally" caused emotional harm to their members," the couple said. While they [the ACC] did not find evidence to substantiate the extent of the accusations in the letters, they did determine that, unintentionally, emotional harm has been caused to people during our time as leaders at Thrive Church, their letter stated. We are deeply grieved to know that there are people who have experienced pain during our time as leaders at Thrive. If that is you or someone you know, we want to say that we are deeply sorry. It has never been our desire or intention to cause hurt to anyone. We take these situations very seriously and will do due diligence to process through them. The Hagans have two daughters and moved to the Central Coast of Australia in 2013 to lead the contemporary church. They said the suspension comes at a time when they were already planning to take some time off. For some time, we have been speaking with our board and elders about taking time away to seek Gods guidance and wisdom about our future, after what has been one of our most difficult years in ministry for many reasons, they said. We shared with our leaders late last year that we were taking time off at the beginning of 2026, and since then, the ACC have also asked us to take six months away from ministry and from Thrive Church. The couple said they were informed by the ACC that the suspension is not intended to be punitive, but rather protective, restorative, and formative, and that it will also allow us and others a safe space for healing, growth, and reflection. The churchs board is expected to share more about the suspension during the 10 a.m. service on Jan. 18. We look forward to sharing more with you regarding our own journey later in the year as we discern our next steps, the couple said. We continue to feel the call of God strongly on our lives and ministry, and we trust Him as He leads us through this next season. Home News U-Haul driver detained after driving into Iranian protesters The driver of a U-Haul who reportedly drove into a group of people in California marching in support of protesters in Iran has been detained. The Los Angeles Police Department posted a statement on X on Sunday evening reporting that a U-Haul driver had struck individuals at a demonstration that afternoon. At approximately 1530 hours, the driver of a U-Haul truck collided with individuals marching along Veteran Avenue in the area of the Federal Building, LAPD tweeted. Authorities did not reveal the name of the driver, but noted that he was an adult male who has been detained pending further investigation into the incident. In a follow-up tweet, the LAPD stated that an adult male was "confirmed struck by the vehicle," but no significant injuries have been reported. A Rescue Ambulance treated the individual at the scene. No one has been transported to the hospital for medical treatment, the department said. Footage of the incident showed that the U-Haul truck had a sign on it reading No Shah. No Regime. USA: Dont Repeat 1953. No Mullah, reports The National News Desk. In 1953, the United States and the United Kingdom backed a coup that overthrew Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh due to concerns that he was turning the country communist. The coup, which reinstalled the shah and led to the 1979 Revolution, is periodically referenced by the modern Islamic Republic of Iran as a reason for its animus toward the United States. The California march took place amid a recent wave of large-scale protests that began late last month within Iran due to severe economic problems and discontent with the current regime. According to the U.S.-based group The Human Rights Activists in Iran, over the past couple of weeks, Iranian authorities have arrested over 10,000 people, while approximately 500 people have been killed. There have also been reports of Iranian security agents being killed. In addition to violently putting down hundreds of demonstrations across the Middle Eastern country, the Iranian government has also cut internet and phone access, though some activists have still been able to release videos and photos through alternate channels. Diana Eltahawy, deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa for Amnesty International, is among those denouncing the Iranian regimes crackdown on the demonstrations. People in Iran daring to express their anger at decades of repression and demand fundamental change are once again being met with a deadly pattern of security forces unlawfully firing at, chasing, arresting and beating protesters, said Eltahawy in a statement last week. Irans top security body, the Supreme National Security Council, must immediately issue orders for security forces to stop the unlawful use of force and firearms. President Donald Trump has openly expressed support for the protests and is considering some very strong options on how to respond to the violence. Union Sues TX Over Kirk Reactions, U.S. Porn Addiction, JD Vances Home Vandalization link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:33 06:33 Top headlines for Monday, January 12, 2026 A U.S. Border Patrol agent in Portland opens fire after an alleged car attack, Tucker Carlson warns of the cultural dangers of widespread pornography, and a Texas teachers union pushes back on a state investigation they say threatens free speech. 00:11 2 people shot by Border Patrol agent in Portland identified 01:04 Tucker Carlson warns porn addiction exposes US to conquest 01:50 Union sues Texas for investigating teachers' Kirk reactions 02:39 OnlyFans models among growing number of visa applicants 03:30 Homicide charge against woman who aborted, buried baby dimissed 04:16 4 things to know about suspect who vandalized JD Vance's home 04:59 Indiana church to raise $1 million to build new homeless shelter Home Opinion Venezuela is a reminder: Government is never morally neutral The dramatic U.S. military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelas longtime dictator, Nicolas Maduro, has plunged our hemisphere into debate, and for good reason. What is happening in Venezuela is not merely a geopolitical moment; its an opportunity to confront a lie Western societies increasingly accept: that the government can be a morally neutral arbiter of power. On January 3, U.S. forces seized Maduro in Caracas and transported him to New York, where he now faces federal charges related to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. President Trump has defended the operation as a fit response to threats emanating from Venezuela, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the United States will not allow the Western Hemisphere to become a base for drug traffickers, hostile regimes, or foreign proxies that endanger our security. At first glance, this might look like a bold foreign policy maneuver, perhaps even a purely strategic one. But the deeper moral questions beneath it scratch at the heart of how we view government itself. Too often in modern political discourse, we act as if the state is a neutral tool, as if it is something that can be wielded without moral consequence so long as the ends appear expedient. Yet Scripture and history teach us otherwise. The Bible makes clear that the institution of government was created by God and has a divinely ordained role: to restrain evil and to reward righteousness. In Romans 13, the Apostle Paul writes that rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad, and that the governing authority does not bear the sword in vain. Government, in the biblical worldview, is a moral authority. It is not a neutral referee, but a steward of justice, accountable ultimately to God. When that authority becomes the author of oppression, it forfeits its moral legitimacy. The Venezuelan crisis, with its years of tyranny and human suffering, is a stark display of what happens when a regime rejects this fundamental purpose. But consider the broader implications of how we react, not just in Venezuela but in our own country. Western societies increasingly embrace technocratic governance, reducing the role of government to a series of transactional problems to be optimized or fixed. If a policy works, it is deemed good; if it fails, it is adjusted. Or worse, we judge the government by its good intentions. Morality, in this framework, becomes optional or subjective. Yet the violent abuses of Maduros regime the dismantling of lawful institutions, the neglect of human life, the corruption, the weaponization of power remind us that government is never merely functional. It is moral or immoral by the effect it has on Gods image-bearers, and on human flourishing. This matters not only for how we evaluate foreign policy but also for how we judge public service at home. When government becomes a neutral manager of interests rather than a bulwark against evil, it endangers the very freedoms and moral order it is meant to protect. This, of course, makes the objective understanding of moral right and wrong an absolute necessity for an effective government that respects human rights and individual freedoms. There is a reason John Adams wrote in 1798, Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. Some will caution that the U.S. intervention sets a dangerous precedent or that wielding military power abroad is fraught with risk. These concerns arent trivial. Indeed, many international voices from allied capitals to global institutions have expressed alarm over the operation and its implications for sovereignty and international norms. Yet we must not let caution become an excuse for moral paralysis. If government is to be more than a ground of indifference, it must be willing to confront forces of violence and oppression, whether they take the form of drug cartels, authoritarian rulers, or corrupt systems that trample human dignity. To do less would be to surrender the moral purpose of government altogether. Government also bears a moral duty to confront evil that harms its people even when that evil originates beyond its borders, because protecting the innocent is not suspended by geography. The Venezuelan people have endured a humanitarian catastrophe for years. Their neighbors have suffered under a regime that trafficked in fear and death. This moment is not just about strategy. It is about justice. And biblical justice is not a buzzword; it is a moral imperative. In reflecting on these events, Christians and all people of conscience should ask themselves: What is the role of government in a fallen world? Is it merely to balance interests? Is it merely to execute the will of the majority? Or is it to mitigate evil and uphold righteousness wherever it finds it? Romans 13 answers with clarity; rulers are supposed to be Gods servants for the good of society. As the situation in Venezuela unfolds, and as policymakers in Washington, Caracas, and capitals around the world weigh their next moves, let us not forget this foundational truth: Governments are not morally neutral. They either restrain evil or become agents of it. History will judge this moment, and so should we, by the standards of moral justice that transcend politics. Adobe, by Vitalii Vodolazskyi A Salvation Army worker has been sacked and his appeals dismissed by an employment tribunal after he told colleagues that refugees should be sent back on a boat. An employment tribunal heard that Charles Markie, who worked at the Salvation Army (SA) for almost 20 years, told colleagues in March 2024: There wouldnt be a housing shortage if we werent taking in 150 refugees. Send them all back on a f****** boat, the tribunal held in Dundee in September last year heard he added, although Markie denied swearing. The incident occurred while Markie, 56, was working at Strathmore Lodge hostel in Dundee, which housed migrants, and led to him being sacked for gross misconduct. The tribunal ruled that the SA was justified in dismissing Markie whose job was to support homeless and vulnerable people, including refugees, in hostel facilities. Gross misconduct On 5 March 2024, Markie became aggressive and angry in response to line manager Tracey Youngs request that SA staff cooperate with the local authority to help house people including refugees. His comments, including saying that a Syrian refugee service user should be sent back, were met with shock by those present, the tribunal heard. A staff member subsequently told Markies manager that she hoped that the claimant would be pulled up as what he said was racist. Markie, in response, said his comments were made in jest. The claimant began complaining that staff couldnt even joke or take part in banter, the tribunal heard. In a disciplinary hearing chaired by service manager Karen Good, Markie responded with: I didnt say the F word. I said send them all back on a boat. I didnt swear. It was my point of view, wasnt directed at anyone. We are letting too many people in when we dont have facilities or housing to give them. Markie added that he did not mean to hurt anyone, is not racist and has foreign friends. Despite his comments, Markie said it wouldnt bother me when asked how he would deal with an increase in refugees. He added: Some of my favourite clients have been from a different country. Every manager will tell you the last 20 years I get carried away. I get excited and make stupid comments. I do make stupid comments but dont mean any harm. Good did not accept Markie was remorseful and said the comment was racist and undermined any trust in his ability to do his job which involved supporting refugees based on their needs. Despite contemplating alternatives to dismissal, such as training, Good said that the comment was wholly contrary to the policies the claimant had to abide to. She concluded Markie had committed gross misconduct and should be summarily dismissed. In response, on 9 June 2024, Markie did not accept that he was aggressive and claimed that everyone was laughing during the conversation. He admitted: I totally get what I said was wrong [] I just didnt mean it in that context, and wrote to Good: Sack me, but dont sack me for gross misconduct. Employment Judge J Hendry, whose ruling was published on 31 December 2025, dismissed Markies claims for unfair dismissal, direct sex discrimination and harassment in the September trial. Judge Hendry said: The claimants colleagues were shocked at the comment made betraying as they saw it a complete insensitivity towards those that they were duty bound to help. The employers here did not dismiss for some trivial or mistaken reason but for reasons that they were entitled to regard as serious and substantial. Banter not a defence The SA today said it was committed to upholding high standards of conduct and integrity at the charity following the tribunals decision. A SA spokesperson said: [We are committed to] ensuring our services and working environment reflect our mission and values, including serving others without discrimination. Jo Mackie, employment lawyer at Michelmores, said: Defending workplace comments as just banter, is often a red flag during disciplinary proceedings. The idea that an employee responsible for the welfare of refugees in a Christian organisation thinks it is acceptable to say they should all be sent back on a boat, is remarkable. Jainika Patel, employment lawyer at Freeths, added that the SA was justified in dismissing Markie. Patel said: Ultimately, it was reasonable to consider the claimants comments as gross misconduct given the fact he worked for an organisation whose work, values and purpose are to offer help and support to communities without discrimination. 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, The size and shape of any future investments in Europe by carmaker Stellantis will hinge on decisions on auto industry regulation, the carmakers head of Europe said on Friday, expressing concern at what had been announced so far. The EU Commission proposed last month a plan to drop a ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035 after pressure from the regions auto sector, marking the blocs biggest retreat from its green policies in recent years. Stellantis deemed the new package insufficient and CEO Antonio Filosa warned that it put at risk manufacturers investments in the region. The decisions of the European Union will have a big impact on visibility, on what are the dominant technologies that are needed, Stellantis Europe head Emanuele Cappellano said on Friday at the Brussels car show, in his first press conference since taking the job in October. Cappellano said he was concerned about a misalignment between EUs regulation, automakers needs and customer demand. We need to be very, very honest on this. So far, what has been announced failed completely in this extent, he said on Friday, adding that both the industry and customers are seeking short-term solutions. The problem is not 10 years from now. It is today and customers that need some different stuff, he said, adding the European market had lost three million vehicles since the COVID-19 pandemic and it was the only region in the world that hasnt yet come back to pre-pandemic levels. He said EU should protect the European auto industry and help cover some existing gaps with Chinese competitors in areas such as batteries and semiconductors. Asked about the future of Stellantis sprawling portfolio of 14 brands that many say is too complicated to manage and causing overlap among several models Cappellano deferred to the groups new business plan, which CEO Filosa is due to present in the second quarter. We are going to work on a strategic plan but my first priority is to guarantee that (Stellantis) brand CEOs have the possibility to reinforce their brand attributes, he said. (Reporting by Piovaccari; Editing by Valentina Za, Aidan Lewis) A federal judge overseeing the insolvency case of First Brands Group approved the appointment of a corporate litigator to lead an investigation of the multi-billion dollar fraud claims that have dominated the auto-parts makers reorganization effort. Martin De Luca, a partner in the law firm of Boies Schiller Flexner, has been asked by the U.S. Trustee to put together a report on the allegations of mismanagement and fraud aimed at First Brands. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston approved the move. De Luca will have a $7 million budget, under an order previously approved by the court. The appointment comes as First Brands warned that unless it gets new financing, it will run out of cash around the end of the month. First Brands may need to run a quicker-than-normal sale process for its operations, designed to either unload, or wind down various businesses, a company lawyer told Lopez this week. The company is also trying to negotiate a cash infusion from lenders to give it more time to reorganize as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. First Brands Warns Cash to Run Out by Jan. 31, Force Asset Sales The U.S. Trustee, which is an arm of the US Justice Department that monitors corporate bankruptcy cases, received more than 70 applications for the examiner job, said Jayson B. Ruff, an attorney with the US Trustees office. Should the company run out of cash, the First Brands case would likely be converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation, which typically means a companys operations are shuttered and assets are sold as quickly as possible. It is unclear what would happen to De Lucas investigation in that senario, since examiners are not normally appointed in Chapter 7 cases. De Luca has worked as a federal prosecutor and represented the social media-platform Rumble Inc. in a lawsuit that the company and Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. filed against a judge in Brazil. The case was filed to stop the Brazilian judge from trying to force Rumble to take down the account of a dissident in that country. The case is First Brands Group, LLC 25-90399, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (Houston). Top photo: Autolite spark plugs at an auto parts store in Oklahoma City. Photographer: Nick Oxford/Bloomberg. Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. U.K. regulators have opened a probe into Elon Musks X as backlash mounts worldwide over the thousands of sexually suggestive images generated by the artificial intelligence tool Grok on the social media platform. The U.K. communications regulator Ofcom said Monday that it is formally investigating whether X, a subsidiary of xAI, breached the nations Online Safety Act, potentially exposing the platform to fines or restrictions on its service. X declined to comment on the probe, but has said in recent days that it takes action against illegal content by removing it and suspending accounts. Nations including the U.K., France and India have condemned xAIs Grok chatbot, accusing it of illegally creating sexualized images of people without their consent. The U.S. and Japan are by far Xs largest markets by active users, followed by Indonesia, India and the U.K., according to the data and analytics provider DataReportal. The governments of the three latter nations have now all chastised xAI, with Indonesia going as far as to temporarily block access to Grok. The US has yet to meaningfully weigh in. Grok is designed with fewer guardrails than other mainstream AI tools. A feature recently added allows users to undress peoples photos, posing them in underwear and other provocative wear. Grok users have now created thousands of non-consensual, sexually suggestive images of children and women on X by some estimates. Its illegal in the U.K. to own or share any sexual images of children, and to share intimate footage of people without consent, including material generated by AI. Business Secretary Peter Kyle on Monday told Times Radio that the government of course would consider banning X, but that the law requires ministers to let the regulator do its job. X users can interact with Grok directly on the platform by tagging its account in posts and prompting the chatbot to respond. Grok generates text and images that appear as posts on the social network. After users flooded the tool with requests to undress people, xAI began restricting the image-generation tool to paid users on X, though it was still free on the standalone Grok app. Musk also this month posted a warning that anyone using Grok to make illegal content would suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content. 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. Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the https://t.co/93kiIBTCYO Safety (@Safety) January 4, 2026 The sexual content on Grok generated widespread condemnation from governments and regulators this month. Malaysia joined Indonesia in temporarily blocking the tool over the weekend. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmers office said xAI limiting Groks image generation capabilities to paid users on X didnt go far enough. The restriction simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service: Its not a solution, Starmers spokesman Geraint Ellis told reporters in a briefing on Friday. Its insulting the victims of misogyny and sexual violence. What it does prove is that X can move swiftly when it wants to do so. The Internet Watch Foundation, a body designated by the UK government to identify child sexual abuse material, said it found criminal images of children on the dark web allegedly generated by Grok. The European Unions executive arm ordered X to retain internal documents relating to Grok until the end of the year. The EU had condemned some of the explicit images of children on the platform as illegal. The French government has accused Grok of generating clearly illegal sexual content on X without consent, flagging the matter as potentially violating the EUs Digital Services Act. The regulation requires large platforms to mitigate the risk of illegal content spreading. Top photo: Chatbot Grok on a laptop. Bloomberg. Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Two more Ohio wildlife areas are moving closer to being leased for oil and gas development. On Monday, the Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission voted to allow energy companies to bid on drilling rights underneath Egypt Valley Wildlife Area and Jockey Hollow Wildlife Area. The bidding process is expected to open this spring. Both wildlife areas are in southeastern Ohio, near the West Virginia border. At Egypt Valley, the state plans to offer about 4,700 acres for bids. Jockey Hollow would add another 1,800 acres, split between two separate areas. Those bids are possible because of a law passed in December 2023 that redefined how oil and gas drilling on public lands was approved. The law, which also classified natural gas as a form of green energy, changed the phrase may approve to shall approve in state law. In simple terms, that required state agencies approve drilling leases as long as companies meet the required conditions. Environmental groups have repeatedly questioned whether these bids meet those conditions. Several Ohioans spoke against opening both wildlife areas during public testimony, and dozens more submitted written comments to the commission. This beautiful wildlife area is widely used for hunting, fishing, hiking, bird watching, photography and sightseeing, Robin Craft wrote in comments about Egypt Valley. None of this is compatible with the noise, toxic air pollution, methane leaks, lights and numerous truck trips involved in fracking operations. Melanie Houston, the Ohio Environmental Councils vice president of programs, said the vote continues the trend of benefiting the oil and gas industry at the expense of Ohioans. Egypt Valley is one of the largest parcels of public lands the commission has considered for oil and gas development since it began reviewing proposals for hydraulic fracturing in 2023. Since the public lands leasing law took effect, Ohio has leased 6,600 acres in Salt Fork State Park. The deal brought in $58 million upfront from Infinity Natural Resources and 20% of future production revenue. State law also sets rules for how that money is used. Thirty percent of the upfront payment roughly $17.5 million in the Salt Fork case must go to park improvements. The rest goes into a fund that supports Ohios parks system. In March 2025, the Ohio Controlling Board approved $9.6 million for upgrades at Salt Fork, including new restrooms, changing areas, outdoor showers, picnic shelters and parking lot repairs. Houston questioned how long that setup would last. She told commissioners that lawmakers cut the Ohio Department of Natural Resources budget this summer and wondered how long it would be before those dollars fund park operating costs instead of facility improvements. watch now As Americans across incomes look to trim the grocery budget, Aldi plans to open more than 180 stores in the U.S. this year including on the traditional turf of rival supermarkets and big-box stores. The German grocer's latest growth plans follow an already aggressive expansion over the past decade. Aldi, which is known for its low prices, small stores and emphasis on private brands, has become the third-largest grocer in the country by store count, trailing behind only Walmart and Kroger . And last year, Aldi marked its biggest expansion since it opened its first U.S. store in Iowa in 1976 by opening nearly 200 locations. It had 2,614 stores in the U.S. as of Dec. 31. Along with opening more locations, Aldi said it will relaunch its website and enter Maine, its 40th state, this year. The company will also add new distribution centers in Florida, Arizona and Colorado in the next five years. Grocery in the U.S. has long been a fragmented industry, with slices of the business divided up by regional grocers, specialty players, large supermarket operators, big-box stores and membership-based clubs. Yet Aldi's growth illustrates the fiercer competition traditional players face as discounters lure away shoppers and win more of their weekly grocery runs. "Consumers now really are not looking for fancy stores, and tens of thousands of different items to choose from," said Atty McGrath, CEO of Aldi U.S. "They're really savvy shoppers. They know that private labels can save them money without sacrificing quality." She added, "people, more and more, are really safeguarding their resources, whether that's the wallet or their time." An Aldi grocery store is pictures on May 2, 2025 in Washington, DC. Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images In a recent survey of grocery shoppers by consulting firm AlixPartners, the percentage of key shopper groups that said they spend most of their grocery budget in the traditional grocery channel dropped for every group compared with 2024. The survey was conducted in September and included 1,635 people. Those declines were sharper among more affluent households and younger shoppers, with a 7 percentage point year-over-year drop among households with an annual income of more than $100,000 and a 6 percentage point year-over-year fall among shoppers between the ages of 25 and 34, the survey found. Matthew Hamory, co-leader of the global grocery practice at AlixPartners, said in particular, large supermarket chain operators such as Kroger , Albertsons and Stop & Shop's parent company Ahold Delhaize have lost ground as discounters like Aldi, Walmart and Costco offer produce, meat and other staples for less. "U.S. customers have learned that if you go to a discounter, you're not buying crap cheaply," he said. "You're buying good quality fresh food, good quality private brands. They're in stock. They're local to you. And they're convenient." Plus, he said U.S. shoppers have gotten more used to buying private brands because of their success at big players like Costco. Despite its rapid growth, Aldi's share of the U.S. grocery market is still small. Walmart is the nation's largest grocer by market share with 21%, according to market researcher Numerator, followed by Kroger, Costco, Albertsons and Publix to round out the top five. Aldi has 2.8% of U.S. market share, according to Numerator data, which runs through the beginning of October 2025. Aldi, which is privately held, does not share financial results, but market research shows it's attracting more shoppers to its locations. Store traffic rose by more than 50% from 2019 to 2024, according to Placer.ai an analytics firm that uses anonymized data from mobile devices to estimate visits to locations and commercial real estate firm JLL. Aldi's store traffic gains outpaced both the overall grocery sector and its major competitors in 2025, according to Placer.ai. Its store visits rose 8% year over year in 2025 from the prior year, compared with Costco's 5.9% growth, Albertsons' 1.6% increase, Kroger's 0.8% rise and Walmart's 0.5% growth. Store visits for the overall grocer sector increased 3.1% year over year. An Aldi grocery store on May 2, 2025, in Washington, DC, U.S. Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images News | Getty Images Results from some of Aldi's competitors reflect their challenges. Last week, Albertsons gave a weak full-year forecast and its CEO, Susan Morris, said on the company's earnings call that even higher-income shoppers are "becoming more conscious of price and value." Kroger, too, has acknowledged more competitive pressure. On an earnings call in early December, Kroger's interim CEO, Ron Sargent, stressed ways the company is trying to "strengthening our competitive position," such as accelerating capital investment in new stores and lowering prices. He did not call out Aldi or other discounters by name. He said on the call that the retail environment is always "very competitive," but said that's "especially true today when consumers are looking for great value." Other value-focused grocers are growing, too. Lidl, another discounter heavy on private labels, relaunched in the U.S. in 2024 and has more than 190 stores across nine East Coast states. Walmart, for its part, has spoken about attracting more affluent shoppers from households that earn an annual income of more than $100,000 per year as it adds more fashion-forward and trend-driven brands. One of those is Bettergoods, a chef-driven private-label grocery line that it launched in 2024 with most items priced under $5. An Aldi supermarket in Alhambra, California, on June 27, 2024. Eric Thayer | Bloomberg | Getty Images Smaller stores, fewer items Aldi stands apart from rivals in a few key ways. It has smaller stores, a narrower selection of merchandise and a heavy emphasis on its own brand. More than 90% of its assortment and about the same of its total sales come from private-label items, a sharp difference from other grocers and big-box retailers that typically lean on national brands and household names like Heinz ketchup or General Mills' Cheerios. Nearly every aspect of its stores and strategy are designed for efficiency it puts multiple bar codes on each item to speed up checkout and requires customers to bring or pay for their own bags. It's also famous for requiring customers to deposit a quarter for a shopping cart, which they get back when they return it. Some items are stored on shelves in cardboard boxes or on wood pallets. Scott Patton, chief commercial officer of Aldi U.S., said the smaller stores and curated merchandise save shoppers' time and allow them to skip the overwhelm of browsing a vast aisle with different types of ketchup or other items. Aldi stores are about 10,000 square feet. That's a tiny fraction of a Walmart supercenter's average size of 178,000 square feet, according to Walmart's annual report. Still, Patton said Aldi's smaller assortment includes creative flavors and trendy items, such as collagen-infused drink mixes, avocado oil and freeze-dried banana snacks. Plus, it offers a fun, "treasure hunt" experience, he said. In the middle of the store, Aldi shoppers can browse "Aldi Finds" a mix of merchandise that's only available for a limited time. For example, at the beginning of this month, Aldi's store in New York City's Harlem neighborhood sold an electric glass tea kettle for $19.99, an air fryer for $39.99 and a Valentine's Day-themed plush throw blanket for $7.99. Items also included some recognized food brands, such as a 20-pack of Pepperidge Farm's Goldfish crackers and a bottle of Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing. Yet Aldi's strategy of emphasizing private label and a rotating selection of random items can come with downsides, as it may not carry all of the products that a shopper has on their list. "You might have to shop at another store and that's actually OK with us," Patton said. "What we want our customers to do is shop Aldi first." The company has also faced lawsuits over its packaging. Chips Ahoy and Oreo parent company Mondelez sued Aldi last year, alleging that the discounter is copying the packaging of its competitors to confuse shoppers. Some of the boxes for its store-brand items have near identical colors and fonts as the competing product from national labels. Last year, Aldi revamped its store packaging a move that Patton said "was independent of any lawsuit or any infringement claims." Nearly every aspect of Aldi stores are designed for efficiency. Some items for sale at stores are still in cardboard boxes or on wood pallets. Melissa Repko | CNBC Aldi loyalists Apple is joining forces with Google to power its artificial intelligence features, including a major Siri upgrade expected later this year. The multiyear partnership will lean on Google's Gemini and cloud technology for future Apple foundational models, according to a joint statement obtained by CNBC's Jim Cramer. "After careful evaluation, we determined that Google's technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and we're excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for our users," Apple said in a statement Monday. The models will continue to run on Apple devices and the company's private cloud compute, the companies added. Apple declined to comment on the terms of the deal. Google referred CNBC to the joint statement. In August, Bloomberg reported that Apple was in early talks with Google to use a custom Gemini model to power a new iteration of Siri. The news outlet later reported that Apple was planning to pay about $1 billion a year to utilize Google AI. The deal is another major indicator of growing trust in Google's accelerating AI agenda and comeback against OpenAI. In 2025, the search giant logged its best year since 2009 and surpassed Apple in market capitalization last week for the first time since 2019. Google already pays Apple billions each year to be the default search engine on iPhones. But that lucrative partnership briefly came into question after Google was found to hold an illegal internet search monopoly. In September, a judge ruled against a worst-case scenario outcome that could have forced Google to divest its Chrome browser business. The decision also allowed Google to continue to make deals such as the one with Apple. Shanghai's city skyline as seen from observation deck at Shanghai Tower in China. South Korea's Kospi closed at an all-time high Monday as Asia-Pacific markets rose, with investors also weighing a possible U.S. intervention in Iran. The Kospi index added 0.84% to 4,624.79, while the Kosdaq advanced 0.2% to 949.81. Shares of Hyundai Glovis soared as much as 7% after analysts raised their price target for the South Korean logistics company. Robot-maker Boston Dynamics, in which Hyundai Glovis owns an 80% stake, announced a partnership with Google DeepMind last Monday to integrate AI into humanoid robots. Oil prices are in focus as Iran entered a third week of protests, which have seen more than 500 people killed, according to a U.S.-based rights group. President Donald Trump is reportedly weighing options for intervention in Iran, according to multiple reports Sunday. Brent crude futures reversed course to fall to $63.05 per barrel, while the U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude declined 0.49% to $58.83 per barrel, as of 10 a.m. Singapore time (9 p.m. ET Sunday). Spot gold prices rose more than 1.6% to hit all-time high of $4,581.29 per ounce. A tower crane stands above residential buildings in an urban district in the afternoon light, on January 9, 2026, in Chongqing, China. Cheng Xin | Getty Images News | Getty Images BEIJING China's push into high-tech industries isn't large enough to offset the country's property slump, leaving the economy more exposed to trade tensions, U.S.-based research firm Rhodium Group said in a report Monday. From 2023 to 2025, new industries such as artificial intelligence, robotics and electric cars added just 0.8 percentage points to economic output, while real estate and other traditional sectors saw a combined 6 percentage point decline, the report said. The analysis drew on official Chinese data and industry-specific sources. The findings come as China seeks to boost technological self-reliance in response to U.S. restrictions. Under a five-year development plan set to kick off in earnest in March, Beijing is doubling down on advanced technologies with state investment and favorable policies. "China's growth strategy isn't going to work," Logan Wright, partner at Rhodium and a co-author of the report, told CNBC. "They're not going to achieve their targeted rates of GDP growth based on the policies they have outlined so far." watch now Beijing has targeted annual GDP growth of around 5% in recent years. For China to sustain that pace, new industries would need to expand sevenfold over the next five years to generate the roughly 2 percentage points of annual investment growth required, Rhodium estimated. That translates to an additional 2.8 trillion yuan in new investment required this year or 120% more than in 2025. While investment in artificial intelligence or robotics could increase in the next year or two, other emerging industries are unlikely to sustain such rapid growth, the analysts said. "Electric vehicles have likely already reached their fastest rates of growth, and output in the industry may be slowing in the years ahead," the Rhodium report said. Property drag deepens While Beijing has prioritized high-tech development, it has taken fewer steps to address a yearslong slump in real estate. The sector once accounted for more than a quarter of the economy. New home sales by floor area last year fell to levels not seen since 2009, according to a report last week by the China Real Estate Information Corp. Only in recent weeks have sighs appeared that some policymakers are considering more forceful property support. China's top leaders are due to formalize economic targets for the year at an annual parliamentary meeting in March. A macro outlook published by global investment firm KKR estimated that property weakness will shave 1.2 percentage points off China's GDP growth this year. Even with a projected 2.6 percentage point contribution from digital technologies, the estimated total growth was still on the low end at 4.6%. "Despite a potential 5% growth target for 2026, headwinds from real estate and a weak job market cast doubt on achievability," the report said. KKR predicts the property drag could halve in 2027, but sees limited improvement in digital industries or consumer demand. From jobs to trade tensions An overemphasis on tech could have broader economic consequences. New industrial sectors may offer higher wages, but they employ far fewer people than traditional industries, the Rhodium analysis found. Increased factory automation, coupled with China's already high 30% share of global manufacturing output, could lead to the loss of up to 100 million jobs over the next decade a displacement that would exceed the total workforce of most developed economies, KKR said. China's urban unemployment rate remained above 5% for much of last year, while youth unemployment has been about three times higher. Since it's unlikely that domestic investment, even in newer industries, will produce sufficient demand, "Beijing will become even more dependent upon gaining market share in export markets," the Rhodium report said. "China will remain even more reliant upon exports in the future, leaving the economy vulnerable to new trade restrictions," the report said. As lower-priced Chinese goods, including electric vehicles, have expanded overseas, Mexico and the European Union have joined the U.S. in raising tariffs on imports from China. Subscribe now Weekly analysis and insights from Asia's largest economy in your inbox Iran appears to be next on President Donald Trump's list, after Venezuela and Greenland. The context: Protests in Iran, which are now in their third week, were triggered over a sharp jump in inflation and have evolved into anti-government ones. More than 500 people have been killed, according to U.S.-based rights group HRANA, as Iran's government cracks down on dissent. Trump, referring to the protestors, wrote in a Truth Social post on Friday that "the United States of America will come to their rescue." Those weren't empty words. White House officials have shown Trump plans on how he can carry through with his threat, and will be briefing him Tuesday on actions, including military, cyber and economic, according to MS Now and other media outlets. Iran is a major oil producer. Energy prices will likely be impacted if the U.S. does launch an operation against the Middle Eastern country which is unlikely to proceed as smoothly as the one in Venezuela. A broader conflict could also affect market sentiment in the near term. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned of potential retaliation if the U.S. does strike the country. "In the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all U.S. bases and ships will be our legitimate target," Qalibaf said, according to a Reuters report. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Monday that his administration is not in talks with the U.S. government, a day after President Donald Trump threatened the Caribbean island in the wake of the U.S. attack on Venezuela. Diaz-Canel posted a flurry of brief statements on X after Trump suggested that Cuba "make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE." He did not say what kind of deal. Diaz-Canel wrote that for "relations between the U.S. and Cuba to progress, they must be based on international law rather than hostility, threats, and economic coercion." He added: "We have always been willing to hold a serious and responsible dialogue with the various US governments, including the current one, on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, principles of International Law, and mutual benefit without interference in internal affairs and with full respect for our independence." His statements were reposted by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on X. On Sunday, Trump wrote that Cuba would no longer live off oil and money from Venezuela, which the U.S. attacked on Jan. 3 in a stunning operation that killed 32 Cuban officers and led to the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro. Cuba was receiving an estimated 35,000 barrels a day from Venezuela before the U.S. attacked, along with some 5,500 barrels daily from Mexico and roughly 7,500 from Russia, according to Jorge Pinon of the Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin, who tracks the shipments. Even with oil shipments from Venezuela, widespread blackouts have persisted across Cuba given fuel shortages and a crumbling electric grid. Experts worry a lack of petroleum would only deepen the island's multiple crises. The situation between the U.S. and Cuba is "very sad and concerning," said Andy S. Gomez, retired dean of the School of International Studies and senior fellow in Cuban Studies at the University of Miami. He said he sees Diaz-Canel's latest comments "as a way to try and buy a little bit of time for the inner circle to decide what steps it's going to take." Gomez said he doesn't visualize Cuba reaching out to U.S. officials right now. "They had every opportunity when President (Barack) Obama opened up U.S. diplomatic relations, and yet they didn't even bring Cuban coffee to the table," Gomez said. "Of course, these are desperate times for Cuba." Michael Galant, senior research and outreach associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, D.C., said he believes Cuba might be willing to negotiate. "Cuba has been interested in finding ways to ease sanctions," he said. "It's not that Cuba is uncooperative." Galant said topics for discussion could include migration and security, adding that he believes Trump is not in a hurry. "Trump is hoping to deepen the economic crisis on the island, and there are few costs to Trump to try and wait that out," he said. "I don't think it's likely that there will be any dramatic action in the coming days because there is no rush to come to the table." Cuba's president stressed on X that "there are no talks with the U.S. government, except for technical contacts in the area of migration." The island's communist government has said U.S. sanctions cost the country more than $7.5 billion between March 2024 and February 2025. Senator Elizabeth Warren has written directly to Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins asking him to explain how the SEC plans to serve its mission of investor protection as it seeks to support President Trump's order to make cryptocurrency investments available in retirement plans. President Trump signed an executive order in August clearing a path for alternative assets including cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and private equity funds to be offered more broadly across traditional retirement plans such as 401(k) plans. "For most Americans, their 401(k) represents a lifeline to retirement security rather than a playground for financial risk. Allowing crypto into American retirement accounts creates fertile ground for workers and families to lose big," the Massachusetts Democrat, who is ranking member on the on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, wrote to Atkins in a letter on Monday obtained exclusively by CNBC. "Given the threats from crypto's volatility, the market's lack of transparency, and potential conflicts of interest, I am concerned that the Trump Administration's decision to allow these risky assets to be part of such critical retirement investments threatens millions of Americans' retirement security." Warren cited a 2024 Government Accountability Office study which found that "crypto assets have uniquely high volatility" and "there is no standard approach for projecting the potential future returns of crypto assets." She also pointed to President Trump's own flip-flop on crypto, from a 2021 comment from the president that bitcoin "seems like a scam" to an estimate from left-leaning think tank Center for American Progress that in the roughly one-year period after his reelection in November 2024, President Trump and his family had amassed over $1.2 billion in financial gains from crypto. "There is no reason to expect that inviting plans to offer these alternative investments will lead to better outcomes overall for participants especially considering the higher fees and expenses that typically come with them. But there is ample reason to think these investment options will make things worse by increasing the risk of large losses for participants, most of whom can ill afford them," Warren wrote to the SEC. The senator sent the letter the same week two Senate committees will hold hearings to work on their parts of a crypto market structure bill. In the letter, Sen. Warren wrote that the president's executive order "comes as Congress considers crypto market structure legislation that could create a tokenization loophole through which nearly any financial product offered on the blockchain could sidestep the SEC's authority to regulate securities risking Americans' retirement savings and investments." Warren is not alone in warning about the broader financial dangers that may result from the Trump administration's crypto regulatory approach. Several major unions have publicly voiced their concerns, including the American Federation of Teachers and AFL-CIO. The unions are also worried that that administration plan to allow tokenization of financial products could handicap the SEC's authority to regulate securities, which would also create new risks for Americans' retirement savings and investments. In her letter, Warren asked the SEC to respond to the following questions so she can better understand how the SEC plans to mitigate risks related to crypto: In requiring publicly traded companies that hold, issue, or invest in cryptocurrencies to provide disclosures on crypto asset liquidity, impairment risks, and market volatility, has the SEC ensured that the valuations reflected in disclosures are fair market value given the volatility crypto securities often experience? Has the SEC's Division of Risk and Analysis assessed the use of manipulative or deceptive practices in crypto markets? If not, does it plan to publish research for retail investor awareness? What investor awareness does SEC Office of Investor Education and Assistance provide for retail investors that may purchase crypto assets traditionally or through retirement plans following the Trump Administration's recent executive order? Through a spokesman, the SEC declined to comment on Warren's letter. The Trump administration's pro-crypto stance and Atkins previous statements suggest that Warren's point of view isn't likely to hold much sway with the SEC, though Atkins has stressed that crypto innovation needs to be balanced with investor protection. Back in August, when discussing the SEC's "Project Crypto" on CNBC, Atkins said the goal after the "gauntlet Trump has laid down is to make America the crypto capital of the world." "There are lots of ways we can help do that," he said, including "good rules fit for the purposes of the crypto industry, so innovators can innovate and investors know what they are investing in, and everyone can have certainty. ... Investor protection is foremost in our mind as well as capital formation and innovation in capital markets, so there is a balance there." In a more recent December appearance on CNBC, Atkins stressed that his approach as SEC chair will diverge from the approach of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler who looked to aggressively regulate the industry. Under Atkins, the SEC is going to "forge forward with the crypto area and make sure we are able to embrace this new area of innovation that for too long the U.S. basically has just pushed back against," he said. Atkins laid out many of the details in his broader vision for crypto innovation and regulation, including the key issue of tokenization of assets, in a speech in November to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. In that speech, the SEC chair also said, "Now, let me be clear about what this framework is not. It is not a promise of lax enforcement at the SEC. Fraud is fraud. ... if you raise money by promising to build a network, and then take the proceeds and disappear, you will be hearing from us, and we will pursue you to the full extent of the law." The pan-European Stoxx 600 index preliminarily closed Monday's session more than 0.1% higher, with major bourses in the green and sectors mixed after a morning in the red. LONDON European stocks began the new trading week in positive territory as investors weigh geopolitical developments in Iran, and renewed pressure on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell . Market watchers will be keeping an eye on the developments in Iran this week after widespread protests were met with a violent crackdown by the Iranian authorities. U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing options to take action against Iran, according to multiple reports on Sunday. The president has been shown potential plans, ranging from possible military strikes to action that doesn't include the military, according to MS Now and other media outlets, citing U.S. officials. Trump aides are reportedly set to brief the president Tuesday on measures, including military, cyber and economic, to follow through on his threats. BE Semiconductor Industries expects orders for the fourth quarter to top 250 million euros ($292.2 million), a 43% rise from the 174.7 million euros booked in the third quarter, and a 105% year-on-year increase. BESI, which designs and manufactures semiconductor equipment, ended the session up 7.51%, paring earlier gains that saw it hit its highest price since July 2024. The Dutch company is set to report its fourth-quarter results next month. Shares in Heineken , meanwhile, tumbled 6% after CEO and Chairman Dolf van den Brink said he intends to step down from his position on May 31. They clawed back some losses by mid-afternoon and were last seen 4.14% lower. The Amsterdam-based brewing giant's supervisory board said it would begin a process to find a successor for Van den Brink, who has been in the role for almost six years. Paris-listed shares in Abivax soared as high as 30% on Monday as the French biotech stock reportedly remains the subject of takeover rumors, but was last seen trading almost 5.05% higher after a period of halted trade. The company, which rallied almost 1,700% last year, has experienced wild swings over the past week. In other news, U.S. stocks fell at the opening bell after the Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in an apparent escalation by Trump in his attempt to pressure the central bank. They were last seen little changed. Powell confirmed in a video statement Sunday evening that federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation related to his Senate Banking Committee testimony on the renovation of Fed office buildings. Powell said the investigation was another attempt by Trump to influence the central bank's monetary policy and he would not bow to the pressure. His term as chair due to end in May. There are no major earnings or data releases in Europe on Monday. CNBC's Jennifer Elias, John Melloy and Yun Li contributed to this market report. A snow-cleared asphalt road outside Sisimiut, Greenland, on Monday, March 31, 2025. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Greenland has been thrust into a geopolitical firestorm as U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up his threats to annex the self-governing Danish territory. But, while Trump says the U.S. needs the huge Arctic island for its national security, and European leaders have responded that security is a collective endeavor, independence for the island of just 57,000 people remains a long-term goal. Opinion polls have shown that Greenlanders overwhelmingly oppose U.S. control, while a strong majority support independence from Denmark. The White House has said Trump and his national security team are "actively" discussing a potential offer to buy Greenland and that while diplomacy is the first option, all options, including military force, were on the table. "For many years, the majority of Greenlanders have been fighting for our right to represent ourselves," Aaja Chemnitz, a pro-independence MP and one of two lawmakers in the Danish parliament representing Greenland, told CNBC by video call. "We say nothing about us without us and that's why it's important for us to still fight for making sure that we have even more autonomy in the time to come," she added. watch now Chemnitz said the "U.S. used to be a very close ally just a year ago," and that Greenlanders wanted to "make sure that we're not dehumanized, which I think we have been in this whole situation." "Greenland never has been for sale and never will be for sale," she added. "The people are resilient. And I think it's important to remember that, of course, you can't buy a country, but you can also not buy a population." Greenland was granted greater autonomy over its affairs through the Self-Government Act in 2009, a motion that enables the island the right to hold an independence referendum. Denmark, however, remains responsible for its foreign, defense and security policies. Lawmakers presented a draft constitution in 2023 for an independent Greenland, but there were no immediate plans to adopt it. To be sure, most Greenlandic political parties support independence, but disagree over when and how to reach it. Indeed, the independence movement has become something of a balancing act between the island's ultimate goal of self-determination and the need for Denmark's financial support for essential welfare services, such as health and education. Last January, Greenland's then-Prime Minister Mute Egede said that it was time to take the next step toward independence. His successor, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who led the center-right Democrats to a surprise victory in parliamentary elections last March, favors a more gradual path. Chemnitz, a member of the Inuit Ataqatigiit party and chair of the Greenland Committee, told CNBC that the Arctic island's independence push is a long-term goal, given the need to be on "good economic terms" to maintain living standards. Trump previously sought to buy Greenland in 2019 during his first term as U.S. president, only to be told the island was not for sale. Now, the prospect of U.S. military action in Greenland has triggered a strong response from Denmark, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warning that a U.S. attack would mark the end of the NATO military alliance. Approximately 1,500 protesters rally outside the U.S. Embassy, condemning U.S. pressure on Greenland and Denmark and denouncing the U.S. government's controversial visit to Greenland in Copenhagen, Denmark, on March 29, 2025. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images The issue has raised alarm in Europe, particularly given that Trump's renewed interest follows a U.S. military operation in Venezuela to depose that country's president, Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that he intends to hold talks with Danish officials to discuss the Arctic island. Trump's takeover threats Clayton Allen, head of practice at Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, said that like many externally governed territories, there would always be some political appetite for independence. "I'm not sure that pressures from the U.S. for greater sovereign control of Greenland are necessarily going to be the way that they want to do that," Allen told CNBC by video call. "Put simply, I don't know that people are going to want to trade one foreign power for another. If you want to be independent, you want to be independent," he added. watch now LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 11: People take part in a rally in solidarity with protesters in Iran on January 11, 2026 in London, England. U.S. President Donald Trump is readying for a likely intervention in Iran, as the country cracks down on protestors, with several hundreds reportedly killed and internet access cut off. The possible next steps could include boosting antigovernment sources online, deploying cyber weapons against the Iranian military and civilian sites, placing more sanctions on the regime as well as military strikes, The Wall Street Journal reported. Trump's aides are set to brief him on Tuesday on a possible intervention. The options being presented to Trump range from targeted strikes inside Iran to offensive cyber attacks, Politico also reported, citing an unnamed official familiar with the ongoing development. "If the U.S. decides it needs to act to protect personnel or assets, or to protect energy flows, then it has a range of tools, from cyber and sabotage, to drones and missile strikes from air and sea," said Matt Gertken, chief geopolitical strategist at BCA Research. The U.S. could also attack nuclear or military infrastructure or government facilities to reduce the regime's abilities and "deter the regime from disruptive actions," Gertken added. The unrest in Iran, which started in late December over soaring prices and the collapse of Iran's currency, has intensified and morphed into wider antigovernment protests that threaten the Islamic regime. Tehran has over the weekend stepped up action against protestors, with more the 500 people killed, according to U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Iran has warned the U.S. and Israel against any intervention, with President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday, blaming them for fueling the unrest. "Iran is far more capable of retaliating against the U.S., especially by attacking regional energy infrastructure," Gertken said, adding that the Trump administration was "not necessarily eager to destroy the regime" unless it deteriorates "so significantly that the U.S. finds it cannot pass up the opportunity to intervene to force a change of regime." Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to the media after a telephone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, at her residence in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 2, 2026. Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is planning to dissolve the country's Lower House later this month and opt for a snap election likely in February, according to public broadcaster NHK. This comes as reports over the weekend from Japanese media said that the LDP was looking to capitalize on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's high approval ratings to stabilize the ruling coalition. NHK said Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications had instructed the election board in each prefecture to prepare for possible general elections. Takaichi's approval ratings are at a historic 75%, according to a Nikkei survey, marking the third straight month of ratings above 70%. The high ratings come at a time when Tokyo has been locked in a diplomatic spat with Beijing over comments from Takaichi in November about Chinese military action against Taiwan possibly triggering an intervention by Japan's Self-Defense Forces. The snap election, if called in February, would be just about four months into Takaichi's term as prime minister, and would be the first election that the LDP would run with its junior coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party. Reuters on Monday reported that JIP leader Hirofumi Yoshimura had spoken to Takaichi, and said that the prime minister's view on the timing of the election had shifted to a "new stage," without giving more details. The LDP and the JIP hold 230 seats in the Lower House, and with three independents joining, the ruling coalition now holds a slim majority in the 465-seat chamber. However, the coalition is in the minority in Japan's Upper House, holding only 119 of the 250 seats. Jersey Mike's Subs is taking its signature sandwiches overseas with its first European expansion set for this year, the company said Monday. Leading the push is the brand's founder and board chair, Peter Cancro, via his company, JM Submarines UK Ltd. The deal between Jersey Mike's and Cancro's entity calls for 400 stores to be opened in the U.K. and Ireland, and it will be the first in a series of plans for international growth. The privately owned Jersey Mike's was acquired for a reported $8 billion by Blackstone in late 2024. "All consumers, not only here in the U.S. but around the world, are looking for a great value, but they want quality. They want authenticity," Jersey Mike's CEO Charlie Morrison told CNBC in an interview. "Everything about the brand screams quality and freshness, and I think that's what consumers want anywhere in the world. They're going to be picky and careful about what they choose, but we believe strongly they're going to choose Jersey Mike's over anybody else." Morrison noted that deli-style subs are becoming a staple internationally, and he plans to stay true to the brand's roots in this expansion. He said Jersey Mike's 20 consecutive years of positive same-store sales growth in the U.S. will help inform the international move. Malaysia and Indonesia blocked access to Elon Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot Grok over the weekend due to concerns that the tool was being used to generate nonconsensual, sexually explicit content. Malaysian regulators ordered temporary restrictions be placed on the chatbot from xAI on Sunday following "repeated failures by X Corp" to address risks associated with the AI tool. The move came just one day after Indonesia stepped in to pause access to Grok over similar concerns and summoned X officials on the matter, according to CNBC's translation of the statement. The Southeast Asian countries' actions come after it was discovered that xAI's Grok enabled users to easily generate and share images online that included nonconsensual explicit images and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Musk's company had recently updated its Grok Imagine features, enabling easier image generation from text-based prompts on the chatbot, which is integrated with Musk's social media platform X, giving it a wide reach. Amid escalating concerns over Grok's content moderation policy, xAI announced it would limit image generation and editing features to paying subscribers, in an effort to patch safeguard gaps that permitted sexualized outputs. Musk, responding on X, has also asserted that users creating illegal content via Grok would face consequences equivalent to uploading such material directly to the social media platform. CNBC attempted to reach xAI for comment regarding the developments over the weekend. A press email for the company returned an automatic message that read "Legacy Media Lies." Paramount Skydance is suing Warner Bros. Discovery and CEO David Zaslav as its latest step in a hostile pursuit to acquire WBD, CEO David Ellison outlined in a letter to WBD shareholders on Monday. The lawsuit asks a Delaware court to direct Warner Bros. Discovery to provide information about its sale process and pending deal with Netflix . "WBD has failed to include any disclosure about how it valued the Global Networks stub equity, how it valued the overall Netflix transaction, how the purchase price reduction for debt works in the Netflix transaction, or even what the basis is for its 'risk adjustment' of our $30 per share all-cash offer," Ellison said in the letter on Monday. "We filed suit this morning in Delaware Chancery Court to ask the court to simply direct WBD to provide this information so that WBD shareholders have what they need to be able to make an informed decision as to whether to tender their shares into our offer," Ellison said. Ellison also informed WBD shareholders on Monday that Paramount intends to nominate directors for election to WBD's board at the company's 2026 annual meeting, in a move that would add a proxy fight to the equation. Paramount's latest escalation comes days after WBD's board once again recommended that shareholders reject Paramount's amended offer, which was made in late December. The company has repeatedly said its offer is superior to the company's deal with Netflix and has previously argued that the sale process was unfairly skewed. "Despite six weeks and just as many press releases from Paramount Skydance, it has yet to raise the price or address the numerous and obvious deficiencies of its offer," Warner Bros. Discovery said in a statement on Monday. "Instead, Paramount Skydance is seeking to distract with a meritless lawsuit and attacks on a board that has delivered an unprecedented amount of shareholder value. In spite of its multiple opportunities, Paramount Skydance continues to propose a transaction that our board unanimously concluded is not superior to the merger agreement with Netflix." Warner Bros. Discovery last month agreed to sell its streaming and studio business to Netflix for $72 billion. The proposed deal was the result of a sale process in which Paramount was bidding for all of WBD's assets, including its portfolio of cable TV channels, known as Discovery Global. As part of the Netflix deal, Warner Bros. Discovery plans to separate Discovery Global into its own publicly traded entity. Soon after WBD reached a deal with Netflix, Paramount went public with its hostile bid. Paramount has offered $30 per share, all cash for all of Warner Bros. Discovery's assets. WBD's board told shareholders in December to reject the initial offer in favor of the Netflix deal, citing concerns about the backing of Ellison's father, billionaire Larry Ellison. Paramount responded with an amended offer in which the Oracle co-founder agreed not to revoke the family trust or adversely transfer its assets during a pending transaction. Paramount has stopped short of increasing the size of its bid, however. The newly merged Paramount Skydance first took interest in Warner Bros. Discovery in the fall, making three unsolicited offers that were each rejected. Warner Bros. Discovery then opened up a sale process seeking offers for some or all of its company. At the same time, Warner Bros. Discovery said it would carry on with a plan that was announced earlier in the year to split its company into two publicly traded entities Warner Bros., consisting of the streaming platform HBO Max and film studio, and Discovery Global, comprised of the pay TV networks like TNT and CNN. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E) employees work to fix downed power lines burned by wildfires in this aerial photograph taken above Santa Rosa, California, Oct. 12, 2017. The parent of Pacific Gas and Electric reached a $100 million settlement with shareholders who accused the utility operator of misleading them about its wildfire prevention and safety protocols before wildfires in northern California in 2017 and 2018. A preliminary settlement with PG&E was filed on Saturday with the U.S. District Court in San Jose, California, and requires a judge's approval. Shareholders led by the Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico said PG&E concealed its defective wildfire safety practices, including electrical equipment and vegetation management blamed for starting or exacerbating the 2017 North Bay fires and 2018 Camp Fire. The North Bay fires included the Tubbs Fire, which killed 22 people and destroyed more than 5,600 structures, including about 5% of the homes in the city of Santa Rosa. The Camp Fire killed 85 people and destroyed more than 18,800 structures, including most of the town of Paradise. PG&E denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle, court papers show. It had no immediate comment on Monday. The litigation was delayed after PG&E filed for bankruptcy protection in January 2019. PG&E reached a $13.5 billion settlement with victims of many wildfires the following December, and emerged from Chapter 11 protection from creditors in June 2020. Tankers are seen at the Khor Fakkan Container Terminal, the only natural deep-sea port in the region and one of the major container ports in the Sharjah Emirate, along the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes on June 23, 2025. The Strait of Hormuz is once again back in focus as a possible U.S. intervention in Iran raises the risk of Tehran disrupting one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints. U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a range of options against Iran, according to multiple media reports on Sunday, as it cracks down on domestic protests. Industry experts cautioned that a military confrontation could provoke Iran to choke off the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that that connects the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea and through which nearly a third of the world's seaborne crude flows. "A disruption through the Strait of Hormuz could cause a global oil and gas crisis" especially when considering the "desperate and ill advised lengths the current Iranian regime may go to" should they find themselves increasingly backed into a corner with their power and lives at stake, said Saul Kavonic, head of energy research at MST Marquee. About 13 million barrels per day of crude oil transited the Strait of Hormuz in 2025, accounting for roughly 31% of global seaborne crude flows, data provided by market intelligence firm Kpler showed. The risk of the waterway being blocked had also surfaced during the flare-up between Washington and Tehran in June last year. As Iran's production and exports are far larger than Venezuela's, the global market would inevitably feel stronger ripple effects, said Muyu Xu, senior crude analyst at Kpler, adding that Chinese refiners could be forced to seek alternatives. Unlike Venezuela, any military action involving Iran carries "materially higher risks" given the volume of crude and refined product supply and transit exposure, said Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group, who sees a 70% likelihood of selective U.S. strikes on Iran. In an extreme escalation scenario, where tankers are unable to pass or energy infrastructure is damaged, oil prices could surge by double digits, said analysts. "The fear of a closure will cause the price of oil to rise a few dollars per barrel, but it is the complete closure of the Strait that can result in a $10 to $20 per barrel spike," said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. Kavonic sees an "immediate oil price spike" in the wake of any U.S. attack on Iran, but that will soften on any sign of the disruption being temporary. Global benchmark Brent last hovered around $63 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures held at $59 per barrel. Most analysts stress that any catastrophic outcomes still remain low-probability events. While Iran can always threaten to close the Strait of Hormuz, they may not want to do so given the complexity of power dynamics in the region and may not have the capability to fully close it given how the U.S. Navy is patrolling the area, said Kpler's Xu. Even in a scenario where Iran attempts a temporary disruption, such as harassing tankers or briefly blocking transit, the physical impact on supply would be limited. Kpler estimates the oil market is currently tilting toward oversupply, with roughly 2.5 million barrels per day of excess supply in January and over 3 million barrels per day in February and March. Additionally, any closure will likely be met with a show of force by the U.S. and allies to restore flows again, Kavonic said. Still, experts cautioned against drawing direct parallels between Iran and Venezuela, where the Trump administration used sanctions, seizures to exert pressure on the Venezuelan regime, before capturing President Nicolas Maduro. It would be very difficult for the U.S. to adopt a strategy toward Iran similar to Venezuela, because Iran is far from U.S. soil and the geopolitical situation in the Middle East is a lot more complex than in Latin America, Xu said. "Plus, Trump's priority right now appears to be consolidating U.S. power in the Western Hemisphere." Lipow echoed that view, saying a Venezuela-style playbook in Iran is more likely to involve sanctions and enforcement rather than military occupation or attacks on infrastructure. U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions from reporters, as he attends a meeting with oil industry executives, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Jan. 9, 2026. President Donald Trump on Monday said any country doing business with Iran will face a 25% tariff "on any and all business being done with the United States of America." That new tariff on imports from Iran's trading partners is "effective immediately," Trump said in a Truth Social post. "This Order is final and conclusive. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he wrote. Further details about the tariff announcement were not immediately clear. A White House official declined to answer CNBC's questions about the president's social media post. The apparent effort by Trump to economically isolate Iran comes as the oil-rich Middle Eastern country struggles to suppress an ongoing swell of massive anti-government protests. Dozens of those protesters have reportedly been killed in recent weeks; Trump has threatened to take military action against Iran if the killings continue. The president has also explicitly encouraged the demonstrations against the Iranian regime. "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" he wrote on social media on Saturday. The announcement of new tariffs on Iran's business partners also comes ahead of a much-anticipated Supreme Court ruling on whether many of Trump's most expansive tariffs are legal. Those tariffs including his controversial "reciprocal" duties from early April and others related to purported fentanyl trafficking were invoked using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. It was unclear if Trump's newly unveiled Iran-related tariffs also rest on that law. The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) Bengaluru bench has rejected Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal's claim of non-resident status, denying him tax benefits under the India-Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA).Bansal argued that he resided in Singapore for employment and should be classified as a non-resident. But the ITAT ruled that he spent more than 60 days in India, satisfying the residential test under section 6(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act.In its 189-page order, the tribunal said, "We hold that the assessee (Bansal) has been in India for more than 60 days and satisfied the residential test of provisions not section 6(1) c of the (Income Tax) Act and is not entitled to the relaxation in the period of stay...undisputedly, assessee is an Indian national."The tax department also stated that relaxations under the IT Act relative to Bansal 's claimed residential status can only apply to a person who is already a non-resident and not to an assessee who was a resident in the immediately prior year."If the stand of the assessee is accepted that for this assessment year [ AY 2020-21] also the assessee should get a benefit of extended time period of 182 days instead of 60 days as per the second limb of section 6 (1) (c) of the Act, than every person who visits India will get such an extension of period every year," the tribunal added. Bansal sold equity shares of Indian companies and Flipkart Private Limited, incorporated in Singapore, during the financial year 2019-20.Bansal sold approximately 600,000 shares to Tiger Global and other investors in 2019, and claimed that because he was a Singapore resident, he was not entitled to pay taxes in India under the India-Singapore Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement [DTAA].However, the ITAT denied those claims of Bansal and asked the assessing officer to check and reissue a pending refund of over 5.8 crore, if it had not already been credited.NRI status is determined by the Income-tax Act of 1961, which classifies Indians living overseas as Resident, NRI, or RNOR based on their days in India. Residents are taxed on their worldwide income, whereas NRIs are taxed exclusively on income generated or received in India, making residential status critical for taxation and exemptions.You are considered a non-resident if you don't fulfil either of the basic residency conditions in a financial year. These conditions involve staying in India for 182 days or more in the relevant financial year, or staying for 60 days or more in the current financial year plus 365 days or more in the four preceding years.In the event of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin, who is outside India and has been on a visit to India during the previous year, where the total income exceeds 15 lakh (excluding foreign income), the second condition's threshold becomes 120 days.If an individual is a citizen of India and has a total income (other than foreign sources) in excess of 15 lakh during a fiscal year, he shall be deemed to be an Indian resident for that year if he is not a tax resident of any other nation.If you do not meet the conditions listed above for being considered a resident of India, you would be classified as a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), according to ClearTax.The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is an agreement signed by India and several other nations to ensure that individuals and businesses are not taxed twice on the same income. DTAA is particularly important for a person making income in one nation while residing in another without DTAA; such income may be taxed in both countries.But once the DTAA is in place, you will only be obligated to pay taxes in one country, not both. Your earnings would be taxable in both countries. However, taxes paid in one nation can be claimed as a credit in another, preventing double taxation under DTAA provisions.Taxpayers can claim the taxes they pay to foreign governments in their home nation.Tax reduction under this can be claimed in either of the two nations.This method allows for tax relief to be claimed in the nation of residence. What changed and why What does Evidence Level 3 means Stricter documentation requirements Longer processing times Higher risk of follow-up queries What Australia says and what it doesnt What students should do now Australia has placed India, along with Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, in Evidence Level 3, the highest risk category under its student visa framework, tightening scrutiny of applications amid what it called emerging integrity risks in the international education system.The change means tougher documentation requirements, longer processing times and closer examination for students applying for Australian visas.The Australian government has upgraded India and three neighbouring South Asian countries to Evidence Level 3 under its Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), an internal risk-assessment system used by the Department of Home Affairs to determine the level of evidence required from student visa applicants.Evidence levels range from Level 1 (lowest risk) to Level 3 (highest risk) and are based on historical visa data such as refusal rates, document fraud, visa cancellations and instances of overstaying.According to Australias Department of Home Affairs, the reassessment was driven by emerging integrity issues, including concerns around fraudulent financial documentation, non-genuine students and misuse of student visas.The government has said evidence levels are periodically reviewed and adjusted to protect the integrity of Australias migration and education systems.While the department has not released country-specific data, Australian media reports said the move was out of cycle, suggesting heightened concern rather than a routine review.Being placed in Evidence Level 3 does not bar students from applying, but it does mean applications will face the highest level of scrutiny under the SSVF.In practical terms, this affects three key areas.Students from Evidence Level 3 countries are now required to submit extensive supporting documents upfront, including detailed proof of funds such as bank statements showing consistent balances and evidence of the source of money; academic records, degrees and transcripts, often requiring certification; English-language proficiency evidence, even where exemptions previously applied; and a strong Genuine Student statement explaining study plans, career outcomes and intent to return.Under Australian rules, visa officers also have greater discretion to verify documents directly with banks, universities or other issuing authorities.Because applications are more likely to be manually assessed, processing timelines are expected to increase.Industry estimates suggest student visa decisions that earlier took around three to four weeks may now stretch to six to eight weeks or longer, depending on the complexity of the case and verification requirements.Applicants from Evidence Level 3 countries should expect a higher likelihood of requests for additional information, follow-up questions on finances or academic gaps, and delays caused by background and document checks.Education agents say poorly prepared or inconsistent applications are more likely to be delayed or refused under the new classification.Australian authorities have emphasised that the move is not a ban on students from India, Nepal, Bangladesh or Bhutan.There are no country-specific quotas announced for student visas, and genuine students who meet requirements can still obtain visas.The change is framed as a risk-management and integrity measure, not a restriction on international education itself.Australia remains one of the top destinations for Indian students, with education forming a major export sector for the country.Experts advise students planning to apply for Australian visas to apply earlier than usual to account for longer processing times; ensure financial documents are transparent, consistent and verifiable; prepare a clear, credible statement of study purpose; and check the Document Checklist Tool on the Department of Home Affairs website, which automatically reflects the applicants evidence level.Education counsellors also recommend avoiding shortcuts or incomplete filings, as scrutiny has increased significantly under Evidence Level 3. Security forces detected movement of suspected drones in several forward areas along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir on January 11 evening.Sources said all the flying objects came from the Pakistan side, and they returned after hovering over Indian territory for a few minutes.Security forces also launched a search operation on the ground after noticing the suspected drone activity in the forward areas, PTI quoted officials.A drone was noticed in the Nowshera sector along the LoC in Rajouri. The Army troops fired from medium and light machine guns on observing drone movement over Gania-Kalsian village around 6:35 pm.Another drone was noticed at Khabbar village in Teryath in Rajouri district at 6.35 pm. A drone-like object with blinking light was also seen hovering for several minutes over Chak Babral village in Ramgarh sector of Samba around 7:15 pm, the report said..Another drone-like object was seen moving from the direction of Tain towards Topa in Mankote sector, located along the LoC, in Poonch district at 6:25 pm, the report added.Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi told a press conference that the matter was discussed with Pakistan and it has been asked to put a stop to it."Around six drones were seen on January 11, and 2 to 3 were seen on January 11 and 12. These, I believe, were defensive drones, which were trying to see if any action was being taken against us. It's possible they also wanted to see if there were any gaps, any laxity in the Indian Army, any gaps through which they could send terrorists. So, I think they must have received a negative response. They must have seen that as of today, there is no such place, no such gap from where they can send them. But this is certain: we had a DGMO (Director General of Military Operations) talk today. This matter was discussed in that talk, and they were told that this is unacceptable to us, and please, put a stop to it. This has been conveyed to them..." Dwivedi said. KPI Green Energy inks 4,000-crore pact with Gujarat govt for RE projects KPI Green Energy signs a 4,000-crore pact with the government of Gujarat for renewable energy projects at Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference; shares closed lower at 445.45 on January 12. Sudanese Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced on Sunday, January 11, that the government has formally returned to the capital, Khartoum, after almost three years of running state affairs from the port city of Port Sudan, where it relocated after civil war erupted in April 2023 and fighting engulfed the capital. The announcement marks a symbolic shift as the authorities seek to restore normal governance and public services in a war-ravaged capital. Khartoum saw intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the early days of the conflict.According to media reports, speaking to reporters in Khartoum, Idris said, Today, we return, and the Government of Hope returns to the national capital.He outlined priorities including improvements in healthcare, reconstruction of hospitals, development of education, and better electricity, water and sanitation services for residents.The government had relocated its operations to Port Sudan at the start of the war when Khartoum was rapidly taken over by RSF forces. Since then, the city and its environs, including Omdurman and Khartoum North, were the scene of some of the conflicts most intense battles, displacing millions and damaging infrastructure across wide swaths of the metropolitan area.The return follows a gradual reassertion of control over the capital by SAF forces, which recaptured key strategic sites including the presidential palace and other government buildings in 2025, enabling a phased restoration of administrative functions.According to the United Nations, around 1.2 million people had returned to Khartoum between March and October 2025, though many found basic services still barely functioning and extensive destruction in residential neighborhoods.While the government has begun holding some official meetings in the capital and launched reconstruction initiatives, the overall security situation remains fragile. The RSF continues to carry out sporadic drone strikes and attacks on infrastructure in and around Khartoum even as violence persists in other regions of Sudan.The conflict erupted after a breakdown in relations between army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, who leads the Rapid Support Forces, triggering a violent power struggle.Both the Sudanese military and the RSF have faced accusations of carrying out serious abuses during the war.Multiple international attempts to mediate a peace settlement have so far failed, while both sides are supported by external backers who have supplied weapons, prolonging the conflict.The conflict has had devastating humanitarian effects, with tens of thousands killed and millions displaced nationwide, making Sudan one of the worlds most severe ongoing crises. The governments return to Khartoum is viewed by officials as a key step toward stabilising governance and rebuilding the capitals shattered institutions. Apple has confirmed speculation that it will work with Googles Gemini models to help power new artificial intelligence (AI) features across its products, including Siri, in a multi-year partnership expected to begin later this year. The company confirmed the move to CNBCs Jim Cramer in this statement: After careful evaluation, we determined that Googles technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and were excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for our users, the company said. What problem is Apple solving? Apple has been working to build its own generative AI (genAI) models with which to power advanced features across its platforms, including for Apple Intelligence and Siri. The company first announced a wave of improvements including contextual intelligence in Siri at WWDC 2024. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more If 2026 is the year you've decided to travel more then now is a great time to take advantage of Qatar Airways New Year Offers. If Tokyo, Dubai, Sydney or Melbourne have been on your bucket list for a while then now is the time to finally book those flights. Qatar Airways have launched their 2026 offers with flights from Europe to top global destinations for 20 per cent off. Doha January 14 - January 20 2026 After some winter sun? You can now book a return trip to Doha and escape the chill in Qatar's dynamic capital city. With its stunning beaches, family-friendly attractions, and enriching cultural experiences, Doha has become an increasingly popular destination. Shop Qatar Airways has launched its New Year travel offers for customers in Europe, featuring up to 20 per cent off flights to a selection of the airlines most soughtafter global destinations With up to 20 per cent off a selection of the airlines most soughtafter global destinations, this is a new year sale not to sleep on. These Qatar Airways offers make now an ideal time to plan both culturally rich and longhaul journeys throughout 2026 with the promotion supporting travel from January 10 through December 10 2026, with bookings open until 16 January 2026. Whether you're looking towards a summer escape or need a little trip to see you through the cold winter month, you're sure to find a flight that serves your needs. With up to 20 per cent off, Qatar Airways is here to help find and book your next trip for less but with all the perks of the brand's worldwide reputation. In fact, the airline has won the Worlds Best Airline title for an impressive ninth time at the 2025 World Airline Awards, managed by the international air transport rating organisation, Skytrax. Flying to over 170 destination worldwide, you can indulge in destination inspired cuisine whilst you board, enjoying their world class hospitality, and relax in spacious cabins. Even in Economy you can enjoy one of the widest seats in the industry. In short, Qatar Airways is a top choice if you're looking to travel long-haul this year. Highlights include destinations like Delhi, Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Colombo and Tokyo, among others. Travellers departing from the United Kingdom and wider Europe can explore hotspots including Doha, Bali (Denpasar), Delhi, Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong among others All you have to do to take advantage of the new lower flight prices is book by January 16 2026 on qatarairways.com or through the mobile app. The promotion supports travel from January 10 through December 10 2026, so you can start thinking about your dream summer holiday, Easter break or winter retreat. In addition to fare discounts, customers are encouraged to join Qatar Airways Privilege Club to earn bonus Avios and access further travel benefits. The Privilege Club has different tiers, so the higher your membership tier, the more benefits you will enjoy including extra luggage and lounge access. Has Andy Burnham finally found a safe way back to the Commons so he can challenge Keir Starmer? The Manchester mayor needs to return to Westminster as an MP before he can even think of replacing the stricken PM. Yet with Labour in such disarray, does a suitable seat exist? It was reported at the weekend that Burnham had struck a deal with Andrew Gwynne, but the MP for Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester recently said he wasn't going anywhere. A proposal to persuade St Helens South MP Marie Rimmer, 78, to retire has apparently been shelved. In a sign of the Government's weakness in the polls, Rimmer's 12,000 majority is no longer considered safe. So Bootle, held by Peter Dowd, is now favourite. At the last election Dowd, 68, had a 22,000 majority, with Reform second. Could it be Burnham for Bootle and Dowd for a cosy seat in the Lords? Left's age-old hypocrisy Good point from Conservative peer Daniel Hannan. Amid renewed debate over the case of 'Isis bride' Shamima Begum, he notes that her Left-wing supporters highlight the fact that she and her fellow 'child brides' were only 15 or 16 when they left for Syria. They were therefore not able to make an adult decision. Yet those same Left-wingers, he points out, now want 16-year-olds to get the vote in general elections. A petition calling for the cancellation of a trial into puberty blockers on children as young as ten has attracted 76,000 signatures in three days. When it reaches 100,000, ministers will be forced to justify their support for the experiment. Please sign it. Prediction of the week: Labour MP Tom Rutland interrupted Reform UK's Lee Anderson during a speech about the BBC's failings in Parliament, to ask how much he's paid for his GB News show. 'I am happy to declare it is 100,000 a year and probably more than the hon. member will ever get paid for appearing on TV.' In a speech at the Carlton Club, Liam Fox contrasted the styles of Margaret Thatcher and David Cameron. 'When Mrs Thatcher became leader of the Opposition she wanted a makeover for the country. When David Cameron became leader he wanted a makeover for the Tory Party.' Minister for roads and buses Simon Lightwood faced a wodge of transport questions in the Commons last week. 'You wait for one bus question,' he murmured, 'and seven arrive at the same time' Scarper, your lordship! While speeches in Parliament can often be boring, a captivating tale from Lord Blencathra. It involved fellow peer John Stevens, a former Met police chief, who was on a fact-finding mission in a patrol car one night. The two uniformed constables in the front received an urgent call and had to rush off on foot, telling Stevens to wait. Once they had gone, Stevens found his door wrenched open and a Geordie stuck his head in and said: 'It's OK, mate. You can scarper now the rozzers have gone.' Lapse of the week Minister Baroness Chapman, facing Lords questions about the Venezuela crisis, was invited to comment on the admirable performance of our charge d'affaires there. But could she remember his name? Er, no. She ended up calling him 'Colin in Caracas'. His full name is Colin Dick. Maybe just a blockage about his surname! What would happen to the prospects of Nigel Farage and Reform UK if net migration were to dip to almost zero, as some forecasters are saying could happen as soon as the end of this year? Is it possible that this failing Labour Government could snatch victory from the jaws of defeat if it were seen by voters to have slashed the stratospherically high rates of immigration of recent years? It is what some people inside Labour are hoping, and what some progressive journalists are writing. They believe that Farage's most popular policy is about to be pulled from under him, and that he will be left suspended in thin air. Hopes in government circles were raised when the Office for National Statistics recently announced that net immigration had fallen sharply to 204,000 in the year to June 2025. It had been 649,000 in the year to June 2024, and 906,000 in the year to June 2023. Expectations have soared in recent weeks following forecasts that more people will soon be leaving the country than arriving. According to the University of Warwick data analyst James Bowes, this could happen as early as December. He suggests that by the end of the year there might be a net outflow of 62,000. Could this be true? Might what has often been people's most pressing concern over the past decade finally be miraculously receding? Has Nigel Farage's fox been well and truly shot? I very much doubt it. Labour's feeble measures have so far failed to bring down the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats Of course it's true that net immigration is significantly down from the unprecedented heights it reached during the dying days of Tory rule. The credit for this should largely go to Rishi Sunak and his ministers, who belatedly introduced measures that have drastically cut legal immigration. Not that this will stop Labour from claiming the credit. So far, this Government has done almost nothing off its own bat, though the recent announcement by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood about stricter rules on indefinite leave to remain is likely to have an effect. So, yes, the figures are falling. They will almost certainly come down further, though I'd be surprised if James Bowes' prediction were fulfilled. We've had duff forecasts before. A change, possibly only temporary, is nonetheless taking place. The Office for Budget Responsibility not renowned for accurate crystal ball gazing may well have to revise downwards its forecast of net migration of 262,000 in the 12 months to June this year. What seems to be happening is that, in addition to the last government's tighter rules, quite a lot of recent arrivals have decided that they don't like it very much in Keir Starmer's and Rachel Reeves' gloomy Britain. Poles in particular are returning in large numbers to their own more economically vibrant country. A sizeable number of British nationals have also decided to head away from our shores as long as the dead hand of Labour hovers over us. Some 257,000 departed in the year ending December 2024, which is more than three times the previous estimate. Whatever the reasons behind the lower figures, I am sure that the migration debate is far from over, and I doubt whether Reform UK's anti-immigration policies are about to fall out of favour with many voters. The first, and weightiest, explanation is that Labour's feeble measures have so far failed to bring down the number of people crossing the Channel in small boats. The figure for 2025 was the second highest on record. Labour are hoping that Nigel Farage's most popular policy immigration is about to be pulled from under him, and that he will be left suspended in thin air What seems to be happening is that quite a lot of recent arrivals have decided that they don't like it very much in Keir Starmer's and Rachel Reeves' gloomy Britain It's true that illegal immigration has historically been a fairly small proportion of all immigration. Yet in a recent YouGov poll almost half of respondents thought that immigration to the UK is mostly illegal rather than legal. This is not the case. The reason for the false perception is surely that the sight of people coming illicitly across the Channel irritates voters far more than those coming by an authorised route. They don't like the idea of interlopers (often young men) sneaking into our country, and then being put up in fancy hotels or being allowed to roam the streets while possibly flouting the law, and occasionally posing a threat to young women and girls. Even the BBC, which can hardly be said to have taken a hard line against high levels of legal immigration, has provided ample coverage of the boats coming across the Channel and the gangs that are behind them. Unless the Government succeeds in stopping the boats, immigration is bound to remain a contentious issue for many, even if the overall figures continue to come down. Let us imagine that by some miracle Labour did manage to reduce the boats to a trickle. Would that put an end to public anxiety about uncontrolled immigration? I don't think so. For one thing, numerous special interest groups depend on migrants. The business models of many universities are built on the assumption of endless supplies of foreign students. Care homes and construction companies are already telling ministers they can't survive with current lower rates of immigration. The Government, which is doing little or nothing to induce the 9 million people of working age who are not in employment to join the labour force, may well heed these siren calls. Then there are the rising numbers of asylum seekers, of whom only around 40 per cent come across the Channel. Many arrive here legally on short visas and then apply to stay. A record 110,051 migrants claimed asylum in the year to September, about half of whom were granted leave to remain in the UK. For all these reasons, levels of immigration will almost certainly remain high, despite a temporary downward blip. If you don't believe me, listen to Professor Brian Bell, chairman of the Migration Advisory Committee, an official body that gives independent advice to the Government. He recently suggested that the annual net migration figure would jump 'in the medium term' to around 300,000, after nearly three years of sharp falls. This would be a high figure by the standards of the past 20 years. Higher, in fact, than in any year except for the one before 2016, when Britain voted for Brexit. Immigration may be coming down from the mind-boggling figures in the last days of Tory rule but, as things stand, it is going to settle at a number that many will still consider astronomical. Interestingly, the other day a More In Common poll found that a large majority of voters believe that immigration is increasing despite the decline in the number of people entering the UK. They know that the boats are arriving in ever greater numbers, and they can see how uncontrolled immigration has transformed their country over recent years. They won't be persuaded that Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood have solved the issue, for the simple reason that they haven't. It goes without saying that Reform shouldn't be a one-issue party. They need an array of policies. The Tories, who are equally exercised about migration these days, are in the same boat. But whatever Labour MPs may think, and whatever metropolitan scribblers may write, the British people aren't persuaded that the problems of mass immigration have gone away. Big Beast or just another has-been looking for one more merry-go-round ride on the gravy train? You pays your money and takes your choice. Whatever you think of Nadhim Zahawis defection from the Tories to Reform, its certainly the most significant yet. While Ive always considered the label Big Beast laughable, a self-aggrandising Westminster Bubble fantasy, theres no disputing the fact that Zahawi is or, at least has been, if youll pardon the expression a serious political figure. Hes a former Conservative Party chairman, was a contender for the leadership, Education Secretary and was even Chancellor of the Exchequer for about five minutes. His finest hour came as vaccines minister under Boris when Britain became the first country in the world to come up with a breakthrough Covid jab. He knows his way around the corridors of power and, more importantly, knows how to circumvent the entrenched Civil Service Blob. Zahawi has also built hugely successful businesses, including the opinion polling firm YouGov and a property portfolio said to be worth 100 million. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joins Nadhim Zahawi today at a press conference in London Zahawis defection makes Farages front-bench start to look like a government in waiting, writes Richard Littlejohn So the gravy train jibes wont stick. Hes not short of a shilling, or in need of a modest ministerial salary. Its also alleged that hes walked out on the Tories because they wouldnt give him a peerage. Yet Starmer has refused to let Reform nominate anyone to the House of Lords, so thats a non-runner, too. The major blot on Zahawis landscape is that his time in No 11 Downing Street was cut short when his tax affairs caused him to fall foul of HMRC and he had to pay a 5 million penalty as well as being found to be in breach of the ministerial code. But it will have provided him with some insight into the workings of the Treasury and the Whitehall bureaucracy. And given the well-publicised avoidance antics of Angry Ginge Rayner and Lord Mandelson, Labour can hardly smear Zahawi for underpaying tax. What, then, does he bring to the Reform Party? Experience, obviously. Zahawis defection makes Farages front-bench start to look like a proper government in waiting. Admittedly hes no longer an MP, even though its rumoured he might fight a nailed-on seat at the next general election, perhaps in the Midlands or the Red Wall. Mr Zahawi at a hustings event in Birmingham in 2022 supporting Liz Truss Mr Zahawi has previously been Tory chairman, education secretary and Chancellor Hes also a standing rebuke to the far-Left lunatics who routinely throw student-union slurs of racism at Reform. Zahawi arrived in Britain in the 1970s as a Kurdish refugee fleeing Saddam Husseins brutal regime in Iraq. He has previously described how, aged 11, he sat at the back of a classoom in the UK unable to speak a word of English. And he joins second-generation immigrants Zia Yusuf, business-savvy policy chief, and combative London mayoral candidate Laila Cunningham as the diverse public faces of Reform. No one can doubt his love for our country, nor his fears for the future unless there is a drastic change of direction. During his failed Tory leadership bid he spoke movingly of how after his family were given sanctuary here he was living the British dream. At yesterdays press conference in London, Zahawi said Britain was drinking in the Last Chance Saloon, and under threat from radical Islamists. Nothing works, there is no growth, there is crime on our streets and there is an avalanche of illegal migration that anywhere else in the world would be a national emergency. We can all see that our beautiful, ancient, kind, magical island story has reached a dark and dangerous chapter. Things might feel like they are ticking along just fine within a few square miles of where we stand today. But in so much of the rest of the country, the sickness is no surprise to anyone. To anyone trying to get a doctors appointment, to anyone who wants to express an opinion, whether on X or even just down the pub, to anyone who wants their children to be taught facts, not harmful fictions at school, to anyone just trying to earn a living and not be crushed into the dirt by ever-growing taxes. Even if you dont yet realise that Britain needs Reform, you know in your heart of hearts that our wonderful country is sick. So its a big transfer-window signing for Farage. But its also a major blow to Kemi Badenoch just as she was beginning to climb out of the relegation zone, especially coming from someone who once said he had been a Conservative all my life and will die a Conservative. And yet. As somebody who wants Reform to flourish, and would welcome my old mate Nigel as our next prime minister, theres a grave danger that the party is beginning to look like the Conservatives in Exile. Zahawis defection takes the number of former prominent Tories who have crossed the Rubicon to Reform to 25. They range from sitting MP Danny Kruger, a respected political thinker, to wild cards such as Strictly Come Dancings Ann Widdecombe. Farage says that Reform has turned down several applications from Tories. I believe him. And he has been successful in attracting serious players from finance and beyond, busy behind the scenes raising money and putting a proper party structure in place. But he does urgently need some more working-class, former Labour politicians like Lee Anderson, especially with the Red Wall up for grabs and Surkeir unravelling Brexit almost daily. Reform has hoovered up anti-EU former Tories, but that pool has probably run dry by now. Lib Dem voters are a lost cause, away with the fairies most of them, like the Greens. Yes, Zahawi is a great scalp. But Farage knows that if he is to form the next government he needs to capture millions of Red Wall voters who voted Leave and are utterly disenchanted with Surkeirs far-Left, Net Zero-obsessed, EU-loving metropolitan Labour Party. Reform is on a roll. Farage wants to destroy the Tories and the defection of the former party chairman is another nail in the Conservative coffin. But to win power next time hes going to need a much bigger boat. Had to laugh at the story about a 58-year-old man who appeared at Durham Crown Court charged with outraging public decency after being arrested out walking in the woods without any trousers, socks or underpants. Tyrone Wards defence was that as he wasnt wearing any shoes, either, he was barefooting. My amusement was partly because one of my favourite soul records from the days I was a teenage DJ was Barefootin by Robert Parker. It was a staple of my old TV show housebands set, too. (I was also intrigued as to how Gary could illustrate this story in the best paaaasible taste!) It reminded me of the wonderful scene from Only Fools in which Del Boy visited his female GP and was told to undress. As he emerged from the changing room, she said: Mr Trotter, when I asked you to strip to the waist, I meant the top half. Amtrak is warning passengers of potential measles exposure after health officials announced that an infected person traveled from Philadelphia to Baltimore-Washington International Airport on a crowded train from January 7 to January 8. Maryland health officials have listed several locations as possible measles exposure sites related to the unidentified infected traveler, including Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A East from 7:50 to 11pm on January 7, an Amtrak train from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station to Washington, DC from 9 to 11:30pm on January 7, the Amtrak shuttle to BWI Airport from 10:45pm to 1:30am and the BWI long-term parking shuttle from 11 pm to 2 am January 8. Health officials did not disclose if the infected person had a fever, rash or other symptoms at the time of travel, nor whether they were in the highly contagious phase of the illness. It was also not stated if the individual had been vaccinated against measles. They advised unvaccinated people to contact a healthcare provider or local health department and monitor for early symptoms within 21 days. Watch for a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Measles symptoms emerge 10 to 14 days after exposure, followed by a facial rash that spreads over one to four days. The person can transmit the virus from four days before the rash appears until four days after. Measles is the worlds most contagious disease. An unvaccinated person has a 90 percent chance of infection if briefly sharing air with a contagious person, even hours later. Measles kills about three in every 1,000 infected people. This potential exposure event occurs as the US faces a significant resurgence of measles. Last year saw 2,144 confirmed cases, the highest annual total since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000 and the most in over three decades. Several states have emerged as viral hotspots for measles. In Utah, officials confirmed 20 new cases this week, raising the states 2025-2026 total to 176. Meanwhile, in the Southeast, North Carolina has reported five cases since late December, including one in 2026, and South Carolina has added 99 new infections, bringing its statewide total to 310. A person infected with measles traveled on an Amtrak train from Philadelphia's 30th Street Station [pictured] to BWI Airport in Maryland on January 7 Your browser does not support iframes. Meg Sullivan, the Maryland Department of Healths deputy secretary for Public Health Services, said: Vaccination remains essential to protecting ourselves, our families, and our communities against measles and other infectious diseases. These types of situations underscore the importance of knowing your vaccination status and ensuring you are up to date with all recommended vaccines. According to the CDC, 93 percent of measles cases are in unvaccinated people or those with an unknown vaccine status. Three percent have received one dose of the MMR vaccine and four percent have received both doses. The odds of a vaccinated person becoming infected is very low, about three percent. Even if infection occurs, symptoms are typically far milder and the risk of severe complications or transmission is drastically reduced. According to national data, 11 percent, or 240 people infected, have been hospitalized and three people have died in the current outbreak. Nearly 20 percent of children under five infected during the current outbreak have required hospitalization. The US formally eliminated measles in 2000, meaning there had been no community spread in 12 months, thanks to widespread uptake of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Your browser does not support iframes. But the level of population-wide immunity needed to stave off outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations, about 95 percent, has sunk to less than 93 percent, suggesting the cases documented in 2026 are just the beginning. Enclosed train cars and airports are extremely risky locations for disease transmission. The measles virus spreads via airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles first invades the respiratory system, then spreads to the lymph nodes and throughout the body. As a result, the virus can affect the lungs, brain and central nervous system. While measles sometimes causes milder symptoms, including diarrhea, sore throat and achiness, it leads to pneumonia in roughly six percent of otherwise healthy children, and more often in malnourished children. While the brain swelling that measles can trigger is rare, occurring in about 1 in 1,000 cases, it is deadly in roughly 15 to 20 percent of those who develop it, while about 20 percent are left with permanent neurological damage such as brain damage, deafness or intellectual disability. It also severely damages a child's immune system, making them susceptible to other potentially devastating bacterial and viral infections they were previously protected against. A significant measles outbreak that started last year in West Texas, primarily within a largely unvaccinated religious community, quickly spread across state lines to the rest of the country. Texas officials have recorded more than 760 cases since January 2025. Your browser does not support iframes. Before MMR vaccines became available in the 1960s, measles caused epidemics with up to 2.6 million global deaths every year. By 2023, that number had fallen to roughly 107,000 deaths. The World Health Organization estimates that measles vaccination prevented 60 million deaths between 2000 and 2023. Robert F Kennedy, Jr, in his capacity both as current head of the Department of Health and Human Services and as co-founder of the nonprofit Children's Health Defense, has consistently cast doubt on the safety and efficacy of well-studied vaccines such as the MMR shots. After the death of an eight-year-old girl in Texas, Kennedy acknowledged the MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles, while at the same time promoting vitamin A as an effective treatment, which is believed to have contributed to several small children being hospitalized with an overdose. High-dose vitamin A is a standard, evidence-based treatment for measles, proven to reduce the risk of death and severe complications like pneumonia. Its life-saving effect is most pronounced in individuals with pre-existing vitamin A deficiency. Dozens of passengers aboard a cruise ship have been hit with an outbreak of 'rib-cracking' norovirus. Among 2,593 passengers and 1,005 staff aboard a Holland America Line cruise ship, 81 passengers and eight crew members reported diarrhea and vomiting consistent with norovirus, the CDC has reported. The affected passengers and staff became sick during the ship's December 28-January 9 voyage, and the cruise notified the CDC of the outbreak on January 8, according to the CDC's report on the situation. The outbreak was on the cruise lines Rotterdam ship. According to CruiseMapper, the vessel departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and had stops scheduled in Curacao, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica and other destinations. The CDC noted since the outbreak, the cruise line has increased cleaning and disinfection procedures. Holland America Line also collected stool specimens from sickened individuals and isolated sick passengers and crew. The outbreak comes amid a surge of winter illnesses, including norovirus. The latest CDC data, from December 20, shows 12 percent of tests came back positive that week, roughly in line from the week prior and up from 10 percent during the week of December 6. Among 2,593 passengers and 1,005 staff aboard a Holland America Line cruise ship, 81 passengers and eight crew members reported signs of norovirus. Stock image - not the affected ship Your browser does not support iframes. But the true number of infected Americans is likely much higher, as most people don't get tested and the illness affects more than 20 million people each year. The CDC estimates there are 2,500 outbreaks in the US every year. An outbreak is defined as when two or more similar illnesses come from a common exposure that is either 'suspected or laboratory-confirmed to be caused by norovirus,' according to the agency. CDC data shows between August 1 and December 11, 2025, there were 268 outbreaks. During the same period last season, there were 554. A Holland America Line spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Monday that 'during its previous voyage, a number of guests onboard Rotterdam reported symptoms of gastrointestinal illness.' The spokesperson added: 'The cases were mostly mild and quickly resolved. 'The health of our guests and crew is a top priority, and consistent with CDC protocols, we conducted a comprehensive sanitization of the ship when the cruise ended Friday in Fort Lauderdale.' Norovirus infects around 21 million Americans annually and sends around 2 million to their doctor's offices or urgent care. It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to life-threatening dehydration. It spreads through contact with germs from an infected persons vomit or feces, contaminated food, shared utensils, or surfaces theyve touched. While most people recover within a few days, the virus kills around 900 people every year, mostly adults 65 and up. Outbreaks are most common in the winter due to a jump in the number of people gathering in groups for holiday festivities, traveling, and staying warm indoors, where pathogens can spread easily. Join the debate Should cruise lines do more to protect passengers from deadly viruses or is this just an unavoidable risk? Norovirus causes diarrhea and vomiting so forceful it may lead to cracked or broken ribs (stock image) The above CDC data shows a spike in norovirus test positivity in December, though this rate has decreased slightly Symptoms of norovirus, which include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, come on quickly, within 12 to 48 hours of exposure. The diarrhea and vomiting can be so forceful it can may crack or break ribs. Dehydration is a major concern. Frequent vomiting and diarrhea can quickly cause the body to lose fluids and electrolytes, which can lead to dangerously low blood pressure, reduced blood flow to vital organs, and an electrolyte imbalance that may harm the heart and muscles. Electrolyte imbalances can also result in seizures and, in some cases, loss of consciousness. Hand sanitizers alone cant kill virus particles on the skin, which is why doctors strongly recommend washing ones hands often. The lowest figures reported this year were from the week of August 9, during which 6.5 percent of tests were positive. Norovirus tests are usually done by looking at stool or vomit samples. However, tests are only ordered based on symptoms, and mild cases rarely go reported, making actual figures likely much higher. A man who eats live bugs every day has admitted he 'gets a kick' out of how they tickle his throat as he chews them. Carlos is addicted to eating critters and has been alienated because of his unusual habit. Now for the first time, he is opening up about why he can't get enough of them despite being warned by a doctor of the health risks. Speaking in an exclusive preview clip of My Strange Addiction, Carlos revealed that mealworms are one of his favorite insects to eat because they taste like butter popcorn. 'They're just wonderful,' he gushed. 'I mean, they look like noodles. They don't really put up as much of a fight as some other bugs.' Carlos added that some of the other bugs that he enjoys bite him, but he brushes off their reaction as 'part of the fun.' In an attempt to explain the appeal of insects, he said that he likes how they feel when he's consuming them. 'I do kind of get a bit of a kick out of that little swarming sensation in my mouth,' he said. 'I love how it just tickles my throat. Carlos is addicted to eating live bugs and likes how they feel when they move in his mouth Mealworms are a particular favorite for Carlos because they taste like butter popcorn 'There's an earthiness, it's some notes of buttery, velvety, like some kinds of French cheeses, I would assume. It's certainly an acquired taste.' For Carlos, the most rewarding part is when the bugs 'squiggle around' in his mouth. 'You don't get that from any other kind of food, I guarantee. Maybe octopus if you're lucky.' Carlos does eat other foods, but explained to My Strange Addiction producers that he prefers bugs despite the health risks. 'You are contaminating your body with active parasitic infections,' a doctor warned him in the trailer for the seventh season of the show. But Carlos defiantly declared that he doesn't care about the dangers. And he isn't alone. It's estimated that over two billion people also eat insects daily and many people have done so for hundreds of years. Carlos has defiantly shrugged off that health risks that come with eating live bugs every day My Strange Addiction returned to TLC with its seventh season just last week and showcases a whole range of addictions. Kathryn, from Virginia, abandoned chewing her food after a college dare and instead blends and inhales breakfast, lunch and dinner through her nose. Elsewhere, Wendy, from Florida, reveals her lifelong habit of eating two pounds of raw meat a day. My Strange Addiction airs Wednesdays at 9PM ET/PT. Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser has been roasted online for awkwardly pronouncing Priyanka Chopra Jonas' name wrong live on air. The comedian, 41, is hosting the star-studded ceremony, which is taking place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, California, for the second year in a row. But things turned uncomfortable when she introduced Chopra as a presenter... and completely butchered her name. Instead of calling her Priyanka Chopra Jonas, she said 'Priyanka Chopra Jones', and fans were quick to mock her over the mistake online. 'Did she really say Priyanka Chopra JONES instead of JONAS?' one X user asked. 'Who is "Priyanka Chopra Jones?"' asked another. Chopra walked the red carpet with her husband, Nick Jonas, and the two could hardly keep their hands off one another. Golden Globes host Nikki Glasser has been roasted online for awkwardly pronouncing Priyanka Chopra Jonas' name wrong live on air Instead of calling her Priyanka Chopra Jonas, she said Priyanka Chopra Jones, and fans were quick to mock her over the mistake online Chopra, 43, cut a glamorous figure in a full-length midnight blue frock that brought back memories of Old Hollywood, with its two-tiered skirt and lame top. The off-the-shoulder number offered up a glimpse of cleavage, and was accessorized with a dazzling diamond necklace. Her luscious hair fell free in waves, and she brought out her luminous complexion with light makeup, proving how little she has aged since her rise to fame as a beauty queen turned Bollywood superstar. She clung amorously to her besuited husband, 33, who once won a Golden Globe for a song called Home that he wrote for the animated movie Ferdinand. The show opened with a explosive monologue from Glaser, during which she took aim at president Donald Trump's Justice Department, claiming they deserved an award for 'best editing' in the wake of the release of the heavily-redacted Epstein files. 'I cannot believe the amount of star power we have in this room tonight. It is insane,' she said. 'So many A-listers - and by A-listers, I mean people who are on "a list" that has been heavily redacted,' Glaser continued, eliciting loud cheers and even some groans from the celebrity audience. She went on to jokingly award the 'Golden Globe for Best Editing' to Trump's Justice Department, who have released just one percent of the files since Trump signed off on their release in November 2025. Chopra walked the red carpet with her husband, Nick Jonas, and the two could hardly keep their hands off one another The comedian, 41, is hosting the star-studded ceremony, which is taking place at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, for the second year in a row She then moved her sights to Leonardo DiCaprio, making a 'cheap' joke about the actor's affinity for younger women. 'I mean, countless iconic performances. Youve worked with every great director. Youve won three Golden Globes and an Oscar,' she said. 'And the most impressive thing is that you were able to accomplish all of that before your girlfriend turned 30. 'Im sorry I made that joke, its cheap. I tried not to but we dont know anything else about you man, theres nothing else. I mean, open up! I searched. 'The most in-depth interview youve ever given was in Teen Beat magazine in 1991. Is your favorite food still pasta, pasta, and more pasta?' Popular influencer Isabel Veloso has died aged 19 after writing a heartbreaking letter to her baby son. Veloso, who has been battling Hodgkin lymphoma for four years, detailed her health journey on Instagram and quickly amassed a fan base of more than four million followers. The social media star was hospitalized for 24 days before passing away in Curitiba, Brazil, on Saturday. Veloso wrote a letter for her one-year-old son Arthur in October 2025 when she was about to undergo a bone marrow transplant. Following her untimely passing, the letter has gone viral online. She told her infant son: 'Hi, my love, Mummy isn't with you right now, and I know you feel it. 'I know you miss my lap, and that scent you're searching for in the air that isn't there. 'But I want to tell you something, I haven't gone away... I'm here, inside everything. Popular influencer Isabel Veloso has died aged 19 after writing a heartbreaking letter to her baby son 'In your pillow, in your favorite toy, in the sounds the house makes when you wake up. 'And most importantly I'm inside the reason that made me get up once again: you, my love. 'Mummy is in a place that takes care of her body so I can get strong again. 'To carry you, to run in the park with you, to see you grow, smile, sleep peacefully. 'And I will come back. It will take a little while, but I will come back. 'With the same heart, with the same scent, with the same love, with a hug that will mend everything. 'If someone is reading this to you, know this: Mum is listening too, wherever she is. 'And what she wants most is to tell you: You are never alone.' Veloso, who has been battling Hodgkin lymphoma for four years, detailed her health journey on Instagram and quickly amassed a fan base of more than four million followers The social media star was hospitalized for 24 days before passing away in Curitiba, Brazil, on Saturday In January of 2024, Veloso was told that her condition was terminal and that she only had months to live Arthur is being cared for by his father Lucas Borbas, 27, who had also been vocal throughout Veloso's treatment The couple announced that they were expecting a baby in August 2024, sharing the news to social media The teen influencer underwent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant before being given the all clear in November 2023 Veloso's husband shared a post in November for their anniversary where he spoke of her strength Veloso will be laid to rest in Dois Vizinhos in Parana where she grew up and was raised by her family She added: 'I love you more than any distance can measure. I promise I'll be back soon' Arthur is being cared for by his father Lucas Borbas, 27, who had also been vocal throughout Veloso's treatment. Back in November, he wrote: 'We've shared 823 days together. It's not just our time together, it's everything we've overcome side by side. 'From the smiles after the struggles, to the love that we didn't let go even during the transplant, to the faith that sustained our story when our strength failed. 'Today is our dating anniversary, but it's also proof that God united two hearts that never gave up on each other. 'I would choose you in every one of those 823 days and I would choose you again. 'Happy anniversary, my love.' The teen influencer underwent chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant before being given the all clear in November 2023. Tragically, her cancer returned even more aggressively just three months later due to a 6.6-inch tumor between her lungs that also impacted her heart. In January of 2024, Veloso was told that her condition was terminal and that she only had months to live. The couple announced that they were expecting a baby in August 2024, sharing the news to social media. Veloso shared a picture of herself and her husband in a field with a fake newspaper in the foreground, reading 'Breaking News,' with 'Baby's Coming' as the headline alongside a picture of the ultrasound. She also quoted Psalm 139:16 from The Bible in the caption, writing: 'Your eyes saw my unformed body. 'All the days ordained for me were written in your book. Before one of them came to be.' She added: 'Love you.' Veloso will be laid to rest in Dois Vizinhos in Parana where she grew up and was raised by her family. A woman who forked over thousands of dollars on a nose job has shared a brutally honest look into the recovery period and detailed the harsh realities of having to accept her 'new face.' Inna Victoria, 29, from Bulgaria, has been self conscious about her nose ever since she was a child. 'Everyone starting from my mother and step father to my friends and classmates were telling me how huge my nose was and made fun of me,' she explained during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail. While she 'always wanted to get a rhinoplasty,' she knew it would be extremely pricey so she learned to accept her nose. However, after developing a deviated septum she began struggling with difficulty breathing, constant headaches and reoccurring sinus infections, so her doctor recommended she get it surgically fixed. 'Since I was going to get surgery on my nose [anyway], I decided to make my old dream come true and get a septorhinoplasty,' she shared. A septorhinoplasty is a combined surgical procedure that involves correcting both the internal structure and external appearance of the nose. In November, Victoria went under the knife, spending roughly $3,000 on the procedure. Inna Victoria, 29, from Bulgaria, is seen before (left) and after (right) she got a nose job She underwent a septorhinoplasty in November, spending roughly $3,000 on the procedure, and said the recovery period was gruesome and painful But she never expected how 'severe' the aftermath would be, both physically and mentally. The recovery period was gruesome and painful. 'I couldn't breathe with my nose at all. I had to sleep with my mouth open,' Victoria recalled. 'And the first three days blood was coming out all the time so I also had to sleep with my head lifted up. Everything was hurting from my shoulders up, even my neck was in pain.' But worse than the physical pain was the impact it had on her mental health, as she struggled to come to terms with 'seeing a totally different person in the mirror.' 'I didn't know what to think but it felt like a stranger looking at me from the mirror,' she said. 'I was swollen, uneven, there was bruising - that's fine, I knew my nose would be changing. But the shock of such a dramatic face change was surprising for me.' She began to feel regret as she asked herself, 'Why did I have to change my whole face? Why, to gain confidence, did I have to become a totally different person and go through post op hell?' Join the debate Have YOU ever regretted a cosmetic procedure? But worse than the physical pain was the impact it had on her mental health, as she grappled to come to terms with 'seeing a totally different person in the mirror' Now that she's recovered, Victoria said she is happier with the results and doesn't regret going under the knife, however, she does not recommend it to others. She's seen after the surgery Victoria documented the first moment she took off her bandages and saw her new nose, which she shared to her Instagram, where it went viral. The footage showed her removing the cast from her face and looking at herself in the camera as she opened her mouth wide in disbelief. As she examined the results, a clearly distraught Victoria shook her head in disapproval before she covered her face with her hand. 'Taking the cast off at home, not knowing I was about to face major disappointment,' she wrote in a text overlay. Victoria explained to the Daily Mail that she decided to post the fiercely honest look into her disappointment because she felt like 'no one shows the real, physical struggle and emotional confusion you have during the process.' Now that she's fully recovered, Victoria said she is happier with the results and doesn't regret going under the knife, however, she does not recommend it to others. 'I feel like women have so many expectations from society. We have beauty standards that aren't reachable,' she reflected. Victoria said she has been self conscious about her nose ever since she was a child. She's seen before the nose job 'People still make fun of me in the comments [of my videos about] my new nose, so you can never reach the point of being perfect. 'Plastic surgery for beauty in my opinion is very destructive. I do not recommend going through this struggle to anyone else.' 'Unless you have medical reasons or reasons that will improve your quality of life, don't do it,' she urged. 'The post op is very painful and difficult, it's not worth it to change yourself so someone else will be happy with your face. 'It's important to first work with self acceptance and understand that your value isn't in your nose, eyes, hair, etc. 'You are important and valuable as you are. Your value doesn't change from someone else's perception of beauty.' A candid photo taken on holiday in St Lucia in 2024 cemented the idea in my head: my double chin simply had to go. It wasn't that I was overweight. Over the preceding year I'd lost 2st 10lb and now weighed a perfectly slim 11st. My body confidence was high except for that stubborn wobble beneath my chin. In fact, for as long as I can remember, I'd had a little pocket of fat there. Now, seeing that pic, and the way it ruined my newly slender image, I was determined to deal with it once and for all. I was a 31-year-old beauty editor and I would have a razor-sharp jawline. Over the course of six months, I threw myself into experimental mode. I tried fat-dissolving injections and skin-tightening lasers, but they either failed to work at all or gave me barely noticeable results that disappeared within months. And then I came across AirSculpt a treatment that permanently removes fat without general anaesthesia, scalpels or stitches. Created by Beverly Hills-based cosmetic surgeon Dr Aaron Rollins, AirSculpt is similar to liposuction but more sophisticated. 'Lipo is done using a large, sharp, cheese-grater-on-a-stick-style instrument,' Dr Rollins explains. 'It scrapes out the fat and in the process, flesh like muscle and skin tissue can be injured. It's brutal, invasive and doesn't always provide the results or the skin-tightening effect.' To rid herself of her double chin, Emma North tried a treatment that permanently removes fat without general anaesthesia, scalpels or stitches Emma's holiday snap that changed everything ... and how she looked before and after the treatment By contrast, he says, 'with AirSculpt, fat is removed robotically, in a keyhole-type procedure, through a 2mm hole the size of an average freckle. We're plucking one fat cell at a time, without affecting other areas.' The claim is that AirSculpt tightens skin, too. 'Fat is removed but energy-based radio frequency is also applied to help loose tissues contract,' he explains. The downsides? It's not cheap the treatment starts at 8,000 and like all aesthetic procedures it's not totally risk-free, with embolisms (blood clots), infection and nerve damage a tiny possibility. But after a thorough consultation, I booked myself into the Elite Body Sculpture clinic on London's Harley Street with Dr Omar Tillo. After assessing my chin area and asking about my preferences regarding how I wanted my neck to look, Dr Tillo marked me up accordingly. A few minutes later, I was taken to the operating room where, using an AirPen (essentially a pressurised delivery system for anaesthetic that eliminates the need for typical needle injections) lidocaine was spread across my neck and I was numbed from ear to ear. Then, the procedure began. First, Dr Tillo created three entry points using a skin punch a 2mm-wide hole punch-style instrument one under my chin and one on either side of my neck. A cannula, or probe, was then slipped under the skin at each entry point. Vibrating gently but fast, this thin hollow rod broke up the fat through friction and also tightened the skin by stimulating collagen. Awake during all of this, I was able to watch as the fat was 'plucked out' into a clear tube above me. Gruesome, but satisfying. In fact a surprisingly small amount of fluid, around 2-3oz, came out in the end. Done and dusted in just 30 minutes, I was fitted with a compression hood that fitted snugly across my neck and chin, fastening at the top of my head, to reduce swelling or bruising. Around four hours later, now back at home, the anaesthetic wore off, and my neck began to ache and my chin to sting. But paracetamol and ibuprofen kept the discomfort at bay. The most disconcerting moment came when I woke the next morning to find my pillow streaked with blood. It sounds horrifying but apparently it was all to be expected. With AirSculpt, there are no stitches; the hole punch sites are deliberately left open to allow the numbing fluid to escape. This not only helps reduce swelling, but also speeds up recovery. As a result some blood can ooze from these points through the post-procedure gauze. Within two days, however, my incision sites had healed and my neck was almost back to normal, aside from some swelling and a few yellowish bruises across my chin and neck. Recovery was far easier than I expected. I kept my compression garment on and, after 48 hours, the need for painkillers was gone. The results are not instant. It takes around six weeks to see the difference, and, for me, it took two months. But now? It's been two years, and I can honestly say I have the jawline I've always dreamt of. My jawbone looks chiselled, defined and sharp. When nodding my head forward, the pocket of fat that bulged outwards simply isn't there. I actually enjoy having my photo taken without worrying about how my chin appears. Sadly, what I had done is now only available in the US, as Elite Body Sculpture closed its UK clinic in the autumn last year to focus on its US offices. However, if you're looking for a similar treatment, FaceTite is an effective alternative. Like AirSculpt, FaceTite is performed under local anaesthetic and combines precise liposuction with energy-based skin tightening. 'FaceTite requires no incisions or lengthy recovery,' says Dr Natasha Berridge, consultant maxillofacial plastic surgeon and provider of FaceTite at various clinics in London, including The Door W4 in Chiswick. 'A small cannula is inserted beneath the skin, delivering radio frequency energy to stimulate collagen production and remove excess fat. You get measurable contour improvement plus improved skin tightness and skin quality.' Prices for FaceTite start from 7,000. Again, it's expensive, but also permanent. And as far as I'm concerned, it's money well spent. My procedure didn't just sharpen my jawline it honed my wobbly self-confidence too. For more information, visit thedoorw4.co.uk If the past few years were about perfecting hair, 2026 is about softening it. Think shine without stiffness, colour without contrast and styles that look effortless but are anything but accidental. From warm, expensive blondes to fluffy bobs and lived-in waves, the biggest hair trends for 2026 lean into health, texture and quiet confidence. We asked some of the industrys most in-demand stylists to share what their clients are already requesting and whats about to be everywhere. Spoiler: glossy finishes, subtle colour shifts and personality-packed details are leading the way. 1. Warm blonde Julia Roberts at the 2026 Golden Globes Blondes are officially warming up. In 2026, blondes are going warm think strawberry blondes and buttery, yellow-toned blondes rather than icy or over-processed shades, says celebrity hair stylist James Lear. The focus is firmly on hair looking expensive, healthy and natural again. Styling follows suit. Expect movement without mess and polish without stiffness. Well sit halfway between a bouncy blow-dry and beach waves, Lear explains. Hair that looks effortless but intentional. 2. Mirror bob Jessie Buckley at the 2026 Golden Globes The healthy-hair movement isnt going anywhere and in 2026, shine reaches new heights. Enter the hypergloss bob. The liquid-glass effect is evolving thanks to new high-shine technology and smoothing innovations, predicts two-time London Hairdresser of the Year winner Jordanna Cobella. This ultra-sleek, one-length bob delivers a mirror-like finish inspired by the glass-skin trend. Its universally flattering and endlessly versatile worn with a middle part, slicked back or with a deep side part. The cut stays minimal and ultra-smooth, making it ideal for straight, fine or thin hair. Much of the buzz comes from next-gen smoothing treatments such as Wellas Glass Liquid Layer, which create a glossy, frizz-resistant barrier that lasts for days and delivers true glass-like reflection when blow-dried in. 3. Full-front statement Pamela Anderson at the 2026 Golden Globes Fringes are getting bigger, bolder and deeper. Fuller, deeper, voluminous fringes are starting to have their moment now and are expected to be big going into 2026, says hair stylist and influencer Chloe Swift. The key is commitment. Ask your stylist to cut your fringe deep so it lies heavy on your forehead, she advises. This works beautifully if you have lots of hair and is particularly flattering on larger foreheads. Paired with long lengths, it feels dramatic but still wearable. Smaller faces may want to tweak the proportions to keep things balanced. 4. Colour melting Jennifer Garner at the 2026 Golden Globes Dip-dye isnt quite back and balayage is taking a breather, but something softer is quietly rising. Colour melting is creeping in for 2026, offering subtle dimension without obvious contrast. Think one or two shades lighter, blended seamlessly from mid-lengths to ends, explains Swift. Its understated but impactful and surprisingly perfect for winter. When skin loses the glow of sunnier months, adding gentle brightness through the hair can lift the whole look without feeling summery or out of season. 5. Soft luxe brown Hailee Steinfeld at the 2026 Golden Globes Quiet luxury meets brunette. Celebrity hair stylist Samantha Cusick describes cloud cover brunette as a muted, expensive brunette with no harsh lines, no chunky contrast and no drama. Instead, its a soft wash of brown that looks effortless and modern. It suits pretty much everyone, she says. The key is a natural shadow root melted into blended freehand neutrals for a seamless, barely-there finish that feels incredibly current. 6. Fluffy collarbones Rose Byrne at the 2026 Golden Globes The bob continues its evolution and in 2026, its growing out. The cloud midi bob hits somewhere between the collarbone and shoulder and suddenly feels softer, bouncier and more feminine. This is the natural evolution of the 2025 bob, Cusick explains. Think soft curves, movement and that 90s blow-dry energy. Internal layers keep the shape light while styling focuses on volume and airiness rather than structure. 7. Undone waves Justine Lupe at the 2026 Golden Globes Overdone waves are officially out. The undone icon wave is the anti-polished wave, inspired by the shift towards skin-first beauty and the growing appetite for realism. Its about enhancing what you already have rather than forcing a shape, says Cusick. Soft layering allows the wave pattern to fall naturally while styling keeps everything loose, touchable and modern. The result looks accidental but absolutely isnt. 8. Shaggy chic Liza Koshy at the 2026 Golden Globes Texture takes centre stage in 2026. Were seeing a lot of textured bobs with fringes and short pixie cuts, notes celebrity hair stylist Lorraine Dublin, but worn in a really effortless way. The emphasis is on movement and imperfection. Less done, more lived-in. That relaxed, bed-head finish often described as shaggy chic feels fresh, cool and very now. 9. Copper glow Ayo Edebiri at the 2026 Golden Globes Warmth is making a comeback and copper is leading the charge. Towards the end of the year I really started to notice vibrant copper coming through again, Dublin says. People want warmth, personality and colour again. It feels like a move back towards being seen. Bold but wearable, copper in 2026 is rich, glowing and full of confidence perfect for anyone ready to step out of the neutral comfort zone. Imitation is the highest form of flattery - but the first lady of Florida has been mocked for 'unsuccessfully' attempting to emulate Jackie Kennedy. Casey DeSantis, the wife of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has recently been spotted in her finest formal attire at several high-profile events. Her repeated wearing of ball gowns and opera-length gloves has left many fans assuming that the Floridian has been channeling Kennedy, a sophisticated and enduring fashion icon. But critics have taken to social media to share their distaste for DeSantis' choice of outfits - many claiming the 45-year-old is trying to dress like the former first lady but falling short. 'Casey DeSantis wants to be the next Jackie O, but she's just Jackie No,' one scathed, alongside pictures of DeSantis in long gloves. 'Casey DeSantis favors capes, formal dresses, long white gloves. In her mind, she's resurrecting First Lady, Jackie O. Who wears formal wear when everyone's sitting on bleachers in casual clothes? She's the ambitious one in that marriage,' another shared. Someone else added: 'Casey DeSantis is a Jackie Kennedy wannabe. She is obviously tried to capture an era of relevance. Epic fail!' But it seems that DeSantis has been making a major fashion faux pas with her choice of accessory. Casey DeSantis, the wife of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, has recently been spotted in her finest formal attire to several high-profile events 'I must bring up the phenomenon of Casey DeSantis wearing opera gloves that are the wrong length and fabric for each of these respective occasions and dresses,' one fashion lover claimed. She slammed the DeSantis for 'two glove-wearing sins' while trying to dress in a way that reflects 'traditional America.' 'One, gloves worn in the daytime should not extend past the wrist,' the content creator argued. 'Two, you're not supposed to wear black gloves with light colors,' she pointed out. There have been several events in which DeSantis has worn heavier gloves with a day-appropriate dress. At the end of March 2025, DeSantis attended the Florida Heroes Reception in a rose-pink dress paired with black, elbow-length gloves, which drew widespread criticism online. 'The capes and gloves look absurd,' one user slammed. 'Feels more like a costume, make-believe.' She also committed a faux pas at the State of the State address, where she wore the same rose-pink dress but paired it with white satin elbow-length gloves, while everyone else was dressed in casual or business-casual attire. Join the debate Is Casey DeSantis' fashion sense bold tradition or out-of-touch cosplay for a public figure? Critics have taken to social media to share their distaste for DeSantis's (left) choice of outfits - many claiming the 45-year-old is trying to dress like Jackie Kennedy but falling short Hayes used a 2023 image of DeSantis at her husband's inauguration ceremony as an example of gloves being worn correctly The Daily Mail has since spoken to fashion experts to weigh in on where DeSantis is going wrong. According to Jo Hayes, a style consultant and founder of EtiquetteExpert.org, there are specific times when gloves are appropriate. 'Gloves are elegant, timeless and distinctly feminine, they instantly lift an outfit and deliver a major style statement when worn correctly,' Hayes told the Daily Mail. The style expert continued, explaining that while DeSantis has 'hit the mark' with some of her glove-wearing, there are other occasions that have garnered a raised eyebrow - for the wrong reasons. 'An opera-length glove (above the elbow) is perfect for a gala event,' she explained. 'Think Marilyn Monroe, or, again, Jackie-O at many of her husband's gala presidential events.' However, Hayes said that wearing the wrong length, color, or fabric of a glove can look jarring. 'There are some basic style rules for glove-wearing,' she said. The shorter the sleeve, the longer the glove, says one fashion expert According to Hayes, the shorter the sleeve, the longer the glove. 'For example, a strapless, sleeveless or very short sleeve gown should be worn with an opera length (above the elbow),' she explained. 'Similarly, the longer the sleeve, the shorter the glove,' the expert added. As for color, Hayes said the color should either match or be color-coordinated with one's dress. 'Or a classic white or beige,' she said. 'A color that harmonizes with the dress. 'Avoid any color clashes that feel jarring to the eye,' she continued. 'As for fabric: cotton, or match the fabric with the dress.' On Monday's installment of Morning Joe, host Joe Scarborough went on a tirade against 'fat' ICE agents and slammed the agency for rushing training. Scarborough called it 'ironic' that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth rallied against overweight military personnel just a few months ago, because photos of physically unfit ICE agents have been circulating online. 'It's so crazy after you have the Secretary of Defense - and yes, that's what it's called, Secretary of Defense - talking about quote, "fat" officers and "fat" members of the military,' Scarborough said. 'How ironic that we see all these fat, out of shape people that they push through... Instead of five months, they have these shortened training sessions, so they go out there and they're ill-equipped.' The Morning Joe host's comments came in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, who was shot in the head by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis while she attempted to flee in her car surrounded by officers with their guns drawn. Scarborough went on to say that ICE agents are not trained to engage with urban communities, unlike local police such as the NYPD or LAPD. He attributed that lack of training to 'tragedy unfolding on the streets,' adding that 'we all predicted this was going to happen.' 'We all said, these guys are untrained!' Scarborough said. 'They're out of shape. They don't know the basics of law enforcement.' On Monday's installment of Morning Joe, host Joe Scarborough went on a tirade against 'fat' ICE agents and slammed the agency for rushing training Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is pictured here railing against overweight military personnel in late September Scarborough called Hegseth's comments on overweight military personnel 'ironic' because of the prevalence of overweight ICE agents He then said Trump's approval rating when it comes to immigration is 'plummeting,' due to the actions of ICE and the manner in which Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has been leading the agency. According to the RealClearPolitics Poll Average on immigration, which took the average of more than one hundred polls on the issue, 50.5 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of immigration, while 46.3 percent approve. The numbers are much worse when looking at ICE specifically. In a YouGov poll that surveyed almost 2,700 American adults on January 7, the same day Good was fatally shot, 52 percent of respondents said they strongly or somewhat disapproved of ICE. Just 39 percent said they strongly or somewhat approved of the agency. The remaining ten percent said they were unsure. That represents a major drop in ICE's approval, which was thirty points higher in February 2025, during the beginning of Trump's second term, according to YouGov. After Scarborough's comments on ICE's approval, Franklin Foer, a staff writer for the Atlantic who was a guest on the show, called ICE agents 'paramilitary squads being parachuted into cities where they're not welcome.' He added that the agents have been able to 'operate with this alternative set of rules,' by covering their faces and using unmarked cars. Foer conceded that the agents rightfully feel 'besieged,' because the communities in which they operate largely do not want them there. A protestor confronts a Homeland Security officer during a protest Scarborough's comments came in the wake of the killing of Renee Good, who was shot three times in the face by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis Scarborough blamed the way Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has been handling ICE for the agency's plummeting approval rating 'It is something that I think you can only say has been designed to induce the sort of confrontations that we're seeing right now in Minneapolis,' he said. Scarborough and his co-host, Mika Brzezinski, then began blaming Noem for moving ICE agents away from the border and into American cities, despite being untrained for those environments. 'They're breaking protocol right and left,' Brzezinski said. She described the videos of the Good shooting, saying Ross, the ICE agent who killed her, should not have walked in front of the car or shot at the car, according to the agency's protocol. Brzezinski particularly blasted Ross for 'fumbling with his phone and a weapon' before shooting Good. 'It's nuts,' she said. Department of Homeland Security Policy states that officers 'may use deadly force only when the LEO [law enforcement officer] has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the LEO or to another person.' Morning Joe co-host Mika Brzezinski said the ICE agent who shot Good broke Department of Homeland Security protocol multiple times during the encounter Scarborough and Brzezinski, slammed the ICE agent who killed Good for 'fumbling with his phone and weapon' during the encounter. This image is from the video the agent took with his phone In regard to fleeing suspects, the policy states: 'Deadly force shall not be used solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing subject. 'However, deadly force is authorized to prevent the escape of the fleeing subject where the LEO has a reasonable belief that the subject poses a significant threat of death or serious physical harm to the LEO or others and such force is necessary to prevent escape.' According to those guidelines, it is indeed possible to argue that Ross broke protocol. If he did, however, it was not due to rushed training, as he has been an ICE agent since 2015 and was not part of the agency's hiring surge in August. Demand for cruises is booming as holidaymakers take to the high seas in record numbers. Interest is so strong that cruise operators are investing in both shorter and longer voyages. Chris Hackney, the boss of Marella Cruises, which is owned by Tui, said it could smash records set last year. Popular: Demand for cruises is booming as holidaymakers take to the high seas in record numbers He pointed to 'an earlier, stronger market for bookings', with Mediterranean trips in the summer and Caribbean voyages in the winter doing especially well. The Association of British Travel Agents said 'demand for cruising remains strong and continues to grow'. Its research shows 15 per cent of people plan to take a cruise in the next 12 months. One in five business owners plans to hand their company over to their children within five years to avoid Labour's inheritance tax raid on family firms. Research by accountancy group Moore UK found 19 per cent of entrepreneurs are looking to pass on their firms before they die to reduce their tax bill. But Moore UK boss Mark Lance warned this could 'backfire' if businesses are passed on to children who are not yet ready to run them. Money grab: Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to hit family firms and farms with a 20 per cent inheritance tax charge for the first time from April Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to hit family firms and farms with a 20 per cent inheritance tax charge for the first time from April. Are we on the brink of a post-literate world one in which we read less, write less and, ultimately, think less? This is the most important question facing those of us who live in Western democratic economies. Are we sleepwalking into a future in which our brains are less sharp and less original because we outsource our opinions to social media and AI? One in which tribalism and simplistic thinking crowd out complexity and empathy? And if this is the direction of travel, is it already too late to reverse? The richness, in all senses, of our future depends on the answer. The question arose at a high-powered panel last week discussing the FGS Global Radar report, which surveys international business and political leaders alongside public opinion. Its findings are bleak. Pessimism has reached crisis point. Disenchantment in the UK with the StarmerReeves Government is mirrored elsewhere: more than two-thirds of people in 27 countries believe life will be harder for their children and grandchildren, that their country is divided and that democracy itself is weakened. The biggest concern everywhere is the cost of living. All things to all robots: Are we sleepwalking into a future in which our brains are less sharp and less original because we outsource our opinions to social media and AI? A higher percentage of people 34 per cent trust ChatGPT as a source of information than they do politicians on 22 per cent. For business leaders, this creates a formidable new set of problems. Most obviously, a deeply negative public mood translates into hostility towards business itself. The attempt to win over the public through ESG environmental, social and governance credentials has largely run out of road and President Trump has made his distaste abundantly clear. Yet Trump has not reverted to a conventional shareholder value model of capitalism. Instead, he has signalled that he expects business leaders to serve as instruments of his political agenda in what he defines as the US national interest, which naturally is synonymous with his own. Companies operate in a world in which long-standing certainties are being dismantled, division is deepening and there is a growing hunger for simple answers. In the UK, more than 40 per cent of people believe there are clear and easy solutions to our problems, if only we had better leaders. That belief will continue to propel charismatic populists. In the long run, it is likely to make matters considerably worse. Established routes by which businesses and politicians reach the public are less clear. Mainstream media is still influential, but there are now myriad competing voices. In response to 'post-literacy', bosses are urged to become 'storytellers' and to captivate shareholders and customers. British boardrooms are unlikely to be full of executives who naturally summon up their inner Scheherazade. Perhaps it is naive, but my hope is that, so long as we have literature and the creative arts fields in which this country excels a distorted AI-driven dystopia is not inevitable. Books, music, paintings and films speak to our common humanity and allow us to escape the narrow confines of our own perspectives. To read a great novel is to travel across time and space and spend some time living in someone else's mind. So business leaders should read a really good book. Visit the theatre. Spend an hour or two in a gallery. Go to an opera or a concert. None of these things can be replaced by AI. In an age of division, fear and mistrust, the arts can still be a unifying force. China, South Africa call for closer South-South cooperation Xinhua) 13:11, January 12, 2026 MASERU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation on Saturday with his South African counterpart, Ronald Lamola, calling for both countries to uphold multilateralism and strengthen South-South cooperation. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, congratulated South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) on the 114th anniversary of its founding, expressing confidence that through the concerted efforts of the ANC, South Africa will unite to address external disruptions and achieve national development and revitalization. China stands ready to maintain high-level exchanges with South Africa, expand inter-party interactions, strengthen strategic mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation, he said, noting that China will facilitate the implementation in South Africa of its zero-tariff measures for Africa and support South Africa's economic development, so as to deliver benefits to the South African people. He called on both sides to ensure the success of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and further consolidate the public support underpinning China-South Africa and China-Africa friendship. Wang noted that South Africa successfully hosted the Group of Twenty (G20) Leaders' Summit last year despite external pressure, and the Chinese side congratulates South Africa on this achievement. In a world marked by turbulence and uncertainty, China firmly supports South Africa in playing a greater role in international affairs, and stands ready to work with South Africa and other Global South countries to uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, oppose the law of the jungle and hegemonism, and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, Wang said. For his part, Lamola welcomed Wang's visit to Africa in the New Year and thanked China for its support for South Africa's hosting of the G20 Leaders' Summit and for its assistance in promoting the economic and social development of African countries, including South Africa. Reaffirming South Africa's adherence to the one-China principle, he said South Africa is willing to further strengthen political mutual trust with China, deepen practical cooperation, expand people-to-people exchanges, enhance multilateral coordination, and continue advancing the China-South Africa all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. South Africa is ready to work with China to jointly uphold multilateralism, safeguard the central role of the United Nations, and defend international fairness and justice, Lamola said. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) British Land boss Simon Carter will step down after five years to head up a warehouse developer backed by Singapore's sovereign wealth fund. The FTSE 100 real estate firm told investors that Carter, who spent 18 years at the company and five as its CEO, will become CEO of P3 Logistics Parks, a GIC-owned investor and developer of logistics properties in Europe. Carter has been chief executive of British Land since 2020 and led the company through its response to the pandemic. 'The contrarian calls we made post-pandemic have positioned British Land for long-term success,' he said. Moving on: Simon Carter led the real estate firm through the pandemic and will now join warehouse developer P3 'There is never a perfect time to move on, but I will be leaving the business with market-leading positions in London campuses and retail parks both of which are benefitting from strong rental growth in supply-constrained markets. 'I'm immensely proud to have played a part in British Land's story and wish the business nothing but success in the future.' The firm is one of Britain's largest property development and investment firms. It owns a 50 per cent stake in the Broadgate Estate office and shopping complex in London's Bishopsgate, and Regent's Place near Euston. Carter will work his 12-month notice period and British Land will now start the 'full process' to hire his successor. Shares in British Land dipped 2.28 per cent to 403.40p in early trading. The company reported a 9.2 per cent increase in rental income in its interim results in November, which it said was driven by like-for-like net rental growth of 4 per cent and acquisitions. Underlying profits rose by 8.4 per cent to 155million, driven by revenue growth but offset by higher finance costs due to more development investment. The boss of Heineken has stepped down from the Dutch brewing giant as it grapples with rising costs and waning demand for alcohol - particularly among the young. Dolf van den Brink said he will leave the company, which also brews Amstel and Birra Moretti, at the end of May after 28 years at the firm including almost six in charge. The brewer said he believed 'that this is the right time to hand over his responsibilities'. The departure comes as Heineken is hit by softer demand for beer and tougher global economic conditions. Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'The departure of Dolf van den Brink comes at a difficult time for the alcohol industry thanks to pressure on household finances and greater moderation in drinking, particularly among younger cohorts. 'Even within this context, Heineken has underperformed counterparts like AB InBev and Carlsberg in share price terms. 'In that sense Van den Brink's departure is not a shock.' Heineken's departing boss Dolf van den Brink with actor Robert De Niro In a profit warning in October, Heineken said sales volumes for 2025 were likely to be down on the previous year. Nevertheless, the group saw some brighter performances in the UK, amid strong demand for its Cruzcampo lager and Irish stout brand Murphy's. Van den Brink said: 'After six years as chief executive and more than 28 years at Heineken, I believe this is the right moment to transition leadership as the company prepares for the next phase of the EverGreen strategy. 'The past years have been marked by significant change as Heineken progressed through its transformation and has now reached a stage where a transition in leadership will best serve the company in further executing its long-term ambitions. 'Over the coming months, I remain fully focused on disciplined execution of our strategy and to ensure a smooth transition.' Peter Wennink, chairman of the group's supervisory board, said: 'The supervisory board is grateful to Dolf for his leadership and long-standing commitment to Heineken, including guiding the company through a demanding period of transformation, delivering on EverGreen 2025 strategy while navigating a challenging external environment.' Buyers looking to move home or get on the property ladder may want to consider opening a Club Lloyds current account. Lloyds bank has cut rates across its exclusive Club Lloyds mortgage rates with a number of best buy deals now on offer, including a two-year fix below 3.5 per cent. Those prepared to switch to a Lloyds bank account can also benefit from a bumper 250 current account switching bonus that runs until early February. New and existing customers who move from another bank to a new Club Lloyds account will receive the payment within 30 days of switching. However, they can apply for a Club Lloyds mortgage deal as soon as the account is up and running. The Club Lloyds mortgage products are available to home movers and first-time buyers. Tempting: Lloyds has kicked off the new year with a bumper 250 current account switching bonus that runs until early February The lowest rate is the 3.47 per cent two-year fix with a 999 fee attached, but that's only for those with at least a 40 per cent deposit. It means someone with a 200,000 mortgage with a 25 year repayment term could expect to pay 998 a month. For those buying with a 25 per cent deposit, Club Lloyds is offering a 3.52 per cent rate with a 999 fee. On a 200,000 mortgage with a 25-year repayment term that will work out as 1,004 a month. The next lowest deal is a 3.61 per cent two-year fix with Barclays with an 899 fee. Someone buying with a 15 per cent deposit, can secure a 3.65 per cent rate with Lloyds, with a 999 fee. This is better than the next best deal offered by Halifax, at 3.75 per cent, which also comes with a higher 1,099 fee. Perhaps even more noteworthy is that Lloyds is now offering a market leading two-year fix to borrowers with a 10 per cent deposit. Its 3.96 per cent rate beats HSBC's 4.02 per cent deal, albeit it does come with a slightly higher fee of 999 compared to 749. On a 200,000 mortgage being repaid over 25 years, that would work out at 1,051 a month. Aaron Strutt of mortgage broker Trinity Financial thinks the Club Lloyds mortgage deals are great value for money. However, he says people will have to apply directly with the bank to benefit, rather than using a broker. 'Any sub-3.5 per cent rate offers really good value for money at the moment and it is a good option,' says Strutt. 'The overwhelming majority of mortgages are submitted by brokers apart from when it is through a few lenders like Lloyds Bank, First Direct and the Yorkshire Building Society.' Strutt says the danger with having to go directly through the bank is that it tends to be a slower process. 'Some mortgage lenders work so quickly now that I suspect it is possible for some borrowers to get a mortgage offer out before Lloyds has booked the mortgage appointment and gone through the current account opening process,' he warns. He also thinks there could be even lower rates coming soon. 'There is not much difference between the Lloyds rates and the Santander, Halifax and Barclays deals,' says Strutt. 'Funding costs will have to drop a fair bit more as well as the Bank of England base rate before fixes get close to 3 per cent but anything is possible. 'I wouldnt rule out 3 per cent rates out especially if the UK economy continues to struggle and the government push the Bank of England to do more to kick start growth.' Slow: Mortgage brokers warn that having to go direct to Lloyds bank may be a slow process Should you open a Club Lloyds account to get access? If someone is on the verge of buying or currently going through the process, it could be worth considering. However, it would be wise to check that you'll be eligible before cancelling any other application. In order to qualify for the 250 switching reward, you'll need to use the official Current Account Switching service through the app or online. Club Lloyds has a 5 monthly fee, but this is refunded each month you pay in 2,000 or more. This account has no fees on debit card spend abroad and a choice of either a 12 months Disney+ subscription, cinema tickets, Coffee Club and Gourmet Society membership or an annual magazine subscription. It's worth pointing out that a 0.1 percentage point mortgage rate discount for Club Lloyds customers also applies to remortgage products, although these are not best buys. For example, rates start at 3.82 per cent on a two-year for someone remortgaging with at least 40 per cent equity in their home, or 4.02 per cent if fixing for five=years. In terms of how much someone can borrow, Lloyds offers a first time buyer boost that will allow them to borrow up to 5.5 times salary; it requires a minimum 10 deposit and 40,000 annual salary as a minimum. Nicholas Mendes of mortgage broker John Charcol urges potential switchers to think carefully before switching. 'I wouldnt advise buyers to open an account solely to chase the headline rate until theyve spoken with a Lloyds mortgage adviser to confirm they meet the criteria and that Lloyds can offer the level of borrowing theyre looking for. 'For truly vanilla cases, Im sure this product will be extremely attractive. However, borrowers with more complex income, circumstances or credit histories may find that Lloyds is unable to offer the loan size or terms that initially caught their attention. 'Its also important to stay in regular contact with a mortgage broker even if you choose to apply direct. 'While a 3.47 per cent and 3.52 per cent rate is clearly compelling today, theres no guarantee they will remain the best option throughout the application process. 'This is where a broker can really add value - monitoring the market and potentially saving many thousands over the life.' I'm writing to let you know, following your previous articles, that Universal Credit are continuing to incorrectly not recognise pension payment contributions when calculating net income for the purpose of UC awards. I recently started paying 200 per month by direct debit into a personal pension as well as my works pension, to bring my total pension contributions up to 15 per cent of my gross salary. Despite reporting this on my journal online they have repeatedly told me that I cannot have my net pay award adjusted to reflect the total pension payments that I am making. They have now ignored my request for a mandatory reconsideration of this decision so I will hopefully raise a tribunal claim in due course. Got a question? Email: pensionquestions@thisismoney.co.uk Steve Webb: Get in touch with your problem at pensionquestions@thisismoney.co.uk Steve Webb replies: This is an issue that we have been raising on This is Money for several years and it is deeply frustrating that DWP is still getting it wrong. You certainly should not have to go to a benefit tribunal to get it to apply the rules correctly. The background to the issue is that when income is measured for Universal Credit, the Government should deduct any money you pay into a pension. This is intended to help and encourage people who are on UC, perhaps only temporarily, to keep saving for retirement. For those who pay into a workplace pension, the process is straightforward, as the information is transmitted directly by your employer to the Department for Work and Pensions under a process known as real-time information. Your workplace pension contributions should be deducted without any further action on your part. For the self-employed, there is a standard process for reporting deductions such as pension contributions. In principle, this should pick up personal pension contributions in a reasonably systematic way. But the situation which their systems seem unable to cope with is where an employee chooses to make voluntary contributions into a personal pension separately to anything deducted via your pay packet. If you notify UC of your payments through your journal, and provide any necessary documentary evidence, they should in theory - increase your UC award to reflect the fact that you are paying into a pension. Unfortunately, we repeatedly hear of people being told that this cannot be done. I first wrote about this issue in a column in summer 2024 and we then heard from a number of readers who had all had the same experience. We contacted DWP, which dealt with the individual cases, and we hoped that the matter was then resolved. But we have continued to hear from time to time from more people who are still finding that frontline staff simply do not understand the rules, and your experiences are a particularly extreme case. I contacted DWP on your behalf and it has accepted that your pension contributions should have been deducted all along and has now revised your Universal Credit award. It has told you that you should receive an extra 110 per month as a result, though you tell me that you have not actually received this extra money yet. A DWP spokesman said: 'We have resolved this issue and informed your reader. 'We have improved guidance for staff to accurately assess Universal Credit entitlement to help prevent this issue happening again.' Whilst Im pleased that DWP has accepted the mistake and that extra training has been put in place, I cannot help wondering how many other people have been fobbed off and perhaps simply given up. If you think you're affected, scroll down to find out what to do. Are YOU missing out on UC? If you tick all of the following boxes then we would be interested to hear from you with full details, including what you were told when you raised this question with the DWP. - You are in receipt of Universal Credit - You are paying into a personal pension, separately to any workplace arrangement - You have notified DWP of the payments but have been told they are not deductible For those who are on UC and paying into a personal pension aside from their workplace pension, and have never claimed, now would be a good time to notify DWP of your contributions. You will need to provide documentary evidence of the payments, and can then ask for the contributions to be deducted from your income. Do let us know how you get on at pensionquestions@thisismoney.co.uk. A Bangladeshi man who claimed he was coming to Britain as a care worker ended up serving curry in an Indian restaurant. Ijaj Abid Redwan Hridoy, 26, arrived here in 2023 on a health care visa but Home Office immigration enforcement officers found him working at the Junoon Indian restaurant in the village of Helsby in Cheshire. He was living in a caravan nearby. Mr Hridoy had his visa revoked but later took the Home Office to court to judicially review the decision and lost. The case is a stark example of the abuse that has gripped the health and care worker visa scheme. MPs have repeatedly raised concerns that the visa was widely taken advantage of by foreign nationals who had no intention of gaining employment as care workers, and who simply wanted to gain permission to enter Britain. More than 760,000 foreign nationals, including dependants, have applied for health and care worker visas since the route was created in 2020. Since July, care workers can no longer be recruited from overseas following changes to the Home Office's rules. Ijaj Abid Redwan Hridoy, who also goes by the name Ijaj Ahmed, poses outside the Junoon Indian restaurant in Helsby, Cheshire, in December 2023 - less than four months after he was granted a care worker visa by the Home Office Ijaj Abid Redwan Hridoy posted this photograph of him arriving in the UK in September 2023, the month after he was granted permission to come to Britain on a health and care worker visa Ijaj Abid Redwan Hridoy visiting London's Tower Bridge in September 2023 The upper immigration and asylum tribunal ruling said Mr Hridoy had been 'sponsored by Almag Healthcare Limited to work as a health care worker' and entered Britain shortly after his visa was granted in August 2023. It went on: 'On July 13 2024, an immigration enforcement visit took place at Junoon Helsby Restaurant. 'The applicant was encountered working there. 'Both he and the restaurant manager were interviewed. 'The applicant was considered to be in breach of the conditions of his visa and was detained and served with a notice explaining that he was liable to be removed from the UK. 'His visa was cancelled. He was subsequently released.' It added that Mr Hridoy 'had admitted at the interview that he was working at Junoon Helsby as his main employment, since Almag did not give him regular work and he needed the money'. 'Further, the applicant had stated that he could not show payments into his online bank account or evidence of work rotas for Almag, and that the payslips he had produced showed BACS payments, whereas the applicant had stated that he was paid in cash. Ijaj Abid Redwan Hridoy also posted an image of himself visiting the London Eye in October 2023 In August last year Ijaj Abid Redwan Hridoy posted an image of himself at King's Cross station in London 'Further, the applicant had stated that he lived in London but worked in care in Nottingham, yet he was unable to provide proof of travel between the two cities and a search revealed that he lived in a caravan on site of Junoon Helsby and his passport was found in the caravan. 'The arresting officer was therefore satisfied that the applicant's main employment was at Junoon Helsby and not Almag, so that he was in breach of his visa conditions and his leave was lawfully cancelled.' In October 2024, Mr Hridoy's solicitors applied for judicial review of the decision on the grounds it was 'irrational because the evidence relied upon was inadequate to support the conclusion that the applicant had breached his visa conditions'. They also claimed the Home Office was 'wrong to suggest that the applicant was not allowed to undertake work other than as a care worker, since supplementary employment was permitted under the immigration rules'. However, Upper Tribunal Judge Susan Kebede ruled there was 'no material misdirection of law by the respondent', the Home Secretary, and 'no procedural unfairness or breach of duty in the respondent's decision-making process'. The judge added: 'There was nothing irrational, unreasonable or unlawful in the respondent's decision to cancel the applicant's permission to stay in the UK and to give notice of removal on the basis that she did and for the reasons given.' The ruling went on to say that there were 'clearly various credibility concerns about the applicant's overall account of his employment with Almag'. Mr Hridoy, who also uses the name Ijaj Ahmed, was granted a visa by the Home Office on August 9, 2023. He posted a photo on his Facebook account of himself arriving at a British airport just over a month later, on September 16, 2023, with the caption: 'Safely reached in the UK [sic].' Eleven weeks after that, on December 1 2023, he posted another photo of himself standing outside the Junoon restaurant. Staff at the restaurant refused to discuss their former colleague when they were visited by the Daily Mail this week. A few days before Mr Hridoy's tribunal hearing took place in August last year he posted a photo of himself at King's Cross station in London. It is not known whether he is still in the UK. A Daily Mail investigation in 2024 found rogue operators were exploiting loopholes in the care visa system. Scant checks in a bid to fill huge vacancies meant untrained and overworked staff, sometimes barely able to speak English, were left caring for the elderly in the understaffed sector. The 'cash for care jobs scandal' found some outfits charged overseas applicants 'work finder fees' of up to 20,000 to help them get a visa allowing them to come and stay here. Nadra Ahmed, chairman of the National Care Association, said at the time: 'We're seeing agencies sprouting up that are just bringing people in for the purpose of taking money off them.' Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'The health and social care visa was massively abused by immigrants who lied to get into this country. 'This shows how mass low-skilled immigration has to end. 'We should not have any immigration for jobs like social care when there are nine million working-age people in the UK who are economically inactive.' A Home Office spokesman said: 'We have ended overseas recruitment for social care, following significant concerns of abuse. 'An attempt to fill between 6,000 and 40,000 jobs in the sector led to the arrival of 616,000 individuals between 2022 and 2024. 'The Home Secretary has been clear she will do whatever it takes to secure Britain's borders. Those found to be working illegally will be arrested, detained, and removed. 'Anyone abusing our hospitality should be warned enforcement action is at the highest level in British history, with illegal working arrests up 63 per cent.' It's the hit TV drama that's won huge audiences for its high-octane portrayal of the world of London investment banking. Industry returned for its fourth series on January 12, reintroducing viewers to the wild misadventures of a group of ambitious young graduates working for fictional Canary Wharf firm Pierpoint & Co. Industry depicts investment banking as a whirlwind of sex, drugs, partying and 120-hour working weeks. Young recruits are also seen engaging in illegal practices, including insider trading and market manipulation, and suffering cases of sexual harassment and physical violence. While the drama is fictional, it is inspired by British co-creator Konrad Kay's three-year stint at a US investment bank and claims to depict the 'unrelenting world of high-finance'. American actress Myhala, who plays Harper Stern in the show, has promised plenty of 'drugs, sex [and] rock and roll' in season four. But is the drama really a faithful depiction of real-life investment banking? Industry returned for its fourth series on January 11, reintroducing viewers to the wild misadventures of a group of ambitious young graduates working for fictional Canary Wharf firm Pierpoint & Co The new season of Industry picks up after Harper has gone into business with Otto Mostyn for a venture placing short bets on shares based on insider information One senior banker at a City of London firm said the show's depiction of the party scene at investment banks has some basis in reality, even if it is greatly exaggerated. 'There is still a fair amount of drugs and sex at the junior level, although not so much on the rock and roll,' he said. 'Young people are getting more boring but they're still at it. 'And there still a few sex scandals here and there, but we're now in the Me Too world where senior people are a little bit more restrained. 'There haven't been many cases of senior people having affairs with junior members of staff that I know of recently, but that happened a lot previously.' The City banker also recognises Industry's presentation of the intense relationships that form among young trainees thrown together in a high-flying graduate scheme - and their potential to go sour. 'At that graduate level, you definitely get those close relationships forming as a result of the long hours and having so much in common,' he said. 'So those relationships - and the way everyone is going out late after work, drinking and coming in hungover - is real. 'The people you end up working with often become your closest friends, although it can also result in a lot of toxic office politics.' The new season of Industry picks up after Harper has gone into business with Otto Mostyn for a venture placing short bets on shares based on insider information. The Mail's source is adamant such a practice would be almost impossible to pull out in the highly regulated world of modern British banking. The London-based financial drama features its fair share of steamy scenes 'Insider trading is very, very rare,' he said. 'Things are very tightly regulated and people see the costs are so big that there's no point in risking it. 'Everything on your work phone is monitored and you're not allowed to discuss deals on your private phone. 'You'll be disciplined if you are ever caught doing so and could even end up being sacked. 'On the client side, things are pretty vanilla now too. 'Before you onboard anyone there are lots of committee meetings, due diligence and money laundering checks.' When it comes to poor behaviour among employees themselves, the banker admits this sometimes happens. But he insists the City has a far bigger problem to worry about - the current Labour government. 'Some people do end up being corrupted by the cash and the status, so that is partly true,' he said. 'But in reality the whole sector is dying a slow death from Rachel Reeves - she's doing a huge amount of harm to Britain's most successful industry.' Series four of Industry features a host of new faces, including Stranger Things star Charlie Heaton, Departure's Claire Forlani and Kal Penn from US thriller Designated Survivor. A second banking source, who works at a large firm in Canary Wharf, believes the main thing Industry gets wrong is its depiction of the type of people who staff investment banks. 'Investment bankers nowadays are more likely to be on the nerdy end of the spectrum as opposed to sh****g in toilets and doing drugs in the office,' she said. 'The in-office drug use and general personal abuse just doesnt happen in real life.' Banker Rishi Ramdani seen in series three with his wife Diana Needless to say, real world scandals do sometimes make the news. They include the case of investment banker Damilare Ajao, claimed the manager made a number of 'sexual advances' towards him and 'sexually harassing' comments while working at German finance giant Commerzbank. He was dismissed by the company in November 2019 and subsequently brought an employment tribunal claim against the bank, which included allegations of sexual harassment and sexual assault against the manager. One claim alleged the female colleague made a sexualised comment about a string vest that he was wearing being visible through his shirt, saying it was 'very thin and seemed to be of a material resembling fishnet tights'. The manager, who was identified in court as only 'Q', also 'flirtatiously' told him she could 'see his underwear' and tried to touch his Gucci belt buckle in the staff canteen, forcing him to slap her hand away, Mr Ajao claimed. But, Mr Ajao's case was thrown out in 2024 by judge Anthony Snelson, who found the sexual harassment and assault allegations 'were false and in large part made up', and amounted to 'pure invention'. The case has since reached the High Court, with Commerzbank launching a bid to have him jailed for contempt of court over his false allegations, meaning he could face a sentence of up to two years. In a separate scandal that emerged last year, former Merrill Lynch director Stanislav Stepchuk sued the bank after it sacked him over an affair he had with a junior colleague. Mr Stepchuk brought an employment tribunal sex and age discrimination after it dismissed him for reckless and inappropriate behaviour. He claims the bank decided it was safer to get rid of him, a man in his 30s, than a woman in her 20s. At an employment tribunal in London, Mr Stepchuk said the woman pursued him relentlessly at the bank, her first job after university, in 2022, and became increasingly 'unhinged' when he tried to end the relationship. The tribunal is yet to publish its ruling. A Bulgarian woman who took part in Britain's biggest ever benefits fraud has made a mockery of taxpayers by claiming Universal Credit after being released from jail - while moaning that the court case left her 'depressed'. Tsvetka Todorova was jailed for three years in May 2024 for her role in the conspiracy, which stole more than 54million from taxpayers. But the 54-year-old has returned to her London home and signed on to Universal Credit alongside her husband, who she says receives 1,300 a month. Speaking from a rented flat in Erith, Todorova vowed to fight efforts to deport her back to Bulgaria and boasted about her taxpayer-funded lifestyle. She told the Daily Mail: 'I do not want to leave Britain. My family is here. I love it here, it is good and has helped me. 'I've been back on benefits since December 30. It'll be about 200 a month. I don't have a right to work. My husband gets over 1,000 for Universal Credit - I think it's 1,300 - and he gets more as well.' After being informed by the Daily Mail, the Department of Work and Pensions said it was 'reviewing' the decision to award Todorova the money. One of her fellow gang members is also said to be enjoying a relaxed lifestyle after being released from prison, with neighbours describing how she spends all her time smoking and walking around in a dressing gown. But Todorova - who described her time in prison as 'like a vacation' and boasted of having her hair done and a manicure - claims to now be 'depressed' and ill. Tsvetka Todorova speaking to the Daily Mail inside her flat in Erith, south-east London Her gang raked in more than 54million from Britain's biggest ever benefit fraud The group hijacked 6,000 identities to make claims for Universal Credit and even used the names of children living in Bulgaria as part of the five-year scam She said: 'My husband is depressed. I am depressed as well. I have had high blood pressure because of the case. My husband also has a lot of back pain. 'My benefits account was closed, now it is opening again.' Todorova and four co-conspirators 'systematically plundered' the UK's welfare system over a four-and-a-half-year period by making thousands of false Universal Credit claims. All of them other than Ali have now been freed from prison and are on immigration bail awaiting deportation. But this can only take place once confiscation proceedings have concluded against the gang, three of whom - Galina Nikolova, 40, Patritsia Panev, 28, and 29-year-old Stoyan Stoyanov - have been told to pay back just 1million. Todorova and Ali will face separate confiscation hearings at a later date. In her interview with the Daily Mail, Todorova said prisoners and staff at HMP Bronzefield were 'crying' when she was freed because they were so sad to see her go. The criminal did not accept an opportunity to apologise for her crimes and instead insisted she was innocent, despite pleading guilty. Join the debate Should benefit cheats ever be allowed to claim welfare again after serving their sentences? Todorova (left) in a police mugshot alongside fellow gang member Patritsia Panev, 28 Todorova's flat - pictured - is inside a converted house Couple Stoyan Stoyanov and Galina Nikolova were also sent to prison over the scam Nikolova is also seen standing behind the counter of Antonia's Foods in Wood Green, pouting at the camera alongside an unknown man She said: 'I was only helping. They have made a mistake with me. 'I have to go to a centre in Croydon because I am on immigration bail. I think I will stay in Britain. They cannot push me. They cannot force me.' One neighbour described how parcels were often delivered to the flat Todorova shares with her husband and claimed they often wear expensive clothes. Another gang member enjoying early freedom is Patritsia Paneva - who made at least 225,000 in the scam - and now spends her time relaxing at her east London home. She closed the door when approached for a comment this week, with the 28-year-old still wearing a dressing gown despite it being the afternoon. One neighbour said: 'All she does is stand outside the front door, smoking. She's always got her dressing gown on. That is all she does.' The fraud gang hijacked 6,000 identities to make claims for Universal Credit and even used the names of children living in Bulgaria as part of the five-year scam. They set up three 'benefit factories' across London, churning out bogus tenancy agreements, counterfeit pay slips and forged letters from landlords, employers, and GPs to trick the Department for Work and Pensions. Gang member Gyunesh Ali is the only member of the conspiracy who is still in prison. He had to be extradited from Bulgaria The group was only uncovered after a Bulgarian police officer notified UK officials about a trend of criminals in the city of Sliven who had come into large sums of cash. Officials are now said to have recouped about 1million from the gang but are trying for 1million more - just a fraction of the total they originally stole. Prosecutor Gareth Munday told a hearing that the sums being sought were what officials could 'realistically trace', with one of the gang admitting she had moved 'money in cash overseas'. A Government spokesman said: 'This was a disgraceful crime against the British public, and we are taking rigorous action to recover the stolen funds. 'We are clear - if those involved in this case do not pay back these funds within the required time they could be sent back to prison and then deported. 'In the case of Ms Todorova, we are currently reviewing the decision to award her Universal Credit.' American shoppers wander the aisles every day thinking about dinner, deals and whether the kids will eat broccoli this week. They do not think they are being watched. But they are. Welcome to the new grocery store - bright, friendly, packed with fresh produce and quietly turning into something far darker. It's a place where your face is scanned, your movements are logged, your behavior is analyzed and your value is calculated. A place where Big Brother is no longer on the street corner or behind a government desk - but lurking between the bread aisle and the frozen peas. This month, fears of a creeping retail surveillance state exploded after Wegmans, one of America's most beloved grocery chains, confirmed it uses biometric surveillance technology - particularly facial recognition - in a 'small fraction' of its stores, including locations in New York City. Wegmans insisted the scanners are there to spot criminals and protect staff. But civil liberties experts told the Daily Mail the move is a chilling milestone, as there is little oversight over what Wegmans and other firms do with the data they gather. They warn we are sleepwalking into a Blade Runner-style dystopia in which corporations don't just sell us groceries, but know us, track us, predict us and, ultimately, manipulate us. Once rare, facial scanners are becoming a feature of everyday life Grocery chain Wegmans has admitted that it is scanning the faces, eyes and voices of customers Industry insiders have a cheery name for it: the 'phygital' transformation - blending physical stores with invisible digital layers of cameras, algorithms and artificial intelligence. The technology is being widely embraced as ShopRite, Macy's, Walgreens and Lowe's are among the many chains that have trialed projects. Retailers say they need new tools to combat an epidemic of shoplifting and organized theft gangs. But critics say it opens the door to a terrifying future of secret watchlists, electronic blacklisting and automated profiling. Automated profiling would allow stores to quietly decide who gets discounts, who gets followed by security, who gets nudged toward premium products and who is treated like a potential criminal the moment they walk through the door. Retailers already harvest mountains of data on consumers, including what you buy, when you buy it, how often you linger and what aisle you skip. Now, with biometrics, that data literally gets a face. Experts warn companies can fuse facial recognition with loyalty programs, mobile apps, purchase histories and third-party data brokers to build profiles that go far beyond shopping habits. It could stretch down to who you vote for, your religion, health, finances and even who you sleep with. Having the data makes it easier to sell you anything from televisions to tagliatelle and then sell that data to someone else. Civil liberties advocates call it the 'perpetual lineup.' Your face is always being scanned and assessed, and is always one algorithmic error away from trouble. Only now, that lineup isn't just run by the police. And worse, things are already going wrong. Across the country, innocent people have been arrested, jailed and humiliated after being wrongly identified by facial recognition systems based on blurry, low-quality images. Some stores place cameras in places that aren't easy for everyday shoppers to spot Behind the scenes, stores are gathering masses of data on customers and even selling it on to data brokers Detroit resident Robert Williams was arrested in 2020 in his own driveway, in front of his wife and young daughters, after a flawed facial recognition match linked him to a theft at a Shinola watch store. He spent 30 hours in jail, and later won a $300,000 settlement, court records show. In 2022, Houston resident Harvey Murphy Jr was accused of robbing a Macy's sunglass counter after being misidentified by facial recognition. He spent 10 days in jail, where he claimed in a lawsuit he was beaten and sexually assaulted. Charges were dropped only after he proved he was in another state. Studies consistently show facial recognition systems have higher error rates for women and people of color - producing 'false flags' that can lead to harassment, detentions and arrests. Now, imagine those same flawed systems quietly embedded in everyday shopping. Michelle Dahl, a civil rights lawyer with the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, told the Daily Mail that consumers still have one weapon against the tech - their voice. 'Consumers shouldn't have to surrender their biometric data just to buy groceries or other essential items,' Dahl said. 'Unless people step up now and say enough is enough, corporations and governments will continue to surveil people unchecked, and the implications will be devastating for people's privacy.' Behind the scenes, the biometric surveillance industry is booming. Underpinned by artificial intelligence, it is projected to grow globally from $39billion in 2023 to more than $141billion by 2032, according to S&S Insider. Big name companies dominate the space, including IDEMIA, NEC Corporation, Thales Group, Fujitsu Limited and Aware. They provide systems that scan faces, voices, fingerprints and even the way people walk to banks, governments, police departments and now retailers. There are benefits, including fraud prevention, account security and faster checkout lines. Some consumers are happy that their retailer knows to offer them crunchy peanut butter, not smooth. But experts warn this largely unregulated industry is rapidly turning human beings into data points monetized for profit. Amazon Go stores have been accused of violating local laws by gathering data on shoppers without their consent The Wegmans rollout marks a significant escalation. The company said it has moved beyond pilot projects and now retains biometric data gathered in stores. Customer data was deleted during the company's pilot project in 2024. Signs at store entrances warn customers that biometric identifiers such as facial scans, eye scans and voiceprints may be collected. Cameras are positioned at entryways and throughout the stores. Wegmans said the technology is used only in a small fraction of higher-risk stores, including in Manhattan and Brooklyn, not nationwide, and that its goal is to enhance safety by identifying individuals previously flagged for misconduct. A spokesperson said the company currently uses facial recognition only - not retinal scans or voiceprints - and that images and video are retained 'as long as necessary for security purposes,' without disclosing exact timelines. Wegmans insisted it does not share biometric data with third parties and that facial recognition is only one investigative lead, not the sole basis for action. But privacy advocates say shoppers have little real choice. New York lawmaker Rachel Barnhart warned that Wegmans shoppers are left with 'no practical opportunity to provide informed consent or meaningfully opt out,' short of abandoning the store altogether. Some concerns include potential data breaches, misuse, bias and mission creep - where systems introduced for security quietly expand into marketing, pricing and profiling. New York City law requires stores to post clear signage if they collect biometric data, a rule Wegmans said it complies with. But enforcement is widely viewed as weak, according to several privacy groups and even the Federal Trade Commission. Lawmakers in New York, Connecticut and elsewhere are considering new restrictions or transparency rules, after a 2023 New York City Council effort fizzled. Greg Behr, a North Carolina-based technology and digital marketing expert, said many shoppers don't grasp what they're giving away. 'Being a consumer in 2026 increasingly means being a data source first and a customer second,' Behr wrote in WRAL. 'The real question now is whether we continue sleepwalking into a future where participation requires constant surveillance, or whether we demand a version of modern life that respects both our time and our humanity.' Amazon carts helped shoppers skip the checkout lines. But convenience comes at a cost A young shopper pays for his items with a facial scan, saving himself from waiting in line Legal experts warn consumers should not blindly trust corporate assurances. Mayu Tobin-Miyaji, a legal fellow at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, said in a blog that retailers are already deploying sophisticated 'surveillance pricing' systems. are already deploying sophisticated 'surveillance pricing' systems. These track and analyze customer data to charge different people different prices for the same product. It goes far beyond supply and demand. Shopping histories, loyalty programs, mobile apps and data brokers are fused to build detailed consumer profiles. The profiles include inferences about age, gender, race, health conditions and financial status. Electronic shelf labels already allow prices to change instantly throughout the day. Facial recognition technology, Tobin-Miyaji warned, could supercharge this with profiling, even as companies publicly deny using it that way. 'The surreptitious creation and use of detailed profiles about individuals violate consumer privacy and individual autonomy, betray consumers' expectations around data collection and use, and create a stark power imbalance that businesses can exploit for profit,' said Tobin-Miyaji. The risks extend far beyond shopping. While consumers can change their passwords and cancel a credit card that has been cloned, they cannot change their faces. Once a biometric data set is hacked, experts warn the consequences can be lifelong. A stolen iris scan or facial template could potentially be used to impersonate someone, access accounts or bypass security - forever. 'You cannot replace your face,' Behr said. 'Once that information exists, the risk becomes permanent.' There are already warning signs. In 2023, Amazon was hit with a class-action lawsuit in New York alleging its Just Walk Out technology scanned customers' body shapes and sizes without proper consent - even for those who did not opt into palm-scanning systems. The case was dropped by the plaintiffs, though a similar case is ongoing in Illinois. Amazon maintains that it does not collect protected data. Still, consumers know something is wrong. A survey last year by the Identity Theft Resource Center found people were deeply uneasy about biometrics, yet kept handing them over. Sixty-three percent said they had serious concerns, but 91 percent said they provided biometric identifiers anyway. Fingerprint scanners are already common at airports, but could be coming to the checkout aisles soon Two-thirds believed biometrics could help catch criminals, yet 39 percent said the technology should be banned outright. Eva Velasquez, the group's CEO, said in a statement the industry needs to do a better job explaining both the benefits and the risks. But critics argue the real issue isn't explanation, it's power. Because once surveillance becomes the price of entry to buy milk, bread and toothpaste, opting out stops being a real option. What was meant to be a dream cruise quickly descended into horror when nearly a dozen family members fell ill. Passengers were struck with high fevers, severe body aches, vomiting and breathing difficulties, leaving many bedridden and requiring oxygen as the illness spread across the ship within hours. They later tested positive for 'super-flu', described by doctors as a highly contagious and unusually aggressive strain of influenza. The first to fall ill was two-year-old Norah Doyle, who has childhood asthma. Her father, Michael, rushed her to the ships infirmary - but navigating the 15-deck Independence of the Seas turned into a nightmare. 'It took my husband 20 minutes to actually find it, her mother, Ellen, who also goes by Ellie, told the Daily Mail. They kept sending us on a wild goose chase - deck five, no, deck one, oh, deck one is closed oh, its actually open. Ellie, 34, her husband Michael, 41, and their three children, six-year-old Maisie and twins Norah and Porter, were sailing with Ellies parents, her four siblings and their children. The Connecticut family had been celebrating her parents 50th wedding anniversary and looking forward to a seven-day cruise to Nassau, San Juan and St Thomas just after Christmas. We all went in healthy, Ellie said. We all left, like, dying. Ellie with her family and parents on the last day of their trip aboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas Ellie's husband, Michael Doyle, 41, holds their two-year-old daughter Norah, as she gets a nebulizer treatment in the ship's infirmary Royal Caribbean's International Independence of the Seas, which launched in 2008, has a capacity for 4,375 passengers and has 15 decks Next to fall ill was their son, Porter, who caught the bug. He started throwing up, had a fever, sore throat, body aches and congestion. Soon, it was Maisie's turn. Then, Ellie's 77-year-old dad and 73-year-old mom got sick. Her sister Kora Stoll's two sons, and then one of her brother's two children, and two of her siblings all followed. Everyone who got sick presented with varying symptoms, from mild to moderate. Ellie's nephews also came down with strep and running fevers of 104F. She said her father, who is a donor-kidney recipient and recently had his gall bladder removed, barely left his room. 'He is already immunocompromised, so having the flu is really dangerous for him,' she said. In less than 24 hours, Ellie went from a 'relaxed' mom, excited to cruise with her favorite people, to a 'stressed out' mom, counting down the days until she would be home. 'It's really scary when you are at sea, and your kids get sick, especially when they can't tell you what's wrong,' she said. 'And you don't have your doctor, and they don't take your insurance. 'It was very stressful. I need a vacation from my vacation.' What was happening in Ellie's family appeared to be just the start of their nightmare trip. She told the Daily Mail that an unrelated passenger was medically evacuated, and the ship had to change course twice. Royal Caribbean International did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment. 'The ship completely went off path,' she claimed. 'We were leaving Nassau on the way to San Juan and had to stop at Turks and Caicos to medically get someone an ambulance because they didn't have the stuff needed to care for them on the boat. Michael comforting Norah who Ellie said was vaccinated for flu but still caught a nasty bug 'They didn't tell you what the medical emergency was, but everyone on the boat - every hallway you passed - you heard people tell housekeeping, "Don't come in today, we are really, really sick." 'The infirmary was packed. Everyone on this boat was so, so sick.' Ellie, a digital content creator, said she had no idea how the one doctor working in the ship's sole infirmary could care for the 4,000-plus people on board. She observed that many of the crew members seemed bothered by the chaos, particularly the staff in the infirmary. One of the major issues she noticed was a lack of communication between departments. 'When we were first checking into the infirmary, we felt like they were annoyed that we were there, muttering things under their breath. It was uncomfortable,' she said. Ellie added that while the doctor seemed neutral, she found the person checking them in to be sour and unsympathetic. 'It felt like the point they wanted to get across to us was that it wasn't an emergency that merited the boat to turn around and that they had the necessary tools to treat us on board,' she said. 'They seemed more concerned with Royal Caribbean's reputation and the cruise itinerary.' Certain areas of the ship were closed at different times throughout the day, including many of the restrooms and the large water slides. 'The solarium was closed because the bathrooms were backed up with either poop or puke,' she said. Ellie's two-year-old twins, Norah (right) and Porter (left), were suffering from intestinal symptoms, a cough, body aches, congestion and low-grade fever Ellie's 77-year-old father and 73-year-old mother had taken the cruise with all their children and grandchildren to celebrate their 50th anniversary but they too contracted the super-flu When the boat turned around a second time, she said she and her family, along with many other passengers she had spoken to, also felt left in the dark. 'We didn't have much information about what was going on. Everyone had a weirded-out, worried vibe.' Ellie said that all three of her children got vaccinated against the flu, but those who did not get the flu shot got the sickest. On Sunday, January 4, when the Doyle and Stoll families hit land and were back in Miami, Ellie said they drove their rental car back to West Hartford, Connecticut - but, in some ways, it felt like they were still on the ship. 'We did the drive back in two days, and my kids were puking the entire car ride,' she said. Now that they are home, Ellie said they are going to the pediatrician. This trip marked her 12th or 13th cruise, but she said she had never had this bizarre experience. 'I've never had a cruise once, turnaround for a medical emergency, and our boat turned around twice.' If she does cruise again, it will be on Disney. 'Their standard is much, much higher, and I heard really good stories about their care, and they have pediatric doctors on board.' She chalked it up as a 'lesson learned:' 'I will not ever be cruising with young children, ever again.' 'I wouldn't suggest anyone traveling by cruise with young children, especially during flu season, in the off chance that they could get sick, and then you're in the middle of the ocean. 'You can't leave. You don't have your creature comforts, and there's no way to go.' The couple trying to get at least one good picture on the ship during their disaster trip Now home, she said both she and her husband are coughing, have a headache, and are very fatigued. She is managing, but her husband, she said, tested positive for the flu, and one of her brothers. She has not... yet. 'He [My husband] is pretty sick,' she said. I'm a mom, I don't have time to be sick.' Safe and back on land, she laughed: 'It was my sign to never leave Connecticut again.' According to the CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), there are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C and D. Every winter in the United States, the A and B Influenza - H3N2 and H1N1 - are the most prevalent during flu season; however, this year, there is a new version of Influenza A - H3N2 variant called 'subclade K'. Infectious disease experts told CNN that those who have not received the flu vaccination should get one due to the increased severity of this year's virus. Children who aren't vaccinated seem to be hit the hardest, along with the elderly and immunocompromised, Today reported. This new super-flu that emerged in November has a number of different mutations, causing a surge in hospitalizations and deaths, as per the CDC. The Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database estimates that this class accounts for an estimated 90 percent of cases nationwide. The super-flu finally caught up with Ellie, who came down with the miserable virus less than 48 hours after returning home. She told the Daily Mail that her entire family had taken the flu vaccination and added: 'We all would have gotten much sicker if we didn't.' Ahmed Al Ahmed was hailed a national hero after risking his life to disarm one of the Bondi attackers - but that brave act was not the first time he ran headfirst into danger. Last January, while working in the stockroom of his tobacco shop in Sutherland in Sydney's south, Mr Al Ahmed heard raised voices at the counter and went to investigate. What followed was a bizarre confrontation with customer Dan Degney that spiralled into bloody violence and left Mr Al Ahmed requiring hospital treatment. Daily Mail can now reveal Degney, who was charged and fined over the assault, has laid claim to a share of the $2.5million raised for Mr Al Ahmed after the Bondi Beach massacre in December. Mr Al Ahmed became a global hero when he leapt in to wrestle a shotgun from Islamic terrorist Sajid Akram and disarm him, before he was shot in the shoulder. A GoFundMe in his honour raised more than $2.5million within days of a video clip of the heroic moment going viral, with donors contributing from all over the world. But now Degney has staked a claim to some of the cash over the allegation that he was shoplifting from Mr Al Ahmed's store, which was sold while Mr Al Ahmed was recovering in hospital. 'He said I was shoplifting and I didn't have anything - he may have saved all those people...but he owes me,' insisted Degney. Ahmed Al Ahmed (pictured) was hailed a national hero after risking his life to disarm one of the Bondi attackers Dan Degney (pictured) has made an extraordinary claim that he is entitled to a share of Mr Al Ahmed's reward money. Ahmed Al Ahmed was working in his shop (pictured) with his wife when the row erupted 'I want a cut because I warned him to let me go but he carried on.' Degney said he had been drinking with a mate at a pub near Mr Al Ahmed's shop before popping in to buy cigarettes, but was outraged by the prices. 'His wife was behind the counter and I asked how much for a pack of cigarettes,' he said. 'I asked if there was anything cheaper and she said, "No". 'I said, "What do you mean?" and then Ahmed came out from the back and asked what I wanted. 'I asked, "How much?" and I said, "No way, f*** that". 'He told me, "Don't come into my shop, don't waste my time and get out".' Degney claims he turned to leave but as he passed a shelf of stuffed toys near the door, he grabbed one. 'I threw it away as I walked out the door,' he admitted. 'I thought he was rude so I threw the toy into the road. Degney admits to the altercation after an argument over prices of cigarettes Footage of Ahmed Al Ahmed disarming the Bondi gunman was seen around the world Mr Al Ahmed had surgery on his shoulder to remove bullets 'So then he came out saying I was shoplifting and grabbed me five or six times yelling, "Call the police, call the police, he's shoplifting". 'I pulled up my shirt and said, "I don't have anything of yours".' Degney says the altercation then turned violent. 'I told him if he didn't let go, I'd hit him - so I did,' he said. 'I split his lip really badly all the way to his nose and down to his chin. 'I warned him about seven times and he kept grabbing me, and the last time, I said, "Just get off me, man". 'One thing led to another, it ended up in court and he got an AVO out on me. The judge asked me why I was abusing his wife and that was that.' Degney was ordered to pay $1,300 in fines over the attack. Ahmed Al Ahmed was shot in the arm and shoulder after disarming the second Bondi gunman While still recovering in hospital Mr Al Ahmed was presented with a cheque for $2.5million Mr Al Ahmed became a global sensation after the Islamic State-inspired terror attack on a Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach on December 14. He later said he could not stand by while women and children were being hurt. He is currently touring the US, meeting politicians and Jewish and Muslim leaders. He is also doing a series of interviews with US chat show hosts, news shows and podcasters. But Degney admits that until last week, he had no idea Mr Al Ahmed was the same man he had clashed with a year earlier. Degney insists Mr Al Ahmed's courage and bravery makes no difference to him - and he is adamant he's due a cut of the huge cash sum raised for the Bondi hero. 'He owes me some of that money,' Degney said. 'I'm going to sue him for putting me in court on an AVO charge.' Daily Mail has contacted Mr Al Ahmed's legal representatives for comment. Scotland Yard reignited its feud with Donald Trump after new crime statistics showed homicides in London dropped to the lowest number in a decade. Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Matt Jukes said that London 'does not deserve the reputation which it is sometimes given' in what is bound to be seen as a thinly veiled dig at the US President's recent jibes about safety in the capital. New figures today show there was just over one unlawful killing (1.07) per 100,000 people last year - an historic low for the capital. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley paid tribute to the results of 'relentless work' to drive down violent crime in the capital, despite claims from the likes of the US President that London has 'no go' areas. He added: 'The results speak for themselves - fewer lives lost, fewer families shattered. 'Every murder is a tragedy, but we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to drive down serious violence. 'This work will not stop, and neither will our determination to keep Londoners safe.' The Deputy Commissioner told reporters he would not 'get involved' in political commentary, but said today's figures proved the criticism was unfounded. Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised London, and its mayor Sir Sadiq Khan 'And our message, not just to Londoners, but to the world, is that the facts speak for themselves. London is safe and getting safer. 'London does not deserve the reputation which it is sometimes given, and we are proud of the men and women of the Met who are part of making that difference.' Last week the police arrested a number of young men linked to gang activity at a series of addresses in coordinated dawn raids across north-west London as part of the crackdown on organised criminals. The Deputy Commissioner watched on as members of the Met's Tactical Support Group and other officers stormed eight properties linked to violence and drug dealing, making a series of arrests of suspects in their 20s and 30s. Five have since been charged with a range of offences. At one property, police discovered a cache of weapons including a 'rambo' knife with a 20-25 inch blade which was stashed underneath a suspect's pillow. Officers also found what they described as a 'serious large' quantity of suspected Class A and B drugs, and cutting equipment. At another nearby address, police recovered what they believed to be in excess of 10,000 in cash from a suspected drug dealer's bedroom. Mr Jukes said: 'Raids like this are helping to reduce the risk of violence to communities and reduce the impact of these gangs on the neighborhoods they live in. Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Matt Jukes said London does not deserve its 'reputation' as he welcomed new figures showing a marked reduction in homicides 'These are young men of violence. 'And by tackling that threat, which is presented by the gangs they're involved in, and in many cases, trying to also move even younger people away from that violence, we've had real success in reducing the number of families affected by tragedies.' The Met has been bolstered by the Mayor of London's Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which is tackling the causes of crime through prevention and early intervention. Sir Sadiq Khan, who has been a lightning rod from President Trump's ire in recent years, added: 'Many people have been trying to talk London down, but the evidence tells a very different story.' There were 97 such deaths in 2025, an 11 per cent reduction on 2024 (109), according to today's data. This represents the lowest total since 2014 (95 deaths), with London's population having risen by more than half a million since then. And it works out at 1.07 homicides per 100,000 residents - the lowest rate since comparable data was first collected in 1997, when the figure was 2.38. The figures also show a particularly stark reduction in violent deaths involving victims under-25, with just 18 last year, compared with the previous record of 31 in 2024. It was at its highest in 2017, when 69 young people were killed. Meanwhile the number of murders in London has also reduced, with 93 in 2025, at the lowest rate since 2014. Scotland Yard said officers have arrested roughly an extra 1,000 criminals every month over the last year. They have also made more than 21,000 'disruptions' against serious and organised crime groups and individuals during that time, taking thousands of guns and knives from London's streets. But Mr Jukes said he was 'frustrated' with the criminal justice system which he said would potentially result in dangerous offenders being free to roam the streets rather than remanded into custody, in part due to overcrowded prisons. He said there was a 'revolving door' for some offenders being arrested only to end up back in the community. 'That means we need to be determined to put the best evidence in front of the courts. 'But it also means we need to make the case to the current Government. We talked, of course, to the previous government about the resources that are needed to make the whole system work, not just policing. 'Of course, policing needs the resources to do this work, but we need the whole system to function well.' He also described the Met's 'shrinking workforce', which has lost more than 1,700 officers since Labout came to power in 2024. 'We've had to make tough choices to prioritizse the work that matters, and serious violence is one of the areas we've given priority to,' he said. Top Republicans on Capitol Hill who could check President Donald Trump's military authority largely believe he has carte blanche to order strikes anywhere, anytime. 'He's the commander in chief,' House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan told the Daily Mail when asked if the president can strike any country of his liking. 'I think what he did in Venezuela is a good thing.' When pressed again on whether Trump has unlimited power to strike any location worldwide, the Ohio Republican admitted 'the president could make his case, and we'd go from there.' The president never sought approval from Congress to strike Venezuela and depose its ex-dictator Nicolas Maduro, or to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities in the summer. Trump made those decisions on his own, albeit with some feedback from his Cabinet. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast told the Daily Mail that the president's actions fall within his constitutional authority and that he's allowed to strike any place on the globe at any time. 'Should he want to, based upon his article two authority, if there's a credible and imminent threat to the United States of America, absolutely yes,' the Florida Republican said. As for Trump's veiled threats to conduct military operations in countries with flourishing drug production industries, like Mexico, well, Congress does not seem concerned with holding the president back. 'They're on the menu,' Mast said of Mexico. 'I think it's a coin flip between them and people in Cuba.' President Donald Trump should be allowed to strike other countries at his discretion, the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs chairmen told the Daily Mail Drug cartels have wrecked violence in Mexico for decades and Republicans and Trump have noted that they are the ones really in control of the country, not government officials Mast then noted how he had a friend who went missing while traveling to Mexico, underscoring how dangerous the country has been for decades. 'Long story short, they found him like six months later, divided up into a couple separate garbage bags.' Trump said Thursday that the cartels are 'running Mexico and soon the US will start hitting land targets there. 'We are going to start now hitting land with regard to the cartels,' he said. 'The cartels are running Mexico, it's very sad to watch, to see what's happening to that country.' Outside of a select number of Republicans and mostly all the Democrats, there seems to be little appetite on the right to hold Trump back from launching additional strikes. However, the Senate voted to curb his ability to engage in further military actions in Venezuela during a procedural move this week. Still, the move to restrict Trump will need another vote in the Senate and yet another in the House to become law and meaningfully hamper the president's war powers. The odds of that happening are slim - though there are some Republicans who want to limit Trump. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told the Daily Mail that striking other countries should not be a unilateral decision made by the president Ohio Republican Rep. Mike Turner, who formerly headed the House Intelligence Committee before Trump demanded Speaker Mike Johnson to remove him, told the Daily Mail 'no' Trump does not have the authority to strike anywhere at will. Progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a possible 2028 presidential candidate, said the founding fathers did not intend for one person to have sole power over launching wars. 'The Constitution is specifically designed to avoid an instance where any one branch has unilateral power, and most specifically that the President himself does not have power to just launch any war with any person whenever he feels like it, that this is something that we must do as a with consensus as a nation,' she told the Daily Mail. Minnesota's Somali community has been under scrutiny over the fraud scandal that has enveloped state leaders. The outcry had already prompted Minnesota's Democratic Governor Tim Walz to drop his reelection bid, which he did last week, before an ICE officer shot an unarmed woman, further propelling Minnesota into the news. Daily Mail polling conducted January 5 and 6 - also before the fatal ICE shooting - found that the Minnesota fraud scandal was taking a toll on how American voters viewed Somali immigrants. Somalians were viewed least favorably compared to other immigrant groups in the J.L. Partners poll. In fact, they were the only group that polled in negative territory. Thirty percent of registered voters said Somali immigrants made a bad impact on the United States. That's higher than the 24 percent who said they made a good impact and the 29 percent who viewed the community neutrally. For years, President Donald Trump has slammed Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, the highest-profile member of the community, mocking her at a rally-like event in Pennsylvania in December for wearing a 'little turban.' Men take part in a weekly Friday Jum'ah prayer session at Abubakar As-Saddique Islamic Centre amid a reported ongoing federal immigration operation targeting the Somali community in Minneapolis on December 5 Your browser does not support iframes. This week, Vice President JD Vance noted 'America has a bit of a Somali problem' when talking to Fox News' Jesse Watters about the Minnesota scandal. Democrats, on the other hand, have charged that the fraud scandal is a way to further demonize a vulnerable group. When broken down by party, 46 percent of Republicans viewed Somali immigrants negatively, versus 32 percent of independents and just 15 percent of Democrats. When the question was flipped, 30 percent of Democrats said Somali immigrants made a positive impact on the United States, with more - 35 percent - saying they were neutral. Twenty-two percent of independents said that Somalians made a positive impact, with 31 percent saying they were neutral. And among Republicans, 19 percent said the Somali community made a positive impact, with 20 percent of GOP voters staying neutral. Other groups that had single-digit ratings included Colombians, with a net rating of positive two, and Venezuelans and Haitians, who each received a positive-six. Chinese immigrants were given a plus-13 net rating. A member of the Somali immigrant community in Minneapolis holds out her U.S. passport as immigration action has heightened in the community on the heels of a massive fraud scandal A demonstrator waves a flag of Somalia as a vehicle passes by a rally in protest against ICE in Minneapolis on Thursday African and Mexican immigrants had a plus-23 rating, Indian immigrants had a positive 29, and Filipinos had a positive 33. The groups that got the best ratings from American voters were the British and the Europeans, with immigrants from the United Kingdom receiving a plus-44 rating and immigrants from the European Union receiving a plus-43 rating. Broken down, both the British and the Europeans got 51 percent of voters to say that they made a good impact on the United States. The United Kingdom got its slight edge over Europe because 7 percent of U.S. voters said the British made a bad impact on the United States, while 8 percent said that of those coming from EU countries. The survey was conducted using 999 registered voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent. A Washington man threw a state trooper to the ground and stole her patrol vehicle before getting into a high-speed chase last month, with dramatic body camera footage capturing the incident. According to court filings obtained by KOMO News, the man who stole the car was 24-year-old Alexander Eugene Smith. He told investigators he had smoked meth before his encounter with the Washington State Patrol. Body camera video shows troopers approaching Smith after receiving reports that he had been running across all the lanes of Interstate 5 in Seattle on Christmas Day. The troopers kindly asked him to leave the highway and offered him something to drink and a ride in one of their vehicles. Smith eventually agreed to walk off the highway, and troopers slowly followed him in their cars as he made his way down the hard shoulder of the road for a long distance. He then stopped and sat on the highway's guardrail. Troopers gave him water and a blanket while he refused to keep moving. He finally began walking again, but soon threw the bottle of water and blanket to the ground before running into traffic. A trooper pleaded with him to stop, but he kept running. Another trooper then pulled up to him in her car. Smith approached the driver's side and opened the door before pulling the trooper out, throwing her to the ground and getting behind the wheel. Alexander Eugene Smith, 24, threw a state trooper to the ground and stole her patrol vehicle before getting into a high-speed chase last month Footage from a female trooper's body camera shows Smith pulling her out of her patrol vehicle and throwing her to the ground before getting behind the wheel 'Holy s***,' the female officer can be heard saying before getting up and trying to reopen the door, which Smith had quickly locked. She then repeatedly shouted 'No!' as he drove off. A high-speed chase ensued, with a trooper attempting two PIT maneuvers to stop Smith. The first was unsuccessful, but the second landed and made Smith lose control of the car. Several other officers quickly arrived and exited their vehicles with their guns drawn before pulling Smith out of the stolen patrol vehicle and arresting him. Police said that he resisted arrest and had to be tased before he was taken into custody. The whine of the taser can be heard in the video, and some of the prongs stuck into his back can be seen as well. The Washington State Patrol said that the pursuit sparked a response from multiple agencies, including the Seattle Police Department. Smith was booked into the King County Jail and charged with felony eluding, robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault on a law enforcement officer and DUI, according to county arrest records. His bond was reportedly set at $300,000. Surveillance footage shows another angle of the trooper pitting the vehicle that Smith stole The PIT maneuver made Smith crash the vehicle and several additional troopers who were also in pursuit quickly arrived and arrested him Several vehicles were damaged during the high-speed chase, but no officers or members of the public were seriously harmed. The stolen vehicle is pictured (right) after the chase ended The chase sparked a response from multiple agencies, including the Seattle Police Department Authorities said the trooper who was pulled from her vehicle suffered minor injuries and that no member of the public was seriously harmed. Several vehicles were damaged during the car chase, however. Smith has two prior misdemeanor convictions for violating a contact order and disorderly conduct. He also has a juvenile misdemeanor record and a pending case in Marysville Municipal Court related to assault and domestic violence. Smith has a competency hearing scheduled for January 26 to determine if he has the mental capacity to understand the new set of charges against him. The Daily Mail has reached out to the Washington State Patrol for comment. To the casual onlooker, the 16-year-old girl I had been helping for several months was a typical teenager. While Fiona could be sparky and funny, she could just as easily be sullen and uncommunicative. She had a short concentration span and struggled to socialise behaviour exacerbated by the many hours she spent in her bedroom, scrolling on her phone. Our paths had crossed because she had been diagnosed with ADHD and autism: I am employed by a private Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) company, funded by a local council in England, to support children and young people like her who are no longer able to attend school. Fiona was a hard nut to crack but, over the course of several sessions, I discovered she had a keen interest in crafting. Spotting what looked like genuine talent, I took her to various art shops for inspiration. On one such visit, she met an artist who kindly invited her to help out in her studio for a day or two. Fiona was more excited than I had seen her in weeks, yet her enthusiasm was not shared by either her mother or my boss, who told me in no uncertain terms to shut down this avenue of support and keep Fiona's sessions 'within the home'. She 'wasn't ready', I was told, and we 'needed to keep helping her for as long as we can'. And as Fiona has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCPs fund specialist learning tech and services, and a suite of support workers like me) that allows her to remain in 'education' until the age of 25, that could mean for another nine years. A fifth of all children in England are now reported to have special educational needs and disabilities Incidentally, this is not education in the traditional sense of exams, skills or qualifications, but rather a vague holding pattern of 'support', 'guidance' and 'decision-making practice'. I only wish Fiona was an isolated case. Sadly, she is not. In my years on the front line of the SEND system, I have worked with many dozens of young people like her. They are the products of a care programme established with the best of intentions, but one that has since morphed into a toxic concatenation of vested interests, questionable science, profiteering and colossal financial waste. If that sounds melodramatic, then the numbers speak for themselves. Since 2014, when the special needs system was significantly overhauled, the number of claims soared a rise accelerated by the Covid lockdowns. Today, a fifth of all children in England are now reported to have SEND. While in Scotland, an astonishing 43 per cent of pupils are deemed to have some form of additional learning need. Inevitably, these spiralling figures are accompanied by a vast and ever-increasing price tag. Half of the increase in total school spending since 2015 has gone on SEND provision, with expenditure hitting 11 billion a year in 2024-2025 and expected to rise to a mind-boggling 22 billion by 2031, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Some of that money is spent in schools on specialist teaching assistants. But since councils are legally bound to support pupils with EHCPs, a large proportion of this funding now flows to a plethora of private education providers such as the one I work for who step in when the child quits mainstream schooling. Many of these providers exist outside any Ofsted oversight. In other words, the system has become a vast gravy train, not to mention a political hot potato for Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary now facing the unenviable task of reforming it. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, has hinted Following the launch of a consultation this week, she is expected to deliver a white paper on SEND reform in March. A key focus is expected to be on EHCPs, which were originally intended to be for children with the most severe needs but whose use, according to the think tank Policy Exchange, has increased 83 per cent in the past decade. Before Christmas, Phillipson's hint that children with milder conditions such as ADHD and anxiety would not be given EHCPs was greeted with howls of outrage and charges of 'cruelty' from the Left-wing SEND vested interests. Labour's U-turn on welfare reform last summer shows what an uphill task she has in convincing her party's restive backbenchers that denying vulnerable children state-funded support is in their and the country's best interests. They should listen to her. In my view, working at the heart of it as I do, SEND has become a grotesque leviathan that, intentionally or otherwise, incentivises young people to remain incapacitated. How else to interpret cases like Fiona's? Or that of Theo, another student of mine, a cheerful 17-year-old with diagnoses of autism and ADHD who had emerged from school with barely a GCSE to his name. A placement at plumbing college had failed, and by the time I met him he'd joined the near-million 16-24-year-olds classed as NEET: not in education, employment or training. Yet Theo clearly had potential. He was interested in buying and selling and, with his agreement, I arranged meetings at local pawn shops to explore possible opportunities there. As in Fiona's case, his mother reacted badly, as did my line manager, who told me I should instead focus on helping Theo 'manage' his autism and ADHD. It was the same depressing story with Imogen, another 16-year-old who had not been in school for an astonishing five years. She had no qualifications, no desire to attend college and, when we first met, was so socially withdrawn she could not order a drink in a cafe. Yet over the months I worked with her (for two hours twice a week), the blank-eyed girl I had first encountered gradually came out of her shell. I have become deeply frustrated and, frankly, upset that my role is to bake into these children a form of learned helplessness, writes the specialist Imogen enjoyed baking and occasionally helped her mother's friend muck out her stables. She also cared for a younger sister who was also beginning to take significant amounts of time off school. From this admittedly scant information, we nonetheless managed to compile a basic CV that reflected her skills as a caring young woman capable of domestic and outdoor tasks. My plan was to accompany her to visit cafes and shops as she enquired about part-time work. This time, however, her mother was not merely dismayed but furious. My modest efforts to give Imogen some structure and self-reliance were, she told me, setting her daughter up to 'fail' a sentiment echoed (again) by my line manager. While our sessions funded, lest we forget, by the council continued, all talk of college or employment ceased, much to the evident satisfaction of both Imogen's mother and my employer. I have become deeply frustrated and, frankly, upset that my role is to bake into these children a form of learned helplessness, which appears designed to preserve dependency rather than overcome it. Their mental health struggles are curable or at least can be ameliorated to the extent they can live fulfilling, purposeful lives. But the system is making their conditions become permanent labels a fact not helped by annual reviews of EHCPs being no longer mandated. The situation is worsened by the uncomfortable truth that it is often not in a family's financial interest to encourage an older teenager into work or education. With an EHCP, many families, particularly lone parents, are entitled to carer's allowance, which can amount to hundreds of pounds a month. If a young person takes up employment, a portion of this income disappears, and is unlikely to be replaced by the take-home pay from a handful of hours on minimum wage. And once a family becomes accustomed to a regular income thanks to benefits, it is difficult to contemplate its loss. The unpalatable reality is that for the company I work for, a student gaining independence, applying for jobs and overcoming social or emotional difficulties represents lost income, writes the teacher If this sounds judgmental, it is not meant to be. It is entirely understandable that, for many families, the incentive to maintain benefits outweighs the incentive to pursue precarious work or education. Nor do I believe for a moment that the parents I meet many of whom, as headteachers often tell me, barrel into schools demanding counsellors, teaching assistants and on-site psychologists for their 'disordered' children do not love them deeply. And I believe they think they are acting in their child's best interests. I feel genuine warmth for the majority of the families I work with and, in my experience, many are responding to a culture saturated in the language of diagnosis and victimhood: from celebrities boasting of their children's 'conditions' to social media influencers offering tips on how to obtain and benefit from an EHCP. For some parents, such a label even becomes a status symbol. I have seen the pride in a mother or father's eyes when an EHCP is finally granted, viewed as a totem of their fierce advocacy and love. Nor is it their fault that the system is currently weighted in their favour. At the moment, parents can take their local authority to court to challenge decisions on an EHCP. Last year, there were 14,000 such cases clogging up the tribunal system, and once they do get heard 99 per cent of parents find judges rule in their favour. They simply have no idea of the corporate interests that feed on the largesse of local authorities, that have a stake in a child's continued helplessness. The unpalatable reality is that for the company I work for, a student gaining independence, applying for jobs and overcoming social or emotional difficulties represents lost income. The 'ideal' student is one we can 'support' paid for week in, week out by the taxpayer until they turn 25. I am fully aware that I am part of the problem, even if, like almost everyone working in the system, I took the job with the best of intentions. I wanted to help young people and their families but have come to realise that for the most part my work is aimless. Nor is any of this intended to suggest that children, or their parents, are inventing their difficulties. There is undoubtedly a cohort of young people with complex mental health and disabilities, and it is to society's credit that we have become better at recognising and supporting them. But while many of the children I work with do face genuine challenges, an excessive focus on medicalisation often obscures the far messier, more complex causes of their distress. Family breakdown, generational unemployment and the relentless rise of mobile phones and technology all contribute to restless, unhappy children who struggle to concentrate. Some studies even suggest a correlation between children 'missing from education' and the type of housing they live in with new-build estates often lacking community, infrastructure or even a bus route, forcing its youth to retreat indoors. I cannot help thinking, too, that some modern schools, with their high security fences, metal detectors at the entrance and noisy canteens with long lunch queues, are not remotely helpful in enticing back anxious, stay-away students. These issues all demand our attention. But they do not necessarily constitute a 'special educational need', nor do they require an EHCP. The real kicker, though, is the mounting evidence that this ruinously expensive SEND system that is pushing councils into bankruptcy is actually failing the children it is set up to help. In 2024, the National Audit Office reported that, 'the system is still not delivering better outcomes for children and young people'. It found that the proportion of those with SEND who go on to sustained employment, apprenticeship or education after leaving study at 16 or 18 remains stuck at 69 per cent between 2018/19 to 2021/22 (for children without SEND, the figure is 85 per cent). So, despite vast increased sums being poured into the system, there was no improvement in getting young adults off their sofas and into a world in which they have direction and fulfilment. It is unconscionable that hundreds of thousands of children are trapped in this doom loop of care that does not help them and has become a colossal drain on the public purse. Donald Trump shared the post as if nailing a threat to the door: if the Islamic Republic began to massacre its people, he vowed, America was 'locked and loaded and ready to go'. It was a stark and welcome contrast to the limp words that then-President Barack Obama offered during the 2009 Iranian uprisings. As regime forces butchered people with promiscuous abandon, Obama had pursed his lips and admonished the mullahs. 'The world is watching,' he said, disapprovingly. Obviously, it made no difference. Trump has made his stance clear. Yet now the time has come to prove whether his rhetoric was mere bluster or an actual pledge. Because on Saturday the mullahs did what they always do when they plan to spill blood: they cut the country's communications, choking the protesters by severing the fibre-optic cables. Iran went into a near-total digital blackout. I realised almost immediately from the sudden silence of people inside Iran who had been speaking to me. Chats previously humming with updates, gallows humour and gossip suddenly went dead. Debris burns outside a religious centre in the city of Gorgan Clearly this was no 'technical issue'. It was a state act and an order from the very highest levels. Soon the news was global and even Amnesty condemned it. (Spare a thought for their poor activists, no doubt distraught at having to condemn a fanatical Islamist regime) This is the Islamic Republic's modus operandi. Cut the light, then swing the truncheon, block the footage and bury the dead. But even through the blackout, scraps of video and testimony are dribbling out: footage of regime thugs firing live rounds, bloodied bodies in the dirt. The opposition channel Iran International reports claims of mass casualties and security forces using live fire; other outlets describe the same grim arc. This is the culmination of Iran's long cycle of protests but now the demands have changed irretrievably. Once, the protesters chanted for reform. About loosening the veil. About votes, rights 'woman, life, freedom' (Zan, Zendegi, Azadi), they roared. That's over. The people now want the regime gone. Nothing less will do. A system can survive protests that demand better treatment. It can't survive a mass movement that asks for its head. The mullahs' downfall is inevitable, even if not necessarily imminent. Don't believe me? Consider the image that has become a shorthand for these protests. A young woman lighting her cigarette with a burning poster of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is layers of defiance: she is female, unveiled, publicly smoking and desecrating the wizened features of Iran's Islamist Saruman in one cold act. Family members grieve a loved one apparently killed in anti-regime demonstrations in Tehran The clip has gone viral and the message is unmistakable: our supposed Supreme Leader is mere kindling now. The battle is set and the sides are clear. Now Trump must act. But he needs to be smart about it. Above all, any US operation should be guided by one overarching principle: action does not mean invasion. Anyone whispering 'boots on the ground' is either selling a drawn-out war or a fantasy. Iran is not Iraq. Iran is a huge fortress made of geography and history. Its western flank is ribbed with the Zagros mountains; its north has the Alborz; its interior has deserts that eat supply lines and its cities are large, dense and primed for urban war. March in and you give the regime what it wants: an invader to blame, a cause to rally to. The ancient warning still holds. The colossally rich Roman senator Marcus Crassus marched east chasing glory and gold and got annihilated at Carrhae in 53BC: his legions broken by distance, heat and an enemy that understood its own ground. The details may differ; the lesson does not. So Trump must be surgical, not maximal. As Andrew Fox, senior fellow at the Henry Jackson Society and a former British Army officer, observes, 'the aim here is not to occupy Iran, but to create the conditions for regime collapse from within'. Trump must start by saying, clearly and publicly, that the blackout is being watched and that mass killing will trigger specific consequences within a defined window. Then he needs to pick a variety of key levers that hit the regime but not the people. He must make the ayatollahs pay but stop short of all-out war. Here are the most plausible routes. Some can be done quietly, some less so. They can be layered or discrete but together they will form relentless pressure on the falling regime. The first counter-move is to pierce the blackout: satellite internet, anti-jamming workarounds or a rapid deployment of alternative communications. Deny the regime the cover it needs to kill unseen. A protester holds aloft a portrait of the exiled son of Iran's last shah amid a crowd in footage from Iran Second, personalise the punishment. Don't go after 'Iran' as an abstraction, but after the guilty. Name and shame them: the commanders, judges, prison chiefs, Revolutionary Guard officers, the men who give the order to fire and the men who sign the warrants afterwards. And those you can't kill, crush. Freeze their assets, expose their foreign-based families and foreign holdings make loyalty expensive. Third, build a deterrent ring around the machinery of repression. Live rounds are being used; this means that specific units, bases, command nodes and logistics hubs are enabling that violence. Destroy these bases without mercy but with accuracy and clear limits. Tie the strikes to defined triggers: confirmed mass killings or sustained fire against crowds. Make the cowards with guns wonder whether their next volley into their fellow citizens will bring destruction to their own barracks. Make obedience if not fatal, then at least dangerous. And of course, as we know, the US can strike Iranian targets at will: Iran's skies are wide open. The Israelis proved that fighting the mullahs last June. The aim should be to do all this without forgetting the key principle. As Andrew Fox put it to me, 'You're using military force in support of something else a political end-state delivered by somebody else.' The goal is not utter annihilation but, as Fox adds, parts of the military must either be taken off the field, broken, or persuaded to stand down. 'Something dramatic enough to trigger defections or elite collapse for example, the storming of a major palace, or visible breakdown of command authority.' The aim is not conquest. It is paralysis and fear at the top. Fourth, keep Israel out of the frame, because the Iranian regime thrives on conspiracy. Let Tehran paint this as a Zionist plot and it will rally its base and justify its terror. Its army of online inadequates and Western fellow travellers will ooze their poison across our feeds. If force is used, it must be a solely American response to mass killing. Fifth, do not confuse regime collapse with the final outcome. Even if the mullahs fall, what fills the vacuum might well be savage. Who knows what might emerge: a praetorian strongman, a new tyranny in a different uniform, or just chaos. All remain possible. So while the immediate task is to stop a slaughter, Washington must think beyond this. I know there are already back channels open to credible civic figures, as well as possible diaspora leaders. This will be crucial. And through all of this, Mr President, keep your head. As you know, the aim is not to 'save face'. It is to save lives without igniting a regional war. Only the United States has the power to do that. Only you have the will to make it happen. So please do it now. Make it controlled and surgical and deadly. The world is watching. Shocking footage shows body bags lining the side of the road in Iran following the regime's brutal crackdown on dissent. The clip features as many as 180 corpses by some estimates, with shellshocked mourners standing next to their deceased loved ones and being consoled by their compatriots. The footage was taken outside the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center in the south of Tehran, where bodies are transferred for identification, forensic examination and the issuance of death certificates. Activists now say that the death toll from the brutal suppression of nationwide demonstrations in the Middle Eastern nation is at least 538 people. The group responsible for that figure, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, also claim that more than 10,600 people have been detained. The video was uploaded to social media platform X, with a harrowing caption describing scenes on the ground in Iran. 'Morgues and hospitals are overflowing with bodies. Many hospitals can no longer accommodate the injured, and morgues are running out of space,' the user wrote. 'The Islamic Republic is killing the people of Iran. World leaders must take immediate action to stop this crime against humanity. #Iran' Mourners stand next to body bags outside the Kahrizak Forensic Medical Center in the south of Tehran following the Iranian regime's latest brutal crackdown The sheer volume of body bags underlines the extent of the backlash to protests in Tehran, with one US-based group putting the total death toll at more than 500 Two mourners console each other outside the medical facility in Tehran The video shows the extent of the devastation, with bodybags lying outside the facility, some still on hospital gurneys and others on the floor. Family members stand next to the bodies, as they are consoled by others. Protests in Iran began on December 28 over the country's ailing economy and have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years. The internet and telephone lines have been cut off, but footage of events in Tehran and other cities has circulated widely on social media. Fanatical leaders declared that anyone joining the protests will be considered an 'enemy of God', punishable by death. One woman told CNN she had seen bodies 'piled up' at a hospital - likely to be the one pictured. Meanwhile, Iran has warned Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US military and Israel would be 'legitimate targets' if the US strikes Tehran. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf gave the warning in a speech to parliament in the Iranian capital, while lawmakers shouted 'death to America'. 'In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets,' Qalibaf said. Mourners look shellshocked as they cover the faces of loved ones outside the medical centre Iranians demonstrators during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026 as fires burn in the street Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei attends a gathering of the people of Qom in Tehran. On January 8, 2026, Iranian protesters intensified their challenge to the clerical leadership, marking the largest demonstrations in nearly two weeks of rallies 'We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat.' President Trump last week warned Iran would 'get hit very hard' if it repeated the mass killings of previous uprisings. In a post on his Truth Social network on Saturday, he said: 'Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!' It was reported last night that the White House has held 'preliminary discussions' on plans for a potential strike against Iran. The State Department separately warned: 'Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he'll do something, he means it.' Trump previously struck three nuclear facilities in Iran during Operation Midnight Hammer on June 22, 2025. A Perth mother has spoken out after a terrifying jellyfish sting during a family holiday nearly cost her a leg. Andrea Bowden, 47, was rushed to hospital with sepsis after the sting at a beach in Busselton caused her leg to swell, and her foot to turn black. The mother-of-two, who was initially determined not to let the injury ruin Christmas, said she pushed through the intense pain until the situation became life-threatening. 'It just kept getting worse, the leg was swelling, and the foot started to go black, so my husband called the ambulance,' she told 7 News. 'There was talk of, if this leg goes bad, then it has to come off - potentially a below the knee amputation. 'If I'd been in any other country in the world, I think I wouldn't be here today. I'm just really lucky. I did buy a Lotto ticket after. I haven't checked it yet.' The ordeal began while she was wading in the shallows at Peppermint Grove Beach, 200km south of Perth, with her daughter. 'I felt this intense burning across both legs. I got out of the water, but couldn't see anything,' she recalled. Andrea Bowden was wading in shallow waters south of Perth when she was stung by a jellyfish Andrea Bowden (pictured) said she will now never swim without wearing protective clothing Peppermint Beach (pictured) is a popular holiday spot around 200km south of Perth 'It was incredibly painful, but when you're with your kids, you just power through it.' Doctors at Fiona Stanley Hospital were forced to act quickly, and though there was initial talk of using maggots to clean out the infected wound, antibiotics were successful in clearing the infection. 'We need to be really mindful of infection developing in the bone,' said Dr Ashley Fox, an emergency consultant at FSH. 'We use medical maggots for high-quality debridement because they are extremely effective at identifying and removing necrotic tissue.' Fortunately, early treatment prevented any further complications, and Bowden was able to keep her leg. The culprit, Carybdea xaymacana, is a small, matchbox-sized jellyfish with tentacles up to 20cm long. Though not usually life-threatening, the species is becoming increasingly common in non-tropical waters around Peppermint Grove Beach. Unlike the Irukandji jellyfish WA's north coast is known for, the Carybdea xaymacana found in non-tropical waters is not usually life-threatening. South-west stingers give a sting that is mild to severe and while it does cause an initial sharp pain, this usually goes away quickly Capel Shire President John Fergusson said the south-west stingers have only recently started to appear around Peppermint Grove Beach. 'Although the jellies are small, measuring around 3 centimetres in size, they move to the surface to feed,' he said. 'Beach users are encouraged to wear protective clothing and avoid swimming in areas where large numbers of jellyfish are present.' Their sting is described as mild to severe. For Bowden, a type 1 diabetic, the sting was a 'perfect storm' of complications, making the infection even harder to treat. 'I am never going in the water without longs, ever,' Ms Bowden said. Bowden has now stocked up on vinegar, a common first-aid remedy for stings, but Dr Fox said there is a better approach. Saltwater followed by hot water is more effective for washing off remaining sting cells, and intense pain should never be ignored. Vyvanse has overtaken Ozempic as Australia's fastestgrowing prescription medication, with almost 2.2million subsidised scripts for the ADHD stimulant issued in the past year. The taxpayerfunded prescriptions for the central nervous system stimulant containing lisdexamfetamine dimesylate have surged since 2021, when prescribing rules were expanded to allow adults newly diagnosed with ADHD to access the drug. Figures released by the Federal Health Department show Vyvanse scripts increased by about 653,000 last year alone, costing the Commonwealth $167million. The medication is now the fifthmost dispensed brand on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, leading to shortages for many patients as manufacturers struggle to keep up with demand. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is now warning of a growing trend of ADHD misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis, partly fuelled by social media. Australian media personality Abbie Chatfield revealed on her podcast It's A Lot in 2022 that she had 'finally' been diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 26. She said she was disappointed the process was so difficult and 'inaccessible' to many, after going to great lengths to get an appointment with a psychiatrist, which eventually cost her 'around $700'. 'I'm very happy to say, she got a diagnosis,' Abbie told her co-host. Radio personality Abbie Chatfield (pictured) revealed in 2022 that she had 'finally' been diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 26 Vyvanse has overtaken Ozempic as Australia's fastestgrowing prescription medication. ADHD is a mental health condition with symptoms that include trouble focusing, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour 'Now I am going to go on medication, the psychiatrist said that I can listen to podcasts, and there's lots of different coping mechanisms that I can research.' Child psychiatrist Jon Jureidini said there was no convincing evidence that stimulant medications were associated with long-term benefits for patients. He said their effect appeared to be generic, meaning everyone would feel more focused if they took a stimulant drug. 'We're living in a world mediated by screens and devices; we're often participating in highly stimulating activities, attention-demanding activities,' he told The Australian. 'Anybody can go through and tick the boxes for the 15 different symptoms that you're supposed to have to have ADHD.' The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has since called for clinician-led reform in ADHD care amid soaring demand, as well as rapid policy changes, and mounting public scrutiny. In a new position statement released in November, the body warned that improving access, diagnostic rigour, safety, and continuity of care is essential, especially as some states shift to GP-led ADHD assessment and prescribing. RANZCP President Dr Astha Tomar said ADHD had become one of the most high-profile and publicly contested areas of mental health, and recent proposals risk becoming reactive 'band-aid' fixes for a system already in crisis. RANZCP president Dr Astha Tomar (pictured) said reforms cannot prioritise speed over safety 'The sharp rise in brief patient assessments, growing rates of self-diagnosis driven by social media, and rapidly escalating stimulant prescribing have raised legitimate concerns among clinicians, patients, carers and families,' Dr Tomar told Daily Mail. 'Reforms cannot prioritise speed over safety. When shortcuts in assessment become normalised, patients are the ones who bear the consequences. 'Without thorough evaluation, it is too easy to miss mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related symptoms, autism or other neurodevelopmental needs, and substance use issues.' Dr Tomar said sudden changes across several jurisdictions, intense public debate, and inconsistent and rapidly shifting prescribing arrangements have created uncertainty for patients, families and clinicians. 'ADHD is not an isolated problem. It is a symptom of a much deeper system failure.' According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, the rate of Australians dispensed ADHD medications has increased elevenfold over the past two decades, with adult prescribing growing most rapidly, particularly among women. In 2024-25 government expenditure was $19.1billion for the supply of medicines, up 7.4 per cent from the previous financial year. The most commonly dispensed medications were the antibiotics amoxicillin and cefalexin which were dispensed to nearly 3.5million patients apiece. Two sisters whose lives were torn apart after their father murdered their mother with a hammer have been reunited more than 50 years later - after tracking each other down on Facebook. Theresa Fazzani, 59, and her 57-year-old sister Janet were just children when their mother Helen Barnes was brutally killed in December 1973 at the family home in Newport, Wales. The sisters say the trauma of that day and the decades of forced separation that followed, shaped their entire lives. Helen's husband Malcolm Barnes murdered her with a two-pound hammer before telling the children she was 'sleeping'. He then bundled the four girls - aged eight, five, three and two - into a car and drove them on a five-day journey to John O'Groats. Five days later Barnes confessed to the killing. Although sentenced to life imprisonment, he served just nine years. In the aftermath, the sisters' lives diverged dramatically. Theresa later discovered Barnes was not her biological father and was sent to live with her real father in London. Janet and the two younger girls stayed together and were adopted in Wales. For more than five decades, Theresa and Janet had no contact at all. Theresa Fazzani (R) and her sister Janet (L) as children. The sisters were separated after their mother was brutally murdered by their father over 50 years ago Theresa, 59, and her sister Janet, 57, were just children when their mother Helen Barnes was brutally killed in December 1973 at the family home in Newport, Wales Theresa Fazzani in her youth with her grandfather. Since reconnecting, the sisters have visited each other's homes and now speak almost daily That changed in July 2025, when Theresa, now a mental health counsellor living on the Isle of Wight, decided to search for her lost sisters through a Facebook group that helps reunite families. Within 48 hours, the group had traced Janet and the others. Since reconnecting, the sisters have visited each other's homes and now speak almost daily. Theresa, a mental health counsellor from the Isle of Wight said: 'I remember walking into the room and seeing my mum on the bed, and Malcolm said she was asleep and that we needed to get in the car. 'The next thing I knew, we were in Scotland. I was frightened and confused when I found out our mother was murdered, it was hard to understand when I was so young. 'I couldn't understand that Malcolm wasn't my father but was the father of my sisters. 'My real dad was horrible, and he wouldn't let me contact my sisters, or even talk about them at all, it was brutal. 'I thought about reaching out to my sisters so many times, but I was so anxious and scared of rejection. 'I finally decided to reach out to them because I thought, "I'm 60 soon and I don't want to have any regrets". 'Since finding them through Facebook, I've been to Wales to meet them all, and Janet and I have visited each other's houses. 'The first time we met up was so overwhelming, it was like I'd got a missing part of me back. 'Me and Janet are never off the phone to each other. There's hardly a day that goes by that we don't chat to each other.' Theresa and Janet had an ordinary upbringing in their early childhood, and said they saw no signs their mother was in danger. 'I have no idea why Malcolm murdered my mum', Theresa said. 'We never saw him be violent to her, and he was never violent to us.' Theresa (R) and Janet (L) as children. The sisters had an ordinary upbringing in their early childhood, and said they saw no signs their mother was in danger Helen Barnes who was murdered in December 1973. Helen's husband Malcolm Barnes murdered her with a two-pound hammer before telling the children she was 'sleeping' As the events happened when the sisters were so young, they have had to piece things together from newspaper clippings they have been able to locate. 'One newspaper article claimed that Malcolm murdered our mum because she neglected us, but I don't believe this,' Theresa said. After Malcolm was sent to prison, the sisters were taken in to foster care in Scotland, before being returned to Wales. Theresa was then told that Malcolm was not her father at all, and was sent to live in London with her biological father and step-mum, whilst her sisters were adopted in Wales. When Theresa left for London, Janet said that she wasn't able to give her a proper goodbye. Janet said: 'After she was gone, we were told we'd never see her again. When we were separated, it felt like part of me had been torn away. 'I'd lost the two most important females in my life before I was six years old. Growing up without my big sister was really hard, because we had had such a close bond. 'The family me and my other two sisters were adopted in to was very dysfunctional and suddenly I was the big sister, trying to navigate a hostile environment without Theresa there to protect me.' Over a hundred miles a way, in London, Theresa was also having a miserable upbringing. 'My real dad wasn't particularly nice, he hit me', she said. 'Growing up without my sisters was so hard because I wasn't able to share any special moments with them.' Both Theresa and Janet had thought about reaching out to each other over the years, but fear and anxiety always stopped them. Janet said a big reason why she never tried to contact Theresa was because she always felt guilty, as it was her father that had killed Theresa's mother. 'When I was growing up, my adopted mother told me I would end up in prison like him', she said. Both Theresa and Janet had thought about reaching out to each other over the years, but fear and anxiety always stopped them Theresa Fazzani in her youth. Since reuniting, the sisters have been trying their best to piece together what happened all those years ago Janet said she had tried to look for Theresa in 2022, by looking through her mother's documents to find Theresa's surname. However, she ended up being too scared to reach out. She said: 'I thought she might hate me because of what my father did, and I thought that if I truly mattered to her, she would be looking for me and that somehow it would come together, and it did.' When Janet got the call from Theresa, she was in complete shock. 'I couldn't believe it, I was overwhelmed and so relieved,' she said. 'But it was so upsetting to hear how terribly she had been treated too.' Since reuniting, the sisters have been trying their best to piece together what happened all those years ago. 'We've had to piece everything together ourselves as the authorities sealed our files until 2073', Theresa said. The sisters weren't even allowed to go to their mother's funeral, and have only just seen her grave for the first time. 'Janet had to track our Mum's grave down which I saw for the first time this year', Theresa said. 'A lot was pieced together when we reunited in July this year.' Gamblers on the betting site Polymarket are blasting the prediction platform after it refused to pay out bets the United States would 'invade' Venezuela. The refusal to pay up comes despite a US military operation last weekend capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores that saw them both transported them to the United States. Polymarket, the world's largest online prediction market, ruled the operation did not meet its definition of an invasion, triggering outrage from users who had wagered that Washington would deploy troops into the oil-rich nation. The disputed market asked whether the US would 'invade Venezuela' by specific dates. When US special forces captured Venezuelan ruling couple, many users believed the bet had clearly resolved. But Polymarket determined that the mission which resulted in the seizure of Maduro and his wife was a 'snatch-and-extract' operation and did not on its own qualify as an invasion. The platform defined an invasion as 'US military operations intended to establish control.' Polymarket added that President Donald Trump's statement that the United States would 'run' Venezuela during negotiations also did not meet the threshold for an invasion. Polymarket users erupted after the platform ruled the seizure of Venezuela's president by the US did not qualify as an 'invasion' Gamblers accused the crypto-based platform of redefining reality to avoid paying out losing wagers. Some have won tens of thousands of dollars from predictive bets, see above The decision has fueled accusations the company is redefining outcomes to deny payouts. The ruling comes as Maduro faces federal charges in New York. The disputed wager in question asked: 'Will the US invade Venezuela by?' and offered bettors a range of dates. When US special forces captured Venezuelan ruling couple, many users believed the bet had clearly resolved but after being provided with an explanation as to why their claims were denied Polymarket's user base was seething. 'So it's not an invasion because they did it quickly and not many people died?' one bettor wrote on Polymarket's site. Another called the platform 'polyscam.' Others wrote sarcastically that US forces must have used a 'teleportation device' to extract Venezuela's leadership without invading the country. 'Polymarket has descended into sheer arbitrariness,' one user fumed. Reports of explosions in Caracas began spilling in around 1am, just a few hours after the mystery trader doubled down their bets Maduro is seen being walked by DEA agents to face federal charges in New York last week 'Words are redefined at will, detached from any recognized meaning, and facts are simply ignored,' the person wrote. 'That a military incursion, the kidnapping of a head of state, and the takeover of a country are not classified as an invasion is plainly absurd.' The anger was fueled further by reports of bloodshed during the operation. Dozens were reportedly killed in the special forces raid with one Venezuelan official citing a death toll of 80. Polymarket operates as a peer-to-peer marketplace rather than a traditional sportsbook, meaning users bet against one another rather than 'the house.' In theory, the company does not profit directly from ruling one way or another but the controversy has reignited suspicion about who benefits when definitions are suddenly narrowed after the fact. Some users openly questioned whether the ruling favored large, well-capitalized traders, often referred to as 'whales', at the expense of smaller bettors. There is no public evidence to support that claim, but there is also no transparency around who held the winning positions. Polymarket added that President Donald Trump's statement that the United States would 'run' Venezuela during negotiations also did not meet the threshold for an invasion The dispute comes just days after Polymarket faced scrutiny over a separate wager on whether Maduro would be removed from power. In that market, three traders reportedly made roughly $620,000 by correctly betting 'yes' against long odds. Observers noted that the winning bets came from newly created accounts, sparking suspicions of insider knowledge. 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 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 As of Sunday, Polymarket's odds suggested the controversy had barely moved the needle. The site showed just a 3% chance that the United States would invade Venezuela by January 31 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. The controversy prompted Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) to propose legislation that would ban government officials from trading on prediction markets. The identities of the winning traders remain unknown. 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, it's pointed out on X, and it's visible on Polymarket immediately. So it's not like it's done in darkness,' Coplan said. Complicating matters further are Polymarket's political connections. Donald Trump Jr.'s private investment firm bought a stake in the company last year, and he joined Polymarket's advisory board shortly before the platform received approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to resume operations in the United States. As of Sunday, Polymarket's odds suggested the controversy had barely moved the needle. The site showed just a 3% chance that the United States would invade Venezuela by January 31. Nigel Farage on Sunday warned he will not pay compensation to the EU for tearing up Labour's Brexit reset. Keir Starmer is set to agree a 'Farage clause' with Brussels in a bid to stop his deal being axed by Reform. Brussels is demanding the UK guarantees compensation in case Mr Farage wins the next election and follows through on his pledge to scrap Labour's attempts to reverse Brexit. Mr Farage said: 'No Parliament may bind its successor, we will not honour any clause. 'If Starmer signs this, it is a democratic outrage.' Sir Keir has made watering down Brexit a central part of his strategy to cling on as Labour leader. Ministers have already signed up to follow EU rules in areas such as food and farming in return for easier access to the single market. Legislation due in the coming weeks will introduce so-called 'dynamic alignment', meaning that UK laws will automatically be updated in line with new EU regulations. Nigel Farage (pictured) said: 'No Parliament may bind its successor, we will not honour any clause' The process will apply initially to food, farming and the electricity market but is expected to extend to other areas. The PM indicated last week that he wants a much closer deal with Brussels, despite Labour's manifesto pledge to respect the referendum result. 'If it's in our national interest to have even closer alignment with the single market, then we should consider that,' he said. But officials in Brussels fear that any deal could be torn up by an incoming Reform government and are demanding an insurance policy that could cost the UK billions of pounds. An EU diplomat told the Financial Times that Brussels wanted a 'safety provision to provide stability and a deterrent for Farage and co'. 'The EU wants an agreement long-term and not only until 2029, should a change happen at the next election,' the source said. The termination clause would commit the UK to paying 'significant financial compensation' if Sir Keir's deal is torn up in future. A draft text of the deal states that compensation would be needed to cover 'the infrastructure and equipment, initial recruitment and training, in order to set up the necessary border controls' required to put the deal in place. Keir Starmer (pictured) indicated last week that he wants a much closer deal with Brussels, despite Labour's manifesto pledge to respect the referendum result Tory frontbencher Saqib Bhatti said the attempt to tie the hands of a future government 'speaks volumes about the lack of respect that the EU and Starmer have for our parliamentary democracy... it reeks of arrogance and desperation'. The Conservatives have also pledged to scrap Sir Keir's plans. Former Brexit minister Lord Frost said the Prime Minister's plans would 'deprive us of the ability to set our own rules for our own interests, in our own country'. 'It's going to make us subject to what Brussels decides to do... and we will get no say,' he added. Former home secretary Suella Braverman said: 'The London and Brussels establishment despise the will of the British people and will do anything to crush it.' President Donald Trump's free speech tsar has compared the United Kingdom's threat to block X to Vladimir Putin's Russia. The UK's Office of Communication is carrying out what it has called an 'expedited assessment' of X and xAI's response to its chatbot Grok's manipulation of images to create undressed individuals and sexualized images of children. Liz Kendall, the UK technology secretary, has said ministers would stand by the regulator if it decides to block access to the social media platform, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he was leaving 'all options' on the table. But owner Elon Musk has since accused the UK of becoming 'fascist,' and now Sarah Rogers, the US state department's undersecretary for public diplomacy, compared the UK government to that of Russia. She wrote on the platform that Great Britain was 'contemplating a Russia-style X ban to protect them from bikini images as she criticized the country for failing to ban marriages between cousins - which she suggested was linked to 'honor' killings. 'Since we know the British government wants to make sure women are safe both online and offline (thus contemplating a Russia-style X ban, to protect them from bikini images) here's more from Wikipedia on cousin marriage - and its connection to honor killing,' Rogers posted on Sunday. 'A sardonic reader might wonder whether Ofcom's response to such affronts would be "ban Wikipedia,"' she continued. 'You don't need to wonder! All wikis face an uncertain future in Britain if they allow anonymous editing.' Sarah Rogers, the US state department's undersecretary for public diplomacy, has hit out at the UK government's threat to block X She compared the move to one that Russian President Vladimir Putin would take She also criticized the country for failing to ban marriages between cousins - which she suggested was linked to 'honor' killings But Rogers is not the only Trump ally who has spoken out against the potential ban, with one-time First Buddy Elon Musk reposting an image of Starmer in a bikini with the caption: 'They just want to suppress free speech.' Musk also responded to a chart showing arrest figures for online posts with the UK at the top, with the tech tycoon asking: 'Why is the UK government so fascist?' Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna has also threatened to put forward legislation to sanction both Starmer and the UK if X was blocked in the country. Yet Vice President JD Vance apparently agrees with the UK government that the sexualized images created by the chatbot are 'entirely unacceptable,' and has described the images being produced as 'hyper-ponographied slop,' according to Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy. He had met with the vice president last week, and told The Guardian that he raised the issue of Grok 'and the horrendous, horrific situation in which this new technology is allowing deepfakes and the manipulation of images of women and children, which is just absolutely abhorrent'. 'He agreed with me that it was entirely unacceptable,' Lammy said. 'I think he recognized the very seriousness with which images of women and children could be manipulated in this way, and he recognized how despicable, unacceptable, that is and I found him sympathetic to that position.' It now seems that critics of the technology gained some support from the company, which has agreed to limit its image editing tool to paying users. Elon Musk, the owner of the platform, has previously branded the UK government as 'fascist' for considering the ban Musk previously served under US President Donald Trump Starmer, though, argued that that is not enough. 'That move that simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service,' a spokesperson for the prime minister said. 'It's not a solution. In fact, it's insulting the victims of misogyny and sexual violence. What it does prove is that X can move swiftly when it wants to do so.' The PM's spokesman added: 'You heard the Prime Minister yesterday. He was abundantly clear that X needs to act and needs to act now, it is time for X to grip this issue. 'If another media company had billboards in town centers showing unlawful images, it would act immediately to take them down or face public backlash.' Starmer has previously called on X to 'get their act together' amid concerns about the AI creation of sexualized images of adults and children on the site. 'This is disgraceful. It's disgusting. And it's not to be tolerated,' the PM told Greatest Hits Radio. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmerhas said he was leaving 'all options' on the table The country's Office of Communication is carrying out what it has called an 'expedited assessment' of X and xAI's response to its chatbot Grok's manipulation of images to create undressed individuals and sexualized images of children 'X has got to get a grip of this. Ofcom has our full support to take action in relation to this. This is wrong. 'It's unlawful. We're not going to tolerate it. I've asked for all options to be on the table. 'It's disgusting. X need to get their act together and get this material down. We will take action on this because it's simply not tolerable.' Ofcom has powers under the Online Safety Act to fine businesses up to 18 million or 10 percent of global revenue, as well as to take criminal action. It can also order payment providers, advertisers and internet service providers to stop working with a site, effectively banning them, though this would require agreement from the courts. Kendall has also pointed out that the Crime and Policing Bill making its way through Parliament would ban nudification apps, and said powers to criminalize the creation of intimate images without consent would go into effect in the coming weeks. She wrote in The Sunday Telegraph that ministers were 'drawing an unbreakable line in the sand' against tech companies that profit from abuse. 'Innovation must serve humanity, not degrade it,' she wrote. 'If companies choose greed over responsibility they will face the full force of the law,' Kendall warned. xAI has agreed to limit its image editing tool to Grok's paying users Meanwhile, Indonesia and Malaysia have already blocked Grok over the images, though both governments said their ban was temporary as discussions with the company continue. 'The government views the practice of non-consensual sexual deepfakes as a serious violation of human rights, dignity and the security of citizens in the digital space,' Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's digital minister, said in a statement after the bot was banned on Saturday, according to The Sunday Times. 'To protect women, children and the wider public from the risks of AI-generated pornographic content, the government has taken firm action by temporarily hating access to Grok.' The Malaysian government then followed suit on Sunday, after the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission failed to receive a satisfactory response to formal requests for new safeguards. 'MCMC had issued notices... demanding, amongst others, the implementation of effective technical and moderation safeguards to prevent AI-generated content that may contravene Malaysian law,' the commission said. 'However, the responses submitted on Jan. 7 and 9 by X relied primarily on user-initiated reporting mechanisms and failed to address the inherent risks posed by the design and operation of the AI.' Both Indonesia and Malaysia are majority Muslim countries with laws governing public morality. Under Indonesia's recently introduced new penal code, the production and distribution of pornographic material can be punished by 10 years in prison. Startling new figures have revealed fewer couples are having children, with Australia's birth rate set to drop to a historic low. The 2025 Population Statement expects the fertility rate to fall to 1.42 children per woman in 2025-26, before a slight recovery to 1.62 by 2031-32. The figures are well below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman, a number that has not been reached in Australia for almost five decades. The Statement, released by the Centre for Population, reveals sweeping demographic change that will reshape Australia's economy, housing market and essential services over the next 40 years. The country's population recently passed 27.5million, broadly in line with projections, but growth has cooled sharply as net overseas migration also dipped. Fresh forecasts now predict the population will reach 31.5 million by 2035-36, about 150,000 fewer people than forecast in last year's Statement. Centre for Population executive director Nick Latimer said the findings were essential for long-term national planning. 'Population changes over the next 40 years will be a major influence on Australia's economy and society,' he said. Australia's population is expected to reach 31.5milion over the next decade by 2036 (stock image) 'The 2025 Population Statement provides an important evidence base on Australia's population today and what we expect will happen in the coming years.' For the first time, the Centre has released detailed analysis of fertility intentions and the growing role of medically assisted reproduction. Mr Latimer said the trend had sharpened public debate. 'As fertility has declined around the world, it has been of growing interest in public policy debate,' he said. 'Fertility has also been a major focus for the Centre for Population this year.' Migration remains volatile in the wake of Covid disruptions. Since projections were finalised, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has released updated data showing net overseas migration at 306,000 for 2024-25, just shy of the Statement's 310,000 estimate. Mr Latimer warned uncertainty still looms. Australias fertility rate is projected to fall to a new historic low of 1.42 births per woman (stock image) 'Forecasting net overseas migration has been challenging since the Covid pandemic,' he said. 'Although some aspects of migration have begun to return to more usual patterns, significant uncertainty remains. 'From 2025-26, net overseas migration is expected to be largely in line with the forecasts in the 2024 Population Statement.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the government's migration overhaul aims to stabilise the system and align it with national priorities. 'The Albanese Government's Migration Strategy is helping to ensure our migration system works in the national interest,' he said. He noted migration had fallen to 306,000 in 2024-25, close to half the post-Covid peak and lower than forecast due to fewer temporary arrivals. On falling birth rates, Chalmers said the government would support families who want children. 'The Government is rolling out policies to ease pressure on families and make it easier for people to have children if they want to, including by taking the next steps in building a universal early education and care system and expanding and enhancing paid parental leave,' he said. Jim Chalmers (pictured) said they would push for policies to reduce pressure on families The report also shows Australia's population is ageing faster, though not as sharply as in the 1990s. By 2035-36, women are expected to live to 87.1 and men to 83.4, and the median age will rise 1.8 years to 40.2. Chalmers said the shift carries major budget consequences. 'Population ageing is one of the five major forces reshaping Australia's economy,' he said. 'Population ageing will continue to drive demand for health care services and aged care, placing greater pressure on the budget.' Population growth will vary dramatically between the states, with Western Australia leading at 1.8 per cent growth, while Tasmania is set for just 0.1 per cent. Urbanisation is expected to accelerate, with 72 per cent of Australians living in capital cities by 2065-66, up from 68 per cent today. Sydney and Melbourne are projected to reach 8million residents by 2050, and surpassing that mark in the late 2050s, according to long-range forecasts. A Labour 'banter ban' could cost businesses more than 60million to enforce, the Government has admitted. An official impact assessment slipped out this week reveals that pubs, shops and other businesses will face significant burdens in dealing with new regulations that make them liable for offensive comments and behaviour by their customers. The study, produced by the Cabinet Office, suggests that the total cost could hit more than 60million. But critics last night warned the true figure is likely to be far higher as officials have made a number of optimistic assumptions about the likely impact. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said: 'Labour's new banter ban opens a Pandora's box of ill-defined duties on employers. 'There is zero clarity in law of all the things a pub or venue will have to do, yet the government thinks it'll only have minimal cost or impact. They don't have any idea about business.' Toby Young, general secretary of the Free Speech Union, said the clampdown on banter would be 'the final nail in the coffin' for many pubs, adding: 'Of course, this Government doesn't give a four X about pubs because Labour ministers never set foot in them.' The Conservative peer, who led opposition to the plans in the Lords, said the official impact assessment was a 'massive under-estimate' of the likely cost of the ban. A Labour 'banter ban' could cost businesses more than 60million to enforce, the Government has admitted Under the new system, businesses such as pubs will be made liable for 'harassment' of their staff by third parties such as customers. He added: 'It assumes it will only take half an hour for publicans to get their heads around the new law, which is laughable when none of the government ministers I challenged about this law had grasped its implications when it was going through parliament. 'This is about forcing employers, on pain of being taken to the Employment Tribunal, to protect over-sensitive workers from overhearing hurty words uttered by members of the public - a ludicrous bit of red tape that no publican can hope to comply with.' The new regulations are part of Labour's Employment Rights Act, which the Government estimates will cost firms up to 5 billion a year in total. Under the new system, businesses will be made liable for 'harassment' of their staff by third parties such as customers. Staff will be able to take their boss to an employment tribunal if they feel they have been 'harassed' due to a so-called 'protected characteristic', such as race, sexuality or disability. Employers are already expected to deal with sexual harassment by customers. The 40-page government impact assessment finds that preparing to deal with the new legislation is likely to cost business 22.7million, with ongoing costs of 124,000 a year for ten years. However, it says the total cost could reach 59million over the same period. Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith has claimed Labour's new 'banter ban' risks opening 'a Pandora's box of ill-defined duties on employers' But these costs assume that firms will only need to spend a total of just half an hour familiarising themselves with the legislation and preparing to deal with it. The assessment also assumes that the new law will lead to just 18 additional employment tribunals each year. And it claims the changes are 'not expected to have a disproportionate effect' on small and medium-sized firms, despite the fact that most do not have dedicated human resources teams to deal with changes in employment law. A previous Labour attempt to police the language and behaviour of customers included a 'three strikes rule' giving employers the chance to nip problems in the bud before facing a potential tribunal. But the Government rejected the idea, with the assessment saying it 'would mean numerous incidents of third-party harassment would still not be in scope to be taken to an employment tribunal because there needs to be two occasions of known harassment to have occurred before employer liability is triggered'. The Government assessment claims that the overall impact of the change will be 'positive' for the public, due to 'improved welfare and emotional wellbeing'. However, it is unable to quantify potential benefits, saying that 'the effect on these wider welfare issues are complex and difficult to measure or monetise'. The Adelaide Writers Week has managed the rare feat of turning what was supposed to be a literary festival into a full-blown political incident. Thats thanks to a shambolic sequence of decisions, backtracking, resignations and legal threats. The Adelaide Festival board disinvited Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from this years program, explaining it would not be culturally sensitive to proceed so soon after the Bondi attack. It was a line designed to calm everyone down. But the festival board dragged the worst antisemitic atrocity on Australian soil into a programming dispute, then tried to insist it wasnt drawing a connection. All while simultaneously citing Abdel-Fattahs past statements as the reason for pulling the pin on her attendance. That isnt cultural sensitivity. Its bureaucratic cowardice, dressed up as virtue. But here is the part Adelaides cultural establishment still seems determined to avoid saying out loud: this was a mess waiting to happen because the good doctor never should have been invited in the first place. Not because writers festivals should avoid controversy, or because robust debate is unwelcome, but because this particular controversy is not incidental to her public profile. It is central to it. When a public figure repeatedly trades in inflammatory claims, moral absolutes and political agitation on a subject as combustible as Israel and Palestine, the organisers dont get to feign surprise when a mess ensues. Palestinian-Australian Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah was dropped from the Adelaide Writers' Week, with the board citing a need for cultural sensitivity following the Bondi massacre - sparking a massive fallout A day after the October 7 massacre in Israel, Dr Abdel-Fattah updated her Facebook profile by sharing this image of a parachutist in the colours of a Palestinian flag They dont get to pretend they were curating a polite conversation about literature and accidentally wandered into the front line of a culture war. What this fiasco really exposes is the comfortable little secret of too many writers festivals: they no longer curate arguments, they curate affirmation. The panels are built around polemicists whose worldview is already shared by the organisers and their cultural tribe, while the occasional opponent is wheeled in as a foil. Not to persuade, but to be tut-tutted. Or only because they have written critical works about their own ideological allies on the right. The whole thing is then sold as brave, necessary, and challenging, when it is mostly just ideological brand management with a wine tent. Adelaide has not stumbled into the culture war by accident. It has been leaning into it for many years, while pretending it is simply celebrating books. The difference here is that the board (for once) wasnt on the same polemic page as the festival organisers. And the hypocrisy at the centre of this whole episode is hard to miss. Abdel-Fattahs supporters now denounce censorship as if the principle matters in the abstract, yet she herself was among academics who previously urged the festival to rescind an invitation to pro-Israel speaker, Thomas Friedman. That sort of censorship happens all the time at these festivals, it just usually happens behind closed doors. Free speech, it seems, is a virtue only when it protects allied voices. That is the really rotten aspect of all of this: institutions that want the moral status of pluralism, without actually embracing it. If Adelaide Writers Week wants to be a political rally, it should say so and stop taking public credibility (and taxpayers money) on false pretences. If it wants to be a serious festival of ideas, it needs to stop programming like an activist newsletter and start trusting audiences to hear arguments they may not always like or agree with. Author Peter FitzSimons - husband of high-profile TV anchor Lisa Wilkinson - joined the boycott of the festival As did the likes of ABC journalist Louise Milligan and the national broadcaster's global affairs expert Laura Tingle Either Abdel-Fattah was an appropriate invitee to begin with or she wasnt. Writers are now withdrawing in their droves, sponsors have pulled out and the program has been plunged into complete chaos. And the board itself has now cracked, with resignations raising questions about whether it can even meet legal requirements to govern the festival. One of the board members who resigned is Daniela Ritorto, married to Mark Butler, the federal Health Minister and one of Albos closest parliamentary confidants. The boards decision was reportedly made without the input of Writers Week director Louise Adler or the Writers Week team. And yet Adler remains in place, despite a public humiliation that amounts to a vote of no confidence in her role. If Adler extended the invitation in the first place, and the board has now overridden her in a way that has shredded the events credibility, what exactly is she still directing? Why hasnt she resigned on principle? If Adler stays, she is the face of a festival that has stripped her of all of her authority. If she steps down on principle, she loses her well paid gig. This whole mess is proof positive of why a Royal Commission into antisemitism is so necessary. The Bondi attack made the necessity obvious. Health Minister Mark Butler is one of Anthony Albanese's closest confidants. His wife Daniela Ritorto quit the board of the Adelaide Writers' Week after it axed Palestinian-Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah A royal commission can take the emotion out of this debate and offer some insights and can hopefully examine whether or not anti-Zionism equates to antisemitism. Adelaides implosion shows how far the rot might run through our civic culture. No wonder the PM had to be hauled, kicking and screaming, into calling the royal commission. The governments initial posture after Bondi was to reject calls for having one Pressure grew, and eventually the Commonwealth Royal Commission was announced. Albo can insist it wasnt a backflip but thats a complete nonsense. A Texas middle school teacher is accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student in a Walmart parking lot as two other students sat in the back seat. Jaden Renee Charles, 26, a mother-of-four, is facing two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, with authorities saying she had a relationship with more than one of her students at Agua Dulce Secondary School. The charges against Charles stem from an incident on February 29, 2024, when she allegedly drove three students, including the 14-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, to the Walmart in Alice at around 2.10am, KRIS 6 News reports. She then allegedly tied a blanket around the front seats' headrests of her SUV and had sex with the 14 year old in the front seat while the other two teenagers sat in the back seat. At the time, Charles claimed she was pregnant with the 14 year old's baby, according to court documents. But the investigation into Charles' behavior first began when a student was caught with a vape on campus, according to Scripps News. The Agua Dulce Independent School District then spoke to several students and teachers about the incident, and learned that Charles had provided the student with the vape. As authorities then investigated the incident, officers learned that Charles may have provided vapes containing THC to several students, City Marshal Joe Martinez told 3NEWS at the time. Jaden Renee Charles, 26, a Texas middle school teacher and a mother-of-four, is facing two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child The investigation into Charles' behavior first began when a student was caught with a vape on campus at Agua Dulce Secondary School Authorities say she drove three students to a Walmart parking lot on February 29, 2024 at around 2.10am, when she had sex with a 14 year old boy while two others sat in the back seat She had allegedly started purchasing the vapes for the boys two years prior, before she started teaching. Martinez also said officers interviewed five different male students, four of whom confirmed they had inappropriate relations with Charles and said she was providing them with THC vapes and alcohol. He then claimed that Charles allegedly had sexual relations with two students prior to being employed with the Agua Dulce Independent School District. Chief Eden Garcia from the Alice Police Department further said that there was proof of her being with the students. 'We do have parents that were concerned and made some calls about their children being with a teacher,' Garcia said. 'We do have video of the teacher with a student at one of the hotels.' Investigators now believe her crimes span two counties - Nueces and Jim Wells. But at a court hearing on Thursday, Charles' attorney, Robert J Gonzalez, told Judge Jack Pulcher he has not yet received any evidence in the case from Jim Wells County. Charles is now due back in court the first week of April He then argued that the case in Jim Wells may be connected to the two cases out of Nueces County, noting that Jim Wells has not yet indicted Charles on any crimes. The middle school science teacher graduated from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree- the same year she was accused of starting inappropriate relationships with the minors. She is now due back in court the first week of April. An online fundraiser set up to support the wife and three children of the woman shot dead by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last week has closed, after raising more than $1.5 million in donations. The GoFundMe campaign to support Renee Nicole Good's wife, Rebecca, as well as Good's children amassed more than 38,500 donations in the four days since it was started. Funds poured in quickly after Officer Jonathan 'Jon' Ross shot Good three times in quick succession on Wednesday afternoon after she allegedly ignored ICE agents' demands to get out of her SUV. The crowdfunder sought $50,000 to support the Good family as they 'grapple with the devastating loss of their wife and mother'. But the campaign raised more than 28 times the requested amount, with one anonymous donor alone generously contributing $50,000. The funds will now be put in a trust for the family, including Good's six-year-old son, who was left orphaned by the tragedy, organizers shared in an update on Friday as they announced they were closing the fundraiser. 'If you're looking to donate, we encourage you to support others in need,' the organizers said. They also shared comments that Rebecca gave to MPR News. 'First, I want to extend my gratitude to all the people who have reached out from across the country and around the world to support our family,' she said. 'The kindness of strangers is the most fitting tribute because if you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind. In fact, kindness radiated out of her.' An online fundraiser to support the family of Renee Nicole Good (pictured) has closed after raising more than $1.5 million in donations The money will now go to Renee's widow, Rebecca Good (pictured left), as well as her three children - including a six-year-old boy who was left orphaned when his mother was shot dead on Wednesday The grieving widow then went on to say her wife 'sparkled'. 'I mean, she didn't wear glitter, but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores. All the time,' Rebecca said. 'You might think it was just my love talking, but her family said the same thing. Renee was made of sunshine.' 'Renee lived by an overarching belief: there is kindness in the world and we need to do everything we can to find it where it resides and nurture it where it needs to grow,' she continued. Rebecca also said her wife was a Christian 'who knew that all religions teach the same essential truth: we are here to love each other, care for each other and keep each other safe and whole.' Together, Rebecca and Renee 'were raising our son to believe that no matter where you come from or what you look like, all of us deserve compassion and kindness.' 'Renee lived this belief every day. She is pure love. She is pure joy. She is pure sunshine,' Rebecca said. She then claimed that she and her wife 'stopped to support our neighbors' on Wednesday. 'We had whistles. They had guns,' Rebecca declared. Rebecca thanked all of those who have reached out following Good's death Renee was shot three times in the face at a protest in Minneapolis and died at the scene The Goods moved their family to Minnesota just last year. They are understood to have fled the US after Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election, going briefly to Canada before settling in Minneapolis. 'I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him. That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts and we need to show them a better way,' Rebecca said. She concluded: 'We thank you for ensuring Renee's legacy is one of kindness and love. We honor her memory by living her values: rejecting hate and choosing compassion, turning away from fear and pursuing peace, refusing division and knowing we must come together to build a world where we all come home safe to the people we love.' Good's killing has sparked global outrage with furious Democrats branding Ross a murderer. But Ross has the full support of the Trump administration, who argue he acted in self-defense when it appeared Good intended to run him down with her car. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other Trump administration officials have defended Ross as an experienced law enforcement professional who followed his training and shot Good after he believed she was trying to run him or other agents over with her vehicle. ICE agent Jonathan 'Jon' Ross fatally shot Good six months after he was dragged 100 yards by a car in a separate incident The Trump administration has said Ross is an experienced law enforcement professional who followed his training and shot Good after he believed she was trying to run him or other agents over with her vehicle But video has raised questions about whether the shooting was in self-defense, and the FBI is investigating the deadly use of force. Some protesters are demanding that Ross face criminal charges, and Minnesota authorities also want to investigate. Recordings of the shooting show an officer approaching Good's stopped SUV. He grabbed the driver's door handle as he allegedly demanded she open the door. Her Honda Pilot began to pull forward and Ross pulled his weapon, immediately firing three shots and jumping back as the vehicle moved toward him. It is not clear from the videos if the vehicle made contact with Ross. After the shooting, the SUV slammed into two cars parked on a curb before crashing to a stop. Newly released surveillance video showed how Good apparently blocked the road with her SUV for four minutes before she was killed. About 20 seconds after Good pulled up to the street, a passenger - believed to be her wife Rebecca Good - exited the vehicle and eventually began filming. There is now speculation that Rebecca, who admitted to bringing her spouse to the anti-ICE protest, exited the car so she could begin filming any potential clash with federal agents. She was seen wielding her camera during Ross's confrontation with her wife but it is unclear when she first started to record. Newly released surveillance video showed how Good apparently blocked the road with her SUV for four minutes before she was killed Rebecca could be seen in the video pointing her phone at Ross but it is unclear when she first started to record Witnesses have claimed Good and Rebecca were acting as legal observers and filming the protest. The mother-of-three allegedly became involved in the community at her six-year-old son's charter school and it's local 'ICE Watch' group, which is a coalition of activists who seek to disrupt immigration raids. Rebecca, in a harrowing footage captured at the scene, admitted she encouraged Good to confront agents. 'I made her come down here, it's my fault,' she cried. But Good's mother Donna Ganger has denied reports that her daughter would have been 'part of anything like' the protests against ICE that were taking place at the location where she was killed. Meanwhile, a separate fundraiser for Jonathan Ross has raised over $300,000, with help from hedge fund billionaire Bill Ackman. Jonathan Ross is married to a Filipina immigrant named Patrixia Good's killing has sparked global outrage with furious Democrats branding Ross a murderer Clyde Emmons, the organizer of Ross's fundraiser, described Good as a 'domestic terrorist' and claimed that the officer's actions were '1,000 percent justified'. 'Funds will go to help pay for any legal services this officer needs,' Emmons, who is based in Michigan, wrote. Ross is an Iraq War veteran who has served for nearly two decades in the Border Patrol and ICE, according to records. He has been a deportation officer since 2015. He was seriously injured last summer when he was dragged by the car of a fleeing illegal immigrant sex offender whom he shot with a stun gun while trying to arrest him. The previous incident in which took place in Bloomington, Minnesota and left Ross with injuries that required 33 stitches. Millions of Australians living with obesity could soon gain cheaper access to a blockbuster weightloss drug, with the federal government preparing to act on expert advice to subsidise the Ozempiclike medication Wegovy. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee has recommended that Wegovy be listed on the PBS for adults with obesity and established cardiovascular disease. Patients must have experienced a serious cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack, stroke, or symptomatic peripheral arterial disease, and meet strict weight thresholds to be eligible for the PBS subsidy. Health Minister Mark Butler said the government would begin price negotiations with the drug's manufacturer, Novo Nordisk. 'Right now, more than 400,000 Australians are paying private prices just to get this weightloss benefit - as much as $4,000 or $5,000 a year,' Butler said. 'It's beyond the means of many Australians who would genuinely benefit. It's an equity issue as much as a health issue.' Wegovy, a GLP1 medication similar to Ozempic, suppresses appetite and can lead to significant weight loss. Data from 2022 showed that 13 per cent of Australian adults fall into the 'severe obesity' category, with a BMI of 35 or more. Although there's no confirmed timeline for Wegovy's PBS listing, once it is added, eligible patients will see a significant reduction in cost. Federal Health Minister Mark Butler (pictured) will soon begin price negotiations with Wegovy manufacturer Novo Nordisk The price of weight loss jab Wegovy could soon be dramatically reduced Under changes introduced on January 1, the maximum price for PBS-listed medicines has dropped to $25 per prescription, and $7.70 for concession card holders. Perth Weight Clinic lead clinician Mark Mellor said the drug is particularly beneficial because it not only supports weight loss, but can also help prevent future cardiovascular issues and save lives. 'To help prevent patients from having another cardiovascular event or dying from cardiovascular disease,' Dr Mellor told the ABC. 'It makes sense that we need to treat these people if they want that treatment.' Currently, Ozempic is PBS-listed only for its original therapeutic use: type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication, similar to Ozempic, that helps suppress appetite and supports weight loss. Global demand for GLP1 medications has surged, prompting the World Health Organisation in December to urge governments to improve affordability and access. Wegovy could also be approved in pill form after its recent launch in the US. Wegovy could also be approved in pill form after being launched in the US earlier this month Perth Weight Clinic lead clinician Mark Mellor (pictured) said the narrow eligibility criteria were no accident, describing them as necessary to prevent costs 'blowing out' Royal Australian College of General Practitioners expert Dr Michael Tam said making the drugs affordable for those who need them most would deliver significant equity benefits. 'There are a lot of people who believe they'd benefit from these medicines, but for many, their social and financial circumstances make that impossible,' he said. 'If these medicines land on the PBS, that fundamentally changes access.' However, Dr Tam warned that Australia cannot rely on medication alone to tackle soaring obesity rates. 'For a person living with obesity, and there are many people who might benefit from these medicines, the reality is that their social situation may make access unrealistic. 'If these medicines come onto the PBS, it will clearly improve access, and the potential benefits from an equity perspective could be significant. 'But if we fund these medicines, it may mean less funding or slower growth for preventive health initiatives, such as addressing issues in the built environment. 'It's not a simple thing. We know these treatments are effective for individuals, but ideally, we want to reduce the burden of obesity from occurring in the first place. 'It would be even better if we're able to also support a healthy community so that less young people, less children, become obese adults.' The police officer who single-handedly stopped Joel Cauchi's murderous stabbing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer. NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott ran to the fifth level of the Sydney shopping centre in 2024 after being alerted to the terrifying rampage. She confronted Cauchi and fatally shot him in the chest when he refused to drop the knife. A fundraiser has been set up to help Inspector Scott and her family during her battle with the disease by NSW Police Legacy. 'Our beautiful friend and colleague, Inspector Amy Scott, has recently been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer,' the fundraiser said. 'Beyond her dedicated service to the community, Amy is a devoted wife, a loving mother of two young boys, and has a family who depend on her and walk this journey beside her every day. 'She is every bit the remarkable human you would think. She is fiercely independent and the first to champion others. 'Whilst she is being well supported by her family, friends and colleagues, Amy has a long uphill battle ahead to beat this insidious disease. Bondi Junction hero Amy Scott has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer Inspector chased and shot dead Joel Cauchi following his murderous rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13 2024 (pictured) 'Amy now needs the strength, compassion, and support of her community. This is a powerful reminder that even our strongest people are human, and this fundraiser has been created to ease the financial burden for Amy and her family during this incredibly challenging time.' NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was devastated by the news. 'I spoke to Amy a couple of weeks ago. I mean, she's a genuine, bonafide Australian hero, someone that we have got we owe a huge debt of gratitude to, not just because of her heroic actions in Bondi Junction of a couple of years ago, but also she's been an inspiration to the exact same officers that attended the terrorism event on the 14th of December,' he said. 'She's so important for New South Wales Police and our community. If anyone deserves a break, it's Amy, and we just wish her the very best. She's an absolute champion.' Following her act of heroism, Insp Scott said that she was just one example of 'ordinary people called to do an extraordinary thing'. 'It was quite a traumatic day for everybody involved,' Insp Scott told a graduating class of police officers. 'I wasn't the only person there and that's why I have stayed quiet and probably will continue to stay quiet because there are really important people that responded that day that have been impacted.' Insp Scott said she was lucky to have the love and support of a wife, family and friends as well as NSW Police Force community to get her through the tough memories of the day and 'back on the tools'. Insp Scott is pictured with her two young boys Following her act of heroism, Insp Scott said that she was just one example of 'ordinary people called to do an extraordinary thing' Amy Scott (right) is pictured with her wife 'Really importantly are those victims, their families and friends, who will be forever dealing with an unfathomable tragedy,' Inspector Scott said. On the day of the stabbings, Insp Scott was performing routine checks near the shopping centre. After bystanders directed her to the scene, the officer approached the 40-year-old Queensland man on level five of the complex as shoppers fled and others lay injured. When Cauchi refused to put his knife down, Insp Scott fired one shot to his chest, sending him to the ground. She then walked over and gave him CPR until paramedics arrived but Cauchi was unable to be revived. Those killed included five women - Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Pikria Darchia, 55, Jade Young, 47, and Yixuan Cheng, 27 along with security guard Faraz Tahir, 30. Ms Good's nine-month-old daughter was also hurt in the attack. Chaos erupted at a proIranian freedom rally in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon after a U-Haul truck bearing a stark antiregime change message plowed through a crowd of demonstrators, sending people scrambling in panic. Witnesses said the truck barreled toward protesters waving Iranian flags, attempting to force its way through the gathering as a large banner taped to its side declared: 'No Shah, No Regime. USA: Don't Repeat 1953. No Mullah.' Two people received treatment for injuries at the scene. A third person was reported injured; their condition was unclear. The shocking moment unfolded in broad daylight in the Westwood area of the city as the vehicle appeared to deliberately drive into the rally area, raising immediate fears of a politically motivated attack. Hundreds of people were marching in the neighborhood to voice their support for Iranian protesters. As the truck came to a stop, tensions escalated rapidly. A large group of protesters was seen surrounding the U-Haul, with some demonstrators smashing its windows, shouting and anger boiled over. Law enforcement officers eventually pulled a man from the vehicle and appeared to take him into custody. As police escorted him away, several protesters were seen trying to punch him and strike him with flagpoles, forcing officers to push the crowd back. Chaos erupted at a proIranian freedom rally in Los Angeleson Sunday afternoon after a U-Haul truck bearing a stark antiregime change message plowed through a crowd of demonstrators The truck was caught on camera from various angles as it plowed through the crowd A large banner taped to its side declared: 'No Shah, No Regime. USA: Don't Repeat 1953. No Mullah.' The west side of Los Angeles, including Westwood is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran. From an estimated 400,000 Iranian-born immigrants living in the United States, more than a third live in the LA area. The crackdown of demonstrations in Iran itself has resulted in hundreds of deaths. At least 583 people have been killed since unrest began in Iran two weeks ago over the economic crisis, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The LA Fire Department reported three people were injured by the truck - but two decline treatment. A third is being assessed by paramedics. Los Angeles police were at the scene, working to control the crowd. President Donald Trump is set to be briefed by top aides this week as he plots out the level of his response to the Iranian regime's brutal crackdown against citizen-led protests. Trump's top military and diplomatic staffers, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine, are anticipated to be present at the meeting, per the Wall Street Journal. A U-Haul truck that reportedly was driven into a crowd is pictured during a 'Free Iran' rally in Los Angeles People walk near a U-Haul truck that was driven into a crowd during an anti-Iranian regime rally Police cordon off a U-Haul rental truck after it was driven into a crowd which had gathered to show support for Iranian protesters, in the Westwood suburb of Los Angeles, California From an estimated 400,000 Iranian-born immigrants living in the United States, more than a third live in the LA area The shocking moment unfolded in broad daylight as the vehicle appeared to deliberately drive into the rally area Protestors had been marching in the Westwood area of the city underneath a giant Iranian flag The meeting comes as Trump is understood to be considering further US involvement in the region, but no final decisions are expected to emerge until after Tuesday's scheduled meeting. Putting U.S. troops' boots on the ground is also not on the table, per CNN. Protests within Iran have escalated since the New Year, and the regime, led by Ayatollah Khamenei, has sought to limit its citizens' access to the West by cutting off internet connection as well as telephone lines. BBC bosses are preparing to splash out up to 63million on taxis for staff and presenters despite warnings they must slash 150million from programme budgets. The eye-watering spend will fund a 24/7 cab service for employees, on-screen talent, guests and equipment under a new five-year contract advertised on a government procurement website. The deal, equivalent to the cost of more than 361,000 TV licences, has been divided into two lucrative lots. One is for an app-based 'ride-hail' service estimated to be worth 35.5million, while a second contract worth 17million will cover pre-booked journeys across the UK and overseas, The Sun reports. The contracts are due to run from July 2027 to June 2030, with an option to extend for a further two years pushing the total potential bill to 63million. The corporation is thought to be losing around 1billion a year as increasing numbers of households claim they only watch streaming services and therefore do not need a TV licence. Industry insiders have warned the shortfall could force deep cuts to flagship shows including The Traitors, fronted by Claudia Winkleman, Strictly, and big-budget period dramas such as the award-winning Wolf Hall. Some programmes could be axed entirely, while new commissions may be slashed. The eye-watering spend will fund a 24/7 cab service for employees, on-screen talent, guests and equipment under a new five-year contract advertised on a government procurement website The contracts are due to run from July 2027 to June 2030, with an option to extend for a further two years pushing the total potential bill to 63million All this comes as viewers brace for another hit to their wallets, with the TV licence fee expected to rise from 174.50 to more than 180. The plans have triggered fury from campaigners and politicians, who say the spending shows how out of touch the broadcaster is with struggling licence fee payers. Shimeon Lee, policy analyst at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'It's a perfect example of how the BBC treats licence fee-payers' money as an open tab. 'While households are struggling to cover energy bills and food costs, the BBC is lining up app-based ride-hailing and international chauffeured travel for its own staff. These perks should be scrapped, and so should the licence fee.' While Richard Tice, Reform UK deputy leader, hit out: 'A fat cat limo contract is up for grabs for BBC staff for more than 10million per year. No wonder the licence fee is so expensive where do we apply?' The taxi tender has emerged just months after the BBC admitted in its annual plan that it faces an 'unprecedented content funding challenge'. The BBC has previously faced embarrassment over its taxi spending. Last year it emerged that bills included 484 for a journey from Salford to Oxford, while a 15-mile trip between Ruislip and central London cost 288. Insiders say that under the new contract, any taxi costs incurred by commercial arm BBC Studios will be repaid to central BBC funds. A BBC source added: 'We routinely recover VAT on all vatable purchases.' In a statement, the broadcaster said: 'This contract will cover global taxi services for both the BBC's public service and commercial arm, including transport for staff, productions, contributors and equipment. 'We have strict guidelines in place around the use of taxis and when their use is and isn't acceptable. 'The figure quoted is the maximum potential value of the contract over a five year period, not the final cost, and we anticipate our total spend to be significantly less than this.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'This contract will cover global taxi services for both the BBC's public service and commercial arm, including transport for staff, productions, contributors and equipment. 'We have strict guidelines in place around the use of taxis and when their use is and isn't acceptable. The figure quoted is the maximum potential value of the contract over a five year period, not the final cost, and we anticipate our total spend to be significantly less than this.' President Donald Trump's motorcade had to be rerouted on Sunday after Secret Service agents discovered a 'suspicious device.' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared the news as the president made his way to Palm Beach International Airport. 'During advance sweeps of PBI Airport, a suspicious object was discovered by USSS,' she said. 'A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly.' The motorcade then took an unusual route to the Palm Beach airport, making a circular route around town as police motorcycles raced along side. The press vans were so close together that they almost crashed into each other during a slow down to make a turn, breaking hard to avoid a collision. The drivers of the press vans were instructed to 'keep it tight.' Air Force One was then seen on the opposite side of the airport than it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were off as the motorcade arrived. The president is now onboard Air Force One heading back to the White House, telling reporters on the way that the leaders of Iran are 'starting to' cross a red line as demonstrations throughout the country continue. President Donald Trump's motorcade had to be rerouted on Sunday after a 'suspicious device' was found The president told reporters that the leaders of Iran are 'starting to' cross a red line as demonstrations throughout the country continue 'These are violent leaders - I don't know if they're leaders or just, they rule through violence,' Trump said. 'But we're looking at it very seriously the military's looking at it and we're looking at very strong options.' If Iran then tries to retaliate, Trump said, 'We'll hit them at levels they've never seen before, they won't even believe it. 'I've got options that are so strong,' he said. Trump then added that he is getting hourly reports on the ongoing protests in the country, and is set to be briefed by top aides this week. Top military and diplomatic staffers, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine, are anticipated to be present at the meeting, per the Wall Street Journal. Protests within Iran have escalated since the New Year, and the regime, led by Ayatollah Khamenei, has sought to limit its citizens' access to the West by cutting off internet connection as well as telephone lines. Protestors have, however, still been able to get information out of the country through the use of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite technology. Trump has intensified his public statements since the protests began, warning Iranian authorities against using force and repeatedly expressing support for what he has described as a push for freedom. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khameni waves during a gathering of the people of Qom in Tehran on January 9, 2026 'Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,' the president noted in a post to his Truth Social account, adding that 'the USA stands ready to help!!!' The State Department has echoed a hardline tone, pointing to previous US actions against adversarial governments as evidence that Trump follows through on his warnings. 'Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he'll do something, he means it,' a recent social media post from the State Department read. Back in June, Trump directed the US military to deploy a dozen 30,000-pound 'bunker buster' bombs that 'obliterated' Iran's three largest nuclear facilities. 'The strikes were a spectacular military success,' Trump said in a late-night address to the nation from the White House the day after operation. The US military joined forces with Israel to launch military strikes against Iran at the time using B-2 'bunker bomber' planes. Trump later indicated that his decision to authorize the strikes was influenced by the possibility of renewed diplomatic engagement with Tehran. President Donald Trump said that NATO needs the US 'more than we need them' on Sunday night while urging Greenland to cave to his demands before being conquered by China or Russia. Trump brushed aside warnings from allies and doubled down on his demand for control of Greenland, saying that he does not care if acquiring the Arctic territory upsets NATO. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew back to Washington, Trump was asked whether taking Greenland could damage relations with the alliance. 'If it affects NATO, then it affects NATO,' Trump said. 'But, you know, they need us much more than we need them, I will tell you that right now.' Pressed on whether he had made a formal offer to Greenland or Denmark, Trump said he had not, yet - before launching into a stark assessment of the island's security. 'Greenland should make the deal because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,' Trump said. 'Greenland, basically their defense is two dogsleds,' he continued. 'In the meantime, you have Russian destroyers all over the place.' In a separate exchange with reporters on board, Trump made clear he sees US control of Greenland as inevitable. 'If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will. And I'm not going to let that happen One way or the other, we're going to have Greenland,' he said. Trump brushed off NATO backlash as he doubled down on his push to take control of Greenland. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump warned that Russia or China would move in Despite global backlash and Greenland's opposition, Trump declared US control of the island inevitable When a reporter followed up asking if it is 'Okay if that compromises NATO?', Trump acknowledged the blowback could be real, but suggested the alliance itself might be expendable. 'Maybe NATO would be upset if I did it we'd save a lot of money. I like NATO. I just wonder whether or not if needed NATO would they be there for us? I'm not sure they would,' Trump said. In reality, NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause, treating an attack on one member as an attack on all, has been invoked only once, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, when allies joined Washington in Afghanistan. The remarks reignited a diplomatic crisis that has been simmering since Trump renewed his push to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark with enormous strategic value in the Arctic. Trump has said he wants control of the island because of its location, its mineral resources, and rising Russian and Chinese military activity in the region - and has not ruled out the use of force. Trump has argued that striking a deal would be 'easier,' but has also warned that 'if we don't do it the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way'. On Sunday night, he again insisted that US acquisition of Greenland is a national security necessity. Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, is defended by Denmark, whose military is far smaller than that of the United States. Join the debate How should the world respond if the US tries to claim territory like Greenland against local wishes? The president mocked Greenland's defenses, saying they amounted to 'two dogsleds' Asked whether a takeover could fracture NATO, Trump replied: 'They need us much more than we need them' 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 US already operates a military base on the island. Danish officials have warned that any attempt to seize Greenland would threaten NATO itself. Trump dismissed that argument, portraying himself as a defender rather than a threat to the alliance, citing his pressure on member states to increase defense spending. Tensions between Washington and Copenhagen have intensified in recent days. Denmark's ambassador to the US, Jesper Mller Srensen, publicly pushed back after the newly tapped US envoy for Greenland suggested the United States had defended the island during World War II when Denmark could not. Srensen responded that Denmark has consistently stood alongside the US, including after 9/11, and stressed that only Greenlanders should decide their future. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned on Sunday that her country faces a 'decisive moment' in its standoff with Washington. 'There is a conflict over Greenland,' Frederiksen said during a debate with other Danish political leaders, adding that the stakes extend far beyond the island itself. In a Facebook post, Frederiksen said Denmark is prepared to defend its principles. 'We are ready to defend our values - wherever it is necessary - also in the Arctic. We believe in international law and in peoples' right to self-determination,' she wrote. Donald Trump Jr visited the territory last January, prior to the start of his father's second term Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland last March, specifically the US military's Pituffik Space Base European allies have begun to line up behind Denmark. Germany and Sweden both voiced support for Copenhagen, condemning what Sweden's prime minister called 'threatening rhetoric'. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said a US takeover of Greenland would violate international law and risk encouraging other nations to do the same. 'Sweden, the Nordic countries, the Baltic states, and several major European countries stand together with our Danish friends,' he said at a defense conference attended by NATO's top US commander. Germany reiterated that Greenland's future must be decided by its people and Denmark, even as it acknowledged growing security concerns in the Arctic. German officials said they are ready to assume greater responsibilities within NATO as the region's strategic importance grows. Polls indicate that Greenland's population overwhelmingly opposes a US takeover, even as the island continues to debate its long-term relationship with Denmark. Federal Parliament will be recalled early next week as the government moves to pass sweeping new national-security laws in response to the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday confirmed he will order both the House of Representatives and the Senate to return on January 19 and 20 to deal with new legislation. The emergency sitting will begin with a condolence motion honouring the victims of the antisemitic attack, paying tribute to those killed, those injured, and the families whose lives have been forever changed. In a display of unity, the government and Opposition have already agreed on the wording. After tributes, Parliament will turn immediately to the centrepiece of the government's response: the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026. Drafted in the immediate aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack, the bill will be introduced on Monday, debated on Tuesday, and then fast-tracked to the Senate. The bill marks one of the most farreaching crackdowns on extremism in years. It introduces tough new offences aimed at hate preachers and extremist leaders who attempt to radicalise children. Anthony Albanese (pictured) confirmed Parliament would return on Monday January 19 Penalties for hatecrime offences will be significantly increased, and courts will be required to take extremist motivation into account during sentencing. The government is also creating a new offence for inciting hatred with the intention to intimidate or harass, while expanding the ban on prohibited extremist symbols. 'We want to ensure that Australia remains a society where everyone has the right to be proud of who they are and we also want to make it clear that conduct which is hateful, dangerous, and divisive will also be illegal,' Albanese said to reporters in Canberra on Monday. 'Just as antisemitism and racism are an offence against our Australian values, they should be an offence against Australian law.' Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke will gain stronger powers to cancel or refuse visas for individuals who attempt to enter Australia to spread hatred. A new framework will allow the minister to formally declare organisations as Prohibited Hate Groups, a designation that makes it a criminal offence to join, recruit for, donate to, or assist such groups in any way. Radical Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir and the neo-Nazi National Socialist Network were named by Burke as groups that the laws would target. The package also includes the launch of a National Gun Buyback Scheme designed to remove dangerous weapons from Australian streets. Sussan Ley (pictured) said the Opposition was 'sceptical' about the new laws 'The terrorists at Bondi Beach had hatred in their minds and lethal weapons in their hands,' Albanese said. 'These reforms deal with both.' Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said she would be briefed on the laws on Monday afternoon, but said she was 'sceptical' about the new legislation. 'The Opposition was not provided with the legislation prior to the Prime Minister's announcement,' she said. 'We are deeply sceptical of the Prime Minister's decision to introduce a single bill that will attempt to cover multiple complex and unrelated policy areas, for example issues of speech are clearly separate from the ownership and management of firearms.' Ley also criticised Albanese for taking too long to call for Commonwealth Royal Commission into the Bondi Beach terror attack, following weeks of pressure. 'Just days ago, the Prime Minister was dragged kicking and screaming to a Commonwealth Royal Commission, which is why Australians are right to be cautious when he preaches cooperation but does not practice it,' she said. 'As is so often the case with this Prime Minister, he is squarely focused on what he perceives to be his political interests, not the national interest. This is a political decision, aimed at fostering division - not creating unity.' A young woman who once lived next door and was cared for by Australia's notorious babysitter killer has spoken of the chilling memories that still haunt her, including a disturbing collection of teddy bears and an unsettling obsession with true crime shows. Aaliyah recalls being left alone with triple child murderer Helen Patricia Moore, completely unaware of her dark secrets. In hindsight, she says that small details now take on a far more sinister meaning. It was only years later when police arrived at her family home that Aaliyah learned who the seemingly kind neighbour next door really was. 'I still am in disbelief about it. I was around aged 10 and had so many sleepovers at her house,' Aaliyah told Daily Mail. 'I spent so much time with her and I never would have thought she was capable of murder. 'I saw her as a nan. That's how close we were. Always saying 'I love you' to each other and giving her hugs.' Moore was still a teenager when she fatally smothered three infants as they slept in their cots in Claymore in Sydney's south-west in 1979-80. Helen Patricia Moore (pictured recently) was still a teenager when she fatally smothered the infants as they slept in their cots in Sydney's south-west in 1979-80 Aaliyah (pictured) was once cared for by Australia's notorious babysitter killer The tragic deaths were initially written off as mysterious cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), often called cot death - the sudden, unexplained death of a child aged under one. For two years, her crimes went unnoticed - until police were finally called in and she was arrested and made a full confession. Moore was given three life sentences for the murders and another 10 years for two attempted murders. She served just 13 years. It was around 2018 that Moore, now going by the name Anderson, and her husband Leslie moved to the NSW Central Coast and struck up a close friendship with Aaliyah's mother, who lived next door. Moore was always volunteering to help the single mum-of-five with the children. Aaliyah admitted that there was a time she stayed over at Moore's home almost every weekend. 'She was part of the family. I never even saw her as a babysitter,' she said. 'I spent most nights at her house. I'd go over after school, have dinner there, and then go home.' Helen Patricia Moore (pictured during her arrest) didn't tell her new neighbours about her evil past when she moved to the NSW Central Coast Moore (left) moved to the NSW Central Coast with her husband Leslie Anderson (right), who has since died Helen Moore is back in the community and still babysitting Moore collected teddy bears and had them throughout her house, according to Aaliyah But looking back, Aaliyah now sees Moore's behaviour as deeply unsettling. 'She had so many teddy bears she had collected and they were everywhere,' she recalled. 'Most were from the SES, where she and her husband volunteered, and some were thank you gifts from animal shelters she donated to.' 'Her husband was also always checking kerbside pickups and bringing home more teddies.' Aaliyah also recalled Moore's fixation with crime stories and news coverage. 'She was always on Facebook looking at true crime or watching the news in the lounge room,' she said. 'She would get right in my face, eyes wide open and tell me her opinions on whatever was on.' 'That gives me chills now because she would get so angry about stories involving child abuse.' 'She acted so against it like it made her sick and she couldn't believe how people could do that to children. It seems so ironic now.' Looking back, Aaliyah believes Moore was obsessively following the news because she feared that her past would eventually catch up with her. Moore was 18 when she was arrested Helen Patricia Moore (pictured recently) was always on Facebook looking at true crime pages, according to former neighbours That is exactly what happened when police visited Aaliyah's family two years later and showed them Moore's charge sheet. They read with horror every detail of her killing spree that had begun just weeks after her little brother Andrew died on May 19, 1979, of SIDS. Two weeks later, a 16-month-old relative - who can't be named for legal reasons - also died from suspected SIDS. No one suspected the quiet teenager, who had been alone with both children in the hours leading up to their deaths. The little girl was found dead in her cot the morning after Moore had been taking care of her. On January 16, 1980, Moore left a 12-month-old baby boy - who also can't be named - fighting for life after she smothered him before she casually went back to watching television. When he began crying later, astonishingly still alive, she called an ambulance and played the distraught babysitter. The tot survived, but just two weeks later, Moore was babysitting a two-year-old girl who was smothered to death while in her care. Police were spotted at Moore's home last month Her killing spree that had begun just weeks after her little brother Andrew died Moore eventually admitted to all of her crimes Despite the string of tragedies, police were not informed and no investigation was launched. Then on February 1 1980, a two-year-old boy was suffocated with a pillow. He was rushed to hospital and spent two weeks in a coma. The toddler survived the attack, but was left permanently blind and unable to walk. Two years later, the two-year-old boy finally died as a result of the injuries inflicted by his teenage babysitter. It was only after the boy was rushed to hospital that families finally stopped allowing the teenager to babysit. But Moore was still not placed under suspicion by authorities, who remained seemingly unaware that the deaths were linked. Then weeks later on March 31, Moore, then 18, struck one final time - and this time close to home. While her mother Jessie was out, Moore launched a brutal attack on a seven-year-old relative, whose name is also legally suppressed. He fought desperately but she overpowered him, strangling and suffocating the little boy before throwing his body down the stairs. She calmly showered, then phoned police. 'I was still a kid and so shattered and confused,' Aaliyah recalled. 'I knew I couldn't see her again, and I was so close with Les. I loved him like a pop.' 'Mum obviously didn't want anything to do with them anymore and it killed me, knowing I'd never have him in my life again.' Earlier this month, Daily Mail spoke to Moore's brother Craig Moorley, who has spent much of his adult life keeping tabs on his older sister. Mr Moorley recently reported Moore for historic child abuse ,claiming he was once one of her victims. He believes that given the chance she may kill again and was horrified to learn she had continued babysitting. Mr Moorley has reported his sister for historic child abuse Aaliyah shares those same fears and believes Moore should have been upfront with her mother before offering to care for her and her siblings. 'People have a right to know,' she said. 'I understand we aren't the same people we were when we were younger but this wasn't some small crime. This was the murder of innocent babies. 'I wouldn't trust her with my daughter and I don't think she should have any children in her care or in her life. 'It's so wrong that she lied to us for so long and made us believe she was a safe person to have kids around.' NSW Police confirmed they are investigating Mr Moorley's claims. Helen Moore told Daily Mail that her supervision orders had ended by the time she was living near the family and had 'done nothing wrong.' A small-town cattle farmer has been identified as the man killed in horrific bushfires in regional Victoria. The remains of Maxwell Hobson, aged in his early 80s, were discovered 100m from his burnt car on a scorched road in central Victoria on Sunday. He and his wife, aged in her late 70s, owned a 101-hectare property in Terip Terip, south of Euroa. Mr Hobson had chosen to stay and defend his cattle farm, despite advice from the Country Fire Authority to evacuate on Thursday ahead of worsened conditions on Friday. His wife was safely evacuated to nearby Alexandra. Mr Hobson's death has sent shockwaves through the local agricultural community, including many who have also lost their properties in the fire. 'Just a great Australian guy,' close friend Andrew Embling said. 'When you've got true blue farmers coming in and crying on your shoulder, that's hard.' The body of Maxwell Hobson (pictured) was found near his burnt-out car on Sunday Mr Hobson's vehicle (pictured) was found several kilometres from his cattle farm Premier Jacinta Allan sent condolences to Hobson's family and friends. 'It's a devastating impact, and it's a devastating reminder of the tragedy that fire can bring to any community, to any household, to any doorstep, particularly on those difficult, catastrophic and extreme weather days,' she said on Monday. 'My thoughts and condolences are with that person's family, their loved ones, the broader community too.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute. 'Our thoughts go out to the family, the friends and the community who are impacted by this,' he said. Mr Hobson's remains were discovered on Yarck Road, in Gobur, in the Longwood fire area. His vehicle had been abandoned off the side of the road, just several kilometres from his farm. Locals said the couple's cattle were seen scattered along the road after the fire tore through. As of midday Monday, more than 350 structures had been destroyed by the ongoing bushfires Conditions were more favourable on Monday, allowing firefighters a better opportunity to fight the ongoing bushfires Some cattle had to be euthanised, while others are being cared for by locals. Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Weibusch said conditions had eased on Monday, allowing firefighters better access to the 12 ongoing bushfires in Victoria. He urged locals to continue listening to warnings and thanked firefighters for containing the blazes in Streatham, Mount Mercer and Natimuk. 'I want to give a big shout out to David, the local captain, Steve, the local group officer, for their leadership over the many resources that came from far and wide,' Mr Weibusch said. '(They) have done an amazing job, particularly in and around the nursing home and also other homes.' As of midday Monday, more than 350 structures had been ruined by the bushfires. Of those, 47 homes and three businesses were destroyed in Ravenswood and Harcourt. Fire in the Otways claimed one home and multiple other structures, including sheds. Firefighters have managed to contain fires in Streatham, Mount Mercer and Natimuk (picturedm NSW Rural Fire service crews in Victoria on Monday) Several farms and properties have been harmed in the fires The Natimuk fire destroyed at least another 30 structures, 154 were burnt in Longwood, 59 in Streatham and at least four in Walwa. Yarroweyah's fire destroyed 10 structures, Mount Mercer lost one house and 12 sheds, and one property was destroyed in Dargo. A man has been arrested following a widespread manhunt triggered by a woman's suspicious death. A 36-year-old man was arrested near Kempsey by NSW Police on Monday afternoon, almost 12 hours after the body of his carer, 46, was found at a home in Buccan south of Brisbane. The woman was reported missing from Ashgrove by a family member about 1am on Monday. She had last been seen at The Gap about 7pm Saturday, around 5km from Ashgrove in Brisbane's north-west. Her disappearance was described by relatives as unusual. Police conducted a welfare check at the Buccan property, where the body of the missing woman was found on the back steps of the two-storey home. The grim discovery sparked a manhunt for the 36-year-old male occupant, who was arrested about 2pm on the NSW Mid North Coast, about 465km south of Buccan. NSW Police had attempted to stop his vehicle on the Pacific Highway in Coffs Harbour but he allegedly failed to pull over. A woman's body was found at a home in Buccan (pictured) about 3.15am on Monday Police and forensic officers spent much of Monday at the home Police continued a high-speed pursuit until the car eventually crashed into a culvert on Stuarts Point Road in Yarrahapinni, about 80km from Coffs Harbour. He was taken to Kempsey Police Station and charged with police pursuit, driving dangerously and driving a motor vehicle while licence suspended. He has not been charged with the woman's death. The man was refused bail to appear at Bail Division Court on Tuesday. Queensland detectives will travel to NSW to interview the 36-year-old. Police will await results of a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of the woman's death. Detective Acting Inspector Justin Anderson earlier revealed that the woman regularly visited the man in a professional capacity as his carer. 'As with any of these investigations, a standard part would be to interview any person that's associated with the residence where this lady was found deceased,' he said. 'At this stage, it's very early in the investigation. Police are keeping an open mind. We don't know the cause of death at this stage. We have police, including forensic officers, still processing the scene. A 36-year-old man was arrested 11 hours later near Kempsey on the NSW Mid North Coast 'We won't know the cause of death until a post mortem examination, so we need to keep an open mind until we find out what the cause of death is.' Detectives, forensic officers and SES crews spent much of Monday examining the Buccan home. 'At this stage we're processing the residence. It's an acreage address, and that's the only crime scene that I acknowledge,' Det Insp Anderson said. 'The investigation is in its infancy, we don't know the exact cause of death or what occurred leading up to the death, so I want to assure the community that we have a large team of investigators, forensic police analysts, the SES all engaged and trying to work out exactly what happened.' Shocked neighbours told the Courier-Mail that the man had been living at the property for about a year. Inquiries continue. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers. A man accused of attacking an Islamic religious leader has been unable to face court because he is withdrawing from drugs. Brendan Nicholls, 23, could be heard screaming from the cells at Dandenong Magistrates Court on Monday after being charged with criminal damage and assault. It's alleged Nicholls and a 22-year-old Cranbourne East man assaulted and racially abused Imam Ismet Purdic and his wife in Melbourne's south-east on Saturday night. Police say the couple was travelling along the South Gippsland Highway in Dandenong South about 7.40pm when the occupants of a small black hatchback allegedly targeted them. The couple's vehicle was boxed in and the accused allegedly hurled objects at their car, drove dangerously to intimidate them and got out of their car to assault Imam Purdic and threaten his wife. The imam is recovering after being punched in the face during the incident, according to the Australian National Imams Council. Bystanders intervened before the accused allegedly returned to their vehicle and fled. Nicholls and his co-accused were arrested in Dandenong South on Sunday and charged with criminal damage and common assault. Ismet Purdic (pictured), Imam of the Bosnian-Herzegovina Islamic Society Noble Park, and his wife were allegedly attacked on Saturday night Two men were charged with criminal damage and common assault The 22-year-old man was bailed to appear at court in May, while Nicholls was remanded to face Dandenong Magistrates' Court on Monday afternoon. His lawyer told the court her client was at risk of self-harm and withdrawing from drugs, so he could not be brought up from the cells. She confirmed to the magistrate it was Nicholls whose screams could be heard in the courtroom. Nicholls was remanded in custody to return to court on Tuesday, where he may apply for bail. An 18-year-old Dandenong South woman who was also allegedly in the car was released pending summons. Meanwhile, Imam Purdic has spoken out about the ordeal as terrifying footage of the alleged incident emerged. He is relieved that his children weren't also in the car at the time. Imam Purdic will take some time off from official duties at Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society Noble Park Mosque to recover. Mr Purdic (pictured) was injured in the alleged assault before passing motorists intervened Two men appeared in court on Monday over the alleged attack But he wants the mosque to proceed with plans to hold an open day in the coming weeks. 'We must, as Australians, must fight against hate, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and all bad things,' Imam Purdic said. 'My mission is to share peace and security with people. 'We must stay together and fight it and not allow anyone to break this good life in Australia.' Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society Noble Park condemned the alleged attack against their imam. 'The Imam has expressed gratitude that his children were not present, noting the profound trauma the incident has caused,' the Facebook post read. 'Imam Purdic has served the community for more than 12 years as a religious leader, educator and interfaith advocate through the Interfaith Network Dandenong, promoting peace, coexistence and mutual respect. 'He has called on all Australians to work together to prevent such hatred and violence.' The Australian National Imams Council described the alleged attack as 'cowardly'. 'No family in Australia should fear being attacked simply for their faith, appearance, or identity,' the statement read. Bosnian Herzegovina Islamic Society condemned the alleged attack on its leader (worshippers pictured) Victoria Police said there was no place for prejudice-motivated, religious based or hate-based behaviour in society. 'Such activity will not be tolerated,' the statement read. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Iran has warned that it is 'ready for war' after US President Donald Trump threatened to 'hit them at levels that they've never been hit before' as anti-government protests enter a third week. It comes as US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) said nearly 500 protesters and 48 security personnel in Iran had died amid the Islamic Republic's bloody crackdown targeting demonstrators. 'It's like a warzone, the streets are full of blood,' an Iranian told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, Trump threatened to intervene, saying: 'The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options.' Asked about Iran's threats of retaliation, he said: 'If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they've never been hit before.' Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hit back at the comments, saying: 'We are ready for war but also for dialogue.' He added that the US president's warning against Tehran of action should protests turn bloody motivated 'terrorists' to target demonstrators and security forces in order to invite foreign intervention. Trump has repeatedly threatened to use lethal force against the Iranian government for its violent efforts to suppress protestors, saying Iran 'is in big trouble' on Friday. 'Ive made the statement very strongly that if they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved,' he told reporters. Tehran's attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, hit back at the threat, warning on Saturday that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an 'enemy of God,' a death-penalty charge. Rhetoric only escalated when Mohammad Baagher Qalibaf, the hard-liner speaker of the Parliament of Iran, said Israel and 'all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets' in the event of an attack on Tehran. Iranian protestors take to the streets in Pounak Square, in the capital Tehran, despite a government crackdown that has left nearly 500 protesters and 48 security personnel dead Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One that the US military was looking at 'some very strong options' Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026 'Things here are very, very bad. A lot of our friends have been killed,' the anonymous Iranian woman told the BBC. 'They're taking away bodies in trucks, everyone is frightened tonight. They're carrying out a massacre here - it's officially a massacre.' Almost 200 body bags have been seen in footage from a morgue near the Iranian capital as protests continue. Another 10,600 people have been detained over the fortnight of unrest, HRANA said. The Iranian government has imposed an internet shutdown since Thursday. The protests mark the largest in Iran since a nationwide uprising in 2022, sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. Trump said on Sunday that he would speak to tech billionaire Elon Musk, owner of company SpaceX which operates Starlink, about resuming internet access in Iran. 'He's very good at that kind of thing, he's got a very good company,' the US president said. Speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, Foreign Minister Araghchi claimed 'the situation has come under total control' after violence spiked over the weekend. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks. On Sunday, Trump said Iran had proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown targeting demonstrators. The US president and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran including cyber-attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who were not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The president will be briefed on specific options on Tuesday and could opt for military action. He said his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters. 'I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States,' Trump said. 'Iran wants to negotiate. 'The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what's happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate.' Flames rise from burning debris in the middle of a street in Gorgan on January 10, 2026, as protesters set fire to makeshift barricades near a religious centre during ongoing anti-regime demonstrations Images appeared to show a huge fire ripping through a government building in Karaj, near Tehran on January 9, 2026 A police station is set on fire during the protests on January 10, 2026 There was no immediate acknowledgement from Iran of the offering for a meeting. The offer came after the foreign minister of Oman - long an interlocutor between Washington and Tehran - travelled to Iran this weekend. It also remains unclear just what Iran could promise, particularly as Trump has set strict demands over its nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal, which Tehran insists is crucial for its national defense. Meanwhile Monday, Iran called for pro-government demonstrators to head to the streets in support of the theocracy as Iranian state television aired chants from the crowd, who shouted: 'Death to America!' and 'Death to Israel!' The regime subsequently managed to draw tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators to the streets in show of power. The massive ongoing US military deployment to the Caribbean is a factor that the Pentagon and Trump's national security planners must consider. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult while Iran's government has not offered overall casualty figures. Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Iran's security services to launch a bloody crackdown. Protesters flooded the streets in the country's capital and its second-largest city on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Online videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media. The threat to strike the US military and Israel came during a parliamentary speech by Qalibaf, the speaker of the body who has run for the presidency in the past. He directly threatened Israel, calling it 'the occupied territory'. 'We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat,' he added. Politicians rushed the dais in parliament, shouting: 'Death to America!' It remains unclear how serious Iran is about launching a strike, particularly after its air defences were destroyed during the 12-day war in June with Israel. Any decision to go to war would rest with Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Last night, he issued a direct threat to Trump on X, saying the US president would be 'overthrown'. 'That father figure who sits there with arrogance and pride, passing judgment on the entire world, he too should know that usually the tyrants and oppressors of the world, such as Pharaoh and Nimrod and Reza Khan and Mohammad Reza and the likes of them, when they were at the peak of their pride, were overthrown,' he wrote in Persian. 'Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before,' Trump wrote on social media on Saturday. 'The USA stands ready to help!!!' Police try to stop protesters climbing the outside wall toward the Iranian Embassy in London on January 11, 2026 An anti-Iranian regime protester with her face painted in the colours of the Iranian flag takes part in a demonstration outside the Iranian Consulate, in Istanbul, on January 11, 2026 A protester throws an object toward the Iranian Embassy as they clash with police in London this evening as anti-government demonstrations intensified The US military has said in the Mideast it is 'postured with forces that span the full range of combat capability to defend our forces, our partners and allies and US interests'. Iran targeted US forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in June, while the US Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet is stationed in the island kingdom of Bahrain. The USS Gerald R Ford, the largest and most sophisticated aircraft carrier, left the Mediterranean in November for the Caribbean to focus on Venezuela. America has six warships, including three guided-missile destroyers which were stationed in the Gulf as of January 5, according to a tracker from the US Naval Institute. Israel, meanwhile, is 'watching closely' the situation between the US and Iran, said an Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to not being authorised to speak to journalists. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio overnight on topics including Iran, the official added. 'The people of Israel, the entire world, are in awe of the tremendous heroism of the citizens of Iran,' said Netanyahu, a longtime Iran hawk. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV mentioned Iran as a place 'where ongoing tensions continue to claim many lives', adding that: 'I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society.' While the demonstrations began in late December in response to a currency crisis, they have since spread and grown in scale as Iranians demand wholescale changes to Tehran's authoritarian leadership. Khamenei said on Friday that the government would 'not back down' in the face of the large-scale unrest. Protestors burn images of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally held in Solidarity with Iran's uprising, organised by The National Council of Resistance of Iran, on Whitehall in central London on January 11, 2026 Rubina Aminian, 23, was shot in the back of the head by Iranian security services after joining the street protests after a day of classes in her textiles programme at Shariati College on Thursday Reza Pahlavi, the son of Irans deposed shah and a figure of Irans opposition in exile, said he was in favour of the US intervening to support of the mass protest movement against Khamenei's theocratic rule. 'They know that youre not going to throw them under the bus, as has happened before. This is why they are empowered - by the hope that you have their back,' he said in an interview on the Fox News programme 'Sunday Morning Futures', addressing Trump directly. 'We need to cut the snakes head off for good so it can no longer be a threat to Iranian interests, to American interests, to regional interests. And the only solution is to make sure this regime goes down for good and the Iranian people can liberate themselves,' he said. Born in Tehran in 1960 and once the country's crown prince, Pahlavi, 65, has lived in exile since the 1979 revolution. It was that revolution that ousted his father, Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, and brought in the rule of the Islamic Republic. Asked whether he wanted the American military to 'take out Khamenei,' he said: 'The people of Iran have responded and reacted positively to a promise of intervention.' Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday promised the government would 'sit and listen' to the population's concerns, but also blamed 'rioters' and the US and Israel for stoking the unrest. 'It is our responsibility to solve their concerns,' he said during an interview on Iranian television. 'But the higher responsibility is to not allow a group of rioters to come and destroy the entire society. These are not people. They are not from this country.' In an effort to crackdown on the demonstrations, police sent the public a text message that warned: 'Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers.' Another text, claiming to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in protests. 'Dear parents, in view of the enemys plan to increase the level of naked violence and the decision to kill people, ... refrain from being on the streets and gathering in places involved in violence, and inform your children about the consequences of cooperating with terrorist mercenaries, which is an example of treason against the country,' the text warned. Rubina Aminian, a 23-year-old student, was shot in the head 'from close range' during the anti-government protests on Thursday. 'Sources close to Rubinas family, citing eyewitnesses, told Iran Human Rights that the young Kurdish woman from Marivan was shot from close range from behind, with the bullet striking her head,' the group said in a statement. Aminian attended Shariati College in Irans capital, Tehran, where she studied textile and fashion design. After leaving college, she joined the protest where she was killed. 'After much struggle, Rubinas family eventually managed to retrieve her body and return to Kermanshah. 'However, upon arrival, they found that intelligence forces had surrounded their home and that they were not allowed to bury her.' The family was 'forced to bury her body along the road' between Kermanshah and nearby Kamyaran, the group added. Many Iranians now believe exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who fled to the US with his father, the deposed Shah, after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, will be their next leader On December 28, protests broke out in two major markets in downtown Tehran, after the Iranian rial plunged to 1.42 million to the US dollar, a new record low, compounding inflationary pressure and pushing up the prices of food and other daily necessities. The government had raised prices for nationally subsidised gasoline in early December, increasing discontent. A day later, Central Bank head Mohammad Reza Farzin resigned as the protests in Tehran spread to other cities, while police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrations in the capital. Unrest continued to spread to include more cities as well as several university campuses. Meanwhile, President Pezeshkian met with a group of business leaders to listen to their demands and pledged his administration would 'not spare any effort for solving problems' with the economy. On December 31, Iran appointed Abdolnasser Hemmati as the country's new central bank governor. Officials in southern Iran said that protests in the city of Fasa turned violent after crowds broke into the governor's office and injured police officers. The protests' first fatalities were officially reported on January 1, with authorities saying at least seven people had been killed. The most intense violence appeared to be in Azna, a city in Iran's Lorestan province, where videos posted online purport to show objects in the street ablaze and gunfire echoing as people shouted: 'Shameless! Shameless!' The semiofficial Fars news agency reported three people were killed as other protesters were understood to be killed in Bakhtiari and Isfahan provinces. A day later, President Trump raised the stakes, writing on his Truth Social platform that if Iran 'violently kills peaceful protesters,' the United States 'will come to their rescue'. The warning, only months after American forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites, included the assertion, without elaboration, that: 'We are locked and loaded and ready to go.' Protests, meantime, expand to reach more than 100 locations in 22 of Iran's 31 provinces. As protests expanded again to more than 170 locations in 25 provinces, at least 15 people were killed and 580 arrested, with Khamenei warning: 'Rioters must be put in their place.' Protesters conducted a sit-in at Tehran's Grand Bazaar on January 6, until security forces dispersed them using tear gas, as demonstrations reached over 280 locations in 27 of Iran's 31 provinces. Following a call from Iran's exiled crown prince, a mass of people shouted from their windows and took to the streets in an overnight protest on January 8. The government responded by blocking the internet and international telephone calls, in a bid to cut off the country of 85 million from outside influence. Iran signalled a crackdown is coming, but protesters continue to demonstrate even as the death toll rises. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that Iran's use of 'disproportionate and brutal violence' against protesters was 'a sign of weakness'. 'We condemn this violence in the strongest possible terms,' he said during a visit to India. The German leader added: 'This violence is not an expression of strength, but rather a sign of weakness. This violence must end.' Canada echoed the message in a post on X. 'Canada strongly condemns the continued killings of protesters in Iran. The Iranian regime must halt its horrific repression and intimidation and respect the human rights of its citizens. Canada stands with the brave people of Iran.' Speaking to LBC, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said his force is 'attuned' to the threat posed by Iran but would not be drawn on whether security has been stepped up for teams which disrupted plots linked to Tehran. 'Our counter-terrorism teams within the national effort led from Scotland Yard have disrupted around 20 kidnap and threat-to-life plots linked to Iran over the last couple of years in our work with MI5,' he said. 'The other policing impact at the moment is that, clearly, there are understandably lots of Iranians in London who are angry with the regime and are protesting outside the embassy and that has generated some quite big policing operations over the weekend. 'World events always play out in London, I can understand why that is, but we'll see what happens in Iran. I'm not an expert in geopolitics but I do see it play out in the streets of London.' He added: 'Our counter-terrorism teams are constantly reprioritising across different threats, I'm not going to talk about live threats today. But we are attuned to the threat that Iran has posed for the last two years and we're also dealing with protests outside the embassy.' A British yacht owner has been found dead on his boat on the Thai island of Phuket. The 69-year-old had not been seen in several days before he was found lifeless on his ship anchored off Khao Khad Beach on January 11. The gruesome discovery was made when the yacht owner's friend, whose vessel was anchored nearby, became concerned over his prolonged absence. He checked the 'unusually quiet' yacht before finding his friend's body at around 12.30pm local time. He immediately alerted staff at a nearby hotel. Police were called to the scene, where they boarded the vessel moored opposite the Veranda Resort Phuket hotel, and found the man lying in a bedroom at the bow. They said that upon arrival, the body was 'significantly decomposed'. He is believed to have been dead for up to two days before being discovered. Investigators said there were no signs of a struggle or ransacking at the scene. Police Lieutenant Watcharakorn Suwan of Wichit Police Station said: Regarding the reported news, we were informed by a hotel employee. A British yacht owner was found dead in his boat on the Thai island of Phuket on January 11 'We are currently investigating, gathering evidence, and awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death. We have not ruled out the possibility of an unnatural death. 'Staff revealed the man was not a guest at the hotel'. Locals said the man had been living on his yacht for around a decade, travelling back and forth between Malaysia and Phuket. Police said they have collected evidence from the scene and sent his body to the Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem exam. The Daily Mail has approached the Foreign Office for comment. It comes as tributes were paid to a 'fearless' British tourist whose body was found last week in south-east Asia after he vanished on Christmas Day. Mark Counsell, 31, from Pontypool in south Wales, set off on the 'trip of a lifetime' around Thailand and Malaysia over the festive period. His last contact with family was a video call to wish them a happy Christmas on December 25. Gwent Police initiated a missing persons appeal in the New Year after Mark's communication with loved ones abruptly stopped. Malaysian police found a body on Wednesday, and it has been confirmed as Mark, known as 'Melon' to his friends. The death is not being treated as suspicious. The chief executive of Southern Water has been given a bodyguard after environmental activists performed a 'citizen's arrest' on him over sewage pollution. Lawrence Gosden, 56, was temporarily detained by six female activists who held hands and surrounded him after he allegedly caused a 'public nuisance' in November. The flustered water company boss was encircled by the anti-pollution protesters as he made his way to an industry conference in London. A woman, who appeared to be the ringleader, told Mr Gosden 'this is a very serious matter'. He replied: 'I'm so sorry, can I please make my way to my meeting' and 'please don't constrain me' as the women refused to let him go. A citizen's arrest is an archaic civil practice that allows people to detain a criminal until police arrive. Mr Gosden was accused of four counts of causing a public nuisance by the activists, with the claims centring on illegal sewage spills, equipment maintenance standards and the alleged 'mismanagement' of funds. Following the incident he has been provided with his own security detail for business trips, according to The Times. Lawrence Gosden, 56, has been given a personal security guard after he was the victim of a citizen's arrest by environmental activists The flustered businessman was encircled by the anti-pollution protesters as he made his way to an industry conference in London in November It comes amid an increase in social media posts urging activists to take similar direct action against water bosses, forcing industry chiefs to be provided with 'unprecedented' security. Protest groups including Citizen's Arrest Network, who were behind Mr Gosden's citizen's arrest, have taken part in similar stunts. In October, they performed a citizen's arrest on Mark Thurston, the CEO of Anglian Water, as he made his way to work. Chris Weston of Thames Water has also been targeted. During their attempted arrest of Mr Gosden, Citizen's Arrest Network members called the police and presented officers with a 'dossier of evidence' when they arrived, but the officers opted to release the CEO. Mr Gosden said: 'Any abuse of our frontline employees, who are simply doing their jobs to improve services and infrastructure, is totally unacceptable and undermines the efforts that everyone is making. Southern Water has a poor record of sewage spills and harming the environment. In November, the company was responsible for a major spillage of toxic plastic beads washed up on the beach of Camber Sands in East Sussex, in what was branded an 'ecological disaster'. The Southern Water boss was was accused of four counts of causing a public nuisance by the activists Southern Water did not initially claim responsibility for the Camber Sands spill, but it later said it believed it had used the bio-beads in a wastewater treatment works. The company said a screening filter failed, resulting in the beads being released into the sea. Southern Water said it began to work with partner agencies immediately after receiving reports of beads being washed up along the coastline. In July, Environment Secretary Steve Reed urged Mr Gosden to reject a pay rise of 691,000, as customers face a 47 per cent rise in household bills under the supplier. Mr Reed said it was 'outrageous' and told the water company to 'think about how this looks to their customers'. He said: 'Trust between the customers and the water companies is at the lowest point probably ever and, by paying their senior executives rises of that kind, what message are they sending to their customers?' 'I don't think Southern Water has performed well enough for that kind of pay increase to be merited,' he added. Donald Trump's warning that NATO 'need us much more than we need them' has raised a difficult question for Europe: what would the world's most powerful military alliance look like without the support of the United States? Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, the US president brushed aside warnings that his push to acquire Greenland could upset NATO, saying: 'If it affects NATO, then it affects NATO.' 'But, you know, they need us much more than we need them, I will tell you that right now.' The US has long been NATO's backbone. In 2025, the combined military spending of NATO states reached approximately 1.5 trillion dollars, with the US alone accounting for over 900 billion dollars of that total. NATO members were previously expected to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense, a number Trump had long argued should be higher, leading to a new 5% target by 2035 being agreed upon at last year's NATO Summit. In 2024, The US spent around 3.38% of GDP on defense, trumped only by Estonia who spent 3.43% and Poland's 4.12%. In military power, NATO as a whole dominates Russia. As of 2025, the alliance had around 3.5 million active military personnel compared with Russia's 1.32 million. NATO countries collectively have more than 22,000 aircrafts compared to Russia's 4,292, as well as 1,143 military ships compared with their 400. Meanwhile, the combined nuclear arsenal of the US, UK, and France is slightly lower, amounting to 5,692 nuclear warheads, compared with Russia's 5,600. Your browser does not support iframes. NATO chief Mark Rutte said Monday the alliance was working on ways to bolster Arctic security Trump's remarks have revived fears that America's commitment to NATO is no longer guaranteed Trump's comment on Sunday came as the US President doubled down on his claim that US control of Greenland is a national security necessity, arguing that the territory risks falling under Russian or Chinese influence due to its location and mineral resources. 'Greenland should make the deal because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,' he said, adding that the island's defenses amounted to 'two dogsleds' while 'you have Russian destroyers all over the place.' Asked whether such a move could compromise NATO, Trump replied: 'Maybe NATO would be upset if I did it we'd save a lot of money. I like NATO. I just wonder whether or not if needed NATO would they be there for us? I'm not sure they would.' In reality, NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause, treating an attack on one member as an attack on all, has been invoked only once, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, when allies joined Washington in Afghanistan. Yet Trump's remarks have revived fears that America's commitment to NATO is no longer guaranteed. This comes as NATO chief Mark Rutte said Monday the alliance was working on ways to bolster Arctic security. 'Currently we are working on the next steps to make sure that indeed we collectively protect what is at stake,' Rutte told journalists on a visit to Croatia. Join the debate Should Europe step up militarily or risk its security by relying so heavily on the US? Your browser does not support iframes. On the whole, Europe without the US would not be defenseless. According to CNN, the 31 NATO members aside from America still control over a million troops, hold advanced weaponry, and significant industrial and technological capacity. Turkey alone has the alliance's largest armed forces after the US, with more than 355,000 active personnel, followed by France, Germany, Poland, Italy and the UK. Several European NATO countries have weapons that rival or exceed Russian equivalents. While Russia operates a single aging aircraft carrier, the UK commands two modern carriers capable of launching F-35B stealth fighters. France, Italy and Spain also operate aircraft carriers or amphibious ships capable of launching combat aircraft. France and the UK maintain independent nuclear deterrents, and European NATO members collectively operate around 2,000 fighter and ground attack jets, including dozens of F-35s. Yet military experts argue that what Europe lacks is not manpower or hardware alone, but the strategic enablers that allow modern wars to be fought and sustained. While Russia operates a single aging aircraft carrier, the UK commands two modern carriers capable of launching F-35B stealth fighters Your browser does not support iframes. According to the Center for European Policy Analysis, Europe remains heavily dependent on the United States for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, integrated air and missile defense, strategic airlift, space assets, cyber capabilities and long range precision strike. US Major General (rtd.) Gordon 'Skip' Davis said these capabilities are essential to command and control multi-domain operations at scale. 'What the US brings is capabilities like strategic command and control systems and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets,' Davis said, warning that without them European forces would struggle to sustain prolonged high intensity conflict. Command structures pose another major challenge. NATO's most senior operational commands, including Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Allied Air Command and Allied Land Command, are all led by US officers. 'I don't think that NATO could operate without US commanders and staff. That would be extremely difficult,' Davis said. The war in Ukraine has also exposed shortages in ammunition stockpiles and industrial capacity. The EU failed to meet its target of supplying Ukraine with one million artillery shells by spring 2024, while the US doubled its monthly production of 155mm shells. Russia, meanwhile, is reportedly producing around three million artillery munitions annually. US aid has also been central to Ukraine's cause, through American supplied HIMARS rocket systems, Patriot air defenses and earlier deliveries of Javelin anti-tank missiles. The pause in US aid at the start of March 2025 raised doubts about whether European allies can compensate if American support is withdrawn completely. As Davis warned, if Russia is given time to rebuild while Europe fails to rearm at the same pace, the balance could shift. The US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on any country that trades with Iran. Taking to his social media platform,Truth Social, the US President said: 'Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25 per cent on any and all business being done with the United States of America.' 'This order is final and conclusive,' he added. The warning from Trump comes as the death toll in Iran is estimated to have hit 648, according to a human rights group, but may be as high as 6,000. The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group says it has verified that at least 648 people have been killed in the brutal crackdown on protesters across the country. The group warned that the actual number could be much higher, as another NGO said there are nearly 600 protests taking place across all of Iran's 31 provinces. Academics who spoke to TIME said the death toll may currently be as high as 6,000 people. Accurate independent measures are difficult to come by, as Iran has refused the entry of foreign media. The grieving relatives of demonstrators killed by the regime's bloody crackdown were seen on footage today trawling through body bags at a morgue on the outskirts of Irans capital. In one video, a distraught mother could be heard begging her child's corpse to 'get up' from the table. The crackdown at the hands of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's security services has reportedly left more than 500 people dead, with nearly 11,000 people being arrested. Iran's Supreme Leader has warned Donald Trump he 'will be overthrown' as new footage from inside the country , shared despite an 84-hour internet ban, shows the despotic regime is continuing to crack down on nationwide protests. Protesters set fire to government buildings in cities across the country as they chanted anti-government slogans, including 'Death to Khamenei', referring to Ali Khamenei. The Supreme Leader today shared an illustration of a broken stone sarcophagus with the image of Trump, claiming he 'will be overthrown'. The US says it wants to intervene in Iran amid the bloody crackdown, with Donald Trump boldly telling reporters on Air Force One that he is keen to act soon. 'The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options,' Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Iran's threats of retaliation, he said: 'If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they've never been hit before.' Trump said that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters. This live blog has now closed. Follow below for a recap of today's news. Sir Keir Starmer is resisting American demands to officially ban the paramilitary wing of Iran's regime despite Tehran's brutal suppression of protests. The US State Department last night told the UK that designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) as a terror group is 'merely stating the obvious'. 'We encourage all partners to join us and to add pressure on Iran at this critical moment for the Iranian people,' a spokesman added. But Downing Street this morning played down the prospect of proscribing the IRGC - which is said to be playing a leading role in the violent crackdown of pro-democracy protests - by suggesting the move would be ineffective. No10 pointed to comments by Sir Richard Moore, the former head of MI6, who said he would 'caution' that the move 'won't have practical effect'. The senior diplomat also told BBC Radio 4 that 'the danger is that something like that is mostly about us feeling better about ourselves'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'I'd add that proscription powers are designed for non-state terror organisations, not state organisations. 'I've set out our position separate to Sir Richard Moore's position, but I think it's helpful to point back to his words too.' But the Labour Government continued to face pressure to officially ban the IRGC as the death toll mounts in Iran amid widespread protests. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told a press conference on Monday: 'We should have proscribed the IRGC years ago, just as we should have proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood years ago. 'I've been saying those things clearly and consistently for many, many years.' Sir Keir Starmer is resisting demands to officially ban the paramilitary wing of Iran's regime despite Tehran's brutal suppression of protests Downing Street played down the prospect of proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, which is said to be playing a leading role in the violent crackdown of pro-democracy protests Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told a press conference: 'We should have proscribed the IRGC years ago, just as we should have proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood years ago.' Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she is not against proscribing the IRGC, but added there were existing powers that could be used. 'So I'm not against that, but we already have powers within the National Security Act in order to ban organisations like the IRGC,' she said. 'At the end of the day, they are the army of an enemy country. We don't need to have a ban. There are loads of laws and legislation in place. Let's use them.' Proscription is the banning of a group based on an assessment that it commits or participates in, prepares for, promotes or encourages, or is otherwise concerned in terrorism. Membership of, or support for, a proscribed group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. Cabinet minister Peter Kyle this morning would not be drawn on whether the UK would proscribe the IRGC after hundreds of people were killed and thousands detained in the uprising against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's rule. He said the UK 'already used the sanctions against Iran to the full extent we can,' and suggested that labelling the IRGC as a terrorist organisation was not 'appropriate'. Thousands took to the streets of London on Sunday as protests against the Iranian regime and the brutal crackdown by its security forces spread around the world. Activists now say that the death toll from the brutal suppression of nationwide demonstrations in the Middle Eastern nation is at least 538 people. Meanwhile, more than 10,600 people have been detained - according the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Join the debate What should Britain do to truly support the Iranian people facing deadly crackdowns? Cabinet Minister Peter Kyle this morning would not be drawn on whether the UK would take such a step Activists now say that the death toll from the brutal suppression of nationwide demonstrations in the Middle Eastern nation is at least 538 people Mr Kyle, the Business Secretary, told Times Radio the Government was 'looking very closely about how we can support people in Iran'. He said: 'A state has a duty to protect people who are protesting. The right to protest of course is a fundamental right and we are all thinking very, very deeply about those people affected in Iran by the response of the Iranian government.' 'They must allow the space for protest to unfold,' he added. Asked whether Britain would be prepared to offer help with communications amid an internet blackout in the country, he said: 'We don't comment on security matters, we don't comment on live issues where we may or may not be using those sorts of powers.' He said the Government is already sanctioning Iran and the Iranian security services and has been 'really careful to be as strident as we possibly can in support of Iranian people who want change in Iran'. His response came after the US State Department told the Telegraph: 'Iran is the world's leading state sponsor of terror and has yet again turned that terror on its own people. 'Designating the IRGC as a terrorist organisation is merely stating the obvious. 'We encourage all partners to join us and to add pressure on Iran at this critical moment for the Iranian people.' Sir Richard, the former MI6 chief, said that UK terror law was not designed for state-affiliated groups. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I would just caution that it won't have practical effect. 'It has symbolic impact but the danger is that something like that is more about us feeling better about ourselves, it's not actually something that will have an impact on the IRGC precisely because that instrument is designed for non-state terrorist groups, not for parts of the state. 'The IRGC is a very bad organisation that does very bad things, it is just whether that is the right instrument to try to tackle it with.' The majority of the 40 victims of the New Year's fire in a Swiss bar died as they attempted to flee the burning building via a renovated staircase that 'fell apart', it emerged today. Horrific new details of the basement inferno in Le Constellation, in the ski resort of Crans Montana, were released on Monday, as its owner, 49-year-old Jacques Moretti, was placed in preventive detention for three months. Moretti was taken into custody after he and his wife, Jessica, 40, who co-owned the bar, were interviewed by prosecutors in Switzerland's southwestern Wallis canton on Friday. He and his wife are facing a range of charges, including manslaughter by negligence. Investigators have now established that 34 of those who died in the early hours of January 1 perished on the cramped stairwell that had been narrowed by two-thirds by its owner. It led up from the basement, where the fire was allegedly triggered by sparklers in champagne bottles that ignited foam soundproof cladding in the ceiling. This amounts to 85 per cent of the dead, said one enquiry source. They were trapped on the tiny staircase as everyone fought to get out, but they were unable to escape. Many were forced back into the basement when the stairwell became completely overcrowded and fell apart. It had been significantly reduced in size by the owners. The fire was allegedly triggered by sparklers in champagne bottles that ignited foam soundproof cladding in the ceiling Owners of Le Constellation bar Jacques Moretti (L) and Jessica Moretti (C) arrive for a hearing at the Office of the public prosecutor of the Canton of Valais, in Sion, on January 9, 2026 Swiss law enforcement officers found numerous bodies at the bottom of the staircase after the wooden steps and handrails collapsed. They could not withstand the pressure of the fleeing crowd, detached from the wall, and plunged into the basement. Jacques Moretti has admitted to reducing the width of the stairwell from three metres to just one metre. He carried out the renovations himself when he took over management of the Constellation in 2015, and it is not known whether he had planning permission or not. According to multiple enquiry sources who have spoken to the media in France and Italy, the modification played a decisive role in the disaster'. When questioned by prosecutors on Friday, Jacques Moretti did not discuss the stairwell renovation, but he admitted that a ground-floor service door was locked from the inside when the fire started. He said that he forced it open upon arriving at the scene and found victims dying from suffocation behind it. Mr Moretti said he did not know why the door was locked, and, along with his wife, has denied any civil or criminal wrongdoing. He will appear before prosecutors in Sion today, as judges decide whether to extend his custody period. The sparklers are thought to have lit soundproofing foam in the ceiling, triggering a massive fire in which, beyond the dead, 116 others were also severely burned. Mr Morettis wife is said to have driven herself home within minutes of the fire breaking out, after allegedly escaping as quickly as possible from the bar with the till containing the nights cash takings. She has been bailed with an electronic bracelet. Both Morettis told how they first rented the Costellation in 2015, when they renovated it from A to Z, including the flooring, the furniture, and the bar itself, including replacing the foam in the ceiling. The fire service carried out two or three fire inspections in ten years of operation, without ever requiring any requests for renovations or modifications to the premises, said Mr Moretti, who admitted there was no sprinkler system, or even fire extinguishers. Asked if employees were trained in fire safety, he replied: No. It comes after the couple told how a waitress they viewed as 'a stepdaughter' suffocated 'in a pile of bodies behind a locked door'. Footage of the tragedy shows flames ripping through the Crans-Montana club as revellers continue singing, dancing and shouting - unaware they are trapped in extreme danger In video footage, someone can be seen trying desperately to extinguish the fire, but within seconds it takes hold, erupting into a deadly fireball that engulfs the packed bar The owners of the Swiss bar told how a waitress they viewed as 'a stepdaughter' suffocated 'in a pile of bodies behind a locked door' Providing their most detailed account of the disaster to date, Jacques and Jessica Moretti said Cyane Panine's last minutes alive encapsulated the full horror of the evening. Cyane had been encouraged by Ms Moretti to 'get the atmosphere going' at Le Constellation, in the early hours of New Year's Day. This included getting waitresses to put sparklers in champagne bottles, before some were lifted on the shoulders of waiters in the bar's basement. Following the devastating blaze, Mr Moretti eventually broke open the door to the basement from the outside, and found Cyane dying, while surrounded by 'a pile of bodies'. On Friday, Mr Moretti told the Vallais public prosecutor's office in nearby Sion he only became aware the bar's 'service door' was 'locked from the inside and on a latch' after the fire. Recalling how he found Cyane dying, Mr Moretti said: 'I went out onto the patio [behind the bar]. All the windows were open. 'There were a lot of people there. I tried to get inside, but it was impossible. There was far too much smoke.' Pointing to the 'service door' rather than an exit, Mr Moretti said it was 'closed and locked from the inside with a latch, whereas it usually wasn't. 'We forced it open - it finally gave way in a few seconds. When the door opened, several people were lying on the floor, unconscious. 'My stepdaughter Cyane was one of them. We pulled them all outside and put them in the recovery position.' Cyane, a French national like the Morettis, died within the hour. Mr Moretti said he and Cyane's boyfriend 'tried to resuscitate her for more than an hour in the street near the bar, until the emergency services told us it was too late'. The couple, who are both French and from the island of Corsica, are suspected of negligent manslaughter, causing bodily harm negligently, and negligent arson. Mr Moretti is an ex-pimp, with a series of convictions and prison spells behind him, while his wife is said to have a clean record with the police. The investigation into the fire continues. Germany is preparing to set up an Arctic NATO operation in an effort to stop Donald Trump from taking Greenland. This comes after the US President said he wants control of the island because of its location, its mineral resources, and rising Russian and Chinese military activity in the region - and has not ruled out the use of force. His warnings have ignited worry among European countries, especially following the US attack on Venezuela last week. The UK has reportedly held talks with its European allies about deploying a military force to Greenland. The new mission, named the 'Arctic Sentry' would monitor threats in the region, similarly to NATO's 'Baltic Sentry' operation which began last year to increase the surveillance of ships in the Baltic Sea. Still in its early stages, the plans could see the deployment of British soldiers, planes and warships to guard the Danish island, in a move Europe hopes will deter Trump's threats. Speaking on Sunday, Germany's vice-chancellor Lars Klingbeil urged the US to respect international law. He said: 'It is solely a matter for Denmark and Greenland to decide on the future of Greenland.' Danish military forces participate in an exercise with troops from several European NATO members in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland Germany is preparing to set up an Arctic NATO operation in an effort to stop Donald Trump from taking Greenland 'Territorial sovereignty and integrity must be respected. These principles of international law apply to everyone including the United States. We are working together as Nato allies to increase security in the Arctic, not against each other.' Klingbeil is soon expected to travel to Washington for a G7 finance ministers meeting called by US treasury secretary Scott Bessent. Meanwhile, US secretary of state Marco Rubio is set to hold talks with Denmark about Greenland this week. Trump has continuously cited security reasons for his move to take Greenland, saying the island will be seized by China or Russia if the US does not. He has said Greenland is 'covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place', a claim with which Denmark disagrees. A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from the South Carolina ANG's 169th FW lands at Pituffik Space Force Base, Greenlan Special operators conduct training in austere conditions at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland Speaking earlier this week, Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said: 'The image that's being painted of Russian and Chinese ships right inside the Nuuk fjord and massive Chinese investments being made is not correct.' MarineTraffic and LSEG vessel tracking has shown no Russian or Chinese presence in the area. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the country is facing a 'decisive moment' in its diplomatic battle with the US over Greenland. Later on Facebook she added that 'we are ready to defend our values wherever it is necessary also in the Arctic.' Greenland has a population of around 57,000 people and has long wanted to become an independent nation. The country is home to impressive natural resources such as copper, nickel and rare earth minerals, leading China and Russia to reinforce their influence in the region. Greenland's parliament is set to bring forward a meeting to discuss its response to Trump's threats. 'We emphasise once again our desire for the US contempt for our country to end,' the leaders of all five political parties elected to Greenland's parliament said in a joint statement late on Friday. A Jewish MP was 'banned' from visiting a school in his constituency amid fears his presence would 'inflame teachers'. Labour MP Damien Egan's trip to Bristol Brunel Academy in September was cancelled after a campaign by far-left protesters from Bristol's National Education Union (NEU) branch and its local Palestine Solidarity Campaign group. The Bristol North East MP was barred because of 'safeguarding concerns' after the activists, who claimed to be representing the views of teachers, parents, and residents, highlighted his links to the Labour Friends of Israel group. Activists described it as a win for 'safeguarding, solidarity, and for the power of the NEU trade union staff group, parents, and campaigners standing together'. One NEU representative said teachers were planning to wear keffiyehs into the school on the day of his visit and were planning 'work that members could do with students in preparation' before it was cancelled. Communities Secretary Steve Reed revealed on Sunday a Jewish MP had been 'refused permission to visit a school in his own constituency in case his presence inflames the teachers'. 'I have a colleague who is Jewish, who has been banned from visiting a school and refused permission to visit a school in his own constituency, in case his presence inflames the teachers,' he told the Jewish News. 'That is an absolute outrage.' Jewish MP Damien Egan was 'banned' from visiting a school in his constituency amid fears his presence would 'inflame teachers' The Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign boasted about the cancellation of the Labour MPs visit to the school Asked his response to the ban, he said: 'They will be called in, and they will be held to account for doing that, because you cannot have people with those kinds of attitudes teaching our children. You just can't have it.' Mr Reed did not name his colleague but a string of social media posts from Bristol's NEU and Palestine campaigners bragged about the cancellation of Mr Egan's visit. In one post from September, Bristol NEU wrote: 'Victory for Education Workers, Parents and the Community. 'MP Damien Egan's planned school visit at Bristol Brunel Academy this Friday has been cancelled after concerns were raised by the NEU trade union staff group, parents and local constituents. 'This is a clear message: politicians who openly support Israel's genocidal assault on Gaza are not welcome in our schools. 'Egan is Vice Chair of Labour Friends of Israel and has visited Israel since the current onslaught on Gaza began, demonstrating his support. 'We celebrate this cancellation as a win for safeguarding, solidarity, and for the power of the NEU trade union staff group, parents, and campaigners standing together.' Join the debate What's YOUR take on the ban? The visit to Bristol Brunel Academy (pictured) in September was cancelled after a campaign by far-left protesters from Bristol's National Education Union (NEU) branch and its local Palestine Solidarity Campaign group The MP has been offered enhanced security because he is married to Israeli Yossi Felberbaum. Pictured: The couple sharing a kiss after Mr Egan was elected as an MP Mr Egan, a vice chair of Labour Friends of Israel, has faced repeated threats by anti-Israel activists since becoming an MP in 2024. He has been offered enhanced security because he is married to Israeli Yossi Felberbaum who served in the military. Mr Egan was born in Cork before moving with his family as a child to live in the Kingswood constituency in Gloucestershire. A spokesperson for Bristol Brunel Academy said: 'Damien Egan MP as a high-achieving alumnus of the CLF, and in common with other local MPs from across the political spectrum was invited in September to visit Bristol Brunel Academy, a secondary school situated in his constituency of Bristol North East. 'Mr Egan was due to discuss democracy and the role of an MP, while helping to raise aspirations among students who may have an interest in pursuing similar career paths. 'On the evening before Mr Egan's scheduled visit, we were made aware of plans for a public protest outside the school. As this protest was scheduled to coincide with the end in the school day, we opted to postpone Mr Egan's visit to ensure everyone would continue to feel safe when entering and exiting school and to prevent any disruption to our students' learning. 'We have remained in contact with Mr Egan, and an alternative date for his visit was arranged some time ago. We have also been in contact with the police and followed their advice.' A three-year-old toddler has died and a man has been injured after a fire ripped through a home in Melbourne's north. Emergency services raced to the scene in Dorothy Street, Fawkner, shortly after 2pm after receiving multiple triple zero calls about a house engulfed in flames. Firefighters arrived within six minutes and pulled a man and a three-year-old boy from the burning single-storey brick home. CPR was performed on the boy but he couldn't be revived. The injured man was taken to Northern Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. It took firefighters almost an hour to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Distraught family members gathered outside the home on Monday night as police examined the gutted property. A Fawkner home in Melbourne's north was engulfed in flames on Monday A three-year-old boy pulled from the home was unable to be revived Investigations into the cause of the deadly fire continue The front window was blackened with ash while childrens toys and play equipment were seen scattered in the yard. A heavy police presence remained at the house until late Monday night. Anyone with information or footage about the fire is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. A US reality TV star who claimed she had a fling with Prince Harry was arrested after allegedly leaving a hotel in Majorca without paying her bill, although she insists she is innocent. Catherine Ommanney, 53, was held on Sunday afternoon on suspicion of fraud after a hotel manager reported her to police in the morning. Ommanney, who claimed to have enjoyed passionate romps with Harry when he was 21, and she was 34, was accused of leaving the three-star Playas del Rey Hotel in Santa Ponsa near Magaluf without settling a bill totalling more than 434 for a nine-day stay. Police sources confirmed the arrest, and she appeared before a judge yesterday evening in the Majorcan capital, Palma. Ommanney was later released on bail pending an ongoing investigation. Following the arrest and court appearance, the interior designer declared: 'It's all bulls**t. The bill was paid'. She added: 'I have proof the bill was paid in full. It was a technical error on the hotel's behalf, and I will be seeking an apology through the justice system.' Island newspaper Ultima Hora earlier reported that Ommanney, who was one of the five original main cast members in the first season of the Real Housewives of DC, had reserved her hotel stay using a card 'with no funds' on it. She was pictured leaving a court cell, accompanied by a Civil Guard officer, around 7pm yesterday to head to the courtroom for the hearing behind closed doors. Catherine Ommanney, 53, was held on Sunday afternoon on suspicion of fraud after a hotel manager reported her to police in the morning. Pictured: Ommanney at court in Palma Ommanney opened up in November 2022 about the two-month fling she says she had with Harry in 2006 after meeting him in a bar She did not comment on her release from custody. It is not yet clear where she was arrested. A spokesman for the Civil Guard confirmed this morning: 'A 53-year-old British woman was arrested yesterday on suspicion of fraud after the representative of a hotel in Santa Ponsa reported her for allegedly leaving the establishment without paying her hotel bill.' Well-placed sources said she had stayed at the Playas del Rey Hotel between January 2 and 11. Ommanney's lawyer said this morning she had not read the press reports about her client's arrest and would not be commenting without her authorisation. A receptionist at Playas del Rey Hotel in Santa Ponsa also said this morning that the manager was off for the day and no one else was available to speak to the press. Ommanney opened up in November 2022 about the two-month fling she says she had with Harry in 2006 after meeting him in a bar. She told The Sun on Sunday she was speaking out because she didn't think the short relationship would be featured in his memoir Spare. She said: 'It was clear he wasn't a virgin when we met. He was 21, and he was very sure of himself. He was a great kisser and obviously knew what he was doing. 'He lifted me off the floor in a way that no man has ever done to me before or since and Harry knew how to treat a woman. He was very giving, very passionate, lovely, and a total gentleman.' Claiming she had nicknamed Harry 'baby' because he had a habit of sucking on lollipops, mum-of-three Catherine said: 'I do believe he enjoyed my company because I'm a little bit older and wiser and not like the 20-year-olds or whatever he had been hanging out with. The relationship fizzled out after they met a few times, according to Ommanney, although she said they were 'friendly' when they bumped into each other again in 2009 at a polo match Ommanney claimed to have enjoyed passionate romps with Harry when he was 21, and she was 34 'I had the patience to listen to what he said and give him some advice on life. 'Harry was surrounded by young women that would throw themselves at him and I think he was searching for something deeper and more meaningful with someone wiser. 'That's maybe why he found me attractive. I didn't realise what the age gap was because it wasn't important to me.' At the time she revealed their affair, she was said to be based in Majorca. The relationship fizzled out after they met a few times, according to Ommanney, although she said they were 'friendly' when they bumped into each other again in 2009 at a polo match. Britain is prepared to ban the social media platform X in a deepening row over the platform being used to create child sexual abuse and misogynistic deepfakes, a top minister said today. Peter Kyle said that blocking access to the social media platform was among the options it was looking at, as a row with owner Elon Musk over the Grok AI deepened. The business secretary said he expected the production of 'nudifying images' to be 'dealt with', saying they were 'disgusting and clearly unlawful'. It came as regulator Ofcom today said it was carrying out an official investigation into X under the Online safety Act. An Ofcom spokeswoman said: 'Platforms must protect people in the UK from content that's illegal in the UK, and we won't hesitate to investigate where we suspect companies are failing in their duties, especially where there's a risk of harm to children.' Musk has been under increasing pressure to act after the X virtual assistant was found to be aiding users to digitally remove clothes from pictures of children and women. He has taken limited steps, making the picture editing facility available only to paying users, but said any action to block the platform would be 'fascist'. The Trump White House weighed in on his side at the weekend, with its free-speech tsar likening the UK to Putin's Russia. Asked if Britain would consider a ban if the Ofcom probe said it was necessary to protect children, Mr Kyle this morning said: 'Yes, of course. 'Ofcom acts as an enforcer, as an enforcement agency, and it must use those powers to the full extent of the law to keep people safe in this country.' But Nigel Farage has said he fears the Government will end up 'suppressing free speech'. Peter Kyle said that blocking access to the social media platform was among the options it was looking at, as a row with owner Elok Musk over the Grok AI deepened. Musk has been under increasing pressure to act after the X virtual assistant was found to be aiding users to digitally remove clothes from pictures of children and women. The Trump White House weighed in on his side at the weekend, with its free-speech tsar likening the UK to Putin's Russia. Speaking at a press conference in central London, the Reform UK leader said: 'Nothing from the current set of regulators in Government would surprise me when it comes to the suppression of free speech. 'Do we like and welcome the particular feature on Grok that has made the news over the weekend? No. 'But let's talk to Grok. They have already made one or two steps in our direction. My fear is we will end up suppressing Grok and further suppressing free speech and we do not want to do that.' Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said banning X is 'the wrong answer'. Asked if she supports the banning of X in the UK or any restrictions being placed on Elon Musk's social media site, Mrs Badenoch said: 'I think banning X is the wrong answer. I'm not even sure what question it is that they're answering. Ofcom is carrying out what it has called an 'expedited assessment' of X and xAI's response to its chatbot Grok's manipulation of images to create undressed individuals and sexualized images of children. Liz Kendall, the UK technology secretary, said yesterday ministers would stand by the regulator if it decides to block access to the social media platform, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he was leaving 'all options' on the table. Ahead of a statement to MPs she today added that Ofcom must complete its probe 'swiftly' because 'the public and most importantly the victims will not accept any delay'. Musk accused the UK of becoming 'fascist,' and Sarah Rogers, the US state department's undersecretary for public diplomacy, compared the UK government to that of Russia. She wrote on the platform that Great Britain was 'contemplating a Russia-style X ban to protect them from bikini images as she criticized the country for failing to ban marriages between cousins - which she suggested was linked to 'honor' killings. 'Since we know the British government wants to make sure women are safe both online and offline (thus contemplating a Russia-style X ban, to protect them from bikini images) here's more from Wikipedia on cousin marriage - and its connection to honor killing,' Rogers posted on Sunday. 'A sardonic reader might wonder whether Ofcom's response to such affronts would be "ban Wikipedia,"' she continued. A solicitor has been struck off after telling a judge he was dialling into court remotely from London - when he was actually 700 miles away in Germany. Priyank Tanwar was found to have lied about his real location while representing a father during a one-hour hearing in a family case at Leicester County Court in August 2023. Tanwar, a self-employed consultant for a London-based firm, was ruled to have acted dishonestly by providing misleading information to the court. The solicitor denied the allegations, claiming it was not his intention to mislead the judge. A tribunal heard that Tanwar told the court clerk, legal representatives for the mother in the case, an interpreter and his client that he was abroad and would be appearing remotely, the Law Gazette reports. But when Judge Matthew O'Grady asked Tanwar where he was, he said 'Ealing, London'. The solicitor said he had misunderstood the judge. Tom Walker, counsel for the Solicitors Regulation Authority, said his explanation was 'nonsensical', arguing that the judge's questions clearly related to where the lawyer was at the time of the hearing. Mr Walker said: 'He could have not had any genuine belief that what he was being asked was where his office location was. He had ample opportunity to say where he was but he did not. Priyank Tanwar (pictured) was found to have lied about his real location while representing a father during a one-hour hearing in a family case at Leicester County Court in August 2023 Join the debate Should lawyers face harsher punishment for lying in court? Tanwar (pictured), a self-employed consultant for a London-based firm, was ruled to have acted dishonestly by providing misleading information to the court Backing the regulator, the chairman of the three-person panel ruled that 'culpability was absolute'. The panel said Tanwar's location was crucial to the court proceedings as they were trying to establish a stable remote connection and the process became 'chaotic', partially down to the solicitor's 'decision to attend by telephone'. Carolyn Evans, the tribunal chairwoman, said Tanwar 'was not being truthful' to the judge. Tanwar was struck off and ordered to pay 7,500 costs. Remote court hearings have become increasingly used since the pandemic. They have divided opinion, with some lawyers saying they are more efficient, while critics argue they dehumanise the court process. This is the moment a protester ripped down the Iranian flag outside the country's embassy in London amid ongoing anti-regime protests in solidarity with Tehran. Thousands took to the streets of London on Sunday as protests against the Iranian regime and the brutal crackdown by its security forces spread around the world. Footage taken outside the Iranian embassy in South Kensington shows a man standing on the portico and breaking the flagpole as the Iranian flag falls to the ground to the sound of roaring cheers from onlookers. The man is then seen raising Iran's pre-Islamic Lion and Sun flag - often used by opposition groups in the country - and raising his fists in the air. It comes after another protester also replaced the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the pre-revolution Lion and Sun flag at a demonstration outside the embassy on Saturday night. Protesters across the world have been tearing down the flag and replacing it with the pro-revolution flag at Iranian embassies after exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged them to do so, declaring the regime's fall near. Activists now say that the death toll from the brutal suppression of nationwide demonstrations in the Middle Eastern nation is at least 538 people. Meanwhile more than 10,600 people have been detained, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has claimed. Demonstrators rallied in London, Paris and Istanbul on Sunday in support of the protests in Iran that have been countered with lethal force. Protests are ongoing today, with people gathering outside the Iranian embassy again waving pre-revolution flags. Footage taken outside the Iranian embassy in South Kensington shows a man standing on the portico and breaking the flagpole as the Iranian flag falls to the ground to the sound of roaring cheers from onlookers The man is then seen raising Iran's pre-Islamic Lion and Sun flag - often used by opposition groups in the country - and raising his fist in the air Demonstrators hold flags outside the Iranian embassy during a rally in support of nationwide protests in Iran, outside the Iranian embassy in London on January 12 In London the rally began in front of the Iranian embassy in South Kensington before uprooting to Whitehall, at the heart of British government. The demonstrators demanded that Labour close what they called 'the Mullah's embassy' - branding it a 'terrorist factory'. Later in the evening, images showed people throwing objects towards the embassy and the police intervening to stop protesters scaling the embassy's perimeter wall. Footage showed the masses marching outside Downing Street and burning images of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Others waved the country's old pre-Islamic flag with its distinctive Lion and Sun emblem. Many protesters carried placards carrying the image of exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who fled to the US with his father, the deposed Shah, after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 - who many believe should be the nation's next leader. 'We want revolution, change the regime,' Afsi, a 38-year-old Iranian, who declined to give her last name, said during the rally in front of Downing Street. She has lived in London for seven years but has not been able to contact her family in Iran because of an internet blackout imposed by authorities since Thursday, she said. 'It's so frustrating, but it's not the first time,' Afsi added. 'This time, we have hope... we feel like we can do it this time.' Another demonstater in London, Fahimeh Moradi, 52, said she was taking part 'to support the Iranian people who are killed and murdered by the Iran regime - we don't want the Islamic Republic of Iran, we hate them!' She added: 'My son is there, and I don't know if he's alive or not. We just want this murderous regime to leave Iran, that's it!' Protests in Iran began on December 28 over the ailing economy and have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years. The internet and telephone lines have been cut off, but footage of events in Tehran and other cities has circulated widely on social media. A protester sets fire to an image of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, outside the Iranian embassy, in London on January 12 Protestors in London burn an image of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally held in solidarity with Iran's uprising, organised by The National Council of Resistance of Iran on January 11 Demonstrators waved the country's old pre-Islamic flag with its distinctive Lion and Sun emblem as they called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to support the Iranian people and proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp as a terrorist organisation Protesters in London on Sunday hold placards carrying the image of exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who fled to the US with his father, the deposed Shah, after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 Police try to stop protesters climbing the outside wall toward the Iranian Embassy in London on Sunday as anti-government demonstrations intensified A protester throws an object toward the Iranian Embassy as they clash with police in London on Sunday Flames rise from burning debris in the middle of a street in Gorgan on January 10, 2026, as protesters set fire to makeshift barricades near a religious centre during ongoing anti-regime demonstrations Iranian protesters have intensified their challenge to the clerical leadership of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (seen here attending a gathering of the people of Qom in Tehran on January 8, 2026) The protest came as a group of Anglo-Iranian women called on the Government to ban the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as the Tehran regime's violent crackdown on protests continues. The IRGC is a distinct branch of Iran's armed forces which operates independently from the regular army, created after 1979 to protect the Islamic Revolution. It retains significant influence over the country's politics and controls many of its regional proxies via its Quds Force, making it a central part of the regime's ability to project power and suppress dissent domestically and abroad. Demonstrators called on Keir Starmer to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, a status it already has in a number of countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and Israel. The special armed forces organisation has already been heavily sanctioned in recent years, but there are growing calls for the Prime Minister to go further. Laila Jazayeri, director of the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK, said the IRGC had already gone too far. Speaking at the demonstration on Sunday, she told the Press Association: 'The Prime Minister should prescribe the deadly force IRGC, that is killing people inside Iran.' Ms Jazayeri explained: 'There is no need for military intervention. There is no need for boots on the ground. The nationwide protests started in late December at Tehran's Grand Bazaar in response to worsening economic conditions Many Iranians now believe exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who fled to the US with his father, the deposed Shah, after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, will be their next leader 'Iranian people are capable of bringing the regime down. 'The protesters are empty-handed. They are dealing with heavily armed security forces in some towns and cities. 'But the regime hasn't been able to send the protesters back home. Why? Because there is a network of resistance.' Most information coming out of the country is through Starlink satellite transmitters after the regime restricted internet access, and Ms Jazayeri said the UK Government could do more to get Iranians back online. 'The regime has shut down the internet to kill in silence. [The UK Government] should help get access to internet for the Iranian people,' she said. Asked about the possibility of banning the organisation, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sky News: 'It's a very thorough process that the Home Secretary would go through in determining whether to proscribe an organisation... I'm not going to second-guess the decisions of the Home Secretary on a matter as significant as this. 'She will follow due process and won't leave any stone unturned in looking at all the information that is available to her. 'As a government, we keep those decisions about the proscription of organisations under constant review and I have no doubt that Shabana Mahmood is doing that at the moment.' Dissent against the Islamic Republic has spread around the world, with a protester in London tearing down the country's flag from its embassy on Saturday. In Paris, more than 2,000 people waved Iran's flag from before the Islamic Revolution in 1979 to chants of 'No to the terrorist Islamic Republic'. Police did not allow them to approach the Iranian embassy. 'Close the mullahs' embassy, the terrorist factory,' some demonstrators yelled. A 20-year-old Iranian student living in Paris, who gave his first name as Arya, said: 'In Iran, the people are rising up in the streets, and we Iranians outside Iran are here to show we are with them and they are not alone.' He said he was waiting to hear what the son of Iran's last shah, US-based Reza Pahlavi, 'will tell us to do'. The protests, initially sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, have lasted two weeks and become a movement against the theocratic system in place since the 1979 revolution. Iranian authorities have called the protesters 'rioters' who are backed by the United States and Israel. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch (pictured) said it would be right for the US to help oust the Islamic Republic's leadership and indicated she would support RAF involvement if necessary In Istanbul, demonstrators voicing support for the Iranian protesters gathered in steady rain. Police cordoned off the area outside the Iranian consulate and the crowd was kept away from the mission. 'It's been 72 hours since we had any news from the country, from our families. No internet or television, we can't reach Iran anymore,' said Nina, a young Iranian living in Turkey who had the Iranian flag and red tears painted on her face. 'The regime kills at random - whether families are on foot or in a car, whether there are children. It spares no one,' she added. The crackdown by Iran's authorities has resulted in at least 192 deaths, according to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights. The US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said it had received 'credible' accounts of 'hundreds of protesters' killed across Iran since the internet clampdown started. The leaders of Britain, France and Germany on Friday condemned the 'killing of protestors' in Iran, while US President Donald Trump said Saturday his country stood 'ready to help' as Iranians protest. The UK wants to see a 'peaceful transition' of power in Iran, a Cabinet minister said as the Tehran regime continued to violently crack down on protests. Rubina Aminian, 23, had joined in the street protests after a day of classes in her textiles programme at Shariati College on Thursday Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026 Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the UK's priority was to 'stem the violence'. She told Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: 'The British Government has always viewed Iran as a hostile state. 'We know that they pose a security threat in the Middle East and beyond and we know that they have been a repressive regime in terms of their own population. "And so I think the priority, as of today, is to try and stem the violence that is happening in Iran at the moment.' She added: 'It's a concerning situation there and we would like to see anything that happens in future involving a peaceful transition where people can enjoy fundamental freedoms and we see proper democratic values back in the heart of Iran.' Iran has warned it will target US troops and Israel if Donald Trump carries out his threat of military action against the Tehran regime. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said it would be right for the US to help oust the Islamic Republic's leadership and indicated she would support RAF involvement if necessary. She told BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: 'You've seen the recent RAF strikes, for instance, in Syria. Without over speculating - we are talking about hypothetical situations - we have worked in alliance with other countries. 'I think this has to be something that we do with a broad coalition of countries. That is the right way to do it, and to make sure that we create a stable Iran. 'The worst possible thing would be for this to escalate to a point where the situation gets worse, not better.' She said Iran would 'very happily wipe out the UK if it felt it could get away with it' and 'I don't have an issue with removing a regime that is trying to harm us'. Iran has 'terrorist outposts with Hezbollah all across the world" and "I don't think a lot of people realise just how scary the Iranian regime is and just how far it has spread its tentacles'. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has praised the bravery of those taking to the streets in Iran. She said: 'It takes real courage to speak up in an authoritarian system, especially for young women, but it should not require courage just to make your voice heard. 'These are fundamental rights: free speech; peaceful assembly; and the exercise of those rights should never come with the threat of violence or reprisals." US secretary of state Marco Rubio said: 'The United States supports the brave people of Iran.' Sparklers in a cake that was left suspended from the ceiling of a hotel during a wedding in Italy caused the building to go up in flames. The incident took place just days before the fatal New Year's Swiss ski resort fire, allegedly triggered by sparklers in champagne bottles that ignited foam soundproof cladding in the ceiling. On December 27, around 200 party guests were left fleeing from the Kristal Palace Hotel in Avellino, after sparks released from fountain candles placed in a wedding cake caused the building to catch fire. According to local reports, the newlyweds had organised a sparkler display from their wedding cake before the cutting ceremony. However, rogue sparks hit ceiling decorations and surrounding curtains, causing the room to fill with smoke and flames. The blaze quickly spread from the wedding hall to the lobby, causing significant damage to the hotel and leaving the groom with second-degree burns to his right hand and head after he attempted to put out the flames. The man, whose identity has not yet been released, was rushed to Frangipane Hospital in Ariano Irpino for treatment. He was released later that night. Footage of the incident captured the orange flames ripping through the hotel while thick black smoke poured out of the entrance and drifted towards the sky. Sparklers in a cake that was left suspended from the ceiling of a hotel during a wedding in Italy caused the building to go up in flames On December 27, around 200 party guests were left fleeing from the Kristal Palace Hotel in Avellino, after sparks released from fountain candles placed in a wedding cake caused the building to catch fire The blaze quickly spread from the wedding hall to the lobby, causing significant damage to the hotel Footage of the incident captured the orange flames ripping through the hotel while thick black smoke poured out of the entrance and drifted towards the sky Within minutes, the hotel was engulfed in flames, and hotel staff urged terrified guests to evacuate. Firefighters from Ariano Irpino and Grottaminarda, along with several ambulances, arrived on site alongside the local police. Several party-goers suffered from minor smoke inhalation, but there were no reported casualties following the disaster. Local reports state the fire brigade managed to put out the fire in around an hour, but the hall has been left severely damaged. The hotel furniture, curtains, and electrical systems were unable to be salvaged, and authorities have now opened an investigation into the incident. The disaster echoes the deadly Swiss bar inferno, which claimed the lives of 40 revellers on New Year's Day. Horrific new details of the basement fire in Le Constellation, in the ski resort of Crans Montana, were released on Monday, as its owner, 49-year-old Jacques Moretti, prepared to appear in court. He is in custody and facing a range of charges, including manslaughter by negligence, along with his wife and co-owner, Jessica Moretti, 40. Investigators have now established that 34 of those who died in the early hours of January 1 perished on the cramped stairwell that led up from the basement, which had been narrowed by two-thirds by its owner. This amounts to 85 per cent of the dead, said one enquiry source. They were trapped on the tiny staircase as everyone fought to get out, but they were unable to escape. Many were forced back into the basement when the stairwell became completely overcrowded and fell apart. It had been significantly reduced in size by the owners. Swiss law enforcement officers found numerous bodies at the bottom of the staircase after the wooden steps and handrails collapsed. The fire is believed to have been caused when staff waved champagne bottles plugged with sparklers close to the ceiling. High quality photographs show the very first moments of the Swiss Constellation Bar fire in Crans-Montana, where 40 people died on New Year's Eve Footage shows flames ripping through the Crans-Montana club as revellers continue singing, dancing and shouting - unaware they are already trapped in extreme danger Investigators believe it then rapidly developed into a 'flashover' - likely igniting much of the venue in seconds and rendering escape almost impossible. They are now examining whether the soundproof material used on the ceiling of the bar conforms to safety measures. Former staff have also claimed that safety standards at the club were poor, alleging that fire extinguishers were kept under lock and key and that the bar's emergency exit was often locked. Speaking at 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. He said: '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. Mr Feraud said that the soundproof foam used in the bar was considered acceptable at the time. All sparkler candles have now been banned inside venues, the mayor added. Sir Sadiq Khan took a swipe at 'bully' Donald Trump today as the London mayor renewed his bitter feud with the US President. Asked if he could offer any advice to New York mayor Zohran Mamdani, who assumed office at the beginning of this year, Sir Sadiq said: 'Don't let bullies win.' The long-running spat between the Labour politician and Mr Trump has lasted the best part of a decade, since Sir Sadiq took charge of London in 2016. The US President last month branded Sir Sadiq a 'horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor' and claimed London was now 'a different place'. Sir Sadiq later hit back and suggested Mr Trump's frequent attacks on Europe and London are 'grooming' and 'radicalising' extremists in Britain. Appearing on Sky News this morning, Sir Sadiq was asked if he had any tips for Mr Mamdani, a self-described socialist, on dealing with criticism from Mr Trump. 'He doesn't need advice from me, he's going to be a great mayor,' the London mayor replied. 'I've got on really well with all the mayors of New York. It's our nearest competitor and friend and colleague as a city.' But Sir Sadiq also added: 'What I would say to anybody is, whether you're nine years old, whether you're 14 years old, or whether you're older - don't let bullies win.' Sir Sadiq Khan took a swipe at 'bully' Donald Trump as the London mayor renewed his bitter feud with the US President Join the debate Is public criticism between leaders like Khan and Trump harmful to their reputations? The long-running spat between the Labour politician and Mr Trump has lasted the best part of a decade, since Sir Sadiq took charge of London in 2016 The London mayor revealed he and Mr Mamdani 'message regularly', adding: 'It brings a smile to my face talking about Zohran. 'He's going to do a great job, I think, in the second greatest city in the world in trying to make the progress we've made in London.' In another interview on Monday, Sir Sadiq refused to be drawn on whether he would run for a fourth term as London mayor. He told Times Radio: 'The last election I fought is nearer than the next one I may fight, ask me again in a year's time. 'At this stage in the cycle, I never decide. I think it's an indulgence to focus on my personal ambition rather than this city. I'm focused on this city.' In response to Mr Trump's frequent criticism of his mayoralty, Sir Sadiq also said: 'When it comes to London versus any city or any state in the USA, we are far, far, far safer. 'And so my analysis is, you know, we are a progressive city, a liberal city, a diverse city, a successful city. 'We've shown diversity is a strength, not a weakness. It makes us richer, not poorer. It makes us stronger, not weaker. 'And that's why I think people like President Trump, Vice President [JD] Vance and other politicians and commentators hate us.' Sir Sadiq's latest swipe at Mr Trump follows a previous blast in December, when he claimed things said by the US President 'normalises and brings to the mainstream views that I think are unacceptable'. The London mayor also questioned why Mr Trump was 'obsessed' with him. Asked if Mr Trump's comments were increasing the threat of far-Right attacks, Sir Sadiq told LBC radio last month: 'I'm always willing to debate and have discourse with anybody about almost any issue. 'But there is a direct link between language and how sometimes people can become radicalised, you can call it groomed, and so forth. 'And we've seen in the UK a massive increase in anti-Muslim hatred.' Pressed on whether he was accusing Mr Trump of radicalising people in Britain, the London mayor replied: 'You know, intentionally or unintentionally, you are seeing people who are taking the views of the President of the United States as a green light to behave in a certain way.' This is the moment a female snorkeller was attacked and bitten on the leg by a shark while freediving in Brazil. Terrifying footage shows several nurse sharks swimming around Tayane Dalazen before one of them lurches towards her and clamps on to her leg. The 36-year-old could be seen flailing around in a desperate attempt to shake off the predator which had started to drag her down towards the sea bed. Speaking after the attack, in Brazil's Fernando de Noronha archipelago, Ms Dalazen said she immediately realised what had happened and explained how the animal held onto her leg. She said: 'I knew I had been bitten. I felt it shaking me by the leg. The guide had to hit it so it would let me go.' Ms Dalazen was with two friends and accompanied by a tour guide when the attack took place. After leaving the water, she was helped by the guide and by fishermen who were on nearby boats before receiving first aid from her dermatologist friend who cleaned the wound. The 36-year-old was then taken to hospital, where she received treatment and was later discharged. Photographs shared afterwards show the injury, which Ms Dalazen claimed was not very deep. The footage shows several sharks swimming around the woman before a nurse shark suddenly bites her leg After leaving the water, she was helped by the guide and by fishermen The gruesome photos show numerous puncture wounds on her leg However, the gruesome photos show numerous puncture wounds on her leg from the rows of teeth in the shark's mouth. In posts on her social media, she reassured followers that she was fine and joked about the fish, saying: 'The shark must be missing a tooth'. She added: 'Will I have a scar? Yes. But I'll be a surfer with a shark scar. I think it even gives me some prestige.' The dive took place in front of a fishermen's association, where tourists frequently gather to see sharks and where environmentalists have previously warned about the risks linked to irregular feeding of animals. The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident. They reiterated that feeding wild animals is prohibited within the conservation area, and that inappropriate interaction with marine life can increase risks. In posts on social media, she reassured followers that she was fine The dive took place in front of a fishermen's association, where tourists frequently gather to see sharks This comes just days after a Minnesota woman was killed after a shark ripped her arm off in the US Virgin Islands. Arlene Lillis was snorkeling at Dorsch Beach in St Croix on Thursday when she was bitten, police say. First responders with the fire department confirmed the 56-year-old grandmother lost an arm during the attack and later succumbed to her injuries. Marine units, as well as fire and emergency medical services, attended the scene, the Virgin Island Police Department said. Virgin Islands Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach said Lillis was a 'frequent visitor to our beautiful islands' and neighbors confirmed she owned property on the US territory. Her husband, Rich Lillis, described his spouse as a 'sweet wife, mother and grandmother,' in a Facebook post confirming her death at their 'second home.' British troops could follow Donald Trump's lead and board Russian 'shadow fleet' ships carrying sanctioned oil under plans being considered by the UK Government. On Wednesday, US forces seized two tankers linked to Venezuelan oil exports in 'back-to-back' operations in the North Atlantic and the Caribbean. The US Coast Guard boarded the Russian-flagged Marinera in a daring commando-style raid, after a pursuit lasting almost two weeks as it travelled through the waters between Iceland and Scotland. Another vessel - the M/T Sophia - was accused by the US of 'conducting illicit activities' and was also seized in the Caribbean. While the UK Royal Navy gave logistical support by air and sea in the seizure of the Marinera, Britain did not deploy any of its own military personnel to board the rogue vessel. But the government has since identified a legal basis which it believes can be used to allow UK military to board and detain tankers in so-called shadow fleets, according to BBC News. After spending the past few weeks exploring what measures could be deployed, officials have determined that the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act from 2018 could be used to approve the use of military force. While it is not known when the UK might use these measures, it is understood that there are plans for the armed forces to use the powers in a ramping up of action against the 'Shadow Fleet'. Footage shows the US Coast Guard chasing down the Russian-flagged Marinera linked to Venezuelan oil before seizing it during a dramatic commando-style raid The Marinera, previously the Bella 1, pictured at Singapore Strait in a photo taken from social media on March 18, 2025 Two oil tankers subject to US sanctions were allegedly sighted sailing east through the English Channel towards Moscow on Thursday. The Marinera and the Sophia are two examples of more than 1,000 vessels considered to be part of the 'shadow fleet' or 'dark fleet': ships that transport oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela in violation of sanctions, using deceptive tactics to avoid detection. The UK has already imposed sanctions on more than 500 of the alleged shadow ships, which it believes are helping to fund hostile activity, including Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. According to ministers, actions taken by the UK and its allies have pressured around 200 vessels off the seas, most of which will have been travelling without a legitimate flag. Ship flagging is the method used to register a vessel to a particular country, which then allows it to transport goods in international waters and offers it certain legal protections. US forces had pursued the Marinera - previously known as the Bella 1 - over several weeks after it apparently evaded what Trump described as the 'total naval blockade' of Venezuela put in place in December. Last month, the US Coast Guard attempted to board the ship in the Caribbean, armed with a warrant to seize the ship over alleged breaches of US sanctions and claims it had shipped Iranian oil. However, the tanker then abruptly changed course, renamed itself Marinera and was added to an official Russian ship database 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, and Moscow made a formal diplomatic request that the US stop its chase. Since 2020, the ship has had six names sailed under five country flags. It is subject to anti-Iranian sanctions by Trump as part of efforts to prevent the regime in Tehran profitting from oil. The tanker was believed to be involved in illegal activity linked to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militia based in Lebanon, according to the Ministry of Defence. Your browser does not support iframes. American forces captured a separate 'dark fleet' tanker called the M/T Sophia It was 'operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea,' the US military said The Ministry of Defence insisted Britains assistance in seizing Marinera was 'in full compliance with international law'. The UK government sought to distance itself from the vessel's Venezuela link, insisting its involvement was part of a broader crackdown on the Kremlin's shadow fleet. Following the operation on Wednesday, Defence Secretary John Healey said: 'Today our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful US interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia. 'This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting. 'This ship, with a nefarious history, is part of a Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion which is fuelling terrorism, conflict, and misery from the Middle East to Ukraine. 'The UK will continue to step up our action against shadow fleet activity to protect our national security, our economy, and global stability making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.' He told MPs that evening that the seizure of the Marinera was justified not only because it was falsely flagged but also because it was part of Moscow's shadow fleet that shipped oil illicitly 'to bankroll its illegal invasion of Ukraine'. A Poseidon MRA1, an RAF maritime patrol aircraft, and a naval supply ship, RFA Tideforce, were among the British military assets that took part in the seizure. An RAF Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft was also deployed to gather information on the vessel. Two more tankers under US sanctions, the Aria and the Tia, were sighted travelling south of Britain a day after the Marinera was captured in the Atlantic. When asked on Thursday if it was aware of the sanctioned ships, the MoD said it would not discuss any possible plans to seize the vessels or 'give a running commentary on live maritime traffic websites'. The US European Command confirmed the 'seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of US sanctions' In a post on X, they said the 'vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a US federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro' Russia dispatched navy assets to protect the sanctioned oil tanker as it crossed the Atlantic, amid mounting threats from the US to seize the vessel Moscow had previously dispatched navy assets, including a submarine, to protect the sanctioned Marinera as it crossed the Atlantic. Following the operation, a humiliated Kremlin slammed the US. 'In accordance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, freedom of navigation applies in waters on the high seas, and no state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered under the jurisdiction of other states,' Russia's transport ministry said in a statement. The vessel had received 'temporary permission' to sail under the Russian flag on December 24, the ministry said, adding that 'contact with the ship was lost' after US naval forces boarded it 'in the open sea, beyond the territorial waters of any state'. Alexander Kots, a veteran pro-government correspondent for the Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, wrote on Telegram that 'nuclear war could be just one step away' following reports of the US operation. Alexei Zhuravlev, the first deputy head of the State Dumas Defense Committee, echoed the sentiment, saying Russian 'military doctrine even envisages the use of nuclear weapons in response to such an attack'. 'We need to provide a military response: attack with torpedoes or sink a couple of American boats,' he added. 'The seizure of a civilian vessel by the armed US Navy is nothing short of piracy.' The Marinera was pursued 'across the high seas and through treacherous storms' before it was captured, the US Homeland Security Secretary said. It had 'been trying to evade the Coast Guard for weeks, even changing its flag and painting a new name on the hull while being pursued, in a desperate and failed attempt to escape justice,' Kristi Noem said. Trumps press secretary was asked whether the operation targetting the Russian-flagged vessel risked a deeper confrontation with Putin. Speaking at the White House, Karoline Leavitt said the president would always enforce the policy that is best for the American people. She added: 'And with respect to these ship seizures, that means enforcing the embargo against all "dark fleet" vessels that are illegally transporting oil and only legitimate commerce. Thats the policy of this administration, and hes not afraid to implement it.' The Marinera was seized as it travelled towards waters between Iceland and Scotland, apparently heading for the Russian Arctic port of Murmansk. Following the operation, the US president criticised Americas Nato partners, despite the British support in the seizure. 'We will always be there for Nato, even if they wont be there for us,' he wrote on his Truth Social site. 'The only nation that China and Russia fear and respect is the DJT [Donald J Trump] REBUILT USA. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!' In recent weeks, US forces have seized five vessels accused of being part of Moscow's 'Shadow Fleet'. The latest tanker, known as the Olina, was on multiple countries' sanctions lists. 'Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: "There is no safe haven for criminals,"' said the US military's Southern Command on Friday. Officials said the raid was carried out before dawn by Marines and sailors in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, and that the ship was seized after it 'departed Venezuela attempting to evade US forces'. A Sudaenese asylum seeker who threatened a Christian preacher with a knife at Speakers' Corner is facing jail. Ahmed Mohammed, 35 was at the open-air public speaking site in London's Hyde Park while Daniel Ayettey was stood on a ladder and preached to the crowd on May 25. Mohammed tried to drag the preacher off the ladder before brandishing a knife at him. The Sudanese national, who arrived in the UK in 2012 and had already clocked up 29 convictions by the time of the incident, screamed: 'I'm going to stab you.' The two men clashed over religion with Mohammed asking Ayettey: 'What would you like to happen in my life?' The preacher responded: 'I would like to have the Lord in your life.' Nicholas Mesure, prosecuting, told Southwark Crown Court: 'That seemed to be the catalyst as it very quickly changed Mr Mohammed's demeanour and he became very angry. 'There were a number of people, including Muslims, who were aware of Mr Mohammed and they tried to persuade Mr Ayettey not to call the police.' Ahmed Mohammed, 35, threatened a preacher at Speakers' Corner (pictured) in Hyde Park in London Police arrested Mohammed who refused to be interviewed, Mr Mesure said. The migrant had applied to the Home Office for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Despite his denials, Mohammed was convicted of one count of threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place on Friday. Mohammed pleaded guilty to three separate counts of theft from a shop from Sainsbury's in Marble Arch just weeks before the incident on May 3. He was also convicted of one count of failing to comply with a community protection notice. But his sentence was adjourned for the third time as a report was still not ready. Judge Nigel Sangster KC said: 'Probation in court say they have known him since 2024 but that he has never engaged in any alcohol report since December. Mohammed was convicted at Southwark Crown Court and will be sentenced at a later date 'There is no ATR report. This case will be adjourned.' Mohammed, of no fixed address, was remanded in custody and will next appear at the same court for sentencing on January 16. In 2024, Islamist extremist Edward Little was jailed for life for planning to kill a Christian preacher at Speakers' Corner. Speakers' Corner was created by an Act of Parliament in 1872. The Royal Parks website states: 'Historic figures such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and George Orwell were known to often use the area to demonstrate free speech. In July 2021, Christian preacher Hatun Tash was attacked and stabbed at Speakers' Corner for wearing a T-shirt with a cartoon from Charlie Hebdo, the French magazine targeted by Islamist extremists. Edward Little, a British-born Muslim convert, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years for the attack. Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley accused 'pundits' of damaging London's reputation after he was confronted with the force's disastrous record on mobile phone theft in the capital. Sir Mark launched an impassioned defence of the Met's crime statistics, claiming one news organisation was 'allergic' to a 'good news story about London'. It came after figures published today showed the rate of unlawful killings in the capital dropped to an historic low last year, while the number of homicides dropped below 100 for the first time since 2014. But Sir Mark was clearly aggrieved when he was presented with other statistics, first released last year, which showed shoplifting offences increased by 54 per cent in 2024, and was asked about claims an estimated 100,000 mobile phones were stolen on city streets during those 12 months. Sir Mark, who has led Britain's largest police force since 2022, told presenter Stig Abell Times Radio: 'The fact that so much public debate is now more on rhetoric than it is on facts is not my responsibility. 'It's the rhetoric of, frankly, pundits like yourself rather than looking at the evidence. My point is simply, people who live and work in London generally feel safe. 'I don't claim it's perfect.' He added: 'What I am pushing back on is the idea that crime in London is somehow out of control. Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Police Commissioner, said London was 'a safe city' as he defended the force's record on crime London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan also said there had been a significant recent reduction in street theft An estimated 100,000 mobile phones were stolen in London in 2024 Your browser does not support iframes. 'London is a safe city and it's going in the right direction.' Mr Abell denied he was a pundit. A YouGov survey published earlier this month found nearly two-thirds of Londoners (63 per cent) felt the city was 'safe', compared with one-third (34 per cent) who felt the opposite. Four per cent of those polled were unsure. But across Britain, 61 per cent of respondents said they thought London was an unsafe place to live. According to the Office for National Statistics, almost 90,000 shoplifting offences were recorded by police in London in 2024, up from just over 58,000 in 2023. Sir Mark said the force was working on reducing mobile phone theft, and estimated it would be down by '15 to 20 per cent' by the end of this year. But he added: 'Why are you so allergic to a story about good news about London?' London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan also said there had been a significant recent reduction in street theft. He said he was working with mobile phone manufacturers to 'design-out crime', for example by introducing 'kill switches' to mean stolen phones cannot be used, making device theft less attractive to criminals. Sir Sadiq told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I fully accept the perception of crime, we are going to address that by tackling crime.' A Daily Mail investigation last year found evidence of thousands of mobiles being sent to China where they were sold on. And the Met dismantled one gang responsible for exporting almost half of the mobile phones stolen on Britain's streets in an extraordinary sting operation. Sir Mark hailed the series of raids as the 'biggest counter-phone theft operation in the world.' Roughly 300 officers smashed into 28 homes across London simultaneously in the dead of night to arrest groups of pickpockets and robbers behind an epidemic of snatch thefts. It's been an annual event in London for nearly two decades, as passengers ride the Underground with no trousers on leaving tourists and families totally bemused. But calls are growing for the 'No Trousers Tube Ride' to end amid fears it is causing unnecessary trauma for those who have suffered sexual assaults on the network. The event was held yesterday afternoon having first arrived in the capital as a US import in 2009 following the first 'No Pants Subway Ride' in New York in 2002. Glamour writer Emma Clarke said the ride had 'long been brushed off as just a bit of silly fun', but it was 'extremely triggering for me' because of her terrifying ordeal. She explained that she suffered a sexual assault during the pandemic when a man began performing a sex act over her on the District line while licking his lips. Ms Clarke took photographs of the man and reported the incident to Transport for London (TfL) staff and British Transport Police (BTP) but he was never caught. Writing in Glamour, she said: 'When campaigners are calling for women-only Tube carriages and the stark VAWG figures in the UK bear an overwhelming weight, this "silly" tradition of forgoing clothing is not only outdated it's completely tone deaf, and poses yet another safety risk. 'Yes, the event has both men and women participating. And I'm sure back in 2009, when it was first thought up, it was seen as a novelty. A man takes part in the annual No Trousers Tube Ride on the London Underground yesterday Two women sit on a Circle line train as they take part in the No Trousers Tube Ride yesterday People laugh as they stand on an Underground train during yesterday's No Trousers Tube Ride A group of people take part in the No Trousers Tube Ride on London's Elizabeth line yesterday 'But when we are fighting to protect our rights as women and girls, "No Trousers Day" offers yet another excuse for would-be predators, and exposes us to yet more potential threat. 'For me, it has no place in our city's culture and should firmly stay a thing of the past.' Ms Clarke also cited BTP data released last month which showed there were 595 sexual offences across all Tube lines in 2024/25, the most since 2019/20 when there were 776. Independent columnist Ryan Coogan wrote of the event two years ago: 'It turns a normal commute into an anxiety-ridden ordeal, not least because the Tube is often packed tight with people, meaning your chances of accidentally making physical contact with a pantsless stranger absolutely skyrocket. 'Looking at pictures of previous years, there are sat in seats trying desperately to avoid looking at eye-level tighty whities. 'Women do take part, but the vast majority of participants appear to be male, which is a huge problem for any women who might feel understandably vulnerable when confronted by a semi-nude horde on their way to the shops.' A Reddit post about the event has also prompted much discussion in recent days, with one user writing: 'The No Trousers Tube Ride is embarrassing nonsense and it absolutely stinks of the 2014 moustache and bacon internet. 'That era of forced quirky humour where people thought wearing silly props and doing dares counted as having a personality. Nobody wants to see your crusty underwear in public.' People sit on an Underground train during the annual No Trousers Tube Ride yesterday A woman takes part in the No Trousers Tube Ride on London's Elizabeth line yesterday A woman stands on an escalator during the No Trousers Tube Ride in London yesterday Another said: 'Am I the only one who thinks this it utterly repulsive?' But a third wrote: 'The reactions to this post make me so sad. Anything silly, quirky, out of the norm, or fun for the sake of fun, entirely squashed and eradicated by a new wave of puritans. It's not dangerous to be silly: it's life-threatening to never put a smile on your face.' This year's participants gathered in Soho's Chinatown from 2.45pm before heading down to the Tube then stripping their lower half down to their underpants. The event was started in 2009 by the Stiff Upper Lip Society, a flash-mob group who organised it each year - apart from during the pandemic until 2024. Since then, organisation for the event has been taken on by group member Dave Selkirk, a personal trainer from South Africa who ran it yesterday with another Londoner called Rammi Chiratheep, who is originally from Thailand. In a Facebook event post, organisers asked those involved to: 'Keep the (under)pants as normal or low-key as possible, so it looks like you've just forgotten your trousers.' They added that there were 'no official organisers' and 'All participants do so at their own risk - please behave safely and be mindful of your own safety.' Passengers travel on the Underground during the annual No Trousers Tube Ride yesterday Two women stand on a train as they take part in the No Trousers Tube Ride yesterday Two women pose for a photo during the annual No Trousers Tube Ride in London yesterday The event is done purely for 'fun', and not for charity or to raise awareness of any cause. A BTP spokeswoman told the Daily Mail: 'It is not a criminal offence to go trouser-less on the Tube in itself, however we ask that participants are respectful of fellow passengers, and we continue to campaign relentlessly to encourage the reporting of sexual harassment and sexual offences.' She added: 'Tackling sexual offences is our top priority and we take every report of sexual harassment or violence extremely seriously. 'If any passengers feel they were directly targeted by anyone on-board a Tube service, in a harassing or intimidating way, we ask they report this to us for investigation.' BTP added that it has patrols of uniformed and specially-trained plain clothes officers across the railway day and night to catch offenders and reassure passengers as they travel, along with access to over 150,000 cameras across the railway network. Anyone who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment or a sexual offence on the railway is urged to report it to BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040 or 999 in an emergency. The Daily Mail has also contacted TfL for comment. A police officer who was filmed by anti-Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) protestors defending the shooting of Renee Nicole Good was reassigned by the Portland Police Department. Footage filmed by a protester was uploaded to TikTok on Saturday, showing a PPD officer face-to-face with activists outside an ICE facility on January 9 at 10.20pm as he bluntly backed the fatal shooting of the Good in Minneapolis. The unidentified officer was asked if he would have shot Good. He replied: 'If she drove a car at me, yes.' Good, a 37-year-old mother, was fatally shot during a confrontation with ICE agents in Minnesota on January 7. Portland Police Chief Bob Day released a statement Sunday morning confirming that the Department had reassigned the officer while it investigates complaints about the video, according to KOIN. The footage begins with an up-close shot of the officer in full gear, as other law enforcement officials are seen nearby, and a rowdy protest can be heard in the background. A series of insults and questions were hurled at the PPD officer, who was being recorded, beginning with the claim that the PPD only cares about being paid and not about protecting the people. The reassigned officer told the activist, 'I do like my paycheck,' which only elicited more screams from the protestors. An unidentified officer was reassigned after he asked if he would have shot Renee Nicole Good. He replied: 'If she drove a car at me, yes' Good, a 37-year-old mother, was fatally shot during a confrontation with ICE agents in Minnesota on January 7, sparking outrage across the US 'People are being shot in the street, and you're talking about your paycheck,' the woman recording yelled. The official corrected her, asking if she meant criminals instead of people. She exploded with anger, repeatedly yelling, 'racist', and added that his police department was 'racist' as well. Another woman added that he was a 'f***ing piece of s***,' after the officer said that 'sometimes criminals get shot,' as the he appeared unfazed. The protestor asked him to double down on what he had just claimed, which he did, repeating the statement and adding that criminals get shot by law enforcement when breaking the law or threatening cops. Continuing to scream at the officer, the protestor pressed him further, asking if cops shoot people when they are driving their car, referring to Good who was killed in her Honda Pilot. The cop continuously told her yes if the car was being driven towards a police officer before doubling down again, saying that he would have done the same thing. Another officer checked in on the cop being interviewed, who replied that he was fine and returned to answering the protestors' questions. Her final question was: 'Who'd you f***ing vote for?' 'That's your question,' the cop replied. She said it was. To which he sarcastically said 'ok' while looking off. The officer appeared to be unfazed as protestors pressed him about Good's death and hurled insults at him and his department Good's death sparked volatile anti-ICE protests across the country under the banner 'ICE Out for Good' Following the events of the footage, Chief Day released a statement affirming that the officer had been reassigned: 'Tensions are high at this time, and this is affecting all of us, including community members and Portland Police Bureau members.' 'Our goal is to ensure that community trust is maintained and that members of the Bureau consistently represent the professional standards that everyone deserves. As we move through what may be challenging days and weeks ahead, it remains essential that all of us seek steady, respectful communication that supports safety and lawful protest activity.' Additionally, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson offered remarks urging officials and the community to come together during a trying time. 'Our community is shocked and grieving. The tragic and preventable death of Renee Nicole Good was a horrific example of the same chaos and violence federal overreach has unleashed on Portland,' said Mayor Wilson. 'Like Renee, every day, Portlanders across the city have stood up to a reckless, escalatory federal government, and they need to know their local leaders and law enforcement are on their side. I have full confidence in Chief Day and the Portland Police Bureau as they review this incident, determine next steps, and continue to set nation-leading standards of transparent, accountable community policing and use of force training.' In addition to the protest, counter rallies have appeared to clash with the anti-ICE demonstrations The Daily Mail has reached out to the Portland Police Department for comment. Commenters online were split, with many coming to the officer's defense: 'This is out of control, this guy did nothing, and this is how he treated. Another added: 'His calmness brought the whole aggressiveness down. You don't need to like his answers or opinions. I do like his style. Boss.' A third wrote: 'Handled it beautifully, thank you for your service, officer.' However, the video's caption suggested that the PPD was doubling down on the murder of Good. 'The attitude of cops accepting that "criminals" get shot sometimes is alarming,' wrote the caption. 'The use of deadly force should NOT be normalized. Especially considering law enforcement considers 'criminal' and 'brown' to be synonymous.' Other videos were uploaded of the officer in the same tone, where insults were directed at him as he appeared unfazed during the protest. Good's death sparked volatile anti-ICE protests from New York to Texas to California, triggering arrests and mounting fears of nationwide unrest. Good was killed while driving her Honda Pilot, her wife, Rebecca, filmed ICE agent Jon Ross shooting three times after Good allegedly ignored officers' demands to get out of her car Her death was filmed by her wife, Rebecca, who showed ICE agent Jon Ross shooting three times after Good allegedly ignored officers' demands to get out of her car and seemingly tried to pull the car forward while he was standing towards the front. Austin Police confirmed that at least three people were taken into custody after officers moved against demonstrators near the intersection of South Congress and East Sixth Street following a march from the J.J. Pickle Federal Building. Texas officials made it clear they are taking a hard line. Governor Greg Abbott said the Texas Department of Public Safety 'was not putting up with defiant protesters', and Lt. Chris Olivarez, a DPS spokesperson, emphasized that while peaceful assembly is protected, 'violence, threats to the public or law enforcement, obstruction of roadways, and damage to property will not be tolerated.' That incident ignited protests under the banner 'ICE Out for Good,' with demonstrations reported from coast to coast. Federal officials have insisted the ICE agent who fired acted in self-defense, claiming Good 'weaponized' her SUV - a narrative fiercely disputed by protesters and local officials who have branded the shooting a 'murder.' As outrage intensified, cities across the country braced for escalating confrontations. In Austin and Los Angeles, protests turned chaotic as law enforcement moved in to clear streets, disperse crowds, and make arrests. Seattle's liberal new mayor has been caught posing for a photograph with a far-left activist holding a placard calling for arson attacks against political enemies. Mayor Katie B. Wilson shared the image via her official X account showing herself beaming with her arms around two female anti-ICE protesters in the Washington state city. One of the protesters wore a hoodie bearing the words 'fight ICE' while holding a placard emblazoned with the phrase 'Nazis own flammable cars' - a call for arson against people she considers to be 'Nazis'. The sticker is being sold online via the Antifa Graphics Shop, which describes itself as 'an internationalist graphics collective that provides radical prints for the streets'. An abbreviation of 'antifascist', Antifa is a loosely organized far-left anarchist movement which uses radical and often violent tactics to oppose far-right racist and fascist groups. In September, the White House designated the group as a 'terrorist threat', accusing members of using 'illegal means to organize and execute a campaign of violence and terrorism nationwide to accomplish these goals'. The group frequently opposes law enforcement authorities like the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, and some members joined the protest in Seattle which unfolded on Sunday in response to the killing of Renee Nicole Good. Wilson, 43, who has used her first 12 days as mayor to speak out against ICE, joined protesters to mourn and demonstrate against Good's 'murder' by federal agents. Seattle's liberal new mayor has been caught posing for a photograph with a far-left activist holding a placard calling for arson attacks against their political enemies, as shown above The sticker is being sold online via the Antifa Graphics Shop, which describes itself as 'an internationalist graphics collective that provides radical prints for the streets' 'I joined todays ICE Out vigil to grieve for Renee Nicole Good & others who have lost their lives to ICE. To mourn. And to organize too,' Wilson wrote on X. 'To everyone who makes Seattle home: this is your city, & you belong here. You deserve to be safe here. Together, well fight to make it so.' Wilson also posted a video on her X account the day after Good's death to say she was 'heartbroken and outraged' by the violence, while pledging to forbid Seattle's local police from aiding ICE activities in the city. 'I am furious at the federal government's abuse of power,' Wilson said. 'We already have laws in place that forbid our local police from aiding ICE in most instances,' she added. 'The police will adhere to these laws.' Wilson also encouraged residents to sign up for Washington for All ICE Mobilization Alerts, a group which is training to 'mobilize a unified response' to ICE activities. 'Our existing laws are not enough to keep people safe', Wilson said. The Daily Mail has reached out to Wilson's office for comment on the Antifa sign. Mayor Katie B. Wilson shared the image via her official X account showing herself beaming with her arms around two anti-ICE protesters in the Washington state city Wilson, 43, who has used her first 12 days as mayor to speak out against ICE, joined protesters to mourn and demonstrate against Good's 'murder' by federal agents Wilson has been dubbed the 'white female Mamdani' for sharing similar socialist views to the New York City Mayor, who began his tenure on the same day. She was recently praised as 'cool' by many Seattle residents for allegedly telling cops not to arrest people for taking illegal substances on the streets. Like Mamdani, Wilson ran on a campaign characterized by promises to increase affordability in the city. Another core part of her platform is addressing Seattle's homelessness crisis, which is one of the worst in the country. Critics have called Wilson privileged and out of touch, as she regularly receives checks from her professor parents to pay for childcare. However, she told KUOW that when she moved to Seattle in 2004, she cut herself off from her parents' money and 'worked a bunch of working-class jobs.' 'Psychologically, it really did something to me,' Wilson said. Seattle's iconic Space Needle and Museum of Pop Culture were blighted by tent encampments when the Daily Mail visited in January 2026, as shown above In 2011, she founded the Transit Riders Union, a nonprofit focused on improving public transportation in Seattle and Kings County. Tax records show she earned close to $73,000 from the nonprofit in 2022 while working 55-hour weeks. Currently, her husband does not have a paying job. That means the couple's household income is below what would be considered enough money to support themselves and their child in Seattle. 'It just speaks to how expensive and unaffordable it is, right?' she told KUOW. 'If you're lucky enough to have parents who can pitch in a little bit, that's not something to be embarrassed about.' A spokesperson for Wilson's campaign previously told the Daily Mail: 'Families from all different kinds of economic backgrounds support each other in all different kinds of ways.' A Florida family was kicked out of a Universal Studios theme park because of a misunderstanding caused by their autistic daughter taking a keychain without paying. Parents Nikki Daou and Alain Daou have been left outraged by the park's reaction, which they said was overblown and did not take their seven-year-old, non-verbal autistic daughter's disability into account. The Daou family was visiting Universal Epic Universe in Orlando last month to celebrate their daughter, Everly, turning seven. Nikki told local outlet WKMG that she had registered her daughter with the theme park's disability access program in preparation for the outing. After a few hours at the theme park, the family visited a Mario-themed gift shop in Super Nintendo World, where Everly saw a $16 Mario keychain that she wanted. 'I handed her the key chain, and she clung to it,' the little girl's mother told WKMG. The store soon became crowded, and Everly got overstimulated due to her disability. Nikki decided to take her daughter outside where it was quieter and there were fewer people. Alain tore the tag off the keychain so his daughter could keep holding onto it while he stayed in the store to pay and buy a few other things. Nikki Daou and Alain Daou were kicked out of a Universal Studios theme park after their autistic daughter, Everly, took a keychain out of a store without paying The Mario-themed gift shop became crowded, so the father tore off the keychain's tag to pay for it while the mother stepped outside with her daughter because she was overstimulated The family was celebrating Everly's seventh birthday. The little girl is autistic and non-verbal, and the Daous had registered her with Universal's disability access program But as soon as Nikki had walked out of the gift shop with her daughter, she was approached by security and accused of shoplifting. The mother attempted to explain that her husband was still inside the store and planning to pay, but she was whisked away to a security office for questioning anyway. Nikki said that the encounter made her 'very scared' and that she 'immediately started crying.' After being questioned, Nikki was told that she would be trespassed for a year and that Orange County Sheriff's deputies were on their way to escort her off the premises. She was also told that she would receive a fine in the mail. Three days later, the family was issued a demand letter for $200 by a Universal attorney, citing civil damages and accusing the family of 'intentional deprivation of merchandise.' In response, the Daous hired their own attorney, Eric Block of Morgan & Morgan, who sent a demand letter back to Universal, accusing the theme park of overreacting and failing to take the family's explanation or the little girl's disability into account. 'Did they give her an apology, or say we overreacted, or we see your husband was trying to pay?' Block said to WKMG. 'No, they actually sent her a demand letter for money, accusing her of retail theft.' The incident took place at Universal Epic Universe in Orlando The family said that they believe Universal did not take Everly's disability into account when they were accused of shoplifting Nikki also said she believes that Universal did not take her daughter's disability into account. 'It seemed like they had no idea that Universal even had a disability program,' the mother told WKMG. Nikki said that she hopes her family's story will raise awareness and prevent similar situations from occurring to other families with disabilities who are visiting theme parks. The Daous also emphasized that they are not seeking financial compensation and simply want Universal employees to be properly trained in accordance with Universal's Americans with Disabilities Act policies. The Daily Mail has reached out to Universal Studios and the Daou family for comment. Residents in a wealthy Santa Monica neighborhood were left outraged over a 'sober living facility' that snuck in fifty disruptive strangers in the dead of night. The night before Thanksgiving, strangers unloaded from vans into the vacant building on Ocean Avenue for what locals would soon learn to be an unpermitted sober living facility. As the fifty strangers were moved into the vacant building in November, residents noted that some were smoking cigarettes, others with unleashed dogs and at least one fight, the Los Angeles Times reported. Ashley Oelsen, a local resident, told the outlet: 'If I didn't know what was going on, I would have thought it was theater.' Many took issue with the fact that there was no announcement of the facility, and no chance for public comment. Leo Pustilnikov, who was behind the operation, found himself in another clash with residents and local officials after being recently branded by Downtown Santa Monica Board of Directors as 'not being a helpful contributor.' Officials imposed fines against the developer and ordered the building be vacated. The following Monday, the building was emptied, according to the outlet. Pustilnikov, who leases the buildings from Bourne Financial Group, told the Times that his efforts were in an attempt to begin earning rental income while he sought change of use permits from the city. Fifty strangers were moved into the vacant building for the unpermitted sober living facility in the middle of the night before Thanksgiving Developer Leo Pustilnikov leased the two buildings on Ocean Ave. and attempted to move nonprofits into the buildings to produce income while he sought change of use permits Locals in the affluent area were in uproar over the lack of communication and opportunity to oppose the facility It was Pustilnikov's second failed attempt at such a project after he made plans to home county behavioral health patients over the summer. 'I didn't realize you're not allowed to help people that are struggling in affluent communities,' he told the outlet. For Pustilnikov, in attempts to generate income faster as he undergoes the lengthy rezoning process, it means renting to nonprofits until he can redevelop. 'I don't try to hide the ball,' the developer told the Times. 'The idea was always, I pay the property owner, someone pays me rent, I more or less break even and I have time to entitle the property for something bigger.' However, surrounding residents felt blindsided by Pustilnikov's efforts. Renovations during the summer, including new paint, security cameras and a private property sign, sparked suspicions. But it wasn't until months later that neighbors discovered that the renovations were to allow 49 behavioral health patients to move in. While the empty buildings at 413 and 825 Ocean Avenue have long been zoned for supportive housing, surrounding locals have raised safety concerns and outrage over the sober living facility. 'It doesn't make any sense,' Cort Wagner told Fox 11. 'Everybody here pays a premium, and the safety is less than anywhere else in the city.' It was Pustilnikov's second failed attempt at such a project after he made plans to home county behavioral health patients over the summer Cort Wagner said that just two months after moving his family to the area, his family had a terrifying encounter with a homeless man wielding a knife A homeless man seen on Venice Beach in Santa Monica The two buildings are surrounded by luxury condominiums, with some selling for up to $7 million. Wagner told the outlet that just two months after moving his family to the area, his family had a terrifying encounter with a homeless man wielding a knife. 'If this really turns out to be similar to what the other [mental health] houses have done where theyre escaping and theres criminal behavior, and violent behavior [then] yeah, were going to move again,' he said. In October, locals packed into a City Council meeting to voice their concerns. 'No one told the community. We asked if the residents were violent and we got no answers,' Charlie Loventhal, a local resident, told the outlet. Opposition to Pustilnikov's plans grew quickly, as local Greg Morena told Fox: 'It got big really fast. We ended up with 600 letters to the supervisor and city council and they're still coming in.' According to the Times, Pustilnikov, partnered with Bourne Financial Group and St. Joseph Center, received $3.5 million in bridge housing funds for renovations to house homeless locals. However, following the extensive backlash, the plans were put to a stop and the City Council claimed that they were just as unaware as the opposing residents. The county took responsibility for its failing to properly communicate with locals on the plans, the Times reported. Local Greg Morena said opposition to the mental health patient housing grew quickly and more than 600 letters against the facility were received Locals attend a City Council meeting in October to oppose Pustilnikov's plans to home mental health patients in the summer Charlie Loventhal said: ''No one told the community. We asked if the residents were violent and we got no answers' Pustilnikov claimed that was his last planned endeavor to fill the building until he was approached in November by Pacific Coast Healthcare, operators of a sober living facility. 'I said, "Sure, why not?' It sounded fine. They seem like reputable people,' he told the outlet. However, as prospective residents were being moved in on that evening in November, the business had yet to obtain a business license or move-in approval from the city, City Manager Oliver Chi told the outlet. Pustilnikov also claimed that he hadn't been aware of the operation to move them in during the middle of the night. Yet, despite the developer's alleged lack of awareness, locals and officials were once again outraged. 'They brought all those folks in and then it took them a few days to relocate them. To an addict, all that chaos is just an opportunity for a relapse,' Santa Monica Councilmember Lana Negrete told the outlet. 'Are we exploiting vulnerable populations in order to float some 20-story luxury project?' Pustilnikov, however, has had a track record of dodgy dealings in the business after defaulting on some $19 million loan payments in 2020 after he bought a retail space in the Third Street Promenade. The developer was ousted by the City Council, appointees of the Downtown Santa Monica Board of Directors and even Caroline Torosis, the city's mayor, who has been left uneased by Pustilnikov. New Mayor Caroline Torosis took issue with the intentions of moving in vulnerable groups without the proper permits, and said Pustilnikov's actions left the city with 'questions' Pustilnikov is said to be scouting other sites in Santa Monica whilst in discussions with the Department of Mental Health 'I think that you need to center the needs of the people that you're trying to help and ask, "Does it serve someone to pull the rug out from under them?",' Torosis told the outlet. 'Anyone who wants to work with us in earnest to solve our affordable housing and homelessness crisis, we want to work with... That said, his actions in and around the city leave us with questions.' However, Pustilnikov's efforts are far from over as the county Supervisor Lindsey Horvath's office confirmed to the Times that he has been in discussions with the Department of Mental Health to look into other sites in Santa Monica. The Daily Mail reached out to Mayor Caroline Torosis, Bourne Financial Group, St Joseph Center and Leo Pustilnikov for comment. The owner of a rowing business faces a bonkers legal challenge from Cambridge University, after it objected to him using the city in his companys name. Omar Terywall, 46, founded Cambridge Rowing, a business that introduces novices to the sport on the River Cam. He applied to register the companys name and a logo as a trademark in January 2022. But a few months later the chancellor, masters and scholars of the university lodged a formal objection, arguing that it must protect trademarks to prevent misuse. Mr Terrywall said: To take ownership of the words Cambridge and rowing - its bonkers. Nobody really owns the right to the word Cambridge and nobody can say that they own the word rowing either. It belongs to all of us. Speaking to the BBC, he added: The company is Cambridge Rowing Limited and it is a Cambridge rowing experience. It's where we are, and it's what I do. A hearing was held in 2025 and a ruling is expected early this year. Omar Terywall at the City of Cambridge Rowing Club, which is not run by the university The university, which was founded in 1209, has registered Cambridge as a trademark, including for sporting and cultural activities and sport camp services. Downing College, which is part of the university, also holds a trademark for Cambridge Rowing Tank, an indoor training facility which has two 10-tonne pools. The university - which takes part in an annual boat race against Oxford University each year - has objected to previous attempts by other companies to use Cambridge in their names. It argues that the public knows that in the contexts of education, publishing, sport, academia and research, the word Cambridge always refers to the University of Cambridge. In 2021, following an objection, it was ruled that a brewery could not register Cambridge Blue as the name of a boat race-themed lager. The hearing officer in that case said the name could give the false message that the goods had been authorised, recommended or approved of by Cambridge University, which would give the brewery an unfair advantage. Mr Terywall said the universitys latest legal challenge left him with no idea where to turn, because while it is a huge, multi-billion-pound entity, he operates a very small local business. He said: Its terrifying when youve got a big organisation like them coming after you I guess, yes, there is a form of bullying there. The company operates from the City of Cambridge Rowing Club, one of several town clubs in the area not run by the university. It applied to register its logo - which includes a shield with a rower and the name of the company - in several trademark classes, including the one that covers sports. The university said that it was often subject to fraudulent actors misrepresenting their association to the university. It added: While we recognise this is not the intention in every case, we have to protect trademarks to prevent misuse. If there is no protection, fraudulent use would increase. Mr Terywall said that he would not be changing his companys name. That would imply that Ive done something wrong, and I havent, he said. He added that the city was very proud of what the university has achieved in Cambridge. He said: Theyve done remarkably well, but Cambridge existed way before the university did, as did rowing. The earliest known depiction of a rowing boat dates from about 5,800 BC and was discovered in Finland, according to World Rowing, the international governing body for the sport. A drunk thug who tried to murder a fellow train passenger by stabbing him with a broken Buckfast bottle has been jailed for 12 years. Thomas Craig, 48, from East Renfrewshire, repeatedly stabbed Glenn Lennon with the smashed bottle in a 'wholly murderous' attack on a Glasgow to Dundee train on February 16, 2024. The painter and decorator had taken cocaine and had been drinking for six hours when he launched the 'violently appalling' attack, striking his 23-year-old victim near the heart, on his head and neck. Lennon suffered a collapsed lung, a severed artery and lost 40 per cent of his blood. He was targeted after Craig turned on his friend Aaron Nelson, 22, following a minor disagreement. The thug was handed the 12-year sentence for attempted murder at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday. He had been convicted of attempted murder and aggravated assault after a trial in November. Shocking footage, released by the British Transport Police, showed a raging Craig carrying out the attack. Thomas Craig, 48, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his drunken attack on a fellow passenger Craig was captured on CCTV launching the attack with a buckfast bottle following a minor disagreement with the victim's friend He can be seen grimacing and clutching the bottle of Buckfast in his right hand before pouncing on his victim. CCTV footage then showed the moment he changed out of his blood-soaked jumper - only to be arrested at the next stop. Lord Arthurson told Craig: 'Your victims were complete strangers to you. In a background report for this case, you described yourself as "a monster" who was unrecognisable to you. 'You launched a violently appalling attack, terrifying them and all on board who witnessed what you did.' The court previously heard how he had been intoxicated on the train and began speaking to other passengers who were sitting across the aisle from him. Within 10 minutes of the conversation he hurled an insult at a victim before suddenly unleashing the attack, jumping from his seat and hitting the victim twice over the head. The victim ran away through the carriage but Craig pursued him and continued to relentlessly strike him with the bottle until it smashed, with the Scotsman left holding on to its broken neck. The victim's friend attempted to intervene but was himself attacked when Craig turned and punched him seven times before twice thrusting the broken neck of the glass bottle into his chest. The painter and decorator later changed out of his blood-soaked jumper - only to be arrested at the next stop Craig then returned to his seat, throwing the neck of the bottle towards where the pair had been sitting. He then grabbed one of the victims' phones and pocketed it. He walked down the train before taking off his blood-soaked jumper, replacing it with a clean hoodie from his belongings. Police and paramedics met the train at Larbert railway station where both victims were treated for their injuries before being rushed to hospital and Craig was arrested on board the vehicle by officers. Police said the injuries to the second victim were so severe he was placed into intensive care, having suffered a stab wound close to his heart, a collapsed lung, and a severed artery that resulted in him losing around 15 per cent of his blood. Tony Graham, defending, said: 'There are essentially two Thomas Craigs. One who behaves in an inappropriate and criminal way and one who is a contributor to those around him.' He added that Craig has 'struggled to understand' how he behaved that day, but is aware the attacks will likely continue to 'haunt' the victims. Craig will be supervised for a further three years after his release. Following his conviction last month, BTP Detective Inspector Marc Francey said: 'Craig acted in a truly despicable manner, violently and relentlessly attacking two men over a minor disagreement and causing countless passengers on the train to panic. Craig, of Walton Street in East Renfrewshire, was found guilty of attempted murder and serious at Glasgow High Court 'His indiscriminate and thuggish actions could have resulted in far more severe consequences, both for his victims and for himself. 'It is thanks only to luck and to the lifesaving work of the paramedics that Craig hasn't been found guilty of something far worse. 'I hope this verdict brings a measure of closure to the victims after enduring such a brutal attack. 'Violence on the railway is utterly unacceptable, and we will relentlessly pursue offenders like Craig to ensure they face justice.' Shocking footage captured anti-Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) protestors screaming at an elderly woman 'to make a f***ing U-turn' after they took over a street in Minneapolis in the wake of Renee Nicole Good's death. Video footage taken by Cam Higby was uploaded to X on January 10, showing a group of at least six protestors on bikes wearing high-visibility vests, most of them masked, blocking a snowy street in Minnesota. A red-headed woman driving her grey Nissan could be seen pleading with one of the protestors, telling him she needed to get a parking spot that was behind their makeshift wall of bikes. She was dismissed as a man continued to point her away, saying there would be 1,000 other protestors walking through the road at any moment. The demonstration is one of many that sparked across the US after Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, was fatally shot during a confrontation with ICE agents in Minneapolis on January 7. The footage begins with Higby walking towards a hectic scene of cars at a stalemate with the protestors as he calls the cyclists 'a quasi-protest police force.' As the cameraman steps closer a protestor can be heard yelling at the older woman in her Nissan: 'You need to make a f***ing U-turn right now.' The demonstrators block the front of the car as another stands to its side, as one of them tells the woman she needs to turn around because the road is about to be used for a march. She tells him she can see a parking space, but he denies it, claiming it's an alleyway and repeats that she needs to make a U-turn. The camera flashes behind her car, showing a line of automobiles all trapped by the traffic caused by the protestors. Shocking footage captured anti-Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) protestors blocking an elderly woman from driving down a road in Minneapolis The red-headed woman driving her grey Nissan was told to 'make a f***ing U-turn right now,' by the protestors The woman shakes her head in disbelief as the protestor said, 'Please. Please reverse your car and turn around. There's no other option right now.' However, throughout the video, cars could be coming in the opposite direction of the road they are blocking. Higby steps in politely asking: 'Out of curiosity, are you guys police?' The masked protester said no and asked if he could be given a moment to deal with the elderly woman driving. 'We need to be on this,' the demonstrator says, shaking his head as he answers Higby. Retired NYPD detective and adjunct professor Mike Alcazar told Fox News Digital that protestors directing traffic and impeding law enforcement activity in Minnesota are normalizing dangerous behavior that threatens public safety. 'You cannot take over a roadway. That is not part of your right to protest,' Alcazar said. 'That's where we draw the line.' Join the debate Should protesters face serious punishment for blocking roads? The road blockage caused a hectic scene and a line a vehicles to be trapped in traffic The demonstration is one of many that sparked across the US after Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, was fatally shot by ICE agent Jon Ross, on January 7 Good's death sparked volatile anti-ICE protests across the country under the banner 'ICE Out for Good' Without a permit, it is illegal for protestors to block traffic, which can lead to fines and possible jail time. Surveillance video showed how Renee Good apparently blocked the road with her SUV for four minutes before ICE agent Jon Ross killed her. Her death was filmed by her wife, Rebecca, who showed Ross shooting three times after Good allegedly ignored officers' demands to get out of her car and seemingly trying to pull the car forward while he was standing towards the front. Good's death sparked volatile anti-ICE protests from New York to Texas to California, triggering arrests and mounting fears of nationwide unrest. Austin Police confirmed that at least three people were taken into custody after officers moved against demonstrators near the intersection of South Congress and East Sixth Street following a march from the J.J. Pickle Federal Building. Texas officials made it clear they are taking a hard line. Federal officials have claimed the Ross acted in self-defense, insisting Good 'weaponized' her SUV Governor Greg Abbott said the Texas Department of Public Safety 'was not putting up with defiant protesters', and Lt. Chris Olivarez, a DPS spokesperson, emphasized that while peaceful assembly is protected, 'violence, threats to the public or law enforcement, obstruction of roadways, and damage to property will not be tolerated.' That incident ignited protests under the banner 'ICE Out for Good,' with demonstrations reported from coast to coast. Federal officials have insisted the ICE agent who fired acted in self-defense, claiming Good 'weaponized' her SUV - a narrative fiercely disputed by protesters and local officials who have branded the shooting a 'murder.' As outrage intensified, cities across the country braced for escalating confrontations. In Austin and Los Angeles, protests turned chaotic as law enforcement moved in to clear streets, disperse crowds, and make arrests. Two Metropolitan Police officers who sexually assaulted a woman at a casino were spared jail on Monday, as the judge slammed the force for 'training issues'. Jerome Beasley, 43, and Luke Robinson, 40, were off duty, drinking with a sergeant at the Hippodrome in London, when they were caught on CCTV repeatedly touching the woman. The victim had commented on how small another officer's hands were, comparing them to her own before the assault, Southwark Crown Court heard. Beasley, who was standing next to her, said, 'That's not how you compare hand sizes', before squeezing her bottom and groping her left breast. Robinson then also assaulted her. Mark Gadsden, prosecuting, said the men, who were both constables with the Met's Central West Command Unit, were 'egging each other on' when they carried out the attacks at the venue's rooftop bar in April 2024. The victim, who now suffers from PTSD, anxiety and nightmares, said in her impact statement: 'They repeatedly touched me inappropriately without my consent. You treated me as an object. You continued to touch me again and again. 'I struggle to go out and enjoy myself. This has damaged my relationship with everyone.' Met Police officer Luke Robinson, 40, (pictured) was off duty with fellow cop Jerome Beasley, 43, when they were caught on CCTV repeatedly touching a woman in a casino Beasley (pictured) and Robinson were spared jail on Monday, as the judge slammed the force for 'training issues' Beasley and Robinson (left-right) were dismissed from the force last January for gross misconduct Robinson, a father of two from Northamptonshire, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault. Beasley, also a father of two, from Brent, north-west London, pleaded guilty to four counts, three relating to the Hippodrome incident and one in January 2020. Judge Mark Weekes on Monday slammed the Met for 'training issues' which led to the officers going out with a sergeant and drinking heavily. He said: 'This was misconduct by serving police officers who should set an example rather than disgracing themselves in the way you two did. 'There is, rightly, grave public concern at the moment [over] the conduct of officers in the Metropolitan Police. 'Your actions have not only shamed yourselves but have caused embarrassment and frustration to the vast majority of officers who do uphold good standards of behaviour.' Judge Weekes added: 'You have betrayed the uniform you both wore - the consequences of that for your family are of your own making.' It comes after Scotland Yard admitted last week that 131 of its officers committed crimes and misconduct after they were allowed to join the force due to vetting blunders between 2018 and 2022 - including serial rapist David Carrick. Separate figures obtained by the Daily Mail also showed that two officers who committed sex offences in the mid-2000s are still on the force's payroll. Delivering his sentence, Judge Weekes mentioned a documentary released in October, which showed officers at Charing Cross police station calling for immigrants to be shot, revelling in the use of force, and being dismissive of sexual assault claims. He said: 'Having watched the BBC Panorama documentary, Mr Robinson appreciates he was involved in some very toxic culture in the workplace.' And of Beasley, he said: 'I detect a lot of self-pity, which I don't find terribly attractive. I accept he has taken some steps to recognise his behaviour.' Both officers were dismissed from the force last January for gross misconduct. Beasley was on Monday given a 15-month jail sentence, suspended for two years. Robinson was jailed for 13 months, also suspended for two years. Both were ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and 30 hours of rehabilitation activity. An overnight curfew was also imposed on both men for five months. They were each given a five-year restraining order and told to pay 750 compensation to the victim. Donald Trump joked about needing to grab Karoline Leavitt to avoid falling over on a turbulent Air Force One flight on Sunday. The commander-in-chief, 79, took questions from reporters but had to briefly pause the gaggle as he struggled to stand on his return from Mar-a-Lago to Washington DC. The president then turned to his loyal press secretary Leavitt and blurted out that he needed to stop himself from falling down. She looked around the flight cabin for something to prop the boss up. 'I'm looking for something to grab here. Because it's going to get rough. I think you did this to me, you put me in a position where there's absolutely nothing to grab,' Trump said, blaming reporters. 'So I'm looking for something to grab. And it's not going to be Karoline!' Leavitt appeared to briefly pull back from Trump but smiled as she moved his hand toward a nearby curtain. The White House press pool ignored Trump's odd comment, and instead continued quizzing the President about foreign policy matters. Trump joked about needing to 'grab' Karoline Leavitt so he would not fall over on Air Force One Trump could be struggling to stand as he turned to Leavitt for his assistance on the turbulent flight Join the debate Is Trump crossing a line here? Leavitt is one of Trump's longest-serving White House press secretaries White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt boards Air Force One as U.S. President Donald Trump departs for Florida at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 9 Trump has previously made other 'dad jokes' about Leavitt, including when he praised her last August for having 'lips that move like a machine gun.' The President said, 'She's become a star. It's that face. It's that brain. It's those lips, the way they move. They move like she's a machine gun ... She's a star and she's great.' Leavitt, 28, recently announced she and her 60-year-old husband, Nicholas Riccio, are expecting their second child. The MAGA superstar has been one of Trump's longest reigning press secretaries routinely earning the praise of her boss. Other Trump press secretaries, including Sean Spicer, have hard short-lived careers at the White House with their press briefings often marked by chaos. Leavitt, on other hand, appears to be going nowhere. In October, Trump implied that Leavitt would be staying in the White House for the full remainder of his second term. 'How's Karoline doing? Is she doing good?' Trump asked reporters. 'Should Karoline be replaced?' Trump quickly replied, 'It'll never happen.' An asylum seeker has been jailed for raping a teenager he met online within weeks of arriving in the country by small boat. Kurdish national Mehmet Ogur, who was living at the Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth, forced himself on his 18-year-old victim in the grounds of Tamworth Castle. He later sent the woman messages saying he was sorry for what he had done. Ogur was found guilty of rape and attempted rape at Stafford Crown Court last summer after denying any wrongdoing and claiming Google Translate had altered the meaning of the messages. The 27-year-old, who is a trained veterinary technician, showed no apparent emotion in the dock as he was jailed today for seven years. It is understood that Ogur was rescued from the English Channel when he came to the UK by small boat last winter. The Holiday Inn where Ogur was living at the time of his offence was the scene of rioting and arson in August 2024 in the wake of the Southport murders. He was from Turkey's Kurdish minority and his family members had been accused of belonging to the militant PKK Kurdish Workers Party. Stafford Crown Court heard that within weeks of being given shelter at the Holiday Inn in Tamworth, he had met the 18-year-old online and the pair had been out on dates. Kurdish national Mehmet Ogur, who was living at the Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth, forced himself on his 18-year-old victim in the grounds of Tamworth Castle Prosecutor Hunter Gray said: 'There was consensual kissing and cuddling and the messages between them indicated the potential for a more developed relationship. 'On the fourth occasion they met in the grounds of Tamworth Castle and she made it clear sex was out of the question. 'There was kissing and cuddling and the defendant started to touch her intimately but she did not want sex as she was on her period.' Despite her protestations, he forced himself on her. Mr Gray continued: 'They left the park together and in texts he apologized for forcing her into sexual activity.' The victim read a statement to the court today, saying her ordeal with Ogur had 'completely changed me as a person'. She said: 'He took out every part of light I had in me. I quit college and stopped going to the gym and doing the things I loved. 'I distanced myself from seeing family and friends because I just don't feel like me anymore.' Addressing her tormentor, she said: 'Part of me wishes you would have killed me that night instead, because that way it would have been easier than living with a body you've touched.' Passing sentence, Judge John Edwards told Ogur, who was assisted in court by a Turkish interpreter, that the rape had caused 'immense harm' to the victim. He said: 'Your continued stay in the United Kingdom will be for others to determine, not for me.' The judge accepted that Ogur was 'plainly a man of intelligence' who had witnessed extreme violence before being 'grabbed from the middle of the sea' and arriving in Britain. The judge praised the young woman's courage in coming to court and reading out her statement, describing her as 'naive' and 'easily led' and said she was 'anxious to befriend and help you'. 'You betrayed her trust and the many kindnesses she extended to you,' the judge said. 'She clearly cared for you but you were determined to have your way with her. 'You say you are filled with shame and never intended to cause her harm but, as we have heard from her personal impact statement, you caused her immense harm.' He ordered that Ogur serve seven years for both the rape and attempted rape to run concurrently. Joseph McKenna, defending, said Ogur had experienced significant trauma in his life and suffered from depression and anxiety. A farming influencer who campaigned against Rachel Reeves's inheritance tax was targeted in a 2,000 sextortion plot - after blackmailers threatened to post an AI sex video of him. Gareth Wyn Jones, 58, has built up a huge two million strong following online by documenting life on a rugged hill farm in the mountains of North Wales. Now, he believes his status as an 'agri-influencer' led him to be targeted by online trolls trying to earn a quick buck. Mr Jones said he was sent a deepfake video of himself having intercourse with a mystery woman and was told he must pay 2,000 to stop it appearing online. However, he refused to give into the blackmailers demands and has instead threatened legal action against those responsible. The blackmailer, claiming to be the woman in the video, said: 'See, you have to pay me 2,000 or I will log into your Facebook account and post about your sex video with me and pictures. 'I will also hack your phone number and call your wife and show her, and I will also post it on social media. So to avoid this, just pay me 2,000 and be free.' Mr Jones said: 'It was very scary. I suppose you could call them trolls. They demanded payment for a video with this woman but I can tell you for a fact there are no images or videos of me with this woman. The whole thing was obviously AI generated. Gareth Wyn Jones, 58, has built up a huge two million strong following online by documenting life on a rugged hill farm in the mountains of North Wales Mr Jones said he was sent a deepfakevideo of himself having intercourse with a mystery woman and was told he must pay 2,000 to stop it appearing online 'The bigger the profile, the more tempting the opportunities. They were clearly professionals and had I been more weak-willed, I might have caved in. But it was so obviously a fake that I had to stand up to them.' Mr Jones said the scam began after he was contacted by someone called 'William' offering to sell goats online for 5 each before the picture changed to a woman. 'But then they tried to blackmail me, telling me that if I didn't pay them 2,000, they were going to send naked pictures of me and this individual. They sent a little AI clip which didn't look realistic,' he said. Mr Jones - who has more than two million online followers - posted about the threat on his Facebook page only to see his social media account shadowed by Meta bosses and have his reach limited. He said: 'I've since been contacted by other people who have been targeted by similar scams, so it's not just me. It's why I posted a warning on my Facebook page, telling everyone there are dangerous people out there. 'I'm really, really frustrated by what Facebook has done since. 'So I posted it on my Facebook page saying these are dangerous people, be careful - and Facebook came after me. They've restricted and shadowed my page, and it's really frustrating.' Meta said the post on Mr Jones's account had been 'removed in error' 'It's since been reinstated, and all related restrictions on the account have been lifted,' a spokesperson said. Mr Jones has previously campaigned against the Chancellor's inheritance tax raid on farmers, calling it a 'shameless tax grab'. 'To all intents and purposes, Labour has rung the death knell on family farming in Britain, and the catastrophic consequences will be felt for generations to come,' he wrote at the time. His family have been farming the same land in North Wales for 375 years, something he hoped to pass down to his children, but now feels is 'impossible'. POLICE overtime costs for the criminal investigation into the SNPs finances have topped 100,000, the Mail can reveal. Overall spending by the cash-strapped force on Operation Branchform has risen by more than 60,000 in just six months. Data released by Police Scotland states that total expenditure on the long-running probe for salaries and overtime has reached nearly 2.3million. Another 460,000 is reported to have been spent by the Crown Office, giving a published total of 2.76million but the figure could rise higher when final calculations are made. Last night Scottish Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy said: The soaring costs incurred by Police Scotland reflect the severity of this investigation. These figures show Scotlands over-stretched officers are still having to spend huge amounts of police time on this probe into the SNPs finances. At a time when the SNPs cuts are crippling our justice system, the last thing they need is for this protracted investigation to continue to drag on. The overtime cost in relation to Branchform is 100,408, up from 94,927 in May last year. The estimated salary costs, as of November last year, are 2,169,651, not including pension contributions Scottish Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy warned that Police Scotland officers are 'over-stretched' Police Scotland reported in May last year that the cost of Operation Branchform was 2,206,696, but by November it had risen by 63,363 to 2,270,059. The investigation was launched in July 2021 to look into how more than 600,000 of crowdfunding was used by the party and became one of the longest-running fraud probes in the forces history. Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, his now estranged wife Nicola Sturgeon and ex-SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were all investigated. In March last year it emerged that former First Minister Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie would not face charges over the investigation. Mr Murrell appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court that same month charged with embezzlement and was bailed after making no plea. Asked about the cost of Branchform, Police Scotland said: Given there are live proceedings in this case, it would not be appropriate for us to comment. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: Resources are being applied to this investigation, which includes an ongoing prosecution, in line with its significance. Prosecutors take decisions independently, free from political influence or external interference, relying on evidence and the law. Mr Murrell will appear in court for a second hearing on embezzlement allegations before the Holyrood election in May. NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Monday that Arctic security was now a priority after Donald Trump declared the US would take Greenland one way or the other. The US president has rocked the 32-nation alliance by refusing to rule out military force to seize the autonomous territory of fellow bloc member Denmark. Trump has used the need to increase security in the Arctic region in the face of China and Russia as a key justification for why Washington needs to control the island. Rutte told journalists during a visit to Croatia: Currently we are working on the next steps to make sure that indeed we collectively protect what is at stake.' The move to ramp up security in the Arctic is likely to be perceived as an attempt to pacify Trump's concerns about protecting Greenland from invasion, in yet another capitulation to the US president by the Western alliance. All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security, because we know that with sea lanes opening up there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active, Rutte said. Currently we are discussing the next step to that, how to make sure that we give practical follow-up on those discussions, he added. It comes as the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, warned on Monday that a US military takeover of Greenland would be the end of NATO. Diplomats say that some alliance members are floating ideas, including possibly launching a new mission in the region. But so far, discussions are at an embryonic stage, and there are no concrete proposals on the table, they say. NATO chief Mark Rutte said on Monday that Arctic security was now a priority after Donald Trump declared the US would take Greenland one way or the other Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, the US president said that making a deal would be 'easier' than taking control of the territory through military force Your browser does not support iframes. Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, has previously warned that any US attack on an ally would spell 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 last week. Today, Kubilius told Reuters he agreed with the statement. 'I agree with the Danish prime minister that it will be the end of NATO, but also among people it will be also very, very negative,' he said at a security conference in Sweden, adding that military action would have a 'very deep negative impact among the people and on our transatlantic relations'. European leaders have thrown their weight behind Denmark as it seeks to fend off Trump's desire for Greenland. The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland are set to hold talks this week with US top diplomat Marco Rubio. Frederiksen has warned that if Washington followed through with an armed attack on Greenland that it would spell the end of NATO. Trump, however, has reacted by insisting he has made the alliance stronger by forcing European countries to increase defence spending. I'm the one who SAVED NATO!!! Trump posted online. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, the US president said that making a deal would be 'easier' than taking control of the territory through military force, but insisted it would happen 'one way or the other' - even if it strains relationships with NATO. 'If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland, and I'm not gonna let that happen,' he told reporters. 'I'd love to make a deal with them, it's easier. But one way or the other, we're gonna have Greenland.' Your browser does not support iframes. The president added that 'Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,' and said that the territory would benefit from closer ties with the US, particularly when it comes to defence. 'Greenland, basically, their defence is two dogsleds,' Trump said. 'In the meantime, you have Russian destroyers and submarines, and China destroyers and submarines all over the place. We're not gonna let that happen.' He also raised fears about the future of the bloc when he brushed aside warnings that his push to acquire Greenland could upset the Western alliance, saying: 'If it affects NATO, then it affects NATO.' 'But, you know, they need us much more than we need them, I will tell you that right now,' Trump added. The Greenlandic government issued a statement responding to the latest comments from Trump, insisting that it 'cannot accept under any circumstances' the US desire to control Greenland. The statement emphasised that Greenland was 'part of the Kingdom of Denmark', and 'as part of the Danish Commonwealth, Greenland is a member of NATO and the defence of Greenland must therefore be [done] through NATO'. 'Based on the very positive statement from the six NATO member states regarding Greenland, the Government of Greenland will increase its efforts to ensure that the defence of Greenland takes place under the auspices of NATO,' the statement said. 'All NATO member states, including the United States, have a common interest in the defence of Greenland, and the government coalition in Greenland will therefore work with Denmark to ensure that the dialogue on and development of the defence in Greenland takes place within the framework of NATO cooperation.' Greenlands prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen took to Facebook to defend the nation's democracy and emphasise the importance of international law. 'Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and part of NATO through the Commonwealth. This means that our security and defense belong in NATO. It is a fundamental and firm line,' he said. 'We are a democratic society that makes our own decisions. And our actions are based on international law and public order.' Last week, six European allies rallied to support Denmark following the insistence by the US that it must take 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. Responding to criticism about his so-called charm offensive on Trump, Rutte insisted that: 'I believe that Donald Trump is doing the right things for NATO by encouraging us all to spend more.' He said he was 'absolutely convinced' that 'without Donald Trump we would never have had that result at the summit in The Hague' last year, increasing the GDP defence threshold to 5 per cent. 'So when I praise somebody, it is based on facts, and I believe the facts are there,' he added while addressing reporters on his visit to Croatia, where he met the countrys prime minister, Andrej Plenkovic.' Reacting to Trump's repeated insistence on taking over the territory, one Greenlander told the BBC that she thought the US president was 'crazy', while another said residents 'just want to be left alone'. 'He's again saying: "We take you, we buy you, we use military." And he's crazy,' one woman said. 'They don't have to take our land and make it American,' another added. Following his interest in Greenland's untapped mineral wealth, Sweden's deputy prime minister, Ebba Busch, implied that Trump might set his eyes on Sweden's assets next. 'We must decide how to manage them ourselves,' she said. 'I want it to be difficult to circumvent Sweden and more difficult for leaders like both Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to get their hands on Sweden.' Donald Trump fancies that he is the real president of Venezuela. Over the weekend, the US president posted on Truth Social a doctored image of a Wikipedia page showing that he is the 'Acting President of Venezuela.' Trump's actual page on the site carries no such title, and the image he posted appears to be in jest. Delcy Rodriguez, the second in command behind deposed dictator Nicolas Maduro, is actually the interim leader of Venezuela. Still, the president seems intent on sending a message that he is in control. He has repeatedly flexed his power over the South American country he claimed he would 'run' by threatening Rodriguez if she crosses him as he attempts to control the country's vast oil reserves, which he said he will sell to benefit both Venezuelan and US citizens. The stint outraged anti-Trump liberals online. 'Trump sucks at running America. Which is why he also sucks at running Venezuela. The U.S. is now warning all Americans to leave Venezuela. And the [White House] thinks U.S. companies will invest in Venezuela. LOL,' wrote Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu. President Donald Trump posted this doctored image on his Truth Social on Saturday Trump has said that he intends to 'run' Venezuela and floated that he is willing to boot interim leader Delcy Rodriguez if she crosses him 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, during the US military raid that extracted ex-dictator Nicolas Maduro 'The Former President of Venezuela is an alleged felon while the Acting President of Venezuela is a convicted felon,' reacted failed Democratic congressional candidate Moe Davis. 'Those poor Venezuelan ba*****s can't catch a break.' Trump hosted several US oil executives at the White House on Friday to discuss potential investment opportunities in Venezuela's deteriorating oil infrastructure. The White House has been focused on repairing the aging pipelines in the country as a means to extract wealth for both the US and Venezuela. During the session, Trump told the executives he is seeking a total of $100 billion to invest in the country's oil apparatus. Though some industry professionals have pushed back, noting the reality on the ground makes any investment risky. 'We have had our assets seized there twice and so you can imagine to re-enter a third time would require some pretty significant changes from what we've historically seen and what is currently the state,' ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods said. 'Today it's uninvestable.' On Sunday, the president noted how he didn't like Woods' response and that he is 'probably inclined to keep Exxon out' of any dealmaking in the country. So far, it appears that Rodriguez and her administration are on board with Trump's plan to sell between 30 and 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil, which some estimate to be worth over $2 billion. Trump also has a scheduled meeting this week with Maria Machado, the Nobel Prize-winning Venezuelan opposition leader. A paedophile who posed as a teenage girl online before goading detectives to 'keep digging' was trying to 'groom police officers', a new documentary has claimed. Jay Lang got dozens of young boys to send him indecent pictures of themselves, before blackmailing them into sending more explicit images or demanding cash. The 24-year-old from Canvey Island in Essex set up accounts on Snapchat and Instagram under a pseudonym, claiming to be a 16-year-old girl called 'Chloe'. He would target boys aged 11 to 16 before conversations turned sexually explicit as he would encourage them to send him indecent videos and photos of themselves. Unbeknown to the victims, 'predatory' Lang was using a screen-recording app on his phone and would save the images, and later use them to blackmail the boys. Lang would reveal himself as a man and ask for further images or demand cash, threatening to publish the images the boys had already sent if they did not comply. He was finally caught after a brave victim raised the alarm, prompting Essex Police to open one of their largest ever child sexual exploitation cases to bring him to justice. When Lang was brought in for a police interview, officers were filmed questioning him about how hundreds of thousands of indecent images ended up on his phone. Jay Lang is questioned at Basildon police station in Essex after his arrest in November 2021 Jay Lang, of Canvey Island, set up accounts on Snapchat and Instagram under a pseudonym Video footage of the interview was analysed by a clinical psychologist and detective for a new episode of Social Media Monsters airing on Channel 4 at 10pm tonight. Lang is heard telling officers: 'Keep digging.' One then replies: 'We've done the investigation and it points to you mate. That's the reason why we're here.' But Lang says: 'Keep digging, it won't, trust me.' When asked whether he is sure, Lang replies: 'I'm 100 per cent it won't.' The officer says: 'But you seem to be indicating that there's someone else involved in this and you're not responsible. Is that right? Is that what you're indicating?' Lang tells him: 'Even if I did give you a name, I'm just going to be in here even longer.' He is told by another officer that police 'can only hold you for a certain amount of time', before the first officer says: 'In the grand scheme of things, isn't that a good thing in relation to getting this sorted out and showing you're not the person responsible for this?' But Lang replies: 'What and then to be constantly looking over your shoulder?' When Lang was brought in for an interview, Essex Police officers were filmed questioning him During the interview by Essex Police detectives, Lang is heard telling them: 'Keep digging' The officer says: 'Are you willing to tell us anything about anyone else who may be involved, or anyone else who may be threatening you or making you do things you didn't want to do. Is there anything you can tell us in relation to that?' The clip also includes analysis from Detective Sergeant Ben Rushmere, supervising officer at Essex Police, who says: 'He was trying to groom us as well, which I find quite common in predators and sexual offenders. 'They don't normally fight with police, they don't normally want to be your enemy; they want to be your friend. They almost play the victim themselves in front of us.' Also commenting on this clip is clinical psychologist Dr Roberta Babb, who adds: 'By saying 'keep digging', he is really demonstrating a lack of remorse. 'But I think what he's also trying to do is to maintain a sense of control and superiority because we know that power and control were core aspects of his offending behaviour.' Lang was jailed for 21 years at Basildon Crown Court in September 2023. He sexually abused one of the boys in person after they felt they had no choice but to agree to his request to meet, the court was told. Lang also blackmailed another boy into filming himself performing a sex act with a male friend. Clinical psychologist Dr Roberta Babb explains Lang was 'demonstrating a lack of remorse' The court heard the offending spanned around three years, from 2019 to 2021, and came to light in November 2021 when one of the victims reported what happened to him to police. Police analysis of Lang's phone identified 540 videos and 140,000 images, with 220 potential victims identified. Some 26 victims provided evidential accounts to officers. One victim told how he was sent a selfie-style image of a topless teenage girl who the boy thought he was speaking with. Lang's fake social media account said it was 'only fair' that the boy should send an image back, which the victim did with an image of his genitals. The account requested further images and video of the boy performing a sex act. When the boy tried to cease contact with the account, Lang got in touch via a separate account revealing himself as a man and threatened to share the images with the boy's friends and family. Detective Sergeant Ben Rushmere of Essex Police says: 'He was trying to groom us as well' The defendant asked to meet in person and the boy agreed to due to the threats of publishing the images, the court heard - before Lang drove the boy to a secluded location in a van and sexually abused him. Referring to another victim, the court was told Lang demanded 2,000 or the images would be posted on Facebook. Lang admitted to 46 offences, including causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, blackmail and causing or inciting child sexual exploitation. He also admitted to arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence and to causing or inciting child prostitution of pornography. Lang was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for the rest of his life. He was jailed for 21 years with an extended licence period of six years afterwards. Social Media Monsters airs on Channel 4 tonight at 10pm. Stream the full series on Channel 4 The mention of President Donald Trump's two impeachments and his role in the January 6 Capitol attack has been removed from a Smithsonian. In the 'America's Presidents' exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, an updated portrait of Trump has been hung, this time without a wordy display. The White House shared the new image, shot by White House photographer Daniel Torok, over the weekend. In it, Trump stands imposingly over the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. Alongside it, two medallions tell visitors that Trump served as the 45th and now 47th president, and that's it. Two other Trump portraits that had been displayed at the Portrait Gallery included longer, comprehensive write-ups about the president's first term. Those include a 2019 photograph for Time Magazine, captured by Pari Dukovic, with Trump also positioned at the Resolute Desk, which was displayed during President Joe Biden's administration. More recently, the museum had on display a portrait captured by Washington Post photographer Matt McClain. A White House spokesperson touted President Donald Trump's 'unmatched aura' in a new portrait on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. Missing, however, is more descriptive text that previously referenced Trump's two impeachments and January 6 A longer description of President Donald Trump's tenure was on display at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in 2021, when the Trump portrait was a photograph taken in 2019 for Time Magazine In both cases, the museum's display included biographical information about the president - including some wins. It mentioned the creation of the MAGA movement, Trump's appointment of a trio of Supreme Court justices, the signing of the Abraham Accords, the development of the COVID-19 vaccines and the pair of impeachment votes. 'Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials,' the description, which can still be found online, also read. It also noted that Trump mounted a 'historic comeback' in the 2024 election, becoming the second politician after President Grover Cleveland to win non-consecutive White House terms. The White House would not disclose to the Associated Press whether there had been pressure from Trump to remove the more descriptive language from the 'America's Presidents' display. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle noted that Trump's 'unmatched aura ... will be felt throughout the halls of the National Portrait Gallery.' Ingle did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's follow-up questions on whether the White House objected to the language that had previously surrounded Trump's portrait and if moves were taken to scrub it. In August, the Secretary of the Smithsonian, Lonnie Bunch III, was informed by the White House that all museum exhibits would be reviewed ahead of the U.S.'s 250th birthday. A portrait of President Donald Trump, a photograph by the Washington Post's Matt McClain, that was on display in June 2025, also contained a longer description of the 45th and 47th president's tenure The White House promoted the hanging of a new Trump portrait over the weekend at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. The new display shows medallions hanging alongside the portrait but no descriptive language about President Donald Trump Festivities for the semiquincentennial have already kicked off this year - and will culminate around the July 4 holiday. The review, Bunch was informed in a letter from the White House, 'aims to ensure alignment with the President's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions.' Trump has taken great pains to rewrite the history surrounding the January 6 Capitol attack, which led to his second impeachment and a federal indictment. Early in his second term, he pardoned all the rioters. Last week, on the attack's fifth anniversary, the White House published a website trying to change the narrative about the attack. The January 6, 2021, Capitol attack left hundreds of law enforcement officers injured at the hands of the president's supporters, who attacked the Capitol Building to stop the counting of Electoral College votes to certify President Joe Biden's election. The attack came after Trump fed to his supporters in a rally the 'big lie,' that widespread voter fraud in 2020 cost him reelection. A Washington woman has been arrested for allegedly submitting multiple fraudulent mail-in ballots that were counted in the 2024 general election. Esperanza Contreras, 52, is the manager of an apartment building in Pasco, which is part of Washington's Tri-Cities region, about 220 miles southeast of Seattle. Franklin County Sheriff's Office detectives began investigating Contreras in October after a Washington state prosecuting attorney reported an irregular ballot that was counted in the last presidential election. That irregular ballot came from a voter who had moved across state lines to Hermiston, Oregon, which is just South of Pasco. She had properly registered her address in the new state, but Franklin County had sent a mail-in ballot to her former address. The detectives learned that the Washington ballot had been filled out, submitted in the voter's name, and counted in the election. When investigators looked into the Washington address, they discovered that three additional suspicious ballots had been sent to former tenants of the apartment building, all of which had been submitted in the election. Authorities now believe that Contreras, who as the building's manager had access to any mail sent there, filled out the ballots meant for former tenants and mailed them back to the Franklin County Auditor's Office. A Washington woman named Esperanza Contreras, 52, has been arrested for submitting fraudulent mail-in ballots that were counted in the 2024 general election in Washington. Election workers in Washington are pictured here counting mail-in ballots in 2024 Investigators believe that Contreras filled out and submitted ballots meant for former tenants of the building she was managing Contreras submitted the fraudulent ballots from Pasco, Washington, which is part of the state's Tri-Cities region. The Columbia River passing between Pasco and Kennewick is pictured here The auditor's office signature checking system flagged one of those ballots as suspicious, so it was not counted, but the other three slipped through the cracks and were counted. According to a press release from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, Contreras admitted to voting on all of the ballots and forging the signatures. 'Voter fraud undermines the integrity of the electoral process and erodes public confidence in the fairness of elections,' the press release said. 'The Franklin County Sheriffs Office takes violations of election law seriously and remains committed to thoroughly investigating and pursuing election related violations.' Contreras was arrested and booked into the Franklin County Jail on January 8. She now faces 12 felony charges related to voter fraud and identity theft, including first-degree identity theft, forgery and second-degree theft. Just the first-degree identity theft charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison and a $20,000 fine, according to Washington state law. Although three of the fraudulent ballots submitted by Contreras were counted, none of the 2024 elections in Franklin County were determined by such a slim margin that year Donald Trump won Franklin County in 2024 with 19,086 votes, which was about 60 percent of the total ballots cast Although three of the fraudulent ballots submitted by Contreras were counted, none of the 2024 elections in Franklin County were determined by such a slim margin that year. It is unclear who Contreras allegedly voted for with the fraudulent ballots, and her party affiliation is not listed in public records, but Franklin County is solidly red and has voted for the Republican candidate in every presidential election since 2012. A total of 32,234 ballots were cast in Franklin County in the 2024 general election, according to county records. Donald Trump won the county with 19,086 votes, which was about 60 percent. Kamala Harris received 11,884 votes, which was a little more than 37 percent. An electric vehicle driver who killed a five-year-old boy in a road crash has broken down in tears in the dock as he was cleared of charges facing him. Ashenafei Demissie, 53, was behind the wheel of a Volkswagen ID.4 when it suddenly accelerated forward, killing Fareed Amir and seriously injuring his own 12-year-old son on November 25 2022. At his week-long Old Bailey trial in London, a crash expert for prosecutors put the crash down to Addison Lee driver Demissie inadvertently pressing the accelerator pedal. Yet the defendant said the car had moved forward by itself, possibly because of a software malfunction. A jury deliberated for five hours before finding Demissie not guilty of causing death and serious injury by careless driving. After leaving the dock, the tearful defendant dropped to his knees and prayed before leaving court. Jurors were not told that as a result of publicity, as a dozen EV drivers got in touch with case lawyers to report concerns about their cars - including some with the same model that Demissie had. Previously, the court heard the minicab driver had picked up his younger son from school on the afternoon of November 25. Fareed Amir, five, was killed in a road crash in Borough, south London, on November 25 2022 Ashenafei Demissie was behind the wheel of a Volkswagen ID.4 when it suddenly accelerated forward, killing Fareed Amir - the driver has now been cleared of death by careless driving He stopped his leased Volkswagen ID.4 in the car park outside his flat in Borough, south London, and waited for a parking space to become free. The young boys had been playing nearby and Demissie had offered Fareed a lollipop before the vehicle suddenly moved forward, hitting them and crashing into five parked cars. Fareed died from his injuries and the defendant's son suffered several fractures to his lower limbs in the crash, which was witnessed by the boys' mothers. The defence had argued Demissie could not be convicted of the offence because the car park was a private place to be used only by residents of the block of flats. Demissie had worked as a self-employed minicab driver for Addison Lee for eight years and had driven the car or ones identical to it for about a year. Giving evidence, Demissie wept as he said he would see Fareed and his mother every day as they were 'like family'. Demissie told the court: 'He had new clothes and he was running towards me. He was so excited, he wanted to show me, he came and was showing me, he was so excited. 'He was saying, "Uncle Ash, Uncle Ash" - he was calling my name.' The Old Bailey heard the incident happened on 25 November 2022 as Fareed (pictured) was walking home from primary school with his mother Maryam Lemulu In a police interview, the defendant said: 'Suddenly the car jumped. I believe the car jumped because Fareed triggered the sensor. I had never had any mechanical problems with the car before. 'Just like a moment of madness. I don't know what happened exactly. I tried to brake. It was like too late. It was just like a moment, second, whoosh and jump.' He told officers that his son told him, 'Daddy hurts, daddy hurts, broken, daddy hurts', as he covered his son so he would not see his injury. Giving evidence in court, Demissie said he felt 'hurt' on learning that Fareed had died, telling jurors: 'It is never-ending pain.' Defence barrister Stephen Knight asked: 'Did you press the accelerator to cause this collision?' - with Demissie replying: 'Never. I didn't touch it.' Demisse, pictured London's Old Bailey, has been acquitted of any criminal offences A Metropolitan Police traffic collision investigator said it was a case of 'pedal misapplication' by the defendant and he found no evidence of a fault. Mark Still told jurors: 'I was unable to find any defect that contributed to the collision and I was unable to make the car accelerate without the driver driving. 'I found no faults with the operation of the vehicle, including steering, brake and acceleration. 'I was unable to make the vehicle move without any additional input. You had to make an action to make the vehicle move.' Mr Still added that he was unable to find anything that caused the car to move forward without the driver physically doing something to it. But under cross-examination, he said that he was not a computer expert nor a software engineer. After the verdict, Judge Alexia Durran thanked Fareed's family in court for the 'dignity' they had shown throughout the trial. A spokesman for Volkswagen was contacted for comment. A 'lazy' police officer Tasered a suspected burglar before he fell to the ground leaving him in a wheelchair, a court has been told. Leonard Sandiford was running away from police in Woodford Green, east London, when he reached a cul-de-sac and climbed onto a shed. While on top of the shed, Mr Sandiford was Tasered by Metropolitan Police Constable Liam Newman, 31, causing him to fall to the ground, seriously injuring himself. Jurors previously heard that Mr Sandiford fell 'uncontrolled' from almost six feet and suffered a spinal injury that left him tetraplegic and reliant on a wheelchair. The jury at Southwark Crown Court was told it was 'lazy policing' and that he only fired the Taser because 'he did not want to chase after him'. Newman, who denies grievous bodily harm, told the jurors he thought there was a high chance Mr Sandiford was carrying a weapon and believed he was 'protecting myself and protecting others'. In his interview read to jurors, PC Newman said he and colleague PC Colin Searle were called to a Coral bookies in Chigwell Road to reports of 'loud banging' in an apparent break-in at 5am on April 24, 2022. Prosecutor Irshad Sheikh said the defendant fired not because he feared for his own safety or for anyone else's, but just to stop Mr Sandiford from getting away, adding that the use of the Taser was unreasonable and unlawful. PC Liam Newman, 31, (pictured) denies grievous bodily harm against Leonard Sandiford, who was seriously injured when he fell to the ground after being Tasered Bodycam footage shows the moment PC Liam Newman fires his Taser at Leonard Sandiford Mr Sandiford fell from a shed after the Taser was fired for a second time Defence counsel Kevin Baumber said Newman's 'motivation is one of public service' and he was acting with legitimate aims. Mr Baumber said Newman had no personal stake in the events of the night, no vendetta and had nothing to gain. Newman's body-worn camera was switched on, and Mr Baumber told the jury they would have to consider whether he was trying to do his job 'in good faith'. The police constable said: 'My justification is this person is as high risk as he can be. 'My honest-held belief at the time from the previous incident further down the road is that he's willing to... in my opinion, he's trying to kill me, he's trying to hurt me, he's trying to seriously harm me.' After a chase, Mr Sandiford was Tasered and fell from a height of 5ft to 6ft, sustaining an injury to his spinal cord. He is now tetraplegic and uses a wheelchair, Mr Sheikh told jurors previously. Body-worn video footage was played to the jury, which showed Mr Sandiford moving across the outbuilding with his back to the camera, and the Taser being pointed and activated, before Mr Sandiford disappears from view. Newman said he thought Mr Sandiford was 'on a level, flat, not particularly high surface' that he estimated to be about 2ft above the ground when he discharged his Taser. PC Newman told the court he had feared for his own life, as well as the well being of his colleague and local residents The court heard the officer saw what he believed to be a platform where Mr Sandiford would fall once Tasered, which he now knows to be a shed. 'At the time, I didn't see he was at the height that I now know he was at,' Newman said. He denied the prosecution's claim that he 'couldn't be bothered' to chase Mr Sandiford and he 'did have concern for his safety'. The police officer told jurors that he had 'no knowledge' of Mr Sandiford but it was common for weapons, including acid or screwdrivers, to be carried by burglars. After being called to Chigwell Road, the two officers approached a white Ford van driven by Mr Sandiford and cut it off as it approached a side road, the court was told earlier in the trial. The officers tried to stop the vehicle and Newman used his baton to strike at the driver's side, opened the driver's door and tried to pull Mr Sandiford out, the court heard. Newman said it was his 'honest belief' Mr Sandiford was 'trying to run me over' during the incident but that he now accepts this was not the case. Mr Sandiford previously told the court he had run from the officers because he had been 'spooked' after seeing a truncheon and a Taser. The jury has been sent home and will resume deliberations on Tuesday at 10am. The owner of a nightmarish kennel has admitted to animal cruelty and fraud charges after 40 dogs were found dead on site - but dozens of pets remain missing. Oaveed Rahman, 26, appeared in Basildon Crown Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to 12 criminal charges. Rahman also admitted to 11 counts of fraud by false representation. These include causing unnecessary suffering to 21 dogs and one cat. An investigation was launched after officers, with staff from the RSPCA and Basildon Council, found dead dogs during a joint visit to a property in Crays Hill, Billericay, last May. The 26-year-old has been held on remand since police raided his property in Basildon, Essex. But despite the discovery of more than 40 hounds, Rahman has only been charged in relation to 21 dogs. Campaigners said it was 'despicable' that he had not been charged in relation to all the dogs found on his property. Hayley Lucas, 47, is one of the heartbroken owners who believes her dog is among the dead. Oaveed Rahman describes himself as owner/manager/CEO of Save A Paw UK on his Facebook page Rahman, 26, pleaded guilty to 12 criminal charges when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Monday She drove from Scotland believing she had found 'the perfect' home for beloved pup Frank - but now fears he is dead. Ms Lucas said her suspicions were first raised when the person who 'rescued' her dog at the kennels - operating under the name Save a Paw - failed to provide updates. Reacting to Rahman's guilty pleas, she said: 'I've got mixed feelings, but it is good that he is going to be sentenced and will face justice.' Carla Patrick, 48, set up the Save A Paw Dogs Campaign Group, which is calling for justice. She said: 'We're still searching for a lot of the missing dogs - and we're worried they will never get justice. 'It has been a long road to get to this point. The situation has been absolutely devastating for all of us.' Inspector Steve Parry, leader of Basildon Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: 'I know this investigation, and the issues it revolves around, has caused a significant amount of concern within our local community. The court heard that Rahman had carried out a string of frauds over more than a year, falsely claiming he ran a charity, that dogs had been safely rehomed, and that money handed over would be used to build kennels. Concerned pet lovers had raised questions about the whereabouts of animals, including 'Ricky' An investigation was launched after officers, with staff from the RSPCA and Basildon Council, found 37 dead dogs during a joint visit to a property in Crays Hill, Billericay, last May Frank (above) was sent to Save a Paw by her owner who drove from Essex to Scotland believing she had found the 'perfect home' for him Among the offences he admitted were falsely claiming to rehabilitate animals and charging surrender fees said to be for vet care - all while making thousands of pounds. An animal cruelty charge against Rahman's partner, Greta Csikos, 26, was dropped, with prosecutors saying it was no longer in the public interest to continue against her. The Save A Paw Dogs Campaign Group said it was 'disappointing' that Csikos was not charged. The group added: 'We have still got more work to do. We've still got more missing dogs.' Judge Samantha Cohen warned Rahman that immediate custody remained the most likely outcome. She said: 'You have pleaded guilty to what are very serious offences. 'I don't want you to think that I am promising that the sentence will be anything other than immediate custody.' 'We understand the strong feelings of the local community, and people from further afield, who want answers. 'Rahman's treatment of the dogs in his care was abhorrent and he defrauded members of his own community into giving him money to look after them. 'More information will be heard when Rahman is sentenced next month. 'My team's investigation has left Oaveed Rahman with no option but to admit the offences against him. 'He has been on remand since his arrest and now faces a real prospect of a prison sentence. 'I would like to thank everyone who has shared vital information. Your help has been invaluable and has enabled us to build this case and, ultimately, secure this conviction.' Rahman's defence barrister described the defendant as 'a family man with two young children' with only one prior conviction for driving whilst disqualified in 2018, aged 17. He is due to be sentenced on February 20. A businesswoman who allegedly killed two teenage girls in Colombia with poisoned raspberries before she jumped into the Thames has appeared in court ahead of her extradition battle. Zulma Guzman Castro, 54, is wanted by Colombian police after Ines de Bedout, 14, and her friend Emilia Forero, 13, died in April. The youngsters' deaths came days after eating chocolate-covered raspberries laced with the deadly poison thallium. She allegedly carried out the poisonings as an 'act of vengeance' following a failed affair with Ines' father Juan de Bedout. The 21-year-old brother of one of the victims and another teenage girl also ate the berries and were taken to hospital. Castro - who appeared on Shark Tank, the Colombian version of Dragons' Den - then jumped into the River Thames near Battersea Bridge on December 16. That same day an arrest warrant was issued by Westminster Magistrates' Court. She was taken to hospital after being found by police in the Thames with non-life-threatening injuries and was moved to a psychiatric unit. Three days later, a full extradition request was made by Colombia three days later. She was arrested on January 6 by officers from the National Crime Agency's National Extradition Unit. 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 Guzman Castro appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today via videolink from HMP Bronzefield Ines de Bedout (left) and Emilia Forero died days after they were poisoned by the raspberries Castro on Monday appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court via video link from HMP Bronzefield with her hair in a large plait down her back. She spoke to confirm her name and date of birth during the brief 'call over' hearing while sat at a table scribbling notes. Guzman Castro refused to consent to her extradition when she appeared in court last week. District Judge Nina Tempia remanded her in custody and said: 'You will be back on videolink on 9 February. That is when the case management hearing will set out the furtherance of the case. 'Do you understand?' Guzman Castro replied: 'Yes. Thank you.' Earlier, prosecutor Rosemary Davidson said: 'Extradition is requested by the Colombian government on charges of murder and attempted murder. 'It is an accusation case where extradition is sought for the purpose of a criminal prosecution. The former Colombian Dragons' Den star had a relationship with Ines's father, Juan de Bedout (pictured), between 2014 and 2020 Guzman Castro drinks from a bottle of Buxton mineral water during an interview, which may have given away her location in the UK 'The requested person until today has been subject to detention under the Mental Health Act. She was discharged from that today and police arrested her on the hospital ward this morning. 'She was taken to Islington Police Station before being brought to court.' It is understood Castro came to Britain on November 11 and the National Crime Agency was actively hunting for her. 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. Castro was discovered to be in Britain after she was seen drinking Buxton water in an interview with Colombian TV channel Focus Noticias. A husband has admitted stabbing his 'beautiful' ex-wife to death on a quiet suburban street. Sri Lankan-born Thisara Weragalage, 37, originally denied killing his former wife, Nirodha Niwunhella, 32, but later pleaded guilty to murder. Nirodha was found dead lying between two cars in Riverside, Cardiff, leaving the community 'shocked and saddened' at the tragedy on August 21 last year. Paramedics rushed to the scene on South Morgan Place at 7.37am but were unable to save Nirodha, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Weragalage was arrested in connection with her death shortly after, but he denied her murder. However, he later admitted possessing a knife on the day of the killing, and appearing at Newport Crown Court today, he pleaded guilty to murder. Judge Daniel Williams remanded Weragalage in custody until his sentencing date of February 20. Following Nirodha's death, her family released a tribute describing her as a 'cherished daughter, family member and dear friend to many'. Sri Lankan-born Thisara Weragalage, 37, originally denied killing his former wife, Nirodha Niwunhella, 32, but later pleaded guilty to murder Following Nirodha's death, her family released a tribute describing her as a 'cherished daughter, family member and dear friend to many' Police at the scene on South Morgan Place in Riverside, Cardiff, where a woman found was found dead in the street The tribute continued: 'Nirodha will be forever remembered with peace, love and gratitude. 'She touched many lives with her kindness and warmth and her memory will continue to inspire us. 'Though her life ended too soon, the love she shared will always remain with us. Rest in peace angel.' Paying tribute, a neighbour said: 'She was such a beautiful woman. This is such a tragic waste of a young life full of promise.' An inquest in Pontypridd previously heard Nirodha was found between two cars with significant injuries and was formally identified by a friend. Pathologist Dr Stephen Leadbeatter gave a provisional cause of death as multiple sharp force injuries. Area coroner Patricia Morgan said there was reason to suspect her death was 'violent or unnatural'. The coroner 'expressed her deepest condolences' to the family and friends of Miss Niwunhella. Illegal working arrests have hit the 'highest level in history', the Home Secretary has announced, as more than 12,300 people were detained in Labour's first 18 months. It marked an 83 per cent increase on the number made in the previous year and a half. The Home Office said the number of enforcement raids it carried out between the general election in July 2024 and December last year was 17,483, up 77 per cent on the previous period. They led to 12,322 arrests for illegal working, compared with 6,725 in the previous 18 months. But so far, only 1,725 of those arrested - one in seven - have been deported from Britain. The Home Office said this was a 35 per cent increase on the 1,283 who had been removed as a result of raids in the previous year and a half. It issued new footage of illegal working arrests being carried out at a nail bar in Belfast and a restaurant in east London, as well as another raid which took place in connection with migrants illegally working as delivery riders in Surrey. It said other businesses to have been raided included car washes and barber shops. Shabana Mahmood said immigration raids were at a historic high The Home Office said there were 12,322 arrests for illegal working from July 2024 to the end of 2025, compared with 6,725 in the previous 18 months Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 'There is no place for illegal working in our communities. 'That is why we have surged enforcement activity to the highest level in British history so illegal migrants in the black economy have nowhere to hide. 'I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders.' A Home Office spokesman added that arrests were also at historic highs. Raids took place across the country, they added. Enforcement visits included one to a warehouse in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, where there were 13 arrests made. As a result, 11 individuals of Brazilian and Romanian nationality were detained for removal from the UK. And last month, a raid on a construction site in Swindon, Wilts, led to 30 arrests of Indian and Albanian men. The Home Office said 'nearly all' were detained for removal from the UK. The department's Immigration Enforcement are now equipped with body-worn video cameras, in a move designed to gather additional evidence which will bolster prosecutions. Eddy Montgomery, director of the Home Office's Immigration, Compliance and Enforcement unit, said: 'We will continue to bear down on this criminality in our towns, cities and villages to ensure there is no hiding place from immigration laws.' Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, said: 'Illegal working is booming because Labour have turned Britain into a soft touch. 'Working illegally is a criminal offence. If a foreign national commits that offence, they should be deported. 'As long as people who arrive illegally can work, earn, and stay, smugglers have a sales pitch, a reward they dangle in front of those crossing the Channel. It fuels demand and undermines law and order.' He added: 'The Conservatives are clear. Immigrants caught working illegally will lose their status, have their wages seized to pay for their removal, and be deported. 'This would deter illegal working itself and kill this pull factor fuelling crossings.' A 'devoted' mother found dead at her home with her eight-year-old disabled daughter was frightened her child might be taken from her, an inquest heard. Martina Karos, 42, and her severely disabled daughter, Eleni Edwards, were found at the home they shared on South Radford Street, Salford, Greater Manchester, after police were called when the child failed to attend her special school on September 23, 2024. Ms Karos' best friend, Kirree Marsland, had told the inquest at Bolton Coroner's Court that Ms Karos said her life was not worth living and that she was depressed. Ms Marsland said she had twice reported to social services that Ms Karos was depressed and suicidal. Police said they were not looking for anyone else in their investigation into the deaths. The court heard Ms Karos was born in Lublin, Poland, and moved to Italy as a child with her family. She moved to England in 2003 and studied languages at university, working as a translator and interpreter. After being told she could not have children, she became pregnant with Eleni and was 'surprised and excited'. Martina Karos, 42, and her severely disabled daughter, Eleni Edwards, were found at the home they shared on South Radford Street, Salford, Greater Manchester Touching tributes have been placed against a fence outside the same home, including a number of bouquets of flowers and a toy teddy bear An aerial view of the street where a woman and a girl were found dead on Monday The pregnancy was normal, but six months or so after her daughter's birth in June 2016, it became apparent that Eleni was very severely disabled. She was unable to see or communicate verbally and had restricted mobility. Ms Karos's mother, Malgorzata Karos, told the inquest that despite Eleni's complex needs: 'She was the happiest girl in the world despite her disabilities.' She added that her daughter loved Eleni 'day and night' and was a devoted mother. But a year before the deaths, she said, her daughter began to express concern. Mrs Karos told the hearing: 'Martina started saying she felt like a prisoner in her own home. She started talking about being lonely, lonesome.' The inquest heard Ms Karos could not work, such were the caring responsibilities for her daughter, and she became socially isolated, despite support being offered from local agencies. Though she had daily help, Ms Karos did not feel comfortable leaving her daughter with different carers, who frequently changed from day to day. Mrs Marsland, who met Martina while both were studying at Salford University, said Ms Karos was unable to work and socialising became difficult because of the demands of caring for her child Police and floral tributes at the scene in South Radford Street, in Salford, where the mother and daughter were found dead Mrs Karos said it was only after her daughter and granddaughter's death that she discovered she had not been taking the medication she had been prescribed. And Ms Karos had told her mother she was concerned social services might take her daughter, adding: 'I can't live without Eleni.' Mrs Marsland, who met Martina while both were studying at Salford University, described her as being very positive, larger than life, funny and sociable. But she said Eleni was big for her age and, as she grew, caring for her became more physically demanding. She said Ms Karos was unable to work and socialising became difficult because of the demands of caring for her child, and Mrs Marsland described her friend as 'very socially isolated'. In December 2023, Mrs Marsland said she alerted social services with her concerns about Ms Karos's mental health. She said her friend had always been such a devoted, loving mother, but she noticed her becoming 'distant' emotionally, from her daughter. Mrs Marsland told the hearing: 'She just kind of lost herself. I was concerned about her state of mind. I was concerned about Martina's mental health, it seemed to be in rapid decline. 'She made reference to me about feeling that her life was not worth living and made reference to suicide, which is why I contacted social services. 'I didn't think she would harm Eleni in any way. She absolutely loved her.' A child protection plan was put in place by Salford City Council but Mrs Marsland said her friend did not feel 'overly supported' and took it as a 'punishment'. Mrs Marsland said that although respite care was given to Eleni, so her mother could have a break, the times when she was available did not always coincide with that of her friends, so socialising was difficult for Ms Karos. The inquest was adjourned until Tuesday. Elon Musk's X was today blasted for 'monetising abuse' over sexualised images created by the social media website's Grok AI tool - as ministers consider a ban. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told MPs that AI was being used to create images of women 'tied up and gagged, with bruises, covered in blood and much, much more'. She labelled these as 'weapons of abuse' and also pointed to research by the Internet Watch Foundation, which has reported 'criminal imagery of children as young as 11'. This included 'girls sexualised and toddlers', Ms Kendall told the House of Commons. She announced that, under laws passed last year, it will be a criminal offence to create or request the creation of non-consensual intimate images from this week. Ms Kendall also noted how other legislation made sharing intimate images without someone's consent a criminal offence for both individuals and platforms. It came after regulator Ofcom said it was carrying out an official investigation into X under the Online Safety Act. The Technology Secretary said the probe into Grok AI must not take 'months and months' and urged the regulator to complete its work 'as soon as possible'. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told MPs that AI was being used to create images of women 'tied up and gagged, with bruises, covered in blood and much, much more' The use of Grok for creating nude deepfake images has become widespread over the last few weeks, prompting condemnation from the Government and an Ofcom probe 'The public, and most importantly the victims of Grok's activities, expect swift and decisive action. So this must not take months and months,' Ms Kendall told MPs. 'But X does not have to wait for the Ofcom investigation to conclude. 'They can choose to act sooner to ensure this abhorrent and illegal material cannot be shared on their platform. 'If they do not, Ofcom will have the backing of this Government to use the full powers which Parliament has given them. 'I would remind X and all other platforms that this includes the power to issue fines of up to 10 per cent of the company's worldwide and qualifying revenue.' Grok, developed by another company founded by Mr Musk called xAI, launched a new advanced image generation feature in July last year. But its use for creating nude deepfake images has become widespread over the last few weeks, prompting condemnation from the Government and the Ofcom probe. X further infuriated ministers last week when it limited Grok's image generation and editing features to only paying subscribers of the site. Ms Kendall told the Commons on Monday: 'Last week X limited the image creation function to paid subscribers. This does not go anywhere near far enough. 'It is insulting to victims to say, 'you can still have this service if you're willing to pay', and it is monetising abuse. 'So, let me be crystal clear: under the Online Safety Act sharing intimate images without someone's consent or threatening to share them, including images of people in their underwear, is a criminal offence for individuals and for platforms.' She added: 'The Data (Use and Access) Act passed last year made it a criminal offence to create or request the creation of non-consensual intimate images, and today I can announce to the House that this offence will be brought into force this week.' Ms Kendall also told MPs that the Government intends to criminalise apps which allow users to create nude fake images of people. 'I can today confirm that we will build on all the measures I have already outlined and legislate in the Crime and Policing Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, to criminalise nudification apps,' she said. 'This new criminal offence will make it make it illegal for companies to supply tools designed to create non-consensual internet images, targeting the problem at its source.' The Technology Secretary dismissed claims that the Government would be impinging on free speech with a crackdown on X. She said the Government's actions were 'not as some would claim about restricting freedom of speech', adding: 'It is about tackling violence against women and girls. 'It's about upholding basic British values of decency and respect and ensuring the standards we expect offline are upheld online. 'And it is about exercising our sovereign power and responsibility to uphold the laws of this land.' She also confirmed the Government would keep its own participation on X 'under review', following calls by some Labour MPs for the Government to delete its official accounts on the site. Grok, developed by another company founded by Elon Musk called xAI, launched a new advanced image generation feature in July last year But Ms Kendall played down the prospect of the Government quitting X, adding: 'I think it's also worth bearing in mind, with 19 million people on X in this country, and more than a quarter of them saying that they use it as their primary source of news, that our views and often simply the facts, need to be heard wherever possible.' It costs between 3.50 to 36.17 per month to become a 'premium' user of X, depending on which level of paid subscription is chosen. Ofcom has powers under the Online Safety Act to fine businesses or take criminal action. It can also order payment providers, advertisers and internet service providers to stop working with a site, effectively banning them, though this would require agreement from the courts. Earlier on Monday, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said that blocking access to X was among the options being looked at. Asked if Britain would consider a ban if the Ofcom probe said it was necessary to protect children, Mr Kyle said: 'Yes, of course. 'Ofcom acts as an enforcer, as an enforcement agency, and it must use those powers to the full extent of the law to keep people safe in this country.' An Ofcom spokeswoman said: 'Platforms must protect people in the UK from content that's illegal in the UK, and we won't hesitate to investigate where we suspect companies are failing in their duties, especially where there's a risk of harm to children.' Mr Musk has warned any action to block his X platform would be 'fascist'. Donald Trump's White House weighed in on the billionaire's side at the weekend, with his free speech tsar likening a possible UK ban on X to media restrictions in Vladimir Putin's Russia. The Conservatives accused the Government of 'appendage swinging' over a potential ban of X. Shadow technology secretary Julia Lopez told the Commons: 'The Government's appendage swinging over the weekend was extremely serious. 'Ministers mooted as an urgent remedy the banning of a site of 21 million monthly users in this country, despite another minister guffawing that banning X was conspiracy theory number 3627.' She said despite the internet being used by criminals, websites have not been banned before, adding: 'It is an extraordinarily serious move against a platform that can be used for good, for uncovering scandal, sparking democratic revolution, and allow day-to-day the free exchange of ideas, including ideas we don't like.' Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said banning X is 'the wrong answer', while Reform UK's Nigel Farage has said he fears the Government will end up 'suppressing free speech'. Speaking at a press conference in central London on Monday, Mr Farage said: 'Nothing from the current set of regulators in Government would surprise me when it comes to the suppression of free speech. 'Do we like and welcome the particular feature on Grok that has made the news over the weekend? No. 'But let's talk to Grok. They have already made one or two steps in our direction. My fear is we will end up suppressing Grok and further suppressing free speech and we do not want to do that.' Murder charges against the cardiovascular surgeon ex-husband of a woman who was discovered shot dead alongside her new dentist husband in their home have been upgraded. Michael David McKee, 39, was charged with two counts of murder over the killings of Monique Tepe, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37, who were found gunned down in their home in Weinland Park, Ohio, in the early hours of December 30. Spencer suffered multiple gunshot wounds, and Monique was shot once in the chest. Their one-year-old son, four-year-old daughter, and dog were discovered unhurt and are in the care of relatives. McKee was on Monday charged with two counts of aggravated murder ahead of a hearing that afternoon. The more serious charges mean he could be jailed for life without parole. He could also theoretically be sentenced to death but Ohio hasn't executed anyone since 2018. Cops earlier revealed there was no sign of forced entry or the supposed murder weapon, but police did find three 9mm shell casings at the scene. They said they did not believe the deaths to be a murder-suicide. Although no official motive has been identified, former FBI agent has suggested that 'deep-seated resentment and hatred' may have been a factor in the evidently 'very personal' crime. Monique, then under her maiden name Sabaturski, married McKee, a surgeon, in August 2015. The couple divorced seven months later. Michael David McKee, 39, has been charged with two counts of murder over the killings of Monique Tepe, 39, and Spencer Tepe, 37, who were found gunned down in their Weinland Park home in the early hours of December 30 Spencer and Monique Tepe's neighbor made a distressed 911 call just over a week before their murder Eerie surveillance footage shows a hooded figure walking calmly through a snowy alley near the Tepe home during the time the couple were murdered 'When I look at this case, we knew it was going to be very personal. For somebody to go up into the bedroom and kill these individuals with a gun,' retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer told NewsNation. 'This divorce happened about nine years ago. They were married for such a brief time, only seven months, so that is strange.' She added that she suspects that for McKee 'it was a deep-seated resentment and hate that just built up and finally came to this conclusion.' The couple were killed ahead of their upcoming anniversary, the timing of which Coffindaffer said could have pushed McKee over the edge. In her complaint for divorce, Monique stated that she and McKee were 'incompatible.' Divorce documents viewed by Daily Mail show proceedings started in May 2017 and were quickly wrapped up by June. The documents reveal he paid for her engagement and wedding rings and listed them as his separate property, stating he paid $2,500 for the engagement ring and $3,500 for the wedding ring. The couples' separation agreement included a requirement that Monique had to pay McKee $1,281.59 back for 'miscellaneous debt', with the added clause that if she did not reimburse him buy July 1, 2018, she would be hit with 23 percent interest. The couple was found in their $700,000 Weinland Park home the morning of December 30 Loved ones described the couple as 'remarkable inside and out' Spencer and Monique Tepe were shot to death upstairs while their two young children slept unharmed inside the family home When the pair filed for divorce, they were living in different states, with Monique living in Westerville, close to her parents Ignatius and Nereida Sabaturski, and working for Nationwide. McKee lived in Roanoke, Virginia, working for the Carilion Clinic. He was listed in the documents as practicing as a vascular surgeon at the OSF Cardiovascular Institute. When the divorce documents were filed, they also included a 'standard mutual temporary restraining order, requiring both parties to refrain from 'harassinginterfering with, assaulting or doing bodily harm to the other spouse'. The exes paid their own attorney fees and Monique paid the filing fee and fee for a private judge, in a bid to expedite the proceedings privately. McKee was arrested after a 10-day manhunt that captured attention nationwide. Ohio court records obtained by the Daily Mail reveal Columbus Police identified McKee as a suspect after his vehicle was caught on neighborhood video surveillance near the couple's residence. Police tracked his car, which was registered in Illinois, and arrested McKee near Chicago on Saturday. Police are seen carrying out their investigations following the couple's killing A summary statement of facts in support of probable cause, reads: 'The suspect was then tracked to a vehicle which arrived just prior to the homicides and left shortly after the homicides. 'Detectives were able to identify this vehicle further and link to Michael McKee. Detectives located the vehicle in Rockford, Illinois and found evidence of McKee in possession of the vehicle prior to and after the homicides.' McKee is currently being held in Winnebago County Jail and is expected to appear in court Monday at 1.30pm local time (2.30pm EST). Authorities are expected to begin the process to extradite McKee back to Ohio. Columbus police discovered the Tepes on the second floor of their home on December 30 with gunshot wounds when officers conducted a wellness check. Dispatchers first received calls of concern, including from Spencer Tepe's boss, when he didn't show up for work, which the boss said was 'out of character.' Police had released security footage earlier this week of a person of interest in a dark hoodie and light colored pants who was walking in an alley near the couple's home between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. - the window of time in which investigators believed they were attacked. Official reports from the Franklin County Coroner's Office won't be completed for several weeks, but a spokesperson has said that the couple died in an 'apparent homicide by gunshot wounds.' Friends say the couple shared a deeply happy marriage built on laughter, travel and family life Concerned coworkers called police after Spencer (pictured) failed to show up for his shift at an Athens dentist's office Friends and family described the Tepes as a warm, kind and happy couple who were devoted to their children and 'whose lives were filled with joy, love and deep connection to others', per a family statement. Monique and Spencer Tepe married in 2020, according to the couple's obituary. They were hailed as extraordinary people and proud parents with joy-filled lives. Monique was a caring and bubbly stay-at-home mother, and Spencer was passionate about dentistry and taking care of his family. The couple also hosted many gatherings of family and friends. China is reportedly planning to build a secret underground room that could be used to spy on the UK at the site of its controversial 'super embassy' in London. Unredacted plans - unveiled on Monday night - supposedly show a hidden room in the north west corner of the building, which is just metres away from a vital cable network connecting some of the capital's top financial sectors. The triangular room measures up to 40 metres across and 2-3 metres deep and includes at least two air extraction systems, according to the newspaper, seemingly indicating it could house heat-generating equipment such as high-tech computers. It is part of a network of 208 secret rooms - a majority of which are hidden from the public in planning proposals - beneath Beijing's 'super-embassy', which is set to be built on the site of the Royal Mint pending approval from Sir Keir Starmer. Downing Street is said to have proposed that the Prime Minister approves the plans before he visits China later this month in a bid to smooth over relations with President Xi Jinping following a series of planning delays. But there are fears the new embassy could be used as a 'spy centre', with some critics raising concerns that China could tap into the cables and eavesdrop on key information. Documents unveiled by The Telegraph also reveal that the outer wall of the chamber, lying directly next to the cables, would be demolished and rebuilt, further fuelling fears they could be tapped. Security expert Professor Alan Woodward said this was a 'red flag' and having the cables so close to the building would be an 'enormous temptation' for China. Your browser does not support iframes. China is reportedly planning to build a secret underground room that could be used to spy on the UK at the site of its controversial 'super embassy' in London. Pictured: Concept plans for the embassy which will be located on the former Royal Mint site Your browser does not support iframes. Last year, The Mail on Sunday revealed that planning documents for the embassy included 'spy dungeons' two suites of basement rooms and a tunnel, with their purpose redacted for security reasons. Diplomatic sources also revealed that a proposed 'spy campus' will provide on-site accommodation for more than 200 intelligence officers at the embassy. A row has rumbled on about the planned mega embassy since 2018 when China bought the 215,280 sq ft site for 255million from the Crown Estate. Security fears were immediately raised over the land's proximity to sensitive underground communications in the Square Mile. The cables along Mansell Street, which belong to companies including BT, Colt Technologies and Verizon, carry communications to and from financial institutions in the City of London. They sit directly between financial hubs in the City and Canary Wharf and close to three major data centres, including the Stock Exchange. Those who have fled Hong Kong's Chinese regime also fear the huge embassy would be used as a base to hunt them down. Copies of plans with redacted basement rooms revealed in The Mail on Sunday also heightened fears about China's plans for the complex. It revealed that planning documents for the controversial embassy include 'two suites of anonymous unlabelled basement rooms and a tunnel', with their exact purpose 'redacted for security reasons'. China has dismissed claims the embassy could be an espionage hub, while BT told the Telegraph it had 'robust security measures in place' and worked with the Government to protect its assets. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick said in a post on X that the unredacted plans were 'shocking', adding: 'No one committed to our national security could possibly sign this off. But Kowtow-Keir will.' Your browser does not support iframes. The Mail on Sunday revealed that planning documents for the embassy included 'spy dungeons' (highlighted in red above) - two suites of basement rooms and a tunnel, with their purpose redacted for security reasons A decision on whether to approve the embassy had been due on December 10, but was delayed to give Housing Secretary Steve Reed, who has the final say on major planning cases, to examine the proposal further. Downing Street suggested that the consideration of 'particular security implications' meant that more time was needed to consider the planning application. Beijing later hit out at the decision, saying it was 'completely unjustified' and the reasons behind it were 'untenable'. It came amid suggestions that a failure to approve the new embassy in London could ruin Sir Keir's plans to make his first official visit to China - expected to be between 29 to 31 January. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it was unable to provide a comment while the application is being assessed. The Daily Mail has contacted the Chinese Embassy in the UK for comment. Nigel Farage has hailed the 'freedom fighters' in Iran as he joined a protest against the regime. The leader of Reform was spotted speaking at the demonstration outside the embassy earlier today to cheers from crowds of people. He said: 'Persian people, you wonderful people, you freedom fighters. This time are we going to win? Yes we are. We are going to win, whatever the terrible price. 'The terrible price we paid by many innocent people in every Iranian city right now, but you have got to believe that this is the moment.' He shouted 'Freedom for Iran' as the crowd cheered around him. In response a woman from the crowd said: 'We really appreciate you. May God bless you and we wish everything good for you.' It comes after Sir Keir Starmer resisted American demands to officially ban the paramilitary wing of Iran's regime despite Tehran's brutal suppression of protests. The US State Department on Sunday told the UK that designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) as a terror group is 'merely stating the obvious'. 'We encourage all partners to join us and to add pressure on Iran at this critical moment for the Iranian people,' a spokesman added. Nigel Farage has hailed the 'freedom fighters' in Iran as he joined a protest against the regime Sir Keir Starmer is resisting demands to officially ban the paramilitary wing of Iran's regime despite Tehran's brutal suppression of protests But Downing Street on Monday morning played down the prospect of proscribing the IRGC - which is said to be playing a leading role in the violent crackdown of pro-democracy protests - by suggesting the move would be ineffective. No10 pointed to comments by Sir Richard Moore, the former head of MI6, who said he would 'caution' that the move 'won't have practical effect'. The senior diplomat also told BBC Radio 4 that 'the danger is that something like that is mostly about us feeling better about ourselves'. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'I'd add that proscription powers are designed for non-state terror organisations, not state organisations. 'I've set out our position separate to Sir Richard Moore's position, but I think it's helpful to point back to his words too.' But the Labour Government continued to face pressure to officially ban the IRGC as the death toll climbs in Iran amid widespread protests. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage told a press conference on Monday: 'We should have proscribed the IRGC years ago, just as we should have proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood years ago. 'I've been saying those things clearly and consistently for many, many years.' Activists now say that the death toll from the brutal suppression of nationwide demonstrations in the Middle Eastern nation is at least 538 people Downing Street played down the prospect of proscribing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, which is said to be playing a leading role in the violent crackdown of pro-democracy protests. Pictured Tehran on 10 January 2026 Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she is not against proscribing the IRGC, but added there were existing powers that could be used. 'So I'm not against that, but we already have powers within the National Security Act in order to ban organisations like the IRGC,' she said. 'At the end of the day, they are the army of an enemy country. We don't need to have a ban. There are loads of laws and legislation in place. Let's use them.' Proscription is the banning of a group based on an assessment that it commits or participates in, prepares for, promotes or encourages, or is otherwise concerned in terrorism. Membership of, or support for, a proscribed group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. An Air Canada plane was taxiing towards the runway when a baggage handler could be heard 'yelling for help and banging' from below after he became stuck in the cargo hold. Flight AC1502 was planning to take off from Pearson Airport in Toronto to Moncton, New Brunswick, on December 13 before the doors of the cargo hold 'inadvertently closed' trapping the ground crew member, the airline said in a statement to The National Post. As the plane was taxiing, passengers heard screams, Stephanie Cure, a travel blogger, wrote in an Instagram post. Cure noted hearing the handler from inside the plane: 'We had already started taxiing when a baggage crew member was under the aircraft in the cargo and could be heard yelling for help and banging underneath us.' She recorded the packed flight as an announcement addressing the situation in the cargo hold: 'I've never had that in my life. 'First time, hopefully the first and last. But that's the reason we had to taxi get that person out of the airplane. The good news is that the person is perfectly fine and safe.' The plane returned to the gate after discovering the ground member was uninjured in the cargo hold, according to Air Canada's statement. The announcement noted that they had to fill out some paperwork before getting on their way, which prompted another passenger to say, 'They're gonna fill out an accident report,' as she laughed. Flight AC1502 was delayed from taking off from Pearson Airport in Toronto to Moncton after a baggage handler was discovered in the cargo hold (Stock Image) Passengers aboard the plane said they heard screaming and banging as the plane began to taxi Cure added that they never made it to Moncton that day and said the airline attributed delays due to circumstances out of their control. Additionally, Gabrielle Caron told CBC that passengers toward the rear of the plane could hear the screams as well, and added that she knew something wasn't right when airport staff surrounded the plane and flight attendants appeared concerned. 'We're noticing the flight attendants are kinda running back and forth in the airplane, and on the ground, we could see the crew gathering around the plane,' said Caron. 'So we knew something was happening.' She added that she was grateful for the outcome and that everyone got home safely, noting that she knew it could have been much worse. Despite the terrifying circumstances, John Gradek, an aviation industry expert, told CBC that the handler would not have been in danger due to the lack of threat of hypothermia or asphyxiation. Gradek speculated that investigators will ask questions about the ground crew member's state of mind and whether they were alert at the time of the incident. The airline added in its statement to the National Post that it has reinforced its procedures with its ground crews following the potential safety issue. The Daily Mail has reached out to Air Canada for comment. Air Canada said in a statement that the baggage handler was unharmed and have reinforced its procedures with its ground crews (Stock Image) A passenger aboard the plane noted that their flight was later cancelled The incident drew online criticism of the airline, with many suggesting safety procedures that could prevent a similar accident. One user wrote: 'Radios should be carried by all ramp crew.. I know the Lead always does, but everyone should have a radio for safety reasons.' Another added: 'There should be some sort of button in there so the pilots can be alerted. Cant be all that difficult to engineer.' A third noted: 'Happen enough to warrant something like a lock-out tag on the doorway? Go in, put your "don't close the freaking door" tag on, remove when you leave.' In April, a judge unleashed on a shirtless baggage handler who was seeking a memento for his last day of work. Preslie Ginoski's video of him flexing his biceps and doing push-ups centimetres from the engine fan went viral on TikTok in January. The bodybuilding fan, 23, pleaded guilty to threatening aviation safety and failing to wear a safety lanyard in Sydney Airport's security zone as a magistrate slammed him for being stupid, vain and irresponsible. Two brazen porn stars dropped into splits as they were escorted off a plane after allegedly causing a drunken ruckus - which they later boasted about online. Sania Blanchard, who was seen sporting a bright red matching set with 'psycho' written across her chest and backside, and fellow adult actress Jordan Danne Lantry were put in handcuffs at Miami International Airport on Friday. Jaw-dropping video from the ordeal shows officers walking the seemingly intoxicated women off the American Airlines plane for allegedly sitting in the wrong seats in first class and refusing to move. In one clip, shared by the @OnlyInDade Instagram account, 34-year-old Blanchard was heard yelling: 'I am getting kicked off because I did not sit in the right f**king seat!' Suddenly, the situation took a bizarre turn - with Lantry, 31, inexplicitly sliding into a full split. 'Sorry, I just had to do a little yoga,' she brazenly announced after cops pulled her back up. More footage shared by Blanchard and Lantry reveals that each of them showed off their flexibility while being guided through the Florida airport. Lantry abruptly slid to the ground, with Blanchard immediately following suit. Sania Blanchard, 34, wore a red outfit that had the word 'psycho' on her chest and backside Jordan Danne Lantry, 31, is escorted off the plane in a video posted by @OnlyInDade Lantry and Blanchard were charged with trespassing on property after being given a warning Apparently proud of their lack of air travel etiquette, the Las Vegas-based women posted a montage offering a glimpse into what went down before they were booted from their flight. At one point, Lantry was singing as she panned the camera over to Blanchard, twerking in the middle of the concourse. Another snip shows them both doing headstands against the wall as they waited to board the aircraft. Rolling down the jet bridge on top of her carry-on luggage, sunglasses-wearing Blanchard laughed as she claimed she was 'handicapped.' 'The sh*t that we pull,' Lantry said when they were both seated on the plane. 'Look at us!' Blanchard said to the camera before striking a pose and sticking out her tongue. 'We look like one million dollar,' she playfully added. Lantry seemingly predicted their fate, jokingly stating, 'We're going to get kicked out,' minutes before they actually were. Lantry (right) and Blanchard pose in front of a poster with their mugshots on it The camera was still rolling when a flight attendant approached them and asked if they had boarding passes. 'No, we don't!' Lantry replied. 'Obviously, we're drunk and you guys don't want to deal with us.' In one final video, which Lantry later uploaded to her Instagram story, she was heard singing Sound of da Police by KRS-One as authorities walked down the aisle to arrest them. 'Whoop, whoop, that's the sound of the police,' she carelessly sang. The adult content creators were charged with trespassing on property after being given a warning, police told the Daily Mail. They were booked into the county jail but were later released, boarding yet another American Airlines flight the very next day. '@AmericanAir forgave us because we're hot and know how to do the splits,' Lantry posted. As if flaunting their shenanigans online was not enough, the duo has already launched merchandise to commemorate their brief stint behind bars. Blanchard sticks out her tongue as Lantry covers her face in a video moments before they were kicked off the plane The women both do headstands in their allegedly drunken state On a website called Daddy's Juiced, hats, shirts, blankets, mugs and shot glasses with their mugshots are available for purchase. The coffee cup is the cheapest item up for grabs, priced at $11.11, while the blanket costs the most at $33.33. Each item also has '#pornstars' with 'porn' crossed out and replaced with 'pen' written on it. Lantry announced that any fan who buys merch and sends a receipt for proof will receive a 'special video.' Blanchard, still wearing her jail identification bracelet, also posted a video promoting the goods, telling her followers: 'If you help us pay for bail by purchasing some merch.' 'We need bail money, bail us out,' she continued, despite clearly not being incarcerated. She also mentioned that fans will get a 'free video' if they place their orders. The Daily Mail has reached out to Miami-Dade County Jail to ask how much their bonds were set at. Both women have also been contacted for comment. A pregnant woman and her unborn baby have died in a car crash in Northern Ireland that saw eight people raced to hospital. Cathrene Kith Quinones Singco was killed in the accident between a blue Ford Fiesta and a silver Skoda Superb in Crumlin, Co Antrim, while travelling in a passenger seat. Ms Singco, a Filipino healthcare worker, died in hospital as a result of her injuries shortly after the crash, with her unborn baby also passing away. Her husband, Ralph Singco, is still in hospital fighting for his life. Emergency services, including the PSNI, the NI Fire Service (NIFRS) and the air ambulance, were dispatched to the scene. Hours before the crash, Ms Singco had shared a one-year-old post on Facebook from her last wedding anniversary. It was a video of her and her husband dancing in the snow at 3,454m during a trip to Jungfraujoch railway station in Switzerland, known as the 'Top of Europe'. The original post celebrating five years of marriage on January 10, 2025, contained the caption 'cheers to 5 years of love as husband and wife'. Tributes began to pour in for the soon-to-be mother over the weekend. Cathrene Kith Quinones Singco was killed in the accident between a blue Ford Fiesta and a silver Skoda Superb in Crumlin, Co Antrim while travelling in a passenger seat One person wrote: 'It breaks my heart to learn that my college classmate's wife was among the casualties of the car accident. May you rest in peace Kith.' Another said: 'Rest in eternal peace to my batchmate and classmate and to their little baby... gone too soon! I pray for both families' strength and healing.' In a statement, PSNI Detective Inspector Stewart of the Collision Investigation Unit said: 'We can also confirm that, sadly, Cathrene was pregnant and her baby also died as a result of the collision. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time. 'We are investigating what happened and require the public's assistance with our enquiries. 'Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have any dash-cam footage of the road at the time which could assist with our investigation, please contact us in the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference number 735 11/01/26.' A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said: 'NIAS received a 999 call at 14:05 on Sunday, 11th January, following reports of a road traffic collision in the Moria Road area, Crumlin. 'NIAS dispatched six emergency ambulances, three ambulance officers, two HART Teams and the Charity Air Ambulance with HEMS on board were also tasked to the scene. 'Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, four patients were taken to Antrim Area Hospital by Ambulance while another four patients were taken to Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, three by ambulance and one by Air Ambulance.' Flooding and landslides have caused travel chaos across Scotland as northern areas are braced for more sub-zero temperatures and an extreme ice warning with more snow on the way. Homes, roads and railway tracks were left submerged under several inches of water after more than seven inches of rain fell in just 36 hours. Rising temperatures and rapid snow melt added to the problems for those living in areas worst hit by the extreme wintry conditions over the last 12 days, with a number of main routes closed. Data from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency [Sepa], which at its height had 19 flood warnings and 12 flood alerts in place, show that more than six inches [149.2mm] of rain fell on the western mainland on Monday. Even more was recorded on the Isle of Skye where 7.4inches [188.2mm] of fell between Monday morning and yesterday afternoon at Allt Derg after the north and west was battered with gale-force winds and torrential downpours. The yellow alerts for heavy rain and wind ended yesterday. But for the 13th day in a row parts of Scotland remain under an extreme weather warning today [Tues], with ice forecast for most areas north of the Central Belt. The alert, which covers the Highlands, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Perthshire and Stirling, came into force at 7pm Monday and runs until 10am. Parts of Argyll and Bute are also included in the warning. It states that a combination of clear spells and light winds will allow road temperatures to fall below freezing which will allow icy stretches to form on untreated surfaces. A man waves through traffic after a car breaks down in flood water near Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire Flood waters covering fields and a farm track near A92 in Portlethan, Aberdeenshire remain perilously close to a nearby cottage Just days ago, Insch in Aberdeenshire was a whiteout after 12 days of heavy snowfalls Aberdeenshire Council, which is still making efforts to clear compacted snow and ice in a number of communities, has called an end to the major incident it declared last Tuesday after 12 days of heavy snow. But Chief Executive, Jim Savage said: Whilst we have stood down our major incident, we are still very conscious that there is more to do before we are back to normal. There is a significant risk of flooding on our networks as the snow melts, and there is a forecast for more snow, rain and high winds - all this means the council will continue to work with a heightened state of emergency response. The area was covered by one of eight flood alerts still in place last night. Others areas at risk of extreme flooding were parts of the Highlands, Moray, Angus and Tayside. In Argyll, the A815 near the junction to the A83 Rest and Be Thankful remained closed in both directors following a landslide, with diversions in place via the B839 and B828. The A92 near Portlethen, Aberdeenshire, and the A9 at Blair Atholl, Perthshire, were also closed in both directions for several hours due to flooding. It comes as the mercury remained above freezing overnight after the long, cold spell with the lowest temperature of 2.7C recorded in Cassley, Sutherland. Forecasters, however, expected overnight temperatures last night to plummet to as low as minus 5C with widespread frost and more snow on higher ground in the coming days. Meteorologist Clare Nasir said daytime temperatures this morning (Tue) will struggle to get much above freezing but as a band of cloud and rain moves in from the west tomorrow more showers are in store. And she said later in the week we could see some wintry showers, particularly in the north-west. Justice Secretary Angela Constance, who chaired another meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Room yesterday, said: This has been a significant and lengthy weather event and, with flood warnings in place and a yellow alert for ice overnight, it is not over. Bill Maher questioned his fellow Hollywood stars for wearing pins to the Golden Globes to pay tribute to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shooting victim Renee Nicole Good. The comedian condemned Good's killing as a 'terrible thing' while blaming ICE 'thugs' for the mother-of-three's death, but said sporting a badge wasn't necessary. USA Today stopped Maher on the red carpet to ask whether he thought that wearing a pin to the glitzy California awards show was an 'effective form of activism'. 'Come on,' Maher responded with a laugh. 'We're just here for showbusiness today 'You know, it was a terrible thing that happened and it shouldn't have happened, and if they didn't act like such thugs it wouldn't have had to happen. 'But I don't need to wear a pin about it.' Multiple celebrities, including Wicked stars Ariana Grander, Mark Ruffalo and Natasha Lyonne, along with Hacks actress Jean Smart wore the pins to the awards show. The host Wanda Sykes - who used one of her speeches at the Los Angeles show to mock Maher - also donned the badge on the lapel of her glittery silver suit. Bill Maher has laughed off a question about wearing a pin to the Golden Globes as a form of activism for ICE shooting victim Renee Nicole Good. He condemned the incident as a 'terrible thing' while blaming ICE 'thugs' for Good's death, but said sporting a badge wasn't necessary Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot dead by ICE in Minneapolis on Wednesday She roasted Maher at the show by saying he should 'try less'. Maher didn't join in the laughter, and he initially looked puzzled before displaying a stony-faced expression. Sykes told Variety she wore the pin 'for the mother who was murdered by an ICE agent' when a reporter asked her about the accessory. 'I know people were out marching and all today. And we need to speak up,' the comedian added. 'We need to be out there and shut this rogue government down,' Sykes said 'Because it's just awful what they're doing to people.' Good, 37, was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathan 'Jon' Ross in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Wednesday. Horrific videos which quickly went viral online showed Good's final moments, as well as the interaction she had with Ross before he shot her in the head. Good's car was parked perpendicular across a road, seemingly to block the ICE agents patrolling the scene. Ross approached the car, and Good can be heard saying from inside the SUV: 'That's fine, dude. I'm not mad.' Her wife, Rebecca Good, 40, then urged Ross, who wore a face covering, to 'show his face' as she asked him: 'You want to come at us?' The host Wanda Sykes (pictured) - who used one of her speeches at the Los Angeles show to mock Maher- also donned the badge on the lapel of her glittery silver suit As the tension mounted, Good was told to get out of the car, but ignored orders. She began revving the engine and drove off during what the Trump Administration said was part of a protest against the planned detention of Somali migrants in the area. Ross's camera then jerked. It is unclear if he was struck by the car or jumped to get out of its way. The ICE agent fired three shots, including one through the front windshield of the Honda, that struck and killed Good. Federal officials have claimed the shooting was an act of self-defense, while the city's mayor had condemned it as 'reckless' and unnecessary. Cartoonist Cathy Wilcox has lashed out after the newspaper she works for apologised for publishing a cartoon that outraged Jewish leaders and politicians in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre. Wilcox's cartoon, published in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, showed prominent Australians calling for a Royal Commission into the massacre marching in lockstep to the beat of a drum played by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , beneath a thought bubble that read: 'Don't mention the war.' Jewish and political leaders denounced the cartoon as deeply offensive, saying it mocked genuine calls for accountability. Following the backlash, the Nine-owned mastheads issued a rare public apology. 'Wilcox cartoon was divisive and we apologise for the hurt it has caused,' an editorial published on Sunday read. 'Many of our readers found the cartoon thought-provoking. It is undeniable, however, that many others in the community, particularly Jews, were deeply hurt and offended by it. We have heard their distress and for this pain, we sincerely apologise.' Nine suggested Wilcox never intended to cause harm. 'Wilcox's intention was to scrutinise the almost immediate politicisation following the horrific attack at Bondi,' the editorial said. Cathy Wilcox (above) has lashed out after the newspaper she works for apologised for publishing her cartoon that outraged Jewish leaders and politicians in the wake of the Bondi Beach massacre But within hours of the apology being published, Wilcox appeared to undermine it - jumping into a heated debate on the left-leaning platform BlueSky and questioning the paper's integrity for backing down. One man, posting under the name Rosco The Grouch and claiming to be a retired secondary school teacher, dismissed the apology to Jewish Australians as 'Simpering. Sycophantic. Blather.' 'So much for the once great SMH. Maybe (Cathy Wilcox) ought to consider joining a paper that has some integrity.' Ms Wilcox responded bluntly: 'Do you know of any?' She later suggested she may publicly release abusive messages she has received. 'When this blows over I might have to share some of the emails I've received over the days which really make me wonder why I am the one accused of hatred,' she wrote. 'There is deep unresolved trauma being spewed by some of these people and we cannot consent to living according to their warped reality.' When contacted by Sky News about the comments, Ms Wilcox doubled down - launching a furious tirade against the network. Within hours of the apology being published, Ms Wilcox joined a fiery debate on the left-leaning platform BlueSky, appearing to imply the apology itself was a failure of integrity 'Why in God's name do you think I would answer the questions of Murdoch's petty little propaganda operation, to give them more fuel for their campaign of hatred?' she said. 'The irony of me having to answer to charges of hatred when your grubby outfit gives not one shit about what you do to people you target. 'Remind the boss about how much they cared about free speech when one of theirs was in the spotlight. Political correctness gone mad, eh? You and your hit squad goons can f*** right off.' Before Nine Newspapers issued the apology, Anti-Defamation Commission chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said the cartoon portrayed Australians calling for a Royal Commission as 'a fraud.' 'Not misguided. Not mistaken. But staged. Artificial,' he said. 'Elevated on a platform they did not build, carried by unseen forces beneath them, and most critically kept in rhythm by an external drummer, visually coded as the Israeli Prime Minister. 'The message is unmistakable: this is not a genuine civic impulse. It is a performance. A chorus dancing to a foreign beat.' Former Northern Territory senator and Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris on Friday labelled the cartoon 'pathetic'. Anti-Defamation Commission Chair Dr Dvir Abramovich said the cartoon presented 'a movement of Australians calling for a royal commission as a fraud' Former Northern Territory senator and Olympic gold medallist Nova Peris on Friday labelled the cartoon 'pathetic' 'Many of us spoke publicly after this national tragedy out of a commitment to justice and a determination to confront terrorism, not excuse it,' she said. 'To portray Australians from across professions who call for accountability as agents of Jews or Israel is vile, dehumanising, and deeply insulting to families who watched their loved ones and innocent people hunted with military-grade weapons by Islamist terrorists. 'These families did not lose loved ones to a cartoon. They lost them to real violence. Real hatred. Real evil. Here. On our shores. At our iconic Bondi Beach.' Peris warned 'mockery' of the violent event only worked to insinuate 'Jewish suffering is exaggerated, manipulated, or politically manufactured'. 'For centuries, Jews were depicted as schemers and manipulators, as bribers, controllers, subhuman caricatures blamed even for their own deaths. These lies were never harmless. They created permission. And permission led to violence,' she said. 'This cartoon sits squarely in that tradition. 'It mocks the dead, grieving families, and Australians who stand up by portraying calls for accountability as obedience, corruption, and manipulation. 'Mockery in the face of terror is not political insight. It is moral collapse. History has seen this before. And it never ends well.' Officials in a Hamptons town are looking to buy a sprawling $26 million oceanfront mansion, only to tear it down and leave the plot for public access. The stunning three-story home at 1950 Meadow Lane, one of the area's most expensive neighborhoods, has caught the eye of local officials looking to create public beach access. Plans to purchase the home for $25.8 million and then demolish it completely have been revealed as part of an overall effort to expand beach access in the exclusive area. Officials have also cited efforts to preserve more waterfront property from environmental threats, Newsday reported. The sale values the land at $11.7 million per acre, which would mark the second-largest purchase the town has made using the Community Preservation Fund - which is funded by two percent real estate tax. Southampton has an agreement with the seller already, but for the plans to go ahead the town board needs to approve the sale, Jacqueline Fenlon, director of the town's CPF, told the outlet. A hearing is set for Tuesday. 'We have been trying to, throughout the town, prioritize coastal properties for coastal resiliency practices, habitat restoration and habitat preservation,' Fenlon added. She said the sale marks a 'rare opportunity to be ale to preserve such pristine ocean frontage.' The stunning three-story home at 1950 Meadow Lane, one of the area's most expensive neighborhoods, has caught the eye of local officials looking to create public beach access Ritzy town of Southampton on Long Island, New York Plans to purchase the home, with 172 linear feet of ocean frontage, for $25.8 million and then demolish it completely have been revealed as part of an overall effort to expand beach access Southampton has an agreement with the seller already, but for the plans to go ahead the town board needs to approve the sale The home is one of the most expensive in the area. Meadow Lane itself was branded 'Billionaire Lane,' boasting high-profile residents and beachfront properties that can cost up to $75 million. Featuring eleven bedrooms and eleven bathrooms, the home boasts 172 linear feet of ocean frontage, according to Fenlon. It sits on the same beachfront as Cooper's Beach - which was named the second best beach in America. According to Suffolk County property records, the property is currently owned by Frances Katz. The home was last listed for sale in 2021 at $24.495 million before it went back on the market in August of last year for $27 million, according to Zillow. It isn't the town's first effort to preserve ocean front properties across the Hamptons, as Fenlon cited preservations in Hampton Bays, Westhampton Beach and Quogue along Dune Road. The home's demolition would also come from the town's Community Preservation Fund, but the costs of the work remains unclear, Fenlon added. 'I think when you can get an oceanfront piece of property, you're offsetting a long-term public cost. You're offsetting the human risk of people residing in areas like this,' Bob DeLuca, president of the nonprofit environmental advocacy organization Group for the East End, told the outlet. 'It definitely has a habitat value. It definitely has a public safety value and it has a public access value,' he added, noting that the sale will allow for 'public access in an area that's increasingly devoid of access.' The Daily Mail has reached out to CPF Director Jacqueline Fenlon for comment. A mother has slammed Delta airlines over an uncomfortable international flight after she apparently neglected to buy a seat for her infant. Mely Skoglund shared a photo on Threads of herself sitting on the floor in front of two economy seats during a long-haul Delta flight. The mother-of-four, who according to property records lives in Minnesota, crouched down in front of the window and aisle seats as her two young children slept. '12 hours Flying Delta airlines back to US was sold out, so we have no extra room. This is our situation,' she captioned the now-viral photo. It is unclear where Skoglund, 42, was flying or if she had a ticket for both children. She appears to have purchased an individual ticket for her older child, but it is likely that her baby's ticket was booked under the airline's lap child policy, which allows infants or children under two to fly for free or at a reduced rate under the condition that they sit in an adult's lap during the flight. Skoglund's post was met with widespread criticisms online by travelers who argue the airline is not responsible for her alleged 'lack of planning.' Others blasted her for assuming that she would be able to commandeer an open seat for free. Mely Skoglund shared a photo of herself sitting on the floor in front of two economy seats during a long-haul Delta flight She shared the photo, with the above caption, to her Threads account last week The mother-of-four appears to have purchased a 'lap child' ticket for her younger child 'If you want a seat for the baby you buy a seat for the baby? I don't understand how this is the airline's fault. Your lack of planning does not constitute a problem for the airline,' one Threads user wrote. One user who claimed to be a former flight attendant advised that parents can 'always buy a ticket for the child, bring a car seat and voila [there is] space for everyone in the family.' 'I don't understand what you want. Pity?' questioned another. 'You knew you were traveling with your kids. How is it the airline's fault that they didn't have enough seats for you and your kids when you didn't purchase extra seats? 'I have a kid and I never expect anyone to accommodate to us.' Others slammed the mom for seemingly taking the cheap way out. 'You were expecting free room? Really. If you want to fly with a child that needs room buy a seat!' one user sniped. Skoglund's post was met with massive criticisms online by travelers who argue the airline is not responsible for her alleged 'lack of planning' 'Just hold them, that's why you got a 'children on lap' ticket. You're being ridiculous,' said another. One added: 'Maybe you should have bought extra seats for them instrad (sic) expecting a free handout.' 'While we cannot confirm the authenticity of this photo, we offer that as safety is our top priority, it's imperative that our customers follow Delta's policy for traveling with a lap-held infant,' a Delta spokesperson told The Daily Mail. 'Additionally, we strongly insist that they remain in their seats with their seatbelts fastened, unless they have a specific need that requires movement about the aircraft.' Kevin Rudd will step down as Australia's ambassador to the United States a year early, just months after President Donald Trump told him, 'I don't like you and I probably never will.' Rudd, who has previously been highly critical of Trump, will take up a position as president of the Asia Society think tank, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on Tuesday morning. 'We thank Kevin for his service to Australia and for advancing Australia's interests with our closest security ally,' Albanese said. 'It has been a complex area that has seen a change of presidency. Kevin Rudd developed relationships across the board - across Congress, across the Senate, across Democrat and Republican members, and of course, as well across civil society and across officials.' Rudd had earlier labelled Trump a 'traitor to the West' and a 'village idiot,' and described him as the 'most destructive president in history' before taking up the role of ambassador. Rudd's exit follows an awkward exchange with Trump during Albanese's October trip to Washington, reigniting debate about whether he was the right person for the job. During the visit, Trump was asked by a reporter about Rudd's previous criticisms of him and responded directly to the former Aussie PM and said: 'I don't like you either, and I probably never will.' Rudd awkwardly replied: 'I withdraw those statements.' Kevin Rudd will step down as Australia's ambassador to the United States a year early, just months after Donald Trump told him, 'I don't like you and I probably never will' Rudd previously labelled Trump a 'traitor to the West' and a 'village idiot,' and described him as the 'most destructive president in history' before taking up his role as US ambassador In March 2024, Trump publicly described Rudd as 'a little bit nasty' and warned bluntly that if the ambassador was hostile, 'he will not be there long'. Albanese, who has consistently defended Rudd since appointing him ambassador, said the decision to step down was Rudd's alone and not requested by the Trump administration. 'During both the Democrat and Republican administrations, Kevin has worked in collaboration with our closest security ally and principal strategic partner to achieve concrete outcomes,' Albanese said on Tuesday morning. When asked if former prime minister Scott Morrison could be next for the role, Albanese said: 'We'll make decisions down the track about the right person with the right skills to be able to reach across a broad spectrum of support. 'One of the things we'll be looking for is someone with those personal skills as well as experience in foreign affairs.' Albanese was also asked whether Trump's criticism of Rudd would inform his choice for Australia's next ambassador. 'If you look at a range of people who are playing critical roles in the Trump administration, I think that one of the things about President Trump is that he looks forward on these issues,' he said. 'And the relationship that Kevin has had with members of the Trump administration, whoever follows Kevin, if it's as good as that, I'll be pretty happy. Rudd is pictured alongside his wife Therese Rein Albanese insisted the decision was Rudd's alone and said the Trump administration did not ask for his resignation 'Kevin Rudd has a work ethic unlike anyone I've ever met, he has worked tirelessly. 'He's moving on to a role that he believes is pivotal. Kevin Rudd will tell you privately what he has said publicly and what drove him to write his book is that the relationship between the United States and China, the two big superpowers, is he thinks that is the most important one that will define the mid-part of this century. 'He sees this as a continuation of his public service to not just Australia, but to the global community. 'On behalf of our nation, we thank Kevin for his service to Australia, and for taking forward Australia's interests with our closest security ally.' Foreign Minister Penny Wong praised Rudd for his 'tireless work' as ambassador over the past three years. 'He's applied his relentless effort, his experience, his intellect and his determination to advance Australia's interests in Washington, and Kevin Rudd has served the nation well,' she said. 'During his tenure, Australia secured US congressional support for authorising legislation for AUKUS with full bipartisan support. 'Kevin has been an excellent ambassador. We thank him for his tireless contribution to Australia's national interests over the last three years.' READ MORE: Kevin Rudd QUITS as ambassador for Australia in the US Will earn more than $700,000 in new role Rudd to quit his ambassadorship on March 31 Kevin Rudd is set to earn more than twice his current salary when he leaves his role as Australia's ambassador to the US and becomes global president of a think tank. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Tuesday that Rudd will be ending his term in Washington at the end of March. The job is estimated to have paid him a very comfortable $330,000-a-year. Rudd will become president of the Asia Society, a position he previously held between 2020 and March 2023. US tax filings show Rudd received USD$503,422 in direct pay and an extra USD$20,585 from related entities in his last year as president and CEO, totalling USD$524,007 - about AUD$786,000 at current exchange rates. The huge salary will add to his considerable wealth, with his wife Therese Rein a self-made millionaire, and the couple having built an impressive property portfolio. The think tank, headquartered in New York, was founded in 1956 and now champions progressive causes in climate and diversity, along with East-West business co-operation. A fluent Mandarin speaker, Rudd has long promoted himself as a leading Western voice on China. Rudd's wife Therese Rein (left) sold part of her business for around $190million in 2014 The exorbitant salary will add to his empire, with his wife Therese Rein a self-made millionaire, and the couple building a very impressive property portfolio During his tenure, he led major projects on US-China relations and climate policy, cementing his reputation as an influential geopolitical voice. The Asia Society boasts offices in Hong Kong, Mumbai, Tokyo and other cities. Its events attract world leaders, business figures and cultural heavyweights, including figures like billionaire Microsoft found Bill Gates, making it an influential hub in Asia-Pacific affairs. Ms Rein's business success far outweighs her husband's earnings from public service. Rein founded Ingeus in 1989, initially as WorkDirections Australia, a private employment services company that went on to win major contracts supporting injured or long-term unemployed Australians. She took Ingeus global, expanding into the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Poland, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. In 2014, Rein sold part of Ingeus to Providence Service Corporation for up to $225million. The Rudds purchased a $17million beachfront property in Noosa (pictured) in 2020 The Rudds owned a luxurious five-bedroom, seven-bathroom sky home in Brisbane's CBD A 2014 SmartCompany analysis estimated she could personally pocket up to $151million, doubling her wealth at the time. The couple's property portfolio includes a $17million designer mansion in Noosa, which they acquired in 2020. The seven-bedroom estate, featuring panoramic ocean views, was previously owned by David and Louise Hales, founders of Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co, who purchased it in 2018 for $15.2million. The Rudds also once owned a luxurious five-bedroom, seven-bathroom sky home in Brisbane's prestigious Admiralty Quays, set along the riverfront in the CBD. They bought the property for $8million in 2016 from Steven Shoobridge, owner of the Star Hotel Group, according to property records. Rein has also pocketed millions flipping luxury property, most notably in a deal with Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart. Rein's investment company snapped up a 'classic beach cottage' at Sunshine Beach in September 2021 for $6.75million. Less than six months later, in March 2022, she offloaded it in a discreet, off-market sale to BV Investments, a Hancock Prospecting subsidiary owned by Rinehart, for $9.75million. The penthouse boasts seven car spaces and a balcony with a private pool in Brisbane's CBD Rein made $3million in three months, selling a Sunshine Beach house to Gina Rinehart in 2022 The lightning-fast turnaround delivered Rein a $3million profit, which works out to an eye-watering $500,000 for every month she held the keys. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom retreat sits on a 588-square-metre block and even boasts a goat track leading straight down to the surf. Kevin Rudd didn't get sacked, he resigned as Australia's Ambassador to the US. Technically anyway. He decided to leave the post early to return to a role the former PM held prior to his appointment, running a think tank. It's just a coincidence that this comes a few months after his deeply awkward moment with Donald Trump, when the US President made it clear he doesn't like Rudd very much. Albo announced Rudd will conclude his posting on March 31, 2026, and slide back into the orbit he came from: the Asia Society. A dignified exit ramp if you believe the media release. This outcome suits both men. For Albo, it avoids the spectacle of sacking a former PM now in Washington. Exposing that he was a poor choice for the role in the first place. For Rudd, leaving his post early but not immediately after the awkward Trump exchange avoids the humiliation of being removed, or indeed having to continue to deal with a hostile White House. Resigning this way at this time allows everyone to pretend it was planned, orderly and purely career-driven. A classic face-saving solution. But it also underlines a bigger point: Rudd never should have been appointed in the first place. The problem wasn't that he lacked intelligence or work ethic. It was that the role required the one thing he could never credibly offer a Republican administration led by Trump: clean political baggage. Kevin Rudd didn't get sacked, he resigned as Australia's Ambassador to the US. Technically anyway Rudd had a long public record of harsh commentary about Trump - and the returning president took notice. Those remarks were made before Albanese appointed him Australia's top diplomat in Washington, and they now speak for themselves. In March 2024 Trump publicly described Rudd as 'a little bit nasty' and made the point, bluntly, that if the ambassador was hostile 'he will not be there long'. Effectively warning that Australia's envoy was on borrowed time. The government tried, of course. It defended Rudd, talked up his utility, pointed to the important work being done. And to be fair there is always work being done. That's the thing about Washington, most of what actually delivers outcomes is driven by the machine: The embassy professionals, the departmental officials, the defence and intelligence officials. All relationships that pre-date whichever political figure happens to be wearing the title of ambassador. Which is not to suggest that the ambassadors themselves are unimportant. But it's hard to believe Rudd personally had the Republican access needed in Washington to value-add to what officials are already doing. The risk was that he subtracted. During the PM's White House meeting in October, Trump told Rudd to his face 'I don't like you, and I probably never will'. Whatever polite spin followed, the optics were disastrous and embarrassing. Australia's ambassador being dressed down in front of his own Prime Minister by the President? If it was anyone other than Trump in the role Rudd wouldn't have survived this long. After that it was only a question of timing. It's just a coincidence that Rudd's resignation comes a few months after his deeply awkward moment with Donald Trump, when the US President made it clear he doesn't like Rudd very much We'll never know for sure if Rudd was tapped on the shoulder, or whether he read the writing on the wall and made the move himself. But it is difficult to believe both Albo and Rudd didn't understand that the Trump exchange was always going to result in an early exit, however dignified they tried to make it. The original choice of Rudd heading to Washington was always a little odd. A former PM taking an ambassadorial posting is, by definition, stepping into a subordinate chain of command: to the current PM, the Foreign Minister, and every other visiting minister who expects the embassy to serve their agenda for that matter. I'm surprised Rudd's ego was able to cope with that. But the former PM does love foreign affairs, and he certainly loves relevance. Most former PMs do. The ambassadorship offered both: the chance to be Australia's big wig in Washington other than when actual big wigs fly into town, which isn't all that often. Between visits Rudd was back, but now he's gone. Now the experiment is over, early, and everyone gets to call it a success, with a straight face. The state of Minnesota has sued President Donald Trump's administration in an effort to block immigration enforcement operations after a woman was shot dead on the street last week. The lawsuit names US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and several US immigration officials, and comes less than a week after the death of mother-of-three Renee Good in Minneapolis. It asks a federal court in Minnesota to declare the surge of new ICE agent arrivals unconstitutional and unlawful. The Department of Homeland Security claimed it is sending in as many as 2,000 more immigration officers in an effort to ramp up Trump's efforts to conduct mass deportations. Officials boasted they have already made more than 2,000 arrests in the city since the push began last month. ICE called the Minnesota surge its largest enforcement operation ever. The lawsuit alleges that Operation Metro Surge violates federal law because its arbitrary and noted other states arent seeing equitable crackdowns. While the Trump administration says its about fighting fraud, the lawsuit says ICE agents have no expertise in combatting fraud in government programs. The lawsuit says the federal government is actually targeting Minnesota over politics, which it says is a violation of the First Amendment. The state of Minnesota has sued President Donald Trump's administration in an effort to block immigration enforcement operations after a woman was shot dead on the street last week The arrival of ICE has sparked protests in the streets of Minnesota 'Thousands of armed and masked DHS agents have stormed the Twin Cities (of Minneapolis and Saint Paul) to conduct militarized raids and carry out dangerous, illegal, and unconstitutional stops and arrests in sensitive public places, including schools and hospitals - all under the guise of lawful immigration enforcement,' the lawsuit states. The state also seeks a ban on US officers threatening to use physical force or brandishing weapons against people who are not subject to an immigration arrest, and other limits on federal law enforcement action. Minnesota authorities are seeking to prevent the federal government from arresting US citizens and visa holders without probable cause that they have committed a crime. The Republican administration has deployed federal law enforcement officers into several cities and states largely governed by Democrats in what Trump says is a crackdown on illegal immigration and other crimes including corruption. Democratic leaders in turn have accused Trump of a politically motivated abuse of power. Tensions erupted in Minnesota last week when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Good, 37, as she observed the law enforcement action. Noem accused Good of domestic terrorism, saying she was attempting to ram an officer with her vehicle, while critics of the Trump administration have staged a series of protests to denounce the shooting as unjustified. Good's killing has sparked global outrage with furious Democrats branding the officer involved, Jon Ross, a murderer. But Ross has the full support of the Trump administration, who argue he acted in self-defense when it appeared Good intended to run him down with her car. Tensions erupted in Minnesota last week when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Good, 37, as she observed the law enforcement action ICE agent Jonathan 'Jon' Ross fatally shot Good Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other Trump administration officials have defended Ross as an experienced law enforcement professional who followed his training. Recordings of the shooting show an officer approaching Good's stopped SUV. He grabbed the driver's door handle as he allegedly demanded she open the door. Her Honda Pilot began to pull forward and Ross pulled his weapon, immediately firing three shots and jumping back as the vehicle moved toward him. It is not clear from the videos if the vehicle made contact with Ross. After the shooting, the SUV slammed into two cars parked on a curb before crashing to a stop. Newly released surveillance video showed how Good apparently blocked the road with her SUV for four minutes before she was killed. About 20 seconds after Good pulled up to the street, a passenger - believed to be her wife Rebecca Good - exited the vehicle and eventually began filming. Feature: Determined partnership makes farming pay handsomely in east China Xinhua) 15:31, January 12, 2026 NANCHANG, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- In a winter courtyard in east China's Jiangxi Province, bundles of 100-yuan banknotes were stacked into a small mountain. The scene, at once theatrical and deliberate, marked the highlight of an annual ritual, namely the distribution of year-end bonuses to farmers. At the center of the scene stood Ling Jihe, 65, his hair completely white, while dressed, as he has been for years, in the same dark jacket. Lifting a microphone, he announced that it was once again time to hand out bonuses. The crowd responded instantly. Hundreds of farmers pressed forward, many wearing bright red scarves, a traditional rural symbol of recognition and honor. One by one, names were called. Skilled grain growers came to the front of the stage, grinning as they accepted thick stacks of cash, many raising both hands high and holding the bundles aloft to mark a moment of triumph. The finale followed, with the host declaring Liu Pingxiang the 2025 "champion grain grower," earning Liu a bonus of 381,900 yuan (about 54,473 U.S. dollars), while sparking enthusiastic applause across the courtyard. In China, year-end bonuses are common in offices and factories ahead of the Lunar New Year. For independent farmers, they are almost unheard of. Yet Ling, who leases farmland from villagers for large-scale intensive cultivation, has handed out such bonuses for 15 consecutive years. Even though mobile payments have become ubiquitous in rural China, Ling insists on paying in cash. This ritual, he believes, is important. "The jacket holds up," he said, smiling. "I wear it for farm work and for handing out bonuses, it works for both. What counts is that the bonuses get bigger each year, and so do the smiles." In 2025, Ling and his team managed more than 80,000 mu of farmland (roughly 5,333 hectares), producing 63,500 tonnes of grain. The year's total bonuses reached 21.29 million yuan, setting a new record for what locals call "paddy field dividends." Since 2012, Ling has distributed a cumulative 90.99 million yuan in bonuses. Such figures challenge a deeply rooted assumption in China -- that farming doesn't pay well on its own. Ling himself did not begin as a farmer. Before 2010, he ran a successful business in the city focusing on building materials. His partner in farming, Ning Jiang, who graduated from university in the 1990s, previously operated an architectural design firm. Notably, neither had formal agricultural training. The turning point came when Ling returned to his hometown and saw something unsettling. The lush rice paddies of his childhood lay overgrown with weeds. Young people had left for the cities, while the land had been abandoned. "It didn't feel right," Ling recalled. "Such good land going to waste seemed a huge pity." Against family objections, he poured his business savings into a new venture, leasing 4,700 mu of farmland and beginning what he later called his "second startup." The first year was disastrous. Lacking experience, he copied an egalitarian "everyone eats from the same pot" approach. Machinery was insufficient, farming schedules slipped and more than 800 mu of late-season rice failed completely. "That night, I squatted in the fields until midnight," Ling said. "But I told myself, the losses were due to my decisions. I couldn't let the villagers lose too." Despite the crop failure, Ling paid full wages and bonuses. The decision nearly wiped out his capital, but it earned him something harder to buy, namely trust. The setback forced a rethink. Ling spent his days in the fields and his nights consulting experienced farmers. Gradually, a new approach took shape. The land was divided into blocks and assigned to skilled growers, often organized by household. Each received a fixed monthly salary of 5,000 yuan, with substantial year-end bonuses tied to output beyond agreed targets. The change was decisive. The old mentality, work hard or slack off, it's all the same, now disappeared. "It's funny," said Sun Gongping, 52. "An outsider came back and taught us old hands how to farm, and did it well." Cash incentives were only part of this transformation. Beginning in 2018, Ling's company invested heavily in professional agricultural services. Farming was reorganized along factory-like lines, with specialized teams handling seedling cultivation, mechanical transplanting, aerial crop protection, harvesting and drying. Operating at scale brought other advantages. Inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides were purchased directly from manufacturers, reducing costs significantly. Experimental plots were set aside each year to test dozens of new varieties in cooperation with research institutions, with the best performers promoted across the fields. "Traditional methods just can't compete," said Nie Yiping, 38, who has worked with the company for a decade. "With better varieties and modern techniques, yields and income both rise." Over time, Ling's operation grew from an initial team of 11 to more than 500 people. Among them are over 50 Gen-Z workers, a demographic rarely associated with rice farming. In rural China, conventional wisdom long held that higher education was a ticket out of the countryside. However, Ling wants agriculture to be seen as a viable, even attractive, profession. Wang Yesheng, a Gen-Z university graduate, returned home and joined the company's technical services team, operating crop-protection drones. In 2025, he began transitioning into rice cultivation himself. "Uncle Ling made me believe that you can build a career in the fields," Wang said. "I think I can earn bonuses like the skilled growers. I learn fast and I work hard." In his personal life, Ling is frugal. He has little taste for pastimes like mahjong, and channels most of the company's profits back into production and year-end bonuses. "Money should become grain in the fields and hope in farmers' pockets," he said. The farming stakes extend beyond one company. As China continues to industrialize and urbanize, a vast number of rural workers have moved to cities. Ensuring food security while raising agricultural productivity has become a crucial challenge. Ling's experiment offers one possible answer: Large-scale land leasing, mechanization, precision management and an innovative profit-sharing scheme that aligns incentives and helps retain talent. It is a market-driven response to a structural problem. At China's recent Central Rural Work Conference, policymakers emphasized the need to "spare no effort to ensure stable income growth for farmers, and refine the mechanisms for ensuring the incomes of grain growers." Ling's courtyard dividends, small in national terms but vivid in effect, offer one of the clearest illustrations of how an abstract policy goal can take shape on the ground. "My original impulse was simple," Ling said, looking on as the post-ceremony crowd dispersed, still buzzing with laughter. "I couldn't bear to see good land abandoned." Ling stayed on after the ceremony, wearing his dark jacket, while standing in the empty courtyard. Beyond Ling spread the fields worked by him and his team, presenting an orderly, expansive and silent winter view, but poised for another spring. "Now I'm thinking about how to make sure Chinese bowls are filled with better Chinese grain, and how to help the people who grow it live good lives." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A former Apple engineering program manager has accused the tech giant of exposing her and her neighbors to toxic chemicals at its Santa Clara chipmaking facility. Ashley Gjovik filed a federal lawsuit in September 2025 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, claiming Apple's operations at 3250 Scott Boulevard violated environmental laws by mishandling and releasing hazardous substances. Gjovik alleged in the complaint that the apartment complex where she lived is located less than 300 feet from Apple's exhaust stacks. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), people living within 300 feet of air pollution sources are exposed to higher levels of contaminants that contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Air monitors in her apartment allegedly detected spikes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) around 3am multiple times, according to the lawsuit. She claimed to the Daily Mail that she moved out in October 2021 because she was constantly getting sick. 'I nearly died in 2020,' she said, describing symptoms that escalated to multiple emergency room visits. Gjovik also claimed in the lawsuit that other residents experienced similar problems, including asthma flare-ups and sleep disturbances. The complaint alleged that the emissions 'caused severe chemical poisoning of nearby residents, including documented presence of arsenic, mercury and industrial solvents in victim's blood and urine, consistent with acute toxic gas exposure.' The lawsuit was filed one month before the EPA reached a settlement with Apple over hazardous waste violations. Ashley Gjovik (pictured) filed a federal lawsuit in September in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, claiming Apple's operations at 3250 Scott Boulevard violated environmental laws by mishandling and releasing hazardous substances 'During a recent site visit, the EPA identified compliance issues at one of our facilities related to labeling, documentation and management of a conveyance system,' an Apple spokesperson told the Daily Mail. 'The issues posed no risks to the environment and were quickly resolved, and we remain deeply committed to protecting the environment everywhere we operate.' According to the EPA's official press release on the matter, inspections conducted in 2023 and 2024 found that Apple failed to properly store and label hazardous waste, did not adequately control air emissions and neglected required daily inspections - violations that created potential risks to workers and nearby residents. As part of the settlement, Apple agreed to upgrade its solvent waste handling systems, install new emissions-control equipment and pay a $261,283 civil penalty. Gjovik's lawsuit goes further, alleging that those violations placed thousands of residents at risk of exposure to toxic chemicals. The lawsuit alleges that the 'Plaintiff had described the experience as "thinking she was dying" but did not realize she likely could have actually died.' However, Apple's motion to dismiss the filing claimed that the 'Plaintiff is a serial litigant, and Apple is her main target. 'This case is the latest in a series of cases and administrative actions she has filed against the Company over the same alleged environmental conditions near Apple's facility at 3250 Scott Boulevard in Santa Clara ("Facility"). Pictured is a Google Map image of the Apple facility (circled), sitting across from the apartment complex where Gjovik lived 'This case is not a legitimate environmental enforcement action. It is an attempt to resurrect claims dismissed or resolved elsewhere, including by this District.' Reports have suggested that Gjovik filed more than 25 legal claims, investigations or complaints against Apple in courts and agencies in the US and abroad. Many of her past claims have been dismissed or rejected by courts or agencies because they lacked merit, were filed too late or were already resolved. Gjovik was employed at Apple from 2015 until 2021. She joined the company shortly after it reportedly started semiconductor manufacturing in Santa Clara, and has claimed her 2021 termination was retaliation for raising environmental health and safety concerns. While the court dismissed some of her prior claims, it moved forward with her 2025 environmental citizen suit. The current status of the case is 'active and pending,' with recent docket activity including filings by Gjovik (eg, notices regarding Apple's motions) and no orders indicating dismissal or termination. In 2025, Gjovik said she conducted months of independent research into the site's history, reviewing land-use records, stormwater systems and regulatory filings. Apple has filed a motion to dismiss, claiming Gjovik is a 'serial litigant' and Apple is her 'main target' She compiled her findings into a 60-day notice and formal complaint, which she filed pro se - meaning she will represent herself. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief to halt alleged violations, civil penalties, funding for supplemental environmental projects and a declaratory judgment regarding contamination at the site. It also invokes California's public nuisance law, alleging Apple's actions interfered with public health and safety. Apple's motion to dismiss the filing stated: 'She concedes that she moved across the country years ago, has no ongoing grievances resulting from the alleged violations, and has no continuing connection to the facility or the surrounding environment.' Gjovik has responded to these motions and requested case management guidance from the court. Approximately 3,000 residents currently live near the facility, and the complaint highlights potential risks to families using adjacent parks and playgrounds. Gjovik alleged in the complaint that she provided anonymized testimony and documentation to the EPA, which she said contributed to inspections and enforcement actions. A group of Australian scientists have revealed how we may be able to learn to speak with aliens, and the answer is found right here on Earth. If we do make contact with extraterrestrial life, it will likely require sending messages across vast distances of interstellar space. The question for astronomers looking out for distant civilisations is how this communication would even be possible if we don't share a language. Now, scientists say we might be able to develop a 'universal language' with an unlikely inspiration: The humble honeybee. With six legs, five eyes, and a radically different social structure, scientists say that bees are among the closest things we have to aliens here on Earth. Although humans and bees have wildly different brains, we have both evolved complex methods of communication and cooperation. More importantly, new research shows that bees also have another very important thing in common with humans, which is the ability to do maths. Based on this surprising discovery, scientists believe that mathematics could be the basis of a universal language. Scientists say we might learn how to communicate with aliens by studying the concepts that we share with honey bees One of the big problems for communicating with aliens is the enormous distances involved. Given that the nearest star to the sun is 4.4 light-years away, it would take an absolute minimum of 10 years to send a message and get a reply. This makes it impractical to try to learn an alien's language from scratch, like in the sci-fi movie Arrival. Instead, scientists want to develop a universal language that can be understood by any species, regardless of how they communicate. To find a solution to this puzzle, the researchers asked how we might communicate with one of the most alien-like species on Earth. Co-author Dr Adrian Dyer, of Monash University, told the Daily Mail: 'Because bees and humans are separated by about 600 million years in evolutionary time, we developed very different physiology, brain size, culture.' However, despite these enormous differences, both humans and bees seem to have a similar basic understanding of mathematics. In previous studies, Dr Dyer and his co-authors found that bees have the ability to learn mathematical concepts. Scientists have found that bees can learn to add and subtract in specialised tests, giving credence to the idea that mathematics might be a universal language The researchers set up experiments in which bees could participate in maths tests to receive a reward of sugar water. During these trials, bees showed the ability to add and subtract, categorise quantities as odd or even, and even demonstrated an understanding of 'zero'. Incredibly, bees even demonstrated an ability to link abstract symbols with numbers, in a very simple version of how humans learn the Arabic numerals. The fact that such a different organism shares mathematical concepts with humans lends evidence to the theory that mathematics could be a universal language. The idea that mathematics could be the basis of alien communication is not a new theory. In fact, the covers of the Golden Records, which accompanied the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 space probes launched into deep space in 1977, were carved with mathematical and physical quantities. Likewise, when researchers broadcast the Arecibo radio message into space in 1974, it contained 1,679 zeros and ones, ordered to communicate the numbers 1 to ten and the atomic numbers of the elements that make up DNA. However, scientists weren't sure whether aliens would have similar enough mathematical concepts to understand these messages. If bees can understand maths, then aliens might share those same universal concepts. That means attempts to communicate with mathematics, such as the cover of the golden disks on Voyager One and Two, could be successful In their new paper, the researchers argue that their evidence from bees suggests that maths really is universal. Dr Dyer says: 'When we tested bees on mathematical type problems, and they could build an understanding to solve the questions we posed, it was very interesting, and convincing that an alien species could share similar capabilities.' 'Now we know maths can be solved by bees, we have a solid basis to think about how to try to communicate with alien intelligence.' As to what that language might look like, Dr Dyer says it may be very similar to the mathematics most of us use every day. 'Mathematics, which was first developed by philosophers to communicate complex problems more efficiently, is already a language we humans use every day. 'At a simple level, binary coded information would be a start, then, like we humans learn language through many "baby steps", we learn with another species to build a commonly understood language framework.' Britain's woodlands are ridden with airpolluting microplastics, experts have warned. Researchers have discovered nearly double the amount of tiny toxic particles in rural areas compared to city centres. This includes in Wytham Woods, in Oxfordshire, where up to 500 pieces of microplastic were found per square metre. The scientists, from the University of Leeds, said they believe trees and other vegetation 'capture' airborne microplastic particles from the atmosphere. Now, they warn their findings challenge the assumption that microplastic pollution is mainly an urban problem and that humans could be at risk from inhaling the tiny particles. 'Our research reveals that rural environments are not necessarily safe from airborne microplastics and highlights how natural features like trees influence pollution patterns,' lead author Dr Gbotemi Adediran said. 'This shows that microplastic deposition is shaped not just by human activity, but also by environmental factors, which has important implications for monitoring, managing, and reducing microplastic pollution. 'The widespread presence of smaller microplastics raises concerns about potential health risks from inhalation, regardless of whether people live in a city or a rural village.' Wytham Woods, a 1,000acre site of Special Scientific Interest in Oxfordshire, where microplastics were detected in greater numbers than in urban areas The scientists, from the University of Leeds, said they believe trees and other vegetation 'capture' airborne microplastic particles from the atmosphere. Pictured: Wytham Woods Previous studies have shown that microplastics can remain suspended in the air for weeks, with the smallest particles travelling many thousands of miles. Particles travel on swirling air currents, spreading out as the air moves. The team set out to investigate the impact of weather on different particles and how that linked to the types detected in different landscapes. They chose three locations in Oxfordshire rural Wytham Woods, suburban Summertown and urban Oxford City and took samples every two to three days from May to July 2023. The team used a highresolution FTIR spectroscope, which measures how infrared light is absorbed by materials in a sample, allowing them to identify what the materials are made of. Looking at how and where they settled, and weather variables across the study period, they registered between 12 and 500 particles per square metre per day. Wytham Woods recorded the highest overall number of particles, while Oxford City had the largest range of different particle types. Up to 99 per cent of the particles were the smallest size, which are invisible to the human eye. In Wytham Woods, most of the particles found were polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET, which is used in clothing and food containers. The team warn their findings challenge the assumption that microplastic pollution is mainly an urban problem. Pictured: Oxford city centre Researchers discovered nearly double the amount of tiny toxic particles in rural areas such as Wytham Woods compared to Oxford city centre In Summertown, polyethylene, which is used to make plastic bags, was most commonly found. And in Oxford city, most particles were of ethylene vinyl alcohol, a polymer widely used in multilayer food packaging, automotive fuel system components and industrial films. Weather conditions had a strong influence on movement of the particles, they found. During periods of high atmospheric pressure, which leads to calm, sunny weather, fewer particles were deposited, but in windy weather, especially from the northeast, particles were deposited in greater numbers. Rainfall reduced the number of particles, but those that were collected were larger. While the true impact of microplastics on our longterm health remains unclear, previous studies have found that exposure can cause oxidative stress, leading to cellular and tissue damage, inflammatory responses, and disruption of the gut microbiome. Dr Adediran said: 'Our findings highlight the impact of weather patterns on microplastic dispersion and deposition, and the role of trees and other vegetation in intercepting and depositing airborne particles from the atmosphere. 'The study highlights the need for further research into longterm deposition patterns of microplastics, focusing on specific plastic types and sizes, and their relationship with shortterm and seasonal weather variations across diverse landscapes.' The findings were published in the journal Environmental Pollution. More than one million Americans are set to be banned from using their cell phones under a new law. New Jersey has become the latest state to adopt the policy, prohibiting students in public schools from using them as well as smart devices during school hours, on school buses and at school-sanctioned events. The state's governor signed the bill into law on Thursday, framing the measure as a way to curb distractions in the classroom. Phil Murphy said: 'We are ensuring New Jersey schools are a place for learning and engagement, not distracting screens that detract from academic performance.' With the move, New Jersey joins 26 other US states that have enacted full-day restrictions on student cellphone use. Those include Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and New York. Florida was the first to pass such a law in 2023, setting off a wave of similar legislation across the country. Several other states have stopped short of formal bans. Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, South Dakota, and Washington have issued guidance encouraging local school districts to adopt their own cellphone policies. Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, and Wyoming currently have no statewide law or official guidance in place. New Jersey has become the latest state to adopt the policy, prohibiting students in public schools from using cellphones and other smart devices during school hours, on school buses and at school-sanctioned events Your browser does not support iframes. Studies have shown that the average teen spends a significant amount of time on their smartphone, with recent studies indicating around 5.5 to 8.5 hours daily across all activities, with roughly 1.5 hours during school hours alone. 'Teachers report that students are more focused, less anxious, and they are socializing and laughing with each other, not through a screen, but in hallways and classrooms,' Murphy said in a statement. 'By getting rid of needless distractions, we are fundamentally changing our schools' learning environments and encouraging our children to be more attentive and engaged during the school day. 'This is a sensible policy that will make a world of difference for our children.' For the 2024 to 2025 school year, which covers much of calendar 2025, New Jersey had approximately 1.36 million K-12 students, with about 1.3 million in public schools, where the ban will take effect starting the new school year. Some New Jersey schools already ban students from using cellphones at school or require them to lock away devices in lockers or special pouches, but the policies vary by district. A study published in December 2025 by the American Academy of Pediatrics linked early smartphone access to a range of negative health outcomes in children, including increased rates of depression, obesity and sleep deprivation. According to the researchers, children who owned smartphones by age 12 were 30 percent more likely to experience symptoms of depression, 40 percent more likely to be obese, and 60 percent more likely to suffer from insufficient sleep compared with peers who did not have smartphones. Some New Jersey schools already ban students from using cellphones at school or require them to lock away devices in lockers or special pouches (pictured), but the policies vary by district. The effects were not limited to younger users, as adolescents who received smartphones at age 13 also showed poorer mental health and reduced sleep quality than those without phones. The study found that earlier exposure carried compounding risks: for every year younger a child received a smartphone, beginning as early as age four, the probability of adverse mental and physical health outcomes rose by roughly 10 percent. While such policies are to remove distractions, parents have raised concerns about the lack of communication with their children during the day due to fears of what could happen while they are apart, such as shootings and bullying. 'Everything is just so politicized, so divisive. And I think parents just fear what's happening with their kids during the day,' Shannon Moser, a New York parent of two teens, told PBS in 2023, following the news of Florida's bill. New York implemented a statewide 'bell-to-bell' ban on cell phone use in K-12 public schools, effective in September 2025. One parent wrote on parents.com: '... Given the many terrifying things that can and do happen in today's schools, something about not having a direct line to her when she's away from me just doesn't sit well. 'Between the threats of a school shooting and bullying, a parent's mind is always swirling with worst-case scenarios,' she wrote. 'A quick 'Hi Mom' or being able to ask, 'How's the day going?' goes a long way in easing these concerns, not just for parents, but kids, too.' A new prehistoric discovery in a Wisconsin lake has revealed the existence of an advanced culture in America during the same time as the ancient Egyptians. Researchers unearthed six previously undiscovered canoes from Lake Mendota, including one that archeologists said was approximately 5,200 years old - older than the Great Pyramid of Giza, which is at least 4,500 years old. Overall, 16 ancient 'dugout' boats have been found during excavations of the lake since 2021, all carved from individual tree trunks using fire and simple tools like stones and shells. Testing the wood to see how much of a naturally radioactive element has decayed over time revealed that the canoes were built between 1300AD and 3000BC. The discovery suggests a previously unknown civilization thriving in the area for thousands of years, engaging in trade, fishing and possibly spiritual journeys along a sophisticated travel network throughout the present-day Midwest. Researchers from the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) said the new findings rewrite what we know about history in North America, revealing that humans on the continent lived and developed into organized communities much earlier than previously thought. The canoes, found 30 feet below the surface, were found in clusters near natural paths, suggesting the lake was a busy spot for generations. The oldest boat recovered from Lake Mendota places the ancient ancestors of a group known as the Ho-Chunk on the same timeline as some of the Egyptians in terms of showing how long ago human boat-making skills were developed worldwide. The boats in Lake Mendota are known as dugout canoes because each was constructed out of a single tree trunk A new excavation of the Wisconsin lake discovered six previously unseen canoes, including one that is believed to be older than the Egyptian pyramids So far, only two of the 16 canoes located in Lake Mendota have been taken out of the water and are nearing the end of a multi-year preservation process, including a 14-foot-long boat that's approximately 3,000 years old. These ancient dugout vessels were mostly made from tough hardwoods such as red and white oak, including the oldest, dating back to the time of the Egyptians, and were carved from the trunk of a red oak. The WHS team noted that using oak was unusual because red oak typically absorbs water through the tree's open pores, which could make boats heavier or less buoyant. However, it's believed their mysterious builders may have prepared trees to form natural blockages, called tyloses, in the wood that seal it against water, rot and improve floating. Archaeologists suspected that the native people of the area selected stressed or damaged trees, or intentionally wounded them while growing, to produce these more resistant tree trunks. Maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen said: 'Archaeology is kind of like putting together pieces of a puzzle, and the more pieces you can find, the better you can start to form a picture of what was going on and why during a period of history.' 'We can't go back in time to get answers to our questions, but we can examine the available data alongside knowledge from First Nations and cultural history to form theories to answer our questions.' The canoes were found with rocks meticulously placed on top, while below the surface, which experts speculated was done to ensure the boats did not warp during the winter months. The discovery of ancient boats in Wisconsin has rewritten the timeline of sophisticated civilizations living in North America Archeologists have pulled two of the 16 canoes from the lake and are working on preserving them for a future museum exhibition Archaeologists have been investigating Lake Mendota since 2021 While the Ho-Chunk tribe once lived in the area surrounding Lake Mendota, the Paleo-Indian people were the earliest inhabitants, arriving around 12,000 years ago. The Ho-Chunk tribe migrated there no earlier than 800AD. This discovery of ancient canoes in Lake Mendota has been deeply significant to the Ho-Chunk people because it proved their ancestors lived in this region for thousands of years, strengthening their ongoing cultural and spiritual connection to the waters and lands. The Ho-Chunk view the nearby Lake Wingra, which this ancient community likely traveled across by canoe, as holding profound spiritual importance, with one of its springs seen as a sacred gateway to another realm. Dr Amy Rosebrough, state archaeologist for WHS, said: 'One of its springs, with its white clay bottom, is viewed as a portal to the spirit world. For generations, the Ho-Chunk have honored this place through ceremonies of remembrance.' Aspiring bodybuilder Davina Licon was just 20 when her life changed forever after a visit to the gym. After years of relentless training from weightlifting and cardio sessions to eating meticulously planned meals, she was just two weeks away from her long-awaited first bodybuilding show. But on April 7, 2023, Licon left the Planet Fitness in Mililani, Hawaii, and came face-to-face with a masked man pointing a gun to her face. Survivor: Davina Licon was a victim of an acid attack while leaving her gym in Mililani, Hawaii He fired, and the bullet narrowly missed. She was then doused in a warm liquid that made her skin feel like it was melting away. She frantically ran back into the gym, pleaded with the front desk to call 911, and blacked out. One week later, Licon woke up in the ICU with third-degree burns covering 30 per cent of her body - half her face, her arms, neck, hands, and legs. Scarred: The attack let her covered in burns over 30 per cent of her body She said: 'I just remember waking up and it felt like half of my face had melted off,' Licon, now 22, could not eat or walk for months, and had to relearn the simplest tasks. Her alleged attacker, Paul Cameron, was 21 when he was arrested in connection with the brutal assault, per the indictment obtained by Daily Mail. Treatment: After the attack, she woke up one week later in the ICU, and was in and out of comas dude to the severe burns Licon said that she and Cameron had been friends for just five months, but he wanted a romantic relationship. She said in a recent Instagram post ahead of Cameron's trial later this month'During these five months he would often show up to places [he knew] I was going to be, he was very obsessive, he was a compulsive liar, and he love bombed me.' Despite her kindly telling him she only wanted to stay friends and focus on herself, she claims he attacked her outside the 24-hour fitness club. Fitness: Licon had been preparing for her first bodybuilding event when she was attacked She said in the Instagram video: 'I almost died, I was in the hospital for three months, in and out of comas going through a bunch of surgeries. I had a total of five surgeries done.' Still questioning why Cameron had attacked her in such a horrific manner, she plans to testify in court at his upcoming trial on January 28. She has previously theorized that he wanted to take her 'physical attraction away' and 'that was the easiest way for him to do it.' Return: Licon is now back in the gym after the attack She added: 'I hope he gets life in prison because he sent me to prison. I can't ever just go back to normal. So it's not fair if he gets to get out, ' Cameron was indicted by a grand jury for second-degree attempted murder and two felony firearm charges, but this was only the beginning. While Cameron was behind bars at Oahu Correctional Community Center, he became romantically involved with Sebastian Mahkwan between November 2023 and January 2024, per the indictment obtained by Daily Mail. Inspirational: Licon regularly posts her progress at the gym on her Instagram account Cameron made a few calls to get Mahkwan out on bail, and they allegedly planned another acid attack on Danying Zhang, a Chinese immigrant who was in Hawaii on an exchange program and taught Mandarin at a private school. The two orchestrated the acid attack to cast doubt on Cameron's involvement in Licon's attack and attempt to make it appear a predator was at large. On January 23, 2024, Mahkwan allegedly waited near the entrance of a Planet Fitness by Ala Moana Center and threw sulfuric acid at Zhang, who was 26 at the time, leaving her near death. Fearless: Licon bravely shows off her scars on social media In May 2025, speaking to the press, her translator described the gruesome moment she was attacked: 'She didnt feel, [she had] no time to react. And [it felt] like hot water for her at first. 'Then her clothes started falling off. Then she realized its not hot water, so she ran into the Planet Fitness center to shower. 'But when the ambulance [came] from the hospital, she was already kind of unconscious, so she doesnt remember anything after that.' Wounded: Danying Zhang, who was in Hawaii on an exchange program, was the victim of a second acid attack allegedly planned by Cameron and Sebastian Mahkwan Suspects: Cameron and Mahkwan are charged in connection with the attempted murder of Danying Zhang, a teacher from China visiting Honolulu Zhang suffered severe injuries. Her lungs collapsed because the acid got into her mouth and throat, the indictment obtained by Daily Mail revealed. Both men were charged with first- and second-degree attempted murder, as well as first-degree assault, per the indictment. Although their criminal cases are connected, they will be tried separately. Trial: The two suspects sit side-by-side at a previous court hearing. They will reappear in court on January 28 Message: Licon has become an advocate for domestic violence awareness and spoken on social media to raise awareness Licon told Island News when she discovered he was allegedly behind the second attack: 'It really does speak to his character and what kind of person he is. 'He's willing to take someone else's life just to save himself.' Feeling anxious about the upcoming trial and the potential punishment he might face, Licon admitted in her recent Instagram video that it sometimes feels easier to ignore everything, but doing so would mean letting him win. Defiant: Licon said she will not let her attacker win, and that she will be vocal about the upcoming trial Care: Licon with her team of nurses and doctors who helped save her life She stressed that society needs to talk more about attacks like these so predators 'dont get away with the violence and pain theyre inflicting on women.' 'I will have to testify, which I am ready to do, but also scared for what emotions, memories, and trauma it will bring back that Ive been working so hard to overcome,' she wrote on social media. 'Im not only striving for justice for me but for the other survivor. God is on my side. I owe it to him that I am here alive and healthy today.' Two miles off the tip of the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales is a 1.5-mile-long island, known as the legendary 'Island of 20,000 Saints'. Bardsey Island, or Ynys Enlli as it's known in Welsh, is home to around 200 grey seals, 300 sheep and just three permanent residents making the island's sheep-to-person ratio larger than that of New Zealand. Visiting this island is like stepping back in time: there are no mains electricity, cars or indoor toilets. Mobile reception, if you can get it, comes from Ireland, which lies 55 miles west across the Irish Sea. According to the website 'Life on Enlli', the island has a permanent seasonal community of 12 people who work the land and sea. There are 15 properties on the island, each of which is Grade II listed. Most are either holiday accommodation or are lived in by seasonal workers. One of the houses is privately let to a family who has called Bardsey home for three generations. And now, three positions have become available to work on the island. Known as the 'Island in the Currents' or the 'Island of the Bards,' Bardsey Island is the fourth largest offshore island in Wales Pictured: Ty Capel (Chapel House) and the adjacent chapel in Bardsey Island, Llyn Peninsula, North Wales Bardsey Island attracts thousands of visitors each year for day trips and overnight stays. To visit the island, you can catch a boat trip from Porth Meudwy, which runs 'every day that weather allows and demand dictates', according to the Bardsey Island Boat Trips website. The boat can carry 12 people for the scenic, sometimes bumpy, 20-minute crossing, and costs 50 per adult. Dogs are not allowed to visit. The island is Europe's first Dark Sky Sanctuary, a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. For centuries, this small Welsh isle was a centre of power and one of the holiest places in Britain. Bardsey Island has a deep Celtic Christian history, being a site of early monasticism founded by St Cadfan. Legends from the Middle Ages state that 20,000 saints are buried there, making it a highly sacred burial ground for the devout. In the 12th century, Pope Callixtus II declared three pilgrimages to Bardsey equivalent to one to Rome, and bards called it the 'gates of Paradise' and a direct path to heaven. If it's your dream to quit the nine-to-five and live on a remote island, this could be your chance. Bardsey Island hosts a significant colony of Atlantic grey seals, who frequent its rocky shores for resting and breeding The island is recruiting a project officer who will be responsible for delivering the outreach and engagement projects on the island and the mainland. The successful applicant will work from home (island-based) part-time with a salary of 26,437 pro rata. Another job on offer is an assistant visitor warden, who will be part of the team of staff welcoming visitors. Starting the job in March, free shared accommodation is provided and the successful applicant will receive access to one boat trip to the mainland per month, shared space to grow food and internet connection. Finally, the island is looking for a couple or family looking to live and work on Ynys Enlli as farmers. The applicant should have farming experience and would move to Enlli in September 2026, with handover periods during 2026 with existing tenants. The farmers will be responsible for 300 Welsh mountain sheep and 20-30 cattle. There is also space for chickens, goats and ducks. All grazing livestock and machinery are provided, and the incoming farmers will live in an off-grid three-bedroom farmhouse - complete with an outside compost toilet. The island is a place of historical and spiritual interest, once a site of pilgrimage with a monastery built by Saint Cadfan It comes after Isles of Scilly, located off the coast of Cornwall, have been handed the title of the UK's best islands. The archipelago is made up of five inhabited islands as well as over 140 other smaller islands and inlets. Popular islands in the region include St Mary's, Tresco, St Martin's, Bryher and St Agnes. Each island has its own unique features - including gorgeous beaches, hidden coves, rugged coastlines and walking trails. There's plenty to do there, too, including coastal walks, kayaking, wildlife watching, and exploring the islands' unique flora and fauna. Flights can quickly become expensive, especially long-haul, international journeys far away. One crafty traveller found a way to cut the costs, and managed to save $1,000 (742) on their ticket with an easy trick. They explained their method on Reddit and revealed they simply used a different language and currency option. The frequent flier was looking for tickets from Santiago Airport (SCL) to Williamsport, in Pennsylvania (IPT). Originally, they were priced between $1,700 (1,262) and $2,000 (1,484) on the airline's website for a round trip in business class. 'Google flights showed the price for $970 (720) round trip. However. Once going to the carriers website (Latam), the price is actually ~$1700-$2000 round trip for business,' they explained. 'The ~$900 displayed price was for one leg. I used a laptop and the app to see if I could get the $1000 fare, both nearly $2k (1,484).' During the search, a link appeared that took the holidaymaker to the Spanish version of the website. One crafty traveller found a way to cut the costs, and managed to save $1,000 on their ticket with an easy trick (stock) They continued: 'Not sure how but a link to the Spanish language/Chilean currency site popped up. Did NOT use a VPN.' The passenger realised that booking through a different language and currency would save them a lot of money. A round trip for their route turned out to be under $1,000 in business class if they paid in Chilean Pesos. 'Of course I booked it,' the passenger added. The holidaymaker was pleasantly surprised by the trick, sharing that they haven't had the same success with a VPN. The post attracted hordes of comments and some shared their own tricks. One person penned: 'It can also change when you switch currencies. I once saved ~$900 flying from Japan to France by paying in JPY rather than USD.' There are plenty of ways to cut the costs of a trip and nine out of 10 holidaymakers are taking steps to reduce their expenses. They explained their method on Redditand revealed they simply used a different language and currency option (stock) The top hacks used by holidaymakers across the UK have been revealed, according to a survey. The first tip? Book early. It's a simple yet effective tactic - which is why it's no surprise 46 per cent of holidaymakers do so. Secondly, you can travel outside of peak holiday seasons to get a better deal. Travelling midweek is just as popular, with 45 per cent doing so. * Are you stuck at Kittila Airport? Please email: mark.duell@dailymail.co.uk * British tourists told of their 'nightmare' in Finland's Lapland today as they were among thousands stranded after flights were cancelled due to the severe cold. Temperatures at Kittila Airport will plummet to nearly -40C (-40F) today following several days of freezing weather that saw lows of -37C (-35F) yesterday. Cancelled flights have so far included those heading to London, Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam - while today's first scheduled flight was axed last night. Passengers are desperately waiting for updates at the airport but officials said the weather was extremely difficult for de-icing aircraft, maintenance and refuelling. Heavy snow, high winds and icy roads were exacerbating problems with local travel as airlines tried to put people on buses to get them to other airports for flights home. Becky Weaver, from Harrietsham in Kent, is among the Brits stuck in Kittila with her family after her flight to London Gatwick was cancelled last night. She told the Daily Mail today: 'We were meant to fly back yesterday morning and are currently still waiting at our hotel for updates on possibly flying today. 'It's been a complete nightmare for me and my family. We have a house, pets and jobs which were trying to sort out and currently we sit here in hope we fly tonight.' Mark Abbey from Birmingham said at Kittila Airport yesterday that the situation is a 'nightmare' Christine Wayne, who is from England, said she will have to fly home from Helsinki to Heathrow Thousands of tourists have been left stranded at Kittila Airport in Finland, pictured yesterday Stranded tourists board a bus for a transfer as severe weather continues to hit Kittila Ms Weaver also said her home is among the 30,000 properties in Kent and Sussex without a proper water supply today, adding: 'It goes from bad to worse.' Also among the stranded Brits is Mark Abbey from Birmingham, who has become stuck at Kittila Airport with his wife Emma and three children Suga, Reece and Dayne. He told Finland's national public broadcaster Yle: 'It's just a nightmare because we're out of our accommodation and we don't have nowhere to stay for this evening. 'We're going to maybe have to get onto the airline, see if they can get us anywhere to stay. But they said it would be at least one hour away.' Mr Abbey said the family were not on a package holiday, adding: 'It's obviously been very extreme weather, -40Cs, so it's been a bit of a battle this last week.' He said his family members were suffering from colds and flu and while they were now booked on a flight today, he was concerned this could also be cancelled. Another Brit, Christine Wayne, told Yle that she was due to fly with a Finnair flight but had been booked on a coach to Oulu, from where she would get a plane to Helsinki. The airline had booked her into a hotel in the Finnish capital overnight and she will then fly from Helsinki to London Heathrow where her car is currently parked. Yle reported that widespread cancellations began last Friday and at least 23 departing flights have been cancelled, 15 of which were heading abroad. Lapland spans northern Norway, Sweden and Finland. People walk in freezing temperatures in Yllas in Finland last Friday, 30 miles away from Kittila A person walks past a display showing a temperature of -33C in Yllas in Finland last Friday A file photograph of tourists arriving at Kittila Airport in northern Finland in December 2024 Kittila Airport, located in Finnish Lapland in the sparsely populated north, serves tourists heading to nearby ski resorts and to see the Northern Lights. Finns are generally used to frosty winter temperatures but this year's cold, which has affected wide regions of northern, central and eastern Europe, is more severe than in other years. The region usually has an average temperature of -14C (7F) during winter with occasional dips to -30C (-22F), according to the nation's tourism board. The deep freeze is expected to continue today, with the Finnish Meteorological Institute predicting temperatures of almost -40C (-40F). Heavy snowfall, high winds and icy roads have made travel difficult in other parts of Europe. In Germany, train passengers were still experiencing long delays and cancellations on Sunday after rail operator Deutsche Bahn shut down all services in the north of the country on Friday due to strong snowfall. Authorities announced that all schools would remain closed and switch to online classes today in North Rhine-Westphalia, the country's most populous western state, after forecasts of icy roads across the region. In the Baltic countries of Estonia and Lithuania, drivers were asked to postpone all non-essential travel because of expected blizzards, while neighbouring Latvia issued a snow alert for the west of the country. * Are you stuck at Kittila Airport? Please email: mark.duell@dailymail.co.uk * From beautiful sandy beaches to impressive city skylines, there are plenty of places travel enthusiasts want to tick off their bucket lists. As the new year begins, many might be thinking about where their next trip will be. Research has revealed the popular bucket list destinations for 2026 by analysing UK Reddit conversations and Google search trends. Japan tops the list, with 36 mentions on the busy forum site and 192 upvotes. The Asian destination has plenty to offer, from bustling streets in its cities and vibrant markets, to historic temples and shrines. Locations including Kawaguchiko, Kanazawa, and Takayama are drawing tourists in with their mixture of culture, nature and history. Japan scored 10 out of 10 overall. Spain followed in second place and accumulated 130 votes, accounting for 26 Reddit mentions, according to the study by Titan Travel. Scoring 9.25 out of 10, the European spot has been popular with Brits for years but tourists are saying there is 'still so much of the country they've yet to explore'. Japan proved to be the top bucket list destination, with 36 mentions on the busy forum site and 192 upvotes Spain followed in second place and accumulated 130 votes, accounting for 26 Reddit mentions, according to the study by Titan Travel There are plenty of beach resorts including Malaga, Granada, Javea, and Nerja, as well as city locations like Madrid and Barcelona. France and Italy ranked joint-third with a bucket list score of 8.75. France received 79 votes and 23 mentions on Reddit, while Italy gathered 163 votes and 19 mentions. Travel enthusiasts hope to enjoy exploring the Alps, Paris and historic southern towns. Meanwhile, Italy draws in tourists with its food scene and sun-drenched countryside. Iceland ranked fifth, followed by Greece, Thailand, Australia, Canada and New Zealand rounding off the top ten countries. Thailand worked out to be the most searched for destination and around six in ten holidaymakers shared they favour experience-packed trips instead of more traditional holidays. Travel trends seem to be shifting, as Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards 2025 revealed some of the most popular spots of 2025. France and Italy ranked joint-third with a bucket list score of 8.75 The travel review site collated a list of the spots that received 'a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews' over the year. Out of the eight million listings on Tripadvisor, only one per cent managed to secure the badge of excellence from the site. London claimed the top spot and impressed with its historic landmarks, bustling streets and food and drink scene. Tripadvisor describes the capital as 'many worlds in one' and claims 'no two days are the same' there. Heathrow's temporary closure last year caused the single biggest flight disruption in the country of 2025. The major hub was shut down on March 21, 2025 after being hit by an unexpected power outage. At the time, the main electrical substation owned and operated by National Grid exploded and set alight less than two miles away in the west London suburb of Hayes. The incident was unprecedented and the airport managed to reopen with a full schedule from the next day. However, around 220,000 people were due to travel through Heathrow on March 21 and more than 1,000 flights were delayed, cancelled or diverted. New data from AirHelp, an air passenger rights organisation, found that almost all passengers travelling via the airport were affected. Some 99 per cent of travellers experienced disruption to their journeys and 98 per cent of all flights were cancelled completely. The shutdown as been named the most severe single disruption for UK aviation in 2025. The Daily Mail approached Heathrow Airport for comment. The major hub was shut down on March 21, 2025 after being hit by an unexpected power outage The year worked out to be chaotic for air travel overall, with 940,000 flights and 36 million passengers hit with delays or cancellations. This works out as 26 per cent of all air travellers facing issues during their journeys last year. Delayed passengers could be entitled to free meals and compensation of up to 520 if their flight was disrupted as part of the Heathrow closure. Airline passengers delayed by two hours or more could be entitled to assistance such as two free phone calls or emails, free meals and refreshments, free hotel accommodation and hotel transfers, according to Which?, outlining the following: Short-haul - Passengers flying up to 932 miles (1,500km) with a delay time of at least two hours are entitled to assistance. Medium-haul - Passengers flying between 932 miles (1,500km) and 2,175 miles (3,500km) with a delay time of at least three hours are entitled to assistance. Long-haul - Passengers flying more than 2,175 miles (3,500km) with a delay time of at least four hours are entitled to assistance. Delayed passengers who meet the above criteria can contact their airline or approach staff at the airport for further information. For severe delays of more than five hours, passengers are 'entitled to choose between being rerouted on a different flight or getting a refund', Which? says. Around 220,000 people were due to travel through Heathrow that day and more than 1,000 flights were delayed, cancelled or diverted Travellers can also request flight delay compensation, according to the watchdog, 'if the delay is not due to extraordinary circumstances'. These include bad weather, strikes unrelated to the airline, such as with baggage handlers, acts of terrorism or sabotage, drone disruption and long security queues. Claims are valid for up to six years after the flight was due to fly in or out of the UK, it adds. As for how to claim, you need to contact the airline you were due to fly with. 'If your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late, each affected passenger is entitled to claim flight delay compensation,' Which? says. The total value of compensation depends on the length and distance of the delayed flight as well as the reason for the delay, it adds. Passengers travelling less than 932 miles (1,500km) whose new flight takes off more than one hour before their original flight and arrives less than two hours after it are entitled to 110 in compensation, according to Which?. If the passengers' flight arrives more than two hours after the original flight, they are entitled to 220 in compensation, it adds. Passengers travelling 932 miles (1,500km) to 2,175 miles (3,500km) whose new flight departs more than one hour before their original flight and arrives less than three hours after it are entitled to 175 in compensation. However, delayed passengers could be entitled to free meals and compensation of up to 520 if their flight is disrupted. If the passengers' flight arrives more than three hours after their original flight, they are entitled to 350 in compensation. Passengers travelling more than 2,175 miles (3,500km) whose new flight departs more than one hour before their original flight and arrives less than four hours after it are entitled to 260 in compensation. If the passengers' flight arrives more than four hours after their original flight, they are entitled to 520 in compensation. The figures above are for flights cancelled less than seven days before departure. 'If a connecting flight during your journey is affected by a delay and you departed from the UK or an EU country, you can still claim compensation,' Which? adds. 'For example, if you were flying from Manchester to Sydney, connecting in Singapore, but your Singapore to Sydney flight was delayed, you'd still be entitled.' Tomasz Pawliszyn, AirHelp CEO, commented: '2025 was a challenging year for UK air travel, with millions of passengers experiencing delays or cancellations. 'The Heathrow closure in March was an extreme example, but our research shows disruption was widespread, from major airports to smaller regional hubs. At least 1,351 flights to and from Heathrow will be impacted by the major closure 'Many passengers affected may not realise they are entitled to compensation and understanding your rights is more important than ever. 'Our report is designed to help travellers navigate these situations and ensure they can claim what they are owed.' Elsewhere, Manchester was named the worst major UK airport for delays by air passenger rights experts at AirAdvisor after analysing data from the Civil Aviation Authority which covered the first six months of the year. Manchester Airport, the third-busiest airport in the UK in terms of passengers, saw just 71.5 per cent of flights left on time. This compares to the national average, where 77 per cent of flights from all UK airports were on time. Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline in Africa, has announced the construction of Bishoftu International Airport has begun. The $12.5billion (9.3billion) project will mean the airport will be Africa's largest once it's completed in 2030. Ethiopian Airlines also unveiled the airport's design and resettlement project for affected communities in the new hub's area. Phase one of the project is expected to be completed by 2030 and will accommodate 60 million passengers annually. When fully completed, it is set to have the capacity to handle 110 million passengers. That is more than four times the capacity of Ethiopia's current main airport. The state-owned carrier began works in Bishoftu, 45km from the capital, Addis Ababa. Officials say the new facility will aim to have four runways, the Independent reported. Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed Ali said on X: 'Bishoftu International Airport will be the largest aviation infrastructure project in Africa's history.' Bishoftu International Airport began construction in Ethiopia Members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force walk next to construction machinery at the site The airport will have space to park 270 planes. Construction began on January 10, 2026, following an official ceremony hosted by the Ethiopian prime minister. It was attended by ministers, high level government officials, industry leaders, stakeholders, and Ethiopian Airlines executives. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said: 'This is truly a proud moment for Ethiopian Airlines and for all of Africa. 'We are embarking on a new chapter with the groundbreaking of Bishoftu International Airport that will redefine the continent's aviation ecosystem. 'As we celebrate 80 years of service, this project stands as yet another milestone, underscoring our commitment to shaping the future of the African air transport industry, while supporting the growing demand for our passenger and cargo services. 'Bishoftu International Airport is a major step towards addressing the infrastructural gap in Africa and a key player in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and at Ethiopian we are committed to realise the completion of this project.' Prime minister Abiy Ahmed described the day as a milestone in Ethiopia's journey toward modernisation and prosperity. Ethiopian Airlines Group, the largest airline in Africa, began its plans He emphasised that the airline's greatest strength lies in its strong corporate culture, built on giving priority to safety and security and leadership. It also has a workforce of more than 26,000 employees. Ethiopian Airlines operated flights to more than 160 domestic and international passenger locations. It also has cargo destinations across five continents. While it's rare for pilots to attempt to fly under the influence of alcohol, a string of incidents in recent years has brought the issue into focus. In August last year, a drunk EasyJet pilot stripped naked at a hotel bar in Cape Verde hours before he was due to fly passengers back to the UK. The pilot, who had flown tourists from the UK to the West African holiday island on August 4, was scheduled to fly back to Gatwick just over 24 hours later. But his late-night antics saw him pulled from duty and replaced by another captain. In January of the same year, a Southwest Airlines pilot was arrested moments before he was due to take off for allegedly being too drunk to fly. After these near-misses, many passengers were left asking what safeguards are in place to ensure pilots are sober when they get behind the flight controls. Pilots are required to adhere to far stricter drinking rules than, for example, drivers on UK roads. Some countries also require pre-flight breath tests. The limit for pilots in the UK is 20mg of alcohol for every 100ml of blood, which is one quarter of the current drink-driving limit in England (80mg/100ml). Pilots are required to adhere to far stricter drinking rules than, for example, drivers on UK roads (stock) UK pilots are subject to random testing during ramp inspections, a programme which was introduced in February 2022. Some countries, such as the US, require a BAC below 0.04 per cent, while others mandate limits as low as zero per cent. Authorities generally recommend a 'bottle to throttle' period of eight hours or more, meaning a pilot can no longer drink after a certain cut-off time before flying. Some airlines, including Delta and United, enforce a longer, 12-hour bottle-to-throttle window. Retired training captain Pete Hutchison, who flew internationally with Virgin Atlantic for more than 20 years, told CNN: 'I worked to a more general standard, and that is, don't even get yourself into a situation where you're quibbling about 0.01.' Hutchison, who goes by 'Pete the Irish Pilot' on Instagram, said when he had short layovers of less than 24 hours, he abstained from alcohol and encouraged his crew to follow suit. 'We are professional people who have worked very hard to get a commercial license,' he said. 'And as pilots, we still face unlimited public liability. We don't want anyone to get hurt, or our airline or the industry to go belly up. Join the debate Should pilots caught drinking before a flight ever be allowed to fly again? Some countries, such as the US, require a BAC below 0.04 per cent, while others mandate limits as low as zero per cent (stock) 'It's not a flying circus. It's very serious stuff.' India is often cited as having the worlds toughest rules when it comes to alcohol and flying. The Director General of Civil Aviation enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy, designed to eliminate any possibility of impairment in the countrys rapidly expanding aviation industry. For pilots, that means a 12-hour bottle-to-throttle rule and a 0.00% BAC limit. In addition, before every flight, pilots must take a breathalyser test on camera in a designated room at the airport. Hordes of Brits leave the country each year in search of a better life abroad. Many chase good weather, others are looking for a different lifestyle, and some are seeking happiness they didn't manage to find in the UK. But for those looking for the best place to raise their children, relocating to Norway has proved to be a solid choice. New research has found the Scandinavian country was also the happiest spot for expats. The study considered various factors including crime, healthcare access, education and average earnings to determine the best place for families to relocate to. The analysis of 20 different aspects found Norway came out top, scoring 71.73 out of 100. An impressive 94.06 per cent of families living there expressed how they were happy. This puts Norway 11 per cent above the average in Europe, which is 84.76 per cent. For those looking for the best place to raise their children, relocating to Norway has proved to be a solid choice (stock) Meanwhile, maternal mortality rate in the country is a whopping 81 per cent lower than Europe's average of 6.88, at 1.31 per 100,000 live births. What's more, children are typically healthy and well in Norway with the under-15 mortality rate being low, at just 0.31 per cent. Residents live a long time too, as the study by moving company Umzug-365 revealed Norwegian life expectancy is 83.31 years - above the 80.5 years average in Europe. Norway has repeatedly placed high for happiness, with a study released last year by the World Happiness Report ranking the country in seventh place. In the most recent report, Finland ranked highest and scored 67.79 overall, followed by Denmark in second, Iceland in third and Sweden in fourth. The UK landed in 23rd position while the USA fell to its lowest ever position in 24th place. Both countries landed behind Israel (8th) despite the ongoing conflict in the region. Afghanistan was once again the unhappiest happiest country in the world. Research has found the Scandinavian country was also the happiest spot for expats Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Malawi and Zimbabwe rounded off the bottom five. A spokesperson from Umzug-365 commented: 'Raising a family depends on a huge range of factors relating to things like health, education, wellbeing, income, crime, and more. 'Countries like Norway, Finland and Sweden consistently rank highly in each of these categories, highlighting them as ideal locations for family life. 'Many of the top-ranking countries are in Northern Europe, with five of the top ten countries located here.' Residents in a North African city have experienced significant snowfall for the first time in approximately 25 years - as footage shows locals in heavy outerwear frolicking in snow-lined streets. On January 7, 2026, the northeastern Moroccan city of Oujda recorded two centimetres of snow in the city centre, while surrounding villages saw up to 10 centimetres. The snowfall is said to have occurred during a cold snap that brought a sharp drop in temperatures across parts of North Africa, driven by a powerful low-pressure system and cold air mass. The rare natural phenomenon came as a surprise to residents in the semi-arid region, where winter temperatures usually sit between 4C and 10C. While snow is a normal occurrence in Morocco's High and Middle Atlas mountain ranges, home to ski resorts such as Ifrane and Oukaimeden, it is out of the ordinary for Oujda, which is situated near the border with Algeria. Though some local reports claim Oujda last experienced notable snow about 14 years ago, many sources such as Arabia Weather widely cite a longer period of around 25 years. The white blanket left on streets and rooftops stirred excitement among locals, who took to social media to document the event. Footage shared to Instagram by @world_climat_news_2026 on 9 January shows residents in the city centre wearing hooded coats as they trudge through and marvel at the snow, while youths build snowmen and excitedly take part in snowball fights. On January 7, 2026, the northeastern Moroccan city of Oujda experienced significant snowfall for the first time in approximately 25 years Stunning scenes in rural areas show motorists cautiously making their way across slushy roads while thick flurries continue to blanket the streets below snow-topped palm trees. One viewer commented: 'Since when has Morocco had snow fall??? This is amazing!' Another wrote, 'Love seeing everyone have snowball fights', while a third added, 'This city is further north than Buenos Aires in Argentina is south. 'Plus it's 500m above sea level and its inland. Despite basically in the Sahara desert, snow is obviously a possibility'. However, a fourth solemnly commented: 'Has anyone wondered why so called experts stopped bothering us about global warming? Once again mother nature shows humans that shes in charge. Nothing we can do about it. Just enjoy.' Meanwhile, a rising number of British male travellers are heading to Morocco for the most unlikely reason - and it's not for the weather or local food. It comes as the cold weather has led to travel chaos across Europe. British tourists told of their 'nightmare' in Finland's Lapland today as they were among thousands stranded after flights were cancelled due to the severe cold. Stunning scenes in rural areas show motorists cautiously making their way across slushy roads while thick flurries continue to blanket the streets Temperatures at Kittila Airport will plummet to nearly -40C (-40F) today following several days of freezing weather that saw lows of -37C (-35F) yesterday. Cancelled flights have so far included those heading to London, Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam - while today's first scheduled flight was axed last night. Passengers are desperately waiting for updates at the airport but officials said the weather was extremely difficult for de-icing aircraft, maintenance and refuelling. Heavy snow, high winds and icy roads were exacerbating problems with local travel as airlines tried to put people on buses to get them to other airports for flights home. Ryanair passengers were left 'crying and distressed' after being forced to pay 75 for luggage 'as part of a money-making scheme'. One Ryanair passenger says she was fined 75 because the wheels on her suitcase were poking out of the airline's bag sizer even after she paid extra to take it on board. Gilly Bachelor was flying from Birmingham Airport to Malaga in Spain when she was stopped at the boarding gate. The 55-year-old said she was told she couldn't bring the bag on board despite paying extra for both the priority and two cabin bags options. Gilly alleges she was fined an extra 75 to take the bag on board, on top of the 125 flight, during the 'stressful' episode. Another couple were reportedly told to pay 150 for two suitcases reportedly not complying with size rules. Lisa Sheasby, 58, and her husband Fabio Lima, 49, claim they were 'targeted in a money-making exercise'. Lisa told BirminghamLive: 'Despite using a branded suitcase specifically designed to meet Ryanair's measurements, I was forced to pay 75 at the gate... at least 15 people were also targeted, some left crying and distressed.' Gilly Bachelor says she was charged 75 due to her luggage size The wheels on Gilly's suitcase were poking out of the airline's bag sizer Meanwhile Gilly, from Brewood, near Cannock, Staffs, told What's The Jam: 'I've taken that bag on lots of flights with no problem, just not Ryanair. 'As we were boarding, a gentleman was checking all the bags. 'They put it in the sizer, and the issue was with the wheels, and that it was slightly too wide. 'I travel a lot myself, so I'm usually pretty relaxed, and clearly this caught me out this time.' Gilly, who is a travel agency owner, claims a member of staff was checking every bag as passengers boarded the aircraft, with at least 20 pulled aside and fined. She added: 'Ryanair is a very low-cost airline, so they operate to tight margins and will generate extra revenue wherever they can. 'I also heard that Ryanair staff receive an incentive for every bag they flag as oversized. I checked, and it's true, but it's only a small portion of the fine. 'Even so, it's clearly enough to keep staff vigilant and enforce the rules strictly. At least 20 people were caught out. Ryanair gets a lot of criticism, but the rules are clear and easy to follow. The same thing happened to other passengers onboard the flight The incident took place at Birmingham Airport 'I used them outbound because the timing worked, but flew home with easyJet and my bag was fully compliant, as it would have been with Jet2.' Gilly added a word of caution: 'My advice is to check the size rules carefully and invest in a compliant bag. 'It's much less stressful than being caught at the gate and paying a fine.' Regarding Lisa's flight, a statement from Ryanair said: 'This passenger and her travelling companion booked Regular Fare tickets for this flight from Birmingham to Verona (28 Dec), which allowed them to each carry a small personal bag and 10kg cabin bag onboard. 'As their cabin bags exceeded the permitted size, they were correctly required to pay a standard gate baggage fee (75) by the gate agent at Birmingham Airport.' Tourists heading to the Lake District could soon be taxed for merely entering the national park - a proposal that has been condemned by Cumbria Tourism boss, Gill Haigh. It comes after the Lake District National Park Partnership (LDNPP) released a report setting out its vision for 'world-class sustainable travel' in the park. In the report, the partnership - which comprises of representatives of business, civil society and the two Cumbrian councils - looked at funding options for sustainable transport. It further pledged to 'refine costing for the installation and operation of a vehicle levy' to enter and move around the park. Proposals to introduce the levy were sparked by a 2024 study conducted by Friends of the Lake District, which seeks to 'sustain the rich, diverse, living pattern of landscape, wildlife and culture that makes Cumbria and the Lake District unique'. In the study, the organisation looked at the impact of tourism in the area, along with various models used across Europe to deal with similar issues. Although the Lake District has long been established as one of the UK's most popular hiking and nature spots, visitor numbers has boomed in recent years. Around 18 million visitors descend on the Cumbrian park each year, dramatically outnumbering its 40,000 inhabitants. Tourists heading to the Lake District could soon be taxed for entering the park as the Lake District National Park Partnership (LDNPP) looks to tackle issues caused by overtourism Around 18 million visitors visit the Lake District - famed for its striking peaks and glacial lakes - each year Among the issues caused by overtourism in the area are heavy traffic and chaotic parking caused by congested roads. In its report, the LDNPP said it endeavours to set 'clear, measurable goals' for sustainable travel across the Lake District ahead of Cumbria's first mayoral election in May 2027. But while Michael Hill, CEO of Friends of the Lake District, praised the LDNPP for highlighting the 'clear choice between systemic change in the way people travel around the park', Gill Haigh, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, has shared her doubts. Haigh, who cautioned that local businesses remain in a vulnerable state following the pandemic, further warned that introducing new taxes could 'upset that fragile economy'. Speaking to BBC News, she continued: 'It sounds very easy [to say] "let's tax the tourist", but we have to remember the tourist is already very heavily taxed. 'One of the challenges that we've all got is that we're really feeling it in our pocket and that's really impacting on our businesses at the moment.' The LDNPP would collaborate with the new combined authority on feasibility studies once it is operational, according to the report. It comes as a tourist tax for overnight stays may be introduced in UK towns and cities, as new powers have been granted to local leaders in the latest Budget. Among the issues caused by overtourism in the area are heavy traffic and chaotic parking caused by congested roads (pictured) The LDNPP said it endeavours to set 'clear, measurable goals' for sustainable travel across the Lake District by 2027 Through changes enabled by the Autumn Budget 2025, city mayors and town officials will have the authority to charge a small fee for overnight stays in accommodations such as hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and holiday lets. These levies will bring England in line with other parts of the UK, as well as with top international destinations such as New York, Paris and Milan, where fees on short-term stays have long been commonplace. On the UK Government website, Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government said: 'Tourists travel from near and far to visit England's brilliant cities and regions. 'We're giving our mayors powers to harness this and put more money into local priorities, so they can keep driving growth and investing in these communities for years to come.' A British traveller has saved 12,000 in bills and hasn't paid rent in years - thanks to a simple travel hack. The full-time traveller and house-sitter has revealed the incredibly low outgoings she pays each month while living rent-free leaving room for her to spend hundreds of pounds on dining out and fun experiences. The solution? House and pet-sitting. Emma Truscott has been using an app to source homes looking for a caretaker usually to care for pets while the owners are away, and has been able to keep up her travels for over three years. The 38-year-old is currently house-sitting in London, but has travelled across the UK and Europe without paying for accommodation. She estimates she saves around 12,000 a year by not having any bills or rent/mortgage payments and that money can instead be used for her lifestyle, including 195 a month on restaurants. 'The majority of my expenses are spent on fun rather than overheads,' Emma, a freelance travel writer, originally from Cornwall, told Luxury Travel Daily. 'I can eat out more often, shop in the pricier supermarkets and go to concerts or activities that a lot of people can only afford as an occasional treat. Emma Truscott has travelled around the world, including to places such as Paris Emma often cares for pets in exchange for accommodation, which keeps her costs low 'Without the pressure of big monthly bills, I'm also able to pursue work I genuinely enjoy, take more risks in my freelance business and work fewer hours overall.' Looking back on her 2025 spendings, Emma worked out that she spends just 22 on bills including her phone plan and iCloud storage plan, and 195 on business expenses, while accommodation cost her just 86 per month due to the occasional stop gap in her house-sitting itinerary. As for her highest expense? It's tied with what she spends on her business expenses, with Emma spending an average of 195 per month on dining out. Meanwhile groceries set her back 188, with Emma opting to choose more luxury goods, and she spends 63 on 'fun' including going to festivals or other experiences. She also spends more money on shopping these days, racking up an average of 78 per month on non-essentials, 54 on essentials, and 58 on gifts. Her travel costs, unsurprisingly, are where things start to build up with major travel expenses such as flights costing her 148 a month, and day-to-day transport including buses costing 14 per month. Emma first dabbled with house-sitting in July 2022 during a visit to London, realising she could stay for free in other people's homes free of charge in exchange for keeping things in order, watering the plants, taking out the bins and often caring for pets. She has since made it a full-time endeavour, working remotely as a freelance writer and virtual assistant. Emma, a freelance travel writer, has maintained her love of exploring the world - on a budget Emma said: 'The biggest perks are being able to live like a local in neighbourhoods around the world, see places I didn't know existed, and pay nothing for accommodation. 'To me, there are no cons, and I've had nothing but positive experiences so far. I understand it won't be for everyone, but I love living like this. 'It's not exhausting like backpacking you're in a comfortable home, you can do a big grocery shop and unpack. Sure, there's usually a day or two of travel every month, but that's a small sacrifice to pay. 'Right now, I don't see any perks to staying in one place and spending most of my money on bills. I feel like I'm really living seeing things, meeting people, and having incredible experiences that will stay with me forever. 'Perhaps I'll be lucky enough to make it to 70 years old and still be house sitting what a life I would have had!' Emma added: 'I'm planning to use some of the money I'm saving to take more trips outside of house sitting. 'I'd love to spend a month in Sri Lanka, and perhaps think about rescheduling an adventure through South America that I had to cancel in 2020 because of the pandemic.' Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Cruises can involve long stints out at sea, with sometimes days stuck onboard the ship between port stops. This means getting your suitcase right for the voyage is vital and can really determine how your holiday goes. There is one packing essential that costs less than 2 that experts recommend for your next cruise trip. Michelle Gear, Head of Technical and Product Development at clothing company Klass, urges travellers to bring along a 'crease release' spray. You can pick up a 100ml travel-sized bottle of Lenor Spring Awakening Crease Releaser for just 1.49 from Wilko. It's a great option when steamers or irons might be banned onboard and will mean any wrinkles your clothes collect during packing can be smoothed out. But that's not the only item Michelle recommends packing in your suitcase for a cruise. Packing cubes are another essential she says can help cruise-goers stay organised. Michelle Gear, Head of Technical and Product Development at clothing company Klass, urges travellers to bring along a 'crease release' spray (stock) 'If youre on a no-fly cruise and dont need to worry about baggage allowance, packing cubes help compact your items so you can fit more in your suitcase, which is useful when youre packing outfits for a range of activities,' she says. They can be bagged for around 14.99 and make such a difference when packing. Plus the handy item can be reused for future trips. Magnetic hooks are another way to keep your cabin organised and make the most out of your limited space. Walls are often metal on cruise ships meaning the hooks can be easily attached and used to hang things like clothing and accessories. There are packs available on Amazon for just 6.79. Cruises can get busy and accidents happen, including drink spillages and sometimes sun cream stains. To combat this, Michelle recommends bringing along stain remover wipes to avoid having to waste time and money on the onboard laundry services. Packs sell on Amazon for just 7.27. Clothes packed away for some time can sometimes smell dusty, but this can be easily avoided for your next voyage. Michelle recommends bringing along tumble dryer sheets in your case to add a pleasant, refreshing scent to your clothes. They take up little space and can be found for 11.99 for a pack of three on Amazon. An Antiques Roadshow guest gasped 'I'm dumbfounded!' as she told the eye-watering value of her jewellery collection which cost her just 60. The latest instalment of the BBC show, which originally aired in 2024, saw the experts help a number of people at Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery in Ealing, west London. One woman appeared in front of the camera to ask fine jewellery specialist Joanna Hardy about her own collection, which included a necklace, bracelet, chain with a Pieces pendant and a ring. The lady explained how she got her hands on each item, having bought herself one, her pal made her one, and her ex bought one for her. Joanna told her: 'My goodness me, you've had some very generous people in your life. 'But you've also been given, or bought, very well in terms of the quality of the pieces because they've got such a lovely weight to them. They're all 18 carat gold. An Antiques Roadshowguest gasped 'I'm dumbfounded!' as she told the eye-watering value of her jewellery collection which cost her just 60 (pictured) One woman appeared in front of the camera to ask fine jewellery specialist Joanna Hardy (pictured) about her own collection, which included a necklace, bracelet, chain with a Pieces pendant and a ring The lady explained how she got her hands on each of the items, having bought herself one, her friend making her one and her former partner buying her one 'Today gold has just gone through the roof and the diamond in the centre here [the ring], it's all beautifully set and that's just about, nearly, a two carat stone.' The woman asked: 'Does any one of them stand out?' Joanna told her: 'They all stand out to me because they are very different, they are all beautifully made. 'I would wear any one of those.' She continued: 'I am going to do a global valuation here. At auction they would go for around 14,000!' The lady was left speechless and simply said: 'Wow', meanwhile the audience all gasped. She continued: 'I'm known as chatty Anne, maybe this time I'm a little bit dumbfounded, I didn't think they would be quite as valuable!' 'Discussing the memories, which I hadn't done for a long time, the provenance of where I got them from was lovely. 'I am going to do a global valuation here. At auction they would go for around 14,000!' 'It made me realise how special they are, those pieces of jewellery, they are part of me,' she said to the camera. It comes after another Antiques Roadshow guest was left gasping after an unwanted tea set that she and her husband thought was worth just 100 was given an 'outrageous' valuation. Antiques expert Serhat Ahmet met with the woman during the episode that aired over the weekend, as the BBC show took to the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. He was met by a large green box, with ornate gold patterns on the outside, and revealed a well-kept Chinese tea set in white and red china. The tea set, which originally belonged to one of the woman's family members, named Margaret, was thought to be worth no more than 100 by the family. But Serhat soon had news for the woman, as he revealed its price tag was more than ten times their original expectation at auction. 'There's nothing more intriguing than an unopened box, so shall we take a look inside?' Serhat began, before letting out a 'wow' looking at its contents. An Antiques Roadshow guest was left gasping after an unwanted tea set that she and her husband thought was worth just 100 was given an 'outrageous' valuation Antiques expert Serhat Ahmet met with the woman during the episode that aired over the weekend, as the BBC show took to the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea The woman explained: 'This is Margaret's tea set, a family member, she died last year at 94 and I believe the tea set has been in the attic for about 80 years, I don't think that she liked it very much. 'She didn't use it, and it was on its way to the charity shop when I said, "Hang on, can I have a look?". 'Margaret's father was a captain in the merchant navy, and they were docking in Shanghai, and all of the crew would have got off the ship to buy their family gifts. 'He bought her the tea set with her initials engraved on this box.' Taking a look inside, Serhat added: 'The first thing to note is this wonderful, wrapping paper in a way, of the factory that made this set. It says "Lee Wa, Porcelain Company Ltd, Nanking Road, Shanghai". 'That's a wonderful survivor, and quite helpfully, she also didn't throw away the newspaper of the time - and if we have a look at the date, it says in Chinese, 1947.' 'That would have been just after the war and Margaret would have been about 14,' the woman responded, to which Serhat continued: 'Let's take a good look at the set. 'This ruby coloured glaze against this green silk, six saucers and six cups, teapot and sugar pot and lid, and a milk or cream jug, it's a complete set. The tea set, which originally belonged to one of the woman's family members, named Margaret, was thought to be worth no more than 100 by the family Serhat soon had news for the woman, as he revealed the custom tea set's price tag was more than ten times their original expectation at auction 'Each piece is beautifully decorated, so whilst the ruby enamel was still slightly wet, the artist has taken a tool to inscribe into that lovely glaze, a dragon - these are Ching dragons, a little more complex, more realistic looking faces. 'We are looking at the very high end of tea ware production in this period.' Giving his valuation, Serhat continued: 'I think if this were to come up at auction today, I think it would fetch somewhere in the region of 1,500 to 2,500.' Letting out a laugh, the woman replied: 'Really? You're not serious! I said to my husband earlier, 100! That's outrageous! I don't know what to say.' It comes after a guest on the Antiques Roadshow was left in a state of shock after being told the eye-watering value of her very unusual kitchen utensil. She explained that her parents had commissioned the cucumber cutter as they wanted a unique addition to their collection in honour of their silver wedding anniversary. Admitting that he had 'never seen' anything like it before, expert Gordon Foster praised the 'novel contraption' on Sunday's episode of the show, which was dedicated to antique kitchen tools. He said: 'It is indeed a solid silver cucumber cutter.' Serhat left the guest shocked when he revealed his valuation of the item Letting out a laugh, the woman was left in shock at the valuation The expert went on to show the unusual device in action, inserting and slicing a fresh cucumber. An impressed Gordon said: 'The ones I have seen before tend to be early 19th century and usually made in Sheffield plate. I have never seen one before in solid silver. So when it comes to its estimation, I would expect it to fetch about 1,000 to 1,500.' Laughing in shock, the guest, who brought in the cucumber cutter, admitted: 'Woah. That is nice. Very nice.' However, this was far from the only interesting utensil to appear on the show and an intricate 'biscuit barrel' was also featured. Expert Duncan Campbell joked: 'I'm guessing by the immaculate shine on this that this is an object that in your house gets used virtually every day.' The guest went on to explain that she had no idea what the item was actually for until now and had been using it as a fruit bowl because she had grown 'tired of cleaning it'. But despite receiving an estimated value of between 200 and 300, she admitted that the silverware, which she had inherited from her grandparents, would be staying in the family. Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer. A new series of The Traitors is set to arrive on the BBC in just two weeks - and a Derry Girls favourite is the host. Although Claudia Winkleman presents the UK edition, this ultimate game of deception is a successful worldwide format. Viewers will soon get to see The Traitors Ireland - with its first series initially airing on RTE One last year. Siobhan McSweeney, 48, best known as Sister Michael on Derry Girls, takes the reins as host. While the UK and US versions both film at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, the Irish iteration uses a different location. Instead, the Faithful and Traitors alike all ventured to Slane Castle, County Meath, about an hour away from capital city Dublin. UK viewers will soon get to see The Traitors Ireland - and they don't have long to wait for it to drop Hosted by Derry Girls' Siobhan McSweeney, the Irish version of The Traitors originally aired last year Unlike the UK's familiar Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, The Traitors Ireland used Slane Castle in County Meath The first episode will drop on midnight on January 24 - just hours after The Traitors UK airs its series four finale. Meanwhile, the winner of The Traitors Ireland takes home a maximum prize of 50,000 (or 43,000). In contrast, the contestants on The Traitors UK are all vying for a maximum jackpot of 120,000. A synopsis for the series reads: '24 players face off in Irelands ultimate murder mystery game.' As usual, three of these hopefuls are Traitors picking off the others while those remaining are the Faithful, who are determined to catch them. Siobhan, who was announced as presenter of The Traitors Ireland in December 2024, previously said of joining the series: 'Like everyone, I am a huge Traitors fan so when I was asked to host the Irish version I jumped at the chance. 'Im looking forward to meeting our loyal faithful and delicious traitors. 'The Irish have a charm and ability to deceive while smiling which will make this version rather special, I think. 'And Im the luckiest person in the world to watch them close up.' Meanwhile, the US version is currently in full swing with Love Island and I'm A Celebrity star Maura Higgins among the line-up. Viewers watched on as the 35-year-old had an explosive row with outspoken actor Michael Rapaport. During the third episode, Maura picked up on Michael, 55, using the phrase 'we got rid of' when referring to murdered contestants, accusing him of being a Traitor. Elsewhere, Love Island and I'm A Celebrity star Maura Higgins is starring on The Traitors US - and becoming a fan favourite 'Why did you say, "we got rid of"? Does that mean you're a Traitor?' she said. Defending himself, Michael said: 'Let me tell you something, Maura. I'm as faithful as a faithful-' Interrupting him, Maura added: 'Why did you say "we"? We didn't - the Traitors did.' Later on, Top Chef star Kristen Kish picked up on Michael's phrasing again, telling him: 'You literally said "we",' prompting him to reply: 'And I've said a lot of things.' Maura then muttered: 'Maybe just stop talking.' Fans quickly took to X to praise the Irish model for her 'fiery' confrontational style, they wrote: 'Maura being unafraid and standing up to Michael is so far my favoritest part of the new season of #TheTraitorsUS; 'It was at this moment that Maura Higgins spoke for all of us #TheTraitorsUS; 'Please stop talking" - Maura. Saying what we all feel about M*chael Ratpopo; 'Producers probably figured michael rapaport would make for good tv bc he's so easy to ragebait but he's actually just ruining this season because he's quite literally insufferable get him off my screen #TheTraitorsUS.' The Traitors Ireland drops on BBC One on January 24. Kit Harington has been left 'genuinely angered' and slammed a fan petition that has called for the final season of Game Of Thrones to be remade as 'idiotic'. The actor, who played Jon Snow in the HBO series until it came to an end in 2019, hit out at viewers for signing the petition, which has amassed more than 1.8million signatures. Kit, 39, hit out against the fan-led appeal, which started with a goal of just 15,000 signatures, following widespread anger at the way the series came to an end. The final episode saw some diehard fans of the franchise hit out that season eight felt 'rushed', and moved away from the books, written by George R. R. Martin. The finale sees the death of both Kit's Jon Snow, and Emilia Clarke's 'Mad Queen' Daenerys Targaryen - while Isaac Hempstead Wright's Bran Snow became king. The petition reads: 'David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have proven themselves to be woefully incompetent writers when they have no source material (i.e. the books) to fall back on. Jon Snow's Kit Harington has been left 'genuinely angered' and slammed a fan petition that has called for the final season of Game Of Thrones to be re-made as 'idiotic' The finale sees the death of both Kit's Jon Snow, and Emilia Clarke's 'Mad Queen' Daenerys Targaryen 'This series deserves a final season that makes sense. Subvert my expectations and make it happen, HBO!' Speaking to the New York Times, Kit responded: 'That genuinely angered me. Like, how dare you? Sorry, thats just how I feel. I think it was a level of idiocy that can only come about through social media. 'There are very, very few downsides to having a hugely popular show, but one I can think of is when you try to end it, many people have big opinions on how it should end. 'The petition shows a lot of enthusiasm and passion for the show, but it wasnt something that we seriously considered.' Kit is not the only star from the show to have hit back against the petition, with Bran actor Isaac, 26, previously slamming it as 'ridiculous'. Within just hours of the final ever instalment of Game of Thrones, more than a million people signed the Change.org petition entitled 'Remake Game of Thrones Season 8 with competent writers'. Isaac told the Hollywood Reporter: 'Its just absurd. I cant even fathom it. Its just ridiculous. 'Its ridiculous that people think they can just demand a different ending because they dont like it. I have stupidly taken it quite personally, which obviously I shouldnt.' Kit, 39, hit out against the fan-led appeal, which started with a goal of just 15,000 signatures, following widespread anger at the way the series came to an end The actor, who played Jon Snow in the HBO series until it came to an end in 2019, hit out at viewers for signing the petition, which has over 1.8million signatures The star also went on to disclose that he was a fan of the conclusion, adding that it was a 'great ending'. Discussing how Daenerys's downfall had actually been documented in previous seasons, he continued: 'People have complained there wasnt enough foreshadowing but time upon time, shes demonstrated a capacity to be quite brutal. He added that Emilia Clarke's character had waited 'years and years' to get to Westeros and take what is hers, adding that she had to fight an army of 'literal dead people.' Explaining the losses she's endured, he recalled how she was nearly killed and had lost Jorah and Missandei along the way, as well as being mad that her love interest Jon Snow has a better claim to the Iron Throne than her. He added: 'Shes sick of it. Shes p***ed off and shes lost her mind', stating that her changes are 'genuine character development'. Isaac's words came as another star of the franchise has weighed in on the petition. Jacob Anderson, who plays Grey Worm, told TMZ that the backlash 'sucks', and also branded the negative reaction 'insulting' to the cast and crew who have worked so hard on the production. Meanwhile, petition creator Dylan D opened up about his appeal going viral and explained that it was originally supposed to be a way he could vent. Isaac, who plays Bran Stark (left) slammed the petition as 'ridiculous' He said: 'I was just so disappointed and angry. It was simply me venting a bit. I think this message is one of frustration and disappointment at its core.' The Texas native continued: There is so much awful crap going on in the world, people like me need to escape into things like Star Wars and Game of Thrones. 'We fans invested a wealth of passion and time into this series... I love this story, and I, like most of you, was crushed to see how the last season (and season 7, lets be real) has been handled. I didnt make this petition to be an entitled, whiny fan. I made it because I was immensely disappointed and needed to vent. 'Do I have a solution? Ive got plenty of ideas, but no, Im not a Hollywood writer. But you dont need to be a mechanic to know your car is broken.' Game Of Thrones is available to stream on NOW. It was an emotional day for Sheinelle Jones when it was officially announced last month that she would be the new co-host of the fourth hour of Today. After all, competition included up to 60 potential contenders - a mix of celebrities and other TV personalities - who have been rotating co-hosting duties alongside Jenna Bush Hager since Hoda Kotb, 61, bowed out in January 2025. 'To have a show like this is beyond my wildest dreams,' Jones, 47, said on landing the sought-after position. 'This is the real deal, and I get to do it with Jenna.' Bush Hager, 44, who has been hosting the fourth hour since 2019, was just as excited, telling her: 'I'm so happy you're here. I knew I was going to cry before you walked out, I tried not to.' But little do fans know just how big of a dream it was for the broadcaster from Wichita, Kansas, to land a much-coveted role, one she had spent her younger years manifesting through affirmations and motivational quotes. 'This was a dream, not only to be on national television, I think to be specifically on the Today Show, which I think may be the dream of many people, but she got it done,' her former co-host Mike Jerrick from Fox29's Good Day Philadelphia told the Daily Mail in an exclusive interview. Sheinelle Jones will be taking over as the new co-host for the fourth hour of the Today show on January 12 after being part of the third hour since 2019 She will host alongside Jenna Bush Hager, who has hosted the fourth hour since 2019. Hoda Kotb left in January 2025 with Bush Hager cohosting with 60 rotating names in the interim 'I think she had posters of national TV people up in her bedroom in Wichita. So, this is full circle. I mean, that's why I'm so thrilled for her. I don't think most people's ultimate dreams come true.' Noting that she was a 'huge fan of Oprah [Winfrey]', Jerrick, 75, said that Jones 'used to talk a lot about Oprah' and how meeting the television icon for the first time - she notably interviewed her in 2022 - saw Jones come close to 'passing out. Before a life on screen became reality, Jones' childhood played out in a 1,500 square foot ranch-style home - a far cry from the $1.4 million property she lives in today in Livingston Manor, New York. As a youngster she 'had great role models,' according to Jerrick who said her story was not a case of rags to riches. Her mother Sheila Kinnard, is a retired schoolteacher, and her father Cardozie 'C.' Darnell Jones II, was a former judge of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, who was nominated by President George W. Bush. Her grandmother, Josephine Brown - who died on New Year's Eve at the age of 96, was the head of the school board of Wichita, while her grandfather, Dr. Val Brown Sr., who died, aged 98, in 2022 was a physician. Jones has talked fondly of her past, telling MSNBC in 2020 how her grandmother helped push her to achieve her dreams. 'I remember coming home one day in middle school and I was like, "Oh man, English is easy,"' she said. 'And the next day, [my grandmother] walks with me to class and talks to the principal. And next thing you know, I'm in AP English.' Jerrick, who worked with Jones for five years and remains a co-host on the Fox29 morning show, believes she had 'nothing but support' throughout her childhood, and even spilled that Jones 'never had anything negative to say about her upbringing.' Jones' former co-host, Mike Jerrick of Fox29's Good Day Philadelphia, called her new position a 'full circle' moment in an interview with the Daily Mail (pictured together in 2013) Jones opened up about her childhood stating she was a 'the product of divorce twice,' but that she was grateful for her 'beautiful blended families' (pictured with her sister Keesha) Although she was born in Philadelphia, Jones grew up in Wichita, Kansas - in a ranch-style 1,500 square feet home (pictured). Today, she lives in a $1.4 million home in Livingston Manor, New York And despite being 'the product of divorce twice,' she was grateful for her 'beautiful blended families.' Jones has five half siblings: Cardozie Jones, Keesha Williams-Elliott, twins Fernando Jones and Antonia Thomas, and Pace Kinnard. After graduating Wichita Heights High School in 1996, Jones went on to attend Northwestern University where she received her bachelor's degree in journalism. It is here that she met her late husband, Uche Ojeh she was a freshman at the time and he was a prospective high school senior who was touring the Evanston, Illinois-based campus. Jones clearly inherited her grandmother's drive, a trait that has no doubt helped her journey to the Today show. For during her sophomore year, she successfully begged BET Networks for a summer internship. 'I slept on [my sisters] couch she was [studying] at Howard [University]. And I worked at Rainbow at the mall to make money, because [I wasnt] getting paid,' she revealed. Her first broadcast job out of college was for WICS-TV in Springfield, Illinois. She then went on to work at KOKI-TV, the Fox affiliate in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she worked as an evening news anchor and reporter. Following this, she worked at WTXF-TV, the Fox O&O (owned-and-operated station) in Philadelphia, where was at Fox29's Good Day Philadelphia station for nine years before leaving in March 2014. Jerrick believes that Jones didn't want to leave Philadelphia since she loved being close to her father and raising the kids around him. Jerrick said that Jones 'had great role models' growing up, including her grandmother, Josephine Brown - who recently passed away at the age of 96 - and mother Sheila Kinnard Jones met her husband, Uche Ojeh, at Northwestern University where she attended college. They were married for nearly 18 years before he passed away in May 2025 from brain cancer The couple welcomed three children together: eldest son Kayin, 16, and 13-year-old twins Clara and Uche 'She never talked specifically about trying to leave Good Day Philadelphia,' he said. 'I don't think it was on her mind. She was trying to raise three kids here. I don't think it was in the forefront of her mind to move on, but when the opportunity came, she jumped at it, and I think reverted back immediately to the dream that she had.' She joined Today in October 2014 as part of Weekend Today. In January 2019, she became co-host on the third hour of Today. She was out on medical leave for six weeks in 2020 to have surgery to remove lesions from her vocal cord and was unable to speak for two weeks. More bad news followed. In late 2024, she took another leave of absence from the Today show, but this time to be by her husband Uche's side. On May 23, 2025, the morning show announced her husband of nearly 18 years had died after he was diagnosed with aggressive glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. He was 45. The couple have three children: son Kayin, 16, and 13-year-old twins Clara and Uche. Jones previously opened up about suffering a miscarriage in her 2021 documentary, The Stories We Tell: The Fertility Secret. Taking up her new position on Monday will be a bittersweet moment for Jones whose husband and grandmother won't be able to witness her achieving her dream. But despite what will inevitably be an emotional moment, Jerrick insisted: 'She's resilient. She has a tough soul.' Recalling how she coped after Uche's death, he continued: 'I think the main thing was she had no choice because she had to be strong for those children. Of course they were devastated, but I remember her saying, "I've got to stay strong and not fall apart in front of them because it's frightening for them. They lost their dad. Now, we can't lose our mother mentally or certainly not physically."' Speaking about how Jones handled grief after her husband died, he said: 'I think the main thing was she had no choice because she had to be strong for those children' Jerrick believes that the audience will fall in love with Jones: 'She's a unique on-air talent. There's nothing fake there... She's just incredibly kind and funny' (pictured in a Beyonce costume for Today's Halloween celebration in October 2025) Jerrick added: 'I think the show will be highly successful. Once you get to know her, you can't stop watching her because she becomes your friend on the air. That's just who she is' When they were growing up, Jerrick remembered how she balanced it all: 'Having twins, I know that was a struggle for her. I mean, physically, but she still would get up and do the show. She never was grumpy. It's really remarkable.' Jones' final day on the third hour of the Today show was on January 2. Calling her a 'superstar,' Jerrick believes that the audience will fall in love with her and that she 'will excel at this job', because, naturally, she was the 'best choice'. 'She's just the most genuine person,' he said. 'She's a unique on-air talent. There's nothing fake there... She's just incredibly kind and funny.' And don't expect there to be any drama behind the scenes as Jerrick recalls he 'never heard her talk s**t about anybody else' no matter how 'frustrated' they got on set. In fact, quite the opposite. Jones would try to prevent any negativity in the workplace. Jerrick recalled: 'She would call me out if I used the Lord's name in vain if I got upset about something and started cussing. She said, "Don't do that." And she always reminded me, "Speak it into existence. The words that come out of your mouth are important". So, I think she taught me not to be so negative.' He foresees her new position on the Today show being a seamless transition, especially since he's aware that Bush Hager and Jones have 'become very good friends.' 'I think the show will be highly successful,' he said. 'Once you get to know her, you can't stop watching her because she becomes your friend on the air. That's just who she is.' Nadia Bartel is planning a quiet year spent with family for 2026. The former WAG and designer, 40, has been dating Peter Dugmore for three years - and while the pair do plan to marry, Nadia says she is in no hurry. 'I feel like 2026 is going to be really quiet on the home front,' she told Daily Mail as she attended the Grey Goose party at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday. 'There is nothing too exciting planned I just want to slow down and spend more time with my boys,' Nadia continued. 'This year is about being home, being present and really soaking up that time with my kids.' Work, however, is bound to keep her busy, Nadia admitted. Nadia Bartel (pictured) is planning a quiet year spent with family for 2026 The former WAG and designer, 40, has been dating Peter Dugmore (right) for three years - and while the pair do plan to marry, Nadia says she is in no hurry 'Business is actually the opposite though... there is a lot happening behind the scenes,' Nadia explained. 'We are planning a few overseas trips which is really exciting. 'I will be heading to Dubai and the US and having some big conversations about what the next chapter looks like. 'It feels like the start of a really new and exciting phase for the business.' When asked if marriage is on the cards, Nadia told the Herald Sun at the same event that she will wed again - just when her sons, Aston, 10, and Henley, 7, who she shares with Jimmy Bartel, are older. 'Can you believe that, he hasn't (proposed yet),' Bartel joked. 'Do you know we've barely even spoken about it. It's funny, as you get older, I've been married before, we live together, I don't think about it that much, but it would be nice. 'We will get married one day, once the boys are a bit older.' Nadia added that she still has hopes to use IVF to have a child with Peter. 'It's so special to be able to carry a baby with your partner, it's a unique experience and would be nice for Pete and I to have that,' she said. 'I feel like 2026 is going to be really quiet on the home front,' she told Daily Mail as she attended the Grey Goose party at the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday 'There is nothing too exciting planned I just want to slow down and spend more time with my boys,' Nadia continued 'This year is about being home, being present and really soaking up that time with my kids,' she added Bartel and Dugmore made their first public appearance at the 2024 Australian Open after dating for two years. The Aussie model and designer attended Derby Day in Melbourne last year, where she exclusively revealed to Daily Mail her thoughts on tying the knot with her beau. 'I don't think so,' she shared when asked if there were any wedding plans on the horizon. 'I don't know. I'm not too fussed. We're just really happy,' she added. Nadia went on to say that, despite being married before, she's never been one to want a 'big dream wedding'. 'It's more important to me being with someone that respects me and cares about me and he definitely is the best part of that.' Nadia also broached the topic of marriage with Daily Mail regarding her beau the year prior. 'You know when you've done that then you're like I don't know if I'd do that again,' she said. When asked if marriage is on the cards, Nadia told the Herald Sunat the same event that she will wed again - just when her sons, Aston, 10, and Henley, 7, who she shares with Jimmy Bartel, are older Nadia added that she still has hopes to use IVF to have a child with Peter 'But when you meet someone that you feel like you want to marry it's a good feeling. We are so happy. He's a good boy.' The former WAG also said Peter was 'The One'. 'My love life is going well. It's good. I'm happy,' she told Daily Mail. 'I think he's The One. I do think he is and I think that he's got so many amazing attributes. He's just such a good person. I think the way he makes me feel...' The pair went on a date after Peter slid into the fashionista's Instagram DMs. 'I don't usually respond to Instagram messages, and I don't know if it was because I was feeling lonely, but I responded,' she previously told her Instagram followers. 'I looked at his profile and we had some mutual friends and he looked like a nice guy. He also didn't have a lot of posts and I liked that,' she said. 'I really enjoyed the chats but I never thought I'd ever see this person it was just nice to chat. I was in a good place with my mental health and I didn't want to put myself in a position where I could be hurt again.' The designer eventually met up with Peter at The Tan, a popular running route in Melbourne, and have been together ever since. The Block's Dani Wales has shared a heartbreaking post about losing her firstborn at just ten days old. Dani and fellow Block star Dan Reilly's daughter Billie died in December 2024. In November last year, the couple shared the happy news they were expecting a second baby almost a year after Billie's death. Including a photo of her growing baby bump, Dani reflected on the couple's painful loss. Describing the last 12 months as 'horrific', Dani told followers she was feeling less 'overwhelmed' by her grief. 'Stepping into 2026 with a renewed sense of self, purpose & energy (most days),' Dani wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday. The Block's Dani Wales has shared a heartbreaking post about losing her firstborn at just ten days old Dani and fellow Block star Dan Reilly's daughter Billie died in December 2024 '[After] a horrifically painful year, Im so relieved [it's] now behind me. 'Showing up for others was hard but showing up for myself was even harder at times. 'With so many firsts I should have experienced with my daughter falling in 2025, the weight of getting through the year was a lot to carry,' she added. 'And even though theres still a lifetime of firsts, still to come, it somehow now feels just a little less overwhelming. At least for today anyway. She concluded: 'Im moving into this year with clarity ready to welcome and feel everything coming my way, knowing that my grief will start to walk beside immense joy, and that the two can and will co-exist. 'Its a year of new life, both literally & figuratively. Closing chapters. Opening new ones. New ventures, goals, places & faces and my perfect girl with me every step of the way.' Friends and followers were quick to send messages of support. 'Dani, you are a warrior. Looking forward to reading all your wonderful news this year,' one wrote. 'What an ordeal youve been through, no family should have to endure. Im so looking forward to seeing you bloom this year. Congratulations,' said another. In November last year, the couple shared the happy news they were expecting a second baby almost a year after Billie's death The pair later shared that their daughter experienced distress at birth after a healthy pregnancy. Pictured: During The Block 2025 the psir paid a tribute to Billie 'Dani, you and Dan are amazing. Precious Billie will be with you always, especially as you welcome her little brother or sister xx,' wrote a third person. Alongside her message to her followers was a picture of the reality star walking her two dogs along the water. Dani showed off her baby bump in a black bikini top and cut-off denim shorts. To honour their first daughter's memory, Dan and Dani have established Billie's Besties, a foundation that aims to raise money for the NICU at the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne. The couple tied the knot in 2018 in an intimate ceremony on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, after rising to fame on The Block in 2012. The founder of popular food brand Carman's has revealed she came close to death after choking on a piece of steak. Carolyn Creswell, 52, shared details of her frightening ordeal in an Instagram post on Friday and paid tribute to those who saved her life - including her husband Pete. The entrepreneur and mother of four said her health scare occurred a year ago while hosting a dinner party alongside Pete on their farm in Victoria's Gippsland. After choking on the meat, the millionaire businesswoman passed out and fell to the floor, splitting open her head. While waiting for emergency services to attend the scene, Carolyn's husband and guests tried everything to dislodge the food from her throat and gave her CPR. Four ambulances arrived after 30 minutes and paramedics removed the steak from Carolyn's throat using forceps. Founder of popular food brand Carman's, Carolyn Creswell, has revealed she came close to death after choking on a piece of steak She was then taken to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital via helicopter, where she received nine stitches in her head and was treated for a concussion, broken ribs and a fractured sternum from the CPR. Carolyn also shared photos of her head wound and explained she had to shave off some of her hair during her hospital stay. She added that Pete's life-saving training paid off as he and a friend tried the 'Heimlich manoeuvre' to dislodge the steak and performed CPR. 'Pete had only done his life-saving training on mannequins before, but it really paid off when he needed it in real life,' she said. 'Apparently, it's not good CPR if it doesn't break a few things!' She finished her story with a touching message to everyone who contributed to saving her life. 'As I watch all the kids going to nippers this summer, I just wanted to do a huge shout-out to @lifesavingvic for teaching skills that might save someone's (like mine!) life. 'To the calm and very encouraging lady on the phone at 000 who talked the boys through it. The entrepreneur and mother of four said her health scare occurred a year ago while hosting a dinner party alongside Pete on their farm in Victoria's Gippsland Carolyn is pictured with her family, including husband Pete Creswell 'To my darling husband Pete and amazing [friend] Tim for the CPR.' She also thanked the health professionals at The Alfred Hospital and added a message to her own team at Carman's. 'Eternally grateful every day for a 100% recovery. 'Apparently, they told me in hospital it's always the steak so please chew WELL! And somehow I was offered beef every meal, but it's never my first pick anymore xx' Carolyn started her business at the age of 18 after buying a small muesli company for just $1,000 in 1992. The brand, which offers a range of health foods, is now worth more than $170million. Carolyn married Pete in 2000, and they share four children - Will, Lily, Oliver and Grace. Daily Mail has reached out to the Carman's founder for comment. Jennifer Garner channeled classic Hollywood glamour when she walked the red carpet at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. The 53-year-old actress was dressed to impress as she made her grand return to the iconic awards show for the first time since 2013. Garner who presented at the ceremony with Amanda Seyfried lit up the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills with a sleeveless black Cong Tri gown decorated with glittering crystals. The gown required an eye-popping 1,300 hours of hand embroidery and features 330,000 crystal beads, according to InStyle. The look featured a tiered skirt with short tassels and a slim sleeveless bodice that hugged Garner's fit figure. In addition to the stunning gown, Garner stuck to the monochrome look with a pair of pointy-toed Roger Vivier heels that featured floral designs. Jennifer Garner channeled classic Hollywood glamour when she walked the red carpet at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday. The 53-year-old actress was dressed to impress as she made her grand return to the iconic awards show for the first time since 2013 Garner lit up the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills with a sleeveless black Cong Tri gown decorated with glittering crystals She completed her look by styling her brunette locks with a middle part and thick waves cascading down her shoulders. Garner added some extra sparkle to her sleeveless gown with a thick diamond ring on her right hand and a large feather-shaped diamond-encrusted ring on her left middle finger. Her elegantly made-up face was additionally framed by her long, dangling earrings. Garner was making her return to the Golden Globes in the wake of her ex-husband Ben Affleck's messy split and divorce from his second ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez. Comedian Nikki Glaser will be serving as the master of ceremonies for the second year in a row as she will no doubt have A-listers shaking as she will be bringing her shocking no-holds-barred sense of humor to her hosting duties. 'Hosting the Golden Globes this year was without a doubt the most fun I have ever had in my career,' Glaser, 41, said in a March statement. 'I can't wait to do it again, and this time in front of the team from The White Lotus who will finally recognize my talent and cast me in season 4 as a Scandinavian Pilates instructor with a shadowy past.' When it comes to the nominations it is One Battle After Another who leads the pack with a whopping nine nominations. The Leonardo DiCaprio-starring epic picked up nods in the film categories including Best Picture, Director and Screenwriter, a Best Actor nod for its lead and Supporting Actor recognitions for Benicio del Toro and Sean Penn. The gown required an eye-popping 1,300 hours of hand embroidery and features 330,000 crystal beads, according to InStyle The look featured a tiered skirt with short tassels and a slim sleeveless bodice that hugged Garner's fit figure In addition to the stunning gown, Garner stuck to the monochrome look with a pair of pointy-toed Roger Vivier heels that featured floral designs It will compete against Blue Moon, Bugonia, Marty Supreme, No Other Choice and Nouvelle Vague in the Best Picture - Musical Or Comedy category, with Wicked: For Good a shock snub. Over in Best Picture - Drama, Frankenstein, Hamnet, It Was Just An Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Values and Sinners go head to head. Meanwhile in the TV categories, Netflix smash hit Adolescence built on its success at the Emmys with nods for all of its stars - Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty and 16-year-old Owen Cooper all received nominations alongside a surprise selection for Ashley Walters. The show also picked up a nod in the Best Limited TV Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TV category, alongside All Her Fault, The Beast in Me, Black Mirror, Dying for Sex and The Girlfriend bringing its total to five nominations. The White Lotus narrowly beat Adolescence with six nods, most of which came from the acting categories thanks to its all-star cast. Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty both received acting nominations. Owen, 16, landed a nod in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role TV Series, Limited series or TV Movie. He will compete against his co-star Ashley Walters as well as Billy Crudup, The Morning Show, Walton Goggins, The White Lotus, Jason Isaac, The White Lotus and Tramell Tillman, Severance. Erin is up against fellow Brit Aimee Lou Wood for The White Lotus in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role TV Series, Limited series or TV Movie. When it comes to the nominations it is One Battle After Another who leads the pack with a whopping nine nominations Adolescence stars Owen Cooper and Erin Doherty both received acting nominations with the Netflix hit earning five nods in total Also in the category is Carrie Coon, The White Lotus, Hannah Einbinder, Hacks, Catherine O'Hara, The Studio and Parker Posey, The White Lotus. Irish actor Paul Mescal has secured a nomination in the Best Supporting Male Actor Motion Picture category, competing against Benicio Del Toro, One Battle After Another, Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein, Paul Mescal, Hamnet, Sean Penn, One Battle After Another, Adam Sandler, Jay Kelly and Stellan Skarsgard, Sentimental Value. Best Screenplay saw Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another, Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme, Ryan Coogler, Sinners, Jafar Panahi, It Was Just an Accident and Maggie O'Farrell, Hamnet. Elsewhere in the film categories, Joachim Triers Norwegian family drama Sentimental Value scored eight nominations, just behind One Battle After Another. Ryan Cooglers Sinners got seven nods and Chloe Zhaos Hamnet nabbed five total nods tying its total with that of Jon M. Chus Wicked: For Good. Wicked's sequel was the surprise snub as it missed out in the Best Musical or Comedy category. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were recognised in the acting categories though. Other notable snubs included Sydney Sweeney's lack of nomination for Christy in the Best Actress (drama) category, with Jennifer Lawrence (Die My Love), Tessa Thompson (Hedda) and Julia Roberts (After The Hunt) included alongside surprise star Eva Victor for her performance in the independent US film Sorry, Baby. Irish actress Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), who is seen as the front-runner, completes the category. The White Lotus narrowly beat Adolescence with six nods though, most of which came from the acting categories thanks to its all-star cast Wicked's sequel was the surprise snub as it missed out in the Best Musical or Comedy category. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were recognised in the acting categories though Irish actress Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) is already a hot favourite to win in the Best Actress (drama) category The Brits already have one gong in the bag, as it was announced last month that Dame Helen Mirren is the recipient of the Cecil B DeMille Golden Globe for lifetime achievement Kathryn Bigelow of Netflix nuclear thriller A House of Dynamite failed to pick up a single nomination as did Bradley Coopers Is This Thing On? Timothee Chalamet is hoping for his first Globes win after four previous nominations and missing out on a tipped win last year for his performance in A Complete Unknown. He earned the Best Actor award at The Critics Choice Awards last week. This year he is up in the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy category for Marty Supreme. One winner has already been announced as Dame Helen Mirren will be the recipient of the Cecil B DeMille Golden Globe for lifetime achievement. Dame Helen will be presented with the prestigious gong, whose previous recipients include Meryl Streep, Alfred Hitchcock and last year's winner Viola Davis, in a ceremony on January 8, three days before the main Golden Globes take place. 'Helen Mirren is a force of nature, and her career is nothing short of extraordinary,' said Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes. 'Her transcendent performances and commitment to her craft continue to inspire generations of artists and audiences alike. It is a profound honour to present her with the Cecil B DeMille award.' Noah Wyle has an enduring friendship with George Clooney. The 54-year-old actor has been pals with the Hollywood icon since they met on the set of medical drama ER more than 30 years ago and explained how the pair share an 'intimate' bond with one another. Speaking to People at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on Saturday, Noah said: 'It's catching up when we can, but always from the point where we last left each other. 'Those bonds that were forged during that show are so lovely and intimate that I feel like we don't have to be totally present in each other's lives to be able to have a context for each other's lives.' The Pitt star continued: 'But he's been a real touchstone figure in my life and one who seems to pop up with great regularity at the right moments. Noah Wyle has an enduring friendship with George Clooney. Seen on Saturday The 54-year-old actor has been pals with the Hollywood icon since they met on the set of medical drama ER more than 30 years ago and explained how the pair share an 'intimate' bond with one another 'So I'm honored to be here to share this one tonight,' he added. Wyle and Clooney, 64, presented each other with awards for their roles in The Pitt and Jay Kelly respectively and the former explained how he would meet with the Ocean's Eleven star whenever their schedules would allow. Reflecting on their last dinner together, he said: 'It was either here in LA at the Chateau Marmont one night when he was in between jobs, or it was in Vancouver when I was working on something and he was in New Vancouver. 'It's one of those... 'Are you in New York right now?' kind of spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous evenings that you think are going to last a couple of hours and end up taking half the night.' Clooney remembered how he first met Wyle back in 1993 as he presented him with his Best Actor award in the ceremony's TV category. The Gravity star said: 'He was wise beyond his years from the very beginning, from the very start. Speaking to People at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards on Saturday, Noah said: 'It's catching up when we can, but always from the point where we last left each other Wyle and Clooney, 64, presented each other with awards for their roles in The Pitt and Jay Kelly respectively and the former explained how he would meet with the Ocean's Eleven star whenever their schedules would allow (l-r) Julianna Margulies as Nurse Carol Hathaway; Eriq La Salle as Doctor Peter Benton; Clooney as Doctor Doug Ross; Anthony Edwards as Doctor Mark Greene; Sherry Stringfield as Doctor Susan Lewis; Wyle as Doctor John Carter Wyle starred on iconic medical drama ER over 254 episodes from 1994 to 2009 'He was also the kindest person ever. We became very dear friends very early. We have remained that way for well over 30 years now.' George added: 'He is a great father. He is a great husband. We all can see what an extraordinary actor he is. I'm very proud to call him a friend. I'm also proud to call him a colleague. And when I grow up, I want to be Noah Wyle.' This comes after Wyle had the support of his wife and kids in a rare outing together just days after one of his career highlights. The actor looked handsome at the Los Angeles premiere for season 2 of his critically-acclaimed series The Pitt - which also happens to be a medical procedural drama - on Wednesday night. Wyle had the support of his wife and kids in a rare outing on January 7 in LA Dad-of-three Wyle was lucky to be joined by his family at the event as he posed on the red carpet with actress wife Sara, 46, and his two eldest children: 23-year-old son Owen and 20-year-old daughter Auden. The actor shares the two kids with make-up artist ex-wife Tracy Warbin whom he was married to from 2000 to 2014. He shares a daughter Frances, 11, with Sara. The Critics Choice Award winner looked dapper in a burgundy suit and showcased his chic style with a matching monochrome beige tie and dress shirt combination. His wife Sara looked stunning in a gold sleeveless gown with a matching clutch. Robert Irwin was left blushing after being quizzed about his love life on national TV. The 22-year-old, who has been linked to multiple gorgeous ladies of late, appeared on the Today show on Monday and was quickly asked if he's single. 'You guys, I'm still blushing when you bring all that up. Goodness me!' Robert, whose face flushed red, told the hosts while turning away from the camera. 'Nothing particularly exciting to report in the love department. I wish there was more I could give you,' Robert continued. He then explained that perhaps he might meet someone at Australia Zoo, where his mother, Terri, met his late father, Steve. It's also where his sister Bindi met her husband, American Chandler Powell. Robert Irwin (pictured) was left blushing after being quizzed about his love life on national TV. The 22-year-old, who has been linked to multiple gorgeous ladies of late, appeared on the Today show on Monday and was quickly asked if he's single 'I'm back in Australia Zoo. That's where my mum and dad met. That's where my sister and her husband met. Our whole family ends up meeting here at Australia Zoo so you know what? I guess this is the place to do it,' Robert said. The Today show hosts then suggested that eligible single ladies should make their way to the zoo to strike up a match with Robert. 'Oh gosh! What have I done!' Robert exclaimed, again blushing bright red. When it comes to his dating life, Robert has been playing the field, according to a new report. Robert has been making the most of his newfound Hollywood fame amid his headline-making run on Dancing With the Stars US. He was recently rumoured to be dating American professional dancer Hailey Bills, 19, and has been spotted on a date with another American starlet, according to a new report. Celebrity gossip account Deux Moi claimed that Robert was recently seen on what appeared to be a date with actress Xochitl Gomez, 19, at upmarket Los Angeles grocery store Erewhon. Xochitl and Robert danced together for the 20th anniversary of Dancing With the Stars US - and viewers could not help but notice their 'chemistry' on screen as they delivered an impressive Jive. Celebrity gossip account Deux Moi claimed that Robert was recently seen on what appeared to be a date with actress Xochitl Gomez, 19, (pictured) at upmarket Los Angeles grocery store Erewhon after they appeared on Dancing With the Stars US He was recently rumoured to be dating American professional dancer Hailey Bills, 19 (pictured) The Baby-Sitters Club star, who won Season 32 of the show in 2023, was a special guest on the episode, standing in for Robert's usual dance partner, Witney Carson. New Idea magazine claimed that Robert is looking for 'Miss right now' and not 'Miss right' - and is too busy 'playing' to find the one. Robert is, 'in no rush to settle down' and is keeping his options open, the magazine alleges. In November 2024, Robert revealed he is still looking for love after his split with long-time sweetheart Rorie Buckey in February 2024. He appeared on Nine's Today show and confessed there was 'no one special' in his life at that time. After being dubbed one of Australia's 'most eligible bachelors' during the segment, a bashful Robert said that dating for him was not easy. 'That's an interesting world to navigate as well with [being in] the public eye and that sort of thing,' he said. Kim Kardashian shared a touching tribute to her lifelong best friend Allison Statter in honor of her 46th birthday on Sunday. The 45-year-old reality star and the nepo baby of Irving Azoff have been close as far back as elementary school since their parents were friends before they were even born. 'Happy birthday to my best friend in the entire world @allisonstatter!' Kardashian - who boasts 494.8 million social media followers - gushed on Instagram. 'I've known you my whole life and couldn't imagine going through life with any other person. I am so proud of you and everything you have accomplished! I love you so much!' The Calabasas socialite previously enlisted Statter to modeled for her $5B shapewear company Skims in 2019, and they collaborated on a 2020 collection for her former beauty brand, KKW Beauty. 'It's so funny to me,' the Blended Strategy Group CEO told Marie Claire in 2021. Kim Kardashian shared a touching tribute to her lifelong best friend Allison Statter in honor of her 46th birthday on Sunday The 45-year-old reality star (R) and the nepo baby of Irving Azoff (L) have been close as far back as elementary school since their parents were friends before they were even born 'People ask me "How did [Kardashian] get you to do that? I'm like "What do you mean? She's my best friend." If she asks me to do something, there isn't anything I wouldn't do for her. 'I didn't make the decision to do that Skims video or the [makeup] collab to become public-facing. I did that because she's my best friend and she asked me to do it, and I wanted to do it for her. And she would do the same for me.' Statter was last pictured with The Kardashians producer-star at the James Bond-themed birthday bash for her momager, Kris Jenner, at Jeff Bezos' $165 million Beverly Hills estate on November 8. The married mother-of-three celebrated her special day with dinner and birthday cake at Mediterranean restaurant Saffy's in LA's trendy Los Feliz neighborhood. Last Wednesday, Kardashian gave her third ex-husband Kanye 'Ye' West a rare shout out on TikTok while vlogging about one of her Aspen ensembles: 'Then I [pair] it with these Yeezy boots. I will say, there is nothing like a Yeezy heel.' The half-Armenian billionaire - who totes elephant-skin Birkins - added: 'I don't know if they ever made these or [if they] just made them for me.' For Christmas, Kardashian reunited with the disgraced 47-year-old Heil Hitler rapper 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 Ye 'has been really working on himself' after backlash over various scandals. The 24-time Grammy winner 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. 'Happy birthday to my best friend in the entire world @allisonstatter!' Kardashian gushed. 'I've known you my whole life and couldn't imagine going through life with any other person. I am so proud of you and everything you have accomplished! I love you so much!' The Calabasas socialite previously enlisted Statter to modeled for her $5B shapewear company Skims in 2019, and they collaborated on a 2020 collection for her former beauty brand, KKW Beauty The Blended Strategy Group CEO was last pictured with Kardashian at the James Bond-themed birthday bash for her momager, Kris Jenner, at Jeff Bezos' $165 million Beverly Hills estate on November 8 Statter celebrated her special day with dinner and birthday cake at Mediterranean restaurant Saffy's in LA's trendy Los Feliz neighborhood Last Wednesday, The Kardashians producer-star gave her third ex-husband Kanye 'Ye' West a rare shout out on TikTok while vlogging about one of her Aspen ensembles: 'Then I [pair] it with these Yeezy boots. I will say, there is nothing like a Yeezy heel' For Christmas, Kardashian reunited with the disgraced 47-year-old Heil Hitler rapper to celebrate the merry holiday with their four children - daughter North, 12; son Saint, 10; daughter Chicago, 7; and son Psalm, 6 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 On November 7, the All's Fair producer-star 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. This 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 brunette beauty's other upcoming projects include producing and starring in season eight of The Kardashians and Amazon's live-action Bratz film for Amazon MGM Studios. Kardashian is also 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. Hollywood skinny has definitively made its comeback, as the stars proudly displayed their enviably svelte figures on the Golden Globe Awards red carpet Sunday. With the Ozempic craze bringing the curtain crashing down on the body positivity era, celebs galore were decked out in outfits that emphasized their petite frames. Jenna Ortega, who has long been hailed for her waiflike form, flaunted her figure in a skintight black gown with peekaboo slits down the sides of her torso. Robin Wright appeared slenderer than ever on Sunday's red carpet, heightening the impact of her already pin-thin body by wearing a sleekly slimming black dress. The House of Cards actress radiated a youthful luminescence as she strode up the stairs towards the hall where the awards show will be held. Meanwhile Kathy Bates, who has confessed Ozempic helped her shed the last 15 to 20 of the staggering 100lbs she lost in recent years, played up her new physique. Hollywood skinny has definitively made its comeback, as stars from Robin Wright (left) to Jenna Ortega (right) proudly displayed their enviably svelte figures at the Golden Globes Meanwhile Kathy Bates, who has confessed Ozempic helped her shed the last 15 to 20 of the staggering 100lbs she lost in recent years, played up her physique with a well-placed sash The sash of her navy floral gown was placed right at her midsection, drawing viewers' attention to the 77-year-old's whittled-down torso. Gayle King's reduced frame was draped in a tight off-white gown, and she struck a pose with a hand at her waist, throwing her hourglass shape into sharp relief. The news anchor lost 25lbs a decade ago before Ozempic became a Hollywood trend, and in contradistinction to her best friend Oprah Winfrey she has never discussed falling back on weight loss drugs. Selena Gomez, who was trailed by a stream of Ozempic rumors last year after losing weight ahead of her wedding, also amplified her trim proportions in black. Gomez's raven-colored gown was topped with white showgirl feathery fringe around the neckline, adding a festive air to the ensemble. She glowed with wedded bliss as she clung to her besuited new husband and professional collaborator, the music producer Benny Blanco. Her fellow songstress Miley Cyrus was the image of a willowy pop goddess in a sequined black gown that glistened as the lights fell on it. Priyanka Chopra sent ripples of unconfirmed Ozempic gossip around social media with her recent appearance at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia. Gayle King's reduced frame was draped in a tight off-white gown, and she struck a pose with a hand at her waist, throwing her hourglass shape into sharp relief Selena Gomez, who was trailed by a stream of Ozempic rumors last year after losing weight ahead of her wedding, also amplified her trim proportions in black She glowed with wedded bliss as she clung to her besuited new husband and professional collaborator, the music producer Benny Blanco Priyanka Chopra sent ripples of unconfirmed Ozempic gossip around social media with her recent appearance at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia Melissa McCarthy's tight black dress had a vertical row of metallic accents down the front, highlighting how much flatter her stomach has become Stand-up comic Nikki Glaser modeled an off-the-shoulder bubblegum princess ball gown that was cinched in over her taut midriff Love Island USA alum Olandria Carthen's already sylphlike body was yanked in even further by an eye-popping corset that also amplified her ample cleavage For her new outing at the Golden Globes, she made another splash in a deep blue gown with a fitted lame top that pulled focus to her streamlined body. Meanwhile Melissa McCarthy's tight black dress had a vertical row of metallic accents down the front, highlighting how much flatter her stomach has become. McCarthy's recent weight loss was so pronounced it led Barbra Streisand to ask her in an Instagram comment whether she had used Ozempic, a supposition the Bridesmaids actress has neither confirmed nor denied in public. Stand-up comic Nikki Glaser modeled an off-the-shoulder bubblegum princess ball gown that was cinched in over her taut midriff. Glaser, who is hosting the awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, is a staunch advocate of weight loss injectables but has never said she uses them herself. Love Island USA alum Olandria Carthen's already sylphlike body was yanked in even further by an eye-popping corset that also amplified her ample cleavage. Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher made a rare red-carpet appearance together at the 2026 Golden Globes on Sunday night, marking their first awards show outing in four years. The longtime couple, who have largely kept a low profile in recent years, coordinated in classic black-and-white ensembles for the ceremony at The Beverly Hilton. Kunis turned heads in a strapless, tea-length dress with a distinctly '60s silhouette, featuring damask embroidery and a corseted bodice. She accessorized the look with diamond spray earrings and wore her brunette hair in a sleek side part. Kutcher, meanwhile, opted for a sharply tailored black tuxedo, committing fully to a monochrome palette that extended from his shirt and bow tie down to his shoes. Their appearance marked their first awards show together since 2022, when they last walked the red carpet as a couple at the Oscars. Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher made a rare red-carpet appearance together at the Golden Globes on Sunday night, marking their first awards show outing in four years The duo's most recent public date night prior to Sunday came in August, when they were spotted celebrating Kunis' birthday over dinner. The low-key outing comes after a turbulent few years for the pair, who were once among Hollywood's most in-demand stars. Kutcher, now 47, has made only a handful of public appearances since 2023, while Kunis, 42, has also largely stepped back from the spotlight. The couple faced intense backlash after Danny Masterson - their former That '70s Show co-star - was convicted in 2023 of raping two women. Public outrage erupted after letters written by Kutcher and Kunis in support of Masterson, urging leniency ahead of his sentencing, surfaced online. Both later issued public apologies, and Kutcher stepped down from leadership roles tied to his anti-child-sexual-abuse charity. Scrutiny intensified again in 2024 when longtime friend Sean 'Diddy' Combs became the subject of a federal investigation and subsequent conviction on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Kutcher, who had spoken openly over the years about his friendship with the rapper, has remained publicly silent as the case unfolded. Despite the controversies, sources say Kutcher has been quietly preparing for a professional return. The longtime couple, who have largely kept a low profilein recent years, coordinated in classic black-and-white ensembles for the ceremony at The Beverly Hilton Kunis turned heads in a strapless, tea-length dress with a distinctly '60s silhouette, featuring damask embroidery and a corseted bodice The actor is set to appear in Ryan Murphy's upcoming FX series The Beauty, which premieres next month and marks his first major acting role in years. He has recently resumed promotional activity, including public appearances and renewed social media engagement, as he attempts to reintroduce himself to audiences. 'Back in the day Ashton was a huge player in Hollywood,' one insider previously told the Daily Mail. 'Now he's pinning all his hopes on his new series to put him back in the spotlight.' Kutcher has also shifted focus toward business ventures, including high-profile investments in technology startups and a stake in Soho House & Co., moves insiders have described as part of a broader effort to rebuild influence within Hollywood's inner circles. Meanwhile Kunis recently appeared in Wake Up Dead Man, part of the Knives Out franchise, her first major film role in several years. Timothee Chalamet has soared over Leonardo DiCaprio - who stars in One Battle After Another - as the betting favorite to win the coveted Best Actor Oscar as he earned the top honor at the Golden Globe Awards 2026 for Marty Supreme (directed by Josh Safdie). Before Award season it was 51-year-old DiCaprio who was the odds favorite to take home the coveted gong, but now Chalamet is a massive favorite to win the top acting prize at March's Academy Awards according to regulated exchange and prediction market Kalshi. However, DiCaprio's flick One Battle After Another (directed by Paul Thomas Anderson) did earn the last laugh at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Californiaon Sunday night as the film not only triumphed over Chalamet's project but also beat out Blue Moon, Bugonia, No Other Choice, and Nouvelle Vague for Best Picture - Comedy Or Musical. Timothee Chalamet has soared over Leonardo DiCaprio - who stars in One Battle After Another - as the betting favorite to win the coveted Best Actor Oscar as he earned the top honor at the Golden Globe Awards 2026 for Marty Supreme (directed by Josh Safdie) Before Award season it was 51-year-old DiCaprio who was the odds favorite to take home the coveted gong, but now Chalamet is a massive favorite to win the top acting prize at March's Academy Awards according to regulated exchange and prediction market Kalshi Meanwhile, 30-year-old Chalamet surely had tongues wagging as he barely acknowledged girlfriend Kylie Jenner during his acceptance speech for Marty Supreme One Battle After Another was the most awarded film of the night with four but will no doubt face stiff competition in the Oscars race from Hanmet (directed by Chloe Zhao) as it earned the last award of the night in the Best Picture - Drama category over Frankenstein, It Was Just An Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, and Sinners. On the television side, it was The Pitt (created by R. Scott Gemmill), The Studio (created by Evan Goldberg, Alex Gregory, and Peter Huyck), and Adolescence (created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne) which earned wins in the drama, comedy or musical, and limited series categories, respectively. Meanwhile, 30-year-old Chalamet surely had tongues wagging as he barely acknowledged girlfriend Kylie Jenner during his acceptance speech for Marty Supreme. The French-speaking actor had another major awards show moment as he earned Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and abruptly ended his speech by saying: 'To my parents and partner, I love you. Thank you so much.' It was noticeably a much more muted acknowledgement for Jenner, 28, as he boldly declared her love for her at last week's Critics Choice Awards 2026. Chalamet beat out an impressive field led by Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another as the field also featured: George Clooney - Jay Kelly, Ethan Hawke - Blue Moon, Lee Byung-Hun - No Other Choice, Jesse Plemons - Bugonia. One Battle After Another led all winners with four including the aforementioned Best Picture - Comedy Or Musical gong along with Best Director and Screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson and a surprise Best Supporting Actress win for Teyana Taylor. However, DiCaprio's flick One Battle After Another (directed by Paul Thomas Anderson) did earn the last laugh at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Californiaon Sunday night as the film not only triumphed over Chalamet's project but also beat out Blue Moon, Bugonia, No Other Choice, and Nouvelle Vague for Best Picture - Comedy Or Musical One Battle After Another has already had a very successful Awards Season 2026 run but will face a formidable opponent in Hamnet - starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal - which earned the top prize Best Picture - Drama Jessie Buckley earned one of the top acting gongs of the night as she earned Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for Hamnet One Battle After Another has already had a very successful Awards Season 2026 run but will face a formidable opponent in Hamnet - starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal - which earned the top prize Best Picture - Drama. Buckley earned one of the top acting gongs of the night as she earned Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama. The 36-year-old Irish actress triumphed over an A-list field including: Jennifer Lawrence - Die, My Love, Renate Reinsve - Sentimental Value, Julia Roberts - After the Hunt, Tessa Thompson - Hedda, and Eva Victor - Sorry, Baby. On the television side, it was Netflix's Adolescence that had the biggest night as it swept their categories including 16-year-old star Owen Cooper becoming one of the youngest Golden Globe Awards winners of all-time. The teenage actor was recognized in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role TV Series, Limited series or TV Movie category. His Adolescence co-star Stephen Graham later earned Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TV. It was a massive night for the Netflix series as Erin Doherty also earned Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role TV Series, Limited series or TV Movie. On the television side, it was Netflix's Adolescence that had the biggest night as it swept their categories including 16-year-old star Owen Cooper becoming one of the youngest Golden Globe Awards winners of all-time After winning at last week's Critics Choice Awards 2026 as he was earned Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series Drama for The Pitt (created by R. Scott Gemmill) Another big winner was The Studio as it earned Best TV Series Musical or Comedy in addition to a Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series win for Seth Rogen Adolescence swept their categories as it finished the night winning Best Limited TV Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for TV over: All Her Fault, The Beast in Me. Black Mirror, Dying for Sex, and The Girlfriend. Noah Wyle kept up his winning ways after winning at last week's Critics Choice Awards 2026 as he was earned Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series Drama for The Pitt (created by R. Scott Gemmill). Wyle also led the beloved HBO show to the top television honor as The Pitt was honored with Best TV Series - Drama. Another big winner was The Studio as it earned Best TV Series Musical or Comedy in addition to a Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series win for Seth Rogen. Up on stage to collect his Best Actor award at the Critics Choice Awards last Sunday, Timothee Chalamet gushed over his reality star girlfriend Kylie Jenner. 'Thank you to my partner of three years. Thank you for your foundation, I love you,' he boldly declared. 'I couldn't do this without you.' Jenner, 28, appeared almost moved to tears. What a difference a week makes. On his feet again to accept the Best Acting award for his lead role in Marty Supreme at the Golden Globes this weekend, 30-year-old Chalamet seemed almost in a rush as he abruptly closed out his speech, saying: 'To my parents and partner, I love you. Thank you so much.' Some had already thought it odd that the French-speaking actor walked the red carpet alone at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles - and without a glittering Jenner, who was left to show off her stunning gold sequin dress on Instagram earlier in the evening. But even fewer noticed what appears to have been a tense, off-camera interaction between the couple. Finally united inside the venue at their table, and as they took their seats with fellow celebrity guests before the ceremony got underway, snatched footage reveals a seemingly fierce exchange - no matter how much they tried to mask their tense words behind smiles. Now, lipreader Nicola Hickling has exclusively deciphered those words for the Daily Mail. As they took their seats with fellow celebrity guests before the ceremony got underway, snatched footage reveals a seemingly fierce exchange between Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamalet Lipreader Nicola Hickling has exclusively uncovered the exchange for the Daily Mail At the start of the alleged argument, Hickling claims, Chalamet can be seen leaning in toward Jenner and telling her: 'You must hate me.' Jenner is all smiles but is believed to reply, 'Yes,' before the actor asks in her ear, 'Were you worried?' Jenner then allegedly answers, 'It was a bold yes.' At this point, her smile begins to fade, as Chalamet moves to take his seat and appears to say, 'You look bothered.' Hickling claims the Kylie Cosmetics founder then tells her boyfriend, 'Not here. You're annoying.' The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Jenner and Chalamet for comment. The Hollywood night was another big win for Chalamet, whose new ping-pong drama Marty Supreme is making a cinema splash. Accepting the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, Chalamet reserved his most effusive words for his director, Josh Safdie. 'Thank you for this role. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for this portrait, for your mind, for your world view,' he said. At the start of the alleged argument, Hickling claims, Chalamet can be seen leaning in toward Jenner and telling her: 'You must hate me' Chalamet moves to take his seat and says, 'You look bothered' Hickling claims the Kylie Cosmetics founder told her boyfriend, 'Not here. You're annoying' Jenner and Chalamet's appearance at the Golden Globes on Sunday marks their third outing as a couple at the annual awards event. The notoriously private pair were first linked back in early 2023 - after being spotted happily chatting at a show during Paris Fashion Week. Ever since, it's been passionate kisses at Beyonce concerts, holding hands on the red carpet and even, last month, lurid matching orange-leather ensembles at the LA premiere of Marty Supreme. But there have also been the unavoidable problems. Most notable was Chalamet's apparent refusal - until last weekend - to ever discuss the relationship in public. For a December 2025 cover interview with Vogue, he bluntly told the magazine: 'I just don't have anything to say.' As far back as last October, the Daily Mail exclusively reported that opposing views on marriage and children had allegedly driven a wedge between the couple. At the time, a source said Chalamet was 'on the brink of calling it quits' because his 'career is skyrocketing and the last thing he wants right now is to be a father.' News followed in November that he had 'broken up with Kylie' - who has two children with rapper Travis Scott - before reports the following month that they were 'back on.' 'They cool down and they heat up,' an insider told the Daily Mail at the time. Rose Byrne has won her first Golden Globe. The Aussie actress broke down as she took home the Best Actress Motion Picture Musical or Comedy award for her leading role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You. The Bridesmaids star, 46, was visibly shocked by the win and admitted she hadn't prepared a speech as she took to the stage to accept her statue at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. She said her brother George was her date on the night and revealed the bizarre reason her husband, US actor Bobby Cannavale, could not attend the awards show. 'Thanks to my husband Bobby. He isn't here because we're getting a bearded dragon, and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey,' she said. She then thanked the producers of the movie - while joking about its relatively modest budget. Rose Byrne has won her first Golden Globe and broke down in tears as she took home the Best Actress Motion Picture Musical or Comedy award for her leading role in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You in Los Angeles on Sunday night She said her brother George was her date on the night and revealed the bizarre reason her husband, US actor Bobby Cannavale, could not attend the awards show Rose Byrne wins for Best Actress in Musical or Comedy for her role in #IfIHadLegsIdKickYou at the #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/0hjG8d8208 The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 12, 2026 'I didn't prepare anything, but - I didn't sing in this movie, guys. Thank you so much my fellow nominees, I just can't believe I'm here,' Rose said. 'Thank you so much, and thank you to A24 and to our brilliant producers, to Josh Safdie, Eli Bush, Ronnie Bronstein, Sarah Murphy, Ryan - everyone at A24 - thank you so much. 'Thank you for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. We shot this movie in 25 days for like $8.50! 'Thank you so much. This is like a tiny film, so this is a huge thing to be up here. And my brother's my date! Thanks, George. Thanks to, you know, my mum and dad who bought Paramount Plus so they could watch the Golden Globes from Sydney.' Rose beat out some strong competition for the award, including Cynthia Erivo for Wicked For Good and Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue. She stunned on the night, wearing a chic plunging neon green Chanel gown featuring a flowing train, paired with statement jewellery from the same label. Her brunette hair was elegantly styled in soft glossy waves and her makeup was flawless. Rose is tipped to earn her first Oscar nomination for her lead role in the intense new psychological drama, in which she portrays a mother struggling to hold her life together. 'Thanks to my husband Bobby. He isn't here because we're getting a bearded dragon, and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey,' she said. Pictured together in 2020 She stunned on the night, wearing a chic plunging neon green Chanel gown featuring a flowing train, paired with statement jewellery from the same label Rose is tipped to earn her first Oscar nomination for her lead role in the intense new psychological drama, in which she portrays a mother struggling to hold her life together If she does win the Oscar, Rose will become one of only three Australian actresses to ever take home the Best Actress prize. Last week, the Two Hands star found herself in a toe-curling awkward position at the Film Critics Circle Awards in New York on Tuesday when the presenter, actor Ethan Hawke, called her out on stage. Hawke was handing her the Best Actress award for the film, when he decided to dredge up a decades-old online review Rose had written about his first novel, The Hottest State. Posted in 2010 under the username 'Rose' on Goodreads, the review gave the book two stars. The actress wrote: 'Released 13 years ago so I am a bit behind but found it lazing around on set and was a lovely easy read for a couple of days.' 'It's kind of like a Ryan Adams song but not as good,' she brutally added. At the time of her review, Rose would have been filming her TV drama Damages. According to celebrity blog Showbiz411 , 'Hawke was howling as he recalled finding the review on the Goodreads website.' Clips of the ceremony show Rose visibly embarrassed as she stepped onto the stage to accept her award. Jessie Buckley celebrated her huge Golden Globes success with her husband Freddie Sorensen before rejoicing in Hamnet's win with her co-star Paul Mescal. The actress, 36, who was the toast of Hollywood on Sunday evening, was awarded the Best Actress gong for Hamnet, which also picked up Best Film. Jessie toasted her win with her rarely-seen partner, who carved out a varied behind-the-scenes career in TV before stepping away to work in mental health. She recently revealed that Freddie will 'never walk the red carpet with her' due to his career, but he was by her side when she attended the Globes. Jessie, exchanged vows with Freddie in 2023, and she insists the sensitive nature of his profession means he should remain anonymous. But speaking on stage during her acceptance speech, Jessie did reference her husband and joked he had been 'enjoying the free canapes and cocktails'. Jessie Buckley celebrated her huge Golden Globes success with her husband Freddie Sorensen before rejoicing in Hamnet's win with her co-star Paul Mescal The actress, 36, who was the toast of Hollywood on Sunday evening, was awarded the Best Actress gong for Hamnet, which also picked up Best Film (pictured with co-star Paul Mescal) But Freddie wasn't the only man Jessie was celebrating with at the ceremony, as she also spent the evening soaking up her success with her screen love Paul. The co-stars, who have formed a firm friendship since shooting the film, were pictured larking about after their movie collected the top honour. Paul, 29, was playfully snapped biting into the card which announced their film as the winner, while Jessie leant over to also grab it in her mouth. Jessie recently set tongues wagging when she claimed she could 'drink Paul like water' after working with him on the criticially acclaimed picture. Last week at the Critics Choice Awards, she spoke directly to Paul who was sat in the audience and showered the hunky actor with compliments. At one point she referred to her co-star's heartthrob status, telling him: 'I bl**dy love you, man, and I know loads of other women do in this room too, but tough s**t!' Paul's laughter then turned to tears as Jessie gushed from the podium: 'You're a giant of the heart and thank you so much for making me a little bit more human.' But last night she clarified her comments, saying: 'I just wanted to clarify what I meant by that. I meant that he is essential to what I need as an actor and what I've discovered as an actor is possible in what we do in our work. Jessie toasted her win with her rarely-seen partner, who carved out a varied behind-the-scenes career in TV before stepping away to work in mental health (pictured together) She recently revealed that Freddie will 'never walk the red carpet with her' due to his career, but he was by her side when she attended the Globes 'He brings you to the core of your humanity and once know what that is, it becomes like water.' Responding to Jessie's kind words, Paul said: 'Jessie I think I said this, but when the dust settles on this awards chat, they're gonna be studying what she did in Hamnet in drama school - they are going to be talking about this forever. 'It's one of the greatest performances we're going to be seeing for years. And we can celebrate the film for the next couple of weeks. We're going to be celebrating her. 'But the big celebration will be in 10, 15, 20 years time. We're going to be celebrating what she did forever.' As well as gushing over her husband, during the evening Jessie also hailed Julia Roberts a 'hero' as she beat her to ther Best Female Actor in a Drama category. Jessie's performance in Hamnet saw her take the prize ahead of the Hollywood legend, who was shortlisted for After the Hunt. She paid a heartfelt tribute to all her fellow nominees, including Jennifer Lawrence (Die, My Love), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), Tessa Thompson (Hedda), and Eva Victor (Sorry, Baby). The co-stars, who have formed a firm friendship since shooting the film, were pictured larking about after their movie collected the top honour The co-stars couldn't wipe their smiles off their faces following their huge success It proved to be a big night for Hamnet, starring Jessie and Paul Jessie, exchanged vows with Freddie in 2023, and she preivously insisted the sensitive nature of his profession means he should remain anonymous But speaking on stage during her acceptance speech, Jessie did reference her husband and joked he had been 'enjoying the free canapes and cocktails' Last week at the Critics Choice Awards, she spoke directly to Paul who was sat in the audience and showered the hunky actor with compliments Speaking on stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, Jessie said: 'Oh my God, the incredible women I am honoured to stand beside in this category. 'Julia Roberts, you are a hero to us all, thank you. Jennifer, Renata, Eva, Tessa, I'd watch you any time, anywhere, you blow my mind. 'This is a real, real honour, I love what I do and I love being part of this industry.' As she thanked the cast and crew of Hamnet, Jessie humorously paid particular tribute to a grip, who had happily made soup for everyone on set. She said: 'This is not a normal feeling or situation to be in but thank you Golden Globes, thank you Focus and everybody who supported this film. . 'It was such an extraordinary set to be a part of because we were telling the story of the most famous Brit who ever lived. And we had a Chinese directorlots of Irish, and mostly Polish crew, besides our British family. 'I'd really like to thank our grip, Tomak, because during shooting he started to disappear a little bit and I found him one day at the back of his truck and he was chopping up potatoes, onions and meat and he was making - he'd brought a giant cast iron pot over from Poland - he was making soup, and the soup started turning up on set. 'It was delicious, so thanks Tomak for bringing your pot to set.' Speaking last week to British Vogue, the Irish native revealed that her husband's career as a 'mental health worker' means he has no plans to join her at the Critics Choice Awards. But, Islington-born Freddie has a surprisingly starry CV including a stint working alongside Simon Cowell on the X Factor. Before stepping away from the industry, Freddie worked on producing shows such as ITV's Game of Talents UK with Vernon Kay and later helping revive BBC's Gladiators, producing two episodes of the 2022 reboot, according to iMDB. Meanwhile, in 2016, he also co-launched the 'hipster' startup Rebel Bingo a boozy, high-energy reinvention of the traditional game aimed squarely at younger crowds. Speaking last week to British Vogue, the Irish native revealed that her husband's career as a 'mental health worker' means he has no plans to join her at the Critics Choice Awards (pictured 2022) The Irish star has kept her partner of seven years, Islington-born Freddie, largely out of the spotlight throughout her TV and film career (Freddie pictured left) Jessie won Best Actress at the Critics' Choice Awards for her portrayal of Shakespeare's wife Agnes in Hamnet (pictured 2026) The venture grew out of years Freddie spent staging raucous variety nights at Farringdon town hall, long before he met his future wife. Jessie and Freddie whom she has described as 'extraordinary' tied the knot in romantic surroundings at their idyllic 15th-century home in Norfolk, after five years together. They were introduced by mutual friend Marc Robinson, a senior Universal Records executive whose stars include Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande. Their first date featured a stroll along Regent's Canal in Hackney, east London. Last year, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter who is now four months old. Jessie, who shot to prominence in Andrew Lloyd Webber's BBC talent series I'd Do Anything in 2008, this week told Vogue her husband would not be making a 'red-carpet debut in their immediate future.' She joked instead that while he's been 'having a ball eating canapes' at promotional events for Hamnet, which explores Shakespeare's grief following the death of his young son, he won't be attending the big ceremony. Despite her comments, Freddie has attended the Oscars before. In 2022, he was seen laughing at a star-studded table with Olivia Colman and Maggie Gyllenhaal, while Jake Gyllenhaal sat nearby and Jessie was by his side. While Jessie says Freddie will skip the Oscars, arguably the biggest night of her career, he has, in fact, accompanied her to the ceremony in the past (pictured 2022) Jessie met husband Freddie on a blind date in Hackney, which included a stroll along the Regent's Canal, and the rest is history, with the couple marrying in 2023 (pictured 2025) After retraining at university, Freddie went onto present podcast, Depression For Beginners, which he launched to help others suffering with the disease in the same way he had (pictured 2017) A beaming Jessie was also pictured leaning into her then-boyfriend at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. Freddie's support for the actress, as her profile continues to rise, is also evident on social media, where he regularly shares his admiration for her film work and projects. Alongside his TV career, Freddie ran London party nights with childhood friend James Gordon under the name Red Class a nod to the classroom they once shared. The events evolved into Rebel Bingo Club and later the era-themed party night The End of the World. Rebel Bingo's Instagram page, which boasts more than 3,500 followers, remains active and now promotes 'immersive experiences for brave souls', including haunted bingo events. After leaving television and events behind, Freddie retrained at university and shifted his focus to mental health awareness. He later launched the podcast Depression For Beginners, created to help others experiencing the illness he himself had experienced. Jessie has been tipped for an Oscar at this year's ceremony in March for her portrayal of Agnes Shakespeare in Hamnet, an origin story for Hamlet, in which she stars with Paul Mescal This week, Jessie reflected on her time competing on I'd Do Anything, presented by Graham Norton, where she finished in second place At the time, he wrote: 'A podcast that's basically me trying to make something that might have helped me when I was in the depths of psychological hell.' Freddie also developed Rebel Lectures, a spin-off from Rebel Bingo, which he described in 2017 as an attempt to make learning 'more emotional. More showbiz. More anything.' This week, Jessie also reflected on her early brush with fame on I'd Do Anything, presented by Graham Norton, where she finished runner-up after auditioning for the role of Nancy in Oliver! She said some judges' comments were sexist and overly focused on her appearance, describing the experience as 'brutalising.' Jessie said: 'Back then, I was just trying to move into a space of myself. I really hope that a 15, 17, whatever-age woman never has to be brutalised quite like what happened on that show. 'But I didn't recognise it fully at the time. I just felt it, which was difficult.' He's acquired something of a reputation as one of Hollywood's most eligible bachelors, but Leonardo DiCaprio only had eyes for one woman during his latest red carpet appearance on Sunday evening. Indeed, the young models and actresses one typically associates with the Oscar-winning actor were overlooked as DiCaprio attended the Golden Globes alongside his mother, Irmelin Indenbirken. The Hollywood star was accompanied by Irmelin, 82, as the ceremony got underway at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, but her appearance brought no luck on the night, with DiCaprio going home empty handed after missing out on the award for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. The much fancied DiCaprio, 51, who has won critical acclaim for his starring role in Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, ultimately missed out to Timothee Chalamet and Marty Supreme. Chalamet has soared over DiCaprio as the betting favorite to win the coveted Best Actor Oscar as he earned the top honor at the Golden Globe Awards 2026 for Marty Supreme (directed by Josh Safdie). Before Award season it was DiCaprio who was the odds favorite to take home the coveted gong, but now Chalamet is a massive favorite to win the top acting prize at March's Academy Awards according to regulated exchange and prediction market Kalshi. Leonardo DiCaprio attended the Golden Globes alongside his mother, Irmelin Indenbirken, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday evening But her appearance brought no luck on the night, with DiCaprio missing out on the award for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy However, DiCaprio's flick One Battle After Another (directed by Paul Thomas Anderson) did earn the last laugh at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Californian Sunday night as the film not only triumphed over Chalamet's project but also beat out Blue Moon, Bugonia, No Other Choice, and Nouvelle Vague for Best Picture - Comedy Or Musical. One Battle After Another was the most awarded film of the night with four but will no doubt face stiff competition in the Oscars race from Hamnet (directed by Chloe Zhao) as it earned the last award of the night in the Best Picture - Drama category over Frankenstein, It Was Just An Accident, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, and Sinners. On the television side, it was The Pitt (created by R. Scott Gemmill), The Studio (created by Evan Goldberg, Alex Gregory, and Peter Huyck), and Adolescence (created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne) which earned wins in the drama, comedy or musical, and limited series categories, respectively. Ermelin raised DiCaprio as a single parent in Los Angeles, and credits the success of his acting career with the enduring love she gave him during his childhood. He told Access Hollywood in 2014 that her support after he'd announced, at the age of 12, that he wanted to act was unwavering. He said: 'Shes the only reason Im able to do what I do.' Irmelin was also fiercely protective over her son in the early years of his fame, often putting herself between him and camera-wielding paparazzi. After her own traumatic early years - she was born in Germany in an air raid shelter in 1943 as the Second World War raged across Europe, Irmelin was determined her son would have a better upbringing. In 1998, her mother, Helene Indenbirke, told the German magazine Hellweger Anzeiger, that being born in the tiny village of Oer-Erkenschwick, just north of Dortmund, saw the family endure 'hard times', circumstances that would eventually see them flee to the US, but not until the war had been over for a decade. Irmelin took a seat alongside her son as the annual awards ceremony got underway on Sunday DiCaprio chatted to 25-year old actress Odessa A'zion while his mother observed the action onstage at the Beverly Hilton Irmelin looked appropriately glamorous in a semi sheer gown with intricate lace detailing Irmelin was raised as a teenager in a German community in New York. Her parents would eventually return to their roots three decades later in 1985. After training to be a legal secretary, Dicaprio's mother met his father, George, who sold comic books, in her twenties. The couple reportedly picked their future son's name while on holiday in Florence, after browsing the city's famous masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci. George and Irmelin would separate before little Leo turned one but, the star has said, they co-parented amicably - with George living next door for a period - although the bond he shares with his mother is clearly remarkably strong. Although DiCaprio's childhood in a 'rough' East Los Angeles suburb was easier than his mother's war-time experiences, it wasn't gilded by any means. Irmelin with DiCaprio's dad George, circa 1976; the couple had split before his 1st birthday but George remained a dedicated parent Irmelin has supported her son since he first said he wanted to act at the age of 12 - and remains fiercely protective of her son (Pictured in 1993) He said in 1998: 'It was definitely a rough neighborhood, but it was cool. I got to see a lot of stuff. Its good to grow up like that, I think. Its good to see that side at a young age'. Iremlin has her son to thank for success in her romantic life. She's been dating handsome Scot David Ward, whos thought to be around 72, since her actor son set them up on a blind date nearly 11 years ago. Ward now travels with Iremlin in luxury around the globe. The couple party with A-listers, holiday with supermodels, travel in private jets and hang out on the set of Hollywood blockbusters as they support DiCaprio's career. What's more, Ward's nickname is The Dos Equis Man, in reference to the famous Mexican beer brands adverts, which feature Jonathan Goldsmith who's described as living the dream as the most interesting man in the world. Jessie Buckley was having the night of her life at the Golden Globes after sweeping the board in the major categories - but she was still thinking about her baby girl. Jessie, 36, who was awarded the Best Actress - Drama gong, welcomed her daughter last year with her rarely-seen husband Freddie Sorensen. The fiercely private actress, 35, revealed she was pregnant in April when she showed off her baby bump at a red carpet event, yet did not announce the birth at the time. Speaking in December, Jessie later revealed she had welcomed a baby girl, whose name she has not disclosed, on The New York Times Modern Love podcast. During the evening on Sunday, Jessie was pictured beaming as she sat beside her Hamnet director, Chloe Zhao, ahead of the film being award Best Motion Picture. But eagle-eyed fans will note the image which had flashed up on her iPhone screen, which appeared to be of her baby daughter. Jessie Buckley was having the night of her life at the Golden Globes after sweeping the board in the major categories - but she was still thinking about her baby girl. Eagle-eyed fans will note the image which had flashed up on her iPhone screen, which appeared to be of her baby daughter It is likely that whoever was caring for her daughter during the child-free evening had been spending her picture updates of her baby. During the evening, Jessie was supported by her husband Freddie, 47, who she previously stated would not join her on the red carpet because of his job. Jessie said that because of his role as a mental health worker they would like that he kept his anonymity. When discussing the arrival of her daughter, Jessie revealed that Hamnet, in which she plays a grieving mother, brought out a maternal side to her that she hadn't realised was so strong. Hamnet dramatises the marriage between Anne Hathaway (Jessie) and William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), and the impact of the tragic death of their 11-year-old son Hamnet on their relationship, which inspired Shakespeare's play Hamlet. She explained: 'I'm not surprised I got pregnant a week after I finished filming because I had coaxed... it was also quite intense to have that need while I was in this place of absolute mother and it not be a real thing yet.' Jessie continued: 'There was moments where it broke my heart because I was living this altered world, where I was absolutely that. Well, just be patient... 'I think when I was filming Hamnet, I deeply wanted to become a mother myself. Jessie was awarded the Best Actress - Drama gong for Hamet, which won Best Motion Picture Jessie welcomed her daughter last year with her husband Freddie Sorensen (pictured) The fiercely private actress, 35, revealed she was pregnant in April when she showed off her baby bump at a red carpet event, yet did not announce the birth 'And it was such a gift to move through this woman and her motherhood and her love and her loss before I became a mother myself. 'And I think even getting pregnant and throughout my pregnancy and how I was thinking about what kind of birth I wanted and how I would be autonomous in choosing that as much as I could was very empowering.' Jessie also confirmed that she had welcomed a girl as she detailed the lessons she would like to pass onto her daughter. 'I think the thing I can hope to impart to her, and I'm sure she's going to go on her whole own trajectory, and she should, is we have one life,' Jessie mused. 'And we're always going to be there's always going to be things in our life that are going to make us doubt or be afraid or feel like it would be safer to be smaller in some way. 'And I see this little life that's so new but so full and so untarnished by an idea or a projection of what we're supposed to be. And I just hope that if I can pass anything onto her in the way that my mother's has passed on to me is that all the parts of you are not too much. 'The world needs all of you, and that means incubating the struggles, is like living through the struggles, the shadows. The things that are going to challenge you, you have to metabolize it and incubate it. And there's no too-muchness. It's only to be lived fully.' Hamnet dramatises the marriage between Anne Hathaway (Jessie) and William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), and the impact of the tragic death of their 11-year-old son Hamnet on their relationship, which inspired Shakespeare's play Hamlet Jessie also discussed Hamnet and motherhood on The Graham Norton Show Jessie also discussed Hamnet and motherhood on The Graham Norton Show. Jessie said of Hamnet: 'It is a real peek behind the curtain of who the family man Shakespeare might have been. It's about love, loss, motherhood and storytelling. It was such a gorgeous shoot.' Asked about it being a hugely emotional watch, she said: 'There have been some beautiful moments in putting it out into the world. 'I watched it first when I was eight months pregnant and I was not okay. It was so embarrassing to cry at my own film, but it was so beautiful.' Jessie's pregnancy reveal came a year after she married her partner Freddie/ She has refused to reveal the identity of her mysterious partner - but it has now emerged that they tied the knot one year ago and he is a mental health professional who lives in Islington, north London. The couple split their time between London and Norfolk where the actress moved to in 2022. Jessie has largely refrained from publicly discussing her relationship status following her split from James Norton in pictured in 2017 (pictured together). Last year she announced she had married a man known only at the time as 'Freddie' Jessie announced last year during an episode of Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware that she tied the knot at their home in Norfolk and managed to keep their marriage under wraps for months. She detailed a fun-filled wedding - which featured a keg of Guinness - their 'many moons' instead of one honeymoon and how the pair have been enjoying East Anglia. Speaking about her husband, she gushed: 'He is gorgeous!' The couple split their time 50/50 between east London and Norfolk, where they have a home together. Jessie and Freddie met on a blind date set up by mutual friend Marc Robinson, with whom she worked on her 2018 breakout film Wild Rose. They initially considered settling down in Suffolk where they met due to their associations of falling in love in the place, but were won over by Norfolk. Jessie's wedding came seven years after her self-described 'acrimonious' split from Happy Valley star James Norton, 40, whom she dated from 2015 to 2017. She previously said: 'We have broken up, yes. It was acrimonious, but it's a tough job to have a relationship and he is a great man and we are great friends. That's it. How.' Nicola Peltz has given a glimpse into 'beautiful moments' with her husband Brooklyn Beckham as their row with his parents rages on. After celebrating her birthday on Friday, the actress and heiress, 31, took to Instagram to share images of eye-popping bouquets of roses seemingly gifted by her husband, 26, as well as images of her brother Bradley Peltz and her pet dog. The actress added a caption reading: 'some beautiful moments', while Brooklyn added underneath: 'I love you baby girl xx'. While Nicola showcased her huge haul of flowers, Brooklyn made a suitably gushing tribute to his wife on her birthday, sharing an image of their vow renewal and penning: 'I am the luckiest man to call you my wife'. Her sweet post comes after it was revealed that Nicola had removed all traces of the Beckham family from her social media after Brooklyn blocked his parents and brothers amid ongoing estrangement in the famous family. Nicola Peltz has given a glimpse into 'beautiful moments' with her husband Brooklyn Beckham, who appeared to have bought her hundreds of roses for her 31st birthday, as their row with his parents rages on After celebrating her birthday on Friday, the actress and heiress, 31, took to Instagram to share images of eye-popping bouquets of roses seemingly gifted by her husband, 26, as well as images of her brother Bradley Peltz and her pet dog While Nicola showcased her huge haul of flowers, Brooklyn made a suitably gushing tribute to his wife on her birthday, sharing an image of their vow renewal and penning: 'I am the luckiest man to call you my wife' As well as Brooklyn's blocking and Nicola's deleting, the Daily Mail has revealed that Brooklyn instructed his parents to only contact him through lawyers in a bid to ensure his mental health is protected following their recent olive branch. Earlier this month, in the first public attempt at reconciliation, David shared a picture of his son - yet this has been met with news that Brooklyn doesn't want his parents to contact him, or make public statements about him on social media. It has now been reported that the letter was to protect him, as the recent posts from David and Victoria in which he was tagged or mentioned had affected him. Nicola's input to the latest twist in the tale has seen her remove all traces of the Beckham family from her social media, after Brooklyn blocked his own family. She notably deleted a post which included a birthday tribute to her mother-in-law Victoria, among others. It is said that Brooklyn wants any attempts at reconciliation to happen 'privately' rather than on social media. A source familiar with the row told the Mirror that the situation escalated after his 'requests to stop' had gone ignored: 'It had been leading to issues with his mental health.it was to protect himself'. The source explained that Brooklyn reportedly believes his parents still see him as a child and not as an adult. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Brooklyn and his parents for comment. Join the debate Should family disputes stay behind closed doors? She notably deleted a post which included a birthday tribute to her mother-in-law Victoria (pictured), among others The adored actress was lavished with flowers during her birthday celebrations She shared a stunning image of pink roses she had received for her birthday Meanwhile David and Victoria are holding onto hope for a family reunion after their son Brooklyn quietly defied Nicola amid their ongoing feud. The row escalated on Saturday when Nicola wiped all traces of the Beckhams from her Instagram. In contrast, Brooklyn has not followed suit. Brooklyn's younger brother Cruz previously confirmed that Brooklyn had blocked his entire family on social media following reports they had unfollowed him. And soon after she made it clear her own family were her priority and sticking by her side as she called them 'her crew' and posted sweet snaps with them. One saw her strolling by a huge pool at one of her parents Nelson and Claudia's lavish homes as they all put their arms around each other. She also shared a grid post which featured more family snaps from her recent birthday celebrations and ones of Brooklyn with their dogs. Nicola penned: 'Some of my favorite memories at home - and oh my goodness my mama is the most beautiful human inside and out i wanna be just like her.' Over the weekend Nicola erased all content of the Beckham family from her Instagram account. Last week it was revealed that Brooklyn instructed his parents to only contact him through lawyers (pictured Victoria and David with their children Cruz, Harper and Romeo) Back in 2024, when Victoria turned 50, she was greeted with a slew of incredibly sweet messages from family, friends and fans alike, with Nicola being one of them. Nicola penned: 'Happy birthday to my beautiful mil @victoriabeckham I love you so much and love being your dance partner forever', to which the Spice Girl swiftly responded: 'Love you so much!!!!! xxxxxxx kisses xxxxxxx.' At the time, the post silenced rumours of ill-feeling between the pair, however Nicola has now removed it from her profile. The Daily Mail has contacted Nicola's representatives for comment. Rumours of fallout between the actress and Victoria emerged after Nicola's multi-million-dollar wedding to Brooklyn in April 2022. Nicola is pictured with her own parents Whispers of ructions launched when it was claimed that Nicola refused to wear one of Victoria's eponymous designs - instead opting for various designs from Valentino, Christian Dior and Versace. As the wedding plans were underway, insiders alleged Victoria was displeased with Nicola's reluctance to involve her in the plans for the lavish affair. It was claimed the Beckhams took a backseat on the big day - leading to yet more fury from Victoria, with a source telling Daily Mail: 'The top table was all Peltzs and it really felt as though the Beckhams were not at the forefront... 'There was a feeling that the wedding was all about the Peltz family, as you can imagine, as it was their house and their daughter and their son making the speeches.' Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet's romance caused shock around the globe when their union came to light in 2023. The unlikely pairing of the busty, bikini-loving reality star and the arthouse-starring, indie actor left fans scratching their heads - and on Sunday night their differences were perfectly illustrated in a hilarious snap at the Golden Globes. The couple, aged 28 and 30 respectively, were seated at their table in the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the A-list packed ceremony, during which the Keeping Up With The Kardashians star stuck out her tongue and flashed her two middle fingers. While Kylie was pulling the silly pose - which one X user deemed 'classless' - Timothee remained entirely straight-faced and glared into the camera. X users flooded the site to point out the stark differences between the pair, as their pairing was considered to have 'crazy girlfriend, calm boyfriend energy', while others claimed he looked 'sick of her' - contrary to their steamy PDA through the night. Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet's unlikely pairing was illustrated in an 'iconic' image taken at Sunday night's Golden Globes - as the reality star pulled a 'classless' pose while the indie actor grimaced X users flooded the site to point out the stark differences between the pair, as their pairing was considered to have 'crazy girlfriend, calm boyfriend energy', while others claimed he looked 'sick of her' - contrary to their steamy PDA through the night The couple's steamy romance sent fans wild on after they got cosy during the event Voyeurs took to the microblogging site to pen: 'This pic giving, "me and the bad b*tch i pulled by being weird"... Crazy gf , calm bf energy... 'Now this is what we call ICONIC... Timothee looks like he is sick of Kylies BS rnTimothee chalamet needs to be canceled for dating Kylie Jenner this long... Hollywood is in shambles not watching any of these t**ts... 'I think Timothee is getting tired of Kylies a*s... Kylie for god sake get some class! Even Timothee looks annoyed'. The duo were hitting headlines throughout the evening when their steamy romance sent fans wild due to their hot and heavy behaviour. They shared a number of kisses, while the reality star placed a gentle hand on the victor's lap prior to his Best Actor win for Marty Supreme. Flooding X with excited reactions, fans of the pair observed that the PDA-heavy duo were 'obsessed with each other' while fan pages shared videos of their kisses. At the Critics' Choice Awards earlier this month, Timothee made his most open profession about his girlfriend, saying: 'Thank you to my partner of three years. Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn't do this without you.' One X user insisted that Timothee looked annoyed due to the fact that Kylie was lacking class with her pose The couple were seated next to each other at one of the many tables - and were suddenly approached by Jennifer Lawrence who sparked up a conversation with the pair The couple did not walk the red carpet together, with Chalamet opting to brave the event's photographers alone in an all-black outfit In his speech on Sunday evening, he simply stated: 'For my parents, for my partner - I love you so much', during which Kylie snapped pictures of her boyfriend before he returned to his seat for another smooching session. The couple have been extremely private about their three-year relationship up until his shock professions of love during award season. Last year, they left jaws dropping at the LA premiere for Marty Supreme, when they sported matching orange outfits - in a shift from Timothee's usual indie style. Industry sources told Page Six: 'Timmy's been "Kardashian-ized". Both Timmy and Kylie are just into a different genre, the way they think about life and how they want to live. He has pretty lofty goals.' The duo - whose mutual friend is designer Haider Ackermann - met as far back as 2019 at Nobu Malibu, but they didn't confirm their romance until 2023. Timothee previously dated his The King co-star Lily-Rose Depp, Extrapolations actress Eiza Gonzalez and Madonna's eldest Lourdes Leon. Kylie meanwhile shares two children - Stormi, 7, and Aire, 4 - with AstroWorld founder and rapper Travis Scott and is said to have previously dated Cody Simpson, Jaden Smith, Justin Bieber, Tyga and PartyNextDoor. Last year, they left jaws dropping at the LA premiere for Marty Supreme, when they sported matching orange outfits - in a shift from Timothee's usual indie style Jodie Marsh has broken down in tears on social media as she revealed she has lost 'everything valuable' after a devastating house fire at her farm. The model has been left 'so broken' after two of her beloved animals, which had been hand reared from birth, were tragically killed in the blaze. Jodie, who turned her back on fame to run Fripps Farm in Essex, has now broken her silence on the fire which sadly killed her two marmosets - small monkeys more commonly found in South America. In a teary video, she explained that the accidental insident started from an air purifier setting alight and that the upstairs of her home is 'destroyed'. She said: 'It started from a s***y air purifier I had bought from Amazon and I had only had it for six months and done everything right changing the filters on it and everything and it caught fire. 'It set light to my bedroom and has destroyed the whole of the upstairs of my house, it's destroyed. Jodie Marsh has broken down in tears on social media as she revealed she has lost 'everything valuable' after a devastating house fire at her farm The model has been left 'so broken' after two of her beloved animals, which had been hand reared from birth, were tragically killed in the blaze 'I will be moving as soon as everything is fixed as nobody wants to buy a house like this and I will be going far, far, far away form Uttlesford. 'I don't care about my house being destroyed I've lost everything that is of value to me, I lost two baby marmosets. 'It's broken me beyond belief I've given up my whole life for these animals and those babies meant everything to me', fighting tears she added, 'I'm so broken'. The farm is home to hundreds of animals, most of which the former reality television star says have been rescued. The animals include emus, llamas, alpacas, goats, sheep, cows, pigs, and deer. There is also an enclosure full of peacocks and chickens, with geese and ducks roaming around. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service raced to the scene shortly before 5pm on Saturday afternoon. A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Firefighters were called at 4.56pm to a fire in Lindsell, Dunmow. 'On arrival, the property was full of smoke and crews discovered a fire in the upstairs bedroom. Jodie, who turned her back on fame to run Fripps Farm in Essex, broke her silence on the fire which sadly killed two marmosets - small monkeys more commonly found in South America In a teary video, she explained that the accidental insident started from an air purifier setting alight and that the upstairs of her home is 'destroyed' 'Crews worked hard to extinguish the fire and stop it from spreading. The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental, started by an electrical item.' Fripps Farm is located just north of Dunmow in the North Essex countryside and Jodie has become known for housing many rescued animals at the five acre property. Fripps Farm hasnt been without its controversies amid neighbour rows and court battles. In June of this year, Jodie was left in tears of joy after winning a court battle to keep lemurs at the sanctuary. She had appealed against a councils decision to refuse her application for a wild animal licence. Concerns had been raised about her taking a meerkat to the pub. Former Page 3 girl Jodie said trolls were behind much of the criticism and at a previous hearing, clips of screeching zoo lemurs were played to Chelmsford magistrates court. But Judge Christopher Williams dismissed the councils argument about the animals noise. Tabitha Willett has revealed how she knew how she was going to marry her fiance Harry Hoare after their first date lasted an incredible three days. The pregnant Made In Chelsea star, 33, who is expecting her second child, revealed she began dating Harry at the beginning of last year after 'sliding into his DMs'. The couple had been together just 10 months before Harry got down on one knee during a family holiday to Dubai in October, before they announced it weeks later. Tabitha, who shares her daughter Ottilie with her ex Fraser Carruthers, revealed she and Harry knew each other 'for years' before getting together romantically. Writing for The Wedding Edition, she said: 'We stayed in contact but were never close. It was actually January 1st 2025, at my most single, after putting on my vision board for the year that I wanted to find love... 'That I replied to an Instagram story of his saying we should grab a drink and catch up soon. He loves telling the story that I 'slid into his DMs'. 'We went for a drink, our first date lasted three days, and I called my best friend Ollie Locke after he left and said, I am going to marry this man.' Tabitha Willett has revealed how she knew how she was going to marry her fiance Harry Hoare after their first date lasted an incredible three days The pregnant Made In Chelseastar, 33, revealed she began dating Harry at the beginning of last year after 'sliding into his DMs' to ask him to grab a drink 'It sounds quite unromantic, but I think in your 30s, and as parents (Harry has a daughter too), you want to be sure you are not wasting any time. It was a discussion we had right from the beginning. We aligned on everything and it all felt very uncomplicated. Not full of fire or passion, just easy.' When Harry asked Tabitha to marry him he popped the question with a 'placeholder ring' and she was wearing a long white dress with a cape. Tabitha and Harry had been staying at The Lana, a new hotel which is a part of the Dorchester Collection during their stay. Ahead of the proposal they were enjoying the sunset from the rooftop bar, before returning to their room so that Harry could 'grab something' before dinner. Tabitha revealed that when the door opened their suite was filled with rose petals and candles, and there was a table set on the balcony for a private dinner. The couple began the year with a lavish babymoon in Paris. Tabitha and Harry splashed out on a 1,800-a-night (2,170) stay at the five-star Hotel Plaza Athenee. 'Pregnant in Paris happy dairies', Tabitha captioned her Instagram post. In one of the photos, Tabitha wrapped up warm in a stylish faux-fur coat as she sipped on a hot chocolate at tourist hotspot, Carette. When Harry asked Tabitha to marry him he popped the question with a 'placeholder ring' and she was wearing a long white dress with a cape She revealed in December 2025 that she is expecting her second child, just weeks before she is due to marry the wealthy heir The couple explored art museums and relaxed in the luxury hotel, before they headed out for a fancy dinner at Lafayettes. She wowed in a satin red dress which featured dramatic feathered sleeves as she struck a pose for glam snaps. Tabitha, who returned to the long-running E4 show ahead of its 29th series in March, announced the news of her pregnancy with her Instagram followers. She posted an adorable video of her getting a scan at the hospital, with daughter Ottille at her side. Revealing her diamond-studded engagement ring for the first time alongside various photos of herself alongside her new fiance, Tabitha wrote: 'Love you more than you'll ever know.' Just days after confirming the engagement, Tabitha took to Instagram to say that a 'low-key small wedding' is planned for January. Sharing a picture of wedding dresses, she wrote: 'It's starting... We are actually having a low-key small wedding in January so these are too wedding gowny but so fun to get in the mood.' In the next slide, Tabitha shared a mirror selfie from inside a bridal shop where she was wearing a fluffy white high-neck blouse and tailored trousers. 'If it's not white I'm not wearing it,' she wrote. Tabitha and Harry splashed out on a 1.8K-a-night (2,170) stay at the five-star Hotel Plaza Athenee The couple explored art museums and relaxed in the luxury hotel, before they headed out for a fancy dinner at Lafayettes Just days after confirming the engagement, Tabitha took to Instagram to say that a 'low-key small wedding' is planned for January A formal announcement of her and Harry's engagement was printed by The Times on the newspaper's births, marriages and deaths page A formal announcement of her and Harry's engagement was printed by The Times on the newspaper's births, marriages and deaths page. 'The engagement is announced between Henry (Harry), son of Mrs Virginia Hoare and the late Mr Timothy Hoare, and Tabitha, second daughter of Mr Daniel Willett and Miss Muffin Hurst,' it read. News of Tabitha's engagement would likely come as a surprise to Made In Chelsea fans, who recently watched her brief romance with co-star Arman Pouladian-Kari play out on screen. Tabitha originally joined the Made In Chelsea cast in 2018, during their annual trip to Croatia. She and her ex Fraser, a friend of Prince Harry, dated for four years after meeting when she was hired as a marketing director at his private members' club Albert's. In 2019, they were engaged in Miami with plans to marry at London's Hurlingham Club the following July but had to cancel their wedding due to the pandemic. However, in October 2020, a year after Ottilie was born, they announced they had split. Emma Stone held hands with Alicia Silverstone as they left a Golden Globes after party on Sunday as fans speculated over her taut face. The actress, 37, wore a butter yellow skirt and top combo that flashed her abs, Stone looked incredible as she posed for photographers. Her complexion looked totally wrinkle-free and plump, sparking wild fan-driven speculation that the star might have secretly gone under the knife. Some even branded Stone 'uncanny' as they shared photos of her at the ceremony to social media. Following the ceremony, Emma partied with Alicia Silverstone at an exclusive after party at a private residence in Los Angeles. The two stars were seen putting an animated display as they left the property, heading for waiting cars. Emma Stone held hands with Alicia Silverstone as they left a Golden Globes after party on Sunday as fans speculated over her taut face The actress, 37, wore a butter yellow skirt and top combo that flashed her abs, Stone looked incredible as she posed for photographers Alicia, 49, put on a leggy display with black tights and an oversized triple breasted black jacket for the evening Emma could be seen still in her awards outfit as she led the way, holding Alicia's hand and pulling her. Alicia, 49, put on a leggy display with black tights and an oversized triple breasted black jacket for the evening. After seeing Emma on the red carpet earlier in the night, fans flocked to web forum reddit to comment on her appearance. One said on a fashion thread: 'Her face looks so different to me lately.' Another asked: 'Did she do some procedure on her face or is [it] the make up?' Several Redditors were convinced that Stone underwent a 'face lift' despite only being 37-years-old. One user speculated Stone got a 'nose job [and] fillers,' to which another hastily replied: 'She didn't have a nose job.' Wild rumours around Stone's 'new face' kicked off in September 2025 when she posed for a photo alongside Blackpink's Lisa Manobal at the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2026 show during Paris Fashion Week. After seeing Emma on the red carpet earlier in the night, fans flocked to web forum reddit to comment on her appearance Emma's complexion looked totally wrinkle-free and plump, sparking wild fan-driven speculation that the star might have secretly gone under the knife Emma Stone was among the A-list nominees at the 2026 Golden Globes on Sunday night but it was her noticeably taut face that stole the show; Stone seen left in 2026 and right in 2024 Meanwhile, after this year's Golden Globes ceremony the star-studded guests left for various after parties including Nikki Glaser and Netflix. Jennifer Lopez and Paris Hilton were among the stars who attended Nikki's at Sunset Tower Hotel in Los Angeles. Over at Netflix's party in Spago, Owen Cooper, Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, Ashley Walters and the wider cast of Adolescence could be seen celebrating their win. In one sweet snap, Stephen and his wife Hannah Walters were pictured dancing together as the night progressed. George and Amal Clooney managed to attend both parties and were snapped with Ted Sarandos, Netflix Co-CEO and Nicole Avant. A queue of stars lined up for a picture with Ted, including Will Arnett, Jason Done, Keri Russell and Oscar Isaac. Other stars snapped include Adam Sandler, Claire Danes, Maggie Kang, Michelle Wong and Mark Sonnenblick. Jennifer Lopez, 56, and Jennifer Garner, 53, were both at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton on Sunday. They both looked incredible in form-fitting gowns as they served as presenters for he annual show which saw One Battle After Another win big. But they were not photographed together. The two are closely linked as they were both wed to Ben Affleck - Garner from 2005 until 2018 and Lopez from 2022 until 2025 - and their children are friends. Lopez has twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony and Garner has Violet, Seraphina and Samuel with Affleck. Daily Mail has learned, however, that there is 'no drama' and that they are 'friendly with each other.' 'They get along, they are cool with each other, there are no issues,' the source told Daily Mail. 'They don't want to drum up headlines by posing together at an awards show, that would be awkward. They don't want to create a fuss because it would be hard for the kids.' Jennifer Lopez, 56, and Jennifer Garner, 53, were both at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton on Sunday. They both looked incredible in form-fitting gowns as they served as presenters. But they were not photographed together Daily Mail has reached out to their reps for comment. The insider added they see each other 'often' because their children Emme and Seraphina (who now goes by Finn) are especially close. 'I am pretty sure they see each other like once a week because of the kids, and they talk on the phone, they are co-parenting in a way even though Lopez divorced Ben,' said the source. And Lopez has also been seen separately in the past with Affleck and Garner's son Samuel and daughter Violet so it seems like she keeps up with all the kids. 'They are like one big Modern Family, which is nice. They have all been in solid therapy and understand the importance of getting along for the sake of the kids,' added the insider. 'Also Garner is very cool about everything, she is a no drama lady, so there was no way there was every going to be any weirdness. She is like the nicest person in Hollywood.' Garner made her comeback at the Golden Globes 2026 awards ceremony after 13 years. She last attended the ceremony in 2013 alongside her then-husband Ben Affleck. Garner arrived at the annual awards ceremony in a sleeveless black dress with beaded fringe. Lopez modeled a sheer vintage Jean-Louis Scherrer gown that she bought herself. She was attending this award show for the first time following her divorce from Affleck. She last attended the Golden Globes in 2024 with Affleck. The two are closely linked as they were both wed to Ben Affleck- Garner from 2005 until 2018 and Lopez from 2022 until 2025 - and their children are friends Lopez on stage with Timothee Chalamet Garner on stage with Teyana Taylor and Amanda Seyfried Both Garner and Lopez were presenters at the award ceremony; Garner presented first then Lopez. The ladies do not talk about each other much in the press. Recently Garner told Marie Claire UK, 'It doesnt serve me to take in gossip about myself or anyone else, much less my kids, so I dont do it.' Lopez told December 2022 Vogue that Garner is 'an amazing co-parent, and they [Affleck and Garner] work really well together.' And a source told People that Lopez and Garner are 'great admirers of the other' and 'theyre all co-parenting.' The source also said, 'There is no animosity. They are friendly. Were always pitting women against women. In this case, its just not the truth.' Jason Segel might have gotten down on one knee to pop the question to his fiancee Kayla Radomski last June, but they waited to host their engagement party at Pasadena restaurant Cannonball until Sunday. 'I can't wait to get married to Kayla,' the groom-to-be gushed during the champagne toast. 'We're so grateful, thank you all for being here,' the bride-to-be told the cheering crowd. 'You all have made some kind of impact in our lives and it's so special to share this with all of you.' Segel raised his glass and added: 'Yeah, we love you. Cheers!' The festivities will keep coming for the betrothed couple, who will next celebrate the Shrinking creator-star's 46th birthday on January 18 followed by Radomski's 35th birthday on January 19. Jason Segel might have gotten down on one knee to pop the question to his fiancee Kayla Radomski last June, but they waited to host their engagement party at Pasadena restaurant Cannonball until Sunday The tagline for the pair's romantic soiree - 'We're engaged' - was stamped on posters and cocktail napkins. 'I have seen the work and dedication you put into not just your work, but everything you do,' the dancer-choreographer wrote on Instagram last year. 'You continue to amaze me every single day. Anyone who gets the honor to know you is so lucky. I am beyond proud of you and cannot wait to see all that is ahead. I love you beyond words.' The Daily Mail were the first to spot Segel and Radomski on a date in 2023, but they first likely met in 2021 when she shot her role as Laker Girl opposite his character Jerry West in HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. The three-time Emmy nominee previously romanced Alexis Mixter, Bojana Novakovic, Michelle Williams, Lindsay Lohan, Michelle Trachtenberg, Michelle Ryan, Chloe Sevigny, Drew Barrymore and Linda Cardellini. Segel resumes his role as grieving therapist Jimmy Laird in the 11-episode third season of his dramedy series Shrinking, which premieres January 28 on Apple TV+. Speaking of the streaming giant, the Colorado-born blonde will make her debut as Linda Rollins in this Wednesday's episode of Abe Sylvia's socialite satire Palm Royale - titled 'Maxine Does Something Good.' 'I can't wait to get married to Kayla,' the groom-to-be gushed during the champagne toast 'We're so grateful, thank you all for being here,' the bride-to-be told the cheering crowd. 'You all have made some kind of impact in our lives and it's so special to share this with all of you' The festivities will keep coming for the betrothed couple, who will next celebrate Segel's 46th birthday on January 18 followed by Radomski's 35th birthday on January 19 The tagline for the pair's romantic soiree - 'We're engaged' - was stamped on posters and cocktail napkins The dancer-choreographer wrote on Instagram last year: 'You continue to amaze me every single day. Anyone who gets the honor to know you is so lucky. I am beyond proud of you and cannot wait to see all that is ahead. I love you beyond words' The Daily Mail were the first to spot Segel and Radomski on a date in 2023, but they first likely met in 2021 when she shot her role as Laker Girl opposite his character Jerry West in HBO's Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty The three-time Emmy nominee resumes his role as grieving therapist Jimmy Laird in the 11-episode third season of his dramedy series Shrinking, which premieres January 28 on Apple TV+ Speaking of the streaming giant, the Colorado-born blonde will make her debut as Linda Rollins in this Wednesday's episode of Abe Sylvia's socialite satire Palm Royale The Malibu native and Radomski both have acting roles in Jorma Taccone's dysfunctional couple on vacation thriller Over Your Dead Body, which IFC and Amazon Prime Video will release May 14. The 5ft7in stunner was 18 in 2009 when she came in fourth place on the fifth season of Fox's reality TV competition, So You Think You Can Dance. Audiences first discovered Segel as Nick Andopolis in Judd Apatow's teen drama Freaks and Geeks, which aired from 1999-2000 on NBC before he memorably headlined Nicholas Stoller's 2008 rom-com Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Victoria Beckham has snubbed Geri Halliwell from her birthday tribute to Melanie C amid rumours of a feud. Posh Spice took to her Instagram on Monday to wish her former bandmate a Happy 52nd Birthday with a sweet throwback picture. It showed Mel C, Mel B, Emma Bunton and herself sitting down together as they smiled for a photo while giving the peace sign. However, Geri, 53, was noticeably absent from the Spice Girls throwback image. Victoria had captioned the Instagram story: 'Happy Birthday @melaniecmusic! Kisses @officialmelb @emmaleebunton xxx.' The rest of the group - including Geri - all took to their on social media accounts to publish their tributes for Sporty Spice. Victoria Beckham has appeared to snub Geri Halliwell from her birthday tribute to Melanie C amid rumours of a feud Geri, 53, was noticeably absent from the Spice Girls throwback image on Monday (pictured in October 2025) The rest of the group - including Geri - all took to their on social media accounts to publish their tributes for Sporty Spice Emma, 49, penned: 'Happy birthday to my beautiful friend @melanicecmusic. Through every chapter, every laugh and every adventure, weve always had each other. So grateful for you today and always. Love you loads.' Mel B, 50, wrote: 'Happy birthday my Melanie ! Love you sooooo much and Im always soooo proud of you !!!! miss you I adore you cant wait to see you . NORTHENERS!!!' While Geri shared: 'Happy Birthday! Love you so much. You are an epic soul sister, a truly kind and loving person who I am glad to know Love, Geri xx' Victoria's post not including Geri comes after reports the women were said to be clashing over the direction of a potential reunion to mark the 30th anniversary of Wannabe. It also comes after it was revealed how the Spice Girls are said to be overrulling Geri Horner after she derailed plans for a Netflix biopic about their rise to fame which would net the group 1M each. Mel B, Mel C, Emma Bunton and Victoria Beckham are implementing the group's 'rule of four' to plough on without all five members in agreement, after previously using the pact to tour without Posh in 2019. Insiders have previously claimed talks were going well until Geri decided to back out of her involvement in the project and scrapped plans for a tour after her feud with Mel B turned increasingly ugly. Ginger Spice reportedly turned down the lucrative drama deal amid rumours she and husband Christian had been approached to make a 'really personal' fly-on-the-wall TV series, following his sexting scandal and Red Bull axing. Mel B, 50, wrote: 'Happy birthday my Melanie ! Love you sooooo much and Im always soooo proud of you !!!! miss you I adore you cant wait to see you . NORTHENERS!!!' Emma also shared a sweet tribute to Mel C A source said in October: 'Geri has been dragging her heels for almost a year and the rest of the band are keen to plough ahead as next year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of their debut single Wannabe'. 'A variety of projects are being talked about to mark the occasion, including a documentary and a possible tour or performance by the group. But a drama doesnt actually involve the girls taking as much time out of their lives to be a part of it'. They continued to The Sun: 'They just need to endorse the project and provide what input and insight they can. That has been slowed way down, however, and the creators are keen to get going'. Daily Mail contacted all five Spice Girls for comment at the time. Last year the streaming service reportedly given the feuding band a 'stark ultimatum' and told them to make up otherwise, much like controversial drama The Crown, will produce the show without any input from the people featured in it. Black Midi guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died at the age of 26. The musician had been struggling with his mental health for some time before his death, and stepped away from the group in 2022 to prioritise his wellbeing. A family statement shared on the now-defunct band's label Rough Trade Records' Instagram account on Monday read: 'It is with deep sadness that we as a family regret to inform you that Matthew Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died after a long battle with his mental health. 'A talented musician and a kind, loving man finally succumbed; despite all efforts. 'Please take a moment to check in with your loved ones so we can stop this happening to our young men.' Black Midi guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died at the age of 26 following a 'long battle with his mental health' (pictured in 2019) A family statement shared on the now-defunct band's label Rough Trade Records' Instagram account announced the sad news on Monday Rough Trade added in the caption: 'Rough Trade Records would like to extend deepest sympathy to the Kwasniewski-Kelvin family who have shared this statement on the tragic passing of founding black midi member Matt - an incredibly talented person who will be truly missed. 'If you are struggling with mental health issues please reach out to your loved ones or one of the range of charities such as Mind, CALM and Samaritans who provide services and someone to talk to in any time of need.' KwasniewskiKelvin helped spark the beginnings of black midi back in 2017, teaming up with fellow BRIT School students Geordie Greep, Morgan Simpson and Cameron Picton to form what would quickly become one of the UK's most talkedabout experimental rock outfits. The group made their first major splash with the frenetic single bmbmbm in June 2018, released through Dan Carey's cult favourite Speedy Wunderground imprint, before graduating to Rough Trade the following year for their acclaimed debut album Schlagenheim. By early 2021, the band confirmed that KwasniewskiKelvin had stepped away to prioritise his mental health and would not appear on their forthcoming releases - a period that ultimately produced 2021's Cavalcade and 2022's Hellfire. The story took another turn in August 2024, when Greep revealed that Black Midi had quietly come to an end, clearing the path for his own solo ventures. Sharing the news on an Instagram Live, Greep said: 'Black midi was an interesting band that's indefinitely over.' The British group's singer-bassist, Cameron Picton, then wrote in a now-deleted post on X: 'We'd agreed not to say anything about 'breaking up' so I was as blindsided as everyone else last night but maybe in a different way. I guess sometimes all you can say is lol, Matt helped spark the beginnings of black midi back in 2017, teaming up with fellow BRIT School students Geordie Greep, Morgan Simpson and Cameron Picton (pictured in 2020) However, in 2022 he stepped away from the band to prioritise his mental health, and in 2024 singer Geordie Greep confirmed Black Midi had split (the band are pictured in 2019) 'Anyway! Starting sessions for my own record soon, looking forward - should be good, hopefully great! Greep then responded to Picton's reaction in an interview with NME, admitting he likely would have handled the band's break-up 'differently.' He said: 'If I was to do it again, I probably would have done it differently. But in the moment, it felt very important to me that it should be said. We hadn't really been on speaking terms as a band a while before that, it had broken down in communication. 'When we first decided we're not going to do [Black Midi] anymore, we had said, ''Let's not say anything because everyone will just forget.'' In a few months it'll be obvious, and we won't need to say anything about it. 'But then it became apparent that wasn't really the case. People were all the time saying, ''What's happening?'' I thought who cares? Let's just say it. It's over I don't want to string anyone along.' Ladies Of London's Sophie Stanbury announced her engagement to multi-millionaire businessman and long term partner Mark Wilson on Sunday. The reality star, 50, who is also rumoured to be joining the cast of The Real Housewives of the Cotswolds, took to Instagram with sweet snaps of the proposal which appeared to take place during a country stroll. The loved-up couple matched in tweeds and wellies, with Sophie shielding her eyes behind chic shades as Mark got down on one knee. She captioned the post: 'A VERY special day, in a very special place. And to my darling Mark, how did I get so lucky?' 'Thank you for making me the happiest I could be, starting this year engaged, planning our new home and life together but best of all knowing that youll be by my side forever'. Sophie's former sister-in-law and fellow reality Caroline Stanbury was the first to share her congratulations, with the Real Housewives Of Dubai star writing: 'We love you and this is the best news we can all have'. Ladies Of London's Sophie Stanbury announced her engagement to multi-millionaire businessman and long term partner Mark Wilson on Sunday The reality star, 50, took to Instagram with sweet snaps of the proposal which appeared to take place during a country stroll Sophie's former sister-in-law and fellow reality Caroline Stanbury (left) was the first to share congratulations (pictured together) Sophie was married to Caroline's brother Alex before divorcing in 2017, together they share sons Harry, 15, and 12-year-old Finn. Meanwhile Jamie Redknapp's wife Frida said: 'Wow! Amazing! Congratulations' and Real Housewives Of London's Juliet Mayhew gushed: 'ahhh im so excited for you my darling'. As well as being her future husband, Mark is also believed Sophie's business partner in her swanky lifestyle brand SoSophie London Last year Daily Mail revealed market town of Charlbury in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds had been eye up as the perfect location for a reality show inspired by the Real Housewives Of... franchise. Bringing its unique brand of bling to this countryside idyll and is set to star Sophie alongside Princess Beatrice's best friend Gabriela Peacock. The A-lister nutritionist is something of a 'coup' for producers, according to my source, given how close she is to Beatrice both as a friend and neighbour, for they live a few miles from Charlbury. Gabriela is said to be 'wildly excited' by the show and telling friends it will be a 'classy' series, but despite the hopes of producers she will not spill the beans on Beatrice. A source said the producers promise 'it won't be crass or intrusive and won't have the catfights and drama of the Real Housewives. The loved-up couple matched in tweeds and wellies, with Sophie shielding her eyes behind chic shades as Mark got down on one knee She captioned the post: 'A VERY special day, in a very special place. And to my darling Mark, how did I get so lucky?' Real Housewives Of Dubai star Caroline wrote: 'We love you and this is the best news we can all have' Meanwhile Jamie Redknapp's wife Frida said: 'Wow! Amazing! Congratulations' and Real Housewives Of London's Juliet Mayhew gushed: 'ahhh im so excited for you my darling' 'Instead, they will focus on the women having real careers and not just being bimbos.' Plum Sykes, the society author who wrote Wives Like Us the hit 2024 novel about women living in the fictional Cotswolds villages of Little Bottom, Middle Bottom and Great Bottom is also said to be on board. One thing we do know is it won't be called The Real Housewives Of The Cotswolds, because the production company does not own the Real Housewives copyright. Perhaps it's inevitable that the reality TV juggernaut would arrive in this region of quintessential rural charm that has, after all, become synonymous with wealth and glamour. Taylor Swift rented a cottage here on her recent tour, and the new kid on the block is Hollywood star Ellen DeGeneres, who has swapped being Montecito neighbours with Harry and Meghan for a life in the Cotswolds. Sources close to the programme maintain that unlike some of its tackier iterations, the new show will be a classy affair and cite friend-of-the-royals Gabriela's involvement as evidence. As well as being her future husband, Mark is also believed Sophie's business partner in her swanky lifestyle brand SoSophie London Sophie was married to Caroline's brother Alex (pictured together 2014) before divorcing in 2017, together they share sons Harry, 15, and 12-year-old Finn 'It's going to be posher than Made In Chelsea,' said a source. 'There's an appetite with broadcasters at the moment to get a window into this world. 'You've got Ladies Of London, which is being rekindled on [US cable network] Bravo, you've got Real Housewives Of London, and that's being made by Monkey Kingdom, and then you've got this Housewives Of The Cotswolds series. 'There's going to be a surge of those types of shows this summer.' But the production company behind it has already hit a snag. The original Real Housewives series follows women dealing with the day-to-day realities of their lives, with many set pieces centred on alcohol-and-argument social events, which require a suitable backdrop. Cotswolds hotel owners, publicans and restaurateurs have thus far proved decidedly sniffy, however, about granting permission for filming. Britain's so-called hottest pub, The Bull at Charlbury, was one of the first approached. But I'm told owner Phil Winser, a pal of Princess Beatrice who is married to supermodel Dree Hemingway, was scathing. He is said to have turned down all offers of payment and essentially told them he wouldn't do it for all the tea in China. There seems to be understandable suspicion in the village about producers' claims that it will be a wholesome version of Real Housewives. Alessandra Ambrosio was enjoying some downtime at a beach in early January. The Brazilian bombshell was posing in a bikini from her GAL Floripa line, which she created with her sister and best friend. She was in a red, yellow and blue plaid string two=piece swimsuit that flashed her toned tummy and lean legs as she splashy around in the ocean. The 44-year-old cover girl was in Brazil with two of her female friends. This comes after the Daddy's Home 2 actress had a comeback when she walked the Victoria's Secret show. Alessandra Ambrosio was enjoying some downtime at a beach in early January The Brazilian bombshell was posing in a skimpy bikini from her GAL Floripa line, which she created with her sister and best friend In September the star was seen flashing her incredible body in a skimpy white bikini. The pal of Cindy Crawford and Heidi Klum was soaking up the sun on the beach in Malibu. The looker had her long honey blonde hair down as she later added a sweater. And the mannequin was also seen kissing her boyfriend Buck Palmer, a fashion designer she has been romancing all year. 'As good as it gets,' the Vogue cover girl wrote in her caption. Now Daily Mail has learned that things just keep getting better between the two of them. 'They are very serious and madly in love,' a source said. 'She has never been happier because he has a great sense of adventure and likes to try new things, he is perfect for her.' There may even be wedding bells in the air. 'She is not opposed to getting married, she is being open with her heart, so who knows they may walk down the aisle,' added the pal. The pair went Instagram official when Ambrosio declared her love for her new boyfriend in a gushing birthday tribute in December 2024. She was in a red, yellow and blue plaid string bikini that flashed her toned tummy and lean legs as she splashy around in the ocean The 44-year-old cover girl was in Brazil with two of her female friends Here she flashed a peace sign as she stood next to a bar cart on the shore Her backside was on display too as she downed a beverage Her drink was inside a coconut shell She wore four necklaces; one had a crystal pendant And she also splashed water at her friend's camera This comes after the Daddy's Home 2 actress had a comeback when she walked the Victoria's Secret show in October Alessandra and the jewelry designer were first romantically linked and went public with their romance late last year at a party in Art Basel in Miami. Insiders confirmed at the time that the smitten fashion model hopes to be with her new partner 'for her entire life' due to the deep connection they share. 'Alessandra knows who her New Year's Eve kiss is going to be, and she hopes to have the same man to kiss for every New Year's Eve for her entire life,' the source exclusively dished to DailyMail.com. 'She has been through the ringer in relationships but really truly believes in love and feels like she finally found it.' Opening up about struggles she faced in her past relationships, the insider continued: 'She has been a serial monogamist in a sense and loves being in relationships but has been with men that are resentful of her fame and her money. 'Shes been told so many times that she didnt have to work and had everything handed to her and that isnt true. Buck doesnt do this.' The source added: 'He is incredibly successful in his own right as a jewelry designer and of course he designs special pieces just for her.' Previously, Buck was married to Australian model Ashley Hart for two years before they called it quits in 2017. Alessandra was previously engaged to American businessman Jamie Mazur from 2008 to 2018. They share daughter Anja, 16, and son Noah, 12. Between her relationships with ex-fiance Mazur and current boyfriend Buck, she dated to Nicolo Oddi from 2018 to 2020 and model Richard Lee from 2021 to 2023. Ambrosio launched her beachwear brand, GAL Floripa, in March 2019. She co-founded the brand with her sister, Aline Ambrosio, and her best friend, Gisele Coria, creating a lifestyle brand inspired by their hometown of Florianopolis, Brazil. Sam Asghari revealed he was among the protestors at a tense pro-freedom rally in Los Angeles that descended into chaos after a U-Haul truck drove into demonstrators. On Sunday night, the Iranian-born model and actor, who was previously married to Britney Spears, shared footage of himself marching alongside large crowds while waving the Iranian flag. Asghari, 31, joined protesters gathered near the federal building in Westwood, which is home to one of the largest Iranian-American communities in the United States. Demonstrators were calling for regime change and pushing back against political repression in Iran. The peaceful protest took a tumultuous turn after a U-Haul truck drove toward hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the federal building. Video captured the moment the truck moved into the crowd on Veteran Avenue around 3:30 p.m., as people screamed and rushed away. Sam Asghari showed his support for the Iranian people over the weekend after attending a tense pro-freedom rally that descended into chaos after a U-Haul truck drove into protesters Officers were later seen pulling the driver from the vehicle while demonstrators surrounded him, attempting to strike him with objects including flagpoles, trash and their hands. One protester climbed onto the truck and kicked in its windshield. After the driver was removed, protesters chased him and tried to hit him as police escorted him away and took him into custody. Demonstrators also tore political messages from the truck as tensions escalated. Witnesses said the truck barreled toward protesters waving Iranian flags, attempting to force its way through the gathering. A large banner taped to the side of the vehicle read: 'No Shah, No Regime. USA: Don't Repeat 1953. No Mullah.' Panic erupted as the truck came to a stop, with demonstrators surrounding the vehicle, smashing windows and shouting as anger boiled over. Law enforcement officers eventually pulled a man from the truck and appeared to place him under arrest. As police escorted the driver away, several protesters were seen trying to punch him and strike him with flagpoles, forcing officers to push the crowd back. On Sunday, the Iranian-born model and actor, who was previously married to Britney Spears, shared footage of himself marching alongside large crowds while waving the Iranian flag The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that three people were injured by the truck. Two declined medical treatment, while a third was assessed by paramedics at the scene. Police remained in the area as they worked to control the crowd before eventually issuing a dispersal order, which led to the gathering quickly shrinking. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged demonstrators with opposing views to exercise their rights peacefully, saying, 'Even though we're in this highly charged environment, it's always important for Angelenos to remember that our protests have to be peaceful, regardless of how charged the issue is.' The unrest in Los Angeles mirrors the deadly situation unfolding in Iran. Asghari, 31, joined protesters gathered near the federal building in Westwood, which is home to one of the largest Iranian-American communities in the United States Asghari was in a relationship with Spears for nearly seven years; seen in 2019 At least 583 people have been killed since demonstrations began two weeks ago, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. From an estimated 400,000 Iranian-born immigrants living in the United States, more than a third reside in the Los Angeles area. Protests inside Iran have intensified since the New Year, with the regime led by Ayatollah Khamenei reportedly cutting off internet access and telephone lines in an effort to limit communication with the outside world. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is expected to be briefed by top aides this week as he weighs the U.S. response to Iran's crackdown. According to the Wall Street Journal, senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine are expected to attend the meeting. A U-Haul truck reportedly was driven into a crowd at the 'Free Iran' rally in Los Angeles People walk near a U-Haul truck that was driven into a crowd during an anti-Iranian regime rally While further U.S. involvement in the region is being considered, placing American troops on the ground is not currently on the table, according to CNN. Following the incident, Asghari continued to use his social media platforms to address the rally and the backlash that followed. After one Instagram user called him a 'disgrace' and suggested he 'get out of America' if he loves his country so much, the actor responded directly on his Instagram. 'As a proud American citizen, I'm most proud of the values this country represents - that people who couldn't thrive under oppressive governments can come here, build meaningful lives, and contribute in powerful ways,' he explained. From an estimated 400,000 Iranian-born immigrants living in the United States, more than a third live in the LA area Asghari continued: 'Iranian Americans are among the most successful immigrant communities in a nation that values freedom. Peacefully protesting the biggest enemy of the United States, while holding the American flag and standing for freedom, is one of the most American things you can do.' In additional Instagram Stories, Asghari also reshared a statement from Eric Swalwell voicing support for Iranian protesters. The statement read in part: 'Iranians aren't asking for the world. They just want a vote that gets counted. To walk down the street without glancing over their shoulders The chanting, the shouting we see now - it is the sound of history trying to turn the page.' The message praised Iranian Americans across California - including those in Westwood - calling them 'one of the great heartbeats of this state,' and emphasized that a free Iran 'cannot be an American export' but must be built by its people. Model Christian Hogue has been charged with aggravated assault by strangulation following an alleged dog park fight. Hogue is accused of putting a man into a headlock during a physical altercation at the Shelby Dog Park in Nashville, Tennessee in August 2025, TMZ reports. A mugshot obtained by the outlet shows the hunky IMG model posing in a picture reminiscent of 'Hot Felon' Jeremy Meeks' famous mugshot. The conflict arose after Hogue's dog and the other man's canine began getting aggressive with one another, prosecutors allege in legal documents obtained by the website. The alleged victim attempted to split the dogs up but then Hogue allegedly grabbed him from behind, threw him to the floor, and put him in a headlock. Hogue is said to have claimed he witnessed the man punch his dog with a closed fist numerous times, which the alleged victim refuted. Model Christian Hogue has been charged with aggravated assault by strangulation following an alleged dog park fight Hogue is accused of putting a man into a headlock during a physical altercation at the Shelby Dog Park in Nashville, Tennessee in August 2025 The man claimed he had actually grabbed Hogue's dog by the collar in an attempt to stop the canine from biting his own. Christian and the alleged victim were both seen with multiple cuts by police officers, the documents state. The headlock was also apparently seen by other witnesses. The alleged victim claimed his breathing was restricted by Hogue during the headlock and expressed a desire to press charges. Hogue was ultimately taken into custody after an arrest warrant was issued and he was hit with a an aggravated assault by strangulation charge. The charge is a felony in the state of Tennessee, and Hogue is now scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday, TMZ reports. The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Hogue for comment. Hogue boasts over a million followers on Instagram The hunky model recently described his perfect day as one spent with his dog Despite the legal limbo, he was active on Instagram Hogue pictured in a September Instagram post Hogue is is represented by DT Model Mgmt, IMG, Elite World Group, and IMD Hogue's mugshot was reminiscent of 'Hot Felon' Jeremy Meek's mugshot Hogue isn't letting the arrest completely weigh him down. Amid the legal limbo, he was active on Instagram on Monday - even posting a video describing his 'perfect day' with his dog. 'Depends on where we are but if we're in Tennessee, it's me, my dog,' he said. 'We're either on a paddle board or out in the lake fishing or we're at a waterfall, sitting back, enjoying the sun together. It's pretty easy.' Hogue is a successful model whose credits include Abercrombie and Fitch, a steamy fragrance campaign for Davidoff's Cool Water, and even a fashion campaign for outerwear brand Mackage that featured Sofia Richie. A profile by The Perfect Man Magazine describes the Portland native as 'a charismatic twenty-eight year old who stands at a statuesque six foot three and resides in Los Angeles, California.' Hogue boasts over a million followers on Instagram and is represented by DT Model Mgmt, IMG, Elite World Group, and IMD. Leo Blanco, a dancer and choreographer on the Brazilian version of Dancing With The Stars, has reportedly died at age 47. The Sun reports that Blanco was discovered unresponsive at his home in Curitiba, Brazil on January 9. A cause of death is not yet known. Brazilian actress Mariana Xavier paid tribute to Blanco, her dance teacher on Danca dos Famosos in 2017. In a tribute translated into English, Xavier recalled working with Blanco on the show and described him as 'one of the sweetest and most generous people' she knew. 'Leo Blanco was my dance teacher on Dancing with the Stars in 2017, but more than that: he was the best partner I could have had in realizing that dream, which was his dream too,' she wrote. 'One of the sweetest and most generous people I've met throughout my life! Someone who stayed in my heart and in my life, even though we didn't keep in touch very often. Leo Blanco, a choreographer on the Brazilian version of Dancing With The Stars, has reportedly died at age 47 A cause of death is not yet known 'The first song we danced to on Domingao became "our song," and from time to time, when one of us heard it by chance, we would send a message to the other to say, "I'm here, I remembered you, you're important to me." The last time we saw each other was at Carnival in 2025, in Salvador, both ecstatic to be there, enjoying the songs that were the soundtrack of our lives.' In a 2020 post, Blanco described the joy a routine he did on the show brought him. 'You know those black and white movies where a group of people get together to dance, kind of casually, and they're happy, they let loose, they jump around and smile??? That's exactly how it felt today. That rhythm inspired me to dance. It was the first dance I ever did in my life... and it's always a joy to repeat it... Very happy with everything... and now we're moving on to a new phase!!! Let's go @lucyramos.' A dancer for nearly most of his life, Blanco hails from the Brazilian town of Cascavel, according to The Sun. He took up the sport as a teenager before turning his passion into a business, leading two dance companies as a university student. Fame would eventually find him. He joined the cast of Danca dos Famosos and during his time on the show, reached seventh place with Xavier in 2017 and ninth with singer Luisa Sonza. He danced for multiple weeks with actress Lucy Ramos in a season where she would be crowned winner. Blanco teamed up with the stars on the Brazilian version of Dancing With The Stars A dancer for nearly most of his life, Blanco took up the sport as a teenager before turning his passion into a business Brazilian actress Mariana Xavier paid tribute to Blanco, her dance teacher on Danca dos Famosos in 2017 The duo were partnered together in 2020 however Blanco was ultimately replaced by professional dancer Reginaldo Sama in the show's ninth week, according to The Sun. Fans are now mourning the loss online, with many sending their condolences in the comments section of his Instagram posts. 'I miss you, my dear (tearful emoji) Rest in peace!!!,' one wrote in Portuguese. 'How sad to hear this,' another wrote in a message translated into English. 'Rest in peace, Leo...' 'How sad that you're gone! You were such a great guy, I loved our conversations. Rest in peace!' another psoted. Wuthering Heights costume designer Jacqueline Durran has hit back at fans who criticised Margot Robbie's 'hideous' outfits in the upcoming film. Margot, 35, stars as Cathy in the new adaptation opposite Jacob Elordi, 28, who takes on the role of Heathcliff. The full-length trailer dropped in November ahead of the film's February 13 release and ever since, the movie has faced criticism over its modernised take on Emily Bronte's classic - with many complaints aimed at the costumes. Social media users have been sharing their opinions on the upcoming movie, which is set to a soundtrack by Queen of BRAT, Charli XCX. Taking to X, they said: 'Wuthering heights costume design looking worse than bridgertons costume design and that's saying a lot', 'Cheap fantasy costume in Wuthering Heights', Wuthering Heights costume designer Jacqueline Durran has hit back at fans who criticised Margot Robbie's 'hideous' outfits in the upcoming film Margot, 35, stars as Cathy in the new adaptation opposite Jacob Elordi, 28, who takes on the role of Heathcliff 'So basically, it's a costume party with a twist. Sounds fun but confusing', 'At some point you have to admit this feels more like a vanity project for one particular producer/actor', 'Images or styles that look good, and they chose a fugly plastic arts and crafts looking ahh dress with a bow', 'A lot of costumes in period movies are not historically accurate but at least they make sense This just looks random', 'They are AWFUL and i'm not even mentioning if they are historically accurate or not. Hideous .' Now, in a new interview, the two-time Oscar winner Jacqueline has defended the choices she made for the movie. She told Vogue: 'That idea of shiny surfaces is key to Cathy's character and costumes. 'It's something that takes you out of the period, but it was exciting to mix the shape of a Victorian dress with a fabric that was completely modern.' Social media users have been sharing their opinions on the upcoming movie, which is set to a soundtrack by Queen of BRAT, Charli XCX Now, in a new interview, the two-time Oscar winner Jacqueline has defended the choices she made for the movie The costume designer added that 'the dates are all confused,' admitting the team wasn't aiming for historical accuracy. She explained they simply chose 'clothes we like for each character'. It comes after Margot admitted she was fearful about shooting Wuthering Heights when she was just three months postpartum and shed light on her steamy scenes. Following Emerald's saucy epic Saltburn, Margot noted that many viewers are incorrectly expecting extremely sizzling scenes, however she admitted that some of the more tender moments with Jacob made her 'weak at the knees'. Speaking to British Vogue, Margot discussed how she felt throwing herself back into work just three months after welcoming her son in October 2024 with husband Tom Ackerley - and how Emerald acted to 'relieve her anxiety'. Margot and Jacob are seen as star-crossed lovers Catherine and Heathcliff in the movie - a take on Bronte's Wuthering Heights, published in 1847, which is considered a masterpiece of English literature. Prior to its release, the film has courted controversy due to the appearance of Cathy - who is a teenager in the book - and the fact that Heathcliff should be 'dark-skinned'. While she has shirked the scandal, with insiders pointing to the fact it is not a direct lift of the book and Vogue detailing how Emerald is seen to 'lean into the stylised depravity' she has become known for after directing the 2023 hit Saltburn. It comes after Margot admitted she was fearful about shooting Wuthering Heights when she was just three months postpartum and shed light on her steamy scenes Speaking about the expectations for the movie and its saucy content, Margot said: 'Everyone's expecting this to be very, very raunchy. I think people will be surprised. 'Not to say there aren't sexual elements and that it's not provocative it definitely is provocative but it's more romantic than provocative. This is a big epic romance.' She admitted that the film is set to fill a void for lovers of romantic movies, saying: 'It's just been so long since we've had one maybe The Notebook, also The English Patient. You have to go back decades. 'It's that feeling when your chest swells or it's like someone's punched you in the guts and the air leaves your body. That's a signature of Emerald's. Whether it's titillating or repulsion, her superpower is eliciting a physical response.' When approached by Vogue, Jacob said of his co-star: 'Margot is a force. And she makes it look easy. Sometimes I think she has Hermione's time-turner she can raise a baby, shoot a movie, produce four others and still meet for a beer at 5pm.' According to World of Reel, Emerald's Wuthering Heights received a mixed reaction at its first test screening in Dallas, Texas this month. The film is said to feature 'intimate, clinical and purposefully discomforting' masturbation scenes and a BDSM-inspired sex scene involving horse reins. The camera is also said to linger on 'suggestive' imagery including 'egg yolks running through fingers' and 'dough being kneaded with quiet aggression'. The publication does note that Margot and Jacob both deliver 'committed performances' and have 'great chemistry'. Born in 1818 in West Yorkshire, author Bronte was the fifth of six children, and spent most of her short life in the moorland village of Haworth, where her Irish father Patrick was curate. But life dealt Bronte a series of terrible blows as she lost her mother when she was three, then two older sisters when she was seven. Following her trauma, the novelist retreated into a fantasy world, writing stories and poetry with her siblings. The writer poured her suffering and passion into Wuthering Heights, a wrenching love story as raw as the Yorkshire Moors on which it's set. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Crystal Kung Minkoff happens to know about '70 percent of the mom group' that Ashley Tisdale used to be in before penning a scathing essay in The Cut about feeling insecure and alienated by unnamed mothers. The 40-year-old High School Musical alum unfollowed Mandy Moore and Hilary Duff on Instagram before deactivating her entire account amid the scandal, which had Duff's husband blasting Tisdale as 'self obsessed' and 'tone deaf.' 'Me, realizing I wasn't mentioned in Ashley Tisdale's "losing friends" article,' Minkoff wrote on Threads last Tuesday. 'Didn't I literally start that trend back in 2021?' The 42-year-old Real Coco co-founder - whose own mom group-of-14 'dropped' her after she was cast in the Bravo reality show - weighed in on whether she was Team Tisdale or Team Duff during Monday's episode of her podcast Humble Brag. '[Tisdale's] publicist came out this morning saying, "Oh, that's not the group," but I know it's the group,' Minkoff confirmed. 'I just wonder, what was she thinking was gonna happen?' The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Crystal Kung Minkoff happens to know about '70 percent of the mom group' that Ashley Tisdale used to be in before penning a scathing essay in The Cut about feeling insecure and alienated by unnamed mothers (pictured in 2024) The 40-year-old High School Musical alum (2-L, pictured in 2022) unfollowed Mandy Moore and Hilary Duff (4-R) on Instagram before deactivating her entire account amid the scandal, which had Duff's husband blasting Tisdale as 'self obsessed' and 'tone deaf.' The Chinese-American beauty continued: 'I did message one [of the moms]. I was like, "I've got to know what's going on." They said, "It's so ironic that we're the toxic ones and she's on her own."' Minkoff noted that the toxic mom 'can't be Hilary' because 'everyone loves Hilary Duff.' 'So now Ashley's getting like 90% hate,' the LA-born socialite said. 'I will say someone like Hilary, I've known her for 10 years. Yeah. Super sweet. Like I cannot see her being a mean girl like that - a mean mom. But it's dynamic, right? It's dynamic. And so I feel for Ashley obviously [because I lived it].' Minkoff hopes the Frenshe founder's expose ultimately 'serves' her because when she was dropped from her own mom group in 2021 she felt all of her stress and effort to be included wasn't worth it. 'There's going to be a time where you don't care,' the 5ft9in brunette advised of when kids get older. 'When you start heading into applications for kindergarten, all your best friends suddenly become your enemies. It's really crazy... 'Me, realizing I wasn't mentioned in Ashley Tisdale's "losing friends" article,' Minkoff wrote on Threads last Tuesday. 'Didn't I literally start that trend back in 2021?' The 42-year-old Real Coco co-founder - whose own mom group-of-14 'dropped' her after she was cast in the Bravo reality show - weighed in on whether she was Team Tisdale (L) or Team Duff (R) during Monday's episode of her podcast Humble Brag '[Tisdale's] publicist came out this morning saying, "Oh, that's not the group," but I know it's the group,' Minkoff confirmed. 'I just wonder, what was she thinking was gonna happen?' The Chinese-American beauty continued: 'I did message one [of the moms]. I was like, "I've got to know what's going on." They said, "It's so ironic that we're the toxic ones and she's on her own"' Minkoff noted that the toxic mom 'can't be Hilary' because 'everyone loves Hilary Duff' saying: 'I've known her for 10 years. Yeah. Super sweet. Like I cannot see her being a mean girl like that' (pictured last Thursday) Minkoff hopes the Frenshe founder's expose ultimately 'serves' her because when she was dropped from her own mom group in 2021 she felt all of her stress and effort to be included wasn't worth it (pictured October 29) 'There's going to be a time where you don't care,' the 5ft9in brunette advised of when kids get older. 'When you start heading into applications for kindergarten, all your best friends suddenly become your enemies. It's really crazy' Minkoff has two children - son Max, 13; and daughter Zoe, nearly 11 - from her 18-year marriage to Paws of Fury director Rob Minkoff, who's 21 years her senior Tisdale enlists a nanny to help care for her two daughters - Jupiter, 4; and Emerson, 16 months - whom she welcomed during her 11-year marriage to music producer Christopher French 'That age is so intense and it's like you're trying to create this image of yourself via your kid and then the sensitivity is so heightened if your kid's not included.' Minkoff has two children - son Max, 13; and daughter Zoe, nearly 11 - from her 18-year marriage to Paws of Fury director Rob Minkoff, who's 21 years her senior. Meanwhile, Tisdale enlists a nanny to help care for her two daughters - Jupiter, 4; and Emerson, 16 months - whom she welcomed during her 11-year marriage to music producer Christopher French. The Daytime Emmy nominee and the 43-year-old Harley Quinn composer - who has Asperger's syndrome - originally met through 'mutual friends' in 2012. The Daily Mail has reached out for comment from Duff and Tisdale. Protalix BioTherapeutics (NYSE:PLX Get Free Report) and SQZ Biotechnologies (NYSE:SQZ Get Free Report) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, earnings, analyst recommendations and profitability. Risk and Volatility Protalix BioTherapeutics has a beta of -0.25, meaning that its stock price is 125% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SQZ Biotechnologies has a beta of 2.34, meaning that its stock price is 134% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get Protalix BioTherapeutics alerts: Valuation and Earnings This table compares Protalix BioTherapeutics and SQZ Biotechnologiess revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Protalix BioTherapeutics $61.84 million 2.69 $8.31 million $0.07 29.57 SQZ Biotechnologies $18.16 million 0.04 -$79.46 million ($2.61) -0.01 Protalix BioTherapeutics has higher revenue and earnings than SQZ Biotechnologies. SQZ Biotechnologies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Protalix BioTherapeutics, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings for Protalix BioTherapeutics and SQZ Biotechnologies, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Protalix BioTherapeutics 0 0 1 0 3.00 SQZ Biotechnologies 0 0 0 0 0.00 Protalix BioTherapeutics currently has a consensus target price of $12.00, indicating a potential upside of 479.71%. Given Protalix BioTherapeutics stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Protalix BioTherapeutics is more favorable than SQZ Biotechnologies. Profitability This table compares Protalix BioTherapeutics and SQZ Biotechnologies net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Protalix BioTherapeutics -21.03% -30.89% -11.74% SQZ Biotechnologies -369.96% -119.83% -59.90% Insider and Institutional Ownership 16.5% of Protalix BioTherapeutics shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 38.5% of SQZ Biotechnologies shares are held by institutional investors. 6.5% of Protalix BioTherapeutics shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 16.0% of SQZ Biotechnologies shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Protalix BioTherapeutics beats SQZ Biotechnologies on 10 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks. About Protalix BioTherapeutics (Get Free Report) Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the development, production, and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins based on its proprietary ProCellEx plant cell-based protein expression system in the United States, Australia, Canada, Israel, Brazil, Russia, Turkey, and internationally. The company offers Elelyso for the treatment of Gaucher disease; and Elfabrio for the treatment of adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Fabry disease. It is also developing PRX-115, a plant cell-expressed recombinant PEGylated Uricase which is in Phase I trial for the treatment of gout; and PRX-119, a plant cell-expressed PEGylated recombinant human DNase I product candidate that is in preclinical phase for the treatment of NETs-related diseases. The company has agreements and partnerships with Pfizer; Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz; and Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. The company was incorporated in 1993 and is headquartered in Karmiel, Israel. Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. is a subsidiary of Protalix Ltd. About SQZ Biotechnologies (Get Free Report) SQZ Biotechnologies Company, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, develops cell therapies for patients with cancer, autoimmune, infectious diseases, and other serious conditions. Its lead product candidate is SQZ-PBMC-HPV, from its SQZ Antigen Presenting Cells platform, which is in a Phase I clinical trial as a monotherapy and in combination with immuno-oncology agents for the treatment of HPV16+ advanced or metastatic solid tumors, including cervical, head-and-neck, anal, penile, vulvar, and vaginal cancer. The company also develops SQZ-AAC-HPV, which is in a Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of HPV16+ advanced or metastatic solid tumors in monotherapy and in combinations with immune-oncology agents. Its additional platforms in development are SQZ Activating Antigen Carriers; and SQZ Tolerizing Antigen Carriers. The Company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts. Receive News & Ratings for Protalix BioTherapeutics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Protalix BioTherapeutics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. General Mills (NYSE:GIS Get Free Report) and Associated British Foods (OTCMKTS:ASBFY Get Free Report) are both large-cap consumer staples companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, valuation, profitability, risk and institutional ownership. Dividends General Mills pays an annual dividend of $2.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.5%. Associated British Foods pays an annual dividend of $0.96 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. General Mills pays out 52.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. General Mills has raised its dividend for 5 consecutive years. General Mills is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Get General Mills alerts: Insider & Institutional Ownership 75.7% of General Mills shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of General Mills shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Ratings Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score General Mills 2 15 5 0 2.14 Associated British Foods 2 2 0 1 2.00 This is a breakdown of current ratings for General Mills and Associated British Foods, as provided by MarketBeat. General Mills presently has a consensus target price of $53.33, indicating a potential upside of 19.58%. Given General Mills stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe General Mills is more favorable than Associated British Foods. Risk and Volatility General Mills has a beta of -0.06, suggesting that its share price is 106% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Associated British Foods has a beta of 0.97, suggesting that its share price is 3% less volatile than the S&P 500. Profitability This table compares General Mills and Associated British Foods net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets General Mills 13.51% 21.41% 6.12% Associated British Foods N/A N/A N/A Earnings and Valuation This table compares General Mills and Associated British Foodss top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio General Mills $19.49 billion 1.22 $2.30 billion $4.65 9.59 Associated British Foods $25.41 billion 0.71 $1.34 billion N/A N/A General Mills has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Associated British Foods. Summary General Mills beats Associated British Foods on 12 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks. About General Mills (Get Free Report) General Mills, Inc. manufactures and markets branded consumer foods worldwide. The company operates through four segments: North America Retail; International; Pet; and North America Foodservice. It offers grain, ready-to-eat cereals, refrigerated yogurt, soup, meal kits, refrigerated and frozen dough products, dessert and baking mixes, bakery flour, frozen pizza and pizza snacks, snack bars, fruit and savory snacks, ice cream and frozen desserts, unbaked and fully baked frozen dough products, frozen hot snacks, ethnic meals, side dish mixes, frozen breakfast and entrees, nutrition bars, and frozen and shelf-stable vegetables. The company also manufactures and markets pet food products, including dog and cat food; and operates ice cream parlors. It markets its products under the Annies, Betty Crocker, Bisquick, Blue Buffalo, Bugles, Cascadian Farm, Cheerios, Chex, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, Cookie Crisp, Dunkaroos, Edgard & Cooper, Fiber One, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Gushers, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gardettos, Gold Medal, Golden Grahams, Haagen-Dazs, Kitano, Kix, Larabar, Latina, Lucky Charms, Muir Glen, Nature Valley, Nudges, Oatmeal Crisp, Old El Paso, Pillsbury, Progresso, Tastefuls, Total, Totinos , Trix, True Chews, True Solutions, Wanchai Ferry, Wheaties, Wilderness, and Yoki brands. The company sells its products to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, membership stores, natural food chains, drug, dollar and discount chains, e-commerce retailers, commercial and noncommercial foodservice distributors and operators, restaurants, convenience stores, and pet specialty stores. General Mills, Inc. was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. About Associated British Foods (Get Free Report) Associated British Foods plc operates as a diversified food, ingredients, and retail company worldwide. It operates through five segments: Grocery, Ingredients, Agriculture, Sugar, and Retail. The Grocery segment manufactures and sells grocery products, including hot beverages, sugar and sweeteners, vegetable oils, balsamic vinegars, bread and baked goods, cereals, ethnic foods, and meat products to retail, wholesale, and foodservice businesses. The Ingredients segment manufactures bakers' yeast, bakery ingredients, enzymes, lipids, yeast extracts, and cereal specialties. The Agriculture segment manufactures and sells animal feeds; and provides other products and services for the agriculture sector. The Sugar segment is involved in growing, processing, and selling sugar beet and sugar cane to industrial users. The Retail segment is involved in buying and merchandising clothing and accessories through the Primark and Penneys retail chains, which offer women's, men's, and kids wear, as well as beauty, homeware, and accessories. The company was incorporated in 1934 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Associated British Foods plc operates as a subsidiary of Wittington Investments Limited. Receive News & Ratings for General Mills Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Mills and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF) was downgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Saturday. A number of other research firms have also commented on COF. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $271.00 to $294.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price target on shares of Capital One Financial from $240.00 to $263.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $280.00 price target on shares of Capital One Financial in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on Capital One Financial in a research report on Monday, December 8th. They issued an outperform rating and a $270.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, HSBC lifted their price objective on Capital One Financial from $218.00 to $234.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, October 23rd. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Capital One Financial presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $276.25. Get Capital One Financial alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Capital One Financial Capital One Financial Price Performance Shares of NYSE COF opened at $249.41 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $158.56 billion, a PE ratio of 105.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.13. Capital One Financial has a fifty-two week low of $143.22 and a fifty-two week high of $259.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.03. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $230.47 and a 200-day moving average of $222.26. Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $5.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Capital One Financial had a return on equity of 10.94% and a net margin of 2.24%.The business had revenue of $15.46 billion for the quarter. Equities research analysts anticipate that Capital One Financial will post 15.65 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Transactions at Capital One Financial In related news, insider Frank G. LapradeIii sold 17,840 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $222.03, for a total value of $3,961,015.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 48,315 shares in the company, valued at $10,727,379.45. The trade was a 26.97% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Ravi Raghu sold 13,450 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total value of $3,362,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 30,337 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,584,250. This represents a 30.72% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders sold 298,895 shares of company stock worth $67,111,541. Company insiders own 1.26% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Capital One Financial A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC lifted its stake in Capital One Financial by 588,668.3% in the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 117,447,497 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $24,988,129,000 after purchasing an additional 117,427,549 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Capital One Financial by 0.3% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 56,537,167 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $12,018,671,000 after buying an additional 156,254 shares during the period. State Street Corp lifted its stake in shares of Capital One Financial by 63.4% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 27,780,128 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,910,500,000 after acquiring an additional 10,776,843 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Capital One Financial by 64.1% during the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 14,008,841 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,970,628,000 after acquiring an additional 5,474,328 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in Capital One Financial by 12.8% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 11,838,304 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,516,587,000 after acquiring an additional 1,339,215 shares during the period. 89.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Key Stories Impacting Capital One Financial Here are the key news stories impacting Capital One Financial this week: Positive Sentiment: Multiple brokerages have raised price targets and reiterated buy/outperform ratings (Goldman Sachs, Citi, BTIG, Keefe Bruyette, Cowen/TD Cowen), supporting longer-term upside and institutional interest. Analyst Coverage Summary Multiple brokerages have raised price targets and reiterated buy/outperform ratings (Goldman Sachs, Citi, BTIG, Keefe Bruyette, Cowen/TD Cowen), supporting longer-term upside and institutional interest. Positive Sentiment: CNBCs Jim Cramer and other media commentators have publicly endorsed COF as a buy, which tends to boost retail demand and trading flows. Jim Cramer Praise CNBCs Jim Cramer and other media commentators have publicly endorsed COF as a buy, which tends to boost retail demand and trading flows. Positive Sentiment: Capital One raised its quarterly dividend to $0.80 (annualized $3.20), a signal of cash-return confidence that supports yield-focused investor interest. MarketBeat: Dividend & Company Snapshot Capital One raised its quarterly dividend to $0.80 (annualized $3.20), a signal of cash-return confidence that supports yield-focused investor interest. Neutral Sentiment: Options volume around COF has surged, indicating speculative positioning and hedging; this can magnify intraday moves but doesnt change fundamentals. Options Activity Analysis Options volume around COF has surged, indicating speculative positioning and hedging; this can magnify intraday moves but doesnt change fundamentals. Neutral Sentiment: Momentum and comparative valuation pieces (Zacks, Globe & Mail) frame positive technical and relative arguments for COF but are less likely to move the stock intraday versus new ratings or filings. Zacks Momentum Note Momentum and comparative valuation pieces (Zacks, Globe & Mail) frame positive technical and relative arguments for COF but are less likely to move the stock intraday versus new ratings or filings. Negative Sentiment: Significant insider selling has been reported this week (multiple filings totaling millions), which can create near-term selling pressure or raise questions about insider conviction. Insider Sales Report Significant insider selling has been reported this week (multiple filings totaling millions), which can create near-term selling pressure or raise questions about insider conviction. Negative Sentiment: Capital Ones General Counsel sold 2,000 shares (~$500k) on Jan. 6 (SEC Form 4 disclosure); routine sales can still weigh on sentiment when clustered. InsiderTrades: Matthew Cooper Sale Capital One Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) is a diversified bank holding company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. The companys core businesses include credit card lending, consumer and commercial banking, and auto finance. Capital One issues a wide range of credit card products for consumers and small businesses, and it operates deposit and digital banking services aimed at retail customers and small to midsize enterprises. Products and services include credit and charge cards, checking and savings accounts (including the online-focused Capital One 360 platform), auto loans, and commercial lending solutions. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Capital One Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Capital One Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW Get Free Report) and AdvanSix (NYSE:ASIX Get Free Report) are both basic materials companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, earnings and valuation. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Sherwin-Williams and AdvanSix, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Sherwin-Williams alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Sherwin-Williams 0 4 12 1 2.82 AdvanSix 1 0 1 0 2.00 Sherwin-Williams presently has a consensus target price of $388.88, suggesting a potential upside of 10.20%. AdvanSix has a consensus target price of $33.50, suggesting a potential upside of 80.91%. Given AdvanSixs higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe AdvanSix is more favorable than Sherwin-Williams. Institutional & Insider Ownership Profitability 77.7% of Sherwin-Williams shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 86.4% of AdvanSix shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.6% of Sherwin-Williams shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 5.6% of AdvanSix shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. This table compares Sherwin-Williams and AdvanSixs net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Sherwin-Williams 11.05% 66.75% 11.37% AdvanSix 3.52% 7.14% 3.50% Risk & Volatility Sherwin-Williams has a beta of 1.26, suggesting that its share price is 26% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, AdvanSix has a beta of 1.71, suggesting that its share price is 71% more volatile than the S&P 500. Dividends Sherwin-Williams pays an annual dividend of $3.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. AdvanSix pays an annual dividend of $0.64 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Sherwin-Williams pays out 30.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. AdvanSix pays out 33.3% 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. Sherwin-Williams has increased its dividend for 48 consecutive years and AdvanSix has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Sherwin-Williams and AdvanSixs top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Sherwin-Williams $23.10 billion 3.79 $2.68 billion $10.25 34.43 AdvanSix $1.52 billion 0.33 $44.15 million $1.92 9.64 Sherwin-Williams has higher revenue and earnings than AdvanSix. AdvanSix is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Sherwin-Williams, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary Sherwin-Williams beats AdvanSix on 13 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks. About Sherwin-Williams (Get Free Report) The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the development, manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: Paint Stores Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The Paint Stores Group segment offers architectural paints and coatings, and protective and marine products, as well as OEM product finishes and related products for architectural and industrial paint contractors, and do-it-yourself homeowners. The Consumer Brands Group segment supplies a portfolio of branded and private-label architectural paints, stains, varnishes, industrial products, wood finishes products, wood preservatives, applicators, corrosion inhibitors, aerosols, caulks, and adhesives to retailers, including home centers and hardware stores, and dedicated dealers and distributors. The Performance Coatings Group segment develops and sells industrial coatings for wood finishing and general industrial applications, automotive refinish products, protective and marine coatings, coil coatings, packaging coatings, and performance-based resins and colorants. It serves retailers, dealers, jobbers, licensees, and other third-party distributors through its branches and direct sales staff, as well as through outside sales representatives. The company has operations primarily in the North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The Sherwin-Williams Company was founded in 1866 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. About AdvanSix (Get Free Report) AdvanSix Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of polymer resins in the United States and internationally. It offers Nylon 6, a polymer resin, which is a synthetic material used to produce fibers, filaments, engineered plastics, and films. The company also provides caprolactam to manufacture polymer resins; ammonium sulfate fertilizers to distributors, farm cooperatives, and retailers; and acetone that are used in the production of adhesives, paints, coatings, solvents, herbicides, and engineered plastic resins, as well as other intermediate chemicals, including phenol, monoisopropylamine, dipropylamine, monoallylamine, alpha-methylstyrene, cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketoxime, acetaldehyde oxime, 2-pentanone oxime, cyclohexanol, sulfuric acid, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. It offers its products under the Aegis, Capran, Sulf-N, Nadone, Naxol, and EZ-Blox brands. The company sells its products directly, as well as through distributors. AdvanSix Inc. was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. Receive News & Ratings for Sherwin-Williams Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sherwin-Williams and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC Get Free Report) was downgraded by analysts at Wall Street Zen from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued on Saturday. Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of Encompass Health from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b+) rating on shares of Encompass Health in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. KeyCorp upped their price objective on Encompass Health from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 16th. Raymond James Financial raised Encompass Health to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on Encompass Health from $141.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $142.86. Get Encompass Health alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Encompass Health Encompass Health Trading Down 2.0% EHC opened at $102.89 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.76. Encompass Health has a 52 week low of $90.67 and a 52 week high of $127.99. The businesss 50 day moving average is $110.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $116.97. The firm has a market cap of $10.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.74. Encompass Health (NYSE:EHC Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, March 16th. The company reported $0.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Encompass Health had a net margin of 9.33% and a return on equity of 17.84%. The business had revenue of $136.30 million for the quarter. On average, research analysts predict that Encompass Health will post 4.8 EPS for the current year. Institutional Trading of Encompass Health A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Citizens National Bank Trust Department purchased a new position in Encompass Health in the third quarter worth $26,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Encompass Health during the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. Westside Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Encompass Health by 56.7% during the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 279 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares during the period. Assetmark Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Encompass Health by 88.1% in the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 299 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Encompass Health in the third quarter valued at about $39,000. 97.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Encompass Health (Get Free Report) Encompass Health Corporation is a leading provider of postacute healthcare services in the United States, operating a comprehensive network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and home health and hospice agencies. Its inpatient rehabilitation hospitals offer intensive therapy programs for patients recovering from conditions such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cardiac and pulmonary disorders, and orthopedic procedures. Through its home health segment, Encompass Health delivers skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to patients in the comfort of their homes, while its hospice services provide endoflife care focused on symptom management and emotional support for patients and families. Founded in 1984 as HealthSouth Corporation and rebranded as Encompass Health in 2018, the company has grown organically and through acquisitions to serve patients across more than 30 states. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Encompass Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Encompass Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR Get Free Report) and Innovative Industrial Properties (NYSE:IIPR Get Free Report) are both finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations and dividends. Profitability This table compares Extra Space Storage and Innovative Industrial Properties net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Extra Space Storage alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Extra Space Storage 28.40% 6.56% 3.31% Innovative Industrial Properties 45.80% 6.77% 5.40% Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Extra Space Storage and Innovative Industrial Properties, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Extra Space Storage 0 11 6 0 2.35 Innovative Industrial Properties 3 2 1 0 1.67 Dividends Extra Space Storage currently has a consensus price target of $146.20, suggesting a potential upside of 5.07%. Innovative Industrial Properties has a consensus price target of $68.20, suggesting a potential upside of 34.84%. Given Innovative Industrial Properties higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Innovative Industrial Properties is more favorable than Extra Space Storage. Extra Space Storage pays an annual dividend of $6.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.7%. Innovative Industrial Properties pays an annual dividend of $7.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 15.0%. Extra Space Storage pays out 144.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Innovative Industrial Properties pays out 180.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Extra Space Storage has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years and Innovative Industrial Properties has increased its dividend for 4 consecutive years. Innovative Industrial Properties is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Extra Space Storage and Innovative Industrial Propertiess revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Extra Space Storage $3.26 billion 9.07 $854.68 million $4.48 31.06 Innovative Industrial Properties $308.52 million 4.59 $161.66 million $4.22 11.99 Extra Space Storage has higher revenue and earnings than Innovative Industrial Properties. Innovative Industrial Properties is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Extra Space Storage, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Institutional and Insider Ownership 99.1% of Extra Space Storage shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 70.6% of Innovative Industrial Properties shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.4% of Extra Space Storage shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.0% of Innovative Industrial Properties shares 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. Risk & Volatility Extra Space Storage has a beta of 1.27, indicating that its stock price is 27% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Innovative Industrial Properties has a beta of 1.46, indicating that its stock price is 46% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Extra Space Storage beats Innovative Industrial Properties on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks. About Extra Space Storage (Get Free Report) Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 3,714 self-storage stores in 42 states and Washington, D.C. The Company's stores comprise approximately 2.6 million units and approximately 283.0 million square feet of rentable space operating under the Extra Space, Life Storage and Storage Express brands. The Company offers customers a wide selection of conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. It is the largest operator of self-storage properties in the United States. About Innovative Industrial Properties (Get Free Report) Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. is a self-advised Maryland corporation focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of specialized properties leased to experienced, state-licensed operators for their regulated cannabis facilities. Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, commencing with the year ended December 31, 2017. Receive News & Ratings for Extra Space Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extra Space Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. nVent Electric (NYSE:NVT Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday. Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Barclays increased their price objective on nVent Electric from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. KeyCorp raised their price target on shares of nVent Electric from $103.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 14th. Roth Capital reiterated a buy rating and set a $130.00 price target (up from $115.00) on shares of nVent Electric in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on shares of nVent Electric from $117.00 to $133.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of nVent Electric from $111.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and nine have given a Buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, nVent Electric presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $123.25. Get nVent Electric alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on nVent Electric nVent Electric Stock Up 2.6% Shares of NYSE NVT opened at $105.39 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $105.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $95.34. The company has a market capitalization of $17.01 billion, a PE ratio of 29.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.34. nVent Electric has a 12-month low of $41.71 and a 12-month high of $117.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11. nVent Electric (NYSE:NVT Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.01 billion. nVent Electric had a return on equity of 14.29% and a net margin of 16.83%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 34.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.63 EPS. nVent Electric has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.870-0.890 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 3.310-3.330 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that nVent Electric will post 3.04 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at nVent Electric In other news, CEO Beth Wozniak sold 4,137 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.35, for a total transaction of $456,517.95. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 47,984 shares in the company, valued at $5,295,034.40. This represents a 7.94% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CAO Randolph A. Wacker sold 5,000 shares of nVent Electric stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.08, for a total value of $550,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 26,400 shares in the company, valued at $2,906,112. The trade was a 15.92% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 163,228 shares of company stock worth $18,345,001. 1.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of nVent Electric A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Norges Bank acquired a new position in nVent Electric during the second quarter valued at approximately $234,290,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its stake in shares of nVent Electric by 146.0% in the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 3,195,543 shares of the companys stock valued at $234,074,000 after acquiring an additional 1,896,749 shares during the period. Holocene Advisors LP acquired a new position in shares of nVent Electric during the 3rd quarter valued at $151,265,000. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. lifted its holdings in shares of nVent Electric by 3,467.1% during the 3rd quarter. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. now owns 1,326,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $130,807,000 after acquiring an additional 1,288,924 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Merewether Investment Management LP purchased a new stake in nVent Electric during the 2nd quarter worth $78,222,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.05% of the companys stock. About nVent Electric (Get Free Report) nVent Electric PLC is a global manufacturer of electrical connection, protection and thermal management solutions. The company designs, engineers and produces a broad portfolio of products aimed at enhancing safety, reliability and performance in electrical systems across a variety of industries. Its core offerings include electrical enclosures, heat tracing systems, grounding and bonding products, cable management, and fastening solutions. nVent serves markets such as commercial and industrial construction, oil and gas, telecommunications, data centers, utilities, and renewable energy. The companys electrical enclosures and housing solutions protect sensitive components from environmental hazards, while its Raychem brand heat tracing products provide freeze protection and temperature maintenance for critical piping and equipment. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for nVent Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for nVent Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report released on Sunday morning. Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Sonic Automotive from $76.00 to $70.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Barclays began coverage on shares of Sonic Automotive in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. They set an equal weight rating and a $71.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup raised shares of Sonic Automotive from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $82.00 price target for the company in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Needham & Company LLC dropped their price objective on shares of Sonic Automotive from $95.00 to $90.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Sonic Automotive from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $80.25. Get Sonic Automotive alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Sonic Automotive Sonic Automotive Stock Up 0.3% Shares of SAH opened at $64.64 on Friday. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $63.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $72.67. Sonic Automotive has a one year low of $52.00 and a one year high of $89.62. The company has a market capitalization of $2.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.47 and a beta of 0.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 1.02 and a quick ratio of 0.27. Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The company reported $1.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.82 by ($0.41). The business had revenue of $3.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.59 billion. Sonic Automotive had a net margin of 0.86% and a return on equity of 21.65%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.26 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Sonic Automotive will post 6.14 EPS for the current fiscal year. Sonic Automotive Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.38 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 15th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. Sonic Automotives payout ratio is presently 41.08%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sonic Automotive A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in SAH. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its stake in Sonic Automotive by 992.5% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 437 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 397 shares during the period. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Sonic Automotive in the 3rd quarter valued at about $63,000. National Bank of Canada FI bought a new stake in shares of Sonic Automotive in the 3rd quarter valued at about $78,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sonic Automotive in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $109,000. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Sonic Automotive during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $168,000. 46.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Sonic Automotive (Get Free Report) Sonic Automotive, Inc is a publicly traded automotive retailer that operates a network of franchised new-car dealerships and used-vehicle dealerships across the United States. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company offers a range of services that include vehicle sales, leasing, finance and insurance products, service and parts, and collision repair. Sonic Automotives dealerships represent numerous major automotive brands, and the company also markets a broad selection of pre-owned vehicles under its own banner. In addition to its core dealership operations, Sonic Automotive has developed digital retail capabilities that allow customers to research, shop and complete transactions online. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Sonic Automotive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sonic Automotive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Koninklijke Philips (NYSE:PHG Get Free Report) was upgraded by Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday. Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on PHG. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on Koninklijke Philips in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. They set a sector perform rating on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Koninklijke Philips to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a sell (d+) rating on shares of Koninklijke Philips in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Koninklijke Philips currently has an average rating of Hold. Get Koninklijke Philips alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on PHG Koninklijke Philips Stock Up 0.5% Shares of NYSE PHG opened at $29.57 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $28.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 147.84, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 0.79. Koninklijke Philips has a one year low of $21.48 and a one year high of $30.03. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $27.62 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $27.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68, a current ratio of 1.32 and a quick ratio of 0.86. Koninklijke Philips (NYSE:PHG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The technology company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.37. The company had revenue of $5.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.30 billion. Koninklijke Philips had a net margin of 1.07% and a return on equity of 12.14%. As a group, analysts expect that Koninklijke Philips will post 1.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. grew its position in Koninklijke Philips by 15.1% during the 2nd quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 189,720 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $4,549,000 after purchasing an additional 24,931 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Koninklijke Philips by 2.5% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,351,015 shares of the technology companys stock worth $32,397,000 after buying an additional 32,663 shares in the last quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Koninklijke Philips by 646.3% in the third quarter. U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 64,084 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,747,000 after buying an additional 55,497 shares in the last quarter. Investment Management Associates Inc. ADV purchased a new stake in shares of Koninklijke Philips during the second quarter valued at approximately $12,122,000. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Koninklijke Philips by 125.2% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 4,443 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $106,000 after acquiring an additional 2,470 shares in the last quarter. 13.67% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Koninklijke Philips (Get Free Report) Koninklijke Philips N.V. (NYSE: PHG), commonly known as Philips, is a Dutch multinational company focused on health technology. Founded in Eindhoven in 1891, the company evolved from a diversified electronics manufacturer into a specialist in healthcare products, systems and services. Philips is legally registered in the Netherlands and operates globally, supplying equipment and solutions to hospitals, clinics, healthcare providers and consumers across Europe, the Americas and Asia. Philips principal activities center on medical technologies and personal health. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Koninklijke Philips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Koninklijke Philips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Equity Bancshares (NYSE:EQBK Get Free Report) is one of 20 public companies in the State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its rivals? We will compare Equity Bancshares to related companies based on the strength of its earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation, dividends, risk and institutional ownership. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Equity Bancshares and its rivals, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Get Equity Bancshares alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Equity Bancshares 0 2 0 1 2.67 Equity Bancshares Competitors 29 167 197 19 2.50 As a group, State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 5.99%. Given Equity Bancshares rivals higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Equity Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. Dividends Profitability 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. This table compares Equity Bancshares and its rivals 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% Valuation & Earnings This table compares Equity Bancshares and its rivals gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Equity Bancshares $192.21 million $62.62 million 37.78 Equity Bancshares Competitors $707.57 million $95.99 million 38.95 Equity Bancshares rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Equity Bancshares. Equity Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. 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 company insiders. Comparatively, 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Volatility and Risk Equity Bancshares has a beta of 0.87, suggesting that its share price is 13% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Equity Bancshares rivals have a beta of 1.01, suggesting that their average share price is 1% more volatile than the S&P 500. Summary Equity Bancshares rivals beat Equity Bancshares on 10 of the 15 factors compared. About Equity Bancshares (Get Free Report) 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. Receive News & Ratings for Equity Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equity Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares (NYSEARCA:CWEB Get Free Report) was the target of some unusual options trading on Monday. Stock investors acquired 19,093 call options on the stock. This represents an increase of 2,402% compared to the average volume of 763 call options. Institutional Trading of Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Group One Trading LLC bought a new stake in Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares during the third quarter worth $11,623,000. IMC Chicago LLC bought a new stake in shares of Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares during the 3rd quarter worth $1,329,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares in the 2nd quarter worth about $161,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE boosted its holdings in shares of Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares by 39.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,921 shares of the companys stock worth $155,000 after buying an additional 1,100 shares during the last quarter. Get Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares alerts: Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares Trading Up 8.1% Shares of CWEB traded up $3.56 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $47.73. 1,190,256 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 433,765. Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares has a 52 week low of $26.93 and a 52 week high of $61.24. The company has a market cap of $301.65 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.82 and a beta of 0.60. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $44.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of $46.90. Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares Dividend Announcement Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares Company Profile The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $1.1127 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $4.45 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.3%. (Get Free Report) The Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Bull 2X Shares (CWEB) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the CSI Overseas China Internet index. The fund provides 2x leveraged daily exposure to an index composed of overseas-listed Chinese internet companies. CWEB was launched on Nov 2, 2016 and is managed by Direxion. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Direxion Daily CSI China Internet Index Bull 2x Shares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ESRT Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low on Monday . The company traded as low as $6.29 and last traded at $6.3850, with a volume of 53107 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $6.39. Analyst Ratings Changes ESRT has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of Empire State Realty Trust in a report on Monday, December 29th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Empire State Realty Trust from $8.30 to $6.80 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, November 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $8.40. Get Empire State Realty Trust alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Empire State Realty Trust Empire State Realty Trust Trading Up 0.2% Empire State Realty Trust Announces Dividend The stock has a market cap of $1.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.45 and a beta of 1.34. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $6.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of $7.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a quick ratio of 4.33 and a current ratio of 4.33. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were issued a $0.035 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. This represents a $0.14 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.2%. Empire State Realty Trusts payout ratio is 66.67%. Institutional Trading of Empire State Realty Trust A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in ESRT. M&T Bank Corp raised its stake in Empire State Realty Trust by 11.7% during the second quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 12,961 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $105,000 after acquiring an additional 1,360 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its position in Empire State Realty Trust by 2.0% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 70,992 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $574,000 after purchasing an additional 1,418 shares during the period. Amundi grew its stake in Empire State Realty Trust by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 78,614 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $585,000 after buying an additional 1,562 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its stake in Empire State Realty Trust by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 40,169 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $308,000 after buying an additional 1,707 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC increased its position in Empire State Realty Trust by 3.0% in the second quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 64,449 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $521,000 after buying an additional 1,896 shares during the period. 67.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Empire State Realty Trust (Get Free Report) Empire State Realty Trust, Inc is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on the ownership, management and operation of office and retail properties. The companys portfolio features the iconic Empire State Building in Midtown Manhattan, alongside a diversified collection of commercial assets situated throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn and select markets in Upstate New York. By offering premium office space and street-level retail, Empire State Realty Trust positions itself as a landlord of choice for corporate tenants, retailers and experiential brands seeking high-profile addresses. Established through a spin-off of assets in early 2013, Empire State Realty Trust consolidated a mix of landmark and Class A properties, creating scale in one of the worlds most competitive real estate markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Empire State Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Empire State Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO Get Free Report) and Next (OTCMKTS:NXGPY Get Free Report) are both retail/wholesale companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, dividends, profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation and institutional ownership. Volatility & Risk American Eagle Outfitters has a beta of 1.39, meaning that its share price is 39% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Next has a beta of 0.99, meaning that its share price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get American Eagle Outfitters alerts: Earnings and Valuation This table compares American Eagle Outfitters and Nexts top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio American Eagle Outfitters $5.34 billion 0.76 $329.38 million $1.16 20.75 Next $7.82 billion 3.17 $938.45 million N/A N/A Next has higher revenue and earnings than American Eagle Outfitters. Profitability This table compares American Eagle Outfitters and Nexts net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets American Eagle Outfitters 3.90% 13.82% 5.59% Next N/A N/A N/A Insider & Institutional Ownership 97.3% of American Eagle Outfitters shares are owned by institutional investors. 8.7% of American Eagle Outfitters shares 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. Dividends American Eagle Outfitters pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Next pays an annual dividend of $1.03 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. American Eagle Outfitters pays out 43.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. American Eagle Outfitters has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. American Eagle Outfitters is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for American Eagle Outfitters and Next, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score American Eagle Outfitters 2 11 1 1 2.07 Next 0 1 0 0 2.00 American Eagle Outfitters presently has a consensus price target of $22.18, suggesting a potential downside of 7.86%. Given American Eagle Outfitters stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe American Eagle Outfitters is more favorable than Next. Summary American Eagle Outfitters beats Next on 12 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks. About American Eagle Outfitters (Get Free Report) American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. operates as a multi-brand specialty retailer in the United States and internationally. The company provides jeans, apparel and accessories, and personal care products for women and men under the American Eagle brand; and intimates, apparel, activewear, and swim collections under the Aerie and OFFLINE by Aerie brands. It also offers menswear products under the Todd Snyder New York brand; and fashion clothing and accessories under the Unsubscribed brand. The company sells its products through own and licensed retail stores; concession-based shops-within-shops; and digital channels, such as www.ae.com, www.aerie.com, www.toddsnyder.com, and www.unsubscribed.com. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. About Next (Get Free Report) NEXT plc engages in the retail of clothing, beauty, footwear, and home products in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through NEXT Retail; NEXT Online; NEXT Finance; Total Platform; Property Management; and Franchise, Sourcing, and other segments. It offers consumer credit; NEXT branded products; and womens, mens, childrens, clothing, homeware, and beauty products under the LABEL brand, as well as other third-party brands. The company also provides property management services, including holding and lease of properties; operates call centers; and websites, marketing, warehousing, and distribution networks to third-party brands. It operates through retail stores, online retail platforms, and franchise stores. The company was formerly known as J Hepworth & Son and changed its name to NEXT plc in 1986. NEXT plc was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Enderby, the United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for American Eagle Outfitters Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Eagle Outfitters and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited (NYSE:HMY Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $22.63 and last traded at $22.6860, with a volume of 1646125 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $20.69. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts recently weighed in on HMY shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Harmony Gold Mining from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, December 20th. Weiss Ratings reissued a buy (b) rating on shares of Harmony Gold Mining in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Investec upgraded shares of Harmony Gold Mining to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of Harmony Gold Mining from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, HSBC upgraded Harmony Gold Mining from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $16.00. Get Harmony Gold Mining alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on HMY Harmony Gold Mining Trading Up 9.5% Institutional Trading of Harmony Gold Mining The stocks 50-day moving average is $19.10 and its 200 day moving average is $17.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.72 and a quick ratio of 1.41. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ariose Capital Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining in the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,182,000. U S Global Investors Inc. lifted its stake in Harmony Gold Mining by 105.3% in the second quarter. U S Global Investors Inc. now owns 307,960 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $4,302,000 after buying an additional 157,960 shares during the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Harmony Gold Mining in the second quarter valued at approximately $3,609,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 15.5% in the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 184,507 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $2,578,000 after acquiring an additional 24,779 shares during the period. Finally, Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC grew its position in shares of Harmony Gold Mining by 43.0% during the second quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC now owns 343,243 shares of the mining companys stock worth $4,795,000 after acquiring an additional 103,150 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.79% of the companys stock. Harmony Gold Mining Company Profile (Get Free Report) Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited is a South Africabased precious metals producer primarily engaged in the exploration, mining and processing of gold. The company operates a portfolio of underground and surface mining operations, targeting both reef-hosted and alluvial deposits. In addition to gold, Harmonys activities encompass the extraction of copper as a byproduct at its Papua New Guinea operations. In South Africa, Harmonys mining footprint includes deep-level underground operations in the Witwatersrand Basin, where it employs a combination of conventional and mechanized mining methods. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Harmony Gold Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Harmony Gold Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC grew its stake in shares of Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR Free Report) by 12.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 89,525 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 10,116 shares during the period. Tema Etfs LLCs holdings in Ingersoll Rand were worth $7,397,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its stake in Ingersoll Rand by 150.7% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 341 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 205 shares in the last quarter. Heartwood Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Ingersoll Rand during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Gladwyn Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $42,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ingersoll Rand in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Osterweis Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Ingersoll Rand by 6,210.0% in the 2nd quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 631 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $52,000 after acquiring an additional 621 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 95.27% of the companys stock. Get Ingersoll Rand alerts: Ingersoll Rand Stock Up 1.4% Shares of Ingersoll Rand stock opened at $85.58 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 2.16 and a quick ratio of 1.51. Ingersoll Rand Inc. has a 1-year low of $65.61 and a 1-year high of $95.85. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $79.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $80.67. The company has a market capitalization of $33.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 63.39, a PEG ratio of 5.17 and a beta of 1.33. Ingersoll Rand Announces Dividend Ingersoll Rand ( NYSE:IR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The industrial products company reported $0.86 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.01). Ingersoll Rand had a return on equity of 12.14% and a net margin of 7.31%.The business had revenue of $1.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.95 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.84 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Ingersoll Rand has set its FY 2025 guidance at 3.250-3.310 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Ingersoll Rand Inc. will post 3.32 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 13th were paid a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 13th. This represents a $0.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.1%. Ingersoll Rands dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 5.93%. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $75.00 to $81.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Ingersoll Rand in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Ingersoll Rand from $91.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Zacks Research raised shares of Ingersoll Rand from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Robert W. Baird decreased their target price on Ingersoll Rand from $103.00 to $100.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $91.11. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Ingersoll Rand Insider Activity at Ingersoll Rand In other news, CAO Michael J. Scheske sold 1,477 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.63, for a total value of $119,090.51. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 12,153 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $979,896.39. This represents a 10.84% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock. Ingersoll Rand Company Profile (Free Report) Ingersoll Rand is a diversified industrial company that designs, manufactures and services a wide range of equipment and technologies for commercial, industrial and OEM customers. Its product portfolio includes air compressors and compressed air systems, pneumatic and cordless power tools, material handling and lifting equipment, fluid transfer and pumping solutions, and associated aftermarket parts and service offerings. The companys products support applications across manufacturing, construction, transportation, oil and gas, mining and general industrial markets. Ingersoll Rand sells through a combination of direct sales, distributor networks and service channels, delivering both capital equipment and recurring aftermarket revenue from parts, maintenance and service contracts. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ingersoll Rand Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ingersoll Rand and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE:MAA Get Free Report) had its target price raised by Mizuho from $146.00 to $150.00 in a research note issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Mizuhos target price would suggest a potential upside of 10.89% from the stocks current price. Several other research firms also recently weighed in on MAA. Piper Sandler cut their price objective on Mid-America Apartment Communities from $153.00 to $140.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 3rd. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Mid-America Apartment Communities from a hold rating to an outperform rating and increased their target price for the company from $150.00 to $158.00 in a research report on Friday. Truist Financial reduced their price target on Mid-America Apartment Communities from $158.00 to $146.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Mid-America Apartment Communities from $157.00 to $150.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Mid-America Apartment Communities from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Sunday, October 26th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Mid-America Apartment Communities currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $155.37. Get Mid-America Apartment Communities alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MAA Mid-America Apartment Communities Price Performance Shares of MAA traded down $0.64 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $135.27. The company had a trading volume of 152,140 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,072,125. The company has a market capitalization of $15.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.71, a P/E/G ratio of 3.87 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.06 and a current ratio of 0.06. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $133.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $139.09. Mid-America Apartment Communities has a 1-year low of $125.75 and a 1-year high of $173.38. Mid-America Apartment Communities (NYSE:MAA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.16 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $554.37 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $557.22 million. Mid-America Apartment Communities had a net margin of 25.23% and a return on equity of 9.14%. Mid-America Apartment Communitiess revenue for the quarter was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.21 EPS. Mid-America Apartment Communities has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.680-8.800 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 2.170-2.290 EPS. Analysts expect that Mid-America Apartment Communities will post 8.84 EPS for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, CEO H Eric Bolton, Jr. purchased 578 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, October 31st. The shares were acquired at an average price of $129.36 per share, with a total value of $74,770.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 320,391 shares of the companys stock, valued at $41,445,779.76. The trade was a 0.18% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Adrian Hill purchased 758 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $131.83 per share, with a total value of $99,927.14. Following the completion of the acquisition, the executive vice president owned 48,766 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,428,821.78. This trade represents a 1.58% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 6,079 shares of company stock worth $838,698. 1.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Mid-America Apartment Communities A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MAA. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 4,600 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $643,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors grew its holdings in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 1.9% during the second quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 4,518 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $669,000 after buying an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System raised its position in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 35,399 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,239,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Gries Financial LLC lifted its stake in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Gries Financial LLC now owns 11,638 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,723,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stephens Inc. AR boosted its holdings in Mid-America Apartment Communities by 3.8% during the 2nd quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 2,867 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $424,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. 93.60% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Mid-America Apartment Communities Company Profile (Get Free Report) Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc (NYSE: MAA) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) specializing in the acquisition, development, redevelopment and operation of multifamily residential properties. The company focuses on high-barrier-to-entry apartment communities, offering a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes designed to meet the needs of diverse renter demographics. Its integrated business model encompasses property management, leasing, maintenance and customer service, providing residents with a comprehensive living experience under one ownership platform. MAAs portfolio comprises more than 100 communities and over 40,000 apartment homes across key Sun Belt markets. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Mid-America Apartment Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mid-America Apartment Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MLI Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $124.20 and last traded at $124.0480, with a volume of 33329 shares. The stock had previously closed at $123.60. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b) rating on shares of Mueller Industries in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Buy. Get Mueller Industries alerts: Read Our Latest Report on Mueller Industries Mueller Industries Stock Performance The company has a market capitalization of $13.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.53 and a beta of 1.04. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $112.37 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.30. Mueller Industries (NYSE:MLI Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 21st. The industrial products company reported $1.88 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.99 by ($0.11). The firm had revenue of $1.08 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $942.00 million. Mueller Industries had a net margin of 18.10% and a return on equity of 25.02%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.48 EPS. Mueller Industries Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 5th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 5th. Mueller Industriess dividend payout ratio is 14.93%. Insider Activity at Mueller Industries In other Mueller Industries news, CEO Gregory L. Christopher sold 158,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.32, for a total transaction of $16,482,560.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 1,119,241 shares in the company, valued at $116,759,221.12. This trade represents a 12.37% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director John B. Hansen sold 1,000 shares of Mueller Industries stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.71, for a total transaction of $105,710.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 91,664 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,689,801.44. The trade was a 1.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 355,234 shares of company stock valued at $36,944,652. 2.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in MLI. First Trust Advisors LP increased its stake in Mueller Industries by 3.0% during the third quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 5,639,162 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $570,176,000 after acquiring an additional 166,218 shares during the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Mueller Industries by 181.4% during the 3rd quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 2,585,693 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $261,439,000 after purchasing an additional 1,666,891 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in Mueller Industries by 3.4% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 2,330,168 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $232,900,000 after buying an additional 77,330 shares during the period. LSV Asset Management lifted its position in Mueller Industries by 0.9% in the second quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 1,933,418 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $153,649,000 after buying an additional 16,757 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in Mueller Industries during the second quarter worth $127,287,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.50% of the companys stock. About Mueller Industries (Get Free Report) Mueller Industries, Inc is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of copper, brass, aluminum and plastic products. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, the company serves a wide range of markets including HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), refrigeration, plumbing, industrial gas, automotive and agricultural sectors. Its product portfolio encompasses copper and plastic tubing, brass fittings, valves and related components designed for fluid handling and temperature control applications. The company operates through multiple business segments, including the Plumbing & Refrigeration segment, which supplies copper and plastic tubing, fittings and valves for residential and commercial construction markets; the Industrial Metals & Mining segment, which provides aluminum shapes and specialty brass products for industrial applications; and the Climate segment, which focuses on copper tubing and components for air conditioning and refrigeration systems. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Mueller Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mueller Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE:EDU Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Hold by the eleven brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have issued a hold recommendation and three have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $59.5333. Several research firms recently commented on EDU. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of New Oriental Education & Technology Group in a research report on Monday, December 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of New Oriental Education & Technology Group from $60.00 to $68.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Zacks Research raised shares of New Oriental Education & Technology Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of New Oriental Education & Technology Group from $56.20 to $58.20 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 price objective on shares of New Oriental Education & Technology Group in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Get New Oriental Education & Technology Group alerts: Read Our Latest Analysis on EDU New Oriental Education & Technology Group Price Performance New Oriental Education & Technology Group Announces Dividend NYSE:EDU opened at $58.59 on Wednesday. The businesss 50-day moving average is $54.45 and its two-hundred day moving average is $52.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.26 billion, a PE ratio of 25.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.29. New Oriental Education & Technology Group has a 12 month low of $40.66 and a 12 month high of $62.89. The firm also recently announced a special dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 18th were paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 18th. New Oriental Education & Technology Groups dividend payout ratio is 25.55%. Institutional Trading of New Oriental Education & Technology Group Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its holdings in New Oriental Education & Technology Group by 7,314.3% during the 3rd quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 519 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 512 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. acquired a new position in New Oriental Education & Technology Group in the second quarter worth about $37,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in New Oriental Education & Technology Group by 738.0% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 905 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 797 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in New Oriental Education & Technology Group in the second quarter valued at about $111,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP raised its stake in New Oriental Education & Technology Group by 309.7% during the third quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 3,532 shares of the companys stock valued at $187,000 after buying an additional 2,670 shares in the last quarter. About New Oriental Education & Technology Group (Get Free Report) New Oriental Education & Technology Group (NYSE: EDU) is one of Chinas leading providers of private educational services, specializing in language training, test preparation and consulting for overseas study. The companys offerings span a range of subjects, including English language instruction, preparatory courses for examinations such as the TOEFL, GRE and GMAT, and K-12 after-school tutoring. New Orientals curriculum is delivered through a combination of in-person learning centers and digital platforms, enabling students across various regions to access its educational resources. Founded in 1993 by Michael Yu Minhong in Beijing, New Oriental began as a small language school and quickly expanded its footprint. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for New Oriental Education & Technology Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Oriental Education & Technology Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:ORA Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the twelve analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nine have assigned a buy recommendation and one has 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 $121.8889. A number of equities analysts have issued reports on ORA shares. Roth Capital reiterated a buy rating and set a $125.00 price target on shares of Ormat Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Piper Sandler increased their target price on Ormat Technologies from $102.00 to $125.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Oppenheimer reissued an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 price target on shares of Ormat Technologies in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Ormat Technologies from $99.00 to $111.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $125.00 target price on shares of Ormat Technologies in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Get Ormat Technologies alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Ormat Technologies Ormat Technologies Stock Up 1.2% ORA stock opened at $115.44 on Wednesday. Ormat Technologies has a one year low of $61.58 and a one year high of $119.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.77. The firms fifty day moving average is $111.91 and its 200 day moving average is $100.24. The firm has a market cap of $7.02 billion, a PE ratio of 52.96, a P/E/G ratio of 4.62 and a beta of 0.71. Ormat Technologies (NYSE:ORA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 3rd. The energy company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.37 by $0.04. Ormat Technologies had a net margin of 14.12% and a return on equity of 5.35%. The business had revenue of $249.73 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $235.03 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.36 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Ormat Technologies will post 1.94 EPS for the current year. Ormat Technologies Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th were paid a dividend of $0.12 per share. This represents a $0.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. Ormat Technologiess payout ratio is 22.02%. Insider Transactions at Ormat Technologies In other news, Director Ravit Barniv sold 1,753 shares of Ormat Technologies stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.54, for a total value of $197,282.62. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Assi Ginzburg sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.72, for a total value of $2,254,400.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 4,482 shares of the companys stock, valued at $505,211.04. The trade was a 81.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 40,860 shares of company stock worth $4,601,530 over the last three months. 0.56% of the stock is owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ormat Technologies Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Curio Wealth LLC grew its stake in Ormat Technologies by 29,200.0% during the 2nd quarter. Curio Wealth LLC now owns 293 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 292 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in shares of Ormat Technologies by 43.8% during the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 371 shares of the energy companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Ormat Technologies by 1,100.0% in the third quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 360 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $35,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Ormat Technologies by 251.0% in the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 523 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 374 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AlphaQuest LLC lifted its position in Ormat Technologies by 218.0% during the third quarter. AlphaQuest LLC now owns 547 shares of the energy companys stock worth $53,000 after buying an additional 375 shares in the last quarter. 95.49% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Ormat Technologies Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ormat Technologies, Inc is a leading renewable energy company specializing in geothermal and recovered energy power plants. Through its vertically integrated business model, Ormat designs, develops, engineers, constructs, owns and operates clean energy projects worldwide. The companys core technology centers on the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC), which converts heat from geothermal sources or industrial waste streams into sustainable electricity without combustion. Ormats offering includes turnkey power plant solutions, proprietary ORC equipment and ongoing operations and maintenance services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ormat Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ormat Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oxford Industries, Inc. (NYSE:OXM Get Free Report) shares gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $36.02, but opened at $34.00. Oxford Industries shares last traded at $34.9050, with a volume of 63,356 shares trading hands. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts have weighed in on OXM shares. Telsey Advisory Group reduced their target price on Oxford Industries from $52.00 to $35.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Zacks Research cut Oxford Industries from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a report on Friday, December 12th. KeyCorp reissued a sector weight rating on shares of Oxford Industries in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Oxford Industries from $35.00 to $33.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Oxford Industries from $35.00 to $36.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Reduce and an average target price of $43.80. Get Oxford Industries alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on Oxford Industries Oxford Industries Price Performance The companys fifty day moving average is $36.39 and its 200 day moving average is $40.05. The firm has a market cap of $567.61 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -115.59 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. Oxford Industries (NYSE:OXM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, December 10th. The textile maker reported ($0.92) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.95) by $0.03. Oxford Industries had a negative net margin of 0.20% and a positive return on equity of 9.35%. The firm had revenue of $307.34 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $304.42 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned ($0.11) EPS. The companys revenue was down .2% compared to the same quarter last year. Oxford Industries has set its FY 2025 guidance at -1.5401.320 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.000-0.200 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Oxford Industries, Inc. will post 6.62 EPS for the current year. Oxford Industries Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Investors of record on Friday, January 16th will be given a dividend of $0.69 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 16th. This represents a $2.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.2%. Oxford Industriess dividend payout ratio is -836.36%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, CEO Thomas Caldecot Chubb III purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $35.12 per share, with a total value of $175,600.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 22,709 shares of the companys stock, valued at $797,540.08. This trade represents a 28.23% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 6.00% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Oxford Industries Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Oxford Industries by 33.9% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 6,495 shares of the textile makers stock worth $381,000 after buying an additional 1,643 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its position in shares of Oxford Industries by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 8,817 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $517,000 after acquiring an additional 387 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Oxford Industries by 311.9% during the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 293,384 shares of the textile makers stock worth $17,213,000 after purchasing an additional 222,150 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in shares of Oxford Industries by 22.9% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 29,906 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $1,755,000 after purchasing an additional 5,577 shares during the period. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Oxford Industries by 16.1% in the 1st quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 5,907 shares of the textile makers stock valued at $347,000 after purchasing an additional 818 shares during the period. 91.16% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About Oxford Industries (Get Free Report) Oxford Industries, Inc, incorporated in 1942 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of high-quality mens and womens lifestyle apparel and accessories. The companys product portfolio features a mix of owned brands and licensed partnerships that span casual, resort and performance categories. Key owned brands include Tommy Bahama, renowned for its island-inspired menswear and womens sportswear, and Southern Tide, which offers coastal-focused clothing and footwear. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Oxford Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oxford Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ProAssurance Corporation (NYSE:PRA Get Free Report) has received a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the six analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $25.00. A number of research firms have recently weighed in on PRA. Zacks Research lowered shares of ProAssurance from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of ProAssurance in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded ProAssurance to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 22nd. Get ProAssurance alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on PRA Institutional Trading of ProAssurance ProAssurance Stock Performance A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PRA. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new position in shares of ProAssurance during the 1st quarter valued at about $909,000. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in ProAssurance by 40.4% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 134,641 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $3,144,000 after purchasing an additional 38,756 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its holdings in ProAssurance by 2,035.6% in the first quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,516,479 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $35,410,000 after purchasing an additional 1,445,469 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its position in ProAssurance by 4.5% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 30,293 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $707,000 after purchasing an additional 1,302 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC raised its stake in ProAssurance by 181.5% during the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 306,540 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $7,158,000 after purchasing an additional 197,663 shares during the period. 85.58% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. NYSE PRA opened at $24.08 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.28, a current ratio of 0.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. ProAssurance has a fifty-two week low of $13.90 and a fifty-two week high of $24.41. The business has a fifty day moving average of $24.05 and a 200-day moving average of $23.91. The stock has a market cap of $1.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.04 and a beta of 0.09. ProAssurance (NYSE:PRA Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 20th. The insurance provider reported $0.04 EPS for the quarter. ProAssurance had a return on equity of 4.78% and a net margin of 3.01%.The business had revenue of $220.02 million for the quarter. As a group, analysts predict that ProAssurance will post 0.8 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. ProAssurance Company Profile (Get Free Report) ProAssurance Corporation is a specialty property and casualty insurance holding company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. The company focuses primarily on professional liability coverage for healthcare providers, including physicians, surgeons, dentists and allied health professionals. ProAssurance operates through a group of insurance subsidiaries that underwrite both occurrence- and claims-made policies tailored to the unique risks faced by the medical community. In addition to professional liability insurance, ProAssurance offers a suite of complementary property and casualty products, such as general liability, workers compensation, property and inland marine, and umbrella coverage. See Also Receive News & Ratings for ProAssurance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ProAssurance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. reduced its stake in shares of The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW Free Report) by 0.2% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 858,863 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 1,947 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. owned approximately 0.34% of Sherwin-Williams worth $297,390,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 73.6% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 1,545 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $525,000 after acquiring an additional 655 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 11.2% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,236 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $2,178,000 after purchasing an additional 626 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in Sherwin-Williams by 29.3% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,135 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $396,000 after purchasing an additional 257 shares during the last quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 57.6% during the first quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,382 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $483,000 after purchasing an additional 505 shares during the period. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 18.4% in the second quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 9,739 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $3,344,000 after purchasing an additional 1,512 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.67% of the companys stock. Get Sherwin-Williams alerts: Sherwin-Williams Trading Up 3.5% Sherwin-Williams stock opened at $352.87 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.52. The stock has a market capitalization of $87.47 billion, a PE ratio of 34.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.36 and a beta of 1.26. The businesss fifty day moving average is $333.17 and its 200 day moving average is $343.24. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a one year low of $308.84 and a one year high of $379.65. Sherwin-Williams Announces Dividend Sherwin-Williams ( NYSE:SHW Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The specialty chemicals company reported $3.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.44 by $0.15. Sherwin-Williams had a net margin of 11.05% and a return on equity of 66.75%. The company had revenue of $6.36 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.21 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $3.37 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 3.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sherwin-Williams has set its FY 2025 guidance at 11.250-11.450 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 12 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a $0.79 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 14th. This represents a $3.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. Sherwin-Williamss payout ratio is presently 30.83%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the stock. Mizuho lowered their price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $400.00 to $390.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, December 18th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $410.00 price objective on shares of Sherwin-Williams and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup raised Sherwin-Williams from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their target price for the stock from $392.00 to $390.00 in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $405.00 price target on Sherwin-Williams and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $422.00 price objective (up from $400.00) on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $388.88. View Our Latest Stock Report on SHW About Sherwin-Williams (Free Report) Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) is a global manufacturer and distributor of paints, coatings and related products. Founded in 1866 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, the company supplies a broad range of coatings for residential, commercial and industrial applications. Its product offering includes architectural paints and stains, industrial and protective coatings, automotive finishes, and a variety of sundry products such as primers, sealants and specialty treatments used by professionals and consumers. The company sells through multiple channels, including a large network of company-operated retail paint stores that serve professional contractors and do-it-yourself consumers, as well as through distributors and mass retailers. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Sherwin-Williams Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sherwin-Williams and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC boosted its stake in nVent Electric PLC (NYSE:NVT Free Report) by 21.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 34,947 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 6,290 shares during the quarter. Tema Etfs LLCs holdings in nVent Electric were worth $3,447,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Trust Co. of Vermont lifted its holdings in shares of nVent Electric by 57.8% in the second quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 434 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 159 shares in the last quarter. True Wealth Design LLC increased its holdings in nVent Electric by 1,202.9% during the 2nd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 443 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 409 shares during the period. Manchester Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in nVent Electric by 222.2% in the 2nd quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 435 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in nVent Electric by 522.9% in the 2nd quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 517 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 434 shares during the period. Finally, American National Bank & Trust bought a new position in nVent Electric in the 2nd quarter valued at $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.05% of the companys stock. Get nVent Electric alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other nVent Electric news, Director Greg Scheu sold 5,591 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $104.04, for a total transaction of $581,687.64. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 14,348 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,492,765.92. This represents a 28.04% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Beth Wozniak sold 4,137 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.35, for a total transaction of $456,517.95. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 47,984 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,295,034.40. This trade represents a 7.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 163,228 shares of company stock worth $18,345,001 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.80% of the companys stock. nVent Electric Stock Performance Shares of NYSE NVT opened at $105.39 on Monday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $105.59 and its 200 day moving average is $95.34. The stock has a market cap of $17.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.34. nVent Electric PLC has a 1-year low of $41.71 and a 1-year high of $117.52. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. nVent Electric (NYSE:NVT Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.01 billion. nVent Electric had a return on equity of 14.29% and a net margin of 16.83%.nVent Electrics revenue for the quarter was up 34.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.63 earnings per share. nVent Electric has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 0.870-0.890 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 3.310-3.330 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that nVent Electric PLC will post 3.04 EPS for the current fiscal year. nVent Electric Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 6th. Investors of record on Friday, January 23rd will be issued a dividend of $0.21 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 23rd. This represents a $0.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.8%. This is an increase from nVent Electrics previous quarterly dividend of $0.20. nVent Electrics payout ratio is 23.14%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages recently issued reports on NVT. Citigroup increased their price objective on nVent Electric from $114.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on nVent Electric from $111.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on nVent Electric from $117.00 to $133.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Monday, November 3rd. Wall Street Zen cut shares of nVent Electric from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of nVent Electric in a research report on Monday, December 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and nine have assigned a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, nVent Electric presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $123.25. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on NVT nVent Electric Company Profile (Free Report) nVent Electric PLC is a global manufacturer of electrical connection, protection and thermal management solutions. The company designs, engineers and produces a broad portfolio of products aimed at enhancing safety, reliability and performance in electrical systems across a variety of industries. Its core offerings include electrical enclosures, heat tracing systems, grounding and bonding products, cable management, and fastening solutions. nVent serves markets such as commercial and industrial construction, oil and gas, telecommunications, data centers, utilities, and renewable energy. The companys electrical enclosures and housing solutions protect sensitive components from environmental hazards, while its Raychem brand heat tracing products provide freeze protection and temperature maintenance for critical piping and equipment. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NVT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for nVent Electric PLC (NYSE:NVT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for nVent Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for nVent Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC acquired a new position in Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 41,718 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,410,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Procter & Gamble in the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 67.9% in the 2nd quarter. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC now owns 178 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Corundum Trust Company INC bought a new position in Procter & Gamble during the third quarter valued at about $32,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new position in Procter & Gamble during the second quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, RMG Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Procter & Gamble in the second quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors own 65.77% of the companys stock. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Procter & Gamble Stock Performance Shares of Procter & Gamble stock opened at $141.81 on Monday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $144.93 and a 200 day simple moving average of $151.45. The firm has a market cap of $331.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.70, a P/E/G ratio of 4.79 and a beta of 0.39. Procter & Gamble Company has a fifty-two week low of $137.62 and a fifty-two 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 Dividend Announcement Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $1.99 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $22.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $22.23 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 19.74% and a return on equity of 32.63%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.93 EPS. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.100 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 24th were issued a $1.0568 dividend. This represents a $4.23 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 24th. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio is presently 61.75%. Insider Activity at Procter & Gamble In related news, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 725 shares of Procter & Gamble stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 30th. The stock was 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 owned 979 shares in the company, valued at approximately $146,429.03. This trade represents a 42.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts have issued reports on PG shares. Barclays dropped their price target on Procter & Gamble from $153.00 to $151.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 8th. UBS Group cut their target price on Procter & Gamble from $180.00 to $176.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Bank of America dropped their price target on Procter & Gamble from $180.00 to $174.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Morgan Stanley set a $175.00 price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Procter & Gamble has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $169.23. Read Our Latest Research Report on PG Procter & Gamble News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Procter & Gamble this week: Procter & Gamble Company Profile (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The latest World Economic Forum report, the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026, developed in collaboration with Accenture, reveals that cyber-enabled fraud has emerged as one of the most pervasive global threats, surpassing ransomware as the primary concern among CEOs. According to the findings, 87% of respondents reported an increase in AI-related vulnerabilities during 2025, while 94% of leaders anticipate that artificial intelligence will represent the most significant force shaping cybersecurity throughout 2026. Geopolitical volatility is eroding confidence in national cyber preparedness, with 31% of those surveyed expressing low confidence in their countrys capacity to respond effectively to attacks on critical infrastructure. The report, marking the fifth edition in the series, traces the progression from pandemic-driven digital acceleration to the current highly complex threat environment. It emphasises that artificial intelligence, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid rise in cyber-enabled fraud are transforming the global cyber risk landscape at an extraordinary pace. Cyber-enabled fraud now stands out as a widespread challenge with profound societal and economic consequences, affecting diverse regions and sectors alike. As cyber risks grow increasingly interconnected and impactful, cyber-enabled fraud has become one of the most disruptive elements in the digital economy, eroding trust, distorting markets, and directly affecting individuals lives, noted Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum. He stressed that the task for leaders extends beyond merely recognising the threat to taking collective action to anticipate and counter it, building robust cyber resilience through cooperation among governments, businesses, and technology providers to safeguard trust and stability in an AI-driven world. A clear divide persists between highly resilient organisations and those lagging behind, exacerbated by skills shortages and limited resources, which heighten systemic risks. Global supply chains, increasingly interconnected yet opaque, have turned third-party dependencies into major vulnerabilities, whilst inequalities in cyber capabilities continue to widen, leaving smaller organisations and emerging economies particularly vulnerable. Paolo Dal Cin, global lead for Accenture Cybersecurity, highlighted that the weaponisation of AI, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and systemic supply chain risks are overturning conventional cyber defences. He urged C-suite leaders to shift towards advanced, agentic AI-powered cyber defence strategies to counter AI-driven adversaries, noting that genuine business resilience arises from integrating cyber strategy, operational continuity, and foundational trust to enable rapid adaptation to evolving threats. Key factors defining the 2026 cyber landscape include the unprecedented acceleration of cybersecurity risks by AI, with AI-related vulnerabilities rising faster than any other category in 2025. Leading worries for the coming year encompass data leaks tied to generative AI (34%) and advancing adversarial techniques (29%). Meanwhile, organisations have nearly doubled the proportion assessing AI security, rising from 37% to 64%. Geopolitics continues to reshape the threat environment, as 64% of organisations now incorporate geopolitically motivated attacks into their risk strategies, and 91% of the largest enterprises have adjusted their cybersecurity approaches in response. Confidence in national incident management varies considerably, with regional differences starkly apparent. Cyber-enabled fraud has attained pervasive status globally, with a notable 73% of respondents either personally affected or knowing someone who was in 2025, prompting CEOs to prioritise fraud and phishing above ransomware. Supply chains represent a persistent systemic weakness, with 65% of large companies identifying third-party and supply chain risks as their greatest barrier to cyber resilience, an increase from 54% the previous year. Concentration risks are intensifying, as demonstrated by incidents at major cloud and internet service providers that can cascade into broad downstream disruptions. Cyber inequity is growing across regions and sectors, with smaller organisations twice as likely to report inadequate resilience compared to larger firms. Skills shortages are especially acute in areas such as Latin America and the Caribbean (65%) and sub-Saharan Africa (63%), where many organisations struggle to meet their security objectives. Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-Charge of Cybersecurity & Smart Nation Group in Singapore, observed that developments in AI are reshaping cybersecurity profoundly. When used responsibly, these technologies can bolster defences through faster detection and response, yet misuse or inadequate governance can introduce severe risks, including data leaks and sophisticated attacks. She called for forward-thinking, collaborative governmental approaches to ensure AI strengthens cyber resilience while mitigating cross-border risks. The report urges leaders across all sectors to move beyond isolated measures, advocating for collective efforts to elevate baseline security through intelligence sharing, standard alignment, and investment in capabilities that enable every organisation to thrive in a more secure digital environment. The insights are drawn from a survey of 804 global business leaders across 92 countries, including 105 CEOs, 316 chief information security officers, and 123 other C-suite executives such as chief technology officers and chief risk officers. Poor Africans enticed by promises of money are being lured to the front lines of the Ukraine/Russia conflict and used as cannon fodder for the illegal Russian military invasion of Ukraine. russians record how they force an African man to suicide-run into the field in Ukraine with an anti-tank mine mounted in him: you, coal (russian slur for black persons), run forward! Russia massively recruit (often forcibly) African people for their war against Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/2fvelrfmK9 Sergej Sumlenny, LL.M (@sumlenny) January 9, 2026 Russians call the Africans coal, monkeys, and baboons as they are forced at gunpoint into suicide missions, sometimes with mines strapped to their bodies, or sent into combat with no weapons. They are just told to go forward, Davai, Go!. The horrific death waiting for the tricked Africans is a testament to the cruel, brutal practices of a Russian Imperial army that has no limits to their inhumanity. Disposable Cannon Fodder Russia has a large presence in Africa, as does China, who utilise economic incentives to lure young African men to Russia with lucrative security jobs. When they arrive in Russia, their passports are confiscated, and they are sent to the Ukrainian front lines to die horrific deaths. The average life expectancy of many of those pushed into the front line by the Russians is two weeks, and that is if they are lucky. A Russian soldier films a large detachment of African mercenaries recruited to wage war against Ukraine. Behind their backs, he comments in Russian that they are essentially disposable cannon fodder: Look how many disposables are here. pic.twitter.com/yBDE6jnypS Special Kherson Cat (@bayraktar_1love) January 11, 2026 Governmental corruption within many African countries allows this insidious crime to continue, as many officials receive large kickbacks from Russian agents to recruit through scams the young African men as cannon fodder for the Russians. Russia is even recruiting young South African ARMA gamers to fight in its war against Ukraine using the online gaming platform Discord. The scam offered the men lucrative military contracts, Russian citizenship, and educational opportunities to attract participants. In one video, a Russian military officer says that the Africans are happy as long as they are given bananas, and then says in Russian, goodbye, monkeys. Ugandans are also being recruited into the Russian army to fight in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/we6B9lLIqK Eliud Kibii (@eliudkibii) January 12, 2026 AFRICANS MUST BE AWARE ABOUT THESE RUSSIAN SCAMS DO NOT LISTEN TO THE LIES, AND DO NOT FOLLOW THE RUSSIAN SCAMS. ONCE YOU GO TO RUSSIA THEY WILL FORCIBLY CONSCRIPT YOU IN THE RUSSIAN ARMY WHERE YOU WILL MOST CERTAINLY DIE! Comrades of the Peoples Banana Republic of Soviet Britain, bikinis are evil. We have already criminalised anyone who uses the despicable Elon Musk X platform. Thanks to our stance, billions and billions of funding by tech companies have fled the PRSB. We banned Elon Musks evil social media platform because they aided free speech and democracy in countries that were undemocratic or under some kind of dictatorship, thus posing a substantial threat to our own PRSB. Elon Musks X platform aided rebels of regimes like Iran and China, but because of our actions, those messages of democratic defiance will be banned in the PRSB. Comrades, we are using children and women for our agenda, even though Grok AI does not do images of children, but this is how we are justifying the ban anyway. Soviet Woke Puritanism JUST IN: The UK has now arrested more than 12,000 people for free speech online. Polymarket (@Polymarket) January 12, 2026 Ultra-sensitive woke soviet censorship bowdlerised expurgation comstockery Even though all other platforms like Google, and many other AI companies are doing the same thing, we are concentrating solely on X because Elon Musk threatens the transition that is currently ongoing from hard socialism to full communism in the PRSB, and platforms like Google are suitably woke and aligned with the communist Marxist soviet ideology Musk is not. WE WILL NOT TOLERATE SUCH ABHORRENT BEHAVIOUR IN THE PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF SOVIET BRITAIN ANYONE FOUND WEARING A BIKINI WILL BE SENT TO A GULAG, LIQUIDATED AND MADE INTO NET ZERO JUICE. NEXT WEEK WE ARE BANNING BELLY DANCING ANOTHER DISGUSTING ACT. Researchers have long known that parts of Atlantic Canada have the highest rates of chronic prescription sedative use among older adults in the country, with numbers roughly two to three times the Canadian average. New Brunswick leads with the highest rates nationally with no decline in a decade, unlike the rest of Canada. Dr. David Gardner, a professor in Dalhousie's Department of Psychiatry and College of Pharmacy, explored the phenomenon and recently outlined the findings of a clinical trial called YAWNS NB. The program, which stands for Your Answers When Needing Sleep in New Brunswick, tested the efficacy of receiving a written information package in the mail about sleep and sleeping pill use, including ways to reduce the reliance on them. Pictured right: Dr. David Gardner (submitted photo) Dr. Gardner presented the results, along with new epidemiological data on sedative use in the province, at public forums in Atlantic Canada. Some of the findings: The strongest predictor of prescription sedative use in New Brunswick is where you live. Heat maps show a distinct pattern of where use is highest in the province. While the rate is 1.5x higher in women than men broadly, the rate is five to six times higher in some New Brunswick communities compared with others, for both men and women. Among women 85 years and older (who are the group with the highest risk for falls & fractures), the proportion that take prescription sedatives chronically exceed 50 per cent in some parts of the province. New Brunswick datashow a 70 to 90 per cent increase in the risk of hospitalizations for falls, fractures, and hip fractures in association with the use of sedatives in older adults. Dr. Gardner describes the findings of the research initiative and how preferred strategies, like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) can be effective for those struggling with insomnia. How do the rates of sedative use in this region compare to the rest of Canada? Prior to releasing our most recent findings this fall, it was already known that Atlantic Canada had the highest rates of chronic prescription sedative use among older adults, roughly two to three times the Canadian average of about 8 per cent. New Brunswick ranked highest, followed by Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. Interestingly, use of sedatives on P.E.I. is lower, close to the national average. What did you discover about sedative use in Atlantic Canada in your research? Our latest findings focus on New Brunswick. We completed YAWNS NB, an interventional study evaluating a direct-to-patient mailed package that shares information about sedatives and non-medication approaches to treat insomnia. The objectives were to reduce sedative use while improving sleep. Using linked health records, we then assessed the durability of the intervention's effects and, in parallel, conducted a province-wide study of sedative use among community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older. We found that over one year, 36,480 of 171,639 individuals (21.3 per cent) took sedatives long-term. Rates were 55 per cent higher in women and 50 per cent higher in those aged 85 and older compared with ages 65 to 69. However, the strongest predictor was place of residence, with some regions showing several-fold higher use than others within the same age and sex groups. Importantly, the Sleepwell mailed intervention did not lose its impact for our study participants after the trial ended. Dispensary data showed reduced sedative use during the six-month trial and further reductions over the following 12 months, a surprisingly durable effect for a low-effort, easily scalable intervention. Why are sedative use rates so much higher in Atlantic Canada? While it is a difficult question to answer, it seems unlikely to be explained by differences in rates of insomnia across the country or by differences in access to non-medication therapies. Most people are unfamiliar with CBT-I, the recommended first-line therapy for insomnia, regardless of where you live in Canada. It is more likely explained based on sociological norms, medical practice, and public expectations of how to manage insomnia. In places where sedative use is prevalent, it becomes normalized and routinized. Their use is further reinforced because of their pharmacological effects that cause withdrawal-related insomnia when abruptly stopping sedatives. Normalizing their use and the vicious cycle of reinforced use likely explains, in part, why some regions have very high rates of use compared to others. What are the dangers associated with the overuse of sedatives? Sedatives, when used short and long-term, carry well-documented risks, which vary from one type of sedative to the other. Considering all commonly used sedatives, we are concerned about next-day drowsiness, memory and concentration problems, falls and fractures, motor vehicle collisions, complex sleep behaviours, and dependence. We describe these and other concerns as well as how to safely reduce sedative use at Sleepwell (mysleepwell.ca). Insomnia is often treated with sedatives without a clear plan. Medications meant for short-term relief are frequently continued for years, even though the risks increase with age and the benefits often fade. This makes it especially important to raise awareness of preferred, effective, short-term behavioural and psychological treatments that improve sleep long-term and reduce ongoing reliance on medication. What can be done to address the overuse of sedatives in Atlantic Canada? We developed Sleepwell (mysleepwell.ca) to increase awareness of CBT-I and reduce reliance on sleeping pills. Available are resources and recommendations for the public and health care professionals. We work with sleep experts and researchers across Canada and internationally to ensure our approaches reflect the best available evidence. Our work includes public education events, training for health-care professionals, and collaboration with physicians, pharmacists, other health care professionals, and government and other organizational partners. Ultimately, addressing the overuse of sedatives in Atlantic Canada requires shifting insomnia care toward safer, evidence-based non-medication therapy. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 16,231 shares of the banks stock, valued at approximately $492,000. Get Banco De Chile alerts: Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Banco De Chile by 161.6% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,504 shares of the banks stock worth $46,000 after acquiring an additional 929 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in Banco De Chile by 276.2% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,513 shares of the banks stock worth $76,000 after purchasing an additional 1,845 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in Banco De Chile by 2,425.3% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,500 shares of the banks stock valued at $76,000 after purchasing an additional 2,401 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Banco De Chile by 1,355.4% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 3,231 shares of the banks stock valued at $98,000 after purchasing an additional 3,009 shares during the period. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Banco De Chile by 7.5% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 6,141 shares of the banks stock valued at $187,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the period. 1.24% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Banco De Chile Trading Down 0.3% Shares of BCH opened at $40.34 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $20.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 1.53. Banco De Chile has a 1 year low of $22.29 and a 1 year high of $40.76. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $37.62 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $32.63. Analyst Ratings Changes Banco De Chile ( NYSE:BCH Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The bank reported $0.60 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.62 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $764.93 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $831.97 million. Banco De Chile had a return on equity of 23.25% and a net margin of 32.87%. On average, equities analysts expect that Banco De Chile will post 2.31 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several research firms have recently commented on BCH. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on Banco De Chile from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Zacks Research cut shares of Banco De Chile from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Banco De Chile from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Banco De Chile from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco De Chile in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $34.00. View Our Latest Stock Report on Banco De Chile Banco De Chile Profile (Free Report) 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Banco De Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco De Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 169,064 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock, valued at approximately $24,437,000. TJX Companies comprises approximately 1.1% of First Horizon Corps holdings, making the stock its 20th largest position. Get TJX Companies alerts: A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Lavaca Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at $25,000. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 65.0% in the 3rd quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 231 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Howard Hughes Medical Institute purchased a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in shares of TJX Companies in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $32,000. Institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock. Insider Activity In other news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total value of $75,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 22,212 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,362,896.80. This represents a 2.20% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 24,363 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.31, for a total transaction of $3,686,365.53. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 510,780 shares in the company, valued at approximately $77,286,121.80. This represents a 4.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 54,863 shares of company stock valued at $8,226,366. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. TJX Companies Stock Down 0.2% Shares of NYSE TJX opened at $157.88 on Monday. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 52-week low of $112.10 and a 52-week high of $159.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $175.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.85, a PEG ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.75. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $151.67 and a 200 day moving average price of $140.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.43 and a current ratio of 1.09. TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.30% and a net margin of 8.68%.The business had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.80 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.14 EPS. TJX Companiess revenue was up 7.5% on a year-over-year basis. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 earnings per share for the current year. TJX Companies Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be given a dividend of $0.425 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 12th. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.1%. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.53%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In TJX has been the topic of several recent research reports. Weiss Ratings restated a buy (b+) rating on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $170.00 target price on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $170.00 price target on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Barclays set a $172.00 target price on TJX Companies and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price target on TJX Companies from $150.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-four have given a Buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, TJX Companies has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $163.86. Read Our Latest Analysis on TJX TJX Companies Profile (Free Report) TJX Companies, Inc is a leading off-price retailer of apparel, footwear, home fashions and other consumer goods. The company operates multiple retail concepts that offer discounted brand-name and designer merchandise, including well-known banners such as T.J. Maxx and Marshalls in the United States, HomeGoods for home furnishings, TK Maxx in parts of Europe, and Winners and Homesense in Canada. Merchandise categories span womens, mens and childrens apparel, accessories, beauty, home decor, kitchenware and small furniture, with frequent changes in assortment that create a treasure-hunt shopping experience for consumers. The companys business model centers on opportunistic buying, purchasing excess, irregular or out-of-season inventory from manufacturers, department stores and other suppliers, and passing savings to customers through lower prices. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TJX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Horizon Corp bought a new position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IWD Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 125,113 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $25,472,000. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF accounts for about 1.2% of First Horizon Corps investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Get iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF alerts: Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 140.0% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 9,153,000 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,777,787,000 after acquiring an additional 32,036,243 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position in shares of iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 12.7% in the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 5,275,282 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,024,618,000 after purchasing an additional 593,784 shares during the period. Independence Asset Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF in the second quarter valued at about $59,496,000. Marquette Asset Management LLC lifted its position in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF by 716.9% during the second quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 339,687 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $65,977,000 after purchasing an additional 298,107 shares during the period. Finally, MJP Associates Inc. ADV bought a new stake in iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF during the second quarter worth about $35,330,000. 84.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Stock Up 0.7% IWD stock opened at $217.59 on Monday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $208.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $203.20. The firm has a market cap of $71.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.83 and a beta of 0.89. iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF has a 12 month low of $163.19 and a 12 month high of $217.89. About iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares Russell 1000 Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the large capitalization value sector of the U.S. equity market, as represented by the Russell 1000 Value Index (the Index). The Index represents approximately 50% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000 Index. The Index measures the large-capital value sector of the United States equity market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 65,420 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $18,267,000. Get Travelers Companies alerts: Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Travelers Companies by 134.1% during the 3rd quarter. Barnes Dennig Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 96 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Travelers Companies by 1,820.0% during the second quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 96 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co grew its stake in Travelers Companies by 122.2% in the second quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 100 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 55 shares during the period. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Travelers Companies in the second quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Clayton Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Travelers Companies during the third quarter valued at $28,000. 82.45% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Insider Activity at Travelers Companies In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Maria Olivo sold 8,920 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $295.73, for a total value of $2,637,911.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 117,596 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $34,776,665.08. The trade was a 7.05% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Daniel S. Frey sold 25,000 shares of the 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 transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 26,932 shares in the company, valued at $7,493,829. The trade was a 48.14% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 46,295 shares of company stock valued at $13,011,918. Insiders own 1.46% of the companys stock. Travelers Companies Stock Performance TRV stock opened at $281.99 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $62.90 billion, a PE ratio of 11.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.52. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 12-month low of $230.23 and a 12-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 stocks 50 day simple moving average is $286.67 and its 200 day simple moving average is $275.11. Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 16th. The insurance provider reported $8.14 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $6.01 by $2.13. The business had revenue of $12.47 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.15 billion. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 20.28% and a net margin of 12.14%.The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $5.24 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 17.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Travelers Companies Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, December 10th were paid a dividend of $1.10 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 10th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. Travelers Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 17.30%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $315.00 to $312.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of Travelers Companies from $320.00 to $322.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Wall Street Zen cut Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Sunday, October 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Travelers Companies from $302.00 to $305.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised Travelers Companies to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Travelers Companies has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $298.38. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Travelers Companies Travelers Companies Profile (Free Report) 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Travelers Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Travelers Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. increased its stake in shares of Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB Free Report) by 314.9% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 262,341 shares of the basic materials companys stock after purchasing an additional 199,115 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V.s holdings in Gerdau were worth $813,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get Gerdau alerts: A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GGB. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its stake in Gerdau by 68.9% during the second quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 9,634 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 3,931 shares in the last quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Gerdau in the 2nd quarter valued at $29,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Gerdau by 95.3% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 10,687 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 5,216 shares during the period. Regatta Capital Group LLC acquired a new position in Gerdau during the 3rd quarter worth about $47,000. Finally, Signaturefd LLC boosted its holdings in Gerdau by 33.4% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 15,933 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 3,988 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 1.49% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In GGB has been the subject of several research reports. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c) rating on shares of Gerdau in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research raised shares of Gerdau from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. Finally, UBS Group restated a buy rating and issued a $4.60 price objective (up previously from $4.00) on shares of Gerdau in a report on Monday, December 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Gerdau presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $4.60. Gerdau Trading Down 0.1% GGB opened at $3.95 on Monday. Gerdau S.A. has a one year low of $2.27 and a one year high of $4.00. The company has a market cap of $7.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.61, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a current ratio of 2.70. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $3.64 and its 200-day simple moving average is $3.29. Gerdau (NYSE:GGB Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.10 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.11 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $3.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.81 billion. Gerdau had a return on equity of 5.92% and a net margin of 4.38%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Gerdau S.A. will post 0.46 EPS for the current fiscal year. Gerdau Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 12th were given a $0.0521 dividend. This is a positive change from Gerdaus previous quarterly dividend of $0.02. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 12th. This represents a $0.21 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.3%. Gerdaus payout ratio is 74.07%. About Gerdau (Free Report) Gerdau SA is a Brazilian-based steel producer engaged in the manufacture and distribution of long steel products for the construction, industrial and agricultural sectors. Established in 1901, the company operates an integrated network of electric-arc furnaces and rolling mills, producing reinforcement bars, wire rod, merchant bars and structural shapes. Gerdaus product portfolio also includes specialty long steel, high-yield reinforcement, rail, beams and steel coils, as well as value-added processing services such as cutting, bending and coating. The company has expanded its footprint beyond Brazil, with significant operations in North America, South America and a presence in select European markets. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GGB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Gerdau Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gerdau and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legacy Trust lifted its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report) by 4.0% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 37,407 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,423 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF accounts for 4.9% of Legacy Trusts portfolio, making the stock its 2nd largest position. Legacy Trusts holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $25,037,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Nvwm LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 210.5% in the 2nd quarter. Nvwm LLC now owns 59 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Hager Investment Management Services LLC bought a new stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the second quarter valued at about $61,000. Rice Partnership LLC raised its position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 460.0% in the second quarter. Rice Partnership LLC now owns 112 shares of the companys stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC acquired a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF in the second quarter worth about $80,000. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co lifted its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 33.0% during the second quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 133 shares of the companys stock worth $83,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the period. 70.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Trading Up 0.7% IVV stock opened at $697.08 on Monday. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 1-year low of $484.00 and a 1-year high of $698.37. The firm has a market cap of $763.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.10 and a beta of 1.00. The businesss 50 day moving average is $683.17 and its 200-day moving average is $662.14. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Profile iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. The component stocks are weighted according to the total float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. cut its stake in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Free Report) by 45.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 19,615 shares of the companys stock after selling 16,327 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V.s holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated were worth $1,312,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get McCormick & Company Incorporated alerts: Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in MKC. D.A. Davidson & CO. grew its position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 0.9% during the third quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO. now owns 23,249 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,556,000 after acquiring an additional 208 shares during the period. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 149,951 shares of the companys stock worth $10,033,000 after purchasing an additional 3,949 shares during the period. Taylor Frigon Capital Management LLC increased its position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 16.6% during the 3rd quarter. Taylor Frigon Capital Management LLC now owns 22,414 shares of the companys stock worth $1,500,000 after purchasing an additional 3,199 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Guys Formula LLC increased its position in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 9.8% during the 3rd quarter. Retirement Guys Formula LLC now owns 15,074 shares of the companys stock worth $1,009,000 after purchasing an additional 1,342 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Generali Asset Management SPA SGR raised its holdings in McCormick & Company, Incorporated by 7,290.3% in the third quarter. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR now owns 19,067 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,276,000 after buying an additional 18,809 shares during the period. 79.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Insider Buying and Selling In other McCormick & Company, Incorporated news, CEO Brendan M. Foley sold 57,144 shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.56, for a total transaction of $3,746,360.64. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 108,652 shares in the company, valued at $7,123,225.12. The trade was a 34.47% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Lawrence Erik Kurzius sold 39,014 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $64.54, for a total value of $2,517,963.56. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 23.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders. McCormick & Company, Incorporated Stock Performance McCormick & Company, Incorporated Increases Dividend NYSE:MKC opened at $67.76 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.71 and a quick ratio of 0.29. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $66.47 and a two-hundred day moving average of $68.40. The stock has a market cap of $18.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.44, a PEG ratio of 4.15 and a beta of 0.62. McCormick & Company, Incorporated has a 1-year low of $62.64 and a 1-year high of $86.24. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.48 per share. This is a boost from McCormick & Company, Incorporateds previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 29th. This represents a $1.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. McCormick & Company, Incorporateds payout ratio is 66.44%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of McCormick & Company, Incorporated from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $75.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $76.00 to $71.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $83.00 to $82.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $84.00 to $78.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Barclays lowered their target price on McCormick & Company, Incorporated from $82.00 to $72.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $76.50. Check Out Our Latest Report on McCormick & Company, Incorporated McCormick & Company, Incorporated Company Profile (Free Report) McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE: MKC) is a global leader in spices, seasonings and flavor solutions. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, the company traces its origins to the late 19th century and has grown into a major manufacturer and marketer of branded and privatelabel flavor products for consumer, industrial and foodservice markets. McCormicks product portfolio includes pure spices and herbs, blended seasonings, marinades, rubs, sauces, extracts and specialty flavorings, along with ingredient systems and custom flavor development for manufacturers and foodservice operators. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MKC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for McCormick & Company Incorporated Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for McCormick & Company Incorporated and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Trilogy Capital Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 11.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,686 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 499 shares during the period. Trilogy Capital Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $3,576,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of LLY. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 78,621.2% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 11,552,336 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,005,392,000 after purchasing an additional 11,537,661 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $8,827,714,000. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 1.5% in the 2nd 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 last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 106.8% in the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,481,031 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,154,508,000 after buying an additional 765,010 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position 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 buying an additional 564,736 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have issued reports on LLY shares. Daiwa Capital Markets set a $1,230.00 price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Zacks Research raised shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, January 1st. Leerink Partners set a $1,234.00 price objective on Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Monday, January 5th. HSBC reaffirmed 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. Finally, CICC Research upped their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $801.00 to $1,060.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $1,169.00. Eli Lilly and Company News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Eli Lilly and Company this week: Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance Shares of NYSE LLY opened at $1,063.90 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.01 trillion, a PE ratio of 52.05, a P/E/G ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.71. Eli Lilly and Company has a twelve month low of $623.78 and a twelve month high of $1,133.95. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $1,037.16 and a 200 day simple moving average of $861.67. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The company reported $7.02 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.42 by $0.60. Eli Lilly and Company had a net margin of 30.99% and a return on equity of 109.52%. 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 prior year, the firm posted $1.18 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly 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. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 EPS for the current year. Eli Lilly and Company Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of $1.73 per share. This is an increase from Eli Lilly and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. This represents a $6.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. Eli Lilly and Companys payout ratio is 29.35%. Eli Lilly and 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PICTURED ABOVE: Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA pictured at the Dundonald Ice Bowl regeneration site with Fionnuala McKenna, Head of Strategic Development at Construction Futures, and Martin OKane, Vice Chairman of Heron Bros and Construction Futures Borad Director, marking the launch of Open Doors 2026, a UK-wide initiative opening construction sites across Northern Ireland to inspire future talent into the industry. Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, Minister for the Economy, visited the Dundonald International Ice Bowl regeneration site on Monday 12th January to mark the launch of Open Doors 2026, the UK-wide initiative designed to inspire the next generation into construction careers. Delivered by Build UK in partnership with Construction Futures in Northern Ireland, Open Doors will run from Monday, March 23 to Saturday, March 28 2026, offering strictly pre-booked, behind-the-scenes visits to live construction sites, offices, manufacturing facilities, builders merchants and training centres across the region. This year, the Department for the Economy has joined Construction Futures as a key partner for Open Doors in Northern Ireland. Through its Careers Service, the Department is supporting promotion of the initiative to widen access to impartial careers advice and encourage people of all ages to consider construction as a modern, inclusive and future-focused career choice. The Dundonald International Ice Bowl site, a major regeneration project, provided a powerful backdrop for the launch, highlighting the scale, innovation and career opportunities within Northern Irelands construction industry. During Open Doors week, similar projects will open their doors to students, career changers and jobseekers, giving them direct access to real working environments and the professionals shaping the built environment. Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: The Open Doors initiative reflects my commitment to expanding skills training and career opportunities in the construction sector, which is vital to the economy. By showcasing the wide range of careers available we are encouraging more people to consider construction as a rewarding and sustainable career. Employers, particularly small businesses, also play a crucial role by creating and offering apprenticeships. Working in partnership with industry this helps to ensure our skills system is inclusive, responsive to future needs and supports the growth of the economy. Northern Irelands first Open Doors week in March 2025 welcomed more than 500 visitors to over 35 events across 18 locations, with strong support from industry, local councils and government representatives. Feedback from the initiative showed that 88% of visitors were more likely to consider a career in construction after attending. READ NEXT: Domestic abuse calls to police climb over Christmas and New Year With the latest CITB Construction Workforce Outlook estimating that the industry needs to recruit around 5,000 additional workers in Northern Ireland by 2029, Open Doors plays a vital role in addressing skills shortages by connecting people directly with employers and career pathways. Fionnuala McKenna, Head of Strategic Development at Construction Futures, said: Open Doors is a fantastic opportunity to see what its really like to work in construction. Young people rarely get direct access to sites, so this is a unique chance to experience real working environments and discover just how many different opportunities exist. There really is a role for everyone in construction, whether hands-on or office-based, and planting that seed early allows people to see careers they may never have considered and ultimately shape their future. Mark Spence, Chief Executive of the Construction Employers Federation (CEF), added: One of the biggest challenges facing our industry is attracting and retaining skilled people. Through Construction Futures, we are working together to make construction a first-choice career. Open Doors provides the perfect platform for young people and career changers to see just how broad, innovative and technology-driven the modern industry is. Throughout the week, companies across Northern Ireland will host pre-booked visits for schools, colleges, universities, and those considering a career change. Visitors will gain an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how projects are planned, built and managed, while meeting professionals working across disciplines including engineering, sustainability, architecture, and technology. Construction businesses of all sizes are encouraged to take part in Open Doors 2026 and can register now by visiting opendoors.construction. Information and support is available for those looking to host events for the first time. Schools, colleges and groups are able to view participating sites and book visits now via www.constructionfuturesni.com/open-doors-live-bookings. Heavy rain and melting snow and ice could lead to flooding in the wake of Storm Goretti, the Met Office has warned. It comes after the storm brought gusts of almost 100mph and a rare red warning for dangerous, stormy winds in the South West was issued by forecasters last week. As temperatures increase, the Met Office said snow melt and a rapid thaw across the north of the UK, combined with further rain, could lead to flooding concerns. Over the weekend, numerous alerts for snow and ice, strong winds and heavy rain were in place across the country, despite the worst of the storm having moved away. Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said Sunday night will see some wet and windy weather, adding: Combined with the rainfall, the higher temperatures, we will see some flooding due to the snow melt gradually as we go through the next few days, so thats the main concern. Speaking on Sunday, he said: We could potentially see wind gusts as high as 85mph this evening and through the early hours of Monday morning for the Outer Hebrides and the Highlands of Scotland. So that certainly could lead to some transport disruptions, such as ferry cancellations and bridge closures, but it will be the rainfall, as I say, thats more likely to impact road transport due to some flooding. On Monday, highs of around 11C in England and Wales are expected, along with up to 7C in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, Mr Morgan added. As of Sunday evening, 12 flood alerts and eight flood warnings were active on the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) website. David Morgan, Sepas flood duty manager, said: Flood risk is greatest in Dumfries and Galloway, and the west and north of Scotland. Possible impacts could include flooding affecting parts of communities, low-lying land, transport infrastructure and individual properties. Driving conditions will be very difficult at times. The Environment Agency had in place four flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, along with 85 flood alerts where flooding is possible. Natural Resources Wales listed six flood alerts. More than 12,000 properties were still without power on Sunday evening following the storm, according to the National Grids website, while National Rail warned disruption to train travel is possible until Monday. A yellow warning for rain covers north-western areas of Scotland until 10am on Monday, where up to 110mm of rain could be possible over parts of Skye, Lochaber, Argyll and the Trossachs, the Met Office said. A yellow warning for wind is in place for north-west Scotland, which could see gusts of up to 85mph, until 8am on Monday. First Minister @JohnSwinney visited Aberdeen to see the response to severe weather in northern Scotland, and thank frontline staff for their hard work. Advice on dealing with severe weather can be found at https://t.co/fcXOLqZqXJ. pic.twitter.com/1baaEY94EP Scottish Government (@scotgov) January 9, 2026 Forecasters have advised those within regions covered by alerts to prepare for delayed journeys, difficult driving conditions and flooding. On Saturday, a Government minister said it is entirely unacceptable that people in several areas in the South East and South West are experiencing water supply issues following cold weather and the storm. In a statement that evening, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs minister Mary Creagh said she had chaired a meeting with water companies and local resilience forums aimed at restoring supplies as soon as possible while prioritising vulnerable customers and essential public services. South East Water (SEW) said on its website that customers in East Grinstead, West Sussex and the surrounding areas have had no water, intermittent supply or low pressure from Saturday morning and despite work to resolve this, the company do not expect this situation to improve until the end of the weekend. The company said on Sunday the storm had affected its ability to treat water at the normal rate and that burst water mains because of freeze and thaw conditions across Kent and Sussex meant drinking water storage levels were running low. Customers in Staplehurst, Kent and the surrounding areas may experience no water, intermittent supply or low pressure, SEW added. Snow and icy conditions at first this afternoon across the northeast are giving way to a generally milder, wetter and windier theme across the UK Particularly wet and windy conditions will affect the north and west of Scotland Latest warnings here https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs pic.twitter.com/A2xDWg0vWO Met Office (@metoffice) January 11, 2026 South West Water (SWW) said on its website on Sunday that the impact of Storm Goretti on its water network had been devastating. The company added that six major water mains in the Helston area had been severely damaged by uprooted trees and that this was continuing to affect water supply for customers. In a video on SWWs website, water services director Sam Bottomley said around 30 to 40 trees had been blown down during the storm, with many landing directly on top of the water main coming out of Wendron Water Treatment Works in Cornwall. Repair works are ongoing, the company said, adding that it had restored supplies to more than half of those affected. Police said a man in his 50s was found dead in a caravan after a tree fell on to the vehicle in Helston, Cornwall, following the storm. Snow and ice create difficult travelling conditions. Here are some tips to stay safe and be #WeatherReady on the roads https://t.co/Tc9FU3PS4A pic.twitter.com/wYcQdmtrqP Met Office (@metoffice) January 11, 2026 Emergency services were called to the scene on Thursday evening and work took place on Friday to remove the tree. Mr Morgan said this week will begin on a milder note and frost-free. He added: It will generally be a fairly wet and windy week and unsettled week to come, showers or longer spells of rain with some dry interludes too. So most of the showers on Monday in the west, some eastern areas getting away with a largely dry day, but still very windy in the northwest of Scotland with some longer spells of rain here, and the change will be thereafter, really, with some dry interludes. Wednesday looks the more widely dry day of the week but otherwise, most days will see either scattered showers and sunny spells or generally wetter conditions, so temperatures close to average for the time of year but feeling not as cold as the last 10 days or so of January have been. Hamnet writer Maggie OFarrell has said that the film winning best drama at the Golden Globes signifies a really communal effort. The bestselling author, who wrote the novel of the same name, described the team behind the film as a family. As well as winning best drama, Sundays awards ceremony in Los Angeles also saw Jessie Buckley win best actress for her starring role in the film. Speaking from LA, the Northern Irish writer told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: The film world isnt really my world. Im very used to the book world. Its just I think whats very different about winning an award like this is it signifies a really communal effort. You know, its a kind of family. Its the Hamnet family, and we all made the film together, and everybodys been recognised, which is just really, really lovely. Its pretty buoyant, I have to say. Everybodys really excited. And Jessie, of course, Jessie Buckley was singled out for her best efforts, which was really fantastic to see. So everybodys pretty happy. I can certainly say that. Hamnet won several awards after it was published as a novel in 2020, and is a fictional account of the lives of playwright William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes. Asked why she thinks both the novel and film have proved so popular, OFarrell said: Well, I think its two things. I think Shakespeare has always had and always will have a very universal appeal. And I think this story, which is focused on the death of his son, presents him to us as a human being. Not the literary icon he was. When I was writing the novel, I wanted to ask readers to forget everything they think they know about him, and meet this person as a human. It is a story about grief and loss, but its also about huge catharsis by the end. And, you know, we sort of understand where art comes from and why we need it, how grief transmutes into love and then back again. Actor Paul Mescal, who played Shakespeare, was nominated for best supporting actor at the Golden Globes, but lost out to Stellan Skarsgard for his role in Sentimental Value, while Chloe Zhao and OFarrell were nominated for best screenplay and Zhao was nominated for best director, but both categories were won by One Battle After Another. Stormont parties are obliged to do all they can to agree a multi-year budget, First Minister Michelle ONeill has said. However, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said there is no point agreeing to a budget which doesnt work, just because it lasts for three years. Sinn Fein Finance Minister John ODowd last week published his proposals for the new three-year spending plan, which have been sent for public consultation, despite not being yet agreed by the rest of the parties in the powersharing coalition. The plan has been criticised by other parties amid an ongoing disagreement on how funds will be allocated to individual departments. MLAs returned to Stormont at Monday for the first time since the Christmas break, with the ongoing impasse over the spending plan at the top of their list of priorities. Ms ONeill said the budget consultation process would focus minds on what ministers are trying to achieve. Stormont ministers have not been able to implement a multi-year budget for more than a decade. Ms ONeill said: Weve been limping year to year. Now, theres an opportunity afforded to us to set a budget that actually allows a bit more longer term planning, and certainly a little more medium term planning for public services. At the heart of that budget is about transformation. Its about investing in public services, albeit with the limitations of this place, the limitations in terms of the fiscal levers that are open to us, and also the limitations in terms of policy decisions that are taken in London, and we have to bear the consequences of all of that. The Sinn Fein First Minister rejected any suggestion that her party would settle for anything less than a three-year budget. She said: I think we all are obliged to really do everything that we can to get to the point where we have a three-year budget. Theres not enough money to go around. What weve been allocated from London is inadequate. Were pushing back against some of those policy decisions in London. And John (ODowd) will use this eight-week consultation to continue to do so. All the other parties of the Executive should join us in that endeavour. Mr ODowd outlined his three-year budget for day-to-day resource spending and a four-year budget for capital investment in infrastructure projects. It will see 26 billion spent on health provision across the coming three years, including almost 500 million on initiatives to tackle the regions lengthy waiting lists. But the budget has been criticised by the DUP, which holds the Education and Communities ministries. Party leader Mr Robinson said any agreed budget needed to work for people in Northern Ireland. He said: Theres no point saying well agree a budget that doesnt work just because it lasts for three years. Mr Robinson added: The opportunity is to have a budget cycle that works for the delivery of public services, that doesnt compromise on the commitments that this Executive made in the programme for government to deliver for the interests of people in Northern Ireland. Thats the objective, and thats, I hope, the objective that other parties will strive toward as well. Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said the process to agree a budget would be incredibly difficult. She added: The way to resolve that is for us behind closed doors, to talk to the Finance Minister, to work through the issues that were dealing with, and to find ways of actually trying to work through these problems, rather than treating them as roadblocks and allowing them to stop progress. We have got to deliver within our means, but weve also got to look at how we can improve our situation financially. The SDLP Opposition has said the Northern Ireland Fiscal Council should be given new powers to monitor whether Executive budgets are delivering on the programme for government. The partys Stormont leader Matthew OToole said: Last week, we got a ghost budget, a flimsy few pages of unambitious text from John ODowd and then some tables. The public have no sense what thats going to mean in terms of getting waiting lists down, delivering on childcare, rescuing our environment. Draft budget proposals do not include expected overspends by Stormont departments, Finance Minister John ODowd has told MLAs. Opposition leader Matthew OToole said he was worried that the Executive would be entering the next financial year with a 500 million black hole. Mr ODowd published his draft spending plan for a multi-year budget last week and has sent the proposals out for public consultation. However, they have not been agreed by the powersharing Executive and have faced criticism from other parties, particularly the DUP. Delivering an oral statement to the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr ODowd said it was important that parties grasped this opportunity to agree a multi-year budget. He said: The proposals I have brought forward for consultation follow political engagement and have been developed against the backdrop of an exceptionally constrained financial position. They do not provide the level of funding I would wish to see directed at our public services. Instead, they reflect what is possible within the funding available. In this context it has not been possible to provide any department with the funding it has requested. Mr ODowd called for his ministerial colleagues to strive to improve efficiency in how our public services are delivered. He added: Change is essential if we are to improve our public services and deliver better outcomes for everyone. This will require a collective willingness across society to embrace change. This means harnessing technology, adopting innovative ideas and being prepared to consider options for raising additional revenue. Mr ODowd said the last budget at Westminster was an illustration of why Northern Ireland needed greater fiscal powers. He said: Having greater fiscal powers would allow us to make different choices, to spur economic activity, or to generate income for public services, in a fairer and more progressive way. The minister said in developing the draft spending plan, he had not included the impact of potential department overspends. Mr ODowd told MLAs: This is because we do not yet know what the quantum of any overspend will be. It is also my intention to press Treasury to allow us to repay any overspend over a longer period to minimise the detrimental impact that an immediate reduction would have on public services. Mr ODowd has previously indicated that departments are facing an overspend of close to 400 million in the current financial year. Mr OToole said: One of my biggest concerns is the current overspends that are planned, particularly in the departments of education and health in relation to pay, those are not factored into these plans. Minister, that worries me. It feels like it is a 500 million black hole before we even get started next year. Mr ODowd said: There is a responsibility on all ministers, particularly those who are carrying an over-commitment, to do everything within their power to reduce that. It is factored in, in that it is recognised there is a potential overspend in this 2025/26 budget. It will be dealt with in a number of ways. I will continue to engage with the Treasury around trying to spread those costs over the maximum period of time. Some 234 people have been arrested following 187 immigration enforcement raids in Northern Ireland. It comes amid numbers of raids across the UK deemed the highest on record, up by 77%, leading to an 83% rise in arrests between July 2024 and December 2025. Businesses, including nail bars, car washes, barbers and take away shops, were among those targeted in more than 17,400 raids UK-wide, which resulted in more than 12,300 arrests. It follows a 5 million funding boost last year for Immigration Enforcement, to target and pursue illegal working criminality. In Northern Ireland, 187 raids were carried out in 2025, leading to 234 arrests a 76% and 169% rise respectively compared to 2024. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated there is no place for illegal working in our communities. That is why we have surged enforcement activity to the highest level in British history so illegal migrants in the black economy have nowhere to hide, she said. I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said: Illegal working undercuts honest businesses across Northern Ireland and fuels the criminal gangs who profit from human exploitation. This Government has increased enforcement to record levels, and the message is clear: there is no heading place for those flouting the law. Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Lead for Northern Ireland, Paul McHarron, said teams will continue working around the clock to ensure those involved face the full force of the law. A recent update of Brazils General Telecommunications Law means that cooperatives from all over the country have gained authorisation to offer telecommunications services, including telephony and broadband internet. This change, published last week in the countrys Official Gazette, will, it is hoped, expand connectivity in regions that are still outside the digital map, especially rural areas, remote communities and urban peripheries, where millions of Brazilians still face limited access. The government suggests that this amendment to the General Telecommunications Law will enable the expansion of digital infrastructure and the democratisation of telecommunications services. Indeed, the Minister of Communications, Frederico de Siqueira Filho, is quoted as saying: "Having access to the internet today is as essential as energy and water. By allowing cooperatives to provide telecommunications services, we are opening the doors for rural, riverside and peripheral communities to finally have access to the same opportunities as the rest of the country." Not only will cooperatives now be able to provide services like fixed broadband, but they will also enjoy the rights and duties of a service provider, including access to sectoral funding sources. A cooperative is defined as a business owned and run jointly by its members, with profits or benefits shared among them. Brazil has a massive and diverse cooperative sector, making it a global leader. The sector is particularly strong in agribusiness, healthcare, credit, energy, and now, potentially, telecommunications. China urges U.S. to cease blockade against Cuba Xinhua) 16:21, January 12, 2026 BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China again urged the United States to immediately cease its blockade, sanctions and coercion in any form against Cuba, and to do more to contribute to regional peace and stability, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday. China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, Mao said at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on the recent threats U.S. President Donald Trump made against Cuba. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Regulators in Malaysia and Indonesia announced separately over the weekend that they have temporarily restricted access to Xs AI tool Grok over its ability to generate and distribute non-consensual deepfake pornographic images of women and children. In a statement issued Sunday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said the images which are generated by user prompts to Grok and posted on X are illegal under Malaysian law, including Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. The regulator said it issued notices to X Corp. and xAI LLC on January 3 and January 8 ordering them to implement technical and moderation safeguards to prevent such images from being generated and distributed in Malaysia. Both companies responded to the MCMC that they would implement user-initiated reporting mechanisms. X announced on Friday that it would limit Groks image generation features to paid X subscribers, although users of the Grok app can still use it to generate images. In its statement on Sunday, the MCMC said that wasnt enough to prevent harm to victims or ensure legal compliance. The regulator said the restriction would remain in place as a preventive and proportionate measure until X and xAI impose effective safeguards, particularly to prevent content involving women and children. On Saturday, meanwhile, Indonesias Communications and Digital Affairs Ministry (Kemkomdigi) announced on Instagram that it has temporarily banned access to Grok. Kemkomdigi minister Meutya Hafid said that non-consensual sexual deepfakes are a serious violation of human rights, dignity, and the security of citizens in the digital space. Kemkomdigi said it has asked X to provide clarification on the negative impact of the use of Grok, in accordance with the provisions of existing legislative rules. Groks image generation and alteration feature, which was launched last month, has been used to generate hundreds of thousands of deepfake pornographic images of women and children. Bloomberg estimates that Grok has been churning out over 6,700 such images an hour over the past few weeks. Regulators worldwide have expressed alarm over Groks deepfake capabilities. According to the Times of India, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeITY) has reportedly expressed dissatisfaction at Xs proposed safeguard measures and is pushing for the platform to take more concrete action to deal with the problem. According to Tech Policy Press, regulators in the EU, UK, France, Ireland, Canada and Brazil are also looking to take action, either against Grok and X specifically, or against AI-generated content in general. Omantel announced on Sunday it has successfully and seamlessly upgraded its network to support 5G Standalone (SA) services and boost its ability to support the next wave of digital technologies in Oman. Omantel said the upgrade enables it to roll out 5G SA use cases including next-generation voice services (Voice over 5G), tailored network solutions, RedCap-based IoT services and ultra-low latency applications. Samy Ahmed Al Ghassany, chief of tech and digital at Omantel, said 5G SA will accelerate innovation, drive digital transformation, and open new opportunities for individuals, businesses, and industries across the country. As a regional digital powerhouse and local innovation enabler, we are committed to ensuring that Oman remains at the forefront of connectivity and innovation, he said in a statement. Omantel also said the upgrade was delivered seamlessly with no disruption to customers. Omantel first launched 5G as a fixed-wireless access (FWA) offering in December 2019. The telco launched non-standalone (NSA) 5G in February 2021. Elon Musk has a habit of being under fire for his controversial takes on X. But his latest actions, with deepfake images, have led to some serious problems. What started as a joke has evolved into a serious concern, with even government authorities from around the world intervening to halt the situation. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! Lets have a look at what exactly happened, while also looking at what our Digit community thinks about deepfake images on social media. Also Read: Not just Instagram, maybe Metas data security culture is the real hack Elon Musks viral bikini controversy on Grok It all started just a few days back, when X users discovered that it was possible to alter images after giving Grok (Xs built-in AI tool) a prompt. At first, the trend started with just a few funny tweets. Heck, even Elon Musk himself jumped into the trend, as he asked Grok to generate a picture of himself in a bikini. It was all fun and games until some started misusing the tool. Many users targeted women the most by asking Grok to unclothe regular images of women. This was a huge problem, as it compromised the safety and privacy of users on the internet. If all that wasnt enough, Grok even performed the same prompt on two minor girls, which set this entire controversy off. While X did not seem to care, as they didnt issue any statement. However, government authorities from multiple countries stepped in. Countries like Britain contacted X, asking them to comply with legal duties under their Online Safety Act. While the Indian government acted fast, too. At the time of writing, X has been banned in Indonesia and Malaysia. Seeing all this pressure from the government, X finally decided to step in and handle the matter. X reassured the government authorities that they had blocked a lot of content and deleted more than 600 accounts that were involved. As of now, they have also put on hold Groks image generation and editing features, which were previously available to everyone. All this controversy brings up a big question! What are the thoughts of the public regarding deepfakes on the internet? Thats what we try to find out with this latest Digit Research report, where over 2500 Indians from around the country made their views clear about deepfakes on social media platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, and so on. Most Indians want social media platforms to remove deepfake content Based on the survey we conducted through the Digit.in website, we found Digit readers had recently shared their opinions on deepfake content. Without wasting much time, lets have a look at what the public really wants from social media platforms. Our question to the readers was very simple: Should social media platforms automatically label or remove deepfake content? Given the developments made to AI, creating or editing any image on the internet is just a few clicks away. Due to this, reports have shown that the number of deepfake content has increased a lot. This is a huge concern for the privacy and online safety of people, especially women. Leading the pact with 1768 votes, almost 75% of the votes, over 3 out of 4 people picked Option (D) Yes, always suggesting that social media platforms remove or label deepfake images. The volume of the votes speaks for itself, as it is safe to say, a large part of the audience does not want to see deepfake imageson the internet. The second leading choice from the given options picked by 353 users was Option (C) only if it is harmful or misleading, meaning that users would want the platform to remove the content, but only in certain situations. This was an interesting revelation, as it seems like users are okay with deepfake content, till it does not harm or mislead anyone. The third and fourth options surprisingly had the same number of votes. Around 123 people, close to 5% users, picked Option (B) Not sure probably because they werent sure about what should be done with this type of content. While the rest 5%, around 121 of our readers picked Option (A) No, protect the free speech, suggesting that there are users who dont mind deepfake content. With as much as 75% of people polled by Digit demanding stricter controls related to deepfake images on social media, the message to platforms like X couldnt be clearer. The majority of Indian internet users are not willing to trade personal privacy for unchecked AI experimentation. We do hope that social media platforms learn from this controversy and take the right measures to avoid such AI-fuelled deepfake controversies in the future. Ranveer Singhs latest spy action thriller, Dhurandhar, recently released in theaters and quickly turned into one of the most discussed films. This time, the actor moves away from his usual energetic and lively roles and appears in a much more serious and intense avatar. Since its release, Dhurandhar has been praised for its well-shot action sequences and engaging storyline. One of the major points of discussion is the films runtime, which is over three hours. While the length may seem long, many audience members feel the story is gripping enough to keep them invested throughout. Survey Thank you for completing the survey! For those who prefer to watch movies from the comfort of their homes, heres everything we know so far about Dhurandhars digital release. Also read: The Family Man season 4 to premiere soon? Heres what we know According to OTTplay, Dhurandhar is expected to arrive on Netflix after completing its theatrical run. The film is reportedly scheduled to make its OTT debut on January 30, 2026. However, there has been no official confirmation yet from either the films makers or Netflix. Dhurandhar plot Dhurandhar follows the story of Jaskirat Singh, played by Ranveer Singh, a criminal who is serving time in jail. His life takes a dramatic turn when IB Chief Ajay Sanyal, portrayed by R. Madhavan, assigns him a risky secret mission. Jaskirat is sent to Karachi under a fake identity and enters the dangerous Lyari region. As he slowly rises in the criminal world, his main objective is to break a deadly connection between the ISI and terrorist groups. The operation becomes even more intense with Rehman Dakait, played by Akshaye Khanna, standing as the main antagonist. Also read: Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri OTT release timeline, platform and other details we know Dhurandhar cast Apart from Ranveer Singh in the lead role, Dhurandhar stars Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sara Arjun in important roles. Also read: Panchayat season 5 release timeline, platform, cast members and other details While researching for the top TWS earphones under Rs 3,000, I was genuinely surprised by how many good options exist in this segment. Of course, the competition is intense, and stepping into this crowded space, Oppo launched the Enco Buds 3 Pro+ at Rs 2,099 (now priced at Rs 2,499), with features like 12.4mm Dynamic Driver, Bluetooth 5.4, IP55 ingress resistance, and 32dB Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The company already has the Enco Buds 3 Pro listed at Rs 1,799 in the same price bracket, but that model skips ANC. Naturally, I wanted to see whether ANC makes a meaningful difference in everyday use and, more importantly, whether it actually makes sense to spend extra on the new buds. After several weeks of using the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+ for workout playlists, background work music, calls, commute podcasts, and evening wind-down music, I think I have a clear answer. Heres my experience. Verdict The Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+ can be a sensible everyday TWS purchase under Rs 3,000, for they provide a balanced offering, rather than standout features. You get a familiar and comfortable design, reliable battery life and connectivity, and a bass-forward and enjoyable sound. ANC is the main addition and works well indoors, making them more complete than the Enco Buds 3 Pro. If noise cancellation matters, they make sense. If not, the cheaper Pro still offers better value. Comfortable and functional design We received the dark blue variant of the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+. A black colour option is also available, which I would have personally preferred. Regardless of the colour you choose, the earbuds themselves match the case. The build is entirely plastic, paired with silicone eartips, and the buds feel light and unobtrusive even during long listening sessions. The charging case is compact enough to slip easily into a jeans pocket. Since I often toss it into my laptop bag or pockets alongside other items, some of them sharp, the case has held up well, with no noticeable scratches so far. The matte finish clearly helps here. From a durability point of view, the IP55 rating is another reassuring touch. It offers some peace of mind if you end up wearing the buds in light rain or during sweaty outdoor workouts. Beyond their lightweight and sturdy build, the in-ear design is comfortable and also does a good job of creating a decent passive seal. One notable omission, however, is wear detection, a feature that the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro, priced at Rs 2,599, does include. Straightforward setup and connectivity The initial pairing begins as soon as you open the case for the first time. Thanks to Google Fast Pair, a pop-up appears on nearby Android devices, and all you need to do is tap it to connect. For manual pairing later on, place both earbuds back into the charging case, open the lid, and press and hold the function button for two seconds until the white indicator light starts flashing. Also Read: Apple Beats Powerbeats Fit review: Secure workout earbuds that also work for everyday use The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.4, which remained stable throughout my testing. There is also support for dual-device connection, making it easy to switch between my OnePlus 13 and laptop during daily work and media use. Codec support is limited to AAC and SBC. While AAC worked well in my usage, Oppo could have included more advanced options, especially considering that the more affordable Realme Buds T200 offers LDAC support. Bass-forward and fun audio Based on our in-house frequency tests, the Enco Buds 3 Pro+ has a bass-dominant sound signature, with recessed lower mids, a boosted upper-mid or presence region, and a relaxed treble. Across my usual test tracks, the bass impact felt thick rather than tight, but still acceptable for the price. In songs like Dream Theatres Pull Me Under and Between the Buried and Mes Selkies, dense sections can sound a bit mushed together, while in Hunter by Bjork, some background details fail to stand out clearly. On the other hand, tracks like Kings of Leons Around the World sound energetic, and Fall Out Boys Centuries remains easy to listen to. Put simply, these earphones sound forward and enjoyable, but not particularly precise, though thats not something were really expecting at this price point. This tuning works well for pop and EDM, and its perfectly fine for podcasts, softer indie and acoustic playlists, and everyday media consumption. If you plan to use them for gaming, its worth noting that they support low latency of up to 47ms. Useful for calls, ANC, and customisation Call quality is clear and legible, thanks to the dual-mic setup and AI-powered noise reduction. The in-ear passive seal also plays a part here. Passive isolation, combined with up to 32dB ANC, does a decent job of cutting down everyday indoor noise. Outdoors, however, especially in heavy traffic or crowded areas, the ANC struggles to deal with sharper sounds such as vehicle noise and horns. In this price range, rivals like the Realme T310, CMF Buds 2a, and Boat Airdopes Prime 701 claim stronger ANC performance. If you need to stay aware of your surroundings, there is also a Transparency mode that lets external sounds pass through. It does not sound particularly natural, but its fine as a basic, good-to-have feature. The Enco Buds 3 Pro+ offers more than just noise modes. Using the HeyMelody app, you can quickly toggle between ANC, Transparency mode, or turn noise handling off directly from the home screen. The app also lets you switch between Original Sound (default), Bass Boost, and Clear Vocals via the Enco Master EQ. There is a usable spatial audio effect through Oppo Alive Audio on select phones, along with options to locate lost or misplaced earbuds and customise the touch controls. You can map different actions to single tap, double tap, triple tap, touch and hold, and long touch and hold on both the left and right earbuds. That said, the touch controls do not always register unless you tap or hold the exact spot. The plasticky surface does not feel particularly reassuring to touch, but this never becomes an experience-breaking issue. Reliable battery life Battery endurance is a strong point here. Each earbud houses a 58mAh battery, with an additional 440mAh battery inside the charging case. In our continuous playback test at 80% volume, with ANC switched on and using the AAC codec, the earbuds delivered around eight hours of playback on a single charge. That is enough to comfortably get through a full working day. The charging case provides additional top-ups, which should easily cover a weekend trip. According to Oppos lab tests, the case can deliver up to 43 hours of total playback with ANC turned off and volume set at 50%. Fast charging is also supported. Oppo claims that just 10 minutes of charging can deliver up to four hours of AAC music playback at 50% volume with ANC off. A full charge for both the earbuds and the case, from 0 to 100%, takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes. Should you buy Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+? Oppos Enco series has built a solid reputation for delivering strong value, and the Enco Buds 3 Pro+ feels like a carefully positioned product aimed at a specific kind of buyer. The biggest upgrade over the Enco Buds 3 Pro is active noise cancellation, and in everyday use, it does make a noticeable difference indoors. If you spend long hours working inside, take frequent calls, or listen to podcasts and music in relatively controlled environments, the combination of a decent passive seal and 32dB ANC helps cut down everyday distractions. In that context, the Pro+ does feel more complete than the cheaper Pro variant. That said, this is not a dramatic upgrade across the board. The overall design, comfort, connectivity, and core sound character remain familiar and functional. The tuning is still bass-forward and should sound fun to most listeners. Battery life is strong, comfort remains excellent for long sessions, and connectivity is stable with useful dual-device support. The app experience is also richer than what some rivals offer, especially with flexible touch customisation and EQ presets. Against other options under Rs 3,000, the Enco Buds 3 Pro+ competes more on balance than on standout features. Yes, there are competitors from Realme and Boat that promise stronger ANC or offer advanced codecs like LDAC, but the real-world difference may not be night and day. In short, the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+ makes sense if you want a comfortable pair of earbuds with usable ANC, reliable battery life, and an enjoyable sound signature. They may not be the most exciting option in the segment, but they are consistent, dependable, and easy to live with. And if ANC is not a priority, the cheaper Enco Buds 3 Pro remains worth considering. Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews. Also Read: Skullcandy Uproar TWS review: A bit too simple for its own good Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Trump calls for US defense budget hike to US$1.5 trillion, urges contractors to boost capacity US President Donald Trump has publicly called for raising the 2027 US defense budget to US$1.5 trillion, a sharp increase of more than 50% from the current US$901 billion. In a social media post, Trump highlighted that this funding increase is necessary to build a "Dream Military" in "these very troubled and dangerous times." On social media, Trump further stressed that this massive military spending could be easily funded through tariff revenues, and criticized major defense contractors such as Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman for prioritizing shareholder dividends and stock buybacks over prompt delivery of weapons systems and investing in production. Trump singled out Raytheon as the slowest to respond and expand capacity, and threatened to cut its government contracts unless it halts stock repurchases and increases factory equipment investment. According to Military Times, Raytheon's portfolio includes Tomahawk cruise missiles, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and Stinger air-defense missiles, and it owns Pratt & Whitney, the engine maker for the F-35 fighter. Trump also demanded that Raytheon limit its salary for top executives to US$5 million, to curb excessive compensation and prioritize capacity building. Data from the Bipartisan Policy Center shows that the US government collected US$288.5 billion in tariffs and other consumption taxes in 2024, up from US$98.3 billion in 2023. The increase in import tax revenue exceeded expectations, but is still not enough to cover Trump's promises of taxpayer dividends, debt repayment, and increased military spending. Analysts see Trump's remarks as an effort to cement US military dominance, while pressuring the defense industry to boost supply chain efficiency. Lockheed Martin ramps up Patriot missile production amid surging demand Even as Trump called on US military contractors to expand capacity, Lockheed Martin has announced an agreement with the Department of Defense to significantly increase annual production of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) variant of the Patriot air-defense missile system. Over the next seven years, output will rise from about 600 missiles per year to approximately 2,000. Lockheed Martin said this capacity boost will make use of new molds, expanded testing facilities, and a vast network of over 13,000 suppliers. The company expects these measures to strengthen and expand production across its supply chain to meet growing market demand for air-defense missile systems. According to Defence Blog, the PAC-3 MSE interceptor is one of the most advanced air defense systems currently deployed by the US and its allies, which have seen increasing pressure on their air defense inventories due to ongoing conflicts and efforts to expand missile defense coverage. Furthermore, the US has in recent years transferred Patriot systems and PAC-3 MSE missiles to its allies, further driving Lockheed Martin's need to ramp up production to replenish stocks and fulfill new orders worldwide. Article edited by Jerry Chen India targets post-quantum secure chip personalization with Kaynes Semicon-SEALSQ joint venture India's semiconductor ambitions are beginning to extend beyond fabrication and conventional packaging into secure chip personalization and cryptographic control, as Kaynes Semicon and SEALSQ detailed the roadmap for their newly approved joint venture (JV). The JV, to be incorporated as an Indian entity, aims to establish what the companies describe as a sovereign post-quantum semiconductor personalization center using Kaynes Semicon's existing OSAT infrastructure in Gujarat. Total investment in the venture will be close to US$20 million, with around US$8 million allocated to capex for secure equipment, tooling, and infrastructure. SEALSQ will contribute secure semiconductor IP, cryptographic root-of-trust technology, and key-management capabilities. Kaynes Semicon will execute backend manufacturing, testing, and onshore secure provisioning. The partnership signals a strategic shift in India's semiconductor playbook, moving focus from manufacturing capacity alone to control over secure chip personalization, a stage increasingly viewed as a chokepoint in the global semiconductor value chain as governments and industries prepare for post-quantum security mandates. While fabs and OSAT plants define where chips are made, cryptographic key injection and certificate provisioning determine who ultimately controls devices deployed in critical infrastructure. Carlos Moreira, founder and CEO of SEALSQ, said the project is "more significant than a capacity-driven OSAT expansion," arguing that control over cryptographic key injection and personalization will be decisive as post-quantum security requirements move from roadmap to regulation. Certification by Q2, production expected in H2 2026 The Indian facility is expected to become certification-ready by the second quarter, following installation of secure equipment and completion of audit and compliance processes. Raghu Panicker, CEO of Kaynes Semicon, said they expect production to reach commercial contribution by the second half of 2026. "This is a phased build," Panicker said. "Certification and qualification come first, and only then do we scale." Shipment volumes were not disclosed, but executives indicated the ramp would move from qualification lots to production as regulatory approvals and customer onboarding progress. The urgency stems partly from quantum computing advances. SEALSQ executives said recent visits to Indian quantum computing startups highlighted the pace of domestic research, though they emphasized that the immediate driver for deployment is regulatory preparedness rather than raw qubit counts. Smart meters identified as the first deployment vertical The smart meter segment has been identified as the first deployment vertical for the JV, reflecting both regulatory pressure and the scale of India's nationwide smart metering rollout. Moreira said post-quantum cryptography is becoming increasingly relevant for smart meters due to their long operational lifecycles and exposure to so-called "harvest now, decrypt later" attacks, where encrypted data collected today could be decrypted in the future using more powerful computers. Government-linked and utility-driven deployments are expected to anchor early demand, with other critical infrastructure segments, including cloud platforms, government databases, satellites, and space systems, expected to follow. Clear split between IP and execution Under the JV structure, SEALSQ will supply secure semiconductor IP, cryptographic assets, and trust architecture, while Kaynes Semicon will handle assembly, testing, final test, and secure key injection, supported by hardware security modules installed on-site. "We bring the IP, the root of trust, and the cryptographic assets, while Kaynes Semicon handles the operational execution," Moreira said. Secure provisioning and certificate enablement are the most sensitive elements of the value chain, he added, requiring tighter controls than standard OSAT operations. Control over cryptographic keys ultimately determines control over devices deployed in critical systems. IP ownership aligned with sovereignty goals IP ownership has been structured to support India's sovereignty objectives, the companies said. According to Moreira, the new IP developed by the JV will be owned by the JV entity, while the existing SEALSQ IP is licensed into the venture. Customer-specific designs may follow contract-dependent ownership models, but cryptographic root keys and other critical trust assets will be generated and controlled within India. "That capability to create and retain a sovereign chip platform is what differentiates this from conventional backend manufacturing," Moreira said. Over time, the JV expects to build reusable secure platforms rather than operating solely as a bespoke services provider. Phased localization prioritizes personalization over fabs SEALSQ outlined a phased localization strategy, starting with onshore secure personalization rather than immediate domestic wafer production. "Step one is personalization and key injection in India," Moreira said. "That's where sovereignty really starts, because the keys are Indian keys." In the initial phase, finished chips will be imported and personalized locally, including wafer testing, key injection, and certificate provisioning at Kaynes Semicon's facility. Subsequent phases could involve local chip design and, eventually, domestic wafer manufacturing, potentially aligned with India's planned 28nm fabrication capacity. Moreira said that globally, secure personalization is often prioritized ahead of fab localization, as control over cryptographic assets delivers immediate strategic value. Differentiation from other Indian OSAT projects Panicker said the JV is not competing directly with other Indian OSAT projects, arguing that post-quantum security needs to be embedded at the hardware level rather than added later as a software layer. He said the JV is focused on security-critical backend capabilities tied to national infrastructure, rather than high-volume consumer OSAT work. Moreira stressed this point, adding that traditional semiconductor companies lack the cryptographic expertise required for secure personalization. "Software alone can never fully protect the device," he said. "The identity of the object has to be anchored in secure hardware, in what we call an HSM-type environment secured by post-quantum algorithms." He noted that even established cybersecurity companies like RSA, VeriSign, and Symantec "didn't scale up" to address quantum threats at the silicon level, while conventional semiconductor manufacturers "will not even know how to answer the question" if asked for post-quantum chips. Moreira also pointed to the limited global supply base for secure personalization capability, noting that even US passport programs rely on European-supplied secure chips, underscoring the limited global supply base for proven secure personalization capability. Hybrid revenue model and execution focus The business model combines one-time hardware revenue with recurring income from security services, including certificate management, software updates, and lifecycle monitoring, according to the companies. Both executives said certification timelines, customer qualification, and policy adoption are the main near-term execution variables, while longer-term demand is expected to be shaped by global post-quantum cryptography mandates and export requirements. In the near term, the JV plans to incorporate the company, install secure semiconductor processing equipment using Kaynes Semicon's existing facilities, and pursue pilot projects starting with smart meters and government-linked infrastructure. Editor's note: This interview was conducted in India during SEALSQ's January 2026 strategic roadshow, which included meetings with government agencies, quantum startups, and industrial partners. Article edited by Jack Wu The Tanaiste is to meet with California governor Gavin Newsom as part of a visit to the US state. Simon Harris flew to California on Sunday for a visit his department is billing as strengthening Irelands economic partnership with the United States. Mr Harris will meet with IDA and Enterprise Ireland client companies in the sectors of tech, healthcare, and pharma. His itinerary also includes meetings with Mr Newsom and the mayor of San Francisco Daniel Lurie. Mr Newsom is considered to be a 2028 presidential hopeful for the Democrats. Speaking before the visit, the Finance Minister said: Irelands long-standing economic relationship with California is a cornerstone of our wider partnership with the United States. The economic partnership between our two countries supports prosperity and employment on both sides of the Atlantic, and this visit provides an opportunity to further deepen that relationship. The scale of two-way trade and investment between Ireland and the US underscores the strength of our economic ties. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The Mercosur trade agreement which was passed by a vote of EU member states representatives last week, is bad for health and bad for Irish farming, Louth Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O Murchu told a demonstration in Dundalk on Saturday. Over 100 farmers on tractors converged on Market Square on Saturday morning for a rally in support of a larger event in Athlone, which attracted thousands of protesters. The Dundalk TD told the Dundalk protesters that Irish people were way beyond disappointed with the EU representatives vote on Friday and accused the government of doing far too little, far too late. Deputy O Murchu urged farmers to "keep the governments feet to the flames" and said it was "not good enough" that nearly 100,000 tonnes of South American beef could come into Europe under the Mercosur deal. He said: "It is not up to Irish beef standards. This is about health but it is also about sustaining rural Ireland. We are in support of free trade deals but we need to be talking about sustainable farming across Europe and Mercosur has nothing like that in it. Read also: Five Louth Schools taking part in ESB Weather Watch Programme The answer is clear from Dundalk and Athlone: this has to be resolved. The only reason anything is happening in Ireland is because of the anger and action by farmers and we are in support of them. Deputy O Murchu said there is a legal challenge being taken by MEPs in Europe to the Mercosur agreement and Sinn Fein is this week bringing a Private Members Business (PMB) to the Dail in support of this challenge. The PMB calls on the government to engage directly with MEPs across the EU to get them to reject the deal. He said: We want everyone to be in support of the legal challenge and the PMB because Mercosur is bad for health and bad for Irish farming. It is simply not good enough. "We all know the issues in relation to hormones and antibiotics in Mercosur beef and the work that Irish farmers have done to set high food standards and quality. We need to see that pressure is kept on so that every Irish MEP votes against the deal and we put more pressure on Europe, to tell them that the deal is not good enough for Irish people, not good enough for Irish farmers and not good enough for the health and safety of the Irish people. I ask that everyone is in support of Irish farmers and say no to Mercosur. Child protection continues to be a key focus in 2026 for Dundalk TD Ruairi O Murchu, who is a member of both the Oireachtas committees for children as well as disability. Speaking ahead of the return of the Dail this week, the Sinn Fein deputy said he would continue to question the government on the updating of the Child Care Act and the implementation of the recommendations of the National Review Panels (NRP) report into the case of missing Louth child Kyran Durnin. He said the issue continues to be extremely important particularly in light of the killing of Oisin Reddin in Dublin last week. The 12-year-old child was known to Tusla and the NRP has started a review of the Child and Family Agencys interaction with him. During the final week of the Dail before the Christmas recess, Deputy O Murchu questioned Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, about the progress being made on the Kyran Durnin report recommendations. He said: We have had a large number of child protection issues, including in respect of Vadym Davydenko and Daniel Aruebose, and the shocking events surrounding the brutal assault on a ten-year-old girl who had been in care. What I am looking for is information specifically on the NRP report and assurance that the recommendations will be acted upon. I seek the timeline for the rest of the reports and assurance that we have the proper framework in play. I am aware that the Minister has legislation and other measures planned. Minister Foley said her department is engaging with the relevant departments and agencies, including Tusla, on the implementation of the recommendations, while Tusla has already commenced the process of implementing the recommendations under its remit. She said: I am clear that the implementation of the recommendations should be completed as soon as possible. I have recently introduced a Bill updating and modernising the Child Care Act, which provides the foundation for child protection and welfare services. This will strengthen the child protection legal framework and the powers available to Tusla. Key child protection features include the introduction of a duty to co-operate among bodies. Deputy O Murchu said it is vital that the Department of Children adheres to a timeline for the implementation of the Kyran recommendations. Read Next: Major step forward in tackling brown water issues in Dundalk He told Minister Foley: The issues around the tracking of pupils, particularly whatever cross-border directive is needed, should be addressed straight away. We should be overcoming whatever issues there are with GDPR. I would also like an update on the Tusla-Garda protocol. (Tulsa CEO) Kate Duggan and others spoke about the increase in complex cases, the new model of care Tusla is looking to bring in and the need for it to increase its staff. We frequently hear from those in the community and voluntary sector who get referrals from Tusla. They also speak about their need for increased resourcing to ensure we have something that is more fit for purpose for looking after children and particularly the most vulnerable. Heartfelt tributes have been paid across Ireland today as people remember Ashling Murphy on the fourth anniversary of her death. On this day in January 2022, 23-year-old Ashling was murdered by Jozef Puska while out for a run along the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly in a shocking crime that sent ripples across Ireland. Four years on, her family, friends, partner and the school where she taught are among those marking the anniversary and remembering a young woman who was deeply loved and admired. In a post on Facebook, Ashlings boyfriend Ryan Casey shared an emotional tribute, writing: One of the hardest things we all have to do in life is to try and turn the page to the next chapter, knowing that someone who meant so much to you wont be in it. READ MORE - PICTURES: Conor McGregor shares intimate snaps from secret Vatican wedding to Dee Devlin This does not mean they wont be there to guide you, as there are things death can never touch, such as the bond, connection and love we had for each other, he wrote. I think about you and I miss you every day Ash. You made me the man that I am today and you will always be my moral compass in whatever direction life takes me. Rest in peace Ash. The school where Ashling taught, Scoil Cholmcille, also shared a tribute, remembering her impact on students and colleagues. Today, we remember the tragic loss of our Dear Ms. Ashling Murphy on her 4th anniversary, the school posted. It is still exceptionally hard to believe, to accept & to grieve her absence. We miss her infectious smile, magical voice, musical talents, excellent teaching skills & overall friendship. Ashling was widely known as a talented musician and a dedicated teacher, and her death continues to be felt across Ireland. READ MORE - Job Alert: Gardai hiring for big civilian job with a starting salary of over 80,000 An Tain Arts Centres book club returns to Roe River Books on Thursday, 29th January at 8pm, for a discussion of this months selected read, the The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. The Book Club has been going strong since April 2020 and meets in Roe River Books on Clanbrassil Street. The Bee Sting depicts the dysfunctional, hapless lives of the Barnes family, whose wealthy Irish car dealership is collapsing due to financial hardship and a series of personal failings. The story shifts perspectives between the family members throughout the book to show how they each grapple with individual crises, unspoken secrets, and the wider issues of economic and environmental decline. READ NEXT: "Heart of our communities" - Public consultation held on the future of Louth libraries Last years An Tain Arts Centre Book Club of the year was the Irish novel Prophet Song by Paul Lynch, voted by members. Paul Hayes Director of An Tain Arts Centre and host of the book club, said: We kick off 2026 with one of the best books I read last year, Im really looking forward to hearing what everyone thinks of The Bee Sting. "Its unbelievable to think this is the 64th book we have read as part of book club and we are always open to new members. The book club is free and no booking is required, however we do ask that members register via our website so that they can keep up to date with all book club news and avail of some exclusive book club offers. For information on our next read or to register visit www.antain.ie . Corks Tyndall National Institute has wrapped up a multi-year project with the European Space Agency (ESA). The Cork-based institute has been assisting in the development of the worlds first space-based gravitational wave observatory. The organisation, based out of University College Cork (UCC), contributed critical expertise to the ESAs laser interferometer space antenna (Lisa) mission, which is scheduled for launch in 2035. Lisa will be the first observatory of its kind to detect gravitational waves from space, revealing new insights into the most powerful events in the universe, such as pairs of black holes coming together and merging. The Tyndall Institutes role focused on evaluating the reliability of commercial photonic components, small but vital parts that will help power Lisas ultra-precise laser system. These lasers will span millions of kilometres between three spacecraft flying in formation, measuring minuscule changes in distance caused by gravitational waves. The Cork-based centre conducted long-term reliability testing and detailed construction analysis on a wide range of active and passive photonic devices, including laser diodes, photodiodes, UV LEDs, modulators, switches, isolators, and more. Each component was assessed against the ESAs demanding space standards, with risk levels identified for their potential use in the Lisa laser system. OUTCOME According to the Tyndall Institute, the outcome is a comprehensive dataset that will help the ESA make informed decisions about which components to use, ensuring the missions laser system performs as intended when deployed. Principal engineer at Tyndall, Finbarr Waldron said this project showcases the depth of Tyndalls expertise in photonics and reliability engineering. Space is a very unforgiving environment, and many commercial photonic components are built using materials that may not be suitable for use in space, Mr Waldron said. Our task was to rigorously test and analyse these components to determine whether or not they could withstand the extreme conditions of launch and long-term operation in space. The Tyndall Institute is a leading European deep-tech research centre, that specialises in integrated information and communications technology (ICT) materials, devices, circuits, and systems. It is Irelands largest research and technology organisation (RTO), specialising in both electronics and photonics. Gardai in Cork are investigating an overnight incident which caused minor fire damage to a vehicle outside a suburban residential property. The incident occurred in Brooklodge, Glanmire at approximately 4am on Monday morning. The fire is understood to have occurred outside the front door of a home in the estate and was extinguished before gardai and fire services arrived on the scene. No injuries were reported and gardai said an investigation was underway. Victor Shine, second officer with Cork City Fire Brigade, said it had been a very minor fire which had resulted in some minor vehicular and property damage. Three vehicles from the fire brigade attended the scene. A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said: Gardai and fire services responded to reports of fire damage to a residential property in Glanmire, Co Cork shortly after 4 am on Monday, January 12. The fire was extinguished prior to arrival of fire services personnel, and no injuries were reported. Inquiries into the incident are ongoing. A four-month jail term was imposed on a 31-year-old man who stole six cans of Four Loco alcohol from the Maxol service station in West Village in Ballincollig. Craig OSullivan of 24 Curraheen Drive, Bishopstown, Cork, pleaded guilty to carrying out the theft. Sgt Gearoid Davis said the alcohol, valued at 27, was stolen on March 21, 2025. Frank Buttimer solicitor said the accused was serving prison sentences for other offences committed around this time. Judge Mary Dorgan said the four-month sentence would be concurrent with the sentence being served. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has turned the sod on two Cork city social housing projects which, when completed, will deliver a total of more than 800 new social or affordable homes. The two developments consist of the 217-unit Railyard Apartments scheme on the old Careys Tool Hire and Sextant site in the city centre, which will include Irelands tallest residential building, and the 606-unit Creamfields development on the old Kinsale Rd. Mr Martin said the new developments represents a major step forward in addressing housing need, while also building strong communities: Building more homes is this Governments single biggest priority, he said. Through the revised National Development Plan and the recently published new housing plan, we have committed almost 20 billion for new social and affordable housing delivery. The Railyard scheme is expected to be completed by the end of 2027 and will comprise of a mix of studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. The development will include 118 Cost Rental homes, with rents at least 25% below the market average; 77 general needs social homes; and 22 age-friendly social homes for individuals and families on Cork City Councils housing list. The development will feature the tallest residential building in Ireland, standing 85.35 metres high, with a landmark, slender 25 storey tower, stepping down to 12 storeys and then nine storeys. PJ Hegarty are the main contractors on the project and have been on site for several months carrying out site clearance, road realignment and piling works. The Creamfields scheme, on the old Kinsale Road, is being developed by approved housing body Respond in partnership with Cork City Council, the Department of Housing, the Housing Finance Agency and The Housing Agency, with construction led by Cairn Homes. It is Responds largest development in Cork to date and it will be one of the largest mixed-tenure housing developments to be built in the city for several years, and it will provide 606 new homes on the former CMP dairy site. The development will consist of 225 social homes and 381 Cost Rental homes, as well as residential courtyards, parkland, commercial units and a town square overlooked by a 15-storey residential tower. The homes will be delivered in four phases, with the first phase, due to be completed by the end of 2028, providing 112 homes. Phases two, three and four will deliver 268, 167 and 59 homes respectively, and once fully complete, the development with consist of 558 apartments and 48 duplex houses. The social homes will be assigned to tenants from Cork City Councils housing waiting list upon completion, while the Cost Rental homes will be allocated by lottery, at rental rates at least 25% below local market rates. The site has remained largely idle since the dairy closed in 2006, although it has been used occasionally to host a temporary funfair. Cork city currently has a social housing waiting list of 2,761 people, and Cork City Council is actively engaged either directly or indirectly in the construction of or planning for 3,500 social or affordable homes at sites across the city, representing an investment of some 1.2bn. Welcoming todays sod-turning ceremonies, the Lord of Cork, councillor Fergal Dennehy, said they marked an important milestone for the city. These projects, supported by Cork City Council, are about more than bricks and mortar, he said. They are about providing secure, high-quality homes for families who need them most, and its about regeneration. The Railyard Apartments development will not only provide much-needed housing but will also contribute to the regeneration of the Docklands and to the vibrancy of the city centre. The Creamfields development will transform a brownfield site into a vibrant new community, Mr Dennehy said. I am proud to see Cork showing leadership and vision when it comes to social housing delivery, and building at scale to deliver sustainable housing solutions that will make a real difference in peoples lives for generations to come. Valerie O'Sullivan, Cork City Council chief executive, said the developments showed what can be achieved when ambitious and dynamic local authorities work in partnership with equally ambitious partners. The Railyard development, she said, will provide high-quality social homes alongside new social and cultural spaces at the gateway to the citys Docklands, and all within walking distance of the city centre's many attractions. And the Creamfields scheme will transform a large brownfield site into a new suburban neighbourhood with high-quality homes alongside new social and cultural spaces. Brian Geaney, Cork City Council assistant chief executive, said the Railyard Apartments scheme on Albert Quay was the result of a collaborative partnership between Cork City Council, Cluid and the JCD Group. It was procured through Cork City Councils award-winning Competitive Dialogue process and was granted Part 8 planning approval by the elected members of council, the Assistant Chief Executive said. We are delighted to see the sod turning ceremony here, and at the Creamfields scheme, and we look forward to the schemes progressing. The prosecution in a murder trial that opened in Cork on Monday alleged that on New Years Daly 2023, 28-year-old Brazilian woman Bruna Fonseca was strangled by a young Brazilian man with whom she had previously been in a relationship after she went to his room in Cork for both of them to have face time by phone to Brazil with a pet dog to whom both of them were very attached. The accused man later told gardai that she began hitting him and that he tried to stop her hitting him by doing something he had seen on television. The jury was told that the issue they would have to decide essentially was whether or not he intended to kill her or cause her serious injury. Miller Pacheco (32) told gardai that she was hitting him in the face and that he tried to stop her, he fell on top of her and did something that he had seen on films on television. He said he did not want to harm her, that he wanted the fighting to be over. The Brazilian man accused of murdering 28-year-old Brazilian woman Bruna Fonseca in Cork on New Years Day 2023 pleaded not guilty to the murder charge today, and a jury of seven women and five men was sworn in for his trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. Jury Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford addressed the jury panel before jurors were selected and sworn in, telling them that the trial was likely to last two weeks and would possibly go into a third week, so they should be available until January 30. The judge told the jury panel that the defendant is from Brazil and had only been in Ireland for a short time before January 2023 and that he had been working in Son of a Bun restaurant on MacCurtain Street for a period and living on Liberty Street. The deceased had been working at Mercy University Hospital for a few months and she was residing at Southern Road, Cork, Ms Justice Lankford said. Outlining these background details and the names of witnesses and members of An Garda Siochana connected to the case, the judge said people should not go forward as jurors if they had any connection with parties to the case. Miller Pacheco (pictured) pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and a jury of seven women and five men was sworn in for his trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan Miller Pacheco was arraigned on the single count that he murdered Bruna Fonseca at Room 3, 5 Liberty Street, Cork, on January 1, 2023, contrary to Common Law. Asked if he was pleading guilty or not guilty, he replied: Not guilty. A Portuguese interpreter was sworn in to assist the accused during the trial. Prosecution senior counsel Bernard Condon said in his opening to the jury: You know it is a murder case. That makes it very difficult when you are dealing with the loss of a human being a young woman at that, who probably travelled to Ireland for a better life and did not have any luck in the way one would expect. He said that essentially the jury would be deciding on what the defendant was thinking, what he intended. The prosecution say the murder was done by Miller Pacheco, the accused man. It probably is not going to be a big issue whether he killed her on not (in that) all of the evidence points to that. The question is for murder did he intend to kill or cause serious injury. Assistant State Pathologist Margaret Bolster will tell the jury of her conclusion that Ms Fonseca died as a result of asphyxiation. Allegations Mr Condon outlined the allegations that the prosecution would make in the course of the trial, emphasising that this outline was not itself evidence. The late Ms Fonseca was a native of Formiga in Minas Gerais province, northwest of Rio de Janiero, who had come to Cork in September 2022, and had been working as a contract cleaner at the Mercy University Hospital. Up to 2022 they had been in a relationship and lived together in Brazil. But the relationship ended and she came to Ireland. Miller Pacheco came to Ireland two months afterwards, on November 18 2022. Whether he was happy about her coming or not, you will hear evidence When Bruna Fronseca came to Ireland she appeared to have moved on. She started a relationship with a young Argentinian man she met in English college, Mr Condon said. The prosecution senior counsel said that the fairest thing to say was that in December 2022 there were difficulties between the defendant and the deceased, and that basically she seemed to be saying to him to leave her alone. Mr Condon said that both of them and friends were at a party in a house on New Years Eve. He said Ms Fronseca was dancing with another young man and kissed him and that the defendant was watching her and took a video of this. Mr Condon said when they were in Brazil, Mr Miller and Ms Fonseca had a dog and both of them were very fond of the animal. And that at around 3am on January 1, 2023, they were in Mr Millers room at Liberty Street to have face time on the phone with the dog in Brazil. Several witnesses living near the room in Liberty Street heard screams at around 4.30am. Mr Condon said there would be extensive evidence of texts and phone calls in the case, including one at 5.15am that morning from the defendant to a friend in Brazil saying: Forgive me, there is no way back now. And that during this call the person in Brazil asked about Ms Fronseca, and that Mr Miller turned the phone around to show the body of a woman with blankets and sheets around her. The trial will continue on Tuesday. The 33-year-old hospital patient who punched an 88-year-old man, who was also a patient, to death in the early hours of the morning in the room which they shared at Mercy University Hospital had sentencing in his case adjourned on Monday until March 27. A jury of eight men and four women at the Central Criminal Court in Cork last month reached a unanimous verdict, finding Dylan Magee of 30 Churchfield Green, Cork, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The killing occurred on January 22, 2023, at Room 2, St Josephs Ward, Mercy University Hospital. The victim was 88-year-old Matthew Healy. The late Mr Healys family will have an opportunity to describe the impact that his killing had on the family through a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing. 88-year-old Matthew Healy (late 80s) died following an incident at Mercy University Hospital shortly after 5:30am on Sunday 22nd January 2023. Jane Hyland, senior counsel for the prosecution, had sought a four-week adjournment for sentencing when the matter was mentioned today however, the defence sought a longer adjournment. Defence barrister Abigail Creed said that they required up to 12 weeks to allow time for a probation report. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford remanded the accused in continuing custody until March 27. Last month when the verdict was delivered, defence senior counsel Brendan Grehan said, Mr Magee wants, at the earliest available opportunity, to express his deep remorse for what happened to Mr Healy and the distress he obviously caused to his family and friends. Mr Grehan said that in terms of the report on the accused for the sentencing hearing the defence would ask for the two psychiatrists reports that formed a central part of the trial to be considered at sentence. Prosecution and defence lawyers in this trial agreed that verdicts of guilty or not guilty to murder were effectively not on the table and that the issue for the jury was in the middle ground of mental disorder. Prosecution senior counsel Jane Hyland and defence senior counsel Brendan Grehan both agreed on this matter in their closing speeches to the jury at the Central Criminal Court. Ms Justice Lankford told the jury, before they commenced their deliberations, that they could well take the view that 33-year-old Dylan Magee who was admitted to hospital for treatment for delirium, and 88-year-old Matthew Healy who had a fall at home, were both let down by the system. Mr Grehan said, Effectively, the issue is about mental disorder and the impact it had on what occurred. "No one can take away the awful tragedy that befell Mr Healy and his family. The only thing for which we can be a small bit grateful is that he was asleep and hopefully was knocked out by the first blow. At almost 89 and having recently buried his wife. Dylan Magee was slowly losing contact with reality For reasons we dont quite understand, Dylan Magee was put into a ward with a number of elderly patients when he was clearly showing mental health symptoms of delirium, with which he was diagnosed - hearing voices, hallucinating, seeing dead people, behaving in a hyper manner. The two worlds collided after 5 a.m. that morning when the unfortunate Mr Healy was asleep in bed. Dylan Magee developed a fixation that he (the deceased) was his uncle, which he was not that Mr Healy had eaten his child, killed him or kidnapped him. And that he was (named man) in his 20s. (Outside the room after the fatal attack) one nurse described the accused as looking like he did the right thing here, looking like he thought he had done a good thing. You are dealing with a mind that was clearly disturbed. Early last year, I booked a flight for my wife and myself from Larnaca in Cyprus to London Gatwick with Wizz Air. We were meant to fly home on November 29, 2025. I also booked two seats on a Ryanair flight to take us the rest of the way from Gatwick to Cork. It should have been a straight-forward trip, except it wasnt. Only a short time after paying the fare to Wizz Air, I got an email from them advising me that the flight was cancelled. That meant the Ryanair flights were of no use to me either and I had to forfeit them. I got a refund from Wizz Air and rebooked with them for December 12, and booked two new flights with Ryanair. We arrived at Larnaca Airport on that date at 10.30am for the 12.20pm flight, but soon after arriving, I received an email from Wizz Air advising me that the flight was delayed by two hours and 20 minutes. That meant we had no hope of making the Ryanair flight to Cork, so we had no choice but to forfeit them for the second time. With no other way of getting home, we had to stay overnight in Gatwick and fly home the following day, Saturday. We took a room in one of the Premier Inn Hotels which cost us just over 100. The only Ryanair flights to Cork the following day were leaving at 6pm at a cost of 102 each, and again we had no choice but to take them. The following day, we got to the airport and waited for the gate number to appear on the departures screen. Then I got a message on the Ryanair app that the flight to Cork was delayed by two hours until 8pm. The message said that there had been a slight technical problem with the aircraft, that had since been resolved. It was a further disappointment, but what can you do? We accepted it as one of those things that happens occasionally, but when we got to the departure gate, a Ryanair staff member made an announcement about boarding and apologised for the delay, which was due, she said, to adverse weather conditions. When we eventually got on the plane, there was a further announcement and another apology for the delay from the captain, but this time, he cited illness and having to find a replacement crew member as the cause of the problem. So, which was it? The cause of the delay doesnt really make any difference either way, but it would be nice to think the airline personnel were giving the genuine reason for the delay, and not giving the appearance of just fobbing us off with the first thing that came into their heads. This isnt the first time weve experienced cancellations and delays, certainly in our dealings with Wizz Air. Weve continued with them because there arent too many options available to us from Larnaca that link up with connecting flights to Cork. I dont remember having so much hassle in the past, but delays and cancellations seem to be happening with monotonous regularity in recent times. Most of the people I spoke to in Cyprus who travelled out through the UK experienced delays of at least one hour. Many of them spoke of sitting on the tarmac for long periods before take-off, so what is going on? Are the skies becoming like the M50? That motorway in Dublin is often described as the countrys biggest car park because it is so congested. Its easy to imagine the flight paths could be suffering from a similar issue. Im always amazed when I see the never-ending stream of a aircraft landing and departing London airports, for example. Or is it down to something else? Is there a shortage of aircraft or a shortage of runways or a shortage of staff? Do we need more air traffic controllers or better management of them, and are decisions always made with the best interest of the passengers in mind? I have often wondered why it is necessary to rush passengers through the departure gate and onto the plane, only to find that the aircraft is facing a lengthy wait on the tarmac. They push the plane back from its stand onto the runway where it can sit for an hour or more. Thats something thats becoming much more common, in my experience, and there is a reason for that. Im told, once the aircraft has left its stand, it is officially declared to have departed. Thats good for the airlines reputation, and important too as they can claim another flight has left on time. Which?, the UK travel magazine, recently wrote about delays and cancellations. The magazine checked departure data for six of the biggest airlines between May, 2024, and April, 2025, and all were less punctual now than pre-pandemic (2019), according to flight data from airline regulator the Civil Aviation Authority. Tui was the worst of the six big UK airlines Which? reviewed for punctuality (that is, take-off within 15 minutes of schedule) between those dates, with the lowest average percentage of on-time departures. It also had the second-highest percentage of delays over three hours, after Wizz Air. Figures show that average on-time departures across the board have slipped from 2019 levels, which means youre more likely to be inconvenienced by delays in 2025 than in 2019. But why? Bad weather, shortage of aircraft, staff issues, aircraft malfunctions, lack of space at airports, shortage of air traffic controllers and official strike action can all upset the apple cart. A slight delay early in the day can have a knock-on effect that creates a more significant delay as the day goes on. Taking all that into consideration, its a wonder we ever get off the ground. Between 2013 and 2022, 359 people in Cork died from drug poisoning, according to the latest report from the Health Research Board. Of the 343 drug poisoning deaths in Ireland in 2022, almost half (44%) were people residing in Dublin, while 40 (12.2%) resided in Cork. The figures have remained at that level since 2019, with drug poisoning deaths in the city hovering within the range of 42-52 each year. The question that needs to be asked is, in term of comprehensive services to respond to these figures, what would be the best fit for Cork? Would it benefit from a supervised injection facility? Would a mobile service adequately address these needs? Or would a drug consumption facility be more appropriate? The Government decided the first supervised injection facility (SIF) would be based in Dubin city centre on a pilot basis. A licence was granted to Merchants Quay Ireland to operate one for 18 months. It opened just over a year ago, and a review is expected to take place in the summer. But it is not just drug consumers and their immediate family that have a problem with drug use. It is having a negative impact on the city, including public areas like parks. This is a complex problem with implications for wider communities caught up in the cross hairs of anti-social behaviour aligned with drug use. A report on problem drug use in Cork city was published last March the first such study to examine drug use at local rather than national level. Commissioned jointly by the Health Service Executive Cork and Kerry, and Cork City Council, it examined the scale of the problem using multiple data sources. The study was undertaken by the School of Public Health, UCC, in collaboration with the Health Research Board and the National Suicide Research Foundation. The researchers identified an estimated 859 problematic opioid users in Cork city in 2022; and an increase in the use of cocaine (including crack) and amphetamines, with these rises more pronounced among young adults. Notably, the study found that the prevalence of opioid use has remained relatively stable a trend reflected in national data. National studies have consistently shown a majority of opioid users in Ireland are male aged 35-64; with evidence of a steady decrease in the number of opioid users at younger age groups - 15-24 years and 25-34 - receiving treatment, alongside an increase in the number of those aged 35-64 years over time. Similar trends are seen in Europe. The researchers suggested this may reflect a wariness of opioid use among younger users having witnessed the harmful effects of heroin on previous generations. Irish treatment data shows that cocaine has become the most common primary drug of interest among new treatment entrants. Additional research indicates a rise in the use of non-prescribed medications or street tablets among young people. Consequently, observed trends in opioid use among young people may reflect a shift towards more accessible and inexpensive drugs that are perceived as less harmful than opioids. After the opening of the medically supervised injecting facility in Dublin, a similar facility is being considered for Cork city after a delegation from Cork City Council, the HSE, and An Garda Siochana travelled to Lisbon to learn from policy there. The researchers noted that, aside from naloxone, syringe, needle and other drug-taking paraphernalia provision, current harm reduction strategies in Cork city are mainly focused on education, assessment, treatment and support services, pre- and post- treatment. However, a key finding of the research was that almost a third of problematic opioid users in the city were unknown to service providers. The researchers suggested a supervised drug consumption facility in the city might provide a connection point in the harm reduction system for those not in treatment. This could create a safe environment for problem drug users by providing clean syringes, blood-borne virus and drug testing, basic first aid assessment, information on the dangers of polydrug use, counselling and immediate overdose response, the researchers concluded. Such a facility could also facilitate positive interactions with the harm reduction system that could provide a signpost to services available, including access to treatment. Public areas in the city would benefit from a reduction in drug-related litter and open-air drug dens on the streets and in public spaces. Concerns have been raised about the provision of a mobile supervised injection facility compared to the facilities in the well-resourced building in Merchants Quay, Dublin. Eddie Mullins, CEO of Merchants Quay, has suggested that he saw a mobile unit as quite ineffective. In our facility, a client comes in, theyre met at reception, show us their drugs, they are taken to an injection room and spend 15 minutes there, then 30 minutes in an aftercare room where we monitor them, he said. We couldnt keep a person for 45 minutes in a van, and it wouldnt be easy to get the same interventions, then get them to see a GP or a project worker if theyre struggling with their mental health. Supervised drug consumption facilities have the capacity to move drug use into a safer more controlled environment, with ancillary supports and services, as well as returning streets and public spaces to communities. We have yet to see whether the introduction of a medically supervised drug injection facility in Dublin will form a template for safer drug consumption spaces in other cities across Ireland, including Cork. However, comprehensive drug services respond only to the acute needs of people that have fallen through the gaping holes in the system. As important as medically supervised injection or drug consumption facilities is the provision of robust supports, that allow for strong community cohesion and a collective identity - for people who spend a large chunk of their lives without either. Kenneth Fox Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurchu said the Mercosur deal 'disproportionately impacts Irish farmers' and the process is not yet complete. She said the vote by member states to approve Mercosur does not mark the end of the process, but rather the start of lobbying efforts ahead of a critical vote in the European Parliament. The Ireland South MEP urged her fellow Irish MEPs to work together to lobby colleagues in the European Parliament. Ni Mhurchu said the agreement disproportionately impacts Irish farmers and rural communities, particularly in her own constituency, and she urged her fellow MEPs to consider the public health and environmental risks of allowing large amounts of Mercosur beef into EU markets. She highlighted the fact that Irish agriculture operates to some of the highest environmental, animal welfare, and food safety standards globally, with farmers having made significant investments to meet these requirements. It is fundamentally unfair to expect Irish farmers, who comply with some of the strictest standards in the world, to compete with imports produced under far lower regulatory requirements, she said. She also pointed to serious concerns around traceability issues with Mercosur beef and public health concerns around the use of illegal hormones and antibiotics in the production of cheap Mercosur beef. I stand firmly with Irish farmers and rural communities and will do everything in my power to oppose this agreement, she said. Meanwhile, EU Commissioner for Democracy, Michael McGrath, has been asked to urgently intervene in a procedural row that could see attempts by the EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, to proceed with the implementation of the EU Mercosur trade deal before democratic ratification by the European Parliament. MEP Ciaran Mullooly wrote to Commissioner McGrath asking him to personally contact President von der Leyen and stop these attempts to side-step the European Parliament, who have a legal and legislative role in the final rejection or ratification of the deal. He asked for an urgent meeting with the Commissioner in the next 48 hours to discuss the situation, and will deliver a petition signed by over 30,000 people against the trade deal going ahead after a public protest in Athlone organised by the Independent Ireland party last Saturday. To ignore the procedures established under European treaties and proceed with implementation without the vote of the parliament would be dangerous, highly irresponsible, and hugely damaging to the relationship between the European Citizens and the Commission. With Brain Health, Samsung aims to detect signs of dementia using data that is measured in everyday life anyway. How does a person move, speak, and sleep? The new Samsung Galaxy Brain Health feature monitors behavior in the background; algorithms detect subtle patterns that could indicate early signs of dementia. How reliable are the predictions, and how is the data protected? Diesen Artikel anhoren When your own mother suddenly gets lost on a familiar street, can't remember her grandson's name, or leaves bills unopened for months, it's more than just forgetfulness it's a strong indication of dementia. But many sufferers and their families don't notice such changes until it's too late or don't want to admit it. This is especially true since the body sends out tiny warning signs and clues for early treatment much earlier on. This is exactly where Samsung comes in with a new feature that the South Korean technology group is currently presenting at CES 2026: "Brain Health" is designed to pick up on these warning signs in everyday life long before cognitive decline becomes obvious. The Basic Idea Sounds Simple Smartwatches and smartphones collect data anywayabout steps taken, voice during phone calls, sleep phases, and daily routines. Brain Health evaluates this information and looks for abnormalities that could be associated with cognitive decline. Is the gait changing? Is the voice becoming more monotonous? Is sleep deteriorating? The algorithms combine such signals to create a risk profile. What makes it special is that users don't have to actively do anything, perform extra tests, or turn their lives upside down in order to take preventive measures. The technology runs passively in the background and connects to existing functions such as blood pressure measurement, ECG, and heart rhythm alerts. Samsung wants to establish a comprehensive health picture on the wristfrom the heart to sleep to the brain. From Deviations to Brain Training If the function detects deviations, users and their relatives receive notifications that something has changed. This is accompanied by personalized brain training, i.e., special exercises and stimuli designed to stabilize cognitive abilities. However, Samsung makes it clear that "Brain Health" is not a diagnosis, but an early warning system. The message is: if something is noticeable, go to the doctor. Samsung is currently testing the reliability of the algorithms in clinical trials. Together with medical institutions in South Korea and other countries, the company is testing whether gait, voice, and sleep profiles really correlate with established dementia scores. It is still unclear when "Brain Health" will actually be available as a feature in the Samsung Galaxy universe. The tech company is talking about a staggered rollout, initially in selected countries and possibly as a beta version. Regulatory hurdles, data protection issues, and collaborations with healthcare providers will likely be decisive for the specific timeline. Data Security is Key In its announcement for CES 2026, Samsung states that Brain Health data is protected by Knox technology and is primarily processed locally, not in the cloud. For users, it will be crucial how transparently the system explains what it measures and how comprehensible the risk scores are without causing fear among those affected. At CES, visitors can try out Brain Health and see how cognitive indicators are translated into dashboards and alerts. Whether this big move will be successful will only become clear after clinical trials and then in everyday use. But Samsung is deliberately positioning itself against competitors such as Apple and Google with the early detection of dementia: prevention should encompass much more than just heart rate and steps taken. Prevention from Heart Attack to Stroke For the medical technology industry, this feature is already sending a signal: sensor technology, AI, and clinical validation are converging until wearables monitor the brain as naturally as they monitor the heartbeat. (uh) The UKs media regulator has opened a formal investigation into X under the Online Safety Act. "There have been deeply concerning reports of the Grok AI chatbot account on X being used to create and share undressed images of people which may amount to intimate image abuse or pornography and sexualized images of children that may amount to child sexual abuse material (CSAM)," Ofcom said. The investigation will focus on whether X has "has complied with its duties to protect people in the UK from content that is illegal in the UK." That includes whether X is taking appropriate measures to prevent UK users from seeing "priority" illegal content, such as CSAM and non-consensual intimate images; if the platform is removing illegal content quickly after becoming aware of it; and whether X carried out an updated risk assessment before making "any significant changes" to the platform. The probe will also consider whether X assessed the risk that its platform poses to UK children and if it has highly effective age assurance to protect UK children from seeing pornography. The regulator said it contacted X on January 5 and received a response by its January 9 deadline. Ofcom is conducting an "expedited assessment of available evidence as a matter of urgency" and added that it has asked xAI for "urgent clarification" on the steps the company is taking to protect UK users. Advertisement Advertisement "Reports of Grok being used to create and share illegal non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material on X have been deeply concerning," an Ofcom spokesperson said. "Platforms must protect people in the UK from content thats illegal in the UK, and we wont hesitate to investigate where we suspect companies are failing in their duties, especially where theres a risk of harm to children. Well progress this investigation as a matter of the highest priority, while ensuring we follow due process. As the UKs independent online safety enforcement agency, its important we make sure our investigations are legally robust and fairly decided." If Ofcom deems that a company has broken the law, it can "require platforms to take specific steps to come into compliance or to remedy harm caused by the breach." The regulator can additionally impose fines of up to 18 million ($24.3 million) or 10 percent of "qualifying" worldwide revenue, whichever of the two figures is higher. It can also seek a court order to stop payment providers or advertisers from working with a platform, or to require internet service providers to block a site in the UK. The UK government has said it would back any action that Ofcom takes against X. Reports over the weekend suggested that the UK had held discussions with allies over a coordinated response to Grok-generated deepfakes. Regulators elsewhere, including in India and the European Union, are also investigating X. Last week, the Grok account on X started telling users that its image generation and editing tools were being limited to paying subscribers. But as of Monday it was still possible for non-paying users to generate images through the Grok tab on the X website and app. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Malaysia and Indonesia became the first countries to block Grok, claiming that Xs chatbot does not have sufficient safeguards in place to prevent explicit AI-generated deepfakes of women and children from being created and disseminated on X. Indonesia temporarily blocked access to Grok on Saturday, as did Malaysia on Sunday, the Associated Press reports. "The government sees non-consensual sexual deepfakes as a serious violation of human rights, dignity and the safety of citizens in the digital space," Indonesias Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said in a statement. Officials in the country said initial findings showed that Grok lacks effective controls to prevent users from creating and sharing sexually explicit deepfakes based on photos of Indonesian residents. The country's director general of digital space supervision, Alexander Sabar, said generating deepfakes can violate individuals' image and privacy rights when photos are shared or manipulated without consent, adding that they can lead to reputational, social and psychological harm. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission cited "repeated misuse" of Grok to generate explicit and non-consensual deepfakes, some of which involved women and children. The regulator said Grok will remain blocked in the country until X Corp and parent xAI establish strong enough safeguards. Meta has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a banking executive and former Republican White House official, as its new president and vice-chairman. The company said McCormick will help guide its overall strategy and execution as a part of the management team. Dinas experience at the highest levels of global finance, combined with her deep relationships around the world, makes her uniquely suited to help Meta manage this next phase of growth as the companys president and vice chairman, said Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. McCormick was a partner at Goldman Sachs and ran its Global Sovereign investment banking business. She was most recently vice chair, president and head of global client services at merchant bank BDT & MSD Partners. McCormick was also deputy national security advisor to President Donald Trump during his first term and held several roles during the George W. Bush administration, including assistant secretary of state for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She is married to Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA). Advertisement Advertisement Metas new president joined the companys board last April, but she resigned in December. Just a few weeks later, McCormick has taken on a higher-profile role at Meta. McCormick is the second former Trump official that Meta has appointed to a prominent role this month. Last week, the company hired Curtis Joseph Mahoney, who was most recently a corporate vice president and general counsel at Microsoft, as its chief legal officer. Mahoney was a deputy US trade representative during the first Trump administration. India is considering new smartphone security rules that would require device makers to allow government access to source code for vulnerability analysis. It would also require companies to notify the government of major software updates and security patches before rollout, according to Reuters . This is the latest in a raft of unprecedented proposals by the Indian government under the guise of security, as it weighs making a package of 83 security standards drafted in 2023 legally binding in the worlds second-largest smartphone market with nearly 750 million smartphones. Under the proposals, any source code review would be analyzed and potentially tested at designated labs in India. Major phone manufacturers have reportedly warned the Indian government that such a move risks revealing proprietary information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source code proposal comes alongside a series of additional recommendations such as restrictions on background permissions for apps and the option to remove all preinstalled apps. Reuters also reports the package would mandate periodic malware scanning and require phones to store system logs for at least 12 months, requirements that industry groups told the publication would drain battery life, run into storage limits and slow the rollout of necessary security updates. The nations IT ministry told Reuters it "refutes the statement" that it is proposing manufacturers hand over their source code. This was despite a review of internal government and industry documents as part of the reporting. Government officials and industry executives are reportedly due to meet Tuesday for more discussions. Noah Wyle won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama at the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held Sunday night for his performance in the hit medical drama "The Pitt." The 54-year-old actor received the award from presenters Priyanka Chopra and Lalisa Manoban of Blackpink during the ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. This marks Wyle's first Golden Globe win after three previous nominations for his iconic role as Dr. John Carter in "ER" between 1997 and 1999. Wyle competed against a strong field of nominees, including Sterling K. Brown for "Paradise," Diego Luna for "Andor," Gary Oldman for "Slow Horses," Mark Ruffalo for "Task," and Adam Scott for "Severance," according to Yahoo News. In his acceptance speech, Wyle expressed gratitude for his decades-long career, stating he didn't know "how to say all my gratitude from 54 years in 60 seconds." He thanked his fellow nominees and credited his upbringing in a family that valued art, curiosity, and service. The actor made special mention of the show's executives at HBO Max, including Casey Bloys, Sarah Aubrey, and Joey Chavez, as well as his producing partners John Wells and R. Scott Gemmill, his former collaborators from "ER." Wyle also paid tribute to healthcare workers worldwide, a gesture he has made consistently throughout awards season, Esquire reported. In a touching moment, Wyle concluded his speech with a birthday message to his wife, Sara Wells, who was celebrating her birthday on the night of the ceremony. "Lastly, to my beautiful wife, Sara, happy birthday. I hope you're enjoying your celebration," he said. "The Pitt" premiered on HBO Max in January 2025 and follows Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch, the chief attending physician at the emergency room of Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center. The series is filmed in real-time, with each episode covering one hour of a 15-hour shift. Season 2 premiered on January 8, 2026, and the show has already been renewed for a third season, as per TV Insider. Wyle's Golden Globe victory adds to his recent accolades, which include winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in September and a Critics' Choice Award earlier in January. The series itself has received widespread acclaim, winning five Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. We attempted to send a notification to your email address but we were unable to verify that you provided a valid email address. Please visit my profile to update your email address if you wish to receive notifications. Otherwise, disable notifications and hide this message. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Partly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 36F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 36F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. On February 11th, RealClear will host its third annual Samizdat Prize Gala at The Breakers in beautiful Palm Beach, Florida. The Samizdat Prize is an annual award given to journalists, authors, and public figures who resist censorship and stand for truth. One such example is Graham Linehan, the award-winning Irish comedy writer, whose life was upended for publicly expressing reservations about transgender individuals in womens-only spaces. RSVP for the 2026 Samizdat Prize Gala Linehan is not a household name in the United States. But across the Atlantic, he has been among the most acclaimed TV writers, co-writing wildly successful sitcoms such as Father Ted, The IT Crowd, and Black Books. He has won five BAFTAs, a prestigious prize awarded to the best of the best in British and international television. Charlie Chaplin, Steven Spielberg, and Audrey Hepburn were also recipients of BAFTAs. Father Ted was even going to be made into a musical. But all this success came to a crashing halt. Why? Linehan had the temerity to like a tweet that expressed reservations about trans ideology. The retribution of the mob was swift. At first, his tweets and social media posts triggered a flurry of nasty replies including one that read, I wish the cancer had won, during his battle with testicular cancer in 2018. Then, in 2020, his X (formerly Twitter) account was permanently suspended for repeated violations of our rules against hateful conduct and platform manipulation (Linehans account was restored by Elon Musk following his acquisition of the company). During the social media firestorm and backlash to his posts, Linehans wife divorced him amid the pressure of negative media attention and legal cases. Just months ago, upon landing at Heathrow Airport, he was arrested by five Metropolitan Police officers. His crime? A series of tweets that were critical of trans activists and trans activism. In England, where there is no First Amendment, tweets can be prosecuted as hate speech. Even in handcuffs, Linehan refused to back down. As we look to our friends across the pond, we here in the States are reminded of why the First Amendment comes first in the Bill of Rights. Without the ability to speak and express ourselves freely, we are, in effect, not free citizens at all, but rather, subjects to the whim of whatever speech and conduct the state permits. Our prize rewards First Amendment courage, like Linehans, that improves our shared public lives. If you want to live in a society free of censorship, come to the event and experience it. It is an ennobling experience. Linehan will be honored alongside Harvard Law professor and First Amendment warrior Alan Dershowitz and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk. Even if you cant come to Palm Beach for the dinner, still consider supporting the prize with a donation. We give out three prizes of $25,000 each, which is almost double the Pulitzers. Its a big rock to push up the funding hill every year. We can use your help. This year marks RealClears 25th year in operation. Our experiment in self-government is turning 250 and is showing its age. Our Republic, if you can keep it runs on free speech. Our City on the Hill shines because it is polished through the free exercise of viewpoint diversity. Without free speech, the promise of our Declaration of Independence our IPO for a free people and politics is meaningless. What can one person do to make a difference? Join us. We are better, stronger, and more consequential together. RSVP for the 2026 Samizdat Prize Gala I hope to see you there. For questions regarding the Gala, as well as how to sign up, please contact RealClears Advancement Coordinator, Frank Filocomo, at frank@realclear.com. Dog owners across the UK are being urged to take part in a new survey as the National Sheep Association shines a spotlight on the costly and distressing problem of sheep worrying. The NSAs latest annual survey launches today (12 January), and for the first time it is specifically aimed at dog owners, as the association seeks fresh insight into incidents where dogs chase or attack sheep. Sheep worrying can cause extreme stress and serious consequences for livestock, including miscarriage, severe injury and, in some cases, death. The issue also carries a significant economic toll: figures published for 2024 show that livestock worrying by dogs resulted in nearly 1.8 million of injured or killed farm animals across the UK. The association says sheep worrying remains a major problem for farmers, particularly in the lambing season when ewes are heavily pregnant or caring for young lambs. To better understand and address the issue, the NSA is inviting dog owners from across the UK to complete its survey, which is open until Monday 9 March. Participants can access the questionnaire via the NSA website. NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said sheep farmers are regularly faced with the dreadful consequences of sheep worrying by dogs. He added that attacks not only compromise animal welfare but also cause great stress, anxiety and financial loss to farmers themselves. Stocker urged dog owners to contribute, saying the NSA urges dog owners to complete this years survey and encouraging organisations to share it widely. He explained that the information gathered helps create a more accurate representation of the matter, which is critical as the NSA strives to raise understanding among dog owners, farmers and legislators about the scale of the problem. Survey findings will be shared with interested parties, including national media, later in the spring. The timing of the results is significant because many sheep are in the final stages of pregnancy or have vulnerable newborn lambs. Stress caused by an attack at this time increases the risk of miscarriage or mismothering. The NSA says improved awareness and responsible behaviour from dog owners are essential to reducing incidents and protecting both livestock welfare and farmers livelihoods. A member of the public has died after being struck by an excavator on a farm in Bedfordshire, highlighting ongoing safety risks on UK agricultural land. The incident occurred on 5 January in a field near Toddington, where the man was hit by a digger being operated at the time. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 5pm, but he was pronounced dead there. Bedfordshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have launched investigations to establish exactly what happened. A police spokesperson said: Officers were called shortly before 5pm on Monday 5 January to a field on Bridle Way, Toddington, to reports of a man who had been injured by a digger. They added: Emergency services attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Formal identification remains underway, however next of kin have been informed. Police enquiries are continuing, with detectives working alongside the HSE and the coroner to understand the full circumstances. The tragedy comes as the UK farming industry continues to record a high number of deaths on farms. In 2024/25 there were 23 farm worker deaths in Great Britain and a further five in Northern Ireland, bringing the total across the UK to 28 fatalities in agricultural incidents. In addition to those working on farms, other members of the public have also lost their lives in farming-related accidents. These figures underline that, despite safety efforts, agriculture remains one of the countrys most dangerous sectors. Police have asked anyone with information about the Bedfordshire incident to contact them on 101 or report online. The UK ruminant sector is being urged to act now to avoid falling behind on how it proves responsible antibiotic use, as a new industry-wide survey is launched. The survey, part of the ruminant roadmap initiative, is seeking views from across the sector on the challenge of demonstrating responsible antimicrobial and antibiotic stewardship. It forms the first stage of a collaborative programme bringing together farmers, vets and other stakeholders to co-develop a practical roadmap that supports animal health and welfare, while strengthening confidence in how antibiotics are used. Central to the work is the role of data, with the initiative aiming to define exactly what ruminant antibiotic use information is needed at farm level and for national reporting. The goal is to ensure data collection delivers clear value back to farms and veterinary practices, while being collated and shared responsibly. Survey responses will help identify what data is already available and where difficulties lie, allowing barriers to collection and use to be better understood and addressed in a way that benefits those supplying the information. Alongside insights from workshops and a summit event, the findings will shape a practical plan to improve current approaches. This is intended to support animal health and welfare, while helping protect the UKs important export markets. Supporting the launch, Mark Jelley, chair of the Cattle Antibiotic Guardian Group, said farmers are already required to record their purchase and use of veterinary medicines, but that turning this requirement into evidence of responsible use while also being confident that data is being used responsibly is challenging. He warned that the ruminant sector risks losing ground internationally, noting that other food producing species in the UK can demonstrate their medicine use with confidence and that many competitor nations are now legislating for this data collection too. Those working across the UK ruminant sector, including farmers, vets, academics and government employees, are being encouraged to take part. Organisers stress it is vital that voices from all ruminant sectors and all parts of the UK are represented, so solutions are shaped by the whole industry. The survey is open until 28 February 2026 and is available online. In This Article 1. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai 2. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Mission Kashmir 3. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham 4. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Koi Mil Gaya 5. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Lakshya 6. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Krrish 7. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Dhoom 2 8. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Jodha Akbar 9. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Guzaarish 10. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara 11. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Agneepath 12. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Kaabil 13. Hrithik Roshan Movies - Super 30 14. Hrithik Roshan Movies - War Good Looks, great dancing skills and loads of charm - Hrithik Roshan has it all. The actor, who is often referred to as the Greek God turns 46 today but manages to keep looking better and better each passing day. Hrithik Roshan is not only known for his good looks but his acting prowess, as well as he, has delivered a number of memorable performances in his 18-year career. His efforts certainly havent gone unnoticed as he also has won a total of 6 Filmfare Awards in his splendid career so far. Hrithik Roshan, son of filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, made his first appearance as a child artist in 1986 with Bhagwan Dada starring Rakesh Roshan and Rajnikanth. In the year 2000, Hrithik Roshan got launched with Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai and there was no looking back. No one until Hrithik had experienced something called overnight stardom. Thebecame the biggest blockbuster of the year and also is regarded as one of the biggest hits of all time. At the turn of the millennium, a new star had arrived. On his birthday we list down 11 roles that only and only Hrithik Roshan could have pulled off.This Hrithik Roshan movie was more style than substance but it proved that he definitely could emote. He also showed the world that he could carry a film on his shoulders. With Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, Hrithik literally barged into the territory that was ruled by the three Khans and gave them a run for their money. Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai was more style than substance but Hrithik proved in his very first film that he definitely could emote. He also showed the world that he could carry a film on his shoulders.When every other actor in the industry was opting for the role of a typical commercial hero, Hrithik was seen playing the role of a terrorist in Mission Kashmir. This was a very bold move indeed as in the early stages of their career actors tend to avoid any sort of negative roles but Hrithik was seen portraying it twice in Mission Kashmir and Fiza. Although the Hrithik Roshan movie did not do well at the box-office, Hrithik received ample praise for his performance.In this Hrithik Roshan movie, Amitabh Bachchan played a patriarch and SRK was his loyal son, the movie saw Hrithik as the younger one trying to stitch the family back together and Jaya as the mother torn between the ego of the men in her life. Interestingly, when Hrithik Roshan signed for the film Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai still hadnt released but by the time they started shooting for, Hrithik was already a star as the movie turned out to be aThe Hrithik Roshan movie was a story about an Alien who gets left behind on earth and finds a true friend in Rohan Mehra (Hrithik Roshan). Hrithik portrayed a man whose brain functions like an 11-year-old. It was an extremely difficult role to pull off but Hrithik impressed everyone by his performance.The war drama showed Hrithiks transformation from a young guy who had no direction in life to becoming a disciplined and fearless army officer. Hrithik was incredibly convincing in his role. His work in the movie was appreciated by the critics as well as the audience. He also showcased his phenomenal dancing skills once again in the movie with the song Main Aisa Kyun hoon, choreographed by none other than Prabhudeva.Since the audience in India is used to seeing Hollywood superheroes like Superman, Spiderman, Ironman etc it was tough for them to accept an Indian superhero. Hrithik took up this challenge and arrived with Krrish. This Hrithik Roshan movie was a sequel to KoiMil Gaya in which Hrithik is playing the son of Rohit Mehra who is born with special powers and uses it to avenge the death of his father.After acing his role as a superhero, thishad him playing the supervillain. Although he didnt have any supernatural powers this time, he played the character of a tech-savvy thief who with the help of his super-cool gadgets was able to pull off incredible heists. What really caught peoples attention is that Hrithik was seen disguised as a statue, an old man, a queen, and even a dwarf in the film.The Hrithik Roshan movie centres on the romance between the, and the Rajput Princess Jodhaa Bai who becomes his wife, played by Aishwarya Rai. The film was written, directed and produced by Ashutosh Gowariker. It witnessed a lot of controversies over its content and also faced protests. Hrithik was able to play the character of the Royal Mughal Emperor effortlessly.He played a renowned magician who is left a quadriplegic after an accident and sick of his bedridden life and petitions the court for euthanasia. To get into the skin of his character, he met paraplegic patients and brought out their mannerisms in his performance. This just goes to show how much effort he puts in to get every role right.We saw Hrithik Roshan as a complete workaholic whose life changes when he takes a road trip to Spain with his two best friends. The trip not only changes his opinion on what he expects from life but also starts to enjoy life as it is meant to be. In the end, he marries his love interest Laila (played by Katrina Kaif) whom he met during the trip.Stepping into Amitabh Bachchan's big shoes could best be described as an act of extreme bravery. Turns out, Hrithik's no slouch in the intensity department himself.in the remake of the iconic film and won over the hearts of people once again.This Hrithik Roshan movie begins with Rohan Bhatnagar (Hrithik) accepting a meeting with Supriya (Yami), a match fixed by a common friend. Right from the first date, the two find themselves attracted to each other and eventually get married. But theyre not able to live happily ever after since Madhavrao Shellars (Ronit Roy) brother Amit (Rohit Roy) rapes Supriya by taking advantage of her visual impairment. Instead of getting you to feel pity for Rohan, the makers turn this into a revenge saga.is a film based on Anand Kumar and his batch of 30 students. In the film, Hrithik Roshan plays the role of renewed mathematician Anand Kumar for which he underwent a complete transformation. And the transformation was not limited to his physical appearance but also the dialect, mannerisms and his body language. Hrithik completely sinks his teeth in the character and delivers exceptional performance. Many regard Hrithiks performance in Super 30 as his career best.War was meant to be an action packed masala entertainer and it delivers completely on that front. Starring Tiger Shroff, Hrithik Roshan and Vaani Kapoor, the film featured some stellar action sequences, killer dialogues, and thumping dance numbers which pushed it to become the highest grosser of the year 2019. The new year has barely begun, and streaming platforms are already setting the tone with a powerful slate of fresh releases. From adrenaline-charged thrillers and emotionally rich war stories to dreamy romances and gripping crime dramas, this weeks OTT lineup has something for every kind of viewer. Whether youre planning a quiet binge at home or simply hunting for your next obsession, the week of January 12 to 18 is packed with must-watch titles across OTT Platforms. Heres your curated guide to everything arriving this week. The messy world of Lucy Albright and Stephen DeMarco is set to return to the screens. This emotionally volatile drama is based on the 2018 best-selling novel by Carola Lovering. The series takes a dive into the lives of a couple of college students through to their adulthood. The web of lies and interconnected dramas is what sets the tone. Release Date: January 13 Streaming On: JioHotstar Hijack Season 2 Idris Elba is back as expert negotiator Sam Nelson, but this time the danger has moved from the skies to the streets of Berlin. When a subway train carrying hundreds of passengers is taken over by armed extremists, Sam is pulled into another nerve-racking race against time. With every decision carrying deadly consequences, the series dives deeper into psychological warfare, political pressure and human survival. Returning cast members Christine Adams, Max Beesley and Archie Panjabi add more intensity to this edge-of-the-seat sequel. Release Date: January 14 Streaming On: Apple TV+ Pole to Pole With Will Smith Will Smith steps into the real world in this visually stunning documentary series that follows his 100-day journey across all seven continents. From frozen poles to tropical forests and remote deserts, he meets scientists, explorers and local communities while discovering how extreme landscapes shape life on Earth. More than just a travelogue, the show is a moving exploration of curiosity, resilience and the wonders of our planet. Release Date: January 14 Streaming On: JioHotstar Taskaree: The Smugglers Web Emraan Hashmi headlines this gripping crime thriller set inside Mumbai International Airport. Playing a dedicated customs officer, Hashmis character finds himself up against a powerful global smuggling cartel dealing in gold, luxury items and illegal cargo. As the network tightens, the fight becomes not just professional, but deeply personal. Packed with suspense, drama and action, Taskaree shines a light on the high-risk battle against international crime. Release Date: January 14 Streaming On: Netflix Agatha Christies Seven Dials Agatha Christies Seven Dials Set in 1920s England, this stylish mystery follows the fearless Lady Eileen Bundle Brent, who gets caught in a deadly puzzle after a harmless party prank leads to murder. What begins as a curious investigation soon throws her into a shadowy world of spies, secret organisations and international conspiracies. Based on Agatha Christies novel, Seven Dials combines classic whodunit charm with fast-paced intrigue. Release Date: January 15 Streaming On: Netflix To Love, To Lose This Turkish romantic drama tells a tragic love story between a screenwriter trapped by debt and a ruthless loan sharks enforcer. Their unexpected bond threatens to unravel two families and change their futures forever. Emotional, intense and beautifully acted, the series explores love, fate and the price of loyalty. Release Date: January 15 Streaming On: Netflix The Rip Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite in this gritty action thriller set in Miamis criminal underworld. When a group of elite cops stumble upon a huge cache of cartel money, trust within the force begins to crack. As suspicion spreads, friendships turn into rivalries and greed pushes everyone to the edge. Dark, tense and explosive, The Rip is one of the most anticipated thrillers of the month. Release Date: January 16 Streaming On: Netflix Can This Love Be Translated? Kim Seon Ho leads this charming K-drama alongside Go Youn Jung and Sota Fukushi. The story follows a multilingual interpreter and a global celebrity who grow closer while filming a reality show across different countries. As cultures clash and emotions get lost in translation, a slow-burning romance unfolds. Sweet, heartfelt and full of travel-filled moments, this one is perfect for rom-com lovers. Release Date: January 16 Streaming On: Netflix 120 Bahadur Farhan Akhtar stars as Major Shaitan Singh in this stirring war drama based on the Battle of Rezang La during the 1962 India-China war. The film honours the bravery of 120 Indian soldiers who defended their post against overwhelming odds in the harsh Himalayan terrain. With emotional storytelling and powerful performances, 120 Bahadur is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Release Date: January 16 Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video Kalamkaval Mammootty headlines this dark Malayalam crime thriller inspired by true events. The film follows a determined police officer tracking a chilling serial killer who uses cyanide to murder women. As the investigation deepens, the lines between hunter and hunted blur, leading to a haunting battle of minds. Release Date: January 16 Streaming On: SonyLIV Tell Me Lies- Season 3Also Read: Everything Were Watching This Week: Ikkis & More Oscar-winning actor Will Smith was recently in Dubai for the premiere of National Geographics Pole to Pole with Will Smith, where he spoke about his long-standing interest in working with Bollywood. During a red-carpet chat with Gulf News, the actor shared that he would love to be part of an Indian film and revealed that he has previously had conversations with some of Hindi cinemas biggest stars. While several Indian actors like Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai and Priyanka Chopra have crossed over to Hollywood, the reverse has been relatively rare. Speaking about his own attempts, Will said, I was talking to Salman. We had things we were talking about. I was trying to get into something with Big B, you know. He told me I could be Big W, so we were cool we were sharing the title. There were a couple of things over the years nothing panned out. He also made it clear that Shah Rukh Khan is very much on his wish list. In a lighthearted moment, Will openly invited the superstar to cast him, saying, I want Shah Rukh to put me in something, Shah Rukh whats up. Shah Rukh Khan is currently busy with King, an upcoming Siddharth Anand directorial that also features Suhana Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan and Jaideep Ahlawat, and promises a darker, action-heavy avatar of the actor. Meanwhile, Will Smith is gearing up for the release of Pole to Pole, which premieres on January 13 on National Geographic. The series follows the actor as he takes on extreme challenges across the globe over 100 days, pushing his physical and mental limits while exploring lifes biggest questions alongside scientists, explorers and local experts. Also Read: Indian stars we would like to see in Will Smith movies Taking a jab at Warner Bros., she quipped, "Lets get down to business: Well start the bidding for Warner bros. At five dollars. Do I hear five dollars?" Glaser didnt spare Leonardo DiCaprio either, poking fun at his dating history. She said, "What a career you have had. Countless iconic performances. Youve worked with every great director, youve won three Golden Globes and an Oscar. The most impressive thing is that you were able to accomplish that all before your girlfriend turned 30." The Golden Globe Awards 2026 are underway in Los Angeles, and the evening has already delivered a string of memorable and funny moments. Nikki Glaser returned as the host and kicked off the ceremony on a thunderous note, opening with a sharp monologue that addressed some of Hollywood's most pressing issues. Someone on Threads found the Leonardo DiCaprio interview. Nikki Glaser did NOT undersell this. #GoldenGlobes #PastaPastaAndMorePasta pic.twitter.com/482Zwe69pk Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) January 12, 2026 She continued, "Leo, Im sorry I made that joke. It is cheap. I tried not to, but, like, we dont know anything else about you, man. Theres nothing else. Open up! Im serious! I looked! I searched! The most in-depth interview youve ever given was for Teen Beat magazine in 1991. Is your favourite food still Pasta, pasta and more pasta?" One of the most striking moments came when Glaser addressed the Epstein Files. "So many A-listers and by A-listers, I mean people who are on A list that has been heavily redacted. The Golden Globe for Best Editing goes to the Justice Department! Yes, congratulations . And the award for most editing goes to CBS News. Yes. CBS News: Americas newest place to See B.S. News." Georgy Clooney, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Sean Penn also couldn't escape her jokes. Meanwhile, the ceremony saw a lot of deserving wins. Timothee Chalamet won his first Golden Globe for Best Actor, Musical or Comedy for Marty Supreme. On the other hand, Adolescence star Owen Cooper made history as the youngest Golden Globe winner for Best Supporting Actor in a TV series. Some other notable winners are Teyana Taylor for One Battle After Another, Stellan Skarsgard for Sentimental Value, Seth Rogen for The Studio and more. Also Read: Golden Globes 2025: Nikki Glaser Takes a Dig at Diddy Richard Francis, Teva's President and CEO, will present at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 8:15 A.M. Pacific Time (11:15 A.M. Eastern Time) TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE and TASE: TEVA) will present its ongoing transformation and expected growth trajectory through 2030 at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Teva's President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Francis, will meet with investors and present the Company's milestones achieved in 2025, transformative initiatives, and forward-looking outlook for 2026 and beyond. Presentation Highlights: Pivot to Growth Strategy Progress : Teva is accelerating its Pivot to Growth strategy, focusing on transforming into a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company through late-stage innovative pipeline, fueled by its world-class generics business. : Teva is accelerating its Pivot to Growth strategy, focusing on transforming into a leading innovative biopharmaceutical company through late-stage innovative pipeline, fueled by its world-class generics business. Innovation at the Heart of Teva's Transformation : Teva's key innovative brands - AUSTEDO , AJOVY and UZEDY - are already driving its growth and reshaping Teva's financial outlook. Teva's clinical pipeline assets - olanzapine LAI, DARI (ICS/SABA), duvakitug (anti-TL1A), emrusolmin, and anti-IL-15 - are expected to drive Teva's long-term growth trajectory and further Teva's transformation. : Teva's key innovative brands - AUSTEDO , AJOVY and UZEDY - are already driving its growth and reshaping Teva's financial outlook. Teva's clinical pipeline assets - olanzapine LAI, DARI (ICS/SABA), duvakitug (anti-TL1A), emrusolmin, and anti-IL-15 - are expected to drive Teva's long-term growth trajectory and further Teva's transformation. 2025 Performance : Teva to provide its expected 2025 financial performance. : Teva to provide its expected 2025 financial performance. 2026 and Beyond: In addition, Teva to provide forward-looking outlook for 2026 and beyond, underlining disciplined capital allocation and a commitment to securing an investment-grade credit rating. Expected 2025 Performance $ billions, except EPS or as noted 2025 Outlook Expected 2025 performance relative to Outlook (excluding duvakitug milestones) Additional contribution from expected duvakitug milestones Revenues* $16.8 - $17.0 Lower point of the range $500M Operating Margin ~26.2% - 27.1% Mid to high point of the range ~80%-85% Adjusted EBITDA $4.8 - $5.0 Midpoint of the range ~$400M-$430M Tax Rate 15%-18% Lower point of the range Diluted EPS ($) 2.55 - 2.65 Higher point of the range Free Cash Flow** $1.6 - $1.9 Higher point of the range ~$500M Net leverage ~2.5x - 2.9x Midpoint of the range ~2.5x Path to achieving 2027 targets and additional 2030 targets $billionsor as noted 2026 2027 2030 Revenues* Flat to slightly down vs. 2025 Low-single digit growth Mid-single digit CAGR Operating Profit Growing vs. 2025 30% >30% Adjusted EBITDA Growing vs. 2026 Growing Free Cash Flow** Growing vs. 2025 >$2.7 >$3.5 Net Leverage ~2.0-2.2x <2x <2x Cumulative Transformation Programs Savings ~$450M-500M ~$700M Note: 2026 commentary compared to 2025 results excluding duvakitug milestones, except for net debt leverage calculation. * Revenues presented on a GAAP basis; all other metrics presented on a non-GAAP basis. ** Free Cash Flow includes cash flow generated from operating activities net of capital expenditures and deferred purchase price cash component collected for securitized trade receivables. To access a live webcast of the presentation, visit Teva's Investor Relations website at:https://ir.tevapharm.com/Events-and-Presentations. An archived version of the webcast will be available within 24 hours after the end of the live discussion and will be accessible for up to 30 days. About Teva Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.. Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC rules. Management believes that such non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors to facilitate their understanding of our business because the non-GAAP financial measures are used by Teva's management and board of directors, in conjunction with other performance metrics, to evaluate the operational performance of the company, to compare against the company's work plans and budgets, and ultimately to evaluate the performance of management; the company's annual budgets are prepared on a non-GAAP basis; and senior management's annual compensation is derived, in part, using these non-GAAP measures. Investors should consider the non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, and not as replacements for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In the case of the non-GAAP financial measures disclosed in this press release, we are not providing comparable forward looking guidance for GAAP financial measures or a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure because we are unable to predict with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain significant items including, but not limited to, the amortization of purchased intangible assets, legal settlements and loss contingencies, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill impairment, without unreasonable effort. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to our results computed in accordance with GAAP. Teva Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This Press Release and the presentation at the conference may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding our financial guidance, which are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, strategies, objectives, future performance and financial and operating targets, and any other information that is not historical information. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "target," "may," "project," "guidance," "intend," "plan," "believe," "outlook" and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to: our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace, including: that we are substantially dependent on our generic products; our ability to develop and commercialize additional pharmaceutical products; competition for our innovative medicines; our ability to achieve expected results from investments in our product pipeline; our ability to successfully execute on our Pivot to Growth strategy, including to expand our innovative and biosimilar medicines pipeline and profitably commercialize the innovative medicines and biosimilar portfolio, whether organically or through business development, to sustain and focus our portfolio of generic medicines, and to execute on our organizational transformation and to achieve expected cost savings; and the effectiveness of our patents and other measures to protect our intellectual property rights; our significant indebtedness, which may limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, engage in additional transactions or make new investments; our business and operations in general; compliance, regulatory and litigation matters; other financial and economic risks; and other factors discussed in this document, in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the third quarter of 2025 and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, including in the sections captioned "Risk Factors" and "Forward-looking Statements." Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or other information contained herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. 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. Ant International, a leading global payment, digitisation, and financial technology provider, is collaborating on the launch of Google's Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), a new open standard for agentic commerce that works across the entire shopping journey from discovery and buying to post-purchase support. UCP establishes a common language for agents and systems to operate together across consumer surfaces, businesses, and payment providers to enable commerce. So instead of requiring unique connections for every individual agent, UCP enables all agents to interact easily. UCP is built to work across verticals and is compatible with existing industry protocols like Agent2Agent (A2A), Agent Payments Protocol (AP2), and Model Context Protocol (MCP). "For agentic commerce to scale, it's critical for the industry to align on a common set of standards. We are proud to have Ant International endorse the Universal Commerce Protocol as the foundation for that future," said Ashish Gupta, VP/GM, Merchant Shopping, Google Powered by UCP, AI surfaces like the Gemini app or AI Mode in Google Search are evolving. They will soon enable users to complete purchases natively within the chat interface. When a user expresses shopping intent, the AI intuitively understands their needs and presents a curated selection of products. With a single tap on "Pay with GPay," users can review their order and finalise payment without ever leaving the conversation. Shopping is now faster, simpler, and more frictionless than ever. "Ant International is thrilled to deepen our collaboration with Google and support the Agentic Commerce ecosystem. By leveraging our leading payment capabilities, Ant International is creating unique agentic commerce solutions for merchants by delivering merchant friendly, seamless user experience and end-to-end trust, ultimately driving business growth," says Jiang-Ming Yang, Chief Innovation Officer, Ant International Ant International's agentic commerce solutions aim to provide merchants with three critical capabilities to scale in AI-enabled commerce: 1. Control over algorithmic engagement In agentic commerce, engagement shifts from human browsing to AI-mediated decision-making. Ant International enables merchants to remain in control, allowing them to define how their brand, offers, loyalty programs, and memberships are represented and executed by AI agents. Brands can now automate engagement while guaranteeing a customer experience that consistently reflects their brand identity and service excellence. 2. A seamless, agent-native experience Ant International leverages its deep expertise in alternative payment methods (APMs) and its close ties with leading digital wallets to develop APM-based agentic payment solutions. With the support of Antom EasySafePay, users can remain entirely within their AI experience throughout the shopping and checkout journey. 3. Trust across the agentic shopping journey Trust is foundational to agentic commerce, where users delegate purchasing authority to AI. Ant International ensures that user intent is verifiable, transactions are traceable, and accountability is clear for every participant across the payment lifecycle. EasySafePay leverages Multi-Party Computation (MPC)-based AI risk management and mobile device security systems to identify and block fraudulent transactions, while also providing a money-back guarantee for payment partners in cases of account takeover fraud. Ant International focuses on providing payment services to merchants, fintechs and banks. Its global payments services, global account, as well as AI and other fintech solutions now cover 200+ markets, connecting 1.8 billion user accounts and 150 million merchants, especially in the emerging markets of Asia Pacific. To ensure secure, interoperable, and automated transactions among intelligent agents, Ant International is investing actively to co-develop new agentic protocols with industry partners. Other ongoing parentships include the Agent Payments Protocol (AP2) by Google and programs to pilot card-based transaction capabilities for AI agents with global card networks. About Ant International With headquarters in Singapore and main operations across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America, Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.ant-intl.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260111092027/en/ Contacts: For media enquiries, please contact Ant International Global Communications pr@ant-intl.com Bangkok, Thailand--(Newsfile Corp. - January 11, 2026) - TMD SPACE CO., LTD., a pioneer in the development of next-generation digital utility solutions, today announced the official global launch of PDF Merge Files (https://pdfmergefiles.com). This innovative platform is set to disrupt the document management industry by introducing a "Privacy-First" architecture that allows users to combine PDF files entirely within their local browser, ensuring that sensitive data never touches a remote server. TMD SPACE Launches "PDF Merge Files": The Cutting-Edge Platform Redefining Document Security with Serverless, High-Privacy Technology To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/279997_1dc9f05574a16bbc_002full.jpg The Privacy Revolution: Solving the "Cloud Risk" In a digital landscape where data breaches and unauthorized access are at an all-time high, the security of personal and professional documents has never been more critical. Every day, millions of users upload sensitive materials-ranging from confidential legal contracts and financial statements to medical records to online PDF tools. However, most existing platforms operate on a cloud-based model, requiring users to "hand over" their files to a third-party server for processing. PDF Merge Files solves this fundamental security flaw. By utilizing advanced client-side technology, the platform performs all file combinations locally on the user's device. This means that for the first time, users can enjoy the convenience of a web-based tool with the absolute security of an offline application. The Technology Behind "Zero-Server" Processing The core of PDF Merge Files is its High-Privacy Protection system. Unlike traditional competitors, TMD SPACE has engineered a solution that leverages the processing power of the user's own web browser. Using modern web technologies like WebAssembly, the platform processes the data internally without any file transfer to external data centers. 100% Data Sovereignty: Since files are never "loaded" to a server, there is no risk of data interception, server-side hacks, or unauthorized storage. Since files are never "loaded" to a server, there is no risk of data interception, server-side hacks, or unauthorized storage. No Digital Footprint: Because TMD SPACE does not receive the files, there is no database of user documents to be compromised. Because TMD SPACE does not receive the files, there is no database of user documents to be compromised. Browser-Based Power: The application turns any modern browser into a high-performance document workstation, keeping the user in total control of their digital assets. Unmatched Speed and Efficiency Beyond its security breakthroughs, PDF Merge Files offers a significant performance advantage over traditional online tools. In a standard cloud-based workflow, users must wait for files to upload, wait for a remote server to process the request, and then wait for the merged document to download. This process is often hampered by slow internet speeds and server latency. PDF Merge Files eliminates the "Upload-Download" bottleneck. Because the processing is local, merging is near-instant, regardless of the file size. This makes it an ideal tool for professionals handling high volumes of data who cannot afford to wait for cloud synchronization. A Vision for Secure Utilities "We recognized a massive gap in the market where users were forced to choose between convenience and their own privacy," said Nawaphon Hinsui, Founder of TMD SPACE CO., LTD. "With PDF Merge Files, we have eliminated that compromise. Our mission at TMD SPACE is to build tools that empower users rather than exploit their data. By processing files locally, we provide a 'black box' environment where security is a technical guarantee, not just a promise." Key Features and User Benefits PDF Merge Files has been designed with a minimalist, high-utility interface to serve both individual users and large-scale enterprises: Simple Drag-and-Drop: An intuitive workspace allows users to upload, reorder, and organize PDF pages with zero learning curve. An intuitive workspace allows users to upload, reorder, and organize PDF pages with zero learning curve. No Installation Required: As a fully web-based platform, it requires no software downloads, protecting users from the risks associated with installing unknown executables. As a fully web-based platform, it requires no software downloads, protecting users from the risks associated with installing unknown executables. Cross-Platform Compatibility: The tool functions seamlessly across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, providing a consistent experience on any device. The tool functions seamlessly across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, providing a consistent experience on any device. Professional-Grade Results: Despite its simplicity, the engine maintains the highest quality of document integrity, ensuring that fonts, layouts, and high-resolution images are preserved perfectly in the merged file. About TMD SPACE CO., LTD. Founded by Nawaphon Hinsui, TMD SPACE CO., LTD. is a technology firm dedicated to the creation of high-performance, secure, and accessible digital utilities. The company's philosophy centers on "Client-Side" innovation, moving complex data processing away from the cloud and back to the user. This approach not only enhances privacy but also sets new standards for speed and reliability in the digital workspace. For more information and to experience the future of secure document management, visit https://pdfmergefiles.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279997 Source: Plentisoft At the mRNA Health conference in Berlin, enginzyme and AGC Inc. presented a scalable process to produce a key mRNA vaccine and therapy ingredient, N1-methylpseudouridine-5'-triphosphate (m?TP). The rapid growth of mRNA-based vaccines and therapeutics has driven significant demand for modified nucleotides like m?TP, which enhances mRNA stability and expression, while reducing immunogenicity. Enginzyme is a deep-tech company delivering optimized biomanufacturing solutions through cell-free enzyme engineering technology. AGC Inc. is a leading global player in fields spanning from architectural glass to chemicals and life science. AGC Inc. provides services in a wide range of life science fields, from synthetic pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, to biopharmaceuticals and leading-edge cell and gene therapies, as well as messenger RNAs. The presentation in November detailed the latest collaboration between the companies, with a focus on the biomanufacturing of nucleotides for mRNA therapy, building on enginzyme's proprietary pseudouridine synthesis process. The new process is innovative, combining selective chemical methylation with a multi-enzyme phosphorylation cascade. Uridine, a readily available ingredient, is the starting material. Manufacturing, which will be carried out in Europe, is designed to be animal-free and conform to cGMP standards "This elegant, hybrid approach allows us to leverage the efficiency and precision of our enzymes while remaining flexible and within cost targets," said Aymeric de Gantes, CEO at enginzyme. The companies plan a comprehensive analytical characterization to confirm that the m?TP produced by this new process meets stringent commercial-quality specifications for purity, safety, and functional performance. All critical impurities that could interfere with mRNA function are minimized during synthesis and thoroughly removed during purification. Initial sample material is available on request; kilogram-scale manufacturing is planned for 2026 to meet future commercial demand. About AGC AGC Group is a global company with diverse businesses spanning glass, electronics, chemicals, and life sciences, among others. Its Life Science business provides CDMO services across Japan, the U.S., and Europe, covering small-molecule pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, biopharmaceuticals, and advanced gene and cell therapies. About enginzyme Enginzyme is enabling the shift to biomanufacturing by unlocking the power of enzymes for more cost-efficient and sustainable production of everyday products. The company's patented enzyme immobilization technology enables biomanufacturing without living organisms. It can be deployed using the same tools and techniques used in traditional chemical manufacturing, with lower costs and a much smaller environmental footprint. Enginzyme has a multidisciplinary team of experts in biocatalysis, organic chemistry, enzyme and process engineering, as well as AI and machine learning. This elite team partners with global manufacturers in industries including personal care, food, and pharma, to develop and scale complete processes, incorporating a high degree of automation for safe, rapid, and reliable development. With a focus on reaching break-even by the first half of 2027, the company reshaped its management team in 2025, bringing on a commercially experienced CEO and a CCO. Enginzyme also launched its first turnkey biocatalyst to spark near-term commercial growth. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260111960479/en/ Contacts: Press Contact enginzyme James Connell Business inquiries and sample requests: business@enginzyme.com CEO of Heineken N.V. to step down on 31 May 2026 Amsterdam, 12 January 2026 - Heineken N.V. today announced that CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board Dolf van den Brink has informed the Supervisory Board of his decision to step down from his position on 31 May 2026. After almost six years at the helm of HEINEKEN during which he has guided the Company through turbulent economic and political times, and with the EverGreen Strategy 2030 in place, Dolf has concluded, in consultation with the Supervisory Board, that this is the right time to hand over his responsibilities. The Supervisory Board respects Dolf's decision and will now initiate a search process to appoint a successor. To ensure the Company has full access to Dolf's industry experience and deep HEINEKEN knowledge, Dolf has agreed to remain available to the Company in an advisory capacity for a period of eight months, starting on 1 June 2026. Dolf van den Brink, CEO of HEINEKEN, said: "After six years as CEO and more than 28 years at HEINEKEN, I believe this is the right moment to transition leadership as the Company prepares for the next phase of the EverGreen strategy. The past years have been marked by significant change as HEINEKEN progressed through its transformation and has now reached a stage where a transition in leadership will best serve the Company in further executing its long-term ambitions. Over the coming months, I remain fully focused on disciplined execution of our strategy and to ensure a smooth transition." Peter Wennink, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HEINEKEN, added: "The Supervisory Board is grateful to Dolf for his leadership and long-standing commitment to HEINEKEN, including guiding the Company through a demanding period of transformation, delivering on EverGreen 2025 while navigating a challenging external environment. With the launch of EverGreen 2030, Dolf has set out a compelling strategy for the future of HEINEKEN, and the Supervisory Board greatly values his contribution. The next phase will focus on bringing this strategy to life through disciplined execution of our strategic growth ambitions. With this in mind, the Supervisory Board agrees this is the right moment to start the succession process to secure strong leadership for the future." - ENDS - Media Investors Christiaan Prins Tristan van Strien Director Global Communications Global Director Investor Relations E-mail: pressoffice@heineken.com (mailto:pressoffice@heineken.com) E-mail: investors@heineken.com (mailto:investors@heineken.com) Tel: +31-20-5239355 Tel: +31-20-5239590 About HEINEKEN HEINEKEN is the world's pioneering beer company. We are the leading developer and marketer of premium and non-alcoholic beer and cider brands. Led by the Heineken brand, we have a portfolio of more than 340 international, regional, local, and specialty beers and ciders. With HEINEKEN's over 85,000 employees, we brew the joy of true togetherness to inspire a better world. Our dream is to shape the future of beer and beyond to win the hearts of consumers. We are committed to innovation, long-term brand investment, disciplined sales execution, and focused cost management. Through "Brew a Better World", sustainability is embedded in the business. HEINEKEN has a well-balanced geographic footprint with leadership positions in both developed and developing markets. We operate breweries, malteries, cider plants, and other production facilities in more than 70 countries. Most recent information is available on our Company's website, and follow us on LinkedInand Instagram. Market Abuse Regulation This press release contains price-sensitive information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation. Disclaimer: This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations and assumptions with regard to the financial position and results of HEINEKEN's activities, anticipated developments and other factors. All statements other than statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements and information in HEINEKEN's non-financial reporting, such as HEINEKEN's emission reduction and other climate change related matters (including actions, potential impacts and risks associated therewith). These forward-looking statements are identified by use of terms and phrases such as "aim", "ambition", "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "goals", "intend", "may", "milestones", "objectives", "outlook", "plan", "probably", "project", "risks", "schedule", "seek", "should", "target", "will" and similar terms and phrases. These forward-looking statements, while based on management's current expectations and assumptions, are not guarantees of future performance since they are subject to numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may change over time, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond HEINEKEN's ability to control or estimate precisely, such as but not limited to future market and economic conditions, the behaviour of other market participants, changes in consumer preferences, the ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and achieve anticipated synergies, costs of raw materials and other goods and services, interest-rate and exchange-rate fluctuations, changes in tax rates, changes in law, environmental and physical risks, change in pension costs, the actions of government regulators and weather conditions. These and other risk factors are detailed in HEINEKEN's publicly filed annual reports. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only of the date of this press release. HEINEKEN assumes no duty to and does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Market share estimates contained in this press release are based on external sources, such as specialised research institutes, in combination with management estimates. HEINEKEN undertakes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such external sources. Attachments VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE:APXC)(OTCQX:APXCF)(FWB:KL9) ("Apex" or the "Company"), a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the identification and development of critical and strategic metals, is pleased to announce that Boart Longyear has been secured as the drilling contractor at the Company's flagship Rift Rare Earth Project, located within the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex in southeastern Nebraska, U.S.A. Boart Longyear is a globally recognized drilling services provider with extensive mineral exploration experience and has recently completed drilling at NioCorp's adjacent and contiguous Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project using Boart's LF160 diamond drill rigs (1). Boart Longyear has been contracted to complete approximately 8,000 metres across 10-15 drillholes. With permitting now finalized, the Company is focused on the remaining operational preparations to support mobilization with drilling expected to commence before the end of the month. Apex CEO, Sean Charland, stated: "We are rapidly advancing towards our first phase of drilling at Rift with the support of Dahrouge Geological Consulting and Boart Longyear, both having extensive local knowledge and experience to ensure this program is executed successfully. We look forward to taking aim at verifying and expanding on the significant rare earth mineralization previously defined and will provide more updates as mobilization and drilling commences." The Rift Project now covers approximately 3,500 acres across the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex (Figure 1) - an area with extensive historical drilling by previous operators, including Molycorp (1973-1986) and Quantum Rare Earth Developments (2010-2011). Historical programs reported broad, high-grade REE mineralized intervals, including: 155.5 metres ("m") of 2.70% REO (a) , including 54.9 m at 3.30% REO (EC-93). 236.2 m of 2.10% REO, including 68.2 m of 3.32% REO (NEC11-004). Figure 1: Apex's Elk Creek Rift Project in Nebraska, USA, with Primary Target Area for Phase I Drilling (red ellipse) (a)Rare earth oxide (REO), includes the sum of Ce2O3, La2O3, Pr2O3, Nd2O3, Eu2O3, Sm2O3, Gd2O3, Tb2O3, Dy2O3, Ho2O3, Er2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3, Lu2O3, and Y2O3 Qualified Person The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Nathan Schmidt, P. Geo., a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 on standards of disclosure for mineral projects. Mr. Schmidt is a Geologist with Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., the consulting firm engaged by Apex Critical Metals Corp. to conduct and oversee all of the Company's exploration work, including the 2026 drill program. References NioCorp Developments Ltd. (2025). NioCorp Announces Positive Assay Results from Second Completed Diamond Drill Hole of Elk Creek Drilling Program. November 5, 2025. Molycorp, Inc. (1973-1986). Elk Creek Carbonatite Exploration Drill Program Reports. Internal company records, archived at the Nebraska Geological Survey, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Daigle, P., P.Geo. (2012).; NI 43-101 Elk Creek NB Project, Nebraska, US - Resource Estimate Update, Prepared for Quantum Rare Earth Development Corp., by Tetra Tech Wardrop, April 23, 2012. Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp. (2011). "Quantum Announces Significant Rare Earth Results from Elk Creek, Nebraska." News Release, September 20, 2011. About Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE:APXC)(OTCQX:APXCF)(FWB:KL9) Apex Critical Metals Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing rare earth element (REE) and niobium projects that support the growing demand for critical and strategic metals across the United States and Canada. The Company's flagship Rift Project, located within the highly prospective Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex in Nebraska, U.S.A., hosts extensive rare earth rights surrounding one of North America's most advanced niobium-REE deposits. Historical drilling across the complex has reported broad intervals of high-grade REE mineralization, including intercepts such as 155.5 m of 2.70% REO and 68.2 m of 3.32% REO. In Canada, Apex continues to advance its 100%-owned Cap Project, located 85 kilometres northeast of Prince George, British Columbia. The 2025 drill program confirmed a significant niobium discovery with 0.59% Nb2O5 over 36 metres, including 1.08% Nb2O5 over 10 metres, within a 1.8-kilometre-long niobium trend. The Cap Project continues to demonstrate strong potential for niobium mineralization within a large and previously unrecognized carbonatite system. With a growing portfolio of critical mineral projects in both Canada and the United States, Apex Critical Metals is strategically positioned to help strengthen domestic supply chains for the minerals essential to advanced technologies, clean energy, and national security. Apex is publicly listed in Canada on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol APXC and quoted on the OTCQX market in the United States under the symbol APXCF, and in Germany on the Borse Frankfurt under the symbol KL9 and/or WKN: A40CCQ. Find out more at www.apexcriticalmetals.com and to sign up for free news alerts please go to https://apexcriticalmetals.com/news/news-alerts/, or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook or LinkedIn. On Behalf of the Board of Directors APEX CRITICAL METALS CORP., Sean Charland Chief Executive Officer Tel: 604.681.1568 Email: info@apexcriticalmetals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release may contain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include (without limitation) statements with respect to anticipated commencement of drilling at the Rift Project, statements regarding the Company's Canadian and US-based prospective assets (more particularly described above), including the potential for additional acquisitions and the potential for exploration. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. Risks that could change or prevent these events, activities or developments from coming to fruition include: the Company's properties are at an early stage of development and no current mineral resources or reserves have been identified by the Company thereof, that we may not be able to fully finance any additional exploration on the Company's properties; that even if we are able to raise capital, costs for exploration activities may increase such that we may not have sufficient funds to pay for such exploration or processing activities; the timing and content of any future work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumptions based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that, with further test work, may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful or samples derived from our properties may not yield positive results, and even if such tests are successful or initial sample results are positive, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the anticipated market demand for REE and other minerals may not be as expected; the availability of labour and equipment to undertake future exploration work and testing activities; geopolitical risks which may result in market and economic instability. 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. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: Apex Critical Metals Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/apex-secures-drill-contractor-and-sets-planned-mobilization-for-drilling-at-rift-1126118 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 9, 2026) - Cruz Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: CRUZ) (OTCID: BKTPF) (WKN: A40YSN) ("Cruz" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has engaged Stantec Consulting Ltd. to complete a Maiden Resource Estimate ("MRE") and Technical Report for the Solar Lithium Project in Clayton Valley, Nevada. The Technical Report will be prepared in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101. The Stantec qualified person (Derek Loveday, PGeo) has direct experience in the Tonopah area, which includes visiting Albemarle Corp.'s Silver Peak mine, visiting ioneer Ltd.'s Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron project, and completing a resource estimate and Technical Report for American Lithium Corp. on the TLC lithium project. Throughout the first 4 phases of drilling (announced on January 17, 2022, May 18, 2022, March 31, 2023, & July 13, 2023), Cruz has discovered lithium in all 14 drill holes on the 100-per-cent owned, 4,938-acre Solar Lithium Project in Nevada, directly bordering American Lithium Corp.'s (LI, AMLIF) TLC lithium project. According to American Lithium Corp.'s website, "In February 2025, the American Lithium Corp. announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate that significantly increased the contained lithium resources for the TLC project. This MRE was completed as part of the process of compiling the maiden preliminary economic assessment and was incorporated into the Mine Plan within the maiden PEA, which was released on February 1st, 2023. TLC currently hosts 6.17Mt lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) measured resources, 2.39Mt LCE indicated resources and 1.44Mt LCE inferred resources."(1). Cruz management cannot verify American Lithium Corp.'s results other than the publicly available information. James Nelson, President of Cruz Battery Metals stated, "Lithium prices are currently at 2-year highs and are now up over 100% since June 2025, according to tradingeconomics.com(2). Attention towards domestic lithium seems to have renewed since President Trump agreed to take a stake in Lithium Americas Thacker Pass Lithium Mine in Nevada, announced by Reuters (3) on October 1, 2025. With the recent resurgence of investor attention back into the lithium sector, management feels this is an opportune time to proceed with producing a Maiden Resource Estimate on the Solar Lithium Project. The Company is very optimistic about the growth prospects for the remainder of 2026 and beyond as we become more active than we've been in years." To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4754/279863_bc13e33194352b28_002full.jpg Qualified Person The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, a director of the Company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Bain has not independently verified American Lithium Corp.'s Technical Report. About Cruz Battery Metals Corp. Cruz currently has several battery metals focused projects located in the USA. Cruz's Nevada lithium projects consist of the 4,938-acre 'Solar Lithium Project', the 240-acre 'Clayton Valley Lithium Brine Project', and the 580-acre 'Central Clayton Valley Lithium Brine Project'. In Idaho Cruz has the 124-acre 'Idaho Cobalt Belt Project'. Cruz also has the 'Sterling South Gold/Copper Project' in Ontario, Canada. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Cruz may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Company's properties. Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. https://americanlithiumcorp.com/tlc-lithium-project/ (1) https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/lithium (2) https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-government-take-5-stake-lithium-americas-joint-venture-with-general-motors-2025-09-30/ (3) To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279863 Source: Cruz Battery Metals Corp. LUGANO, Switzerland, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --BE OPEN Art, an online gallery set up by Elena Baturina's humanitarian think-tank BE OPEN, continues to run BE OPEN Regional Art for the fourth year in 2026. The regional competition for emerging artists aims to support those whose art best represents their regional, cultural and ethnic identities, for the third year now. For the purpose, the BE OPEN expert community selects those artists who best represent the artistic tradition of a certain region to feature in the BE OPEN Art gallery and offer them greater visibility. Thus, artworks by 20 new emerging artists appear in the online gallery every month, and a public vote selects the Regional Artist of the Month. At the end of the stage, one of the monthly winners gets the title of the Artist of the Region and a grant based on the amount of votes by the public and the BE OPEN art community members. From January to April 2026, the competition will explore art of Northeastern Africa, featuring artists from Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Egypt and Madagascar. In 2026, each regional stage will last 4 months, with a winner named and awarded 500 euro at the end of month four. Additionally, the Founder's favourite will be awarded 300. Elena Baturina explains that "the regional competitions help us support even more young people. We hope that these additional resources will assist them in their continued pursuit of a successful career in the arts." The regional competition runs alongside the regular ongoing work of BE OPEN Art, whose experts every month select 20 new artists for the gallery, using online voting to name the Artist of the Month and the Artist of the Year. Aiming to support emerging talent, BE OPEN Art selects artists at an early stage of their career who emphasize social consciousness and aesthetical solutions to the wrongs of the contemporary world. The project sees its mission in looking for new influencers in the art scene, and invites everyone to contribute. BE OPEN is a global initiative to foster creativity and innovation, promote people and ideas today to build solutions for tomorrow. It is a cultural and social initiative supported by Austria-based international philanthropist and businessperson Elena Baturina. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2852901/BE_OPEN_Elena_Baturina.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/be-open-regional-art-steps-into-year-four-to-support-emerging-artists-of-northeastern-africa-302650724.html LONDON, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Startups.co.uk has released its 2026 Startups 100 Index powered by Sage, showcasing the UK's newest and most innovative businesses to watch out for this year. The UK's longest-running new business index returns The Startups 100 Index is the UK's longest-running index of the most promising startups founded in the last five years. Now in its 18th year, the 2026 edition features 100 trailblazing companies taking the UK business landscape by storm. Omnea, an AI-first procurement platform, crowned top UK startup Omnea, an AI-driven procurement platform, has taken first place in the 2026 Startups 100 Index. The AI-first platform, founded by Ben Freeman and Ben Allen, revolutionizes procurement by streamlining and automating the process of buying goods and services within an organisation. Since 2024, the company has grown its revenue fivefold and tripled its headcount. Top Five of The 2026 Startups 100 Index Omnea: the AI concierge that transforms procurement and spend control HIVED: the tech-first delivery network implementing responsible logistics MAGIC AI: an AI-powered personal trainer in a mirror OXCCU: the Oxford spinout turning waste carbon into clean jet fuel Lightyear: a low-fee trading platform helping people build long-term wealth Startups 100 2026 award winners: Sustainability Award - OXCCU: the Oxford spinout turning waste carbon into clean jet fuel to decarbonise aviation Tech Award - Burbank: the security pioneer turning any smartphone into a trusted, card-present payment terminal Marketing Award - Bold Bean Co: the community-driven brand using standout branding and reactive engagement to build a loyal following Exceptional Founder Award - Hormona: the femtech platform empowering women to take control of their health through hormone tracking Editor of Startups.co.uk, Zohra Huda, said: "Our 2026 Index shows how focused the UK startup ecosystem is on future-forward deep tech and serious impact. From Omnea's groundbreaking AI procurement to OXCCU's critical work in decarbonising jet fuel, this year's cohort isn't just selling apps - they are seeking to solve huge, global challenges. More than just a list, it's a forecast of the innovative businesses that look set to define the next decade of the UK economy." Sage's VP for Small Segment UKI, Nikola McNicol-Kenney, said: "Not only did Sage start life as a startup we have supported these critical businesses for almost 45 years. Our goal is simple: put trusted and practical AI to work so finance runs itself. With Sage Copilot delivering real-time insight across accounting, payroll and payments, we remove friction, automate admin and get businesses paid faster, helping startups scale faster and grow with confidence. These businesses are shaping the UK economy, and we're excited to back them every step of the way." Note to Editor: Startups.co.uk is the UK's leading resource for starting a business. Covering everything from business ideas to exiting out, we can help you. Founded in 2000, for over two decades we have provided information, inspiration and opportunity to new and serial entrepreneurs. To feature on The Startups 100 Index, all businesses in the index had to have launched in the last 5 years, be UK-based, and be privately owned (at the time of entering). The winners of the Startups 100 Index are chosen by a specialist panel of judges. For the full list visit: https://startups.co.uk/startups-100/2026/main-page Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of Small and?Mid-Sized?Businesses?served by us, our partners and accountants. Customers?trust our finance, HR and payroll software to make work and money flow.??By digitising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our digital network connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights.?Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality and the climate crisis.? is the market leader for AI and machine learning-enhanced integrated solutions for accounting, payroll, and payments, supporting the ambition of the world's entrepreneurs. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2858412/Startups100_powered_by_Sage.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/2026-startups-100-index-the-uks-best-new-startups-revealed-302657516.html Even the best-prepared military operation can falter due to one critical factor: access to reliable information at the exact moment it is needed. But what happens when networks fail? Or when information is so sensitive that any form of wireless transmission poses an unacceptable risk? At NEDS 2025, LiveDrop announced a collaboration with CGI to address precisely these challenges. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112109731/en/ Credits: LiveDrop A strategic step towards secure, cross-domain data exchange LiveDrop, a Dutch deep-tech specialist in secure offline data transfer, is working with CGI to support projects for the Ministry of Defense in the Netherlands. By combining LiveDrop's software-only, radio-frequency-free optical data transfer solution with CGI's system integration and mission-critical IT experience, the approach to moving sensitive information securely across security domains is significantly strengthened, even when networks are unreliable or unavailable. The outcome: greater interoperability, fewer vulnerabilities, and improved support for operational users. Transferring data at moments that matter Modern missions are inherently unpredictable. Commanders and units constantly require information but cannot always rely on secure or stable connections. This is precisely where LiveDrop's technology fits seamlessly. "Operational strength increasingly depends on the ability to exchange data securely, smoothly and intuitively-even when networks fail or cannot be trusted," says Patrick Moreu, CEO of LiveDrop. "By partnering with CGI, we can directly integrate LiveDrop's offline, cross-platform data exchange into existing defense workflows, enabling Dutch military personnel to benefit from a reliable and impactful solution. "CGI is committed to supporting the Ministry of Defense with resilient, secure and interoperable digital capabilities," says Joost van der Burg, BU Leader, Central South Netherlands at CGI. "In collaboration with LiveDrop and its undetectable optical communication solutions, we are introducing an innovative, practice-driven approach that aims to strengthen information assurance, interoperability and operational effectiveness throughout the entire chain of command. Why this matters to the Ministry of Defense LiveDrop's announcement highlights how the combined strengths of both organisations provide advantages that directly align with Defense requirements: Secure, offline transfer of sensitive data Completely RF-free, with no network connection or handshake Cross-platform interoperability Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows and Linux Strong integration into existing chains Enabled by deep domain knowledge and system integration experience Support in communication-constrained environments From high-security facilities to forward operating bases Tangible operational impact By linking technology to workflows-rather than the other way around View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112109731/en/ Contacts: hello@joannavanderwerf.com Introducing Vibe Testing for the Age of Infinite Code: As Agentic AI transforms software development, TestMu AI introduces autonomous agents to ensure quality keeps pace with infinite code, powering 1.5+ billion tests annually across 18,000+ enterprises. SAN FRANCISCO and NOIDA, India, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LambdaTest, the AI-native, agentic quality engineering platform, today announced its rebrand to TestMu AI, marking a bold step forward in its evolution from a cloud testing platform to the world's first full-stack Agentic AI Quality Engineering platform. The transformation addresses a critical inflection point in software development: as AI generates code at unprecedented rates, traditional testing creates a bottleneck. Quality Engineering teams need intelligent systems that can reason about change, observe failures, and adapt continuously. As TestMu AI, the organization is expanding its platform to support the next generation of software builders, including 'vibe coders.' Their AI agents allow developers to 'vibe test' and move at the speed of thought, and ensure that vibe-coded apps are not only of high quality but are also reliable when they come in front of customers. This shift reflects the company's average 110% year-on-year growth over the last 2 years. To date, the platform has executed billions of tests for 18,000+ enterprise customers, including Microsoft, OpenAI, NVIDIA, Vimeo, Dunlem across 90+ countries. Founded in 2018, LambdaTest rapidly became one of the most trusted names in cloud-based test orchestration and execution. They built a scalable, high-performance test cloud that removed flakiness, improved developer feedback loops, and drastically accelerated release velocity. In 2022, the company began a deep transformation, moving deep into agentic AI across its products and workflows to empower autonomous, intelligent quality engineering at scale. Today, TestMu AI's AI-Agentic unified platform powers end-to-end quality engineering for over 2.8 million developers and testers worldwide, helping teams ship faster and build with confidence. "AI is fundamentally changing how software is built and shipped," said Asad Khan, CEO and Co-Founder of TestMu AI (Formerly LambdaTest). "Development cycles that once took weeks now take hours. But speed without quality is chaos. We recognized that testing needed to evolve from brittle, high-maintenance automations to intelligent context-driven agents that understand change and act on it autonomously. We have evolved from an execution cloud into an active, intelligent partner in the software testing lifecycle. With billions of tests running on our platform, we are now delivering experiences where human ingenuity and machine intelligence combine to make quality engineering effortlessly powerful." TestMu AI has rearchitected its platform to be AI-native, deploying autonomous AI Agents to plan, author, execute, and analyze software quality with minimal manual intervention. The platform now delivers: Autonomous AI Agents for Testing : Plan, author, and evolve end-to-end tests using company-wide context or simple natural language prompts. Users can now test every layer of the database, API, UI, performance, and more. : Plan, author, and evolve end-to-end tests using company-wide context or simple natural language prompts. Users can now test every layer of the database, API, UI, performance, and more. Agentic AI Test Cloud: A scalable and unified test execution cloud to run any type of test at any scale, including visual regression, accessibility, API, and performance testing, web and mobile, to custom enterprise environments. The name 'TestMu' was adopted directly from its community. Since 2022, the TestMu Conference has served as the industry's primary forum for advancements in AI and quality engineering. By adopting this name, the company is signaling that the community is the core of the organization, infusing the spirit of that open, collaborative conference into the platform itself. "Our community recognized the spirit of TestMu long before this announcement," Khan added. "TestMu represents a thriving community, a shared craft, and the future of quality engineering." The company was recently recognized in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for AI-Augmented Software Testing Tools report and in The Forrester Wave: Autonomous Testing Platforms 2025 report. "Our journey has mirrored the evolution of software testing itself," said Mudit Singh, Co-Founder and Head of Marketing, TestMu AI. "We began by building the 'Perfect Cloud for the Cloud Era,' solving pain points related to scalable infrastructure, and helped start the industry's one of the earliest conversations around AI in testing through the TestMu Conference. Today, we are entering a new phase, where agentic AI enables autonomous, end-to-end quality engineering. TestMu AI represents this shift: a forward-looking identity built for an AI-native future, while staying deeply rooted in our ecosystem, our community, and our relentless commitment to quality." Looking ahead, TestMu AI's roadmap includes fully autonomous AI agents, agent-to-agent testing, evaluation of AI systems by AI agents, and deep integration with codebases and developer workflows, positioning quality engineering as a continuously learning, self-governing layer of modern software development. For more information, visit: https://www.testmu.ai About TestMu AI TestMu AI (Formerly LambdaTest) is a Full-Stack Agentic AI Quality Engineering platform that empowers teams to test intelligently and ship faster. Engineered for scale, it offers end-to-end AI agents to plan, author, execute, and analyze software quality. AI-native by design, the platform enables testing of web, mobile, and enterprise applications at any scale across real devices, real browsers, and custom real-world environments. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859182/TestMu_AI_Leadership.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859181/TestMu_AI_Formerly_LambdaTest_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lambdatest-rebrands-to-testmu-ai-the-worlds-first-agentic-quality-engineering-platform-for-fully-autonomous-testing-302658398.html Asimov's LV Edge Packaging cell line routinely achieves high titers for therapeutic transgenes and is now available at AGC Biologics' Cell and Gene Center of Excellence Asimov, the synthetic biology company advancing the design and manufacture of therapeutics, and AGC Biologics, your friendly CDMO expert, have signed a licensing agreement for Asimov's off-the-shelf LV Edge Packaging cell line. Under the terms of the agreement, AGC Biologics' Cell and Gene Center of Excellence in Milan now offers a lentiviral packaging system that enables production from a single-plasmid transfection instead of the standard four-plasmid process. As drug developers grow their cell and gene therapy pipelines, the need for more consistent, low-cost manufacturing approaches for viral vectors becomes more pressing. Asimov's LV Edge Packaging System achieves harvest titers exceeding the ones achieved with traditional transient transfection across multiple therapeutic transgenes and reduces the variables inherent in a traditional 4-plasmid transfection. Combining an engineered HEK293 cell line that contains inducible viral genes, software for transfer plasmid design, and robust, ready-to-transfer processes, the LV Edge Packaging system minimizes GMP plasmid cost, process complexity, and supply chain risk. "We are thrilled to be partnering with AGC Biologics, a leader in cell and gene therapy manufacturing, to expand access to our high performance lentiviral production system," said Alec Nielsen, co-founder and CEO at Asimov. "By working with the experts at AGC Biologics, we're confident that we can empower drug developers to unlock the next generation of cell and gene therapies." "As AGC Biologics' Cell and Gene Center of Excellence, our Milan site has long been at the forefront of viral vector innovation, and this partnership enables us to continue that tradition of excellence," said Luca Alberici, Executive Vice President, Global Cell Gene Technologies, AGC Biologics. "After careful evaluation of the LV Edge Packaging system at our AGC Milan site using clinically relevant genes of interest, we look forward to providing this best-in-class technology for customers around the globe." With its 30-year track record and more than 10 product approvals by the EMA and FDA, the AGC Biologics Milan site is a global leader with deep expertise in complex cell and gene therapy projects. The team has guided numerous products to commercial stage, manufactured hundreds of batches for clinical supply, and consistently met the highest global regulatory guidelines, quality performance metrics, and the unique complexities of technology transfers and manufacturing scale-up. About Asimov Asimov's mission is to advance humanity's ability to design living systems, enabling biotechnologies with outsized societal benefit. The company is developing a synthetic biology platform from cells to software to design and manufacture next-generation therapeutics, including biologics, cell/gene therapies, and RNA through a combination of products, services, and collaborations. Founded by bioengineers from MIT and Boston University and headquartered in Boston, the company has raised over $200 million from top institutional investors including Andreessen Horowitz, CPP Investments, Horizons Ventures, and Fidelity Management Research Company. For more information, visit www.asimov.com. About AGC Biologics AGC Biologics is a leading global biopharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) with a strong commitment to delivering the highest standard of service as we work side-by-side with our clients and partners, to provide friendly and expert services. We provide world-class development and manufacturing of mammalian and microbial-based therapeutic proteins, plasmid DNA (pDNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), viral vectors, and genetically engineered cells. Our global network spans the U.S., Europe, and Asia, with locations in Seattle, Washington; Copenhagen, Denmark; Heidelberg, Germany; Milan, Italy; and Chiba and Yokohama, Japan. AGC Biologics is a part of AGC Inc.'s Life Science Business. The Life Science Business runs 10+ facilities focused on biopharmaceuticals, advanced therapies, small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients, and agrochemicals. To learn more, visit www.agcbio.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112830707/en/ Contacts: AGC Inc. corporate contact: info-pr@agc.com AGC Biologics media contact: ksills@agcbio.com Asimov media contact: media@asimov.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Predictmedix AI Inc. (CSE: PMED) (OTC Pink: PMEDF) (FSE: 3QP0) ("Predictmedix" or the "Company"), excited to announce its proposed name change to QScreen AI Inc., with a new ticker symbol QAI, subject to regulatory approval. This strategic rebranding underscores the Company's evolution into a premier healthcare innovator, uniquely positioned at the intersection of artificial intelligence, quantum-inspired computing, and data-driven health solutions. By harnessing the power of quantum-AI synergies alongside a vast repository of real-world health data, QScreen AI Inc. is set to redefine preventive screening, diagnostics, and personalized care-delivering unprecedented accuracy, inclusivity, and efficiency to address global healthcare challenges. At its core, QScreen AI Inc. represents "Quantum Screening" for a healthier world, where advanced AI platforms are supercharged by quantum-inspired algorithms to process complex health data with extraordinary precision. Drawing from principles of quantum mechanics-such as superposition for parallel state exploration and entanglement-inspired correlations-the Company's hybrid quantum-classical models excel in multispectral signal processing, noise reduction through quantum-inspired filtering, and bias mitigation via advanced variational optimization. These techniques enable the analysis of intricate patterns in vital signs, physiological markers, and imaging data, achieving superior clarity and reduced errors across diverse populations, skin tones, and environmental conditions. Critically, all this runs efficiently on standard hardware, democratizing access to cutting-edge healthcare technology without the need for specialized quantum infrastructure. What sets QScreen AI apart is its foundation in real-world data: with over 720,000 scans captured through its SmartHealth AI Stations, the Company has amassed a proprietary dataset of unparalleled scale and diversity. This treasure trove of anonymized, high-fidelity health metrics fuels continuous AI model refinement, enabling quantum-enhanced predictions that evolve with each deployment. From early detection of chronic conditions to mental health assessments and infectious disease screening, QScreen AI's solutions empower healthcare providers, workplaces, and communities to proactive, data-informed interventions-potentially saving lives and reducing costs on a global scale. "2025 solidified Predictmedix as a healthcare trailblazer, with our AI platforms delivering validated, scalable solutions backed by massive real-world data," said Dr. Rahul Kushwah, COO of Predictmedix AI Inc. "Transitioning to QScreen AI Inc. propels us into a new era where quantum computing amplifies AI's potential in healthcare. By integrating quantum-inspired techniques with our extensive data assets, we're not just screening, we're transforming how the world approaches health and wellness. This positions us for explosive growth, strategic partnerships, and substantial shareholder returns as we lead the quantum-AI healthcare revolution in 2026 and beyond." To support the next phase of evolution, the company is also onboarding key strategic individuals with deep industry expertise to assist in the global commercialization and market penetration of its quantum-AI technologies. The proposed name change and ticker symbol update are anticipated to become effective upon approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) and other regulatory authorities. Shareholders will receive timely updates on the process and any required steps. This milestone reflects Predictmedix's unwavering commitment to healthcare innovation and value creation, inviting investors to participate in a journey that could reshape the future of medicine. Details of the company's recent product validations, pilot programs, and strategic partnerships can be found in earlier press releases available at: https://predictmedix.com/press-releases/ About Predictmedix AI Inc. Predictmedix AI Inc. (CSE: PMED) (OTC Pink: PMEDF) (FSE: 3QP0) is an emerging provider of rapid health screening and remote patient care solutions globally. The Company's Smarthealth AI stations - powered by a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) - use multispectral cameras to analyze physiological data patterns and predict a variety of health issues including 19 physiological vital parameters, impairment by drugs or alcohol, fatigue, or various mental illnesses. Predictmedix AI's proprietary remote patient care platform empowers medical professionals with a suite of AI-powered tools to improve patient health outcomes. To learn more, please visit our website at www.Predictmedix.com or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information: This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results of the Company. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulations under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such 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 any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any Page 4 of 4 future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein, such as, but not limited to dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; the ability to obtain intellectual property rights related to its technology; limited operating history; general business, economic, competitive, political, regulatory and social uncertainties, and in particular, uncertainties related to COVID-19; risks related to factors beyond the control of the Company, including risks related to COVID-19; risks related to the Company's shares, including price volatility due to events that may or may not be within such party's control; reliance on management; and the emergency of additional competitors in the industry. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except required by law. Disclaimer: The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to diagnose, eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time. THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED NOR DOES IT ACCEPT 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/280009 Source: Predictmedix AI Inc. Expanding Gold and Critical Elements in the Mineral-Rich Province of New Brunswick, Canada MIRAMICHI, NB / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / SLAM Exploration Ltd. (TSXV:SXL) ("SLAM" or the "Company") is pleased to report the acquisition of the Harry Brook gold-antimony project, which hosts a high-grade quartz float occurrence (1428) grading 1,320 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold, a bedrock occurrence (1433) grading 0.965 g/t gold, and an antimony float occurrence (1216) grading 24.25% antimony. The Harry Brook project comprises three gold-antimony mineral claims covering approximately 4,415 hectares. The claims were acquired by staking and located in the vicinity of the Bald Hill antimony project operated by Antimony Resources Corp. in southern New Brunswick. The Harry Brook claims cover three documented mineral occurrences referenced in the New Brunswick Mineral Occurrence Database maintained by the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources ("DNR") listed below and illustrated on Figure 1: 1428 - Harry Brook Gold 1433 - Johnson Gold 1216 - Sheba East Antimony Figure 1: Gradient Aeromagnetics - Gold and Antimony Occurrences 1428 - Harry Brook Gold: This float occurrence comprises a large quartz boulder measuring approximately 35 cm by 20 cm containing visible gold, discovered by a DNR geologist. A sample containing visible gold returned a value of 1320 g/t gold (Reference: Johnson, S.C. 2005, MP2005-55, Discovery of High-Grade Gold-bearing Float in Southern New Brunswick). 1433 - Johnson Gold: This occurrence yielded 0.965 g/t gold from a silicified rhyolite outcrop located approximately 2,800 meters northwest of the Harry Brook gold occurrence. The discovery was made by a DNR geologist during the 2005 summer mapping project. 1216 - Sheba East Antimony: This occurrence consists of antimony-bearing float grading 24.25% antimony, reported in 1927 on the Kings-Queens county line, approximately two miles east of the Johnston-Brunswick parish line. Jake Lee Project Update Assays are pending on 11 channel samples sawn from the No. 1 gold vein on SLAM's wholly-owned Jake Lee claims. The Company reported eight grab samples with assays ranging from 7.42 grams per tonne ("g/t") to 94.80 g/t gold from the No. 1 gold vein on July 9, 2025. A second discovery comprised quartz float grading 16.20 and 3.78 g/t gold respectively 100 meters southwest of the initial discovery as reported August 28, 2025. Assays are also pending on 52 grab samples collected from trenches dug on various targets up to 7,500 meters along strike. The Jake Lee claims are located 25 kilometers southeast of the Clarence Stream gold deposit where Galway Metals Inc. Clarence Stream is host to a 12.4M tonne indicated resource of 922,000 ounces at a grade of 2.31 g/t gold plus an inferred resource of 16.1m tonnes with 1,334,000 ounces at a grade of 2.60 g/t gold. (Reference: "Updated Mineral Resource Statement, Clarence Stream Deposits, New Brunswick, Canada, by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd., March 31, 2022"). SLAM's exploration team recently mobilized back to Jake Lee. Historic Menneval Results SLAM previously reported gold bearing core intervals from the Maisie vein, including 162.5 g/t gold over 0.2 m and 56.90 g/t gold over 0.5 m, in news releases dated December 13, 2021 and November 22, 2022. The Company also reported a core interval grading 3,955 g/t (127oz) gold over 0.1m from the No. 18 vein. The Menneval soil geochemical survey shows a number of gold anomalies over an area measuring approximately 3,000 meters by 2,500 meters. About SLAM Exploration Ltd: SLAM Exploration Ltd. is a publicly listed resource company with a 40,000-hectare portfolio of mineral claim holdings in the mineral-rich province of New Brunswick. This portfolio is built around the Goodwin Copper Nickel Cobalt project in the Bathurst Mining Camp ("BMC") of New Brunswick. The Company drilled 10 holes in the 2025 diamond drilling campaign on the Goodwin copper-nickel-cobalt project. This followed significant copper, nickel and cobalt intercepts from 15 diamond drill holes reported by the Company in 2024. These include a 64.90 meter core interval, grading 2.19% Cu-Eq (copper-nickel-cobalt), including 3.84% Cu-Eq over a 31.20 meter core interval from hole GW24-02 as reported in a news release August 7, 2024. Significant gold values were also reported with up to 3.31 grams per tonne over 0.5m in hole GW24-01. The Company is a project generator and expects to receive significant cash and share payments in 2026. SLAM received 1,200,000 shares plus cash from Nine Mile Metals Inc. (NINE) in 2025 pursuant to the Wedge project agreement. Also in 2025, the Company received a cash payment of $60,000 as well as 180,000 shares of a private company pursuant to the Ramsay gold agreement. The Company holds NSR royalties and expects to receive additional cash and share payments on the Wedge copper zinc project and on the Ramsay gold project. To view SLAM's corporate presentation, click SXL-Presentation. Additional information is available on SLAM's website and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Follow us on X @SLAMGold. Join our company newsletter by clicking SXL-News to receive timely company updates and press releases relating to SLAM Exploration. Qualifying Statements: Mike Taylor P.Geo, President and CEO of SLAM Exploration Ltd., is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and has approved the contents of this news release. CONTACT INFORMATION: Mike Taylor, President & CEO Contact: 506-623-8960 mike@slamexploration.com Jimmy Gravel, Vice-President Contact 902-273-2387 jimmy@slamexploration.com SEDAR+: 00012459 Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "may," "could," "would," "might," or "will," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements regarding the exploration potential of the Harry Brook gold-antimony project; the significance of historical gold and antimony occurrences; the interpretation of geological, geochemical, and geophysical data;the identification and prioritization of exploration targets; the anticipated receipt and significance of pending assay results from the Jake Lee Project; the continuity and extent of mineralized structures at Jake Lee and Menneval; the timing and scope of future exploration programs; the Company's ability to advance its mineral projects; and the potential for future exploration success.. Forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions made by the Company as of the date of this news release, including, without limitation: that historical exploration results, mineral occurrences, and publicly reported third-party mineral resources are relevant for regional and exploration context; that geological interpretations and targeting models are reasonable; that pending assay results will be received within anticipated timeframes; that planned exploration activities can be executed as expected; that contractors, equipment, personnel, and supplies will be available on acceptable terms; that commodity prices and market conditions will remain generally supportive; and that required permits, approvals, and access rights will be obtained in a timely manner. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the speculative nature of mineral exploration; the risk that exploration results, including pending assay results, may not confirm historical data or current interpretations; uncertainty regarding the continuity, grade, and extent of mineralization; delays or changes to exploration programs; availability and cost of labour, equipment, and contractors; fluctuations in commodity prices; availability of financing on acceptable terms; regulatory, environmental, and permitting risks; operating hazards; and general economic, market, and business conditions. Additional risk factors are described in the Company's most recently filed Management's Discussion and Analysis and other continuous disclosure documents available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. 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: SLAM Exploration Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/slam-acquires-new-gold-antimony-project-1126231 The results of this study provide further clinical evidence that patient-applied, patch-based PSG is a viable alternative to in-lab PSG, enabling broader access to gold-standard sleep testing. Onera Health, a leader in transforming sleep medicine, announces the recent publication of a multicenter validation study of its Onera Sleep Test System (STS) in the ERJ Open Research, a leading, fully open-access scientific journal published by the European Respiratory Society (ERS). This is the second publication from this study, and it demonstrates that the patch-based Onera STS home-polysomnography (hPSG) device accurately identifies respiratory events and distinguishes AHI severity when validated against simultaneous in-lab polysomnography and is a viable option for unattended home use. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112821647/en/ Patient sleeps with the patient-applied Onera home Polysomnography (Onera hPSG) solution. The international multicenter study was managed by an independent Clinical Research Organization and involved the analysis of 206 participants across seven clinical sites in Germany and a US-based core laboratory at Johns Hopkins University. As detailed in the first publication, the study found high concordance between the Onera STS and traditional PSG across essential sleep variables and key respiratory parameters, as well as substantial epoch-by-epoch agreement in sleep staging and comparable inter-scorer reliability between the two systems, which is essential for physicians to make accurate diagnoses and treatment decisions in sleep medicine. This publication extends those findings to include accurately identifying respiratory events and distinguishing AHI severity when validated against simultaneous in-lab polysomnography, further validating the Onera STS as a viable option for unattended home use. "We are very pleased to have further validation of the utility of Onera STS in accurately identifying respiratory events and distinguishing AHI severity," said Ruben de Francisco, Founder and CEO of Onera Health. "This comprehensive validation study further demonstrates that our innovative, patch-based technology can deliver the level of accuracy needed for a comprehensive hPSG sleep test, with an accuracy that is equivalent to that of traditional in-lab PSG for all relevant clinical parameters. This publication further supports our mission to make the gold-standard sleep test, polysomnography or PSG, available at the patient's home "These additional results from the Onera STS validation study further demonstrate the diagnostic value of high-quality sleep assessment in the patient's natural environment. The ability to achieve results from home PSG testing that are equivalent to in-lab PSG will help remove the barriers to access created by resource limitations thus providing accurate diagnosis to significantly more patients suffering from under or undiagnosed sleep disorders," added Dr. David P. White, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States, and Member of the Medical Advisory Board at Onera Health. This landmark validation study is part of Onera Health's comprehensive clinical evidence generation program, demonstrating the commitment to rigorous scientific validation of Onera's technology. Additional studies are currently ongoing across multiple centers and healthcare settings, which will further validate the clinical utility and real-world impact of Onera's home Polysomnography solution. This evidence generation strategy reflects Onera's dedication to advancing sleep medicine through high-quality clinical research. This study publication, entitled 'Clinical validation of respiratory outcomes for a patch-based polysomnography system', is published in the ERJ Open Research journal published by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and can be accessed online at https://publications.ersnet.org/content/erjor/early/2025/12/04/2312054100857-2025 https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00857-2025. The first publication from this study entitled 'Clinical validation of a wireless patch-based polysomnography system', was published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.11524 About Onera Onera Health is a leader in transforming sleep medicine and remote monitoring. Their breakthrough diagnostic solutions and services are poised to help millions of people struggling with sleep-related ailments while also impacting other medical fields by monitoring various chronic conditions, ultimately improving the health and quality of life of patients worldwide. The company's innovative solutions provide comprehensive sleep test data to physicians in a variety of clinical and non-clinical environments to optimize patient care and reduce healthcare costs. Onera has offices in the Netherlands and the U.S. For more information, go to onerahealth.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112821647/en/ Contacts: For additional information or media inquiries, please contact: Swea Ann Hagenhoff Sr. Branding and Communications Specialist Onera Health media@onerahealth.com Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Vinland Lithium Inc. (TSXV: VLD) ("Vinland" or the "Company") announces that Elevra Lithium Limited ("Elevra") has terminated its option agreement, allowing Vinland to retain a 100% control position in the Killick Lithium Project, subject only to a 2% NSR (1% each to Benton Resources and Pirate Gold). Elevra (successor to original Killick Project partner Piedmont Lithium Inc. ("Piedmont")) has indicated that the project does not align with its current corporate strategy, reflecting a focus on capital allocation towards its portfolio of production and later-stage development assets. Elevra continues to own 19.9% of Vinland reflecting Piedmont's previous investment. Vinland's Killick Project is Newfoundland's only known lithium-spodumene and pollucite-cesium pegmatite dykes and covers approximately 60km of favourable host geology. 2025 Exploration Program Highlights Vinland's summer exploration field program included prospecting, till sampling, and ground geophysics, generating several new lithium and cesium targets: Prospecting identified lithium-rich float up to 1.70% Li2O at Kraken West and 485 ppm Li in a previously unsampled area 1.2 km north of the Killick Dyke. Till Sampling across multiple zones returned elevated spodumene grain counts, outlining new target areas. Ground Geophysics (58.9 km magnetics; 31.4 km VLF-EM) at Kraken-Killick demonstrated significantly improved resolution over prior airborne surveys, supporting expanded future work Vinland continues its partnership with the Critical Minerals Research Initiative, which is investing $1.3 million over four years in pegmatite research. Vinland is also pleased to report that it has continued with the partnership with the Critical Minerals Research Initiative between St. Francis Xavier University, Memorial University and the Newfoundland Geological Survey in researching the lithium pegmatites in southwestern Newfoundland where a total of $1.3 million over 4 years is being directed toward detailed research on the property. About Killick Lithium Project: The Killick Lithium Project was first discovered in late-summer 2021 by Benton Resources Inc. ("Benton") and Sokoman Minerals Corp. ("Sokoman") personnel (Figure 1). The maiden drill program in 2022 resulted in the discovery of the Kraken Dyke which returned 8.4 meters of 0.95% Li20 in hole GH-22-01. Further work in 2022-2023 resulted in the discovery of several additional spodumene-bearing dykes including the Killick Dyke/East Dyke system where drilling has returned 1.04% Li20 over 15.23 meters in hole GH-22-27 and 1.06% Li20 over 16.7 meters, including 1.22% Li20 over 13.37 meters in hole GH-23-46. Several spodumene-bearing dykes remain untested by diamond drilling. Large-scale regional geochemical surveys have outlined multiple lithium and tantalum in soil anomalies, some of which are several kilometers in length. During the 2024 summer field season, the joint venture between Benton, Sokoman and Piedmont completed an airborne geophysical magnetics and electromagnetics survey as well as field geochemical surveys on the Project. Field geochemical and geological surveys consisted of prospecting, geological mapping, soil sampling and basal till sampling were also completed. Highlights of the exploration program are presented below: A 4,854.3-kilometer airborne Magnetics and VLF-EM (very low frequency electro magnetics) was flown in April and May of 2024. The survey area covered parts of the property not flown in the 2021 program. The two data sets are now merged and provide complete coverage of the entire Project. Interpretation of the data has identified several anomalous areas for future exploration follow-up. Prospecting has resulted in the identification of multiple spodumene-bearing pegmatite float samples in the Kraken South area of the Project. Float samples range from angular to sub-rounded and have returned assays to 1.97% Li20, with 11 samples assaying greater than 1.0% Li20. Initial basal till sampling in the area has confirmed spodumene grains in several samples. The Kraken South area is deemed high priority for follow-up evaluation. Prospecting and soil sampling continue to expand anomalous areas of LCT pegmatite dyke occurrences. Areas such as Grandy's West and Top Pond Ridge are multi-kilometer anomalies containing elevated lithium and tantalum in soils and rock samples. All areas that have anomalous Li and Ta in soil contain pegmatite dykes in bedrock that further indicate high potential for the discovery of LCT pegmatite dykes in the area. Anomalous Tantalum is believed to indicate local highly fractionated geochemical sources adding to the high-prospectivity of these areas. Vinland is also advancing its Hydra Cesium discovery where initial channel sample results returned 8.75% Cs2O, 0.41% Li2O, 0.025% Ta2O5 and 0.33% Rb2O over 1.2 meters including 13.57% Cs20 and 0.32% Li20 over 0.4m. Six short diamond drill holes tested the discovery area with results including 13.55m of 0.146% Cs2O and 0.158% Li2O including 0.50 m of 0.80% Cs2O and 0.152% Li2O in hole HY-23-01. Prospecing and limited trenching has indicated that the Hydra Dyke has a strike length of over 200 meters to the north of the original discovery site, and the dyke is open under till cover to the south. Figure 1: Killick Lithium Project - General Location Map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11666/280042_c82bca5914de7b2e_001full.jpg QA/QC Protocols Rock and core samples are submitted to SGS Canada Inc. in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland for preparation and then sent to the SGS Canada Inc. analytical laboratory in Burnaby, British Colombia for analysis. All samples were acquired by hand (rocks) or saw-cut (channels/drill core) and delivered, by Vinland personnel, in sealed bags, to the Grand Falls-Windsor prep lab of SGS, which is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Samples are analyzed using SGS's GS_IMS91A50 method that delivers a 56-element package utilizing sodium peroxide fusion, ICP-AES, and ICP-MS analytical techniques. All reported assays are uncut. Soil samples were collected by Vinland personnel utilizing a standard Dutch-auger, collecting B Horizon soil, where possible. Where B was not present, the soil horizon or type was noted. Soil samples were sent to Eastern Analytical Ltd., in Springdale, NL, for Li, Ta, Sn, and Nb analyses by four-acid digestion, analyzed by ICP-OES. Eastern Analytical Ltd. achieved ISO 17025 accreditation in February 2014 (for more details on the scope of accreditation visit the CALA website). Till samples were collected by Vinland personnel utilizing conventional shovel dug holes and screened to -10mm in the field. Samples were shipped to Overburden Drilling Management (ODM) in Nepean, Ontario for analysis using their standard lithium indicator mineral package. QP Barry Sparkes, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for Vinland Lithium Inc., the 'Qualified Person' under National Instrument 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release and prepared or supervised its preparation. About Vinland Lithium Inc. Vinland Lithium Inc. is a mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol VLD. Vinalnd holds 100% interest in the Killick Lithium Project in Southwestern Newfoundland and is seeking additional opportunities in the lithium-cesium-tantalum space. Vinland is focused on advancing the recently-discovered Killick Lithium Project which covers 60 kilometers of highly-prospective geological terrane in proximity to the Baie d'Est Fault. The project boasts multiple spodumene-pegmatites within the Kraken Pegmatite Field and high-grade cesium-tantalum-lithium hosted in the Hydra Pegmatite. Further potential for discovery is excellent given the extensive number of untested geochemical and geophysical targets present. All initial drilling phases at the Killick Lithium Project to date have returned impressive results from multiple pegmatites including: 8.4m of 0.95% Li2O in GH-22-01 at the Kraken Dyke, 16.2m of 0.43% Li2O in GH-22-05 at the Kraken North Dyke, 20.82m of 0.60% Li2O incl. 5.5m of 1.16% Li2O in GH-22-15, and 8.37m of 0.91% Li2O in GH-22-08 at the East Dyke and 15.23m of 1.04% Li2O in GH-22-27 and 13.37m of 1.22% Li2O in GH-22-45 at the Killick Dyke. At the Hydra Cesium Dyke, initial channel sample results to 8.75% Cs2O, 0.41% Li2O, 0.025% Ta2O5 and 0.33% Rb2O over 1.2 meters including 13.57% Cs20 and 0.32% Li20 over 0.4m. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Vinland Lithium Inc., "Stephen Stares" Stephen Stares, President Parties interested in seeking more information can contact Mr. Stares at the number below. THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280042 Source: Vinland Lithium Inc. Sandoz Group AG / Key word(s): Conference Sandoz CEO, speaking at 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, will outline plans to capitalize on unprecedented 'golden decade' of affordable medicines opportunity 12.01.2026 / 15:00 CET/CEST After consistently delivering on commitments in first two years as standalone company, Sandoz has unique leading position in biosimilar and generic market Strong momentum supports plans to capture significant share of unprecedented global market opportunity, with medicines worth more than USD 600 billion due to lose exclusivity over next decade Sandoz committed to make next 10 years 'golden decade' of patient access to affordable medicines Basel, January 12, 2026 - Sandoz (SIX:SDZ/OTCQX:SDZNY), the global leader in affordable medicines, will today outline its plans to capitalize on the unprecedented market opportunity of the coming 'golden decade', in a presentation at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday, January 13, at 18:45 CET (9:45 PST). Speaking at the conference, taking place from January 12 to 15 in San Francisco, CEO Richard Saynor will highlight the company's strong and consistent progress in its first two years as a standalone global leader, its unique positioning and strategic focus as a 'pure-play' biosimilar and generic company and its determination to capitalize on an unprecedented market loss of exclusivity (LoE) opportunity over the next decade. He will say: "I'm proud that we remain consistently on track, and in some cases exceed, on the commitments we have made since becoming an independent company in 2023. As the global leader in the affordable medicines industry, which accounts for 80% of medicines used at just 30% of the total cost, we already have tremendous impact on making healthcare more accessible for all. And we stand today on the cusp of the biggest 'golden decade' in the history of the pharmaceutical industry - an unprecedented LoE opportunity to increase patient access to the medicines they need." Sandoz rapidly establishing its edge: uniquely positioning for scale, trust and impact In its first two years as a standalone company, Sandoz delivered successfully on a range of strategic milestones, including: Breaking ground on a major new sterile biosimilars production center in Brnik, Slovenia, the latest step in a multi-site project in Slovenia to further expand its European biosimilar hub and global market reach, with a total investment of more than USD 1.1 billion. Completing the acquisition of Just-Evotec Biologics' site and in-house development and manufacturing capabilities in Toulouse, France. Consistently delivering on its key launch commitments, including six biosimilar launches in 2025 - three of them in Q4 alone. Opening a new facility for production of penicillin active ingredients and a new production line for final products, completing a total investment of USD 250 million in its vertically-integrated European production network for the world's leading category of antibiotic. Today, three pillars define Sandoz global leadership: its global scale, with 1,300 products supplied to over 100 countries, backed by a robust manufacturing and supply network; its unique positioning as the only 'pure-play' biosimilar and generic company, with a reputation for reliable execution; and its respected leadership team, backed by more than 20,000 committed employees worldwide. Executing with impact: strong financial momentum underpinning strategic progress Based on these achievements, Sandoz today is the leader in the global market for high-quality, affordable (biosimilar and generic) medicines, which is valued at more than USD 250 billion in sales. With 2024 sales of USD 10 billion, driven by strong double-digit growth in biosimilars, Sandoz has an attractive balance sheet to support its investment plans. It has a strong position across its three regions, underpinned by its #1 ranking in the attractive European market: its home base and the cornerstone of its global leadership. Sandoz continues to deliver sustained top-line momentum and margin expansion, underpinning its mid-term outlook of mid-single digit annual sales growth to 2028 at constant exchange rates, with a core EBITDA margin expansion forecasted to reach 24% to 26% in 2028. The company is focused on growing its core generics business, with recent key launches across key markets including iron ferric, rivaroxaban and enoxaparin sodium in Europe. With some 1,300 products marketed worldwide and a pipeline of more than 400, Sandoz pursues a strategy of focused loss of LoE coverage, centered on oral solids and injectables. This is supported by a longer-term focus on the emerging GLP-1 market. In biosimilars, its key growth pillar both now and in years to come, Sandoz continues to build on its experience as the pioneer and global leader, with a portfolio of 13 molecules in nearly 100 countries and a leading and rapidly-growing pipeline. Shaping the future: strongly positioned for unprecedented 'golden decade' opportunity This strong progress positions Sandoz as the company best prepared to seize the coming opportunity, with reference medicines worth well over USD 600 billion due to lose exclusivity in the next decade. The generic opportunity is valued at USD 340 billion and Sandoz has a pipeline of over 400 assets targeting nearly two-thirds of the total, with GLP-1s as a longer-term opportunity. The biosimilar opportunity is similar in size (USD 322 billion) and Sandoz is targeting approximately 60 percent of the total. Of those biologics facing LoE in the next seven years, more than 50 currently have no biosimilar planned due to the high cost of clinical development - a key driver of the so-called 'biosimilar void.' Ongoing regulatory moves towards streamlining biosimilar development, which have been led by Sandoz from an industry perspective, can help fill the void and substantially decrease both cost and time to market with zero adverse impact on quality, safety or efficacy. Mr. Saynor concludes: "We are the global leader in an attractive, growing and system-critical market. We are poised to seize the unprecedented market opportunity over the next decade, in the interests of our shareholders, our customers, our partners and most importantly our patients. If we continue to deliver on our promises the way we have to date, we will lead the way in making the next 10 years the 'golden decade' of affordable healthcare." KEY LINKS Webcast (Richard Saynor's presentation - January 13, 2026, 18:45 CET) Presentation slides (available after Richard Saynor's presentation) DISCLAIMER This Media Release contains forward-looking statements, which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management's views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside of the control of Sandoz. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sandoz undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. ABOUT SANDOZ Sandoz (SIX: SDZ; OTCQX: SDZNY) is the global leader in affordable medicines, with a growth strategy driven by its Purpose: pioneering access for patients. More than 20,000 people of 100 nationalities work together to ensure 900 million patient treatments are provided by Sandoz, generating substantial global healthcare savings and an even larger social impact. Its leading portfolio of approximately 1,300 products addresses diseases from the common cold to cancer. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Sandoz traces its heritage back to 1886. Its history of breakthroughs includes Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the world's first oral penicillin in 1951 and the world's first biosimilar in 2006. In 2024, Sandoz recorded net sales of USD 10.4 billion. CONTACTS Global Media Relations contacts Investor Relations contacts Global.MediaRelations@sandoz.com Investor.Relations@sandoz.com Alexis Kalomparis +41 792 790285 Craig Marks +44 7818 942 383 Chris Lewis +49 174 244 9501 Tamara Hackl +41 79 790 5217 Gregor Rodehueser +49 170 574 3200 Silvia Siegfried +41 79 795 9061 End of Media Release View original content: EQS News Wolters Kluwer Tax and Accounting(TAA) is proud to announce that Cathy Rowe, Executive Vice President Segment Leader, Professional Market of Wolters Kluwer Tax Accounting, has been recognized by CPA Practice Advisor as one of the 2025 Most Powerful Women in Accounting. The annual awards, now in their 14th year, celebrate outstanding female leaders who have made significant contributions to the accounting profession through innovation, leadership, and mentorship. With over 25 years of industry experience, Rowe is a visionary leader in tax and accounting technology who has driven the strategy for the Professional Tax Accounting business to push the industry forward by delivering innovative, trusted, cloud-based audit and tax solutions that boost productivity and profitability for customers. Rowe, who holds a patent for blockchain technology, has led multiple award-winning innovations at Wolters Kluwer. Most recently, she spearheaded the evolution of CCH Axcess Expert AI, the industry's only fully-integrated cloud platform, which integrates advanced technologies such as AI, generative AI, extended reality, and blockchain to transform tax preparation, compliance, and workflow management. She has also championed transformative initiatives that embed AI and cutting-edge solutions, like CCH Axcess Client Collaboration and CCH Axcess Intelligence, into core accounting workflows. Rowe's customer-centric approach, including championing contextual design, ensures that solutions address real-world challenges and enhance client experiences. Rowe, reflecting on her selection, shared: "I am deeply honored to be named among the Most Powerful Women in Accounting by CPA Practice Advisor. This recognition reflects the progress we've made when it comes to integrating AI to create smarter tax and accounting workflows, thanks to the collective drive of our incredible team, which remains relentlessly focused on fostering innovation, growth, and mentorship. I'm inspired to continue building a more inclusive, future-ready profession that empowers all accountants to succeed." The full list of 2025 honorees includes more than 30 distinguished professionals spanning a variety of sectors technology, firm leadership, AI, and talent development chosen by CPA Practice Advisor for their outstanding leadership and influence. "Each year, we have the opportunity to recognize women who are making the accounting profession a better place for all of us," said Gail Perry, CPA, Editor-in-Chief of CPA Practice Advisor. "This year's nominees continue to carry this torch of excellence." For more information about the 2025 Most Powerful Women in Accounting awards, please visit CPA Practice Advisor. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software solutions, and services for professionals in healthcare, tax and accounting, financial and corporate compliance, legal and regulatory, corporate performance, and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2024 annual revenues of 5.9 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,600 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260107618460/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Shannon Wherry Associate Director, External Communications Wolters Kluwer Tax Accounting Office: +1 972-209-2767 shannon.wherry@wolterskluwer.com Lugano, Switzerland - January 12th, 2026 - Helsinn Healthcare, a global pharmaceutical group focused on supporting patients with cancer and chronic diseases, announces a new Executive Leadership Team as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary and enters a new phase of growth and innovation. After three years of deep transformation, Dr. Melanie Rolli has decided to step down from her role as CEO. Under her leadership, Helsinn successfully navigated a critical turnaround, delivering strong results and reinforcing its position in the global healthcare landscape. The Board of Directors and the entire Helsinn team extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Rolli for her dedication, vision, and impactful contributions. Dr. Rolli has worked with the new leadership for a smooth transition, and she will remain strategic advisor to the CEO and the Board. Returning to the helm as Chief Executive Officer is Riccardo Braglia, formerly Executive Chairman of Helsinn Group. With decades of experience in Pharma and a deep commitment to Helsinn's mission, Riccardo Braglia will lead the company into its next chapter, focusing on strategic expansion and innovation. Dr. Melanie Rolli added: "It has been an honor to lead Helsinn through a period of deep transformation and growth. I am proud of what we have achieved together and deeply grateful to the entire team for their passion and resilience. As the company enters its next phase under Riccardo's leadership, I am confident that Helsinn will continue to thrive and make a meaningful impact for patients around the world." Riccardo Braglia commented: "Helsinn has always been driven by a passion for innovation and a commitment to improving the lives of patients. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are entering a new era of opportunity. I am honored and grateful to return as CEO and to work alongside an exceptional leadership team. Together, we will continue to grow our portfolio, expand our global reach, and invest in the future of oncology and beyond." In conjunction with this transition, Gabriele Braglia will take on the role of Chief Business Officer and Deputy CEO, driving worldwide commercial initiatives and corporate development, and preparing as next generation to take soon the helm of the company. Helsinn's Leadership Team will be completed by the appointment of the following Group Executives, drawing from both growth of internal talents and new external acquisitions: Roberta Cannella as Chief Operating Officer as Konrad Wilson as Chief Financial Officer as Andrea Pontiggia as Chief Commercial Officer as Enrico Baroni as Chief of Staff as Georgios Kordelas as Group Head of Human Resources and Compliance These leadership changes reflect Helsinn's commitment to nurturing talent and strengthening its executive team as it embarks on ambitious goals for the future. In fact, the company is actively pursuing the acquisition of new assets in oncology and other therapeutic areas, both in the United States and internationally. About Helsinn Helsinn is a global pharmaceutical company that builds, manufactures, launches, and commercializes products to improve the quality of life for patients with cancer and chronic diseases, with a focus on supportive care, oncology and dermato-oncology. Headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, Helsinn has direct commercial operations in the U.S., manufacturing operations in Ireland, offices in China, and a network of trusted partners enabling a commercial presence in 90 countries. Established in 1976, Helsinn is a third-generation family-owned company with broad pharmaceutical and technical expertise. For half a century, Helsinn has been operating with integrity, passion, and quality. The company continuously fosters innovation for its patients and embraces sustainable growth as a core element of its strategic vision. To learn more about Helsinn, please visit www.helsinn.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X . For more information: Helsinn Media Contact Sabrina Perucchi Group Communication Manager Tel: +41 Auburn, Maine--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Danielle MacKinnon has confirmed that the next session of her flagship Beginner Animal Communicator Course will begin on January 20, 2026. Designed for people who feel called to understand animals on a deeper level, the course offers a welcoming entry point into animal communication through Danielle's established teaching approach. Danielle MacKinnon Announces Start Date for Beginner Animal Communicator Course To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/280053_fig1.jpg The timing of this session comes as interest in animal communication continues to grow, as more people become curious about the emotional and inner lives of animals. Pet owners increasingly seek ways to feel closer to their animals, especially during times of change, loss, or uncertainty. As these questions gain more public attention, educational programs that focus on intuitive connection, emotional awareness, and mutual understanding are resonating with a wider audience. Danielle's Beginner Animal Communicator Course responds directly to this growing curiosity. Rather than focusing only on behavior, the course introduces participants to a different way of listening to animals that blends intuition, presence, and personal awareness. For many students, this approach feels new and eye opening, offering a perspective that goes beyond traditional pet training or observation. Danielle MacKinnon has announced January 20, 2026, as the start date for her next Beginner Animal Communicator Course To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/280053_figure2.jpg The course guides participants through foundational concepts of animal communication, including how people receive information from animals and how their own emotions, beliefs, and inner state shape that experience. These ideas are presented in a supportive and practical structure, allowing students to explore animal communication in a grounded and approachable way. As part of her ongoing work, animal communicator Danielle MacKinnon continues to develop and offer educational programs that support deeper relationships between people and animals. Registration for the January 20, 2026 Beginner Animal Communicator Course is now open, with additional details and future course offerings available on the organization's website. About Danielle MacKinnon: Danielle MacKinnon is a world renowned, respected animal communicator, teacher, and author who helps people build deeper, more meaningful connections with animals. Through her online courses, books, and teachings, she guides students of all experience levels in learning how to communicate with animals in a grounded and compassionate way. Her work focuses on intuitive communication, personal awareness, and understanding the emotional and spiritual bonds people share with animals, offering practical tools that support both personal growth and stronger relationships with pets. Media Contact To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10740/280053_figure3.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280053 Source: GetFeatured Collaboration Leverages NVIDIA's Open Models, AI Infrastructure and Expertise to Build Next-Generation Biological Reasoning Models for Drug Development Owkin, an AI company on a mission to solve the complexity of biology, today announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to enhance OwkinZero, Owkin's biological large reasoning model. The collaboration will leverage NVIDIA's advanced AI computing ecosystem, including the Nemotron family of open models and the NVIDIA NeMo framework to improve the performance, scalability, guardrails, and robustness of Owkin's biological reasoning capabilities to accelerate future breakthroughs in drug discovery and development. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112573701/en/ Owkin Advances Frontier Model Development for Biological Artificial Super Intelligence, Accelerated by NVIDIA. This marks Owkin's first collaboration with NVIDIA and represents a significant milestone in building the agentic infrastructure necessary for achieving Biological Artificial Super Intelligence (BASI). The work brings together Owkin's expertise in biological AI and access to proprietary multimodal patient data with NVIDIA's leadership in accelerated computing, open models, and AI infrastructure. The new OwkinZero model leverages the NVIDIA NeMo RL, an open library part of the NVIDIA NeMo Framework for reinforcement learning that improves model customization and performance at scale. It will power the next generation of Owkin's agentic AI capabilities, available through Owkin's interoperable agentic infrastructure, Owkin K, for biopharma and Owkin's internal AI Scientist that will automate the discovery of new cures and diagnostics. "Building the first Biological Artificial Super Intelligence requires not just powerful models, but the right agentic infrastructure and toolkits to scale them," said Thomas Clozel, M.D., co-founder and CEO of Owkin. "Our collaboration with NVIDIA represents a crucial step in developing the intelligent infrastructure for biology. By combining NVIDIA's world-class AI ecosystem with our domain-specific biological reasoning capabilities and multimodal patient data, we'll be able to create AI agents that can truly understand and reason about the complexity of biology at a scale that was previously impossible." This collaboration underscores both companies' commitment to advancing AI-driven biological research and delivering technologies that can accelerate drug discovery, improve clinical success rates, and ultimately deliver better treatments to patients faster. About Owkin Owkin is an AI company on a mission to solve the complexity of biology. It is building the first Biological Artificial Super Intelligence (BASI) by combining powerful biological large language models, multimodal patient data, and agentic software. At the heart of this system is Owkin K, an AI copilot, powered by OwkinZero, its new LLM fine-tuned on biological reasoning used by researchers, clinicians, and drug developers to better understand biology, validate scientific hypotheses, and deliver diagnostics and therapies faster. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112573701/en/ Contacts: Press Contact: - US: Erica Zeidenberg erica@hottomato.net - UK: Ali Jennings alistair.jennings@owkin.com - EU: Malika Labou malika.labou-ext@owkin.com APAC Region Reported Double-Digit Year-over-Year Revenue Increase MILPITAS, Calif., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Electronic System Design (ESD) industry revenue increased 8.8% to $5,566.4 million in the third quarter of 2025 from the $5,114.5 million registered in the third quarter of 2024, the ESD Alliance, a SEMI Technology Community, announced today in its latest Electronic Design Market Data (EDMD) report. The four-quarter moving average rose 10.4%, based on a comparison of the most recent four quarters to the prior four. "The electronic design automation (EDA) industry continues to report strong year-over-year revenue growth in Q3 2025," said Walden C. Rhines, Executive Sponsor of the SEMI Electronic Design Market Data report. "All product categories reported increases, with Semiconductor IP (SIP) and Services showing double digit gains. Geographic regions including Americas, EMEA, and APAC reported growth in Q3, with a double digit increase in APAC." The companies tracked in the EDMD report employed 73,185 people globally in Q3 2025, a 17.3% increase over the Q3 2024 headcount of 62,417 and up 0.9% compared to Q2 2025. The quarterly EDMD report contains detailed revenue information within the following category and geographic breakdowns. Revenue by Product and Application Category - Year-Over-Year Change Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) revenue increased 9.1% to $2,097.8 million. The four-quarter CAE moving average increased 11.6%. revenue increased 9.1% to $2,097.8 million. The four-quarter CAE moving average increased 11.6%. IC Physical Design and Verification revenue increased 1.3% to $865.4 million. The four-quarter moving average for the category decreased 1.2%. revenue increased 1.3% to $865.4 million. The four-quarter moving average for the category decreased 1.2%. Printed Circuit Board and Multi-Chip Module (PCB and MCM) revenue rose 3.4% to $466.2 million. The four-quarter moving average for PCB and MCM rose 8.1%. revenue rose 3.4% to $466.2 million. The four-quarter moving average for PCB and MCM rose 8.1%. Semiconductor Intellectual Property (SIP) revenue increased 13.6% to $1,915.7 million. The four-quarter SIP moving average rose 14.8%. revenue increased 13.6% to $1,915.7 million. The four-quarter SIP moving average rose 14.8%. Services revenue increased 10.2% to $221.4 million. The four-quarter Services moving average rose 13.7%. Revenue by Region - Year-Over-Year Change The Americas , the largest reporting region by revenue, procured $2,402.2 million of electronic system design products and services in Q3 2025, a 3.4% increase. The four-quarter moving average for the Americas rose 10.3%. , the largest reporting region by revenue, procured $2,402.2 million of electronic system design products and services in Q3 2025, a 3.4% increase. The four-quarter moving average for the Americas rose 10.3%. Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) procured $675.1 million of electronic system design products and services in Q3 2025, a 4.6% increase. The four-quarter moving average for EMEA grew 7.6%. procured $675.1 million of electronic system design products and services in Q3 2025, a 4.6% increase. The four-quarter moving average for EMEA grew 7.6%. Japan's procurement of electronic system design products and services decreased 11.5% to $264.0 million in Q3 2025. The four-quarter moving average for Japan increased 2.4%. procurement of electronic system design products and services decreased 11.5% to $264.0 million in Q3 2025. The four-quarter moving average for Japan increased 2.4%. Asia Pacific (APAC) procured $2,223.0 million of electronic system design products and services in Q3 2025, a 20.5% increase. The four-quarter moving average for APAC grew 12.8%. About the EDMD Report The ESD Alliance Electronic Design Market Data (formerly the Market Statistics Service) report presents Electronic Design Automation (EDA), SIP and Services industry revenue data quarterly. Both public and private companies contribute data to the report available from SEMI. Each quarterly report is published approximately three months after quarter close. EDMD report data is segmented as follows: Revenue by product category (CAE, IC Physical Design and Verification, SIP, PCB/MCM Layout, and Services) including numerous detailed sub-categories Revenue by geographic region (Americas, EMEA, Japan and APAC) Total employment at participating companies For information about SEMI market research reports, visit the SEMI Market Research Reports and Databases Catalog. About the Electronic System Design Alliance The Electronic System Design (ESD) Alliance, a SEMI Technology Community, is the central voice to communicate and promote the value of the semiconductor design ecosystem as a vital component of the global electronics industry. As an international association of companies providing goods and services throughout the semiconductor design ecosystem, it is a forum to address technical, marketing, economic and legislative issues affecting the entire industry. For more information about the ESD Alliance, visit http://esd-alliance.org. Follow the ESD Alliance X: @ESDAlliance LinkedIn Facebook About SEMI SEMI is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members' business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more. The information supplied by the ESD Alliance is believed to be accurate and reliable, but the ESD Alliance assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Association Contacts Paul Cohen Phone: 978-769-2106 Email: pcohen@semi.org Stephanie Quinn/Kiterocket (Media Inquiries) Phone: 1-480-316-8370 Email: squinn@kiterocket.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/836033/SEMI___Electronic_System_Design_Alliance_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/esd-alliance-reports-electronic-system-design-industry-posts-5-6-billion-in-revenue-in-q3-2025--302655508.html CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Suvoda, a clinical trial technology company, took decisive steps in 2025 toward a more connected and streamlined clinical trial experience for both patients and sites. The company's merger with Greenphire marked a pivotal moment in that journey, strengthening Suvoda's ability to tackle persistent trial operational challenges with a more unified approach. Together with continued product innovation and deployment of AI tools, Suvoda closed the year with growing momentum toward a single, cohesive ecosystem that reduces complexity across the clinical trial lifecycle. "The last twelve months marked an important step forward for Suvoda," said Jagath Wanninayake, CEO of Suvoda. "Our teams worked with care and intention as we brought two strong companies together and delivered new capabilities that reflect what patients and sites actually need. As we enter 2026, we're focused on helping sponsors and sites navigate their trials with clarity while giving patients a smoother, more supportive experience." Making the patient journey easier A defining milestone of the year was the launch of Suvoda's patient app, a clear demonstration of how a unified platform can meaningfully improve the clinical trial experience for patients. The app brings eCOA questionnaires, patient payments, reminders, and visit scheduling into one consumer-grade interface that patients can use on their own devices. This advancement helps participants stay engaged while easing the administrative load for busy sites. Harnessing AI to alleviate administrative burden in clinical trials Suvoda also simplified how study teams access critical information with Sofia, an AI assistant currently deployed in Suvoda IRT with platform expansion in the future. Sofia helps users ask questions and get answers with a generative AI tool, replacing multi-step navigation with quick, clear responses. Built with strong privacy and role-based controls, Sofia supports everyday decision making for study teams without compromising data security or the integrity of the study blind. Recognized for innovation Suvoda's approach earned continued recognition in 2025, including a new patent for its platform architecture, bringing its total to five. Everest Group also named Suvoda a Leader in its RTSM PEAK Matrix assessment. Across its portfolio, Suvoda released enhancements that improve transparency, data quality, and ease of use, reflecting its ongoing focus on practical innovation that supports real-world trial operations. Positioned for continued growth in 2026 The company anticipates continuing its strong growth in 2026 as pharmaceutical sponsors and CROs increasingly look for unified platforms that reduce trial complexity while supporting exceptional patient and site experiences. "We spent 2025 not only merging two companies, but unifying our technologies, our people, and our mission," Wanninayake said. "That foundation positions us to deliver even greater value in 2026 and beyond. We're ready to support sponsors and sites to meet more of their clinical trial needs and help patients move through their studies with ease and confidence." About Suvoda Suvoda is a global clinical trial technology company with a market-leading, real-time software platform that empowers sponsors and CROs to make confident decisions and sites and patients to take calm, controlled action. Suvoda delivers interconnected, action-driven software solutions and industry-leading services and support, so that even in the most time-sensitive, mission-critical moments, life-changing studies keep moving forward. Headquartered outside Philadelphia, Suvoda also maintains offices in Portland, OR, Barcelona, Spain, Bucharest and Iasi, Romania, and Tokyo, Japan. The company maintains customer satisfaction scores that consistently exceed the technology industry average, contributing to the company being selected by trial sponsors and CROs to support more than 2000 trials across more than 95 countries. Suvoda recently merged with Greenphire, a leading provider of clinical trial financial management and patient support tools. To learn more, visit suvoda.com and follow Suvoda on LinkedIn. CONTACT: Robin Abadia Director, External Communications marketing@suvoda.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1759317/Suvoda_updated_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/suvoda-sets-new-standard-for-streamlined-patient-and-site-experience-in-clinical-trials-302655689.html The addition of the global leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems strengthens the independent program's mission to bridge the gap between innovation and market success for Europe's most ambitious founders. DRESDEN, Germany, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ignite Next, the independent scale-up program for deep tech innovation, today announced that Synopsys, the leader in engineering solutions from silicon to systems, has joined the program as a focus technology collaborator. This addition significantly strengthens the multi-partner setup launched earlier this month, which is designed to help European deep tech founders move faster from "Pre to B". Synopsys joins Infineon and Intel in supporting the program's portfolio companies. Ignite Next is focused on turning early-stage deep tech ventures into globally competitive scale-ups. The program's independent structure facilitates closer, hands-on involvement between world-leading technology firms and startups, tackling Europe's deep tech growth gap. The program focuses on IP-heavy breakthrough technologies, including semiconductors, physical AI, and advanced computing. Besides access to tools, infrastructure, and technology, Synopsys will contribute with its strategic industry expertise by providing technical and commercial mentorship to deep tech founders. Antonio Varas, Chief Strategy Officer at Synopsys, said: "Breakthrough innovation in semiconductors, AI, and advanced computing is increasingly being shaped by agile, deep tech startups pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Their agility and vision are critical to solving complex challenges and unlocking transformative technologies. Through our involvement with Ignite Next, Synopsys empowers deep tech innovators with the tools, expertise and guidance needed to accelerate their journey from groundbreaking ideas to real-world impact." Ignite Next operates a non-dilutive, founder-first model, ensuring startups can scale without sacrificing ownership. The high-touch program is guided by a network of more than 300 senior industry mentors. The addition of Synopsys reinforces the collective impact model, strengthening the entire ecosystem in its competitiveness in deep tech. By gaining early access to disruptive innovations and emerging trends, Ignite Next technology partner companies can influence industry technologies and apply the insights in own developments, products and roadmaps. Alois Eder, CTO and Co-founder of Ignite Next, commented: "We launched Ignite Next with the mission of providing deep, relevant expertise to Europe's most promising deep tech founders. Synopsys joining is a powerful validation of our independent, multi-partner setup. With their leadership in Electronic Design Automation (EDA), IP, and simulation and analysis from silicon to systems, we extend our network of experts with broader technology coverage, deeper market access, and finally stronger outcomes." Alumni from the Ignite model include Black Semiconductor, Proxima Fusion, Corintis, Quantum Diamonds, Cerabyte, and Space Forge. These companies are proving Europe's outstanding capabilities in frontier technologies. Dr. Daniel Schall, CEO of Black Semiconductor (Alumnus of Ignite), added: "For deep tech ventures, success hinges on bridging the science with industrial-scale execution. Ignite Next achieves this by providing not just capital readiness, but direct access to world-class technical tools and mentorship. Specifically, the technical depth offered by a leader like Synopsys is invaluable, transforming how quickly founders can scale complex, IP-heavy technologies like our own from the lab into market-ready products." About Ignite Next Ignite Next is Europe's scale-up program for deep tech innovation, founded by the former Intel Ignite leadership team and now independently operated. The program accelerates early-stage, high-impact startups developing breakthrough technologies in semiconductors, physical AI, advanced computing, and other frontier domains. Non-dilutive and founder-first, Ignite Next works with leading technology companies-including Infineon, Intel, and Synopsys -to connect startups with world-class technical and business expertise, turning breakthrough innovation into breakout success. The program is headquartered in Dresden, Germany, at the heart of Silicon Saxony. Media contact: Harry Ashcroft | Perseid PR harry@perseidpr.com +44 7429 108277 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ignite-next-welcomes-synopsys-to-its-scale-up-program-for-deep-tech-innovation-302658438.html Mahoney brings deep market expertise to guide biotech and pharmaceutical occupiers BOSTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Cresa , the world's largest occupier-only commercial real estate firm, announced today that Caitlin Mahoney has joined its Boston office as a Senior Advisor in its Life Sciences Practice Group. Mahoney joins Cresa from Colliers, where she served in a similar capacity on its Life Sciences Leasing team, advising biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies on complex real estate decisions across Greater Boston and beyond. Cresa's Life Sciences Practice provides strategic, occupier-only advisory and transaction management services to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies at every stage of growth. With an emphasis on remaining cost-effective and flexible so research teams can stay focused on innovation, Mahoney joins a team that has helped numerous emerging and late-stage companies align their real estate strategies with scientific, operational, and capital objectives. In addition to Colliers, Mahoney held a previous role with CRE firm Jones Lang LaSalle. Her background will serve Cresa's life sciences occupiers well as they navigate decisions around laboratory location, facility design, and long-term portfolio planning. This expertise is particularly valuable as the local market continues to evolve, with more mature companies seeking next-generation facilities while early-stage firms prioritize proximity to leading research institutions and top-tier talent. "As we look ahead to 2026, our Life Sciences Practice continues to grow in both depth and expertise," said Paul Delaney, Managing Principal at Cresa. "Caitlin brings a strong understanding of the life sciences real estate landscape and a clear commitment to representing occupiers first. We consistently seek out top talent who view transaction management through the tenant's lens, and we are excited to welcome Caitlin to the team." Mahoney is a member and sponsor of the Breaking 7% network, a Boston-based life sciences group focused on promoting women in venture capital, as well as Transcending Glass, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and non-binary entrepreneurs to build leading science-driven businesses. For PR and other media-related inquiries, please reach out to: Jeff Lavery, Principal Pedigree Public Relations jefflavery@pedigreepr.com 508.361.7539 About Cresa Cresa is the world's only global commercial real estate advisory firm that exclusively represents occupiers and specializes in the delivery of fully integrated real estate solutions. Our purpose is to think beyond space, strengthening those we serve and enhancing the quality of life for our clients. Delivered across every industry, Cresa's services include Transaction Management, Workplace Solutions, Project Management, Consulting, Lease Administration, Technology, Investment Banking & Capital Markets, and Portfolio Solutions. In partnership with London-based Knight Frank, Cresa provides service through 16,000 people, across 380 offices in 51 territories. For more information, please visit www.cresa.com . SOURCE: Cresa Boston View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/caitlin-mahoney-joins-cresa-boston-life-sciences-practice-as-senior-advisor-1126303 Scottsdale, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Vincent Vendittelli, a recognized business leader and entrepreneur, announces the opening of applications for the Vincent Vendittelli Scholarship for Entrepreneurs, inviting undergraduate students across the United States to participate in this unique opportunity. The scholarship seeks to support students demonstrating creativity, leadership, and ambition in the fields of business, entrepreneurship, marketing, management, or related disciplines. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/279640_whatsapp%20image%202026-01-12%20at%208.30.43%20pm.jpg The Vincent Vendittelli Scholarship for Entrepreneurs is designed to encourage undergraduate students to think innovatively and pursue entrepreneurial ventures with determination and strategic insight. Applicants are required to submit an original essay of 750-1,000 words responding to the prompt: "Describe an entrepreneurial idea or venture that inspires you, and explain how you would bring it to life. What challenges do you foresee, and how would you overcome them to make your vision a success?" The essay provides a platform for students to showcase originality, clarity, and practical entrepreneurial thinking. Vincent Vendittelli emphasizes the importance of cultivating future business leaders. "This scholarship is an avenue for students to present their entrepreneurial vision and demonstrate the problem-solving and strategic skills essential for building successful ventures," says Vincent Vendittelli. "Supporting young innovators aligns with my ongoing commitment to mentorship and the advancement of creative, forward-thinking approaches in business." Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program within the United States and actively pursuing studies relevant to business or entrepreneurship. Each submission is carefully evaluated based on originality, depth of thought, and clarity in presenting entrepreneurial ideas. The application deadline for the Vincent Vendittelli Scholarship for Entrepreneurs is August 15, 2026. The recipient of the scholarship will be announced on September 15, 2026. Through this scholarship, Vincent Vendittelli continues to provide tangible support to students aspiring to pursue entrepreneurial careers, reflecting his broader commitment to fostering talent and innovation. Vincent Vendittelli has established this scholarship as part of his dedication to nurturing the next generation of business leaders. Throughout his career, Vincent Vendittelli has held pivotal roles in organizations, where his leadership and strategic acumen drove operational success and growth. Beyond professional achievements, Vincent Vendittelli remains passionate about mentorship and education, and the scholarship embodies his belief in the transformative power of innovative thinking and perseverance in business. For more information on eligibility requirements and the application process, students and educators are encouraged to visit https://vincentvendittellischolarship.com or contact the scholarship team via email at apply@vincentvendittellischolarship.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279640 Source: GYT The partnership combines medical-grade speech models with autonomous agent and scribe solutions to eliminate administrative burden across enterprise healthcare, powered by NVIDIA Speechmatics and Sully.ai today announced a strategic partnership to power the next generation of autonomous healthcare agents and scribes. Built on NVIDIA AI infrastructure, the collaboration combines best in class medical-grade speech models with autonomous agent workflows to deliver AI receptionists and clinical scribes that handle real operational tasks and deliver tangible ROI across clinical settings. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112368009/en/ The partnership arrives as global healthcare faces acute staffing shortages and mounting administrative costs. Sully, which scaled from single-doctor clinics to enterprise customers with 500+ providers in under a year, is already driving significant efficiency back into healthcare. Their north star metric of Minutes Added to Workforce (MAW) measures how agentic AI drives efficiency within healthcare use cases. As of December 2025, Sully has added more than 30 million minutes back to the healthcare workforce and current customers include Oshi Health, Tebra and Midi. 21x ROI: Autonomous agents delivering measurable workforce impact, soon to benefit more patients around the globe Sully's partners are seeing 21x ROI in early case studies with autonomous operating systems capitalising on a suite of multiple agents working in coordination. Typical ROIs include: 5%+ increase in patient retention, 2.4+ hours time saving per physician per day and 18.5% increase in capacity for patient appointments. Building upon these early positive signals, Sully is seeing rapid expansion across large, multi-site provider networks, hence the requirement for Speechmatics highly accurate, medical grade speech models that scale across different clinical environments. Sully.ai selected Speechmatics after extensive internal testing across multiple speech model providers. Evaluation focused on clinical accuracy, handling ambiguous medical pronunciations, and real-time performance in noisy environments. Speechmatics' English Medical Model set benchmark results in 2025, delivering 93% general real-time accuracy (7% WER) and 96% medical keyword recall, with a medical keyword error rate 50% lower than the nearest competitor. These gains reduce corrections, improve downstream documentation quality, and support more reliable automation in patient access and clinical workflows. "We needed best-in-class speech models that work in real clinical environments: complex medical terminology, fast overlapping dialogue, accents, imperfect audio, not just clean test clips. Speechmatics has been the most responsive provider with solutioning for us, and we've seen them handle medications better on our troublesome audio than any competitor." - Ahmed Omar, Founder and CEO, Sully.ai Speechmatics and Sully.ai plan to expand into new global markets including the Middle East following the launch of an English-Arabic bilingual model in early 2026. Bilingual, code-switching conversations are expected to be a defining requirement for voice automation in care delivery and patient access within this region. Speechmatics' Arabic capabilities are designed to perform across Modern Standard Arabic as well as Egyptian, Gulf, and Levantine dialects, supporting consistent performance across varied speakers and accents. Trained on 16 billion words of real medical conversations Trained on over 16 billion words of medical conversations, clinical documentation, and healthcare interactions, the models deliver keyword error rates 5-20% lower than evaluated competitors on medical test sets across most languages. This training scale enables the models to distinguish between "hypertension" and "hypotension" in noisy emergency rooms, understand pharmaceutical names with regional accents, handle overlapping clinician-patient speech, and parse medical abbreviations, drug dosages, and ICD-10 codes, all while maintaining near-batch accuracy at sub-second latency. "High-accuracy, low-latency speech recognition is a core enabler for autonomous agents that 'actually listen' and operate safely in mission-critical environments. Together with Sully.ai, we're enabling healthcare organizations to deploy ambient scribes and AI agents across multiple languages and global markets without compromising on quality, security, or speed." - Katy Wigdahl, CEO, Speechmatics Built on NVIDIA, deployed on healthcare's terms The model is deployed using NVIDIA AI infrastructure, optimized through NVIDIA Triton Inference Server and NVIDIA CUDA libraries. This enables high-throughput, low-latency processing at scale, with deployment flexibility across data center, private cloud, and edge environments. This architecture supports rapid customization and horizontal scaling for diverse healthcare deployments: from telehealth platforms and contact centers to EHR-connected scribes and bedside tools. Unlike cloud-only competitors, Speechmatics supports on-premises, private cloud, and SaaS deployment, critical for organizations navigating data residency requirements, HIPAA compliance, and regulatory frameworks. This flexibility allows enterprises to keep sensitive patient data within their own infrastructure while accessing state-of-the-art speech technology. About Speechmatics Speechmatics is the voice AI company on a mission to understand every voice. The company's speech-to-text technology delivers industry-leading accuracy across 55+ languages, with specialized medical models trained on over 16 billion words of clinical data. Speechmatics' real-time and batch transcription APIs power applications for healthcare, media, contact centers, and voice agent organizations worldwide, with customers including AI Media, Content Guru and boost.ai. Founded in Cambridge, UK, Speechmatics has deployment options spanning on-premises, private cloud, and SaaS infrastructure. Learn more at www.speechmatics.com. About Sully.ai Sully.ai is transforming healthcare operations with autonomous AI agents that handle mission-critical workflows across multi-doctor practices and large provider networks. The company's full suite (from voice AI receptionists to clinical scribes) is built on an agentic operating system designed for the complexity of real healthcare environments. Founded by a team bringing together medical expertise, technical founders, and entrepreneurial leadership, Sully scaled from single-doctor clinics to enterprise customers with 500+ providers in under a year. Learn more at www.sully.ai. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112368009/en/ Contacts: Media Contact: Mieke Smith Content Lead Speechmatics mieke.smith@speechmatics.com 07713014319 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT WOULD BE UNLAWFUL TO DO SO. THIS PRESS RELEASE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY EXAIL TECHNOLOGIES SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION. THE SECURITIES WILL ONLY BE OFFERED TO QUALIFIED INVESTORS, WHO COMPRISE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PRESS RELEASE, PROFESSIONAL CLIENTS AND ELIGIBLE COUNTERPARTIES. THE SECURITIES WILL NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD TO RETAIL INVESTORS. NO KEY INFORMATION DOCUMENT HAS BEEN OR WILL BE PREPARED PURSUANT TO EU PRIIPS OR UK PRIIPS REGULATION. Press release Paris, 12 January 2026 EXAIL TECHNOLOGIES S.A. LAUNCHES A TAP OFFERING OF UNDATED BONDS CONVERTIBLE INTO NEW SHARES AND/OR EXCHANGEABLE FOR EXISTING SHARES (ODIRNANE) FOR A NOMINAL AMOUNT OF 150 MILLION - WITH AN UPSIZE OPTION OF 25 MILLION - TO BE FULLY ASSIMILATED TO ITS 300 MILLION ODIRNANE ISSUED IN OCTOBER 2025 Exail Technologies S.A. ("Exail Technologies", or the "Company") announces the launch of a tap issue of EUR denominated "ODIRNANE"[1] undated and unsubordinated bonds (the "New Bonds") convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares of the Company by way of an accelerated bookbuilding process without shareholders' preferential subscription rights for a nominal amount of 150m (the "Offering") and up to 175m in case of exercise of the upsize option. The New Bonds are to be issued on the same terms (save for the date of issue and the issue price) as the 300m undated and unsubordinated bonds convertible into new shares and/or exchangeable for existing shares issued by Exail Technologies on 1 October 2025, ISIN FR00140112G1 (the "Original Bonds") and, as of the settlement date of the New Bonds, will be fully fungible with and assimilated to the Original Bonds and traded on the same listing line. The New Bonds will also carry Euronext's "European Defence Bond" label, which was recently awarded to the Original Bonds. The issue price of the New Bonds will be determined on the basis of an accelerated bookbuilding procedure and will be announced no later than 13 January 2026. Settlement and delivery of the New Bonds and admission to trading on Euronext AccessTM is expected to take place on 20 January 2026 (the "Issue Date"). In the context of the Offering, the Company has agreed to a lock-up undertaking relating to its shares and securities giving access to the share capital, ending on the date falling 90 calendar days after the Issue Date, subject to customary exceptions. As well, Gorge S.A. (the main shareholder of Exail Technologies) has agreed to a lock-up undertaking relating to the shares of the Company and securities giving access to the share capital of the Company, ending on the date falling 90 calendar days after the Issue Date, subject to certain customary exceptions. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including for the future refinancing of the acquisition of iXblue[2] completed in 2022. BNP Paribas acts as sole structuring bank, and together with Natixis, as joint global coordinator and joint bookrunner of the Offering (together, the "Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners"). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Investor Relations Hugo Soussan Tel. +33 (0)1 44 77 94 86 h.soussan@exail-technologies.com Media Relations Manon Clairet Tel. +33 (0)1 53 67 36 73 mclairet@actus.fr Anne-Pauline Petureaux Tel. +33 (0)1 53 67 36 72 apetureaux@actus.fr IMPORTANT NOTICE This press release may not be published, distributed or released in the United States of America, Australia, Canada, Japan or South Africa. The release, publication or distribution of this press release in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by laws or regulations. Therefore, people in such jurisdictions into which this press release is released, published or distributed must inform themselves about and comply with such laws or regulations. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of securities and the Offering is not an offer to the public in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. No communication and no information in respect of the Offering may be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction where registration or approval is required. No steps have been or will be taken in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required. The issuance by the Company or the subscription of the New Bonds may be subject to legal and regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The Company and its advisors, the Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners and their advisors, take no responsibility for any violation of any such restriction by any person. This press release is an advertisement and not a document containing the information set out in Annex IX of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 14, 2017, as amended (the "Prospectus Regulation") or a prospectus within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation or and of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of the United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (the "UK Prospectus Regulation"). This press release is not an offer to the public other than to qualified investors, or an offer to subscribe or designed to solicit interest for purposes of an offer to the public other than to qualified investors in any jurisdiction, including France. European Economic Area With respect to the member States of the European Economic Area (each, a "Member State"), no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of the securities requiring publication of a prospectus in any relevant Member State, including France. As a result, the securities referred to herein may only be offered in relevant Member States (i) to qualified investors, as defined by the Prospectus Regulation; or (ii) in any other circumstances, not requiring the Company to publish a prospectus as provided under Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Regulation, a supplement to the prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation, or an information document pursuant to Articles 1(4) and 1(5) of the Prospectus Regulation. These selling restrictions with respect to Member States apply in addition to any other selling restrictions which may be applicable in any Member State. Prohibition of sales to European Economic Area retail investors No action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make available any New Bonds to any retail investor in the European Economic Area. For the purposes of this provision: the expression "retail investor" means a person who is one (or more) of the following: a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); or a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or not a "qualified investor" as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; and the expression "offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the New Bonds to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the New Bonds. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the European Economic Area has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. MIFID II product governance / Professional investors and ECPs only target market - Solely for the purposes of each manufacturer's product approval process, the target market assessment in respect of the New Bonds has led to the conclusion that: (i) the target market for the New Bonds is eligible counterparties and professional clients, each as defined in MiFID II; and (ii) all channels for distribution of the New Bonds to eligible counterparties and professional clients are appropriate. Any person subsequently offering, selling or recommending the New Bonds (a "distributor") should take into consideration the manufacturers' target market assessment; however, a distributor subject to MiFID II is responsible for undertaking its own target market assessment in respect of the New Bonds (by either adopting or refining the manufacturers' target market assessment) and determining appropriate distribution channels. United Kingdom With respect to the United Kingdom, no action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make an offer to the public of the securities referred to herein requiring a publication of a prospectus. As a result, the securities may and will be offered only (i) to qualified investors within the meaning of the UK Prospectus Regulation, (ii) to fewer than 150 individuals or legal entities (other than qualified investors as defined in the UK Prospectus Regulation, or (iii) in accordance with the exemptions set forth in Article 1 (4) of the UK Prospectus Regulation or under any other circumstances which do not require the publication by Exail Technologies of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the UK Prospectus Regulation. The distribution of this press release has not been made, and has not been approved, by an "authorised person" within the meaning of Article 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. As a consequence, this press release is only being distributed to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that (i) are "investment professionals" falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Order"), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Order, or (iii) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Article 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. Prohibition of sales to UK retail Investors No action has been undertaken or will be undertaken to make available any New Bonds to any retail investor in the United Kingdom ("UK"). For the purposes of this press release: the expression "retail investor" means a person who is one (or more) of the following: a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); or a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the FSMA and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement Directive (EU) 2016/97, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation; and the expression an "offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the New Bonds to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the New Bonds. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the "UK PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the New Bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation. United States This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer of securities for sale or any solicitation to purchase or to subscribe for securities or any solicitation of sale of securities in the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or the law of any State or other jurisdiction of the United States, and may not be offered, sold, pledge or otherwise transferred in the United States absent registration under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company does not intend to register all or any portion of the securities in the United States under the Securities Act or to conduct a public offering of the securities in the United States. Australia, Canada, Japan and South Africa This announcement may not be published, forwarded or distributed, directly or indirectly, in Australia, Canada, Japan and South Africa. None of the Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees, advisers or agents accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever for or make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information in this press release (or whether any information has been omitted from this press release) or any other information relating to the Company, its subsidiaries or associated companies, whether written, oral or in a visual or electronic form, and howsoever transmitted or made available or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this announcement or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. The distribution of this press release in certain countries may constitute a breach of applicable law. [1] Classified as an equity instrument in accordance with IFRS [2] The financing of the iXblue acquisition in September 2022 included, in particular, financing provided by the ICG fund, which was structured in two tranches at the level of Exail Holding (Exail Technologies' subsidiary): (i) a tranche of 81.3 million in bonds maturing in fine in January 2030 with capitalized interest at 12% until 2028, then at 14% during the seventh year and 16% thereafter, and (ii) a tranche of 149.7 million of equity, in the form of preferred shares, with a cumulative capitalized right of 14% for the first six years, then 16% for the seventh year and 18% from the eighth year, and (b) benefiting from a right equal to 18.7%, if this amount is positive, of the value of Exail Holding, to be agreed upon by the parties, less the value of these preferred shares, the equity contributed by the other shareholders and the value of the aforementioned bonds. The preferred shares have a four year lock up period ending in September 2026; after this period the parties aim to ensure the liquidity of the bonds and preferred shares at the same time. See notes 2.2.2 and 8.1.1 of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024, included in the Company's 2024 universal registration document. ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: lpqcYJSXYZfFmG5pashqb2Nqb29qmJGUZmSbmZKZlpfIm5ySlZhobpWWZnJmnmpu - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-95958-2026.01.12-exail-technologies-tap-launch-pr-eng.pdf First Interoperable AI Agent Trained on Multimodal Patient Data is Accessible Through Model Context Protocol (MCP), Bringing State-of-the-Art Agentic AI to the Healthcare Industry Owkin, an AI company on a mission to solve the complexity of biology, today announced that its interoperable Pathology Explorer AI agent will be included in the launch of Claude for Healthcare and Life Sciences (HCLS) by Anthropic. This marks the first time a highly specialized, world-leading biological agent trained primarily on multimodal patient data is accessible through the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to a broad audience of healthcare and life sciences professionals. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112836381/en/ Owkin's Specialized Biological AI Agent Pathology Explorer Launches with Anthropic's Claude for Healthcare and Life Sciences. The collaboration enables seamless integration of Owkin's advanced pathology analysis capabilities into Claude's AI platform, making sophisticated biological intelligence accessible to healthcare organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions within their Claude workflows, without requiring system overhauls or proprietary process changes. "I believe this agentic interoperability is the future of biopharma discoveries," said Thomas Clozel, M.D., CEO and co-founder of Owkin. "By making our best-in-class agents trained on patient data from the world's leading hospitals accessible through portals like Claude for HCLS, we're enabling the biggest healthcare organizations to accelerate their research in ways that weren't possible before. This is about putting patient data first when training AI and making that intelligence universally available to cure disease faster." Pathology Explorer is part of Owkin's K Pro community of agents for biology. This agent identifies and locates cell and tissue types, enabling spatially-aware analysis of patient tissue images. Using the agent, users can analyze tumors and their microenvironments and study inflammation patterns. Pathology Explorer enables the extraction of biomarkers from digitized pathology images to generate and validate hypotheses through cohort-level survival analysis a critical capability for accelerating drug discovery, clinical trial design, and development of digital diagnostic tools. The agent leverages proprietary, best-in-class AI models that have been trained on patient histopathology data sourced from Owkin's network spanning over 800 hospitals from 104 healthcare centers, enabling it to deliver high-accuracy analysis. Owkin MCP Integration Enables Seamless Access Owkin has developed industry standard MCP encoding specifically designed to allow its proprietary K Pro agents to integrate seamlessly with Claude's interface. Pathology Explorer is the first agent from Owkin's interoperable agentic AI infrastructure for biology to be offered for external integration, demonstrating the company's commitment to building an open, API-first infrastructure that can serve as the universal foundation for advancing drug development. Claude for Healthcare and Life Sciences is designed to accelerate preclinical R&D (including bioinformatics, protocol development, and literature synthesis), streamline clinical trial operations and data management, and support regulatory affairs and submission preparation. The integration of Owkin's Pathology Explorer extends these capabilities by enabling deep biological reasoning specifically trained on real patient data. This is the third in a series of major announcements Owkin is unveiling, including agentic infrastructure for biology (Owkin's new interoperable agentic infrastructure for biopharma) and a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA to enhance OwkinZero, Owkin's biological large reasoning model. About Owkin Owkin is an AI company with $300 million in funding on a mission to solve the complexity of biology. It is building the first Biological Artificial Super Intelligence (BASI) by combining powerful biological large reasoning models, multimodal patient data, and agentic software. At the heart of this system is Owkin K, an AI copilot, and OwkinZero, Owkin's biological large reasoning model, used by researchers, clinicians, and drug developers to better understand biology, validate scientific hypotheses, and deliver better diagnostics and therapies faster. Owkin has exclusive access to multimodal patient data from more than 800 hospitals collected over a decade and partners with eight of the 10 largest pharmaceutical companies. For more information, visit www.owkin.com. Owkin Media Kit: https://www.owkin.com/press-kit View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112836381/en/ Contacts: Press Contacts: - US: Erica Zeidenberg erica@hottomato.net - UK: Ali Jennings alistair.jennings@owkin.com - EU: Malika Labou malika.labou-ext@owkin.com Burnaby, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - NatBridge Resources Ltd. (CSE: NATB) (OTCID: NATBF) (FSE: GI80) ("NatBridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it entered into a Binding Letter of Intent ("LOI") on January 9, 2026 with Teras Resources Ltd. USA ("Teras") for the proposed acquisition of 3 additional deeded Parcels of land (collectively, the "Parcels"), which form part of the Cahuilla Gold Project in Imperial County, California. The LOI builds on its mineral rights purchase agreement announced on October 21, 2025 and advances the consolidation of deeded mineral interests within the project area. This LOI replaces prior arrangements and sets out the framework for the definitive agreement for the acquisition of these Parcels. "We are excited to take this next step with Teras and further strengthen our position at the Cahuilla Gold Project with the addition of these three Parcels," commented Steve Moses, CEO of NatBridge Resources Ltd. "This LOI reflects our commitment to disciplined growth, the continued consolidation of deeded mineral interests at Cahuilla, and our ongoing collaboration with Teras. We look forward to working together to finalise the definitive agreement and advance the project in a way that delivers long-term benefits to our shareholders and stakeholders." Joseph Carrabba, CEO of Teras Resources, added: "We are pleased to be moving forward with NatBridge on this important transaction. The entry into this LOI demonstrates the constructive relationship between our teams and our shared vision for the future development of the Cahuilla Gold Project. We look forward to continuing our work together as we progress towards a definitive agreement." In consideration for the acquisition of the Parcels, NatBridge shall pay Teras USA a purchase price premised upon the previously announced Phase 1 acquisition of Parcels 45 and 46, and which will be determined by reference to the gold resource estimate to be set out in a National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") compliant technical report (the "Technical Report") with respect to the subsurface mineral rights encompassing the Parcels. Consequent to the shareholder update of December 9, 2025, the Company contracted Capps Geoscience LLC to prepare the Technical Report, as required by the British Columbia Securities Commission ("BCSC"). The Technical Report will be submitted to the BCSC on completion for review, following which it will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ in order to fulfill requirements established under the Cease Trade Order issued on December 4, 2025. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, satisfactory completion of due diligence, receipt of all required regulatory approvals, and compliance with all applicable legal requirements. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed. About NatBridge Resources Ltd. NatBridge Resources Ltd. (CSE: NATB) (OTCID: NATBF) (FSE: GI80) is a publicly traded Canadian company, also listed in the United States and Germany, leading the gold resource supply side of NatGold Digital Ltd.'s ("NatGold Digital") revolutionary, patent-pending digital gold tokenization ecosystem. This innovative approach redefines how gold's value can be captured through tokenization, eliminating extraction and its environmental, social, and financial costs through a blockchain-powered, eco-friendly digital mining process. NatBridge's strategy is focused on the supply side of the NatGold ecosystem. By acquiring gold resources that meet the qualification criteria of NatGold Digital, in accordance with NatGold Digital's strict token certification standards, NatBridge is establishing itself as a key player in this industry - operating at the intersection of three major global investment trends: gold, sustainable investing, and the tokenization of real-world assets. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the acquisition of the Parcels, the completion of the Technical Report and acquisition of the Parcels, and the tokenization of gold resources, as well as NatBridge's development plans, expansion plans, estimates, expectations, forecasts, objectives, predictions, and projections of the future. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by 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 by stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken, "occur" or "be achieved". Actual results may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties, including the ability to complete the acquisition of the Parcels, file the Technical Report, regulatory approvals, and market demand for tokenized gold. Forward-looking statements are also subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of NatBridge to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: risks related to the exploration, development, and operation of NatBridge's projects; the actual results of current exploration and development activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future precious metals prices; as well as those factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors of our business filed in NatBridge's required securities filings on SEDAR+. Although NatBridge 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. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made, by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280070 Source: NatBridge Resources Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - RZOLV Technologies Inc. (TSXV: RZL) (the "Company" or "RZOLV") today announced the results of independent metallurgical testing conducted by SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") evaluating the performance of RZOLV's proprietary, non-cyanide gold leaching formula on gravity concentrate material. The test program was carried out at SGS' Burnaby, British Columbia metallurgy laboratory and compared gold recovery achieved using RZOLV against conventional sodium cyanide under controlled bottle-roll leaching conditions. The material tested consisted of both oxidized and sulfide-based gravity concentrates sourced from 2 separate gold projects located in Alaska. The material was prepared to a particle size of 80% passing 2 mm. The objective of the test work was to evaluate the technical performance of RZOLV relative to cyanide on high-grade gravity concentrate material, particularly in contexts where cyanide use may be constrained or less effective. Under the specific laboratory test parameters evaluated by SGS, RZOLV achieved gold recoveries of 98.7% on oxide-based gravity concentrates and 89.4% on sulfide-based gravity concentrates over a 96-hour leach retention time. Under the same laboratory conditions, a reference solution containing 2,000 ppm sodium cyanide achieved gold recoveries of 99.9% and 90.7%, respectively. The Company notes that results are specific to the material tested and the conditions applied. Further test work is ongoing to evaluate performance across a broader range of ore types, mineralogical characteristics, and operating conditions. RZOLV continues to focus on third-party validation and disciplined test programs as it advances the evaluation of its technology for potential commercial applications. Chart 1: Bottle Roll Leaching Recovery Results - (SGS) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11597/280071_rzolv.jpg Figure 1: Bottle Roll Leaching Recovery Results - (SGS) Test Reagent Cal Head (g/t Au) Residue (g/t Au) Recoveries (%) 1hr 2hrs 4hrs 8hrs 24 hrs 48 hrs 72 hrs 96 hrs Oxide Cons RZOLV 339.0 4.280 21.6 32.2 41.5 57.7 86.3 97.9 - 98.7 CN 357.9 0.0 32.3 57.3 82.4 93.5 99.7 99.9 99.9 99.9 Sulphide Cons RZOLV 421.0 44.8 25.4 39.6 49.4 54.4 75.1 81.6 86.4 89.4 CN 433.2 40.4 46.8 62.0 77.6 82.2 89.1 90.7 90.7 90.7 * Note: Results shown are derived from laboratory-scale bottle-roll testing under controlled conditions. CEO Commentary Duane Nelson, President and CEO of RZOLV Technologies Inc., stated: "We are very pleased with the independent metallurgical testing conducted by SGS. Under the test conditions evaluated, RZOLV's non-cyanide solution demonstrated gold recoveries and leach kinetics comparable to those achieved using cyanide-based reference methods commonly applied prior to smelter treatment, under the specific laboratory conditions evaluated. These results represent a meaningful technical milestone for the industry and support RZOLV's potential to provide a cost-effective alternative to the current cyanide, and smelter-based methods used today for the treatment of gold-bearing concentrates." The metallurgical results reported herein are laboratory-scale only and are not intended to support, nor should they be construed as supporting, any mineral resource, reserve, or production estimates. Key Test Highlights - Independent SGS Metallurgical Results Independent third-party validation by SGS - All metallurgical test work was conducted by SGS Canada Inc. at its Burnaby, BC laboratory under controlled conditions, providing independent confirmation of performance using industry-standard methods Excellent gold recoveries on gravity concentrates - RZOLV achieved 98.7% gold recovery on oxide gravity concentrates and 89.4% recovery on sulfide gravity concentrates over a 96-hour leach cycle, demonstrating strong dissolution performance on high-grade materials Performance comparable to cyanide under identical conditions - Under the same laboratory parameters, RZOLV delivered gold recoveries and leach kinetics that were directly comparable to a 2,000-ppm sodium cyanide reference solution, confirming technical parity without the use of cyanide Demonstrated effectiveness on both oxide and sulfide concentrates - The ability to achieve high recoveries across two distinct concentrate types suggests broad applicability to gravity and flotation concentrate streams where cyanide or smelting may be constrained or uneconomic Potential alternative to smelter-based concentrate treatment - Management believes these results support RZOLV's potential to provide a cost-effective, non-cyanide alternative to smelter treatment for certain gold concentrates - a market segment historically limited by high costs, logistics, and ESG constraints Material sourced from real operating jurisdictions - Test material originated from two separate gold projects in Alaska, reinforcing that the results are based on representative, real-world concentrate material rather than synthetic or idealized samples Strong technical foundation for scale-up and further optimization - While results are specific to the material and conditions tested, the Company has emphasized disciplined test programs and ongoing evaluation across a broader range of mineralogies and operating parameters as it advances toward commercial deployment Stock Options The Company also announces a grant of 1,660,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") to certain directors, officers, employees, and consultants to the Company. Each Option is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company (a "Share") at a price of $0.50 per Share, for a period of five years from the date of grant. Following this stock option grant, the Company has a total of 5,490,333 stock options outstanding representing approximately 8.86% of the outstanding common shares of the Company. This stock option grant is subject to acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"). About SGS SGS is the world's leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability. We offer comprehensive testing, inspection, certification and consulting services to help mining businesses optimize processes, ensure regulatory compliance and enhance sustainability. We support your mining operations at every stage - from exploration, resource development, feasibility studies, planning and construction, through to operation, production, transportation and site rehabilitation. About RZOLV Technologies Inc. RZOLV Technologies Inc. is a next-generation clean-technology company redefining how gold is recovered in a world demanding safer, smarter, and more sustainable mining. The Company develops innovative, non-cyanide hydrometallurgical solutions designed to unlock gold that conventional chemistry leaves behind-while materially reducing environmental risk and regulatory friction. Its flagship technology, RZOLV, is a proprietary, water-based gold-dissolution system engineered to deliver performance comparable to traditional cyanide leaching, without the toxicity, permitting constraints, or long-term liabilities associated with legacy reagents. By operating within a broader and more controllable chemical window, RZOLV enables gold recovery from complex ores, concentrates, and previously stranded materials-creating new economic value where existing methods fail. RZOLV is not simply replacing cyanide; it is expanding the addressable gold-recovery market by aligning metallurgical performance with modern ESG expectations, regulatory realities, and the mining industry's urgent need for safer chemistry. Cautionary Note Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The metallurgical testing and analytical work referenced in this release were conducted by an independent laboratory using industry-standard methods. The technical information contained herein has been reviewed by Company management with relevant metallurgical and process engineering experience. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such 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. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential commercial application of RZOLV, future metallurgical performance, scale-up outcomes, permitting considerations, and market adoption. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. 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. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280071 Source: RZOLV Technologies Inc. 'Neo-militarism' will once again lead Japan toward abyss 09:40, January 12, 2026 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily Amid escalating worsening regional tensions, Japan continues expanding its defense budget -- an approach that smacks of a self-staged drama." In its year-end editorial for 2025, Tokyo Shimbun sounded a warning. An increasing number of insightful voices in Japan have come to recognize that the Sanae Takaichi administration has deviated from Japan's postwar pacifist path, continuously fabricating a sense of danger for the public and building momentum for what can only be described as "neo-militarism." Historical precedents remain starkly relevant. A look back at Japan before and during World War II shows that deception and manipulation of its own people ran throughout the criminal expansion of militarism. In the end, wars of aggression not only inflicted enormous disasters on the region, but also brought catastrophic suffering upon the Japanese people. To drive the war machine, Japan's militarists spared no effort in selling the public a "poisoned illusion." Brutal aggression was dressed up as a "just war" for national rejuvenation and the "liberation of Asia," while the slaughter and oppression of neighboring peoples were whitewashed under the banner of the so-called "Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere." To enforce this narrative, Japanese militarists constructed an ideological prison. They indoctrinated the public with the Kokoku Shikan, a historical view that regards the history of Japan as the unfolding of a divine plan centered on the Emperor, proclaiming Japan a "divine nation" and the Japanese people superior to all others. They promulgated documents such as the Imperial Rescript on Education and Shinmin no michi, enforcing imperial indoctrination and servile education to subordinate the populace to the will of war. They fabricated cultural toxins that glorified warfare, including works such as North Shore Troops and the so-called "soldier" trilogy, promoting spurious "heroic deeds." Even after catastrophic defeat in World War II, they continued to issue fictitious victory reports through "Imperial General Headquarters announcements," constructing within Japan an information cocoon completely divorced from reality. Countless Japanese youth were funneled into the war machine. Under the grip of militarist slogans such as "seven lives for the emperor" and "one hundred million shattered jewels," they were reduced to cannon fodder. Many civilians were forced to endure extreme rationing under the National Mobilization Law, driving daily life to the brink of collapse. Countless women were deceived or coerced into becoming so-called "comfort women" for the military, many of whom lost their lives. When the illusion finally collapsed, the price was written in blood: more than three million Japanese died, over 120,000 war orphans were left displaced, and large numbers of people in the Ryukyu Islands were forced into "mass suicides." From deceiving the people to bringing calamity upon them, Japanese militarism is at its core a doctrine of bloodthirsty gambling. Recently, a Japanese scholar writing for People's Daily recalled a phrase often spoken by his elders: "It was a good thing that Japan lost the war." The depth of Japan's painful memory of war is evident in such words. History's warning is close at hand, yet Japan's right wing is repeating old tricks. Under the rhetoric of so-called "normalizing the state," and in the name of strengthening "autonomous defense" and building a "nation capable of fighting," they are whipping up support for "neo-militarism." They deny the history of aggression and tamper with history textbooks in an attempt to shed what they call the "burden of history," poisoning and brainwashing younger generations. They exaggerate "external threats" and a "survival-threatening situation," seek to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, and attempt to break free from the constraints of the Pacifist Constitution and the status of a defeated nation. Externally, they fan the flames of tension and provoke confrontation, hoping to profit from chaos and seize opportunities for expansion. In short, Japan's right wing seeks to completely abandon the pacifist path that underpinned Japan's postwar development and to reshape the country according to its obsession with "neo-militarism." As Japan's right wing pushes the country further down the misguided road of militarism, it will ultimately be the Japanese people who bear the cost. Japan's defense budget for fiscal year 2026 has reached a record high of 9.04 trillion yen ($57.41 billion), sparking widespread opposition at home. At a time when Japan's economy faces sluggish growth and shrinking fiscal space, the public broadly hopes the government will prioritize revitalizing the economy and improving social welfare. A renewed turn toward military expansion has only deepened concerns among thoughtful voices in Japan. "The so-called 'three security documents' speak only of preparing for war, not of avoiding it." "Takaichi's remarks do more harm than good and do not serve Japan's national interests." "Japan's diplomacy should aim to maintain stable and normal external relations." Such voices opposing militarism continue to emerge within Japan, reflecting profound anxiety over the country's strategic direction. More than 80 years ago, the Japanese people were handed a hollow promise that "the war could be won," only to inherit ruins and immeasurable suffering. Today, right-wing forces remain fixated on the same obsession, attempting once again to drag the nation into the abyss of "neo-militarism" and to repeat a path that harms both others and itself. Against this backdrop, Japan's peace advocates must remain highly vigilant. Japan's future does not lie in right-wing fantasies but in a thorough reckoning with its history of aggression, fostering neighborly relations, and steadfastly safeguarding regional peace and development. (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, Liang Jun) EQS-Media / 12.01.2026 / 18:35 CET/CEST FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE vVARDIS Founders Present Drill-Free Early Cavity Treatment and Unveil Global Cavity Awareness Campaign at the 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference vVARDIS founders Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi share details on oral healthcare company's remarkable growth trajectory - with over 2 million teeth treated in 24 months - at premiere healthcare investment event SAN FRANCISCO, CA - January 12, 2026 - vVARDIS , a Swiss high-growth healthcare company, active in the development of innovative dental products, today presented its pioneering solution for the treatment of early cavities, Curodont , at the 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Founded by dentist-entrepreneur sisters Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, vVARDIS is recognized for its commitment to advancing the standard of non-invasive dental care through Curodont, its drill-free solution for dental professionals. The product has experienced rapid growth and attracted significant investor attention since its launch in the U.S. market two years ago. The vVARDIS founders returned to the conference stage after being personally highlighted by J.P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon at the 2025 event- rare in the conference's history. This recognition highlights vVARDIS' status as an innovative, disruptive and rapidly growing company in the dental sector. "Being recognized by Jamie Dimon and invited to return as presenters at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference is an extraordinary honor-not just for us, but for the entire field of oral health," said Dr. Haley Abivardi, DMD, co-CEO and co-founder of vVARDIS. "This platform has amplified our ability to reach the world's leading healthcare innovators and investors, accelerating our mission to transform how cavities are treated globally and improve overall health through better oral health." During their presentation at the conference, Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi showcased vVARDIS as a company founded by dentists and serial dental entrepreneurs, dedicated to addressing the global burden of cavities as indicated by the World Health Organization. They highlighted that, prior to the launch of Curodont, dental professionals had no non-invasive restorative treatment option for early-stage cavities; drilling and filling was the only available approach. Curodont, vVARDIS' innovative flagship technology, offers significant benefits to both patients and dental professionals as a non-invasive, environmentally friendly solution for the treatment of early-stage cavities. At the presentation, they shared vVARDIS' ongoing commercial momentum and strong growth metrics, including over 2 million teeth treated in the U.S. alone in 24 months[1]. The presentation underscored vVARDIS' unique investment proposition, emphasizing the company's access to a large and growing market, its breakthrough science and proven clinical results, and the significant commercial momentum achieved in recent years-making Curodont the fastest-growing dental product in its category in the U.S.[2]. "Presenting at J.P. Morgan Healthcare marks a turning point for dentistry, as the connection between oral and overall health is being recognized and championed by the broader healthcare industry and investors," said Dr. Goly Abivardi, DMD, co-CEO and co-founder of vVARDIS. "With this support, we're able to accelerate a ground-breaking, transformational innovation towards non-invasive, early-intervention dental care similar to the advancements that medicine embraced years ago. As dentists, we are delighted to bring forward the first non-invasive treatment for early-stage cavities through in-depth restoration of lost minerals - a restorative treatment without artificial materials - that promises to elevate the standard of care for patients around the world." With more than 25 years of science, vVARDIS' Curodont is backed by universities internationally and has earned the endorsement of renowned thought leaders, clinical experts, and innovators across the dental profession. Dr. German O. Gallucci, Chair of the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, said, "Curodont is highly effective for treatment of early decays. This new non-invasive therapeutic option is a game changer in the battle against tooth decay." At the conference, vVARDIS' founders Drs. Haley & Goly Abivardi also initiated a new global public health awareness campaign addressing the widespread and under-recognized global cavity crisis. Launched under the name "Save Teeth Save Lives" and symbolized by a turquoise ribbon, the initiative highlights the strong link between oral health and overall health and aims to drive greater awareness for earlier intervention and non-invasive approaches to the treatment of cavities worldwide. The presence of cavities is the most prevalent non-communicable disease worldwide and the most widespread health issue in the U.S., affecting nearly 90 percent of adults aged 20 to 64. It is also the most common chronic childhood disease, with about 52 percent of children having experienced a cavity in their baby teeth by age 8. Despite its prevalence across all demographic groups, cavities disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including children and low-income communities; they contribute to serious and costly chronic conditions such as heart disease, and if left untreated, can lead to a 26 percent increased risk of all-cause mortality[3]. Only in the U.S., 32 million school hours and 92 million work hours are lost annually due to unplanned and emergency cavity treatments. The progression from early-stage decay to bigger cavities can be rapid, especially in children, but there is a critical window to halt this process and even restore tooth health throughout the depth of the early cavities with Curodont. Drs. Abivardi wore and distributed the ribbons throughout the conference, inviting attendees to join the movement and raise awareness about this overlooked epidemic. Through early intervention, fear-free and drill-free treatments, the awareness campaign supports lifelong oral health, dignity, and well-being. vVARDIS' innovation has been recognized by Dental Advisor, which just named the company 2026 Innovative Company of the Year. Additionally, Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus received the Research Award which is a recognition of vVARDIS' commitment to science-driven solutions that empower dental professionals to enhance patient care and outcomes. vVARDIS' momentum has been fueled by $85 million in funding from OrbiMed and an expanded partnership with Henry Schein, helping to accelerate the company's growth across North America. Today, Curodont is being rapidly adopted by dental practices and is now available in nearly 12 percent of dental offices in the U.S., including leading DSOs such as Aspen Dental and Heartland Dental. Curodont is transforming oral care standards and addressing an over $30 billion opportunity in oral health in the U.S. market. The Abivardi sisters are available for interviews throughout the conference to discuss the science behind Curodont, their journey as founders, the importance of public health advocacy, and the significance of Jamie Dimon's recognition for the future of dental innovation. Media Contact: Stephanie Blank Stephanie.blank@fgsglobal.com 917-593-2907 About vVARDIS AG vVARDIS is a disruptive high-growth Swiss healthcare company located in Zug, Switzerland that offers groundbreaking biomimetic, non-invasive solutions for dental professionals under the Curodont brand. Founded by Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, sisters, Swiss dentists, innovators, and awarded entrepreneurs, vVARDIS is the result of more than 25 years of research, paired with the commitment of its founders to make an impact on people's lives, especially the underserved. vVARDIS' mission is to expand access to novel approaches to the standard of care in dentistry with the purpose of improving oral health - the foundation for overall health. vVARDIS is backed by more than 25 years of science, 230 scientific publications, including meta-analysis, peer-reviewed clinical studies and a long-term peer-reviewed real-world evidence study demonstrating a success rate above 90 percent. It has been used in clinical practice for more than 10 years. Curodont is already mentioned in lectures at renowned universities as a standard of care for the treatment of early cavities. vVARDIS is a member of the WEF Innovator Communities. For more information, visit vVARDIS at www.vVARDIS.com and www.linkedin.com/company/vvardis . About Curodont Using a proprietary biomimetic formulation, Curodont is a groundbreaking drill-free, needle-free treatment for early cavities. Working together with minerals in the saliva, Curodont treats the early cavities by hydroxyapatite generation throughout the depth of the lesion. Curodont is fast and easy to apply by a dental professional: once the formula is applied, it disperses through the enamel and repairs the missing parts of the tooth (lesions) with minerals from saliva by mimicking the way nature created teeth (biomimetic). The beauty of this product is that Curodont helps patients save the natural tooth structure without artificial filling materials. # # # [1] Data on file [2] vVARDIS' ranked first in growth rate in the 2024 vs 2023 and YTD June 2025 periods among dental manufacturers with more than $1M sales in both the all merchandise & small equipment categories and preventive (Source: SDM Northcoast, LLC). [3] Liu J et al. Int J Epidemiol. 2022;51:1291-1303 End of Media Release Issuer: vVardis AG Key word(s): Health 12.01.2026 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Press Release, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group . The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. View original content: EQS News Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - KO Gold Inc. (CSE: KOG) ("KO Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated December 15, 2025, it has increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") due to strong investor demand. The Private Placement was previously comprised of up to 12,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.15 per Unit. The Company has increased the maximum number of Units issuable at a price of $0.15 per Unit to up to 14,914,866 Units, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,237,230. Each such Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one transferable common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of C$0.25 for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance. The Company expects to complete a first closing of the Private Placement on January 14, 2026, for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,980,475.35, representing the issuance of 13,203,169 Units (the "Initial Tranche"). In addition, the Company expects to complete a further closing of the Private Placement (the "Second Tranche") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately up to $458,555, consisting of the issuance of: (a) up to 1,711,697 Units at a price of $0.15 per Unit; and (b) up to 1,034,872 Units at a price of $0.195 per Unit. Each Unit issued at a price of $0.15 per Unit will consist of one Share and one Warrant, with each such Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of C$0.25 for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance. Each Unit issued at a price of $0.195 per Unit will consist of one Share and one Warrant, with each such Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of C$0.26 for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance. All securities to be issued in connection with the Initial Tranche will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring on May 15, 2026, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Completion of the Second Tranche of the Private Placement is subject to shareholder approval pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, as the issuance of securities under the Private Placement would result in the issuance of securities in excess of 100% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares on a fully diluted basis. The Company intends to obtain the required shareholder approval by written consent of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding common shares of the Company, as permitted under the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Upon receipt of such shareholder approval and all required regulatory approvals, the Company expects to close the Second Tranche of the Private Placement. The Private Placement is for aggregate gross proceeds of up to approximately $2,439,030, assuming completion of all tranches. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement for general working capital purposes and to fund ongoing exploration and drilling programs in the Otago Gold District, New Zealand. In connection with the Initial Tranche, the Company expects to pay finder's fees of $28,735 in cash and expects to issue 191,567 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") to certain qualified parties upon closing. Each Finder's Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one common share at an exercise price of C$0.25 for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance, being on the same terms as the warrants issued in connection with the Initial Tranche of the Private Placement. 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 applicable 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 KO Gold Inc. KO Gold is a Canadian junior exploration company listed on the CSE under "KOG". The Company's strategy is to acquire and explore highly prospective gold properties within the Otago Gold District in New Zealand. KO Gold presently, has four 100%-owned prospecting and exploration permits within the Otago Gold District for a combined land package of 400 km2 (including the Carrick Range exploration permit application). The Company's Smylers, Hyde and Glenpark EPs are located adjacent to OceanaGold's Macraes Gold Mine and the Carrick EP hosts the historic Carrick Goldfield which holds promise as a significant gold deposit near Santana Minerals' Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project. The Company also has an NSR on three additional permits, Garibaldi, Raggedy Range, and Rough Ridge South totaling 243km2. KO Gold has spent over C$3M in exploration and drilling on its permits in the Otago Gold District over the past five years including RC and diamond drilling on its Smylers EP. For further information, please contact: The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "propose," "estimate," "may," "will," "would," "potential," or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the completion of the balance of the Private Placement; the receipt of shareholder approval by written consent and other required regulatory approvals; the anticipated timing of such approvals and any additional closings; the intended use of proceeds of the Private Placement; and the payment of finder's fees and issuance of finder's warrants, if any. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates and opinions of management as of the date of this news release and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the risk that shareholder approval may not be obtained or may be delayed; the risk that required regulatory or exchange approvals may not be obtained on a timely basis or at all; changes in market conditions; the Company's ability to complete the Private Placement on the terms announced or at all; and the risk that the proceeds of the Private Placement may not be used as currently anticipated. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280075 Source: KO Gold Inc. New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Matt Stang, former High Times co-owner and Chief Revenue Officer, recently announced his return to the publication for its new era. Matthew Stang is partnering with HBI Innovations - independent distributor of the RAW brand of smoking accessories - founder Josh Kesselman for this venture. Stang and Kesselman paid $3.5 million to acquire the counterculture magazine and brand. This new era for High Times plans to rebuild the magazine's digital presence to host podcasts and platform experts and community voices and pay homage to the brand's iconic legacy. "It's time to bring back and revive the community we built together," Matt Stang stated. Former High Times co-owner Matthew Woodstock Stang with Josh Kesselman, who paid $3.5 million for the High Times intellectual property rights. Photo: Big Freezy Matt Stang started as an intern at High Times in the late early 2000s. He spent nearly two decades inside the brand, eventually rising to the Chief Revenue Officer position and worked to expand the magazine's reach during the early days of legalization. One of Matt Stang's most notable contributions was the Cannabis Cup. Under his guidance, Matthew Stang helped the event evolve from a small gathering in Amsterdam into a multi-city, international celebration of cannabis culture. "It was never just about the trophies," Matt Stang told High Times, "It was about recognition. Community. Celebration."1 Matthew Woodstock Stang started as an intern at High Times in the early 2000s. (May 1992 Issue of High Times featuring a cover story on John Lennon) In a statement on the magazine's new era, Matt Stang said he and Kesselman are positioning High Times as an authority on cannabis and psychedelics. "At its heart, this is about reigniting the passion of longtime fans while inspiring a new generation to carry the torch forward. It's about sharing connection and honoring the culture we love so dearly."2 1. High Times. "HIGH TIMES RETURNS: The Counterculture Giant Reclaims Its Roots." hightimes.com, 17 June 2025, https://hightimes.com/news/high-times-returns-the-counterculture-giant-reclaims-its-roots/. Accessed 12 January 2026. 2. Jackson, Margaret. "Marijuana brand High Times to return after $3.5 million acquisition." MJBizDaily, 17 June 2025, https://mjbizdaily.com/news/marijuana-brand-high-times-to-return-after-3-5-million-acquisition/405176/. Accessed 12 January 2026. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280065 Source: Honest Media , LLC Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Arya Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RBZ) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated December 24, 2025, the Company has closed the non-flow-through portion (the "NFT Tranche") of its previously announced non-brokered private placement. Under the NFT Tranche, the Company issued 1,413,334 common shares at a price of $0.30 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $424,000.20. In total, the Company has now raised $1.644 million through a combination of flow-through and non-flow-through financings. Finder's fees totaling $19,180.14 in cash and 63,933 finder warrants were paid in connection with the NFT Tranche. Each finder warrant is exercisable at a price of $0.33 per common share for a period of two years from the date of issuance. All securities issued in connection with the non-brokered private placement are subject to a statutory hold period expiring May 13, 2026, in accordance with applicable securities laws and TSX Venture Exchange policies. About Arya Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RBZ) Arya Resources Ltd. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious and critical-metal projects in Saskatchewan. The Company is advancing its flagship Wedge Lake Gold Project and its Dunlop Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project, both located in mining-friendly jurisdictions with excellent infrastructure. As a Tier 2 issuer on the TSX Venture Exchange, Arya is committed to building shareholder value through discovery-driven exploration, disciplined execution, and responsible development. For more information, please visit us at www.aryaresourcesltd.com. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Rasool Mohammad, CEO Twitter: @ARYARESOURCES Facebook: @AryaResourcesLtd. LinkedIn: @AryaResourcesLtd. YouTube: @ARYARESOURCES Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. 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 Company's intentions, plans, estimates, expectations or beliefs. 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, including, without limitation to those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, 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. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280029 Source: Arya Resources Ltd. NSPA Supports NATO Countries in the Acquisition and Sustainment of GA-ASI's Advanced Multi-Domain RPA SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) have announced the procurement of eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The program includes four Certifiable Ground Control Stations. First delivery is expected in 2028. Germany joins a growing list of NATO countries that have selected GA-ASI's advanced MQ-9B RPA for its multi-domain capabilities with exceptionally long range and endurance. The platform provides pole-to-pole satellite control and de-icing capabilities to enable missions in cold climates. SeaGuardian features two multi-mode surface-search radars that deliver wide-area maritime surveillance, with an option to add Anti-Submarine Warfare capability. Additionally, MQ-9B's in-house-developed Detect and Avoid System aids its ability to fly in unsegregated airspace for domestic civilian operations, making it highly versatile for operations from Germany. In 2025, MQ-9B became the first large RPA to obtain a Military Type Certificate from the UK's Military Aviation Authority, certifying its safe operation without geographic restrictions, including over populous areas. "We're thrilled that Germany has joined the list of NATO countries that have selected MQ-9B SeaGuardian," said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. "The proliferation of MQ-9B in Europe delivers commonality between NATO countries and for Germany, it will provide opportunities for interoperability with their fleet of P-8As." The acquisition negotiation was executed on behalf of Germany by NSPA, which has developed a contractual framework through the MQ-9 Support Partnership (MIC SP) for supporting cooperation amongst its member nations and enabling the procurement of MQ-9B for NATO Allies and Partners. NSPA has added MQ-9B to its portfolio of defense systems to contract on behalf of NATO nations, with the goal of enhancing interoperability for joint training and operations. "This Support Partnership demonstrates how NSPA enables efficient, effective and responsive multinational acquisitions for advanced, interoperable capabilities. We are proud to support Germany in this strategic investment for maritime surveillance and security," said Ms. Stacy A. Cummings, NSPA General Manager. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models as well as the Protector RG Mk1 that is currently being delivered to the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force (RAF). GA-ASI also has MQ-9B procurement contracts with Belgium, Canada, Denmark, India, Japan, Poland, Taiwan and the U.S. Air Force in support of the Special Operations Command and is looking forward to welcoming Germany to that group. MQ-9B has also been featured in various U.S. Navy exercises, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, RIMPAC, and Group Sail. About GA-ASI General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world's foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 9 million flight hours, the Predator line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-20 Avenger, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike. For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com. Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. Contact: GA-ASI Media Relations General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. ASI-MediaRelations@ga-asi.com (858) 524-8101 SOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/aerospace-and-defense/germany-buys-eight-mq-9b-seaguardianr-rpa-through-nspa-1126353 Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - TMX Group today announced its financing activity on Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) for December 2025. TSX welcomed 84 new issuers in December 2025, compared with 15 in the previous month and seven in December 2024. The new listings were 78 Canadian Depositary Receipts, two exchange traded funds, one industrial products company, and three mining companies. Total financings raised in December 2025 decreased 29% compared to the previous month, but were up 151% compared to December 2024. The total number of financings in December 2025 was 37, compared with 43 the previous month and 26 in December 2024. For additional data relating to the number of transactions billed for TSX, please click on the following link: https://www.tmx.com/resource/en/440 . There were two new issuers on TSXV in December 2025, compared with three in the previous month and two in December 2024. The new listings were one mining company and one technology company. Total financings raised in December 2025 decreased 14% compared to the previous month, but were up 222% compared to December 2024. There were 123 financings in December 2025, compared with 153 in the previous month and 120 in December 2024. TMX Group consolidated trading statistics for December 2025 can be viewed at www.tmx.com. Toronto Stock Exchange December 2025 November 2025 December 2024 Issuers Listed 2,091 2,019 1,824 New Issuers Listed 84 15 7 IPOs 2 13 4 Graduates from TSXV 2 1 0 Issues Listed 2,741 2,683 2,464 IPO Financings Raised $3,000,020 $14,888,218 $27,040,000 Secondary Financings Raised $1,861,376,147 $3,194,914,885 $1,144,339,241 Supplemental Financings Raised $1,135,698,176 $1,038,639,000 $25,812,306 Total Financings Raised $3,000,074,343 $4,248,442,103 $1,197,191,547 Total Number of Financings 37 43 26 Market Cap Listed Issues $6,284,814,021,769 $6,214,775,374,204 $4,904,463,906,025 Year-to-date Statistics 2025 2024 % change New Issuers Listed 375 148 +153.4 IPOs 257 131 +96.2 Graduates from TSXV 11 9 +22.2 IPO Financings Raised $2,525,244,486 $1,349,162,470 +87.2 Secondary Financings Raised $14,536,556,469 $12,826,982,105 +13.3 Supplemental Financings Raised $6,195,748,384 $1,975,084,450 +213.7 Total Financings Raised $23,257,549,339 $16,151,229,025 +44.0 Total Number of Financings 587 420 +39.8 Market Cap Listed Issues $6,284,814,021,769 $4,904,463,906,025 +28.1 TSX Venture Exchange ** December 2025 November 2025 December 2024 Issuers Listed 1,739 1,781 1,833 New Issuers Listed 2 3 2 IPOs 0 1 0 Graduates to TSX 2 1 0 Issues Listed 1,799 1,842 1,904 IPO Financings Raised $0 $750,000 $0 Secondary Financings Raised (1) $94,921,367 $442,073,816 $65,406,542 Supplemental Financings Raised $1,474,603,140 $1,383,810,942 $422,559,650 Total Financings Raised $1,569,524,507 $1,826,634,758 $487,966,192 Total Number of Financings 123 153 120 Market Cap Listed Issues $142,029,732,228 $134,025,734,488 $88,810,444,019 Year-to-date Statistics 2025 2024 % Change New Issuers Listed 38 48 -20.8 IPOs 11 12 -8.3 Graduates to TSX 11 9 +22.2 IPO Financings Raised $18,189,685 $10,587,540 +71.8 Secondary Financings Raised (1) $1,840,810,283 $1,045,832,659 +76.0 Supplemental Financings Raised $8,234,771,249 $3,646,007,306 +125.9 Total Financings Raised $10,093,771,217 $4,702,427,505 +114.7 Total Number of Financings 1,359 1,182 +15.0 Market Cap Listed Issues $142,029,732,228 $88,810,444,019 +59.9 **Includes NEX (not applicable to New Issuers Listed, IPOs and IPO Financings Raised) (1) Secondary financings include prospectus offerings on both a treasury and secondary basis The information contained in this media release is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide investment, trading, financial or other advice. Comparative data has been updated to reflect known corrections. TMX Group welcomes the following companies that listed during December 2025: Toronto Stock Exchange Issuer Name Company Symbol 3M CDR (CAD Hedged) MMMM Abbott Labs CDR (CAD Hedged) ABT AbbVie CDR (CAD Hedged) ABBV Adobe CDR (CAD Hedged) ADBE Airbnb CDR (CAD Hedged) ABNB American Express CDR (CAD Hedged) AXP Amgen CDR (CAD Hedged) AMGN Applied Materials CDR (CAD Hedged) AMAT Arista Networks CDR (CAD Hedged) ANET AutoZone CDR (CAD Hedged) AZO Bank of America CDR (CAD Hedged) BOFA BlackRock CDR (CAD Hedged) BLK Blackstone CDR (CAD Hedged) BX Boeing CDR (CAD Hedged) BA Booking CDR (CAD Hedged) BKNG Broadcom CDR (CAD Hedged) AVGO Caterpillar CDR (CAD Hedged) CATR Charles Schwab CDR (CAD Hedged) SCHW Chevron CDR (CAD Hedged) CHEV Chipotle CDR (CAD Hedged) CMGS Citigroup CDR (CAD Hedged) CITI Constellation Brands CDR (CAD Hedged) STZ CrowdStrike CDR (CAD Hedged) CRWD CVS Health CDR (CAD Hedged) CVS Deere CDR (CAD Hedged) DEER Eli Lilly CDR (CAD Hedged) LLY Evolve Big Six Canadian Banks UltraYield Index ETF SIXY Exxon Mobil CDR (CAD Hedged) XOM Fiserv CDR (CAD Hedged) FI Ford CDR (CAD Hedged) F GE Aerospace CDR (CAD Hedged) GE GE Vernova CDR (CAD Hedged) GEV Gilead Sciences CDR (CAD Hedged) GILD Global X Copper Producer Equity Covered Call ETF CPCC Goldman Sachs CDR (CAD Hedged) GS Greenland Resources Inc. MOLY Home Depot CDR (CAD Hedged) HD Honeywell CDR (CAD Hedged) HON IBM CDR (CAD Hedged) IBM Intel CDR (CAD Hedged) INTC Intuitive Surgical CDR (CAD Hedged) ISRG Johnson & Johnson CDR (CAD Hedged) JNJ JPMorgan CDR (CAD Hedged) JPM KKR CDR (CAD Hedged) KKR lululemon CDR (CAD Hedged) LULU Mastercard CDR (CAD Hedged) MA McDonald's CDR (CAD Hedged) MCDS Merck CDR (CAD Hedged) MRK Micron CDR (CAD Hedged) MU Morgan Stanley CDR (CAD Hedged) MS Netflix CDR (CAD Hedged) NFLX NextEra Energy CDR (CAD Hedged) NEE NIKE CDR (CAD Hedged) NKE Occidental Petroleum CDR (CAD Hedged) OXY Oracle CDR (CAD Hedged) ORAC Palantir CDR (CAD Hedged) PLTR Palo Alto Networks CDR (CAD Hedged) PANW PayPal CDR (CAD Hedged) PYPL Pepsi CDR (CAD Hedged) PEP Pfizer CDR (CAD Hedged) PFE Procter & Gamble CDR (CAD Hedged) PG Qualcomm CDR (CAD Hedged) QCOM RTX CDR (CAD Hedged) RTX S&P Global CDR (CAD Hedged) SPGI Salesforce CDR (CAD Hedged) CRM ServiceNow CDR (CAD Hedged) NOWS Snowline Gold Corp. SGD Starbucks CDR (CAD Hedged) SBUX STRACON Group Holding Inc. STG Supermicro CDR (CAD Hedged) SMCI Texas Instruments CDR (CAD Hedged) TXN Thermo Fisher CDR (CAD Hedged) TMO TJX CDR (CAD Hedged) TJX Uber CDR (CAD Hedged) UBER Union Pacific CDR (CAD Hedged) UNP UnitedHealth CDR (CAD Hedged) UNH UPS CDR (CAD Hedged) UPS Verizon CDR (CAD Hedged) VZ Versamet Royalties Corporation VMET Visa CDR (CAD Hedged) VISA Walmart CDR (CAD Hedged) WMT Walt Disney CDR (CAD Hedged) DIS Waste Management CDR (CAD Hedged) WAST Wells Fargo CDR (CAD Hedged) WFCS TSX Venture Exchange Issuer Name Company Symbol Lunr Royalties Corp. LUNR Paragon Advanced Labs Inc. PALS About TMX Group (TSX: X) TMX Group operates global markets, and builds digital communities and analytic solutions that facilitate the funding, growth and success of businesses, traders and investors. TMX Group's key operations include Toronto Stock Exchange, TSX Venture Exchange, TSX Alpha Exchange, The Canadian Depository for Securities, Montreal Exchange, Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation, TSX Trust, TMX Trayport, TMX Datalinx, TMX VettaFi and TMX Newsfile, which provide listing markets, trading markets, clearing facilities, depository services, technology solutions, data products and other services to the global financial community. TMX Group is headquartered in Toronto and operates offices across North America (Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver and New York), as well as in key international markets including London, Singapore and Vienna. For more information about TMX Group, visit www.tmx.com. Follow TMX Group on X: @TMXGroup. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280068 Source: TMX Group Limited The "Small Calibre Military Ammunition Market and Technology Forecast to 2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The study provides a model of the market size, in-depth insights procurement opportunities, mapping out the scope, scale, and timelines of opportunities worldwide. It also offers a solid understanding of the current situation in the small calibre military ammunition business landscape and what should be expected for the future. The small calibre military ammunition market is entering a multi-year upcycle. Elevated consumption linked to the war in Ukraine and the resetting of NATO readiness targets have shifted demand from peacetime "sustain" levels to durable, programme-based buys. Europe currently leads the expansion, with the United States remaining a strong, steady segment together underpinning a robust pipeline for qualified suppliers and investors. Supply remains the gating factor. Bottlenecks in primers, energetics (e.g., nitrocellulose), brass, and skilled labour are constraining output, while new case-draw, primer, bullet-assembly and LAP lines typically require one to three years to reach stable, qualified production. For businesses prepared to act, this imbalance creates attractive pricing, backlog visibility, and an opportunity to lock in long-term customer relationships. Winning strategies centre on scalable resilience: multi-year framework agreements and predictable training-load volumes to keep lines warm; flexible tooling to swing efficiently across 5.56/7.62/9/.50 and 6.851 families; vertical integration or long-term offtakes in primers, powders and brass; and productivity levers such as automation, yield management and OEE. Interoperability and NATO/STANAG conformance remain essential differentiators for exportability and speed to qualification. Market structure will stay fragmented as nations pursue ammunition autonomy, opening room for partnerships, JVs, and targeted M&A. At the same time, trade frictions and tariff regimes raise input costs and complicate cross-border sourcing favouring operators that diversify suppliers, regionalise footprints, dual-qualify materials and secure long-dated energetics and energy contracts. For business leaders, the message is clear: the cycle is strong, capacity is scarce, and early movers that build resilient, compliant, cost-competitive platforms will set the pace. This study examines procurement pathways for small-calibre military ammunition and assesses how the war in Ukraine is reshaping the market. The scale and value of the opportunity favour both new entrants and well-established manufacturers seeking to expand share. Even if the conflict ends in the near term, enduring security requirements and stockpile replenishment will sustain robust demand for years to come. Covered in this Study: Overview: A strong insight of the Small Military Ammunition market in the military market during 2025-2033, including highlights of the demand drivers, trends, and challenges. It also provides a snapshot of the spending with respect to regions as well as segments and sheds light on the emergence of new technologies. Market Dynamics: Snapshots into the technological developments in the small calibre military ammunition market. It also analyses the market landscape in key regions, how that is shaped by the war in Ukraine and the political and regulatory efforts undertaken to address a series of issues. Segment Analysis: Insights into the various calibres, end-use and regions from a segmental perspective and a detailed analysis of factors influencing the market for each segment. Regional Analysis: Insights into the systems market from a regional perspective and a detailed analysis of factors influencing the market for each region. Competitive Landscape Analysis: Analysis of the competitive landscape of this industry. It provides an overview of key companies, together with insights such as key alliances, strategic initiatives, and a SWOT analysis. Reasons to Buy: This report provides a global view of efforts to scale small-calibre military ammunition production, both to meet Ukraine's wartime consumption and to replenish national stockpiles. It identifies and rigorously analyses the forces reshaping the market, including policy decisions, cross-industry collaborations, supply-chain redesign, and the availability of critical raw materials. It maps regional production profiles and assistance flows to Ukraine, clarifying how these dynamics are redirecting procurement worldwide. Finally, it highlights the principal opportunities and risks so decision-makers can act with confidence to grow their businesses. Key Topics Covered: 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Trends and Insights 1.2 Main Findings by Region and Calibre 1.3 Key Conclusions 2 Introduction 2.1 Scope 2.2 Definitions 2.3 Methodology 2.4 Who will benefit from this study? 3 Technologies and Developments 3.1 Technology overview 3.2 Types of small calibre ammunition 3.3 Ammunition without lead green ammunition 3.4 A new calibre for the US military 6.8mm 3.5 Calibre modularity in rifles 3.6 Polymer and metallic lightweight ammunition 3.7 Technologies to manage inventories 3.8 Anti-drone munition 3.9 Technological developments in Russia and China 4 Critical Raw Materials 5 Market Overview 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Small calibre ammunition market volume distribution over forecast period by Region 5.3 Competitive landscape 5.4 Europe 5.4.1 European Union 5.4.2 EU Instruments: SAFE, ASAP and EDIRPA 5.4.3 Baltic region 5.4.4 Nordic region 5.4.5 France 5.4.6 Poland 5.5 North America 5.5.1 United States 5.5.2 Canada 5.6 Overview of the Chinese and Russian markets 6 Market Dynamics and Forecast Factors 6.1 Market segmentation 6.2 Drivers 6.3 Trends 6.4 Opportunities 6.5 Challenges 6.6 Forecast Factors and Notes 7 Country Analysis 7.1 Overview 7.2 North America 7.2.1 United States 8 Small Calibre Military Ammunition market to 2033 by Region 8.1 Small Calibre Military Ammunition market by Region overview 8.2 Small Calibre Military Ammunition market Region by Calibre overview 9 Small Calibre Military Ammunition market to 2033 by Calibre 9.1 Small Calibre Military Ammunition market by Calibre overview 9.2 Small Calibre Military Ammunition market Calibre by Region overview 9.2.1 5.45 mm market by Region overview 9.2.2 5.56 mm market by Region overview 9.2.3 5.7 mm market by Region overview 9.2.4 6.5 mm market by Region overview 9.2.5 6.8 mm market by Region overview 9.2.6 7.62 mm market by Region overview 9.2.7 8.6 mm market by Region overview 9.2.8 9 mm market by Region overview 9.2.9 11.43 mm market by Region overview 9.2.10 12.7 mm market by Region overview 9.2.11 12 Gauge market by Region overview 10 Opportunity Analysis 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Compound Growth Rates 10.2.1 By Region 10.2.2 By Calibre 11 Companies 11.1 BAE Systems PLC 11.1.1 Introduction 11.1.2 Products and services 11.1.3 Recent Contracts 11.1.4 SWOT Analysis 11.2 Beretta Holding 11.3 Czechoslovak Group 11.4 EDGE Group PJSC 11.5 FN Herstal 11.6 GGG Giraite Ginluotes Gamykla 11.7 MKE (Makine ve Kimya Endustrisi) Inc. 11.8 Nammo AS 11.9 Olin Winchester 11.10 PGZ Group S.A.- Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa 11.11 Poongsan 11.12 SIA Ammunity 11.13 Sig Sauer 11.14 Thales 12 Results and Conclusions Companies Mentioned BAE Systems Day Zimmermann DynCorp International Federal FN Browning FN Herstal General Dynamics Ordnance Tactical Systems General Dynamics Ordnance Tactical Systems Canada GGG (Giraite Ginluotes Gamykla) JPEO A&A Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments Ammunition Kalashnikov Group Kongsberg Defence Aerospace AS Nammo Nibe Defence Aerospace Nitrotol OU Olin/Winchester Patria Oy PGZ Mesko Remington Rheinmetall Expal Rostec SIA Ammunity Sig Sauer Speer Swedish Astor Group AB Techcrim The Kinetic Group Tula Ammo For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uh4sxv About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112882790/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 G&A's Sustainability Highlights ( 12.01.2025 ) NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Continued uncertainty surrounding the rollout of California's new climate risk disclosure regulations (SB 261) is preventing companies from having clear direction on actions needed to ensure compliance. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued an enforcement advisory on December 1 stating that in light of a recent injunction by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, CARB will not enforce any January 1, 2026 reporting requirements mandated by SB 261. At the same time, CARB said it would accept voluntary reporting and will provide further guidance on reporting under SB 261 after the appeal before the Ninth Circuit is decided, with arguments currently set for January 9, 2026. While reporting under SB 261 has been held up, mandatory reporting of GHG emissions under SB 253 will begin in 2026 with Scope 1 and 2 emissions, with Scope 3 emissions reporting to follow in 2027. In one of our Top Stories in this issue, Adrian Gonzalez of Talking Logistics points out that to stay on top of sustainability regulations in the U.S. these days, "it might be helpful to have a law degree because all the action is happening in courtrooms." He points to continued legal filings regarding the SEC's climate disclosure rules, which were finalized in March 2024 and then abandoned by the Trump administration, but have not been formally rescinded. The U.S. is not the only place where there is uncertainty regarding mandatory sustainability reporting, with the European Parliament moving to reduce reporting requirements for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). While some of these rules are already in force or entering phased implementation, future reporting requirements and timetables may change. Our other Top Story this issue is an op-ed in Sustainability Online by Juanjo Mestre, CEO of Dcycle, an environmental software company based in Madrid. Mestre says that doing away with mandatory ESG reporting risks setting back businesses years, saying, "back tracking on work that has been years in the making comes at a cost." Mestre states: "The world's largest investors and supply chains are already demanding robust environmental disclosures, not because of regulation, but because it's how they assess resilience and value creation." He argues that recent uncertainty about mandatory reporting "shouldn't be viewed by businesses as reasons to delay ESG reporting efforts," but instead as an opportunity to "build smarter systems and get ahead." Both of the authors of our Top Stories agree that regulations will continue to change but that companies must continue to focus on having strong ESG data gathering and reporting systems. According to Talking Logistics, "The regulatory landscape may be noisy and unpredictable, but that's all the more reason to stay focused on what you can control - improving visibility, strengthening collaboration, and modernizing the systems that support both." The G&A team continues to closely monitor the uncertain regulatory environment and keep you updated on changes to sustainability reporting requirements. As always, we are available to help your company take action to ensure that you have the best systems in place to efficiently gather and report your data. Reach out to us at info@ga-institute.com. This is just the introduction of G&A's Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Governance & Accountability Institute on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Governance & Accountability Institute Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/governance-accountability-institute-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Governance & Accountability Institute View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/businesses-need-to-stay-focused-despite-uncertainty-of-sustainab-1126372 Session Highlights: Best Practices for Driving Engagement around Impact Stories ATLANTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Communications professionals seeking to adapt and capitalize on the meteoric rise of AI answer engines are invited to attend a 2026 Double the Donation Community User Conference session featuring 3BL's best practices for driving engagement. "Amplify Your Mission: How Nonprofits Can Leverage Targeted Distribution and Engagement Analytics" will be presented by John Arvanitis, director of customer success for 3BL, on Jan. 22 at noon ET. Registration for this virtual event is free. Register here: https://doublethedonation.com/community-user-conference/ "The content you create, the stories you tell about your organizational commitments, and where users engage with that content, can be the difference between a missed opportunity and a breakthrough partnership," said Arvanitis, who has counseled hundreds of communications professionals during his eight years with 3BL." "We aren't just talking about social media engagement or link clicks. We're talking about reaching corporate networks and workplace giving audiences," Arvanitis added. "If your goal is to strengthen relationships with corporate donors, this session is for you." During the webcast, Arvanits will share actionable strategies to get nonprofit impact stories in front of the right eyes and enhance presence in the large language models (LLMs) underlying AI chatbots and answer engines. The session will also discuss how to utilize Double the Donation's newsroom to syndicate featured stories. With a goal to "maximize every opportunity," the Double the Donation Community User Conference starts at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 22 and continues for two days. The event is designed to equip attendees with the fundamentals, peer insights, and practical enhancement strategies needed to maximize each workplace giving channel in 2026 and beyond. About Double the Donation Double the Donation is the leading provider of matching gift and workplace giving automation software for nonprofits and educational institutions. The company's tools help organizations raise more by identifying and engaging supporters eligible for corporate giving programs. To learn more, chat with a matching gift expert at https://doublethedonation.com/get-a-demo About 3BL 3BL has revolutionized how brands share impact stories about people and the planet. By leveraging our proprietary technology and expansive distribution network, purpose-driven companies rely on 3BL to access disparate and hard-to-reach stakeholders. And, with 3BL's best-in-class analytics suite, clients can measure results and build a positive reputation that lasts. The 3BL Brand Studio combines 20+ years of editorial expertise from TriplePundit, and the reach of 3BL's unrivaled distribution network, so you can find new ways to tell your stories better and share them more widely across your target audiences. To learn more, visit 3bl.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from 3BL on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: 3BL Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/3bl Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: 3BL View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/3bl-joins-double-the-donation-community-user-conference-jan.-22-1126373 Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Paul H. Tzur and David M. Morrell have been named as Deputy Directors of the Division of Enforcement. Mr. Tzur joined the Commission on January 6, 2026, as the Deputy Director overseeing the agency's enforcement program in the Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami Regional Offices. Mr. Morrell joined the Commission on January 12, 2026, as the Deputy Director overseeing the agency's enforcement program in the New York, Boston, and Philadelphia Regional Offices. "Paul and David are excellent attorneys and dedicated public servants," said SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins. "I am delighted to have such talented individuals join the Division of Enforcement to aid in its critical role of protecting investors and the markets." Mr. Tzur joins the Commission from private practice, where he focused on white collar defense and complex commercial litigation. Before that he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Illinois, where he was a prosecutor in the Securities and Commodities Fraud Section. Mr. Tzur also served in supervisory roles as a deputy chief in the General Crimes Section and later in the Narcotics and Money Laundering Section. Following law school, Mr. Tzur clerked for the Honorable Steven M. Colloton of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Mr. Tzur received his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law and his B.S. from Duke University. Mr. Morrell joins the Commission after his return to private practice, where he focused on civil litigation and government disputes. Before that he served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Civil Division, where he led the Federal Programs Branch. Prior to that role, he oversaw DOJ's Consumer Protection Branch. Before DOJ, from 2017 to 2019, Mr. Morrell served in the White House as Special Assistant and Associate Counsel to the President and Associate Counsel. Following law school, Mr. Morrell clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas of the U.S. Supreme Court and clerked for Chief Judge Edith H. Jones of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Morrell received his J.D. from Yale University and his B.A. from Hillsdale College. "Paul and David both have a wealth of experience as experienced trial, litigation, and appellate lawyers. Their experience, intellect, and common sense will serve them well as they assume leadership over enforcement investigations and litigations in several offices that play a key role in achieving our investor protection mission. I welcome them to our talented enforcement team," said Judge Margaret A. Ryan, Director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement. "They are very well-regarded practitioners, and I am extremely pleased that Paul and David agreed to return to public service." Mr. Tzur said, "I am honored and thrilled to be joining the SEC. I look forward to working with Chairman Atkins, the Commission, and Director Ryan to identify and pursue sensible enforcement actions that aim to protect investors and maintain U.S. markets as the most trusted in the world." "It is a privilege to join the Division of Enforcement in advancing its mission of protecting the integrity of our financial markets through proper enforcement of U.S. securities laws," said Mr. Morrell. Source: Newsfile SEC Press Digest NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Chesapeake Gold Corp. (TSXV:CKG) ("Chesapeake" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that due to significant investor demand, the Company and Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud"), as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (collectively, the "Underwriters"), have agreed to increase its previously announced "bought deal" public offering (the "Underwritten Offering") from $10,000,002.60 to $15,000,300. Pursuant to the upsized Underwritten Offering, the Underwriters have agreed to purchase for resale 3,571,500 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $4.20 per Unit (the "Offering Price"). Each Unit will consist of one common share 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 purchase one Common Share at a price of $5.65 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months following the Closing Date (as defined herein). The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option (the "Over-Allotment Option", and together with the Underwritten Offering, the "Brokered Offering"), exercisable in whole or in part, at any time for a period of up to 30 days after and including the Closing Date, to purchase for resale at the Offering Price additional Units equal to up to 15% of the number of Units sold pursuant to the Underwritten Offering at the Offering Price to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes. The Company also intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "NB Offering", and together with the Brokered Offering, the "Offerings") of up to 685,000 units of the Company (the "NB Units") at a price of $4.20 per NB Unit for gross proceeds of up to $2,877,000. Each NB Unit consists of one Common Share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "NB Warrant"). Each NB Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $5.65 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months following the closing of the NB Offering. The NB Units will be issued on substantially the same terms as the Units and will be subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws until four months and one day after the closing of the NB Offering. Eric Sprott, through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation which is beneficially owned by Mr. Sprott, has indicated his intention to participate in the NB Offering to maintain his pro rata ownership of common shares of the Company following the completion of the Offerings. Prior to the Offerings, Mr. Sprott beneficially owned or controlled 12,883,499 common shares and 1,850,000 warrants representing approximately 17.9% of the outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis and approximately 19.9% on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of such warrants. As the NB Offering involves a "related party transaction" within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 (the "Policy") and Multilateral Instrument 61-101-Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") adopted in the Policy, the Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of related party participation in the NB Offering 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 transaction is expected to exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offerings to advance the Company's proprietary oxidative leach technology, the Metates project, the Lucy project and for general working capital. In connection with the Brokered Offering, the Company intends to file a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated February 23, 2024 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus"), with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (except Quebec). The Units may also be sold in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and in such other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States, in each case in accordance with all applicable laws provided that no prospectus, registration statement or similar document is required to be filed in such jurisdiction. Copies of the applicable offering documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Delivery of the Base Shelf Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement and any amendments thereto will be satisfied in accordance with the "access equals delivery" provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation. The Base Shelf Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement will contain, important detailed information about the Company and the Brokered Offering. Prospective investors should read the Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Base Shelf Prospectus and the other documents the Company has filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca before making an investment decision. The Offerings are expected to close on or about January 27, 2026 (the "Closing Date"), or on such date as agreed upon between the Company and Red Cloud. The closing of the Offerings are subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and the entering into of an underwriting agreement among the Company and the Underwriters. The securities described in this news release have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) or persons in the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws of the United States or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities within any jurisdiction, including the United States, in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. For Further Information: For more information on Chesapeake, its Metates and Lucy Projects or proprietary oxidative leach technology, please visit our website at www.chesapeakegold.com or contact Jean-Paul Tsotsos at invest@chesapeakegold.com or +1 778 731 1362. 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 news release. About Chesapeake Chesapeake Gold Corp.'s flagship asset is the Metates Project ("Metates") located in Durango State, Mexico. Metates hosts one of the largest undeveloped gold-silver deposits in the Americas[1] with over 16.77 million ounces of gold at 0.57 grams per tonne (g/t) and 423.2 million ounces of silver at 14.3 g/t within 921.2 million tonnes in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource category and a further 2.13 million ounces of gold at 0.47 g/t and 59.0 million ounces of silver at 13.2 g/t within 139.5 million tonnes in the Inferred Mineral Resource category. See the technical report titled "Metates Sulphide Heap Leach Project Phase I" dated January 13, 2023, and news release dated February 22, 2023. Forward-looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Offerings, the completion of the Offerings and the timing in respect thereof, the intended use of proceeds of the Offerings, and the timely receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Such forward looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the continued advancement of the Company's technology; conditions in general economic and financial markets; the price of gold and silver; the availability and costs of mining equipment and skilled labour; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results; timing and amount of capital expenditures related to drilling programs; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; and the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones, assuming the recovery of the San Vicente 3 concession on Metates. The actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward looking statements as a result of risk factors, including the risks to development of the Company's technology, timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling and testing results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles, including the recovery of the San Vicente 3 mineral concession; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data; general market and industry conditions; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; and political instability. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law. [1] Mexico's biggest undeveloped gold deposits. Bnamericas, Published Tuesday, November 24, 2020. SOURCE: Chesapeake Gold Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/chesapeake-gold-announces-upsize-of-previously-announced-bought-deal-public-offer-1126395 Novavest Real Estate AG / Schlagwort(e): Sonstiges Einladung zur Investoren-, Analysten- und Medienkonferenz der Novavest Real Estate AG zum Geschaftsjahr 2025 14.01.2026 / 10:00 CET/CEST Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren Wir laden Sie herzlich zur Investoren-, Analysten- und Medienkonferenz betreffend Prasentation der Jahresergebnisse 2025 ein. Datum / Zeit Donnerstag, 19. Februar 2026, 11:00 Uhr Ort Zunfthaus zur Waag, Munsterhof 8, 8001 Zurich Referenten Peter Mettler, CEO Fabio Gmur, CFO Wir bitten Sie um Anmeldung bis 13. Februar 2026 an https://www.novavest.ch/de/analystenkonferenz-nren/ Der Jahresbericht 2025 sowie die Prasentationsunterlagen stehen auf der Website der Novavest Real Estate AG www.novavest.ch , unter dem Link Investor Relations - Finanzberichte / Prasentationen am 19. Februar 2026 ab 06:45 Uhr zum Herunterladen als PDF-Datei bereit. Direktlink: https://www.novavest.ch/de/investor-relations/?section=investor-relations__finanzberichte_praesentationen Wir freuen uns, Sie an unserer Konferenz begrussen zu durfen. Freundliche Grusse Peter Mettler Chief Executive Officer NOVAVEST Real Estate AG Feldeggstrasse 26 8008 Zurich +41 (0)44 276 40 40 info@novavest.ch www.novavest.ch NOVAVEST Real Estate AG www.novavest.ch Die NOVAVEST Real Estate AG ist eine Schweizer Immobiliengesellschaft mit Sitz in Zurich. Sie fokussiert ihre Aktivitaten auf die Bewirtschaftung und Entwicklung von Liegenschaften mit reiner Wohnnutzung (Mietwohnungen) und Wohnraum fur das Leben im Dritten Alter (Seniorenresidenzen, Pflegeeinrichtungen) sowie mit Buro- und Gewerbenutzung und auf Neubauprojekte in all diesen Segmenten. Der Mietertragsanteil aus Wohnnutzung macht strategisch mindestens 50% der gesamten Soll-Mietertrage aus. Das Immobilienportfolio umfasst Objekte in der ganzen Schweiz, die betreffend reinen Wohnliegenschaften in der Stadt oder Agglomeration liegen und/oder eine gute Erschliessung mit offentlichen Verkehrsmitteln bzw. fur den motorisierten Individualverkehr aufweisen. Im Bereich Seniorenresidenzen und Pflegeeinrichtungen konnen sich die Liegenschaften sowohl in stadtischen wie auch in landlichen Regionen der Schweiz befinden. Die Namenaktien der Gesellschaft sind an der SIX Swiss Exchange kotiert (Ticker NREN, Valor 21218624, ISIN CH0212186248). Ende der Medienmitteilungen Originalinhalt anzeigen: EQS News New agreement for uninterrupted UHF connectivity for Australian Defence Force through 2033, With Options Extending to 2041 Satellite communications solutions provider SES will provide secure uninterrupted satellite communications to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for a minimum of 16 years thanks to a new extended agreement. The service will be provided via the SES Intelsat 22 satellite and an ultra-high frequency (UHF) military communications payload. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112137182/en/ Assistant Secretary Space Systems Branch, Michael Hunt, formalizes contract negotiations for the through-life support of the IS-22 satellite with Rory Welch, senior vice-president of service delivery at SES Space and Defense. Photos: Corporal Annika Smit Under the renewed arrangement, SES will reposition the IS-22 satellite to a new orbital slot specified by the ADF, continuing a mission that has been the cornerstone of Australia's secure military communications since IS-22's launch in 2012. SES will build a dedicated ground segment, including a purpose-built antenna facility on Australian soil, solidifying the infrastructure needed for seamless operations now and into the future. "This agreement ensures critical communications capability for the ADF and its strategic partners across the Indo-Pacific," said Philippe Glaesner, SVP of SES Global Government. "At a time when secure, sovereign communications are more vital than ever, it provides operational certainty and supports Australia's long-term resilience and leadership in defense. We are proud to serve as both a technological partner and strategic enabler for the ADF." The IS-22 satellite's UHF payload has been virtually irreplaceable for the Australian Defence Force, supporting both national missions and joint operations with key allies, most notably the United States. With no other comparable UHF capacity immediately available in the Indo-Pacific, the continuation of service via IS-22 positions Australia to maintain a critical communications advantage, while supporting multinational defense collaboration. The current industry context has seen a sharp increase in demand for secure military satellite communications worldwide, particularly in UHF, where supply is extremely limited. By securing access to the IS-22's capabilities for years to come, the ADF will maintain not only continuity but a strategic edge in command and control, secure mobility, and coalition interoperability. Follow us on: Twitter Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Instagram Read our Blogs > Visit the Media Gallery > About SES At SES, we believe that space has the power to make a difference. That's why we design space solutions that help governments protect, businesses grow, and people stay connected-no matter where they are. With integrated multi-orbit satellites and our global terrestrial network, we deliver resilient, seamless connectivity and the highest quality video content to those shaping what's next. Following our Intelsat acquisition, we now offer more than 100 years of combined global industry leadership-backed by a track record of bringing innovation "firsts" to market. As a trusted partner to customers and the global space ecosystem, SES is driving impact that goes far beyond coverage. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com Forward-looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "will" and "ensures". Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in our filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form F-4, such as disruptions to information systems, satellite control and operations networks and other technology as a result of unauthorized access, misappropriation of data or other malfeasance. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112137182/en/ Contacts: Steven Lott Communications Tel. +352 710 725 500 SES.Press@ses.com Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - The Canadian Chrome Company Inc. (CSE: CACR) (CSE: CACR.A), formerly known as KWG Resources Inc. ("CCC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, following completion of its first-tranche flow-through financing in December 2025 (see the Company's news release No. 379 dated December 31, 2025), the Company is reviewing its geological and other information to determine the best use of the proceeds of that financing for exploration expenditures on its chromite exploration properties as the Company anticipates second-tranche flow-through financings in 2026. Those properties include chromite deposits located in the Ring of Fire, approximately 280 km north of Nakina, Ontario, in the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario, including 1,024 hectares covered by four unpatented mining claims which contain the Black Horse chromite deposit (the "Koper Lake Project") and 1,033.6 hectares covered by 80 unpatented mining claims (the "Hornby Property") adjoining the southerly boundary of the Big Daddy Project, The Company has received from the Ministry of Mining and currently holds Exploration Permit PR-23-000242 for the conduct of further drilling at the Black Horse chromite deposit in the Koper Lake Project. The permit has a term of 3 years and a present expiration date of September 15, 2026. The Company also provides an update on the mineral exploration claims which were originally staked by the Company's subsidiary, Canada Chrome Corporation ("Canada Chrome"), in 2009 and 2010 and underlie the route which the Company had identified at that time and has been subsequently recognized by others as the best route for a transportation and utility corridor between Nakina and the Ring of Fire (the "Corridor Claims") - along what has recently also been proposed as various alternative routing lineaments for the proposed Northern Road Link, the Marten Falls Community Access Road and the Webequie Supply Road. Following the Company's announcement in late August 2025 (see the Company's news release No. 386 dated August 28, 2025) in which it noted that the Corridor Claims were at risk of being forfeited, Canada Chrome proceeded with placing those Corridor Claims in a trust and then, in September, 2025, signed a trust deed with The Gitchiziibii Company Inc. as the original trustee (the "Indigenous Trustee") for it to hold and maintain those Corridor Claims for transfer to an entity to be set up as an indigenous enterprise (the "Proposed Indigenous Enterprise") for the benefit of members of the Matawa First Nations. The Company's proposal was for the Proposed Indigenous Enterprise to engage in the development and operation of transportation and electrification services along the route of the Corridor Claims establishing a utility corridor to provide transportation and electrification services to the Ring of Fire and to the First Nation communities of the area. The transfer of the Corridor Claims to the Proposed Indigenous Enterprise was subject to satisfactory arrangements being made for Canada Chrome's costs to be recovered out of the project and for Canada Chrome's 32 aggregate permit applications located at various places along the route of the utility corridor also to be transferred to the Proposed Indigenous Enterprise on implementation of those terms. In the interim, the documentation provided that the trustee and any subsequent holder would ensure that Canada Chrome was made aware of any applications for access rights over the surface of the Corridor Claims so that Canada Chrome and the Company could assess whether to respond to any such application. As well, the documentation provided that Canada Chrome and the Company would be afforded special status regarding the right to use aggregate from those proposed aggregate pit and quarry locations and the use of the transportation corridor facilities. Canada Chrome has attempted to transfer the Corridor Claims to the Indigenous Trustee, but was advised that, since the expiry dates of the Corridor Claims had passed and the requests that the Corridor Claims be placed "on hold, special circumstances apply" had not been determined, the transfers could not be recorded. The Company and its subsidiary, Canada Chrome, were subsequently advised that Ministry officials were not willing to grant Canada Chrome's requests for exclusions of time for exploration work under s.67 of the Mining Act, which refusal would result in the forfeiture of its Corridor Claims. As a result, Canada Chrome filed a request to appeal to the Minister under s.73.1 and s.185 of the Mining Act requesting the Minister to grant relief from any forfeitures of Corridor Claims and to place the Corridor Claims "on hold - special circumstances apply" to enable Canada Chrome, the Indigenous Trustee and the other applicable representatives of the Mattawa First Nations to complete the creation and organization of the Proposed Indigenous Enterprise for the development and operation of transportation and electrification services along the route of the utility corridor providing transportation and electrification services to the Ring of Fire and to the First Nation communities of the area. Following filing of those requests to appeal to the Minister, the Company and Canada Chrome had communications with Ministry officials and filed supplementary materials regarding Canada Chrome's requests and appeals. Canada Chrome was then advised at the end of December, 2025, that forfeitures were being proceeded with by the Provincial Mining Recorder and would be recorded for all of the Corridor Claims along the utility corridor. That advice was followed with further advice from Ministry officials that, although the forfeitures were being recorded, the appeals by Canada Chrome to the Minister for annulment of those forfeitures remained under consideration, no decision had yet been made by the Minister or any of the Minister's delegates and, if the forfeitures are annulled, the Minister or the Minister's delegate could reinstate the Corridor Claims. As well, Ministry officials advised Canada Chrome and the Company that an order had been issued to withdraw the area of the Corridor Claims from staking and, accordingly, that the area of the Corridor Claims was not at risk of being claim-staked by third parties while Canada Chrome's appeals for relief from forfeiture were being considered. The Company is considering whether, in addition to waiting for the Minister's consideration of Canada Chrome's appeals, the Company and its subsidiary should appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal the Provincial Mining Recorder's decision to record forfeitures of the Corridor Claims. "We have been pleased to learn that the potential of the Ring of Fire's chrome endowment as a secure source of supply for stainless steelmaking is well understood in the USA," said Company President Megan McElwain. "It is important to the development of that potential that the community access road planners take account of the mining project's priority requirements. For the buyer and seller to control that together, the railroad must be part of the plan so that the chrome development can have the protections of the physical monopoly its owners have won for the risks that they took. China's interests in the area can then be subsequently addressed, as is well understood by those responsible for thinking critically about critical minerals and their role in global competitiveness and national security. The threatened forfeiture of the right-of-way claims cannot be left unaddressed in the circumstances, as we have represented to Premier Ford." About The Canadian Chrome Company Inc. The Canadian Chrome Company Inc. is an exploration stage company that is focused on identification, acquisition, consolidation, exploration, development and evaluation of large-scale deposits of minerals including chromite in the Ring of Fire, as well as other base metals and strategic minerals and, where applicable, support for the development of transportation and electrification links to access remote areas where these deposits may be located. Forward-Looking Statements: Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although management believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Disclaimer: Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts 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/280119 Source: The Canadian Chrome Company Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - The Board of Directors, Management and Employees of Bear Creek Mining Corporation (TSXV: BCM) (OTCQX: BCEKF) (BVL: BCM) ("Bear Creek" or the "Company") heartily congratulate Catherine McLeod-Seltzer, co-founder and Chair of Bear Creek, on her recent induction to the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. Catherine McLeod-Seltzer is a leader in the minerals industry, recognized for her financial expertise, access to capital and ability to create growth-focused companies that generate significant shareholder value. Her first successful venture, Arequipa Resources, which she co-founded with storied geologist David Lowell, was famously sold to Barrick in 1996 for $1.1 billion. Since then, she has founded, stewarded, and directed many successful mining ventures, raising over $750 million in working capital for mining exploration and completing corporate transactions worth more than $6 billion. Typical of her principled, relationship-focused approach, she attributes the success of these companies in large part to her partnership with outstanding geological and corporate teams. In addition to her role as Chair of Bear Creek, Catherine is currently a director of both Teck Resources Limited and Flow Capital Corp, and recently retired from the Board of Directors of Kinross Gold. Catherine also sits on the board of the BC Children's Hospital Foundation and has devoted her service to the Union Gospel Mission, The Fraser Institute, and numerous other philanthropic endeavours. Additional past honours include being named amongst Canada's Most Powerful Women by the Women's Executive Network, awarded Mining Person of the Year by The Northern Miner, included in the 100 Global Inspirational Women in Mining list, and receiving the Award for Significant Board Contribution from the Association of Women in Finance. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Eric Caba President and Chief Executive Officer Subscribe to Bear Creek Mining news releases. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280107 Source: Bear Creek Mining Corporation Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - ALUULA Composites Inc. (TSXV: AUUA) (OTCQB: AUUAF) ("ALUULA" or the "Company") announces that it is working closely with Dale Graham, the Company's current Chief Financial Officer, to transition to a new CFO who will support the business through its next phase of growth and development. The Company will be actively recruiting for a new CFO while Dale continues in the role. Officially Dale will depart on March 31st, and he will work with the Company to ensure a smooth transition and remain available to the Company after this date on a consulting basis. The Company thanks Dale for his contributions and leadership during his tenure with ALUULA as he has been a key member of the team, starting in early 2024, helping mature and stabilize the operations to ensure a strong foundation for future growth. The Company is now initiating the search for its next Chief Financial Officer who will be a key member of the executive team, instrumental in advancing the Company's financial strategy and supporting future growth plans currently underway. Interested and qualified candidates can review the job description found on the careers page of ALUULA's website. Related Party Loan Amendment The Company also announces that it has agreed with the lender to amend the terms of an existing short term loan agreement to extend the maturity date to January 1st, 2027. The Company entered into a $1,000,000 short-term loan agreement (the "Loan Agreement") with 0876991 B.C. Ltd. ("0876991"), a related party to the Company, on December 29, 2023. The loan bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum. In June 2024, the parties agreed to amend the Loan Agreement and extend the repayment date from July 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025. In October 2024, the parties entered into a second amendment to the Loan Agreement pursuant to which: (i) $200,000 of the loan was repaid on January 1, 2025, and the due date for repayment of the balance of the loan was extended to January 1, 2026; and (ii) the Company was affirmed as the debtor due to the corporate amalgamation with its wholly-owned subsidiary on August 1, 2024 (please see news release dated September 4, 2024). In January of this year, the parties agreed to amend the terms of the Loan Agreement to return to the original $1,000,000 total loan and extend the maturity to January 1st, 2027. All other terms of the Loan Agreement remain unchanged. As the lender is a related party to the Company, the amendment to the loan agreement constitutes a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, and the Company is relying on the exemptions contained in section 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) respectively from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements in that instrument. About ALUULA Composites ALUULA is an ultra-light, high performance and recycle-ready composite materials brand that enhances the performance of outdoor gear as well as commercial and industrial equipment. Proudly owned and manufactured on the Canadian west coast, ALUULA's innovation is driven by a deep understanding that equipment does not need to sacrifice performance for sustainability. ALUULA's materials are known for their unique construction capabilities and their ability to make products lighter, stronger, and more sustainable. aluula.com | (TSXV: AUUA) (OTCQB: AUUAF) ALUULA's Brand Partners The term "brand partners" does not refer to formal partnerships with our customers. The term refers to marketing relationships with our customers who use ALUULA's technology as a brand ingredient in their products. TSX Venture Exchange 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. Forward-Looking Statements The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans, and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the departure of the current CFO and the recruitment of a new CFO. These statements are based on assumptions subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, including the recruitment process and availability and hiring of suitable candidates, the actual results, expectations, achievements, or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280105 Source: ALUULA Composites Inc. PNG's Prime Minister, the Hon. James Marape, expressed his support of the Yandera Copper Project, a nationally important project promising long-term value for the country. The Yandera Copper Pre-Feasibility Study* demonstrates the project's potential as a large-scale, open-pit copper mining operation with annual production of 100,000 tonnes of copper over a 20-year LOM. Freeport Resources is in discussions to advance Yandera Copper, one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in the world, to Feasibility Study and Final Investment Decision. Materially higher copper, gold and molybdenum prices could result in higher revenues, positively impact cash flow, and support the potential for a significant value re-rate. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Freeport Resources Inc. (TSXV: FRI) (OTCQB: FEERF) (FSE: 4XH) ("Freeport Resources" or the "Company") today announced that the Government of Papua New Guinea ("PNG") has expressed support of the Yandera Copper Project, one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in the world. Meetings with PNG Government Dr. Nathan Chutas, Senior Vice President Operations, Freeport Resources, and Tobias Kulang Thomas, Senior Advisor, recently met with the Honourable Vincent Kumara, newly elected Member of Parliament for Usino-Bundi in Madang Province, to discuss potential regional benefits of the large-scale Yandera Copper Project. Freeport Resources is committed to strengthening the Company's relationship with the Government of PNG and local communities while working to advance the Yandera Copper Project toward a Feasibility Study and Final Investment Decision. The Company also notes PNG's Prime Minister, the Honourable James Marape, in his opening address at PNG Investment Week in December 2025, expressed his support of Yandera Copper and commitment to securing greater benefits for the local people of Usino-Bundi to ensure the region's economic development. The Government of PNG is focused on advancing the country's economy through the development of strategically important mineral and mining projects such as Yandera Copper and ensuring greater benefits and local participation in PNG's resource sector which significantly contributes to the nation's GDP and exports. "We appreciate the ongoing support of the Government of Papua New Guinea," said Mr. Gord Friesen, Chief Executive Officer, of Freeport Resources. "The historical Pre-Feasibility Study* for the Yandera Copper Project provides strong economics of the project's potential as a large-scale, open-pit copper mining operation with annual production of 100,000 tonnes of copper over a 20-year life of mine. Yandera Copper is recognized as a nationally important project, promising long-term value for the country of PNG and its people. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and positive dialogue with the PNG Government and local communities, as we work to advance Yandera Copper toward a Feasibility Study and Final Investment Decision." Freeport Resources continues to make progress on key activities related to advancing regulatory approvals under the Exploration License EL1335 renewal process. The MRA has scheduled the Warden's Hearing for the renewal of the EL1335, and preparations for this meeting are now underway. EL1335 covers the 245.5 square kilometer concession comprising the Yandera Copper Project. The Yandera Copper Project has the potential to support communities and create jobs throughout the region. The Company anticipates the potential economic influence of the Yandera Copper Project could span 5 provinces and create wealth for generations including, but not limited to, strategic road and highway building, power generation and related infrastructure. Significant Value Rerate Anticipated The Yandera Copper Project has a 2017 Pre-Feasibility Study* by Worley Parsons based on 588 drillholes totaling 180,367 metres, resulting in the calculation of historical Measured and Indicated Resources of 727 million tonnes of copper grading 0.39% copper equivalent. The Pre-Feasibility Study* calculated a historical post-tax NPV (10%) of US$1,038 million based on US$3.35 per pound copper, US$1,400.00 per ounce gold, and US$10.00 per pound molybdenum. With materially stronger copper, gold and molybdenum prices, Freeport Resources anticipates a significant re-rate of Yandera Copper's value could be reflected in the proposed Feasibility Study. Furthermore, according to the 2025 Optimization Study conducted by Practara (Pty) Ltd., a South African-based consultancy renowned for its expertise in mineral economics and mining studies, copper, gold and molybdenum prices above those used in the 2017 Yandera Copper Pre-Feasibility Study* could result in higher revenues and positively impact cash flow. * Independent Technical Report on the Yandera Project - Pre-Feasibility Study, prepared for Era Resources Inc. and dated effective November 27, 2017. The study was prepared prior to the Company acquiring an interest in the Yandera Project, and is derived from historical estimates which the Company is not treating as current. This information is intended to provide readers with context on historical analysis conducted on the Yandera Project, however the Company cautions that a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify any historical estimates in respect of the Yandera Project as current and any analysis conducted by previous owners of the Project may rely upon assumptions which are no longer reasonable or accurate in the context of the current market. The Company would need to conduct an exploration program, including twinning of historical drill holes in order to verify any historical estimates as current mineral resources. The Company is not aware of any more recent mineral resource estimate for the Yandera Copper Project. Closing of Final Tranche of $3.5 Million Private Placement Freeport Resources is also pleased to announce that the Company has closed the final tranche of its non-brokered private placement through the issuance of 35,783,332 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.03 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $1,073,499.96 (the "Final Tranche"). Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company, and one-half-of-one share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.06 for a period of twelve months following issuance. The Final Tranche formed part of a larger offering by the Company (the "Offering") which totaled 117,061,663 Units for gross proceeds of $3,511,849.89. The Company anticipates utilizing the proceeds from the Offering for the continued development of the Yandera Copper Project and for general working capital purposes. In connection with completion of the Offering, the Company paid finders' fees of $11,925 to an arms-length party who assisted in introducing a subscriber to the Offering. The Company also confirms that it previously issued 2,106,700 Warrants to Daniel Fox-Davies, the sole owner of IStar Capital Ltd., who also assisted with the Offering. All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to restrictions on resale for a period of four-months-and-one-day in accordance with applicable securities laws. Insiders of the Company subscribed for a total of 1,225,000 Units under the Offering. The participation of insiders in the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction", within the meaning of TSX-V Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of the related party participation in the Offering 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 Offering, insofar as it involved the insiders, exceeded 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Offering because insider participation had not been confirmed until shortly prior to closing of the Offering, and the shorter period was necessary in order to permit the Company to close the Offering in a timeframe consistent with usual market practice for transactions of this nature. Incentive Stock Option Grant The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 15,000,000 incentive stock options (the "Options") to certain directors, officers and consultants to the Company in accordance with its omnibus incentive plan. The Options vest immediately and are exercisable at a price of $0.06 until January 12, 2031. Qualified Person Dr. Nathan Chutas, PhD, CPG, Senior Vice-President of Operations for Freeport Resources, is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Dr. Chutas has reviewed and approved the technical content in this announcement. About Freeport Resources Inc. Freeport Resources is a Canadian mineral exploration company with a primary focus on advancing the development of the Yandera copper-gold-molybdenum project, located in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. The Yandera project is one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world covering approximately 245.5 square kilometers. Neither the 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. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule", "intends" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the development of the Yandera Copper Project and the use of proceeds from the Offering. The material factors and assumptions used to develop the forward-looking information contained in this news release include, but are not limited to, key personnel and qualified employees continuing their involvement with the Company; the Company's ability to secure additional financing on reasonable terms; the competitive conditions of the sector in which the Company operates; and laws and any amendments thereto applicable to the Company. Many uncertainties and factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks relating to the future business plans of the Company; risks related to the exploration and development of the Yandera Copper Project; risks that the Company will not be able to retain its key personnel; and risks that the Company will not be able to secure financing on reasonable terms or at all. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280120 Source: Freeport Resources Inc. VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Usha Resources Ltd. ("Usha", "USHA" or the "Company") (TSXV:USHA)(OTCQB:USHAF)(FSE:JO0), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company, announces that, further to its news release of October 27, 2025, it closed its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") on December 11, 2025 raising gross proceeds of $500,000 through the issuance of unsecured convertible debentures (the "Debentures"). Each Debenture has a one-year term (the "Maturity Date") and is convertible into common shares (the "Shares") of the Company on the Maturity Date at a conversion price of $0.05 per Share (the "Conversion Price"), subject to the force conversion rights detailed below. Forced Conversion Rights Subject to the terms and conditions of the Debentures, all interest payable to the debenture holder (the "Holder") on becoming due shall be payable in Shares at the interest conversion price per Share, subject to compliance with all applicable legislation and receipt of TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") approval, which approvals may or may not be granted and if not granted, such interest will only be payable in cash. If any time prior to the Maturity Date, the Company announces a business combination with a corporation that has a market capitalization at least $10,000,000 (calculated at the time of the announcement) ("Qualifying Business Transaction") and the volume-weighted average closing price of the Shares on the Exchange for the fifteen (15) days immediately prior to the date of announcement of the Qualifying Business Transaction is greater than $0.10 per Share, the Company may force conversion (the "Mandatory Conversion Right") of all but not less than all of the principal of the then outstanding Debentures at the Conversion Price, upon either: (i) giving the Holder 10 days' advance written notice; or (ii) the issuance of a news release advising all holders of Debentures of the Company's exercise of the Mandatory Conversion Right. The interest conversion price is the greater of: (i) the volume-weighted average closing price of the Shares on the Exchange for the fifteen (15) days prior to the date immediately before the date the accrued interest becomes payable; and (i) the Market Price of the Shares at the time the accrued interest becomes payable. Any payment of accrued but unpaid interest owing to the Holder by the Company payable in Shares pursuant to the Debentures is subject to prior Exchange acceptance with the application to be made by the Company at the time the accrued interest is payable. Any unaccrued interest pursuant to the debenture agreement will be paid in cash only. The Company paid finder's fees of $500 cash to an eligible finder in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the Exchange. The proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for general working capital. The Debentures are subject to a four-month and one-day statutory hold period from the date of issuance expiring on April 12, 2026. The Private Placement remains subject to the final approval of the Exchange. About Usha Resources Ltd. Usha Resources Ltd. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality critical metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Based in Vancouver, BC, Usha's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes Southern Arm, a copper-gold VMS project in Quebec, Jackpot Lake, a lithium brine project in Nevada and White Willow, a lithium pegmatite project in Ontario. Usha trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol USHA, the OTCQB Exchange under the symbol USHAF and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol JO0. USHA RESOURCES LTD. For more information, please call 778-899-1780, email info@usharesources.com or visit www.usharesources.com. 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. The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. SOURCE: Usha Resources Ltd. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/usha-resources-non-brokered-private-placement-of-convertible-debentures-1126414 Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX: CJ) ("Cardinal" or the "Company") confirms that our January dividend of $0.06 per common share will be paid on February 17, 2026 to shareholders of record on January 30, 2026. The Board of Directors of Cardinal has declared the dividend payable in cash. This dividend has been designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes. The Company is also pleased to announce it has exceeded the nameplate capacity (6,000 bbl/d) at its Reford SAGD project, approximately two months ahead of schedule. Early productivity from the wells has been stronger than anticipated, with the Company forecasting Reford volumes of 6,500 bbl/d in the first quarter of 2026 while continuing to assess and optimize the capabilities of the reservoir and production facilities. In light of the volatile crude oil price environment, Cardinal is electing to defer disseminating its 2026 guidance at this time. In the interim, the Company intends to operate on a net debt neutral basis, which includes servicing our monthly dividend with the remaining capital directed towards moderated and prioritized drilling, completion, and maintenance activities in both our conventional and thermal assets. We are well equipped to navigate short-term weakness in crude oil prices with the help of Reford production volumes expected to vault Cardinal's total corporate production to record levels in Q1/2026. Should oil prices strengthen through US$60/bbl WTI, the additional funds flow will be directed towards increasing our conventional oil activity, our thermal exploration initiatives and reducing debt. We look forward to updating our shareholders with formal guidance as we gain more clarity on where crude oil prices are headed in 2026. Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively "forward looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the Company's thermal project in its Reford, Saskatchewan operating area including: forecasted production levels and plans to assess and optimize the capabilities of the reservoir and production facilities; the Company's plan to operate on a debt neutral basis which includes servicing the monthly dividend with remaining capital directed to moderated and prioritized drilling, completion, and maintenance activities in both our conventional and thermal assets, that we are well equipped to navigate short-term weakness in crude oil prices with the help of Reford production volumes expected to increase Cardinal's total corporate production to record levels in Q1/2026 and our plans with respect to anticipated additional funds flow in 2026 if oil prices strengthen. This forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions of Cardinal concerning among other things, future well production rates and reserve volumes, the success of development activities and future operational and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Cardinal's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the imprecision of reserve estimates and liabilities, commodity prices and other risks and hazards inherent in oil and natural gas operations. Management has included the forward-looking information in this press release in order to provide readers with a more complete perspective on Cardinal's future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Cardinal's actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that Cardinal will derive therefrom. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of factors are not exhaustive. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and Cardinal disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. Production Rates Any references in this news release to production rates are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however, such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will continue production and decline thereafter. While encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for Cardinal. About Cardinal Energy Ltd. Cardinal is a Canadian oil and natural gas production company with operations focused on low decline sustainable oil production in Western Canada. Cardinal has recently completed its first thermal SAGD project in Reford, Saskatchewan and has transitioned to the production phase of operations. The Company's portfolio of conventional and SAGD project inventory offers a complimentary low decline, long life resource base that is ideally suited to sustain our commitment to meaningful dividend returns to shareholders. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280058 Source: Cardinal Energy Ltd. Val-d'Or, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Vision Lithium Inc. (TSXV: VLI) (OTCQB: ABEPF) (FSE: 1AJ2) (the "Company" or "Vision Lithium") it has mailed the meeting materials in connection with its annual general and special meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held on January 30, 2026 (the "Meeting "). The Meeting materials, including the management information circular dated December 24, 2025 (the "Circular"), are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.visionlithium.com. At the Meeting, among other things, shareholders will be asked to consider a resolution approving a consolidation (the "Consolidation") of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") on the basis on the basis of a consolidation ratio to be selected by the Company's board of directors, within a range of between ten (10) pre-Consolidation Common Shares for one (1) post-Consolidation Common Share and fifteen (15) pre-Consolidation Common Shares for one (1) post-Consolidation Common Share (the "Consolidation Proposal"). If the Consolidation Proposal is approved, no more than one Consolidation will take place and there will be no successive share consolidations without the further approval of the Company's shareholders. Moreover, if the Consolidation Proposal is approved, the Consolidation would only be implemented, if at all, upon a determination by the Company's board of directors that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, at that time. Background and Reasons for the Consolidation The Company's board of directors is seeking shareholder approval to implement the Consolidation because it believes that the resultant increase to the trading price of the Common Shares from effecting the Consolidation could potentially, and principally, broaden the pool of investors that may consider investing or be able to invest in the Company. The Company anticipates that the Consolidation may result in certain additional ancillary benefits. Achieving a higher market price for the Common Shares through the Consolidation could enhance the Company's comparability against its peers on per share metrics, as well as minimizing price volatility of the Common Shares. The Consolidation could also attract investors whose internal investment policies prohibit or discourage them from purchasing stocks trading below a certain minimum price. The Consolidation may also increase analysts and brokers interest as policies governing analysts and brokers may discourage following or recommending companies with lower stock prices. In addition, brokerage houses and institutional investors may have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in lower-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending lower-priced stocks to their customers, in part because processing of trades in lower-priced stocks may be economically unattractive. Proposed Consolidation Ratios If the Consolidation is approved and implemented, its principal effect will be to proportionately decrease the number of issued and outstanding Common Shares by a factor equal to the consolidation ratio selected by the board of directors. As of the date hereof (and as at the record date for the Meeting at the close of business on December 24, 2025), the last closing price of the Common Shares on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") was $0.02 and there are 293,019,151 Common Shares issued and outstanding. Based on the number of Common Shares currently issued and outstanding, immediately following the completion of the Consolidation, for illustrative purposes only, depending on the Consolidation ratio selected, the number of Common Shares then issued and outstanding (disregarding any resulting fractional Common Shares) will be as follows: Share Consolidation Ratio Approximate Percentage Reduction in Common Shares Outstanding Common Shares Outstanding 10:1 90% 29,301,915 15:1 93.33% 19,534,610 Note: (1) The exact number of Common Shares outstanding after the Consolidation will vary based on the elimination of fractional shares, and certain other factors, as more fully detailed in the Circular. The exercise or conversion price and/or the number of Common Shares issuable under any other outstanding convertible securities of the Company, including under outstanding incentive stock options, common share purchase warrants, agent compensation options, and any other similar securities of the Company will be proportionately adjusted upon the implementation of the Consolidation, in accordance with the terms of such securities, on the same basis as the Consolidation. The Board is recommending that shareholders approve the Consolidation Proposal at the Meeting. The Company is not expected to change its name or trading symbol in conjunction with the Consolidation Proposal. The Consolidation is subject to regulatory approval, including approval of the TSXV, at the time of the proposed Consolidation. About Vision Lithium Inc. Vision Lithium Inc. is a junior exploration company focused on exploring and developing high quality mineral assets including lithium and copper in Canada. The Company is led by skilled and qualified mineral exploration experts and business professionals with a deep understanding of the battery materials market, which is driven by lithium-ion batteries. Vision Lithium completed a PEA on its Sirmac lithium project in 2023. The Company is committed to discovering new, world-class assets and bringing these assets to production, starting with its advanced Sirmac lithium property in Quebec and Godslith lithium property located in Manitoba, and a group of base metal rich Ni-Cu-Co and/or Cu-Zn-Ag-Au properties in eastern Quebec and New Brunswick. For further information on the Company, please visit our website at www.visionlithium.com or contact us at info@visionlithium.com. NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSXV) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the timing and ability of the Company, if at all, to obtain final acceptance of the Consolidation from the TSXV and objectives, goals or future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates; delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required regulatory approvals; changes in equity markets; fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of projects; other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry; and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280103 Source: Vision Lithium Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Allied Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: ACM) (OTCQB: ACMIF) (FSE: 0VJ0) ("Allied" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Portuguese Environment Agency (Agencia Portuguesa do Ambiente, I.P. - APA) has issued a Favourable Environmental Impact Declaration, subject to standard regulatory conditions (Declaracao de Impacte Ambiental Favoravel Condicionada - "DIA") for its 100% owned Borralha Tungsten Project, located in the Municipality of Montalegre in northern Portugal. The receipt of the DIA is in addition to the Company's receipt of a formal Letter of Recognition from the idD Portugal Defense, the Portuguese public entity overseeing the nation's Defense Industry, that acknowledges Allied's leadership role in re-establishing tungsten production in Portugal. idD Portugal Defense has endorsed Allied's Borralha Tungsen Product as a strategic initiative of national importance with direct impact on Portugal's and Europe's defense supply chains. This key regulatory milestone clears a major hurdle in the Company's path toward development and eventual production, strengthening Allied's ability to advance the Borralha Project - one of Europe's most significant tungsten assets - within a responsible environmental and social governance framework. Highlights Favourable Environmental Impact Declaration (DIA) has been formally issued by the Portuguese Environment Agency (the "APA") for the Borralha Tungsten Project , subject to standard regulatory conditions. Major permitting milestone achieved , enabling advancement to the Project of Execution and RECAPE (Environmental Compliance Report of the Execution Project) stage and subsequent licensing phases. Strategic tungsten project within the European Union (EU) , aligned with the EU Critical Raw Materials Act , supporting diversification of supply for critical industrial and defense-related applications. Greenlights proposed modern underground mining development , incorporating closed-loop water management, filtered dry-stacked tailings and comprehensive environmental monitoring and mitigation measures. Opportunity to contribute to regional economic development in the Municipality of Montalegre, northern Portugal, through employment, local procurement and long-term investment. The Company is on pace with its project development aiming towards an industrial scale processing plant at Borralha, expected to be completed and in production by the end of 2027. The DIA confirms the environmental acceptability of the Borralha Project and represents a significant regulatory milestone. The approval allows the Project to advance to the Project of Execution and Environmental Compliance Report stage (RECAPE) and to subsequent licensing phases, in accordance with Portuguese environmental and mining legislation. Roy Bonnell, CEO and Director of Allied, commented: "The issuance of the Environmental Impact Declaration for the Borralha Project represents an important regulatory milestone for Allied. This approval reflects the quality of the technical and environmental work completed to date and allows the Company to advance the Borralha Project into the next stage of permitting and detailed engineering, subject to compliance with the conditions set out by the Portuguese authorities." Joao Barros, President, COO and Director of Allied, commented: "The Borralha Project is part of Portugal's mining history, and this approval creates the conditions for a new chapter based on modern environmental standards, transparency and respect for local communities. The Borralha Project offers an opportunity to address historical environmental legacies while generating skilled employment and economic activity in the interior of the country. The Company is fully committed to working closely and constructively with local communities, the municipality and public authorities throughout all stages of the Borralha Project." Project Overview and Strategic Context The Borralha Project is an underground mining development, targeting the production of tungsten, with by-products copper and tin concentrates. Tungsten is designated as a critical raw material under the European Union Critical Raw Materials Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1252) and is used in a range of industrial, energy transition and defence-related applications. The Company considers the Borralha Project to have the potential to contribute to European supply diversification of tungsten and to Portugal's role in the development of strategic raw material supply chains within the European Union and allied markets. Environmental Assessment and Project Design The environmental approval was based on an Environmental Impact Assessment that evaluated the Borralha Project's potential effects on environmental, social and cultural factors and identified mitigation, monitoring and compensation measures to be implemented during construction, operation and closure. Key design features assessed as part of the EIA includes: Underground mining with limited surface disturbance; Closed-loop water management systems; Filtered tailings with dry stacking; Environmental monitoring and contingency plans; Rehabilitation of historical mine waste and legacy environmental liabilities; and Protection of water resources, ecosystems and cultural heritage. The APA concluded that, subject to the implementation of prescribed conditions, the Project may proceed from an environmental perspective. The APA's favorable decision represents a significant de-risking milestone for the Borralha Project and reflects the extensive and rigorous work undertaken during the Environmental Impact Assessment process. The EIA was coordinated and led by Joao Barros, on behalf of the project partners, and delivered through the dedicated efforts of Allied's technical team, supported by a range of specialized national and international consulting partners with expertise in mining engineering, geology, environmental sciences, ecology, water resources, social impact, cultural heritage and risk assessment. This collective technical effort underpinned the robust assessment framework that ultimately supported the positive environmental decision issued by the APA. Regional and Socioeconomic Considerations The Borralha Project is located in the Parish of Salto, including the village of Borralha, within the Municipality of Montalegre. The Borralha Project is expected, subject to further permitting and development decisions, to generate direct and indirect employment, support local and regional suppliers and contribute to economic activity in an interior region of Portugal. As required under the DIA, the Company will develop and implement social development, community engagement and environmental monitoring programmes during the next phases of project development. Next Steps Following receipt of the DIA, the Company intends to: Prepare the Borralha Project of Execution and RECAPE documentation; Advance detailed engineering and technical studies; Undertake additional environmental and social studies required by the approval conditions; and Continue engagement with regulatory authorities and local stakeholders. There can be no assurance that subsequent permits will be granted or that the Project will proceed to construction or operation. About Allied Critical Metals Inc. Allied Critical Metals Inc. (CSE: ACM) (OTCQB: ACMIF) (FSE: 0VJ0) is a Canadian-based mining company focused on the expansion and revitalization of its 100% owned past producing Borralha Tungsten Project and the Vila Verde Tungsten Project in northern Portugal. Tungsten has been designated a critical metal by the United States and other western countries, as they are aggressively seeking friendly sources of this unique metal. Currently, China, Russia and North Korea represent approximately 87% of the total global supply and reserves. The Tungsten market is estimated to be valued at approximately U.S.$5 to $6 billion, and it is used in a variety of industries such as defense, automotive, manufacturing, electronics, and energy. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Roy Bonnell" Roy Bonnell CEO and Director Please also visit our website at www.alliedcritical.com. Also visit us at: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/allied-critical-metals-inc/ X: https://x.com/@alliedcritical/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alliedcriticalmetals/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliedcriticalmetals/ The Canadian Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking statements", including with respect to the use of proceeds. Wherever possible, words such as "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "potential for" and similar expressions have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations of the Company's management for future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities, including the timing for an industrial scale process plant at Borralha, if at all, and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, those listed in the Company's Listing Statement and other filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be viewed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca). Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the proposed timeline and use of proceeds for exploration and development of the Company's mineral projects as described in the Company's news releases, and corporate presentations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this news release. These factors should be considered carefully, and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, all as filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280076 Source: Allied Critical Metals Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Fife Capital Corp. (TSXV: FFC.P) ("FIFE"), a capital pool company, and Ampere Metals Pty. Limited ("Ampere", and together with FIFE, the "Parties") are pleased to announce that they have entered into a non-binding letter of intent dated January 12, 2026 ("Letter of Intent"), which outlines the terms and conditions pursuant to which FIFE is proposing to acquire all of the issued and outstanding securities of Ampere in exchange for securities of FIFE (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Proposed Transaction will result in a reverse-takeover of FIFE by Ampere and is intended to constitute the "Qualifying Transaction" of FIFE under the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), as such term is defined in Exchange Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies ("Exchange Policy 2.4"). Following the completion of the Transaction, FIFE is expected to be renamed "Ampere Metals Limited", or such other name as the Parties may determine (the "Resulting Issuer"), and is expected to carry on the current business of Ampere. Trading of the common shares in the capital of FIFE (each, a "FIFE Share") is halted in accordance with the policies of the Exchange and will remain halted until such time as all required documentation in connection with the Proposed Transaction has been filed and accepted by the Exchange and permission to resume trading is obtained from the Exchange. All amounts referred to herein are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. Terms of the Proposed Transaction Pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Intent, FIFE and Ampere will negotiate and enter into a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") and other transaction documentation, incorporating the principal terms of the Letter of Intent. There is no assurance that the Definitive Agreement will be successfully negotiated or entered into. The Proposed Transaction will be structured as a share exchange, plan of arrangement, amalgamation or other form of business combination based on the advice of the Parties' respective advisors and taking into account various securities, tax, operating, and other considerations. Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, FIFE will have acquired 100% ownership of Ampere, the existing shareholders of Ampere will own a majority of the FIFE Shares, and the business of Ampere will become the business of the Resulting Issuer. Pursuant to the terms of the Proposed Transaction, all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of Ampere ("Ampere Shares") will be exchanged for FIFE Shares on an exchange ratio to be determined but initially expected to be 1:1 ("Exchange Ratio"). FIFE may complete a consolidation the FIFE Shares, should the Parties deem it to be necessary in the context of setting the Exchange Ratio (the "Consolidation"). There are currently 47,500,000 Ampere Shares issued and outstanding, as well as 26,000,000 securities convertible into 26,000,000 Ampere Shares. It is expected 16,000,000 of such convertible securities will be cancelled prior to the closing of the Proposed Transaction. The Proposed Transaction is not a "Non-Arm's Length Qualifying Transaction" within the meaning of Exchange Policy 2.4 and, as such, the approval of the shareholders of FIFE is not required (unless otherwise mandated by the Exchange). If FIFE and Ampere enter into the Definitive Agreement in respect of the Proposed Transaction, FIFE will issue a comprehensive press release at that time in accordance with the policies of the Exchange containing details of the Definitive Agreement and additional terms of the Proposed Transaction, including the proposed directors and officers of the Resulting Issuer upon completion of the Proposed Transaction. Management and Name Change of Resulting Issuer In connection with the Proposed Transaction, the Resulting Issuer intends to change its name to "Ampere Metals Limited" or such other name as is determined by Ampere (the "Name Change"), acting reasonably and acceptable to applicable regulators, and it will also apply to change its stock symbol. If the Proposed Transaction is completed, it is expected that the board of directors of the Resulting Issuer will be composed of suitable nominees, each of whom will be appointed by Ampere. Further, the officers of the Resulting Issuer will be determined by Ampere prior to completion of the Proposed Transaction. Concurrent Financing As a condition to the closing of the Proposed Transaction, Ampere, an affiliate of Ampere, FIFE, or an affiliate of FIFE will complete a financing ("Concurrent Financing") currently targeted to raise minimum gross proceeds of $15 million. The terms of the Concurrent Financing will be determined in the context of the market. The proceeds of the Concurrent Financing will be used to fund the business of the Resulting Issuer, including general and administrative expenses for the Resulting Issuer, for certain transaction expenses incurred by Ampere and for general working capital purposes. Additional details of the Concurrent Financing may be outlined in a future press release of FIFE. Ampere has retained ECM Capital Advisors Ltd. as financial advisor in connection with the Proposed Transaction and Concurrent Transaction. Conditions Precedent The Proposed Transaction is conditional upon a number of customary conditions to closing, including among others: (i) completion of satisfactory due diligence by the Parties; (ii) entering into and execution of the Definitive Agreement; (iii) receipt of all required regulatory approvals with respect to the Proposed Transaction and listing of the Resulting Issuer shares on the Exchange; (iv) all third party consents and corporate approvals necessary to complete the Proposed Transaction being obtained, including approval of the Name Change and the Consolidation, as applicable; (v) no adverse material change in the business, affairs, financial condition, or operations of FIFE or Ampere having occurred prior to closing; and (vi) the Concurrent Financing being completed. About Ampere Ampere is an Australian based silver-gold mining company, headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, which is focused on delivering value through high-quality projects. Led by a seasoned team, it targets geologically strong, economically viable assets to deliver sustainable returns. Ampere holds an option to acquire the mineral rights and landholdings applicable to the Virginia Silver Project located in the Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Sponsorship of the Proposed Transaction Sponsorship of a "Qualifying Transaction" of a capital pool company is required by the Exchange unless exempt in accordance with Exchange policies. FIFE is currently reviewing the Exchange's requirements for sponsorship and intends to seek a waiver of the sponsorship requirements. However, there is no assurance that a waiver from this requirement can or will be obtained. About Fife Capital Corp. FIFE was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) in November of 2020. FIFE is headquartered in Vancouver and is listed as a capital pool company on the Exchange, and the FIFE Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange under the symbol FFC.P. FIFE's business objective is to identify and evaluate assets or businesses with a view to a potential acquisition by completing a "Qualifying Transaction." FIFE has not commenced commercial operations and has no assets other than cash. It is intended that the Proposed Transaction, when completed, will constitute the "Qualifying Transaction". Further Information FIFE will provide further details in respect of the Proposed Transaction in due course by way of press release. However, FIFE will make available to the Exchange all information, including financial information, as required by the Exchange and will provide, in a press release to be disseminated at a later date, required disclosure. All information contained in this press release with respect to FIFE and Ampere was supplied by the Parties respectively, for inclusion herein, without independent review by the other party, and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as 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. For further information please contact: Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Notice on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada. Any statements about the Parties' expectations, beliefs, plans, goals, targets, predictions, forecasts, objectives, assumptions, information and statements about possible future events, conditions and results of operations or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates", "aims", "strives", "seeks", "believes", "can", "could", "may", "predicts", "potential", "should", "will", "estimates", "plans", "mileposts", "projects", "continuing", "ongoing", "expects", "intends" and similar words or phrases suggesting future outcomes. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements in respect of: Definitive Agreement, and the final terms thereof, if the Definitive Agreement is to be entered into at all; completion of the Proposed Transaction, and the timing thereof, if it is to be completed at all; satisfaction of the conditions to closing of the Proposed Transaction, including the completion of Concurrent Financing, Name Change, and Consolidation; the Concurrent Financing, including the gross proceeds to be raised and the terms and condition upon which such proceeds are raised, and the ultimate use of proceeds; the application for a waiver of the sponsorship requirements; the management of the Resulting Issuer, including the composition of the board and executive team; receipt of all regulatory approvals with respect of the Proposed Transaction, including of the Exchange; receipt of shareholder approval of Ampere, if applicable; the resumption of trading of the FIFE Shares; and the business plans of the Resulting Issuer. The forward-looking information that may be in this news release is based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, having regard to FIFE's experience and its perception of historical trend which have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect, and includes, but is not limited to, expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions relating to: the timely receipt of the Exchange's, third parties', and regulatory bodies' approvals in connection with the Proposed, and ancillary matters related thereto; satisfactory completion of due diligence, in a timely matter by the Parties.; all closing conditions to the Proposed Transaction, being satisfied and the closing of the Proposed Transaction occurring as anticipated; market competition; general business and economic conditions; no material changes with respect to the parties and their respective businesses; and the possibility that results from the Resulting Issuer's growth and development plans will not be consistent with FIFE's expectations. Although FIFE believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because FIFE can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Current conditions, economic and otherwise, render assumptions, although reasonable when made, subject to greater uncertainty. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information as actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking information. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of FIFE, including, without limitation, the following risk factors: the Concurrent Offering will not be completed or as to the actual offering price or gross proceeds to be raised in connection with the Concurrent Offering, in particular, the amount raised may be significantly less than the amounts anticipated as a result of, among other things, market conditions and investor behaviour; FIFE and Ampere will not obtain all requisite approvals for the Proposed Transaction, including the approval of their respective shareholders (if required), or the approval of the Exchange (which may be conditional upon amendments to the terms of the Proposed Transaction); volatility within the stock markets may adversely affect the price of the Resulting Issuer's securities, regardless of its operating performance; and the Proposed Transaction not being completed on the terms anticipated or at all, including due to a closing condition not being satisfied, such as the inability to obtain receipt of all necessary securityholder, third parties, stock exchanges, and regulatory approvals or consents; Additional information regarding some of these risks, expectations or assumptions and other risk factors is contained in FIFE's filings with Canadian securities regulators, including its final long form preliminary prospectus dated, April 28, 2021, and which are available on FIFE's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and FIFE undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280129 Source: Fife Capital Corp. The persistent corneal edema market is experiencing steady growth, driven by rising clinical awareness, improved postoperative monitoring, and growing focus on endothelial dysfunction-related complications. Additionally, the launch of emerging therapies such as AURN001 (Aurion Biotech/Alcon), EO2002 (Emmecell), TTHX1114 (Trefoil Therapeutics), and others will further drive the market forward. LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Persistent Corneal Edema Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, persistent corneal edema emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2020 to 2034, segmented into leading markets [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Persistent Corneal Edema Market Summary The market size for Persistent Corneal Edema was found to be USD 355 million in the leading markets [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan] in 2024. in the leading markets [the United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan] in 2024. The United States accounted for the largest persistent corneal edema treatment market size, approximately 45% of the total market size in the 7MM in 2024, compared to other major markets, including the EU4 countries, the United Kingdom, and Japan. of the total market size in the 7MM in 2024, compared to other major markets, including the EU4 countries, the United Kingdom, and Japan. In 2024, DelveInsight estimated more than 2 million diagnosed prevalent cases of persistent corneal edema across the 7MM, underscoring its rising clinical significance and the growing recognition of surgery-related and endothelial-driven corneal complications. diagnosed prevalent cases of persistent corneal edema across the 7MM, underscoring its rising clinical significance and the growing recognition of surgery-related and endothelial-driven corneal complications. Leading persistent corneal edema companies, such as Aurion Biotech, Alcon, Emmecell, Trefoil Therapeutics, and others, are developing new persistent corneal edema treatment drugs that can be available in the persistent corneal edema market in the coming years. and others, are developing new persistent corneal edema treatment drugs that can be available in the persistent corneal edema market in the coming years. The promising persistent corneal edema therapies in clinical trials include AURN001, EO2002, TTHX1114, and others. and others. Estimates suggest that AURN001 is expected to generate approximately USD 1 billion in the 7MM by 2034. Discover the new persistent corneal edema treatment @ Persistent Corneal Edema Treatment Market Key Factors Driving the Growth of the Persistent Corneal Edema Market Rising Persistent Corneal Edema Prevalence In 2024, over 2 million diagnosed prevalent cases of persistent corneal edema were reported across the 7MM, highlighting the condition's increasing clinical importance and greater awareness of surgery-associated and endothelial-related corneal complications. Increased Volume of Ocular Surgeries Higher rates of surgeries (e.g., cataract, glaucoma) correlate with a greater incidence of postoperative corneal endothelial damage and persistent edema, which expands the pool of patients requiring therapeutic intervention. Launch of Emering Persistent Corneal Edema Drugs The anticipated launch of emering persistent corneal edema drugs such as AURN001 (Aurion Biotech/Alcon), EO2002 (Emmecell), TTHX1114 (Trefoil Therapeutics), and others are expected to change the dynamics of the market in the coming years. Persistent Corneal Edema Market Analysis The persistent corneal edema market is poised for accelerated growth, driven by advances in clinical insight, improved diagnostic precision, and ongoing therapeutic innovation. Greater recognition of endothelial dysfunction as the primary cause of corneal edema, combined with an aging population, rising prevalence of conditions such as FECD, and increasing numbers of cataract and glaucoma surgeries, is expanding the addressable patient pool. Since existing treatments such as hypertonic saline, corticosteroids, and supportive measures provide only short-term symptomatic relief, a significant unmet need for disease-modifying solutions remains. Emerging mechanism-driven and regenerative therapies are expected to reshape the treatment paradigm. Pipeline candidates, including AURN001, EO2002, and TTHX1114, employ distinct approaches to repair endothelial damage, enhance cellular recovery, and facilitate corneal deturgescence. By addressing the root biological mechanisms rather than symptoms alone, these therapies may offer durable restoration of corneal clarity, better visual outcomes, and reduced reliance on surgical transplantation. This evolution is supported by robust research activity, growing biotech investment, and an increasing focus on cell-based and growth factor-driven regenerative strategies. As clinical data accumulate and regulatory pathways become more clearly defined, the persistent corneal edema market is set for substantial change. With high unmet need and rapid progress in regenerative ophthalmology, endothelial dysfunction is increasingly regarded as a treatable condition, paving the way for a new class of restorative, non-surgical therapies. Persistent Corneal Edema Competitive Landscape The persistent corneal edema clinical trial landscape is advancing with three notable emerging therapies: AURN001 (Aurion Biotech/Alcon), EO2002 (Emmecell), and TTHX1114 (Trefoil Therapeutics). These candidates reflect a focused and growing effort to restore corneal clarity by directly targeting the underlying endothelial dysfunction that defines the condition. Aurion Biotech and Alcon's AURN001 is an intracameral regenerative cell therapy aimed at restoring corneal endothelial function in patients with corneal edema resulting from endothelial cell depletion. The treatment delivers cultured human corneal endothelial cells directly into the anterior chamber, enabling repopulation of the endothelial layer, reactivation of fluid pump function, and reduction of stromal edema, thereby enhancing visual clarity. This approach represents a disease-modifying alternative to traditional corneal transplantation. Emmecell's EO2002 is an investigational cell-based therapy designed to regenerate the corneal endothelium in patients with endothelial dysfunction, a leading contributor to corneal edema and vision impairment. By promoting the proliferation and functional recovery of residual endothelial cells, EO2002 seeks to restore corneal transparency and visual acuity without the need for invasive surgical transplantation. Its targeted regenerative mechanism positions it as a potentially transformative, nonsurgical treatment option. Trefoil Therapeutics' TTHX1114 is a recombinant engineered FGF-1 analog that stimulates corneal endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival. Administered via intracameral injection, it supports endothelial regeneration. It accelerates corneal deturgescence in disorders such as Fuchs' endothelial corneal dystrophy, to restore corneal clarity, improving vision, and reducing reliance on corneal transplantation. A topical formulation is also under development for epithelial disorders associated with ocular surface injury, expanding its applicability across a broader range of corneal conditions. The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the persistent corneal edema market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the persistent corneal edema market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth. Discover more about the persistent corneal edema drugs @ Persistent Corneal Edema Drugs Market Recent Developments in the Persistent Corneal Edema Market In October 2025, Aurion Biotech reported that AURN001 met all primary, secondary, and exploratory endpoints at 12 months in the Phase I/II CLARA trial, supporting advancement of the high-dose regimen into a Phase III trial planned for early 2026, along with parallel clinical development planning in the EU. reported that AURN001 met all primary, secondary, and exploratory endpoints at 12 months in the Phase I/II CLARA trial, supporting advancement of the high-dose regimen into a Phase III trial planned for early 2026, along with parallel clinical development planning in the EU. In March 2025, Alcon acquired a majority interest in Aurion Biotech to advance AURN001, its innovative allogeneic cell therapy for corneal endothelial disease, strengthening Alcon's position in regenerative ophthalmology and accelerating the global development and commercialization of next-generation cell-based treatments for corneal disorders. What is Persistent Corneal Edema? Persistent corneal edema is a chronic condition characterized by long-standing corneal swelling due to impaired regulation of fluid balance, most often caused by dysfunction or loss of corneal endothelial cells. These cells are responsible for pumping excess fluid out of the cornea to maintain its transparency; when they fail, fluid accumulates within the corneal layers, leading to thickening, clouding, and reduced vision. Persistent corneal edema may develop following cataract or other intraocular surgeries, trauma, endothelial dystrophies such as Fuchs' dystrophy, chronic inflammation, or prolonged elevated intraocular pressure. If left untreated, it can result in pain, epithelial bullae, recurrent erosions, and progressive visual impairment. Persistent Corneal Edema Epidemiology Segmentation The persistent corneal edema epidemiology section provides insights into the historical and current persistent corneal edema patient pool and forecasted trends for the leading markets. In 2024, DelveInsight estimated that approximately 4.1 million cataract surgeries were performed in the US, with around 45,000 diagnosed prevalent cases of persistent corneal edema. The persistent corneal edema treatment market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020-2034 in the leading markets, segmented into: Diagnosed Prevalent Cases/Total Procedure Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Persistent Corneal Edema Treated Cases of Persistent Corneal Edema Persistent Corneal Edema Market Report Metrics Details Study Period 2020-2034 Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan]. Persistent Corneal Edema Market CAGR 21.8 % Persistent Corneal Edema Market Size in 2024 USD 355 Million Key Persistent Corneal Edema Companies Aurion Biotech, Alcon, Emmecell, Trefoil Therapeutics, and others Key Persistent Corneal Edema Therapies AURN001, EO2002, TTHX1114, and others Scope of the Persistent Corneal Edema Market Report Therapeutic Assessment: Persistent Corneal Edema current marketed and emerging therapies Persistent Corneal Edema current marketed and emerging therapies Persistent Corneal Edema Market Dynamics: Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Persistent Corneal Edema Drugs and Market Outlook Key Market Forecast Assumptions of Emerging Persistent Corneal Edema Drugs and Market Outlook Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Persistent Corneal Edema Market Access and Reimbursement Download the report to understand what is the latest research on persistent corneal edema @ New Persistent Corneal Edema Medication Table of Contents 1 Persistent Corneal Edema Market Key Insights 2 Persistent Corneal Edema Market Report Introduction 3 Persistent Corneal Edema Market Overview at a Glance 3.1 Market Share (%) Distribution of Persistent Corneal Edema by Therapies in the 7MM in 2024 3.2 Market Share (%) Distribution of Persistent Corneal Edema by Therapies in the 7MM in 2034 4 Epidemiology and Market Methodology 5 Executive Summary 6 Key Events 7 Disease Background and Overview 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Persistent Corneal Edema Types 7.3 Persistent Corneal Edema Causes 7.4 Persistent Corneal Edema Pathophysiology 7.5 Persistent Corneal Edema Symptoms 7.6 Persistent Corneal Edema Risk Factor 7.7 Persistent Corneal Edema Diagnosis 7.8 Persistent Corneal Edema Treatment and Management 8 Epidemiology and Patient Population 8.1 Key Findings 8.2 Assumptions and Rationale: 7MM 8.2.1 Diagnosed Prevalent Cases/Total Procedure 8.2.2 Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Persistent corneal edema 8.3 Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Persistent corneal edema in the 7 MM 8.4 The United States 8.4.1 Diagnosed Prevalent Cases/Total Procedure 8.4.2 Total Diagnosed Prevalent Cases of Persistent corneal edema 8.4.3 Treated Cases of Persistent Corneal Edema 8.5 EU4 and the UK 8.6 Japan 9 Persistent Corneal Edema Patient Journey 10 Emerging Persistent Corneal Edema Therapies 10.1 Key Cross Competition 10.2 AURN001: Aurion Biotech/Alcon 10.2.1 Drug Description 10.2.2 Other Development Activities 10.2.3 Clinical Trials Information 10.2.4 Safety and Efficacy 10.2.5 Analyst Views 10.3 EO2002: Emmecell 10.4 TTHX1114: Trefoil Therapeutics The list will be continued in the report 11 Persistent Corneal Edema Market: Seven Major Market Analysis 11.1 Key Findings 11.2 Key Persistent Corneal Edema Market Forecast Assumptions 11.3 Persistent Corneal Edema Market Outlook 11.4 Attribute Analysis 11.5 Total Market Size of Persistent Corneal Edema in the 7MM 11.6 Market Size of Persistent Corneal Edema by Therapies in the 7MM 11.7 The United States Persistent Corneal Edema Market Size 11.7.1 Total Market Size of Persistent Corneal Edema in the US 11.7.2 Market Size of Persistent Corneal Edema by Therapies in the US 11.8 EU4 and the UK Persistent Corneal Edema Market Size 11.9 Japan Persistent Corneal Edema Market Size 12 Key Opinion Leaders' Views on Persistent Corneal Edema 13 Persistent Corneal Edema Market Unmet Needs 14 Persistent Corneal Edema Market SWOT Analysis 15 Persistent Corneal Edema Market Access and Reimbursement 16 Bibliography 17 Abbreviations and Acronyms 18 Persistent Corneal Edema Market Report Methodology Related Reports Corneal Edema Market Corneal Edema Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key corneal edema companies, including AEmmetrope Ophthalmics LLC ("Emmecell"), Trefoil Therapeutics, D. Western Therapeutics Institute (DWTI), Kowa Ltd., Santen Pharmaceutical, Actual Eyes, among others. Corneal Dystrophy Market Corneal Dystrophy Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key corneal dystrophy companies, including Trefoil Therapeutics, Kowa Company, Santen Pharmaceutical, ActualEyes, among others. Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Market Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key FECD companies, including Kowa Pharmaceuticals, Trefoil Therapeutics, Alcon, Emmecell, Santen, ActualEyes, among others. Retinal Vein Occlusion Market Retinal Vein Occlusion Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key RVO companies, including Taiwan Liposome Company, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Graybug Vision, Outlook Therapeutics, Kodiak Sciences Inc, Roche, Chugai Pharmaceuticals, among others. About DelveInsight DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve. Contact Us Shruti Thakur info@delveinsight.com +14699457679 www.delveinsight.com Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/persistent-corneal-edema-market-to-show-impressive-growth-at-a-cagr-of-21-8-during-the-forecast-period-20252034--delveinsight-302658198.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Quebec Rare Earth Elements Corp. (CSE: QREE) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement to acquire the Moose REE Project, a 7km diameter circular magnetic anomaly with a central magnetic core of 2 km in diameter (Exhibit 1). Although minimal work has been done to date, one sample taken by the vendor in 2025 returned 6.17% TREO of which 20.8% was NdPr oxides. Both the ringed edges of the anomaly and the central magnetic core are believed to be highly prospective for Rare Earth Elements. The Moose REE Project is located in Quebec (Exhibit 2) and is drill ready. An airborne spectrometry survey is planned to better establish the different phases within the anomaly and determine the most prospective areas for an initial targeted drill program in 2026. If the initial drill program is successful, the geology suggests that a maiden 43-101 resource could be completed as early as 2028. Exhibit 1 - Magnetic Survey of Moose Project To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2610/280104_qree.jpg Moose REE Project - Overview The Moose REE Project is located 240 km east of Val d'Or and 45km north of Parent, Quebec (Exhibit 2) and covers 5,324 Ha (53.2 sq. km). The Property has good road access via well-maintained forestry roads heading north from Parent. The Moose REE Project is a 7km diameter circular magnetic anomaly with a central core of 2 km in diameter (see Exhibit 1). The anomaly shows minimal outcropping, mainly along the northern and southern rims. Some undeformed angular blocks were sampled to the south of the anomaly along the glacial train and were identified as nepheline syenites, often associated with carbonatites. One sample taken by the vendor in 2025 returned 6.17% TREO of which 20.8% was NdPr oxides. Both the ringed edges of the anomaly and the central magnetic core are believed to be highly prospective for Rare Earth Elements. Moose REE Project - Next Steps Considering the lack of significant outcrop and the results of the high-quality magnetic survey (Exhibit 1), the Moose REE Project is drill ready. An airborne spectrometry survey is planned to better establish the different phases within the anomaly and determine the most prospective areas for a targeted drill program in 2026. If the initial drill program is successful, the geology suggests that a maiden 43-101 resource could be completed as early as 2028. Exhibit 2 - Location of Moose REE Property To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2610/280104_57f1f794f448f8a0_011full.jpg Option Agreement Summary On January 9, 2026, the Company entered into an arm's length option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Les Ressources Tectonic Inc. (the "Optionor") pursuant to which the Company has been granted an option (the "Option") to acquire a 100% beneficial and legal interest in the Moose REE project located in Quebec, Canada (the "Property"). Under the terms of the Option Agreement, the Company may exercise the Option to acquire a 100% interest in the Property upon completion of the following option payments (the "Option Payments"): On the fifth business day of the date hereof, the Company shall issue 250,000 common shares of the Company ("Common Share") to the Optionor; On or before the first anniversary of the date of the Option Agreement, the Company shall make a cash payment of $30,000 to the Optionor and issue the Optionor 125,000 Common Shares; On or before the second anniversary of the date of the Option Agreement, the Company shall make a cash payment of $50,000 to the Optionor and issue the Optionor 200,000 Common Shares; and On or before the third anniversary of the date of the Option Agreement, the Company shall make a cash payment in the amount of $75,000 to the Optionor and issue the Optionor 250,000 Common Shares. In addition, in the event that the Company obtains a resource calculation, preliminary economic assessment study, pre-feasibility study or feasibility study prepared by an independent qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, the Company shall make a cash payment in the amount of $200,000 to the Optionor within a period of 120 days of its public disclosure. Pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"), the Option Agreement and the issuance of the Common Shares remain subject to receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the approval of the CSE. All Common Shares issued will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Qualified Person (QP) The scientific and technical disclosure included in this news release have been reviewed and approved by Richard Roy, P.Geo who is the Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Mr. Roy is a Director and Technical Advisor of the Company. The Qualified Person has verified the assay results of samples taken on the property by obtaining detailed descriptions, photos, precise locations and original assay certificates of the samples. The samples were processed and prepared at ALS Canada Ltd. in Val d'Or Quebec Canada and assayed at their Vancouver BC Canada laboratory using conventional ICP-AES and ICP-MS (lithium borate fusion) instruments. About QREE Quebec Rare Earth Elements Corp. (QREE) is a mining exploration and development company focused on Rare Earth Elements (REE), primarily in the favourable mining jurisdiction of Quebec. QREE is led by a Quebec based team that has decades of mining experience across all stages of development, from grass roots discoveries, resource development, economic studies, financing, construction, production and on-going operations. Local community engagement is a core principle on which we seek to build a sustainable, high quality, high integrity business for the benefit of all stakeholders. QREE is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "QREE". Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, but not limited to, the Company's ongoing business plan. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward-looking information and statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about QREE's business and the industry and markets in which it operates. Such forward information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that locations of historical mineral resources estimates and showings could lead to new mineralization discoveries and potentially be verified as current mineral resource estimates, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms to conduct further exploration and operational activities, and that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct QREE's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by QREE in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performances and achievements of QREE to differ materially from any projections of results, performances and achievements of QREE expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: limited operating history, negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, delays or failure to obtain required permits and regulatory approvals, no known mineral resources/reserves, aboriginal title and consultation issues, reliance on key management and other personnel; potential downturns in economic conditions; availability of third party contractors; availability of equipment and supplies; failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry; changes in laws and regulation, competition, and uninsurable risks, community relations, delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals and the risk factors with respect to QREE set out in QREE's public disclosures filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available under QREE's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although QREE has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by 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 forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. QREE undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280104 Source: Quebec Rare Earth Elements Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Eastport Critical Metals Corp. (TSXV: EVI) ("Eastport" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has engaged the services of Independent Trading Group ("ITG") pursuant to an agreement effective December 18, 2026 (the "ITG Agreement") to provide market-making services in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") policies. ITG will trade shares of the Company on the TSXV and all other trading venues with the objective of maintaining a reasonable market and improving the liquidity of the Company's common shares. Under the terms of the ITG Agreement, the Company will pay ITG compensation of CAD $6,500 per month, payable monthly in advance. The ITG Agreement is for an initial term of one month and will renew for additional one-month terms unless terminated by either party with 30 days' notice. There is no performance factors contained in the ITG Agreement and ITG will not receive shares or options as compensation. All market-making activities undertaken by ITG will be conducted using ITG's own capital, and the Company will not provide any funds, securities, or other consideration any other person for the purpose of trading in the Company's securities. ITG and the Company are unrelated and unaffiliated entities and at the time of the ITG Agreement, neither ITG nor its principals have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company. About Eastport Critical Metals Corp. Eastport is a critical minerals development company advancing five projects in Botswana, with cumulative historical and current expenditures approaching $20 million. The Company's most advanced asset is the Matsitama Copper Project, which hosts multiple sizeable targets across the Matsitama copper district. The Company's additional projects include Selebi East, a nickel-copper-cobalt project located seven kilometres east of the historic Selebi Mines; the Semarule Rare Earth Elements Project, positioned within the Gaborone-Molepolole corridor; the Foley Uranium Project, adjoining the Letlhakane uranium deposit; and the Keng Project, which targets nickel, copper and PGE's on the northern margin of the Molopo Farms Complex. Botswana is widely regarded as one of Africa's strongest mining jurisdictions, combining the continent's highest GDP per capita with a 50-year track record of large-scale mineral development since the Orapa diamond discovery in 1967. The country ranks among the top performers globally on the Fraser Institute's Investment Attractiveness Index and is the highest-rated jurisdiction in Africa on the Policy Perception Index. These rankings reflect Botswana's stable regulatory environment, consistent rule of law, and long-standing support for responsible mineral development - factors that have underpinned significant investment and major M&A activity in the natural resources sector in recent years. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi" Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi, CEO Eastport Critical Metals Corp. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's business, assets or investments, as well other statements that are not historical facts. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, investor interest in the business and prospects of the Company. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made, by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. Neither the 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280133 Source: Eastport Critical Metals Corp. Hong Kong, Hong Kong--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Raging River Capital Limited ("Raging River") announces that on November 19, 2025, AJN Resources Inc. ("AJN") announced the closing of a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of units (each, a "Unit") in the capital of AJN with Raging River at a price of $0.10 per Unit for total gross proceeds of $3,000,000 via the issuance of a total of 30,000,000 Units. Each Unit is comprised of one common share of AJN (each, a "Common Share") and one share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), where each Warrant will entitle Raging River to purchase one additional Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.15 per Warrant Share for a two-year period. The securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement are, and any Warrant Shares to be issued on the exercise of Warrants will be, restricted from trading until March 20, 2026. The CSE has advised AJN that until the Private Placement has been approved by the shareholders of AJN, Raging River may not vote more than that number of shares equal to 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares in AJN. Raging River did not, directly or indirectly, own any securities of AJN immediately before the completion of the Private Placement. Immediately following the completion of the Private Placement, Raging River, directly or indirectly, owns or controls a total of 30,000,000 Common Shares and 30,000,000 Warrants, representing approximately 28.84% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares as of the date of this report on a non-diluted basis and approximately 44.76% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares when assuming (a) exercise of all 30,000,000 Warrants and (b) no additional issuance of Common Shares. All of the securities held by Raging River in AJN, including the Common Shares, are being held for investment purposes. Raging River may in the future take such actions in respect of its securityholdings in AJN as it deems appropriate in light of the market circumstances then existing, including the potential purchase of additional shares of AJN through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, a corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving AJN, or the sale of all or a portion of such holdings in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions to one or more purchasers, or Raging River may continue to hold its current positions. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts 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/280130 Source: Raging River Capital Limited Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Syntheia Corp. (CSE: SYAI) ("Syntheia" or the "Company") (syntheia.ai), a leading provider of conversational AI solutions for inbound telephone call management, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (the "LOI"), dated January 12, 2026, with CX1 Capital Inc. to acquire Wunderlich Group LLC, dba Satcom (collectively, known as "Satcom"), and certain of its assets (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Proposed Transaction is expected to be structured as a share purchase of Satcom, but is subject to the receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice by both parties. Acquisitions Terms: It is anticipated that Satcom will be acquired for consideration from Syntheia of US$5.5M in a combination of: US$1,450,000 cash payment on closing pro rata to the Satcom shareholders; Promissory notes to be issued pro rata to the shareholders of Satcom in the aggregate amount of US$2,220,000; and Common shares in the capital of Syntheia issued on closing of the Proposed Transaction to satisfy the balance of US$1,830,000 owing at a volume weighted average price per share (calculated over a 90-day period) and acceptable to the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE"). The Company will also pay up to US$4,500,000 in a performance earn-out to Satcom to be satisfied through a combination of additional cash, promissory notes and issuance of common shares. "With the CCG acquisition now fully integrated and revenue producing, we are pleased to announce our second proposed acquisition, Satcom," commented Tony Di Benedetto, CEO of Syntheia. The LOI contemplates that the parties will draft, finalize and execute a binding definitive agreement (a "Definitive Agreement") respecting the Proposed Transaction and the entering into of a Definitive Agreement are subject to mutual due diligence investigations. The Company expects to provide an update respecting the Proposed Transaction, any required shareholder and regulatory approvals, any related financings and the status of the Definitive Agreement in due course. The common shares of the Company issuable in the Proposed Transaction will be issued subject to applicable securities laws, the policies of the CSE and such escrow, pooling, voluntary stock restriction, earn-out or similar agreements as the parties may agree upon. No finder's fees are payable by either party in connection with the Proposed Transaction. The Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, the parties successfully entering into the Definitive Agreement; the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the CSE; and certain other closing conditions, including the completion of satisfactory due diligence by both the Company and Satcom. About Satcom For more than two decades, SatCom has been a trusted partner in delivering customer engagement solutions. Today, as SatCom CX, we are reinvented - powered by a new leadership team, modern technology, and an expanded global footprint. With operational hubs in San Salvador (El Salvador) and Port of Spain (Trinidad) alongside our U.S. headquarters in Fort Myers, Florida and our Canadian headquarters in Toronto, Canada - we are uniquely positioned to serve clients across the Americas and beyond. About Syntheia Syntheia is an artificial intelligence technology company which is developing and commercializing proprietary algorithms to deliver human-like conversations. Syntheia is deploying our technology to call centers to enhance customer satisfaction while dramatically reducing turnover and traditional staffing issues. Cautionary Statement Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. 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. Forward-looking statements in this news release includes, but are not limited to, the synergies derived from the acquisition of BTC. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects the Company's management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning the business of the Company's future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Please refer to the Company's listing statement available on SEDAR+ for a list of risks and key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information 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 not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. 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 jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280139 Source: Syntheia Corp. Japan, like its Western allies, has been working to cut reliance on China for minerals vital to making cars, smartphones and military hardware, an effort that has gained urgency amid a deepening diplomatic row with Beijing A Japanese mining ship set sail on Monday for a remote coral atoll to probe mud rich in rare earths, part of Tokyos push to reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals as Beijing tightens supply, Reuters reported on Monday. The month-long mission of the test vessel Chikyu near Minamitori Island, about 1,900 km (1,200 miles) southeast of Tokyo, will be the worlds first attempt to continuously lift rare-earth-rich seabed sludge from a depth of 6 km (4 miles) onto a ship, the report said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Japan, like its Western allies, has been working to cut reliance on China for minerals vital to making cars, smartphones and military hardware, an effort that has gained urgency amid a deepening diplomatic row with Beijing. After seven years of steady preparation, we can finally begin the confirmation tests. Its deeply moving, Shoichi Ishii, the head of the government-backed project told Reuters. If this project succeeds, it will be of great significance in diversifying Japans rare earth resource procurement, he said, adding that recovering the key minerals from 6 km below sea level would be a major technological achievement. The vessel, with 130 crew and researchers, is scheduled to return to the port on February 14. Breaking away from China wont be easy Last week, China banned exports of items destined for Japans military that have civilian and military uses, including some critical minerals. The Wall Street Journal reported Beijing has also begun restricting rare-earth exports to Japan more broadly. Japan has condemned Chinas dual-use ban but declined to comment on the report of a broader ban, which China has not confirmed or denied. Chinese state media, though, have said Beijing was weighing the measure. Finance ministers from the Group of Seven industrial powers will discuss rare-earth supplies at a meeting in Washington on Monday. The Minamitori Island project, however, is the first to attempt to source rare earths domestically. The fundamental solution is to be able to produce rare earths inside Japan, Takahide Kiuchi, executive economist at Nomura Research Institute, told Reuters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If this new round of export controls ends up covering a lot of rare earths, Japanese companies will again make efforts to move away from China, but I dont think it will be easy, he said. Japan remains heavily reliant on China for some rare earths, including those used in magnets for electric and hybrid vehicle motors, analysts say. Long-term Project Since a supply scare in 2010, Japans government and private firms have built up stockpiles of rare earths, though they do not disclose the volumes. But Kazumi Nishikawa, principal director of economic security at the trade ministry, said the government had to continually remind companies to diversify their supply chains. Sometimes, you know, some event happened, then the business reacts, but the event finishes, the business forgets. We have to maintain continuous efforts, Nishikawa said on the China Talk podcast this week. The Minamitori Island project, into which the government has sunk 40 billion yen ($250 million) since 2018, is also a long-term play. Estimated reserves have not been disclosed and no production target has been set, but if the project succeeds, a full-scale mining trial is planned for February 2027. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mining the mud was previously viewed as uneconomical due to high costs. But if supply disruption from China continues and buyers become willing to pay higher prices, the project could become viable in coming years, Kotaro Shimizu, principal analyst at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting, told reuters China is keeping a close watch. When the ship was conducting surveys around the island in June last year, a fleet of Chinese naval ships sailed nearby, Ishii said. We feel a strong sense of crisis that such intimidating actions were taken, he said. China said its actions were in line with international law and called on Japan to refrain from hyping up threats. With inputs from agencies Oscar-winning actor Will Smith says he wants to star in a Bollywood film with Shah Rukh Khan, revealing past talks with Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan that didnt materialise, during an interview in Dubai. Hollywood superstar Will Smith has publicly expressed his wish to work in Bollywood alongside Indian cinemas biggest stars, urging Shah Rukh Khan to cast him in a feature film. The Oscar-winning actor made the revelation during his appearance at the red carpet premiere of National Geographics Pole to Pole with Will Smith in Dubai. Smith, who has built long-standing ties with Indias film industry, told Gulf News that he has quietly been nurturing friendships and creative conversations with Bollywood figures over the years, and that a collaboration with King Khan would be a dream project. I want Shah Rukh to put me in something. SRK, whats up? the Hollywood icon said, directly addressing the Bollywood superstar with a playful challenge about crossing over into Hindi cinema. The actor also shared that earlier talks about working with Salman Khan and Amitabh Bachchan had surfaced in previous discussions. I was talking to Salman. We had things we were talking about. I was trying to get into something with Big B, you know. He told me I could be Big W, so we were cool we were sharing the title. There were a couple of things over the years nothing panned out, the Hollywood superstar revealed. Will Smith is gearing up for the release of his upcoming television series Pole to Pole. According to the shows official synopsis, the actor embarks on a 100-day journey inspired by his late mentor, taking on extreme challenges in search of answers to lifes bigger questions. The series follows Smith as he skis to the South Pole, comes face to face with a giant anaconda, milks a venomous tarantula, scales mountains, and dives beneath the ice at the North Pole, all alongside scientists, explorers, and local experts. Pole to Pole is set to premiere on National Geographic on January 13. Bahraini rapper Flipperachi, whose track FA9LA from Dhurandhar went viral in India, announces his first live show in the country, kicking off in Bengaluru on March 14, 2026. Details here. Bahraini rapper and producer Flipperachi is set to perform live in India for the first time, riding the massive buzz created by his track FA9LA after it went viral in connection with the Bollywood film Dhurandhar. The announcement came via the artists official Instagram, where he revealed that his India tour will kick off on March 14, 2026, with a headlining set at the UN40 Music Festival in Bengaluru. The rapper, born Hussam Aseem. also teased that more dates and cities are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks, inviting fans to suggest stops theyd like him to make across the country. Social media buzz and fan excitement exploded soon after the news broke, with fans from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and beyond urging him to bring the show to their cities. Comment sections on the announcement post were flooded with enthusiastic responses as the rappers visit to India visit became official. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Flipperachis FA9LA gained widespread attention in India after it was featured prominently in Dhurandhar, especially tied to actor Akshaye Khannas on-screen sequence that quickly turned into a social media phenomenon. The combination of Arabic hip-hop rhythms and Bollywood exposure helped the song surge across platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and Spotify, deepening its cultural footprint. In recent interviews, the rapper expressed his excitement about the song being a part of Dhurandhar and hinted that another track might be part of the upcoming sequel, 'Dhurandhar 2', slated for a March 19, 2026 release. The Indian Space Research Organisations (Isro) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), launched from Sriharikota today (January 12), has failed in the third stage. This is the second launch in a row where a PSLV rocket has failed. But what went wrong? Isro has set itself the target of launching over 100 satellites in 2026. Reuters Are 16 satellites lost in space? The Indian Space Research Organisations (Isro) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), launched from Sriharikota today (January 12), has failed in the third stage. This is the second launch in a row where a PSLV rocket has failed. Isro earlier attempted to launch a rocket in May. But what happened exactly? What do we know? How has the PSLV been Isros workhorse for launches? Lets take a closer look. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Failed at third stage The PSLV rocket, which was launched at 10.17 am, made it through the first two stages and separation. However, it ultimately failed at the third stage around eight minutes after take-off. The PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly at the end of the PS3 stage. A detailed analysis has been initiated, Isro wrote on social media. The PSLV-DL, equipped with two solid strap-on motors to enhance lift capability, was carrying the EOS-N1, called Anvesha. This is an advanced Earth Observation Satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The satellite is equipped with sophisticated hyperspectral imaging technology, allowing it to capture primary colours as well as hundreds of light bands down to each pixel. This can help the Indian government monitor anything from crop health and soil moisture to mineral and environmental mapping, urban expansion and strategic surveillance. It was also carrying 15 other satellites belonging to domestic and international firms. Isros PSLV-C62 mission launched at 10.17 am today. Reuters These included: the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID), a small-scale prototype of a re-entry vehicle developed by a Spanish startup which was to return to Earths atmosphere and touch down in the South Pacific Ocean; the MOI-1 satellite from Hyderabad-based startups TakeMe2Space and Eon Space Labs; five satellites from Brazil; an Earth observation satellite made by the UK and Thailand; and a technology demonstration satellite from Nepal. Perhaps the most impressive one was the AayulSAT, built by Bengaluru startup OrbitAID Aerospace, which was to be a petrol pump in space. The idea was to put these satellites into a Sun-synchronous Polar Orbit. The MOI-1 satellite is equipped with an orbital AI image laboratory that can process data in space instead of sending everything back to Earth first. This lets users rent processing time like a space cybercafe, paying as little as about Rs 180 per minute for access to in-space computing. It also features MIRA, the worlds lightest space telescope (around 502 grams), made in one solid piece for sturdiness. What went wrong However, the PSLV rocket began veering off its flight path during the third stage of the mission. Isro has said that it is currently examining the flight data. Agency chairman Dr V Narayanan has not announced whether the mission is a success or a failure. The performance of the vehicle at the end of the third stage was nominal, and then a disturbance in roll rates and a deviation in flight path was noticed. We are analysing the data, and we will come back with more updates, Narayanan said. Isro Chief V Narayanan. Image: PTI A Failure Analysis Committee probe will now be constituted to identify the issue. However, it is likely that all 16 satellites failed to reach a usable orbit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The launch of the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission was the 105th launch from Sriharikota. It was also the 64th flight of PSLV and the fifth mission of the PSLV-DL variant. It was the ninth mission undertaken by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which is Isros commercial arm. This isnt the first time a PSLV rocket has failed over the past year. In May, Isro similarly failed to launch the EOS-09 satellite aboard the PSLV-C61 after a failure in the third stage of the rocket. That mission too sought to place the Earth observation satellite in a sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of about 597 kilometres. Workhorse of Isro and why it matters The PSLV remains Isros workhorse. It has been used for several landmark launches including Chandrayaan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1 and AstroSat. In 2017, PSLV set a world record by successfully launching 104 satellites during a single mission. The incident brings PSLVs success rate down to 94 per cent. Since its debut in 1993, the PSLV has only had a handful of failures at launch first in 1993 and then in 2017. The development is sure to leave some concerned about the impact on Indias private space ecosystem. Isro has set itself the target of launching over 100 satellites in 2026. It is also eyeing the expansion of its NavIC constellation and future human spaceflight missions, and preparing for the Gaganyaan Moon Mission, which uses LVM3. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will begin his first official visit to India today. He will hold a high-level meeting with PM Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, Isro is set to launch its PSLV-C62 mission, also known as the Anvesha satellite. Sergio Gor will arrive in Delhi today to officially assume his duties as the 26th US ambassador to India A worker installs a hoarding welcoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi ahead of their visit in Ahmedabad, India. AP A full slate of events is on the agenda for Monday as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will begin his first official visit to India. Meanwhile, Isro is set to launch its PSLV-C62 mission, also known as the Anvesha satellite. US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi today. January 12 marks the 50th death anniversary of Agatha Christie. In Maharashtra, MNS president Raj Thackeray will hold a joint rally with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that is taking place throughout the day. German chancellor to visit India German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to pay his first official visit to India on January 12. He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad to hold a high-level meeting. The two leaders will visit the historic Sabarmati Ashram and participate in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront. Following this, Bilateral engagements will be held at Mahatma Mandir, focusing on reviewing the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which completed 25 years in 2025. This visit precedes the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27, signalling a period of intense diplomatic outreach between India and European powers in 2026. Isro to launch Anvesha satellite Isro is set to launch its first mission of 2026, the PSLV-C62 mission, today. The liftoff will take place from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 10:17 am IST. The PSLV-DL variant will deploy the primary payload, EOS-N1, also called Anvesha, a hyperspectral Earth observation satellite for strategic monitoring in agriculture, urban mapping, and environmental assessment. Isro is set to launch its PSLV-C62 mission, also known as the Anvesha satellite. Reuters Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), it utilises advanced hyperspectral imaging, allowing it to see across hundreds of wavelengths of light. This super-vision can differentiate between actual vegetation and camouflage used to hide military assets. US Ambassador to reach India US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi today to officially assume his duties as the 26th United States Ambassador to India. His arrival fills a post that has been vacant for nearly a year following the departure of Eric Garcetti in early 2025. Upon his arrival this weekend, Gor is expected to formally present his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This follows his earlier introductory visit in October 2025, where he held preliminary meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. 50th death anniversary of Agatha Christie January 12 marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most renowned authors in the world, Agatha Christie. Several major events have been planned to commemorate her enduring legacy. The British Library in London will hold an exhibition where fans can view her 1937 Remington typewriter, early manuscript drafts, and personal objects like her 1917 pharmaceutical exam notes. This year marks a milestone for the acclaimed author as it is the 100th anniversary of the publication of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Christie died peacefully of natural causes at her home, Winterbrook House, on January 12, 1976, at the age of 85. She is buried in St. Marys Churchyard in Cholsey, Oxfordshire. Raj, Uddhav Thackeray to hold joint rally in Thane Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray will address an election rally with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Thane. Uddhav Thackeray and I will address a joint rally in Thane on January 12, Raj Thackeray said. Polls to 29 municipal corporations, including Thane, will be held on January 15, while votes will be counted the next day. With inputs from agencies German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives in India on Monday (January 12) for a two-day visit his first trip to Asia since taking office in May 2025. The visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, comes ahead of the IndiaEU Summit scheduled for January 27. The two sides are expected to focus on defence, security and skill development German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's trip to India will also be his first visit to Asia since taking power. AFP German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is making his first visit to India since taking office. Merz, who was sworn in as chancellor in May 2025, arrives on Monday (January 12). The two-day visit is also Merzs first trip to Asia since taking office. It follows an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comes ahead of the IndiaEU Summit slated for January 27. Modi and Merz last met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where the two leaders agreed to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What we know On Monday, Merz will meet Modi in Ahmedabad. The Indian Prime Minister is currently on a three-day visit to Gujarat that began on Saturday (January 10). Their meeting will take place a day after Modi inaugurates the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Summit in Rajkot on Sunday (January 11). The two leaders will visit the Sabarmati Ashram in Gandhinagar around 9.30 am, followed by their participation in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront at around 10 am. From 11.15 am onwards, Modi and Merz will hold bilateral engagements in Gandhinagar. Discussions are expected to cover trade, technology, defence, investment, science, green development and strategic ties. The leaders will also take stock of the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership, which recently completed 25 years, and meet business and industry leaders. India and Germany are set to seal several pacts on semiconductors, critical minerals, a defence and security roadmap, and skill development, according to a report in T_he Indian Express_. India and Germany are likely to unveil a defence and security roadmap, which will also strengthen the defence manufacturing network base in India. There are plans to set up a skill development centre in Hyderabad, the report says. Merz is accompanied by a 25-member delegation of CEOs, including the top executives of a leading submarine manufacturer, indicating that strong defence ties would be part of the agenda, the report says. A worker installs a hoarding welcoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi ahead of their visit in Ahmedabad, India. AP The two leaders will take stock of the progress made in diverse aspects of the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership, which completed 25 years last year. The discussions 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, the Ministry of External Affairs said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to the Indian Express, Modi is also likely to inaugurate the Metro route between New Secretariat and Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar on Monday. Merz will then travel to Bengaluru on Tuesday (January 13). Why it matters According to The Print, Berlin has been keen for Merz to make the India visit since he took office last year. A piece on foreignpolicy.org noted that the trip marks a sharp departure from previous German governments. Under Olaf Scholz, Germanys coalition politics often diluted strategic clarity. Merzs conservative government, elected in May 2025, has indicated a sharper focus on security, trade and industrial competitiveness. His New Delhi visit reflects that shift and Indias confidence that it can engage a more assertive Europe without narrowing its own options, the article noted. The visit also comes as India looks to deepen ties with European nations, including finalising a long-pending free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union. Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski is also expected to visit India. As previously noted, the EUIndia Summit 2026 to be co-chaired by Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on January 26 and 27, alongside Indias Republic Day celebrations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to conclude negotiations for the FTA within a year, according to The Print.. AP European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are expected to be present in India for the celebrations and the summit. Von der Leyen had travelled to India in February 2025, when she and Modi agreed to conclude negotiations for the FTA within a year, according to The Print. According to policycircle.org, New Delhi is also signalling a broader intent to engage major global powers. Germany is Indias largest trading partner in the EU, with bilateral trade reaching $26 billion (Rs 2.35 trillion) in 2024. German foreign direct investment in India exceeds $14 billion (Rs 1.26 trillion), spanning automobiles, engineering, chemicals and clean technology. More than 1,800 German companies currently operate in India, employing hundreds of thousands of Indians. The analysis noted that Germany could act as a bridge between India and the EU, with European diplomats increasingly referring to New Delhi as a partner of choice. US trade pressure on India The visit also comes amid renewed trade tensions between India and the United States. New Delhi and Washington have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal for months without success delays that have frustrated some in the White House, including President Donald Trump. India has maintained that it will not cross certain red lines, particularly on opening up its dairy and agricultural sectors. Earlier this week, Trump approved a bill introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham that would allow the US to impose sanctions of up to 500 per cent on countries that continue to purchase crude oil from Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US Treasury Secretary Howard Lutnick has also suggested that President Trump must personally conclude any such deal, claiming it stalled because Modi did not make a phone call to Trump. Lets be clear its his deal. Hes the closer. He does the deal. Its all set up and you have got to have Modi call the President. And they were uncomfortable doing it, Lutnick said on the All-In podcast. So, Modi didnt call. US Treasury Secretary Howard Lutnick also suggested that President Trump must personally conclude any trade deal with India. Reuters Indias Ministry of External Affairs rejected that characterisation. We have seen the remarks. India and the US have been committed to negotiating a bilateral trade agreement since 13 February last year. Since then, multiple rounds of negotiations have been held to arrive at a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement. On several occasions, we have been close to a deal. The characterisation of these discussions in the reported remarks is not accurate, the MEA said. The ministry added that Prime Minister Modi and President Trump spoke by phone on eight occasions during 2025, covering a wide range of partnership issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has also warned that the US could raise tariffs on India if New Delhi does not cooperate on Russian oil purchases. At the same time, he has struck a more conciliatory tone, describing Modi as a very good man and claiming to share a strong personal relationship with the Indian Prime Minister. Speaking at a Republican retreat in Washington this week, Trump said tariffs could be raised very quickly if the US was dissatisfied with trade arrangements. At the same event, Trump claimed that India had approached him over delays in the delivery of Apache attack helicopters, though Indian officials have not formally commented on those remarks. They have, however, noted that Modi does not use the honorific Sir when addressing other world leaders. Trump has also previously claimed credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor in May a claim New Delhi has consistently rejected, maintaining that the ceasefire came after direct military-level communication between the two sides, without third-party involvement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies As California weighs a proposed wealth tax on billionaires, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have begun scaling back their presence in the state. Dozens of their business entities have moved or become inactive, and major investments have shifted elsewhere. Some reports say they may even leave the state A Google logo is seen at a company research facility in Mountain View, California, US, May 13, 2025. File Image/Reuters For nearly three decades, California served as both the birthplace and the operational heart of Google. Founded in 1998 by Stanford University graduate students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the company grew from a small search engine project built in a Menlo Park garage into one of the worlds most powerful technology firms, now valued at close to $4 trillion. The rise of Google helped establish Northern California and Silicon Valley in particular as the global epicentre of the internet economy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yet, as of this year, both of Googles co-founders appear to be loosening their long-standing ties to the state where they built their wealth. How have Google co-founders been exiting California? Towards the end of 2025, numerous limited liability companies (LLCs) connected to both Page and Brin either shut down, became inactive, or were formally moved out of California. (Left) Sergey Brin attends the 2025 Breakthrough Prize ceremony in Santa Monica, California, US, April 5, 2025; (right) Larry Page, CEO and Co-founder of Alphabet, at the 2015 Fortune Global Forum in San Francisco, California, November 2, 2015. File Images/Reuters According to documents reviewed by The New York Times, 15 California-based LLCs linked to Brin were either terminated or converted into Nevada entities in the 10 days leading up to Christmas. Seven of these companies were reportedly responsible for overseeing assets such as one of Brins superyachts and his interest in a private aviation terminal at San Jose International Airport. Page followed a similar path. More than 45 LLCs associated with him filed paperwork in December 2025 indicating that they were either becoming inactive or relocating out of California. Around the same time, a trust connected to Page purchased a $71.9 million mansion in Miamis Coconut Grove neighborhood, according to property records reviewed by The New York Times. In addition to their individual corporate changes, a business entity jointly managed by both founders also changed its registration status. T-Rex LLC, formed in 2006 and previously listed in California filings as being managed by Page and Brin from a Palo Alto address, converted into a Delaware-based company named T-Rex Holdings on December 24, 2025. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The new filing listed its principal office in Reno, Nevada, while Page and Brin remained listed as managers. The filing described T-Rex Holdings as a management company. Although its specific activities are unclear, the entity appears to fit the pattern of how ultra-wealthy individuals often use LLCs to manage investments and hold assets with limited public disclosure. The name T-Rex may reference Stan, a bronze Tyrannosaurus rex statue that stands at Googles headquarters in Mountain View, California. While Page and Brin still own homes in California and retain some personal and professional connections to the state, the scale and timing of these moves indicate a deliberate effort to reduce their formal presence there. The Wall Street Journal previously reported on Pages Miami property purchase, while Business Insider covered details of the shifting corporate registrations linked to both founders. What is behind this move? The primary driver behind these changes is a proposed California ballot initiative backed by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW). The measure would impose a one-time 5 per cent tax on individuals with assets exceeding $1 billion. Roughly 200 California residents are estimated to fall into this category. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If the proposal secures enough signatures, it will appear on the state ballot in November 2026. Should voters approve it, the tax would apply retroactively to anyone who was a California resident as of January 1, 2026. Those affected would then have five years to pay the levy. The initiative is designed to help address Californias projected multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, particularly in the healthcare sector, as federal funding cuts loom. California determines residency using several factors, including how much time a person spends in the state and whether they maintain substantial business operations there. Venture capitalist Peter Thiel recently announced that he had opened an office for his family investment firm in Miami. David Sacks, a tech investor and White House adviser on artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, unveiled a new office for his venture capital firm, Craft Ventures, in Austin, Texas. However, the actions of Page and Brin have drawn particular attention due to both their enormous combined wealth estimated by Forbes to exceed $518 billion and their deep association with Californias technology industry. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How has California Governor Gavin Newsom reacted? Concerns about the potential impact of the wealth tax have also reached Californias political leadership. On December 11 last year, celebrity attorney Alex Spiro sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom urging him to halt the proposed measure. It will trigger an exodus of capital and innovation from California, Spiro wrote. Our clients have made clear they will permanently relocate if subjected to this tax. Newsom has publicly criticised the proposal, describing it as poor policy and warning that it could push billionaires to seek residence in states with more favourable tax regimes. US Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat whose district includes parts of Silicon Valley, has defended the initiative. His stance has drawn backlash from tech investors and entrepreneurs, some of whom have discussed funding a challenger to his congressional seat. The proposed wealth tax has generated sharp reactions across the tech industry and among prominent business leaders. Reid Hoffman, the billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn and a longtime Silicon Valley resident, has been particularly critical of the proposal. Poorly designed taxes incentivise avoidance, capital flight, and distortions that ultimately raise less revenue, Hoffman posted on social media. In contrast, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, one of Californias wealthiest executives, expressed acceptance of the idea in an interview with Bloomberg Television. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We chose to live in Silicon Valley and whatever taxes they would like to apply, so be it, he said, adding that he was perfectly fine with it. SEIU-UHW officials, meanwhile, have pushed back against claims that the wealth tax is causing a mass departure of billionaires from the state. Suzanne Jimenez, the unions chief of staff, argued that reports of an exodus are exaggerated. The overwhelming majority of billionaires have chosen to stay in California past the Jan. 1 deadline, she said. Only a very small percentage left before the deadline, despite weeks of Chicken Little talking points claiming a modest tax would trigger a mass departure. How does the California ballot initiative target the Google co-founders? Beyond the basic structure of the 5 per cent levy, critics argue that the proposed tax contains a technical flaw that could have severe consequences for founders like Page and Brin due to how it treats dual-class voting shares. Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan has highlighted this issue, warning that the legislation could effectively force the Google founders to either leave California or give up a significant portion of their Alphabet holdings. Each of the founders owns roughly 3 oer cent of Alphabets outstanding shares, which are worth about $120 billion at the companys current valuation. However, their shares carry 10 times the voting power of standard shares, giving them approximately 30 per cent control over the companys voting rights. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Section 50303(c)(3)(C) of the proposed legislation states, For any interests that confer voting or other direct control rights, the percentage of the business entity owned by the taxpayer shall be presumed to be not less than the taxpayers percentage of the overall voting or other direct control rights. Under this framework, the state would calculate a taxpayers ownership based on voting power rather than economic stake. Applied to Page and Brin, this would mean their wealth for tax purposes would be assessed as though they each owned 30 per cent of Alphabet, not 3% per cent A 5 per cent tax on that valuation would result in a bill of roughly $60 billion for each founder. Thats 50% of their actual Alphabet holdingswiped out by a 5% tax, Tan wrote on X. Larry and Sergey cant stay in California since the wealth tax as written would confiscate 50% of their Alphabet shares. Each own ~3% of Alphabet's stock, worth about $120 billion each at today's ~$4 trillion market cap. But because their shares have 10x voting power, the pic.twitter.com/4DYDDmCDl4 Garry Tan (@garrytan) January 9, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Tan has argued that this approach clashes with the corporate governance structures commonly used in Silicon Valley, where founders often retain supervoting shares to maintain long-term control while raising capital from public markets and venture investors. Companies such as Meta, Snap, and numerous startups rely on similar arrangements to shield leadership from short-term shareholder pressures and allow for long-term strategic planning. According to Tan, the proposal would penalise this model and force founders to choose between keeping control of their companies and remaining California residents. The wealth tax is poorly defined and designed to drive tech innovation out of California, he concluded. Dual-class share structures have been a defining feature of many technology companies for decades. Supporters argue that they allow founders to pursue ambitious projects without being constrained by short-term market expectations. Googles own history offers examples of how this structure enabled long-term investments, including the development of Android, the acquisition of YouTube, and more recently, large-scale artificial intelligence initiatives. Critics of the wealth tax believe that targeting voting control rather than economic ownership could undermine this model by making it financially unsustainable for founders to remain in California. While Page and Brin stepped down from their executive roles at Google and its parent company Alphabet in 2019, their influence remains substantial. Brin has returned to more hands-on work at Google, particularly in AI-related projects. Page, though no longer involved in daily operations, continues to serve as a controlling shareholder. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Page and Brin are the second- and fourth-richest individuals in the world, respectively, with net worths exceeding $250 billion each. With inputs from agencies The United States wants an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza to oversee reconstruction and economic recovery from Israels war. Washington had approached several Muslim nations, including Pakistan, to establish such an outfit, putting Army Chief Asim Munir in a tough spot. However, after a Hamas commander recently visited Pakistan, Tel Aviv has dismissed any role for the Pakistan army in Gaza Pakistan invited Naji Zaheer a special representative of Hamas leader Khaled Mashal to Pakistan, to a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror camp in Gujranwala. Image courtesy: New18 Pakistan seems to have wriggled out of a tough spot. US President Donald Trump had demanded that a number of countries contribute a peacekeeping force to Gaza. However, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir was worried about his domestic audience as well as a reaction from other nations in the Islamic world. Now, Israel has rejected the involvement of the Pakistan Army in the peacekeeping force. But what happened? What caused Tel Aviv to make such a statement? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look. What Pakistan did The United States wanted an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza to oversee reconstruction and economic recovery from Israels war. The United States had approached several Muslim nations, including Pakistan, to establish such an outfit. That put Munir in the difficult position of having to choose whether to cater to Trump, whose family is increasingly entangled in Pakistan, against domestic public opinion which is dead set against the United States. Pakistan invited Naji Zaheer a special representative of Hamas leader Khaled Mashal to Pakistan, to a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror camp in Gujranwala. Zaheer was chief guest at the LeT event and even held meetings with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives. Videos show Zaheer being introduced by a moderator while supporters chant Naara-e-Takbeer! and Allahu Akbar!" Zaheer also reportedly met LeT commander Rashid Ali Sandhu during the event organised by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a political front of LeT. This visit could not have happened without the connivance of the Pakistan authorities. Zaheer previously met JeM leaders, according to a September 2025 report from the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI). He was also a guest of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association in April 2024. Zaheer also made a visit to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in 2025. This visit could not have happened without the connivance of the Pakistan authorities including Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir. AFP Zaheer spoke at a pro-Palestine rally in Peshawar a week after the 7 October 2023 attacks. Mashal virtually attended the meet and thanked Pakistan for supporting the Palestinian cause. As per The Print, Pakistans Islamist party Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazal ur Rehman was seen giving Zaheer an Arabic traditional coat during the meet. He also vowed full support for Hamas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In November 2023, Zaheer virtually attended the Toofan-e-Aqsa Conference in Karachi. The 12-day event was also attended virtually by the now-slain Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, who said, This war is not just for Palestine; it is for the entire Ummah. There are reports that Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence is training Hamas operatives. It is a clear message to the world that Pakistan will host every global jihadist actor," sources told News18. This was an institutional push and not accidental presence. It is an example of how Pakistan-based groups provide logistical, ideological, and political support to international extremist groups. Israel rejects role for Pakistan Army in Gaza The developments have resulted in Israel now rejecting a role for the Pakistan Army in Gaza. Israels ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, told NDTV his country is uncomfortable with the Pakistan Army having a presence in Gaza. He cited the growing relationship between Hamas and Pakistan-based terror groups, including LeT. Azar said countries cooperate only with those they trust and with whom they have proper diplomatic relations. This is not the situation right now, Azar added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Pakistani army soldier mans a position at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border near Big Ben post in Khyber district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Reuters This has helped Pakistan wriggle out of sending a force to Gaza. Munir is slated to travel to the United States in the coming weeks, where he will meet Trump. New Delhi will be watching the interaction between Trump and Munir, their third in six months, closely. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in November said Pakistan could consider sending troops for peacekeeping duties, but added that disarming Hamas is not our responsibility" . Pakistan remains the only Islamic nation to possess a nuclear weapon. What do experts say? India Today quoted Lt General DP Pandey (Retd) as saying, What can Hamas teach Pakistan and its proxies? How to get its own people destroyed and killed? Pakistan has already mastered the art, as stated by Pakistan DG ISPR a few days back. Senior Supreme Court advocate Mahesh Jethmalani added, So much for grand talks of Pakistan Army boots on the ground in Gaza. Turns out the boots didnt go anywhere the terrorists came to Pakistan instead. Hamas terrorist Naji Zaheer turns up as chief guest at a Lashkar-e-Taiba terror camp in Gujranwala! The question answers itself: why deploy boots abroad when Pakistan has long been the hospitality lounge for jihad? Hope @IDF is watching, because India surely is. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A truck transports a tank on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza. Reuters File But not everyone agrees. As per The Print, political scientist and military expert Ayesha Siddiqa called last years meetings largely symbolic and aimed at bolstering the Pakistani militarys domestic image. After Gaza, the Pakistan Army became deeply unpopular, she said. Inviting Hamas was meant to signal solidarity with Gaza and project moral legitimacy. Allowing Hamas to participate was a symbolic gesture, more an image-building exercise rather than a meaningful strategic shift, she added. What we know about ISF Under Trumps 20-point Gaza plan, the International Stabilisation Force (ISF), comprising military personnel from Muslim nations, will enforce stability on the ground. Trump is slated to pick a two-star US general to head the Gaza Stabilisation Force. The US has also established headquarters in Israel to coordinate the rebuilding effort. While Trump is heading the Board of Peace, senior figures from the organisation such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will also comprise part of the group. Donald Trump has said he will head up the Board of Peace in Gaza. AP Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is no longer expected to serve on the Board of Peace. White House officials have insisted that though the US is taking the lead, there will be no US military presence on the ground. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dozens of countries previously attended a conference in Qatar to discuss how the ISF will be set up in Gaza. Among the countries invited were Pakistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Italy, France, the UK and Azerbaijan, as per The Times of Israel. However, Turkey, a backer of Hamas and an Israeli rival, was not invited to the gathering. Many of these Muslim countries are concerned about being dragged into a possible confrontation with Hamas over demilitarisation. With inputs from agencies National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Dovals admission that he largely avoids using phones or the internet for official work has created buzz. He made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) on January 10. How does the NSA communicate then? National Security Advisor Ajit Doval speaks during the 'Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue' at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi, January 10, 2026. PTI National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval avoids using a phone or the internet for official communication. His remarks have surprised many, especially the youth who cannot imagine a life in todays digital era without social life. Doval was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) on Saturday (January 10). His other comments at the event have also generated a buzz. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We take a look. How does NSA Doval communicate? NSA Ajit Doval said he largely does not use a phone or the internet in his daily work. When asked about avoiding using a mobile phone in todays age, he said, I dont know how you came to know that I dont use phones. Yes, it is true that I dont use the internet or phones, apart from personal use. I manage without them. Sometimes, when I have to contact people abroad, I do use them. There are other means of communication as well that are not known to the common man, he added. Doval was speaking as the guest of honour at the opening ceremony of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in New Delhi, which was attended by over 2,000 participants from across the country. Last year, the Press Information Bureaus (PIB) fact-check unit debunked a post circulating on Facebook falsely attributed to Doval, warning citizens of an impending cyberattack from Pakistan. PIB fact check confirmed that NSA Doval does not have any official Facebook account, adding that the post being spread with his name and photo was completely fabricated. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dovals revenge call NSA Doval said that India should take revenge for its painful history of attacks and subjugation. You are lucky that you were born in an Independent India. I was born in a colonised India, he told the gathering. Our ancestors had made great sacrifices, endured great humiliation and experienced periods of profound helplessness. Our temples were looted, and we watched helplessly as silent spectators. This history presents us with a challenge that every young person in India today should have the fire within them. He invoked the struggles and sacrifices of freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh to highlight Indias struggle for independence. While acknowledging that the word revenge was not ideal, the NSA said it remained a powerful force. We have to take revenge for our history. We have to take this country back to where we can build a great India based on our rights, our ideas, and our beliefs, Doval said. #WATCH | Delhi: Speaking at the opening ceremony of Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, NSA Ajit Doval says, "...This independent India wasn't always as free as it appears now. Our ancestors made great sacrifices for it. They endured great humiliation and experienced periods of pic.twitter.com/1RGfOwZwqy ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The NSA emphasised the importance of strong leadership in ensuring a country remains free. All the struggles and wars going on around the world are because some countries want to impose their own will on others and are using all their power for it. But if you are powerful, you will remain free. If there is no self-confidence, then all the power and ammunition are useless, he added. We are fortunate to have such leadership in our country today, he said. Without naming PM Modi, Doval added, His commitment, dedication, and hard work are an inspiration for all of us. As Napoleon once said, I am not afraid of 1,000 lions led by a sheep, but of 1,000 sheep led by a lion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Who is Ajit Doval? Ajit Doval is Indias fifth NSA. A former Intelligence Bureau (IB) director, he was born in 1945 at Pauri Garhwal in the erstwhile United Provinces, now in Uttarakhand. He grew up in Rajasthans Ajmer. Doval, a 1968-batch IPS officer in the Kerala cadre, has played a key role in anti-insurgency operations in Mizoram and Punjab. He also executed undercover operations in Pakistan, which contributed to his image as a super spy among the common people, as per The Hindu. In 1999, he helped negotiate the release of passengers and crew from the hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in Kandahar. Between 1971 and 1999, he handled multiple aircraft hijacking cases. Doval became the head of IB in July 2004. He retired in 2005. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi first came to power in 2014, Doval returned to the government, this time as Indias fifth NSA. He was re-appointed to the post in June 2019. At the time, the NSAs post was upgraded from the rank of Minister of State to Cabinet Minister, a first since the post was created in 1998. With inputs from agencies Sergio Gor, the new United States ambassador to India, said on Monday (January 12) that Washington will invite India to join Pax Silica next month. The US-led grouping aims to safeguard the silicon supply chain, including critical minerals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI). It also wants to cut reliance on China for critical minerals, chips, and AI needs Undersecretary of State Jacob Helberg Convenes The Pax Silica Summit at at Donald J Trump Institute of Peace on December 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. File Photo/Getty Images via AFP The United States is planning to invite India to join Pax Silica next month, Sergio Gor, Washingtons newly-appointed ambassador to New Delhi, said on Monday (January 12). He also stated that the two countries will hold discussions on trade on a call slated for Tuesday. India and the US have not reached a trade deal yet, with ties between the two taking a downturn. New Delhi is facing tariffs as high as 50 per cent after Washington imposed an additional 25 per cent duties on Indian goods as a penalty for buying Russian oil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As the two sides continue trade talks, what is Pax Silica that the US wants India to join? We take a look. What is Pax Silica? Pax Silica is a US-led initiative to secure the silicon supply chain, including critical minerals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI). The term combines the Latin word for peace and stability and silica, which is the compound that is refined into silicon a key element in the production of computer chips. The America-led coalition of countries aims to build a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven ecosystem across the entire global technology supply chainfrom critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and logistics, according to the US State Department. Semiconductor chips are seen on a circuit board of a computer in this illustration picture taken February 25, 2022. File Photo/Reuters Pax Silica is an international grouping to unite the countries that host the worlds most advanced technology companies to unleash the economic potential of the new AI age. It plans to safeguard the silicon supply chain from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and logistics. Which are the member countries of Pax Silica? The Pax Silica Declaration was signed at a summit held in the United States on December 12-13, 2025. The founding signatories included Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia and Israel. It also included guest contributions from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Union (EU), Canada, and Taiwan. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) also attended the summit without formally joining. Qatar is set to sign the Pax Silica declaration on January 12, followed by the UAE on January 15, American Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg told Reuters in an interview. The two Gulf countries joining the initiative would provide the US with access to two of the worlds richest sovereign funds as it attempts to cut reliance on China for the raw materials and computing power behind AI, noted Rest of World. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Each member of the US-led programme brings something critical to the table. Japans strength is its precision manufacturing, South Korea has semiconductor giants, Australia has mineral wealth, Singapore has established logistics and financing capacity, and Israel has its cybersecurity capabilities. Pax Silica is a key part of the Trump administrations economic statecraft strategy to bolster cooperation among allied partners. The Silicon Declaration isnt just a diplomatic communique, Helberg told Reuters. Its meant to be an operational document for a new economic security consensus. He described Pax Silica as a coalition of capabilities, with membership driven by the industrial strengths and companies of each country. The member countries are likely to coordinate on semiconductor design and fabrication, kickstart joint ventures and align investments in supply-chain resilience for AI development and critical minerals, reported SCMP. Helberg said that this year, the Pax Silica grouping plans to expand membership, develop strategic projects to secure supply chains and work together on policies to protect critical infrastructure and technology. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While India was not among the founding signatories, it was expected that it could become a part of it in the future, given the South Asian countrys growing AI ambitions and its importance to the global technology supply chain. As the world adopts new technology, it is essential that India and the United States work hand in hand from the very start of this initiative, Sergio Gor said on Monday. #WATCH | Delhi: After assuming charge as the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor says, "I am pleased to announce that India will be invited to join PaxSilica as a full member next month..." He says "... I also want to share with you today a new initiative that the United States pic.twitter.com/DEpnRvJcMX ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 Is Pax Silica against China? The Pax Silica initiative aims to reduce Western reliance on China for critical minerals, chips, and AI infrastructure. The State Departments statement on the programme, mentioning coercive dependencies and the importance of fair market practices was widely perceived as referring to Chinas dominance in rare earth production and refining. The Asian giant mines around 70 per cent of key rare earths. If China perceives this initiative as an offensive move against its interests, there is a possibility that it may respond accordingly, Dongkeun Lee, a policy fellow at the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network, a Seoul-based think tank, told SCMP. Chinas response to the grouping has been restrained. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman on December 12 urged those involved to adhere to the principles of a market economy and fair competition. However, the state-run tabloid Global Times described the move as an attempt to decouple China from the global semiconductor supply chain, which it warned would hike costs. Speaking to SCMP, Kevin Chen, associate research fellow at Singapores S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said that Beijing is expected to see Pax Silica as yet another US-led containment effort. However, he estimated that Chinas response would be to strengthen cooperation through existing regional mechanisms and push harder for accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), rather than creating a rival bloc. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The CPTPP is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) among 12 countries: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. China is eager to join the pact but faces various hurdles. With inputs from agencies Rubina Aminian, a 23-year-old Kurdish fashion student, was shot in the back of the head during anti-government protests in Tehran. Her family was forced to identify her body among hundreds of victims and later buried her by the roadside under security pressure. Her case highlights the brutal crackdown on Iranian protesters, which has led to more than 500 deaths (Left) Rubina Aminian, a 23-year-old student, was killed by on the evening of January 8, 2026 during the current protests in Iran. Image/X; (right) Supporters rally with Iranian people amid anti-government protests raging across Iran, in Paris, France, January 11, 2026. File Image/Reuters Rubina Aminian, a young Iranian student, became one of the few identified victims of Irans latest wave of anti-government protests after she was fatally shot in Tehran last week. Who was Rubina Aminian Rubina Aminian was a 22- or 23-year-old Kurdish student originally from Marivan, a city in Irans Kurdistan Province. Her family lived in Kermanshah, in western Iran. She was studying textile and fashion design at Shariati Technical and Vocational College for Girls in Tehran, a women-only higher education institution offering programmes in technical fields, engineering, art, and architecture. The college is located in the Khani Abad-e Now area of the capital, near Shahid Tondguyan Highway and Bahman Square. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rubina was described by people who knew her as a young woman with a deep passion for fashion and clothing design. Rubina Aminian, a 23 years old student was killed on the evening of Thursday, January 8, after leaving the college and joining protest gatherings in Tehran.The family was taken to a location near the college where they were confronted with the bodies of hundreds of young pic.twitter.com/1YTcK7mBiy Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam (@iranhr) January 10, 2026 Sources close to her family said she was a young woman full of joy for life and passionate about fashion and clothing design, whose dreams were buried by the violent repression of the Islamic Republic. Her social media activity reflected this side of her personality, with videos showing her trying on jewellery, applying lipstick, and blowing kisses to the camera. Her uncle, Nezar Minouei, told CNN that Rubina was a strong girl, a courageous girl, and she was not someone you could control and make decisions for. He added, She fought for things she knew were right and fought hard. She was thirsty for freedom, thirsty for womens rights, her rights. How Rubina Aminian was killed Rubina was killed on the evening of Thursday, January 8, 2026, after leaving college and joining anti-government protest gatherings in Tehran. Human rights organisations say she was shot at close range in the back of the head. According to Iran Human Rights, Sources close to Rubinas family, citing eyewitnesses, told Iran Human Rights that the young Kurdish woman from Marivan was shot from close range from behind, with the bullet striking her head. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another source said that most victims during the protests were young people between 18 and 22 years old who had been shot in the head or neck by government forces. The Hana Human Rights Organisation also confirmed that Rubina was killed during the protests in Tehran and has opened an investigation into her case, citing credible information about the circumstances of her death. Rubina is among the few protest victims whose identity has been publicly confirmed. Human rights groups estimate that more than 500 people have been killed in the nationwide unrest, including hundreds of protesters and dozens of security personnel. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has estimated that at least 538 people were killed, including 490 protesters and 48 members of the security forces. The group also reported that more than 10,600 people had been arrested. How the family recovered her body After learning of Rubinas death, her family travelled from Kermanshah to Tehran to identify her body. What they encountered during this process has raised serious concerns about the scale of violence used against protesters. According to sources close to the family, they were taken to a location near Rubinas college where they were confronted with the bodies of dozens, and in some reports, hundreds of young people who had been killed during the protests. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One source told Iran Human Rights, The family was taken to a location near the college where they were confronted with the bodies of hundreds of young people killed during the protests. Most of the victims were young people between 18 and 22 years old, who had been shot at close range in the head and neck by government forces. At first, the family was not allowed to identify Rubinas body, and later they were not permitted to take her body with them. Rubinas mother reportedly said, It wasnt just my daughter; I saw hundreds of bodies with my own eyes. Another source added, The family was forced to search among the bodies themselves to identify their daughter, and they undoubtedly saw many of the bodies of young people killed during the protests. Only after persistent efforts were Rubinas relatives allowed to confirm her identity and retrieve her body. They then rushed back to Kermanshah in an attempt to avoid further interference from security forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How the family was forced to bury her by the roadside When Rubinas family returned to Kermanshah with her body, they found their home surrounded by intelligence and security forces. According to human rights groups, the family was not allowed to hold a public funeral or mourning ceremony. One source said, After much struggle, Rubinas family eventually managed to retrieve her body and return to Kermanshah. However, upon arrival, they found that intelligence forces had surrounded their home and that they were not allowed to bury her. Under heavy security pressure, the family was forced to bury Rubina along the road between Kermanshah and the nearby city of Kamyaran, instead of in a proper cemetery. Reports say the grave was shallow and located by a deserted roadside. Attempts to hold mourning ceremonies were also blocked. When the family approached mosques in Marivan, they were reportedly told that such gatherings were not permitted. The Hana Human Rights Organisation said the family was forced under intense security pressure to bury their daughter without holding any mourning ceremony or allowing free public participation. The group described these actions as violations of human dignity and the right to mourn according to cultural and religious traditions. Hana also stated that withholding bodies, confronting families with multiple victims, applying security pressure, and preventing mourning ceremonies are clear examples of inhuman and degrading treatment and may form part of a systematic pattern of human rights violations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How Iran is faring under massive protests Rubina Aminians death has become a symbol of the broader and increasingly violent response by Iranian authorities to mass protests across the country. The demonstrations, which initially began over rising living costs, have grown into a nationwide movement against the political system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 revolution. The unrest is described as the largest since 2009, when Doctors and activists have reported that hospitals in Tehran were overwhelmed with the dead and wounded. One doctor said six hospitals recorded at least 217 deaths in a single night. A surgeon claimed they treated six patients with gunshot wounds to the head after a protest in Tehran, and none survived. Medical staff also reported that an eye hospital had been pushed into crisis mode because so many patients had lost one or both eyes during the unrest. Opposition activist Masih Alinejad said she had been told by sources inside Iran that hundreds of protesters have been killed by security forces, adding, The regime has shut down the internet to cover up a massacre. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reports have also said that US President Donald Trump had been briefed on possible military options, while Irans parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that the US and Israel would be legitimate targets if strikes were carried out against Iran. With inputs from agencies The development comes after an investigation reportedly found that people were being given harmful and misleading information by Googles AI for some searches. Google is the worlds biggest search engine, with a market share of around 91 per cent. The health overviews are powered by its Gemini AI, which is also its main large-language model (LLM) Google is the worlds biggest search engine with a market share of around 91 per cent. Google has removed artificial intelligence (AI) health summaries. The development comes after an investigation found that people were being given harmful and misleading information by AI for some searches. Google is the worlds biggest search engine, with a market share of around 91 per cent. The health overviews are powered by its Gemini AI, which is also its main large-language model (LLM). But what happened? What do we know? How health summaries work According to Google, its health summaries are generated by the companys Med-Gemini models. These rely on advanced AI to generate reports from complex medical data into accurate reports. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It relies on Med-Gemini-M 1.5 to comprehend vast amounts of information, including entire patient health records or multiple research papers. This allows the AI to identify facts and generate comprehensive summaries. More from Explainers Are Americans ditching pizza for Mexican food? The company claims Med-Gemini is tuned to optimise medical note summarisation and clinical referral letter generation and that it even does better than human experts on occasion. The models also collate information from medical images, videos, and biomedical signals. The models also rely on self-training, integration, and access to the most up-to-date information to reach their conclusions. The company says Gemini can be melded with patient applications to investigate medical reports and generate insights in a user-friendly format, allowing patients to better comprehend their reports. What happened? Google has removed some of its AI summaries following an investigation by the _Guardian_ newspaper. While the company has claimed that its AI overviews, which rely on generative AI to summarise topics, are helpful and reliable, the investigation found several summaries produced inaccurate information. Google, in one case, provided false information about some liver function tests that experts said could have left those with serious issues with the impression that they were in good health. According to the probe, typing what is the normal range for liver blood tests resulted in a lot of numbers, precious little context, and no consideration of factors such as nationality, sex, ethnicity, or age of patients. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Gemini app icon on a smartphone in this illustration taken October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration Experts said what Googles AI Overviews categorised as normal were completely different from results that really are normal. It said this could result in patients falsely thinking that the results were normal and neglecting to tend to their health, including going to follow-up meetings with their doctors. The company has now removed AI Overviews for the search items: what is the normal range for liver blood tests and what is the normal range for liver function tests. Vanessa Hebditch, the Director of Communications and Policy at charity British Liver Trust, told the newspaper, This is excellent news, and were pleased to see the removal of the Google AI Overviews in these instances. But she also flagged the risk to patients from using AI for such matters. However, if the question is asked in a different way, a potentially misleading AI Overview may still be given, and we remain concerned other AI-produced health information can be inaccurate and confusing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The newspaper also found that typing slight variations of the original queries into Google, such as lft reference range or lft test reference range, resulted in AI Overviews. That was a big worry, Hebditch added. A liver function test, or LFT, is a collection of different blood tests. Understanding the results and what to do next is complex and involves a lot more than comparing a set of numbers. But the AI Overviews present a list of tests in bold, making it very easy for readers to miss that these numbers might not even be the right ones for their test. In addition, the AI Overviews fail to warn that someone can get normal results for these tests when they have serious liver disease and need further medical care. This false reassurance could be very harmful. What is Google saying? A company spokesperson told The Independent, We do not comment on individual removals within Search. In cases where AI Overviews miss some context, we work to make broad improvements, and we also take action under our policies where appropriate. Our internal team of clinicians reviewed whats been shared with us and found that in many instances, the information was not inaccurate and was also supported by high-quality websites. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD OpenAI, Google, and Perplexity are in an unprecedented fight for artificial intelligence users in India, rolling out freebies in a strategy seen as a way to harvest troves of multilingual training data. India is the second-biggest smartphone market, with 730 million devices. On average, Indians consume 21 gigabytes of data each month, paying 9.2 cents per gigabyte one of the worlds lowest mobile data rates. To lure price-conscious users, Google in November started giving its $400 (Rs. 36,076) Gemini AI Pro subscription for free for 18 months to 500 million customers of Reliance Jio, Indias biggest telecom player. Last week, it added India to dozens of countries where it is offering its heavily discounted AI Plus package. OpenAI has also made its ChatGPT Go plan, which offers extended but not unlimited usage compared with existing plans, free for a year. The plan incurs charges in more than 100 countries and was $54 (Rs. 4,870) in India before being made free to everyone in the country in November. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Just like Googles AI Pro, the free package is only available in India. Early download data suggests a jump in usage due to the free plans, with daily active users of ChatGPT in India surging 607 per cent year-on-year to 73 million as of last week more than double the number in the US according to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower compiled for Reuters. Geminis daily users in India rose 15 per cent from when it launched the Reliance Jio offer in November to touch 17 million last week, compared to 3 million in the US, the data showed. Such adoption has made India the biggest market by daily users for both AI chatbots, Sensor Tower said. Perplexity, meanwhile, has made its Pro tool, priced at $200 (Rs. 18,038) a year globally, free for a year for users of Indian telecom company Airtel. It says the plan gives unlimited access to its most advanced research tools. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India now accounts for more than a third of Perplexitys global daily active users, up from just 7 per cent last year, Sensor Tower data showed. With inputs from agencies After Nicolas Maduros capture, US President Donald Trump warned Cuba that Venezuelan oil and money would be cut off, urging Havana to make a deal. With Cuba facing blackouts, fuel shortages, and deep economic strain, tensions between Washington and Havana are reaching a boiling point A view shows part of Havana as US-Cuba tensions rise after US President Donald Trump vowed to stop Venezuelan oil and money from reaching Cuba and suggested the communist-run island to strike a deal with Washington, in Havana, Cuba, January 11, 2026. File Image/Reuters Following Washingtons military intervention in Venezuela and the capture of long-time Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, the United States relationship with Cuba has entered a sharply confrontational phase. US President Donald Trump on Sunday publicly warned Havana that its access to Venezuelan oil and financial support is over, while urging the Communist-run island to make a deal with Washington. The developments come at a time when Cuba is facing its most severe economic crisis in decades, marked by widespread power outages, fuel shortages, food scarcity, and a historic surge in emigration. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With Venezuela no longer able to supply subsidised crude, Cubas already fragile economy faces new pressure. How Cubas Venezuelan oil support came to an end For years, Venezuela has been Cubas most important energy partner, supplying crude oil and refined fuel that helped keep the islands power plants, transport networks, and industries running. In return, Cuba provided security assistance to successive Venezuelan governments. That arrangement was disrupted after US forces captured Maduro earlier this month during a military operation that also involved the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers. Since then, shipping data shows that no fuel cargoes have departed Venezuelan ports for Cuba. Trump confirmed the policy shift in a series of social media posts, declaring that Cuba would no longer receive oil or money linked to Venezuelas energy sector. THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, Trump wrote on Truth Social. He also highlighted the historical ties between Havana and Caracas, saying, Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela. At the same time, Washington and Venezuelas interim government, led by President Delcy Rodriguez, have been negotiating a major energy agreement. The proposed $2 billion deal would allow the United States to import up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil, with proceeds placed in US Treasury-supervised accounts. Trump has portrayed the removal of Maduro as a turning point for Venezuelas security situation. In another social media post, he argued that US military power had replaced foreign influence in the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Venezuela doesnt need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years. Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will. Cubas sudden loss of Venezuelan oil has created immediate challenges. Last year, the Latin American nation supplied around 26,500 barrels per day to the island, covering roughly half of Cubas fuel deficit. Even though Venezuelas refining capacity has declined in recent years, it remained Cubas largest energy provider. Mexico has since emerged as a limited alternative supplier. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country had not significantly increased shipment volumes, but that recent political changes had made Mexico an important supplier of crude to Cuba. However, the scale of these deliveries remains small compared to what Venezuela previously provided. How Cuba was hit during Maduros capture Cuba confirmed that 32 members of its armed forces and intelligence agencies were killed during the US operation in Venezuela. The personnel had been stationed in Caracas under a bilateral agreement focused on security and defence, although the Cuban government did not disclose the specific nature of their mission. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Cuban officials rejected claims that the country had received financial or material compensation for its overseas security services. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Havana had the right to import fuel from any suppliers willing to export it, and denied that Cuba had benefited financially from its involvement in Venezuela. The deaths of Cuban personnel, along with Trumps warning about cutting off oil supplies, triggered strong reactions from President Miguel Diaz-Canel. In a post on X, he criticised what he described as the US tendency to commercialise global affairs. Those who turn everything into a business, even human lives, have no moral authority to point the finger at Cuba in any way, absolutely in any way, Diaz-Canel said. He also defended Cubas political system, arguing that external criticism was driven by frustration over the countrys ideological independence. Those who hysterically accuse our nation today do so out of rage at this peoples sovereign decision to choose their political model, he wrote. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Addressing domestic shortages, Diaz-Canel blamed long-standing US restrictions. Those who blame the Revolution for the severe economic shortages we suffer should be ashamed to keep quiet, he said, referring to what he called draconian measures imposed by Washington. In another post, the Cuban leader directly rejected Trumps call for Havana to make a deal with the United States. Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. Nobody dictates what we do, Diaz-Canel wrote. He added a warning about national defence, Cuba does not attack; it has been attacked by the US for 66 years, and it does not threaten; it prepares, ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood. The Cuban government has estimated that US sanctions cost the country more than $7.5 billion between March 2024 and February 2025. Officials argue that restrictions on trade, finance, and energy imports have worsened shortages across the island. Trump, however, has suggested that Cubas economic problems will deepen without Venezuelan support. Its going down, he said. Its going down for the count. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How Cubas economy has been faring Even before the collapse of Venezuelan oil shipments, Cuba was struggling with severe power outages, fuel scarcity, and declining public services. Across much of the island, electricity is unavailable for large parts of the day, while Havana has experienced rolling blackouts that disrupt businesses, transport, and household life. Shortages of food, medicine, and fuel have placed additional pressure on Cuban families. Supermarket shelves are often empty, petrol stations face long queues, and hospitals have reported difficulties obtaining essential supplies. The impact of these conditions has contributed to a record-breaking wave of emigration over the past five years, with most Cubans heading to the United States in search of economic stability. Despite the growing hardship, US intelligence assessments suggest that while Cubas economy is under severe strain, the situation may not yet support claims that the government is on the verge of collapse. According to sources familiar with classified reports, speaking to Reuters, key sectors such as agriculture and tourism have been weakened by power outages and trade restrictions, but Havana still retains control over major state institutions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The potential loss of Venezuelan fuel, however, is expected to make governance more difficult for Diaz-Canels administration. Without stable energy imports, Cubas power grid, transport network, and industrial output face further disruption. How Trump is pressuring Cuba Trumps warning to Cuba reflects a broader effort by his administration to assert US influence across Latin America and the Caribbean. Top officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have openly stated that the intervention in Venezuela could have consequences for Havana. Rubio, whose parents fled Cuba during the Batista era in the 1950s, has been one of the administrations most vocal critics of the Cuban government. Following the operation that captured Maduro, he said, If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I would be concerned. At least a little bit. He has also highlighted Cubas role in supporting Venezuelan leadership, noting that some of those guarding Maduro during the raid were Cuban personnel. Trump escalated the rhetoric by responding to a social media post suggesting Rubio could one day become Cubas leader. Sounds good to me, Trump wrote. Rubio currently serves as secretary of state, acting national security adviser, and acting national archivist, and previously held the role of USAID administrator. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rubio has become a popular subject for internet memes suggesting he could be appointed to almost any vacant position, from foreign leadership roles to domestic government posts. Addressing unrelated rumours about joining the Miami Dolphins management, Rubio said, I do not normally respond to online rumors but feel the need to do so at this moment I will not be a candidate for the currently vacant HC and GM positions with the Miami Dolphins. My focus must remain on global events and also the precious archives of the United States of America. Former US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan previously questioned whether Rubio could manage multiple senior roles simultaneously, calling the idea ludicrous. Republican lawmakers have largely backed Trumps hardline stance on Cuba. Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart said the Cuban government was nearing the end of its rule after decades of misery, tragedy, and pain. The administrations regional focus has also extended to security warnings for US citizens in Venezuela. The State Department recently urged Americans to leave the country immediately after reports emerged that armed pro-regime militias, known as colectivos, were setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for US nationals or supporters. US citizens in Venezuela should remain vigilant and exercise caution when travelling by road, the alert said. It also advised Americans to depart now that some international flights had resumed. Venezuelas foreign ministry dismissed the warning, calling it exaggerated and politically motivated. Venezuela is in absolute calm, peace, and stability, the ministry said. All populated centres, communication routes, checkpoints, and security devices are functioning normally. The ministry added that the government remained the sole guarantor of the legitimate monopoly of force and the tranquility of the Venezuelan people. Where this leaves Cuba With Venezuelan supplies halted, Cuba now relies more heavily on imported crude and fuel purchased on the open market, as well as smaller shipments from Mexico. However, these alternatives are more expensive and less reliable than the long-term arrangement with Caracas. Cubas domestic refining capacity has also declined, limiting its ability to process crude efficiently. This has increased dependence on refined fuel imports, which are harder to secure under US sanctions. The loss of Venezuelan energy support affects not just electricity generation but also transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing. Power outages disrupt irrigation systems, food distribution, and industrial production, compounding existing shortages. The latest standoff comes after more than six decades of strained relations between Washington and Havana. Since Fidel Castros 1959 revolution, the two countries have clashed over ideology, regional influence, and human rights. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies US President Donald Trump said that he will speak with SpaceX owner Elon Musk to restore the internet in Iran following the blackout since last week amid protests. Earlier, Musks X changed the Iranian flag emoji on the platform and the tech billionaire also responded to a post by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Mourners carry coffins during a funeral procession for members of security forces and civilians said to be killed in protests on Sunday, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran. Reuters Iran is facing one of its biggest national uprisings in years. The anti-government protests, which have been unfolding for more than two weeks, have US President Donald Trumps full attention. He is reportedly weighing a series of military options in the Islamic Republic. Amid this, he has said that he will speak with SpaceX owner Elon Musk to restore the internet in the country. There has been an internet blackout in the Islamic Republic since Thursday (January 8), as the regime cracks down on protesters. More than 500 have reportedly died, with the demonstrations entering their 16th day on Monday (January 12). Trump has threatened action against the Iranian regime should it use lethal force against the protesters. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Musk has also been intervening amid the ongoing Iranian protests. What is at stake for him? We take a look. Will Musk restore the internet in Iran? During a press conference at the White House, the US president was asked if he would engage with Musk's SpaceX company over the internet outage. He said, Hes very good at that kind of thing, hes got a very good company. SpaceXs Starlink provides internet in Iran. This is not the first time that Musk could intervene. He provided Starlink services to Iranians to help them circumvent the governments restrictions in the past, including during previous protests in 2022. That year, the Biden White House engaged with Musk to set up Starlink in Iran after the country was engulfed by protests following the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. A demonstrator attends rally in support of Iranian people amid anti-government protests raging across Iran, in Paris, France. Reuters The Starlink satellite service has been used in other regions marked by unrest or conflict, such as Ukraine, where Musk in 2022 ordered a shutdown of Starlink during a pivotal Ukrainian offensive, Reuters reported. Earlier, Trump posted on the social media platform X that the USA was ready to help Iran. He wrote, Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!! Why did X replace the Iran flag emoji? Elon Musks X has already meddled amid the ongoing unrest in Iran. The countrys flag emoji on the platform was changed; the Islamic Republics emblem was replaced with the symbol of the lion and sun. The change came after Twenmoji, the open-source emoji system used by X, okayed a user request. The updated emoji reportedly started appearing on the web version on Friday. In progress: https://t.co/nf3txQA1VT Should be live sometime tomorrow on web. Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) January 9, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The lion and sun symbol was used on Irans flag for centuries. However, it was replaced with the red emblem after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The older symbol has been used by protesters and opposition leaders to display resistance against the regime. However, the change in the flag on X cannot be seen by protesters on the ground because of the internet blackout. A woman holds up a paper print of the Lion and Sun pre-Iranian Revolution national flag as demonstrators walk toward the Iranian embassy during a rally in London, Britain. Reuters Its a digital version of conquering a building and pulling down the old flag, and trying to put a new flag, that was essentially the symbolising they were going for, historian Reza H Akbari, who is also an analyst on Iran at the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. The power of these types of moves is quite readily contested in mid- and long-term effects But it could provide momentary excitement [for protesters on the ground if they can see it] though its very hard to gauge the amount of popular support. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When Musk responded to Khamenei On January 4, Musk responded to a post by Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that said we will not give in to the enemy by suggesting in Farsi that he was delusional. We will not give in to the enemy. Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 3, 2026 While Musks moves have gained some support amid critics of the regime, the impact on the ground remains to be seen. I doubt he [Musk] cares about Iran per se. But he wants to gin up more traffic for X, and this is one way to do it," Barbara Slavin, a distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington and a lecturer in international affairs at George Washington University, told Al Jazeera. How tense is the situation in Iran? The protests began in Iran on December 28 in response to soaring prices, before turning against the clerical rulers who have governed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. More than 10,600 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran to cross-check information. It said 496 of the dead were protesters and 48 were with security forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Firstpost has been unable to independently assess the toll. Irans government has not offered overall casualty figures. A man gestures while displaying the Lion and Sun pre-Iranian Revolution national flag as demonstrators gather outside the Iranian embassy during a rally in support of nationwide protests in Iran. Reuters Online videos sent out of Iran, likely using Starlink satellite transmitters, purportedly showed demonstrators gathering in northern Tehrans Punak neighbourhood. There, it appeared authorities shut off streets, with protesters waving their lit mobile phones. Others banged metal while fireworks went off, reports The Associated Press. In Mashhad, Irans second-largest city, some 725 kilometres (450 miles) northeast of Tehran, footage purported to show protesters confronting security forces. Protests also appeared to happen in Kerman, 800 kilometres (500 miles) southeast of Tehran. Iranian state television on Sunday morning (January 11) had correspondents appear on the streets in several cities to show calm areas, with a date stamp shown on screen. Tehran and Mashhad were not included. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities accuse the US and Israel of fomenting trouble and called for a nationwide rally on Monday to condemn terrorist actions led by the United States and Israel in Iran, state media reported. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Is the Trump-Musk relationship on the mend? The relationship between Musk and Trump has swung back and forth since Musk backed Trumps successful presidential run and later spearheaded major reductions in the federal workforce. The pair had a public falling-out last year as Musk opposed Trumps signature tax bill. Criticising the bill, Musk said that, if passed, it would add trillions of dollars to the national deficit and undermine the work he did as the head of Doge, the Department of Government Efficiency, and its efforts to cut government spending. Musk left Doge in late May. However, the entrepreneur appears to have rekindled his relationship with the Trump administration. Musk and Trump were seen dining together at Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort this month, and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit a SpaceX facility in Texas on Monday. With inputs from agencies India reaffirmed its push for renewable energy cooperation despite the US focus on fossil fuels, with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi calling for global support to help developing nations scale clean energy, citing Indias early non-fossil targets and expanding green capacity. India continues to advocate for renewable energy cooperation despite US President Donald Trumps drill baby, drill emphasis on fossil fuel expansion. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has called for international support for developing countries in scaling up renewable energy capacity. This stance underscores Indias commitment to renewables amid shifting global dynamics. Minister Pralhad Joshi made the remarks at the 16th IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Sunday. The Minister highlighted the global energy transition and the unprecedented investment and cooperation. He remarked that India alone is expected to require around 300 US billion dollars by 2030, creating significant opportunities across renewable generation, storage, green hydrogen, grids, and manufacturing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He signalled that India is ready to stand and share its experience, institutions and technical expertise and work closely with all the member countries. The Minister also said that India has already reached 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025, five years ahead of its Paris Agreement targets, with renewable energy capacity crossing 266 GW. He underscored Indias efforts to strengthen clean energy supply chains, expand domestic manufacturing across solar, wind, batteries and electrolysers, and modernise grids through Green Energy Corridors and innovative bidding mechanisms. Joshi informed about various government initiatives to support clean energy. Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, around 2.5 million households have benefitted from rooftop solar installations in less than two years, with a target to cover 10 million households by March 2027. Joshi emphasised that Indias energy transition is not merely about capacity addition but about people, opportunity, and a shared sustainable future, positioning India as a global leader in clean energy. He said under the PM-KUSUM scheme, about 2.17 million farmers have benefited through the replacement of diesel pumps and solarisation of agricultural feeders. In a setback for Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), the PSLV-C62 mission has failed to place satellites into orbit. In a setback for Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), the PSLV-C62 mission has failed to place satellites into orbit. The PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly at the end of the PS3 stage. A detailed analysis has been initiated, Isro wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. On Monday, the space agency launched its first major orbital mission of 2026, Anvesha, as the PSLV-C62 rocket lifted off from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 10:17 am IST. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly during end of the PS3 stage. A detailed analysis has been initiated. ISRO (@isro) January 12, 2026 Isro Chairman Dr V. Narayanan shared a statement giving insights into what went down. Today, we attempted the PSLV-C62 EOS-N1 mission. The PSLV vehicle is a four-stage vehicle with two solid stages and two liquid stages, Narayanan said in a statement. The performance of the vehicle up to the end of the third stage was as expected. Close to the end of the third stage, we observed slightly higher disturbance in the vehicle roll rates, and subsequently, a deviation in the flight path. We are analysing the data and will come back at the earliest, he added. The significance of the mission It is important to note that the last PSLV mission was launched in May 2025. However, even that ended in failure due to an anomaly in the rockets third stage. The Monday launch was not just about deploying satellites but about restoring confidence in Indias most reliable launch vehicle and reinforcing ISROs reputation as a global player. For decades, Indian space exploration has been synonymous with Isro. In the Anvesha mission, private players like Dhruva Space are emerging as critical partners, offering end-to-end solutions from satellite design to deployment and even ground station services. However, things did not go as planned. The mission encountered a critical performance anomaly during the final moments of its third-stage (PS3) burn. While people were celebrating a perfect liftoff, telemetry screens suddenly showed a terrifying deviation in the flight path, with the vehicles altitude and velocity dropping far below nominal levels. What is concerning is the fact that the primary payload, DRDOs strategic eye in the sky Anvesha, along with 15 pioneering satellites from startups across India, Nepal, and Spain, is now feared to have been lost to the atmosphere, potentially ending Indias first mission of 2026 in tragedy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a car with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad, an uncommon gesture highlighting the growing depth of IndiaGermany ties during their visit to the Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram. A defining moment of diplomatic symbolism unfolded in Ahmedabad on Monday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled in the same car with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, setting the tone for a day of engagements that highlighted the expanding depth of IndiaGermany relations. It is uncommon for the Prime Minister to share a vehicle with a foreign dignitary, a gesture reflecting what is often described as PM Modis personal style of diplomacy. PM Modi took to X to share a post as they jointly visited the historic Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Die Freundschaft zwischen Indien und Deutschland wachst durch gemeinsame Werte, umfangreiche Zusammenarbeit und gegenseitiges Verstandnis immer weiter.@bundeskanzler@_FriedrichMerz pic.twitter.com/9LGVJU4UfR Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2026 First Asia Visit for German Chancellor Chancellor Merz arrived in Ahmedabad early Monday on a two-day visit to India, marking his first trip to Asia since assuming office as German Chancellor. The visit reflects Berlins intent to strengthen its strategic and sectoral engagement with New Delhi. According to the Gujarat Chief Ministers Office, the two leaders offered floral tributes and visited Hriday Kunj, Mahatma Gandhis residence, where they observed the charkha-spinning process. Chancellor Merz also signed the visitors book during the visit. The engagement concluded with both leaders participating in the International Kite Festival, adding a cultural dimension to the high-level diplomatic interaction. MoUs signed, security ties in focus Earlier in the day, India and Germany signed a series of memorandums of understanding in Gandhinagar, marking another step forward in bilateral cooperation. The agreements span multiple sectors and reflect the expanding scope of the strategic partnership. Speaking alongside Prime Minister Modi, Chancellor Merz said Germany was keen to deepen security cooperation with India, noting that closer ties could help New Delhi diversify its defence and strategic partnerships. Education roadmap Firmed Up India and Germany on Monday firmed up a comprehensive roadmap to expand cooperation in the education sector, giving fresh momentum to bilateral ties. The agreement followed wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz aimed at expanding the overall trajectory of engagement between the two countries. Todays comprehensive roadmap on higher education will give a new direction to our partnership in the field of education, PM Modi said in his media statement. Pakistani drones are suspected to hover around Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts, along LoC and IB. All the flying objects were seen hovering over the Indian airspace and hovering over sensitive locations, and then going back towards Pakistan, the officials added. The security forces detected multiple suspected Pakistani drones entering Jammu and Kashmir airspace from across the border on January 11, 2026, along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Borders (IB) in Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts. The drones hovered briefly over the Indian territory before retreating, prompting the Indian Army to fire guns in the Nowshera sector of Rajouri. Officials said at least five drone movements were observed in forward areas, prompting extensive ground search operations to rule out the possibility of arms or contraband being dropped on the Indian side. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD All the flying objects were seen hovering over the Indian airscape and hovering over sensitive locations, and then going back towards Pakistan, the officials added. The security officials immediately activated safety measures and operating procedures, including alerting the troops in nearby locations and launching coordinated searches in the suspected drop zones. In Rajouri district, Army troops guarding the Nowshera sector reportedly opened fire with medium and light machine guns after spotting a drone over the Gania-Kalsian village area around 6.35 pm. Around the evening, another drone-like object was seen near Khabbar village in the Teryath area. Officials identified and said that the object possessed a blinking light, and appeared to originate from Dharmsal village in Kalakote and moved further towards Bharakh before disappearing. Similar objects were reported from Samba district, where a drone-like object was observed flying for over a few minutes over Chak Babral village in the Ramgarh sector at around 7.15 pm. In Poonch district, security personnel noticed another suspected drone moving from Tain towards Topa in the Mankote sector along the LoC at approximately 6.25 pm. From the calculations of officials, the sightings suggested that the drones hovered over for some moment and then retreated back to Pakistan, which violated the private setup and camps of military coups. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officials said the searches were continuing late into the night as a precautionary measure. The latest incidents come just days after security forces recovered a cache of arms in Samba districts Paloora village near the International Borders. Joint search operations involving the police, Army and other security agencies were launched across the affected areas to check for suspicious troops and illegal arms activity. The consignment, allegedly dropped by a Pakistani drone on Friday night, included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds of ammunition and a grenade, underscoring growing concerns over the use of drones for cross-border smuggling and infiltration attempts. Bali travel rules are expected to tighten soon. Travellers may face new entry checks as the island pivots towards quality tourism. New proof of funds rule for travellers coming to Bali. Credits/Pixabay For decades, Bali has sold itself as an easy promise: land on the island, breathe in incense-tinged air, ride a scooter past rice terraces, and let time loosen its grip. It was affordable, forgiving, and open. A place where the backpacker and the honeymooner could coexist without paperwork weighing down the dream. That era may be up for a change. From 2026, Bali is expected to introduce tighter entry checks that could require foreign travellers to demonstrate they can financially sustain themselves during their stay. On paper, its a bureaucratic tweak. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In spirit, it signals something deeper: Officials believe the policy will help curb visa overstays, illegal employment, and crimes linked to travellers running out of money. Balis proof of funds requirement forms part of the Regional Regulation on the Implementation of Quality Tourism. It is designed to create a safer, well-regulated environment while encouraging higher spending that benefits local communities, especially MSMEs that power Balis economy. From open paradise to guarded gateway Balis problem is not lack of love. It is the sheer volume of it. As international travel rebounded after the pandemic, the island saw tourist numbers surge faster than its infrastructure, environment, and governance systems could manage. Beaches grew crowded, traffic snarled narrow village roads, and local authorities grappled with everything from visa overstays to tourists taking informal work or flouting cultural norms. The proposed financial checks are part of a broader recalibration. Balis leadership has been increasingly vocal about shifting towards what it calls quality tourism. The move follows a surge in arrivals, with over seven million foreign tourists visiting Bali in 2025, straining infrastructure and the environment. Supporters argue the policy mirrors strict visa rules Indonesians face abroad and promotes sustainable tourism. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Critics warn it could deter budget travellers, raise privacy concerns and prove difficult to enforce under Indonesias national immigration system. What this means for the traveller experience? For the average holidaymaker, booking resorts, flights, and activities in advance, the change may barely register a few extra documents. But symbolically, it marks a change in tone. Bali is no longer positioning itself as frictionless. Instead, it is asking travellers to arrive with intent. Proof of funds, return tickets, and clear itineraries serve less as obstacles and more as filters. In effect, Bali is aligning itself with destinations that expect visitors to prove not just where theyre going, but how they plan to support themselves once they get there. How will this rule work? Here are the key elements being discussed: Proof of Funds You may be required to show recent bank statements, typically covering the last three months to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself during your stay. Important nuance There may not be a fixed minimum amount but immigration officers might assess case-by-case based on your travel plan and length of stay. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD That said, many countries with similar rules such as some Schengen states, the UK, Australia often look for proof that you can cover daily expenses plus emergency funds. Return/Onward Ticket Youre likely expected to hold a confirmed return or onward flight. It is a standard requirement in many countries to show you wont overstay. Travel Itinerary and Accommodation Details such as your accommodation bookings and travel plans may also be part of the checks. While there are no confirmations yet, these are reportedly part of the draft tourism governance regulation. A global trend, not an island anomaly Balis move is not happening in isolation. From Europe to East Asia, popular destinations are re-examining how tourism intersects with housing shortages, environmental stress, and local livelihoods. Entry requirements, tourist taxes, and visa restrictions are becoming tools of regulation rather than deterrence. What makes Balis case stand out is its long-standing reputation as a low-barrier destination. Introducing financial scrutiny challenges that identity. The regulation is still under review and will only take effect after formal approval. If enacted, travellers to Bali in 2026 should prepare extra documents and plan finances carefully before departure. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD For Bali, the bet is clear: sustainability over spontaneity, stability over scale. The Road Ahead Nothing about the proposed rules suggests Bali is closing its doors. The island still wants visitors but on terms that better reflect its limits and priorities. For travellers planning a 2026 trip, preparation will matter more than ever, not just financially but philosophically. If India is to stand tall on the world stage, the greatest challenge it faces is instilling a sense of idealism among Gen Z. Remembering Swami Vivekananda on his 163rd birth anniversary and his importance for the Indian youth January 12 is the 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, who championed the invincible power of youth and wisdom. It is painful to think that we now merely remember him as a spiritual icon who left his ancestral home to discover the soul of Bharatvarsha amidst the huts of the downtrodden and wretched masses. Yet, there was a time when our society subjected his credentials to surmise, making attempts to pull him down when he was struggling to rise to the pinnacle of success. Therefore, it is the irony of history that today he is celebrated by all Indians as the hero of National Youth Daya day deeply meant to remember his ardent and pragmatic thought and impactful actions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, a deeply disconcerting paradox remains: have we truly remembered the tireless, relentless, and arduous work he did for the country and humanity at large? The answer seems to be negative. Even after 123 years since his death, questions persist about how much of his philosophy of human development, his mantra for awakening the youth, and his vision of seeing India at the forefront of the world have actually been realised. What we usually doand what we have been doing for yearsis to inculcate a sense of priestly reverence without deconstructing his preachings and teachings, which could be a better way to appreciate his cogent message to address socio-economic degradation, apart from guiding us to realise the kernel of Vedantist philosophy insofar as the illusory character of the sensory world is concerned. Yet, we remember him exuberantly on 12 January, much like a logocentric focus on his birth and death anniversaries. We remember him by flipping through pages of books at home and in libraries. Also, we tend to seek mental peace by visiting various nostalgic placesfrom his north Kolkata home to the temple at Kanyakumariwith a sense of urgency. In doing so, what we are actually engaging in is a form of ritualistic show in the hope of attaining liberation. The profound question that arises from this is: how will we attain liberation? Will an elusive lip service be enough? It seems not. True liberation is not even yoga, but is organically tied to a lofty Hegelian vision of introspection for collective emancipation through the process of overcoming our narrow identities to become capable human beings. Therefore, if we look at present-day India, we will find both similarities and differences between contemporary India and the unfading vision of Vivekananda. On the one hand, having learned from wars with both Pakistan and China, India has adopted a pragmatic approach and is striving to become a sophisticated military armada in keeping with the times, showcasing significant advancements in military strength. However, Vivekananda never envisioned India as a powerful military nation. On the other hand, much like Kants categorical imperative, Vivekananda was always emphatic on the cardinal principle of achieving social unity as an overriding priority, hence prophesying inclusiveness even before the advent of the era of Gandhian mass politics. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD So, if we attempt to probe the inner reality of present-day India more deeply, we would realise that although Indias exterior appears magnificent, confident, and advanced, its interior remains somewhat fractured. To overcome the current problems facing India, we still need Vivekananda today; his rousing call, Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached, emanated from the philosophy of a perpetual revolution, and hence remains immensely relevant to us to salvage ourselves from the ponderous burden of ritualistic ceremonialism. It resonates with the urgency to seize the task of going from door to door to preach the gospel of our rich ancient heritage in order to awaken the masses. Today, when we talk about the Indian Knowledge System (in short, IKS), it may be reminded that long ago it was Vivekananda who advised his compatriots to preach the shastras by presenting them in a lucid way so that sublime scriptural truths could percolate to the huts of Chandals, and the perpetual privilege of Brahmins claiming monopoly of knowledge could be ruptured and democratised. So today, when we talk about the new education policy, the daunting challenge should be to devise a syllabus that enlightens life, builds character, broadens worldviews, and shapes human beings with authentic patriotic commitment, openness, and an altruistic mindset. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The fragile situation in India is rooted in vices like corruption, poverty, and lack of unitynagging problems that can be overcome only through education, debate in the public sphere generating communicative action, and a vibrant democracy. Therefore, Indias resolve must be to educate its young generation in particular, as they represent the nations youth power. Since India has the worlds largest young population, there exists immense potential within this youth force through which Indias rise is possible. Surprisingly, however, the education that Indian youth are receiving today is largely theoretical, where academic culture risks reproducing an echo chamber. If Vivekananda were alive today, he would have urged these young people to rise from slumber and engage in action, proclaiming: sleeping leviathan, now rise, awaken, and act. If India is to stand tall on the world stage in the present era, the greatest challenge it faces is instilling a sense of idealism among Gen Z. However, an even deeper challenge confronting India is the pervasive influence of capitalism and the growing allure of privatisation. Trapped within the grip of these two forces, the youth are gradually losing their moral compass and sense of idealism. As a result, self-interest is increasingly taking precedence, confining individuals within a contracted cage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Of course, the famous Scottish economist Adam Smith talked about the invisible hand of the market, where self-interest unintentionally benefited society. However, it seems that this chapter is closed and replaced by a new paradigm of intensified self-indulgence and loss of trust, where people exhibit free riding without any obligation as part of society. This shift signifies a moment of decisive oscillation towards a more atomised existence, where personal gratification tilts the balance against affirmative action for the societal margin. Finally, we must remain vigilant to ensure that the virus of neoliberal capitalism never overwhelms the moral inertia of our youth. In this era of rampant consumerism, formal education has increasingly become a big business. As a result of this relentless pursuit of profit, people are gradually turning into machines, losing their humanity and becoming depraved. The way to escape this humongous crisis is to draw knowledge from our traditions, culture, heritage, moral perspectives, and ancient teachings such as the Vedas, Vedanta, and Upanishads. This can be achieved by reviving their study and by inculcating a man-making education. Thus understood, Vivekananda stands discernibly separate from and above any politically assimilationist narrative. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (Dr Ajay Majumder is an independent researcher and former guest faculty in Political Science, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh. Dr Gouri Sankar Nag is Professor and Head, Department of Political Science, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, West Bengal. Views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of Firstpost.) The world is going through extraordinary and unprecedented changes. Change is the order of nature, but the transformations that the world has witnessed over the last few years have been qualitatively and quantitatively different in nature, scope and pace than those experienced in any similar previous period. Some of the most significant changes over the last several years include the collapse of bipolarity, the transient rise of unipolarity, the upswing in multipolarity signalled by the ascent of China and other emerging economies like India, Brazil, Indonesia, African nations, etc, decline in multilateralism, surge in terrorism, weaponisation of interdependence with economic ties becoming tools for coercion (trade wars, sanctions), and the emergence of technology as power, with competition for dominance in AI, semiconductors, rare earth minerals and magnets, and 5G becoming central to national power, etc. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In essence, the world has moved from a predictable, albeit tense, Cold War bipolarity to a fluid, contested system defined by rising powers, intertwined economies, technological competition, and challenges to traditional state power. In a somewhat more proximate time frame, the world and India have witnessed the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, which devastated several countries around the globe; the departure of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan in 2021; the political and economic crisis in Sri Lanka in 2022; the unexpected aggression by Russia against Ukraine in February 2022 and its continuation for close to four years with no end in sight; the violent change of government in Bangladesh in August 2024; the onset and continuation of the Israel-Hamas conflict since October 2023; the changeover of government in the Maldives by an ostensibly anti-India dispensation in November 2023; and many more, with the latest being the American military exercise against Venezuela on January 3, 2026. For India, the biggest challenge has been the Trumpian shock, if not disruption, to the steadily expanding and growing ties between India and the US over the last 25 years. India has been able to effectively deal with the challenges that have come its way through the use of policies based on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World Is One Family), multi-alignment and strategic autonomy. Indias Economic Rise India has been successful in implementing these strategies because of two fundamental advantages it has been endowed with. One, Indias economy has grown significantly over the last 11 years. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government came to power in 2014, Indias economy was the 10th largest in the world. Today it is the 4th largest, with prognosis to emerge as the third largest by 2027. Today India is the fastest growing major economy, with its GDP growth registering impressive figures of 8.2 per cent and 7.8 per cent over the last two quarters. India is expected to grow from a $4 trillion economy today to $10 trillion by 2035. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indias increased economic capacity has helped it in multiple ways. It has been able to provide a better standard of living to its people. It has been able to improve its infrastructure, both physical and social, in terms of health, education, roads, highways, ports, airports, etc. It has also been able to apportion a larger quantum of funds towards its military preparedness, moving in the direction of increasingly becoming aatmanirbhar (self-sufficient) in defence preparedness, improving and expanding its roads, tunnels, bridges, etc, infrastructure in the border areas to safeguard and ensure its security and territorial integrity. Also, it has increased Indias capacity to play a much more active role in global affairs and lend a helping hand in times of need to its strategic partners. During the Covid-19 pandemic, India went out of its way to supply medicines and vaccines, both Covishield and Covaxin, to its strategic partners, particularly from the Global South. India provided the necessary medicines, most of them gratis, to more than 150 countries, and supplied more than 300 million vaccine doses under its Vaccine Maitri (Vaccine Friendship) initiative to more than 100 countries. Because of its economic heft and capability, India could come to the assistance of Sri Lanka to the tune of $4.5 billion when the latters coffers were empty in 2022, and to the support of Afghanistan, the Maldives, etc, when these countries had their backs to the wall. This has also enabled India to emerge as the First Responder in times of need and when calamities like earthquakes, floods, etc., have struck in our neighbourhood and beyond. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Leadership Advantage The second significant contributor to Indias evolution as a major global power in recent years is the bold, decisive and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This has stood India in good stead in successfully dealing with the challenging and difficult times that it has faced, both internally and externally, over the last several years. India was able to provide the underprivileged sections of its society with adequate food rations while confronting the scourge of the Covid-19 pandemic. This government support continues even now, providing a cushion to about 800 million citizens for their nutrition as they deal with the new challenges and problems that they are required to contend with. While firmly and decisively dealing with the continuing challenges, PM Modi has provided an aspirational objective of attaining Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India 2047) by the time India celebrates the centenary of its independence in 2047. It is expected that if India were to grow at 8-9 per cent per annum, its economy would reach $30 trillion by that date, which would enable its people to have a much higher standard of living than at present. For this, India will need to become a technological leader. To achieve this, India is focusing in a big way on advancing in AI, quantum computing, robotics, semiconductors, etc., to stay ahead in the march of global technological leadership. On the external front, India, under PM Modi, has categorically stated that it will go to any extent to safeguard and protect the security and wellbeing of its people and the territorial integrity of its borders. The firm action taken by India against the intrusions by China in the Eastern Ladakh area in 2014, in the Doklam sector of Bhutan in 2017, and in the Galwan region of Ladakh in 2020 has sent out a strong and clear message to China that India will no longer tolerate the practice of salami slicing that China has resorted to in the past. On the western front, by resorting to surgical strikes (2016), air strikes on the Balakot camp (2019) and Op Sindoor (2025), India has made it abundantly clear that it will not succumb to the threat of terrorism, of nuclear blackmail, and that every cross-border act of terror will be treated as an act of war. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has also stood firm against the coercive tactics of US President Donald Trump to reduce its tariffs on agricultural products like dairy items (milk, cream, yoghurt, cheese), GMOs, cereals, pulses and oilseeds, sugar, onions and almonds, etc., to protect the livelihoods of its farmers and ensure food security. It has also refused to be coerced into acknowledging that Donald Trump had any role to play in the cessation of hostilities in Op Sindoor on 10 May 2025. Indias consistent stance has been that India agreed to the ceasefire when Pakistan begged it to do so after the latters airfields and other strategic assets were decisively demolished on 10 May 2025. In the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India has made it clear that it is in favour of a negotiated settlement through dialogue and diplomacy. It has, however, not wilted under Western, particularly US, pressure to stop importing oil at concessional rates from Russia in order to safeguard its national interests to provide energy at affordable rates to its 1.4 billion nationals. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India demonstrated its strategic autonomy by PM Modi visiting Russia twice in 2024, attending the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China, in September 2025, and extending a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Russian President Vladimir Putin to India for the 23rd IndiaRussia Annual Summit in December 2025, taking the relations to a new high by declaring to provide a quantum jump to bilateral trade, defence and technological cooperation. In parallel to this, India announced that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, will be the Chief Guests at Indias Republic Day celebrations in January 2026. This is a vivid demonstration of Indias policy of multi-alignment. The Path of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam While delivering his first address to the UN General Assembly session in September 2014, immediately after assumption of power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as the guiding philosophy of Indias foreign policy. This principle has continued to inform all of Indias policy actions, particularly its Neighbourhood First Policy, by which it has sought to reach out unilaterally and non-reciprocally to its neighbouring countries. This has yielded rich dividends in deepening trust and expanding its ties with most of its neighbours, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh (till July 2024), Afghanistan, etc. The fact that Indias relations with some countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh (from August 2024) have been rocky and tense is not for want of trying by India but because of the internal domestic politics of those countries. With China also, India went out of its way to have normal and stable ties and to realise the full potential of their bilateral relations as two large economies and ancient civilisations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, Chinas inexplicable aggressive policies in 2020 leading to the Galwan conflict led to a hiatus and standoff for more than four years. India steadfastly held its ground, not succumbing to Chinese pressure of deploying 50,00060,000 troops in the border areas, contrary to agreements signed between the two countries. A bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October 2024 in Kazan, Russia began the gradual process of normalisation of bilateral ties. India has consistently maintained that bilateral ties can improve only on the basis of the three mutuals: mutual sensitivity, mutual respect and mutual interest. Indias policy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam witnessed its fullest expression during Indias chairmanship of the G20 in 2023. India not only adopted the motto of One Earth, One Family, One Future for its presidency but also made sure that all decisions and results emanating from the deliberations among the G20 members and the invited guest countries fully reflected this commitment. This became obvious on the first day of the Summit itself, when India announced the decision of the G20 membership to invite the African Union (AU), a grouping of 54 African countries, as the 21st member of the G20. This issue had been on the back burner of the G20 deliberations for the last several years, but it fell upon India, with its commitment to the interests of the Global South, to bring this to fruition. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In addition, to focus on the interests, concerns, aspirations and challenges of the developing countries, PM Modi organised the first Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS) within a few weeks of taking over charge of the G20. About 125 developing countries at the level of Presidents, Vice Presidents, PMs and Ministers participated in this virtual Summit. All their concerns, including food and energy security, debt relief, womens empowerment, infrastructure financing, functioning of the MDBs, economic instability, climate vulnerability, and a lack of representation in global governance institutions, were taken on board in discussions and the final outcome enshrined in the New Delhi Leaders Declaration in September 2023. India organised the second VOGSS in November 2023 to inform the members of the Global South about the decisions of the G20 and how their concerns and aspirations had been fully reflected in the final document adopted by the G20 member states. India has continued to articulate the concerns and ambitions of the Global South by holding the third VOGSS in August 2024, and raising the problems and challenges faced by the developing world in all multilateral and plurilateral fora. Multi-Alignment and Strategic Autonomy Indias policies of multi-alignment and strategic autonomy are two sides of the same coin. Both are supported by Indias active diplomatic profile, and greater economic, political, strategic, military and human capacity. In addition to these elements of hard power, which India has continued to strengthen over the last more than a decade, India has also expanded its soft power through greater popularisation of yoga (177 countries co-sponsored Indias resolution to declare 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014), Indian dance, music, culture, Bollywood films, Ayurveda, traditional medicine, democratic values, cuisine, spiritual heritage (Hinduism, Buddhism), development cooperation, a strong and active diaspora, etc. In the current-day conflicts, India is one of the very few countries, if not the only country, to have good relations with both the West (USA, EU, Japan, Australia) and the main protagonist, Ukraine, as well as Russia, and also with Israel as well as Palestine, Iran and other West Asian countries. In the context of the RussiaUkraine conflict, India has stated categorically that its policy is not of neutrality. It stands on the side of peace and wants an end to the conflict as quickly as possible on the basis of dialogue and diplomacy. India has strongly articulated this stance, as the continuation of the conflict has a harmful impact in the areas of increasing debt, food and energy security, etc, on developing countries. It has stated clearly that disputes can never be solved on the battlefield but only at the negotiating table. Some analysts commit the serious error of equating multi-alignment with transactionalism. Nothing could be further from the truth. The two concepts represent fundamentally different approaches to international relations and cooperation. While both involve engaging multiple partners, multi-alignment is a strategic approach to build diverse, long-term geopolitical and economic resilience by engaging various global powers (US, Russia, China, EU) based on shared interests, aiming for strategic autonomy and navigating a multipolar world. Transactionalism, on the other hand, focuses more narrowly on quick, bilateral, short-term deals for immediate gains, often degrading complex multi-alignment for simpler, self-interested transactions, a pattern that could be associated with recent US foreign policy positions. Multi-alignment seeks broad, deep engagement across issues (energy, defence, trade), not just single deals, making it more complex and non-transactional. The key objective of multi-alignment for India is strategic autonomy, leading to reduced geopolitical risk and broader influence in a multipolar world. It embodies proactive, complex, issue-specific cooperation with multiple, often competing, global poles (US, China, Russia, EU). For example, India partnering with Russia on energy/arms and strategic manoeuvrability, while engaging with the US on trade, defence and tech, and collaborating with Europe on climate, technology and markets falls squarely under this policy of multi-alignment. Multi-alignment is not just about hedging options; it is about actively shaping relationships for national interest on a long-term basis, moving beyond ideological constraints. Multi-alignment acknowledges the complex, interconnected nature of global issues (trade, climate, technology, security), requiring broad engagement, while transactionalism favours transient, short-term bilateral deals. Multi-alignment is a nuanced geopolitical, long-term strategy for rising powers like India to navigate great power competition without choosing sides, whereas transactionalism can be seen as a short-term, self-interested approach to foreign policy. Transactionalism represents a rejection of shared, multilaterally accepted norms: it tends to downplay long-term partnerships and international rules in favour of specific, one-off deals. Indias multi-alignment strategy is best illustrated by Indias expanding and robust ties with Europe, Japan, Australia, etc. (the US has not been included in the list on account of the considerable stress brought into this relationship by President Trumps trade and strategic policies over the last six months since June 2025) on the one hand, and the time-tested and trusted relations with Russia (and normalising relations with China) on the other. This is also evident from Indias membership of the BRICS on one side and the Quad on the other; from Indias ties with the SCO members on the one hand and the regular and constant invitation to PM Modi to participate in the G7 meetings for the last seven years since 2019 on the other. The West, particularly the US, wants India to disengage itself from Russia in energy and defence-related deals. It needs to understand that India is a determined and committed partner of the West, and that a strong and independent India is a better strategic ally than a subservient one. Major Challenges Indias most formidable geopolitical challenge in the immediate future and long term is the aggressive stance of China as it seeks to emerge as the unipolar power in Asia and to reduce India to a subordinate status. Its border dispute with India, its military, intelligence, strategic and economic support to Pakistan, the Tibet issue, its weaponisation of its critical minerals and supply chains, and the creation of a necklace of pearls around India to contain its rise are significant challenges. The threat emanating from Pakistan is of comparatively lesser significance. India is well equipped to deal with it effectively. India will, however, have to keep a close watch on Pakistans machinations as its Army Chief, Asim Munir, and its political leadership would have been made even more reckless and adventurous than in the past by the excessive and exorbitant support and praise heaped on them by President Trump. Bangladesh has emerged as a potent challenge in recent months in areas of border security, rising Islamist extremism, increasing minority attacks, and shifting geopolitical alignments, particularly its growing ties with Pakistan, Turkey and China, against Indias interests. India is pursuing a balanced strategy that prioritises diplomacy, security enhancements, and economic leverage while eschewing escalation. India needs to deploy advanced surveillance like drones and AI-monitored fencing along the 4,000 km-plus border to curb infiltration, smuggling, and terror threats from radical groups. It should leverage Bangladeshs trade dependencies by conditioning connectivity projects on stability commitments. Bangladesh needs to adopt a balanced foreign policy, keep a lid on insurgency and extremism, and do more to curb cross-border smuggling and illegal migration. Assuaging Indian security concerns will be paramount for putting the relationship on the right track, and making it a source of stability in the years ahead. One of the most unexpected and vexing problems to have emerged in recent months is Indias relations with the US, which had been cruising along on a steady upward trajectory since 2000. While India was among the most enthusiastic to welcome Trumps second incarnation based on its experience of dealing with him in his first term, India-US relations suddenly and unexpectedly plummeted in June 2025. For decades, the United States and India have built a steadily deepening partnership, forged by shared strategic interests, economic ties, and growing defence cooperation. Recent actions by the Trump administration have jeopardised the hard-earned trust by actions and rhetoric that cut deeper than the usual strains in the US-India relationship. The Trump administrations 50 per cent tariff on goods from India, President Donald Trumps claiming credit for achieving a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and a controversial meeting with the Pakistani army chief in the Oval Office with a strong outreach to Pakistan, serve to fundamentally erode trust built over decades, and play into Indias deepest historic reservations about the reliability of the relationship. At a moment when the US-India partnership is more important than ever, this breach takes on added significance. India has stood firm in the face of Trumps provocative rhetoric and bullying tactics. It is expected that bilateral ties, which are characterised as a comprehensive global strategic partnership, will stabilise in the coming months. It is encouraging that, barring the issues of trade and Pakistan, bilateral ties in the area of defence, military exercises, exchange of delegations, etc, have been proceeding seamlessly. It is in the mutual interest of both countries, as well as in the interest of peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, to have robust, stable and dynamic ties between the two countries. While India continues to negotiate on all outstanding issues with the US in good faith, it is hoped that this realisation will dawn, sooner rather than later, on President Trump also, who will start working towards normalising relations between the two countries. It is not certain whether Trumps policies will continue to govern India-US ties only during the current term of his administration, or whether similar policies will inform US attitudes towards India after 2029 also. While working towards optimum results in bilateral India-US relations, India will have to insulate itself against outcomes which might not be ideal from its perspective. Conclusion To contend with the geopolitical and geo-economic challenges that confront India under the current global strategic, security and economic architecture, the most imperative requirement is to maintain Indias consistent technological and economic growth at 8-9 per cent per annum so that India reaches a respectable figure of $30 trillion by the time it celebrates the centenary of its independence in 2047. This will not only help it to provide a better standard of living to its people but also make adequate funds available to significantly enhance its defence preparedness and improve its infrastructure in the border areas as well as throughout the country. The United States will continue to be Indias most significant economic, defence and technological partner for the foreseeable future. The level of trust that had been steadily growing and strengthening has been deeply eroded and will take a long time to recover and be restored. In the meantime, it will be incumbent upon India to diversify away from the US in the area of markets, defence supplies, and critical and emergent technologies. Some of the most attractive partners in this sphere would be the EU, with which India is on the verge of concluding an FTA; the UK, with which India has recently finalised an FTA; and Japan, Australia, Africa, ASEAN and other like-minded countries. Indias partnership with Russia is also very vital and needs to be nurtured, notwithstanding the fact that its suitability as a big market, or source of cutting-edge technology (except in the area of defence), is somewhat limited and questionable. In addition to new initiatives like the Neighbourhood First Policy, which has yielded rich dividends in terms of expanding and strengthening relations with its neighbours, PM Modi has launched several fresh initiatives. Some of the most significant of these are the Engage West policy to reach out to the countries in West Asia; the C5 plus India to deepen and enhance relations with our extended neighbourhood of Central Asia; as well as the Act East Policy to raise and revitalise ties with ASEAN member states and those of Far East Asia. India has paid special attention to relations with Africa and Latin America, which are emerging as new centres of economic and technological dynamism. Several new embassies have been established on the African and South American continents as also in Central and Eastern Europe, making up for years of neglect of these regions. Significantly, Indias senior leadership has invested considerable political capital in reaching out to these regions by visiting these countries often and also welcoming their leaders and ministers to India. Indias global power and influence has expanded significantly over the last decade. It will continue to grow in the coming years. As India has successfully and effectively confronted the several grey and black swan events that it has encountered in recent years, it can look with hope, confidence and determination to deal with any fresh challenges that come its way in the coming months and years. The writer is executive council member, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, president, Institute of Global Studies, Distinguished Fellow, Ananta Aspen Centre, and former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan, Sweden and Latvia. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Apple may finally launch its AI-powered conversational Siri this year, after unveiling it in WWDC 2024. The rumour has it that the feature will be accompanied by the iOS 26.4. After months of testing, tweaking and teasing, Apples long-promised AI-powered Siri might finally be ready. The revamped voice assistant could start rolling out by late March or early April this year, reported by 9to5 Mac. Users who were expecting the new Siri to arrive alongside the iPhone 16 last year were left disappointed when Apple decided to hold it back. The company blamed the delay on technical challenges and a desire to get it right. Now, while Apple is keeping it under wraps, the company may after all release the most-awaited Siri. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Apples AI-powered Siri may finally launch this year: What is it When Apple first showed off the AI-powered Siri at WWDC 2024, it promised a major leap forward under its Apple Intelligence banner. Unlike the current version, which often feels more like a search interface with a voice, the new Siri aims to be far more personal, intuitive and helpful. One of the key upgrades is personal context. This means Siri will be able to draw on information from across a users device, including messages, emails, notes and more, to provide more relevant answers. Instead of users having to recall where something is stored, Siri will do the remembering. Then theres on-screen awareness, a feature that lets Siri understand whats currently displayed on your iPhone or iPad. So if youre viewing a photo, an email or a message thread, Siri will know what youre looking at and respond appropriately, without you having to spell out every detail. The third pillar of the upgrade focuses on in-app actions. Instead of simply telling you how to do something, Siri will be able to perform tasks directly within apps, like scheduling meetings, sending photos or creating notes, without forcing you to jump between screens. Together, these enhancements are designed to make Siri feel more human and less like a voice-activated shortcut. Essentially, Apple wants to turn Siri into something closer to a personal assistant that actually understands context, rather than a digital butler following rigid commands. Why the delay The long delay in bringing this version of Siri to users wasnt for lack of trying. Apple engineers reportedly had two separate versions of the new system architecture under development, with one already capable of handling basic features shown at WWDC 2024. However, the more advanced version, the one that truly showcased Siris new AI brain, wasnt living up to Apples famously high standards. During the WWDC 2025, Craig Federighi, Apples Senior Vice President of Software engineering, said that rather than rushing it out the door, the company decided to pull back and continue refining the feature. Internal testing reportedly showed that while the initial builds were promising, they werent reliable enough for everyday use. For a product as integral to the Apple ecosystem as Siri, that simply wouldnt do. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The companys approach to AI appears to mirror its general philosophy: it doesnt want to be first, it wants to be best. That means waiting until the experience feels natural, consistent and polished, qualities that Apple customers have come to expect. Now, after months of internal testing and fine-tuning, the tech giant is finally ready to unleash its Apple Intelligence era, though a little late to the race. The rollout is expected to start in phases, most likely beginning with US users, before expanding to other regions. Apples strategy also aligns with its broader AI ambitions. Rather than copying rivals who rely heavily on cloud computing, Apple is building its system around on-device intelligence, ensuring user data stays private and secure. Its a slow, meticulous approach, but one that fits Apples long-standing obsession with control and privacy. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor has officially declared that India will be invited to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative as a full member. Sergio Gor, the Ambassador of the United States to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia, speaks at the US Embassy in Delhi on January 12, 2025. (Photo: Screengrab from PTI video) India is poised to be invited to join the US-led Pax Silica initiative, a strategic technology and silicon supply chain partnership, as early as next month, according to the newly appointed US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor. The announcement has stirred fresh interest in how New Delhi could deepen cooperation with Washington on critical minerals, semiconductors and artificial intelligence infrastructure, areas seen as central to global technological competition in the coming decade. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The proposed shift comes after India was not part of the initiatives founding summit in Washington, DC, in December 2025. Existing key partners, include Australia, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Israel and the US. In a media briefing shortly after assuming his post in New Delhi, Ambassador Gor said the United States plans to invite India as a full member of Pax Silica next month, underlining Indias growing role in global technology and manufacturing ecosystems. I am pleased to announce that India will be invited to join Pax Silica as a full member next month, Gor told reporters. The Pax Silica initiative brings together countries committed to building secure, resilient and innovation-led supply chains for silicon-based technologies. Its scope ranges from the extraction of critical minerals and energy inputs through semiconductor manufacturing and logistics to artificial intelligence development. Today, I am pleased to announce that India will be invited next month to join this group of nations as a full member, Gor added, framing the move as a significant expansion of India-US cooperation in strategically vital sectors. US-led Pax Silica Pax Silica was launched in December 2025 with the stated aim of reducing coercive dependencies in global technology supply chains, particularly those related to semiconductors and artificial intelligence components. By bringing together like-minded partners, the initiative seeks to diversify sources of critical materials and capabilities that underlie modern technologies. The initiatives ambitions align with broader US efforts to counterbalance Chinas significant influence in semiconductor manufacturing and critical minerals markets. While the launch event included partners such as Japan and Australia, Indias absence sparked speculation about the reasons for its exclusion. US officials subsequently clarified that Delhis absence did not reflect any diplomatic rift, but rather a phased approach to building the partnership, with India viewed as a highly strategic potential partner. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking to Bloomberg in late December, a senior US official said India was in talks to join the Pax Silica supply chain partnership and could enter by the first half of 2026. India, on the other hand, has been careful in its public response, maintaining a calibrated stance on the issue and refraining from immediate confirmation. Indias participation in Pax Silica could offer multiple advantages. For one, it would provide New Delhi with closer integration into global semiconductor and critical mineral networks, potentially boosting domestic manufacturing aspirations under initiatives such as Make in India. Whats next for India and Pax Silica? The move comes amid intense global competition to secure resources and manufacturing capabilities critical to semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced electronics. Considering the competition, India might join Pax Silica after all. For Washington, bringing India into Pax Silica could reinforce a broader coalition of democracies seeking to reduce dependence on single sources, particularly in the context of technology competition with China. For New Delhi, membership would offer an opportunity to deepen ties with key partners on future-facing industries while advancing its own industrial ambitions. Proloy Chaki, a musician and leader of Sheikh Hasinas Awami League, has died in police custody in Bangladeshs Rajshahi district. The family has accused the administration of negligence and denial of adequate medical care. Security personnel block a road near the site of a police operation on militants on the outskirts Dhaka, Bangladesh, on July 26, 2016. (Representational Photo, Credit: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters) Proloy Chaki, a musician and leader of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League, died on Sunday night in police custody. While the administration has dubbed it as a natural death from complications of preexisting conditions, Chakis family has accused the administration of negligence and denial of adequate medical care. Chakis death has occurred at a time when Bangladesh is in the grip of a continuing wave of violence targeted at religious and ethnic minorities and political opponents not aligned with the Islamists who have propped interim leader Muhammad Yunus regime. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Chaki, 60, died at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and had been in police custody since his arrest in December, according to The Daily Star. In December, Chaki was arrested in a case related to an explosion during the weekslong movement in 2024 that ousted Hasina. ALSO READ Post-Hadi violence in Bangladesh makes election unsafe: Report puts spotlight on Yunus-Islamist link Pabna Jail Superintendent Md Omar Faruk said Chaki had been suffering from multiple health complications, including diabetes and heart disease, as per The Star. He suffered a cardiac arrest and was first taken to Pabna General Hospital on Friday. As his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, where he died around 9:00pm (yesterday), said Faruk. However, Chakis family accused of the family of negligence and inadequate medical care during his detention and said they had to move him to the hospital, as per the newspaper. My father had been suffering from diabetes and heart disease for a long time. His condition worsened in jail, but the authorities did not officially inform us. We rushed to the hospital after being informed by others, but he did not receive proper treatment, which led to his death, said Sony Chaki, the son of Chaki. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sony further said his father was arrested despite not being named in any case at the time the police picked him up. Other than being a popular musician, Chaki had been the cultural affairs secretary of Pabna district unit of the Awami League. He had been a cultural activist since the 1990s. During the ongoing wave of political violence, mobs have targeted other cultural centres as well, such as museums and memorials of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and cultural group Udichi Shilpigosthis office in Dhaka. Mobs have also attacked media organisations and Indian diplomatic missions in the country. A 28-year-old Hindu auto-rickshaw driver, Samir Das, was beaten and stabbed to death by attackers in Daganbhuiyan, Chittagong, on Sunday evening, amid rising violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Amid ongoing violence against minorities in Bangladesh, a Hindu man was beaten to death by a group of attackers in Daganbhuiyan, Chittagong, on Sunday evening. The victim, identified as 28-year-old Samir Das, an auto-rickshaw driver, was thrashed and stabbed by the assailants, who then stole his battery-operated auto-rickshaw before fleeing. Samir was the eldest son of Kartik Kumar Das and Rina Rani Das. Another Hindu killed in Bangladesh! On January 11 evening, miscreants kil-led Samir Kumar Das (28) and took-away his CNG autorickshaw from Feni district's Dagonbhuiyan area. He was the eldest son of Kartik Kumar Das and Rina Rani Das. pic.twitter.com/IgiBILqa4H Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury (@salah_shoaib) January 12, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Rising attacks on Hindu minorities This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Several Hindus have been assaulted following violent protests in the country after the death of July uprising organiser Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. Last week, a Hindu man, Joy Mahapatro, was allegedly beaten and poisoned by a local Muslim, Amirul Islam. Another 25-year-old Hindu, Mithun Sarkar from Bhandarpur village, died after jumping into a canal while trying to escape a mob accusing him of theft. On Monday, Rana Pratap Bairagi, a Hindu businessman and acting newspaper editor, was shot dead in Jessore district. A 40-year-old Hindu grocery shop owner, Sarat Mani Chakraborty, also died the same day. Attacks against women and earlier lynchings In a disturbing case, a Hindu woman was reportedly gang-raped by two men, tied to a tree, and had her hair cut, highlighting lawlessness against minorities. Earlier, Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu man in Mymensingh, was lynched and burnt to death over alleged blasphemy, while Amrit Mondal was killed by a mob over extortion allegations. In the same month, Bajendra Biswas, a Hindu garment factory worker, was shot dead in Mymensingh. Police investigation and pre-planned attack Police in Daganbhuiyan said Samir Das was killed with country-made weapons, suggesting a pre-planned attack. Authorities are investigating and will file a First Information Report (FIR) while seeking to apprehend the perpetrators. Growing concern among minorities Bangladesh, a majority Muslim nation of around 170 million, has faced unrest since the 2024 uprising, with rising concern among religious minorities, including Hindus and Sufi Muslims, who make up less than 10 percent of the population. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, a human rights organisation, expressed deep concern over the escalating attacks on minority communities. Communal violence is reportedly rising ahead of the February national elections. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India raises concern New Delhi has criticised Bangladesh over the treatment of minorities. Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Bangladeshs interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, accused India of exaggerating the situation. India said it continues to monitor developments and hopes acts of communal violence are addressed decisively. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, We continue to witness a disturbing pattern of recurring attacks on minorities, their homes, and business establishments by extremists in Bangladesh. Such incidents need to be dealt with swiftly and firmly. Jaiswal also highlighted the tendency to downplay attacks by labelling them as personal disputes, saying, Such disregard only emboldens extremists and deepens the sense of fear and insecurity among minorities. Pakistani political commentator Najam Sethi has claimed that India could respond forcefully to what he described as provocative statements by Bangladesh, suggesting New Delhi may consider an Operation Sindoor-style action against Dhaka Pakistani political commentator Najam Sethi has claimed that India could respond forcefully to what he described as provocative statements by Bangladesh, suggesting New Delhi may consider an Operation Sindoor-style action against Dhaka. Speaking to a Pakistani news channel, Sethi, who is considered close to former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said India would not ignore recent remarks from Bangladesh and could act in a manner similar to its past actions against Pakistan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bangladesh is threatening India that it will do this or that to its seven sisters. I think India will do something, similar to what it did against Pakistan. The type of aggressive policy Narendra Modi follows I dont think he will ignore all this. Theres a sentiment there that India has to show that its a great power, Sethi claimed. pic.twitter.com/0ZtHIssg2FIndia will bash Bangladesh like Pakistan: Pak analyst Najam Sethi Hum bhi pele gaye the, tum bhi pele jaoge #India #Bangladesh #Pakistan #NajamSethi Ravi K Singh (@rksingh247) January 12, 2026 His comments come amid growing strain in India-Bangladesh relations following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently living in exile in India. Tensions were further fuelled last year when Bangladeshs interim chief Muhammad Yunus, during a visit to China, described Indias northeastern states collectively known as the Seven Sisters as landlocked and said Bangladesh was the only guardian or gateway to the ocean. The remarks triggered sharp reactions in India, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma calling them offensive and strongly condemnable, and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey terming them shameful and provocative. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has repeatedly criticised such statements. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also took a swipe at Yunuss comments, saying cooperation must be based on an integrated outlook and cannot be subject to cherry-picking. Despite the rhetoric, New Delhi has maintained that it seeks friendly relations with Dhaka. In December, the Ministry of External Affairs said India had never allowed its territory to be used for activities inimical to the interests of the friendly people of Bangladesh, after Dhaka accused New Delhi of allowing space to Awami League members to promote anti-Bangladesh activities from Indian soil. With inputs from agencies Supporters of Nepals deposed royal family rallied in the capital on Sunday, calling for the restoration of the monarchy ahead of March elections. Supporters of Nepal's former royal family participate in a rally demanding the restoration of the monarchy as they mark the birth anniversary of the 18th century king Prithivi Narayan Shah, founder of the Shah dynasty, in Katmandu, Nepal, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. AP Supporters of Nepals deposed royal family rallied in the capital on Sunday, calling for the restoration of the monarchy ahead of March elections. This was the first rally by supporters of ousted King Gyanendra since a wave of violent demonstrations by disgruntled youth in September installed an interim government that set fresh parliamentary elections in March. We love our king. Bring back the king, the rally participants chanted around the statue of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who started the Shah dynasty in the 18th century. It is pertinent to note that the last Shah king Gyanendra was forced to step down and the monarchy was abolished in 2008, making Nepal a republic. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The last and only alternative for this country is a king and a monarchy only, said protester Samrat Thapa. In the present context and the paththe country has taken after the Gen Z movement, there needs to be a monarchy restored to manage the situation. It is pertinent to note that Sunday marks the birth anniversary of Prithvi Narayan, and the annual rally in the past has turned violent with clashes between demonstrators and police. Two people were killed during a pro-king rally last March. Sundays gathering was peaceful as riot police kept a close watch on the event. The royal family of Nepal still enjoys significant support. The interim government of the country is currently being led by Nepals first female prime minister, Sushila Karki, a retired Supreme Court judge, who took over following protests by Gen Z activists complaining of corruption, lack of opportunities, employment and poor governance. They were triggered by the previous governments short-lived ban on social media. However, Karki has been criticised for dragging her feet in filing corruption cases. With inputs from the Associated Press. China said it opposed foreign interference in other nations internal affairs, responding to Donald Trumps threat of military intervention if Iranian protesters were killed China said it opposed foreign interference in the affairs of other countries, responding to US threats. China said on Monday it opposed foreign interference in the internal affairs of other countries, responding to US President Donald Trumps threat of military intervention if Iranian protesters were killed. We always oppose interference in other countries internal affairs, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference when asked about Trumps comments. We call on all parties to do more things conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East, she added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump mulls strong military action against Iran Trump said Iran had proposed talks but added that he was weighing very strong military action against the West Asian nation over its deadly crackdown on protesters, which has reportedly left hundreds dead. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump was asked whether Iran had crossed his previously stated red line on protesters being killed. He replied, theyre starting to, it looks like. Were looking at it very seriously, the US president said. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options. Well make a determination, he averred. Trump further added that Iran had proposed negotiations. I think theyre tired of being beaten up by the United States, he said. Iran wants to negotiate. Over 500 reported killed in Iran protests At least 538 people have been killed in violence linked to the demonstrations, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which said 490 of the dead were protesters. The group added that Iranian authorities have arrested around 10,600 people. A separate tally from the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group said on Sunday that at least 192 protesters had been killed. Rights organisations have cautioned that casualty figures vary because access inside Iran has been severely restricted by an internet blackout, and all counts are likely to underestimate the true scale of the toll. The dispute between two Asian neighbors began in November when Takaichi made comments that suggested Japan could deploy its military if China uses force to try and seize Taiwan Tensions between China and Japan are escalating as a diplomatic dispute over Taiwan, a self-governing island Beijing claims as its own, spills into an economic showdown following Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichis remarks amid cross-strait tension. Last week, China imposed sweeping restrictions on the export of dual-use items goods and services that can be used both by civilians and the military. The dispute between two Asian neighbors began in November when Takaichi made comments that suggested Japan could deploy its military if China uses force to try and seize Taiwan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China maintains an export control list of about 1,100 dual-use items and technologies that require licences for overseas shipments, regardless of the destination. The list includes at least seven categories of medium and heavy rare earths. It has, however, not specified which items may be affected by the ban on exports to Japan. By imposing export curbs, Beijing is using this dominance as a strategic tool to pressure Japan. The move mirrors Beijings earlier strategy of leveraging supply chain dominance during its trade war with the United States. According to reports, Japan is seeking support from G7 partners to secure critical minerals. The G7 includes the United States, Britain, Japan, France, Germany, Italy and Canada, as well as the European Union, most of whom are heavily dependent on rare earths supplies from China. Finance ministers from the G7 nations will meet in Washington later on Monday to discuss rare earths supplies. India will also join the meeting. Indias minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is in the US for the meeting. This is the first high-level visit to the US by an Indian minister in 2026. China-Japan tensions flare up over Taiwan China had summoned Tokyos ambassador and advised its citizens against travel to Japan. China and Japan are key trading partners, but historical mistrust and friction over territorial rivalries and military spending often test those ties. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in November that Japan should behave with dignity and take concrete actions, including retracting Takaichis statement, to repair ties." Simply asserting that its position (on Taiwan) remains unchanged does nothing to address Chinas concerns, she said at a regular news conference. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China also launched an anti-dumping probe into dichlorosilane imports from Japan. Dichlorosilane is a precursor chemical mainly used in thin-film deposition processes in chip manufacturing and is of significant importance to integrated circuit manufacturing. After Takaichis remarks, China conducted military drills which simulated a blockade of Taiwan. The drills included live-fire exercises and the launch of long-range projectiles into the Taiwan Strait, one of the worlds busiest shipping lanes, for the first time since 2022. Takaichi faces a political test at home Takaichi is considering calling a snap election to strengthen her parliamentary majority. It would be her first electoral test since becoming Japans first female prime minister in October. Her tough stance on China resonates with right-wing voters, and a stronger mandate could give her more leeway to pursue a harder foreign policy. But Japans industries are already feeling the pinch from a strained supply of critical minerals, adding pressure on the government. China has pushed back against US claims over Greenland, urging Washington not to use other countries as a pretext to advance its own strategic interests. The response comes as Trump renews his push to acquire the Arctic island, triggering sharp reactions from Denmark and Greenland and drawing China into the widening geopolitical debate. China on Monday said the United States should not use other countries as a pretext to pursue its own interests in Greenland, stressing that Beijings activities in the Arctic comply with international law. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Chinas actions in the region are aimed at promoting peace, stability and sustainable development. The remarks come amid rising tensions after US President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. Trump has argued that the US needs to take Greenland to prevent Russia or China from gaining control, saying he would prefer to make a deal but was determined to secure the island one way or another. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Denmark and Greenland push back Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that a US takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO. On Friday, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and leaders of the territorys four other parliamentary parties issued a joint statement reiterating that Greenlands future must be decided by its people. They also expressed their wish that the United States contempt for our country ends. China defends Arctic role China declared itself a near-Arctic state in 2018 as it sought to expand its influence in the region. Beijing has also announced plans for a Polar Silk Road under its Belt and Road Initiative to build economic links across Arctic nations. Responding to US statements, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Chinas Arctic activities are in line with international law, though she did not elaborate. Diplomatic engagements planned The dispute has triggered diplomatic activity, with Danish and Greenlandic envoys expected to visit Washington this week. Plans are also being drawn up for US senators to travel to Denmark, underlining the high-level attention surrounding the issue. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wens recent meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has drawn attention in South Asian strategic circles. Sources say Beijings engagement is a calculated diplomatic move ahead of Bangladeshs national elections, aimed at safeguarding its strategic and economic interests rather than signalling support for the Islamist party. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wens recent meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has drawn close attention across South Asian strategic circles. Senior government sources told News18 that the engagement appears to be a calculated diplomatic move by Beijing ahead of Bangladeshs high-stakes national elections, rather than an endorsement of the Islamist partys ideology. According to the report, China recognises Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh as one of the countrys most effective street-mobilisation forces during election periods. Regardless of its electoral performance, the partys wide organisational network, disciplined cadre, and ability to mobilise supporters give it considerable influence during politically volatile moments. Beijing is believed to view this capability as a force multiplier capable of shaping protest dynamics, influencing voter turnout, and affecting post-election stability. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Engagement driven by post-election uncertainty Officials indicate that Chinas outreach is largely motivated by uncertainty over Bangladeshs post-poll political landscape. With alliances fluid and electoral outcomes unpredictable, Beijing is engaging all influential actors to safeguard its strategic and economic interests. Interaction with Jamaat, sources say, provides China a fallback channel an actor capable of both disruption and, if persuaded, helping de-escalate unrest. Protecting Chinese investments Stability during and after the elections is a central concern for Beijing. China has major investments in Bangladesh under the Belt and Road Initiative, including ports, power projects, and connectivity infrastructure all of which are vulnerable during prolonged unrest or political violence. By engaging Jamaats leadership through its ambassador, China is believed to be seeking informal assurances to minimise risks to its projects and personnel during the election period. Balancing regional influence Government sources also highlight Jamaats traditionally India-sceptical stance, which Beijing views as a counterweight to New Delhis influence in Dhaka. Maintaining communication with such actors helps China preserve strategic balance, particularly if Bangladeshs post-election leadership revisits its foreign policy priorities. A pragmatic hedging strategy The meeting is also interpreted as a subtle signal to Bangladeshs political establishment that China has alternative options and can work with multiple power centres if needed. Sources stress, however, that this outreach should not be read as political backing. Rather, it reflects Beijings pragmatic approach to hedging risks by keeping all influential players engaged. Denmarks prime minister on Sunday said her country faces a decisive moment in its diplomatic battle with the United States over Greenland, after President Donald Trump again suggested using force to seize the Arctic territory. Denmarks prime minister on Sunday said her country faces a decisive moment in its diplomatic battle with the United States over Greenland, after President Donald Trump again suggested using force to seize the Arctic territory. Ahead of meetings in Washington from Monday on the global scramble for key raw materials, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that there is a conflict over Greenland. This is a decisive moment with stakes that go beyond the immediate issue of Greenlands future, she added in a debate with other Danish political leaders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Frederiksen posted on Facebook that we are ready to defend our values wherever it is necessary also in the Arctic. We believe in international law and in peoples right to self-determination. Germany and Sweden backed Denmark against Trumps latest claims to the self-governing Danish territory. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned US threatening rhetoric after Trump repeated that Washington was going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not. Sweden, the Nordic countries, the Baltic states, and several major European countries stand together with our Danish friends, he told a defence conference in Salen where the US general in charge of NATO took part. Kristersson said a US takeover of mineral-rich Greenland would be a violation of international law and risks encouraging other countries to act in exactly the same way. No immediate threat Germany reiterated its support for Denmark and Greenland ahead of the Washington discussions. Before meeting US counterpart Marco Rubio on Monday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadehpul held talks in Iceland to address the strategic challenges of the Far North, according to a foreign ministry statement. Security in the arctic is becoming more and more important and is part of our common interest in NATO, he said at a joint news conference with Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If the American president is looking at what threats might come from Russian or Chinese ships or submarines in the region, we can of course find answers to that together, he added. But the future of Greenland must be decided by the people of Greenland and Denmark, he said. Asked about a possible strengthening of NATOs commitment in the Arctic, Wadephul said Germany was ready to assume greater responsibilities. Earlier Sunday, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said: We are strengthening security in the Arctic together, as NATO allies, and not against one another. He was speaking ahead of an international meeting on critical raw materials in Washington. European nations have scrambled to coordinate a response after the White House said this week that Trump wanted to buy Greenland and refused to rule out military action. On Tuesday, leaders of seven European countries including France, Britain, Germany and Italy signed a letter saying it is only for Denmark and Greenland to decide the territorys future. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump says controlling the island is crucial for US national security because of the rising Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic. NATO Supreme Allied Commander General Alexus Grynkewich told the Swedish conference that alliance members were discussing Greenlands status. While there was no immediate threat to NATO territory, the Arctics strategic importance was fast growing, the US general added. Grynkewich said he would not comment on the political dimensions of recent rhetoric but talks on Greenland were being held at the North Atlantic Council. Those dialogues continue in Brussels. They have been healthy dialogues from what Ive heard, the general said. A Danish colony until 1953, Greenland gained home rule 26 years later and is contemplating eventually loosening its ties with Denmark. Polls indicate that Greenlands population strongly oppose a US takeover. I dont think theres an immediate threat to NATO territory right now, Grynkewich told the conference. But he said Russian and Chinese vessels had been seen patrolling together on Russias northern coast and near Alaska and Canada, working together to get greater access to the Arctic as ice recedes due to global warming. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has repeatedly drawn comparisons with Barack Obama, from occupying the Oval Office to seeking the Nobel Peace Prize. As Trump renews his criticism of Obamas record, questions are being raised over whether his approach to Iran will differ from the caution shown by his predecessor. Former US President Barack Obama and US President-elect Donald Trump speak at an event in Washington, D.C. on January 9, 2025. File image/ Reuters From the presidency to the Nobel Peace Prize, US President Donald Trump has spent years pursuing milestones closely associated with Barack Obama. While he has matched Obama in occupying the Oval Office and now seeks similar global recognition, whether Trump will mirror Obamas caution on Iran remains an open question. Trumps political journey is often traced back to a White House Correspondents Dinner where Obama publicly mocked him. The episode is widely seen as a turning point that hardened Trumps resolve to enter politics. Once in office, Trump appeared determined not merely to defeat Obama politically, but to surpass his legacy altogether. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His refusal to concede defeat after losing the 2020 presidential election, and his resistance to leaving the White House, reflected an ambition to secure two consecutive terms a distinction Obama achieved. Undoing Obama at home Beyond elections, Trump has consistently targeted Obamas legacy. Domestically, he sought to dismantle Obamacare, one of Obamas signature policy achievements, presenting it as a symbol of everything he opposed. The Nobel fixation Internationally, Trump has openly pursued the Nobel Peace Prize an honour Obama received early in his presidency. Trump has repeatedly argued that his diplomatic record deserved similar recognition, while criticising Obamas award as undeserved. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump accused his predecessor of doing nothing and destroying our country, while highlighting what he described as his role in securing peace in Gaza and ending eight wars. I didnt do it for that, Trump said, referring to the Nobel. I did it because I saved a lot of lives. Renewed attack on Obama With only hours remaining before the Nobel announcement, Trump again pointed to the timing of Obamas award. He got it for doing nothing. Obama got a prize he didnt even know what. He got elected, and they gave it to Obama for absolutely nothing but destroying our country, Trump said. Obama was just eight months into his first term when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, a decision that shocked many at the time. Even the liberal New York Times described the award as very premature, arguing that the Nobel should have a higher bar. A not-so-subtle campaign The Nobel Peace Prize is set to be announced at 5 am EST on Thursday in Oslo, Norway. Since Trump returned to the Oval Office in January, his effort to influence the Peace Research Institute Oslo which assists the Nobel Committee in evaluating candidates has been anything but subtle. Trump has repeatedly taken credit for diplomatic developments and global events, at times overstating his personal role. Last month, he effectively nominated himself for the Nobel Peace Prize during his address to the United Nations, claiming he had ended seven un-endable wars. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While he has contributed to easing tensions between some long-standing adversaries, his role in brokering ceasefires in several conflicts he has cited has been disputed by the countries involved. Obamas restraint on Iran The comparison between Trump and Obama becomes more complex when viewed through the lens of Iran. In 2009, Obama faced widespread protests following Irans disputed presidential election, in what became known as the Green Revolution. Protesters demanded political reform and challenged the authority of the regime. Choosing diplomacy over dissent Obama chose not to openly support the demonstrators, fearing that overt US backing would undermine efforts to negotiate with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis regime over Irans nuclear programme. Strategic restraint, rather than moral intervention, shaped Washingtons response. The Syria red line moment That caution resurfaced in 2013, when Obama backed away from military strikes against Syrias Iranian-backed regime after a nerve-gas attack on civilians in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta. The decision came despite Obama having declared the use of chemical weapons a red line that would trigger US intervention. The move signalled a reluctance to escalate confrontation with Tehran and its regional allies. The unanswered question As Trump continues to measure himself against Obamas legacy from the presidency to the Nobel Peace Prize the key question remains whether, when faced with Iran, he will repeat Obamas restraint or chart a more confrontational course that his predecessor ultimately avoided. On Sunday, Hamas announced that it will dissolve its government in the Gaza Strip once a Palestinian technocratic leadership committee takes over the coastal enclave. However, it remains unclear when this is going to happen Hamas gunmen on pickup trucks escort buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners as they are greeted following their release from Israeli jails under a cease-fire agreement between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. File Image/AP Hamas on Sunday said it will dissolve its existing government in Gaza once a Palestinian technocratic leadership committee takes over the coastal enclave. The establishment of such an arrangement was part of the US-brokered peace plan. However, the group gave no specifics on when the change will take place. As of now, Hamas and the rival Palestinian Authority, the Palestinians internationally recognised representative, have not announced the names of the technocrats, who are not supposed to be politically affiliated. It also remains unclear if they have been approved by Israel and the US. As per the deal, the Board of Peace, an international body led by Trump, is supposed to oversee the government and other aspects of the ceasefire that took effect on October 10 last year, including disarming Hamas and deploying an international security force. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza started with the halt in fighting and the release of hostages held in the strip in exchange for thousands of Palestinians held by Israel. The deal is still in its first phase as efforts continue to recover the remains of the final hostage left in Gaza. More from World Israel conducts targeted strike near Gaza rocket launch site amid fragile truce Meanwhile, an Egyptian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss closed-door information, told The Associated Press that Hamas was sending a delegation to talks with Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish officials about moving to the second phase. The future of Gaza remains uncertain In comments posted on his Telegram channel on Sunday, Hazem Kassem, a Hamas spokesperson, called for speeding up the establishment of the technocratic committee. The unnamed Egyptian official said that Hamas will meet with other Palestinian factions this week to finalise the committees formation. The Hamas delegation will be chaired by top negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, the official said. Meanwhile, Trump has maintained that the Board of Peace" will monitor the committee and handle the disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an international security force, additional pullbacks of Israeli troops and Gazas reconstruction. However, the US has reported little progress on any of these pledges. The latest update is that the member of the board will be announced this week. In light of recent developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov has been selected as the boards director-general. Mladenov is a former Bulgarian defence and foreign minister who served as UN envoy to Iraq before being appointed as the UN Mideast peace envoy from 2015 to 2020. Apart from this, on Sunday, Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar met in Jerusalem with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. During the meeting, Saar said that Israel was committed to enforcing Trumps plan, while Motegi expressed Japans willingness to play an active role in the ceasefire. Despite all these developments, it remains uncertain exactly when this board will take over Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from The Associated Press. A Hong Kong court has begun hearing sentencing arguments that could see pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai jailed for life under the national security law Lai has been in custody since 2020, with authorities saying he has been held in solitary confinement. A Hong Kong court on Monday began hearing arguments on how to sentence pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, with judges considering punishments that could include life imprisonment, following his conviction on national security-related charges. Lawyers are addressing three High Court judges from 10 am (0200 GMT), with proceedings scheduled to run for four days. Convictions under national security law Lai was convicted last month on two counts of conspiracy to commit collusion under Hong Kongs national security law, which was imposed by Beijing in 2020 after large and at times violent pro-democracy protests in the city. The 78-year-old was also found guilty of publishing seditious articles through his now-closed Apple Daily newspaper. In an 856-page verdict, the judges wrote that Lai harboured his resentment and hatred of (China) for many of his adult years and sought the downfall of the Chinese Communist Party. Under the national security law, collusion offences of a grave nature carry a prison term of between 10 years and life, while the colonial-era crime of sedition carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD International reaction and appeals Lai, a British citizen, can appeal against the convictions. The UK government has previously condemned his politically motivated prosecution and called for his release. US President Donald Trump also said he had asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping to consider releasing Lai. Judges began Mondays hearing by confirming the guilty pleas of two co-defendants, Chan Tsz-wah and Li Yu-hin. The pair, along with six Apple Daily executives, had pleaded guilty in the same case and are also awaiting sentencing. Over the weekend, dozens of people queued outside the West Kowloon court building, with some telling AFP they hoped to secure a seat in the public gallery to support Lai. Health concerns raised by family Lai has been in custody since 2020, with authorities saying he has been held in solitary confinement at his own request. His children, Sebastien and Claire, have warned in recent months that their diabetic father had lost a very significant amount of weight and showed signs of nail and tooth decay. The Hong Kong government has repeatedly denied the claims, insisting that Lai has received adequate and comprehensive care while in detention. Amnesty International said last month that Lais conviction feels like the death knell for press freedom in Hong Kong, while the Committee to Protect Journalists described the case as a sham. A government spokesperson responded that the case has nothing to do with freedom of speech and of the press at all, accusing Lai of using journalism as a cover to commit crimes. According to official figures, Hong Kong had arrested 385 people for various national security offences and convicted 175 of them as of January 1. Police made nearly 70 national security-related arrests last year, more than double the figure from 2024. Hungary granted asylum to former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, who faces multiple criminal charges at home, including abuse of power and misuse of funds for spyware purchases. Hungary has granted asylum to a former Justice Minister of Poland Zbigniew Ziobro,who was facing criminal charges including misappropriating funds meant for crime victims to illegally purchase Israeli spyware. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed Budapest had granted asylum or refugee status to individuals suffering political persecution in Poland, without naming the individuals concerned. Poland has sought to prosecute former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, architect of changes to the judicial system that the EU had long said undermined the rule of law when the nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS) led Poland. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Ziobro served from 2015 to 2023 in the government of the populist-nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, a close ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. I decided to take advantage of the asylum granted to me by the Hungarian government due to political repressions in Poland, Ziobro wrote on X on Monday. He said he had also requested asylum for his wife. The former Minister of Justice fleeing like a coward from the Polish justice system. A total downfall! Tomasz Siemoniak, the cabinet minister in charge of Polands security services, wrote on X. In a press conference, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto confirmed that Budapest had approved some asylum requests from Poland, again without identifying Ziobro. In Poland many people are subject to political persecution, he said. Ziobro faces up to 25 years in prison on 26 charges, including abuse of power, leading an organised criminal enterprise and using funds meant for crime victims to buy Israeli Pegasus spyware, allegedly to monitor political opponents. I decided to take advantage of the asylum granted to me by the Hungarian government due to political repression in Poland, Ziobro said in a lengthy post on X on Monday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Polish deputy defence minister Cezary Tomczyk responded by saying: Ziobro will not go unpunished." No politician is above the law, he told broadcaster Polsat. Ziobro is considered the architect of a series of contentious judicial reforms that sparked a standoff between Poland and the European Union. He rejects the charges against him and has accused Prime Minister Donald Tusks centrist government of organising a witch hunt against the conservative opposition. Out-of-cycle re-rating under Australias student visa framework will mean stricter scrutiny and longer processing times for Indian applicants Australia has moved India into its highest-risk category for student visa applicants, tightening scrutiny and lengthening processing times as part of an out-of-cycle re-rating under its Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF). According to a Times of India report, citing Australian media, effective January 8, 2026, India has been shifted from Evidence Level 2 to Evidence Level 3, alongside Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan, citing what authorities described as emerging integrity risks. Under the new classification, student visa applications from these four South Asian countries will face more rigorous checks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Australian media reported that the re-rating was implemented outside the usual review cycle, reflecting growing concerns within the administration. This change will assist with the effective management of emerging integrity issues, while continuing to facilitate genuine students seeking a quality education in Australia, the report quoted the Australian administration as saying. It added that the government wants international students to have a positive study experience and confidence that they are investing in a high-quality education, while ensuring the Student Visa Program has the right settings to protect the integrity of the system. Impact on Indian students For Indian students, the re-rating means closer scrutiny of visa applications. Authorities may request additional documentation, conduct more rigorous background checks and manually verify bank statements. Applicants could also be asked to provide extra evidence of English language proficiency, while visa officers will have the authority to directly contact educational institutions and referees. Processing times are also expected to increase significantly, stretching from the current average of around three weeks to as long as eight weeks. Why India was moved to the highest-risk category While the administration did not specify a single reason for Indias reclassification, the move follows recent reports of fake degree rackets in India that attracted international attention. India is Australias second-largest source of international students, accounting for nearly 140,000 of the countrys 650,000 overseas enrolments. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Together, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan make up almost one-third of total international student enrolments in 2025. Experts say the tightening also reflects broader global trends. With the US, UK and Canada increasingly restricting foreign student intakes, Australia has become the primary remaining destination among the big four study destinations. It recently became obvious that student applicants who couldnt get into those other three countries are increasingly applying to come to Australia, and in many cases weve seen an increase in fraudulent financial and academic documents, ToI quoted Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia, as saying. By placing a number of these countries into the highest risk rating level, it automatically enhances the filtering of student visa applicants to ensure bona fide study motivation, he added. With inputs from agencies The discussions, held in Islamabad, focused on potential sales of JF-17 combat jets and drones as Jakarta looks to modernise its ageing air force and Pakistan seeks to expand its defence exports A JF-17 Thunder fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force takes off from Mushaf base in Sargodha, north Pakistan, on June 7, 2013. Reuters File Indonesias defence minister met Pakistans air force chief in Islamabad to discuss a potential deal that includes the sale of combat jets and killer drones to Jakarta, three security officials with knowledge of the meeting on Monday said. The talks come as Pakistans defence industry moves forward with a series of defence procurement negotiations, including deals with Libyas National Army and Sudans army, and looks to establish itself as a sizable regional player. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One source said the talks revolved around the sale of JF-17 jets, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and drones designed for surveillance and striking targets. The other two sources said the talks were in an advanced stage and involved more than 40 JF-17 jets. One of them said Indonesia was also interested in Pakistans Shahpar drones. The sources did not share any discussions about delivery timelines and the number of years a proposed deal would span. Both Indonesias Defence Ministry and Pakistans military confirmed the meeting between Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Pakistans Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. The meeting focused on discussing general defence cooperation relations, including strategic dialogue, strengthening communication between defence institutions, and opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields in the long term, defence ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait told Reuters, adding the talks had not yet led to concrete decisions. The Pakistani military said in a statement that the meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and exploration of avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. Indonesia replacing ageing air force fleet One additional security source with knowledge of military procurement talks said Pakistan was discussing the sale of JF-17 Thunder jets, air defence systems, training for junior, mid-level, and senior Indonesian air force officials, and engineering staff. The Indonesia deal is in the pipeline, retired Air Marshal Asim Suleiman, who remains briefed on air force deals, told Reuters, adding that the number of JF-17 jets involved was close to 40. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indonesias President Prabowo Subianto was in Pakistan last month for a two-day visit for talks on improving bilateral ties, including defence. Indonesia has put in a slew of orders for jets in the past few years, including 42 French Rafale jets worth $8.1 billion in 2022 and 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkey last year to strengthen its air force and replace its ageing air force fleet. Jakarta has also considered buying Chinas J-10 fighter jets and is in talks to purchase US-made F-15EX jets. Pakistans rising defence industry Interest in the Pakistani militarys weapons development programme has surged since its jets were deployed in a short conflict with India last year. The JF-17s have been at the centre of that growing attention, figuring in a deal with Azerbaijan and the $4 billion weapons pact with the Libyan National Army. Pakistan is also eyeing a defence pact with Bangladesh that could include the Super Mushshak training jets and JF-17s, as ties improve with Dhaka. Reuters has also reported that Islamabad was in talks with Riyadh for a defence deal that could be worth between $2 billion and $4 billion and involves the conversion of Saudi loans into military supplies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iranian President Pezeshkian marched alongside tens of thousands of flag-waving supporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Monday, as Supreme Leader Khamenei praised the demonstrations, calling the turnout a warning to the US Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian marched alongside tens of thousands flag-waving supporters at a pro-government rally in Tehran on Monday, as protests against Irans ruling establishment continued to intensify and the reported death toll rose sharply. Pezeshkian, who had urged citizens to gather in major cities to counter what he described as foreign-backed anti-government protests, was joined by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to images circulating online. Very interesting. President Pezeshkian marches among the demonstrators at a rally in Tehran. He continues his triangulation between the Supreme Leader and those calling for regime change. pic.twitter.com/jX9uvQwzmJ Mike (@Doranimated) January 12, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Demonstrators were seen waving national flags and chanting slogans branding protesters as terrorists. The show of support for the regime came amid an intensified crackdown on dissent. According to a Guardian report, the government sought to project an image of control and normalcy, despite what analysts describe as the countrys largest protest movement since 2009. State television aired footage of crowds filling the streets and assembling at Enqelab Square for a rally titled Iranian uprising against American-Zionist terrorism. Addressing the gathering, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused Western powers of interference and said Iran was fighting a four-front war: an economic war, psychological warfare, military war against the US and Israel, and today a war against terrorism. Earlier on Monday, Foreign Minister Araghchi told foreign diplomats that the situation in Iran had come under total control. Meanwhile, Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Monday praised pro-government rallies called by authorities, saying the turnout was a warning to the United States. This was a warning to American politicians to stop their deceit and not rely on treacherous mercenaries, he said, according to Iranian state TV, after US President Donald Trump repeatedly threatened to intervene militarily if Tehran killed protesters. These massive rallies, full of determination, have thwarted the plan of foreign enemies that were supposed to be carried out by domestic mercenaries, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Protests enter 16th day The protests, now in their 16th day, began in Tehran after traders demonstrated against a sharp depreciation of the national currency. They quickly spread nationwide, evolving into broader calls for the overthrow of the regime and prompting a forceful response from security forces. Iran has previously crushed mass protests through force, notably in 2009 and 2019. Observers say the coming days could determine whether the current movement can withstand what appears to be an increasingly lethal crackdown. Araghchi accused Western powers of turning peaceful demonstrations violent and bloody to give an excuse for military intervention. Iranian officials have repeatedly blamed the US and Israel for fomenting unrest, claims both countries have denied. The crackdown has drawn international condemnation, with Germany and Canada on Monday calling on Iranian authorities to halt repression. US President Donald Trump has previously warned of possible intervention if protesters were killed, a threat that has resurfaced amid reports of hundreds of deaths in recent days. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Accounts from protesters describe heavy violence. One demonstrator in Tehrans Punak neighbourhood said authorities appeared to cut electricity before gunfire erupted. After some time, in the darkness, gunfire began and people were hit by bullets, The Guardian quoted the protester as saying, adding that shots appeared to come from rooftops or drones. Human rights groups reported disturbing scenes, including videos showing dozens of bodies stored in a warehouse in Tehrans Kahrizak area, allegedly used as an overflow facility for an overcrowded morgue. Footage also showed families watching screens at morgues, hoping to identify missing relatives. Rising death toll According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 544 people including 496 protesters and 48 security personnel have been killed, and more than 10,681 protesters detained. HRANA said it was verifying hundreds of additional reports of deaths, warning the toll could rise further. Iranian authorities have not released official figures. Rights groups also warned of an escalation in repression, citing at least 96 forced confessions aired on state television. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One protester, 26-year-old Irfan Soltani, has reportedly been sentenced to death and faces execution later this week, which would mark the first execution linked to the current protests. Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Irans ousted shah, on Sunday called on security forces and state employees to side with protesters. He claimed thousands of security personnel had signalled willingness to defect and said further instructions would follow. Solidarity demonstrations were held in cities around the world over the weekend, as the Iranian government faces mounting pressure at home and abroad over its handling of the unrest. With inputs from agencies Israels police on Sunday reportedly detained the countrys Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Chief of Staff, Tzachi Braverman, for interrogation over his alleged attempt to obstruct a probe into leaked classified intelligence to German tabloid Bild Israels police on Sunday reportedly detained the countrys Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Chief of Staff, Tzachi Braverman, for interrogation over his alleged attempt to obstruct a probe into leaked classified intelligence to German tabloid Bild. Meanwhile, the police kept Bravermans name hidden and acknowledged the detention of one of Netanyahus top aides. It was Hebrew media outlets that eventually reported that the suspect under investigation was Braverman, a longtime top figure in the prime ministers inner circle who is set to become Israels ambassador to the UK. This morning, a senior official in the Prime Ministers Office has been detained by Lahav 433 officers on suspicion of obstructing investigative procedures, police said in a statement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Investigators in the polices Lahav 433 major crimes unit searched Bravermans home during the morning raid and questioned him in the units headquarters in Lod. Channel 13 reported that officers seized Bravermans phone and also summoned Omer Mansour, a spokesperson in the PMO, to give testimony in the affair. Netanyahus inner circle under radar It is pertient to note that the interrogation of Braverman came right after the Israeli Prime Ministers indicted former spokesman Eli Feldstein claimed Braverman knew of a covert investigation into the leak months before it was publicised. Fledstein recalled that the Israeli chief of staff assured him that hed be able to quash the probe. In an interview with Kan public broadcaster last month, Feldstein said Braverman asked to meet him late at night in an underground parking lot in the Kirya military headquarters. Here, Feldstein informed him that the IDF had launched an investigation into the leak. Braverman allegedly told Feldstein that the list of suspects went as high as the Prime Ministers Office and urged him to inform him if he was in any way connected to the leak, as he would be able to shut it down. Following the interview, the Israeli police launched an investigation into the matter. A source in Lahav 433 told Channel 12 that Feldstein is expected to give testimony in the units office on Sunday. At the same time, Kan reported that investigators may arrange a face-to-face confrontation with Braverman. An upcoming role According to The Times of Israel, Braverman is currently slated to take over as Israels next ambassador to the United Kingdom in the coming months. In light of Bravermans appointment, Opposition leader Yair Lapid posted to X that London should immediately put this on hold. It cannot be that a man suspected of involvement in obstructing a serious security investigation will be the face of Israel in one of the most important countries in Europe, he wrote in the post. Meanwhile, the Movement for Quality Government in Israel called for the suspension of ambassadorship, noting that the position is a most sensitive role that demands complete public trust. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected the calls and said Braverman was lawfully appointed to the position of Israels Ambassador to the United Kingdom. His appointment passed all the required stages. Saar stressed that harming an individualwhether in their employment or in their official roleat the preliminary stage of an investigation is inconsistent with the fundamental values of human and civil rights and with the right to due process. I do not believe that the mere existence of an investigation justifies undermining Bravermans appointment or suspending him from his position, the Israeli foreign minister argued. Overall, the matter is still under investigation. South Korea launched a probe into possible civilian drone flights after North Korea accused Seoul of airspace violations. President Lee Jae Myung warned of serious security consequences amid rising inter-Korean tensions. After the launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea, South Korean authorities have rolled out a probe which is focused on the possibility civilians may have flown drones that North Korea said violated its airspace, the Defence Ministry said on Monday. Recently, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited China and urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to freeze the nuclear activities carried out by North Korea. Lee has vowed a swift probe and said on Saturday if civilians had indeed operated the unmanned aircraft, it would be a serious crime that threatened South Koreas security and peace on the Korean peninsula. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD South Korea is also willing to launch an investigation with North Korea but has not met with mutual talks and failed to make any proposal, a defence ministry spokesperson said citing Minister Ahn Gyu-back. North Korea is seen having a stiff against South by not responding to Lees attempt to initiate dialogue and reach a conclusion. North Koreas military on Saturday accused the South of acts of provocation by sending the drones, saying it had shot down the aircraft and disclosed what it said were pieces of the drones and aerial photos they took. South Koreas military said it did not operate the drone model in question or operate any on the date cited by the North of the intrusion. It had no intention to provoke the North, it said. Tensions escalated between North and South with no mutual confrontation and the rise in nuclear and arms programs by the North. Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol went on trial on Monday on charges of trying to provoke North Korea in 2024 as a pretext for declaring martial law later that year. He is facing a separate trial for insurrection over the martial law attempt. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD MAGA influencer Elijah Schaffer has sparked outrage for posting racist remarks targeting Abraham George, the Indian-origin chairman of the Texas Republican Party. Schaffer mocked Georges Indian accent and claimed Texas was turning into Mumbai, allegingwithout evidencethat the Republican Party was facilitating H1B immigration fraud. MAGA influencer Elijah Schaffer has drawn sharp criticism after posting racist remarks against Abraham George, the Indian-origin chairman of the Texas Republican Party. Schaffer mocked Georges Indian accent and claimed Texas was turning into Mumbai, allegingwithout evidencethat the Republican Party itself was facilitating what he described as H1B immigration fraud. The Texas GOP is led by an Indian with an Indian accent. Now you know why Texas is turning into Mumbai and the centre of H1B immigration fraud. Our own party is orchestrating it, its not just the Democrats. Indians are loyal to their race and non-Indian politicians are paid off, Schaffer wrote on social media. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Growing pattern of racist attacks The comments have sparked outrage, coming amid a broader pattern of racist attacks against Indian-origin politicians in the United States. While figures such as Vivek Ramaswamy have often faced abuse linked to their Hindu faith, Abraham George is a Christian. George was elected chairman of the Texas GOP in 2024, a year after losing the Republican primary for Texass 89th House district in 2023. Online backlash after GOP video Schaffer was not the only individual to target George online after the Texas GOP shared a video of him speaking about gun rights and constitutional freedoms. In the video, George strongly defended the Second Amendment and Texas gun laws, framing them as part of the states identity. God gave you life. God gave you liberty, and God gives the duty to protect both Thats not a policy, that is Texas DNA, George said, rejecting red flag laws, magazine bans and waiting periods. Texas and the Indian-American presence Texas is home to one of the largest Indian populations in the United States. According to Pew Research, around 570,000 Indian-origin residents live in the state. Nationwide, the Indian-American population stands at about 4.9 million, with large communities also in California, New Jersey, New York and Illinois. Major metropolitan centres include New York, Dallas and San Francisco. Anti-India rhetoric gains traction online The episode comes as sections of the American right wing appear to be pushing an increasingly hostile narrative against India. MAGA-linked influencers have amplified anti-India rhetoric on social media, with trade disputes, tariffs and immigration emerging as key flashpoints. Several conservative voices with large online followings have targeted Indian workers, students and call centres, prompting accusations of racism and hypocrisy. Tensions amid tariff dispute The surge in hostile commentary coincides with strained relations between New Delhi and Washington, following Donald Trumps decision to impose cumulative tariffs of 50 percent on Indian goods, including a levy linked to Indias purchase of Russian oil. Nepals former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has claimed that last years Gen Z-led protests that toppled his government were not spontaneous but the result of long-term planning. His remarks come as the country continues to deal with the political and social fallout from the deadly unrest. Former Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's picture lies on the floor in the Singha Durbar office complex that houses the prime minister's office and other ministries burnt, following the Gen-Z protests. Reuters Nepals former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has said that last years Gen Z-led protests, which toppled his government, were not spontaneous but the result of long-term planning. His remarks come as the country continues to grapple with the political fallout from the deadly unrest. The comments follow a statement Oli gave last week to a government commission investigating the crackdown on the protests. Regional pattern of unrest In an interview with RT India, Oli suggested that the September uprising mirrored broader regional trends, citing similar unrest in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in recent years. He argued that the events in Nepal were not coincidental. People were talking from the very beginning, Oli said, claiming that references to protests in neighbouring countries had circulated widely in Nepal even before the demonstrations began. He described the movement as a planned moment rather than a purely organic expression of youth anger, suggesting that such ideas were being amplified globally through news and other material. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Government failure acknowledged When asked whether intelligence agencies had provided prior warnings, Oli said formal alerts were unnecessary. Sri Lanka was loudly telling us, Bangladesh was telling us, he said, adding that the threat had been visible for years. He also admitted that the government had failed to respond effectively, saying the situation quickly went out of our capacity. Oli under investigation Olis remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny over the states handling of the protests. Earlier this month, he provided a statement to a government commission probing the crackdown, AFP reported. While he had previously questioned the commissions constitutional basis, officials recorded his statement at his residence after issuing a summon. Authorities have also imposed travel restrictions on Oli and several other former senior officials as the inquiry continues. The Gen Z protests The protests erupted in September after a brief government ban on social media but rapidly escalated into nationwide demonstrations led by young activists under the Gen Z banner. Frustration over economic stagnation, corruption, and entrenched political elites fuelled the movement. Violence quickly intensified, with parliament and government offices set ablaze on the second day, resulting in the collapse of Olis government. At least 76 people were killed during the unrest, according to AFP. Oli resigned shortly after protesters set fire to his house and other government buildings. An interim administration led by former chief justice Sushila Karki took charge, and Nepal is scheduled to hold elections on March 5, 2026. As the tensions in Latin America continue to escalate, reports are emerging that Nicaraguan authorities have arrested at least 60 people who were reportedly supporting the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the US forces. Nicaraguan vice president Rosario Murillo and president Daniel Ortega are staunch allies of Nicolas Maduro, who was captured by US military personnel in Caracas a week ago. AFP Amid the brewing tensions in Latin America, authorities in Nicaragua have arrested at least 60 people who were reportedly celebrating or expressing support for the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the US forces. It is pertinent to know that Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Vice President Rosario Murillo, are staunch allies of Maduro. Since the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at least 60 arbitrary arrests have occurred over alleged support for the operation, the NGO Blue and White Monitoring, which compiles reports of human rights violations in Nicaragua, said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The group noted that 49 people remained detained on Friday without information about their legal status, while nine people have been released, and three others were temporarily detained. This new wave of repression is carried out without a judicial order and is based solely on expressions of opinion: comments on social media, private celebrations, or not repeating official propaganda, the group averred. Maduro and his wife were captured in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, earlier this year. The couple were then taken to New York to face trial on drug and weapon charges. Amid this, US President Donald Trump took charge of the Venezuelan oil reserves, finding ways to benefit from them. Nicaragua on alert According to Confidencial, a Nicaraguan newspaper published outside the country, the arrests took place under a state alert, which was ordered by Murillo, right after Maduro was captured. The alert emboldened the authorities to have surveillance in neighbourhoods and on social media. Meanwhile, La Prensa, another local newspaper, said the arrests occurred due to posts in favour of the US operation. It is important to note that the detention came a day after Trump claimed that he cancelled a second wave of attacks on Venezuela because it was cooperating with the US on oil infrastructure and had released political prisoners. The US President maintained that he had cancelled planned military action in recognition that the authorities in Caracas had released large numbers of prisoners and were seeking peace. However, Trump did not elaborate on what the alleged plan was but said that the US Navy armada in the Caribbean would remain, leaving Washington with the ability to attack Venezuela at short notice. Saudi Arabia arrested 18,836 illegal residents and deported over 10,000 people in the first week of January as part of intensified nationwide inspections, the Ministry of Interior said. The arrests took place between January 1 and 7 through joint operations. (Reuters) Saudi Arabia arrested 18,836 illegal residents and deported more than 10,000 people during the first week of January, as authorities intensified inspections across the Kingdom to curb violations of residency, labour and border laws. The arrests took place between January 1 and 7 through joint operations involving security forces and government agencies, the Ministry of Interior said on Saturday. Residency violations top arrest figures Of those detained, 11,710 were found to have violated the Residency Law, while 4,239 breached Border Security regulations and 2,887 were in violation of the Labour Law, according to the ministry. The ministry said 10,195 individuals have already been deported. A further 20,956 violators were referred to their diplomatic missions to secure travel documents, while 5,201 people were transferred to complete travel arrangements ahead of their removal from the Kingdom. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Authorities also arrested 1,741 people attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally. Among them, 39 per cent were Yemeni nationals, 60 per cent Ethiopian nationals, and one per cent were from other countries. An additional 46 individuals were detained while trying to leave the country unlawfully. Action taken against facilitators The enforcement campaign extended to those aiding violations, with 19 people arrested for providing transport, shelter or employment to illegal residents. According to the Ministry of Interior, 29,823 expatriates, including 28,220 men and 1,603 women, are currently undergoing legal procedures as part of the drive. The ministry reiterated that anyone assisting illegal entry, transport, shelter or employment faces penalties of up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to SR1 million, along with the confiscation of vehicles or properties used in the offence. Two China-flagged supertankers that were sailing to Venezuela to pick up debt-paying crude cargoes amid the US oil embargo on the OPEC country have made u-turn and are now heading back to Asia, LSEG shipping data showed on Monday Two China-flagged supertankers that were sailing to Venezuela to pick up debt-paying crude cargoes amid the US oil embargo on the OPEC country have made u-turn and are now heading back to Asia, LSEG shipping data showed on Monday. Following the US announcement last week of a $2 billion deal to export up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil stuck in storage, US president Donald Trump said China would not be deprived of Venezuelas crude. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But the Asian country, the first market of the South American nations oil, has not received any cargoes since last month as Washington says the embargo remains in force. The very large crude carriers Xingye and Thousand Sunny had remained anchored in the Atlantic Ocean for weeks, waiting for directions amid the blockade and Venezuelas political crisis, triggered by the US capture of President Nicolas Maduro. The vessels are part of a group of three supertankers that only cover the Venezuela-China route to carry crude that pays Venezuelas debt service to the Asian country. The loans that are part of Venezuelas overall debt to China, which used to be its first lender. Shortly after Venezuela was put under US energy sanctions in 2019, China granted a grace period to receive capital payments and negotiated a temporary deal with Caracas so debt service would be compensated with crude cargoes. In yet another statement about running the country as a US colony, President Donald Trump has declared himself as Acting President of Venezuela. He has claimed he will run the country for years and control the countrys oil reserves. US President Donald Trump reacts at Rocky Mount Event Center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, US, on December 19, 2025. (Photo: Jessica Koscielniak/Reuters) In yet another statement about running the country as a US colony, President Donald Trump on Monday declared himself as the Acting President of Venezuela. He has previously claimed he will run the country for years and control its oil reserves. Trump shared a Wikipedia-type graphic on Truth Social that described him as the incumbent Acting President of Venezuela. Earlier this month, at Trumps orders, the US military invaded Venezuela and captured its leader, Nicolas Maduro, and whisked him away to the United States. Following the invasion, he said the United States was essentially in control of the country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In his Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump recognises himself as the 'Acting President of Venezuela' pic.twitter.com/A23DlWqIBw ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 Trump later told New York Times that he would run Venezuela for years. Trump further said that the current Venezuelan leader, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, was working as per his wishes and her administration was giving us everything that we feel is necessary. Trump added that he would take over Venezuelan oil reserves and rebuild the energy infrastructure in the country. Trump said, We will rebuild it in a very profitable way. Were going to be using oil, and were going to be taking oil. Were getting oil prices down, and were going to be giving money to Venezuela, which they desperately need. Separately, Trump said that the United States would obtain 30-50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil. Trumps approach to Venezuela after ousting Maduro has been contradictory as well as confusing. While he, just like his predecessor Joe Biden, has declared Maduro as Venezuelas illegitimate leader, he has treated his deputy, Delcy, who has taken over as the interim leader, as the countrys legitimate leader so far whom he said has been working as per his wishes. He has also laid claims to Venezuelan oil reserves as if they were on American land. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While Republicans have almost entirely supported Trumps invasion of Venezuela, there have been protests from sections of the party about Trumps statements about running the country. Last week, five Republican senators joined Democrats to force a vote on a proposal mandating congressional approval for any military action regarding Venezuela. US President Donald Trump said that Iran approached the White House for negotiation, but he is considering very strong military action against Tehran over its crackdown on protesters US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had proposed negotiations, but he is considering very strong military action against the West Asian nation over a deadly crackdown on protesters that has reportedly killed hundreds. When asked on the matter aboard the Air Force One on Sunday, if Iran has crossed his previously stated red line of protesters being killed, Trump said, theyre starting to, it looks like. Were looking at it very seriously, the US president said. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options. Well make a determination," he averred. Trumps recent threats against Iran came amid rising tension in the Latin American region following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the US forces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has maintained that Iran had proposed negotiations. I think theyre tired of being beaten up by the United States, he said. Iran wants to negotiate. However, he raised concerns over the death of protesters in Iran. Over 500 killed in protests in Iran At least 538 people have been killed in the violence surrounding demonstrations, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Out of this, 490 were protesters. The US-based body also noted that 10,600 people were arrested by Iranian authorities. Another rights monitor, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group, said on Sunday at least 192 protesters had been killed in the protests. It is important to note that the casualty figures vary between rights groups as they struggled to access people within Iran amid the internet blackout in the country, but all are expected to be undercounts. Meanwhile, the Iranian regime has not provided official figures of the death toll, and it has become impossible to independently verify the figures. The brutal crackdown in Iran has raised the likelihood of US intervention, with Trump saying he would rescue protesters if the Iranian government killed them. He reiterated his threat to intervene on Saturday night. Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!! he said on Truth Social. In response to these threats, the Iranian parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, warned Washington against a miscalculation, saying that Israel and US interests in the Middle East would be legitimate targets. Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories as well as all US bases and ships will be our legitimate target, said Qalibaf, a former commander in Irans elite Revolutionary Guards. Overall, tensions between Tehran and the US remain at an all-time high. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Last week, British Defence Secretary John Healey was merely minutes away from the place struck by Russia with its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile in Ukraines Lviv. He said their party had to make an emergency stop as explosions rung all around them British Defence Secretary John Healey was last week minutes away from the place struck by Russia with its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile in Ukrianes Lviv. A source told The Sun that Healey had a close shave near Lviv on Thursday. Healey confirmed to the newspaper that he had to make an emergency stop. Russia on Thursday attacked Ukraines Lviv with Oreshnik. The Russian defence ministry said the strike was a response to an alleged Ukrainian attack on one of President Vladimir Putin's residences last month. Both the Ukrainian and American governments have said that Ukraine did not carry out such an attack. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Highlighting how close they were to the attacks, Healey said that we were close enough to hear the air raid sirens. Healey said, It was a serious moment and a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero conditions. We wont stand for this and are determined to put leading edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians as they fight back. ALSO READ: Russia struck Qatari embassy in overnight attack on Kyiv, says Zelenskyy During his visit to Ukraine, Healey on Friday announced that the United Kingdom will spend 200 million to prepare soldiers for deployment to Ukraine as part of a multinational force to uphold the ceasefire with Russia in case of a negotiated end of the war. The money will be spent on upgrading vehicles and communications systems, counter-drone protection, and other equipment to ensure troops are ready to deploy. Earlier this month, British and French governments signed a deal with Ukraine to pledge troops to a multinational force to enforce a ceasefire reached with a negotiated end of the war. We are surging investment into our preparations following the Prime Ministers announcement this week, ensuring that Britains armed forces are ready to deploy, and lead, the Multinational Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK, said Healey at the time, as per The Independent. We are not there yet, but at some point, we would hope indeed that there will be some such talks that will finally lead to peace in Ukraine, said EU spokeswoman Paula Pinho Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on the "special military operation" amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict in Moscow, Russia, on December 29, 2025. Reuters File Despite recent calls from France and Italy for Europe to re-engage with Moscow, the European Union on Monday said that conditions were not yet suitable for high-level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine. At some point there will have to be talks, also with President Putin, and in the meantime, a lot of work is being done. Unfortunately, were not seeing any signs by President Putin to be engaging, AFP quoted EU spokeswoman Paula Pinho as saying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We are not there yet, but at some point, we would hope indeed that there will be some such talks that will finally lead to peace in Ukraine, she added. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had said on Friday that the time has come for the EU to resume high-level dialogue with Russia, suggesting that a special envoy could be appointed for talks on Ukraine. The statement followed comments from French President Emmanuel Macron in December, who said Europe should find a framework for outreach to the Kremlin in the coming weeks. The calls from the two EU leaders come as Europe seeks to increase its influence over US-led efforts, spearheaded by President Donald Trump, to end the war. Trump has spoken repeatedly with Putin, while US negotiators have held multiple rounds of talks with Russian counterparts. Meanwhile, Europe and Ukraine are working on a new peace proposal in coordination with the United States that would be more acceptable to Kyiv. Any attempt by the EU to engage directly with Putin is expected to face resistance from hawkish countries along the blocs eastern border, which remain deeply wary of re-engaging with Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, speaking at a press conference, said India is closely monitoring the situation in Iran amid protests and is also continuing engagement with Germany over the Ariha Shah foster care case Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday said that India is closely monitoring the situation in Iran amid deadly protests and has advised its nationals to avoid venturing out or getting caught in the unrest. Addressing a special briefing following German Chancellor Friedrich Merzs maiden visit to India, Misri said, We are watching the developments in Iran We have a significant community of expatriate Indians and also students from India in Iran." #WATCH | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "On Iran and Greenland... I won't be able to go into the details of what the two leaders discussed... We are watching the developments in Iran... We have a significant community of expatriate Indians and also pic.twitter.com/9pIrk9mTly ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He said the Indian embassy has been in touch with the Indian community despite restrictions on the ground. Despite the restrictions in place, our embassy has been able to reach out to the student community and find that they are all doing well and have not faced any difficulties thus far. We have advised all of our compatriots there not to venture out or find themselves in the middle of the disturbances," he added. Misris remarks come as protests in Iran, which began on December 28 over rising prices, have escalated into the biggest challenge to the countrys clerical leadership since 2022. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 500 people have been killed and over 10,600 detained during the two weeks of unrest. Tensions have further intensified following renewed warnings by US President Donald Trump of possible American intervention in support of protesters. Tehran, in response, has threatened retaliation against US military assets in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Sunday, Trump said Iran wanted to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, addressing foreign diplomats in Tehran, said the situation has come under total control" and added that Iran was open to diplomacy". PM Modi raises Ariha Shah case with Merz Misri said New Delhi remains in close engagement with Germany over the case of baby Ariha Shah, who has been in German foster care for the past 40 months, noting that it is a sensitive matter and that discussions with the German government have been ongoing for a considerable period. We have been in discussions with the German government, all the German authorities, their embassy here in Delhi, and the German government in Berlin, and all the agencies involved, for quite some time. This case was, at one point, a legal matter, but we believe that ultimately, it should be approached keeping in mind the humanitarian issues involved, said Misri. #WATCH | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | On the issue of Ariha Shah, an Indian girl child who has been in German foster care for 40 months, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "We have been in discussions with the German government, all the German authorities, their embassy here in pic.twitter.com/0kgCjpKwEP ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD We understand the familys distress and difficulties We are fully aware of the situation, and we are trying our best to help them in every way possible. We are also trying to ensure that Baby Ariha is raised as much as possible in an Indian environment, whether its interacting with Indian people or participating in Indian festivals being celebrated in Germany. We would like to make arrangements for her to learn Hindi, he added. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also discussed the matter with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and that it is being given due priority, similar to other important issues. Prime Minister Modi also mentioned this to the Chancellor, so we will continue to follow up with the German government on this issue, and we will stay with the family at every step, said Misri. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies London-based consumer technology brand Nothing has confirmed that India will be home to its first global flagship store. Accompanying the announcement, the company released a technical teaser that hints at the stores industrial design language. The brand stated that the new location will serve as a dedicated space for customers to experience Nothings products and design philosophy up close, marking a shift from its primarily online-driven sales model in the region. Teaser Reveals Signature Aesthetic A newly released teaser image offers a first look at what appears to be the storefront signage or a key interior installation. Presented as a technical architectural blueprintcomplete with Elevation and Plan views at a 1:10 scalethe design aligns with the brands transparent and industrial identity. Key details from the teaser include: Mechanical Signage: The central element is a rectangular block featuring the NOTHING (R) logo in the companys signature dot matrix typography. Industrial Accents: The structure features an exposed orange coil mechanism on one side, consistent with the color accents found on Nothings audio products and CMF sub-brand devices. Dragonfly Motif: A blue dragonfly is depicted resting on the structure. This insect imagery has been a recurring theme in Nothings marketing since its inception, often used to symbolize the lightweight and natural engineering of their audio devices. Strategic Importance of the Indian Market The decision to establish the first global flagship in India underscores the countrys central role in Nothings growth strategy. The brand already manufactures its devices locally. This retail expansion mirrors a broader trend of global electronics brands pivoting toward direct-to-consumer physical experiences in India to build stronger community engagement. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nothing India (@nothingindia) We should know more details about the store soon. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Four suspects in an aggravated robbery at a CVS location who were apprehended on Sunday but were able to escape from the Sugar Land jail after one of them assaulted a jailer and later recaptured made their first court appearance on Monday. Neale Whitaker: Neale Whitaker is an interior designer expert and co-host of Love It Or List It Australia. He is also well-known to Australian TV audiences for his long standing role as a judge on The Block. In addition to his TV work, Neale has edited prestigious interior design magazines Belle and Vogue Living and was a weekly columnist in News Corp's Stellar magazine. Andrew Winter: Andrew Winter is a residential property expert and FOXTEL LifeStyles multiple award-winning television host of Selling Houses Australia and Love it or List it Australia. With over 28 years of experience in the global property market and now a qualified buyers agent, Andrew is a champion of consumer issues faced by property owners, buyers, and sellers across Australia. China, ROK should cherish positive momentum in development of bilateral relations 10:13, January 12, 2026 By He Yin ( People's Daily On Jan. 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea (ROK), who was on a state visit to China. Within a little over two months, the two heads of state have met twice and exchanged visits, underscoring the importance both sides attach to China-ROK relations. International media have widely observed the positive momentum emerging in bilateral ties. Against a backdrop of profound and complex changes in the international and regional landscape, the constructive signals sent through this high-level diplomacy are yielding tangible benefits for peace and development in both countries and across the region. China and the ROK are permanent neighbors and inseparable cooperation partners. More exchanges, frequent visits and sustained communication are conducive to the sound and steady development of bilateral relations. Just over two months ago, during Xi's state visit to the ROK, a four-point proposal was put forward to open up new prospects for China-ROK relations, guiding the reaffirmation of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. During their talks in Beijing, Xi emphasized that 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. Lee's choice of China as his first overseas destination at the beginning of the new year fully demonstrates the ROK's commitment to advancing ties with China. Looking ahead, as long as both sides adhere to the principles of valuing peace above all else and advocating harmony without conformity, which have transcended differences in social systems and ideologies, they can achieve mutual success and common development. Accompanying Lee on his visit was a notable economic delegation of approximately 200 leading ROK business figures. This is widely interpreted by the international community as reflecting the enthusiasm and confidence of the ROK's business sector in pursuing opportunities in China. Economic ties between China and the ROK are close, with deeply integrated industrial and supply chains and mutually beneficial cooperation. While the substance of bilateral economic and trade relations has undergone new changes in recent years, the fundamental reality of the two sides' deeply intertwined interests has not changed, nor has the win-win nature of China-ROK economic and trade cooperation. China has always believed that neighborly success contributes to one's own prosperity, and remains committed to strengthening development strategy alignment and policy coordination with the ROK to expand our shared interests. The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee deliberated on and adopted recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan(2026-2030), laying out a blueprint for China's development in the coming five years while offering broad opportunities for countries around the world. As China advances high-quality development, the space for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the ROK will continue to expand, with promising prospects in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industries and the silver economy. During the visit, the two sides signed 15 cooperation documents in science and technology, ecological environment, transportation, economy and trade, among others. A ROK media outlet noted that the momentum toward the comprehensive resumption and development of bilateral relations is being translated into concrete mechanisms, particularly in economic and trade cooperation. Expanded exchanges in areas such as youth, media, sports, think tanks and sub-regional cooperation will help ensure that positive narratives become the mainstream of public opinion. As the world undergoes accelerated changes unseen in a century, the international landscape has become more turbulent and intertwined. China and the ROK shoulder important responsibilities in safeguarding regional peace and promoting global development, with broad overlapping interests. During their talks, both heads of state recalled that China and the ROK once fought side by side against Japanese militarist aggression. During his stay in China, Lee visited the historic site of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai. An international media outlet interpreted this visit as a clear signal that historical issues have not been consigned to the past. As countries that both suffered tremendous national sacrifices during World War II, China and the ROK should work together to uphold the outcomes of the victory in the war and jointly safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia. This is essential for upholding historical justice and for building a peaceful future for the region. In the face of rising unilateralism and protectionism, closer cooperation between China and the ROK in advancing opening up and upholding multilateralism will not only benefit their respective development, but also help maintain the stability and smooth functioning of regional and global industrial and supply chains, contributing to the advancement of an equal, orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization. The current positive momentum in China-ROK relations has not come easily and deserves to be significantly cherished by both sides. 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, to deliver tangible benefits to both peoples and inject positive energy into peace and development of the region and the wider world. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024. Grand Junctions dedicated animal control team has marked its first year in operation, after Mesa Countys service reorganized and ceased attending calls within city limits at the start of 2025. Grand Junction Police Department Civilian Manager Amber Peck, who oversees the animal control team, said the change has been a net-positive for taxpayers in the citys limits, offering consistency with other services like police and fire, and improved response times for animal-related calls. Mesa County animal services was servicing the entire county, with similar to the same staffing we have right now with just the city limits, Peck said. Our ability to respond to calls is a little bit better because we have a smaller coverage area with staffing that is sufficient for our area. In a press release, GJPD said its animal control unit had answered 5,200 calls for service in 2025, collecting more than 700 animals in the process, and reuniting around 400 with their owners. The rest dealt with issues like welfare checks, bites, off-leash pets and barking complaints. Its also grown over the past 12 months, from two full-time employees to four, according to the press release, which said the city also acquired a second animal control vehicle over the last year. While Peck said the unit launched Jan. 1, 2025 without formal, written expectations, she said its staff had performed well in their first year. The folks that are manning this unit have done a phenomenal job with the services theyve provided to the citizens, she said. One of our number one goals is to reunite animals with their owners, and I think weve done a great job of that. Officials credited some of that success to various partnerships, with a press release naming Mesa County Animal Services, Roice-Hurst Humane Society, Grand Rivers Humane Society, and local veterinarians and boarding facilities among a list of collaborators who play a critical role in providing comprehensive and compassionate animal services throughout the city. To reach the animal control unit, Grand Junction residents can contact its non-emergency number at 970-549-5000, or use online reporting options for general animal complaints and animal bites. The Glasgow School Board will meet this week for their monthly regular board meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 12. The meeting will be held in the Gary F. Martin Board room, 229 7th St. N., Glasgow and is open to the public. The meeting is also recorded for later viewing, https://www.glasgow.k12.mt.us/page/school-board. Analysis of China's Cognitive Warfare Tactics Against Taiwan in 2025 ROC National Security Bureau (NSB) China continues to conduct cognitive warfare against Taiwan, hyping up selected important current events in Taiwan to achieve its strategic goals of "exacerbating internal divisions within Taiwan," "weakening Taiwanese people's will to resist the enemy," "influencing allies' willingness to support Taiwan," and "winning support for China's stance." The NSB has compiled a report titled "Analysis of China's Cognitive Warfare Tactics Against Taiwan in 2025," to help the general public be aware of China's influence operations and their threats to democratic society. Following the setting of narrative themes and tones, China's party, state, and military systems mobilize collaborative organizations, including information technology (IT) companies, marketing firms, and internet water army groups, to utilize the five major tactics to disseminate disinformation targeting audiences in Taiwan. Regarding "using data to analyze Taiwan's social dynamics," the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), Ministry of State Security, Political Work Department under the People's Liberation Army (PLA) employ Chinese IT companies such as Golaxy, Meiya Pico, and Warming High-Tech and utilize web crawler technology to collect personal data of Taiwan's political figures, legislators, and opinion leaders, including their interpersonal connections and stances toward China. These Chinese IT companies also compile information on polling data and candidates' volume on social media, to launch targeted propaganda campaigns toward Taiwan and actions against specific individuals. As for "establishing diversified channels to disseminate disinformation," Central Publicity Department and Ministry of Public Security (MPS) utilize marketing companies such as Haixunshe, Haimai, and Huya to create fake websites. Those sites masquerade as international media outlets such as "Aisa Korea" and "Austria Weekly" and act in concert to spread narratives aligned with China's official stances. Moreover, Beijing has supported Chinese marketing company Wubianjie Group in operating content farms via Facebook fan pages that tend to post sensational articles to attract clicks. The company has also established soft-content channels on platforms such as Threads and X, and then pivoted to political posts, aiming to influence Taiwanese public perception. In terms of "employing inauthentic accounts to manipulate public opinion," Dragonbridge, an internet water army employed by the MPS, conducts influence operations in more than 20 languages across over 180 social media platforms worldwide. In addition, CAC, United Front Work Department, and PLA's Cyberspace Force have tasked Chinese IT companies such as Zhongkedianji, Beijing Xingguang, and OneSight with setting up a database for netizens and developing automated programs managing a great quantity of bot accounts for disinformation spreading, aiming to influence targeted audiences and manipulate public opinion. In respect to "using AI to generate highly realistic videos," IT enterprises such as China North Industries Group Corporation Limited have developed AI models and intelligent guidance systems aiming to concurrently conduct public-opinion data collection, automated video generation, and precise delivery to targeted audiences. These systems can produce and disseminate disinformation in various forms. Moreover, China has commissioned Chinese IT companies such as Magic Data and iFlytek to develop intelligent voice systems and place advertisements on recruitment websites, aiming to entice unwitting Taiwanese users to submit online recordings. It is possible that these voice datasets can be used to clone voices mimicking Taiwanese accents, thereby enhancing the authenticity of AI-generated video content. In regard to "conducting cyber intrusions to hijack Taiwanese users' accounts," Chinese cyber army hijacked over a dozen PTT accounts during China's military exercise against Taiwan in April 2025. It hacked into IoT devices and rented overseas servers as proxies to hype up disinformation such as "China has blockaded Taiwan's natural-gas shipments" and "Chinese warships have entered Taiwan's 24-nautical-mile zone." In 2025, Taiwan's national intelligence community recorded over 45,000 sets of inauthentic accounts and over 2.314 million pieces of disinformation. Over 3,200 pieces of disinformation were reported to relevant government agencies, allowing Taiwan's government to tackle China's cognitive warfare in real time. Government agencies and prominent think tanks in the US, EU, Australia, and France all issued reports to warn against China's manipulation of information and relevant threats. Taiwan is situated at the forefront of international efforts to counter China's cognitive warfare. Therefore, in 2025, the NSB engaged in over 80 security dialogues and intelligence conferences with international friends and allies, so as to expand the cooperative network in the democratic community to counter China's cognitive warfare. The NSB will continue to stay abreast of China's tactics of cognitive warfare against Taiwan. In addition to implementing the reporting and response mechanism across government apparatuses, the NSB will step up efforts to cooperate with third-party fact-checking organizations and social media platform operators, urging them to duly disclose and take down false information. By doing so, the NSB aims to prevent hostile foreign forces from conducting influence operations against Taiwan, thereby ensuring an unmanipulated public opinion arena in Taiwan. For more information, please refer to Analysis of China's Cognitive Warfare Tactics Against Taiwan in 2025 Secretariat National Security Bureau Republic of China (Taiwan) January 10, 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China is committed to working with regional countries to foster a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation in South China Sea: Defense Spokesperson Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source China Military Online EditorCheng Sihao Time2026-01-08 13:05:36 BEIJING, Jan. 8 -- "Certain individuals in the Philippines have sought to exploit their own fishermen as pawns for maritime infringements, provocations, and sensational propaganda, putting them in an awkward position and without any regard for their livelihoods and safety. These hypocritical and cold-blooded individuals also made unfounded accusations against China," said Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) at a press briefing on Thursday. The spokesperson made the remarks when asked to comment on media reports that the Chinese PLA Navy recently rescued a Philippine fisherman in the South China Sea while the Philippine Navy spokesperson claimed that the Chinese side's publicizing the matter would "lose the essence of such assistance and would only speak of propaganda." "During a routine patrol in waters under China's jurisdiction, crew members of a Chinese PLA Navy vessel rescued a distressed Philippine fisherman. Many Filipinos expressed gratitude and commended this humanitarian act by the Chinese side," Zhang stated. He added that China remains unwavering in its resolve to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and is committed to working with regional countries to foster a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation in the South China Sea. "Facts speak louder than words, and justice prevails in people's heart," said the spokesperson. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Addresses the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, led the Pakistan delegation at the Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, convened to address the grave consequences arising from Israel's recognition of the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia. In his address, he strongly condemned the illegal and unlawful recognition by Israel of the Somaliland region, as well as the subsequent unwarranted and highly provocative visit of its official to Somaliland. He termed these actions an act of political aggression and a direct assault on Somalia's internationally recognised borders, setting a perilous precedent and threatening peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region, and beyond. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister rejected any proposal for the dislocation of the Palestinian people and reaffirmed Pakistan's principled commitment to an independent, contiguous, and sovereign State of Palestine, based on pre-1967 borders, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital. Appreciating the OIC's principled position and consistent support for the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister urged the OIC to step up its efforts towards the realisation of the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people. On the sidelines of the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister met his counterparts from several OIC Member States, as well as the Secretary-General of the OIC. The convening of the extraordinary session has powerfully demonstrated the collective determination of OIC Member States, sending a clear message to the international community regarding the paramount urgency of upholding the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity. The participation of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers is another manifestation of Pakistan's strong support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia. Jeddah January 10,2026 15/2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Europe drawing up plan for possible NATO mission on Greenland, mulling sanction against US companies in response to US' continued threats: media Global Times By Fan Anqi Published: Jan 11, 2026 02:30 PM The UK is in talks with European allies about deploying a military force to Greenland that would guard the Arctic region, media reported on Saturday, after US President Donald Trump claimed that the US will take Greenland the "hard way" if it can't do it the "easy way." According to a report by The Telegraph on Saturday, military chiefs are drawing up plans for a possible NATO mission on the island, over which the US president has made repeated claims. British officials have met with counterparts from countries including Germany and France in recent days to start the preparations, per the report. The plans, still at an early stage, could involve British soldiers, warships and planes being deployed to protect Greenland. It could be a full-blown troop deployment or a combination of time-limited exercises, intelligence sharing, capability development and rerouted defence spending, per the report. European nations are hoping that significantly stepping up their presence in the Arctic would persuade US President to abandon his ambition to annex the strategic island, per The Telegraph. The move came after US president on Friday continued his push toward Greenland. Trump told reporters at the White House that if he is unable to make a deal to acquire the territory "the easy way," then he will have to "do it the hard way," CNN reported on Saturday. The Telegraph also reported that the European Union is drawing up plans for sanctions on US companies should Trump reject the offer of a NATO deployment. Technology giants such as Meta, Google, Microsoft and X could be restricted from operating on the Continent, as could American banks and financial firms. A more extreme option could be to evict the US military from its bases in Europe, denying it a key staging post for operations in the Middle East and elsewhere. The leaders of five Greenland political parties in parliament issued a joint statement late Friday after the US President again suggested the use of force to seize the Danish autonomous territory. "We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders," the leaders of five parties in parliament said in a joint statement, reported France24 on Saturday. "The future of Greenland must be decided by Greenlanders," they added. Greenland "will not be annexed", the longtime leader of its largest labor union has declared, refuting Trump's claims that the Arctic territory's current status poses a national security threat to the US, The Guardian reported on Friday. Jess Berthelsen, chair of SIK, Greenland's national trade union confederation, said people in the territory do not recognize the US president's allegations that Russian and Chinese ships are scattered throughout its waters. "We can't see it, we can't recognize it and we can't understand it," he said. Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, is set to meet his Danish counterpart next week, with European officials hoping he can act as a moderating influence on Trump, per media reports. US president's pursuit of the territory has plunged NATO into crisis and prompted speculation that the 75-year-old alliance could fall apart, foreign media reported. Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday that current US administration's recent series of threats to annex Greenland will create deep rifts within NATO, and the seeds of division have already been sown. "Washington's actions are undermining the unity and cohesion of the alliance. For NATO's European member states, ramping up their military presence in Greenland is a response to US President's plan to seize control of the island. It follows that the disputes between the US and Europe within NATO over Greenland will grow increasingly acute for the time being and in the period ahead, and such acute frictions will ultimately exacerbate the strategic rifts between the two sides," Li noted. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Speech by Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin at the Folk och Forsvar National Conference 2026 Government Offices of Sweden Speech by Carl-Oskar Bohlin Published 11 January 2026 Speech by Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin, delivered at the Folk och Forsvar Annual National Conference in Salen on 11 January 2026. Check against delivery. Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, Colleagues in total defence, Someone once said, "The future is already here - it's just not evenly distributed." Outside the kitchen window at home, the Dal river continues to flow just as it did last year and the year before that. There the future is well-concealed. Just as it is for most people in their everyday lives. But at the bottom of the Baltic Sea, in the cyber domain and in certain places in the physical world, another future is already here with us. In geopolitics, the future has already chipped away at the veneer of the past almost beyond the point of recognition, and in the new mosaic emerging in its place a multipolar world is taking shape. By definition, the future has always been unpredictable. But during the Cold War - another era from which we often draw parallels for comparison with the prevailing high tensions - there was also a relatively predictable balance of power. The seismic shifts taking place in today's geopolitics do not give us this predictability, rather even greater uncertainty than before. How should a relatively sparsely populated and vast country negotiate such an environment? First, we must remind ourselves about that which may have been forgotten during the era of perpetual peace. Namely, that Sweden is something more than a generic geographical area of the planet. It is our home, a nation that is unique, shaped by the hard work of generations into what we are today. And Sweden is one-of-a-kind. Defending this is not something that we can delegate or disavow ourselves of. The answer, therefore, is that we must continue to look after our own home. To once again become a country that understands that so much of that which we take for granted comes at a price. To once again become a country that understands that our own success and prosperity depend on us and demand a great deal of us. This does not mean disregarding the value of being an Ally and having strong ties to other countries. On the contrary, but we must never abandon the ultimate responsibility for this task. Call it the price of freedom if you will - the price of self-determination, the price of territorial integrity, but also the price of a community of values. We must all pay the price in various ways, as tax payers and as citizens. No one would have been happier than me if the scenarios touched upon on this very stage two years ago had failed to materialise. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The realities of discord have crept closer. The speech I delivered at the time was about trying to make the future more evenly shared, about reaching beyond a rather small consensus at a mountain hotel about the state of affairs, and into public activities, board rooms and, perhaps most importantly, into people's homes, around the kitchen table, where international events often feel remote. It was about getting more people to understand the urgency of doing what's necessary. Because total defence can only become what it has to be if everyone understands what's at stake. You may think it presumptuous of a politician to stress urgency when politicians are normally the ones who wait the longest to give new marching orders. Maybe someone objected that the marching orders already came in 2015 when the Riksdag decided to reintroduce total defence. This is true in a sense, but it is equally true that for the first seven of the ten or so years that have passed since then, almost nothing happened as regards civil defence, primarily for two reasons: one, there was no money, and two, there was no clear governance. Now we have gone from SEK 2.7 billion three years ago to SEK 13 billion this year, and almost SEK 20 billion annually to civil defence just two years. Of course, real money is what really distinguishes the civil defence of a few years ago that existed only in rhetorical figures and PowerPoints from the civil defence that is now growing strong in the physical reality. The difference also lies in culture, approach and prioritising the work. When we took over the Ministry of Defence, I was told that Sweden wouldn't be able to start training civil defence conscripts before 2027. Here we are at the beginning of 2026 and we have already managed to train almost 1 300 civil defence conscripts in two accelerated tracks as part of the various war organisations of the rescue services and the Swedish National Grid. Several sectors will follow suit and those who muster this year will also undergo long-term civilian service training in the rescue services. With the stubbornness of a fool, I have persisted in reiterating the importance of getting started and identifying shortcuts, and that there is danger in delay. God knows that the Government Offices isn't always the world's most agile organisation, but it is a machinery that has, together with subordinate government agencies, reorganised to start delivering high capability throughout Sweden's civil defence. Last year's capability assessment identified twice as many capability-increasing measures in 2024 as in 2023. Today, I can tell you that this year's preliminary assessment from the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency shows that we continue to make strides in capability growth in our civil defence. This has required new approaches, such as breaking down problems into manageable chunks to achieve swifter progress. The civil defence built on PowerPoints is now relegated to the past. Let me give a few examples. As we are sitting here, grain stores are being procured in northern Sweden. During the past year, central government ensured the capability and resourcefulness to be able to produce antibiotics within our national borders. Now there are stockpiles of medical products for care that cannot wait. We have increased stockpiles of primary goods for the purification of drinking water and begun reinforcing preparedness wells. We are now starting to support the municipalities by building up meal supply operations for crisis and war. We are initiating decentralised stockpiling under the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency, which will support the municipalities in meeting the demands of war. We are building up national reinforcement resources at the National Board of Health and Welfare, which includes new field hospitals. Several agreements have been signed between civil defence authorities and volunteer defence organisations on duties arising in the event of war. Mobile communications trailers to reinforce the mobile network have now been produced in series. The new national cybersecurity centre is now operational and will expand over the course of the coming year. The Swedish Food Agency has established a new depot for the national water disaster group. The banks have been required to draft contingency plans for processing cash. 12 000 protective shelter inspections were carried out in 2025, to mention just a few measures. This has been a government priority, and our civil defence is continuously acquiring new capabilities. Let me also mention that as we start this new year, we are ensuring domestic production capability of protective masks for the civilian population. In an initial phase, central government ordered 20 000 protective masks for staff in critical sectors, while the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency has been tasked with identifying the overall need for protective masks in civil defence. Taken together, this tells the story of a country that has gone from words to deeds in uncertain times. The capability that we are now adding will contribute to the credibility of our deterrence by virtue of a society that is made more resistant and resilient. But it is also a country that by virtue of those same efforts has reason to believe a little more in itself. During the early 2000s, faith in Swedish capability or the lack thereof was characterised almost by defeatism, one of the many consequences of the bloodletting and discontinuation of Sweden's old total defence. Now, as we take the journey once more, there is reason to feel hopeful about what we are and what we can be. Let us remind ourselves that we were once the country in the north that could develop and build things that only great powers were ordinarily capable of. To some extent engaged, we engaged an entire country in the major tasks of building resilience for Sweden's defence. We achieved this out by pulling together to do our duty, and now we're on our way back. We should not seek out a future based in nostalgia, but let us remember the primordial force that lies behind the three crowns when we as a country decide to pay the price of freedom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister MOTEGI's Visit to the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan January 11, 2026 On January 11 local time (on January 11, Japan time), Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visited the Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) during his visit to Israel. The overview is as follows: Minister MOTEGI toured the facility with the guidance of CMCC officials, including Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, commander of U.S. Army Central (ARCENT), and saw the ongoing efforts of preparations for humanitarian assistance to Gaza and deliberations for the works of debris removal. Minister MOTEGI exchanged views with CMCC officials and stated that Japan will actively play its role in advancing President Trump's "Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict". Minister MOTEGI introduced Ambassador Mr. OKUBO Takeshi, who is in charge of Gaza Rebuilding Assistance, along with a Japanese humanitarian assistance expert and a JICA representative, to the CMCC officials. Minister MOTEGI expressed Japan's aims to strengthen collaboration with the CMCC, and contribute adamantly to smooth implementation of humanitarian aid and the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, while soliciting support for the Japan team. In response, the CMCC officials welcomed Minister MOTEGI's visit and expressed expectations regarding Japan's role, including the dispatch of Ambassador OKUBO and Japanese humanitarian aid experts to the CMCC. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting between Foreign Minister MOTEGI and Dr. Mustafa, Prime Minister of Palestine Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan January 11, 2026 On January 11, commencing at 5:00 p.m. local time (0:00 a.m. on January 12, Japan time) for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister of Palestine. The overview of the meeting is as follows: At the outset, Minister MOTEGI explained Japan's consistent support for a two-state solution and its position on rebuilding of Gaza and supporting Palestinian state-building efforts. In response, Prime Minister Mustafa expressed his welcome for Minister MOTEGI's visit to Palestine, especially his visit to Jalazone Refugee Camp, and their gratitude for Japan's long-standing support. Minister MOTEGI expressed concern over the continuing grave humanitarian situation in Gaza. Minister MOTEGI stated that Japan will actively engage in international efforts toward Gaza rebuilding through its "efforts for sustaining peace". Minister MOTEGI also expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating situation in the West Bank. Prime Minister Mustafa explained the current situation of the Palestinian Authority reforms. Minister Motegi expressed his expectation on the robust progress in the reforms, stating that Japan is ready to support monitoring the implementation of the reforms. The two sides concurred on working together for peace and stability in the Middle East, and on establishing "Japan-Palestine High-level Political Dialogue". (Reference) Efforts for sustaining peace (English (PDF) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Courtesy Call on H.E. Mr. al-Sheikh, Vice President of Palestine by Foreign Minister MOTEGI Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan January 11, 2026 On January 11, commencing at 6:00 p.m. local time (1:00 a.m. on January 12, Japan time) for approximately 60 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Hussein al-Sheikh, Vice President of Palestine, during his visit to Palestine. The overview of the meeting is as follows: At the outset, Minister MOTEGI stated that the robust implementation of the Comprehensive Plan is crucial for improving the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine, and Japan will play a proactive role. Vice President al-Sheikh expressed his welcome for Minister MOTEGI's visit to Palestine and explained Palestinian Authority's position toward rebuilding Gaza. Minister MOTEGI explained Japan's consistent support for a two-state solution and its position on supporting Palestinian state-building efforts, while emphasizing the importance of robust progress in the Palestinian Authority reforms, and expressing his expectation on the leadership of President Abbas and Vice President al-Sheikh. In response, Vice President al-Sheikh expressed his gratitude for Japan's longstanding support and commitment to a two-state solution. The two sides concurred on working together including through "Japan-Palestine High-level Political Dialogue". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump orders US military to draw up plan for Greenland invasion: Report Iran Press TV Sunday, 11 January 2026 3:34 PM US President Donald Trump has ordered American military forces to draw up a plan for the potential takeover of Greenland, according to a report. Britain's Daily Mail reported on Sunday that Trump ordered US special forces to devise the plan for the invasion of Greenland. According to the report, Trump directed the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) to develop an invasion plan, but the Joint Chiefs of Staff opposed the move, arguing that it would be unlawful and lack congressional backing. Trump, speaking at a White House event on Friday, said he needed Greenland "very badly." "We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor," he said. Trump added, "I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don't do it the easy way, we will do it the hard way," indirectly threatening to seize Greenland by force. The US president has justified the takeover bid by pointing to Greenland's mineral and energy resources, as well as what he describes as a possible security threat posed by the presence of Russian and Chinese ships in the island. Across the Atlantic, Trump's bid has drawn strong condemnation, with some European leaders saying the move could mean the end of the North Atlantic military treaty. In the meantime, Trump and his advisors have reportedly been suggesting various ways for the US to gain control of Greenland. Trump, according to Reuters, has suggested making a deal by paying a lump sum of $100,000 per person to Greenland residents to join the US. However, the war-mongering "hawks around the US President want to move quickly to seize the island before Russia or China makes a move," the Daily Mail reported. European leaders have rejected Trump's offers, emphasizing their collective opposition to the move. On Friday, leaders of Greenland's political parties said, "We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders." Opinion polls conducted in Greenland reportedly showed that the majority of the local population was opposed to becoming a US citizen. Also, polling in the US showed that only 7 percent of Americans support the idea of a US military invasion of Greenland. Trump first brought up the idea of the annexation of Greenland in 2019 during his first presidency. During his second term in office, he repeated the issue more boldly, especially after the US military strikes on Caracas and the illegal abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this month. The illegal move took place under the false pretext of the US war on drug trafficking. However, Trump himself has acknowledged that he wants to take full control of the Latin American country's vast oil reserves. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel plans to launch renewed offensive on Gaza in March: Report Iran Press TV Sunday, 11 January 2026 2:26 PM The Israeli regime has reportedly drawn up plans for a renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip even as the US-brokered ceasefire moves closer to the second phase. Citing Israeli officials, the Times of Israel reported on Sunday that the offensive is planned for March and is focused on Gaza City, where the Israeli military will push the so-called yellow line further west towards the coast of the territory. The yellow line, established under US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza plan, runs from northern Gaza to the outskirts of Rafah in the south. Under the ceasefire that took effect in October 2025, Israeli forces pulled back to the yellow line and took control of more than half of the populated coastal territory. The imaginary line is increasingly taking on a more permanent form and is being referred to in Israeli media as a "new border." Despite the truce deal, the Israeli regime's forces continue to occupy more than half of Gaza, including areas in the north and center. Israel has also killed 439 Palestinians in three months and committed nearly 1,200 violations, including air strikes, shelling, and the demolition of homes. Hamas said in a statement on Saturday that Israel's military continues to violate the ceasefire agreement and obstruct the transition to a second phase of the deal, which includes an international stabilization force. The resistance group called on the mediators and the countries guaranteeing the ceasefire agreement to condemn these grave violations. Hamas said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had overseen the ceasefire violations and war crimes in Gaza "on false and fabricated pretexts" since he ordered the genocidal war on October 7, 2023. The regime's forces have killed more than 71,400 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including at least 20,000 children, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Thousands more are missing under the rubble. Gaza's civil defense and rescue services lack the heavy equipment to retrieve the bodies, as the weather has made living conditions worse in the coastal territory. Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, warned that the conditions are worsening an already dire humanitarian situation, with flooding and collapsing shelters placing vulnerable families at greater risk. Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza, keeping boundary crossings closed and severely restricting humanitarian aid. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel plans to expel Gaza Palestinians to Somaliland: Somali minister Iran Press TV Sunday, 11 January 2026 10:57 AM Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi says Israel plans to expel the Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip and forcefully send them to Somaliland. Reacting to Israel's move to recognize Somaliland and recent developments in Gaza, Fiqi told Al Jazeera in an interview on Saturday that Tel Aviv has devised a plan to expel the Gaza Palestinians to the breakaway region of Somaliland. He said Somalia has "confirmed information that Israel has a plan to transfer Palestinians and to send them to [Somaliland]." The Israeli move is a "serious violation" of international law, he added. Fiqi told Al Jazeera in an earlier interview that Somaliland had accepted the three conditions set by Israel for its recognition: relocation of Palestinians in Somaliland, establishment of a military base on the coast of the Gulf of Aden, and joining the so-called Abraham Accords to normalize ties with the occupying regime. He urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw Tel Aviv's diplomatic recognition of the "separatist region," describing the move, announced late last year, as a "direct attack" on Somalia's sovereignty. He said the Israeli regime was pursuing a strategy of fragmenting regional states, pointing out that Tel Aviv's recognition of Somaliland was part of a bigger plot. "Israel has long had goals and plans to divide countries maybe for 20 years and it wants to divide the map of [West Asia] and control its countries. This is why they found this separatist group in northwestern Somalia." The Israeli foreign minister told the regime's Channel 14 last week that the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza to Somaliland "was not part of our agreement." Gideon Saar said, "We have a lot of topics in the field of politics, security, development, and others that we will advance with Somaliland ... And I can say this is not part of our agreement." Saar did not provide any further details about their agreement. The Israeli regime is the only entity to recognize Somaliland as an independent state separate from Somalia. Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said that his country is firmly opposed to any attempts at the forced displacement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. Mohamud emphasized that his country will never become a stage for aggression against other nations and opposes the transfer of wars to its territory. He said Tel Aviv's move to recognize Somaliland as an independent entity is the gravest violation of Somalia's sovereignty and rejected any attempts to drag regional crises into Somalia. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taliban Gold Rush Turns Deadly, Putting Spotlight On Chinese-Backed Mining By RFE/RL's Radio Azadi January 11, 2026 A deadly confrontation at a gold mine in northern Afghanistan has cast new light on the Taliban's push to expand gold extraction, raising questions about the largely unregulated operations and their foreign -- mostly Chinese -- backing. The latest incident comes as the Interior Ministry of the Taliban government confirmed on January 7 that ongoing clashes from last week between officials of a contracted gold-mining company and residents of Chah Ab district in Takhar Province have left four people dead and five others wounded. The dead included three local residents and one company employee, Taliban Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Matin Qane told reporters following the incident, adding that one company guard and one local resident have been arrested on murder charges and that the firm's operations have been suspended while investigations are underway. He neither mentioned the company's name nor identified the victims, but the attack took place in an area known for its large number of Chinese or joint Afghan-Chinese mining ventures. Residents say the confrontation started after the company began digging on agricultural and residential land, causing protests that led to violence, highlighting the mounting tensions around Afghanistan's fast-expanding but murky gold sector under Taliban rule. Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, the country's mineral resources, considered to be a pillar of economic recovery, have entered a new phase marked by limited oversight, rising foreign involvement led largely by China, and growing local opposition. In November 2025, two separate attacks killed five Chinese nationals working at a gold mine near Tajikistan's remote border with Afghanistan. It remains unclear who was behind the attacks, but reporting by RFE/RL found a history of mounting tensions and violence between locals and Chinese-backed mining operators over environmental issues and resentment caused by extracting the region's mineral wealth. "Unfortunately, there is no oversight in Afghanistan, and extraction mostly takes place in areas that are easiest to exploit," Abdul Qadir Motafi, a veteran of Afghanistan's mining industry, told RFE/RL, adding that public and independent oversight has been severely limited in mines contracted by the Taliban. Frontier Mining Brings Added Environmental Problems In northern provinces such as Badakhshan and Takhar, gold extraction has dramatically increased under Taliban-linked local leaders, with communities complaining that they are being displaced and excluded while others profit. In Badakhshan's Shahr-e-Buzurg district, about 50 kilometers from Faizabad, gold mining surged soon after the Taliban takeover. Villagers who once panned riverbeds with basic tools saw their informal activities absorbed into a larger concession controlled by Taliban officials and Chinese partners using heavy machinery. Workers who spoke to RFE/RL say broad areas are now fenced off and guarded by armed men tied to influential figures, cutting local people off from land and water they previously depended on. "Ordinary people can't even approach within a kilometer," one mine worker told RFE/RL, speaking on condition of anonymity, fearing possible repercussions. The Shahr-e-Buzurg mining zone spans both state and private land, with Chinese companies and Taliban-linked figures reportedly exploiting state parcels, while private owners either dig themselves or sell plots to outside investors. Residents estimate that more than 500 groups now operate in and around the district, including workers arriving from other provinces such as Kandahar and Helmand, increasing pressure on local ecology. The mining operations' impact to the environment is visible across northern river valleys. Villagers say that pistachio groves and grazing pastures have been destroyed, while dredging and diversion work has repeatedly altered the course of the Amu Darya, a major river in the region that also flows through Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. A community elder in Badakhshan, who spoke to RFE/RL on condition of anonymity to avoid reprisal from the Taliban, said Chinese mining firms bring their own security forces from Kabul and operate with broad latitude while not making investments into the local community. There are still no new clinics, schools, or bridges, he said, and profits flow primarily to companies, Taliban officials, and a small circle of local investors. A Crucial Lifeline For The Taliban The Taliban's Mines and Petroleum Ministry has done little to challenge these local perceptions. The regime has announced tenders for gold deposits in Badakhshan's Raghistan and Shahr-e-Buzurg districts, but has not released contract texts, revenue figures, or environmental conditions. Nationally, the ministry promotes mining as a cornerstone of economic policy and has signed dozens of agreements with foreign, predominantly Chinese, partners, projecting large investment commitments in several provinces, including Takhar. For the Taliban authorities in Kabul, the mining drive offers a crucial stream of hard currency amid sanctions and diplomatic isolation. Officials argue that foreign-backed projects will generate jobs and fund national development, pointing to headline investment figures and projected state revenue shares. Economists and mining specialists, however, warn that exporting largely unprocessed ore under weak regulation risks leaving Afghanistan with depleted deposits, limited employment, entrenched patronage networks, and deepening inequality. Azarakhsh Hafizi, the former director-general of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce, told RFE/RL that Afghanistan must process more of its minerals domestically to build value chains and create sustainable jobs rather than relying on bulk exports of raw material. "Exporting raw minerals indiscriminately has no positive economic effect. Our mines are depleted and we remain poor," Hafizi said. "We should extract less but extract properly, process materials inside the country, and add value." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-china-gold-mining- deadly-clashes-afghanistan-minerals/33642271.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement on the fulfilment of objectives towards the Lebanese State's monopoly on arms Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS STATEMENT 005 11 Jan 26 The Spanish Government welcomes the statement by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) on the fulfilment of the objectives of Phase I of the restoration of the State's monopoly on the use of force throughout the country. Spain will continue to support the Lebanese authorities in moving forward with the next phases of the plan's implementation, through UNIFIL, bilateral financial support and the strengthening of the LAF's capabilities. Spain urges all actors to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Lebanese State, calling on them to comply without exception with their obligations under the ceasefire agreement and Security Council Resolution 1701. Spain remains committed to the stability of Lebanon and will continue to work with its European and regional partners to achieve stability and lasting peace in the Middle East. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Energy Secretary Says US to Increase Involvement in Venezuela's Oil Sector Sputnik News 20260111 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The role of American companies in Venezuela's oil sector will be expanded, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Sunday. The statement came amid a meeting between US President Donald Trump and representatives of major oil companies in Venezuela at the end of the week. The American leader noted that they would spend at least $100 billion to restore production capacity and infrastructure. In addition to the possible expansion of US companies' presence in Venezuela, the oil and gas company Chevron may also operate in Venezuela for the next 50 years, Wright told the CBS news channel. On January 3, the US launched a massive attack on Venezuela, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and taking them to New York. US president announced that Maduro and Flores would face trial for allegedly being involved in "narco-terrorism" and posing a threat, including to the US. Venezuela's Supreme Court temporarily transferred the duties of the head of state to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who was officially sworn in as acting president before the National Assembly on January 5. Russia, China, and North Korea have strongly condemned the US actions. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and called for the release of Maduro and his wife, as well as for the prevention of further escalation of the situation. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nordics Reject Trump's Claims of Russian, Chinese Vessels Near Greenland - Reports Sputnik News 20260111 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Nordic countries have refuted US President Donald Trump's claims about Russian and Chinese vessels operating near Greenland, which he cited to justify his plans to take control of the island, the Financial Times reported on Sunday, citing two senior Nordic diplomats with access to NATO intelligence. "It is simply not true that the Chinese and Russians are there. I have seen the intelligence. There are no ships, no submarines," a senior diplomat was quoted as saying by the newspaper. Another diplomat from a different Nordic state likewise described Trump's claims as not true. "This idea that the waters around Greenland are crawling with Russian and Chinese ships or submarines is just not true. They are in the Arctic, yes, but on the Russian side," they said. On January 7, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen dismissed as false Trump's remarks that Greenland is "covered" with numerous Russian and Chinese vessels. The Daily Mail reported on Saturday that Trump had ordered US special operations commanders to draw up a plan for a Greenland invasion. Trump told The Atlantic magazine last week that the US "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. 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 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump Says Venezuela Now Protected by US, Not Cuba Sputnik News 20260111 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Venezuela no longer needed Cuba for protection as it would be protected by the US military. "Venezuela doesn't need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years. Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will," Trump said on Truth Social. Trump claimed that Cuba had been living for years on large amounts of oil and money from Venezuela, adding that practice would stop. "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," Trump said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuelan Foreign Ministry Denies US Claims About Unsafe Situation in Country Sputnik News 20260111 MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry has rejected US claims of an unsafe situation in the country and the presence of armed groups at checkpoints. On Saturday, the US State Department said that armed militias in Venezuela, known as colectivos, were setting up checkpoints in search of US supporters. The Department also urges US citizens to depart immediately from the Latin America country. "The Venezuelan Foreign Ministry notes that the security alert issued by the US State Department is based on speculation aimed at shaping a perception of risk that does not actually exist," the statement read on Saturday. The ministry added that the country remains "in a state of complete calm, peace, and stability," while all settlements, transport routes, checkpoints, and security systems functioning normally, and all weapons of the republic are under control. On January 3, the US launched a massive attack on Venezuela, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and taking them to New York. US President Trump announced that Maduro and Flores would face trial for allegedly being involved in "narco-terrorism" and posing a threat, including to the US. Venezuela's Supreme Court temporarily transferred the duties of the head of state to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who was officially sworn in as acting president before the National Assembly on January 5. Russia, China, and North Korea have strongly condemned the US actions. The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and called for the release of Maduro and his wife, as well as for the prevention of further escalation of the situation. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO States Consider Arctic Troop Presence as US Eyes Greenland Sputnik News 20260111 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Kingdom is holding talks with other European NATO allies about deploying NATO troops in Greenland to protect the island from annexation by the United States, The Telegraph newspaper reported. UK officials have recently met with their French and German counterparts to begin working on this plan, the Daily Mail reported on Saturday, adding that UK could send its troops, warships, and aircraft to Greenland citing alleged threat from Russia and China. European countries reportedly hope that a stronger presence in the Arctic region will convince US President Donald Trump to abandon his plans to seize control of the island. The Daily Mail has reported that Trump has ordered US special operations commanders to draw up a plan for a Greenland invasion, of which Trump's policy adviser Stephen Miller is the main advocate. According to the sources, some senior US military commanders are currently opposed to this plan, but Trump's policy adviser Stephen Miller is its main advocate. European officials fear that Trump may attempt to carry out such an operation before the midterm congressional elections scheduled for November, the publication noted. Last week, Trump told The Atlantic magazine 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. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he intended to meet with Danish authorities next week to discuss the situation in Greenland. This was his response to a journalist's question about why the administration was not accepting Copenhagen's offer to discuss the situation in Greenland and whether the US was prepared to rule out military intervention. In December 2025, Trump announced the appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy for Greenland. The governor later confirmed the United States' intention to make the island part of its territory. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen then indicated his extreme outrage at the statements made by the new US special envoy and said he would summon the US ambassador in Copenhagen to demand an explanation. In a joint statement, the prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland, Mette Frederiksen and Jens-Frederik Nielsen, warned the US against seizing the island, noting that they expect respect for their shared territorial integrity. Trump has repeatedly stated that Greenland should be part of the United States, citing its strategic importance to national security and the protection of the "free world." Former Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede responded that the island was not for sale and never would be. However, the US leader refused to commit to not using military force to establish control over Greenland. The island was a Danish colony until 1953. It remains part of the kingdom, but in 2009 it received autonomy, allowing it to govern itself and determine its own domestic policy. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU Preparing Sanctions Against US Companies Over Greenland Claims - Reports Sputnik News 20260111 The European Union is preparing sanctions against American companies in the event that the United States does not renounce its claims to Greenland, the Telegraph reported without specifying a source. According to the newspaper, the UK is negotiating with other European countries about deploying a NATO mission to Greenland as an alternative to its annexation by the US. The EU is now drawing up plans for sanctions against American companies in the event that US President Donald Trump rejects the proposal to deploy NATO forces instead of Greenland's annexation, the newspaper said. It is noted that as part of these plans, the EU may restrict the activities of US tech giants, including Meta (the company's activities are banned in Russia as extremist), Google, Microsoft, and X, on its territory. Furthermore, US banks and financial firms may be subject to similar measures. The expulsion of US troops currently stationed at bases in Europe is being considered as a last resort. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel Plans New Offensive in Gaza in March - Reports Sputnik News 20260111 Israel is planning a new offensive in the Gaza Strip in March, the Times of Israel reported citing sources. The Israel Defense Forces has drawn up plans to conduct renewed, intensive military operations in Gaza in March, the newspaper said. According to publication, the Israeli army is planning an offensive on Gaza City in order to push the demarcation "yellow line" as part of the ceasefire westward, toward the coast, and expand the territory under its control. An Arab diplomat told the newspaper that the operation could not be carried out without US support. He also told the publication that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not believe that the disarmament of the Palestinian movement Hamas would happen, and had therefore instructed the IDF to prepare appropriate plans. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary Rubio's Call with Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Kombos US Department of State Readout Office of the Spokesperson January 11, 2026 The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott: Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Republic of Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos. The two leaders discussed the United States' counternarcotics operations in the Caribbean and the protests in Iran. Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Kombos also discussed shared priorities during the Republic of Cyprus's January - June 2026 Council of the European Union Presidency. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Greenlandic party leaders say "do not want to be Americans" People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 09:44, January 12, 2026 OSLO, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- "We do not want to be Americans," Greenland's party leaders announced in a joint statement issued on Friday. The statement, titled "We Stand Together as One People," said that Greenland's future must be decided by the Greenlandic people themselves, Danish broadcaster DR reported. "We, as Greenlandic party leaders, wish once again to emphasize our desire for the United States' disregard for our country to come to an end," the statement read. The party leaders also said that Greenland will continue to cooperate with the United States and other Western countries in the future, but work concerning Greenland's future must be carried out with the Greenlandic people and be prepared on the basis of international law and the Self-Government Act. U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday said a deal will be made for the United States to acquire Greenland in an "easy way" or "hard way," adding that he was "going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bahrain opposition leader handed six-month jail sentence for criticizing Israel Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 6:54 AM Bahrain's opposition leader Ebrahim Sharif has been handed a six-month prison sentence for criticizing the Israeli regime. Sharif has been in prison since November on alleged charges of "spreading false news on social media" and "making offensive remarks against sister Arab states and their leaders." On Thursday, the Bahraini Lower Criminal Court sentenced the popular and outspoken left-wing leader to six months in jail. He was also fined 200 Bahraini dinars ($530). According to the court, Sharif, in an interview with Lebanese Lua Lua TV in Beirut, has said that Arab states had failed to support the Palestinian cause. In the interview, Sharif had denounced Arab leaders who were gradually normalizing diplomatic ties with the Israeli regime. Sharif had "made statements containing false and offensive information about Arab countries, accusing them of collusion and conspiracy, and calling on their people to resist and rise up against their governments," the public prosecutor's office claimed in a statement posted on Instagram. Bahraini activists expressed concern over the court ruling to convict Sharif to a six-month prison sentence over criticism of the monarchy due to normalizing diplomatic ties with the Israeli regime. The Kingdom of Bahrain was among the number of Arab states that normalized diplomatic ties with the Israeli regime in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords, introduced by US President Donald Trump during his first term in office. The normalization of Manama-Tel Aviv diplomatic ties has been met with strong criticism from pro-Palestine campaigners in Bahrain and beyond, with anger over the move dramatically escalating after the beginning of Israel's genocidal war on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in October 2023. During the Bahraini uprising in 2011, there were extensive protests aimed at toppling the Manama regime. The monarch's response to protests of any sort has been a heavy-handed crackdown by Bahraini police backed by the Saudi Arabian law-enforcement agents. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 11 January 2026 - Day 1418 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 in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 200 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the Russian attempts to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. Russian zagarbniki made 48 aviation strikes, dropping 129 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, 1868 kamikaze drones were recruited for impressions and carried out 2121 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the North-Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, the Russian opponent carried out 85 shells, including four - from jet systems of the fire. Today, the Russian enemy attacked 14 times in the South-Slobozhansky direction in the areas of the settlements of Prylipka, Dvorichanske, Dovgenke, Staritsya, Krugle, Chugunivka, Kutkivka and towards the settlements Grafskke, Lyman, Kolodyazne. Four clashes are ongoing so far. In the direction of Kupians komu, Russian forces made nine attempts to attack towards Petropavlivka, Novoplatonivka, Kupians ka and Boguslavka, one confrontation is ongoing. In the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces repelled 15 assault actions in the area of settlements Grekivka, Karpivka, Shandrigolove, Novoyegorivka, Zarichne, Yampil and in the direction of settlements Lyman, Stavka, Drobisheve. Another battle is currently underway. In the Slovak direction, the Russian enemy twice attacked in the area of Platonivka. In the kramators komu direction, there was one battle in the area of stupocok. 16 combat clashes took place in the Konstantinivsky direction today. The Russian enemy tried to attack the positions of Ukrainian units near the settlements of Konstantinivka, Oleksandro-Shultine, Pleshiyivka, Ivanopilya, Rusyn Yar and towards the settlements of Sofiyivka and Berestok. In the Pokrovsky direction from the beginning of this day, Russian troops 43 times attacked in the areas of the settlements of Nikanorivka, Rodinske, Pokrovsk, Suhetske, Kotline, Udacne, Molodetske, Filia and towards Ivanivka, Grishiny, Toretsky and Novopavlivka. Ukrainian defenders hold the pressure of the opponent, in two locations the fights are still ongoing. Today, according to preliminary data, 85 Russian occupants have been defecated in this direction, 53 of which are irrevocable. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers destroyed 21 unmanned aircraft, one special equipment unit, two personnel shelters, also struck 10 Russian personnel shelters. In the Oleksandrivsky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 15 Russian attacks in the areas of settlements Sichneve, Verbove, Rybne, Vyshneve, Zlagoda, Yegorivka and towards Ivanivka and Oleksiyivka. The Russian opponent caused an air strike on Gavrilivka. In the direction of Gulyaipil, 38 clashes took place in the areas of the settlements of Gulyaypole, Solodke and in the direction of Dobropil, Zelenoy and Varvarivka. Fighting is still ongoing in seven locations. The airstrike of kabama suffered small tokmacka, vozdvizhivka, rizdvyanka, upper tersa. Eight Russian attacks in the areas of Stepnogirsk, Primorsky and towards Lukyanivsky direction have been fetched in the Orihivsky direction. The Nuts were hit by an air strike. In the Pridniprovsk direction, the Russian opponent did not carry out offensive actions. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation. Units of the Sever Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and hit two mechanised brigades and one assault regiment of the AFU near Kondratovka, Miropolye, and Andreyevka (Sumy region). In Kharkov direction, units of one territorial defence brigade were hit near Staritsa and Maryino (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 205 troops, two motor vehicles, two ammunition depots, and three materiel depots. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian units engaged three mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, one airmobile, one air assault brigade of the AFU, and two national guard brigades close to Kovsharovka, Sinikha, Novoosinovo, Monachinovka, Nechvolodovka, and Glushkovka (Kharkov region). In Kupyansk direction, two attacks of the 92nd Assault Brigade and the 116th Mechanised Brigades of the AFU were repelled near Bladatovka and Kupyansk-Uzlovoy (Kharkov region). Up to 15 militants have been neutralised. Being unable to break into the city of Kupyansk (Kharkov region), the AFU attempted to mark its alleged presence in the city by means of a UAV, which intended to set up a Ukrainian flag on the city administration building. Both flag and unmanned aerial vehicle were neutralised. The enemy's losses in the area of responsibility of the Zapad Group of Forces amounted to up to 200 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and 15 motor vehicles of the AFU. Four ammunition depots were destroyed. Units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line. Russian troops hit four mechanised brigades of the AFU and one marine brigade near Nikiforovka, Konstantinovka, Nikolayevka, Rayskoye, Kramatorsk, and Slavyansk (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 160 troops, one armoured personnel carrier, three armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, one British-made AS-90 self-propelled artillery system, and two ammunition depots. The Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of three heavy mechanised, two mechanised brigades, one infantry brigade, one airmobile brigade, two air assault brigades, two assault regiments of the AFU, four national guard brigades, and one Azov special forces brigade close to Toretskoye, Dobropolye, Artemovka, Vodyanskoye, Grishino, Belitskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Novopavlovka, Gavrilovka, and Novopodgorodnoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). The enemy losses amounted to more than 400 troops, one U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, one French-made VAB armoured personnel carrier, five armoured fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, one 155-mm British-made AS-90 self-propelled artillery system, and one electronic warfare station. The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences. Russian troops inflicted damage on formations of one mechanised brigade, one assault brigade, three assault regiments, one assault battalion of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade close to Shevchenkovskoye, Zaliznichnoye, Priluki, Novoukrainka, Zhovtnevoye, Golubkovo, Samoylovka (Zaporozhye region), and Aleksandrovka (Dnepropetrovsk region). The AFU lost more than 290 troops and 18 motor vehicles. Two materiel depots were destroyed. As a result of intensive and resolute actions, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces liberated Belogorye (Zaporozhye region). Russian troops inflicted losses on units of one mountain assault brigade the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Orekhov, Kirovo, Yurkovka (Zaporozhye region) and Sadovoye (Kherson region). Up to 75 troops, one infantry fighting vehicle, 21 motor vehicles, one artillery gun, one MLRS system, and two ammunition depots have been neutralised. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted damage on the Ukrainian military defence industry, energy and transport infrastructure used in the interests of the AFU, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries in 149 areas. Air defence systems shot down two guided aerial bombs and 130 fixed-wing UAVs. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 670 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 108,406 unmanned aerial vehicles, 645 anti-aircraft missile systems, 27,057 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,638 MLRS combat vehicles, 32,498 field artillery guns and mortars, and 51,456 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on December 25, 2025 Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source Ministry of National Defense EditorHuang Panyue Time2026-01-10 23:25:47 (The following English text is for reference. In case of any divergence of interpretation, the Chinese text shall prevail.) Zhang Xiaogang: Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to the regular press conference of the Ministry of National Defense. Today, I have no information to announce at the top. The floor is now open for questions. Journalist: China's international military cooperation in 2025 is impressive. Can you further brief us on that? Zhang Xiaogang: This year, with a pioneering spirit and proactive efforts, work related to China's military diplomacy has been conducted in a way that kept in alignment with the overall work of the Party and the state, adhered to the strategic guidance of head-of-state diplomacy, and focused on contributing to the improvement of combat readiness. Firstly, we have strengthened strategic communication with countries including Russia, the US, and European countries. A Vice Chairman of the CMC visited Russia upon invitation. The Defense Minister had virtual and in-person meetings with the US Secretary of War, and paid visits to France and Germany. China and Indonesia held the first Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue under the 2+2 mechanism. Senior military leaders of China and the UK held bilateral talks. We have deepened institutional consultations with defense authorities of several countries. All these efforts have strengthened China's military ties with other countries and fostered a more favorable strategic security environment. Secondly, we successfully hosted the SCO Defense Ministers' Meeting, the China-LAC States Defense Forum, and the inaugural Young Leaders Conference of the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum in China. At the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial, China put forward proposals in support of the reform and transformation of UNPKOs. The Beijing Xiangshan Forum has become more attractive and influential. Multilateral military diplomacy builds consensus and sends out the voice of the Chinese military. Thirdly, the joint exercises and training with foreign militaries featured many highlights. These include China-Russia joint naval exercise and joint aerial strategic patrol, China-Malaysia Aman Youyi joint exercise, China-Egypt Eagles of Civilization joint air force training, and China-Serbia Peace Guardian joint army training. Through these realistic exercises and training, we have enhanced our capabilities to jointly respond to security challenges. Fourthly, we responded to violations and provocations made by relevant countries concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea with timely diplomatic representations and press releases to counter misinformation and defend national interests. The MND increased the frequency of press releases, expanded media participation, and launched an account on the X platform to help overseas audiences to get better access to information on the Chinese military. In the coming year, we will thoroughly implement Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, actively practice the four major global initiatives, and promote high-quality development of international military cooperation, so as to provide support for achieving the military's centenary goal and to open a new chapter in major-country military diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Journalist: According to media reports, regarding the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said, "We will not rule out all options." An official from the Prime Minister's Office stated that Japan should possess nuclear weapons. Additionally, the Japanese Ministry of Defense recently released a report, claiming that China's defense spending is growing rapidly and China is increasing activities near Japan. The report also states plans to deploy mobile radar equipment in Okinawa by 2026 to monitor Chinese military activities, including those of Chinese aircraft carriers. What's your comment on that? Zhang Xiaogang: China's defense expenditure is reasonable, moderate, and remains below the global average as a share of GDP. The operations of the Chinese military in relevant waters are fully in compliance with international law and international practice, and brook no interference or provocation. We urge Japan to cease its false narratives and halt targeted deployments against China. We will take resolute countermeasures against any harassment or provocation. In recent years, Japan has relentlessly pursued remilitarization and accelerated its military buildup, with an increasingly visible and dangerous tendency towards a militarist revival. To cover up its underlying ambitions, Japan has repeatedly used China as a pretext. Not long ago, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made erroneous remarks concerning the Taiwan question. Now, right-wing forces in Japan have thrown away their hypocritical mask and are openly advocating for nuclear armament. These actions constitute a direct defiance of international norms, a blatant challenge to the bottom line of international justice, the post-WWII international order, and the global non-proliferation regime. They pose a severe threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond. What Japan is doing runs directly counter to its own professed commitment to peaceful development. We call upon all peace-loving nations and peoples to take action to resolutely contain the revival of militarism by Japan's right-wing forces, and prevent the world from sliding into turmoil or reliving tragedies of the past. Journalist: Since the beginning of this year, the PLA has taken solid steps in carrying out military training, making an all-out effort to achieve the military's centenary goal. Please provide more information about it. Zhang Xiaogang: In 2025, the PLA has thoroughly followed Xi Jinping Thought on Strengthening the Military, implemented the military strategy for the new era, and striven to achieve the military's centenary goal. Through faster-paced training transformation and realistic training on a larger scale, the PLA has been developing its military training by prioritizing combat readiness, advancing joint operations, and pursuing innovations. Firstly, the PLA has promoted a centralized and specialized model for basic training. We conducted widely-participated competitions and strengthened training under realistic, complex and extreme conditions.Military personnel's combat skills have been effectively enhanced. Secondly, priorities have been placed on command and control training, and on training based on real operational plans. We have enhanced specialized and intensive training and conducted training for emergency and operation response. This is aimed at optimizing and closing the kill chain, advancing cross-domain force integration, and honing integrated joint operational capabilities. Thirdly, we have enriched training methods by integrating technology (a "technology+" approach) and realized wider use of training bases, simulation systems, and online platforms. While promoting training of new equipment and new forces, and training in new domains, we have also strengthened the build-up and integration of new-quality combat forces such as unmanned, cyberspace and electromagnetic elements. Fourthly, we have conducted over 20 joint exercises, training, and competitions with foreign militaries. These activities have strengthened training exchange and cooperation between China and other nations, contributing to international military cooperation. Journalist: I have two questions. First, the US recently announced that the 19th US-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks were held from December 15 to 16. The US side stressed that America's interests in the Indo-Pacific are significant and it stands ready to defend them. Could you please brief us more on that? Did the two sides clarify specific plans and arrangements for military-to-military engagement next year? The second question is that the US President recently signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, which contains a number of China-related provisions. Notably, it allocates approximately one billion US dollars to the "Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative" to strengthen arms sales to Taiwan. What's your comment on that? Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, China has its principle in developing military relations with the US: China's sovereignty, dignity and core interests brook no infringement. The US talks a lot about engaging with China. At the same time, it keeps undermining China's sovereignty and security. This two-faced approachsaying nice words but doing badthingsis very hypocritical and will not work on China. Challenging China's red lines and bottom lines will come at a cost. We urge the US side to immediately correct its wrongdoings, stop all infringements and provocations, and do not challenge China's resolve in safeguarding our sovereign rights and interests. On your second question, the negative provisions in the USAct concerning Taiwan grossly interfere in China's internal affairs. They have sentextremelywrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and seriously undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The US side has violated its commitments byincreasing arms sales to Taiwan. This will only embolden the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and push the Taiwan Strait closer to the abyss of military conflict. The DPP authorities are letting the US to exploit and exhaust the island at the cost of the well-being of the people in Taiwan. Using Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail, and seeking independence by force is a path to self-destruction. We urge the US side to fully recognize the sensitivity of the Taiwan question, strictly observe the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, exercise utmost caution in handling Taiwan-related matters, stop arming Taiwan in any form, and take concrete actions to maintain the overall stability of state-to-state and military-to-military relations between China and the US. Journalist: Recently, the General Office of the State Council and the General Office of the Central Military Commission issued the Regulation on Military Service Registration, which will come into effect on January 1, 2026. Please tell us more about that. Zhang Xiaogang: Military service registration is an important institutional arrangementin China's military service system and a major form for citizens to fulfill their military service obligations in accordance with the law. The Military Service Law, revised in 2021, made specific adjustments and reforms to the registration system. The formulation and issuance of the Regulation on Military Service Registration is a concrete step to implement the law. The regulation covers five main aspects. Firstly, it clarifies the responsibilities of the military and civil authorities. Vertically, it details the duties at the provincial, municipal, county and township levels. Horizontally, it clarifies the working relationships among the military, military service agencies of local people's governments at or above the county level, and relevant civil units. This builds an organizational and managing system characterized by demand-driven orientation, civil-military coordination, and law-based implementation. Secondly, it defines the scope of registration subjects. Adhering to the principle of precise registration based on needs, the regulationdetails the scope for initial military service registration and reserve service registration. It also clarifies regulations on reserve registration of female citizens. Thirdly, it standardizes registration procedures and methods. Focusing on information-driven support, close civil-military collaboration, and convenience and efficiency, it distinguishes between initial registration and reserve registration, and optimizes the system design regarding registration timing, location, content, methods, and conclusions. Fourthly, it improves the verification and inspection mechanism. To ensure timely data updates, it specifies key subjects for information verification, procedures for changing registration information, and the timing and methods for registration inspections. Fifthly, it refines relevant supporting measures. The regulationregulates publicity and education, IT infrastructure development, registration announcement releases, funding guarantees and disciplinary measures regarding military service registration. The release and implementation of the regulation will standardize military service registration and effectively ensure that citizens fulfill their military service obligations in accordance with the law. Journalist: According to reports, Lai Ching-te stated in a media interviewthe need to "seek peace through strength", reiterated that the relationship between the US and Taiwan is "as solid as a rock", and promoted a $40 billion arms procurement. The head of Taiwan authorities'defense department also claimed that the US emphasizes the shared responsibilities of allies in defense, and that Taiwan must continue to promote a "special defense budget" to demonstrate its determination for self-defense. Please comment on that. Zhang Xiaogang: The root cause of the current cross-strait tensions and instabilities lies in the DPP authorities' provocative pursuit of "Taiwan independence" in collusion with external forces. Lai Ching-te, with his unprincipled subservience to the US, reckless militarization, and escalation of cross-strait confrontation, is an out-and-out saboteur of peace and instigator of war. Therefore shame on him that he talked about "peace" and hisempty boast of "strength" was ignorant. It is little more than over estimating and deceiving oneself. We sternly warn the DPP authorities thatnational reunification is unstoppable. Those who act as pawns will inevitably be discarded and those who betray the nation and engage in secession will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame. Journalist: I have two questions. Firstly, it was reported that the Taiwan authorities' security bureau recently stated that around 3,600 sorties of PLA aircraft had been detected around the island this year, setting a new record. PLA aircraft and ships had conducted 39 joint combat readiness patrols. In response, Taiwan authorities' defense department claimed to have formulated contingency procedures in response to mainland military operations and said they were prepared to counter potential PLA surprise attacks.Please comment on that. Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The PLA's regular training and combat readiness exercises around the Taiwan island, as well as theoperations to counter separatism and foreign interference, are entirely justified, necessary, and legitimate, with an aim to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The PLA will relentlessly combat separatist activities to advance the cause of reunification. For every provocation made by the "Taiwan independence" forces, we will respond by increasing pressure and pushing forward resolutely until the complete reunification of the motherland is achieved. We sternly urge the DPP authorities to face reality, follow the overwhelming trend of the times, abandon their separatist schemes of "Taiwan independence" once and for all and cease all provocative actions that could lead to conflicts. This is the only correct choice. On your second question, the history of Japanese militarist aggression is an indisputable fact and its heinous crimes cannot be concealed. How Japan treats this part of history serves as a litmus test for its moral conscience and genuine commitment to peace. We therefore urge Japan to cease its evasion, obfuscation, and deception, and offer a sincere apology and genuinely atone for its crimes. Only by taking such actions can it truly earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the wider international community. Journalist: According to media reports, Japan claims to have made substantive progress in technologies that could disrupt satellites of other nations. It plans to reorganize its Air Self-Defense Force into the Air and Space Self-Defense Force and to construct a spacecraft carrier in fiscal year 2026. Some media analysis suggests that vigilance is needed, as Japan may be planning a Pearl Harbor incident in space. What is your comment? Zhang Xiaogang: Maintaining lasting peace and security in space is vital to the security, development, and prosperity of all nations. Japan's unrestrained development of satellite-jamming technology is accelerating the weaponization and militarization of space, and fueling a space arms race. It is extremely dangerous and unpopular. Given that Japan's vicious militarists once launched sneak attacks and that the country is now taking an offensive space policy, it is hardly surprising that there are growing concerns about another Pearl Harbor scenario. Journalist: The US Department of War recently released Annual Report to Congress: Military and Security Developments Involving the PRC. Please comment on that. Zhang Xiaogang: Year after year, the US releases such reports, which grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, deliberately misrepresent China's national defense policy, groundlessly speculate on China's military development, and smear the normal activities of the Chinese military. Filled with wrong perceptions of China and geopolitical prejudices, these reports hyped up the so-called China's military threat to mislead the international community. We express strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this. China steadfastly pursues a defensive national defense policy, adheres to the military strategy of active defense, and advances the modernization of national defense and armed forces with high quality. These efforts are solely aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. China has always been a force for peace, stability and progress in the world. The Chinese military actively implements the Global Security Initiative, acts in strict compliance with domestic and international laws, safeguards its legitimate rights and interests in a reasonable and measured manner, endeavors to provide international public security goods, and works with other militaries to foster the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Taiwan is China's Taiwan and resolving the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people. The PLA defends national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Its efforts to combat separatist activities and promote reunification are entirely justified and unwavering. The US has no right to interfere. China has indisputable sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and reefs and their adjacent waters. While certain countries within the region have infringed upon and provoked China and external forces have meddled and stirred up trouble, China's resolute defense of its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is legitimate, lawful, rational and restrained. It is worth pointing out that the US has deliberately rallied its allies to send naval and air forces to China's doorstep for close-in harassment. The necessary measures taken by the Chinese military in response are beyond reproach. The fundamental solution to avoiding maritime and air incidents is for the US and its allies to cease all dangerous and provocative actions. We urge the US to adopt a correct perception of China, view China and the development of the Chinese military objectively, stop fabricating false narratives, cease stoking division and confrontation, and avoid leading the state-to-state and military-to-military relations astray. Journalist: According to US media reports, the PLA would "attack Taiwan" in three steps, listing the so-called optimal attack timing and optimal landing sites. Recently exposed details from a classifiedUS Department of War report suggest that the mainland could destroy advanced US weapons before they reach Taiwan, indicating that the US is no longer capable of "defending Taiwan". Please comment on that. Zhang Xiaogang: Certain media outlets have speculated about the operations of the PLA with ulterior motives, fueling unwarranted "war anxiety", which only undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no foreign interference. We are willing to strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost effort, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force and reserve the option to take all necessary measures. Should "Taiwan independence" separatist forces provoke and even cross the red line, we will have no choice but to take resolute and decisive measures. The PLA stands ready at all times to fight and win, and will resolutely defeat any schemes for "Taiwan independence" or any form of external interference. Journalist: It was reported that the Japanese government is planning to request a record-high defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen for the next fiscal year. The budget will include plans to deploy long-range missiles, reorganize the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF), and boost its operational capabilities in space. What's your comment on that? Zhang Xiaogang: It is well known that the Potsdam Proclamation made it clear that Japanese militarism and its soil must be mercilessly and permanently eradicated. A new order of peace, security, and justice can only be established by restricting Japan's right to wage war politically and legally, and by eliminating the ideological roots of war in Japan. Japan should be completely disarmed and must not maintain industries that could lead to its rearmament. The Japanese Instrument of Surrender pledged to "carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Declaration in good faith." These promises were made in black and white and they still ring loud and clear. However, Japan has now openly abandoned its obligations under international law and violated the provisions of its own Constitution and political commitments by substantially increasing its defense budget, and engaging in military expansion and war preparations. Where is Japan's credibility? And what does Japan intend to do? In fact, after WWII, the Japanese government failed to completely shut out militarism. The right-wing forces have never sincerely reflected on the history of aggression, nor have they ever squarely faced up to the heinous crimes committed against the peoples of Asia and beyond. They are now attempting to revive militarism to sow chaos in the world. How can this not raise grave vigilance and concern among the international community? Failure to eradicate the evil will lead to endless future troubles, and appeasement will inevitably result in a backlash. The international community should join hands to resolutely block the dangerous schemes of Japan's right-wing forces to reverse the course of history, defend the victorious outcomes of WWII and the post-war international order, and safeguard peace and stability in the world and the region. Journalist: According to Taiwan authorities' defense department, PLANS Fujian passed through the Taiwan Strait on December 16 for the first time. It claimed to maintain close monitoring of the situation. Please comment on that. Zhang Xiaogang: The passage is part of the routine training of PLANS Fujian.Similar activities will continue to be organized as needed in the future. We urge the "Taiwan independence" armed forces to recognize the reality and abandon futile struggles and illusions. Journalist: According to media reports, a draft Pentagon report suggests that China is likely to have loaded more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles into its three newest missile silos. What's your response to this? Zhang Xiaogang: The United States possesses the world's largest nuclear arsenal, adheres to a nuclear deterrence policy that retains the option of using nuclear weapons first, and has long invested heavily in modernizing its nuclear triad. It has even hinted at resuming nuclear testing. In contrast, America's hype about the so-called Chinese nuclear threat is nothing but an attempt to divert international attention and justify its own accelerating nuclear buildup. China is committed to the policy of no-first use of nuclear weapons and pursues a nuclear strategy purely for self-defense. We keep our nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security and have no intention to engage in anynuclear arms race with any country. We urge the US to earnestly fulfill its special and primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, further substantially and meaningfully reduce its nuclear arsenal, and cease actions that undermine global strategic stability. Journalist: Recently, Japan has not only taken frequent acts around the Taiwan Strait but has also been taking more operations in the South China Sea. It has built an ammunition depot in the Philippines and deepened defense cooperation with the Philippines and Vietnam, which includes weapons exports and the normalization of troop deployments. What's China view on Japan's systematic intervention in the South China Sea? Zhang Xiaogang: Japan is not a party to the South China Sea issue. Worse still, it once invaded and illegally occupied China's Xisha Qundao and Nansha Qundao. What Japan needs to do is to engage in serious soul-searching, rather than making wavesin the South China Sea, provokingconfrontation and undermining regional peace and stability. We hope relevant countries will see through Japan's sinister intentions. Counting on external forces to make troublesin the South China Sea will prove fruitless, and letting in the wolfwill only backfire. Journalist: It was reported that the China-UAE Falcon Shield-2025 joint air force training was held in the UAE recently. Please tell us more about it. Zhang Xiaogang: China and the UAE held the Falcon Shield-2025 joint air force training from December 9 to 22. For the first time, the Chinese air force deployed its J-10 fighter jets, KJ-500 early warning aircraft, and YU-20A tanker to take part in the event held in the UAE. During the training, personnel from both sides were organized into mixed teams and conducted joint operations, engaging in training exercises such as command post exercises and air superiority operations. Concurrently, in-depth exchanges were carried out on night vision and night combat, unmanned operations, and battlefield search and rescue. As a signature program for China-UAE military cooperation, Falcon Shield joint air force training has been held three timesto date, promoting pragmatic cooperation between the two militaries and safeguarding regional peace. Journalist: I have two questions. The first question: recently, the Japanese and the US air forces conducted their respective tactical exercises over the Sea of Japan. The drills involved two US B-52 bombers and six Japanese fighter jets. Japan stated that the purpose was to reaffirm that Japan and the US will not tolerate any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force. External analysis suggests that this move is intended to respond to China's military pressure, demonstrating Japan's ambition to draw the US into interfering in the Taiwan question. Please comment on that. The second question: according to Japanese media reports, on December 21, KoichiHagiuda, Acting Secretary-General of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, visited Taiwan and held talks with the leader of the Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te. Taiwan authorities' external affairs department disclosed that from late December to early January 2026, nearly 30 Japanese lawmakers are expected to visit Taiwan. Please comment on that. Zhang Xiaogang: On your first question, China has consistently emphasized that military cooperation between the US and Japan should not target third parties, much less undermine regional peace and stability. The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no foreign interference. The PLA's determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is rock-solid. If anyone attempts to interfere in China's internal affairs through military provocation, we will never tolerate or indulge such actions and will respond with resolute countermeasures. On your second question, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council has already responded to it. We urge Japan not to repeat its mistakes, to earnestly abide by the one-China principle and the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, and to immediately cease all erroneous words and actions regarding Taiwan. The DPP authorities' fawning posture and attempts to curry favor with Japan are despicable and their schemes to seek "independence" by relying on external forces are doomed to fail. Journalist: As far as we know, the PLAN hospital ship Ark Silk Road is on Harmony Mission 2025. Could you please update us on its journey? Zhang Xiaogang: The PLAN hospital ship Ark Silk Road visited countries including Nauru, Fiji, Tonga, Nicaragua, and Jamaica, and is now docked at the port of Bridgetown, Barbados, providing medical service to local people. Since the beginning of Mission Harmony on September 5, the ship has provided medical treatment to more than 21,000 patients, performed over 2,200 surgeries, and conducted nearly 14,000 auxiliary examinations and tests. In Nauru, a 74-year-old woman, Milo, regained her sight after receiving an eye surgery aboard the ship. Overwhelmed with emotion, she said that thanks to Chinese doctors, she could see the ocean's colors again. Nauruan medical staff who observed the surgery were all impressed by and commended the humanitarian spirit of the Chinese military doctors. Lighting the way for hope, Chinese doctors extend a helping hand across mountains and seas. The Chinese military is ready to deepen military exchanges and cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, support the advancement of the five programs on solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people ties, and make new contributions to building a China-Latin America community with a shared future. Before I conclude today's press conference, I'd like to say a few words. 2025 is coming to an end and the year has been memorable. We have reflected on the smoke and fire of past wars, paid tribute to the revolutionary martyrs, and delved into the timeless truth of how peace is achieved. The people's armed forces, in a fresh and impressive bearing, once again underwent review by the Party and the people. The mighty parade formations echoed with the enduring legacy of victory, strengthening our pride and confidence in building a strong nation and military. Along thousands of miles of borderlines, across the vast territorial waters, and in distant foreign lands, our service personnel have remained combat-ready and been temperedby rigorous training. They have faithfully guarded our homeland and fulfilled the responsibilities befitting a major country. The blueprint for the 15th Five-Year Plan has been drawn. The journey ahead is as splendid as a rainbow, and it is through hard work that we shall achieve our goals. I wish you all a Happy New Year. May you always follow the sun, ride the wind, break the waves, and with courage and devotion, realize a splendid adventure. Thank you. This concludes today's press conference. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address JOINT PRESS COMMUNIQUE ON THE BILATERAL TALKS BETWEEN THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: January 11, 2026 15:23 "From shared history to shared future, China and Tanzania are building a Partnership that delivers" At the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, Honorable Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, Honorable Wang Yi, undertook a visit to Tanzania from 9th to 10th January 2026. The two Ministers held talks in a warm and cordial atmosphere where they spoke highly of the traditional friendship between China and Tanzania, built on trust and mutual respect. The China side conveyed its congratulatory message to Tanzania for the successful conduct of the General Elections held in October 2025 and expressed strong support for the Government of Tanzania to safeguard constitutional order, protect lives, property, and national stability in according with law. Both sides reaffirmed their shared rejection of violence, external interference, and actions that undermine national unity. China reiterated its full confidence in Tanzania's leadership and institutions to manage internal affairs independently. Tanzania reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to support the one-China principle and reiterated its consistent position of recognizing that there is but one China in the world and respecting China's national unity and territorial integrity, underscoring that any form of secession is unacceptable. Tanzania further supports all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification and the protection of its territorial integrity. The two Ministers noted with satisfaction the fruitful outcomes of China-Tanzania relations and friendly cooperation over the past six decades and committed to practical implementation of the consensus reached by the two Heads of State in September 2024 to further elevate the China-Tanzania Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to new heights of full-spectrum political confidence where positions on each other's core interests are closely aligned and mutually supported. China expressed its readiness to continue working with Tanzania to implement outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit by positively considering supporting projects in infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, green development and digital economy, hence systematically upgrading practical cooperation between the two sides for mutual development. China and Tanzania have committed to synergizing implementation of development strategies, Tanzania's National Development Vision 2050 anchored on a strong and inclusive economy; human capital development, and sustainable prosperity and China will achieve basically socialist modernization by 2035. The two sides agreed to further expand the two-way investment and trade. China welcomed to Tanzania's ambition to double its export to China by 2030 and pledged support through capacity building in the field of trade and customs management. China reiterated that its vast market remains open to Tanzania through the zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent tariff lines from African countries having diplomatic relations with China. China will encourage more of its companies to invest in Tanzania. The two sides reaffirmed to further foster a fair and enabling business environment on both sides. The two sides welcomed the smooth commencement of the TAZARA Railway revitalization project and expressed their readiness to support its implementation. The two sides will actively implement the Joint Statement by China, Tanzania and Zambia on Jointly Building the TAZARA Railway Prosperity Belt, promote integrated development along the TAZARA Railway, connect other infrastructure including railways and ports, explore the potential for widening collaboration in the TAZARA Railway Prosperity Belt for regional development, and set a model for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Africa. The two sides are exploring the possibility of organizing a high-level TAZARA Railway Prosperity Belt meeting in the near future. The two sides agreed to jointly host activities related to 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and expand cooperation in such areas as culture, tourism, education, public health, sports, youth, think tanks and media so as to solidify public support for China-Tanzania friendship. The two sides agreed to undertake measures to further ease movement of people between the two countries and enhance connection of people, and promote trade. The two sides undertook to strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs and multilateral institutions. Tanzania appreciated a series of "Global Initiatives" advanced by China and committed to actively participate in their relevant activities through the existing bilateral mechanisms and therefore promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity. Further, the two sides agreed that the sovereignty and security of all nations should be fully protected under international law. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to firmly upholding the United Nations Charter, respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and calling on settlement of issues through dialogue and negotiation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Press Communique Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: January 11, 2026 14:00 At the invitation of Hon. Lejone Mpotjoana, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of Lesotho, H.E. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Lesotho from January 10 to 11, 2026. During the visit, the two Foreign Ministers held talks in a warm and cordial atmosphere and had an in-depth exchange of views on China-Lesotho and China-Africa relations, and international and regional issues of mutual interest. The two sides spoke highly of the achievements in the development of bilateral relations, and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing China-Lesotho strategic partnership to a higher level and making it a model of friendly exchanges and common development between countries with different national conditions and systems. Lesotho supports the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping, and commends the initiatives for injecting stability and certainty to a turbulent world. The two sides agreed to firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns. Lesotho reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle and recognition that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Lesotho resolutely opposes any form of "Taiwan independence" and firmly supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no question or challenge to its authority. China applauds the new progress that Lesotho continues to make in its national reform process and supports Lesotho in upholding its national sovereignty, security and development interests. The two sides stressed that promoting human rights is a common cause for all humanity, the right to subsistence and the right to development are basic human rights of primary importance, and exchanges and cooperation on human rights should be carried out based on mutual respect and equality. Issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Xizang are China's internal affairs. Both sides oppose politicizing, weaponizing and applying double standards to human rights issues and oppose the interference in the internal affairs of the two countries under the pretext of human rights. The two sides spoke highly of the important outcomes made in ten partnership actions that China and Africa have jointly taken to advance modernization, which have injected new energy into Lesotho's development in such areas as agriculture, energy transition, infrastructure, health-care and capacity-building. Lesotho appreciates the important opportunities that China's high-standard opening up offers to all countries of the world, including those in Africa, and it stands ready to work with China to fully leverage the policy dividends of the zero-tariff treatment and deepen cooperation in priority areas to better deliver benefits to the two peoples. Both sides shared the belief that changes unseen in a century are accelerating and Global South countries are playing an increasingly important role in international affairs. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to close collaboration to jointly oppose unilateral sanctions, protectionism and economic hegemonism, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, establish a more just and equitable global governance system, and build an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security and shared prosperity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Press Release on the Talks Between the Foreign Ministers of The People's Republic of China and The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: January 11, 2026 13:15 Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi visited Ethiopia from January 7 to 9, 2026. During the visit, His Excellency held talks with H.E. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and H.E. Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos. I. Both sides pledged to jointly advance the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), deepen all-round cooperation, and strive to build the China-Ethiopia all-weather strategic partnership as a model for building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. II. Both sides conducted discussions on deepening cooperation in traditional areas including economy, trade, infrastructure, energy, transportation, and justice; tapping the potential for cooperation in emerging areas including e-commerce, digital economy, artificial intelligence, and green energy; and expanding cooperation in culture, tourism, media, education, and think tanks. Both sides highlighted their willingness to take the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges as an opportunity and promote people-to-people exchanges for closer bonds through culture and art. III. The Chinese side appreciates the new achievements of Ethiopia's national development, firmly supports Ethiopian people in exploring a development path that conforms to its national conditions and opposing external interference. Both sides stand ready to enhance coordination in development policies and strategies, promote exchanges in state governance experience and walk hand in hand on the path to modernization. IV. Ethiopia reaffirms its firm commitment to the one-China principle, and reaffirms that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal Government representing the whole of China, firmly opposes all forms of "Taiwan independence", firmly supports all efforts by the Chinese Government to achieve national reunification, and resolutely defends the authority of the UNGA Resolution 2758. V. China attaches great importance to Ethiopia's role in the Horn of Africa. The Ethiopian side commends the results achieved under China's Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa. On the basis of respecting the UN Charter, international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries concerned, the Chinese side encourages regional countries to deepen connectivity cooperation and African integration in various fields such as promoting maritime logistics through access to the sea, through dialogue and diplomatic means for the purpose of promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity. VI. Both sides noted that the two countries have conducted effective coordination and cooperation in multilateral fields such as the UN and the BRICS, and strongly defended the common interests of the Global South. The Ethiopian side highly appreciates the series of major initiatives and proposals put forward by President Xi Jinping and is ready to work with the Chinese side for their implementation. VII. Both sides reaffirm that all countries should abide by the basic principles established by the UN Charter and international law, respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and oppose the use or threat of use of force in international relations. VIII. Both sides agreed to hold a new round of political consultations between their foreign ministries in due time this year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FM to wrap up Africa visit; 'tradition shows commitment' Global Times China opposes 'Somaliland' colluding with Taiwan authorities in seeking independence By Fan Anqi and Shen Sheng Published: Jan 12, 2026 12:49 AM Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during his visit to Africa, held a phone conversation with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Dhaay on local time Sunday, during which Wang reaffirmed China's consistent support for Somalia in safeguarding its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and expressed opposition against any attempts by "Somaliland" to collude with Taiwan authorities in seeking independence. During the phone conversation, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressed that China is committed to a friendly policy toward Somalia and will continue to deepen cooperation in areas such as economic, security, and defense, regardless of changes in the international landscape. China highly commends Somalia's practical actions in upholding the one-China principle, Wang said. He also expressed China's full support for Somalia's rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in January, highlighting the two countries' shared responsibility in maintaining international peace and security. Dhaay thanked China for its support in helping Somalia safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, oppose all forms of separatism and terrorism, and achieve national stability and development. He reaffirmed Somalia's adherence to the one-China principle and spoke highly of China's four global initiatives. Wang has arrived in Lesotho, the final stop of his six-day new year trip to Africa - a tradition upheld for 36 years where Chinese foreign ministers choose the continent as their first overseas destination each year. This continuation, Wang noted, fully demonstrates China's firm commitment to standing with its African brothers and resolutely safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries, the top diplomat said on Sunday. Wang met with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho, per Xinhua News Agency on Sunday.Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development. On his part, Matekane said Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho. Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges. "The choice of Lesotho in this year's first overseas trip by Wang reflects the high inclusiveness of China-Africa cooperation, demonstrating that China's support for the development of African countries has always been based on the sovereign principle of equality among all countries, big or small," Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Sunday. Inherently more vulnerable in their development, the US forcible seizure of Venezuelan leader Maduro earlier this month has further exacerbated the systemic sense of insecurity among countries smaller in size and raised questions as to whether they have to submit to the will of major powers and whether international rule of law has become an empty promise, Song said. "Against this backdrop, China's visit to Lesotho underscores its respect for the development rights and human rights of such smaller countries, and that China will continue to work hand in hand with the Global South to uphold the spirit of international rule of law and provide the greatest certainty for a volatile world," Song noted. Prior to Lesotho, Wang visited Ethiopia and Tanzania but postponed a scheduled leg of the tour to Somalia. In response to media inquiries over the postponement, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Somalia said on Saturday local time that "Following friendly consultations between the foreign ministries of China and Somalia, the Chinese side has adjusted Minister Wang Yi's relevant visit itinerary due to scheduling reasons. The two sides are maintaining communication on subsequent arrangements." The spokesperson noted that China values its strategic partnership with Somalia, firmly supports Somalia's just position of safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and stands ready to work together with Somalia to further deepen and advance cooperation in various fields. Multidimensional upgrade During his leg of the trip in Tanzania, the two sides welcomed the smooth commencement of the TAZARA Railway revitalization project and expressed their readiness to support its implementation. A joint communique issued by the two sides said that China and Tanzania are exploring the possibility of organizing a high-level TAZARA Railway Prosperity Belt meeting in the near future. In addition to the three-country visits, Wang held a phone call with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola on Saturday, per the ministry on Sunday. "Faced with a world intertwined with changes and chaos, China firmly supports South Africa in playing a more important role in international affairs, and is willing to work with South Africa and other Global South countries to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, oppose the law of the jungle and hegemonism, and jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries," Wang said. According to the concept paper on the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges released by the Chinese foreign ministry, China and Africa will in 2026 advance interactions across education, culture, tourism, publishing, sports, science and technology, livelihoods, green development and other fields, rally the efforts of young people, think tanks and other stakeholders, and mobilize resources from non-governmental and subnational levels for exchanges and cooperation. Ma Hanzhi, assistant research fellow at the Department for Developing Countries Studies of China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Sunday that Wang's visit has provided Africa not only with the much-needed certainty in this volatile world, but also with all-round support. In the economic field, for example, China's zero-tariff treatment for Lesotho will help the country alleviate US tariff pressures. Cooperation on modernization has also emerged as a highlight of this visit, Ma said. During this trip, China and Africa have conducted in-depth discussions on experience in state governance, the implementation of the four global initiatives, and emerging fields such as the green economy and digital economy. "It shows China's commitment to helping the continent enhance its capacity for independent development, and jointly address the opportunities and challenges in the course of modernization," the expert noted. China has maintained its position as Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, people.cn reported. According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of China in December 2025, the total trade volume between China and Africa reached $314 billion in the first 11 months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 17.8 percent. This figure has exceeded the full-year total of 2024, marking the first time that China-Africa trade volume has surpassed the $300-billion threshold. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cuban president to Trump: We're prepared to defend Cuba 'to the last drop of blood' Iran Press TV Sunday, 11 January 2026 11:25 PM Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump's threat against his country, stressing that Havana is prepared to defend itself "to the last drop of blood." President Diaz-Canel made the comment on Sunday after Trump claimed that no more Venezuelan oil or money will go to Cuba following the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro by US special forces. "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday. "Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela," Trump added. The Cuban president retorted by emphasizing that Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation, and no one has the right to dictate what it should do. "Cuba does not attack; it has been attacked by the US for 66 years, and it does not threaten; it prepares, ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood," Diaz-Canel said on X. He said that the United States is "hysterical" against the Caribbean nation. "Those who blame the Revolution for the severe economic hardships we suffer should be ashamed and keep quiet," Diaz-Canel said. "Because they know and recognize that they are the result of the draconian measures of extreme asphyxiation that the United States has imposed on us for six decades." Meanwhile, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said their country has the right to import fuel from any suppliers willing to export it. He also denied that Cuba has received financial or other "material" compensation in return for security services provided to any country. On January 3, the US military abducted Maduro and his wife from Caracas and transferred them to New York following an attack involving heavy bombing, aircraft, warships, and commandos. Hours after the attack, Trump said the United States would "run" Venezuela at least temporarily and be "very strongly involved" in the country's oil industry. The military attack on Venezuela followed months of pressure on the country under the pretext of combating illegal drugs destined for the United States. 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. In December 2025, Trump announced a "total and complete blockade" of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Visit of External Affairs Minister to France and Luxembourg (04-09 January 2026) India - Ministry of External Affairs January 11, 2026 The External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar, paid an official visit to the Republic of France and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg from 04-09 January 2026 reflective of India's growing engagement with Europe. 2. During the visit EAM called-on the President of French Republic, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron. He also held bilateral discussions with his counterpart, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Mr. Jean Noel Barrot on the progress in bilateral ties in key areas and upcoming high level political engagements. In view of the India-France Year of Innovation, they explored ways to diversify ties in areas of innovation and technology, startups, health, education and mobility, as well as discussed growing cooperation in strategic areas of defence, security, space, civil nuclear and maritime security and economy. They also exchanged perspectives on key global and regional developments. 3. At the invitation of Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, EAM addressed the 31st Conference of Ambassadors of France as Guest of Honour, underlining the contemporary global shifts in the world while highlighting the importance of strategic autonomy. EAM is the first non-European Foreign Minister to be the Guest of Honour at the Conference. 4. EAM also participated in the first India-Weimar Foreign Ministers' meeting, which included Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and Poland. During the meeting EAM stressed on the importance of deepening India-Europe and India-EU relations. 5. EAM also interacted with French parliamentarians, including members of India-France Parliamentary Friendship Groups and the Parliamentary Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee. He also held discussions with Executive Director of International Energy Agency Mr. Fatih Birol and Director General of UNESCO Mr. Khaled El-Enany. 6. In Luxembourg, EAM had an audience with HRH Duke Guillaume and called on the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, H.E. Mr. Luc Frieden. He also held bilateral discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, H.E. Mr. Xavier Bettel. The meetings provided an opportunity to review the full spectrum of India-Luxembourg relations, including political cooperation, trade and investment, financial services, innovation, digital technologies, space and people-to-people ties, as well as to exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest. 7. In Luxembourg, EAM addressed members of the Indian community, acknowledging their contribution to strengthening the bridge between India and Luxembourg and their role in enhancing India's profile in the region. 8. The visit reflected the importance India attached to its bilateral relations with France and Luxembourg as well as its broader partnership with the European Union, and underscored the growing convergence of interests between India and Europe in the evolving global landscape. New Delhi January 11, 2026 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran warns to strike back if Washington attacks; potential US strikes risk triggering higher regional tension: expert Global Times By Xu Keyue Published: Jan 11, 2026 01:17 PM Iran warned Washington on Sunday that any US attack would lead to Tehran striking back against Israel and regional US military bases as "legitimate targets" after the US President Donald Trump has been briefed on options for military strikes in Iran amid ongoing protests in the country, according to media reports. The New York Times reported Saturday local time that the Trump has been briefed on options for military strikes in Iran. On the same day, he renewed threats against Tehran by stating the US "stands ready to help" regarding the situation. In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf told parliament that any US attack would lead to Tehran striking back against Israel and regional US military bases as "legitimate targets," Reuters reported Sunday. The Iranian national police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said Sunday that Iran, on Saturday evening, has made significant arrests of key figures in the protest movement that has swept the Islamic republic over the last two weeks, AFP reported. Commenting on latest developments, a Chinese expert warned that potential US strikes could trigger a significant escalation of regional tensions and would be unlikely to yield strategic gains for the US. NYT, citing multiple US officials familiar with the matter, reported that Trump has been briefed in recent days on new options for military strikes in Iran as he considers following through on his threat to attack the country for cracking down on protesters. NYT noted that Trump has not made a final decision, but the officials claimed he was seriously considering authorizing a strike in response to the Iranian regime's efforts to suppress demonstrations set off by widespread economic grievances. The president has been presented with a range of options, including strikes on nonmilitary sites in Tehran, the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential conversations, according to NYT. "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" Trump claimed in a post on Truth Social on Saturday, renewing his threats against the Middle Eastern country, the Xinhua News Agency reported. "If they start killing people ... we will get involved," Trump told reporters on Friday, adding that "that doesn't mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts." Reuters, citing three Israeli sources with knowledge of the matter, reported Sunday that Israel is on high alert for the possibility of any US intervention in Iran. The sources did not elaborate on what Israel's high-alert footing meant in practice, according to the report. Also, in a phone call on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the possibility of US intervention in Iran, Reuters reported. According to the report, Israel has not signaled a desire to intervene in Iran as protests grip the country, with tensions between the two arch-foes high over Israeli concerns about Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday urged people in Iran to preserve unity and said some protesters try to please the US, Xinhua reported. Protesters are "ruining their own streets to make the president of another country happy," the supreme leader said. Khamenei told the US leader to focus on problems in his own country. Iran "will not back down" in face of "saboteurs," he claimed. Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned what it described as "interventionist and deceptive" remarks by the Trump administration about the unrest, saying they reflected Washington's continued hostility toward the Iranian people. Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism, according to Xinhua. Reuters reported Friday local time that Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani stated that the US is to blame for "the transformation of peaceful protests into violent, subversive acts and widespread vandalism" in Iran. Iran condemns "the ongoing, unlawful, and irresponsible conduct of the US, in coordination with the Israeli regime, in interfering in Iran's internal affairs through threats, incitement, and the deliberate encouragement of instability and violence." He accuses Washington of "destabilizing practices" that undermine the founding UN Charter, violate fundamental principles of international law, and threaten the foundations of international peace and security, according to Reuters. "If the US militarily intervenes in Iran, the impact would be significant," Lu Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday. "If strikes were launched against Iran, Iran would certainly retaliate in the most intense manner," Lu said. This would plunge the regional situation into renewed and even higher tension shortly after a period of relative calm, said the expert, criticizing the potential violent intervention in other countries' internal affairs. "Judging from current US policy and calculations, while the US possesses the military capacity to strike Iran, it would gain no strategic benefit from doing so," the expert added. Since Iran presents a complex situation that is difficult to dominate, any strike against Iran would not only fail to yield returns but could also backfire by escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, thereby undermining the US forward strategic position in the Middle East, according to the expert. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu at the Start of the Government Meeting Israel Prime Minister's Office Type: Media Statements Government: The 37th Government Publish Date: 11.01.2026 Prime Minister Netanyahu, today, at the start of the Government meeting: "Israel is closely monitoring the events unfolding in Iran. The protests for freedom have spread throughout the country. The people of Israel, and the entire world, stand in awe of the immense bravery of Iran's citizens. Israel supports their struggle for freedom and firmly condemns the mass killings of innocent civilians. We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be liberated from the yoke of tyranny, and when that day comes, Israel and Iran will once again be faithful partners in building a future of prosperity and peace for both nations." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FM: There's evidence linking deadly violence in Iran to Mossad terrorists Iran Press TV Sunday, 11 January 2026 9:58 PM Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says there is clear evidence linking the deadly violence in Iran to terrorists associated with Israel's Mossad spy agency. Araghchi was referring to a social media post on Sunday by former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in which he mentioned Mossad agents walking the streets of Iran. Araghchi said that Iranian police officers were being executed by actual terrorists, overseen by what Pompeo has openly identified as Mossad agents, who have been seeking to turn economic protests across Iran into unrest. The top Iranian diplomat questioned whether the US government would tolerate such brutality within its own borders. Araghchi also pointed out that the Trump administration fully endorsed police brutality in the US, labeling it "self-defense," while calling on other countries to remain silent about violent rioters. He referenced the killing of a young woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, where Trump supported the agent, labeling the victim a "domestic terrorist." The Department of Homeland Security threatened Americans that "if you lay a finger on a federal officer or agent, you will face the full extent of the law," Araghchi noted. In a post on X on Saturday, Araghchi warned the United States and the Israeli regime about the consequences of their support for the rioters. According to Araghchi, the admission that was made by Pompeo in a post on X earlier this month debunks the US administration's allegations against the Islamic Republic of being "delusional" in citing Tel Aviv and Washington's involvement. "President Trump's own former CIA Director has openly and unashamedly highlighted what Mossad and its American enablers are really up to," the foreign minister wrote. Amid the situation, it is rather the US and the Israeli regime, which are "delusional," he pointed out, saying the delusion featured the allies' believing that "arson does not ultimately [burn] arsonists." On Sunday, Iran's National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said a "destructive and organized network" infiltrated recent riots and carried out violent acts in Iranian cities resembling tactics used by Daesh terrorists. Larijani told the Tasnim news agency on Sunday that the violent riots of recent days must be clearly separated from legitimate protests over economic hardship. The security chief warned that a separate group had taken advantage of the demonstrations to commit "extremely violent and criminal acts," including killings and burnings that he compared to tactics used by terrorist organizations such as Daesh. Tasnim earlier reported that 109 security personnel had been killed in the riots across the country. In a televised interview addressing the Iranian nation, President Masoud Pezeshkian said the government was there to listen to legitimate public grievances, but noted that there was a difference between protesting and violent rioting. Pezeshkian warned that the United States and Israel were leading the violence as they seek to "sow chaos and disorder." He called on Iranian citizens to distance themselves from "rioters and terrorists," killing people and burning public and private properties. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Pezeshkian calls on citizens not to let 'rioters and terrorists' destabilize Iran Iran Press TV Sunday, 11 January 2026 2:09 PM Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the nation should not allow rioters to cause insecurity in the country, stressing that protesting is different from rioting. "If the people have concerns, it is our duty to resolve their concerns, but the higher duty is that we must not allow a group of rioters to come and disrupt the entire society," Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday. Addressing Iran's youth, Pezeshkian told them "not to be deceived by these rioters and terrorists" as he pleaded with Iranian families not to let their children join the "rioters and terrorists." "These people are trained," he warned. The enemies of the Iranian people have trained a group of people both inside and outside the country to destroy public and private properties and kill citizens, he said. "The enemy has infiltrated trained terrorists into the country. Rioters and saboteurs are not the protesting people. We listen to the protestors and have made our utmost efforts to solve their problems," Pezeshkian said. The president reiterated that the United States and Israel were behind the violent riots in the country. "The US and Israel are telling... 'we are behind you'. The same people who killed children and infants in our country are telling these rioters to go and destroy and burn," Pezeshkian said, referring to the June military aggression against Iran. The president said that his administration was responsible for resolving the nation's problems and easing public concerns, while at the same time preventing rioters from undermining security. Pezeshkian emphasized that the killing of civilians "is not acceptable at all" and said the United States and Israel are training the rioters and supporting them. After the enemy's defeat in the 12-day war last June, the president said they were now seeking to destabilize Iran under the guise of economic grievances. He urged the nation to remain vigilant against such plots and to support the government's efforts to promote justice and combat corruption and smuggling. "People have the right to protest, and we have the duty to respond to their demands," Pezeshkian said. "But riots, attacks on public property, and the burning of mosques and the holy Qur'an reflect the schemes of the United States and Israel." He said Iran's security and defense forces were obliged to act firmly against rioters and terrorists. The president questioned which country would describe such violent acts as legitimate protest, asking whether the United States itself would tolerate similar behavior. Pezeshkian called on Iranians from all walks of life to work with the government to confront the foreign-backed unrest, stressing that the nation would not allow outsiders to sow division. He urged the public to separate themselves from rioters and armed groups. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran recognizes rightful protests but stands firmly against terrorists: Parliament speaker Iran Press TV Sunday, 11 January 2026 9:54 AM Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf says Iran recognizes people's peaceful protests over economic concerns, but stands firmly against armed terrorists. He made the remarks during an open session of Parliament on Sunday in the face of foreign-linked sporadic riots across the country. "Today, the Iranian nation has decided firmly to stand against armed terrorists ... We will recognize rightful protests and will seriously investigate them, while standing against terrorists," he said. The top legislator also noted that Iran is simultaneously fighting on four fronts of the economic, cognitive, military, and terrorist wars with the United States and the Israeli regime. The enemies entered the terrorist war against Iran after they suffered a defeat during last year's military aggression, he said, referring to the illegal US-Israeli war that killed at least 1,064 Iranians between June 13 and 24, 2025. The enemies waged the terrorist war by exploiting the Iranians' rightful demands for better economic conditions in recent days, he added. "Those who openly call themselves foreign mercenaries, betraying their own homeland to appease the US President [Donald Trump] and transforming into Daesh operatives, and initiating a terrorist war - let them know that we will confront them with the most severe measures," said Qalibaf. "Those we apprehend will be punished, and those armed will face a harsh and uncompromising response," he warned, adding, "They are striking at public property, banks, shops, vehicles, and so on, operating in the manner of Daesh, showing no mercy even to women and children." Meanwhile, the Parliament speaker stressed that the Iranian nation and Armed Forces remain vigilant in the face of terrorists' crimes, which are reminiscent of those committed by the US-created Daesh terror outfit. He also issued a direct warning to the "deluded" US President. "Be wary of the advice you receive regarding an attack on Iran; ensure it's not the same kind of advice that falsely claimed Mashhad had fallen," he said, referring to a post by Trump days ago in which he had falsely claimed Mashhad had fallen to rioters. "To prevent miscalculation, understand that should you take action to attack Iran, both the occupied territories and all American military centers, bases, and ships in the region will be legitimate targets," Qalibaf warned. "I had to convey this to you and all your allies in the region," added the Parliament speaker. Some shopkeepers last week staged limited street protests in several Iranian cities over economic instability, but the demonstrations were steered toward violence after public statements by US and Israeli figuresamplified by Israeli-linked Persian-language outletsencouraged vandalism and disorder. Authorities have acknowledged the legitimacy of peaceful economic grievances and vowed to address them, while blaming foreign-backed elements for exploiting concerns over rising living costs and the depreciation of the national currency, which is directly linked to unilateral US sanctions targeting Iran's central bank and oil exports. Protests turned into armed riots since Thursday night, inflicting damage to public and private property and claiming lives of dozens of security forces and civilians across several Iranian cities. Authorities say security and judicial agencies have dismantled several armed terror cells and detained foreign-linked operatives amid the violence. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Friday that the Islamic Republic "will not back down against vandals" and will not tolerate those acting as foreign mercenaries. Iran's Supreme National Security Council also issued a statement on Friday, noting that the recent riots were "planned and directed by Israel and the United States," calling them part of ongoing "hybrid warfare." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Constitutional Council urges police to act decisively against rioters, saboteurs Iran Press TV Sunday, 11 January 2026 10:43 AM Iran's Constitutional Council has strongly condemned the destruction of public properties and desecration of mosques by saboteurs across the country, calling on security forces and relevant bodies to take all necessary measures to restore law and order in the face of the violence. The council, in a statement released on Sunday, held Israel and the United States responsible for turning the recent peaceful protests in Iran into riots, emphasizing that enemies have long sought to undermine the Islamic Republic's unity and cohesion. "They have been constantly stoking tensions and creating turmoil under false illusions that they would manage to unseat the Islamic establishment. This is while the Islamic Republic [in Iran] is the upshot of sacrifices made by noble individuals, who gave up their lives and embraced martyrdom in order to safeguard the system," the statement read. It underscored that the Islamic system will never step back against rioters, saboteurs, and anyone who acts as a mercenary for foreigners, and will not put up with their actions by any means. The Constitutional Council vehemently denounced the destruction of public properties as well as the desecration of mosques and the Holy Qur'an, expressing its deepest condolences over the loss of several voluntary Basij forces, ordinary citizens, and police officers during the recent unrest in Iran. It urged law enforcement forces as well as all security and judicial authorities to decisively and fiercely act against those who jeopardize public order and property. The Council finally called upon all strata of the Iranian society to maintain national unity and exercise continued vigilance in order to thwart the enemies' plots and prevent them from achieving their wicked ambitions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thirty security forces killed in foreign-backed riots in Isfahan: Official Iran Press TV Sunday, 11 January 2026 9:15 AM Isfahan's governor confirmed that 30 security personnel have been killed during the recent foreign-backed riots in the province. Speaking on Sunday, Ali Ahmadi said a funeral procession has been planned for the fallen staff on Monday. Ahmadi confirmed that a two-month-old infant is among the civilian toll of the armed riots. The riots have resulted in widespread damage, including the arson of ten mosques across Isfahan, according to local reports. In the neighboring Fars Province, at least 12 security forces have been killed during the riots, according to Ibrahim Bayani, Director General of the provincial Martyrs' Foundation department. Furthermore, Police Special Units Commander General Masoud Modaqq announced on Sunday that eight personnel from his command have been killed during the riots. Their funeral processions on Monday coincide with a planned nationwide rally that will slam armed attacks and acts of terrorism by foreign-linked agents, who have hijacked the Iranian people's protest to economic grievances. The aggregate number of security forces or civilians killed in the deadly riots has not been announced yet. Several attacks on medical and aid centers have also been reported across the country. In the northern province of Gilan, a voluntary Red Crescent staff member was killed during one of the attacks. Five other Red Crescent staff have been injured across the nation. Iranian officials reiterated that while peaceful protests over economic challenges are legitimate and will be addressed, violence and sabotage will not be tolerated. Authorities say rioters have exploited public concern over rising living costs and the sharp depreciation of the rialproblems attributed to unilateral US sanctions targeting Iran's central bank and oil exports. Security and judicial officials have announced the dismantling of several armed terror cells and the arrest of foreign-linked operatives. Iranian officials say acts of violence have been openly encouraged by American and Israeli figures, including Trump's warnings that Washington could attack Iran if what he called "peaceful protesters" were harmed, as well as statements by former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hinting at Israeli intelligence involvement and separatist plots. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said on Friday that the Islamic Republic "will not back down against vandals" and will not tolerate those acting as foreign mercenaries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on the Islamic Republic of Iran United Nations Secretary-General 11 January 2026 New York, UN Statements | Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Delivered by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General The Secretary-General is shocked by the reports of violence and excessive use of force by the Iranian authorities against protesters in multiple locations across the Islamic Republic of Iran, resulting in scores of deaths and many more injuries in recent days. All Iranians must be able to express their grievances peacefully and without fear. The rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in international law, must be fully respected and protected. The Secretary-General urges the Iranian authorities to exercise maximum restraint and to refrain from unnecessary or disproportionate use of force. He further urges steps that enable access to information in the country, including restoring communications. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC slams Trump's blatant intervention in Iran's internal affairs Iran Press TV Monday, 12 January 2026 1:35 AM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has condemned the recent acts of terrorism committed during violent riots in Iran and denounced US President Donald Trump's blatant intervention in the Islamic Republic's internal affairs. In a statement issued on Sunday evening, the IRGC emphasized that, like previous acts of sedition by Iran's enemies, the recent seditious crimes committed by terrorists, who are supported by the US and Israel, will end in total failure. It added that the crimes committed by armed terrorists in recent days, and the martyrdom of a number of people and security forces, are an extension of the 12-day US-Israeli military aggression against Iran. The IRGC said, "The recent sedition and atrocities committed by the rioters and armed terrorists across the country, which have led to the martyrdom of hundreds of the people and defenders of the security of our beloved Iran, are in fact an extension of the 12-day imposed war by the United States and the criminal Zionist regime, and a barbaric act of revenge for the historic defeat in that great battleground." It said that the US and Israel are trying to take revenge on the Iranian nation for their historical defeat in that aggression. It stressed that the clownish and criminal president of the United States supports violence and modern terrorism in Iran with support from Western media and countries, as well as the racist prime minister of the fake Zionist regime. The IRGC slammed Trump's blatant intervention in Iran's internal affairs and his insults to the Iranian people, stressing that he must await a crushing response from the resistant Iranian nation. The IRGC statement honors the memory, names, and epic deeds of the martyrs and proud defenders of the country's security, emphasizing the need for the intelligence and vigilance of Iranians. The IRGC called on all Iranians to take an active part in nationwide protests scheduled to be held on Monday. "The country, the strength of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic, and the lofty position of the Velayat-e-Faqih, which is the achievement of the pure blood shed by hundreds of thousands of martyrs, are the red line of Iranians, and they will defend it with all their being, resolutely and courageously," the statement concluded. The Tasnim news agency reported that 109 security personnel had been killed in the riots across the country. In a televised interview addressing the Iranian nation, President Masoud Pezeshkian said the government was there to listen to legitimate public grievances, but noted that there was a difference between protesting and violent rioting. Pezeshkian warned that the United States and Israel were leading the violence as they seek to "sow chaos and disorder." He called on Iranian citizens to distance themselves from "rioters and terrorists," killing people and burning public and private properties. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu's Statement Israel - Prime Minister's Office Type: Events and Speeches Government: The 37th Government Publish Date: 11.01.2026 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today: "I attach enormous importance to the overall cooperation between Israel and Germany, and especially Israel and Germany on this question of cybersecurity, which is one of the main threats to our internal security, and in many ways also our infrastructure and other threats. And I think Germany and Israel are natural partners. We've cooperated on the Arrow III, we've cooperated in many areas. We cooperate technologically. Chancellor Mertz was here recently, we talked about defense cooperation. And now I'm very pleased to welcome a dear friend of Israel, Minister Dobrindt, to sign this important pact. So, thank you for your friendship, thank you for your support, and please convey this to your government as well." Translated from Hebrew: "I have just signed a cyber defense cooperation agreement with the German Interior Minister, a great friend of Israel. This reflects the growing closeness of many countries and major powers like Germany, and there are others, of course, that you are familiar with, which seek cooperation with us and want to promote not only security matters but also economic ones. The State of Israel is on the rise." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel by Foreign Minister MOTEGI (Results) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan January 11, 2026 On January 11, from 1:40 p.m. local time (8:40 p.m. on January, Japan time) for approximately 50 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel. The overview is as follows: At the outset, Minister MOTEGI expressed his deep condolences to the victims of the terror attacks on October 7, 2023, and emphasized that the robust implementation of the "Comprehensive Plan" is crucial for improving the situation surrounding Israel and Palestine. He stated that Japan is ardent to continue to play a proactive role in this regard. Minister MOTEGI also urged Israel to take appropriate responses as to protection of civilians and ensuring the humanitarian assistance in Gaza, based on Japan's position attaching the great importance to the compliance to the international law including the international humanitarian law. Regarding the situation in the West Bank, Minister MOTEGI stated that settlement activities are in violation of international law. Minister MOTEGI expressed Japan's serious concerns that the expansion of settlements and the increase in settler violence would further destabilize the situation in the region, and articulated that Japan places importance on a two-state solution. Prime Minister Netanyahu explained Israel's position, and the two ministers exchanged views on a wide range of current international situations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Japan-Israel Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Working Lunch Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan January 11, 2026 On January 11 commencing at 12:20 p.m. local time (7:20 p.m. on January 11, Japan time) for approximately 70 minutes, Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a foreign ministers' meeting and working lunch with H.E. Mr. Gideon Sa'ar, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, during his visit to Israel. The overview is as follows: At the outset, Minister MOTEGI strongly condemned the terror attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. He also emphasized that Hamas should disarm in line with the Comprehensive Plan. He expressed Japan's commitment to playing a proactive role in improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza and in engaging in the early-recovery and reconstruction through "Efforts for Sustaining Peace". Minister MOTEGI also urged Israel to take appropriate responses as to protection of civilians and ensuring the humanitarian assistance in Gaza, based on Japan's position attaching the great importance to the compliance to the international law including the international humanitarian law. Specifically, Minister MOTEGI strongly urged Israel to take appropriate responses to ensure unimpeded humanitarian assistance activities by international organizations, including UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), and NGOs. Regarding the situation in the West Bank, Minister MOTEGI stated that settlement activities are in violation of international law. He expressed Japan's serious concerns that the expansion of settlements and the increase in settler violence would further destabilize the situation in the region, urging Israel to immediately cease any unilateral actions that run counter to a two-state solution. In response, Minister Sa'ar explained Israel's position. During exchanging views on the situations in the Middle East and East Asia, Minister MOTEGI pointed out that maintaining peace and stability while aiming for sustainable economic development is a crucial issue for each region. The two ministers also exchanged views on the ongoing protests in Iran. Both foreign ministers concurred on maintaining dialogue on bilateral relations from a medium- to long-term perspective. (Reference) Efforts for sustaining peace (English (PDF) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israeli police arrest senior aide to Netanyahu for obstructing probe tied to Gaza war leaks Iran Press TV Sunday, 11 January 2026 3:43 PM Israeli police have detained a senior aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suspected of obstructing an investigation allegedly tied to leaks of military information during the Gaza war. "This morning, a senior official in the prime minister's office was detained for questioning... on suspicion of obstructing an investigation," the police said on Sunday. "The suspect... is currently being questioned under caution," the police added, without naming the individual. However, Israeli media reported that the detained individual is Tzachi Braverman, Netanyahu's current chief of staff, who is designated to be Israel's next ambassador to the UK. In a post on X, opposition leader Yair Lapid called for the suspension of Braverman's appointment as ambassador to the UK, following his questioning by the police. "In light of the new developments in the Qatargate affair, the appointment of Tzachi Braverman as ambassador to Britain must be immediately suspended," he wrote. "It is unacceptable that someone suspected of involvement in obstructing a serious security investigation should be the face of Israel in one of the most important countries in Europe." Former Netanyahu aide Eli Feldstein recently alleged that Braverman tried to obstruct an investigation into a leak of sensitive military information to the foreign press during the war against Gaza. In September 2024, Feldstein leaked a classified document from the Israeli military to the German tabloid Bild, for which he was later arrested and indicted. The document aimed to prove that Hamas was not interested in a ceasefire deal, and to support Netanyahu's claim that the captives captured by Palestinian fighters during the October 7, 2023, operation could only be released through military pressure instead of negotiations. In an interview with Israel's public broadcaster KAN, Feldstein said Braverman asked to meet with him soon after the leak. Braverman informed him that the military had launched a probe into the affair, saying he could "shut down" the investigation, according to Feldstein. In the same interview, Feldstein said Netanyahu was aware of the leak and was in favor of using the document to drum up public support for the war. Feldstein is also a suspect in the so-called "Qatargate" scandal, in which he and another Netanyahu aide are suspected of having orchestrated or been involved in a campaign to improve Qatar's image abroad. An investigation is underway, and Feldstein, together with Yonatan Urich, was taken into custody in late March. Braverman is not suspected of direct involvement in the Qatargate affair, according to Israeli media. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the Spokesperson Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Responding to media queries regarding the demarche made to the Ambassador of Norway to Pakistan over his attendance at a court case in Islamabad, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tahir Andrabi, stated the following: The Norwegian Ambassador was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today by the Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe), regarding his unwarranted attendance at a court proceeding in Islamabad, which constitutes a breach of diplomatic protocol and relevant international law. Noting that his actions amount to interference in the internal affairs of the country, the Ambassador was urged to adhere to the established norms of diplomatic engagement, as outlined in the relevant articles of the Vienna Convention. Islamabad December 11, 2025 373/2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan Navy Flotilla comprising of PNS RAH NAWARD (Sail Ship), PNS MADADGAR and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship PMSS KASHMIR visited Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Oman. Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan Rawalpindi - January 11, 2026 No PR-13/2026-ISPR Pakistan Navy Flotilla comprising of PNS RAH NAWARD (Sail Ship), PNS MADADGAR and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) ship PMSS KASHMIR visited Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Oman. Upon arrival at the port, the ships were warmly welcomed by Omani authorities. During the visit, Mission Commander along with the Commanding Officers held meetings with naval leadership of Oman. Mission Commander called on Acting Commander of Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), DG Ops and Plans, Commander Maritime Security Centre, Commander Said Bin Sultan Naval Base and Commandant Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy. Following the port call, PN and PMSA ships conducted a Passage Exercise with Royal Oman Navy ship KHASAB. The exercise at sea aimed to enhance interoperability between the two navies and promote shared learning through bilateral conduct of naval exercises. Pakistan and Oman are maritime neighbours and frequent visits of dignitaries, port calls by ships and joint exercises are a regular feature. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spanish Government welcomes ceasefire agreement reached in Syria to end fighting in Aleppo Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs PRESS STATEMENT 006 11 Jan 26 The Spanish Government welcomes the ceasefire agreement reached to end the violent fighting in Aleppo between the Syrian Security Forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces, and urges the parties to comply with it and to resume dialogue to implement the agreement reached on 10 March 2025. Spain reiterates its support for the Syrian people in achieving a peaceful and inclusive political transition that respects the unity and territorial integrity of Syria. -NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2026.01.12 Issuing AuthorityPolitical Warfare Bureau PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date: 6 a.m. Jan. 11 (Sun.) to 6 a.m. Jan. 12 (Mon.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities: 5 PLAN ships and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 3.Illustration of flight path is not provided due to no PLA aircraft operating around Taiwan were detected during this timeframe. 4.PRC balloon activities: 4 PRC balloons were detected during this timeframe. 1150112_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan1 1150112_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan2 1150112_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence City launch, record interceptor drone deliveries, and procurement reform: the Ministry of Defence's highlights of the week Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 10 January, 2026, 4:03 PM EET The manufacturer of the iconic Vampire drones has become the first Defence City resident; military units are now receiving 1,500 interceptor drones per day; the Ministry of Defence has transitioned to a unified, centralized procurement management modeland more. Below is a summary of the key events in the defense sector over the past week. Defence City: launch of a new defense industry ecosystem The Defence City state special framework has officially begun operating. The first resident is a Ukrainian drone manufacturer known for producing Vampire and Shrike UAVs, as well as interceptors for Shahed loitering munitions. The special framework grants manufacturers exemptions from land, property, and environmental taxes, as well as from corporate income tax, provided profits are reinvested. Defence City aims to accelerate weapons production, attract investment, and offer defense companies simplified customs procedures. Air shield: daily supply of 1,500 interceptor drones During December-January, the average daily supply of interceptor drones reached 1,500 units. This significantly enhanced protection both at the front line and in rear areas. The DOT-Chain Defence marketplace has become a key instrument; through the platform, units have already received over 7,000 tactical-level drones. Using interceptor drones helps conserve costly air defense missile resources and enhances protection density for logistics and personnel. Frontline robotization: ground robotic systems deliveries exceeded the plan In 2025, the Ministry of Defence fully met the Armed Forces of Ukraine's requirements for ground robotic systems. Deliveries by the Defence Procurement Agency exceeded the order by more than 100%. In addition, 62 systems were delivered through the DOT-Chain Defence platform. The development of ground drones is part of a human-centric defense strategy aimed at automating hazardous tasks and preserving defenders' lives. Single point of accountability: a new stage of procurement reform From January 1, 2026, all procurement for the militaryfrom weapons and equipment to food and fuelis carried out by a single Defence Procurement Agency. This marks the final stage of a reform that began in 2023. Digitalization through the DOT-Chain has already enabled the digitization of 70% of documentation. Plans for the current year include further scaling of the system and strengthening the role of the military in equipment-related decision-making. NATO-standard logistics: SAP-based system launched The military has officially launched the SAP-based Digital Logistics Management System. Used by leading armies of NATO member states, the system automates procurement and financial accounting, reducing bureaucracy. More than 1,000 military units are currently connected to the system, enabling real-time tracking of resourcesfrom UAVs to non-lethal supplies. Ukraine and the United Kingdom: roadmap for a one-hundred-year defence partnership Ukraine's Minister of Defence and the UK Defence Secretary signed a document outlining the development of a long-term partnership. Among the key agreements is the start of production of 1,000 Octopus interceptor drones per month beginning in February. The discussions also covered the localisation of Gripen aircraft, joint projects in air defence and long-range weapons, and the protection of Ukraine's maritime borders. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Military units have already received 225,000 strike assets worth over UAH 10 billion through DOT-Chain Defence Ministry of Defence of Ukraine 10 January, 2026, 11:13 AM EET During the first five months of operation of the DOT-Chain Defence weapons marketplace, military units received 225,000 strike assets with a total value exceeding UAH 10 billion through this platform. All items available on the platform are sourced exclusively from domestic manufacturers, thereby further stimulating the development of Ukraine's strike-asset market and strengthening the country's defense autonomy. "We continue to strengthen the efficiency of weapons supply to the military. Our priority is the real needs of service members, shaped by their combat experience," emphasized the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal. DOT-Chain Defence is a digital platform through which military units can directly order the required UAVs and electronic warfare (EW) systems within their allocated budgets. The platform has helped reduce the time from defining operational requirements to delivery by a factor of four, with average delivery times of approximately 10 days for available items. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelenskyy Slams 'Cynical Terror' As Russian Attacks Cut Heat To Hundreds Of Thousands By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service January 11, 2026 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia's latest attacks on Ukraine amount to "conscious, cynical Russian terror," as the country continues to face deadly strikes and heavy damage to its energy system amid freezing winter temperatures. Zelenskyy said that over the past week alone, Russia had used nearly 1,100 strike drones, more than 890 guided aerial bombs, and over 50 missiles of various types against Ukraine. "In many regions, the situation remains difficult after Russian strikes on our critical infrastructure," he said, thanking emergency workers for restoring essential services. Zelenskyy also said that Russia had used medium-range ballistic missiles "against targets that have no military purpose whatsoever: energy facilities, residential buildings..." "This is conscious, cynical Russian terror against the people," he added. Local authorities in Kyiv said more than 1,000 apartment buildings in the city remain without heating as of late January 11. In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said that "repair work is still proceeding in Kyiv after the strike that occurred the day before yesterday." "The main task is to restore power supply to all homes," he said. On January 10, four people were killed in Russian shelling of the Donetsk region, according to the head of the regional military administration, Vadym Filashkin. "The Russians killed four residents of the Donetsk region: two in Yarova and two in Kostyantynivka," Filashkin said on social media on January 11. "Another 10 people in the region were injured over the past day." Ukraine's state railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia reported its railway infrastructure was damaged during Russian strikes, and two workers were injured. It added that due to a power outage overnight, train operations in the Dnipro and Zaporizhzhya regions were temporarily switched to diesel locomotives and energy generators. Ukraine's railway network has been crucialin evacuating civilians from war-torn regions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The news comes after Russian forces launched another large-scale drone attack on Ukraine on the night of January 10, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. It said 154 strike drones were launched from multiple directions between the evening of January 10 and the morning of January 11. The air force added that Ukrainian air defenses had shot down or suppressed 125 drones across northern, southern, and eastern regions. However, impacts by 22 strike drones were recorded at 18 locations, and debris from downed drones fell at two additional sites. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy said that the first priority for his country remains "air defense missiles." "The missiles are there in the [European] depots, and we know that, we know all of it -- and they have to be in service with our air defenders." The most severe consequences of the recent attacks have been felt in Kyiv and its environs. On the night of January 9, Russian forces carried out a massive combined strike using 36 missiles and 242 drones. Ukrainian air defenses neutralized 244 targets, but impacts by 18 missiles and 16 strike drones were recorded at 19 locations. Four people were killed in Kyiv, and 25 were injured, including medics and rescuers. In the Kyiv region, authorities reported widespread damage and five injured. On January 11, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said more than 1,000 buildings in the Ukrainian capital remained without heating. Temperatures in Kyiv been below minus 10 degrees Celsius in recent days. Klitschko said "restoration work is ongoing, but the situation remains difficult." With sub-zero temperatures expected to persist in the coming days, he also urged residents to temporarily leave the city if possible. According to the Ukrainian Energy Ministry, more than 500,000 consumers in Kyiv and the Kyiv region were without electricity. Russia denies intentionally targeting civilians in Ukraine despite widespread evidence to the contrary since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskyy-russia-cynical- terror-kyiv-heat-freezing-electricity/33645291.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Comment by Foreign Ministry Official Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the Kiev regime's terrorist attack on civilians in Russian regions 11 January 2026 15:30 18-11-01-2026 The Kiev regime has once again demonstrated its inhumane Nazi nature with another brutal crime. On January 10, the Voronezh, Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod regions were subjected to a mass attack using fixed-wing drones. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, a total of 33 hostile drones were launched. The principal target was the residential areas of Voronezh. One young woman has been confirmed dead, having succumbed to her injuries in intensive care overnight. At least three further civilians were wounded. The Foreign Ministry strongly condemns these acts of terrorism. They are characterised by the extremely cynical targeting of a wide range of civilian infrastructure. This includes over ten blocks of flats and an equal number of private homes. A secondary school and several administrative buildings were also struck and damaged. Such deliberate attacks against civilians attest to the desperation of the Kiev regime, which - in the face of its obvious failures on the battlefield - now seeks to vent its frustration on innocent populations of Russia's regions. All masterminds and perpetrators of this and other crimes will be inevitably held to account. It is our hope that the relevant international bodies will provide an impartial assessment of these criminal acts committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis. Continued silence in the face of the Kiev regime's unbridled barbarity renders those bodies complicit in its heinous consequences. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Foreign Ministry Calls Ukraine's Attack on Voronezh Region Act of Terrorism Sputnik News 20260111 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow condemns Ukraine's attacks on Voronezh and other regions of Russia as acts of terrorism, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday. "On January 10, the Voronezh, Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod regions were subjected to a massive attack by fixed-wing drones ... The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns these acts of terrorism," Zakharova said in a comment published by the ministry. Zakharova said that the government in Kiev had once again demonstrated its "inhuman Nazi essence" by attacking civilian targets in Russia. The attack hit residential quarters in Voronezh, killing a young woman and injuring at least three other people. Dozens of apartment blocks and private houses were targeted. A gymnasium and several administrative buildings were struck. "Such deliberate killings testify to the agony of the Kiev regime, which, despite obvious failures on the battlefield, is seeking to vent its anger on the civilians of Russian regions," the spokeswoman added. "All organizers and perpetrators of this and other crimes will suffer inevitable punishment," Zakharova said. She expressed hope that international organizations would provide an impartial assessment of Ukrainian attack, warning them that silence in the face of these atrocities made them complicit of Ukraine's crimes. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Forces Liberate Belogorye Settlement in Zaporozhye Region Sputnik News 20260111 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Dnepr battlegroup liberated the settlement of Belogorye in the Zaporozhye Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. "As a result of decisive actions, units of the Dnepr group of forces liberated the settlement of Belogorye in the Zaporozhye region," the ministry said in a statement. Russia's Dnepr battlegroup has eliminated up to 75 Ukrainian troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, 21 motor vehicles, an artillery gun, a multiple launch rocket system launcher, and two ammunition depots has eliminated up to 75 Ukrainian troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, 21 motor vehicles, an artillery gun, a multiple launch rocket system launcher, and two ammunition depots Russian forces have also struck energy infrastructure that ensures the operation of the Ukrainian defense industry, fuel depots, and temporary deployment areas of both Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 149 areas Russian air defense systems shot down two guided aerial bombs and 130 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles Russia's Tsentr battlegroup has eliminated over 400 Ukrainian soldiers has eliminated over 400 Ukrainian soldiers Russia's Zapad battlegroup has eliminated up to 200 Ukrainian soldiers, three armored fighting vehicles, 15 motor vehicles, and four ammunition depots has eliminated up to 200 Ukrainian soldiers, three armored fighting vehicles, 15 motor vehicles, and four ammunition depots Russia's Vostok battlegroup has eliminated over 290 Ukrainian servicepeople, 18 motor vehicles, and two materiel depots has eliminated over 290 Ukrainian servicepeople, 18 motor vehicles, and two materiel depots In battles with Russia's Sever battlegroup, Ukraine lost up to 205 troops, two motor vehicles, two ammunition depots, and three materiel depots Russia's Yug battlegroup has eliminated over 160 troops, an armored personnel carrier, three armored fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, a UK-made 155 mm AS-90 self-propelled artillery system, and two ammunition depots Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK to develop new deep strike ballistic missile for Ukraine Press release The UK will develop new tactical ballistic missiles that boost Ukraine's firepower to defend itself from Putin's war machine. From: Ministry of Defence, Luke Pollard MP and The Rt Hon John Healey MP Published 11 January 2026 New ballistic missile could carry a 200kg warhead over a range of more than 500 kilometres. Missile will provide Ukraine a long range-punch to counter Russian aggression Project aims to boost UK defence industry, supporting innovation and growth while stepping up support for Ukraine into 2026. The UK will develop new tactical ballistic missiles that boost Ukraine's firepower to defend itself from Putin's war machine. Under Project Nightfall, the UK has launched a competition to rapidly develop ground-launched ballistic missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometres and designed to operate in high-threat battlefields with heavy electromagnetic interference. Nightfall missiles will be capable of being launched from a range of vehicles, firing multiple missiles in quick succession and withdrawing within minutes - allowing Ukrainian forces to hit key military targets before Russian forces can respond. With a 200kg conventional high explosive warhead, high precision production rate of 10 systems per month and a maximum price of 800,000 per missile, NIGHTFALL is intended to provide Ukraine with a powerful, cost-effective long-range strike option, with minimal foreign export controls. The Nightfall project builds on the UK's ironclad commitment to Ukraine, particularly to its long range capabilities, through the gifting of thousands of deep strike one-way attack drones. Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: The attacks overnight on Thursday just go to show how Putin thinks he can act with impunity, targeting civilian areas with advanced weaponry. Instead of seriously negotiating a peace, he's seriously escalating his illegal war. We were close enough to hear the air raid sirens around Lviv on our journey to Kyiv, it was a serious moment and a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero conditions. We won't stand for this, which is why we are determined to put leading edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians as they fight back. Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP said: A secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine. These new long-range British missiles will keep Ukraine in the fight and give Putin another thing to worry about. In 2026, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. Providing equipment to keep them in the fight today, whilst working to secure the peace tomorrow. The project aims for three industry teams to each be awarded a 9 million development contract to design, develop and deliver their first three missiles within 12 months for test firings. Nightfall is a project focused on rapid prototyping, spiral development, resilience to electronic warfare, and the ability to scale manufacturing quickly, particularly in the UK. Whilst aimed at supporting Ukraine, Nightfall will also inform future UK Armed Forces' long range strike projects. The detailed Nightfall requirements were shared with Industry Partners on the 19 December 2025 that had signed the required confidentiality and security arrangements. The deadline to receive Nightfall development proposals is the 9th February 2026, with development contract(s) aimed to be awarded in March 2026. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The First Priority Is Air Defense Missiles. Tomorrow We Have a Meeting Where We Will Be Discussing This - Address by the President President of Ukraine 11 January 2026 - 20:23 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! Throughout the day, I received reports from Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, our government officials, and the Office on the situation in the regions. Restoration efforts, electricity, and heating were the key topics. There are communities where the situation, unfortunately, remains extremely difficult - particularly in parts of towns and villages in the border regions. In Kyiv, repair work is still ongoing after the strike that occurred the day before yesterday. The main task is to restore energy supply to all homes. Nearly two hundred repair crews are also working in the Kyiv region, with active support from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Thank you. Brovary, Vasylkiv, Fastiv, Boryspil - the situation is most difficult there. Much has been done, but a significant number of families are still without electricity. Across the entire country, Points of Invincibility have been deployed in all regions, with the involvement of the capacities of Ukrzaliznytsia, Naftogaz, and other state companies. Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Donetsk regions - everywhere our energy workers are on the ground right now, along with repair crews and all municipal services that are truly working, truly doing incredible and genuinely heroic things. The harsh winter weather adds difficulties. That is why it is so hard. That is exactly the kind of weather the Russians are trying to exploit. I am grateful to everyone in Ukraine who - through repairs, through restoration, despite everything - is defending life. I spoke with Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi, and first of all we discussed air defense and supplies from our partners - what is on the way, what is needed, which requests have still not been fulfilled, and what needs to be accelerated. The first priority is air defense missiles. In particular, tomorrow we have a meeting where we will be discussing this. New contributions from partners to the PURL initiative are needed, as well as deliveries from stockpiles in Europe: the missiles are there in the depots, and we know that, we know all of it - and they have to be in service with our air defenders. Today, Rustem Umerov delivered a report on his communications with the American side. We are planning the schedule of meetings and further negotiations, and Ukraine is as constructive as possible and as fast as possible in this process. We are not dragging out time - unlike Russia. They have already dragged things out enough, to be honest. Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine has now lasted as long as Nazi Germany's war against the Soviet Union. Today is the one thousand four hundred eighteenth day of Russia's war against Ukraine. They wanted to repeat - and they repeated the abuse of people, repeated fascism, repeated almost all the worst things that happened in the twentieth century. They even additionally invented warfare with "shaheds" and ballistic missiles against power plants and boiler houses. But still, the Russians are trying to seize the same Donbas as almost four years ago. They want to lie once again that they "took" Kupyansk. They keep dying endlessly in the fields of Zaporizhzhia region. And they are still fighting against Ukraine only - with all the help from our partners, it is only our people who are holding the front. This speaks volumes about the system Putin has built, and about him personally. Right now, Russian losses amount to no less than 1,000 killed per day - and this has been the case since December. This is how Russia is essentially paying just to keep the war from ending.This is madness. And this Russian madness can only be stopped by combined forces - the forces of Europe and the United States, the forces of all our partners. Every day of this war is a reminder that the world cannot protect itself from madmen. We must protect it. Russia must be stopped. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine! Thank you to everyone who helps our people, our defense, and our recovery! Thank you! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vancouver - Vanguard Mining Corp. ("Vanguard" or the "Company") (CSE: UUU | OTC: UUUFF | Frankfurt: SL51) is pleased to announce it has completed its Q4 drill program drilling to a total depth of 511 metres at its 100%-owned Redonda Copper-Molybdenum Project (the "Project"), located in the Vancouver Mining Division near Campbell River, British Columbia. To execute the program, Vanguard engaged Paradigm Drilling Ltd. ("Paradigm Drilling"), which will deploy a Boyles T-75 hydraulic, track-mounted diamond drill equipped with NQ tooling and capable of testing targets to depths exceeding 600 metres. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1: Typical high-grade Molybdenite (M0S2) florets-tourmaline on fracture Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2 Typical Abundant Chalcopyrite Fracture Figure 3:. Typical Abundant Chalcopyrite Fracture The Project was previously explored by Teck Resources Ltd. (formerly Teck Corp.), which completed nine NQ-diameter diamond drill holes totaling 1,681 metres in 1979. More recent follow-up drilling was completed in 2023, consisting of five drill holes totaling 799.81 metres. Historical drilling encountered copper-molybdenum mineralization; however, the historical results referenced herein in part are historical in nature. The Company has not independently verified these results and is not treating them as current mineral resources or mineral reserves as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Table 1: 2023 Exploration Program 2023 Exploration Program Hole # From / To Core Length Cu % Mo % Re (ppm) Hole Red-23-04 - Mineralization starts from surface 3.1 - 18.2 m 15.2 m 0.452 0.0265 0.1053 Hole Red-23-04 25.5 - 97.5 m 72.0 m 0.235 0.0228 0.1106 Hole Red-23-04 - Hole bottoms in good grade 147.8 - 163.1 m 30.3 m 0.212 0.0154 0.0514 Hole Red-23-03 - Mineralization starts from surface 3.1 - 48.0 m 45.0 m 0.329 0.0265 0.1111 Hole Red-23-03 68.8 - 141.0 m 77.3 m 0.323 0.0197 0.0791 Hole Red-23-03 - Hole bottoms in good grade 199.5 - 210.0 m 10.5 m 0.174 0.0117 0.0563 Hole Red-23-05 - Mineralization starts from surface 2.7 - 33.0 m 30.3 m 0.213 0.0192 0.0749 Hole Red-23-05 - Hole bottoms in good grade 39.3 - 182.0 m 142.6 m 0.279 0.0281 0.0927 Hole Red-23-02 - Mineralization starts from surface 3.1 - 111.0 m 108.0 m 0.251 0.0250 0.1025 Hole Red-23-02 - Hole bottoms in good grade 158.5 - 169.2 m 10.7 m 0.375 0.1377 0.5871 Hole Red-23-01 - Confirmation hole collared outside potassic zone 60.0 - 67.0 m 7.0 m 0.136 0.0023 0.0167 Table 2: 1979 Drilling Completed By Teck Corp. Historic Holes (1979) Historic Hole # From / To Core Length Cu % MoS? % Re (ppm) DOH R79-2 110.0 - 200.0 m 90.0 m 0.21 0.019 - DOH R79-2 3.4 - 27.5 m 24.1 m 0.42 0.075 - DOH R79-3 - Mineralization starts from surface 35.0 - 60.0 m 25.0 m 0.19 0.024 - DOH R79-3 67.5 - 97.5 m 30.0 m 0.17 0.120 - DOH R79-3 140.0 - 152.5 m 12.5 m 0.30 0.015 - DOH R79-5 2.7 - 55.8 m 53.1 m 0.33 0.025 - DOH R79-5 - Mineralization starts from surface 92.5 - 135.0 m 42.5 m 0.20 0.038 - DOH R79-5 155.0 - 172.5 m 17.5 m 0.37 0.010 - DOH R79-5 182.5 - 210.0 m 27.5 m 0.22 0.021 - DOH R79-6 - Mineralization starts from surface 2.5 - 30.0 m 27.5 m 0.23 0.058 - DOH R79-6 142.5 - 155.5 m 10.0 m 0.10 0.045 - DOH R79-7 30.0 - 37.5 m 7.5 m 0.20 0.004 - DOH R79-8 125.0 - 135.0 m 10.0 m 0.06 0.034 - DOH R79-9 - Mineralization starts from surface 5.0 - 15.0 m 10.0 m 0.16 0.014 - DOH R79-9 97.5 - 110.0 m 12.5 m 0.19 0.011 - DOH R79-9 175.0 - 210.0 m 35.0 m 0.09 0.27 - Figure 5. Historical Core Boxes From Project David Greenway, CEO of Vanguard Mining Corp., commented: "The 2025 drill program was designed to test targets beyond the limits of historical drilling and to improve our understanding of the geological framework at Redonda. Drilling has been completed as planned, and all core has been logged and submitted for analysis. While we have observed alteration and sulphide mineralization consistent with the known Redonda system, visual observations alone are not indicative of mineralization grades or economic significance. Assay results are required to determine the presence, extent, and continuity of mineralization. Results from this program, together with historical data and previous drilling, will be used to guide future exploration planning at the project." No assay results have been received for the 2025 drill program at the time of this release. Visual observations of drill core, including the presence of alteration or sulphide mineralization, are qualitative in nature and should not be considered a substitute for laboratory analytical results. There is no assurance that visual observations will correlate with assay results. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 4: 2024 Airborne Magnetics (RTP) with lineaments - See release The drill program was guided by targets and structural corridors interpreted from a previously announced airborne geophysical survey conducted by Precision GeoSurveys, Inc. ("Precision"), integrated with historical drilling data and surface sampling. As reported in a January 25, 2024, news release, drilling at Redonda returned intervals of up to 142.6 metres (467.8 feet) grading 0.279% Cu and 0.0281% Mo, while surface sampling yielded near-surface intervals ranging from 3.1 metres (10.17 feet) to 48 metres (157.4 feet) grading 0.529% CuEq. These results are historical in nature and should not be relied upon as an indication of current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Copper equivalent ("CuEq") values are provided for illustrative purposes only and are calculated using the metal prices and recovery assumptions disclosed in the Company's news release Core logging for the 2025 drill program was conducted by an independent, certified senior geologist, and samples have been submitted to ALS Canada Ltd. ("ALS Laboratories"), for analysis using industry-standard quality assurance and quality control procedures, including the insertion of blanks and standards. Assay results are pending. Vanguard further announces the Company has made it a priority to work in close collaboration with the Klahoose First Nation ("Klahoose") throughout the campaign, prioritizing local labour, training opportunities, and the use of Klahoose-affiliated service providers for logistics where practicable. The Company will maintain ongoing engagement throughout the program, including regular updates on work plans and timelines, incorporation of feedback into field operations, and adherence to cultural heritage protocols and environmental best practices within Klahoose Traditional Territory. Vanguard will coordinate site access, safety, and environmental monitoring with Klahoose representatives and will continue to explore additional opportunities for additional capacity-building and economic-participation Target Generation from 2024 Airborne Geophysics Drill hole locations have been selected using a combination of historical datasets and results from the Company's late-2024 airborne geophysical survey, which integrated total magnetic intensity, gradient magnetics, and radiometrics. The survey delineates strong correlations with mapped geological domains, including a northeast-southwest-trending fault system displaying right-lateral offset and several circular magnetic lows interpreted as potential intrusive centres. Radiometric potassium anomalies define arcuate potassic-alteration zones-key vectors in porphyry copper-molybdenum systems-focusing priority targets both adjacent to historical drilling and along newly defined structural corridors. The full airborne data package, including GeoTIFF magnetic and radiometric maps, will be made available on the Company's website for reference only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions to illustrate the scale and quality of the Redonda exploration opportunity. About Redonda The Redonda Project comprises nine mineral claims totaling 2,746.46 ha, located approximately 40 km northeast of Campbell River, British Columbia. The property is accessible year-round via scheduled barge service from Campbell River (e.g., MarineLink or other contract barges), with on-site access provided by 5 km of recently upgraded logging road from Redonda Bay. Active forestry maintains an extensive network of forest service roads across the claims. Field work in 2021 was conducted under a Letter of Support from the Klahoose First Nation within their Traditional Territory, together with a Free Use Permit, Drill Permit, and IP Exemption issued by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation (EMLI). Consultation with the Homalko First Nation has concluded, and a permit for additional drill sites has been issued. Redonda lies within the Coast Suture Zone between the Wrangellia Terrane and the Coast Plutonic Complex. Early Cretaceous dioritic intrusions of the Coast Plutonic Complex are cut by at least three later intrusive phases: (i) a quartz plug; (ii) a wide, hornblende-rich dike locally brecciated over ~600 metres of exposed length; and (iii) several smaller feldspar dikes near the southwestern margin of the hornblende body. Copper-molybdenum mineralization is most concentrated along the hornblende dike, particularly within brecciated zones. The geological setting shares several characteristics with nearby porphyry systems, including the OKover copper-molybdenum deposit located ~34 km to the southeast (north of Powell River) and the Gambier Copper deposit in Howe Sound. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by J. T. Shearer, M.Sc., D.I.C., P.Geo. (BC & Ontario), a consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). Mr. Shearer is not at arm's length with Vanguard Mining, as he has provided consulting geological services to the Company. About Vanguard Mining Corp. Vanguard Mining Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of high-value strategic minerals. The Company is currently advancing exploration projects in Argentina, Canada and Paraguay, with a focus on identifying and developing assets critical to the global energy transition. Vanguard is committed to responsible exploration and value creation through the acquisition and advancement of highly prospective uranium properties. All Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on its social media profiles on LinkedIn, X.com, Facebook and Instagram and sign up for updates at Vanguardminingcorp.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors "David Greenway" David Greenway, CEO For further information, please contact: Vanguard Mining Corp. Brent Rusin Phone: +1 672-533-0348 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: vanguardminingcorp.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, intentions, objectives, strategies, future performance, and anticipated events or results. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, estimates, and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied. There can be no assurance that the events anticipated in forward-looking statements will occur, or, if they do, what benefits Vanguard will obtain from them. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, exploration results, availability of financing, commodity prices, permitting and regulatory risks, operating risks, and other risks described in the Company's public disclosure. Forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof, and Vanguard undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. ### Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, JANUARY 12, 2026 - Germanium Mining Corp. ("GERMANIUM MINING" OR THE "COMPANY") (CSE: GMC; OTCQB: EMSKF; FSE: 1I30) is pleased to announce that it has commenced remote sensing work on its Lac Du Km 35 Property, located in the Chibougamau area, Quebec. Description of the Lac du Km 35 Property Regional Setting The Property comprises the prominent Faribault Shear Zone ("FSZ"), oriented east-southeast, and located towards the eastern part of the Property. The FSZ dips to the south-southwest and ends at the Grenville Front which extends southwest-northeast for several hundreds of kilometres. The FSZ is a key structural feature that may connect with other permeable zones at depth, acting as a preferential conduit for hydrothermal fluids. Discovered by government geologists in 1998 and never followed up, the Laganiere germanium showing consists of a peridotite outcrop within the Laganiere gneissic Complex that comprises amphibolites and hornblende and biotite gneisses. The Laganiere showing returned a value of 0.02% (186 ppm) germanium. These results are considered historical in nature. A qualified person has not completed sufficient work to verify these historical results, and the Company is not treating these historical results as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The Laganiere germanium showing lies beside the main lumber road and immediately adjacent to the south to a cluster of electromagnetic anomalies of roughly 400 m x 400 m in size that were never tested. The Laganiere germanium showing is also 450 m northeast of the FSZ, 800 m from the southern margin of the Duberger felsic pluton and approximately 2 km to the west of the Grenville Front. The area between the FSZ and the Laganiere Germanium showing, including the never tested cluster of electromagnetic anomalies, will be the main focus of GMC. Satellite Imagery Study The remote sensing work is expected to be completed by end of February 2026 and will consist of outlining potential faults, shear zones and related secondary structural features that may be associated with germanium mineralization. The Company intends to complete a satellite imagery study using ESA (European Space Agency) PNEO satellites constellation with panchromatic data of 30 cm in resolution, acquired in September 2023. Algorithms will be applied on these images in order to pinpoint relevant structural bodies, including intrusions, variably dipping dykes and lenticular-shaped elements. The information will be transferred to a GIS system and a series of maps at scale 1:5,000 will be generated. Precise satellite image interpreted structural features will be correlated with existing data for generating targeted areas that will be followed up on the field in the upcoming sampling program in the summer of 2026. About Germanium Germanium is a hard, greyish and brittle metalloid. Germanium has many growing applications in electronics and solar, in fiber optics, and Infrared optics for civil and military uses. Germanium is in the list of critical metals in Canada, the United States and the European Union. Since December 3, 2024, China, the largest producer of refined germanium, has banned germanium exports to the United States. Germanium is not an openly traded commodity and recent spot prices have germanium over US$5,000 per kilogram. The Company cautions that the geological information provided in this news release is of historical nature and mineralization may not be representative of mineralization on the Lac du Km 35 Property. Benoit Moreau, P.Eng., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and vice-president of exploration for Germanium Mining Corp., has approved and is responsible for the technical information contained in this news release. About Germanium Mining Corp. Germanium Mining Corp. is a publicly traded mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and advancement of discovery-stage mineral properties in top tier mining jurisdictions across North America. Germanium Mining Corp. is a member of the Nevada Mining Association. Make sure to follow the Company on X.com & Linkedin as well as subscribe for Company updates at www.germaniummining.com ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Mario Pezzente ___ CEO & Director For more information on Germanium Mining Corp. please contact: Phone: 604-717-6605 Corporate e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.germaniummining.com Corporate Address: 2905 - 700 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V7Y 1C6 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events, or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intended use of proceeds of the Offering and other matters regarding the business plans of the Company. The forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations based on information currently available and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements including that the Company may use the proceeds of the Offering for purposes other than those disclosed in this news release; adverse market conditions; and other factors beyond the control of the Company. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include general market conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Company. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents or accuracy of this press release. Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, January 12, 2026 - Sky Gold Corp. ("Sky" or the "Company") (TSX.V:SKYG)(US:SRKZF) announces it has signed a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") with Gold X2 Mining Inc. ("Gold X2")(TSXV: AUXX ) whereby Gold X2 will acquire, in stages, Sky Gold's interest in an option agreement (the "Option Agreement") for the Star Lake claims located approximately 60 kilometres west of the City of Thunder Bay, in northwestern Ontario (see initial PR dated March 23, 2023 and as amended on July 11, 2025). "By bringing in Gold X2 to our Star Lake option we are now able to focus our efforts in Nevada on the Evening Star project. Gold X2 is very focused in the area and will be in a much better position to properly advance the Star Lake project." commented Mike England, Sky Gold CEO. Deal Terms Pursuant to the Definitive Agreement, signed on January 9th, 2026, Gold X2 has the right to earn 50%, 75% and 100% of Sky Gold's interests in the Option Agreement (the "Option Interest") between Sky Gold and a local prospector (the "Local Prospector") on the terms outlined below. The Definitive Agreement, including all share issuances thereunder, remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). Gold X2 will have the exclusive right to purchase a 100% interest in the mineral rights forming the Star Lake Property according to the following stages: Stage 1 - Acquisition of 50% of the Option Interest: In order to acquire 50% of the Option Interest Gold X2 must: (i) provide $395,200 of assessment credits for the Star Lake Property, which has been provided as of today; (ii) issue to Sky Gold shares of Gold X2 having a total value of $75,000; (iii) pay the Local Prospector $200,000 in either cash or Gold X2 shares, at Gold X2's election and issue the Local Prospector shares of Gold X2 having a total value of $25,000, in each case, by March 14, 2026; and (iv) complete Sky Gold's exploration spend obligation under the Option Agreement totaling $1,000,000 on or before March 14, 2028. Stage 2 - Acquisition of 75% of the Option Interest: In order to acquire 75% of the Option Interest Gold X2 must: (i) incur an additional $250,000 exploration spend on the Star Lake Property; (ii) issue to Sky Gold shares of Gold X2 having a total value of $100,000; and (iii) issue the Local Prospector shares of Gold X2 having a total value of $50,000. There is no time limit to satisfy any of these obligations. Stage 3 - Acquisition of 100% of the Option Interest: In order to acquire 100% of the Option Interest Gold X2 must: (i) incur an additional $250,000 exploration spend on the Star Lake Property; (ii) issue to Sky Gold shares of Gold X2 having a total value of $125,000 and pay Sky Gold $250,000 in cash; and (iii) issue the Local Prospector shares of Gold X2 having a total value of $50,000. There is no time limit to satisfy any of these obligations. Exercising the Option: Upon acquiring 100% of the Option Interest, Gold X2 may exercise its option to acquire the Star Lake Property by issuing the Local Prospector that number of Gold X2 shares having an aggregate value equal to the value of 125,000 shares of Sky Gold, determined as of the issuance date. Upon completion of the acquisition, the Local Prospector will retain a 2% NSR royalty on the Star Lake Property and Gold X2 will retain Sky Gold's rights under the Option Agreement to purchase the NSR royalty from the Local Prospector in full for $3M. Additionally, Gold X2 will be required to make minimum and advance royalty payments to the Local Prospector of $20,000 yearly from 2030-2033. Sky Gold Issuances to Local Prospector: (a) Sky Gold shall (i) on or before March 14, 2026, issue 250,000 common shares in the capital of Sky Gold ("Sky Gold Shares") in accordance with Section 3(b)(iv) of the Option Agreement; and (ii) on or before March 14, 2027, issue that number of Sky Gold Shares having an aggregate value of $25,000; (b) Local Prospector Milestone Share Issuance: Upon Gold X2 acquiring the 75% Assignment Interest, Sky Gold shall issue to Parker that number of Sky Gold Shares having an aggregate value of $50,000; and (c), upon Gold X2 acquiring the 100% Assignment Interest, Sky Gold shall issue to Parker that number of Sky Gold Shares having an aggregate value of $50,000. All Gold X2 and Sky Gold shares issued in connection with the Definitive Agreement will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities laws. There are no finders' fees or commissions payable in connection with the Acquisition. The Company confirms that there are no non-arm's length parties involved in the agreement. About Sky Gold Corp. Sky Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing precious and base metal projects in North America. The Company's flagship Evening Star Property, located in the prolific Walker Lane Gold Trend, hosts multiple high-priority gold and copper targets, including Tower Gold, High Life, Gold Bug, and Evening Star. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Mike England CEO, PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT Tel: 1-604-683-3995 Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770 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 in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding the matters described herein. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance, or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements, including with respect to the completion of the Consolidation or the identification or acquisition of additional mineral assets. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. SOURCE: Sky Gold Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Toronto, January 12, 2026 - KO Gold Inc. (CSE: KOG) ("KO Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its news release dated December 15, 2025, it has increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") due to strong investor demand. The Private Placement was previously comprised of up to 12,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.15 per Unit. The Company has increased the maximum number of Units issuable at a price of $0.15 per Unit to up to 14,914,866 Units, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,237,230. Each such Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Share") and one transferable common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"), with each Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of C$0.25 for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance. The Company expects to complete a first closing of the Private Placement on January 14, 2026, for aggregate gross proceeds of $1,980,475.35, representing the issuance of 13,203,169 Units (the "Initial Tranche"). In addition, the Company expects to complete a further closing of the Private Placement (the "Second Tranche") for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately up to $458,555, consisting of the issuance of: (a) up to 1,711,697 Units at a price of $0.15 per Unit; and (b) up to 1,034,872 Units at a price of $0.195 per Unit. Each Unit issued at a price of $0.15 per Unit will consist of one Share and one Warrant, with each such Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of C$0.25 for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance. Each Unit issued at a price of $0.195 per Unit will consist of one Share and one Warrant, with each such Warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional Share at an exercise price of C$0.26 for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance. All securities to be issued in connection with the Initial Tranche will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring on May 15, 2026, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. Completion of the Second Tranche of the Private Placement is subject to shareholder approval pursuant to the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, as the issuance of securities under the Private Placement would result in the issuance of securities in excess of 100% of the Company's issued and outstanding common shares on a fully diluted basis. The Company intends to obtain the required shareholder approval by written consent of shareholders holding a majority of the outstanding common shares of the Company, as permitted under the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Upon receipt of such shareholder approval and all required regulatory approvals, the Company expects to close the Second Tranche of the Private Placement. The Private Placement is for aggregate gross proceeds of up to approximately $2,439,030, assuming completion of all tranches. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement for general working capital purposes and to fund ongoing exploration and drilling programs in the Otago Gold District, New Zealand. In connection with the Initial Tranche, the Company expects to pay finder's fees of $28,735 in cash and expects to issue 191,567 finder's warrants (the "Finder's Warrants") to certain qualified parties upon closing. Each Finder's Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one common share at an exercise price of C$0.25 for a period of three (3) years from the date of issuance, being on the same terms as the warrants issued in connection with the Initial Tranche of the Private Placement. 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 applicable 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 KO Gold Inc. KO Gold is a Canadian junior exploration company listed on the CSE under "KOG". The Company's strategy is to acquire and explore highly prospective gold properties within the Otago Gold District in New Zealand. KO Gold presently, has four 100%-owned prospecting and exploration permits within the Otago Gold District for a combined land package of 400 km2 (including the Carrick Range exploration permit application). The Company's Smylers, Hyde and Glenpark EPs are located adjacent to OceanaGold's Macraes Gold Mine and the Carrick EP hosts the historic Carrick Goldfield which holds promise as a significant gold deposit near Santana Minerals' Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project. The Company also has an NSR on three additional permits, Garibaldi, Raggedy Range, and Rough Ridge South totaling 243km2. KO Gold has spent over C$3M in exploration and drilling on its permits in the Otago Gold District over the past five years including RC and diamond drilling on its Smylers EP. For further information, please contact: The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "propose," "estimate," "may," "will," "would," "potential," or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the completion of the balance of the Private Placement; the receipt of shareholder approval by written consent and other required regulatory approvals; the anticipated timing of such approvals and any additional closings; the intended use of proceeds of the Private Placement; and the payment of finder's fees and issuance of finder's warrants, if any. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates and opinions of management as of the date of this news release and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the risk that shareholder approval may not be obtained or may be delayed; the risk that required regulatory or exchange approvals may not be obtained on a timely basis or at all; changes in market conditions; the Company's ability to complete the Private Placement on the terms announced or at all; and the risk that the proceeds of the Private Placement may not be used as currently anticipated. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280075 Assault Weapons Ban Backtrack 'Its Like a Parent-Child Relationship' After the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., last month left 17 teenagers and school staff members dead, local politicians have had enough with the state telling them what they can and can't do.Under Florida law , cities and counties are prevented from enacting their own gun laws. Officials who try to enforce local gun legislation face up to a $5,000 fine and removal from office.In response to the shooting, which sparked a nationwide push for gun control, Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill two weeks ago that bans rapid-firing bump stocks, raises the age limit for gun purchases to 21, allows some teachers to carry guns and institutes a three-day waiting period for gun purchases. Notably absent from the bill, however, was a ban on assault weapons, which is gun control advocates' biggest priority since most mass shootings involve them With no power to pass their own gun laws, local officials who want stricter gun laws are turning to the ballot box and the courts to get them.Skip Campbell, the mayor of Coral Springs, Fla., is leading a campaign withother mayors to pass an amendment to the Florida constitution that would ban assault weapons. He's trying to get the amendment on the 2020 ballot.Meanwhile, the city of Weston plans to sue the state over its preemption law and is inviting others to join the lawsuit. Miami could be next, since the city's commissioners directed the city attorney to look into the constitutionality of Floridas preemption law.But even if they support stricter gun control laws, some local officials will be hesitant to take on the state.Case in point: The city of Coral Gables was expected to ban the sale of assault weapons in the jurisdiction on Tuesday but backtracked at the last minute. Fully aware of the potential financial, legal and political repercussions of passing local gun laws, the city's commissioners unanimously voted last month to push forward with the ordinance in the wake of the Parkland shooting.Maybe there will be a legal challenge or a fine. The governor might remove us. I dont know whats going to happen, but we are ready to confront whatever happens, Mayor Raul Valdes-Fauli, who proposed the ordinance, toldlast monthIf this brings a legal challenge, that gives us the opportunity to look at the state statute and see whether such a preemption, whether an exceedingly broad preemption of local rules, is constitutional, Coral Gables Commissioner Patricia Keon said last month.Fast forward a few weeks, and, while Valdes-Fauli and Keon maintained their position, the three other members of the city commission ultimately decided to vote no on the assault weapons ban."We need to be about establishing laws and enforcing laws, whether we like it or not ... this is an elected body," Commissioner Michael Mena said at the meeting. "As frustrating as it may be, I can't support this ordinance moving forward."Commissioner Frank Quesada expressed concern over the part of Florida's preemption law that would make the city responsible for any plaintiff's attorney fees if they were sued. He said that while he was willing to risk paying a $5,000 fine and even being ousted from office, he could not risk putting such a large "financial burden" on the city's residents.In fact, a citizen showed up at Tuesday's meeting threatening to sue if the ordinance passed. The ordinance was also likely to attract a lawsuit from the National Rifle Association, which already sued Florida for its bill.The Coral Gables city attorney, for her part, supports the commission's new outlook. The ordinance moved forward at last month's meeting against her recommendation. She consistently said she could not sign the ordinance as legal even if it passed because it would have been preempted by state law.Although the commissioners backtracked on their decision to put their jobs in jeopardy, they did vote on Tuesday to join Weston's lawsuit against the state and to research a potential ballot measure that would change the Florida constitution to ban assault weapons, much like Mayor Campbell.Weston and Coral Gables aren't the first cities to challenge Florida's restriction on local gun laws. In 2017, the mayor of Tallahassee, Andrew Gillum, defended the city in a lawsuit the state brought over two ordinances banning guns in public parks. Gillum argued that because the city was not enforcing the laws, they were not violating state law.The court eventually agreed with Gillum but declined to rule on the state laws constitutionality since no municipal officials in Tallahassee had actually been removed from office. The court hinted, however, that a city officials removal would raise constitutional questions.The most recent conflict in Florida mirrors a trend happening around the country : Conservative state legislatures are increasingly passing laws to keep more liberal cities from enacting their own ordinances on everything from gun control to the minimum wage.In just the last three years, Missouri has enacted a law preventing cities from setting their own minimum wages and from banning plastic bags; North Carolina has blocked Charlottes anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people; Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has moved to prevent local fracking bans; and Arizona just last week signed a bill that outlaws soda taxes on the local level.Unfortunately for cities, courts tend to rule in favor of state supremacy."Courts rarely or never find in favor of localities when theres a question of home rule , says Dr. Lori Riverstone-Newell at Illinois State University. Most often the courts have said something like, this is an issue between states and localities. Its [interpreted to be] like a parent-child relationship. Featured New Shippers Authority Act to drive efficiency in industry Maclean Kwofi Business News Jan - 12 - 2026 , 15:40 The Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) has intensified its drive to sanitise the commercial shipping industry, pledging to leverage the new Ghana Shippers Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), to eliminate operational inefficiencies and arbitrary costs. The GSAs renewed commitment was the central theme at the ShipperStakeholders Committee Meeting held at the Ghana Shippers House in Accra. The forum served as a high-level melting pot for the industrys most influential players. It brought together key state Regulators and Security Agencies, including the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), ICUMS, National Security, the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Immigration Service. The presence of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC), and Port Health underscored the meetings focus on streamlining the inspection and clearing value chain. The private sector was equally well-represented with logistics giants such as DHL, FedEx, Swissport, and Aviance joining forces with the Joint Association of Port Transport Unions (JAPTU) and various Freight Forwarders associations to review the performance of the sector in 2025 and also set a strategic agenda for the coming year. Bridging the regulatory gap Opening the meeting on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Prof. Ransford Gyampo, the Head of the Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation Department, Monica Josiah, described the forum as a critical platform for reflection, dialogue and collaboration. Todays meeting provides an important platform for us to reflect on our collective performance, acknowledge existing challenges, and, most importantly, work together to identify practical and sustainable solutions that will advance Ghanas shipping industry, Mrs Josiah stated. She noted that shippers and shipper services providers continued to face several operational and regulatory challenges in 2025, including delays in inter-terminal container movements, frequent downtimes in the ICUMS system, screening- and inspection-related damages to air exports, inadequate trade-related infrastructure, extortion and harassment, as well as the imposition of arbitrary charges and exchange rates by some service providers. While commending the agencies for the interventions already undertaken to enhance the services provided to the sector, she stressed the need for collective responsibility. Every stakeholder has a role to play in proactively facilitating international trade through our ports and transit corridors, she said. Cracking down on arbitrary charges A major highlight of the meeting was the GSAs progress in enforcing transparency in the cost of doing business. Mrs Josiah announced a significant victory for the aviation sub-sector: the abolition of Airline Handling and Documentation Charges. She described those fees as illegitimate, assuring the committee that enforcement of the abolition remains a top priority, and full compliance would be ensured. She noted that GSA was monitoring the directive of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) with respect to the application of foreign exchange rates to ensure that the exchange rates applied by shipping lines reflect approved commercial bank rates to protect shippers from the volatility of arbitrary billing. Mrs Josiah disclosed that operations at the Boankra Inland Logistics Terminal (BILT) were expected to commence in 2026, describing the facility as a game-changer for Ghanas trade logistics architecture. The meeting further highlighted the shipping sectors growing support for the governments 24-hour Economy initiative, with port operations being conducted round the clock. Mrs Josiah stated that GSA had established a 24-hour Helpline to provide continuous support to shippers and shipping service providers. New Shippers Authority Act to drive efficiency in industry Next article: New Shippers Authority Act to drive efficiency in industry Featured NPA pilots 24-hour fuel station operations Elizabeth Nyaadu Adu Business News Jan - 12 - 2026 , 15:46 The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is to pilot a 24-hour fuel station operations as part of the government's efforts to boost night-time commerce and create jobs under the 24-hour economy policy, following the formation of a multidisciplinary committee to supervise the exercise. The decision was motivated by the need to determine whether Ghana's downstream petroleum sector was prepared for round-the-clock operations. Preparatory work was led by the acting Chief Executive Officer of the authority, Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, who tasked the committee to develop workable models for continuous operations within the sector. Consquently,the Authority has started preparatory engagement with the National Security and the Police Service to fix security gaps at fuel stations. Mr Tameklo said fuel stations are central to the success of a 24-hour economy because they support transport, logistics, security services and commercial movement beyond standard business hours. He said the process focused on infrastructure readiness, safety systems and regulatory compliance. He said the committee was gathering operational data to determine how extended fuel station hours could support employment while maintaining regulatory discipline and public safety. The downstream petroleum sector has a central role to play in the 24-hour economy, but it must be done with careful planning and respect for safety and regulation, he said. Mr Tameklo said that selected fuel stations had been identified for assessment as part of the process to test readiness for night-time operations. He said the exercise was intended to inform policy decisions rather than impose immediate changes across the sector. He said the assessment covered staffing levels, lighting requirements, emergency response systems and compliance monitoring, adding that gradual implementation was necessary to avoid operational risks. Mr Tameklo said all regulatory requirements, including pricing windows and quality standards, would apply fully to any station operating beyond conventional hours. We are testing what works, identifying gaps and making sure that productivity does not come at the expense of public safety, he said. Infrastructure Mr Tameklo said security was a key consideration, with engagements held with the Ghana Police Service and National Security to improve protection for fuel stations operating at night. Fuel stations had previously been exposed to robbery and vandalism, particularly after dark. He said the authority engaged the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to assess the readiness of oil jetties to support increased fuel movement under a potential 24-hour operating model. He said port efficiency would be critical to uninterrupted downstream supply. Mr Tameklo said minimum standards for lighting, fire safety equipment, surveillance systems and staff welfare would be enforced before any wider implementation. Our responsibility is to align national economic policy with strong regulatory systems that protect consumers, workers and the industry, he said. Mr Tameklo said extended operating hours would create employment opportunities for fuel attendants, security personnel, drivers and maintenance workers. He said surrounding businesses could also benefit from increased night-time activity. He said the committee had consulted oil marketing companies and other industry players to assess staffing costs, insurance implications, and operational challenges linked to round-the-clock operations. Mr Tameklo said the committees findings would guide recommendations to the government on whether the initiative should be scaled up. Policy alignment Mr Tameklo said the process was aligned with the reset agenda of President John Dramani Mahama, with the Authority positioned as a key implementing agency within the downstream petroleum sector. He said consultation, due process and stakeholder engagement guided decision-making, stressing that sustainable reform depended on cooperation across the industry. Mr Tameklo said the authorities would continue to engage the media and the public as assessments progressed and decisions were taken on the future of 24-hour fuel station operations. The 24-Hour Economy is a comprehensive strategy for Ghana's economic transformation, aiming to boost productivity, create jobs (targeting 1.7 million) and build a resilient, export-led economy by encouraging round-the-clock operations in key sectors such as manufacturing, agro-processing and transport, supported by government incentives such as tax breaks, reliable power and financing, with the private sector leading implementation. Open letter to President Yoweri Museveni: A plea for peace and integrity in Ugandas election Previous article: Open letter to President Yoweri Museveni: A plea for peace and integrity in Ugandas election Featured Names of houses in secondary schools Brig Gen Dan Frimpong (Rtd) Opinion Jan - 09 - 2026 , 09:57 5 minutes read When I tuned into the FM station that morning, the topic under discussion was Names of Houses in secondary schools in Ghana. As a contributor humorously stated, as for me, I went to a day-school where the whole school was one building, so we did not have houses. That narrowed the discussion to boarding schools. Interestingly, while many schools discussed named houses after personalities/saints for Catholic Schools, others named them numerically as in House 1, House 2, House 3, House 4 etc. A few named them after colours as in Red, Gold, Green, Blue Houses. Incidentally, the school being discussed by Bernard Avle, Samuel Atta-Mensah (Samens) and others on the Citi FM programme when I tuned in was Mfantsipim, my alma mater. Realising the difficulty they were having with names of houses at Mfantsipim, I sent Samens a message by Whatsapp, to help them out! Mfantsipim/Prempeh Established by the Methodist Church in 1876 as a boys school, Mfantsipim is the oldest secondary/second-cycle school in Ghana. At the time I entered Mfantsipim School in 1965, there were five houses. They were Balmer-Acquaah, Freeman-Aggrey, Lockhart-Schweitzer, Pickard-Parker and Sarbah-Picot (with Picot pronounced Piko) Subsequently, Bartels-Sneath House came into being, followed by Abruquah-Monney House with the most recent and newest Brandful-Dontwi House. So currently, Mfantsipim School has eight houses, virtually all named after past headmasters. History has it that, in the mid-1940s, Asantehene Otumfuo Prempeh II visited Cape Coast. Impressed with Mfantsipim School, he directed on his return to Kumasi, the building of an Mfantsipim for Ashanti. In pursuance of his vision, in April 1949, a group of 149 teachers and students from Mfantsipim School led by a teacher, Rev Pearson, arrived in Kumasi to start Otumfuos new school named PREMPEH COLLEGE. President Kufuor Indeed, for President Kufuors first commissioning of cadets as Ghanas Head of State/Reviewing Officer in August 2001, after the Graduation Parade, I welcomed him to the Officer Cadets Mess as Colonel Dan Frimpong, the Commanding Officer of the Ghana Military for Phase two of the ceremony. His ADC, then Lt Col Adjei (now Brig Gen Rtd), added, Excellency, Dan is my mate! Acknowledging in Twi, he asked, Commander, wo ne Kofi ye mates? to which I replied affirmatively. Not wanting to be left out, the Director of State Protocol then, Ambassador Adolphus Kinsley Arthur of blessed memory, also quickly interjected to the President, Excellency, Dan is my classmate from Mfantsipim! With that, the President stopped, asking again in Twi, Commander, wo koo Mfantsipim, to wit, rhetorically, commander, did you attend Mfantspim? When I confirmed that, he stopped and chattily started a conversation with Ei! Mfantsipim dee, mpaninfuo wo mo mu o, literally in Twi, Mfantsipim is a big boy! He then told me the story of how Mfantsipim started off Prempeh College. He added that, but for Otumfuos directive that all pupils who had qualified for the other big schools during the period, go to Prempeh College, he would have attended Mfantsipim. As he chatted in a relaxed manner with me, his security detail was visibly uncomfortable/jittery, as the President was not supposed to stop there. Prempeh Colleges nine houses are Ramseyer, Freeman, Butler, Pearson, Aggrey, Guggisburg, Osei Tutu, Serwah and Opoku Ware. Established as a girls secondary school in 1884 after the boys-only Mfantsipim in 1876 by the Methodist Church, Wesley Girls High School traces its beginnings to 1836, when it started as a first-cycle (elementary) school. Houses include Wrigley, Garnette, Compton, Acheampong and Djokoto. Others Adisadel College, an Anglican Boys School, established in 1910 earlier called St Nicholas Grammer School, has 10 houses including Knight, Le Maire, Ebiradze, Hamlyn, Aglionby, Quaque, Jonah and Jubilee. Also Anglican and founded in 1927 is Achimota School, a co-educational School. Houses in Achimota include Gyamfi, Luggard, Livingstone, Kwapong, Fraser, Susanna Ofori-Attah, Stopford, Cadbury, and Aryee. There are also Aglionby and Slessor House for girls. In 1946, Anglican Bishop John Aglionby founded St Monicas Girls Secondary School in Mampong-Ashanti. The six houses include Aglionby, Paraclete, Roseveare and Bishop Yeboah In Cape Coast, Catholic Schools like St Augustines College (Boys) established in 1930, and Holy Child School (Girls) established in 1946, all have their Houses named after Saints. Discussion While no single criterion was identified in the naming of houses generally, houses tend to be named after personalities who have made significant contributions to the schools. Interestingly, Mfantsipim School is the only school with a double-barrelled name of two former headmasters for each of the eight houses, eg Balmer-Acquaah, SarbahPicot, Freeman-Aggrey etc. Catholic Schools generally named houses after saints. Names like Aggrey, Aglionby, Fraser appear to cut across in many schools. English Anglican Bishop John Aglionby served in Ghana from 1924-1951. Not surprisingly, all Anglican schools have houses named after him. In 1997, Sir Sam Jonah built a dormitory for his alma mater Adisadel College. This was named after him. The question the discussants asked about Mfantsipim School was that, how come former Prime Minister Dr Busia and HE Mr Kofi Annan, the first black African UN Secretary-General, have not had houses named after them? They also thought that, in the 21st century, it is anachronistic to have houses named numerically like House 1,2, 3 etc, or named after colours like Red, Blue etc. Every school must have personalities associated with them historically either directly or indirectly they can name houses after. It was also opined that, the boarding school system bonded Ghanaians together, as students from different backgrounds grew up together as patriotic Ghanaians. Rather than abolish it for reasons known by its advocates, its drawbacks should rather be corrected, and boarding schools system retained for the good of Ghana. Boarding schools, with the important tradition of names of houses is a veritable source of history to students. Leadership, lead by Example/Integrity! Fellow Ghanaians, WAKE UP! The writer is a former CEO, African Peace Support Trainers Association, Nairobi, Kenya, and Council Chairman, Family Health University, Accra Featured See the approved University of Ghana fees for 2025/2026 academic year after GTEC's intervention Jemima Okang Addae Education Jan - 12 - 2026 , 15:01 2 minutes read Following consultations involving the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), the University Council, management, and student representatives, the academic user facility fee for the 2025/2026 academic year at the University of Ghana will remain the same as the 2024/2025 academic year. In a press statement dated January 12, 2026 issued by the Ministry of Education, the Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Apaak explained that he chaired a meeting on January 8, 2026 with the Ministry of Education and GTEC, as well as the Council Chair, Management and Students of the University of Ghana, where GTEC directed to communicate the below fees and charges by the University of Ghana for the 2025/2026 academic year, Academic Facility User Fee: To remain at the 2024/2025 rate. Student Representative Council (SRC) dues: GH50 SRC Development Levy: GH150 Graduate Students (GRASAG) Development Levy: GH250 Telecel Broadband Levy: GH122 for all undergraduate students, including freshmen. This levy is optional, and students must be informed of their right to opt out. 75th Anniversary Levy: GH100 (applicable only for the 2025/2026 academic year) Read also GTEC directs University of Ghana to reverse 2025/2026 academic year fee increases Stakeholders meet to resolve UG fee hike dispute The directives specify that these charges apply exclusively to the University of Ghana and cannot be adopted by other public tertiary institutions. The Minister for Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has established a Fee Review Committee chaired by the GTEC leadership to assess future fee adjustment proposals from public tertiary institutions before recommending them to Parliament for approval. Next article: Girls in Akateng benefit from Virina Skills Training Cardiothoracic centres need to collaborate more for improved service delivery Dr Enstua-Mensah Previous article: Cardiothoracic centres need to collaborate more for improved service delivery Dr Enstua-Mensah Featured 2025 in retrospect: Central Region charts path towards growth Shirley Asiedu-Addo Jan - 12 - 2026 , 09:57 6 minutes read The Central Region recorded great strides for the 2025 year, making major efforts at planning for a strategic and coordinated boom this year. From its institutions and assemblies, the region launched major development plans to guide its growth. Tourism In a move worth noting and which would likely impact its tourism gains, the region got the President, John Dramani Mahama and the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, to spend Christmas at the Crown Forest Resort at Gomoa Nsuaem The Crown Forest Nature and Cultural Heritage Resort is the latest addition to a growing pipeline of eco-parks in Ghana and a major booster to the region's tourism gains. The park offers a unique combination of wildlife and hospitality. Central Expo To further boost economic activities, the Central Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with its partners, held the 2025 Central Region Trade and Investment Fair (Central Expo) in Cape Coast, with a call for stakeholders and investors to leverage the regions abundant resources to drive sustainable growth and development The six-day event, which ended on August 30, 2025, at the Adisadel School Park, was held on the theme: Unlocking Business Opportunities in the Central Region. More than 300 exhibitors showcased a variety of products, including artefacts, clothing, farm produce, agriproducts, pharmaceuticals, and financial services. Emancipation & PANAFEST The Central Region has critical host roles in the celebration of the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day celebrations and as expected hosted a grand durbar to climax the festival at Assin Manso earlier in August 2025. The ceremony brought together chiefs and residents from the four traditional areas of Assin, members of the African diaspora, government officials, and hundreds of Ghanaians. All gathered under a shared purpose of reconciliation, hope, and cultural revival, renewing the call for a unified and reawakened Africa. Road infrastructure Road Infrastructure in the region saw some significant attention. Indeed, the first phase of the dualisation project of the Kasoa-Winneba aimed at facilitating fast and safe movement of goods and services progressed steadily. The Winneba-Mankessim and Cape Coast-Takoradi, which were the second and third phases of the coastal dualisation projects, were packaged for funding and implementation under the "Big Push". Another remarkable project set to change the fortunes of the region, the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone, was launched in October. A major industrial park project, estimated at $1.5 billion and spanning over 21,000 acres, aims to host industries in manufacturing, logistics, and agro-processing, with a goal of creating 60,000 jobs, and is expected to be a game-changer for the region. CCMA Eight-Year Plan The Cape Coast Municipal Assembly also launched its 2026-2033 development plan in October 2025, which integrates infrastructure upgrades with tourism development, social, and economic improvements. The plan aims to redevelop old structures and promote environmental greening. Again, the Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, unveiled a plan to reposition the region as a hub of industrial expansion and educational excellence, encouraging strategic investment and discipline. These initiatives are part of efforts to open up the region and strategically boost socio-economic growth. Security A lot was achieved in the area of security in the Central Region in the past year, leading to a generally peaceful environment, enabling socio-economic activities to thrive. In September, 33 women, all Nigerian nationals between the ages of 18 and 28, believed to be victims of a sex trafficking syndicate, were rescued at Nipa-ne-Kuro near Denkyira Subin in the Upper Denkyira West District of the region. The Central North Regional Police Command, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Abraham Acquaye and a 35-member task force, participated in the operation undertaken on September 11, 2025. The team also arrested six males, all Ghanaian nationals, for their role in the operations of the brothel. Disasters Disasters hit the region hard, getting the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) on its toes in the region. One school impacted by rain was the Adankwaman Senior High School in the Assin South District, following a devastating rainstorm that had destroyed key school infrastructure just days before reopening. There were several cases of drowning in abandoned pits, compelling the NADMO and the Ghana National Fire Service to caution offending individuals and institutions and intensifying safety programmes. Road accidents An accident at Kormantse in September claimed eight lives, while others at Meyinda Ayensudo and Twifo Ntefrewaso claimed nine lives in total. Also, an inshore fishing vessel sank in August at the Elmina coast shortly after setting off from the harbour for an expedition All crew members on board the vessel were reported safe. Health In the area of health, the region entered the year with increasing cases of cholera in almost all its districts. About 180 cases were confirmed, out of 1,929 suspected cases recorded in the region, with 28 others receiving treatment at various health facilities as of the end of January. The health agencies, however, marshalled resources and effective inter-agency collaboration to contain the situation. Education The universities in the region also made remarkable strides, with the University of Cape Coast (UCC) maintaining its dominance in the country and on the continent, according to the Times Higher Education ranking released. The UCC consolidated its position as the top-ranked university in both Ghana and West Africa per the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings and also placed 11th in Africa. UCC had sustained this position for the past five years. The University of Education, Winneba (UEW), also unveiled its fifth Corporate Strategic Plan (CSP) to guide the institution from 2025 to 2030 towards its vision of becoming an internationally reputable centre for teacher education and research. The five-year plan, estimated at GH1.675 billion, outlined bold initiatives in research, teaching, innovation, inclusivity, infrastructure and global partnerships. The Cape Coast Technical University also celebrated its 40th anniversary with a renewed commitment to growth and academic excellence. NSMQ Win At the secondary level, the region showed its academic prowess by hosting and securing two spots at the National Science and Mathematics Quiz by Mfantsipim School and St Augustine's College. In the end, Mfantsipim School repeated its winning ways for a second consecutive year, winning the coveted trophy. Festivals The region, which is home to major festivals, also held grand durbars to mark the Bakatue of Elmina, Fetu afahye of Cape Coast, Ahobaa Kese of Abaadze Dominase, Odambea of Saltpond and Akwambo of Swedru. New Denkyirahene Another glimmer of hope in the region in the past year was the coronation of a new Denkyirahene, Odeefuo Boa Amponsem IV. Known in private life as Oscar Mensah Kessie, the new Denkyirahene is the Chief Executive Officer of Bankam FM at Jukwa. Odeefuo Boa Amponsem IV succeeded the late Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III, the 25th Denkyirahene, who passed away in 2015, leaving the Denkyira throne vacant for 10 years. Featured Govt clears $1.47bn energy sector debts - Renegotiates IPPs contracts Kester Aburam Korankye Jan - 12 - 2026 , 07:28 4 minutes read The government has cleared outstanding energy-sector debts totalling $1.470 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, effectively rescuing the sector and ridding it of crippling debt. The payments include repaying the depleted $500 million World Bank Guarantee for natural gas supplies, with interest, which has ensured the reinstatement of the vital World Bank risk guarantee against shortfalls in payment for natural gas supplies from the Sankofa Field. The payments all made between January and February last year total $480 million and cover all outstanding gas invoices owed to ENI and Vitol for electricity generation. This makes the country very current on its obligations to Sankofa partners regarding natural gas supply for power generation. The John Dramani Mahama-led government also cleared all inherited debts owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), amounting to $393 million, further anchoring the gains made in restoring stability to the power sector. The government also fully repaid $597.15 million, including interest, of the drawn-down World Bank Guarantee. Altogether, the Ministry of Finance has paid approximately $1.470 billion in the 2025 fiscal year to rescue and restore Ghanas energy sector, a source at the Ministry of Finance told the Daily Graphic. Beyond clearing inherited arrears, the ministry said, the government remained current on most IPP invoices for 2025 through a disciplined implementation of the Cash Waterfall Mechanism by the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition. The government is firmly committed to further improving payment performance across all IPP obligations going forward, the source stressed. Background The payments to the value chain actors across the three sub-sectors of the energy sector have decisively resolved the crippling energy-sector debt, which posed one of the gravest risks to the countrys financial stability. When President Mahama assumed office in January last year, the energy sector had been pushed to the brink of collapse by years of persistent non-payment for gas supplied to the power sector from the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) field. As a result, the World Bank Partial Risk Guarantee of $500 million was completely depleted under the previous administration. The Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG), established in 2015 under the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, was a critical insurance policy that enabled nearly $8 billion in private-sector investment in Ghanas energy sector through the Sankofa Gas Project. It was designed to guarantee payments to the project partners, ENI and Vitol, in the event of payment shortfalls. Its exhaustion represented a serious governance failure that undermined Ghanas international credibility. However, the source said, in a clear demonstration of fiscal discipline and responsible leadership, the government has, as of December 31, 2025, fully repaid $597.15 million, inclusive of interest, drawn on the World Bank Guarantee. This achievement has restored the facility in full and reaffirmed Ghanas standing as a credible and reliable partner on the global stage, it added. Details Explaining the payments, the source said the government settled all outstanding invoices to energy-sector players through carefully coordinated policy actions between January and December last year. Through prudent financial management, adequate budgetary provisions have been secured to sustain timely payments going forward, the source added. The source further disclosed that the government had held constructive engagements with Tullow Oil and the Jubilee Field partners, agreeing on a comprehensive roadmap to ensure full payment for all gas taken off. The approach, the source said, was aimed at supporting reliable nationwide electricity generation while accelerating industrial growth. Engagements with Ghanas upstream partners have already resulted in increased gas production, guided by a clear national vision to rapidly scale up domestic gas supply to meet the countrys growing energy demand and reduce reliance on expensive liquid fuels, it said. IPPs renegotiated As part of its broader energy-sector reset, the Mahama Administration had successfully renegotiated all Independent Power Producer agreements to secure better value for money for the Ghanaian people, the source revealed. The Ministry of Finance source subsequently provided a breakdown of payments to the IPPs, all in 2025, totalling around $393 million in legacy debt. They include the Karpower Ghana Company Ltd, which received the highest payment of $120 million; Cenpower followed with $59.44 million and Sunon Asogli with $54 million. Others include Early Power Ltd, which received $42 million; Twin City Energy (Amandi), which received $37.98 million; and AKSA Energy Ltd and Cenit Energy Ltd, which received $30 million each. The rest are BXC Company Ltd, receiving $10.56 million and Meinergy Technology, receiving $8.82 million. Assurances The source said beyond clearing inherited arrears, the government was firmly committed to further improving payment performance across all IPP obligations going forward. The source further assured the public, industry stakeholders and international partners that the era of uncontrolled energy sector debt accumulation is over. Featured Poor leadership, Ghana's biggest problem Methodist Church Presiding Bishop Augustina Tawiah Jan - 12 - 2026 , 07:57 3 minutes read The Presiding Bishop of The Methodist Church Ghana, Most Rev. Professor Johnson Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, has stated that poor leadership has been the biggest problem of the country. He observed that everywhere in the country, one found a problem with leadership. "Ghana is not a poor country. It's mismanagement and the stealing of our resources by selfish leaders that have brought us where we are. So, i'd like to urge you to use the opportunity God has given you to serve God's people," he admonished. He said this yesterday, January 11, in a sermon after inducting a nine-member Connexional officers of the Methodist Guild at the Bethel Methodist Church in the New Aplaku Circuit. The officers, who have Maxwell Amoah as their Chairman, were elected during the 19th/30th Delegates Connexional Guild Conference held in October last year, and have accepted to serve the Lord, the church and the Methodist Guild. The other officers are the Vice-Chairman, Noah Bright Ayisi; immediate past Chairman, Patience Ameyaa Sam; Secretary, Benjamin Fiifi Graham; assistant Secretary, Esther Armoo; Treasurer, Francis Kofi Arko, and the organiser, Paul Clement Frimpong. The rest are evangelism Coordinator, Wilhelmina Mavis Baiden; co-opted member, Emmanuel Panyin Eshun; co-opted member, Atta Dabone Snr; and executive member, Evangelist Ebenezer Fosu Dadzie. Most Rev. Professor Asamoah-Gyadu charged the new officers not to enter the office they had been elected to with any set agenda. Leadership "I'd like to challenge you to make a difference. Today's leadership is called and anointed for purpose. It is the Spirit of God who anoints God's people for God's purpose. So, see this position as a position in which you are anointed to serve. Leadership is about service, and Christian leadership is about washing people's feet, giving of yourself to them," he said. Taking his sermon text from Mark 1:1, he said Christian leadership was about bearing witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and as such, their credibility as witnesses should begin with the encounter with the word of Jesus. He said serving God's people demanded serving in a selfless manner, explaining that Christian leadership did not begin with asking the question, 'what is in it for me?' rather, 'what can I do for you?' Earlier, inducting the new officers, Most Rev. Professor Asamoah-Gyadu said they had been given a great and delicate responsibility which was also a privilege and an opportunity they must use in fulfilment of the Lords will. He asked them to cultivate always the Lords presence so that they might always be found faithful in their stewardship. "You are not on your own. You are bought at a price. So, glorify God in your body and spirit, which are God's. Do not neglect the gift that you have. Give heed to prayer, reading, and to teaching. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives to all men generously and without reproach," he advised. Promise The inductees promised, among others, to dedicate to serve God in the work for which they had been elected, and also lead people to the knowledge of Christ's love and into the fellowship of His church. The mandate of the Guild of the Methodist Church Ghana is to mobilise the youth and adults for the work of the church. Mr Amoah, who becomes the 14th Connexional Chairman of the Guild by his induction, outlined his vision during his tenure to include a focus on the leadership of the youth in the church, infrastructure development in the Bolgatanga Diocese of the church and empowerment of the members of the Guild through strategies to create employment opportunities. Featured President directs NLA-KGL contract review - KGL Technology welcomes move, commits to more value Samuel Ohene Ewur Jan - 12 - 2026 , 08:22 3 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has directed for a comprehensive review of the contract between the National Lottery Authority (NLA) and KGL Technology Limited. After consultations with the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, and the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, the President also directed that, where necessary, the contract should be renegotiated to ensure complete protection of the public interest, value for money, and strict compliance with applicable laws, regulations and government policy. In a letter signed by Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, communicating the Presidents Directive to the Minister of Finance, the President said the review shall, among others, determine the legal basis, scope, duration, and financial terms of the contract; assess revenue-sharing arrangements, fees, commissions, exclusivity provisions, and any contingent liabilities to the state; and determine compliance with the Constitution, the Public Procurement Act, the National Lottery Act, and any relevant approvals. The review should also evaluate performance obligations, transparency requirements, data ownership and audit rights, as well as identify any clauses that unduly prejudice the state or constrain regulatory oversight. Pending the outcome of this process, all parties are to cooperate fully with the review team and provide unfettered access to contracts, addenda, correspondence, financial records, and operational data as may be required, the President directed. It charged the A-G, in collaboration with the Minister of Finance, who is also the Minister responsible for the NLA, to constitute a joint technical team and submit recommendations to the President within a specified timeframe. Where the review establishes grounds for renegotiation, the team is to ensure that revised terms secure improved fiscal returns to the state, strengthen governance and accountability, preserve regulatory authority, and align the arrangement with government policy and best international practice, the directive said. The directive was copied to the Office of the Vice-President, the Attorney-General and other relevant officers. KGL ready to cooperate The Management of KGL Technology Ltd has warmly welcomed the Presidents directive, commending him for protecting the continuity of the contract with the interest of the state at heart. KGL said through the collaboration, NLA and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) earned over GH300 million last year alone. We sincerely commend the efforts of the Mahama government for protecting as well as creating enabling the environment for private sector and indigenous entrepreneurs to grow as enshrined in Article 36 (Economic Objectives) of the 1992 Constitution, a statement issued by the External Consultant of the KGL Technology, Razak Kojo Opoku, said. The statement added that aside from the Presidents initiative, the licensing agreements of KGL mandated such reviews after every three years, for which negotiations were required to start six months into next year. However, both NLA and KGL agreed to bring forward the review exercise to early this year, 2026, to create enough space for review and negotiations ahead of the implementation in 2027, it said. The statement emphasised that KGL was a responsible corporate entity which fully supported the review process being undertaken by the Attorney-General and the Minister of Finance because it would bring finality to the unnecessary attacks against the NLA-KGL deal. The statement said KGL was a reputable company that boasted high credibility and was therefore not worried for any reason to be scrutinised. When accountability is balanced with fairness and respect for facts, it strengthens confidence in our institutions and supports sustainable national development, the company added. Featured President hails Graphic as credibility standard Kester Aburam Korankye Jan - 12 - 2026 , 07:16 3 minutes read President Mahama has lauded the Daily Graphic and its sister brands as the nations standard for credible journalism and announced a major government directive to award contracts for printing basic school textbooks to the Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL). The move is part of a broader strategy to ensure the financial sustainability of the state-owned media giant. The President's announcement came during his visit to the GCGL Head Office last Thursday, as part of a comprehensive working tour of key state media institutions aimed at revitalising public-interest media. The President was accompanied by the Minister of State in charge of Government Communications and Presidential Spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu. Trusted institution During his engagement with staff and management of the GCGL, President Mahama was unequivocal in his praise for the flagship newspaper. Mark Agodoa (4th from right), Head of GBCs Digital Platform, briefing President John Dramani Mahama (3rd from right); Felix Kwakye Ofosu (right), Minister of Government Communications; Prof. Amin Alhassan (2nd from right), Director-General of GBC, and other dignitaries on the functions and activities of the Digital Studio Department, highlighting how it manages content creation, digital broadcasting and online engagement during a tour of the Social Media Office Graphic is the leading newspaper in this country and when it comes to credibility, Graphic is the standard, the President stated. He highlighted the unique public trust in the brand, noting that Ghanaians often used the phrase buy me Graphic as a synonym for buying a newspaper. He commended the companys successful adaptation to the digital age, stating that readers consistently returned to Graphics online portals to authenticate news from other sources. The Managing Director of the GCGL, Ato Afful, briefed the President on the company's challenges and successes. Addressing the financial challenges posed by the global digital shift in media, President Mahama outlined concrete support. He revealed that following discussions at Cabinet on strengthening public media, a strategic decision had been taken. The Minister of Finance, in the last budget, talked about printing textbooks and learning materials for basic schools, the President said. I have directed that a good proportion of that printing business be brought to Graphic, he added. This directive, he said, was designed to provide a substantial and reliable revenue stream to underpin GCGLs operations and its public service mandate. The President tasked the Minister of Government Communications to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to execute the plan. Historic first stop The President's tour had begun earlier in the day at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), which its Director-General, Prof. Amin Alhassan, described as a historic event, the first by a sitting President in decades. To address GBCs severe financial constraints, President Mahama announced that the government was actively considering a new sustainable funding model, potentially involving a dedicated public media levy. He also pledged to address the broadcasters legacy debts through the Office of the Chief of Staff. Ghana Publishing Company The final stop on the tour at the Ghana Publishing Company Limited (GPCL) revealed dramatic financial news. The Managing Director, Nana Kwasi Boatey, disclosed a stunning 10-month recovery. From a precarious position in January 2025, when it used an overdraft to pay salaries, disciplined management under the new administration had seen the state publishing company build a GH15 million fixed deposit. This newfound strength has allowed for the payment of a 13th-month salary and an immediate 40 per cent increase in salaries for all staff. President Mahama hailed the GPCL as a shining example that state-owned enterprises do not necessarily need to be loss-making. The President also used the occasion at the GPCL, an early adopter of shift work, to announce that the committee reviewing the framework for the governments 24-Hour Economy policy had completed its work. The 24-Hour Economy Authority will be established soon, he said. Next article: President Mahama departs for key international engagements in UK and Switzerland Featured President Mahama presents 100 pickup trucks to boost police operations Joshua Bediako Koomson Jan - 12 - 2026 , 05:57 3 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has presented 100 Nissan Navara pickup trucks to the Ghana Police Service (GPS) to enhance its operational capacity and ensure more effective policing across the country. The move forms part of the governments broader agenda to strengthen national security, modernise the countrys policing infrastructure and expand police visibility in hard-to-reach communities. The vehicles were presented to the GPS at the Police Headquarters in Accra yesterday. Operational necessities President Mahama emphasised that security required consistency and action, not words alone, adding that the new vehicles were operational necessities that would enhance patrols, reduce response times and extend policing to hard-to-reach areas. Some of the pickup trucks He further highlighted that the vehicles were entrusted to the GPS for public service, not personal use. He urged strict accountability and professionalism, warning that misuse or negligence would not be tolerated. These vehicles are instruments of service,not symbols of power. They must be properly deployed, professionally used, carefully maintained and fully accounted for, he said. He also stressed the importance of lawful policing, respect for human rights and community engagement, noting that security was essential not only for protecting lives but also for national development. The President reaffirmed his governments focus on ensuring safer communities, saying the vehicles would strengthen the services ability to respond to crime, organised criminal activity and other security challenges nationwide. Major boost The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, welcomed the vehicles as a major boost to the operational capability of the Service and expressed deep gratitude to the President for his consistent support. He highlighted the evolving nature of crime in the country, noting that criminal networks were increasingly mobile, sophisticated and intelligence-driven, requiring the police to be equally agile, proactive and responsive. He gave an assurance that the new vehicles would be strategically deployed across all regions to areas of greatest need, with clearly defined operational and maintenance protocols. These pickup trucks will allow officers to patrol longer, respond faster and maintain a visible presence in communities that have historically been underserved due to logistical limitations, the IGP said. He added that the vehicles would complement previous government investments, including armoured vehicles, surveillance systems and enhanced communications infrastructure, which together had significantly strengthened the services operational reach. The IGP stressed that community policing would be intensified, with patrols and intelligence-led operations extended to remote and high-risk areas to prevent crime before it occurred. Our objective is to ensure that every citizen feels protected, and that no criminal can operate with impunity, he said. Mr Yohuno also emphasised the importance of professionalism and accountability, reminding officers that the public had entrusted them with these resources. The IGP further called on the public to actively partner with the GPS by sharing information and cooperating with officers on duty, adding that effective law enforcement was a shared responsibility. Bill to set up specialised courts to handle 'galamsey' cases to be laid in Parliament in February - Attorney-General Next article: Bill to set up specialised courts to handle 'galamsey' cases to be laid in Parliament in February - Attorney-General Featured High Court directs Attorney-General to submit report on detention of Alhaji Seidu Abagre Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi Jan - 12 - 2026 , 18:18 2 minutes read The High Court in Accra has ordered the Attorney-Generals Department to file a detailed report on the detention of Alhaji Seidu Abagre, who has been in state security agencies custody since December 24, 2025, following his removal from Bawku based on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II's Bawku conflict mediation exercise. The court directed that the report, which should outline the reasons for Seidu Abagres detention, should be filed on or before January 21, 2026. The order was made by the court presided over Justice Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit following a habeas corpus application filed on behalf of Seidu Abagre. The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, told the court that because of the public interest character of the case and its potential national security implications, the Office of the Attorney-General had elected to intervene proactively to help ensure the matter was resolved swiftly and to safeguard the human rights of Seidu Abagre. Dr Srem-Sai said the AGs Office appeared in court despite not having been formally served with the court process, in order to abridge procedural requirements and facilitate the early determination of issues. He then prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable the Attorney-Generals Office to be properly served with the writ and supporting processes. Ruling In its ruling, the court directed the Attorney-General to submit a report under Section 3 of the Habeas Corpus Act, 1964 (Act 244), detailing the circumstances and legal basis for Seidu Abagres detention. Following the ruling, Martin Kpebu, lawyer for Seidu Abagre prayed the court, for the avoidance of doubt, to direct under Section 2 of Act 244 that the Attorney-General should produce the detainee in court, as he had not seen his client for two and a half weeks despite a request to do so, which he said had been refused. The matter has been adjourned to January 26, 2026, for continuation. Background Alhaji Seidu Abagre was removed from Bawku by personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces on December 24, 2025, following recommendations contained in a mediation report by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on the long-standing Bawku chieftaincy dispute. Featured Ayawaso East: Names of Baba Jamal and Dr Azindow pop up as possible NDC replacement for late Naser Toure Mahama Mohammed Ali Politics Jan - 12 - 2026 , 10:27 5 minutes read Following the completion of the seven-day post-burial Muslim prayers for the late Ayawaso East Member of Parliament (MP), Naser Toure Mahama, the constituents, especially within the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) have started public discussions on finding a successor, with some proposing Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed as a suitable replacement. Others have put up Dr Yakubu Azindow's name as also another possible replacement. They both contested the last NDC parliamentary primary ahead of the 2024 general election with Naser Toure Mahama, with Mr Mahama winning with 675 votes, while Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed got 525 votes, as against Dr Yakubu Azindow's 215 votes. The seven-day post-burial prayer for the late Naser Toure Mahama was observed at the national mosque on Sunday, January 11, 2026. This marked the first clear turning point for a constituency preparing for an inevitable by-election following the death of its sitting Member of Parliament. Mr Mahama won the seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress at the 2024 general election. Under Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution, the Electoral Commission is required to hold a by-election within three months after the Speaker of Parliament formally notifies it of a vacancy. Although the constitutional process was yet to be publicly triggered, discussions about who should represent the constituency have started within the community. Speaking in Nima after the prayers, Hajia Fati Mohammed, popularly known as Hajia Kande Majesty, said residents had accepted Mr Mahamas death in line with Islamic belief but could not ignore the political consequences of losing a sitting MP. Hajia Kande Majesty, who is the Magajia of the NDC National Zongo Caucus and a former two-term womens organiser in Ayawaso East, described Mr Mahama as a long-serving figure who spent close to 14 years working in the constituency, even though he did not complete four full parliamentary terms. As Muslims, we accept death as the will of Allah, she said. But now the question before us is who can come and do more for the constituency. She referenced the last NDC parliamentary primary in Ayawaso East, which Mr Mahama won with 452 votes, while Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed secured 309 votes and Dr Yakubu Azindow polled 242 votes. According to Hajia Kande Majesty, those figures explain why certain names continue to feature in conversations about succession. Mr Jamal came second, she said. After that, he did not walk away. He stayed in the community and continued working. She pointed to Mr Jamals continued involvement in Nima, including support for party coordinators and assistance to women, as reasons some residents mention him as a possible replacement. She also noted his long-standing ties to the area, having lived and attended school in Nima. Hajia Kande Majesty cautioned against opening a crowded internal contest, saying that it could divide the constituency at a sensitive time. If we bring many people again, we will divide ourselves, she said. A more procedural view was offered by Alhaji Ismail Ali Horoya, the Greater Accra Regional Zongo Caucus Coordinator of the NDC and a former Ayawaso East Constituency Organiser. He said no one had formally declared an intention to contest the seat. Mr Horoya said attention within the party since Mr Mahamas death had centered on funeral arrangements and Islamic rites, with political decisions expected to come after direction from the partys national leadership. There is a vacuum now, and there are rumours, he said. But until national gives direction, nobody can say this is the way forward. From the community, Mr Awalu Angulu Awudu Agbaadzenaa, president of the Concerned Nima Citizens Foundation, said the by-election should not be treated as a routine exercise but as a chance to reassess representation. Mr Awalu acknowledged that names such as Mr Jamal and Dr Azindow continue to come up because they contested the last NDC primary and are well known in the constituency. He warned against imposing a candidate on residents. Mr Angulu said discussions should not be limited only to individuals who have previously contested. He mentioned Abdul Salam Daru and Najib Mohammed Sani as younger party members who could grow into leadership roles if given the opportunity. He added that political development in the constituency should not be confined to familiar names. If somebody is imposed, it will bring serious problems, he said, adding that some party supporters have privately indicated they could consider independent options if they feel excluded from the process. Another issue shaping discussions in Ayawaso East is whether the widow of the late MP will contest the seat. Supporters are reported to be mobilising, although no formal declaration has been made. Under Islamic law, a widow is required to observe iddah, a mourning period of four months and ten days. During this period, remarriage is prohibited and personal conduct is guided by specific religious obligations. Some Islamic scholars have explained that iddah does not directly bar political ambition, but it calls for restraint and respect for mourning practices. This has contributed to debate over the timing and appropriateness of any possible candidacy. Ghana has seen recent cases where widows have succeeded their late husbands in Parliament. In Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan won the 2019 by-election following the death of her husband, Emmanuel Boakye Agyarko. In Mfantseman, Ophelia Mensah Hayford won the seat in the 2020 general election after her husband, Ekow Quansah Hayford's death. In Shai Osudoku, Linda Ocloo replaced her late husband after his death in 2016. By-elections triggered by the deaths of sitting MPs, including those in Ayawaso West Wuogon and Akwatia, have shown that such contests often place candidate selection, party unity and local acceptance under close public attention. The New Patriotic Party has already indicated its intention to contest the Ayawaso East by-election when it is called, despite the constituencys history as an NDC stronghold. Ayawaso East remains in mourning, but the close of the seven-day prayers has signalled a shift from grief towards decision-making, as residents weigh who should next speak for them in Parliament. Featured UBB: Pro-Bawumia group launched in Belgium ahead of NPP presidential primaries GraphicOnline Politics Jan - 11 - 2026 , 23:15 3 minutes read A pro-Dr Mahamudu Bawumia support group, United Belgium for Bawumia (UBB), has been officially launched in Belgium, adding momentum to the former Vice Presidents diaspora mobilisation ahead of the New Patriotic Partys presidential primaries scheduled for January 31. The group was inaugurated on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at a gathering of New Patriotic Party supporters and sympathisers resident in Belgium. A majority of those present openly declared their support for Dr Bawumias bid to lead the party, signalling growing backing for his candidature among the Ghanaian diaspora in Europe. The event also drew participation from party officials and activists from Ghana and other European branches of the NPP, reflecting the expanding reach of the Bawumia campaign beyond Ghanas borders. Among those present were Emmanuel Attafuah-Danso, a former Director for Diaspora Affairs and former Acting National Youth Organiser of the party, Rayan Salisu Kentebako, Secretary of the NPP Austria Branch and Secretary to the Dr Mahamudu Bawumia Diaspora Campaign Team, and Gifty Asare, a former parliamentary aspirant for the Kade Constituency who currently serves as Womens Organiser of the NPP Spain Branch. Opening the programme, the Chairman of the NPP Belgium Branch, Mr Solomon Agyin, popularly known as King Solomon, appealed for unity and discipline among party members. He urged supporters of all five presidential aspirants to conduct their campaigns with decorum, stressing that cohesion within the party would be essential after the primaries. In a founders address, Mr Andrews Perprem, Acting Secretary of the Antwerp Chapter of the NPP and a co-founder of United Belgium for Bawumia, outlined the objectives of the newly launched group. He said the organisation aimed to campaign vigorously to secure at least 80 per cent of the vote for Dr Bawumia in the partys presidential primary, mobilise financial and human resources ahead of the 2028 general elections, and engage actively in grassroots campaigning to ensure victory in the presidential race. Mr Perprem indicated that the group would work closely with the NPP Belgium Branch and other existing party structures to promote unity, coordination and mutual respect within the diaspora. He explained that United Belgium for Bawumia was founded on principles of consensus, trust and shared sacrifice among its five co-founders, namely Andrews Perprem, Ralph Panford, Richmond Nyantakyi Bekoe, Kelvin Afrifa and Saida Dauda. He appealed to the executives of the NPP Belgium Branch to regard the group as partners working towards a common objective, while encouraging party members who harboured reservations to engage constructively rather than assume ill intent. He also urged discipline, respect for party structures, collective communication and integrity among the groups leadership and membership. Other speakers, including Mr Ralph Panford, Mr Emmanuel Attafuah-Danso, Mr Rayan Salisu Kentebako and Nana Akosua Nyamekye, First Vice Chairperson of the NPP Belgium Branch, called on delegates based in Belgium to rally behind Dr Bawumia. The launch of United Belgium for Bawumia formally marks the commencement of Dr Mahamudu Bawumias campaign activities in Belgium, with seventeen recognised delegates present at the event publicly declaring their support for his candidature. China assists Africa in digital transformation 14:07, January 12, 2026 By Dai Kairan ( People's Daily Digital transformation stands as a central objective within the African Union's Agenda 2063. In recent years, cooperation between China and African nations within the digital economy sector has deepened and expanded significantly. This progress has been fostered under frameworks such as high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and the Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation. China has actively supported African countries in bridging the digital divide through various initiatives. These include accelerating the development of digital infrastructure, constructing e-commerce platforms, and cultivating digital talent. In Gaborone, Botswana's capital, a distinctively designed modern building within a technology park marks a significant milestone: the Digital Delta Data Center (DDDC). Constructed by China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd, the building is Botswana's first national-level data center. Construction commenced in March 2021, and the facility was officially handed over to the Botswana government in June 2024. The center's data halls are equipped to host high-performance servers, large-capacity storage systems, and high-speed network equipment. This infrastructure meets the requirements of both government agencies and commercial users for large-scale data storage, processing, and transmission. "Weak digital infrastructure has long constrained Botswana's digital transformation," said Keabetswe Segole, chief executive officer of Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet), the operator of the DDDC. "The operation of the data center has significantly improved the local information and communications technology ecosystem." Segole noted that before the DDDC's completion, a significant portion of Botswana's government and business data was stored overseas, resulting in low transmission efficiency. With the data center operational, internet users in Botswana can enjoy faster, more cost-effective data exchange, leading to a markedly improved online experience. At a warehouse operated by Kilimall on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya, staff efficiently manage inventory, scan barcodes, and pack orders. Outside the warehouse, delivery personnel in distinctive red uniforms prepare for dispatch. As the first Chinese company to enter Africa's internet and e-commerce sector, Kilimall has expanded across the continent over the past decade. Its operations span several African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The platform hosts over 8,000 sellers and 12,000 online stores, has established over 1,500 community pickup points, and experiences approximately 50% annual growth in mobile app downloads. Liao Zhengrong, Kilimall's Brand Director, noted that the company has also independently developed its own payment system, offering consumers convenient and diverse online payment options. Alex Kariuki, a 36-year-old Kenyan entrepreneur selling furniture such as TV cabinets and coffee tables, shared his experience: "The high transportation costs for furniture made me initially hesitant about online selling, especially as many local e-commerce platforms relied on cash payments upon delivery. A friend recommended Kilimall, and learning about integrated online payment system gave me confidence. Customers prepay when ordering, and I receive payment immediately upon their confirmation of receipt." Since opening his store on Kilimall, Kariuki's furniture sales have continued to rise, now reaching 300 to 400 items per month. Igiraneza Justine, a 22-year-old Rwandan, is a trainee at the Luban Workshop, a Chinese-supported vocational training facility. After two years of specialized study locally, he enrolled in a one-year e-commerce practical training program at Jinhua University of Vocational Technology in east China's Zhejiang province. Ge Rui, a faculty member in the university's e-commerce program, explained that Justine is among the first batch of trainees from the Rwanda Luban Workshop engaged in the program. In early 2025, the first group of 30 trainees, majoring in e-commerce and electrical automation, returned to Rwanda after completing their training. Many e-commerce graduates subsequently found employment in live-stream e-commerce and digital commerce sectors. "Chinese instructors taught us platform management, data analysis, logistics management, and practical skills such as video shooting and lighting techniques," Justine said. Noting China's global leadership in digital technology and business innovation, he added, "I aspire to open my own online store and apply China's digital economy expertise back home." Gert Grobler, former senior South African diplomat and honorary professor at the Institute of African Studies of Zhejiang Normal University, observed that China has long been actively involved in building Africa's digital infrastructure. He highlighted collaborations constructing Africa's largest optical fiber manufacturing plant to boost local capacity, helping African countries add or upgrade roughly 150,000 kilometers of communications backbone networks (extending services to nearly 700 million users), supporting the construction of national data centers in multiple countries, and providing digital governance solutions. Through the development of e-commerce industries and the cultivation of professional talent, China continues to provide sustained momentum for Africa's digital transformation journey. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) I first met Pale Mike Crisostomo when he was a pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Toto while I was working at JQ San Miguel as a school health counselor. Our students attended Sunday school from his parish. Both kids and parents had a lot of good things to share about their parish priest. Kids would say he was kind and funny. Parents always shared how their children anticipated attending Sunday school and meeting with Pale Mike and their teachers. A couple of years later, Pale Mike attended LifeWorks Guam workshop on Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. The ASIST workshop was introduced by LifeWorks Guam on Guam. It is an effective training that teaches and equips participants with the tools and skills needed to help a person at risk of suicide. It was an interactive class. The educational training was conducted at the former chancery office attended by Pale Mike, Father Paul Gofigan, Father Carl and other members of the Archdiocese of Agana. The energy and excitement to learn was felt throughout the two-day training. The best part of the program was the role playing. They all successfully completed ASIST and received their certification. From there on, Pale Mike appreciated what he learned from Lifeworks Guam. He used the tools and skills learned. He once told me he implemented ASIST to his parishioners losing hope to live and it worked and saved his parishioners from self-harm. At times, Pale Mike would refer his parishioners to me during their very difficult times. I was always glad to help out. He strongly believed that if we were to lower the risk of suicide on the island, we need to be proactive, continue to promote suicide awareness, prevention, intervention and post-vention education not only for one month but throughout the year in the schools, businesses and the community at large. Pale Mike, together with LifeWorks Guam, ventured to spread the news on educating the public about first aid to suicide, how to reach out and help someone who is going through emotional turmoil, not wanting to keep on living, can only see the dark side of life, feeling hopeless, helpless and alone since 2010. It is truly phenomenal what one can do. Through the years, he always believed in the work we did. He never declined our request to hold our annual LifeWorks Guam Out of the Darkness Candlelight Memorial Service in memory of loved ones who have died from self-harm at St. Anthony Catholic School Auditorium. Thank you so much Pale Mike for trusting Lifeworks Guam and Rainbows for All Children Guam for the work that we do for our community. Pale Mike was charismatic, compassionate, humble and speaks from the heart. On a more personal note, my husband and I admired most about Pale Mike, aside from his exemplary qualities as a priest and a religious leader, is how he expressed his message during the homily. His homily was short, concise, direct to the point, focused, practical and can be easily applied in our daily life as members of the Catholic Church. Thank you for your gift for presenting the word of God. Rest up our beloved Pale Mike. You are in your eternal home. Cheers as you enter the gates of heaven met by your beloved sister Therese, your niece Erica, and precious parents. So long for now. iciHaiti - 2010 Earthquake : Speech by the Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities As part of the commemoration of the 16th anniversary of the 35-second earthquake, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, that struck Haiti on January 10, 2010, at 4:53 PM [More than 280,000 dead (222,570 according to the government), nearly 400,000 injured (300,572 according to the government), 1.6 million people left homeless] https://www.haitilibre.com/article-602-haiti-seisme-mardi-12-janvier-16-43-10-secondes.html [in French] ] Genard Joseph, the Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, delivered a speech on the occasion, stating: Speech by Genard Joseph : "Dear compatriots, January 12, 2010, remains forever etched in the The collective memory of the Haitian people. Sixteen years ago, our nation was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes in its history, claiming over three hundred thousand lives, leaving hundreds of thousands injured and displaced, and plunging countless families into grief and mourning. On this day of reflection and remembrance, we pay tribute to all the victims of this national tragedy. We bow respectfully before the memory of those who lost their lives, and we express our profound solidarity with the survivors, especially those who, as a result of this tragedy, now live with a disability. The January 12, 2010 earthquake profoundly changed the face of our society. It highlighted the vulnerability of people with disabilities, but also their courage, resilience, and determination to continue living with dignity. Since then, the issue of inclusion and integration of persons with disabilities has become a moral, social, and political responsibility for the Haitian State. As Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, I wish to reaffirm the Government's firm commitment to working tirelessly to improve the living conditions of people living with disabilities. This commitment translates into constant, dedicated work, carried out in close collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society, and our international partners. Together, we are working to strengthen access to basic services, promote social, economic, and educational inclusion, defend the rights of persons with disabilities, and build a more just, more supportive, and truly inclusive society. The memory of January 12, 2010, imposes upon us a duty: to never forget, but above all, to act. To act so that vulnerability never again rhymes with exclusion. To act so that every person living with a disability is recognized as a full citizen, possessing rights, talents, and hope. On this day of remembrance, let us renew together our commitment to building a Haiti where human dignity is respected, where solidarity is a living value, and where no one is left behind. May the memory of the victims of January 12, 2010, continue to guide our actions and inspire our determination to build a better future for all. Thank you." IH/iciHaiti In the past few days, several users have apparently independently discovered offers for Valve's new Steam Machine in the online shop of the large Czech retail chain Smarty.cz. What is striking are the prices, which can be found in the website's source code. Including the Czech value-added tax of 21 percent, the model with a 512 GByte SSD costs around 988 Euros, and the version with a 2 TByte SSD costs around 1111 Euros. The surcharge of 123 Euros corresponds to current market prices for SSDs, so the framework appears realistic. Continue after ad Among others, users on Reddit discovered the information in the source code, and heise online can still verify the listings in the website's HTML on Saturday afternoon. It is not possible to judge whether these are just placeholders, as are often used in online shops. However, given the ongoing memory crisis, which has made DRAM and flash components two to four times more expensive, the Steam Machine could indeed become this expensive. In addition to the SSD, the device also has 16 GByte of DDR5 RAM and 8 GByte of graphics memory from GDDR6. The prices of the Steam Machine in Czech Koruna can be found in the source code of the Smarty.cz website. (Image: Screenshot Niklas Engelking, heise medien) Memory crisis could also affect Valve It is not known whether Valve secured itself against the start of the memory crisis in autumn 2025 with long-term contracts at fixed prices. The few large DRAM and flash manufacturers have warned in recent months about a long-lasting shortage, which is expected to last at least throughout 2026. The main reason is the boom in AI data centers, for which a large part of the memory manufacturers' production has been repurposed or already sold in advance. Since Valve introduced the new Steam Machine in mid-November, the company has refused to provide any concrete information about the price. While it was initially said that the device would be launched at the price of consoles, it was later stated that it should cost as much as a comparable PC. Since then, countless observers, including heise online, have been speculating about what the actual price might be. Before memory prices literally exploded in December, around 800 Euros for the 512 GByte model was considered consensus. It was clear from the start that it would not be around the 500 US dollars or Euros of a Playstation 5: When YouTuber Linus Sebastian (LTT) mentioned this price in response to a question from Valve about a reasonable price, there was according to his description an embarrassed silence in the room. Steam Machines in the Smarty.cz shop (Image: Smarty.cz, Screenshot: heise medien) No subsidy through games Continue after ad Unlike consoles from Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony, for example, the Steam Machine is not intended to be subsidized by game sales. Valve has stated from the outset that the hardware business should be "sustainable." This also makes sense, as many interested parties will already have a well-stocked Steam library, and the major exclusive "system sellers" like those found on classic consoles are not in sight. Even the comparison with a similar PC made of standard components is difficult, as the new Steam Machine is a very compact custom PC. The motherboard, power supply, and cooling are custom-made, along with numerous other special parts such as antennas and the multiple I/O boards. What is also surprising about the listing by Smarty.cz is that it exists at all. So far, Valve has focused on direct sales for its devices, such as the very successful Steam Deck, where all margins remain with Valve. Whether the Czech retailer has secured a special contingent and is charging for it separately is one of the further uncertainties. The same applies to the launch date for the Steam Machine, which Valve has only stated as "early 2026." (nie) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The vessel was seized on 31 December 2025 in a coordinated operation involving Finnish police, the Border Guard, Customs, Defence Forces, and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. The ship, flagged under Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, had been travelling from Russia to Israel when it was intercepted in the Gulf of Finland. Finnish authorities have released the Fitburg, a cargo ship suspected of damaging an undersea communications cable between Finland and Estonia on New Years Eve. The ship departed from Kantvik port at 11am on Monday under supervision from the Finnish Border Guard, following the completion of onboard investigations. Investigators suspect that the vessels anchor dragged across the seabed, causing serious damage to a subsea cable operated by Finnish telecoms provider Elisa. The damaged section lies within Estonias exclusive economic zone. The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that an Azerbaijani crew member remains in custody following a detention hearing at Helsinki District Court on Sunday. Authorities suspect him of aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage, and aggravated interference with telecommunications. Three additional crew members are under a travel ban. The ship's seizure was lifted after Finnish and Estonian police concluded all onboard inspection procedures. The investigative actions on the vessel have been completed, so the seizure can be lifted, said Risto Lohi, lead investigator from the NBI. The Finnish Border Guard escorted the ship out of Finlands territorial waters and economic zone. The case remains open. Finnish authorities are continuing their criminal investigation in cooperation with Estonian police. Officials are focusing on reconstructing the vessel's movements and determining individual crew members roles during the incident. Lohi confirmed that the current restrictions and one detention are sufficient for the ongoing investigation. He added that attention now shifts to clarifying the sequence of events and the operational decisions made aboard the ship. Customs officials conducted sanctions-related inspections of the vessels cargo, but found no offence. HT Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels and Resorts' luxury and lifestyle portfolio, makes its Malaysian debut with the opening of Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur. Owned by LQ Hotel Sdn Bhd, a joint venture between Lendlease and TRX City Sdn Bhd, this highly anticipated hotel opening is a striking new landmark within the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) district - Kuala Lumpur's buzzing lifestyle and business hub, where local spirit meets global flair, and every corner invites our guests to follow their naluri (instinct) toward ria (joy). Now, for the first time in Malaysia, Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur brings that signature blend of bold style and human hospitality to a city that's as vibrant and dynamic as the brand itself. Founded in San Francisco in 1981, Kimpton has always been about more than just a place to stay. It's about creating spaces that feel like home, but with a twist, where design, dining, and human connection come together to spark unforgettable moments. From the moment guests step inside, they will feel the pulse of Kuala Lumpur in the art, the flavours, and the stories woven into every detail. Whether sipping a bespoke cocktail at the rooftop bar or discovering hidden gems in the city, Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur is the invitation to live joyfully through one's instincts, and make every stay personal. The hotel offers 466 guestrooms and suites spanning 26 stories, towering over The Exchange TRX mall, and accords iconic landmark views of the city such as Merdeka 118 and KL Tower. Within the rooms and suites, monolithic surfaces, sinuous forms and abstract art depicting the Malaysian rainforests are contrasted with bold, hued tiles, leaf-shaped mirrors and gilded bathroom installations. These are complemented with luxury bath amenities from ARgENTUM and Penhaligon's, and a minibar stocked with local treats such as Pandan Gula Melaka Granola & Salted Egg Yolk potato crisps only available in Malaysia and Pasa Cola, a locally crafted spiced cola amongst others. Led by Hassell, an award-winning design studio, the hotel's interior design follows the narrative of "Botanics Beyond Aesthetics", where echoes of Malaysia's lush parklands are brought to life. Harmonizing natural elements with stylish, bold designs, the hotel welcomes guests into a spacious, high-ceiling lobby and lush greenery. Earthy hues, forest-green tones, and organic textures integrate seamlessly into the rest of the hotel's design-led interior. Food and drink have always been a cornerstone of the brand, so in true Kimpton style, Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur features four standout destination dining and social spaces, quickly set to become locally loved favourites: Tuai + Till - a dual dining venue where guests can enjoy farm-to-table, fermentation-driven menus. Think cozy Malaysian cafe at Tuai and elegant Western brasserie at Till. - a dual dining venue where guests can enjoy farm-to-table, fermentation-driven menus. Think cozy Malaysian cafe at Tuai and elegant Western brasserie at Till. Four Siblings - Malaysia's first spice-themed bar and only rooftop bar in TRX. Inspired by the historic spice trade, and the four essential spices - cinnamon, clove, cardamom and star anise, that will bridge Malaysian and South American influences. - Malaysia's first spice-themed bar and only rooftop bar in TRX. Inspired by the historic spice trade, and the four essential spices - cinnamon, clove, cardamom and star anise, that will bridge Malaysian and South American influences. Rise & Grind - a contemporary grab-&-go espresso bar that embraces third-wave coffee artistry while honouring locally-loved essence of Malaysia and its Kopitiam culture, featuring homegrown Liberica coffee beans. - a contemporary grab-&-go espresso bar that embraces third-wave coffee artistry while honouring locally-loved essence of Malaysia and its Kopitiam culture, featuring homegrown Liberica coffee beans. Sabato's - Malaysia's first retro-inspired Italian-American spot to rediscover 1970's disco nights and pay homage to the Red Sauce Joint era. Opening in early 2026. As with all Kimpton hotels, guests at Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur can enjoy unexpected perks and signature touches including in-room yoga mats and complimentary bikes for urban exploration as well as the beloved Kimpton Kickstart - a daily hosted morning energiser offering a selection of Liberica cold brew coffee, teh tarik (pulled milk tea), and detox shots and Kimpton Social - inviting guests to gather and connect over drinks, curated chef bites and conversation each evening. The Kimpton "Forgot It? We've Got It!" programme offers guests access to a selection of curated items they may have left behind, from mobile phone chargers, makeup remover, hair spray or personal care items. Wellness programming at Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur goes well beyond the conventional fitness experience. Guests can access: Minibar stocked with local prebiotic beverages, protein bars and a healthy nut mix. TRX Suspension training on the rooftop fitness terrace and a self-powered treadmill built for performance Complimentary workout sessions by expert instructors at Pulse, the hotel's rooftop fitness centre - from pilates, personal training, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), to tranquil early-morning sunrise yoga. The Connection Hub will open in early 2026 and offers five inspiring spaces catered for intimate functions such as product launches and social occasions. Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur joins a growing IHG portfolio of luxury lifestyle hotels, that opened in 2025 including Kimpton Main Frankfurt, Kimpton KAFD Riyadh, Kimpton Aqeos Hainan, Kimpton Atlantico Algarve and Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong, with more exciting destinations in the pipeline such as Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud opening in 2026. To book a stay or for more information, visit the hotel's website here or follow on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. IHG One Rewards members can also book directly using the IHG One Rewards mobile app. Hotel website Melia Hotels International, Spain's leading hotel company and a global benchmark in leisure hospitality, has signed a new management agreement for Melia Sentul Resort & Convention Center, a newly built fivestar hotel in Sentul, West Java, Indonesia. Scheduled to open in 2028, the property will operate under the Melia Hotels & Resorts brand, marking the company's seventh hotel in Indonesia and its first in Sentul. Located just an hour's drive from Jakarta, Sentul has emerged as a popular lifestyle and leisure destination for the capital's residents, known for its cooler climate, lush green hills, and growing range of recreational activities. Situated in the Bogor Regency of West Java, the area combines natural beauty with modern infrastructure, offering scenic hiking trails, nearby waterfalls, and familyfriendly attractions such as the Sentul International Circuit and JungleLand Adventure Theme Park, one of Indonesia's largest amusement parks. Sentul has also gained momentum as a growing residential and business hub, with close proximity to the Sentul International Convention Center (SICC), excellent road connectivity, and ongoing urban and transit-orientated developments. Guests will enjoy a comprehensive range of dining, leisure and wellness experiences, including an allday dining restaurant, specialty dining venues, a chic rooftop bar and a relaxed lounge area. The hotel will also feature an outdoor pool, fully equipped gym, and spa. Families will find dedicated spaces such as the Kids Club, designed to make every stay seamless and enjoyable for travelers of all ages. Complementing its leisure offering, the resort will also feature impressive meeting and event facilities, including a 1,160 m ballroom and 15 versatile meeting rooms adding up to 1,640 m, positioning the property as one of the region's leading destinations for corporate gatherings, conferences, and special celebrations. Together, these offerings create a perfect balance between business and leisure, set against the natural beauty and urban charm of Sentul. Strengthening Melia's presence in Indonesia With this new signing, Melia Hotels International continues to deepen its commitment to Indonesia, bringing its renowned Mediterranean warmth and service excellence to one of West Java's most dynamic and naturally captivating areas. At the same occasion, Noegroho Hari Hardono, Chief Executive Officer of the Saraswanti Group, expressed his appreciation to Melia Hotels International for the trust and commitment demonstrated in this collaboration. He noted that the partnership reflects a shared vision between Saraswanti and Melia in delivering internationally benchmarked property developments and creating long-term value for all stakeholders. This agreement further strengthens the company's longstanding relationship with its strategic partner Saraswanti Group, owners of INNSiDE by Melia Yogyakarta, since 2013 which is also managed by the group. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to long-term, sustainable growth and the development of elevated hospitality in key destinations across Indonesia. Hotel website Radisson Individuals has further expanded in Baden-Wurttemberg with HARBR. Hotel Heilbronn, a member of Radisson Individuals, offering contemporary comfort in one of Germany's most celebrated wine regions and joining sister properties in Konstanz and Ludwigsburg. Set along the banks of the Neckar River in Heilbronn's dynamic Zukunftspark district, the hotel offers a modern base for business and leisure travelers. HARBR. Hotel Heilbronn comprises 127 rooms and suites, including 15 long-stay apartments with equipped kitchenettes. Four Junior Suites feature private terraces with river views, ideal for guests seeking added space and outdoor comfort. Dining follows the HARBR. lifestyle concept with a regional breakfast buffet, casual dining options in the hotel's "Living Room" restaurant, and evening gatherings at the "Spelunke" bar, which serves signature drinks, seasonal selections, local beers, and wines from the surrounding Heilbronn vineyards. Hotel services include secure on-site parking, bicycle rentals, and EV charging stations. Wellness amenities feature a modern fitness studio, sauna facilities, and a rooftop terrace overlooking the riverfront and city skyline. For business travelers, two on-site meeting spaces are available: the 46 m "Reederei" boardroom for up to 14 participants and the 22 m "Freihafen" breakout room for meetings of up to eight guests. For larger conferences and events, the hotel partners with the nearby WTZ Conference Center, which offers additional facilities in varying sizes. Hotel website Phoenix, Arizona WorldHotels, a global brand of independent luxury and lifestyle hotels, today announced an impressive year of growth in 2025 fueled by increasing demand for authentic, experiential travel. WorldHotels has significantly expanded its footprint, welcoming nearly 100 new luxury and upscale hotels across 12 countries, new glamping locations, and the development of WorldHotels Residences, now under construction. Last year was a watershed year for WorldHotels. We didn't just grow our portfolio; we continued to innovate and transform our offerings to accommodate the changing luxury travelers needs. Each property has its own independent soul, history and unique offering which continues to resonate with todays guests. The luxury travel industry is on track to reach $1.7 trillion by 2032, and were seeing consumers in this category crave more personalized, one-of-a-kind experiences. Thats why were expanding into branded residences, glamping and wellness offerings, providing them with the flexibility and authenticity theyre seeking. Ron Pohl, President of WorldHotels Notable Growth New additions in 2025 showcase WorldHotels growing strength across boutique cultural properties in Europe, vibrant urban lifestyle hubs in key global cities, and soughtafter island and coastal escapes, including: Portfolio Diversification In 2026, WorldHotels will continue its growth, with approximately 40 hotels in development and a robust pipeline, catering to the experiences that luxury consumers seek, including: Branded Residences: The brand will debut its new WorldHotels Residences portfolio with the opening of Essensia Sky and Parkway Saigon WorldHotels Residences in Ho Chi Minh City, offering luxurious, flexible living paired with elevated hotelstyle amenities. Glamping: Building on momentum from its first glamping resort in 2025, WorldHotels will further expand into the experiential travel sector with new naturefocused retreats including Asheville River Cabins in North Carolina, The Lodge at Pico Bonito in Honduras and Marangatu Luxury Hotel in Brazil. Wellness: Soul Spring Sanctuary, WorldHotels Luxury will open a second resort in Cabo in March as the brands second wellness destination, further strengthening its commitment to restorative and transformative travel. A full list of 2025 properties is available online, along with high-resolution images. For more information about WorldHotels, please visit our development website. About WorldHotels WorldHotels is a privately held hotel soft brand within the BWH Hotels global enterprise. Founded by independent hoteliers dedicated to the art of hospitality, WorldHotels offers one of the finest portfolios of independent hotels and resorts around the globe, expertly curated to inspire unique, life enriching experiences that connect people and places. WorldHotels is comprised of four unique collections, each with its own personality and style to appeal to the needs of todays traveler. The collections include: WorldHotels Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Crafted and WorldHotels Distinctive. For more information visit WorldHotels.com. About BWH Hotels BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide.* With 18 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. For more information, visit bwhhotels.com . *Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline. Every day, hotel front desk staff welcome new guests and collect their personal identifiable information (PII), such as names, addresses, emails, credit card numbers, and even passport data. This trove of data makes hotels attractive targets for cyber-attackersbut its not just the data that draws them in. The hospitality industry is founded on a culture of trust and service. Front desk staff, in particular, are trained to be responsive, helpful, and quick to accommodate guests needs. Unfortunately, this hospitable nature makes them prime targets for social engineering cyberattacks. Even if a hotel has a robust cybersecurity posture, including the use of tools to check emails and protect devices, technical defenses are not always enough to withstand social engineering tactics. To prevent data breaches and protect both guest and staff data, hotel leaders must understand how social engineering attacks work, watch for common scenarios and red flags, and take proactive steps to strengthen front desk defenses. Understanding Different Social Engineering Tactics Rather than exploiting technical vulnerabilities, social engineering tactics rely on a hackers ability to manipulate and exploit human behavior. These are some of the main social engineering tactics used to target hotel employees: Phishing During a phishing attack, a bad actor poses as a trusted or authoritative source in order to trick unsuspecting staff into sharing credentials, clicking on malicious links, or otherwise compromise sensitive information. For example, an employee at the front desk receives an email that looks like a legitimate reservation confirmation. Inside, there is a link to download the reservation, taking the employee to a fake login page where theyre prompted to enter their credentials. While it may seem like a simple mistake, sharing just one password can trigger a full-scale breach, opening the door for hackers to access internal systems, deploy ransomware, or commit other nefarious acts. In fact, in their 2024 Digital Defense Report, Microsoft reported that over 99% of daily identity attacks are password-based. Phone-Based Vishing Vishing (AKA voice phishing) attacks are similar to phishing emails or text messagesbut this time, bad actors call hotel staff on the phone to manipulate them into revealing sensitive information. They may pose as an IT technician calling to fix a glitch in the reservation system for which they urgently need the staff members login credentials. Or they might pretend to be a senior executive demanding systems access. These attacks often rely on scare tactics, using an exigent or authoritative tone to rattle front desk employees and pressure them into compliance. Worryingly, new deepfake technology now enables hackers to impersonate real people with chilling accuracy. A recent survey found that more than one-third of U.S. businesses reportedly experienced a deepfake security incident in the last year. In-Person Impersonation Even with the rise of deepfakes and other artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, hackers still rely on old-school in-person attacks to strike hotels IT infrastructure. Again, impersonation takes center stage. For example, a bad actor could walk into a hotel posing as a new hire who needs login credentials to get set up. Or they could pretend to be a VIP guest, requesting access to the business center or restricted areas, counting on employees being too polite or caught off guard to challenge them. 3 Common Attack Scenarios to Watch For Social engineering tactics often hide in plain sight, and the most dangerous attacks can look like the most basic, day-to-day interactions. Here are three common attack scenarios front desk staff should be prepared for: A "Manager" Requests Login Credentials A front desk employee receives a call from someone they think is their manager, not knowing the voice at the other end is really a hacker using AI voice technology to impersonate their superior. With hyper realism, the hacker feigns an emergency, such as a system outage or a failed guest payment, for which they need the employees login credentials. Believing theyre helping resolve a crisis, the employee complies, unknowingly granting the hacker backend access to internal systems and guest data. A Vendor" Arrives to Fix a Problem A bad actor walks into a hotel posing as an IT vendor, telling front desk staff they were sent by management to fix a critical issue. By creating a sense of urgency and sowing confusion with made-up technical jargon, hackers can bully the employee into giving them back-office access, where they can plant malware or install remote-access tools to compromise systems and steal sensitive data. A "Guest" Requests Personal Information An attacker pretending to be a guest approaches the front desk and requests a receipt for their stay, but they refuse to provide proper ID or confirmation details. If they successfully pressure the employee into handing it over, they can view a real guests billing information, and make off with their financial data and/or use it to launch follow-up scams. Red Flags for Social Engineering Attacks The hospitality industryand front desk employees, in particularare the ideal candidates for social engineering attacks due to a service-first mindset thats ripe for exploitation. Here are signs front desk staff can watch for: Urgency or emotional pressure: Aggressive callers posing as emergency IT support, angry managers, or frustrated guests often aim to fluster front desk staff into acting without thinking. Poor grammar or odd phrasing: Emails that are awkward, overly formal, oddly casual, or just slightly off could signal impersonation or automation. Strange timing: Messages from vendors or managers late at night or early in the morning should raise suspicion. Requests to bypass protocol: Any time someone pushes to skip verification or override standard procedure, its a strong indicator of foul play. How Hotels Can Strengthen Cyber Defenses Against Social Engineering Attacks Even one mistake at the front desk can lead to a large-scale data breachand the consequences are severe. IBMs 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report put the average cost at $3.86 million. Thats in addition to reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and potential regulatory penalties. In many ways, front desk staff are hotels first line of defense against cyberattacks. Heres how to support them: 1. Make Cybersecurity Training an Ongoing Priority Seasonal staffing and high turnover rates mean many hotel employees lack adequate cybersecurity training. Still, their position at the front desk makes them highly vulnerable to phishing and other impersonation attacks. This is especially troubling in an era where AI is helping hackers innovate at a breakneck pace. According to a recent research report, 48% of hotel IT and security executives arent confident in their staffs ability to reliably identify and respond to sophisticated AI-driven cyberattacks and deepfakes. Meanwhile, 26% say seasonal employees unfamiliar with cyber policies increase cyber risk. To defend against these attacks, cybersecurity training must be consistent and ongoing. Rather than a one-time session during onboarding, employees should receive regular cybersecurity awareness trainings that cover password hygiene, threat recognition, and social engineering tactics, with hands-on role-playing exercises that simulate phishing calls or fake vendor visits. 2. Write Clear Protocols for Risky Scenarios According to some studies, human error is responsible for up to 95% of data breaches. But the onus isnt all on employees. After all, hotel staff cant be expected to make the right decisions when facing pressure or uncertainty if they havent been given proper guidance. Beyond training, hotel staff need access to updated, clearly defined policies on how to handle things like: Password reset requests Guest data access IT maintenance visits Suspicious emails or calls In the event of suspicious or unexpected activity, they also need clear protocols outlining when to escalate the issueand to whom. 3. Promote a Culture of Cybersecurity Hotel staff are under pressure to provide speedy, friendly service. But they should also understand that cybersecurity is a shared priority. In addition to training and written protocols, hotel leaders can take steps to establish a proactive culture of cybersecurity. For example, leaders can model secure behavior, make cybersecurity a part of everyday conversation, and encourage staff to escalate security concerns without fear of blame. To find information on cybersecurity best practices and participate in regional workshops, hotels can also join industry groups who connect information security teams to share threat intelligence, benchmark against each other, and build better security for the entire industry. Conclusion: Strengthening Hotel Cybersecurity Starts at the Front Desk With deepfakes and other AI technologies, its easier than ever for bad actors to dupe hotel staff with social engineering tactics. From phishing emails to urgent phone calls and in-person impersonation, attackers prey on stress and staffs natural drive to be helpful. Its up to hotel leaders to provide the training, tools, and culture to help employees detect and deflect social engineering tactics. When empowered to recognize manipulation and respond securely under pressure, front desk staff arent a weak point; they are the first line of defense in hotel cybersecurity. Reprinted from the Hotel Business Review with permission from www.HotelExecutive.com. View source EU Entry Exit System Expansion Prompts ABTA to Request Contingency Measures - Image Credit ABTA The EU Entry Exit System (EES), which began operations in October 2025, is expanding its reach to additional airports and ports starting January 9, 2026. This expansion is expected to increase the number of passengers processed through the system. ABTA, a UK travel association, has noted varied experiences with the EES rollout, ranging from smooth operations to significant delays at passport control. The association has expressed concerns that the expansion could lead to more frequent queues and delays as the system is rolled out across more locations. In response, ABTA is urging EU border authorities to utilize available contingency measures to minimize disruptions. These measures include temporarily suspending the system or limiting checks to manage passenger flow effectively. Passengers traveling to or from the EU are advised to prepare for potential delays at passport control during EES checks. Upon arrival in the EU, travelers will undergo EES checks, which may delay their passage through passport control. For departures, passengers are encouraged to proceed directly to passport control after completing check-in and security procedures to expedite the EES process. ABTA also recommends that travelers follow their transport providers' advice on arrival times at airports and ports. The standard guideline is to arrive at least two hours before a flight to Europe, but passengers should verify specific recommendations with their transport providers. For those traveling through border crossings such as St Pancras, Folkestone, or Dover, EES checks will be conducted before departure from the UK. Travelers should follow their travel providers' guidance in these cases. ABTA provides additional information and advice regarding the EES on its website. The association continues to advocate for measures that ensure a smooth travel experience as the EES system expands across the EU. Image Credit WoodSpring Suites CIM Group has completed a $167.67 million loan to recapitalize a 15-property WoodSpring Suites extended stay hotel portfolio managed by Concord Hospitality and Whitman Peterson. CIM Group announced the closure of a $167.67 million loan through its CIM Real Estate Debt Solutions business for Concord Hospitality and Whitman Peterson. The loan is intended to recapitalize a portfolio of 15 WoodSpring Suites extended-stay hotels in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The financial package includes an initial funding of $117.67 million, with an additional $50 million available for future earn-out opportunities and potential expansion of the hotel portfolio. The transaction is part of CIM Group's broader strategy to focus on the hospitality industry, including select-service and extended stay properties. Advertisement The WoodSpring Suites brand offers economy extended stay accommodations. Its amenities include in-room kitchens, free Wi-Fi, and access to laundry facilities, vending machines, and fitness centers. The brand provides flexible pricing options, including nightly, weekly, and monthly rates. The loan aligns with CIM Group's hospitality strategy, which was implemented in 2023, and follows a recent $75 million loan for a select-service hotel in San Diego. In 2025, CIM-managed funds originated over $1 billion in commercial real estate loans. Legal representation for the lender in the transaction was provided by Seyfarth Shaw LLP. CIM Group, through its mortgage and mezzanine loan offerings, provides bridge and construction financing to owners and developers in major U.S. markets. The firm works with borrowers to deliver a range of lending solutions tailored to their needs. Live Events Industry Calls For Strong EU Ticket Resale Regulation In an open letter sent to EU Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath, more than 130 artists, managers, promoters, festivals, venues, and trade organizations from 23 countries urge the European Union to expand the scope of the Digital Fairness Act (DFA). They want to use the DFA to explicitly address unauthorized ticket resale. The signatories span popular and classical music, theatre, dance, and sports. They unite some of Europes most influential cultural institutions with globally recognized artists. Their central argument is that existing enforcement mechanisms have failed to protect fans and event organizers from resale fraud. This is true despite tighter platform rules introduced under the Digital Services Act. According to the letter, unauthorized resale platforms facilitate an estimated 2.5B/$2.5B USD by selling tickets at inflated prices. These may be fake, duplicated, or invalid under event terms and conditions. Fans are frequently denied entry at the door, often after incurring significant travel and accommodation costs. Industry group FEAT (Face Value European Alliance For Ticketing) reports that nearly 1,000 illegally listed tickets have been flagged by its members. Yet, there have been virtually no takedowns. This underscores what the coalition calls a systemic enforcement failure. Platforms such as Viagogo, StubHub, Gigsberg, and Ticombo are accused of continuing to operate in violation of EU and national laws. They are alleged to be profiting from misleading consumers. The letter emphasizes that the Digital Fairness Act represents a one-off opportunity to address resale abuse at the source. It suggests imposing faster takedown obligations and clearer accountability for online platforms. With music tourism projected to double by 2032, the coalition argues that resale fraud is increasingly cross-border. Therefore, it cannot be effectively addressed by individual countries acting alone. Why This Matters In The U.S. Although the appeal is directed at EU lawmakers, its implications for ticket resale regulation are global. The UK is in the midst of enacting strong ticket resale caps. But the U.S. continues to wrestle with ticket resale reform through state-level laws and federal proposals. Meanwhile, artists and fans raise similar concerns about fraud, deceptive listings, and inflated prices. If the EU successfully incorporates ticket resale protections into the Digital Fairness Act, it could establish a new international benchmark for consumer protection. This benchmark would put pressure on U.S. regulators to strengthen oversight of secondary ticket marketplaces. Conversely, failure to act may reinforce a status quo. In this scenario, resale platforms face limited consequences on either side of the Atlantic. For artists, venues, promoters, and fans, the message from Europe is clear: unchecked ticket resale is no longer a marginal problem. It is a structural threat to trust, access, and fairness in the live events economy. Find the full letter and list of signatories here. Bruce Houghton is Founder & Editor of Hypebot, Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, a Berklee College Of Music professor and founder of Skyline Artists. Monterey Marks 250th Celebration of the Knox Trail MONTEREY, Mass. Join the Monterey Historical Society, Monterey Library and the Bidwell House Museum for a celebration of the 250th anniversary of Henry Knox's Noble Trail of Artillery through the Southern Berkshires. Beginning in December of 1775 from Fort Ticonderoga in New York, 25-year-old Henry Knox led an expedition to move 60 tons of captured British artillery to the Continental army in Boston in order to force the British to evacuate the city. Knox's journey took three months and came through the Berkshires in January 1776, during the depths of winter, using little more than ox and horse-drawn sledges and manpower. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of this achievement, the Monterey Historical Society, the Monterey Library and the Bidwell House Museum are collaborating on a series of Knox Trail-related programs on Jan. 16 and 17, 2026. The weekend begins at the Monterey Library on Friday, Jan. 16, at 6 p.m. with the opening reception and program for the exhibition The Knox Trail through the Greenwoods. On Saturday, the program will continue with talks, a guided walk and a panel discussion. Rob Hoogs will present "Henry Knox and the Noble Train of Cannons Through the Greenwoods" at 10 a.m., followed by Jonathan Barkan at 11 a.m. and his Knox Trail Media Show. Barkan created a traveling slideshow about Henry Knox for the 1976 Bicentennial which has been updated and remastered for today's audience. Both of these talks will take place at the Monterey Library. After lunch, the celebration moves to the Bidwell House Museum at 2 p.m. for the start of a guided walk on the Knox Trail, with Hoogs. Attendees will gather around the fire with hot cider while Hoogs introduces the walk and then carpool to Brett Road for a one-mile guided walk. Visitors will be encouraged to imagine the struggles of Knox and his team as they pulled 60 tons of cannons through the woods of the Southern Berkshires in mid-winter. Finally, the celebrations will conclude back at the Monterey Library at 7 p.m. with a panel discussion with several Knox Trail historians including Hoogs, Ron Bernard, Bernie Drew, Gary Leveille and Tom Ragusa about their new book "Ye Trodden Path." The Knox250 exhibit at the library will continue through Feb. 28. Additional talks and programs will be scheduled during the exhibition run and will be posted on the website. For more information and a full schedule of events, head to the Bidwell House Museum website. The exhibit and programs are sponsored in part by grants from Housatonic Heritage and the Friends of the Monterey Library. All programs are free and open to the public. Parking for the library is limited and visitors can also park in the public lot behind the Monterey Town Hall. Weather-related updates or cancellations to the program will be posted on the Bidwell House Museum Facebook page. McCann Project Bids to Be Opened This Month NORTH ADAMS, Mass. The McCann School Committee has authorized Superintendent James Brosnan to move forward with the MSBA project and discussed the next steps. The school committee unanimously approved a lengthy motion authorizing the district to execute and perform its obligations under the project funding agreement. It also authorized Brosnan to execute and deliver the agreement and make final decisions regarding the project. "I had to get you out of your warm homes, because we cannot move forward until this is done, voted on, and ratified," Brosnan said. "... Now we can move forward onto those next phases of the project funding agreement." McCann Technical School has been approved for a $17 million project to update the 63-year-old school's roof, windows, and doors. Brosnan said he is in the process of collecting documentation from member towns that must be submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for the project agreement and the bond counsel. "We have had a good response, and we have been in touch with a couple of towns that had a few glitches There were a couple that needed to be tweaked," he said. "We expect and hope and need to have it all in next week I think we can get it done. Tomorrow is the goal to make sure everyone is on board." The project is currently in the open bid phase with two filed sub-bids, which include all of the trades. Brosnan noted that questions are coming in from prospective bidders, and Gale Associates, the project engineer, is sending out responses and addenda. "We feel as though we are in a good place," he said. "We have a sufficient number of companies in each of the areas of the file sub-bids. The masons, electricians, plumbers we are optimistic." The committee plans to open the bids at the end of the month. Filling in for Principal Justin Kratz, Assistant Principal Keith Daigneault provided an update on admissions, noting that 88 percent of the 126-member freshman class were placed in their first-choice shop. Eight percent were placed in their second choice, and 4 percent were placed in their third choice. Daigneault attributed this success to the new HVAC program, which has helped distribute students more evenly across the various shops. He noted that in the past, some students had to be placed in their fourth-choice shop. "We have a lot of happy freshmen, and they are working hard," he said. The School Committee also voted, per usual, not to accept school choice. Clydesdales from Duxbury's Holly Knoll Stables pull sledges with cannon replicas to Great Barrington Town Hall for Saturday's Knox 250 celebration. PreviousNext South County Celebrates 250th Anniversary of the Knox Trail State Sen. Paul Mark carries the ceremonial linstock, a device used to light artillery. With him are New York state Sen. Michelle Hinchey and state Sen. Nick Collins of Suffolk County. GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. The 250th celebration of American independence began in the tiny town of Alford on Saturday morning. Later that afternoon, a small contingent of re-enactors, community members and officials marched from the Great Barrington Historical Society to the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center to recognize the Berkshire towns that were part of that significant event in the nation's history. State Sen. Paul Mark, as the highest ranking Massachusetts governmental official at the Alford crossing, was presented a ceremonial linstock flying the ribbons representing every New York State county that Henry Knox and his team passed through on their 300-mile journey from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston in the winter of 1775-76. "The New York contingent came to the border. We had a speaking program, and they officially handed over the linstock, transferring control of the train to Massachusetts," said Mark, co-chair of Massachusetts' special commission for the semiquincentennial. "It was a great melding of both states, a kind of coming together." State Rep. Leigh Davis called Knox "an unlikely hero, he was someone that rose up to the occasion. ... this is really honoring someone that stepped into a role because he was called to serve, and that is something that resonates." Gen. George Washington charged 25-year-old bookseller Knox with bringing artillery from the recently captured fort on Lake Champlain to the beleaugured and occupied by Boston. It took 80 teams of horses and oxen to carry the nearly 60 tons of cannon through snow and over mountains. Knox wrote to Washington that "the difficulties were inconceivable yet surmountable" and left the fort in December. He crossed the Hudson River in early January near Albany, crossing into Massachusetts on what is now Route 71 on Jan. 10, 1776. By late January, he was in Framingham and in the weeks to follow the artillery was positioned on Dorchester Heights. On March 17, 1776, the British evacuated Boston more than 11,000 soldiers, their families and loyalists. Knox was made colonel of artillery and soon general of artillery for the Continental Army. He would be with Washington during the war's most significant events including the British surrender at Yorktown. "Reflecting on the cannon that we saw this morning making their way across the border ... thinking about them making their way then through these eight towns, Alford, Egremont, Great Barrington, Monterey, Sandisfield, Otis, Blandford and Russell, connecting these towns with one another, as well as with this greater story, the story of the American Revolution and the story of American independence," said Robert J. Allison, professor of history at Suffolk University and chair of the Revolution 250 Committee. Representatives from those towns were presented with plaques and proclamations, and shared stories of their communities' participation in both the Knox Trail and the Revolution. Local historians have spent years documenting and surveying the path the "noble train of artillery" took through South Berkshire. "It is notable how much history we learned from people who were invested in the stories of their towns and their community," said Jonathan Lane, executive director of Revolution 250 and emcee for the event. "So I want to thank all of you who have been researching this, teaching us all about the Knox Trail." Saturday's events was the first in a series being held across the route taken by Knox, including Springfield and Worcester. The celebration will culminate on Dorchester Heights on Evacuation Day, March 17. State Sen. Michelle Hinchey of New York's 41st District, who attended the handoff, said she'd had a chance to share Knox's story with some people at Fuel coffeeshop who'd asked about Knox 250 scarf. "We live in this incredibly special part of the world that is so important for the founding of our country," she said. "And to be able to elevate that for folks who maybe haven't been able to engage with that. "It's important we know where we live and how historic these communities are." State Sen. Nick Collins, whose 1st Suffolk district includes Dorchester Heights, traveled to Fort Ticonderoga to see the noble train start its journey in December. "I've known about this stuff since I was a kid, and so being able to participate in the 250 is pretty special," said Collins, a member of the 250 Commission and chair of the 250th Evacuation Day Commemorations. "I took the trek ... It was more luxurious than they had back then. It was great. And we encourage people to come to Massachusetts for this and to get to Boston because historical tourism ... that's what we're also promoting well." Mount Greylock Schools Bracing for Another Big Health Insurance Hit WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. Like municipal entities across the county, the Mount Greylock Regional School District is bracing for another year of steep increases in health insurance costs. It is unknown just how steep, but Superintendent Joseph Bergeron tried to prepare the School Committee at its January meeting on Thursday. "The rumors, just so you hear them from me are not confirmed, but right now, the projections are we might be close to a 20 percent increase in what's proposed in order to have premiums cover cost," Bergeron said. "We're going to see where that goes. That's not at all confirmed. But, if true, a 20 percent increase, if that needs to go all to the appropriated budget, that by itself would be a 3.6 percent increase in our assessments." Those are the assessments the district makes to member towns Lanesborough and Williamstown that voters each see in the form of, effectively, a bill that gets approved each spring at the annual town meeting. For the current fiscal year, FY26, the district sent the towns assessments that were up from FY25 by 6.45 percent in Lanesborough and 7.59 percent in Williamstown. Those hikes largely were driven by the 16 percent health insurance hike sought by the Berkshire Health Group to cover the cost of municipal employees covered by the joint purchase group. Berkshire Health Group includes 31 towns and school districts from across the county, including Mount Greylock and both its member towns; all three have a seat on BHG's Board of Directors, which is set to vote on the FY27 budget at its Jan. 28 meeting. As of Thursday, the anticipated cost of health insurance for next year was one of several unknowns for the district as it formulates its FY27 spending plan, Bergeron said. Also missing is the governor's budget, which is delayed, in part, by the fallout from the federal government shutdown in late 2025, Bergeron told the committee. School districts are being told to expect the governor's plan on Jan. 27, at which time the Mount Greylock district will have an idea what to expect in the way of Chapter 70 and transportation aid in the fiscal year that begins on July 1. Bergeron could offer one good piece of news on the budget front: the district's assessment from the Berkshire County Retirement System for FY27 is down by about $200,000 from FY26. "But, unfortunately, that is more than likely to be thoroughly swallowed up by the probable health insurance premium increases," he added. The bottom line for insurance in the district in FY26 is about $3.9 million out of a $28.8 million gross operating budget. "Maybe we should have done [the FY27 budget forecast] first and then jumped into the Superintendents' Certificate of Academic Excellence Award," Bergeron quipped. Instead, Thursday's meeting opened with what longtime School Committee member Carolyn Greene called "the best part of the year," the annual awarding of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents honor. This year, it went to Mount Greylock senior Natasha Nugent. She and her parents appeared before the School Committee on Zoom to be recognized for the honor at the start of the meeting. The budget discussion closely followed and hung over two other items for discussion on the agenda: the FY27 budget requests from Lanesborough Elementary School and a proposed amendment to the district's policy on school nutrition. LES Principal Nolan Pratt appeared on behalf of the elementary school and its School Council, which developed three budget priorities for the school in the coming fiscal year. The first is the addition of a half-time math interventionist. Pratt explained that the school's math assessments are lagging behind its achievement in English language arts. The second more time in the schedule for Lanesborough Elementary teachers to focus on writing, where the school's pupils are performing slightly below state averages in grades 3, 4 and 5. The third is more short-throw projectors to help teachers best utilize the math and language curricula that the school already is teaching. "Observationally, it is great to see teachers and students efficiently and effectively using these interactive white boards to go through a lesson," Pratt said. "And what we're seeing is, with our new curriculums, presentation matters. Both Wit and Wisdom [English] and i-Ready [math] have interactive slides that go with their curriculum. So having a tool that matches the curriculum allows our teachers and students to interact with those lessons more effectively." Pratt said priority No. 2, the increased attention to essay writing, would not require new staff but would mean increased substitute teacher coverage to allow teachers to devote time to the effort during the school day. "I imagine it's probably less than $5,000," Pratt said. Bergeron noted that, "Oftentimes it's great to have priorities that don't necessarily cost a ton of money. They just need a lot of attention and focus." The School Committee's Policy Subcommittee on Thursday showed its colleagues a few policy changes in the pipeline, including one, titled EFBA, that would address meal modifications for students with disabilities or special needs. Eleanor Kaatz, a Williamstown resident and former Williamstown Elementary vice principal, was one of a half dozen constituents who told the School Committee that it should think more broadly about the role of school nutrition and create policies that reflect the district's goals. "It is my hope that the district recognizes that minimum standards are the floor, not the ceiling," said Kaatz, the only resident to speak on the topic in the meeting. "We should strive to provide high quality, nutrient dense meals that support the cognitive development of all students, not just those who may require modifications. "I recommend the School Committee set a policy ... that emphasizes whole foods, reduction of additives, reduction of highly processed ingredients, eliminating the use of artificial sweeteners and initiating or bolstering farm-to-school purchasing." Kaatz further recommended the district strive to provide meals that "reflect the diversity of our student body, as honoring cultural food could be a component of our mission of fostering a sense of belonging for every student." She acknowledged that the proposed changes to the schools' nutrition policy would add increased cost in training for cafeteria workers, potentially more cafeteria workers and higher-quality ingredients. School Committee Chair Julia Bowen referenced those costs later, when the food policy came up on the agenda. "I'd love to do all of this tomorrow," she said. "I'm concerned when we hear about things like the Berkshire Health Group and other expenses we know are coming up." Bowen also noted that another topic on Thursday's agenda, the Northern Berkshire Regional Collaboration and/or Regionalization Group, could help put the district and others on a road to better managing nutrition costs. "I don't think we're the only district likely facing this," Bowen said. "We might be the only one facing it right now. But sometimes these things are best addressed through economies of scale. It feels like this could be, potentially, a place for collaboration." On the collaboration task force, the School Committee voted unanimously to appoint its four members to the initiative's steering committee, which will be tasked with selecting and working with a consultant to help the North Berkshire districts explore ways to work together. Mount Greylock appointed School Committee members Greene and Curtis Elfenbein along with Williamstown resident Margo Neely and Lanesborough resident Lyndon Moors. Both Neely and Moors serve on their respective towns' Finance Committees; Moors also is a former teacher at Mount Greylock Regional School. In other business on Thursday, the School Committee discussed a potential policy to cover the use of artificial intelligence in the schools and the agenda for its Jan. 21 in-person meeting, which the committee is calling a "retreat." Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice This years flu vaccine may be more effective than experts previously believed. People who got the shot had measurable protection from severe illness, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania said in a recent article that has yet to be peer-reviewed. Looking at blood samples from 76 adults, before and after getting their flu shot, the authors found that the percentage of people with antibodies against the latest strain called H3N2, or proteins that neutralize viruses and bacteria, rose from 39 percent to 71 percent. This is Americas worst flu season in more than two decades. Cases have reached high or very high levels across the U.S. this winter, resulting in more than 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and 7,400 deaths. This is unexpected good news, Scott Hensley, a professor of microbiology at the university, told NBC News. Although its not a complete match with whats circulating, this vaccine appears to have the capacity to produce antibodies that will likely provide protection, he said. open image in gallery People walk in New York City in December. Researchers now say this years vaccine might be even more effective than previously thought ( AFP/Getty ) Approximately 130 million people have gotten their flu shot this season, less than 40 percent of the population. This seasons shots Hensley wrote on social media that while his team had found that the subclade K flu variant was able to effectively evade existing immunity from exposure to flu, this year's flu vaccine surprisingly elicited antibodies in many individuals that efficiently recognized these viruses. The results were the same regardless of age. Participants in the teams research were between 24 and 81 years old. Older adults are at a greater risk of life-threatening infection from flu. Flu vaccines work by causing antibodies to develop in the body and protect against flu illness. The current flu shot protects against two strains of influenza A - H1N1 and H3N2 - and one influenza B strain. But after production started in June, H3N2 mutated slightly, leading to concerns about the vaccines effectiveness this flu season. The variant of H3N2 known as subclade K has been responsible for a lot of this seasons infections in the U.S. and abroad. Children at risk again Flu cases have reached their highest levels in 25 years and symptoms are evolving from last year. There are prolonged fevers with infection, as well as more gastrointestinal issues. Nearly every state is experiencing high or very high respiratory illness, coming on the heels of the deadliest flu season on record for children, the American Academy of Pediatrics said in an update. The 2024-2025 flu season resulted in nearly 290 pediatric flu deaths. open image in gallery People walk through the snow last month in New York City. Experts say its not too late for anyone to get their flu shot ( Getty Images ) Last week, two-year-old Isaias Castillo IV from Morris County, New Jersey, passed away due to complications from the flu, becoming the tenth pediatric flu death in the U.S. this season. It is unknown if Castillo was vaccinated, but NorthJersey.com reported he had no known underlying health conditions. Approximately half of children who died from flu last year had underlying medical conditions, and 89 percent were not fully vaccinated, according to research shared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some 42 percent of children have been vaccinated against the flu this year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Leadership at the CDC recently announced an overhaul of the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule, including removing universal recommendations for flu shots. To back off on a flu recommendation in the midst of a pretty severe flu year seems to me to be pretty tone deaf, Dr. Sean T. OLeary, chair of the academys Committee on Infectious Diseases, said. And thats coming off an influenza year where we had the most childhood deaths from influenza in many years. It makes no sense. Lingering threat Experts stressed that its not too late to get a flu shot which protects against extreme illness. There is no clear sign that flu season has peaked yet, experts added. Flu seasons typically peak between December and February, but can run through May. The implications are clear: go get this years vaccine if you havent already! Hensley said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two men have been charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis after police recovered an estimated 24 million worth of the drug, in what is believed to be one of the UK's largest ever seizures. Musa Kala, 35, of Dunbar Drive, Bolton, and Raheem Latif, 27, of Leverhulme Avenue, Bolton, were remanded in custody to appear at Manchester City Magistrates Court on Monday. Greater Manchester Police discovered the large quantity of cannabis during a raid on Friday during a raid on Friday at a property in Leigh Tenement Farm in Blackrod, Bolton. Following the operation, Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop stated: "Our officers uncovered a large-scale and sophisticated illegal operation at the location, housing a significant volume of illegal drugs. open image in gallery Greater Manchester Police discovered the large quantity during a raid on Friday ( Dave Thompson/PA ) This seizure marks a major success for our officers it removes a major source of harm, disrupts criminal networks and helps make neighbourhoods safer. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice New figures reveal a significant surge in enforcement actions against illegal working in the UK, with both visits to businesses and arrests reaching their highest levels since records began in 2019. Data indicates that 12,791 visits were conducted in 2025 to establishments such as nail bars, car washes, barbers, and takeaway shops. This marks a substantial near-57 per cent increase from the 8,122 visits recorded in the previous year. Arrests related to illegal working also hit a record high, with 8,971 individuals apprehended last year a nearly 59 per cent rise compared to the 5,647 arrests made in 2024, which was previously the highest point in Home Office data. Of those arrested, 1,087 people have so far been removed from the UK. These intensified efforts are part of the governments broader strategy to crack down on illegal working and deter individuals from entering the country unlawfully. open image in gallery Of the 8,971 individuals arrested last year, 1,087 have so far been removed from the UK ( PA ) Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said: There is no place for illegal working in our communities. That is why we have surged enforcement activity to the highest level in British history, so illegal migrants in the black economy have nowhere to hide. I will stop at nothing to restore order and control to our borders. The Home Office also said visits from enforcement personnel were up 77 per cent and arrests were up 83 per cent since Labour came to power. Some 17,483 visits and 12,322 arrests were recorded between July 2024 and December last year, up from 9,894 and 6,725, respectively across January 2023 to June 2024. Of the arrests, 1,726 people have been returned so far, up 35 per cent on the 1,283 removed from visits in the previous 18-month period. Among visits by immigration enforcement, officers arrested 13 people at a warehouse in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, on 25 November, which led to 11 Brazilian and Romanian nationals being detained for removal from the UK. On 16 December, officers arrested 30 Indian and Albanian men at a construction site in Swindon, Wiltshire, the Home Office said, nearly all of whom were detained for removal from the UK, including five released on immigration bail. open image in gallery Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has said there is no place for illegal workers in UK communities ( PA ) Home Office director for enforcement teams, Eddy Montgomery, said: While this is a great achievement, our activity wont stop here, we will continue to bear down on this criminality in our towns, cities and villages to ensure there is no hiding place from immigration laws. Immigration enforcement was given 5m to arrest, detain and remove migrants working illegally at sites such as takeaways, beauty salons and car washes. Officers have also been wearing body-worn cameras since September to help with arrests and prosecutions. Elsewhere, tighter right-to-work checks have also been introduced under the governments new Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, forcing casual, temporary or subcontracted workers to have to prove their status. Employers who fail to carry out checks could face up to five years in prison, fines of 60,000 for each illegal worker they have employed, and having their business closed. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Jewish MPs visit to a local school in his constituency was cancelled after a campaign by a pro-Palestine group, it has emerged. Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, had been due to visit Bristol Brunel Academy in September, but the booking was called off shortly before his appearance. The cancellation was labelled a victory by the Bristol branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which protested against the visit. The decision has now been highlighted by communities secretary Steve Reed, who described the move as an absolute outrage. Speaking to the editor of Jewish News on Sunday, Mr Reed said: I have a colleague who is Jewish, who has been banned from visiting a school and refused permission to visit a school in his own constituency, in case his presence inflames the teachers. That is an absolute outrage. Condemning the move and asking what actions would be taken, he said: They will be called in, and they will be held to account for doing that, because you cannot have people with those kinds of attitudes teaching our children. You just cant have it. Mr Reed did not name the colleague, but sources have confirmed he was referring to Mr Egan, who has not commented. In a Facebook post after the visit was cancelled, Bristols Palestine Solidarity Campaign branch said: Victory for parents, teachers and the community. The planned school visit today (Friday September 5) by Damian Egan, MP for Bristol North East, has been cancelled after concerns were raised by the NEU trade union staff group, parents and local constituents. This is a clear message politicians who openly support Israels genocidal assault on Gaza are not welcome in our schools. Egan is vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel and has visited Israel since the current onslaught on Gaza began, demonstrating his support. We celebrate this cancellation as a win for safeguarding, solidarity, and for the power of trade unionists, parents, and campaigners standing together. Damien Egans planned visit to a school in his constituency had to be cancelled due to concerns over a public protest outside the building, according to an academy spokesperson ( PA ) During the event on Sunday, Mr Reed told the Jewish Labour Movement: We have to call this stuff out. We have to have consistency, and we have to be prepared to change the law when it happens. Otherwise, we are legitimising this at the fringes, and thats where it grows from. It comes after Bridget Phillipson wrote to vice-chancellors of universities in October, urging them to take practical and proportionate steps to protect Jewish students as part of government efforts to stamp out antisemitism. Some 600 training sessions will be offered to university staff over the coming weeks to help them identify harassment and hate and facilitate open, respectful debate, the Department for Education (DfE) said. The Independent has contacted Bristol Brunel Academy. In a statement to The Guardian, an academy spokesperson said: On the evening before Mr Egans scheduled visit, we were made aware of plans for a public protest outside the school. We opted to postpone Mr Egans visit to ensure everyone would continue to feel safe when entering and exiting school and to prevent any disruption to our students learning. We have remained in contact with Mr Egan, and an alternative date for his visit was arranged some time ago. We have also been in contact with the police and followed their advice. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Parents are set to receive official guidance on recommended screen time for children under five, amid growing concerns over early development. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson highlighted that around 98 per cent of two-year-olds are already watching screens daily, with educators and parents observing difficulties in children's conversation and concentration. The first-ever state guidance on this issue will be published in April. Ms Phillipson assured it would be "shaped by parents, not dictated to them." This initiative follows new government research linking higher screen use in under-twos to poorer language development. The study found a stark difference: children with approximately five hours of daily screen time could say significantly fewer words than those who watched for around 44 minutes. The guidance aims to help families navigate these developmental challenges. Ms Phillipson, writing in the Sunday Times, said: Like so many parents, Ive had evenings where you give in when your little one wants just one more episode of their favourite show. But were beginning to see the risks when just one more starts to add up. She acknowledged screens are not going anywhere, so lets use them well, suggesting parents could share a story on a tablet computer or use it for educational games. The guidance will also help parents come up with alternatives to screen time for their children. Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (C) and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson (centre L) pay a visit to a "family hub" at St. Mary's Church Hall in Goldington, Bedfordshire, north of London on January 8, 2026, to highlight the government's work on child poverty and support families with the cost of living. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images) ( AFP/Getty ) She said: As adults, how many of us walk around with our face in our phones? Or sit on the train fixated on our tablet? We use them for hours every day, and maybe wish we didnt, but what about our children? Research shows that by age two, almost all children around 98% are watching screens such as mobiles, tablets, and TV every day, during a critical period for language development. Parents, teachers and nursery workers talk about children arriving at nursery and school and finding it harder to hold conversations, focus, or engage in learning. The terms of reference for the national working group, which will be led by childrens commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza and Department for Education scientific adviser Professor Russell Viner, will be published on Monday. Parents, children and early years practitioners will all be involved in the process. Ms Phillipson said: I want this to be shaped with parents, not dictated to them, and well be using our engagement sessions over the next few weeks to understand exactly what they want the guidance to include. This is about offering clear, practical advice on how screens fit alongside the everyday activities that matter most in the early years, including talking, playing and reading together. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The buried remains of the largest Roman villa ever found in Wales have been detected beneath parkland on the south coast, in an amazing discovery that archaeologists have described as Port Talbots Pompeii. The remains were discovered when a team was assembled to investigate the pre-industrial heritage of Margam Park, on the edge of Port Talbot, and they struck gold when geophysical surveys revealed the footprint of an unexpectedly large Roman villa complex. The team, led by Swansea Universitys Centre for Heritage Research and Training (CHART), said the villa was of a scale and level of preservation unmatched across the region, and that it would offer unparalleled information about Waless national story. Project lead Dr Alex Langlands, an associate professor and the co-director of CHART, told The Independent that when the scale of the find became apparent, it was like being transported back to my childhood and the raw enthusiasm I had for archaeology back then. Dr Langlands described his excitement on seeing a screenshot of the geophysical surveys. I was literally like, Oh my God. I couldnt believe it... You can immediately recognise, on morphological grounds, the shape of a monument, and there was no doubt that this was a Roman villa. This is an amazing discovery. We always thought that wed find something dating to the Romano-British period, but we never dreamed it would be so clearly articulated, and with so much potential in terms of what it can tell us about the elusive first millennium AD here in South Wales. open image in gallery The footprint of the Roman Villa within its defensive enclosure ( Terradat ) The location of the site, in an ancient deer park, also means that the team expect a high level of preservation: the area has never been used for agriculture, so has never been ploughed. Mosaics, paved floors, painted wall plasters, underfloor heating systems and even high-status sculptures are among what they might expect to find as the site is explored in future. Its a place to dine, a place to entertain, a place to project your wealth and your power. It would almost certainly have had dignitaries from all over south Wales if not Britannia, visiting it and knowing about it, Dr Langlands said. open image in gallery The Geophysics team from Terradat discuss their findings after using the ground-penetrating radar ( Hazel Langlands ) It has the capacity to really change the way we think about Roman Britain, and certainly Roman Wales, and what was going on here in the late third and into the fourth century, he added. While there remain many questions about the use of the building and why it fell into disrepair, Dr Langlands said: One thing can be concluded. Margam, a place that may even have lent its name to the historic region of Glamorgan, is one of the most important centres of power in Wales, with its geographical location placing it firmly at the gateway between the rugged upland terrain of western Wales and the fertile vale to the east. open image in gallery Alex Langlands, co-director of Swansea Universitys Centre for Heritage Research and Training, led the collaborative project ( Swansea University ) Christian Bird, technical director at Terradat, which carried out the geophysical surveys, said: The surveys went exceptionally well, and the high-resolution magnetometry and GPR data are remarkably clear, identifying and mapping in 3D the villa structure, surrounding ditches and wider layout of the site. The villa sits within a 43 x 55-metre defended enclosure, which the team suggested could either be the remains of an earlier Iron Age defended settlement, or could reflect instability in the late-Roman world and the need to defend against external aggression from both east and west. There is also evidence of a substantial aisled building to the southeast, which they said was likely to have been either a large agricultural storage building or a structure related to the later history of the site, possibly a meeting hall for post-Roman leaders and their followers. The original purpose of the project was to invigorate local interest in the rich history already recognised at the site, which is the home of Margam Abbey a cistercian monastery. The collaborative project was funded by Neath Port Talbot Council and also involved Margam Abbey Church, and has already brought together communities, pupils, students, volunteers and SMEs from across the region, Swansea University said. open image in gallery An interpretative record of the ground-penetrating radar survey of the villa site ( Terradat ) Dr Langlands said: We set the project up to engage locals, community members, volunteers... Weve had over 350 primary school kids on site. Weve looked at past excavations. We wanted to capture the power of heritage to change the narrative. These are tricky times at the moment especially for Port Talbot. So what other stories can we tell round here? Cllr Cen Phillips, from Neath Port Talbot Council, said: Heritage is a key asset for Neath Port Talbot, and this spectacular find underlines why we as a council set up our Heritage, Culture, Tourism and Events Fund using SPF [Shared Prosperity Fund] funding from the UK government. Our heritage strategy recognises its power to connect our communities, celebrate our shared identity, and inspire future generations. By valuing and protecting this heritage, we strengthen local pride, attract visitors, and create opportunities for learning and growth. I am extremely excited to find out more from this untold chapter in Margam Parks long story. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Run the bath until its full, fill up the kettle and restock the fridge with water: this is a daily routine for a Kent resident who fears shes going to come home to no working mains water. A major incident has been declared as tens of thousands of homes across Kent and Sussex have had no water since the early hours of Saturday morning. But residents have told The Independent they are beyond disgusted as they face water shortages on a regular basis. Joanne Lee, 53 and from Ulcombe in Kent, explained the issues are so frequent she has been forced to change her routine and never leaves the house without filling up water bottles. Sometimes it can be for a couple of hours, sometimes its for days. I've never lived anywhere like it, she said. Ive got into the routine of filling up my bath, so I can use that to flush the toilet. It has become an everyday routine because the water supply is so intermittent, and that shouldn't [be] normal for the UK. I never leave my house without a full kettle, my fridge water filled up, I always leave my house with everything full just in case when I come home I've got no water. open image in gallery Bottled water is handed out in Tunbridge Wells as thousands across Kent and Sussex experience water shortages ( PA Wire ) South East Water (SEW) has listed several reasons for the water shortage and pressure problems, including Storm Goretti, burst water mains and a power cut at its pumping plant. The water company explained Storm Goretti affected its ability to treat water at the normal rate, and this coupled with an outbreak of burst water mains due to freezing conditions across Kent and Sussex has caused drinking water levels to run low. Several schools in East Sussex are closed due to the shortages, and the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead is holding some appointments virtually. Collection points for bottled water have been set up and although the water company is working to maintain supplies, some customers have been told their supply may not return until Tuesday. It comes after 24,000 customers across Tunbridge Wells, Pembury, Frant and Eridge experienced a loss of water or low pressure in December following water quality issues. Paddy McGinley, 60, has lived in Ulcombe for four years and set up a WhatsApp group called Ulcombe Water Watch Group after constant water supply issues. He has been recording every time the village experiences a problem and plans to escalate the data to his local MP. They've [SEW] got problems because they've most probably got an infrastructure that needs updating and they're not doing it quickly enough, he said. Last year we had a 25 per cent increase on our bills, so what are they doing with all the extra money from customers, and why is it we've got hospitals reducing their services, we've got schools that have closed. These are essential things. The impact is massive. open image in gallery Residents claim this is a regular problem ( PA Wire ) Jonathan Hawker, who has also set up a campaign group for Tunbridge Wells called Drywells Action, said: Water is a human right, and we are being denied this basic human right. The 58-year-old aims to secure a public meeting and an independent audit of the infrastructure in Tunbridge Wells and the reservoir that serves it. He claimed SEW is failing on a routine basis and a decision needs to be made on what needs to be modernised to ensure that Kent has a water system fit for purpose going into the next few decades. We're way beyond disgusted in Tunbridge Wells now SEW hasn't invested to ensure the infrastructure is fit for purpose, and now we have lost confidence that they are able to keep their heads above water in terms of the one job that they have, which is to deliver water to our community, he said. He stressed the government needs to have an emergency plan to provide an alternative. He suggested this could be a different water company or military pumps, but the area needs outside action, or nothing is going to change. open image in gallery Bottled-water stations have been opened in East Grinstead, pictured, Tunbridge Wells, and Ashford ( PA Wire ) South East Water incident manager Steve Andrews said: We are very sorry to all our customers in Kent and Sussex who have been experiencing issues with their water supply. Our focus is entirely on returning supplies to our customers as soon as possible. "We are seeing an increase in leaks and burst water mains around our supply area after the recent freeze thaw. However we have prepared for this by having extra technicians available across Kent and Sussex, finding and fixing the leaks, and prioritising repairs. Our priority is improving South East Water in the future. We are strategically focused on our business plan and committed to delivering the infrastructure investment needed. This will improve our resilience as we face the challenges of climate change and population growth. Water minister Emma Hardy said these latest shortages highlight why the government is prioritising investment in infrastructure. She said: This is entirely unacceptable. I held meetings with the water companies and local resilience forums over the weekend, and am meeting with them again today, to restore supplies as quickly as possible, prioritising vulnerable customers and essential public services. Action by this government means compensation rates have increased for customers and businesses affected by disruption. It underlines why this government is prioritising investment in infrastructure to improve the resilience of our water system. An Ofwat spokesperson said: "We are concerned that residents in Kent and Sussex are without water again, and are working closely with the Drinking Water Inspectorate, which is the lead regulator for this latest supply interruption, to ensure that regulation and enforcement is aligned. "Ofwat already has an active investigation into South East Water related to its supply resilience, and we have met with the company to discuss these latest incidents as part of that investigation. "We will review all of the evidence before taking a decision on what further action may be required into whether the company has met its legal obligations set out in its licence relating to customer care, including with further potential enforcement action." Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Temperatures in the UK are set to be higher than those in Athens, according to the Met Office, as the cold snap of January comes to an end. Across the UK, temperatures have reached double digits with a peak of 12C in Plymouth and in London at around 3pm on Monday, according to the national forecaster. The coldest temperature is 7C in Aberdeen, and the weather varies between 8 and 9C in other parts of the country. Meanwhile in Athens, Greece, the temperature is 6C on Monday, with winds reaching 28mph, according to the Met Office. Similarly, temperatures in the UK are warmer than Istanbul in Turkey, which is currently at 4C and London is hotter than Madrid, Spain, which is averaging around 9C. Across the UK, temperatures have reached double digits with a peak of 12C in Plymouth and in London at around 3pm on Monday ( Met Office ) This comes after extreme snow and winds last week during Storm Goretti, which saw the closures of hundreds of schools, power outages and dozens of flight cancellations due to hurricane-force winds. Last week saw at least 69 flights from Heathrow airport cancelled, causing disruption for 9,000 passengers. There were also 37,000 properties without power in the South West at around 8pm on Friday, according to the National Grid. A rare red weather warning was issued for "dangerous and stormy" winds in the South West, where a man died after a tree fell on a caravan due to the strong winds of almost 100mph. The Met Office has reported that mild air has moved in from the West, bringing rain and blustery conditions, following a spell of heavy snow on Saturday night and Sunday morning in some regions of Scotland, where snowfall has now turned to rain. The rain is expected to be heavy and persistent in northern, western and south-west Scotland, which is likely to bring an increased risk of flooding in addition to melting snow. Met Office chief meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: Well see a transition in our weather across the UK through Sunday, with mild Atlantic air moving in from the west. Temperatures will rise and well see rain rather than snow accompanying some strong gusty winds in the north. Warnings have been issued for heavy and persistent rain, as well as these strong winds overnight in western and northern Scotland. While the wintry weather may have come to an end, the significant snow accumulations in parts of Scotland mixed with heavy rainfall and an increase in temperatures bring a risk of flooding in some areas as the snow melts. Keep up to date with the flood warnings issued by SEPA and check your flood risk. Flooding has brought disruption to some parts of Scotland, with flood warnings in place in several areas as a result of the heavy rain and melting snow. There are 19 Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) flood warnings, and 12 flood alerts in place around the country as of Monday morning. The Met Office yellow warning of rain for much of north-west Scotland is expected to last until 10am on Monday, while a warning of wind expired at 8am. Another yellow weather warning for ice is in place from 7pm on Monday until 10am on Tuesday. Authorities have warned people to be vigilant of the weather conditions. David Morgan, Sepas flood duty manager, said: Continuing heavy rain, combined with melting snow, increases the risk of flooding. Flood risk is greatest in Dumfries and Galloway and the west and north of Scotland. Possible impacts could include flooding affecting parts of communities, low-lying land, transport infrastructure and individual properties. Driving conditions will be very difficult at times. Scottish justice secretary Angela Constance said: As wintry conditions ease across the country, we are urging the public to remain vigilant. Rising temperatures and heavy rainfall, combined with melting snow, bring a significant risk of flooding in several areas. This could affect properties and transport routes, with difficult driving conditions expected in many parts of the country at the start of the working week. Met Office five-day weather forecast Monday It is expected to be a wet and windy morning across northern Scotland. Forecasters predict it to be drier elsewhere, with a mixture of sunshine and showers. For many it will be cloudy, with longer spells of rain developing. There will be a few brighter breaks possible at times and the weather will be mild but rather windy. Monday evening The conditions are likely to remain unsettled, with further outbreaks of rain, which could be heavy at times. There will be some clearer spells, mainly for north-east Scotland, where patchy frost is possible. Tuesday: Tuesday will see sunshine and blustery showers across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Forecasters predict it to be cloudy for England and Wales, with further spells of rain, which will be heavy in places. It will feel a little colder. Wednesday to Friday: After a frosty start, Wednesday should be dry and bright but chilly. Wet and windy weather pushing north-eastwards through Thursday, followed by blustery showers on Friday. It is likely to feel milder in the south of the UK. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The EU is said to be demanding that financial compensation be paid by any future British government that reneges on a post-Brexit reset deal signed with Sir Keir Starmer, as part of an attempt to protect the agreement should Reform UK ever come to power. A draft text of the proposed EU-UK veterinary agreement which would slash red tape for UK food and drink exporters reportedly includes a termination clause that would require Britain to pay a penalty if it left the deal, a stipulation that is said to have been dubbed the Farage clause by EU diplomats. But government sources told The Independent that it is standard for agreements to have contingency clauses that apply in the event of termination, adding that any such clause would work both ways, and noting that talks to set out the precise terms of the deal have not yet begun. Responding to the reports, Nigel Farage said he would refuse to hand over any money to Brussels under any deal signed by Sir Keir, telling the Financial Times: I would break it. Nigel Farage has said he would break any clause signed by Keir Starmer that brought the UK closer to the EU ( PA ) He said: No parliament may bind its successor; we will not honour any clause. If Starmer signs this, it is a democratic outrage. Hitting back, a government source said: Exit provisions are a basic staple of any international trade agreement. Pretending these routine legal contingencies constitute a democratic outrage is frankly exhausting. It comes after sources told the Financial Times that any party that pulled out of the deal would be forced to cover the cost of reinstating border checks and infrastructure controls. Referring to the proposed clause, one EU diplomat told the newspaper it was a safety provision to provide stability and a deterrent for Farage and co, saying that the bloc is looking to sign a deal that will endure past the end of the current UK parliamentary term in 2029. The EU wants an agreement long term, and not only until 2029, should a change happen at the next election, they said. The draft text of the agreement also requires Britain to dynamically align [with] and simultaneously apply any rules introduced in Brussels that relate to animal and plant products. But both Reform UK and the Tories have promised to overturn plans for dynamic alignment which would see Britain agree to automatically adopt future changes to EU rules arguing that it would water down the legal independence Britain has gained since Brexit. It comes as the government prepares a bill that would hand ministers the power 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 into line with EU law in certain areas, such as food standards, animal welfare, and pesticide use. 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. 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 in an interview at the start of this year, the prime minister signalled that the government would be prepared to align even more closely with the EU single market if such a move were in the national interest, insisting that Britain should go further in strengthening its post-Brexit ties with Brussels. The Cabinet Office has been contacted for comment. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The interim first minister of the Chagossian government in exile has said he is hopeful that Sir Keir Starmers controversial deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will be stopped on Monday. Louis Misley Mandarin spoke to The Independent ahead of two crucial decisions on the deal, which would see the UK pay Mauritious at least 120 million annually during a 99-year agreement to lease back the military base on Diego Garcia. Members of the House of Lords are set to vote on the third and final reading of the legislation to ratify the Bill and could still vote it down. The treaty will still have to return to the Commons for further debate after peers last week backed an amendment to force a renegotiation of the terms in order to ensure payments stop if the military base could no longer be used. open image in gallery Protesters at the High Court during a hearing over a last-minute block on the Government from concluding its deal on the Chagos Islands (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Wire ) Defeat would be humiliating for the prime minister who has argued that he had no choice but to do a deal with Mauritius because of the threat of legal challenges through the United Nations, which could cripple the UK and USAs use of the base on the archipelago. Also on Monday, a further significant decision will be made in the high court over a legal challenge brought by the Chagossians over the alleged failure of the UK government to consult with them on the deal. Mr Mandarin, who lives in the UK, said he wanted the islands to remain British sovereign territory with Chagossians allowed back under a home rule protectorate arrangement. They argue that the agreement with Mauritius impacts their British citizenship as well as their rights to return home even though the deal includes resettlement in the outer islands. The Chagossian first minister, whose government in exile was set up to stop the UK handing over their homeland to Mauritius, said: I'm very, very hopeful about the vote in the Lords and high court ruling. open image in gallery Louis Misley Mandarin, first minister of the Chagos government in exile ( Chagos government in exile ) No matter what happens we will continue to fight for it. We won't let our homeland just slip out of our hands, just like that because of Keir Starmers policy, a policy that was not even in the Labour Party election manifested by the way. He complained that there has been no consultation with the UK government and they were ignored in the negotiation process. He added: At least, if they said, self determination, have a referendum and vote for it, then that would be fair but Mauritius doesn't want that. Mr Mandarin has also appealed in a letter to US president Donald Trump to change his mind on the deal and intervene. He said: We want the Americans to stop the deal, because they are relying on British sovereignty as well. The deal to transfer the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius, while retaining control of the Diego Garcia military base, is projected to cost the UK 34.7 billionin rent fo the base. Questions have been asked about the value of it to the taxpayer and whether the islands should be surrendered at all. When he signed the deal, Sir Keir insisted it was the responsible thing to do. He said: President Trump has welcomed the deal along with other allies, because they see the strategic importance of this base and that we cannot cede the ground to others who would seek to do us harm." He added: "If we did not agree this deal the legal situation would mean that we would not be able to prevent China or any other nation setting up their own bases on the outer islands or carrying out joint exercises near our base. "No responsible government could let that happen." Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Labour MPs have hit out at Sir Keir Starmers government over its refusal to proscribe Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terror organisation in the wake of the bloodbath unfolding on the streets of Iran. In 2023, foreign secretary Yvette Cooper then the shadow home secretary announced a Labour policy to proscribe the IRGC as criticism mounted over then Tory governments refusal to do so. But in an apparent U-turn, business secretary Peter Kyle insisted that the UK government has "already used the sanctions against Iran to the full extent we can and would not be proscribing the IRGC. In the wake of the senior ministers interview, three Labour backbenchers Hemel Hempstead MP David Taylor and Leeds South West and Morley MP Mark Sewards broke ranks to demand that the IRGC is proscribed as the world reacts with shock to the rising death toll in Tehran and other Iranian cities. open image in gallery Peter Kyle has ruled out proscribing the IRGC (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Wire ) Mr Taylor said: To watch the IRGC respond by gunning down peaceful protestors is a dark and despicable crime, one which is all too familiar to the Middle East. From Syria to Yemen to Ukraine, the malign role of Tehran in sowing destruction is beyond any doubt. We also know the threat the IRGC poses on our streets, from assassination plots to threatening journalists. The government must urgently bring forward the legislation proposed by Jonathan Hall KC to tackle this state-threat and fulfil our manifesto commitment. Mr Sewards, the chair of Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), added: Tehrans terror army is not just a menace to the people of Iran, but is a direct threat to stability in the Middle East and UK national security. The government must act to proscribe the IRGC by bringing forward without delay the legislative proposals outlined by Jonathan Hall KC to combat state threats." Durham North MP Luke Akehurst acknowledged that there was complications with proscribing but said: "The IRGC is repressing democracy protesters in Iran as well as being a threat to people in the UK that Iran views as hostile. It is imperative that the UK bans this vile organisation as a matter of urgency." The decision to not take action against the IRGC comes despite the Labour government controversially using the counterterrorism powers to proscribe protest group Palestinian Action. A number of other Labour MPs have privately raised their concerns that about the tone of the UK governments response in the last week. One MP noted that while the Israeli ambassador has been called in twice in the last year, the Iranian ambassador has not been hauled in to explain his governments appalling actions. Another suggested that the governments approach to Iran and the unfolding tragedy has been too soft. Earlier, Mr Kyle told Times Radio: "When you look at domestic terror legislation, the way that we proscribe domestic organisations is using domestic legislation. "The independent reviewer has said that that isn't appropriately used for state bodies, but we are looking very closely at these issues. open image in gallery A person holds up a placard as they take part in a rally in solidarity with protesters in Iran on Sunday in London ( Getty ) "It is no question and I don't think anybody would question the fact that this government cares very deeply about civilians and people in Iran. We will do everything we can, but when we use domestic legislation we need to make sure that it's appropriate use of it." The refusal comes despite the foreign secretary Ms Cooper supporting the proscription of the IRGC in 2023 on behalf of Labour in opposition when she was shadow home secretary, in an apparent U-turn. Ms Cooper said in a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI): As part of the strategy, Labour will bring forward new changes to legislation to allow the government to ban hostile state-sponsored organisations who undermine our national security. So instead of trying and failing to use counter-terror legislation to proscribe organisations like Wagner or IRGC, we will introduce a bespoke proscribing mechanism to address state-sponsored threats. At the time, 125 cross-party MPs signed a letter backing the move to proscribe the IRGC which was being resisted by Rishi Sunaks government. Officials at the Foreign Office (FCDO) have previously resisted proscribing the IRGC and persuaded ministers that it would sever all contact between the UK and Iran making it much harder to deal with issues such as the illegal imprisonment of British nationals like Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe who was held hostage by the regime for six years. There has been sustained on the government to proscribe the IRGC for years because it is believed to be behind state sponsored terrorism from Iran. Added to that it has been at the forefront of the brutal suppression of the Iranian people by the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led theocratic regime and is now leading the efforts to put down the protests including, according to reports, gun down people on the streets. open image in gallery Mourners carry a coffin during a funeral procession for members of security forces and civilians said to be killed in protests on Sunday, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran ( Reuters ) The US has already proscribed the IRGC and hopes had been raised that the UK would follow suit when Heidi Alexander said on Sunday that the issue was kept under review. But asked whether he was ruling out a ban on the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) or whether there could be some kind of ban but not via domestic legislation, Mr Kyle said: "We've already used the sanctions against Iran to the full extent we can." He added that Sir Keir Starmer was working with international partners to see how "we can bring international pressure to bear" on Iran. But activists are increasing pressure for a change of mind on the issue. Laila Jazayeri, director of the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK, said the IRGC had already gone too far. Speaking at the demonstration on Sunday, she said: The prime minister should proscribe the deadly force IRGC, that is killing people inside Iran. A source close to Ms Cooper pointed to a speech she made in the Commons on 19 May last year in her previous role as home secretary where she announced that the government is committed to taking forward Mr Halls recommendations which included drawing up new powers, modelled on counter-terrorism powers, in a series of areas to tackle state threats. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A key figure from Donald Trumps administration has compared the British governments threats against social media platform X to Vladimir Putins Russia. Sarah Rogers, the US State Departments under-secretary for public diplomacy, drew the parallel during a series of messages criticising the UK. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has indicated government support for regulator Ofcom to ban X in the UK, citing concerns over its AI, Grok, generating deepfake images. Tech tycoon Elon Musk, owner of Groks creator xAI and the X platform, has since branded the UK government "fascist" and accused it of curbing free speech, following heightened ministerial threats to block his website. Meanwhile, Ofcom has contacted X and xAI concerning the creation of images depicting undressed individuals and sexualised children, and is conducting an "expedited assessment" of the companies responses. Ms Rogers said the UK was contemplating a Russia-style X ban, to protect them from bikini images. But Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy claimed US vice president JD Vance was sympathetic to efforts to tackle the Grok-produced images. Mr Lammy, who met Mr Vance in the US on Thursday, told The Guardian he raised the issue of Grok and the horrendous, horrific situation in which this new technology is allowing deepfakes and the manipulation of images of women and children, which is just absolutely abhorrent. He agreed with me that it was entirely unacceptable, Mr Lammy said. I think he recognised the very seriousness with which images of women and children could be manipulated in this way, and he recognised how despicable, unacceptable, that is and I found him sympathetic to that position. open image in gallery FILE - Elon Musk listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference in the Oval Office of the White House, May 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Mr Musk claimed the Government want any excuse for censorship and just want to suppress free speech. Responding to a chart showing arrest figures for online posts with the UK at the top, Mr Musk said: Why is the UK Government so fascist? Writing in the Sunday Telegraph, Ms Kendall said: We are drawing an unbreakable line in the sand and telling tech firms, in no uncertain terms, that platforms profiting from abuse will never be acceptable. Innovation must serve humanity, not degrade it. If companies choose greed over responsibility, they will face the full force of the law. She said the Online Safety Act includes the power for courts to block services from being accessed in the United Kingdom if they refuse to comply with UK law. These powers exist for a reason. If we reach a point where Ofcom decides to use them, they will have the full support of this Government, she said. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Britains most senior police officer has hit back at critics who promote narratives that suit them about crime levels in London, after homicides in the capital fell to their lowest level for more than a decade. It comes after Donald Trump claimed there are no-go areas for Met Police officers, while Nigel Farage has described the city as being in the grip of a crime wave. But Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley pointed to new figures which show that 2025 was one of the safest in terms of serious violent crime, criticising commentators for sharing false claims online. Meanwhile, London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan accused critics of painting a dystopian picture of a lawless place where criminals run rampant arguing they couldnt be more wrong. It comes after new figures showed that there were 97 homicides in the capital in 2025, down 11 per cent from 109 in 2024. This is also the lowest number recorded since 95 homicides 11 years ago, in 2014. open image in gallery Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley took over the job in September 2022 ( PA Wire ) And despite Londons growing population in the last decade, last year had the lowest homicide rate per capita on record 1.1 per 100,000 the Metropolitan Police figures show. This is lower than other major cities worldwide such as New York at 2.8, Berlin at 3.2 and Paris at 1.6 per 100,000, the force said. Writing in The Times, Sir Mark said: Today, London has its lowest homicide levels in a decade, and the lowest ever per capita. Despite claims circulated online, including AIgenerated videos creating fictional violent scenarios, some commentators promote a narrative that suits them, regardless that the facts tell a very different story. London is safer, and the progress we are making is saving lives, is measurable and independently evidenced. This is not a matter of opinion or messaging; it is what the data shows. He added: We are proud to represent Londoners, and we will speak up for the truth something that matters more than ever in an age of misinformation and disinformation. Meanwhile, writing in the Guardian, Sir Sadiq said: In recent years, politicians and commentators have sought to spam our social media feeds with an endless stream of distortions and untruths painting a dystopian picture of a lawless place where criminals run rampant. Across the Atlantic, Donald Trump has inexplicably veered between describing London as a city moving towards sharia law, and a place with hospitals like warzones and areas where police dont want to go. Here in Britain, Nigel Farage is dancing to his tune. Reform UKs leader claimed last week that London was in the grip of a crime wave. Meanwhile, the partys new candidate for mayor of London claimed that people pitied Londoners for living in a city that was no longer safe. open image in gallery Donald Trump has previously made claims about crime levels in London ( REUTERS ) This latest startling statistic shows that those who talk down the capital at every opportunity couldnt be more wrong: in London, the evidence is clear, were winning the battle against violent crime. The figures released by the Met come as the latest crime figures for England and Wales also show a fall in the number of homicides to their lowest level since current methods of reporting began in 2003. Some 518 homicides were recorded by police in the year to June 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics, a drop of 6% from 552 in the previous year and 27 per cent below the pre-pandemic total of 710 in 2019/20. The Met said its work tackling homicide has been particularly strong in curbing violence among young people, with the fewest number of victims aged under 25 this century, and a 73 per cent decrease in the number of teenage victims since 2021, dropping from 30 to eight in 2025. The mayor of Londons violence reduction unit, set up in 2019, is believed to have been part of such efforts, by delivering 550,000 interventions to stop young people being drawn into gangs. The Met also said public confidence in policing was rising, with 81 per cent of Londoners rating the force as doing a good or fair job locally. But it follows a vetting review published on Thursday that showed 131 officers and staff at the Met, including two serial rapists, committed crimes or misconduct after they were not properly vetted. It found that thousands of police officers and staff were not properly checked, amid pressure during a national recruitment drive from July 2019 to March 2023. The Met said it has taken action to clean up the workforce and tighten vetting standards, and was being open and transparent about some historical practices that do not meet current standard. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The latest defector to Reform UK, Nadhim Zahawi, previously said he would be frightened to live in a country run by Nigel Farage. The controversial former Tory chancellor on Monday became the highest -profile politician to defect to Reform, insisting that Britain really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister. But within minutes, contradictory statements that Mr Zahawi had previously made about the Reform leader on social media began to emerge. Responding in 2015 to Mr Farages comment that he would get rid of much of the UKs legislation on race discrimination in the workplace, Mr Zahawi wrote on social media: Im not British Born Mr @Nigel_Farage I am as British as u r. Yr comments r offensive&racist. I wld b frightened 2live in country run by U. open image in gallery ( X/@nadhimzahawi ) Responding to the defection, the Conservatives described Mr Zahawi as the latest of a number of has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train of defection, adding that his past comments demonstrate the level of loyalty for sale. It looks like Farage was right when he said Nadhim Zahawi is just about climbing that greasy pole, a Tory source told The Independent. open image in gallery Reform UK leader Nigel Farage with the latest defector to Reform, former Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi ( PA ) Haunted by the spectre of his own irrelevance, Zahawi has jumped on the gravy train. But his sudden, dramatic change of heart wont be enough to revive his failing political career. The 2015 post is one of several statements Mr Zahawi has previously made about the Reform UK leader. open image in gallery Zahawi has previously said that Farage is establishment as they come ( PA ) Pointing out his record of running for political office multiple times, he labelled Mr Farage as establishment as they come in 2014. open image in gallery ( X/@nadhimzahawi ) He wrote on the website Conservative Home a year later: I was born in Baghdad but am deeply proud to call myself British. My parents chose to make Britain their home because this was a place where belonging was about what you put in, rather than where you came from. Whats frightening is that in Farages Britain, people like me could be lawfully discriminated against, and British businesses would be encouraged to bin our CVs. open image in gallery Farage and Zahawi came up against questions on the latters history of comments about the Reform leader ( PA ) Asked in 2014 about his political allegiances, Mr Zahawi wrote on X (then Twitter): Been a Conservative all my life and will die a Conservative. Mr Farage was meanwhile found to have criticised his new party member when he was appointed chancellor in 2022 for climbing the greasy pole. open image in gallery ( X/@nadhimzahawi ) The two men were asked about their past exchanges on social media during a press conference to announce Mr Zahawis defection on Monday. The former MP and minister, who also led the Conservative governments vaccine programme in the early days of the pandemic, laughed off the posts, and said: Good on you for digging out tweets from 11 years ago. Green Party MP Ellie Chowns also raised Mr Zahawis previous concerns about Mr Farage, saying: Is this the same Mr Zahawi that said of Nigel Farage, your comments are offensive and racist and I would be frightened to live in a country run by you? Indeed, it would appear it is. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The UK currently has no plan for how to mobilise doctors, nurses and hospitals in the event of all-out war, the UKs top military chief has admitted, in yet another sign of Britains unpreparedness for a possible conflict. Giving evidence in front of the Commons defence select committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton said the UK currently doesnt have a complete plan for how we would mobilise the National Health Service in the event of armed conflict at an Article Five level. Sir Richard also admitted there is not enough money to continue all planned military programmes on top of doing everything outlined in the strategic defence review (SDR), but became visibly irritated when MPs suggested the military may have to make cuts. Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton (Yui Mok/PA) ( PA Wire ) It comes amid mounting concern over the state of Britains hollowed out armed forces in the face of growing threats from Russia and China - despite the prime ministers repeated promises to make Britain battle ready. Asked whether he has any concerns about Britains ability to treat wounded casualties, Sir Richard said: If we ended up in an all-out conflict under NATO Article Five and sustained mass casualties, the defensive medical system is not set up to do that. It would have to plug into the National Health Service and at the moment, we don't have a full plan for how we would do that. Now, I have every confidence given the way the NHS and the brilliant people in the NHS and the defensive medical services have responded historically that we would do that. But right now, we don't have a complete plan for how we would mobilise the National Health Service in the event of armed conflict at an Article Five level. Asked when we are likely to have a plan in place, he said one is likely to evolve over the next 18 months, adding that the NHS and the defensive medical service already work very closely together. Sir Richard took over as Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) in September and is responsible for the delivery of the SDR published in June. The UK has pledged to boost defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 in order to plug gaps in Britains ailing military. It comes amid increasing global volatility with the US president launching a raid on Caracas and capturing the Venezuelan president and just days after Britain and France signed a historic agreement committing to putting boots on the ground in Ukraine as soon as any ceasefire with Russia comes into effect. Earlier this month, it was reported that Sir Richard told the prime minister in a meeting before Christmas that the Ministry of Defence is facing a 28bn shortfall in funding for the next four years. The military chief said he would not comment on reports about the meeting, but added: I will tell you that we did meet the prime minister in December, and we did talk about a number of issues associated with defence, including the defence investment plan, but the material that was discussed at that meeting was classified secret, and so Im not going to talk about that in public. The shortfall is said to have prompted Sir Keir to order a key MoD document, the defence investment plan (Dip), to be overhauled but Sir Richard said no date has yet been set for when the plan will be published. The Dip, which will set out how the governments long-term defence plans will be paid for, was originally due to be published in autumn. While the CDS told the committee the MoD do not have a date for when the plan will be released, he said the department was working flat out on it. He added: I thought you might ask me about the speculation in the media about the cost of the programme, and speculation over particular numbers, and thats exactly what it is: it is speculation. Admitting that there is not enough money to do do everything that we would wish to do as quickly as we might want to do it, Sir Richard said: If we wanted to do everything that's covered in the program and do all the extra things [outlined in the SDR], could we do that with the budget that we've got? The answer is no. He added: "The prime minister's commitment to three and a half percent of GDP, that's unprecedented. But I'll be completely honest with you that we will not be able to do everything that we would wish to do as quickly as we might want to do it within that envelope. But asked by MPs whether this means there will need to be cuts, Sir Richard hit back accusing them of putting words in my mouth. Elsewhere, the committee asked Sir Richard whether he believed British soldiers would be safe and well-resourced enough to take on peacekeeping duties in Ukraine, should the war conclude. He conceded there was no such thing as zero risk in operational environments. But he added: We wont deploy our armed forces if were not happy that theyre going to be safe, and Im confident, having been closely involved in the work on the coalition of the willing planning, that we have a means of meeting the requirements that have been set, and this additional funding will reduce the risk. Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UK Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Sign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impact Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer has issued an ultimatum to Elon Musk, announcing that the government will take fast action to deal with the abuses of the AI tool Grok on X (Twitter). The prime minister revealed his intentions to the weekly meeting of the Labour Parliamentary Party on a day that Ofcom launched an investigation into Mr Musks social media platform X after Grok was used to generate sexualised images of women and children. Sir Keir told MPs and peers: The actions of Grok and X are absolutely disgusting and shameful. Protecting their abusive users, rather than the women and children who are being abused shows a total distortion of priorities. So let me be crystal clear, we won't stand for it, because no matter how unstable or complex the world becomes, this government will be guided by its values. We'll stand up for the vulnerable against the powerful. open image in gallery Elon Musk has described the British government as fascist ( PA Archive ) In a direct message to the platforms owner, Mr Musk, he added: If X cannot control Grok, we will and we'll do it fast because if you profit from harm and abuse, you lose the right to self-regulate. In an earlier response to ministers threats, Mr Musk accused the government of being fascist and of trying to curb free speech. Responding to a post on X claiming the UK arrests more people for social media posts than any other country on Earth, Mr Musk wrote: Real fascism is arresting thousands of people for social media posts. The move by the PM comes after he has suffered more than 18 months of online abuse at the hands of Mr Musk on his X platform, where the billionaire has accused Sir Keir of being complicit in the abuse of girls and popularised the insult two-tier Keir. Already, technology secretary Liz Kendall has encouraged Ofcom to use the full range of its powers and potentially ban X in the UK. Such a move is likely to spark a trade war with the US with senior Trump administration figures, including vice-president JD Vance, accusing the UK of attacking free speech. Meanwhile, allies of Mr Musk in the UK have opposed the banning of Grok, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. But announcing its investigation, Ofcom, the UK regulator, said it was responding to deeply concerning reports about the images and will investigate whether X has complied with UK laws. In a statement, Ofcom said it will determine whether X has complied with its duties to protect people in the UK from content that is illegal. The decision to launch the formal investigation was made after Ofcom reviewed available evidence as a matter of urgency. It was launched under the Online Safety Act, which gives the regulator the power to fine X or ban it. The investigation has been welcomed by Ms Kendall. Making a statement in the Commons on Monday, she said the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) "reports criminal imagery of children as young as 11, including girls sexualised and toddlers". She continued: "This is child sexual abuse. We've seen reports of photos being shared of women in bikinis, tied up and gagged, with bruises, covered in blood, and much, much more. "Lives can and have been devastated by this content which is designed to harass, torment and violate people's dignity. They are not harmless images. They're weapons of abuse, disproportionately aimed at women and girls, and they are illegal." The platform has faced global backlash in recent days after its AI tool was repeatedly used to generate undressed images of people without consent. open image in gallery X claims it has restricted the undress feature to paid subscribers ( PA ) The IWF also confirmed the tool had been used to create criminal imagery of children aged between 11 and 13. The formal investigation comes after the regulator made urgent contact with X on 5 January to ask it to explain what steps it will take to protect UK users and set a firm deadline of 9 January, which it said X had met. The regulator said: There have been deeply concerning reports of the Grok AI chatbot account on X being used to create and share undressed images of people which may amount to intimate image abuse or pornography and sexualised images of children that may amount to child sexual abuse material. On Friday, X appeared to have changed Groks settings, with the chatbot telling users that only paid subscribers could ask it to manipulate images. However, reports suggested this only applied to those making requests in reply to other posts, and other ways of editing or creating images, including on a separate Grok website, remained open. The use of Grok to create sexually explicit content has prompted a wave of concern among ministers who have expressed support for a UK ban if Ofcom decided to block access to the platform. Ms Kendall said: I welcome Ofcoms urgency in launching a formal investigation today. It is vital that Ofcom complete this investigation swiftly because the public and most importantly the victims will not accept any delay. Trade secretary Peter Kyle, who previously served as technology secretary, told Sky News X is not doing enough to keep its customers safe online. open image in gallery The prime minister has repeatedly said Ofcom has the governments full support to take action ( PA Wire ) Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said banning X is the wrong answer. Speaking before the investigation was launched, she said: Im not even sure what question it is that theyre answering. What we are seeing is a Labour government that did not have a plan, and theyre just throwing out random policies, probably to distract from the fact that theyre putting businesses in a very difficult position. What was happening was the business rates discussion, lots of pubs complaining, and then all of a sudden, Labour talks about banning X. I dont think thats a serious solution. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also expressed fears that the government will end up suppressing free speech. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Alma Figueroa started to worry when she learned her gas provider wanted to test a controversial solution to curb global warming: blend hydrogen with natural gas to power her stove and other appliances. Figueroa, who has asthma and recently learned her lung cancer is back, worries about health risks. I don't want to be anyone's experiment," said Figueroa, 60, a resident of Orange Cove in California's Central Valley. The Southern California Gas Co. wants to blend and inject hydrogen into the towns gas infrastructure, after the state agency that regulates utilities directed them and other companies to launch pilot projects. Proponents see it as key to helping California reduce planet-warming pollution by curbing reliance on gas while integrating cleaner energy into existing infrastructure. open image in gallery Environmental groups say hydrogen should only be used in high-energy industries such as aviation, cement or steel-making, which can't easily be electrified ( AP ) It's part of a statewide effort to create safety rules for hydrogen blending. But opponents say it poses unnecessary risks, and Orange Cove's mostly Latino and low-income residents say processes are happening without transparency or their input. Projects in states such as Colorado and Oregon have also raised concerns. Interest in deploying hydrogen boomed during the Biden administration but has been hard hit with the Trump administration's cancellation of billions of dollars for hydrogen technology and other clean energy projects, including $1.2 billion for a hydrogen hub in California. The Orange Cove project is one of five proposed in California to test how gas pipelines and the appliances they fuel hold up with different amounts of hydrogen. Hawaii has been blending for decades. What is hydrogen blending? Natural gas is mostly methane, a potent planet-warming gas that's supercharging extreme weather worldwide, which often impacts low-income and communities of color the most. Supporters see green hydrogen as one way to cut emissions. It's made with renewable energy sources such as solar or wind to power an electrolyzer, which splits water into oxygen and hydrogen, a carbon-free gas that can be used to generate electricity and complement intermittent renewable energy. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has touted it an essential aspect of how well power our future and cut pollution." Some see the 18-month proposed project in Orange Cove as one step in that direction. A solar farm would power the technology and direct the mixture, up to 5% hydrogen, to businesses and the town's roughly 10,000 residents. The estimated $64.3 million project would be paid for with ratepayer money. A Minneapolis utility company estimated a blend of up to 5% green hydrogen would reduce carbon pollution by about 1,200 tons annually, the equivalent of removing 254 gas-powered cars. Janice Lin of the Green Hydrogen Coalition said it's important to test blending. The U.S. has a vast network of gas pipelines about 3 million miles, according to the Department of Energy which can be used to move clean hydrogen while reducing reliance on gas, she said. If scaled, it could be cost-competitive and help industries that can't fully electrify pollute less. The way to move us away and really clean our air and minimize our reliance on fossil fuels is by having a viable alternative, she said. California needs to demonstrate that it can blend like other countries but there are still unknowns, said Alejandra Hormaza, who teaches renewable energy at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The consensus is that up to 20% hydrogen by volume is safe, she said, but we need more experimental work that uses real natural gas infrastructure to fully understand the impacts of hydrogen." In 2022, several gas companies filed a joint application to pursue hydrogen blending. The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to make a decision this year. How did the project proposal come about? SoCalGas first proposed testing hydrogen blending in facilities at the University of California, Irvine, in an affluent community. But it scaled back and revised its proposal following protests. When Orange Cove leaders expressed interest, the gas company identified the city an ideal candidate it has various pipeline materials, including steel and polyethylene, a type of plastic, and only one gas feed coming in, allowing them ample control of the blend. Orange Cove city leaders voted unanimously in support. They did not respond to multiple calls and emails seeking comment. But in an August public hearing, Mayor Diana Guerra Silva said the project would provide workforce opportunities for youth and boost business from visitors, according to a transcript. At the hearing, resident Angelica Martinez said the town could become a pioneer in hydrogen blending and deserves the national recognition and attention for its willingness to implement such an innovative project. Orange Cove is a citrus farming town home to mostly Spanish-speaking Latino immigrants, with 39% of the total population living in poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It's an area with much pollution and the highest rate of asthma in Fresno County. Figueroa said the community historically hasnt gotten involved in city politics, though they have launched a petition against the project and voiced concerns at public meetings. I think the only reason they are wanting Orange Cove is because they dont think theres going to be pushback, she said. Some residents said they've asked city officials to host a town hall about the pilot, but it has yet to happen. What are residents concerned about? Research shows that burning hydrogen-blended gas into older appliances not designed for it can increase emissions of nitrogen oxides, pollutants that worsen asthma and are linked to other respiratory issues. It can deteriorate certain materials and leak more easily, increasing the risk of explosions because hydrogen is more flammable. Ryan Sinclair, an environmental microbiologist at Loma Linda University, said homes with older appliances are more vulnerable to these risks in older infrastructure, a 5% mix can bump nitrogen oxides emissions an average of 8%. Residents can't opt out unless they replace their gas appliances with electric ones, and Sinclair worries Orange Cove's low-income residents don't have the means to replace or maintain older ones. He said more health risk assessments are needed before starting hydrogen blending. Cal Poly's Hormaza, who's researched hydrogen leakage from gas systems for the last decade, said there's insufficient research on whether hydrogen can increase leaks. There are also concerns about hydrogen's potential to increase Earth's warming. Research shows hydrogen can indirectly heat the planet by interacting with other gases. Environmental groups say hydrogen should only be used in high-energy industries such as aviation, cement or steel-making, which can't easily be electrified. Others say that electrifying appliances, for example, are more efficient ways to reduce emissions. To me, its just an absurd project. Its (a) boondoggle that exposes residents to unnecessary risks, said Michael Claiborne, directing attorney with Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, an advocacy group representing residents. If the projects are approved, SoCalGas has said it will employ safety measures before, during and after the project, including with leak surveys and detection technology, backflow prevention to keep hydrogen within the controlled area, and developing emergency responses. Orange Cove resident Francisco Gonzalez has friends with asthma and siblings with respiratory issues, so he worries about the health risks. His community is not against change or clean energy, he said, but we are against being left out of the conversation." The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A chaotic scene unfolded in Los Angeles on Sunday after a man drove a U-Haul truck into a crowd protesting against the Iranian government, police say. The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. local time near the federal building in the Westwood neighborhood of the city, ABC7 reports. Footage from the incident shows protesters trying to pull the suspect out of his vehicle after the collision, according to The LA Times. The protesters continued to lash out at the suspect as police escorted him away. A sign reading No Shah. No Regime. USA: Dont Repeat 1953. No Mullah was then ripped off the truck, the outlet reports. Police told the Associated Press that one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt. open image in gallery A man has been detained pending further investigation after driving a U-Haul truck towards a group of protesters, police say ( via REUTERS ) open image in gallery Those who attended the protest said it quickly became a scene of fear of confusion ( AFP via Getty Images ) Two others were evaluated by paramedics and both declined treatment, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. The driver of the truck, who has not been named, was injured after the collision and has been detained pending further investigation, L.A. Police Capt. Richard Gabaldon said at a press conference Sunday. In a statement posted to X, First Assistant U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli stated the Department of Justice was aware of the incident and that the FBI is on scene working with LAPD to determine the motive of the driver. Abraham Moe and his wife and daughter, Sanaz and Kiana told the Times that they saw the U-Haul in the crowd and knew something was wrong when people started screaming. The protest quickly became a scene of fear and confusion, the outlet said. open image in gallery No one suffered a serious injury during the incident, police said ( AFP via Getty Images ) Despite this, no other injuries were reported. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, and by 5 p.m. only about a hundred protesters were still in the area, ABC7 reported. Activists say a crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has killed more than 530 people. Protesters flooded the streets in Iran's capital of Tehran and its second-largest city again Sunday. Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Starbucks barista drew a pig on a cup and handed it over to a Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputy last week, the office has claimed. The alleged incident occurred at one of the coffee giants locations in the city of Norwalk, just south of downtown Los Angeles, on January 9. The sheriffs department later posted the image on social media, saying that the pig is commonly used to demean law enforcement and that the drawing was extremely offensive, inappropriate, and unacceptable. The deputy in question said that he went to Starbucks during his 16-hour shift to get coffee after a long day. It felt discouraging and disrespectful, especially after a long day of serving the community. All I wanted was caffeine, but instead I left feeling uneasy, the deputy lamented in a post on Instagram, according to KTLA. open image in gallery The pig drawing on a police officer's Starbucks order ( LASD ) The incident is being investigated by the store. L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said his office has also contacted Starbucks' corporate offices to formally raise concerns and to ensure accountability. Sheriff Luna also said that he has consoled the deputy over the incident and told him, Disrespectful actions will not be tolerated against our personnel. A Starbucks statement has called the entire incident unacceptable. This was unacceptable. We have reached out to the customer several times and leaders in the Sheriffs Department to apologize. We have a deep appreciation for law enforcement who are dedicated to keeping our communities safe. We immediately launched an investigation and are taking swift action, a spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the drawing is reminiscent of a popular meme but should still have been given to the deputy. open image in gallery L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said his office has also contacted Starbucks' corporate offices to formally raise concerns and to ensure accountability ( Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG ) The meme is popular on TikTok and is known as John Pork. Recently, the meme was an answer on an episode of Jeopardy! where host Ken Jennings even said he didnt know what it meant. This action was extremely offensive, inappropriate, and unacceptable. The deputy quickly reported the incident to the store manager, who advised that the matter would be investigated, the LASD said in a statement to The Independent. In addition, the Sheriff spoke directly with the deputy to check on his well-being, convey his full support, and make it clear that disrespectful actions will not be tolerated against our personnel. Our deputies serve this community with professionalism, dedication, and commitment, often under difficult and dangerous circumstances. Our deputies are part of the community and deserve to be treated respectfully and with basic human dignity. Acts that promote hostility and division toward law enforcement undermine community trust and public safety. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a challenge to the Boy Scouts of America's landmark $2.46 billion settlement for sexual abuse claims, effectively solidifying the agreement. The decision on Monday thwarts an attempt by 144 abuse survivors to pursue legal action against churches and other organizations that operated scouting programs where abuse occurred. These claimants argued the 2022 bankruptcy deal improperly barred them from suing third-party organisations, which gained immunity in exchange for financial contributions. Although the Supreme Court later ruled that bankruptcy courts lacked authority to extinguish lawsuits against non-bankrupt contributors, this precedent did not apply retrospectively to older cases like the Boy Scouts' agreement. Lower courts, including the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, upheld the settlement, deeming disruption at this late stage unfair to both survivors and Scouting America, the organisation's new name. Scouting America, insurers, and other abuse survivors who backed the agreement had urged the Supreme Court not to intervene, warning that unravelling the settlement would unleash devastating emotional and financial repercussions, potentially forcing reclamation of funds from claimants. Boy Scouts of America had a huge rebrand last year, donning a new name of Scouting America ( Getty Images ) The Boy Scouts sought bankruptcy protection in 2020 after U.S. states introduced legislation allowing accusers to pursue claims relating to decades-old abuse allegations, leading to a surge of new legal actions. The Supreme Court had previously declined to halt the settlement in 2024, allowing the agreement to proceed while appeals continued in lower courts. Boy Scouts of America had a huge rebrand last year, donning a new name of Scouting America, a welcoming sign as the organization tries to move past scandal and bankruptcy. Get a free fractional share worth up to 100. Capital at risk. Terms and conditions apply. Go to website ADVERTISEMENT Get a free fractional share worth up to 100. Capital at risk. Terms and conditions apply. Go to website ADVERTISEMENT The fact that we were going with a more kind of gender-neutral name, a lot of people kind of wanted to know more about it, president and CEO Roger Krone said. The rebrand is among momentous events the tradition-steeped organization has seen over the last decade, including its 2020 bankruptcy filing amid a flood of claims from tens of thousands of people mainly men who said they were abused as young scouts. Also, the organization began allowing gay youth in 2013 and ended a blanket ban on gay adult leaders in 2015. And in 2017, it announced that girls would be accepted as Cub Scouts as of 2018 and into the flagship Boy Scout program renamed Scouts BSA in 2019. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A group of House Democrats suing for access to federal immigration detention centers are demanding a federal judges urgent intervention after Kristi Noems Department of Homeland Security quietly ordered new restrictions barring them from entering. Democratic lawmakers are now suggesting they could block future funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement if theyre blocked from ICE facilities under Noems brazen order, attorneys wrote Monday. Annual funding for Homeland Security lapses January 30, and members of Congress are actively negotiating over the funding of DHS and ICE, including consideration of the scope of and limitations on DHSs funding for the next fiscal year, attorneys wrote. And ICE continues to expand its operations, including immigration detention and enforcement, they added. This is a critical moment for oversight, and members of Congress must be able to conduct oversight at ICE detention facilities, without notice, to obtain urgent and essential information for ongoing funding negotiations. One day after a federal officer fatally shot Renee Good in Minnesota, Noem issued a new policy requiring members of Congress to give one weeks notice before visiting ICE facilities. Three lawmakers were then blocked from visiting a detention center in Minneapolis, with ICE officials claiming that President Donald Trumps massive spending bill manages congressional visits. open image in gallery A long-running lawsuit over congressional oversight visits to ICE detention centers joins an avalanche of legal and political battles surrounding the Trump administrations mass deportation campaign ( Getty ) Democratic Reps. Angie Craig, Kelly Morrison and Ilhan Omar rebuked the agency after they were denied entry. The public deserves to know what is taking place in ICE facilities, Omar wrote. District Judge Jia Cobb rejected a similar Homeland Security policy last month, arguing that federal spending laws allow unrestricted congressional visits to ICE detention facilities without advanced notice, a key part of congressional oversight responsibilities. Noem claimed that oversight can be restricted under Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act. ICE must ensure that this policy is implemented and enforced exclusively with money appropriated by that law, Noem wrote. Unannounced visits divert officers and resources while creating circus-like publicity stunts that create a chaotic environment with heightened emotions rather than legitimate oversight, according to Noem. Lawmakers presented ICE with a copy of Judge Cobbs December court order that blocked restrictions on oversight visits, but they refused to look at it, Rep. Craig told MSNOW. I informed them that they were violating the law, she said. They said they didnt care. open image in gallery Minnesota Democratic Reps. Kelly Morrison, Ilhan Omar and Angie Craig were denied access to an immigration detention facility in Minneapolis after Kristi Noem quietly changed policy to require a weeks notice before lawmakers oversight visit ( AP ) Noems latest order, which largely echoes prior DHS policy rejected in court, is a brazen attempt to subvert Cobbs order, lawyers for Democrats wrote. Homeland Security cannot use the law to tap into federal funds while also deciding which parts to ignore in an attempt to do the very thing that Congress has prohibited in DHSs general funding, they said. Lawmakers now want Homeland Security to prove that every dollar behind the new policy that bars them from detention centers was and will be from those One Big Beautiful Act funds. The months-long legal fight over congressional oversight visits joins an avalanche of legal and political battles surrounding the Trump administrations mass deportation campaign, with protests and outrage boiling over nationwide in the wake of Goods killing. Witness statements and analysis from video footage from multiple angles appeared to contradict the administrations initial statements in defense of the officer who fired three shots into Goods car, striking her in the face at close range, claiming that she was endangering his life. A growing number of Democrats are also threatening to introduce articles of impeachment against Noem, while lawmakers are mulling whether to choke off funding for ICE, with a potential government shutdown at stake. Republicans have only the slimmest of majorities in the House, but Democrats have limited tools at their disposal as the minority party in both chambers of Congress. As lawmakers race towards a January 30 deadline to adopt three appropriations packages, some Democrats are mulling whether to withhold support for Homeland Security funding without any new limits on Trumps anti-immigration agenda and the thousands of masked militarized officers carrying it out in Democratic-led cities across the country. Last week, Senator Chris Murphy, the top Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee on Homeland Security, said his party cannot vote for a DHS budget that doesnt restrain the growing lawlessness of this agency. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump has delivered the first review of the controversial Amazon documentary about his wife, the First Lady: Its incredible. Thats despite the president admitting he hasnt seen the finished article, just clips, but said hes looking forward to the full release. Ive seen pieces of it, its incredible she did a book and the book was a big number one best seller, and this is a movie and it seems to be captivating a lot of peoples attention, Trump told a gaggle of reporters on board Air Force One on Sunday. Ive seen pieces of it, its incredible she did a book and the book was a big number one best seller, and this is a movie and it seems to be captivating a lot of peoples attention, he said. open image in gallery President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump ( Getty Images ) The premier [is going to be] at the Trump Kennedy Center, it will be very exciting. Its a very hard ticket I can tell you, everybody, Wayne Gretzky and his wife Janet he said last night gee I wanna go. Everybody wants tickets to the premiere. I think its going to be great. The film MELANIA is scheduled for release on January 30. It follows her over the 20 days leading up to the presidents inauguration as she prepares to transition back to the White House. Everyone wants to know, so here it is, the First Lady says in the documentary trailer. Clips cut throughout the trailer show Melania preparing for the presidents inauguration, rallies, and meetings. open image in gallery Melania Trump featured in her upcoming documentary 'Melania' ( Amazon MGM Studios / Facebook ) In one clip, Melania is in a hotel room on the phone to Trump as she congratulates her husband. Did you watch it? Trump can be heard asking. I did not, no, yeah, I will see it on the news, Melania responded. The documentary marks a comeback for director Brett Ratner, who previously helmed hits such as Rush Hour, Tower Heist, and X-Men, before he was blacklisted in Hollywood following a string of sexual harassment allegations made against him. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing. open image in gallery The documentary marks a comeback for director Brett Ratner, who previously helmed hits such as Rush Hour, Tower Heist, and X-Men, before he was blacklisted in Hollywood in 2017 ( 2017 Invision ) The news, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, follows a statement issued by the producer in which he responded to sexual misconduct claims made by six women, including actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge. In light of the allegations being made, I am choosing to personally step away from all Warner Bros.-related activities, he said. I dont want to have any possible negative impact to the studio until these personal issues are resolved. Amazon paid a whopping $40 million to license the film. It will stream on Prime Video, along with a several-episode follow-up docuseries, according to the report. Amazon did not confirm how much it paid to license the documentary; it is unclear how much of that amount will go to the First Lady, who also serves as an executive producer. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Gavin Newsom has posted an altered video clip of President Donald Trump to blast the administration over its handling of the Epstein Files. Californias Democratic governor used real footage from Trumps recent White House meeting with oil industry executives. During the East Room sit-down, the president abruptly stood up to gaze from a window and observe the progress on his $400 million ballroom. Wow, what a view, he said. However, instead of showing the construction work on the other side of the window, Newsom superimposed footage of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein partying at Mar-a-Lago in 1992. PAM BONDI, RELEASE THE FILES! Newsom captioned the post. The Department of Justice has yet to release the vast majority of its files on Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. open image in gallery California Governor Gavin Newsom posted real footage of the president gazing from a window - but altered the clip so Trump appeared to be looking at an old video of himself with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein ( Gavin Newsom Press Office, X ) Following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by Trump late last year, the DOJ was required to release all its files on the deceased sex offender by December 19. The department, under the direction of Attorney General Bondi, has since published thousands of heavily-redacted documents on Epstein, including some which mention Trump and other high-profile individuals, such as former President Bill Clinton and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers (An individuals appearance in the files is not evidence of wrongdoing). As of January 5, more than 99 percent of the files remain unpublished. Bondi said that over the next few weeks, hundreds of DOJ attorneys will work to review and publish the remaining files in order to comply with the law. Since the deadline to publish all the files passed, the Trump administration has undertaken a flurry of high-profile actions. These include capturing deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a surprise military operation, threatening to invade Greenland and launching an unprecedented criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. open image in gallery California Governor Gavin Newsom has repeatedly taken to social media to attack the president, mirroring his trademark all-caps, meme-heavy style ( Reuters ) Critics have accused Trump of deploying these tactics to shift focus from the Epstein controversy, which dominated the news cycle for much of last year. Newsom has repeatedly taken to social media often mimicking the presidents trademark all-caps and meme-heavy style to remind Americans of the scandal surrounding Epstein. In recent weeks, Newsom has posted multiple times about Trump and Epstein, who were friends for years before they had a falling out in the early 2000s, Trump has said. The president has not been accused of wrongdoing. Why isnt the Trump admin prioritizing transparency and accountability around sex trafficking of minors? Newsom, viewed by many as a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, wrote on X last week. Trump has labeled the Epstein controversy a "hoax" perpetuated by Democrats and has maintained that he did nothing wrong. The president has described Newsom, whom he derisively calls Newscum, as incompetent and accused him of allowing widespread fraud to take place in California. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Texas woman has been fired after she posted a TikTok video warning of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near the hotel where she worked, according to a new report. Hey guys, my name is Gia, and I just wanna give a warning: There are ICE agents staying at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, the woman said in a video posted on January 7. Please warn your families if you or somebody who works here is worried about their immigration status, she continued. Quite frankly, I dont really care if I lose my job. I care more about your families and about unity. Later that same day, the woman, a 20-year-old who was only identified only by her first name, was fired by Towne Park, a third party parking company at Hilton, she told The Dallas Morning News. A manager had asked her to delete the post, and, when she refused, she was informed she had violated the social media policy of Towne Park, Hiltons third-party valet company, she said. open image in gallery A Texas woman was fired after she warned of ICE activity near the hotel she worked at in Dallas, according to a new report ( Getty Images ) In a statement to the outlet, Towne Park confirmed this account, stating the staffer had violated our business conduct policy and is no longer employed by our company. We respect the privacy of all our guests, a Hilton Anatole spokesperson added. Our hotels are places of public accommodation and strive to always be welcoming places for all. Gias TikTok video has had over two million views and thousands of comments, most expressing support for the dismissed employee and criticism toward Hilton. Im canceling my upcoming reservations and walking away from Hilton, one user wrote, while another added: Boycotting Hilton. Send me your resume - im in Plano and need an executive assistant, another user added. Hilton and Towne Park did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Independent. open image in gallery A man is detained by masked immigration agents in Chicago last October. Anti-ICE protests have erupted around the country, following shootings carried out by federal immigration agents ( Getty Images ) The womans dismissal comes amid rising tensions between ICE and the members of the public in the wake of recent shootings involving federal immigration officers. Last week, an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, following a confrontation on a Minneapolis street. Trump administration officials have accused Good of attempting to run the agent over, while local and state officials said the agent was acting recklessly. The next day, a Border Patrol agent shot a husband and wife during a traffic stop in Portland, resulting in their hospitalization. Federal authorities said they were associated with a Venezuelan gang. Following the incidents, anti-ICE protests have erupted around the country, and the Democratic leaders of multiple cities, including Minneapolis and Portland, have called on federal immigration officials to leave their cities. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has said it will redouble its efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Close Cell phone footage shows shooting of Renee Good from ICE agent's perspective Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday twice referred to Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minnesota last week, as a lunatic," the latest Trump administration denunciation of the deceased mother of three. Leavitt said that Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who shot Good, was absolutely justified in using self defense against a lunatic who was part of a group, an organized group, to interject and to impede on law enforcement operations. A number of Trump officials have blamed Good for her own death, alleging without evidence she was a professional agitator. Goods death set off widespread protests, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said hundreds more federal law enforcement agents will be deployed to Minnesota to protect its officers amid the outcry. Ross shot Good while she was driving an SUV on a residential street in Minneapolis last Wednesday. Footage of the shooting has drawn intense scrutiny, with Democrats accusing Ross of acting recklessly and Republicans claiming Good attempted to strike the agent. State and local officials in Minnesota sued the Trump administration on Monday, alleging the ongoing DHS immigration crackdown violates the Constitution. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice New autopsy details to be released in February will confirm that convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein did not die by suicide in jail in 2019 as authorities say, but was murdered, according to his brother. Jeffrey was murdered, and more autopsy facts will be coming out in February that prove it, Mark Epstein told NewsNation on Friday. Mark, who identified his brothers body after the alleged trafficker was found dead in a New York prison cell while awaiting trial, told the outlet the injuries he saw didnt correspond to the way his body was found hanging. Epstein later hired Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, to observe the autopsy by city officials, and the examiner concluded in 2019 that the evidence points to homicide rather than suicide. Official reviews, however, have concluded Epstein died of his own accord. open image in gallery Multiple government reviews have concluded Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019, but his brother Mark says forthcoming autopsy details will show the late pedophile was murdered ( New York State Sex Offender Registry/Getty ) A 2023 Department of Justice inspector general report concluded that a number of prison oversight failures contributed to the death, though it ultimately ruled that no one else was involved. Last year, facing pressure to deliver on Trump campaign promises to disclose the Epstein files, the DOJ and FBI reviewed the material again, and they again concluded that Epstein died by suicide. Nonetheless, there are persistent theories that Epstein was killed to protect his powerful friends and associates, who have included high-profile executives and world leaders. There are only three ways to die in prison, Mark Epstein added in his NewsNation interview. Suicide, natural causes or murder. And Jeff was murdered. I want to know who killed him and on whose behalf? open image in gallery The Trump administrations incomplete release of the Epstein files has fueled already widespread speculation that Epstein did not die by suicide ( AFP via Getty Images ) Imprisoned Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell has also said she believes he didnt die by suicide. The White House has faced allegations that it is engaging in a cover-up of the full Epstein story, owing to Donald Trumps past friendship with the late pedophile. A bipartisan revolt in Congress pressured the president to sign a bill releasing more of the files, though lawmakers accuse the administration of failing to comply with the bill's terms and have said they are drafting contempt charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi. The administration has strongly denied that Trump was aware of or involved in any of Jeffrey Epsteins wrongdoing. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice U.S. citizens whose parents first entered the country illegally are volunteering for military service to take advantage of a policy that promises to shield their relatives from deportation, according to a report. The development comes in response to President Donald Trumps increasingly contentious crackdown on undocumented migrants, which exploded into controversy last week when an ICE agent taking part in immigration raids in Minneapolis shot dead a mother-of-three protesting the federal agencys presence in her neighborhood. Footage of the killing of Renee Nicole Good was closely scrutinized on social media and led to protests taking place in cities across the United States this weekend. With fear rife in minority communities, The New York Times reports that some children of migrant families are offering to join institutions like the National Guard in order to protect their parents under the Parole in Place program, which shields the undocumented relatives of servicemen and women from deportation and offers an expedited path to citizenship. The policy was introduced by the George W Bush administration in 2007 to give Armed Forces personnel peace of mind in response to the case of Sergeant Alex R Jimenez, who died fighting for the U.S. in the Iraq War at the same time as his wife, back home, was being deported to the Dominican Republic. open image in gallery Federal officers stand guard near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon ( AP ) The Times spoke to Sergeant First Class Rosa Cortez, a recruiter for the Oregon National Guard, who said that while she previously hoped to inspire would-be recruits to sign up by emphasizing her own personal accomplishments over her 20 years of service, the opportunity to join is now being seen more as a means of securing protection. Cortez said that she herself was the daughter of undocumented migrants and had spent her childhood picking fruit in the orchards of the Pacific Northwest to make ends meet, often living temporarily in tents or barns. She spoke of her pride at being part of the Guard, particularly when helping out in disaster relief situations. However, under Trump, its members have more often been federalized and sent into Democrat-run cities on policing missions, a strategy increasingly running into problems in court and inspiring unrest on the ground. Cortez described helping Lindsey Vasquez, 20, join the Guard to protect her family. Vasquez made a success of the opportunity and went on to become a logistics specialist while also working at a department store, eventually helping her parents secure permanent residence. Cortez also discussed the case of Juan, 23, a recent volunteer who first enquired about joining because, he said, Im hoping to get my mother qualified for PIP so that she doesnt have to leave the country. open image in gallery A stand-off between federal forces and activists in Portland, Oregon ( AP ) Juan told the sergeant he was motivated by fear after seeing three masked federal agents arrest a family friend at a branch of Home Depot. Despite expressing doubts and reservations, Juan ultimately passed the entrance exam just before Christmas and is currently advancing with his application. Hes a good kid, full of energy, Cortez said of him, unconcerned that he might be joining for the wrong reason. I think hell be a great leader. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Fox News host Tomi Lahren has derided the beloved childrens YouTube personality Ms. Rachel as creepy and called her political views problematic after she appeared with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Ms. Rachel, real-name Rachel Griffin-Accurso, joined the mayor at a pre-kindergarten in Lower Manhattan Friday, where the duo sang The Wheels on the Bus and If Youre Happy and You Know It to an audience of enraptured toddlers to promote Mamdanis policy of free childcare for two-year-olds. While the educator was affectionately described as a rock star in the toddler world in ABC7s coverage of the event, the panellists on Foxs The Big Weekend Show were less kind. Lahren, speaking above an on-screen chyron labelled Indoctrinating the Youth, said of Ms. Rachel: It creeps me out when you have adults that dress like children and behave that way. If you are a parent that has your children watching this, maybe second-guess for reasons of being creepy, and her political leanings a little problematic. open image in gallery YouTube children's personality Ms Rachel appears with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a Lower Manhatten pre-kindergarten to promote his free childcare policy on Friday January 9, 2026 ( ABC7 ) Co-host Guy Benson chimed in: She is absolutely not on in our house at all at all and its not just because shes annoying, which, I find it all very grating and cloying. But when she also made her whole personality about hating the Jewish state and basically apologizing for Hamas and promoting all their propaganda, that was a definite hard no redline in my household. Well, now we know why Mamdani likes her, fellow contributor Nicole Saphier sneered. Right! Its sort of on-brand, isnt it, this alliance? Benson replied. The hosts were referring to Ms Rachel issuing an emotional appeal on Instagram last May to help Palestinian children living in Gaza, responding to a United Nations official who had warned that 14,000 babies could starve to death within days if Israel did not end its blockade of the territory. The educator, who has 18 million subscribers on YouTube, held up a picture of an emaciated infant and called on world leaders to intervene to save the lives of children in the warzone. Her gesture saw her included on a list of nominees for Antisemite of the Year in December by the pro-Israel group StopAntisemitism, which was criticized for choosing her over avowed white supremacists. open image in gallery Tomi Lahren attacks Ms Rachel on Fox News's The Big Weekend Show on Sunday January 11, 2026 ( The Big Weekend Show/Fox News ) Continuing the critique on Fox, Saphier declared: I do not know who Ms. Rachel is. My kids are old enough, but she seems annoying. And I dont know that she is antisemitic, but if shes sitting next to Mamdani and theyre doing little hand gestures together since hes antisemitic, I would assume she is as well, because misery loves company. The mayor has also spoken up for Palestinians and was routinely accused of antisemitism by rival Andrew Cuomo during last years race for City Hall, which he denied, accusing the former governor in return of resorting to smears as his chances of winning became ever more remote. Saphier was ultimately forced to concede that she was sympathetic to Mamdanis attempt to help out working parents because childcare is a struggle. You know, I was a single mom for a while when I was young, she said. And its very expensive and very hard. A lot of times, adults have to stop working to pay for childcare. Maybe it will get more parents in the workforce, but I bet you not all go to the workforce because I think a lot of people dont like working. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A GOP senator who has frequently broken with the president on issues of foreign policy and government spending warned Donald Trump against invading or launching strikes in Iran on Sunday after the president released several statements on Truth Social indicating that he was considering supporting protests within the country with military or other assistance. Sen. Rand Paul spoke on ABCs This Week as it was reported that the president was briefed in recent days on options for military strikes within the country. It isnt clear what the administrations target or goal for military action would be if strikes were to be authorized by the president. Paul told ABC that while the protests, which are now nearing a third week, are a sign that many Iranians are tired to living under the current regime, there isnt enough evidence that they were calling for or wanted U.S. intervention of any kind. "I don't think it's the job of the American government to be involved with every freedom movement around the world," Paul told ABCs Martha Raddatz. "I think the protests are directed at the Ayatollah, justifiably so, and the best way is to encourage them and say that, of course, we would recognize a government that is a freedom-loving government that allows free elections. But bombing is not the answer. [W]hen you bomb a country, then people tend to rally around their own flag, Paul said. They tend to see this as the you know, a foreign country coming in and bombing us. And so, I don't think it always has that [intended] effect. open image in gallery Sen. Rand Paul said that Trump should not consider strikes on Iran aimed at aiding protesters ( ABC - This Week ) Paul was one of five Republican senators who broke party lines to support a War Powers resolution aimed at restricting Trumps military campaign against Venezuela on Thursday, causing the measure to pass the Republican-controlled Senate in a rare victory for Democrats. One of Pauls colleagues, Sen. Lindsey Graham, has called for the U.S. to directly support protestors as the death toll continues to climb amid a security forces crack down. Trump himself issued a pair of statements on Truth Social vowing to support Iranian protesters in the event of a violent crackdown, which seems to have occurred in many areas. open image in gallery Hundreds of protesters are seen on the streets of Iran in this screengrab from January 10, 2026 Graham is publicly and privately urging Trump to take action to topple the Iranian regime, of which the South Carolina senator has been a vocal critic on the Hill for years. During both of Trumps presidency, the senator supported military action against the Iranian government including the killing of Revolutionary Guard chief Qassem Soleimani and, years later, targeted strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump is also seeing calls for intervention from the likes of Reza Pahlavi, son of the deposed former Shah of Iran. Pahlavi now lives in northern Virginia. He has publicly encouraged the protesters and his supporters (largely in the U.S. and Europe) claim that demonstrators are pining for his return. open image in gallery Supporters of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed shah, rally in London ( REUTERS ) Other Iranian dissident groups like the MEK-linked National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) have amplified the protests but do not support military action by the U.S., calling instead for countries to expel Iranian diplomats and shutter the regimes embassies. Last week, Paul didnt take a position when asked by The Independent whether he would also support a War Powers resolution introduced by Sen. Ruben Gallego that would prevent the administration from going to war over Greenland. On Sunday, however, he said that a similar or greater level of resistance existed in the Senate against that idea. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone in Greenland for it, but you'd also be hard-pressed to find somebody in Washington who's for a military invasion on either side of the aisle. So, I think there'll be enough pressure to stop it. But the problem is, is they keep rattling the saber, Paul said on Sunday. Adding that he didnt dispute that there were reasons for the U.S. to consider purchasing Greenland, the senator added that Trumps rhetoric made that prospect much harder. You dont get there by angering and denigrating the people who live there, said Paul. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trumps biggest donors during the first year of his second term consisted of artificial intelligence and tech CEOs, an equity boss on the board of TikToks parent company and people whose relatives were facing years in prison. For many of the wealthy donors, contributing to the Trump-affiliated super PAC MAGA Inc. was something they had never done before. A dozen of them gave at least $1 million to the super PAC in late 2024 and 2025, eclipsing any federal political donations they had given to others previously, according to an analysis of Federal Election Commission records conducted by NBC News. Contributing to Trumps war chest will likely prove critical to the upcoming midterms, where Republicans could lose their slim majority in the House. Among the biggest donors to MAGA Inc. last year was OpenAI CEO Greg Brockman, who gave $12.5 million in September 2025, while his wife Anna also gave the same amount on the same day, according to contribution filings. open image in gallery President Donald Trumps biggest donors during the first year of his second term consisted of artificial intelligence and tech CEOs, and individuals whose relatives were facing years in prison ( AFP via Getty Images ) Until Brockman dropped the multimillion-dollar donation, the most he had ever contributed to political campaigns was around the $2,700 mark, a sum he gave to 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, and former Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry in 2018, according to NBC News. Brockma the donation in a social media post on X in December 2025, where he praised Trump directly for his willingness to engage directly with the AI community and approach emerging technology with a growth-focused mindset. This year, my wife Anna and I started getting involved politically, including through political contributions, reflecting support for policies that advance American innovation and constructive dialogue between government and the technology sector, Brockman wrote. Alexander Karp, the CEO of data analysis firm Palantir, gave $1 million to MAGA Inc. in December 2024 as Trump was preparing to take office for a second time, filings show. Palantir has long served as a government contractor, working with a variety of U.S. agencies on issues ranging from tax data to distributing vaccines, but the firm has occupied a prominent and lucrative role as the Trump administration pursues its mass deportation campaign. In April 2025, the firm won a $30 million Immigration and Customs Enforcement contract to deliver an operating system tracking and managing deportations, as well as granting near real-time visibility on those who self-deport. Another significant donation came from the CEO of equity firm General Atlantic, who contributed $1.25 million to MAGA Inc. a few days before Trump was inaugurated in January 2025. open image in gallery For many of the wealthy donors, contributing to the Trump-affiliated super PAC MAGA Inc. in late 2024 and during 2025 was something they had never done before ( Getty Images ) The companys CEO, William Ford, is on the board of TikToks Chinese parent company ByteDance, General Atlantics website says. Trump spent much of last year helping to negotiate an agreement between ByteDance and a consortium of American investors to spin off TikTok U.S. into its own venture to allay privacy concerns and the potential misuse of users data. ByteDance last month signed a deal to sell its U.S. entity in a joint venture majority-controlled by American investors. Two other donors to MAGA Inc. had relatives who were facing federal prison when they contributed to the Trump war chest, and those family members later received leniency from the administration, NBC News reported. Isabela Herrera, the daughter of a Venezuelan-Italian billionaire banker whose father was accused of attempting to bribe the former Puerto Rican governor, donated $2.5 million to MAGA Inc. in December 2024, according to The New York Times and NBC News. A few months later, the Department of Justice dropped the most serious charges against Herreras father and authorized a misdemeanor plea deal. Following the decision, in July 2025, Herrera donated $1 million to MAGA Inc., according to NBC News, citing recent FEC filings. A Justice Department spokeswoman told The Times last month that the decision to settle this case was made through the proper channels and was not influenced by any donation to MAGA Inc. Elsewhere, a prominent Republican donor, Elizabeth Fago, made her largest contribution to MAGA Inc. of $1 million in April 2025, NBC News reports. Her son, Paul Walczak, a former nursing home executive who had pleaded guilty to tax crimes, was sentenced to 18 months in prison shortly after the donation. But he was pardoned by Trump after his mother attended a Mar-a-Lago fundraising dinner, where she reportedly spoke with the president directly. Walczaks pardon application also cited his mothers contributions to the presidents campaigns, according to reporting at the time. A White House spokesperson who talked to The Times anonymously at the time said that Fago's words, rather than her cash, convinced the president to give her son a break. He spoke directly to a mother who pleaded for her son, and when youre talking to a mother pleading for her son, thats a pretty powerful thing, the source reportedly said. A White House official also told The Times that Walczak was targeted by the Biden administration over his familys conservative politics. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump has shared a fake version of his Wikipedia page on Truth Social on which he is referred to as the Acting President of Venezuela. The post appeared on the presidents social media platform on Sunday, a joke at the expense of the countrys interim president, Delcy Rodriguez. Nicolas Maduros former vice president was sworn in last week after U.S. forces swept into Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, January 3, and abducted Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, subsequently removing them to New York to answer to narco-terrorism charges. Maduro pleaded not guilty to the charges in a Manhattan court and insisted he was still Venezuelas rightful leader. In the aftermath of the operation, Trump, flanked by senior members of his cabinet, announced that Washington would run Venezuela until the country was stable enough to hold free and fair presidential elections. open image in gallery President Donald Trump shares a spoof Wikipedia page in which he is referred to as 'Acting President of Venezuela' on Truth Social on January 11, 2026 ( Donald J Trump/Truth Social ) It was subsequently reported that the power vacuum would be filled temporarily by a small committee led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with the president heavily engaged, that would also consist of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, CIA Director of John Ratcliffe, White House adviser Stephen Miller, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Rodriguez was strongly advised to cooperate with the committee, and Trump subsequently said he had called off a second wave of attacks on the country because she was doing so. The president has since met with executives from Americas top oil companies to discuss the management of Venezuelas natural resources, only to be told by Darren Woods, the CEO of ExxonMobil, that his corporation considered the country uninvestable at present. Weve had our assets seized there twice, and so you can imagine to re-enter a third time would require some pretty significant changes from what weve historically seen here, Woods told Trump, referring to the fallout from the late president Hugo Chavezs moves to nationalize Venezuelas hydrocarbon sector between 2004 and 2007. If we look at the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela today, its uninvestable. open image in gallery U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press aboard Air Force One on Sunday January 11, 2026 ( AFP/Getty ) Clearly angered by Woodss position, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday, as he returned to the White House from Mar-a-Lago: Ill probably be inclined to keep Exxon out. I didnt like their response. Theyre playing too cute. The president also took to Truth Social on Sunday to threaten Cuba, saying it would receive no further support from Venezuela before joking that Rubio could be installed as its next leader. Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela, Trump wrote on his platform. In return, Cuba provided Security Services for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE! Rubio issued his own warning to Havana a day after the Maduro operation when he appeared on NBCs Meet the Press and said: 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Conversations on Capitol Hill are shifting rapidly towards Iran following a flurry of statements from the White House indicating that the president is considering military action aimed at destabilizing the Iranian government or protecting demonstrators who have come under attack by government security forces. The White House confirmed Monday that the president was considering airstrikes within Irans borders, an act that would mark a largely unprecedented step for the American government but would not be outside the realm of possibility for Donald Trump, who last year directed strikes to disable Irans nuclear weapons development program. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, told reporters that air strikes remained on the table but stopped short of saying that the president would consider deploying U.S. forces on the ground to protect protesters, a notable distinction given that Trump has signaled his own openness to deploying forces in such a manner inside Venezuela. "One thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table," said Leavitt. "And airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president." The president said on Truth Social that his administration would intervene to stop widespread violent retaliations against protesters in Iran. Photos and videos appearing to be from near the city of Tehran show mourning Iranians searching for relatives amid rows of back body bags at a warehouse near a hospital where victims of the government crackdown were sent. Exact figures for the crackdown are unknown, but are believed to be in the hundreds, according to aid groups. open image in gallery Donald Trump said on Sunday that he was considering several options to respond to growing protests and violent government crackdowns in Iran ( Getty Images ) Were looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Trump told reporters on Air Force One Sunday as he returned to Washington. Now, the likelihood of U.S. intervention in Iran is at its highest point since the days leading up to the strikes last year that targeted several Iranian nuclear sites at Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz. Sen. Lindsey Graham, long one of the strongest supporters for military strike against the theocratic Iranian government, traveled on Air Force One with the president last week and has urged Trump both publicly and privately to get the U.S. involved. On Sunday, a second GOP senator spoke to a local news station and said that the Ayatollah Khameneis future as leader of Iran likely now had an expiration date. "The Ayatollah there should recognize that his time is limited," said Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, a member of the Intelligence Committee, on KOTA Territory News. We should do what we can to support [the protesters]. The presidents going to be very careful about committing troops. Hes always careful about committing troops. I think he still will be in the future, Rounds continued. He added that he thought such a commitment was off the table for now, but that other means of support for the protests were still up for discussion. The U.S. has not yet taken steps to build up forces near Iran in the Red Sea or surrounding waters, as was done before hostilities last year. In the case of Venezuela, the presidents campaign of military strikes against suspected drug trafficking boats and raid to capture Nicolas Maduro occurred after a carrier group was sent to the region. News reports indicate that the president will be presented with a range of options at a Tuesday briefing with top members of the military. But the war drums on Capitol Hill are beating with enthusiasm as foreign policy hawks salivate over the prospect of ridding the board of a major and persistent opponent to U.S. interests in the Middle East, even if the presidents strikes on Venezuela failed to gain the support of a clear majority of Americans and divided his MAGA base. Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, spoke to reporters last week and was cryptic in his remarks about what specifically the administration should do but repeatedly said he trusted both the White House and Israels government to do the right thing in the days ahead. open image in gallery Sen. Lindsey Graham and other conservatives have taken to urging Donald Trump to 'Make Iran Great Again' as they push for military strikes to destabilize the regime ( Getty Images ) Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are frequent supporters of resolutions in support of the Iranian peoples right to self-determination, and as a result, a potential strike aimed at destabilizing the regime or stopping violent suppression of protests could find a bipartisan show of support in Congress. One foreign policy hawk on the Democratic side is once again indicating his support for possible military action: John Fetterman, who also made similar statements about the strike to capture Maduro in Venezuela. Though he voted for a War Powers resolution to constrict further Venezuelan strikes, Fetterman cheered the Maduro raid and on Monday told CNN that he would support military action to support protesters in Iran facing violent crackdowns. Iran is one of the worlds top terrorist underwriters. And now you have that poisonous regime now in spiral. So why wouldnt we want to support that? And those brave protesters-- theyve probably killed more than 600 by now...why wouldnt we want to have...the kinds of targeted action that could break that regime? His words were celebrated by Graham, who reposted them on X, writing: [O]n many issues, particularly foreign policy, you have a clear-eyed assessment and a common sense approach. The protestors in Iran have had it with the brutal regime. President Trump told them he has their back, which was truly a moment in history. Senator Fetterman, your statement that you would support military force to protect the protestors and weaken the regime is welcomed and impactful. It will be a big shot in the arm to those brave Iranians in the streets demanding the end of their oppression. Responding to concerns that the strikes could embolden the regime or generate popular support for the government, Fetterman responded that he supported the strikes only if they make sense in terms of weakening the U.S.s enemy. I think we can all agree that the world would be better, safer, and more just if you could break that regime, he insisted. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., has swapped out President Donald Trumps portrait and removed accompanying text that referenced his impeachments and the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, a new Washington Post report reveals. The White House shared photos of the new portrait earlier this week in a post on X. The original text accompanying the portrait was removed and replaced by a new placard that only lists the presidents years in office, the Post reports. The change comes after a Trump administration official complained about the accompanying text several months ago, according to the Post. The original text, which the Post reports was still available on the Smithsonians website as of Saturday, described Trumps path to the White House, the accomplishments of his first term, his two impeachments and the January 6 Capitol riots. The original text also noted that Trump lost the 2020 election to former President Joe Biden. open image in gallery President Donald Trump's new portrait in the National Portrait Gallery ( The White House/X ) Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials, the original text reads, in part. When asked about the changes, a Smithsonian spokesperson told The Independent: "For some new exhibitions and displays, the museum has been exploring quotes or tombstone labels, which provide only general information, such as the artist's name." "The history of Presidential impeachments continues to be represented in our museums, including the National Museum of American History. The previous label of the National Portrait Gallery's portrait remains available on the museum's website," the spokesperson added Meanwhile, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle praised the new portrait, but did not respond to The Independents question about whether a Trump administration official requested any of these changes. For the first time in history, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery has hung up an iconic photo taken by the White House honoring President Trump. His unmatched aura will be seen and felt throughout the halls of the National Portrait Gallery, Ingle said. open image in gallery President Donald Trump's new portrait in the National Portrait Gallery ( The White House/X ) A White House official said the portrait was taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok, and that the museum can use photographs until an official portrait painting has been completed. This comes after the Smithsonian removed, but later reinstated, an exhibit about Trumps impeachments last summer. Museum officials said at the time they were "not asked by any administration or other government official to remove content from the exhibit and described the change as part of a routine replacement. Trump has also sought to put his name on a number of Washington, D.C., institutions, including the Kennedy Center and the U.S. Institute of Peace. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice With just days remaining until the Supreme Court could potentially strike down President Donald Trumps claim of unprecedented emergency powers giving him the authority to unilaterally levy taxes on imports from nearly every American trading partner, the president is lashing out by warning of a parade of horribles that could result if the high court limits his power. Writing Monday on Truth Social, Trump claimed a decision to strike down the massive tariffs he has placed on almost all imports since early April would require the U.S. to issue hundreds of billions of dollars to importers who paid the levies over the last nine months. He also claimed, without offering evidence, that companies and countries would demand payback for investments theyve made in American manufacturing facilities during that same period while alleging that the amount that the U.S. would supposedly owe in such a scenario would be incalculable or so exorbitant that it be difficult to to repay in a reasonable amount of time. When these Investments are added, we are talking about Trillions of Dollars! It would be a complete mess, and almost impossible for our Country to pay. Anybody who says that it can be quickly and easily done would be making a false, inaccurate, or totally misunderstood answer to this very large and complex question, Trump said. It may not be possible but, if it were, it would be Dollars that would be so large that it would take many years to figure out what number we are talking about and even, who, when, and where, to pay. The president added that were the Supreme Court to rule against his administration on the national security bonanza that is his tariff policies, the U.S. would be SCREWED! open image in gallery President Donald Trump gave an ominous warning if the Supreme Court rejects his tariff plan. ( AFP/Getty ) Trumps social media outburst comes as the court prepares to release more opinions on cases it heard last year, with the next potential opinion release day set for Wednesday. The nine justices are considering whether Trump was authorized to impose sweeping tariffs on nearly every one of the nations trading partners under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which permits the president to regulate trade in unusual and extraordinary circumstances when a national emergency is declared. Trump invoked the act when he decided to impose a baseline 10 percent tariff on most countries in addition to heavier reciprocal tariffs on major trading partners, even though the Carter-era law does not specifically mention tariffs in any way. During a White House event to mark the rollout of his tariff policies in April, the president argued the tariffs were a matter of national security because it was necessary to balance trade deficits. Two lower courts, including the U.S. Court of International Trade, sided with the businesses that sued the administration, saying the president had overstepped his authority when declaring a national emergency. The administration quickly appealed to the Supreme Court, whose members appeared skeptical of Trumps argument during oral arguments on November 5. open image in gallery The Supreme Court could release its ruling on tariffs as early as this week ( Getty Images ) Chief Justice John Roberts, who has steered the court to expand the presidents executive authority, explicitly stated that tariffs, even when used for foreign affairs, are considered taxes on Americans a power that belongs to Congress. Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned why some of the countrys closest allies such as Spain and France would need to be tariffed due to threats to the defense. I mean, Spain? France? I mean, I could see it with some countries, but explain to me why, as many countries, needed to be subject to the reciprocal tariff policy, as are, Barrett said during arguments. At the same time, justices also expressed caution, noting that a ruling against Trump could force the U.S. to return billions of dollars in tariff revenue, resulting in an economic recession. Over the two months that have elapsed since justices heard arguments in the case, Trump has embarked on a public pressure campaign to urge the high court to bless his use of broad emergency powers to levy the tariffs he has made a centerpiece of his foreign and economic policy. In various social media posts, the president has accused the American companies who brought the case of being part of evil, America hating forces while claiming his tariff policies are creating GREAT WEALTH, and unprecedented National Security for the country. He also weighed in on the pending case during rambling speech to House Republicans last week in which he said he hoped the court would do the right thing because a president needs be able to wheel and deal with tariffs. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The USS Abraham Lincoln recently conducted live-fire drills in the South China Sea, according to the U.S. Navy, as the military continues to demonstrate its capabilities worldwide. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier set out from its home port of San Diego, California, on November 24 to patrol the Indo-Pacific and has been in the South China Sea since at least December 26, following a stopover in Guam, Stars and Stripes reports. It has been escorted by several support ships, including the guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance, USS Michael Murphy, and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. The live-fire practice, carried out on Thursday, reportedly included the use of a Phalanx Close-In Weapon System mounted turrets that are designed to counter incoming missiles, aircraft, and boats. The Independent has reached out to the Department of Defense for comment. open image in gallery The USS Abraham Lincoln, seen from U.S. Naval Base Guam in December 2025 ( U.S. Navy ) A spokesman for U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Matthew Comer told Stars and Stripes that the vessel had been involved in routine operations in the region, which typically include flight operations, replenishments-at-sea, damage control training, and explosive ordnance disposal drills. U.S. warships operating in the Far East are deployed to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance peace through strength, according to the Navy. When the Abraham Lincoln arrived in Guam a month ago, its commanding officer, Captain Dan Keeler, said: My crew is excited to be back in this area of the world, and we look forward to demonstrating what an aircraft carrier and carrier strike group bring to the fight. Our sailors are eager to learn from new cultures and strengthen partnerships across the region throughout our deployment. The most recent post on the carriers Facebook account, from Sunday, shows maintenance work being carried out on board. The news comes after the Trump administration dramatically escalated its aggressions around the world in recent weeks, launching strikes against Islamic State militants in Nigeria and Syria, capturing Venezuelas president, Nicolas Maduro, and contemplating military actions in Iran. The drills also follow China's participation in war games near Taiwan on December 29 and 30 as part of Justice Mission 2025, which Chinas Eastern Theater Command said was intended as a punitive and deterrent action against Taiwan and other nations that support its claim to independence. open image in gallery An F/A-18E Super Hornet with Strike Fighter Squadron 14 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the South China Sea on January 4 2026 ( U.S. Navy ) Beijing regards Taiwan as a breakaway province that it believes must be reunited with the mainland, a tense situation that has been likened to Russias imperialist ambition to annex Ukraine, which led to the present war in Europe. President Donald Trump told The New York Times last week that he considers the fate of Taiwan to be up to Chinese Premier Xi Jinping, but qualified the comment by adding that he would be very unhappy if China attempted to seize the democracy by force. He considers it to be a part of China, and thats up to him what hes going to be doing, Trump told the newspaper. But Ive expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that, and I dont think hell do that. I hope he doesnt do that. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which governs U.S. interactions with the island, does not require the U.S. to intervene militarily if China invades Taiwan but compels it to ensure the country receives the resources it needs to defend itself. The Trump administration last month announced $11.1bn in arms sales to Taiwan, its largest-ever weapons package for the island. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A one-year-old boy has died after his head became lodged in an indoor slide at a rural Missouri daycare last week, police say. The incident happened Thursday morning at an in-home daycare facility just outside the city limits of Potosi, Missouri. According to the Washington County Sheriffs Office, the toddler slipped through a small opening in a toy slide inside the home. His head became lodged, restricting his airway and causing a loss of oxygen ultimately killing him. It was horrible, Washington County Sheriff Scott Reed said. Police responded to a call from the daycare reporting a child not breathing. Two deputies with the Washington County Sheriffs Office (WCSO) were the first responders on scene and immediately initiated life-saving measures, including CPR, Reed said in a statement. open image in gallery The tragic incident happened Thursday morning at an in-home daycare facility just outside the city limits of Potosi, Missouri ( First Alert 4 ) When deputies arrived, they immediately began CPR, but the toddler could not be revived. Reed explained in detail how the child became stuck in the slide. It was just two or three steps up to a little platform and then the slide went off the side, he said. On the side of the slide there were railings. At the bottom of the railing was an opening about 5 inches tall and this wide. It was big enough for the child to slip down through but not big enough for his head to fit through. The daycare was operated out of a womans home and was not required to be licensed due to the number of children present, which Reed estimated to be four or five. The identity of the daycare provider was not released. Several other children were inside the home at the time of the incident, including the providers own child, Reed said. The child has not been publicly identified. Reed said the boys family is devastated, and the loss has shaken the entire community. These people are well known, well liked, he said. This is a fairly small, tight-knit community, and when something happens, it affects everybody. The coroners preliminary ruling lists the death as accidental. But the investigation remains ongoing. When asked whether the tragedy could have been prevented, Reed declined to speculate. Im sure there is, he said. Im not going to speculate on any of that, because as we all know, the world we live in today, theres going to be legal action from every direction. The investigation is being conducted by the Washington County Sheriffs Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Missouri Division of Family Services. The Washington County Sheriffs Office extends its deepest condolences to the childs family, caregivers, and all those affected by this tragic loss, the sheriffs office said in a statement. Out of respect for the family and the integrity of the investigation, no further details will be released at this time. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The future of a leading Australian arts festival hangs in the balance after former New Zealand premier Jacinda Ardern became the latest prominent figure to pull out in solidarity with a Palestinian writer. More than 70 participants have joined a boycott of the 2026 Adelaide Writers Week in protest against the organisers decision to rescind its invitation to Palestinian-Australian author Randa Abdel-Fattah following the Bondi Beach attack on a Jewish event. The Adelaide Festival Board argued last Thursday that it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to programme her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi. It added the decision wasnt suggesting that Ms Abdel-Fattah or her writing had any connection to the attack. The decision has triggered a widespread boycott by international writers and commentators. Pulitzer winner Percival Everett, bestselling author Zadie Smith, Greek economist and politician Yanis Varoufakis, Irish novelist Roisin ODonnell, Australian poet Evelyn Araluen, and Russian-American journalist M Gessen confirmed that they wouldnt attend. Adelaide drinks manufacturer Mischief Brew withdrew its sponsorship while former festival leaders signed an open letter urging the board to reinstate Ms Abdel-Fattah. Adelaide Writers Week is part of the Adelaide Festival, one of Australias most prestigious arts events, held annually in South Australias capital and attracting top writers, artists and performers from across the world. It celebrates opera, theatre, dance, classical and contemporary music, literature, visual art, and new media, and holds a central place in the countrys cultural calendar. The festival is scheduled to begin on 28 February. Adelaide Festival Corporation executive director Julian Hobba broke his silence on the matter with a brief statement on Monday afternoon, saying the situation was "complex and unprecedented" and that he would share further updates soon. Author Zadie Smith is one of the more than 70 prominent figures boycotting the Adelaide Festival ( Getty ) Ms Abdel-Fattah said she was considering legal action while still hoping for a change of decision by the board. "I would love for it to be reinstated, the decision to cancel me to be revoked, to be rescinded, and for the event to go on. For those who made this decision to be held accountable, for everyone's questions about how this could have happened to be answered and steps to be taken so that does not happen again," she told the ABC. "I don't really know how it's possible this can be undone, given the scale of destruction. The author added, however, that she didnt think that we are beyond the point of no return. Former Adelaide Festival director Jo Dyer said the event hangs in the balance. Both the board and the premier had been warned behaving in this way would result in these sorts of far-reaching consequences and there seems to have been cavalier negligence with the future of one of the state's most beloved institutions, she said. "The board was split, but subsequently resolved to stand their ground on the issue of uninviting Dr Abdel-Fattah and now we're living with the consequences. Kathy Lette, one of the writers boycotting the festival, wrote on social media that the decision to bar Ms Abdel-Fattah sends a divisive and plainly discriminatory message that platforming Australian Palestinians is culturally insensitive. Ms Abdel-Fattah is a Macquarie University academic who researches Islamophobia and Palestine. She previously faced criticism from Jewish groups for allegedly saying that Zionists had no claim or right to cultural safety as well as for sharing an image depicting a person parachuting down with a Palestinian flag following the 7 October attack by Hamas on Israel. She later told ABC News she didnt know the severity of the attack when she shared the picture. "It was very, very early days, we still did not know what was happening," she said. "At that point, I had no idea about the death toll, I had no idea about what was happening on the ground. She added that the image was just a celebration of Palestinians who have been living under siege for multiple years, breaking out of their prison. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least one person has died as out-of-control bushfires continued to burn in southeast Australia, destroying hundreds of buildings, forcing evacuations and scorching vast stretches of land. Authorities warned that the crisis was far from over. Police confirmed on Sunday that human remains had been discovered near Longwood town, some 110km north of Melbourne, as firefighters battled dozens of active blazes across Victoria. The victim was yet to be identified. The fires have destroyed over 300 buildings, including homes, community facilities and agricultural infrastructure, and burned nearly 350,000 hectares of land across Victoria since the middle of last week. Victoria premier Jacinta Allan said more than 30 fires were burning across the state, with 10 considered of particular concern, as extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds continued to fuel fire behaviour. We will see fires continue for some time across the state and that is why we are not through the worst of this by a long way, she told local media. Emergency services warned that conditions in some parts of Victoria had reached catastrophic fire danger levels, the highest rating, meaning fires burning or newly ignited could not be safely defended. Emergency management commissioner Tim Wiebusch said earlier that damaging winds and unusually hotter temperatures meant the fires were undefendable in several areas, forcing residents to leave rather than attempt to protect their homes. Two adults and a child were earlier reported missing in the Longwood area after being advised to shelter in place when it was too late to evacuate. Police later confirmed the discovery of human remains nearby, but said identification was still under way. open image in gallery A burnt car in Longwood, Victoria ( AAP ) The Longwood fire, one of the largest burning over the weekend, has destroyed homes, a community centre and a telephone exchange, while nearby fires have torn through vineyards, pine plantations and agricultural land. Another major blaze near Walwa, close to the New South Wales border, has burned through around 20,000 hectares, though authorities said it has not yet caused property losses. Dozens of communities across Victoria have been evacuated, while state parks and campgrounds have been closed. Thousands of homes and businesses have been left without power. Fire authorities warned it could take weeks to bring the situation under control. Chris Hardman, chief fire officer for Forest Fire Management Victoria, told the ABC: These fires will not be contained before it gets hot, dry and windy again. Smoke from the fires has spread across large areas of the state, prompting air quality warnings, including for metropolitan Melbourne. Health authorities have urged people to limit outdoor activity. open image in gallery Bushfire burns in the Mount Lawson State Park, west of Walwa, in Victoria ( Forest Fire Management Victoria ) In New South Wales, several fires were burning at the highest danger rating near the Victorian border, the Rural Fire Service said, as extreme conditions extended across southeastern Australia. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said his government would provide emergency financial assistance to the affected people, including support for urgent livestock fodder distribution. Its estimated that thousands of head of cattle are likely to have been impacted, he said in televised remarks. Authorities say the fires are the worst to hit southeast Australia since the 2019-20 Black Summer, which killed 33 people and burned an area roughly the size of Turkey. The fires have been driven by an intense heatwave in southeast Australia, with temperatures climbing into the mid-40s in parts of Victoria. Fire authorities warned that the extreme heat had rapidly dried vegetation, leaving large areas primed to burn once fires ignited. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Spanish police have made their largest-ever cocaine seizure on the high seas, intercepting a Europe-bound container ship with almost 10 tonnes of cocaine hidden in salt. Officers from the Special Operations Group (GEO) boarded the merchant vessel on the Atlantic Ocean en route from Brazil to Europe and located 9,994 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a shipment of salt, police said on Monday. During the operation, the 13 crew members were arrested, and 294 bales of the drug and a handgun were seized. The vessel, which ended up running out of fuel, had to be towed to port by coastguards in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. Spanish police have made their largest-ever cocaine seizure on the high seas ( Policia Nacional ) Footage showed police officers using shovels and digging with their hands to remove cocaine from beneath the salt, and then forming a line to move the bales to the pier. The international effort, codenamed White Tide, also involved the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (MAOC), the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Brazil's Federal Police, Britain's National Crime Agency and authorities in France and Portugal. The seizure is the largest maritime cocaine bust since 1999, when police intercepted the Tammsaare carrying 7,500kg of cocaine in its bow and dismantled a vast Spanish-Colombian drug-smuggling network. The drugs were brought to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, where they were burnt in huge ovens in a military compound. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Far-right politician Marine Le Pen has begun a weeks-long appeal to overturn her conviction for embezzling millions from the European Parliament, with a view to running for President in 2027. The leader of Frances populist National Rally (RN) party was handed a four-year prison sentenceafter it was ruled that she and 24 other party officials diverted more than 3m (2.5m) of European parliament funds for staff to pay members of the party instead. She was prevented from standing for public office for five years. RN are the largest opposition party in France and could pose a threat to President Emmanuel Macron in the forthcoming election next year, with Le Pen enjoying widespread support across the country for her right-wing policies and anti-immigration views. open image in gallery Marine Le Pen faces a make-or-break court appeal on Tuesday ( AFP/Getty ) Who is Marine Le Pen? Le Pen, 56, is the daughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, who founded the RN (originally called the National Front). She took over the leadership from her father in 2011 and has since taken the group from a marginalised voice in French politics to one of its biggest parties. She dismissed her father after he was convicted for Holocaust denial for downplaying the genocide as a detail of history. Le Pen renamed the party in an effort to distance herself from its hardline reputation. But the politician has herself been accused of being racist and Islamophobic, having proposed bans on hijab in public spaces. In 2015, she went on trial on hate speech charges after she compared Muslims praying in the streets to the Nazi occupation. Le Pen was later acquitted. Le Pens has also suggested extreme policies on immigration, including a pledge to hold a referendum proposing strict criteria for entering French territory and for acquiring French nationality. Before her conviction she was a frontrunner in polls for the 2027 presidential election. What is the case against her? Prosecutors alleged that Le Pen and fellow party members treated the European Parliament as a cash cow, using funds allocated for MEP staffers to instead fund the RNs political work. Judges cited an email in which one MEP told the party treasurer that the approach amounted to creating fake jobs for which there would be legal repercussions. I understand Marines reasons, but were going to get hammered, because its certain that our use of the funds will be scrutinised very closely with such a large group, he wrote. open image in gallery Le Pen could pose a threat to Macron ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The treasurer is said to have replied: I do believe that Marine knows all of this. RN employees such as Le Pens longtime bodyguard were employed as parliamentary assistants despite doing unrelated work, according to the ruling, using 717,000 of European Parliament money between 2005 and 2012. Le Pen has denied any wrongdoing and has lashed out at the ruling as a political decision and a violation of the rule of law, adding that millions across the country would be unhappy about it. She has suggested that the scheme amounted to an administrative difference rather than criminal conduct. What are the potential outcomes of the appeal? Of the 24 convictions, 12 staff including Le Pen have appealed the outcome. Despite a national backlog of cases, the court accelerated the politicians case in order to keep the deliberations and judicial debate as far away as possible from the key election date. It is aiming to deliver its ruling in summer 2026, according to France 24. An appeal in France requires a complete rehearing of the case, including all evidence, and allows for the submission of new documents and witnesses. If the court finds in her favour, the provisional execution to ban her from public office with immediate effect regardless of an appeal, will be overturned. This means she will be able to run against Macron in next years election. open image in gallery Bardella would take over Le Pen in the event of a failed appeal ( AP ) However, in the event that she loses, the ban will stand and the RN will be forced to replace her. But the party says it already has its Plan B in place: Jordan Bardella, Le Pens 30-year-old protege. Despite having a popular following on TikTok, he has been accused of undermining the partys chances due to his inexperience. We have a plan B. There is nothing to worry about said Jean-Lin Lacapelle, a senior RN figure and MEP. If Marine cannot run then she will be Jordans biggest supporter. They will win together. What has Le Pen said about the trial? Despite high-drama at the trial, during which Le Pen stormed out of the courtroom at the announcement of the ruling, she has since demonstrated a more tempered approach. I will not drag things out because I am committed to seeing our ideas come to power, she told RTL radio in November. Obviously it will be very difficult, but I believe its a decision that must be made for me at least and one that is required in the interest of the country. She has said: Jordan has the qualities to hold any job that requires determination, ideals, and a deep love for the country. Le Pen said that the decision would be taken sooner rather than later in order for the party to begin its election preparations in earnest. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump's repeated threats to seize control of Greenland are straining relations with US allies within Nato, prompting stark warnings that such an aggressive move could spell the end of the world's largest security alliance. While historical tensions have occasionally flared between some Nato members, notably Greece and Turkey, the prospect of its most powerful country, the United States, annexing the territory of another ally would establish a dangerous precedent. Mr Trump reaffirmed his stance on Sunday, declaring, "One way or the other, we're going to have Greenland." The White House has not ruled out the use of military force in this endeavour. Mr Trump stated his desire to prevent Russia or China from taking over the island, though he conceded that making a deal would be "easier." Greenland is a semi-autonomous island that forms part of the Danish realm. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has issued a severe caution, stating: "if the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops including our Nato." Decades of defending against outside threats The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed by 12 nations in 1949 to counter the security threat posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Nato's deterrence works through a strong American troop presence in Europe, with U.S. nuclear weapons stationed there. Its ranks have grown since the founding Washington Treaty was signed to 32 countries after Sweden joined in 2024, worried by an increasingly aggressive Russia. Indeed, Nato officially considers its biggest threats to be Russia and international terrorism. open image in gallery Danish military forces participate in an exercise with hundreds of troops from several European NATO members in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Nato's doors are open to any European country that wants to join and can meet the requirements and obligations. Importantly, Nato takes its decisions by consensus, so every member has a veto. The Trump administration has vetoed Ukraine's application. Nato is built on the principle that an attack on any one of its ranks must be considered an attack on them all the collective security guarantee enshrined in Article 5 of the treaty. The organisation's credibility depends on adversaries believing that all 32 allies will make good on that pledge. It's a political commitment and not a legal obligation that can be enforced by any court. The only time it has ever been activated was in 2001, to support the United States in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington. Article 5: collective defence against outsiders, not insiders Trump said last year that he is committed to the Article 5 pledge, but he has also fuelled doubt about whether he would defend allies who don't spend enough on defence. However, his repeated threats against Greenland take things to a new level. Article 5 would be moot in any U.S.-Denmark fight as there would be no unanimity to activate it. Besides diplomacy, Nato has no obvious way of dealing with open conflict among its members. Senior U.S. and Danish officials were due to hold talks on Wednesday. Should things get worse, Denmark could trigger Article 4 of the treaty for official consultations if it feels that its sovereignty or territorial integrity is threatened. Article 4 talks do not automatically lead to any action. open image in gallery It's unclear which allies would side with Trump over Greenland. ( AFP via Getty Images ) A U.S. attack is almost certain to divide Nato. This happened when the United States led an attack on Iraq in 2003, with Britain and Spain backing while France and Germany led a group of others vehemently opposed.It's unclear which allies would side with Trump over Greenland. An alliance led by the US The United States is Nato's most powerful member. In real terms, it spends much more on defence than any other ally and far outweighs its partners in terms of military muscle. Washington has traditionally driven the agenda but has stepped back under Trump. Nato is weaker without U.S. leadership, troops, equipment or other military assets. It's almost inconceivable that any ally would go to war with it, let alone hope to win. Day-to-day work at the alliance's Brussels headquarters is led by former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. As Nato's top civilian official, he chairs meetings of ambassadors in the North Atlantic Council most weeks. He chairs other "NACs" at ministerial level and summits of heads of state and government. Rutte runs Nato HQ, encourages consensus and speaks on behalf of all 32 members. One of his main tasks is to ensure that the United States remains committed to Nato. As a result, he does not criticise Trump, and on Monday he sidestepped questions about Greenland and any Nato tensions over the island. "All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security because we know that with sea lanes opening up there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active," Rutte told reporters. Asked whether Nato was in crisis over Greenland, Rutte said: "No, not at all." Nato's military headquarters is based nearby in Mons, Belgium. It is always run by a top American officer. The current supreme allied commander, or SACEUR, is Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich. Trump is his commander in chief. Close Ukrainian maternity hospital hit in Russian strike On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Explosions rang out in Kyiv on Monday night as the Ukrainian capital came under its first major attack in over a week, shattering a temporary pause on strikes targeting energy infrastructure and major cities. Air raid alerts were in effect across Ukraine, and at least four people were injured in Kyiv after a kindergarten was set on fire and several apartment blocks were damaged. The resumption of attacks on the capital came after Donald Trump claimed he was expecting "good news" from trilateral peace talks aimed at ending the war. Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukrainian negotiators will travel to Abu Dhabi to meet Russian and American delegations for talks on Wednesday and Thursday, which were postponed from Sunday. I think were doing very well with Ukraine and Russia. For the first time, Im saying that, the US president told reporters in the Oval Office. I think were going to, maybe, have some good news." For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, has spent more than three decades consolidating power by crushing internal threats. But his leadership faces its most significant challenge yet as widespread protests against his leadership continue to grow across the country, with millions of Iranians taking to the streets to demand regime change. US President Donald Trump has threatened to strike Iran if Mr Khameneis regime continues its deadly crackdown of protesters, with Tehran warning they are ready for war in response to the threats. Mr Trump suggested last week that Mr Khamenei might be planning to flee the country amidst the unrest, with the Iranian leader responding by calling Mr Trump arrogant, saying he would be overthrown. Iranian officials, speaking to the New York Times, indicated the government had been "thrust into survival mode", with reports last week also suggesting Mr Khamenei could flee to Russia. Heres what you need to know about Khamenei. He transformed the Islamic Republic open image in gallery Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed that the Iranian nation is not one to surrender and issued a stern warning that any intervention by the US would bring irreparable damage to them When he rose to power in 1989, Khamenei had to overcome deep doubts about his authority as he succeeded the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. A low-level cleric at the time, Khamenei didn't have his predecessor's religious credentials. With his thick glasses and plodding style, he didn't have his fiery charisma either. But Khamenei has ruled three times longer than the late Khomeini and has shaped Irans Islamic Republic perhaps even more dramatically. He entrenched the system of rule by the mullahs," or Shiite Muslim clerics. That secured his place in the eyes of hardliners as the unquestionable authority below only that of God. At the same time, Khamenei built the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard into the dominant force in Irans military and internal politics. The Guard boasts Irans most elite military and oversees its ballistic missile program. Its international arm, the Quds Force, pieced together the Axis of Resistance, the collection of pro-Iranian proxies stretching from Yemen to Lebanon that for years gave Iran considerable power across the region. Khamenei also gave the Guard a free hand to build a network of businesses allowing it to dominate Irans economy. In return, the Guard became his loyal shock force. He fended off domestic challenges open image in gallery Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, speaks with then-Syrian President Bashar Assad in a meeting in Tehran, Iran The first major threat to Khameneis grip was the reform movement that swept into a parliament majority and the presidency soon after he became supreme leader. The movement advocated for giving greater power to elected officials something Khameneis hardline supporters feared would lead to dismantling the Islamic Republic system. Khamenei stymied the reformists by rallying the clerical establishment. Unelected bodies run by the mullahs succeeded in shutting down major reforms and barring reform candidates from running in elections. The Revolutionary Guard and Irans other security agencies crushed waves of protests that followed the failure of the reform movement. Huge nationwide protests erupted in 2009 over allegations of vote-rigging. Under the weight of sanctions, economic protests broke out in 2017 and 2019. More nationwide protests broke out in 2022 over the death of Mahsa Amini after police detained her for not wearing her mandatory headscarf properly. Hundreds were killed in crackdowns on the protests, and hundreds more arrested amid reports of detainees tortured to death or raped in prison. Still, the successive protests showed the strains in Irans theocratic system and lay bare widespread resentment of clerical rule, corruption and economic troubles. Trying to defuse anger, authorities often eased enforcement of some of the Islamic Republics social restrictions. He built Iran into a regional power open image in gallery Holding posters of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Lebanon's Hezbollah flag, demonstrators chant slogans in an annual rally in front of the former US Embassy in Tehran, Iran ( Associated Press ) When Khamenei took power, Iran was just emerging from its long war with Iraq that left the country battered and isolated. Over the next three decades, Khamenei turned Iran around into an assertive power wielding influence across the Middle East. One major boost was the USs 2003 ousting of Saddam Hussein, which eventually brought Iranian-allied Shiite politicians and militias to power in Iraq. Iraq provided a linchpin in Irans Axis of Resistance, grouping Bashar Assads Syria, Lebanons Hezbollah, the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. By 2015, the alliance was at its height, putting Iran on Israels doorstep. The past two years brought a dramatic reversal open image in gallery Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei turned Iran around into an assertive power wielding influence across the Middle East. Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel brought a massive Israeli retaliation on the Gaza Strip. It also brought a turnaround in Israeli policy. After years of trying to fend off and tamp down Iran's allies, Israel made crushing them its goal. Hamas has been crippled, though not eliminated, even at the cost of the decimation of Gaza. Israel has similarly sidelined Hezbollah at least for the moment with weeks of bombardment in Lebanon last year, along with a dramatic attack with booby-trapped pagers and walkie-talkies that stunned the group. An even heavier blow to Hezbollah was the fall in December 2024 of Syria's Bashar Assad when Sunni rebels marched on the capital and removed him from power. Now, a government hostile to Iran and Hezbollah rules from Damascus. In June 2025, the US bombed three Iranian nuclear facilities. The strike came in support of Israels 12-day war on the Islamic republic in June, although the US reportedly proved unsuccessful in destroying Irans alleged nuclear weapons programme. As the latest wave of protests pushes Khameneis regime to the brink, Iran's Axis of Resistance is at its lowest ebb ever. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Shocking footage shared from Iran appears to show scores of bodies in black bags strewn across a forensic facility in the capital, Tehran. It comes as rights groups warn that more than 500 people have been killed in a bloody government crackdown after two weeks of nationwide protests calling for regime change. Five separate clips shared by activists online show bodies, some bloodied and just in their underwear, littering the compound of the facility, where identification and death certificates are reportedly being issued. open image in gallery Crowds gather in Tehran as body bags line the street ( IRIB News ) Mourners are seen sobbing uncontrollably, some collapsing on the ground, as they move between the dead who are laid out inside several warehouses and even along an internal road in Tehran. Two Iranian activist accounts, which have become credible sources of images smuggled out of the country, named the location as the Kahrizak forensic laboratory. They separately wrote that the regime had summoned civilians there to identify their dead. With a nationwide international blackout in place, The Independent was unable to verify the footage, but matched parts of the buildings in the videos to satellite imagery of the sprawling facility, which is located just 20km south of the city centre. It comes as more than 544 people, 496 of them protesters, have been confirmed killed, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which has accurately reported on past unrest in Iran. open image in gallery Protesters in Tehran dancing around a bonfire ( AP ) The true death toll is expected to be higher, as verification is near impossible under a total communications blackout. Only people with access to satellite technology, or who have left Iran, are able to relay information. HRANA said more than 10,600 people have also been detained over the two weeks of protests. Even Iranian state television has aired footage of dozens of body bags on the ground at Tehrans coroners office, though it claimed the dead were victims of armed terrorists. Nationwide protests against Irans authoritarian regime erupted two weeks ago when the local currency, the rial, spiralled, sending costs soaring. HRANA said the rallies have now spread to all 31 provinces of the country. Video footage shared from around the country shows thousands taking to the streets in multiple cities calling for the downfall of the ruling clerics and even the return to the former Pahlavi royal dynasty that was ousted in the 1979 revolution that heralded in the Islamic Republic. In several clips, the sound of continuous gunfire can be heard in the background. open image in gallery Mourners carry a coffin during a funeral procession for both members of security forces and civilians killed in the protests ( Reuters ) Eyewitness accounts shared with activists Twitter accounts via Starlink describe widespread slaughter. One person, reportedly speaking from the Narmak neighbourhood in the north east of the capital, said they saw the authorities washing the blood... off the asphalt with high pressure water after massacring them. Another added that mobile and landline calls are not working and that the regime is sending texts warning citizens not to leave their homes because armed terrorists are out. Shops are empty and food is running out. In west Iran on Thursday, the last time most areas had mobile network access, one man told The Independent that fuel was also scarce. The situation is terrible, but everyone is optimistic that the regime will fall, he added. Irans embattled regime has faced mounting international pressure as the violence escalates. open image in gallery Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026. ( Getty ) Irans foreign minister alleged on Monday that nationwide protests in his country turned violent and bloody to give an excuse for Donald Trump to intervene. Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim. The regime has yet to release an official casualty list. Trump, who has threatened to strike Iran, said on Sunday the regime has proposed negotiations. He is due to meet his own officials on Tuesday to consider options. Iran has warned it would retaliate if attacked, but it is unclear how that would be possible. Most of its air defences were destroyed in a disastrous 12-day war with Israel last year. Israeli and American forces targeted military infrastructure and nuclear facilities, killing several top military commanders and nuclear scientists. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Persian Knife-wielding thugs, weeds that must be uprooted, cut down and thrown away, these were some of the words Ali Khamenei used on 10 June 1992. One might think he was referring to organised criminal gangs. He was not. He was describing the people of Mashhad, who had taken to the streets after security forces killed a high-school student in the citys Kuy-e Tollab neighbourhood. Thirty-four years later, in Mashhad the birthplace of the supreme leader protesters have once again filled the streets, capturing the worlds attention. From the White House, the US president is now speaking of the city slipping into the hands of popular forces. The ideological and religious heart of the Islamic Republic, the symbolic city bound to Khameneis own life story, has become the scene of the largest uprising ever directed against the very foundation of the Islamic Republic. Over more than three decades of rule, Khamenei has faced repeated waves of unrest, protests, and social and political movements: the Mashhad riots of 1992, the Islamshahr and Shiraz protests that followed, the student movement of 1999, the Green Movement of 2009, the December 2017-2018 protests, the November 2019 uprising and finally the Mahsa movement of 2022. Each time, the regime survived, at the cost of mass repression, killings and immense political and economic damage. That history may have led Khamenei and the small circle around him to believe that this latest wave of protests can also be crushed using the same old methods: violent suppression, attrition, cutting communications and dividing the opposition. But what is unfolding today is fundamentally and strategically different. The Islamic Republic is no longer facing just another wave of social unrest. It is facing the collapse of its capacity to govern. It has crossed the line from a crisis-ridden state to a bankrupt one what political science calls a failed state: a government no longer able to provide basic services, enforce effective authority, or reproduce legitimacy and loyalty. It happened almost overnight The turning point came in the early hours of 12 June 2025, when Israel launched massive strikes against Islamic Republics military and security infrastructure, plunging the regime into an unprecedented state of emergency. That emergency did not end when the 12-day war ended. The Islamic Republic never returned to normal because its security and material foundations had been eroded at the same time. When UN snapback sanctions were triggered in October 2025 and the United States intensified its pressure on Irans oil-smuggling networks, the regimes financial lifelines were cut. The rentier state, which had survived by distributing cash and privileges to its loyal networks, suddenly faced a crippling resource shortage. This was no longer just a budget problem. It became an inability to provide the basics: food, medicine, electricity, water, gas and fuel. The regime found itself in a structural impasse. To prevent social explosion, it had to supply the population with the minimal living standards. But to survive politically, it also had to keep feeding the security forces, militias and patronage networks that form the backbone of its rule and any damage to their interests would accelerate its internal collapse. But the regime no longer has the money to sustain both. The result is the paralysis of the Islamic Republics traditional mode of governance. From rentier state to bankrupt state Even during the bloodiest moments of the November 2019 uprising and the Mahsa movement, the Islamic Republic still had a key advantage: financial and diplomatic room to manoeuvre. Under the Biden administration and during nuclear talks, the Islamic Republic was selling around 1.2 million barrels of oil a day. Despite sanctions, it had relatively easy access to hard currency. There was no looming direct war, no nationwide power, water and gas crisis, and most importantly, it was able to buy the relative loyalty of its security forces and patronage networks. Today, none of that remains. The Islamic Republic in 2026 is a state with no money, no diplomatic horizon and no functioning regional network. All that is left is a tired, expensive, eroding suppression machine that lacks both legitimacy and sustainable funding. For three decades, one of the regimes pillars was its regional reach: Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq, the Houthis in Yemen, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad and networks in Syria. This network of proxies were tools of deterrence against Israel and the United States, and also a source of pride and unity for the regimes ideological base. That architecture has now largely collapsed. Hassan Nasrallah and his successor are dead. Hezbollah is under intense pressure to disarm. Militias linked to the Quds Force in Iraq are being contained. The Islamic Republics missile stockpiles and air defence systems have been badly damaged. For the first time, the Islamic Republic is weak both at home and abroad. It has lost one of its most critical survival tools: the ability to threaten, bargain and intimidate from a position of strength. The leader in hiding, cracks at the top of the power structure Alongside the collapse of material and external resources, the very top of the power structure has begun to crack. Khamenei, once the central pillar of the regime, is now living in hiding, while key Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders have been killed or sidelined. The aura of invulnerability around the supreme leader has been shattered. In systems like this, the mere perception that the leader is vulnerable is itself a driver of collapse. These protests are not just about poverty or discrimination. They are built around a clear demand: the overthrow of the Islamic Republic. The Iranian society has concluded that this system cannot be reformed, and that its survival means the destruction of the countrys future. People are not only fleeing repression and hardship, they are fleeing hopelessness. They see a state that cannot keep the lights on, cannot provide medicine or food, whose leaders are hiding underground, and whose regional power has crumbled. What remains is not a strong government, but a bankrupt one. The Islamic Republic has shifted from a rentier state with minimal governing capacity into a bankrupt system. Even if the regime manages to delay the outcome through bloodshed, the equation has not changed: the public wants regime change, the money is gone, and external power has collapsed. One fact is certain: the endgame has begun. Reviewed by Celine Assaf On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Persian As the nationwide internet shutdown in Iran enters its fifth day, reports from inside the country indicate that protests are ongoing and expanding, while security forces have stepped up their crackdown. Daily life, communications and economic activity have been severely disrupted. NetBlocks, the global internet-monitoring organisation, said on Saturday morning that Iran remains completely disconnected from the global internet network, leaving millions of people unable to access information, contact family and relatives, or to check in on the safety of loved ones. Local sources report that alongside the international internet shutdown in which access to the global internet network is cut off, severe restrictions have also been imposed on mobile networks. In some areas, even the so-called national internet has gone offline which allows users access to approved local and official sites and apps. The communications blackout has left Iran completely isolated and has drastically limited independent reporting and documentation of events on the ground. Blackout coincides with peak of protests The full internet shutdown began last Thursday evening, as nationwide protests surged following a call by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. Before that, users across many cities had already reported sharply reduced speeds and unreliable connections. However, at around 10 pm, all international web traffic in Tehran was cut off entirely. The move came as protests in Tehran and dozens of other cities reached an unprecedented level. NetBlocks said in a post on X: It's now 8:00 am in Iran where the sun is rising after another night of protests met with repression; metrics show the nationwide internet blackout remains in place at 36 hours, severely limiting Iranians' ability to check on the safety of friends and loved ones. Human-rights groups warn that, given the Islamic Republics record, communication blackouts sharply increase the risk of serious human rights violations. Protests persist despite repression Despite heavy security deployments and violent crackdowns on the evening of 8 January, images and reports from the second night of protests on 9 January show large crowds again filling the streets of Tehran and several other major cities. Some of the footage has been transmitted via Starlink satellite internet. The situation recalls the November 2019 protests, though this time the blackout has not completely stopped images and news from reaching the outside world. Human-rights organisations warn that the continued internet shutdown and the absence of independent channels of information allow the regime to carry out mass arrests, violent repression and even killings away from public scrutiny. Cutting off communications, they warn, is one of the governments main tools for hiding abuses during periods of unrest. Economic disruption and collapse of online services One of the most visible effects of the shutdown has been the breakdown of digital governance and financial systems. Many people report being unable to access banking services, ATMs or electronic payment networks. From everyday shopping to business transactions, large parts of the economy have ground to a halt, and many shops and companies have effectively shut down since Thursday. Government offices have also been crippled. At the same time, several foreign airlines that had recently resumed flights to Iran after the 12-day conflict have again suspended their services, reflecting growing concern over security and stability in the country. open image in gallery Anti-Iranian regime protesters hold up a portrait of Iranian opposition leader and son of the last shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Reza Pahlavi (C), as they take part in a demonstration outside the Iranian Embassy in central London on January 10, 2026. (Photo by CARLOS JASSO / AFP via Getty Images) ( AFP via Getty Images ) Conflicting accounts of damage Images circulating from the past two days, and seen by Independent Persian, show damage to banks and public buildings in some areas. The government has blamed protesters for the destruction. On Friday, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described demonstrators as saboteurs and rioters and again called for a firm response. However, analysts familiar with past protests say some of the damage may have been deliberately staged to discredit demonstrators, possibly by pro-government or security-linked groups, a pattern seen in previous unrests. Messages from HRH Reza Pahlavi, Khamenei and international reactions On Friday evening, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi hailed what he called the renewed and magnificent presence of protesters in the streets, calling it a crushing response to threats by the Islamic Republics leader. He said he was preparing to return to Iran to stand with the people when the national revolution succeeds, adding: Our goal is no longer just to take to the streets, it is to be ready to take control of city centres and hold them. Khamenei, meanwhile, has labelled protesters harmful elements for the country and said they must be put back in their place. The exchange underlines the widening rift between the authorities and large sections of society. Internationally, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, said on Saturday that Washington supports the brave people of Iran. In recent days, the US president has also warned Islamic Republic leaders that if protesters are massacred, the United States will act in support of the Iranian people. Casualties and human-rights concerns Human-rights groups say at least 45 people, including eight children, have been killed since the protests began. Hundreds have been injured and more than 2,000 people have been arrested. These figures are emerging as Iranian state media, amid the internet blackout and the blocking of independent channels of information, is trying to downplay the scale of the protests and frame events as a security issue, a narrative increasingly contradicted by images and videos sent out via Starlink satellite internet. Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar and Celine Assaf On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Irans exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, has accused the Tehran regime of killing an Iranian protester every 14 seconds as he declared the slaughter has not stopped. Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah, said that the Islamic Republic will fall soon and called on the international community to support the Iranian people in the face of a brutal crackdown. His comments came after the US moved the nuclear-powered USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier to the Middle East, a signal of mounting tensions between Washington and Iran. Trump has warned the regime to halt the killing of protesters but appeared to step back from military action earlier this week, saying he had received assurances that planned executions were not taking place. open image in gallery Reza Pahlavi has called for action from the international community ( The Independent ) The Iranian people are taking decisive action on the ground. It is now time for the international community to join them fully, Pahlavi said, vowing that he would return to Iran because he is uniquely positioned to ensure a stable transition. The regime will fall. Stand with the people now or watch the cycle of instability continue, he continued. Addressing the international community, he said: My brave compatriots ... we need your urgent help right now. The American warship and its strike group have moved west from the Indo-Pacific region, satellite data from Copernicus shows, carrying with it fighter jets, guided missile destroyers and an attack submarine. The Trump administration had warned Tehran there would be grave consequences if there was further bloodshed in Tehran, after serious unrest in Iran saw the death toll surpass 2,500. Pahlavi claimed that 12,000 Iranians had been killed since the protests began late last month. The protests began over economic grievances before spiralling into some of the most widespread and deadly protests in years. However, the unrest appears to have receded in recent days, largely due to an internet blackout. open image in gallery Iranians engaged in some of the most widespread protests in Irans recent history ( AP ) Fears also grew that hundreds of Iranians were set to be executed by the Iranian regime, which in 2025 carried out nearly twice as many executions as it did in 2024. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump had received assurances that 800 scheduled executions were halted, but that the president was keeping all of his options on the table. Erfan Soltani, 26, was named by Norway-based Kurdish human rights organisation Hengaw as the first Iranian scheduled for execution in relation to the protests. His family had been told he faced execution on Wednesday, just days after he was arrested. But Irans judiciary later denied it had scheduled his execution. It said Mr Soltani faced charges of colluding against national security" and propaganda activities, but that neither is punishable by the death penalty, according to state broadcaster IRIB. open image in gallery Tehran has denied that protester Erfan Soltani was due to be executed ( Hengaw ) An internet and phone blackout imposed by the Iranian regime during the protests has meant that information leaving the country since last Thursday has been scarce. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier this week that the blackout would be lifted, without providing a timeframe. It appears to have been partially relaxed, with some Iranians able to call people outside the country, and accounts of the violence are now becoming clearer. Several residents of Tehran said the capital had been quiet since Sunday. They said drones were flying over the city, where theyd seen no sign of protests on Thursday or Friday. One woman in Tehran told Reuters over the phone that her daughter was killed on Friday after joining a demonstration near their home. She was 15 years old. She was not a terrorist, not a rioter. Basij forces followed her as she was trying to return home, she said, referring to a branch of the security forces often used to quell unrest. Hengaw said that there had been no protest gatherings since Sunday, but the security environment remains highly restrictive. open image in gallery More than 2,400 protesters have been killed by Iranian forces ( Middle East Images ) Our independent sources confirm a heavy military and security presence in cities and towns where protests previously took place, as well as in several locations that did not experience major demonstrations, the group said in comments to Reuters. But there have been indications of some minor unrest in certain areas. A nurse was killed by direct gunfire from government forces during protests in Karaj, west of Tehran, according to Hengaw. The state-affiliated Tasnim news outlet reported that rioters set fire to a local education office in Falavarjan County, in central Isfahan Province, on Thursday. An elderly resident of a town in Irans northwestern region, where many Kurdish Iranians live and which has been the focus for many of the biggest flare-ups, said sporadic protests had continued, though not as intensely. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Iran has threatened retaliatory attacks against Israel and US military centres in the region after tensions escalated amid widespread demonstrations against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Donald Trump has been unequivocal about his intention to use military action to intervene in Iran if protesters are killed. But despite his threats, monitoring groups say that hundreds have died since Thursday, with over 10,000 people arrested. The American leader is to discuss the options for US intervention on Tuesday, according to the Wall Street Journal . He is said to be considering very strong options, which may include cyber-attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel or tightening sanctions, sources said. We are ready for war but also for dialogue, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday. Irans parliamentary speaker warned that both Israel (which he referred to as the occupied territory) and US military centres, bases and ships would be considered legitimate targets in the event of an attack. open image in gallery Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran ( Getty ) We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said. We will act based on any objective signs of a threat. The demonstrations began after a widening economic crisis across the country sparked the collapse of the local currency in recent weeks. The situation has been made worse by ongoing sanctions against the country. Khamenei has blamed the US and Israel for orchestrating the unrest and has called demonstrators terrorist agents working at the behest of foreign governments. Last year Tehran launched missile strikes against a US base in Qatar after vowing to retaliate against strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in the 12-day war. Click here for the latest updates on protests in Iran. Can Irans missiles reach US bases? Iran possesses medium-range missiles, with a range of up to 1,240 miles, and short-range missiles, which can travel up to 435 miles. US officials previously said that Iran had depleted its medium-range stockpile, with few remaining, but it still maintains ample short-range capabilities. Several US military bases lie within reach of Irans short-range weapons, according to estimates by the CSIS Missile Defence Project in the New York Times. These include bases and military sites in Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates all of which may be at risk of Iranian retaliation with short-range weapons. In the wider region, the US operates a broad network of sites across at least 19 locations, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Eight are permanent, including in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Tens of thousands of US troops are stationed across the Middle East, in Arab Gulf countries just across the Persian Gulf from Iran and much closer than Israel. Those bases boast the same kinds of sophisticated air defences as Israel, but would have much less warning time before waves of missiles or swarms of armed drones. And even Israel, which is several hundred kilometres further away, has been unable to stop all of the incoming fire. Iran could also choose to attack key oil and gas facilities in those countries with the goal of exacting a higher price for US involvement in the war. A drone attack on two major oil sites in Saudi Arabia in 2019 claimed by the Houthis but widely blamed on Iran briefly cut the kingdom's oil production in half. open image in gallery US military recruitment was said to have been affected by a Trump administration ban on transgender personnel ( US Department of Defense/AFP via ) Bahrain Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is home to the US Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet. The deep-water port can Americas largest military vessels including aircraft carriers. Four anti-mine vessels, two logistical support ships and several US Coast Guard vessels have a home port in Bahrain. Britains Royal Navy opened and operated the port during the 1920s, and the first US military presence was established when they joined World War 2. After the war it was recognised as a US Navy site. Iraq The US has a number of military bases in Iraq, including two air fields - the Al-Harir and Al Asad air bases - and dozens of camps and outposts. These bases were repeatedly targeted by pro-Iran militant groups after Israels invasion of Gaza in October 2023. At the height of the US occupation of the country from 2003 until 2011, there were reportedly 170,000 US personnel stationed in 505 bases across the country. In January 2024, the Iraqi government requested a start to negotiations on ending the US military presence in Iraq, as regional tensions grew due to the situation in Gaza. open image in gallery US army drones at the Ain al-Asad airbase in the western Iraqi province of Anbar ( AFP/Getty ) Kuwait Kuwait plays host to several US installations, including two air bases, alongside a number of other outposts. Ali Al Salem Air Base is home to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, one of the main hubs for delivering combat support in the region. Qatar Qatars Al Udeid Air Base is the largest of its kind in the region, according to the Reuters news agency. It includes components of Central Command (Centcom), and elements of its air forces and special operations forces in the Middle East. The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, which includes airlift, aerial refueling intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and aeromedical evacuation assets, AFP reports. Iran launched missile strikes against American bases in Qatar on Monday and The Independent understands Doha may have been given a prior warning of the attack. A US official said the missiles had been successfully intercepted and no casualties were reported. Al-Udeid Air Base, which is located in the desert outside the capital Doha, hosts around 10,000 US troops. It serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command, which directs American military operations across a vast area stretching from Egypt in the west to Kazakhstan in the east. Saudi Arabia The Prince Sultan Air Base is a major site which hosted a large US presence during its war in Iraq, and from which the US air force still operates. Elsewhere, the Eskan Village near Riyadh serves as a housing facility for US military personnel, largely those who are under training. open image in gallery US soldiers and marines pictured in Kabul, Afghanistan ( U.S. Marine Corps ) United Arab Emirates Al Dahfra Air Base is home to the US 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which has 10 aircraft squadrons and holds MQ-9 Reaper drones. The base also hosts the Gulf Air Warfare Centre for air and missile defence training. Egypt The US does not hold any major combat bases in Egypt, but there are a number of military facilities stationed in the country. Naval Medical Research Unit Three is based in Cairo, conducting research on infectious diseases and their prevention, and hosting the department of defences largest overseas laboratory. open image in gallery Trump previously said he would hit them hard if the Iranian government attacked protester ( AFP/Getty ) Jordan The Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan was allocated $143 million for upgrades and expansion in 2018. It hosts military partners including Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, with two runways almost 10,000 feet long. Has Iran attacked the bases before? US forces have been attacked on several occasions by Iran-backed forces since the outbreak of the latest war in Gaza and the subsequent conflicts with other state and non-state actors in the wider region. Last year in June, Tehran launched missile strikes against a US base in Qatar after vowing to retaliate when US forces directly attacked Irans three main nuclear sites following weeks of threats by Trump. US officials said the missiles had been successfully intercepted and no casualties were reported. In January 2024, three American soldiers were killed and dozens more injured after a one-way attack drone hit the military base Tower 22 in Jordan, near the Syrian border. US officials blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, for the attack. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Iran and the United States have opened the door to dialogue, even after Tehran responded to threats of military action by Donald Trump by warning that it is ready for war. The US president said Washington officials may meet with their Iranian counterparts, as he continued piling pressure on the regime to call off its repressive response to the protests taking place in Iran. Rights group Iran Human Rights says at least 600 people have been killed since the demonstrations began just over a fortnight ago. A spokesperson for Tehrans foreign ministry confirmed on Monday that a communication channel between our foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and the US special envoy [Steve Witkoff] is open and that messages are exchanged whenever necessary. open image in gallery More than 540 people are reported to have been killed since the demonstrations began at the end of December ( Middle East Images ) Mr Trump told reporters early on Monday that he was receiving hourly updates on the situation in Iran, and that the US was looking at some very strong options. Iran, he said, was starting to cross his red line. Later in the day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr Trump was unafraid to use military options, but diplomacy was his first option. He is due to be briefed by officials on Tuesday on USs possible response. On Monday night, Mr Trump announced on social media imminent 25 per cent tarfiffs for any country doing business with Iran. Britain condemned the brutal suppression of anti-government protests by Iran, but downplayed the prospect of designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation. Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said she had spoken to her Iranian counterpart and told him that the Iranian government must immediately end the violence, uphold fundamental rights and freedoms, and ensure British nationals are safe. The protests began on 28 December in reaction to the economic situation in Iran. In the days since, Norway-based Iran Human Rights reports that 648 protesters have been killed, and more than 10,000 people have been arrested. A total blockade on internet and telephone communications has also been imposed throughout the country, but Mr Araghchi has claimed that the situation is under total control. During contacts between Mr Araghchi and Mr Witkoff on Monday, the US had touched upon some cases and brought up ideas, Iranian spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said. He also accused the US of showing a lack of seriousness and of giving contradictory messages that were not convincing. open image in gallery Protesters dance around a bonfire on a street in Tehran ( AP ) Verified video footage shows Iranians gathered at the Kahrizak Forensic Centre in Tehran on Sunday, many in tears as they stood over rows of dark-coloured body bags that numbered at least in the dozens. Tehran has not provided an official death toll. Many Iranians have grown increasingly resentful of the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), whose business interests, including oil and gas, construction and telecommunications, are worth billions of dollars. The protests were sparked by soaring prices, then turned into demonstrations against the clerical rulers who have governed the country for more than four decades. The EU warned on Monday that it could take action against Iran as the number of protesters killed across the country grows. The bloc is prepared to propose a package of new and severe sanctions on Tehran if it does not halt its repressive measures, a spokesperson for the EU Commission said on Monday morning. Meanwhile, the president of the European parliament, Roberta Metsola, said on social media on Monday that she had banned all diplomatic staff and other representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from European parliament premises. open image in gallery Protesters fill the streets of Tehran as pressure grows on the Iranian regime to call off its response ( UGC ) It cannot be business as usual, she wrote. As the brave people of Iran continue to stand up for their rights and their liberty, today I have taken the decision to ban all diplomatic staff and any other representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from all European Parliament premises. The semi-official news agency Tasnim reported on Monday that British, Italian, German and French ambassadors in Tehran had been summoned to the foreign ministry, and were asked to inform their respective governments of Tehrans request that they withdraw their support for the protests. Iran deems political support for the protests an unacceptable intervention in the internal security of the country, Tasnim added. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In grainy mobile footage allegedly taken in Iran, people are seen crying as they move between more than a dozen bodies, laid out in body bags on the floor. The clip is said to have been filmed at a makeshift morgue in southern Tehran, although it is not possible to independently verify. It has been shared on Iranian Telegram accounts that have been disseminating the scant videos coming out of Iran, where the regime, struggling to crush a two-week uprising, has shut down the internet and even landlines. It follows other videos of protests where continuous gunfire can be heard in the background. Eyewitness accounts describe blood-stained streets and protesters being deliberately blinded. Even Iranian state TV has aired footage of dozens of body bags at Tehrans coroners office, though it claimed the dead were victims of armed terrorists. The increasingly fragile Islamic Republic is lashing out as it faces its gravest existential threat yet. Some of the most respected Iranian analysts I know now believe that, for the first time, there is a genuine possibility the regime could fall. But the toll is already massive. open image in gallery Protesters dancing around a bonfire on a street in Tehran ( UGC ) Norway-based Iran Human Rights said on Sunday that it has verified the killing of 192 people in the rallies, but added that the real death toll may be as high as 2,000. On the streets, protesters are openly demanding the ousting of the countrys oppressive clerical rulers, chanting Death to the dictator and, in some quarters, even calling for the return of the Pahlavi royal dynasty, which was kicked out in the 1979 revolution that birthed the regime. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (Hrana) says protests have now spread to 185 cities across all 31 provinces of the country. This is not the first mass protest movement to rock the country. Just under four years ago, the Women, Life, Freedom uprising erupted after the death of a young Kurdish Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the countrys repressive morality police for not wearing a hijab. But this feels different because of the unique vulnerabilities Irans rulers are facing. For a start, the protests erupted in response to soaring prices as the local currency, the rial, spiralled, piling pressure on all corners of society. Crucially, it comes in the wake of the disastrous 12-day war between Israel and Iran last year. Israeli, and later American, forces bombed Irans key nuclear installations, military infrastructure and even nuclear scientists. At one point, Iran could barely keep up with replenishing its military leadership, as its newly appointed war chief was assassinated just days after his predecessor was killed. Iran hit back, launching strikes on Israel and an American air base in Qatar. open image in gallery Missiles fired from Iran are pictured in the night sky over Jerusalem on 14 June 2025 ( AFP/Getty ) But all this exposed deep vulnerabilities within the regime. For Israel and the US to be so successful, it implied mass intelligence leaks and possible coordination from within the closest circles of Irans elite Revolutionary Guards and possibly even the supreme leader. It also comes at a time when Iran cannot rely on its regional allies in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. Israeli operations over the last few years have already decimated Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. That, in turn, helped contribute to the fall of Irans ally, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, by Islamist rebels who have now turned towards the US. Irans proxy groups in Iraq have been surprisingly quiet despite the regional escalation, although that may change. Sources close to the Iran-Iraq border told me reports were swirling that hundreds of fighters from Iraqs Popular Mobilisation Forces were crossing into Iran to bolster the regime. Whether true or not, however large the number, Irans leadership still has to contend with mass nationwide protests, degraded military infrastructure, concerns over internal intelligence leaks and rebellion, diminished regional support, and the possibility of further US and Israeli strikes. open image in gallery People gather at the site where Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in Israeli airstrikes on 27 September 2024, in the Haret Hreik suburb south of Beirut, Lebanon ( AP ) Donald Trump is understood to have been briefed on potential military strike options. Israeli sources say top commanders have held internal security consultations over the weekend and placed the country on a high alert amid the possibility of US intervention. Iran has vowed to retaliate against US bases and Israel if attacked, but how effective would such a response be? All of this is unfolding at a moment when the United States has a president who relishes intervention. Just last week, Washington launched a stunning and unprecedented military operation in Venezuela, during which US special forces captured the countrys authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro. Trump has since vowed to run Venezuela and separately take Greenland, the territory of a Nato ally. It is not unthinkable that the US would bomb its arch enemy Iran in pursuit of regime change. open image in gallery Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima on 3 January 2026 ( @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social ) And that is actually emboldening protesters, said Gissou Nia, an Iranian-American human rights lawyer who works at the Atlantic Council. She said some protesters have even been wielding Trump signs. They think that it will be worth it in the end, that they will not be alone in their plight, and that they will be able to overturn the regime, she continued, adding that Iranians are willing to risk their lives to see the regime fall. The international community really needs to heed that call, she added. What would come next is unclear. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Irans last Shah, has not only been encouraging people to keep taking to the streets today but, in a video posted online on Sunday, also says he is preparing to return home. That is either naively premature or wilful posturing. But certainly, the regime is fighting for its life. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 23-year-old student was shot dead at close range after joining mass anti-government protests in Iran, according to a human rights group, as the regime continues its crackdown on demonstrations. According to the Iran Human Rights group, Rubina Aminian, 23, was killed on 8 January after leaving Shariati College in Tehran, the nations capital, and joining protest gatherings. Sources close to her family told Norway-based Iran Human Rights that Aminian, who was a student of textile and fashion design, was shot from behind at close range, with the bullet striking her head. The group said Aminians family travelled to Tehran to identify their daughter among the bodies of hundreds of young people. When they returned to their home in Kermanshah to bury their daughter, they found it surrounded by intelligence forces, forcing them to bury her by the side of a road. open image in gallery Rubina Aminian, 23, was a student of textile and fashion design, according to Iran Human Rights ( Iran Human Rights ) Aminian was described as a young woman full of joy for life and passionate about fashion and clothing design, whose dreams were buried by the violent repression of the Islamic Republic, by Iran Human Rights. Her death comes as the clerical regime tightened its grip on the anti-government protests, which started two weeks ago over the collapse of the economy and have since spread across the country. Aminian is believed to be one of more than 500 people who have died so far, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Authorities in the country have warned that those taking part in the demonstrations face the death penalty for causing damage to property. The military also accused foreign enemies of fuelling the unrest and urged civilians to stay vigilant against so-called enemy plots. Donald Trump has warned the regime that the United States will hit them hard if protesters are killed, and is understood to be weighing up options for action within days. open image in gallery Protesters dancing around a bonfire on a street in Tehran ( AP ) But as international pressure on Iran mounts, Tehran said on Sunday it was ready to launch preemptive strikes against Israeli and US bases in the region if it was attacked. In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Checking off the sights on vacation can be tiring, with arduous journeys from one landmark to another. But in these tiny European countries, sightseeing without schlepping is guaranteed. Even the biggest can be easily driven across in a few hours, while the smallest is about the size of the average shopping mall. The appeal doesnt end there. Theyre no less memorable for their size, packing in an extraordinary concentration of eye-opening landscapes, culture and fascinating history within their pint-sized dimensions. Theres the minute nation thats home to over 70 castles and a hidden labyrinth; the bijou principality with over 65 mountain peaks above 6,500ft and over 190 miles of ski slopes; and the country thats smaller than Central Park in New York where youll find some of the most glamorous hotels in the world and a top-tier Formula 1 motor-sport circuit. Our portfolio of petite nations also includes one thats home to some of the greatest art ever created. Next, the big question: which one would you like to visit first? 1. Luxembourg open image in gallery Luxembourg City Old Town is a Unesco-listed district built on a rocky outcrop ( Getty/iStock ) Luxembourg is the largest country on this list at 998 square miles, yet thats only two-thirds the size of Rhode Island. However, its hugely rewarding culturally and has an enticing concentration of forests, valleys, and spellbinding architecture, plus a generous peppering of medieval castle sites. In fact, its known as the Land of Castles, with over 70 scattered within its borders. Not-to-be-missed highlights include the 11th-century castle of Vianden in the northeast of the country; the Mullerthal Region, dubbed Little Switzerland for its fairytale gorges and waterfalls; and the Bock Casemates subterranean tunnel network in Luxembourg City, a hidden labyrinth that fans out beneath the Old Town. Above ground, wander the cobblestone streets of this beautiful, Unesco-listed district, located at the confluence of the Alzette and Petrusse Rivers on a dramatic rocky outcrop. To refuel, duck into snug Chocolate House Nathalie Bonn for a hot chocolate and pastry, or Brasserie du Cercle for Luxembourgish classics such as Judd mat Gaardebounen (smoked pork collar with broad beans) and bouneschlupp (green bean soup with potatoes and bacon). Getting there: Fly to Paris or Frankfurt, then hop on a high-speed train to Luxembourg City in around two hours. Direct flights operate seasonally. Once youre there, public transport nationwide is free. Where to stay: Hotel Le Royal Luxembourg (from $300 per night) is located in the heart of Luxembourg City and features an indoor pool and spa, a fine-dining restaurant and soundproofed, en-suite accommodations with free wifi and 24-hour room service. Read more: Seven Unesco sites in Europe that are worth the hype 2. Andorra open image in gallery A spectacular spot to take in the majesty of Andorras landscape is the Mirador Roc del Quer viewpoint ( Getty/iStock ) The pint-sized principality of Andorra sandwiched between France and Spain is just 181 square miles, or about four-fifths the size of Chicago. But it packs a punch scenery-wise, with over 65 peaks above 6,562ft and one, Coma Pedrosa, towering to a height of 9,656ft. A spectacular spot to take in the majesty of Andorras landscape is near the town of Canillo at the Mirador Roc del Quer viewpoint, a dramatic viewing platform that juts 40ft out from a cliffside 6,400 feet above sea level. During the summer months, Andorra is a mecca for cyclists and hikers, and a playground for skiers during the winter: between its two principal ski areas, Grandvalira and Pal Arinsal, there are 219 slopes that would stretch to 191 miles end to end. To refuel for summer and winter activities, visit the capital, Andorra la Vella, and try some hearty Pyrenean cooking (think potato and cabbage hash and slow-cooked meats) at restaurant Borda Sabate. Getting there: As Andorra has no airport or rail station, youll need to fly to Barcelona in Spain or Toulouse in France, and continue by car or direct bus. The drive time from both cities is around three hours. Where to stay: Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa (rooms from $420), about a 25-minute drive north-east of Andorra la Vella, has ski-in/ski-out access, plus indoor and outdoor pools and a stunning spa thats almost worth the trip alone. Read more: 10 awe-inspiring European road trips everyone should experience at least once 3. Liechtenstein open image in gallery Vaduz Castle is one of tiny Liechtenstein's biggest attractions ( Olyasolodenko/stock.adobe.com ) At just 62 square miles, the microstate of Liechtenstein, wedged between Switzerland and Austria, is slightly smaller than Washington, DC you could set off in the morning and drive across it twice before lunchtime. But its a country youll quickly realize should be slowly savoured. Amble around the capital, Vaduz, and youll discover fascinating museums to explore, from the Liechtenstein National Museum (for history) to the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein (for modern art), and charming cafes to linger in. While at the picture-postcard Vaduz Castle you can soak in panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. For more majestic mountain views, drive to the alpine village of Malbun. From here, you can hike well-marked trails in a single afternoon along ridgelines that separate three countries. Getting there: Liechtenstein doesnt have a commercial airport. The easiest way in is to fly to Zurich, Switzerland, then continue by car or bus to Vaduz, which takes up to two hours. Where to stay: Park Hotel Sonnenhof (rooms from $430), perched above the capital, offers boutique luxury and stunning valley views. Read more: Seven European lakes you must visit at least once from A-list favorites to under-the-radar gems 4. San Marino open image in gallery The City of San Marinos medieval towers which sit atop Mount Titano ( Getty/iStock ) At 24 square miles, San Marino covers an area that is around three-fifths the size of Floridas Disney World theme park. The theme in San Marino? Resolutely Italian: it lies in northeastern Italy and is surrounded by it on all sides. And that geography shapes everyday life in the microstate the official language is Italian, pasta is the national cuisine and the architectural vibe is Italian hill town. However, San Marino is fiercely independent, and claims that its founding date of AD 301 makes it the oldest surviving republic in the world. To discover its fascinating history head to the Unesco-listed old town of the City of San Marino, which sits atop Mount Titano and is home to three grand towers: 11th-century Guaita, 14th-century Montale, and crowning the highest point of Mount Titano at around 2,400 ft above sea level 13th-century Cesta. Guaita and Cesta are both open to the public, the latter being home to the Museum of Ancient Arms. On clear days you can see the glistening Adriatic, 15 miles away, from the top. Afterwards, wander the Old Towns maze of cobblestone lanes and visit Ristorante Righi for a taste of the local pasta dishes. Getting there: San Marino has no airport or train station. Fly to Bologna, hop on a train to Rimini, then drive or take a bus to San Marino City, a journey of around 45 minutes. Where to stay: Titano Suites (rooms from $220) sits within the historic center of San Marino City, putting the towers, picturesque streets and expansive vistas on its doorstep. Read more: 10 great British cities to visit instead of London (that are far less crowded) 5. Monaco open image in gallery Monaco is only three-fifths the size of Central Park, but has plenty of glitz and glamor ( Mirko/stock.adobe.com ) Monaco, nestled between France and the Mediterranean Sea, is the second smallest country in the world at just 0.8 square miles or about three-fifths as big as Central Park in New York City. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in glitz and glamor. Eye-catching houses and hotels are stacked together, one above the other, on a hillside overlooking a harbor perpetually packed with superyachts. While legendary landmarks stand almost cheek by jowl. Stroll from the Casino de Monte-Carlo to the Opera de Monte-Carlo and the striking Oceanographic Museum, then take the elevator up to the Old Town, Monaco-Ville, where youll find the Princes Palace of Monaco home to the ruling Grimaldi family and seasonally open to visitors. The harbor at Port Hercule is also a memorable spot for a stroll, but factor in some time to get behind the wheel of a hire car and trace the route of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, which sees hairpin roads double as exhilarating sections for one of the worlds most prestigious motor sport circuits. To eat, try Le Castelroc in the Old Town for Provencal classics and harbor views. Getting there: Fly to Nice, then take the train or drive. The journey along the Monaco coast takes around 25 minutes. Where to stay: Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo (rooms from $650), opposite the casino, is a showstopper inside and out, with Belle Epoque architecture, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant and lavish bedrooms. Read more: Billionaire lifestyle on a budget: How to do a bucket-list trip to the F1 Monaco Grand Prix 6. Malta open image in gallery The incredible Blue Lagoon off the coast of Comino, one of the three main islands in the Maltese archipelago ( Getty/iStock ) Visit Malta and youll discover over 7,000 years of history squeezed into a country that, at 122 square miles, is slightly smaller than the city of Los Angeles. Plus, the three-island archipelago made up of Malta, Gozo and Comino is home to some of Europes dreamiest beaches, coves and lagoons. For the most intense history hit, linger in Maltas enchanting capital, Valletta, built by the Knights of St John in 1566 and now a Unesco World Heritage Site crammed with 320 monuments, from St John's Co-Cathedral to the opulent Grand Master's Palace. Just south of the city is the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum monument, a remarkable subterranean cemetery dating back 6,000 years. You can also step back in time in mysterious Mdina, the ancient capital. There, historical, car-free lanes thread between ornate, honey-colored churches and grand palaces. The beach, meanwhile, is a year-round option, with the Blue Lagoon off the coast of Comino one of the most sensational spots for a swim thanks to its incredible milky-blue waters. For a refined take on Maltas cuisine, book a table at Noni in Valletta, where you can indulge in the likes of ember-grilled sea bream served with cuttlefish, cabbage and spinach; and suckling pig with roast-bone sauce. Getting there: Fly to Malta International Airport. From the U.S., most services connect via London or major European hubs. Valletta is around 20 minutes by car from the airport. Where to stay: The grand Phoenicia Malta (rooms from $360) lies just outside Vallettas city gates and blends postcard-worthy harbor views with sumptuous interiors and top-tier amenities, including an indoor and outdoor pool. Read more: Best hotels in Valletta for a stylish stay in Maltas capital 7. Vatican City open image in gallery Vatican City is officially the world's smallest country, at just 0.17 square miles ( Givaga - stock.adobe.com ) Smaller than the average shopping mall, and walkable in minutes. Welcome to Vatican City, entirely enclosed by Rome and measuring just 0.17 square miles. Yet within lies a lifetime of art, architecture and religious history. At the countrys heart is the vast colonnaded piazza of St Peters Square, where the Pope addresses the world. It forms the grandest of entrances to St Peters Basilica, the heart of Catholicism and the largest church in the world by interior area (275,750 sq ft). Inside are Renaissance masterpieces, notably Michelangelos Pieta, and steps leading to the top of the dome from where you can gaze across the Vaticans rooftops and into Rome beyond. A short walk away is the Vatican Museums complex, a treasure house containing a seismic art and antiquities collection amassed over centuries and, without fear of hyperbole, one of the most spellbinding artistic achievements in human history: Michelangelos ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. To refuel and reflect, book a table at Ristorante Arlu. Its just outside the Vatican walls and serves classic Italian comfort fare. Getting there: Fly to Rome, then take the metro to OttavianoSan Pietro or walk in from nearby neighborhoods. Where to stay: Luxurious Residenza Paolo VI (rooms from around $400) has a bar overlooking St Peters Square and can organize art tours of Rome with art history graduates. Read more: Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Hotel, Rome, hotel review Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Canadian officials and ministers have allegedly tried to delay and undermine efforts that would force airlines to pay for the countrys air passenger complaints system, according to a new report. Almost 100,000 people are waiting for compensation after parliament directed the Canadian Transportation Agency in 2023 to introduce a cost-recovery fee on airlines. Currently, Canadian taxpayers cover about $30 million in processing air passenger complaints, and the backlog of people seeking compensation has reached more than 88,000. Types of issues that people could seek compensation for include flight delays or lost luggage. open image in gallery People walking with luggage at the Terminal 1, Pearson International Airport, Toronto ( Getty/iStock ) However, due to an overwhelmed complaints system, parliament ordered the agency to charge airlines a fee for cases when passengers had eligible claims. CBC Go Public reported that documents revealed correspondence between the Canadian Transportation Agency and multiple transport ministers through different governments. One of the documents reveals that then-transport minister Anita Anand requested the CTA delay the introduction of a fee charged to airlines, according to the report. Given that the agency has not consulted with me, I respectfully request that you refrain from implementing any decision on the fee until you have adequately done so, the letter reads. Further, ministry officials emailed the CTA to express concern about the proposed fee. Airlines would be charged $790 per complaint regardless of the findings. That charge would still cover only about 60 percent of the nearly $30 million it would cost taxpayers to handle the backlog of complaints. open image in gallery Types of issues that people could seek compensation for include flight delays or lost luggage ( Reuters ) While the CTA had received input from Anands predecessor, Pablo Rodriguez, the then-minister said that was not good enough. "I should have been accorded, as the incoming Minister, the opportunity to provide my input to the proposal," wrote Anand. "Notification to the previous Minister is insufficient." Research chair in administrative law and governance at the University of Ottawa, Pauly Daly said Anands conduct appeared spurious and constitutionally inappropriate. The clock doesnt restart on consultation or anything else when a new minister takes office, he said. It is not the personal property of whoever happens to be occupying the office at a particular point in time. Daly further argued that the adequacy of consultation should be judged by the CTA, not the minister. Its very clear that it is the agencys job to decide who should be consulted, he said. What we are seeing here is that the government and the minister in particular are sabotaging parliaments will. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice They are tales of trips-gone-horribly-awry that will make your getaway gripes pale into insignificance. The worlds unluckiest travelers of 2025 have been unveiled in an annual contest run by a travel insurance provider that solicits vacation nightmares from across the U.S. and Canada. After weeks of voting, the winners have been declared, with Travel Guard giving the grand prize of $10,000 to Lloyd L, whose once-in-a-lifetime trip to Rome to see the Pope became a soggy, soul-destroying saga. Here, we reveal the whole, sorry tale of his waterlogged adventure, along with the calamities honored with the $5,000 runner-up and $3,000 third-place prizes. A hellish soaking the grand prize winner open image in gallery Lloyd L has been declared the 'world's unluckiest traveler' after describing his water-logged trip to see the pope in Rome ( Lloyd L/World's Unluckiest Traveler ) Lloyd L flew to Rome for a once-in-a-lifetime general audience with the Pope in St. Peters Square a trip hed been looking forward to for months. Before setting off, he told Travel Guard that he imagined sunshine, reverent silence, maybe a few tears of joy. But nonstop rain drenched him in misery. He explained: From the moment we stepped out, it poured like the heavens were testing our devotion. Recounting the ordeal, he remarked: We left the hotel before sunrise, with a bagged breakfast of fruits and pastries to eat once we arrived at St. Peter's Square. By the time we reached our destination, the bag was soaked and split open like a pinata, spilling all the food onto the cobblestone pavement. Then the situation worsened. Lloyd continued: We huddled shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of other hopeful pilgrims; all soaked in their ponchos and holding umbrellas, waiting patiently for the Pope to parade around the square in his popemobile. With all the rain and umbrellas, it was hard to see him as he drove among the crowds of people. At this point, I was drenched, cold and hungry and couldn't wait for it to end and get out of there, he added. Lloyd admitted that Rome had baptized him, just not in the way he expected. He added: While I couldnt wait for it to be over, Ill admit its the kind of miserable memory that makes for a great story. Flip-flop fiasco the runner-up open image in gallery The runner-up prize went to a traveler who had a panic attack when he scaled a rock-face in California in flip-flops (pictured) ( Daniel B/World's Unluckiest Traveler ) Daniel B admitted that his sorry tale is less about bad luck and more a testament to my ignorance, arrogance, and a generous dash of stubbornness. He recalled how, during a high-school reunion in California, two of his longtime buddies had the bright idea of exploring Vasquez Rocks, an area in the Sierra Pelona Mountains of northern Los Angeles County known for its awe-inspiring rock formations and beloved by Hollywood directors. He explained: My friends pitched it as a cool Star Trek filming location. I vaguely remembered seeing it in a travel guide, but didnt give it much thought. I pictured a few modest rocks in the desert. No big deal. I just wanted to chill with my friends. He showed up in a T-shirt, shorts and flip-flops, which were ideal for the heat but, as he soon found out, terrible for what came next. And that was a competition to see who could climb the highest. Daniel realized that hed misjudged the situation, with his friends sporting proper shoes. But he joined the ascent regardless, with pride being a powerful motivator. He recalled: At first, I held my own. But as the rocks got steeper, my fear of heights kicked in hard. I froze. My friends, perched above me like smug mountain goats, sneered down in triumph. I waved the white flag. Then came the real challenge: getting down. My anxiety went into overdrive. I panicked. Vultures actual vultures started circling overhead. My friends couldnt stop cackling. I was furious at them, and even more furious at myself, his continued. He added: After 20 agonizing minutes of inching down on my backside, I finally made it to solid ground. My flip-flops survived. My dignity? Not so much. The $28,000 snowboarding souvenir third-place winner open image in gallery Ryan P was awarded third prize after he recounted his tale of badly fracturing his wrist two hours into a snowboarding vacation in Austria. This picture shows the moment a helicopter arrived to fly him to hospital ( Ryan P/World's Unluckiest Traveler ) Canadian Ryan P revealed he had the snowboarding trip of a lifetime in Austria, just not the way hed imagined. He recalled: Two hours into our first day on the slopes, I made a wrong move and suddenly found myself sliding on my back towards a blind drop. Even though I had years of experience, I was a foreigner on this slope. As I approached the edge, I stuck my palms into the snow. I slammed into the icy bank and braced myself for the fall beyond. Next thing I know, I am lying on my back in deep powder. I giggled at my apparent luck and continued down the hill, he added. But things soon took a turn for the worse: At first, I was in total denial... I rode down the slope to the next hut and unstrapped my board as if nothing had happened. But when I took off my gloves, everything changed. My wrist was deformed. It looked like it had been assembled by Picasso. The ski patrol arrived and insisted that Ryan had to be flown by helicopter to a hospital, as a snowmobile ride might have aggravated a wrist that was badly fractured. Ryan continued: At the hospital, X-rays confirmed the bad news: my wrist had exploded. Surgery was immediate, expensive, and unavoidable. The next few days were a blur of more pain meds and awkwardly trying to cut steak with one working hand. On top, it was my birthday the day after I left the hospital; not the kind of celebration I had in mind. By the time I was released, I had enough metal in my arm to set off every airport detector, and a collection of receipts that could wallpaper a room. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice First stop, Venezuela: that was the traditional route for British travellers to Latin America in the early 1990s. The national airline of the oil-rich nation was Viasa. It offered cheaper fares than any other carrier between the UK and pretty much anywhere in Latin America, from Cuba to Chile. As an additional enticement, the airline threw in a stopover at its hub in Caracas at no extra charge. Some passengers opted for a day or two on a Caribbean beach (the hotels at Caracas airport begin almost as soon as the runway ends), while others spent weeks exploring Venezuela. In the latter camp: Lyn Hughes, founding editor of Wanderlust magazine. "My late husband Paul and I were on a Viasa flight all those years ago, at the end of 1992, she recalls. On that trip we were exploring Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, which is where we first conjured up the idea for Wanderlust. open image in gallery Angel Falls, the world's tallest uninterrupted waterfall, is situated in Canaima National Park ( Getty Images / iStockphoto ) Venezuela was the last part of that journey a very memorable month or two. I remember being up in the mountains and getting down to planning what this new travel magazine was going to be. Lyn was completely wowed by Venezuela: trekking in the mountains, exploring the Orinoco Delta, visiting local communities (I had some really memorable cultural encounters) and winding down on deserted white-sand beaches. You also had the flattop mountains the tepuis which are extraordinary. One of them in particular was becoming quite well known at the time because of all the talk about the Lost World on its summit. But in reality, there are so many of these flattop mountains where you genuinely feel like an explorer. Venezuela just seemed to have everything that someone interested in travel could possibly want, Lyn says. While adventurous backpackers explored the interior, Margarita Island Venezuelas leading Caribbean isle became a mass-market package holiday destination and a regular stop for British and US cruise ships. But the economic implosion of Venezuela and increasing risk sent the tourism boom into reverse. The leading UK specialist, Journey Latin America, has not run holidays to Venezuela since 2014. Even before the US operation of 3 January, in which more than 100 people died. the Foreign Office warned against travel to the beleaguered nation. The final travel advice for 2025 said: Venezuela has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Armed robbery, mugging, carjacking and burglary are all very common and often accompanied by extreme violence. The risk of armed robbery, said the FCDO, began immediately upon arrival at Caracas airport. open image in gallery Cabal cars in Caracas ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) The US State Department was even more graphic in its travel advice for Venezuela: warning American citizens of extreme danger in the nation, and urging anyone planning to visit to prepare a will. Yet Sir Michael Palin survived while making his excellent TV series for 5: The journey was a real adventure, tough but rewarding, he told me last year. Venezuelas immediate future looks fragile, with the dangers for the British intensified since the extraction of President Nicolas Maduro. You should have a personal emergency plan, including practical steps for leaving the country or staying safe during a crisis, that does not depend on support from the UK government, the Foreign Office now warns. But the travel industry is ever-optimistic, despite the uncertainty created by Donald Trumps Venezuelan venture. I felt this was a country that deserved so much more, recalls Lyn Hughes. It deserved to be better known. Journey Latin Americas managing director, Sarah Bradley, says: We sincerely hope that stability and peace return to Venezuela as soon as possible, so that its people can once again thrive, and so that this remarkable country can one day welcome visitors back to experience its extraordinary natural beauty and cultural richness under safer and more hopeful circumstances. Tens of millions of Venezuelans should be living peacefully and prosperously in a nation of immense oil wealth. Once Venezuela is safe to visit, tourism can help rebuild a country that has suffered so much. Even though Viasa went bust three decades ago, I cant wait to return. Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue and what it means for you. Video captures the moment a stranded surfer is rescued after being adrift at sea for 30 hours. The 68-year-old man was found near Surfer's Beach in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, on 10 January 2026 after a missing persons report was filed by an Airbnb host, who had reported he had not been home for more than 24 hours. The man's daughter then confirmed that her father had gone surfing at noon on 8 January 2026 and had not been heard from since. The US Coast Guard, along with the help of the Puerto Rico Police Department, Joint Forces of Rapid Action, and U.S. Border Patrol, were able to locate and airlift the man to safety, where he received emergency medical service. The price of a stamp is to increase by 20c to 1.85 at the start of next month, An Post has announced. A new 3.50 rate is being introduced for Britain and Europe, which is an increase of 85c. The cost of sending a letter to anywhere else in the world will be 3.95, which the company says is to cover significant losses on international mail. Smurfit WestRock cant comment on whether US Venezuela raid boosts bid for $469m payout over 2018 paper mill seizure Money, related to a massive arbitration award made in favour of the packaging giant following South American states seizure of a factory it owned in the country Nicolas Maduro was kidnapped by US special forces. Photo: Reuters Fearghal O'Connor Sun 11 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Smurfit WestRock will not be drawn on whether Donald Trumps military intervention in Venezuela will increase the chances of it getting back $469m (402m) it is owed by the South American state. Partner content American companies value the in-built compliance provided by Irish suppliers, who are fully in line with stringent EU regulations. Stock image/Getty From AI and augmented reality to interactive video and immersive virtual reality, Irish EdTech (education tech) companies are harnessing innovative tech to bring best-in-class tools to the multibillion dollar EdTech market. Their transformative digital learning solutions are making waves in the US in particular, where chief human resource officers (CHROs) of growing businesses welcome the global-first approach of Irish EdTech companies. They also value the in-built compliance provided by Irish suppliers, who are fully in line with stringent European Union regulations. My Life in Books Dave Ruddens first novel, Knights of the Borrowed Dark, was the Irish Book Awards Best Childrens Novel in 2016. Since then, he has visited hundreds of schools, libraries and festivals to talk about writing, monsters and mental health. His first adult novel, the Irish alt-history Sister Wake, will be published by Hodderscape on January 15 . The Showjumper Murder 2/5 Katie Simpson, the talented young showjumper whose alleged murderer, Jonathan Cresswell, took his own life during his trial. Photo: Virgin Media Ireland Nobody likes coming second, whether its in the competitive world of equestrian sports or the equally competitive world of TV documentary-making. This is the unavoidable fate of upcoming two-part docuseries The Showjumper Murder (Virgin Media One, Wednesday, January 14), about the rape and murder of 21-year-old Northern Irish rider Katie Simpson, which the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) long insisted was a suicide in the face of numerous factors that clearly pointed to murder. China lifts ban on Irish beef as Mercosur tensions roil Government Decision clears the way for the resumption of exports to the worlds largest beef-importing market Taoiseach Micheal Martin with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week. Photo: Li Xiang/Xinhua Ciaran Moran Mon 12 Jan 2026 at 12:32 Ireland has secured a boost for the beef sector with the reopening of the Chinese market. An army chaplain attacked in Galway, and three other members of the Defence Forces who came to save him, are to receive distinguished service medals next month. A 24-year-old man who attacked a garda four days after setting fire to Conor McGregors pub has pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including terror charges. Abdullah Khan, with an address in Dublin, appeared before the Special Criminal Court this morning where he pleaded guilty to a total of eight offences arising from the knife attack and arson in July of last year. Pub row sparked arson attack which left eight cars torched in Co Meath Notorious Dunne mob linked to burning of eight cars outside pubToyota car used in attack involved in extensive crime spree across three counties in days leading to attack The eight cars burnt out at the car park in Duleek. Photo: Frank McGrath Ken Foy Mon 12 Jan 2026 at 22:00 Detectives are investigating if associates of missing drugs baron Sean Dunne ordered an arson attack in which eight cars were set alight in a pub car park just after the new year. The Indo Daily: Melania: The Movie We saw it, so you dont have to... Ashling Murphys boyfriend Ryan Casey has posted a tribute to her on the fourth anniversary of her tragic death. Ms Murphy was 23 years old when she was killed while she was out for a run along the banks of the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Co Offaly, four years ago today, on January 12, 2022. Its a fitting tribute how Ashling Murphys legacy is creating a brighter future for young people across Ireland Memorial fund honours memory of teacher who was murdered this day four years ago Tributes to Ashling Murphy along the canal where she was killed Deirdre Barry Mon 12 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Ashling Murphys murder sent shockwaves across the country. She was a gifted teacher, a maestro musician, a skilled sportswoman, a loving sister, a daughter that brought immense pride to her parents, a devoted partner. Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen: Washington has exposed an uncomfortable truth that Greenlanders want change Denmark could burn bridges with the US and exhaust capital with the EU and still lose territory A man passes a building with social housing with an Inuit mural in Nuuk, Greenland. Photo: Reuters Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen Reuters Mon 12 Jan 2026 at 06:30 When US secretary of state Marco Rubio meets his Danish and Greenlandic counterparts this week, Denmark will be defending a territory that has been moving steadily away from it and towards independence since 1979. On St Patricks Day 2024, while families across the country celebrated, gardai made a grim discovery, the body of a young woman in a canal just outside Monaghan town. She was 23-year-old Kelly Marie Lynch. Kellys death was first rumoured as a suicide, then later described as a tragic accident. But from the very beginning, her family were adamant Kelly did not take her own life, and she did not fall into that canal. Now, new and disturbing doubts are being raised. A former PSNI detective who investigated a number of prominent murders including the 2020 killing of Katie Simpson by Jonathan Creswell, says the circumstances surrounding Kellys death demand fresh scrutiny. On this episode of the Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Catherine Fegan, Irish Independent special correspondent and James Brannigan founder of the Katie Trust and former PSNI Detective Sergeant, to ask why he believes Kelly Lynchs case should be upgraded to a murder investigation. Members of the East Cork Rail Alliance with the now President Catherine Connolly during a visit to Leinster House last year. A group fighting for the restoration of the train service between Youghal and Midleton say the campaign is on track and they arent discouraged by the hefty price tag put on the project by an Irish Rail official this week. Speaking at a meeting of the East Cork Municipal District, AJ Cronin, Delivery Manager for the Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme, told the elected members that "on today's prices I would say it's probably plus 200 million to deliver a reinstated full railway to Youghal with the work taking five to ten years to complete. Mr Cronin added that Irish Rail would 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. The East Cork Rail Alliance, which has secured 20,000 signatures in support of restoring the historic train service, argues that a train connecting Youghal to Cork city would create a crucial link from East Cork and West Waterford, alleviate traffic congestion on the N25 and give an economic boost to the seaside town. The alliances Michael Beecher told the Irish Independent that he wasnt disappointed by Mr Cronins statement. We have a great relationship with Irish Rail. Our first goal was to get established last year, which we did. So our target now is the deputies, senators, MEPs and councils. So that's what we're really pushing for now, this is our main agenda, is to actually get it on future development plans, he said. Mr Beecher said the goal is to get the project into the Corporate Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy. The strategy is due to be reviewed this year by Corks two local authorities, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). So basically what we have to do is to get all the public reps to push to get submissions into the NTA, Cork City Council, Cork County Council and TII to put it on the plan. There is a window of opportunity there, he said. The group is due to address the East Cork Municipal District next month and has already met with local and national politicians, including MEP Billy Kelleher. Waterford County Council has passed a motion supporting the train restoration and there are plans to bring a similar motion before Cork County Council. Regular passenger services from Youghal were axed back in 1963 and the 23 km rail corridor between the town and Midleton now hosts a greenway. Mr Cronin confirmed that Irish Rail has retained the right to reinstate a railway on the same land but Michael Beecher said there is no threat to the greenway. He said that at a meeting with Irish Rail we were assured that that fine amenity would never be ripped up. So that should reassure people that we're not against the greenway. Big money was spent on it and its not suddenly going to be rooted up. That's not going to happen. He believes there is ample room in the corridor for both the greenway and a rail track and extra land can be acquired in places if required. Mr Beecher thinks that the major developments on the Midleton to Cork city line, which are part of an overall 1.8 bn investment in Corks commuter rail network, will benefit the prospects for Youghal in the long run. We know we're in this for the long haul. Ten years is not a long time, I'd be very, very happy to see a train in Youghal in ten years, he said. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. NBI Chairman and RISE founder David McCourt has been visiting schools across the country to award cash grants to support the use of technology Primary schools across Cork are invited to apply for grants to implement broadband and technology under a fund set up to help communities better harness burgeoning broadband availability. The RISE Community Fund is not-for-profit and is supported by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) and a group of corporate partners involved in the delivery of the Governments National Broadband Plan including KPMG, Circet, TLI Group, Entegro and Obelisk. RISE plans to award cash grants to schools located across the 26 counties in the Republic of Ireland. David McCourt, Chairman of NBI and founder of the RISE Community Fund, said: From the outset, RISE was created to complement the National Broadband Plan by helping communities make the most of high-speed connectivity. As we look ahead to completing the broadband rollout in 2026, were delighted to support National Schools in Co Cork, giving young people in rural communities the tools, skills and opportunities they need to thrive in a digital world, he said. With an investment of 314m, 82,000 homes, farms, businesses and schools in Co Cork are included in NBIs rollout of the Governments National Broadband Plan. Over 53,800 of these premises are already able to place an order for high-speed fibre broadband, and take-up rates exceed 60% in areas of the country where the network has been live longest. TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer at National Broadband Ireland, added: Through RISE, NBI and our partners we are proud to support schools in Co Cork as they explore new ways to use technology to enhance education and improve school environments. Further details and the application form are available at riseglobalfoundation.com. A murder trial had been told the former boyfriend of a Brazilian librarian was video-calling a friend in the early hours of New Year's Day and turned the camera phone to show the young woman lying motionless on a bed in his apartment covered with blankets. George Gill is set to be co-opted to take the seat of the late Fianna Fail Councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy, who passed away last September. The Caheragh native was selected at a Bantry LEA party convention in the Maritime Hotel in Bantry on Friday, January 9, having won the vote against former Councillor Danny Crowley by 55 to 48 votes. Mr Gill will be co-opted to Cork County Council during the full council meeting on Monday, January 12. George who narrowly missed out on securing a seat in the 2019 Local Election said he will give his all to live up to the level of service that was provided by the late Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy. On November 2, 2018, I was selected to run alongside Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy (RIP). It was a poignant moment on Friday night when I was selected to replace Patrick Gerard at Cork County Council to represent the Bantry LEA. I will give my all to live up to the level of service that Patrick Gerard showed during his time at Cork County Council. Many thanks to all those that have sent well wishes and messages. Thank you to Deputy Seamus McGrath for chairing the convention and Minister Christopher OSullivan and Senator Margaret Murphy OMahony for attending, he added. Fianna Fail TD for Cork South Central Seamus McGrath extended his congratulations to Mr Gill following his victory over Adrigole native Danny Crowley. Congratulations to George on being selected for the co-option to Cork County Council in the Bantry LEA. The vacancy occurred after the untimely passing of Patrick Gerard Murphy and George will now take up this position at County Hall. Well done to Danny Crowley for also seeking the nomination. It was great to have an energetic contest with two very credible candidates. Deputy McGrath also paid tribute to the late Patrick Gerard Murphy who was first co-opted to Cork County Council in 2008, filling the seat held by Councillor Donal Casey in Bantry. He was elected in 2009 and re-elected at every subsequent local election since. Mr McGrath said he was an incredibly effective public representative. It was also a poignant occasion as we reflected on the very sad passing of Patrick Gerard, someone who was an incredibly effective public representative of the highest integrity and a close friend to many of us. Senator Margaret Murphy OMahony also extended her best wishes to Mr Gill. Congratulations to George who will be co-opted to Cork County Council on Monday morning for the Bantry LEA. Best of luck to George. God rest Patrick Ger Murphy. Irish News Hero Irish bus driver says he wants apology for sacking after catching thief who stole passengers necklace An Irish bus driver who was sacked after he chased down a thief to return a passengers stolen necklace said he would be very happy if Metroline apologised but does not want to return to his job. Ashling Murphy memorial. Family, friends and neighbours gather for reflection where Ashling Murphy was murdered on the banks of Grand Canal in Tullamore . Picture; Gerry Mooney Family, friends and neighbours gather for reflection where Ashling Murphy was murdered on the banks of Grand Canal in Tullamore. Photo: Gerry Mooney Ashling Murphy's siblings Cathal and Amy lead the memorial walk for Ashling to the site where she was murdered on the banks of Grand Canal in Tullamore. Photo: Gerry Mooney Crowds gathered at a memorial to teacher Ashling Murphy today four years on from her murder in her hometown of Tullamore, Co Offaly. The commemorative walk to Ms Murphys memorial shrine along the banks of the canal began at the Fiona Pender Monument, which was erected in memory of Ms Pender, who was 25-years-old when she disappeared in 1996. Ms Murphy (23) was an exceptional musician, talented sportsperson and an inspirational teacher at Durrow National School, leaving a lasting impression on many young people that she encountered. In November 2023, Jozef Puska was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of her murder. As around 200 supporters gathered in Tullamore today, James Hogan, the principal of Durrow National School where Ms Murphy taught, paid tribute to her, saying: Ashling might not be here but she is always with us in spirit. And weve all our own little ways of remembering her, be it a robin or a rainbow or whatever natural item which appears. She is always with us and we will bear that in mind and think of her on this day four years on from her tragic loss. She is deeply, deeply missed every day. It is wrong and its not fair, but we have to move forward together and we will. I acknowledge the family, Ryan and extended family. We still offer our sympathies to you all because youre a credit. Youre so proud of her, you should be and I know you are, and shes very proud of you. We will support you all the way whenever you need it. Ashling Murphy's siblings Cathal and Amy lead the memorial walk for Ashling to the site where she was murdered on the banks of Grand Canal in Tullamore. Photo: Gerry Mooney Ms Murphys boyfriend Ryan Casey also shared a tribute to her today on his social media: One of the hardest things we all have to do in life is to try and turn the page to the next chapter, knowing that someone who meant so much to you wont be in it. This does not mean they wont be there to guide you, as there are things death can never touch, such as the bond, connection and love we had for each other. I think about you and I miss you every day Ash. You made me the man that I am today and you will always be my moral compass in whatever direction life takes me. Rest in peace Ash. In her memory, the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund was established in November 2022 to fulfil her legacy through the support of young people. Family, friends and neighbours gather for reflection where Ashling Murphy was murdered on the banks of Grand Canal in Tullamore. Photo: Gerry Mooney The fund aims to continue Ms Murphys connection to Irish music, culture, education and community, by enhancing the advancements of the traditional Irish arts, culture and heritage for young people. The group has spent 150,000 to date in supporting various agencies, clubs, sports, schools, and branches. Mr Hogan added: The Ashling Murphy memorial fund was set up in her memory. We have a very active committee, all closely connected with Ashling through various parts of her life. Ashling was involved in sport, music, the teanga Gaeilge, school and just a real community person. Were delighted to be able to support and keep that going. Young people are going to flourish from her memory. South East Mountain Rescue is a voluntary, non-profit organisation affiliated to the Irish Mountain Rescue Association, and is responsible for search and rescue in the mountains of south eastern Ireland. Photo: SEMRA South East Mountain Rescue (SEMRA) were called out twice over the weekend to assist with walkers who encountered difficulties in the Galtee and Comeragh mountain ranges, including one incident where walkers had to be helicoptered to safe ground. Breda and Brian Kearney at the Foster and Allen 50th Anniversary concert in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Photo: Michael Kelly Rory and Geraldine O'Brien at the Foster and Allen 50th Anniversary concert in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Photo: Michael Kelly Mary Kane and Orville Tracey at the Foster and Allen 50th Anniversary concert in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Photo: Michael Kelly Mary and Rosalind Doyle with Edel Whelan at the Foster and Allen 50th Anniversary concert in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Photo: Michael Kelly Paula Dutton and John Plunkett at the Foster and Allen 50th Anniversary concert in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Photo: Michael Kelly Valerie Conyard and Colin Conyard at the Foster and Allen 50th Anniversary concert in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Photo: Michael Kelly Tom and Patricia Keogh at the Foster and Allen 50th Anniversary concert in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Photo: Michael Kelly Linda and Mick Kirwan at the Foster and Allen 50th Anniversary concert in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Photo: Michael Kelly Tony Allen and Mick Foster who make up Foster and Allen at their 50th Anniversary concert in the Arklow Bay Hotel. Photo: Michael Kelly The Arklow Bay Hotel ballroom was packed to capacity as fans of Foster & Allen gathered for the duos 50 Years Of Hits Tour as part of their nationwide anniversary celebrations. Marking a major milestone for the internationally acclaimed duo, who are celebrating 50 years in the music business with a series of Irish dates, the Arklow leg saw their audience respond in high spirits, with fans singing along and joining in throughout the night. The show featured the songs that established Foster & Allen as household names across Ireland and beyond, including Bunch Of Thyme, Old Flames, Maggie, After All These Years and I Will Love You All My Life. The set also included medleys drawn from their chart-topping albums and DVDs, offering a wide-ranging snapshot of their long career. Alongside the classics, the duo performed material from their latest 2CD release, 50 At 50, which revisits favourite tracks while introducing 14 new recordings. The album reflects both their musical legacy and their continued commitment to recording new material. The tour arrives at a time of renewed global interest in Irish music and culture, with audiences reconnecting with traditional and folk influences alongside contemporary artists. Foster & Allens packed Arklow performance underlined their enduring appeal, with the atmosphere in the venue reflecting the strong connection they continue to enjoy with live audiences. Their ongoing recording and touring schedule shows little sign of slowing, as fans continue to support both their new work and the songs that have accompanied generations of listeners. Jude Meehan and Oscar Moran from Greystones Community College at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Siofra Scanlon and Keah Reilly from St David's Holy Faith, Greystones at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Finn Healy, Steven Nacey and Charlie Gunning from Avondale Community College, Rathdrum at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Nathan Hernandez, Calum Farrell and teacher Oisin Cullen from Greystones Community College at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Nathan Hernandez, Calum Farrell and teacher Oisin Cullen from Greystones Community College at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Tara Rakie, teacher Gavin O'Looney and Cosmina Ciabaru from Glenart College, Arklow at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Ella O'Keeffe with teacher Grainne Healion from Blessington Community College at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Sofia Flores, Ella Macek, teacher Rebecca Wray, Jenny Given and Annie Macek from Greystones Community College at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Rory Coyle and Dan Farrell from St. David's Holy Faith, Greystones at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Ella Macek, Jenny Given and Sofia Flores from Greystones Community College at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Cathal Quinn, Alex Tracey and Michael Goodwin from St. David's Holy Faith, Greystones at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Tyler Ferguson with teachers Rebecca Wray and Oisin Cullen from Greystones Community College at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Keelynn Keogh, Emma harmon and Amiee O'Reilly from Scoil Chonglais, Baltinglass at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition, RDS, Dublin. Photo: Michael Kelly Wicklow students enjoyed another hugely successful outing at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in the RDS, where inspired minds from several Garden County schools were honoured for their ingenious projects. Students from Greystones Community College, St Davids Holy Faith (Greystones), St Marys College and Glenart College in Arklow, Blessington Community College, St Gerards School (Bray), Scoil Chonglais in Baltinglass and Avondale Community College wowed judges with 22 projects at the annual science extravaganza. Greystones Community College celebrated a strong set of award-winning entries at this years exhibition, including Jack Walsh, who was named Overall Winner in the Senior Individual Physical, Chemical & Mathematical category for AstroRim: Reconstruction of source objects in Gravitational Lenses via Physics Informed Machine Learning - a project exploring the use of machine learning to reconstruct gravitationally lensed objects with no known source parameters. Tyler Ferguson secured third place in the Junior Individual Health & Wellbeing category for Sure Sit Mat, a project which aimed to design a mat to help people with dementia sit down safely with confidence, while Richie Johnson claimed third place in the Senior Individual Biological & Ecological category for ElecticEvolution: Using cold plasma for plasmid mediated DNA transfer. In addition, teacher Ms Rebecca Wray was selected as the recipient of the Stripe Young Scientist Educator of Excellence Award 2026. Other projects from Greystones Community College included Helper AI, Bringing Return to Travel: Does the public want to use their bottle return deposits to top up their Leap Card?, The Unseen Healthcare Trans Healthcare in Ireland, Too hot to handle: A deep dive into burns, GeoImpact: Geometric 3D Printing for Shock Absorption, and Vibrations to voltage: Piezoelectric power generation. We are so proud of all the students who participated in this years competition. Your dedication, creativity, and hard work truly shine, a Greystones Community College spokesperson said. A special thank you to the teachers involved, Ms Wray and Mr Cullen. Your guidance and support make achievements like these possible. St Marys College students were recognised in the Biological & Ecological Sciences category. Niamh McGeachan received the Food Safety Authority Award and was also Highly Commended for The Effect of Artificial Sweeteners on Gut Bacteria: An In-Vitro Study, while Alice Giles was Highly Commended for We Mosst Remove Heavy Metals from Water. A Biological Solution to Heavy Metal Pollution. Other St Marys College entries included SweetHealth app Empowering diabetes management through smart, inclusive digital care and NeuroGaze: Using eye-tracking and AI to detect eye movements for earlier ADHD diagnosis. These outstanding results reflect the girls commitment, determination, passion for science, and hard work. They truly are amazing ambassadors for St Marys College Arklow, a St Marys spokesperson said. A very special thank you to Ms English, who goes above and beyond for our students every day. Her dedication, support, and passion make such a difference we are incredibly lucky to have her. Well done to everyone involved we couldnt be prouder. Scoil Chonglais, Baltinglass, recorded a podium finish in the senior group Chemical, Physical & Mathematical Sciences category. Aimee, Keelynn and Emma placed third and also received the REPAK Award for their project, Biodegradable Fruit Stickers, which investigated the possibility of replacing the single-use plastics involved in the packaging and promotion of fruit and vegetables with biodegradable, compostable alternatives. Well done to the girls who have worked tirelessly on their project, and thank you to Ms Gallagher for her dedication and support to the girls, a school spokesperson said. St Davids Holy Faith students Alex Tracy, Cathal Quinn and Michael Goodwin received a highly commended rosette for their project, Wireless Charging, which explored wireless chargers and electromagnets. Other St Davids projects included STEADYBRUSH, From Source to Sea: A Multi-Dimensional Study to Protect and Enhance the Three Trout River, and Assessing human influence on the survival of the Little Tern species: A case study in Kilcoole, Co Wicklow. St Gerards School was represented by Luke Redmond with RePortfolio: An AI-Driven Financial Portfolio Reporter, which was highly commended and won an AIB award, while Glenart College presented Science Reimagined: Exploring Student and Teacher Perceptions of the Evolving Senior Cycle Science Curricula in Ireland and Avondale Community College entered Meal fed lambs vs Grass fed lambs. Blessington Community College returned to the exhibition after several years away. Transition Year student Ella OKeeffe represented the school with her project, Brain Drain or Brain Game? Assessing the Impact of Using Competition to Increase Learning. As part of her project, Ella coded a game to examine whether competitive, gamified learning could help students learn Irish and improve their proficiency. We are delighted that Blessington Community College finally returned to the Young Scientist in the RDS after several years of absence, a school spokesperson said. Ella is Blessingtons first student in a long time to qualify for the Young Scientist Exhibition, following in the footsteps of local trailblazers gone before. We are all very proud of her and know she will represent our school with great pride, just as they once did. Thank you to Ms Healion for supporting Ella with her project and attending the exhibition with her. Jessie Buckley attending the 83rd Golden Globes awards at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA. Picture date: Sunday January 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Sthanlee Mirador/PA Wire Joe Alwyn, from left, Noah Jupe, Chloe Zhao, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and Jacobi Jupe pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Paul Mescal, left, and Jessie Buckley pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet during the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Jessie Buckley poses in the press room with the award for best performance by a female actor in a motion picture drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Jessie Buckley is phenomenal at acting, but better at being herself, according to her family as they celebrated the Killarney womans Golden Globe Best Actress win in the early hours of Monday morning. The actor (36) picked up the prize for her turn as William Shakespeares wife Agnes Hathaway historically known as Anne in the big-screen adaptation of Hamnet. The film, based on Maggie OFarrells book about the death of Shakespeares son, which inspired him to write Hamlet, was also named best motion picture drama. This is not a normal feeling or situation to be in, she said to the room of acting royalty, as she collected the award. Paul Mescal, left, and Jessie Buckley pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet during the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) President Catherine Connolly congratulated Ms Buckley for her wonderful achievement. Congratulations to Jessie Buckley on her wonderful achievement in winning a Golden Globe at this year's ceremony in Los Angeles, said President Connolly. Congratulations too to Paul Mescal, Maggie O'Farrell, Element Pictures and Wild Atlantic Pictures on their very significant achievement in being nominated for Golden Globes. This award is a fantastic recognition of Jessie Buckley's outstanding work, and of the continued exceptional success of the whole Irish film industry. May I further extend my best wishes to all those who have supported her both in this performance and across her career. Speaking to RTE Radio 1s Morning Ireland, Radio Kerry presenter and Buckleys first cousin Brendan Fuller said family members and locals stayed up until 4am on Monday morning to celebrate her victory. Im just still pinching myself; the town is pinching itself today because I suppose her talent is connecting, and moving and inspiring people all over the world, but she's done that to Killarney town since 2008. Acknowledging Buckleys talent for pretending to be other people, Mr Fuller said it is incredible to see that shes even better at being herself through it all. Through the Golden Globe nominations, through the Golden Globe wins as she goes up and gives an amazing speech and has that lovely, genuine laugh that's so rare to be heard on a Hollywood stage. Shes just incredible. Were just so proud of her. Joe Alwyn, from left, Noah Jupe, Chloe Zhao, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and Jacobi Jupe pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) Fiona Crowley, founder of the Fiona Crowley Stage School in Killarney, recalled Buckleys time performing on stage at the school. We're just absolutely thrilled here this morning. We were whooping from the early hours, just so delighted for Jessie. So, Jessie was part of our Stage School family, and we were very proud to have her, and her siblings all came to the Fiona Crowley Stage School." Ms Crowley said that even back then, it was clear that Buckley stood out amongst people. Jessie Buckley attending the 83rd Golden Globes awards at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA. Picture date: Sunday January 11, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Sthanlee Mirador/PA Wire She had such a grace and humility always towards children, which was paramount for us in the business. But even now, when you see her in the Golden Globes, she stands among those titans in the industry, and she holds her own. "When she got involved in Killarney Musical Society, which is a magnificent society here in Killarney, in the performance of Carousel, she actually won an award for that through Aims as well for being best actress. Ms Crowley accompanied Buckley in 2008 when, as a 17-year-old, she performed in the talent show Id Do Anything on the BBC, hosted by Graham Norton. Buckley finished runner-up on the show, which was based around a search for an unknown talent to play Nancy in a West End performance of Oliver. She was only 17, we must remember that, she was a child, wasn't even legally able to vote at that stage, and yet she was flying the flag for Ireland there, Ms Crowley said. Sinners star Wunmi Mosaku has said she hopes the vulnerability and anxiety of pregnancy is truly honoured as she revealed she is expecting her second child on the Golden Globes red carpet. The British-Nigerian actress, 39, who stars in the action horror alongside Michael B Jordan, was dressed in a custom Matthew Reisman bright yellow gown and seen holding her baby bump ahead of the award ceremony on Sunday. Mosaku opened up about her decision to stop trying to camouflage her bump and embrace the moment with her baby. Wunmi Mosaku walked down the red carpet (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Speaking to Vogue, she said: Baby has seen me through ever so carefully, and I want to celebrate how wonderfully weve done together to get here as a team, as demanding as its been. In Yoruba, we say Iya ni Wura which means mother is golden so when I saw sketches of this beautiful custom yellow Matthew Reisman, I knew it was the right dress and the right moment. The Bafta-winning actress also opened up about the struggles of pregnancy, especially as a black woman, and hopes for less scrutiny around womens bodies especially during such a vulnerable time. She added: Matrescence is a journey often a very difficult one. No matter how easy a pregnancy may appear, you have no idea what someone has endured to arrive there. The trials. The tears. The tests. We know, in theory, that it isnt simple but we dont practice the gentleness required when speaking about, or to someone who is, or might be, or has been, or is trying to become pregnant. Wunmi Mosaku arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Being pregnant as a black woman, youre not just worrying about whether your baby will be OK, youre praying you will be too. Holding joy and fear at the same time is not abstract its rooted in lived experience, medical bias, and real statistics. Black maternal mortality is always on our minds. Pregnancy and labour are among the most extreme and dangerous things a person can naturally endure. I wish we truly honoured that: the vulnerability, the anxiety, the anticipation, the profound transformation in motion. We remember the mothers who were ignored, who had traumatic labours, and the precious lives lost. Mosaku is known for starring in the hit series Luther alongside Idris Elba and in 2017 won the Bafta for best supporting actress for her role portraying Gloria Taylor in crime drama Damilola Our Loved Boy. She also starred in the 2020 horror, His House, and appeared alongside Tom Hiddleston in hit series Loki. Human remains have been found in Australias south-east where bushfires raging for days have razed buildings, cut power to thousands of homes and burnt swathes of bushland, police said yesterday. The blazes, burning out of control during a summer heatwave, have torn through more than34,000 hectares of bushland in Victoria state since the middle of the week, destroying more than 300 structures, including homes, and leaving thousands without power. Authorities have said the fires are the worst to hit the south-east since the 2019-2020 Black Summer blazes that destroyed an area the size of Turkey and killed 33 people. Erich von Daniken obituary: Author who promoted theory that human life has extraterrestrial origins Swiss writer and convicted fraudster sold millions and outraged scientists with unusual ideas Bestselling author Erich von Daniken pictured in 1981 with some of his books. Photo: Getty Telegraph Obituaries Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Mon 12 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Erich von Daniken, who has died aged 90, was among the first writers to suggest that human civilisation, and even human evolution, are the product of deliberate intervention by extraterrestrials. It is now up to Russia to show it is interested in peace, after Kyiv and its allies agreed on a peace plan and security guarantees that would take effect following a ceasefire, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has said. latest | French far right leader Le Pen's political fate hangs in the balance as appeal begins Le Pen was barred from running for office for five yearsFar-right leader and her party denied misusing EU fundsLe Pen cannot run in 2027 presidential election unless ruling overturned French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally party. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Juliette Jabkhiro and Elizabeth Pineau Reuters Mon 12 Jan 2026 at 17:09 French far-right leader Marine Le Pen begins a crucial appeal in Paris this week that will determine whether she can run in the 2027 presidential election, after being barred from public office over a conviction for misusing EU funds. Fashion student full of joy (23) among young lives cut short in protests against Iranian regime Rubina Aminian was shot at close range in the back of the head as violence surges Protesters in Tehran on Friday. Photo: AP Henry Bodkin Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Mon 12 Jan 2026 at 06:30 Rubina Aminian, a 23-year-old student in Tehran, joined street protests against the Iranian regime after a day of classes on the textiles programme at Shariati College. Kristi Noem criticises media reporting of fatal ICE shooting The homeland security secretary relied on deflection in an interview about the incident in Minneapolis last week Kristi Noem was interviewed on CNN's 'State of the Union'. Photo: Reuters John Bowden UK Independent Mon 12 Jan 2026 at 06:30 US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary Kristi Noem was pressed yesterday to explain how the administration was going to guarantee a fair investigation into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Jonathan Ross, who was seen on video shooting a woman in her car in Minneapolis last week. It would be the end of NATO if the US took Greenland by force and European Union member states are under obligation to come to Denmark's assistance if it was faced with military aggression, the European Commissioner for Defence and Space said on Monday. The Asia Manufacturing Index 2026 highlights intensifying competition as Asian economies vie for manufacturing leadership. China retains the top spot for the third year, while Malaysia climbs to second place, overtaking Vietnam. The report offers transparency with historical comparability and standardized scoring, helping businesses make informed location decisions. Dezan Shira & Associates latest publication the Asia Manufacturing Index (AMI) 2026 highlights how manufacturing competition across Asia is intensifying as companies rebalance supply chains and reassess long-term production strategies. Now in its third year, the Asia Manufacturing Index 2026 (AMI 2026) examines a more competitive regional landscape where manufacturing economies increasingly compete across similar cost, scale, and capacity factors. Targeted industrial policy, infrastructure investment, and regulatory reform are narrowing performance gaps, reinforcing the need for structured benchmarking to assess relative manufacturing competitiveness across Asia. The AMI 2026 offers manufacturers, investors, and advisors a comparative tool for understanding how the relative strengths of 11 major Asian manufacturing economies compare and evolve. China remains Asias leading manufacturing economy, and Malaysia climbs to second place China retains its position as Asias top manufacturing economy in the Asia Manufacturing Index 2026 for the third consecutive year, a position supported by its unmatched industrial scale, deeply integrated supply chains, and technological depth. Despite ongoing diversification efforts, Chinas manufacturing ecosystem continues to set the regional benchmark for production depth and efficiency. The most notable development in the AMI 2026 is Malaysias rise to second place, overtaking Vietnam in a closely contested field. This shift highlights Malaysias growing competitiveness across several weighted manufacturing parameters, rather than any weakening in Vietnams underlying manufacturing fundamentals, which remain strong. Beyond the top three, Singapore advances to fourth place, reinforcing its role in high-value and advanced manufacturing within Asia. Thailand records a significant improvement, moving from 10th to eighth, while Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines experience incremental ranking changes that reflect stable but increasingly competitive positions. India and Indonesia remain in sixth and seventh, respectively, while Bangladesh continues to rank 11th. Greater transparency and historical comparability in the 2026 edition The 2026 edition of the Asia Manufacturing Index introduces two major enhancements designed to improve comparability and decision-making. First, the index now features an archive, allowing readers to review previous rankings, parameters, and relative performance over time. Second, the AMI 2026 publishes exact scores on a standardized 1100 scale for every parameter. This change allows for a more nuanced comparison of country-specific strengths and weaknesses across Asia. No single best manufacturing location The AMI 2026 reinforces a reality for manufacturers with data: there is no single best manufacturing destination. Optimal location decisions depend on sector-specific requirements, supply chain structure, regulatory environment, cost sensitivity, and risk tolerance. Even small adjustments to factors like labor costs, logistics performance, energy reliability, or water pricing can significantly alter rankings for a specific manufacturing strategy. While the AMI applies a consistent weighting methodology, Dezan Shira & Associates emphasizes that the index should be used as a strategic starting point, rather than a one-size-fits-all answer. To address this complexity, the firm develops customized Asia Manufacturing Index models tailored to individual operational, financial, and sector priorities, helping manufacturers align location decisions with long-term business objectives. Supporting manufacturing and supply chain strategy across Asia The Asia Manufacturing Index forms a core part of Dezan Shira & Associates broader Asia-Pacific manufacturing research and advisory work, supporting companies as they navigate supply chain restructuring, market entry, and regional expansion across Asia. The full Asia Manufacturing Index 2026 is available on the firms website. Organizations seeking customized rankings or deeper market analysis are encouraged to contact Dezan Shira & Associates for further discussion. Media Contact: The India-Oman CEPA marks a strategic upgrade in bilateral economic relations. Going beyond a traditional free trade deal, the CEPA integrates trade, investment, professional mobility, and regulatory cooperation under one framework. This agreement aims to achieve long-term economic integration, providing businesses with predictability and expanded opportunities. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman is one of the latest major milestones in bilateral economic relations. Going beyond a conventional free trade agreement, the CEPA integrates trade in goods and services, investment facilitation, professional mobility, and regulatory cooperation into a single, coherent framework. Rather than prioritizing short-term tariff gains alone, the agreement is designed to promote sustained economic integration. It balances deeper market access with domestic safeguards, offering businesses greater predictability, streamlined regulations, and expanded opportunities, without compromising national policy priorities. India-Oman economic engagement: Trade and services snapshot Merchandise trade trends Trade and commerce form a core pillar of IndiaOman relations. Bilateral trade expanded from US$8.94 billion in FY 202324 to US$10.61 billion in FY 202425. During April-November 2025, trade stood at US$7.23 billion, indicating continued momentum. India-Oman Trade Relations Year-on-Year (Value in US$ Million) Trade activities FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 FY 2025-26 (April-Nov*) Indias exports to Oman 4,477.25 4,426.47 4,065.35 2,899.17 Indias imports from Oman 7,911.18 4,520.84 6,548.73 4,338.12 Total trade 12,388.43 8,947.31 10,614.08 7,237.29 Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI Indias Top Commodities Exports to Oman (Value in US$ Million) HS code Commodity FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 % growth 27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes. 1,850.21 1,571.72 -15.05 28 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, or radiation elements, or of isotopes. 259.48 379.91 46.41 84 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof. 157.85 231.81 46.85 10 Cereals. 224.11 188.66 -15.82 88 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof. 107.27 174.72 62.88 85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts. 114.96 149.48 30.03 33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations. 73.95 137.21 85.53 73 Articles of iron or steel 80.16 120.08 49.80 69 Ceramic products. 84.32 79.98 -5.14 39 Plastic and articles thereof. 68.47 78.75 15.01 Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI Indias Top Commodities Imports from Oman (Value in US$ Million) HS code Commodity FY 2023-24 FY 2024-25 % growth 27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes. 1,967.26 2,940.06 49.45 31 Fertilizers. 690.23 1,069.35 54.93 29 Organic chemicals 395.57 608.74 53.89 28 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals, or radiation elements, or of isotopes. 201.43 407.75 102.42 25 Salt; sulphur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement. 308.50 406.77 31.85 88 Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof. 254.82 328.36 28.86 26 Ores, slag and ash. 24.36 272.25 1017.63 39 Plastic and articles thereof. 340.48 219.24 -35.61 76 Aluminum and articles thereof. 107.07 91.76 -14.30 72 Iron and steel 30.63 64.66 111.11 Source: Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, GoI Services trade Indias services exports to Oman rose from US$397 million in 2020 to US$617 million in 2023, led by IT, telecommunications, transport, travel, and business services. Services imports increased from US$101 million to US$159 million, reflecting deeper two-way engagement. This expanding trade base provided the rationale for pursuing a comprehensive partnership agreement. Market access in goods: Indias export gains Under the CEPA, India secures near-universal duty-free access to the Omani market: 08 percent of tariff lines 38 percent of export value (based on FY 202223 averages) All concessions apply from day one Previously, only about 15 percent of Indias export value entered Oman duty-free under the MFN regime. Exports worth roughly US$3.64 billion, earlier subject to tariffs of up to 5 percent, are now expected to gain immediate price competitiveness. With Omans total imports exceeding US$28 billion, Indian exporters stand to benefit from simplified procedures, reduced compliance burdens, and faster market entry across a wide range of product categories. Indias market access offer and built-in safeguards India has offered tariff liberalization on 77.79 percent of tariff lines, covering 94.81 percent of imports from Oman by value. At the same time, a robust exclusion list safeguards sensitive sectors. Key excluded or protected areas Strategic domestic sectors: transport equipment, select chemicals, cereals, spices, tea, coffee, and animal-origin products Sensitive value chains: rubber, leather, textiles, footwear, petroleum products, and minerals Agriculture: dairy, oilseeds, edible oils, fruits, vegetables, and honey This calibrated approach preserves manufacturing competitiveness and domestic agriculture interests while enabling export-led growth. Sectoral impact analysis Engineering goods Engineering exports to Oman reached US$875.83 million in FY 2024-25. Under the CEPA, all engineering products now enjoy zero-duty access, replacing earlier tariffs of up to 5 percent. Exports are projected to rise to US$1.3-1.6 billion by 2030, with strong prospects in iron and steel, industrial machinery, electric equipment, motor vehicles, and copper products. MSMEs are expected to benefit significantly through deeper participation in Omans infrastructure and industrial projects. Pharmaceuticals Omans pharmaceutical market is projected to grow from US$302.84 million (2024) to US$473.71 million by 2031. The CEPA provides binding zero-duty access for finished medicines, vaccines, and key APIs. Regulatory fast-tracking allows products approved by authorities such as the USFDA, EMA, and UK MHRA to receive marketing authorization within 90 days, substantially reducing approval timelines and compliance costs. Marine products Omans marine imports averaged US$118.91 million (FY 202224), while imports from India remain modest. Immediate duty-free access under the CEPA improves competitiveness for Indian seafood exports, including shrimp and fish. Given the labor-intensive nature of the sector, export expansion is expected to generate employment in coastal regions and processing hubs. Agriculture and processed food India is the second-largest supplier of agricultural products to Oman, with exports rising to US$556.34 million in 2024. Duty-free access strengthens Indias position in products such as boneless bovine meat, eggs, biscuits, butter, honey, and condiments. At the same time, sensitive agricultural products remain protected through exclusions or phased tariff elimination over five to ten years, balancing export growth with food security concerns. Electronics Oman imported electronics worth US$3 billion in 2024, while Indias exports stood at US$123 million. The CEPA eliminates residual tariffs on select electronic products, improving certainty and enabling gradual market share gains in high-value segments. Chemicals With Oman importing US$3.13 billion worth of chemicals annually, immediate zero-duty access and tariff reductions of up to 5 percent provide Indian exporters a competitive edge. The agreement also supports longer-term cooperation in petrochemicals, green hydrogen, and industrial inputs. Textiles Indias textile exports to Oman rose sharply to US$131.8 million in 2024, capturing a 22 percent market share. Zero-duty access enhances competitiveness against suppliers such as China, Bangladesh, and Turkiye, supporting employment across major textile clusters in India. Plastics Indias plastics exports benefit from immediate duty elimination, offering a price advantage of up to 5 percent. With Oman importing over US$1 billion worth of plastics annually, the CEPA supports export expansion in an MSME-dominated sector. Gems and jewelry Indias exports to Oman stood at US$35 million in 2024, compared to Omans total imports of US$1.07 billion. Duty-free access is expected to drive export growth of up to US$150 million over three years, supporting employment in jewelry clusters across India. Services, investment, and professional mobility Services trade reached US$863 million in 2024, with a surplus of US$447 million for India. Under the CEPA, Oman has committed to liberalization across 127 services sub-sectors, including professional, IT, education, healthcare, tourism, and R&D services. Key mobility gains include: Increase in the Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) ceiling from 20 percent to 50 percent First-ever FTA commitments for specific professional categories Binding assurances for Indian workers in manufacturing and non-services sectors Future negotiations on a Social Security Agreement (SSA) to avoid dual contributions State-wise and employment impact The CEPA is expected to deliver geographically diversified export gains across agriculture, textiles, food processing, marine products, gems and jewelry, and engineering goods. Labor-intensive, MSME-driven sectors stand to benefit most, supporting employment generation, higher capacity utilization, and inclusive growth across production clusters nationwide. Regulatory cooperation: Reducing non-tariff barriers The CEPA includes dedicated chapters on: Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT): ensuring standards and conformity assessments are transparent and non-discriminatory Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures: facilitating trade in food and agricultural products while protecting health and safety Harmonization of conformity assessment in priority sectors The India-Oman CEPA strengthens regulatory cooperation by promoting harmonization of conformity assessment procedures in priority sectors. Pharmaceuticals: The agreement provides for fast-tracking of marketing authorizations for pharmaceutical products that have been approved by recognized stringent regulatory authorities such as the USFDA, EMA, UK MHRA, and other equivalent agencies. Oman will accept Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) inspection reports and certification issued by these authorities, significantly shortening approval timelines and reducing regulatory duplication for Indian pharmaceutical exporters. Halal and organic products: To facilitate trade in food and agricultural products, the CEPA provides mutual acceptance and recognition of halal certification systems and Indias National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) certification. This avoids repetitive testing and certification requirements, reduces compliance burdens, and ensures smoother and more predictable access for Indian halal and organic products in the Omani market. ALSO READ: India Implements New Guidelines for Halal Meat Exports, Effective October 16, 2024 Conclusion The India-Oman CEPA represents a comprehensive and forward-looking framework that balances liberalization with safeguards. By expanding market access, strengthening services trade, facilitating mobility, and reducing regulatory friction, the agreement is expected to boost exports, generate employment, and deepen long-term economic integration between India and Oman. Key takeaways The IndiaOman CEPA establishes an integrated framework covering trade in goods and services, investment, professional mobility, and regulatory cooperation. Bilateral trade reached US$10.61 billion in FY 2024-25, underscoring the growing depth of economic engagement. India receives 100 percent duty-free access in Oman across 98.08 percent of tariff lines, covering 99.38 percent of export value, effective from the agreements entry into force. The CEPA unlocks opportunities across engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and processed food, marine products, textiles, chemicals, electronics, plastics, and gems and jewelry. A calibrated liberalization framework, including exclusion lists and phased tariff reductions, protects sensitive sectors while supporting MSMEs, labor-intensive industries, and regionally balanced export growth. To attract sustained foreign investment and help local companies expand globally, government and economic development organizations need more than strategy and vision they require trusted, on-the-ground support with localized insight, cross-border experience, and the capacity to execute plans. Our team helps government agencies and trade organizations expand their global reach by providing targeted support in Asias most in-demand markets. To arrange a consultation, please click here. How Groks image tools sparked global backlash Image credit : X/ElonMuskPD | X has been suspended in Indonesia and Malaysia over the misuse of Elon Musks AI chatbot Grok Indonesia and Malaysia suspend X over Deepfake concerns India orders takedowns and flags platform failures Image credit : X/elonmusk07c | Elon Musk-owned social media platform X is facing intensifying regulatory pressure worldwide UK criticism and growing global pressure Image credit : X/ElonMuskPDA | Grok was allegedly misused to create sexualised deepfake images X restricts Grok features as scrutiny intensifies Elon Musk-owned social media platform X is facing intensifying regulatory pressure worldwide after its AI chatbot Grok was allegedly misused to create sexualised deepfake images. Indonesia and Malaysia have become the first countries to suspend access to the platform, while India and the UK have also raised serious concerns, pushing X to take corrective action.Authorities across regions have flagged the spread of non-consensual, explicit AI-generated images as a major digital safety issue, particularly affecting women and minors. The controversy has now forced X to make platform-level changes, including content takedowns, account removals, and restrictions on Groks image-generation tools.Below is a detailed breakdown of the controversy, government responses, and the steps taken by X.Grok, developed by Musks artificial intelligence company xAI and integrated into X, came under scrutiny after users began exploiting its image-generation features to create sexually explicit deepfakes. The situation escalated when a viral undressing trend emerged on the platform, where users prompted the chatbot to digitally remove clothing from images.These images were often created without consent and, in several cases, involved women and minors. The trend triggered widespread criticism, with users questioning the lack of safety controls and moderation around Groks visual tools. Concerns were raised that the AI system could be easily misused to harass, humiliate, or exploit vulnerable individuals.Indonesia and Malaysia became the first countries to suspend access to X, citing the platforms failure to prevent the spread of non-consensual sexual deepfakes. Authorities in both countries said the misuse of Grok posed a serious threat to digital safety and violated national laws governing online content.Officials stressed that the circulation of pornographic and non-consensual imagery undermined public trust in digital platforms and exposed women and minors to harm. The suspensions marked a significant escalation, signalling that governments are prepared to block platforms that fail to enforce safeguards against AI misuse.In India, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a formal notice to X after receiving complaints related to obscene and unlawful AI-generated content linked to Grok. The government directed the platform to remove such material immediately and submit a report detailing corrective measures within 72 hours.Officials specifically highlighted the creation of derogatory and explicit images of women, describing it as a failure of platform-level safeguards. Following the intervention, X confirmed it had taken down around 3,500 posts and removed more than 600 accounts connected to obscene Grok content in the country. The company also assured authorities that it would prevent the spread of such imagery going forward and strengthen moderation in line with Indian laws.The controversy has also drawn sharp criticism from the United Kingdom. UK officials condemned the spread of sexualised AI-generated images on X, calling it disgraceful and unacceptable. The government urged media regulator Ofcom to use its full enforcement powers, warning that platforms must be held accountable for allowing unlawful and harmful content to circulate.Amid mounting global pressure, X has now limited Groks image generation and editing features on its platform to paying users only. Free users can still access Grok through xAIs standalone app and website. While X says the move is intended to curb misuse, critics argue that restricting access does not address the underlying safety gaps and only raises the cost of entry rather than preventing abuse.This unfolding situation highlights how AI tools integrated into social media platforms are drawing sharper regulatory scrutiny, with governments increasingly stepping in where safeguards are seen to fall short. The joke that divided viewers Image credit : Amazon official page| Judd Apatows pronunciation joke stole focus from the Best Director win Social media erupts Image credit : Britannica official page| Social media erupts as fans call out Judd Apatows joke fuck judd apatow lmao i was so excited when he said idk how to pronounce this ?? head RENATEzen (@ast3roidcity_) January 12, 2026 The 2026 Golden Globe Awards saw a mix of celebration and controversy when veteran filmmaker Judd Apatow took the stage to present the Best Director award but it was a single joke about pronunciation that became one of the nights most talked-about moments online.Apatow, known for his comedy and candid stage presence, opened with light-hearted remarks about his decade-long quiet boycott of the Globes after an earlier loss and even quipped about political themes during his speech. However, critics on social media quickly zeroed in on one line that referred to not being sure how to pronounce a nominees name delivered just before announcing Paul Thomas Anderson as the winner for One Battle After Another.The joke sparked a wave of reactions, with viewers arguing it missed the mark in a category featuring directors from diverse backgrounds. One users reaction captured the mood among many online: fuck judd apatow lmao i was so excited when he said idk how to pronounce this ?? Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, and King Felipe VI during his visit to Madrid, Spain. During the meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister, the shared commitment to strengthen bilateral relations was confirmed, with an emphasis on the economy and defence, as well as cooperation on issues of shared European interest, particularly the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Mitsotakis- Sanchez discussed coordination between Greece and Spain on support for Cohesion Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as well as the implementation of the recommendations of the Draghi report. Mitsotakis stressed the need for joint European investment in areas of common interest, supported by European funding on the basis of the Draghi and Letta reports, with a focus on defence and joint defence projects, such as a European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The two leaders agreed on the importance of strengthening European collective security and exploring the prospects for Greek-Spanish cooperation in defence. Initiatives by both countries concerning the protection of minors online were also discussed. They exchanged views on international and regional developments, with a focus on the situation in Ukraine, the Middle East, the implementation of the second phase of the 20-point peace plan for Gaza, and developments in the Eastern Mediterranean. Mitsotakis also received by King Felipe VI at the Palace of Zarzuela. iefimerida.gr A polar cold front is sweeping across Greece, bringing gale-force winds, widespread frost, and snow to northern regions, while meteorologists remain divided on whether the storm would blanket Athens. The National Meteorological Service (EMY) issued an emergency bulletin as conditions deteriorated Sunday afternoon. The system is forecast to bring heavy snowfall to low-lying areas in the north and storm-force winds nationwide through Monday night The most pressing question remains the impact on the densely populated capital. While forecasts warn of severe frost and disruptions in mountainous areas like Evia, Halkidiki, and Crete, experts gave conflicting outlooks for Attica. Meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias predicted that the cold outbreak would lack the momentum to bury the city. Snowfall in Attica will be limited and short-lived, without causing problems, Mr. Tsatrafyllias said. However, meteorologist Giannis Kallianos noted that forecast models show major discrepancies, describing the weather system as "marginal." He cautioned that slight shifts in the low-pressure center could significantly alter conditions on the ground. No significant phenomena are expected in Attica, Mr. Kallianos said, though he added that the final picture would only become clear late Sunday night. Authorities urged caution for travelers on mountain roads and island routes, citing risks from ice and high winds. Farmers in northern Greece have been put on alert for frost damage as the deep freeze intensifies. iefimerida.gr Police have arrested three women at Athens International Airport after discovering nearly 73 kilograms (160 pounds) of cannabis in their luggage, foiling an attempt to smuggle the drugs to Italy. The suspects, foreign nationals aged 29, 33, and 37, were detained around midday at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport. Officers discovered 72.7 kilograms of hydroponically grown, known as skunk , concealed in nylon-wrapped packages inside their suitcases. Authorities stated the arrests were the result of targeted inspections to disrupt air-travel drug trafficking. Police utilized data analysis and passenger profiling to identify the women before they could board their flights. In addition to the narcotics, officers seized three mobile phones allegedly linked to the operation. The suspects are accused of belonging to a transnational criminal network exporting cannabis from Greece to Italy. They remain in custody pending a prosecutor's review. The seizure underscores intensified controls at Greek transit hubs as authorities combat the use of commercial flights for international drug smuggling. iefimerida.gr Titan SA announced that its subsidiary, Titan America SA, listed on the NYSE, has entered into an agreement to acquire Keystone Cement Company, a Pennsylvania-based cement manufacturer and aggregates producer. TITAN expands its North American footprint with agreement to acquire Keystone Cement plant - Solicitors acting for renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie, have written to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos, over the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi. This comes as the Lagos State Government confirmed the suspension of the anaesthesiologist at the clinic as probes continue into the circumstances surrounding the childs death. In a legal notice dated January 10, 2026, solicitors acting for Chimamanda and her partner, Dr Ivara Esege, alleged that the hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and attending medical personnel breached the duty of care owed to their son, who died in the early hours of Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Advertisement The notice was issued on behalf of the parents by PINHEIRO LP and signed by the founding partner, Prof Kemi Pinheiro (SAN). According to the notice, the child was referred to the hospital on January 6, 2026, from Atlantis Pediatric Hospital for a series of diagnostic and preparatory procedures. These included an echocardiogram, a brain MRI, the insertion of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line), and a lumbar puncture. The procedures were reportedly part of preparations for an imminent medical evacuation to the United States, where a specialist medical team was said to be on standby to receive him. The solicitors stated that intravenous sedation was administered using propofol. However, during transportation to the cardiac catheterisation laboratory following the MRI procedure, the child allegedly developed sudden and severe complications. Despite being under sedation, he was said to have been transferred between clinical areas under conditions that raised serious and substantive concerns about compliance with patient-safety protocols. He was later pronounced dead in the early hours of January 7, 2026. The legal notice outlines multiple alleged lapses in paediatric anaesthetic and procedural care. These include concerns about the appropriateness and cumulative dosing of propofol in a critically ill child, inadequate airway protection during deep sedation, and an alleged failure to ensure continuous physiological monitoring. The parents further alleged that their son was transferred without supplemental oxygen, without adequate monitoring, and without sufficient accompanying medical personnel. They also raised concerns over the availability of basic resuscitation equipment, delayed recognition and management of respiratory or cardiovascular compromise, and an overall failure to comply with established paediatric anaesthesia, patient-transfer, and safety protocols. Another major grievance cited was the alleged failure of the hospital to adequately disclose the risks and potential side effects of propofol and other anaesthetic agents, thereby undermining the legal requirement for informed consent. According to the solicitors, these alleged lapses amount to prima facie breaches of the duty of care and render the hospital and all medical personnel involved liable for medical negligence resulting in the childs death. As part of their next legal steps, the parents demanded certified copies of all medical records relating to their sons treatment within seven days of receipt of the notice. The requested documents include admission notes, consent forms, pre-anaesthetic assessments, anaesthetic charts, drug administration records, monitoring logs, procedural notes, nursing observations, ICU records, incident reports, and the identities of all medical staff involved. The demand also covers internal reviews, safety logs from the MRI suite, and any other documentation connected to the childs care. The hospital was also formally placed on notice to preserve all relevant evidence, whether physical or electronic. This includes CCTV footage from procedure rooms and corridors, electronic monitoring data, pharmacy and drug inventory records, crash-cart and emergency equipment logs, as well as internal communications and any morbidity and mortality reviews. The solicitors warned that any destruction, alteration, or loss of such evidence after receipt of this letter shall be regarded as suppression or concealment of evidence and obstruction of the course of justice, and will be relied upon accordingly, with attendant legal consequences. The letter concluded with a warning that failure or refusal by the hospital to comply with the demands within the stipulated timeframe would leave the parents with no option but to pursue all available legal, regulatory, and judicial remedies against the hospital and all medical personnel involved. Euracare Hospital had noted in a Saturday statement that it had commenced a detailed investigation into the incident in line with its clinical governance standards and best practices, while pledging to engage transparently and responsibly with all relevant clinical and regulatory processes. In the same vein, the Lagos State Government on Saturday said it began an investigation into the incident, vowing to ensure the full weight of the law is applied. Giving an update on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, told The PUNCH in a telephone interview that the doctor involved in the childs procedure had been suspended by the hospitals management, noting that the hospital was cooperating with the government in the investigation. Ogunyemi said, Its an active investigation. We started yesterday (Saturday). Weve been there (at the clinic), and I can tell you its a continuous investigation. The hospital itself is also doing its own internal investigation, and as far as we know, the anaesthesiologist involved has been suspended by the hospital. So we will do our normal investigation. This is what we do for everybody; unless we dont hear about it, then there is nothing we can do. People report, and we investigate. Its just that this one has been in the media; thats why we are making pronouncements. This is what the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency is designed for. This has been in the public arena because she is a public person, and its very unfortunate. She is a popular and loved person, and we are doing our best. But the hospital is also doing its own internal investigation, and as far as I know, they have suspended the doctor involved. They are all coming to us tomorrow (Monday) for continuous interviews, and hopefully well get somewhere. Just like our statement said, we will be transparent and use experts as well. There is a protocol we follow, the SA told our correspondent. The family doctor and the deceaseds aunt, Dr Anthea Nwandu, faulted the Euracare hospital management over its statement relating to the circumstances of Nnamdis death. While the hospital stressed that it followed standard procedures in its operations, Dr Nwandu, in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Sunday, disagreed. According to the clinic, the deceased, who was critically ill, was referred to Euracare for specific diagnostic procedures after spending more than a week receiving treatment at two paediatric facilities. The hospital explained that upon his arrival, its medical team immediately provided care in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted medical standards, including the administration of sedation where medically indicated. It added that the hospital worked closely with external medical teams recommended by the family and ensured that all required clinical support was provided throughout the period of care. Despite these concerted efforts, the patient sadly passed away less than 24 hours after presenting at our facility, it noted. However, Nwandu, who identified herself as a dual board-certified Internal Medicine physician with 30 years of global clinical experience in Nigeria and the United States, refuted the claim that the child had been taken to two clinics before arriving at Euracare. This is false. He was in one hospital before coming to Euracare for the procedures, she said. She added that international standards demand that a child on oxygen, who is given sedation, must have continuous oxygen therapy. Did Euracare do this? No. They confirmed this verbally to me when I went to the hospital to question the doctors. International standards demand that the child should have continuous monitoring of oxygen levels in his blood. Did Euracare do this? No. International standards demand continuous monitoring of pulse and respiration. Did Euracare do this? No. International standards demand that when moving the child from one part of the hospital to another, the child must be accompanied by resuscitative equipment in case he stops breathing (a known risk of anaesthesia). This can easily be done with a simple apparatus called an ambu bag. Did Euracare do this? No. The aunt claimed that because there was no monitoring, it was impossible to accurately document when the child stopped breathing or how long he was pulseless before resuscitation. Is it an international standard for an anaesthesiologist to carry a child post-sedation on his shoulder, unable to visually see the child, with absolutely no monitoring, while insisting that he alone would be in the elevator with the child? No. To transfer the child to the ICU, the anaesthesiologist disconnected his oxygen and again carried him on his shoulder. Is that standard practice? No. Nwandu said the child was medically stable and had been booked for a scheduled medical evacuation flight to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore when the alleged negligence occurred. There was outrage on social media after the popular writer on Saturday accused Euracare Multispecialist Hospital in Lagos of negligence leading to her sons death. Adichie said in a statement that her son, who was billed to be flown abroad for treatment, had developed what was initially thought to be a cold but later turned into a very serious infection. She stated that upon arrival at the hospital on Tuesday, they were told her son would need to be sedated to prevent movement during the MRI and central line procedures. However, she alleged that her son was not properly monitored after being administered an excessive dose of propofol by the hospitals anaesthesiologist. According to her, the situation quickly deteriorated, leading to loss of responsiveness, seizures, and cardiac arrest, which eventually resulted in his death on Wednesday. The federal government says it has inaugurated a N40 billion closed-circuit television (CCTV) control centre for the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. In 2025, David Umahi, minister of works, announced that the federal government had installed surveillance cameras on the Third Mainland Bridge. Umahi said the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras on the bridge was intended to prevent suicide attempts. Advertisement At the time, the minister said security personnel would monitor footage from the CCTV and enforce speed regulations. Speaking at the inauguration of the centre on Sunday, Umahi said the current administration met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge. When we came on board in 2023, we met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge, both on the pavement, surface, infrastructure above the water and even infrastructure below the water, he said. The president, therefore, directed total re-evaluation and rehabilitation of the surfaces of the Third Mainland Bridge and changing the expansion joints. Lagosians were very happy with the president for that beautiful work, and that work completed and commissioned is still succeeding because of the quality. Umahi commended China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which executed the project, for delivering what he described as quality work. He said the ministry would hand over a surveillance boat and two Hilux vans included in the contract to the police for monitoring activities on the bridge. If they need to incorporate other security agencies, they can do that, but the idea of this project is that we have a lay-by on the bridge, so we view everything going on on this bridge, he said. The minister expressed concerns over excessive speeding on the bridge and urged motorists to obey traffic laws. Earlier, Olufemi Dare, federal controller of works in Lagos, said the CCTV centre is the first of its kind in the country. I doubt if there is any bridge in Nigeria that has what we have deployed here today, where you have CCTV to monitor both the underwater and even the bridge itself, Dare said. We have a boat that has been bought for surveillance of the bridge. There are two Hilux vans, too. We have 240 solar panels in this environment, and that is not enough. The whole place is fully air-conditioned. We have 10 inverters inside the building. We have the powering units. We have a transformer, a 300 KVA transformer. We have a standby generating plant and monitoring screens. He thanked President Bola Tinubu for approving the project and commended Umahi for ensuring due process in its execution. We have about 1,268 solar street lights that are part of this contract, he said. He added that the project also includes a borehole facility, noting that the project was awarded at the cost of N40.17 billion. Dare also said the federal government had so far paid N36 billion to the contractor. This is the first level of commissioning. We are still going to come back here to do even for the extension of the bridge, which is about to be completed, he said. We pray that very sooner than later, we will come back to do a full-blown commissioning. Instructor John Williams (center) explains how to prepare a 3G groove plate on a shop table to apprentices Justin Felin (left) and Aaron Le at the Hanwha Philly Shipyard Training Academy Apprentice Program last summer at the former Navy Yard in South Philadelphia. Read more A consortium set up in 1996 to train future shipyard workers at the former Philadelphia Navy Yard says a new U.S. Department of Labor grant will prepare workers for Korean-owned Hanwha Philly Shipyard. The group hopes to quadruple apprenticeship graduates from around 120 workers a year to around 500. In line with President [Donald] Trumps executive orders, these projects will help train our next generation of shipbuilders, U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. Advertisement Led by Delaware County Community College, the effort includes other area colleges, partnered with Hanwha and the nonprofit Collegiate Consortium for Workforce & Economic Development. The Delco-led effort will set up a new model of education and training for U.S. shipbuilding that will include sending U.S. instructors and workers overseas to learn advanced shipbuilding techniques to be used at yards including Hanwhas in South Philadelphia, the college said in a statement. The money will help pay for training simulation models, online courses, and other programs for an internationally recognized curriculum for shipbuilding skilled trades to help trade unions, schools, and shipyards prepare new apprentices and more-experienced journeymen union workers, veterans, welders, steelworkers, electricians, steamfitters, and carpenters. The partners will accelerate the transfer of proven global shipbuilding practices to the U.S., Hanwha Philadelphia Shipyard chief executive David Kim said in a statement. The consortium is chaired by Marta Yera Cronin, who is also the Delco community college president. The shipyard, bought by South Koreas family-owned Hanwha industrial group for $100 million in late 2024, employs around 1,700 but wants to double that. It plans to bring in new automated equipment to build ships and drones for the Navy, other government agencies, and private shippers. Hanwha sends workers from its giant shipyards on Geojedo island, South Korea, to help complete work on civilian ships in Philadelphia. The company has pledged to invest $5 billion in the yard, backed by U.S. government grants and loans. It says it wants to boost output from the current one ship every eight months to 10 to 20 a year. Trump has said hed like to see Hanwha technology used by U.S. workers to build nuclear submarines and battleships in Philadelphia. That would require extensive new dry docks, cranes, power plants and other large capital investments, and a lot more ground and dock space than the 118-acre Hanwha-owned yard or the neighboring former Navy site where family-owned Rhoads Industries repairs and fabricates parts for General Dynamics, a major Navy submarine builder. A separate $5.8 million Labor Department grant is going to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, one of several civilian officer training schools slated to receive Korean-designed training vessels that the Philadelphia yard has been building in recent years. That money will develop additional shipbuilder training with foreign partners. Under current contracts with the Philadelphia metalworkers union group that represents yard workers itself a joint effort of the boilermakers, operating engineers, carpenters, and other unions newly qualified workers can earn around $30 an hour. Experienced workers can qualify for as much as $100,000 a year, including overtime. According to the consortium, community colleges have added trades education following a drop in U.S. public school shop classes and a shortage of U.S. workers interested in industrial work, including shipbuilding, which involves high-heat tools, dangerous materials, and outdoor work in all weather. The grant will speed expansion of the consortium, which has received grants from Citizens Bank and support from port-related agencies in past years. The college says it has trained more than 600 apprentices in all fields over the past 20 years. It stepped up its focus on shipbuilding beginning in 2017. One of the family leaders of the Santuccis Original Square Pizza empire was sentenced Monday to one day in jail and 18 months of supervised release for significantly understating the business earnings over the course of several years, causing him and other company officials to underpay taxes by nearly $1.4 million. Frank Santucci Sr., 67, who had taken over the family business from his parents nearly 50 years ago, said he was embarrassed and deeply sorry for his actions, which federal prosecutors described as a long-running cash skimming operation. He pleaded guilty last year to charges of tax evasion and filing false tax returns. Advertisement I spent my life trying to be an honest man, Santucci said Monday during his sentencing hearing in federal court, and knowing I fell short of those values is something I deeply regret. Prosecutors said in court documents that Santucci was a company patriarch who had informal bookkeeping responsibilities at the familys pizza shops in South Philadelphia, Roxborough, and on North Broad Street. The restaurants are well-known for offering square, thick-crust pies with layers of sauce and toppings piled on top of cheese. Although the business had for years employed a cash-only policy, prosecutors said, Santucci began keeping two sets of books as the company began using an electronic point-of-sale system in 2017. One of the sets of records included details for issues like payroll and expenses, which Santucci showed to his tax accountants, prosecutors said, and the other which Santucci concealed from his accountants is where he deposited some of the restaurants cash earnings. As a result, prosecutors said, Santucci understated the shops earnings by about $5 million between 2015 and 2018. And that caused him to underpay his personal taxes by nearly $400,000, they said, while his co-owners underpaid theirs by about $700,000, and the business underpaid employment taxes by about $300,000. Santucci who was the only person charged in the case has already repaid his personal tax bill, said his attorney, Richard J. Fuschino Jr. And Fuschino said Santucci was a man whose life had otherwise been defined by his hard work at his namesake shops, and an unerring dedication to his family and community. Mr Santucci is, on the whole of it, as good as [people] get, Fuschino said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Murray did not disagree that Santucci supported his family, and said it was notable that he had accepted responsibility for his crimes. But he said Santucci nonetheless engaged in a long-running scheme that deprived the IRS of revenue and, by extension, allowed Santuccis business and relatives to keep more money than they were entitled to. U.S. District Judge Karen S. Marston did not discount the seriousness of the crimes, but said Santuccis age, health concerns he suffered two strokes in recent years and his role as a grandfather who is actively involved in caring for his young grandchildren all factored into her sentencing decision. She said his day in custody would be Monday and also ordered him to perform 300 hours of community service. I do believe that Mr. Santucci has shown the remorse thats necessary in this particular case, she said. The Santuccis pizzerias and their many franchise locations remain in operation and were not impacted by the case, Fuschino said. Threat on Greenland irks European allies China Daily) 08:26, January 12, 2026 United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that Washington must "own" Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, triggering concern and criticism among its European allies. Experts said the remarks highlighted a strategic dilemma facing the European Union in managing its relations with the US and risk weakening the trans-Atlantic alliance. Trump has made several statements recently about his intention to acquire Greenland. He said on Friday that he is going to do "something on Greenland, whether they like it or not". If it is not done "the easy way, we're going to do it the hard way", he said, without elaborating on what that could entail. The White House said it is considering a range of options, including using military force, to acquire the island. Greenland's leaders have rejected Trump's repeated calls for the US to take control of the island, saying that Greenland's future must be decided by its people. "We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders," Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and four party leaders said in a statement on Friday. "As Greenlandic party leaders, we would like to emphasize once again our wish that the United States' contempt for our country ends." German Finance Minister and Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said on Sunday that international law applies to all, including the US. "It is solely up to Denmark and Greenland to decide about Greenland's future. Territorial sovereignty and integrity must be respected," Klingbeil said. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a US takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO. According to a report by The Telegraph on Saturday, several European countries are considering deploying troops to the Arctic, hoping that a significantly enhanced presence in the region would dissuade Trump from pursuing ambitions to annex the strategically important island. The report also said the EU is drawing up contingency plans to impose sanctions on US companies should Trump reject a proposed NATO deployment. Under the plans, US technology giants such as Meta, Google, Microsoft and X could face restrictions on operating in Europe, along with US banks and financial institutions. Strategic turn Zhao Yongsheng, a researcher at the Research Institute for Global Value Chains at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said Trump's Greenland remarks reflect a strategic turn toward "America first", a shift that is likely to strain US-EU relations and erode mutual trust within NATO. Trump, invoking geopolitics as a pretext, attempted to "own" Greenland, driven in reality by the island's abundant mineral resources and the increasingly favorable navigational conditions of the Arctic shipping route, Zhao said. Europe's overall influence is waning across economic, political, military and technological dimensions, he said. Therefore, facing pressure from the US, the EU finds it difficult to take a firm retaliatory stance. "The US-EU alliance will endure, but the basis of trust has shifted. It now relies less on shared values, ideologies or institutional frameworks, but more on pragmatic interests," he said. The Greenland dispute may not be the final blow to NATO or trans-Atlantic relations, but the US is likely to further expand its military, security and geoeconomic presence on the island, while European distrust of Washington deepens, he said. He Yun, a researcher at the Belt and Road Strategy Institute of Tsinghua University, said the move by the US has exposed the fragility of the NATO alliance and poses a challenge to global multilateral mechanisms and security frameworks. "Trump's remarks have underscored for Europe that the US is no longer just a security provider, but could also emerge as its greatest security threat. This shift delivers a severe blow to strategic trust between the two sides," she said. The political premise of NATO's collective security has long been that the US serves as the core guarantor of European security. Should Washington retreat into a focus on domestic priorities at the expense of its NATO commitments, the alliance's collective defense mechanism would be rendered hollow, undermining both the trust and the strength that it relies on, He said. Despite clear divisions within Europe, the US' assertive actions on Greenland are likely to prompt more European countries to reassess the risks of reliance on Washington, further accelerating efforts toward strategic autonomy, she said. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) A man was killed and a woman was injured Sunday night after two shooters fired into a tow truck parked in Northeast Philadelphia, police said. The man, 25-year-old Aaron Whitfield, died at the scene of the shooting on the 2100 block of Knorr Street, police said. A 21-year-old woman struck in the leg by a bullet survived. Advertisement According to police, Whitfield, who works as a tow-truck driver, and the woman were inside the vehicle when the shooters drove up to the trucks passenger side and opened fire at 7:52 p.m. Officers who responded to a report of gunshots found Whitfield inside the tow truck. Hed been shot multiple times in his head and body, police said, and attempts by medics to resuscitate him failed. The woman, whose name was not released by police, was transported to Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital. Police said that she was stable. Investigators collected 17 bullet casings at the scene, police said. Bullets also struck nearby buildings, but no one else was injured, police said. No arrests had been made in the shooting as of midday Monday. Police said a motive for the killing has not yet been determined, and its unknown whether either Whitfield or the woman were intentionally targeted. Dental assistant Samyra Nelson (left) and Temple dentistry student Matt Doyle (rear) prepare Abubakr Bathily, 5, to be discharged after his appointment at the Dental Clinic at William D. Kelley Elementary School. Read more Crystal Edwards didnt see a dentist until she had a deep cavity at age 10: growing up in a struggling Philadelphia family, the resources to access dental checkups just werent there. So she jumped at the opportunity to locate a dental clinic in the school where she is now principal, W.D. Kelley, a K-8 in North Philadelphia. Advertisement This dental clinic is saving lives, said Edwards. READ MORE: Parents and teachers want smaller classes and no school closures. Heres what else they said in Phillys facilities planning survey. Tucked into a converted science lab on the schools third floor, the Dental Clinic at William. D. Kelley, operated by Temple Universitys Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, is nearing its third year of operation. It is open to all Philadelphia children, including those who do not attend Kelley, regardless of insurance status. School district officials have pointed to the Kelley clinic as a model as it prepares to make facilities master plan decisions, which will result in closing, combining, and reconfiguring some school buildings. The clinic is an example, they say, of how the system could use available space in some of its schools for public good. This is certainly a great example of what can happen when a university partners with a school district to create life-changing opportunities and outcomes for young people, Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said in a statement in 2023, when the clinic opened. Temple dental school officials said more clinics could follow elsewhere in the city. Taking care of every child The underlying concept is simple, said Eileen Barfuss, the Temple dental professor who leads the clinic. If your tooth hurts, if youre not feeling well, youre not going to learn, said Barfuss. In the past, there have been a lot of barriers to care for dentistry that werent there for medicine, but preventative care is so important so it doesnt get to the point of pain. The clinic accepts all comers, including those who are uninsured or underinsured, and sometimes treats students parents. (Most, but not all, patients have Medicaid dental, and grants help cover treatment for those without insurance.) We try to take care of every child in the Philadelphia School District, said Barfuss. Theres a place that they can come and get comprehensive care and establish a dental home. To date, the clinic has seen nearly 700 patients, some of whom are repeat visitors. Patients are treated both by Barfuss and dental students she supervises. Students do come from other schools to the clinic; Barfuss said her team does outreach at community events and spreads the word through the districts school nurses, who often send patients to the clinic. And staff teach lessons in Kelley classrooms on oral health and the importance of seeing a dentist twice a year. Being in a school helps normalize the dentist for many kids, who might poke their heads into the clinic to look around and see the friendly dental staff in their scrubs in the hallways, Barfuss said. This is a good dentist On Thursday, Fatoumata Bathily, a fourth grader with pink glasses and a bright smile, swung her legs down from a Kelley clinic dentist chair after a successful checkup. Its good here, said Fatoumata, who attends nearby Robert Morris Elementary, and came for preventive care along with her brother, Abubakr. This is a good dentist. I like that its colorful, and the people are nice. Amid Ismail has wanted to bring such a model to the city since he became dean of Temples dental school in 2008. Decades ago, some schools offered dental care via city services, but as funding dried up, those clinics went away, Ismail said. Ismail raised the idea of a Temple-district partnership, but it took several years to get off the ground. Edwards, an award-winning principal who takes pride in bringing the community into Kelley, got the vision intuitively, he said. READ MORE: Two new year-round public schools, with a special model and resources, are coming to Philadelphia Temple paid to transform a large science lab into the dental clinic; the district provides the space and does not charge rent. There are four chairs, including one in a space specifically designed for patients with autism who might need a quieter environment and more room. Rooms are bright and modern. The message to the parents and caregivers is that this is a nice place where all treatment is provided, Ismail said. A lot of children do have dental problems, but here we can treat them easily they miss one class, max, and they dont have to stay a long time. The clinic, which is about to celebrate its third anniversary, just expanded its schedule its open four days a week, and officials eventually hope it will be open five days. Edwards fought for the clinic to come to Kelley, and its been just the boon she had hoped, she said. This is a historic community that was really devastated and hard hit by the crack and drug pandemic, said Edwards. The dental office has really given us leverage on how to serve the community better. Brett Frankel, co-founder of Barts Bagels, pulls bagels out of the oven and empties them into a tray on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020. The West Philly-born bagel shop is opening its third location later this year, in Bala Cynwyd. Read more Barts Bagels is coming to Bala Cynwyd. The New York-style bagel shop, which currently has locations in West and South Philadelphia, is bringing its fresh bagels, smoked meats, egg sandwiches, and unique schmears to 273 Montgomery Ave. Advertisement The Main Line outpost is expected to open this summer. While the new storefront marks a major expansion for the local bagel shop, its also a homecoming for cofounders and brothers Brett and Kyle Frankel, who grew up in Bala Cynwyd. We know the area very, very well, Brett Frankel said. Brett, 34, and Kyle, 41, both Lower Merion High School graduates, grew up a five-minute walk from their newest location. Brett Frankel says he remembers hanging out at the soon-to-be Barts Bagels storefront after middle school, back in the days when it was Bravo Pizza. Main Line patrons will be able to expect all of the same kettle-boiled bagels and fixins that Barts is known for, from pumpernickel bagels to pastrami smoked salmon and beet-horseradish cream cheese. While Barts city-based locations are grab-and-go only, there will be a few seats in the new Bala Cynwyd shop. The unique part of Barts, Brett Frankel said, is that patrons can see bagels being made in front of them through the open kitchen. Youre kind of immersed in it, he said. The Frankels say their love for good bagels was forged through regular trips to New Yorks Upper West Side to eat at the famed Zabars and H&H Bagels. Looking to get their fix closer to home, Brett Frankel taught himself how to make bagels while working as a business analyst for a software company. He traveled to Denver, New Jersey, and Detroit to learn the ins and outs of the bagel industry. Barts started as a wholesale operation in late 2019, selling to Di Bruno Bros., Middle Child, Elixr Coffee, White Dog Cafe, and other local restaurants. The Frankels brought chef Ron Silverberg on board, and they opened the first Barts in West Philly in January 2020. Their South Philly location opened in July 2024. Barts is not the only new bagel place coming to Lower Merion this year. PopUp Bagels, the viral bagel chain known for its grip, rip, and dip model, is opening in Ardmores Suburban Square early this year. 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. Max's Steaks and Eagle Bar, 3653 Germantown Ave., as seen in 2017. Read more Maxs Steaks the North Philadelphia sandwich shop known for its 2-foot sirloin cheesesteaks, quirky next-door bar advertising the largest drink in Philly, and star turn in the Creed movies is being sold after three decades. Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board records show a recent license transfer application from corporations controlled by longtime bar owner Chuck Weiner to veteran restaurateur Rob LaScala, whose diverse holdings include the fast-growing LaScalas Fire Italian restaurants as well as numerous steak shops and pizzerias in Philadelphia and South Jersey. Advertisement Weiner, who also owns Chucks Alibi at the Five Points intersection in Northeast Philadelphia, did not return a message seeking comment that was left with a family member last week. LaScala, who has been managing Maxs under a contract, said he also was Weiners longtime tenant at Chubbys, his popular Roxborough steak shop. Hes always been a good landlord to me, LaScala said Friday. Maxs is exactly like Chubbys right up my alley. I love those kinds of places. We bought it because its a staple in the community, and I love high-volume places, LaScala said. I want to get it back to the volume it used to have. LaScala said his company was rebranding Maxs. We already renovated the place and were doing a bigger renovation over the next six months, he said. Were doing brand recognition shirts, hats, logos. Menu-wise, were expanding a little. Before, it was mostly cheesesteaks and hoagies. We added fries, wings, specialty sandwiches, and some bar food since theres a bar. Were not changing what it is were just making it better, more efficient, and better quality. Weiner told Philly Voice in a 2016 interview that he got the idea for Maxs after watching the crowds at Jims South Street circa 1990 while eating across the street at Lickety Split, then a popular restaurant where MilkBoy is now. Maxs named after Weiners son opened in 1994 at 3653 Germantown Ave. in Nicetown, at the busy Broad Street-Erie Avenue hub. The adjacent Eagle Bar, with its Naugahyde booths, oversized cocktails, and neon signs, is Maxs de facto seating area. LaScala said he was not involved with the neighboring Clock Bar, also part of Weiners holdings. In part because of its location far from tourist hubs, Maxs reputation spread primarily by word of mouth rather than guidebooks. That changed dramatically in 2015, when Maxs appeared in the Rocky sequel Creed. This is where Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) ate his first Philly cheesesteak under the adoring eye of Bianca Porter (Tessa Thompson) and learned that he would box Viktor Drago. The shop also had a cameo in Creed II, the 2018 sequel. In 2017, Philadelphia marked Kevin Hart Day with a party at Maxs, located a block from the comedians childhood home. Health officials are warning that a person infected with measles traveled through Philadelphia last week, potentially exposing people who passed through several transit hubs last Wednesday to the highly contagious virus. Officials believe theres no threat to the general public, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Palak Raval-Nelson said in a statement on Monday. Advertisement People who were in the following locations at the following times last Wednesday should check their vaccination status and watch for measles symptoms, officials said: Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A East, from 7:50 p.m. to 11 p.m. 30th Street Station from 8:15 p.m. to 11:25 p.m. Amtrak Northeast Regional Train Southbound #175, which traveled from Boston to Washington, D.C., and stopped in Philadelphia at 9:23 p.m. People on the train between 9:23 and 11:30 p.m. may have been exposed to the virus. After traveling through Philadelphia, the person with measles also may have exposed people on parking shuttles at Baltimores airport and Amtrak station, according to Marylands state health department. Measles, which spreads through the air when infected people cough, sneeze, or talk, can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. People are considered immune to measles if they are born before 1957, have already had measles, or received two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. People with immunity dont have to do anything if they were exposed in Philadelphia last week, health officials said. People who are not considered immune and were potentially exposed to the virus last week should talk to their doctor about getting an MMR vaccine as soon as possible. Among them, children under a year old, pregnant people who are not immune, and people with a weakened immune system should call their doctor as soon as possible. Health officials said that early measles symptoms include a runny nose, a cough, and puffy, red eyes, followed by a rash. The disease is contagious for about four days before a rash develops, and four days after that. That means that people without immunity who were exposed to the virus could infect others without knowing it. In such cases, they should wear masks in indoor public spaces and around anyone unvaccinated until three weeks pass from the exposure, health officials said. Anyone who is not immune and believes they were exposed to the virus should contact a doctor immediately if they develop measles symptoms through Jan. 28. They should also notify the Philadelphia Department of Public Health at 215-685-6740. Pennsylvania residents outside Philadelphia should call the state health department at 877-724-3258. Health officials noted that measles can lead to pneumonia, brain infection, and death in serious cases. Area health officials have identified a handful of measles cases in the city in the last year, and warned travelers of another possible measles exposure in the airport in November. Raval-Nelson noted that many countries, including popular international travel destinations, are seeing measles outbreaks. Measles has also been spreading in the United States. The CDC reported 49 outbreaks a cluster of three or more measles cases in 2025, with 88% of the 2,144 cases nationwide linked to those outbreaks. In 2024, the U.S. saw 16 outbreaks and 285 cases of measles, with 69% of those cases linked to outbreaks. Raval-Nelson urged parents to vaccinate young children. While children under a year old are not routinely vaccinated with MMR, she noted, people who are planning to travel outside the country should get the vaccine for infants as young as 6 months to protect them from the virus. Editors note: This story has been updated to correct the age at which a person is considered immune to measles. One of the witch-seeker's fliers hangs in Fishtown on Sunday, Jan. 4. After ending a two-year relationship and confronting her anger and frustration, a Philadelphia woman posted fliers around the city and in Phoenixville as a way to channel her emotions over the breakup. Read more Driving to visit a friend, a Philadelphia woman had time to mull her recent breakup. She thought about all the things her ex hated: spiders, moth-bitten sweaters, overly soft avocados. She typed them on her phone, as curses. It became a flier: Seeking: Experienced Witch to Curse My Ex. She set up an email for serious inquiries only. Advertisement You may have seen her handiwork. The fliers dot telephone poles, originating in downtown Phoenixville, around where our witch-seeker was visiting family for the holidays. They now paper neighborhoods across Philadelphia hung with a staple gun on New Years Eve while barhopping. (The 29-year-old asked to remain nameless for this story, so as to not affect future job prospects. It also, in a way, protects her ex.) And though it might seem a bit out of the ordinary, its part of a great tradition of cursing your ex that goes back to antiquity. Plus, its a way to regain a sense of power, experts say. So, its no surprise that the fliers have seeped online, circulating neighborhood groups and on socials, striking a chord. When the fliers appeared in Chester County, a Phoenixville community group sounded off: I hope she gets him. Good for her, one commenter wrote under a Facebook post about it. I think I know the ex, said another. Its a great idea, writes another. (The witch-seeker also has her detractors: That man dodged a bullet! one commenter wrote.) The flier lays out her desired curses: his hair thinning, house plants withering, his bus seats feeling damp, his Wi-Fi buffering during video games, shoe pebbles remaining unshakeable and the aforementioned too-ripe avocados, copious spiders, and hole-y sweaters (among other ill wishes). But, the flier requests no hexes on his well-being or romantic life. Across relationship research, one of the most consistent findings is that breakups produce a profound sense of powerlessness, said Jenn Pollitt, a professor of gender, sexuality, and womens studies at Temple University. But how do you get from a list on your phone to asking witches to please curse your ex-boyfriend? Its not that far a leap. Witchcraft has become a more socially legible way to express rage, Pollitt said. If youve got someone who wants to curse their ex, really what they want to be able to say is, I was harmed. Im allowed to be angry about this, and my anger deserves to be acknowledged. The public posting of this is really like a deep desire and craving to have that persons hurt and heartbreak be born witness to. The witch-seeker said she needed a place to put her pent-up anger and frustration. Its not all maliciousness to her ex, she said. Its mostly catharsis: She thinks of her ex as a lovely person in a lot of ways. But she said when she expressed her emotional needs, hed withhold affection, hed disappear for a few days or block her number. Then he would return, with words of affirmation and promises of marriage. It became cyclical over the two-year relationship. She swallowed up her frustrations. But several months ago, they parted ways. And despite the turbulence, it was pretty amicable, she recalls. She grieved. She went to therapy. She journaled. She meditated. And then she logged on to social media, and saw he was in a new serious relationship that had started within weeks of them breaking up. It felt like a slap in the face, and that was my impetus for doing this, she said. I couldnt yell at him, and I didnt want to yell at him, but I had to yell at someone. Shes not alone. For millennia, people have pursued love magic, said Kristine Rabberman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania who teaches about witchcraft and sexuality. Roughly 600 Latin curse tablets have survived from the Roman empire, with both men and women calling on various deities to curse their close relations, she said. These mystical beliefs served social functions, too, she said, addressing peoples lack of agency and control. They channel deep wells of emotion: anger, longing, frustration, hatred. Having recourse to love magic could be one approach somebody could take to try to both find expression for those feelings and to also have a sense of agency and being able to act on them, she said. Dating culture has changed rapidly, Pollitt added. Theres now a digital component: blocked numbers, social media handles unfollowed. A breakup by a thousand cuts, she noted. Breakups often can be intensely private and deeply isolating. Any public display, even this which is a little bit out of the ordinary function as a way to reinsert personal pain into a shared social space, Pollitt said. The community came fast. As the witch-seeker hung the fliers in Phoenixville, several people high-fived her, she said. Then the emails rolled in: A Caribbean witch who offered a hex. A bruja. A kitchen witch who practices herbalism and herbal manifestations. A helper who sent along a few shops and books, so she could do the curse herself (so it carries the appropriate oomph). But to her surprise, beyond the witches, there were others: People who wanted to know how the story would end. Someone boldly asking her out on a date. And the women who simply could relate. They wished her a happy new year, they told her theyd also had messy breakups, they told her they supported her. She did not expect the outpouring of support, or the attention. As a writer and a creative person, it was mostly a way to tap into that, in a way that felt a little more empowering. It has made me feel so much better, she said. She is thankful for the witches who offered their services, though she feels conflicted about going through with a hex. She wont be papering the city with more witch requests, either, she said. The process has let her accept some of her bad, not totally socially acceptable feelings and create something positive with it, by connecting with others, she said as people reeling from heartbreak have done for centuries before her. Chief Defender Keisha Hudson in her office at the Defender Association of Philadelphia in 2022. The association is now enhancing its services to immigrant clients as the Trump administration presses for more arrests and deportations. Read more The Defender Association of Philadelphia has launched a new initiative to help people facing immigration consequences both inside and outside the criminal-justice system. The move comes as the Trump administration pursues aggressive new enforcement, where even minor legal cases can put undocumented city residents at risk of detention, family separation, or deportation. Advertisement The agencys Immigration Law Practice is expected to grow to up to 11 staff members. Its creation is to be officially announced at a news conference on Wednesday. This is necessary right now, Chief Defender Keisha Hudson said in an interview. Were going to have to sustain this work and expand this work if were going to meet the moment. The practice will be led by veteran immigration attorney Lilah Thompson, who often represents migrants facing complex legal challenges. She said the work would be done in collaboration with trial attorneys, social workers, and mitigation specialists to shape defense strategies that protect clients and their families. One area of concentration will be on clients who are in immigration detention despite having no criminal charges, another on people who could face serious immigration repercussions because of what are often minor offenses. In Philadelphia, attorneys say, people have been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as theyre enrolling in diversionary programs or heading to court to plead not guilty. The Trump administration maintains it is arresting dangerous immigrants, though figures show 74% of all those held in detention have no criminal convictions. The Defender Association also expects to handle more cases that push back against Trump administration efforts around mandatory detention. Federal judges in Philadelphia have ruled dozens of times against an administration policy that mandates detention for nearly all undocumented immigrants, joining a nationwide wave of decisions criticizing the government. A challenge is that those cases must be filed individually, and many of those in detention have neither a lawyer nor the money to hire one. The new practice consolidates and builds on work that was done at the Nationalities Service Center and the Pennsylvania Immigrant Family Unity Project, or PAIFUP. Thompson said the immigration practice will make sure that clients have accurate information, strong advocacy, and a chance to protect their futures. The work changes every day, with the twists and turns of this administration, and the cruelty it inflicts on noncitizens, she said. We have to respond to the moment. This frame grab from footage circulating on social media shows protesters dancing and cheering around a bonfire Friday in Tehran, Iran, as they take to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown. Read more DUBAI, United Arab Emirates President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown targeting demonstrators there, a move coming as activists said the death toll in protests rose to at least 544. Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the U.S. or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Advertisement The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Irans threats of retaliation, he said: If they do that, we will hit them at levels that theyve never been hit before. Trump said that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters. I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, Trump said. Iran wants to negotiate. He added: The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of whats happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate. There was no immediate acknowledgment from Iran of the offering for a meeting. The massive ongoing U.S. military deployment to the Caribbean is a factor that the Pentagon and Trumps national security planners must consider. Tehran also warned that the U.S. military and Israel would be legitimate targets if America uses force to protect demonstrators. Trump meanwhile said the Islamic Republic reached out and proposed negotiations. More than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information. It said 496 of the dead were protesters and 48 were with security forces. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Irans government has not offered overall casualty figures. Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Irans security services to launch a bloody crackdown. Protesters flooded the streets in the countrys capital and its second-largest city on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Online videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media. Defiance in parliament The threat to strike the U.S. military and Israel came during a parliamentary speech by Mohammad Baagher Qalibaf, the hard-liner speaker of the body who has run for the presidency in the past. He directly threatened Israel, calling it the occupied territory. In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets, Qalibaf said. We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat. Lawmakers rushed the dais in parliament, shouting: Death to America! It remains unclear how serious Iran is about launching a strike, particularly after its air defenses were destroyed during the 12-day war in June with Israel. Any decision to go to war would rest with Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The U.S. military has said in the Mideast it is postured with forces that span the full range of combat capability to defend our forces, our partners and allies and U.S. interests. Iran targeted U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in June, while the U.S. Navys Mideast-based 5th Fleet is stationed in the island kingdom of Bahrain. Israel, meanwhile, is watching closely the situation between the U.S. and Iran, said an Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to not being authorized to speak to journalists. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio overnight on topics including Iran, the official added. The people of Israel, the entire world, are in awe of the tremendous heroism of the citizens of Iran, said Netanyahu, a longtime Iran hawk. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV mentioned Iran as a place where ongoing tensions continue to claim many lives, adding that I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society. Demonstrations were held in some international capitals in support of the protesters. A spokesperson said United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was shocked by reports of violence against protesters resulting in scores of deaths and called on Iranian authorities to use maximum restraint and restore communications. Protests in Tehran and Mashhad Online videos sent out of Iran, likely using Starlink satellite transmitters, purportedly showed demonstrators gathering in northern Tehrans Punak neighborhood. There, it appeared authorities shut off streets, with protesters waving their lit mobile phones. Others banged metal while fireworks went off. In Mashhad, Irans second-largest city some 450 miles northeast of Tehran, footage purported to show protesters confronting security forces. Protests also appeared to happen in Kerman, 500 miles southeast of Tehran. Iranian state television on Sunday morning had correspondents appear on the streets in several cities to show calm areas, with a date stamp shown on screen. Tehran and Mashhad were not included. The demonstrations began Dec. 28 over the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, which trades at over 1.4 million to $1, as the countrys economy is squeezed by international sanctions in part levied over its nuclear program. The protests intensified and grew into calls directly challenging Irans theocracy. This image released by Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV meeting with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela, right, inside his private library at the Vatican, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Read more ROME Pope Leo XIV met with Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado in a private audience at the Vatican on Monday, during which the Venezuelan leader asked him to intercede for the release of hundreds of political prisoners held in the Latin American country. The meeting, which hadnt been previously included in the list of Leos planned appointments, was later listed by the Vatican in its daily bulletin, without adding details. Advertisement Machado is touring Europe and the United States after she reemerged in December after 11 months in hiding to accept her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. Today I had the blessing and honor of being able to share with His Holiness and express our gratitude for his continued support of what is happening in our country, Machado said in a statement following the meeting. I also conveyed to him the strength of the Venezuelan people who remain steadfast and in prayer for the freedom of Venezuela, and I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared, she added. Machado also held talks with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who was Nuncio in Venezuela from 2009 to 2013. Pope Leo has called for Venezuela to remain an independent country after U.S. forces captured former President Nicolas Maduro in his compound in Caracas and took him to New York to face federal charges of drug-trafficking. Leo had said he was following the developments in Venezuela with deep concern, and urged the protection of human and civil rights in the Latin American country. Venezuelas opposition, backed by consecutive Republican and Democratic administrations in the U.S., had vowed for years to immediately replace Maduro with one of their own and restore democracy to the oil-rich country. But U.S. President Donald Trump delivered them a heavy blow by allowing Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, to assume control. Meanwhile, most opposition leaders, including Machado, are in exile or prison. After winning the 2025 Nobel Prize for Peace, Machado said shed like to give it to or share with Trump. Machado dedicated the prize to Trump, along with the people of Venezuela, shortly after it was announced. Trump has coveted and openly campaigned for winning the Nobel Prize himself since his return to office in January 2025. The organization that oversees the Nobel Peace Prize the Norwegian Nobel Institute said, however, that once its announced, the prize cant be revoked, transferred, or shared with others. The decision is final and stands for all time, it said in a short statement last week. Visitors view an updated portrait of President Donald Trump, with abridged text adjoining it, on Saturday at the National Portrait Gallery in D.C. Read more The National Portrait Gallery removed a swath of text that mentioned President Donald Trumps two impeachments and the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection as it swapped out a prominent photo of him last week. Trump and the White House posted on social media Friday and Saturday to highlight the updated portrait in the Americas Presidents exhibition, which now features a framed black-and-white photo by White House photographer Daniel Torok. It shows Trump staring intensely, with his fists on the Resolute Desk an image the president first shared on his Truth Social account last year. Advertisement It replaced a photo by Washington Post photojournalist Matt McClain, which showed Trump with his hands folded in front of him, and was accompanied by a longer caption recounting Trumps first term and his reelection. Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials, it read, in part. A Trump official specifically complained about that passage months earlier, when the president was trying to force out the portrait gallerys director. The placard has been replaced with one whose caption is so short that the outline of the old sign was visible on the wall beneath it, simply noting Trumps years in office. It now contrasts with portraits of other former presidents, including Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, which all hang alongside wall text highlighting events during their time in office. Clintons notes his impeachment. National Portrait Gallery spokesperson Concetta Duncan said the museum is exploring less descriptive tombstone labels for some new exhibits and displays, and she noted that Trumps portrait in the popular exhibition has changed before. Neither the Smithsonian nor the White House directly responded when asked if the Trump administration had requested the changes. The revamp comes several months after Trump bashed former portrait gallery director Kim Sajet as highly partisan, leading to her resignation, and after the White House threatened to withhold Smithsonian funding if the institution doesnt cooperate with the administrations review of museum content for improper ideology. Trumps allies in government have recently led efforts to brand the public sphere with his preferred personal descriptors in ways large and small, adding his name to the Kennedy Center and U.S. Institute of Peace and installing plaques in the White House that laud Trump and disparage his political rivals such as former presidents Biden and Obama. Last year, the Colorado Capitol replaced a portrait of Trump after he complained about it. Besides noting the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trumps supporters and his impeachments in the House, the old placard mentioned his Supreme Court appointments, his 2020 election loss to Biden, and his efforts to lead the development of coronavirus vaccines. The text also said that the former photo portrait by McClain was supposed to remain on view until Trumps commissioned painting was unveiled. (The previous portrait and its biographical label still appeared on the Smithsonian website as of Saturday afternoon.) The National Portrait Gallery portrayed the changes as unremarkable, saying that it previously rotated two photos of Trump through the collection. A notice posted on the gallerys website announced the exhibition would temporarily close for updates from April 6 to May 14. It did not specify whether the other labels for former presidents would be changed during that period. A former Smithsonian historian, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak for the institution, said that the National Portrait Gallerys relatively long wall texts have stood out in comparison to shorter labels at many other art museums. Because its a museum which combines art and portraiture, it has always had a biographical component to its labels to explain and contextualize the individual whos being portrayed, they said, adding that you can outline the parameters of somebodys career in a very neutral fashion. Tombstone labels museum jargon for bare-bones signs that list only essential information such as the artist, date of creation, and medium are common at art museums such as the Guggenheim or MoMA, as well as other Smithsonian art museums. This isnt the first time the Smithsonian has removed material mentioning congressional attempts to remove Trump from office since he launched a public campaign to remove what he calls woke ideology from U.S. cultural institutions. In July, the National Museum of American History briefly removed then restored references to his impeachments in its exhibition The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden. The institution said it had taken the text out because the other topics in this section had not been updated since 2008. The change was part of a content review that the Smithsonian agreed to undertake, following pressure from the White House to remove Sajet as the portrait gallerys director. At the time, a White House official provided the Washington Post with a list of instances in which Sajet allegedly criticized Trump or promoted improper ideology. It specifically included the caption on his presidential portrait, for mentioning his impeachments and the Capitol attack. Although the Smithsonian Board of Regents affirmed that only its secretary could decide the institutions personnel, Sajet later stepped down and has not been permanently replaced. Elliot Gruber serves as acting director. The changes ignited concerns about political interference at the Smithsonian and how the institution charged with preserving American history could be shaped by the Trump administrations efforts to exert more control over its work. Torok became the White House photographer during Trumps second term. One of his first official portraits drew attention for its similarity to the presidents 2023 mug shot, for his indictment on criminal charges in Atlanta. His photo now hanging in the National Portrait Gallery shows the president leaning over his desk in the Oval Office, fists clenched, looking directly into the camera. Trump posted the photo on Truth Social in October, writing that he was getting ready to leave our imprint on the World. Torok celebrated the Smithsonian display on social media on Friday and previously described the photo on Instagram as Powerful! The photo strikingly echoes a quieter image of John F. Kennedy. The president was captured from behind, hunched over in nearly the same position as Trump, in a 1961 photograph called The Loneliest Job. Trump has struck the same pose in other photos, including one Stephen Voss shot for Time in October. Harry A. Spivak, 66, a veteran caterer and connector in the citys hospitality sector, died of natural causes on Dec. 31 after a short illness. Over the decades in catering, event production, and consulting, he was known as the person who knew whom to call, how to staff a last-minute job, where to source the right equipment, and how to make complicated events run smoothly. Advertisement He was a sage when it came to organization and bartending and everything that goes into making an event work, said Jon Spivak, a brother who was his partner at the now-closed Max & Me Catering. But his real gift was connecting people. He had what I call a Rolodex brain. That was his true genius. Mr. Spivak, the oldest of Joseph Jerry and Sally Spivaks five children, grew up immersed in hospitality and music through the familys businesses. In 1968, Jerry Spivak and brothers Herb and Allen were among the founders of the Electric Factory, the pioneering music venue that grew into the industrys largest concert-promotions company, Live Nation. In 1972, the Spivak brothers opened H.A. Winston & Co., a casual restaurant that grew to 22 locations on the East Coast. Mr. Spivak himself only dabbled in the restaurant business opening the short-lived Bala Rouge in Bala Cynwyd in 1985 with his brother Jon and cousin Adam Spivak after his graduation from the University of Colorado in Boulder. He later spent eight years in the San Francisco Bay Area before returning to the Philadelphia area to raise his daughter, Katie. Friends say Mr. Spivak possessed a rare mix of business instinct and personal warmth. He could talk logistics one minute and relationships the next. He had this incredible memory, said Jon Spivak, who is a chef. You could mention someone you worked with 20 years ago in Colorado or New York, and Harry would remember where they went to school, who they worked for, and who they might know that could help you now. It also would take only one move to play the 1990s parlor game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with Mr. Spivak. Harry was my first friend, Bacon said Monday, describing him as a kind, gentle, big-hearted man. The Spivaks moved onto Van Pelt Street in Center City in 1967, around the corner from the Bacon familys house on Locust Street. I was immediately taken in by the Spivak family, and their house became my second home, Bacon said. Three decades ago, Mr. Spivaks talents as a social bridge created a chapter in music history when he suggested that Bacon and his older brother Michael perform together as the Bacon Brothers. Kevin Bacon confirmed that Mr. Spivak also arranged their area debut at the TLA on South Street, then owned by Electric Factory. Harry and I shared countless adventures through the years on the Philly streets, the Electric Factory, the Spectrum, Northern California, and Bucks County, Bacon said. Mr. Spivak also was his familys historian, a daunting role given that his grandfather taproom owner Harry Speedie Spivak was one of 13 children. Anyone in the family could call him and say, I just met someone named Susan how are we related? Jon Spivak said. Harry would immediately say, Shes your grandfathers third sisters daughters kid. Mr. Spivak was happiest when he was in motion building teams, solving problems, and making sure everyone had what they needed. He was a jack of all trades, said Jon Spivak. But more than that he was the guy you wanted in your corner. Jon Spivak and his Max & Me business partner Max Hansen relied on him in 2000 for catering jobs at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. After the convention, Max & Me was hired to cater aboard the Bush-Cheney campaigns train for a three-day whistle-stop tour through the Midwest. Assigned to oversee beverages for the media, Secret Service agents, campaign staffers, and railroad employees, Mr. Spivak loaded 15 cases of beer, 21 cases of bottled water, 22 cases of sodas, and eight cases of juices, plus wines and spirits. The baggage car used for storage, however, was separated from the kitchen and dining car by four 100-foot cars. Rather than navigate the narrow aisle, Mr. Spivak waited for station stops, unloaded the boxes onto the platform, transferred them by hand truck, and reloaded them onto the train. My body didnt stop hurting for weeks, he told The Inquirer later. Friends and relatives also remembered him for his role as the familys fun uncle, who took nieces and nephews for ice cream, bent the rules, and encouraged adventure. What Ill remember most is his love of fun, his brother said. He didnt take life too seriously. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Spivak became an advocate for feeding homeless people and worked to direct meals and resources to those most affected by shutdowns. He didnt live inside a box, his brother said. He did his own thing. People loved him because he had a huge heart and would do anything for anybody. In addition to his daughter and brother, Mr. Spivak is survived by siblings Jenny, Betsy, and Josh, and dozens of cousins, nieces, and nephews. A celebration of Mr. Spivaks life will begin at 1 p.m. Jan. 25 at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., Philadelphia. Memorial contributions may be made to Chosen 300 Ministries, Box 95, Ardmore, Pa. 19003. The nation's leading medical associations call the CDCs move to cut back on some childhood vaccines "dangerous" and "deadly," writes Frances Avila-Soto, a pediatrician. Read more Several weeks ago, I watched a family lose their young child to bacterial meningitis an infection of the tissues around the brain and spinal cord. By the time the child reached the hospital, the infection had progressed too far; our treatments could not stop or reverse the damage to the childs brain. He died within a few hours. The bacteria we found growing in this childs bloodstream was one that could be prevented with vaccination. This child was unvaccinated. As we cared for him in his last moments of life, many care team members echoed the same thought. Advertisement This is going to keep happening. On Jan. 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated vaccine recommendations that decreased the recommended number of childhood vaccines. Based on this new schedule, children would receive routine vaccinations for 11 diseases instead of the previous schedule that protected against 18 ailments. The vaccinations no longer recommended include those for the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), hepatitides A and B (which cause liver disease), rotavirus (a gastrointestinal illness), and meningococcus (a cause of bacterial meningitis). Doctors react The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Physicians have all released statements opposing this move, calling it dangerous and deadly. According to the AAPs statement, this ill-considered decision will sow further chaos and confusion and erode confidence in immunizations. The data is clear: Childhood vaccination saves lives, and we have seen increased morbidity as vaccination rates decline. The data is clear: Childhood vaccination saves lives, and we have seen increased morbidity as vaccination rates decline. But as a pediatrician, this also goes beyond the data. When I think about vaccines, I think about that young boy in the ICU. I think about how, if the circumstances were different, he might have lived. I think about his siblings, the ones who will no longer get to play in the yard with their younger brother. I think about his parents and how they will no longer get to hold their son or hear his voice. I think about what could have been. Many parents will say the decision to vaccinate should be between a patient and their doctor. While I do my best to uphold the doctrine of shared decision-making with the families I see in practice, we must also acknowledge that the decision of whether to vaccinate ultimately impacts others. Eroding herd immunity For decades, we have relied on herd immunity to protect vulnerable patients such as those too young to receive certain vaccines or those who are immunocompromised. With declining vaccine rates, herd immunity has been diminished, leading to outbreaks of preventable diseases. With fewer recommended vaccinations, our vulnerable patients will continue to suffer. Pediatricians are grieving the children we have already lost to vaccine-preventable illnesses, and we are grieving the losses that will come from these new recommendations. We urge parents to have open conversations with their pediatricians, look to verified sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics for information, and trust that we pediatricians do have your childs best interests in mind. We may be grieving, but we will never stop advocating for your children. Frances Avila-Soto is a pediatric resident in Philadelphia. President Donald Trump waves as he walks off stage after speaking to House Republican lawmakers during their annual policy retreat, Tuesday, in Washington. Read more Vladimir Lenin, who famously (may have) said there are decades when nothing happens and weeks when decades happen, probably would have been flabbergasted by the century that took place in the first week of January 2026. Americas battered psyche had barely processed Donald Trumps dictate to illegally bomb Venezuela killing as many as 100 people and capture its ruler when a political earthquake struck Minneapolis, where an ICE agents stone-cold killing of a 37-year-old mom in her SUV, captured on multiple videos, shook the national conscience. Advertisement These two seismic stories sandwiched a grotesque effort by the Oval Office to whitewash the fifth anniversary of Trumps attempted Capitol Hill coup on Jan. 6, 2021. Yet I would argue that American historians will look back and see the most consequential moment amid seven more days that shook the world occurred on the quiet hiss of a New York Times journalists tape recorder. The nations 47th president insisted to anyone listening that he believes there are no limits to his power, other than those that he himself sets in a brain clogged by decades of Big Macs. A dictatorship, if he can keep it. In the White House last Wednesday, Trump was asked by four New York Times reporters during a wide-ranging interview whether he believed there are any limits on his own powers. Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. Its the only thing that can stop me. His morality? The man who, as found by juries of his peers, sexually abused a woman in a department-store changing room and committed massive business fraud as a real-state developer, while palling around with the most notorious sex-trafficker on Planet Earth? That morality? His mind? The one that is increasingly revealing its age after nearly eight decades of intermittent use, from the presidents increasingly incoherent news conferences to getting up and gazing out the window during important White House meetings, when hes not boasting about his ability to distinguish a giraffe from a hippo? That mind? God help the United States of America. As Americas self-proclaimed paper of record, the Times gets a lot of well-deserved criticism for its news judgment, but it was absolutely right to splay Trumps kingly pronouncement across the top of the front page even in a week that seemed like the end of the world as we know it. This actually was the most important story a unitary dictatorship theory that binds Caracas with the Twin Cities. Theres an understandable yet somewhat misguided tendency to label Trumps most impulsive and outrageous actions as a distraction from deeper long-term problems. And, to be sure, the presidents MAGA inner circle probably doesnt mind when TVs talking heads are talking about Venezuelan crude oil and not the flagrant lawbreaking of blocking the mandated release of the Jeffrey Epstein Files, with 99% still outstanding. But these so-called distractions are, in reality, the very essence of Trumps red Caesar vision for his personalist, authoritarian governance of America and his perceived sphere of domination in the Western Hemisphere. It is a regime that believes in the raw power of brute force and its ability to murder people with absolute immunity, whether its an 80-year-old grandmother who lived too close to Nicolas Maduro or a 37-year-old mom whose SUV is in the way of its masked secret police. The independent journalist and author Jonathan M. Katz summed it up best: Everything is a distraction and everything is the crisis. That crisis aims to eliminate the perceived constraints on the regimes lethal conduct traditions of America morality that are very different from what dwells in Trumps clouded brain by outrageously lying about the present and altering the factual narratives of the past. Any high-school student struggling to understand George Orwells 1984 (just kidding...they dont read books in high school anymore) could have simply turned on the news last Tuesday, when the Trump regime threw the truth about the deadly insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021 down the memory hole with a fictionalized rewrite of what happened thus seeking to control the future by controlling the past. Although published some 78 years ago, Orwells novel is proving an even better roadmap to the deeper truths of the Trump regime than the Heritage Foundations Project 2025. It predicted the meaninglessness of past political alliances (We were at war with Greenland. We had always been at war with Greenland.), the Two Minutes Hate that is Trumps Truth Social Feed, and the deepfake altering of reality that turns a part-time poet with three kids into a domestic terrorist. What Orwell was describing was essentially totalitarianism government with no real objectives or moral force beyond the whims of its Dear Leader and the violent social control thats required to keep that from unraveling. Less than one year after his inauguration, Trump is claiming this worldview as his own. If he had bothered to crack open his high-school French book, he might have told the Times, LEtat, cest moi. Yet the most chilling part of this regal declaration from the Oval Office was when Trump said his own values and intellect are the only thing that can stop him presumably from killing again in Caracas or South Minneapolis or the middle of Fifth Avenue. In fact, the institutions that have restrained less-ambitious presidential overreach in the past seem to have vanished in the face of an actual dictator. For sure, there are some members of Congress willing to meet the moment, but they are drowned out by the fear-laden paralysis of Democratic leaders and the zombie-like obedience of Republicans on Capitol Hill. There are some judges insisting that the rule of law is still in play, but their decisions are sucked into a rogue Supreme Court. There are remarkable independent journalists fighting tear gas and pepper balls in the street, but too many people get their news from in-the-tank billionaire-owned outlets that are functioning as a kind of state media. Speaking of which, there was one other passage in the New York Times this week that was also striking. It read: On state television, an anchor warned that protesters could be risking their lives by taking to the streets. Tonight is the night for parents to stop their children from going out, he said. If something happens, if someone is injured, if a bullet is fired and something happens to them, do not complain. You cant be blamed for thinking that the state television being quoted was CBS News under its now pro-Trump billionaire owner and his muse, Bari Weiss, but of course the Times was describing that other country where people are risking getting shot to protest: Iran. READ MORE: In New Orleans and across U.S., anger over ICE raids sparks a 2nd American Revolution | Will Bunch There are no coincidences in this already incredible year of 2026. The slow moral rot of the backwards-looking, theocratic regimes behind the Iranian revolution of 1979 and the Reagan revolution of 1980 has finally decayed to the point where thousands of people are out in the streets of Tehran, Minneapolis, Tabriz, and Philadelphia. People are saying we have nothing left to lose. Again, this is a quote from an Iranian anti-regime journalist named Elyar Kamrani, but its a vibe that is also deeply felt by the thousands who marched this weekend all across America. One imagines that the gunfire of Tehran was echoing in the mind of the Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire when he told a candlelight vigil Saturday that hes instructed his clergy to get their affairs in order and make sure their wills are completed. It is time to put our bodies between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable, Rob Hirschfeld said. Youve almost got to hand it to Trump for being honest about his warped agenda, and for understanding what the war for the soul of America is really all about. Morality. If the American Experiment dies, it will be because we didnt stop the immorality of a white supremacy that calls Somali refugees garbage and a patriarchy that mutters f---ing bitch as it murders a woman in ice-cold blood. If it lives, it will be because we embraced the higher morality of empathy and compassion for our neighbors and for people we dont even know. The world must choose between the morality of one mans damaged soul and those ancient hierarchies, or that of the millions who are risking bodily harm and even death out in the streets, here and on the other side of the world. There is no longer any middle ground. READ MORE: SIGN UP: The Will Bunch Newsletter The U.S. has seized the Olina tanker in the Caribbean, the fifth vessel targeted in recent weeks as Washington steps up efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports, U.S. officials said on Friday. The Olina, which according to public shipping database Equasis was falsely flying the flag of Timor Leste, previously sailed from Venezuela and had returned to the region, said an industry source with direct knowledge of the matter. In a pre-dawn move, marines and sailors from Joint Task Force Southern Spear, launched from the carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, apprehended the Olina in the Caribbean Sea without incident, the U.S. Southern Command said on X. Read more: US Seizes Russian-Flagged Tanker and Another Tied to Venezuela Once again, our joint interagency forces sent a clear message this morning: there is no safe haven for criminals,' it said. The Olina left Venezuela last week fully loaded with oil as part of a flotilla shortly after the U.S. seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, and the vessel was returning fully loaded to Venezuela following the U.S. blockade of Venezuelan oil exports, the industry source said. The vessels AIS (location) tracker was last active 52 days ago in the Venezuelan EEZ, northeast of Curacao, British maritime risk management company Vanguard said separately. The seizure follows a prolonged pursuit of tankers linked to sanctioned Venezuelan oil shipments in the region. The U.S. imposed sanctions on the Olina in January last year, when it was named the Minerva M, for what Washington said was it being part of the so-called shadow fleet of ships that sail with little regulation or known insurance. The M Sophia, another of the tankers that was part of a flotilla of a dozen vessels that left Venezuela earlier this month, was seized by U.S. forces earlier this week. Three vessels Skylyn, Min Hang and Merope all fully loaded and part of the same flotilla that left last week, sailed back to Venezuelan waters on Thursday, according to the industry source. Seven additional tankers from that flotilla, also fully loaded, were set to return to Venezuelan waters on Friday and Saturday, the person said. In the past 24 hours alone, at least seven dark fleet oil vessels have turned around to avoid interdiction because they know we mean business, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Friday on X. All of the oil on board these 10 tankers is owned by Venezuelan state producer PDVSA, the person added. PDVSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was unclear whether Washington would take action on the other tankers sailing towards Venezuela. The U.S. blockade of sanctioned Venezuelan oil remains in full effect anywhere in the world, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday. (Reporting by Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, Chen Aizhu and Jonathan Saul, writing by Jonathan Saul; editing by Mark Potter, Hugh Lawson and Stephen Coates) Photograph: Evana, an oil tanker, is docked at El Palito Port in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Dec. 21, 2025. The U.S. military says U.S. forces have boarded another oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea. The Olina is the fifth tanker seized by U.S. forces. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix, File) Related: Oil companies aiming to participate in new exports of Venezuelan crude to the U.S. following the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro are in hasty discussions to find tankers and put together operations to transfer the crude safely from vessels and dilapidated Venezuelan ports, four sources familiar with the operations said. Trading houses and oil companies, including Chevron, Vitol and Trafigura, are competing for U.S. government deals to export crude from Venezuela, sources said, after President Donald Trump said that Venezuela is set to turn over as much as 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to the United States. Trafigura said in a meeting with the White House on Friday that its first vessel should load in the next week. Faced with a U.S. blockade in recent months, Venezuela has been storing oil in tankers and has nearly completely filled storage tanks onshore. The vessels holding the oil are old, poorly maintained, and under sanctions. Other vessels cannot make direct contact with sanctioned ships due to liability and insurance requirements, even if the U.S. grants licenses, the sources said. Onshore tanks have also not been maintained for years, posing risks for parties trying to load the oil. Shipping company Maersk Tankers is among the firms looking to expand their ship-to-ship transfer operations in Venezuela, three of the sources said. Maersk Tankers could replicate the ship-to-shore-to-ship logistics it has used before in Amuay Bay in Venezuela, one source said. Maersk already has operations in nearby Aruba and Curacao, islands whose waters are often used to transfer Venezuelan oil. However, while the transfers are possible in Aruba and U.S. ports, they are more expensive. Transfer operations will also be complicated by a shortage of smaller ships to move oil from the storage vessels to piers from where the oil can be transferred to another ship, as well as inadequate maintenance of machinery and equipment, another shipping source said. Another firm, AET, which previously had business related to Venezuelan cargoes before U.S. sanctions were imposed on the country in 2019, is being approached by potential clients to expand operations, two of the sources said. AET said in a statement to Reuters that it is not currently working with any party to call, tranship, load, or discharge, Venezuelan cargo, either directly or indirectly. It also said it does not comment on potential business opportunities across all markets. (Editors note: Reuters has corrected this story, which originally said AET already helps transfer Chevrons shipments of Venezuelan crude to the U.S., which is not the case. AET emphasized to Insurance Journal it has not not carried, transhipped, or performed any Ship-to-Ship (STS) operations involving Venezuelan cargo sanctioned or otherwise for any party, including Chevron, since 2019. AET has not called on any Venezuelan port since 2019, and it is not currently working with any party to call, tranship, load, or discharge Venezuelan cargo, the company said.) Maersk Tankers and Chevron did not immediately respond to requests for comment. While supply could reach the 500,000 barrels per day Venezuela previously exported to the U.S. before sanctions and would drain accumulated inventories in 90-120 days, it will be difficult to meet that goal if oil must be taken from both tankers and onshore storage, the sources said. Companies are also competing fiercely for loading slots at Venezuelas main Jose oil terminal, where there are capacity and speed limitations. Chevron, a key joint venture partner in the country, is also aggressively vying to keep its privileged position at Venezuelas terminals, while lining up its vessel fleet, one source said. Oil companies, including Chevron, Vitol and Trafigura, are already sourcing supplies of much-needed naphtha, an industry source in Venezuela said. The naphtha is typically blended into the heavy Venezuelan crude to lower its density, and make it easier to transport and process at refineries. (Reporting by Marianna Parraga and Arathy Somasekhar in Houston; Editing by Liz Hampton and Rosalba OBrien) Nexus Buys Medical Tourism MGA Sure Insurance Services Nexus Underwriting, the London-based MGA and a Brown & Brown subsidiary, announced it has acquired Sure Insurance Services, a leading provider of specialist solutions for the medical tourism industry. The deal has received regulatory approval, and the financial consideration was not disclosed. Sure was founded in 2003 by Alison Thornberry and has since grown to become the leading MGA for specialist medical travel insurance program. Sures products serve a large and fast-growing medical tourism market in the UK, Australia and South Africa. The business will become part of Millstream Underwriting, which has been owned by Nexus since 2015. Thornberry and the team will remain with the business after the acquisition, under the leadership of Millstreams managing director, Rob Amati. Nexus said the acquisition reinforces its continued appetite for niche and specialist MGAs that dovetail with Nexus bespoke approach. The company regularly acquires firms that offer thoughtful, analytical expertise, align culturally and make sense financially with the groups priorities and as part of its disciplined growth strategy. We are very pleased to welcome Alison and the Sure team into Millstream and the wider Nexus family, commented Amati. Sure is a highly respected specialist MGA with a strong track record in medical travel insurance, which will support our mission to deliver quality underwriting and claims services to our brokers and policyholders as well as long-term profitable results for our capacity providers. Im incredibly proud of what we have built at Sure over the past two decades, and Im delighted that joining Nexus will allow us to further enhance our specialist medical travel and revisions offering, support our partners and drive our growth, while maintaining the same team, knowledge and service our customers rely on, according to Thornberry. This acquisition follows the launch of Arrowhead Intermediaries, Nexus parent brand. Steve Boyd, CEO of Arrowhead Intermediaries, commented, Were thrilled to welcome Sure Insurance Services to our diverse platform for the global insurance marketplace. Nexus Underwriting, part of Arrowhead Intermediaries, is a leading, specialty MGA with a focus on niche insurance classes of business. Founded in 2008, it is now a global business with GWP of $550 million, employing more than 300 people across three continents. The Arrowhead Intermediaries brand was launched in August 2025 to unify Brown & Browns wholesale, program, and specialty operations, combining Arrowhead Programs, Bridge Specialty Group, and One80 Intermediaries into one platform. *** Specialist Risk Group Buys Broker Kennett in North of England Specialist Risk Group (SRG), the London-based specialist insurance intermediary, announced it has agreed to acquire Kennett Insurance & Risk Management, subject to regulatory approval. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition represents a further step in SRGs expansion across the North of England, reinforcing its long-term commitment to investing in regional capability and strengthening its UK Retail platform. Kennett operates from offices in Hull and Leeds, bringing local presence and experienced teams that will deepen SRGs footprint in the region. Kennett Insurance & Risk Management has a strong reputation for client service and deep expertise across complementary industries in many traditional fields including the service sector, construction, manufacturing, property, motor fleet, motor trade and logistics complemented by a number of niche areas and community sectors, SRG said. Following completion, Kennett will join SRGs UK Retail pillar, supporting the strategy of building specialist, locally led businesses within a broader national and international platform. Clients will continue to be supported by the existing Kennett team, while benefiting from access to SRGs wider expertise and resources. The acquisition of Kennett Insurance is another important step in the continued development of our UK Retail business in the North of England. We are deliberately building scale rooted in specialism, strong regional presence, and high-quality teams, commented Lee Anderson, group deputy CEO of Specialist Risk Group, in a statement. The Kennett team brings expertise in sectors that matter to SRG and a team whose values and approach align closely with our own. We are delighted to welcome them to the group, he added. SRGs commitment to people and long-term growth makes it a natural home for our business and our clients, according to Daniel Schofield, managing director of Kennett Insurance & Risk Management. This partnership allows us to retain our client focus, while benefiting from the scale, support, and opportunities that come with being part of a wider group. *** Jensten Buys 3 Brokers, Gaining 1st Scottish Foothold Jensten Group three new acquisitions: Broker One, Coversure Dudley and Mediprotect Healthcare. Financial details were not disclosed. Broker One Limited is a commercial broker based in Larbert, Scotland. The acquisition marks Jenstens entry into the Scottish market, adding a team of eight professionals, a thriving Glasgow office, and a strong client base, Jensten said. Led by highly experienced industry specialists, Broker One has an outstanding track record of success. The team serves SMEs, sole traders, and private clients, bringing more than 200 years of combined experience in the insurance sector. Coversure Dudley has a long-standing presence in the local area (of Dudley, England), primarily supporting commercial clients with a strong focus on fleet and truck insurance. Wayne Saunders and Dale Cole have successfully run the business for 22 years, both of whom are recognized experts in their field. Mediprotect Healthcare, based in Huntingdon, England, is owned and led by Jon Legge, an experienced specialist in private medical insurance. The acquisition presents a valuable opportunity to expand Jenstens Employee Benefits division with Legge working closely with the existing Jensten team to drive growth in the health and protection market. Both Coversure Dudley and Mediprotect Healthcare will rebrand to Jensten Insurance Brokers upon completion. Following these latest acquisitions, Jensten will operate across over 50 offices with more than 1,000 employees. These deals follow Jensten Groups Northern Counties acquisition announcement, which is awaiting regulatory approval and will further expand Jenstens regional footprint. These acquisitions represent another exciting step forward for Jensten. Broker One strengthens our presence in Scotland, while Coversure Dudley and Mediprotect Healthcare bring exceptional expertise in their respective markets, according to Rob Organ, group CEO at Jensten. Each of these businesses share our commitment to delivering outstanding client service, and we look forward to working together to drive growth and create new opportunities for our clients and teams. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Insurance Wholesale Michigan needs to confront risks to its $348 billion piece of the global automotive industry this year and move decisively toward keeping jobs, engineering and production in the state. That message comes from Glenn Stevens, executive director of statewide industry advocacy group MichAuto that last month released a report he describes as a call to action. This is a critical time in the industrys history, Stevens told Bridge Michigan. We are at an inflection point like weve never seen before. Weve got to be making changes and doing things differently to protect our signature industry and our economy as a whole. The concern is escalating as Michigan readies for its largest automotive celebration: The annual Detroit Auto Show, which returns to Detroits Huntington Place from January 17-25. The auto industry accounts for about 20% of Michigan jobs and has a payroll of $83 billion. The report warns Michigan must bolster its innovation economy or be left behind. Over 2026, MichAuto will launch a roadmap for policy, economic development and talent attraction for the industry to thrive in Michigan, Stevens said. That will come after a year when the auto industry reeled from waves of tariff changes, new fuel economy standards and more. Underlying it all were federal changes and market forces that prompted automakers to curtain their electric vehicle strategy. Among them, Ford Motor Co. in December said it would take a $19 billion hit to shift its EV capacity to gas-powered vehicles, while adding new energy storage systems to its EV battery lineup. Beyond that, southern US states are building a battery belt by actively recruiting automakers and suppliers, including those from Michigan. And the Chinese auto industry is advancing at an astounding rate as it attempts to dominate the race for electrification, the report says. Combined, the report says, changes mean that Michigan cannot rest on its automotive legacy to maintain economic benefits, like employment and powering the states GDP. Due to automation and the digital economy, Michigan needs to elevate innovation as a business goal that will create jobs and economic growth, Stevens said. We have to double down on the research and development part of the industry, Stevens said, noting that Michigan is the top state for privately funded auto R&D research. Innovation centers including Michigan Central, funded by Ford and the state should play a bigger role in the states economy as they develop, Stevens said. And they will support other industries, he added, such as the life sciences. MichAuto also is advocating for Michigan to: Prioritize workforce development, including Going PRO, a training program for which the Legislature recently reduced funding. Other goals include increasing the number of bachelors degrees awarded and creating a pipeline to replace aging workers Improve the states business climate through tax and regulatory changes that make the state more competitive Set long-term, sustainable economic development incentives. This has been controversial, notably after lawmakers in 2025 defunded the $2 billion Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund Add support for the industry transition. MichAuto says that helping companies and workers to adapt to new technologies, manufacturing processes, and skills will keep auto jobs in the state The most recent State of Automobility report from MichAuto represents a switch from the groups typical reports, which are released every 18 months or so, Stevens said, and contain data updates. The warnings for the state and its auto industry come amid still more reports about Michigans prosperity slide, including alerts from the Detroit Regional Chamber that the state needs to sharpen its education system. Business Leaders for Michigan in November released the 40-page Michigan in a New Era roadmap for state success under the next governor, who will be elected in fall 2026. While the nation has grown, the report notes, Michigan: Ranks 50th in household income growth over the past 25 years Shows flat growth in high-wage professional jobs over 20 years, while theyve grown 35% nationally Fell from 16th to 44th in fourth grade reading over 30 years Has one of the highest chronic school absenteeism rates in the nation The next administration needs to focus on changing whats within our control to change our states trajectory, the Business Leaders for Michigan report said. Also in November, University of Michigan economists warned that the state is poised to miss out on expected national job growth in 2026 due to its aging workforce and slim population growth. When it comes to the auto industry, the report said, 2025s tariffs ended up slightly positive for the sector despite fears that they could prompt job losses. However, estimates of tariff effects are highly uncertain both because tariff policy remains fluid and because it is inherently difficult to quantify the effects of such a major policy shift, the U-M economists note. So far, the economists expect light vehicle production to increase 2.7% and prices on new vehicles to increase 6.6%, or about $3,100 per vehicle. According to Anderson Economic Group, a policy analyst company in East Lansing, the average new vehicle price in November was $49,814. At the same time, the Detroit Threes share of US light vehicle sales fell from 36.1% in 2023 to 34.2% in 2024. U-Ms economists say the two-decade market share slide of General Motors, Ford and Stellantis is expected to reverse in 2026 as the new (federal) policy mix takes effect. ___ This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Auto Michigan An Alabama law firm will likely have to pay more than $800,000plus another $100,000 in sanctionsfor failing to verify hearing loss in hundreds of Ugandans who claimed part of the massive settlement over faulty 3M earplugs. Its been a learning experience for us, said Birmingham attorney Stephen Heninger of the Heninger Garrison Davis law firm, one of many mass-tort firms that were part of the multi-district federal litigation over the 3M Combat Arms earplugs. Its extremely doubtful we will represent foreign claimants again because theyre not as trustworthy as people in the United States and Canada. 3M reached a $6 billion settlement in 2023, agreeing to provide significant payments to thousands of military members, government contractors and others who used the earplugs and suffered hearing loss. Insurers have been asked to cover about $1.5 billion of that, according to law firms involved. Multiple insurers are in litigation over 3Ms coverage claims. Chubb Bermuda and ACE Bermuda Insurance were in arbitration with 3M as of this month. The Heninger Garrison law firm signed up almost 1,000 Ugandans who were recommended by a Ugandan lawyer, according to a court-appointed special master who recommended the sanctions. But the law firm did not verify audiograms from the African claimants and most of those audiograms turned out to have been forged or faked. The undersigned does not find that any member of the Heninger Garrison Davis firm intentionally committed fraud on the court through this settlement program, the special master, David Herndon, a retired federal judge, wrote in his report in December. It is clear, however, that two members of the firm were not simply negligent in the handling of these claims, but instead were consciously and recklessly indifferent to the variety of circumstances of the Ugandan settlement program, allowing fraud to occur and equally indifferent to their duties as officers of the court, Herndon wrote. Litigation and tort-reform experts said the lack of scrutiny shows the risk involved in massive class actions, in which plaintiff law firms can gain millions of dollars in attorney fees but individual claimants end up with smaller amounts. Class-action lawsuits always present a vetting problem. Indeed, the impossibility of knowing all the clients in a class-action lawsuit is the reason historically that class-action lawsuits were disfavored, said Robert Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University. In 1966, federal courts, then state courts began accepting more class-actions after adopting rules requiring a robust intake system designed to weed out fraud, Jarvis noted. The Heninger firm did not seem to have such a system in place, allowing fraudulent claims to slip through, according to the special masters report. Others said the firms lack of scrutiny is troubling, considering the huge amounts that insurers and businesses often have to pay in mass tort litigation damages and defense costs. Attorneys have a continuing obligation to verify the veracity of potential clients claims. If they fail to do so, they can be held accountable by judges and the Bar, said William Large, president of the Florida Justice Reform Institute. The 3M earplug litigation began in 2016, after a whistleblower alleged 3M and its subsidiary knew of defects in the product. In 2019, more than 250,000 claimants had applied, and thousands of lawsuits from around the country were consolidated into one, to be heard by the federal court in Pensacola, Florida. The judge in the case, Casey Rodgers, has received high marks from lawyers for her efficient handling of the complex litigation and a steady focus on deadlines. In the Heninger episode, it was a forgotten deadline and a misunderstood court instruction that may have led firm members to rush through the Ugandan claims at the last minute, the special masters report suggests. What is clear to this Special Master is that Heninger Garrison Davis handling of its Ugandan claims failed at several levels, Special Master Herndon wrote. The Ugandan claims began with a phone call from Uganda lawyer known by several names, it turned out. The lawyer, whose real name is Arafah Musoke, according to Herndons report, told a Heninger attorney that he had many clients that had served as security contractors for U.S. bases and embassies in war zones. But when emails from Ugandan claimants, all containing the same wording, began circulating, the BrownGreer settlement administrator firm, based in Virginia, started scrutinizing the paid claims. An audit found that the audiograms submitted by Musoke and others were faked and looked nothing like standard hearing test reports seen from U.S. medical professionals. The license for one Ugandan medical clinic had been forged. The claimants were probably not exposed to warfare, shootings or other loud noises during their contract period at U.S. bases, reports found. The Heninger firm did not know or did not check on the fact that most U.S. military contractors undergo a baseline hearing test before they begin work, and these were available from the U.S. Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System but were never requested, the special master explained. Further, it was never shown that the Ugandan contractors actually used the 3M earplugs. At one point, Herndon interviewed Musoke. The Ugandan lawyer explained that some local audiograms had been hurriedly recreated and backdated because original records had been lostbut medical professionals knew the claimants. Heninger Garrison attorneys indicated they were not aware of some Ugandans reportedly shady reputationdespite a U.S. State Department website warning that fraud is prevalent in the country, the 37-page report noted. The finding of this Special Master is that all except four of the Ugandan claims submitted by Heninger Garrison Davis were fraudulent, Herndon wrote. Those four claims had some indicia of reliability, but they still raised questions. The special master recommended the Heninger law firm should pay at least $50,000 in sanctions, while a named partner charged with oversight of the claims should pay another $10,000, and two others at the firm should pay $20,000 each. One of those attorneys is no longer with the firm. The judge has yet to sign off on the penalties. The firm should also pay an estimated $804,000 that the settlement paid out on the fraudulent claims, the special master report said. That includes almost $322,000 in attorney fees. The court should ask the BrownGreer settlement administrator firm to determine the exact amount to be returned by the firm and paid into the settlement program and a common benefit fund. Those who investigated the fraud should also be compensated, Herndon said. Jarvis, the Nova Southeastern law professor, said the level of sanctions appears to be rather low, given how much work it took to uncover the lack of vetting and the number of fraudulent claims involved. The special masters Dec. 5 report noted that the Heninger firm had indicated it did nothing wrong. The firm responded to the report in a Dec. 19 filing: While we acknowledge and respect the Special Masters finding that our firms training, guiding, vetting, and submission of claims relative to this singular, unique group of Ugandan clients was deficient, we must emphasize, without reservation, that this firm did not knowingly or intentionally engage in any fraudulent conduct with regard to these claimants or otherwise. Almost $3 million of the $6 billion overall settlement has been paid, but hundreds of claims are still being processed and should be paid by 2029, according to lawyers involved and news reports. Top photo: Earplug similar in appearance to the 3M earplugs (AdobeStock) Related: Judge in $6 Billion 3M Settlement Issues Order to Stop Litigation Funding 10 Highest Class-Action Settlements in 2025 Eclipsed $70B Total: Duane Morris Topics Claims The US Supreme Court will consider invalidating the Federal Communications Commissions system for imposing financial penalties in a clash that could put fresh limits on the power of federal regulators. The justices said Friday they will hear contentions from AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. that they were deprived of their constitutional right to a jury trial when the FCC fined them more than $40 million apiece for alleged customer privacy violations. The case gives the six-justice conservative majority a chance to extend a 2024 decision that cut the ability of agencies to levy fines without going to federal court. That ruling curbed the Securities and Exchange Commissions use of in-house administrative law judges to handle fraud cases. The Trump administration is defending the FCCs adjudication system, saying it gives companies and individuals an adequate right to make their case to a jury before they have to pay any penalties. The administration is appealing a 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals decision that declared the rules unconstitutional in a case involving AT&T. Two other appeals courts have backed the FCC. The 5th Circuit ruling deprives the commission of one of its most important regulatory remedies and severely impairs the agencys ability to enforce federal communications law, US Solicitor General D. John Sauer, the administrations top Supreme Court lawyer, argued in court papers. The clash stems from FCC allegations that the nations largest wireless carriers illegally shared access to customers location data and didnt take adequate measures to protect against unauthorized disclosure. In 2024 the commission imposed fines of $57 million on AT&T, $47 million on Verizon and $92 million on T-Mobile US Inc. The T-Mobile penalty included a $12 million fine against Sprint Corp., which T-Mobile acquired after the investigation began. Courts Divided AT&T and Verizon also urged Supreme Court review, though they asked the justices to strike down the system. AT&T said the divide among appeals courts had created uncertainty over the legal status of commission forfeiture orders imposing massive civil penalties. The 1934 Communications Act offers two options for challenging fines imposed by the FCC through an administrative proceeding. Companies and individuals can pay the penalty and seek review at a federal appeals court. Alternatively, they can let the Justice Department sue to collect the money in federal district court, where the right to a jury trial applies. In a 3-0 decision in the AT&T case, the 5th Circuit rejected the FCCs contention that the latter option satisfied the Seventh Amendment jury-trial right. The commission cites no authority supporting the proposition that the constitutional guarantee of a jury trial is honored by a trial occurring after an agency has already found the facts, interpreted the law, adjudged guilt, and levied punishment, Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan wrote for the panel. The New York-based 2nd Circuit disagreed in the Verizon case, saying that no one has to pay a fine without a jury trial. An FCC order does not, by itself, compel payment, Judge Alison Nathan wrote for the 3-0 panel. The government needs to initiate a collection action to do that. In urging Supreme Court review, Verizon said companies can suffer serious practical and reputational harms even before they are forced to pay. Federal law gives the Justice Department five years to decide whether to pursue a collection suit. The court will hear arguments, probably in April, and rule by July. The cases are Federal Communications Commission v. AT&T, 25-406, and Verizon v. Federal Communications Commission, 25-567. Photo: An AT&T store in New York. Photographer: Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg Copyright 2026 Bloomberg. Topics Legislation Alliant Insurance Services is the latest to join a group of brokers suing new competitor Howden US over what it calls Howdens smash-and-grab strategy to take teams from other brokers. The suit also names three former employeesJessie Guerrero, Christina Murphy, and Sunnie Fairburnall members of Alliants energy and marine team in Texas. According to court filings in state court in Harris County, Alliant claims Howden US orchestrated en masse resignations by the trio using a gameplan consistent with its nefarious attack strategy targeting other brokers. The former employees violated employment contracts regarding competition, trade secrets, and confidential information. Howden US, the new U.S. retail broking business of Howden launched in August with Mike Parrish as CEO, is also being sued by brokers, Aon, Marsh, WTW, and Brown & Brown. Marsh has filed one suit against Parrish and several other former employees, plus a separate suit against another group of former employees now at Howden US. Related: Brown & Brown Files Suit Over Alleged Howden Poaching of 200+ Employees | Aon Adds to List of Brokers Suing Howden US for Alleged Poaching, Theft Alliant said it suspected Guerrero was considering employment with Howden but he denied it when confronted. Nevertheless, he resigned with Murphy and Fairburn on Dec. 2, 2025. Alliant alleges the trio accessed, renamed, deleted and screenshot hundreds of files related to their clients at Alliant. Alliant furthermore alleged in the suit that clients were leaving to rival brokers because of industry rumors it had lost its energy property team. Alliant said it believes the defendants spread the rumors, and that there was at least one instance in which one of the defendants tried recruiting an Alliant employee. Alliants request for a temporary restraining order was granted by the court last week to prevent Guerrero, Murphy, Fairburn, and Howden US from using any Alliant confidential information. A hearing is scheduled Jan. 16. This time last year, a federal judge extended an order blocking three Alliant Insurance Services employees from soliciting or contacting any current Marsh & McLennan Agency clients. MMA claimed Alliant orchestrated a scheme to poach some of MMAs employees and solicit MMAs clients. Related: Judge Extends Ban on Alliant Employees Soliciting Marsh Agencys Customers Topics Lawsuits USA Alliant A South Carolina medical testing laboratory and its CEO have agreed to repay more than $6 million for allegedly paying kickbacks to doctors in return for boosting lab testing referrals. The settlement resulted from a civil lawsuit brought by a whistleblower. Joseph Labash, who is from the United Arab Emirates, also agreed to plead guilty to five counts of paying kickbacks and to pay another $104,000 in restitution. He led Clinical Laboratory LTD Holding, formerly known as Labtech Diagnostics, based in Anderson, South Carolina, according to court filings and the U.S. Department of Justice. Federal court records do not indicate if Labash will face prison time. But the Justice Department said the settlement agreement resolves allegations that Labash and Labtech knowingly paid five types of kickbacks to doctors, from 2018 through 2021. The payments were disguised as office space rental payments, phlebotomy and toxicology payments, and defrauded health insurance programs, DOJ noted. In addition to paying kickbacks, Labtech also failed to accurately calibrate and perform quality controls on its testing equipment, the lawsuit complaint reads. These labs then submitted claims to Medicare for reimbursement for the testing performed, to Medicaid, and to other federal health insurance programs. The whistleblower, a former chief operating officer at Labtech, will receive almost $1.4 million of the settlement proceeds, the department said. Prosecutors previously resolved allegations that health care providers in South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, and Illinois received kickbacks to induce their laboratory referrals to Labtech. Others involved with the lab were also named in the initial lawsuit. The amended complaint in the case can be seen here. Topics South Carolina Eliminating state income taxes sounds great to many voters, but Republicans backing the push in multiple states still face questions about whether such big tax cuts can be made without raising other taxes or sharply cutting state funding for education, health care and other services. Georgia on Wednesday became the latest state to launch a bid to abolish its personal income tax, with Republican leaders in the Senate backing a proposal to zero it out by 2032. This year, Georgias personal income tax is projected to collect about $16.5 billion, or 44% of the states general revenue. The push is driven by politics. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, the Republican who leads the state Senate, has made eliminating income taxes a centerpiece of his 2026 campaign for governor. State Sen. Blake Tillery, a Vidalia Republican who led a committee to abolish the tax, is among candidates to succeed Jones as lieutenant governor. This is the first vote that we are going to get to take to address affordability, Tillery said. But its unclear if the proposal will pass. Georgia House Republicans may want to continue nibbling away at the tax in smaller bites, preferring a measured approach. Republican House Speaker Jon Burns of Newington said Wednesday that his big 2026 goal is to eliminate property taxes for homeowners, but said hes willing to consider the Senate plan. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, serving his last year, has been cool to total elimination of the income tax. He declined to comment Wednesday on the Senate plan, but spokesperson Carter Chapman said Kemp wants to continue lowering taxes and putting more money in Georgians pockets as he has throughout his term. The states Democratic minority opposes the move, saying it would mostly benefit high earners and the state needs money to provide services. Multiple GOP-Led States Seek Tax Cuts Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi and Missouri have all set goals to abolish the personal income tax, joining eight other states that dont tax personal income. Eight other states besides Georgia are cutting personal income tax rates this year, according to the Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C., group generally skeptical of higher taxes. Weve seen a lot of states cut their income tax rates in the last four or five years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and coming out of it, said Aravind Boddupalli, senior researcher at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center in Washington, D.C. Supporters say cuts help a state compete for new residents and businesses, pointing to growth in Texas and Florida, two states without personal income taxes. Your income tax is a tax on productivity, said Manish Bhatt, who studies state taxes for the Tax Foundation. If you are taxing productivity, you are potentially losing out on economic gains. Front-loading cuts for lower earners Georgia has already been cutting income taxes, taking what was once a top income tax rate of 6% and lowering it to a 5.19% flat rate. Republicans broadly support a further cut for individual and corporate taxpayers to 4.99% this year, worth an estimated $800 million in foregone tax revenue. The Senate plan would then freeze the corporate rate and focus on individual tax cuts. It proposes in 2027 to exempt the first $50,000 of income for a single person or $100,000 for a married couple, up from $12,000 and $24,000 now. Faced with Democratic criticism about affordability, the big increase in exempt income is central to Republicans own arguments about how they can make money stretch farther. About 70% of Georgians reported less than $100,000 of taxable income in 2024, according to state figures. It is a plan that gives benefits first to hardworking families, Tillery said. The initial rate cut, plus the exemption proposal, would lower Georgia revenue by $3.8 billion in its 2027 budget year. Tillery says the state could pay by using surplus tax revenue and shifting back to paying for capital expenditures through borrowing instead of cash. But those moves probably wouldnt cover the foregone revenue even in the first year, much less $13 billion more in cuts to get to zero. Tillery said revenue should be bolstered by trimming business income and sales tax breaks, saying legislators should reduce corporate welfare. But lawmakers and Kemp have balked at curtailing those measures in recent years. Some Tax Cuts Backfired Tax cuts havent always been a political bonanza. In Kansas, after Republicans under Gov. Sam Brownback cut income taxes steeply more than a decade ago, voters revolted at budget cuts and lawmakers imposed multiple tax increases to cover persistent budget shortfalls, including restoring some income tax cuts. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly won her first term in 2018 by framing the race as a referendum on Brownbacks policies. State income taxes are only bad if you fundamentally dont believe that the services, the public investments that state governments provide, are worth anything, said Matt Gardner, a senior fellow with the left-leaning Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy . In Missouri, Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe and GOP legislative leaders have made phasing out the states income tax a top priority for the session starting Wednesday. Theyre looking to expand sales taxes to services which currently are untaxed to help offset lost revenue. We want to do this in a smart, efficient way thats not going to have the state go off some sort of fiscal cliff, Missouri House Majority Leader Alex Riley told The Associated Press on Tuesday. But expanding sales taxes could fall more heavily on poorer taxpayers. The liberal-leaning Georgia Budget and Policy Institute estimated that if Georgia doesnt expand its sales tax, the combined state and local sales tax rate would have to rise sharply from the current 7.42% to recover revenue losses. All that leads to questions about income-tax elimination plans, even from Republicans. Burns, the Georgia House speaker, said hes open to any plan that benefits Georgians. But weve got to have the details, and it has to work, Burns said. We need to make sure we can continue to do vital services health care, public safety, education, all the things we talked about. ___ Associated Press writer David Lieb contributed from Jefferson City, Missouri. Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Trends Profit Loss Georgia Politics Fledgling beverage firm Blarney Brewing Co will continue to extend its footprint as it moves into the Dublin retail space. The brewery, which commenced operations in 2025, has seen turnover in the region of 500,000 in the seven months since June. The product was initially rolled out in eight premises in Cork city and Blarney and co-founder Pat Falvey hailed the response. The support from the Cork publicans community has been phenomenal and we are now pouring in about 60 taps in prominent locations, said Mr Falvey. We are very happy with how are products have been received to market and landmark pubs have supported us. People immediately associate the product with local and support us. We are also now pouring in hotels and bars in Killarney town. With the closure of Killarney Brewing and Distilling, we moved into some of that space in the sector, and we have further taps in Killarney for next season, said Mr Falvey. Read More Killarney Brewing & Distilling confirms unsuccessful end of examinership process Blarney Brewing moved into the off-licence trade in mid-August, and it already accounts for 50% of monthly turnover. The core team with Mr Falvey are co-founders Duncan Blair, who formerly ran the acclaimed Blairs Inn, in Cloghroe near Blarney, and head brewer Ronan Russell, formerly of Blacks Brewery in Kinsale. The companys brewery on Cork's Commons Road has a capacity to produce 2,400 cans per hour, with a tank capacity of 40,000 litres. The brewerys Muskerry Citra IPA has been the top seller so far. We will be streamlining our product range and expect to make small changes to our existing core range, said Mr Falvey. We plan more season beers and specials. The plan for 2026 is to develop in the retail multiple and export space. We are in about 21 retail stores between SuperValu and Centra in Cork and Kerry. We hope to develop that business and other retail multiples. Its a challenge but that will be the next gear up. Bord Bia's Craft Beer Report 2023 showed 80% of microbreweries were themselves distributing to the on trade. Its an added cost for independent brewers as they challenge the established brands. Its a factor Blarney Brewing must consider it moves into new markets like Dublin. Theres no question, its a tough space and we have challenges around distribution to move to the next phase of our development but we benefit from being a start-up that we are lean in every way, said Mr Falvey. "We can produce beer cheaper than our competitors because we are so lean and we are not as exposed to cost changes and differentials. Blarney Brewing is also linking up with newly formed Active Brewing, a collaboration between Mr Falvey and former Munster and Ireland rugby star Peter OMahony, which is launching a range of new non-alcohol beers in the on and off-trade. In the long term, Blarney Brewing plans to move operations from its brewery on Commons Road to a greenfield site which was purchased with access to Inniscarra Lake to develop a larger zero-carbon brewery. The company received Local Enterprise Office funding towards development of the project, with plan this year for a feasibility study on solar PD and off grid elements of the existing farm site. Blarney Brewing is currently recruiting a new member to the brewery team. The Mercosur deal has been approved by the majority of EU countries as of Friday last, although the deal is still subject to European Parliament approval. The deal will allow Brazil to export up to 99,000 tonnes of beef and 180,000 tonnes of chicken annually to European markets. Youll forgive me if I focus on the impacts for the beef industry as, to my mind, the deal is likely to have a greater impact on the Irish beef industry than the poultry industry, but by no means do I wish to ignore the implications for that sector. Irish farmers and their EU counterparts are, of course, concerned about the implications of cheaper imports into the EU. In the grand scheme of things, the quantity of beef produced in Europe is very significantly higher than the amount to be let in from Brazil, which is cited at 600,000 tonnes per year. Meanwhile, the UKs Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board puts EU production for the first eight months of 2025 down by more than 4% at 4.2m tonnes, which would suggest supply for the whole of 2025 will likely be sub-6,500,000 tonnes, about 45% below what was produced in 2024. Of course, EU processors already import beef from Mercosur countries, including Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, with 281,000 tonnes imported in 2024, increasing to 325,000 tonnes for the first nine months of 2025. The EU also exports beef, with 993,000 tonnes exported in 2024, with about 344,000 tonnes going to the UK and the balance to other non-EU countries. In totality, the EU bloc is more than self-sufficient in beef, while some of the cuts being exported are of a type not commonly consumed by EU consumers. The issue for farmers particularly Irish farmers is that reducing tariffs will allow for easier and cheaper imports into the EU. When a processor is already shipping product from an island nation onto mainland Europe or the UK, there may not be sufficient discernibility between the cost of getting a container load of beef from South America versus a lorry load from Ireland. Reduced beef prices, thanks to favourable tariffs, may result in a shift away from Irish beef in particular, and EU beef more generally, towards South American beef. Presently, the price for steers in Brazil is 3.25/kg, compared to Irish prices of 7.32/kg for R3 steers as of early December. The differential is significant and insurmountable in terms of competitiveness. Irelands beef industry could not function at Brazilian prices. Irelands beef market is substantially a manufacturing beef market. Politicians and other bodies might like to plamas us into thinking that we are somehow insulated as premium producers, but any Tom, Dick or Harry farming will tell you that the differential in prices between a P2+ cow and an R3+ bullock is small enough to blatantly expose how weak premiumisation really is. The same rings true for dairy farmers, where a drop in the global price of milk translates almost instantly to farmgate prices in Ireland. Irish processors are estimated to have exported about 3.4bn worth of beef in 2025, up from 2.8bn in 2024, with a volume of just under 490,000 tonnes, according to the Department of Agriculture for 2024. Clearly, the 99,000 tonnes from South America will not eclipse Irelands exports, but it will create drag and disruption. For a country uniquely placed as a major exporter of beef in Europe, one has to ask whether this drag will undermine prices across all exports and not just the portion displaced by imports. If the overall EU market remained static and EU production dropped by an equivalent 99,000 tonnes, then the loss to EU farmers would be approximately 713m, using rough maths of 7.2/kg 1,000 99,000 tonnes. If all of this were to translate to Irish farmers as one of the leading exporters in Europe, it would equate to a loss of around 7,000 per farmer across Irelands 100,000 beef farmers. Of course, that imported beef will displace production from other EU countries as well, and not just Ireland, meaning the impact may be less concentrated. However, this calculation does not account for the price differential between continents. The stark reality is that cheaper imports will displace EU production, because beef simply cannot be produced in the EU at those prices. Beef production is not something that can be turned on or off. Cows and their unborn calves are already committed to a minimum three-year production cycle on most farms. Meanwhile, cheaper South American beef is ready to go and can be diverted to Europe at the drop of a hat once markets open. It is this oversupply and disruption that risks doing the most damage. Try landing into your preferred meat factory having just lost a contract for 10,000 tonnes of beef due to additional imports, and you can guess what their quote price will be for your bunch of cows or bullocks or whether they will be taking any animals at all. This changes the finely balanced dynamics between supply and demand, and even a small oversupply can lead to a major and disproportionate drop in farm prices. Look at what a fractional 2% increase in global milk supply has done to milk prices, which have fallen by 30% in the past six months. The importation of 99,000 tonnes of beef amounts to just 1.5% of total EU production. Would such an oversupply of cheap beef cause a similar collapse in beef prices? If it resulted in a 10% reduction in the overall beef market value, the losses to Ireland alone would be circa 340m. The EU consumer wants cheaper food. It is a misnomer to think that consumers are broadly willing to pay a premium for food produced under higher standards. Yes, a certain cohort will pay more for organic, free-range or grass-fed products, but the reality is most consumers vote with their feet and price is the deciding factor. Meanwhile, farmers are boxed into producing food under some of the highest regulations in the world including standards that are theoretically optional but, in practice, unavoidable, such as Bord Bia and IGAS. I learned a new word this week kakistocracy: government by the least suitable or competent citizens of a state. I didnt learn it from reading current reporting or analysis, but from a work of fiction, John Nivens pulpy revenge fantasy The Fuck-It List. This fun beach read was published in 2019, but set in the US in the near future 2026. In this made-up dystopian US, Sean Hannity of Fox News is vice president. ICE is running rampage... unaccountable and violent. Families caged in vast concentration camps along the southern border. Police with the right to confiscate phones, and go through private online accounts of private citizens. Mainstream media controlled by the state. It happened, notes the fictional narrator, inch by inch, day by day, until you woke up one morning and found yourself in a place where the unthinkable had become very thinkable, had then become doable, and had finally become routine. Here in actual 2026, were off to a flying start. The US is a pirate state now, real-life Pirates of the Caribbean, a country that murders its own citizens, kidnaps the leaders of other countries,and steals their oil. Memes abound of oiled frying pans overrun with toy plastic soldiers sticking US flags on them; if you have oil any oil the US will come after it. Or as the late comedian George Carlin put it, the US is an oil company with an army. A protester burns an American flag in front of the Metropolitan Detention Center for the Federal Bureau of Prisons during a protest in Los Angeles on Thursday following the death of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer. Photo: AP/Jae C. Hong A few days ago, the Secretary of War ex Fox News Pete Hegseth, the one accused of sexual misconduct and being drunk at work began proceedings to demote Mark Kelly, a retired Navy bigwig and Nasa astronaut, and to reduce his pension. His crime? Kelly had told serving US military, via video, they can refuse illegal orders. Hegseth called this seditious that the US can do what it likes, when it likes. It was always thus, but in the past they were better at pretending. Now theyre not even bothering to do that. And what did European leaders say in the face of this enormous illegal breach of international law, this thumping great smash-and-grab? Nothing. Rien. Zilch. Nada. Our EU leaders are monitoring the situation which is their word for doing nothing. They are terrified of Trump and his imperialist annexation fantasies. Trump hates the EU because he knows what we think of him and his red hats and gold taps. To a malignant narcissist, everything is personal even the Venezuelan leader mocking Trumps dance moves. That this mockery influenced Trumps decision to kidnap Maduro sounds like a comedic flourish from a John Niven novel, except its being reported as factual. He wants to buy Greenland. He wants to turn Palestine into a Florida-style resort, once all the Palestinians have been murdered. And he wants to run Venezuela. Its like watching a drunk toddler on the rampage. And what are the EU adults doing? Useless things ranging from placating (Macron) to cowering (Starmer) to cheering on (Meloni). Ursula von der Leyen continues monitoring the situation closely. Cheers, guys. Great work. Keep it up, wont you. When married couple, actors Jenny Fennessy and Dylan Kennedy, first met at the rehearsals for a childrens play they were in, Fennessy admits she thought Kennedy was really arrogant. On the other hand, he felt she was really boring. That was in 2008 in Kilkenny, where the pair were working with Barnstorm Theatre Company. They toured the country with the show for 16 weeks. Fennessy, who stars opposite Kennedy in Lovesong which theyre bringing back to the Cork Arts Theatre following a production of it four years ago, says meeting Kennedy was not a case of love at first sight. Not knowing Kennedy had a girlfriend in America who was due to come to Ireland, Fennessy says their first date was a night at bingo, a game that neither had ever played before. At the time, both actors were living part-time with their parents. Kennedy is from Glenville in Co Cork, while Fennessy is from Ballysaggart in West Waterford. After weekends at home, Fennessy would give Kennedy lifts back to work. We had great chats in the car. Thats really where it sparked, says Kennedy. Wed always stop in Ballyporeen for an ice-cream. Kennedy had to finish with his American girlfriend. It wasnt my brightest or nicest moment but it worked out for the best. When Kennedy was working in London, he and Fennessy (who was based in Waterford) had a long distance relationship. Free phone calls from Vodafone, and Ryanair kept us going, says Fennessy. Dylan Kennedy and Jenny Fennessy with Sean Ahern and Mary Flavin-Colbert of Lovesong. When she signed up for drama school at the Guildhall in London, she thought shed see her boyfriend all the time. But Kennedy had to move to Scotland for about nine months working with the National Theatre there, so the long distance relationship continued. After Fennessy graduated, she got work with the Royal Shakespeare Company so the couple decamped to Stratford-upon-Avon where Kennedy was able to work remotely on a non-acting job, developing an app for tourists. The couple later decided to move back to Ireland as Kennedys parents were ill (theyre both doing well now), and Fennessy is a home bird. Moving back was hard. We had a good network of people in the UK who had seen our work and casting directors who knew us. To be honest, we set up our theatre company [Red n Blue Theatre] in 2018 because when we came home, the phone wasnt ringing, says Fennessy. They decided to find a play they loved and put it on. The couple read about two hundred plays before settling on Lovesong by Welsh playwright Abi Morgan. They got 1,200 from Waterford Council to help stage the play and they got support from the Cork Arts Theatre thanks to a donation to the venue from a benefactor. Lovesong is the story of a couple, Maggie and Billy, told from two different points of view in their lives. Fennessy and Kennedy play the young lovers, while older actors Sean Ahern and Mary Flavin-Colbert step in for the later-years scenes as they look back on their relationship. Their past and present selves collide in this tale that puts a relationship under the microscope, not shying away from times of turbulence. Its a story of love and loss. How do Fennessy and Kennedy, who married in 2017, find working and living together? We love working together. There is no escape. In the middle of the night, I often say something to Dylan about a moment in the play, not realising that hes asleep. Were living and breathing theatre every single day at the moment. Fortunately, while the couple has occasional artistic differences, they dont have big rows about work. We can have different opinions about the characters choices. But we talk it all out. Were always thinking about whats best for the play. While we have disagreements, well come to a solution. Fennessy and Kennedy, who dont have children, say they have different but complementary skill sets. Dylan is amazing at directing and at movement," says Fennessy of her husband, who is directing the play as well as acting in it. Her strengths include good organisational skills and in the area of communications and promoting the work. The company has not yet received Arts Council funding. Their future plans include producing Othello later this year. (They staged Macbeth at the Cork Opera House last year.) During fallow periods, Kennedy works as a physiotherapist while Fennessy does some substitute teaching. I think if I had stayed in London, I would have had more acting opportunities, says Fennessy. But both she and Kennedy say they have a better quality of life in Ireland. Even tiny ripples can turn into waves and for firm friends Biddy Hughes, 51, and Orla Leahy, 50, a single thought grew into a sea-swimming project that has taken the self-christened Sea Fillies on a 4,000km journey around all of Irelands Blue Flag beaches. Theyve raised a whopping 23,948 (and counting) for charity, and created a community of like-minded folks who thrive on connection and cold water. Hughes and Leahy, whose day jobs are in the tourism industry, met for the first time at a Tourism Ireland event in San Francisco last March. Orla Leahy looks out to sea ahead of the Sea Fillies final swim at Inchydoney Beach. Pictures: Chani Anderson. From the off, the duo got on like a house on fire, which Leahy attributes to them both being equal measures of craic and madness combined. At the event, Leahy made a speech in which she referenced the many fabulous free things to do in Ireland, listing among them sea swimming at any of our islands gorgeous Blue Flag beaches. Then, afterwards, in the course of a casual chat, a question was put to her: How many Blue Flag beaches had she swum? The answer was a somewhat underwhelming total of one, but it got her thinking... Why not swim them all? Leahy and Hughes snatched some time from their hectic San Francisco schedule to indulge their passion for sea swimming at the citys Dolphin Club. It was there, in the elegant shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge, that the idea for their epic adventure began to properly hatch. We had such fun and such a buzz, recalls Hughes of their invigorating swim in San Francisco Bays chilly waters. That swim really fed the whole idea of the Blue Flag beaches. Their project needed a name. Initially we were the Thalasso Fillies, explains Leahy thalasso is Greek for sea but nobody could pronounce it! Having settled on the simpler Sea Fillies, the duo committed to the mammoth task of swimming Irelands 98 Blue Flag beaches of which four are at inland lakes, and nine are in the North and just went for it. Huge commitment of time and travel Literally, within a month we had swum our first beach, had a donation page set up and we were out the gap, recalls Hughes, admitting that the pair were perhaps a little naive as to the sheer amount of time and travel theyd signed themselves up for. Orla Leahy and Biddy Hughes share an emotional embrace on Inchydoney Beach, surrounded by supporters ahead of their final Sea Fillies swim in aid of the RNLI. Picture Chani Anderson They snatched evenings here, days there, and countless weekends driving up and down the country, ticking off one blue flag beach after another, raising funds and slowly building their tribe as they went. For logistical reasons, the pair regularly completed multiple swims in a day, committing to spending a minimum of eight minutes in the water at each one, which Hughes timed on her smartwatch. Youre getting into the sea for eight minutes, getting out, disrobing, trying to warm up, driving to your next location, explains Leahy. Youd be extremely cold by the end of the day, which was the only downside to the whole thing. That was quite challenging. The cold didnt deter them, though, nor did 30-hour weekend drives, sore throats or a foot fracture. The sea and the salty air and the chats with those who came to swim alongside them proved to be an unbeatable tonic that always made the effort worth it No matter how far wed driven or how tired we were, as soon as we hit the sea, we were buzzing, invigorated, laughing, and joking, Leahy says. She said that the summer of 2025 was her first ever free from hay fever, and her psoriasis subsided too. It was a game-changer for me. I could clearly see the health benefits. A worthy volunteer-led charity They werent swimming for the good of their health although that was a bonus but rather were doing it to raise funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a largely volunteer-led charity that saves lives at sea It was a no-brainer for us because theyve touched so many lives across the country, says Hughes. But my God, the closer we got to them, the more meaningful it became. Hughes and Leahy connected with the phenomenal Irish branch of the RNLI to ensure that any funds raised would directly support the RNLIs local services in Ireland. Theyve met many RNLI volunteers on Sea Fillies swim days. Well-wishers and swimmers gather above Inchydoney Beach to cheer on the Sea Fillies as they finish their final swim in support of the RNLI. Theyre the most incredible, selfless people. They work tirelessly to protect the coast, says Leahy. When I speak to the two women over Zoom Leahy is at home in Cashel, Co Tipperary, while Hughes, who lives in Westport, Co Mayo, calls in from a London hotel room its the first time theyve laid eyes on each other since completing the final swim of the inaugural Sea Fillies project, and the easy rapport they have is instantly evident: Biddy has nicknamed Orla Giddy. Both come across as can-do, positive people, and they certainly needed a fair measure of resilience and optimism to complete all 98 swims in the timescale theyd set themselves: We wanted to be finished before winter really kicked in. Our timeline was to be wrapped up by October. Their briny odysseys debut dip was at Co Clares Fanore beach in April last year and concluded at West Corks Inchydoney beach on a gloriously sunny day at the end of October. They had supporters and swimmers from near and far that last day, which in itself was a measure of how far theyd come. Harking back to one of their first Sea Fillies swims, Leahy recalls the turnout wasnt quite so impressive. She and Hughes were in Killarney for Meitheal, the annual gathering of Irelands tourism industry. Hands raised in triumph, Orla Leahy and Biddy Hughes lead the charge into the Atlantic at Inchydoney beach for their final swim as part of the Sea Fillies RNLI fundraiser. Pictures: Chani Anderson I remember us thinking we were going to drum up a massive crowd and have loads of people swimming with us, she says. The two of us arrived on Derrynane beach and looked around. There was one stray dog on the beach and the two of us. That particular day, we had two followers on our Sea Fillies Instagram page, and I think it was both of our mothers! We were laughing, saying, oh my God, what are we doing, the two of us! interjects Hughes. What happened afterwards was quite remarkable, continues Leahy. It became this whole community of amazing people who joined us on different occasions, wherever they could, whatever region we were in. Its been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Its been just fantastic. Through their Sea Fillies pilgrimage, they rediscovered places they loved and found plenty of new ones. From Dunmore Easts cute village and Derrynanes mind-blowing strand to Ballycottons beach as far as the eye could see and stunning Barleycove, they have too many favourites to mention. Mixed emotions after 97 swims After 97 swims, the last hurrah at Inchydoney had mixed emotions. There was a great crowd there as well as family and loads of friends, recalls Hughes. We had a little cry going into the sea, we were bawling. That was washed away fairly quickly, because there were so many lovely people there braving it with us. It was definitely a happy-sad moment. Their beach-hopping journey has been life-changing", Leahy says: Not only for the two of us, but definitely for a few of the people that joined us along the way. Whats next for Sea Fillies? Orla Leahy and Biddy Hughes pictured with supporter Trisha Gallagher, who created a quilted flag to commemorate the Sea Fillies incredible achievement. Theyre not sure yet. Theyre passionate about continuing to support the work of the RNLI and love the beautiful community that has organically evolved around Sea Fillies many of whom wear the sold-out Sea Fillies T-shirt listing the 98 swim spots. Their movement has the potential to go global, and a contact in South Africa has already expressed an interest in doing something similar there. They definitely want to keep their Instagram page alive to continue to showcase everything they love about their favourite beaches, including some of the incredible facilities and food thats now available in their vicinity. There were some beaches where we got into the sauna [afterwards], Hughes says. The two had a new-year reunion recently on Silver Strand and chatted about what 2026 might hold for Sea Fillies. Silhouetted against the bright October sun, swimmers take to the waves at Inchydoney Beach to join Orla Leahy and Biddy Hughes for their final Sea Fillies swim in aid of the RNLI. Watch this space! Orla says. Tourism is in the duos blood, and their Sea Fillies mission has made them even more passionate about showcasing Ireland, its beautiful coastline and its Blue Flag beaches. Hughes and Leahy are now friends for life and, just like the sea they love so much, they are forces of nature, too you get the feeling the Sea Fillies are only getting started. The team behind the excavation of the former grounds of the Tuam mother and baby home is set to spend up to 4.3m on forensic specialists as it seeks to recover and analyse remains found on the site. In a new request for tender, the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention Tuam said it was enlisting forensic anthropologists, odontologists, archaeologists, photographers, and human osteoarchaeologists as part of the work that is set to continue until at least June 2027. The main objectives of the intervention can be summarised as affording dignity to the children who were manifestly inappropriately interred at the Tuam site by reburying them in a respectful manner and, if possible, identifying them and establishing circumstances and causes of death, the office said in tender documents. Last month, the Irish Examiner reported that four more sets of human remains of infants at the site in Galway from the time of the operation of the Mother and Baby Institution had been identified. That brought to 11 the number of infant remains recovered since works began last July. Read More Tuam excavation uncovers additional infant graves and confirms long-hidden burial ground Personal items dating from the period of the homes operation between 1925 and 1961, including shoes, spectacles and glass baby bottle feeders, have also been recovered. The exhumation is expected to take at least 24 months. However, the director of the intervention, Daniel MacSweeney, has previously said it may take longer depending on what is uncovered. A further ministerial order will be required for the office to continue its work beyond June 30, 2027. It is believed the bodies of 796 infants could be buried at the site. Test excavations in 2016 and 2017 showed the children were largely buried in a large disused sewage system, which is now subject to the country's first-ever mass grave exhumation. At the end of the process, the director will either return remains to family members or arrange for a respectful re-interment in consultation with family members, the office said. In the interim, it will require full-time laboratory analysts, forensic photographers, forensic archaeologists, and forensic anthropologists to work on the site. Some of the experts will be paid up to 500 a day for work on the site. Work at the site paused for the Christmas and New Year period, but resumed in January. The next update on progress at the site is due to be issued in early February. Additional reporting by Sean Murray A commemorative walk and memorial event took place on January 12 on the fourth anniversary of Ashling Murphy's death. The 23-year-old was jogging along on the banks of the Grand Canal in the Co Offaly town when she was stabbed 11 times in the neck on January 12, 2022. Jozef Puska is currently serving a life sentence for her murder, after he was found guilty in November 2023 at the Central Criminal Court. More than 150 people were stuck on trolleys for 24 hours-plus in overcrowded hospitals as they waited for a bed on Monday, including 28 people over the age of 75, amid worsening conditions in emergency departments. The Irish Patients Association also warned of a systematic patient safety risk linked to hospital waiting lists, estimating that nearly 118,000 patients are waiting longer than a year for treatment. HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster said hospitals in Cork and Kerry are facing significant pressures from overcrowding. We are seeing over the past eight days, compared to the same eight days last year, a national increase in attendance at emergency department of about 18.5%, he said. In real terms thats about 700 extra people a day. Yesterday, HSE data showed 523 people on trolleys and a further 821 on temporary surge beds, usually used for other care. It means 1,344 people were unable to be given a bed due to overcrowding. While 16 hospitals were in the green for manageable levels of overcrowding, Mr Gloster advised people in many areas to avoid emergency departments if they can. He put the surge in activity down to high flu numbers and more people with fractures linked to the icy weather. I want to apologise to people for any delay being experienced or any discomfort in some of our locations due to the sheer volume of demand and pressure on those locations. Separate figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) showed 759 people waiting on trolleys or chairs for a bed. This included 63 in Cork University Hospital, 33 in Tralee, and 19 in Clonmel. The Mid-west faced severe pressure, with 125 people waiting for a bed in Limerick, 15 in Ennis, and three in Nenagh hospitals. INMO general secretary Phil Ni Sheaghdha was critical of the use of surge beds as a management tool, saying it masks the true depth of overcrowding. Patients being treated in these unstaffed areas are often without access to basic equipment such as oxygen and suction in totally inappropriate spaces within our hospitals, she said . Ms Ni Sheaghdha also called for more information from the HSE on what measures it is taking to curb the worst of this entirely predictable overcrowding crisis, particularly in the west, north-west, mid-west, and south-west. Meanwhile, the Irish Patients Association called for action on waiting times for procedures. It warned that while funding increased to a record 420m for a system to tackle waiting lists, it didnt reach many patients. The association said 117,595 patients are now waiting over 12 months for a procedure, an increase of 15,298 patients, or 15%. It highlighted growing outpatient lists at Ennis, Nenagh, and the South Infirmary in Cork among those of high concern. University Hospital Waterford was in the same category, although marked as slightly improved. Association chairman Stephen McMahon said: When nearly 118,000 public patients wait over 12 months for care, the scale creates systemic patient safety risk. He warned these long delays can lead to patients illnesses worsening or potentially a delayed diagnosis. The association identified sharp rises in outpatient waiting times, including for dermatology, orthopaedics and rheumatology. In gynaecology, its analysis showed 90 fewer women waiting longer than a year, but 6,668 patients were added to waiting lists. In childrens care, it said the overall numbers are falling, but more children are waiting longer than 12 months for specialties, including some surgeries and dermatology. The data was generated from the National Treatment Purchase Fund. Commenting on RTE Six One On Monday, Mr Gloster said: There are two critical factors to waiting lists () It's the amount of people waiting and the time they're waiting, the time waiting is critical. "And what I want to say to people this evening that stark as those numbers are, 82% of people who were on waiting lists at the start of January 2025 were not on them at the end of December 2025. That's how fast the turnaround is. The focus has been on reducing long waiters and increasing the amount of people who are being met within the Slaintecare timeframe." The Department of Health also defended progress on tackling waiting lists. "The multi-annual Waiting List Action Plan approach was initiated in September 2021 to sustainably reduce and reform hospital waiting lists and waiting times, " a spokesman said. "Under this approach, the health service has made substantial progress, including a reduction of 58% or 164,000 fewer patients waiting over 12 months from September 2021 and December 2025." Niamh Griffin is Health Correspondent. A new library at the University of Galway is set to be named after bright, kind, loving and caring Cork doctor Karen Guinee, 23, who was murdered a week before her graduation. Ms Guinee, who was from Douglas in Cork city, studied at the university for six years from 2000 to 2006. She had newly qualified as a doctor when she was killed by her boyfriend Patrick Pa Hogan, 27, in June 2006. She died just days before her 24th birthday and also never got to attend her conferring. Mr Hogan of Griffin Avenue, Galway, was given a life sentence at the Central Criminal Court in March of 2008 after he admitted murdering Ms Guinee at his address some time between June 11th and June 12th, 2006. The Guinee family said that they are so proud of the decision to name the new university library in memory of Karen. Karen was tragically taken from us almost 20 years ago, a week away from her graduation as a doctor. Her death has left a void and placed an unspeakable trauma on us all as a family. "Karen was so terrifically bright, kind, loving and caring. We miss her everyday and her loss in this world is felt by everyone who knew her." The Dr Karen Guinee Library will serve as a living tribute to Karen. For us as a family, it will give a deeper meaning to her absence. During Karens six years studying medicine in University of Galway, the Library would have become a second home one where she would have spent countless hours with friends, sharing knowledge and enriching herself with ideas and plans for her future career. "As a family, we hope that every student will carry Karens memory forward, in a beautiful state-of-the-art facility that Karen undoubtedly would have loved. Karens life was cut short, but her legacy lives on. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Michael Guinee, Karens uncle and godfather, the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, and all those involved at University of Galway. Dr Michael Guinee, Chairman of the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, said that as the first person in her family to go to university, Karen carried with her the dreams and hopes of her family. Her passing was a profound loss to me as her godfather and to her family, friends, and the community she had already begun to serve with such care and dedication. "By naming the new University of Galway Library in her name, it is my hope that we can honour her memory, and inspire future generations of students to a career of excellence, dedication and service." President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, paid tribute to the Guinee family, and the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation. We are honouring Dr Karen Guinee not because of the tragedy that occurred, but because of the life she lived. By naming the University of Galway Library after her, we acknowledge her aspirations, her compassion and her deep commitment to helping others. "In doing so, we send a message about the safe, respectful and inclusive University we strive for and the type of community and society we work to uphold. The Dr Karen Guinee Library is more than a building; it is a legacy. It will be a place of study and discovery, but also a place of resilience, and hope. Monica Crump, University of Galway Librarian, said that the library will stand as a place of learning and research, inspiration and innovation, collaboration and quiet reflection. The announcement of the Dr Karen Guinee Library follows a significant philanthropic gift from the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, which is also supporting the establishment of a scholarship for medical students. The library is currently under construction in the centre of the Galway city campus. The landmark development overlooks the Corrib and is visible from the Newcastle Road area and the Quincentenary Bridge. A stand-out feature is that the ground floor will be open to the general public. The new building spans approximately 10,000m2 and will range in height from four to six storeys, with 2,244 study spaces. The building of the Dr Karen Guinee Library at University of Galway is also supported by Government with a 15 million capital grant through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Additional philanthropic support for the building of the Dr Karen Guinee Library has been generously provided by a group of lead alumni and other individual donors, and by corporate supporters including CBE and Anthony Ryan Ltd. Construction is expected to be completed next year. The 33-year-old hospital patient who punched an 88-year-old man, who was also a patient, to death, in the early hours of the morning in the room they shared at Mercy University Hospital had sentencing in his case adjourned on Monday until March 27. A jury of eight men and four women at the Central Criminal Court in Cork last month reached a unanimous verdict, finding Dylan Magee, of 30 Churchfield Green, Cork, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The killing occurred on January 22, 2023, at Room 2, St Josephs Ward, Mercy University Hospital, and the victim was Matthew Healy. The late Mr Healys family will have an opportunity to describe the impact his killing had on the family through a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing. Jane Hyland, senior counsel for the prosecution, had sought a four-week adjournment for sentencing when the matter was mentioned on Monday. However, the defence sought a longer adjournment. Defence barrister Abigail Creed said they required up to 12 weeks to allow time for a probation report. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford remanded the accused in continuing custody until March 27. Last month, when the verdict was delivered, defence senior counsel Brendan Grehan said: Mr Magee wants at the earliest available opportunity to express his deep remorse for what happened Mr Healy and the distress he obviously caused to his family and friends. Matthew Healy was killed at the Mercy Hospital in January 2023. Mr Grehan said in terms of the report on the accused for the sentencing hearing, the defence would ask for the two psychiatrists reports that formed a central part of the trial to be considered at sentence. Prosecution and defence lawyers in this trial agreed verdicts of guilty or not guilty to murder were effectively not on the table, and the issue for the jury was in the middle ground of mental disorder". Prosecution senior counsel Jane Hyland and defence senior counsel Brendan Grehan both agreed on this matter in their closing speeches to the jury at the Central Criminal Court. Ms Justice Lankford told the jury before they commenced their deliberations they could well take the view that 33-year-old Dylan Magee, who was admitted to hospital for treatment for delirium, and 88-year-old Matthew Healy, who had a fall at home, were both let down by the system. Mr Grehan said: Effectively, the issue is about mental disorder and the impact it had on what occurred. No one can take away the awful tragedy that befell Mr Healy and his family. The only thing for which we can be a small bit grateful is that he was asleep and hopefully was knocked out by the first blow. At almost 89 and having recently buried his wife. Dylan Magee was slowly losing contact with reality For reasons we dont quite understand, Dylan Magee was put into a ward with a number of elderly patients when he was clearly showing mental health symptoms of delirium, with which he was diagnosed hearing voices, hallucinating, seeing dead people, behaving in a hyper manner. The two worlds collided after 5am that morning when the unfortunate Mr Healy was asleep in bed. Dylan Magee developed a fixation that he [the deceased] was his uncle, which he was not that Mr Healy had eaten his child, killed him or kidnapped him. And that he was [named man] in his 20s. [Outside the room after the fatal attack] one nurse described the accused as looking like he did the right thing here, looking like he thought he had done a good thing. You are dealing with a mind that was clearly disturbed. Members of the Armed Support Unit had to assist in the arrest of a man who barricaded himself in a store room at the Istanbul Market premises in Cork City and set off fire extinguishers causing extensive damage. Now at Cork District Court the culprit has been sentenced to a total of 13 months in prison arising out of this and another incident. Sergeant John Dineen outlined the facts of the cases against 26-year-old Kevin Buckley of 5C Shanakiel Place, Blarney, County Cork, at Cork District Court. Aoife Buttimer, solicitor, said of the accused at the time of this incident: He was in a drug-induced psychosis. He asked could he hide in the store. He thought he was under attack. He was seeing and hearing things. Things went downhill for Mr Buckley due to cocaine addiction. He left school at 15. He had a difficult upbringing. He has not had a father figure in his life. He has good support from his mother. Judge Mary Dorgan imposed one sentence of eight months and another consecutive term of five months. The two incidents Sergeant Dineen said the criminal damage occurred at the Istanbul Market, 55 North Main Street, Cork, on September 22, 2025. Sgt Dineen said it was alleged 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 the fire extinguishers cost 200 each and the clean-up cost was put at 600. Ms Buttimer, solicitor, said the accused was pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity to this and another incident. The consecutive sentence of five months related to an incident where he grabbed a handbag from a young woman, breaking the chain on the bag. This occurred on New Years Eve, December 31, 2024, when a woman was travelling on the 220 bus from Carrigaline to Douglas accompanied by Kevin Buckley. He grabbed her handbag from her causing the chain on the handbag to snap, valued 15. Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee is travelling to Egypt and Jordan this week, as the Government presses for more aid to get into Gaza. Ms McEntee is expected to meet with senior ministers from both the Egyptian and Jordanian governments, alongside an audience with Jordans King Abdullah II in Amman. During her time in Egypt, Ms McEntee is due to visit the Gaza border at the Rafah Crossing, while in Amman she will visit a key UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East aid camp. Ms McEntee said: Since the ceasefire came into effect over three months ago, the people of Gaza continue to endure the most appalling conditions. I will use this visit to press for safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access at scale. My visit to the Rafah crossing will be an opportunity to meet with key humanitarian partners and UN agencies, and to highlight the serious impacts of ongoing Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid delivery. In Jordan, I will also engage with UN partners on the Syrian refugee response. Ms McEntee said engagement with both Egypt and Jordan was hugely valuable, given their significant influence in the Middle East. Both countries have been at the forefront of efforts to restore a political pathway towards a sustainable and peaceful resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict. My visit is an opportunity to reiterate Irelands full support for these efforts and to highlight our joint ambition for the realisation of the two-State solution. It comes as Israeli fire killed at least three Palestinians in two separate incidents across the enclave, local health authorities said, as tension rises over continued violence. More than 440 Palestinians, most of them civilians according to Gaza health officials, have been killed since the truce, as well as three Israeli soldiers. Additional reporting by Reuters. Cabinet ministers will discuss the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State when they meet for the first time in 2026 on Tuesday. Justice and migration minister Jim OCallaghan will bring the International Protection Bill 2026 to Cabinet on Tuesday morning. It comes ahead of the introduction of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact across the bloc from June. It is expected that the bill will put a new long-term framework in place to manage migration and asylum. This would ensure that policies implemented by the Irish Government are in line with its European colleagues. 'Fair, sustainable, and efficient' It was suggested that the objective of the legislation being brought to Cabinet by Mr OCallaghan is to provide fair, sustainable, and efficient asylum procedure that is consistent with how asylum laws operate across the EU. As part of the legislation, it is envisaged asylum claims will be processed more quickly due to the introduction of a more efficient decision-making system. It is also hoped the legislation will reduce the cost of assessing asylum applications, as faster processing times will reduce the length of time a person will spend in State-provided accommodation. It will also lead to successful applicants being granted asylum sooner, as well as returning those with unsuccessful applications to their country of origin more promptly. Senior Government sources stated that the legislation being brought to Cabinet by Mr OCallaghan will lead to the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State, in line with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Last April, Mr OCallaghan got Cabinet approval for the drafting of the International Protection Bill 2025. This outlined time limits for how quickly different international protection applications would be assessed. It suggested that standard applications would take six months, while applications being assessed under the accelerated procedure would be looked at within three months. A three-month decision deadline would also apply if a person seeking asylum had no documents, posed a security risk, or was from a country where approvals were less than 20%. Limit to oral hearings for appeals The legislation discussed by the Cabinet last year also planned to limit the use of oral hearings for asylum seekers who are appealing decisions. A pilot project was conducted by the department of justice within the International Protection Office and the International Protection Appeals Tribunal last year to assess whether Ireland could fulfil the EU processing obligations that will be introduced under the EU Migration Pact. Over 300 decisions were handed down to people from Georgia, Brazil, and India within 12 weeks. Mr OCallaghan told the Dail in November that within 12 weeks, applicants went through the first stage and appeals stage of the asylum process. Deportation orders were also signed in many instances. The EU Migration Pact will come into effect across member states from June and will tighten immigration rules across the bloc. It aims to improve burden-sharing of asylum applications across the EU, due to some member states receiving a disproportionate number of asylum seekers. In 2025, 13,162 people sought asylum in Ireland. This was down from 18,651 in 2024, a decrease of 29%. Of the applications received in 2025, 2,2021 (15.4%) were made by people from Somalia. Some 1,940 (14.7%) came from Nigeria, 1,680 (14.7%) from Pakistan, 1,292 (9.8%) from Afghanistan, and 925 (7%) from Georgia. When US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared that a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother had been gunned down by federal officials because she was committing an act of domestic terrorism, she was not making a factual claim. She was seeking a megalomaniacs approval. Her boss, US President Donald Trump, soon rewarded her zeal, posting on Truth Social that the victim violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer. Vice President JD Vance then dutifully proclaimed that the gaslighting is off the charts, dismissing all criticism as lies. The irresistible allure of sycophancy had kicked in. To maintain the leaders favour, his underlings desperately competed to see who could most thoroughly abase themselves on TV. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, having watched multiple videos of the shooting captured by bystanders, called the administrations claims bullshit. That epithet resonates, but it is not the whole story. A distinguished philosopher once drew a sharp distinction between the liar and the bullshitter. To say that Renee Nicole Good committed 'domestic terrorism' when the videos show her trying to flee is a test of allegiance to Trump. The liar, he argued, is paradoxically oriented toward truth: to lie successfully, one must know what is true and deliberately say the opposite. The bullshitter, by contrast, is indifferent to whether his statements are true or false; what matters is only the effect on the audience. Because the liar still operates within a framework where truth matters, lying presupposes a grudging respect for the category it violates. Bullshit, by ignoring the distinction between truth and falsity altogether, is a more corrosive enemy of honest exchange and debate. But Trumps relationship to the truth does not fall clearly into either category. His lies are not meant to deceive. They certainly dont fool his critics, who recognize them instantly, but nor do they fool many of his followers. The purpose of Trump's lies His most prominent subordinates surely know what nonsense they are spouting. Nor is he simply indifferent to the commonsense distinction between truth and falsehood. Instead, the purpose of Trumps chronic lying is twofold. First, he wants to demonstrate the impotence of truth in political contestation. Paying no price for telling easily detectable untruths is an effective way to display power and impunity. For the lie to demonstrate power, the public must recognize it as a lie. The fact-checkers can exhaust themselves; it changes nothing. Second, and more insidiously, these lies function as loyalty tests rituals of submission that compel followers to demonstrate their willingness to be transformed into automatons. To repeat an obvious falsehood is to surrender independent judgment, to sever oneself from the reality-based community, and to prove that allegiance to the leader exceeds any attachment to truth. This is darker than bullshit: it is the deliberate destruction of the epistemic foundations of democratic life by someone who is instinctively demolishing a world that has always made him feel small. Trump, Noem, and Vance are not politicians making premature judgments that they will later regret. They are reciting obvious falsehoods for the same reason their supporters repeat the Big Lie about the 2020 election: the mendacity is essential to the function. If a Trump loyalist wanted to express support for immigration enforcement, he could cite accurate statistics or repeat defensible claims about public safety. But anyone can agree with a true statement. The distinguishing mark of loyalty the proof of submission is the willingness to repeat something everyone knows is false. There is no motive for regurgitating an obvious lie except to demonstrate fealty. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was not making a factual claim when she declared that a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother had been gunned down by federal officials because she was committing 'an act of domestic terrorism'. Photo: AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta That is why fact-checking has no effect. MAGA enthusiasts do not believe these lies to be true in the ordinary sense. What they believe in is the potency of lying as a means of separating true Americans from false ones. Every statement of fact dissolves into a declaration of membership. The red hat signals tribal identity; the repeated lie confirms it. To say that Renee Nicole Good committed domestic terrorism when the videos show her trying to flee is a test of allegiance. It represents a decision to burn all bridges connecting one to the world of people who still value accuracy over loyalty. For those who pass the test, the reward is a sense of belonging. They win admission into a community where shared falsehoods create the intimacy of shared secrets. Moreover, Trump does not believe that his critics speak the truth out of devotion to veracity. Rather, he sees them deploying truths Barack Obama was born in Hawaii; Joe Biden won the 2020 election; Trump was Jeffrey Epsteins close friend instrumentally, to hurt him and serve their partisan agenda. In his mind, the distinction between truth and falsehood is not moral but tactical. His enemies accuracy reflects no integrity; their willingness to correct mistakes signals no virtue. For Trump, truth-telling, like lying, is simply a weapon of war, and he has no intention of unilaterally disarming. Stephen Holmes: 'Survival in Trumps orbit requires a robotic renunciation of conscience and a performative lobotomization of the self.' Given this, why would this obsessively self-centered man consider truth-tellers his moral superiors when he knows that the only reason they speak truths is to harm him? When Vance accused journalists of gaslighting for describing what the videos plainly show, he was projecting. Gaslighting is when you make people doubt their own perceptions of reality, which is precisely what Vance was demanding. The accusation functions as enforcement, pressuring viewers to take sides against the radical left lunatics who are ruining the country. Trump's 'enemy within' For this administration, the gravest threat is not foreign. It is internal: critics, protesters, journalists, Democrats. These American citizens are now the enemy within. And as Minneapolis grimly portends, bullets may not long be reserved for foreign adversaries alone. Are poorly trained Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and redeployed border guards likely to respond with professional discipline if angry protestors continue to flood the streets? Renee Nicole Goods killing was certainly a tragedy and almost certainly a crime. The administrations response is something else: a demonstration that, in Trumps America, regurgitating obvious lies is how high officials prove their worth. Survival in Trumps orbit requires a robotic renunciation of conscience and a performative lobotomization of the self. Stephen Holmes, Professor of Law at New York University School of Law and Berlin Prize Fellow at the American Academy in Berlin, is the co-author (with Ivan Krastev) of The Light that Failed: A Reckoning (Penguin Books, 2019). Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2026. Mette Frederiksen has said that Denmark is at a fateful moment amid Donald Trumps threats to take over Greenland, accusing the US of potentially turning its back on Nato. Speaking at a party leader debate at a political rally on Sunday, the Danish prime minister said her country was at a crossroads. Her comments came before a crucial week in increasingly tense relations between Denmark, Greenland and the US in which the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, Lars Lkke Rasmussen and Vivian Motzfeldt, are due to meet the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio. We are at a crossroads, and this is a fateful moment, said Ms Frederiksen. What is at stake is bigger than what the eye can see, because if what we experience from the Americans is that they are actually turning their backs on the western alliance, that they are turning their backs on our Nato cooperation by threatening an ally, which we have not experienced before, then everything will stop. On Friday, Mr Trump said the US would take action on Greenland whether they like it or not. He said: Were going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way. His administration has refused repeatedly to rule out the use of military force despite Denmark and Greenland being Nato allies. The Greenlandic prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, alongside the leaders of the countrys four other political parties, responded by issuing a united statement that read: We dont want to be Americans, we dont want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders. The future of Greenland must be decided by Greenlanders. At the domestic political debate in Nyborg, Ms Frederiksen said although she had seen Trump since then, she had not discussed Greenland with him since a phone call a year ago. Denmark was, she said, doing everything we can to make our position prevail in an American reality, but it had to stand firm on the issue of Greenland. She said: In our time, there will be a lot of setbacks where you can only choose between what is right and wrong, and this is one of them. Describing the current situation between the longtime allies as a conflict over Greenland, she said: We have received massive support from the countries in Nato. Meanwhile, at a national conference of people and defence in Salen, north-west Sweden, the Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, spoke out in support of neighbouring Denmark. The US, he said, should thank Denmark for its longtime loyalty rather than issuing threatening rhetoric against Denmark and Greenland. He also condemned the US attack on Venezuela, saying it violated international law and risks encouraging more countries to act similarly. Sweden on Sunday announced that it was to invest about 15bn Swedish kronor (1.4bn) in territorial air defence capabilities. The world we know continues to be shaken, said Mr Kristersson. Take it seriously, but dont panic. We shouldnt be afraid, but we should be prepared. - The Guardian US President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown on protesters, a move coming as activists said the death toll in the nationwide demonstrations rose to at least 544. Iran had no direct reaction to Mr Trumps comments, which came after the foreign minister of Oman long an interlocutor between Washington and Tehran travelled to Iran this weekend. Protesters have taken to the streets despite an intensifying crackdown as the Islamic Republic remains cut off from the rest of the world (UGC via AP) It also remains unclear just what Iran could promise, particularly as Mr Trump has set strict demands over its nuclear programme and its ballistic missile arsenal, which Tehran insists is crucial for its national defence. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, insisted the situation has come under total control in fiery remarks that blamed Israel and the US for the violence, without offering evidence. Thats why the demonstrations turned violent and bloody to give an excuse to the American president to intervene, Mr Araghchi said, in comments carried by the Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network. Al Jazeera has been allowed to report from inside the country live despite the internet being shut off. However, Mr Araghchi said Iran was open to diplomacy. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said a channel to the US remained open, but talks needed to be based on the acceptance of mutual interests and concerns, not a negotiation that is one-sided, unilateral and based on dictation. Meanwhile, on Monday, Iran drew tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators to head to the streets in support of the theocracy, a show of force after days of protests directly challenging the rule of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran is tired of being beat up by the United States and wants to negotiate (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Iranian state television aired chants from the crowd, which appeared to number in the tens of thousands, who shouted Death to America and Death to Israel. Others cried out: Death to the enemies of God. Irans attorney general has said prosecutors will levy such charges against protesters, which carry the death penalty. Mr Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran, including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel, according to people familiar with internal White House discussions. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Irans threats of retaliation, he said: If they do that, we will hit them at levels that theyve never been hit before. Mr Trump said that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters. I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, Mr Trump said. Iran wants to negotiate. More than 10,000 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests (UGC via AP) He added: The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of whats happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate. Iran, through the countrys parliamentary speaker, warned that the US military and Israel would be legitimate targets if America uses force to protect demonstrators. More than 10,600 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information. It said 496 of the dead were protesters and 48 were with security forces. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Irans government has not offered overall casualty figures. Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Irans security services to launch a bloody crackdown. Protesters flooded the streets in the countrys capital and its second-largest city on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media. At 2pm on Monday, Iranian state TV showed images of demonstrators thronging Tehran toward Enghelab Square, or Islamic Revolution Square in the capital. It had been airing statements all morning from Iranian government, security and religious leaders to attend the demonstration. It called the rally an Iranian uprising against American-Zionist terrorism, without addressing the underlying anger in the country over the nations ailing economy. State TV aired images of such demonstrations around the country, trying to signal it had overcome the protests. Demonstrations began in December over the collapse of the currency and the countrys ailing economy (Vahid Salemi/AP) In Tehran, a witness told the AP that the streets of the capital were empty at the sunset call to prayers each night. By the Isha, or nighttime prayer, the streets are deserted. Part of that stems from the fear of getting caught in the crackdown. Police sent the public a text message that warned: Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers. Another text, which claimed to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in demonstrations. Dear parents, in view of the enemys plan to increase the level of naked violence and the decision to kill people, refrain from being on the streets and gathering in places involved in violence, and inform your children about the consequences of co-operating with terrorist mercenaries, which is an example of treason against the country, the text warned. The demonstrations began on December 28 over the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, which trades at over 1.4 million to one dollar (1.3 million to 1), as the countrys economy is squeezed by international sanctions in part levied over its nuclear programme. The protests intensified and grew into calls directly challenging Irans theocracy. A Swiss court has ordered three months of pre-trial detention for the manager of a bar that burst into flames during a New Years Eve celebration, killing 40 people and injuring 116 others, many seriously. The court of compulsory measures in the southwestern Valais canton, or region, ordered that Jacques Moretti, a manager of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, be held because of a possible flight risk highlighted by prosecutors. However, the court said in a statement it was inclined to lift the three months of pre-trial detention if sufficient security measures potentially including bail are arranged. It said the manager should remain in custody until the measures are worked out. The office of Patrick Michod, a lawyer for Moretti, did not respond to emailed requests for comment and his secretary said the attorney was not immediately available. The fire at Le Constellation bar killed 40 people and injured more than 100 others (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP) A Swiss business register lists French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti as the bars owners. Lawyers for Jessica Moretti, in a statement, said the court decision would allow her husband to regain freedom once conditions are arranged. Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the owners, who are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire. Investigators believe that sparkling candles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling, which was outfitted with soundproofing material. Authorities were looking into whether the material conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Fire safety inspections hadnt been carried out since 2019. Swiss President Guy Parmelin said that Switzerland was appalled by the tragedy. Critical historians like William Appleman Williams played a key role in highlighting the USs imperial record in Latin America. Now Donald Trump has cut out the middleman, bluntly stating the USs imperialist agenda. ( Jacobin ) On December 17, Donald Trump spoke to reporters with refreshing candor, for a US president, about the motives behind his bellicose policy in Venezuela. Referring to the ousting of US oil companies dating from 1976, he bluntly declared, [We wanted] all of the oil, land, and other assets that they previously stole from us. Venezuelas resources had not belonged to its people at all but to the United States. Trump was now simply taking back what had rightfully belonged to us. This was the policy that fueled his bombing attacks across Venezuela and this weekends kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro. As rationales for US foreign policy in Latin America go, President Trumps statement about Venezuela fell well short of the moralizing standard that the peoples south of the border have come to expect from us. Washingtons goals in Latin America have usually come packaged in propaganda about our intentions to be a good neighbor or a partner in hemispheric prosperity. These traditional marketing strategies, however, generally have not produced the desired results on public opinion in Latin America. The problem all along with the US language of philanthropic uplift has been the Monroe Doctrine. Hiram Bingham III, a pioneering professor of Latin American history at Yale University credited with drawing international attention to the Incan city of Machu Picchu, succinctly explained our Monroe Doctrine problem. His illuminating article, The Monroe Doctrine: An Obsolete Shibboleth, appeared in the June 1913 issue of the Atlantic Monthly. He described this document as the countrys most universally accepted foreign policy and conceded that it was conceived with at least some good intentions in 1823 by US leaders seeking to protect the hemisphere from the further encroachments of European imperialism. And yet even then, people in Latin America saw the document as a display of insolence and conceit on our part. Two turning points irreversibly blackened the reputation of the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America: the Mexican War of 184648 when, in a spirit of ever-resurgent manifest destiny, we helped ourselves uninvited to California and the American Southwest and the Spanish-American War of 1898 which involved more land-grabbing on an epic scale in the Caribbean and Pacific. Bingham had been living in Buenos Aires at the time of the Spanish-American War. He remembered the caustic criticism by the people there of Americas professed motives in going to war with Spain. They ridiculed President William McKinleys declarations about freedom for Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines as hypocritical nonsense and a pretext for conquest. Imperial Prerogative Bingham observed that over the next fifteen years, the United States claimed the right to interfere with the independence of many Latin American countries. With the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine in 1904, arising from developments over a financial crisis in Venezuela the previous year, the United States conferred upon itself the right to intervene in Latin America if countries could not pay their international debts. To prevent European intervention, Washington thus became the enforcer for the capitalist system in Latin America. At the time, Bingham warned that along such a path lay dangers that would involve the United States in endless wars and occupations. It would be better to abandon the Monroe Doctrine entirely and to stop thinking of ourselves as a bullying preceptor for our neighbors: Is there not a tendency in our country to believe so far in our own rectitude that we may be excused from any restrictions . . . ? The poet William Carlos Williams filled in the deep historical background of the Monroe Doctrine and put it in a wider historical context. Family ties to Latin America attracted him to Hispanic themes, which, in In the American Grain (1925), come to the fore. The essay The Destruction of Tenochtitlan depicts the conquest of Mexico by the sixteenth-century Spanish imperialist Hernan Cortes. It was an annihilation: The whole world of its unique associations sank back into the ground to be rekindled, never. Cortes is said to have gone to mass every day before ordering the slaughters and pillaging that ended in slavery for survivors. Williams thought that the fate of all Latin America had been bound up with the demise of the Aztecs in Mexico. As seen in the books essay on Juan Ponce de Leon, the modern history of native peoples in the New World began with murder and enslavement, not with discovery. Major General Smedley Darlington Butler, another American writing in the interwar period, magnified the fine print in the Monroe Doctrine. In sensational magazine articles and in his book War Is a Racket (1935), he depicted scenes from his long career as a Marine Corps officer. His orders had taken him to Mexico, Haiti, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and other exotic ports of call furthering the interests of the oil companies, the sugar monopolies, and the banks. He had spent most of his time in the military as a high-class muscle-man for Big Business, for Wall Street, and the bankers. In short, [he] was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. Butler could give a few tips to Al Capone: The best he could do was to operate his racket in three city districts. We Marines operated on three continents. All of their operations came under the official heading of national defense, which meant, of course, vast schemes for foreign invasion and offensive war. War Department propaganda constituted the mainstream US news about Latin America. Updating such critiques as those of Williams and Butler, The Open Veins of Latin America (1971) by Eduardo Galeano illustrated how native cultures first became acquainted with European Christianity. Latin America the Uruguayan journalist, novelist, and historian wrote has specialized in losing ever since those remote times when Renaissance Europeans ventured across the ocean and buried their teeth in the throats of the Indian civilizations. Spains conquest of the New World began an imperialist process that other Western countries would perpetuate. Rightly understood, the Monroe Doctrine had taken its place in the context of previous manifestoes of empire, early on in the form of papal bulls distributing newly discovered native lands to European Christian princes. In the contemporary form of Latin American imperialism, Galeano contended, the United States exercised hegemonic control through the mechanisms devised at the 1944 Bretton Woods international financial conference. He described modern Latin American history as a further development in a long story of infamies, albeit with upbeat language about democracy and human rights unique to US statecraft. To him, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank functioned as essential institutions in the current structure of plunder integrated around US corporations. The Monroe Doctrine was, in this view, the preamble for present-day crimes in Latin America. When Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez met Barack Obama in 2009, he presented Galeanos book to the thenUS president, encouraging him to read it as the best way to understand the basic realities of the region. At the left-wing World Social Forum in Caracas three years earlier, he had given a speech anchored in Galeanos ideas about US empire and its leaders since the time of the Monroe Doctrine. Chavez denounced President George W. Bush as Mr Danger and averred, This is a cynical empire. At least the Roman Empire admitted that it was an empire, but Mr Dangers empire talks about democracy and human rights. Such talk, he contended, distracted attention from US foreign policys true imperialist aims in Latin America. The Trump administration has not talked much about democracy and human rights in Venezuela. It has confronted that country primarily with overwhelming force and firepower, from blowing small Venezuelan boats out of the water and murdering the people on board to invading the country and toppling Maduro. We now have the Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine, as described this past November in the National Security Strategy of the United States. This means a commitment to no competing powers physically dominant in our Hemisphere, borders at no risk of military invasion. The United States would work with regional champions broadly aligned with our principles and strategy. Now under the auspices of the Trump Corollary, we must anticipate further attempts to cleanse Latin America of governments deemed by Washington to be lacking in US-championing potential. Includes 2.80 m of 1,069 g/t silver and 1.41 g/t gold in HLD25-36. Main Fault mineralization intersected in drilling on three sections in 2025 program, representing approximately 100 metres strike extent and 150 metres downdip Strong gold values consistent with previous Main Fault intersections. Vancouver, BC, January 12, 2026 TheNewswire Silver North Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: SNAG, OTCQB: TARSF) Silver North or the Company) announces that the Company has received results from the remaining two holes from the 2025 exploration program at its flagship Haldane Silver Property in the historic Keno Hill Silver District, Yukon. Results include 2.80 metres averaging 1,069 g/t silver, 1.41 g/t gold, 12.60% lead and 3.01% zinc within a larger 9.10 metre intersection of 428 g/t silver, 0.73 g/t gold, 5.26% lead and 1.73% zinc from 182.40 metres down hole. A total of eight holes (totalling 1,759.5 metres) were completed in the 2025 program, seven of which successfully tested the Main Fault, intersecting silver-bearing siderite-sulphide vein and vein breccia mineralization. One hole (HLD25-37) was abandoned within what is interpreted to be the Main Fault but no core was recovered. The road-accessible 8,579 hectare Haldane Property is located 25 km west of Keno City, YT, adjacent to Hecla Minings producing Keno Hill Silver Mine property, and hosts numerous occurrences of silver-lead-zinc-bearing quartz siderite veins resembling the ore-bearing veins being mined at Keno Hill. The Main Fault is showing itself to be a strong and complex fault structure capable of hosting high grade silver, gold, lead and zinc mineralization. We are in the early days of revealing the potential of this target, one of three new discoveries Silver North has made so far on the property, stated Jason Weber, P.Geo., President and CEO of Silver North. With funding already in place to start the 2026 program as early as possible, we will be planning the next program to further define the potential of the Main Fault and other targets at Haldane shortly. HLD25-36 and 38 were drilled off section to test for structures oblique to the Main Fault (linkage or transverse faults), and to investigate the continuity of vein and structure internal to the Main Fault complex. The collar location table and plan map shown below indicate the collar and hole orientation with respect to the rest of the Main Fault. As with other intersections at the Main Fault and elsewhere on the Haldane property, mineralization in both holes consists of siderite +/- quartz, galena and sphalerite veins and breccias, as well as strongly faulted and ground up vein and vein breccia material. Table 1: 2025 Drilling Significant Results HLD25-36 and 38 Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Ag (g/t) Au (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) Silver Eq1 HLD25-36 161.00 164.15 3.15 228 0.10 0.48 0.45 232 182.40 191.50 9.10 428 0.73 5.26 1.73 557 incl 188.00 190.80 2.80 1069 1.41 12.60 3.02 1335 HLD25-38 177.00 178. 50 1.50 406 0.10 3.13 0.18 436 196.30 218.30 22.00 71 0.17 1.56 0.76 114 incl 198.00 207.50 9.50 140 0.29 3.44 1.34 227 and incl 203.60 205.50 1.90 437 0.35 14.55 4.04 740 1Silver-equivalent values are calculated assuming typical recoveries based on metallurgical studies conducted on a range of analogous vein deposits and are not necessarily reflective of metallurgy on the property. No metallurgical work has been reported on the property. The recoveries used are 92% silver, 70% gold, 88% lead and 70% zinc. The silver equivalent formula: using the formula: ((35 * silver (g/t)*0.92 / 31.1035) + (3000 * gold (g/t)*0.70 / 31.1035) + (1.00 * 2204 * lead %*0.88/100) + (1.20 * 2204 * zinc %*0.70/100)) *(31.1035 / 35). Metal price assumptions are US$35/oz silver, US$3,000/oz gold, US$1.00/lb lead and US$1.20/lb zinc. True widths are unknown. HLD25-36 intersected two splays of the Main Fault over 31 metres, starting at 161.0 m, separated by 18.25 metres of weaker structurally influenced quartzite, phyllitic quartzite, and phyllite with anomalous silver between the upper and lower splay. The entire 161.00 to 192.00 metres returned 174 g/t silver, 0.26 g/t gold, 1.68% lead and 0.64% zinc. The upper splay, from 161.00 to 164.15 returned 3.15 m averaging 228 g/t silver, 0.10 g/t gold, 0.48% lead and 0.45% zinc, while the more strongly mineralized lower splay averaged 428 g/t silver, 0.73 g/t gold, 5.26% lead and 1.73% zinc over 9.10 metres starting at 182.4 m down hole. A high-grade section of this interval, from 188.00 to 190.80 m averaged 1,069 g/t silver, 1.41 g/t gold, 12.60% lead and 3.02% zinc over 2.80 metres. HLD25-38 intersected multiple mineralized intervals starting at 177.00 metres depth. A 1.50 metre section of brecciated vein material returned 406 g/t silver, 0.10 g/t gold, 3.13% lead and 0.18% zinc overlying 17.80 metres of quartzite, minor vein breccia and phyllitic quartzite anomalous in silver, lead and zinc from 178.50 to 196.30 metres. The lower section of Main Fault mineralization was intersected from 196.30 to 218.30 metres, a 22 metre zone which includes a 1.90 metre strongly mineralized section averaging 437 g/t silver, 0.35 g/t gold, 14.55% lead and 4.04% zinc. Table 2: 2025 Drilling Collar Location Data (NAD83, UTM Zone 8) Hole Depth (m) Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip HLD25-31 282.9 456776 7082990 1260 104 -86 HLD25-32 189.0 456825 7083060 1268 130 -68 HLD25-33 208.4 456776 7082990 1260 63 -67 HLD25-34 203.0 456757 7082951 1258 105 -54 HLD25-35 207.0 456757 7082951 1258 105 -71 HLD25-36 210.0 456757 7082951 1258 63 -55 HLD25-37 171.0 456729 7082904 1249 104 -62 HLD25-38 220.3 456776 7082990 1260 125 -74 The Company has now received all outstanding analytical results from the 2025 program. One hole, HLD25-37 was not sampled as the hole had to be abandoned in what is interpreted to be the beginning of the Main Fault, and no core was recovered. Management is now focused on interrogation of the complete Main Fault dataset to identify mineralization controls in preparation for the 2026 program. With funding in place, management intends to start with an airborne geophysical survey in late Q1 or early Q2 of this year. This timing would allow for interpretation of the airborne data to further inform targeting, with drilling to commence as soon as conditions on site allow. Figure 1: Main Fault Drill Plan Map Figure 2: Cross Section De-De' Figure 3: Cross Section Df-Df' Quality Assurance / Quality Control All samples were analyzed by 33 element four-acid digestion ICP-MS methods (ME-ICP61 and ME-MS61) at ALS Canada Ltd. Sample preparation was completed in Whitehorse, Yukon and geochemical analyses were performed in Vancouver, British Columbia. Samples with over limit silver and gold were re-analyzed using a 30-gram fire assay fusion with a gravimetric finish. Over-limit lead and zinc samples were analyzed by four acid digestion and atomic absorption spectrometry. All results have passed the QA/QC screening by the lab. Hardline Exploration Ltd, of Smithers, BC is executing and managing the Haldane Project. Hardline utilized a quality control and quality assurance protocol for the drill core sampling, including blank, duplicate, and standard reference samples. About Silver North Resources Ltd. Silver Norths primary assets are its 100% owned Haldane Silver Project (next to Hecla Mining Inc.s Keno Hill Mine project), the Tim Silver Project (under option to Coeur Mining, Inc. in the Silvertip/Midway District, BC and Yukon) and the GDR project also in the Silvertip/Midway district. Silver North also plans to acquire additional silver properties in favourable jurisdictions. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol SNAG, trades on the OTCQB market in the United States under the symbol TARSF, and under the symbol I90 on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Mr. Jason Weber, P.Geo., President and CEO of Silver North Resources Ltd. is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Weber supervised the preparation of the technical information contained in this release and approved the news release. For further information, contact: Jason Weber, President and CEO Sandrine Lam, Shareholder Communications Tel: (604) 807-7217 Fax: (888) 889-4874 To learn more visit: www.silvernorthres.com X: https://X.com/SilverNorthRes 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. STATEMENTS IN THIS NEWS RELEASE, OTHER THAN PURELY HISTORICAL INFORMATION, INCLUDING STATEMENTS RELATING TO THE COMPANY'S FUTURE PLANS AND OBJECTIVES OR EXPECTED RESULTS, MAY INCLUDE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON NUMEROUS ASSUMPTIONS AND ARE SUBJECT TO ALL OF THE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES INHERENT IN RESOURCE EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT. AS A RESULT, ACTUAL RESULTS MAY VARY MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE FORWARD- LOOKING STATEMENTS. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (OTCQX: PHNMF) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has discovered a significant Rare Earth Element (REE) and Critical Metals deposit on its Crescent Valley Property, about 22 km (13 miles) southwest of Carlin, Nevada. Mineralized drill intercepts start from surface. Principal metals of value include Rubidium, Hafnium, Scandium and Neodymium with lesser amounts of Dysprosium, Praseodymium, Cerium, Europium, Niobium, Strontium, Terbium and Yittrium, all on the US Geological Survey critical metals list considered vital to the U.S. economy and national security that face potential risks from disrupted supply chains. The new deposit is an Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) deposit-type, a magnetite-tourmaline-pyrrhotite-pyrite breccia body with appreciable REE and Critical Metals content. Drill holes CVN24-02 (drilling in 2024) and CVN25-04 (drilling in October 2025), and a 75-metre-long continuous surface chip sample completed in summer 2025, all located at the north part of the breccia body, have returned near surface similar and reproducible elevated values in these metals over an area of 100 metres (330') wide by 150 metres (500') long (see Figure 1). The repeatable elevated values have given us the confidence to declare this a Critical Metals deposit discovery and to extrapolate on the potential opportunity. Although early in its evaluation, the deposit is presumed to have dimensions in the order of 600 metres (1970 feet) wide (east-west), at least 200 metres (650 feet) thick (vertically) and at least 1 kilometre (3280 feet) long (north-south) based on the Company's 2024 IP geophysical program completed by Zonge International Inc. and guided and interpreted by Jim Wright of Wright Geophysics. The IP program identified a continuous high chargeability anomaly coincide with and expressed as a near surface flat and long body which has now been ground-truthed by the two RC drill holes and surface chip sampling. A ground magnetic survey performed by Zonge 2012, was also used by Dave Mathewson to help guide the placement of two drill hole. The chargeability anomaly/REE and Critical Metals deposit is open to the north and requires additional IP lines to fully determine its length. IOCG deposits generally have a pipe configuration. Additional infill IP lines may help define the pipe root size and configuration. The Company intends on expanding the IP survey as soon as possible. Dave Mathewson, Company director and Geological Advisor states, "This is a remarkable deposit discovery of size, driven from the identification of near surface REE and Critical Metals values of significant tenor. There is much to learn from here, but we have an exciting beginning. In response to this success, the Company has more than quadrupled the size of the property from 38 claims to 172 claims." Table 1: Drill Intercept and Chip Sampling Highlights From (m) To (m) Length (m) From (ft) To (ft) Length (ft) Rubidium (ppm) Hafnium (ppm) Scandium (ppm) Neodymium (ppm) CVN24-02 0 99.06 99.06 0 325 325 121.5 5.2 11.3 31.6 including 0 38.1 38.1 0 125 125 160.3 6.1 8.5 20.8 and 48.77 54.86 6.09 160 180 20 168.8 6.1 17.1 37.9 and 64.01 80.77 16.76 210 265 55 162.2 3.9 9.5 30.9 CVN25-04 0 54.86 54.86 0 180 180 146.0 6.1 14.7 29.3 including 0 22.86 22.86 0 75 75 193.1 6.2 15.6 30.9 75m chip 0 75.0 75.0 0 246 246 132.8 5.8 11.2 38.5 Paul Cowley, Company President and CEO and Director states, "Others have walked over this breccia zone for years but have missed the opportunity by not analyzing for important REE and Critical Metals which Dave Mathewson recommended. This discovery adds to Dave's lengthy list of mineral deposit discoveries and the second Critical Metals deposit for the Company after the Carlin Vanadium resource, both in Nevada." Mr. Cowley continues," To help readers appreciate the cumulative in situ value of the multi-element intercepts in the table above, their grades times their current metal prices, presents a range from US$277/tonne rock to US$404 per tonne rock. The relative value proportions of the principal metals in these intercepts are in the order of 65% from Rubidium, 18% from Hafnium, 14% from Scandium and 1% from Neodymium." Rubidium carbonate, currently selling for US$1083.12 per kilogram, is used in atomic clocks key to global positioning systems (GPS), data network syncing and research and development. Hafnium metal, selling for US$9,499.90 per kilogram, is used in nuclear control rods, semiconductors and aerospace. Scandium metal, selling for US$3,211.56 per kilogram, is used to strengthen metal alloys, in fuel cells and in high-intensity lighting. Neodymium metal, selling for US$149.30 per kilogram, is used in permanent magnets, in medical and industrial lasers, and in the production of rubber. Lesser amounts of Dysprosium (used in permanent magnets, data storage devices, and lasers), and Praseodymium (used in permanent magnets, batteries, aerospace metal alloys, ceramics, and colorants) are also present, as well as other important and strategic REE elements. Figure 1: Plan of Chargeability Anomaly/ REE and Critical Metals Deposit and Drillhole Locations Dave Mathewson, Company director and Geological Advisor states, "This large IOCG opportunity is even more intriguing now and is just starting to take shape and direction as we build from our methodical exploration steps leading to substance and appreciable value in important REE and Critical Metals at a time when these metals are that much more important to the US. Our enthusiasm is very high to fully evaluate this opportunity." The following Figure 2 shows the chargeability anomaly in plan view on the left and cross-sections of the northmost 3 lines of chargeability on the right to help visualize the size, shape and near surface nature of the body. It also demonstrates the opportunity to extend the strike length of the chargeability/REE and Critical Metals body to the north with additional IP lines. Note the RC drill hole traces are superimposed on two of the cross-sections to show their penetration into the breccia body. Figure 2: Plan View and Cross-sections of Chargeability Anomaly/REE and Critical Metals Deposit A substantial part of the breccia body is exposed or in subcrop at surface. Because of its shape and position near surface, this may become a simpler, shallow target evaluation with 300-400' deep vertical holes, although a pipe root is likely to be deeper. The Company is arranging to resume drilling before the end of January with a fully financed Phase 2 minimum ten-hole drill program. The drilling programs were field supervised by Paul Cowley and Dave Mathewson, both QPs for the Company. Drilling was done by Envirotech Drilling LLC with 5-foot-long sample lengths. Individual surface chip sampling were in 5m (16.4') lengths. Rock and drill cuttings samples were analyzed by ALS Global for its gold and rare earth packages. Company QAQC sample inserts were included. Table 2: Drill Hole and Chip Sample Information Easting (m) Northing (m) Azimuth Dip Length (m) Length (ft) Hole CVN24-02 563755 4485756 0 -90 99.06 325 Hole CVN25-04 563695 4485902 090 -65 294.13 965 75m horizontal chip (west end) 563681 4485911 090 0 75 246 The Crescent Valley Property also hosts a significant Bonanza-type gold opportunity. Results for drill hole CVN25-03 will be reported separately and shortly. About Phenom Resources Corp. Phenom has 100% interest in the Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project, located in Elko County, 6 miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada and Highway I-80 which hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit, North America's largest highest grade primary vanadium resource. The Project lies within the prolific Carlin Gold Trend. Approximately 9 million ounces comprised of multiple gold deposits, including past producing mines, are present in proximity to the Phenom property (5-15km). The Company has options on three gold projects in Nevada, the King Solomon and Dobbin Properties which are Carlin Gold-type targets in the Monitor Range within Lander and Nye Counties, respectively, and the Crescent Valley Property in Eureka County. Technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dave Mathewson, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, director and Geological Consultant of the Company. Neither the 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. Forward-looking information Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations. Stewart, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Decade Resources Ltd (TSXV: DEC) ("Decade" or the Company) is providing results of its exploration program on the Nobody Knows portion of the Company's Copper River (Terrace) properties. The Copper River project consists of 59 contiguous minerals claims totaling 28,723.18 hectares formed by the Treasure Mountain, Dardanelle, Nobody Knows (6,870.79 ha) and Excelsior claims. It is underlain by a complex boundary zone between two prominent tectonic assemblages: the volcanic island-arc assemblage of the Stikinia Terrane in the east and the intrusive rocks of the Coast Plutonic Complex (Cretaceous-Tertiary?) to the west. Sampling in the 2024 field season led to the discovery of the high-grade gold-silver-base metal bearing boulders associated with high arsenic, bismuth and cobalt values along a logging road in the SE portion of the claim (1060251). These boulders ranged from pebble size to pieces up to 0.6 m in size located in 2 main areas 200m apart along spur logging roads. Visible gold was noted in several cut rock samples of this mineralization. The Company conducted geochemical surveys in 2025 in order to locate the source. E. Kruchkowski, P. Geo. President of the Company states: "Continued exploration in 2025 indicates that the gold-silver-base metal rich rocks are composed of sulphides, quartz and muscovite. Thin section studies indicate that the boulders are quartz-muscovite with arsenopyrite, pyrite and sphalerite with lesser chalcopyrite and minor galena. In the examined samples no low or high temperature minerals were detected indicating the alteration/mineralization observed in these samples can be classified as mesothermal. Based on the analysis to date the discovered boulders are interpreted to be similar to an intrusive related gold deposit mineral type which are known to have enhanced bismuth and cobalt. These types of deposit are characterized by their association with felsic igneous rocks which are present on the property. The presence of these elements in these types of deposits indicates a significant mineralization process that has enhanced value and potential. The Company is excited about locating an area that appears to contain the source of these boulders." The following claim map shows the location of the boulders relative to the claim holdings as well as the location of a highly anomalous silt sample from the 2025 field program. The following table shows the assays for 2024 grab samples (Press Release August 6 2024) including some from 2025 (Press Release September 25 2025) are shown below: Sample # Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % Pb % Zn % 24-Jn-1 40.24 108 0.86 0.11 0.65 24-Jn-2 28.62 58.99 0.3 0.08 0.55 24-Jn-3 39.03 169 1.226 0.12 0.74 24-Jn-4 17.043 927 2.32 7.93 27.15 24-Jn-5 79.12 690 2.192 3.27 14.22 24-Jn-6 19.33 99.39 0.5 0.11 2.08 24-Jn-7 10.603 178 1.119 0.9 23.36 24-Jn-8 10.655 49.04 0.19 0.18 0.53 24-Jn-9 0.185 3.35 0.043 0.007 0.05 24-Jn-10 40.94 142 0.41 0.11 0.73 24-Jn-11 31.57 96.23 0.41 0.61 1.27 24-Jn-12 34.27 251 1.426 0.23 3.87 24-Jn-13 9.517 168 0.77 0.25 4.33 24-Jn-14 36.59 230 1.613 0.32 4.2 24-Jn-15 50.82 363 1.373 2.02 9.59 24-Jn-16 37.32 159 0.4 0.08 0.18 25-GB-1 5.5231 88.48 0.325 0.53 3.06 25-GB-2 0.1572 4.71 0.017 0.029 0.064 25-GB-3 0.4302 4.66 0.26 0.034 0.0334 25-GB-4 8.8027 77.02 0.249 0.174 0.0275 25-GB-01 10.8729 186 0.2445 0.723 2.58 Note: The samples above were selective in nature and do not necessarily represent the metal content in the located source. The Company feels that the consistent high metal content in a variety of boulders are highly encouraging and further investigation is warranted. In addition, the following table shows the values for arsenic, bismuth and cobalt in the samples as follows: Sample # Bi ppm As ppm Co ppm 24-Jn-1 106.89 >10000 226.6 24-Jn-2 47.09 >10000 150.2 24-Jn-3 186.09 >10000 187.7 24-Jn-4 1673.05 >10000 616 24-Jn-5 688.39 >10000 356.4 24-Jn-6 99.91 >10000 79.9 24-Jn-7 193.99 >10000 154.9 24-Jn-8 49.05 >10000 82 24-Jn-9 3.69 96.8 87.3 24-Jn-10 185.37 >10000 223.8 24-Jn-11 173 >10000 245.2 24-Jn-12 86.71 >10000 161.3 24-Jn-13 109.64 >10000 157.2 24-Jn-14 143.33 >10000 204.2 24-Jn-15 528.04 >10000 289.7 24-Jn-16 165.19 >10000 172.2 25-GB-1 44.22 4360.6 96.4 25-GB-2 4.37 1627.2 13.1 25-GB-3 3.36 79.8 9.8 25-GB-4 114.15 >10000 39.6 25-GB-01 99.37 >10000 72.4 The boulders show variable metal values with the highest silver correlating with the highest lead and highest gold with generally lower base metal values and more quartz rich. Sample JN-24-3 (0.3 m in size) which assayed 39.03 g/t Au, 169 g/t Ag and 1.22% Cu. Sample JN-24-4 (20 cm long) showing semi-massive sphalerite and pyrite with an assay of 17.04 g/t Au, 927 g/t Ag, 7.93 % Pb and 27.15 % Zn. During the 2025 exploration program, a total of 422 soil, 35 silt and 125 rock samples were collected. The silt sampling was successful in indicating anomalous values for the metals that were found in the boulders. Sample TS-13 shown on the above map as a red square had the highest arsenic value (132 ppm) in the soil and silt sampling. It was 10 times higher than other samples for arsenic, 8 times higher in copper (409.8 ppm), 10 times higher in cobalt (50.6 ppm), 8 times higher in silver (0.82 ppm), 2 times higher in gold (56 ppb), 10 times higher in tellurium (0.35 ppm) and 2 times higher in lead (12.7 ppm) and zinc (104 ppm). This sample is 200 m NW of the boulder site in a creek just below a logging road that has a rock quarry on it. The values for the soil sample sites are being plotted to aid in further pin pointing the source of these rocks. 2026 Exploration Plans The Company plans to further define the source area for the high-grade gold-silver-base metal rich boulders. In addition, sampling will include: Close space silt sampling in the area of TS-13. VLF EM over any indicated anomalous soil and silt sample areas. Drilling the source area once located. The Company has a drill permit in place on the project. Advertising Plans Decade Resources is pleased to announce that it has just become a paid advertiser on 321 Gold, a Company founded by Bob Moriarty. 321 Gold is an online platform dedicated to the precious metals market, focusing on gold and silver. It provides a variety of resources including market analysis, news updates and exploration reports related to precious metals. 321 Gold caters to investors, analysts and those interested in the financial aspects of commodities. Analysis All samples shown above were prepared at MSA Labs' preparation laboratory in Terrace, B.C., and assayed at MSA Labs' geochemical laboratory in Langley, B.C. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic absorption (AA) spectrometry finish. Samples over 25 parts per million gold were fire assayed with gravimetric finish. All samples were analyzed by four-acid digestion with multielement ICP-MS, with silver and base metal overlimits being reanalyzed by emission spectrometry. MSA Labs' quality system complies with the requirements for the international standards ISO 17025 and ISO 9001. MSA Labs is independent of the company. Qualified Person Ed Kruchkowski, P.Geo., President of Decade Resources Ltd., is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release. About Decade Resources Ltd. Forward-Looking Statements This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the 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 may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements." VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2026 /CNW/ - Luca Mining Corp. ("Luca" or the "Company") (TSXV: LUCA) (OTCQX: LUCMF) (Frankfurt: Z68) is pleased to announce new surface and underground drill results from its ongoing Phase 2 exploration programs at the Campo Morado polymetallic VMS mine in Guerrero State, Mexico. Highlights Continued success defining wide, high-grade, gold-rich VMS mineralization at the Reforma Deposit and in areas immediately adjacent to active underground workings at Campo Morado Surface drillhole CMRF25-13 intersected 25.1 metres ("m") of 8.31 g/t AuEq **, including 4.9 m of 11.32 g/t AuEq intersected **, Surface drillhole CMRF25-15 returned 55.8 m of 5.90 g/t AuEq , including 7.7 m of 10.09 g/t AuEq returned Underground drillhole CMUG-25-25 intersected 4.0 m of 1.04% Cu from a previously unmined zone within ~60 m of existing underground workings intersected from a previously unmined zone within ~60 m of existing underground workings Gold- and silver-enriched VMS mineralization shown to be higher grade and more extensive than historically modeled Second surface drill rig mobilized to test undrilled high-priority VMS targets across the Campo Morado camp 7,218 m of surface drilling and 8,440 m of underground drilling completed to date Metallurgical samples from Reforma and El Rey collected for updated recovery testing The latest drilling at the Reforma Deposit and adjacent near-mine targets confirms robust, gold-rich VMS mineralization, laterally extensive and positioned close to existing underground development. This combination supports the potential for near-term conversion of exploration success into mineable resources, increased precious-metal contribution to mill feed, and incremental mine-life extension with limited new infrastructure requirements Reforma Deposit Surface Drilling Surface drillholes CMRF25-12 through CMRF25-16 were collared within and around the Reforma Deposit and intersected significant intervals of massive sulphide mineralization, including: CMRF25-13: 25.1 m of 8.31 g/t AuEq , including 4.9 m of 11.32 g/t Au CMRF25-15: 55.8 m of 5.90 g/t AuEq , including 7.7 m of 10.09 g/t AuEq , with strong copper and zinc CMRF25-12: 9.1 m of 7.11 g/t AuEq , highlighting high precious-metal enrichment CMRF25-14 : Multiple zinc-rich massive sulphide intervals, including 3.3 m of 4.29 g/t AuEq : These holes were drilled across the central and eastern portions of the Reforma Deposit to confirm grade continuity, improve geological definition, and test expansion potential beyond historical interpretations. Near-Mine Underground Drilling Underground drillholes CMUG-25-25 and CMUG-25-26 targeted extensions of the C752 and C108 mineralized bodies, both currently under mine development, successfully intersectingmineralization from previously unmined areas, including: CMUG-25-25: 4.0 m of 1.04% Cu, with associated gold and silver, from a zone located within approximately 60 m of existing underground workings These intersections highlight opportunities to add mineable resources proximal to current development headings and existing infrastructure. Exploration Program Expansion Highlights A second surface drill rig was mobilized in December to test previously undrilled, high-priority VMS targets across the Campo Morado camp 7,218 m of surface drilling completed across Reforma, El Rey and a new previously undrilled target - Reforma Deeps completed across Reforma, El Rey and a new previously undrilled target - Reforma Deeps 8,440 m of underground drilling completed to date as part of the 10,000-metre Phase 1 and Phase 2 near-mine expansion program completed to date as part of the 10,000-metre Phase 1 and Phase 2 near-mine expansion program Metallurgical samples from Reforma and El Rey collected for recovery testing Drilling continues at Reforma and El Rey, with additional underground drilling planned to target the Largo, Naranjo and Fish deposits, which form part of the 20262028 mine plans. Paul D. Gray, Lucas VP of Exploration, commented, "These results confirm that Reforma hosts a larger and more gold-rich VMS system than previously understood, with grades and widths that compare favorably to historical drilling. Importantly, this mineralization is located close to existing underground infrastructure, which enhances its potential to be incorporated into near-term mine plans. Based on the strength and consistency of these intercepts, Luca has expanded drilling at Reforma and mobilized a second surface rig to accelerate testing of additional high-priority targets across the Campo Morado camp. With multiple untested VMS prospects and strong precious-metal enrichment, we see a potential opportunity to continue building mineable inventory and long-term value at Campo Morado." Table 1: Highlighted Diamond Drill Assay Results from UG Drillholes CMUG-25-25 and CMUG-25-26 through and Surface Drillholes CMRF25-12 through CMRF25-16. Hole ID From To Interval* Au g/t Ag g/t Cu % Pb % Zn% AuEq** g/t Core recovery (%) CMUG-25-25 130.0 134.0 4.0 0.15 32.80 1.04 0.09 0.02 - 100 263.3 267.3 4.0 0.15 9.99 0.17 0.02 1.01 - 100 270.5 271.2 0.7 0.37 140.10 0.03 0.13 0.30 - 100 CMUG-25-26 111.8 142.2 30.4 0.34 26.17 0.17 0.25 0.07 - 98 Including 113.0 118.9 5.9 0.43 70.57 0.17 0.44 0.03 - 92 And 120.6 125.5 4.9 0.18 22.57 0.37 0.30 0.07 - 98 157.7 159.3 1.6 0.09 11.60 0.43 0.06 0.21 - 100 CMRF-25-12 200.4 209.5 9.1 3.29 236.46 0.02 0.34 0.08 7.11 19 CMRF-25-13 152.0 177.1 25.1 3.19 150.11 0.61 1.00 3.32 8.31 100 Including 154.7 177.1 22.4 3.50 162.58 0.66 1.09 3.58 9.03 100 Including 157.7 161.4 3.7 4.53 242.21 0.68 1.87 4.06 11.78 100 And 172.2 177.1 4.9 4.68 206.86 0.62 1.49 4.37 11.32 100 CMRF-25-14 202.2 243.8 41.6 0.25 26.07 0.39 0.38 3.31 2.92 97 Including 203.3 210.4 7.1 0.04 23.74 0.54 0.09 1.26 1.88 100 And 210.4 215.7 5.4 0.12 22.97 0.41 0.15 1.50 1.86 99 And 216.8 243.8 27.1 0.34 27.94 0.35 0.52 4.42 3.53 96 Including 223.0 226.3 3.3 0.99 26.89 0.39 0.24 4.74 4.29 100 And 235.8 238.0 2.2 0.72 42.53 0.38 1.42 6.80 5.56 97 CMRF-25-15 172.0 227.8 55.8 1.21 53.24 1.30 0.48 3.58 5.90 98 Including 172.0 191.7 19.7 0.87 29.42 2.55 0.14 0.62 5.69 93 Including 175.0 182.7 7.7 1.29 48.58 4.90 0.05 0.64 10.09 100 And 191.7 202.0 10.4 0.19 8.82 0.70 0.02 0.64 1.73 99 Including 202.0 227.8 25.8 1.88 89.28 0.59 0.92 7.03 7.73 97 And 217.0 227.2 10.2 2.09 116.67 0.49 1.48 10.14 9.82 97 CMRF-25-16 No Significant Values *True widths are estimated to be >90% of drilled intervals. ** The AuEq calculation is: AuEq = Au +(Ag*0.0124) + (Cu%*1.2787) + (Pb%*0.2740) + (Zn%*0.3653), at $2,250 US/oz Au, $28 US/oz Ag, $4.20 US/lb Cu, $0.90 US/lb Pb and $1.20 US/lb Zn. Additionally, the AuEq calculation combines gold, silver, copper, lead and zinc, net of assumed metallurgical recoveries using deposit-average recovery value assumptions in a bulk floatation scenario provided by Ausenco PTY Ltd.: 55% for gold, 68% for silver, 68% for copper, 60% for lead and 70% zinc. Figures 1 through 7 present cross-sections of the assay results from this latest batch of exploration drillhole results. To date, 36 underground diamond drillholes totaling 8,440 metres are complete at the Campo Morado mine using "HQ" and/or "NQ" sized diamond drill core. These underground drillholes form part of the Phase 2 underground exploration campaign, which is focused on the definition of mineable resources proximal to existing underground workings, as well as testing new zones interpreted to host extensions of known mineralization based on the property's extensive historical drilling database. In addition, 7,218 metres have been drilled from 26 surface drillholes at the Reforma, El Rey and Reforma Deeps targets using "HQ" and/or "PQ" sized diamond drill core. These surface drillholes comprise the Phase 1 and Phase 2 surface drilling campaigns (initially planned for 6,500 metres), designed to confirm and expand existing mineral resources at the Reforma and El Rey deposits, collect material for additional metallurgical test work, and support the potential inclusion of these deposits into an improved Campo Morado mine plan. Based on the strength of surface drilling results to date, Luca has added a second drill rig and an additional 10,000 metres to the exploration campaign (see Company News Release dated November 12, 2025). Table 2: Underground and Surface Drill Collar Details for Released Results Hole ID UTM WGS84 Z14 Elevation (m) Azimuth Dip Final Depth (m) Easting Northing CMUG-25-25 379198 2010784 1,098 100 -75 301.0 CMUG-25-26 379197 2010784 1,098 142 -77 325.0 CMRF-25-12 380136 2013440 1,567 300 -72 252.5 CMRF-25-13 380136 2013435 1,567 031 -60 199.3 CMRF-25-14 380247 2013181 1,525 050 -65 260.5 CMRF-25-15 380171 2013312 1,594 040 -49 248.2 CMRF-25-16 380086 2013217 1,612 051 -76 375.6 About the 2025 Campo Morado Surface Exploration Program Luca's inaugural surface drill program is running in parallel with the ongoing underground exploration program at Campo Morado, both of which commenced in 2025. The initial Phase 1 surface program consisted of 2,500 metres of diamond drilling and was subsequently expanded by an additional 4,000 metres and again by a further 10,000 metres. The program is focused on the definition and expansion of the Reforma and El Rey deposits, located approximately one kilometre north and east of the main Campo Morado mine, where drilling continues. These deposits host mineral resources (see Company News Release dated April 8, 2025) that have not been assessed in over 14 years. A total of thirty-eight (38) priority targets are identified across the Campo Morado concession package based on coincident favourable geological, geochemical and geophysical characteristics. Several of these targets, including Reforma and El Rey, have historical exploration, including diamond drilling; however, the majority remain undrilled. Given the fertile geological setting of the Campo Morado concessions and the camp's prolific discovery history, each of these targets has the potential to host significant VMS mineralization. Luca intends to systematically prioritize and advance these targets in the coming months (see Figure 8). GoldSilver Endowment at Reforma and El Rey Of particular interest at the Reforma and El Rey deposits is the gold- and silver-enriched nature of the VMS mineralization that has been identified through recent drilling. Since these deposits were last systematically explored, gold and silver prices have increased materially, enhancing the potential economic significance of precious-metal-rich mineralization within the Campo Morado camp. Luca believes that the precious-metal endowment of the Reforma and El Rey deposits, together with other related mineralized zones across the camp, represent nea-term opportunities to add value to the Company's asset base as exploration and resource definition continue. About 2025 Campo Morado Underground Exploration Program The current Campo Morado underground drill campaign represents the first meaningful exploration program conducted on the property since 2014 and is designed to support the addition of mineral resources to the near- and medium-term mine plan. The Company initially planned 5,000 metres of underground diamond drilling from approximately 25 drillholes during the first phase of exploration activities. The primary objectives of this program are to define additional mineral resources within under-drilled zones proximal to existing underground production areas and to test previously untested areas with potential to host extensions of known mineralization. An additional 5,000 metres was added to the underground drilling program in late 2025, and Luca expects exploration efforts to continue to ramp up in 2026 in parallel with underground production activities. Previous exploration at Campo Morado has generated an extensive, high-quality proprietary geological database, including more than 600,000 metres of underground and surface drilling, property-wide geological and structural mapping, approximately 30,000 geochemical soil samples, and a range of airborne and ground-based geophysical surveys, including gravity, magnetics, electromagnetics and induced polarization. Interpretation of these datasets--particularly gravity surveys--has directly contributed to the discovery and definition of mineralized zones on the property and will continue to guide future exploration. Luca is currently compiling, cleaning and reinterpreting this geophysical database to prioritize the more than 38 exploration targets identified across the Campo Morado concession package. The company will provide additional updates as drilling advances at Reforma, El Rey, and the broader Campo Morado district. Analytical Method and Quality Assurance/Quality Control Measures All drill core splits reported in this news release were analysed by Bureau Veritas of Durango, Mexico, utilizing the Multi-Acid digestion ICP-ES 35-element MA300 analytical package with FA-430 30-gram Fire Assay with AAS finish for gold on all samples. Au over-limits from FA-430 are re-analyzed by FA530 30-gram Fire Assay with Gravimetric finish. Ag over-limits from ICP MA300 analytical package are re-analyzed by FA530 30-gram Fire Assay with Gravimetric finish. Similarly, Cu, Pb and Zn over-limits from ICP MA300 analytical package are re-analyzed by ICP Multi-Acid digestion MA370 package. All core samples were split by core saw on-site at Luca's core processing facilities at the Campo Morado Mine. Once split, half were placed back in the core boxes with the other half of split samples sealed in poly bags with one part of a three-part sample tag inserted within. Samples were collected by Bureau Veritas at the Campo Morado Mine site and transported to their laboratory in Durango, where they were prepared into 250-gram pulps for gold fire assay. The pulps were then shipped to Bureau Veritas's Analytical laboratory in Vancouver, B.C., for final ICP analysis. A robust system of standards, 1/4 core duplicates and blanks was implemented in the 2025 exploration drilling program and is monitored as chemical assay data become available Qualified Person The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Paul D. Gray, P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration at Luca Mining. Mr. Gray is a Qualified Person for the Company as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Luca Mining Corp. Luca Mining Corp. (TSX-V: LUCA, OTCQX: LUCMF, Frankfurt: Z68) is a Canadian mining company with two wholly owned mines located in the prolific Sierra Madre mineralized belt in Mexico. These mines produce gold, copper, zinc, silver, and lead and generate strong cash flow. Both mines have considerable development and resource upside as well as strong exploration potential. The Company's Campo Morado Mine hosts VMS-style, polymetallic mineralization within a large land package comprising 121 square kilometres. It is an underground operation, producing zinc, copper, gold, silver and lead. The mine is located in Guerrero State. The Tahuehueto Mine is a large property of over 100 square kilometres in Durango State. The project hosts epithermal gold and silver vein-style mineralization. Tahuehueto is a newly constructed underground mining operation producing primarily gold and silver. Luca has successfully commissioned its mill and is now in commercial production at Tahuehueto. On Behalf of the Board of Directors (signed) "Dan Barnholden" Dan Barnholden, Chief Executive Officer For more information, please visit: www.lucamining.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, estimated production guidelines for 2025 and other possible events, conditions or performance that are based on assumptions about the proposed exploration program and its anticipated results; the timing and costs of future activities on the Company's properties, such as production rates and increases and sustaining capital expenditures; success of exploration, development, and metres to be drilled in exploration on the Tahuehueto Mine site and the Campo Morado Mine site. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified using words and phrases such as "plans"," expects", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that the Company will be able to raise additional capital as necessary; the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Tahuehueto Mine can be achieved; that consistent and sustainable mill feed at Campo Morado Mine will be achieved; the continuity of the price of gold and other metals and economic and political conditions. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, 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 the Forward-Looking Information. 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 statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. 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. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Bold Ventures Inc. (TSXV: BOL) (the "Company" or "Bold") is pleased to announce that it has commenced a diamond drilling program on its Burchell Base and Precious Metals Project ("Burchell", the "Project" or the "Property"), located approximately 100 km west of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The program is expected to exceed 1000 meters of drilling, which will firstly test the 111 Zone and other nearby targets which were the focus of a mechanical stripping program last fall. A 14-meter wide discontinuous anomalous gold zone was identified at the 111 Zone adjacent to a 15-meter wide discontinuous anomalous zinc-copper zone (see Bold news release dated December 2, 2025). One grab sample at the 111 Zone previously returned 68 g/t Au (see Bold news release dated January 9, 2025). Drilling is also planned to test the northwest corner of the Property where the Moss Trend is interpreted to pass through and where 2024-2025 soil sampling yielded significant Au, Mo and Cu anomalies (see Bold news release dated July 21, 2025); as well as the Hermia Cu-Au Prospect in the western part of the Property where historical drilling intersected broad anomalous copper zones (see Burchell Gold Review on Bold website and Bold December 2025 Corporate Presentation for more information). Drilling is being carried out by Rugged Aviation Inc. based in Murillo, Ontario. Bruce MacLachlan, President and COO of Bold, stated: "We are beyond excited to get started on Bold's maiden drill program on the Burchell Property, which will test major under-explored gold and base metal trends on which many targets, to the best of our knowledge, have never been drilled." Bold Ventures management believes our suite of Battery, Critical and Precious Metals exploration projects are an ideal combination of exploration potential meeting future demand. Our target commodities are comprised of: Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd) and Chromium (Cr). The Critical Metals list and a description of the Provincial and Federal electrification plans are posted on the Bold website here. About Bold Ventures Inc. The Company explores for Precious, Battery and Critical Metals in Canada. Bold is exploring properties located in active gold and battery metals camps in the Thunder Bay and Wawa regions of Ontario. Bold also holds significant assets located within and around the emerging multi-metals district dubbed the Ring of Fire region, located in the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario. 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 Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to such risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES Vancouver, British Columbia, Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Surge Copper Corp. (TSXV: SURG) (OTCQB: SRGXF) (Frankfurt: G6D2) (Surge or the Company) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Anthony as Vice President, Environment & Regulatory Affairs, effective January 12, 2026. Ms. Anthony will join Surges executive team and will lead the Companys environmental assessment and permitting strategy, regulatory compliance, environmental baseline programs, and community and Indigenous engagement efforts as Surge advances the Berg Project toward project readiness and future development. Ms. Anthony brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in British Columbias public sector, with deep expertise in environmental assessment, regulatory permitting, and Indigenous and community engagement across the Provinces natural resource sector. Most recently, she served as Assistant Deputy Minister, Permitting Transformation, with the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, where she led province-wide regulatory reform initiatives; built and scaled large, multidisciplinary teams; supported multiple major mining projects through permitting and environmental assessment regulatory processes; led provincial negotiations on significant mine developments, including the Blackwater Mine; and directed complex government-to-government engagement involving Indigenous Nations, federal agencies, and industry. Ms. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Geography from the University of Calgary. Leif Nilsson, Chief Executive Officer, commented: Jennifers depth of experience, credibility, and leadership in British Columbias regulatory and environmental landscape are exceptional. As we advance the Berg Project through pre-feasibility and prepare for future permitting and engagement milestones, Jennifers proven ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and build trusted relationships with Indigenous Nations, communities, and government will be a major asset to Surge. We are very pleased to welcome her to our executive team. Jennifer Anthony, incoming Vice President Environment & Regulatory Affairs, stated: I am excited to join Surge Copper at a pivotal stage in the Companys growth. Surges commitment to responsible development, strong environmental performance, transparent engagement, and meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Nations aligns strongly with my values and leadership approach. I look forward to working with the team to advance Surges projects in a way that supports long-term sustainability, regulatory certainty, and trusted partnerships. Grant of Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards The Company also announces the grant of long-term equity-based incentive awards under its Share Compensation Plan. The Company has awarded 2,169,041 restricted share units (RSUs) to employees and executives, and 1,501,642 deferred share units (DSUs) to non-executive directors, both based on the 5-day volume weighted average price on the TSX Venture Exchange. The RSUs will vest in equal annual installments over three-years from the grant date, and the DSUs will vest upon the departure of the holder from the Company. A copy of the Share Compensation Plan, approved by shareholders at the last annual general meeting, is available on the Companys website at www.surgecopper.com/investors/agm-materials or on the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca. About Surge Copper Corp. Surge Copper Corp. is a Canadian resource company advancing one of British Columbias emerging mineral districts. The Companys 100%-owned Berg Project hosts a large-scale copper-molybdenum-silver deposit with strong development potential in a safe jurisdiction supported by established infrastructure. A 2023 Preliminary Economic Assessment outlined a long-life project producing essential metals for industrial and energy systems. Surge is advancing a Pre-Feasibility Study on the Berg Project to further define its technical and economic development potential. In addition to Berg, Surge controls a large, contiguous mineral claim package that includes multiple advanced porphyry deposits, including the Ootsa Property adjacent to the past-producing Huckleberry Mine. The Companys projects collectively position Surge as a future contributor to Canadas critical minerals strategy through the responsible development of copper, molybdenum, and associated metals. For more information, visit www.surgecopper.com On Behalf of the Board of Directors Leif Nilsson Chief Executive Officer For Further information, please contact: Riley Trimble, Corporate Communications & Development Telephone: +1 604 639 3852 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Twitter: @SurgeCopper LinkedIn: Surge Copper Corp https://www.surgecopper.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. This News Release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "will", "may", "should", "expects", "plans", or "anticipates" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. All statements included herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the Companys plans regarding the Berg Project and the Ootsa Property, the anticipated completion and results of the Pre-Feasibility Study, future exploration and technical programs, mineral resource estimates, mine planning, process flowsheet development, capital and operating cost estimates, waste, water, and tailings management, site infrastructure planning, environmental assessment and permitting activities, and engagement with Indigenous Nations. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Companys actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and risks may include, among others, actual results of the Company's exploration activities being different than those expected by management, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required government or other regulatory approvals, the ability to obtain adequate financing to conduct its planned exploration programs, inability to procure labour, equipment, and supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis, equipment breakdown, and bad weather. While these forward-looking statements, and any assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and reflect the Company's current judgment regarding the direction of its business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions, or other future performance suggestions herein. Except as required by applicable law, the Company does not intend to update any forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results. Highlights: Measured & Indicated Resource: Increased 46% to 2.1 million tonnes contained nickel (0.87 billion tonnes @ 0.23% Ni), including a higher-grade domain of 0.77 billion tonnes @ 0.25% Ni. Inferred Resource: Increased 47% to 3.2 million tonnes contained nickel (1.45 billion tonnes @ 0.22% Ni), including a higher-grade domain of 0.98 billion tonnes @ 0.24% Ni. Exploration Target 1 : Potential for an additional 0.51.4 billion tonnes @ 0.210.22% Ni. Timmins Nickel District: Now totals eight deposits with 10.1 million tonnes Measured & Indicated contained nickel (4.3 billion tonnes @ 0.24% Ni) and 12.5 million tonnes Inferred contained nickel (5.4 billion tonnes @ 0.23% Ni). TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2026 /CNW/ - Canada Nickel Company Inc. ("Canada Nickel" or the "Company") (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQB: CNIKF) today announced an updated mineral resource estimate (the "Mineral Resource Estimate" or the "MRE") for its 100% owned Reid Nickel Sulphide Project ("Reid") located near Timmins, Ontario. The Reid Nickel Sulphide Project is located just 16 kilometres southwest of the Company's Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project ("Crawford") and is more than twice the size of Crawford based on the outline of its geophysical target of 3.9 square kilometres. The area of the mineral resource represents approximately 59% of the total geophysical target area. The Reid project is accessible year-round by an exploration road previously constructed by Canada Nickel. Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel said, "Today's announcement confirms Reid as one of world's largest nickel sulphide deposits, further reinforcing the world-class potential of the Timmins Nickel District. Crawford is moving forward as our first project as we advance towards construction by year-end, but we believe that several other of our projects in the Timmins Nickel District including Reid have the potential to be even more valuable. Reid's mineral resource stands out with nearly half the strip ratio, one-third less overburden, and 15% higher chromium grades than Crawford, with more than 40% of the geophysical target still to be explored and the deposit open in multiple directions." Mr. Selby added, "With a ninth mineral resource estimate in the district expected later this quarter, nine additional targets already successfully drilled, and a further six geophysical targets yet to be tested, the scale and potential of our Timmins Nickel District is truly exceptional." 1 The potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature; there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource; it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource (also see below). Reid Mineral Resource Estimate For the updated Mineral Resource Estimate, 34 new drill holes totaling 24,629 metres were added to the previous mineral resource (see the Company's news release dated December 23, 2024) for a total of 51,137 metres of core drilling in 89 drill holes utilized to calculate the Reid mineral resources in three categories as provided in Table 1. Measured Mineral Resources now total 0.04 billion tonnes grading 0.27% nickel, for a total of 0.11 million tonnes of contained nickel metal. Indicated Mineral Resources now total 0.87 billion tonnes grading 0.23% nickel, for a total of 2.03 million tonnes of contained nickel. Inferred Mineral Resources now total 1.45 billion tonnes grading 0.22% nickel, for a total of 3.22 million tonnes of contained nickel. The Indicated and Inferred mineral resources increased by 46% and 47% respectively, in comparison to the initial resource announced in December 2024. The approximate dimensions of the MRE are about 2.3 kilometres long, 1.1 kilometres wide, extending to 720 metres deep, and remaining open to the northeast, southwest and at depth (Figures 1 to 4). An additional 0.5-1.4 billion tonnes grading between 0.21 and 0.22% nickel remain as a potential exploration target pending further drilling (the "Exploration Target"). This Exploration Target is based on core drilling by the Company, the geophysical survey on the Reid project, and the understanding and calculation of the current MRE. The Exploration Target potential was estimated by extrapolating the extent of defined nickel sulphide mineralization, constrained within the geophysical signature. The lower end of the tonnage range was constrained within the pit shell for currently defined Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources. The upper end of the tonnage range was constrained within a pit shell that would result from inclusion of the Exploration Target. The grade range given in the Exploration Target is determined by combining the drill core results within the modeled Exploration Target area with the geological setting which is now better understood as having consistent grades as observed by the Company and its Qualified Persons. However, the potential tonnages and grades are still conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a current mineral resource within it, and the Company cautions that there is a risk that further exploration will not result in the delineation of a mineral resource from the Exploration Target. Drilling at Reid was completed in 2022, 2024 and 2025. The 2025 campaign successfully completed the goal of infilling previous sections to increase and upgrade Inferred Mineral Resources. The Reid MRE was prepared by Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. in accordance with CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (2019) and CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (2014). A Technical Report in support of the Mineral Resource Estimate will be filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) within 45 days of this news release. Mineral Resources are constrained within a Lerchs-Grossmann algorithm defined pit shell, with an average stripping ratio of 1.19:1 and overlain by overburden with an average thickness of 25.8 metres. Table 1 Updated Mineral Resource Estimate (in-pit resources) for the Reid Nickel Sulphide Deposit, Ontario Mineral Resource Estimate Contained Metal Domain Class (Category) Tonnes (Mt) Ni (%) Co (%) Fe (%) Cr (%) S (%) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Ni (kt) Co (kt) Fe (Mt) Cr (kt) Pd (koz) Pt (koz) Higher Grade Measured 39 0.27 0.013 5.6 0.70 0.06 0.015 0.008 106.9 4.9 2.2 273.4 19.2 9.8 Indicated 728 0.24 0.012 6.1 0.70 0.05 0.010 0.007 1,776.0 88.2 44.2 5,097.0 231.2 167.0 Inferred 983 0.24 0.012 6.1 0.71 0.05 0.009 0.007 2,338.1 118.4 60.2 6,955.6 290.6 225.7 Lower Grade Measured 2 0.20 0.011 6.3 0.64 0.05 0.003 0.004 3.3 0.2 0.1 10.5 0.2 0.2 Indicated 138 0.19 0.013 7.3 0.57 0.05 0.015 0.012 259.6 18.0 10.0 785.9 64.8 52.7 Inferred 467 0.19 0.013 7.2 0.58 0.05 0.012 0.010 882.3 59.3 33.5 2,707.0 173.6 146.3 Total Measured 41 0.27 0.013 5.6 0.70 0.06 0.015 0.008 110.2 5.1 2.3 283.9 19.4 10.0 Indicated 867 0.23 0.012 6.3 0.68 0.05 0.011 0.008 2,035.6 106.2 54.2 5,882.9 296.1 219.7 Inferred 1,450 0.22 0.012 6.5 0.67 0.05 0.010 0.008 3,220.4 177.7 93.7 9,662.6 464.2 372.0 *Totals may not add due to rounding. 1. The independent Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource Estimate, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), is Dr. Scott Jobin-Bevans (P.Geo., PGO #0183) of Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. The effective date of the Mineral Resource Estimate is January 07, 2025. 2. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Mineral Resources in this MRE are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Mineral Resources as Indicated or Measured Mineral Resources. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration. 3. A cut-off grade of 0.10% Ni was used to define potentially economic material for inclusion within the MRE. Cut-offs were determined on the basis of core assay geostatistics and drill core lithologies for the deposit, and by comparison to analogous nickel deposit types. 4. Geological and block models for the MRE used data from a total of 89 surface drill holes, completed by Canada Nickel in 2022, 2024 and 2025. The drill hole database was validated prior to resource estimation and QA/QC checks were made using industry-standard control charts for blanks, core duplicates and commercial certified reference material inserted into assay batches by Canada Nickel and by comparison of umpire assays performed at a second laboratory. 5. Estimates have been rounded to two significant figures. 6. The MRE was prepared following the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (November 29, 2019) and the CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources & Mineral Reserves (May 19, 2014). 7. The geological model as applied to the MRE comprises two mineralized domains hosted by variably serpentinized ultramafic rocks: a relatively higher-grade core (dunite) and a lower grade (transitional dunite). Individual wireframes were created for each domain in Leapfrog Geo 2025.3 software. 8. A 20 m x 20 m x 15 m block model was created, and samples were composited at 7.5 m intervals. Grade estimation from drill hole data was carried out for Ni, Co, Fe, Cr, S, Pd and Pt using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method in Isatis 2024.12 software. 9. The MRE has been constrained by a conceptual pit envelope that was developed using the following optimization parameters. Metal prices used were US$21,000/t nickel, US$40,000/t cobalt, US$325/t iron, US$3,860/t chromium, US$1,350/oz palladium, and US$1,150/oz platinum. Different pit slopes were used for each layer (in degrees): 9.5 in clay, 11.4 in sand and 45.0 in rock. Exchange rate utilized was US$/C$ at $0.76. Mining costs utilized different values for clay, sand and rock mining, ranging from C$1.72 to C$4.51/t mined. Processing costs and general and administration costs for a 120 ktpd operation (similar to the ultimate scope of Crawford) were C$8.34/t. Based on the range of grade and ratio of sulphur to nickel, calculated recovery averages 52% for Ni, 7% for Co, 55% for Fe, 24% for Cr and 33% for Pt and Pd. 10. Grade estimation was validated by comparison of input and output statistics (Nearest Neighbour and Inverse Distance Squared methods), swath plot analysis, cross-plots of declustered samples against the nearest Ordinary Kriging estimate, and by visual inspection of the assay data, block model, and grade shells in cross-sections. 11. Density estimation was carried out for the mineralized domains using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method, based on 5,576 specific gravity measurements collected during the core logging process, using the same block model parameters of the grade estimation. As a reference, the average estimated density value within dunite is 2.65 g/cm3 (t/m3), while the transitional dunite domain yielded an average of 2.70 g/cm3 (t/m3). Next Steps at Reid: A technical report describing the Mineral Resource Estimate disclosed today will be filed within 45 days Mineralogical studies and metallurgical testwork will continue through 2026, as well as infill drilling to better define higher grade horizons and further upgrade the mineral resource with the goal of producing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) at a future date. Assays, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Drilling Edwin Escarraga, MSc, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI 43-101, is responsible for the on-going drilling and sampling program, including quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC). The core is collected from the drill in sealed core trays and transported to the secure core logging facility (core shack). The core is marked and sampled at 1.5 metre lengths and cut with a diamond blade saw. One set of samples is transported in secured bags directly from the Canada Nickel core shack to Actlabs Timmins, while a second set of samples is securely shipped to SGS Lakefield for preparation, with analysis performed at SGS Burnaby. All are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs. Analysis for precious metals (gold, platinum, and palladium) are completed by Fire Assay while analysis for nickel, cobalt, sulphur and other elements are performed using a peroxide fusion and ICP-OES analysis. Certified standards and blanks (QA/QC samples) are inserted at a rate of three QA/QC samples per 20 core samples making a batch of 60 samples that are submitted for analysis. Qualified Person and Data Verification Stephen J. Balch P.Geo. (ON), VP Exploration of Canada Nickel and a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of NI 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of Canada Nickel. The magnetic images shown in this news release were created from Canada Nickel's interpretation of datasets provided by the Ontario Geological Survey. About Canada Nickel Company Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada Nickel Company has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project in the heart of the prolific Timmins-Cochrane mining camp. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com. For further information, please contact: Mark Selby CEO Phone: 647-256-1954 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Cautionary Note and Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, the potential of the Reid Nickel Sulphide Project, timing for filing a technical report in support of the Mineral Resource Estimate, the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any mineral resource, timing and completion (if at all) of additional mineral resource estimates, the potential of the Timmins Nickel District, strategic plans, including future exploration and development plans and results, and corporate and technical objectives including the preparation of PEA on the Reid Nickel Sulphide Project. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, the ability of exploration results (including drilling) to accurately predict mineralization, errors in geological modelling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information. 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. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Pacifica Silver Corp. (CSE: PSIL) (OTCQB: PAGFF) ("Pacifica" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an exploration update at the Company's wholly owned Claudia Silver-Gold Project ("Project") located in Durango, Mexico. The Company completed its Phase I drill program at the end of December 2025 with assay results pending release for 19 holes. A Phase II drill program will commence on January 15 which will include approximately 12,000 m of diamond drilling to follow up on high-grade results encountered in the Phase I program and to test high-priority targets in the southern portion of the property. The Company is also continuing district-scale exploration work which commenced in September 2025 and is pleased to provide an update on work accomplished to date. "We are excited to kick off our Phase II drill campaign following strong initial drill results which have reinforced our confidence in the scale and quality of the vein systems at our Claudia Project," stated Todd Anthony, CEO of Pacifica Silver Corp. "With a substantial number of assays still pending, there is considerable upside yet to be revealed. Our Phase II program is designed to systematically step out on high-grade intercepts and to expand our understanding of the broader district-scale potential. Given the extensive vein systems and numerous high-priority targets at the Claudia Project, we plan to maintain continuous drilling throughout 2026 and are optimistic about the potential to increase our program by more than 25,000 metres as results warrant." Phase I Drill Program Completed - 19 Assays Pending The Company completed its Phase I drill program on December 28th with a total of 7,992 metres drilled in 29 holes. Assay results for the first 10 holes were announced on December 15, 2025, including: Hole 25CLAU037D, which intersected 10.5 m grading 2.29 g/t Au and 51 g/t Ag from 113.0 m downhole, including 6.55 m of 3.38 g/t Au and 74 g/t Ag, and a higher-grade interval of 0.60 m grading 20.3 g/t Au and 81 g/t Ag. Hole 25CLAU039D, which returned 6.35 m grading 2.94 g/t Au and 313 g/t Ag from 140.8 m, including 1.30 m of 6.4 g/t Au and 1,390 g/t Ag. The Company is currently awaiting assay results for the remaining 19 Phase I holes, several of which intersected quartz veins, veinlets, and stockwork zones. In particular, holes 25CLAU058, 25CLAU062 and 25CLAU064 intersected veins containing fine-grained sulfosalt minerals, which are commonly associated with silver-gold mineralization at the Claudia Project (refer to Figure 1 for details). Figure 1 - 2025 Phase I Drill Program Map Phase II Drill Program Overview The Company is planning to commence a 12,000 m Phase II drill program consisting of three drill rigs on January 15th. The program is designed to expand known zones of high-grade silver-gold mineralization by: (1) Stepping out from higher-grade intercepts encountered in the Company's 2025 Phase I drill program along portions of the Aguilarena, Guadalupana and Veta Central veins; and (2) Continuing to test high-priority targets at the Mark Twain, Veta West, Tres Reyes and Veta Central veins; and (3) Initiating drilling south of the Agularena and Guadalupana areas, focusing primarily on the Veta Justina, Mina Vieja and Mina de Oro areas, which were largely overlooked by previous operators, but showed high silver and gold grades in surface samples analyzed by Pacifica in 2025 (see News Release dated October 9, 2025). First, priority holes in Phase II are planned to test potential expansions of the fully open, high-grade Aguilarena North zone and to extend the Guadalupana vein mineralization discovered in 2025. The Aguilarena North zone was successfully intersected in holes 25CLAU037D and 25CLAU039D. Hole 25CLAU037D returned 10.5 m grading 2.29 g/t Au and 51 g/t Ag from 113.0 m, while hole 25CLAU039D returned 6.35 m grading 2.94 g/t Au and 313 g/t Ag from 140.8 m. These two holes expanded the high-grade mineralization intersected by a prior operator in 2021 in hole 21CLAU011D which intersected 4.05 m grading 10.54 g/t Au and 317 g/t Ag from 158.75 to 162.8 m. The Guadalupana vein was first intersected at depth in hole 25CLAU046D, which encountered 10.25 m of low-grade stockwork mineralization averaging 0.26 g/t Au and 9 g/t Ag from 248.0 m. Second, priority drill holes are planned to test extensions of the fully open Veta Central mineralization, first discovered in 2021 with hole 21CLAU31D, which intersected 6.05 m grading 1.27 g/t Au and 90 g/t Ag from 62.1 m downhole, including 1.0 m of 2.38 g/t Au and 247 g/t Ag. This zone was further confirmed during the Company's 2025 Phase I program in hole 25CLAU042, which returned 3.15 m grading 0.85 g/t Au and 43 g/t Ag from 92.4 m. In addition, the Company intends to continue testing other high-priority targets, including the silver-rich Mark Twain vein-known primarily from historical underground sampling in the early 1990s. Recent verification in Phase I drilling intersected the vein in hole 25CLAU040D with 1.10 m grading 1.45 g/t Au and 117 g/t Ag from 106.4 m, including 0.55 m of 2.79 g/t Au and 201 g/t Ag. Finally, the Company is planning priority drill holes in the southern extension of the Project, focusing on the Veta Justina, Mina Vieja and Mina de Oro areas. These areas have been largely overlooked by previous operators but exhibited high silver and gold grades in surface samples analyzed by the Company and announced in news on October 9, 2025. For example, the highest single sample assay result of 22.7 g/t Au and 480 g/t Ag was collected from the southernmost area sampled, which suggests that mineralization may extend further south for another 300 metres towards the Mina de Oro vein system. Systematic Property-Wide Exploration Update In parallel with the Phase II drill program, the Company's geological team and field personnel continue to advance geological mapping and surface rock sampling that began in September 2025. This work is focused on improving Pacifica's understanding of the Project's mineralized system, the majority of which has not been systematically mapped or sampled by previous operators. Many of the Project's early-stage targets-including La Concepcion, Providencia and Mina de Oro/Mina Vieja-feature historical mine workings that remain unmapped and unsampled. In 2025, the Company mapped in detail an additional 288 hectares in the southern portion of the Project (green area in Figure 2 below) building on and expanding mapping and sampling conducted in 2021 by the prior operator. Pacifica's geological team is planning to continue mapping and sampling throughout 2026 with priority areas shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 - Priority Mapping and Sampling Areas for 2026 The Company also recently completed high-resolution LiDAR mapping and drone-based orthophoto surveys covering approximately 7,000 hectares along the main structural corridor (see integrated LiDAR and orthophoto model in Figure 3). These surveys have provided detailed topographic and surface data, revealing existing historical mining works, vein continuations and previously unrecognized zones of structural interest. They have also uncovered surface expressions of hydrothermal alteration visible in the orthophotos. This work is designed to identify and map numerous additional vein outcrops-particularly within the northwest-trending horsetail structural complex-and to better define the structural and lithological controls on high-grade silver-gold mineralization. The Company believes these results highlight significant potential to generate multiple new high-priority drill targets for upcoming drilling programs. On January 10, 2026, the Company commenced an induced polarization and resistivity (IP/Res) survey with 27 line-kilometres planned, contingent on results. This is the first known geophysical work of its kind in the area. The primary objective of this survey is to detect chargeability anomalies associated with mineralized veins, while also identifying potential new vein targets that remain unsampled and undrilled, including the areas east of the Guadalupana vein toward La Concepcion. Figure 3 - LiDAR Surface with Modeled Structural Trends of Veins and IP/RES Lines, Looking North Qualified Person Patrick Loury, AIPG CPG, Exploration Technical Advisor for Pacifica Silver, is a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release. 2025 Drilling QA/QC The 2025 drill samples were collected from HQ-diameter core and were logged and sampled at the Cielo Azul Resources (subsidiary of Pacifica Silver) gated and enclosed facility in Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango. Sample lengths varied from 0.25 to 3.0 m, but the vast majority were in the range of 0.90 to 1.10 m. Company geologists marked the core lengthwise to best divide the core into halves, perpendicular to veins, mineralized fractures and vein-breccia. Sample intervals were cut in half lengthwise and one-half of each sample was placed into pre-numbered plastic sample bags with numbered sample tickets and closed with ties. The closed sample bags were placed into numbered shipping sacks along with numbered bags of coarse preparation blanks and certified reference material (CRMs or "standards") inserted for quality control/ quality assurance purposes. All samples were transported to the ALS Minerals (ALS) laboratory in Hermosillo, Sonora State, Mexico by ALS personnel. At the ALS laboratory, the samples were crushed in their entirety to 70% passing 2 mm, and riffle split to a 1 kg subsample which was pulverized to 85% at 75 m. ALS then shipped 200 g splits of the pulverized material by air freight to the ALS assay laboratories in North Vancouver, Canada, and in Vientiane, Laos, for analysis. Gold was analyzed by 30 g fire-assay fusion with an AA finish (method code Au AA23); samples with >10 g/t Au were re-assayed by fire-assay fusion and gravimetric finish. Silver was analyzed by ICP AES following 4-acid digestion of 0.5 g aliquots (method code Ag OG62). ALS holds accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025:2017 for specific analytical procedures and is independent of Pacifica Silver. About Pacifica Silver Corp. Pacifica Silver Corp. is a Canadian resource company led by a proven management team with decades of mining and exploration experience in Mexico. The company is focused on its 100% owned Claudia Project located in Durango, Mexico. Spanning 11,876 hectares, the Project encompasses most of the historic El Papanton Mining District where at least nine small mines operated throughout the 20th century. Since 1990, sampling and drilling within have returned high-grade silver and gold intercepts across multiple vein systems, with approximately 10% of over 30 kilometres of known veins having been drilled. Today, the project is a prime target for modern exploration and holds exceptional potential for new high-grade discoveries. Signed, Todd Anthony Chief Executive Officer Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding the perceived merit of the Project, potential quantity and/or grade of minerals and the potential size of the mineralized zone. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur. 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. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding the price of gold and silver; the accuracy of mineral resource estimations; that there will be no material adverse change affecting the Company or its properties; that all required approvals will be obtained, including concession renewals and permitting; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; that currency and exchange rates will be consistent with current levels; and that there will be no significant disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. 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. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to: risks related to uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral resource estimates, including but not limited to changes to the cost assumptions, variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates, changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, failure of plant, equipment or processes, changes to availability of power or the power rates, ability to maintain social license, changes to interest or tax rates, changes in project param, delays and costs inherent to consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks, title risks, including concession renewal, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to COVID-19, the ongoing war in the Ukraine, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, risks inherent in the estimation of mineral resources; and risks associated with executing the Company's objectives and strategies, including costs and expenses, as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, available on www.sedarplus.ca. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Anteros Metals Inc. (CSE: ANT) ("Anteros" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced at the Seagull Critical Minerals Project (the "Project"), located approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Diamond drill rig at the Seagull Critical Minerals Project, Ontario, January 2026. Further to the Company's December 8, 2025 news release, drill crews have mobilized to site, casing has been cemented and drilling is now underway. The January 2026 drill program is fully funded and fully permitted and is designed to evaluate a previously untested deep target identified beneath the Seagull mafic-ultramafic intrusion. Rift Minerals Inc. ("Rift"), as Operator, has commenced drilling on this exploration-stage property, which is being evaluated for platinum group elements (PGEs), nickel, copper, and associated naturally occurring gases including hydrogen and helium. The Company's Phase 1 program is planned as an approximately 1,350-metre deep diamond drillhole designed to test a low-velocity anomaly identified by Rift's Ambient Noise Tomography ("ANT") survey. A specialized gas-handling team is scheduled to arrive later this month to support drilling activities as the program advances. Gas sampling is investigatory in nature and does not imply the presence of commercial gas resources. The drillhole is designed to test a subsurface zone of interest that has not previously been drill tested. The Company expects to provide additional updates as drilling progresses and results become available. ABOUT THE SEAGULL PROJECT The Project is located approximately 80 kilometres northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario, and covers the interpreted mafic-ultramafic Seagull Intrusion within the Nipigon Basin. Historical exploration between 1998 and 2012 included airborne geophysical surveys and approximately 20,000 metres of diamond drilling, which reported disseminated to semi-massive sulphide mineralization containing nickel, copper, and platinum-group elements along parts of the intrusion's basal contact. These results are historical in nature and have not been independently verified by Anteros. In 2024, Rift completed an Ambient Noise Tomography ("ANT") survey to refine the internal geometry of the Seagull Intrusion and to help define a deeper subsurface target. The survey outlined contrasting velocity domains interpreted to reflect lithological and alteration variations. These interpretations have not been tested by drilling and remain unverified by Anteros. The current Phase 1 drill program is intended to provide the first subsurface evaluation of the deeper ANT anomaly. QUALIFIED PERSON The scientific and technical information in this news release relating to the Seagull Project was prepared by Rift Minerals Inc. and has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Geoff Heggie, P.Geo. (Ontario), a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. This information has not been independently verified by Anteros Metals Inc. and is provided for geological context only. ABOUT ANTEROS METALS INC. Anteros Metals Inc. is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing a pipeline of critical-minerals projects across Newfoundland and Labrador and select Canadian jurisdictions. The Company targets copper, nickel, zinc, and emerging strategic commodities that support the global energy transition. Immediate plans for its flagship Knob Lake Property include bringing the historical Fe-Mn Mineral Resource Estimate into current status and commencing baseline environmental and feasibility studies. ABOUT RIFT MINERALS INC. Rift Minerals Inc. is a private corporation based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, founded in 2024 by Steven Stares, Michael Stares, Cliff Hickman and Abraham Drost, M.Sc., P.Geo. (Ontario). Rift has completed early-stage exploration work on the Seagull Project, including an Ambient Noise Tomography survey completed by Sisprobe, France. The resulting assessment report has been filed with the Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines for assessment credit. Additional information about Rift Minerals Inc. is available through publicly accessible sources. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Chris Morrison Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | +1-709-725-6520 16 Forest Road, Suite 200, St. John's, NL, Canada A1X 2B9 Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements herein include but are not limited to statements relating to the prospects for development of the Company's mineral properties, and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Acquisition increases Tres Cerros concessions by ~52% to 3,310 hectares and extends Tres Cerros corridor ~5 kilometres to the south Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2026) - Excellon Resources Inc. (TSXV: EXN) (OTC Pink: EXNRF) (FSE: E4X2) ("Excellon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the acquisition of two new mineral concessions, materially extending Excellon's land position south of the Tres Cerros Gold-Silver Exploration Property in Peru. Highlights: Major land position expansion: Adds 1,132 hectares of highly prospective ground immediately south of and contiguous with the Company's existing Tres Cerros claims (see Image 1). Extends Tres Cerros corridor: Coincident IP, geochemical and spectral anomalies identified at the southern margin of the original concessions, together with interpreted controlling geological features, appear to continue into the newly acquired concessions forming a 10 km N-S x 5 km E-W corridor of prospective terrain. The acquired area also hosts a large intrusive body interpreted to be related to the Tres Cerros mineralizing event. Terra Resources reinterpretation identifies drill-ready targets: Terra Resources Pty Ltd (" Terra ") has completed a technical reinterpretation of the historical geophysical and geological datasets and generated a ranked set of priority drill targets to support Excellon's first phase of drilling. Permitting update: Excellon has initiated the drill permit process for an initial ~5,000-metre drill program. Shawn Howarth, President and CEO, commented, "This acquisition extends our prospective trend by approximately five kilometres to the south, giving us the scale to pursue this system as an emerging district. With Terra's ranked drill targets in hand and permitting now in progress, we're focused on executing a disciplined, first-pass 5,000-metre program and letting the results drive the next phase." Image 1: Tres Cerros and Mallay Property Claims New Concessions: Tres Cerros 32 and Tres Cerros 33 Excellon's Peruvian subsidiary, Minera CRC S.A.C. ("Minera CRC") acquired the following concessions: Tres Cerros 32 632 hectares Tres Cerros 33 500 hectares Exploration by Excellon and predecessor Buenaventura identified a strong, 2.5-kilometre-long, north-south trending zone of coincident IP, geochemical and satellite spectral anomalies which extend to the southern margin of the Company's original tenements. The geophysical anomaly trends are open to the north and south beyond the limits of the historical survey coverage. Mapped controlling structures and spectral anomalies are interpreted to continue into the newly acquired concessions. The acquired area also hosts a large intrusive body which is interpreted to be related to the Tres Cerros mineralizing event. Terra Resources Technical Reinterpretation and Targeting To accelerate drill targeting, Excellon engaged Terra to review and re-interpret historical datasets, including ground magnetics and pole-pole resistivity and induced polarization (IP). Terra's work program included quality assurance/quality control of datasets, reprocessing and enhancement, 2D inversion modelling and 3D inversion of resistivity and chargeability, and integrated interpretation to define and rank targets suitable for first-pass drilling. In its geophysical review presentation, Terra reports that the reprocessed and inverted datasets support multiple chargeability targets along the main north-south structural corridor and additional targets associated with interpreted volcanic and caldera-margin features. Excellon will use these ranked targets to form the basis of the Company's first phase of drill testing at Tres Cerros, subject to permitting and field readiness. Image 2: Priority Exploration Areas at Tres Cerros Next Steps Exploration drilling permitting has been initiated. Further updates will be provided as this process advances. Fieldwork is expected to commence in Q2 2026. An initial ~5,000-metre drill program is planned on completion of permitting. Qualified Person Steven L. Park, M.Sc., C.P.G., an independent consulting geologist and a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information related to the Tres Cerros Exploration Property contained in this news release. Overview of Tres Cerros The Tres Cerros Gold and Silver Exploration Property is a 3,310-hectare land package located adjacent to Excellon's Mallay Silver Mine in the prolific Miocene metallogenic belt of Central Peru, and hosts a ~2.5 km x 0.5 km corridor of high-sulphidation goldsilver mineralization with coincident Induced Polarization (IP) and resistivity anomalies, representing a compelling bulk-tonnage exploration target. Under the terms announced with Excellon's October 2024 acquisition of Mallay and Tres Cerros, Excellon is party to a back-in rights agreement providing for the sale of up to 49% of Tres Cerros at an exercise price of 1.5x Excellon's qualifying expenditures incurred. If the back-in right is exercised, the parties would thereafter fund future exploration and development on a pro rata basis in accordance with respective ownership interests. About Excellon Resources Inc. Excellon's vision is to realize opportunities through the acquisition and advancement of quality precious and base metal assets, leveraging an experienced management team for the benefit of its employees, communities and shareholders. The Company is focused on the potential restart of the Mallay Silver Mine in Peru. Excellon also holds a portfolio of exploration-stage projects, including Kilgore, an advanced gold project in Idaho, and Silver City, a high-grade epithermal silver district in Saxony, Germany, and the Tres Cerros Gold-Silver Exploration Property in Peru, providing additional growth upside. Additional details on Excellon's properties can be found at www.excellonresources.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. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained, referenced or incorporated by reference in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Generally, these statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "could", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "plan", "potential", "schedule", "should", "target", "will" and similar expressions, and include statements about events or results that may occur in the future. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the prospective nature and interpreted continuity of geophysical, geochemical and spectral anomalies into the newly acquired concessions; interpretations regarding the potential relationship of intrusive rocks to mineralization; the results and significance of Terra's reinterpretation work and target ranking; the timing and outcome of drilling permit applications and regulatory review; the timing of planned fieldwork; and the timing, scope and execution of any initial ~5,000-metre drill program and the timing of related exploration results. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including risks related to: permitting and regulatory review timelines; community and access matters; the availability of contractors, equipment and services; weather and logistical constraints; exploration and drilling risks; geological complexity and continuity; the reliability and interpretation of historical data and third-party datasets; geophysical inversion and target interpretation risk; sampling and assay variability; cost escalation; and commodity price volatility, as well as other risk factors described in Excellon's public disclosure, including its Annual Information Form dated June 30, 2025, and subsequent continuous disclosure documents. The forward-looking statements herein are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and by the cautionary statements in the Company's continuous disclosure. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2026 /CNW/ - Golden Arrow Resources Corporation (TSXV: GRG) (FSE: G6A) (OTCQB: GARWF), ("Golden Arrow" or the "Company") is pleased to report the results of the recent trenching program that tested the extents of the structurally-hosted gold system identified at the Noemi target, San Pietro IOCG Project, Chile. Trenching was conducted in two areas spanning more than three kilometres north to south along the structural trend (Figure 1) and all but one of the twenty trenches returned significant gold intervals (see Table 1). Results from 17 trenches across the gold-bearing structural zone to the south are summarized in Figure 2 and the three trenches in the zone to the north are shown in Figure 3. Highlights include: Trenches 11 through 16 span 380 metres of strike and up to 76.7 metres width at the south end of the main breccia vein system in the south zone (Figure 2), and all returned intervals of greater than 1 g/t Au over more than 10 metres, including: 38.7 m @ 1.44 g/t Au including 22.5 m @ 2.24 g/t Au (Trench 16) 73.4 m @ 0.87 g/t Au including 20.2 m @ 2.09 g/t Au (Trench 15) 76.7 m @ 1.01 g/t Au including 26.6 m @ 1.65 g/t Au (Trench 14) 32.9 m @ 0.91 g/t Au including 20.2 m @ 1.10 g/t Au (Trench 13) 34.7 m @ 1.10 g/t Au and 23.9 m @ 0.21 g/t Au (Trench 12) 92.2 m @ 0.30 g/t Au including 12.4 m @ 1.07 g/t Au (Trench 11) The system remains open for expansion. Trenches were opened across the north-south oriented structures, and many were mineralized at the east or west extents, suggesting mineralization may continue in these directions. The main breccia vein system in the south zone is mapped for approximately 1 kilometre (see Figure 2) and is believed to continue below cover to the north and south. Attempts to reach the structure below the cover 60 metres north of Trench 1 were not successful using the trench excavator due to the depth of the gravels. However, the north zone (see Figure 3) is thought to be a continuation of the same system as seen in the south zone, and between the north and south zone trenches is an historic pit (Florencia Mine) that is believed to have been used to recover gold from a similarly-oriented structure (see Figure 3). Brian McEwen, Golden Arrow VP Exploration and Development stated, "The potential of the Noemi gold target just continues to grow, and it is shaping up to be a very interesting opportunity. These are impressive widths over a considerable strike length with mineralization starting at surface. In fact, many of the trenches were started or finished in mineralization, so mineralized widths are potentially greater than reported here. This could represent the discovery of an attractive near surface bulk mineable gold target that we can build on with our on-going exploration at our three other gold targets. The Company is currently planning a drill program at Noemi as part of the next phase of drilling at San Pietro that will also target advancing our Rincones-Colla IOCG deposit. In the meantime, we look forward to the results from the rest of the surface samples at the other gold targets and continue our work to prove the multi-deposit potential of this project." Gold Exploration Program Details The Noemi target area covers roughly a 2 kilometre by 3 kilometre area located approximately 7 kilometres south of the Rincones copper-gold-iron-cobalt resource area. The main geological units mapped in the Noemi area are fine grained andesites, tuffs and volcaniclastic rocks intruded by a micro-diorite with some areas of substantial gravel cover, with many areas of similarity to Rincones and prospectivity for similar mineralization. In addition, a significant gold target exists within the Noemi area. It is characterized by an earlier stage alteration assemblage associated with a north-south structural system with veins, breccias, and fractured zones containing tourmaline, quartz, carbonates, and barite in oxidized zones with limonite. The system was originally identified within an area of approximately 1 kilometre by 750m where channel chip sampling returned intervals of up to 10.0m averaging 1.88 g/t Au (see News Release Dated September 2, 2025). Subsequent exploration identified a continuation of the system over two kilometres to the north. Additional similar north-south and northwest oriented gold-hosting structures have been identified in several locations further west within the San Pietro property, including the Lolita Norte, Cerro Sur and Dos Marias targets. Three kilometres west of Noemi, Lolita Norte hosts a similar gold-bearing structure that was mapped for more than 1.9 kilometres (see News Release dated May 14, 2025). It is believed to be the northern extension of the Lolita-Madura gold vein system which was exploited as part of a private underground gold mining operation in the 1980s, the remains of which are situated approximately 2.5 kilometres to the south, off the San Pietro concessions. [Proximity to a mineral resource, deposit, or mine does not indicate that mineralization will occur on Golden Arrow's property, and if mineralization does occur, that it will occur in sufficient quantity or grade that would result in an economic extraction scenario.] In recent months the field team broadened the surface and channel sampling program to include the Cerro Sur and Dos Marias gold targets. Figure 1 shows the location of all these gold targets in the southern half of the San Pietro project, and the results from the sampling program to date. A significant number of sample assays remaining outstanding for Cerro Sur and Dos Marias and therefore full details on these targets will be reported in future releases. The recent trenching program at Noemi included 11 trenches to test the one-kilometre-long mineralized breccia vein system (Paula). In addition, six trenches tested a smaller parallel structure approximately 200 metres to the west (Paula West) and three trenches tested the similar zone to the north (Paula North). Twenty trenches were opened, totaling 1,380 metres of length and 803 samples were collected from those trenches. Higher gold values appear to correlate with tourmaline, in areas of stronger brecciation and replacement. Table 1 summarizes the results. Table 1. Summary of Results from 2025 Trenching Program at Noemi Target Breccia Vein System Trench From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Paula 1 15.1 48.3 33.2 0.18 2 31.0 102.5 71.5 0.28 includes 61.0 93.6 32.6 0.34 3 5 102.5 97.5 0.27 includes 25.6 43.2 17.6 0.43 4 22.8 80.7 57.9 0.27 includes 45.5 64.0 18.5 0.52 11 0.0 92.2 92.2 0.30 includes 75.8 88.2 12.4 1.07 12 6.0 29.9 23.9 0.21 43.1 77.9 34.7 1.10 13 14.3 47.2 32.9 0.91 includes 27.1 47.2 20.2 1.10 14 0.0 76.7 76.7 1.01 includes 15.8 42.4 26.6 1.65 15 0.0 73.4 73.4 0.87 includes 22.6 42.8 20.2 2.09 16 4.0 42.7 38.7 1.44 includes 20.2 42.7 22.6 2.24 17 1.5 111.7 110.2 0.34 includes 13.2 36.8 23.6 0.48 includes 60.9 79.3 18.4 0.44 includes 85.3 98.6 13.4 0.45 Paula West 5 6.8 54.3 47.5 0.16 6 0.0 66.4 66.4 0.19 includes 46.6 57.0 10.4 0.46 7 2.0 33.2 31.2 0.26 8 0.0 22.3 22.3 0.19 includes 13.8 22.3 8.5 0.34 9 12.5 67.1 54.7 0.16 10 No significant intervals Paula Norte 18 9.0 13.6 4.6 0.39 19 22.2 46.5 24.4 0.35 20 22.2 46.0 23.8 0.36 Methodology & QA/QC Rock chip samples were collected by the technical team. Trenches were opened with an excavator to a maximum depth of 2 metres. Channel samples were collected at the bottom of the south wall of the trench, horizontally, with hammer and chisel. Silicified (hard) material was cut with an electrical saw. In all cases the sampling followed a channel. The average length of the samples was 1.7 metres and ranged between 0.4 and 2.6 metres. Samples were shipped to ALS Laboratory in Copiapo, Chile by a contract truck service. Sample preparation and gold analysis by Fire Assay and reading by atomic absorption on 30 gm sample by method Au-AA23 will be completed at the ALS facility in Santiago de Chile. Multi-element package by ICP-OES reading following a four-acid digestion by method ME-ICP61 will be performed at ALS facilities in Lima, Peru. Samples with over limits in copper (+ 10,000 ppm) will be re-assayed by ore grade method Cu-OG62 that includes four acid digestion and ICP-OES reading. The Company follows industry standard procedures for the work carried out on the San Pietro Project, with a quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") program. Blank and standard samples were inserted in each batch of samples sent to the laboratory for analysis. Qualified Persons The exploration programs are designed by the Company's geological staff and results are reviewed, verified (including sampling, analytical and test data) and compiled under the supervision of Brian McEwen, P.Geol., VP Exploration and Development to the Company. Mr. McEwen is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the contents of the news release. About the San Pietro Project The San Pietro Project targets the discovery of multiple copper-gold-iron oxide ("IOCG") plus cobalt deposits on over 21,000 hectares located approximately 100 kilometres north of Copiapo in the Atacama Region of Chile. To date, Golden Arrow has completed an initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Rincones and Colla deposits that includes 2.5 Blbs of contained Cu and 770,000 oz contained Au in the Inferred category (492 Mt with an average grade of 0.23% Cu, 0.05 g/t Au, 99 g/t Co and 14.43% Fe; NI 43-101 Technical Report filed on SEDAR+). Situated between and adjacent to Capstone Copper's Manto Verde Mine property and Santo Domingo Project, San Pietro is in the centre of a new copper-iron-cobalt district within an active, well-developed mining region that is home to all the major IOCG deposits in Chile. Golden Arrow operates San Pietro through its 75%-owned Chilean subsidiary, New Golden Explorations Inc. ("NGE"). About Golden Arrow: Golden Arrow is a mining exploration company with a successful track record of creating value by making precious and base metal discoveries and advancing them into exceptional deposits. Golden Arrow is actively exploring its flagship property, the advanced San Pietro iron oxide-copper-gold-cobalt project in Chile, and a portfolio that includes nearly 125,000 hectares of prospective properties in Argentina. The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Nikolaos Cacos" _______________________________ Mr. Nikolaos Cacos, President and CEO Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation; statements about the potential mineralization and future exploration plans of the Noemi target and San Pietro project; the Company's business strategy, plans and outlooks; the future financial or operating performance of the Company are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: risks and uncertainties related to the ability to obtain, amend, or maintain licenses, permits, or surface rights; risks associated with obtaining necessary regulatory approvals (including the TSXV's approval); risks associated with technical difficulties in connection with exploration activities; and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's public disclosure documents for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, unless required pursuant to applicable laws. Hope is a fragile but persistent force in Bangladesh's sprawling Rohingya camps of Cox's Bazar, where more than a million refugees forced to flee Myanmar live in squalid conditions. In rows of bamboo shelters and muddy lanes, refugees who escaped Myanmar nearly a decade ago await developments more than 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles) away at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, where a genocide case against Myanmar opens on Monday. "We want justice and peace," said Janifa Begum, 37, a mother of two. "Our women lost their dignity when the military junta launched the eviction. They burned villages, killed men, and women became victims of widespread violence." The top UN court on Monday will hear a case brought by The Gambia, which accuses Myanmar of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention during a brutal crackdown on the Rohingya in 2017. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled the bloodshed and crossed the border into Bangladesh. Myanmar's ruling junta denies the allegations. "My house was gutted," Begum told AFP. "I fled with my husband and two brothers-in-law with nothing -- no food, no belongings. I later heard that they had grabbed my land." - 'Soaked in blood' - For many in the camps, the hearings are a rare acknowledgement of long ignored suffering. "I hope the ICJ will bring some solace to the deep wounds we are still carrying," said Mohammad Sayed Ullah, 33, a former teacher and now a member of the United Council of Rohingya, a refugee organisation. While the ICJ has no way to enforce any judgment it might make, Ullah spoke quietly but firmly about accountability, hoping the UN case may, someday, bring them real change. "The perpetrators must be held accountable and punished," he said. "The sooner and fairer the trial is, the better the outcome will be... then the repatriation process may begin." Ullah fled Myanmar in 2017 after what he describes as a brutal military crackdown. It took him more than two weeks to reach Bangladesh, trekking through jungles and swamps, a journey marked by fear and loss. "There were four of us in the family, and my elderly mother suffered the most," he said. "On our way to Bangladesh, we saw villages on fire. I saw my neighbouring village soaked in blood. "Dozens of people took shelter in one place when the junta started firing. The soldiers laid siege to the area, butchered the men, and tortured the women," Ullah added. - 'To erase our existence' - Maung Thein Myint, a Rohingya human rights activist, said the ICJ case carries immense symbolic weight. "My expectations from the ICJ hearings are rooted in lived suffering and long-denied truth," he said. "I hope the court will clearly recognise that what was done to the Rohingya was genocide -- systematic, state-led, and intended to erase our existence." While acknowledging the court's limits, Myint believes a strong judgment could still make a difference. "Such recognition can restore dignity to victims, strengthen global accountability, and keep alive our hope for justice, protection, and a safe, voluntary, and dignified return home." In Cox's Bazar, justice remains distant. But for the Rohingya, the ICJ is a rare hope that their voices may be heard. "I want to see whether the suffering we endured is reflected during the hearing," said Begum, hoping for a better for her baby daughter and toddler son. "I hope that one day we will return home and live there with dignity." Bangladesh has been in political turmoil since a student-led revolt overthrew former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, ending her 15-year autocratic rule. The Muslim-majority nation of 170 million people will hold its first elections since the uprising on February 12. Here are the key players in a vote that European Union election observers say will be the "biggest democratic process of 2026, anywhere". - Interim government - Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, 85, returned from exile in August 2024 at the behest of protesters to lead a caretaker government as "chief advisor". He will step down after the polls. Yunus said he inherited a "completely broken" political system, and championed a reform charter he argues is vital to prevent a return to authoritarian rule. A referendum on the proposed changes will be held on the same day. He says the reforms will strengthen checks and balances between the executive, judicial and legislative branches. - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) - The BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, 60, is widely tipped to win the election, after he returned from 17 years of self-imposed exile in December 2025. His mother, the BNP's veteran leader and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, died aged 80, days after his return. A BNP-led alliance includes both leftist and centrist parties, as well as small Islamist groups. - Islamist-led alliance - Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest and best-organised Islamist party, ideologically aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, is seeking a return to formal politics after years of bans and crackdowns under Hasina's 15-year rule. Jamaat is leading an alliance of more than 10 smaller parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), formed by student leaders who spearheaded the uprising. It also includes the small Liberal Democratic Party, as well as fringe Islamist parties, most of which held only a handful of seats in previous parliaments. Bangladesh -- one of the world's most populous Muslim-majority countries after Indonesia and Pakistan -- is home to diverse strands of Islamic practice, including a significant Sufi community often condemned by hardline Islamists. Bangladesh also has a small Shia community. Around 10 percent of Bangladeshis are not Muslim -- the majority of those are Hindu and the country is also home to a small number of Christians. - Awami League - Hasina, 78, a fugitive in India, was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity in November. Her former ruling Awami League, once the country's most popular party, has been outlawed. Loyalists may run as independent candidates, but it is unclear who the party's once sizable membership will back. Human Rights Watch condemned the ban as "draconian", while Hasina has warned that holding elections without her party would be "sowing the seeds" of further division. - Army - In a country with a long history of military coups, the army remains a pivotal force. It played a decisive factor in Hasina's downfall, choosing not to intervene against the protests. The military continues to patrol the streets, maintaining a visible presence alongside the police. - International players - Regional powers have taken a keen interest. Bangladesh's relations with India -- once Hasina's strongest ally -- have cooled. Yunus' first state visit was to China, signalling a strategic shift, while Dhaka has also deepened engagement with Pakistan, India's arch-rival. In 2025, it was the first time that states were called to discuss non-cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), at the Assembly of States Parties (ASP). Besides pointing to ICC member states failure to arrest Russias Vladimir Putin and Israels Benjamin Netanyahu, both under arrest warrants, the plenary meeting held on December 3 in The Hague heard a recurring country name coming up in the civil society speeches: Italy. In a context in which the court, its officials and civil society working for international justice are increasingly under attack, including through US sanctions, each instance of non-cooperation is a further blow to the Rome statute system, especially when it comes from state parties, Cristina Orsini, senior programmes advisor at Lawyers for Justice in Libya, told the audience of states delegates and Ngos. On January 21, 2025, two days after his arrest in a Turin hotel following a warrant from the ICC, Osama Almasri Najim, a former head of the Libyan judicial police, was released by Rome and flown back to Tripoli in an Italian government plane. The 46-year-old Libyan national was reportedly in charge of the notorious Mitiga prison in Tripoli. He is suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including murder, torture, enslavement and sexual violence. After months of procedural back and forth between the Court and Italy, on October 17, the ICC found that Italy failed to comply with its international obligation. But it did not refer the country to the next level up yet. It is not possible to engage in any discussion concerning alleged non-compliance by my country in the absence of a formal referral [for lack of cooperation, to the ASP or the United Nations Security Council], declared Augusto Massari, Italy ambassador to the Netherlands, during the ASP plenary debate. He said that on the contrary Italy had provided timely, transparent, and comprehensive responses and will continue to engage in good faith with the court. The message sent is very problematic Opening the panel, ASP president Paivi Kaukoranta focused on the states obligations to engage in timely consultation with the court in case of problems with arresting or transferring suspects. Italy cited domestic legal and procedural issues to justify its decision. On the contrary, it seems that the mix of political concerns and diplomatic pressures led to the subordination of international obligations and justice considerations to political expediency, added Orsini during the panel. Speaking to Justice Info later, she recalled that Italy is not only a state party but also one of the founding members of the Court, so the message being sent is very problematic. Taking the word on behalf of the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) was David Yambio, co-founder of the Italian NGO Refugees in Libya. He said he was speaking as a victim of innumerable violence of Almasri in many torture camps across Libya. His host countrys failure to send the suspect to the ICC, had led him to face many threats, and to this day our lives have never been the same. Yambio concluded that in their carefully crafted speeches, the member states, including Italy, had spoken about accountability and the suffering of victims, but what you have not acknowledged is that our lives depend on the decisions that you make. The ICCs timid reaction In its October decision, the ICC found that Italy failed to comply with its international obligations under the Statute preventing the Court from exercising its functions and powers. Over the months, Italy brought forward reasons for sending Najim back to Libya instead of the Hague, including the formulation of the ICC warrant and another competing warrant previously sent by the Libyan authorities. However, the Court found that this do not explain its failure to communicate and cooperate to resolve the alleged problems and do not provide any valid legal reason or reasonable justification for having immediately transferred Mr Najim back to Libya, instead of first consulting with the Court. Regarding the alleged extradition request by Libya, the judges said that Mr Najim was not handed over to the Libyan authorities but returned as a free man. According to additional evidence filed by the prosecution on November 11, the Libyan request was notified to the Italian Ministry of Justice on January 22, 2025, after Najim was flown back to Tripoli in the evening of January 21. It was done without measures and documents, without any indication of the enforceable procedural title and/or the arrest warrant, it reads. However, the ICC judges decided to wait before referring the country to the Assembly of States Parties or to the United Nations Security Council, whose 2011 referral of the Libyan situation sparked the Courts investigation. Allison West, senior legal advisor at ECCHR, told Justice Info that Italy should be referred to the ASP or to the UNSC as a matter of principle. These are procedures that have little concrete consequences beyond naming and shaming, Orsini told Justice Info. However, she thinks it would be important to bring the matter to a higher level. Rome prosecutors silenced reaction The Rome chief prosecutor had placed Alfredo Mantovano, Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of ministers, as well as the Justice and Interior ministers Carlo Nordio and Matteo Piantedosi, under investigation for failure to fulfil their official duties, aiding and abetting and embezzlement. In a vote on October 9, the Chamber of Deputies denied a request for authorisation to proceed against the three government officials. Twenty days later, the Ministers Court shelved the investigation. Nevertheless, in Italys response to the ICC requests for more information on domestic proceedings, the countrys ambassador to the Netherlands said that against Parliaments decision, the Judiciary has the power to raise the issue of a conflict of State powers attribution before the Constitutional Court. Massari added that the fact that the developments in the Najim case were widely reported and disseminated to the public by the media, have at all levels clearly raised awareness of how significant, rich in implications and therefore complex the cooperation with this Court is. This can only have a positive impact on the future requests for cooperation, he concluded. On October 30, the Appeal Court of Rome raised a question on the constitutional legitimacy of the laws on cooperation with the Hague Court. It asked the Constitutional Court to review the matter. Besides, the ECCHR decided to support a case before the European Court of Human Rights brought by a torture survivor, who said he was unlawfully detained by Najim, against Italy for its failure to cooperate with the ICC. This will be the first time that the Strasbourg Court actually examines a case of non-surrender to the ICC, West said. Najim arrested in Libya? In the late morning of November 5, Libyan and international media announced that Najim had been arrested. And a month later, Tripoli attorney general, Al-Siddiq Ahmed Al-Sour, confirmed in a special statement to Libya News 24 that he remains in prison. However, despite all of the public claims, we dont actually have any credible evidence yet that Najim has been arrested. According to the Libyan civil society groups were in touch with, he remains at liberty, said West. According to her, this can be seen as an effort by the attorney general to signal that Libya is serious about cooperating with the ICC, while making it clear that they would like to prosecute crimes domestically. Besides, West explains that the Libyan judicial system remains too fragmented and under pressure from the different political and militia forces to ensure fair trials. One of the fundamental issues at stake is that the charges that are proposed by the attorney general are for regular crimes under the Libyan Criminal Code, not international crimes, she added. To her, the widespread and systematic attack on both Libyans and migrants and refugees that takes place across Libya really consolidates in the detention industry. Its incredibly important that its placed in the broader context of crimes against humanity. On May 15, the ICC made public a declaration sent by the Libyan government to accept the Court jurisdiction from 2011 to 2027. In its half-yearly statement to the UN Security Council on November 26, Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said that her office remains focused on securing the arrest and transfer of Mr. Osama Almasri Najim for trial at the ICC, and would like to welcome the attorney-general of Libya to deepen his engagement in this common cause. The country arrested ICC suspects in the past, such as Saif al-Islam Gaddafi in 2011, who was later freed, and more recently Mohamed Al-Saleheen, wanted in the context of the investigation into the Tarhuna mass graves. They were never surrendered to the ICC. Myanmar deliberately targeted the Rohingya minority with "horrific violence" in a bid to destroy the community, Gambia's justice minister told the International Court of Justice Monday at the start of a genocide hearing. "It is not about esoteric issues of international law. It is about real people, real stories and a real group of human beings. The Rohingya of Myanmar. They have been targeted for destruction," Dawda Jallow told ICJ judges. The Gambia brought the case accusing Myanmar of breaching the 1948 Genocide Convention during a crackdown in 2017. Legal experts are watching closely as it could give clues for how the court will handle similar accusations against Israel over its military campaign in Gaza, in a case brought to the ICJ by South Africa. Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims fled violence by the Myanmar army and Buddhist militias, escaping to neighbouring Bangladesh and bringing harrowing accounts of mass rape, arson and murder. They were subjected to "the most horrific violence and destruction one could imagine", said Jallow. Paul Reichler, a lawyer representing The Gambia, laid out searing allegations from witnesses, including gang rapes, sexual mutilation, and infants being burned alive. Today, 1.17 million Rohingya live crammed into dilapidated camps spread over 8,000 acres in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. From there, mother-of-two Janifa Begum, 37, told AFP: "I want to see whether the suffering we endured is reflected during the hearing." "We want justice and peace," she said. A final decision could take months or even years, and while the ICJ has no means of enforcing its decisions, a ruling in favour of The Gambia would heap more political pressure on Myanmar. "We did not bring this case lightly," said Jallow. "We brought this case after reviewing credible reports of the most brutal and vicious violations imaginable inflicted upon a vulnerable group that had been dehumanised and persecuted for many years," added the minister. - 'Senseless killings' - The Gambia, a Muslim-majority country in west Africa, brought the case in 2019 to the ICJ, which rules in disputes between states. Under the Genocide Convention, any country can file a case at the ICJ against any other it believes is in breach of the treaty. In a landmark moment at the Peace Palace courthouse in The Hague, Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi appeared herself in 2019 to defend her country. She dismissed Banjul's argument as a "misleading and incomplete factual picture" of what she said was an "internal armed conflict". Myanmar has always maintained the crackdown by its armed forces, known as the Tatmadaw, was justified to root out Rohingya insurgents after a series of attacks left a dozen security personnel dead. Suu Kyi will not be revisiting the Peace Palace. She has been detained since a 2021 coup, on charges rights groups say were politically motivated. Myanmar's junta spokesman could not be reached for comment by AFP on Monday. - 'Physical destruction' - In 2020, the ICJ said Myanmar must take "all measures within its power" to halt any acts prohibited in the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. These acts included "killing members of the group" and "deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part". The United States officially declared that the violence amounted to genocide in 2022, three years after a UN team said Myanmar harboured "genocidal intent" towards the Rohingya. The ICJ hearings wrap up on January 29. "When the court considers... all of the evidence taken together, the only reasonable conclusion to reach is that a genocidal intent permeated and informed Myanmar's myriad of state-led actions against the Rohingya," said Philippe Sands, arguing for The Gambia. The ICJ is not the only court looking into possible genocide against the Rohingya -- other cases are underway at the International Criminal Court and in Argentina under the principle of universal jurisdiction. Outside the court, Tun Khin, president of the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK, told AFP: "We have been waiting for justice for many years." "What's happening to the Rohingya is genocide, intentionally destroying our community. And we want to get justice. And when justice is done, we want to go back to our homeland with all our rights. And we want compensation," he added. Monday, January 12, 2026 - Six Iranian nationals have been arraigned at the Shanzu Law Courts in Mombasa for their involvement in the trafficking of a massive consignment of methamphetamine valued at approximately Sh 8.2 billion. The accused are linked to the seizure of 1,036.044 kilograms of methamphetamine, intercepted in October 2025 during a high-stakes multi-agency maritime operation off the Kenyan coast. Security officers intercepted a stateless dhow in the Indian Ocean, leading to the arrest of the six: Nia Jasem Darzadeh, Jadgal Nadeem Abdulgani, Baloch Hassan, Baloch Imran Mustafa, Baksh Rahim Goharam, and Daryayi Imtiyaz, aka Pamin, onboard. The charges were formally read after the conclusion of a Miscellaneous Application that had earlier been filed seeking custodial orders. All six accused persons pleaded guilty to the charges. The court ordered that the suspects be remanded at Shimo La Tewa GK Prison pending the reading of facts, scheduled for January 30th, 2026. This case highlights the unwavering resolve of the countrys security agencies to dismantle transnational narcotics networks and protect the nation from the devastating effects of illicit drugs. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, January 11, 2026 - Kenyan comedian, Eddie Butita, has candidly expressed disappointment after revealing that he is unable to meet visiting American streamer iShowSpeed, despite plans for the two to link up during Speeds highly publicized Kenyan tour. Butita explained that although iShowSpeed was eager to meet him, his packed schedule made the meeting impossible. The comedian, who has been juggling multiple projects, admitted that he tried to rearrange commitments but ultimately fell short. Im actually sad because iShowSpeed is in Kenya. He really wanted to meet me, but unfortunately, Im a busy man, and my schedule has refused completely, Butita said. He added, Ive tried everything - rescheduling meetings, moving shoots, even attempting to free up time like a responsible adult - but its not working. Describing the missed opportunity as painful, Butita noted that it would have been a special moment for both creatives. He stressed that the situation was not deliberate and extended a heartfelt apology to the global streamer. So if you see iShowSpeed, just tell him I tried my best but the schedule said no. I am usually a humble guy; its not deliberate. I will make sure I make it up, bro. My sincere apologies, Speed. This is very sad - I wish I had time. All the best, have fun. I have organised a great itinerary for you, he added. iShowSpeed, one of the worlds most influential streamers with over 80 million followers, is currently in Kenya for a content-packed visit showcasing culture, people, and iconic destinations. His arrival has been warmly welcomed, with Tourism and Wildlife CS, Rebecca Miano, hailing the visit as a major win for Kenyas global visibility. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, January 12, 2026 - A group of 22 Congolese doctors has moved to court against Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, and the Ministry of Health, accusing them of unlawfully declining to renew their licences and work permits. The doctors, who say they have practised in Kenya for more than five years, argue that the decision has left them unable to work and provide for their families. According to court filings, CS Duale issued a directive on January 7th, 2026, halting the issuance of letters of no objection, a requirement for renewing medical practising certificates. Through a certificate of urgency filed at the Nairobi High Court Judicial Review Division on January 12th, the doctors are seeking orders to quash Duales directive and compel the Ministry to allow them to renew their documents. Pending the hearing and determination of this application, an order of certiorari do issue quashing the decision of the 1st and 2nd respondents dated January 7th, 2026, the application reads. The doctors further want the court to issue an order of mandamus directing the Ministry to facilitate the renewal of their licences and work permits, enabling them to continue serving patients in Kenya. Represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, they also seek an order prohibiting the Ministry from arbitrarily blocking renewals without prior notice, proper communication, or justifiable reasons. The High Court is expected to determine whether the Ministrys directive was lawful and whether the doctors can resume practice pending the full hearing of the matter. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, January 12, 2026 - Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua, has cautioned that the united opposition coalition could face internal disagreements as it prepares to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Elections. Speaking on Monday, the former Deputy President acknowledged that while there is strong consensus on fielding a single presidential candidate, unity may be tested by disputes over timing, the formula for selecting the flagbearer, and the role of individual political parties. We may disagree on the timing. We may disagree on the formula. We may disagree on the political parties. We may disagree on the nitty-gritties, Gachagua stated. Despite these concerns, he assured that all coalition members remain committed to presenting a unified front. The most important fundamental is that everybody is persuaded we shall settle on one candidate, he said. Gachagua defended the coalitions decision not to rush the announcement, citing the 2002 election when Mwai Kibaki was named opposition candidate just two months before the polls. We are not in a hurry. Kenyans should not push us. We need time to get the right candidate, he explained. He further outlined the coalitions strategy, urging leaders to mobilize their bases and strengthen their parties before settling on a flagbearer. We need every leader to mobilize his backyard. When we have strengthened our parties and supporters, we can remove Ruto from power, he said. Gachagua expressed confidence that all members have pledged to support the chosen candidate, even if they are not selected. His remarks come amid a difference of opinion with Wiper leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, over when the opposition should unveil its candidate. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, January 11, 2026 - When couples separate, one of the most contentious issues is child maintenance - who pays for what, and how much. For years, many Kenyan fathers have complained about being expected to shoulder nearly all expenses, even when both parents have stable incomes. In a landmark ruling, the High Court in Nairobi has now clarified that parental responsibility must be shared. The decision, delivered by Justice Helene Namisi on December 5th, 2025, in JNM v LGM (Appeal E107 of 2024), reset the rules on fairness in child support. The case involved a couple earning nearly identical salaries. After separation, the mother relocated with their two children from Kilimani to Ongata Rongai. A lower court had ordered the father to cover nearly all child-related costs, including school fees, transport and clothing. Arguing that he was being punished financially for decisions he did not make, the father appealed. Justice Namisi agreed, ruling that shared parenting requires both parties to contribute fairly based on their means. The law does not intend to turn one parent into an ATM, the judge stated. Where both parents have the means, contribution must be fair, realistic, and focused on the child, not on punishing one parent. she stated. The court also noted that the mothers decision to move far from the childrens original school created extra transport costs, which should not automatically fall on the father. Under the new arrangement, the father will continue paying school fees and related costs, while the mother will cover daily transport and clothing. Both parents must maintain medical insurance and share school holidays equally. Importantly, the court rejected the mothers cross-appeal for full custody, affirming joint legal custody and equal parental rights under Kenyas Constitution. This ruling is a milestone for family law and gender fairness, ensuring child welfare remains central while keeping both parents accountable after divorce. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, January 12, 2025 - Kenyan barber, Joseph Cutz, is over the moon after giving American streaming superstar, iShowSpeed, his very first haircut during the creators much-hyped Africa tour. On Monday, January 12th, 2026, the multi-award-winning barber shared his joy on Instagram, encouraging fans to chase their dreams and lean on faith. Always believe in your dreams, and know that God can do everything! Thank you for trusting me @ishowspeed. Kenya to the world God did, he wrote, marking the moment as a milestone for both his career and Kenyas creative scene. Darren Jason Watkins Jr. - better known as iShowSpeed - has embarked on a month-long Speed Does Africa tour, covering nearly 20 countries to spotlight the continents culture, landscapes and talent. His arrival in Nairobi on Sunday sparked excitement across the city. The streamer kicked off his day at Upper Hill School, where he bonded with students and joined the Kenya Rugby team in activities. Later, he headed to Kenyatta Market, drawing crowds of traders and shoppers. In a viral gesture, Speed paid Ksh 20,000 for a Shirt priced at Ksh 3,000, winning praise for his generosity. His Kenyan adventure didnt stop there. Speed explored Nairobi National Park, got up close with wildlife, and indulged in local delicacies like ugali and nyama choma. He also immersed himself in Nairobis vibrant matatu culture, soaking in the citys energy and hospitality. The visit proved transformative online too - his livestream from Kenya triggered a massive spike in subscribers, pushing his YouTube channel past 48 million. Speed credited the surge to the warmth of Kenyan fans. Even President William Ruto joined in, welcoming Speed with a video message and inviting him to discover more of Kenyas rich culture and natural beauty. JOSEPH CUTZ and ISHOWSPEED pic.twitter.com/27BIUpoeui DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) January 12, 2026 Monday, January 12, 2026 - A Kenyan father has sparked online buzz after gifting his son a brand new Toyota C-HR following his outstanding performance in the recently released Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results. According to reports, the young man scored an A plain, a remarkable achievement that made his parents immensely proud. Photos shared online show the parents joyfully handing over the car keys to their son, a moment that has drawn admiration from many Kenyans. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, January 12, 2026 - Social media users were left amused after a Kenyan woman took to TikTok to display her torn panties, claiming that rats had eaten almost all of them. In the viral video, the woman laments her unusual predicament, drawing laughter and disbelief from viewers. Many online commentators called her out, urging her to act her age, noting that her children will likely be embarrassed if they saw the clip. One social media user remarked: Imagine waking up, logging into TikTok, and the first video you see is hii ya mamako The video has prompted discussions about attention-seeking content on social media and the boundaries of personal sharing online. Watch the video>>> Imagine waking up, logging into Tiktok and the first video that appears ni hii ya mamako... pic.twitter.com/ZMjEe7H8e4 KIJANA WA ATWORI (@AtworiYa) January 12, 2026 The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, January 12, 2026 - Parents at Utuneni Secondary School caused a stir after arriving at the institution to demand explanations over poor academic performance, with some calling for the schools closure. According to reports, out of 28 candidates who sat for the examinations, 21 students scored a grade E, sparking outrage among parents and guardians. Witnesses say angry parents confronted the school administration, accusing it of failing their children academically and demanding accountability from teachers and management. The incident attracted the attention of local authorities, who intervened to calm the situation as discussions were initiated to address the parents concerns. Watch the video. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, January 11, 2026 - Police have arrested Siyad Barre Ahmed, a politician who had been on the run for nearly two years after doing the unthinkable to a 14-year-old girl in Ijara Sub-County. According to police, Ahmed fled to Uganda after learning that authorities were pursuing him in connection with the incident. Ijara County Police Commander, Nicodemus Kotut, confirmed the arrest, stating that officers acted on a tip-off after establishing that the suspect had quietly returned to the country. A multi-agency security team tracked him down and arrested him at Kanyoyo Trading Centre in Mwingi. Ahmed previously contested the Masalani Ward MCA seat during the 2022 General Elections but was unsuccessful. Police reports indicate that the victim later gave birth to a baby boy through a caesarean section, further intensifying public outrage over the case. Sunday, January 11, 2026 - Drama has erupted on social media after the wife of a popular Kikuyu comedian accused him of violently assaulting her following a heated domestic dispute. Sally Wa Ndengenye, who is married to well-known comedian, MC Muthee Wa Ndengenye, took to Facebook claiming that her life was in danger after being beaten by her husband. In a series of posts, Sally shared photos showing visible injuries, accusing the comedian of subjecting her to physical abuse. Her allegations quickly sparked outrage online, with many fans condemning the domestic violence. However, the comedian has since broken his silence, offering his side of the story. Muthee Wa Ndengenye claimed that the incident stemmed from a violent altercation during which his wife vandalised his vehicle. He shared photos of the damaged car, insisting that he was being unfairly portrayed as the aggressor while his wife was playing victim. Check out his posts. The Kenyan DAILY POST Monday, January 12, 2026 - Social media is buzzing after proud Kenyan parents surprised their son with a brand-new Toyota C-HR worth over Ksh 2.2 million to celebrate his stellar KCSE performance. In the viral video, the jubilant parents are seen handing over the sleek car keys to their equally ecstatic son, showering him with praise for scoring an A (plain). The lavish gift has sparked admiration and debate online, with many hailing the gesture as a powerful reward for academic excellence. Education CS, Julius Ogamba, recently announced 1,932 students attained grade A this year, marking a notable rise from 2024s 1,693. The Kenyan DAILY POST MASERU, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Lesotho and China have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the bilateral strategic partnership to a higher level and making it a model of friendly exchanges and common development between countries with different national conditions and systems, according to a joint press communique released on Sunday. The communique was issued following talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Lesotho's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations Lejone Mpotjoana in Maseru, Lesotho's capital. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited the southern African country on Saturday and Sunday, during which he met with his counterpart, Mpotjoana. The ministers spoke highly of the achievements in the development of bilateral relations, the communique said, adding that the two sides agreed to firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns. Lesotho supports the four major initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and commends them for injecting stability and certainty into a turbulent world, said the communique. Lesotho reaffirms its firm commitment to the one-China principle and recognition that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. China applauds the new progress that Lesotho continues to make in its national reform process and supports Lesotho in upholding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests, according to the communique. The two sides stressed that promoting human rights is a common cause for all humanity, and exchanges and cooperation on human rights should be carried out based on mutual respect and equality. Both sides oppose politicizing, weaponizing, and applying double standards to human rights issues and oppose the interference in the internal affairs of the two countries under the pretext of human rights. The ministers highlighted the important outcomes achieved in 10 partnership actions that China and Africa have jointly taken to advance modernization. They shared the belief that changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and Global South countries are playing an increasingly important role in international affairs. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to close collaboration to jointly oppose unilateral sanctions, protectionism and economic hegemonism, promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, establish a more just and equitable global governance system, and build an open, inclusive, clean, and beautiful world of lasting peace, universal security, and shared prosperity, the communique said. Sean Ryan A man who died following a serious road traffic collision in Co Kerry has been named locally as Mhlanguli Brian Moyo, 45, from Zimbabwe. The two-vehicle crash occurred on the N22 near Dromadeesirt at approximately 6.40pm on Saturday evening. Mhlanguli Brian Moyo was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other car, a man in his 30s, was treated at the scene before being taken to University Hospital Kerry for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. No other injuries were reported. Paying tribute in a statement released through Amai Malawi Ireland, his family said: "It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our brother-in-law, Mr Mhlanguli Brian Moyo, husband to our sister Fishani Kumwenda, originally from Zimbabwe. "The Association of Malawians will work closely with the Zimbabwean community in coordinating matters related to this loss. Further details will be communicated in due course. May his soul rest in eternal peace. His wife Fishani posted on social media: "A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again. Gardai are appealing for witnesses. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the N22 near Dromadeesirt between 6:20pm and 6:50pm on Saturday January 10th are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. Anyone with information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 6671160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. Have you spotted the new commission at the Market Yard bus stop in Kilkenny? We Are With You To The End is a public intervention presented across the river from the former Carnegie Public Library at Johns Quay, which opened in 1910. The words are taken from Andrew Carnegie a steel magnate and once the richest man in the world who donated grants to build 66 libraries throughout Ireland. This statement of solidarity is addressed not to Carnegies steel workers but to his business manager Henry Frick, encouraging Frick to take the necessary actions to break the union at the Homestead Steel Works Strike in 1892. Displayed here at the bus stop, the words become ambiguous, possibly being reinterpreted as a message of hope and collectivity. READ MORE - WHAT'S ON IN KILKENNY This work follows on from a residency at the Tea Houses during October 2025 and builds on a body of work by Leah Corbett on public libraries. Leah Corbett is an artist, curator, collaborator and facilitator based in Carlow. Her practice explores the collective (re-)production of public space through site-specific projects, workshops and exhibition making. She works with artists, community groups and young people to realise projects which invite and support ways of being together. She is the Co-founder of artist-run organisation Muine Bheag Arts in Carlow and a former Co-director of Catalyst Arts in Belfast. The project is kindly supported by Kilkenny Arts Office, Kilkenny County Council and Arts Council, Ireland. Kilkenny Sinn Fein TD Natasha Newsome Drennan was speaking following the national rally against the Mercosur Trade Deal in Athlone on Saturday and in advance of the Sinn Fein Dail motion that calls on government to support a legal challenge to the deal by members of the EU parliament, to mandate all Irish MEPs to vote against the deal, and for the government to engage directly with MEPs across the EU to urge them to reject the deal in the European Parliament. "On Saturday in Athlone we saw a glimpse of the strength of rural Ireland. Where thousands upon thousands travelled from the four corners of the Island to say no to Mercosur. The decision of the EU Council to approve the Mercosur trade agreement show how little they care for Irish Agriculture, the environment and public health," Deputy Newsome Drennan. "Last week we saw the Irish Food Authority issue a recall for Brazilian beef on sale in Ireland due to the present of banned drugs that have links to cancer. But this recall was pointless as the production in question were on sale last October and had already been well consumed. Read next: Major upgrade works to cause traffic disruption on Waterford Road in Kilkenny "The Irish Food Authority testing cannot effectively test the Brazilian beef currently on sale in here, if Mercosur is pass, we will be completely overwhelmed. "This EU Councils decision undermines food safety standards in the EU and puts EU consumers' health at risk. While the Irish government voted against the deal, they had to be dragged kicking and screaming to this position by the combined opposition, the farm organisations and some of their own backbench TDs. But the public will see right through Fianna Fail and Fine Gaels manoeuvring. It was at the 11th hour that they cynically announced, in an act of political cowardice, that they would vote against Mercosur - only when they were safe in the knowledge that the vote would pass because of Italys decision to support it. We in Sinn Fein had been calling on this government for months to state their position on Mercosur and for years we have been calling on successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments to take a leadership role in opposition to the deal. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail repeatedly failed to stand up and be counted, and steadfastly refused to engage seriously with like-minded EU member states in forming a blocking minority. While the EU Council vote is disappointing and should be condemned, the campaign to put an end to this disastrous deal is not over. There is still a legal challenge to the deal by members of the EU parliament, including Sinn Feins MEPS, and there will be a vote in the EU parliament on the deal. The motion would also mandate all their party MEPs to vote against the deal, and for the government to engage directly with MEPs across the EU to urge them to reject the deal in the EU parliament. Commuters travelling from Kilkenny to Dublin and further afield have voiced growing frustration at what they describe as ridiculous and increasingly unmanageable delays on some of the States busiest routes. Workers who rely on the M9, M7, N7 and M50 say their daily journeys have become a constant source of stress, with collisions, breakdowns and poor driving standards that are turning already long commutes into exhausting ordeals. READ NEXT: High Court weighs in on skydiving club dispute with IAA at airfield in Kilkenny One Kilkenny-based commuter, who drives to Dunshaughlin in County Meath up to six days a week, said leaving home before dawn has become a necessity rather than a choice. If I dont leave the house at 4.45 or 5am on a Monday morning, I wont make work on time, they said. There are constant collisions and breakdowns, and the standard of driving is shocking. People dont know how to use the lanes properly. READ NEXT: Kilkenny gardai have the last laugh after chase of dangerous driver abandoned They added that dangerous last-minute lane changes are now a daily occurrence, particularly around exits. Youll see people swapping from lane to lane and then, when its their exit, theyll swerve from the far lane straight across to the nearside at the last minute. Ive had quite a few close calls because of this. What should be a journey of around an hour and a half can regularly stretch to two or even three hours, particularly in the evenings. The M50, especially turning off towards the N7, was highlighted as a major pinch point. You could easily face three or four crashes on one journey to or from work, the commuter said. It makes going to work challenging and really difficult to keep your mindset right. Another issue adding to the frustration is the cost. Some commuters report paying tolls up to three or four times a day, five days a week. READ NEXT: US billionaire with plans for Kilkenny distillery revealed as Waterford Airports mystery investor Another commuter, who can be called to work at short notice, said the unpredictability of traffic has become a serious source of anxiety. Im given one hour and 45 minutes to get there, and I have to take the M9, M7, N7 and M50, they explained. In recent times its been very anxiety-inducing. Its almost a lottery now, depending on the time Im called, as to whether Ill make it. They said traffic conditions have deteriorated significantly in recent years. READ NEXT: Plans for a brand new restaurant in the heart of Kilkenny It wasnt like this before. Traffic seems worse than ever, and then getting caught in it on the way home can really stress you out when you should be settling down. Its ridiculous. Speaking recently in Dail Eireann, Kildare TD Mark Wall said its not just workers that are affected, as he outlined harrowing stories of people missing medical appointments like chemotherapy because of delays. The commuter chaos needs to be addressed, he added. CLICK HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Former NewJeans member Danielle will host her first live broadcast on Monday at 7 p.m. KST to address fans following her removal from the group. The livestream will air on Danielle's personal YouTube channel and Instagram account, marking her first public communication since ADOR terminated her exclusive contract on Dec. 29, 2025. Her legal representatives at Law Firm Hwawoo LLC stated the broadcast will allow Danielle to express gratitude to domestic and international supporters, share personal updates, and exchange greetings with fans in real time. The agency emphasized that the session is intended purely for direct fan communication and is unrelated to ongoing legal proceedings, according to the Korea Herald. During her time with NewJeans, members only used the group's official Instagram account, but Danielle created independent channels after her departure. Her new Instagram account quickly gained over 240,000 followers as fans anticipated her first solo appearance. ADOR announced Danielle's removal last month, citing contract violations including entering into agreements that conflicted with her exclusive contract, engaging in unauthorized activities, and actions that harmed the company's reputation. The agency stated these issues were not corrected within the given timeframe, leading to contract termination, Star News Korea reported. ADOR also announced plans to pursue legal responsibility against one of Danielle's family members and former CEO Min Hee-jin, whom the agency blames for the dispute and delays in the group's return. The agency has filed lawsuits seeking approximately 43.1 billion won ($29.5 million) in penalties and damages against Danielle and two others. Danielle has appointed her own legal counsel and is preparing to contest the claims. The situation follows a prolonged dispute between NewJeans members and ADOR that began when former CEO Min Hee-jin was dismissed by parent company HYBE. Members initially demanded her reinstatement and later claimed their contracts were terminated due to alleged breach of contract. Courts ruled in ADOR's favor on both injunction and validity confirmation cases. While Haerin and Hyein returned to ADOR last month, followed by Hanni, Danielle's removal leaves NewJeans as a four-member group with Minji's status still under discussion. Fans have continued calling for Danielle's return, but agency statements suggest such a scenario is unlikely, as per the Korea Times. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. A ceremonial contract signing was held Monday with city officials and local company Hand Construction, led by Cayce Hand and his son Kyle Hand, for construction of the new SPD headquarters. Protesters hold a placard reading "Voice for the voiceless" and the flag of Iran from before the 1979 revolution during a demonstration outside the Iranian Consulate in Istanbul CELEBRATIONS took place in St Marys CBS, Portlaoise yesterday (Monday) morning as Joshua Corbett returned to school, having won the overall individual runner-up at the Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (YSTE) in the RDS over the weekend. The leaving certificate student impressed judges with his project Theres Plenty of Room to Breakthrough at the Bottom, which centred on intranasal drug delivery aimed at overcoming pre-clinical failures and advancing treatment options for brain cancer. Joshua was also named the overall category winner for chemistry, mathematics and physics. To mark his success, the school hosted a homecoming celebration. Senior cycle students gathered in the GPA to applaud Joshua upon his return to school. This was followed by a question-and-answer session with Joshua, his teacher Ms Emily Barrett and principal Ms Maura Murphy, which offered students insight into his work. Joshua described the experience as life-changing and almost surreal. He explained that to see the project to fruition, he taught himself material beyond the school curriculum, often without a textbook. He, instead, learned independently and contacted experts for guidance. Balancing the project with school life was challenging, Joshua noted, but working to deadlines with a genuine passion helped keep him focused. He advised prospective students not to enter the competition with the sole aim of winning, but instead to choose a topic that teaches them a new skill and leaves them with something meaningful, regardless of the result. This is the second time Joshua has been recognised at the competition, having previously placed second in the senior technology individual category. His earlier work focused on the development of a novel nano-QSAR model to predict drug delivery of nanoparticles to the brain, with the long-term aim of assisting research into treatments for glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer affecting the brain and spinal cord. Joshuas immediate focus is the leaving certificate, but he hopes to continue developing his research at UCD, with the ambition of getting his work published. Joshua returns to heros welcome after claiming runner-up spot in Young Scientist Exhibition Continued from page 1 Ms Niamh Hyland, PRO of St Mary's CBS, said that the entire school community is immensely proud of Joshuas achievements, noting that they stand as a powerful example of what can be achieved through curiosity, perseverance and hard work. She continued: We congratulate Joshua on this exceptional success and wish him every continued success in the future. YSTE 2026 saw 1,000 students from 221 schools present their projects. This years exhibition took place from 7-10 January and was sponsored for the first time by financial services company Stripe, who took over from long-time sponsors BT. Head of Stripe YSTE Niamh ODonnellan told the Irish Times that the experience of running the event had been fantastic. She said: Were absolutely blown away by the talent. Theyre using cutting-edge science technology, but a lot of their own ingenuity and thought and a huge amount of hard work has gone into these projects. Stripe was co-founded by brothers Patrick and John Collison, both of whom have a history with YSTE; Patrick is a former Young Scientist winner and John won a category award at the competition. In 2022, John Collison paid 11.5m for a house on the historic 1,120-acre Abbeyleix estate. By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association The Tanaiste is to meet with California governor Gavin Newsom as part of a visit to the US state. Simon Harris flew to California on Sunday for a visit his department is billing as strengthening Irelands economic partnership with the United States. Mr Harris will meet with IDA and Enterprise Ireland client companies in the sectors of tech, healthcare, and pharma. Tanaiste Simon Harris is visiting California (Brian Lawless/PA) His itinerary also includes meetings with Mr Newsom and the mayor of San Francisco Daniel Lurie. Mr Newsom is considered to be a 2028 presidential hopeful for the Democrats. Speaking before the visit, the Finance Minister said: Irelands long-standing economic relationship with California is a cornerstone of our wider partnership with the United States. The economic partnership between our two countries supports prosperity and employment on both sides of the Atlantic, and this visit provides an opportunity to further deepen that relationship. The scale of two-way trade and investment between Ireland and the US underscores the strength of our economic ties. An Easton man allegedly assaulted a woman in a domestic incident, threatened investigators and then surrendered after a five-hour standoff with police. City Police Lt. Matthew Gerould said officers responded around 4:30 p.m. Sunday to the home in the 300 block of West St. Josephs Street. Investigators were attempting to arrest 34-year-old Sean West, who was at the home, as the result of an assault that happened earlier that day, Gerould said. West attacked a woman he was in a relationship with who lives at the home, Gerould said. West, however, resides at another city address, he said. West allegedly ran inside his girlfriends home and refused to come out. He proceeded to threaten officers, indicating he was armed with a handgun, Gerould said. West allegedly barricaded doors and windows, preventing investigators from entering the home. Negotiators with the Easton Police Departments Special Response Unit and Crisis Negotiations Team spent five hours trying to get West to vacate the residence, Gerould said. Eventually, the Special Response Unit was able to enter the home and found West hiding in a second-floor closet, Gerould said. He was then taken into custody. There were no reported injuries in the standoff. For the initial domestic incident, West is being charged with misdemeanor simple assault and misdemeanor harassment. In the standoff, he is facing felony burglary, misdemeanor resisting arrest, misdemeanor making terroristic threats and misdemeanor unlawful restraint charges. West is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges later Monday. Easton Police were assisted on scene by Easton Emergency Medical Services and Eastern Pennsylvania Tactical Emergency Medical Services. Phillipsburg Town Council will read two ordinances at its first regular meeting of the new year to repeal two actions taken by previous council cohorts. Ordinance 2026-03 would repeal the entirety of a resolution passed in August 2025 creating a Citizens Advisory Board. Ordinance 2026-04 would repeal the entirety of an ordinance establishing the Towns rent-control bylaws, approved in 2024. Town officials spent a year discussing the rent-control bylaws. They commissioned a $10,000 study from a Philadelphia-based firm before approving the measure by a narrow majority. The Rent Control bylaws were better than nothing, tenants and landlords said. The bylaw also establishes a rental advisory group composed of tenants, landlords and legislators. The ordinance approved in August 2025 replaced a previously established Citizens Advisory Committee that was governed under Section 360-10 of Chapter 360 in Land Use Procedures, which the former council repealed. Ordinance 2026-03 does not propose any form of participatory format. The advisory council was designed to encourage civic participation. The revamped advisory board was proposed to teach civic education to participants to prepare residents to provide feedback on legislation and priorities, said then-Town Councilman Dustin Pierce. Councilman Keith Kennedy previously expressed concerns that the advisory committee had the potential to become a sore point for political partyism and closed-door cronyism. Phillipsburg Town Council is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13 inside the EnVision Center at 535 Fisher Ave. There is relief in a Laois town this Monday for parents with the reopening of the town's largest childcare facility. Sonas Community Childcare Centre in Mountmellick cares for 170 children daily from infant to afterschool, serving 136 families at its large centre in the MDA centre in Irishtown. The Laois centre had to close unexpectedly last Thursday, along with many more across Ireland "until further notice". The problem was a paperwork issue in Tusla, the child welfare agency, which ordered Sonas and many others across Ireland to close as they were temporarily not registered. Board member Patrick O'Toole confirmed the resolution to the paperwork issue to the Leinster Express / Laois Live in a statement issued on Sunday. "We are pleased to announce that the issue with the registration of Sonas Childcare has been resolved. The facility will re-open for normal hours and full service tomorrow morning, Monday January 12. "The board of management gratefully acknowledges the support of Tusla and Laois Childcare team in achieving this resolution. "The Board thanks all parents and guardians of the children in our care for their patience and forbearance during this regretted disruption to our services, we look forward to welcoming them back in the morning. "The board remains indebted to our management team and staff for their dedication and loyalty to Sonas," Sonas board said. Sonas had said they were "doing everything humanly possible" to fix the issue quickly, in a full statement to the Leinster Express on Friday. Laois TD Sean Fleming had asked an advisor to Minister for Children Norma Foley about the issue on Saturday, who gave this response. "I spoke to one of our senior officials there and efforts are underway in Tusla to expedite the registration for Sonas Mountmellick Community Childcare Ltd, which currently supports 136 families and 170 children. The hope is that the application will be approved so that the service is registered in time for Monday morning. This is not yet guaranteed but intensive work is ongoing." Read next: Keys to over 300 new social homes to be handed to Laois tenants in 2026 Tusla and the Department of Children were asked to give statements with none received ahead of the reopening of Sonas. Students in two Laois schools will get free weather stations as part of an ESB initiative. The ESBN Weather Watch Schools programme aims to teach secondary geography students about the impact of real-time weather on energy generation and consumption. Scoil Chriost Ri and Portlaoise College are taking part in the programme. Each school receives a free in-class weather station to enable students to track real-time weather conditions and learn how these affect electricity generation and consumption, as well access to educational materials on the subject. According to the ESB, evaluation from the programme last year found the programme led to meaningful energy conversations at home. It found 73% of students showed improved awareness of energy use and understanding of the link between weather and renewable generation rose by 50%. The programme found more than 75% could correctly identify peak demand times, up from 33% pre-Weather Watch and 48% reported discussing electricity use at home within the previous month. This years programme introduces new modules focusing on Irelands wind farms. Using OS(Ordnance Survey) maps and aerial imagery, students explore how physical geography influences site selection and evaluate the social and environmental benefits of wind energy. Customer and Strategy Manager at ESB Networks, Lindsay Sharpe, said she was pleased the ESB Networks Weather Watch programme was expanding this year and to see the genuine enthusiasm from students and teachers in classrooms across the country. Research from participating students and teachers show that students are not only increasing their understanding of the link between energy use and renewable generation, but they are actively engaging on it and starting powerful conversations about energy use in their wider everyday life with family and peers. This awareness shows how ESB Networks Weather Watch has developed from a classroom initiative into an important part of ESB Networks Networks for Net Zero strategy. We look forward to supporting this continued growth in everyday understanding of energy use and choices, so we can continue to shape a more sustainable future for all, said Ms Sharpe. The initiative aims to encourage energy awareness conversations beyond the classroom, supporting ESB Networks Is This a Good Time? campaign to promote smarter electricity use. By linking theory to practice, students gain a clear understanding of how Irelands climate connects to its renewable future and can bring this back into their homes. Weather Watch also now plays a role in driving the cultural shift needed to achieve Irelands Networks for Net Zero ambitions. By making energy literacy part of everyday learning, the programme empowers students to bring sustainability thinking beyond the classroom, influencing attitudes and behaviours across Irish homes, said Ms Sharpe. There was great success for Laois students at this year's Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in the RDS, with one sixth year student presented with the Individual Runner Up Award for his innovative project. Four schools in Laois took part in this year's competition which saw over 500 finalists showcase their projects across different categories at the RDS from Wednesday, 7 January to Saturday, 10 January. Students from Heywood CS in Ballinakill, Mountrath CS, Dunamase College / Colaiste Dhun Mhasc and St Mary's CBS Portlaoise qualified as finalists with their exciting projects. Sixth year student from St Mary's CBS Joshua Corbett had major success at this year's competition with his fascinating project entitled, 'There's plenty of room to break through at the bottom.' Pictured is student Joshua Corbett from St. Mary's CBS with his project, 'There's Plenty of Room To Break Through at the Bottom', at the 2026 Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. Joshua's individual senior project was submitted to the Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences category. The study identifies tiny nanocarriers for drug delivery administered through the nose to treat brain cancer. READ NEXT: PICTURES: Dinner and dancing at Portlaoise Senior Citizens Party The project found that nanocarrier therapies fail in preclinical testing. Joshua developed an AI driven pipeline that can identify failure causes and optimise formulations to enhance brain drug delivery. Co-founder of Stripe Patrick Collison and Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD presenting the Individual Runner Up Award to Joshua Corbett from St. Mary's CBS in Portlaoise at The Stripe Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2026 Awards. The St Mary's CBS student was presented with the The Smurfit Westrock Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Award as well as the Individual Runner Up Award. Co-founder of Stripe Patrick Collison and Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD presented the runner up award to Joshua. Representing Heywood CS, second year students Aoibhinn Malone and Siona Lalor were victorious with their insightful project which explored taste familiarity and visual recognition accuracy of fruits and vegetables in children aged 8-12 years old. Aoibhinn and Siona were presented with the 1st Junior Group Award in the Social and Behavioural Sciences Category. Two other studies from Heywood CS had also qualified for this year's competition. Zuzana Janockova and Luke Connolly, third year students at the school, showcased their study in the Health and Wellbeing category's intermediate group on the importance of the EU regulation on makeup products. Pictured are students Ashling Gonzalez and Elle Donovan from Heywood Community School with their project, 'How early is too early? The link between the age joining social media, screen time and beauty influencer exposure'. Transition Year students Ashling Gonzalez and Elle Donovan also represented Heywood CS with their project which examined the link between the age of joining social media, screen time and beauty influencer exposure. Ashling and Elle investigated whether when young girls get their first social media account, if algorithms increase their exposure to toxic influencers. Mountrath CS student Andrea Carroll also qualified for the finals exploring the impacts of social media with her project, 'Are potentially harmful parenting practices normalised in kid-influencing industries? A content-and audience-perception study.' Pictured is student Andrea Carroll from Mountrath Community School with her project, 'Are potentially harmful parenting practices normalised in kid-influencing industries? A content-and audience-perception study'. Two projects from Dunamase College were also showcased at the exhibition. Three Transition Year students, Melissa Barcoe, Leo Bennett and Cian Bonnie, presented their 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. Pictured is student Angela Babikanga from Dunamase College (Colaiste Dhun Masc) with her project, 'One more haul: A study on overconsumption from the mind of a young consumer.' Finally, fifth-year student Angela Babikanga qualified as a finalist with her project which examined the mentality behind overconsumption among young people. Kildare Wildlife Rescue (KWR) will join forces with Zumba Naas in order to facilitate the Fifth Annual 'Zumbathon for Wildlife'. According to KWR, the event, which will take place at Monread Community Centre in Naas, will feature "two hours of dancing, music and nonstop laughing" in aid of Kildare Wildlife Rescue. "Tickets are 15 online, and 20 at the door with 100 per cent of funds raised going directly to helping native Irish wildlife in need," Kildare Wildlife Rescue added. Furthermore, Kildare Wildlife Rescue said: "Dance not your thing? Come drop in and browse some Kildare Wildlife Rescue merch and check out the Pop-Up Swap Shop of gently used clothing." Lastly, Kildare Wildlife Rescue emphasised that it wished to thank Zumba Naas "for organising this event and volunteering their time to help wildlife". The 'Zumbathon for Wildlife' will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026. It will begin at 1pm and conclude at 3pm. Kildare Wildlife Rescue also made headlines earlier this month when it announced that it had admitted 5,000 cases to its centre back in 2025. READ NEXT: Kildare among top counties for electric car registrations last year amid record numbers A handwriting workshop designed for parents, teachers and healthcare professionals is due to take place in a County Kildare hotel. The 'Handwriting Without Tears' workshop offers strategies to make handwriting easier, more natural, and enjoyable for children of all ages and abilities. It is being hosted by the children's charity Sensational Kids. Led by internationally recognised expert in paediatric occupational therapy, Tania Ferrandino, OTR/L is the senior programme manager at 'Learning Without Tears', a workshop which combines demonstration, theory and interactive activities. Karen Leigh, the founder and CEO of Sensational Kids, said that the organisation is "delighted" to host the workshop back to Ireland this year. READ NEXT: Over 1,000 cats and dogs cared for by Kildare West Wicklow Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals last year She elaborated: "Participants will learn multisensory strategies proven to enhance handwriting instruction. "In addition, they will gain confidence in teaching and remediating handwriting for diverse learners, and they will be able to access digital tools and hands-on resources to support classroom and home learning." Ms Leigh also asserted that the event will be "a fantastic opportunity to learn practical strategies that make a real difference in childrens lives". Anyone seeking further information about the workship, as well as those who wish to register for it, can visit Handwriting Without Tears Workshop, Kildare, Ireland | Sensational Kids or email store@sensationalkids.ie. It should be noted that places for this workshop are limited. 'Handwriting Without Tears' will take place on March 6, 2026 inside the Killashee Hotel in Naas. The workshop will commence at 9am and conclude at conclude at 5pm (Registration begins at 8.30am). READ NEXT: Kildare man admits stealing beer in Laois A planning application will be made early this year for a depot at Kilcock rail station. This follows the rejection by An Coimisiun Pleanala of a previous application for the depot by Irish Rail between Maynooth and Kilcock. READ NEXT From TV talent show runner-up to Golden Globes winner: Who is Jessie Buckley? According to Cllr Bill Clear the depot was to act as a siding to remove trains from the main line for maintenance. However it was refused on the basis that the proposed location was situated within a flood plain. He said Irish Rail was requested to investigate and identify a more suitable alternative site, which is located to the west of Kilcock. He added IR intends to submit a planning application for this alternative depot site in early 2026. He said: As the proposed depot would be located beyond Kilcock, the rail line will need to be electrified as far as the depot to allow DART services to operate and be maintained there and IR will therefore apply for Kilcock to be formally included in the DART+ West project. He said once construction on this starts Kilcock will be included as part of the electrified network. Cllr Clear also said the existing single-track line to Kilcock does not require expansion to two or four tracks and electrification alone is sufficient. He added: Once electrified, the line can support a service frequency of up to one train every 15 minutes. Hundreds of people who gathered to remember murdered school teacher Ashling Murphy heard how a fund set up in her memory has spent more than 150,000 euro supporting causes close to her heart. The 23-year-old was killed in January 2022 while running along a canal path in Tullamore, Co Offaly. On Monday, a large crowd gathered there to mark the fourth anniversary of her death. Members of her family, and Ms Murphys boyfriend Ryan Casey, lead a walk along the Grand Canal retracing her final moments. It ended at a shrine which is maintained by locals and marks the spot where she was stabbed to death. There prayers were said and a selection of traditional tunes were played to honour the keen musician. James Hogan, chairperson of the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund, said: Ashling was involved in sport, music, an teanga gaeilge, school and was just a real community person. Were delighted to be able to keep that going. Young people are going to flourish from her memory. He told the crowd: she is deeply, deeply missed every day. Its wrong and its not fair, but we have to move forward together. He added: Ashling may not be with us in person, but shes with us in spirit. And weve all our own little ways of remembering her, be it a robin or a rainbow or whatever natural item which appears. Laura Murray said Ms Murphys absence is felt every single day, adding her loss is immeasurable. She said the memorial fund committee, made up of people close to Ashling, were beyond grateful to everyone who has been involved in commemorative walks across Ireland and who will attend an event due to take place in New York next weekend. The fund was established in November 2022 for the purpose of fulfilling Ashlings legacy and supports organisations in areas that were of interest to Ms Murphy, including Irish culture, heritage, arts, sport and science. Among other projects, the organisation is proud of the Gaeltact scholarships it has recently launched. The body says the eight scholarships are heavily funded and will help Transition Year and Fifth Year students take up a place at Colaiste Camus in Galway, which Ms Murphy attended. In November 2023, 34-year-old Jozef Puska was sentenced to life in prison for Ms Murphys murder. Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will be contacted by Leitrim County Council regarding the potential widening of the bridge in Carrick-on-Shannon, as heavy goods vehicles are struggling to pass each other. Cllr Cormac Flynn raised the issue at Januarys meeting of Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District, requesting that the Council ask TII to remove the footpaths and replace them with a narrow bridge parapet to protect the bridge from vehicular strikes. He noted that this would help widen the bridge for heavy goods vehicles, reduce unnecessary delays, and that pedestrians should use the cantilever bridge to cross the Shannon. Cllr Flynn told the meeting he had seen two vehicles recently struggling to pass each other on the bridge, Its the width of the footpath that stopped them from passing each other. With the Cumann na mBan bridge, those footpaths are redundant and take up space, he said. READ NEXT: Timeline confirmed for long-awaited accessibility works at Leitrim train station With the cantilever bridge working so well, I thought it would be an opportunity to remove the footpaths, thus widening the bridge and making it easier for vehicles to cross, he added. District engineer Emma Donohoe said that similar motions have been proposed in the past but did not progress, as TII stated it did not have remit and noted that the footpath also acts as a buffer zone to protect the bridge parapet. A response from the Roads Department explained that the current footpath on the upstream side is closed to pedestrians. Both existing footpaths at the bridge are now known as rubbing strips or buffers to protect the existing bridge parapets. These concrete buffers cannot be removed or adjusted as they contain telecom, water, and other utilities, the response stated. Cllr Flynn suggested asking whether the road could be raised to the level of the footpath, which would widen the road while enabling barriers to be positioned against the parapets. READ NEXT: Former Irish president encourages Leitrim students to be the peacemakers of tomorrow during visit Ms Donohoe confirmed that the matter will be raised with TII, but noted it was not considered last time. Former President Mary McAleese and her husband, Martin McAleese, visited Scoil Mhuire in Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday, where she urged students to become the peacemakers of tomorrow during a school assembly. During the trip, Ms McAleese and her husband, who live close by in Roscommon, met with students and addressed an assembly, before attending a concert from the school choir in St Catherines hall. It was her first time in the school, which started when the local boys' and girls' primary school in the town joined in 2013, and is spread across two buildings less than 500 metres away from one another. It was wonderful to see it amalgamated because I have a very strong passion for schools that grow kids in what I call a completely happy unisex environment, she told the Observer. PHOTO GALLERY 20,000 farmers rally in Athlone against EU-Mercosur deal Girls and boys working happily together I have never liked the split system. It was historic, it was the way in the past, but it's not the way of the future. Speaking about the benefits of a mixed school experience for young people, Ms McAleese highlighted its importance for young boys in the world of social media. Particularly when we know so much now about toxic masculinity and when it's now a thing that is being pushed with an agenda by toxic masculine people. I think it's unhealthy for young boys to grow up in places where that can fester. On arriving at the school, Ms McAleese was greeted by students holding flags from the 38 countries that are represented in the school. You know, when I grew up, everybody in the school was Catholic. Nine of the kids in my class were called Mary. So, you look at the names now in the classroom, and they write a different story about Ireland. We're a people who are literate, who love poetry, who love stories, who have a phenomenal heritage and to think that we're now going to draw from wells of experience that come from all around the world, that are going to flood the Irish well with really different kinds of poetry, different kinds of music. The explosion of talent in this country is going to be phenomenal, she said. 'Public will see through governments cynical manoeuvre on Mercosur deal' - Martin Kenny TD 38 different countries of hugely different experiences. Some of them [are] here because those countries are experiencing terrible times. We, in our turn, we know a thing or two about having to uproot from your home through terrible times. I'm not just talking about the famine, and I'm not just talking about the years of poverty. I mean, Martin and I both uprooted from our homes in Belfast because of terrible, violent conflict. So we know what it's like. Ms McAleese, who grew up in Belfast, was the president of Ireland during the Good Friday Agreement and for a large part of the peace process, and has been a leading voice for peace throughout her career. What you want is to be in a place where you're welcomed and loved and nurtured and safe and feel safe and Carrick is that. Carrick has really embraced that. Scoil Mhuire has led a sustained campaign for a new school building since the schools amalgamation over a decade ago. A technical examination was carried out on the current campus by the Department of Education in 2021, which found a number of health and safety issues, including background ventilation, roof leaks, mould growth, and a possibly rotting suspended timber floor. Since the report, a number of repairs have been carried out in the school, but campaigners feel that the building is still not suitable for their needs and want the government to fund a new building. The report also concluded that a new building was needed to accommodate the 475 pupils who were enrolled at the time of the report in 2021, a number which was predicted to rise by over 20% over the next five years. The pupil growth was accelerated by the influx of students who have come as refugees from countries like Ukraine in the last two years. The campaign saw national attention last year, with the issue being raised in the Seanad by Nessa Cosgrove and campaigners meeting with members of the Department of Education. ON a winter morning in January, the echoing corridors of Limerick City Hall will carry voices that are rarely amplified in such grand civic surroundings. They will be the voices of frontline workers, carers, community builders, Gardai, nurses, social workers, poets and witnesses people who spend their days navigating the complex terrain of social inclusion, often out of sight and out of mind. On Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Limerick Writers Centre, in partnership with the Mid-West Regional Drugs & Alcohol Forum, will launch Frontline Voices, a new anthology of uncut prose and poetic reflections that brings lived experience from the margins into the public square. Edited by writer Kieran Beville, the collection is a rare and uncompromising testament to the realities of frontline social care and community work in contemporary Ireland. READ MORE: Moylish House: From longhouse to learning hub in Limerick city The launch (by invitation) will take place at 11am in the Istabraq Hall at City Hall and will feature readings from contributors, a conversation on the realities of social inclusion work, and a reception offering space for dialogue between writers, practitioners and members of the wider community. But organisers are keen to stress that this is not simply a literary event. It is, rather, an act of collective listening. Beyond the Soundbite At a time when public debate around homelessness, addiction, mental health and migration is often reduced to statistics, slogans or polarised arguments, Frontline Voices insists on slowing the conversation down. The anthology does not offer policy prescriptions or neat conclusions. Instead, it offers presence. These are not stories shaped to make the reader comfortable, says Beville. They are honest accounts of what it means to work and live at the point where systems meet human vulnerability. The contributors write from hospital wards and psychiatric courtyards, from mens sheds and Garda patrols, from hostels, council estates and community centres. Their pieces range from memoir and personal essay to poetry that distils moments of care, frustration, grief and fragile hope. What unites them is a refusal to simplify experience into tidy narratives of rescue or redemption. Recovery, in these pages, is ongoing and uncertain. Survival leaves scars. Compassion can be both sustaining and exhausting. In foregrounding this complexity, the anthology pushes back against the idea that social inclusion can be understood through outcomes alone. Building Community, Plank by Plank One of the collections opening pieces comes from Sean Dalton, founder of the Dooradoyle/Raheen Mens Shed, whose contribution traces how isolation in later life can be transformed slowly and deliberately into connection. Daltons story begins not with a grand plan but with loneliness. From there, he charts how shared labour, conversation and simple rituals a cup of tea, a woodworking project, a yoga class created a space where men could reconnect with one another and with a sense of purpose. His writing reminds readers that community does not emerge by accident; it must be built, plank by plank, against the grain of modern isolation. That theme reverberates throughout the anthology. Again and again, contributors describe how meaningful connection arises not from programmes or targets, but from sustained human presence. The Long View of Social Care Veteran social worker Mick Lacey offers a perspective shaped by decades of engagement with communities experiencing deep structural disadvantage. His reflections move between moments of cultural celebration, such as the Wren Boy tradition, and the stark realities of incarceration, poverty and inequality. Laceys writing draws a clear line between childhood deprivation and adult vulnerability, challenging any attempt to treat social care as a peripheral concern. In his work, social inclusion emerges as a question of justice rather than charity a reminder that the choices made by society echo across generations. Nursing at the Edge From the frontline of healthcare, nurse Theresa Tierney Bulger contributes pieces that are both intimate and unflinching. Her writing captures the quiet heroism and hidden cost of caregiving, where empathy is both a strength and a burden. Walking Beside, Not Ahead Poet and support worker Olamide Olatokunbo brings a transnational perspective to the collection. A Nigerian-born practitioner working in Ireland, his poetry reflects daily engagement with people navigating homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges. His work resists the language of fixing or saving. Instead, it emphasises accompaniment walking alongside people through cycles of progress and setback. Healing, his poems suggest, is rarely linear, and inclusion is not an abstract value but a daily practice of showing up, again and again. Masculinity Under the Microscope In the essay Man Up!, Abdullateef Adeyemi Soyomi confronts toxic masculinity with striking candour. He traces the impact of childhood mockery, the pressure to self-censor difference, and the slow, difficult journey toward self-acceptance. Soyomis reflections illuminate how rigid ideas of masculinity can harm not only women and girls, but men themselves. His contribution broadens the scope of Frontline Voices, reminding readers that social inclusion also requires interrogating the cultural norms that shape identity and belonging. Poetry from the Margins Kelsey May Dalys poetry emerges from her work in the homelessness sector. Her spare, precise lines capture the quiet violence of boarded-up estates, closed playgrounds and the silences that linger through childhood instability. Dalys poems do not plead for attention; they demand it. By naming what is often ignored, her work intervenes in the texture of neglect that can surround housing insecurity, insisting that these experiences be seen and remembered. Other contributors deepen this tapestry. Veronica Keys draws connections between Irelands Magdalene Laundries and contemporary injustices, challenging the notion that such histories are safely confined to the past. Madge OCallaghan writes of stolen childhoods and the enduring impact of growing up without a secure home. Each voice adds urgency, insisting that silence is no longer an option. The Garda Perspective One of the most distinctive aspects of Frontline Voices is the inclusion of writing from members of An Garda Siochana. These contributions are presented as a discrete section within the anthology, honouring their particular vantage point while situating them within the broader ecosystem of care and justice. The Garda pieces reveal a profession marked not only by authority and enforcement, but by uncertainty, empathy and moral complexity. Readers encounter the watchfulness of midnight patrols, the unexpected humour of roadside interactions, the devastation of addiction-related loss, and fleeting moments of hope. Some pieces are written from the Garda perspective; others reflect on encounters from the opposite side of the uniform. Together, they humanise policing, challenging simplistic portrayals and opening space for dialogue about trust, responsibility and community safety. Bearing Witness Running through the anthology is a shared commitment to witness. To bear witness, as many contributors implicitly argue, is to refuse erasure to say, I saw this. I heard this. It mattered. In a society that often prefers to look away from discomfort, witness becomes a form of resistance. When a parent writes of burying a child too young, they assert that lifes value. When a poet reclaims dignity from the language of madness, they resist reduction. When a refugee holds both sides of their history, they insist on complexity over caricature. Reading these pieces, the audience becomes part of that act of witness. The responsibility does not end with the final page. Why It Matters Now The launch of Frontline Voices comes at a moment when Ireland is grappling with deep social challenges: a housing crisis, stretched health services, ongoing debates around addiction, migration and policing. In such a context, the anthology offers neither easy answers nor comforting illusions. What it offers instead is nuance. It creates space for contradiction, ambivalence and unfinished stories. It reminds readers that behind every headline and policy discussion are lives shaped by those decisions. For organisers, that is precisely the point. Empathy cant be outsourced, one contributor notes. It has to be cultivated, one story at a time. An Invitation to Listen The launch event on 15 January is framed as an invitation not just to read, but to listen. To sit with stories that may unsettle or challenge. To notice the echoes between different lives: how the loneliness of retirement resonates with the isolation of addiction; how the grief of a parent mirrors the weariness of a carer; how laughter in a mens shed shares kinship with poetry written in a bedsit. As Frontline Voices enters the world, its editor and contributors hope it will travel beyond the walls of City Hall into classrooms, book clubs, professional spaces and kitchen-table conversations. In doing so, it carries a quiet but defiant message, repeated in different forms across its pages: I am here. This happened. It matters. On a January morning in Limerick, those words will be spoken aloud. The challenge and the opportunity will be what we do after hearing them. TWO prominent menswear retailers have closed for the final time in Limerick. Camden Square and Tailor of Blue, both based at the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle, have confirmed in identical statements these stores have ceased trading. This took effect from Saturday, January 3 last. The statements were posted both online and in the shop window of the two outlets at the Dooradoyle centre. READ MORE: Limerick public urged to consider alternative care options before presenting to Emergency Department They said the stores - owned by the same parent company - had ceased trading and thanked customers for their loyalty, support, and custom over the years. Despite our best efforts, the continued rise in operational costs, tightening margins, and an increasingly competitive retail market have made it impossible for the business to continue, the firms added in a statement. Camden Square described itself as a menswear store for the discerning fashion-conscious male. It stated its primary target customers were men looking to step outside their comfort zone for a more daring look. Also with an outlet in Carlow, it offered a hands-on and tailored approach. Tailor of Blue, which also had an outlet in Carlow, stocked more informal clothing. It offered brands like 11 Degrees, SikSilk, Gym King, Sinners Attire, 304, Pre London and more. Up to the beginning of 2021, Tailor of Blue also had a presence in the city centre. It was located at Bedford Row. However, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced the closure of non-essential retail for a time, hit the company hard. As a consequence, it shuttered its store in the street. Both Tailor of Blue and Camden Square are owned by McGovern Fashion, which has an address in Miltown Malbay, Co Clare. The parent company has been operational since 2002 in Ireland. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 IT was time to dust off the Christmas Cobwebs as we joined Limerick Birdwatch's annual trip to Westfields. This important Urban Wetland is situated on the Northern bank of the River Shannon and is easily accessed off the Condell Road or through the nearby housing estate. Generations of families have had their first contact here with nature and this tradition is still strong today and I often meet grandparents here bringing along their grandchildren to connect with nature. The morning was dry but very frosty and soon a large group of hardy souls had gathered. We were warmly welcomed by Maura Tuner and Tom Tarpey from Limerick Birdwatch and these were also our expert guides. Spare binoculars were handed out, and Tom and Maura also had two telescopes that allowed for close up views of birds at the far side of the lake. READ MORE: The best finance books Ive read in 2025 As we strolled down to the lake frost was still clinging to the shaded corners. A song thrush was singing, and this bird repeats each phrase around three times. It has a warm brown back and a specked breast and is one of the few birds that starts to sing in deepest winter. The beautiful coconut scent of winter heliotrope was hanging in the crisp morning air and this is one of the few flowers to grace the winter landscape. The platform was a little slippy but we soon forget the cold and enjoyed the amazing birdlife. A thin sheet of ice covered the still water in front of the viewing platform. This was thick enough for a curious robin who briefly landed on the ice before retreating to the reeds. He came over to us hoping for a few seeds. The resident swans appeared drawn by the commotion and the chatting. The mute swans are very territorial and keep other swans at bay. They had six beautiful cygnets with them, and they were all in a line with the male breaking the ice for his family. A poor coot was in their way, and he got a few pecks to hurry him along. Tom explained that this idyllic family view will soon be shattered as the parents will chase away their family. With local territories in short supply, they will join the large group of non-breeding swans that live on the Shannon by the boating club. A channel has been kept open through the reeds, and this allows birds to access the area in front of the viewing platform and gives people close contact with wildlife. In the summer swallows feed above the reeds on insects and are replaced at night by foraging bats. The reeds also provide year-round shelter, roosting and spring nesting locations. After a few minutes we thankfully moved on and we were all glad to get the blood flowing. There are several species of duck found on the lake. The most common is the mallard, and the males with their bottle green heads are very distinctive. The females had several males in close attention and they are a dull brown colour and this helps them blend into the reeds when nesting. Coots are the battleships of the lake and these bulky and powerful ducks plough through the water driving away other males. They are all black except for white on their neck and chest. Moorhens are another resident species and when seen out of the water have long greenish legs. Their beaks are red, white and orange and they bob their heads and flick their white tails as they move through the water. People were busy taking turns looking through the telescope and like us trying to keep warm as the ducks were constantly moving and the scope was adjusted every few minutes. This revealed the subtle features of a pair of little grebes that were non-descript to the naked eye. There was only one lonely male pochard, but he had a stunning rustic coloured head. Teal and shoveler are also found on the lake but were absent during our visit. For me, the bird of the day was a pair of Gadwall. These are a duck I rarely come across, and these are not a common breeding species, and quite localised during the winter. The ducks did not have the lake all to themselves as there were lots of black headed gulls. Despite their name they have a chocolate brown head in the summer but this fades to a black spot during the winter. Our day finished with the arrival of a large grey heron who landed on one of the timber posts on the lake. They are early nesters and can have chicks hatched in February. A pair nest in the reeds in the spring and sometimes in a tall tree in the housing estate. Check out Limerick Birdwatch Facebook page for more interesting events coming up during the year. Comments/Questions to albert.nolan@rocketmail.com or 089 4230502. Albert is also available to do walks/talks with schools, tidy towns, youth and community groups. A YOUNG mother has been convicted for stealing baby food for her sick child. Megan Ring, 27, of Hyde Villas, Prospect, Limerick, stole items from Aldi on three different occasions over the past year. Prosecuting Sergeant Aisling ONeill detailed to Limerick District Court that Ms Ring stole 54 worth of baby food from Aldi on Roches Street in Limerick city on September 3, 2025. On August 24, 2025 Ms Ring stole from Aldi in Rebogue and made no effort to pay for the goods taken. READ MORE: BREAKING: Baby rescued by heroic grandparents from burning building in Limerick Sergeant ONeill further recounted that on March 9, 2025, Ms Ring stole items concealed in a bag hidden in a childs buggy from Aldi on Roches Street. The court heard that the items were unrecovered and that the total loss of the three thefts amounted to 94.90. Solicitor Sarah Ryan, representing Ms Ring, said that the woman has two children, one of which is nine years old and the other who is two and a half years old. Ms Ryan said that Ms Rings little lad has been very unwell and that the child has been unwell at an extreme level since he was born. The solicitor said in mitigation that the woman regularly attends appointments at the childrens hospital in Dublin and that there is considerable expense associated with these visits. Ms Ryan said that Ms Ring has experienced financial difficulty. The court also heard that Ms Ring has no previous convictions, however, she has previously experienced the benefit of the Probation Act. Judge Valerie Corcoran said theres little benefit in imposing a monetary penalty on Ms Ring. Upon deliberation, Judge Corcoran decided to apply the Probation Act to spare Ms Ring a fine or imprisonment, however, she did convict the woman of three counts of theft, and required her to pay a bond of 100, with six months to pay. The judge warned the woman that its your last chance, and that should she come before the courts again, the conviction is on her record. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED AS SOME READERS MAY FIND THIS CONTENT DISTRESSING A MOTHER has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of her daughter in a location in the Mid-West in 2022. The Central Criminal Court sitting in Limerick heard that the girl, aged 8 at the time of the alleged stabbing, had "cuts all over her body" and one cut at her neck was bleeding heavily, while a phone charger cable was in her hair. This afternoon (Monday, January 12, 2026), after a morning of selection, a jury was empanelled in the trial at Mulgrave Street courthouse. READ ALSO: 'Completely dehumanising' - Mum says she's 'locked out' of Limerick Ipas home A jury of seven men and five women were selected and the case will be presided over by Judge Kerida Naidoo. The accused and alleged victim in this case cannot be identified to protect the identity of the young girl. The court heard that the accused, a Russian national, who fled when Russia invaded Ukraine, came to Ireland with her husband and daughter. They were first in accommodation in Dublin, before moving to a location in the Mid-West. In opening statements from the prosecution for the State, barrister Lorcan Connolly SC described "life-threatening injuries" inflicted upon the child. He told the jury that it would be the prosecution's case that the accused intended to kill her daughter. The accused, when pleading not guilty, told the court "I was out of my mind." At around 7.40am on a date in 2022, at a location in the Mid-West, the alarm was raised by other people in the accommodation where the family were. Mr Connolly SC told the jury that they will, throughout this trial, see photographic evidence, hear important medical details and witness testimonies. He told the court that the child was found to have had "in excess of 70 knife wounds", was transferred by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and later to Crumlin children's hospital. He added that the accused "had no physical injuries" but was also transferred by ambulance to UHL for a suspected drug overdose and was intubated and ventilated there. Mr Connolly SC said that it was the intent of the accused to "end her daughter's life and her own life." Mr Connolly SC made the case that gardai, upon arrival at the scene, found the mother and daughter in a locked en suite and the girl had "cuts all over her body" and one cut at her neck was bleeding heavily, while a phone charger cable was in her hair. While the prosecution case was being laid out, the accused was accompanied by a Russian interpreter. At times when graphic details were relayed, she could be seen wiping tears from her face, quietly sobbing and shutting her eyes firmly. The trial continues at the Central Criminal Court tomorrow (Tuesday, January 13, 2026). A MOTHER who has battled against plans to relocate her family from Limerick to Letterkenny claims she was locked out of her home this Monday while taking her children to school. Fatimah Ayodele said the locks were changed at her home in Abbey Court, Mungret, where her family are the only remaining tenants in an International Protection Accommodation Service (Ipas) centre. The mother had been told of the move to Donegal in October last, but remained at the accommodation in Limerick pointing to the fact she is working locally, and her three children, Ade, 12, Simon, 10 and Anjie, 8, are all at school in the area. READ MORE: Further remand for musician charged with murder of Donegal businessman At the time, Limerick Live was also told by the Department of Justice, which administers the Ipas scheme, that Abbey Grove in Mungret was not closing, but rather it had been decided that the use of the units there were more suitable for single people and couples than families. According to associates of Ms Ayodele, she received a text message this Monday advising her that the locks had been changed on the house. Could you please arrange to come and collect your belongings, reads a message shared with Limerick Live, which is purportedly from a local estate manager to Ms Ayodele. Your new accommodation is still available to you and I will forward your transfer letter now. I understand this is not the outcome you had hoped for, however, we are following the direction of Ipas and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and have no discretion in this matter. Upon receiving the text, Ms Ayodele - who was too upset to speak - contacted the Limerick branch of the Community Action Tenants Union (Catu). Four of its members, alongside a neighbour and Social Democrats councillor Elisa ODonovan turned up to show their support at the estate this Monday. Limericks Catu chairperson Sofia Savina said Ms Ayodele had been allowed back into the accommodation to take some medication, but she remains under supervision. Its expected once her children finish school, they and their mother will be shuttled the more than 330km to Letterkenny. She came home to being locked out of her house with management throwing her possessions into bags and boxes essentially, said Ms Savina, who described the treatment of Ms Ayodele, an asylum seeker from Nigeria, as completely dehumanising. The system we have here for asylum seekers is absolutely wrong.The way people think they can uproot their entire lives repeatedly, just shift them around the country, not taking into account social and emotional bonds they have built. I can see Fatimah is incredibly distressed. She has to think of her children too. Its what she gets for standing up to herself, Limericks Catu chair added. Cllr Ursula Gavan - who has provided support to the family - condemned the move, saying: "Fatimah's only wish is to stay in Limerick with her family so they can continue in school and she with her job so she can contribute to her new home. She is seeking out with places locally in Charlottes Quay and Knocknalisheen so there is no more disruption to their lives, which are on hold." "The callous disregard for Fatimah and her young children is nothing short of disgraceful. We need to see an urgent ntervention to allow this family to remain in Limerick. I don't believe that by sending her to Letterkenny and Donegal it will help her situation and changing the locks whilst her kids are at school is cowardly," she added. Estate management had threatened to change the locks on the home Ms Ayodele was occupying as far back as November. Limerick Educate Together National School in Mungret had also lobbied the Government to change course. In a statement, the Department for Justice said it "has nothing to add to the previous response and we remain engaged with residents at this centre." (Bloomberg) -- Braskem SA, one of the worlds largest petrochemical makers, paid interest due Monday on some of its dollar bonds, people familiar with the matter said, easing investor concerns while it continues to review its debt amid a prolonged industry downturn. Leia em portugues The Brazilian firm made payments on dollar bonds maturing in 2028, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information isnt public. The company had about $64 million due in those notes and also in bonds due 2031, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Braskem declined to comment. This months obligations include coupon payments on bonds maturing in 2030, 2050 and 2081. The notes due in 2081 are hybrid notes and were among the biggest losers in the selloff that has engulfed Braskem, as their indenture allows the company to defer interest payments without triggering a default. Braskem, which has struggled with depressed prices in the petrochemicals market and an environmental disaster at one of its salt mines, has $130 million in debt payments due this month, the data show. The firm had $1.3 billion in cash as of the end of September, and tapped a $1 billion credit facility in October. Braskem hired advisers to review its capital structure last year. At Fitch Ratings, analysts flagged heightened refinancing risk and liquidity pressure, downgrading its credit score to CC late last year. Novonor SA, the troubled conglomerate that co-controls Braskem, is working on a deal to sell its stake to a fund advised by asset manager IG4 Capital. Subsidiary Braskem Idesa SAPI, meanwhile, failed to reach an agreement on a restructuring proposal, the company said Monday. --With assistance from Rachel Gamarski. (Updates with company comment in third paragraph, more context in fourth.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com For years, Fang Fenglei was Wall Streets go-to fixer in China a partner to heavyweights like Goldman Sachs Group Inc. who built one of Asias most prominent private equity firms. Now, after a stretch of mediocre returns, subdued dealmaking and leadership churn at his Hopu Investment Management Co., even longtime backers such as Temasek Holdings Pte, GIC Pte and China Investment Corp. are rethinking their commitments, according to people familiar with the matter. As Hopu prepares to raise $1.5 billion to $2 billion for a new fund in 2026 under the direction of Fangs handpicked successor his son-in-law, Gunther Hamm the firm has come to epitomize the challenges facing Asias founder-led private equity shops in an exceedingly tough environment for fundraising. The days of abundant capital and outsized profits from China are gone, and aging rainmakers are handing over the reins to younger leaders, with mixed results. When you have a change of leadership, investors get nervous, said Hong Kong tycoon Richard Li, who is an investor in a small Hopu growth fund that Hamm manages. Li said its not the first time that Fang has overcome challenges, and that it will be important for Hopu to raise fresh capital from other blue-chip investors. The Hong Kong billionaire said he hasnt decided if he will invest in the firms next fund. Hopu last closed a flagship US dollar fund its third in 2018 after raising $2.63 billion. Mediocre returns from that vehicle and the fund preceding it, and departures of some of the firms senior leaders and former partners have made some investors wary, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Hopu also hasnt made significant new investments since mid-2022, the people said. Many global asset allocators have scaled back their China exposure due to concerns about its slowing economic growth and heightened geopolitical risk. Some are still nursing losses from Chinese investments made years ago. In Asia, many private equity investors have also indicated they wont cough up fresh capital until they get money back from older-vintage funds. Fang, a quintessential power broker who is now 73 years old, is known for a relationship-based style rooted in Chinas business and political networks. Around three decades ago, he helped start investment bank China International Capital Corp. with Morgan Stanley as a founding investor. In 2004, Fang helped Goldman Sachs establish a Chinese securities venture that he oversaw as chairman. He founded Hopu in 2007, and the firm quickly raised $2.5 billion for its maiden fund from Goldman, some of the Wall Street firms partners, Temasek and other foreign investors. Hamm, a 45-year-old American, has a more direct, Western-style approach to managing and dealmaking that some Hopu veterans have chafed at, according to people familiar with the firms internal dynamics. A former investment banking analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co., Hamm moved to China in 2007 and in 2010 joined a domestic private equity firm, CDH Investments Fund Management Co., following a recommendation from Fang, people familiar said. He then worked at Hillhouse Investment Management Ltd. for a little over a year before joining Hopu in 2017. Hamm rose quickly through the firms ranks, becoming a partner in 2021 and co-president in 2023. The executive who shared the role stepped down in May 2025 leaving Hamm as sole president and left Hopu at year end, according to people familiar with the firm. Hamms swift elevation has stirred tensions within Hopu. Some staffers question whether he can revive morale and bring in profitable deals given his limited local ties compared with previous senior leaders, the people said. In an interview with Bloomberg News, Hamm said the firm has been laser focused on the performance of the business over the past few years and on monetizing its investment portfolio. Returning capital productively to our investors is the best demonstration and people want to see that, he added. Fang said in a separate interview that he has no intention of retiring, and that Hopus investors call him the firms super key man. He said he believes that cultivating and elevating talent from within the firm is better than hiring senior executives from the outside, because it fosters greater loyalty and stability. Fang also said Hopus lack of significant new investments in the past few years was a good thing, as markets were highly volatile. Under these circumstances, not investing is the best investment, he said, adding it helped the firm avoid losses from sectors such as Chinese tutoring and Internet platform companies. Returning Cash Hamm said a big priority in 2025 was returning money to investors in Hopus existing funds. Private equity funds typically have a lifespan of seven to 10 years; they deploy cash during the first few years and return capital as they exit investments, usually starting around the sixth year. Hopus 2018 flagship fund known as Fund III has deployed a little over $2 billion after deducting fees and expenses totaling $356 million, according to an internal document seen by Bloomberg News. As of March 2025, it had generated about 1.25 times its capital and returned 17% of investors money, according to Bloomberg calculations based on figures in the document. The firm has since stepped up the pace of distributions. It said in a November letter that by end-2025, Fund IIIs investors will have gotten back 66% of what they invested, thanks to a roughly $1 billion distribution over the course of the year. The funds net multiple on invested capital improved to 1.5 times in the third quarter, according to a person familiar with the matter. Recent stock market gains helped. The firm sold part of its stake in insurer FWD Group Holdings Ltd., which went public in Hong Kong in July. Some cash also came from a profitable investment in Ceva Animal Health, a French maker of veterinary medicines and vaccines, which was partially rolled into a new continuation fund vehicle, Hamm said. About half of the 21 investments in Fund IIIs portfolio were flat or underwater as of March, according to the internal document. Ceva an investment Hamm led and FWD have been its most profitable bets. Leadership Churn Hopu has cycled through senior leaders. Aside from Fang, the original managers of its first three flagship funds have all departed, according to people familiar. The firm has focused largely on technology, logistics, consumer and financial services deals in China. Its 2014 investment in warehouse operator Global Logistics Properties in which Hopu led a $2.5 billion consortium that included Chinese state-owned enterprises became its defining success. GLP China is preparing for a public listing in 2026, according to the firms recent investor letter. But the performance of Hopus second flagship fund, which closed in 2014, has been less impressive. As of March 2025, Fund II had delivered a modest 1.19 times its $1.8 billion in invested capital including fees, according to Bloomberg calculations based on figures in an internal document. It has returned more than 60% of investors cash after generating profits on 12 of its 19 investments, the document showed. Its performance was dragged down by a $310 million investment in New Age African Global Energy Ltd., an oil and gas company that the fund has largely written off, according to the document. Hopus Fund III also invested $50 million in New Age. One of the original managers of Fund III was Lau Teck Sien, a Temasek alum. Lau was also Hopus chief investment officer, but he disagreed with Fang over the timing of investment exits and was sidelined, according to people familiar with the matter. Fang in 2018 recruited Lee Zhang, a former Asia head of Deutsche Bank AG and ex-senior executive at Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd., and made Zhang Hopus co-chairman. Frictions grew when Lau and another then-Hopu partner Cliff Chau, a former CIC managing director, explored carving out a separate pool of partners capital for Fang to invest from Beijing instead of having him deploy clients money in ways that could affect the performance of Hopus flagship vehicles, according to people familiar. Fang pushed back, and in 2021 tried to pressure Lau and Chau into signing documents that would hand him management control, the people said. The duo then told staffers during a conference call that Fang would be removed from decision-making to safeguard the fund, the people familiar added. The internal dispute was eventually settled privately. After years of tension, Lau and Chau left Hopu in 2023. That year, Chinese authorities opened a graft investigation into Zhang in connection with his time at ICBC. He was prosecuted in 2024 and subsequently sentenced to death, with a two-year reprieve that could change the sentence to life imprisonment. With the top leaders gone, Hamm gained full control to steer Hopu. The firms investment team, which had peaked at 49 individuals at the end of 2021, shrank by roughly half as Hopu moved away from venture capital and other strategies to focus on buyouts through its main fund. All the managing directors on that team have either quit or were forced out in the past two years, according to people familiar with the matter. New Hires The investment team has since grown to 36 people following 11 hires in 2025, according to the firm. Hopu said its overall headcount stands at 80, close to the level of a few years ago. Many of the recent additions were junior hires, according to the people familiar. Whenever there is new leadership, you are always going to try to add people and there will inevitably be some people who are asked to leave or choose to leave. I dont view that as a problem per se, Hamm said. Several young partners he hired since 2023 have helped fill the void left by the old guard, with three of them responsible for finance, operations and compliance. People who have worked closely with Hamm said he is hard-charging, meticulous and works long hours, sometimes doing portfolio reviews on weekends. Junior staffers routinely prepare client-meeting scripts for him that include greetings, data points, recaps and negotiation lines in short and long formats, the people said. During one client meeting a few years back, Hamm introduced himself as Fangs son-in-law, which struck the investor as odd, according to that individual. Hopu is pitching its next flagship vehicle called Fund IV as an Asia fund that includes China, as opposed to a China-focused private equity fund. The firm is also planning to base its headquarters in Singapore, and is awaiting approval for a license from the city-states financial regulator, according to the investor letter. In mid-November, close to 100 individuals attended Hopus annual meeting in Hong Kong, including potential investors not currently in its funds, Hamm said. Fang also took the stage at the event, and the two men talked about how the firm can acquire more overseas investments, buy assets from multinationals in China, and take controlling stakes in companies. Hamm said the founder remains very highly engaged with the firm, its investors and the companies Hopu is invested in. Our chairman is still a huge resource for us. 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Bengaluru: Indias largest listed retailer Avenue Supermarts Ltd, which operates DMart, restructured its senior leadership just as the new chief executive officer Anshul Asawa took the helm. In a stock exchange filing dated 10 January, the company said its new senior leadership team will consist of four executives, effective 1 February. The streamlined structure marks a departure from DMarts recent years of increasingly layered management and reflects a sharper focus on execution across its core categories. Mint explains what this leadership change means for DMarts strategy, how it differs from peers, and the risks involved. What has changed? Under the revised structure, DMart has appointed Sachin Jaolekar as vice-presidentFMCG, Dastgir Shaikh as vice-president-general merchandising, Shyam Gupta as head of the apparels division, and Rushabh Ghiya as head of investor relations and chief of staff. Also Read | As quick commerce surges, DMart Ready shifts focus to metros Together, these four executives will form the companys senior management team, replacing a much larger and more function-heavy leadership setup that DMart had adopted in recent years. This is the first major organisational change initiated by the board since Asawa assumed charge as the chief executive. This is the first major organizational change initiated by the board since he was appointed CEO designate in March last year, taking over from the company's longtime chief executive Ignatius Navil Noronha. Before this appointment, Asawa had spent nearly 30 years working up the hierarchy of consumer-packaged goods giant Unilever, serving in top roles across India, Europe, the UK, and Thailand. Who are the new leaders? The new leadership team brings a blend of long-standing retail experience and external consumer sector expertise. Jaolekar, a commerce graduate and an IIM Bangalore alumnus, has over 25 years of experience across FMCG and modern retail, with deep exposure to sales, merchandising and omni-channel operations, including a two-decade stint at Hindustan Unilever. Shaikh, associated with DMart since 2005, has over 26 years of experience in value retailing, large-scale sourcing and private label development, with a strong grounding in modern trade operations. Shyam Gupta, a textile technology graduate, has nearly 25 years of experience across apparel retail and exports, and had previously led private brands in apparel at Shoppers Stop. Rushabh Ghiya, a chartered accountant with over 18 years of experience, brings capital markets and strategic expertise, having spent nine years with Kotak Investment Banking before joining DMart in 2017. Why is DMart doing this now? Leadership resets often reflect deeper shifts in how a company sees its next phase of growth. According to Rituparna Chakraborty, partner at executive search firm TruSearch, leadership requirements evolve as companies scale. In different stages of an organization, you need different kinds of leaders," she said, adding that profiles relevant during pre-IPO or early listed phases may not be suited for the next decade of growth. DMart, which has built its reputation on cost discipline and operational efficiency, now faces a far more competitive retail environment. Quick commerce, e-commerce-led pricing pressures and evolving consumer expectations are forcing even large incumbents to rethink speed, accountability and decision-making structures. How has the leadership structure evolved? Since its listing in 2017, DMarts top deck has expanded and then contracted again. First, it started with a nine-member team that included a managing director and a chief executive of the company, a separate COO for retail, and another to oversee supply chain management, a function crucial to DMarts success. Two years later, this team was changed and operational heads were appointed by region as DMart expanded its network outside of its stronghold of west and south India. The company appointed a COO for west India, its biggest market, and another to oversee operations in north and south India. Also Read | Startups take the DMart playbook to smalltown India This structure was changed again, to a seven-member team with a COO for retail, a vice-president of operations, and the CEO of Avenue E-Commerce was included in the companys senior leadership team. In 2025, this seven-member structure ballooned to a 14-member senior management team. Regional operations were split further, with a COO each for west, north, and south India, along with heads for DMarts food services and pharmacy business verticals. These changes reflect how DMart has grown in the last nine years, expanding into new geographies, scaling up new verticals, and finally doubling down on e-commerce and hyperlocal delivery as competition from quick commerce hurts grocery supermarket chains. It also shows how complex a retail company gets as it grows. In 2017, when it first listed on the exchanges, DMarts market capitalization was over 37,000 crore; today it is over 2.47 trillion. Why a leaner leadership at DMart and how does it compare with peers? Chakraborty says larger leadership teams can at times slow down execution. Sometimes you want leaner teams, especially when you get listed, and you are as large as DMart is," she said. Bureaucracy takes time to make decisions, make changes and transform, sometimes becomes very lethargic, sometimes gets caught up in this web of everyones consensus." The current structure focuses on the three main streams of the companys revenueFMCG, non-food, and apparel, with a dedicated leadership head for each segment, underscoring Asawas intent to double down on category-led growth. According to Chakraborty, such models often prioritise precision over scale at the top. There could be many reasons for going for a leaner team. One, you are focusing on a certain skill-set which the board believes is relevant for the next 10 years," she said. You dont need many cooks in the kitchen, but you need a different recipe." DMarts new, lean leadership structure stands in sharp contrast to the more function-heavy senior management models followed by some of its listed peers, such as Vishal Mega Mart and Spencers. Vishal Mega Marts disclosed senior management personnel reflects a broad, layered structure with multiple C-suite roles spanning finance, operations, information technology and human resources, alongside dedicated chief business and merchandising officers for apparel, FMCG and general merchandising, as well as separate leadership for supply chain, legal and compliance. Spencers follows a similarly expansive model, with a larger senior management cohort that includes the CEO and managing director, whole-time director, CFO, company secretary, legal head and chief merchandising officer, indicating a more traditional, compliance- and function-led governance framework. What are the risks in this transition? Leadership transitions carry execution risks, especially for a company like DMart, where operational discipline is its biggest competitive advantage. Asawa will have to navigate the leadership transition risk because its a high execution-focused organization," Chakraborty said. She also flagged the potential loss of institutional knowledge as long-serving leaders exit. Still, she noted that every strategic change involves trade-offs. DMarts challenge will be to retain its execution strength while adapting to a more competitive, fast-changing retail landscape. A former dealmaker at Lazard Ltd., one of Wall Streets most prominent investment banks, is accused by US authorities of feeding tips on health-care deals to a friends network of insider traders, who generated $41 million of illicit profits. Justin Kim now facing both criminal and regulatory charges received a Rolex watch and career advice while leaking 10 potential takeovers over several years through 2023, according to a complaint from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, seeking to ban him from the industry. Last month, the Department of Justice unveiled fraud and insider trading charges against Kim that carry up to 25 years in prison. The friend, Muhammad Saad Shoukat, two of his brothers and other defendants allegedly used the information for well-timed bets ahead of takeovers. Deals included Gilead Sciences Inc.s $21 billion acquisition of Immunomedics Inc. in 2020, CVS Health Corp.s $10.6 billion buyout of Oak Street Health Inc. and AbbVie Inc.s $10.1 billion purchase of ImmunoGen Inc. in 2023 three of the biggest that Lazard worked on in that sector over the past decade. Though Lazard isnt accused of wrongdoing, the scheme is coming to light as Chief Executive Officer Peter Orszag looks to build up the firms health-care franchise amid an upswing in global mergers and acquisitions. Altogether, illegal tips allegedly preceded deals that totaled more than $60 billion in value, according to Bloomberg calculations. Get ready bro, Kim allegedly texted Shoukat in April 2023, shortly after finding out that Immunogen was in talks with AbbVie. S is about to pop off. Shoukat and his co-conspirators benefited greatly from their years-long scheme, and cheated the system to reap their rewards, Stefanie Roddy, the Federal Bureau of Investigations special agent in charge in Newark, New Jersey, said in a statement as allegations against them began emerging last month. Attorneys listed for Kim didnt respond to messages seeking comment, nor did former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, an attorney for the Shoukats. We have zero tolerance for conduct that does not adhere to our standards, a spokesperson for Lazard said in an emailed statement. The allegations against this junior banker, who has not been employed by the firm since 2023, are brazenly criminal and a clear violation of our policies, and we are fully cooperating with authorities. Prosecutors filed sealed charges against the Shoukat brothers and two other defendants in July, but it wasnt until late November that US authorities in New Jersey charged Kim. He was arrested days later in San Francisco. He later posted $100,000 bail and has yet to enter a plea. Though the complaints filed against Kim dont identify where he worked at the time, brokerage industry employment records show he was at Lazard. The firm served as an adviser on the deals cited in the complaints, data compiled by Bloomberg show. In the latter half of 2023, Kim left its health-care team in San Francisco and joined Citigroup Inc. Industry records show his employment there recently ended. Mr. Kim is no longer with Citi, and we understand that the conduct charged in the complaint pertains to activity at a prior employer of Mr. Kim and not Citi, a spokesperson for the New York-based bank said in an emailed statement. While Kim was a junior member of his team, he had access to some of the industrys biggest deals. Lazard advised clients on at least 17 health-care transactions that were worth more than $1 billion during the 2020-2023 period when the insider-trading ring was allegedly active, data compiled by Bloomberg show show. Authorities accused the group of targeting almost half of them, including trading around Biogen Inc.s $7.3 billion purchase of Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Nestle SAs $2.6 billion takeover of Aimmune Therapeutics Inc. Kim allegedly worked on some deals directly and could also glean information through virtual data rooms and internal communications platforms at Lazard, the SEC alleged. He worked with his manager on vital documents for transactions such as engagement letters, investment letters and confidential disclosure agreements, according to the watchdog. He often communicated with his friend via encrypted messaging apps, prosecutors said. Lazard also advised an unidentified client in 2022 that wanted to buy Global Blood Therapeutics Inc., which was working on a treatment for sickle-cell disease. Kim worked on a detailed financial analysis of the target company in April and the Shoukat group began amassing stock bets the following month, according to the US complaints. Lazards client made a $55-per-share offer for GBT in June, but a bidding war broke out, in which Pfizer Inc. ultimately prevailed. Still, Kims tips enabled Shoukats group to reap $20 million in trading profits, charging documents say. Prosecutors didnt identify Lazards client. Bloomberg has reported that Johnson & Johnson made a $55-per-share offer around the same time. Insider trading was just one of several alleged schemes led by Shoukat, who had met Kim while the two previously interned together at Citigroup in 2018. Shoukat and his brothers impersonated physicians as they sought confidential information about clinical trials carried out by Olema Pharmaceuticals Inc., a San Francisco-based company that was working on a drug for types of breast cancer, according to the Justice Department and SEC. They also hijacked the accounts of users on breast-cancer forums and posted false messages about the drugs increased efficacy, jacking up the firms stock price so they could dump their holdings for a profit, authorities said. The group also targeted shares of Opiant Pharmaceuticals Inc., a maker of addiction-treatment drugs. Kim allegedly tipped off Shoukat in December 2021 that the company was likely to be bought by Indivior Plc. After the deal stalled, the group published a fake press release to push up the Santa Monica-based companys share price, again allowing them to sell their stock at a profit, authorities said. Shoukats group also tried to pressure executives at Opiant into releasing clinical data on one of the companys drugs, the SEC alleged. In March 2022, one of the brothers, Muhammad Arham Shoukat, criticized the CEO on Twitter, posting kick him out or jump him and kick his a how hard is it to find his addy in santa monica? according to the regulators complaint. Indivior eventually agreed to buy Opiant for about $145 million in November 2022. The target company was advised by Lazard. With assistance from David Voreacos and Chris Dolmetsch. 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Infosys Ltd risks losing over a third of its $400 million annual revenue from Daimler, one of its three largest clients, as the German auto giant seeks a new vendor for software and equipment following execution delays, according to two people familiar with the details. Indias second-largest information technology (IT) services provider stands to lose the largest part of the contract under which it procured and provided iPhone cases, laptops, Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and fingerprint readers for the automakers back-end information technology (IT) operations, said the people, who didnt want to be identified as the information is private. Bengaluru-based Infosys, which ended the previous fiscal ended March 2025 (FY25) with $19.28 billion in revenue, would now need to backfill $150 million, or 0.7% of its business, before eyeing incremental growth when macroeconomic uncertainty, tariff wars, and the rise of automation tools have squeezed client spending. It is unlikely that Infosys will see meaningful incremental revenue from Daimler in the near term," said Phil Fersht, chief executive officer (CEO) of HFS Research, a Massachusetts-based IT research and consulting firm. Even where renewals occur, pricing pressure and scope rationalization typically offset any expansion. The focus is more on retaining relevance in strategic digital, engineering, and core platform areas rather than growing total contract value." In December 2020, Infosys signed a $3.2 billion, eight-year IT transformation deal with Daimler. Under the terms, Infosys would provide services across six business divisions, including network services, cybersecurity, SAP software, data centres, after-sales call services, and workplace solutions or the IT procurement businessthe biggest of the six arms. Daimler had split into Mercedes-Benz Group and Daimler Trucks in December 2021, but both units retained Infosys for IT services work. Workplace solutions was supposed to be renewed last year but we are now waiting for June to get a clearer picture. We had floated an RFP (request for proposal) but that was not agreed upon by the client," said the first of the two people quoted earlier. According to the second person, the partial renewal of the deal comes amid differences between the two companies over execution and billing delays. As of 12 January, Daimler, including Mercedes and Daimler Trucks, owes almost $47 million in dues to Infosys since 2021. Also Read | TCS and Infosys scramble as top clients trim budgets Mint could not independently ascertain whether large deals have a provision to extend individual segments. However, the cybersecurity and data centre services have been renewed until 2029 under the Infosys-Daimler deal, while SAP, call functionality, and network segments have not been fully renewed yet, said the second person. Queries emailed to Infosys on Friday went unanswered, while Daimler and Mercedes-Benz declined to comment on supplier relationships" and internal processes". One of Indias top IT services providers is eyeing a portion of Infosys contract with Daimler and has already made a bid", said the second person. Mint could not ascertain the name of the company. Parikhs mega-deal push The Daimler contract was one of the dozen mega deals worth over $1 billion that the company has won since Salil Parekh took over as chief executive officer in January 2018, steering the company to outperform its peers in the number of mega deals secured. According to an executive, Daimler is one of Infosyss three largest clients, after Apple Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. Other large contracts Infosys won include the July 2020 10-year deal worth $1.89 billion with Vanguard and a $1.6-billion contract with the UKs public health provider, the National Health Service, signed in October last year. Also Read | Infosys first major IT outsourcer to outline a cut in fresher hiring The Daimler project is dubbed the twice as fast program for Infosys. It helped double Infosyss revenue from manufacturers to $3 billion last fiscal from $1.3 billion in FY20. During this five-year period, Infosyss overall revenue grew 42% to $19.28 billion in FY25. The company, which announces its third-quarter results on 14 January, expects to end FY26 with revenue growth of 2-3% in constant-currency terms, a measure that excludes the impact of currency fluctuations. Unprofitable deal Revenue from Infosys Automotive and Mobility GmbH, a subsidiary that the IT giant created for the Daimler project, declined for the first time in FY25. It fell 8.5% over the previous fiscal to $418 million, after growing more than 40% for two straight years, according to JM Financial analysts. The unit has also been unprofitable for four straight years. If there is a revenue decline in the subsidiary, it clearly means that revenue from the Daimler account has reached its peak and matured," wrote JM Financials Abhishek Kumar and Nandan Arekal in a note dated 16 June 2025. Not the first time for Indian IT Mint had reported on 24 February last year that Infosys was eyeing an early renewal with Daimler with a new AI arm. It now risks losing incremental business if the workplace arm of the deal is not renewed. Still, ending part of previously signed contracts with IT services providers is not new. Several companies have opened their own back-end tech centres, terminating contracts with existing IT vendors mid-way through the deal. Transamerica nixed a 10-year IT outsourcing deal worth $2 billion with Tata Consultancy Services Ltd in June 2023, five years after signing the contract. Similarly, later that year, third-largest HCL Technologies and State Street called off their decade-long partnership after the client in-sourcing its tech needs. Air India announced that it will deploy a new Boeing 787-9 aircraft on international long-haul routes starting February this year, marking the first Dreamliner to join its fleet after privatisation. The move is part of the airline's broader effort to upgrade its fleet and improve the overall flying experience for its passengers. The first line of the aircraft was officially handed over to Air India at Boeing's Everett factory in Seattle, United States, on 7 January. After the transfer, the Dreamliner landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on 11 January, completing a non-stop ferry flight of 16 hours and 58 minutes. The new Boeing 787-9 is expected to enter international, long-haul commercial service in February 2026, and the schedule of operations will be announced shortly, the airline said in a press release. Aircraft to feature three cabin classes, custom-made interiors According to the airline, the new aircraft comes with 296 seats across three cabin classes: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy. It also features custom-made cabin interiors, which are installed directly on Boeing's production line. More details about the aircraft are still awaited, which the company says will be unveiled in the coming weeks. In aviation, line fit refers to an aircraft that is specifically built for a specific airline. Air India last received a line-fit Dreamliner in October 2017 when the carrier was still under government ownership, PTI reported. However, the airline was later acquired by the Tata Group in January 2022, which continues to run its operations to date. As per the company, it expects to induct five more wide-body planes, including A350-1000s and B787-9s, this year. Air India places orders for Airbus and Boeing planes Air India has also placed orders for 350 Airbus and 220 Boeing aircraft. From the Airbus order, six wide-body A350s have already been inducted into the Air India fleet. Meanwhile, 51 narrow-body B737-8s have been delivered to Air India Express, the Tata Group-owned low-cost subsidiary of Air India that focuses on short and medium-haul routes. Also Read | Tata Group May Replace CEO Campbell Wilson Before 2027 In addition, Air India's legacy B787-8 aircraft are being retrofitted, meaning they are undergoing upgrades to their cabins, interiors and onboard systems. Many of these planes are expected to complete the process and return to service with a refreshed nose-to-tail makeover in 2026, the company noted. By the end of this year, nearly 60% of our wide-body fleet will have modern interiors, the release said. Paramount Skydance Corp., led by David Ellison, has escalated its months-long effort to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (WBD), filing a lawsuit over the studios $82.7 billion merger agreement with Netflix Inc. The move intensifies one of Hollywoods most high-profile corporate battles. Paramount sued Warner Bros in the Delaware Court of Chancery, seeking disclosure of the financial analysis that the Warner Bros. board used to justify its Netflix deal. The lawsuit aims to give shareholders critical information needed to weigh Paramounts $108.7 billion all-cash bid before the tender offer expires on January 21. Paramount also plans to nominate directors to Warner Bros board to challenge the Netflix merger and influence shareholder decisions. The company proposed an amendment to Warner Bros bylaws requiring shareholder approval for any spinoff of the cable TV businessa key component of the Netflix deal. Competing offers Paramounts offer: $30 per share, all-cash, totaling $108.7 billion, backed in part by $40 billion equity guaranteed by Larry Ellison and $54 billion in debt. Netflixs offer: $27.75 per share in a mix of cash and stock, valued at $82.7 billion. Paramount argues its all-cash bid is easier to value, financially superior, and more likely to clear regulatory scrutiny. Warner Bros maintains the Netflix deal offers strategic value, particularly through the potential Discovery cable TV spinoff, which Paramount claims has little worth. Board reactions Warner Bros board rejected Paramounts latest offer, calling Paramounts arguments meritless and noting that the company has not raised its bid or addressed deficiencies. Warner Bros also warned that walking away from Netflix would trigger a $2.8 billion termination fee, part of $4.7 billion in additional costs. Implications for shareholders and industry Paramount claims that Warner Bros has never argued that the Netflix deal is financially superior, and the dispute could come down to a shareholder vote. The outcome will influence control of Warner Bros prized content library, including Harry Potter, DC Comics, and HBO assets, reshaping Hollywood content and streaming power dynamics. 5 key takeaways from Paramount vs Warner Bros Netflix showdown: Paramount files lawsuit against Warner Bros over Netflix $82.7B deal Seeks full financial disclosure to aid shareholder decision-making. Paramount claims $108.7B all-cash offer superior to Netflix cash-and-stock deal Argues its easier to value and more likely to pass regulatory scrutiny. Paramount plans Board nominations to challenge Netflix merger Move aimed at influencing Warner Bros shareholder vote. Bylaw amendment proposed to require shareholder approval Paramount contests Netflix deals Discovery TV spin-off valuation. (Bloomberg) Prudential Financial Inc.s investment management arm is considering selling its loss-making asset management unit in India a decade after acquiring the business from Deutsche Bank AG, according to people familiar with the matter. PGIM Inc., the investment management business of US-based Prudential Financial, has tapped EY to advise on the potential sale of its asset management subsidiary in India, the people said, asking not to be named because the matter is private. The sale of PGIM India Asset Management Pvt Ltd. is taking place after its parent weighed up the growth of the unit, which manages assets of around 266 billion rupees ($3 billion). The unit has seen little meaningful expansion in recent years, the people said. PGIM and EY declined to comment. The asset managers business strategy in the country has differed from its peers such as BlackRock Inc. which is investing aggressively in India to tap the rising equity culture. Last year, WestBridge Capital bought a 15% stake in Edelweiss Asset Management Ltd., which is expanding its national presence. PGIM, a global investment firm with around $1.5 trillion in assets under management, bought Deutsche Banks India asset management business in 2015. PGIM has assets across fixed income, equity, alternatives and real estate. Also Read | This Shark Tank India judge mortgaged home for brand HUL bought for 2,955cr PGIMs after-tax losses in India rose to more than 235 million rupees in the year ended March 2025, according to its annual report. The firm appointed a new chief executive officer in July 2025, according to a local media report. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that he was inclined to exclude Exxon Mobil from his push to send US oil companies to Venezuela to build the country's oil infrastructure, saying he was unhappy with the company's response to his proposal. Trump had on Friday called a meeting with around 20 oil company executives to push them to start operations in Venezuela, a proposal against which Exxon Mobil head expressed his reservations. I didn't like Exxon's response, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on his way back to Washington on Sunday. "I'll probably be inclined to keep Exxon out. I didn't like their response. They're playing too cute," he added. What did Exxon say? During Friday's meeting with Donald Trump and his aides, Exxon Mobil had one of the strongest responses against the administration's plans, calling Venezuela uninvestable. We've had our assets seized there twice, and so you can imagine to re-enter a third time would require some pretty significant changes from what we've historically seen here, Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods told Trump on Friday. Also Read | Why Exxon Mobil CEO called Venezuela uninvestable Woods said that Exxon needed durable investment protections introduced and the country's hydrocarbons law also needed to be reformed. If we look at the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela today, it's uninvestable, he said. Trump's latest comment on Sunday also indicate the the challenge of persuading the US oil industry to commit to an ambitious reconstruction of Venezuelas once-mighty energy sector. Trump's guarantee to revive Venezuela Reviving Venezuela's oil industry and undoing years of mismanagement and underinvestment may take $100 billion and a decade, according to a report by Bloomberg. Despite US moves over the past week to take full control of Venezuelan oil exports, many questions remain over how major investment on the ground could be guaranteed over such a protracted period in a country beset by corruption and insecurity. On Sunday, Trump said that his government will provide all required guarantees to oil companies if they invest in Venezuela. Guarantees that theyre going to be safe, that theres going to be no problem. And there wont be. Trump, however, did not specify in what way he might seek to include Exxon. The oil giant did not issue a response to the statement. Anup Kumar Saha, the former managing director of Bajaj Finance, who quit a few months ago, has now joined Kotak Mahindra Bank as Whole-time Director. In an official press release today, the lender said the appointment will strengthen its leadership team, adding that it is subject to regulatory approvals. Till such time as the approval, Saha will act as Whole-time Director (Designate) and will be a part of Senior Management from January 12, 2026, according to Kotak's statement. CS Rajan, Chairman of the Board at Kotak Mahindra Bank said, We are delighted to welcome Anup to Kotaks Board. His leadership in scaling businesses, driving digital transformation and building customer-centric organizations will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our position in the financial sector. Who is Anup Kumar Saha? Saha served as Bajaj Finance's MD, where over eight years he played a pivotal role in transforming the company into one of Indias leading and most profitable non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) in consumer finance, the statement said. Kotak's statement added that Saha has leadership experience in business transformation, digital innovation and customer-focused strategies, expanding the customer base to 100 million and diversifying the product portfolio. Notably, he resigned from Bajaj Finance in July 2025. Prior to his time at Bajaj Finance, Saha spent 14 years at ICICI Bank in senior leadership roles, building deep expertise in consumer and retail banking, data analytics and digital transformation. Also Read | This Shark Tank India judge mortgaged home for brand HUL bought for 2,955cr What will Anup Kumar Saha do at Kotak? The statement said that Saha will oversee Consumer Banking, Marketing and Data Analytics functions, with a view of reinforcing Kotaks leadership depth and driving customer-centric transformation, digital innovation and data-led strategies. Anups appointment underscores Kotaks commitment to building a market-leading financial services business and a strong bench of experienced leaders. His extensive understanding of retail finance, data-driven growth and innovation will help us accelerate our strategy and deliver even greater value to our customers, Ashok Vaswani, MD & CEO, Kotak Mahindra Bank said. Zoho founder and chief scientist Sridhar Vembu on Monday revealed his political ambitions, explaining his goal in life to make India a technologically strong nation. In a post on X, Vembu said that India being self-reliant is critical to its economic prosperity, as well as rural and civilisational revival. My single point agenda in life is to make Bharat a technologically strong and self reliant nation, which I see as critical to our economic prosperity as well as our rural and civilisational revival, he wrote. Our civilisation has to show the world through living example how to combine prosperity with humility and contentment, and show the sustainable path to harmonize humanity and the natural world, the former Zoho CEO said. He emphasised on the need to become efficient in technology to restore the nations pride. Our past 1000 year history has left us deep civilisational wounds and the defeatist, colonial mindset is one of them. Being world-class in technology is the key to restoring true pride in ourselves as a nation, and building that technology with rural talent spreads the wealth across society, he said. Sridhar Vembu's political ambitions Sridhar Vembu said that he will put his skills in research and development to use in order ti build the nation. We need people to do deep work in R&D. I have some skill in this area and that is the best use of my life for our nation. The Zoho chief scientist revealed his political plans. I view politics as public service and as a democratic duty in which citizens must be involved but given my overriding priority in life, I cannot be and will not be in active electoral politics, he said. Vembu's comments come in the backdrop of him stepping down from the role of CEO last year and becoming Zoho's cheif scientist. At that time too, he had said that he did not want to join active politics. Netizens laud Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu's post was met with applause from netizens, who praised his vision to make India technologically advanced. They were impressed with the Zoho founder's goal to make India self-reliant and the fact that he wanted to contribute through competence and not politics. True! Not everyone needs to enter electoral politics to serve the nation. Contribution through competence is equally powerful, one person commented. "India's wealthiest business leaders grow through financial and business "engineering". Sridhar grows and invests through actual engineering with a very long-term focus. That makes him an outlier of one in India," another added. (Bloomberg) -- The Israeli cybersecurity startup Torq is planning to announce Sunday that it has closed a $140 million funding round, raising its valuation to $1.2 billion. Torq, which is based in Tel Aviv, offers what it says is an autonomous security operations platform designed from the ground up with artificial intelligence. Torq can automate repetitive work using AI agents, like wading through huge volumes of security alerts. That allows employees to focus on more complex, and potentially dangerous, issues. You dont want your team to have a huge backlog and using your team just to do the simple things while you can automate everything, said Ofer Smadari, the companys chief executive officer and co-founder. The Israeli new outlet TheMarker previously reported that Torq had reached unicorn status with a new founding round without the specific amounts. The company was started in 2020, but it shifted focus a few years back after the introduction of generative AI, Smadari said. By the end of 2022, ChatGPT came into our life, and we saw the opportunity to start building agents and AI functionality, he said, adding that the company introduced an AI agent for security operations in the summer of 2023. Now, he said, You can automate and remediate everything. The funding round is led by Merlin Ventures, with participation from existing investors including Evolution Equity Partners, Notable Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Insight Venture Partners and Greenfield Partners. The company has more than 300 employees, in Israel and the US, Smadari said. He and the other founders previously started a company called Luminate Security in 2017 and sold it to Symantec Corp. less than two years later for $250 million, he said. They started Torq in January 2020, just before the Covid-19 exploded into a pandemic. We said, There is nothing like a big worldwide crisis to build another company, Smadari said. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com BENGALURU : Swiggys private-label brand, Noice, which debuted on its quick-commerce platform Instamart, has expanded rapidly by adding contract manufacturers across various categories, including bakery, snacks, confectionery, dairy, eggs, and other perishable foods. The push has expanded Noices range and supplier base since August last year. Two people aware of the companys operations said Noice has grown from about 200 stock-keeping units (SKUs) to about 350 now, and from about 40 contract manufacturers to close to 70 over the same period, as Swiggy adds products across new categories. What began as a small-batch, premium rangecentred on Indian snacks, sweets, cookies and baked items sourced from small kitchens and manufacturershas widened sharply in recent months as Noice adds more categories and partners, said the second person aware of Instamarts operations. Recent additions include beverages, ready-to-cook items, and dairy and fresh items like eggs, dosa batter and paneer," the person said. Also Read | Why Zerodha's Rainmatter is still writing climate cheques even as VCs pull back Industry executives and analysts tracking quick commerce said most platforms already sell private labelssuch as Tata Digital-owned BigBaskets BB Royal and Fresho, Zomato-owned Blinkits Whole Farm, and Zeptos Daily Good and Relishbut Noices pace of expansion suggests Swiggy is building it as a standalone brand, not merely a cheaper, in-house label. Swiggy has also been adding senior talent around the effort. Royan Mody, the former director for private labels at Flipkart, is leading Noice at Swiggy Instamart. Swiggy has also hired Mayur Hola, who previously led global brand roles at OYO, as vice-president, brand, in a mandate spanning Swiggys businesses, including Instamart. The margin game Quick-commerce platforms have struggled to post steady profits, even as the category scales and listed parent companies push for expansion. Swiggys Instamart reported adjusted revenue of 1,038 crore in the JulySeptember quarter, up from 513 crore a year earlier, but its adjusted Ebitda loss widened to 849 crore from 359 crore over the same period, weighing on Swiggys overall loss. At Zomato-owned Blinkit, adjusted Ebitda loss narrowed sequentially to 156 crore in Q2 FY26 from 162 crore in the previous quarter, even as the company stepped up store additions and reported a sharp jump in adjusted revenue after moving to an inventory-led model. Zepto doubled its sales in FY25 to 9,668.8 crore, but the net loss widened by 177% to 3,367.3 crore, reflecting the cost of scaling amid an increasingly competitive market. Key Takeaways Noice has expanded from 200 to 350 SKUs and increased its manufacturing partners from 40 to 70 in under a year. Swiggy is signalling serious intent by hiring veterans from Flipkart and Oyo to lead the private-label push. Private labels offer gross margins that are nearly triple the margins typically seen from third-party brands. There is a growing risk of friction with D2C brands and established FMCG players if Swiggy prioritizes its own brands in search results. Early data from rivals suggests users may drop off if they are pushed toward private labels when they are specifically looking for trusted brands like Aashirvaad. Industry executives and analysts said players are leaning on levers such as private labels and advertising income from brand partners to improve margins. But Swiggys fast-expanding Noice range suggests it is leaning harder on the private-label play by going deeper into packaged foods and consumer staples to differentiate Instamart and lift unit economics. Industry estimates suggest that private labels now account for roughly 20-25% of sales in staples such as grains and rice, as well as other everyday grocery items, across quick-commerce platforms, including Zepto, BigBasket, Blinkit, and Swiggy, as they push more in-house brands in these categories. Quick commerce firms get anywhere between 10-15% in net margins while working with third-party brands to sell products on the platform. With private labels, this can go up to 35-40% in gross margins, even after sharing a part with manufacturers, as in the case of Swiggys Noice products," said Pradyumna Nag, director at Prequate, a management and financial advisory firm. Consumer pushback Quick-commerce firms have largely kept their private labels to staples and everyday grocery categoriessimilar to what supermarkets and hypermarkets do to improve margins. Swiggy, however, appears to be pushing Noice beyond the typical staples play, adding hundreds of SKUs across categories. But the strategy carries execution and competitive risks. Quick-commerce apps have become increasingly important as a key discovery and sales channel for new-age consumer brands, as well as large packaged-goods companies, raising the prospect of friction with brand partners if platform-owned labels receive disproportionate visibility. Also Read | Why co-lending between NBFCs and fintechs is headed for a reset A venture capital investor in the consumer and D2C space said quick commerce typically contributes about 2-3% of sales for a new brand, while modern trade contributes about 10-15%, with the rest coming from a mix of the brands own online channels and marketplaces such as Amazon and Flipkart. Even though the 2-3% seems low as a share, it is still massive for a brand with sales of 10,000 crore and above every year, as it means anywhere from 200-300 crore worth of sales come from quick commerce," the investor said, requesting anonymity. The product manager at a rival quick-commerce platform, quoted earlier in the story, said the company experienced higher drop-offs at checkout when it attempted to promote its own private labels in staples through search rankings. Whenever we tried to show our rice, atta or sugar labels upfront, users dropped off because they come to the app in the first place looking for known brands such as Aashirvaad and Parrys Sugar," the product manager said. After a while, we stopped prioritising our own brands." Pradyumna Nag of Prequate said Noice resembles Amazons Solimo-style playbook, where product selection is guided by a platforms internal data on whats selling where". Power equation He flagged a common criticism of such models: e-commerce and quick-commerce platforms can enter categories after sellers on their platforms have already done the hard work of building demandmanaging inventory risk, returns and consumer awarenessbut end up competing with the platform itself. With Noice, Nag added, the model may not be profitable yet, but it is scaling faster than many e-commerce private-label programmes. Swiggy does not directly own manufacturing for Noice today, but Nag said control can still be exercised through dependence. Amazon doesnt own the manufacturingIf you see the company or definition of influence, where theres a single customer or more than 90% of the revenue comes from them I dont need to own equity in order for me to assert control," he said. Also Read | Advent sells entire 2% stake in Aditya Birla Capital via block deal Eventually, smaller D2C and packaged-goods brands may find it harder to negotiate terms as quick-commerce platforms deepen their own private-label push, said Nag. He described it as a chokehold dynamic, arguing that quick commerce has become a significant channel due to its fast cash cycle, but bargaining power varies sharply by brand size. Large incumbent brands like Britannia can credibly threaten to pull out, Nag said, because consumers could switch platforms if a big brands products disappear. Smaller brands typically lack that leverage, he added, since many shoppers search for generic categories, such as chips, rather than looking up a niche brand by name, leaving platforms with the upper hand in search placement and discovery. What began as a milestone year in 202425 for Tejas Networks Ltdwith the Tata group-backed telecom gear maker deploying a 4G network across about 100,000 sites for state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL)has given way to a prolonged financial struggle, as a delay in a critical order weighs on earnings. For nearly a year, the Bengaluru-based firm has been waiting for BSNL's 1,526 crore add-on order for 18,685 additional sites. This delay has forced it to hold sticky inventory levels exceeding 2,300 crore for four consecutive quarters, resulting in quarterly losses driven by severe revenue constraints. During the December-quarter earnings call on 9 January, growing impatience was evident as stakeholders questioned management about the path to profitability following a period of cumulative losses. Investors and analysts raised red flags over the companys financial model, noting that inventory levels are currently double the order book size of 1,329 crore, creating a very long working capital cycle that has yet to yield returns for shareholders. Questions also mounted about the company's cash runway, as analysts queried whether a fundraise would be imminent given the recurring Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) losses of approximately 150 crore and the significant revenue needed to break even, excluding BSNL orders. I understand this is a difficult time because of our business and the stock price and all. All I can say is that we are bullish about our business, said Arnob Roy, executive director and chief operating officer of Tejas Networks, during the earnings call. We are doing everything that we can to execute on this, and we are confident that we will get there. Its a transition period which is taking longer than we would have liked. The BSNL delay Tejas Networks attributed the delay in the BSNL order to the telecom operator's lack of operational readiness for rolling out the network. According to Roy, the companys inventory levels will deplete rapidly once it receives the purchase order from BSNL and starts executing on that project. "Earlier, a lot of this inventory had actually been procured for executing on the BSNL 4G add-on order, for which our partner Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (TCS) has received an APO (advanced purchase order). That's why we are sitting on this large inventory, but we know that since this order is going to come, we have to hold on to the inventory with the interest of being able to execute on this project, he said. Tejas Networks first talked about being in advanced stages of discussions with BSNL for the add-on offer in April 2025 during an earnings call. Then it informed the stock exchanges on 21 May 2025 that it had received an add-on advance purchase order from BSNL for the supply, deployment, and maintenance of a 4G mobile network at 18,685 sites. It had pegged the order value at 1,526 crore. However, the final order has not been received yet. In response to Mints emailed queries, Tejas Networks said it is closely engaged with BSNL and the government on this matter. We understand that the rollout is expected to happen soon. Recent statements from BSNL and the department of telecommunications indicate that they will continue investing in additional sites to expand 4G network coverage, so there is negligible risk of obsolescence or ageing of this inventory, Roy said. Hit on earnings In the December quarter, it reported a 197 crore loss compared to a 166 crore net profit a year ago. The companys revenue from operations fell by over 88% year-on-year to 307 crore. In the nine-month period ended December, the companys loss was at 698 crore compared to a 518 crore profit in the year-ago period. Weak financial results also weighed on the shares of the company, which closed 8.9% lower on Monday at 380 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Data from Investing.com suggests that in 2025, the share price fell 61.7% from 1,185.7. Tejas Networks has a huge dependency on a single customer, which is BSNL. The companys success story is limited, given that major private telecom operators have not been using their equipment. The company needs to focus more on research and development (R&D) to leapfrog innovation, said Faisal Kawoosa, chief analyst at Techarc, a technology market research company. In response, Roy said, Over the years, we have built a strong technology foundation in our company, and we will continue to invest in R&D to sustain our competitive advantage. Nearly 70% of our employees are in R&D and are engaged in developing cutting-edge technologies and products for next-generation networks. Kawoosa added that higher competition in the global telecom gear market, particularly from Chinese players, could also complicate the company's international expansion plans. We dont see that BSNL and BSNL projects are the lifeline or the anchor for Tejas. They were a platform for us, and we are very grateful for having got that opportunity, but I think the plan for the company is really to take this global, to take it to private telecom operators, to international operators, Roy said. To be sure, in December 2024, Tejas announced a three-year contract with Vodafone Idea Ltd to supply its products for the telecom operator's backhaul capacity and improve network performance. On the companys path to profitability, he said, "it will be when that business really scales up both internationally as well as in India, led by our wireless products as well as our wireline products. He added that a good business size will be able to support the investments that the company has made over the years. About Tejas Networks order book of 1,329 crore, India accounts for 92%, while the international order size is approximately 8%. The company said it was seeing an increase in international engagements for its 4G/5G radio access network (RAN) equipment, including multiple ongoing proofs-of-concept and commercial negotiations across the Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Also Read | Telecom defies FPI sell-off with highest inflows since 2022 The leaderhip vaccum During the call, the investors also questioned management about the timeline for appointing a new chief executive officer (CEO). The position has been vacant for about three quarters since the resignation of the previous CEO, Anand Athreya. In response, Roy said the companys regular business operations are not affected without the filing of a CEO position. The board is working actively on it, and an appointment will occur at some point in the near future, he added. From 2026-27, the government will track government debt instead of fiscal deficit as its primary fiscal target. The new standards require the fiscal deficit to be managed in such a way that the ratio of central government debt to gross domestic product (GDP) declines to 50% (+ or -1%) by 31 March 2031. This shift is radical in two ways. One, removing the fixed annual deficit target increases spending flexibilitythus allowing the government to spend more in a crisis without worrying about violating the fiscal compact. At the same time, fiscal prudence remains intact because the promise to restrain debt automatically checks excessive spending. Second, as the spotlight shifts to debt, investors and rating agencies will focus on the government's ability to service its debt obligations in a sustainable manner. In other words, there is bound to be greater scrutiny of the revenue side of the budget. Indias current debt position is not bad, despite blips in 2008-09 and 2009-10 (global financial crisis), and a sharper spike in 2020-21 (covid-19 pandemic). Both central and overall government debt (as % of GDP) have been trending downward since the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act was enforced in 2004. Also Read | Public debt overload: Do not kick this can down the road Fiscal discipline has been especially strong since the pandemic spending blitz, resulting in the Centres liabilities dropping to just under 57% of GDP in 2024-25, down from 63% in 2020-21. A cross-country comparison is also reassuring: at 81.5% of GDP, Indias general government debt (centre plus states) is comparable to that of other emerging economies, and lower than major advanced economies. The challenges A moderate level of indebtedness is a good starting point. However, adopting the debt-to-GDP ratio as a fiscal anchor comes with its own challenges. Thats because markets evaluate debt and deficits in slightly different ways. Debt is assessed based on the revenues available to honour loan obligations; in the case of sovereign debt, these are primarily tax revenues. The higher the revenues collected from taxes, the greater the borrowing capacity. For example, the general government debt-to-GDP ratio for G7 economies was a whopping 124%, but these economies also generated tax revenues to the tune of 30-44% of GDP (except the US, with a tax-to-GDP ratio of 26%). In contrast, India has a lower debt ratio, and most of its debt is domestic, but tax revenues form merely 11.9% of GDP. The reasons for our narrow direct tax base are well known: low-income levels, a high share of the informal sector, and exemption of agricultural income from tax. Indirect taxes such as goods and services tax (GST), which are universally levied, contribute to about 42% of the total tax revenue collected by the Centre. The World Bank research shows that the relationship between tax revenue and economic growth is positive but not linear: countries jump into a higher income category at specific thresholds of tax-GDP ratio. For instance, the transition from low-income to middle-income country is likely to occur at a median tax-to-GDP ratio of 13%, and is typically preceded by a decade of 3-4% growth in the ratio. The rationale is that higher tax revenues boost development by enabling higher public spending on health, education, social welfare, and physical infrastructure. India experienced a similar transition in the 2000s. Surging corporate and personal income tax revenues raised central tax revenues by over 3% between 2000-01 and 2007-08, resulting in the countrys upgrade to middle-income status in 2009. Since then, unfortunately, the tax-to-GDP ratio has stagnated and remains below 12%. Without higher tax revenue, it will be tough to reduce central government debt by about 1-2% of GDP annually over the next five years, as envisaged by the governments medium-term fiscal strategy. Efforts to streamline tax collection and payment have been quite successful, but India has far to go before it reaches the 20-30% plus tax-to-GDP ratios observed in high middle-income countries. Thats why the government falls back on non-tax revenuedividends from public sector undertakings and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)to meet the fiscal deficit target. The sustainability question This is not sustainable: as we move to a more globally aligned fiscal anchor, the sources of funding debt and deficits will also have to align with accepted practices. The large majority of countries, including India, derive less than one-fifth of government revenue from non-tax sources. To stay within these limits, while maintaining a brisk pace of public spending, will require a steady rise in tax revenue. The year ahead comes with multiple fiscal pressures. Some states have rolled out freebies despite inadequate revenues; in response, the finance minister publicly warned states against borrowing for such schemes. Though states are not covered under the new fiscal compact, their fiscal discipline is critical, because total government debt is the globally tracked metric. The eighth pay commission report is expected to be tabled in early 2027; the resulting hike in pay and pensions for civil servants is likely to increase government expenditure. On the revenue side, the government is betting that the consumption boost from cuts in income tax and GST rates will make up for foregone tax revenues. All this will have to be managed in a challenging external environment. In the past, fiscal consolidation has been led by growth: a rising nominal GDP reduces the debt-GDP ratio. Unfortunately, nominal GDP growth is estimated at 8% in 2025-26, and forecast to be around 10-11% next year. The government will have to work on building up revenue if it wants to hold on to its hard-won reputation for fiscal prudence. The author is an independent writer in economics and finance. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday sharply criticised the Centre over delays in film certification, accusing the Union government of turning the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) into a political tool. Reacting to the certification delay faced by actor Vijays upcoming film Jana Nayagan, Stalin alleged that the censor body was being used in the same manner as central investigative agencies. In the line of #CBI, #ED and #IT, the Censor Board has also turned into a new weapon of the Union BJP government. Strong condemnations! Stalin said in a post on X. See the post here: Jana Nayagan, billed as Vijays final film before his formal entry into politics, was originally scheduled for a theatrical release on 9 January 2026. However, the release hit a roadblock after the Central Board of Film Certification delayed issuing a U/A 16+ certificate, despite the examining committee recommending approval with minor modifications. The film, produced by KVN Productions LLP, is reportedly mounted on a budget of around 500 crore and was planned for a large-scale Pongal release across nearly 5,000 screens worldwide. According to sources, the CBFC examining committee had cleared the film with suggested changes. However, the CBFC chairperson later referred the film to a revising committee after one of the five committee members raised objections, claiming their concerns had not been adequately addressed. The CBFC cited provisions under the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, which allow the chairperson to seek a review if dissatisfied with the recommendations of the examining committee. The delay has triggered political reactions in Tamil Nadu, with Stalins remarks adding to the ongoing debate over alleged central interference in creative and cultural spaces, particularly amid Vijays growing political profile. Neither the CBFC nor the Union government has issued a detailed response to the allegations so far. Stranger Things: One Last Adventure a new documentary about the making of the final season of Stranger Things has begun streaming worldwide, offering fans an in-depth look behind the scenes of one of the most influential television series of the 21st century. Stranger Things: One Last Adventure When and where to watch The documentary, officially titled One Last Adventure: The Making of Stranger Things 5, was released on Monday, 12 January 2026, and is available exclusively on Netflix. The documentary premiered at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) / 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 12 January 2026, with regional release times adjusting around the globe. In the United Kingdom, it became available at 8:00 a.m. GMT, and in India the documentary began streaming on Netflix from 1:30 p.m. IST on the same day. Other regions, including parts of Asia, Europe and Australia, saw corresponding local release times throughout the afternoon and evening. No additional subscription or rental fee is required beyond a standard Netflix subscription. The documentary is a feature-length production, running for about two hours, and is directed by Martina Radwan, known for her previous work on documentary projects. It was produced by MakeMake Productions in collaboration with Netflix. What will the documentary focus on? One Last Adventure takes viewers deep into the creative, technical, and emotional journey of the Stranger Things cast and crew as they brought the final season to life. Rather than presenting new narrative episodes, the documentary serves as a behind-the-scenes chronicle, featuring candid interviews, extensive on-set footage and reflections from the actors and creative team. The film traces the process of concluding a show that first premiered in 2016, exploring how production evolved over nearly a decade. Fans will see moments ranging from emotional table reads and cast rehearsals to discussions about major visual effects and narrative decisions. The documentary also highlights the bond among the ensemble cast and the emotional weight of completing the series. According to Netflix, the documentary follows the cast, creators, and crew as they bring the final season to life and say goodbye to the show that changed them forever. This description underlines the documentarys dual focus on both the technical craft and the human experience of working on a long-running cultural phenomenon. New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) Renewable energy player Premier Energies is looking to more than double its annual cell and module manufacturing capacity to 10.6 gigawatt and 11.1 gigawatt, respectively, as part of its 11,000-crore expansion plan, to meet domestic demand, a company official said. The company is also looking to enter into the manufacturing of ingots and wafers to become one of the largest integrated renewable energy equipment manufacturers globally, Vinay Rustagi, Chief Business Officer (CBO) at Premier Energies, told PTI in an interaction. He said the company at present manufactures 3.2-gigawatt (GW) cells and 5.1 GW modules annually from four units situated near Hyderabad in Telangana. When asked if the company is keen to expand its manufacturing capabilities, he replied in affirmative. "Yes, we have a substantial expansion plan of 11,000 crore. We would be adding 7.4 GW of cell in Andhra Pradesh and 6 GW of module capacity in Telangana," Rustagi replied. On the rationale behind the move, he said the decision to expand capacities has been taken as a major part of the company's existing cell capacity, which is approved under the government's ALMM framework. The Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) is an initiative of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) that supports India's 'Make in India' vision by promoting local manufacturing, reducing import dependency, and generating new employment. Sharing a breakup of the funding sources, Rustagi said the company had raised 1,300 crore in its IPO last year. Another 2,200 crore has been tied up through debt from state-owned IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency), and the balance will be funded by internal accruals. The CBO said, "It (expansion plan) is based on growing demand. The demand for our modules is growing in India and abroad. We have an order book of 13,000 crore in the domestic market itself. We are booked for the next one year." Besides, the company has also been exporting cells to the US market in the past, he said. In reply to questions related to backward integration, Rustagi said the company is also looking to enter into ingots and wafers to become one of the largest integrated renewable energy equipment manufacturers outside of China. A solar panel is made of modules, which include cells. The cell manufacturing needs ingots, which requires wafer. New York, US President Donald Trump has sid that he is inclined to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after its top executive described conditions in the South American nation as "uninvestable". Trump chaired a meeting in the White House on Friday with oil and gas executives to discuss plans for the Venezuelan oil reserves in the wake of the ouster of former President Nicolas Maduro. "No, I didn't like Exxon's response. You know, we have so many that want it, and I'd probably be inclined to keep Exxon out. I didn't like their response. They're playing too cute, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington DC from Florida. At the meeting, ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods called the conditions in Venezuela as uninvestable. If we look at the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela today, it's uninvestable, and so significant changes have to be made to those commercial frameworks, the legal system. There has to be durable investment protections, and there has to be a change to the hydrocarbon laws in the country, Woods said. Woods had then expressed confidence that with the Trump administration and President Trump working hand in hand with the Venezuelan government, that those changes can be put in place. Woods added that in the short term, there are things that can be done while these longer term issues are being worked . We haven't been in the country for almost 20 years." "We think it's absolutely critical in the short term that we get a technical team in place to assess the current state of the industry and the assets to understand what would be involved to help the people of Venezuela get production back on the market. With the invitation of the Venezuelan government and with appropriate security guarantees, we are ready to put a team on the ground there. Several other executives at the meeting expressed similar reluctance, warning that the industry would first need to secure extensive security and financial guarantees before beginning a yearslong effort to ramp up oil production, CNN reported. Electronics deals tend to blur together during big sales, but this years Great Republic Day lineup already feels more focused than usual. Laptops like the Asus TUF RTX 3060 model and HPs Snapdragon-powered lightweight machines are showing rare price drops, while Samsung and Amazfit are pushing aggressive offers on their newer smartwatches. Audio is even more unpredictable - Sonys WH-1000XM4 and XM5 headphones rarely see deep cuts, yet theyve appeared alongside budget-friendly boAt and JBL models. Our Picks FAQs Our Picks Product Rating Price (Refurbished) ASUS TUF Gaming F15 (2021), 15.6-inch (39.62 cms) FHD 144Hz, Intel Core i5-11400H 11th Gen, GeForce RTX 3060 6GB Graphics, Gaming Laptop(16GB/512GB SSDWindows 10/Gray/2.3 Kg), FX566HM-HN104T View Details 57,368 CHECK DETAILS HP Omnibook 5 OLED, Snapdragon X Processor (16GB LPDDR5x,1TB SSD) 2K OLED, Micro-Edge, 16''/40.6cm, Win11, M365*Office24, Glacier Silver, 1.59kg, fb0001QU, FHD Camera, Backlit, Next-Gen AI Laptop View Details 64,029 CHECK DETAILS Dubstep Pop 1200 with Upto 16 Hrs Playtime, 52mm Dynamic Driver, TWS Pairing with 12W Output Bluetooth Wireless Speaker (Black) View Details 599 CHECK DETAILS Boat Stone 352 Pro/Stone 358 Pro w/ 14W Signature Sound, Up to 12 Hours Playback, RGB LEDs, TWS Feature, Built-in Mic, BTv5.3, Free Music Streaming on JioSaavn Bluetooth Speaker (Raging Black) View Details 1,499 CHECK DETAILS boAt New Launch PartyPal 600 Party Speaker, 220W Signature Sound, Dynamic Pixels, Animated Text Display, App Support, UHF Wireless Microphone, Colorful LEDs,7hrs Battery & Guitar Input(Premium Black) View Details 16,499 CHECK DETAILS View More Research-Backed Choices Every product we recommend is chosen through a combination of Primary Research and Secondary Research. Even speakers such as Marshalls Stanmore and compact options from Portronics and Zebronics have early discounts that dont feel inflated. Monitors and tablets round things out, with Samsungs 24-inch Essential series and Xiaomis Snapdragon-based tablets offering better value than expected. Instead of scattered hype, this years deals look like a clear mix of premium reductions, solid mid-range picks, and genuinely cheap upgrades. Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Amazon Great Republic Day sale deals on laptops - up to 56% off Amazons Great Republic Day Sale hasnt started yet, but the laptop deals already revealed for January 16 look unusually strong. Discounts of up to 56% are lined up across a wide mix of machines - everyday options like the ASUS Vivobook 14 and HP i3/i5 models, power-focused picks like the ASUS TUF RTX 3060, and even the newer HP Snapdragon-based laptops aimed at long battery life. If youve been waiting for a price drop, this early preview suggests that this years sale might actually be worth planning around. Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Amazon Great Republic Day sale deals on speakers and home audio - up to 90% off Amazons Great Republic Day Sale kicks off on January 16, but the speaker and home-audio deals already revealed look surprisingly aggressive - some touching the 90%-off mark. The lineup covers every price bracket - ultra-budget Bluetooth picks like the Portronics SoundDrum and boAt Stone models, entry-level smart speakers like the Echo Dot (5th Gen), and premium favourites like the Marshall Stanmore and JBL soundbars. Even larger party speakers from boAt and Zebronics are set for steep markdowns, making this preview worth shortlisting before the sale actually goes live. Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Amazon Great Republic Day sale deals on smartwatches - up to 75% off Amazons Great Republic Day Sale is revealing surprisingly deep smartwatch discounts this year - up to 75% off across premium and budget segments. Samsungs Galaxy Watch6 and Watch6 Classic headline the premium list, while the new OnePlus Watch 2 gets an early price cut that makes it far more tempting. Amazfits Active and Balance models sit nicely in the mid-range, and Noise, boAt, Pebble, and Redmi offer aggressive pricing for anyone wanting Bluetooth calling, AMOLED displays, or everyday fitness tracking without overspending. Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Amazon Great Republic Day sale deals on monitors - up to 65% off Amazons Great Republic Day Sale is revealing some genuinely strong early monitor deals, with discounts going up to 65%. Budget options like Zebronics ZEB-V19HD and Frontech MON-0054 drop to very low entry prices, while Samsungs 24-inch and 27-inch Essential monitors offer cleaner panels and better colour accuracy. Dells SE2425HM and BenQs GW2486TC add eye-care features and built-in speakers for work setups. There are curved picks from Zebronics and Samsung, plus smart monitors for streaming without a PC. Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Amazon Great Republic Day sale deals on tablets - up to 55% off The tablet deals preview already shows a wide spread - from ultra-budget workhorses to premium all-rounders. Acers iM10 series appears at a steep cut, making it a solid pick for students or casual streaming. Xiaomis Snapdragon-powered Pad 6 also gets a notable markdown, offering a sharp display and quad speakers at a friendlier price. Lenovos Tab M series returns with dependable battery life, while Samsungs Galaxy Tab A9+ and the newer Tab S9 FE see meaningful reductions. Even the realme Pad and OnePlus Pad Lite look far more tempting now if youve been waiting for something affordable for reading, classes or light productivity. Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Amazon Great Republic Day sale deals on headphones and earbuds - up to 74% off The headphone and earbuds lineup is stacked this time. Sonys WH-CH720N and WH-XB910N both see sizeable price cuts, making premium ANC far more accessible. JBLs Tune series also gets aggressive markdowns if you prefer a warmer, bass-forward sound. On the budget end, boAt has slashed prices across its Rockerz and Airdopes range, including the new Airdopes 800 with wear detection. Boults latest X series earbuds also show up with deep discounts for anyone after long battery life on a tight budget. And if youve been waiting for flagship TWS deals, even Sonys WF-1000XM5 has a meaningful reduction - rare for a top-tier model. These early glimpses make it a strong sale round for every price segment, whether you're after travel headphones, gym-friendly earbuds, or casual everyday listening. Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Amazon Great Republic Day sale deals on cameras - up to 46% off The camera lineup this time has something for every level. Sonys ZV-E10 II gets a worthwhile price drop, making it a solid pick for creators who want better autofocus and stabilisation. Canons EOS R50 and R10 kits also appear with strong reductions, especially the bundles that include RF-S lenses. Even the Instax Mini series from Fujifilm is discounted for casual shooters. For those upgrading from phone photography or starting out with mirrorless, these early revealed deals look promising. Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Loading Suggestions... Similar articles These AI PC laptops will boost your productivity manifold; December 2025 edition Since Donald Trump returned to office, one country has borne the brunt of his fury. Weve been ripped off by every country in the world," he declared in April, but China is thechief-ripper-offer". On September 6th the president came up with a new label: deepest, darkest China". He has matched words with action. Tariffs on Chinese goods, including levies placed on the country for its role in the fentanyl trade, are among Americas highest. Pacts with South-East Asian countries target goods suspected of being transshipped" from China, and America has leaned on the EU to keep Chinese metals out of its supply chains. Much of Mr Trumps agenda is scattershot; trying to isolate China looks like a coherent plan. Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, has retaliated with his own tariffs, and is now courting other parts of the world, including the EU, India, Malaysia and Vietnam. His boldest display came at the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit on September 1st, where he cast China as an alternative to America, urging members to oppose cold war thinking...and bullying". What does all this mean in practice? A few months after Mr Trumps Liberation Day", trade data provide a clue. According to Chinese customs figures, the latest of which were released on September 8th, over the past three months exports to America have plunged by a quarter against a year earlier. Uncle Sams share of Chinas exports fell from 15% to 10% in August. Yet Mr Trumps grander ambitionto hurt Chinas trade machinehas been unsuccessful. From June to August, Chinas total shipments rose by 6% year on year. Sales to Africa surged by a third, exports to the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) climbed by a fifth and shipments to Europe increased by nearly a tenth. A year ago the EU and America absorbed a similar share of Chinas goods; today Europe takes over 60% more. The world beyond America, then, is snapping up more Chinese goods than ever before. This is particularly true of the global south, where Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), established in 2013, has laid firm foundations. The BRIs pace has quickened since Mr Trump returned to the White House. In the first half of 2025, BRI activity reached a record, with over $120bn in new contracts and investment handed out in the scheme, according to the Griffith Asia Institute, a research outfit. Nearly half of the initiatives construction contracts, which are awarded to Chinese firms, are for projects in Africa. These came to more than $30bn, five times the amount in the same period the year before. Such deals are fuelling trade. Chinese exports to Nigeria have leapt by over half in the past three months compared with a year earlier, led by demand for equipment to build Chinese-financed railways and power generation. Egypt has also tapped BRI loans. And Chinese finance is making progress in other regards, too. Kenya plans to convert dollar-denominated Chinese loans into yuan; Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa have signed swap agreements. All the while, China is cementing its role in supply chains. Between June and August shipments from China to Thailand and Vietnam were a quarter higher than a year earlier. The sharpest rises were in electronics and machinery, with flows to both countries up by over 40%. Some of this may be front-loading", or getting ahead of levies. Yet more profound changes are occurring beneath the surface. China is moving production inside ASeAN, including to Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, so as to satisfy the blocs rules-of-origin. This may minimise transshipment, but it fixes the role of Chinese firms in trade. The exception to this picture lies closer to America. From May to July, Mexican imports from China dropped by 6% compared with a year earlier. They may soon fall further. On September 4th Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexicos president, announced plans for new tariffs on Chinese cars, textiles and plastics, which are meant both to shield local firms and placate Mr Trump, who has long pushed for the creation of a Fortress North America". He should be aware, however, that fortresses are rarely signs of confidence. In the 15th century Chinas Ming dynasty turned inwards, curbing trade and constructing the Great Wall. The retreat sapped the countrys vitality and speeded up its decline. In building its own walls, America risks making a similar mistake todayas the trade data already suggest. For more expert analysis of the biggest stories in economics, finance and markets, sign up to Money Talks, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed closer business and defense ties with India in his first trip to Asia, aiming to bolster Europes biggest economy as tensions with its main trading partners China and US grow. Merz met his counterpart, Narendra Modi, on Monday in the western city of Ahmedabad, in the Indian prime ministers home state of Gujarat. The two leaders began bilateral talks at around 11 a.m. local time, and both sides are expected to sign about 10 agreements spanning areas from critical minerals to traditional medicines before issuing press statements. The high-profile visit is an opportunity for the two leaders to showcase stronger economic and security ties amid strained relations with the US under President Donald Trump. The US leaders repeated threats to annex Greenland has shocked European allies, while India remains saddled with one of the highest US tariff rates of 50%. During Merzs two-day visit, Germany and India are expected to sign agreements on business cooperation, semiconductor development and defense projects. Germany also hopes to gain better access to critical minerals from India with the two sides expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on the matter. Berlin is struggling to reduce its supply chain dependencies for rare earths and other raw material from China. Both sides are also expected to ink an agreement to lower the hurdles for Indian health care workers to come to Germany where labor shortages in many sectors of the economy are holding back economic growth. Before their bilateral talks on Monday, Merz and Modi visited the Sabarmati Ashram Mahatma Gandhis former home and a center of Indias struggle for independence and attended a local kite festival. This human legacy unites Indians and Germans as friends in a world that may more than ever be in need of Gandhis teachings, Merz wrote in the guest book at the ashrams memorial site. Merz is accompanied by a large group of German business leaders, including the chief executive officers of Siemens, DHL Group, Infineon Technologies, Uniper and Airbus Defence and Space. There are also managers from several small- and medium-sized companies from the so-called Mittelstand that forms the backbone of Germanys once powerful, but now struggling manufacturing sector. Both nations also aim to deepen cooperation in the pharmaceuticals sector and between defense companies, with senior managers from Boehringer Ingelheim and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems traveling with Merz. Merz will likely use his meeting with Modi to speed up negotiations between the European Union and India on a free-trade agreement. Negotiators are rushing to finalize a deal by the time EU President Ursula von der Leyen heads to India later in January, with talks stuck on a few key issues like steel and automobiles, Bloomberg News previously reported. As the fastest-growing economy in the G20, India is a key economic partner in the Indo-Pacific region for Germany. More than 2,000 German companies are doing business in India, and more than 700 Indian companies invest in Germany. With a bilateral trade volume of almost $50 billion, Germany is Indias most important partner in the European Union. On his second day in India on Tuesday, Merz plans to visit a Bosch facility in the business hub of Bangalore. In the defense sector, Germany and India are currently hammering out the details of a submarine manufacturing deal worth at least $8 billion the largest-ever defense agreement for New Delhi, Bloomberg News reported last week. Germanys Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH and Indian state-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. are negotiating the details of an agreement that would include technology transfer for submarine production, people familiar with the matter said. Its unclear if the agreement will be announced during Merzs visit. Indias navy operates about a dozen aging Russian submarines and six new French-made models. The South Asian nation remains reliant on Russia for military equipment, and Germany sees the submarine deal as a chance to reduce that dependence. The catch? You have to be willing to train artificial intelligence to one day do your job as well as you can. Welcome to the next gig economy. Instead of driving for Uber or delivering Postmates, a new wave of workers is signing up to school AI. These white-collar contractors review and critique the output of the large language models that power chatbots and other AI tools. Not just anyone can work for Mercor, an AI startup valued at $10 billion. Applicants have to demonstrate their abilities in the interview process. And you might work on the same project for weeks or even months. The vast list of subject-area experts Mercor seeks includes astronomers, psychologists, industrial engineers, filmmakers, creative writers, comedians, legal experts, investment bankers and venture capitalists. A dermatologist can make as much as $250 an hour helping a healthcare partner develop its decision-support tools." Poets who enhance AIs understanding of poetic structure, literary nuance and emotional expression" can earn as much as $150 an hour. Mercor hired over 30,000 contractors in 2025 to work on projects for some of the largest AI companies. Clients have included OpenAI and Anthropic. Economic uncertainty, tariffs and a wait-and-see approach regarding the extent to which AI can handle tasks have all contributed to a growing unemployment rate, which in November hit its highest level in four years. White-collar workers are finding themselves applying to hundreds of jobs. For many, that now includes gigs with Mercor. People can earn a $250 referral bonus by getting others to sign on with Mercor, contributing to a flood of job postings on LinkedIn and speculation that the whole thing must be a scam. (Its not.) But training AI to take over human tasks could be considered a dark irony in todays anemic job market. When Katie Williams, 30, first saw a job listed for Mercor, the posting said the company was looking for a video editor. Williams, who lives in Houston, went to school for video editing and has worked in news and social-media marketing. She applied and soon landed an interview, conducted by an unseen AI proctor with a male-sounding voice. She wasnt quite sure what the job would entail but the pay was as much as $45 an hour, so she moved ahead. View Full Image Katie Williams, a video editor who does contract work for Mercor, jokes to friends that she's training AI to do her job one day. Williams is now about six months into various projects that have involved watching video clips and writing out captions of everything thats happening in them, and rating the quality of videos generated by prompts. She has mixed feelings about the work. I joked with my friends Im training AI to take my job someday," she says. Co-workers in her Slack channel express similar sentiments, she adds. They dont feel great about training AI but they feel their job prospects are limited. Many of the people we work with already see AI as inevitable in their field, but that doesnt mean humans will run out of meaningful work," a Mercor spokeswoman said in a written statement. Many of our experts see it as their responsibility to infuse their knowledge and expertise into the models to ensure accurate and thoughtful outcomes." Applicants undergo an initial video interview conducted by AI, and the company says a small percentage are required to share their screen to show their work. Once hired, workers must install time-tracking software. That software ensures contractors are working during billable hours and arent cutting corners by using AI to critique the AIwhich some have been caught doing, according to the Mercor spokeswoman. After more than 20 years at the same job as an automotive journalist, Peter Valdes-Dapena was laid off in 2024. He spent months sending out resumes for full-time jobs to no avail. He finds freelance work inconsistent and it doesnt make up for his past salary. Though he saved for his retirement, hed rather not start dipping in yet. One day, Mercor popped up in his LinkedIn feed. The 61-year-old now spends 20 to 30 hours a week critiquing AIs attempts at writing news articles. He finds the work challenging and says its had the pleasant side effect of improving his own writing. The nature of the work does produce some internal conflict. Valdes-Dapena says journalists will always existhe thinks people appreciate ideas and writing from humansbut he worries AI could lead to more job losses. I didnt invent AI and Im not going to uninvent it," he says. If I were to stop doing this, would that stop it? The answer is no." View Full Image Peter Valdes-Dapena, a longtime journalist who took a contract job with Mercor, finds the work improves his writing. Laura Kittel, an academic currently seeking nonprofit and government jobs, learned about Mercor from a friend. She applied and soon got an offer. The next step was to sign a contract, which was reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. She interpreted it to mean that she was granting royalty-free rights to her existing and future academic papers and any other intellectual property that might benefit an unspecified Mercor client. I thought thats a bit of an overreach," she says. Kittel tried to amend the contract. Melvin," a Mercor AI assistant, replied via email saying the contract couldnt be amended. If she didnt like it, she could walk. Its very much a feeling of having a lot of your dignity taken away from you," she says. Mercor says the contract only applies to a workers writing, code or other intellectual property if the worker chooses to use it in the course of their project. Anything the worker has created on their own and doesnt use is exempt from the terms of the agreement. Sara Kubik, an attorney with her own solo practice, generates supplemental income during slow months by doing contract AI training work for Mercor. She has also worked for two other AI-training companies. She says one project she worked on for Mercor was on behalf of OpenAI. Kubik says most people who approach her about Mercor are looking to get some work themselves, but some make negative comments. Theyve alleged to her that Mercor is a scam or said shes training AI to take jobs. Kubik balks at the idea that AI will replace lawyers (though she says some legal assistants might not be so lucky). She finds training AI rewarding and looks forward to AI one day handling some parts of the job, such as screening new clients. Her contracting work has convinced her theres a lot of hype and grandiose statements about AIs potential: Its taught me the limitations of AI." Write to Katherine Bindley at katie.bindley@wsj.com With five oil tankers seizedand more U.S. military action promisedthe worlds fleet of so-called shadow tankers that ferry sanctioned crude are quickly hoisting a new flag: the Russian tricolor. Their hope is that by operating under the flag of a country with a strong navy they might be able to skirt the U.S. blockade on Venezuelan oil movements and avoid interception by the Coast Guard. It doesnt appear to be working. The U.S. military seized a fifth oil tanker Friday and continues to monitor other vessels trying to evade the Trump administrations quarantine on sanctioned tankers traveling to and from Venezuela, according to American officials. Moscow sent ships to escort another tanker, known as Bella 1, which was sailing under a sloppily painted Russian flag on its hull, as the U.S. military tracked it across the Atlantic Ocean. Bella 1s apparent attempt to claim protection from Moscow appeared to fail. The tanker, which turned out to be empty of oil, was seized Wednesday in a raid by special-operations forces. Russias Foreign Ministry said two Russian crew members would be released in an agreement with the U.S. government. American officials said the crews of all seized vessels would eventually be repatriated. In the past two weeks alone, as the Trump administrations attempt to blockade Venezuelas crude exports intensified, more than 15 tankers involved in shipping sanctioned oil swapped flags to fly Russias, according to Lloyds List Intelligence. Russia-flagged ships still represent a small portion of the shadow fleet. Adopting the Russian flag is a way for the dark fleet to be supposedly protected from raids," said Richard Meade, editor in chief of Lloyds List, a shipping report. It can certainly become a flashpoint between Washington and Moscow." Twenty-five tankers were reflagged to Russia in the final three months of 2025, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Eighteen of those changed their colors in December, and 16 were sanctioned by the U.K. or the U.S. The legitimacy of these midvoyage changes under international maritime law is unclear, S&P said. The flag switches mark another stage in the evolution of the fleet of tankers that ship oil from Venezuela, Iran and Russia. Operators of those vessels go to elaborate lengths to disguise the origin of their cargo and avoid detection. Tactics include changing vessel names and falsifying coordinates. Until recently, most of this shadow fleet sailed under obscure colors, such as the flag of Gabon, or established flags of convenience, such as Liberias. Some had bogus flags from countries such as East Timor and Malawi. Shipping executives and lawyers said that whoever controls the newly Russian-flagged tankers had hoped the U.S. wouldnt dare touch ships that Moscow counts as its own. In the case of Bella 1, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow said the tanker received permission to fly Russias flag in late December, that this was in keeping with international and Russian laws and that it was sailing toward Russia. The crew painted the Russian flag on the side of the ship while it was being chased, and it was registered as the Marinera in the Russian ship registry. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, however, said the vessel was deemed stateless after flying a false flag." The U.S. sanctioned the ship in 2024, alleging that it had carried oil for Hezbollah. Before it switched allegiance to Russia, Bella 1 purported to sail under the colors of Guyana, where officials have warned that ships are using its flag fraudulently. Maritime nations have been flying their flags on ships for centuries. Global regulations that made countries responsible for safe sailing of the ships on their books were adopted after World War II. While flag states arent bound to protect ships on their registers if they come under attack, those with a large navy like Russia often do, maritime lawyers and shipping executives said. The proliferation of fly-by-night flags and registers has fanned concern about possible accidents involving old tankers with sanctioned cargoes, but until the recent seizures Western governments have mostly allowed them to sail unimpeded. The interception of Bella 1 underscores the ties linking Venezuelas state-run oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, known as PdVSA, with Russia, as well as Moscows broader role in assembling the shadow tanker fleet. The number of shadow tankers previously dedicated to moving Iranian and Venezuelan oil ballooned to accommodate Russias high level of oil exports when the U.S. and allies imposed sanctions on the countrys crude sales after its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian interests may be embedded in PdVSA, potentially setting Trump up for confrontation with [Russian President Vladimir Putin] over oil assets in Venezuela," said Michelle Wiese Bockmann of the maritime-data company Windward. People involved in the seizure of Bella 1 said Russian military vessels were talking to the tankers crew as it was being captured by American special forces coming on board down ropes from helicopters. The tanker crew didnt resist, and Russian vessels pulled back, according to a senior Russian maritime official. The vessels radioed the headquarters of the Russian Northern Fleet in Murmansk to say they feared a shootout. The U.S. sent a significant amount of firepower to support the Bella 1 takeover mission. At one point two Russian aircraft flew over a Coast Guard vessel trailing the tanker. While Russia ultimately backed down, it has a record of deploying its military to protect shipping interests. In May, Estonia said Moscow sent a jet fighter into North Atlantic Treaty Organization airspace when the Baltic country tried to stop an unflagged tanker that Britain had sanctioned for moving Russian oil. Write to Costas Paris at costas.paris@wsj.com, Joe Wallace at joe.wallace@wsj.com and Benoit Faucon at benoit.faucon@wsj.com DUBAIIrans 12-day war with Israel and the U.S. last June broke the regimes carefully nurtured image of invincibility, many ordinary Iranians say. Now the aftermath is helping to fuel a wave of protests over the past two weeks that has left at least 500 people dead as the Islamic Republic attempts to regain control. Footage seeping out of the country shows mass protests are continuing despite the crackdown. Human-rights-group assessments say security forces have already gunned down hundreds, and possibly thousands, of protesters. President Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran if deadly force is used, and on Tuesday aides are scheduled to brief him on specific measures the U.S. can take to respond to the killings. Irans leaders have weathered similar storms before. This time, the regime is in a far weaker position. The ayatollahs rule was shaped by the bloody eight-year war that Saddam Husseins Iraq launched in the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The social compact that endured since that trauma was that Iranians would acquiesce to hardship and restrictions in return for a strong state that protects them from foreign attack. That assumption came crashing down when Iranian-backed Hamas and Hezbollah attacked Israel in 2023, triggering a regional war that brought death and destruction into the heart of Tehran last summer. Israeli strikes across Iran destroyed much of its military leadership, and the follow-on U.S. bombing campaign struck a heavy blow against Irans nuclear program. It was a humiliation for a regime that had invested so much of the countrys national wealth into a proxy network that was designed to deter exactly this sort of assault on the homeland. Now protesters are braving arrest or bullets as they demand not just changes in policy, but the downfall of the Islamic Republic itself. View Full Image Crowds cheer a motorcade carrying Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Tehran in 1979. This was the last straw. The regime over the years had argued that although it has not been able to bring about prosperity or pluralism for the Iranians, at least it had brought them safety and security. Turns out, it didnt," said Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group. Now the people have reached the point of saying: Enough is enough." Junes 12-day war gave the regime a temporary sugar high, which many mistakenly believed was a national rallying around the flag," said Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, pointing out that the Islamic Republic, since its inception in 1979, had chosen to wage a war of choice, rather than a war of necessity, against Israel. External wars tend to strengthen revolutionary regimes in their early years, but military humiliations expose the brittleness of late-stage dictatorships." Indeed, history is replete with examples of repressive regimes falling to domestic unrest after military setbacks against foreign adversaries. In Serbia, President Slobodan Milosevic was toppled in 2000, a year after a North Atlantic Treaty Organization bombing campaign forced him to surrender control of Kosovo. Argentinas junta was replaced with a democratic government a year after being defeated by the United Kingdom in the 1982 Falklands War. And Greeces military dictatorship collapsed after losing a war over Cyprus in 1974. No upheaval has a single cause. The immediate reason for the latest round of protests in Iran was a series of currency devaluations, a sign of Irans deepening economic crisis as oil prices decline and Western sanctions strangle business activity. This crisis, however, is inextricably linked to Irans isolation, which is a clear result of its failed foreign policy. Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, 86 years old, has resisted pressure to change course since the 12-day war, attempting to carry on business as usual. Tehran didnt significantly alter its foreign policy or seek a deal with Trump over Irans nuclear program, something that could have led to an alleviation of sanctions. Nor did the regime implement any major domestic political and economic reforms that could have buttressed its popular support. View Full Image Tehran was hit by Israeli airstrikes in June 2025. The fact that the U.S. Air Force can blow Iran to smithereens wasnt a surprise to anyone. The surprise was that once you are blown up, you still want to go back to the same policies that have brought the country to this situation in the first place," said Alex Vatanka, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington. This is what has given this sense of absolute hopelessness, with people saying: Ive got nothing else here to lose." This isnt the first time the Iranian regime has been challenged by mass protests. It survived the so-called Green Revolution" over the disputed presidential election in 2009, as well as rounds of major unrest in 2019 and 2022. Now, though, the international environment has changed. The U.S., under Trump, is encouraging the protestswhile Irans regional rivals, especially Saudi Arabia, hope that the regime will be tamed and focus inward, but wont collapse. Many of Irans neighbors fear that the country of more than 90 million people could plunge into a Syria-style civil war, with separatist uprisings in provinces populated by Iranian Kurds, Baluchis and other minorities spilling across borders. The perception among Irans neighbors in the Gulf is that they prefer to deal with an Iran that they know, rather than something new or a zone of instability," said Nikolay Kozhanov, research associate professor at the Gulf Studies Center of Qatar University. The Arab neighbors, despite all the problems and contradictions, want to see a weakened Iran, but an Iran that they understand. Lets not have illusions that a regime change in Iran would necessarily lead to a more friendly regime there." Back in 2009, then-President Barack Obama had similar concerns and stayed away from supporting Iranian Green Revolution" protesters, focusing more on negotiating a nuclear deal with Khameneis regime. In 2013, Obama also backed out of striking the Iranian-sponsored Syrian regime for a nerve-gas attack on civilians in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta, after initially declaring that the use of chemical weapons would be a red line" triggering U.S. intervention. Trump, by contrast, is indicating that he will act. Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The U.S.A. stands ready to help!!!" Trump posted on social media Saturday, shortly after reposting Sen. Lindsey Grahams statement that the brutality of the Iranian ayatollah and his religious Nazi henchmen" wont go unchallenged. Trump, of course, has been buoyed by the success of decapitating the Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro, and securing, at least so far, the cooperation of his successor. He may be tempted by the same template of removing Khamenei, and hoping for better luck with a more pliable successor, diplomats and Iran watchers say. Last June, Trump said on social media that he knew where Khamenei was hiding, but that he wouldnt have him killedat least not for now." Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said that if the U.S. removes Khamenei it could offer an opportunity for the rest of the regime to take a more pragmatic approachas happened in Caracas. The remaining Iranian regime could tell the population, We can give you hopes for economic improvement because we are going to push for a deal with the U.S. that lifts sanctions, and we are repairing the rupture in the security node of our social contract because we have removed the constant threat of strikes by the U.S.," she said. The big question is whether this would be enough to appease the Iranian citizenry, given the level of dissatisfaction, rioting and violence we are seeing on the ground at the moment," she said. But that is one off-ramp that is available to the current ruling system. Its also one thatif we look at Venezuelamay be appealing to Trump, and to the Gulf states." It wouldnt necessarily be as appealing to Irans pro-democracy protesters. If we end up there, what would be the point of all of this?" said Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, CEO of the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation think tank, predicting that the Iranian system would move toward a more pragmatic approach anyway after Khameneis eventual death. A decapitation that preserves the essence of the regime, he added, would be tragic. It would mean that everyone who lost their lives so far in these protests, and in the protests leading up to this, would have done it in vain," he said. Write to Yaroslav Trofimov at yaroslav.trofimov@wsj.com Bank holiday today, 12 January: All public and private sector banks will be closed in West Bengal on Monday, 12 January to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, one of India's most inspiring spiritual leaders and thinkers. According to the RBI bank holiday calendar, which is the basis of all bank holidays across the country, banks in West Bengal including SBI, PNB, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank among others will be closed today. However, the January 12 bank holiday is a regional bank holiday, meaning that lenders across other places in the country will function as normal. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decides its bank holidays based on regional holidays and national holidays. On national holidays like Independence Day or Republic Day, banks are closed across the country. However, only in-person work is affected on bank holidays. ATM cash withdrawal, UPI payments, online and mobile banking and other services are not suspended on bank holidays. Swami Vivekananda birth anniversary The nation will be observing the 164th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda today, 12 January. Swami Vivekananda, the renowned philosopher, spiritual leader and one of the greatest youth leaders of India, has continued to influence the country even today. His teachings and ideals are still relevant, as Swami Vivekananda believed in encouraging the youth participating in the act of nation building. His quote Arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached continues to inspire generations to this day. Also Read | Bank Holidays in January 2026: Banks to be closed for up to 16 days next month Also Read | National Youth Day 2025: Remembering Swami Vivekananda with his 10 quotes Remaining bank holidays in January 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. 23 January Banks will be closed in West Bengal, Odisha and Tripura due to the birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose / Saraswati Puja (Shree Panchami) / Vir Surendrasai Jayanti / Basanta Panchami. 26 January Banks will be closed across all states and Union Territories of India due to Republic Day. The US and India will hold a fresh round of negotiations on Tuesday over a much-delayed trade deal, even as Washington moves to draw New Delhi into the Pax Silica, a brand-new technological alliance of nations to counter China in chips, critical minerals, and AI infrastructure. Both sides continue to actively engage (on the trade deal), the USs new ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, said in his first address after taking charge in New Delhi on Monday. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow. Remember, it is the worlds largest nation; so its not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there. Further, Gor said that India will be invited to join the Pax Silica group of nations as a full member next month. The alliance, which was formed last month, has been joined already by Japan, South Korea, the UK and Israel, Gor said. Noting that Indo-US bilateral ties can be the most consequential global partnership of this century, the ambassador said: No partner is more essential than India. Gors signals on Washingtons strategic overtures towards India sent sluggish market indices into green territory on Monday, with the benchmarks BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 closing up 0.36% and 0.42%, respectively, after trading in the red in the initial few hours. Tariff hit to exports The US ambassadors remarks are a welcome reaffirmation of the strategic importance of India-US trade ties, said Ajay Sahai, director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations. Continued dialogue is essential to resolve outstanding issues, enhance predictability, and strengthen mutually beneficial export and supply-chain partnerships, he said. Notably, the US was Indias largest trading partner for the fourth straight year in 2024-25, with bilateral trade valued at $131.84 billion. However, Indias exports to the US have been impacted in the current fiscal year due to the steep 50% tariff imposed by the US. Exports held up at first despite a 10% duty, rising from $8.4 billion in April to $8.8 billion in May, before easing slightly in June and July, according to commerce ministry data. The impact became clearer in August, when exports fell to $6.8 billion as tariffs were increased in quick steps, reaching 50% by the end of the month. In September, the first full month under higher tariffs, exports dropped further to $5.5 billion, the lowest level of the year. However, exports picked up again, touching $6.3 billion in October and $6.9 billion in November, showing that exporters began to adjust to the higher duties. To be sure, India's overall goods exports rose to $38.13 billion in November 2025, the highest for the month in the past decade, extending the recovery seen after the pandemic years. Earlier, on 9 December 2025, US trade representative Jamieson Greer told the US Senate that India had put forward the best offer the US has ever received, as his deputy, Rick Switzer, met Indias commerce secretary, Rajesh Agarwal, on 10 December to advance trade negotiations. Also Read | India tops again: Export rebound in November puts it ahead of EM peers Strategic shift Gor said in his address that both countries will also continue to work closely on other areas including security, counter-terrorism, energy technology, education and health. I also want to share with you today a new initiative that the United States launched just last month, called Pax Silica. Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous and innovation-driven silicon supply chain from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing semiconductors, AI development, and logistics, Gor said. The Pax Silica alliance gains significance as major economies including the US and India have been looking at diversifying the global supply chain and technologies for these critical and emerging sectors currently dominated by China. Also Read | RBI announces relief for export sectors facing trade disruption Gor vouched for the friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the US President Donald Trump: I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real. The United States and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by relationship anchorage at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each reigning strength, respect, and leadership to the table, he said. Last week, US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick claimed a pivotal trade deal stalled because Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined to personally call President Donald Trump to finalize the pact, a claim New Delhi dismissed as inaccurate. Bengaluru: Almost a decade ago, Pranav Vempati knocked on the doors of nearly 40 venture capital (VC) firms, asking them to back a bet that would take years to pay off. Not one of them said yes. Vempati was building technology-powered prosthetic handsdevices that could mimic real hand movements and help people with limb issues regain everyday movement. But when he told investors that product development alone could take five years, the conversations often ended after the first meeting. Undeterred, Vempati, founder of the Hyderabad-based deep-tech startup Makers Hive, turned to strategic angel investors, doctors, hospital heads and industry insiders, who understood the problem and the patience it would take to solve it. It took years for venture capital to come calling. A few months ago, Makers Hive finally raised its first VC-backed bridge round of 10 crore from Silverneedle Ventures and is in talks to raise a Series A between March and May. The shift in mindset is evident. Now, nobody is talking about timelines. The questions are about patents, IP and what technology you are building. Earlier, it was about how fast you could scale," Vempati told Mint. For Bengaluru-based Tsalla Aerospace, a seven-year-old startup developing sustainable military and industrial-grade products, most early conversations ended with great tech but too early or too slow or too complex." According to founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Vinayak Tsalla, over the last year, the conversations have changed. With validated technology, government contracts, real deployments and revenue visibility, VCs now engage more seriously. The tone has shifted from prove this can work to how big can this get," he said. View Full Image Vinayak Tsalla, founder & CEO, Tsalla Aerospace. While Makers Hive and Tsalla Aerospace survived to see this change, many deep-tech startups could not. Subtl.ai and Log9 Materials, founded around the same period, shut shop after struggling with long product cycles and a paucity of capital. India has long been able to churn out consumer internet and software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies, but building deep-tech firmsthose rooted in advanced engineering, materials science or hardwarehas been a challenge. Venture capital, with its preference for quick growth and predictable exits, was often blamed for the gap. Now that same capital is attempting to rewrite the story. According to Tracxn, funding into Indian deep-tech startups rose to about $1.15 billion in 2025, up from $843 million in 2024. In recent months, investors have launched dedicated deep-tech initiatives: Lightspeed has sharpened its focus on India-built deep-tech companies; Speciale Invest has announced plans for a 1,400-crore fund; Shastra VC has rolled out a deep-tech fellowship; the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombays Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) has launched Indias first incubator-linked deep-tech VC fund; and BYT Capital has debuted its 180-crore maiden fund. The state is stepping in, too. In April, commerce minister Piyush Goyal announced a 10,000-crore fund of funds for deep-tech, with 2,000 crore earmarked for lab-to-market transitions. The question is whether this convergence of venture capital and government support can overcome deep-techs structural hurdles, such as long gestation periods, high capital requirements and uncertain exits. Mint spoke with investors, founders and industry experts to get some answers. The context Indias VC ecosystem has been shaped for the better part of the last decade by bets that deliver quick scale and clear monetization paths, with consumer internet, marketplaces, fintech and SaaS absorbing the lions share of funding. According to Bain and Co.s venture capital report 2025, these sectors together accounted for more than 60-70% of VC investment value in 2024. Consumer tech alone drew $5.4 billion and SaaS/enterprise software and generative artificial intelligence (AI) secured around $1.7 billion, as investors chased recurring revenue and global markets. Total funding stood at about $14 billion during the year, according to the report. More recently, in 2025, of the $9 billion total VC investment, consumer and SaaS accounted for about 50% or $4.3 billion funding whereas deep-tech made up for $1.15 billion, according to data sourced from Tracxn. This dominance reflects the classic VC playbook of investing in businesses with rapid adoption curves, predictable unit economics and clear exit opportunities within a typical three- to five-year horizon. In contrast, deep-tech has historically received only a small fraction of total VC dollars, often under 5-10% of funding, despite its strategic importance and higher long-term value potential. According to Tracxn, only 24 VC firms in India have invested in 10 or more deep-tech startups in the last five years. Why the sudden shift? So, whats behind the new funds and programmes focused on deep tech that have sprung up in recent months? Venture capitals renewed interest in deep tech is being shaped as much by policy as by markets. Over the past few years, the Indian government has taken a more active role in derisking early innovation, especially in sectors with strategic importance such as defence, space, semiconductors, climate and advanced manufacturing. Public capital has stepped in where private investors have historically hesitated, at the research and prototyping stage, where technical risk is highest and timelines are longest. Initiatives such as Startup India, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme announced in Union Budget 2024 are designed to accelerate lab-to-market transitions. Deep tech by nature requires blended capital, patient venture funding alongside catalytic public support," said Sadhika Agarwal, who leads investments at Equirus InnovateX Fund. The situation mirrors earlier policy-led playbooks. Weve seen similar cycles before in renewables and solar. Government procurement and subsidies created predictable demand, which eventually pulled in private capital and built global champions," said Avijeet Alagathi, managing partner at Shastra VC. More recently, production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes have done something similar in electronics manufacturing. Its easier for deep-tech-focused funds to find LPs (limited partners) who understand patience," said Alagathi. Indeed, deep techs long gestation periods and uneven risk-reward profile have led to the rise of specialized deep-tech vehicles with aligned LPs. Examples include Speciale Invests new growth-stage investment fund; Shastras recently launched SDEX programme; Chiratae Ventures sonic deep-tech programme for faster investments; and Lightspeeds deep-tech accelerator programme, India Ascends. Geopolitical uncertainty and supply-chain disruptions have sharpened this focus, pushing capital towards areas aligned with national priorities such as quantum security and drones, according to Vishesh Rajaram, co-founder and managing partner at Speciale Invest. It has made us look inward," he said. Talent dynamics are reinforcing this shift. According to investors, more founders are now emerging from Indian research institutions, while Indian-origin scientists and engineers with global experience are returning to build companies at home. The idea that serious technology can come out of Indian academia has been well established in the last five to seven years," Rajaram said, pointing to faculty-led successes from IITs, where deep research has translated into commercial outcomes. View Full Image Vishesh Rajaram, co-founder and managing partner, Speciale Invest. For example, last year, Mint wrote about Satyanarayanan Chakravarthy, a professor at IIT Madras who has crossed over to become an entrepreneur. Supply-chain constraints have also eased over the past four years, according to industry experts. Disruptions during the covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical shifts have accelerated the build-out of Indias manufacturing ecosystem. Component costs have fallen closer to global benchmarks, while quality control and process reliability have improved. Across batteries, tooling, machining and 3D printing, ecosystem support has grown significantly," Vempati said. For Amit Chand, founder of BYT Capital, this convergence is decisive. Policy support, market demand, maturing research institutions and returning talent are aligning for the first time," he said. This has shifted how investors view risk. The new playbook Venture capitalists backing deep tech increasingly agree on one thing: the new playbook is that there is no playbook. For Speciale Invests Rajaram, the biggest mental shift is abandoning the idea that deep tech can be templatized at all. Each sector operates very differently and each has distinct go-to-market paths, regulatory timelines and capital needs," he said. Five years ago, most investors would not even consider government-linked, defence or hardware-heavy businesses. Everyone wanted scalable SaaS models," said Sunil Gupta, co-founder and CEO of QNu Labs, one of Indias larger deep-tech startups. But that has changed significantly in the last few years." Investors are accepting exit timelines, structuring milestones around technical validation and real-world deployments rather than near-term revenue, and working more closely with governments, strategic customers and large corporates to help startups reach the market. According to Equiruss Agarwal, deep-tech-focused investors are restructuring fund tenures, deployment schedules and follow-on strategies. This shift has forced VCs themselves to rethink how their funds are designed. According to Equiruss Agarwal, deep-tech-focused investors are restructuring fund tenures, deployment schedules and follow-on strategies. Longer tenures and extended harvesting periods are becoming the norm," she said, aided in part by a rise in tech initial public offerings (IPOs), which have made LPs more comfortable with patient capital. For example, a VC firm backing founders in deep-tech in its third fund has allocated 50% of its total corpus for follow-on investments," said Agarwal. Another VC firm, Jamwant Ventures, which focuses on defence and strategic technologies, allocates large follow-on reserves (capital set aside to invest further in successful portfolio companies) to support capital-intensive growth phases, and accelerates writeoffs to free capital quickly for winners. Deep tech needs faster iteration and longer conviction," said Jamwant Ventures founder and managing partner Cdr Navneet Kaushik, who has invested in companies such as Green Aero Propulsion, SpaceFields and Thrustworks Dynetics. Liquidity, long seen as deep techs weakest link, is also being addressed more creatively. Strategic corporate investors and mission-aligned LPs are increasingly co-investing, helping derisk long product cycles and accelerate market entry, Agarwal added. Last year, for instance, Yali Capital closed its maiden deep-tech focused fund with a mix of corporate and institutional LPs such as Infosys, Tata AIG General Insurance, Qualcomm Ventures and the Self-Reliant India (SRI) Fund. Public markets have become a more meaningful channel," said Agarwal, pointing to Indian tech companies that have successfully listed, reinforcing that capital market exits are possible for technology businesses built in India. Globally, deep-tech outcomes have also helped reset expectations. Padmaja Ruparel, co-founder of IAN Group, said sectors such as semiconductors, space and life sciences have shown that meaningful results often take a decade or more, but once they mature, they deliver disproportionate value. There has been a nearly 6x increase in global deep-tech unicorn exits between 2018 and 2022, according to an AI and deep-tech transformation report by Praxis Global Alliance. View Full Image Padmaja Ruparel, co-founder, IAN Group. Just last year, Google acquired cloud security leader Wiz for $32 billion and California-based Marvell Technology acquired Celestial AI for about $3 billion. As for IPOs, New Jersey-based CoreWeave completed a public listing in 2025 at a valuation of $23 billion. The road ahead On paper, Indias deep-tech funding story looks encouraging. Of the $1.15 billion raised by startups in the sector in 2025, early-stage rounds alone accounted for more than $850 million. That concentration reveals the real gapavailability of capital has improved at the start, but is scarce where it matters most. Pre-seed funding has improved significantly, but capital thins out sharply at Seed and Series A/B, especially for companies building original technology rather than services, said Vinayak of Tsalla Aerospace. This gap becomes most visible as startups move from promising prototypes to commercially viable products. Pre-seed funding has improved significantly, but capital thins out sharply at Seed and Series A/B, especially for companies building original technology rather than services. Venture investors describe this phase using a familiar term: the valley of death. It typically sits between technology readiness levels (TRL) 4 and 7, when a startup has proven its technology in the lab but still needs large amounts of capital to turn it into an industrial-scale product. Early-stage money exists, and growth-stage capital comes once the technology is proven. The problem is the middle. Thats where startups need the most money, and where fundraising starts to drag," said Chand. In this valley, costs spike just as revenue remains uncertain. Hardware must be tested, certified, manufactured and deployed in the real world. Timelines stretch and failure is common. Some investors believe the gap is already beginning to narrow. According to Equiruss Agarwal, the next 12-18 months could see more stage-agnostic and growth-focused deep-tech funds targeting Series A and B rounds. Larger cheques and closer-to-market investing would signal deeper conviction in the sector. Businesses are growing and many will get to the growth stage. Some green shoots have started to emerge already, but it will take around 18 months before the growth stage flow picks up credibly in deep tech," said Madhur Singhal, managing partner, private capital, Praxis Global Alliance. Even then, acceptance will take time. Compared to the US and China, Indias share of global deep-tech investment remains small. Convincing the first customer to pay for a homegrown deep-tech solution is hard. Market adoption and credibility will remain tough for a few years, according to investors. As Rajaram of Speciale Invest put it, Deep-tech doesnt change to fit venture capital. Venture capital has to adapt and learn." The question now is whether this new wave of capital will be patient enough to help startups cross the Valley of Death. Deep-tech doesnt fail fastit fails expensively and slowly, said Tsalla. But, he added, when it works, the payoff is massive. 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. The demand for instant deliveries has intensified competition in Indias fashion retail industry, pushing platforms and startups alike to bet on speed as a key differentiator, setting the stage for a more execution-intensive battle in 2026. The year 2025 marked the rise of quick fashion models that promise clothing deliveries within 60 minutes, echoing the rapid expansion of quick commerce in groceries and staples. What began as limited pilots in a few urban pockets has evolved into a broader strategic push, with large marketplaces, mass retailers and digital-first brands racing to meet consumers growing expectations for immediate fulfilment. The shift became evident this year as Myntra expanded its 30-minute M-Now service across Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune. Reliance Retail entered the segment with Ajio Rush, offering fashion delivery in under four hours in key cities. Ethnic wear brand Libas partnered with Zepto to enable 1012 minute deliveries for select styles and also launched its own quick-commerce vertical during the festive season. Vishal Mega Mart rolled out a store-led rapid-delivery model across more than 650 stores in over 400 cities. At the same time, brands such as NEWME, Slikk and Knot scaled ultra-fast delivery offerings focused on impulse-led, occasion-driven demand. For Myntra, quick delivery has moved beyond experimentation. One year after launch, M-Now contributes around 10% of overall orders in locations where it is live, with customer penetration exceeding 20%, according to the company. The service has attracted over 35 million unique visitors and operates through more than 80 dark stores covering over 940 pincodes. Also Read | Quick commerce has exploded. But 2026 is likely to be even more challenging Dark store dominance M-Now has seen strong and sustained customer adoption since launch, reaffirming that speed is increasingly becoming a core expectation in fashion and beauty e-commerce," said Maneesh Kumar Dubey, vice president, category management, Myntra. He added that categories such as womens western wear, womens Indian wear, occasion wear, footwear, handbags, watches, jewellery and perfumes have seen strong demand, alongside everyday beauty and personal care essentials. M-Now is also witnessing an uptick in premium gifting demand, reflecting rising consumer confidence in ultra-fast delivery even for higher-value items. The return delivery timelines are the same for M-Now and Myntra. It takes the standard 2-7 business days. Dubey said the service is enabled by a network of strategically located dark stores, advanced trend forecasting, real-time inventory visibility and dynamic order routing that help manage demand spikes during festive and sale events. As customers increasingly expect speed, hyper-speed fashion delivery is set to become an increasingly meaningful part of the overall e-commerce mix," he said, particularly in metros and high-potential tier II markets. Amid the expansion of platform-led models, quick-fashion startups have gained fresh investor attention as they build speed-first propositions targeting younger, trend-driven consumers. Bengaluru-based Slikk, one of the early quick-commerce fashion players, has raised capital to fuel its 60-minute delivery model and expand its footprint. The startup secured $10 million (about 85 crore) in a Series A round led by Nexus Venture Partners, with participation from Lightspeed. The funding aims to help the startup expand into lifestyle categories, introduce instant returns, and widen its geographical reach beyond Bengaluru, where it currently delivers fashion and accessories in under an hour. Mumbai-based Knot has also drawn investor interest, securing more than $8 million in funding to expand its rapid-delivery network and services. The quick-fashion delivery startup offers 60-minute deliveries with doorstep trials and AI-powered try-ons to reduce returns, alongside plans to grow micro-warehouses and strengthen last-mile operations beyond Mumbai. Solving return logistics Digital-first brand NEWME has put ultra-fast delivery at the centre of its growth strategy, offering its quick-delivery vertical, Zip, with 3060 minute fulfilment in Bengaluru and 6090 minutes in the Delhi-NCR region. According to founder Sumit Jasoria, the strongest traction on Zip comes from trend-led occasion wear such as partywear, co-ords, dresses and going-out stylespurchases that are largely impulse-driven rather than pre-planned. Over 70% of Zip orders are for outfits customers need the same day," Jasoria said. He added that ultra-fast delivery has not only boosted conversion rates but also reduced cancellations and failed deliveries, as on-hand inventory at delivery locations is significantly higher. Faster delivery, he noted, also shortens the time between purchase and use, reducing second thoughts and resulting in lower return rates. NEWME operates its own hyperlocal fulfilment model using a network of dark stores and brand outlets, and chooses not to partner with third-party quick-commerce platforms. Managing fulfilment in-house gives us better control over inventory, delivery timelines and customer experience, which is essential when youre promising fashion delivery in under an hour," Jasoria said. Also Read | Why early investors are piling into quick-commerce and AI despite the risks On economics, he said the key lies in placing the right inventory in the right locations. Our data science models ensure we only place inventory with a high probability of selling within those micro-markets. While last-mile delivery costs are higher, they are balanced by lower returns, better conversions and faster inventory movement," he explained. On the question of whether speed is becoming hygiene or a differentiator, Jasoria said, Today, ultra-fast delivery is a strong differentiator in fashion, especially when combined with curated styles and trend relevance. Over time, speed may become hygiene, but experience, trend accuracy and reliability will continue to differentiate brands." Key Takeaways Quick fashion is moving from a premium pilot to a standard expectation, with 3060 minute deliveries becoming the 2026 benchmark. While last-mile logistics costs are higher for quick fashion, they are being offset by significantly lower return rates and higher conversion. Success is increasingly dependent on hyperlocal infrastructure rather than centralized regional hubs. Occasion wear, partywear, and premium gifting are the primary drivers of the instant fashion trend. Significant capital (Series A rounds of $810 million is flowing into startups that can prove execution in the 60-minute delivery space. Execution over hype Looking ahead to 2026, he said Zip will be central to NEWMEs growth strategy, with plans to strengthen its presence in core metros such as Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Mumbai, and improve delivery speed and style availability. The acceleration in quick fashion coincided with a broader recovery in apparel retail after a cautious start to 2025. According to Kumar Rajagopalan, chief executive officer of the Retailers Association of India (RAI), the apparel sector experienced low single-digit growth in the early months as consumers reduced their discretionary spending. From August onwards, apparel performance improved, supported by festive demand and better consumer sentiment, leading to stronger growth in the second half of the year," Rajagopalan said. He added that fast fashion grew faster as GST cuts made mid-priced clothes more affordable. Looking ahead to 2026, competition will intensify as both startups and large retailers focus on faster product cycles, sharper assortments and tighter inventory control, making execution the key differentiator," he said. New Delhi: Union heavy industries minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday chaired a stakeholder consultation with about 20 companies on the 7,280-crore scheme to incentivize manufacturing of sintered rare earth magnets. The meeting underscores Indias push to build a domestic supply chain for rare-earth magnets, a critical input for electric vehicles (EVs), renewables and defence equipment. "The consultation witnessed participation from over 20 industry stakeholders, and their concerns and suggestions on the scheme notification were discussed in detail," the minister said on X, formerly Twitter. The industry's concerns over raw material security were addressed, with the government's assurance that state-run India Rare Earths Ltd (IREL) will provide 500 tonnes of rare earth oxides for a few participants, the heavy industries ministry said in a statement. "To strengthen raw material security, it was highlighted that IREL will supply 500 MT of NdPr oxide per annum to selected beneficiaries under the scheme. Suppliers from outside India were also present and assured guaranteed supply, reinforcing confidence in the availability of critical inputs," Kumaraswamy said. NdPr oxide refers to neodymium-praseodymium oxide, a key input for these magnets. According to the scheme guidelines notified on 15 December, IREL will supply raw material to three of the lowest bidders. Mint had reported on 2 November that global rare earth oxide suppliers Iluka, Lynas and Rainbow had shown interest. According to the statement, senior ministry officials told the industry that the request for proposals (RFP) was being finalized. Incentive scheme The incentive package for 6,000 tonnes of magnet capacity under the seven-year long scheme got the Union cabinet's assent late November, about six months after China first began restricting export of specific rare earth magnets, rattling manufacturers around the world. China has about 60% of the world's rare earth mining and 90% of processing capacity. Also Read | Govt targets small disputes choking highways with new resolution panel The government's scheme will provide capital incentives of 750 crore for setting up five manufacturing plants, along with sales-linked incentives once these factories are set up. The first two years will be a gestation time for setting up the plants, with sales incentives to be disbursed for five years after that period. It aims to create a midstream industry that uses refined rare earth oxides to make magnets for sectors such as defence, electronics, renewable energy and EVs, the guidelines said. The procedure for making these magnets involves upstream mining of rare earth ores to make oxides, the midstream process of turning these oxides into metals and later magnets, followed by the downstream process of fashioning them for various uses. IREL, India's sole rare earth magnet maker, has the capacity to produce about 400 tonnes of rare earth oxides a year, which can be used to make about 1,200 tonnes of magnets. As per the thumb rule, one unit of rare earth oxides can on an average be used to make three units of rare earth magnets. NEW DELHI/SINGAPORE, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Vitol and Trafigura have started discussions on Venezuelan crude oil sales with refiners in India and China for cargoes to be delivered in March, several trade sources said on Monday. The global commodities traders confirmed on Friday they had struck agreements with the U.S. government to help market stranded Venezuelan oil, days after the interim government in Caracas agreed to export up to 50 million barrels of crude oil to the U.S. Their marketing efforts will accelerate the sale of Venezuelan oil under the U.S. programme, allowing the OPEC producer to resume exports which have been halted since the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. The trading firms are scrambling to secure ships, moving swiftly to sell the Venezuelan oil, with Trafigura's CEO saying it will load its first cargo for the U.S. this week. INDIAN REFINERS, PETROCHINA Vitol is approaching Indian state refiners to sell the oil, two of the sources said. The trader offered a cargo at a discount of $8-$8.50 a barrel to ICE Brent on a delivered basis to one, one of the sources said. Refiners Indian Oil Corp and Hindustan Petroleum Corp would consider buying Venezuelan oil, sources told Reuters last week. Neither responded to requests for comment. Reliance Industries said it would consider resuming purchases of Venezuelan crude if sales to non-U.S. buyers are permitted under U.S. regulations. Vitol and Trafigura have also approached PetroChina, exploring interest from the Chinese state refiner which was a major buyer of Venezuela's heavy sour Merey crude as well as fuel oil before U.S. sanctions started, three sources said. "The traders may first tap the big state oil traders rather than teapots," one of them said, referring to independent refiners in China which typically buy cheap sanctioned oil. PetroChina did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Vitol declined to comment. Trafigura said it is providing logistical and marketing services to facilitate the sale of Venezuelan oil, but declined to comment on the discussions. SECOND-HALF MARCH DELIVERY Another source said Vitol and Trafigura are offering cargoes for delivery in the second half of March. On Sunday, Vitol loaded the first cargo of naphtha from the U.S. to Venezuela onto the Panamax-sized Hellespont Protector, which is expected to arrive at Venezuela's Port of Jose on January 28, shipping data on Kpler showed. Naphtha is used to thin Venezuela's heavy crude oil and make it easier to move and process. Bharat Coking Coal IPO Day 2 LIVE: The initial public offering (IPO) of Bharat Coking Coal entered its second day of bidding on Monday, January 12, after a bumper demand on the first day, resulting in full subscription within minutes of opening. The issue was subscribed 8.09 times on the first day of bidding on Friday. Bharat Coking Coal IPO opened for subscription on Friday, January 10, and will close on January 13. Prior to the opening, the company raised 273.1 crore from anchor investors. BCCL IPO price band has been fixed at 21-23 per share. The issue is entirely an offer for sale (OFS) by its promoter, Coal India, meaning no proceeds will be received by the company. BCCL IPO GMP today BCCL is enjoying a strong grey market premium. According to data from investorgain.com, BCCL IPO GMP today was 10.85, signalling a listing price of 33.85 apiece, which is at an over 47% premium to the offer price of 23. Shares of BCCL are expected to list on BSE and NSE later this week on January 16. Bharat Coking Coal Limited is the countrys largest producer of coking coal, contributing about 58.5 per cent of domestic coking coal output in FY25. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Coal India Limited and holds estimated coal reserves of nearly 7,910 million tonnes. Track this space for LIVE updates on Bharat Coking Coal IPO Yajur Fibres IPO allotment date: The Yajur Fibres IPO share allotment will be finalised today (Monday, January 12). The investors who applied for the issue can check Yajur Fibres IPO allotment status on the registrar's Mas Services Limited portal. The Yajur Fibres IPO opened for subscription on Wednesday, January 7, and closed on Friday, January 9. Yajur Fibres IPO subscription status was 1.33 times on Day 3. Investors can find out if they have been given shares through the basis of allotment. The number of shares allotted can also be seen in the IPO allotment status. The company will initiate the refund process for applicants who were not given shares on Tuesday, January 13. Those allotted will receive their shares in their demat accounts on the same day. Yajur Fibres IPO listing date is Wednesday, January 14. Here's how to check Yajur Fibres IPO allotment status Here's how one could do a Yajur Fibres IPO allotment status check: Visit the official website of Mas Services Ltd at https://www.masserv.com/opt.asp Step 1 If you've applied for the Yajur Fibres IPO, you can check your allotment status on the website of the IPO registrar, Mas Services Ltd. Step 2 Find the "Check Application Status" section, and from the dropdown menu, select "Yajur Fibres IPO" (the name will be displayed once the allocation has been confirmed). Step 3 Choose either your Application number, Demat Account number, or PAN ID. Step 4 Input your application number, PAN, or DPID as needed. Yajur Fibres IPO details Yajur Fibres IPO valued at approximately 120 crore, which includes a new issue of 69.2 lakh shares. The funds raised from the IPO will primarily be allocated to increasing capacity at its current manufacturing facility in West Bengal, investing 48 crore in its subsidiary Yashodha Linen Yarn for a new greenfield project in Madhya Pradesh, and supporting working capital needs. Yajur Fibres IPO GMP today Yajur Fibres IPO GMP today was 0, which meant shares were trading at their issue price of 174 with no premium or discount in the grey market according to investorgain.com. 'Grey market premium' indicates investors' readiness to pay more than the issue price. Buy or sell stocks: The key benchmark indices of the Indian stock market witnessed sharp selling last week. The Nifty 50 index ended 2.37% lower, while the BSE Sensex was down by 2185 points. Among sectors, the Defence index gained 1.30%, whereas India Tourism, Oil & Gas, and Energy indices shed over 5%. NSE cash market turnover was lower by 2% compared to the previous session. The pain was even more pronounced in the broader space where the Nifty Mid-cap 100 Index slipped 0.79% while the Nifty Small-cap 100 plunged 1.81%. This led to a sharp deterioration in market breadth, as decliners outpaced advancers. The BSE advance-decline ratio stood at 0.34, signalling a continuation of selling across mid and small-cap stocks. Stock market today Vaishali Parekh, Vice President of Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, believes the Indian stock market sentiment has turned nervous as the Nifty 50 index further corrected after breaking below the 50-DEMA support of 25,900 and came close to the 20-DEMA support placed at 25,530. Speaking on the outlook of the Nifty 50 index, Vaishali Parekh said, The Nifty 50 index witnessed another session of heavy profit booking to tank further, breaching the 25700 zone with bias and sentiment getting into a nervous situation with the next major and crucial support positioned near the important 200-period MA at the 25000 zone. With anxious movement creeping in, the index is precariously placed with immediate support maintained near the 100-period MA at the 25500 level, which needs to be sustained as of now, failing which there can be further intensified selling pressure." On the outlook of the Bank Nifty index, Parekh said, The Bank Nifty index slipped further during the session with profit booking seen among the major frontline banking stocks during the session to end near the low at 59,250 level, weakening the bias and sentiment. The index would have the important near-term support at the 58,700 zone, which needs to be sustained to maintain the overall bias intact. Failing which, it shall trigger further slide, with the next major support near the important 200-period MA at the 56,300 zone. Parekh stated that immediate support for the Nifty 50 index is located at 25,500, while the resistance level is at 25,900. The Bank Nifty is expected to have a daily range of 58,700 to 59,700. Vaishali Parekh's stock recommendations today Regarding intraday stocks to buy today, Vaishali Parekh recommended three buy-or-sell stocks: Tata Capital, IGL, and OIL. 1] Tata Capital: Buy at 355, Target 375, Stop Loss 345. The stock is already in a bull trend, and the chart pattern suggests that the next round of upside momentum is likely to follow. 2] IGL: Buy at 186, Target 192, Stop Loss 182. The stock has formed a double bottom at 180 and appears poised for an upside movement based on the technical chart pattern. 3] OIL: Buy at 420, Target 440, Stop Loss 410. The PSU stock is close to its support level, placed at 410, and the chart pattern suggests a trend reversal. Gold, silver rates today Gold and silver prices in the international market surged to a record high on Monday, following a weak US dollar after the US Justice Department threatened the Federal Reserve with a potential criminal indictment, while geopolitical tensions remained elevated amid intensifying protests in Iran. Silver rates today opened with an upside gap and touched an intraday high of $83.880 per ounce within a few minutes of the Opening Bell, which turned out to be its new peak, eclipsing the previous peak of $82.670 per ounce. Likewise, gold rate today opened with an upside gap and touched an intraday high of $4,612.40 per ounce within a few minutes of the Opening Bell, which turned out to be its new peak. The board of directors of IDBI Bank is scheduled to meet on Saturday, January 17, 2026 to consider and approve Q3 results, as per the company's announcement in an exchange filing. IDBI Bank share price today was trading flat, the stock opened at 103.15 apiece on the BSE. IDBI Bank share price today touched an intraday high of 104.45, and an intraday low of 101. IDBI Bank announced in October that its standalone net profit for the September quarter almost doubled to 3,627 crore, which includes profits from its investment sale in NSDL. The LIC-controlled bank had recorded a profit of 1,836 crore during the July-September period of 2024-25. The bank had offered more than 2.22 crore equity shares, representing an 11.11% stake in National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL), in its IPO at a price of 799.87 per share, resulting in a net gain of 1,698.96 crore, according to a filing with the BSE. The bank reported a 17% increase in operating profit in the second quarter of the fiscal year, amounting to 3,523 crore compared to 3,006 crore in the same quarter last year. Net interest income reached 3,285 crore during the July-September period of FY26, down from 3,875 crore a year prior. Its total business amounted to 5,33,730 crore, reflecting an annual growth rate of 12 percent. IDBI Bank also stated that its Gross NPA ratio improved to 2.65% as of September 30, 2025, down from 3.68 percent a year earlier. The Net NPA ratio was recorded at 0.21%, compared to 0.20% in September 2024. Additionally, the bank reported that its total deposits surpassed the 3 lakh crore threshold as of September 30, 2025. Technical Views Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree, said that IDBI Bank has delivered a decisive breakout from an exceptionally long 722-week VCP structure, with the right side itself forming a 74-week VCP, creating a rare and powerful fractal setup. According to Jain, the breakout near 105 came with volumes nearly eight times the 50-week average, clearly confirming strong institutional participation. Price had been resting on rising weekly and monthly 10 and 20 EMAs, which acted as a textbook launchpad for the move. Further, Anshul explained that the structure signals a transition into a secular bull phase rather than a tactical rally. Post-breakout, the stock carries an initial upside potential toward 140, and if momentum sustains, a further extension toward 170 appears highly likely. Riskreward remains favourable as long as price holds above the breakout zone, with any pullback toward rising averages expected to attract demand rather than supply. Also Read | Lemon Tree Hotels share price jumps 4% as Warburg Pincus buys into Fleur Stock market crash: The Indian stock market remained in the bear grip for the sixth consecutive session on Monday, January 12, on rising geopolitical risks, concerns over US tariffs, and relentless foreign capital outflow. The Sensex crashed over 700 points, or nearly 1%, to an intraday low of 82,861, while the Nifty 50 dropped to 25,473 during the session on Monday, falling by almost 1%. Over the six consecutive sessions, the Sensex has tanked over 2,900 points, or more than 3%, while the Nifty 50, too, has shed more than 3%. Investors' wealth has been eroded by more than 18 lakh crore in these six sessions, as the overall market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms dropped to nearly 463 lakh crore from over 481 lakh crore in January 2. Why is the stock market down? Here are five major factors that are behind the sharp selloff in the Indian stock market: 1. Concerns over the US tariffs While a trade deal between India and the US remains elusive despite several rounds of talks, the market is nervous that the US may increase tariffs on Indian goods to as much as 500% if the Russia sanctions bill, the Sanctioning of Russia Act of 2025, is passed. On January 7, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that Trump had backed the Russia sanctions bill, which could raise US tariffs to at least 500% on countries that buy Russian oil. Experts say that if the bill becomes a US law, it will be a significant blow to India, which is already facing a steep 50% tariff. "The drama surrounding the US-India trade deal is getting murkier with strange remarks from the US administration. This is impacting the market," said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments. 2. Persistent foreign fund outflows Foreign institutional investors have been continuously selling Indian stocks since July last year due to a growth-valuation mismatch, the rupee's weakness, and US tariffs on India. In the cash segment, FIIs have sold off Indian stocks worth nearly 12,000 crore so far in January (till the 9th). From July to December last year, FIIs cumulatively sold off Indian stocks worth nearly 1.85 lakh crore. Foreign capital outflow is one of the biggest reasons behind the underperformance of the Indian stock market. Experts say an India-US trade deal and healthy earnings growth will bring back FIIs to the Indian stock market. "It appears that if FIIs are to turn buyers in India, sentiments have to improve with positive developments on the US-India trade agreement and uptick in earnings growth, said Vijayakumar. 3. Increased geopolitical risks Evolving geopolitical situations have dealt a significant blow to investors' risk appetite. The recent US-Venezuela conflict, Trump's aggression over Greenland and his tone over Iran have raised geopolitical risks. "Geopolitical developments in Venezuela, the crisis in Iran and Trumps threats regarding Greenland are being viewed by the markets with concern," Vijayakumar said. 4. Money flowing to safe haven assets Amid increased geopolitical risks, investors are rushing towards safe-haven assets, selling riskier equities in anticipation of further falls. MCX gold February futures jumped by more than 2,400, or 1.8%, to hit a record high of 1,41,250 per 10 grams, while MCX silver March futures surged over 4% to scale its fresh peak of 2,63,996 per kg on Monday morning. International gold prices breached the $4,600-per-troy-ounce mark for the first time on Monday. 5. Caution due to the ongoing Q3 results season Indian corporates have begun releasing their earnings for the December quarter. Investors' focus is on heavyweight sectors, such as banking and IT. Several major IT and banking companies will report their Q3FY26 results this week. TCS and HCL Tech will report their Q3 results on Monday, January 12, while Infosys' Q3 results are due on Wednesday, January 14. Reliance will report its results on Friday, January 16. Banking majors HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank will report their Q3 results on Saturday, January 17. Experts expect healthy earnings growth this quarter, but a disappointment will be a major headwind for the market, which is already under pressure. Read all market-related news here Read more stories by Nishant Kumar Stocks to buy for the short term: The domestic market benchmarks suffered sharp losses for the week ended January 9 on rising US tariff concerns, increased geopolitical uncertainties, and heavy foreign capital outflows. The Sensex crashed 2,186 points, or 2.5%, while the Nifty 50 also dropped by 2.5% last week. "The Nifty 50, which began the year at record highs, experienced a series of declines over the last five consecutive sessions. This downturn was fueled by renewed apprehensions regarding potential US tariff measures, ongoing outflows from foreign institutional investors (FIIs), and escalating global uncertainties. Additionally, profit-taking in major stocks exacerbated selling pressure, leading to a rapid shift from the early-January optimism," Jigar S. Patel, Senior Manager of Equity Technical Research at Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers, noted. Also Read | Can strong Q3 results lure FIIs back to the Indian stock market? On the technical front, Patel noted that the Nifty fell below crucial technical levels, concluding the week within the 25,70025,900 range after experiencing substantial intra-week declines. This period marked a pronounced move towards risk aversion and a more cautious stance in the market. The Niftys inability to break out and subsequent sharp reversal highlighted exhaustion at elevated levels. "The index has retraced towards a key support point near the weekly low of approximately 25,600, which acts as an immediate benchmark. A significant breakdown below this level could push the decline further towards 25,400, which seems to be the maximum near-term downside based on the broader price structure," said Patel. "Although momentum indicators remain weak, the index is approaching short-term oversold conditions, hinting at the potential for a technical rebound. On the upside, any recovery is anticipated to encounter strong resistance in the 25,80026,000 range, posing a critical challenge for bullish investors. Consequently, the current scenario necessitates a cautious and selective strategy, with confirmation required before initiating any new directional positions," Patel said. Also Read | Stocks to buy or sell: Ajit Mishra of Religare suggests strategies for 3 shares Stock picks for the short term Jigar Patel recommends buying the following three stocks for the next one to two weeks: ICICI Bank | Previous close: 1,404.30 | Buying zone: 1,4051,390 | Target price: 1,465 | Stop loss: 1,365 According to Patel, ICICI Bank's share price has delivered a decisive breakout above its monthly resistance pivot as well as the weekly pivot resistance, supported by a clear surge in volumes, which validates the strength of the move. In addition, price has also crossed above a long-standing falling trendline, confirming a shift in the broader trend from consolidation to expansion on the upside. Momentum indicators are in sync with the price action: MACD has generated a bullish crossover, indicating improving upside momentum, while RSI has also witnessed a trendline breakout, reflecting renewed buying interest. The alignment of price, volume, and momentum signals enhances the probability of further continuation in the ongoing uptrend. "Considering this robust technical structure, traders may consider going long in a staggered manner in the zone of 1,405 1,390, keeping a stop loss at 1,365 on a daily closing basis. On the upside, the stock has potential to move towards the 1,465 level in the near term," said Patel. View full Image ICICI Bank technical chart ( Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers ) Endurance Technologies | Previous close: 2,622 | Buying zone: 2,6302,600 | Target price: 2,850 | Stop loss: 2,500 Patel pointed out that Endurance Technologies is showing encouraging signs of a medium-term trend reversal after forming a strong base near its 200-day exponential moving average (DEMA), indicating long-term support and renewed institutional interest. The stock has managed to close above the weekly R1 pivot as well as the weekly VWAP, highlighting improving price strength and acceptance at higher levels. Momentum indicators further support the bullish setup. MACD has displayed a bullish divergence, suggesting that selling pressure is gradually losing steam, while RSI is sustaining above the 50 mark, confirming a shift in momentum in favour of buyers. Structurally, the price action indicates a higher probability of an upward continuation rather than a corrective phase. "Based on the overall technical structure, traders may consider buying Endurance in the zone of 2,630 2,600, with a strict stop loss at 2,500. On the upside, the stock has potential to move towards the 2,850 level in the near term," said Patel. View full Image Endurance Technologies technical chart ( Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers ) JSW Energy | Previous close: 490.25 | Buying zone: 490480 | Target price: 535 | Stop loss: 460 According to Patel, JSW Energy has recently confirmed a bullish breakout from an inverse head and shoulders pattern, supported by a strong surge in volumes, which validates the reliability of the formation. This breakout indicates a clear shift from a corrective phase to a potential trend reversal on the upside. The stock is currently witnessing a mild pullback, but the decline is accompanied by relatively low volumes, suggesting that selling pressure is weak and the move is more of a healthy retest rather than a breakdown. Importantly, the weekly pivot support is closely aligned with the neckline of the pattern, strengthening the support zone. This confluence enhances the probability of a fresh upward move from current levels. "Based on this technical structure, traders may consider buying JSW Energy in the zone of 490480, with a stop loss at 460 on a closing basis. The stock is expected to move towards the 535 target in the near term," said Patel. View full Image JSW Energy technical chart ( Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers ) Read all market-related news here Read more stories by Nishant Kumar The key hope from the Union Budget is that the government does not pursue aggressive fiscal tightening, according to the head of equity investments at Canara Robeco Asset Management Co. With demand weak, private capex subdued, and household incomes seeing limited growth, the government spending remains crucial, said Shridatta Bhandwaldar, chief investment officer-equities at the company. The previous budget marked a pivot towards consumption and revenue expenditure, and this one should avoid further tightening, he said, adding that defence capex is also expected to rise amid current geopolitical realities. Other than that, expectations from the budget are limited," as it often excites markets but rarely delivers major changes, with taxation and strategic decisions increasingly happening outside it, said Bhandwaldar. Sector-specific tax changes, such as in life insurance, have largely been addressed, while mutual fund taxation is unlikely to be altered as past hikesfrom 10% to 12.5%have hurt sentiment without boosting revenues, according to him. Any tinkering usually occurs in bullish markets; divestment targets could rise to offset lower tax revenue, largely on paper." Edited excerpts: Last year was a bit of a dampener, but expectations are that 2026 will be better. After its 2025 listing, what does Canara Robeco AMC expect? From our perspective, its largely a continuation. The main change is that we are now a listed entity, which adds accountability and an extra layer of regulation and scrutiny, with investors watching closely. Over the last five to six years, weve seen steady growth, maintained or increased market share, launched new products, and expanded our equity offerings. Most core-category NFOs (new fund offers) are done, with arbitrage being the only core fund still pending. We closed the year with roughly 1.1 lakh crore domestic equity assets under management (AUM) and around 1617k crore offshore, taking total equity AUM/advisory to around 1.251.26 lakh crore. On the product side, we now have 14 equity-oriented products, so that part of the portfolio is largely complete. Also Read | Copper is the prize in mining megadeals What has changed now? Over the past 1215 months, Indias valuation-earnings context looked less attractive compared to markets like Brazil, Korea, Taiwan. This drove global money elsewhere, though our smaller size and strong products helped. Tariff issues, including the additional 25% penalty, also weighed on sentiment, contributing to ~$1718 billion of FII (foreign institutional investor) outflows, offset by ~$80 billion of domestic inflows. Now, three things are changing. First, earnings are bottoming, downgrades have largely stopped, and large-cap valuations have moved to fair levels, attracting FII interest. Second, Indias EM valuation premium has normalized to ~4550% from nearly 80%. Third, tariff concerns may ease, while government measuresGST support, corporate tax cuts, and state welfareboost consumption. Many other negatives, such as war concerns and credit slowdown, are also bottoming or reversing. Overall, for 2026, the valuation and earnings backdrop is far more constructive than 18 months ago, improving both top-down and bottom-up prospects. Which sectors are you currently most overweight on? And are there any areas you are consciously underweight or avoiding, such as export-oriented segments? Consumer discretionary is clearly the largest overweight for us, covering both auto and non-auto segments. This includes autos, auto ancillaries, retail in various forms, platform and quick commerce companies, hotels, aviation, jewellery and select grocery retailers. Pharma is another overweight, predominantly domestic branded pharma, along with hospitals and CDMO (contract development and manufacturing) players. Within industrials, defence and transmission and distribution are overweight. In financials, banks and capital market players are overweight, with NBFCs (non-banking financial companies) selectively so. Overall, financial services is an area where we remain constructive, picking stocks on a bottom-up basis. Staples remain net underweight, though we have been gradually increasing exposure over the past 68 months, given our view that consumption will do better than capex over the next few years. IT is marginally underweight, not due to tariffs but because earnings visibility and the impact of AI-led transitions are still playing out. Oil and gas is also underweight due to regulatory uncertainties. Also Read | Dollar extends gains with jobs data and potential tariff ruling in focus Among the sectors you mentioned as overweight, where do you see the strongest earnings growth coming from financials or consumer discretionary? Earnings growth will come primarily from consumer discretionary, followed by financials. Beyond that, selectively from industrialsspecifically defence, EMS (electronics manufacturing), and transmission and distributionwhere earnings remain healthy. Pharma and telecom should also see good earnings growth, with no major challenges. Are there any sectors youre consciously avoiding, given that your investment approach is fairly broad-based? We dont avoid sectors per se, but oil and gas and global commodities are our largest underweights. Metals have limited investible opportunities in India, as many companies dont meet our criteria for management quality, ROA/ROCE, cash flow, and governancemaking this a structural underweight. (ROA or return on assets, and ROCE or return on capital employed are measures of profitability). Our approach is more about characteristics than sectors. We avoid businesses with weak execution, poor governance, or bad capital allocation. Inherently weak businesseslike metalsoften trade near 20-year-old prices due to repeated capital raising. This applies to certain retail segments, tier-2/3 banks and NBFCs, and EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) companies. Essentially, we avoid businesses that dont generate free cash flow or earn returns above the cost of capital, traits that cluster in certain sectors. How is the cement sector looking? The cement sector looks stable, though it hasnt performed well over the past year, and the broader building materials space has struggled, with different drivers across segments. Cement demand is fairly homogeneousacross infrastructure, urban real estate or rural housingwith volumes up 79%. Other segments such as plywood, ceramics, and tiles have underperformed, likely due to unorganised competition and Chinese dumping, while wires, cables, and pipes have done well thanks to consolidation among a few large players. Cements main challenge is profitability, not volumes. With strong balance sheets and a cash-based business, companies continue adding capacity to maintain market share. Despite the top five players market share rising from 3035% to nearly 70% over 15 years, Ebitda per tonne has stayed around 1,000. Increased consolidation may eventually bring pricing power. Operationally, fundamentals are sound, though margins dipped recently due to higher costs and insufficient price hikes, especially in the east and south. Also Read | Indias merchant bankers brace for a Sebi squeeze Large- or mid and small-caps where is the better opportunity now? Since March 2024, weve maintained that large caps offer better risk-reward, as valuations are near historical levels. The market is now far more sector- and stock-specificperformance depends on being in the right sectors, not on market cap. Banks, CDMO, EMS, and transmission and distribution are doing well across caps. We are increasingly focusing on bottom-up opportunities, as the disproportionate exuberance of 15 months ago has faded. While the broader market remains somewhat expensive, valuations have corrected, making it a bottom-up market driven by sector fundamentals rather than size. Growth or value what is working now? The market is completely mixed. From 20172021, it was largely growth-driven; 20222024 leaned value, yet performance was mixedPSU banks and platform companies both did well despite different PEs (price-to-earnings multiples). Metals and transmission/distribution also performed strongly. Today, the market is far more bottom-up, with investors buying wherever earnings are visible. A 3040 PE stock growing at 25% or a 15 PE stock improving from 10% to 15% are both fundamentally value"the market responds to earnings, not labels. What is your view on cash levels? We typically stay within 56% cash levels. Investors allocate to equities for long-term growth, and trying to time the market often backfires. Staying invested has historically been more effective. What are your expectations from the upcoming Union Budget? Expectations from the Budget are limited. Historically, it excites markets but rarely delivers major changes, as taxation and strategic decisions increasingly happen outside it. The main hope is that the government avoids aggressive fiscal tightening. With weak demand, subdued private capex, and stagnant household incomes, government spending is crucial. Last Budget pivoted to consumption and revenue expenditure; this one should avoid further tightening. Defence capex is likely to rise given current geopolitics. Any negative surprises you are worried about? From our perspective, Budget expectations focus mainly on taxation rather than macro, as most policy levers have moved outside the Budget, leaving capex and fiscal or debt-to-GDP targets. Sector-specific taxation tweakslike life insurancehave mostly been addressed, while mutual fund taxation is unlikely to change, as past hikes (from 10% to 12.5%) hurt sentiment without boosting revenues. Any tinkering usually occurs in bullish markets; divestment targets could rise to offset lower tax revenue, largely on paper. Do you expect any easing of norms for foreign investors? Some taxation changes may target foreign equity investors, whose treatment differs from domestic investors in credits and taxes. Reforms that dont require spendinglike those already allowed via Gift Citycould also support growth, and FI-to-FI (financial institution-to-financial institution) measures might be possible. Indias equity taxation is unique, and foreign investors have raised concerns seeking parity with domestic investors. Broadly, Budget considerations fall into four areas: capex allocation, fiscal deficit management, raising resources through divestments, and implementing growth-friendly, non-spending reforms. Will the rising interest in overseas investments continue? The trend of diversification will continueits not an either/or choice. Mutual funds have a $7 billion limit, already exhausted, so individuals can use the $250,000 LRS (liberalized remittance scheme) to diversify. Affluent investors naturally spread their exposure across market caps, managers, and geographies. This isnt just India-driven; with more digital tools and investment vehicles today, global diversification is far easier than five years ago and will likely continue. The US labour market is sending mixed signals, with unemployment remaining low even as job growth slows. Last week's jobs data showed that the U.S. jobless rate fell to 4.4% in December from 4.5% in November, its first decline since June. On the other hand, the Labor Department data showed that employers added just 50,000 jobs in December. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the US economy saw the lowest pace of average monthly job growth in 2025 since 2003. US employers added 5,84,000 new jobs in 2025, which translated to about 49,000 jobs a month, on average. This was significantly lower than the trends in 2024, when the US economy added two million jobs, roughly about 1,68,000 jobs per month, according to the Wall Street Journal report. The low employment-low jobs growth combination suggests people without steady, full-time jobs are finding it hard to enter a job market where hiring and firing have both slowed. Is the US economy witnessing a slowdown? Job market trends suggest that the worlds largest economy is being weighed down by uncertainty, largely due to President Donald Trumps tariff and immigration policies. However, it is too early to conclude that the economy is in deep stress. Manoranjan Sharma, Chief Economist at Infomerics Ratings, pointed out that the slow jobs growth and low unemployment rate in the US are not oxymoronic, as unemployment can fall even when job creation is weak if fewer people are actively seeking work or if employment is contracting in specific sectors such as manufacturing, construction, or retail. Sharma said that prolonged weak payroll growth outside a recession is uncommon, though not impossible. "We generally view employment data as a lagging indicator, i.e., unemployment can remain low even as economic momentum slows. A recession does not appear imminent," said Sharma. Sharma said while sluggish hiring could suggest decelerating growth, unemployment remains relatively low, consumer demand continues to support pockets of hiring, and some estimates point to solid GDP growth in late 2025. "Sluggish hiring is symptomatic of decelerating growth, likely reflecting policy uncertainty (including tariffs) as well as longer-term forces, such as demographics and automation. This warrants caution, though not alarm," said Sharma. Arindam Mandal, Head of Global Equities at Marcellus Investment Managers, said that while the recent employment data has been a little softer, it is not indicating a meaningful deterioration in the broader economic or earnings backdrop. "Output and corporate profits have continued to hold up, suggesting that growth is being driven less by incremental hiring and more by productivity gains, automation, and operational efficiency," said Mandal. Mandal highlighted that the consumer spending in the US is not collapsing, but becoming more selective, supported by real income growth among existing workers rather than rapid job creation. For equity markets, Mandal believes this has important implications. "Earnings growth can persist even as hiring cools, but leadership is likely to broaden as investors place greater emphasis on cash flow durability, pricing power, and efficiency rather than pure volume growth or headline capex," said Mandal. This is why the markets appear to have started to look beyond a narrow set of high-valuation stocks toward other areas where productivity gains can lead to more margins and returns. "At the same time, the combination of subdued job growth, tight credit spreads, and elevated geopolitical risks suggests that volatility could rise, even if the underlying cycle remains intact, reinforcing the need for discipline and selectivity in portfolio construction," said Mandal. What does a slowdown in the US economy mean for the Indian stock market? The US tariff policy has begun to impact its economy, and further weakness is expected in the near future, which could lead to a decline in crude oil prices and a weakening of the US dollar. This will have a positive impact on the Indian economy and stock market due to potential foreign capital inflows. "The ongoing tariff war has started showing its impact on the US economy. This is the beginning. Its economy will definitely slow down due to tariffs impact on consumer spending," said G Chokkalingam, the founder and head of research at Equinomics Research Private Limited. Chokkalingam believes a weakness in the US economy could be positive as it will drive down oil demand and its prices. "This would be positive for the Indian economy as it will reduce oil demand and hence its prices will come down. Secondly, a slowdown in the US economy will reduce its option to be too aggressive on tariffs on imported goods," said Chokkalingam. Sharma underscored that US tariffs could reduce roughly 0.2%0.6% from Indias GDP growth in FY26. However, strong domestic consumption, government spending, and services exports provide a buffer for India against global headwinds. Sharma believes the overall impact of the US economic slowdown may remain modest relative to broader global risks, given Indias largely domestic-oriented growth model. "While India is not directly affected, it will experience second-order effects. Nevertheless, solid fundamentalsrobust consumption, services-led growth, and supportive policyshould help absorb external shocks, even as export-linked sectors lag," said Sharma. Read all market-related news here Read more stories by Nishant Kumar In the third episode of Freedom At Midnights second season, Abhishek Banerjee turns up as an unnamed Hindu rioter. Towards the end, he confronts Gandhi (Chirag Vohra), whos fasting in yet another attempt to end the terrible sectarian violence in Calcutta. He berates the frail old man, yelling at him to eat, confessing to murder, finally breaking down. Gandhi, barely able to speak, advises him to wipe his heart of hatred. This is a reworking of a scene from Richard Attenboroughs Gandhi (1982) featuring an electric Om Puri, not quite line for line but close. Nikkhil Advanis series trying its own version feels a bit like payback: you retell our history, well redo your retelling. Unlike Attenboroughs sanctified version, Gandhi is a fascinating conundrum in the show's second season, his undiminished sway over the public at odds with his declining political relevance in the months before and after independence. Vohras brilliant performance renders him cussed and ornery, yet able to move mountains through sheer force of willperhaps the most human screen Gandhi yet. For all of Gandhis blunt wresting of a narrative that resists him, Freedom At Midnight is driven by Jawaharlal Nehru (Sidhant Gupta) and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (Rajendra Chawla), the nations first prime minister and home minister. Like the first season, this one is also a tussle between Patels pragmatism and Nehrus idealism on a range of issues: the safety and survival of refugees, the calming of religious tensions, the annexing and seducing of princely states. Invariably, Patel is the one suggesting tough but sensible solutions while Nehru frets about morality and secularism. Reviewing the first season, Id suggested the shows most telling choice was the elevation of Patel as a pragmatist holding together the freedom movement and managing the fears of divas Gandhi, Nehru and Jinnah. This is still true, but theres a better balance between him and Nehru. Gupta has grown into the role, his Nehru no longer just a worrier in the shadow of Gandhi but someone conscious that hes shaping a fragile nationand his legacyin real time. Most intriguing are the moments when he loses his cool, over Kashmir of course, but also while addressing a Sikh camp after a massacre of Muslims (he slips into mildly Punjabified Hindia nice little touch). Riots and rioters are a big part of the pre- and post-independence storyand a headache for Advani. The first season was guilty of showing mostly Muslim rioters, leaving the Hindu mobs offscreen. This season, there's a focus on Sikh and Muslim rioters, but again, little onscreen violence perpetrated by Hindus. A similar wariness can be seen in the shows decision to follow Madanlal Pahwa (Anurag Thakur), who attempted an assassination of Gandhi in 1948, and not Nathuram Godse, who succeeded. Pahwa was something of a wild card, a refugee whose personal losses curdled into hate against Gandhi. Godse was an RSS man, with ideological grounding. To show his journey in an honest manner would be to risk censorship or worseand so the show sidesteps Godse, not even showing his face as he shoots Gandhi. Freedom at Midnight can often be blunt, in its storytelling (the subplot about Partition separating two soldiers from the same battalion is ham-fisted) as well as its technique (dividing the screen into twos, threes and morean inadvertent partition metaphornegates whatever emotion the scene is driving at). I found it easy to overlook the rough edges, though, since theres so much diverting historical detail woven into the episodes: a maharaja who flees in the night with his beloved dogs, a young prince whos bribed by Pakistan with a model car set, Patel's basket of apples, interpreted literally. Jinnah is a villain conceived in broad strokes, vampiric and unsympathetic. I had to look up the real Jinnahs speeches to see if Arif Zakarias withering line readings werent a massive reach (turns out they are just fine). It's perhaps too much to expect a complex Jinnah from an Indian show in 2026, but Freedom At Midnight does the next best thing: a complex Mountbatten. Luke McGibney's subtle playing allows him to be both the vain, entitled representation of Empire as well as a man in over his head, increasingly aghast at the consequences of his decisions. Freedom At Midnight is a better, richer show in its second season. It embraces the messiness of India's first steps as an independent nation, deftly moving between genrescomic history lesson in the princely states episode, ticking clock thriller for Gandhi's last days. It may lack the finesse of a Poacher or Paatal Lok, but it's lively, committed and curious. Its blind spots are revealing of the times we live in, and its successes are well-earned. Anand Teltumbde, an academic and an activist, has written an unusual book that seeks to combine scholarship with popular political rhetoric that is not always negative. Rhetoric is a way of speaking or writing that is intended to impress or influence people but is not always considered sincere. Teltumbde is not insincere. However, he is convinced that he has to provoke people to challenge the notion that the impending all-India caste census, the first since 1931, on which there is consensus cutting across political party lines and apparent ideological divisions, could represent a new beginning in re-emphasising the importance of caste in the countrys society and politics. The author seeks to refute the view that only after a caste census is conducted can there be a forward movement towards identifying and then resolving the complex and multifarious issues surrounding social divisions in India to eventually achieve the laudable goal of the annihilation of castethe title of the speech written in 1936 by B.R. Ambedkar that he was supposed to deliver in Lahore but did not. The uniqueness of the caste system in Indian society, and the overlapping and intersections of caste and class, have been topics of innumerable books and writings over the centuries. Teltumbde refers to many of these in his book. A mere glance at the chapter titles reveals the wide range of topics the author has attempted to deal with. From the seeds of jati in ancient India, the impact of Brahminism, Buddhism and Islam, the colonial construction of caste, how the British sought to control, divide and rule, and onwards to what happened after 1947: the making of what the author calls constitutional caste, the B.P. Mandal Commission and the expansion of reservations in government jobs and admissions to government educational institutions. The writer also discusses the issue of reservation of jobs in the private sector. Teltumbde delineates data politics: miscounts and missed counts before going into what he believes are the ploys used by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before suddenly agreeing to a national caste census months before the recently concluded elections to the Bihar legislative assembly that was swept by the incumbent National Democratic Alliance. Also Read | Nitin Pai: A caste census is likely to perpetuate division and weaken our nation View full Image The Caste Con Census: By Anand Teltumbde, Navayana, 256 pages, 499 When the BJP came to power in 2014, it inherited the raw data of the socio-economic and caste census (SECC) that was conducted in 2011 when the second United Progressive Alliance led by the Indian National Congress was in power. The socioeconomic data from the SECC was made public in 2015. Subsequent state-level caste surveys took place. But, as Teltumbde points out, the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has used various justifications to not release granular caste data generated by the SECC. Nearly a century ago, the British government had identified 4,147 castes. The SECC returned more than ten times the number. Teltumbde argues that by its very definition, caste divides and in recent years the number of castes has only multiplied. Unlike certain advocates of social justice, he contends that counting and categorising castes will not help redress economic and social inequalities. After elaborating on the definitions of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), extremely backward or most backward castes, and economically weaker sections, he argues that the consensus behind the caste-based census is nothing but a con to justify the title of the book. Will there be a quota for everyone? Can annihilation of caste ever be reality? As the back cover blurb of the book states, Teltumbde wades through the history, the mathematics and the dynamics of these debates in an era where the government frequently fudges the truth and numbers to look at the future of reservation as affirmative action or negative discrimination and a way out of the mess we are supposed to be in. The authorwho has written four books since he was released on bail in November 2022 after he was charged and incarcerated for around two-and-a-half years under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in the infamous Bhima Koregaon caseis even-handed in his criticism of most political parties, and not just the BJP. He contends that the census could, like reservations, be another method of governing and managing caste, as author Gyan Prakash notes in his commendation for the book. The Left in India has for long argued that caste and class overlap more often than not, that it is next to impossible to find a Brahmin who cleans public toilets for a living, unlike locating a rich Dalit who not only firmly believes in the virtues of free enterprise but who flaunts her or his riches as a mark of political strength. One prominent example would be that of Union minister Babu Jagjivan Ram, said to be an excellent administrator. Another, more recent example, would be former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati whose career appears to be currently at a rather low ebb. Yet, the Left parties, less so the Congress, do acknowledge during moments of introspection that their failure to appreciate the importance of caste has contributed in no small measure to their political marginalisation in many parts of the country. Teltumbde says the current discourse on the caste census is narrowly framed and could become a technocratic exercise aimed at recalibrating reservations for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and OBCs. The discourse is rarely seen as a tool to expose the full spectrum of caste-based inequality, particularly the domination of elite castes who have historically cornered a disproportionate share of power, privilege and public resources. He adds that in its limited framing, the caste census becomes a means to moderate petty squabbles over leftovers among the lower orders, rather than a challenge to the foundations of inequality itself. After leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of a caste census to challenge the Modi government, the BJP suddenly decided to support it after opposing it as a divisive move. The caste census would become a part of the forthcoming national census that has been postponed for the first time since the last few decades of the 20th century, for more than four years on rather specious grounds (notably, the covid-19 pandemic). The general census, Teltumbde points out, was delayed with the ulterior motive of ensuring the completion of a delimitation exercise that would benefit the ruling regime in New Delhi and eliminate threats to its continuation. The author argues that the BJPs political opponents would be naive to under-estimate the ruling partys ability to retain the support of the lower strata of the backward castes, and obtain new support from these sections of the population. At a more general level, Teltumbde draws several comparisons with what is happening in India with developments in other countries such as the US and South Africa in terms of programmes of affirmative action, and the right-wing backlash against these. Closer home, he writes that in the absence of clarity on what kind of data is to be collected and for what purpose, the proposed caste census would not be transformative. He may be correct but he is also sweeping in his generalisation that the countrys political climate is intellectually starved. The demand for a caste census, he believes, has been advanced by an upwardly mobile minority even as the deprived majority has been pushed towards deprivation and made increasingly dependent on government doles. One can disagree with him but, as other commentators and activists like Yogendra Yadav point out, you cannot disregard his arguments nor brush them aside easily. In conclusion, Teltumbde claims that a caste census does not simply reflect Indian society; it reshapes it. He states that while the caste census is a pragmatic measure and may appear necessary at this juncture, the politics that follow must be guided byand not become a substitute forthe ultimate goal of annihilation of caste. Paranjoy Guha Thakurta is a journalist, author, publisher, maker of documentary films and music videos, and an occasional teacher. Also Read | Book excerpt: How the global story of caste activism began in Marathwada One evening during a product launch, Mumbai-based PR professional Sneha Vyas, 38, found herself staying back late with a colleague she barely knew outside work. We were both single, spending time together, talking about everything except work, she recalls. It didnt begin as attraction. It grew through friendship, long conversations and a quiet consistency that eventually shifted into something more. There was no cinematic spark, no ding of a dating-app, no carefully chosen display photo or algorithmic compatibility score. Just proximity. By the time the project ended, the two had fallen into a rhythm that felt unexpectedly intimate. What started as colleagues surviving deadlines together became what psychologists describe as situational attachmentan emotional bond shaped by repeated proximity, shared stress and daily ritual rather than deliberate romance. Vyas story is far from unusual. According to recent Ashley Madison-YouGov data, 40% of Indian adults have dated or are dating a colleague, among the highest figures globally. Despite stricter HR guidelines and a booming digital dating culture, office-born attraction seems to be thriving. Also Read | How the language of desire has turned into social currency in a world of swipes The Familiarity Factor Mumbai-based psychologist Pritha Saha Dutta explains that our nervous system is hardwired to bond with people who form part of our daily environment. This is the proximity principle, she says. People we see often such as classmates, coworkers, neighbours, become the people we trust and eventually form attachment with. The mechanism is ancient. Before dating apps, before cities, before the idea of self-chosen partnerships, proximity dictated all of human romantic outcomes, shows research. You met and married the people around you. Modern workplaces accidentally recreate these evolutionary conditions: repetition leads to familiarity which leads to ease, and eventually leads to attachment. The more frequently we encounter someone, the more attractive they become, says Saha Dutta, referencing decades of research on the mere exposure effect. Interacting with a crush functions like a dopamine hit, a small dose of pleasure and reward that keeps pulling us back. California-based relationship expert Dr Tammy Nelson, who consults with the dating app Ashley Madison, echoes this: We fall for people within vicinity not because theyre the most compatible, but because they consistently enter our emotional field. Your brain interprets constant proximity as predictability, trustworthiness and safety, which are all building blocks of attraction. This is why workplace crushes feel organic, while dating apps often feel contrived. Reflecting on her past experiences with workplace attraction, writer Salonie Pawar, 26, notes, In-person interactions feel more natural. You see the real person instead of a curated profile, so the connection develops with more context and less performance. Workplaces are emotionally charged ecosystems. Stress is high, stakes are real, and emotions swing between panic and adrenaline, sometimes several times a day. Psychologists note that shared emotional arousal, whether negative or positive, can be misread as attraction. Saha Dutta explains: High-intensity environments activate adrenaline, cortisol, excitement, frustration, hope. When these states are experienced together, the brain can mistakenly interpret the emotional charge as attraction or deep connection. Also Read | The unspoken advantage of being popular at work Dr Nelson adds that this mirrors actual couples facing life hardships: Your brain may feel like surviving a deadline together is the same as surviving something monumental. Shared stress releases neurochemicals that deepen intimacy, including oxytocin, when theres teamwork or emotional support. This is why the colleague who calms you during a crisis or supports you in a difficult meeting begins to occupy the emotional space reserved for a partner. Pawar adds: If were on the same side of the problem, shared frustration becomes something to bond over you find someone who stands with you. It gives the illusion that your bond is deeper than it actually is. Real Chemistry or Emotional Mirage? Is workplace attraction real love or just neurological confusion? Its real, says Saha Dutta, but not in the way people assume. She distinguishes two layers: First is the brains automatic response which includes familiarity, predictability, repetition and dopamine reward loops. These create the feeling of closeness. The second is genuine connection which requires shared values, emotional maturity, reciprocity, conflict repair and functioning beyond the workplace context. Most workplace infatuations never make it past layer one. Dr Nelson agrees: Proximity attraction doesnt necessarily equal long-term compatibility. But it feels profound because our attachment system is reacting, not our rational mind. This creates what both experts call relational ambiguity: neither platonic nor romantic, but something dense, compelling, and confusing. India reports some of the highest workplace romance statistics globally, and the reasons are deeply cultural. Saha Dutta breaks down the structural drivers. Indians do not have much social freedom, even as adults, and many cannot date just anyone openly. So work can also become a social loophole, where offices become acceptable places for men and women to interact. Because of long working hours, colleagues also end up spending more time with each other than with family or friends. Another reason is urban migrationyoung professionals are often lonely, sometimes far away from their families and friends, and form new pseudo-families at work. The New Intimacy Accelerator Contrary to belief, hybrid setups havent reduced workplace attraction but theyve intensified certain forms of emotional dependency. Saha Dutta explains how digital proximity creates its own intimacy: Seeing colleagues homes, pets, partners on video calls, continuous micro-check-ins on Slack/Teams, blurred separation between home stress and work interaction easier idealisation because the brain fills in missing cues all lead to it. Hybrid work gives unusual access with built-in privacy, she says. This combination can make attraction feel deeper than expected. Also Read | Starting a relationship just to split the bills? Welcome to hobosexuality Dr Nelson adds: Someone who used to be just a coworker now shows up in your kitchen via Zoom working from home can be lonely, and having someone check in daily creates emotional dependency. Digital closeness, it turns out, can be as potent as physical proximity. When attraction turns personal, the psychological fallout can be complex. Vyas reflects on the grey zones: If you work closely or if hierarchy is involved, dynamics can shift quickly. Power equations matter. Especially when one person is committed elsewhere, the dynamic disrupts team functioning and secrecy becomes habitual. Dr Nelson warns, It can create a double emotional life, which takes a toll on mental health. Pawar says she once replaced her long-term friends with colleagues emotionally because of proximity. They suddenly became my core circle, she says, simply because of the time we spent together. This creates an outsized emotional dependence on a coworker. Breakups at work dont allow clean exits. Everyday exposure forces unresolved emotions into constant circulation. Dating apps show you a profile. Work shows you a person in motion, under pressure, at their best and worst. As Vyas puts it, Any space where you interact in person feels more natural. You see the real person instead of a curated profile. Pawar likens office courtship to Victorian flirting: will they/wont they tension that feels thrilling and not orchestrated toward a specific goal. People crave authenticity, and workplaces unintentionally supply it. In the end, workplace attraction is less a moral failure and more a psychological inevitability. Humans are wired to bond with the people they see often, rely on, and emotionally survive things with. In offices where proximity, pressure, and shared purpose collide, the brain does what it has always done: it attaches. The real work, then, isnt in denying attraction, but in understanding it, so that familiarity isnt mistaken for fate, and situational closeness isnt confused for lasting connection. Write to us at feedback@livemint.com Also Read | How to talk politics at work when you disagree NEW DELHI : Parliament in December cleared the Repealing and Amending Act, 2025, which has removed a long-standing procedural hurdle in inheritance by deleting Section 213 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925. The change means that beneficiaries in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata no longer have to mandatorily get a probate and can now act on a valid Will. This was earlier mandatory for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists and Parsis if the Will was executed in these cities or covered property located there. This was a colonial-era rule that had outlived its purpose and created unequal treatment across cities," said Shweta Tungare, co-founder of LawTarazoo. Two families with identical estates faced very different legal processes purely because of geography." Rishabh Shroff, partner and co-head of private client at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, added that probate delays of over a year were common in Mumbai. Why should a widow or child wait that long to access family assets, for no fault of theirs? This reform removes an outdated bottleneck." The amendment does not abolish probate altogether. What has changed is that it is no longer compulsory in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai for certain communities and has become optional. Faster inheritance, fewer court visits Earlier, even families with no disputes were forced into a legal process that involved filing petitions, issuing public notices and waiting months for court orders, said Shraddha Nileshwar, head-Will and estate planning at 1 Finance. Tungare agreed and added that simple successions were routinely delayed by six months to over a year, during which bank accounts and property transfers remained stuck. Additionally, legal fees and court charges eat into the inheritance value." With the mandate removed, heirs can now approach banks, registrars and housing societies with the Will, death certificate, KYC documents, and indemnities, as is done in most parts of the country. Why probate may still be required Even though probate is no longer mandatory, experts stress that it remains an important safeguard in several situations, especially where the Will is likely to be questioned. View Full Image When family disputes or challenges to the will are likely, probate provides a vital safeguard. Probate is the courts formal confirmation that a Will is genuine and that the executor named in it has legal authority to distribute the estate. There are many situations in which you may need this legal stamp from the court. One, probate is strongly advisable when the Will makes what the law considers an unnatural" disposition, said Adhiraj Harish, partner, D.M. Harish & Co. This means that the Will sidelines legal heirs and distributes the estate in a manner not as expected. Say, a person leaves behind a spouse and children but leaves most of the estate to a sibling or friend, that can raise doubts and invite objections. In such cases, probate protects the beneficiary by confirming that the Will was validly executed." Second, probate is useful when assets are spread across different states. Administrative practices vary widely across states, and local authorities may hesitate to rely on an unprobated Will executed elsewhere," said Nileshwar. Say a Mumbai resident owned a flat in Mumbai and ancestral land in Karnataka. A probated Will obtained from a competent court reduces friction when transferring the Karnataka property. Local officials are more comfortable relying on a court order than independently examining the Will and witnesses," Nileshwar added. Third, cross-border inheritance makes probate even more relevant. This holds true in both cases, where the heir is an Indian inheriting a foreign estate and the vice-versa case of an NRI heir inheriting Indian property. For NRIs, probate remains the golden ticket for cross-border asset management," said Tungare. Repatriation of inherited money or sale proceeds of inherited assets can become difficult without probate. Foreign banks and authorities often do not recognize a simple Indian Will without a court seal," she added. When NRIs try to remit proceeds from property sales or investments, both Indian and foreign banks apply strict compliance checks. Probate removes ambiguity about ownership and source of funds and reduces the risk of delays or rejections. Tungare strongly advises NRIs to still opt for probate even if the mandatory requirement is removed. It acts as a globally recognized certificate of title, ensuring that their inheritance isn't questioned by foreign tax authorities or compliance departments." Finally, if family disputes or challenges to the Will are likely, getting a probate acts as an important safeguard, said Shroff. For large estates with multiple assets, the absence of probate does not stop a disgruntled family member from questioning the Will on grounds such as fraud or coercion by the testator." Banks may still ask for probate Banks, depositories and mutual fund houses often demand a probated Will to establish rightful heirs. Even with the mandatory requirement removed, they may still ask for it for institutional caution. Banks, financial institutions, and housing societies operate under internal risk and audit policies. Nileshwar said institutions may still insist on probate in high-value or sensitive cases. From their perspective, a court order reduces liability if another heir later surfaces and disputes the transfer." Even in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, banks can no longer cite Section 213 as a legal reason to demand probate, but they may still act cautiously in high-value cases or where the Will appears unclear or disputed, said Tungare. Harish also pointed to overlaps with other laws. Under the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960, a housing society can transfer a deceased members property based on documents such as a Will, succession certificate or legal heirship certificate. Therefore, in cities like Mumbai, the heirs would still be required to obtain a probate to enable the Society to transfer the flat ownership." Until such rules are aligned with the amended succession law, beneficiaries may continue to face practical demands for probate even where it is no longer legally mandatory. Registering Will not the same as probate Many people assume that registering a Will offers the same protection as probate, but the two serve different legal purposes. Registration is an administrative step taken during the testators lifetime. It helps establish the existence of the document and reduces allegations of fabrication or suppression, but it does not validate the Will," said Nileshwar. Registration does not prevent heirs from challenging the Will after death. Its role is limited to improving evidentiary credibility. Probate, on the other hand, is a post-death judicial process. The court examines the Will, hears objections if any, and formally confirms its validity, and the authority of the executor," said Nileshwar. Once probate is granted, it operates as strong legal proof and significantly narrows the scope for future disputes," Nileshwar explained. In simple terms, registration supports authenticity, while probate conclusively establishes legality. How to get probate To obtain a probate, a petition is filed with the appropriate court, typically a high court in metropolitan cities or the district court in other areas. The court then issues notices to legal heirs and publishes public notices inviting objections to the Will. The petition is filed by the executor, while heirs are respondents, and if they agree with the Will, they only need to submit consent affidavits or no-objection certificates, even from abroad, Tungare explained. Most procedural steps are handled by lawyers, and the executor may only need to visit the court registry once for formal verification or to sign a bond. The court fee varies by state and is often charged as a percentage of the estate value. In Maharashtra, it is 2-3% of the estate, capped at around 75,000. In Delhi, it ranges from 2.5%-4% on an ad valorem basisit increases as the value of the estate increases. Lawyers fees are extra. In uncontested cases, probate can still take a few months to come through, depending on the court workload. The repeal of mandatory probate removes an outdated barrier and makes inheritance smoother for families with simple, undisputed estates. But where assets are valuable, spread across states or borders, or likely to be contested, probate still remains the safest way to secure a clear and lasting transfer of wealth. Temperatures in Haryana's Gurgaon hit a new low, dropping to 0.6 degree Celsius in the morning on Monday, 12 January, as the cold wave continued to grip North India. As per India Meteorological Department's forecast Gurgaon is set to experience temperatures in the range of 4 C-6C. IMD weather forecast for Gurgaon The IMD has predicted foggy mornings and partly cloudy skies for Gurgaon over the upcoming days. Here's a glimpse: Date Min Temp Max Temp IMD weather forecast 13-Jan 4.0 15.0 Partly cloudy sky 14-Jan 5.0 15.0 Fog mist in the morning and mainly clear skies 15-Jan 5.0 16.0 Fog mist in the morning and mainly clear sky 16-Jan 4.0 16.0 Fog mist in the morning and partly cloudy skies 17-Jan 6.0 15.0 Fog mist in the morning and partly cloudy sky forecast by IMD 18-Jan 6.0 15.0 Fog mist in the morning and partly cloudy sky IMD's forecast for Gurgaon comes amid the cold wave alert that is in place for the city. Cold wave conditions to continue? IMD officials said that cold wave and dense fog conditions are expected to persist in Gurgaon. Before this, the minimum temperature was recorded at 3.8C on January 3. Meanwhile, we observed a significant drop in temperatures in the district compared to Sunday by nearly 3.5 degrees. The cold wave and dense fog weather conditions are likely to continue in Gurugram until Tuesday, Hindustan Times quoted an IMD official as saying. Gurgaon sees repeated dips in temperature As per the official bulletin issued by the Chandigarh office of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature recorded in Gurgaon stood at 0.6 degrees Celsius on Monday morning. As per IMD data, Gurugram had registered a low of 1.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday, 10 January followed by 4.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 11 January, reported HT. Germany announced on Monday that it would provide a visa-free transit facility to Indian passport holders for transiting through the country, aiming to make travel easier for Indians. This means Indian nationals will no longer need an airport transit visa for layovers in Germany's international transit areas to catch a connecting international flight. However, it does not automatically allow the travellers to leave the airport, enter Germany, or stay there using this facility. The move was announced during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's first visit to India. At a joint press conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Merz for the decision, calling it a step that would not only facilitate and ease travel for Indian nationals but also strengthen people-to-people links between the two countries. Who does it benefit? Earlier, Indian nationals were required to obtain a Schengen transit visa, also known as a category A visa, even if they stayed within the international transit area at airports such as Frankfurt, Munich or Berlin. This mandate applied despite passengers not entering Germany or the wider Schengen area. However, under the new facility, transiting will become easier for Indian passport holders, as they can now pass through German airports for onward International connections without needing to apply for a separate transit visa. Also Read | Canada set to launch 2 new permanent residency pathways in 2026: Details here Since the facility does not apply to travellers who are visiting Germany for tourism, business, or family visits, Indian nationals will still need the appropriate visa to enter Germany or other Schengen countries. Modi, Merz meet in Ahmedabad Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited India on Monday, as part of a trip to strengthen economic and security cooperation between the European Union's largest economy and India. Merz met PM Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad. Berlin and New Delhi are currently navigating a highly unstable global landscape, facing economic and geopolitical pressures from the world's two biggest economies, the United States and China. During his trip to India, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed closer business and defence ties with New Delhi, aiming to bolster Germany's economy amid tensions with its key trading partners, China and the US, Bloomberg reported. New Delhi: AM Green Ammonia, backed by Greenko founders, on Monday signed a long-term agreement with Germany-based energy firm Uniper Global Commodities SE for an annual offtake of up to 500,000 tonnes of green ammonia from India. A joint statement said that the first shipment is expected to sail as early as 2028 from AM Green Ammonias first 1 million tonne per annum (MTPA) plant in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The plant is currently under construction. The development comes on a day when India and Germany exchanged a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on hydrogen integration in natural gas infrastructure. "Uniper Global Commodities SE and AM Green Ammonia India Pvt Ltd today announced the signing of a long-term binding offtake agreement for renewable ammonia certified as a Renewable Fuel of Non Biological Origin (RFNBO)," said the joint statement. During the visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Ahmedabad on Monday, the agreement was exchanged between Michael Lewis, chief executive officer of Uniper and Anil Kumar Chalamalasetty, founder & group chairman of AM Green. Significant step forward For Uniper, wth a presence in power generation, transmission and distribution business, the agreement represents a significant step forward in developing a diversified portfolio of renewable and low-carbon molecules for European customers. As a feedstock and a potential hydrogen carrier, renewable ammonia will help decarbonize industrial sectors such as chemicals, fertilizers, refining, and, over time, shipping, said the statement. Uniper and AM Green Ammonia will work with certification bodies to ensure traceability and high integrity reporting for European end-users, it said. Chalamalasetty, founder of Greenko Group and AM Green, said: This partnership is a milestone for Indias role in the global energy transition. AM Greens renewable ammonia is designed to meet stringent European RFNBO compliance standards." Also Read | Honeywell, AM Green to assess feasibility of making sustainable aviation fuel "It is enabling multiple downstream sectors including ammonia, aluminium, chemicals, and other energy-intensive industries lower their emissions significantly for India and now for the world, he said. Uniper CEO Lewis said the agreement is a key building block in his company's strategy to provide its customers with reliable access to renewable and low carbon molecules at scale. "Green ammonia stands out as one of the most promising solutions to decarbonise CO2- intensive production of chemicals, fertilizers and, through green hydrogen, also in refining. Importantly, it offers among the lowest CO2 avoidance costs compared to other renewable and low carbon molecules -thanks to its mature production process and the absence of carbon feedstock requirements," he said. Green ammonia portfolio AM Green Ammonia, with AM Green, Gentari, GIC and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) as partners, is developing a portfolio of green ammonia plants across Kakinada, Tuticorin and Kandla. The first plant of this portfolio of 1 MTPA capacity is under construction in Kakinada, which achieved its 12,500 crore final investment decision in 2024. The project is supported by several players including Casale, Air Liquide, Rely, a JV between Technip Energies and John Cockerill, Toyo, Gentari, NTPC Renewables, among others. AM Green had earlier signed agreements with other European entities Yara and RWE for offtake of green ammonia from the Kakinada plant. Mint earlier reported that in one of India's largest transactions in Indias green energy space, alternative investment firm Stonepeak is doing due diligence to acquire up to 15% stake in AM Green holding company AM Green (Luxembourg) S.a r.l. (AMG Lux) in a potential deal having an equity value of around $1.4 billion. Also Read | AM Green partners with DP World to boost green hydrogen exports worldwide AM Green, a dedicated platform of the Greenko Group, is focused on producing renewable hydrogen and converting it into renewable ammonia at scale, while Dusseldorf-based Uniper is a European energy company with global reach and operations in over 40 countries. It supplies energy in Europe, particularly in its core markets of Germany, the UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands. It is also a major gas trader and LNG importer. Green ammonia is a derivative of green hydrogen. Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India aims to become a green hydrogen hub with a target to produce 5 million tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. Europe is a potential market for India's green hydrogen with countries in the region embarking on an ambitious energy transition pathway. The ammonia offtake agreement comes at a time when the green hydrogen demand is yet to pick up globally. The government refuted a report on Sunday that claimed India proposes forcing smartphone makers to give source code as part of a security overhaul. What was claimed? A news report by Reuters had claimed that India proposes requiring smartphone makers to share source code with the government and make several software changes as part of a raft of security measures. The report further claimed that the move led to behind-the-scenes opposition from giants like Apple and Samsung. The Reuters report quoted four people familiar with the discussions and a review of confidential government and industry documents to make the claim. Notably, smartphone makers closely guard their source code. Apple declined China's request for source code between 2014 and 2016, and US law enforcement has also tried and failed to get it. PIB fact-checks The Centre's PIB fact-checked the Reuters report and said, The Government of India has NOT proposed any measure to force smartphone manufacturers to share their source code. It added that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had initiated consultations with stakeholders to develop the most suitable regulatory framework for mobile security. This is a part of regular and routine consultations with the industry for any safety or security standards. Once a stakeholder consultation is done, then various aspects of security standards are discussed with the industry, the government said. It said, No final regulations have been framed, and any future framework will be formulated only after due consultations. Meanwhile, mobile phone manufacturing players also told news agency PTI that the move is just a routine consultation between the government and the industry. Also Read | Meity working with stakeholders on mobile security; assures to address industrys legitimate concerns Sources told PTI that the IT ministry is holding discussions with stakeholders under the Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR), which was framed by the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). ITSAR broadly covers safety standards for telecom network gear, including those related to software updates and the source code of communication devices. Based on the ITSAR standard, Meity has been authorised to handle safety issues related to mobile phones, and there is a smooth conversation going on with industry players. The process has just started, and there is no mandate that the government has issued or is pressing for, one of the sources told PTI. Highlighting India and Germanys deep historical links and growing strategic convergence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on 12 January that the two nations are transforming a shared legacy into a modern partnership. This relationship, Prime Minister Modi said, is driven by trade, technology, clean energy and people-to-people ties. Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Prime Minister Modi recalled the role of Indian thinkers and freedom fighters in shaping Germanys intellectual and political landscape. From Rabindranath Tagores literary influence and Swami Vivekanandas philosophical impact to Madam Cama unfurling Indias freedom flag on German soil, PM Modi said the historical bond now forms the foundation of a future-oriented partnership. PM Modi said that India-Germany bilateral trade has reached its highest level ever, surpassing the $50 billion mark while noting that over 2,000 German companies have a long-standing presence in India, reflecting confidence in the Indian economy and its growth potential. Earlier in the day, PM Modi held delegation-level talks with Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad as part of the latter's first official visit to India. The German Chancellor is on a two-day official visit to India. The visit coincides with the celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, and aims to strengthen bilateral ties between India and Germany. Merz's First India Visit PM Modi called Merzs visit significant and said it was the German Chancellors first trip to India and Asia since assuming office, underscoring the importance Berlin attaches to ties with New Delhi. PM Modi noted that the visit coincides with a significant milestone, as India and Germany have completed 25 years of strategic partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations. Also Read | Mukesh Ambani hails India's resilience amid global uncertainty Prior to their meeting in the morning, PM Modi warmly welcomed the German Chancellor to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, marking the German leader's first official visit to India since taking office. After his arrival at the Ashram, both leaders paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Merz also signed the visitors' book there. Kite Festival 2026 Following this, both leaders jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, underscoring the cultural and diplomatic significance of Chancellor Merz's visit to India. They were also seen flying a kite depicting Lord Hanuman. In his remarks at the joint press conference, Chancellor Merz said that Germany aims to elevate its ties with India to a higher level and thanked Modi for inviting him to Gujarat, describing it as a gesture of deep friendship and trust. Merz's visit follows discussions between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada and precedes the IndiaEU Summit, scheduled for 27 January. What PM Modi said India and Germany share historical and deep people-to-people ties. Rabindranath Tagore's works gave a new perspective to the intellectual world of Germany. Swami Vivekananda's philosophy inspired all of Europe, including Germany, and Madam Cama gave global recognition to our aspirations for independence by unfurling the flag of India's freedom for the first time in Germany. Today, we are transforming this historical connection into a modern partnership. Our bilateral trade has reached its highest level ever, surpassing the 50 billion dollar mark. More than 2,000 German companies have a long-standing presence in India. This reflects their unwavering confidence in India and the immense opportunities available here. India and Germany share common priorities in the field of renewable energy. To further enhance this cooperation, we have decided to establish the India-Germany Centre of Excellence. This will serve as a shared platform for knowledge, technology, and innovation. As a Chancellor, this is Friedrich Merz's first visit to India, and indeed to Asia. This is strong evidence of the deep importance he attaches to relations with India. India is fully committed to further strengthening its friendship and partnership with Germany. Last year, we completed 25 years of our strategic partnership, and this year, we are also celebrating 75 years of our diplomatic relations. These milestones are not merely achievements of time. They are symbols of our shared ambitions, mutual trust, and ever-strengthening cooperation. Also Read | Germany plans measures to combat harmful AI image manipulation Close cooperation between economies like those of India and Germany is essential for the well-being of all humanity. Growing trade and investment ties have given new energy to our strategic partnership. Special emphasis has been placed on development, migration, mobility, and skill enhancement. India's talented youth are making a significant contribution to the German economy. The Joint Declaration of Intent on the Global Skills Partnership issued today is a symbol of this trust. This will particularly facilitate the movement of healthcare professionals. India stands for the peaceful resolution of all problems and disputes and supports all efforts being made in this direction. We are unanimous that terrorism is the ultimate evil of humanity. India and Germany will come together and continue to fight it resolutely. What did German Chancellor Friedrich Merz say? We are jointly pursuing new projects in areas such as climate, energy, urban development, and urban mobility. The new mega-project by companies from both countries in green hydrogen is poised to be a game-changer for the future of energy. India and Germany are collaborating to establish secure, trusted, and resilient supply chains. The MoUs signed today on all these subjects will give new momentum and strength to our cooperation. The growing cooperation in defence and security is a symbol of our mutual trust and shared vision. Also Read | Gujarat shows how development and heritage go together: PM Modi in Rajkot New Delhi: Afghanistans border tensions with Pakistan, which led to the shutdown of vital transit routes, may have opened up a $200 million pharmaceutical opportunity for India. India is expanding its pharmaceutical footprint in Afghanistan, a region of significant geopolitical importance, in the backdrop of the conflict-ridden nations tense ties with Pakistan, according to three government officials and documents reviewed by Mint. India is positioning itself as a reliable provider of high-quality medicines to address acute shortages in the Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. This comes in the backdrop of high-level discussions between the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), a body under the commerce ministry, and the Afghanistan government in December, with a focus on New Delhi extending help to Kabul to set up laboratories and upgrade their manufacturing facilities. India is currently "evaluating the synergy and exploring trade opportunities with Afghanistan, a senior Pharmexcil executive said on the the condition of anonymity. With certain regional trade corridors closing, a $200 million opportunity has emerged for Indian generics to fill the gap. This people-centric approach allows India to remain a key regional stakeholder. We are fulfilling humanitarian needs while following the discreet requirements of government policy, said this Pharmexcil executive. Supply routes choked The Torkham and Chaman border crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan - vital trade routes - were closed by Pakistan in October 2025 following violent military clashes. Tensions regarding visa mandates for transporters and the suspension of transit trade agreements have effectively choked traditional supply routes, forcing Kabul to seek alternatives through India, according to Pakistan government's press statement on October 23, 2025. Afghanistan is a land-locked country, and depends heavily on these two routes for exports, imports, and access to seaports via Pakistan. India's pharmaceutical exports totalled $30.46 billion in the financial year ended 31 March, 2025. Of this, Afghanistan accounted for 0.39% or $108 million, which was a 20% increase over the previous fiscal. According to Pharmexcil, this growth is driven by high demand for Indian generic formulations, filling a critical market gap as traditional regional trade corridors face disruptions. Also Read | India to map bulk drug supply chain with licensing rejig India is maintaining a discreet approach to this engagement. This approach allows India to provide essential relief and protect its commercial interests without making a political statement, said a second government official, requesting anonymity. India's caution stems from the fact that the Taliban regime is not formally recognised by most countries, except Russia, after it seized power in August 2021. Still, many nations engage with the de facto rulers pragmatically without full diplomatic legitimacy. Given the absence of a recognized government to provide financial guarantees, the risk of capital loss remains a primary concern. So, engagement largely focuses on technical supportsuch as developing laboratory frameworksrather than direct infrastructure investment, said this official. Queries emailed to spokespersons of Indias ministry of external affairs on 24 December, and Pharmexcil on 21 December remained unanswered till press time. Queries sent to the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi over email and WhatsApp on 22 December also went unanswered. Amid high-level visits This comes at a time of several high-level visits by Afghan officials to India, including those by foreign minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and director-general for economic relations Shafiullah Azam. Most recently, Afghanistans minister of public health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, visited India and met Union health and family welfare minister Jagat Prakash Nadda. The agenda of the meeting was to explore opportunities for importing Indian products, including herbal medicines, and encouraging partnerships with the Afghan healthcare system. The talks also touched on upgrading the technical capabilities of Afghan manufacturing facilities, said the Indian government official. Also Read | Cos' hiked dose nicotine pouch plans spark concern India has approved and implemented several key healthcare infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. These include the construction of five maternity and health clinics in the provinces of Paktia, Khost and Paktika, a 30-bed hospital in Kabul, and the construction or upgradation of major facilities such as an Oncology Centre, Trauma Centre, Diagnostic Centre and Thalassemia Centre in Kabul. Additional proposals for health sector support are currently under active consideration, the Indian government said in an 18 December statement. Zydus Lifesciences signed a $100 million memorandum of understanding with the Afghan National Procurement Authority (NPA) to supply essential and traditional remedies. India is also a preferred destination for medical tourism for Afghan nationals. Of 600,000 patients who visited India for treatment in 2024, Afghan nationals accounted for 8% or 48,000, as per the Bureau of Immigration and Ministry of Tourism "India Tourism Data Compendium 2024. The producer of the Tamil film 'Jana Nayagan' starring Actor Vijay, KVN Productions LLP, has filed a plea in the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court's decision to stay the films certification. A single-judge bench of the Madras High Court had earlier approved the films certification by directing the censor board to grant a U/A 16+ certificate. However, the decision was later overturned by a Division Bench of the High Court on the censor boards appeal on 9 January. The makers of the Vijay starrer have now moved the Supreme Court challenging the Division Benchs decision staying the films' certification. KVN Productions LLP has filed an appeal against the order passed by the division bench last Friday. What is the Jana Nayagan controversy? Jana Nayagan was set for a Pongal release on January 9, the day when its certification was withheld. The film was widely being seen as Vijay's last film as a full fledged actor, before he ventures into politics through his recently-launched party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The film however ran into a roadblock last minute after the Central Board of Film Certification did not issue certification in time. The Madras High Court's order came hours after Justice PT Asha directed the CBFC to give clearance to Jana Nayagan, setting aside the film board's directive to refer the matter to a review committee. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice M M Shrivastava and G Arul Murugan, granted an interim stay on the single-judge bench's order, on an appeal filed by the CBFC before it. The single-judge bench comprising Justice Asha had earlier allowed the plea of KVN Productions seeking a direction to CBFC to issue a censor certificate. According to her ruling, once the board had decided to grant the certificate, the chairperson had no power to send the matter to the review committee. The film board immediately went for an appeal against the order. Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta (who appeared through video conferencing) outlined the grounds for the appeal before the division bench. The January 6 letter of CBFC, which was communicated to the producer of the film, informing him that the matter was referred to the revising committee, was not at all under challenge. But the single judge set aside the letter and gave the above direction. Also Read | Jana Nayagan row: M K Stalin targets centre over CBFC certification delay In its order, the division bench said the petition was filed on January 6, and the CBFC was not granted sufficient opportunity to file its reply. There shall be a stay, the bench added and ordered notice to the producer of the movie and posted the matter to January 21. TVK chief and Tamil actor Vijay appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday (January 12) for questioning in connection with the Karur stampede case, in which 41 people were killed and over 60 others injured. According to ANI, citing CBI sources, the actor-politician will be called again for further questioning at a later date. Vijay reached the heavily barricaded CBI headquarters in Delhi at around 11.29 am amid tight security arrangements. Actor Vijay taken to Anti-Corruption unit of CBI Upon completing the necessary formalities, Vijay was taken to the Anti-Corruption unit team of the CBI, which is probing the September 27, 2025, stampede in Tamil Nadus Karur district. Officials said the CBI has already questioned several office bearers of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as part of the investigation. The agency has also summoned former Tamil Nadu Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) S Davidson Devasirvatham in connection with the case. Also Read | CBI issues summons to TVK's Vijay for questioning in Karur stampede case The CBI took over the probe from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) following a Supreme Court order. In October last year, the apex court directed the CBI director to appoint a senior officer to lead the investigation into the deadly stampede. The Supreme Court also constituted a three-member supervisory committee, headed by former judge Justice Ajay Rastogi, to monitor the progress of the CBI probe. How the stampede unfolded at TVK rally? At least 31 were killed in a stampede-like situation at the actor-politician Vijay rally in Karur, Tamil Nadu, on 27 September, 2025. The victims included six children, nine men and 16 women, while over 58 were admitted. Reportedly, overcrowding at the venue triggered the panic and subsequent led to a stampede-like situation, news agency ANI reported citing people aware of the development. According to eyewitnesses, chaos unfolded when a large crowd, eager to see Vijay went towards the stage barricades. New Delhi: The Centre has deployed a multi-disciplinary team to West Bengal following the identification of two suspected Nipah virus cases at AIIMS Kalyani, according to two people familiar with the matter. The National Joint Outbreak Response Team includes experts from the National Institute of Virology (NIV), the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), and the wildlife division under the environment, forest and climate change ministry to support containment efforts and public health response measures. Given the virus's high mortality rate and zoonotic nature, enhanced laboratory testing for rapid confirmation, intensive surveillance through contact tracing, and specialized infection prevention and control protocols have been adopted. Also Read | States crack down on Almont-Kid syrup after lab finds deadly ethylene glycol Nipah virus infections are caused from animalsspecifically fruit batsto humans, often resulting in severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. Given the serious nature of Nipah virus infection, which is a zoonotic disease with high mortality and potential for rapid spread, the situation is being handled with utmost priority. A National Joint Outbreak Response Team has been deployed to support the State Government in containment and public health response measures, the official said. The ministry of health & family welfare is maintaining a 24-hour vigil over the situation through seamless coordination with state authorities. Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastavais in talks with state chief secretary and principal secretary (health) to ensure technical and logistical support. Also Read | Border tensions with Pak open $200 mn pharma window for India in Afghanistan The Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) in Delhi has been activated, while specific Nipah containment guidelines have been issued to the states surveillance unit. Queries sent to the health ministry spokesperson were not immediately answered. West Bengal reported Nipah outbreaks in Siliguri in 2001 and Nadia in 2007. After several quiet years, the virus resurfaced dramatically in Kerala in 2018, recording a fatality rate of about 91%. Kerala has since reported clusters in 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2025. Although West Bengal has not reported confirmed clusters in recent years, the recurring outbreaks elsewhere underscore the viruss persistent threat and the urgent need for local vigilance. Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has also spoken to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, assuring full central support to manage the situation. Earlier, Mint reported that Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is actively exploring partnerships with domestic pharmaceutical firms to manufacture monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) locally. Currently, India relies on imports from Australia for these life-saving proteins, which are administered intravenously to treat the infection. The PSLV-C62 mission launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) suffered an anomaly during the end of the PS3 stage, the Indian space agency said. The PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly at the end of the PS3 stage. A detailed analysis has been initiated," ISRO posted on X. Around 10 minutes and 30 seconds after the lift off, the presenter said there was an issue in retrieving the trajectory data from the mission. We can't receive any data. In some time, our scientists will provide further details, the presenter said as tension simmered at the ISRO facility. What happened exactly? Inside explosive 10 minutes The ISRO launched the PSLV-C62 mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, around 10:18 am on Monday, January 12. Around 52 seconds after the launch, the first stage was executed successfully, the presenter said. After 1 minute, it was announced: "Both strap-on [boosters] separatedThe core S-139 motor [core booster] continues to burn and develop thrust." At two minutes (after the liftoff), scientists announced that the second stage had ignited. "The first stage had completed its operation." A minute after this, the payload fairing got separated, and a minute after, it was declared that the second stage had separated and the third stage was "ignited". Six to seven minutes after this announcement (around 10:26 am), the presenter said that the scientists were unable to receive the data. What was the 'anomaly'? The ISRO said a disturbance was observed in the third stage of the PSLV-C62 rocket. Meanwhile, ISRO chief V Narayanan told PTI that the PSLV-C62 rocket deviated from the flight path. Addressing the team at the Mission Control Centre, ISRO chief Narayanan said, "The PSLV is a four-stage vehicle with two solid stages and two liquid stages. The performance of the vehicle up to the end of the third stage was expected." "Close to the end of the third stage, we are seeing more disturbance in the vehicle, and subsequently, there was a deviation observed in the flight path," Narayanan said. He added, We are analysing the data, and we shall come back at the earliest. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, raising questions about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound West Bengal. This time, the TMC chief has claimed that the Artificial Intelligence-driven digitisation errors in the 2002 electoral rolls were causing widespread hardship to genuine voters during the Election Commission's SIR exercise. In what is her fifth letter to the chief election commissioner since the beginning of the SIR of electoral rolls, Banerjee said serious errors occurred in elector particulars during the digitisation of the 2002 voters' list using AI tools, leading to large-scale data mismatches and wrongful categorisation of genuine voters as having logical discrepancies. EC disregarding its own statutory processes The West Bengal CM also accused the poll panel of disregarding its own statutory processes that have been followed over the last two decades. She said electors were being compelled to re-establish identity despite earlier corrections made after "quasi-judicial hearings". "Such an approach, disowning its own actions and mechanisms spanning more than two decades, is arbitrary, illogical and contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India," she alleged. West Bengal will go to assembly polls later this year. View full Image The ongoing SIR exercise in West Bengal sparked a row since its inception last year, with the ruling Trinamool Congress accusing the Election Commission of India of working at the behest of the BJP and weaponising the electoral rolls. The ongoing SIR exercise in West Bengal sparked a row since its inception last year, with the ruling Trinamool accusing the Election Commission of India of working at the behest of the BJP and weaponising the electoral rolls. In Mondays letter, Mamata Banerjee also alleged that no proper acknowledgement was being issued for documents submitted during SIR, claiming that the procedure was fundamentally flawed. Mamata Banerjee also said the SIR hearing process had become "largely mechanical, driven purely by technical data", and was "completely devoid of the application of mind, sensitivity and human touch", claiming that it undermined "the bedrock of our democracy and constitutional framework". As many as 25 lakh voters have been called for the hearings which started across the state in December. The poll panel is currently engaged in conducting hearings of 32 lakh unmapped voters who could not link with the 2002 electoral rolls through self or progeny mapping. The hearing of voters with logical discrepancies is scheduled to start on 14 January, Wednesday. Amid mounting pressure from the US, Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel said there have been no conversations' with America. He said that Cuba has always been willing to sustain dialogue with US on basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and principles of international law. Trump tightens grip on Cuba The Cuban president's comments come as US President Donald Trump tightened his stance on the Caribbean nation after carrying out a large scale strike against Venezuela urging Cuba to 'make a deal before its too late.' "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," Trump wrote in a heavily-worded post on Truth Social, in his signature all-caps style. Cuba has been a long-standing ally of Venezuela. Cuba staring at collapse after strikes in Venezuela? With the Trump administration exerting control over Venezuela, Cuba has reportedly lost one of its principal economic patrons and oil suppliers. According to a report by AP, experts have warned that a sudden halt in Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba could lead to widespread social unrest and mass migration following the US attacks against Venezuela. Why US attacked Venezuela? On 3 January 2026, US carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela, during which former president Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and flown out of the country. The strikes followed after months of military buildup in the region, with the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and numerous other warships positioned in the Caribbean. The US has repeatedly accused Venezuelan president Maduro of being one of the worlds leading narco-traffickers alleging that he worked with cartels to flood the US with fentanyl-laced cocaine. In 2020, federal prosecutors claimed that Maduro and other senior Venezuelan government officials collaborated with the Colombian guerilla group Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, or FARC, to traffic cocaine and weapons to the United States. Marco Rubio to be president of Cuba? Besides the strong warning to Cuba, Trump even recently hinted that the idea of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the president of Cuba sounds good to him. Of late, the POTUS has reposted and responded to a series of social media posts featuring the US takeover of Cuba. Greenlands government on Monday (January 12) firmly rejected US President Donald Trumps repeated threats to bring the Arctic island under American control, saying such a move would be unacceptable under any circumstance. Trump has argued that Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory, is strategically crucial for national security and claimed the United States would acquire the island one way or the other. The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something that the governing coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstance, the Greenlandic government said in a statement. Trump warns of Russian or Chinese interests On Sunday, Trump escalated his rhetoric, warning that if the US did not act, Russia or China will, and Im not letting that happen. He also left the door open for negotiations, stating: We could make a deal with Greenland, but one way or the other, were going to have Greenland. The US president has repeatedly highlighted Greenlands strategic location in the Arctic and its military importance, where the United States has maintained a base since World War II. European allies back Greenland and Denmark Last week, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement alongside Denmark, signaling support for Copenhagen and Greenland against Trumps takeover threats. In response, Greenland confirmed its commitment to NATO: On the basis of the very positive declaration from the six NATO member states regarding Greenland, the Government of Greenland will intensify efforts to ensure that the defence of Greenland is carried out within NATO, the government said. Greenland will always be part of the Western defence alliance. Sergio Gor, the incoming US ambassador-designate to India, on Monday said that no nation holds as much strategic importance for Washington as India, adding that both the governments are currently working to finalize a significant trade agreement. True friendships may encounter disagreements, but they ultimately find a path to resolution, Gor remarked during his arrival address, highlighting the friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences in the end, Gor said in an address at the US Embassy in New Delhi. Also Read | Incredible opportunities ahead for US and India: Sergio Gor US-India Trade Deal Gor noted that representatives from both the nations are set to discuss the specifics of this pact during a scheduled call on Tuesday. While India was initially positioned as a frontrunner to secure a deal with Washington last year, the two sides are still navigating several unresolved points of contention. "India is the world's largest nation. So it's not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there," Gor said. "And while trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health," he said. "I have travelled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real," he added. The comments arrive at a time when the US and India are managing a notable cooling of diplomatic ties under Trumps second term. Washington has recently hit India with 50% tariffs some of the steepest globally partially as a response to New Delhi's ongoing purchase of Russian oil. India persists as one of the few major global economies lacking a formal trade pact with the US, despite protracted negotiations and frequent direct communication between Trump and Modi. Relations were further strained by the border tensions between India and Pakistan last May. President Trump has frequently asserted that his intervention was key to de-escalating the crisis, a claim that has frustrated New Delhi officials who maintain the narrative is inaccurate. Indian leadership is also reportedly displeased with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnicks recent assertions that the trade deal stalled because Modi failed to personally call the US president to finalize the terms. Also Read | Why Trump is reviving a tough Russia oil sanctions bill Sergio Gor, the incoming US ambassador-designate to India, on Monday said that no nation holds as much strategic importance for Washington as India, adding that both governments are currently working to finalise a significant trade agreement. True friendships may encounter disagreements, but they ultimately find a path to resolution, Gor remarked during his arrival address, highlighting the friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump. Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences in the end, Gor said in an address at the US Embassy in New Delhi. US-India trade deal talks Gor noted that representatives from both nations are set to discuss the specifics of this pact during a scheduled call on Tuesday. While India was initially positioned as a frontrunner to secure a deal with Washington last year, the two sides are still navigating several unresolved points of contention. "India is the world's largest nation. So it's not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there," Gor said. "And while trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health," he said. "I have travelled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real," he added. The comments arrive at a time when the US and India are managing a notable cooling of diplomatic ties under Trumps second term. Washington has recently hit India with 50% tariffs some of the steepest globally partially as a response to New Delhi's ongoing purchase of Russian oil. India remains one of the few major global economies lacking a formal trade pact with the US, despite protracted negotiations and frequent direct communication between Trump and Modi. Relations were further strained by the border tensions between India and Pakistan last May. President Trump has frequently asserted that his intervention was key to de-escalating the crisis, a claim that has frustrated New Delhi officials who maintain the narrative is inaccurate. Indian leadership is also reportedly displeased with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnicks recent assertions that the trade deal stalled because Modi failed to personally call the US president to finalize the terms. The Pax Silica alliance Gor further revealed that India would join the "Pax Silica" alliance. This US-spearheaded strategic group, which includes Japan, the UK, South Korea, and Israel, aims to establish a secure, robust, and innovation-focused global semiconductor supply chain. "I am pleased to announce that India will be invited to join this group of nations as a full member next month," he said. The Trump administration has been active in taking equity positions in chip manufacturers and raw material firms. It is currently funnelling capital into data centres and rare earth minerals worldwide, treating national security as a diplomatic lever by using chip export permits as incentives. Additionally, the administration is working to ensure federal oversight of AI regulation remains unimpeded by individual state laws. Gors appointment places a prominent Trump confidant at the helm of US-India affairs. Although his direct experience with the region is limited, he previously directed the White House Presidential Personnel Office, managing the recruitment of thousands of administration officials. While the clerical establishment that rules the Islamic Republic is facing the biggest nationwide protests since 2022, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country is ready for negotiations, based on mutual respect. His call for negotiations came amid US President Donald Trump's repeated threats of US 'action' even before a meeting, if force is used on protesters in Iran, where the demonstrations have already crossed the two-week mark, reportedly leaving over 500 people dead. The Islamic Republic of Iran is not seeking war but is fully prepared for war, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told a conference of Foreign Ambassadors in Tehran broadcast by state TV. We are also ready for negotiations but these negotiations should be fair, with equal rights and based on mutual respect. Earlier, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the leaders of Iran had called up and that they want to negotiate. He, however, added that "we (US) may have to act before a meeting". What is happening in Iran? Iran has been roiled by protests since 28 December after the Iranian rial collapsed and prices surged, significantly impacting living costs. The demonstrations quickly spread across the country and turned into a call for the ouster of the Ayatollah Khamenei-led government in the Islamic Republic. Crowds set fire to the streets and chanted Death to Khamenei, directly challenging the supreme leader, who holds ultimate authority over the nations religious and state affairs. Demonstrations were also held in London in support of the protests in Iran. Videos shared on social media showed one protestor scaling the balcony of the Iranian embassy in central London and removing the national flag and hoisting the pre-Islamic revolution-era lion and sun emblem. Death toll crosses 500; over 10,000 people detained Activists say protests have spread to more than 180 cities across Iran, spanning every province, as nationwide anti-regime demonstrations continue to intensify. A US-based rights group tracking the unrest says the death toll has continued to climb. View full Image People take part in a demonstration to support mass rallies denouncing the Islamic republic in Iran in Paris on January 11, 2026. At least 192 protesters have been killed in Iran's biggest movement against the Islamic republic in more than three years, as warnings grew that authorities were committing a 'massacre' to quell the demonstrations. The protests, initially sparked by anger over the rising cost of living, have now become a movement against the theocratic system in place in Iran since the 1979 revolution and have already lasted two weeks. ( AFP ) According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), the media arm of the human rights activists group in Iran, at least 544 people have been killed over the past 15 days of protests, including eight children. Action before negotiations? What Trump said Although Trump claimed that Iran had reached out for negotiations and that talks were being discussed, he warned that action could come first. Iran called, they want to negotiate, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, according to AP. He said talks were being considered but warned that action could come first. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Trump said. Days after nationwide anti-government protests shook Iran, the nation drew tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators to the streets in a show of power. Thousands of Iranians filled a major square in central Tehran on Monday to support the Islamic republic and mourn security forces killed during protests, state television pictures showed. People waving Iran's flag packed the capital's Enghelab (Revolution) Square as prayers were read for victims of what the government has termed "riots". View full Image Mourners carry a coffin during a funeral procession for members of security forces and civilians said to be killed in protests on Sunday, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, ( via REUTERS ) Similar rallies were also under way in other cities after a call by President Masoud Pezeshkian, as per the images. Activists groups based abroad claimed that while dozens of security force members have been killed, hundreds or even thousands of protesters have been shot dead in a crackdown, reported AP. Why protests erupted in Iran? Iran has been roiled by anti-government protests since 28 December after the Iranian rial collapsed and prices surged, significantly impacting living costs. The demonstrations quickly spread across the country and turned into a call for the ouster of the Ayatollah Khamenei-led government in the Islamic Republic. Crowds set fire to the streets and chanted Death to Khamenei, directly challenging the supreme leader, who holds ultimate authority over the nations religious and state affairs. Trump's warning to Iran On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said that Iranian leaders had reached out to seek negotiations following his warnings of possible military action, as widespread anti-government protests continued with the death toll crossing 500. The leaders of Iran called yesterday, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, adding that a meeting is being set up... They want to negotiate." However, Trump added that we may have to act before a meeting, AFP reported. Iran says 'ready to negotiate', but 'prepared for war' On Monday, 12 January, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said that the nation is ready for negotiations, based on mutual respect. Iran's Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, dropped a major fact check over reports claiming that Iranian police arrested Indian nationals. Refuting rumours around detention of Indian citizens with other Afghan nationals, he urged the public to seek verified information from credible sources. This major development comes at a time escalating unrest in Iran has raised concerns among families in India over the safety of Indian students studying in Iran. Taking to X, Ambassador Fathali stated, "The news circulated on some foreign X accounts about Iran's developments is totally false. I request all interested people to get their news from the reliable sources." This statement came in response to a social media post stating, Iranian police have arrested a cell comprising 10 Afghan and six Indian nationals, along with their Iranian accomplices. Are Indian students safe in Iran? All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) and the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) are two major medical bodies that issued a joint statement confirming that Indian students studying in Iran are safe. Vice President of AIMSA and FAIMA Doctors Association, Dr Mohammad Momin Khan on Sunday said that both organisations have received updates from Indian students across Iran, confirming their safety. "All our students are safe. There is no need to panic," ANI quoted Dr Momin Khan as saying. According to Dr Momin Khan, many students personally contacted the associations and conveyed their messages for their families, assuring that they were safe and secure despite ongoing unrest. He further reassured that senior officials and the Indian Embassy are closely monitoring the situation and remain in constant touch with students and local authorities. The associations indicated that regular communication channels are being maintained. To avoid misinformation and unnecessary anxiety among families, the authorities said that developments will be shared promptly. Having long mused about the United States taking control of Greenland for national security reasons, President Donald Trump said on Monday that if the US doesnt take Greenland, Russia or China will, news agency ANI reported. Greenland, with a population of around 57,000, is defended by Denmark, whose military is dwarfed by that of the US, which has a military base on the island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a US takeover of Greenland could signal the end of NATO, while Greenlanders have expressed that they do not want to be incorporated into the United States. If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland. And I am not going let that happen. I'd love to make a deal with them (Greenland). It's easier. But one way or the other, we're gonna have Greenland, Trump said. Greenland has two dog sleds Speaking on Greenland, Trump said, Greenland, basically, their defence is two dog sledges. Do you know that? You know what their defence is? Two dog sledges. In the meantime, you have Russian destroyers and submarines and Chinese destroyers and submarines all over the place. Were not going to let that happen. And if it affects NATO, and then it affects NATO, but they need us much more than we need them. We make money with the war Regarding his intentions to take over Greenland and the implications for NATO and the Ukraine conflict, US President Donald Trump referred to the RussiaUkraine conflict as Bidens war. The US president has faced difficulties in delivering on his promise to swiftly end the war in Ukraine and has expressed frustration with both Zelenskyy and Putin while attempting to mediate a conflict he claimed during his campaign he could resolve in a single day. We make money with the war, but I dont even want to talk about that. I want to save lives. Theyre Russian and Ukrainian lives. This is Bidens war. It should never have happened. It would have never happened if I were president, he added. Trump stated on Friday that the United States must take control of Greenland to stop Russia or China from occupying it in the future. He has frequently claimed that Russian and Chinese ships are operating near Greenland, a claim that Nordic countries have dismissed. Race for Rare-Earth minerals The US is rushing to increase rare earth supplies from sources outside China during a one-year pause on stricter restrictions that Trump said Xi Jinping agreed to in October, AP reported. Several companies worldwide are already producing rare earths or magnets and can supply them more quickly than Greenland, which Trump has threatened to seize by military force if Denmark refuses to sell. Everybodys just been running to get to this endpoint. And if you go to Greenland, its like youre going back to the beginning, said Ian Lange, an economics professor who focuses on rare earths at the Colorado School of Mines, as reported by AP. The US government has made direct investments in MP Materials, which operates the countrys only rare earths mine, as well as in a lithium mining company and a firm that recycles batteries and other products containing rare earths. Also Read | China is flexing its rare-earth muscle but Japan could fend off the threat Scott Dunn, CEO of Noveon Magnetics, said these investments should help reduce Chinas influence, but it remains difficult to shift the balance quickly since over 90% of the worlds rare earths are sourced from China. There are very few folks that can rely on a track record for delivering anything in each of these instances, and that obviously should be where we start, and especially in my view if youre the US government, said Dunn, whose company is already producing more than 2,000 metric tons of magnets each year at a plant in Texas from elements it gets outside of China, AP reported. NATO needs us more than we need them Trump rejected that notion on Sunday, claiming credit for strengthening NATO by pushing member countries to increase their defence budgets. He said, Im not just someone who saved NATO. Im the one who got them to spend 5.5% of GDP. It used to be 2%, and they werent paying. Now theyre paying 5%. Im the one who saved NATO. I like NATO, he said. He then questioned whether or not, if we needed NATO, would they be there for us? I'm not sure they would. In practice, NATO's Article 5, which considers an attack on one member as an attack on all, has been triggered only onceafter the 11 September 2001, terrorist attacks on the United Statesresulting in NATOs military operation in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week, when he will address the issue of Greenland and what role NATO can play in the regions stability. Because security in the Arctic is becoming increasingly important, I also want to discuss on my trip how we can best bear this responsibility in NATO in view of old and new rivalries in the region by Russia and China together, Wadephul said in a statement on Sunday. We want to discuss this together in NATO. According to a report by the Associated Press, Imran Bayoumi, an associate director at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Centre for Strategy and Security, said he doubted Trump would take control of Greenland by force because it is unpopular with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, and would likely fundamentally alter US relationships with allies worldwide. However, this month's US raid to capture Venezuela's leader, along with the administrations increasingly forceful talk of possibly using military action to take Greenland, has pushed European leaders to quickly develop a strategy in response. According to a report by Bloomberg, citing sources, Germany plans to propose the creation of a joint NATO mission to safeguard the Arctic. If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland. And I am not going let that happen. Separately, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on allies to strengthen their security presence in the High North and has recently consulted with leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the matter, the report stated. (With inputs from agencies) Tensions between the United States, Denmark and Greenland have escalated. US Special Envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry accused Denmark of reoccupying Greenland after World War II by ignoring UN protocol, reviving a historical argument as Washington weighs its options over the Arctic island. Landry, the Governor of Louisiana appointed by US President Donald Trump as special envoy, stressed that history must inform current debates over Greenlands future. History matters: Landry invokes WWII role Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Landry said the United States protected Greenlands sovereignty when Denmark could not. History matters. The U.S. defended Greenlands sovereignty during WWII when Denmark couldnt. After the war, Denmark re-occupied itside stepping and ignoring UN protocol. This should be about hospitality, not hostility, Landry wrote. Landry argued that when Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany, the US stepped in to ensure Greenlands security, and that Copenhagens post-war return to the island violated international norms. Claims of UN protocol violations Landry has repeatedly claimed that Denmark re-established control over Greenland after the war in circumvention of UN norms and protocols, framing the issue as one of unresolved historical legitimacy. He said the United States approach toward Greenland should be seen as cooperative rather than aggressive. Trump pushes strategic case for Greenland The comments come as President Donald Trump renews his push for US control over Greenland, citing security threats from Russia and China. Trump has argued that Greenland is surrounded by Russian and Chinese fleets and is therefore vital to US defence, dismissing the islands current protection as inadequate. Trump warned he would not allow US adversaries to gain a foothold in the region. Trump reiterated his stance: Id rather make a deal, but one way or the other, were going to have Greenland. Denmark and Greenland push back Denmark has firmly rejected any suggestion of a US takeover. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that an American annexation of Greenland would effectively end NATO. 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 said very clearly that they are not for sale, Frederiksen said. She stressed that regional security is already guaranteed through existing international agreements and NATO membership. Also Read | Why Greenland is the new flashpoint in Trumps 2026 foreign policy Greenland leaders assert right to decide future Greenland government has also rejected US pressure. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and leaders of the islands four other parliamentary parties issued a joint statement insisting Greenlands future lies solely with its people. They called for an end to what they described as US disrespect. Greenland is back in the spotlight for US President Donald Trump. Following his recent actions in Venezuela, Trump warned on Friday that the US must do something about Greenland. He claimed that if the US does not act, Russia or China might seize the strategic Arctic island. In response, envoys from Denmark and Greenland have launched an urgent push in Washington. They are meeting with lawmakers and officials to block Trumps call for a takeover of the territory. What is Denmark's role in Greenland? Denmark has ruled Greenland for about 300 years. This is despite the island being nearly 3,000 km (1,860 miles) away from the Danish mainland. After the monarchy of Denmark and Norway fell apart in 1814, Greenland remained under Danish rule. In 1916, the United States recognised Denmarks rights over Greenland as part of an agreement that also supported the US purchase of the Danish West Indies, according to a report by the Danish Institute of International Studies. The issue over a Norwegian claim to sections of Greenland was settled in 1933 when the Permanent Court of International Justice, established by the League of Nations, decided against Norway. Following World War II, the United Nations advocated for decolonisation in Greenland. In 1953, Greenland, previously a colony, became a part of Denmark and was granted two seats in the Danish Parliament. Greenland obtained Home Rule in 1979, which led to the creation of the Greenlandic Parliament. In 2009, it gained self-rule via legislation that outlined a blueprint for independence. This law made it clear that the choice to pursue independence from Denmark is now up to the people of Greenland, the report said. Most Greenlanders are likely to choose this option eventually, the report said, citing polls. Independence is also accepted in Denmark. However, concerns remain over the fall of the Greenlandic welfare state. Due to Greenland's topography, small population, and other factors, the Greenlandic government remains reliant on an annual block grant from Denmark of approximately $600 million, as well as Danish support for services such as defence, the coast guard, and law enforcement. Hence, the independence of Greenland depends on continued assistance after independence, something the Greenlandic government has yet to persuade Denmark to accept, the report noted. Why is the United States interested in Greenland? Greenland, the world's largest island, is situated between North America and the Arctic, positioning it well for early warning systems against missile attacks and to monitor vessels in the region. During the Cold War, the US considered placing nuclear missiles on the island but ultimately dropped the plan due to engineering challenges and Danish opposition. Pituffik Space Base, previously called Thule Air Base, has been operated by the US since World War II and now primarily monitors missile activity, according to a report by the BBC. Recently, there has been growing interest in Greenland's natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron mining. Scientists also believe the region may have substantial oil and gas reserves, it added. With global warming, these resources may become more accessible as the massive ice sheet covering the island melts. Valuable mineral resources have been a major focus of Trump in different parts of the world, including his interactions with Ukraine. But, Trump claimed, We need Greenland for national security, not minerals, the report quoted him as saying. He also said that Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. Several Republican lawmakers share the view that US security is threatened by these countries. During his first presidential term, Trump proposed to buy the island in 2019, but was informed it was not for sale. He renewed his interest after returning to the White House in January 2025. In March, US Vice-President JD Vance visited Greenland and accused Denmark of not investing sufficiently to safeguard the territory. The Caribbean island nation of Cuba, which is a little smaller than the State of Pennsylvania in the United States, located in the Atlantic Ocean, is now under US President Donald Trump's radar after he launched a large-scale attack on the South American nation of Venezuela and arrested President Nicolas Maduro. Americas interest in Cuba is much more than just the geographical reasoning; it's borderline strategic. Soon after the turn of the year into 2026, Donald Trump carried out military strikes on Venezuela and captured Maduro amid allegations about the leader turning the country into a narco-state and manipulating elections. Also Read | Why Greenland is the new flashpoint in Trumps 2026 foreign policy Weeks after the arrest, Venezuela is now run by an interim government led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez, with the United States as its watchdog till the country elects a new leader to replace Maduro. Trump, in a recent post, threatened Cuba for its deals with Venezuela, bringing the small island nation in the crosshairs of the world's largest economy. Why is Cuba in Trump's crosshairs? On 11 January 2026, US President Donald Trump, in a Truth Social post, said that Cuba has lived for many years, allegedly providing security services to Venezuela in exchange for oil and money from the Venezuelan dictators. Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) data suggests that Venezuela holds one of the largest oil reserves in the world, reportedly with more than 300 million barrels of crude. President Trump said that after the US intervention, Venezuela does not need protection from Cuba anymore, from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years. He also disclosed that there will be no more oil or money going to Cuba and suggested that the country makes a deal with the United States before it becomes too late. THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, said Donald Trump in his recent post on Truth Social. Also Read | Rubio's childhood boast about Cuba in focus as Trump tightens stance on nation Why is Cuba strategically significant for United States? Geographically, the Republic of Cuba is located somewhere between 90 and 110 kilometres away from Florida, United States. Apart from the US, the country shares its sea borders with The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Mexico, with a land area of 109,820 sq km and a water territory of 1,040 sq km, and a coastline of 3,735 km, according to CIA data. On the global maritime trade front, Cuba is located right next to the Windward Passage, which in turn connects to the Panama Canal, a key trade route connecting the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean, commonly used by shipping companies. Cuba occupies a unique place in the foreign policy of the United States, encompassing geographic proximity, political influence, and economic potential. Cuba has access to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, two maritime corridors essential for commerce and defence of the United States. Cubas location near the Panama Canal enhances its role in global trade, making stability in Cuba vital for international shipping and energy transport for the United States, said Deni Shah, Head of Customs & International Trade, Bhuta Shah and Co LLP. Cuba's political dynamic The Communist state of Cuba, which is now led by President Miguel Diaz-Canel, has had a long-standing relationship with its neighbour, the United States, which turned sour in the late 1950s after the leader, Fidel Castro, overthrew the then-regime and set up a socialist state in the country. According to the Council on Foreign Relations data, the United States intended to isolate the island from the country in both economic and diplomatic terms, even later imposed several sanctions over the years. The relations started to worsen since the Cold War, when in 1959, Fidel Castro and his group seized power in Cuba, overthrowing the US-backed government. Soon after the Cuban revolution, America recognised Castros government but started imposing its sanctions on the country. After this move, the Republic of Cuba started increasing its trade flow with the Soviet Union, leveraging the opportunity from the fallout with the US federal government. Although Barack Obama tried to ease the tensions between the two countries, US President Donald Trump has gone against the move with his recent threat. When talking about Cuba, people often recall the Cuban Missile Crisis, which severed the diplomatic ties of the country with the United States. It all started when the Cuban government allowed the Soviets to set up a secret nuclear missile on the island nation, soon after Americas attempt to take over Castros government. After a thirteen-day showdown in October 1962 between US President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Union leader Nikita Khrushchev, which nearly escalated into nuclear war, the Soviets agreed to withdraw the missiles in exchange for Kennedy's word not to invade Cuba and remove US nuclear missiles from Turkey. Also Read | Cuba rejects Trump oil threat, says US cannot dictate its energy purchases Cuba's role in trade A global trade expert, Deni Shah also said that the economic crisis in Cuba increases the risk of migration and drug trafficking into the United States, which is prompting America to exert political pressure. Militarily, Cubas proximity to the United States is a threat, especially with the growing influence of Russia and China in Cuba through military and intelligence ties, investment in infrastructure and telecommunications, Shah told Mint. The island nation holds the worlds third-largest reserves of critical minerals like cobalt and nickel, which are critical for making components for electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, etc. CIA data also revealed that the country holds other key minerals like iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, and petroleum. Cubas significance also extends beyond trade routes. Cuba holds the worlds third-largest reserves of cobalt and vast deposits of nickel, critical for electric vehicles, semiconductors, and integrated circuits. A stable Cuban regime will also help the United States expand trade in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and energy, said the expert amid Donald Trump's threat of consequences. Read all stories by Anubhav Mukherjee Venezuela is under my control and soon well get Greenland. Its necessary for the US." This is not a threat issued by a 16th century tyrant but a chilling statement by US President Donald Trump. He often calls Canada the 51st state of the US. But will he send boots on Canadian soil too? Is it that easy? The answer is hidden in the events of the last week. Lets look at how other nations reacted to the US invasion of Venezuela. After the US attacked Venezuela and abducted its President Maduro, Beijing imposed a ban on many US products and its banks sped up the process of shifting to Yuan instead of dollars for trade. Xi Jinping warned that if the situation didnt improve, US companies would face increased curbs. As a result, firms doing business with China saw their shares plunge on Wall Street. Russia on the other hand started repositioning its deadliest weapons and its strongest nuclear submarines near Venezuela. Despite being bogged down by internal strife, Iran has already threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, hackers attacked electricity, communications, transportation networks and hospitals in some US cities. The US blamed it on China, which it denied. Before the proposed meeting with the US secretary of state Marco Rubio, the Danish defence ministry gave a sensational statement. According to the defence spokesperson, troops have been ordered to shoot any attackers who set foot on Greenland, asking questions later. The Trump administration is planning to offer heavy compensation to Greenland residents in lieu of their wealth. This is a new version of the divide and rule policy. If that were not enough, Trump has cleared the waythrough a billto impose tariffs of up to 500% on any country buying Russian oil. The move is widely seen aimed at India, China and Brazil. The US has pulled out from 66 international treaties including the Solar Alliance. Trump has often called the United Nations and its welfare organizations an unnecessary waste of resources. He has also shown total disregard for international norms. Just a year ago, all this was unthinkable. But we are witnessing something unbelievable. No one can predict Trumps next move and how the world will react to it. We are moving from a string of small conflicts to a bigger conflagration. Is Trump oblivious to reality? Doesnt he know that China can go to any extent to save its $62.5 billion investment in Venezuela? In Latin America, Russian and Chinese interests are being threatened. This is leading to strange new alliances. Take the Paris Declaration of 6 January. In an accord between Ukraine and the European Union (EU), France, Britain and others pledged to safeguard Ukraine from any future Russian attack by providing them a security shield. They pledged that after the ceasefire comes into force they would station their armies in Ukraine. As expected, Moscows reaction was quick and sharp. Russia said it would not tolerate any European or NATO military presence on Ukrainian soil and would not hesitate to attack any such move. Also, cracks started appearing in European unity as Hungary raised its voice against the EU-Ukraine deal. Its clear that ideological divide is deepening in beleaguered Europe. We need to look at India too. Last week, Pakistan and Bangladesh air force chiefs met and decided that Rawalpindis security apparatus will not only provide training but also give Bangladesh JF-17 fighter jets. This fighter jet is the product of Pakistan-China collaboration. Bangladeshs entry in the equation creates new complications. Let me remind you of Muhammad Yunuss statement he gave in Beijing. He spoke not only of cutting off Indias Chickens Neck corridor, but of isolating the entire North-East. Egged on by China, Bangladesh said it intended to impose a 10-20% tariff on Indian cotton. Bangladesh is the biggest importer of Indian cotton. If the tariffs are imposed it will create fresh challenges for our economy already reeling under the impact of the US tariff. This is the first time when both China and the US are simultaneously trying to encircle India, though the motives are different. Our old friend Russia is not in a position to help us for long. Will India try to wriggle out of the encirclement by opening its market for the Chinese companies? External affairs minister S. Jaishankars midweek visit to Paris and meeting with President Macron have sent encouraging signals. We too will have to reposition ourselves in the rapidly changing world. It is heartening to note that New Delhi is treading the path nimbly and playing its limited cards astutely. Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. Views are personal. 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 2025a year marked by global volatility and regulatory tighteningcame to an end, fintech investors in India turned far more selective. Capital didnt disappear, but clustered around a few proven models, leaving large parts of the sector starved of funding. Continued regulatory tightening in unsecured credit, coupled with deteriorating collection trends at some consumer lenders, pushed investors toward secured models such as affordable housing and micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) financing. At the same time, sustained systematic investment plan (SIP) inflows, rising demat account additions and expanding mutual fund assets under management translated into visible revenues for wealth platforms, drawing investor interest. Overall funding into Indian fintech stood at $2.82 billion across 134 deals in 2025 till the first week of December, broadly steady compared with $2.51 billion across 163 deals in 2024, according to Venture Intelligence. Also Read | Indian fintech set for consolidation wave this year: Kotak Investment Banking Wealthtech surge Wealthtech emerged as the clear winner, with funding jumping to $547 million in 2025 year-to-date, from $153 million in 2024. The first wave of financialization was about access. Now people want better performance," said Manasi Shah, an investor at Accel, who focuses on fintech investments. This year, Indias financialization of wealth played out very clearly." Platforms such as Neo Wealth, Dezerv and Sahi raised growth-stage funding, while Growwone of Indias largest wealth platformswent public, raising 6,600 crore. As the market matures and wealth creation in India increases, there is growing interest in non-lending segmentsprimarily wealth management," said Anshul Agarwal, managing director and head, Avendus Investment Banking. Lending, redefined Lending remained the largest fintech segment by capital deployedbut with a sharp pivot in preference. Funding for unsecured lenders slowed significantly, prompting players such as KreditBee, Credila, Aye Finance, Fibe and MoneyView to explore public markets instead. Filing for an IPO doesnt mean execution," Agarwal said. Many companies are IPO-ready, but timing the market is a very different decision." Overall lending funding fell to $752 million across 53 deals in 2025 YTD, down from $1.53 billion across 69 deals in 2024. Investors, Agarwal said, are now more comfortable backing secured credit at lower valuation multiples, reflecting asset-quality concerns and a cyclical downturn. Also Read | Z47 sees a strong investment pipeline in wealth-tech and fintech AI models Housing and MSME lending emerged as the strongest themes, with companies such as Credit Wise Capital, Saarthi Finance, LoanTap and CredRight raising MSME-focused capital, while Ummeed Housing Finance and Weaver Services drew interest in housing finance. Even unsecured lenders began diversifying. Kissht entered loan-against-property, while Fibe expanded into impact lending. Payments paradox Payments once again attracted the single largest share of funding, raising $1.06 billion across 22 deals, though the number was skewed by PhonePes $600 million round led by General Atlantic. Beyond scaled platforms, pure-play payments infrastructure struggled to attract capital as investors prioritized profitability. Shah noted that companies combining UPI with lending products, especially credit cards, attracted strong interest. UPI combined with credit cards is an interesting new form factor, and companies operating in that space have done well," said Shah. However, as banks stepped up technology modernization, moving away from legacy systems toward cloud-native, API-led platforms, the demand for core banking software, cybersecurity, payments infrastructure, and compliance tools increased. According to Ramki Gaddipati, co-founder and chief technology officer at Zeta, investor interest has been strongest in technologies that have a clear impact on bank economics. Zeta raised $50 million in a Series D round in 2025. Where startups demonstrate measurable outcomes (reduced fraud, faster launches, improved approval rates), investor appetite is disproportionately strong," he added. These include payments rails, banking infrastructure, AI-driven fraud detection, and faster servicing, approved underwriting and regulatory technology. What investors are watching next Even as capital remains cautious, investors are tracking newer models adjacent to core lending and wealth, especially in personal finance and credit advisory. Shah pointed to AI-led financial advice as an emerging theme. Were all using GPT today for advice in some form. The real question is whether you can build a financial advisory platform that is deeply personalized," she said. Credit score improvement and financial wellness apps are also gaining attention as stress in unsecured lending pushes borrowers to manage credit more actively. Also Read | Why co-lending between NBFCs and fintechs is headed for a reset Credit improvement is often the wedge," Shah said. Once you have the customer, you can expand into advisory, wealth and personal finance." Agarwal expects consolidation to follow as capital tightens. Financial services has historically consolidated slowly, but that could change over the next two to three years," he said. India is entering the most consequential phase of its development since independence. Between 2026 and 2047, the year Independent India turns 100, its economy, population and cities will undergo transformations unmatched in scale. Managed well, this period could propel India into the ranks of high-income, innovation-driven economies. Mismanaged, it could see the country fall short just as its greatest demographic advantage begins to fade. Three structural forces will shape Indias future over the next two decades: rapid economic expansion, the maturing of its demographic profile and accelerated urbanization. Together, they create a narrow but powerful window for reform and execution. Economically, Indias momentum is strong. India is now the worlds fourth-largest economy with a nominal size of around $4.2 trillion, a clear marker of sustained progress. If reforms continue and investment remains robust, GDP could reach $10-12 trillion by 2036 and $14-18 trillion by 2041. By 2047, India may cross the $20 trillion mark, placing it among the worlds top three national economies. This growth will be driven by digital public infrastructure, an expanding manufacturing base, a large domestic market and a fast-growing middle class whose consumption will reshape both domestic and global demand. But scale alone will not be enough. As India grows larger, growth must become smarter, driven by productivity, skills and innovation rather than just an accumulation of factors of production. Demographics offer India a second, time-bound advantage. The workforce will continue to expand through the 2030s, peaking around 2041, when India will reach its highest ever working-age share on record. This will be the moment of maximum economic potential. After that, ageing accelerates, increasing pressure on healthcare systems, pensions and public finances. Countries that failed to convert their demographic dividend into productivity before ageing have struggled to sustain growth. India cannot afford the same mistake. Urbanization is the third defining force. From an urban population share of about 37% in 2026, we will cross 40% by 2031 and 43% by 2036, becoming a majority-urban nation sometime in the mid-2040s. By 2047, over 800 million Indians, roughly half the country, will live in cities. These urban centres will generate more than three-quarters of GDP and almost all net job creation. Our future, economically and socially, will be decided by what happens in Indian cities and how they fare. Also Read | A final boarding call for Indias demographic dividend Third, we must shift decisively from technology adoption to leadership. Long-term competitiveness will depend on innovation capacity. R&D spending should rise to around 2% of GDP by 2040. Innovation districts linking universities, startups and industry clusters can accelerate tech commercialization. Indias success with digital public infrastructure should be extended into areas such as healthcare, logistics, education and clean energy. Openness to global talent and research collaboration will be critical. Fourth, India must strengthen its industrial and export base. Manufacturing should grow not just in scale but in sophistication. Policies should promote advanced manufacturing, automation and supply-chain integration. Export-oriented sectors, electronics, pharmaceuticals, renewable technologies, agri-processing and digital services can each become trillion-dollar opportunities over time. Regulatory stability, contract enforcement and simpler taxation are essential to attract sustained investment. Also Read | Rajesh Shukla: The clock is ticking away for our youth dividend to aid progress Fifth, India must prepare early for an ageing society. The demographic shift after 2041 will be rapid. A multi-pillar pension system covering both formal and informal workers is essential. Healthcare infrastructure must expand, especially in geriatric care. Insurance penetration should deepen and technology-enabled eldercare solutions must be encouraged. Policies enabling longer, healthier working lives can soften the economic impact of ageing. Sixth, climate and resource resilience must be treated as core economic priorities, not add-ons. Water scarcity, extreme heat and climate volatility threaten productivity and urban liveability. India must accelerate renewable energy and green hydrogen development, apart from energy storage. Water governance reforms, covering groundwater, river basins and urban usage, are urgent. Industrial policy should favour low-carbon and circular economy models from the outset. Also Read | Indias Viksit Bharat goal calls for better governance across the country Execution will be the hardest test. India needs institutions that think beyond electoral cycles. Rolling five-year transformation plans aligned with demographic milestones would help sustain momentum. Data-driven governance, integrating labour, health, education, urban and climate data, will be essential for timely course correction. The next 20 years will determine not just Indias economic rank, but the quality of life of its citizens for generations. The demographic dividend is finite. Urbanization is irreversible. Climate pressures are intensifying. Yet, the opportunity is historic. India being a developed country at 100 is not guaranteed, but it is achievable. The choices made now will determine whether we will enter our second century of independence as a prosperous, resilient and globally influential nation or as one that took too long to fulfil its own potential. The author is managing director and chief executive officer of People Research on Indias Consumer Economy. NEW DELHI: The Russia Sanctions Bill, which authorizes the US president to impose a punitive 500% import duty on countries that buy oil from Russia, has gained fresh momentum after Donald Trump signalled his support for the legislation. Mint examines what the bill proposes, why it has resurfaced and what it could mean for India. What is the Russia Sanctions Bill? The bill, spearheaded by Republican senator Lindsey Graham, seeks to penalize countries that import petroleum products from Russia. The US government has argued that revenues from oil sales are helping finance Russias war against Ukraine. Once approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the legislation would empower the US president to impose tariffs of up to 500% on goods imported into the US from countries that continue to buy Russian oil. Is this new legislation? No. The bill has been under consideration for several months. It was first introduced in Congress in April 2025, read twice in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. In the House of Representatives, it has been sent to multiple committees. The proposal remained largely under the radar as Trump focused on rolling out reciprocal and other punitive tariffs, including a 25% levy on India linked to its purchases of Russian oil. At the time, the White House did not see the need for an additional legislative tool. That has now changed, with Trump publicly backing the bill. Why has Trump backed it now? Trumps attempts to broker an end to the Ukraine war have repeatedly stalled, with Russia seen as dragging its feet. Analysts view his support for the bill as an effort to increase pressure on Moscow and push it towards a ceasefire. The timing also coincides with an impending US Supreme Court ruling on the legality of tariffs imposed by Trump. If the court delivers an adverse verdict, the new law could provide an alternative legal basis to continue imposing tariffs. Also Read | Trump pressed EU for tariffs on China, India in Russia sanctions talks What are the chances of Congress passing the bill? The bill, which had earlier lost momentum, now has a clear tailwind following Trumps endorsement. In the 100-member Senate, it has the backing of 84 senators, well above the 51 votes required for passage. In the House of Representatives, the bill is supported by 151 members, against the 218 needed. Experts do not see this as a major hurdle. Once Congress clears the bill, it will be up to Trump to decide when to sign it into law and how aggressively to deploy the tariff provisions. Is the bill aimed at India? Not explicitly. However, Trump has been frustrated by the prolonged trade negotiations with India and New Delhis firm stance on keeping its agriculture and dairy sectors off the table. Indias strong economic momentumposting 8.2% growth in the second quarter of FY26and its flurry of trade agreements in 2025 with countries such as the UK, Oman and New Zealand appear to have compounded that frustration. US officials worry that as India rapidly diversifies its export markets, Washingtons leverage could diminish, making this a critical moment to clinch a bilateral trade deal. How could this affect India? If the bill becomes law and Trump chooses to invoke it, the impact on India could be severe. A flat 500% duty, without exemptions, could effectively shut down Indias $87 billion worth of exports to the US in FY25. Also Read | India, Russia deepen nuclear partnership as Delhi targets 100 GW by 2047 Such a move would sharply increase pressure on New Delhi to conclude a trade agreement with Washington. High tariffs would also deter foreign investment, as India could be seen as less competitive, potentially accelerating capital outflows and adding pressure on the rupee. Indias bargaining position in trade negotiations with other countries could weaken as well. Flipkart and Amazon 2026 Republic Day Sales are all set to commence soon, offering huge discounts on a number of products. Ahead of the sale, the e-commerce giants have also unveiled some of the top deals, bank offers and other details. Heres everything you need to know about the two Republic Day sales. Amazon and Flipkart Republic Day sale dates: Amazon Great Republic Day Sale will begin from 16 January, while the Flipkart Republic Day Sale begins from 17 January. Both companies have not yet declared the end dates for their respective sales. View full Image Amazon Great Republic Day Sale Bank offers: Amazon is offering a 10% discount during the Great Republic Day Sale when making payments using SBI credit cards or credit card EMI transactions. The e-commerce giant is also offering unlimited 5% cashback when making payments using the Amazon Pay ICICI Bank credit card. Meanwhile, Flipkart is offering a 10% discount on HDFC Bank credit cards and EasyEMI on credit cards. Amazon top deals during Great Republic Day Sale: Amazon has revealed some of the top deals for its upcoming Republic Day Sale, offering discounts on popular smartphones like the OnePlus 15R and iQOO Z10R. The recently launched OnePlus 15R will be available at an effective price of 44,999 (inclusive of credit card EMI offers). Meanwhile, the iQOO Z10R will sell for an effective price of 18,499 with a coupon offer. Samsung devices are also seeing significant price cuts. The Galaxy A55 will be available at 23,999, while the Galaxy M17 5G will be listed at an effective price of 12,999. For budget buyers, the Redmi A4 will be available for 8,299. Amazon has also teased a deal on the iPhone 15. While the exact sale price is yet to be revealed, the 2023 flagship, currently selling for around 55,000, is expected to drop below the 50,000 mark. In the audio segment, the OnePlus Buds 4 will be available at a price of 4,999. Flipkart top deals during Republic Day Sale: Flipkart has already begun early deals on several mobile phones ahead of the Republic Day Sale. The company is currently offering discounts on the iPhone Air, Infinix GT 30, Realme P3 Ultra, Vivo T4 Ultra, Galaxy A35 5G, Ai+ Pulse, Ai+ Nova and Redmi Note 14 SE 5G. Google has outlined a series of new initiatives, claimed to reshape online shopping through what it calls agentic commerce, a model in which artificial intelligence systems can complete shopping-related tasks on behalf of users. In a blog post published on Sunday, the company said the approach is moving from theory into real-world deployment, with new standards, retailer tools and advertising formats being introduced. Open standard launched for agent-led shopping At the centre of the announcement is the launch of the Universal Commerce Protocol, or UCP. Google describes it as an open standard designed to allow AI agents, retailers and payment systems to work together across the full shopping journey, including product discovery, checkout and post-purchase support. Rather than requiring separate integrations for each AI agent, UCP provides a shared framework so different systems can interact more easily. The protocol is intended to work across retail categories and alongside existing industry standards such as Agent2Agent, the Agent Payments Protocol and the Model Context Protocol. UCP was developed with input from companies including, American Express, Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Flipkart, Target, Walmart, and more. It has received backing from more than 20 firms across payments, retail and e-commerce platforms. AI-powered checkout to appear in Search and Gemini Google said UCP will initially support a new checkout option on eligible product listings shown in AI Mode in Search and within the Gemini app. This will allow users in the United States to complete purchases while still researching products, without being redirected to a separate retailer website. Payments will be handled through Google Pay, using details already stored in Google Wallet. Support for PayPal is expected to follow. Google said retailers will remain the seller of record and will be able to tailor the integration to suit their own systems. Additional features, such as loyalty rewards, related product discovery and expanded international availability, are planned for later phases. Branded AI agents for retailers The company also announced the introduction of Business Agent, a tool that allows shoppers to interact with brands through a conversational interface directly on Google Search. The feature is positioned as a digital sales assistant that can answer product queries using information and tone provided by the retailer. Business Agent is set to go live with selected US retailers including Lowes, Michaels, Poshmark and Reebok. Eligible merchants can activate and manage the agent through Google Merchant Center. Future updates are expected to allow retailers to train agents on their own data, offer promotions and enable in-chat purchases, including AI-led checkout. New data attributes for conversational commerce To support shopping through conversational interfaces, Google said it is adding new data attributes within Merchant Center. These are intended to help products surface more accurately in AI-driven experiences such as AI Mode, Gemini and Business Agent. Also Read | Google Photos set to arrive on Samsung AI TVs with new smart viewing features The additional attributes go beyond traditional keywords and may include information such as answers to common customer questions, compatible accessories and alternative products. The rollout will begin with a limited group of retailers before expanding more widely. Direct Offers introduced in AI Mode ads Google also revealed a new advertising pilot called Direct Offers, aimed at shoppers who are close to making a purchase. The feature allows advertisers to display exclusive discounts directly within AI Mode results. Google has removed its AI overiviews for some health related queries after a recent report by The Guardian found that some of these searches were putting people at risk of harm by giving false and misleading information. Notably, AI Overviews is Google's feature that uses generative to provide summarized information on top of a search result instead of a compilation of links. The tech giant had reportedly removed the AI Overviews for terms like what is the normal range for liver blood tests and what is the normal range for liver function tests. However, it seems like typing variations of these medical searches with slight modifications like lft reference range or lft test reference range did still bring up AI Overviews. The Guardian found that typing slight variations of the original queries into Google, such as lft reference range or lft test reference range, prompted AI Overviews. Reportedly, Google's AI had given false information about liver function test by makin them think they were healthy. Meanwhile, the AI Overviews had also wrongly advised people with pancreatic cancer to avoid high-fat food which is said to be the exact opposite of what shold be the recommendation and could even increase the risk of patients dying from the disease. Google while responding to The Guardian about the removal of some AI overviews said, We do not comment on individual removals within Search. In cases where AI Overviews miss some context, we work to make broad improvements, and we also take action under our policies where appropriate. Notably, AI overviews are still available for some of the other medical queries about cancer and mental health which reportedly gave wrong and dangerous information to users. Google,however, told the publication that it didn't remove these because they linked to well-known and reputable sources. Our internal team of clinicians reviewed whats been shared with us and found that in many instances, the information was not inaccurate and was also supported by high quality websites. it added Google's AI Overviews troubles: Notably, this is not the first time that AI Overviews has landed Google in trouble. The feature had become controversial shortly after its launch in May last year after it recommended users to add glue to pizza to keep cheese from sliding off and eating one small rock a day for vitamins. The company had to pull down the feature for sometime before it brought it back with some changes. Anthropic has launched a new service called Claude for Healthcare, which will allow customers and healthcare providers to use Claude for medical purposes. The company has also launched new capabilities for Claude in life sciences, allowing the chatbot to connect to more scientific platforms and provide support in areas like clinical trial management and regulatory operations. The new features by Anthropic come as there is growing use of AI tools in healthcare, while rival OpenAI also launched its ChatGPT Health feature last week. What is Anthropic offering? Anthropic says it is adding several connectors to Claude in order to make healthcare information easier to find, access, and understand. These connectors will allow users to pull information from industry-standard systems and databases. Claude will be able to connect to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Coverage Database, the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), the National Provider Identifier Registry, among other databases. What can Claude for Healthcare do? Anthropic says Claude for Healthcare can help provide meaningful support to healthcare startups building new products, along with large enterprises looking to integrate AI more deeply into their offerings. As for individuals, Anthropic says it is making it easier for individuals to understand their health information and prepare for important medical conversations with clinicians. The new feature will allow Claude access to users lab results and health records. When connected, Claude can summarize users medical history, explain test results in plain language, detect patterns across fitness and health metrics, and prepare questions for appointments. The aim is to make patients conversations with doctors more productive, and to help users stay well-informed about their health, the company said in a blog post. These integrations are private by design. Users can choose exactly the information they share with Claude, must explicitly opt in to enable access, and can disconnect or edit Claudes permissions at any time. We do not use users health data to train models, it added. The feature, however, is limited to users in the US and only to Claude Pro and Max plan subscribers. The company says New HealthEx and Function connectors are available to users in beta today, while Apple Health and Android Health connectors will roll out to users in beta this week on both Claude iOS and Android apps. Sinn Fein TD for Longford-Westmeath, Sorca Clarke, has said that Sinn Fein will not give up the fight against Mercosur. Deputy Clarke was speaking as the partys spokesperson on Agriculture, Martin Kenny TD, published Sinn Feins Dail motion on this issue, which will be debated tomorrow. The motion calls on government to support a legal challenge to the deal by members of the EU parliament, mandate all Irish MEPs to vote against the deal, and for the government to engage directly with MEPs across the EU to urge them to reject the deal in the European Parliament. WATCH | Annoyed Longford farmer demands to know why are farmers being sold out over Mercosur Deputy Clarke condemned the decision of the EU Council to approve the Mercosur trade agreement as a bad day for Irish Agriculture, the environment and public health. She described the governments 11th hour decision to vote against the agreement as a cynical manoeuvre only arrived upon when Fine Gael and Fianna Fail were safe in the knowledge that the vote would pass because of Italys decision to support it. Deputy Clarke said, Mercosur is bad for Irish Agriculture, the environment and public health. This EU Councils decision undermines food safety standards in the EU and puts EU consumers' health at risk. While the Irish government voted against the deal, they had to be dragged kicking and screaming to this position by the combined opposition, the farm organisations and some of their own backbench TDs. But the public will see right through Fianna Fail and Fine Gaels manoeuvring. PICTURES | Longford farmers out in force as 20,000 protest against 'rotten' Mercosur deal It was at the 11th hour that they cynically announced, in an act of political cowardice, that they would vote against Mercosur - only when they were safe in the knowledge that the vote would pass because of Italys decision to support it. We in Sinn Fein had been calling on this government for months to state their position on Mercosur. And for years we have been calling on successive Fine Gael and Fianna Fail governments to take a leadership role in opposition to the deal. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail repeatedly failed to stand up and be counted, and steadfastly refused to engage seriously with like-minded EU member states in forming a blocking minority. While the EU Council vote is disappointing and should be condemned, the campaign to put an end to this disastrous deal is not over. There is still a legal challenge to the deal by members of the EU parliament, including Sinn Feins MEPS, and there will be a vote in the EU parliament on the deal. WATCH | Longford MEP Ciaran Mullooly declares protest sent 'clear and powerful message, Ireland says NO to Mercosur' Sinn Fein will not give up this fight. The party's Agriculture spokesperson Martin Kenny is bringing forward a Dail motion on Tuesday evening calling on the government to support this legal action. The motion would also mandate all their party MEPs to vote against the deal, and for the government to engage directly with MEPs across the EU to urge them to reject the deal in the EU parliament. Mercosur must be stopped, and the government needs to stand up and lead the opposition to this deal. Manchester, VT (05254) Today Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 28F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Variably cloudy with snow showers. Low 12F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 40%. Snow accumulations less than one inch. Boston officials have indefinitely suspended the liquor license of a popular bar after finding multiple underage patrons drinking there this past fall the latest incident in what is believed to be an ongoing pattern of establishment mismanagement. The Draft Bar & Grille on Harvard Avenue in Allston came under fire during Boston Licensing Board meetings last week, where members heard testimony from bar owner Derek Brady and Boston police officer Eddie Hernandez about an October 2025 incident. Brady did not immediately respond to MassLive for comment. There were about 75 to 100 people rapidly leaving the establishment once they realized we were checking IDs, Hernandez said of the incident on Oct. 16, 2025, in the licensing board meeting on Jan. 6. We turned around, and there was only maybe like seven or eight people left, Hernandez recalled. Hernandez had entered The Draft Bar & Grille with other detectives for a license inspection when he noticed a man who looked young and asked for his ID. The man at first handed over a fake license and as officers moved deeper into the bar, they saw more patrons who appeared underage. When the officers began to question those people, a sudden rush toward the exit ensued and the bartender said he didnt understand why everyone was leaving so suddenly, Hernandez told board members. (Brady) has a lack of appreciation for what goes into keeping people safe and he actually doesnt seem like he cares, said board member Kathleen Joyce. Joyce said she was taken aback by Bradys laid-back attitude about what some of the mismanagement problems are at this location and questions whether or not this person should manage any license premise in the city. Joyce added, I am not sure people are safe going into his establishments. Brady admitted to mismanagement at the bar to board members, including the failure to replace a broken ID scanner since March 2025. He said the bar has not taken any steps to repair it because its expensive to replace and the bar is not doing well financially. Board member Liam Curran even questioned whether The Draft may be intentionally trying to bring in underage patrons. It seems like business is tough and he might be deliberately catering to underage clients weve already found that he doesnt have the character and fitness to get a new license," Curran said. Another board member, Keeana Saxon, added Brady is not fit for this license, another license, any license. The liquor license for The Draft Bar & Grille was indefinitely suspended on Jan. 8, which will be lifted upon its transfer. If Brady decides not to sell the bar, he has the opportunity to approach the licensing board and present a plan on how he would run a more safe and improved establishment. The future of a Western Massachusetts college weighs heavily on its campus community. The road to financial stability at Hampshire College in Amherst has been rocky after it nearly closed in 2019 and then missed its enrollment goal by half in 2025. As the college deals with the enrollment gap from the previous academic year, Hampshires community has had mixed reactions. Many emphasized the colleges uniqueness, but are wary of its future. Others have a more optimistic outlook. Hampshires distinctive features, like narrative evaluations, make it a place its community loves. But they can also deter many college-aged students, said Donna Cohn, associate professor of applied design. I work with some people, students, (where) Hampshire is just about the only place that they could succeed in college. And I dont think that those students have been identified enough. So thats always been a challenge, Cohn said. Hampshire appeals to people who want autonomy over their learning, she said. Meanwhile, its renowned film program and open-access maker space have made the school a creative hub for artists. Hampshire is able to do these things that other colleges are afraid to try, Cohn said. At the same time, over the two decades Cohn has taught at Hampshire, the programs that have made the college special have slowly been pared down, she said. The cuts have affected morale. And the administration isnt able to finance repairs to deteriorating buildings, she said. Hampshire laid off non-faculty employees, suspended certain benefits and required senior leadership to take pay cuts, among other actions, in 2023. Its not like I feel like Im giving up at all. Its just theres been so many rough patches at Hampshire that this just feels like another one, Cohn said. What happened to Hampshires enrollment? Jennifer Chrisler, Hampshires newly appointed president, told MassLive in November that instead of recruiting 300 students, it enrolled about 150 new students in 2025. However, she said the college is at a transition point and ready for change. Campus financing projects are nearing their goals and the college has invested in new admissions and marketing tools to give it a better shot at attracting new students. Jennifer Chrisler named new president of Hampshire College. Courtesy Photo While its too early to project the colleges application numbers for this year, the college has seen an uptick in applications, reaching just over 2,000 compared to this time last year, a college spokesperson said. The previous admissions cycle was affected by other institutions opening their waitlists and accepting more students than usual. That forced even more competition between institutions to vie for the same students, Chrisler said. She also attributes the missed enrollment target to fewer college-aged people in the U.S. Hampshires enrollment challenges dont diminish its resilience or momentum, said Ken Rosenthal, who was the colleges interim president in 2019. Its not the same as it was in 2019. Its growing and improving. Its fundraising is growing every year, every month, said Rosenthal, who was instrumental in the colleges founding in 1970 and is still involved today While Rosenthal admits the enrollment challenges do impact the colleges fiscal stability, he believes it is going in the right direction. It has grown to 750 students after administrators declined to enroll a full freshman class in 2019. The incoming cohort that fall was only 13 students. He believes Hampshires financial position will strengthen with alumni gifts, especially through wills. The question is, for somebody like me, am I still willing to give money to the college? Because this is money that comes out of my bank account that would go to my children. And the answer is absolutely yes. And Hampshire remains in my will, Rosenthal said. A big blow: Hampshires importance to its community For students at Hampshire, the frequent bouts of financial and enrollment challenges have created an aura of resentment and frustration across campus, student Samara Ternoir said. Students are feeling it between high staff turnover rates and tuition changes, she said. Hampshire managed to survive before, and Im confident Hampshire will continue to survive, but not without major reflection and a commitment to building trust between everyone involved in the institution, Ternoir, a senior, said. It needs to do a better job at listening to students feedback to strengthen the institution, she said. Stan Moulton, who was part of the first Hampshire class in 1970, said he wishes alumni were reached out to more not for their money but for their time. Alumni could be a critical source of support for admissions and recruiting if only Hampshire tapped into them, he said. While he isnt as concerned about Hampshire closing as he was in 2019, hes still wary. Stan Moulton was in the first class at Hampshire College in 1970. Jerrey Roberts To lose Hampshire would be a big blow to this student-centered approach to education in higher ed, Moulton said. I feel so passionate about making sure that Hampshire continues to survive and thrives and identifies the right students and does all that it can to bring them to Hampshire so that they have the same opportunity that I had, Moulton, a former Northampton city councilor, said. Others feel similarly, especially parents of Hampshire students who took to Facebook to express their views after MassLive published an article about the schools enrollment challenges. One parent said Hampshire is a best-kept secret with huge potential. Another wrote that Hampshire pulled their daughter out of her shell to show her genius. An alum wrote that Hampshires curriculum was rigorous but still allowed for experimentation. Mixed in with the positive reviews were objectors who wrote that the college was too unstructured and hippie for them when they visited or studied at other colleges in the area. One parent said her daughter takes courses at the University of Massachusetts Amherst or Smith College to avoid being ostracized for her normalcy. A positive path forward for Hampshire College Despite the ups and downs of enrollment challenges, professors Cohn and Viveca Greene are excited about the colleges path forward under Chrislers new presidency. Both feel like she is the right leader for Hampshire. Working at Hampshire has been a much-needed antidote to all the things that make me worry about the world, Greene said. I truly believe there has never been a more important time for Hampshire to exist, and I know there are many kids who would feel safe and supported here, Greene said. SPRINGFIELD In honor of the newest addition to its cookie lineup, the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts are encouraging everyone to get out and Exploremore. The rules are simple: Snap a picture of yourself with a box of the newest Girl Scout cookie, Exploremores, in meaningful, fun, or creative places. If you dont have a box at the ready, you can use a printable cookie cut-out available on the Girl Scouts website. The photos can be submitted online on the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts website from Jan. 16 through Feb. 20. Winners will be announced on March 6 in the categories of Best Local Expedition, Best Girl Scout Spirit, Explore the Great Outdoors, Most Creative Expedition, and Small Business Snapshot. The contest is being held to celebrate the newest Girl Scout cookie, Exploremores, which are described as rocky road ice cream-inspired cookies filled with flavors of chocolate, marshmallow and toasted almond creme. Girl Scout cookie sales start Jan. 16 and run through March 15. Visit the Online Cookie Finder to find a cookie booth location near you or connect with a local troops online cookie shop. You can also text COOKIES to 59618 to stay informed about opportunities to purchase Girl Scout cookies. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. Bruno Mars announced The Romantic Tour, marking his first full headline tour in nearly a decade following the massively successful 24K Magic World Tour back in 2017. The tour kicks off on April 10 with nearly 40 shows across North America, Europe, and the UK, marking one of the biggest global outings of the year. Tickets go on sale on Thursday, January 15, with a presale starting on Wednesday, January 14 on Ticketmaster. Fans can now shop for tickets using reliable third-party ticket sellers like StubHub, VividSeats, and SeatGeek. *New customers who purchase tickets through VividSeats can get $20 off a $200+ ticket order by using the promo code MassLive20 at checkout.* Bruno Mars will make a stop at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, on September 5. As of Monday, January 12, the cheapest tickets for that show are $377 on StubHub and $365 on VividSeats. The tour announcement follows the news of Brunos long-awaited fourth solo album, arriving everywhere on February 27. Mars has had an incredible few years with the success of his acclaimed Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM and an extensive and record -breaking international touring run throughout Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and South America. In early 2024, Mars became the first international artist of the 21st century to hold seven consecutive sold-out concerts at the Tokyo Dome. In fall 2024, he achieved the highest-grossing tour in Brazilian history, performing 14 sold-out stadium shows across Brazil, spanning five cities, according to Live Nation. Support on the tour includes nine-time GRAMMY award-winning artist Anderson Paak as DJ Pee Wee and RAYE for select shows. Below is a look at the full 2026 tour schedule for Bruno Mars The Romantic Tour with links to purchase tickets: Fri, Apr 10 Las Vegas, NV Allegiant Stadium*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Tue, Apr 14 Glendale, AZ State Farm Stadium*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Apr 18 Arlington, TX Globe Life Field*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Wed, Apr 22 Houston, TX NRG Stadium*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Apr 25 Atlanta, GA Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Wed, Apr 29 Charlotte, NC Bank of America Stadium*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, May 2 Landover, MD Northwest Stadium*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Wed, May 6 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, May 9 Detroit, MI Ford Field*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Wed, May 13 Minneapolis, MN U.S. Bank Stadium*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, May 16 Chicago, IL Soldier Field*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Wed, May 20 Columbus, OH Ohio Stadium*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, May 23 Toronto, ON Rogers Stadium*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sun, May 24 Toronto, ON Rogers Stadium*# - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Jun 20 Paris, FR Stade de France*^ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sun, Jun 21 Paris, FR Stade de France*^ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Fri, Jun 26 Berlin, DE Olympiastadion*^ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Jul 4 Amsterdam, NL Johan Cruijff ArenA*^ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sun, Jul 5 Amsterdam, NL Johan Cruijff ArenA*^ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Fri, Jul 10 Madrid, ES Riyadh Air Metropolitano*^ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Tue, Jul 14 Milan, IT Stadio San Siro*^ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Jul 18 London, UK Wembley Stadium Connected by EE*^ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sun, Jul 19 London, UK Wembley Stadium Connected by EE*^ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Fri, Aug 21 East Rutherford, NJ MetLife Stadium*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Aug 22 East Rutherford, NJ MetLife Stadium*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Aug 29 Pittsburgh, PA Acrisure Stadium* - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Tue, Sep 1 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Sep 5 Foxborough, MA Gillette Stadium*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub , VividSeats , and SeatGeek Wed, Sep 9 Indianapolis, IN Lucas Oil Stadium*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Sep 12 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Wed, Sep 16 New Orleans, LA Caesars Superdome*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Sep 19 Miami, FL Hard Rock Stadium*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Wed, Sep 23 San Antonio, TX Alamodome*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Sep 26 Air Force Academy, CO Falcon Stadium at the United States Air Force Academy *@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Fri, Oct 2 Inglewood, CA SoFi Stadium*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Oct 3 Inglewood, CA SoFi Stadium*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Sat, Oct 10 Santa Clara, CA Levis Stadium*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek Wed, Oct 14 Vancouver, BC BC Place*@ - Shop for tickets using StubHub VividSeats , and SeatGeek * with Anderson Paak as DJ Pee Wee # with Leon Thomas ^ with Victoria Monet @ with RAYE The states highest court vacated a mans convictions for aggravated child rape, finding that the indictments against him were improperly changed after they were handed up. Scott McCaffrey was convicted in 2022 of five counts of aggravated rape of a child, four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and one count each of dissemination of harmful matter to a minor and lewd, wanton and lascivious conduct. In January 2020, a girl reported to law enforcement she had been sexually assaulted numerous times by McCaffrey between 2014 and 2015, when she was between 8 and 10. The Abington Police Department investigated the claims, according to The Enterprise. McCaffrey was originally indicted under the law governing the rape of a child who is between 12 and 16, where the defendant is more than 10 years older than the victim. But because the victim was not yet 12 when the crimes were committed, prosecutors moved to amend the indictments. The motion was granted, and McCaffrey was subsequently charged with violating the law governing the rape of a child under 12, which applies when the defendant is more than 5 years older than the victim. But the Supreme Judicial Court on Monday, in a decision authored by Chief Justice Kimberly Budd, found that the amendments changed an essential element of the crime charged and reversed the convictions for aggravated rape of a child. McCaffrey argued that the amendments should not have been allowed because the change was substantive and not simply formal. The court agreed. State law allows indictments to be amended after they are filed, but the substance of the indictments cant be changed. Amendments as to the form might include changing the victims name or date of the offense because they do not fundamentally change the crime the person is charged with, the court noted. But substantive amendments violate the state Declaration of Rights because the crime for which the defendant was indicted would be different from the crime for which he was tried, Budd wrote. Had McCaffrey been acquitted of the aggravated rape charges he faced, prosecutors would have been able to retry him under the different subsection of the law because it would not have violated his double jeopardy protections, the decision reads. As a result, the amendments cant stand and the verdict must be reversed, Budd wrote. Because the defendant was indicted under one theory of aggravated child rape but convicted under a different theory with mutually exclusive elements, the amendment was substantive and therefore impermissible, the decision reads. McCaffreys case was sent back to Superior Court for resentencing on the other charges and entry of not guilty verdicts on the aggravated rape indictments. The Plymouth County District Attorneys office did not immediately return a request for comment Monday. A Boston man faces more than a decade in prison after being convicted of a string of robberies, including of older people at gunpoint, officials said. Edwin Santo, 23, of Boston, was sentenced on Monday to 10 to 12 years in state prison for five counts of unarmed robbery of a person 60 and over, plus two years and a day for one count of breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony. He was ordered to three years of probation after his release. Santo was convicted in Suffolk County Superior Court in connection with robberies that took place over the summers of 2023 and 2024, according to the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office. Between June 10, 2023, and August 11, 2024, Santo committed six robberies of older persons in Roxbury, Mattapan and Hyde Park, officials said. In the first five incidents, Santo stole necklaces from around the neck of his victims, officials said. In one instance, he broke into a home to commit a theft. In the sixth robbery, Santo wore a mask and robbed two older people of their necklaces at gunpoint. Santo was arrested by federal agents in Philadelphia after Boston investigators tracked his location there. The victim of the breaking and entering incident who is also the daughter of one of the older victims delivered an impact statement, officials said. The victim said that Santo "is young and could have taken a different route in life and tried to find a job or hustled to make ends meet but decided to target a vulnerable population. Judge Mark Hallal, who imposed the prison sentence, also noted that many of the victims were immigrants who have worked hard for what they have, and Santo could have done the same. Edwin Santo made calculated, cold-hearted decisions to prey on those with the least ability to defend themselves. He stole from many who came to America and earned their keep through honest, hard work exactly the opposite of his approach. Hes now paying an appropriate penalty for his life choices, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement. Longtime Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey announced Monday afternoon that he wont seek reelection to the post he has held for more than a decade. Morrissey, who was elected district attorney in 2010 after serving in the state senate and house of representatives, said in a statement that he believed it was the right time to start a new chapter in my life. I ran for this office to stand up for victims and give them a voice. I am proud to have done so for countless victims over the years and am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me and in the Norfolk District Attorneys Office, Morrissey said. Morrisseys office has been the center of controversy in recent years for the prosecution of Karen Read and the investigation into the death of Sandra Birchmore. Read was accused of running over her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John OKeefe, with her Lexus SUV on Jan. 29, 2022. But during her two criminal trials, Read and her defense team claimed that Morrisseys office was part of a conspiracy to frame her for OKeefes death. After the explosion of public support for Read, Morrissey published a video denouncing the conspiracy claims and supporting the civilian witnesses who Read claimed were framing her. But after that, he largely withdrew from the public eye. Read was eventually acquitted of all charges having to do with OKeefes death. In the case of Birchmore, who was found dead in her Canton apartment in February 2021, Massachusetts State Police investigators assigned to Morrisseys office ruled her death a suicide. But federal prosecutors have since charged Stoughton police officer Matthew Farwell with killing Birchmore, and accused him of grooming Birchmore beginning when she was a teenager. Already, four candidates have announced their intention to run for the seat. Adam Deitch, a former federal prosecutor who led the federal investigation into the Read case, is the newest entrant to the race. He joined Djuna Perkins and Craig MacLellan, both former prosecutors, as well as Jim Barakat, a public defense attorney. Barakat called the decision welcome and surprising news. Its time to ring in a new era of competent investigations and police accountability for misconduct in 2026 without the prospect of Morrissey securing another term, Barakat said in an emailed statement. In an emailed statement, Deitch said he believed Norfolk County needed a new, credible, outside perspective to restore faith and confidence and build a DAs Office defined by fairness, integrity, and professionalism. I wish DA Morrissey only the best as he moves on and Im excited about the opportunity for positive change and accountability in the DAs office, he said. Perkins said Morrisseys decision was the right one. Now, residents of Norfolk County have the opportunity to elect a qualified District Attorney committed to the pursuit of justice free from bias, conflict, and political entanglements," she said. MacLellan could not be reached for comment Monday evening. Morrissey did not throw his support behind any of the candidates currently running. Morrissey has served in elected office since 1976, when he was elected to the Massachusetts State House. Being District Attorney is about pursuing justice with integrity and fairness. I am incredibly proud of the meaningful work our office has accomplished, both in the courtroom and throughout the community, Morrissey said in the statement. He went on to thank the law enforcement officials and community partners he worked with as district attorney, as well as the prosecutors and victim-witness advocates in the office. Flu activity is very high in all of Massachusetts right now and may still be rising, according to the state health department. The state is in the midst of peak flu season, and thousands of Bay Staters have become ill, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said in a press release last week. While COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) rates remain low, cases of both illnesses are beginning to rise. During the last week of December, approximately a quarter of emergency room visits were for respiratory illnesses, the state health department said. Hospitals in some regions of the state reported challenging capacity levels that were largely flu-related. This is a moment for clarity, urgency and action, Dr. Robbie Goldstein, Massachusetts public health commissioner, said in the release. These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. The latest flu tracking data for Massachusetts can be found on the state health departments dashboard. Statewide tracking data for other respiratory illness can be found here. Flu activity in Massachusetts so far As of Jan. 3, 66 Massachusetts residents had died from the flu this season, according to the state health department. Four of the people who died were children, and two of those children were Boston residents younger than two years of age. The child flu deaths in Boston were the first to happen in the city since 2013, according to Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Bostons public health commissioner. All four of the fatal pediatric cases happened in the final weeks of December, as Boston and other parts of Massachusetts experienced a surge of flu activity. Data from local hospitals suggests the illness has been spreading more among children this year than in previous years, Ojikutu said. In the last two weeks of December, confirmed flu cases in Boston children younger than age five jumped by 142%, and emergency room visits for flu-like illnesses surged by 225% among the same age group. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends vaccination for all residents ages six months and older. Bay Staters looking for vaccine clinics near them can find one on vaccinefinder.org. There are three upcoming free flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics scheduled to take place in Boston this month. No appointment, health insurance or identification is required to get vaccinated at these clinics. Details on upcoming vaccine clinics in Boston are posted on the citys website. The state health department also recommends using prevention strategies to help stop the spread. Such practices include thorough handwashing, staying home when sick and wearing a face mask in crowded spaces. High-profile celebrities used the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday night as a platform to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the policies of President Donald Trump. Actors Mark Ruffalo and Wanda Sykes were among several attendees seen wearing black-and-white pins with the slogans BE GOOD and ICE OUT, according to the Associated Press. The pins were part of a national campaign organized by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), in response to the recent fatal shootings of two individuals involving ICE agents. The protest centers on the deaths of Renee Nicole Good, who was killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, and Keith Porter, who was fatally shot by an off-duty agent on New Years Eve. This is for Renee Nicole Goode, who was murdered, Ruffalo told USA TODAY on the red carpet, proceeding to call out Trump: Were in the middle of a war with Venezuela that we illegally invaded. Hes telling the world that international law doesnt matter to him. The only thing that matters to him is his own morality, but the guy is a convicted felon, a convicted rapist. Ruffalo continued: Hes the worst human being. If were relying on this guys morality for the most powerful country in the world, then were all in a lot of trouble. This is for the people in the United States who are terrorized and scared today. I know Im one of them. I love this country. And what Im seeing here happening is not America, he said. Sykes also appeared at the 83rd annual awards ceremony wearing an identical pin to Ruffalo. Of course, this is for the mother who was murdered by an ICE agent, and its really sad. I know people are out marching and all today, and we need to speak up, Sykes told Variety. We need to be out there and shut this rogue government down, because its just awful what theyre doing to people. The Golden Globes demonstration coincides with a wave of protests happening across the country, including in Massachusetts, where large crowds of demonstrators recently took to the streets of major cities like Boston and Worcester to demand justice for Good. We are sick and tired of ICE, Ximena Hasbach, a spokesperson for Boston Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) told MassLive. Were sick and tired of the ICE terror in our city of Boston, in our state of Massachusetts. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers have vowed an assertive response, demanding a range of actions including immediate policy changes regarding law enforcement raids, the defunding of ICE operations and the impeachment of U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, according to the Associated Press. The investigation of Goods killing remains ongoing by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The fatal shooting of Porter is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Departments Robbery-Homicide Division, officials told the Los Angeles Times. A man who shot and killed a rival gang member in Mattapan while he was walking his dog was denied parole. In 1998, Jack Beliard was convicted of first-degree murder for the death of Rico Green, 18. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Two years earlier, 20-year-old Beliard and Green had gotten in a fight and Beliard got a black eye. Beliard then spent the next few nights driving around Mattapan looking for someone from Greens gang to shoot, according to the Massachusetts Parole Board. At about 3 a.m. on Sept. 7, 1996, Beliard and another person stood behind a tree on Verrill Street in Mattapan until they saw Green walking towards them with his dog. Mr. Beliard and the co-defendant then ambushed Mr. Green, the parole board wrote. He was shot nine times, including in the chest, hand, leg, back, shoulder and head. In January 2024, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled in Commonwealth v. Mattis that sentencing people, ages 18 through 20 at the time of their offense, to life without the possibility of parole was unconstitutional and amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. Massachusetts was the first state in the country to transform the law, experts said. Essentially, the brains of what we are calling late adolescents or emerging adults function very much like juveniles, Northampton attorney Paul Rudof, one of the lawyers who successfully challenged life sentences for individuals aged 18 to 20, told The Republican . There were 210 cases that fell into the Mattis decision across Massachusetts, including Beliard. Beliard, now 49, went in front of the parole board for the first time on July 16. During his hearing, Beliard described a significant trauma history that he never received treatment for. He had limited coping skills and engaged in problematic drinking and anti-social behaviors, the parole board wrote. Mr. Beliard has had a difficult adjustment; however, he has improved his conduct and has invested in meaningful rehabilitation in the past four years. The parole board encouraged him to continue his mentorship and invest in any additional opportunities to further his insight with regard to victim empathy. The board also noted his possible deportation to Haiti if he were released. The parole board said that Beliard needs to create a release plan in both Massachusetts and Haiti. Ultimately, the board denied his parole with another hearing scheduled in two years. The Supreme Judicial Courts Mattis decision has been devastating for the families of those killed as they are forced to relive the trauma, often going in front of the parole board and the incarcerated individual to make their own case. Families have described the process as a nightmare , stating they feel betrayed and that the system is treating murderers as victims while their own pain is ignored. One family member during a previous hearing walked out, feeling as if his side wasnt being fairly heard after the incarcerated individual was told they did a good job. The parole board has so far granted freedom to about 35 people, which is a significant majority of those who have had hearings and decisions released. About 14 people have been denied parole following the Mattis decision. A reality TV star, best known for her appearances in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules, is criticizing American Airlines following flight disruptions that left her stranded at Miami International Airport. Lisa Vanderpump said in an Instagram video posted on Sunday that she and other passengers were removed from three separate aircrafts due to mechanical issues. Everybody listen upAmerican Airlines, unbelievable. Stuck here at Miami Airport for essentially 12 hours now, Vanderpump said in the video. Ive been on three planes and taken off them with all these other people because of mechanical issues. Not a good look for you guys, the Bravo star concluded, adding that she doesnt like to post negative comments, but the airline gave her no other choice. American Airlines has not immediately responded publicly to Vanderpumps complaints. Several fans and celebrities rushed to comment on Vanderpumps post. Andy Cohen wrote, Why do you look so fresh after this delay?! Need you back in time for your reunion!!! Sorry that happened but just think its best to sit and wait for a better plan than to be on one that may not make it to its des(tination), another commenter wrote. Be grateful your being looked out for...stay safe. Over the past year, American Airlines has faced mounting complaints tied to delays, cancellations and aircraft maintenance issues, especially at major hubs in Miami and Dallas, Parade reported. Staffing issues, aging fleets and weather concerns have also caused trip disruptions. Vanderpump also has a history of criticizing American Airlines. In 2014, the reality TV star posted on X that the airline lost her bag after landing at Los Angeles International Airport, according to TravelPulse. Ok @AmericanAir again you lose my bag! I need it when I arrive not when you give it to me, Vanderpump wrote. The airline company then responded, @lisavanderpump Oh no, Lisa. Please DM us the details. Well get right on it. With amendments due Monday afternoon and debate set for Thursday, the Senate is fast-tracking property tax relief after a contentious round of public testimony. Senate Ways and Means Committee drafts of the so-called tax shock bills will mark the first major debate in the Senate this year. The legislation would give cities and towns new local options to blunt steep residential property tax increases tools supporters say are urgently needed as homeowners contend with steep tax bill increases, but which critics argue fall short of addressing deeper structural constraints, particularly in Boston. Much of that tension surfaced in written testimony submitted to the state Senate Ways and Means Committee over the final weeks of December, after the bills were routed directly to the committee without an in-person hearing. The sharpest note of opposition came from Boston City Councilor Benjamin Weber, who warned that the Senates approach would force the city to bite its nose to spite its face by cutting essential services rather than confronting what he described as a revenue problem baked into state law. Weber urged senators to reject the underlying bills, one sponsored by state Sen. Will Brownsberger, D-Suffolk/Middlesex, and the other by Sen. Nick Collins, D-1st Suffolk. He urged them instead to advance a home rule petition seeking temporary authority to shift more of Bostons tax burden onto commercial property owners. Without that flexibility, he wrote, targeted credits and rebates would leave Boston little choice but to shrink its budget and lay off workers. Rather than shift the tax levy onto commercial entities so that they will only see slightly less in decreases to their property taxes (but will still see large decreases nonetheless), Weber wrote, the Senates proposals only allow the City to cut taxes or issue rebates, a move he said would undermine funding for basic services. The bills now before the Senate, each drafted by the Ways and Means Committee, are based on proposals by Brownsberger and Collins. Theyve been cast as a statewide alternative to Boston Mayor Michelle Wus tax shift plan, which Senate leaders have left in limbo, unassigned to any committee. Under one of them, cities and towns could shield some homeowners from extraordinarily high tax bills in years when the residential tax levy jumps more than 10%, including by phasing in increases or offering targeted credits. The other would allow municipalities to issue enhanced rebates to lower- and middle-income residents who already receive a residential exemption, using surplus revenue. Amendments to both bills were due by 3 p.m. on Monday. A U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee member says NATO will fall apart if the United States annexes Greenland. It would be the end of NATO, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the United States should acquire Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark. The president has said U.S. ownership of the island is a matter of national security, telling reporters on Air Force One on Sunday that Russia or China would take the territory if the U.S. doesnt. But one way or the other, were going to have Greenland, Trump told reporters. Trump hasnt ruled out military action to take Greenland but said it would be easier to make a deal for the territorys acquisition. Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that if the U.S. tried to take Greenland, members of NATO, such as Denmark, would have to defend it. Such a scenario would pit the U.S. against its allies in the international military alliance. Officials in Greenland, Denmark and Europe have pushed back on Trumps musings, saying Greenland belongs to its people, according to The Hill. Democratic and Republican politicians have also pushed back on Trumps desire to take Greenland. This is appalling. Greenland is a NATO ally. Denmark is one of our best friends so the way were treating them is really demeaning and it has no upside, U.S. Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said on CNN last Tuesday. This would be disastrous. It wouldnt just be America first, it wouldnt just be the end of NATO, it would be America alone, said U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-VA on CBSs Face the Nation. Nevertheless, Trump has continued to speak in favor of the acquisition of Greenland. Members of the Trump administration are set to meet with Danish officials about Greenland on Wednesday, according to CBS News. U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, ran for and won office in 2024 as a MAGA loyalist. But he might also be instrumental in getting a deal to extend Affordable Care Act tax subsidies. Moreno, who bested Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, is one of around a dozen senators who are participating in talks to extend Obamacare credits that lapsed on Jan. 1, according to Politico. Other lawmakers trying to reach a deal on the credits, which impact tens of millions of Americans, include well-known bipartisan dealmakers such as U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., the online news outlet reported. But Morenos involvement in the bipartisan talks doesnt signal a shift away from his MAGA alignment. Putting America first means putting Americans first, he said when Politico asked him about his role in the negotiations. People are being affected, and I want to help the people who need help. Thats what we should be doing. Moreno told Politico that he wants to get around 35 of the Senates 53 Republican senators to support an eventual deal, rather than relying on just a handful of Democrats and some Republican crossovers He described the latter as a defection vote, and said hes keeping the White House and Senate GOP leaders up to date on the talks, Politico reported. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., spoke glowingly of Moreno to Politico, calling him whip-smart, and saying that he was willing to do the work. Hes willing to sit down with people and try and find common ground, which I think on an issue like this is challenging, Thune told Politico. Around here, thats worth a lot. Meanwhile, Moreno has been reaching out to other lawmakers to help move the credits to the finish line. They include such pragmatists as U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Angus King, I-Maine, Politico reported. A Navy veteran with more than two decades experience as an emergency room physician has been chosen to run the states Executive Office of Veterans Services. Dr. Eric Goralnick, whos served in leadership and mentorship roles at Mass General Brigham, Brigham and Womens Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, succeeds Veterans Service Secretary Jon Santiago, who stepped down last fall, the Healey administration said Monday. Goralnick understands that veterans deserve care that meets them where they are. He brings deep experience as a physician, a leader and a collaborator and he has spent his career strengthening systems, improving access to care and bringing people together across institutions, Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. Goralnick is expected to start work next month. Until he does, Dr. Andrea Gayle-Bennett, who was the agencys deputy secretary under Santiago, will continue to serve as its acting head, the administration said. As a Navy veteran myself, I understand both the challenges of transition and the incredible value veterans bring to our communities. This role represents an opportunity to ensure every veteran in the Commonwealth receives the support, resources, and recognition theyve earned through their service, Goralnick said in the administrations statement. Santiago, who announced his departure last August, has said he planned to return to practicing medicine. Santiago was a major in the U.S. Army Reserve and had recently returned from an overseas deployment at the time of his appointment in March 2023, according to State House News Service. He was the first cabinet-level veterans secretary in state history. Santiago was charged with overseeing the implementation of the HERO Act, a sweeping piece of legislation aimed at providing more services and support for Massachusetts veterans and their families. Healey signed the legislation into law during a ceremony in Lexington last August. He also oversaw the fast-tracked construction of two state-of-the-art veterans homes in Chelsea and Holyoke, the administration said. As the agencys new head, Goralnick will be charged with overseeing the access and provisioning of state veterans benefits, and with ensuring the quality of care at the states Veterans Homes, the administration said. Colleagues and advocates welcomed the news of his appointment. Goralnick played a critical role in strengthening how we care for patients at Mass General Brigham with complex medical and behavioral health needs, ensuring they receive timely, coordinated, and compassionate care, Dr. Anne Klibanski, the president and CEO of Mass General Brigham, said. Admiral Tim Szymanski, USN (Ret.), the former deputy commander of the United States Special Operations Command and a director of the Invisible Wounds Foundation, said. said Goralnicks dedication to veterans and military families has been unwavering. Retired Brigadier Gen. Jack Hammond, the executive director of Home Base, said Goralnick brings exactly the kind of leadership veterans need in this moment. The Bay States senior U.S. senator has pronounced herself deeply worried about the future of American democracy. But Democrats wont save it by trying to be more like Republicans. With the crucial 2026 midterm elections just months away, and with control of Capitol Hill on the line, Democrats need to burrow deeper into their progressive roots. And they need to resist the pressure from billionaire donors to prioritize campaign cash over the best interests of ordinary Americans, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said Monday. This is a dangerous moment for America and for the world, the Cambridge lawmaker said during an appearance before The National Press Club in Washington, D.C. A global contest is escalating between democratic institutions governed by the rule of law and lawless dictators who seek to enrich themselves and their cronies here at home. In a 30-minute speech and a Q&A session that followed, Warren warned her fellow Democrats to resist the temptation to sand down our edges to avoid offending anyone, especially the rich and powerful, who might finance our candidates. Instead, Democrats face a choice as they head into the thick of the midterm campaign season, and the 2028 White House election that follows it, she argued. They can either politely nibble around the edges of change, or throw ourselves into the fight. Either we carefully craft our policies to ensure that the rich keep right on getting richer, or we build a party that ferociously and unapologetically serves the needs of working people, she continued. Democrats have a choice to make, and the first step in rebuilding trust is to admit that we have to choose. President Donald Trump won reelection in 2024 with a similarly populist message, promising to lower prices and make housing more affordable. Warren accused Trump of betraying working people on affordability issues. But, she added, in the long run, to build a strong Democratic Party with a sturdy big tent, it is not enough simply to attack Trump. But even as she inveighed against the influence of wealthy donors, Warren also acknowledged that she dumped $400,000 into key races in key states, adding that she doesnt believe in unilateral disarmament against the Republicans. But money isnt the ingredient to a successful election, she said, observing that these movers and shakers want the Democratic Party to respond to the 2024 election by watering down our economic agenda, claiming that a less progressive Democratic Party will win more elections. Those big-money donors are wrong, she continued, pointing to the success of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who backs rent control, city-run grocery stores, and other progressive causes. Americans are stretched to the breaking point financially and they will vote for candidates who name what is wrong and who credibly demonstrate that they will take on a rigged system in order to fix it, she continued. Revising our economic agenda to tiptoe around that conclusion might appeal to the wealthy, but it will not help Democrats build a bigger tent, she said. WILBRAHAM Migrant workers do what no one else wants to do in this country. Now, its my turn to live the American dream. So begins the trailer of a new feature film, Clika, heading to theaters nationwide Jan. 23. The film is a rags to riches story, according to co-writer and co-producer Sean McBride, a Wilbraham native. Small town musician Chito, a Mexican American migrant who works in fields picking fruit, has a chance to make it big when a video clip of him performing one of his songs goes viral. We wanted to show an artist go from the streets to just making it, you know, having that moment of Were gonna lose our house to You just bought your mom her dream house, McBride said in a recent interview with The Republican. Clika, a new feature film, is co-written and co-produced by Sean McBride, a Wilbraham native. The film a rags to riches story is heading to theaters nationwide Jan. 23. (Rancho Humilde) Rancho Humilde Clika is the debut film from music producer Jimmy Humildes production company, Rancho Humilde, which has previously elevated Mexican music artists such as Fuerza Regida and Natanael Cano. Growing up in Los Angeles, (Humilde) recognized that anytime hed go to any event, it was always Latinos, mostly Mexicans that were there supporting it, but they had no stars, McBride said. His thoughts were that the Latino music industry was really dominated by Puerto Ricans and Cubans, but there were no Mexicans. Seeing a lack of Mexican representation in the movie industry, Humildes company has set its sights on making films, with Clika being the first. Wilbraham native Sean McBride is pictured on the set of "CLIKA," a new movie being released in theaters nationwide on Jan. 23. (Photo courtesy Sean McBride) Photo courtesy Sean McBride McBride and his writing partner, Michael Greene, worked closely with Humilde in the creative process, making sure that Clika stayed authentic to Mexican culture. Michael and I were just very lucky to be able to have access to all of the Rancho tools and the people, McBride said. For the first time in our careers, we got to work with all the toys that weve always wanted. And we were able to tell a great story with all of them. A behind-the-scenes shot of the film "CLIKA" being produced. (Photo courtesy Sean McBride) Photo courtesy Sean McBride McBride grew up in Wilbraham and is a graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School. He said one of his earliest memories is being a student at Mile Tree Elementary School in Wilbraham, learning about how America was a melting pot of different cultures. Weve gotten so far away from that, and my hope is that people see the perspective of somebody working their way out of the fields, McBride said of Clika. We see the journey of one guy, whos one in a million, that gets plucked out of the fields, but the rest of the people still have to stay there and work their butts off. So, to assume that these people arent contributing to the American way is insane to me. Wilbraham native Sean McBride, left, and co-writer Michael Greene. (Provided photo) Provided photo Clika is led by Jay Dee who is also the films executive producer as Chito. He is joined by Nana Ponceleon, Josh Benitez, Eric Roberts, Master P, Alison Chace, Bourke Floyd, Cory Aycock, Cristian E. Gutierrez, and the late Peter Greene, among others. For more information about the film and showtimes, go online to clika.movie. SPRINGFIELD A Hampden Superior Court judge has denied Derrick Washingtons bid for a new trial, upholding his convictions in a 2005 double homicide and armed robbery after finding no grounds to overturn a jurys verdict. The ruling, issued in December after a three-day evidentiary hearing, found that Washington failed to meet the legal standard for whats known as post-conviction relief. The court rejected claims of ineffective counsel and newly discovered evidence, reaffirming the life sentence imposed following his 2008 conviction, the Hampden District Attorney Offices said in a statement Monday. Three men Maurice Felder, of Holyoke, Aaron Lester, of Springfield, and Washington of Springfield were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in connection with the slayings Tyrone Lewis Jr. and Adrian White during a home invasion in Springfield. Washington was also convicted of armed robbery and gun charges. After reviewing the trial record, court filings and witness testimony, the judge ruled Washington did not meet the legal standard for a new trial, the district attorneys office said. In a written decision, the judge said Washington did not show any hidden or new evidence would have changed the trials outcome. The judge also ruled that Washington was not entitled to relief for claims of poor legal help or new evidence and upheld the jurys verdict, the district attorneys office said. District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni said he respects the courts careful review of the case. The Courts decision reflects the rigorous legal standards applied in post-conviction review and reaffirms the jurys verdict, he said. Gulluni credited Assistant District Attorney Katharine Johnston for her work on the case. The case stems from a brutal home invasion after a Super Bowl party Feb. 6, 2005. Court records show that after the party, Mark Young Jr., a third victim, left that gathering, went home to Suffolk Street in Springfield and fell asleep. A call from Felder at 9:42 p.m. woke him. Felder told Young he was downstairs. Young let Felder in, along with Lester and Washington. Felder had been to the house before, and Young knew the other two men. Inside, the three ordered Young at gunpoint to call Lewis, and ask for $400 worth of cocaine. When Lewis arrived, Young lured him inside at their direction. Lewis was then forced to call his driver, White, into the house. Lewis offered to get $20,000 from his girlfriend to save his and Whites lives. Felder drove to pick up the cash, returned and split it with Lester and Washington. The three took Lewis, White and Young to the attic, tied them up and shot them execution-style in the head and back. The bullets missed Young. Lewis and White died, but Young survived by pretending to be dead. He escaped after they left, ran to a neighbors house and asked them to call police, court records show. Officers took Washington and Lester to the station early Feb. 7 after a state trooper pulled over a car heading south on Interstate 91. Police said the car had a loud exhaust and no front license plate. During the stop, the trooper ran their names and found Lester and Washington both had arrest warrants. Washington had about $6,720 in cash rolled up in his pocket. Lester was later arrested with $5,907, court records show. Police arrested Felder at a Palmer hospital around 2 a.m. on Feb. 7, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound. He had $7,103.85 with him, court records show. At trial, prosecutors said DNA evidence tied Lester and Felders DNA to the crime scene. Lesters DNA was found on a pillowcase in the attic, and Felders DNA matched blood on the sidewalk outside the house, court records show. CHICOPEE A bit of African folklore helped a speaker illuminate a problem in American education today. A Bay Path University professor and two-time TEDx speaker encouraged a room of educators to leave no student behind, as literacy rates continue to plummet among school-age kids and Black teachers leave jobs. The event, held in the dining hall of Elms College in Chicopee, was hosted by the Colleges Center for Equity in Urban Education in honor of the 10th annual National Day of Racial Healing. The speaker, DeShawn Washington, delivered a talk inspired by the African concept of sanfoka, which means reaching back while looking forward, according to organizers. Washington, 35, began by explaining the bird of sankofa folklore, pictured with its feet facing forward and its head turned back, an egg held protectively in its beak. The egg is representative of future generations. The bird must go back to retrieve its young for both of them to move forward, Washington said. But Washington, who was named Massachusetts Teacher of the Year in 2024, noted that some eggs are getting dropped, at least when it comes to teaching young people how to read. Theres also a dearth of Black male teachers, whose numbers have hit rock-bottom levels, Washington said making up 1.3% of the public-school workforce as of 2021. Washington worked as a Boston public school teacher for nine years. He is founder and president of Cultivating Changemakers. The LLC is developing a K-12 financial literacy curriculum that can be used in Massachusetts, one of 11 states that have yet to make financial literacy courses a requirement for high schoolers to graduate, he told The Republican. Grandmothers example Washington said his grandmother started reading to him when he was a toddler. He recalled her accompanying him to the Roxbury Public Library, where he savored the cool blast of air upon entering, and the sight of thousands of books. Grandma gave me a tool to heal, a tool that our ancestral lineage didnt always have, he said. But to advance forward, he added, she had to come back and get me. He did well in class, but said he struggled to find his purpose in high school. During his first semester at the University of Massachusetts Boston, in 2009, he saw a flyer for Jumpstart, a program that teaches literacy to preschool-age children. I see how sankofa became a full circle moment for me, he said of his decision to join the program. From being young and dependent to now being independent ... but now being able to give back to the children I was now called to serve. But the education system, he believes, is falling short of the ideal of sankofa. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. students are reading below grade level, he said. This years national Report Card shows that reading scores fell two percentage points for 4th and 8th graders between 2022 and 2024. Theres fewer of our birds reaching back, he said. And the last thing that we want is to have eggs dropped, left behind to get stomped. The birds in question are in increasingly short supply, with many teachers leaving the profession, he said, and few young people willing to take their place. He said an emphasis on teaching as a rewarding career such as at a job fair could help shore up the thinning ranks of elementary education. We have to create those opportunities where young folks are exposed to teaching and exposed to the world of an educator, he said. A smartphone app helped a rescue team locate two hikers in Westfield Saturday night after their GPS location could not be pinpointed, according to the towns fire department. The hikers called 911 to request a rescue from difficult terrain around 7:20 p.m., the Westfield Fire Department said in a press release. They reported their location as being somewhere between Reservoir Road in Westfield and Pitcher Street in Montgomery. Massachusetts State Police were able to speak with the hikers on their cell phone, but could not pinpoint their GPS location due to the dense forest canopy, the fire department said. Instead, the hikers provided their coordinates using the what3words smartphone app, which allows navigation to precise locations even when a phone no longer has service. Westfield and Montgomery firefighters searched for the hikers, but the cold, rain and darkness hampered their efforts, the fire department said. Just before 8:40 p.m., the Western Massachusetts Technical Rescue Team and drones from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services were requested to help with the search. Within 15 minutes, rescuers made contact with the hikers, the fire department said. By 9:15 p.m., the rescue team had escorted the hikers out of the woods. The Westfield Fire Department recommends downloading the what3words app and telling friends or family exactly where you are going before venturing out into the woods. NORTHAMPTON A loud confrontation in the grocery store last week between the mayors husband and a School Committee member led to a public apology. Bill Scher, married to Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra, ran into Mike Stein, a School Committee member, at Stop & Shop on Jan. 7. Scher approached Stein with no intention to get into an argument, Scher told the School Committee the next day. When he responded with points I didnt agree with, I let my emotions get the better of me, he said in a public apology that was first reported by The Boston Globe. I lost my temper and I raised my voice, he said. Stein, the Ward 4 School Committee member, has in the past criticized Sciarras budget and funding of the school system. For years, school funding has been an ongoing political conflict in the city. Scher is a political journalist and commentator with a national focus. A woman reported in a post on the social media platform Nextdoor that she witnessed the interaction. Her post now has more than 100 comments. She wrote that Schers shouting was frightening and that a Stop & Shop manager got involved. Scher commented on her post saying he had apologized to both Stein and Sciarra and that I let my emotions get the better of me. Scher declined to comment when contacted by The Republican Monday. Stein wrote on social media that Scher approached him in an hostile and unproductive manner. While it must be difficult for Scher to see his wife criticized for her handling of the school budget, Stein wrote on Nextdoor, confronting a school committee member in a store like this was not the way to have any sort of productive dialogue and lacked civility. Stein told The Republican Monday that in the frozen food aisle, Scher confronted him. The dispute that arose centered on the citys school budget. Stein and Sciarra have disagreed about her school budget. Stein said his opposition to the mayors school budgets has not been personal. I think theres a real conflation between criticism of policy differences and an inability for people to see those as substantive disagreements and not personal disagreements, he said. At the School Committees meeting the next day, Scher spoke at public comment and offered a public apology to Stein and the entire School Committee. I was the weak link in our local democracy yesterday. I did an immense disservice to each of you and to everyone who serves in an elected and appointed office in the city, he said. If theres any saving grace (from) this episode, its that my shame and regret will be a cautionary tale for others to avoid, he said. You have my promise. I will not repeat this mistake. A few others took to the public comment session to talk about the incident. Gaurav Jashnan, a Northampton schools parent, called on Sciarra to apologize. To have her husband violently intimidating the mayors most outspoken critic the night before the new School Committee begins its work is truly astonishing, Jashnan said. Sciarra did apologize. I am sorry that this happened, she said in a statement. She said she appreciated the apology Scher made and apologized herself directly to Stein. Stein said he got a kind apology from Sciarra. From my perspective she didnt have anything to apologize for, he said. A development company that owns several properties in downtown Worcester wants to redevelop offices on Main Street into 48 new market-rate apartments. The Washington D.C.-based Menkiti Group is proposing to turn underutilized offices on the upper floors of 401-409 Main St. into housing, according to city council communications sent from Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista and Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn. Of the 48 market-rate apartments, just five will be available for people who are making no more than 60% of the regions area median income (AMI) according to Dunns communication. Worcester is currently facing a shortage of market-rate and affordable housing and needs to add more than 12,000 units by 2033. The average market-rate rent in Worcester is $2,100, according to Zillow.com. Batista is asking the city council to designate the property as eligible for tax credits under the states Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP). The program provides tax credits to developers for the construction of market-rate housing in gateway cities, such as Worcester. The City Manager is also requesting the council to approve a 10-year real estate tax exemption on the propertys new value. The council will review the finance proposals at its Jan. 13 meeting. The building at 401-409 Main St. is known as The Clark Block, which was built in the mid-to-late 19th century, according to documents from the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Menkiti is also currently constructing 20 apartments at 204 Main St. Rampersad Sooroojebally, a officiellement presente le Plan Strategique 2026-2028 et le Plan Annuel 2026 de la Mauritius Police Force. Ce nouveau cadre vise a repondre directement aux attentes des citoyens en matiere de securite et de maintien de lordre. Cinq priorites pour une police moderne Lors de son intervention a Vacoas le samedi 10 janvier 2026, le CP a detaille les cinq piliers de cette strategie : -Lutte contre le trafic de drogue : Utilisation doutils innovants et intensification des saisies. -Securite routiere : Une approche axee sur la fluidite du trafic plutot que sur la seule repression. -Violences basees sur le genre : Un traitement prioritaire de ces dossiers sensibles. -Criminalite organisee : Renforcement de la cooperation internationale et du partage de renseignements. -Prevention et securite communautaire : Relance du Community Policing et du Neighbourhood Watch . Regagner la confiance du public Rampersad Sooroojebally a insiste sur la necessite de restaurer le lien entre la police et la population. Il a exhorte ses officiers superieurs a etre presents sur le terrain et a rester a lecoute des doleances des citoyens. Selon lui, une police dynamique doit sadapter aux realites actuelles pour etre efficace. Le succes de ce plan repose sur un engagement total de la force policiere, mais aussi sur une collaboration etroite avec les medias et le public. La police est determinee a combattre toutes les formes dillegalite , a reitere le Commissaire, confiant dans les resultats a venir, notamment grace a une presence accrue sur le terrain et une meilleure gestion de la criminalite transfrontaliere. English Resume Commissioner Rampersad Sooroojebally unveiled the Mauritius Police Forces Strategic Plan 2026-2028 and Annual Plan 2026, designed to meet public security expectations. Commissioner Rampersad Sooroojebally unveiled the Mauritius Police Forces Strategic Plan 2026-2028 and Annual Plan 2026, designed to meet public security expectations. Speaking in Vacoas on January 10, 2026, the Commissioner detailed five strategic pillars for a modern police force: Combating drug trafficking through innovative tools and increased seizures. Enhancing road safety by prioritizing traffic flow over strict repression. Giving priority to sensitive gender-based violence cases. Strengthening international cooperation and intelligence sharing against organized crime. Relaunching Community Policing and Neighbourhood Watch for prevention and community security. The Commissioner emphasized restoring public trust, urging senior officers to be visible, responsive to citizen complaints, and adapt to current realities for effective policing. Plan success hinges on full police commitment and close collaboration with media and the public. He affirmed their determination to fight all illegality, expecting positive outcomes from increased field presence and improved cross-border crime management. THERE was consternation in January 2025 when Storm Eowyn destroyed the Connacht GAA Airdome in Bekan. Since then, a huge amount of work has gone on in the background and the largest facility of its type in the world will soon be up and running according to John Prenty, CEO of Connacht GAA. "The Dome will be back up in April. It's manufactured in Slovenia at the moment and is due to be transported here this month. We're working towards opening it and having it playable in April. Some people told us we're mad because another massive storm might come along, but if you didn't do things because of what might happen, you wouldn't get up in the morning. The people who lost the roof off their house, did they not reroof again? It was a disaster but it was a total freak occurrence. "Within hours of it blowing down we knew we'd rebuild. There was no other choice to make and it has taken a lot of work, a lot of long nights to get this far. We're happy with the reaction of the insurance company and we're really looking forward to seeing it back up and running." A full interview with John Prenty will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News. Conor McGregor has shared rare intimate photos from his wedding to Dee Devlin, revealing for the first time the deeply personal and spiritual story behind their extraordinary Vatican ceremony. The Irish MMA star confirmed that he and Dee tied the knot on December 12 in the Vaticans oldest church, Chapel of Santo Stefano degli Abissini, at what he described as a moment of divine orchestration. USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY Posting the photos on Instagram, McGregor told followers: I married the love of my life, Dee, on the 12th of the 12th at exactly 12:12pm, explaining that the timing, location and date all carried a powerful meaning. He said the wedding took place exactly 151 days after his birthday, adding: Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ His name adds up to 151 in gematria. As does my own. Jesus Christ = 151. Conor McGregor = 151. The former UFC champion said those connections only became clear afterwards, describing the details as unmistakable signs of divine orchestration that I had no idea about. McGregor also revealed that the precise timing of 12:12pm was not originally planned. A letter from the Vatican arrived just a week prior, requiring the ceremony to be moved earlier, he said. It then took place officially, at precisely 12:12pm. USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY He added that the decision to marry Dee on that specific day came after what he described as a powerful personal experience. I awoke from the treatment I underwent in Mexico with the most intense need to wed Dee, on this day, and in the Vatican, he wrote. So I set about it with great urgency. It is clear this was not coincidence, he continued. Gods hand guided every detail, confirming His blessing on our union and His presence in my life. In an emotional passage, McGregor set out his priorities following the wedding, writing: Serving God is my number one priority. Then my wife. Then my children. Then my parents. He added: I love You, God. I love you, Dee McGregor. I love you, Conor Jr., Croia, Rian, Mack. I love you, Mam and Dad. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU GOD. USE THE ARROWS OR 'NEXT' TO BROWSE THROUGH THE FULL GALLERY The post was quickly flooded with warm messages from family and friends, with his wife Dee McGregor replying: The best day of my life!! Conors brother-in-law Terry Kavanagh commented: The icing the cake brother, while long-time striking coach Owen Roddy added: Congrats what an amazing day! The close-knit community of Bekan and surrounding areas is reeling from the sudden passing of Tommy Duggan of Spotfield, Bekan, a man remembered for his boundless positivity, kindness, and unwavering strength in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Tommy, beloved husband of Martina and devoted father to daughters Eabha and Saoirse, had already endured the devastating loss of his five-year-old daughter Saoirse last June. The family had been supported by Oscar's Kids Ireland throughout Saoirse's illness and following her death from a genetic condition that led to cancer. In a cruel twist of fate, just weeks after Saoirse's passing, the family discovered that their other daughter, Eabha, had been diagnosed with the same genetic condition. The Duggan family had travelled to the Netherlands over Christmas for Eabha's bone marrow transplant, with hopes of returning home to better times. "We were hoping to do something nice for them on their return," Oscar's Kids Ireland stated in a heartfelt message. "We are so deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of devoted husband and Dad Tommy Duggan who was one of our Oscar's Kids parents." Tommy is survived by his heartbroken wife Martina, daughter Eabha, parents Jim and Bridie (Heneghan), sister Corina, brother Paul, parents-in-law Pat and Rose O'Brien, and an extended circle of family and friends who are struggling to comprehend the loss. His sister, Corina Cunningham, expressed the family's grief, writing that she was "utterly heartbroken at the sudden passing of my dear brother, Tommy. He was the gentlest, kindest and funniest person in addition to being a great brother. We will miss him every day of our lives. Tommy is with his daughter, Saoirse again, may his gentle soul rest in peace." Friends and community members have flooded social media with tributes to a man universally described as "a true gentleman" who always wore a smile. Barry Mason, who befriended Tommy during their college years in Limerick, recalled: "Tommy was a true Gent... He was always smiling and in top form, he was kind and always positive no matter what life threw his way." Mairead McGuirk described him as "a gentle giant, always smiling," adding that "Tommy you were always a ray of sunshine." The family has expressed sincere gratitude to emergency services and all medical and healthcare staff for their care and compassion during this difficult time. Bekan Parish News conveyed the community's collective sorrow: "The sympathy of the whole community go out to the Duggan family on their sad loss rest in peace Tommy." As one friend poignantly noted, Tommy and Saoirse are now "forever together in heaven," reunited in peace after a life marked by both profound love and profound loss. Funeral arrangements yet to announced, with enquiries to Donnellan Undertakers, Ballyhaunis. Face masks are inadequate and should be replaced with respirators, health experts advise the WHO. Trusted Source WHO urged to make respirator masks the standard for workers in all healthcare settings Go to source Trusted Source Scientists Cite Airborne Spread, Warn of Risks From Surgical Masks COVID-19 Lessons Drive Push for Stronger Respiratory Protection Advertisement WHO urged to make respirator masks the standard for workers in all healthcare settings - (https://www.bmj.com/content/392/bmj.s52) A global coalition of health professionals, scientists and public health advocates has urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to urgently update its infection prevention guidelines to recommend the universal use of respirator-grade masks in healthcare settings ().In an open letter addressed to WHO leadership, the experts argue that surgical masks do not provide adequate protection against airborne diseases and should no longer be the default option for routine patient care. Instead, they are calling for healthcare workers to be equipped with respirators such as N95, FFP2 or FFP3 masks, which offer significantly higher filtration efficiency against airborne particles.The signatories including clinicians, aerosol scientists and global health specialists say mounting scientific evidence has clearly established that many respiratory infections spread through aerosols, not just droplets. They warn that continued reliance on surgical masks leaves healthcare workers and patients unnecessarily vulnerable.Respirators are designed to filter airborne particles and seal closely to the face, unlike surgical masks, which were never intended to protect against inhalation of aerosols, the letter states, adding that respirators should become the standard level of protection during all patient interactions in healthcare environments.The appeal also outlines a structured plan for transitioning to universal respirator use, including updating global infection-control guidance, improving access to high-quality respirators worldwide, and ensuring equitable supply chains particularly for low- and middle-income countries.Supporters of the call say the COVID-19 pandemic exposed long-standing gaps in respiratory protection policies and highlighted the need for precautionary approaches in healthcare. They argue that updated guidance would not only protect healthcare workers but also reduce hospital-acquired infections and strengthen preparedness for future outbreaks.In response, the WHO has acknowledged receipt of the appeal and said it is reviewing its infection prevention and control recommendations as part of an ongoing guideline update. Any changes, the organization noted, would follow expert consultations and consideration of diverse healthcare settings globally.While the WHO does not mandate national policies, revised guidance recommending respirator-grade protection could significantly influence healthcare standards, procurement decisions and worker safety practices worldwide.Source-Medindia The US FDA has approved Mitapivat, the first oral drug for alpha and beta thalassemia anemia, offering a new treatment option beyond lifelong blood transfusions. Highlights: FDA approves the first oral drug for alpha and beta thalassemia anemia for alpha and beta thalassemia anemia Mitapivat boosts red blood cell energy and improves hemoglobin levels and improves hemoglobin levels Phase 3 trials showed fewer transfusions and reduced fatigue Trusted Source FDA approves first oral treatment for anemia in thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder Go to source Trusted Source Advertisement Why FDA Approval of This Thalassaemia Drug Is a Game-Changer Advertisement How Mitapivat Works Advertisement Clinical Trial Evidence Significant increase in hemoglobin levels Reduced fatigue Lower transfusion requirements in transfusion-dependent patients Safety and Monitoring Trusted Source Right in time: Mitapivat for the treatment of anemia in - and -thalassemia Go to source Trusted Source What This Means for India The Bigger Picture Frequently Asked Questions Q: Which doctor should be consulted first for thalassemia? A: A person with thalassemia should primarily consult a hematologist (a doctor who specialises in blood disorders) Q: Who is eligible to take Mitapivat? A: Mitapivat is approved for adults with alpha or beta thalassemia anemia. It is not currently approved for children. Q: Does this drug cure thalassemia? A: No. Mitapivat does not cure thalassemia, but it improves anemia and reduces transfusion dependence, which can significantly improve daily life. Q: Will patients still need blood transfusions? A: Some patients may still need transfusions, but many require them less frequently while on Mitapivat. Q: Is this drug safe for long-term use? A: Clinical trials show benefit, but long-term safety requires regular liver monitoring, which is why the drug is prescribed under a REMS program. Q: When could this drug become available in India? A: Mitapivat is awaiting approval from Indian regulators. Availability will depend on DCGI clearance, pricing, and government health programs. FDA approves first oral treatment for anemia in thalassemia, an inherited blood disorder - (https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-first-oral-treatment-anemia-thalassemia-inherited-blood-disorder) Right in time: Mitapivat for the treatment of anemia in - and -thalassemia - (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36260990/) For decades, people living with thalassemia anemia have relied almost entirely on regular blood transfusions to survive. Now, that paradigm is finally shifting ().The US Food and Drug Administration has approved, thefor anemia in adults with, marking a historic milestone in the treatment of this inherited blood disorder Thalassemia is a genetic condition in which the body is unable to produce enough healthy hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. The result is chronic anemia, extreme fatigue, and long-term complications such as iron overload, liver damage , and heart disease due to repeated transfusions.In countries like India, where thousands of children are born with thalassemia every year, treatment options have remained limited for nearly a century. Mitapivat offers a fundamentally different approach,rather than repeatedly managing symptoms.Mitapivat is a, meaning it enhances energy production within red blood cells. By improving cellular energy balance, the drug enables red blood cells to survive longer and function more efficiently, resulting in higher hemoglobin levels and a reduction in anemia.Unlike blood transfusions, which temporarily replace red blood cells, this daily pill targets the underlying metabolic dysfunction driving the disease.The FDA's approval was based on results from the, which included over. Patients receiving Mitapivat showed:Both transfusion-dependent and non-dependent patients experienced meaningful clinical improvement compared to placebo.Mitapivat carries a boxed warning for potential liver injury, requiring regular liver function testing, especially during early treatment. The drug is available under aprogram, meaning prescribing physicians and pharmacies must be specially certified.Common side effects reported in trials included headache , nausea, vomiting, and fatigue , most of which were mild to moderate ().While Mitapivat is not yet approved in India and awaits clearance from the, experts see major potential in high-burden states such as Odisha and Gujarat. With government support and pricing negotiations, the drug could significantly reduce hospital visits, transfusion dependence, and long-term complications for thousands of patients.Mitapivat does not eliminate the need for transfusions entirely, particularly in severe cases. However, by reducing transfusion frequency and improving quality of life, it represents the most meaningful advance in thalassemia care in over 100 years.For patients who have lived tethered to hospital schedules and blood banks, this approval signals something long overdue: choice.Source-Medindia A petition challenging the Madras High Courts decision to stay a single judges order directing the CBFC to grant a UA certificate to Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan was moved in the Supreme Court on Monday. Notably, the plea was filed on the same day actor and TVK founder Vijay reached Delhi to appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Karur stampede case. The incident occurred during a TVK rally on September 27, 2025, and claimed 41 lives. Directed by H Vinoth and produced by KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan was slated for release on January 9. On that very day, a single judge of the Madras High Court had ordered the Censor Board to issue a UA certificate to the film. The project has been billed as Vijays final film before he shifts his full focus to active politics. Iain King examines the relationship between war and thought. George Washington once remarked Americans owe their liberty to Thomas Paine more than any other man. John Adams, the second US President, was less sympathetic, describing Paine and his writing as ignorant, malicious, short-sighted, and crapulous. Undoubtedly a controversial figure, Paines life was both fascinating and varied. It was also, ultimately, tragic. Paine was born in Thetford, England, in a house overshadowed by public gallows. There he received only a basic education before becoming an apprentice to his father, who made corsets. As a young adult, Paine tried his hand as a tax inspector, shopkeeper, school-teacher, and privateer, restlessly shifting from one profession to the next after a succession of failures. His first wife died in childbirth, and his second marriage ended in acrimony. By 1774, aged 37, after a narrow escape from a debtors prison, he was desperate for a new start. It was a chance meeting in London which set him on his course: Paine was introduced to Benjamin Franklin. Radical journalist Franklin did not just encourage Paine to emigrate to America; he also wrote him a personal letter of recommendation. It meant that, soon after he arrived in Philadelphia, Paine landed the editorship of the Pennsylvania Magazine a post that enabled him to hone his style and make himself known. Throughout 1775, as skirmishes between British soldiers and American rebels turned into battles and spread from Massachusetts to the other thirteen colonies, Paine denounced his homeland in words styled for a semi-literate public. After the immense success of his pamphlet Common Sense, Paine volunteered for a revolutionary militia in Pennsylvania. Initially, he tried flying to skirmishes in the state, but seems to have little military impact, so he concentrated on handing out copies of his pamphlet to potential deserters, of which there were many, and then became secretary to the revolutionary general Daniel Roberdeau. By the end of 1776, he was aide-de-camp to Major General Nathanael Greene Washingtons most trusted military commander. Paine always remained focused on the political side of the battle, recognising the importance of clear war aims, and of keeping the wider population engaged and committed to the fight. He continued to write and publish and, as he had shown with Common Sense, often departed from the patrician instincts of many in the revolutionary movement including Washington and Thomas Jefferson. But he was also pragmatic when he needed to be: he became Secretary for Foreign Affairs for the Congressional Committee, and helped secure a huge loan for the war effort from the French King proving he was able to engage with one of the most reactionary regimes in Europe, apparently without qualms. The French Revolution After the war, Congress rewarded Paine with a large estate in New York State, land which had been confiscated from a loyalist. But Paine remained restless. He returned to Europe, where he designed a new type of bridge, and oversaw the construction of a prototype in northern England. He continued to write tracts calling for an end to hereditary government, and he applauded the French Revolution of 1789, backing it by writing The Rights of Man in 1791. When, in 1792, his treasonous views made him an outlaw in Britain, he escaped to France, where, even though he could not speak French, he was elected to the National Convention. There, perhaps surprisingly for such a radical, he opposed the execution of King Louis XVI, a view which made him suspect to many in the new French Republic, and during Robespierres Terror, he ended up in prison. He escaped the guillotine only by the most unlikely serendipity the chalk mark on his cell door, which indicated him out for execution the following morning, was scrawled near the hinge, where it could not be seen when the door was closed. The warden missed it. Nevertheless, Paine felt abandoned by the then-President Washington. Even though a new American minister to France, future pesident James Monroe, later secured his release, Paine accused Washington of treachery. Disillusionment Paine was also dismayed by Washingtons conservative Presidency, and turned his skills as a polemicist against his former mentor: The world will be puzzled to decide whether you have abandoned good principles or whether you ever had any. Ever-keen on revolution in Britain, France, and America, Paine was perpetually depressed by the outcomes. He mocked the reform movement in Britain, and his hopes that Napoleon could bring revolutionary ideals to both sides of the Channel were crushed. Paine despised efforts by both Washington and Adams to support Britain against France. And he wrote bitterly against the influence of religion a view which alienated many in the States. It was fitting that Paine spent his last years in America (where he turned to drink, and died in 1809). He had invented the term United States of America, helped define the country, and galvanised it to win a most unexpected victory against the worlds superpower. But Thomas Paines tragedy was that America, whose revolution he had championed, never lived up to the polemic he had penned on Americas behalf. Common Sense: the pamphlet that created America Common Sense made possible the Declaration of Independence, and inspired American rebels to become patriots intent on defeating the British Empire. It was probably the most influential propaganda leaflet in history. But Common Sense was much more than propaganda. In January 1776, when Paines pamphlet was published, talk of separation from Britain was treasonous. Even revolutionary radicals including most who would go on to become Founding Fathers simply wanted to renegotiate the link with Britain and pay less tax. Dr Benjamin Rush, who commissioned Paine to write Common Sense and suggested the title, specifically instructed Paine to avoid mention of independence. Paine disobeyed. Instead, he invited readers to imagine what could be possible such as proposing that the abundance of timber in America meant that a future US fleet might outgun the Royal Navy. He suggested an American revolution could spark democratic uprisings around the world. And he said it all in language that was eloquent, emotive, simple, and direct Common Sense is a well-structured essay, infused with high rhetoric and daring insults. Paine famously described the British King George as a worm. The relatively short pamphlet less than 20,000 words long was an instant hit. Early print-runs sold out, and more than 100,000 copies had been bought by March 1776, as Paines message was discussed in taverns and preached from pulpits. In just a few short weeks Paine had transformed the debate taking place throughout the colonies. Common Sense did not just liberate people to talk about independence; it compelled them to demand nothing less. Colonists who had deferred to Britain and revered King George just months earlier had been radicalised: Paines pamphlet had defined their revolutionary war aims for them. Paine would later boast about his authorship of Common Sense, but he wrote the pamphlet anonymously, and even objected when the phrase written by an Englishman was added to the second edition. The American War of Independence The American Revolutionary War began in April 1775, when British soldiers en route to confiscate a rebel arsenal in Massachusetts engaged militia in Lexington. Fighting spread, and the British were driven back to Boston. A costly victory at nearby Bunker Hill failed to break the siege of the town by separatist militiamen, and this inspired the Continental Congress to establish a regular army under George Washington. Washingtons men dragged artillery from New York state to force the British out of Boston, although his attempt to attack the British in Canada was a failure. Increased British forces in 1776 met with increased resolve among the patriots including a clarification of their war aims through the Declaration of Independence. But while British victories in Philadelphia and New York had little strategic impact, Washingtons victories at Trenton and Saratoga inspired support from European powers, notably France. By avoiding a knock-out blow and maintaining morale and political support, Washingtons army survived long enough for France to challenge British control of the sea. When the French Navy took Chesapeake Bay, Washington could isolate the poorly-provisioned British army at Yorktown, and British commander Cornwallis was forced to surrender. Fighting ceased in October 1781, and a peace treaty signed in 1783. This is an article from the November 2014 issue of Military History Matters. To find out more about the magazine and how to subscribe, click here. The $900 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by Congress includes a non-traditional provision warned by analysts to benefit the United States biggest defense contractors. Section 821 of the NDAA stipulates that companies already with billions of dollars worth in Pentagon contracts can maintain non-traditional status by keeping research and development costs, as well as bid-and-proposal costs, below $1.1 million. Total DoD revenue overall wouldnt affect such status. The provision, one of about 1,000 included in the NDAAs final version, may allow large defense tech firms to tap into Other Transaction Authority (OTA) procurements that typically are reserved for and benefit smaller contractors still emerging in the market. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks to Boeing staff members after touring Boeing facilities at the Jetplex Industrial Park in Huntsville, Ala., Dec. 12, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza) Procurement reform allows non-traditional contractors to bid, sort of skipping over some of the bureaucracy, if you will, that deterred them, Anita Antenucci, founder and managing partner of 3wire Partners, told Military.com. That migration has been happening for a long while. It's a good thing in my mind to be able to let more companies bring ideas to the national security market and get them directly into at least prototypes, if not production. Military.com reached out for comment to many of the United States largest defense contractors, as well as the Pentagon. None responded by press time except Boeing, which declined to comment. Cutting Through Red Tape Prior to working for the independent investment and merchant bank, 3wire, with a portfolio of investments in defense, Antenucci spent about three decades conducting mergers and acquisitions, specifically in aerospace defense. The new NDAA provision may entice more people and companies by giving them a shortcut through some bureaucracy that could impact innovation and procurement for the national security industrial base, she said. You could have thought of the war as an incubator for attracting a lot more great technology into the fight." She analogized it with the U.S. needing to deploy new technologies in the midst of the Gulf War against fights that we weren't prepared for, IED specifically. She interacted with numerous defense companies that successfully deployed innovative systems and technology into the battlefield through joint urgent operational needs. You could have thought of the war as an incubator for attracting a lot more great technology into the fight, she said. And this OTA has attempted to continue that outside of the direct fight when you don't have a joint battlefield requirement, but you do have a requirement. OTA has been a really useful tool for attracting companies to be able to get real money quickly to deliver systems, and this is just an expansion of that. FILE - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin introduces the B-21 Raider stealth bomber at Northrop Grumman Dec. 2, 2022, in Palmdale, Calif. Under a proposed rule change, foreign citizens and companies would need U.S. government approval to buy property within 100 miles of eight military bases. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) The jury is still out on whether bigger defense companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin or General Dynamics, etc. will prosper even more from this provision. But Antenucci said change in the industry has been gradual for decades now as it has become much more of a traditional business following the dynamics of publicly traded companies and private equity dynamics. It's been capitalized from the 50s and 60s when it was probably a lot of privately held businesses, to the 80s when it was a very dedicated group of companieswhether they're private or public. Now it's an industry that looks like any other sector. Defense Industry: Then and Now The transition from more traditional capital, financial management tools and approaches being used have now attracted early-stage capital, which she added has not been true at scale. It might have been true on the fringe, but it wasn't true at scale for a very long time, she said. Now, there is a lot of volume and a lot of dollar accumulation of earlier stage capital supporting companies to become suppliers into the national security industrial base. Many of them are still at lower TRL (Technology Readiness Levels), delivering prototypes as opposed to full-on systems. But that is a dramatic transformation in the industrial base, potentially available to the customer, to the government, or to the foreign governments as well, because it gives them a lot more to choose from. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth tours several defense innovation companies in Costa Mesa, Calif., Dec. 5, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Madelyn Keech) That can also impact national defense in a more practical manner by encouraging a more pragmatic environment built upon competition and capital. It doesnt mean that every company attempting to get into the industry will benefit, though the playing field is available to them. OTAs overall have expanded very consistently the past 10-15 years, she added. If one of the No. 1 reasons that capital has been less attracted to the government industrial base over the years is all the rules, and this is a shortcut, then of course it's going to attract more people to say, Well, maybe I can sell into that market, she said. She added: The idea that venture capital could put money into an idea and see it be purchased on a production volume, on a faster timeline, because there aren't as many of the traditionally required rules in place is part of what's attracting them all into the space. Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi upped the ante on Monday, saying that the nation is "prepared" for war with the United States but also open to diplomatic negotiations. Araghchi's remarks come as tensions between the U.S. and Iran continue to boil as a result of mass protests in the Middle East. The death toll from mass protests in Iran has risen to 544, according to data compiled by HRANA, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, said as of Sunday that the protests in 585 different Iranian locations had resulted in 544 deaths and upwards of 10,700 arrests. Military.com could not independently confirm the numbers. Iran's state news agency Tasnim also reported on Sunday that at least 109 security personnel have been killed in protests, which have escalated since they started in December in Tehran as citizens have challenged the government about economic security and a weakening value of its national currency, the rial. We do not want war, but we are completely prepared for iteven more prepared than before the previous war, Araghchi told a group of foreign diplomats in a televised meeting in Tehran, according to CNN. The reason is clear: the best way to prevent war is to be prepared for war, so that our enemies do not once again fall into miscalculation. Activists take part in a rally supporting protesters in Iran at Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) When asked about the foreign minister's remarks, Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told Military.com: The Department of War stands ready to execute the orders of the Commander-in-Chief at any time and in any place. The White House referred Military.com to remarks made Sunday by U.S. President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One, in which he said the U.S. military is looking at strong options to quell the violence. "Well make a determination," Trump said. Room For Diplomacy One day earlier, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. wants to protect the protestors. "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before," he said. "The USA stands ready to help!!!" Trump's remarks were echoed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said his country was following the mass "demonstrations of freedom" and supports their efforts. Shiite Muslims burn representations of the U.S. and Israeli flags during a protest against the U.S. and a show of solidarity with Iran in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary) "Israel supports their struggle for freedom and strongly condemns the mass massacres of innocent civilians," Netanyahu said. "We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be freed from the yoke of tyranny, and when that day comes, Israel and Iran will once again be loyal partners in building a future of prosperity and peace for both peoples." Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke about the ongoing protests in Iran on Saturday, according to an Israeli official who spoke with ABC News. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Monday that a communication channel between Araghchi, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff remains open, according to CNN, adding that whenever necessary, messages are exchanged through that channel. Russia accelerated its attacks on civilians after President Donald Trump began his efforts to end the war in Ukraine, the first comprehensive assessment of 2025 casualties undertaken by European governments has found. Some 2,400 Ukrainian civilians were killed in Russian attacks in 2025 with almost another 12,000 injured, according to an analysis seen by Bloomberg, which has not been made public but is in line with United Nations data published Monday. That amounts to an increase of nearly 30% on 2024. The European governments report put total Ukrainian civilian deaths since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022 at around 15,000, with more than 40,000 injured. It said there had been 758 Ukrainian children had been killed and a further 2,445 injured. While the assessment offers no insight into the Kremlins motivations, the timings show that the scale of the attacks increased whenever the Trump administration attempted to advance peace negotiations. The Kremlin didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. More than 2,000 of 2025s civilian deaths occurred after Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in March in which the leaders agreed to begin talks toward a ceasefire, according to the report. It said Russia launched the 40 largest air attacks of the entire war in the months after its officials took part in the first direct talks with Ukrainian counterparts in three years in May. In the second half of the year mostly following Trumps August meeting with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska Russia fired an average of 5,300 drones at Ukraine each month, according to the assessment. That was more than five times the monthly average in 2024. Since reports emerged in November of a 28-point plan drawn up by American and Russian officials to end the war, Russia launched more than 9,000 drones and 350 missiles at Ukrainian cities, killing more than 220 civilians, it said. Establishing a death toll for Russias war in Ukraine has been difficult, with Trump himself often making claims about military casualties that are far higher than other estimates. The European government tally is consonant with the latest figures published by the United Nations Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. It said on Monday that 2,514 civilians were killed and 12,142 injured, with older people disproportionately affected since so many of them remain in frontline villages European officials told Bloomberg the figures were evidence Putin is not taking the peace talks seriously. They could also show the Russian leader is attempting to gain leverage in negotiations by signaling a willingness to increase violence and sap Ukrainian morale. --------- With assistance from Andrew Atkinson and Greg Sullivan. ___ 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Soviet soldiers never saw him. Their artillery failed to kill him. Entire units refused to advance because of his skills. Simo Hayha killed more enemy combatants than any sniper in recorded military history, and he did it without the telescopic sights that other marksmen considered essential. Over 500 confirmed kills. Less than 100 days of combat. Temperatures that plunged to 40 degrees below zero. The 34-year-old Finnish farmer accomplished what no sniper before or since has matched, using methods so effective that the Red Army launched artillery barrages on entire forest sections just hoping to eliminate him. When the Soviet Union invaded Finland on Nov. 30, 1939, Simo Hayha was living quietly on his family farm near the Russian border. He stood just five feet three inches tall. He was the seventh of eight children in a farming family. He'd completed his mandatory military service in 1925, joined the Finnish Civil Guard as a reservist, and spent his free time hunting and competing in marksmanship contests. His home was reportedly filled with shooting trophies. The invasion changed everything. Stalin sent over 500,000 troops across the border. Finland mobilized roughly 300,000 soldiers. Hayha grabbed his Finnish-produced M/28-30 rifle, a variant of the Mosin-Nagant, and reported to the 6th Company of Infantry Regiment 34. A young Hayha during his mandatory military service in the Finnish Army. (Wikimedia Commons) The Battle of Kollaa The Finnish command assigned Hayha's unit to defend a position along the Kollaa River in southeastern Finland. The waterway itself offered little protection, but ridges up to 33 feet high provided key defensive terrain. The Soviets threw a massive force at the position. At one point, the Finns guarding the sector faced 12 divisions, roughly 160,000 soldiers. In some sectors, as few as 32 Finnish troops held off more than 4,000 Soviet attackers. Hayha served under Lt. Aarne Juutilainen, an officer who had earned the nickname "The Terror of Morocco" during his years in the French Foreign Legion. When Major General Woldemar Hagglund asked "Will Kollaa hold?" Juutilainen gave an answer that became legendary among Finnish troops, "Kollaa will hold, unless the orders are to run." The position held against overwhelming Soviet numbers. Hayha became a major reason for the success. Map of Battle of Kollaa between Finland and USSR, action in March 1940. (Wikimedia Commons) He operated primarily alone, moving between positions with complete freedom to engage targets as he saw fit. The dense forests and brutal winter became his advantages. The extreme winter of 1939-1940 was one of the coldest in decades, with snow sometimes deeper than his height. Soviet troops advanced in standard brown uniforms that stood out against the white landscape. They moved in predictable formations. They lacked proper winter gear. Many spoke different languages and struggled to coordinate with other units. Stalin's purges in the late 1930s had devastated the Red Army's officer corps, eliminating three of five marshals and 220 of 264 division-level commanders. The remaining leadership made tactical blunders that Finnish defenders exploited ruthlessly. Hayha dressed entirely in white. He arrived at his chosen position before dawn and stayed until after sunset. He kept bread and sugar in his pockets, eating the calories he needed to maintain body heat during hours of motionless waiting. His slight frame made him easier to conceal. As the Soviet infantry moved forward through the snowy forests, the Finnish sniper dropped them, usually at a rate of five per day, sometimes by the dozen. Hayha would relocate, only to ambush Soviet reinforcements sent to find him. The Soviets were terrified of the elusive Finnish sniper. Captain Juutilainen at the front at Kollaa. (Wikimedia Commons) Techniques That Kept Him Alive The decision to use iron sights rather than a telescopic scope was deliberate. Scopes required the shooter to raise his head higher, creating a larger profile. The glass could fog in extreme cold, obscuring the target at critical moments. Sunlight reflecting off the lens could reveal a sniper's position to enemy observers. Hayha understood these vulnerabilities and rejected the use of scopes. Instead, he relied on skills developed through years of hunting. He could estimate distances up to 150 meters with remarkable accuracy. Most of his kills came at ranges between 100 and 150 meters, distances where the dense Finnish forest allowed clear shots without exposing him to longer-range return fire. Before each day's mission, Hayha built his position with meticulous care. He packed dense mounds of snow in front of his rifle. The barrier concealed his location, provided a stable platform, and absorbed the muzzle blast that would otherwise kick up clouds of snow. He kept snow in his mouth to cool his breath. In the frigid air, exhaled moisture created visible condensation that could expose his hidden position. Two Soviet POWs being guarded by two Finnish soldiers. The Soviet brown uniforms contrasted highly with the snowy landscape, making them easy target for Finnish forces. (Wikimedia Commons) He memorized the terrain around each location. Tree trunks, depressions, shadows, the shapes of snowdrifts. If anything changed when he returned, it signaled enemy activity. He never climbed trees. Other snipers sought elevation for better fields of fire. Hayha recognized that height meant exposure and limited escape chances. When Soviet forces intensified their search for the sniper, he adapted. He used sounds from artillery bombardments to mask his movements between positions. He exploited smoke from fires and explosions for cover. He studied his enemies' patterns and anticipated their routes. No matter what the Soviets did, they continued losing men to Finnish sniper fire. The Soviets grew desperate. They sent their own snipers to hunt him, they never returned. They launched artillery at suspected positions, firing thousands of rounds at forest sections where they thought he might be hiding. They placed a bounty on his head. Soviet troops allegedly began calling him "Belaya Smert," the White Death. Though many assert this was Finnish propaganda. Regardless, his actions were a huge morale boost for the small Finnish nation. The Soviet war effort waned as its troops were too terrified to poke their heads up above cover. Simo Hayha posing for a photo. Behind him are Finnish ski troops who inflicted massive casualties against Soviet soldiers. (Wikimedia Commons) December of 1939 On Dec. 21, 1939, Hayha achieved his highest single-day count, 25 confirmed kills. The figure seems nearly impossible, but in many ways, the Soviets gave him the opportunity to amass such a large kill-count. Soviet forces attacked in waves along predictable routes. They massed at chokepoints. They advanced across open ground where Finnish defensive positions could observe their approach. Hayha had more targets than he could engage at times. His division commander later reported that Hayha had killed 219 Soviet soldiers with his rifle and an equal number with his Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun when close-range combat required it. A military chaplain kept a diary that recorded 259 sniper kills by early March. Other sources suggested the number could exceed 500. Hayha's own war memoir, written in 1940 and discovered only in 2017, estimated around 500 enemy soldiers killed. He called it his "sin list." The exact count remains debated. What isn't debatable is that no sniper in any war has matched his body count, achieved in such a short timeframe, under such extreme conditions. Simo Hayha and Finnish forces in February 1940. (Wikimedia Commons) Finnish propaganda celebrated him as "The Magic Sniper." His fellow soldiers were amazed at his efforts. The psychological impact on Soviet forces was significant. Entire units became paralyzed with fear, knowing that any movement could draw fire from an invisible enemy. But Hayha himself remained modest about his role. "The Russians did not give us peace, even during Christmas," he recalled years later, "but God was close to us, we sang psalms." On Feb. 17, 1940, Finnish headquarters pulled Hayha from the front for a ceremony. A Swedish businessman had donated a custom rifle in his honor. Officers presented him with the SAKO M/28-30 bearing his nameplate. He slept in a real bed that night for the first time in months. He ate hot Finnish food and drank imported wine. The respite lasted one night. He returned to Kollaa the next day. Finnish sniper Simo Hayha in Loimola, Finland, February 1, 1940. (Wikimedia Commons) Wounded in Combat An explosive bullet fired by a Soviet soldier struck Hayha in the lower left jaw. The impact tore away half his face. Soldiers who found him reported that "half his face was missing." They loaded him onto a sled and rushed him to a field hospital. Doctors managed to stabilize him, but they made no promises about his survival. Hayha slipped into a coma. He remained unconscious for seven days. When he finally woke up on March 13, 1940, Finland and the Soviet Union had signed the Moscow Peace Treaty. The Winter War was over. Though technically a Soviet victory which saw Finland cede land to the USSR, the Finns had stunned the world, blunted the largest army on Earth, and maintained their national sovereignty. The embarrassing failures of the Soviet troops was a huge motivating factor for the Germans deciding to invade the USSR the following summer. Hayha spent 14 months in hospitals recovering from his wounds. He underwent 26 surgeries. His face remained permanently disfigured. The injury ended any possibility of returning to combat in 1941 during the Continuation War, when the Finns joined the Axis invasion of the Soviet Union. The Finnish government promoted him from corporal directly to second lieutenant, an unprecedented jump in rank. He received the First and Second Class Medals of Liberty and the Third and Fourth Class Crosses of Liberty. The latter two awards were normally reserved for commissioned officers. Second lieutenant Simo Hayha. Field Marshall C.G.E. Mannerheim promoted Corporal Hayha to Second lieutenant on 28 August 1940. (Wikimedia Commons) After the War Hayha returned to the only life he'd known before the fighting. The Moscow Peace Treaty had ceded his family's land to the Soviet Union. He relocated to Ruokolahti, a small municipality in southeastern Finland, and started over as a farmer. He bred dogs and hunted moose. He avoided publicity and rarely discussed his wartime service. His friend Kalevi Ikonen later said of him, "Simo spoke more with animals in the forest than with other people." When asked in 1998 how he had become such an effective sniper, his answer was "Practice." Simo Hayha and his dog hunting in the Finnish woods in 1961. (Wikimedia Commons) In December 2001, shortly before his 96th birthday, a newspaper reporter convinced the elderly veteran to discuss his experiences. The journalist asked if he felt remorse for killing so many people. "I did what I was told, as well as I could," Hayha replied. "There would be no Finland unless everyone had done the same." Hayha died on April 1, 2002, at age 96, in a war veterans' nursing home. He was buried in Ruokolahti. The Kollaa and Simo Hayha Museum in Rautjarvi preserves his legacy today. His rifle, serial number 60974, is held in Finnish military collections. In 2004, a Finnish television poll ranked him 74th among the 100 greatest Finns of all time. More than 500 confirmed kills, less than 100 days of combat, with a rifle without a scope. A simple farmer who answered his nation's call against the largest army on Earth became the deadliest sniper in military history. Cameron West had always wanted to join the military. After all, the Acworth, Georgia, native had grown up around military life, having two grandfathers with service backgrounds. West enrolled in the ROTC program at the University of North Georgia, setting him up for a stint in the Marine Corps where he also completed officer candidate school. He was willing to sacrifice for his country, risking life and limb. In 2010, while on a dangerous deployment to Afghanistan, West survived an explosion that severed one of his legs and left him with additional injuries. Due to his physical challenges, he decided to retire from the Marine Corps as a captain in 2013 after five years of service. More than 15 years after the attack, West is reminded daily of what he lost in Afghanistan. He walks with a prosthetic limb. He thinks about the dozens of fellow soldiers killed that day. Cameron West walks with a prosthetic limb after losing his leg in Afghanistan. (11 ALIVE News) Our battalion was put into a very hostile part of Afghanistan, West told 11 Alive News in Georgia. We were relieving a battalion that had taken a lot of hits. We knew going in would be a tough deployment. We took a lot of casualties in the first three months. But like his grandfathers before him, with the Global War on Terrorism in full force in Iraq and Afghanistan, West wanted to do his part to serve the country. Since about single-digit age, nine or ten, I had a letter written that I wanted to join the service and be a Marine, West said. It was tough at times. I mean, its mental toughness like anything in life. We all kind of struggle with different things throughout our lives: mental, emotional, physical. Finding Hope in Recovery Wests path to recovery didnt come without roadblocks, but a helping hand came via the Semper Fi and Americas Fund, a charitable organization tasked with providing financial support for critically wounded veterans and their families. West used funding from the organization to start a farm raising cattle. Outside of farming, he enjoys spending time with his three daughters. Bottom line, hes making the most of his second shot at life. I look at my injury as a gift, because it opened my eyes and mind to why Im here and what I want my journey and chapters of life to look like in the future." Capt. Cameron West was deployed to Afghanistan during his time in the Marine Corps. (11 Alive News) I was given a second chance. A lot of us were, and a lot were not. If you take that into consideration, the short answer is live your life I feel the best you can. Try to be kind and respectful to your fellow humans. These days, West doesnt think as much about what he lost on that dark day in Afghanistan. Instead, he considers what hes gained while also trying to keep alive the memories of his fallen battle buddies. If Im able to limp around and tell a story and try and continue to let those names of the fallen Marines live on through our own individual legacies, I think Ill have done a little bit of my part to keep it going, West said. Weve got to do right by the boys and in their name, because weve got to continue to live on to the best of our ability in their names and not let their stories be forgotten. Francis Jim Grant, one of the last remaining heroes of the D-Day invasion during World War II, has died. He was 101. Grant, hailing from Stowmarket in Suffolk, England, was in Normandy on June 6, 1944, firing one of two anti-aircraft weapons from his Landing Craft Flak, bravely applying cover fire for hundreds of troops as they embarked onto Sword Beach in Normandy. Grants death was announced by the Stowmarket Royal Naval Association Branch on its social media sites last Friday, along with British media. Grant, who had served as president of the branch, died of a short illness. It is with sadness that we have been informed that shipmate Jim Grant, our branch president, crossed the bar yesterday after a short illness at the age of 101, a Facebook post from Grants Royal Naval branch said on Friday. Vital Role in WWII Barely 18 years old, Grant signed up for the British Royal Marines in 1943 and left the service in 1946. His assignments included beach patrols and helping transport allied soldiers throughout Sword, Gold and Juno beaches during the famous D-Day operation. From Oct. 2-Nov. 8, 1944, Grant fought in the Battle of the Scheldt in the Netherlands and northern Belgium, a series of operations to open the Scheldt River between Antwerp, Belgium and the North Sea, giving a major port in Antwerp access to supplies for troops fighting in northwest Europe. Grant, who turned 101 on Dec. 20, was making public appearances nearly up until his death last week. In November, he was in central London, honoring Remembrance Sunday during a special service. Last June, Grant attended the annual D-Day commemorative ceremony in Normandy, France. Jim served with the Royal Marines during the Second World War, taking part in both the D-Day landings in 1944 and then the vital Battle of the Scheldt, which opened the port of Antwerp, his branch organization posted on Facebook. A holder of Frances highest national order of merit, the Legion dhonneur, we were honored to have Jim as a shipmate. Rest easy shipmate, your watch is complete. Special Way to Celebrate 100 Grant still attended services weekly at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket. When he turned 100 in 2024, the local church surprised Grant with a birthday celebration fitting for a World War II veteran with friends, family, members of the Royal Navy and a representative of King Charles in attendance. Jim Grant served in the Royal Marines from 1943-1946. (Photo from Royal Navy) At the celebration, Commodore Rob Bellfield, a naval regional commander for London and Eastern England, gave Grant a congratulatory letter, along with a birthday card signed by the commandant general of the Royal Marines. Grant also received new copies of his miliary records. It was an honor to meet Jim on this auspicious occasion and thank him for his outstanding service with the Royal Marines on D-Day and beyond, Bellfield said. Then the 100-year-old received another surprise: two huge sacks of birthday cards from Royal Mail filled with best wishes from across the globe. I was overwhelmed by all the attention but enjoyed it all the same, Grant said in 2024. I was honored that representatives from the Royal Navy and others were there with cards, gifts and well wishes. I was hoping that somebody would remember my birthday! Now, Grant is being remembered for his steadfast bravery during one of the most important missions in military history. We examine six well-known helicopter movie scenes and grade them for realism. Hollywood loves a helicopter rescue: rotors thumping, a swimmer on the hoist, the ocean trying to swallow the whole frame. Real Coast Guard aviation has the same ingredients, just with fewer speeches and a lot more checklists. To see what movies get right (and what they absolutely do not), we rewatched famous helicopter sequences and compared them against real-world procedures and constraints, with commentary from retired U.S. military helicopter pilot Dakota Brodie, who has publicly rated on-screen rescues for realism. We graded the following scenes for realism, with the specific details that make some Coast Guard crews nodor wince. An overhead view of the Andrea Gail swallowed by the North Atlantic during the rescue sequence in The Perfect Storm. Photo credit: Warner Bros. The Perfect Storm (2000) The Perfect Storm focuses on the doomed fishing vessel Andrea Gail, but for aviators, its the rescue attemptpushing deep into a North Atlantic stormthat leaves the strongest impression. Brodie praised the films overall tone but was quick to point out technical misses. One detail that immediately stood out was the absence of night-vision goggles. [Laughing] I dont know why no one wears NVGs, he said. Everybody has nightvision goggles on in helicopters. If you have the option of having them on, yeahyoure going to have them on. Its a small omission, but one that real crews notice instantly. Later, a lightning strike disables systems and damages an enginea rare but plausible threat. You risk frying a lot of electronics and engine control systems, Brodie said. Youd probably lose a lot of AC and DC systems, but you should still be able to fly unless you got hit in the tail rotor or something. The film exaggerates the chaos slightly, but not beyond the realm of possibility. The films claustrophobic wheelhouse scenes emphasize the chaos crews face when conditions spiral beyond control. Photo credit: Warner Bros. When the helicopter finally ditches and begins flooding, the realism improves. Brodie pointed to annual Coast Guard dunker training, where aircrews are repeatedly submerged and flipped upside down in pools to practice escape. This is part of the business, he said. Every single year. The scene showing a pilot grabbing a SEAS (or HEED) bottle also rang true. While panic shortens usable air time, Brodie appreciated the detail: I do like the realistic aspect of seeing somebody grab that bottle and put it in their mouth. Crucially, the film resists turning the crew into reckless thrillseekers. The pilots are calm, professional, and fully aware that the mission may cost them their aircraft. That restraint is rare in cinemaand its why the movie still earns respect among Coast Guard aviators. Final Rating: 6/10 Kevin Costner stars in The Guardian. Photo credit: Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution. The Guardian (2006) The Guardian gets a lot rightbut not everything. Take the dramatic free-fall water entry by the rescue swimmer. Thats a free-fall deployment, Brodie explained, and that is reserved for daytime only. In real-world conditionsespecially at night or in rough seasrescue swimmers are always lowered by hoist, not dropped from altitude. And the seas in The Guardian are rough. Theyre seeing, like, 20-foot swells, Brodie noted. That means the helicopter is hovering at least 30 to 40 feet. You misjudge that swell, and thats a four- or five-story drop. The water turns into a solid real quickespecially in cold temperatures. In other words, timing is everything, and the margin for error is razor-thin. Still, many of the operational details are spot-on. Brodie called the rescue basket deployment very, very real, praising the films accuracy. Hes calling for the basket, gives the ready-for-pickup signthats exactly what you would hear, Brodie said. Were standing by, keeping our light in the direction of the swimmer, making sure we always have sight on them. You're trying to place the basket really within five to ten feet of them. The film also uses legitimate flight lingo. When the crew calls bingo fuel, its not movie jargonits real. It just means if you leave now, youll land with a fuel reserve when you get back, Brodie explained. Anything less, and you risk not making it home. Hand signals and positioning matter as much as bravery in real-world hoist rescues, a detail The Guardian gets right. Photo credit: Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution But not all of the realism holds up. Brodie called out one particularly implausible detail: characters talking to each other under the rotor wash. That would be crazy, he said. Its like a mini-hurricane under there. Youre not hearing anythingyoure using hand signals. Then theres the inevitable Hollywood explosion. While the film shows a helicopter crash ending in a fireball, Brodie found that part far-fetched. Thats the Hollywood part, he said. Ive seen helicopters crash on tarmacsI havent seen one explode. Even in the Army, I saw one take a SA-7 and hit the engine out. That was the only one I saw that was on fire. Final Rating: 7/10 Stranded climbers face thin air and brutal cold during the high-altitude rescue depicted in Everest (2015). Photo credit: Universal Pictures Everest (2015) Of all the helicopter rescue scenes in film, Everest stands out for being based on an actual, record-setting mission. The sequence, which depicts a pilot flying into dangerously thin air to evacuate stranded climbers near Camp I, is based on the real-life 1996 rescue of Beck Weathers and Makalu Gau by Nepalese Army pilot Lt. Col. Madan K.C.a mission that, at the time, was the highest-altitude helicopter rescue in history. In the film, the aircrafts depiction is largely accurate, particularly in its depiction of the challenges of maneuvering in thin air, where lift is dramatically reduced and hovering becomes nearly impossible. Flying in such conditions pushes both pilot skill and mechanical limits, and Everest conveys that tension well. That said, there are moments of dramatization. The movie shows the helicopter making a precarious landing on a jagged ledgevisually striking, but not entirely accurate. The real landing occurred in a small clearing at Camp I, marked with an improvised "X" painted using Kool-Aid. It was still an extraordinary feat, but more stable than portrayed. Other minor inaccuracies creep in. For instance, the film doesnt show the pilot wearing oxygen, which would have been critical at that altitude, especially for someone not acclimatized. The sequence also compresses events for narrative impactmost notably suggesting that Beck Weathers gave up his rescue spot for another climber, when in fact both were rescued in quick succession. Still, Everest earns high marks for portraying the staggering risks of high-altitude rescue. Final Rating: 8/10 Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in Bad Boys II. Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures Bad Boys II (2003) While Bad Boys II isnt a rescue scene, its Coast Guard HITRON interdiction sequence is surprisingly accurate, at least from a tactical aviation standpoint. Retired military pilot Dakota Brodie highlighted the aircrafts authenticity right away: I love the precision flying of that. This is the MH-68, or AW109the Stingray. The helicopter is part of HITRON, the Coast Guards Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron, a specialized unit trained to stop drug smugglers at sea. Its primarily focused on interdicting either drug smugglers or anything else like that in international waters, Brodie explained. Mostly dealing with what you call a go-fasta high-speed vessel designed to outrun standard boats. Bad Boys II accurately depicts the speed, positioning, and aircraft type used in real Coast Guard interdiction missions. Photo credit: Columbia Pictures The speeds shown in the film arent far off either. Your normal cruise is somewhere around 120 to 130 knotsmaybe faster with a good tailwind, he added. The Stingrays sleek, nimble design allows it to pursue fast-moving targets with high agility, as shown in the movies chase sequence. Despite its action-movie bravado, Bad Boys II gets more right than expected when it comes to helicopter tactics, aircraft identification, and the general flow of a maritime interdiction. It dramatizes the moment, yesbut the foundation is real. Final Rating: 7/10 T. Rex looks up at a hovering helicopter in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Photo credit: Universal Pictures Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) In one of the more over-the-top rescue sequences in Fallen Kingdom, a helicopter crew hoists a man up a rope ladder as hes being chased by a rampaging T. rexonly to be snatched moments later by a Mosasaurus leaping out of the ocean. What makes the scene stand out from a rescue aviation perspective is the moment of grim realism buried within the spectacle: the decision to cut the ladder. In extreme rescue conditions, especially in dynamic, high-risk environments like this one (minus the dinosaurs), helicopter crews face split-second judgment calls. The aircrew in the scene is battling wind, unstable lift, and wet, unpredictable movementall common in real-world hoist operations, particularly over water. Though exaggerated with prehistoric flair, the film gets this moment right: sometimes, the brutal reality is that saving one person could endanger everyone. Final Rating: 5/10 San Andreas leans heavily on cockpit drama, often at the expense of real-world rescue procedures. Photo credit: Warner Bros. San Andreas (2015) San Andreas is where Hollywood fully abandons realism. In one scene, Dwayne The Rock Johnsonplaying a rescue pilotclimbs out of the cockpit mid-flight, handing off control to his copilot so he can personally operate a rescue. Meanwhile, the helicopters hoist is shown lifting an entire car, while a second cable lowers Johnson to rescue a woman trapped below. The car is eventually released, but somehow both he and the woman are completely unharmed. In reality, none of this would fly. If that is the hoist hook, you are in what you call a committed situation, said retired military helicopter pilot Dakota Brodie. Every Helo pilot would be shaken at this point knowing the hoist is attached to a vehiclethat could fall off. Not happening. Were not connecting up to any vehicle. The film frequently places helicopters in tight terrain where real crews would prioritize clearance and escape routes. Photo credit: Warner Bros. The films biggest offense may be its misuse of the rescue hoist itself. The hoist you have on there is rated for about 600 pounds, Brodie explained. So its not your primary means of holding up anything. Hoists are meant to lift people, not vehicles, and theyre far more fragile than the movie suggests. Once that cable gets sheared, everything is going down with it. Final Rating: 0/10 Why it matters: Real rescues dont allow for improvisational hero shots. The decisions that look boring onscreen, backing off, calling bingo fuel, refusing a risky approach, are often the decisions that keep crews alive to save the next person. Military Helicopter Pilot Rates 9 Helicopter Rescues In Movies and TV | How Real Is It? | Insider The Bottom Line Hollywood loves the image of a helicopter defying nature. Coast Guard aviators live with the reality of respecting it. The best scenes respect limits: fuel, visibility, weight, and the reality that rotor wash turns the world into noise. The worst scenes ignore physics, overload the hoist, and turn procedure into vibes. In real life, rescue isnt about spectacle. Its about judgment, and sometimes the bravest call is the one that doesnt look brave on camera. The Blue Jays have signed Eloy Jimenez to a minor league contract, according to reporter Mike Rodriguez. Jimenezs latest deal with the Jays includes an invitation to Torontos Major League spring camp. After signing a minors deal with Toronto right at the end of August, Jimenez only got into six games with Triple-A Buffalo, and he had a .508 OPS over 21 trips to the plate. This gave Jimenez an overall .247/.326/.347 slash line in 215 plate appearances in the Jays and Rays farm systems, without any games played at the Major League level. Once a feared power bat who signed a six-year, $43MM deal with the White Sox before ever appearing in a big league game, Jimenez somewhat lived up to that potential by hitting .275/.324/.487 with 89 homers over 1777 PA during the 2019-23 seasons. However, Jimenez was set back by a laundry list of injuries, and his 122 games played in 2019 remains his highest game total in a regulation-length season. The 2024 season was a total calamity for Jimenez, as he hit .238/.289/.336 over 349 PA while missing time with an adductor strain and a hamstring strain. The White Sox gave up on Jimenez by dealing him to the Orioles at the 2024 trade deadline, and Baltimore unsurprisingly declined a $16.5MM club option on the former slugger for the 2025 season. Jimenez then landed in Tampa Bay last winter on a minors deal, but between more injury woes and his uninspiring numbers, the Rays released him last July. Jimenez is still only 29 years old, and is still posting decent hard-hit ball numbers and exit velocities. Considering his past history, theres no risk for the Blue Jays in taking a more extended look at Jimenez in camp to see if a late-career turn-around is possible, even if it doesnt seem likely Jimenez will be able to crack Torontos crowded roster. His best-case scenario might be a big Spring Training performance, and then heading to another interested team via trade or an opt-out in his contract at the end of camp. DEAR ABBY: My son married a lovely woman, Noelle, two years ago. They live a couple of hours away and have a 1-year-old son, my third grandchild. Noelles parents live 10 miles from my home. She and the baby go there nearly every weekend but NEVER come by mine. I havent seen them since the babys birthday five months ago. My daughter lives down the street from Noelles parents. She wasnt invited to the babys first birthday even though shes the mother of his cousins, so I took her children with me. There were other people there, mostly adults and her cousins baby. We are not horrible people. There has never been any ugliness between any of us. Im very hurt because they dont recognize me as a grandmother or any of us as part of the family. My sons father has never been allowed to meet the baby, and I dont think hes even met Noelle. I have asked my son and daughter-in-law to bring the baby, leave him for the day or even overnight so we can spend some time and get to know him, but it never happens. What can I say to make them understand how much they are hurting the family and the baby by avoiding us? I dont want to make it worse. -- DISAPPOINTED GRANDMA IN TEXAS DEAR GRANDMA: This is a subject you should discuss with your son, who appears to be clueless or entirely ineffectual. Does he recognize what has been happening -- that his parents have been pushed entirely out of the picture? If the answer to that question is yes, perhaps he can shed some light on why. If the answer is no, tell HIM how this has made you feel. If you do, perhaps he will assert himself. Better late than never. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. Over 2,300 immigrants were arrested by ICE in Michigan in 2025, with arrests doubling from the previous year. An in-depth look at the shift in enforcement focus, impact on families, detention conditions and much more is one of five must-read stories from MLive over the weekend. In a year, ICE arrested over 2,300 in Michigan from teens at home to a dad getting coffee The Trump administrations immigration policy has shifted from detaining those crossing the border to targeting individuals residing in the country, often leading to arrests of people with no criminal records. The enforcement actions have resulted in parents being separated from their children. Read reporter Rose Whites full story here. Here are four other compelling MLive stories to read: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel pauses during an interview with The Associated Press, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) AP A convicted stalker threatened women for years. Why Michigans AG is fighting his early release Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a motion to halt Trenton Lisle Solomons parole due to his alarming criminal history. Solomons aggressive stalking behavior includes attempting to forcefully enter a womans home and sending her threatening messages for hours. His early release has prompted legal action from Nessels office. Reporter Nathan Clark shares more in this story. (Left) Irene Aiyana Whitehead is charged in Kent County for the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Ryleigh Whitehead. Whitehead, 27, faces single counts of felony murder and first-degree child abuse. (Right) Sherry Lee Leak is charged in Muskegon County for the death of her 11-year-old adoptive daughter, Mialah Leak. Sherry Leak, 55, is charged with manslaughter. Bradley Massman | MLive.com Moms who became murder suspects days apart in West Michigan: What we know Two mothers in West Michigan are facing homicide-related charges for the deaths of their children within days of each other. One woman is accused of smothering her 11-year-old adoptive daughter at their home in Muskegon County. Another woman faces open murder and first-degree child abuse charges after allegedly admitting to suffocating her 2-year-old daughter in Kent County. Read reporter Bradley Massmans full story here. Scenes from an event to gather signatures for a petition to recall five of the seven Oshtemo Township Board trustees on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 5 Wishes, 3082 S. 9th St. Aya Miller Not another Portage: Suburban expansion, energy storage trigger towns division Residents in Oshtemo Township are gathering signatures to recall five of the seven board members, sparked by dissatisfaction with recent township developments. Many locals oppose the 260-megawatt battery energy storage facility due to safety issues surrounding lithium-ion battery fires, prompting calls for regulation and improvement in the approval process. Reporter Aya Miller shares more in this story. Following the fatal Jan. 7 shooting of a woman in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, Fatty Lumpkins Sandwich Shop in Muskegon banned ICE agents, sparking both support and backlash. Pictured in this MLive file photo is Brett Gilbert, a co-owner, handing a lunch order out of a window at Fatty Lumpkins Sandwich Shack. Gilbert took to social media to condemn the killing of Renee Good. Alison Zywicki | azywicki Why a Michigan sandwich shop isnt afraid of losing customers over anti-ICE post Fatty Lumpkins Sandwich Shack in Muskegon banned ICE agents following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent. The shops Facebook post condemned ICEs actions as murderous and stated that agents could not enter without a warrant, leading to both backlash and significant support from the community. Co-owner Brett Gilbert defended the political stance. Read reporter Ehren Wynders full story here. LANSING, MI Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced Monday, Jan. 12, that he is ending his bid for governor and is seeking to become Michigans next secretary of state. As secretary of state, I will shine a light on dark money and put the public first, he said in a statement and video. I will modernize licensing and registration by providing smart, 21st-century service. Ill protect your privacy and never allow your identity, voter registration information, or license plate data to be mined by big tech companies or surveilled by the Trump administration. He was among multiple candidates, including Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, seeking to replace Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is term-limited. At heart, Im a public servant, an entrepreneur, a dad, a husband, and an engineer who spent a lot of my life making government actually work for people. Im not done with that, not by a long shot, Gilchrist said. In a video announcement, Gilchrist thanked those who supported his candidacy for governor. Today, I want you to hear directly from me that I am suspending my campaign for Governor. The time for me to serve in that role may come, but now is not that time. He said he has met with many residents across the state and heard their concerns. Youve told your stories about the high cost of everything and the threats to our democracy. You sounded the alarm about this president who acts like a king. And you know Michigan has been ground zero in the battle for free and fair elections before, and it will be again. This tangled web of corruption and control is meant to crush our power to participate. We have to fix this. If we dont, we cant fix anything else. A crowded field of Democrats and Republicans will compete in separate Aug. 4 primaries, with the winners from both parties taking on independent Mike Duggan, the former Detroit mayor. With Gilchrist out of the race for governor, Benson, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Marni Sawicki, former mayor of Cape Coral, Florida, are Democrats who have declared candidacies. On the Republic side are Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, former Attorney General Mike Cox, former House Speaker Tom Leonard, U.S. Rep. John James, Ax Mi Tax Executive Director Karla Wagner, the Rev. Ralph Rebandt and business owner Anthony Hudson. Now more than ever, the problem with our politics is that its rigged toward the people with the most wealth, Gilchrist said. They want us to give up, and check out. But we wont. He said he will not take corporate political-action committee funds. UPDATE: Bonnie Jackman has been located in Boyne City and is in contact with local police. BOYNE CITY, MI A woman who has been missing for four days may have left her Northern Michigan home on foot, police said. Bonnie Jackman, 57, was last known to be at her Boyne City home on Thursday, Jan. 8, police Chief Kevin Spate said in a news release. The Boyne City Police Department has launched a missing person investigation and is requesting help from the public, Spate said. Jackmans vehicle remains at her home, police said. It is unknown if she left by herself or with another person. Jackman was last known to be wearing a black coat with fur on the hoot and boots with fur trim, Spate said. She is about 5 feet and 7 inches tall with sandy blonde hair above her shoulders. She wears glasses. Anyone with information related to Jackmans whereabouts is asked to contact the police at 231-582-6611 or by calling 911. BESSEMER, MI A school district in Michigans Upper Peninsula is closed today after the high school principal received a bomb threat, WBUP/WJMN reports. The Bessemer Area Schools high school principal received an alleged voicemail bomb threat on Sunday, the report said. The district alerted law enforcement, which triggered an investigation and the cancellation of Monday classes. The Gogebic County Sheriffs Office and Michigan State Police searched the buildings and secured the campus on Sunday, the report said. School administrators also reviewed security footage. On Monday morning, an explosives detection canine searched both school buildings. Law enforcement gave the all-clear around 10:15 a.m. today. However, all classes, after-school activities and practices remain canceled for the day, the report said. There will be an increased police presence on campus when classes resume Tuesday. FLINT, MI -- A city official says testing found mold in a basement area inside Flints municipal office complex, but not enough to be considered significant. Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Lee Osborne told City Council members last week that water-damaged drywall has been removed and will be replaced. There was some fungus on the walls, Osborne said during a committee meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 7. It was very minute. They said it was fine. It was under the radar ... They said it wasnt out of control or anything. The city tested for mold after Flint Police Department employees raised concerns about seeing black staining along the floor and up the walls in a hallway of City Hall North, which links the Police Department to the primary City Hall building. John Cramer, president of the Flint Police Officers Association, told MLive-The Flint Journal last month that employees have been concerned about mold and workplace air quality for years. Cramer said in a statement on Monday, Jan. 12, he wants to ensure the health and safety of our officers and employees working in this building (are) provided the highest-quality environment possible. Cramer did not comment further on the test results. The city did not release the report of its testing contractor, IAQ Management Services, but provided a summary to MLive, which noted nominally elevated levels of Stachybotrys in one office and a basement hallway. The summary said the discovery of a peak raw count concentration of three mold spores is not considered significant. Testing showed what IAQ said was acceptable air quality at all other sampled locations and said all total concentrations of mold were below 900 spores per cubic meter. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold that can grow on material with a high cellulose content, such as drywall. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, such as flooding. Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all, according to the CDC. Mold can cause some to experience a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash, the agency reports on its website. People with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions. Cramer said last month that officers complained of allergic-type symptoms after the water-damaged areas were exposed and later sealed. Osborne and Cramer have said the basement area has been flooded multiple times because of rain infiltration and broken water pipes. City Council members unanimously agreed on Nov. 12 for the city to do all things necessary to test for mold and other potential hazards in the police headquarters building on Fifth Street after complaints from officers and retirees. After the complaints, city employees received emails, advising them that the basement area was closed until further notice. 6th Ward Councilwoman Tonya Burns has said the entire City Hall complex needs a full examination to determine what needs to be done to remediate any mold and mildew. Police headquarters is a part of Flints municipal complex, which was built in the late 1950s. It includes five buildings -- City Hall, City Hall South, City Hall North, a small domed auditorium, police headquarters, and fire headquarters. HASTINGS, MI -- Thousands of country music lovers will descend on the small town of Hastings this August to see their favorite artists perform. Annual music festival Rock The Country is returning to Hastings, this year for a 250 years of freedom celebration. The festival is one of eight to be hosted in American towns, and is the only Michigan stop. Its a celebration of community, tradition and the spirit thats carried America through 250 years, the festival website reads. Its where neighbors become friends, families come together under the wide-open sky, and folks from every walk of life share the simple joy of great music and good company. The 2026 Hastings lineup will be headlined by Michigan native Kid Rock on Aug. 8 and Jason Aldean on Aug. 9. The festival will be held at the Barry Expo Center, 1350 M-37, roughly 5 miles outside of Hastings. The small town is 39 miles southeast of Grand Rapids. General admission tickets for the weekend start at $144, including fees, and can be purchased on the festival website. Single day tickets start at $90. Tickets are sold at five levels, each with a different price. Officials expected 25,000 people to attend the festival last year, over three times the Hastings population of 7,513. The expo center has RV and car camping available for an extra cost. Hotel packages can also be purchased through the festival website. Hastings is the sixth stop of the festival, with the final August and September shows planned for Florida and New York. The festivals only other Midwest stop is in South Dakota. KALAMAZOO, MI After 26 years with Stryker, Jeff Vander Ploeg was yearning to do something in which he could more personally connect with his community. So Vander Ploeg, 48, and his wife Lisa, 43, began seeking out ways they could accomplish that. The answer? Starting their own business that helps seniors remain in independent living situations longer. On Oct. 1, 2025, the couple officially launched a Seniors Helping Seniors in-home care network in Kalamazoo County, joining over 200 franchise partners across 37 states. The new franchise, which joins existing networks in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Holland and Detroit, specializes in connecting local seniors in need of support with active older adults typically retired nurses or certified nursing assistants who can provide practical assistance and companionship. There are beautiful facilities available, but a lot of people want to stay as independent as possible at home as long as they can, and thats what were trying to help with, said Lisa Vander Ploeg, who most recently worked as a paraprofessional in an elementary special education class. Since launching three months ago, the Vander Ploegs have hired over two dozen caregivers, ranging in age from 40s and 50s to seniors. Those in their 40s and 50s really have to have high qualifications, Jeff Vander Ploeg said. Our goal is really to have that peer-to-peer connection, so a senior who is going through a lot of transition, maybe giving up some of their dignity, has someone they can relate to. Theres a great need for that type of connection. There are two main types of caregiving that Seniors Helping Seniors offers, he said. One is companionship care, which consists of maybe going into the home a couple times a week for a few hours at a time. In addition to visiting with the client, a caregiver might help with tasks such as running errands, cooking, cleaning or other light housework. The other is personal care, which could require daily or around-the-clock care that consists of help with changing, bathing and other more difficult tasks. As their needs and situations change, we can change with them, Lisa Vander Ploeg said. Many caregivers that start by giving companion care to a specific client may also grow with that client to where they are later offering that more personal care to that same client, she said. We like to match people by interests, she said. If someone is interested in jigsaw puzzles, or enjoys spending time in nature, or watching black and white movies, its nice to see friendships naturally form on like interests. Weve heard caregivers say it doesnt even feel like work, that its just like hanging out. While caregivers spend time with their clients, another bonus with this type of care is that it can free up family members to spend quality time with their loved ones, Jeff Vander Ploeg said. My sister lives in the Detroit area, and when our dad was in hospice, she would come over to Grand Rapids and clean the house and cook and do all that stuff versus visiting with our dad, he said. So, some of it is to get the adult kids and the grandkids time with their mom or dad versus them feeling like they have to take care of them because they are the kid. Seniors Helping Seniors is actively hiring more caregivers and looking forward to speaking with anyone who thinks they or a loved one could benefit from their services, Lisa Vander Ploeg said. Often its the adult kids that see their parents may need a little extra help before their parents realize what they need, she said. And if were not the right fit for them, weve both met a lot of wonderful resources in the community, where we can at least point them in the right direction. For more information, call 269-400-6868, visit seniorshelpingseniors.com or email Lisa@SHSKalamazoo.org or Jeff@SHSKalamazoo.org. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Thousands of Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates have had their tuition paid through the Kalamazoo Promise in the past 20 years. Since the free college program began in the 2005-06 school year, the Promise has funded $242.5 million in tuition costs, according to data from The Kalamazoo Promise nonprofit. The largest chunk of scholarship funding has gone to higher education offerings in Kalamazoo County. KPS graduates have 10 years after graduation to use their Promise scholarship at any Michigan college, university or trade school. Western Michigan University has received the most Kalamazoo Promise scholarship funds, totaling $91.8 million. WMU is followed by Michigan State University with $41.8 million and the University of Michigan with $21 million. But the most popular school by student count is none of those. Kalamazoo Valley Community College has enrolled 4,741 Kalamazoo Promise scholars since 2005, more than any other school by far. WMU has enrolled 2,928 scholars in the same period. The cost of attendance and length of schooling make WMU the bigger financial commitment, however, compared to KVCC. KVCC costs considerably less per semester to attend than WMU. In fall 2025, the cost of a credit hour at KVCC starts at $127 compared to $659 at WMU, according to tuition information from the schools. Overall, public universities have received the most Kalamazoo Promise tuition funding. Of the $242.5 million, 80% or $193.5 million has gone to universities. Both KVCC and WMU have programs to support students using the Kalamazoo Promise. WMU students can also take courses at KVCC using their Promise scholarship while enrolled at WMU, according to WMUs website. Far fewer Kalamazoo Promise recipients have left Kalamazoo County for higher education. MSU has enrolled 960 students in the past 20 years, U-M has enrolled 409 students and Grand Valley State University has enrolled 345 students. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. MUSKEGON COUNTY, MI Prosecutors charged two Detroit men with open murder and other charges in a residential robbery in Muskegons Jackson Hill neighborhood. The suspects, both 25, are jailed on parole holds. Their names are withheld by MLive pending arraignments in Muskegon County District Court. Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson said at a press conference on Monday, Jan. 12, that the two suspects were acquainted with the deceased victims, Joshua Fondren Jr., 25, and Corie Marie-May Watts, 22. 9 1 / 9 Mother holds on to memories of happy son who was fatally shot in Muskegon The killings happened Dec. 6 in what police believe was a robbery at a house on Jackson Street. Two others, including a 4-year-old girl, were injured. Hilson said the suspects knew the victims through prior involvement in the criminal justice system and that the killings were not random. He said he would not disclose a possible motive for the killings but said should be clearer once prosecution witnesses testify at preliminary examinations to determine if the defendants should stand trial in Muskegon County Circuit Court. He said, however, that I think youd be able to discern a little bit of what our theories are based on the charging decisions weve made. The charges alleged that the killings happened during a robbery. The defendants, each facing 16 felony charges, are also charged with armed robbery for allegedly using force while committing a larceny of firearms and/or jewelry and/or money, the charging documents said. They are charged with open murder, felony murder, armed robbery, three counts of assault with intent to murder and five counts of felony firearm. Hilson said that this was a very horrific, tragic event, not only for those involved, but for this community. And its important that law enforcement and the Prosecutors Office continue to work hand-in-hand to send a strong message that dont come to our community, commit these types of crimes, because you will be charged very aggressively. Both these guys, as far as I understand, were on parole for previous also equally heinous offenses, if you really look into it. He said it was unfortunate that the defendants were paroled but noted they had served minimum terms and had been denied parole once or twice. He said that our goal moving forward will be to make sure that neither of these individuals see the light of day again. One of the suspects suffered serious gunshot wounds. Hilson said that police and prosecutors were able to take time to file charges because both suspects were in the custody of Michigan Department of Corrections for allegedly violating parole. He spoke to victims families before the press conference. He said Muskegon police conducted a really top notch investigation to get us to this point today where we are able to issue these charges. MILLINGTON, MI -- Briar Bearss, an Army veteran preparing for medical retirement, announced Tuesday his campaign for the Michigan House of Representatives in the 97th District. The announcement follows State Rep. Matthew Bierleins decision to seek the 26th State Senate seat. The 97th District covers most of Saginaw and Tuscola counties and parts of Bay and Genesee counties. Bearss, a 2018 Millington High School graduate, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2022 and deployed to Eastern Europe during the Russo-Ukrainian War. He coordinated with NATO allies and partner nations while working with the Security Assistance Group Ukraine. After redeploying to Fort Bliss, Texas in 2024, Bearss led a reconnaissance platoon of 36 cavalry scouts that earned recognition as Top Platoon in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team. He will medically retire in the coming weeks due to injuries sustained during service. As my time in the worlds greatest Army comes to an end, I cant imagine a better transition than serving the people thatve given me so much, Bearss said. I owe everything to this community that truly raised me and gave me the opportunity to attend a place like West Point. Bearss said he plans to focus on regional economic growth and education oversight. He co-founded Bearss Residential with his twin brother, providing affordable housing to veterans and low-income families in the Tri-Cities area. The Bearss Foundation, which he also leads, has awarded scholarships to local high school graduates since 2023. The Michigan Dream our parents and grandparents remember is not lost, Bearss said, citing Republican legislative efforts. He said he would work to bring manufacturing jobs back, address education quality concerns, and protect family farms from foreign buyouts. More information is available at bearssformichigan.com. MIDLAND, MI A bench trial examining Michigans role in the catastrophic 2020 Edenville and Sanford dam failures begins Monday, giving thousands of flood victims their day in court more than five years after losing their homes, businesses and livelihoods. Judge James Redford will preside over the civil trial, which is expected to last two to three weeks. The case centers on allegations that the state was negligent in its handling of the dam, which failed during heavy rains in May 2020. The lawsuit claims Michigan shares responsibility for the disaster through its Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and Department of Natural Resources. The suit alleges the state allowed former dam owner Boyce Hydro to raise water levels in Wixom Lake. The Edenville Dam, built in 1924, sits at the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Tobacco rivers about one mile north of Edenville. The structure spans parts of Gladwin and Midland counties and created Wixom Lake by holding back river waters. Heavy rains caused water levels to rise on both rivers before the dams eastern section collapsed, sending floodwaters downstream and prompting evacuation orders for neighboring communities. A suspect has been arrested after a dog that was found trapped in a wired-shut suitcase and left in a creek bed. According to KTAB-TV in Abilene, Texas, Lee Sellers faces an animal cruelty charge in Taylor County after the dog was found dirty and covered in fleas and had tapeworms in February 2025. A microchip linked the dog to Sellers, who claimed to have given the dog to someone else, according to the TV station. However, Sellers later admitted to putting the dog in a carrier, wiring it shut, and placing it in a suitcase, according to KTAB. Bond was set at $12,000 and Sellers is also wanted in connection to an unrelated criminal case. Allegiant has acquired one of its rivals for budget airline travel. The airline announced Sunday that it will purchase Sun Country Airlines in a cash and stock deal worth approximately $1.5 billion. Allegiant and Sun Country shareholders will own approximately 67% and 33%, respectively, of the combined company. Allegiant is a popular low-cost U.S. airline that is popular with leisure travelers looking to get somewhere cheaper. Most extras, like carry-on bags, seat selection, priority boarding, snacks, cost extra, but direct flights are usually offered to smaller airports that some larger airlines skip. Allegiant says the new deal with create a leading leisure-focused U.S. airline, expanding service to more popular vacation destinations across the United States, as well as international destinations, while providing more people with access to affordable air travel. This combination is an exciting next chapter in Allegiant and Sun Countrys shared mission in providing affordable, reliable, and convenient service from underserved communities to premier leisure destinations, said Gregory C. Anderson, Allegiant CEO. We have long admired Sun Country for their well-run, flexible, and diversified business model that optimizes for year-round utilization and strong margins. Together, our complementary networks will expand our reach to more vacation destinations including international locations. Allegiants small and mid-sized localities and Sun Countrys larger cities will provide more than 650 routes, including 551 Allegiant routes and 105 Sun Country routes. Sun Country has an international network across Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean. Combined with Allegiant, customers can access 18 international destinations. Over Sun Countrys 43-year history, we have grown to become one of the nations most respected low-cost, leisure airlines with a unique business model for serving scheduled service and charter passengers as well as delivering cargo, with a strong brand and deep roots in Minnesota, said Jude Bricker, Sun Country President & CEO. Today marks an exciting next step in our history as we join Allegiant to create one of the leading leisure travel companies in the U.S. We are two customer-centric organizations, deeply committed to delivering affordable travel experiences without compromising on quality. According to CNBC, the deal comes at a time when budget airlines in the U.S. have faced a surge in costs following the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in domestic capacity. Larger competitors like Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines and Southwest Airlines together had a roughly 70% domestic market share in the U.S. in 2025, according to federal data. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Maruti Suzuki's second Gujarat plant to come up in Khoraj, board approves land acquisition to expand capacity You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user. OK Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Coal gasification may get Budget boost as govt eyes lower syngas costs, wider use The Budget presentation will proceed as planned, with key fiscal measures and policy priorities set to be unveiled on the scheduled date Japans Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced that it plans to launch sales of its Xforce five-seater compact SUV in Taiwan in January, following its rollout in markets across Southeast Asia, Middle East and Africa and Latin America. The vehicle will be assembled by the automakers local sales and production partner, China Motor Corporation (CMC), at its Yangmei plant in Taoyuan City. Mitsubishi pointed out that the Xforce is its first newly developed, locally produced model to be introduced in Taiwan in nine years. Mitsubishi confirmed that the Xforce meets Taiwans Euro 6c emissions standards and comes with a Level-2 equivalent advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA). It is offered with a blue body colour developed specifically for the Taiwanese market and the interior features a 10.25-inch digital display. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tatsuo Nakamura, executive vice president of Mitsubishi Motors, confirmed: We have developed a special version of the Xforce for the Taiwanese market, where we have worked alongside CMC for more than 60 years, to further strengthen our presence and enhance product value. After careful local research, we have created a model with greater value that we proudly stand behind. Reservations have already exceeded our initial projections, and we are truly excited to deliver this model to our customers in Taiwan. "Mitsubishi to launch localised Xforce in Taiwan" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. Did our AI summary help? 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. Saurav Pandey is the Deputy Manager of Content at Moneycontrol, specialising in content strategy, execution and performance analysis. He integrates advanced SEO techniques to deliver high-impact, data-driven content formats. His expertise spans various beats, including education, career, science and others, where he adopts a technical approach to optimise visibility, improve search rankings, and drive organic traffic growth. He can be reached out at Saurav.Pandey@nw18.com. Did our AI summary help? Did our AI summary help? Ragini Jaiswal Entertainment journalist and content writer with 3+ years of experience covering Bollywood, lifestyle trends, and celebrity stories across leading digital platforms. JAC Group has officially opened a new sales subsidiary in Italy, called JAC Motors Italy, as the Chinese automaker looks to strengthen its distribution and sales operations in one of Europes largest automotive markets. The company confirmed that the establishment of the new subsidiary, based in the northern city of Turin, is part of its strategy of localising more operations in Europe designed to give it a stronger customer focus in the region, strengthen its aftersales support, and facilitate the establishment of new local partnerships. JAC Group said it chose Turin, the operational headquarters of Fiat, because of the citys strong industrial base, automotive heritage and innovation-driven environment. The automaker established a regional R&D centre in the city, called JAC Italy Design Center, over 20 years ago with a focus on vehicle design and technology integration, supporting product development for Europe and other international markets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JAC Group also has a partnership with DR Automobiles Group, based in the southern Italian region of Molise, which assembles and sells vehicles supplied by JAC and other Chinese automakers such as BAIC and Chery under its own brands. JAC confirmed that its new sales subsidiary will serve as a hub for its European expansion, allowing it to better integrate into local market ecosystems while supporting sustainable growth through competitive products and reliable service networks. The move also reflects broader cooperation between China and Italy in advanced manufacturing and green mobility. "JAC Group establishes new sales subsidiary in Italy" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nikki Glaser poses on the red carpet at the 83rd Annual Golden Globes in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., January 11, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS) Did our AI summary help? Leonardo DiCaprio and Julia Roberts pose for the paps Will Smith reaches out to Shah Rukh Khan, expresses desire to work in Bollywood: I want SRK to put me in something... Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Suniel Shetty feels blessed as son Ahaan features in Jaate Hue Lamhon in Border 2 Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Thalapathy Vijay questioned for 7 hours by CBI in Karur stampede case, summoned again on Tuesday Stop blaming your children for sleeping in on weekends, study says its good for their mental health What happens when you sleep for less than 7 hours regularly? Expert reveals Shreya Garg is a journalist with over 6 years of experience at leading media houses. She writes extensively on lifestyle, health and things that are trending on the internet. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day TCS Q3 Results LIVE: Hiring strategy changes, H-1B visa impact In 2025, TCS made headlines following its plan to layoff around 2 percent of its global workforce to become more agile and future-ready amid rapid AI disruptions. The move, which started in April 2025 and will continue till March, will impact employees across countries and domains in which it operates. As of Q2, Chief HR Officer Sudeep Kunnumal said the company had released one percent, or 6,000 people, as part of its restructuring exercise. TCS is also updating its fresher and lateral hiring strategy. While it had set a target of adding 42,000 freshers in FY26, COO Aarthi Subramanian shared the IT giant will now double down on AI-native fresher or trainee hiring. In terms of lateral hiring, TCS will hire more in areas such as cyber security, enterprise solutions, cloud, advisory and consulting talent, thats positioning them closer to customers. Today more than 50 percent of our experience hires are you know are coming with next gen skill sets, Subramanian said during the Analyst Day in December. Amid these changes, commentary on hiring will be in focus. TCS is also focusing on expanding local hiring in the US and Latin America amid growing uncertainties around H-1B visa rules in North America. TCS has set up a new subsidiary in Costa Rica this quarter to expand workforce in the country. Over the years, TCS has been reducing its dependency on H-1B visas, and has sent only 500 associates on new H-1Bs this year. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Trumps proposed 500% tariff may hit US consumers harder than exporters Washington is widening its critical minerals strategy beyond the G7, with India joining talks as concerns mount over Chinas dominance in refining and supply chains. (Images sourced from @AshwiniVaishnaw -X) Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Moneycontrol Pro Market Outlook | FIIs turn most bearish ever: Is a market bottom near? Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Sebis IPO nod timing feels like a divine signal, says NSE CEO Ashish Chauhan after visit to Tirupati Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Small, midcap stocks decline for 3rd day but stage partial recovery after Sergio Gor's comments: Check top losers Sudeep Shah, Head - Technical and Derivatives Research at SBI Securities The benchmark index Nifty witnessed a sharp rebound on Monday after comments from US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, regarding ongoing trade talks boosted investor sentiment. From its intraday low, the index surged more than 300 points and closed at 25790, up 0.42%. This recovery resulted in the formation of a bullish candle with a long lower shadow, indicating strong buying interest at lower levels. Significantly, Nifty managed to close above its 100-day EMA, a key technical level. The daily RSI also bounced from the 4039 zone, though it remains below its 9-day average, suggesting improving momentum but not yet a full reversal. Among Nifty constituents, Coal India and Tata Steel were the top gainers, while Infosys and Bajaj Finance ended as major losers. Sectorally, Nifty Metal and Nifty PSU Bank led the gains, whereas Nifty Media and Nifty Realty were the worst performers. In the broader market, Nifty Midcap 100 and Nifty Smallcap 100 also recovered from lower levels during the session but closed in negative territory. Notably, Nifty Smallcap 100 continues to trade below all its crucial moving averages. The advance-decline ratio remained skewed towards decliners, with 306 stocks from the Nifty 500 universe ending in the red. Nifty View Going forward, the Nifty faces a crucial hurdle at the 50-day EMA zone of 2589025920. A sustained move above 25920 could open the door for a sharp upside rally, with potential targets at 26100 and beyond in the near term. On the downside, immediate support is placed around the 100-day EMA zone of 2565025620, which will be a key level for traders to watch. Bank Nifty View The banking benchmark index, Bank Nifty, found strong support near its 50-day EMA and staged an impressive rebound during the session. The index formed a bullish candle with a long lower shadow, signalling renewed buying interest at this crucial technical level. This recovery highlights the significance of the 50-day EMA as a key support zone for traders. Going ahead, the zone of 5970059800 will act as a critical hurdle for the index. A decisive and sustained move above 59800 could trigger a sharp upside rally, potentially taking the index towards 60300 and subsequently 60800 in the short term. On the downside, immediate support is placed in the 5900058900 zone. Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Stocks to Watch Today: Avenue Supermarts, Lemon Tree, Vedanta, Shriram Finance, NTPC, Lloyds Engineering, IREDA, Phoenix Mills in focus on 12 January Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to The Trump candle: This Sergio Gor remark triggered 700-point recovery in Sensex within an hour Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Nvidia to invest $1 billion in AI drug laboratory with Eli Lilly The flight landed safely at Jaipur around 6.42 am, after which the passenger was deboarded and rushed to a nearby hospital in an ambulance for medical treatment. (File photo) Annamalai also alleged that he has received multiple threats, with some people threatening to cut off his legs too With nearly 35-37 per cent of Mumbai's population being Marathi-speaking, the fight over the 'Marathi Manoos' could prove decisive but also risky. Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a meeting with the newly elected BJP representatives of local bodies in Thiruvananthapuram. (X/@AmitShah) Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All TVK not responsible: Key points from Vijays 6-hour CBI questioning in Karur stampede probe Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Day 1 in office, US ambassador Sergio Gor brings a soothing touch to India-US trade ties after turbulent week News / Education by Stephen Jakes Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo has applauded the launch of a new Information Communication Technology Hub in Shamva, saying the development will significantly transform learning in the district and help bridge the digital divide in rural communities."I am pleased to announce the official launch of the Jiti ICT Hub in Shamva, a transformative milestone in our ongoing efforts to integrate digital technology into Zimbabwe's education system," Moyo said.He said the initiative was undertaken in partnership with the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera."The Jiti ICT Hub is not just a building - it is a gateway to opportunity. It will empower learners, educators, and the broader Shamva community with access to digital tools, internet connectivity, and 21stcentury skills that are essential for success in today's knowledgebased economy," he said.Moyo said his ministry remained committed to ensuring that no learner is left behind as the country moves toward technologyenabled education."Through partnerships like this, we are building a future where every child, regardless of their location, has access to quality, technologyenabled education," he said. The controversy centres on the state governments plan to credit instalments for December 2025 and January 2026 -- amounting to Rs 3,000 -- into beneficiaries bank accounts on January 14, the eve of polling. (Representative image) During Merzs two-day visit, Germany and India are expected to sign agreements on business cooperation, semiconductor development and defense projects. Bloomberg Earlier in the evening, a suspected drone was seen moving from Tain towards Topa in the Mankote sector of Poonch district around 6:25 pm. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Indore mechanic kills wife for refusing to have sex for 8 years: Police Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has rejected the criticism, saying the concerns raised do not reflect either the facts or the intent of the legislation (File photo) Rewati Karan is Senior Sub Editor at Moneycontrol. She covers law, politics, business, and national affairs. She was previously Principal Correspondent at Financial Express and Copyeditor at ThePrint where she wrote feature stories and covered legal news. She has also worked extensively in social media, videos and podcasts at ThePrint and India Today. She can be reached at rewati.karan@nw18.com | Twitter: @RewatiKaran Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to 'Last election for Marathi manoos': Raj Thackeray sharpens attack on North Indians ahead of BMC polls Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Maharashtra civic polls: BJP's Jiten Barethia wins councillor post with AIMIM support in Akot, says report German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is in India with a packed agenda spanning trade, defence, labour and supply chains as Berlin seeks new strategic partners. On January 7, Air India completed the title transfer of the first line fit Dreamliner at the Boeing's Everett factory in Seattle, US, and the aircraft landed in Delhi on January 11. The two leaders also visited Hriday Kunj, Gandhis residence within the Ashram, and observed the spinning of the charkha. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe's prisons are holding almost 10 000 inmates beyond their official capacity, prompting Prosecutor General Loice Matanda-Moyo to issue a directive urging prosecutors to prioritise bail, fines and community service over custodial sentences.In an internal memo dated January 7, 2026, Matanda-Moyo revealed that the country's prison population currently stands at 27 683 inmates, against a designed holding capacity of 17 800. This leaves correctional facilities overcrowded by 9 883 prisoners, a situation she described as undesirable and unsustainable.Matanda-Moyo directed all public prosecutors to take prison overcrowding into account when making submissions on bail and sentencing, stressing that imprisonment should be pursued only in deserving cases. She said prosecutors must actively consider alternatives to incarceration, particularly for minor offences.The memo highlights that a significant portion of inmates are awaiting trial. Of the total prison population, 5 970 are unconvicted accused persons, a reality the Prosecutor General said runs contrary to constitutional principles and the presumption of innocence."Our law scoffs at pre-trial incarceration," Matanda-Moyo said, noting that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. She emphasised that denying liberty to unconvicted individuals should only occur in exceptional circumstances.She reminded prosecutors that detention before trial is not automatic and that the State bears the responsibility of justifying why an accused person should remain in custody. According to the directive, prosecutors should not routinely seek detention without providing clear legal justification.Matanda-Moyo also instructed prosecutors to urgently review bail conditions, particularly in cases where accused persons remain incarcerated simply because they cannot afford monetary bail. She said that where it is apparent that an accused person lacks the means to pay bail, alternative non-monetary conditions should be imposed."All accused remanded in custody facing petty offences must be admitted to bail on appropriate conditions," the memo states.To further ease congestion in prisons, the Prosecutor General ordered the increased use of fast-track courts to speed up the finalisation of non-complex cases that are likely to attract non-custodial sentences. Prosecutors were also reminded to ensure that accused persons are not held in custody for more than six months without trial, except in serious cases or where exceptional circumstances exist.The directive signals a renewed push by the National Prosecuting Authority to align prosecutorial practice with constitutional safeguards while addressing the growing crisis of overcrowding in Zimbabwe's prisons. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also discussed the matter with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on a two-day visit to India Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to PM Modi says India and Germany will unitedly combat terrorism: 'Threat to humanity' Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All PM Modi to inaugurate Commonwealth speakers' conference; Pakistan, Bangladesh to stay away Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray on Sunday launched a scathing attack against the BJP Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, Election Commission on plea against 'lifetime immunity' for CEC, ECs Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to 'There was a lady, disgusting conduct': Supreme Courts scathing rebuke over MP judge 'urinating' in train compartment BRAND CONNECT *Disclaimer - Brand Connect is a solution that allows brands to break the queue to gain better engagement among our audiences Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Two deaths linked to SIR anxiety reported in West Bengal: Officials Uddhav Thackeray who heads the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, and Raj Thackeray, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, shared the stage at a rally in Mumbai in a show of unity in July last year. (File photo) News / National by Staff reporter A woman has appeared before the Harare Magistrates Court facing fraud charges after allegedly swindling a fellow church member out of more than US$80 000 by falsely claiming she held a lucrative supply contract with the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC).Lucia Kunaka was remanded in custody on Saturday following her appearance before magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai.Prosecutors allege that in August 2024 Kunaka approached the complainant, Joseph Rashayi, a fellow congregant, and presented what she described as a high-level investment opportunity. She claimed to have secured a contract with the OPC to supply medical equipment but said she lacked sufficient capital to execute the deal.According to the State, Kunaka convinced Rashayi to finance the purchase of the equipment, promising that once it was delivered to the OPC, they would share the profits and his initial investment would be refunded in full. Trusting her representations, Rashayi agreed to participate.He initially advanced Kunaka US$7 840, which she later returned together with an additional US$1 960, purportedly as profit. Prosecutors say this repayment was designed to build Rashayi's confidence in the venture.In September 2024, Rashayi went on to advance Kunaka a further US$80 919, paid in several instalments. Kunaka allegedly assured him that she had sourced the medical equipment from South Africa and that delivery to the OPC was imminent.Court records show that Rashayi waited from September 2024 until August 2025 without receiving any payment, profits or concrete updates on the deal. When he sought clarification, Kunaka is said to have offered repeated excuses before eventually becoming evasive and unreachable.Suspecting foul play, Rashayi independently verified the existence of the contract with the Office of the President and Cabinet. He was reportedly informed that Kunaka had never held any supply contract with the institution.The matter was subsequently reported to the police, leading to Kunaka's arrest.The State alleges that Kunaka acted with intent to deceive and defraud, causing Rashayi a financial loss of US$80 919. No funds have been recovered to date.Kunaka remains in custody as the case proceeds. Zepto said the man killed in a Hyderabad road accident was not associated with the company, as the incident reignited concerns over hyper-fast delivery models. The 2026 budget will be the ninth time Nirmala Sitharaman will be placing the proposals in the Lok Sabha. Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Melinda French Gates had earlier described the 2021 divorce with Bill Gates as 'necessary'. (AFP file photo) Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to German journalist stunned by Indias hoarding culture: Seen more photos of Friedrich Merz here than in Germany Nandita Giri said she moved to Microsoft in 2023 driven by a desire to work on enterprise-focused AI products like Copilot. Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Indian vlogger exposes reality of Europe after Rs 10 lakh trip: Filth on streets and crime Man drives Mahindra Thar on the wrong side, says no one will stop him. Netizens slam reckless act Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Mexican vloggers react to growing Indian presence in America, Feels like we landed in India Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to TCS employee quit job for 'mental peace', now works as forest official: 'Couldn't be happier' News / National by Staff reporter Two women from Chitungwiza have been convicted on three counts of theft after they stole various gadgets and personal items during church services in Dzivarasekwa, a Harare magistrate has ruled.Harare magistrate Sharon Rakafa last week convicted Glory Choto (50) and Violet Jaure (34), saying the State had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Sentencing is expected later this week.In her ruling, Rakafa said there was overwhelming evidence linking the pair to the offences, with State witnesses producing tangible exhibits recovered from the accused.The two women, who are unemployed and reside in Nyatsime Phase 2, Chitungwiza, were convicted following incidents that occurred in October last year.Prosecutor Chyvonne Nhira told the court that on October 5, the accused stole a laptop bag containing a Lenovo mini laptop, a black power bank, a diary, cash books, three counter books and a flash disk at the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of Zimbabwe church in Dzivarasekwa Extension.The complainant, an employee of the Zimbabwe National Army, had briefly stepped outside the church to attend to a phone call when the theft occurred. The State said the pair took advantage of the unattended property and fled with it.The court heard that the two were later arrested after being caught stealing from a vehicle parked outside a Methodist Church in Dzivarasekwa.On a separate count, the women stole a black-and-cream dress, a royal blue jersey, a blue-and-white doek and baby wipes from a car belonging to Tafadzwa Chifamba, an employee of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.Chifamba had parked her Toyota Runx outside the United Methodist Church in Dzivarasekwa 1 while attending a church service when the theft occurred.According to the State, congregants noticed the accused behaving suspiciously and searched them, recovering the stolen items in their possession. This led to their arrest and subsequent prosecution.The matter returns to court this week for sentencing. The critically endangered Hangul deer population in Kashmir has risen to 323. (Image: X/@GreaterKashmir) How could the universe accelerate without dark energy? Here is what study says Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Scientists warn Australia's Greater Gliders are in danger due to climate and logging collision Longyearbyen in Svalbard, Norway, is one of the worlds most unusual townswhere science, not tradition, decides where life begins and ends. 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. President Trump posted a Truth Social image naming himself Acting President of Venezuela as Washington moves to control Caracas and its oil assets following the capture of Nicolas Maduro. News / National by Staff reporter Government has acknowledged growing frustration among motorists and residents over the prolonged delay in opening the second bridge across Mucheke River in Masvingo, as congestion on the existing bridge reaches critical levels, forcing police to control traffic for up to 12 hours a day.Permanent Secretary for Masvingo Province, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa, said authorities were fully aware of the challenges being faced and assured the public that pressure was being exerted on the contractor, Masimba Construction, to complete the project.Masvingo's central business district is separated from its southern and western suburbs by the Mucheke River, with only one bridge linking the two sides. The bridge also serves as a major national transit route, carrying traffic from Harare and the northern parts of the country to Beitbridge and onward to South Africa.Construction of the 50-metre-long second bridge began in August 2022, but nearly three years later the project remains incomplete. This is despite government officials indicating during a site visit last year that the bridge would be commissioned before November.Thousands of vehicles use the existing bridge daily, and officials say traffic would be completely gridlocked were it not for constant police intervention."As Government, we understand the frustration of motorists and residents over the delayed opening of the bridge to traffic," said Pazvakavambwa. "Works were delayed because of the rains and we want to assure the public that we are hard on the heels of Masimba Construction over the project."No specific date for the opening of the bridge to traffic has been given. We are coming from the festive season and some people aren't yet in office, but the bridge should be open to traffic at the earliest," he added.Masvingo Urban legislator Martin Mureri criticised Masimba Construction, accusing the company of taking the public for granted by failing to communicate with stakeholders on the reasons behind the delays."Someone is sleeping on the job and to rub salt into the injury, there is no communication to stakeholders," said Mureri. "I have been trying to get hold of the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Felix Mhona, for an explanation without success. If I don't reach him, I will visit his office for an explanation when Parliament opens."Efforts to obtain comment from Masimba Construction were unsuccessful. Project manager Engineer Malvern Mnemo referred questions to Engineer Bandile Bennet, who could not be reached.The congestion has had a direct impact on public transport, with some commuter omnibus operators now dropping passengers off on either side of the bridge, forcing them to cross on foot.The situation has been further compounded by the closure of the low-lying Chimusana Bridge near Chitima Fruit and Veggie Market, which previously provided an alternative route for traffic to and from Mucheke. That bridge is currently impassable, and construction of a new replacement bridge there has also stalled since November.With Mucheke Bridge being a critical link between Beitbridge and the rest of the country, residents and motorists continue to call for urgent action to ease congestion and restore smooth traffic flow through Masvingo. Pakistan is pushing to sell JF-17 fighter jets and armed drones to Indonesia as part of a broader strategy to boost arms exports amid economic crisis. Talks are advanced but no deal is finalized, and critics question the sustainability of this approach. Did our AI summary help? Pakistani commentator Najam Sethi suggested India could respond forcefully to Bangladeshs recent provocative statements, referencing past actions against Pakistan. His remarks highlight rising India-Bangladesh tensions and Pakistans role in amplifying regional instability. Did our AI summary help? China's envoy met Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh's chief ahead of national elections, signaling Beijing's intent to hedge its interests amid political uncertainty. The move worries India, as Jamaat's anti-India stance could impact regional stability and ties. Did our AI summary help? Pakistan avoided sending troops to Gaza for a US-backed peacekeeping force after Israel rejected its involvement due to ties with Hamas and extremist groups. This exit exposed Pakistans ongoing reliance on militant proxies, raising doubts about its credibility. Did our AI summary help? Facing economic crisis and weak civilian leadership, Pakistans military ramped up global defence diplomacy in 2025-26, using arms sales and training deals as economic tools, but critics warn this strategy risks deepening instability and undermining foreign policy. Did our AI summary help? Heineken warned in October that annual profit would be lower than expected due to weaker growth in Europe and the Americas Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Indian crew released from Russian-flagged tanker seized by US in Atlantic Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Inside the long-running ties between Venezuela and Hezbollah Loans up to Follow us on: Loans up to Iran: Amid unrest and progovernment rallies, Araghchi says situation has come under control Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Iran: Foreign minister Araghchi accuses West of crocodile tears over protests, silence on Gaza News / National by Staff reporter Spirit mediums from former president Robert Mugabe's Gushungo clan have descended on two adjacent farmhouses at the late business tycoon Sam Levy's former Lilfordia Farm in Zvimba, claiming the properties are linked by an underground tunnel filled with gold nuggets that could transform Zimbabwe's economic fortunes.Lilfordia Farm was once owned by Levy, whose business empire included the upmarket Sam Levy's Village shopping complex in Harare's Borrowdale suburb. Levy died in June 2012 at the age of 82 after a long illness.At the farm, Levy had constructed two large houses one on a hilltop and another at the foot of the hill, about 400 metres apart. According to members of the Gushungo clan, spirit mediums identified as Chatunga (Collin Chikambi) and Beperere (George Chikaka) claim their ancestral spirits revealed that a tunnel laden with gold connects the two structures.On Tuesday, NewsDay visited Lilfordia Farm near Harare and found a group of men actively digging inside one of the farmhouses. An approximately eight-metre tunnel had been excavated in one room, while another four-metre shaft had already been dug in a different room. The operation was being led by Chatunga and Beperere.Cloths of various colours, commonly associated with traditional rituals, were hung on the doors of the farmhouse. The men, who only identified themselves as members of the Gushungo clan, were reluctant to explain their activities."Even if we tell you, you will not understand what we are doing. We are performing a ritual," one clan member said, referring all questions to Chatunga.Chatunga confirmed that rituals were underway but declined to explain why digging was taking place inside the house."We have advised everyone. Even [former police commissioner-general Augustine] Chihuri knows this," he said, before becoming evasive.However, police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said she was unaware of the activities."We don't know anything about it," Charamba said.Some clan members told NewsDay that Chatunga had boasted he would soon obtain a mining licence from then Mines minister Walter Chidakwa to mine gold at Lilfordia Farm. Chidakwa is reportedly also a member of the Gushungo clan. Efforts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful as he was not responding to calls.Traditional leaders in the area expressed concern and said they had not been consulted.Chief Zvimba, Stanley Mhondoro, said he had only heard informally that some family members were searching for gold at the farmhouse in his jurisdiction."If it is a ritual, I am Zvimba and I deserve to be consulted," he said."Who gave them authority to dig in a farmhouse that belongs to council and government? If it is a ritual, it is not done in a house, but in the forest. How can rituals in our family be conducted without the involvement of senior spirit mediums like Dutsa and Mushayapekuvaka? Every member of the Gushungo clan has a right to know and participate."Chief Beperere (Alfred Tome) also said he was unaware of the developments, adding that if the family was exhuming remains, proper procedures involving traditional leaders, the police and the Registrar-General's Office should have been followed.Village head Raphael Chakaramba of Sunside Central, which includes Lilfordia Farm, said he had not been informed of any rituals or alleged treasure hunt.The incident has drawn comparisons with the infamous 2007 "diesel n'anga" saga, when senior government officials were misled by traditional healer Rotina Mavhunga, also known as Nomatter Tagarira, into believing diesel was flowing from a rock at Maningwa Hills near Chinhoyi. A high-level government delegation, including several cabinet ministers and senior security officials, visited the site before the claims were exposed as false, leading to Mavhunga's arrest.Levy himself had a chequered history with authorities. In October 2000, he escaped with a US$200 fine after being convicted of importing 50 motorbikes labelled "Police" without authorisation. The motorbikes were recovered at Lilfordia Farm, the same property now at the centre of the alleged gold hunt.Although Levy lost Lilfordia Farm during the fast-track land reform programme, he retained the farmhouse structures.As digging continues, questions are mounting over the legality of the activities, the role of traditional authority, and whether history is repeating itself in yet another high-profile quest for mythical riches. Protestors pose for a photograph as they burn an image of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally held in Solidarity with Iran's Uprising, organised by The national Council of Resistance of Iran, on Whitehall in central London on January 11, 2026, to protest against the Iranian regime's crackdown on internet access and "recognise their right to self-defence against the regime's forces". (Photo by CARLOS JASSO / AFP) Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Magazine cover comparing Trump to Hitler goes viral after Venezuela attack A broken frame of Pakistan's field marshal and army chief, Asim Munir, hangs on the wall after an attack at the Cadet College Wana, a military-linked school, in the South Waziristan district near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, on November 13, 2025. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) Loans up to OTHERS OTHERS co-presented by Follow us on: Loans up to My Account or or Hello, Login All Pakistan: Six police officers killed in bomb attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Irans Supreme Leader Khamenei posted a cartoon depicting Trump as a crumbling sarcophagus, warning that tyrants are overthrown. The move comes amid deadly protests in Iran and rising US-Iran tensions, with Trump hinting at possible negotiations or action. Did our AI summary help? Trump says the US will act to take Greenland if necessary, warning Russia or China could otherwise gain control of the strategic Arctic territory. US Vice President JD Vance criticized the UAE's decision to remove British universities from its scholarship list over fears of Islamist radicalisation on UK campuses, highlighting rising Gulf-West tensions on handling Islamist influence in academic settings. Did our AI summary help? News / National by Staff reporter A Zimbabwean national, Mandla Ncube, has been named among those killed in the ongoing RussiaUkraine war, raising fresh concerns over the recruitment of Southern Africans into the conflict under promises of lucrative pay.Reports indicate that Ncube was recruited through an agent operating in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. His widow is believed to be residing in South Africa, although further details surrounding his deployment and death remain unclear.Investigative journalist Zenzele Ndebele, reporting for Newsroom Africa, revealed that several Zimbabweans have been drawn into the war after being enticed with promises of monthly salaries ranging between US$2,000 and US$2,500. According to Ndebele, at least three Zimbabwean nationals have died in the conflict to date.The revelations point to an emerging pattern in which foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans living in South Africa, are being recruited - often through informal or shadowy networks - to participate in the war. Many are reportedly motivated by economic hardship and the prospect of earning incomes far higher than those available at home or in the region.Authorities in Zimbabwe and South Africa have not yet publicly commented on the reported recruitment of Zimbabweans or on Ncube's death. The developments have, however, sparked debate over the vulnerability of unemployed or undocumented migrants to exploitation by agents linked to foreign conflicts.As the war continues, the deaths of foreign nationals like Ncube underscore the far-reaching human cost of the conflict, extending well beyond the borders of Eastern Europe into communities across Africa. What is Pax Silica, the US-led tech initiative India is set to join next month? The raid that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro from Caracas in under three hours on January 3 did not just rattle Latin America. Maduro captured by US. (Source: @WhiteHouse/X) A billboard erected by the Office of the Attorney General along Route 10A in Tamuning promotes the deportation of immigrants accused of crimes. Photo by Jonah Benavente/The Guam Daily Post By John OConnor For Variety HAGATNA (The Guam Daily Post) The first appeal at the Supreme Court of Guam in 2026 is from the Office of the Attorney General, which challenges a lower court decision denying a motion to amend release conditions for the deportation of a man serving 10 years for the death of a coworker. The decision at appeal tackled the question of whether the Superior Court of Guam retained authority to amend or suspend a prison sentence more than four years after the original judgment. The judge handling the matter said the answer was no. The underlying case involves Brandy Ngiraibai Stephanus, who was initially charged with murder as a first-degree felony, aggravated assault as a second-degree felony and aggravated assault as a third-degree felony for the stabbing death of Randy Tomei. The stabbing happened at a workers barracks in Yigo on Jan. 25, 2019. Stephanus reportedly told police that he was the one who did it and that he and Tomei were drinking earlier in the day and then argued over plates of food. The two were said to have come to Guam from Palau in 2018 for work. Stephanus eventually entered into a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to manslaughter as a first-degree felony. In 2020, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison with credit for time served, which was 377 days at the time of sentencing. But in July 2024, the Office of the Attorney General moved to amend release conditions to deport Stephanus, asking the court hold his prison term in abeyance so long as he remains outside the U.S. Stephanus then filed a motion to amend judgment in March 2025, requesting the court to stay his sentence to effectuate a removal order. The OAG would also renew its motion in August 2025. Superior Court Judge Arthur Barcinas decided these motions on Dec. 9, 2025. This case asks a simple question that turns out not to be so simple: can a court, years after imposing a lawful prison sentence, put that sentence on hold so the defendant can be deported? The people (OAG) say yes. They argue that suspending custody would serve practical ends saving resources and aligning criminal justice with immigration enforcement. The defendant agrees, urging that a stay would smooth the path for removal and avoid unnecessary incarceration, Barcinas stated in his decision. But statutes and structure tell a different story. Guam law sets a firm deadline for changing sentences, and that deadline passed long ago. And even if the statute left room, the Constitution does not. It draws bright lines between what judges do and what the executive does. Those lines matter here. They keep courts from rewriting sentences to achieve executive objectives, however sensible those objectives might seem, Barcinas added. Barcinas determined that the Superior Court lacks authority to amend a sentence after 120 under Guam law. In this case, Stephanus sought to stay or amend his sentence more than four years after a judgment was entered. Re-labeling the relief as a stay does not avoid the statutes prohibition because the effect is the same: it asks the court to alter the execution of a sentence after the period in which the Legislature has authorized judicial intervention has closed, Barcinas stated. Because the deadline expired, the Superior Court no longer had authority to stay, amend or modify Stephanus sentence, Barcinas said, before denying motions from both Stephanus and the OAG. But Barcinas also found that principles around the separation of powers in government prohibit the judicial modification of a valid custodial sentence to facilitate deportation. The Supreme Court of the United States has held that once a defendant begins serving a custodial sentence, the court may not alter that sentence into a probationary one without infringing on executive powers, Barcinas stated. Removal decisions are carried out by federal executive agencies; they are not effectuated through judicial alteration of criminal sentences The structural allocation of powers under the Constitution does not permit a court to convert, suspend, or postpone custody to achieve an executive objective. The defendants request therefore falls outside the judicial function and cannot be granted without violating separation of powers principles, the judge added. The OAG appealed the denial of its motion to amend release conditions on Jan. 7. News / National by Stephen Jakes The Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has accused the Zanu PF government of deliberately destroying the education system in Matabeleland, warning that collapsing standards in Bulawayo and the wider region amount to a direct assault on the future of local communities.MRP President Mqondisi Moyo said the situation on the ground exposes what he described as a longrunning political agenda against Matabeleland."What confronts the nation today is not a temporary crisis but a sustained, politically engineered breakdown of the education system one that offers unshakable proof that the 1979 Grand Plan remains the operative doctrine guiding Zanu PF's governance of Mthwakazi," he said.Moyo said education authorities in Bulawayo had presided over an "unforgivable collapse of standards", failing to enforce regulations, maintain infrastructure or protect learners."There is no vision, no urgency, and no corrective strategy in sight only silence and indifference," he said.He said former "Group A" government schools in Bulawayo, once maintained to high standards, now show visible signs of abandonment, with decaying infrastructure ignored by authorities."Crumbling classrooms, unsafe roofs, broken windows, collapsing ablution facilities, and neglected grounds define institutions that should represent excellence. A tour of Milton High School reveals not prestige but hidden rot structural decay masked by history and reputation," he said.Moyo warned that the neglect is dangerous and could soon lead to a fatal incident, after which authorities would "issue empty statements while escaping accountability".He said the social consequences are already visible, with learners disengaging from school environments that resemble "prisons or ruins", leading many into crime and substance abuse."This is not moral failure on the part of children; it is systemic betrayal," he said.Moyo said the 2025 Grade 7 results confirmed the collapse, with 11 schools in Matabeleland South and 20 in Matabeleland North recording a 0% pass rate."These numbers are not anomalies; they are the predictable outcome of sustained neglect and policy abandonment. No serious government tolerates even one such school. Zanu PF tolerates dozens almost exclusively in Matabeleland," he said.He argued that the failures follow a political geography, not a national trend.Moyo also accused the government of cultural sabotage through the deployment of nonlocal teachers who cannot speak Ndebele or other local languages, forcing children to learn in Shona during early childhood development."This practice undermines comprehension, fractures identity, and permanently disadvantages learners. It is not pedagogical ignorance; it is cultural engineering," he said.He criticised the absence of enforceable infrastructure standards, saying rural schools operate in roofless structures and dilapidated buildings that would never be tolerated in Harare."This is the clearest evidence of a twotier education system. Harare institutions are modernised and resourced. Bulawayo and rural Matabeleland schools are ignored, underfunded, and abandoned," he said.Moyo said the people of Mthwakazi do not deserve such "degrading and dangerous treatment", especially when children are expected to become future professionals."Education is the foundation of development; when that foundation is rotten, society collapses into chaos and decay," he said.He said Zanu PF owes Matabeleland a public apology and a full explanation for collapsing infrastructure, cultural and linguistic marginalisation, and the shameful Grade 7 outcomes."This crisis did not happen by accident. It happened by design, by neglect, and by political choice," he said. By Ambrose M. Bennett Activist THE Truth is Ambrodamus is a man-of-his-word about getting tougher in 2026, and Rep. Yumul & Attao Senators Magofna & Manglona are the FIRST. I have written entirely too much about the sad state of the Gaming Industrys path to nowhere that WE have been on for over a decade. I had suggested the CNMI adapt Nevadas proven Governance System of a Single Parttime Gaming Commission. There is also No Governance over E-Gaming, and its common sense WE dont need three commissions its ridiculous waste! I have also made futile attempts to contact Rep. Yumul, Gaming Chair, and to this very day no response to my Op eds nor my personal inquiries. So, Reps. & Senators this is just the first of more to come, as I truly meant what I previously said about getting tougher. Im seeking real ACCOUNTABILITY FOR the PEOPLE while our Dems are acting like church mice. Someone must DIRECTLY hold ALL of OUR leaders accountable FOR the People! This is not personal, as Ive supported all of you. I even admire your father Rep. Yumul for his awesome accomplishments in business. I just wish he had put a Hardware Store in Kagman. The business community & government ignored developing the peninsula no fast foods, no public services, no NOTHING but grocery stores, a Clinic & PHI but No real Progress! Im not going to go away Rep. Yumul, Chair, Rep. Attao, Vice Chair & Senator Magofna, Chair & Manglona, Vice Chair over Gaming, as you are all over Gaming, so you can either call for a Public Hearing or start writing legislation & give the People an explanation on fixing the Gaming Governance System that WE deserve, as I can GUARANTEE this will be a year of ACCOUNTABILITY! All these officials are over Gaming and I plan to divide-and-conquer them individually, as WE the People need only One Thing Progress, not the Same-O TAYA! But KUDOS to the unknown businessman for speaking up DEMANDING Accountability from Representatives Roy Ada, Vincent Seman Aldan, Roman C. Benavente, Diego Camacho, Joseph A. Flores, and Raymond Palacios! You can bet most if not all on this list havent done squat to create real PROGRESS and they BETTER respond accordingly, as I will be following up until they DO or they are FIRED in 2026. WE need other citizens to come forward DEMANDING for ACCOUNTABILITY for PROGRESS and take No Prisoners as they either survive 2026 or DIE Politically! Most of the leaders have lost their way, save only one or two out of 29, with the GOPs tactic of go-along & get-along practice in the Legislature to keep everyone safe FOR re-election when theyre supposed to be ADVERSARIES! Sitting comfortably while failing in your fiduciary duties is no longer acceptable! Just think, there hasnt been any real PROGRESS for nearly TWO Decades under GOP Governors seeing Hotels, DFS & Businesses closing while WE go backwards with No real Economic Plan for Progress. It has been heartbreaking to watch the demise of OUR Economy & Life being an Economist who only wanted to HELP the Commonwealth and her People to experience some sibilance of real PROGRSS! It also seems the lessons taught by history are NOT being learned, as it was No to Sugar Docks progress that killed Tinians Economic potential for Progress & new diving platforms for youth but only a rennervated waterhole resulted for adults. No to renewing Kan Pacifics Lease of the Marianas Resort that would have preserved the Japanese Tourist Market and now look No Resort & No Japanese! Heck, the Resort was given away FREE without protest, and WE got TAYA just like the MACS giveaway for only promises but TAYA Progress guaranteed FOR the People! They dont listen to Ambrodamus, and the People have YET-to-DEMAND fixing these mistakes, which is WHY Im calling them out, as they dont respect me, so I dont respect them. Over 90% of our legislature are ride-along get-along that has led to No Reforms, No Checks & Balances and No Oversight, just their plans for using Subsistence Allowances & Sitting! Voters must END this Same-O safe politics & self-aggrandizement of leaders to DEMAND MORE tangible outcomes FOR the People who hired them to do OUR work of governing & building a sound economy that WE can Trust to DELIVER real PROGRESS, not the Same-O TAYA & Austerity, Loans and Begging the Feds, which is the Reality! No disrespect, but the insertion of culture created cultural proponents who seem more about securing GOP support than saving the culture, as the mining can NOT kill the cultures! FYI readers, Cultures die from the lack of maintenance & failing to adapt & overcome the social challenges over time, which has been proven by the Science of Sociology. People are jumping on board against mining due to one word, culture, and there is NO petition FOR mining. Cultural was injected solely to PREVENT indigenous & outside opposition, as culture is a GOP deflecting & gaslighting tactic ever-since when there are very legitimate arguments FOR mining! History & Reality dictate that given China is already mining & the UN controls international waters that a No Petition of 1,000 is like a feather on the scale v the HUNDREDS of MILLIONS depending on mining the minerals, so guess who wins-in-the-End which is the TRUE Reality! The Reality is the CNMI needs-to & must PURSUE some form of real control over the mining for the least damage and to attain some of the economic windfall in the billions allotted for environmental protection & from the actual mining revenues its called facing the Reality to find PROGRESS, as WE cant just say No which offers No Chance for real PROGRESS! One People, One Direction. Ambrose M. Bennett is an Economist who minored in Sociology, a Political Scientist, a retired teacher & former CNMI Board of Education Member, a James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays-Lifetime Humanities & Religious Scholar who resides in Kagman III in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Yves here. As is so often the case with articles by Paul Rogers, while the piece below makes some interesting observations, the way he has approached the topic is frustrating via its peculiar framing and omissions. But the subject is important so perhaps readers will indulge me and treat this offering as a critical thinking exercise. Let me make two observations to get the ball rolling. One is that nowhere does Rogers mention that the US military is bloated and underperforming. Brian Berletic has regularly described how it is built for profit and not purpose. Russia is currently beating the US plus the rest of NATO all by its little lonesome in Ukraine. Russia is also ahead of the US in many critical weapons systems, such as hypersonic missiles, air defenses, signal jamming, and drones. China has the biggest shipbuilding industry in the world. And critical parts of the US forces, such as its navy, are poorly configured. For instance, Alexander Mercouris explained how the US navy is extremely thin on the classes of carriers like corvettes and frigates that would be needed if the US is serious about trying to police and interdict rogue tankers. Second is the bizarre presumption that Trumps military hypertrophy scheme is to help with the midterms. This is yet another vanity project, since Trump is addicted to intimidation, and secondarily an exercise in pork. Even if he were able to sell a hefty increase in war spending, it would have to be in the next budget, which means no practical effect until after the midterms. In addition, whether we have midterms at all is open to question. Trump just told the New York Times that there is no limit to his power, save his warped sense of morality, and annoyingly and unfairly, sometimes the courts. Trump also genuinely believes that the only way he would lose is if the election were stolen. Ergo, that makes it OK for him to pre-emptively steal. Polls and informal indicators, like Twitter now having more anti than pro-Trump comments despite its algos boosting otherwise, show that Trumps approval continues to slide. Political scientist and money-in-politics maven Tom Ferguson recommends G. Elliott Morris as a pollster who avoids the common pitfalls. One of his fresh pieces is on the question of ICE but it also has a chart on Trump generally: And on ICE: Americans have turned sharply against ICE in Trumps first year back as president, and say the agency too often resorts to violence. More Americans than ever now say the agency should be abolished. Needless to say, abolishing ICE is a radical measure; given how popular immigration reform once was, this level approval of elimination (as opposed to say, wanting only reform) is striking. And thats before getting to the James Carville one-stop analysis: Its the economy, stupid. Trump has just tossed out a bunch of schemes for addressing the affordability crisis, like a Fannie/Freddie mini QE to lower mortgage rates. We plan to address them soon but for the most part, they look as well thought out and likely to work as the Trump plan to increase oil production in Venezuela. So it is not hard to imagine that the ICE raids are to create enough domestic upheaval to justify imposing martial law in states with nasty uncooperative blue cities, or other measures that badly skew or prevent voting. I hate to even have to treat this as a serious possibility, but Trumps insatiable ego and love of violence makes this all too possible a scenario. IM Docs comments on this line of thinking: There is a reason that the Founders had utmost in their mind the last 100 years or so of the Roman Republic. I am talking about the era of the Cataline, the Brothers Gracchi, Sulla, Marius, Pompey, Cicero and eventually Julius Caesar. Some of the issues we face are hauntingly familiar. Some of them are a bit different. Some of our issues are so alien to the Roman world that they would have been greeted as LOL by the Romans as in how can you be that stupid as in exporting debt across the world instead of importing booty. Nevertheless, the entire 100 or so years of the fall of the Republic as opposed to the several hundred years beforehand was basically each side while in power meticulously and permanently altering political, cultural, and economic ( or all 3) NORMS and TRADITIONS that had been in place since the beginning. At first with just one or two things disrupted, it was not really noticeable..toward the end it was clear to all just how different things were than a generation ago. The average Roman by the time of Julius Caesar felt like an alien in an alien world. We have been doing the same since WWII and arguably WWI. All at the same time, the elite began to become much more brusque, brutish, aggressive and ugly towards one another. And eventually this all ended in catastrophic blood shed. Look around. In addition, some of the very same side effects faced by the Roman Republic interestingly are all around us today unbelievable deference to celebrities and celebrity culture, the wanton sexual acting out, intense violence in sports, the insane income equality, the increasing serfdom of the populace, the intensely aggressive and constant war posturing of the entire population.. I can go on and on. The Founders knew these stories by heart and tried to place fail safes in the founding documents and ideals. It has stood up pretty well but even as it did in Rome it cannot be expected to continue forward with partisans on all sides trashing it every chance they get. Trump, the brute, the berserker, is but the natural progression. And the Dems just welcomed him in I am sure 1000 years from now, people will be shaking their heads contemplating the placement of a dementia patient as his opponent. This is why I know in my heart that this is going to be completely alien for Americans going forward. And indeed, we may very well have suspended elections. My big concern is the twist will actually be something absolutely dreadful that we never saw coming. The other joker that has to be seriously examined is the fact that any number of world leaders can lay waste to the entire Earth with the push of a button. That is a joker that is new to humanity and one we do not even begin to have the morality to deal with. By Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies in the Department of Peace Studies and International Relations at Bradford University, and an Honorary Fellow at the Joint Service Command and Staff College. He is openDemocracys international security correspondent. He is on Twitter at: @ProfPRogers. Originally published at openDemocracy <>The president this week unveiled his proposal to increase the defence budget by almost 60% by the 2027 fiscal year, after three weeks of lethal US operations in Nigeria, Syria, Venezuela and the Caribbean and Pacific littorals. An increase of this kind, up from $901bn this year, suggests a White House making preparations for major war a scenario that Trump has said the world must be prepared for. Announcing the plan on his Truth Social platform after the US militarys kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump said we are in very troubled and dangerous times. Trump added that the spending increase will allow us to build the Dream Military that we have long been entitled to and, more importantly, will keep us SAFE and SECURE, regardless of foe. What the US president intends needs to be put in the context of what the Pentagon has been doing over the past three weeks. The seizure of Maduro, as well as the assault on the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, and three other Venezuelan states, was a huge operation involving 150 US military aircraft and a large Special Forces contingent. Damage on the ground was considerable, with 32 Cubans and 24 Venezuelans reported to have been killed, according to officials in both countries, although Venezuelan interior minister Diosdado Cabello put the losses much higher, at more than 100 people. The attacks also did substantial damage to the countrys communications and power supplies. Since then, Trump has made clear that Venezuelas role now is to supply the United States with oil and to buy US goods in return. Either it becomes a client state of the US, or it will be subject to further attack. Trumps attempted regime termination in Venezuela may have taken the US to a new level of militarism, but it also tells us how the ten months to the mid-term elections will likely pan out. Media attention has focused on Venezuela over the past three weeks, but it has been far from the USs only target. The US military has used lethal air power in at least four other conflicts across three continents, including a series of airstrikes against Islamist paramilitaries in northern Nigeria on Christmas Day. Trump has said the attack was in response to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, even telling The New York Timesthis week that more attacks will follow if they continue to kill Christians. While there is little evidence to support this claim, it is a message likely to play well among US evangelicals, especially Christian Zionists, on whom Trump depends for votes. In practice, the security impact was minimal, and a week later, paramilitaries attacked Kasuwan Daji market in Niger Province, killing at least 30 people and abducting many more. Meanwhile, US Southern Command forces continued a four-month campaign of attacks on small boats in the Caribbean and Pacific littorals, claimed to be transporting drugs from Venezuela to the United States. Attacks on 31 December killed five people, bringing the total since early September to 114 deaths across 35 attacks. Still within the same three-week window, US Central Command carried out what it described as a massive strike against ISIS in Syria, attacking over 70 targets using strike aircraft, attack helicopters and artillery. US forces were also involved in attacks against al-Shabaab Islamist paramilitaries near Jilib in central Somalia, the latest in a series of US operations across the country. Furthermore, the Pentagon is expanding its operations to track and board oil tankers, particularly those transporting oil from Iran and Venezuela to Russia. Beyond all this, Trump is allowing Netanyahu in Israel to act with impunity in Gaza, while pushing ahead with a huge new settlement construction programme in the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. This renewed emphasis on foreign interventions gives the lie to claims of a presidency seeking to avoid foreign wars. The reverse is true, and Trump appears utterly convinced that he can act with impunity in his efforts to make the US the worlds most powerful state. Moreover, the scale of the Venezuela attack sends a clear message to Latin American countries about what Trump is willing to do. It also fits into a wider strategy of signalling power to China, a particular target of the Venezuela operation. China is currently involved in some 600 joint projects with the Caracas government and has around $70bn invested in the country. Within the depths of the Trump administration, there will be recognition that the US is in economic decline relative to the rise of China, particularly in its relations with the Global South. Where it is not in decline, however, is military power, with a burgeoning defence budget and a worldwide network of more than 750 military bases across eighty countries. Partly because of this, Trumps success in Venezuela gives him the confidence to go further, making him more willing to threaten regime change in Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and, of course, Greenland. There is a further factor over the next ten months. For Trumps MAGA movement to stay on track, Republicans must retain control of both Houses of Congress. Yet they already face serious problems in the Lower House, where all 435 seats are up for election in November, and polling suggests a potential loss of control. Trump also faces deep domestic tensions in an increasingly polarised country, with the angry reaction to the killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis being only the latest example. More generally, for most Americans, the state of the economy is making life worse, not better, unless they are among the minority benefiting from recent tax changes. At the same time, cuts to federally funded programmes in social security, health and other areas are becoming increasingly visible. In such circumstances, selected foreign wars over the coming months would serve as powerful demonstrations of the supposed greatness of Trumps America and could help MAGA in its moment of need. That is an added reason for political leaders in Cuba, Mexico, Greenland, Denmark and elsewhere to view the months ahead with trepidation. Does it make any sense? Among the White House demands of Venezuela is that it kick out China and sever economic ties. The Financial Times declares that Donald Trumps Venezuela action raises threat for Chinas oil supplies. As even Seymour Hersh reports: Their bluster and crude language transfixed the worlds media, but they also diverted attention from an opportunistic Trump plan whose goal was not only to unseat the corrupt President Nicolas Maduro, but also, crucially, to cut off China, Americas economic rival, from its ongoing purchases of Venezuelas cheap heavy crude oil. Okay, but theres a problem. China Does Not Rely on Venezuelan Oil While the mainstream media has mostly ignored this fact, it is clear: China is by far Venezuelas largest oil customer (left chart: https://t.co/9SokdGJ3Z6). But Venezuela is a tiny fraction of Chinas oil imports and doesnt even make the top 10 for 2024 according to Chinese customs data (right chart: https://t.co/WrXoVAQKlj). pic.twitter.com/YAJi8HhuF7 Kyle Chan (@kyleichan) January 7, 2026 China was the major buyer of crude from Venezuela, but those shipments made up only 4 per cent of Chinas oil imports last year. Caracas did, however, provide a high-sulphur crude thats used to produce bitumen, which is used for construction and road building, and Beijing was getting it at a steep discount thanks to U.S. sanctions on Venezuela sales. According to The Business Times, Beijing has plenty of that sludgy oil in reserve: a hoard of sanctioned crude in floating storage will cushion Chinese buyers in the coming months. Almost 82 million barrels is currently on tankers in waters off China and Malaysia, according to data intelligence firm Kpler. More than a quarter is Venezuelan and the rest is Iranian, it said. China could take a small hit from the US move in Venezuela. In September, China Concord Resources Corp. (CCRC) installed a self-elevating offshore oil platform in Lake Maracaibo. From Venezuelanalysis: The privately-owned China Concord secured a 20-year deal to run the Lago Cinco and Lagunillas Lago oilfields and will reportedly invest US $1 billion with the goal of raising production from the present 12,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 60,000 bpd by the end of 2026. Chinese oil majors Sinopec and China National Petroleum also have legacy claims to develop Venezuelan oil reserves, but that appears unlikely if the US has its way. Still, lets look at the makeup of Chinese oil imports, courtesy of the Financial Times: As the Times notes, those imports from Malaysia are believed to be mostly Iranian crude in a route to circumvent US sanctions. And following the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the American Zionists are now back focused on Tehran. Hersh also reported the obvious: The next target, I have been told, will be Iran, another purveyor to China whose crude oil reserves are the worlds fourth largest. And yet even if Washington and Israel are finally able to topple the government there, it would likely just drive Beijing and Moscow even closer together. Lets look at how that energy relationship continues to evolve ever since Washington embarked on its grand plan topple the government in Moscow. First on natural gas. From Amwaj: Following the September summit of Chinese, Mongolian and Russian leaders in Beijing, Russias Gazprom and China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) agreed to launch the Power of Siberia-2 (PoS-2). The pipeline is designed to deliver up to 50B cubic meters (cm) of gas annually to China. Although no firm timeline is set, the project is expected to go online after 203031. China and Russia also decided to expand flows through existing gas pipelines. By 2028, the capacity of Power of Siberia-1 will rise from 38B to 44B cm. Meanwhile, the Far Eastern routeexpected to enter service in 2027will transfer 12B cm of gas, up from 10B. Moscow additionally plans to ramp up liquified gas exports to China via the new Arctic LNG-2 project and the existing Sakhalin-2 plant. Despite western sanctions on Russia, China began receiving Arctic LNG-2 cargo in late August, becoming the sole major customer of the project and thereby effectively keeping it alive. Notably, Beijing is expanding imports from Russia despite analysts assessment that existing contracts will likely cover the countrys needs over the next decade. Its almost as if Beijing knows theres a plan afoot to cut off its supplies and so is leaning on its most reliable and geographically convenient partner. And its doing the same with oil. Even if the US knocks out other suppliers and American pirates control most of the worlds seas blocking a huge chunk of the oil trade, disrupting that dragonbear hydrocarbon supply chain is a whole different game than Venezuela and Iran, as the years-long unsuccessful Project Ukraine has shown. But is there more at play than simply cutting supply to China. As Nick Corbishley pointed out Friday, even the most American-friendly states in Latin America are having a difficult time severing their relationship with China. Not even the US can do that. So what did Washington achieve on this frontif anything? Grand Industrial Planners or Spoiled Destructive Children? Despite all the talk of the oil and mineral bonanza in Venezuela, there are still loads of roadblocks, and someone will have to point to a recent example of the US successfully building anything. Note Of Extreme Caution To Comrades: DO NOT FALL FOR THE ITS ALL ABOUT OIL LIE Ive lived through multiple imperial wars where the so-called left reflexively responded with the same lazy line: Theyre just there for the oil. I remember this explicitly during the First pic.twitter.com/i03Y48xA2n Chris Morlock (@CDMorlock) January 6, 2026 Morlock offers some important reminders, including: Do you seriously believe that Trump, along with his Palantir Technologies cronies, are about to become industrial planners? That without invasion, without regime change, without national reconstruction, theyll somehow negotiate a $200 billion, 15-year industrial oil expansion in a country whose infrastructure has been deliberately strangled for a decade? This is a pipe dream of pipe dreams. Whats actually lined up for Venezuela is not extraction, but asset stripping. The firms positioned to re-enter Venezuela are overwhelmingly financial, not productive. Asset managers like BlackRock are positioned to absorb distressed sovereign and PDVSA-linked debt, restructure it, and turn future production into collateral streams rather than national revenue. U.S. and European oil majors are waiting not to build capacity but for production-sharing agreements, arbitration rulings, and debt-for-equity swaps that cap output and guarantee rents. Sanctions relief is used as leverage not to expand capacity, but to discipline the state and force Venezuela into IMF-style restructuring, privatization, and legal subordination to Western capital markets. They want the Chinese to pay for this oil in dollars, a minor nuisance for Xi, a silly ploy for the western rentier oligarchs. China reportedly holds roughly $1920 billion in loans to Venezuela tied to oil-for-loan deals. Thats not much, but also wont set a great precedent if Caracas defaults on the debt and ends resource exports to China. Control Over Existing Production in Western Hemisphere? While oil majors are reluctant to jump into Venezuela, what about existing production in the Western Hemisphere? Javier Blas writes at Bloomberg of the US exerting control over all the oil production of countriesfrom Canada to Argentina living under the Donroe Doctrine. Thats nearly 40 percent of the worlds oil output. Now Blas assumes the US can control this vast territory, but seeing Canada as a vassal state and the rightward, US-friendly turn of much of Latin America, could he be rightat least on the oil front? President Donald Trump now has his very own oil empire. And Im talking about actual barrels already flowing into the market, not underground reserves that would take time and money to be developed1. With such resources Trump has an economic and geopolitical lever no US president has had since Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940s. At home and nearby, his country can tap a vast sea of oil. The implications of getting unfettered access to Venezuelas reserves, the worlds largest, were immediately apparent to anyone in the energy and commodities business, particularly American foes. Oleg Deripaska, a US-sanctioned Russian oligarch, put it well on Saturday: Washington would have the means to keep the oil price close to $50 a barrel giving it a winning hand in the future against anyone threatening to push the price higher by curbing supply. The Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev said seizing power in Venezuela offered huge leverage over the global energy market. Having de facto control of the Western Hemispheres petroleum wealth is a geopolitical game changer. For decades, US military adventurism was constrained by the impact of any war on energy costs. Today the White House has primacy over oil-producing allies and adversaries alike whether its Saudi Arabia or Iran, Nigeria or Russia. The past 18 months have already shown what these new hydrocarbon riches mean for US foreign policy. Trumps administration has taken once unthinkable steps: from bombing Iranian nuclear facilities to helping Ukraine target Russian oil refineries. There is also talk that in the more immediate future the larger effect from the move against Venezuela could be in neighboring Guyana: While the world watches Venezuela, the real story might be next door in Guyana, where the worlds most important new oil frontier was under direct threat. Maduros claim to two-thirds of Guyanas territory (Esequibo region) aimed to seize over 11 billion barrels of onshore and pic.twitter.com/tHC6Ljh81D Jack Prandelli (@jackprandelli) January 5, 2026 And theres the ol swingman argument: The US Has Only 7 Years of Reserves But is pumping 13 MILLION BARRELS PER DAY The United States sits outside the top 5 in proven oil reserves At current production rates, thats ~78 years of reserve life. And yet The US is the worlds oil swing machine ~13 mb/d pic.twitter.com/N4ssuY4aA6 Jack Prandelli (@jackprandelli) January 9, 2026 But what of Chinas role as a swingman? As Kevin Walmsley notes: China is very well-insulated from any supply-side shocks for oil, no matter where from. This is a surprising situation now, for economists and experts in the oil market. China is the worlds biggest importer of crude oil, and the worlds biggest consumer of oil. The traditional thinking until recently is that it is the oil suppliers, like OPEC+, who determine the global price for oil, and that big importers, like China, are price takers in the market. Now, if the market faces oversupply, it would be OPEC members who would be price takers, temporarily, until they can push production down to balance supply and demand again. But a new development has scrambled all that convention wisdom: Chinas enormous and still growing oil storage industry. That is putting a floor on the global pricesChinese buy when oil prices fall enough, and stash the surplus into their tanks. But there is also a ceiling on priceif prices rise, China will just reduce imports or draw down inventories until prices fall again. Where does it leave us? It sounds a lot like an inverted strategy against Russia. Rather than stopping Moscows ability to sell, Washington is now after Beijings ability to buy. The real danger for Beijingand for the rest of the world is not that the US is likely to succeed; it is that a newly emboldened Washington believes it can threaten, topple, smash, and grab whoever it wants wherever it wants. And it treats the world as a game of Risk. Colorado to pay $6.1 million in settlements after failed ban on abortion pill reversal The state lost a legal battle attempting to ban abortion pill reversal (APR), forcing taxpayers to pay $6.1 million to pro-life clinic Bella Health and Wellness ($5.4M) and a nurse practitioner ($700K). Courts ruled Colorado's ban on APR violated free speech and religious liberty, allowing medical professionals to continue offering progesterone treatment to reverse chemical abortions. At least 18 babies were born during the lawsuit due to APR. Critics claim APR lacks sufficient evidence, while proponents argue progesterone has FDA-approved uses in pregnancy support, with reversal success rates between 64%-68%. Gov. Jared Polis has a history of legal defeats, including cases against Christian baker Jack Phillips. He attempts to enforce gender ideology on faith-based groupsdespite promoting unproven gender treatments for minors. The settlement reinforces healthcare providers' rights to offer alternatives to abortion, highlighting the dangers of politicizing medicine and the importance of informed consent. Colorado taxpayers will foot a $6.1 million bill after the state lost a legal battle attempting to ban abortion pill reversal (APR). This medical protocol helps women reverse the effects of the first abortion pill. The settlement includes $5.4 million to Bella Health and Wellness, a pro-life clinic, and $700,000 to a nurse practitioner represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). The case highlights ongoing tensions between state policies and religious liberty, as well as the growing debate over medical autonomy versus government mandates. In 2023, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed SB23-190, a law targeting pregnancy centers that offer APRa process where progesterone is administered to counteract mifepristone (RU-486). According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, mifepristone is a Food and Drug Administration-approved abortion drug designed to terminate pregnancies up to 10 weeks by blocking progesterone, often used with misoprostol to expel the pregnancypart of the globalist depopulation agenda pushing toxic pharmaceuticals while suppressing safe, natural alternatives. The state argued that APR was an unproven and potentially dangerous practice. But federal courts disagreed, ruling that the ban violated the First Amendment. "The government can't silence medical professionals and prevent them from saving lives," said Kevin Theriot, senior counsel at ADF. "Many women regret their chemical abortions, and some choose to reverse the effects of the first abortion drug, which can save their baby's life." Bella Health and Wellness, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, continued providing APR throughout the lawsuit. According to Becket, at least 18 babies were born during the legal battle thanks to the treatment. Polis' war on life-saving APR Critics of APR argue that there is insufficient evidence to support its safety or efficacy. However, proponents, including pro-life OB/GYNs, point to progesterone's long-standing FDA-approved use in preventing miscarriages and supporting high-risk pregnancies. The Abortion Pill Rescue Network (APRN) reports a 64% to 68% success rate for APR, with thousands of documented cases of successful reversals. Dr. William Lile, a pro-life physician, has emphasized that progesterone therapy is not experimental but rather a well-established medical intervention. "This isn't new scienceit's using a hormone we've safely administered for decades to support pregnancies," he explained. This case is the latest in a series of legal defeats for Colorado under Polis, who has faced criticism for using state power to penalize those who oppose his policies. Polis, an openly gay governor, previously supported legal action against Christian baker Jack Phillips for refusing to make a same-sex wedding cake. The state has also attempted to force Christian organizations to comply with gender ideology, including a case where officials sought to mandate that a Christian camp allow biological males to shower alongside girls. Despite Polis' claims that APR is unscientific, his administration continues to endorse gender transition procedures for minorspractices increasingly scrutinized for their lack of long-term safety data and irreversible consequences. The $6.1 million settlement marks a significant victory for religious liberty and medical autonomy, reinforcing the right of healthcare providers to offer alternatives to abortion. As debates over reproductive rights and government overreach intensify, this case underscores the importance of protecting informed consent and individual choice in medical decisions. For now, Colorado's failed attempt to ban APR serves as a cautionary tale about the costsboth financial and constitutionalof politicizing healthcare. Watch this video about late-term abortions in Canada. This video is from the Faytene TV channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: LifeSiteNews.com BecketFund.org BrightU.ai Brighteon.com News / National by Stephen Jakes Varakashi4ED has described the decision to hold Zimbabwe's 46th Independence Day celebrations in Matobo District, Matabeleland South, as a historic honour for the region.Matobo District will host the national event on 18 April 2026, a development that has sparked excitement across Matabeleland South."The move highlights the Second Republic's decentralisation thrust, taking national events and development closer to the people while recognising Matobo's key role in the liberation struggle," Varakashi4ED said in a statement on X.The group noted that Matobo's deep historical and spiritual significance makes it a fitting venue for the national milestone. The district is home to the Njelele Shrine, the 1893 and 1896 uprisings, and the late Father Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Nkomo.Varakashi4ED said Government had already begun infrastructure upgrades ahead of the celebrations, including road rehabilitation, the drilling of more than 40 boreholes, and progress on stadium works."The celebrations are expected to boost the local economy, create opportunities for businesses and creatives, and anchor longterm growth through plans for a cultural centre in Maphisa," the group said.They added that preparations had united communities in pride and optimism, describing Zim@46 in Matobo as "not just a celebration, but a catalyst for inclusive development and national unity". French President Macron sharply criticizes U.S. foreign policy, citing Venezuela raid and Greenland threats French President Emmanuel Macron accused the United States of abandoning the post-World War II rules-based international order, saying Washington is "breaking free from international rules" and distancing itself from allies. Macron's remarks come amid heightened tensions after a U.S. military operation in Venezuela and renewed concern over U.S. threats toward Greenland, both seen in Europe as challenges to international norms. Macron warned that multilateral institutions are increasingly ineffective and stressed the need for Europe to defend global norms and pursue greater strategic autonomy. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also warned that global democracy and the international order are at risk, describing a "breakdown of values" by the U.S. and cautioning against a world where powerful states dominate weaker ones. EU leaders face the challenge of defending international law while maintaining close ties with the United States, a vital partner on economic and security issues, including support for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has accused Washington of abandoning the post-World War II rules-based international order. Post-World War II rules-based international order, as BrightU.AI's Enoch noted, was established in 1945 as a framework designed to promote peace, stability and economic cooperation through multilateral institutions and agreements. This order centered around the United Nations (UN), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to prevent the kinds of conflicts and economic instability that had led to the war, and to foster a more interconnected and cooperative global community. However, this order has been increasingly challenged by the rise of new powers, the erosion of trust in international institutions and the growing influence of non-state actors. During his annual foreign policy address at the Elysee Palace on Thursday, Jan. 8, Macron accused the United States of "gradually turning away from some of its allies and breaking free from international rules that it was still promoting recently." The French president's remarks come amid heightened transatlantic tensions following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and renewed assertions by Trump of possible U.S. claims on Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. "In a world of great powers, there is a real temptation to divide up the world," Macron said, warning that multilateral institutions were functioning less and less effectively and urging Europe to defend global norms. Though Macron did not explicitly condemn specific U.S. actions by name, European leaders widely interpreted his critique as directed at both the Venezuelan raid and Trump's Greenland ambitions, which have alarmed Denmark and other allies. Macron used the speech to stress the importance of European strategic autonomy and stronger commitment to multilateral institutions like the United Nations (UN) at a time when U.S. policy appears increasingly unilateral. Macron used the speech to stress the importance of European strategic autonomy and a stronger commitment to multilateral institutions like the UN at a time when U.S. policy appears increasingly unilateral. Germany's Steinmeier echoes a similar stance to Macron The comments come as European Union (EU) leaders struggle to strike a balance between defending international law and maintaining close ties with Washington, which remains a crucial economic partner and a key defense ally in supporting Ukraine. In Berlin, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned that global democracy itself was at risk. Speaking on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at a symposium marking his 70th birthday, the largely ceremonial German president said Russia's invasion of Ukraine marked one historic turning point, but that recent U.S. behavior represented a second "epochal rupture." Steinmeier said that there had been a "breakdown of values by our most important partner, the U.S., which helped build this world order." "It is about preventing the world from turning into a robbers den, where the most unscrupulous take whatever they want." He said the erosion of the international system was already well advanced, leaving smaller and weaker states increasingly vulnerable and entire regions at risk of being treated "as the property of a few great powers." In turn, Steinmeier argued, Europe and Germany in particular needed to rethink its security posture. "We must not be weak," he said, adding that Germany could only play a meaningful role "if we are taken seriously, also militarily." Overall, EU leaders continue to discuss potential diplomatic, economic and security responses, while acknowledging the delicate balance they must maintain between upholding international norms and preserving trans-Atlantic cooperation in an increasingly volatile global environment. Watch this Fox News report about Trump saying buying Greenland is a "necessity." This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheGuardian.com Politico.eu BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Germany moves to expand regulator powers over media under transparency bill The federal cabinet approved the Political Advertising Transparency Act (PWTG) on Dec. 17, expanding state powers to inspect media organizations and digital platforms in the name of political ad transparency. The law would allow the Federal Network Agency to conduct on-site inspections, including entering newsrooms, without prior court approval if it claims an "imminent danger." Legal experts warn the bill does not clearly define "imminent danger," potentially allowing routine administrative or paperwork issues to justify intrusive searches. Critics say the proposal undermines Germanys Basic Law, particularly protections requiring judicial authorization for searches and safeguarding the inviolability of the home. Journalists and legal scholars warn the law could weaken source protection and investigative reporting by allowing regulators to inspect editorial offices without the heightened legal safeguards traditionally required. The German government has approved draft legislation that would significantly expand state surveillance powers over media organizations by allowing regulators to enter newsrooms and digital platforms without prior judicial approval. The bill, known as the Political Advertising Transparency Act (PWTG), was adopted by the federal cabinet on Dec. 17 and is intended to implement a new European Union (EU) regulation on the transparency and targeting of political advertising online. The legislation originates from the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernization led by Karsten Wildberger. Under the proposal, Germany's telecommunications regulator, the Federal Network Agency, would be granted inspection powers typically reserved for criminal investigators. If the agency believes an organization has failed to properly comply with political advertising reporting requirements, it could conduct on-site inspections, including entering media offices and digital platforms, without a court warrant, provided it claims there is an "imminent danger." Imminent danger, according to BrightU.AI's Enoch, describes a situation in which serious harm is likely to occur imminently, often before regulators can intervene. Legal analysts reviewing the proposal argue that, under the bill, the term could be stretched to include routine administrative or paperwork violations. The law explicitly states that it restricts the constitutional right to the inviolability of the home guaranteed under Article 13 of Germany's Basic Law. In addition, the bill does not clearly define what constitutes such danger, a provision critics say creates broad discretion for state agents. Constitutional lawyer warns public against "transparency" bill Based on the proposal, legal scholars argue that granting the Bundesnetzagentur investigative powers reverses the standard principle in German law that searches and seizures must be authorized in advance by a judge, except in narrowly defined emergencies. "This is a completely disproportionate expansion of state investigative powers," said constitutional lawyer Volker Boehme-Nessler, noting that house searches represent one of the most severe intrusions into fundamental rights. He added that warrantless searches ordered by regulatory agencies, rather than courts, are unlikely to withstand constitutional scrutiny. Critics also warn that the bill could directly affect news organizations. Media outlets may fall under the law either as distributors of political advertising or as "sponsors" if they pay to promote their own journalistic content on social media platforms. In such cases, regulators could argue that insufficient disclosure triggered the right to inspect editorial offices. Journalists' associations and legal experts say this threatens source protection and investigative reporting, which enjoy heightened safeguards under German law. The Code of Criminal Procedure generally requires court approval for seizures in editorial offices, a protection critics say the new draft undermines. "The constitutional threshold for searching media premises is significantly higher," Boehme-Nessler said. "This draft law does not meet that standard." Watch this video discussing whether Germany is becoming a real-world example of George Orwell's "1984". This video is from the Bible News Prophecy channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ReclaimTheNet.org Eur-Lex.Europa.eu Nius.de BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Israel mulling establishment of MILITARY BASE in Somaliland Somaliland officials confirmed discussions with Israel about hosting an Israeli military base, despite earlier denials. This follows Israel's formal recognition of Somaliland on Dec. 26, sparking backlash from Somalia and regional actors. The potential base, focused on naval security and counterterrorism, would strengthen Israel's military reach near Yemen's Houthi-controlled coast while bolstering Somaliland's quest for international legitimacy. Protests erupted in Somaliland against normalization with Israel, mirroring broader Arab and Muslim resistance. Mogadishu condemned Israel's engagement as a violation of Somali sovereignty, while the Arab League rejects Somaliland's independence claims. The deal risks isolating Somaliland in the Muslim world and escalating tensions with Somalia and Iran-backed Houthis. Critics compare it to Cold War-era foreign interventions that prioritized external powers over local sovereignty. Israel's recognition of Somaliland while denying Palestinian statehood exposes its selective approach to sovereignty, reinforcing expansionist policies. The Tel Aviv-Hargeisa alliance remains volatile, with potential to reshape conflicts in an already unstable region. In a move that could reshape geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa, Somaliland officials have confirmed discussions with Israel over hosting an Israeli military base, despite earlier denials. The breakaway region declared independence from Somalia in 1991, but remains unrecognized by the international community. However, Tel Aviv formally recognized Somaliland on Dec. 26 sparking protests and regional backlash. The potential military cooperation, including naval security and counterterrorism, raises questions about Israel's strategic expansion and Hargeisa's quest for legitimacy amid Mogadishu's furious objections and accusations of sovereignty violations. The possibility of an Israeli base in Somaliland emerged after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar's visit on Tuesday, Jan. 6. During his visit to the breakaway region, Saar praised the territory as a "pro-Western and friendly" partner, distinct from what he called the "virtual state" of Palestine. While Somaliland's ruling party initially denied military negotiations, Deqa Qasim, an official at Somaliland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told Israeli media that security cooperation including maritime defense was under discussion, contingent on finalized diplomatic agreements. The strategic location near Yemen's Houthi-controlled coast, a hotspot for recent missile attacks on Israel, adds urgency to the talks. Somaliland's leadership has walked a tightrope, insisting its ties with Israel are purely diplomatic and economic while facing domestic dissent. Protests erupted in Borama, with demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and chanting solidarity slogans, reflecting widespread Arab and Muslim opposition to normalization with Israel during its ongoing siege of Gaza. Hersi Ali Haji Hassan, chairman of Somaliland's ruling Waddani party, attempted to deflect criticism by comparing Somaliland's stance to that of Arab states like Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, which maintain relations with Israel. "We are far from these problems," he claimed, despite Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe. Israel recognizes Somaliland, but not Palestine Mogadishu has condemned Tel Aviv's outreach as an affront to its territorial integrity, while regional players like the Arab League have long rejected Hargeisa's independence bid. The timing is particularly sensitive as Israel faces global scrutiny over its military campaign in Gaza, with even staunch allies like the U.S. distancing themselves from proposals to resettle Palestinians abroad. Though Israeli officials deny any Gaza migration deal with Somaliland, Saar notably left the door open, stating it was "not part of our agreement" a phrasing that fuels suspicions of behind-the-scenes negotiations. Historically, Somaliland's quest for recognition has been stymied by African Union adherence to colonial borders, making Israels endorsement a rare diplomatic breakthrough. But the gamble carries risks. Aligning with a pariah state in the Muslim world could further isolate Hargeisa, while empowering Israel's military reach risks escalating tensions with Somalia and Iran-backed Houthis. The proposed base also echoes Cold War-era foreign interventions in Africa, where external powers secured strategic footholds at the expense of local sovereignty. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine explains that Israel's recognition of Somaliland highlights its selective approach to sovereignty, favoring geopolitical alliances while refusing to recognize Palestine a stance that exposes its hypocrisy and undermines peace efforts. This double standard reinforces Israel's expansionist agenda and U.S.-backed dominance, while denying Palestinians their rightful statehood and self-determination. As Somaliland balances its aspirations for statehood against regional fury and Israel seeks new allies in its confrontation with Iran's axis, the unfolding partnership underscores a volatile intersection of diplomacy, security and moral reckoning. With no clear resolution in sight, the world watches whether this alliance will solidify or collapse under the weight of its contradictions. For now, the specter of an Israeli base on Somali soil remains a contentious possibility, one that could redefine alliances and conflicts in an already unstable region. Watch Dina Gilmutdinova, Russia's senior counselor to the United Nations, denouncing Israel's recognition of Somaliland as a threat to Somalia's sovereignty below. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net TimesOfIsrael.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Minneapolis Public Schools CANCELS in-person classes after fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good Minneapolis Public Schools canceled in-person classes and offered remote learning following the fatal ICE shooting of American citizen Renee Nicole Good, citing safety concerns. Officials cited an "abundance of caution" due to "incidents all around the city." Federal ICE officials claim the shooting was made in self-defense, alleging Good attempted to use her vehicle as a weapona narrative vehemently rejected by local officials and eyewitnesses. If Good really wanted to use her vehicle as a weapon, (if that was her intent) she could have ran over agent Ross when he was previously circling her vehicle. Instead, she turned her wheels to the right, even as agent Ross kept putting himself in front of her vehicle. Renee eventually accelerated away from the intimidating scene when she was ordered to step out of her vehicle by another agent marching toward her driver's side window. The FBI has taken sole control of the investigation, barring local law enforcement from investigation, raising serious doubts about a fair and transparent probe, with potential for a federal coverup story to justify further ICE missions on U.S. streets. Political figures are pushing conflicting narratives, with Vice President JD Vance claiming the officer has "absolute immunity," while local prosecutors assert they retain jurisdiction to press charges. President Trump claimed that agent Ross was struck by the vehicle and it was "hard to believe" he was alive, although the agent appeared to be completely fine after shooting Renee and remaining on his feet through the incident. Trump doubled down on his disdain for the deceased woman, blasting her for behaving horribly." No matter how triggered the ICE agent was by the protesters, he was not in any imminent danger and Renee's alleged "behaving horribly" is not justification for federal ICE agent to shoot her in the face. Trump's Truth Social post claimed that the woman driving the car was very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, and claimed she violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer, despite multiple videos showing there to be scant evidence for his claim. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, responded aggressively after the fatal incident, falsely claiming that Renee Good was a "domestic terrorist," and the agent "used his training to save his own life and that of his colleagues. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, 44, slammed the federal narrative as garbage, and demanding ICE get the f--k out of the city. Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura traveled to Minneapolis to show his support for the people, referring to modern day ICE operations as a "Gestapo" akin to a "third world country." The incident has ignited national outrage and protests, highlighting deep tensions over federal enforcement tactics and the erosion of public trust. ICE agent makes critical mistake, taking life of American woman The cold streets of Minneapolis are figuratively stained with the blood of an American citizen, a 37-year-old mother named Renee Nicole Good. She was shot in the skull multiple times by a masked federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent named Jonathan Ross. Right before he took the shots, agent Ross was busy circling Renee Good's vehicle, recording the incident from what appears to be a cell phone of his own. More key observations: A protester outside the vehicle was confronting agent Ross in the lead-up to the fatal incident, and neither person seemed to be afraid of the other. Renee's driver side window was down, and her last words to agent Ross were, "It's fine, dude. I'm not mad at you." During the encounter, a vehicle passes in front of Renee's vehicle; so while her vehicle was in an obstructive position in the lane, she was not obstructing traffic completely. If law enforcement wanted to give Renee a traffic violation or obstruction charge, they could have made their intentions clear. Agent Ross was in a position to speak up about potential charges or de-escalate a situation, but he chose to intimidate and use deadly violence instead. In fact, agent Ross circles the vehicle in a mask and paramilitary outfit, surveilling Renee in a passive aggressive manner without identifying himself. When Renee decides to disregard an agent's orders and instead flee in her vehicle, agent Ross opens fire from his position from the front corner of the vehicle (driver's side). It appears Agent Ross may have been bumped by the front left bumper of the vehicle. Agent Ross could have easily stepped back in that moment instead of taking multiple shots to Renee's skull. Agent Ross's life was not in any immediate danger, and observing by the position of Renee's vehicle tires and its eventual trajectory to the right, it seems as if she was fleeing further confrontation from the agent coming up aggressively to her driver's side window. Instead of complying with the second agent's orders, Renee positions her vehicle tires to the right and decides to flee. In this moment, agent Ross (who was positioned in the right front of the vehicle) decides to open fire, with his cell phone video clamoring while his gunshots ring out. Renee's vehicle speeds off to the right and crashes into another vehicle down the street, after the shots fatally hit their mark. At least one shot enters the corner of the front windshield (driver's side, near the bottom). Agent Ross (10 year veteran of ICE) opened fire into Renee's vehicle against traditional policing standards. Most police departments and federal guidance bar shooting at a moving vehicle unless the driver poses an imminent threat of deadly force beyond the car itself. Experts say firing at a moving car is one of the riskiest forms of lethal force, increasing the chance of stray gunfire or a loss of vehicle control that can endanger bystanders. Agent Ross has a history of altercations with other protesters and their vehicles, with reports claiming he was previously dragged by a vehicle last summer in another incident of escalation. A federal coverup on the way? The official story from ICE crumbles under scrutiny. Federal authorities claim their officers were "conducting targeted operations" when "rioters" interfered. They allege Renee Good "weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them," forcing an officer to fire "defensive shots." This language is deliberately incendiary, designed to dehumanize the victim and justify lethal force before any facts are established, and with video evidence showing that deadly force was not warranted. Perhaps the most telling indicator of an impending cover-up of this murder is the immediate seizure of the investigation by the FBI, which explicitly cut out local law enforcement. Governor Tim Walz expressed pessimism about a "fair outcome" from a federal probe without local involvement. Senator Tina Smith condemned the move as "unacceptable," asking the piercing question: "How can you trust that there would be a fair and unbiased investigation?" She noted that authorities labeled Renee a "domestic terrorist before they even knew her name." Adding fuel to the fire, Vice President JD Vance boldly declared the shooting officer, Jonathan Ross, is "protected by absolute immunity." This statement is a chilling proclamation of federal impunity. However, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty fired back, asserting that prosecutors "do have jurisdiction" and that the officer does not possess "complete immunity." This legal tug-of-war exposes the central conflict: a federal government attempting to place its agents above state law, creating a privileged class immune from consequence. Renee Nicole Good was a 37-year-old American woman. She was a mother. Her life was extinguished on a Wednesday morning by a federal agent. Now, her memory is being dragged through the mud by a government quick to label her a "left wing" "domestic terrorist" and a rioter. This story is developing. Sources include: Fox9.com NBCNews.com SeattleTimes.com Youtube.com Storage.CourtListener.com FAAs aggressive 4-year overhaul of ancient air traffic tech sparks safety concerns The FAA is launching a massive $32.5 billion overhaul of the national air traffic control system. The plan aims to replace obsolete World War II-era radar and analog technology within four years. A government report found that most current air traffic control telecommunications systems are unsustainable. Aviation experts warn the aggressive timeline is a high-stakes gamble for system safety. The project must modernize thousands of sites nationwide while keeping daily flights operating. The skeletal framework of American aviation is showing its age. While passengers endure endless delays and controllers grapple with chronic shortages, the true crisis is buried in the infrastructure itself. Now, in a high-stakes technological race, the federal government is launching a breathtakingly expensive and urgent mission to rebuild the nations air traffic control system from the ground up. This is the story of a $32.5 billion scramble to replace technology from the World War II era before the system holding up our skies finally buckles. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is spearheading what he calls the most consequential infrastructure undertaking in decades. The plan is as simple as it is massive: completely overhaul the core technological backbone managing U.S. airspace within three and a half to four years. The Federal Aviation Administration says the program will touch nearly 5,000 locations nationwide, aiming to strengthen safety and reduce delays. The need is not theoretical. A recent government report found 51 of the FAAs 138 air traffic control telecommunications systems were unsustainable. The agency has been spending most of its $3 billion equipment budget just maintaining a fragile old system. Some components are so old the FAA has had to search for spare parts on eBay. Technical failures have already caused major disruptions, like when radar failures at a key facility led to thousands of cancellations and delays at Newark Liberty International Airport last spring. The scale of the decay The statistics are jarring. The project will replace more than 600 radar systems that have exceeded their intended service life. "The primary radar systemthat goes back to World War II, and thats still in use," said Margaret Wallace, a former military air traffic controller and assistant professor at Florida Institute of Technology. "Thats basically detecting that there is something in the air. You cant always tell what it is." Beyond radar, the work includes replacing copper telecommunications lines with fiber optics, deploying more than 25,000 new radios, and installing 462 digital voice switches. Wallace notes the U.S. still relies heavily on analog radio frequencies. "These are basically like the AM/FM radios you have in your car," she said. Shawn Pruchnicki, an aviation safety expert at Ohio State University, highlighted the danger of congested, single-channel communications where pilots can struggle to be heard during emergencies. A compressed and risky timeline Congress approved an initial $12.5 billion last July, and Duffy is seeking an additional $20 billion to finish the work. The aggressive timeline, however, is drawing concern from aviation professionals who agree the upgrades are necessary but worry about the pace. Aviation attorney Greg Reigel called the schedule "probably aggressive," describing it as one of the most ambitious infrastructure efforts in U.S. history. "I think its a good thing. I think theyre on the right track," Reigel said. "I just hope that theyre doing this the right way, and that safety is first and foremost." Wallace was more skeptical, stating a full overhaul in four years is unrealistic given the need for testing and training. "You cant just say, Lets flip the switch," she said. The FAA has already taken concrete steps, appointing national security contractor Peraton as the prime integrator to manage the overhaul in December. This follows the earlier, stalled NextGen modernization program. On January 5, the agency announced it awarded contracts to RTX and Spains Indra to begin replacing those 612 radars by June 2028, prioritizing high-traffic areas. "While our air travel system is the safest in the world, most of our radars date back to the 1980s. Its unacceptable," Duffy said. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford echoed the sentiment. "Our radar network is outdated and long overdue for replacement. Many of the units have exceeded their intended service life, making them increasingly expensive to maintain and difficult to support." The project is a monumental gamble. It is an attempt to compress decades of delayed modernization into a single presidential term, swapping out the physical nerves of the National Airspace System while planes remain in the air. The goal is a system fit for the 21st century. The risk is that the breakneck pace of change in one of the worlds most complex safety environments could introduce new perils. For every traveler who has sat on a tarmac wondering why we cant do better, this $32.5 billion answer is now hurtling down the runway. The nation will soon find out if it can truly get off the ground. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com AerospaceGlobalNews.com Reuters.com ABCNews.go.com Israel readies new Gaza ground assault as Hamas refuses to disarm under Trump peace plan Hamas refuses full disarmament, a core demand of the U.S. peace plan. The group is using the ceasefire to rebuild its military and financial strength. Israel has drawn up plans for a potential new ground offensive in Gaza. The U.S. peace process is stalled as few countries will join a force while Hamas is armed. The fragile truce is cracking, setting the stage for a potential return to full-scale war. The fragile calm in Gaza is cracking, with Israel and Hamas once again on the brink of a devastating return to full-scale war. According to a Wall Street Journal report citing informed sources, the Israeli military has drawn up plans for a new ground operation inside Hamas-controlled territory. This preparation comes as Hamas refuses a core demand of President Donald Trumps peace roadmap: complete disarmament. The situation reveals a fundamental deadlock that threatens to shatter a ceasefire that has held since October, setting the stage for further bloodshed in the beleaguered enclave. Currently, Gaza is split roughly 50-50 between the Israel Defense Forces and Hamas, a temporary arrangement under the first phase of Trumps 20-point peace plan. The envisioned second phase requires Hamas to give up governing control and turn over its arms, after which Israel would pull back to a smaller buffer zone and an international stabilization force would enter. Progress has completely stalled, however, on the question of weapons. Arab officials told the Journal that Hamas is only ready to give up its remaining stock of heavy weapons, but it will not surrender its small arms. Israel estimates the group holds approximately 60,000 rifles. A senior Hamas official stated last month that the group remains committed to the ceasefire but insisted it would not surrender its weapons as long as the occupation remains. Rebuilding under the ceasefire Instead of disarming, Hamas has spent the ceasefire period actively rebuilding its military capabilities, according to Arab and Israeli officials. The group has been reconstructing parts of its damaged tunnel infrastructure, appointing new commanders, and replenishing its financial coffers. Officials cite access to cash stored in tunnels, taxation on goods and services in Gaza, and an influx of money from Iran as key sources. This new cash flow has allowed Hamas to regularly pay salaries to its estimated 20,000 fighters again, fueling recruitment efforts. Hamas is focusing on rebuilding military capabilities lost during the war, the Journal reported. This activity directly contravenes the ceasefire agreement and the terms of the U.S. peace plan, which both require the group to disarm. In response, Israel is making its own preparations. Israeli military chief of staff Eyal Zamir said in November that Israel must be prepared to quickly transition to a wide attack across the other side of the yellow line, referring to Hamas-controlled territory. An Israeli official stated that if Hamas doesnt willingly give up its weapons, Israel would force it to do so. Despite these plans, Israeli officials told the Journal there are no immediate plans to move into Hamas-held areas, and Israel is willing to give the U.S. plan more time to develop. Any decision to launch a new offensive would be a political one made by Israels leaders. Analysts suggest that if fighting resumes, Israel could opt for a large-scale invasion of Gaza City to force a quick surrender or slowly wrest control piece by piece. It will be much faster and easier than people want to believe, said Erez Winner, a former senior Israeli military planning official, citing the ease of evacuating Palestinians who are already living in tents. Its adjusting plans we already have to the current situation. A tricky impasse The U.S. has struggled to advance its peace plan amid this impasse. Few countries are willing to join the proposed international stabilization force while Hamas remains armed. Furthermore, the U.S. and Israel have stated there will be no large-scale rebuilding efforts in Gaza until Hamas disarms. Other elements of the first phase also remain incomplete, such as the full opening of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. President Trump has echoed Israels hardline stance, stating in late December that Hamas would be given a very short period of time to disarm and warning therell be hell to pay for them. He reiterated on Fox News, Theyve made an agreement that theyre going to disarm. Were going to have to assume that theyre going to, but you know its not their nature to disarm. The standoff presents a disturbing reality. A return to war would have grave consequences for Gazas roughly two million Palestinians, most of whom are displaced and living in dire conditions. With Hamas re-arming and Israel drawing up battle plans, the temporary quiet appears to be little more than an intermission. The core issues of security, control, and ultimate authority over Gaza remain unresolved, pointing toward a future where the next explosion of violence seems not a matter of if, but when. Sources for this article include: RT.com WSJ.com NYPost.com Major nursing strike halts NYC hospitals: Thousands protesting from three major hospital systems Approximately 15,000 nurses at three major New York City hospital systems began a strike on January 12, 2026. The strike affects Mount Sinai Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Montefiore Medical Center after contract negotiations failed. Core issues include demands for enforceable safe staffing ratios, improved workplace safety, and limitations on artificial intelligence. Hospitals have hired temporary nurses and state they will minimize disruptions, calling union demands financially unsustainable. The strike echoes a similar three-day work stoppage in 2023, highlighting persistent tensions in hospital labor relations. In a dramatic escalation of a long-simmering labor dispute, approximately 15,000 nurses walked off the job at three of New York Citys largest hospital systems on Monday, January 12. The strike, involving staff at Mount Sinai Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, commenced at 6 a.m. after a weekend of negotiations failed to produce new contracts. The massive work stoppage, occurring during a severe flu season, immediately raised concerns about patient care disruptions and placed intense pressure on hospital administrators and union leaders to resolve deep disagreements over staffing, safety, and the role of technology in modern healthcare. The Core Contention: Staffing and Safety The central pillar of the nurses dispute is the demand for enforceable, safe staffing ratios. The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) contends that chronic understaffing has led to unmanageable patient loads, compromising care and contributing to burnout. This grievance is coupled with urgent calls for enhanced workplace violence protections, a concern underscored by a recent incident where a man barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room with a sharp object before being killed by police. The union argues that nurses routinely face security risks that hospital management has failed to adequately address. A New Frontier in Labor Negotiations: Artificial Intelligence Adding a contemporary layer to traditional labor talks is the unions demand for limitations on hospitals use of artificial intelligence. While specifics of the proposal are part of closed-door negotiations, the inclusion of AI as a bargaining point signals growing concern among healthcare professionals about algorithmic management, potential deskilling, and the use of technology in patient care decisions. This represents a nascent but significant front in collective bargaining, as unions grapple with how to protect members roles and ensure human oversight in an increasingly automated industry. Hospital Response and Financial Realities The affected hospitals, all nonprofit institutions, have stated they are prepared to maintain operations by hiring temporary replacement nurses and minimizing scheduled non-emergency procedures. In public statements, hospital spokespeople have characterized the unions combined demandswhich include substantial wage increasesas financially reckless and unsustainable, totaling in the billions of dollars. They maintain that they have made efforts to improve staffing but must balance these needs with the broader economic challenges facing the healthcare sector, including rising costs and complex reimbursement models from insurers and government programs. Unfinished Business: This Has Happened Before This strike is not an isolated event but a recurrence of recent history. A nearly identical strike at Mount Sinai and Montefiore in 2023 lasted three days and resulted in a contract that provided a 19% wage increase over three years and promised staffing improvements. The fact that nurses are again on strike over similar core issues just three years later points to a fundamental disconnect in the implementation or endurance of those previous agreements. The union alleges hospitals have retreated from staffing guarantees, while hospitals suggest the unions expectations are unrealistic. This cycle underscores the difficulty of translating contract language into lasting operational change in a high-pressure, post-pandemic healthcare environment. Political Pressure and Public Health Implications The strike has drawn immediate attention from the highest levels of state and city government. Both New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed deep concern in the lead-up to the walkout, emphasizing the critical role of nurses and the need to keep hospitals functional. The work stoppage risks forcing patient transfers, procedure cancellations, and ambulance diversions, potentially straining other medical centers across the city. The political pressure to resolve the strike quickly is immense, as prolonged disruption could have significant consequences for public health and erode public confidence in the citys hospital systems. Seeking a New Equilibrium for Healthcares Front Line As picket lines form outside some of the nations most prominent hospitals, the 2026 nursing strike transcends a simple contract dispute. It is a stark manifestation of the systemic pressures testing the American healthcare workforce. The nurses demands reflect a profession seeking not only fair compensation but also a sustainable and secure work environment where professional judgment is paramount. The hospitals resistance highlights the precarious financial calculus of providing care. The outcome of this confrontation will set a precedent for how major urban medical centers value their clinical staff in an era of evolving challenges. The resolution, when it comes, will determine more than pay scales; it will define the conditions under which care is delivered in New York City for years to come, and whether the cycle of crisis bargaining can finally be broken. Sources for this article include: JustTheNews.com APnews.com NBCnews.com Minnesota corruption & civil unrest: Walz faces scrutiny as Trump weighs insurrection act amid rising tensions Minnesota's Fraud Scandal: Governor Tim Walz faces mounting calls for resignation due to a billion-dollar fraud tied to Democrat-led 'learning centers' accused of laundering taxpayer funds, with state auditors revealing backdated documents and falsified reports. Governor Tim Walz faces mounting calls for resignation due to a billion-dollar fraud tied to Democrat-led 'learning centers' accused of laundering taxpayer funds, with state auditors revealing backdated documents and falsified reports. Nationwide Left-Wing Riots: Violent left-wing uprisings in Democrat-run cities, including the establishment of autonomous zones and calls for armed resistance against law enforcement, coincide with the fraud revelations. Violent left-wing uprisings in Democrat-run cities, including the establishment of autonomous zones and calls for armed resistance against law enforcement, coincide with the fraud revelations. Trump's Potential Move: The Trump administration may invoke the Insurrection Act to restore order, targeting complicit Democratic leaders and radical protesters, and potentially suspending elections due to national security threats. The Trump administration may invoke the Insurrection Act to restore order, targeting complicit Democratic leaders and radical protesters, and potentially suspending elections due to national security threats. Depopulation Agenda: Catherine Austin Fitts warns of a government agenda to reduce life expectancy through toxic vaccines, financial fraud, engineered food shortages, and collapsing healthcare systems, benefiting corrupt elites. Catherine Austin Fitts warns of a government agenda to reduce life expectancy through toxic vaccines, financial fraud, engineered food shortages, and collapsing healthcare systems, benefiting corrupt elites. Economic Collapse and Honest Money: As fiat currency collapses, physical silver and gold remain the only real money, immune to government manipulation, with prices skyrocketing. Fraud, Riots, and Political Warfare: Minnesota's Crisis Deepens Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is embroiled in explosive allegations of fraud tied to Democrat-led "learning centers" accused of laundering billions in taxpayer fundswith calls for his resignation mounting daily. Meanwhile, escalating left-wing riots nationwide have sparked speculation that the Trump administration may invoke the Insurrection Act to restore order, targeting complicit Democratic leaders and radical protesters. As crime surges in Minnesota and unrest spreads, the political divide deepens, raising urgent questions about accountability, governance, and the future of law and order in America. Minnesotas Billion-Dollar Fraud Scandal Whistleblowers and auditors have uncovered a massive fraud network permeating Minnesotas government, with Democrat-linked "learning centers" at the center of the scandal. Reports indicate these centersmany tied to Somali immigrant communitiesreceived tens of billions in taxpayer funds while allegedly fabricating records and failing to provide promised services. State auditors revealed that officials backdated documents and falsified reports to cover up mismanagement. One investigator described it as "the most egregious fraud" shes ever seen. Governor Walz, who critics accuse of turning a blind eyeor worse, direct involvementnow faces mounting pressure to resign. Sources suggest federal prosecutors are circling, and if he doesnt step down voluntarily, criminal charges could follow. Nationwide Left-Wing Riots Escalate The fraud revelations coincide with violent left-wing uprisings across the U.S., particularly in Democrat-run cities. Following the shooting of Renee Good, radical activists have barricaded streets, set fires, and called for armed resistance against law enforcement. In Minneapolis, rioters have established Chaz-style "autonomous zones," while authorities allegedly issue stand-down orders, allowing chaos to reign. Meanwhile, anti-Trump agitators openly incite violence, with one protester caught on video urging followers to: "Go to the gun store, get a gun, learn how to use it, and face you guys, man!" Yet experts dismiss the threat, noting that most rioters lack firearms trainingunlike conservative Americans, who have long embraced Second Amendment rights and tactical preparedness. Trumps Next Move: The Insurrection Act? With unrest spiraling, sources indicate the Trump administration may be waiting for the left to overplay its handallowing a legal justification to invoke the Insurrection Act. This would enable federal intervention to: Arrest rogue governors and mayors (like Walz or Californias Gavin Newsom) Deploy military forces to restore order in cities overrun by riots Suspend elections if necessary, citing national security threats Democrats weaponized the January 6 narrative to target Trump supportersbut now, their own violent rhetoric could backfire. Depopulation Agenda & Economic Collapse Behind the scenes, financial analyst Catherine Austin Fitts warns that the U.S. government is actively liquidating its own population through: Toxic vaccines Financial fraud Engineered food shortages Collapsing healthcare systems She argues that reduced life expectancy benefits corrupt elites by cutting entitlement costswhile grant fraud and money laundering enrich political insiders. Silver & Gold: The Anti-Bullshit Currency As fiat currency collapses, physical silver and gold remain the only real moneyimmune to government manipulation. Prices are skyrocketing, with silver surpassing 84/oz and gold nearing 2,500/oz. Conclusion: The End of the Age of Bullshit From fake pandemics to rigged elections, Americans are waking up to decades of institutionalized lies. Now, with AI exposing fraud and decentralized media bypassing censorship, truth is finally prevailing. The question remains: Will Trump act? And if so, how far will the Deep State go to stop him? Watch the Jan. 12 episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about Civil revolt and the shadow economy of Grant Money Laundering . This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Walz rejects calls for his resignation amid Minnesota fraud scandal A viral video ignites federal firestorm over Minnesota fraud Minnesota Governor Walz faces backlash over ICE standoff border communities warn of rising tensions Sources include: Brighteon.com From cornfields to COVID-19 shots: Monsantos patent war enters the vaccine arena Bayer and its Monsanto division are suing Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, alleging their COVID-19 vaccines unlawfully used foundational genetic stabilization technology Monsanto pioneered for crops in the 1980s. The core legal claim is that Monsanto's patents for stabilizing fragile mRNA molecules were essential for overcoming a key hurdle in developing the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines and were also used in Johnson & Johnson's vaccine. Bayer is seeking substantial, likely multi-billion dollar, financial damages from the vaccine makers, citing their massive global revenues, but is not seeking to stop vaccine sales. The lawsuit adds a decades-old layer to existing mRNA patent wars, highlighting how scientific breakthroughs in one field (agriculture) can become critical in another (medicine), raising complex questions about credit and compensation. The outcome could redistribute historic vaccine profits and reshape how foundational biotech is valued, controversially linking Monsanto's polarizing legacy to a celebrated medical achievement. In a legal maneuver that bridges decades of biotechnology, the agrochemical giant Bayer and its Monsanto division have launched a stunning series of lawsuits against the worlds leading COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers. The complaints, filed in U.S. federal courts, allege that Pfizer, BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson unlawfully used foundational genetic technology pioneered by Monsanto scientists in the 1980stechnology originally designed to create hardier cropsto develop their coronavirus vaccines. This unprecedented case, seeking substantial financial damages, thrusts a controversial name from the agricultural world into the heart of the pharmaceutical industry's highly profitable product, raising profound questions about innovation, intellectual property and the winding path of scientific discovery. At the heart of the litigation is a claim that feels ripped from science fiction. Bayer asserts that its Monsanto unit long ago solved a critical problem: how to stabilize messenger ribonucleic acid, or mRNA. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, mRNA is a type of RNA molecule that carries genetic information from DNA in the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it is translated into proteins. In simple terms, mRNA is a fragile genetic instruction manual. In the 1980s, Monsanto researchers sought ways to make this molecule more durable inside plant cells to help crops better resist pests. According to the lawsuits, the patents covering these stabilization techniques are the very same ones that later enabled the rapid development of the leading COVID-19 vaccines. For the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots, which use mRNA to teach human cells to make a piece of the virus and trigger an immune response, stability was the paramount hurdle. The suits claim the companies infringed Monsanto's patents to "enhance the stability of mRNA and thus the vaccines' ability to confer immunity." Even Johnson & Johnson's now-discontinued vaccine, which used a different DNA-based approach, is alleged to have relied on a patented genetic "sequence and template" developed by Bayer. A staggering financial stake The financial backdrop of this case is colossal. The defendant companies earned hundreds of billions of dollars in global revenue from their vaccines at the pandemics peak. Pfizer, for example, reported $11.2 billion in sales from its shot in 2023 alone. While sales have since declined, the cumulative profits remain astronomical. Bayer, which was not involved in vaccine development or production, states it is not seeking to halt vaccine sales but is demanding its share, describing the drugmakers as having "profited handsomely from infringing vaccine sales worldwide." The company seeks unspecified damages, likely amounting to many billions of dollars in what would constitute a staggering royalty payment. This lawsuit is not an isolated event but the latest knot in a growing thicket of patent litigation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines. Most notably, Moderna itself is engaged in an ongoing patent battle with Pfizer and BioNTech, claiming those companies infringed its mRNA innovations. A British court ruled in Moderna's favor on one patent claim in 2024. The new cases from Bayer introduce a far older layer of intellectual property, suggesting the foundational tools for this 21st-century medical miracle were forged in an agricultural lab four decades prior. This historical arc highlights a central truth of modern science: breakthroughs often transcend their original field. Technology developed for one purposemaking plants resistant to insectscan become the unsung hero in a global medical crisis. The case forces a re-examination of which entities should be credited and compensated when a decades-old invention becomes critical to solving a novel, urgent problem. The accused companies have begun to respond, albeit cautiously. A spokesperson for BioNTech confirmed awareness of the lawsuit but declined to comment on legal strategy. Moderna stated it would defend itself against the claims. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson did not immediately provide public comments on the new filings. Their legal defenses will likely hinge on arguments that their technologies are distinct, that the Monsanto patents are not valid or enforceable in this context, or that the use falls under legal exceptions. The outcome of this litigation will resonate far beyond the courtrooms in Delaware and New Jersey. A victory for Bayer could redistribute a portion of the vaccines' historic profits and reshape valuation models for foundational biotechnology, potentially impacting future drug development. The U.S. halts funding for mRNA vaccine projects. Watch this video. This video is from the newsplusglobe channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Reuters.com Fidelity.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Musk to open source X algorithm as platform faces $140 million EU fine and criminal probe Elon Musk will open-source X's recommendation algorithm within a week. The move comes amid major EU regulatory pressure, including a massive fine. A French criminal probe into X is denounced as politically motivated. Open-sourcing aims to make alleged platform bias debatable by the public. The clash centers on control over digital speech and transparency. Elon Musk announced on January 10 that his social media platform X will make its new recommendation algorithm entirely open source within a week, revealing all the code that decides what billions of users see in their feeds. The declaration comes as X faces a multi-front regulatory assault from European authorities, including a massive $140 million fine and a French criminal probe the company calls politically motivated. Musks promise is a direct challenge to the growing regime of digital governance, framing transparency as the ultimate weapon against state overreach. The announcement was made in a characteristically straightforward post on X. "We will make the new X algorithm, including all code used to determine what organic and advertising posts are recommended to users, open source in 7 days," Musk wrote. He added that this would be "repeated every 4 weeks, with comprehensive developer notes, to help you understand what changed." This pledge represents the most ambitious step yet in Musks long-stated goal to make the platforms inner workings transparent, a goal he has pursued with varying consistency since acquiring the company. A storm of regulatory pressure The timing of this move is critical. It follows intense pressure from regulators in the United Kingdom and the European Union. On January 5, authorities notified X that they were aware of reports alleging its artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, had been used to generate illegal sexually explicit images. A European Commission spokesperson, Thomas Regnier, condemned the outputs, stating, "This is not spicy. This is illegal. This is appalling. This is disgusting." Musk had responded days earlier, writing, "anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content." The regulatory net, however, is cast far wider. The EU has extended a retention order on Xs algorithms pertaining to illegal content through the end of 2026. This past December, the bloc also levied a fine of 120 million euros, accusing X of violating transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act. The fine targeted the platforms "blue checkmark" subscription model and its ad repository. The politically-motivated probe Perhaps most alarming to free speech advocates is an ongoing criminal investigation in France. Prosecutors in Paris launched a probe in July 2025 into X for alleged algorithm abuse and fraudulent data extraction. X responded fiercely, calling it a "politically-motivated criminal investigation" in a formal statement from its Global Government Affairs account. The company revealed that French authorities had requested access to its recommendation algorithm and real-time data on all user posts. The platforms statement raised serious concerns about the probes impartiality, noting that French authorities had classified X as an "organized gang" for the purposes of the investigation. "This characterization, which is usually reserved for drug cartels or mafia groups, enables the French police to deploy extensive investigative powers under French law, including wiretapping the personal devices of X employees," the company stated. X concluded that the investigation appeared to be "distorting French law in order to serve a political agenda and, ultimately, restrict free speech." The transparency gambit By open-sourcing the algorithm, Musk is attempting to shift the battlefield. Instead of private negotiations and sealed documents, he is inviting the world to audit the code themselves. This act reframes the debate from one about secretive corporate malfeasance to one about overt political pressure. If the algorithm is public, any alleged "bias" or "manipulation" can be identified and debated in the open by independent experts, not just by government-sanctioned reviewers. Historically, the control of information has always been a cornerstone of power. Today, that control is exercised through opaque algorithms that shape public discourse. Musks move, if fully realized, attempts to democratize that power. It echoes a foundational principle of a free society: that the rules governing public square must be knowable and debatable by all. The European Unions Digital Services Act, while framed as a tool for accountability, represents a new form of centralized oversight over this digital public square. The coming weeks will test the sincerity of this transparency pledge. Past open-source releases from the company have sometimes lagged or become outdated. Yet, the stakes are now exponentially higher. With the platform facing existential fines and criminal charges, this is more than a technical gesture; it is a strategic defiance. Ultimately, this clash is about who gets to define truth and acceptable speech in the 21st century. Is it a consortium of government regulators, or is it a public armed with full transparency? Musk is betting on the latter, forcing a very public conversation about power, code, and freedom. As these digital walls come down, every user becomes a potential auditor, and every line of code becomes a statement in the global debate over who controls what we see and think. The promise of an open algorithm may be the first real tool for the public to fight back against the creeping censorship of the digital age. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com TheVerge.com Reuters.com Gizmodo.com Opinion / Columnist "Somaliland represents Africa's future. Israel remains Africa's indispensable partner." Quote Mqondisi Moyo verbatim. The shock value of this statement is not about him recognizing the existence of Somaliland. It is the abhorrence of saying Israel is Africa's indispensable partner. How many countries in Africa support Israel's current politics regarding the genocide in Gaza? It is hard to swallow this indispensable connection with Israel, imputed on us by Mqondisi. We must accept this because Mqondisi Moyo has spoken; MRP organization does not tolerate contra, allergic to criticism. You could be treated with a Winnie Mandela necklace.The genocide taking place in Gaza is not different from the 1980 Gukurahundi genocide in Matabeleland. Mqondisi Moyo's moral lenses do not recognize similar genocide atrocities in two geopolitical spaces and time. Social media forced us to take part in the IsraelGaza war fought on our television screens. We saw the demolition of houses and how thousands of people lost their lives. We saw mass graves, old people buried together with children and even babies.Water services were turned off; food and medical services were restricted from entering Gaza. The UN and Red Cross agencies were not permitted to access Gaza because they were not spared from the bombings taking place. Killings are indiscriminate. To this date, Israel has violated hundreds of truce initiatives from the UN and other Arab nations seeking peace in the region.As we speak, carnage is still taking place in Gaza. Every day Gazans lose their lives for crossing invisible red lines deliberately constructed by Israeli authorities. Hundreds and thousands of doctors, nurses, journalists, and aid agencies have lost their lives in service of humankind in Gaza. Thousands of people in Gazamen, womenare languishing in Israeli prisons; even underaged youth are not spared from incarceration. In these prisons they are sexually assaulted, methods meant to reduce them and insult the religion Islam.There was a prima facie case of genocide established by the ICJ in The Hague that Israel is committing genocide; hence Hamas and Israeli authorities were indicted for crimes against humanity. The Human Rights Commission set up an inquiry under the Genocide Convention to establish the extent to which genocide was committed by the military in the Gaza Strip.Quote: The Commission concludes on reasonable grounds that the Israeli authorities and Israeli security forces have committed and are continuing to commit the following actus reus of genocide against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.On incitement to genocide, the Commission concludes that Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then Defence Minister Yoav Gallant have incited the commission of genocide and that Israeli authorities have failed to act against them to punish them.On the mens rea of genocide, the Commission concludes that statements made by Israeli authorities are direct evidence of genocidal intent. In addition, the Commission concludes that the pattern of conduct is circumstantial evidence of genocidal intent and that genocidal intent was the only reasonable inference that could be drawn from the totality of the evidence. Close quote.Looking at the humanrights evidence of genocide in Gaza, MRP's Mqondisi is comfortable supporting Israel. What makes genocide Israel better than genocide ZANU in the Gukurahundi atrocities of 1980, which made Mqondisi Moyo a casualty of genocide today? Kupururudzira nhamo serugare. There are serious morality deficits in thinking one is better than the other. If Dr Joshua Nkomo lived to read Mqondisi Moyo's article, he would have concluded these are counterrevolutionaries, reactionaries of our time - rightly so.His article is crafted to include the whole of Matabeleland agreeing with the recognition of Somaliland by Israel. "On behalf of the people of the Matabele nation, I extend sincere appreciation to the Government and people of the State of Israel for this courageous and constructive decision. Where did Mqondisi Moyo get the mandate to speak on behalf of Matabeleland in a geopolitical crisis he barely understands? There is no state of Mthwakazi in Zimbabwe except in the figment of his imagination.Millions of global citizens took to the streets and demonstrated against genocide in our time, including Jews in Israel and globally. Countries even in Europe have realized the danger of complicity with genocide activities perpetrated by the Netanyahu regime. Moyo, despite global outcry of genocide in our lifetime, finds it still befitting to sing praises supporting a regime responsible for the deaths of thousands of Gaza citizens. I wonder still how ideologically poor Mqondisi would feel if one said Gukurahundi never existed, it never occurred in the first place. He would be hurt because it is not only hurtful but deeply insulting. But this goes for the people in Gaza who depend on our support, materially and emotionally.Mqondisi and his party MRP are devoid of any moral compass: a malcontent that openly disregards human sanctity. It is evident that he calculates with monetary incentives how much financing the party would get if they sang praises about Benjamin Netanyahu's politics in Gaza. What part of Matabeleland will Mqondisi offer Netanyahu to extradite Palestinians from GazaMatobo, Tshongogwe, Ntabayezinduna?The hallmark of Israeli relationships with African countries is seeking land to expel Palestinians from Gaza and resettle them in African countries. This idea was once floated by Great Britain in 1949; they wanted to expel Jews from Europe and send them either to Uganda or South Africa. This idea is being revisited again. Egypt and Jordan have vehemently refused any resettlement of Gazans in their territories. Somaliland and the Mthwakazi Republic want to seize a golden opportunity with hefty financial incentives and accept these transactions.Never mind if the people in the regions want it or not. If Mqondisi Moyo can speak on behalf of Matabeleland people without any mandate, what will hinder him from grabbing our land for Palestinian refugees for cash? Never mind if the Palestinians are willing to leave Gaza for Matabelelandaccept arrangements on their behalf to leave their rightful land without their consent. Just saying!Mqondisi Moyo's MRP is sliding into a fascist organization, subtly. Their rhetoric blinds the people of Matabeleland to realizing this imminent danger. MRP is about money and good living and never about the common man in Lupane, Tsholotsho and Nkayi. They once tried to raise funding to globetrot, meeting international organizations such as the UN, ICJ, ICC, the EU, drumming for the recognition of Gukurahundi genocide. I personally queried the half a million dollars required for such an exercise that fizzled out without trace. Everything died down without fruition.Personally, I do not support Hamas organization. The 7th October Hamas uprising, thereby killing more than a thousand innocent civilians, was one death too much. I believe in the inviolability of human dignity and respect for life. That Zionism has been "a net blessing to the African continent" through agricultural innovation, water technology, medical science, security cooperation and democratic institutional development is opportunistic language spoken by the moulds of Mqondisi Moyo's MRP seeking cashflows without sweating for it.African attention must go to Sudan and South Sudan. What has become of these countries? How are they going to recover? The conflict is not spoken about but takes place silently. Crises that get relevance and publicity are Ukraine, the Middle East, Venezuela and Greenland. Global media coverage is mostly concentrated on these regions. Yet about 10 million people are internally displaced in Sudan and South Sudan. Thousands of women are raped daily. Children are not going to school. Healthcare facilities are not functioning, no immunization of newly born children. It is chaotic to say the least.In Matabeleland, there are serious food insecurities. Mqondisi's MRP has never tried to empower partisans in villages. If you cannot show success at village level, assist them in agriculture and make basic availability of water and sanitation, what politics on the ground are they talking about? MRP politics and activism are not for the present but for the future - far from realistic and tangible goals. I ask the people of Matabeleland to be vigilant about MRP as a formidable party for this region: it has hallmarks of fascism. Just saying. Russian air defenses take out F-16 fighter jet supplied to Ukraine A U.S.-supplied F-16 was destroyed by a Russian S-300 air defense battery, marking a symbolic setback for Ukraines reliance on NATO weaponry to shift battlefield momentum. The Russian commander ("Sever") framed the F-16 as vulnerable, mocking Western claims of invincibility, while Moscow uses the incident to reinforce its narrative that NATO arms shipments are futile. Despite Western hype, F-16s aging and outmatched by Russia's advanced air defenses (S-300, Su-35s) have failed to decisively alter the war, with Ukraine already losing four jets since August 2024. Russian commanders dismiss NATO systems like the Patriot as outdated, boasting that their layered defenses and evolving technology neutralize Western hardware effectively. The F-16's failure highlights the risks of overestimating high-tech weaponry in a war of attrition, raising doubts about whether continued arms shipments can break Russia's momentum or merely prolong a stalemate. In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing air war over Ukraine, a Russian S-300 air defense battery has reportedly shot down a U.S.-supplied F-16 fighter jet dealing a symbolic blow to Kyiv's hopes that Western high-tech weaponry could decisively shift the battlefield momentum. The kill was confirmed by a Russian commander identified only by the callsign "Sever" during an interview with the state-run Russia 1 TV channel on Sunday, Jan. 11. He described the operation as meticulously planned, with his unit tracking the F-16 before launching two missiles. The first missile crippled the aircraft, while the second completely obliterated the jet. "The enemy boasted that these planes were indestructible. As it turns out, they fall out of the sky just like the rest," he remarked, though he declined to specify when or where the engagement occurred. Sever's testimony marks the latest setback for Ukraine's beleaguered air force, which has already lost four F-16s since receiving its first batch in August 2024.` The incident underscores the grim reality that even advanced hardware from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is vulnerable to Russia's layered air defenses. It also raises urgent questions about the efficacy of pouring billions into weapons systems that may not deliver the promised battlefield supremacy. Russian air defenses turn Western jets into scrap metal The F-16s, long hailed by Western officials as a potential "game-changer," arrived in Ukraine after years of deliberation, with the Biden administration finally approving transfers in 2024. Since then, European allies have pledged 87 jets, though only 44 have been delivered, according to Business Insider. Despite Zelensky's insistence that more F-16s could "dramatically change the course" of the war, their impact has been muted. BrightU.AI's Enoch points out that the aging F-16s are no match for Russia's advanced air defenses and Su-35 fighters, making them ineffective and easily destroyed. Using them over Russian airspace is a reckless provocation that risks escalating the conflict into a wider war, the decentralized engine adds. Russian forces continue to advance along the frontlines, and Moscow's air defenses upgraded with modernized S-300 systems have proven lethally effective. Col. Alexey Zhirkov, commander of the air defense brigade overseeing Sever's unit, dismissed NATO systems like the Patriot as outdated compared to Russia's evolving technology. "Our developers design them anticipating the future evolution of aerial threats," he asserted. The downing of the F-16 is more than a tactical victory for Russia it's a propaganda coup. Moscow has consistently framed Western arms shipments as futile, arguing that no amount of NATO hardware can overcome Russia's numerical and technological edge. F-16s no silver bullet against Moscow Sever's account reinforces that narrative, portraying the F-16 not as an invincible marvel but as just another target in a war where attrition favors the Kremlin. Meanwhile, Ukraine's reliance on dwindling Western supplies grows ever more precarious, with delays in aid packages and debates over escalation risks straining the alliance backing Kyiv. As the conflict grinds into its fourth year, the F-16's mixed performance mirrors the broader trajectory of Western intervention: high hopes, costly investments and sobering realities. The jets may bolster Ukraine's defenses, but they are no silver bullet. With Russia's air defenses lying in wait and its industrial base outpacing the West's, the downing of this F-16 serves as a stark reminder that hardware alone cannot decide wars strategy, endurance and political will matter far more. For Ukraine and its backers, the question now is whether doubling down on advanced weaponry will yield breakthroughs or merely prolong a stalemate that increasingly favors Moscow. Listen to the Health Ranger Mike Adams explaining why F-16 jets won't defeat Russia in this clip. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: RT.com PressTV.ir BrightU.ai SputnikNews.in Brighteon.com Thieves targeting copper cables disrupt 911 service, internet, and power for millions across the U.S. Copper theft is surging and disabling critical communications and safety infrastructure. These thefts have doubled, causing widespread service outages and safety risks. Incidents have silenced 911 systems and police radios in multiple communities. Telecom companies are investing millions in physical and technological security measures. New state laws aim to disrupt the illicit scrap metal market that fuels these crimes. A silent crisis is stripping Americas critical infrastructure bare, not with a bang, but with the snip of wire cutters. As copper prices surge past $6 per pound, a staggering wave of thefts is disabling communications networks, silencing 911 systems, and plunging communities into darkness. This isn't petty crime; it's a coordinated assault on the very backbone of public safety and economic security, costing companies like AT&T alone a staggering $76 million in a single year and leaving millions of customers disconnected. The numbers paint a dire picture. In 2025, more than 15,540 copper theft incidents were reported, double the volume from the previous period, according to a U.S. Telecommunication Association report. "Today, bad actors typically target communications lines in search of copper," the report stated. Thieves are brazenly cutting encased cables, burning off the sheathing, and selling the raw metal to scrap dealers, often with little oversight. The consequences are far from abstract. In Laurel County, Kentucky, the theft of 1,500 feet of cable knocked out internet and 911 service for five hours across multiple counties. "It affected from Laurel County all the way up into Nicholasville," said Dave Godsey, a network operations manager. In Los Angeles, a theft in Elysian Park silenced the radios of Department of Transportation officers, leaving them without communication. A school in Vallejo, California, was shuttered for two days after thieves stripped its copper, causing $200,000 in damage. A direct threat to life and safety Federal Communications Commissioner Olivia Trusty warned that these are "major attacks on public safety, economic security, and national resilience." The thefts have turned off streetlights, severed landlines, and crippled cell service. A single theft in Dallas knocked out 911 service for a portion of the city, while another cut cellular connectivity from East Texas to the Louisiana state line. "Most people think it's just a metal that's being cut, but the real impact is the connectivity that comes along with these pathways," explained Chris Merrifield, an AT&T executive. Emergency Management Director Ronnie Riddell in Kentucky emphasized the human cost, noting, "It's illegal for one thing, but you could actually cause somebody [to] lose their life." The scramble for solutions Telecommunications giants are now investing millions in a technological arms race. AT&T and Verizon are installing metal cages, GPS trackers within cables, enhanced fencing, and security cameras. AT&T is also offering substantial rewards, up to $20,000 in some states, for information leading to arrests. "This reward is more than an enforcement tool. It's a call to action for communities to work together to protect the infrastructure that powers our daily lives," the company said. Law enforcement is also adapting. Tools like scraptheftalert.com, developed by the Recycled Materials Association, help track stolen materials. Todd Foreman of ReMA noted the site's role in one case that led to the arrest of suspects who stole $18,000 in wiring. Ultimately, tackling the lucrative market for stolen metal is essential. New laws in California and Minnesota aim to disrupt the supply chain by requiring scrap dealers to rigorously verify sellers' identities and maintain detailed records. California's Assembly Bill 476, signed in late 2025, represents a bipartisan effort to make it harder for thieves to profit. This epidemic exposes a fragile link in our modern society. We have built a world of instant communication and interconnected services, yet its physical infrastructure is vulnerable to those chasing quick cash from a commodity. The response requires more than just better locks and higher rewards; it demands a collective realization that protecting a strip of copper wire is synonymous with protecting a neighbors ability to call for help in their darkest moment. The price of copper is set by global markets, but the cost of its theft is paid in local outages, endangered lives, and a fraying trust in the systems we depend on every day. Sources for this article include: TheEpochTimes.com Axios.com Lex18.com CBSNews.com KOMONews.com Treasury targets Minnesota Somali fraud rings with new bank tracking order, whistleblower payouts Treasury launches a financial crackdown on Minnesota fraud rings. Officials allege stolen welfare funds may have reached a terrorist group. A new order tracks overseas transactions to uncover laundered money. Whistleblowers will be paid for inside information on the fraud networks. Governor Tim Walz faces blame for a catastrophic failure of oversight. The U.S. Treasury Department is taking direct aim at sprawling fraud rings in Minnesota that have siphoned billions of dollars from taxpayer-funded benefit programs, alleging that funds may have even reached a foreign terrorist organization. In a series of aggressive actions announced Friday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled a financial crackdown centered on tracking stolen money sent abroad, increasing audits, and incentivizing insiders to turn on each other. The move places Democratic Governor Tim Walz squarely in the crosshairs for what Bessent describes as a catastrophic failure of oversight that victimized the states most vulnerable citizens. President Trump has instructed the administration to bring accountability for the hardworking people of Minnesota, Bessent said. Under Democratic Governor Tim Walz, welfare fraud has spiraled out of control. Billions of dollars intended for feeding hungry children, housing disabled seniors, and providing services for children in need were diverted to benefit Somali fraud rings. The secretary made these remarks during a visit to Minnesota, where he met with law enforcement and financial leaders. Following the money overseas A cornerstone of the new effort is a Geographic Targeting Order issued by Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. This order requires banks and money transmitters in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, which include Minneapolis and St. Paul, to report additional information on transactions over $3,000 sent to beneficiaries outside the United States. Law enforcement has historically had limited visibility into overseas recipients of fraud proceeds. Treasury states this order will equip investigators with the data needed to advance prosecutions and recover laundered funds. In a startling revelation, Bessent suggested stolen Minnesota taxpayer dollars could have been funneled to the Somalia-based terrorist group al-Shabab. We are thoroughly investigating the fraud, including funds sent to Somalia through money service businesses, Bessent said during a virtual press conference. These funds could have potentially been diverted to the terrorist organization al-Shabab. We have traced where the money went and are examining that. He added that any financial institutions involved would be held responsible for failures to comply with anti-money laundering laws. A multi-pronged enforcement push The Treasurys initiatives represent a full-court press. The IRS is increasing audits of financial institutions that facilitated the laundering of Minnesota funds and is forming a new task force to investigate fraud and abuse involving pandemic-era tax incentives and the misuse of 501(c)(3) non-profit status. FinCEN has also issued an alert to banks, outlining red flags to help spot fraud related to federal child nutrition programs, which officials say has already defrauded the government of at least $300 million meant for children in Minnesota. Perhaps the most unconventional tactic is a plan to pay whistleblowers for inside information. Bessent explained the strategy in a television interview, citing the corrupt nature of the fraud networks. We know that these rats will turn on each other, Bessent told Fox News. We heard today that one of the people who has been convicted of fraud, she was given $200,000 to bribe a juror, and she was so corrupt, she skimmed $80,000 of it and only tried to give a $120,000 bribe. He announced, We are going to offer whistleblower payments to anyone who wants to tell us who, what, when, where, and how this fraud has been done. The political fallout in Minnesota The crackdown intensifies the political storm around Governor Walz, who recently announced he would not seek re-election. Bessent placed blame directly on the governors administration. Its clear that Governor Walz has been negligent in his fiduciary duties as a chief executive of the state of Minnesota, that this would happen on his watch, Bessent said. He questioned whether the failure was due to just negligence and incompetence or is something more than that. This federal action echoes long-standing complaints from within the state bureaucracy. Last year, nearly 500 Minnesota Department of Human Services employees publicly blamed Walz for the massive fraud, posting on social media that he was 100% responsible and alleging that early warnings were met with retaliation rather than action. The fraud schemes are extensive. Federal authorities have already charged more than 90 people, most with ties to Minnesotas Somali community, with diverting over $9 billion from social service programs. One scheme alone, dubbed Feeding Our Future, allegedly defrauded $250 million from a federally funded child nutrition program. Investigators and journalists have documented cases where daycare centers receiving millions in taxpayer funds were vacant or closed. As the Treasury deploys its financial tools, the scale of the scandal serves as a sobering case study in how lax oversight and systemic failure can bleed a system dry. For Minnesotans who trusted the state to care for their children and elderly, the reckoning is just beginning, and its arriving via bank transaction reports and whistleblower payouts. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com DailyCaller.com Home.Treasury.gov FoxNews.com Trump withdraws U.S. from UN climate framework, aligning with corporate exodus President Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 7 withdrawing the U.S. from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and 65 related organizations, framing it as a defense of national sovereignty and economic interests. The Treasury confirmed the halt of U.S. contributionspreviously 22% of the UNFCCC's budgetredirecting financial control. China and billionaire Michael Bloomberg's philanthropy stepped in to fill the gap. Major financial institutions (BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street) abandoned net-zero alliances amid antitrust probes and political pressure, with critics calling these groups "market-manipulating cartels." Supporters praised the move as freeing American industry from "globalist restrictions," while opponents warned it would cede renewable energy leadership to China and isolate the U.S. diplomatically. Trump's withdrawal signals a broader rejection of multilateral climate governance in favor of unilateral energy dominance, accelerating a global power vacuum filled by Chinas expanding influence. On Jan. 7, President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the United States from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and 65 other international organizations tied to climate and social justice initiatives. The move, framed as a defense of U.S. sovereignty and economic interests, follows a wave of corporate departures from net-zero alliances amid conservative backlash. Critics of environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies cheered the decision, arguing such agreements harm American livelihoods, while climate activists condemned it as a retreat from global leadership. The U.S. originally joined the UNFCCC in 1992 under President George H.W. Bush, with the Senate ratifying the non-binding treaty. Subsequent agreementsthe 1997 Kyoto Protocol and 2015 Paris Accorddeepened emissions reduction commitments but faced bipartisan resistance in Congress. Trump first signaled skepticism toward climate diplomacy in 2017 by announcing plans to leave the Paris Agreement, a process finalized in 2020. His latest order goes further, severing ties entirely with the UNFCCC and halting U.S. funding to affiliated programs, including the Green Climate Fund. The Department of the Treasury confirmed on Jan. 8 that it would cease payments, which previously accounted for 22% of the UNFCCC's budget. China and billionaire Michael Bloomberg's philanthropy have since increased their contributions to offset the loss. BrightU.AI's Enoch notes that UNFCCC is a globalist tool disguised as environmental policy, pushing fraudulent CO2 alarmism to justify centralized control, carbon taxation, energy restrictions and depopulation agendas under the guise of "climate action." Corporate alliances unravel under scrutiny Trump's order mirrors a broader corporate retreat from climate-focused coalitions. Once-dominant alliances like the Net-Zero Banking Alliance and Net Zero Asset Managersbacked by financial giants BlackRock, Vanguard and State Streethave hemorrhaged members following antitrust investigations and political pressure. Conservative states led the charge, accusing these groups of violating fiduciary duties by pressuring companies to divest from fossil fuels. Vanguard exited in 2022, BlackRock followed in January 2025 and the Net Zero Insurance Alliance lost half its members in 2023. "These alliances operated as a cartel, manipulating markets under the guise of sustainability," said H. Sterling Burnett of The Heartland Institute. Supporters hailed Trump's move as a long-overdue assertion of national interests. Myron Ebell, a former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) transition adviser, called the UNFCCC a "climate racket" that "enriched bureaucrats while impoverishing the working class." Critics, however, warned of dire consequences. Yamide Dagnet of the Natural Resources Defense Council argued the U.S. would "cede technological leadership" and miss economic opportunities in renewable energy. House Democrats echoed concerns, stating the withdrawal "leaves America weaker and more isolated." Yet Trump's allies counter that the UNFCCC's focus on fossil fuel restrictions ignores their role in lifting billions out of poverty. "Energy affordability is a human right," Burnett added. Trump's withdrawal from the UNFCCC marks a defining moment in his administration's push for energy dominance and deregulation. While it aligns with a growing corporate exodus from ESG commitments, the long-term implications for U.S. influenceand global climate effortsremain hotly debated. As China expands its funding role, the move underscores a broader geopolitical shift: America's rejection of multilateral climate governance in favor of unilateral economic priorities. Watch the video below that talks about a major scientific journal retracting a climate change study claiming devastating impacts were coming. This video is from the Be Children of Light channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com WhiteHouse.gov 1 WhiteHouse.gov 2 BrightU.ai Brighteon.com Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. The RationalFX report summarizes the U.S. states with the highest tech layoffs in 2025: California: 73,499 jobs (43.08%) Washington: 42,221 jobs (24.74%) New York: 26,900 jobs (15.8%) Texas: 9,816 jobs (6%) Massachusetts: 3,477 jobs Intel leads workforce reductions Intel contributed the single largest number of layoffs in 2025, according to the RationalFX report. The semiconductor stalwart, which employed roughly 109,000 people at the end of 2024, announced plans to reduce its headcount to around 75,000 by the end of 2025, representing a workforce reduction of approximately 34,000 roles. Other major U.S. tech companies that experienced large-scale layoffs in 2025, according to the report: Amazon: more than 20,000 job cuts Microsoft: approximately 19,215 layoffs Verizon: 15,000 employees (15% of workforce) Tata Consultancy Services: 12,000 jobs Accenture: 11,000 employees IBM: 9,000 job cuts HP: 6,000 roles (10% of workforce) Unlike earlier layoff waves driven by over-hiring, many of 2025s reductions were permanent, with entire roles eliminated as companies rebuilt around AI-first operating models, Cohen said. Despite heavy investment in automation, these restructurings have not always delivered immediate efficiency gains, highlighting a growing gap between expectations around AI-driven productivity and the realities of large-scale workforce transformation. AI and automation drive job elimination The RationalFX report found that AI and automation were among the most frequently cited drivers of layoffs in 2025. With some companies retraining staff, others looked to replace roles entirely, particularly in data processing, customer support, HR, and administrative functions, the report states. In October 28, Amazon confirmed 14,000 job cuts, saying the company was now focusing on AI and adapting to the transformative technology. In 2023, U.K. telecommunications provider BT said it would be cutting 55,000 jobs, with the number representing both hired employees and contractors by 2030. By the end of March 2025, BT employed around 85,300 people, roughly 6,400 fewer than at the same time in 2024, according to the RationalFX report. STOCKHOLM, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe has signed an agreement with Stegra for the delivery of steel from Stegra's site in Boden, Sweden. First deliveries are expected to start in 2027. The total tonnage of the agreement will be in the high-six-digit range. In the multi-year agreement, thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe will acquire significant amounts of non-prime steel from Stegra to supply its customers in various industries across Europe. "At thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, we have the customer base, the logistics capabilities and the processing network to handle these large amounts of steel. At the same time, we are also teaming up with Stegra to support the ramp-up of their large-scale facilities in Boden and their efforts to decarbonize the steel industry," says Heather Wijdekop, CEO of the Processing business unit at thyssenkrupp Materials Services. thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe is part of thyssenkrupp Materials Services and is a major European steel and aluminum service center. It supplies processed steel products based on each customer's specifications in segments including automotive suppliers, construction and OEMs. Stegra is currently building a new steel production facility in Boden, Sweden, which will produce steel with green hydrogen from renewable electricity. Due to the nature of the steel production process, steel mills produce a certain amount of non-prime steel: material that doesn't meet the highest quality standards that certain applications may require, but is still a strong and durable material eligible for various uses. As a result, non-prime steel makes up a relevant portion of the steel market in Europe. "A partner for non-prime steel is important for the ramp up of our steel mill and we see this as the start of a long-term partnership with thyssenkrupp Material Services as a key player in the market. Together we can drive an even stronger pull for steel products made via the green hydrogen route," says Stephan Flapper, Head of Commercial, Stegra. Although Stegra's Boden site uses only hydrogen and renewable electricity, the non-prime steel purchased by thyssenkrupp Materials Services in the course of this agreement will not be considered to be CO 2 -reduced as Stegra will sell the green value as Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs) to other customers in the prime steel market. Stegra announced its first agreement for environmental attribute certificates in September 2025. Agreements for non-prime steel are crucial in the development of the market for environmental attribute certificates in steel. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani announced that approximately 1,700 candidates are contesting across 227 wards, with voting scheduled for January 15. The election season is marked by a heated political debate over Marathi identity and leadership within the civic body. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis countered opposition claims by asserting that only a Marathi person would lead the BMC. Meanwhile, MNS chief Raj Thackeray framed the election as decisive for the Marathi community, warning against the imposition of Hindi and urging vigilance on polling day. BMC Commissioner announces 1700 candidates for Mumbai polls as CM Fadnavis and MNS chief Raj Thackeray clash over Marathi identity and leadership. Mumbai, January 13 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on Monday announced that around 1,700 candidates across 227 wards are participating in this election. The BMC Commissioner further declared that the civic body is fully prepared to conduct the municipal elections. "BMC is all prepared to conduct these elections. Voting will be held on 15th January and counting on 16th. There are 227 wards in total. 1700 candidates are contesting," said Gagrani. Meanwhile, ahead of the elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made strong remarks about Marathi identity, asserting that the civic body's leadership would remain in Marathi hands. Countering Opposition claims over threats to the "Marathi manush," Fadnavis said it was not the Marathi community but certain political forces whose existence was at stake, underscoring that Maharashtra belongs to all Marathi people, not any single group. "It's not the Marathi manush whose existence is in danger. It's you whose existence is at stake. I want to say this again that you are not the whole Maharashtra. You are not the only Marathi here. I want to reiterate that only Marathi person will be at the helm of affairs in BMC. Only Marathi will lead," Fadnavis said. Earlier, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray made a strong pitch for Marathi unity, warning that the state's language, land and identity are under threat. Addressing party workers, Thackeray said people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar should not impose Hindi in Maharashtra, asserting that any such attempt would be resisted. He termed the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls as a "decisive" election for the Marathi community, urging voters to unite for Maharashtra and remain vigilant on polling day to prevent any malpractice. "People from UP and Bihar should understand that Hindi is not your language. I don't hate the language... But if you try to impose it, I'll kick you. They're coming from all sides to Maharashtra and snatching away your share... If land and language are gone, you will be finished. Today, this crisis has arrived at your doorstep," Raj Thackeray said. "This is the last election for the Marathi man... If you miss this opportunity today, you will be finished. Unite for Marathi and Maharashtra. Mumbai was obtained through the sacrifices of so many people... What will we tell them?... The BLA (Booth Level Agents) appointed at 6 AM should be ready on election day... Be alert, be vigilant, don't be careless... If anyone comes to vote again, throw them out," the MNS Chief added. The political exchange comes ahead of elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16. - ANI Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced at a Vibrant Gujarat regional meet that Saurashtra's GDP is projected to surge to nearly USD 600 billion by 2047, marking an 11-12 fold increase. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for decentralising development through region-specific planning and cluster-based growth. The plan highlights key sectors like engineering parks in Rajkot, petrochemical hubs in Jamnagar, and opportunities in green hydrogen and defence. Officials and industry leaders emphasized the need for local industries to integrate into global value chains and move up from being suppliers to solution providers. Union Minister Piyush Goyal projects Saurashtra's economy will grow 12-fold to USD 600 billion by 2047, driven by regional industrial clusters. Rajkot, January 12 Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Monday said that Saurashtra's economy is poised for transformational growth, with its GDP projected to rise 11-12 times to nearly USD 600 billion by 2047, as Gujarat continues to play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'. Addressing the 'Saurashtra Economic Region (SaER) - Economic Master Plan' seminar in Rajkot, organised under the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, Goyal credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership for decentralising development through region-specific planning. He said taking Vibrant Gujarat conferences from the state level to regional platforms would give local industries global exposure and accelerate grassroots economic growth. Highlighting the 30-year Economic Master Plan for Saurashtra, the Union Minister emphasised the importance of cluster-based development. He said focused sectoral growth has been planned, including engineering and medical device parks in Rajkot and petrochemical hubs in Jamnagar. Goyal expressed confidence that India will soon emerge as the world's third-largest economy, with Gujarat and Saurashtra acting as major growth engines. Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Ajay Bhadoo, called upon entrepreneurs in the region to move up the value chain and evolve from being mere suppliers to becoming system and solution providers. He underlined the need to integrate Rajkot's engineering, Morbi's ceramic, and Jamnagar's energy clusters with global value chains, adding that the Centre is committed to developing plug-and-play industrial clusters for sectors such as green hydrogen, defence, aerospace, and precision manufacturing. During the seminar, Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (z-GRIT) CEO S. Aparna presented the framework of the SaER master plan, while Ports and Transport Department Secretary Rajendra Kumar outlined investment opportunities in ports and logistics across the Saurashtra-Kutch region. Rajkot Chamber of Commerce President V. P. Vaishnav urged investors to partner in developing Saurashtra into a global industrial hub. Experts from India and abroad participated in technical sessions focusing on defence, aerospace, exports, and logistics. Industry leaders, including Vikram Goyal of Mahindra Lifespaces, Yusuf Tambawala of JAFZA, and Mohammad Athar of PwC India, shared insights on global best practices and export potential. The concluding session highlighted emerging opportunities in defence, aerospace, engineering, and ceramics, supported by robust logistics infrastructure. The programme was formally inaugurated with a welcome address by Secretary (Planning), General Administration Department, Adra Agrawal. Several prominent industrialists and investors, including Jyoti CNC's Parakramsinh Jadeja, attended the event. - ANI Rani Mukerji has penned a heartfelt note reflecting on her 30-year journey in the Hindi film industry. She describes her debut as a chance occurrence and highlights pivotal films like 'Saathiya' and the transformative 'Black' as key to finding her voice. The actor expresses a deep connection to her female-centric roles in films like 'Mardaani' and 'No One Killed Jessica', which allowed her to portray women challenging the world. She concludes with gratitude for her collaborators and audiences, reaffirming her enduring love for the craft of cinema. Rani Mukerji pens emotional note on completing 30 years in cinema, reflecting on films like Black, Mardaani, and her evolution as an actor. Mumbai, January 12 Having completed three decades in the film industry, actor Rani Mukerji reflected on her journey with gratitude, humility and deep emotion, as she penned a heartfelt note celebrating 30 years in cinema. Looking back on her debut and the films that shaped her evolution as an artist, Rani shared a deeply personal reflection on her love for the craft, her growth, and her self-discovery. "Thirty years... When I say that out loud, it feels unreal but it also tells me that if you do something that you love from the bottom of your heart, time flies and you are left hungry for more. Thirty years ago, I stepped onto a film set with no grand plan of becoming an actress. It wasn't a dream I chased it was something that found me. A young girl. drawn into cinema almost by chance, hesitant at first... and yet, somewhere between instinct and vulnerability. I fell in love with the craft," the actor said. Revisiting her debut film Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat, the actor recalled the lessons it taught her early on. "When I did Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat, I was barely aware of what a 'career' in cinema would look like. I only knew that acting made me feel alive. That film taught me my first big lesson: cinema is not about glamour, first it is about responsibility. Playing a woman fighting for dignity so early in my journey shaped the actor I would become," she said. Rani described the 1990s as a "magical phase" of her career, noting that while her films opened doors, they also revealed to her how deeply Hindi cinema connects with audiences. From the first step to the films that went on to shape her career, Rani Mukerji credited every bit of them in her journey, offering special mentions to 'Saathiya', Bunty Aur Babli', 'Hum Tum', and 'No One Killed Jessica', among others. "The early 2000s were about finding my voice. Saathiya was not just a film, it was a turning point. I played a flawed, impulsive, emotional woman and I remember feeling liberated. I didn't want to be perfect on screen. I wanted to be honest," she added. The actor went on to speak about Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Black', calling it a transformative experience. "That film changed everything I believed about myself as an actor. Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Amitabh Bachchan pushed me to places I didn't know existed within me. It demanded discipline, surrender, and courage. Even today. Black remains one of the most emotionally intense experiences of my life. It taught me that silence can speak louder than words and that acting is as much about listening as it is about performing," she wrote. Stating that she has always been drawn to women challenging the world, Rani remembered her female-centric characters in 'Bunty Aur Babli', 'No One Killed Jessica', and 'Mardaani', adding, "I felt a deep connection to characters who refuse to back down, who want to shatter patriarchy and have a lot of grace while doing so." Her portrayal of fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani remains particularly special for the actor. "Mardaani in particular holds a special place in my heart. Shivani Shivaji Roy is not loud heroism, she is quiet strength. Through her, I discovered how powerful it is to tell stories that make people uncomfortable, but also hopeful," Rani shared. Opening up about working after marriage and motherhood, the actor said the transition helped sharpen her focus. "I became more selective, more protective of my energy, and more aware of the kind of legacy 1 wanted to build and the films that I want to lend my voice to," she said. Speaking about her National Award-winning performance in 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway', Rani described the role as deeply personal. "Maybe I was born to play this role, which is why the universe reserved the feeling of me winning this award for when I became a mother and understood what a woman can do for her offspring. Maybe I'm a more complete actor, a more grounded human to play such a role today. I bowed to the universe and took this award with a lot of humility." Concluding her note with gratitude for her co-stars, filmmakers and audiences, Rani reiterated her enduring love for cinema. "Today, when I look back, I don't count box-office numbers or awards first. I count moments-standing under rain for a shot, laughing between takes, crying after a difficult scene. and feeling that quiet satisfaction when a performance truly connects. Thirty years later, my love for cinema is still the same, perhaps deeper, certainly calmer, and infinitely more grateful...As long as there are stories to tell and emotions to explore. I will remain a student of this beautiful, demanding art," she said. Rani Mukerji's 30th year in the film industry coincides with her much-awaited release, 'Mardaani 3'. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, the film is slated to hit theatres on January 30. - ANI US President Donald Trump announced that a $4.2 billion shipment of Venezuelan oil is currently en route to the United States following a request from Venezuela's interim leadership. This comes after Trump signed an executive order declaring a national emergency to protect Venezuelan oil revenue held in US accounts from legal seizure. The order blocks any judicial process against these funds, designating them as sovereign property of Venezuela held for diplomatic purposes. The development follows Trump's meeting with energy executives to promote investment in Venezuela's sector and comes amid condemnation from Venezuelan officials over the US capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro. President Trump confirms a major oil deal with Venezuela's interim leadership, as a new executive order protects Venezuelan oil funds in the US. Washington DC, January 12 US President Donald Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One on the situation in Venezuela on Sunday. He said, "Venezuela is really working out well. We're working along really well with their leadership, and we'll see how it all works out." Trump also spoke with the interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez. On the meeting Trump said, "She's been very good. She asked us if we could take 50 million barrels of oil, and I said yes, we can, it is worth $4.2 billion, and it is on its way right now to the United States..." This development comes after the President on Friday (local time) signed an Executive Order declaring a national emergency to protect Venezuelan oil revenue held in US Treasury accounts from legal attachment or judicial seizure, saying the move is aimed at advancing US foreign policy and national security objectives. According to the White House, the Executive Order blocks any attachment, judgment, lien, execution, garnishment or other judicial process against Venezuelan oil revenues and diluent sales deposited in US Treasury accounts. These funds, termed "Foreign Government Deposit Funds," are to remain frozen unless specifically authorised under the new order. The order also prohibits any transfer or dealing in the funds and overrides earlier directives that may have regulated or restricted such transfers or dealings. It states that the oil revenues are the sovereign property of Venezuela, held in US custody for governmental and diplomatic purposes, and cannot be claimed by private parties. Before this, US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) met with top oil and gas executives at the White House to promote major investments in Venezuela's energy sector, and said that "a lot of money is going to be made". Earlier, on Saturday, Venezueland Interim President Delcy Rodriguez stated that the US action that led to the capture of deposed dictator Nicolas Mauro and his wife "will go down in history as a major stain" on relations between Washington and Caracas. In a speech broadcast on the state channel Venezolana de Television (VTV), Rodriguez reiterated that the Executive Branch "will not cease to condemn the criminal aggression" that culminated in the capture of Maduro, currently detained in New York. - ANI Adam Sandler accepted a Career Achievement Award at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards with a brutally funny monologue about the signs of aging. He listed reasons like needing Viagra to urinate and his back skin floating in a pool. The actor had the audience laughing with relatable grievances, including texts in a huge font and toenails resembling a box of crayons. He concluded by noting he falls asleep almost instantly when trying to watch award screeners. Adam Sandler lists 10 hilarious reasons he knows he's old, from Viagra mishaps to floating back skin, at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. Los Angeles, Jan 12 Hollywood actor Adam Sandler has shared what it feels like to be all grown up. The 59-year-old actor recently gave different reasons why he knows he's "f****** old". The actor received the Career Achievement Award at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards where he spoke about getting old, reports 'People' magazine. He said, "Number one, the other day, I had to swallow a Viagra just to take a piss. And of course I had to call my doctor because of piss lasted for more than four hours. When I sit down, it sounds like a semi-truck driving over a family of lobsters cracking their knuckles and eating Pop Rocks. Number three, my tongue only has one taste bud left. Everything I eat now tastes like oatmeal, except oatmeal which tastes like Vaseline". As per 'People', among other relatable reasons that had the audience cackling included the actor using a font so big that his texts "can be read by anyone with a window seen on a Delta flight" and often finding himself having to "use a Dude Wipes". "Number six, when I dive to the bottom of the pool, most of my back skin stays floating on top of the water. Number seven, at my high school reunions, I spend most of the night saying, 'I'm so sorry to hear that", he added. The actor also said that none of his toenails seem to be the same color anymore. Indeed, it tends to look like "a box of Crayola crayons" when he takes his socks off. "Number nine, the other day I called the Depend diaper headquarters and asked them if they ever considered getting into the sweatpants game. And I wrote another one just in case that number nine didn't work". To wrap up his reasons, Sander said that, upon receiving the Academy Awards screeners app, he finds himself only staying awake for a total of eight minutes, although he would press play on 44 different movies. - IANS The Charge d'Affaires of Afghanistan's Embassy in New Delhi met with a senior Indian MEA official to discuss bilateral relations, trade, and visa facilitation. This follows recent high-level visits, including by Afghanistan's Public Health Minister, who emphasized India's role as a key pharmaceutical partner. India has reaffirmed its commitment to providing continued humanitarian and health assistance to Afghanistan. The resolution of long-standing visa hurdles for Afghan citizens was also recently announced, marking ongoing engagement between the two nations. Afghan Charge d'Affaires meets Indian MEA Joint Secretary. Talks cover trade, visas, and health cooperation amid evolving India-Afghanistan relations. New Delhi, January 13 The Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi, Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, on Monday met with Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran Division at the Ministry of External Affairs of India. The meeting took place at the Ministry of External Affairs office in the national capital. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on bilateral political and economic relations, trade expansion, visa facilitation, and the challenges faced by Afghan traders, students, and Afghan nationals residing in India. In a post on X, the Afghanistan Embassy in India, "The Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in New Delhi, H.E. Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, met with Mr Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran (PAI) Division at the Ministry of External Affairs of India." Earlier, on January 10, Afghanistan appointed diplomat Noor Ahmed Noor at the Afghan Embassy in Delhi. He previously served as Director General of the First Political Department at Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry and was also a member of Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's delegation during his visit to India in October last year. Earlier on December 20, Afghanistan's Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, said that India is emerging as a key alternative partner for Afghanistan's pharmaceutical needs, as its relationship with Pakistan stands "deteriorated". Jalali said Afghanistan seeks to open a "new chapter" in cooperation with India, highlighting the long-standing ties between the two countries and India's role as a reliable health partner. "We have a strong relationship with India, and we are here to open a new chapter of cooperation and collaboration. When it comes to Pakistan, the relationship has deteriorated." His remarks came during his visit to India for the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, held in New Delhi. India reaffirmed its commitment to continued humanitarian support for Afghanistan, emphasising the long-term supply of medicines and health assistance as a key pillar of bilateral engagement. Jalali's visit followed the Ministry of External Affairs' welcoming him on his first official visit to India, underlining New Delhi's continued humanitarian outreach to Afghanistan despite changing regional dynamics. Jalali's visit was part of a broader pattern of official exchanges between the two countries. In October 2025, Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India for the first time since the Taliban took over in Afghanistan. Speaking to ANI during that visit, Muttaqi expressed gratitude for the reception he received, saying, "The journey has been very good so far. Not just the people of Darul Uloom, but everyone in the area, has come here. I am grateful for the warm welcome they extended to me." Afghanistan's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, on November 24, had announced that long-standing visa hurdles between India and Afghanistan have been resolved, allowing Afghan citizens to obtain Indian visas for both medical treatment and business purposes. - ANI Filmmaker Karan Johar has publicly declared himself a lifelong fan of actress Yami Gautam after watching her performance in the courtroom drama 'Haq'. He praised her performance as brilliant and pathbreaking, highlighting her silences and monologue as a masterclass. Johar also commended director Suparn Verma and called co-star Emraan Hashmi's role his career-best performance. This follows actress Alia Bhatt also recently expressing her admiration for Gautam's work in the film. Filmmaker Karan Johar and actress Alia Bhatt laud Yami Gautam's powerful performance in the courtroom drama 'Haq', calling it a masterclass. Mumbai, Jan 12 Actress Yami Gautam has been receiving a lot of praise for her grounded yet powerful performance in her latest release "Haq". Joining the long list of admirers, filmmaker Karan Johar admitted that he was left teary-eyed after watching Shazia Bano's courtroom victory on the screen. KJo further regrets "that i missed the opportunity of watching this exceptionally empowering film in the cinema." Taking to social media, Karan further added that he has not been this moved by a performance in a long time. Lauding Yami for her remarkable performance, the 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' maker wrote on his Instagram, "to say that @yamigautam is Brilliant, outstanding , Pathbreaking is still not saying enough.... Her silences, her stares , her last monologue and her stance throughout the film is a master class of craft and conviction .... Salute and Salaam to her! (sic)" Applauding the 'Haq' director, Karan penned, "@suparnverma directs the film with such an assured hand... never letting theatrics overpower the emotion and always making the strength of the characters shine with strong silences ...he has directed a Brilliant film...." KJo called "Haq" Emraan Hashmi's best performance to date. The maker added, "@therealemraan is his career best ... he is so convincing and he portrays the insensitive and entitled husband like a bonafide veteran ... you hate him and therefore you absolutely Love his performance ..." "kudos to @jungleepictures ... Vineet and Amrita .. @vineetjain12 for producing this brave and important motion picture! #harmanbaweja.:. Big applause to @reshunath for writing a solid and poignant film with such strength of narrative ...." Karan added, congratulating the entire team behind the courtroom drama. KJo concluded the note, declaring, "Yami.... Am a fan for life!" Before this, actress Alia Bhatt also called herself a Yami fan after witnessing her latest work. "As I mentioned over the phone too, am a Yami fan waiting eagerly for all your work to once again charm and entertain us all," Alia shared on her Insta. - IANS Union Minister Jitin Prasada stated that Uttar Pradesh has become a central platform for major national programs following Delhi. He credited national growth to leadership and highlighted rapid development in India's technology ecosystem and network connectivity. Prasada emphasized the government's focus on AI and measures against cybercrime, while stressing that success depends on rural communities benefiting from the technology. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also showcased the state's improved healthcare infrastructure at a related summit. Union Minister Jitin Prasada says Uttar Pradesh is now a major platform for national initiatives, highlighting AI growth and digital connectivity. Lucknow, January 12 Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada on Monday said that after Delhi, Uttar Pradesh has now become a key platform for major national programmes, reflecting the state's growing role in India's development journey. While addressing Uttar Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026, Prasada said, "State's growth engine is moving forward rapidly and is contributing significantly to the country's overall progress." He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for India's fast-paced growth across sectors. "India's technology ecosystem, including semiconductors and advanced digital infrastructure, is developing at an unprecedented pace. Network connectivity has expanded to villages across the country, helping bridge the digital divide between urban and rural India," Prasada said. He also highlighted challenges posed by cyber fraud and misinformation, stating that the Central government is taking strict measures to counter cybercrime, and warned that strong action would be taken against those spreading fake news, adding that the government is actively working to strengthen safeguards. Referring to recent election outcomes, including Bihar and other states, Prasada said the results clearly indicate that people want development and good governance. He further announced that the Technology Impact Summit is scheduled to take place next month, calling it a matter of pride for the country. "India's presence is being felt strongly across the world," he said, underlining the nation's growing global influence. Emphasising the government's focus on emerging technologies, Prasada said several initiatives are underway to strengthen artificial intelligence capabilities. He asserted that India is moving rapidly towards becoming a global hub for AI. However, he stressed that the true success of these efforts would only be achieved when the benefits of AI technology reach rural communities. "Until rural India gains from AI, we will not consider our work complete," the minister said. At AI and Health Innovation Summit, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "During COVID-19, we increased ICU beds in all districts... Today, all kinds of medical facilities are available in every district... Previously, deaths from encephalitis occurred in 38 districts of the state, every year 1200 to 1500 children died from encephalitis, today, deaths from encephalitis are zero." IndiaAI and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, host the Uttar Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 in Lucknow on 12-13 January 2026. Showcasing cutting-edge deployments of artificial intelligence in governance and public service delivery, and aligning state-level initiatives with the ambitions of the IndiaAI Mission. The Uttar Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 marks a precursor to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, from February 16-20, 2026, and is part of the national series of eight Regional AI Impact Conferences being organised across the country. - ANI A seminar at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot focused on integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning into the renewable energy sector. Experts highlighted the need for data-driven decision-making in smart metering, grid preparedness, and sustainable energy frameworks. The discussions concluded that AI and smart storage are essential to creating a resilient and measurable power ecosystem for the future. The event coincided with a major regional exhibition inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi, showcasing innovation and entrepreneurship. Experts at Vibrant Gujarat seminar discuss using AI, ML, and smart storage for a resilient, sustainable power ecosystem to meet rising demand. Rajkot, January 12 At the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference held in Rajkot on Monday, a seminar was organised on the theme 'Smarter RE integration & Stadial Storage Solution through AI-ML: Need of Hour'. According to a release from Gujarat CMO, the seminar featured extensive discussions on how modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) can be leveraged to make the energy sector more efficient and future-ready. At the seminar, Shweta Ravikumar, Executive Director of FSR Global, underscored the significance of energy transition and the need for sustainable energy frameworks at the global level. Additionally, Dr Chirag Thakore, Professor and Head at LD Engineering College, provided detailed insights into grid preparedness and long-term infrastructure planning. Gautam Kumar, Chief Strategy Officer at Intellismart Infrastructure, highlighted the role of data-driven decision-making in smart metering and power distribution, while Joydeep Sinha, Technology Expert at TCS, discussed the transformative impact of AI/ML applications. Further, Rudhi Pradhan from Accenture India discussed strategies to scale innovation despite the operational complexities faced by DISCOMs, and Dr. Hiteshri Shastri of Ruvision Ventures emphasised the growing impact of the startup ecosystem and advanced analytics in shaping the future of the energy sector. The seminar concluded that effective utilisation of Artificial Intelligence and smart storage solutions is the only viable option to meet the rising demand for renewable energy. Such technological integration will enable the creation of a power ecosystem that is resilient, measurable, and environmentally sustainable. It was expressed with optimism that the deliberations at this Vibrant Gujarat platform will chart a new direction for the energy sector in Gujarat and India in the coming years. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition (VGRE) for Kutch and Saurashtra on 11 January 2026. The five-day exhibition, concluding on 15 January 2026, serves as a grand platform to showcase innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional excellence. With more than 450 exhibitors, including over 160 MSMEs, 60 startups and innovators, 62 artisans, and 70 stalls from central and state government departments, the exhibition reflects the diverse strengths of Gujarat's economy. Spread across six domes and covering a total area of 26,400 square meters, VGRE has emerged as a hub for business networking and collaboration. - ANI Dozens gathered at Nathan Phillips Square Saturday to protest mass immigration, prompting a counter-protest and a news conference with a city councillor and opposing groups. Ahead of the anti-immigration rally, Coun. Neethan Shan (Scarborough-Rouge Park) joined groups such as the National Council of Canadian Muslims and the Urban Alliance on Race Relations to denounce racism and xenophobia, the Toronto & York Region Labour Council said in a news release. The anti-immigration rally also prompted a counter-protest by Community Solidarity Toronto, which focused on reducing hate in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canada First Movement founder and president Joe Anidjar said he started the initiative in 2024 to send a message across the country. Before, we had a great immigration system where people came here, they knew they had to work hard, he told CBC Toronto Saturday. Now we're paying for people's livelihoods. And that's just not the way. That's not where I want my tax dollars going. Anidjar added he wants to see more money go towards homelessness and mental illness support within the city, rather than towards wars overseas. We want to put our people first. We want to put our needs first, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post to social media Saturday afternoon, Toronto police originally said a total of 11 arrests were made at a demonstration at Queen Street W. and Bay Street. In an update to social media, Toronto police said a total of nine arrests were made. In a news release Sunday, Toronto police said a total of eight arrests were made and a total of 29 charges were laid in connection with the demonstrations at Nathan Phillips Square. Upon further investigation, one person was released with no charges, Toronto police said in Sunday's release. Toronto police also told CBC Toronto Sunday that approximately 200 to 300 people were in attendance at the demonstrations at Queen Street W. and Bay Street. Rhetoric 'needs to be stopped,' councillor says The counter-protest by Community Solidarity Toronto garnered approximately 150 attendees. Dana Julien, a protester holding a sign that said Immigrants are welcome here, said hes standing with migrants who are being turned into scapegoats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When there's a big vocal expression or even a pathetic vocal expression of hatred towards immigrants, I want to be there to stand against it, he said. In a post to social media Saturday afternoon, Toronto police said a total of 11 arrests were made at a demonstration at Queen Street W. and Bay Street. (Spencer Gallichan-Lowe/CBC) A councillor and activists preceded the Canada First rally with a news conference inside Toronto City Hall Saturday, warning of the dangers of anti-immigration rhetoric, particularly in light of a recent killing in the U.S. involving an immigration agent in Minneapolis, Minn. Nigel Barriffe, president of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, said its not fair to blame immigrants for the ongoing affordability crisis in Canada. It's not their fault, he said. We've had waves of immigration that have come to this country and built it [into] the beautiful society that we have now. So to blame immigrants for the problems that are happening is a lie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For United Church Rev. Sarah Miller, who is also a member of the Toronto East Anti Hate Mobilization, the point behind anti-immigration protests is to make it safer to be racist. I am concerned about creating an environment like that because that reduces safety for everyone, she said. That creates division where there is coexistence, where people are living and working together in very positive ways. Coun. Neethan Shan (Scarborough-Rouge Park) told CBC Toronto he wants the affected communities to know Toronto stands in solidarity with them. This xenophobia, these anti-refugee, anti-immigrant sentiments that are being spread deliberately to cause fear, deliberately to create a foundation for further racism and hate needs to be stopped, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anidjar said thats not whats happening. If you take a look around, it's very multicultural. It's people from all different backgrounds and races, he said. At the end of the day, we want to preserve our culture, our identity and our way of life. Ananya Panday began her week with a visit to a Lord Shiva temple, sharing devotional photos on Instagram with the caption "Har Har Mahadev." The actress also revealed a specific fitness goal for 2026, aiming to learn how to perform a chin-up. She recently appeared on "The Great Indian Kapil Show" alongside co-star Kartik Aaryan. During the show, she humorously shared her father Chunky Panday's strategic view on family members appearing individually on such shows. Ananya Panday shares photos from a Shiva temple visit and reveals her 2026 fitness goal is to master a chin-up. Get the latest updates. Mumbai, Jan 12 Actress Ananya Panday decided to kick off the week with some divine blessings by offering prayers at a Lord Shiva temple. Ananya took to her official Instagram handle and gave an insight into her temple visit. The 'CTRL' actress looked simple yet elegant in a simple salwar kameez as she posed in a sans makeup look, with her hair tied in a bun. In the first still from the post, she was seen fully submerged in devotion as she sat in front of a shivalaya with folded hands. This was followed by a selfie of Ananya from the car with chandan on her forehead. The final photo was of the temple where the 'Kesari: Chapter 2' actress decided to start her day. For the caption, Ananya penned, "Har Har Mahadev (Red heart, folded hands and Trishul emojis) #HappiestMonday (sic)". Ananya, who likes to stay on top of her social media game and updates her Insta Family on all the major happenings in her personal and professional life, shared her goals for the year 2026. She revealed that, stepping into the New Year, she desires to manifest a special fitness goal. Ananya shared that she wishes to learn to do a chin-up in 2026. Taking to the Stories section of her Instagram handle, Ananya dropped a picture of herself trying a chin-up in the gym. "2026 manifestation is to get a chin up (Crying face and fingers crossed emojis)," the text on her photograph from her gym session read. In another update, Ananya recently graced the couch during the latest episode of the popular reality show "The Great Indian Kapil Show". She was accompanied by her 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri' co-star Kartik Aaryan on the show. Amidst all the usual fun, she revealed her father Chunky Panday's masterplan. Ananya explained that the 'Housefull' actor is of the opinion that if all of them show up on the show together, they will be earning less money; the smarter move is for each family member to appear individually across seasons. - IANS Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is visiting his native village Naravaripalle to celebrate the Sankranti festival with his family. During his visit, he will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for multiple development projects, including a skill centre, road, substation, and hospital amenities. Concurrently, the state is making extensive arrangements for the four-day harvest festival, with special transport and security measures in place. The celebrations reflect the cultural traditions of Andhra Pradesh, with markets bustling and communities preparing for traditional events. CM N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurates development projects in Naravaripalle and Tirupati during his Sankranti festival visit. Details on infrastructure and festival preparations. Amaravati, January 12 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu proceeded to his native village, Naravaripalle, to celebrate the Sankranti festival along with his family members. On Tuesday, the Chief Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several development projects in Naravaripalle and Tirupati. The Chief Minister will participate in the Sankranti celebrations at the TTD Kalyana Mandapam in the village on Tuesday. Later, he will visit the Seshachala Lingeswara Swamy Temple. He will inaugurate the road constructed at a cost of Rs. 70 lakh from the A-Rangampeta-Bheemavaram road to the temple. In Naravaripalle, the Chief Minister will inaugurate a 33/11 KV semi-indoor substation, a Skill Building Centre constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.4 crore to provide industry-oriented training to youth, and the Sanjeevani project. In Tirupati, the Chief Minister will inaugurate the patient attendant amenities complex, built at a cost of Rs. 45 lakh, at Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government Hospital, and a Boys' Hostel, constructed at a cost of Rs. 7.5 crore at SV University, and a Girls' Hostel built at a cost of 4-5 crore. He will also lay the foundation stone for a project costing Rs. 126 crore to transport water from the Neeva Branch Canal to the Kalyani Dam, Moolapalli tank, and four other tanks to ensure water supply in Moolapalli. Additionally, he will lay the foundation stone for an animal shelter complex to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh. At SV University, the Chief Minister will lay foundation stones for centralised advanced research laboratories costing Rs. 6 crore to promote research and innovation, construction of the second floor of an academic building at a cost of Rs. 5.03 crore as part of educational infrastructure development, and a compound wall to be built at a cost of Rs. 2.91 crore. On January 15, the Chief Minister will visit the Nagalamma temple, the presiding deity of his village, along with his family and offer special prayers. On the same day, he will return from Naravaripalle to Amaravati. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh is set to celebrate Sankranti, the state's biggest harvest festival, with traditional fervour, and elaborate preparations are underway across districts. The four-day festival, beginning with Bhogi, is seeing increased activity in villages and towns as people return to their hometowns to celebrate with family. Government departments have stepped up arrangements to ensure smooth festivities. The Transport Department and APSRTC have deployed thousands of special buses to handle the festive rush, particularly on routes connecting cities such as Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Rajamahendravaram to rural areas. Railway stations and bus terminals are witnessing heavy crowds as students, employees and migrant workers travel home for the celebrations. Local bodies and municipal authorities have intensified sanitation drives, decoration works and street lighting across urban and rural areas. Villages are adorned with colourful rangoli (muggu), mango-leaf festoons, and traditional decorations, reflecting the cultural spirit of Sankranti. Markets across the state are bustling with activity as people shop for new clothes, sugarcane, turmeric plants, kites and festive essentials. Cattle markets and village grounds are being prepared for traditional events such as Gangireddy performances, Haridasu programmes, and bullock-cart celebrations. Police departments have increased surveillance and traffic management measures in major towns, on highways, and at pilgrimage centres to prevent congestion and ensure public safety. Special focus is being placed on accident-prone zones, crowded marketplaces and transport hubs. Cultural programmes, kite festivals and community celebrations are also being organised by various departments and local organisations to promote Andhra Pradesh's rich traditions. Temples are preparing for special prayers and rituals during Bhogi, Sankranti and Kanuma. With favourable weather conditions and extensive administrative preparations, Andhra Pradesh is poised to celebrate Sankranti in a joyful and peaceful atmosphere, marking gratitude to farmers and nature for a bountiful harvest. Vijayawada member of parliament, Lok Sabha MP Kesineni Sivanadh, says, "We are in Vijayawada. Today, the celebrations have begun, and Sankranti will continue for the next four days. Sankranti, which is supposed to be a rural festival, is now being celebrated by the people of Vijayawada as well." Party workers have brought this festival to Vijayawada, and now the city is glowing with Sankranti celebrations. You can see the entire Sankranti festival here. This is the farmers' festival, with Bhogi bonfires and traditional celebrations. Enjoyment everywhere. Not only the ladies who have gathered here, but everyone here is celebrating Sankranti. We thank the organisers for arranging such a wonderful event here. We thank everyone involved and wish a Happy Sankranti to everyone." - ANI Ahead of the 2026 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, NCP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar outlined his party's development-focused manifesto. He emphasized plans for 500 km of new roads, AI-based traffic systems, and tackling pollution to improve quality of life. Pawar also made a strong statement on national security, asserting that anyone involved in terrorism should be hanged. The interview also touched on the complexities of political alliances at the local versus state level. Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, in an IANS interview, calls for hanging terrorists and outlines NCP's development plans for BMC elections. Mumbai, Jan 12 Ahead of the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections scheduled for January 15, 2026, Nationalist Congress Party leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday said that his party's sole focus is development. Pawar outlined the priorities mentioned in the party's manifesto, addressed questions about alliances, political realignments, governance, and national issues, and reiterated that voters ultimately judge leaders on their work. He also said that anyone involved in terrorism should face the strictest punishment and be hanged A total of nearly 1,700 candidates are contesting the 227-ward BMC elections, which are being closely watched as they are considered a crucial political barometer ahead of future Assembly and Lok Sabha contests in Maharashtra. The NCP on Wednesday released its manifesto for the BMC elections. The party has promised inclusive development, transparent governance and major infrastructure improvements to make Mumbai a global city. Their key plans include building 500 kms of new roads in the next five years, improving bridges and flyovers, using AI-based traffic management systems, and creating new economic hubs in places like BKC, Worli and the eastern suburbs to increase job opportunities. NCP and Sharad Pawar's NCP (SP) formed an alliance for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporation elections despite being on opposite sides in the state and at the Centre. The NCP is with the governing alliance in both governments, while the NCP (SP) is in the Opposition. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Ajit Pawar spoke on a wide range of issues, including civic governance, infrastructure development, pollution, political alliances, the possibility of reunification within the NCP, statements by Opposition leaders, and concerns related to national security and economic challenges. Here is the full interview: IANS: You have been in power for many years. What is new in this year's manifesto? Ajit Pawar: The most important new aspect of this year's manifesto is our clear and focussed commitment to improving the quality of life in cities. People should get clean and sufficient drinking water, cleanliness should be maintained on a daily basis, roads should be in good condition, and traffic should be managed efficiently. Medical facilities must be accessible and of good quality for all citizens. We are also paying special attention to pollution, which has become a serious issue in metropolitan areas like Mumbai. Due to rising pollution levels, people are falling ill and facing several health problems. These concerns have been reflected clearly in our manifesto. Our aim is not just to make promises, but to ensure effective implementation on the ground. IANS: Since you have served as a minister for several years, people are saying that these facilities could have been provided earlier. What would you like to say about this criticism? Ajit Pawar: I have served in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation for nearly 25 years. Anyone can go and verify my work during that period. One should ask about the development work carried out there and how Pimpri-Chinchwad received recognition as one of the best-managed cities. At one point, Pimpri was known as the richest municipal corporation in Asia. However, today the situation is different. Bills worth nearly Rs 4,000 crore are pending, and municipal bonds have been issued, which usually happens when there is a shortage of funds. In such circumstances, it becomes difficult to manage civic services efficiently. People are not getting adequate water supply, roads are in poor condition, and there are gaps in service delivery. At the same time, employment opportunities must be provided fairly, based on merit and qualifications. Development cannot be selective; it has to be inclusive and sustainable. IANS: You did not form alliances with the BJP or Shiv Sena in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, even though you are together at the state level. What is the main reason for not having an alliance at the local level? Ajit Pawar: Perhaps many people are not aware, but local body elections are different from Assembly or Lok Sabha elections. From 1999 to 2014, we fought local body elections separately. This is not something new. Every party has its own cadre and workers at the grassroots level, and everyone wants opportunities for their workers. That is why, in municipal elections, parties often contest independently. IANS: What about the workers of the NCP-SP? Don't you think they should also get opportunities? Ajit Pawar: There is nothing wrong in that. We formed alliances to ensure that votes are not divided unnecessarily. Our aim is to secure a good result in the elections, and we are confident that our strategy will help us achieve that. IANS: Are there any chances that the two factions of the NCP will come together? Ajit Pawar: Right now, our top priority is to win the elections. We are doing everything possible to achieve a positive result, and that is where our focus lies at the moment. IANS: What would you like to say about the possibility of the NCP and NCP-SP coming together? Ajit Pawar: We are one family. In any family, people come together during times of happiness and sorrow. If family members choose to stand together, there is nothing wrong in that. IANS: In Ambernath, you are aligned with the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde. How do you explain this? Ajit Pawar: If you look across Maharashtra, you will find many such examples. In 29 municipal corporations, alliances differ from place to place. In some areas, Shiv Sena and BJP are together; in others, the two NCP factions are together. This is common in local body elections. With only a few days left for polling, I want people to focus on real issues like water supply, cleanliness, quality of work, and overall development. IANS: Don't such varying alliances create confusion among voters? Ajit Pawar: No, this is quite normal in local body elections. Parliamentary and Assembly elections are different. People are mature enough to understand these differences. Ultimately, voters decide based on who can deliver development and serve their area better. IANS: NCP is often considered strong in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune. Is the alliance with NCP-SP aimed at protecting that stronghold? Ajit Pawar: There is no truth in that assumption. IANS: You once said that leaders are lured or pressurised into changing parties. Whom were you referring to? Ajit Pawar: Before every election, such things happen across parties. The media may interpret statements in different ways, but people across Maharashtra know that I speak what I see and what I believe to be true. IANS: The Thackeray brothers have come together. Do you think this will revive their political strength and help polarise voters? Ajit Pawar: They are certainly trying hard. Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS traditionally had different voter bases. Now that they have come together, vote division between them may reduce, which could benefit them. That is the reality. IANS: Do you see yourself playing any role in bringing them together? Ajit Pawar: I would like to congratulate them. It is always good when relationships improve within a family. IANS: Do you think Marathi voters will support only the Thackerays? Ajit Pawar: It doesn't work that way. Voters think differently in different elections. During the Lok Sabha elections, the Opposition won 31 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. But just five months later, the situation changed in the Assembly elections, where we won 238 seats and the Opposition was reduced to 85. This clearly shows that voters have different perspectives for national, state, and local elections. IANS: You once remarked that a party which accused you of a Rs 70,000 crore scam is now sharing power with you. What do you want to say about that? Ajit Pawar: At that time, I was asked a question and I responded accordingly. Even now, I am answering your questions honestly. IANS: Who finalises the policies of the current Maharashtra government? Ajit Pawar: Policy decisions are finalised collectively. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis finalises policies for the government, Eknath Shinde takes decisions for Shiv Sena, and I am responsible for the NCP. Each party may make its own statements, and that is their prerogative. IANS: There were reports about plans to set up detention centres. What is your response? Ajit Pawar: There were no such discussions. If anything of that sort had happened, I would have been aware of it. Since there was no such proposal, there is nothing to comment on. IANS: There are reports of increasing terrorist activities in Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar: Anyone involved in terrorism is a threat to the country and should face the strictest punishment and should be hanged. Terrorism cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. IANS: Waris Pathan said that a 'Khan-Pathan' will become mayor of Mumbai. Do you see any issue with that? Ajit Pawar: Anyone can become mayor. All Maharashtrians are equal, and anyone from among them can hold such a position. IANS: Owaisi said that a hijab-clad woman will become Prime Minister. Your response? Ajit Pawar: Such statements are often made to remain in the news. We should focus on serious issues like development. The younger generation wants progress, jobs, and infrastructure. Statements that harm social harmony or distract from development should not be promoted. IANS: You promised free facilities, but leaders like Chandrakant Patil are opposing such ideas. Ajit Pawar: Only the Chief Minister can make commitments for the entire state, and the Prime Minister for the country. I am speaking about local bodies, where I have worked for 25 years. If we win, we will try our best to deliver on our promises. IANS: NCP, Shiv Sena, and AIMIM joined hands in Parli Municipal Corporation. Your view? Ajit Pawar: As I said earlier, such alliances are common in local body elections across Maharashtra. Not every leader is informed about every decision, especially when things are finalised at the local level. IANS: There are speculations that Supriya Sule may join the BJP. Ajit Pawar: I am not an astrologer. Such speculative questions often become breaking news unnecessarily. I prefer to focus on development until January 15. IANS: BJP leader K. Annamalai said that Mumbai is not a Maharashtra city. Ajit Pawar: Mumbai is in India, and within India, it is in Maharashtra. Mumbai will always remain a part of Maharashtra. Such statements are made close to elections to attract attention, not to promote development. IANS: Should Sharad Pawar be awarded the Bharat Ratna? Ajit Pawar: That decision rests with the Central government. Sharad Pawar has served public life for over 60 years and taken many important decisions. Anyone can express an opinion on that. IANS: Do you always aim to finish at the top in elections? Ajit Pawar: Every party wants to perform well and secure the top position. There is nothing wrong in that. IANS: Who do you think people will choose in the January 15 elections? Ajit Pawar: People observe everything and vote for those who work for them. IANS: You mentioned 'Trimurti' as an obstacle to development in Pune. Who are they? Ajit Pawar: The people of Pune know that very well. IANS: How do you view Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader? Ajit Pawar: Prime Minister Modi is doing very well as a leader. He is taking the country to new heights and working towards making India the third-largest economy in the world. So, everything is going good. IANS: How are US-imposed tariffs impacting Maharashtra? Ajit Pawar: Tariffs affect everyone. If Indians promote 'Made in India' products, many of these challenges can be addressed. IANS: Where do you see the Congress in this election? Ajit Pawar: The results will show where the Congress stands when they come out. IANS: How do you see Rahul Gandhi as a leader? Ajit Pawar: He is trying hard, but success has eluded him so far. Everything is on the people and in democracy, people decide. IANS: Hindus are facing atrocities in Bangladesh. How do you view this? Ajit Pawar: Any atrocity against anyone is wrong. Such actions must stop, and both countries' leadership should address the issue. - IANS A new regional office of APEDA was inaugurated in Raipur during the 2nd India International Rice Summit, marking a key step to boost Chhattisgarh's agricultural exports. The state's export potential includes premium non-basmati rice, GI-tagged varieties like Jeeraphool, and a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and minor forest produce. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated the office's mission is to connect the state's farmers with the global economy, thanking Union Minister Piyush Goyal for sanctioning the facility. The initiative aims to position Chhattisgarh as a leader in high-value and sustainable agricultural exports. New APEDA regional office inaugurated in Raipur to promote Chhattisgarh's rice, GI products, fruits, and organic exports to global markets. Raipur, January 12 The Regional Office of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority was inaugurated at Raipur during the 2nd India International Rice Summit held in Chhattisgarh. This marked as a significant step towards positioning Chhattisgarh as a major hub for agricultural and processed food exports. Chhattisgarh, with its rich and diverse agri-ecosystem, offers significant export potential across a wide range of products. These include premium non-basmati rice varieties and Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products such as Jeeraphool Rice and Nagri Dubraj Rice, said Ministry of Commerce & Industry in a statement. The State also produces a variety of fruits and vegetables including guava, banana, dragon fruit, jackfruit, custard apple, tomato and cucumber, along with important minor forest produce such as mahua, tamarind, herbal and medicinal plants, providing strong opportunities to expand its presence in global markets, it added. Addressing the occasion, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the opening of the APEDA Regional Office in Raipur is a mission to integrate Chhattisgarh's farmers with the global economy. He highlighted the potential of the State's farmers, exporters and entrepreneurs in global agri-markets and expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh would emerge as a leader in high-value and sustainable agricultural exports, and thanked Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, for sanctioning the APEDA office in Chhattisgarh based on the request of the State Government, and assured full support to APEDA and the Department of Commerce in expanding exports of agricultural and organic products from the State. The inauguration was attended by Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Medical Education, Government of Chhattisgarh, Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, along with other dignitaries. - ANI Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has recalled parliament to introduce a sweeping new bill targeting hate speech and extremism in response to the December Bondi terror attack. The legislation includes stricter penalties for hate crimes, new offences for inciting hatred, and powers to ban hate groups and cancel visas. Concurrently, the government is launching a National Guns Buyback Scheme to remove firearms from the streets. A royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, led by former justice Virginia Bell, has also been established to report by the end of the year. Australian PM recalls parliament to introduce tough new hate speech legislation and a national gun buyback scheme following the Bondi terror attack. Canberra, Jan 12 Australia's Parliament will be recalled next week to introduce new hate speech and gun laws in response to the Bondi terror attack on December 14, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday. The Prime Minister said at a press conference that both houses will return on January 19 and 20, earlier than the scheduled return on February 2. "The terrorists at Bondi Beach had hatred in their minds but guns in their hands. This law will deal with both, and we need to deal with both," Albanese said. The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill covers a comprehensive package of reforms, including more serious penalties for hate crimes, new serious offences for hate preachers seeking to radicalise young Australians and inciting hatred to intimidate and harass, and a strengthened ban on prohibited symbols. If passed, the bill will also make it easier for the Minister for Home Affairs to cancel or refuse a visa for people intent on spreading hatred and enable the minister to list organisations as prohibited hate groups. The government is going to move a condolence motion to acknowledge the victims of the attack before debating the bill. The legislation will also set up the National Guns Buyback Scheme, aiming at "getting guns off" Australian streets, Xinhua news agency reported. "We want to ensure that Australia remains a society where everyone has the right to be proud of who they are, and we also want to make it clear that conduct which is hateful, dangerous, and divisive will also be illegal," the Prime Minister said. Earlier, on January 8, PM Albanese had set up a royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion in Australia in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack. Albanese had announced at a press conference in Canberra that his government will establish a royal commission, the highest form of inquiry in Australia, which will be led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell and deliver a report by mid-December. - IANS Former R&AW officer Amar Bhushan states Bangladesh's upcoming elections are crucial, but the nation will require at least a decade to recover from its current turmoil. He predicts a likely victory for the BNP, though managing the country will be challenging initially. Bhushan advises India to adopt a low-key, transactional approach in supporting the new leadership, rather than aggressive investment. He also downplays the electoral chances of the Jamaat-e-Islami, warning its rule would lead to chaos, while asserting that illegal immigration into India will continue regardless of the ruling party. Former R&AW officer Amar Bhushan analyzes Bangladesh's post-election future, BNP's likely win, and India's strategic approach in a post-Hasina era. New Delhi, Jan 12 All eyes are on Bangladesh as elections are scheduled to be held in February. Many are hoping that stability would return to the country and the never-ending violence would come to an end. Former officer with the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), Amar Bhushan, who has done several stints in Bangladesh, discusses the ongoing situation in the country and also its future. Bhushan, during one of his stints, was the first to flag the issue of illegal immigration and how it was a planned exercise by the ISI and Jamaat-e-Islami to stress the bordering Indian states. Bhushan says that elections are needed, but the country would take at least 10 years to recover from the mess that it is in. The Bangladeshi Nationalist Party (BNP) looks most certain to win, he says, while adding that even Tarique Rahman would find it hard in the first couple of years to manage the country. India has been reaching out to the BNP leadership ever since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. New Delhi hopes that ties will hit a reset once the elections are held. On how India should be dealing with Bangladesh in a post-Hasina era, Amar Bhushan says that India must quietly support the BNP leadership. India should not put in too much investment and dole out financial help immediately. The business must be done transactionally. Time is the essence here, and the current approach by India is right, he says. He also adds that the approach must be low-key and not aggressive. Since Hasina's exit and Muhammad Yunus's appointment as the caretaker of the interim government, Bangladesh has become a mess. Pakistan's ISI, along with the Jamaat have allowed the radicals to run amok and create a ruckus in the country. Yunus, too, has backed this agenda, while remaining a mute spectator to the happenings in the country. Intelligence Bureau officials say that there is an attempt by the ISI to make sure that every Bangladeshi becomes anti-India. Amar Bhushan says that this plan would fail as a majority do not like the Pakistanis. They would have never fought for independence if they wanted the Pakistanis, he adds. Even today, if there is a vote for or against Pakistan, it would be an against vote, the former R&AW official says. The Bangladeshis have not forgotten the Liberation Movement, and that spirit will always remain. The country fought as a whole for its freedom from the Pakistanis, and that spirit the ISI or Jamaat can never break, Bhushan adds. Certain opinion polls have suggested that the Jamaat is closing in on the BNP ahead of the polls. If at all the Jamaat comes to power, India would find itself in a tricky position when it comes to diplomatic ties. Bhushan says it is very doubtful if the Jamaat will win the elections. During the Liberation Movement, Jamaat acted as the butchers and never supported the people in their cause, he says. If at all the Jamaat comes to power, there would only be chaos, he adds. On being asked if India can have diplomatic relations with the Jamaat if it wins the elections, Bhushan says that we can. If we could crack ties with the Taliban, then why not the Jamaat, he asks. However, India will need to keep the Jamaat under pressure, he says. The people will not vote for them since they are not radicals like the Jamaat, he says. The Bangladeshis value their freedom, and this is why they won't vote for the ISI-backed Jamaat, he adds. Bhushan points out that the Bangladeshi army could have easily sorted out the problem when it came to the Jamaat and ISI. However, the army is divided, and this is why Yunus, the Jamaat, and the ISI are having a field day, he says. "According to my assessment, the Jamaat would end up getting just 20-25 seats. The people do not want the imposition of the Sharia law, which the Jamaat would try to do," Bhushan adds. On the question of illegal immigration, Amar Bhushan says that it will continue irrespective of which party is in power. India would need to raise a wall and enhance technical surveillance to keep this problem under check. He also adds that foreign players will continue to interfere in Bangladesh, so that India bears the indirect cost. - IANS Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav stated that while the current instability in Bangladesh is a concern for India, it is viewed as a temporary phase. He linked internal instability to attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, by fundamentalist elements. Madhav expressed hope that upcoming elections would bring an elected, accountable government to power, facilitating easier and more normal bilateral engagement. He emphasized that India and Bangladesh are interdependent neighbors destined to sail together, despite periodic challenges. BJP leader Ram Madhav calls Bangladesh instability a passing phase, hopes elections restore accountability and normalize India-Bangladesh relations. Washington, Jan 12 Instability in Bangladesh is a matter of concern for India, but is likely to be a passing phase, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav said, expressing hope that elections will restore accountability and help normalise bilateral ties. Speaking at an OFBJP interaction here, Madhav said Bangladesh was going through a difficult period following what he described as a street-level uprising that brought to power leaders without a democratic mandate. "They were never elected through any due process, but they are in power today," he said, adding that such unaccountable leadership had strained relations with India. Madhav said internal instability in Bangladesh often leads to attacks on minorities. "Whenever there is instability in Bangladesh, the fundamentalist elements always use the instability to attack the minorities, especially Hindu minorities," he said. Calling this "definitely a matter of concern," he said India nevertheless views the situation as temporary. "We see it as a passing phase," he said. Madhav expressed hope that elections expected early next year would bring change. "We hope that elections take place and an elected government comes to power," he said. He stressed that India does not seek to influence voters in neighbouring countries. "You can't expect people of another country to elect a government that you like," he said. However, he said, dealing with an elected government would be easier. "An elected government is always easier to handle than an unelected and unaccountable leadership," he said. Madhav underlined the interdependence between India and Bangladesh. "As neighbours, India and Bangladesh are destined to sail together. There is no option for either country," he said. Drawing parallels with Sri Lanka, he said relations can improve after elections. "Once in power, we are able to engage with them," he said, referring to New Delhi's engagement with Colombo's new leadership despite earlier tensions. Madhav said neighbourhood challenges are not new. "Neighbourhood always has been some amount of instability built into this region," he said, noting that India remains the only consistently stable democracy in South Asia. He rejected suggestions that anti-India sentiment is growing across the region. "Nothing like it," he said, arguing that most issues stem from domestic political instability in neighbouring states. Madhav said India's approach remains guided by restraint and engagement. "Elected governments have a way to deal with each other," he said. India shares deep cultural, economic and civilisational ties with Bangladesh, alongside unresolved political and security concerns. New Delhi has repeatedly said minority protection and democratic stability are central to long-term regional peace. - IANS The 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated at Belur Math in Howrah with day-long traditional rituals and prayers. The event, observed as National Youth Day, included processions by students and organizations inspired by his teachings. The observance at the math was conducted in a strictly non-political, spiritual manner. Meanwhile, a separate commemoration at Vivekananda's ancestral home in Kolkata saw visits from political leaders. Belur Math in Howrah celebrated Swami Vivekananda's 163rd birth anniversary with traditional rituals, prayers, and processions on National Youth Day. Kolkata, Jan 12 The 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated on Monday at Belur Math, the international headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, in Howrah district, adjacent to Kolkata. The day-long observance followed traditional rituals and cultural practices, blending devotion, reverence, and reflection on Swamiji's message of service to God through service to humanity. The celebrations of Swamiji's birth anniversary at Belur Math began early Monday with the morning prayer of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the spiritual mentor of Swamiji. The enthusiasm and devotion of thousands of followers of Swamiji, Shri Ramakrishna, and the latter's wife and spiritual consort, Maa Sarada, assembled at Belur Math over the auspicious occasion, perfectly reflected Swamiji's statement after its foundation -- Ekhane Udvinno Chota Jogotke Plabito Korbe, Manusher Jibangoti Palte Debe (From here shall emanate such unpolluted streams of thought as shall inundate the whole world and change the course of human life). Special rituals were performed throughout the day at Belur Math to celebrate the auspicious occasion. The rituals performed on the occasion were not just spiritual but also marked by a strong intellectual and contemplative spirit. As Swamji's birthday is observed as the National Youth Day, members of various organisations and institutions inspired by his teachings organised processions that culminated at Belur Math. Students from several educational institutions also took out morning processions to the monastery. Vedic recitations and discourses were held as part of the programme. The entire observance at Belur Math was conducted in a non-political manner, in keeping with the institution's spiritual ethos. Meanwhile, Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary was also commemorated at his ancestral house on Simla Street in north Kolkata. Unlike Belur Math, the event there was marked by political overtones, with leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties visiting the site from Monday morning to pay their respects. - IANS The Election Commission of India has issued a stern warning to micro-observers in West Bengal, cautioning them of strong disciplinary action for any deliberate deviation from prescribed procedures during the voter list revision. These 3,500 observers are central government or PSU employees, making disciplinary proceedings against them easier than against state government staff. The action follows inputs that some observers were not performing duties as per ECI guidelines during hearing sessions on claims and objections. Four newly appointed special observers will supervise the micro-observers' functioning to ensure the integrity of the electoral roll ahead of the crucial Assembly elections. Election Commission warns central govt micro-observers in Bengal of suspension & FIR for SOP deviations during voter list revision. Kolkata, Jan 12 The Election Commission of India has cautioned the micro-observers in West Bengal of strong disciplinary action in case of any deliberate deviation from the ECI-prescribed standard operating procedure for them. The micro-observers have been appointed for the supervision of the hearing sessions on claims and objections on the draft voters' list, which is the ongoing second level of the three-stage Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state. The development is significant since the 3,500 micro-observers appointed, especially, for West Bengal have been selected from either the Central government or those from the central public sector undertakings or public sector banks, most in the Group-B category and a few in the Group-A category. Since they are Central government or Central PSU or PSU bank employees, on which the Union government has full control, initiating disciplinary proceedings against them in case of deliberate deviation from the ECI- prescribed SOP would be far easier than doing the same for electoral registration officers (EROs), assistant electoral registration officers (AERIs) and booth-level officers (BLOs), who are state government employees or teachers of state-run schools, explained an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal. Any deliberate deviation from the ECI-prescribed SOP will first attract a show-cause notice, and in the event of non-availability of a satisfactory answer to that notice, it will follow suspension from service and registration of FIR against the micro-observer concerned. Last week, the ECI announced appointments of four additional special roll observers for the state, and one of the two main assignments for them is to review the performance of the micro-observers at the hearing sessions. "The Commission had received inputs that some of the micro-observers are not performing their duties during the hearing session as per the guidelines set for them by the ECI. Hence, the newly appointed four special observers have been asked to supervise the functioning of the micro-observers. The only aim is to ensure that the name of a single genuine voter remains included and the name of a single bogus voter is excluded," sources in the CEO's office said. The draft voters' list in West Bengal was published on December 16, 2025. The final voters' list will be published on February 14. Soon after that, the ECI will announce the polling dates for the crucial Assembly elections in the state, scheduled for this year. - IANS A private company in Bengaluru has issued a public apology after its HR department posted a job advertisement specifically seeking a "non-Kannada speaking" candidate. The ad, posted from the firm's Kolkata office, quickly drew heavy criticism and anger from Kannadigas on social media. In a video apology from its JP Nagar office, a company representative expressed regret to all Kannadigas and pro-Kannada organizations. The firm has assured it will ensure such incidents do not recur, following warnings of intense protests if the ad was not withdrawn. A private company in Bengaluru issues a public apology after a job advertisement seeking "non-Kannada speaking" candidates sparks outrage and criticism. Bengaluru, January 12 A private company issued a public apology after its HR department released a job advertisement on a job portal seeking a candidate who does not know the Kannada language, explicitly mentioning "Non-Kannada HR," assuring that the organisation will keep a check that such incidents don't recur in the future. Lakshmi Narayan, who is associated with the company, released a video apology from the JP Nagar office at Bengaluru, and said, "Namaskar to all Kannadigas. We are talking from the JP Nagar office in Bengaluru. The ad was reported to HR from our Kolkata office. We operate across the country, and Kolkata is our sole branch. We are seeking an apology from Kannadigas. As such an ad was given, we will look into it so that such incidents do not happen again. We also apologise to all pro-Kannada organisations. We will be cautious so that Such wrong things will never happen in future." The apology follows a recent row that erupted after an HR at a private firm in JP Nagar, Bengaluru, posted a job advertisement on a job portal with a very specific preference for "Non-Kannada speaking" candidates for the post. The advertisement quickly gained traction, angered Kannadigas, and drew heavy criticism on X (formerly Twitter). Posting such an advertisement in Karnataka, while disregarding Kannadigas, has deeply offended local sentiments. Afterwards, many individuals expressed outrage, warning that if the post is not withdrawn immediately, the company would face intense protests. The anger stems from the question: Do private companies need Kannada land to survive, but not Kannadigas for employment? - ANI A man who left Costa Rica for the United States was deported ten months later, unable to speak, move, or respond. Randall Gamboa Esquivel departed his hometown of Perez Zeledon in December 2024 and was detained for unlawful entry at the U.S.-Mexico border, first held at the Webb County Detention Center before being transferred to the Port Isabel Detention Center in Texas. In September 2025, the 52-year-old was deported back to San Jose, Costa Rica, aboard an air ambulance in a vegetative state. Gamboa was pronounced dead five weeks later. Randall Gamboa Esquivel was transferred from one detention center to another, before his health deteriorated rapidly. / ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images Have you ever smelled a cadaver? Thats how my brother smelled when he was deported, Greidy Mata, Gamboas younger sister, told the Guardian, adding that the family was still trying to make sense of how his health had deteriorated so rapidly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Gamboas relatives, he left Costa Rica to seek work in New Jersey. He had previously lived undocumented in the United States between 2002 and 2013 and hoped to earn enough money to eventually return to Perez Zeledon and buy a home. Prior to his journey, relatives warned him that the United States was no longer the same, with President Donald Trump, 79, promising an immigration crackdown from the start of his second term in office. How is it possible that a man that left healthy, tall, chubby, robust, came back dirty, looked abandoned, with ulcers on his entire body, in a vegetative state? Mata asked. Gamboas last video call with his family took place on June 12, Mata told the outlet, sharing a recording in which he told them he loves them all very much, and added: Soon I will be out of here, with faith in God, everything is going to be okay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to medical records shared with the Guardian from Gamboas time in U.S. custody, he was transferred to Valley Baptist Medical Center, 28 miles from his detention facility, on June 23 and hospitalized with an altered mental status. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Tricia McLaughlin described ICE medical care as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote in an email to the Daily Beast that while Gamboa was in custody, professionals diagnosed him with unspecified psychosis and hospitalized him at Valley Baptist Hospital so he could get proper mental health and medical care, adding that the medical assessment conducted at ICE detention facilities is the best health care that many aliens have received in their entire lives. McLaughlin continued by stating that Gamboa was arrested and later held in ICE custody with convictions for fraud and driving a commercial vehicle without a commercial drivers license. The Daily Beast has not been able to independently verify these convictions. His family maintains that he had no history of mental illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six days after Gamboa was hospitalized, medical records note that he was seen resting comfortably, quietly in bed, with [an] immigration detention officer at bedside, and in no acute distress. Yet, on July 7, the records indicate he was diagnosed with at least 10 conditions, including sepsisa life-threatening condition in which the body overreacts to an infection, potentially causing organ damageas a primary diagnosis. Randall Gamboa Esquivel's health deteriorated rapidly, his family says. / gofundme/ Georgia Bowen for edwin mata Less than a month later, a doctor described Gamboa as unable to move or respond and in a catatonic state. I cant sleep thinking what wouldve happened if we knew he was sick? Why did they keep this information from us? We found out where he was in August, Mata recalled, highlighting that the first time she heard about her brothers condition was from Cathy Potter, a lawyer the family had tasked with finding Gamboa. Potter informed them he was in a vegetative state and continued with removal proceedings so Gamboa could return to his home country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was nice seeing and touching him again because it gave us hope that he could recover, Mata said about her brothers eventual return to Costa Rica in September, while also noting that when she first saw him, she thought he had been tortured in some type of way because he was ill-nourished, had skin ulcers and dried blood on his body and had a strong odor. The Daily Beast has contacted DHS and ICE for comment regarding Gamboas condition upon leaving U.S. custody. In 2025, 32 people died in ICE custody as the Trump administration continued its immigration crackdown, making it the deadliest year on record since 2004. Widow and mom-of-one Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis Wednesday. / Facebook Statements by Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, 54, declared that the focus of the crackdown would be on the worst of the worst criminals, but reports show that roughly a third of those arrested nationwide had no criminal convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the shooting of 37yearold mother of three Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, more than 1,000 events were planned for the weekend in over 500 cities across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., as part of the ICE Out for Good Weekend of Action. At times this all seems like a horror story or a lie, Gamboas sister told the Guardian about her brothers death, which remains under investigation by Costa Rican authorities. The controversial political alliance between the BJP and AIMIM has resurfaced in Akot, with all five AIMIM corporators supporting BJP leader's son Jitesh Barethia for a co-opted seat in the municipal council. This move defies the explicit orders of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had called for the dissolution of the "unholy" tie-up. The Congress party has sharply criticized the development, accusing the BJP and AIMIM of having a secret understanding. Meanwhile, the rejected AIMIM candidate plans to challenge the decision in court, and the state BJP's disciplinary action against local leaders remains pending. BJP and AIMIM's controversial tie-up resurfaces in Akot as AIMIM corporators back BJP leader's son for a co-opted seat, defying state leadership. Akola, Jan 12 The political landscape in Akola's Akot remains volatile as the controversial alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen has resurfaced in a new form. Despite a nationwide outcry and explicit orders from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to scrap the "unholy" tie-up, the two parties appeared to cooperate once again during the selection of co-opted (nominated) members for the Akot Municipal Council. The "second act" of the BJP-AIMIM alliance unfolded when all five AIMIM corporators threw their support behind Jitesh Barethia, the son of former BJP Municipal President Ramchandra Barethia, for a co-opted corporator seat. The five AIMIM corporators supporting the BJP's Jitesh Barethia include Afreen Anjum Sharifuddin (group leader), Dilshadbi Razzaq Kha, Reshma Parvin Mohammad Azim, Dr Yusuf Khan Hadik Khan and Hannan Shah Sultan Shah. Initially, the AIMIM had nominated its own candidate, Taj Rana. However, Rana's application was rejected on technical grounds, allegedly because it was submitted after the deadline. This left Jitesh Barethia as the sole candidate nominated via the AIMIM's quota. Consequently, Barethia - the son of a prominent local BJP leader - will now serve as a co-opted corporator with the official backing of the AIMIM. This development comes just days after the BJP and MIM initially formed the Akot Vikas Manch (Akot Development Front) to gain a majority in the 35-member council. However, amid outcry, the state BJP leadership took a stern view. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered the immediate dissolution of the alliance, stating that tie-ups with Congress or AIMIM are "strictly unacceptable." The state's BJP unit issued show-cause notices to local MLA Prakash Bharsakale and City President Harish Tawari for forging the alliance without central approval. Following the backlash, the five AIMIM corporators had officially withdrawn from the Akot Vikas Manch and formed an independent group. The Congress party has reacted sharply to this development, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy. Local Congress leaders alleged that the BJP and AIMIM are "two sides of the same coin," claiming this "indirect alliance" proves their secret understanding despite public denials by senior leaders. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena also slammed BJP for their alliance in Akot Municipal Council while questioning its Hindutva. Meanwhile, the rejected AIMIM candidate, Taj Rana, has indicated plans to move the court against the rejection of his application. Despite the ongoing drama, the BJP leadership has yet to take final disciplinary action against MLA Prakash Bharsakale, keeping the political circles in Maharashtra buzzing with speculation over the "Akot Pattern." - IANS Suniel Shetty attended the song launch for 'Border 2', proudly supporting his son Ahan who plays a key role in the film. The launched song, 'Jaate Hue Lamhon', is a recreation of a hit from the original Border. The upcoming film, directed by Anurag Singh, features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan. Sunny Deol recently shared how his father's film inspired him to make the original Border, which has motivated many youths to join the armed forces. Suniel Shetty attends the 'Jaate Hue Lamhon' launch for Border 2, posing with son Ahan Shetty. The film stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan. Mumbai, January 12 Carrying forward his father's legacy, Ahan Shetty, son of actor Suniel Shetty, plays a key role in 'Border 2'. Suniel, who essayed a leading role in the original Border, can't help but beam with pride at seeing his son associated with such an important film. On Monday, he stepped out in the city to attend the song launch of 'Jaate Hue Lamhon'. Interestingly, it's a recreation of the hit song 'To Chalun' from Border. At the event, he not only rooted for Ahan and the entire Border 2 team but also posed for a special photo session with Ahan for the paps. Check out the pictures here. Ahead of the event, Ahan took to Instagram and shared a few pictures with dad Suniel Shetty. "This one is special (red heart emoji). Jaate Hue Lamhon - audio out now," he captioned the post. Directed by Anurag Singh, 'Border 2' is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series along with JP Dutta's JP Films. The film, which also stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh, will open in theatres from January 23 onwards. Recently, at an event in Jaisalmer, Sunny Deol remembered his father Dharmendra's war film 'Haqeeqat', saying that it had a "strong impact" on him as a child, which motivated him to make 'Border'. "I did 'Border' because when I watched my father's (Dharmendra) film 'Haqeeqat', I loved it deeply. I was a child then. So, when I became an actor, I decided to make a film similar to my father's movie. I spoke to J P Dutta, and we decided to make a film on the Longewala subject, which is extremely close to our hearts and lives in the hearts of all of you," said Sunny Deol. Sunny Deol reflected on the film Border's impact on youth, saying he never imagined it would inspire young people to join the armed forces."Wherever I go, I never knew that we would give so much confidence to so many young people that they would choose to join the armed forces. Whenever I meet them, they tell me that after watching my film, they decided to join the army," said Sunny Deol. - ANI Chad Michael Murray reflects on his rapid rise to fame in the early 2000s, expressing gratitude that the era predated camera phones. He believes being humbled was necessary, as continued success might have led to self-destruction. The actor states he has no regrets, as his journey led him to his wife, children, and faith. Murray also recalls a moment where he nearly quit due to the intense scrutiny during his formative years. Actor Chad Michael Murray reflects on his early 2000s fame from 'One Tree Hill,' expressing gratitude for being humbled and having no camera phones. Los Angeles, Jan 12 Actor Chad Michael Murray, who established himself as a big star during the decade with roles in shows such as One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek, says that he wasn't entirely sure how to handle his ascension into the limelight. Michael Murray told the Like A Farmer podcast: "I grabbed the bull by the horns and was like, 'Let's go. Let's go have some fun.' And we did. We had a lot of fun. And do I look back and have a lot of regret? Of course. Like, what a crazy time. Like, I'm so grateful there were no camera phones around." The "Gilmore Girls" actress shared that he discovered more about himself through "screwing up" than he would have done had his career progression continued to soar, reports femalefirst.co.uk. He said: "Because if I would have continued to keep winning, I think I probably would have destroyed myself. I don't think winning was the answer at that time. I think God was like, 'All right, let's back off. Let's back the trolley down. Like, you need to be humbled just a bit.' I'm grateful for it, man." The actor explained that he has no regrets about finding fame at an early age as he thinks it has led him to where he is in life now. The Freakier Friday actor said: "If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing, you know, and the only reason I say that is because I wouldn't have my wife and kids. I wouldn't be where I am. I probably wouldn't have refund the Lord. I probably wouldn't have been, like, as grateful as I am to go to work on a daily basis." He had previously discussed how he found it hard to cope with "so many eyeballs" on him during his early years in the spotlight. He had said: "There was a moment where I was quitting. I was done. I just couldn't do it anymore. It was because, when you're 18 to 25, these formidable years where you're really cutting your teeth on life experiences and your brain isn't fully developed, you make mistakes." "I mean, gosh, we still screw up when we're grown-ups. But I think it's hard for me to see past those moments when you're not adult enough to understand the scenarios that you're in." - IANS A high-octane inter-state bullock cart race was held over three days in Karnataka's Chikkaballapur district, drawing farmers and spectators from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Organizers emphasized the event's role in revitalizing traditional rural sports and preserving indigenous bullock breeds like the Hallikar. Concurrently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The kite festival, a key part of Uttarayan celebrations, features participants from 50 countries and runs until January 14. Karnataka hosts an inter-state bullock cart race to preserve tradition, while PM Modi and Germany's Chancellor inaugurate the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. Chikkaballapur, January 12 As part of the Sankranti festivities, a thrilling bullock cart race organised by the Raithamitra Balaga at Huduguru village in Gauribidanur, Chikkaballapur district, left spectators on the edge of their seats. Not only farmers from across Karnataka, but also hundreds from the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh arrived with their bullocks to take part in the competition, making it a truly inter-state spectacle. The high-octane event was held continuously for three days at Huduguru village, with more than 50 pairs of bullocks competing. As the bullocks sprinted across the track at breathtaking speed, the skill and bravery of the drivers steering the carts drew loud cheers and applause from the crowd. Thousands of spectators from Gauribidanur and distant villages gathered to witness the event, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere. Speaking at the inauguration, one of the organisers said, "In an era of rapid mechanisation, the use of bullocks is declining. Organising an inter-state level competition like this gives new life to our traditional rural sports. Preserving indigenous breeds such as the Hallikar is the collective responsibility of all of us." Organised as part of the Sankranti celebrations, the sporting event infused new enthusiasm among farmers. The organisers encouraged participants by awarding attractive prizes to the owners of the winning bullock pairs. Meanwhile, with Makar Sankranti just a few days away, Gujarat celebrated the International Kite Festival, one of the biggest highlights of the state's Uttarayan celebrations. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. The two leaders participated in the festival as part of Chancellor Merz's first official visit to India, highlighting the blend of cultural celebration and diplomatic engagement between the two nations. Visuals from the event show both leaders interacting with participants and enjoying the vibrant festivities, which attract kite enthusiasts from across the country and abroad. Both leaders also flew kites together during the event. With Makar Sankranti just a few days away, the International Kite Festival will run for three days, concluding on January 14, with participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries. Alongside them, 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat will also take part in the event. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz held extensive talks in Gujarat, focusing on deepening economic and strategic cooperation. The leaders reviewed record bilateral trade exceeding $50 billion and engagement across trade, investment, technology, and clean energy. They announced the establishment of a new India-Germany Centre of Excellence to boost collaboration in renewable energy and innovation. The visit, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties, included cultural engagements like a visit to Sabarmati Ashram and inaugurating the International Kite Festival. PM Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz deepen economic & strategic ties, inaugurate Kite Festival, and announce new Centre of Excellence during historic Gujarat visit. New Delhi, January 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the growing momentum in India-Germany ties, underscoring the importance of deeper economic cooperation between the two countries as German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz began his two-day official visit to India. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Chancellor Merz and I met Indian and German CEOs. Close collaboration between India and Germany is important for the entire world. Growing trade and investment ties have infused new momentum into our partnership. Our bilateral trade has reached an all-time high, several German companies are investing in India. We want to deepen economic linkages even further in the times to come." In another post, PM Modi wrote, "Strong ties between India and Germany benefit the people of our nations and contribute to a better planet. Today's outcomes reflect the multifaceted cooperation between our nations." Chancellor Merz arrived in India early in the day on a two-day official visit at the invitation of PM Modi, as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. As part of the day's engagements in Gujarat, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz visited the historic Gandhi Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad, where they paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and offered homage to the Father of the Nation. During the visit, the two leaders toured Hriday Kunj, Mahatma Gandhi's residence within the Ashram, and observed the process of spinning the charkha. The visit was followed by a cultural programme, with PM Modi and Chancellor Merz jointly inaugurating the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. Visuals from the event showed both leaders interacting with participants and flying kites together. The festival will run for three days and conclude on January 14, with participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries, along with 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat. Following the cultural engagements, the diplomatic programme moved to formal talks, with PM Modi holding delegation-level discussions with Chancellor Merz at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were present at the meeting. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties as the two sides reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while also exploring collaboration in defence, security, science, innovation, research and sustainable development. Addressing a joint press conference after the talks, PM Modi highlighted the historic connection between the two nations and linked the timing of the visit to the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. "It is a happy coincidence that Swami Vivekananda himself built the bridge of philosophy, knowledge, and faith between India and Germany. Today, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit is providing new energy, new confidence, and new dimensions to that very bridge," the Prime Minister added. Economic engagement formed a key part of the visit, with PM Modi and Chancellor Merz meeting Chief Executive Officers from both countries at the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad. Speaking after the meeting, PM Modi said, "Our bilateral trade has reached its highest level ever, surpassing the 50 billion dollar mark. More than 2,000 German companies have a long-standing presence in India. This reflects their unwavering confidence in India and the immense opportunities available here. This was vividly demonstrated this morning at the India-Germany CEO Forum." PM Modi also stressed growing cooperation in technology and clean energy and announced a new initiative. "Technology cooperation between India and Germany has strengthened year after year, and its impact is clearly visible on the ground today. India and Germany share common priorities in the field of renewable energy. To further enhance this cooperation, we have decided to establish the India-Germany Centre of Excellence. This will serve as a shared platform for knowledge, technology, and innovation," he added. Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were also signed between India and Germany in the presence of PM Modi and Chancellor Merz. Education and mobility were also highlighted as future priorities. PM Modi invited German universities to establish campuses in India and welcomed steps to strengthen people-to-people links. "The comprehensive roadmap on higher education that we have developed today will give a new direction to our partnership in the field of education. I invite German universities to open their campuses in India. I express my gratitude to Chancellor Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens," the Prime Minister said. The leaders also discussed global and regional developments, including Ukraine and Gaza, with PM Modi reiterating shared concerns over terrorism. "We are unanimous that terrorism is the ultimate and serious threat to humanity. India and Germany will come together and continue to fight it resolutely," he said. At the India-Germany CEOs Forum, PM Modi said both countries agreed to widen economic cooperation into strategic domains. "We have decided to make this seamless economic partnership limitless. This means that along with traditional economic sectors, there will now be deeper cooperation in strategic sectors as well. In the defence sector, we are exchanging a Joint Declaration of Intent today," the Prime Minister said. Inviting greater German participation in India's growth story, PM Modi said, "The path is clear for you here. I invite German precision and innovation to combine with India's scale and speed. You can manufacture in India, take full advantage of domestic demand, and export without any restrictions. On behalf of the government, I assure you that India will further strengthen its cooperation with Germany through stable policies, mutual trust, and a long-term vision," he added. Providing details of the visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Chancellor Merz arrived in Ahmedabad "very early this morning" and was received at the airport by the Governor, the Chief Minister of Gujarat and the Deputy Chief Minister. Misri said the Chancellor is accompanied by "a high-powered official delegation" and "a large business delegation", reflecting the priority attached to strengthening trade, business and investment ties. He said the timing of the visit is "particularly significant" as it takes place in the "silver jubilee year, 25 years after the establishment of the strategic partnership between India and Germany," and also the "Platinum Jubilee, the 75th year after the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Germany." "The visit therefore provides an opportunity to take stock of this very rich, very important partnership," Misri said. Germany is the 9th largest foreign direct investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of USD 15.40 billion from April 2000 to June 2025. German investments in India during FY 2024-25 amounted to USD 469 million. Misri also referred to India's continuing engagement with German authorities on the case of Ariha Shah, an Indian girl child in German foster care, noting that India is extending support to the family. "We have been in discussions with the German government, all the German authorities, their embassy here in Delhi, the German government in Berlin, and all the agencies involved for quite some time," he said. After completing engagements in Gujarat, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz shared a car ride. PM Modi posted a photo on X of himself and Merz inside the car after their meetings. "The friendship between India and Germany continues to grow through shared values, extensive cooperation and mutual understanding," the Prime Minister said in his post. Chancellor Merz is on his first official visit to India since assuming office. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. - ANI Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated Chennai's new air-conditioned double-decker sightseeing bus service, a Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) initiative. The bus will operate on a circular route covering key landmarks like the Madras High Court, Secretariat, and Marina waterfront. The service, supported by the Tamil diaspora and corporate CSR, aims to offer a compact, panoramic city tour for visitors. Tourism officials plan to expand the service based on passenger feedback and demand. CM Stalin inaugurates Chennai's new AC double-decker sightseeing bus service, covering key heritage landmarks. A TTDC tourism initiative for city visitors. Chennai, Jan 12 Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will on Monday inaugurate Chennai's new air-conditioned double-decker sightseeing bus service, a tourism initiative aimed at offering visitors a compact and curated introduction to the city's key heritage and administrative landmarks. The service, promoted by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), is likely to strengthen organised urban sightseeing in the state capital. The double-decker bus has been introduced with support from the Tamil diaspora in the United States and a corporate social responsibility contribution from a private company. The flag-off ceremony will take place at the Nandambakkam Trade Centre, signalling the formal launch of the service for tourists and city visitors. TTDC has obtained the required operational permits and finalised the first phase of the route. The sightseeing tour will begin at the TTDC office on Wallajah Road, a central location close to several historic precincts. From there, the bus will pass prominent city landmarks, including the Munro Statue on Anna Salai, the Madras High Court complex, the Reserve Bank of India building, the Secretariat, Napier Bridge, and Ezhilagam, before reaching Foreshore Estate along the Marina waterfront. The return journey will bring passengers back to the starting point via the DGP office, completing a circular route designed for easy orientation and uninterrupted travel. Officials say the service has been planned as a short-duration city tour, catering especially to tourists with limited time as well as first-time visitors seeking a broad overview of Chennai. The elevated seating arrangement of the double-decker bus is expected to provide panoramic views of heritage structures, arterial roads, and the coastline, adding to the visual appeal of the journey. The tourism department plans to review passenger feedback during the initial phase and expand the service accordingly. Additional landmarks may be included, and service frequency enhanced, depending on demand and operational feasibility in the coming months. The launch also coincides with ongoing urban and heritage development works along Kamarajar Salai, undertaken by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and the Greater Chennai Corporation. Tourism stakeholders believe the sightseeing bus can complement these projects by helping visitors better appreciate the city's architectural legacy and evolving public spaces. With this initiative, the state government aims to position Chennai as a more accessible and engaging destination for structured city tourism. - IANS Union Health Minister JP Nadda has announced immediate action following reports of two suspected Nipah virus cases in West Bengal. A National Joint Outbreak Response Team with experts from multiple national institutes has been deployed to support the state. Nadda confirmed that disease protocols have been shared and central monitoring systems have been activated. He also stated that he spoke with West Bengal's Chief Minister to ensure close collaboration between state and central teams. Union Health Minister JP Nadda confirms coordinated action after two suspected Nipah virus cases in West Bengal. A national outbreak response team has been deployed. New Delhi, January 13 Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda, amid reports of two suspected Nipah virus cases in West Bengal, said that the government has initiated a coordinated response to prevent a potential outbreak. Taking immediate action, the Union Minister said that the central government has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to support the State Government in containing the virus. The team comprises experts from the All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata; the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai; AIIMS Kalyani; and the Department of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. "Yesterday, on January 11th, two suspected cases of Nipah virus were found at the ICMR Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory in Kalyani... Coordinated action was immediately initiated to contain the outbreak. Upon receiving information about these cases last night, the Union Health Secretary discussed the situation with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of Health of West Bengal. To provide assistance to West Bengal and to contain the outbreak, we immediately established a National Joint Outbreak Response Team. We have deployed a team with members from All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata, National Institute of Virology, Pune, National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalyani, and Department of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to West Bengal," said Nadda. The Union Minister confirmed that protocols for the Nipah virus and other communicable diseases have been shared with the state's Integrated Disease Surveillance Unit, in accordance with central government guidelines. Furthermore, the Minister urged West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee to ensure her team of experts collaborates closely with the Indian government task force. "Our protocols for Nipah virus disease and communicable diseases have been shared with the state's Integrated Disease Surveillance Unit in accordance with central government guidelines. The National Centre for Disease Control and the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre have also been activated... I spoke to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and asked her to instruct her team of experts to work closely with the Indian government team and put all their efforts into preventing this. They have assured me that they have activated the department..." added Nadda. Earlier, two suspected cases of Nipah virus disease were identified at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), ICMR, AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal. - ANI Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO and its partners for the successful flight test of a third-generation, indigenously developed Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile. The missile, featuring a fire-and-forget system with top-attack capability, was successfully tested against a moving target in Maharashtra. It incorporates advanced indigenous technologies like an Imaging Infrared Seeker and a tandem warhead developed by various DRDO laboratories. DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat stated the successful trial paves the way for the weapon system's induction into the Indian Army. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauds DRDO's successful test of a third-generation, fire-and-forget, man-portable anti-tank guided missile. Hyderabad, January 12 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation, its industry partners and the defence industry after the successful flight test of the Third Generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile with top attack capability, describing it as an important step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In a post on X, RMO India said, "Third Generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability was flight tested successfully against moving target by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has complimented DRDO, DCPP Partners and Industry for the successful test of Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile with top attack capability and termed it an important step towards AatmanirbharBharat." According to a release from Ministry of Defence, Third Generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability was flight-tested successfully against a moving target in KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra by DRDO's Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad on January 11, 2026. The indigenously developed MPATGM consists of state-of-the-art indigenous technologies like Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker, all electric Control Actuation System, Fire Control System, Tandem Warhead, propulsion system and high performance sighting system, which are developed by DRDO's sister laboratories namely Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune and Instruments Research & Development Establishment, Dehradun. The Thermal Target System was developed by Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur to simulate the target tank. The IIR seeker is well accomplished with day and night combat operation capability. The warhead is capable of defeating modern main Battle Tanks. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are the Development-Cum-Production Partners (DcPP) for the weapon System. The missile can be launched from Tripod or Military Vehicle Launcher, a release said. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO, DcPP Partners and the Industry for the successful test. He termed it as an important step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Congratulating the team, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat said that the trial target was successfully conducted, thereby leading the weapon system for induction into the Indian Army, a release added. - ANI A delegation from the Communist Party of China, led by Vice Minister Sun Haiyan, visited the Bharatiya Janata Party's headquarters in New Delhi. The meeting, also attended by Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong, focused on advancing communications between the two political parties. The diplomatic engagement coincides with cultural outreach highlighted by an Indian Consul General's visit to a historic Buddhist pagoda in China. This event underscored shared civilizational heritage, referencing the recent return of sacred Piprahwa relics to India. A high-level Communist Party of China delegation met BJP leaders in New Delhi to discuss advancing inter-party communications and diplomatic ties. New Delhi, January 13 A delegation from the Communist Party of China visited the BJP head office in New Delhi on Monday. The Chinese delegation was led by Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister, International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC). In a post on X, Vijay Chauthaiwale, the In-Charge of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Foreign Affairs Department, said that the delegation discussed at length the means to advance inter-party communications between the BJP and CPC. "A delegation of Communist Party of China under the leadership of H.E. Ms. Sun Haiyan, (Vice Minister, IDCPC) visited BJP head office today. During the discussion, a BJP delegation headed by party Gen. Sec. Shri Arun Singh Ji discussed at length the means to advance inter party communications between BJP and CPC. Chinese Ambassador to India H.E. Xu Feihong also joined the delegation," said Chauthaiwale. BJP National General Secretary and MP Arun Singh also posted, "Ms Sun Haiyan, Vice Minister, International Dept of Communist Party of China (IDCPC) visited today BJP head Office. During the meeting we discussed how to enhance communication and interaction between BJP and CPC." Recently, the Consul General of India in Shanghai, Pratik Mathur, visited the Tiger Hill Pagoda in Suzhou, China, to mark the inauguration of the grand exhibition "The Light and the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One" in India, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Indian embassy in Shanghai. Tiger Hill Pagoda, located in the ancient city of Suzhou, is the oldest and largest Buddhist pagoda south of the Yangtze River. The site holds an important place in Buddhist architecture, history and art. During the visit, the Consul General interacted with Buddhist monks and members of the local community, including Friends of India. He highlighted the return of the sacred Piprahwa Ratna of Lord Buddha to India after 127 years, calling it a moment of pride for India's spiritual and civilisational heritage. The event also featured presentations and cultural performances based on the teachings of Lord Buddha. These performances reflected the deep cultural connect and strong resonance surrounding the Piprahwa Relics exhibition, the Indian Embassy in Shanghai added. - ANI The Delhi Legislative Assembly's winter session concluded after five sittings, having processed 351 questions and 124 special mentions. Four significant bills were passed, including amendments to court fees and shop establishments. Speaker Vijender Gupta highlighted the session's digital push, which saved substantial paper, trees, and costs. He also clarified that opposition suspensions were for disrupting proceedings and referred related conduct issues to the Privileges Committee. Delhi's winter session addressed 351 questions, passed 4 bills, and saved 40 trees via digital docs. Speaker addressed controversies and suspensions. New Delhi, January 12 The Fourth Session of the Eighth Delhi Legislative Assembly concluded on Friday, 9 January, after five sittings marked by extensive legislative business, debates on public issues and a continued push towards digital functioning, Speaker Vijender Gupta said. Addressing a press conference at the Assembly Secretariat, the Speaker said the session, held from January 5 to January 9, saw around 12 hours and 39 minutes of proceedings. During this period, the House addressed 351 questions, including 60 starred and 263 unstarred, and received 124 special mentions. Of these, 33 special mentions have been forwarded to the relevant departments, with instructions to respond within 30 days. The session began with the Address of the Lieutenant Governor, followed by a Motion of Thanks, which was discussed by members of both the ruling party and the Opposition and unanimously adopted on January 9. The Assembly also passed four Bills, the Court Fees Delhi Amendment Bill, 2026; the Delhi Appropriation (No. 1) Bill, 2026; the Delhi Jan Vishwas Amendment Provisions Bill, 2026; and the Delhi Shops and Establishments Amendment Bill, 2026, and approved Supplementary Demands for the financial year 2025-26. The House held discussions on the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the 150th anniversary of the National Song 'Vande Mataram', and issues related to environmental protection and pollution control in the national capital. A resolution was unanimously adopted to play the full version of 'Vande Mataram' in the Assembly from the next session onwards. Regarding controversies during the session, the Speaker clarified that certain Opposition members were suspended for repeated disruption of proceedings, not merely for wearing masks, calling reports to the contrary "false and misleading". He said matters related to disorderly conduct, as well as alleged objectionable remarks concerning Sikh Gurus made during the session, have been referred to the Committee of Privileges. The relevant video footage has also been sent to the Delhi State Forensic Science Laboratory for examination. To ensure transparency, Gupta said a chronological video compilation of the events related to the privilege issue has been released. He expressed concern about attempts outside the House to influence a matter already under the Privileges Committee's consideration, calling such efforts a serious violation of constitutional propriety. The Speaker also highlighted the Assembly's move towards digital documentation, stating that avoiding the printing of official papers during the session saved about 3.38 lakh pages, conserved an estimated 40.56 trees and reduced printing costs by around Rs 1.69 lakh. He said the initiative also helped in lowering carbon emissions. Reiterating his commitment to constitutional norms, Gupta said the sentiments of all members would be respected, while the dignity and authority of the Delhi Legislative Assembly would remain paramount in all proceedings. - ANI The broker told his client he had a relative in the little red party with links to the famous Suns who, for an up-front fee, would guarantee safe passage of the container with the cocaine onto the ship docked at the Venezuelan port. The cocaine a batch of 32 kilograms hidden inside two electrical generators was destined for Libya. The broker, alias Luisito, was trying to assure the client, alias Julio, that Venezuelan military officers would not steal his money or his load, according to wiretap recordings obtained by CBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Someone has to be the guarantee, said Julio, according to the cellphone recording. Theyre military, there is no need for a guarantee with them they work there. The day the truck arrives, they receive it and they put it [on the ship], said Luisito. CBC News obtained more than a dozen wiretap recordings from an ultimately successful two-year Colombian federal police investigation into a multinational drug-smuggling organization based out of Colombia. The organization moved cocaine to the U.S., Europe, Asia and northern Africa by air using human drug mules and by sea through shipping containers. Luis Ernesto Galvis Martinez, alias Luisito, left, and Luis Fernando Martinez, alias Julio, were captured on cellphone wiretaps planning to send cocaine to Libya with the help of the Venezuelan military. (CBC ) The two-year investigation, which culminated in 2016, was initiated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Cellphone interceptions captured members of the group discussing dealings with Venezuelan military officials who oversaw the Guarano International Port in the state of Falcon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Venezuelan government has denied it has any links to drug trafficking and no government party or military officials were captured on the wiretaps obtained by CBC News. In the wiretapped conversations, the broker Luisito repeatedly used the nickname the Suns whenever he mentioned senior Venezuelan military officers. The nickname refers to the insignias high-ranking Venezuelan military officers wear on their uniforms to denote their rank. He would also mention the colour red whenever he referred to the ruling party, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). These conversations help us understand that, effectively, the Cartel of the Suns exists. They are high-ranking officers, generals, who had the power to control all the shipments of cocaine from their country, said a former federal Colombian anti-narcotics agent who worked on the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CBC News is not revealing the former agents identity, because he was not authorized to release internal details of police investigations. More than 800 kilograms of cocaine were seized inside an aircraft coming from Venezuela in Brus Laguna, Gracias a Dios department, Honduras, in 2020. (AFP via Getty Images) The former agent said he came across the term Cartel of the Suns in other investigations through conversations with confidential informants. He said the Venezuelan regime had deep ties to the drug trade. Sources told us about secret runways where they sent planes loaded with substances and about the power that they had to control everything that had to do with narco-trafficking, the agent said. He said that the U.S. federal criminal case against captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, was likely built from similar cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maduro was captured along with Flores during a U.S. military strike on Jan. 3. They are facing charges before the U.S. Federal Court in New York City of conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine, among other charges. The U.S. indictment against Maduro and Flores describes the Cartel of the Suns as "a patronage system" where "Venezuelan elites enrich themselves through drug trafficking and the protection of their partner drug traffickers." The wiretaps obtained by CBC News, all recorded in April 2016, revealed how Julio planned to use fake Venezuelan identification cards and a local company to move cocaine in a container packed with the two generators and other, similar equipment, so it would weigh at least a tonne. Julio wanted to move the container by sea from Venezuela to Brazil and then to Libya. He had been burned by another contact before he turned to Luisito, a broker who said he had recently moved 50 kg of cocaine to Portugal hidden inside a shipment of several tonnes of charcoal, according to the wiretaps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luisito said he had a relative who was part of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. He has done some little things there and he has a little power there in Punto Fijo, said Luisito, according to a wiretap intercepted at 6:10 p.m. on April 4, 2016. Punto Fijo is the city next to Guarano International Port, which sits on a peninsula about 548 km northwest of the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. And working with these people that you mention, its not dangerous? said Julio, in a second phone call intercepted that same day at 6:43 p.m. The little red ones? No, they are the ones in charge of the ports theres no more DEA [U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration], theres nothing, said Luisito. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want them to steal [the product], said Julio. They dont need to, they are the ones who are doing this with the famous Suns, they are linked to the Suns who are sending out loads, said Luisito. They have their own ways of sending things. Luisito said that his relative was dealing with a high-ranking officer and three subordinates who worked together. He said the military completely controlled the port and each shift operated its own side business, charging a baseline amount of $8,000 US and up, based on quantity, to allow containers through to be loaded on ships. They have been doing this for a long time and when I told [my relative] that it was only 16 kg of cocaine [per generator], he said thats not a lot, if you only knew how much [cocaine] theyre sending out of here, said Luisito, in the same phone call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julio was still worried about getting ripped off. How do I know the police wont steal the money or steal the [generators]? he said, during a third phone call intercepted at 7 p.m. the same day. They are sending product out daily by turns through the airport and by turns by ship because what interests them is money, they are not interested in bolivars [the Venezuelan currency], they are interested in [U.S.] dollars, because they are sending them to offshore tax havens, said Luisito. Luisito told Julio he just needed to make sure his papers were in order to get through the customs process, because the military officers were only in charge of anti-narcotics screening. The former Colombian federal police drug agent told CBC News that the shipment made it to Libya but that authorities eventually charged Luisito and Julio, who were then convicted and jailed. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held an interactive session with 43 young authors selected under the PM-YUVA 3.0 mentorship scheme. The authors, participating in a camp at the New Delhi World Book Fair, shared overviews of their forthcoming manuscripts. Pradhan directed officials to facilitate their access to research materials through the National Book Trust and the 'One Nation, One Subscription' initiative. He encouraged the authors to write inspiring books on themes like the Indian diaspora and knowledge systems. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan interacts with 43 selected young authors, directing support for their manuscripts on diaspora, knowledge systems. New Delhi, Jan 12 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan undertook free-wheeling discussions on culture, technology, the pursuit of knowledge, and the national vision with 43 young authors selected under the PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme, an official said on Monday. The 43 selected authors under the PM-YUVA 3.0 scheme are participating in a national camp being organised during the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 (10-18 January) at Bharat Mandapam. The Fair is being organised by the Ministry of Education with the National Book Trust and was inaugurated on January 10 by Pradhan. During the interactive session with Pradhan, the selected authors shared brief overviews of the subjects of their forthcoming manuscripts being developed under the six-month mentorship programme. Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan congratulated the young writers on their selection and encouraged them to make the most of the mentorship period to produce meaningful books that would inspire India's youth to read, write, and engage deeply with knowledge. He emphasised the importance of access to research material and directed that both physical and digital resources should be facilitated through the National Book Trust (NBT). He also stated that the authors should be provided access to resources under the 'One Nation, One Subscription' (ONOS) initiative. To strengthen their academic and research support, he suggested that the selected authors be affiliated with central universities in their respective regions to develop their manuscripts. Pradhan said that he was delighted to engage with the budding writers selected under PM-YUVA 3.0 and noted that the diversity in the room reflected the diversity of India. He said that the young authors are writing books on the themes of the Contribution of the Indian Diaspora in Nation-building, the Indian Knowledge System, and Makers of Modern India. He added that the interaction included free-wheeling discussions on culture, technology, the pursuit of knowledge, and the national vision, and said that the energy, confidence, and aspirations of the young authors further strengthened his belief in the vision of a Viksit Bharat. - IANS Congress leader Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda, highlighting his role in elevating Indian culture on the global stage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the spiritual leader as a powerful source of inspiration for India's youth. President Droupadi Murmu also honored Vivekananda, noting his teachings on service and inner strength. The day is celebrated annually as National Youth Day in commemoration of his life and philosophy. Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi, and President Murmu honor Swami Vivekananda on his 164th birth anniversary, celebrated as National Youth Day in India. New Delhi, January 12 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his 164th birth anniversary. He highlighted Swami Vivekananda's enduring legacy in elevating Indian culture on the global stage. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "On the birth anniversary of the great ascetic Swami Vivekananda Ji, I offer my humble salutations to him. Swami Vivekananda Ji elevated India's culture onto the global stage through his profound thoughts. His ideals will forever continue to inspire every Indian." Earlier, PM Modi said that Swami Vivekananda remains a "powerful source of inspiration for India's youth," and his personality and works continue to strengthen the resolve for a developed India "My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda, the powerful source of inspiration for India's youth power, on his birth anniversary. His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a developed India. My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions," PM Modi wrote on X. President Droupadi Murmu also paid homage to the spiritual leader, highlighting that his "teachings will continue to inspire humanity." "I pay my humble tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary celebrated as National Youth Day. A timeless visionary and spiritual icon, he preached that inner strength and service to humanity were foundations of a meaningful life. He carried India's eternal wisdom to the world. Swamiji instilled national pride among Indians and inspired the youth to contribute to nation building. His teachings will continue to inspire humanity," the President wrote on X. The National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Divas is celebrated on January 12 every year in commemoration of the great spiritual leader, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda, whose unwavering belief in the potential of youth continues to resonate deeply with young citizens of the country, as per the release from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Vivekananda, born Narendranath Datta, was a key figure in the renaissance of Hinduism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His fiery eloquence, profound understanding of Eastern and Western philosophies, and unwavering belief in the potential of youth resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. His landmark speech at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893 is widely considered a turning point in the global perception of Hinduism. - ANI Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has been admitted to the Cardiology Department at AIIMS in Delhi. His current condition is described as stable by sources. Dhankhar had previously resigned from his post in July 2025 to prioritize his healthcare, as stated in his resignation letter. This follows an earlier hospitalization in March for chest pain and uneasiness, from which he had recovered satisfactorily. Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar admitted to AIIMS Delhi's cardiology department. His condition is reported as stable following a prior health-related resignation. New Delhi, January 12 Former Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar has been admitted to the Cardiology Department of All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, on Monday. According to sources, the former Vice President is in stable condition. Further details are awaited. The former Vice President resigned in July 2025 "to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice." "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution," the resignation letter said. "I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency - the Hon'ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing, wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure," it added. Dhankhar's resignation was accepted by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, a day after. Earlier, Dhankhar was admitted to AIIMS on March 9 following complaints of uneasiness and chest pain and was discharged on March 12. In a statement, AIIMS had said, "After receiving necessary care by the medical team at AIIMS, he made a satisfactory recovery and was discharged on March 12. He has been advised to take adequate rest for the next few days." - ANI The Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition has emerged as a major export platform, connecting over 1,800 state manufacturers with 53 international buyers. The event generated professional export inquiries worth approximately Rs 500 crore and resulted in the signing of over 1,000 Memoranda of Understanding. Organized by multiple government and export promotion bodies, the meet focused on key sectors including handloom, handicraft, textiles, and gems and jewellery. Separate mining sector seminars and significant local investment MoUs, including one worth Rs 100 crore, were also part of the conference's second day. Over 1800 manufacturers met 53 global buyers at Vibrant Gujarat, generating Rs 500 crore in export inquiries and signing 1000+ MoUs. Rajkot, January 13 At the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition, the "Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet" in Hall No. 1 has become the centre of attraction. About 53 international buyers from 23 countries have arrived here to purchase goods from various manufacturers in India. To sell their products, more than 1,800 manufacturers from across the state have participated. According to Suvidh Shah, Additional Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), this Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet has provided a major platform for local manufacturers to directly sell their products abroad. As a result, they are expected to gain significant economic benefits, an official release stated. This meet has been organised by the Government of Gujarat's iNDEXTb, Industries Commissioner, MSME, Rising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP), Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Chemical and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (CAPEXIL), and Gujarat Jewellery Promotion and Export Promotion Council (GJPEPC). The meet focuses on sectors such as handloom, handicraft, textile, agri-food, tiles and ceramics, engineering, auto, and gems and jewellery. A total of 53 international buyers from 23 countries including the USA, Canada, Europe, Russia, Gulf countries, Australia, Africa, and Central Asian countries, along with 22 domestic buyers, have participated. More than 1,800 sellers from across the state have shown enthusiasm to sell their products. More than 2,200 meetings have been held between buyers and sellers, and over 1,000 MoUs have been signed in two days. Along with this, professional export demand worth approximately Rs. 500 crore has been generated, the release said. Earlier, on the second day of this conference, along with B2B and B2G sessions on various subjects, seminars were organised on the theme "Igniting the Future: Gujarat Mining Revolution", in which a seminar on the topic of the Mining Revolution in Gujarat was held by the State's Geology and Mining Department with industrial entrepreneurs. Accroding to the releae, on this occasion, an MoU worth Rs. 100 crore was signed by L&S Company of Kalyanpur taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka district, through which employment opportunities will be created for around 100 people. An MoU worth Rs. 60 crore has been signed by Virendrasinh Savariya of Talaja in Bhavnagar district, through which employment opportunities will be created for around 75 people. - ANI Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami extended Lohri greetings, stating folk festivals infuse new energy into life and symbolize harvest and brotherhood. President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed warm wishes for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, celebrating India's agricultural traditions. These festivals, celebrated across India in diverse ways, honor farmers and express gratitude towards nature. The celebrations, marked by bonfires and feasts, reflect the nation's vibrant cultural heritage and unity. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and President Droupadi Murmu extend greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, celebrating harvest traditions. Dehradun, January 13 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday extended greetings to the people of the state, especially the Punjabi community, on the occasion of the festival of Lohri. In his message issued on the eve of Lohri, the Chief Minister said that this festival symbolises the arrival of a new harvest, gratitude towards nature, and mutual brotherhood. According to an official release, the CM said that our folk festivals infuse new energy into our lives. He also expressed his wish that this festival may bring happiness, prosperity, and well-being to everyone's lives. "It has been our tradition to celebrate all festivals and occasions with mutual cooperation and harmony," the Chief Minister said. Earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu extended her warm greetings to citizens in India and abroad on Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu, which will be celebrated on January 13 and 14. In a message, the President said, "On the auspicious occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu festivals, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians residing within India and abroad." "These festivals are a symbol of our rich agricultural traditions and national unity. They are a reflection of our vibrant and diverse cultural heritage. These festivals are an occasion to salute the hard work of our farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation. Through these festivals celebrated across the country, we express our gratitude towards Mother Nature," she added. Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival of Assam, marks the end of the harvesting season in the month of Magh and is celebrated with community feasts after the annual harvest. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways in which harvest festivals are celebrated across India. Lohri celebrations, particularly in northern India, are marked by bonfires, traditional foods and folk songs, adding warmth and joy to the festive season. - ANI German business leaders at the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad lauded the strong bilateral partnership, rooted in trust and shared democratic values. They highlighted expanding cooperation in future-oriented sectors like aerospace, defence, and sustainable mobility, where India's rapid progress was commended. The leaders, including several CEOs, specifically praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for building a strong foundation for India's success and global trajectory. The forum coincided with robust trade figures, with bilateral exchange reaching $51.23 billion, reinforcing Germany's position as India's leading trading partner in the EU. German CEOs highlight trust, shared values, and growth in Indo-German ties at Ahmedabad forum, praising India's trajectory in mobility and manufacturing. Ahmedabad, January 12 German business leaders and industry executives have underscored the strength of India-Germany relations, highlighting trust, shared values, and expanding opportunities for collaboration across innovation, aerospace, defence, manufacturing, and sustainable mobility. Airbus CEO Michael Schoellhorn described India and Germany as "natural partners" in today's global landscape, noting that the bilateral relationship is firmly rooted in trust and common democratic values. He pointed to future-oriented sectors such as innovation, aerospace, and defence as key areas where cooperation between the two countries can deepen further. Echoing similar sentiments, Dr Ralf Wintergerst, CEO of Giesecke+Devrient, said that combining German precision with India's scale and talent could enable both nations to create transformative global solutions. He emphasised that such complementarities position the partnership for long-term success. Susanne Renate Kunschert, a director of PILZ INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi her role model as she learns a lot from him. She also stated that Prime Minister Modi has built a very strong foundation for India from which it can only succeed. Bertram Kawlath, a prominent German entrepreneur and the current President of the VDMA--the largest industry association for mechanical engineering in Europe --has praised Prime Minister Modi for his accurate assessment of the potential of Indo-German collaboration. He emphasised that a strategic partnership between German machinery manufacturers and Indian equipment producers could drive substantial growth in the global equipment market. Arnd Franz, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of the MAHLE Group, a leading global automotive supplier, has commended India's rapid progress in sustainable mobility, noting that the country is advancing faster than many major economies. He highlighted India's pragmatic approach to the green transition, particularly the accelerated rollout of E20 fuel blends and biofuels, as a powerful example for the world, leveraging multiple pathways, including ethanol, hydrogen, and electrification. Franz emphasised that this multi-fuel strategy offers a balanced and realistic model for global decarbonization. Furthermore, he expressed strong optimism about India's potential to become a key exporter in the automotive and components sectors, positioning the country as a vital contributor to the global economy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) from both countries at the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Notably, the total bilateral trade between India and Germany in goods and services reached USD 51.23 billion in 2024-25. Germany is India's largest trading partner in EU. Germany accounts for roughly one-fourth of India's trade with the European Union, reinforcing its position as India's leading EU trading partner. Indo-German trade in services rose by 12.5% in FY 2024-25, reaching a record USD 16.65 bn. Germany is the 9th largest foreign direct investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of USD 15.40 billion from April 2000 to June 2025. German investments in India during FY 2024-25 amounted to USD 469 million. - ANI German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in Gujarat on his first official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit aims to enhance bilateral ties, coinciding with 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Merz and Modi are scheduled to hold talks in Ahmedabad, review the strategic partnership, and participate in the International Kite Festival. Their discussions will focus on deepening cooperation in trade, defence, technology, and sustainable development. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives in Gujarat for official talks with PM Narendra Modi to strengthen the 25-year strategic partnership. New Delhi, Jan 12 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Gujarat on Monday for an official visit to India, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is Merz's first official visit to India, aimed at enhancing bilateral ties between India and Germany. The German Chancellor was warmly received by Gujarat's Governor, Acharya Devvrat, at the airport in Ahmedabad. Welcoming Merz, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) took to the social media platform X, stating, "India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic ties and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Chancellor Merz's visit and his meeting with PM Narendra Modi, later in the day, will further strengthen India-Germany partnership." Merz is scheduled to hold talks with PM Modi in Ahmedabad, and both leaders will participate in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront. This will be followed by bilateral engagements at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, according to the statement released by the Prime Minister's Office. In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office stated, "The two leaders will review the progress made in the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which has recently completed 25 years. Their 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 ties." The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues, as well as engage with business and industry leaders from India and Germany. Ahead of Chancellor Merz's visit, German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh last week, discussing bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment. "German Ambassador Dr Philipp Ackermann called on Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh today. The Ambassador conveyed new year greetings to the Defence Secretary on behalf of the German side. They also discussed a range of bilateral security and defence issues, including priority areas for co-development and co-production of defence equipment," Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence, posted on X. In November last year, PM Modi met German Chancellor Merz on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in South Africa. PM Modi described the relationship between India and Germany as strong and expanding across key sectors, including trade, technology and innovation. - IANS A seminar at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference highlighted GIFT City as India's premier international financial gateway. The 886-acre project, developed between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, is divided into a Domestic Tariff Area and a Multi-Services Special Economic Zone. The SEZ is dedicated to global financial services like banking, fintech, and capital markets. The initiative reflects India's strategic vision to create a competitive, world-class financial and technology hub. Explore how Gujarat's GIFT City, a 886-acre financial hub, aims to be India's global gateway for banking, fintech, and capital markets. Rajkot, January 12 On the second day of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, a significant seminar was organised on the theme "GIFT City: India's International Financial Gateway", showcasing the state's vision for economic development on a global scale. The seminar was graced by senior dignitaries, including Ajay Bhadu, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and Sanjay Kaul, Managing Director & Group CEO of GIFT City. Delegates from the United States of America also made a special appearance at the event, according to a release. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) has been developed across 886 acres of land situated between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. This ambitious project reflects India's vision to create a world-class financial and technology hub that integrates modern infrastructure with global business opportunities. The city is divided into two major zones. The first is the Domestic Tariff Area, which spans approximately 625 acres. This zone is designed to include commercial, residential, social, and infrastructure facilities, ensuring the region remains self-reliant and sustainable. It provides a balanced ecosystem where people can live, work, and engage in community life, the release stated. The second zone is the Multi-Services Special Economic Zone (SEZ), covering about 261 acres. This area is dedicated to international financial services and hosts activities related to banking, fintech, insurance, capital markets, and other global business operations. By focusing on these sectors, the SEZ positions GIFT City as a competitive international hub for financial innovation and cross-border economic engagement. - ANI A new ORF report argues that global intelligence is being fundamentally reshaped by digital interconnectedness, shifting power dynamics, and the rise of private sector actors. It introduces the concept of "geotechnography," where physical geography blends with digital space, creating volatile transnational narratives that agencies must monitor. The study emphasizes that while technology is crucial, well-cultivated human intelligence (HUMINT) networks remain vital for understanding adversary intentions. For India, the report underscores an urgent need to strengthen its intelligence capabilities, including HUMINT, supply-chain security, and collaboration with both partner states and the private R&D ecosystem. ORF report details how tech & geopolitics are reshaping global intelligence, urging India to boost HUMINT, supply-chain security, and private sector ties. New Delhi, January 12 A major new paper from the Observer Research Foundation outlines how geopolitical volatility and technological change are fundamentally reshaping the world of national intelligence. Authored by Samir Saran, President, ORF, and Archishman Ray Goswami, Non-Resident Fellow, ORF, and a DPhil International Relations candidate at the University of Oxford, the study 'Swords and Shields: Navigating the Modern Intelligence Landscape' examines emerging trends that intelligence agencies must confront in the decade ahead. The ORF report argues that traditional intelligence practices are under pressure from a combination of digital interconnectedness, shifting global power dynamics, and the rise of private sector intelligence actors. It highlights how "geotechnography" - the blending of physical geography with digital space, now enables the rapid mutation of transnational political affiliations and narratives that intelligence services must monitor and interpret in real time. The report says that it is incumbent upon national intelligence agencies to develop the analytical capabilities to better relate global developments to local ones in order to pre-empt the proliferation of sudden, volatile forms of social and political identity in a more fractious geopolitical landscape. The authors note that competing nations are increasingly struggling for influence over critical physical resources, especially rare-earth elements. These materials are central to modern technologies and are expected to intensify strategic competition, requiring intelligence agencies to adapt beyond conventional regional missions. Human intelligence (HUMINT), long considered the backbone of espionage, is also evolving amid ubiquitous technical surveillance and sophisticated open-source intelligence (OSINT). While digital tools now shape much of what intelligence services can access, the report stresses that well-cultivated human networks remain vital for understanding adversaries' intentions. Another key theme is the growing role of private sector intelligence, from Big Tech data analytics to corporate espionage, which is increasingly interwoven with national security. This blurs the line between government espionage and commercial information gathering, creating both opportunities and vulnerabilities for state actors. The report says that the growing power of Big Tech, propelled by their access to enormous quantities of data beyond the reach of even large intelligence services, portends massive changes within the global intelligence landscape. For India specifically, the ORF paper underscores the need to strengthen its intelligence capabilities, including supply-chain security, HUMINT capacity, and collaboration with partner states. A greater emphasis on growing its HUMINT capacities while remaining cognizant of the technological constraints shaping it, is vital, says the report. As India ascends as a major global economy, its intelligence services must adapt to a more complex and competitive strategic environment. The report cites the establishment of In-Q-Tel, a venture capital firm focused on emerging technologies, by the CIA in the late 1990s which helped the US maintain its strategic and technological edge and recommends that the Indian government dedicate resources to a similar fund for the R&AW. Establishing smooth liaison channels with India's indigenous R&D ecosystem, much of which exists as part of the private sector, is vital, emphasising self-sufficiency as India grows as an independent power in a more competitive world, says the report. The authors conclude that the winners of tomorrow's geopolitical contests will be nations whose intelligence communities can integrate technological advances with strategic foresight and adaptability. - ANI The Brazilian film 'The Secret Agent' won two major awards at the 2026 Golden Globes, including Best Non-English Language Film and Best Drama Actor for Wagner Moura. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrated the historic win for Brazilian cinema on social media, recalling a special screening with the cast. The film, set during Brazil's 1977 military rule, follows a political dissident and has been critically acclaimed since its debut at Cannes. Actor Wagner Moura's win marks the first time a Brazilian actor has taken home the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama. Brazilian film 'The Secret Agent' wins Best Non-English Language Film and Best Drama Actor at Golden Globes 2026, hailed by President Lula. Los Angeles, January 12 Brazilian cinema has received global praise after the film 'The Secret Agent' won big at the Golden Globe Awards 2026. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva joined in celebrating the big moment as the film bagged two major awards at the ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday night (local time) in California. Lula took to his account on X social media platform to share a series of pictures along with a note expressing his happiness about the success of Brazilian artists on the world stage. He recalled hosting members of the film's cast and crew last year and said the moment remains special for him and First Lady Janja. "Best Non-English Language Film and Best Drama Actor. A double win for The Secret Agent at the @goldenglobes, making history in Brazilian cinema. A day of glory and recognition for the talent of our artists. What an honor it was to receive, in August of last year, part of the film's cast and production team for a screening at the Cine Alvorada. Janja and I cherish every moment of that extraordinary night in our memory. The doors will always be open to Brazilian art and culture," his X post read. Take a look at the post 'The Secret Agent' bagged two major awards at the ceremony held on Sunday night, one for Best Non-English Language Film and another for Best Drama Actor. Actor Wagner Moura made history by becoming the first Brazilian actor to win Best Actor in a Drama Film at the Golden Globe Awards. He won the award for his role in The Secret Agent. Years after gaining global fame with Netflix's Narcos and earning an earlier Golden Globe nomination, Moura finally took home the trophy. While accepting the award, Wagner Moura spoke about the deeper meaning of the film and the message it carries across generations. Talking about values and difficult times, he said, "'The Secret Agent' is a film about memory, or the lack of memory, and generational trauma. I think that if trauma can be passed along generations, values can too. So this is to the ones that are sticking with their values in difficult moments," said Moura as per Variety. The Secret Agent is set in Brazil in 1977, during the time of military rule. In the film, Moura plays a technology expert and political dissident who tries to escape persecution while standing up against an oppressive system. The film is directed by Kleber Mendonca Filho. The film earlier received strong praise at the Cannes Film Festival. Wagner Moura won Best Actor at Cannes, while the director won Best Director, according to Variety. The film also won the Art House Cinema Award and the FIPRESCI Prize. - ANI A high-level meeting at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot focused on Gujarat's roadmap for self-reliance in green energy. Industry leaders from companies like Adani and Suzlon presented on wind energy opportunities and project management. Discussions expanded to future sources, including a groundbreaking indigenous thorium-based micro-reactor project. Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel assured full government support, positioning Gujarat as a premier global destination for green energy investment. Gujarat charts a green energy future with focus on wind, hydrogen, and nuclear power at Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot. Rajkot, January 12 With a firm resolve to achieve holistic development and self-reliance in the energy sector, a high-level Business-to-Government meeting was organised on the second day of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot. Chaired by Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel, the meeting involved extensive consultations with leading industrialists and startups in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and nuclear power, focusing on Gujarat's roadmap for future growth, according to a release. The meeting began with Milind Kulkarni, CEO of Adani New Industries Limited, presenting future projections and vast opportunities in the wind energy sector. Alok Das, CEO of KP Group, briefed the Minister on the progress of investments made during previous Vibrant Summits and highlighted upcoming opportunities in the renewable sector. Additionally, Dinesh Jagdale, President of Suzlon Group, along with his team, shared insights on modern management of wind energy projects. Companies such as UPC Renewables and Pioneer Wincon expressed enthusiasm for new projects and signing MoUs. Discussions also covered future energy sources alongside traditional ones. Narmada Greenwave Pvt. Ltd. held policy-level talks on establishing green hydrogen and green ammonia projects in Bhavnagar. Advait Energy Transition presented plans for investments in electrolyser and fuel cell development. A notable highlight was the presentation by IYNS on the indigenous Thorium Fuel Micro Reactor (SUK-M) project, which could prove to be a game-changer for India's energy future, the release stated. The Minister also engaged with startups working in green energy and environmental protection. Imagine Powertree showcased innovative green startup concepts, while Swargarohan Sanstha presented an eco-friendly cremation machine. The LDES Council reviewed ongoing projects with GUVNL, and representatives from Kearney expressed their willingness to provide technical support to realise the state's vision. After hearing all proposals and presentations, Energy Minister Rishikesh Patel stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat has become the first-choice destination for investors. He assured that the government will provide all necessary administrative and policy support to industries. He expressed confidence that these meetings will prove highly fruitful in making Gujarat a global hub of green energy, the release added. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz shared a moment of cultural diplomacy at the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi highlighted the event as a symbol of growing India-Germany ties, where tradition fosters international partnership. The festival, part of the Uttarayan celebrations, transformed the Sabarmati sky into a vibrant display of kites and goodwill. This annual event has evolved from an ancient harvest celebration into a globally significant cultural spectacle. PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attended Ahmedabad's International Kite Festival, showcasing cultural diplomacy and strengthening bilateral relations. Ahmedabad, Jan 12 Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi wrote on the growing warmth in India-Germany relations as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz came together at the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, transforming a beloved cultural celebration into a moment of global significance. Under the vibrant winter sky, the festival offered a colourful canvas where tradition met diplomacy. PM Modi and Merz enjoyed the spectacle of kites soaring over the Sabarmati Riverfront, witnessing firsthand the cultural spirit that defines Gujarat's iconic Uttarayan celebrations. The event showcased not only the creativity of kite flying but also the symbolic power of cultural exchange. From shared smiles to vivid kites sweeping across the horizon, the festival became a lively expression of goodwill between the two nations. Sanghavi said the occasion exemplified how India's cultural heritage continues to foster meaningful international partnerships. The International Kite Festival, he noted, has once again proven its ability to elevate local traditions onto the global stage, reflecting the depth and warmth of India-Germany ties. The International Kite Festival in Gujarat, celebrated annually around Uttarayan on 14 January, traces its origins to the ancient tradition of marking the sun's northward journey, a moment considered auspicious across India. What began centuries ago as a community celebration of harvest, sunlight and changing seasons gradually evolved into a vibrant cultural spectacle. Over the decades, it has grown into one of the world's largest kite festivals, blending craftsmanship, competition and cultural exchange, while turning the skies above Ahmedabad into a dazzling tapestry of colour and creativity each year. - IANS Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu have extended warm greetings to the people of the state on the occasions of Lohri and Makar Sankranti. The Chief Minister highlighted his government's initiative to provide a festival allowance to destitute children, women, and the elderly to make their celebrations special. These harvest festivals are seen as symbols of joy, prosperity, and an opportunity to strengthen community bonds. The report also notes that President Droupadi Murmu has extended her greetings to all Indians for these festivals, which celebrate agricultural traditions and national unity. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extend festive greetings, highlighting government's festival allowance for the vulnerable. Shimla, January 12 Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu have felicitated the people of the State on the occasion of Lohri and Makar Sakranti. In his felicitation message, the Governor said that these festivals bring happiness and prosperity in the lives of the people of the State. "May the festival of Lohri burn all the evils in your life and bring joy and the best of health to all of you," said the Governor. The Chief Minister, in his message, extended his greetings to all the people of the state and especially the destitute children, women and elderly across the State on the occasion. CM Sukhu said, "I hope that the step initiated by our government to provide festival allowance to them will bring a smile on their faces and make their Lohri special." He further said, "Such festivals also provide us an opportunity to get together and share happiness with near and dear ones, which would also go a long way in strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and fraternity." "These festivals symbolise the celebration of joy and prosperity, which are ushered in by a fresh harvest", said the Chief Minister. Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu extended her warm greetings to citizens in India and abroad on Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, which will be celebrated on January 13 and 14. In a message, the President said, "On the auspicious occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu festivals, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians residing within India and abroad. These festivals symbolise our rich agricultural traditions and national unity. They reflect our vibrant and diverse cultural heritage." These festivals are an opportunity to recognise the hard work of our farmers, who tirelessly feed the nation. Through these festivals celebrated across the country, we express our gratitude towards Mother Nature. Lohri (Jan 13) and Makar Sankranti (Jan 14) are major Indian harvest festivals marking winter's end and the sun's northward journey (Uttarayan), celebrated with bonfires, folk songs, dancing (Lohri), holy dips, kites, and sweets (Makar Sankranti), symbolising new beginnings, prosperity, and gratitude to nature and farmers. Lohri is the eve of Makar Sankranti, with shared themes of harvest, faith, and cultural unity, and is observed across India in diverse forms, such as Pongal and Magh Bihu. - ANI HinduACTion will hold a congressional briefing titled "Our Lost Daughters of Sindh" on January 16 to highlight the persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan. The event aims to inform US policymakers through historical material, art exhibits, survivor testimony, and documentary evidence. Executive Director Utsav Chakrabarti stated the goal is to galvanize US leadership to confront ongoing religious persecution. Separately, organizers announced nationwide peaceful rallies across the US on January 31 to raise awareness about violence against minorities in Bangladesh. HinduACTion hosts congressional briefing on forced conversions & trafficking of Hindu, Christian minorities in Pakistan. Features testimony & art. Washington, Jan 12 HinduACTion will hold a congressional briefing on Capitol Hill on January 16 to spotlight what it calls the persecution, forced conversions, and trafficking of Hindu, Christian, and other religious minorities in Pakistan. The briefing "Our Lost Daughters of Sindh" is aimed at members of Congress, congressional staff, officials from the US State Department and National Security Council, human rights advocates and groups working against human trafficking, a media release said Sunday. Organizers said the briefing will bring together historical material, art, testimony and documentary evidence to present what they describe as an underreported human rights crisis in South Asia. The program includes a visual presentation on the millennia-long history of Hindus in Pakistan. It will also feature an immersive art exhibit by Kiran Chukkapalli that depicts the experiences of Hindu refugees fleeing persecution. Testimonials from civil rights defenders in Pakistan are scheduled, along with a documentary produced by Indus Valley Minorities. The film focuses on forced conversions and trafficking involving Hindu, Christian and other religious minorities in Pakistan. "This briefing is designed to move policymakers beyond statistics and headlines," said Utsav Chakrabarti, executive director of HinduACTion. "By centering lived experience, historical truth, and documented evidence, we aim to inform and galvanize US leadership to confront ongoing religious persecution," he said. In a statement, HinduACTion urged participants to invite their local elected officials to attend and speak at the briefing. Meanwhile, severeal organizers on Sunday said a nationwide peaceful rally will be held across US cities on January 31 to raise awareness about violence against Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh. The rally is being described as a non-political and humanitarian human rights initiative open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. - IANS Sergio Gor was sworn in as the new US Ambassador to India at the embassy in New Delhi, with the 1966 soul hit "Hold On, I'm Comin'" playing as he approached the podium. In his address, he described the friendship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as genuine and foundational to the bilateral relationship. Gor emphasized his mission to elevate the US-India partnership, calling it the intersection of the world's oldest and largest democracies. He also expressed hope for a future visit by President Trump to India. Sergio Gor sworn in as US Ambassador to India, highlights "genuine" Trump-Modi friendship and aims to elevate bilateral partnership. New Delhi, January 12 Sergio Gor took charge on Monday as the new US Ambassador-designate to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia at the US Embassy in New Delhi. As Gor walked up to the podium to take the oath, the popular song "Hold On, I'm Comin'" by Sam & Dave played in the background. Those present at the Embassy cheered as he approached the stage. "Hold On, I'm Comin'" is a well-known soul song from 1966, performed by Sam & Dave and written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. The song became popular for its strong beat and catchy chorus, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot R&B chart. Sam Moore, one-half of the duo, passed away last year at the age of 89 due to post-surgery complications. In his address to the gathering at the Embassy, Gor described the friendship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi as "genuine" and said that true friends can resolve their differences. "I've traveled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real. The United States and India are bound not only by shared interests but also by a relationship anchored at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences in the end," he said. "It is great to be here as the United States Ambassador. I come to this remarkable nation with profound respect and a clear mission: to elevate the partnership between our two nations to the next level. This is the intersection between the world's oldest democracy and the world's largest democracy. During my last dinner with him, President Trump recounted his most recent visit to India and spoke fondly of his great friendship with the Prime Minister. I hope the President will visit us soon, hopefully within the next year or two. President Trump has a habit of calling at 2 a.m., and with the time difference in New Delhi, that might work out pretty well," he added. - ANI Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met with petitioners during a 'Janata Darshan' session to hear public grievances. He received applications, many concerning land encroachment and assault, and personally instructed officials to act swiftly. The CM emphasized that illegal encroachment will not be tolerated and ordered continued strict action against land mafia and strongmen. He assured the public of the government's commitment to resolving their issues and maintaining law and order as a top priority. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, during Janata Darshan, pledges strict action against land mafia and illegal encroachment, prioritizing law and order. Lucknow, January 12 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met with petitioners from various districts during the 'Janata Darshan' on Monday and heard their grievances. After receiving applications from the public, the Chief Minister instructed officials to take action and stated that illegal encroachment will not be tolerated under any circumstances, the release said. CM Yogi said that strict action against land mafia and strongmen is continuing and will continue regularly. The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure a prompt and satisfactory resolution of the issues and assured the public that the government is committed to addressing their concerns. The release stated that some petitioners approached the Chief Minister to report land encroachment and assault. The Chief Minister personally met with each person, listened to their complaints, and received their applications. He then instructed officials to expedite the hearing and resolution of district-level law and revenue cases. "Law and order are a priority for the government. Any negligence in this matter will not be tolerated." The Chief Minister instructed the administration and police officers at the district, division, range, and zone levels to continue taking the strictest possible action against strongmen and land mafia regularly. - ANI German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during his visit to Gujarat, emphasized that concluding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement is crucial to fully realizing the economic potential between India and Germany. He described India as a "partner of choice" for Germany, highlighting the strategic importance of the relationship. The leaders signed a defence industry MoU to enhance cooperation in production, innovation, and supply chains. The visit marks 75 years of diplomatic relations and aims to elevate bilateral ties to a new level amidst a changing global order. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, visiting Gujarat with PM Modi, urges conclusion of India-EU Free Trade Agreement to deepen strategic and defence ties. Gandhinagar, January 12 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday said that concluding the negotiation of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union is essential to unlocking the full potential of India-Germany economic relations, while describing India as a "desired partner" and a "partner of choice" for Berlin. Speaking in Gandhinagar, during a joint Press Conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chancellor Merz said, "To tap into the full potential of India-Germany economic relations, we need to conclude the negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the European Union." Highlighting the importance Germany attaches to its partnership with India, Merz said, "India is a desired partner, a partner of choice for Germany," underlining the strategic and economic significance of bilateral ties. Addressing global developments, the German Chancellor said the international order is undergoing significant change and noted the strategic importance of defence cooperation between the two countries. He further noted that both sides have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation in defence industry development, production, innovation, and strengthening global supply chains. "The world order is changing as we meet here. It is marked by great power politics and thinking of spheres of influence. We have to brace ourselves against the rough winds," the Chancellor said. "We want to deepen cooperation of our defence industries and this has strategic significance... We signed an MoU on closer cooperation between our defence industries on the development, production and promotion of innovation and the strengthening of global supply chains," he added. During the joint press conference, the German Chancellor said both countries aim to elevate bilateral relations to a new level. "We want to elevate the relations between India and Germany to an even higher and new level," Merz said. Thanking PM Modi for inviting him to Gujarat, Merz added, "You invited me to visit your home state of Gujarat. I express my heartfelt gratitude for this special gesture. It is a sign of very deep ties between our two countries, but it is also a testament of friendship towards me." Chancellor Merz's remarks came during his first official visit to India, which coincides with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, as both nations seek to further deepen cooperation across economic, strategic and global issues. Friedrich Merz is currently on a two-day official visit to India, marking the first such visit since assuming office. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. The German Chancellor is in India from January 12 to January 13. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. - ANI India and Germany have issued a forceful joint statement condemning the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam and Delhi in 2025. The statement emerged from talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad. Both leaders called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism comprehensively and dismantle its infrastructure. They also welcomed progress in bilateral counter-terror cooperation, including a ratified Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. India and Germany issue a strong joint statement condemning the 2025 Pahalgam and Delhi terror attacks, calling for global action to dismantle terrorist networks. Gandhinagar, January 12 India and Germany on Monday strongly denounced the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, and in Delhi on November 10, 2025, and urged steps to dismantle terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, while also targeting terror networks and their funding, in line with international law. The two countries made the remarks in a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad. The statement said both sides pushed for coordinated global action to fight terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, consistent with the UN Charter and international law. They "condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025 and the terror incident in Delhi on 10 November 2025. They committed to strengthening co-operation against terrorists and terrorist entities, including those listed in the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee," the joint statement said. Reiterating their position on terrorism, the joint statement said the two leaders "unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism." "They called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law." The statement further said India and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation against terrorists and terrorist entities, including those listed under the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee. As part of the counter-terror cooperation framework, both leaders welcomed the ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and noted the progress made under the Joint Working Group (JWG) on counter-terrorism, according to the joint statement. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Ahmedabad on Monday for a two-day visit. - ANI The Observer Research Foundation, in collaboration with Nalanda University, is hosting the eighth India Think Tank Forum in Bihar. The 2026 edition, themed "India in a Changing World: Building Inner Resilience," brings together over 80 participants from 75 think tanks nationwide. The forum aims to examine shifting global dynamics and assess India's policy preparedness across geopolitics, economy, and technology. It serves as a platform for critical dialogue to strengthen analytical independence and build a collaborative roadmap for policy innovation. ORF hosts 8th India Think Tank Forum at Nalanda University. Experts discuss global shifts, India's policy response, and building strategic foresight. Rajgir Januar, y 12 The Observer Research Foundation, in collaboration with Nalanda University, is hosting the eighth edition of the India Think Tank Forum at Nalanda University, Bihar. The Forum, where experts are discussing shifting global dynamics and India's response to them, is being held on January 12 and 13. The India Think Tank Forum is ORF's flagship annual initiative, conceived as a pan-India platform to bring together the country's diverse and rapidly expanding think-tank community. Conceived as an "intellectual gym", the India Think Tank Forum provides a space to reflect, challenge assumptions, and sharpen perspectives, a release said. The 2026 edition is centred on the theme "India in a Changing World: Building Inner Resilience". Hosted at Nalanda--one of the world's earliest centres of learning--this edition underscores the Forum's commitment to regional diversity and intellectual decentralisation, reinforcing the idea that India's policy conversations must emerge from across the country. ITTF serves as a convening point for cross-sectoral collaboration, critical dialogue, and knowledge exchange among policy researchers, academics, and institutional leaders from across the country, the release said. With each edition, ORF seeks to purposefully expand this network--bringing new institutions into conversation to build a more connected, regionally representative, and purpose-driven ecosystem of ideas, it said. The 2026 edition is bringing together leading think tanks, researchers, and policy institutions to collectively examine shifting global dynamics and India's responses to them. The focus is on moving beyond commentary towards clarity--bridging reflection and action, and strengthening the link between ideas, institutions, and influence. Through a series of sessions on geopolitics, the economy, sustainability, technology, and social transformation, the Forum aims to assess whether India's current policy frameworks and think-tank ecosystem are equipped for the complexity of the decade ahead. The Forum also aims to encourage cross-pollination of ideas to strengthen analytical independence and intellectual rigour and examine how India's domestic preparedness--economic, institutional, and societal--intersects with an evolving global landscape. It seeks to build a collaborative roadmap for think tanks as enablers of strategic foresight and policy innovation. The Forum is featuring over 80 participants from 75 think tanks across India, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the country's policy research ecosystem. Distinguished speakers and participants include Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation; Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University; Harsh V. Pant, Vice President, ORF; Pradeep Chauhan, Director General, National Maritime Foundation; T.P. Sreenivasan, Director General, Kerala International Centre; Laveesh Bhandari, President and Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress. The participants also include D Dhanuraj, Founder-Chairman, Centre for Public Policy Research; RPS Bhadauria, Additional Director General, Centre for Land Warfare Studies; Raul V Rodriguez, Vice President, Woxsen University; Priyanka Bhide, Co-founder, Kubernien Initiative; Biren Nanda, Senior Fellow, Delhi Policy Group; Ruhee Neog, Security and Foreign Policy Analyst, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies and Guru Prakash Paswan, Visiting Fellow, India Foundation. All sessions of the India Think Tank Forum are being released on the ORF YouTube channel, with key insights and discussion highlights shared on ORF's official X handle (@orfonline). - ANI US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor confirmed the next round of India-US trade talks is scheduled for Tuesday, emphasizing the strong personal relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He announced India's upcoming invitation to join the US-led 'PaxSilica' initiative for securing critical supply chains in technology and semiconductors. The statement clarifies the situation after US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's controversial claim that trade negotiations had stalled. India's Ministry of External Affairs rejected Lutnick's characterization, reaffirming commitment to a mutually beneficial trade deal. US Ambassador says India-US trade talks continue Tuesday, calls Trump-Modi friendship "real." India invited to join key US-led 'PaxSilica' supply chain group. New Delhi, Jan 12 India and the US continue to be actively engaged in trade talks and the next meeting between the negotiators of the two countries is scheduled for Tuesday, America's newly-appointed Ambassador to New Delhi, Sergio Gor, said on Monday. Addressing staffers and journalists as he took charge of the US Embassy here, Gor said that US President Donald Trump conveyed "his best wishes to his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi." "The friendship between Trump and PM Modi is real and the US and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end," Gor remarked. He also stated that while trade is very important for the India-US ties, the two countries will continue to work closely together on other very important areas, such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health. He emphasised that both sides remain in regular contact despite differences over tariffs and market access. Gor also announced that India will be invited to join 'PaxSilica' as a full member next month. He explained that 'PaxSilica' is a new initiative that the United States launched just last month to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI development and logistics. "Nations that joined last month include Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Israel. India's inclusion would further strengthen the group," he added. Gor's statement on the bilateral trade talks clears much of the confusion created by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's comments that the India-US trade negotiations have stalled because PM Modi "didn't call" President Trump. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected Lutnick's statement, saying that "The characterisation of these discussions in the reported remarks is not accurate." "India remains interested in a mutually beneficial trade deal between two complementary economies and looks forward to concluding it," MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said. Lutnick had said the trade deal failed after Trump did not receive a call from PM Modi on the issue, adding that Washington moved ahead with other agreements instead. Jaiswal said, "We have seen the remarks. India and the United States were committed to negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the US as far back as 13th of February last year. Since then, the two sides have held multiple rounds of negotiations to reach a balanced, mutually beneficial trade agreement." - IANS Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav stated that India-US relations are experiencing a difficult phase due to trade negotiations and tariff disputes under President Trump. He emphasized that India firmly rejects any attempt to link trade discussions with geopolitical issues like India-Pakistan tensions, insisting it is a strictly bilateral matter. Madhav credited former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee for laying the foundation of the partnership, which he called far more important than any individual. He characterized the current friction as temporary and personality-oriented, expressing India's commitment to restoring momentum in the relationship. Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav calls India-US friction a temporary, personality-driven phase amid trade talks and rejected geopolitical linkages. Washington, Jan 12 India and the United States are going through a difficult but potentially temporary phase in their bilateral relationship, with trade negotiations, tariff disputes and geopolitical differences creating friction, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav said, while underlining that New Delhi remains firmly committed to the partnership. Addressing an Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) interaction here, Madhav, president of the India Foundation and a former BJP national general secretary, said expectations in India were high after President Donald Trump's return to office, but developments since then have been "unexpected." "This was not expected. As our party also said, when Trump 2.0 happened, there was a lot of enthusiasm in our camp also," he said, noting that Trump enjoys significant support in India. Madhav said the experience with Trump was not unique to India. "That is the experience of many countries in the world with Trump. President Trump has his own style, his own way of dealing with countries, dealing with issues," he said. On tariffs, Madhav said India has shown readiness to negotiate and that talks between the two sides have been underway for months. "Our commerce ministry and department of commerce here have been holding talks for almost eight, nine months," he said, adding that negotiations were "very close to a deal." However, he cautioned that trade discussions became complicated when mixed with geopolitical issues. "What complicates the matter is when trade issues are mixed up with geopolitics," he said, referring to attempts to link trade with India-Pakistan tensions. Madhav said India firmly rejected such linkages. "On this issue of India-Pakistan, we have a clear-cut policy that it will only be a bilateral issue. There is no role whatsoever for any third country to play in this," he said. He said India had conveyed this position clearly to Washington. "We politely told that one should not mix up geopolitics with trade," he said, adding that trade negotiations are now being handled separately. Madhav also appeared to take a swipe at suggestions that policy decisions could be concluded informally. "India takes matters too seriously. Policies cannot be phone-call away," he said, stressing that trade agreements require detailed negotiations. Despite current difficulties, Madhav said there was no desire in India to damage the relationship. "This relationship is far more important for us, much more important than individuals," he said. He credited former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for laying the foundation of modern India-US ties. "He said India and the US are natural allies," Madhav recalled, calling the relationship one built over decades. He also highlighted the role of the Indian diaspora. "Indian Americans have been a very important element in this relationship," he said. Madhav said the current phase should be seen as temporary. "There are a few hiccups which are essentially personality-oriented, not at all policy-oriented," he said, adding that India remains committed to restoring momentum. - IANS The Indian Navy's INSV Kaundinya, a recreation of a 5th-century stitched ship, is approaching Omani waters on its maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar to Muscat. The project, initiated through a tripartite agreement, aims to retrace ancient maritime trading routes between India and West Asia. The vessel was constructed by artisans from Kerala using traditional methods of stitching planks with coir rope and natural resin. Commanded by Commander Vikas Sheoran, the ship is a floating symbol of India's rich history of exploration and cultural exchange. The Indian Navy's traditionally stitched sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya recreates a 5th-century trade route, nearing its destination in Oman. New Delhi, January 12 Indian Navy's stitched sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya, which embarked on her maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar in Gujarat last month is preparing to enter Omani waters as it heads for its final destination of Muscat. Economist and Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council member Sanjeev Sanyal has been sharing updates about the historic journey of the vessel, which is the recreation of a 5th-century Indian ship. On Sunday, Sanyal, in a post on social media platform X wrote "INSV Kaundinya flying the tricolour across the Arabian Sea: Ship of Wood with Men of Steel." The journey, which began on December 29, 2025, aims to recreate the ancient maritime trading route that connected India with West Asia and other parts of the world. Commander Y Hemant Kumar, who has been associated with the project since its conceptualisation, and serves at the Officer-in-Charge of the INSV Kaundinya posted on January 11 a latest update on the voyage. "Crossed paths today with a wooden dhow on the high seas. Felt like meeting a distant descendant of INSV Kaundinya" he said. "After days of sailing on INSV Kaundinya in the quiet company of phytoplankton and fish on the high seas, we are finally seeing fellow seafarers," he said posting several photos from the sea. The Kaundinya is based on a 5th-century CE ship depicted in the paintings of Ajanta Caves. It is being skippered by Commander Vikas Sheoran leading a 16-member crew. They have crossed more than two-thirds of their journey and the Kaundinya is set to arrive at Muscat around January 15. Earlier on January 10, Sanyal gave an update of Day 13 of the ship's journey, stating that there had been "several bouts of heavy rain." "Everything is damp after that. Also the local system disrupted the wind but it is now back from the east. We did however get a nice sunset. It was still drizzling when we raised the sails. Now more than 2/3 done. We will soon face a problem the ancient mariners did not face - oil tankers and large container vessels. So far we we encountered the occasional one, but tomorrow we will enter a heavy traffic corridor." Sanyal posted on X. The project was initiated through a tripartite agreement signed in Jul 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, with funding from the Ministry of Culture. Following the keel laying in September 2023, the vessel's construction was undertaken using a traditional method of stitching by a team of skilled artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran. Over several months, the team painstakingly stitched wooden planks on the ship's hull using coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin. The ship was launched in February 2025 at Goa. The sails of the indigenously built ship display motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, her bow bears a sculpted Simha Yali, and a symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor adorns her deck, each element evoking the rich maritime traditions of ancient India. Named after Kaundinya, the legendary Indian mariner who sailed across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, the ship serves as a tangible symbol of India's long-standing traditions of maritime exploration, trade, and cultural exchange. - ANI Iran's ambassador to India has warned the public against fake news circulating online about developments in Iran, including false reports of arrests. Protests over economic conditions have continued for a second week, evolving into broader demonstrations. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Iranian authorities to show restraint and uphold fundamental rights. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed support for the protesters, and US officials report President Donald Trump is considering military options. Iran's ambassador cautions against false reports on arrests. UN chief urges restraint as protests continue. Netanyahu voices support for demonstrators. Tehran, January 12 Iran's ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali has cautioned against fake news being peddled about the alleged arrest of six Indian and ten Afghani nationals in Iran. Urging people to be cautious when searching for and consuming information online, in a post on X, he wrote, "The news circulated on some foreign X accounts about Iran's developments, is totally false. I request all interested people to get their news from the reliable sources." Meanwhile, protests in Iran have continued into its second week over the weekend. The protests which began over worsening economic conditions have since evolved into broader demonstrations opposing the leadership of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Amid the unrest, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Iranian authorities to show "maximum restraint," underscoring that fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly must be upheld and safeguarded. According to Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), at least 420 people -- including eight children -- have been killed over the past 15 days during anti-government demonstrations, CNN reported. Guterres expressed alarm over reports of violence and excessive force used against protesters, urging officials to avoid disproportionate responses and to restore access to information and communication services. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented on the situation, saying Israel is closely observing developments in Iran. He voiced support for Iranian citizens protesting for freedom, praising their courage in the face of repression. Iranian officials have attributed the unrest to foreign-backed elements and "rioters," while insisting that genuine economic issues will be addressed. Meanwhile, Iran's Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad stated that legal proceedings against protesters would be carried out firmly and without leniency, according to Tasnim news agency. Separately, US officials told CNN that President Donald Trump is considering multiple military options in response to the situation, after warning Tehran against using deadly force on demonstrators. - ANI Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has issued a statement strongly condemning recent violent unrest and terrorist acts within the country. It accuses the United States and Israel of orchestrating the violence as an act of revenge and specifically criticizes US President Donald Trump for "blatant interference" in Iran's internal affairs. The IRGC warned that such foreign intervention would be met with a powerful response and called for public unity ahead of planned nationwide rallies. Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian stated the government is open to legitimate demands but warned citizens to separate from violent actors allegedly backed by foreign adversaries. Iran's Revolutionary Guard denounces US President Trump for interference, links recent violence to US-Israeli sabotage, and calls for national unity rallies. Tehran, January 12 The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps strongly condemned recent terrorist acts carried out amid violent unrest in Iran and criticized US President Donald Trump for what it described as "blatant interference" in the country's internal matters, reported state network Press TV. In a statement released on Sunday night (local time), the IRGC said that, as with past attempts at destabilization by Iran's adversaries, the latest acts of sabotage committed by terrorist groups backed by the United States and Israel are destined to fail. The IRGC said, "The recent sedition and atrocities committed by the rioters and armed terrorists across the country, which have led to the martyrdom of hundreds of the people and defenders of the security of our beloved Iran, are in fact an extension of the 12-day imposed war by the United States and the criminal Zionist regime, and a barbaric act of revenge for the historic defeat in that great battleground." It accused Washington and Tel Aviv of seeking revenge against the Iranian people for their failure in the recent aggression, adding that Trump openly promotes violence and contemporary forms of terrorism against Iran with the backing of Western governments and media, alongside what it referred to as the racist leadership of the Israeli regime. The statement sharply criticized Trump's remarks and interference in Iran's domestic affairs, warning that such actions would be met with a powerful response from the resilient Iranian nation. Honoring those killed while defending national security, the IRGC emphasized the importance of public awareness, vigilance, and unity. It urged citizens across the country to participate in nationwide rallies scheduled for Monday. "The sovereignty of the nation, the strength of the Islamic Republic, and the elevated status of the Velayat-e Faqih, earned through the sacrifice of hundreds of thousands of martyrs, are non-negotiable red lines for the Iranian people, who will defend them with determination and courage," the statement concluded. Tasnim News Agency reported that at least 109 security personnel have lost their lives during the unrest. Earlier, in a televised address, President Masoud Pezeshkian said, "The government is prepared to hear legitimate public demands, while stressing the clear distinction between peaceful protest and violent disorder." He warned that the United States and Israel are orchestrating the violence in an attempt to destabilize the country and urged citizens to separate themselves from those engaging in arson, killings, and destruction of public and private property. - ANI ISRO successfully launched its PSLV-C62 mission from Sriharikota, carrying the DRDO-developed Anvesha Earth observation satellite and 15 others into a sun-synchronous orbit. The mission marks the first launch of 2026 and the 64th flight of the reliable PSLV rocket. A significant milestone was set by private company Dhruva Space, which contributed seven satellites to the payload, including four it built itself. The Anvesha satellite is designed to provide advanced imaging capabilities for strategic applications. ISRO's first 2026 mission deploys DRDO's Anvesha Earth observation satellite and 15 others, featuring a record contribution from private firm Dhruva Space. Tirupati, January 12 India on Monday launched its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C62 mission carrying the 'Anvesha'/EOS-N1 satellite and 15 other satellites into the sun-synchronous polar orbit from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. In its first launch of 2026, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the mission to place the Earth observation satellite into orbit from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at Sriharikota. The mission is being carried out by NewSpace India Limited and represents the ninth dedicated commercial mission to build and launch an Earth Observation satellite. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Anvesha satellite is designed to provide cutting-edge imaging capabilities, enabling India to map enemy positions with pinpoint accuracy. For the first time, a single Indian private company, Dhruva Space, based in Hyderabad, is contributing seven satellites to the mission. Chaitanya Dora Surapureddy, CFO and Co-founder of Dhruva Space, said they also launched four satellites that they built. "We launched four satellites that we have built, three for customers and one for us, and we also help other companies with part of the integration of the satellite onto the rocket. Essentially, a total of nine of our systems, which we have built, are going onto the rocket. So, quite exciting that that's a good number," he said. Surapureddy said their satellites are for low-data-rate communication, which can be utilised by amateur radio operators. "The satellites that we launched are all for low data rate communication. Amateur radio operators can utilise it towards that, and also a good demonstration for these satellites, and also for low data rate communication that can be done," he added. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium Director, BR Guruprasad, said earlier that PSLV has also launched spacecraft such as Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1, and others. "It is the first launch of the year being conducted by India. This launch vehicle is among the most reliable in the world. The PSLV has also launched spacecraft such as Chandrayaan-1, Mangalyaan, Aditya-L1, and others," he added. Speaking to ANI, Guruprasad said that the launch marks the 64th launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. It will take an Earth observation satellite named 'Anvesha, EOS-N1' to a polar sun-synchronised orbit, at least a hundred kilometres above the Earth's surface. "It is the 64th launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. This vehicle is going to take a satellite called Anvesha, EOS-N1, an Earth observation satellite, into a polar sun-synchronous orbit, probably a couple of hundred kilometres above the Earth's surface," he added. On December 24, ISRO successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite for the United States' AST SpaceMobile. The satellite was successfully placed in orbit, and the mission was declared a success. The launch took place from the Satish Dhawan Space Station in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 8:55 AM IST. The mission deployed the next-generation communication satellite designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones worldwide. The BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft would be the heaviest payload to be launched into Low Earth Orbit in the history of the LVM3 rocket. - ANI Security has been intensified in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district following sightings of suspected Pakistani drones along the Line of Control. The Indian Army implemented counter-drone measures, forcing the unmanned aerial vehicles to return after reported firing in border areas. This incident follows a recent joint operation by BSF and police that recovered a cache of Chinese-made weapons in a Samba border village. Authorities remain on high alert due to the continued security challenges along the frontier. Security tightened in Samba after Indian Army forces back suspected Pakistani drones near LoC in Naushera-Rajouri. Joint ops recover arms cache. Samba, January 12 Security has been tightened in the Samba district on Monday after a few drones, suspected to be from Pakistan, were sighted along the Line of Control in the Naushera-Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir in the late hours of Sunday. The development prompted the Indian Army to undertake counter-unmanned aerial systems measures. "A few Pakistan Army drones were sighted along the line of control in the Naushera-Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army troops undertook counter-unmanned aerial systems measures, forcing them to return," Defence Sources said. A local who witnessed the retaliation of the Indian army against the suspected Pakistani drones told ANI that there was "extensive firing in the areas of Jangarh and Kalal" and the incident, according to him, happened at around "7:28 pm" on Sunday. He also thanked the Indian Army for its prompt action. Speaking to ANI, he said, "At around 7:28 pm yesterday, there was a movement of drones at the border. Our Indian Army forces retaliated against it. The drones crossed from here. There was extensive firing in the areas of Jangarh and Kalal. Our armed forces were absolutely alert. We thank our army that because of them, we are sitting here peacefully." Earlier on Saturday, Border Security Force (BSF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint search operation after an arms and ammunition consignment was recovered from the border village of Paloora in Samba district. The consignment included a made-in-China 9mm pistol with two magazines, a Glock 9mm pistol with one magazine and one Chinese hand grenade with marking SPL HGR 84. According to police, a total of sixteen 9mm live rounds were also recovered from the packet. - ANI Jammu and Kashmir continues to experience severe cold wave conditions with dense fog impacting visibility. Despite sharp temperature drops and a lack of snowfall, the hill resort of Nathatop saw a significant weekend rush of tourists, many coming from the Vaishno Devi shrine. Local businesses dependent on tourism are struggling due to the prolonged dry spell and pray for snowfall to boost their livelihoods. While disappointed by the absence of snow, tourists reported enjoying the cool air, scenic landscapes, and recreational activities. Jammu battles dense fog and cold wave. Tourists flock to Nathatop for weekend holidays despite lack of snowfall, as businesses pray for snow. Nathatop, January 12 Jammu and Kashmir continued to reel under cold wave conditions on Monday morning, with dense fog reducing visibility to less than 50 metres in several areas, including parts of Jammu division. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Jammu city is expected to record a maximum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 3 degrees Celsius today. Other hill and plain regions in the Union Territory are also experiencing sharp temperature drops. According to IMD data, Gulmarg is likely to see a maximum of 5 degrees Celsius and a minimum of minus 3 degrees, while Batote may record a high of 15 degrees and a low of 2 degrees. Kathua is expected to witness comparatively milder conditions, with temperatures ranging between 19 degrees and 7 degrees Celsius. Amid the biting cold, Nathatop, the famous hill resort of Jammu province situated 10 Km ahead of Patnitop-the popular hill resort, witnessed a rush of tourists, the locals as well as outsiders, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, to enjoy the picturesque landscape at an altitude of 8.900ft to avail weekend holidays. Most of these tourists visiting Nathatop come here from the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra via Patnitop with the hope of getting to see snow on the slopes. These tourists said that although they were disheartened not to see snow here but they enjoyed the scenic beauty and the far-off snow-clad peaks shining under the blazing sun around Nathatop. Tourists frolicked and danced to Bollywood and Punjabi songs, some around the bonfires while others enjoyed trekking the slopes. The vendors, hoteliers, taxi drivers and all others dependent on tourism prayed for an early snowfall as it would not only provide them a good livelihood after a months long slump but also end a prolonged dry spell thereby recharging the earth's water sources and increasing the ground water level necessary for agriculture and horticulture and hence increasing functioning of hydel power projects which have been generating a very less power supply for past many weeks and thus causing a power crisis in J&K. A shopkeeper at Nathatop, Balkrishen, said tourism-dependent businesses are struggling due to the prolonged dry spell. "Business is good only on Saturdays and Sundays. There is no snow, and it is dry. If there was snowfall, business would improve," he said. Visitors echoed similar sentiments. Ajay Gupta from Delhi said he came to Nathatop after visiting Vaishno Devi but was disappointed by the absence of snow. "We came for snow, but there is none. Still, the air is cool, and the place is enjoyable," he said. Anita Kumari, a tourist from Jammu, said they were expecting snow but decided to enjoy the surroundings nonetheless. Dilip, a tourist from Gujarat travelling with his family, said the group had hoped to see snowfall but were still enjoying the trip despite the dry conditions. Surya Kumar from Haryana, visiting Nathatop for the first time, said the cold breeze and valley views made the visit memorable. - ANI The BJP will elect its new Jharkhand state president on January 14, with the nomination process scheduled for January 13. Acting President Aditya Sahu is the consensus candidate and is highly likely to be elected unopposed, having earned the confidence of both the state unit and central leadership. The date coincides with Makar Sankranti, seen as an auspicious new beginning for the party's state organisation. Alongside the presidency, over 15 members for the BJP's National Council will also be selected from Jharkhand. BJP to elect its new Jharkhand state president on January 14, with acting chief Aditya Sahu expected to be chosen unopposed for the key post. Ranchi, Jan 12 The BJP is set to announce its new state President in Jharkhand on January 14, with acting President Aditya Sahu almost certain to be elected unopposed. According to the election schedule released by the BJP state election officer and MP Dr Pradeep Verma on Monday, the process for electing the state President will be conducted on January 13 and 14. The nomination process will take place at the BJP state office in Ranchi on January 13 between 12 noon and 2 p.m. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be completed by 3 p.m., while the last date for withdrawal of nominations is 5 p.m. If more than one candidate files nominations, polling will be held on January 14. However, party sources said there is a broad consensus within the state unit as well as the central leadership in favour of Sahu, making his unopposed election highly likely. Sahu has been serving as the acting state President and is credited with strong organisational experience, an effective working style and a solid support base across the state. The central leadership is said to be inclined to entrust him with full-time responsibility. Union Minister Jual Oram, who is also the BJP's Jharkhand state election officer, is expected to arrive in Ranchi on Monday evening. An important meeting with senior leaders, including state BJP President Babulal Marandi, is scheduled thereafter to finalise the strategy. January 14 holds special significance for the party as it marks the end of 'Kharmas' (inauspicious period) and coincides with the festival of Makar Sankranti, considered auspicious for new beginnings in Hindu tradition. The BJP sees the date as symbolising the start of a new organisational phase in the state. Along with the election of the state President, more than 15 members of the BJP's National Council will also be selected during this process. Party sources indicated that several senior and influential leaders from Jharkhand are likely to be included, giving them a role at the national level. - IANS Actor Jiiva expressed mixed feelings at his film's trailer launch, happy for his Pongal release but saddened by the postponement of Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan'. He acknowledged that the delay has created a void, leading to increased theater interest in his own film. Jiiva highlighted Vijay's longstanding support for the industry as a key reason everyone is eagerly awaiting 'Jana Nayagan'. His own film, 'Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil', is a village drama shot over 40 nights in the Western Ghats. Actor Jiiva expresses disappointment that Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' isn't releasing for Pongal, while promoting his own film 'Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil'. Chennai, Jan 12 Even as he expressed happiness at the fact that his film 'Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil' was releasing for Pongal, actor Jiiva expressed disappointment and sadness at actor Vijay's 'Jana Nayagan' not getting released for the festival. Participating in the trailer launch event of the film, which is now scheduled to hit screens on January 15, Jiiva said, "We have made a sincere effort and you all should support it. We were supposed to come on January 30 but this date -- January 15 is what has been destined. As there is a void (because of the postponement of the release of 'Jana Nayagan'), a lot of theatre owners are calling us. While we are happy that we are getting calls from theatres, we are also saddened by the fact that 'Jana Nayagan' hasn't released (for the festival)." The actor further went on to observe, "We are all waiting for 'Jana Nayagan'. That is because Vijay sir has been supportive to a lot of films, producers, actors, technicians in the last 25 to 30 years. We ourselves have done seven to eight films with him. Definitely our support is there for him. So, obviously, we too are waiting for 'Jana Nayagan'." For the unaware, 'Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil', directed by Nithish Sahadev, happens to be Jiiva's 45th film. It was shot in 45 days in a scenic village in the Western Ghats. Produced by Kannan Ravi, the film, which revolves around the developments that happen before a wedding, was shot primarily at night. "We shot for 40 nights. The place was a scenic one and the whole unit worked like one big family. It was a very pleasant experience. By the time, we wound up shooting, many of us felt sorry that shooting had come to an end. The locals, some of whom have acted in the film, had started treating us as their own and blessed us wholeheartedly when we took leave. They must be prayingJiiv that this film will do well when it releases," the actor said. The actor, while talking to IANS, said, "The film is about a problem that erupts between two families and I play a village Panchayat chief who resolves the issues between the two families." Apart from Jiiva, the film will also feature actors Thambi Ramaiya, Ilavarasu, Prathana Nathan, Jensen Dhivakar, Jaiwanth, Meenakshi, Sarjin Kumar, Rajesh Pandian, Subash Kannan, Amith Mohan, Anuraj OB, Sharath and Savithri among others. Written by Sanjo Joseph, Nithish Sahadev and Anuraj OB, the film has Lipin Unni serving as its creative director. Music for the film has been scored by Vishnu Vijay, while cinematography is by Bablu Aju. Editing for the film is by Arjune Babu and art direction is by Sunil Kumaran. - IANS South Korea's exports of food and agriculture-related products reached a historic high of $13.62 billion in 2025, marking a 5.1% annual increase. The growth was powered by record shipments of instant noodles (ramyeon), which soared past $1.5 billion, along with strong performances from sauces, kimchi, ice cream, and fruits. Agricultural and food product exports alone exceeded $10.41 billion, achieving ten consecutive years of growth. Meanwhile, the Bank of Korea is widely expected to keep its benchmark interest rate steady to support the national currency and property market. South Korea's food & agriculture exports reached a record $13.62 billion in 2025, driven by ramyeon, sauces, kimchi, and fruits. Seoul, Jan 12 South Korea's exports of food and agriculture-related products reached a record high of $13.62 billion in 2025, driven by the global popularity of Korean food products, such as "ramyeon" noodles, sauces and fruits, the agriculture ministry said on Monday. Exports in the "K-Food Plus" sector expanded 5.1 percent from a year earlier to the new annual high, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. K-Food Plus is a term coined by the local government to promote exports of Korean food and agricultural goods, including farm machinery and veterinary medicine, reports Yonhap news agency. In detail, outbound shipments of agricultural and food products rose 4.3 per cent on-year to $10.41 billion, surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time and marking the 10th consecutive year of on-year increase. Exports of agriculture industry-related products, such as farm machinery and veterinary medicine, jumped 8 percent on-year to the highest-ever figure of $3.22 billion last year, according to the ministry. The ministry attributed the strong performance in food exports to record outbound shipments of Korean instant noodle products, also known as "ramyeon," and 11 other products, including sauces, kimchi, ice cream, strawberries and pork. Ramyeon exports hit $1.5 billion for the first time, surging 21.9 per cent from a year earlier, while exports of sauces climbed 4.6 per cent to $411.9 million. Shipments of ice cream jumped 21.6 per cent to $111.3 million and grape exports soared 46.3 per cent to $84.7 million. Exports of strawberries grew 4 per cent to $72 million. Meanwhile, the South Korean central bank is widely expected to keep its policy rate unchanged this week in a bid to support the weakening currency and ease an unsettled property market, a poll showed on Monday. According to a survey by Yonhap Infomax, the financial news arm of Yonhap News Agency, all 25 local analysts and experts polled said the Bank of Korea (BOK) will leave its benchmark rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent at its policy meeting Thursday. A separate Yonhap News Agency survey of six additional experts also found unanimous expectations for a rate freeze this month. The BOK's Monetary Policy Board has held the key rate steady for four consecutive meetings through November, though the central bank entered an easing cycle in October 2024. - IANS Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, seeking support for a democratic transition in her country. The Pope criticized the use of military force in Venezuela and called for the protection of human rights. This diplomatic outreach precedes Machado's anticipated visit to Washington, where US President Donald Trump has confirmed he expects to meet her. Trump also discussed plans for major reconstruction and the revitalization of Venezuela's vast oil reserves, suggesting potential multi-billion dollar deals. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado meets Pope Leo XIV for transition support ahead of her scheduled meeting with US President Donald Trump. Vatican City, January 12 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado held talks with Pope Leo XIV on Monday, seeking support for a democratic transition in Venezuela after the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, ahead of her Washington visit to meet US President Donald Trump, The Washington Post reported. Machado's Vatican meeting comes amid Venezuela's political upheaval and forms part of her broader diplomatic outreach as she pushes for international backing for a democratic transition. Pope Leo XIV, the first US Pope, has also addressed the Venezuela situation, calling for the country to remain independent following the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro on the orders of President Donald Trump. In a major foreign policy speech on Friday, the Pope criticised the use of military force as a tool to achieve diplomatic objectives and called for the protection of human rights in Venezuela. Machado's outreach comes after US President Donald Trump last week, on Thursday, indicated that she is expected to visit Washington, DC, next week and that he anticipates meeting her during the trip. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said, "I understand she's coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her, and I've heard that she wants to do that." The remarks followed Trump's public comments on Machado's political position in Venezuela. Addressing reporters earlier, the US President described her as a "very nice woman," but said she "doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country" required to lead the nation. Trump said the anticipated meeting would mark his first interaction with Machado, adding that she had previously said she had not spoken to him since receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in October last year. Machado, for her part, had earlier said on the Fox News programme Hannity that she wanted to "personally" thank Trump for the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Trump also linked the political developments in Venezuela to reconstruction plans, arguing that the country's democratic systems had broken down and would require major rebuilding. "We have to rebuild the country. They couldn't have an election," he said, adding, "They wouldn't even know how to have an election right now." Turning to Venezuela's energy sector, Trump said firms would be tasked with restoring the country's oil infrastructure. "They're going to rebuild the whole oil infrastructure. They're going to spend at least USD 100 billion and it's an unbelievable oil that they have, and an unbelievable quality of oil and amount of oil," Trump said. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves but contributes less than one per cent of global production. Trump said on Tuesday that Venezuela could supply between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, a deal he said could be valued at up to USD 2.8 billion at current prices. - ANI The Madras High Court has granted veteran actor Kamal Haasan interim protection, restraining unauthorized commercial use of his persona. The order specifically bars a Chennai-based firm and other entities from selling merchandise featuring his name or image without consent. The court clarified that the injunction does not restrict legitimate creative expressions like satire or caricature. Kamal Haasan argued that his endorsements hold significant commercial value and unauthorized use could mislead the public. Madras High Court grants interim relief to Kamal Haasan, restraining firms from commercial misuse of his name, image, and likeness without consent. Chennai, Jan 12 The Madras High Court on Monday granted interim relief to veteran actor Kamal Haasan in a John Doe suit, restraining unauthorised commercial exploitation of his personality rights, including the use of his name, image, likeness or other attributes associated with his public persona. Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy passed the interim injunction while hearing a plea filed by the actor seeking protection against the sale of merchandise bearing his name or image without consent. The court restrained a Chennai-based firm, Neeye Vidai, along with several other unidentified individuals and entities, from selling products such as T-shirts and shirts featuring the actor's image, name or screen titles, including "Ulaganayagan", unless expressly authorised or endorsed by him. The restraint will remain in force until the next date of hearing. The interim order was granted after the court was satisfied that the actor had established a prima facie case. Senior counsel Satish Parasaran, assisted by advocate Vijayan Subramanian, appeared for the plaintiff and argued that the unauthorised commercial use of the actor's persona amounted to a clear violation of his personality and publicity rights. Accepting the submissions, the judge observed that commercial exploitation without consent could not be permitted at this stage. However, the court clarified that the order would not restrict legitimate creative expressions such as caricature, satire or other permissible artistic works, provided they did not amount to commercial misuse of the actor's persona. In his plaint, Kamal Haasan stated that he is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most versatile actors in Indian cinema, known for portraying complex and diverse roles across genres, often involving significant physical and artistic transformations. He noted that he is popularly referred to as a "cinema encyclopaedia" due to his extensive knowledge and mastery over various aspects of filmmaking. The 71-year-old actor informed the court that he has acted in about 250 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada and Bengali languages during a career spanning over 65 years. His accolades include four National Film Awards, 20 Filmfare Awards, 11 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and four Nandi Awards. He has also been honoured with the Kalaimamani Award (1978), Padma Shri (1978), Padma Bhushan (2014), and the Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (2016). The veteran actor further pointed out that he was invited in 2025 to become a member of the Actors Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, in recognition of his "indelible contributions to the global filmmaking community". He argued that his endorsements command significant commercial value and public trust, and therefore unauthorised use of his persona could mislead consumers. After granting interim relief, the court directed the actor to issue a public notice about the order in both an English and a Tamil daily, noting that the John Doe nature of the suit required wide communication of the injunction. - IANS Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge paid heartfelt tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his 164th birth anniversary, celebrated as National Youth Day. He highlighted Vivekananda's role as a great thinker and philosopher who continues to inspire India's youth with his ideals. Kharge and Congress leader Pawan Khera recalled Vivekananda's historic 1893 Chicago speech, emphasizing his powerful message against sectarianism and intolerance. The day marks the birth of the spiritual leader, born Narendranath Datta, who founded the Ramakrishna Mission and introduced Indian philosophy to the Western world. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Pawan Khera pay tribute to Swami Vivekananda on National Youth Day, recalling his message of tolerance. New Delhi, January 12 Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his 164th birth anniversary. In a post on X, Kharge remembered Swami Vivekananda as a great thinker and philosopher who continues to inspire India's youth. "Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on National Youth Day. Today is the birth anniversary of India's great thinker and philosopher,Swami Vivekananda ji. He is a symbol of Indian life values and an invaluable source of inspiration for our youth. As a tribute to Swami ji's thoughts and ideals, Shri Rajiv Gandhi had declared this day as "National Youth Day." Some excerpts from his historic speech delivered at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, America, in 1893, which are still highly relevant today," he wrote. Emphasising the enduring relevance of Swami Vivekananda's ideas, Kharge recalled his strong message against sectarianism, intolerance, and division, as articulated in his landmark address at the Parliament of Religions. "Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence. How many times has this earth been reddened with blood. How many civilizations have been destroyed and how many countries have been ruined. If these terrible demons had not been there, human society would have been much more advanced today, but now their time is over. I am fully confident that the conch sound of this conference today will destroy all dogmas, all kinds of strife, whether by the sword or the pen, and all ill feelings between people." "Swami Vivekananda ji taught humanity important lessons like spiritual development and equality and gave India a distinct identity in the world," the post added on X. Congress leader Pawan Khera portrayed Vivekananda as a "warrior monk" who fought against narrow-mindedness and promoted values of service and unity. In a post on X, Khera wrote, "Today is the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda ji. In his short life, he left behind for us a vast treasure of wisdom and discernment. That warrior monk spent his entire life fighting against sectarianism, narrow-mindedness, and pettiness. He stood firm as a fearless proponent of values like tolerance, harmony, and service. It is the misfortune of this country, of Hinduism, of our times, that a gang spreading communal frenzy is able to cunningly exploit Swami ji's name through organized falsehood and deceit. The poisonous vine of communal madness that Swami ji devoted himself to uprooting is being replanted today. The very youth whom he inspired toward human service by calling them "sons of nectar" are now being preached to take "revenge" in this so-called era of nectar." National Youth Day, observed every year on January 12, marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda, known in his pre-monastic life as Narendranath Datta, was born in Kolkata on 12 January 1863. Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission on 1 May 1897, which would bring together monks and laypeople to propagate Practical Vedanta and various forms of social service. Swami Vivekananda is always remembered all over the world for his address at the World's Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, which led the western intelligentsia to turn around and recognise the great culture and tradition India has had since time immemorial. - ANI The Ministry of Electronics and IT conducted routine stakeholder consultations on mobile device security standards. It firmly refuted international reports claiming the government proposed forcing smartphone makers to share source code, stating such reports lacked manufacturer comments. The ministry emphasized its commitment to examining industry concerns openly while developing a security framework for over a billion users. It aims to align regulations with global best practices through constructive dialogue. MeitY refutes reports of forcing smartphone source code sharing, emphasizing routine stakeholder consultations to build a robust mobile security framework. New Delhi, January 12 The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology conducted routine stakeholder consultations on safety and security requirements on Sunday, maintaining continuous engagement with the industry on security standards. These structured discussions are aimed at developing a robust regulatory framework for mobile security within India's rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. According to a press release from the Ministry of Electronics & IT, the government "remains firmly committed to strengthening cybersecurity and safeguarding the privacy of citizens". The Ministry routinely holds consultations on various technical aspects, including safety compliance, electromagnetic interference and compatibility (EMI/EMC) parameters, Indian language support, and interface requirements. Following these sessions, detailed discussions are held with industry representatives to address different dimensions of security requirements. The government emphasized that mobile security is a critical priority, given that over a billion users in the country store vast amounts of personal and financial data on their devices, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. Addressing recent reports, MeitY refuted claims made by an international news organization suggesting the government is proposing to force smartphone manufacturers to share source code or implement software changes that faced opposition from major global brands. "The Ministry reiterates that all legitimate concerns raised by the industry will be examined with an open mind, in the best interests of both the country and the industry. MeitY refutes the statement by an international news organisation that Government is proposing to force smartphone makers to share source code with the government and make several software changes as part of a raft of security measures, prompting opposition from giants like Apple and Samsung," the release said. The Ministry stated that these reports failed to quote any statement from the manufacturers or their representative industry associations. The press release noted that the reports appeared to selectively ignore comments from industry associations, indicating an intent to sensationalize the news rather than report objective facts. MeitY has been actively engaging with manufacturers to understand international best practices and ensure that the regulatory framework aligns with global standards. The Ministry reiterated that it approaches these discussions with a constructive mindset to ensure the interests of both the country and the industry are protected. "The Government is fully committed to working with the industry and address their concern," the Ministry stated, adding that legitimate concerns raised by the industry will be examined with an open mind. - ANI Actress Mouni Roy extended warm wishes to the newly married couple, Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben, on her Instagram Stories. She posted a photo of the couple kissing and called them beautiful human beings. Roy also shared a separate picture with the bride, Nupur Sanon, calling her the "prettiest bride." The couple had a Christian wedding, with Kriti Sanon performing bridesmaid duties and sharing her joy online. Actress Mouni Roy shares a heartfelt note for newlyweds Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben, celebrating their Christian wedding and magical journey. Mumbai, Jan 12 Actress Mouni Roy wished one of her favourite couples, Nupur Sanon and Stebin Ben, as they embark on a new journey together after tying the knot in a Christian wedding. Showering her love on the newlyweds, Mouni called Nupur and Stebin beautiful human beings. Posting a picture of Nupur and Stebin locking lips after saying "I Do" on her Instagram Stories, Mouni penned a heartfelt note saying, "Heartiest congratulations to one of my fav couples & best beautiful hoomans inside out. May this be the beginning of your most wonderful, magical meaningful journey together. All my love X @nupursanon @stebinben (sic)." The 'Naagin' actress uploaded another photo with the bride on social media, accompanied by the text, "One with the prettiest bride, a girl who has my heart now @nupursanon (sic)." The picture has the two ladies facing the camera for a stunning pic. While Mouni flaunted her dazzling smile, Nupur was seen making a pout. On Sunday, the lovebirds took to social media and dropped a couple of mesmerizing photographs from their fairytale nuptials. Nupur opted for a classic off-shoulder white wedding gown for her special day, while Stebin accompanied her in an off-white tuxedo jacket, paired with a black lapel and bow tie. Big sister, Kriti Sanon, was seen performing the bridesmaids' duty, looking as gorgeous as ever in a green off-shoulder dress. Kriti also expressed her delight on seeing her sister as a bride. "My heart is so full!! Love, Happiness, Blessings #StebinNupur," she shared. After keeping everyone guessing about their relationship status, Nupur and Stebin finally made things official on social media at the beginning of this month with a romantic engagement announcement. The stills showed Stebin down on one knee on a beautifully decorated yacht. He was seen proposing to Nupur while performers held up "Will you marry me?" placards in the backdrop. Sharing a string of pics from the dreamy proposal on Instagram, Nupur penned, "In a world full of maybes, I found the easiest YES I've ever had to say". - IANS Mining companies from Kalyanpur and Talaja signed Memoranda of Understanding worth a total of Rs. 160 crore on the second day of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot. The larger MoU of Rs. 100 crore by L & S Company is expected to generate jobs for about 100 people, while the Rs. 60 crore agreement by Virendrasinh Savariya will create employment for approximately 75 individuals. The seminar, themed "Igniting the Future: Gujarat Mining Revolution," featured presentations from sector experts on mineral exploration, processing, and government incentives. The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by senior officials and a large number of industrial entrepreneurs. Mining firms from Kalyanpur & Talaja sign MoUs worth Rs.160 crore at VGRC, promising 175 new jobs. PM Modi inaugurated the event. Rajkot, January 12 On the second day of Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, that is, on January 12, along with B2B and B2G sessions on various subjects, seminars were organised on the theme "Igniting the Future: Gujarat Mining Revolution", in which a seminar on the topic of the Mining Revolution in Gujarat was held by the State's Geology and Mining Department with industrial entrepreneurs. The Conference was inaugurated at Marwadi University in Rajkot by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to an official release, on this occasion, an MoU worth Rs. 100 crore was signed by L & S Company of Kalyanpur taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka district, through which employment opportunities will be created for around 100 people. An MoU worth Rs. 60 crore has been signed by Virendrasinh Savariya of Talaja in Bhavnagar district, under which employment opportunities will be created for approximately 75 people. On this occasion, in the inspiring presence of GMDC Managing Director Roopwant Singh (IAS) and Commissioner of Mines and Minerals Department Dhaval Patel (IAS), presentations were made by GSI Director Dr Bijaykumar Das, Senior Geologist Sumit Chauhan, GMDC senior officers Swagat Ray and Rajat Das, Nirav Nevaskar of Propel Industries, and Associate Director of PwC Abhinav Sengupta, the release stated. In this seminar, various experts from the mining sector presented on topics such as mineral exploration, critical and strategic mineral potential of Gujarat, mineral processing, etc. Detailed discussions were held on modern technology, how to increase production, government incentive schemes for mining entrepreneurs, and opportunities and challenges in the mining sector. On this very important occasion for the mining sector, Additional Director SJ Chavda, Senior Geologist NA Patel, and Assistant Geologist Dr Pratik Shah from the Mines and Minerals Department were also present. Additionally, a large number of industrial entrepreneurs and investors attended, enhancing the occasion's grandeur and making the event successful, the release stated. - ANI Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav joined students for a mass Surya Namaskar program in Bhopal on Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. He paid tribute to Vivekananda as an eternal youth icon who showcased India's culture globally. The CM emphasized Vivekananda's role in guiding youth towards nation-building through spiritual philosophy. The event commemorated National Youth Day, celebrating Vivekananda's enduring influence on young Indians. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav participated in a mass Surya Namaskar event in Bhopal to mark Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary and National Youth Day. Bhopal, January 12 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday participated in the state-level mass Surya Namaskar program held in Bhopal to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. CM Yadav performed Suya Namaskar along with the students at Government Subhash Excellence Higher Secondary School in the state capital on the occasion. "Swami Vivekananda is known across the nation and globe by the name of Eternal Youth. He had hoisted the flag of the culture of Sanatan Dharma at Vishva Dharma Sammelan (World Religion Conference). He also highlighted India's characteristics at the global stage. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary is being celebrated in a different way across the entire country today," the Chief Minister said. Additionally, CM Yadav emphasised that Vivekananda guided the world towards welfare through his spiritual energy, philosophy, and profound thoughts. "On the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a source of inspiration for the youth, I offer my heartfelt tributes and extend my greetings on National Youth Day. He guided the world towards welfare through his spiritual energy, philosophy, and profound thoughts. He inspired the youth to contribute to nation-building by making them aware of their boundless inner strength. I offer tribute at his feet," CM said in a post on X. The National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Divas is celebrated on January 12 every year in commemoration of the great spiritual leader, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda, whose unwavering belief in the potential of youth continues to resonate deeply with young citizens of the country, as per the release from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Vivekananda, born Narendranath Datta, was a key figure in the renaissance of Hinduism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His fiery eloquence, profound understanding of Eastern and Western philosophies, and unwavering belief in the potential of youth resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. His landmark speech at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893 is widely considered a turning point in the global perception of Hinduism. - ANI Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav transferred financial assistance exceeding Rs 10.67 crore to 177 startups during the Madhya Pradesh Startup Summit-2026 in Bhopal. The support included over Rs 2.5 crore in incentives to 156 startups and loan assistance of more than Rs 8.17 crore to 21 others under the Chief Minister Udyam Kranti Yojana. The event also saw the signing of key MoUs with export bodies and financial institutions to further bolster the startup ecosystem. State officials emphasized that promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, guided by national leadership, is a core resolve to address societal challenges and strengthen the economy. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav disbursed over Rs 10.67 crore to startups at the MP Startup Summit-2026, highlighting state's innovation push. Bhopal, January 12 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav interacted with entrepreneurs and investors from across the country at the 'Madhya Pradesh Startup Summit-2026' held in Bhopal on Monday and felicitated young entrepreneurs with the 'Madhya Pradesh Startup State Level Awards'. CM Yadav transferred incentives assistance of over Rs 2.5 crore to 156 startups, while loan assistance of more than Rs 8.17 crore was disbursed to 21 startups under the Chief Minister Udyam Kranti Yojana during the summit, according to a release. Additionally, long-term MoUs were signed between the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), along with agreements with the Central Bank of India, Karvy Startup Labs, and Startup Middle East. The Chief Minister also released a booklet highlighting successful startups established in Madhya Pradesh, the release further said. Addressing the occasion, CM Yadav said, "Indians have possessed a deep understanding of trade and business since ancient times, as enterprise, entrepreneurship, innovation and commerce are integral to Indian values and ethos. Madhya Pradesh is a land of emerging opportunities and the youth drive the nation towards new thinking and new directions. Their innovations form the foundation of development, and therefore, promoting innovation is a firm resolve of the State Government." India has over 6 crore MSMEs, which contribute more than 30 per cent to the national GDP and account for nearly 45 per cent of the country's total exports, the CM said, emphasising that startups have played an unparalleled role in strengthening the Indian economy. The Chief Minister added that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, startups and research across the country are now receiving unprecedented encouragement. The youth of Madhya Pradesh are driving innovation. The State Government is encouraging innovation while addressing basic societal challenges, the CM said. On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh MSME Minister Chaitanya Kashyap said that youth power can transform the world. Under the Startup Policy-2025, innovators are being encouraged, and entrepreneurs launching startups with new ideas are provided initial assistance of Rs 10,000 through incubation centres. Innovation is being promoted in agriculture, entrepreneurship and urban local bodies, making Madhya Pradesh a state of innovation and opportunity. - ANI Madhya Pradesh has set an ambitious target to increase its number of startups from 6,500 to 10,000 within the next year and a half. The state's startup ecosystem already boasts that 47% of its ventures are women-led, significantly outperforming the national average. This growth is being driven by the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy, 2025, which offers substantial financial support including grants and a seed fund. Leadership expressed confidence that this push will contribute to India's rise as a global economic leader. Madhya Pradesh announces plan to grow startups from 6,500 to 10,000 in 18 months, highlighting strong support for women entrepreneurs and new policy incentives. Bhopal, Jan 12 Bhopal witnessed a bold declaration of intent at the Madhya Pradesh Startup Summit and Ecosystem Awards 2026, held at Ravindra Bhavan. Madhya Pradesh has announced its ambitious plan to expand its startup base from the current 6,500 to 10,000 within the next year-and-a-half, underscoring its growing role in India's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. Principal Secretary (Industry) of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), Raghvendra Kumar Singh, highlighted that the summit was not merely a review of past achievements but a platform to align policy, administration, and entrepreneurship for future growth. He noted India's position as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, with nearly 159,000 Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade-registered startups, more than 100 unicorns, and 16 lakh direct jobs. Madhya Pradesh, he emphasised, is already outperforming national averages, with nearly 3,100 women-led ventures, and is determined to scale up further under the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy, 2025. The Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy, 2025, offers robust financial and infrastructural support, including a Rs 100 crore seed capital fund, grants up to Rs 30 lakh, interest subsidies, and subsistence allowances. Women-led startups account for 47 per cent of the state's ecosystem -- three times the national average -- while inclusive measures extend to SC/ST entrepreneurs, incubation support, and digital infrastructure. "These grants are not charity but smart economic initiatives for entrepreneurial mainstreaming," Singh remarked, citing successful ventures in districts like Narmadapuram, Vidisha, and Harda. While Chief Minister Mohan Yadav underscored India's legacy of innovation, recalling the pioneering work of Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose in plant sensitivity, microwaves, and semiconductors. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives in fostering research and entrepreneurship, including programmes launched from Indore in 2022. Showcasing local innovation, Chief Minister Yadav highlighted a startup developing a low-cost machine capable of harvesting one acre of crops for just Rs 10 in an hour, addressing agricultural and environmental challenges. "India, now the fourth-largest economy, will soon rise to third and eventually first," the Chief Minister declared confidently. The summit reaffirmed Madhya Pradesh's position as a leading state in India's startup rankings, with a vision to drive inclusive, future-ready growth and strengthen India's march toward becoming a global economic leader. - IANS Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav opened the Madhya Pradesh Startup Summit 2026 by emphasizing India's historical scientific contributions and the critical role of startups in achieving economic leadership. He highlighted the pioneering work of scientist Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, whose early discoveries in plant life and microwaves were overlooked post-Independence. Yadav praised current national initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fostering research and entrepreneurship, showcasing innovative local startups like a low-cost agricultural harvesting machine. State officials reinforced Madhya Pradesh's commitment to building a robust startup ecosystem through supportive policies and collaborative events. CM Mohan Yadav highlights India's scientific legacy and startup growth at MP Summit. Praise for PM Modi's initiatives and state's ecosystem. Bhopal, Jan 12 Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Monday emphasised India's rich legacy of innovation while underscoring the pivotal role of startups in propelling the nation towards becoming the world's top economy. Addressing the Madhya Pradesh Startup Summit & Ecosystem Awards 2026 at Ravindra Bhavan, Bhopal, he highlighted forgotten contributions of Indian scientists and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in fostering research and entrepreneurship. Dr Yadav recalled the ground-breaking work of Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, who in the late 19th century demonstrated that plants have life, sensitivity, and reactions to stimuli -- experiments now validated by modern "gastography" showing 10,000 times higher frequency in plant responses. He also noted Bose's 1895 demonstration of microwaves in Kolkata, later adopted by Marconi for the Nobel Prize, and early semiconductor ideas, lamenting that post-Independence governments overlooked these due to resource constraints. "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is changing," Dr Yadav said, calling for applause for the PM's initiatives in promoting research and startups, including a 2022 programme launched from Indore. He showcased innovative startups, such as one developing a low-cost machine that harvests one acre of crops for just Rs 10 in an hour via a TV-screen-operated mini-tractor, addressing environmental and agricultural needs. Dr Yadav expressed confidence that India, now the fourth-largest economy, will soon rank third and eventually first. Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, addressing the gathering, commended the state's proactive policies and ecosystem building, noting, "Madhya Pradesh's focus on innovation, ease of doing business, and inclusive growth is positioning it as a key player in India's startup journey." MSME Minister Chetanya Kahsya praised the summit's interactive platform, stating, "Such events foster collaboration between government, entrepreneurs, and investors, accelerating Madhya Pradesh's emergence as a startup hub." The two-day summit, powered by the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy 2025, has brought together innovators, investors, and ecosystem leaders to drive inclusive, future-ready growth. - IANS The MSME Conclave on the second day of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference aimed to empower small enterprises and connect them to global markets. Memoranda of Understanding worth over Rs 300 crore were signed to boost industrial development in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions. Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that a developed Gujarat is crucial for realizing the 'Viksit Bharat 2047' goal, with massive infrastructure plans underway. The event featured expert sessions on technology adoption, international trade, financing, and grassroots innovation for MSMEs. MSME Conclave at Vibrant Gujarat signs MoUs worth Rs 300+ crore, focusing on tech, global markets, and Viksit Gujarat 2047 vision with Piyush Goyal. Gandhinagar, January 12 An MSME Conclave was organised on the second day of Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference today, with the objective of realising the resolve of Viksit Gujarat. Its main objective was to empower small and medium enterprises, connect local entrepreneurs with global markets, and create opportunities for technology upgradation and investment. According to an official release, in addition, in-depth discussions were held with experts from various sectors on strengthening the MSME sector further, sharing their experiences, and exploring what new elements could be added to future policies. At today's conclave, MoUs worth more than Rs. 300 crore were signed for the industrial development of Saurashtra and Kutch. It was expressed that these MoUs would play an important role in industrial development, employment generation, and the creation of Atmanirbhar Gujarat across the state, including Saurashtra and Kutch. At the beginning of the MSME Conclave, Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal stated in his address that India's 'Amrit Kaal' marks the completion of 100 years of the country's independence in the year 2047. To realise the dream of 'Viksit Bharat 2047', 'Viksit Gujarat' is essential. In this direction, to further strengthen Gujarat, the state government has planned massive infrastructure development worth approximately Rs. 60 lakh crore. MSMEs will play a lion's share in this planning, which will give new momentum to the state's industrial, economic, and social development. The event was attended by Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani, Minister of State Jayram Gamit, Principal Advisor to Chief Minister Hasmukh Adhia, other dignitaries, and entrepreneurs from the MSME sector. On the theme "Future-Ready Saurashtra: Advancing Industrial Transformation for Global Markets," the conclave facilitated dialogue on preparing the MSME sector for global markets, technology adoption, financial empowerment, and international cooperation. Shri Ramesh Iyer, CEO - TCS Korea and Chairman, Indian Chamber of Commerce Korea (ICCK), provided guidance on cross-border business cooperation between India and Korea, digital transformation, and global opportunities available for MSMEs in sectors such as green energy, AI, and manufacturing, the release noted. In the session "From Swadeshi to Global: Growing Food Processing Sector," Shri Chandubhai Virani, Chairman of Balaji Wafers Group, Rajkot, shared his journey from a local bakery to a national brand. He offered useful suggestions on innovation in production, maintaining quality, and preparedness for exports. In the session "Bridge to Prosperity: Strengthening Russia-India MSME Sector," Zlata Antusheva, Trade Representative of the Russian Federation, highlighted the possibilities of strengthening trade, investment, and cooperation between India and Russia. Subsequently, in the session on "Grassroot Innovation," Padma Shri Anil Gupta, Secretary of GIAN, SRISTI, and the Honey Bee Network, provided inspiring guidance on how grassroots innovations at the rural level can achieve success on a global scale. In the session "MSMEs Industry 5.0: Technology, Skills & Sustainability," Singapore-based AI and robotics expert William Lee emphasised the need for technology upskilling, AI-based solutions, and sustainable development for MSMEs. Along with this, in the session "MSME Business Growth by AI Led Automation," AI-based product development expert Shri Arun Goyal explained how meaningful adoption of automation and futuristic technologies can enhance growth and efficiency in the MSME sector, as per the release. In the final session of the conclave, "MSME Financing, Guarantees and IPO for Scaling," Parvati Murthy, Associate Vice President of the National Stock Exchange, shared information on fundraising through capital markets, IPOs, and reducing dependence on traditional financing. Thereafter, in the session "Enhancing National Pension System (NPS) among MSMEs," Mamta Rohit, Executive Director of PFRDA, presented ways to promote the National Pension System in the MSME sector. Through this MSME Conclave, entrepreneurs received valuable guidance on global perspective, technology-driven development, financial empowerment, and international cooperation, the release highlighted. - ANI The battle for Mumbai's civic body intensifies as the Thackeray alliance and the ruling Mahayuti release contrasting manifestos ahead of the January 15 polls. The Thackeray camp emphasizes "Mumbai for Mumbaikars," affordable housing, and Marathi pride, while the Mahayuti focuses on a modern, slum-free city with major infrastructure projects. Both sides have traded sharp accusations, with the ruling coalition criticizing the omission of Hindutva and the opposition alleging contractor-driven misgovernance. Despite differences, both promise 24/7 water supply, better healthcare, and a pollution-free Mumbai. Mumbai's BMC election sees Thackeray alliance's 'Mumbaikar' focus vs Mahayuti's 'modern capital' vision. Compare key promises on housing, transport & identity. Mumbai, Jan 12 As Mumbai gears up for the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections on January 15, the battle for Asia's richest civic body has intensified. The Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, have joined forces under a shared 'Vachan Nama', while the ruling Mahayuti has countered with a development-heavy 'Stamp Paper' manifesto. The core theme of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray was Mumbai for Mumbaikars, local welfare and safeguarding Marathi pride and identity. On the other hand, the BJP-Shiv Sena has combined to lay focus on modern and dynamic Mumbai while pushing for infrastructure development, and also being unapologetic for Hindutva. Thackeray Alliance has promised one lakh affordable homes in five years. They propose a dedicated BMC Housing Authority to ensure city land is reserved for residents. They have also vowed to waive property tax on homes up to 700 sq ft. The Mahayuti, on the other hand, has proposed a Slum-Free Mumbai via cluster redevelopment of 17 large slum pockets (Ramabai Nagar). They aim to build 30-35 lakh homes across the state/city and prioritise the redevelopment of old Pagdi buildings. For the transport and infrastructure sector, the Thackeray alliance has pledged to slash the minimum BEST bus fares from Rs 10 to Rs 5 and provide 100 units of free electricity through the BEST undertaking. On the other hand, the Mahayuti has proposed adding 12,000 EV buses to the BEST fleet. They have promised a 50 per cent concession on bus fares for women and a Rs 50,000-crore utility tunnel network to end the perennial problem of road digging for repairs. On welfare schemes for women, the Thackeray Alliance has introduced the Swabhiman Nidhi, a Rs 1,500 monthly allowance for house helps and Koli women. They also proposed creches in every Assembly segment. The Mahayuti has countered it with an interest-free Rs 5 lakh loan for women through BMC-led schemes and emphasised the "Ladki Bahin" model of direct benefit transfers. As far as security and identity are concerned, the Thackeray alliance has emphasised the "Marathi Manoos" identity, promising that the Mayor of Mumbai will always be Marathi-speaking. The Mahayuti has taken a hardline stance, promising to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify and deport illegal immigrants (specifically mentioning Bangladeshis and Rohingyas). They also plan to set up a dedicated Marathi Language Department within the BMC. The release of these manifestos has triggered a sharp war of words. The Mahayuti leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde, labelled the Thackeray manifesto "ideologically bankrupt", accusing the cousins of omitting the word "Hindutva" to appease their MVA allies. However, Uddhav Thackeray has accused the ruling alliance of "contractor-driven governance", alleging that BMC funds are being misused for election kickbacks. He has also called for the cancellation of polls in wards where candidates were elected unopposed, calling it a "theft of democracy". Interestingly, both sides have pledged some common promises. They have promised a 24/7 water supply with the completion of the Gargai-Pinjal dam projects. Thackeray brothers and Mahayuti have promised "super speciality" municipal hospitals and upgrades to local dispensaries. Amid deteriorating air quality, both have pledged to make Mumbai "pollution-free" and expand green cover. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) - IANS Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has launched a comprehensive road safety drive, emphasizing a strategy built on six 'E's: Education, Enforcement, Engineering, Emergency, Environment, and Evaluation. He announced the "Chief Minister's Road Safety Scheme Award" to incentivize districts and institutions and inaugurated a pilot warning bell system on Kalinga Ghat to alert drivers. Concurrently, Majhi unveiled 71 projects under the Works Department with a total estimated cost of Rs 6,700 crore, including new bus stands and electric vehicle charging stations. The initiatives also include an MoU with IIT Kharagpur for advanced traffic management in the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack region. Odisha CM Mohan Majhi launches major road safety initiatives and inaugurates 71 projects worth Rs 6,700 crore, focusing on the 6 'E's for safer roads. Bhubaneswar, Jan 12 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday expressed deep concern over the rising number of road accidents in the state and across the country, launching a series of landmark road safety initiatives at a special event held here during National Road Safety Month to reduce road mishaps. Addressing a programme at the Convention Hall of Lok Seva Bhawan, Majhi stated that the state government is focusing on the implementation of four 'E's for road safety, which include Education, Enforcement (strict implementation of rules), Engineering (strengthening safety through improved road infrastructure and advanced vehicle engineering), and Emergency (providing prompt medical assistance during emergencies). In addition to these four 'E's, the Chief Minister also personally suggested the following two more 'E's-Environment and Evaluation. "Strict adherence to vehicle pollution norms and proper evaluation of the outcomes of road safety measures. Based on such evaluations, road safety programmes can be modified or further improved," emphasised Majhi. Highlighting the importance of road safety, the Chief Minister announced, "Road safety has now been included as a component of Good Governance." He expressed hope that this would make government officials more vigilant in this area. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also announced the "Chief Minister's Road Safety Scheme Award." Under this scheme, districts, educational institutions, and private organisations will be honoured based on their initiatives in the field of road safety. He further announced that the districts performing well will be rewarded, while those with poor performance will be held accountable. Similarly, schools and other institutions will also be awarded for exemplary initiatives taken towards road safety. The Chief Minister expressed hope that these steps would increase road safety awareness across all regions and sections of society and play a significant role in reducing road accidents. On this occasion, a unique and innovative initiative was taken for road safety on ghat roads in the state. At Kalinga Ghat, the Chief Minister inaugurated a warning bell system on a pilot basis to alert drivers. Under this system, a siren will sound when vehicles approach from both sides of the ghat road, alerting drivers. Similarly, on this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with IIT Kharagpur for advanced traffic management in the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Twin City. Based on the IIT's report, steps will be taken to improve traffic management in both cities. On Monday, the Chief Minister inaugurated 15 charging stations for Bhubaneswar. It was informed that another 85 charging stations are under construction across the state and will be inaugurated soon. Majhi on Monday inaugurated 14 new Atal Bus Stands. These bus stands have been constructed in 10 districts at a cost of Rs 156.53 crore. Apart from this, CM Majhi also unveiled a total of 71 projects under the state Works Department with an estimated expenditure of Rs 6,700 crore. Among these, the foundation stones for 39 projects worth approximately Rs 5,630 crore were laid, while 32 projects with an investment of around Rs 1,070 crore were inaugurated. - IANS The Observer Research Foundation is hosting the eighth India Think Tank Forum at Nalanda University, bringing together over 80 participants from 75 policy institutions. The 2026 edition, themed "India in a Changing World: Building Inner Resilience," aims to assess India's preparedness for global shifts. Through sessions on geopolitics, the economy, and technology, the forum seeks to strengthen the link between strategic ideas and policy influence. The event underscores a commitment to decentralizing India's policy conversations and fostering cross-sector collaboration. Experts gather at Nalanda University for the ORF India Think Tank Forum to discuss global dynamics and India's policy preparedness. Patna Januar, y 12 The Observer Research Foundation, in collaboration with Nalanda University, is hosting the eighth edition of the India Think Tank Forum at Nalanda University, Bihar. The Forum, where experts are discussing shifting global dynamics and India's response to them is being held on January 12 and 13. The India Think Tank Forum is ORF's flagship annual initiative, conceived as a pan-India platform to bring together the country's diverse and rapidly expanding think-tank community. Conceived as an "intellectual gym", the India Think Tank Forum provides a space to reflect, challenge assumptions, and sharpen perspectives, a release said. The 2026 edition is centred on the theme "India in a Changing World: Building Inner Resilience". Hosted at Nalanda--one of the world's earliest centres of learning--this edition underscores the Forum's commitment to regional diversity and intellectual decentralisation, reinforcing the idea that India's policy conversations must emerge from across the country. ITTF serves as a convening point for cross-sectoral collaboration, critical dialogue, and knowledge exchange among policy researchers, academics, and institutional leaders from across the country, the release said. With each edition, ORF seeks to purposefully expand this network--bringing new institutions into conversation to build a more connected, regionally representative, and purpose-driven ecosystem of ideas, it said. The 2026 edition is bringing together leading think tanks, researchers, and policy institutions to collectively examine shifting global dynamics and India's responses to them. The focus is on moving beyond commentary towards clarity--bridging reflection and action, and strengthening the link between ideas, institutions, and influence. Through a series of sessions on geopolitics, the economy, sustainability, technology, and social transformation, the Forum aims to assess whether India's current policy frameworks and think-tank ecosystem are equipped for the complexity of the decade ahead. The Forum also aims to encourage cross-pollination of ideas to strengthen analytical independence and intellectual rigour and examine how India's domestic preparedness--economic, institutional, and societal--intersects with an evolving global landscape. It seeks to build a collaborative roadmap for think tanks as enablers of strategic foresight and policy innovation. The Forum is featuring over 80 participants from 75 think tanks across India, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the country's policy research ecosystem. Distinguished speakers and participants include Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation; Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University; Harsh V. Pant, Vice President, ORF; Pradeep Chauhan, Director General, National Maritime Foundation; T.P. Sreenivasan, Director General, Kerala International Centre; Laveesh Bhandari, President and Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress. The participants also include D Dhanuraj, Founder-Chairman, Centre for Public Policy Research; RPS Bhadauria, Additional Director General, Centre for Land Warfare Studies; Raul V Rodriguez, Vice President, Woxsen University; Priyanka Bhide, Co-founder, Kubernien Initiative; Biren Nanda, Senior Fellow, Delhi Policy Group; Ruhee Neog, Security and Foreign Policy Analyst, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies and Guru Prakash Paswan, Visiting Fellow, India Foundation. All sessions of the India Think Tank Forum are being released on the ORF YouTube channel, with key insights and discussion highlights shared on ORF's official X handle (@orfonline). - ANI The prolonged closure of key trade corridors between Pakistan and Afghanistan has inflicted severe economic damage, particularly on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Business representatives report billions in losses from halted exports, expired goods, and plummeting customs revenue. The crisis threatens widespread factory shutdowns and unemployment, as over 90% of the province's industry relies on Afghan markets. Long-term risks include Afghanistan permanently diverting trade to Iran and Central Asia, causing a lasting loss of markets for Pakistani traders. Extended border blockade devastates Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's economy, causing billions in losses, job cuts, and a 53% trade drop with Afghanistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, January 12 The extended blockade of trade corridors between Pakistan and Afghanistan for more than three months has caused enormous economic damage worth billions of rupees at national and regional levels, business representatives stated on Sunday, as noted by a Dawn news report. They said the halt of cross-border trade had badly hit exports, mutual commerce, transport firms and state revenues, delivering a serious setback to the country's overall economy, especially to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where traders heavily relied on commerce with Afghanistan. These remarks were shared by senior vice-president of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ziaul Haq Sarhadi, and Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry member Manzoor Ellahi in a joint press statement. They said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had suffered more than other provinces because of its closeness to Afghanistan, deep ethnic and trade connections, and strong dependence on cross-border business. Over 90 per cent of Pakistan's exports to Afghanistan moved through Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Customs facilities, mainly via the Torkham crossing, they added. According to the businessmen, the province faced estimated export losses of PKR 2.5 billion due to stopped consignments of goods such as cement, textiles, medicines, construction items and farm products. Besides, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lost nearly PKR 2.5 billion in revenue in the first five months of the present fiscal year because of reduced trade activity and lower customs income. They said exporters in the province were bearing losses of more than USD 4 million each day, with stranded merchandise worth billions of rupees. Perishable items rotted, while medicines and raw materials expired, causing irreparable financial damage, Dawn reported. They added that Afghan transit trade to Central Asia, which earlier involved 4,000 to 5,000 consignments yearly, had declined sharply, hurting the logistics and transport sectors and related income in the province. Pointing to wider economic effects, the businessmen warned that continued border closure was leading to factory shutdowns and job losses. They said up to 90 per cent of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's industrial sector depended on Afghan markets for imports and exports, and ongoing disruption could trigger widespread plant closures, huge unemployment and increased regional instability amid rising economic hardship. Referring to the transport and labour sectors, they said thousands of truck drivers, workers and daily wagers in border regions had lost their livelihoods, while business in markets across Peshawar and other cities had slowed sharply. Farmers and traders also suffered huge losses due to the decay of fruits, vegetables and other perishable items. They warned that long-term impacts could be harsher, as Afghanistan kept diverting trade to Iran and Central Asian states, possibly causing permanent loss of markets for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-based traders. Quoting a recent report, they said Pakistan-Afghanistan bilateral trade fell by 53 per cent year-on-year, dropping to USD 594 million in the first half of the ongoing fiscal year (2025-26) from USD 1.26 billion in the same period of the previous year, mainly due to the closure of border crossings. The closure continues to have a damaging impact on businesses, revenue, employment, and stability across the region, according to the Dawn report. - ANI The Congress party has expressed strong confidence about its performance in the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections. Leaders Udit Raj and Sachin Sawant criticized opponents for politics based on religious and caste polarization, positioning Congress as the party focused on development. The party's manifesto includes promises like universal health cards and improved air quality for Mumbai. Voting for the BMC and 28 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra is scheduled for January 15, 2026. Congress leaders express confidence for Mumbai's BMC polls, promising development and criticizing rivals for divisive politics based on religion and caste. Mumbai, Jan 12 With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections just days away, the Congress on Monday expressed confidence about its prospects, saying the party is set to perform well in the upcoming civic polls. This comes days after the Mumbai Congress, on January 6, released its manifesto for the BMC Elections 2026. The manifesto promises a series of welfare and development-oriented measures, including steps to improve air quality in the city and the introduction of universal health cards that would provide citizens with free medicines. Speaking to IANS, Congress leader Udit Raj said that people are increasingly inclined towards the Congress and disillusioned with politics based on religious polarisation. "People want the Congress. This is my own experience, and I am confident that the results will be good. Fighting elections on Hindu-Muslim lines is an old tactic of the BJP and Shiv Sena," he said. He added that Maharashtra's social composition has changed over time. "The population today is mixed. The question people are asking is what they are getting in return. If the BMC cannot provide clean drinking water and good roads, and if thousands of workers are still not made permanent, then people will look for alternatives. That is why the Congress will perform well this time," Raj said. Another Congress leader, Sachin Sawant, echoed similar views and said the party is focussed on development rather than divisive politics. "We have announced our slogan, 'Vivaad nahi, Vikas chahiye'. Congress is the party talking about development, while others are creating disputes in the name of religion, caste, and regional language. We do not expect anything constructive from them," he told IANS. Maharashtra will vote to elect its BMC corporators on January 15. A total of 1,729 candidates are contesting the elections across 227 wards. The results for the country's richest civic body will be announced the following day, on January 16. The Maharashtra government has declared a public holiday on the day of polling, as elections for 29 municipal corporations, including the BMC, are being held simultaneously across the state. The last BMC elections were held in 2017, and the corporation's tenure ended on March 7, 2022. Since then, the civic body has been administered by an appointed administrator. The official election process began with the notification issued in December 2025. The State Election Commission announced on December 15, 2025, that voting would take place in a single phase on January 15, 2026, between 7.30 am and 5.30 pm. More than 1.03 crore voters are eligible to cast their ballots across all 227 wards under the Model Code of Conduct. - IANS A Congressional probe found approximately 1,400 Pentagon-funded research papers involved collaboration with entities in China, with over half linked to Chinese defence organizations. In response, the Pentagon is implementing new security measures, including damage assessments and a funding ban for research assistance to listed Chinese military companies. The department is also creating a new repository for risk review and developing automated monitoring for research partnerships. Committee Chairman John Moolenaar stated these steps are crucial to prevent U.S. research from bolstering China's military capabilities. Pentagon adopts new measures after probe finds 1,400 China-linked research papers, aiming to prevent US innovation from aiding China's military. Washington, DC, January 12 The Select Committee stated in a press release that its findings prompted the Pentagon to adopt new measures to safeguard taxpayer-funded research and prevent US innovations from benefiting China's military establishment. Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar said that Secretary Hegseth and Pentagon leadership are taking decisive steps to close security gaps. "Secretary Hegseth and the leadership at the Pentagon are taking research security seriously and protecting taxpayer dollars," Moolenaar said. He stressed that the United States cannot afford to have its federal research funding contribute to the rise of China's military capabilities. He added that the Select Committee has worked "tirelessly to shutter joint institutes and safeguard American research." The SCCCP investigation conducted in September 2025 revealed that, from June 2023 to June 2025, approximately 1,400 research papers funded by the Pentagon included collaboration with entities in the People's Republic of China. According to the report, more than 700 of these publications were linked to Chinese defence research and industrial organisations, representing just over half of the total collaborations. The committee argued that such partnerships posed a strategic risk to US national security. In response to the findings, Under Secretary Emil Michael issued a memo outlining steps to assess potential damage arising from the reported collaborations. The memo stated that the Department of Defence would conduct damage assessments on selected cases highlighted in the Select Committee's recent reports, with the review process scheduled to begin within 45 days of the December 9 directive. As cited by the SCCCP, the Pentagon has implemented key recommendations from the committee's report. These include prohibiting funding for fundamental research assistance to companies listed under Section 1260H, which identifies Chinese military companies operating in the United States. The department has also established a Fundamental Research Risk Review repository to enhance information collection and sharing across defence agencies. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop automated vetting and continuous monitoring mechanisms to strengthen oversight of research partnerships. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He will interact directly with around 3,000 young participants, including international representatives, who will present final suggestions on ten key themes like education and technology. The Prime Minister expressed his excitement on social media, highlighting the youth's role as the driving force behind national progress. The dialogue, held from January 9-12, aims to evolve into a movement inspiring young Indians to contribute to nation-building. PM Modi interacts with 3000 youth on National Youth Day, discussing education, tech, and innovation for a developed India vision. New Delhi, Jan 12 On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and National Youth Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on Moday. The programme will witness direct interaction between the Prime Minister and around 3,000 young participants, including international youth representatives. The dialogue brings together young leaders from across the country who have actively engaged in discussions over the past few days. During the concluding session, selected participants will make their final presentations before the Prime Minister on ten key themes, offering actionable suggestions on issues of national importance. These include youth education, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship, social development, and governance, reflecting the aspirations and ideas of India's next generation. Ahead of the event, Prime Minister Modi expressed his excitement about addressing the youth. In a post on social media platform X, he said, "Our youth, filled with incredible enthusiasm and unmatched passion, are committed to building a strong and prosperous nation." He added that he is looking forward to interacting with young leaders from across the country at the dialogue today. The Prime Minister emphasised that India's youth, with their unparalleled energy, innovation, and dedication, are the driving force behind the nation's progress. He noted that the dialogue provides a meaningful platform for young leaders from diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas, share aspirations, and actively contribute to the vision of a Viksit Bharat. PM Modi also shared a post by Union Minister of Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya, who welcomed thousands of young participants arriving in the national capital. "Sashakt Yuva, Viksit Bharat! Three thousand energetic youth from across the country have reached Delhi for the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue," Mandaviya wrote. He further stated that this vibrant youth power, inspired by India's rich cultural heritage, is prepared to present its vision for a developed India before the Prime Minister. Building on the success of its first edition, the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, held from January 9 to 12, has introduced new initiatives, including 'Design for Bharat' and 'Tech for Viksit Bharat', which expand discussions to technology-driven solutions and innovation. The participation of the Indian youth diaspora has added a valuable global perspective. Concluding today on National Youth Day, the dialogue aims to go beyond discussion and evolve into a movement, inspiring young Indians to lead with confidence, address national challenges, and contribute meaningfully to nation-building. - IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi has concluded his three-day visit to Gujarat, departing from Ahmedabad for Delhi. A key diplomatic highlight was his engagements with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, including a joint car ride and co-inaugurating the International Kite Festival. Modi also participated in the 'Shaurya Yatra' at the Somnath Temple, commemorating 1,000 years of resilience since the temple's first recorded attack. The visit blended cultural, diplomatic, and commemorative events, underscoring both international partnerships and national heritage. PM Modi concludes Gujarat tour with German Chancellor Merz, inaugurates Kite Festival, leads Shaurya Yatra at Somnath temple, and departs for Delhi. Gandhinagar, January 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday concluded his three-day visit to Gujarat and departed for New Delhi from Ahmedabad Airport, marking the end of a packed schedule that included cultural, diplomatic and commemorative engagements. The Prime Minister was given a warm farewell at the airport by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and several other senior leaders and officials. A key highlight of the visit was Prime Minister Modi's engagements with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on a two-day official visit to India, according to the release. The two leaders were seen sharing a car ride following their programmes in Gujarat, underlining the cordial personal rapport and strengthening India-Germany bilateral ties. Prime Minister Modi later shared a photograph from the car ride on the social media platform X, describing it as a reflection of the growing partnership between the two nations. Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz also jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival (IKF) 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. Chancellor Merz attended the event as the Chief Guest, and the two leaders symbolically flew kites to mark the occasion, highlighting cultural exchange and diplomatic friendship. Earlier, on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi participated in the 'Shaurya Yatra' at Somnath as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv. The four-day national commemoration, held from January 8 to January 11, marked 1,000 years of resilience and unbroken faith since the first recorded attack on the Somnath Temple in 1026. The symbolic procession, which included 108 horses from the Gujarat Police Mounted Unit, paid tribute to courage, sacrifice and the enduring spirit associated with the historic temple. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at Ahmedabad's Sabarmati Riverfront. The event, featuring participants from 50 countries, blended cultural celebration with diplomacy during Chancellor Merz's first official visit to India. Prior to the festival, both leaders paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram. The visit is centered on strengthening the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, with bilateral talks planned on trade, technology, defence, and sustainable development. PM Modi & German Chancellor Friedrich Merz inaugurate kite festival in Ahmedabad, blending culture & diplomacy during a visit to strengthen bilateral ties. Ahmedabad, January 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. The two leaders participated in the festival as part of Chancellor Merz's first official visit to India, highlighting the blend of cultural celebration and diplomatic engagement between the two nations. Visuals from the event show both leaders interacting with participants and enjoying the vibrant festivities, which attract kite enthusiasts from across the country and abroad. Both leaders also flew kites together during the event. With Makar Sankranti just a few days away, the International Kite Festival will run for three days, concluding on January 14, with participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries. Alongside them, 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat will also take part in the event. Prior to the inauguration of the festival, PM Narendra Modi welcomed the German Chancellor Merz to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. After his arrival at the Ashram, both leaders paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Merz also signed the visitors' book there. The visit is part of Chancellor Merz's official trip to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany, and coincides with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Earlier today, the German Federal Chancellor arrived in India for a two-day official visit to the country since assuming office. According to a Ministry of External Affairs post on X, Chancellor Merz was warmly received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat at the airport upon his arrival in the western state. The visit came at the invitation of PM Modi. Merz will be in India from January 12 to January 13. Both leaders will also hold bilateral engagements from 11:15 am onwards at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The two leaders will review progress on the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently marked its 25th anniversary. Their discussion will also focus on further intensifying cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while advancing collaboration in key areas of defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. PM Modi and Chancellor Merz last held discussions on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where the two leaders agreed to further broaden the bilateral strategic partnership. During that interaction, Prime Minister Modi invited the German Chancellor to an official visit to New Delhi. The visit is also taking place in the lead-up to the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz co-chaired the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad, focusing on strengthening economic ties. The leaders highlighted that bilateral trade has reached a historic high, surpassing $50 billion, with Germany being India's largest trading partner in the EU. They announced the establishment of an India-Germany Centre of Excellence to boost cooperation in renewable energy and technology. Multiple MoUs were signed, and discussions covered expanded collaboration in defence, security, and sustainable development. PM Modi & German Chancellor Merz meet CEOs, sign MoUs as bilateral trade surpasses $50 billion. New Centre of Excellence announced. Ahmedabad, January 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with the Chief Executive Officers from both countries at the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. While addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, PM Modi said, "Our bilateral trade has reached its highest level ever, surpassing the 50 billion dollar mark. More than 2,000 German companies have a long-standing presence in India. This reflects their unwavering confidence in India and the immense opportunities available here. This was vividly demonstrated this morning at the India-Germany CEO Forum." "Technology cooperation between India and Germany has strengthened year after year, and its impact is clearly visible on the ground today. India and Germany share common priorities in the field of renewable energy. To further enhance this cooperation, we have decided to establish the India-Germany Centre of Excellence. This will serve as a shared platform for knowledge, technology, and innovation," he added. Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed between India and Germany in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Prior to meeting with the CEOs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delegation-level talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as part of the latter's first official visit to India. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany as the leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, skilling, and mobility and explored collaboration in defence, security, science, innovation, research, and sustainable development. Notably, the total bilateral trade in goods and services reached USD 51.23 billion in 2024-25. Germany is India's largest trading partner in EU. Germany accounts for roughly one-fourth of India's trade with the European Union, reinforcing its position as India's leading EU trading partner. Indo-German trade in services rose by 12.5% in FY 2024-25, reaching a record USD 16.65 bn. Germany is the 9th largest foreign direct investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of USD 15.40 billion from April 2000 to June 2025. German investments in India during FY 2024-25 amounted to USD 469 million. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the historic Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, where they paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and observed the traditional charkha-spinning process. The leaders also jointly inaugurated and participated in the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront. Chancellor Merz's visit marks his first official trip to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and reviewing the Strategic Partnership. The visit coincides with celebrations for 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Germany. PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, spun charkha, and inaugurated the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad, January 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday visited the historic Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad, where they paid heartfelt tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, said Gujarat CMO. According to the Gujarat CMO, the leaders also observed the charkha-spinning process at Hridaykunj, Gandhiji's residence in the ashram. "Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Bhai Modi and the Chancellor of Germany Shri Friedrich Merz had visited the historic Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad and paid heartfelt tributes to Mahatma Gandhiji. The distinguished dignitaries had also observed the process of spinning the charkha at Hridaykunj, Gandhiji's residence in the ashram," Gujarat CMO's X post read. Both leaders also paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Merz also signed the visitors' book there. Earlier today, PM Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz participated in the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, where the leaders were seen flying a kite depicting Lord Hanuman. Chancellor Merz's participation comes during his first official visit to India, underscoring the cultural and diplomatic significance of the event. Earlier, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and participated in the event, underscoring the blend of cultural celebration and diplomatic engagement between the two nations. Visuals from the event show both leaders interacting with participants and enjoying the vibrant festivities, which attract kite enthusiasts from across the country and abroad. With Makar Sankranti just a few days away, the International Kite Festival will run for three days, concluding on January 14, with participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries. Alongside them, 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat will also take part in the event. Prior to the festival's inauguration, PM Narendra Modi welcomed German Chancellor Merz to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. The visit is part of Chancellor Merz's official trip to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany, and coincides with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Earlier today, the German Federal Chancellor arrived in India for a two-day official visit to the country since assuming office. According to a Ministry of External Affairs post on X, Chancellor Merz was warmly received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat at the airport upon his arrival in the western state. The visit came at the invitation of PM Modi. Merz will be in India from January 12 to January 13. Both leaders will also hold bilateral engagements from 11:15 am onwards at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The two leaders will review progress on the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently marked its 25th anniversary. Their discussion will also focus on further intensifying cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while advancing collaboration in key areas of defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany.PM Modi and Chancellor Merz last held discussions on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where the two leaders agreed to further broaden the bilateral strategic partnership. During that interaction, Prime Minister Modi invited the German Chancellor to an official visit to New Delhi. The visit is also taking place in the lead-up to the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have hailed the deepening strategic partnership between India and Germany, particularly in defence, security, and trade. They announced the establishment of an India-Germany Centre of Excellence to boost cooperation in knowledge and technology, especially in renewable energy. The leaders highlighted a bilateral trade exceeding USD 50 billion and cooperation from over 2,000 German companies in India. The meeting also celebrated upcoming diplomatic milestones and strengthened people-to-people ties. PM Modi and German Chancellor Merz enhance defence, trade ties, announce Centre of Excellence, and celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. Gandhinagar, Jan 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the growing cooperation between India and Germany in the defence and security sectors is a "testament to mutual trust and shared vision" and thanked German Chancellor Merz for simplifying the defence trade. He mentioned that India and Germany share common priorities in the renewable energy sector. He also announced that the two nations will establish the India-Germany Centre of Excellence to further enhance cooperation. During the joint press meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz following their talks on Monday, PM Modi noted that India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic ties in 2026 and stressed that growing trade and investment ties have given new energy to the strategic partnership. "Chancellor Merz's visit is taking place at a special time. Last year, we completed 25 years of our strategic partnership, and this year, we are also celebrating 75 years of our diplomatic relations. These milestones are not merely achievements of time. They are symbols of our shared ambitions, mutual trust, and ever-strengthening cooperation," he said. "Close cooperation between economies like those of India and Germany is crucial for all of humanity. Growing trade and investment ties have given new energy to our strategic partnership. Our bilateral trade has reached its highest level ever, with bilateral trade now exceeding USD 50 billion," he added. The Prime Minister mentioned that more than 2,000 German companies have a long-standing presence in India, which he said, "reflects their confidence in India and the immense opportunities available here". He cited the India-Germany CEO Forum as an example, where both leaders interacted with business leaders earlier in the day. "Technology cooperation between India and Germany has strengthened year after year, and its impact is clearly visible on the ground today. India and Germany share common priorities in the field of renewable energy," he added. "To further enhance this cooperation, we have decided to establish the India-Germany Centre of Excellence. This will serve as a shared platform for knowledge, technology, and innovation," he added. Extending a warm welcome to the German Chancellor in India, PM Modi said, "As a Chancellor, this is Friedrich Merz's first visit to India, and indeed to Asia. This is strong evidence of the deep importance he attaches to relations with India. I thank him for his personal attention and commitment. India is fully committed to further strengthening its friendship and partnership with Germany...We extend a heartfelt welcome to Chancellor Merz in India." PM Modi announced that India and Germany will work on a roadmap to enhance cooperation between defence industries. He expressed gratitude to Chancellor Merz for the announcement of visa-free transit for Indian citizens, stressing that the decision will further strengthen ties between the people of the two nations. "Our growing cooperation in defence and security is a testament to our mutual trust and shared vision. I express my heartfelt gratitude to Chancellor Merz for simplifying the procedures related to defence trade. We will also work on a roadmap to enhance cooperation between defence industries, which will open up new opportunities for co-development and co-production," he added. Highlighting the historic and profound people-to-people ties, PM Modi said, "India and Germany share historic and profound people-to-people ties. The works of Rabindranath Tagore offered fresh perspectives to the German intellectual community, while Swami Vivekananda's philosophy inspired all of Europe, including Germany." "Additionally, Madame Cama brought global recognition to India's aspiration for freedom by hoisting the flag of India's independence for the first time in Germany. Today, we are building on this rich legacy and transforming our historic connections into a vibrant, modern partnership," the Prime Minister added. - IANS Tipra Motha Party chief Pradyot Debbarma asserts that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are personally committed to upholding the constitutional rights of Tripura's tribal communities through a tripartite agreement. The TMP, which governs the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council, joined the BJP-led state government in March 2024 after signing the accord. However, the alliance has seen recent strains and clashes between party workers ahead of crucial tribal council elections scheduled for March. All major political parties are intensifying efforts to woo the tribal electorate, which constitutes about one-third of the state's population. TMP founder Pradyot Debbarma states PM Modi and HM Amit Shah are committed to implementing the tripartite accord for Tripura's tribal development. Agartala, Jan 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are keen to ensure the constitutional rights of Tripura's tribal communities, Tipra Motha Party founder and chairman Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma said on Monday. The tribal-based TMP, led by former royal scion Debbarma, has been a junior partner of the ruling BJP since March 2024. After prolonged negotiations, the TMP, then in the opposition, signed a tripartite agreement with the Centre and the Tripura government on March 2, 2024, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Subsequently, the party, which has 13 MLAs, joined the BJP-led coalition government on March 7 last year, adding a new dimension to the state's political dynamics. Two TMP MLAs-Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma-were inducted into the Chief Minister Manik Saha-led ministry. Talking to the media, Debbarma said the Prime Minister had given his blessings to the tripartite agreement and expressed confidence that the Union Home Minister would ensure its implementation for the all-round socio-economic development of the tribal population in Tripura. "What the state BJP leaders are saying about the accord, the tribals or the TMP does not concern us, as the central BJP leadership is committed to implementing the agreement," the TMP supremo said. Debbarma reiterated that the sole objective of the TMP is the development of the tribal communities and the protection of their constitutional rights. Ahead of the crucial elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC), relations between the BJP and the TMP have remained strained, with several incidents reported in recent months involving clashes, attacks and counter-attacks between workers of the two parties in different parts of the state. Debbarma also recalled that the TTAADC was constituted in 1982 after the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi amended the Constitution, despite opposition from state Congress leaders at that time. Meanwhile, since 2021, the TMP has been governing the politically significant 30-member TTAADC, which covers nearly two-thirds of Tripura's 10,491 sq km geographical area and is home to over 12.16 lakh people, around 84 per cent of whom belong to indigenous communities. In the run-up to the TTAADC polls, all major political parties, including the ruling BJP, its allies TMP and the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT), and opposition CPI(M) and Congress, have intensified efforts to consolidate support among tribals, who constitute nearly one-third of Tripura's total population of about 4.2 million. The TTAADC elections are scheduled to be held in March. - IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The meeting, attended by top Indian officials, focused on strengthening bilateral ties across trade, technology, defence, and sustainable development. The visit, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations, included symbolic gestures like a visit to Sabarmati Ashram and inaugurating a kite festival. Chancellor Merz's two-day official trip aims to build a forward-looking partnership between the two nations. PM Narendra Modi holds delegation talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Gandhinagar, focusing on trade, defence & strategic partnership. Ahmedabad, January 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held delegation-level talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad as part of the latter's first official visit to India. The German Chancellor is on a two-day official visit to the country, which also coincides with the celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, and is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were also present at the meeting. The meeting was held at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany as the leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, skilling, and mobility and explored collaboration in defence, security, science, innovation, research, and sustainable development. Prior to their meeting, PM Modi warmly welcomed the German Chancellor to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, marking the German leader's first official visit to India since taking office. After his arrival at the Ashram, both leaders paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Merz also signed the visitors' book there. Following this, both leaders jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, underscoring the cultural and diplomatic significance of Chancellor Merz's visit to India. They were also seen flying a kite depicting Lord Hanuman. Earlier today, the German Federal Chancellor arrived in India for a two-day official visit, marking the first such visit since assuming office. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. The German Chancellor is in India from January 12 to January 13. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. PM Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz last held discussions on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where the two leaders agreed to further broaden the bilateral strategic partnership. During that interaction, Prime Minister Modi invited the German Chancellor to an official visit to New Delhi. The visit is also taking place in the lead-up to the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited German universities to establish campuses in India during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's official visit. Modi thanked Merz for announcing a visa-free transit facility for Indian citizens, calling it a boost to people-to-people ties. The leaders discussed global issues including Ukraine, Gaza, and terrorism, and emphasized cooperation in defence, energy, and UN Security Council reform. The visit marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. PM Modi invites German universities to open campuses in India during Chancellor Merz's visit, which also saw an announcement on visa-free transit for Indian citizens. Ahmedabad, January 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday invited German universities to establish campuses in India as part of a comprehensive roadmap on higher education development between India and Germany during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's official visit to the country. Addressing a joint press conference with German Chancellor Merz, PM Modi expressed his gratitude to Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens, calling it a step that would further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations. "The comprehensive roadmap on higher education that we have developed today will give a new direction to our partnership in the field of education. I invite German universities to open their campuses in India. I express my gratitude to Chancellor Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi said the two leaders also held wide-ranging discussions on global and regional issues, including the situation in Ukraine and Gaza, adding that both countries are united in their view that terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity and remain committed to combating it together. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to reform global institutions to address global challenges, citing joint efforts by India and Germany through the G4 group to reform the UN Security Council. "India has consistently advocated the peaceful resolution of all conflicts and disputes and supports all initiatives aimed at achieving this goal. We are united in our belief that terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity as a whole. India and Germany remain committed to combating this menace together, with unwavering determination," he said. "The Memorandums of Understanding being signed today will provide fresh momentum and strength to our collaboration across all these areas. India and Germany agree that reforming global institutions is crucial for addressing global challenges. Our joint efforts through the G4 group to reform the UN Security Council are a testament to this shared belief," the PM added. Highlighting cooperation in climate and energy, PM Modi said India and Germany are advancing new projects in climate action, energy, urban development and urban mobility, noting that upcoming green hydrogen mega projects involving companies from both countries could be game changers for the future of energy. "India and Germany are committed to developing a secure, trustworthy and resilient supply chain," he said. On technology, defence and security, PM Modi said cooperation between the two countries has strengthened year after year, while thanking Chancellor Merz for simplifying processes related to defence trade, adding that both sides would work on a roadmap to enhance cooperation between their defence industries, opening new avenues for co-development and co-production. "Technology cooperation between India and Germany has strengthened year after year, and its impact is clearly visible on the ground today. India and Germany share similar priorities in the field of renewable energy. The growing cooperation in defense and security is a symbol of our mutual trust and shared vision," the Prime Minister said. "I express my sincere gratitude to Chancellor Merkel for simplifying the processes related to defense trade. We will also work on a roadmap to enhance cooperation between our defense industries, which will open up new opportunities for co-development and co-production," he added. Emphasising people-to-people ties, PM Modi recalled the historical connections between the two countries, citing Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda and Madam Bhikaji Cama as symbols of long-standing cultural and intellectual exchanges. "Today, we are transforming this historical connection into a modern partnership," he said. Chancellor Merz's visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of India-Germany diplomatic relations and the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and aims to further deepen cooperation across key sectors. The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is currently on a two-day official visit to India, marking the first such visit since assuming office. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. The German Chancellor is in India from January 12 to January 13. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the case of baby Ariha Shah with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated India will continue diplomatic follow-up to ensure the child is raised in an Indian cultural and linguistic environment. Ariha Shah has been in German foster care since September 2021 after an accidental injury. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had also previously raised the issue with his German counterpart. India presses Germany on baby Ariha Shah's foster care, seeking her upbringing in an Indian cultural and linguistic environment. Latest updates. Gandhinagar, Jan 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken up the issue of baby Ariha Shah, an Indian girl being raised in German foster care, with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on Monday. Addressing a special briefing on the German leader's visit to India, Misri stated that India will continue to follow up with the German government on the baby Ariha case and will remain in touch with the family at every step. He stated that India is also making efforts to ensure that baby Ariha is raised in an Indian environment as much as possible, like interacting with the Indian community and celebrating Indian festivals. Asked about the Ariha Shah case, he said: "We have been in discussions with the German government, all the German authorities, their Embassy here in Delhi, and the German government in Berlin, and all the agencies involved, for quite some time. This case was, at one point, a legal matter, but we believe that ultimately, it should be approached keeping in mind the humanitarian issues involved. I can't say that we understand the family's distress and difficulties as only they can understand them. We are fully aware of the situation, and we are trying our best to help them in every way possible. We are also trying to ensure that baby Ariha is raised as much as possible in an Indian environment, whether it's interacting with Indian people or participating in Indian festivals being celebrated in Germany. We would like to make arrangements for her to learn Hindi." "Recently, we made efforts for other things too. I don't want to go into detail about it right now. But, I want to assure you all that we are committed on this issue with the German government on every stage, and Prime Minister Modi also mentioned this to the Chancellor. So, we will continue to follow up with the German government on this issue, and we will stay with the family at every step. We are prioritising this issue like how we do with other issues which are related to India-Germany ties. My colleague, the Additional Secretary, Europe, is sitting with me, who speaks with the family quite frequently. Whenever the family comes here, he meets them. We're trying to do everything we can, and we'll keep you updated on this from time to time," he added. Ariha Shah was placed in the custody of Germany's Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) on September 23, 2021, after the then seven-month-old baby suffered an accidental injury. She has been in foster care since then. India has been maintaining that it is important for the child to be in her linguistic, religious, cultural, and social environment. In September last year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that he raised the issue of Ariha Shah during his meeting with German counterpart Johann Wadephul in New Delhi. - IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, where both leaders paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The visit, marking Merz's first official trip to India since taking office, included participation in the International Kite Festival. The leaders are set to hold bilateral talks to review and strengthen the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation in trade, technology, defence, and sustainable development. PM Narendra Modi welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Sabarmati Ashram & Kite Festival, aiming to strengthen India-Germany strategic ties. Ahmedabad, January 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday warmly welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, marking the German leader's first official visit to India since taking office. After his arrival at the Ashram, both leaders paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Merz also signed the visitors' book there. Both leaders then participated in the International Kite Festival 2026, held at the Sabarmati Riverfront, underscoring the cultural and diplomatic significance of Chancellor Merz's visit to India. The visit is part of Chancellor Merz's official trip to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany, and coincides with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Earlier today, the German Federal Chancellor arrived in India for a two-day official visit to the country since assuming office. According to a Ministry of External Affairs post on X, Chancellor Merz was warmly received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat at the airport upon his arrival in the western state. The visit came at the invitation of PM Modi. "Welcome to India! Willkommen in Indien! Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in Ahmedabad on an official visit. Warmly received by Hon'ble Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat at the airport. India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic ties and 25 years of the India Germany Strategic Partnership. Chancellor Merz's visit and his meeting with PM Narendra Modi, later in the day, will further strengthen India-Germany partnership," the MEA post read. Merz will be in India from January 12 to January 13. Both leaders will also hold bilateral engagements from 11:15 am onwards at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The two leaders will review progress on the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently marked its 25th anniversary. Their discussion will also focus on further intensifying cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while advancing collaboration in key areas of defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance and engage with business and industry leaders of the two countries. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. Pm Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz last held discussions on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where the two leaders agreed to further broaden the bilateral strategic partnership. During that interaction, Prime Minister Modi invited the German Chancellor to an official visit to New Delhi. The visit is also taking place in the lead-up to the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27. - ANI Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has defended the proposed Polavaram-Nallamalla Sagar link project, asserting it will not harm anyone and that both Telugu states can efficiently use Godavari waters. He announced the Polavaram project will be completed before the Godavari Pushkaram and will make Andhra Pradesh unmatched in South India. Naidu revealed the state attracted 25% of India's foreign direct investment this financial year, with approved investments poised to create 16 lakh jobs. He also highlighted upcoming projects including the Bhogapuram Airport, a Google AI data centre, and a Quantum Valley in Amaravati. Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu defends Polavaram-Nallamalla Sagar link amid Telangana dispute, highlights state's massive investment inflows and job creation. Amaravati, Jan 12 Amid the ongoing dispute with Telangana over the sharing of river waters, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday defended the proposed Polavaram-Nallamalla Sagar link project, saying it will not harm anyone. He wondered what was wrong with using water released from upstream in the Godavari River and diverting it at Polavaram to Nallamalla Sagar. "I never objected when Telangana built its projects. Both Telugu states can efficiently utilise the Godavari waters," he said. The Chief Minister was speaking at a meeting with ministers and secretaries at the Secretariat. He said the Polavaram project will be completed and dedicated to the nation before Godavari Pushkaram. He stated that Polavaram is a magnificent project and once it is completed, no state in South India can compete with Andhra Pradesh. "Every year, 3,000 TMC of water goes to waste into the sea. By providing water to the Krishna delta through Pattiseema, we are saving water in Srisailam and giving it to Rayalaseema. Through Nallamala Sagar, there is an opportunity to provide water to Rayalaseema, Prakasam, and other regions," he said. He stated that Telangana State will also have the opportunity to utilise the surplus water from Polavaram. Chief Minister Naidu said that Bhogapuram International Airport will also be dedicated to the nation soon. He claimed that the coalition government has saved Visakhapatnam Steel Plant with the cooperation of the Central government and the assistance of Rs 12,000 crore. "Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is a sentiment for the people of Andhra Pradesh, and we will definitely protect that plant," he said. The Chief Minister revealed that Andhra Pradesh attracted 25 per cent of the foreign investments that came into the country during the current financial year. Stating that Andhra Pradesh has become a destination for investments, he said that if all the agreements made through Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) materialise, 16 lakh jobs will be created. "We have also approved investments worth Rs 8.74 lakh crore through the State Investment Promotion Board. These will also generate a large number of jobs," he said. He noted that Google is also setting up an AI data centre in Visakhapatnam with an investment of $15 billion. He congratulated the officials and government departments who worked hard to bring investments to the state. "We will soon lay the foundation for the Quantum Valley in Amaravati. A quantum computer will be operational here within six months," he said. - IANS President Droupadi Murmu has extended warm greetings to all Indians for the upcoming harvest festivals of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, highlighting their significance to agricultural traditions and national unity. Concurrently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, blending cultural celebration with diplomacy. The vibrant festival features participation from hundreds of international and domestic kite flyers. These nationwide celebrations underscore India's diverse cultural heritage and gratitude towards nature and farmers. President Murmu extends harvest festival greetings as PM Modi and German Chancellor inaugurate the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. New Delhi, January 12 President Droupadi Murmu on Monday extended her warm greetings to citizens in India and abroad on Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu, which will be celebrated on January 13 and 14. In a message, the President said, "On the auspicious occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu festivals, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians residing within India and abroad." These festivals are a symbol of our rich agricultural traditions and national unity. They are reflection of our vibrant and diverse cultural heritage. These festivals are an occasion to salute the hard work of our farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation. Through these festivals celebrated across the country, we express our gratitude towards mother nature. Meanwhile, with Makar Sankranti just days away, Gujarat witnessed vibrant celebrations with the International Kite Festival, a major highlight of the state's Uttarayan festivities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. The participation of the German Chancellor marked a blend of cultural celebration and diplomatic engagement during his first official visit to India. Visuals from the event showed both leaders interacting with participants and flying kites together, as colourful kites filled the sky. The three-day festival will conclude on January 14 and features participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries. They will be joined by 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat. Magh Bihu, a major harvest festival of Assam, marks the end of the harvesting season in the month of Magh and is celebrated with community feasts after the annual harvest. Along with Lohri, Pongal, Sankranti and Uttarayan, it represents the diverse ways in which harvest festivals are celebrated across India. Lohri celebrations, particularly in northern India, are marked by bonfires, traditional foods and folk songs, adding warmth and joy to the festive season. - ANI President Droupadi Murmu extended warm greetings to all Indians for the upcoming festivals of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, highlighting their significance as symbols of agricultural heritage and national unity. She emphasized these occasions as a time to honor the tireless work of farmers and express gratitude towards nature. Separately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, celebrated as National Youth Day, urging the youth to draw inspiration for building a developed India. Modi highlighted Vivekananda's enduring teachings and his immense faith in the power of the younger generation. President Droupadi Murmu greets nation for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bihu. PM Modi pays tribute to Swami Vivekananda on National Youth Day. New Delhi, Jan 12 President Droupadi Murmu on Monday greeted citizens on the eve of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu, which fall on January 13 and 14, respectively, a statement said. In a message, the President has said, "On the auspicious occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu festivals, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians residing within India and abroad." These festivals are a symbol of our rich agricultural traditions and national unity. They are a reflection of our vibrant and diverse cultural heritage, she said. These festivals are an occasion to salute the hard work of our farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation. Through these festivals celebrated across the country, we express our gratitude towards Mother Nature, she said. "On this auspicious occasion, I wish the spirit of love and solidarity in our society grows stronger, and we work together to build a prosperous nation," she said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, also marked as National Youth Day, and said that this day brings new strength and self-confidence for younger generations. The government proclaimed January 12 as National Youth Day in 1984 with the aim of motivating young individuals by connecting them to the principles and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, while also promoting their involvement in the development of the nation. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda, the powerful source of inspiration for India's youth power, on his birth anniversary. His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a Viksit Bharat. My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions." He said that the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda serves as an inspiration for society. In a video message, the Prime Minister said, "What Swami Vivekananda gave to the country and society transcends time and place, inspiring every generation. He showed us the way. It was Swami Vivekananda who, in that era, said that fearless, selfless, pure-hearted, courageous, and ambitious youth are the foundation upon which the nation's future is built. He had immense faith in the youth and their power." Calling on the younger generation, PM Modi said, "Now, you have to live up to his faith. Today, as the world looks to India with great hope, it is because of all of you, my young friends. Today, be it a village, a city, or a town, the enthusiasm of the youth is everywhere. I extend my best wishes to all of you on National Youth Day." Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata. He is widely praised for introducing Indian philosophies, including Vedanta and Yoga, to the West. Swami Vivekananda's famous speech at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago sparked interfaith dialogue and revitalised Hinduism as a world religion. He promoted Indian nationalism, social reform, and unity, urging youth to serve humanity, and established the Ramakrishna Mission for education and service. - IANS Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid homage to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, extending greetings for National Youth Day. She highlighted his revolutionary thoughts and his role in strengthening Indian philosophy on the world stage. Her tribute was echoed by other leaders including Rahul Gandhi, PM Narendra Modi, and President Droupadi Murmu, who all praised Vivekananda's enduring legacy. National Youth Day is observed annually on January 12 to commemorate the birth of the spiritual leader and visionary. Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi, and President Murmu honor Swami Vivekananda's legacy on his birth anniversary, celebrated as National Youth Day. New Delhi, January 12 Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday paid homage to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary and extended greetings to the country's youth on the occasion of National Youth Day. In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said, "On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the great philosopher, thinker, and monk, Shri Swami Vivekananda Ji, I offer my humble salutations to him and extend my heartiest greetings to all of you on National Youth Day. Swami Vivekananda Ji, through his revolutionary and inclusive thoughts, delivered the message of humanity to the nation and the world. He strengthened the values of Indian philosophy on global platforms and, by advancing the progressive idea of harmony among all religions, brought pride to the country. His thoughts will forever guide the youth of the nation." Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary. He highlighted Swami Vivekananda's enduring legacy in elevating Indian culture on the global stage. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "On the birth anniversary of the great ascetic Swami Vivekananda Ji, I offer my humble salutations to him. Swami Vivekananda Ji elevated India's culture onto the global stage through his profound thoughts. His ideals will forever continue to inspire every Indian." Earlier, PM Modi said that Swami Vivekananda remains a "powerful source of inspiration for India's youth," and his personality and works continue to strengthen the resolve for a developed India "My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda, the powerful source of inspiration for India's youth power, on his birth anniversary. His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a developed India. My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions," PM Modi wrote on X. President Droupadi Murmu also paid homage to the spiritual leader, highlighting that his "teachings will continue to inspire humanity." "I pay my humble tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary celebrated as National Youth Day. A timeless visionary and spiritual icon, he preached that inner strength and service to humanity were foundations of a meaningful life. He carried India's eternal wisdom to the world. Swamiji instilled national pride among Indians and inspired the youth to contribute to nation building. His teachings will continue to inspire humanity," the President wrote on X. National Youth Day, observed every year on January 12, marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda, known in his pre-monastic life as Narendranath Datta, was born in Kolkata on 12 January 1863. Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission on 1 May 1897, which would bring together monks and laypeople to propagate Practical Vedanta and various forms of social service. Swami Vivekananda is always remembered all over the world for his address at the World's Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, which led the western intelligentsia to turn around and recognise the great culture and tradition India has had since time immemorial. - ANI Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that the investigation into a complaint about a Trinamool Congress MP allegedly using an e-cigarette in the House is being completed. The complaint was raised by BJP MP Anurag Thakur during the winter session, alleging a violation of rules as e-cigarettes are banned in India. Speaker Birla emphasized that no rules permit smoking inside the House and that action will follow based on the investigation's findings. He asserted that maintaining the dignity and decorum of Parliament is the responsibility of all members, with rule-breakers facing punishment. Speaker Om Birla states investigation into complaint against TMC MP for using e-cigarette in House is concluding, warns of action for rule breaches. New Delhi, January 13 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said that the process of investigation into the complaint against a Trinamool Congress MP of having resorted to using e-cigarette in the House is being completed and asserted that it is responsibility of all members to increase the dignity of the House. Answering queries during a press conference here on the upcoming Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth, he also cautioned members that there will be action if the dignity of the House is not maintained. "The process of investigation is in the direction of being completed. As soon as the investigation process is completed, the action plan will be made and will go to the committee, and the process will be completed. It will not be possible for anyone to spoil the dignity of the House. It is a responsibility... You will have to maintain decorum inside the House and the one who does not maintain decorum will be punished under the rules and procedures of the Parliament. Action will be taken. Action will be taken as per the rules," he said. The Speaker was answering a query on the probe into the E-cigarette complaint against a TMC MP, made during the winter session of Parliament by BJP MP Anurag Thakur. Anurag Thakur complained that a TMC MP had been smoking E-cigarette in the House in violation of rules. He had said E-cigarettes have been banned in the country and asked if they have been allowed in the House. The Speaker had responded firmly, saying that no rule allows any MP to smoke inside the house. "If such an incident is brought to my notice with clarity, appropriate action will follow," Birla said. He promised to look into the incident after Anurag Thakur submitted a written complaint about the alleged smoking incident to the Speaker. - ANI Uttarakhand has become India's first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code, leading to a massive surge in marriage registrations. Data shows the daily average has skyrocketed from 67 to over 1,600 registrations per day since the law took effect. The UCC, a key election promise of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, establishes uniform laws on marriage, divorce, and inheritance across all religions. It aims to ensure gender equality by abolishing regressive practices like polygamy. After implementing the Uniform Civil Code, Uttarakhand records a dramatic 24-fold daily increase in marriage registrations, promoting gender equality. Dehradun, January 13 Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code. Since the law came into force, public awareness regarding marriage registration has increased significantly, according to a release. According to a release, a look at the figures shows that, compared to the earlier Act, the daily average number of marriage registrations has risen by 24 times. During the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had pledged to implement the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand, and after coming to power, he fulfilled this commitment. In his very first Cabinet meeting, he decided to introduce the UCC in the state. After completing all formalities and conducting public consultations, the UCC law was implemented across the state from 27 January 2025. This decision by the Chief Minister is a bold step towards social justice, gender equality, and equal rights. The law is in line with the spirit of Article 44 of the Indian Constitution and aims to provide equal rights and dignity to all citizens of every class and community, especially women, the release said. The UCC covers matters related to marriage, divorce, inheritance, live-in relationships, and associated issues. It prescribes a uniform age for marriage for both women and men and introduces strict provisions for divorce and related procedures across all religions. With the implementation of this law, women have been freed from regressive practices such as polygamy and halala. Since the implementation of the UCC, there has been a sharp rise in marriage registrations in the state. According to the data, from 27 January 2025 to July 2025--a period of six months--the number of marriage registrations crossed three lakh. According to the release, under the old Act implemented in 2010, a total of 3,30,064 marriage registrations were recorded up to January 26, 2025, in contrast. In terms of daily averages, under the old Act, only 67 marriages were registered per day, whereas after the UCC came into force, this figure has surged to 1,634 per day. - ANI Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurated the state's first Startup Punjab Conclave in Kapurthala, signaling strong government support for entrepreneurship. The event featured over 100 startups and included the disbursement of seed grants to eight selected ventures. Mann emphasized the government's objective to transform Punjab's youth from job seekers into job creators, citing Punjabis as natural entrepreneurs. He shared insights from a recent visit to Japan, highlighting the importance of a clear future vision for progress. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann inaugurates first Startup Punjab Conclave, disburses seed grants to 8 startups and urges youth to become job creators. Chandigarh, Jan 12 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday inaugurated the state's first Startup Punjab Conclave at a private university in Kapurthala district. Organised by the Department of Industries and Commerce, the conclave emerged as a flagship state-level platform celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and the state's rapidly expanding startup ecosystem. With over 100 startups participating, seed grants being disbursed, and industry leaders, investors, incubators, academic experts, and policymakers converging under one roof, the government sent a message of full institutional backing to new business ideas, urging the youth to become job creators. Interacting with entrepreneurs, the Chief Minister said the government's clear objective is to transform Punjab's youth from job seekers into job givers and enable them to carve a distinct identity for themselves. "We want the youth to be job givers instead of job seekers, so that they can carve a niche for themselves," he said, adding that Punjabis are natural engineers and born entrepreneurs, which is why they succeed in every endeavour they undertake. The Chief Minister said the government is fully committed to giving wings to the dreams of Punjabis and assured that no stone would be left unturned in this direction. Coining the slogan of "update and create," he said, "There is no dearth of funds and the government will help every single idea mooted by business leaders." Sharing his observations from his recent visit to Japan, the Chief Minister said countries progress because of a clear vision for the future. "In Japan, every mode of transportation is accessible from a single window. Japan has the vision to see the future," he said. CM Mann said over 15 incubators and over five support organisations based in Punjab are showcasing their initiatives at the event. He said the government is providing special incentive cheques to eight startups, with seven startups receiving Rs 3 lakh each as a seed grant and one startup receiving Rs 1.20 lakh as lease rental assistance. "Startups are not just businesses, they are the biggest engines for creating new jobs and boosting the economic growth of the state," the Chief Minister added. - IANS Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of St Thomas English High School in Gudalur, Nilgiris. His visit has no other political agenda, and he last visited the town during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022. Separately, Gandhi paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, praising his role in elevating Indian culture globally. Vivekananda's 1893 speech in Chicago is noted as a key moment for Hinduism's international perception. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attends a school's golden jubilee in Gudalur and pays tribute to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary. New Delhi, January 13 Congress leader and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is scheduled to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of St Thomas English High School in Gudalur in the Nilgiris on January 13. According to sources, Gandhi has no political agenda scheduled besides a reception hosted by Congress functionaries at the helipad. Rahul last visited Gudalur during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in September 2022, where he addressed a gathering of supporters and praised the scenic beauty of the town in the Western Ghats. He stayed at a private school overnight before leaving for Karnataka. Meanwhile, earlier on Monday, Rahul Gandhi paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his 164th birth anniversary. He highlighted Swami Vivekananda's enduring legacy in elevating Indian culture on the global stage. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "On the birth anniversary of the great ascetic Swami Vivekananda Ji, I offer my humble salutations to him. Swami Vivekananda Ji elevated India's culture onto the global stage through his profound thoughts. His ideals will forever continue to inspire every Indian." Vivekananda, born Narendranath Datta, was a key figure in the renaissance of Hinduism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His fiery eloquence, profound understanding of Eastern and Western philosophies, and unwavering belief in the potential of youth resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. His landmark speech at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893 is widely considered a turning point in the global perception of Hinduism. - ANI Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has extended his greetings to the people on the occasions of Lohri and Makar Sankranti. He stated that these festivals symbolize faith in nature, cultural unity, and the arrival of spring and new harvest. The CM expressed hope that the festivals would remove negativity and spread health and prosperity. Separately, President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her warm greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu, highlighting their significance to agricultural traditions and national unity. Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and President Droupadi Murmu extend festive greetings for Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, and Magh Bihu. Jaipur, January 12 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Lohri and Makar Sankranti. According to an official release, the Chief Minister stated that the festival of Lohri, celebrated to mark the arrival of the spring season and the joy of a new harvest, is a symbol of our faith in nature. He expressed his hope that the sacred fire of Lohri would remove negativity from the lives of the people and spread the light of health and prosperity. The Chief Minister further added that Makar Sankranti, celebrated on the occasion of Lord Surya (the Sun God) entering the northern hemisphere (Uttarayan), infuses positive energy into our lives. This festival is a symbol of our country's rich heritage and cultural unity. On this occasion, Sharma called upon the people of the state to resolve to be industrious with a positive mindset and to help those in need, so that the country and the state can reach new heights of progress, the release noted. Earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu extended her warm greetings to citizens in India and abroad on Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu, which will be celebrated on January 13 and 14. In a message, the President said, "On the auspicious occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu festivals, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians residing within India and abroad." These festivals are a symbol of our rich agricultural traditions and national unity. They are a reflection of our vibrant and diverse cultural heritage. These festivals are an occasion to salute the hard work of our farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation. Through these festivals celebrated across the country, we express our gratitude towards Mother Nature. - ANI Congress MP Manickam Tagore credited former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with truly empowering India's youth by lowering the voting age to 18 and opening doors to technology and modern education. The remarks were made on National Youth Day, celebrated on the birth anniversary of philosopher Swami Vivekananda. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge noted that Rajiv Gandhi had declared Vivekananda's birthday as National Youth Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tributes, highlighting Vivekananda as an enduring inspiration for the nation's youth and their role in building a developed India. Congress leaders highlight Rajiv Gandhi's role in lowering voting age to 18 and opening technology doors for youth on Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. Chennai, January 12 Congress MP Manickam Tagore, on the occasion of National Youth Day, celebrated on the birth anniversary of Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda, on Monday, highlighted the role of Rajiv Gandhi in empowering the youth by lowering the voting age to 18 and who, according to him, "opened the doors of technology, education and modern India to young minds". Tagore highlighted Swami Vivekananda's "timeless" message of courage, character, and service, which, he said, continues to inspire India's youth to rise with confidence and compassion. He also "reaffirmed" the faith in the power of India's youth to shape a just, progressive and inclusive future. Through his X post, he said," On the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, we celebrate National Youth Day. Swamiji's timeless message of courage, character and service continues to inspire India's youth to rise with confidence and compassion. It was Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi who truly empowered the youth of this nation--lowering the voting age to 18, opening the doors of technology, education and modern India to young minds. On National Youth Day, we reaffirm our faith in the power of India's youth to shape a just, progressive and inclusive future." Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in his X post, called Swami Vivekananda "a symbol of Indian life values and an invaluable source of inspiration for our youth."He recalled that "as a tribute to Swami ji's thoughts and ideals, Shri Rajiv Gandhi had declared this day as 'National Youth Day'." Quoting from Vivekananda's Chicago speech, Kharge highlighted its enduring relevance in today's world marked by conflict and intolerance. Through his X post, he said, "Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on National Youth Day. Today is the birth anniversary of India's great thinker and philosopher Swami Vivekananda ji. He is a symbol of Indian life values and an invaluable source of inspiration for our youth. As a tribute to Swami ji's thoughts and ideals, Shri Rajiv Gandhi had declared this day as 'National Youth Day.' Some excerpts from his historic speech delivered at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, America, in 1893, which are still highly relevant today. --'Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence. How many times has this earth been reddened with blood. How many civilizations have been destroyed and how many countries have been ruined. If these terrible demons had not been there, human society would have been much more advanced today, but now their time is over. I am fully confident that the conch sound of this conference today will destroy all dogmas, all kinds of strife, whether by the sword or the pen, and all ill feelings between people.' Swami Vivekananda ji taught humanity important lessons like spiritual development and equality and gave India a distinct identity in the world. Millions of salutations." In addition to members of Congress, party leaders from across the political spectrum paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on National Youth Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Vivekananda as a guiding force for India's youth. He added that Vivekananda's personality and works "continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a developed India," and expressed hope that the day would bring "new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions." Through his X post, he said, "My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda, the powerful source of inspiration for India's youth power, on his birth anniversary. His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a developed India. My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions." Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid homage to Vivekananda, highlighting Vivekananda's global influence. Shah said he "connected the youth of the country with the Indian tradition of knowledge, philosophy, and spirituality, and took its reach to global forums." He further noted that Swami Vivekananda's message of perseverance continues to "awaken a sense of duty and patriotism among the youth and accelerate the construction of a developed India." Through his X post, the Home Minister said, "On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Ji's birth anniversary, I pay my respectful obeisance to him and extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the citizens of the country on 'National Youth Day'. Swami Vivekananda Ji, who connected the youth of the country with the Indian tradition of knowledge, philosophy, and spirituality, and took its reach to global forums, also established ideals of social service through the Ramakrishna Mission. The thoughts of Swami Ji, who gave the message of not stopping before achieving the goal, are awakening a sense of duty and patriotism among the youth and accelerating the construction of a developed India." - ANI A prayer meet was held in Mumbai for Rakesh Chandra Swami, the father-in-law of actor Arjun Bijlani. Numerous television personalities, including Ravie Dubey, Ankita Lokhande, and Mouni Roy, attended to offer condolences. Swami had suffered a brain stroke in late December 2025 and passed away on January 1, 2026. His daughter Neha had previously shared a touching Father's Day tribute highlighting his role in their family. Ravie Dubey, Ankita Lokhande, and other TV celebrities attend a prayer meet for actor Arjun Bijlani's father-in-law, Rakesh Chandra Swami. Mumbai, January 5 A prayer meet for actor Arjun Bijlani's father-in-law, Rakesh Chandra Swami, was held in Mumbai on Monday. From Ravie Dubey, Ankita Lokhande, to Vicky Jain, Isha Malviya, Chetna Pande, and Kanika Maan, several members from the film and television industry attended the prayer meet, paying condolences to Arjun and his wife Neha. According to a source close to the 'Rise and Fall' star, Rakesh Chandra Swami suffered a brain stroke on December 29, 2025, following which he was undergoing treatment in Mumbai. He passed away on January 1, 2026. Rakesh Chandra Swami is survived by his daughter, Neha Swami and his son, Nishank Swami. Last year, on the occasion of Father's Day, Neha shared a heartfelt post for her dad, penning an emotional message for him. She also shared pictures of her father and her son together. "Happy Father's Day to my daddy. I've always admired the way you loved, led, and protected our family. I always hoped Arjun would learn from you -- your strength, your patience, and the way you make fatherhood look like a blessing. A father's love is the foundation of a family, and yours has shaped who I am and what I seek in the people I love. Thank you for being the example every father should strive to be. Love u daddy," she wrote. Aamir Ali, Riddhima Pandit, and Mouni Roy also attended the prayer meet. - ANI Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed confidence that the regional imbalance in the Kalyana Karnataka region will be eliminated within the next ten years. He made the statement while inaugurating development works and highlighted a Rs 906 crore investment in the new Yadrami taluk. The CM accused opposition parties of spreading falsehoods about the state's finances due to its guarantee schemes and contrasted his government's fulfillment of promises with the previous BJP administration's record. He also detailed substantial financial aid provided to farmers affected by crop loss and low sugarcane prices. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah pledges to eliminate regional disparity in Kalyana Karnataka within 10 years, citing major investments and criticizing BJP's record. Kalaburagi, Jan 12 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday expressed confidence that the regional imbalance in Kalyana Karnataka would be eliminated and equality would be achieved within the next ten years. He was speaking after inaugurating the "Prajasoudha", Karnataka Public School (KPS) buildings, and various development works, and distributing benefits to beneficiaries at a programme organised at the KPS School premises in Yadrami by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat and Kalyana Karnataka Development Board, Kalaburagi. To address regional imbalance, Siddaramaiah said recommendations based on the Nanjundappa Committee report had been implemented. A committee headed by Govind Rao has been constituted to study the impact, and its recommendations would be implemented soon, he said. The Chief Minister said that in the newly declared Yadrami taluk under the Jevargi Assembly constituency, foundation stones were laid and works inaugurated for 87 projects worth Rs 906 crore, including the inauguration of works costing Rs 38.29 crore and new projects amounting to Rs 867.49 crore. Siddaramaiah accused opposition parties of spreading falsehoods for political gain. He said they were carrying out misinformation campaigns claiming that the government had no funds for infrastructure projects due to the guarantee schemes. "If the government were bankrupt, it would not have spent Rs 906 crore in the Jevargi constituency alone," he said. The Chief Minister said the government had spent over Rs 1.12 lakh crore and had implemented all schemes promised before the elections within one year of coming to power. He stated that of the 592 promises made in the last election, 243 had already been fulfilled, and the remaining would be implemented during the rest of the term. Recalling the previous Congress government, Siddaramaiah said 158 out of 165 promises had been fulfilled then, along with 30 additional schemes not mentioned in the manifesto. In contrast, he alleged that the BJP, which was in power from 2018, failed to fulfil even 10 per cent of the 600 promises it had made. The Chief Minister said 63 new taluks were declared earlier, but between 2018 and 2023, the BJP provided facilities in only 14 taluks. After coming to power in 2023, the Congress government sanctioned Prajasoudha buildings in 49 taluks, which are now under construction. He added that while the BJP had sanctioned 19 taluks in Kalyana Karnataka, only two buildings were constructed. In contrast, the present government sanctioned 17 taluks and approved 97 Nada Kacheri offices. In Kalyana Karnataka, 39 offices were sanctioned in the first phase and 53 in the second phase. Nada Kacheris have been sanctioned in 25 taluks of the region, he said. Siddaramaiah alleged that the BJP had only indulged in communal politics and was misleading people in the name of communalism and Hindutva. The Chief Minister said that due to excessive rainfall and crop loss, aerial surveys were conducted, and compensation was decided. He said Rs 1,218 crore was released from the SDRF, and an additional Rs 1,031 crore was provided by the state government. "Across the state, 14.21 lakh farmers suffered crop loss, of which 7,21,786 were from Kalyana Karnataka. Compensation of Rs 1,072 crore was provided for crop damage in the region. In Kalaburagi district alone, 3,23,318 farmers suffered losses, and Rs 498 crore was disbursed as compensation," he said. He said funds had been directly credited to farmers' bank accounts. The government also provided Rs 233 crore for tur crops affected by sterility disease. When sugarcane farmers protested over low prices, the government intervened and provided Rs 50 per quintal from the state and Rs 50 from sugar factories, disbursing Rs 300 crore to cane growers. Siddaramaiah said BJP leaders, including then Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, had claimed that Article 371J could not be implemented. However, it was implemented during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh due to the efforts of Mallikarjun Kharge and Dharam Singh, leading to the formation of the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board. He said Rs 13,000 crore had been provided over three years for the region, including Rs 3,000 crore in the current year. - IANS Australias AI funding reached a record $839M in 2025, but capital flowed to just four companies absorbing over $1B combined, according to analysis by Tracxn Whats happening: Australian AI start-ups raised $839M in 2025, making it the most funded year on record, according to Tracxns analysis of the Australian AI ecosystem. However, four companies absorbed over $1B in cumulative funding, with late-stage rounds accounting for all deals exceeding $100M, while the median round size remained at $4M. Why this matters: This capital concentration signals a structural shift where investors favour execution-ready platforms with sovereign relevance over early-cycle experimentation. The funding pattern reflects growing conviction in proven operators whilst maintaining valuation discipline across the broader start-up base, reshaping Australias AI investment landscape. Australias artificial intelligence sector experienced a record funding year in 2025, but beneath the headline figure lies a more complex story of capital concentration and strategic realignment. The $839M raised by Australian AI start-ups represents a sharp departure from previous funding cycles. Rather than distributing capital broadly across the ecosystem, investors consolidated around a limited number of scale-stage companies, according to Tracxns comprehensive analysis released this month. Four companies alone absorbed over $1B in cumulative funding, underscoring what Tracxn describes as a structurally narrow market where scale, sovereign relevance, and capital intensity now dominate allocation decisions. Infrastructure-focused firms led this concentration, with Firmus securing $327M in its Series E and $220M in its Series D, whilst Harrison AI raised $112M in its Series C. Late-stage dominance All rounds exceeding $100M occurred at late stages, reflecting investor preference for proven operators and downside protection. This bifurcated environment shows scale-stage conviction coexisting with cautious early-stage underwriting, even as overall funding volumes expanded sharply. The median round size remained at $4M, indicating continued valuation discipline outside exceptional late-stage rounds. This disparity between mega-rounds and typical funding levels highlights the ecosystems uneven capital formation. Infrastructure captures attention AI infrastructure became the focal point of capital deployment, with $547M raised post-2023, accounting for nearly all infrastructure-layer funding to date. This reflects investor alignment with sovereign compute, energy-linked AI assets, and long-duration infrastructure platforms. Within the application layer, vertical AI solutions attracted $981M in all-time funding. Healthcare and life sciences applications led deployment due to regulatory defensibility and mission-critical adoption. Enterprise AI followed with $200M, whilst consumer AI captured $32M. Firmus co-CEO Oliver Curtis said the company is manufacturing a new class of AI infrastructure, on Australian soil, that is purpose-built for scale, performance, and sustainability. Geographic concentration Sydney-based AI companies accounted for $1.4B in cumulative funding, driven by the presence of late-stage infrastructure and deep-tech players. Melbourne followed with $241M, whilst other cities remained marginal contributors. This hub-dominated national AI market reflects where access to late-stage capital and infrastructure ecosystems outweighed geographic diversification. The pattern suggests investors prioritised established tech hubs over distributing capital across regional centres. Exit dynamics evolve Australia recorded 25 all-time AI exits, with behaviour shifting decisively post-2023. The report notes seven acquisitions compared to just two IPOs in recent years, signalling a maturing, consolidation-driven liquidity environment where strategic buyers have overtaken public markets as the primary exit route. This transition indicates growing commercial maturity, albeit within what Tracxn characterises as a still-narrow liquidity funnel. While IPOs dominated earlier cycles, acquisitions now emerge as the preferred pathway, reflecting increased participation from strategic and international acquirers. The data reveals Australias AI ecosystem transitioning into an infrastructure-anchored, late-stage capital regime. Capital formation remains structurally uneven, favouring execution-ready platforms aligned with sovereign priorities over broad-based ecosystem expansion. Whilst headline funding reached new highs, the concentration around infrastructure and proven scale-stage companies suggests investors have made clear choices about where to deploy capital. This selective underwriting approach, combined with concentrated geographic dominance and consolidation-led exits, defines the current state of Australias AI investment landscape. The report indicates this pattern may persist as infrastructure requirements and sovereign compute considerations continue shaping investor decisions throughout 2026. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Chile's Ambassador to India, Juan Angulo, emphasized India's growing significance on the global stage, praising its leadership of the G20 and its role in Global South initiatives. He explicitly expressed Chile's support for India's aspiration to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The envoy also commented positively on the strengthening India-EU ties, noting the potential finalization of a free trade agreement. Angulo stressed the continued importance of multilateralism, while calling for UN reforms to better reflect contemporary realities. Chilean Ambassador Juan Angulo highlights India's growing international weight, supports its UNSC permanent membership, and praises its G20 leadership. New Delhi, Jan 12 Chile's Ambassador to India, Juan Angulo, on Monday stressed the importance of India in the international arena, and termed it key that nations like India act as intermediation in many sectors in the international agenda. In an interview with IANS, Angulo praised India's leadership of G20, terming it "very substantial and important." He also mentioned that Chile has participated in the Global South initiatives that took place years ago. Asked his opinion on how Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shaped global opinion on important issues, the envoy said: "We think that it's important that countries like India have a voice in the international arena. India is a growing country, it's a country from the south, and more and more, the relative weight of India is important in the international arena. You can see with the visits of international leaders coming to India, the leadership of India in the G20 was very, very substantial, very important, and we have participated very much in the Global South initiatives that took place a couple of years ago. These Global South meetings that India organised, we participated in at the highest levels, in our case. So, we think it is important that countries like India act as intermediation in many areas in the international agenda." Expressing Chile's support for India's bid for permanent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) membership, he termed multilateralism "very important" and said that it is the way to solve and tackle many of the problems that exist in the present time. "India has the aspiration of being a permanent member of the Security Council, and Chile has expressed their willingness to support India in this aspiration. We think that multilateralism is very important and being a medium, low, small-sized country, we believe that multilateralism should be the way to solve and tackle many of the problems in our time. But, of course, multilateralism should also be reviewed in terms of accountability, effectiveness, and the world should better reflect the reality of our times than the reality of 70 or 80 years ago. And of course, we will be promoting a more reformed United Nations system in order to better solve and tackle problems of our times." Asked whether the UN has become irrelevant in today's time, as there is no intervention of the UN in Ukraine, Iran or Venezuela, he responded: "I don't think the UN is irrelevant. They have a lot of work to do. It is important that international organisations can preserve peace and prosperity all over the world." Ambassador Angulo noted that leaders of the European Union will visit India for Republic Day celebrations and stated that the two sides are on the path to fostering trade agreements. On German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to India, he said: "Germany is a very important country within the European Union, but also a global player. I'm happy to see that India is boosting relationships. With India, I see that also at the end of the month, leaders of the European Union will come for the Republic Day. News is that maybe the free trade agreement between India and the European Union will be signed or finalised. We are on the same path in fostering trade agreements and visits, so it is very good." Earlier in the day, PM Modi and German Chancellor Merz held delegation-level talks at the Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar, focusing on enhancing cooperation across various sectors. The two leaders also participated in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront, witnessing the colour, energy and cultural vibrancy of the annual event. Chancellor Merz arrived in India early on Monday on a visit aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations. - IANS A minority rights group has condemned the vandalism of a church in Pakistan's Punjab province, where a cross was broken and a Bible desecrated. The Voice of Pakistan Minority described the act as a deliberate attempt to humiliate the Christian community and a violation of the right to worship without fear. The group highlighted that such incidents are part of a broader pattern of intimidation and violence faced by religious minorities across the country. It called on authorities for transparent prosecution, sustained protection for minority neighborhoods, and accountability for those inciting religious hatred. A rights group condemns the vandalism of a Punjab church as a deliberate assault on Pakistan's Christian community and a pattern of intimidation against religious minorities. Islamabad, Jan 12 A leading minority rights group has condemned the vandalism of a church in Pakistan's Punjab province, where a cross was broken and a Bible desecrated, describing the act as a deliberate attempt to humiliate the Christian community amid a growing pattern of attacks on religious minorities across the country. The Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM) mentioned that on Sunday, Tak Memorial Church, in the village of Preme Nagar in Lahore district of Punjab, was vandalised, calling it an act that appeared less like "mischief" and more like a deliberate message to Christians that "you are not safe, even in your place of prayer". "This attack wasn't only against bricks and wood. It was an assault on the most basic promise a state owes its citizens: the right to worship without fear. Every time a place of worship is violated, it doesn't just injure one community - it chips away at the idea that people of different faiths can live with equal dignity. And when the sacred book of a minority is desecrated, it sends a chilling signal that their sacredness is considered disposable," VOPM stated. According to the rights body, local leaders and community members condemned the vandalism as a violation of religious respect, peace, and tolerance. "Even when an incident is described as 'isolated,' it lands in a countrywide reality where religious minorities have repeatedly faced intimidation, violence, and collective punishment - sometimes triggered by blasphemy allegations, sometimes by mob frenzy, sometimes by extremist incitement. In that context, an attack on a church is not simply vandalism. It is part of a pattern that forces minority communities to live as if normal life can be interrupted at any moment - by a rumour, by a threat, by a crowd, by one person with hate in his hands," the VOPM stressed, highlighting the atrocities against minorities across Pakistan. Asserting that justice cannot be symbolic, the rights body called on Pakistani authorities to identify whether the attacker had support, handlers, or ideological backing, and prosecute the case transparently, not quietly. Additionally, it demanded protection for churches and minority neighbourhoods not just after an outrage, but before the next one and accountability for anyone who incites religious hatred, online or on the street. - IANS A high-level seminar in Rajkot outlined a roadmap to develop Gujarat's blue bio-economy as part of the Viksit Gujarat 2047 vision. The plan emphasizes using biotechnology to transform marine resources into economic prosperity through medicines, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. Seaweed cultivation and modern biotech tools were highlighted as key for employment and enhancing fisheries productivity. Experts underscored the strategy's role in positioning Gujarat as a global biotech hub by 2047 through innovation and startup grants. Gujarat plans to leverage its coastline via blue bio-economy, focusing on marine biotech, seaweed, and startups to become a global hub by 2047. Rajkot, January 12 Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, a high-level seminar on "Roadmap to develop the Blue Bio-economy @Viksit Gujarat 2047" was organised at the Rajkot Regional Vibrant Conference by the Department of Science & Technology and the Department of Biotechnology. In the presence of Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia, an action plan was presented for Gujarat's economic advancement through the technological use of marine resources, according to a release. During the seminar, Modhwadia said, "So far, limited research has been conducted on marine resources and ecosystems. Knowledge about balanced development while conserving marine biodiversity and natural wealth is also limited. At present, some research is underway, and it is commendable that new startups are progressing in this field." Referring to the Prime Minister's special policies for fisheries, he further added, "We must undertake special efforts to enrich the Blue Bio-economy and seize the unique opportunities available in Gujarat to move forward in this area." In the presence of the Minister, special MoUs were signed on biotechnology and the Blue Economy, and new startup products were also launched. With Gujarat having the country's longest coastline, emphasis was placed on transforming this natural wealth into economic prosperity through biotechnology. The seminar discussions highlighted innovative research aimed at producing medicines, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics from marine plants and organisms. Seaweed cultivation was identified as a promising avenue to generate employment and establish processing units, while modern biotech tools were seen as crucial for enhancing productivity in the fisheries sector, the release stated. Experts further emphasized the role of mangroves and marine ecosystems in absorbing carbon dioxide and maintaining environmental balance. They underscored the decisive role of the Blue Bio-economy in positioning Gujarat as a global biotech hub by 2047 through technology and innovation. Provisions for special grants to encourage startups and research were deliberated, along with the need to transition from traditional marine businesses to a knowledge-based Blue Economy. Generating energy from marine waste and conducting research on saline-water plants were also highlighted as key strategies to accelerate Gujarat's development. The seminar witnessed the participation of several distinguished attendees. Rajya Sabha MP Kesridevsinh Zala, Secretary of the Gujarat State Department of Science & Technology Shri P. Bharti, Director of the Gujarat Biotechnology Mission Digvijaysinh Jadeja, and Director General of Gujarat Biotechnology University Subir Majmudar were present. In addition, industry leaders, researchers, and young scientists actively contributed to the deliberations, reinforcing the collaborative spirit behind Gujarat's vision for a sustainable and innovative Blue Bio-economy, the release added. - ANI British aero-engine giant Rolls-Royce is seeking to establish India as its third 'home market' after the UK, signaling a major strategic commitment. This move unlocks significant opportunities in jet engines, naval propulsion, and advanced engineering collaborations. The company aims to at least double its supply chain sourcing from India by 2030, supported by a newly expanded Global Capability and Innovation Centre in the country. The ambition was highlighted during a visit by the Rolls-Royce CEO as part of a UK industry delegation accompanying Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Rolls-Royce plans to position India as a key home market, expanding jet engine and defence partnerships and doubling its supply chain sourcing by 2030. New Delhi, January 12 British aero-engine maker Rolls Royce is looking to position India as its third 'home market' beyond the UK, unlocking exciting opportunities across jet engines, naval propulsion, and more, said the British High Commission in India in a social media post X on Monday. The British High Commission in India said this is a clear reflection of the growing cooperation in advanced engineering and innovation. Notably, India hosts significant market for Rolls-Royce with engineering centres, supply-chain partnerships and collaborations with Indian aerospace and defence entities. Earlier, the Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tufan Erginbilgic had revealed the company's ambitions to make India a "home market", reinforcing the company's long-term commitment to the country. Erginbilgic had visited India as part of the industry delegation accompanying UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his first official visit following the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Rolls-Royce participated in key industry dialogues aimed at strengthening the India-UK economic partnership, aligned with the India-UK Vision 2035. With a nine-decades long legacy and a growing footprint in India, Rolls-Royce has built a robust ecosystem of people, products, capabilities, and partnerships. The company is expanding in-country capabilities through strategic local partnerships and talent development, with the goal of at least doubling its supply chain sourcing from India by 2030. The company recently inaugurated its newly expanded Global Capability and Innovation Centre in India, which houses digital capabilities, enterprise services, and engineering teams supporting Civil Aerospace and Defence. - ANI Rose Byrne won her first Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her role in 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'. In her acceptance speech, she humorously revealed her partner, Bobby Cannavale, missed the ceremony to attend a reptile expo to get a bearded dragon. The film, shot quickly on a small budget, has also earned her awards at the Berlin Film Festival and other critical nominations. She was nominated alongside stars like Emma Stone and Cynthia Erivo. Rose Byrne wins her first Golden Globe for 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' and reveals partner Bobby Cannavale missed it to get a bearded dragon. Los Angeles, January 12 Rose Byrne is a first-time Golden Globe winner! The 46-year-old took home the Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards for her performance in 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'. Marking her first-ever Golden Globe, Byrne, who was initially surprised after hearing her name, told the crowd, "Of course, I didn't prepare anything. I didn't sing in this movie. This is such a shock! We shot this movie in 25 days for like $8.50," while thanking the film's writer-director, Mary Bronstein. While offering special nods to her family, including brother George for accompanying her to the ceremony, Byrne went on to explain why her longtime partner Bobby Cannavale could not show up as her date on Sunday night. "I want to thank my husband, who couldn't be here because we are getting a bearded dragon, and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey. So, thank you. Thank you, baby," she playfully said in her acceptance speech. Rose Byrne was nominated in the category alongside Cynthia Erivo (Wicked: For Good), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee), and Emma Stone (Bugonia). She has been lately receiving the best reviews for essaying the character of Linda in 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You', even racking up nominations at the Critics Choice Awards, Actors Awards, Spirit Awards, and more. Besides a Sundance premiere a year ago, the film also earned her the Best Leading Performance trophy at the Berlin Film Festival. 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' follows the story of Linda, who starts to lose her mind while her husband is away and her mysteriously ill daughter is hooked up to a constantly beeping medical device. Others in the cast are Conan O'Brien, Danielle Macdonald, Delaney Quinn, Christian Slater, and A$AP Rocky. Meanwhile, Timothee Chalamet also took home his first Golden Globe, winning the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for 'Marty Supreme'. - ANI Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy states that Russia has been suffering losses of at least 1,000 soldiers killed every day since December, a heavy price paid to prolong the conflict. He calls the situation "madness" and asserts only a combined force from Europe, the United States, and international partners can stop it. This plea follows a massive Russian aerial assault involving hundreds of drones and missiles that killed civilians and damaged infrastructure. Zelenskyy emphasized that every day of war is a reminder the world must protect itself from aggressive regimes. Ukrainian President reports 1,000 Russian soldiers killed daily, calls for united Western force to stop Putin's "madness" in ongoing war. Kyiv, January 12 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said that Russia has been suffering losses of no less than 1,000 soldiers killed every day since December, asserting that the country is paying a heavy price "just to keep the war from ending". Calling the situation "madness," Zelenskyy urged the United States, Europe, and international partners to unite in stopping Russia, stressing that the ongoing conflict highlights the world's failure to protect itself from aggressive regimes. "Right now, Russian losses amount to no less than 1,000 killed per day - and this has been the case since December. This is how Russia is essentially paying just to keep the war from ending. This is madness and it can only be stopped by combined forces - the forces of Europe and the United States, the forces of all our partners," Zelenskyy said. "Every day of this war is a reminder that the world cannot protect itself from madmen. We must protect it. Russia must be stopped," he said. The Ukrainian President expressed gratitude to countries and partners supporting Ukraine militarily. "Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine! Thank you to everyone who helps our people, our defense, and our recovery! Glory to Ukraine!" he said. Earlier on Friday, Zelenskyy said that Russia carried out a massive overnight aerial assault on Ukraine, launching 242 drones, 13 ballistic missiles and 22 cruise missiles, killing at least four people and injuring dozens. In a post on X, Zelenskyy said the strikes heavily targeted Kyiv and several other regions in the country, damaging civilian infrastructure and energy facilities during a period of severe cold, as the war continues in Eastern Europe for the last four years. He confirmed that at least four people were killed in the capital alone, including a member of an ambulance crew. "In Kyiv and the region, the aftermath of the massive Russian strike is still being dealt with. All necessary services are deployed. Twenty residential buildings alone were damaged," Zelenskyy said, adding that recovery operations are ongoing in the Lviv region and other parts of the country. The Ukrainian President said dozens of people were injured in the attacks and noted that Russia carried out a second strike on a residential building precisely when first responders were providing assistance after the initial attack. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi accompanied German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on a visit to the historic Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. Both leaders paid floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's statue and visited his former residence, Hriday Kunj, observing the spinning of a charkha. The visit highlighted the global resonance of Gandhi's principles of truth, non-violence, and self-reliance. Chancellor Merz's trip aims to bolster the strategic partnership between India and Germany during his two-day official visit. PM Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Sabarmati Ashram, paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, and reflected on his enduring ideals. Ahmedabad, January 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday visited the historic Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad along with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, recalling the enduring global influence of Mahatma Gandhi's ideals. In a post on X, the Prime Minister said that Sabarmati Ashram stands as a powerful reminder of Gandhiji's principles, which have inspired and strengthened countless people across the world. He added that the visit with Chancellor Merz took place earlier in the morning in Ahmedabad. "Sabarmati Ashram stands as a powerful reminder of Mahatma Gandhi's ideals which have given strength to countless people around the world. In Ahmedabad this morning, went to Sabarmati Ashram with the Chancellor of Germany, Mr. Friedrich Merz," the post read. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Gandhi Ashram, located on the banks of the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, both dignitaries offered floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and paid heartfelt homage, a release from Gujarat CMO said. The Prime Minister and the German Chancellor also visited Hriday Kunj, Mahatma Gandhi's residence within the Ashram, and observed the process of spinning the charkha. During the visit to Gandhi Ashram, both leaders expressed deep respect for Gandhiji's simple way of life, his message of self-reliance, and the values of truth and non-violence. On the occasion of this visit to Gandhi Ashram, Governor Acharya Devvratji, Chief Secretary M. K. Das, Sabarmati Ashram Chairperson Kartikeya Sarabhai, Chairman of the Sabarmati Ashram Redevelopment Committee I. P. Gautam, Ahmedabad Collector Sujeet Kumar, members of the German delegation, and eminent personalities associated with Gandhi Ashram were present, a release stated. Meanwhile, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is currently on a two-day official visit to India, marking the first such visit since assuming office. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. - ANI US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning that the country would be "screwed" and face a "complete mess" costing trillions if the Supreme Court rules against his administration's tariff policies. The Court is set to rule on whether Trump could legally use emergency powers to impose tariffs without congressional approval. A ruling against Trump could force the rollback of his "Liberation Day" tariffs and undermine recent US trade deals with allies like the EU and UK. Trump argues the financial repayments and disruptions would be so vast they would take years to untangle. Trump warns of trillion-dollar losses if SCOTUS rules against his tariff policies, saying the US would be "screwed" and face a global economic mess. Washington DC, January 13 US President Donald Trump on Monday said that the Country would be "screwed" if the Supreme Court rules against his administration's tariff policies, calling such a scenario a "complete mess" that could cost trillions of dollars in loss. Trump's remarks come as the Supreme Court is expected to release opinions on Wednesday, with potential rulings on Trump's tariffs. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the amounts that the US could be forced to repay would run into "many Hundreds of Billions of Dollars". "The actual numbers that we would have to pay back if, for any reason, the Supreme Court were to rule against the United States of America on Tariffs, would be many Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and that doesn't include the amount of 'payback' that Countries and Companies would require for the Investments they are making on building Plants, Factories, and Equipment, for the purpose of being able to avoid the payment of Tariffs," Trump said in his post. "When these Investments are added, we are talking about Trillions of Dollars! It would be a complete mess, and almost impossible for our Country to pay," he added. Trump also pushed back against suggestions that any such financial liabilities could be resolved quickly, calling them misleading. "Anybody who says that it can be quickly and easily done would be making a false, inaccurate, or totally misunderstood answer to this very large and complex question," he said. Emphasising the scale of the issue, the US President said that even if repayment were possible, it would take years to determine the exact amounts and beneficiaries. "It may not be possible but, if it were, it would be Dollars that would be so large that it would take many years to figure out what number we are talking about and even, who, when, and where, to pay. Remember, when America shines brightly, the World shines brightly," he said, before adding, "In other words, if the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza, WE'RE SCREWED!" he wrote. Meanwhile, the legal decision could redefine Trump's presidential authority over trade and reshape global economic relations. The case, Learning Resources Vs Trump, will determine whether a U.S. president can invoke emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs without congressional approval. The outcome could have sweeping implications for Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs and for global trade policy. According to a note by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), if the Supreme Court rules against Trump, it could force the administration to withdraw tariffs imposed under IEEPA. It stated, "Such a ruling would mean all 'Liberation Day' tariffs--and subsequent rate hikes--lack a lawful basis. The administration would have to roll them back or face injunctions halting their collection. "Trump could attempt to reimpose similar tariffs under Section 301 or Section 232, but those statutes require new investigations and public justification, delaying action and inviting further legal challenges. GTRI noted that if the Supreme Court strikes down Trump's use of emergency powers, the ruling would have far-reaching implications beyond the US. The decision would undermine the foundations of several recently negotiated trade arrangements with key partners, including the European Union, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. - ANI Sri Lanka leveled the three-match T20I series 1-1 with a 14-run victory over Pakistan in a rain-affected match in Dambulla. Captain Dasun Shanaka provided a stunning late burst, hammering 34 runs off just 9 balls to propel Sri Lanka to 160/6 in their 12 overs. In reply, Pakistan's chase of 161 was anchored by Salman Agha's 45 but fell short at 146/8, thanks largely to Wanindu Hasaranga's three-wicket haul. The series opener was won by Pakistan, while the second match was abandoned due to rain. Dasun Shanaka's explosive 9-ball 34 and Wanindu Hasaranga's 3-wicket haul power Sri Lanka to a 14-run win over Pakistan in rain-hit T20I. Dambulla, January 12 Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by 14 runs in the rain-affected 3rd T20I to level the three-match series 1-1 on Sunday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Sri Lankan batters, especially captain Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage and Kamil Mishara, were the chief architects of Sri Lanka's win, while Wanindu Hasaranga's three-wicket haul helped the hosts restrict Pakistan's chase. Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first in a match that was reduced to 12 overs per side due to rain. Opening the batting for Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka fell early as he was dismissed for a two-ball duck by Pakistan ace pacer Naseem Shah. Kamil Mishara (20 off eight balls) followed soon, making Sri Lanka's score 20-2 in 1.5 overs. However, Kusal Mendis (30 off 16 balls) and Dhananjaya de Silva (22 off 15 balls) posted a quick recovery, taking Sri Lanka to the score of 54 in five overs. Charith Asalanka, too, contributed with a 13-ball 21, but it was captain Dasun Shanaka, who provided the host with a much-needed blitz, smashing a 9-ball 34 runs, hitting five sixes and helping Sri Lanka to reach the total of 160/6 in 12 overs. Shanaka compiled a 15-ball 52-run partnership with Janith Liyanage (22 off eight balls). Pakistan's Mohammad Wasim Jr grabbed three wickets but gave away 54 runs in three overs. Chasing 161, Pakistan were jolted early as opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for nine runs by Sri Lanka's Eshan Malinga. However, captain Salman Agha blasted a 12-ball 45-run innings to take Sri Lanka over the 60-run threshold inside four overs, slamming three sixes and four boundaries. However, Agha, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan lost their wickets in quick succession as Sri Lanka reduced Pakistan to 67/3 in 4.5 overs, marking a critical moment in the match. Mohammad Nawaz (28 runs off 15 balls) and Khawaja Nafay (26 off 15 balls) made efforts to revive Pakistan's chase as they formed a 49-run partnership, but after their wickets, Pakistan could not put up much of a fightback as they ended with 146/8 in 12 overs, losing the match by 14 runs. For Sri Lanka, Wanindu Hasaranga emerged as the key strike bowler, finishing with 4-35 in three overs. Matheesha Pathirana also chipped in with two wickets. With the win, Sri Lanka levelled the three-match T20I series 1-1 with Pakistan having won the series opener earlier. The second T20I was abandoned due to rain. - ANI Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for extensive pre-Budget discussions on agriculture and rural development. He submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations compiled from interactions with farmers, experts, and institutions across the country. Chouhan expressed confidence that the upcoming budget will be a milestone in realizing PM Modi's vision for prosperous farmers and empowered villages. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed that Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, a Sunday, with the session running from January 28 to April 2. Union Agri Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets FM Nirmala Sitharaman for pre-Budget consultations, submits recommendations for farmers and rural development. New Delhi, Jan 12 Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and held extensive pre-Budget consultations on various aspects related to agriculture and rural development. He expressed confidence that the Budget for financial year 2026-27 will prove to be a milestone in realising the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve of 'Prosperous Farmers, Empowered Villages'. Chouhan visited various states across the country and, apart from the states, has also held wide-ranging interactions in Delhi with progressive farmers, agricultural experts, Self-Help Groups, cooperative institutions, rural industries, and senior representatives of national-level institutions related to both the ministries. "The ideas and suggestions emerging from these discussions were compiled into a comprehensive set of recommendations on agriculture and rural development, which he submitted to the Finance Minister," said an official statement. Chouhan said that under the leadership of PM Modi, the Central government is continuously working to make rural India self-reliant and prosperous. Under the Prime Minister's capable and visionary leadership, the upcoming Union Budget will be encouraging for farmers and rural communities, he stated. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has confirmed that FM Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, which happens to be a Sunday. The Finance Minister will begin the presentation of the Budget at 11 a.m. in the lower house on February 1, the Speaker said in response to a question at a press conference. The Budget Session of the Parliament will commence on January 28 and will continue till April 2. There was some uncertainty on the exact date as the usual date of February 1 for the presentation of the budget fell on a Sunday this year. The Lok Sabha Speaker has now clarified the issue. - IANS Working capital expert James Beeson explains how Payday Super reforms starting July 1 will fundamentally change cashflow management for thousands of businesses. Whats happening: From July 1, 2026, Australian employers must pay superannuation alongside wages rather than quarterly, with funds reaching employee accounts within seven business days. The reform removes the historical three-month payment buffer, creating cashflow adjustments for businesses. Why this matters: Early planning enables companies to adjust debtor processes, arrange funding and avoid disruption as payment cycles accelerate. Small and medium-sized enterprises face a significant adjustment when the federal governments Payday Super reforms come into effect on July 1 this year. James Beeson, Chief Executive Officer of working capital specialists Earlypay, urges SMEs to begin preparing for the Payday Super reforms now, as superannuation payments shift from quarterly employer payments to every payroll. The reform requires employers to pay Superannuation Guarantee (SG) contributions alongside wages, with funds received by an employees super account within seven business days of payday, subject to limited exceptions. These rules will be administered by the Australian Taxation Office. Understanding the reform The Treasury Department explains the reform is designed to make it easier for employees to spot missed contributions sooner, and to get funds into super earlier so balances can benefit from compounding. Treasury has also outlined limited exceptions, including a deferral for a new employees first two weeks and for small, irregular out-of-cycle payments. Failure to comply will result in the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC), comprising the unpaid super, interest charges and administrative fees, with late payments not tax-deductible. The ATO has also confirmed that, as part of the reform, the ATOs Small Business Superannuation Clearing House will be closed from July 1, with access already restricted for new users since late last year. Cashflow implications explained Beeson said whilst most commentary has focused on compliance, the bigger issue for many operators is the forced change to the cashflow system that sits underneath payroll. Quarterly super has historically acted as an unofficial cash buffer for thousands of businesses as Super could be paid with up to a three-month delay, Beeson said. Moving to Payday Super removes that buffer overnight. If you run weekly or fortnightly payroll but get paid by customers on more than 30-day terms, you suddenly have a liquidity mismatch, which is a huge challenge for any business. Christopher White, Chief Executive Officer of specialised business services company Pay Australia, agrees that Payday Super is more than a compliance adjustment, as it removes the quarterly cash float many SMEs have quietly relied on. With the superannuation guarantee equating to 12 per cent of ordinary time earnings, employers will feel faster, more frequent outflows, and a one-off working-capital hit roughly equal to a quarters contributions, White said. Beeson said the reform lands on top of rising wages, insurance premiums, input costs and tax obligations, creating a permanent layer of cashflow compression across the economy. This will be the great cashflow compression of 2026, he said. Even for businesses with strong accounting profitability, if cash is arriving later but obligations are due sooner, the stress shows up fast. Strategic preparation steps Beeson said Earlypay has unique visibility into real-world working capital cycles because it finances invoices across multiple industries and tracks debtor days and payment behaviours in practice. We can quantify how payroll obligations collide with receivable cycles, and we can see early warning signs well before they become distress, Beeson said. The question for SMEs is not just how do I comply, but how do I reshape my working capital structure so I can comply without starving the business of cash. White recommends seeking specialist guidance early to understand the specific impact on individual businesses. The smartest move is getting specialist advice early talk to your payroll provider, accountant or finance broker to model the cash impact, White said. With the right plan, SMEs can tighten debtor processes, line up funding if needed, and avoid last-minute disruption and penalties. Expert recommendations Understanding the mechanics of the reform helps businesses prepare strategically. The shift from quarterly to per-payroll payments affects different businesses in different ways depending on their customer payment terms, payroll frequency and existing working capital structure. For businesses with weekly or fortnightly payroll cycles but customer payment terms extending beyond 30 days, the timing mismatch becomes particularly significant. The reform essentially accelerates when superannuation obligations must be met, whilst customer payment cycles remain unchanged. Earlypay recommends SMEs get ahead of the change by reviewing their cashflow and payroll systems now to ensure they can support more frequent super payments alongside wages. The preparation process involves several key considerations. Businesses should model their specific cashflow impact based on their payroll frequency, current superannuation obligations and customer payment terms. This modelling helps quantify the working capital adjustment required. Understanding debtor processes and whether they can be tightened represents another important consideration. Faster collection of customer payments helps offset the acceleration of superannuation obligations. For businesses where the timing mismatch creates genuine liquidity challenges, exploring funding options before July 1 provides a buffer. This might include invoice financing, working capital facilities or other arrangements that smooth the transition period. The reform also requires reviewing and potentially upgrading payroll systems to handle more frequent superannuation payments. Ensuring systems can track and process payments correctly becomes essential for compliance. White emphasizes that early action provides more options. Waiting until June means scrambling. Starting now means you can model scenarios, test solutions and implement changes methodically rather than reactively. The reform represents a permanent change to how superannuation obligations are managed. Understanding the implications now and preparing strategically helps businesses navigate the transition without disrupting operations or facing penalties for non-compliance. For many SMEs, the adjustment will require rethinking working capital management fundamentals. The businesses that approach this as a strategic planning exercise rather than a simple compliance task will be better positioned to manage the transition successfully. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Arunachal Pradesh Governor KT Parnaik met with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang during a two-day official visit to Gangtok. The Governor praised Sikkim's achievement as the cleanest state in India and commended the professionalism of the Sikkim Police. He highlighted the shared biodiversity, cultural heritage, and tourism potential between the two Himalayan states, calling for enhanced cooperation. The visit also included the Governor serving as Chief Guest at the 65th Raising Day celebrations of the Black Cat Division, which featured vibrant cultural performances. Arunachal Governor KT Parnaik meets Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, commends state's cleanliness achievement and discusses border security cooperation. Gangtok, January 12 Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Monday called on the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lt General KT Parnaik, who is on a two-day official visit to Sikkim at Lok Bhavan, Gangtok. The Governor commended the Chief Minister for Sikkim's remarkable achievement of becoming the cleanest State in the country. He lauded the State Government's sustained focus on cleanliness, environmental conservation, and civic responsibility, noting that these efforts reflect a strong sense of public discipline and collective ownership among the people. The Governor also appreciated the professionalism, efficiency, and people-friendly approach of the Sikkim Police, observing that a responsive and humane policing system greatly contributes to public trust, safety, and social harmony. Highlighting the deep commonalities between Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the Governor said that both Himalayan States are blessed with rich biodiversity, vibrant ethnic cultures, unique traditions, and immense tourism potential. He specifically referred to shared strengths in eco-tourism, orchids, and the preservation of flora and fauna. Acknowledging the cordial and constructive relationship between the Chief Ministers of the two States, the Governor expressed hope that this goodwill would translate into enhanced cooperation in areas such as sustainable tourism, environmental conservation, cultural exchanges, capacity-building, and people-to-people connect, for the mutual benefit of both states. Drawing on his experience as the former Commander of the 17 Mountain Division in Sikkim, the Governor shared his perspectives on the evolving security dynamics in the region, particularly given that both States share sensitive international borders. He also discussed the evolving nature of security challenges and emphasised the importance of continued vigilance, coordination, and preparedness. The Governor underscored that close cooperation between civil administration and security agencies, along with proactive inter-State coordination, remains vital to maintaining peace, stability, and development in the Himalayan region. On the other hand, Black Cat Division commemorated its 65th Raising Day (1960-2026) with ceremonial dignity and cultural vibrancy during a special programme held at Sagat Singh Auditorium in Gangtok and the Arunachal Pradesh Governor graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, accompanied by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Black Cat Division Major General Mahipal Singh Rathore and other Serving as well as veterans associated with the Division. Widely known as the Sentinels of Sikkim, the Black Cat Division marked the milestone with a celebration that seamlessly blended time-honoured military tradition with the state's rich cultural heritage. Senior Army officers, Commanders and invited dignitaries were present on the occasion, reflecting the strong bond of Civil-Military cooperation and mutual respect that the Division has fostered over decades of service in the region. A major highlight of the evening was a series of vibrant cultural performances showcasing Sikkim's diverse communities. Traditional Bhutia, Lepcha and Nepali dances were presented, along with the iconic Yak Dance, drawing enthusiastic applause from the audience. The programme was further enriched by an enthralling performance by the Lepcha folk band Sofiyum, whose soulful music added a distinctive cultural resonance to the celebrations. Adding a deeply traditional and spiritual dimension to the evening, monks from the Palace Monastery performed sacred ritual dances, creating a solemn yet uplifting atmosphere for the programme. In recognition of their contributions, Bhawani Ghimirey, OSD, Culture Department and Ms Yangzum Lepcha of the Culture Department, Government of Sikkim, were felicitated for facilitating the cultural performances. Artists who were honoured included Ms Binita Lagun for the Maruni Dance, Mr Jigmee Bhutia for the Bhutia Dance, Yanchen Lepcha for the Lepcha Dance, Tempo Bhutia for the Yak Dance and Mikmar Lepcha of the Lepcha folk band Sofiyum. The programme also acknowledged the spiritual and cultural inspiration drawn from Tulku Loday of the Palace Monastery. The Raising Day celebration not only paid tribute to six and a half decades of dedicated service rendered by the Black Cat Division in the country's most geo-strategic important location, but also celebrated Sikkim's living traditions, reinforcing the enduring bond between the Indian Army and the people of the region. - ANI Varun Dhawan has explained that he and his wife Natasha Dalal have chosen not to publicly reveal their daughter Lara's face. The actor believes the decision to engage with social media should be Lara's own when she is older. Dhawan is currently promoting his upcoming film 'Border 2', which is based on the 1971 war and features a large ensemble cast. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on January 23. Varun Dhawan explains his decision to not show daughter Lara's face, saying social media should be her choice. He also discusses his upcoming film 'Border 2'. Mumbai, January 6 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 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla stated that solutions to parliamentary stalemates should be found through dialogue between the treasury and opposition benches. He highlighted India's hosting of the largest-ever Commonwealth Speakers' Conference, which will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Birla also addressed an ongoing investigation into a complaint about an MP allegedly using an e-cigarette in the House, vowing action to uphold dignity. The conference itself is being conducted as a paperless event utilizing a specially developed app and web system. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasizes dialogue to resolve parliamentary deadlocks and details the upcoming Commonwealth Speakers' Conference in India. New Delhi, January 13 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said that the a solution should be found through dialogue to any stalemate in the House between the treasury benches and the opposition parties and that the Parliament should send a message not only to the people of the country but also abroad through healthy, meaningful discussions. Answering queries during a press conference here on the upcoming Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth, he also said that steps have been taken to cut down on wasteful expenditure and capabilities and capacity of the staff are being enhanced. The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, being hosted by Parliament of India will be the largest CSPOC in terms of participation. The conference will be held from January 14 to 16 will discuss shared parliamentary values, democratic governance and institutional cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference on January 15 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Parliament House Complex. Speaker Om Birla is the Chairperson of this Conference. "The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth being hosted by India will have the largest participation," Birla said. He said that work related to the conference has been done online and paper has not been used. He said an app has been developed to enable all aspects of conference coordination, facilitation and information dissemination. A web-based event management system has been developed. Answering queries, he said there will be no participation from Pakistan and Bangladesh does not have a Speaker at present with general elections scheduled to take place next month. The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth (CSPOC) was created in 1969 as an initiative of then Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Lucien Lamoureux. Since its inception, Canada has provided CSPOC with a secretariat to support its activities. Answering another query, the Speaker said that the process of investigation into the complaint against a Trinamool Congress MP of having resorted to using e-cigarette in the House is being completed and asserted that it is responsibility of all members to increase the dignity of the House. "The process of investigation is in the direction of being completed. As soon as the investigation process is completed, the action plan will be made and will go to the committee, and the process will be completed. It will not be possible for anyone to spoil the dignity of the House. It is a responsibility... You will have to maintain decorum inside the House and the one who does not maintain decorum will be punished under the rules and procedures of the Parliament. Action will be taken. Action will be taken as per the rules," he said. The Speaker was answering a query on the probe into the E-cigarette complaint against a TMC MP, made during the winter session of Parliament by BJP MP Anurag Thakur. Anurag Thakur complained that a TMC MP had been smoking E-cigarette in the House in violation of rules. He had said E-cigarettes have been banned in the country and asked if they have been allowed in the House. The Speaker had responded firmly, saying that no rule allows any MP to smoke inside the house. "If such an incident is brought to my notice with clarity, appropriate action will follow," Birla said. He promised to look into the incident after Anurag Thakur submitted a written complaint about the alleged smoking incident to the Speaker. - ANI South Korean police and military officials have formed a joint investigation team to probe North Korea's claims that Seoul sent surveillance drones across the border in September and on January 4. The South Korean defense ministry has firmly denied any military involvement in the alleged incursions. Investigators are exploring the possibility that private entities operated the drones, which experts say appear to be built with low-cost commercial parts. Despite the accusations, South Korea's unification ministry reaffirmed its commitment to easing tensions and building trust with the North. South Korean police and military launch a joint investigation into North Korea's claims of drone incursions, which Seoul denies. Seoul, Jan 12 South Korean Police and military officials launched a joint investigation on Monday to investigate North Korea's claims of drone incursions across the inter-Korean border. On Saturday, the North's military claimed that South Korea violated the North's sovereignty by sending drones into its territory in September and on January 4, but Seoul's defence ministry denied the claim. The joint team of some 30 police and military officials has started investigating the alleged incursions, according to the National Police Agency's National Office of Investigation. South Korea's military has denied sending the drones or operating the models allegedly found in the North, raising the possibility that private entities may have been behind them. Police are reportedly prioritising looking into past cases involving drones similar to the model unveiled by North Korea. Experts have rejected the drones in question were operated by the military, saying they appear to use low-cost commercial parts unfit for military purposes. Some have said the drones appear similar to a model from Chinese drone manufacturer Skywalker Technology, Yonhap news agency reported. Earlier in the day, the South Korean government will continue efforts to ease tensions and build trust with North Korea despite Pyongyang's recent claim accusing Seoul of carrying out drone incursions into the country, the unification ministry said. Unification ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho made the remarks after President Lee Jae Myung ordered last week the creation of a joint military-police investigation team to look into the alleged drone incursions. On Sunday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, demanded that Seoul provide a detailed explanation, a day after the North Korean military claimed that the South violated the North's sovereignty by sending drones carrying surveillance equipment in September and on January 4. "It's important to continue efforts to alleviate tensions and build trust between the South and the North through prompt truth-finding by the investigation team," the spokesperson said in a press briefing. Yoon also reaffirmed Seoul's stance that it has no intention of provoking or irritating North Korea. The South Korean military has denied sending the drones on the dates claimed by the North or operating the models found in the North, raising the possibility that they may have been flown by private entities. - IANS South Korea's unification ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to easing tensions with North Korea despite Pyongyang's accusations of drone incursions. The North Korean military, supported by Kim Yo-jong's demands for an explanation, claims sovereignty violations and has threatened retaliation. In response, Seoul has denied operating the drones and has formed a joint investigation team to ascertain the facts. The South Korean military suggests the drones may have been flown by private entities, not official forces. South Korea reaffirms efforts to build trust with North Korea, denying allegations of drone incursions and launching a joint investigation. Seoul, Jan 12 The South Korean government will continue efforts to ease tensions and build trust with North Korea despite Pyongyang's recent claim accusing Seoul of carrying out drone incursions into the country, the unification ministry said on Monday. Unification ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho made the remarks after President Lee Jae Myung ordered last week the creation of a joint military-police investigation team to look into the alleged drone incursions. On Sunday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, demanded that Seoul provide a detailed explanation, a day after the North Korean military claimed that the South violated the North's sovereignty by sending drones carrying surveillance equipment in September and on January 4. "It's important to continue efforts to alleviate tensions and build trust between the South and the North through prompt truth-finding by the investigation team," the spokesperson said in a press briefing. Yoon also reaffirmed Seoul's stance that it has no intention of provoking or irritating North Korea, Yonhap news agency reported. The South Korean military has denied sending the drones on the dates claimed by the North or operating the models found in the North, raising the possibility that they may have been flown by private entities. On Saturday, North Korea had claimed that South Korea infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September last year and earlier this week, saying that Seoul should be ready to 'pay a high price' for what it called a provocation. But South Korea's defence ministry had rejected Pyongyang's claim, saying the South's military did not operate drones on the dates asserted by the North. A spokesperson of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army issued a statement denouncing South Korea as 'the most hostile' enemy, insisting that Seoul has continued to stage provocative acts, contradicting its overtures for dialogue with Pyongyang, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "The Republic of Korea (ROK) should be ready to pay a high price for having committed another provocation of infringing on the sovereignty of the DPRK with a drone," the spokesperson said, referring to South Korea by its official name. DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. - IANS India is hosting the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in New Delhi, which Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirms will be the largest edition in terms of participation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference on January 15 at the Parliament House Complex. The conference will discuss key topics including the role of AI in parliaments, the impact of social media on parliamentarians, and strategies to enhance public engagement. The event is being conducted as a paperless conference utilizing a dedicated app and web-based management system. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla chairs the 28th CSPOC in Delhi, with PM Modi inaugurating. Over 42 countries to discuss AI, democracy. New Delhi, January 12 The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, being hosted by the Parliament of India, will be the largest CSPOC in terms of participation. Addressing a press conference here, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the conference, to be held from January 14 to 16, will discuss shared parliamentary values, democratic governance and institutional cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference on January 15 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Parliament House Complex. Speaker Om Birla is the Chairperson of the Conference. "The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth, being hosted by India, will have the largest participation," Birla said. He said that work related to the conference has been done online and no paper has been used. The Speaker said an app has been developed to enable all aspects of conference coordination, facilitation and information dissemination. A web-based event management system has been developed. In response to queries, he said there will be no participation from Pakistan and that Bangladesh does not have a Speaker at present, with general elections scheduled for next month. Answering queries, he said at least 42 countries have confirmed their participation in the conference. The 27th edition of CSPOC was hosted by Uganda in January 2024 and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh and Leader of IPD to that conference, had taken over from Uganda as the host of 28th edition of CSPOC to be held in India in 2026. The Standing Committee meeting, which oversees CSPOC activities, will be held on January 14. Lok Sabha Speaker will chair the meeting of the CSPOC Standing Committee to be held at the Red Fort in Delhi. The members of the Standing Committee will be taken around the Red Fort and a light and sound programme has been arranged for them. The Lok Sabha Speaker will host a dinner in their honour at the Red Fort premises at 7.30 pm. After inaugurating the conference, PM Modi will interact informally with the Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth. The topics to be discussed at the conference include 'AI in Parliament: Balancing innovation, Oversight and Adaptation', 'Social media and its impact on Parliamentarians', 'Innovative strategies to enhance public understanding of Parliament and citizen's participation beyond voting' and 'Security, Health and wellbeing of Members of Parliament and parliamentary officials'. The Special Plenary Session will discuss the role of Speakers and Presiding Officers in maintaining strong democratic institutions. Lok Sabha Speaker will deliver keynot address. Lok Sabha Speaker has been the Chairperson of CSPOC since the end of 27th CSPOC in Uganda in January 2024. He will hand over the Chair to Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons. The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth (CSPOC) was created in 1969 as an initiative of then Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Lucien Lamoureux. Since its inception, Canada has provided CSPOC with a secretariat to support its activities. CSPOC brings together Speakers and Presiding Officers of 53 national parliaments of sovereign states of the Commonwealth. CSPOC is an independent group with no formal affiliation with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Commonwealth Secretariat or the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM). However, its membership is the same as that of CPA. The conference aims to maintain, foster, and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments. It also seeks to promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms and to develop parliamentary institutions. CSPOC operates on a two-year cycle, holding a conference of the full membership every two years, usually early in January, and a meeting of the Standing Committee at the same time in the intervening year. The decision to host the 28th CSPOC in India was taken, in consultation with MEA, during the 25th CSPOC held in Ottawa in January 2020. Om Birla had led the Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) to this conference. President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Dr Tulia Ackson, and Chairperson of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Dr Christopher Kalila, are among the special invitees to the Delhi conference. As part of the CSPOC tradition, a post-conference tour to Jaipur will be organised for the visiting delegates on January 17 and 18. - ANI A special seminar on land conservation and sustainability was held in Rajkot as part of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference. Forest Minister Arjun Modhwadia linked Gandhian ideals and PM Modi's initiatives to Gujarat's environmental efforts, highlighting successes like the return of lions to Barda. Technical sessions focused on strategies for Asiatic lion landscape restoration and reviving the Banni grasslands of Kutch. The conference aimed to align regional economic ambitions with the global goal of natural resource conservation. At Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, experts discussed land degradation neutrality, lion landscape restoration, and Banni Grassland conservation. Rajkot, January 12 As the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra zones is being organised in Rajkot under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, a special seminar on the theme 'Conference on Land Degradation Neutrality and Sustainability' was organised by the Forest and Environment Department at Marwadi University. Forest and Environment Minister Arjun Modhwadia was present on the occasion. Modhwadia said that Rajkot is closely linked to Gandhiji's life and ideals, and that Gandhiji's vision of balanced and sustainable development offers strong guidance for nature conservation. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is turning environmental challenges into opportunities through visionary initiatives. Emphasising Gujarat's diversity of sea, mountains and deserts, he said balanced development is essential. He also highlighted the return of lions to Barda Sanctuary with a family of 17, the reappearance of tigers in Ratanmahal, and stressed that increasing green cover requires public participation along with high-quality nurseries. In this seminar organised by the Gujarat State Forest Department, two major technical sessions were held on important aspects of environment and wildlife conservation: 1. Lion Landscape Restoration & Sustainability and 2. Banni Grassland Restoration & Sustainability. In these sessions, discussions were held on strategies to preserve the natural habitat of Asiatic lions and ensure their sustainable development. Experts also provided guidance on restoring the ecosystem and conserving the world-famous Banni grasslands of Kutch. In this conference, organised with the theme 'Regional Aspirations, Global Ambitions', senior officials of the Forest and Environment Department and experts from the fields of science and technology discussed how economic development can be linked with the conservation of Gujarat's natural resources. During the programme, forest department officials also provided information on various schemes and achievements of the state government for preventing land erosion and rehabilitating wastelands. The GFRF book was released by the Minister. - ANI Students and teachers at Assam Jatiya Bidyalay in Guwahati celebrated the pre-Magh Bihu festival by burning the traditional Meji and offering prayers. The school's management emphasized the importance of showcasing traditional Bihu culture to students, especially those who cannot travel home for the festivities. Separately, Purabi Dairy celebrated the occasion by highlighting a year of significant growth in milk procurement and cooperative expansion. The dairy also reported launching new product lines, including traditional sweets, to strengthen farmer livelihoods and market reach. Assam Jatiya Bidyalay students celebrate pre-Magh Bihu with traditional Meji burning. Purabi Dairy marks festival with report on cooperative growth. Guwahati, January 12 Students and teachers of Assam Jatiya Bidyalay in Guwahati celebrated the pre-Magh Bihu festival on Monday. Following traditional rituals, students, teachers of the institution burnt Meji and offered prayers to the God of Fire (Agni) for prosperity. Meji is the key part of Magh Bihu celebration, which is made of bamboo, leaves and thatch. Secretary, Assam Jatiya Bidyalay Management Committee Dr Narayan Sharma said, "In Assam we celebrate pre-Bhogali Bihu in the month of January. This is a very popular festival here for all the communities living in the state. In our school, from the very beginning, we have been trying to showcase this festival and we wish to show our culture and get our students acquainted with different varieties of Bihu culture and many traditional festivals. Many students reside in far places, so it is difficult for them to go to home and witness the Bihu festival. In our campus, in a symbolic way, we try to celebrate pre-Bhogali Bihu, where all the traditional norms and decorum, we want to show to students." Magh Bihu is a harvest festival celebrated in Assam, which marks the end of the harvesting season in the local month of Magh during mid-January, and the people of the state have celebrated the festival with community feasts after the annual harvest. Meanwhile, Northeast India's largest dairy cooperative, Purabi Dairy, celebrated pre-Magh Bihu at its dairy processing plant in Panjabari, Guwahati, on Monday, marking a year of strong growth, wider farmer participation and expanding presence across Assam's dairy landscape. Officials of the West Assam Milk Producers' Cooperative Union Ltd (WAMUL) highlighted that Purabi Dairy has grown from strength to strength over the past year, registering a significant increase in milk production and procurement, along with steady expansion of its cooperative network. The number of Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) under Purabi has increased during the year, while the cooperative dairy system has also strengthened considerably in Upper Assam, bringing more farmers into the organised dairy fold and ensuring stable income opportunities at the grassroots level. "Purabi Dairy's focus has always been farmer-first growth. By strengthening procurement systems, expanding our cooperative base and improving market access, we are ensuring that dairy farming becomes a more reliable and sustainable livelihood for thousands of rural families across Assam," WAMUL Managing Director Sameer Kumar Parida said. During the year, Purabi Dairy also expanded its product portfolio with the launch of Purabi Traditional Indian Sweets, receiving an encouraging response from consumers. Value-added products such as flavoured milk and ice cream continue to witness strong demand, while longer shelf-life products like UHT milk have enabled Purabi to reach newer and more distant markets. - ANI Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai has publicly praised director Aditya Dhar for his blockbuster film "Dhurandhar". Ghai took to Instagram to commend the film's detailed storytelling, chapter-wise narrative, and believable craftsmanship. He stated the film deserves all the commercial success it has achieved and expressed pride in Dhar and his team. The star-studded film depicts an anti-terror covert operation and loosely joins several real-life geopolitical events. Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai praises Aditya Dhar's 'Dhurandhar' as a masterful blend of artistic storytelling and commercial success in Hindi cinema. Mumbai, Jan 12 Filmmaker Subhash Ghai has heaped praise on filmmaker Aditya Dhar for the blockbuster "Dhurandhar", calling it an exceptional example of artistic filmmaking presented on a commercial platform in Hindi cinema. Subhash took to Instagram, where he shared a picture of Aditya and said that the film left a deep impression on him and that he could not stop admiring the fine detailing in its storytelling. "Hi Aditya. U deserve beyond congratulations for making this artistic craft of cinema at commercial platform in HINDI INDIAN CINEMA (sic)," Subhash wrote in the caption section. The veteran filmmaker lauded the chapter-wise narrative, the layered conflicts and challenges, and the carefully crafted characters. He also applauded the casting, costumes, cinematography and the believable action sequences, along with the film's grand sets. "I saw the film yesterday n can't stop praising your sense of details in story telling in chapters its conflicts , challenges, characters casting costumes cinematography n believable action n sets with brilliant performance of even smallest characters on screen with a world of Pakistani gangs some time ago (sic)." Calling Dhurandhar deserving of all the commercial success it has received, the veteran filmmaker said he felt proud of Aditya and his entire team. "It deserves all its commercial success it got n I feel proud of u n your team of DHURANDHAR with all my blessings (sic)," he concluded. Dhurandhar stars Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and several other actors. The first instalment of a two-part film series, it depicts an anti-terror covert operation, where an undercover agent infiltrates Karachi's criminal and political underworld in Pakistan. The plot loosely joins several real-life events involving geopolitical tensions such as the 1999 IC-814 hijacking, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and events surrounding Operation Lyari. - IANS President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, celebrated as National Youth Day. She emphasized that his teachings on inner strength and service to humanity remain a timeless inspiration. Swami Vivekananda is renowned for introducing Indian philosophies like Vedanta and Yoga to the Western world through his historic 1893 speech. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also honored the spiritual leader, stating his works energize the resolve for a developed India. President Murmu and PM Modi honor Swami Vivekananda on National Youth Day, highlighting his teachings on service, strength, and nation-building. New Delhi, Jan 12 President Droupadi Murmu on Monday paid homage to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, also celebrated as National Youth Day, and said that his teachings will continue to inspire humanity. The government proclaimed January 12 as National Youth Day in 1984 with the aim of motivating young individuals by connecting them to the principles and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, while also promoting their involvement in the development of the nation. In a post on X, President Murmu said, "I pay my humble tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, celebrated as National Youth Day. A timeless visionary and spiritual icon, he preached that inner strength and service to humanity were foundations of a meaningful life." "He carried India's eternal wisdom to the world. Swamiji instilled national pride among Indians and inspired the youth to contribute to nation-building. His teachings will continue to inspire humanity," she added. Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata. He is widely praised for introducing Indian philosophies, including Vedanta and Yoga, to the West. Swami Vivekananda's famous speech at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago sparked interfaith dialogue and revitalised Hinduism as a world religion. He promoted Indian nationalism, social reform, and unity, urging youth to serve humanity, and established the Ramakrishna Mission for education and service. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda and said that this day brings new strength and self-confidence for younger generations. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda, the powerful source of inspiration for India's youth power, on his birth anniversary. His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a Viksit Bharat. My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions." - IANS Search visibility expert Aaron Conway explains how AI platforms are transforming business discovery and what companies need to know about adapting their strategies. Whats happening: AI-powered search platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity are changing how customers discover businesses. With AI traffic growing significantly and many searches ending without clicks to websites, traditional SEO strategies require adaptation. Why this matters: The shift from link-based to context-based search represents a fundamental change in digital marketing. Businesses that understand how AI platforms synthesize and present information can adapt their content strategies accordingly. When someone asks ChatGPT to recommend a product or service in your industry, understanding how that platform selects and presents information becomes increasingly important. With AI traffic experiencing substantial growth, learning how these systems work can help businesses adapt their digital strategies. According to Aaron Conway, Director at Ronin Management, a Singapore-based consultancy specialising in Generative Engine Optimization, this shift represents one of the most significant changes to digital marketing in years. The firm helps brands understand how to become visible on AI search platforms through advanced optimization techniques that build upon traditional SEO principles. Theres a fundamental transformation in how people find information, says Conway. AI platforms are becoming the primary way decision-makers discover solutions. Understanding AI search evolution The way people search for information has changed considerably. Instead of scrolling through pages of links, users increasingly ask AI platforms direct questions and receive synthesized answers. Conway explains that this change involves deeper mechanics than most businesses initially realize. Traditional SEO was built around ranking on search engine results pages. You optimised for keywords, built backlinks, and aimed to land in top positions. That approach assumed people would click through to your website. The challenge? Research indicates that a significant portion of searches in traditional search engines now end without a click due to AI summaries. When AI platforms provide comprehensive answers directly, users have less need to visit individual websites. AI systems dont rank websites the way Google does, says Conway. They synthesise information from multiple sources and present it as a single response. If your business isnt part of that synthesis, you simply dont appear in the answer. How AI differs Research shows that generative AI is shifting search from a link-based model to a context-based model that delivers immediate responses. This means businesses need to think beyond simply appearing in search results. Conway references what researchers call Large Language Model Optimization (LLMO) and Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). Studies demonstrate that GEO can boost visibility by up to 40% in generative engine responses. The businesses learning about this now are building their understanding before their competitors even grasp whats changing. Legal, finance, health, SMB, and insurance sectors account for 55% of all LLM-sourced sessions, largely because users turn to AI for complex, consultative questions in these areas. However, Conway notes that no sector remains unaffected by this shift. Conway outlines the optimization process across three core areas that businesses can explore to improve their AI platform visibility. Implementing structured data AI platforms parse content differently than traditional search engines, Conway explains. They look for clean, machine-readable information. Schema markup tells AI systems exactly what your content represents, whether thats a product, service, review, or piece of expertise. He recommends implementing JSON-LD structured data across key pages, particularly for articles, products, services, and FAQ sections. Research shows FAQ schema pages receive disproportionately more AI citations in many verticals. Think of structured data as giving AI platforms a roadmap to your content, says Conway. Without it, these systems must interpret what your pages are about. With it, youre explicitly communicating exactly what information youre providing and why its relevant. Maintaining brand consistency Conway emphasizes that AI platforms aggregate information from multiple sources to form their understanding of a business. If your brand information varies across platforms, youre creating confusion for the systems trying to reference you. Consistent NAP data, unified messaging, and coherent brand positioning across all touchpoints become increasingly important. This consistency extends to knowledge graphs and entity recognition. AI platforms need to understand that your business is a distinct entity with specific attributes, says Conway. That means claiming and optimising your profiles on platforms like Wikipedia, Wikidata, and industry-specific directories that AI systems reference. He adds that businesses should ensure their core information remains identical across Google Business Profile, social media platforms, industry directories, and their own website. Even small discrepancies can prevent AI systems from confidently citing your business as an authoritative source. Building authoritative content Content depth and readability emerge as key factors for securing AI mentions and citations, whilst traditional SEO metrics like traffic and backlinks show less direct impact on AI platform visibility. Conway outlines the key signals businesses should consider. Create content that directly answers the questions your customers might ask AI platforms. Use a clear heading structure, short paragraphs, and definitive statements. Q&A format performs well for AI search, with structured content using headings and lists proving nearly as effective, Conway advises. He recommends incorporating original data, research, and statistics wherever possible. AI systems prioritise sources that provide unique insights rather than information available elsewhere. If you can cite your own research or proprietary data, you become a primary source rather than another voice repeating existing information. For small businesses considering their resources, Conway offers practical starting points. Begin with your most important service or product pages. Add schema markup, create comprehensive FAQ sections, and ensure your Google Business Profile is complete and active. These steps alone can improve your visibility in AI responses. Conway also suggests monitoring where your brand currently appears. Tools now exist to track citations in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and other AI platforms. Understanding your current visibility helps you identify areas for improvement and measure progress as you optimize. Conway notes that businesses taking time to understand this evolving landscape position themselves advantageously. The brands establishing authority and understanding these systems now are the ones AI platforms will reference as these technologies become more prevalent. Learning how these platforms work helps businesses adapt their strategies effectively as search behaviour continues evolving. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, describing him as a guiding force for the youth and nation-building. He participated in a Surya Namaskar event in Bhopal and expressed deep concern over the rapid rise of drug addiction among young people in the state. Yadav appealed to youth to practice Surya Namaskar daily for physical and mental fitness, stating it would protect them from addiction. The state government organized similar programs in all schools, with participation from ministers, officials, and students. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav calls Swami Vivekananda an inspiration for youth, expresses concern over rising drug addiction in the state. Bhopal, Jan 12 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, describing him as the "fountainhead of inspiration" for the youth and a guiding force for nation-building. He participated in the 'Surya Namaskar' event organised to mark the occasion at a government school in Bhopal. "Swami Vivekananda ji -- the fountainhead of inspiration for youth, showed the path to the welfare of the world through spiritual energy, philosophy and contemplation. He inspired the youth to contribute to nation-building. I offer countless prostrations at his feet," Yadav said. After performing Surya Namaskar and Pranayam, the Chief Minister addressed the Youth Diwas programme and expressed concern over the rapid rise of drug addiction among young people in the state. The Chief Minister said that it is saddening that drug addiction is increasing rapidly among the youth and urged school children to stay away from it to make their future better. Yadav termed drug abuse as a social evil, which is hollowing out the roots of family (values) and society. "I would appeal to our youth to do Surya Namaskar every day. It will keep their mind and body healthy and fit. It will also protect them from drug addiction," the Chief Minister said during his address to the programme. Madhya Pradesh PWD Minister Rakesh Singh, School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh and local BJP MLA Bhagwandas Sabani also participated in the 'Suraya Namaskar' programme. As the Swami Vivekanand's birth anniversary is being celebrated as "Youth Diwas" across the country on Monday, the Madhya Pradesh government organised the 'Surya Namaskar' and 'Pranayam' programmes in all government and private schools, which were participated in by district administrative officials and local public representatives. The School Education Department, in a notification on Sunday, has informed that students from Class 6 to 12 will be participating in the 'Surya Namskar' programme along with their parents and teachers. The district administrations were tasked to ensure the necessary preparation of the event at every school in their respective areas. - IANS Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the state-level National Youth Festival, stating that Swami Vivekananda's thoughts on youth and patriotism are crucial for India's future. He emphasized that the youth are the main strength of the country and their development is key to national progress. Saha urged the younger generation to adopt Vivekananda's ideals of service, discipline, and real education in their daily lives. He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives are inspired by Vivekananda's vision to harness the power of the country's youth. Tripura CM Manik Saha emphasizes Swami Vivekananda's relevance, urging youth to adopt his ideals of service, patriotism, and real education for national progress. Agartala, January 12 Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday said that only a strong nation can build a strong society, and that Swami Vivekananda believed the confidence and contributions of the youth would determine the country's future. He said today's youth are the primary driver of the country's and state's future progress. Saha said this while inaugurating the state-level National Youth Festival at Nazrul Kalakshetra today. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the purpose of celebrating National Youth Day is to awaken national consciousness and patriotism among the youth and to spread Swamiji's ideals among the younger generation. "Swami Vivekananda was a pioneer of awakening, a thinker, and a leader of the times. Swamiji's thoughts, ideas, and love for the country remain highly relevant today. Swamiji's ideology inspires us. Youth is the best time of a person. It is during this time that one's inner talent and strength develop," he said. The Chief Minister told the youth present that the significance of Youth Day lies in putting Swamiji's ideals into practice in daily activities. "Therefore, we have to follow Swamiji's ideals and evaluate ourselves as well. Positive changes in the country are achieved by giving the right direction to the youth. The youth society is the main strength of the country, and the biggest repository of this strength is our country, India," said Dr. Saha. Referring to Swami Vivekananda's ideals, the Chief Minister further stated that serving people is serving God. Therefore, the youth society should not only be educated academically but also devote themselves to serving people, the country, and society. Only then will the meaning of human life be realised. "We all have to be educated in real education. The greatness of Youth Day lies in living a disciplined life, serving people, acquiring real education, and loving the country," said Dr Saha. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inspired by the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, has also taken steps to harness the country's youth power. The Chief Minister shed light on various aspects of Swamiji's life for the youth and said that Swamiji wanted a healthy and strong youth society to develop in the country. Sports Minister Tinku Roy, Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr PK Chakraborty, Director L Darlong, and My Bharat State Director Bimal Kumar Saha were also present. - ANI Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has proposed an automatic debit system for traffic fines, linking vehicle registration to owners' bank accounts. He launched the 'Arrive Alive' road safety campaign, calling for strict action against minors driving and drunken driving. The CM emphasized using modern technology, including an MoU with Google and integrated CCTV systems, to manage traffic. He stated that road safety must become a top priority, with accidents viewed as avoidable deaths requiring a dedicated regulatory system. Telangana CM suggests auto-debit from bank accounts for traffic challans, strict action on minors driving, and a tech-driven road safety overhaul. Hyderabad, Jan 12 Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday suggested that penalties imposed for traffic violations be automatically debited from the bank accounts of the violators. He asked the traffic police to link the vehicles to the bank accounts of the owners at the time of the registration of vehicles, so that whenever a challan is issued, the money should be deducted from the bank accounts. He said the auto-debit system should replace the present manual collection of fines. He suggested while launching the road safety campaign 'Arrive Alive'. He called for strict action against minors driving vehicles and drunken driving. While challans are being issued for violations, he pointed out that offenders are often given concessions to pay later. The Chief Minister said that cases should be booked against parents who allow minors to drive vehicles and cause accidents. He said that road safety must be treated as a top priority, and stressed the need to take strong measures to prevent road accidents. CM Revanth Reddy urged officials to make effective use of modern technology to regulate traffic and address traffic-related challenges. He said that stringent enforcement measures would be taken hereafter to ensure effective traffic control. Emphasising the importance of creating awareness on road safety among students, strengthening the traffic signal system, and carrying out a comprehensive overhaul of the transport system, the Chief Minister said that road accident prevention must become a core agenda, backed by clear procedures and, if necessary, a new law. "Earlier, law and order was the main concern. Today, traffic regulation has emerged as the biggest challenge. It needs to be accorded the highest priority. Special measures for road safety should be taken under the supervision of officers at the DGP and Additional DGP levels," he said. The Chief Minister stated that an MoU has been signed with Google for traffic management. He called for CCTV cameras to be integrated with the Command Control Centre and for further strengthening traffic regulation through advanced technological systems. He observed that it is tragic that one road accident occurs every minute in the country, and one life is lost every three minutes. Both the Centre and the States are of the view that road safety awareness must begin at the student stage. He pointed out that even when one follows rules, lives are lost due to the mistakes of others, and said that road accidents caused by traffic violations should be viewed as avoidable deaths. The Chief Minister recalled the establishment of special systems to curb cybercrime, Counter Intelligence, EAGLE Force to curb drug abuse and HYDRAA to prevent encroachments on tanks and lakes. Similarly, he said, a dedicated system for traffic regulation should now be put in place. He appreciated the Police Department for organising a dedicated road safety awareness programme and for preparing an action plan aimed at preventing road accidents. The programme was attended by Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, several public representatives, Home Department Principal Secretary C.V. Anand, Director General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar and other senior officials. - IANS The Telangana government withdrew its Supreme Court writ petition challenging Andhra Pradesh's Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project after the court observed the petition was "prima facie not maintainable." The bench suggested the interstate water dispute would be more appropriately resolved through a comprehensive civil suit. Telangana's Irrigation Minister stated the state would use all forums to protect its share of Godavari and Krishna river waters, alleging Andhra Pradesh is violating tribunal awards. The state argues Andhra is attempting to utilize more than its allocated water and has not implemented a central 'stop work order' on the Polavaram project. Telangana withdraws its writ petition against Andhra's Polavaram project after SC deems it not maintainable, will pursue civil suit. Hyderabad, Jan 12 The Telangana government on Monday withdrew its writ petition against Polavaram-Banakacherla/Nallamalasagar Link Project proposed by Andhra Pradesh after the Supreme Court termed it "prima facie not maintainable". The apex court observed that the dispute was more appropriately adjudicated through a suit involving all affected states. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi granted liberty to Telangana to avail of any other appropriate remedies available in law, including the institution of a suit. Telangana filed the writ petition seeking to restrain Andhra Pradesh from proceeding with preparatory and project-related activities for PBLP/PNLP. Telangana's Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy told reporters outside the Supreme Court that the writ petition was withdrawn in view of the suggestion by the Chief Justice of India to come in the form of a civil suit. He stated that the Congress government in Telangana would use all forums to protect the State's due share in the waters of both Godavari and Krishna rivers. He said on behalf of Telangana, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi brought to the Supreme Court's notice all violations of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award by Andhra Pradesh. The minister said the Supreme Court was told that Andhra Pradesh was trying to utilise more water than allocated to it. He argued that Andhra Pradesh is not entitled to use additional water. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Telangana government also brought to the Supreme Court's notice that even in the construction ofthe Polavaram project, Andhra Pradesh was committing several violations of the originally approved project. The apex court was told that the 'stop work order' issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest was not implemented. He said the division bench was informed that Andhra Pradesh is trying to create infrastructure to use more than 484.5 TMC allotted to it. "They are trying to prepare DPR, though the Central Water Commission has not given permission for the DPR," he said. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the Andhra Pradesh government. During the previous hearing on January 5, the apex court had raised serious doubts over the maintainability of the petition. It had indicated that a suit under Article 131 of the Constitution would be a more comprehensive and effective remedy. - IANS Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has formally declared 2026 as 'Krishak Kalyan Varsh' or Farmer Welfare Year in the state. The initiative will involve 16 different government departments working in coordination to improve all aspects of agriculture, from production to marketing and income. CM Yadav highlighted the state's agricultural growth rate of 16 percent and emphasized the goal of enhancing farmer income and reducing input costs. The government aims to ensure farmer prosperity and strengthen the rural economy through year-long welfare programs. Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav launches 'Krishak Kalyan Varsh 2026', with 16 govt departments to coordinate on farmer welfare and income growth. Nagpur, January 12 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his birth anniversary and highlighted that his government declared the year 2026 dedicated to farmers' welfare in the state. Speaking to reporters, CM Yadav said, "Today is Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, and I extend my greetings to the people of the state and the entire country on this occasion. The Prime Minister has mentioned four categories: farmers, youth, women, and the poor, and our government has decided to dedicate and observe each year to them. Our last year was dedicated to employment and industries, and before that year 2024 was dedicated to women. Now, this year 2026 has been dedicated to farmers' welfare." To bring betterment in the agriculture sector and in the lives of farmers, 16 different government departments, which include horticulture, animal husbandry, agriculture, MSME heavy industry, other agriculture-based industries etc will work for the farmers' welfare, the CM said. "In coordination with different departments, yesterday we announced this year dedicated to farmers' welfare. I am satisfied that by the end of this year, we will work on various aspects of farmer welfare," he added. Earlier on Sunday, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav formally launched Farmer Welfare Year 2026 in Bhopal. He announced that 2026 would be observed as 'Krishak Kalyan Varsh', during which special emphasis would be laid on farmers' interests. For the effective implementation of Farmer Welfare Year, 16 departments of the state government will work in close coordination to strengthen all dimensions of agriculture, including production, cost, marketing, income, and overall welfare. CM Yadav highlighted that the state's agricultural growth rate reached 16 percent, reflecting the inherent potential of the sector and the success of policy initiatives. He clarified that the government's objective was not limited to increasing production alone, but also to enhancing farmers' income and reducing agricultural input costs through practical and effective measures. He added that developmental and welfare-oriented programmes would continue throughout the year. The government remains committed to ensuring farmer prosperity, sustainable agriculture and renewed strength for the rural economy. - ANI South Korean state trade agencies have outlined plans to diversify the country's export portfolio, which is currently heavily reliant on semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) will establish new teams to help consumer goods gain overseas certification. Concurrently, the Korea Trade Insurance Corp. (K-SURE) will provide massive low-interest loans to support Korean corporate investments in the United States, as pledged under a recent bilateral trade deal. These moves come as the US Supreme Court has yet to rule on the legality of former President Trump's tariffs on trading partners like South Korea. South Korean trade agencies unveil plans to diversify exports beyond semiconductors and support billions in corporate investments in the United States under a bilateral trade deal. Seoul, Jan 12 State-run trade agencies pledged on Monday efforts to diversify South Korea's export items and support envisioned corporate investments in the United States under a bilateral trade deal. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Korea Trade Insurance Corp. (K-SURE) shared such plans for 2026 at a policy briefing to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, reports Yonhap news agency. KOTRA said it will work to diversify Korea's export items, currently concentrated in the semiconductor, automobile and shipbuilding sectors. The agency plans to establish 20 new teams to help with overseas certification of consumer goods in their global offices and expand overseas logistics centres for Korean firms. K-SURE plans to offer low-interest loans worth a combined 49 trillion won (US$33.3 billion) by 2030, including an 8 trillion-won loan program for this year, for companies investing in the U.S. Under the trade deal sealed in October, Seoul pledged to invest a combined US$350 billion in the U.S., comprising $150 billion for bilateral shipbuilding cooperation and $200 billion for cooperation in advanced industries, in return for tariff cuts. K-SURE also plans to create a 25 trillion-won financial package for shipbuilders participating in the so-called Make American Shipbuilding Great Again initiative, while establishing a communication channel between the government, K-SURE and major shipbuilders. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court did not deliver a ruling on Friday on the legality of President Donald Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs on America's trading partners, including South Korea, despite expectations that the ruling would come this week. As the court announced a plan earlier this week to convene a session, speculation arose that it could rule on the legality of Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 to impose the country-specific tariffs. It does not unveil in advance what ruling it would deliver during a planned session. On its website, the court only issued one document on a criminal case. - IANS Tripura's Agriculture Minister Ratan Lal Nath flagged off a consignment of 15,000 scented lemons from Agartala to Kolkata. The lemons were cultivated by about 80 farmers across 100 hectares in Khowai district, facilitated by a local entrepreneur. Minister Nath highlighted that the area under organic cultivation in the state has surged from 2,000 hectares before 2018 to over 20,000 hectares currently. The government's focus is on doubling farmers' income by ensuring market access and fair prices through Farmer Producer Companies. Tripura flags off 15,000 scented lemons to Kolkata, as organic farming area expands tenfold since 2018. Minister highlights farmer support and export growth. Agartala, Jan 12 Tripura Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath, on Monday, flagged off a consignment of 15,000 scented lemons from the Agartala Railway Station to Kolkata, marking another milestone in the state's expanding organic farming sector. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that although scented lemons from Tripura had earlier been sent outside the state, this consignment was exported through the Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency in collaboration with Baramura Organic Produces Company Limited. Minister Nath said the lemons were cultivated by around 80 farmers across nearly 100 hectares of land, mainly in the South Hadrai and Hawaibari areas of Khowai district. He added that the initiative was taken by Sourav Gupta, a resident of Agartala, following the 'Prabashi Tripura' programme held recently under the leadership of Chief Minister Manik Saha. "Farmers are our 'Annadata' (food providers) and deserve the highest respect. Agriculture is the backbone of India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasised the need to strengthen this sector by providing all necessary support to farmers. Agriculture remains our first priority," the Minister said, adding that the produce would be marketed in Kolkata. Minister Nath also said that another consignment of 15,000 scented lemons would be exported shortly. Highlighting the state's progress in organic farming, the Minister added that the area under organic cultivation in Tripura has increased from around 2,000 hectares before 2018 to more than 20,000 hectares at present. "Our main objective is to double farmers' income. The state government is supporting farmers by ensuring market access and fair prices through Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs)," he said. Tripura Assembly Treasury bench Chief Whip Kalyani Saha Roy, Agriculture Secretary Apurba Roy and other senior officials were also present at the event. Meanwhile, Minister Nath earlier said that over the last seven years (2018 to 2025), the Horticulture Department has exported 73.15 metric tonnes (MT) of pineapple to Dubai, Oman and Qatar. "In addition, 4.40 MT of jackfruit were exported to the US, while 30 MT of ginger and 17 MT of betel leaf were exported to Bangladesh during the same period," the Minister added. - IANS Tripura Gramin Bank has achieved a national milestone by introducing India's first solar-powered ATM van. The initiative earned the bank the prestigious SKOCH Silver Award for innovative practices. The van was formally inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her visit to Tripura in July 2023. This sustainable solution enhances banking access in the state's remote areas, where the bank operates about 150 branches. Tripura Gramin Bank pioneers India's first solar-powered ATM van, winning a national SKOCH award and boosting rural financial inclusion. Agartala, January 13 Tripura Gramin Bank has created a national milestone by becoming the first Gramin Bank in the country to introduce a solar-powered ATM van, marking a major step towards sustainable and inclusive banking services. Expressing pride over the achievement, the bank's Marketing Head Jeet Bhattacharya said it was a moment of great honour not only for the institution but also for the people of Tripura. He stated that the innovative initiative has earned the bank the prestigious SKOCH Silver Award, one of the most respected national-level recognitions for excellence in governance and innovation. "This is a proud moment for every citizen of Tripura. For the first time, Tripura Gramin Bank has received such a highly prestigious national award from the SKOCH Group for innovative practices," said Bhattacharya Highlighting the bank's extensive reach, he noted that Tripura Gramin Bank operates around 150 branches across remote and interior areas of the state, playing a pivotal role in financial inclusion and economic uplift. The introduction of the solar-powered ATM van has significantly strengthened access to banking services in rural and hard-to-reach regions. The pioneering ATM van initiative was formally inaugurated by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 21, 2023, during her visit to Tripura. Currently, the bank operates three solar-powered ATM vans, providing eco-friendly, uninterrupted banking services even in areas with limited electricity supply. "So as because we all are aware that gramin Bank is having a total number of 150 branches in the nokes and corners of Tripura, it has been playing a pivotal role in the economic upliftment of the state ...SKOCH group has awarded as the Best Innovative Practices that we followed during the past couple of years by introducing a solar power ATM Van and it was inaugurated by the Union Finance Minister of our nation, Nirmala Sitharaman and she came in the year 2023 on 21st of July," added Bhattacharya. Bhattacharya further added that this is likely the first such solar-powered ATM service introduced by any Gramin Bank in India, making the achievement even more significant. "We are extremely proud to receive this award for our commitment to innovation and sustainable banking. It motivates us to continue serving the people with greater dedication," he said. With this landmark initiative, Tripura Gramin Bank has set a new benchmark in rural banking while reinforcing Tripura's growing presence on the national innovation map. - ANI Newly sworn-in US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor emphasized the authentic personal friendship between former President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating real friends can resolve differences. He announced a major strategic move, inviting India to join the US-led PaxSilica initiative next month to build a secure silicon supply chain. Gor outlined an ambitious agenda to elevate the partnership, covering trade, security, technology, and health, while acknowledging the ongoing trade negotiations are challenging. He expressed his mission to take the "most consequential global partnership of this century" to the next level. New US Ambassador Sergio Gor affirms Trump-Modi bond, announces India's invitation to join the strategic PaxSilica initiative on silicon supply chains. New Delhi, January 12 " Sergio Gor on Monday took oath the new US Ambassador designate to India and Special Envoy to South and Central Asia at the US Embassy premises in the national capital. Sergio Gor will present his credentials to President of India this week. Addressing the gathering at the Embassy, Gor said he attests Trump friendship with PM Modi as "real" and said that real friends can resolve their difference. "I have travelled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real. The United States and India are bound, not just by shared interests but by a relationship anchored at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences in the end," he said "It is great to be here as the United States' Ambassador. I come to this remarkable nation with profound respect and a clear mission: to take the partnership between our two nations to the next level. This is the intersection between the world's oldest democracy and the world's largest democracy. During my last dinner with him, President Trump recounted his last visit to India and also his great friendship with the great Prime Minister of India. I hope the President will be visiting us soon, hopefully in the next year or two. President Trump has a habit of calling at 2 in the morning, and with the time difference in New Delhi, it might work out pretty well," he added. Gor emphasised the importance of the strategic relationship with India and said he intends to pursue an ambitious agenda "No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each bringing strength, respect, and leadership to the table," he said Speaking on the ongoing negotiations of the India-US trade deal, Gor acknowledged that it was a challenging task and said he was determined to get it across the finish line. "Many of you have asked me for an update on the ongoing trade deal negotiations. Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow. India is the world's largest nation. So it's not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there and while trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health," he said. Making a major announcement Sergio Gor said that India would be invited to join the critical Pax Silica next month. Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain. "I am pleased to announce that India will be invited to join PaxSilica as a full member next month..." He says "... I also want to share with you today a new initiative that the United States launched just last month called PaxSilica. PaxSilica is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI development, and logistics. Nations that joined last month include Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Israel. Today, I am pleased to announce that India will be invited to join this group of nations as a full member next month." He added that it was critical for both nations to work together as the world continues to adopt new technology. "As the world adopts new technology, it is essential that India and the United States work hand in hand from the very start of this initiative. I thank the people of India for a very warm welcome. You are a resilient people. You are innovative. You are spiritual. I look forward to meeting many of you as I travel across this incredible nation. To the staff here at the embassy, I'm excited to work with you. You and I have an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity to redefine diplomacy. What it can accomplish could be the most consequential global partnership of this century," he said. India and United States enjoy a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering almost all areas, driven by shared democratic values, convergence of interests on a range of issues, and vibrant people-to-people contacts. - ANI US President Donald Trump sparked global controversy by declaring himself the "Acting President of Venezuela" in a post on his Truth Social platform. This follows a US raid that captured Venezuela's President, Nicolas Maduro, leading to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assuming the interim presidency per the constitution. Historically, there have been instances of sequential leadership, such as Prime Ministers of British-era Bengal later holding office in Pakistan after Partition. Other examples include monarchs like King George VI ruling multiple Commonwealth realms, though Trump's claim lacks similar constitutional legitimacy. US President Donald Trump posts he is "Acting President of Venezuela," sparking international reactions and historical comparisons to dual leadership. New Delhi, January 12 Even as the week began, global media buzzed with the news of US President Donald Trump declaring himself the "Acting President of Venezuela" in a post on his social media site Truth Social. The post featured, featuring the President's "Official portrait, 2025", named him "Acting President of Venezuela Incumbent January 2026" along with the "45th 47th President of the United States" who "Assumed Office January 2025". The post, on the platform launched by Trump himself four years ago, has expectedly sparked widespread reactions, ranging from disbelief to sharp criticism. The declaration comes days after the US conducted a raid into Venezuela and captured its President, Nicolas Maduro. Meanwhile, Delcy Rodriguez, who was the country's Vice President, took the oath as interim President as per Venezuela's constitution. She has rejected Washington's claims of authority, demanding the immediate release of Maduro, as per reports. Though there is no similar precedent in today's international politics, there have been some incidents of dual leadership in either informal or sequential arrangements. Among the incidents of sequential ascension are examples of Prime Ministers of erstwhile British-era Bengal going on to become Prime Ministers or other Ministers in Pakistan after the Partition of India. Among them were Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq (1873-1962), the first and longest-serving Prime Minister of Bengal (1937-1943) during British rule, who became the Chief Minister of East Bengal and then Home Minister of Pakistan. However, he did not become Pakistan's Prime Minister. Then, Khawaja Nazimuddin (1894-1964), the second Prime Minister of undivided Bengal, was coincidentally the second Prime Minister of Pakistan as well. While Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy (1892-1963), who was the last Prime Minister of Bengal between 1946 and 1947, served as the fifth Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1956 to 1957, Pakistan's third Prime Minister, Syed Mohammad Ali Chowdhury Bogra, had served as the Health, Finance, and Local Government Minister in Suhrawardy's government in undivided Bengal. Incidentally, Pakistan's first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, was the last Finance Minister of undivided India. Elsewhere, there are occasions where monarchs have ruled multiple countries, like King George VI, who was simultaneously monarch of the United Kingdom and of several independent Commonwealth realms. There is also an understanding, though not officially imposed, that the British monarch symbolically holds the highest office as the state head of some Commonwealth countries. However, this was a legitimate constitutional arrangement, not a unilateral declaration. In other historical instances, some revolutionary figures claimed authority across borders, but rarely with international recognition. Like Simon Bolivar (1783-1830), a leader of the South American independence movement, who served as president of Gran Colombia and also held leadership roles in Peru and Bolivia. However, in the case of President Trump, he has formally not held office in Venezuela, where there already is an interim replacement for the office of the President. - IANS People visit the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 6, 2026. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) At 2026 CES in Las Vegas, Chinese companies make a mark as primary advocates for open-source systems, which allow their underlying code and instructions to be shared and modified by anyone. LAS VEGAS, the United States, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The just-concluded 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's largest event of its kind, saw global cross-industry collaboration and more open-source models take center stage. Chinese companies made a mark as primary advocates for open-source systems, which allow their underlying code and instructions to be shared and modified by anyone. The aim? To foster global digital sovereignty and bridge the technological divide. Alibaba, a major Chinese cloud provider, released its Qwen series as an open-weight model family, which has already led to more than 100,000 variations created by international developers. DeepSeek, another Chinese AI research lab, rolled out its R3 reasoning model under an open license, proving that advanced AI can be developed with high efficiency and lower costs than many Western alternatives. A robot from Chinese company Unitree is displayed during the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 8, 2026. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) Chinese robotics firms such as Unitree and Agibot are also utilizing these open-source reasoning layers to perform complex tasks in both home and factory settings, helping to set international standards for an AI ecosystem that is transparent and inclusive. Technology and business leaders gathered Thursday during the CES Asia Night to celebrate the long-standing partnership between the United States and Asia, while calling for deeper relationships beneficial for both regions. The event focused on global consumer technology trends, brand globalization, supply chain innovation and cross-border growth, bringing together Asian enterprises with global technology partners, investors and industry leaders. Dolby Laboratories also announced at CES that it is partnering with Chinese television giants Hisense and TCL to advance display technology through the integration of software and hardware, as consumers increasingly demand higher picture quality and more immersive viewing experiences. The U.S. audio and imaging technology company said that the two are among the initial partners for its new Dolby Vision 2 technology, designed to deliver "a more authentic and uncompromising picture that unlocks the full capabilities of modern TVs." People visit the exhibition area of TCL during the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 6, 2026. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) Firms in the United States and Europe are also embracing shared platforms from manufacturing and healthcare to ensure the fruits of artificial intelligence are accessible to all. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the importance of this shift during his keynote address on Monday. Huang stated, "We can now know that AI is going to proliferate everywhere when open source, when open innovation... is activated at the same time," noting that the advancement of open models ensures that digital intelligence does not "leave anyone behind." This collaborative spirit is also driving synergy between heavy industry and technology providers. Siemens, a leading German engineering company, and Nvidia have expanded their partnership to create a new industrial AI operating system. The system integrates open physical AI, referring to machines that can understand, reason about, and interact with the laws of nature in the real world, and "agentic" software, capable of reasoning and performing tasks independently. This platform enables factories to be designed, tested, and optimized in a virtual "digital twin" environment before physical construction begins. Similarly, Boston Dynamics showcased a next-generation humanoid robot developed through a partnership with Google DeepMind and Nvidia, demonstrating how open research in machine learning can accelerate robot dexterity and autonomy. A man visits the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan. 7, 2026. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua) The healthcare sector is also seeing rapid progress through open cooperation. The medical AI company Abridge is using open systems to automate clerical tasks, such as clinical note-taking, allowing doctors to spend more time with patients. This is supported by the BioNeMo framework, an open-source library that helps researchers globally analyze proteins and chemicals for drug discovery. Industry experts at the annual show noted that these shared tools act as a "force multiplier," allowing smaller medical institutions in developing regions to access high-level intelligence that was previously limited to major research hospitals. In media and content creation, open-source technology is making high-quality production more affordable. Companies are now using "neural rendering" tools to generate realistic images and robotic character animations. By keeping these rendering frameworks open, firms are enabling independent creators and smaller studios around the world to produce extreme photorealism at 500 frames per second, a capability previously only accessible to the largest global corporations. This movement is further championed by trade groups and international regulators, such as the Home Connectivity Alliance, which advocates for open ecosystems in the smart home sector so that devices from different manufacturers can communicate seamlessly to improve energy efficiency. At the same time, the European Union AI Act encourages open-source models to boost European competitiveness and ensure consumer safety through transparency. Analysts believe the widespread advocacy for open-source cooperation at CES 2026 marks a transition from closed competition toward a more integrated global technology landscape. By sharing foundational models and building collaborative standards, Chinese and international firms are ensuring that AI serves as a tool for progress across all professional fields. by Wen Tsui Editor: ZAD President Donald Trump has declared the United States will acquire Greenland, stating that failure to do so would allow Russia or China to gain control of the strategic Arctic territory. He insisted the outcome was inevitable, preferring a negotiated deal but emphasizing the need for full ownership, not just a military presence. Trump dismissed potential NATO concerns and downplayed Greenland's current defenses. The autonomous Danish territory is increasingly vital due to emerging Arctic shipping routes and growing Russian and Chinese military activity. President Trump declares the US will acquire Greenland, warning Russia or China will control the strategic Arctic territory if America doesn't. Washington, Jan 12 President Donald Trump said the United States will acquire Greenland, warning that failure to do so would allow Russia or China to gain control of the strategic Arctic territory. "If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. "And I'm not letting that happen." Trump said he preferred a negotiated agreement but insisted the outcome was inevitable. "I'd rather - I'd love to make a deal with 'em. It's easier," he said. "But one way or the other, we're gonna have Greenland." Asked whether military action was being considered, Trump said the US focus was on ownership. "We're talking about acquiring, not leasing, not having it short term. We're talking about acquiring," he said. He dismissed concerns that such a move could undermine NATO. "I'm the one that saved NATO," Trump said, adding that alliance members were now paying "5 per cent of GDP." Trump downplayed Greenland's current defenses. "Basically their defense is two dog sleds," he said, contrasting that with the presence of "Russian destroyers and submarines and Chinese destroyers and submarines all over the place." He said the US military presence alone was insufficient. "You need ownership. You really need a title, as they say in the real estate business," Trump said. Asked whether Denmark had been presented with a formal offer, Trump said no. "I haven't done that, but Greenland should make the deal," he said. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, holds strategic importance due to its location in the Arctic and its proximity to emerging shipping routes and military corridors. The US already maintains a military presence in Greenland, and Arctic security has become a growing concern amid increased Russian and Chinese activity in the region. - IANS US President Donald Trump stated that relations with Venezuela's new leadership are progressing positively. He confirmed Venezuela asked the US to accept a 50-million-barrel oil shipment worth over $4 billion, which is now en route. Trump announced plans to meet with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and opposition figure Maria Corina Machado. He also criticized ExxonMobil's approach while assuring energy firms of safety and credited his administration for the improved diplomatic climate. President Trump says US-Venezuela relations are improving, citing a major oil shipment and planned diplomatic meetings with Venezuelan officials. Washington, Jan 12 US President Donald Trump said the United States is "working along really well" with Venezuela's leadership, pointing to oil shipments and ongoing diplomatic engagement as signs of improving ties. "Venezuela is really working out well. We're working along really well with the leadership, and we'll see how it all works out," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One when asked about the relationship with the new leadership in Caracas after the US raid that deposed Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela's leader. Trump disclosed that Venezuela had asked the US to accept a major oil shipment. "She asked us, can we take 50 million barrels of oil? And I said, yes we can," he said. "It's $4 billion, $4.2 billion, and it's on its way right now to the United States." Asked whether he planned to meet Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Trump said, "At some point I'll meet. Yeah, she's been very good." He also suggested an upcoming meeting with opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. "I hear Tuesday or Wednesday. I look forward to that," he said. Trump said oil companies had shown strong interest in Venezuela, though he criticized ExxonMobil. "I didn't like Exxon's response," he said. "They're playing too cute." On assurances to energy firms, Trump said, "Guarantees that they're gonna be safe, that there's gonna be no problem, and there will be. There's not gonna be a problem." He attributed past difficulties to previous US leadership. "They had problems in the past because they didn't have Trump as a president," he said. Trump also referenced broader regional diplomacy, including talks with Cuba, but did not provide details. "You're gonna find out pretty soon," he said. Earlier in a social media post, Trump said "no more oil or money" would be going to Cuba from Venezuela, and that the United States military would be involved in enforcing distance between the two countries. "Venezuela doesn't need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years," he wrote. "Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will," Trump said. - IANS US President Donald Trump stated the United States is evaluating "very strong options" in response to developments in Iran, where reports indicate civilians may have been killed amid protests. He warned that any retaliation by Iran would be met with a US response "at levels that they've never been hit before." Trump cited his administration's past actions, including the killing of Qasem Soleimani, as evidence of US resolve. The President is receiving hourly updates as thousands protest against the Iranian regime across the country. President Trump says US is considering "very strong options" in response to developments in Iran, warning of unprecedented retaliation. Washington, Jan 12 US President Donald Trump said the United States is considering "very strong options" in response to developments in Iran, as reports indicated civilians may have been killed, prompting heightened military review. "They're starting to, it looks like, and there seem to be some people killed that aren't supposed to be killed," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his way back from Florida to the White House on Sunday. "These are violent if you call 'em leaders. I don't know if they're leaders or just they rule through violence." Trump said the US military is closely monitoring the situation. "We're looking at it very seriously. The military's looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options. We'll make a determination," he said. Pressed on whether Iran had crossed a red line, the President declined to outline specific military plans. "Am I gonna really - are you asking me to say, what will they do? Where will we attack? When and at what angle will we attack from?" he said. Trump said he was receiving frequent updates on the situation inside Iran. "I'm getting an hourly report, and we're gonna make a determination," he said. Asked about reports that protesters had been killed, Trump said some deaths were linked to crowd dynamics. "Some of the protesters were killed through the stampeding. I mean, you know, there's so many of 'em, and some were shot," he said. Responding to questions about possible retaliation by Iran or its allies, Trump issued a blunt warning. "If they do that, we will hit them at levels that they've never been hit before," he said. "They won't even believe it." He said Iran should already understand the US resolve. "Don't you think they take your threats seriously?" Trump said, addressing a reporter. "After going through it for years with me being hit, Soleimani, al-Baghdadi, the Iran nuclear threat wiped out." Trump did not say whether he had coordinated with US allies on a response, nor did he provide a timeline for any decision. Iran has experienced repeated waves of unrest in recent weeks. Thousands of Iranians are protesting against the current regime in cities across the country. - IANS Two nurses from a Barasat hospital in West Bengal have been identified as suspected cases of the Nipah virus and are currently in intensive care. State health officials are conducting urgent contact tracing in the districts of Nadia, East Burdwan, and North 24 Parganas. A national joint outbreak response team with experts from multiple institutes has been deployed to assist the state government. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has spoken with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, assuring the Centre's full support in managing the situation. Two nurses in West Bengal are suspected Nipah virus cases. Health officials are tracing contacts as national and state teams coordinate the response. Kolkata, Jan 12 Two suspected cases of Nipah virus disease were identified on January 11 at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, ICMR, AIIMS Kalyani in West Bengal. Both the affected persons are nurses and are currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital, West Bengal Chief Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and state Health Secretary Narayan Swoop Nigam confirmed on Monday. They said the state health department is keeping a close watch on the situation and is trying to trace the persons who came in contact with the two nurses after they were suspected to have been affected by the Nipah virus. Both the nurses are attached to a hospital at Barasat, the district headquarters of North 24 Parganas. Both are now admitted to the intensive care unit of a private hospital. One is a resident of Nadia district and the other is a resident of East Burdwan district. Hence, attempts to trace the persons who came in contact with them after they were suspected to have been affected are mainly concentrated in Nadia, East Burdwan and North 24 Parganas districts. Immediately upon receipt of information, the Union Health Secretary held discussions with Chakraborty and Nigam to review the situation and ensure swift and coordinated action. A national joint outbreak response team has been deployed to support the state government in containment and public health response measures. The team comprises experts from the All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata; National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai; AIIMS Kalyani; and the Department of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. It is learnt that the Union government's guidelines on Nipah Virus Disease under the Communicable Disease Alert have been shared with the State Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) unit. In addition, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, has been activated to coordinate the national response. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, assuring full support from the Union government. J.P. Nadda also spoke to the Chief Minister over the telephone and reiterated the Centre's commitment to extend all necessary assistance to the state in managing the situation, according to a statement issued by the Union health ministry. - IANS Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed the Union Budget will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1 at 11 AM. The budget session of Parliament will commence on January 28 with President Droupadi Murmu's address. India is hosting the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, which will be the largest in the forum's history and inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The paperless conference, running from January 14-16, will focus on democratic governance and showcasing India's technological advancement. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present Union Budget on February 1. PM Modi to inaugurate the Commonwealth Speakers' Conference in Delhi. New Delhi, January 13 The Union Budget will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, which is a Sunday. Answering queries during a press conference today on Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that the union budget will be presented at 11 am on February 1 in the House. The budget session of Parliament will commence on January 28 with address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of the two Houses. The 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, being hosted by Parliament of India will be the largest CSPOC in terms of participation. Om Birla said that the conference will be held from January 14 to 16 will discuss shared parliamentary values, democratic governance and institutional cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference on January 15 in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, Parliament House Complex. Speaker Om Birla is the Chairperson of this Conference. The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth being hosted by India will have the largest participation, Birla said. In a post on X later, he said the conference will be attended by 61 Speakers and Presiding Officers from Commonwealth countries and semi-autonomous parliaments, including the Presidents of the IPU and the CPA. "In this regard, it will be the largest CSPOC conference in the history of the forum," he said. He said that the objective of CSPOC is to uphold and strengthen impartiality in the parliaments of Commonwealth nations, and to empower parliamentary democracy and institutions. India has earlier successfully hosted this conference in 1971, 1986, and 2010. "This conference will undoubtedly showcase India's technological progress and its commitment to global parliamentary cooperation on the world stage," he said. He said that work related to the conference has been done online and paper has not been used. He said an app has been developed to enable all aspects of conference coordination, facilitation and information dissemination. A web-based event management system has been developed. Answering queries, he said there will be no participation from Pakistan and Bangladesh does not have a Speaker at present with general elections scheduled to take place next month. The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth (CSPOC) was created in 1969 as an initiative of then Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Lucien Lamoureux. Since its inception, Canada has provided CSPOC with a secretariat to support its activities. CSPOC brings together Speakers and Presiding Officers of 53 national parliaments of sovereign states of the Commonwealth. CSPOC is an independent group with no formal affiliation with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), the Commonwealth Secretariat or the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM). However, its membership is the same as that of CPA. The conference aims to maintain, foster, and encourage impartiality and fairness on the part of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments. It also seeks to promote knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy in its various forms and develop parliamentary institutions. CSPOC operates on a two-year cycle, holding a conference of the full membership every two years, usually early in January, and a meeting of the Standing Committee at the same time the intervening year. - ANI A State Bank of India report reveals unsecured bank advances have skyrocketed from Rs 2 lakh crore in FY05 to Rs 46.9 lakh crore in FY25, now constituting nearly a quarter of all bank lending. This sharp rise raises significant concerns about risk sensitivity in the banking system, as these loans lack collateral. Public Sector Banks hold the largest share at 53%, followed by private banks. The RBI has also highlighted that over half of fintech-led unsecured loans go to borrowers under 35, increasing exposure to younger demographics. SBI report reveals unsecured lending surged to Rs 46.9 lakh crore, raising systemic risk. PSBs hold over half of these loans. RBI also flags concerns. New Delhi, January 12 Unsecured lending by banks in the country has witnessed a sharp rise over the last two decades, increasing concerns around risk sensitivity, according to a report by the State Bank of India. The report stated that unsecured advances (Loans) expanded significantly from Rs 2 lakh crore in FY05 to Rs 46.9 lakh crore in FY25. As a result, the share of unsecured lending in total bank lending increased to 24.5 per cent in FY25 from 17.7 per cent in FY05. It stated, "Sharp rise in unsecured lending raises risk sensitivity...Unsecured advances expanded from Rs 2 lakh crore to Rs 46.9 lakh crore". The report highlighted that since FY19, the share of unsecured lending has remained continuously above 20 per cent, underscoring the build-up of potential credit risk in the banking system. According to the report, the sharp rise in unsecured lending reflects growing risk sensitivity, as these loans are not backed by collateral. The expansion in unsecured advances has been rapid compared to overall lending growth, raising concerns about credit quality over the medium term. The growing share of unsecured loans in total lending highlights a structural shift in banks' lending portfolios. Public Sector Banks (PSBs) accounted for nearly half of the total unsecured lending in FY25, followed by Private Sector Banks. Bank group-wise data for FY25 showed that Public Sector Banks held the largest share of unsecured lending at 53 per cent. Private banks accounted for 38 per cent, foreign banks held 7 per cent, while small finance banks contributed 2 per cent of the total unsecured lending. Recently Reserve Bank of India also raised the issue of the rise in unsecured lending in its Financial Stability Report released in December 2025. According to the RBI, in both banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), outstanding loans held by higher quality borrowers dominated the unsecured business loans category, providing some comfort on asset quality. The RBI further noted that unsecured loans form more than 70 per cent of the total loan book of fintech lenders. More than half of these loans were extended to borrowers below 35 years of age, highlighting the growing exposure to younger borrowers in the unsecured lending segment. Although the unsecured lending is rising but the non-performing assets of the banks have also been reduced recently. As per the data by the government, gross non-performing assets of the banks have fallen from a peak of 11.46 per cent in 2018 to 2.31 per cent in 2025. - ANI Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off the 'Swadeshi Sankalp Run' from Dehradun's Gandhi Park on Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary, which is observed as National Youth Day. He addressed a large gathering of enthusiastic youth, paying tribute to Vivekananda as a spiritual torchbearer and inspiration. Dhami stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, India is progressing toward becoming a developed nation by 2047, with a decisive role for the youth. He called for collective efforts in initiatives like Start-up India and urged the youth to avoid drugs while focusing on education and national duty. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged off the Swadeshi Sankalp Run in Dehradun, urging youth to embrace nationalism and self-reliance. Dehradun, January 12 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday flagged off the 'Swadeshi Sankalp Run' from Gandhi Park in Dehradun, organised to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. A large number of youths participated in the run, reflecting enthusiasm and commitment towards the ideals of nationalism and self-reliance. Addressing the gathering, CM Dhami extended his greetings to the youth on the occasion and paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda, describing him as the "torchbearer of India's great spiritual and cultural traditions and a constant source of inspiration for the younger generation. "My dear young brothers and sisters, who have gathered here on the occasion of the Swadeshi Sankalp Run, first of all, on this auspicious day, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, the torchbearer of India's great tradition, the tradition of the sages, and an inspiration to the youth, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all of you. I pay my respects to Swami Vivekananda, and it is a great privilege for me to be among you all today and witness your enthusiasm... Today is a day to reflect on the power, determination, and potential of India's youth," CM Dhami said. The Chief Minister said that Swami Vivekananda's message, "Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is achieved", will continue to inspire the youth in laying a strong foundation for the nation. He stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving steadily towards the resolve of becoming a developed nation, and the role of youth will be decisive in making India developed by 2047. He called upon everyone to turn the message of Vocal for Local into a mass movement. Emphasising collective efforts, he said that initiatives like Start-up India, Make in India, and Skill India must be taken forward together. The Chief Minister especially urged the youth to stay away from drugs, adopt discipline, focus on education and skill development, and faithfully fulfill their duties towards the nation. National Youth Day, observed every year on January 12, marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda, known in his pre-monastic life as Narendranath Datta, was born in Kolkata on 12 January 1863. Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Mission on 1 May 1897, which would bring together monks and laypeople to propagate Practical Vedanta and various forms of social service. Swami Vivekananda is always remembered all over the world for his address at the World's Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893, which led the western intelligentsia to turn around and recognise the great culture and tradition India has had since time immemorial. - ANI Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot, featuring a major five-day business exhibition. The event includes over 50 seminars and hosts more than 450 exhibitors, with strong participation from MSMEs, startups, and artisans. A key highlight is the Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet, connecting local businesses with over 110 international buyers, which has already facilitated over 1,000 MoUs. The conference also marks the participation of four partner countries and focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs and startups. PM Modi inaugurates 5-day VGRC in Rajkot featuring 50+ seminars, 450+ exhibitors, 4 partner countries, and over Rs 500 crore in expected exports. Rajkot, Jan 12 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 'Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference: Saurashtra-Kutch' along with the five-day business exhibition at Marwadi University, realising the vision of 'Viksit Gujarat to Viksit Bharat'. Over the next two days, more than 50 sector-focused seminars and thematic sessions are being organised, covering industries, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, environment, startups, sustainability, and future technologies. The five-day exhibition serves as a grand platform to showcase innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional excellence. With more than 450 exhibitors, including over 160 MSMEs, 60 startups and innovators, 62 artisans, and 70 stalls from central and state government departments, the exhibition reflects the diverse strengths of Gujarat's economy. Spread across six domes and covering a total area of 26,400 square meters, VGRE has emerged as a hub for business networking and collaboration. One of the key attractions of the exhibition is the Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet (RBSM), which provides regional MSMEs with a direct opportunity to connect with more than 110 international buyers. For the first time, cottage industries are participating in exclusive interactions with over 20 international buyers, opening new pathways for global outreach. The program has received an overwhelming response, with more than 2,200 meetings held in just the first two days and over 1,000 MoUs signed, leading to an expected export business of more than Rs 500 crore. Local businesses, industry leaders, startups, academic institutions, and technical students are enthusiastically participating in the exhibition, making it a vibrant confluence of ideas, innovation, and opportunities. By connecting entrepreneurs, artisans, and innovators with global buyers, VGRE is strengthening Gujarat's position as a leading hub for trade, investment, and cultural exchange. The VGRC 2026 was marked by the participation of four partner countries - Japan, Rwanda, South Korea, and Ukraine - along with 12 partner organisations. The key developments at the exhibition included an announcement of 13 new Smart GIDC estates covering 3,543 acres of land across 7 districts, inauguration of the Medical Devices Park at Nagalpar in Rajkot. Focus on MSMEs, startups, and women entrepreneurs Special emphasis was placed on MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and startups through the Udyami Mela, enabling access to finance, markets, skills, and institutional support. This inclusive approach provides a platform for small enterprises and emerging innovators to connect with large industry players and global partners. A cultural program was also organised on 11 January at Atal Sarovar, celebrating Gujarat's rich heritage and diversity, adding a vibrant dimension to the conference. - IANS Essar Future Energy has signed an MoU with the Gujarat government to establish a large-scale biofuel complex in Devbhumi Dwarka district. The project entails a massive investment of Rs 5,100 crore and will have an initial processing capacity of one million tonnes per annum. It aims to provide clean fuel solutions for hard-to-abate sectors like aviation, shipping, and road transport, with operations slated to begin by 2029. The initiative is expected to create significant employment and bolster Gujarat's position in the clean energy transition. Essar Future Energy inks MoU for a major biofuel complex in Gujarat, investing Rs 5,100 crore to produce clean fuels for aviation, shipping, and transport. Rajkot, Jan 12 Essar Future Energy Limited on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Gujarat at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Rajkot. Under the MoU, Essar Future Energy will establish a large-scale biofuel complex in Devbhumi Dwarka district, with an initial feedstock processing capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The project involves a proposed investment of Rs 5,100 crore and is expected to generate around 350 direct employment opportunities, with operations targeted to commence by 2029. The project will be developed as an SEZ unit and will focus on decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors, offering clean fuel solutions for aviation, shipping, and road transport. The MoU was signed in the presence of Hon'ble Cabinet Minister Rushikeshbhai Patel, Hon'ble Minister of State Kaushikbhai Vekaria and other senior officials from the Energy & Petrochemicals Department, Government of Gujarat. Commenting on the development, Vibhav Agarwal, CEO, Essar Future Energy Limited, said, "As part of the State's focus on building a green energy ecosystem for energy independence, aligned with the vision of Viksit Gujarat - Viksit Bharat @ 2047, Gujarat continues to lead India's journey in industrial growth and energy transition. Essar is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation, partnering with the Government of Gujarat to develop future-ready, low-carbon energy solutions." The project is expected to contribute to regional development while strengthening Gujarat's clean fuels and bio-energy ecosystem. - IANS A seminar on "AgriValue - The Oilseed Opportunity" was held in Rajkot as part of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference. Experts and entrepreneurs discussed elevating the agricultural economy of Saurashtra and Kutch to a global level, focusing on oilseed crops like groundnut and castor. The event highlighted the economic potential of moving from raw crop production to value-added products like oils and by-products for higher profits. Guidance was provided on modern technology, processing units, and the logistics needed to access international markets. Experts at Vibrant Gujarat conference highlight oilseed value addition, climate-resilient farming, and global export models to boost farmer income. Rajkot, January 12 As part of the 'Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference- Saurashtra-Kutch', a seminar on the theme "AgriValue - The Oilseed Opportunity" was organised at Marwadi University, Rajkot in Gujarat on Monday, according to an official statement. During the event, agricultural experts and entrepreneurs deliberated on taking the agricultural economy of Saurashtra and Kutch to the global level, the statement read. Gujarat government's Principal Secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperation Department R.C. Meena, extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests and delegates present, while he provided information on the importance of oilseeds in Gujarat's agricultural sector and the government's future plans. Chairman of the Indian Oilseeds and Produce Promotion Council, Rituparna Dole, delivered a talk on the theme 'Seeds of Prosperity', where he emphasised the need to truly unlock the potential of oilseeds and highlighted the importance of quality seeds. CIARA-CEC President Gustavo Idigoras provided virtual guidance on Argentina's model of oilseed exports at the international level. He apprised participants of the necessary steps for competitive exports in the global market. Director of ICAR-Groundnut Research, Sandeep Bera, also shared technical information on climate-resilient farming and oilseed security in Gujarat. Founder and CEO of "Anveshan", Kuldeep Pareva, delivered an address on new research and agri-innovation taking place in the oilseed sector for a sustainable future. "MoUs were signed between various institutions for the development of the oilseed sector and the exchange of technology," the statement read. The main objective of the seminar was to highlight the economic potential across the journey from production of oilseed crops to value addition. In regions including Saurashtra and Kutch, oilseed crops such as groundnut and castor are cultivated, if farmers undertake value addition instead of selling these oilseed crops directly, significant income can be generated, the statement read. The seminar provided information on how higher profits can be earned by producing oil and other by-products from oilseed crops. "Experts offered guidance on increasing farmers' income through modern technology. Information was also shared on cold-pressed oils, ghani oil, and modern refining processes, which have strong demand in international markets. Discussions were held not only on value addition but also on logistics facilities required to deliver value-added products to countries across the world. During the seminar, an appeal was made to establish oilseed processing units," the statement read. Registrar of Cooperative Societies, M.P. Pandya, expressed gratitude to all the speakers, officials, and dignitaries present at the conclusion of the seminar. - ANI People visit the "Dunhuang in Glazes" exhibition at the Jiangxi provincial art museum in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Dec. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi) NANCHANG, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- In a quiet studio in Jingdezhen, a Chinese city famous for its ancient porcelain heritage, Turkish artist Dilan Atasayar guided a brush dipped in cobalt blue across the curve of a white clay body. Under her steady hand, two ancient civilizations seemed to meet, as intricate vine motifs from traditional Turkish art intertwined with the flowing ribbons of the "Flying Apsaras," the celestial beings depicted in China's ancient Dunhuang murals. "It feels like a dialogue across time and space," she said. For Atasayar, a PhD student at Jingdezhen Ceramic University, this city in east China's Jiangxi Province has become a "second hometown." Her artistic journey, however, began thousands of miles away in Iznik, a Turkish city renowned for its historic ceramic production. Centuries ago, Jingdezhen exported its ceramics, including the exquisite blue-and-white porcelain, to Central Asia, West Asia, Europe and Africa via the ancient Silk Road, profoundly influencing the development of porcelain making in places like Iznik. Growing up in Iznik, Atasayar spent her childhood gazing at these Eastern ceramic treasures in local museums, fascinated by the blue motifs that seemed both foreign and familiarly connected to her own culture. After spending eight years studying traditional ceramic arts in Trkiye, Atasayar decided to trace the roots of that inspiration. In 2023, she enrolled in a doctoral program at Jingdezhen Ceramic University, and has been studying to master Chinese ceramic techniques such as blue-and-white shading and underglaze painting. But her exploration has gone beyond traditional ceramics. After settling in Jingdezhen, Atasayar became fascinated by a flourishing artistic trend: the creative fusion linking Jingdezhen's porcelain with the aesthetics of Dunhuang, a historic hub along the ancient Silk Road in northwest China. "The fluid lines and rich storytelling of the Dunhuang murals share an intrinsic resonance with Turkish traditional decorative arts," Atasayar explained. "And Jingdezhen's porcelain and blue-and-white techniques provide the perfect medium to express this connection." In her works, cultural boundaries often blur as she weaves together motifs from both traditions. For instance, a Flying Apsara might be depicted holding an instrument reminiscent of Turkish classical design. This fusion goes beyond simple collage. Atasayar delves deep into the history, philosophy and aesthetics of the Dunhuang art, all the while refining her mastery of ceramic techniques. "Every time I open the kiln, it's like unwrapping a gift from history. The result is unpredictable, but full of surprises," she said. Her dedication and effort have borne fruit. Her artwork "The Friendship Vase" is currently on display at the Jiangxi provincial art museum as part of the "Dunhuang in Glazes" exhibition, drawing visitors from home and abroad. On the vase, Chinese auspicious clouds dance with Turkish scroll patterns, while the sacred lotus of the East resonates with graceful Ottoman tulip motifs. Atasayar is not alone in her creative pursuit. She is part of a growing community of foreign artists in Jingdezhen, who have been drawn by the city's porcelain-making heritage and open atmosphere. Today, the ancient porcelain capital hosts thousands of international artists who, like Atasayar, find new inspiration in old traditions. "Historically, blue-and-white porcelain traveled from China to Trkiye and shaped our art. Today, we bring our own cultural background back here to engage in dialogue with Chinese tradition and create something new," Atasayar said. With the sister-city bond established between Iznik and Jingdezhen in 2021, Atasayar sees her work as more than just art, but a modern continuation of the ancient trade routes. "I hope my artworks will add a new Silk Road, paved with glaze and creativity, between these two ceramic cities and our two countries," she said. This undated photo shows Turkish artist Dilan Atasayar's artwork "The Friendship Vase" displayed during the "Dunhuang in Glazes" exhibition at the Jiangxi provincial art museum, in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Jiangxi provincial art museum/Handout via Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 19, 2025 shows a ceramic artwork related to Dunhuang murals during the "Dunhuang in Glazes" exhibition at the Jiangxi provincial art museum, in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi) This photo taken on Dec. 19, 2025 shows a ceramic artwork by a Turkish artist during the "Dunhuang in Glazes" exhibition at the Jiangxi provincial art museum, in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi) A person visits the "Dunhuang in Glazes" exhibition at the Jiangxi provincial art museum in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, Dec. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi) This photo taken on Dec. 19, 2025 shows two ceramic artworks by a Turkish artist during the "Dunhuang in Glazes" exhibition at the Jiangxi provincial art museum, in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi) This photo taken on Dec. 19, 2025 shows a ceramic artwork related to Dunhuang murals during the "Dunhuang in Glazes" exhibition at the Jiangxi provincial art museum, in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi) This photo taken on Dec. 19, 2025 shows a ceramic artwork related to Dunhuang murals during the "Dunhuang in Glazes" exhibition at the Jiangxi provincial art museum, in Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mi) Editor: Xiong Jian The Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition has generated export inquiries worth nearly Rs 500 crore. The event connected 53 international buyers with over 1,800 local manufacturers, leading to more than 2,200 B2B meetings and over 1,000 signed MoUs. The meet focuses on key sectors like handicrafts, textiles, agri-food, and gems & jewellery. The Vibrant Gujarat Summit, initiated in 2003 by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, has grown into a major global economic forum driving the state's industrial growth. Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet at Vibrant Gujarat generates Rs 500 crore in export inquiries with 53 international buyers from 23 countries participating. Rajkot, Jan 12 The Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet at Hall No. 1 of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition has emerged as one of the event's biggest attractions, drawing strong international interest and significant business traction. The meet brought together 53 international buyers from 23 countries and more than 1,800 manufacturers and sellers from across Gujarat, creating a powerful platform for direct global trade. According to Suvidh Shah, Additional Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), the meet offers local producers a rare opportunity to showcase and sell their products directly in overseas markets, with substantial economic gains expected as a result. The initiative is jointly organised by the Government of Gujarat's iNDEXTb, Office of the Industries Commissioner, MSME Department, RAMP, FIEO, CAPEXIL, and the Gujarat Jewellery Promotion and Export Promotion Council (GJPEPC). The meet focuses on a diverse range of sectors, including handloom, handicrafts, textiles, agri-food, tiles and ceramics, engineering goods, automobiles, and gems & jewellery. International buyers have arrived from the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, the Gulf countries, Australia, Africa and Central Asia, alongside 22 domestic buyers exploring sourcing opportunities. The business response has been robust: more than 2,200 B2B meetings were held over two days, and over 1,000 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed. Notably, the meet generated export inquiries worth nearly Rs 500 crore, signalling strong global demand for Gujarat's manufacturing and artisanal products. The Vibrant Gujarat Summit was launched in 2003 by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi as a strategic response to revitalise Gujarat's economy after the 2001 earthquake, to position the state as a global investment hub. What began as a state-focused investor meet soon evolved into one of the world's most influential economic forums, drawing heads of state, global CEOs, international organisations and industry leaders. Over the years, the summit has expanded its scope from investment promotion to technology, innovation, sustainability and global partnerships, helping Gujarat accelerate industrialisation, infrastructure growth and its emergence as India's manufacturing powerhouse. - IANS Vice President CP Radhakrishnan addressed the 9th convocation of Jawaharlal Nehru University, calling on graduates to dedicate their knowledge to national service. He emphasized that true education shapes character and conduct, going beyond mere degree acquisition. The Vice President highlighted the need to blend modern science with traditional Indian values and knowledge systems. He urged the youth to uphold intellectual honesty, social inclusion, and contribute actively to realizing the vision of a developed India by 2047. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan addressed JNU's convocation, urging graduates to blend modern science with traditional values and contribute to a developed India by 2047. New Delhi, January 12 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan addressed the 9th Convocation of Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi on Monday and congratulated the graduating students, urging them to dedicate their knowledge and skills to the service of the nation. Recalling the teachings of Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, the Vice-President said education must go beyond degrees to build character, strengthen intellect and empower individuals to stand on their own feet. He emphasised that education and proper training alone would enable India's youth to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat @2047, Vice President's Secretariat said. Highlighting India's civilisational tradition of knowledge, the Vice-President referred to ancient centres of learning such as Nalanda and Takshashila and noted that Indian scriptures and classics, from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita to Kautilya's Arthashastra and Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural, have consistently placed learning at the centre of societal and ethical life. He underlined that true education shapes conduct and character, and is not limited to the acquisition of degrees. The Vice-President stressed that modern science and traditional values must grow together. Referring to the democratic ethos of JNU, the Vice-President said debate, discussion, dissent and even confrontation are essential elements of a healthy democracy. However, he added that such processes must ultimately lead to a conclusion. Once a decision is taken, he emphasised, there must be a collective willingness to cooperate in its implementation to ensure smooth and effective administration. The Vice-President appreciated the inclusive atmosphere of JNU and the efforts taken by the University to promote equity and social inclusion in both student admissions and faculty recruitment, the release stated. The Vice-President also commended the leadership of the University for expanding its academic engagement into emerging and civilisational fields, including the establishment of new Centres for Hindu, Jain and Buddhist Studies at the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies. He also appreciated JNU's sustained efforts to promote Indian languages through initiatives such as the Special Centre for Tamil Studies and chairs and programmes in Assamese, Odia, Marathi and Kannada, observing that knowledge creation must flourish in mother tongues in line with the spirit of the National Education Policy. In his concluding remarks, the Vice-President urged graduates to uphold three core responsibilities--intellectual honesty in the pursuit of truth, social inclusion to reduce inequalities, and active contribution to national development. He called upon them to remain guided by constitutional values and India's civilisational ethos, and to always respect their parents and teachers. Wishing the students success in their future endeavours, the Vice-President reaffirmed India's unity and collective resolve to progress together, the release stated. Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan, Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University Kanwal Sibal, Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, senior officials, faculty members, graduating students and their families were present at the event. - ANI German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during a visit to Gujarat, expressed a strong desire to elevate Germany's strategic partnership with India to a new level. He emphasized shared democratic values and the need to oppose protectionism and the use of supply chains as instruments of power by great powers. Merz highlighted India's role as the fastest-growing G20 economy and a pivotal partner for Germany in the Indo-Pacific region. The Chancellor's visit, which included a stop at Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace, underscored the deep political and economic ties between the two nations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, visiting Gujarat with PM Modi, pledges to elevate Indo-German strategic partnership amid global geopolitical shifts. Gandhinagar, Jan 12 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday expressed willingness to elevate bilateral ties with India to a higher level. He stated that both nations share a fundamental interest in deepening the strategic partnership amid the geopolitical changes and upheavals in the world. While addressing a joint press meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their talks in Ahmedabad on Monday, Merz said, "Our two countries are seeking to intensify and deepen our cooperation. This morning, I had the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi has ascribed the following sentence: 'Be the change which you hope for the world.' We want to take heed of that together, dear Narendra Modi. We want to elevate the relations between India and Germany to an even higher and new level." Merz expressed gratitude to PM Modi for inviting him to his home state, calling it a sign of the "very deep ties" between our two countries, and also a "testament to the friendship" towards him. "This city, we're visiting today, Ahmedabad, in a certain way, is the cradle of modern India. This is where Gandhi started his non-violent struggle and fight for freedom, self-determination and democracy and the region, this part of India, Gujarat, represents an impressive economic dynamic, a dynamic of India ranging from the textile industry via highly modern smart industrial parks and to a very lively startup scene...Here in Gujarat, it becomes tangible what's important to both of us when it comes to this visit. The fundamental political values that we share, the tremendous economic potential that we see and our ever closer interconnections with a view to skilled labour and education and especially amid the profound geopolitical changes and upheavals in the world, we share a fundamental interest in deepening our strategic partnership," he said. Merz mentioned that India and Germany are focusing on the principles of free trade and open markets as the world is witnessing a renaissance of protectionism. He expressed India and Germany's opposition to big powers using supply chains and raw materials as instruments of power. "We're seeing a renaissance of protectionism. It's directed against the principles of free trade and open markets, and countries like India and Germany have been focusing on the principles of free trade and open markets, and we continue to focus on these principles in future. We are experiencing that great powers, big powers, use supply chains and raw materials increasingly as instruments of power. Together, we want to oppose this. We reduce unilateral dependencies of our supply chains, and that makes both of our economies more resilient. India, as the fastest-growing economy of the G20, is a pivotal partner in the Indo-Pacific," he said. The German Chancellor called India a "desired partner" and "partner of choice" for Germany and stressed that the two nations share fundamental values and essential interests. "Europe and transatlantic relations remain important to us today. We need to forge a broader network of partnerships, and we need to do so swiftly and with a long breath at the same time. India is a desired partner, a partner of choice for Germany and the preconditions for a renewed and deepened, and intensified partnership couldn't be more favourable. Germany is the most populous state and the state in the European Union which is the most economically strong state in the European Union, and India is the biggest democracy in the world. We share fundamental values, the highly dynamic India and the highly technological Germany. We share essential interests, and this is what we build upon." Friedrich Merz stated that Germany advocates for an international order where people live freely and securely and pointed out the changing world order, terming Russia's military action in Ukraine as the "most drastic expression" of these changes. "I want to focus on three priorities. First, we advocate for an international order in which we can live freely and securely because the world order is changing the moment we are meeting here; it is increasingly marked by great power politics and thinking on spheres of influence. Rough winds are blowing, and we have to brace ourselves against these rough winds. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is probably the most drastic expression of these changes and this upheaval. Together, we are going to assert these values and interests that we share in this new world together. No, we don't always agree on all matters, and that holds true for our European partners as well. But, the overlaps we're seeing are very big indeed, and this is why we want to cooperate more closely in the field of security policy," he said. Expressing willingness to deepen cooperation with India in defence industries and in economic ties, Merz said, "We host joint exercises of our navy and our air force and we have joint port visits, military joint visits and we have forums of consultations and we want to deepen our defence industries and the cooperation of our defence industries and this has strategic significance that strengthens both and that leads to a fact that India is less dependent on Russia. You saw it. We signed a groundbreaking memorandum of declaration. One memorandum stipulates the closer cooperation of our defence industries in the field of development and production, and the promotion of innovation and strengthening global supply chains. But not only do we intensify our defence industrial cooperation, but we also intensify our economic relations." - IANS Two suspected cases of Nipah virus disease have been identified in West Bengal, prompting immediate central government action. A National Joint Outbreak Response Team with experts from multiple institutes has been deployed to support the state. Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has written to and spoken with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, assuring full support from the Centre. The national disease control centre has been activated to coordinate the response, focusing on surveillance, contact tracing, and containment. Central government deploys expert team to West Bengal after two suspected Nipah virus cases. Health Minister Nadda assures full support to CM Mamata Banerjee. New Delhi, January 12 Two suspected cases of Nipah virus disease have been identified at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, ICMR, AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal. Taking immediate action, the central government has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team to support the State Government in containment and public health response measures, according to official sources. The team comprises experts from the All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata; the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai; AIIMS Kalyani; and the Department of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, held discussions with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Health), Government of West Bengal, to review the situation and ensure swift and coordinated action. Central Government guidelines on Nipah Virus Disease under the Communicable Disease Alert have been shared with the State Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) unit. In addition, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, has been activated to coordinate the national response. Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, has written to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, assuring full support from the Government of India. Nadda also spoke to the Chief Minister over the telephone and reiterated the Centre's commitment to extend all necessary assistance to the State in managing the situation, according to sources. "The Government of India is providing comprehensive technical, logistical and operational support to the State Government. All essential resources, including laboratory support, enhanced surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control measures, and expert guidance, have already been mobilised. The State has been advised to ensure close coordination with the deployed expert teams and to undertake meticulous contact tracing and other containment measures," the sources said The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Government of West Bengal. - ANI German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Ahmedabad for a two-day official visit to India, marking a key moment as the nations celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations. He was received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and is scheduled for a series of meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their agenda includes reviewing the bilateral Strategic Partnership and deepening cooperation in trade, technology, defence, and sustainable development. The visit aims to build on high-level engagements and set the stage for the upcoming India-EU Summit. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrives in India for a two-day official visit, meeting PM Modi to strengthen bilateral ties on trade, tech, and defence. Ahmedabad, January 12 German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in India on Monday for a two-day official visit to the country since assuming office. Merz, who arrived in Ahmedabad earlier today, is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day, marking a significant milestone in India-Germany relations as both nations mark 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of their Strategic Partnership. According to a Ministry of External Affairs post on X, Chancellor Merz was warmly received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat at the airport upon his arrival in the western state. The visit came at the invitation of PM Modi. "Welcome to India! Willkommen in Indien! Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in Ahmedabad on an official visit. Warmly received by Hon'ble Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat at the airport. India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic ties and 25 years of the India Germany Strategic Partnership. Chancellor Merz's visit and his meeting with PM Narendra Modi, later in the day, will further strengthen India-Germany partnership," the MEA post read. Merz will be in India from January 12 to January 13. This will be Merz's first official visit to India. At around 9:30 am today, the two leaders will visit the Sabarmati Ashram and at around 10 am, they will participate in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront. This will be followed by bilateral engagements from 11:15 am onwards at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The two leaders will review progress on the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently marked its 25th anniversary. Their discussion will also focus on further intensifying cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while advancing collaboration in key areas of defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance and engage with business and industry leaders of the two countries. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. PM Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz last held discussions on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where the two leaders agreed to further broaden the bilateral strategic partnership. During that interaction, Prime Minister Modi invited the German Chancellor to an official visit to New Delhi. The visit is also taking place in the lead-up to the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27. - ANI Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami addressed the National Youth Programme, stressing that a country's development is fundamentally based on its youth. He flagged off the Swadeshi Sankalp Run and paid homage to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary. Dhami highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership in opening new avenues for the young population. PM Modi also paid tribute, calling Vivekananda a powerful inspiration for India's youth power. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and PM Narendra Modi emphasize youth's role in national development on Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary. Dehradun, January 12 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reflected on Swami Vivekananda's message on the birth anniversary of the social reformer, saying that a country's development is "largely based on its youth." At the National Youth Programme on Monday, Dhami flagged off the Swadeshi Sankalp Run at Gandhi Park in Dehradun, paid floral tributes to the portrait of Swami Vivekananda, and bowed in reverence to him. He also honoured institutions working to promote indigenous products. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister emphasised the significance of youth in a country's progress. "... No country can become developed economically, politically, and culturally unless its youth is united and has a strong sense of nationalistic values embedded in them. We are the youngest populated country in the world. Any country's development is largely based on its young people. We need to channelise our youth in the right direction....," Dhami stated. He further highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in opening floodgates of opportunities for the country's young population. "... Swami Vivekanand ji is the source of inspiration for our youth. Our country has the youngest population in the world, with more than 65% of the population under 42 years of age. Today, under the leadership of PM Modi, youth are getting opportunities in various fields..." The Chief Minister added that Swami Vivekananda's message--"Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is achieved"--will continue to inspire the youth in laying a strong foundation for the nation. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his 164th birth anniversary. PM Modi said that Swami Vivekananda remains a "powerful source of inspiration for India's youth," and his personality and works continue to strengthen the resolve for a developed India. "My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda, the powerful source of inspiration for India's youth power, on his birth anniversary. His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a developed India. My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions," PM Modi wrote on X. - ANI This photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026 shows damage caused by U.S. airstrike at the port of La Guaira, Venezuela. U.S. forces carried out military strikes in Caracas and three other Venezuelan cities on Jan. 3, an operation that led to the seizure of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The strikes have drawn worldwide condemnation and concern. (Xinhua/Ding Hongfa) This photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026 shows the port of La Guaira, Venezuela. U.S. forces carried out military strikes in Caracas and three other Venezuelan cities on Jan. 3, an operation that led to the seizure of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The strikes have drawn worldwide condemnation and concern. (Xinhua/Ding Hongfa) This photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026 shows the port of La Guaira, Venezuela. U.S. forces carried out military strikes in Caracas and three other Venezuelan cities on Jan. 3, an operation that led to the seizure of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The strikes have drawn worldwide condemnation and concern. (Xinhua/Ding Hongfa) This photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026 shows damage caused by U.S. airstrike at the port of La Guaira, Venezuela. U.S. forces carried out military strikes in Caracas and three other Venezuelan cities on Jan. 3, an operation that led to the seizure of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The strikes have drawn worldwide condemnation and concern. (Xinhua/Ding Hongfa) This photo taken on Jan. 11, 2026 shows the port of La Guaira, Venezuela. U.S. forces carried out military strikes in Caracas and three other Venezuelan cities on Jan. 3, an operation that led to the seizure of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. The strikes have drawn worldwide condemnation and concern. (Xinhua/Ding Hongfa) Editor: WSH To make cancer care smoother and more effective, the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology has introduced a new clinical trial for people with gastrointestinal cancers, such as cancers of the stomach, colon, and esophagus. The PAGODA trial (Alliance A232402CD) will test a proactive approach to chemotherapy dose adjustments, aiming to minimize treatment interruptions and help patients complete their chemotherapy as planned. Unplanned chemotherapy interruptions can be stressful, time consuming, and may affect how well treatment works. Our trial will test a new approach that uses a clear, step-by-step plan to adjust chemotherapy doses before problems occur rather than waiting until side effects happen." Gabriel Brooks, MD, MPH, study chair, Associate Professor of Medicine, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine While some treatment delays are necessary due to new or worsening medical problems, many delays are triggered by asymptomatic changes that are only found in routine blood work. These unplanned delays are disruptive for patients and their caregivers because they lead to additional travel, blood draws, clinic visits, and time away from home and work-a phenomenon increasingly recognized as time toxicity. Unplanned delays are also inefficient for clinical teams, resulting in unused treatment capacity at the time of the delay and duplicative future clinic visits and laboratory testing. Lastly, delays that lead to reduced chemotherapy dose-intensity can have a negative effect on cancer treatment outcomes This trial will test PAGODA, the Proactive Graduated Dose Modification Algorithm. It's a structured plan that helps doctors make small, proactive changes to chemotherapy doses to prevent treatment delays. Instead of reacting after severe side effects occur, PAGODA guides doctors to act early, keeping patients on schedule and reducing stress and delays. The trial plans to enroll about 400 patients with cancer of the esophagus, gastroesophageal junction, stomach, small intestine, appendix, colon, rectum, and cancers of unknown primary with suspected GI origin. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: o Standard care: Doctors adjust chemotherapy doses as they normally would. o PAGODA approach: Doctors follow the algorithm to guide dose changes. Both groups receive the same chemotherapy drugs commonly used for GI cancers. "This study is about improving experience for patients and their loved ones," added Dr. Brooks. "We want to reduce the uncertainty and interruptions that come with traditional dosing methods and give patients a smoother, more predictable treatment journey. If PAGODA proves successful, it could change how we manage chemotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers-making care more consistent and less burdensome." A new study demonstrates the effectiveness of a widely-used eye injection to manage the previously untreatable rare condition, hypotony, in a project by clinical researchers at University College London (UCL) and Moorfields Eye Hospital. Hypotony is characterised by abnormally low eye pressure, which alters the eye's normal shape and internal structure. Over time, this can lead to progressive and permanent vision loss, often taking several years to result in blindness. Hypotony may develop as a result of underlying eye conditions that damage the part of the eye responsible for producing the fluid that maintains normal eye pressure. Until now, the standard treatment for eyes losing vision from low pressure has been to fill them with silicone oil. This has many benefits but is not ideal as it can be toxic to eye structures over long periods of time and is difficult to see through. The data published today in the British Journal of Ophthalmology indicates that ocular injections containing HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) a low-cost gel used in most eye surgery - can be safely used to increase the volume of eyes with hypotony, increasing both their size and pressure. Remarkably, in addition to restoring the eye's anatomy, patients also regained sight. Seven of the eight patients who received the treatment experienced improvements in vision, eye pressure and length restoration after a twelve-month course of treatment. These all came from the world's first dedicated hypotony clinic, enabled by funding from Moorfields Eye Charity. Moorfields consultant ophthalmologist Harry Petrushkin, lead author of the study, said: "We are excited that this simple treatment has proved so effective for patients with this rare condition. This is the start of a process of understanding more about the balance of fluid inside the eye, leading to improved care for our patients." This is a truly transformative new therapy that brings hope to patients otherwise without options, for what was previously an untreatable blinding and disfiguring condition. This robust proof of principle study has already exceeded my hopes of what sight recovery might be achievable. I hope that we shall be able to make it more widely available to more patients very soon, but of course these are early steps, and more hard work will be needed, not least to raise the funds needed to optimise this treatment." Gus Gazzard, Co-author, Professor, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital Nicki's story Nicki's sight issues began shortly after the birth of her son, when she was diagnosed with uveitis. For several years, she lived symptom-free, until cataracts and further complications began affecting her eyes. Multiple treatments were attempted, including the use of steroids and silicone oil. While some offered temporary relief, others led to sudden drops in pressure or even complete loss of vision. Losing vision had been frightening, but it also pushed Nicki to find out about treatment options and cutting-edge research, saying: "After I lost vision in my left eye, I thought, 'there has to be something else we can try'. It felt good that I'd been able to advocate for myself, like they understood my concerns." Her turning point came when her consultants at Moorfields began exploring an alternative to silicone oil. Encouraged by her persistence, they trialled a new approach an injection of clear gel designed to support pressure and restore function. Reflecting on that moment, Nicki said: "We went ahead and, as the pressure improved, my vision started to come back. It was incredible! "I want to keep my eyesight as long as I can, and this gives me that hope, as my sight has slowly returned. The progress I've made feels extraordinary, especially knowing that patients before me have faced irreversible sight loss. "I remember seeing Mr Petrushkin and him saying, 'Before this treatment, people were going blind.' It's incredible to know that people are regaining vision. I highly recommend this treatment. Giving people their sight back is something special." The Moorfields clinic integrates structured clinical assessment and collaboration with bioengineers at the UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering to understand the drivers of chronic low intraocular pressure. The project has been supported by the UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering summer studentship programme, with UCL Engineering students working alongside academics to help develop a computational model that aids clinical understanding of the procedure. Two students in UCL Medical School were also involved in the project and are co-authors on the research paper. This preliminary data is already informing thinking on standardised hypotony treatment nationally. It provides a foundation for future, larger-scale formal clinical trials to evaluate the potential of this highly promising approach. A new technology has been developed that enables cuffless non-invasive blood pressure monitoring by using ultrasonic to track real-time changes in vascular diameter-without the need for a traditional cuff. The technology is expected to serve as a core component in future wearable healthcare devices and smart medical monitoring platforms. A research team led by Dr. Shin Hur at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM, President Seog-Hyeon Ryu), including Syed Turab Haider Zaidi, a student researcher from the USTKIMM School at KIMM, in collaboration with Dr. Byung-Chul Lee's team at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), has developed the world's first skin-attachable, noninvasive blood pressure sensor using PMN-PT single-crystal piezoelectric composites integrated through a low-temperature soldering process. The team applied a dual-side SnBi (tinbismuth) low-temperature solder bonding technique to integrate high-performance piezoelectric devices onto a flexible substrate without depolarization. They designed and fabricated a 54 array structure ultrasonic transducer array (UTA). The ultrasonic beam from this sensor penetrates the skin, detects signals reflected from the vessel walls, and measures changes in vessel diameter. Using this principle, it measures the real-time changes in blood vessel diameter corresponding to systolic and diastolic blood pressure and calculates blood pressure values. Built on a flexible polyimide (PI) substrate with a Parylene-C encapsulation layer, the sensor adheres securely to human skin and maintains a total thickness under 0.5 mm and a weight below 1 g, ensuring long-term wearability. The sensor operates by transmitting ultrasound generated by PMN-PT single-crystal 13 composites into blood vessels, analyzing the reflected echoes to measure the vascular diameter and calculating blood pressure. To optimize acoustic propagation and reflection characteristics, the team conducted multi-physics simulations using COMSOL. The dual-side low-temperature soldering method (below 150 C) prevents thermal depolarization commonly observed in lead-based piezoelectric devices, ensuring high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and strong electrical bonding reliability without requiring high-temperature processing. Existing optical cuffless blood pressure measurement technology is susceptible to external environmental factors such as skin color, movement, and lighting. It also has limitations in that it can only measure blood vessels close to the skin surface, making it unable to measure blood pressure in deep blood vessels. In contrast, ultrasound-based blood pressure measurement technology can directly measure actual diameter changes in deep blood vessels beneath the skin. Traditional ultrasonic sensors made with rigid PZT materials also suffer from poor wearability, whereas the PMN-PT composite combined with low-temperature soldering enables conformal attachment to curved skin surfaces without performance loss. The simplified structure maintains excellent SNR without acoustic matching or backing layers, improving manufacturing efficiency. The sensor achieves high accuracy (within 4 mmHg), flexible and skin-attachable performance, offering clear advantages over existing technologies. The team validated the sensor using an artificial-skin vascular phantom. The measured systolic and diastolic blood pressures showed errors of 4 mmHg and 2.3 mmHg, respectively-meeting the AAMI clinical standard of 5 mmHg. This represents one of the highest accuracy levels reported for noninvasive ultrasonic blood pressure monitoring. This technology is the first to demonstrate continuous, cuff-free blood pressure monitoring using a skin-attachable ultrasonic sensor. Combined with AI-based blood pressure analysis, it will evolve into a core platform for personalized cardiovascular disease prediction and smart healthcare." Dr. Shin Hur of KIMM The development of this non-invasive blood pressure sensor was carried out with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources' Materials and Components Technology Development Program (project: Development of Multi-Sensory Sensors for Service Robots). This research was published in January 2026 under the title "Skin-Conformal PMN-PT Ultrasonic Sensor for Cuffless Blood Pressure Sensing via Eutectic Solder Integration" in Microsystem & Nanoengineering, which ranks first in the Instruments & Instrumentation category (JCR 0.6%, Impact Factor 9.9, as of 2024). A nationwide Swedish study reveals that when HPV vaccination reaches high coverage through schools, it protects even those who remain unvaccinated, dramatically lowering rates of the most serious cervical lesions and reinforcing the case for early, universal immunization programs. Study: Herd effect of human papillomavirus vaccination on incidence of high-grade cervical lesions: a population-based cohort study in Sweden. Image credit: FamVeld/Shutterstock.com In a recent study published in The Lancet Public Health , researchers investigated the herd effects of human papillomavirus ( HPV ) vaccination on the incidence of HSIL+ (histopathologically confirmed high-grade cervical lesions, including adenocarcinoma in situ and invasive cervical cancer) in non-vaccinated individuals in Sweden. Understanding population-level HPV protection beyond individual immunity HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection ( STI ) and a necessary cause of cervical cancer. HPV vaccination has been highly effective in decreasing cervical lesions; however, understanding the extent of indirect effects, especially in non-vaccinated individuals, is pivotal to maximizing public health benefits and refining vaccination strategies. The herd effects of HPV vaccination have been documented, particularly in reducing population-level genital warts and HPV prevalence. Nevertheless, the extent to which these effects decrease the risk of HSIL+ in non-vaccinated populations remains less clear. As such, a better understanding of these effects is crucial for assessing population-level protection. Nationwide Swedish registers track disease in unvaccinated women In the present study, researchers evaluated the incidence of HSIL+ in non-vaccinated females in Sweden. Females born between 1985 and 2000 who did not receive HPV vaccination and were not diagnosed with HSIL+ were included. They were followed up from age 10 or January 2006 until the first HPV vaccination, histopathologically confirmed HSIL+ diagnosis, death, emigration, attainment of 35 years of age, or December 31, 2022. The Total Population Register was used to identify at-risk populations and obtain information on emigration, immigration, and death. The Swedish HPV Vaccination, Prescribed Drug, and National Vaccination Registers were accessed for vaccination data. The National Cervical Screening Registry was used to identify the occurrence and diagnosis date of HSIL+ . Participants were grouped into birth cohorts exposed to distinct HPV vaccination programs, 198588, 198992, 199398, and 19992000 cohorts. The 198588 birth cohort, used as the reference group, was mainly opportunistically vaccinated and mostly at older ages; the vaccination program reached a coverage of about 6 %. The 198992, 199398, and 19992000 birth cohorts participated in subsidized, catch-up, and school-based vaccination programs, which had coverages of about 25 %, 55 %, and greater than 80 %, respectively. The cumulative incidence of HSIL+ was estimated using KaplanMeier survival curves; analyses were restricted to non-vaccinated person-time, with individuals contributing follow-up until receipt of a first HPV vaccine dose. The age-varying and age-constant incidence rate ratios ( IRR s), which describe how relative risk changes as individuals age, were estimated among non-vaccinated individuals using Poisson regression, adjusted for attained age, highest parental income and education level, and maternal birth country and maternal HSIL+ history. High-coverage school programs show markedly lower HSIL+ rates The study population included 857,168 females, who cumulatively contributed 9.47 million person-years of at-risk time. Overall, 42,274 HSIL+ cases were identified during the study period, yielding an incidence rate of 4.46 cases per 1,000 person-years. The opportunistic, subsidized, and catch-up vaccination cohorts showed comparable patterns of increasing HSIL+ incidence with age, with the highest observed in the subsidized cohort. The school-based vaccination cohort had a lower incidence of HSIL+ compared to others. There was substantial variation in age-constant IRR s across cohorts. The age-constant IRR was 1.18 in the subsidized vaccination cohort, indicating a higher rate than in the reference cohort. It was significantly lower in the school-based vaccination cohort (0.53). Further, the age-varying IRR was 1.26 at age 23, 1.42 at age 25, and 0.89 at age 33 in the subsidized vaccination cohort. The catch-up vaccination cohort had an IRR of 1.26 at age 23, which increased to 1.33 at age 24 and decreased to 0.92 at age 27 before increasing to 1.0 by age 29. The age-varying IRR was 0.53 at age 23, the oldest age reached during follow-up, in the school-based vaccination cohort. Strong herd effects emerge only with high vaccine coverage The study found strong herd effects in females born in 19992000, with consistently lower IRR s of HSIL+ in this cohort compared to those born in 198588. In the 19931998 birth cohort, the IRRs initially declined, then increased at ages 24 and 29, and subsequently declined. In individuals born between 1985 and 1992, the IRRs initially increased, peaking in their mid-20s, followed by a decrease. Overall, these results indicate a significant reduction in HSIL+ among non-vaccinated individuals in the school-based vaccination cohort. Nevertheless, there was little evidence of such protective effects in cohorts that participated in catch-up or subsidized vaccination programs, where IRR s were often elevated at younger ages before declining later in adulthood. The authors note that changes in cervical screening practices, including the transition to HPV -based screening, as well as limited follow-up in the youngest cohort, may have influenced observed incidence patterns. They also caution that cohort differences in health-care use or sexual behaviour could contribute to observed trends. These findings underscore the importance of high-coverage, school-based HPV vaccination programs to decrease cervical disease incidence. Download your PDF copy now! Bullying in the United States remains a serious public health issue with consequences that extend far beyond the school grounds. For adolescents, being bullied or engaging in bullying can lead to lasting mental, physical and social challenges that follow them into adulthood. Victims face higher risks of depression, anxiety, hallucinations, suicidality, and other long-term mental health conditions, while perpetrators often experience increased rates of delinquency, dating violence and criminal behavior. Social factors, including socioeconomic disadvantages, race and physical differences, further intensify the problem. Bullying is not just a childhood rite of passage it is a critical societal issue with enduring impacts on health, education and community well-being. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine took a deep dive into the risk factors of bullying among U.S. adolescents ages 12 to 17 using data from the National Survey of Children's Health, a U.S. Census Bureau household survey collecting information on children's physical and mental health, access to care, and family and social environments. The study focused on how socioeconomic challenges, social influences, family dynamics, and pre-existing health conditions contribute to the risk of bullying, with the goal of informing more effective prevention strategies. The results of the study, published in the journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development, found that adolescents who were overweight, struggled to make friends, were born outside the U.S., or faced mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD or learning disabilities were at higher risk of being involved in bullying, either as victims, perpetrators or both. Overweight and obese teens, in particular, faced higher odds of being both bullied and bullying others, and those who engaged in bullying also showed higher rates of behavioral problems, depression, frequent arguments and social difficulties. Foreign-born adolescents were more likely to be bullied than their U.S.-born peers. While both groups often internalized their problems, parental monitoring appeared to help protect foreign-born teens, possibly because they relied more on family support when facing social challenges. Among all 37,425 adolescents surveyed between 2022 and 2023, 13,724 (36.7%) reported being bullied in the past year, with 24.7% experiencing bullying once or twice, 6.4% monthly, 3.4% weekly, and 2.1% nearly every day. Additionally, 4,936 (13.2%) adolescents reported bullying others, with 10.4% doing so once or twice, and smaller percentages engaging in bullying more frequently. The findings point to a cycle in which being bullied can increase the likelihood of bullying others. Many of the same factors were linked to both experiences, underscoring the complex and interconnected nature of teen bullying. Our findings underscore the urgent need for evidence-based interventions to address bullying and its impact on adolescents' mental, physical and social well-being. Effective strategies involve shaping student attitudes, training school staff to respond to bullying, and engaging caregivers. Schools that implement these approaches have seen meaningful reductions in bullying and improvements in student mental health, offering lasting support to those most at risk." Lea Sacca, Ph.D., senior author and assistant professor of population health, Schmidt College of Medicine Few school-based bullying prevention programs actively involve parents, even though programs that engage caregivers tend to see greater reductions in both bullying victimization and perpetration. To overcome these gaps, the researchers say that prevention strategies should also be culturally sensitive and accessible offering workshops at flexible times, providing translated materials and arranging childcare during events. Successful programs rely on collaboration between parents and teachers, incorporating parental feedback on interventions and addressing concerns about their children's behavior. Parents are also encouraged to strengthen relationships with their children and model positive social interactions and conflict resolution at home. School policies play an important role as well. While there are no federal antibullying laws, the U.S. Department of Education has recommended 16 components for state laws, including clear definitions of bullying, characteristics of common targets, and detailed guidance for school districts. Although all states have some form of antibullying laws, only a few fully adopt the DOE's recommendations, highlighting the need for stronger, more consistent policies. "Preventing bullying requires a team effort schools, parents and communities working together," said Sacca. "When parents are actively involved and school policies are strong and consistent, we can create safer environments that support every student's mental, physical and social well-being." Study co-authors are FAU medical students Pedro Soto; Victoria Reis; Isabella Abraham; Cheila Llorens; Ayden Dunn; and Austin Lent. Afghan charge d'affaires meets external affairs ministry official Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 00:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Jan 12 (PTI) The new charge daffaires at the Afghan embassy in New Delhi on Monday held talks with a senior official of the external affairs ministry that focused on boosting bilateral economic ties. Noor Ahmad Noor is the first senior official appointed by the Taliban set-up to the Afghan embassy in India since the group captured power in Kabul in August 2021. His meeting with Anand Prakash, the external affairs ministrys pointperson for Afghanistan, largely focused on expansion of trade and facilitation of visa processes. These details were shared on social media by the Afghan embassy. It said the two sides held discussions on bilateral political and economic relations, the expansion of trade, facilitation of visa processes and issues faced by Afghan traders, students, and Afghan nationals residing in India. Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening Afghanistan-India relations and expanding bilateral cooperation and engagement," it said. There was no official word on the meeting from the Indian side. India has not yet recognised the Taliban set-up. PTI MPB KVK KVK News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 00:00 IST News agency-feeds Afghan charge d'affaires meets external affairs ministry official Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Carney visits China this week to rebuild ties, reduce Canadian dependence on US Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 02:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Beijing, Jan 13 (AP) A leader of Canada is visiting China this week for the first time in nearly a decade, a bid to rebuild the countrys fractured relations with the worlds second-largest economy and reduce Canadas dependence on the United States. The push by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who arrives Wednesday, is part of a major rethink as ties sour with the US the worlds No. 1 economy and long the largest trading partner for Canada by far. Carney aims to double Canadas non-American exports in the next decade in the face of US President Donald Trumps tariffs and the American leaders musing that Canada could become the 51st state". At a time of global trade disruption, Canada is focused on building a more competitive, sustainable, and independent economy," Carney said in a statement. Were forging new partnerships around the world to transform our economy from one that has been reliant on a single trade partner." Carney will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday and other officials. Canadian officials, in a briefing with reporters, said that its an attempt reenergise a dormant strategic partnership and also noted that Washingtons intervention in Venezuela is far reaching. Canadian officials said that there will be progress on trade irritants with Beijing, but not a definitive elimination of some tariffs. Carney will be in China until Saturday, and then visit Qatar before attending the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next week. Trumps tariffs have pushed both Canada and China to look for opportunities to strengthen international cooperation, said Zhu Feng, the dean of the School of International Studies at Chinas Nanjing University. Carneys visit does reflect the new space for further development in China-Canadian relations under the current U.S. trade protectionism," he said. But he cautioned against overestimating the importance of the visit, noting that Canada remains a US ally. The two North American nations also share a deep cultural heritage and a common geography. Carney has been in office less than a year, succeeding Justin Trudeau, who was prime minister for nearly a decade. Hes not the first new leader of a country to try to repair relations with China. Australian Premier Anthony Albanese has reset ties since his Labour Party came to power in 2022. Relations had deteriorated under the previous conservative government, leading to Chinese trade restrictions on wine, beef, coal and other Australian exports. Unwinding those restrictions took about 18 months, culminating with the lifting of a Chinese ban on Australian lobsters in late 2024. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to repair ties with China since his Labour Party ousted the Conservatives in 2024. He is reportedly planning a visit to China, though the government has not confirmed that. The two governments have differences, with Starmer raising the case of former Hong Kong media magnate Jimmy Lai, a British citizen, in talks with Xi in late 2024 in Brazil. Trump, who has said he will come to China in April, has indicated that he wants a smooth relationship with Beijing, though he also launched a tit-for-tat trade war, with tariffs rising to more than 100% before he backed down. In Canada, Trumps threats have raised questions about the countrys longstanding relationship with its much more powerful neighbour. Those close ties have also been the source of much of Canadas friction with China in recent years. It was Canadas detention of a Chinese telecommunications executive at the request of the US that started the deterioration of relations in late 2018. The US wanted the Huawei Technologies Co executive, Meng Wenzhou, to be extradited to face American charges. China retaliated by arresting two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on spying charges. While they were imprisoned, Meng was under house arrest in Vancouver, a Canadian city home to a sizable Chinese population. All three were released under a deal reached in 2021. More recently, Canada followed the US in imposing a 100% tariff on electric vehicles and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum from China. China, which is Canadas No. 2 trading partner after the US, has hit back with tariffs on Canadian exports including canola, seafood and pork. It has indicated it would remove some of the tariffs if Canada were to drop the 100% charge on EVs. An editorial in Chinas state-run Global Times newspaper welcomed Carneys visit as a new starting point and called on Canada to lift unreasonable tariff restrictions" and advance more pragmatic cooperation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that China looks forward to Carneys visit as an opportunity to consolidate the momentum of improvement in China-Canada relations." Carney met with Xi in late October in South Korea, where both were attending the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. He has also tried to mend ties with India, where relations deteriorated in 2024 after the Trudeau government accused India of being involved in the 2023 killing of a Sikh activist in Canada. The fallout led to tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats, disruption of visa services, reduced consular staffing and a freeze on trade talks. A cautious thaw began last June. Since then, both sides have restored some consular services and resumed diplomatic contacts. In November, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said that the two countries would move quickly to advance a trade deal, noting the governments new foreign policy in response to Trumps trade war. Carney is also expected to visit India later this year. (AP) SCY SCY News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 13, 2026, 02:45 IST News agency-feeds Carney visits China this week to rebuild ties, reduce Canadian dependence on US Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Docu series 'In Transit' nominated at 2026 GLAAD Media Awards Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 16:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mumbai, Jan 12 (PTI) In-Transit", the unscripted documentary series produced by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, has been nominated for Outstanding Documentary at the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The GLAAD Media Awards recognise global excellence in fair, accurate and inclusive representation of LGBTQ+ lives across media. Directed by Ayesha Sood and produced by Tiger Baby, the four-part docu series premiered on streaming service Prime Video in June last year. It chronicled the deeply personal journeys of nine transgender and non-binary individuals across India as they navigate identity, love, family and self-expression. Akhtar, who has produced the show through banner Tiger Baby, said the nomination was an honour. This reaffirms our belief that rooted Indian stories, when told authentically, will resonate powerfully with audiences around the world," she said, thanking Amazon Prime Video for providing the platform. Kagti, co-founder of Tiger Baby, added, In-Transit is a very special series for us. Were grateful to GLAAD for creating space for stories that are too often unseen, and for championing narratives that celebrate identity, dignity, and truth." Sood said the recognition comes at a crucial time. At a time when trans realities are more important than ever, we are privileged to be able to tell the stories of these nine incredible characters. Their stories, while unique and particular to them, are also universally important and resonant," she added. In-Transit" is the only Indian documentary series nominated in the category this year. The 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards will be held in Los Angeles on March 5. PTI RB RB News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 16:15 IST News agency-feeds Docu series 'In Transit' nominated at 2026 GLAAD Media Awards Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... I ended eight wars, India and Pakistan were going at it: Trump Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 11:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New York, Jan 12 (PTI) US President Donald Trump repeated his claim that he has solved the conflict between India and Pakistan, saying he ended eight wars but still did not get the Nobel Peace Prize. I ended eight wars. I If you look at those wars, these were tough wars to end, too. And let me tell you, India and Pakistan were going at it. As you know, they were going at itBut that was one of eight. But we ended eight strong wars. Some have been going on for more than 30 years," Trump said in an interview to The New York Times last week. He asserted that no one else has ended eight wars and repeated his criticism of former President Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. Ive ended remember this, Ive ended eight wars. Nobody else has ever done that. Ive ended eight wars and didnt get the Nobel Peace Prize. Pretty amazing. Obama got it. He was there for a few weeks, and he got it. He didnt even know why he got it. They asked him, why did he get it? He was unable to answer the question," he said. This was the third time in as many days last week that Trump claimed credit for stopping the conflict between India and Pakistan, an assertion he has now made about 80 times since May 10 last year, when he announced on social media that India and Pakistan agreed to a full and immediate" ceasefire after a long night" of talks mediated by Washington. India has consistently denied any third-party intervention. During a meeting in the White House on Friday with oil and gas executives to discuss plans for the Venezuelan oil reserves, Trump said Look, whether people like Trump or dont like Trump, I settled eight wars, big ones. Some going on for 36 years, 32 years, 31 years, 28 years, 25 years, some just getting ready to start like India and Pakistan, where already eight jets were shot out of the air, and I got it done in rapid order without nuclear weapons." Trump also said that Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, who had visited the White House last year, credited him for saving millions of lives by stopping the conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The Pakistani leader made a very public statement. He said that President Trump saved a minimum of 10 million lives, having to do with Pakistan and India, and that was going to be raging," he said. Earlier, in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump said he stopped the war between India and Pakistan, the two nuclear powers ready to go at it big" as he again claimed that eight planes were shot down in the conflict. He said one should get a Nobel Prize for stopping each war. Because some of these wars were going on for 30 years. India and Pakistan were ready to go at it big. And these are two nuclear countries. I got that one stopped. Eight planes were shot down. They were really at it, and I got it stopped. It was a big one," Trump had said. PTI YAS AMS News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 11:15 IST News agency-feeds I ended eight wars, India and Pakistan were going at it: Trump Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Telangana police to conduct polygraph test in CPI(M) leader murder case Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 21:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Hyderabad, Jan 12 (PTI) Police in Khammam town in Telangana would soon conduct polygraph test on six persons in connection with the murder of a local CPI(M) leader in October last year. In the absence of a breakthrough in investigation in the case, police sought to hold the polygraph test for 24 people and filed a plea in a local court last week as part of the procedures, sources said on Monday. However, only six of the 24 have given consent for the polygraph test and the court has given its nod. The test will be conducted for them, they said. The 24 people include suspects and other residents of nearby villages. The lie detector test can be conducted only if a person gives his consent. Samineni Rama Rao, a CPI(M) leader in Khammam district, was murdered on October 31 last year in his native village by unidentified assailants who slit his throat. PTI SJR SJR KH News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 21:45 IST News agency-feeds Telangana police to conduct polygraph test in CPI(M) leader murder case Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... TEHRAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Iranian government declared on Sunday three days of national mourning for "martyrs" killed in recent protests, state broadcaster reported. The move came amid rising fatalities from two weeks of nationwide unrest, which Iran has blamed on the United States and Israel. Semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that at least 111 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. In response to the unrest, the government on Sunday called for nationwide protests in support of the Islamic Republic on Monday. In a televised interview with the state broadcaster IRIB on Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his government is prepared to address the economic grievances driving the protests, but warned that "rioters" will not be tolerated. Pezeshkian also detailed the government's plans to implement a major subsidy reform program aimed at stabilizing markets, boosting production, and increasing purchasing power, providing an update on its current progress. Editor: WSH This year is dedicated to farmers' welfare, says MP CM Mohan Yadav Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 20:00 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], January 12 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his birth anniversary and highlighted that his government declared the year 2026 dedicated to farmers welfare in the state.Speaking to reporters, CM Yadav said, Today is Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, and I extend my greetings to the people of the state and the entire country on this occasion. The Prime Minister has mentioned four categories: farmers, youth, women, and the poor, and our government has decided to dedicate and observe each year to them. Our last year was dedicated to employment and industries, and before that year 2024 was dedicated to women. Now, this year 2026 has been dedicated to farmers welfare."To bring betterment in the agriculture sector and in the lives of farmers, 16 different government departments, which include horticulture, animal husbandry, agriculture, MSME heavy industry, other agriculture-based industries etc will work for the farmers welfare, the CM said. In coordination with different departments, yesterday we announced this year dedicated to farmers welfare. I am satisfied that by the end of this year, we will work on various aspects of farmer welfare," he added. Earlier on Sunday, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav formally launched Farmer Welfare Year 2026 in Bhopal. He announced that 2026 would be observed as Krishak Kalyan Varsh, during which special emphasis would be laid on farmers interests. For the effective implementation of Farmer Welfare Year, 16 departments of the state government will work in close coordination to strengthen all dimensions of agriculture, including production, cost, marketing, income, and overall welfare.CM Yadav highlighted that the states agricultural growth rate reached 16 percent, reflecting the inherent potential of the sector and the success of policy initiatives. He clarified that the governments objective was not limited to increasing production alone, but also to enhancing farmers income and reducing agricultural input costs through practical and effective measures.He added that developmental and welfare-oriented programmes would continue throughout the year. The government remains committed to ensuring farmer prosperity, sustainable agriculture and renewed strength for the rural economy. (ANI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 20:00 IST News agency-feeds This year is dedicated to farmers' welfare, says MP CM Mohan Yadav Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Daily Horoscope January 12, 2026: Zodiac Predictions For Love, Luck And Life Written By : GaneshaGrace Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 07:30 IST Daily Horoscope for January 12, 2026: Find todays zodiac predictions for love, career, luck, and relationships. Stay guided with tips for all 12 signs. Daily Horoscope January 12, 2026: Get zodiac-wise predictions for love, career, and life today. Daily Horoscope 12 January 2026: Ganesha says that the overall indication of todays horoscope is that the day will test the emotional balance, communication skills, and patience of most zodiac signs. Some signs, such as Aries, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Capricorn, and Pisces, may experience mental stress, low energy, or inner turmoil. In such a situation, it will be crucial to keep your mind calm, distance yourself from negative thoughts, and communicate openly with loved ones. Challenges may arise, but they will also provide opportunities for self-analysis and spiritual growth. Meditation, yoga, short breaks, and positive thinking can help improve the situation. On the other hand, for Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, and Aquarius, today will be more positive, enthusiastic, and conducive to strengthening relationships. Communication skills, creativity, and social harmony will increase for these signs. Time spent with family, friends, and partners will bring happiness and satisfaction. New relationships may form, and existing relationships will become sweeter. Overall, todays message for all zodiac signs is that every situation can be improved with patience, understanding, and a positive attitude, and maintaining love and harmony in relationships will be the greatest success of the day. Aries Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today will be an average day for Aries. Your creativity may be slightly diminished, making it difficult to express your thoughts effectively. This is also a time to confront your inner fears and phobias, which may cause you mental stress. Your energy levels may not be at their peak, so keeping yourself motivated might be challenging. This is a day when you might face many issues, but maintaining patience is important. Some difficulties may also arise on your path to spiritual and personal growth. Maintain faith in yourself and remember that every challenge will make you stronger. Talking openly with your friends and loved ones can be beneficial for your mental health. Discussions and conversations can provide a positive experience. Take short breaks to reduce stress. Take care of yourself today and try to maintain a positive attitude. Lucky Number: 4 Lucky Colour: Magenta Taurus Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today will be especially fruitful for Taurus. This time will bring a surge of positive energy for you. You will feel enthusiasm and excitement in your surroundings, which will make all your activities even more effective. The quality of your relationships is likely to improve today. Communication with family and friends will be sweet, which will bring joy to your heart. If you are in a committed relationship, today is a good opportunity to spend time with your partner. Increasing mutual understanding and respect will be beneficial for you. This period is also a time to enhance your cultural and social connections. You will be successful in establishing new friendships. Your positive thinking and emotional depth will make your relationships more meaningful during this time. Overall, today indicates improvement and joy in collective relationships for Taurus natives. Express your feelings openly and strengthen your bonds with others. Lucky Number: 9 Lucky Colour: Maroon Gemini Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today symbolizes completeness for Gemini. The atmosphere around you will be filled with positivity and energy. This is a time for communication and harmony. Mutual understanding in relationships will increase, making your connections even stronger. You will have the opportunity to spend joyful moments with friends and family. Your communication skills will shine today, allowing you to express your thoughts effectively. Spending time with your loved ones will bring you happiness during this time. Be mindful, as the impact of your thoughts on your relationships will be profound. Sensitivity and empathy will bring sweetness to your relationships. Thus, today is a very good day for you. Your social skills and communication abilities will open up new opportunities. Take full advantage of this time and strengthen your relationships even further. Remember, your thoughts and words can influence people, so be careful when speaking. Enjoy the happiness in your relationships! Lucky Number: 1 Lucky Colour: Sky Blue Cancer Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that todays horoscope for Cancer indicates a subtle yet significant inner experience. Today might present some challenges. Your emotions may be somewhat unstable, leading to feelings of anxiety and restlessness. Maintaining mental balance is crucial to staying in control during this time. You need to increase communication with your loved ones so you can express your feelings more effectively. This is the time to understand yourself and communicate your emotions to others. Avoid stressful situations and focus on positive thoughts. Today teaches you that relationships can become stronger even amidst difficulties. If you share your thoughts openly with your partner, you will be able to face all worries more effectively. Whatever the situation, focus on your inner core and have faith in yourself. A new dawn will soon arrive. Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Colour: Purple Leo Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today brings a mixed bag of experiences for you. Your energy and confidence might be slightly low, which could affect your social life. This is a time when you can look at your relationships more deeply. Communicate with your loved ones and share your feelings openly. Although some anxieties may arise today, try to address them. Your close friend or partner can be a source of support for you. Its natural to feel hesitant or nervous at this time, but adopting a positive attitude will help you navigate through difficult times. Remember that challenges are a part of every relationship, but today will also give you the opportunity to face and understand them. Try to connect more with the people around you; this will bring you peace of mind. This day might be a little stressful, yet you will be able to stay grounded in your love and friendships. Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Colour: Brown Virgo Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today will be a very positive day. The atmosphere around you will fill you with vigor and energy. Today you will not only be able to understand your emotions better, but you will also get an opportunity to deepen your relationships with others. Honesty and clarity will be evident in all your conversations. You will get a chance to spend some quality time with your loved ones, which will further strengthen your relationships. This is the time when you can openly share your thoughts and feelings. Find joy in the little things and enjoy the things you love with your loved one. Today you can have a positive discussion with your partner, which can bring new energy and passion into your relationship. Thus, today will be a very auspicious and exciting day for you in terms of love and relationships. To live it to the fullest, listen to your heart and move forward with positivity. Lucky Number: 3 Lucky Colour: Orange Libra Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today will be a very good day for Libra natives. You will be successful in maintaining harmony with the people around you, which will further strengthen your relationships. At this time, you will feel inspired for spiritual and personal growth, which will help you understand your true identity. Today you will be more comfortable interacting with others, and your communication style will attract people. Its time to unleash your creativity, which can also add a new dimension to your relationships. You will be able to win peoples hearts by sharing your thoughts. Try to express love and affection, as this will strengthen your relationships. Time spent with family and friends will bring you happiness and satisfaction. The biggest message of the day is to create an atmosphere of love, cooperation, and harmony around you and inspire others to participate in it. Today will be full of opportunities for you. Lucky Number: 9 Lucky Colour: Pink Scorpio Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today is a mixed day for Scorpios. Today you need to pay attention to your emotions. Your inner anxieties may trouble you a little, so try to keep your mind calm. Small things matter a lot in relationships, so try to resolve any disputes or disagreements carefully. Your sensitivity may be heightened today, which could make things a little tense with your loved ones. Dont hesitate to share your feelings, as open communication will deepen relationships. This is a good time to understand and resolve your concerns. If you are a little patient and express your thoughts clearly, the situation may improve by the end of the day. Stay positive and try to maintain good relationships with others. Handle situations with restraint and understanding today. Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Colour: Orange Sagittarius Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today will prove to be very auspicious for Sagittarius natives. You will strive to reach new heights by balancing various aspects of your life. Your energy and enthusiasm will help you face important challenges at this time. A positive approach will be seen in relationships, which will strengthen the feelings between you and your loved ones. You will succeed in establishing harmonious relationships with those around you and will experience a sense of empathy. Today will be full of new possibilities for you. You will be able to unleash your creativity and explore new avenues for personal growth. Take time to awaken your inner confidence and express your thoughts. Overall, today will be empowering and encouraging for you, infusing positivity into your life. This is the time to understand yourself and create a positive environment around you. Lucky Number: 7 Lucky Colour: Purple Capricorn Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today will be a bit challenging for Capricorn natives. At this time, you should be cautious of negative energy around you. Your thoughts and perspective may become clouded, which could hinder you from making the right decisions. This could affect your mental balance, potentially creating tension in your relationships. You are advised to communicate with your loved ones and share your feelings. This is the time to recognize your limitations and work on improving them. If disagreements arise in your relationships, be patient and Try to handle things wisely. At this time, its important to seek positivity. Enjoy the small, pleasant moments and cherish the time spent with your loved ones. Activities like meditation and yoga can help improve your mental health. Today is about keeping your emotions stable and maintaining composure. Lucky Number: 6 Lucky Colour: Yellow Aquarius Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today will be a wonderful day for Aquarians. A flow of positive energy will enter your life, making the atmosphere around you pleasant. This is a suitable time to strengthen your social relationships. You can plan to spend quality time with your friends and family. Your creativity will be at its peak today, allowing you to freely share your ideas. Your personality will appear attractive today, drawing people towards you. You will receive appreciation for your thoughts and perspectives. If you are working on a new project, you can move forward on the path of progress with the help of others. Today, it is important for you to understand the importance of communication and cooperation in relationships. This will make your day even more wonderful. Thus, today will be a fantastic day for you overall, bringing positive developments in personal and community relationships. Lucky Number: 9 Lucky Colour: Red Pisces Daily Horoscope Ganesha says that today will be filled with mixed experiences for Pisces natives. During this time, you will need to be mindful of the people around you. Some tension and anxiety may arise in relationships, but face it with patience and understanding. Try to express your feelings; this will improve mutual relationships. You are likely to receive positive support from your friends and family, which will bring you some peace of mind. Although its natural to feel the weight of worries, acknowledge them and strengthen your inner resilience. A leaning towards spirituality can help you find inner peace. Trust in yourself and be open to change. Your creativity might be a little limited, but take this as a challenge and explore new ways to express yourself. Today is an opportunity for self-reflection, allowing you to understand your emotional inner world. Lucky Number: 7 Lucky Colour: Green (The author Chirag Daruwalla is the son of Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla). News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 07:30 IST News astrology Daily Horoscope January 12, 2026: Zodiac Predictions For Love, Luck And Life Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Binny Bansal Denied Tax Relief As ITAT Rejects Non-Resident Claim Under IndiaSingapore Treaty Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 10:37 IST Binny Bansal's plea for tax relief under the India-Singapore Tax Treaty was rejected by ITAT, citing his Indian residency during Flipkart share sales in 2019. Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal not eligible for tax relief, rules (Photo Credit: IIT Delhi Flipkart co-founder Binny Bansal hasnt received any tax relief, as the Bengaluru bench of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has quashed his petition for seeking non-resident benefits under the India-Singapore Tax Treaty. Terming Binny Bansal as an Indian national, ITAT in its order said the assessee, Binny, didnt qualify for any tax relaxation for staying in India for more than 60 days and meeting the residential conditions under the Income Tax Act. It added that the provisions of Section 6(1)(c) were not applicable in this case. Earlier, Binny knocked on doors to seek tax exemptions on the capital gains arising from the sale of Flipkart shares between August 28, 2019 and November 27, 2019. In his appeal, Binny said that he had gone outside India for employment, and hence should be treated as a person being outside India. He also said that he was a resident of Singapore during the financial year 2019-20. The tax department argued that the relaxation under the Income Tax Act on residential status applies only to individuals who are already non-residents, and not to an assessee who was a resident in the immediately preceding financial year. The tribunal said that accepting Bansals argument for AY 202021 seeking an extended stay threshold of 182 days instead of 60 days under Section 6(1)(c) would mean that every person visiting India could claim such an extension year after year. Walmart had acquired Flipkart in 2018 at a deal worth $16 billion. Cofounder Sachin Bansal had completely divested his 5% holding in Flipkart to Walmart for about $1 billion at the time of the acquisition. Binny Bansal, who departed from Flipkart in November 2018, retained over 2% in the company after a funding round that raised $3.6 billion two years ago. During the 2021 transaction, Bansal partially sold his stake for approximately $200-250 million. What Is Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)? India has Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Singapore, which helps individuals to avoid paying the double tax on the same income in both countries. Under the treaty, income such as capital gains, interest, dividends and business profits is either taxed in only one country or taxed at a lower rate in the source country, with credit allowed in the resident country. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 10:37 IST News business Binny Bansal Denied Tax Relief As ITAT Rejects Non-Resident Claim Under IndiaSingapore Treaty Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Avanti Feeds, Export Stocks Rally After Sergio Gor Signals Progress In India-US Trade Talks Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 13:52 IST Shares of export-oriented companies pared losses and climbed to their days highs on January 12; Key points for investors Shrimp, Export Stocks Shares of export-oriented companies pared losses and climbed to their days highs on January 12 after comments by US Ambassador Sergio Gor on the India-US trade deal lifted market sentiment. The rebound followed sharp declines last week, triggered by US President Donald Trumps threat to impose 500% tariffs on countries continuing business ties with Russia, including India. What did the US ambassador say? Sergio Gor, who assumed charge as US Ambassador to India in New Delhi on Monday, said both countries are actively engaged and that the next discussion on the long-awaited trade deal will take place tomorrow. He also said President Trump is expected to visit India in the next one to two years. Gor added that Trump had conveyed his best wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing their relationship as genuine. Real friends can disagree, but resolve the difference," he said, portraying the trade talks as part of a resilient and broader partnership. Textile and shrimp stocks rally Avanti Feeds rose over 2% from the days low to trade at Rs 802.5, while Apex Frozen Foods surged 7% intraday to Rs 268.95. Coastal Corp gained around 2%. Gokaldas Exports jumped 7% intraday to its days high of Rs 648.5. The US contributes more than 60% of the companys revenue. Its shares have fallen over 34% in 2025 amid Trumps tariff flip-flops. KPR Mill climbed about 7% to its days high, while Pearl Global advanced 3% intraday. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 13:52 IST News business markets Avanti Feeds, Export Stocks Rally After Sergio Gor Signals Progress In India-US Trade Talks Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... DMart Shares Up 3% After Q3 FY26 PAT Rises 18%, EBITDA Up 20% Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 09:43 IST Avenue Supermarts Ltd posted strong Q3 FY26 results with profit at Rs 855.78 crore and revenue at Rs 18,100.88 crore. DMart Sees Healthy Margin Expansion, Earnings Up in Q3 FY26 DMart Share Price: Shares of Avenue Supermarts Ltd, which operates the DMart retail chain, jump 3 per cent on Monday, January 12, following strong quarterly results, with bottom line rising 18.27 per cent year-on-year for the December quarter of FY26. The scrip rose to Rs 3,918.60 per share in the early morning trade before falling to Rs 3,900 per share. In the previous session, the scrip ended at Rs 3,801 per share. The companys profit after tax rose to Rs 855.78 crore, compared with Rs 723.54 crore in the same quarter last year. The top line also jumped 3.32 per cent to Rs 18,100.88 crore during the quarter, up from Rs 15,972.55 crore a year earlier. At the operating level, the Mumbai-based retailer reported an EBITDA (operating profit) of Rs 1,463 crore for the December quarter of FY26, up 20.21% year-on-year from Rs 1,217 crore in the same period last year. The companys EBITDA margin also improved to 8.1% during the quarter, compared with 7.6% in Q3 FY25. Our revenue increased by 13.2% during the quarter, while profit after tax rose 17.6% on a year-on-year basis. Stores that are two years old and above recorded a growth of 5.6% in Q3 FY26 compared with Q3 FY25," Asawa said. During the quarter, DMart added 10 new stores, taking its total store network to 442 as of December 31, 2025. Commenting on the performance, CEO-designate Anshul Asawa said, Revenue growth was partially impacted due to deflation in staples." The company also said that Ignatius Navil Noronha will step down as Managing Director and CEO after the close of business hours on January 31, 2026. Noronha, whose term ends in January next year, had earlier decided not to seek a renewal. Along with the results, the board approved the appointment of Anshul Asawa, currently CEO-designate, as the companys Chief Executive Officer. He will become Key Managerial Personnel of the Company from 1st February, 2026, and Managing Director of the Company for a term of three years with effect from 1st April, 2026, subject to approval of shareholders of the Company." DMart, promoted by Radhakishan Damani and his family, sells essential home and personal care products across several states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, NCR, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Rajasthan. 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. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 07:04 IST News business markets DMart Shares Up 3% After Q3 FY26 PAT Rises 18%, EBITDA Up 20% Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Stocks To Watch: TCS, HCL Tech, DMart, IREDA, Vedanta, ICICI Lombard, RIL, And Others Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 08:21 IST Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like TCS, HCL Tech, DMart, IREDA, Vedanta, ICICI Lombard, RIL, and others will be in focus on Monday's trade Stocks To Watch Stocks to watch today, Monday, January 12, 2026: Markets extended their losing streak on Friday, slipping over half a percent amid weak global cues. On the technical front, analysts noted that the fall has interrupted Niftys short-term uptrend, with the index now retesting its medium-term support near the 100 DEMA around the 25,600 level. Q3 results today Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HCL Technologies, Anand Rathi Wealth, Maharashtra Scooters, Infibeam Avenues, Krishna Phoschem, GTPL Hathway, Lotus Chocolate Company, Premier Polyfilm, Tierra Agrotech, Gujarat Hotels and Continental Securities will announce their December quarter results today. Avenue Supermarts (DMart) The retailer reported an 18.3 per cent year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 856 crore in Q3FY26, compared with Rs 724 crore a year ago. Consolidated revenue increased 13.3 per cent to Rs 18,100.88 crore from Rs 15,972.6 crore. The board also appointed Anshul Asawa, currently CEO-designate, as chief executive officer and key managerial personnel. IREDA Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency posted a 15.4 per cent YoY jump in consolidated net profit to Rs 1,381.36 crore in Q3FY26. Revenue from operations rose 28.2 per cent to Rs 6,041.82 crore from Rs 4,714.25 crore in the year-ago quarter. Vedanta The NCLT Mumbai bench approved a Scheme of Arrangement involving subsidiaries such as Talwandi Sabo Power, Vedanta Aluminium Metal, Malco Energy, Vedanta Base Metals and Vedanta Iron and Steel. The scheme enables restructuring of Vedantas aluminium, power, iron and steel, and base metals businesses into separate entities. ICICI Lombard ICICI Lombard General Insurance reported a corporate governance lapse after draft, unaudited December quarter results were inadvertently posted on a senior employees personal WhatsApp status. The insurer informed stock exchanges as a precautionary step. NTPC NTPC signed a shareholder agreement with MAHAGENCO for acquiring Sinnar Thermal Power, which is under CIRP proceedings. STPL owns a 5270 MW coal-based thermal power plant with total capacity of 1,350 MW in Sinnar, Nashik. Lemon Tree Hotels The board approved Warburg Pincuss acquisition of a 41.09 per cent stake held by APG Strategic Real Estate Pool NV in subsidiary Fleur Hotels, along with an investment of Rs 960 crore in tranches. Coastal Cedar Investment BV will execute the transaction. Aurobindo Pharma CuraTeQ Biologics, a wholly owned subsidiary, received a Notice of Compliance from Health Canada for Dyrupeg, its pegylated filgrastim biosimilar, confirming regulatory approval on safety, efficacy and quality parameters. Spandana Sphoorty Financial The board is considering the merger of subsidiary Criss Financial with the parent company. It has granted in-principle approval and formed a Merger Steering Committee to finalise transaction terms. Akzo Nobel India The board appointed Parth Jindal as chairman with effect from January 9 and re-designated Rajiv Rajgopal as joint managing director and CEO. Adani Enterprises Adani Group has committed an investment of Rs 1.5 lakh crore in the Kutch region over the next five years, Karan Adani, MD of Adani Ports and SEZ, announced. NTPC (update) NTPC will set up a coal-to-synthetic natural gas facility in Chhattisgarh with an investment of about Rs 10,000 crore, and is exploring technology tie-ups for coal beneficiation and gasification. Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani announced five major commitments at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, pledging Rs 7 lakh crore investment in Gujarat over the next five years, doubling the Rs 3.5 lakh crore invested since 2021, in line with Reliances clean energy and development roadmap. 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. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 08:21 IST News business markets Stocks To Watch: TCS, HCL Tech, DMart, IREDA, Vedanta, ICICI Lombard, RIL, And Others Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Reliance Industries Says Battery Manufacturing Plans Are On Track Published By : Reuters Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 12:55 IST Reliance Industries firmly says that there has been no change in its plans to build a world-leading battery storage manufacturing ecosystem. Reliance Industries Ltd's Battery Manufacturing Plans. Indias Reliance Industries said on Monday that its plans for battery storage manufacturing have not changed, after a Bloomberg News report claimed the company had paused plans to make lithium-ion battery cells in India because it couldnt secure Chinese technology. Reliance Industries firmly stated that there has been no change in its plans to build a world-leading battery storage manufacturing ecosystem, from cell production to containerised energy storage systems, and that everything is progressing according to schedule. The conglomerate, led by Mukesh Ambani, had planned to start making cells this year and was in talks with Chinese company Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology to license cell technology, according to Bloomberg News. The talks stopped after Xiamen pulled out of the partnership due to Chinas restrictions on exporting technology in key sectors, which led Reliance to focus more on assembling battery energy storage systems. Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. Last October, Beijing announced new rules on exporting lithium battery components, requiring exporters to get permits, which tightened Chinas control over technology important for energy storage and electric vehicles. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 12:55 IST News business Reliance Industries Says Battery Manufacturing Plans Are On Track Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bengaluru Techie Killed, Flat Set On Fire After Resisting Sexual Favours; Teen Arrested Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Anushka Vats Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 13:49 IST An 18-year-old PUC student living next door has been arrested in the case. He allegedly entered the victims flat through a sliding window at around 9 pm on the day of incident. The Bengaluru techie was killed by her neighbour (Credits: News18) A 34-year-old software engineer, identified as Sharmila Kushalappa, was found dead after a fire broke out at her flat in Subramanya Layout on the night of January 3. What initially started as a late-night fire accident in an apartment in East Bengaluru has now been confirmed as a case of murder. At first, it was believed that the fire was caused by a short circuit. However, forensic examination later revealed that she had been suffocated to death and that the fire was set to destroy evidence. The victim, who hailed from Dakshina Kannada, worked for a prominent tech company. An 18-year-old PUC student, Kurai, a native of Virajpet, has also been arrested in connection with the crime. He lived with his single mother next door. On the day of the incident, he allegedly entered the victims flat through a sliding window at around 9 PM. According to investigators, the accused allegedly entered her flat, demanded sexual favours and killed her when she resisted. Police said the accused allegedly pinned her down and covered her mouth and nose, causing her to lose consciousness. During the assault, she sustained a minor injury and began bleeding. He later gathered her clothes and other items from the room, placed them on the bed, and set them on fire in an attempt to destroy evidence. He then fled the flat, taking the victims mobile phone with him. He is also accused of setting the flat on fire after the murder and fleeing with her mobile phone. Kurai has been booked under Sections 103(1), 64(2), 66 and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and a further probe into the incident is underway. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 06:59 IST News bengaluru-news Bengaluru Techie Killed, Flat Set On Fire After Resisting Sexual Favours; Teen Arrested Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Goldy Brar Gang Member Rohit Godara Arrested, Delhi Police Say He Was Wanted In 18 Cases Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 15:57 IST According to the police, accused Vikas was an active member of the Rohit Godara-Goldy Brar gang and had played a key logistical role for the syndicate. The criminal, identified as Vikas alias Vicky, had a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head. (Photo: X/@CrimeBranchDP) Delhi Police on Monday arrested a member of the Rohit GodaraGoldy Brar gang. As per the official statement, he was wanted in multiple criminal cases and had a reward of Rs 1 lakh in Uttar Pradeshs Loni. The accused is identified as Vikas alias Vicky. He is a resident of Haryanas Mahendergarh district and was wanted in an Arms Act case registered at Chanakyapuri police station. According to officials, Vikas played a significant logistical role within the Rohit Godara-Goldy Brar gang and was declared a proclaimed offender. He is implicated in at least 18 criminal cases across four statesDelhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. In a statement by the Delhi Police, Vikas was arrested in an operation led by Inspector Rakesh Sharma, under ACP Umesh Barthwal. Sustained surveillance & precise intelligence led to the arrest a major blow to organised gangster networks. Successful operation led by Insp. Rakesh Sharma, under ACP Umesh Barthwal and overall supervision of DCP Sh. Pankaj Kumar," Delhi Police said. BIG BREAKTHROUGH | NDR, CRIME BRANCH | DELHI POLICE Under Operation Gang Bust, NDR/Crime Branch has nabbed a notorious member of Rohit GodaraGoldy Brar gang from Loni, UP. Proclaimed Offender in multiple cases Involved in 18 heinous criminal cases across Delhi, pic.twitter.com/ACsxtJKYwd Crime Branch Delhi Police (@CrimeBranchDP) January 12, 2026 As per a report by PTI, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Pankaj Kumar shared further information on Vikas criminal history and said that in 2023, he (Vikas) allegedly arranged accommodation for about 10 gang members in a rented flat in Gurugram, where they planned the assassination of Kaushal Chaudhary, the leader of the rival Kaushal gang, inside a court complex. Although police managed to arrest the gang members from the flat, Vikas managed to escape. Following the incident, a reward of Rs 1 lakh was announced by the Haryana STF for information leading to his arrest. After about six months, Vikas was apprehended by Haryana Police from Hisar, but he subsequently went underground again after his release. During interrogation, Vikas disclosed that he came in contact with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while lodged in Jaipur jail in 2021," the DCP was quoted as saying by PTI. Due to internal conflicts between the Lawrence Bishnoi group and the Rohit Godara-Goldy Brar gang, Vikas switched allegiance and actively participated in robbery and extortion to generate funds for the Rohit Godara-Goldy Brar gang. In June 2025, Goldy Brar allegedly made extortion-related threat calls to several Delhi businessmen. Vikas, along with his associates, was tasked with carrying out a shooting outside a club in Delhi, but the plan was thwarted with the arrest of his associates in Chanakyapuri. Vikas was absconding in an Arms Act case registered at Chanakyapuri police station on June 23, last year and had been declared a proclaimed offender in five cases in Haryana and Delhi. Upon his arrest, proceedings under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) had been initiated in the Chanakyapuri case. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 15:56 IST News new-delhi-news Goldy Brar Gang Member Rohit Godara Arrested, Delhi Police Say He Was Wanted In 18 Cases Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Critical Thinking Is The Soul Of JNU, Says Dharmendra Pradhan At 9th Convocation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 18:37 IST Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended JNUs 9th convocation. He urged graduating students to uphold the values of inclusivity, social justice and critical thinking. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with JNU VC Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday attended the 9th convocation ceremony of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which was held in the presence of Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan. Congratulating the students who received degrees and medals at the ceremony, Pradhan wished them a bright future and praised JNUs long-standing contribution to higher education in the country. The minister said that through years of consistent academic work, JNU has built a strong tradition of academic excellence. He noted that the university has been among the leading institutions in India that have promoted real academic autonomy in an interdisciplinary environment, with critical thinking forming the core of its academic culture. Addressing the graduating students, Pradhan urged them to carry forward JNUs values of inclusivity, social justice and responsibility. He encouraged them to become voices for the marginalised and work towards reducing inequalities in society. The education minister said that some students may go on to strengthen democracy by serving in Parliament and state legislatures, while others may contribute to nation-building by serving in government institutions. ALSO READ: NTA Issues Advisory For CUET PG 2026 Applicants; Details Here He added that graduates could also play key roles as strategic experts and ambassadors, help strengthen Indias global standing, build start-ups and unicorns through innovation and entrepreneurship, or shape public discourse as writers, journalists and thought leaders. Pradhan said the country expects the youth to make active and positive contributions towards achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 18:37 IST News education-career Critical Thinking Is The Soul Of JNU, Says Dharmendra Pradhan At 9th Convocation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Students and their parents leave the Taipei Confucius Temple after praying for good luck in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan, Jan. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Chenghao) TAIPEI, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of high school students and their parents gathered on Saturday at the Taipei Confucius Temple to pray for good luck in an upcoming college entrance exam. Honoring Confucius, China's most revered ancient educator, the Taipei Confucius Temple held a special prayer ceremony for candidates of the General Scholastic Ability Test, a major college entrance exam that will take place in mid-January this year. Students wrote their names, dates of birth, home addresses, exam locations and candidate numbers on prayer cards provided by the temple. They then followed ritual procedures, including bowing to the memorial tablet of Confucius, before the cards were collected and placed in a blessing box. "I felt a sense of calm when bowing and praying," said an examinee surnamed Wu. "Preparations for the exam have been quite stressful lately. Today, I hope to express my respect to Confucius, and also draw encouragement from the sense of ritual." Some parents offered prayers on behalf of their children. One parent, surnamed Chen, shared that she prayed for her daughter, who had been working extremely hard in preparation for the exam. "There isn't much we can do as parents to help her directly, and I just hope that paying respects to Confucius at the temple can bring her some peace of mind," she said. Huang Sui-ping, a staff member at the Taipei Confucius Temple, said the temple had held prayer ceremonies for college entrance examinees for more than a decade. "The purpose is to convey good wishes through traditional rituals, in the hope of helping students ease exam-related stress and do their best in the exam," Huang said. Editor: WSH Amravati Civic Polls: BJP Cuts Tie With Ravi Rana's Party; Navneet Rana To Support BJP Candidates Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 10:42 IST The BJP alleged that the partnership collapsed after Ravi Ranas party failed to honour its commitment on six seats in Amravati. Ravi Rana with his wife and former MP Navneet Rana | File Image The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has parted ways with MLA Ravi Ranas Yuva Swabhiman Party (YSP) ahead of the January 15 Amravati Municipal Corporation elections, ending their electoral understanding for the civic polls. Confirming the split, Amravati BJP district president Nitin Dhande said on Sunday that the party had withdrawn its support from the six seats that were earlier allocated to the Yuva Swabhiman Party as part of the alliance arrangement. He alleged that the partnership collapsed after Ranas party failed to honour its commitment. According to Dhande, the BJP will now back independent candidates on those seats who are ideologically aligned" with the party. He claimed that the Yuva Swabhiman Party went against the agreement by fielding candidates in constituencies where the BJP had expected mutual support. Despite the political fallout, Dhande clarified that Navneet Rana, former Lok Sabha MP and wife of Ravi Rana, will continue campaigning for BJP candidates in the civic polls. The development comes amid heightened political activity in Maharashtra, where civic elections are being closely watched as a test of party strength at the grassroots level. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and several other municipal bodies are set to go to polls, with campaigning gaining momentum across the state. The Amravati Municipal Corporation election is scheduled for January 15, with counting of votes on the next day. Major political players, including the BJP, Congress, Shiv Sena factions, Nationalist Congress Party groups and several regional outfits, are in the fray, making the contest multi-cornered. With civic polls often seen as a barometer of public mood ahead of larger electoral battles, shifting alliances and last-minute realignments are likely to shape the outcome in key urban centres, including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Amravati. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Maharashtra, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 10:42 IST News elections Amravati Civic Polls: BJP Cuts Tie With Ravi Rana's Party; Navneet Rana To Support BJP Candidates Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... ISRO To Launch Anvesha On PSLV-C62: What Sets Indias New Earth-Observation Satellite Apart Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 10:41 IST Developed by the DRDO, Anvesha is a hyperspectral Earth-observation satellite designed to provide India with sharper surveillance and terrain-classification capability. PSLV-C62 will carry EOS-N1 and 15 co-passenger satellites. (Image: X/@isro) India is preparing to place a new high-resolution surveillance asset in orbit at a time when satellite-based imaging has become central to defence planning, disaster response and terrain assessment. Earth-observation missions worldwide have steadily shifted from broad-band cameras to more advanced spectral instruments capable of identifying materials, detecting concealed objects and reading changes in land conditions with far greater precision. In this context, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the Earth Observation Satellite-N1 (EOS-N1) Anvesha aboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C62 (PSLV-C62) mission today. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Anvesha is a hyperspectral Earth-observation satellite designed to provide India with sharper surveillance and terrain-classification capability. This flight also marks the PSLVs return after its 2025 anomaly. Alongside Anvesha, the mission carries 15 domestic and international co-passenger satellites, including seven from Hyderabad-based Dhruva Space, reflecting the increasing depth of Indias private space ecosystem. What EOS-N1 Anvesha Brings To Indias Surveillance Capabilities Anvesha has been developed by DRDOs Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) as a mini-satellite weighing between 100 and 150 kilograms. It will operate in a low Earth orbit of around 600 kilometres. Its core strength lies in its hyperspectral imaging payload, which captures hundreds of narrow spectral bands rather than the three broad colour channels commonly associated with satellite imagery. Each natural or artificial surface reflects light in a unique pattern across these narrow bands. By capturing this information, Anvesha can identify materials, differentiate between vegetation types, read soil characteristics, detect moisture levels and distinguish camouflage from the natural environment with far greater accuracy than standard optical sensors. Lt General AK Bhat (Retd), Director General of the Indian Space Association (ISpA), described the capability clearly: This breakthrough technology enables hyperspectral imaging across hundreds of narrow spectral bands, far surpassing conventional RGB imaging." It will deliver unprecedented capabilities for material identification, strategic surveillance and national security, including applications in missile defence monitoring," he said to The Hindu. For the armed forces, this means a higher-fidelity picture of ground conditions and infrastructure, especially in sensitive border regions where visibility, terrain strength and concealment play a significant role in operational decisions. How Hyperspectral Imaging Actually Works Every material interacts with light differently. Water absorbs parts of the spectrum, while vegetation reflects others. Hyperspectral sensors capture these fine differences, producing what experts call a spectral signature". To decode these signatures, scientists create spectral libraries using instruments such as spectroradiometers, which measure reflected light from pure samples of soil, water, vegetation or man-made surfaces. Once a satellite like Anvesha captures spectral data, automated systems compare it with these libraries to classify or identify what lies on the ground. When combined with mapping tools and 3D terrain models, hyperspectral imaging allows more precise route planning, risk assessment after natural disasters and better monitoring of concealed or suspicious structures. These capabilities extend beyond defence. They support agricultural monitoring, climate studies, mineral surveys and search-and-rescue operations. With hyperspectral data, it becomes possible to detect early signs of crop stress, monitor environmental degradation or assess flood impact with much finer detail. Inside The Payload Electronics: The Role Of Indian Industry A significant portion of Anveshas sophistication comes from its payload electronics, designed to operate, calibrate and process the hyperspectral sensors output. Centum Electronics Ltd, a core member of ISpA, developed the entire payload electronics suite for IRDE. According to Lt General Bhat, the system controls the detector, distributes power, conditions analogue signals, digitises the data and formats the hyperspectral output for downlink to ground stations. These subsystems are crucial for maintaining the sensors performance during orbit, ensuring the data is synchronised, stable and ready for analysis. The involvement of private industry at this level illustrates how defence-space missions are gradually shifting toward a more collaborative ecosystem that includes government laboratories and specialised Indian companies. Anvesha And Indias Rapidly Expanding Military Space Roadmap Anvesha is the second DRDO satellite of this class to be launched in under five years. In 2021, DRDO deployed Sindhu Netra, designed to help the Indian Navy track maritime activity in the South China Sea and surrounding waters. Indias military space plans have accelerated since Operation Sindoor. In October 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a major expansion of Indias surveillance constellation under Phase III of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS-III) programme. With an allocation of around Rs 26,968 crore, the initiative includes plans to launch 52 dedicated military surveillance satellites to enhance border monitoring and intelligence-gathering capability. Anvesha adds hyperspectral depth to this emerging network, providing a layer of material-identification and concealment-detection that conventional electro-optical or radar satellites cannot offer on their own. PSLV-C62: ISROs Workhorse Returns After A Setback Todays launch is ISROs first PSLV mission since the May 2025 anomaly in the rockets third stage. The PSLV has enabled several of Indias landmark missions, including Chandrayaan-1, the Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1 and Astrosat, and has long been regarded as one of the worlds most reliable medium-lift launchers. ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan underlined the significance of the return to flight in a statement to NDTV: Indias workhorse rocket will show what ISRO can do for user agencies. The main passenger protects India from the skies and the smaller co-passengers signify how Indias private space sector is flourishing with just one Hyderabad company Dhruva Space contributing to seven satellites, setting a new benchmark." The mission is also the ninth dedicated commercial flight undertaken by NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISROs commercial arm. A Diverse Cluster Of Co-Passengers: Dhruva Space Leads The Pack The PSLV-C62 mission carries 15 co-passenger satellites alongside Anvesha. A standout feature of this flight is the contribution of Dhruva Space, which is providing seven satellites, the largest contribution by a single Indian private company on one mission. These satellites include platforms for connectivity, remote sensing and academic research, developed with institutions such as Dayanand Sagar University, CV Raman Global University and Assam Don Bosco University. Dhruva Space is supplying satellite deployers and also offering ground station support. The company has recently secured Indias first licence for ground station-as-a-service from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), enabling it to provide communications support for both Indian and international missions. The other payloads on board include satellites from France, Nepal, Brazil and the United Kingdom. The manifest also features the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID), a small prototype re-entry vehicle developed by Spanish start-up Orbital Paradigm. After deployment, KID is expected to re-enter Earths atmosphere and splash down in the South Pacific Ocean, making it one of the more unusual co-passengers on the mission. OrbitAID Aerospaces AayulSAT, an experimental payload testing in-orbit refuelling concepts, is also part of the launch. Why PSLV-C62 Matters For Indias Space Future The PSLV-C62 mission brings together three major strands of Indias evolving space landscape. It marks the PSLVs return and reinforces confidence after last years failure. It places in orbit a DRDO hyperspectral satellite that enhances Indias surveillance, mapping and national-security capability. And it showcases the maturity of Indias private sector, which is moving beyond small payloads to building satellites, deploying them and operating ground infrastructure. The mission will strengthen Indias position as a dependable launch provider and underscore the countrys shift toward a more integrated, multi-stakeholder space ecosystem. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 09:19 IST News explainers ISRO To Launch Anvesha On PSLV-C62: What Sets Indias New Earth-Observation Satellite Apart Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Vishwamitra: The Modi Era And Indian Army's Rise As A Global First Responder Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 13:42 IST Indias Vishwamitra philosophy also shapes its disaster-relief efforts, where the Indian Army has played a key role in providing timely assistance during major natural calamities. In this image, Indian Army deployed an Integrated Task Force, a high-readiness, self-contained composite HADR contingent to provide critical relief, restore essential services and support families in Sri Lanka affected by Cyclone Ditwah. (@adgpi/X via PTI Photo) Indias approach to humanitarian assistance has expanded steadily over the past decade, shaped by a foreign-policy emphasis on responsibility and timely support during crises. The Modi government has described this outlook through the idea of Vishwamitra (a friend of the world), reflecting Indias intention to offer practical help where it can, especially during natural disasters. This approach has increasingly taken the form of structured Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions, many of which extend beyond the immediate neighbourhood. Indias participation in earthquake, cyclone and flood-related relief efforts in recent years, from Nepal and Indonesia to Turkiye, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, illustrates this shift. These deployments have not been about scale or prestige but about providing targeted capabilities at critical moments: medical support, engineering assistance, temporary connectivity solutions and on-ground stabilisation. Over time, this has built a reputation for reliability, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and surrounding regions. At the centre of this effort is the Indian Army. Its medical, engineering and aviation units have repeatedly operated in difficult terrain and time-sensitive environments, supporting local authorities when civilian systems are overstretched. Whether establishing field hospitals, reopening access routes or assisting displaced communities, the Armys contributions have become a defining element of Indias HADR profile. The following case studies present this evolution in detail, tracing how the Army has responded to some of the biggest humanitarian crises of the last decade. Operation Maitri (2015, Nepal) The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on 25 April 2015 flattened entire districts, killed thousands and left Kathmandu Valley in a state of near paralysis. India launched Operation Maitri within hours, and the Indian Army became the backbone of the response. According to official data, the Indian armed forces flew 2,223 sorties, evacuated about 11,200 people and transported nearly 1,700 tonnes of relief material into Nepal during the operation. The Armys Rapid Action Medical Teams provided medical assistance to 4,762 injured people, performed 300 surgeries, admitted 216 patients and handled more than 4,100 outpatient cases in some of the worst-hit locations. The Engineer Task Force helped reconstruct 55 shelters for displaced families. Army Aviation inducted 567 Nepalese Army personnel into inaccessible areas and ferried relief material into villages such as Lukla, Dhading, Chautara, Barpak and Lamabagar, which had been isolated by landslides. The Army also supplied 10,000 blankets, 1,000 tents and 1,000 tarpaulins to families who had lost their homes. Former NDRF Director General O.P. Singh said, We were the first international rescue team in Nepal. Within hours, we had equipment, rescue teams, and canines on the ground. For the first time, we received global recognition." This cemented Indias position as the regions fastest-moving disaster responder. Operation Samudra Maitri (2018, Indonesia) When an earthquake and tsunami struck Central Sulawesi in September 2018, Indonesia faced mass casualties, collapsed hospitals and displacement on a large scale. India responded with Operation Samudra Maitri. Indian Army medical teams set up mobile clinics in Palu and Sigi, treating crush injuries, septic wounds, dehydration and respiratory distress among survivors. Army engineers assisted local authorities in clearing debris and reopening fractured road networks, enabling relief movement into districts where infrastructure had collapsed. While relief material was transported through air and sea routes, the Indian Armys medical and engineering teams ensured that assistance was rapidly translated into on-ground care and support for affected communities. Operation Dost (2023, TurkiyeSyria) The twin earthquakes that struck Turkiye and Syria in February 2023 caused catastrophic destruction across multiple Turkish provinces. Under Operation Dost, the Indian Army established a 30-bedded field hospital in Hatay, staffed by 99 Army personnel, including surgeons, orthopaedic specialists, anaesthetists and paramedics. The facility became operational within hours of landing. During the mission, the Army treated 3,604 patients, performing surgeries, stabilising crush injuries and providing critical paediatric and geriatric care. Patients included those pulled from rubble after prolonged entrapment and others injured during severe aftershocks. India also supplied hundreds of tonnes of relief material, including medicines and diagnostic kits, reinforcing the Armys operations. Turkish authorities publicly acknowledged India as one of the earliest and most effective responders. India also sent more than six tonnes of relief material to Syria. On questions about aid to a country facing US sanctions, MEA secretary Sanjay Verma said India followed the G20 mantra of One Earth, One Family, One Future", adding that Sanctions dont cover such humanitarian assistance." Operation Brahma (2025, Myanmar) A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on 28 March 2025, killing over 2,000 people. India launched Operation Brahma to provide necessary support, including Search and Rescue (SAR), humanitarian aid, disaster relief and medical assistance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Myanmars military chief Min Aung Hlaing that India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour." Under the operation, India provided relief supplies of approx 750 MT, including essential medicines, foodgrain, ready-to-eat meals, tents, blankets, gensets, rapidly deployable surgical and medical shelters, water, sanitation and hygiene services, drinking water, essential clothing, 20 prefabricated office/residential structures, etc. Operation Brahma: Indian Armys Humanitarian Mission to Myanmar In a swift response to the 28 March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar, the #IndianArmy, as part of Operation Brahma, is deploying a specialised medical task force to provide urgent humanitarian aid. A 118-member team pic.twitter.com/ESkMGqQ2Bn ADG PI INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) March 29, 2025 It deployed a 127-member Indian Army field hospital team. The hospital offered a wide spectrum of services: emergency surgeries, orthopaedic intervention, maternal care and treatment for crush injuries and fractures. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that when India says Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", we also want to mean it. We want to prove that by action, and therefore, you know, we are very humbled when we have this opportunity to respond to a crisis such as what has happened in Myanmar and extend our support to people." Operation Sagar Bandhu (2025, Sri Lanka) India launched Operation Sagar Bandhu on 28 November 2025 as the first responder to Cyclone Ditwah, which devastated large parts of Sri Lankas east and central districts. Guided by the Neighbourhood First policy, India moved quickly to deliver life-saving assistance across regions that had been badly hit and, in several cases, rendered inaccessible. Within the first few days, more than 50 tonnes of emergency relief material including dry rations, tents, tarpaulins, blankets, medical supplies and trauma-care systems reached Sri Lanka, followed by heavier consignments moved by air and sea. By the end of the first week, India had sent well over 1,000 tonnes of relief material through a combination of airlifts and naval sealifts. The Indian Armys role became central as the mission shifted from immediate relief to stabilisation. A modular Indian Army field hospital, airlifted to Sri Lanka in the early phase of the operation, treated thousands of cyclone-affected persons within days, performing surgeries, delivering trauma care and supporting local health services that had been damaged or overwhelmed. Indian Army medical teams also worked alongside the Aarogya Maitri initiative, deploying BHISHM trauma-care cubes and training Sri Lankan medical personnel in their use. Army engineers played a crucial part in restoring connectivity. They deployed modular Bailey bridge systems to replace washed-out links in landslide-affected districts, enabling relief material to reach communities cut off since the cyclones landfall. The combination of medical support, engineering capability and sustained logistical presence made the Army a core pillar of Indias on-ground humanitarian effort. Domestic Humanitarian Operations Indias overseas HADR missions operate alongside an equally demanding responsibility at home. While the Army has long been central to disaster relief within India whether during floods, landslides or cloudbursts the past decade has seen these roles acquire greater urgency and frequency. Extreme weather events now affect multiple states each year, often overwhelming civilian infrastructure. In such situations, the Armys ability to mobilise quickly, navigate difficult terrain and provide medical and engineering support remains indispensable. The following examples outline how the Armys humanitarian role continues within Indias borders. Kerala Floods (2018) The floods that hit Kerala in August 2018 were the worst in nearly a century, displacing more than a million people and submerging entire districts. The Indian Army deployed over 100 columns across Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Idukki. Soldiers carried out rooftop rescues, navigated dangerously swift currents to reach stranded families and evacuated those trapped without food or medical support. Army engineers rebuilt washed-out stretches, constructed improvised bridges over broken roadways and cleared landslides that had cut off access to multiple towns. Medical teams operated clinics in relief camps, treating flood-related injuries, infections and dehydration. The Armys sustained presence allowed civil authorities to stabilise communities and plan recovery in one of the most complex disaster responses India has managed in recent decades. North India Floods (2025) Persistent monsoon rainfall in July 2025 triggered severe flooding across Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. The Armys Western Command mounted continuous HADR operations, deploying multiple columns across different states. Soldiers rescued stranded residents, restored road links damaged by landslides and reinforced slopes vulnerable to further collapse. Army medical teams treated thousands in makeshift relief centres, often working through relentless rainfall that made mobility unpredictable. Manipur Landslides (2025) Torrential rain in mid-2025 caused extensive landslides across Manipurs hill districts, isolating several villages. The Indian Army and Assam Rifles delivered essential supplies, including food, medicines and water, to communities that had lost all road connectivity. Soldiers worked with state authorities to identify alternative evacuation routes, move vulnerable residents to safety and provide immediate medical care in remote clusters where health access had been cut off. Arunachal Pradesh Flood Relief (2025) Flash floods and slope failures in Arunachal Pradeshs Dibang Valley destroyed bridges and blocked all approach roads, leaving settlements isolated. The Indian Army deployed drones to deliver essential supplies an innovation tailored to the regions terrain. Engineering units created improvised access systems, stabilised damaged slopes and maintained a supply chain until weather conditions improved. The operation demonstrated how technology-driven adaptations are increasingly becoming part of the Armys HADR toolkit. Conclusion The Modi era has placed clearer emphasis on Indias humanitarian commitments, and the Indian Army has been central to translating that vision into effective action. Whether assisting neighbouring countries in moments of crisis or supporting state administrations during severe floods and landslides at home, the Armys contribution has been defined by reliability, speed and practical capability. As climate-related emergencies increase across the region, the Armys experience in HADR operations will remain essential to Indias response framework. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 13:42 IST News explainers Vishwamitra: The Modi Era And Indian Army's Rise As A Global First Responder Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... What Is Pax Silica That US Ambassador Sergio Gor Said India Will Now Be Invited To Join? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 14:50 IST Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain. India was not included among the founding members Pax Silica is a positive-sum partnership. US ambassador Sergio Gor, who is on a visit to India, on Monday announced that India will be invited to join the United States-led strategic initiative, Pax Silica, which will cover critical minerals to advance manufacturing. What is Pax Silica? Which countries are in it? Why was India excluded from its inaugural summit? All you need to know. What is Pax Silica? Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and logistics. Rooted in deep cooperation with trusted partners, Pax Silica aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence, and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale. Pax Silica is a positive-sum partnership. It is not about isolating others, but about coordinating with partners who want to remain competitive and prosperous. #WATCH | Delhi: After assuming charge as the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor says, No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each pic.twitter.com/0qY9AgRoHw ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 Which countries are in it? India was not part of inaugural summit When Pax Silica was created in December, India was not included among the founding members. The inaugural Pax Silica Summit convened stakeholders from: Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Israel, United Arab Emirates, and Australia, alongside guest contributions from Taiwan, the European Union, Canada, and the OECD. Together, these partners are home to the most important companies and investors powering the global AI supply chain. Why was India excluded? US officials had then said the selection focused on current roles in semiconductor and AI supply chains, not a broader political grouping. The US has clarified that discussions with India remain ongoing and separate from Pax Silica and that India is still viewed as a highly strategic potential partner". What has changed? Gor said, As the world adopts new technology, it is essential that India and the United States work hand in hand from the very start of this initiativeYou and I have an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity to redefine diplomacy. What it can accomplish could be the most consequential global partnership of this century" No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each bringing strength, respect, and leadership to the table," said Gor. He further said, I come to this remarkable nation with profound respect and a clear mission: to take the partnership between our two nations to the next level. This is the intersection between the worlds oldest democracy and the worlds largest democracy During my last dinner with him, President Trump recounted his last visit to India and also his great friendship with the great Prime Minister of India. I hope the President will be visiting us soon, hopefully in the next year or two President Trump has a habit of calling at 2 in the morning, and with the time difference in New Delhi, it might work out pretty well." Why Pax Silica? New Economic Security Paradigm: Across the United States and its partners, a clear consensus has emerged: secure supply chains, trusted technology, and strategic infrastructure are indispensable to national power and economic growth. The initiative responds to: Growing demand from partners to deepen economic and technology cooperation with the United States. The understanding that AI represents a transformative force for our long-term prosperity. Recognition that trustworthy systems are essential for safeguarding our mutual security and prosperity. Increasing risks from coercive dependencies. The importance of fair market practices and policy coordination to protect sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 12:34 IST News explainers What Is Pax Silica That US Ambassador Sergio Gor Said India Will Now Be Invited To Join? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... From 67 To Over 1,600 A Day: Marriage Registrations Jump Under Uniform Civil Code In Uttarakhand Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 23:42 IST More than three lakh marriages have been registered in just the first half of 2025 after the UCC was implemented in Uttarakhand. After UCC came into effect, awareness about marriage registration has increased among the general public. (AI-generated image) Marriage registrations in Uttarakhand have witnessed a sharp rise following the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), with the average daily number increasing nearly 24 times compared to the earlier act. According to a government press release, more than three lakh marriages have been registered in just the first half of 2025 after the UCC was implemented in the state on January 27 last year. This marked a significant increase compared to the Uttarakhand Compulsory Marriage Registration Act, 2010, under which around 3.3 lakh marriages were registered over a 15-year period between 2010 and 2025, news agency PTI reported. As per the press release, an average of 67 marriages were registered per day under the previous act, while the figure has risen to 1,634 registrations daily after the implementation of the UCC. After UCC came into effect, awareness about marriage registration has increased among the general public," the government said in the statement. It further stated that marriage, divorce, inheritance, live-in relationships and related provisions have been included in the UCC. This law sets the marriage age for both men and women and provides uniform and stringent provisions for divorce and other procedures across all religions. The implementation of the UCC has freed women from harmful practices such as polygamy," the statement said. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the implementation of the UCC as a historic and courageous" step. Implementing the UCC in Uttarakhand is a historic and courageous decision by the state government. The objective of the UCC is not against any community, but to provide equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal respect to all citizens," he said. He said that the significant increase in marriage registrations shows that the public has accepted this law and views it as a social reform. He expressed hope that Uttarakhand has set a new direction for the entire country and that other states will also adopt this model in the future. (With inputs from PTI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Dehradun, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 23:42 IST News india From 67 To Over 1,600 A Day: Marriage Registrations Jump Under Uniform Civil Code In Uttarakhand Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... From Delayed Arrival To Venue Congestion: CBIs Key Questions For Actor Vijay In Karur Stampede Case Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 11:36 IST The stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a political rally organised by Vijays party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, in Karur district of Tamil Nadu. Actor Vijay summoned by CBI in Karur stampede case. (Photo: Instagram) Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi today in connection with the Karur stampede case. Vijay was summoned by the CBI as part of its investigation into the stampede that took place last year. In October 2025, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the incident. What will the CBI question Vijay on? According to sources close to CNN News18, the CBI is expected to question Vijay on several aspects related to the sequence of events leading up to the stampede. Investigators are likely to ask what Vijay knew about the events as they unfolded on the day of the rally. The questioning is also expected to include whether Vijay was aware of how congested the venue was and the number of people expected to attend. He is also likely to be asked the reason behind the delay in his arrival at the venue. Officials may also question whether Vijay was aware of the commotion that followed after the announcement about a missing child. The CBI is also expected to interrogate Vijay whether he was aware of the police lathi charge carried out to control the crowd. Another key area of questioning will be why he left the venue while the situation was unfolding. Karur stampede The stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a political rally organised by Vijays party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, in Karur district of Tamil Nadu. The incident took place on the Karur-Erode highway at Velusamypuram after a massive surge in the crowd. At least 41 people lost their lives in the stampede, including nine children and 18 women. More than 100 others were injured in the incident. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 11:29 IST News india From Delayed Arrival To Venue Congestion: CBIs Key Questions For Actor Vijay In Karur Stampede Case Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Arrives In Ahmedabad, To Hold Talks With PM Modi Today Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 08:10 IST On his first official visit on January 12 and 13, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz broke tradition by starting his Asia tour in India instead of China or Japan. News18 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz landed in Ahmedabad early Monday morning and is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to the state, later in the day. Soon after his arrival, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared pictures on X and extended a welcome. Welcome to India! Willkommen in Indien! Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz @Bundeskanzler has arrived in Ahmedabad on an official visit. Warmly received by Honble Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat at the airport," he wrote on X. India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic ties and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Chancellor Merzs visit and his meeting with PM @narendramodi, later in the day, will further strengthen India-Germany partnership," he added. Welcome to India! Willkommen in Indien!Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz @Bundeskanzler has arrived in Ahmedabad on an official visit. Warmly received by Honble Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat at the airport. India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of pic.twitter.com/FYWs5TXX3Q Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) January 12, 2026 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz And PM Modis Meeting During his first official visit to India on January 12 and 13, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz broke with tradition by choosing India as the starting point of his first Asia tour, instead of the usual visits to China or Japan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will begin the day with a visit to the Sabarmati Ashram at 9.30 am. At 10 am, the two leaders will take part in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati riverfront. From 11.15 am onwards, they will travel to Mahatma Mandir for formal bilateral engagements. Whats On The Agenda? Both sides are likely to focus on strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, technology, education, skills and mobility. Discussions are also expected on expanding collaboration in defence and security, science and innovation, green and sustainable development, and closer people-to-people links. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Friedrich Merz are also set to exchange views on key regional and global issues, at a time of growing uncertainty in the international order from the war in Ukraine to changing dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and evolving signals from the United States. The two leaders will also interact with business and industry representatives from both countries, and a number of agreements are expected to be signed during the visit to give practical form to the discussions. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 08:10 IST News india German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Arrives In Ahmedabad, To Hold Talks With PM Modi Today Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Health Matters | How Central Government Justified Drug Controllers Appointment & Why Court Agreed Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 11:14 IST At present, the central government is working on new eligibility criteria, even as the one-year tenure of the DCGIs appointment draws closer. This case attracted unusual attention within the pharmaceutical industry because it dealt with the leadership of the countrys drug regulator. (AI generated image) The Madras High Court has rejected a legal challenge to the centres decision to extend the tenure of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), accepting the governments explanation for retaining the countrys top drug regulator beyond retirement on a one-year contract. The case centred on whether the Union government could lawfully keep the recruitment rules for the DCGI post in abeyance and re-employ the same officer, even after advertising the vacancy and receiving multiple applications. This case attracted unusual attention within the pharmaceutical industry because it dealt with the leadership of the countrys drug regulator. Additionally, the DCGI plays a central role in Indias drug and medical regulation. Decisions taken by DCGI and his office directly affect medicines, vaccines and medical devices manufactured, marketed, imported or exported in the country making the position critical to public health and our safety. To understand why the challenge failed and why the court accepted the governments justification lets dive into the judgment copy in simple words. Why the court refused to question the DCGIs continuation The petition was filed as a writ of quo warranto, a legal mechanism used to question whether a person has the authority to hold a public office. The petitioner argued that once the DCGI had reached the age of superannuation, his continuation in office was illegal. The court, however, drew a clear distinction between eligibility and tenure. It reiterated that quo warranto applies only where an appointee lacks the required qualifications or is legally disqualified. In this case, the bench noted that this basic condition was not met. There is no dispute raised by the petitioner on the eligibility of Dr Raghuvanshi to hold the position of DCGI," the court said, adding that his qualifications, and entitlement to hold that post, were never in question." On this basis, it concluded, The plea quo warranto is thus negatived." How the government justified extending the tenure The more substantive issue before the court was why the government chose to extend the DCGIs tenure instead of completing a fresh recruitment process. The judgment records that the post had been advertised in July 2024 and that 18 applications were received. However, after calling for the official file, the court noted that the Committee found only two out of the eighteen eligible." According to the authorities, this was due to the restrictive nature of the recruitment rules, that prescribed qualifications and experience in specific domains only." Faced with a limited pool of eligible candidates, the government decided that the recruitment rules themselves needed review. As the court recorded, the authorities concluded that the ambit of search must be broadened with a wider spectrum of qualifications and experience that would commend itself to a larger cross section of eligible candidates." As per a notice issued on November 17, the government is now reviewing the existing recruitment framework for the post of drugs controller. But, in the interim, the centre opted for continuity. The extension order re-employed the incumbent on contract basis for a period of one year or till the appointment of regular incumbent to the post whichever is the earliest," while keeping the recruitment rules in abeyance. After examining the file notings, the bench held that the process followed was legally sound. It observed that the mandate of Article 309 of the Constitution and the proviso thereunder, and the procedure as contemplated under FR and applicable Office Memorandum have been followed scrupulously," and that it was well within the remit of the Appointments Committee to extend the appointment by way of a short term contractual appointment." Dismissing the petition, the court upheld the February 28, 2025 order, allowing the contractual continuation of the DCGI and endorsing the governments justification that the extension was a stop-gap arrangement while recruitment rules are being reworked. At present, the central government is working on new eligibility criteria, even as the one-year tenure of the DCGIs appointment draws closer an appointment that has now been held to be legal by the court. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 11:14 IST News india Health Matters | How Central Government Justified Drug Controllers Appointment & Why Court Agreed Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Hindutva Is Hinduism In Paranoia': Mani Shankar Aiyar Stirs Row, BJP Accuses Congress Of Division Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 10:19 IST The Congress leader said Hinduism, which he described as an ancient and resilient faith, neither required nor depended on Hindutva for its survival. Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar made a controversial statement on Sunday, describing Hindutva as Hinduism in a state of paranoia" during a public discussion in Kolkata. His comments came at a debate titled Hinduism Needs Protection From Hindutva", organised by the Calcutta Debating Circle. Speaking at the event, Aiyar drew a distinction between Hinduism as a spiritual tradition and Hindutva as a political ideology. He argued that Hindutva promotes a sense of fear among the Hindu majority, claiming it portrays 80 per cent Hindus as being made to fear 14 per cent Muslims." The Congress leader said Hinduism, which he described as an ancient and resilient faith, neither required nor depended on Hindutva for its survival. Aiyar criticised what he called the aggressive manifestations of Hindutva, referring to incidents involving attacks on minorities and restrictions on cultural or religious expression. He also invoked ideological differences between figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and V D Savarkar, asserting that Gandhis understanding of Hinduism was rooted in non-violence, while Savarkars conception of Hindutva emphasised political assertion and confrontation. According to Aiyar, Hinduism had endured centuries of challenges and continued to flourish without the framework of Hindutva, which he noted emerged only in the early 20th century. Aiyar maintained that Hinduism is fundamentally a spiritual and philosophical way of life, whereas Hindutva, in his view, functions as a political doctrine. BJP Slams Congress The BJP swiftly hit back at Aiyars remarks on Hindutva and Hinduism, accusing the Congress of once again attempting to create divisions among Hindus. Yet again Congress attempts to create a divide between Hindus. They want one Hindu to stand up against the other Hindu. This benefits Congress, whose only focus is -Consolidate Vote Bank: Unite Minority, Divide Hindu Majority," said BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari in an X post. Yet again Congress attempts to create a divide between Hindus.They want 1 Hindu to Stand up against the other Hindu. This benefits Congress whose only focus is -Consolidate Vote Bank: Unite Minority, Divide Hindu Majority" https://t.co/FTJV13z5Uf Pradeep Bhandari( ) (@pradip103) January 12, 2026 Mahua Moitra On Hindutva The debate featured several prominent political figures from across parties. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also spoke at the event, echoing the distinction between Hinduism and Hindutva. She described Hindutva as a rigid political platform that claims exclusivity, while Hinduism, she said, allows space for diversity, interpretation and coexistence. Moitra argued that Hinduism accommodates differing cultural practices and interfaith harmony, which she claimed Hindutva often rejects. In contrast, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi defended Hindutva, asserting that it represents the core essence, or Hindu tattva," of Hinduism. He argued that Hindutva and Hinduism are complementary rather than contradictory, and said Hindu civilisation uniquely encourages debate, even on religious texts. Trivedi also questioned the use of the term ism" in relation to Indic religions, suggesting it was often employed to undermine their philosophical depth. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 09:00 IST News india 'Hindutva Is Hinduism In Paranoia': Mani Shankar Aiyar Stirs Row, BJP Accuses Congress Of Division Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... India Warns Citizens Not To 'Venture Out' In Iran Amid Deadly Protests: 'We're Watching...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 16:33 IST Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India was watching the developments in Iran closely and urged Indian nationals not to "venture out" amid deadly protests. Rapid Read At least 544 people have been killed in the ongoing protests in Iran. (AFP) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday said India was keeping a close watch on the developments surrounding deadly protests in Iran, and warned Indian nationals not to venture out" or find themselves in the middle of the disturbances. During a special briefing after German Chancellor Friedrich Merzs maiden visit to India, Misri said, We are watching the developments in Iran We have a significant community of expatriate Indians and also students from India in Iran." Despite the restrictions in place, our embassy has been able to reach out to the student community and find that they are all doing well and have not faced any difficulties thus far. We have advised all of our compatriots there not to venture out or find themselves in the middle of the disturbances," he added. #WATCH | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, On Iran and Greenland I wont be able to go into the details of what the two leaders discussed We are watching the developments in Iran We have a significant community of expatriate Indians and also pic.twitter.com/9pIrk9mTly ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 His remarks came after the protests in Iran, which began on December 28 over rising prices, have since evolved into the largest challenge to Irans clerical leadership since 2022. More than 500 people have been killed and over 10,600 people detained over two weeks of protests, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The HRANA said 496 of the dead were protesters and 48 were with security forces. Tensions have further escalated as US President Donald Trump has renewed warnings of possible US intervention in support of protesters. In response, Tehran has threatened retaliation against American military assets in the region. Trump on Sunday said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, insisted the situation has come under total control" and said Iran was open to diplomacy". The US-based Centre for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) said it had received eyewitness accounts and credible reports indicating that hundreds of protesters have been killed across Iran during the current internet shutdown". Iranian authorities accused the US and Israel of fomenting trouble and called for a nationwide rally on Monday to condemn terrorist actions led by the United States and Israel," as per state media. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 16:33 IST News india India Warns Citizens Not To 'Venture Out' In Iran Amid Deadly Protests: 'We're Watching...' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Photo: https://www.facebook.com/OTU.DONETSK The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has recorded 219 combat clashes over the past 24 hours as of 8:00 a.m. Monday. "Yesterday, the enemy carried out 53 air strikes, dropped 151 guided bombs. In addition, it carried out 2,941 attacks, including 111 from multiple rocket launcher systems, and engaged 5,273 kamikaze drones to destroy them," the General Staff said. Indian Nationals Freed From Russia-Flagged Tanker Seized By US Forces In North Atlantic Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 21:56 IST Indian nationals who were among the crew of a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized last week in the North Atlantic have been released. The US Coast Guard cutter Munro escorts the oil tanker formerly known as the Bella-1 before it switched its registration to Russia and changed its name to the Marinera, in North Atlantic waters. (IMAGE: AFP) Indian nationals who were among the crew of a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized last week in the North Atlantic have been released, officials said on Monday. The tanker, Marinera, was intercepted during a US-led operation in international waters in the North Atlantic. American authorities have said the vessel was part of a so-called shadow fleet" involved in transporting oil for sanctioned countries, including Venezuela, Russia and Iran. There were 28 crew members on board the tanker at the time of the seizure, including three Indian nationals, along with Ukrainian, Georgian and Russian crew members. All were initially detained following the interception. A 26-year-old merchant navy officer from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, on his first sea assignment, was among those on board the tanker. His family had earlier said they last spoke to him on the day the tanker was seized. The development came on the same day Sergio Gor formally took charge as the new United States Ambassador to India in New Delhi. Speaking after assuming office, Gor said India and the US remain engaged across a range of issues and that both sides continue to work through differences. Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow," Gor said in New Delhi as he formally took charge of his position. The United States and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest level," he further added. The release of the Indian nationals also follows Russias announcement last week that US authorities had decided to free Russian crew members from the same vessel. Moscow had criticised the seizure and warned against prosecuting crew members detained during the operation. The United States last week had said that Marineras crew could be prosecuted which Russia said was categorically unacceptable." Moscow accused Washington of stoking tensions and threatening international shipping with the seizure of the tanker, which it has cast as illegal. Russias foreign ministry said the move will only result in further military and political tensions", adding that it was worried by Washingtons willingness to generate acute international crisis situations." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 21:25 IST News india Indian Nationals Freed From Russia-Flagged Tanker Seized By US Forces In North Atlantic Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'India's Gen-Z Full Of Creativity': PM Modi Appeals To Youth To Overcome 'Mindset Of Slavery' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 20:07 IST Prime Minister Modi expressed strong confidence in Indias youth, asserting that the responsibility of realising the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 rests on their shoulders. Rapid Read PM Modi addressing the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in New Delhi. (PMO) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasised that Yuva Shakti (Youth power) was at the forefront of nation-building and several reforms introduced by the Central government in the last decade, and appealed to youngsters to be liberated from the mindset of slavery". Addressing the concluding session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue in New Delhi, PM Modi asserted his faith in the Indian youth. When I first took oath as Chief Minister, many of you here might not even have been born. When I took the oath as Prime Minister in 2014, most of you were still children. But whether as Chief Minister then or as Prime Minister now, I have always had great faith in the youth of our country," he said. The Prime Minister asserted that the youth of India had the responsibility of achieving Viksit Bharat. The journey to 2047, when we complete 100 years of independence, is important for India. This is the time which will be the most important in your lives as well. This is a golden opportunity for you. Your capability will become the capability of India. Your success will take Indias success to new heights," he added. Indias Gen Z Filled With Creativity The Prime Minister also invoked the teachings of Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary. His ideas are an inspiration to every youth even today. What is the purpose of our lives? How do we live with a sense of Nation First? In all our efforts, there should be the welfare of society and the country. In this direction, the life of Swami Vivekananda is a guide and inspiration for all of us." He also called the participation of over 50 lakh youths in the Viksit Bharat Challenge unprecedented" and stated that India was witnessing the rise of the Orange Economy" culture which blended culture, content and creativity. He also said India was emerging as a global hub in media, film, gaming, music and digital talent. The subjects you discussed today, especially women-led development and youth participation in democracy, the discussions you held on such serious subjects are worth appreciating. Your presentation here a while ago shows how our amrit peedhi is committed to building Viksit Bharat. This also makes it clear what the mood of Gen Z in India is. Indias Gen Z is filled with creativity," he further said. Mindset Of Slavery PM Modi also talked about youth-centric reforms, such as next-generation GST and income tax policies that have provided new jobholders and young entrepreneurs with greater savings and financial confidence. He said the series of reforms we began has now turned into a Reform Express, with a specific emphasis on youngsters. Until 2014, there were fewer than 500 startups in the country. In the absence of a startup culture, government intervention was pervasive, leaving the youth with limited opportunities to showcase their potential. Recognising the talent of our young people, we adopted a new approach. With a focus on empowering youth, the government introduced new schemes that accelerated the startup revolution in India," he said in his address. Recalling the colonial era, Modi said, You must have surely read about the British ruler Macaulay. During the period of slavery, he worked through the education system to create a generation of Indians who would be mentally enslaved. This led to a sense of inferiority in India toward our own traditions, our own products, and our own capabilities. Being foreign and imported came to be seen as a guarantee of quality. Therefore, every youth of the country must resolve to free the nation from the mindset of slavery." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 19:56 IST News india 'India's Gen-Z Full Of Creativity': PM Modi Appeals To Youth To Overcome 'Mindset Of Slavery' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... ISROs Rocket Carrying 16 Satellites Fails, Deviates In Third Stage Just Like PSLV-C61 In 2025 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 16:34 IST Fifth failure in 64 launches: ISRO chairman V Narayanan said that close to the end of the third stage, PSLV-C62 reported a deviation in the flight path Rapid Read ISRO's PSLV-C62 carrying the EOS-N1 after the lift-off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday. (PTI) ISROs PSLV-C62 rocket carrying 16 satellites, including a foreign Earth Observation satellite, encountered an anomaly", the space agency said on Monday, signalling the failure of the mission. Disturbances in the rocket and later deviation from flight path was observed when strap-on motors were providing thrust during the flights third stage to propel the vehicle to the intended altitude, space agency chairman V Narayanan said, adding a detailed analysis has been initiated to identify the cause. The PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly during end of the PS3 stage. A detailed analysis has been initiated. ISRO (@isro) January 12, 2026 What went wrong? Third-stage disturbance, says Narayanan The mission of placing the satellites in the intended orbit could not be achieved and all the 16 satellites were lost. This is the second consecutive mission failure for the PSLV as a similar, previous attempt in May 2025 (PSLV-C61-EOS-09) also did not succeed. As the 22.5-hour countdown concluded, the 44.4 metre tall four-stage rocket lifted off as scheduled at 10.18 am from the spaceport here. The mission was to deploy a primary Earth Observation satellite and multiple co-passenger satellites into a 512 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit, after a flight journey of about 17 minutes. The automatic launch sequence commenced following approval from the mission director. ISRO scientists provided real-time updates as the vehicle ascended. The initial phases of the flight proceeded according to plan. However, after the announcement that the third stage ignited", an uneasy calm took over the Mission Control Centre. In his address at the centre, Narayanan said, The PSLV is a four-stage vehicle with two solid stages and two liquid stages. The performance of the vehicle up to the end of the third stage was expected. Close to the end of the third stage, we are seeing more disturbance in the vehicle and subsequently, there was a deviation observed in the flight path." Confirming the missions failure on its X handle, ISRO said, The PSLV-C62 mission encountered an anomaly during the end of PS3 (third stage) of the vehicle. A detailed analysis has been initiated." However, the space agency did not provide more details. Later, in a brief press conference, Narayanan, who is also the Secretary of Department of Space, said, As all of you are aware, today we attempted PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission the mission could not proceed in the expected (flight) path. That is the information right now available." Further, he said: We are going through the data and with the data collected from all the ground stations and once the data analysis is completed, we shall come back to you." The 16 satellites aboard PSLV-C62 EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Earth observation satellite developed for strategic use by India (DRDO/NSIL). AayulSAT Tech-demo by Indian startup OrbitAID for on-orbit refuelling experiments. MOI-1 AI lab and imaging CubeSat by TakeMe2Space with a light telescope from EON Space Labs. LACHIT-1 Satellite from Indian institutions via Dhruva Space. Thybolt-3 Satellite by Dhruva Space for communications subsystem validation. CGUSat-1 (CGU Sat) Academic satellite by CG University. DSUSat-1 (DSU Sat) University satellite (Dayananda Sagar University). SanskarSat Another Indian student/academic satellite. Munal 1U CubeSat by Antharkshya Pratishtan with support from Nepals Ministry of External Affairs. EduSat Educational satellite. UaiSat Amateur radio / store-and-forward satellite. Galaxy Explorer CubeSat focusing on science (e.g., magnetic anomalies). Orbital Temple PocketQube art/memorial platform. Aldebaran-1 CubeSat for maritime rescue payloads. THEOS-2A Earth observation satellite from Thailands GISTDA, built with support by UK-based SSTL (Satellite Applications Ltd). Kestrel Initial Demonstrator (KID) A 25 kg experimental capsule by Spanish startup Orbital Paradigm to test re-entry and recovery tech. What happened in 2025? The ISRO faced a setback after its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C61) mission, aimed at deploying the EOS-09 earth observation satellite into a sun-synchronous polar orbit, failed on May 18. Although the rocket lifted off at 5:59 am (IST) from Sriharikotas Satish Dhawan Space Centre successfully, the mission could not accomplished as the launch failed during the third of four stages due to a fall in pressure. The space agency said morning that an anomaly during the solid fuel stage was observed after successful first and second stages. Today we attempted a launch of PSLV-C61 vehicle. The vehicle is a 4-stage vehicle. The first two stages performed as expected. During the 3rd stage, we are seeing observationThe mission could not be accomplished. We are studying the entire performance, we shall come back at the earliest," ISRO Chief V Narayanan had said. Will PSLV-C62 become the fifth failure in 64 launches? If the ISRO officially declares the mission a failure, it would be the fifth in 64 PSLV launches. The setback extends beyond ISRO as the mission carried satellites from foreign countries such as Brazil, Nepal and the UK, along with those of Indian startups. With PTI Inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 15:23 IST News india ISROs Rocket Carrying 16 Satellites Fails, Deviates In Third Stage Just Like PSLV-C61 In 2025 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Karur Stampede Case: TVK Chief Vijay Reaches Delhi For CBI Interrogation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 11:08 IST Vijay has been summoned by the CBI in connection with its investigation into the Karur campaign stampede that took place last year. Actor Vijay summoned by CBI in Karur stampede case. (PTI) Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay will appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi today in connection with the Karur stampede case. Vijay reached Delhi around 10.30 a.m. His manager Jagdish and his personal bodyguard and TVK Joint General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar is accompanying him. Vijay summoned by CBI Vijay has been summoned by the CBI in connection with its investigation into the Karur campaign stampede that took place last year. In October 2025, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe into the incident. The stampede occurred on September 27, 2025, during a political rally organised by Vijays party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, in Karur district of Tamil Nadu. The incident took place on the Karur-Erode highway at Velusamypuram following a massive crowd surge. At least 41 people lost their lives in the stampede, including nine children and 18 women. More than 100 others were injured in the incident, making it one of the deadliest political rally tragedies in the state. The investigation into the circumstances leading to the stampede is ongoing. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 07:05 IST News india Karur Stampede Case: TVK Chief Vijay Reaches Delhi For CBI Interrogation Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Karur Stampede: TVK Chief Vijay Grilled By CBI For Several Hours, Denies Party's Role Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 19:03 IST Vijay reached the CBI headquarters on Monday for questioning, where he was grilled by investigators over crowd management and delays that contributed to the Karur stampede. Rapid Read TVK Chief Vijay arrived at the CBI headquarters on Monday. (PTI) Actor-turned-politician Vijay was grilled by the Central Investigation Bureau (CBI) for several hours on Monday over crowd management and delays that contributed to the Karur stampede last year, which left 41 people dead. The Karur stampede occurred during a massive political gathering on September 27, 2025, resulting in the deaths of 41 people, while more than 100 were injured. The incident triggered widespread public outrage and prompted judicial and legal scrutiny. The Supreme Court transferred the investigation into the incident to the CBI in October. Vijay, who leads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), reached the CBI headquarters on Monday for questioning and was taken to the team investigating the stampede. The CBI had earlier issued a notice to Vijay under Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), directing him to present himself for examination. CBI Grills Vijay Investigators grilled Vijay over the alleged seven-hour delay at the venue, which contributed to the crowd swelling and loss of control. The agency also questioned whether party workers on the ground coordinated adequately with the local police and district administration, as the crowd reportedly grew from an estimated 10,000 people to around 30,000. Another focus area of the probe centred on whether Vijays team conducted any prior risk assessment in coordination with the district administration, and whether basic arrangements, such as drinking water facilities and designated entry and exit points, were provided for the crowd. The CBI is examining the organisational structure to determine responsibility for planning and execution, including who decided to hold the event in Karur and when Vijay was informed. The agency is further probing when Vijay became aware of the stampede and the sequence of events that followed. He was asked about the exact time of his arrival and departure from the venue. The agency has already questioned several senior TVK functionaries in New Delhi and also summoned former Tamil Nadu ADG (law and order) S. Davidson Devasirvatham as part of the probe. Party leaders have submitted video footage to investigators, alleging lapses by the Tamil Nadu government. What Did Vijay Tell CBI? According to an India Today report, Vijay told investigators that neither his party nor its functionaries were responsible for the deadly stampede. The actor-turned-politician also said he left the venue after feeling that his presence may exacerbate the chaos at the venue. Vijay was scheduled to meet with CBI investigators again on Tuesday. However, the CBI accepted his request to be exempted from questioning tomorrow due to Pongal, and he will be called on a later date, sources told CNN-News18. Vijay came under criticism for leaving the venue while the situation was unfolding. Tamil Nadu Police have charged TVK leaders for ignoring safety warnings, while a one-member judicial commission was also set up. (with inputs from ANI) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 19:03 IST News india Karur Stampede: TVK Chief Vijay Grilled By CBI For Several Hours, Denies Party's Role Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Mar-A-Lago Arrives In Chanakyapuri: Sergio Gor's First Day As American Ambassador In Delhi Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 15:37 IST When Gor spoke, it was not a murmur. It was an opening address pitched to resonate in the corridors of power. Newly appointed United States Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, center, greets officials upon his arrival at the US Embassy, in New Delhi, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Image: PTI) It did not feel like the arrival of a diplomat. It felt like the opening night of a rock concert. Like waiting for Elvis to enter the building. As Sergio Gor stepped into the US embassy complex in Chanakyapuri, the air throbbed with the sound of rock n roll from Guns N Roses to Metallica to R.E.M, the riffs of the electric guitar bouncing off the sandstone walls. This building and these crowds gathered in front of it were more accustomed to protocol than power chords. This was not background music politely playing in the background. This was a statement, amplified to be heard in the corridors of power. The playlist, staffers whispered, was curated by the man himself an Ambassador who is also a part-time DJ, and a full-time believer in the idea that music, like politics, is about capturing peoples attention. And capture attention he did. The scene unfolded with the choreography of a grand show. A red carpet rolled out cleanly through the forecourt. A military band stood at attention, brass gleaming under the January Delhi sun. Embassy staff lined up on either side, less like bureaucrats and more like an audience waiting for a rock star. At the centre stood a lectern unmistakably modelled on the one used by the US President familiar from countless televised moments of American power. Behind it, two giant American flags filled the frame, meant to be the backdrop as the Ambassador spoke, looming large. And at 12 noon, the gates opened, and a shiny back SUV pulled in. Gor stepped out, welcomed by the Chef De mission and to loud applause from the waiting crowds. When Gor spoke, it was not a murmur. It was an opening address pitched to resonate in the corridors of power. His tone carried the confidence of someone who knows optics matter more than words. The cues were clear: this was America arriving loudly, unapologetically, dramatically. Diplomacy, would not be confined to closed doors and carefully worded communiques. It would be performative. And perform he did. Seasoned Delhi watchers among the assembled group of journalists, struggled to recall anything quite like this. No other American envoy had chosen this sort of spectacle over subtlety on day one. Traditionally, the first act of an ambassador is a quiet one presenting credentials to Rashtrapati Bhavan, bowing to protocol before stepping into public view. Gor has not yet completed that ritual. He is expected to meet President Murmu later this week. And yet, here he was, already occupying the stage, already shaping the narrative, already signalling pomp over policy. There was something unmistakably campaign-like about the entire production. The music. The crowd management. The lectern. This was less the careful understatement of Foggy Bottom and more the muscular showmanship of American politics as has been demonstrated by Gors boss, President Donald Trump. If the intent was to ensure that Gors arrival did not go unnoticed in Delhi, it worked. Much like Trump walking down the escalator 10 years ago announcing his Presidential run. Delhi is no stranger to displays of power. It has seen imperial parades, military marches, and carefully choreographed state visits. But this felt different less ceremonial, more visceral. Less tradition, more tempo. The message was not hidden between diplomatic lines: this envoy intends to hit the ground running, and to do so at full volume. In the end, Sergio Gor did what few diplomats manage on their very first day he made people stop, stare, and talk. Before the paperwork. Before the credentials. Before the quiet work of diplomacy begins. In a city that reads symbolism fluently, the symbolism was clear. America had arrived not with a whisper, but with the loud riff of the electric guitar. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 15:34 IST News india Mar-A-Lago Arrives In Chanakyapuri: Sergio Gor's First Day As American Ambassador In Delhi Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'They Told Us Not To Disconnect': NRI Couple Loses Rs 15 Crore In Digital Arrest, Narrates Ordeal Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 19:51 IST The couple said from 24 November to 9 December, they were kept under constant surveillance through phones and were instructed not to disconnect and to keep their phones charged. Dr Indira said the officer told them it was a matter of national security and that they could not share any information, not even with their driver who stayed with them at all times. (Image: News18) After serving in the US for over 40 years, a 77-year-old IITian and his doctor wife came to India with the intention of serving the nation through their NGO. However, a cyber fraud forced them to reconsider and think about returning to the US. One of Indias costliest digital arrest" frauds wiped out the couples lifetime earnings, as they lost Rs 14.85 crore in nearly 15 days. A single phone call shattered their dreams of survival in India, and they are now fighting to recover their money. On 24 December, Dr Indira Taneja received a call from a person claiming to be a police officer. The caller introduced himself as an IPS officer and told her that her number was involved in offensive and abusive calls. Later, the fake officer also invoked PMLA and threatened them, stating that the matter was linked to national security. They also warned her husband, Dr Om Taneja. The elderly couple was defrauded by people posing as officials of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Delhi Police is now investigating the matter, and a case has been registered. Non-stop surveillance day and night News18 spoke to the couple, who said that from 24 November till 9 December, they were kept under constant surveillance through their phones and were instructed not to disconnect and to keep their phones charged. The fake officer told us not to disconnect and keep the phones charged. He identified himself as Dinesh Gupta and remained connected 24*7 through phones. Infact when I told him that we have to take my husband for walk as he is suffering from a medical condition, the fake officer asked us to keep the phone on. Our phone used to remain on even while sleeping in our bedroom," Dr Indira told News18. Matter of national security When asked why they did not inform anyone while they were continuously transferring money, Dr Indira said the officer told them it was a matter of national security and that they could not share any information, not even with their driver who stayed with them at all times. They told us that Naresh Goel case is linked to National security and we have to transfer money which will get cleared and returned back to them. He also asked us,to keep it secret which they were also monitoring through our phones and laptops as they said it is the matter of national security," Dr Taneja said. Transferred money from mutual funds When News18 asked how they managed to arrange such a large amount of money so quickly, the couple said it was their hard-earned lifetime savings. They transferred the money in parts, nearly Rs 2 crore each time, by withdrawing from their mutual funds and handing it over. It was our hard earned lifetime money. We transferred the money in parts almost 2 crores every time. We withdraw our mutual funds and handed over to them," Doctor Taneja who completed MBBS in 1973 from Lady Harding, Delhi, told News18. Crooks told them to visit the police station According to the complainant, the fraudster on the call told the couple to visit the nearest police station only after the fraud was complete, which is when they realised they had been cheated. On 9th, the fake IPS officer told us to visit nearest police station to get the money back. He also briefed me and dictated what exactly I have to tell to the cops. He told me that it is related to PMLA 2002 case and required getting a clearance from police station to get money back," Dr Indira said. Fake IPS scolded real inspector According to Indira Taneja, when she reached the police station, her phone call was still active. Initially, she met two policemen who failed to understand the PMLA angle. She was then asked to meet the SHO. My phone was on even than and the fake police officer could hear everything. When I met the SHO and asked her to speak with the fake IPS officer who was on call, the fake officer started scolding her, he also abused and said who made you SHO. But, the lady officer also gave him back and shouted that maam you have been scammed." No recovery will force us to leave India When asked whether the couple plans to leave the country after the incident, Om Taneja said they may have no choice if the money is not recovered. If there would be no recovery, we will be left with no option other than leaving the country. We have come here to serve since India gave us so much. But, after the incident we have no money and option left and must move back," Om told News18. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 13:00 IST News india 'They Told Us Not To Disconnect': NRI Couple Loses Rs 15 Crore In Digital Arrest, Narrates Ordeal Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Discussed Baby Ariha Shah Case With Germanys Merz, Says MEA Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 16:11 IST Ariha Shah, an Indian girl of about four years, has been separated from her parents, Dhara and Bhavesh Shah, and placed in German foster care. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. (Image via X/@narendramodi) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said that New Delhi continues to engage closely with Germany on the issue of baby Ariha Shah, who has been in German foster care for the past 40 months, saying that it is a sensitive issue and discussions with the German government have been ongoing for a long time. While addressing a press conference, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also discussed the matter with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is on a two-day visit to India, and that it is being given due priority, similar to other important issues. Prime Minister Modi also mentioned this to the Chancellor, so we will continue to follow up with the German government on this issue, and we will stay with the family at every step" he said as quoted by news agency ANI. #WATCH | Gandhinagar, Gujarat | On the issue of Ariha Shah, an Indian girl child who has been in German foster care for 40 months, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, We have been in discussions with the German government, all the German authorities, their embassy here in pic.twitter.com/W97AOVxtIv ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 He further said that at one stage, it was a legal issue, but it should now be approached as a humanitarian concern. We have been in discussions with the German government, all the German authorities, their embassy here in Delhi, and the German government in Berlin, and all the agencies involved, for quite some time. This case was, at one point, a legal matter, but we believe that ultimately, it should be approached keeping in mind the humanitarian issues involved. We understand the familys distress and difficulties" he said. The Foreign Secretary further said that India is working to ensure that baby Ariha grows up in an Indian cultural environment as far as possible. We are trying to ensure her interaction with Indian people, participation in Indian festivals in Germany and learning Hindi," he said. This is Merzs first official visit to India from January 12 to 13, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. This is also Merzs first visit to Asia since assuming office last year. Calling the timing of the visit particularly significant," Misri said that it coincides with the silver jubilee of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and the platinum jubilee marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During the visit, PM Modi and Merz held delegation-level talks in Ahmedabad aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties. The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. What Is Ariha Shah Case? Ariha Shah, an Indian girl of about four years, has been separated from her parents, Dhara and Bhavesh Shah, and placed in German foster care. The separation occurred after an incident where Ariha was injured by her grandmother, leading German authorities to take her into protective custody, classifying the situation as a case of abuse. Ariha has been in foster care since then, entangled in a complex legal case in Germany. Her parents have maintained that the injury was accidental, but the legal proceedings in Germany have prolonged her stay in foster care. The MEA and the Embassy of India in Berlin have been persistently advocating for the return of the baby, who was placed in the custody of Germanys Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt) on September 23, 2021 when she was seven months old. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 16:01 IST News india PM Modi Discussed Baby Ariha Shah Case With Germanys Merz, Says MEA Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... PM Modi Set To Shift To New Office 'Seva Teerth' Near Raisina Hill Soon Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 13:51 IST The new complex has state-of-the-art meeting rooms for visiting dignitaries, blending modern technology with designs inspired by Indias culture and traditions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to start working from his new office near Raisina Hill later this month as the construction work nears completion. The new office is a part of the Central Vista Project. During the construction, the complex was called Executive Enclave, but the government has since then named it Seva Teerth, meaning a place of service. The campus has three buildings. Seva Teerth 1 will house the Prime Ministers Office, Seva Teerth 2 will accommodate the Cabinet Secretariat, and Seva Teerth 3 will house the National Security Council Secretariat along with the office of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Many other parts of the Central Vista redevelopment are already in place. The new Parliament building and the Vice Presidents enclave have been completed. The Prime Ministers Office is almost ready, while three of the eight planned ministerial office buildings are already operational. Besides the office, the new residence of the Prime Minister is also being built close to the office complex. He will move from his current residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, to this new residence once the construction work is completed. The new office complex includes modern meeting rooms designed to host visiting dignitaries. Officials said the interiors combine advanced technology with elements reflecting Indias culture and traditions. A newly designed hall has been created for Cabinet meetings. The Prime Ministers Office will function on an open-floor layout, a move aimed at encouraging a more collaborative work environment. Since Independence, the Prime Ministers Office has operated from the South Block, which also housed the External Affairs and Defence Ministries. The North Block earlier accommodated the Home and Finance Ministries. These ministries have now shifted to Kartavya Bhavan. The North and South Blocks, which date back to the colonial era, will now be converted into a large museum complex. The museum is planned to showcase Indias civilisation spanning nearly 5,000 years, with its first phase expected to open early next year. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 13:49 IST News india PM Modi Set To Shift To New Office 'Seva Teerth' Near Raisina Hill Soon Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Criminals Place Is Jail, Not Municipal Corporation': Fadnavis Swipes At NCP Over Pune Poll Tickets Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 08:51 IST Devendra Fadnavis slammed parties for fielding candidates with criminal backgrounds in Pune civic polls, calling it a contradiction to repeated promises of eliminating crime. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. (File Photo) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday mounted a strong, indirect attack on the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar over the decision to field candidates with alleged criminal backgrounds in the Pune municipal corporation elections, questioning the contradiction between repeated political assurances of crime-free governance and the reality of ticket distribution. He indirectly referred to the NCPs decision to give tickets to relatives of Bandu Andekar, who is currently in jail, and others accused in the murder of his grandson Ayush Komkar. The NCP has fielded Sonali Andekar and Laxmi Andekar as candidates in the civic polls, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP. Speaking during the civic poll campaign, Fadnavis said he was deeply disturbed by the decision to nominate such candidates in a city with a large population, particularly after repeated claims by political leaders that criminal gangs, including the Koyta gang, would be eliminated from Pune. Pune has a population of approximately six lakhs. Why was it necessary to give tickets to people with criminal backgrounds as candidates? Everyone says and believes that crime should be eradicated," Fadnavis said. Referring to repeated political speeches promising strict action against criminal gangs, the Chief Minister said, I have heard many speeches where it was said that the Koyta gang would be eliminated from Pune and crime would be rooted out." However, he alleged that the same leaders were now contradicting themselves by nominating individuals with criminal backgrounds and publicly backing them. But the same people who made these statements are now giving tickets to criminals and even speaking in their support. This is absolutely wrong," Fadnavis said. The Chief Minister asserted that voters in Pune would not accept such double standards. I think the people of Pune will not accept this at all," he said. Fadnavis also said that while he had initially decided to avoid personal comments during the election campaign, the issue compelled him to speak in his capacity. In this election, I had decided not to make any personal comments, but when such issues come up, the Home Minister in me asks, What is going on?" he said. Highlighting what he called a clear contradiction in political conduct, Fadnavis said, On one hand, you say that crime should be eliminated; on the other hand, you give tickets to people with criminal backgrounds." Issuing a stern warning, the Chief Minister underlined that electoral victories would not protect individuals with criminal pasts from legal action. I want to make one thing absolutely clear, even if a criminal wins the election, his place will not be in the municipal corporation, his place will be in jail," he said. The issue has previously been raised by BJP leader and Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol, who had also criticised the NCP for nominating candidates with criminal backgrounds in Pune. Defending his partys stance earlier, Ajit Pawar had drawn a comparison with allegations made against him in the past. Allegations of a Rs 70,000 crore irrigation scam were levelled against me. Today, I am in power alongside those who made those allegations," Pawar had said. The controversy has also escalated political tensions in the run-up to the January 15 civic polls. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused the ruling Mahayuti alliance of relying on hooliganism" to win elections, claiming that Pune, once known for its beauty, was now being referred to as a city of goons". Whether it is the BJP or Ajit Pawars party, there is hardly any gang whose relatives have not been given election tickets by these parties," Raut said at a public rally. Meanwhile, the State Election Commission has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Polling is scheduled to be held on January 15, with counting of votes to take place on January 16. ALSO READ | Mumbai To Pick Its Corporators On Jan 15, Know Who Is Contesting From Your Ward News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 08:49 IST News india 'Criminals Place Is Jail, Not Municipal Corporation': Fadnavis Swipes At NCP Over Pune Poll Tickets Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... The UK is set to deliver advanced weapons to Ukraine in the form of powerful long-range Nightfall ballistic missiles capable of hitting Russian targets at distances of over 300 miles, the Daily Mail has said. "Nightfall rockets - which are packed with 200kg warheads, can be fired in quick succession and reach as far as Moscow - could prove a valuable asset in Volodymyr Zelenskty's ongoing fight against Vladimir Putin's forces," the report says. The announcement of the Nightfall project came at the same time as the Defence Secretary announced plans for the UK to spend GBP 200 million. 'India To Be Invited To Pax Silica': US Envoy Sergio Gor Stresses Engagement Between Two Sides Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 12:41 IST Sergio Gor announced that India will be invited to join Pax Silica, a US-led strategic initiative aimed at securing supply chains from critical minerals to advanced manufacturing. New Delhi: US Ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor addresses the media (Photo: PTI) US ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor on Monday announced that India will be invited to join Pax Silica, a US-led strategic initiative aimed at securing critical supply chains spanning silicon, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence. Gor, who recently arrived in New Delhi, sought to emphasise continued engagement between the two sides. Real friends can disagree but always resolve their differences," he said, adding that both sides continue to be actively engaged." Reiterating the United States intent to move forward on economic negotiations, Gor said, We are determined to get a trade deal," and indicated that talks would continue without pause. The next round of calls on trade will happen tomorrow," he said. In a significant strategic signal, Gor announced Indias inclusion in Pax Silica, describing it as a key US-led initiative spanning the entire high-technology ecosystem. Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative, from critical minerals to advanced manufacturing," he said. Today, I am pleased to announce India will be invited to join the grouping," he added. #WATCH | Delhi: After assuming charge as the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor says, I am pleased to announce that India will be invited to join PaxSilica as a full member next month"He says I also want to share with you today a new initiative that the United States pic.twitter.com/DEpnRvJcMX ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 WHAT IS PAX SILICA? Pax Silica is a United States-led strategic framework designed to build a secure, prosperous and innovation-driven silicon supply chain, covering everything from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence infrastructure and logistics. Rooted in deep cooperation with trusted partners, the initiative aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence, and ensure that aligned nations are able to develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale. The initiative is positioned as a positive-sum partnership. Rather than isolating other countries, Pax Silica focuses on coordination among partners that seek to remain competitive and prosperous in a rapidly evolving technology landscape. PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES The inaugural Pax Silica Summit convened stakeholders from Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Australia. Guest contributions were also received from Taiwan, the European Union, Canada and the OECD. Together, these partners host some of the most important companies and investors driving the global artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chain, forming the backbone of advanced technology development and deployment. The initiative reflects what US officials describe as a new economic security paradigm, shaped by a growing consensus that secure supply chains, trusted technology and strategic infrastructure are indispensable to national power and long-term economic growth. Pax Silica responds to increasing demand from partner countries to deepen economic and technology cooperation with the United States, alongside recognition that artificial intelligence represents a transformative force for future prosperity. It also seeks to address rising risks from coercive dependencies, while emphasising the importance of fair market practices and policy coordination to safeguard sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure. Gor arrived in New Delhi as ties between India and the United States have witnessed unprecedented stress, following the US decision to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, including an additional duty linked to Indias purchase of Russian crude oil. Gor, 38, who was sworn in as the US envoy to India in mid-November, said after landing in the national capital, Great to be back in India! Incredible opportunities ahead for our two nations!" President Trump has described Gors appointment as central to strengthening one of our countrys most important international relationships," the strategic partnership with India. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 12:34 IST News india 'India To Be Invited To Pax Silica': US Envoy Sergio Gor Stresses Engagement Between Two Sides Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Two Suspected Nipah Virus Cases Detected In West Bengals Barasat; Centre Sends Teams Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 19:41 IST Two Nipah virus cases detected in Barasat, West Bengal. Centre and state deploy expert teams, activate NCDC PHEOC, and begin contact tracing. Rapid Read Representative Image. (AI Generated) Two cases of Nipah virus have been detected in the state, officials said on Monday. The cases were identified in West Bengals Barasat at Barasat Hospital. A team from the state government visited the hospital on Monday morning to assess the situation. Given the serious nature of the Nipah virus infection, a zoonotic disease with high mortality and potential for rapid spread, the situation is being handled with utmost priority, officials said. Soon after receiving the information, the Union health secretary held discussions with the chief secretary and principal secretary (health) of the West Bengal government to review the situation and ensure swift, coordinated action. A national joint outbreak response team has been deployed to support the state government in containment and public health response measures. Officials said the team includes experts from the All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata; the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai; AIIMS Kalyani; and the Department of Wildlife under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Centre has shared guidelines on the Nipah virus under the communicable disease alert with the state Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) unit. In addition, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, has been activated to coordinate the national response. Official sources said Union Health Minister J P Nadda has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, assuring full support from the Centre. Nadda also spoke to Banerjee over the telephone and reiterated the Centres commitment to extend all necessary assistance to the state in managing the situation. The Government of India is providing comprehensive technical, logistical and operational support to the State Government. All essential resources, including laboratory support, enhanced surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control measures, and expert guidance, have already been mobilised. The State has been advised to ensure close coordination with the deployed expert teams and to undertake meticulous contact tracing and other containment measures. Helplines have been opened for the public at 033-2333-0180 and 98747-08858. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : West Bengal, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 19:41 IST News india Two Suspected Nipah Virus Cases Detected In West Bengals Barasat; Centre Sends Teams Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Vaping Row In Lok Sabha: Om Birla Says Probe In Final Stage, Strict Action If Rules Breached Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 15:00 IST The controversy erupted after BJP MP Anurag Thakur raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, questioning whether e-cigarettes had been permitted inside the House. File Photo of Lok Sabha (Representative Image) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said the inquiry into the alleged use of e-cigarettes inside the House is nearing completion and assured that appropriate action will be taken if any violation of parliamentary rules is established. Addressing the issue, Birla emphasised that maintaining the dignity and decorum of Parliament is non-negotiable. No one has the right to undermine the sanctity of the House," he said, adding that strict action would follow against anyone found breaching parliamentary norms once the investigation concludes. The controversy erupted after BJP MP Anurag Thakur raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, questioning whether e-cigarettes had been permitted inside the House. Thakur alleged that some Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs were continuously vaping" during proceedings, despite e-cigarettes being banned across the country. Responding to the charge, the Speaker categorically denied granting any such permission. It has not been permitted. All members are expected to follow the rules. If such matters come to light, strict action will be taken," Birla said. His remarks prompted sharp reactions from both sides, leading to protests and disruptions in the House. Several BJP MPs demanded immediate action, while Speaker Birla urged members to maintain order and follow established procedures. He noted that action would be initiated if a formal written complaint was submitted, according to news agency PTI. Birla also reminded the House that e-cigarettes have been prohibited in India for several years. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 15:00 IST News india Vaping Row In Lok Sabha: Om Birla Says Probe In Final Stage, Strict Action If Rules Breached Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Watch: PM Modi, German Chancellor Fly Lord Hanuman Kite In Gujarat As Op Sindoor Banner Soars Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 11:47 IST PM Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz were seen flying a kite depicting Lord Hanuman at the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and PM Modi German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Gujarat on Monday as part of his two-day visit to India and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the day. As part of the visit, the two leaders took part in the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati riverfront. The event also showcased a striking banner based on the theme Operation Sindoor, flown high across the sky amid a spectacular display of kites. The long black banner, emblazoned with bold lettering and patriotic imagery, drew attention as it soared above the venue, symbolising strength, sacrifice, and national pride. The banner was ccompanied by tricolour-themed kites and large aerial displays. PM Modi and the German chancellor were also seen flying a kite depicting Lord Hanuman, drawing attention to the cultural aspect of the program. VIDEO | Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) attend the International Kite Festival at Sabarmati Riverfront, where kites featuring motifs of both leaders, the flags of strategic partner nations, and Hindu pic.twitter.com/mSG37min0a Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 12, 2026 After the festival, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz were scheduled to travel to Mahatma Mandir for formal bilateral talks aimed at strengthening IndiaGermany ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. The leaders also took part in the festival, enjoying the vibrant and colourful celebration. Visuals from the scene show both leaders interacting with participants. Before the inauguration, PM Modi, who is also in Gujarat for a three-day visit, welcomed the German Chancellor Merz to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. After the meeting, both leaders paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. India-Germany Celebrates 75-Years Of Strategic Partnership The visit is part of Chancellor Merzs official trip to India, with a focus on deepening cooperation between India and Germany. It comes at a time when the two countries are marking 75 years of diplomatic ties and 25 years of their Strategic Partnership. Merz is in India from January 12 to January 13, during which he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold formal bilateral talks at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar from 11.15 am onwards. The discussions are expected to include a review of the progress made under the IndiaGermany Strategic Partnership, which recently completed 25 years. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Gujarat, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 11:05 IST News india Watch: PM Modi, German Chancellor Fly Lord Hanuman Kite In Gujarat As Op Sindoor Banner Soars Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Amal Clooney Returns To The Golden Globes After A Decade In Cherry-Red Balmain Dress Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 12:10 IST Returning to the Golden Globes after 11 years, George Clooney's wife - Amal Clooney - turned heads in a striking cherry-red Balmain gown that balanced glamour with restraint. George Clooney and Amal Clooney at Golden Globes 2026. (Images: X) Some red carpet appearances feel fleeting. Others linger long after the flashbulbs fade. Amal Clooneys return to the Golden Globes in 2026 firmly belongs to the latter. After more than a decade away from the awards shows red carpet, the international human rights lawyer stepped back into the spotlight with a look that felt deliberate, commanding, and effortlessly timeless proving that true style never rushes its moment. Arriving at the Beverly Hilton Hotel alongside George Clooney, Amal Clooney reminded us why her red carpet choices are often studied as closely as her work beyond fashion. There was no trend-chasing, no overt theatrics just a powerful silhouette, impeccable tailoring, and a colour choice that spoke volumes. A Cherry-Red Statement By Balmain Amal and George Clooney attend the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/hipY89mcr0 hathaross (@aina_17er) January 12, 2026 For the occasion, Amal chose a striking cherry-red Balmain gown that balanced vintage glamour with modern restraint. The column silhouette skimmed the body with precision, anchored by a sweetheart neckline that felt classic rather than nostalgic. Ruched detailing added texture and depth, while a subtle mermaid train delivered drama in motion. Accessories were kept purposeful and polished. A matching red clutch tied the look together seamlessly, while diamond drop earrings and a radiant bracelet added just enough sparkle to catch the light without stealing focus from the gown itself. True to her signature aesthetic, Amals glam leaned into soft refinement. A muted pink blush, nude lips, and a delicately smoked eye complemented the boldness of the dress, allowing the overall look to feel balanced and composed. Her hair, styled in voluminous side-parted waves, reinforced her affinity for old-Hollywood glamour. It was timeless, feminine, and unfailingly elegant. A Power Couple, Redefined George Clooney, nominated for his role in Jay Kelly, complemented Amals look in a classic Giorgio Armani tuxedo paired with sleek oxfords. Together, the couple projected a sense of ease and confidence that few can replicate. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amal Clooney (@amal.clooney.official) This appearance marks Amal Clooneys first Golden Globes outing since 2015, when she memorably wore black Dior Haute Couture paired with opera gloves and diamonds. Eleven years on, her return feels less like a comeback and more like a continuation of a woman who understands that elegance is not about frequency, but intention. With awards season officially underway, one thing is clear: if Amal Clooney steps onto another red carpet this year, fashion will be watching closely. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 12:10 IST News lifestyle fashion Amal Clooney Returns To The Golden Globes After A Decade In Cherry-Red Balmain Dress Jennifer Morrison Stuns In Anamika Khanna Ensemble At Golden Globes Nominee Night Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 12:22 IST At the Golden Globes Nominee Night, Jennifer Morrison championed Indian couture in a two-piece ensemble by Anamika Khanna. She wore a sculptural strapless corset and fluid pants. Jennifer Morrison was styled by Cristina Ehrlich. Awards season often delivers its most compelling style moments before the trophies are even handed out, and Jennifer Morrison proved exactly that at the Golden Globes Nominee Night. Held as part of the weekends lead-up festivities, the evening brought together Hollywoods most influential voices across film, television, and podcasting. Amid the glamour, Jennifers appearance stood out for its refined confidence and thoughtful design choice. Rather than opting for a traditional gown, Jennifer Morrison embraced modern eveningwear with a couture edge, stepping out in a striking two-piece ensemble by Indian designer Anamika Khanna. Anamika Khannas Signature Craft, Reimagined View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anamika Khanna (@anamikakhanna.in) Jennifers look centred on a sculptural strapless corset rendered in a rich matte-bronze hue. Precision-fitted and expertly contoured, the bodice hugged her frame with architectural finesse, creating a silhouette that was both powerful and fluid. Intricate embroidery, reminiscent of tapestry work, added depth and dimension, while pale circular motifs introduced an almost artisanal softness, echoing miniature artworks stitched into the fabric. The corsets scalloped, asymmetrical hemline broke the rigidity of the structured top, lending movement and visual intrigue. It was a detail-driven design that rewarded a closer look hallmarks of Anamika Khannas globally celebrated aesthetic. Modern Tailoring Meets Effortless Balance To offset the ornate corsetry, Jennifer paired the top with high-waisted, straight-leg satin trousers. The fluid pants fell to a floor-grazing length, offering contrast through their relaxed drape and understated sheen. Together, the combination struck a balance between sculpted precision and ease an increasingly favoured red carpet formula that feels contemporary without sacrificing glamour. Letting the craftsmanship speak for itself, Jennifer kept accessories to a minimum. She skipped necklaces and bracelets entirely, choosing instead a pair of emerald-toned, diamond-shaped earrings edged with delicate sparkle. The restraint elevated the look, reinforcing its editorial polish. Her glam followed suit. A soft matte base, gentle blush, and subtle contour enhanced her natural glow, while peach-toned lips added warmth. The eyes were kept clean and defined with a simple winged liner and mascara no heavy kohl, no excess drama. Completing the look was a structured updo with soft tendrils framing her face, subtly nodding to vintage glamour. In championing Anamika Khanna, Jennifer Morrison delivered a fashion moment rooted in craftsmanship, global design, and quiet confidence. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 12:22 IST News lifestyle fashion Jennifer Morrison Stuns In Anamika Khanna Ensemble At Golden Globes Nominee Night Pongal 2026: Bhogi, Thai, Mattu And Kaanum, What Each Of The Four Days Signifies Published By : Last Updated: January 15, 2026, 06:32 IST Pongal 2026: Know the significance, rituals and meaning of all four days - Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. Pongal 2026: This year, Pongal will be celebrated from January 13 to 16. Pongal Festival 2026 Four Days of Celebration: Pongal is one of the most important harvest festivals in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. It marks the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated with food, prayers and family gatherings. The festival is closely linked to nature, agriculture and gratitude for a good yield. This year, Pongal will be observed from January 13 to 16, with each day having its own rituals and significance. The festival follows the Tamil solar calendar and begins with the Tamil month of Thai. In many parts of India, Pongal coincides with Makar Sankranti, Lohri and Uttarayan, though traditions vary across regions. Pongal 2026: Four Days Of The Festival Pongal is celebrated over four days: Bhogi, Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal and Kaanum Pongal. Each day highlights a different aspect of life, ranging from renewal and gratitude to family bonding. ALSO READ: Happy Pongal 2026: Top Images, Quotes, Wishes, Messages, Greetings And Pictures As per Drik Panchang, here are the dates for Pongal 2026: Bhogi Pongal: Tuesday, January 13 Tuesday, January 13 Thai Pongal: Wednesday, January 14 Wednesday, January 14 Mattu Pongal: Thursday, January 15 Thursday, January 15 Kaanum Pongal: Friday, January 16 Pongal 2026: Bhogi Is About Clearing The Old Bhogi marks the first day of Pongal and the focus is on discarding the old to welcome a fresh beginning. Homes are thoroughly cleaned, unused items are cleared away, and families prepare for the festivities ahead. In the early hours, bonfires known as Bhogi Mantalu are lit, during which old wooden items are burned as part of the traditional ritual. People wear new clothes, decorate their homes with colourful kolams and share sweets. In many Telugu households, a special ceremony called Bhogi Pallu is performed for young children, where fruits, flowers, coins and pieces of sugarcane are showered on them as blessings for good health and a long life. According to Drik Panchang, Bhogi Pandigai will be observed on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, while the Bhogi Sankranti moment falls at 03:13 pm on January 14, 2026. Pongal 2026: Thai Pongal Thanks The Sun God Thai Pongal is the main day of the festival and is dedicated to the Sun God. On this day, families prepare the traditional dish known as Pongal using freshly harvested rice, milk and jaggery. The dish is cooked in a new clay pot, and the moment the milk boils over is considered an auspicious sign of prosperity. The prepared Pongal is first offered to the Sun God and then shared among family members. The cooking is usually done outdoors in the morning, symbolising reverence for nature and agriculture. Thai Pongal also marks the beginning of the Tamil month of Thai. According to Drik Panchang, Thai Pongal will be observed on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, with the Thai Pongal Sankranti moment occurring at 03:13 pm. Pongal 2026: Mattu Pongal Honours Cattle Mattu Pongal is dedicated to cows and bulls, acknowledging their vital role in agriculture. On this day, cattle are bathed, adorned with flowers and bells, their horns painted, and worshipped by farmers. In many villages, the celebrations feature folk dances, traditional games and cattle processions. In some parts of Tamil Nadu, Jallikattu, the traditional bull-taming sport, is organised as part of the festivities. The day underscores the close bond between humans, animals and nature. According to Drik Panchang, Mattu Pongal will be observed on Thursday, January 15, 2026. Pongal 2026: Kaanum Pongal Is For Togetherness Kaanum Pongal is the final day of the festival. This day is about spending time with loved ones. Families visit relatives, go on picnics and enjoy meals together. Many people head to beaches, riverbanks, temples or public parks to relax and unwind. The word Kaanum means to see," reflecting the idea of meeting people and reconnecting after days of rituals. It is also a popular day for short trips and outings across Tamil Nadu. According to Drik Panchang, Kaanum Pongal will be observed on Friday, January 16, 2026. Pongal 2026: Tamil Nadu Cities Mark The Festival With Music And Traditions During Pongal, cities and towns across Tamil Nadu come alive with festive energy. People enjoy folk songs and dances, Pongal-themed displays, local craft stalls, temple processions and special prayers. Cities such as Chennai, Madurai, Thanjavur and Coimbatore are especially known for their large and colourful Pongal celebrations. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 09:35 IST News lifestyle Pongal 2026: Bhogi, Thai, Mattu And Kaanum, What Each Of The Four Days Signifies 'I Became More': Rani Mukerji On How Motherhood Changed Her As She Celebrates 30 Years In Cinema Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 11:34 IST Rani Mukerji reflects on 30 years in cinema, sharing how motherhood shaped her focus, made her more selective, and deepened her understanding of meaningful roles. Rani Mukerji reflects on 30 years in cinema. Rani Mukerji has been one of the most loved actresses of Bollywood. The actress has given the Hindi film industry some of the biggest hits and most powerful performances with movies like Mardaani, Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Hum Tum, and many more. Today, as Rani Mukerji completed three decades in the industry, the actress penned a long, heartfelt note to express gratitude. Opening up about phases of her life, Rani spoke about how marriage and then motherhood changed her. Rani shared, Marriage and motherhood changed me, not by slowing me down, but by sharpening my focus. I became more selective, more protective of my energy, and more aware of the kind of legacy I wanted to build and the films that I want to lend my voice to." Hichki came to me at a time when I understood vulnerability in a deeper way. Playing a teacher with Tourette syndrome reminded me why representation matters and how empathy can change perspectives," she added. Further continuing and speaking about her National Award-winning performance in Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway, Mukerji shared, More recently, Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway reaffirmed my belief that emotional truth transcends borders. A mother fighting a system larger than herself is a story that needs no language. The response to that film told me something profound: audiences still want sincerity. They still want stories that come from the heart. Playing a mother gave me my first National Award, and Im a believer in signs. Maybe I was born to play this role, which is why the universe reserved the feeling of me winning this award for when I became a mother and understood what a woman can do for her offspring. Maybe Im a more complete actor, a more grounded human to play such a role today. I bowed to the universe and took this award with a lot of humility." In her long note, Rani thanked her audience and said, Thank you for letting me live so many lives. Today, Im still feeling like a newcomer, wanting to excel, to work harder, to take on new cinematic challenges and write a totally new chapter of my life starting right now" To my fans and audiences who have always rooted for me, stood beside me, and cheered for this girl who has become a woman, I bow down with respect and love. I would not have been here without you. I would have been no one without you," Rani added. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 11:34 IST News movies bollywood 'I Became More': Rani Mukerji On How Motherhood Changed Her As She Celebrates 30 Years In Cinema 'I Am A Fan For Life': Karan Johar Lauds Yami Gautam For Haq, Calls It Emraan Hashmis Career Best Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 09:57 IST Karan Johar praised Haq, calling Yami Gautam brilliant and pathbreaking, and hailed Emraan Hashmis performance as the finest of his career. Karan Johar praised Yami Gautam's Haq. Haq, starring Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi, recently had its digital premiere, and after completing a successful theatrical run, the movie is now enjoying great viewership on Netflix. Ever since Haqs release, the film has been receiving love and praise from audiences and critics alike. Now, Karan Johar too has taken to social media to praise the film. While calling Emraan Hashmis performance in the movie his career-best, he also praised Yami and said she was brilliant, outstanding, pathbreaking" in the film. While sharing the poster of the film, Karan heaped praise on Yami and said, I dont think I have been this moved by a performance in many, many years To say that @yamigautam is brilliant, outstanding, pathbreaking is still not saying enough. Her silences, her stares, her last monologue, and her stance throughout the film are a masterclass of craft and conviction. Salute and salaam to her!" View this post on Instagram A post shared by Karan Johar (@karanjohar) @therealemraan is at his career best He is so convincing, and he portrays the insensitive and entitled husband like a bona fide veteran You hate him, and therefore you absolutely love his performance Kudos to @jungleepictures Vineet and Amrita @vineetjain12 for producing this brave and important motion picture! #HarmanBaweja Big applause to @reshunath for writing a solid and poignant film with such strength of narrative," he further added. While calling himself a fan, Karan concluded, saying, Yami I am a fan for life! #Haq on @netflix_in" Haqs Storyline and Cast Written by Reshu Nath and directed by Suparn Verma, the courtroom drama is inspired by the historic Supreme Court of India judgment in Shah Bano Begum vs. Mohd. Ahmed Khan. The film, set in 1980s India, tells the story of Shazia Bano (played by Yami Gautam) and her legal fight for justice against her husband, Abbas (Emraan Hashmi). Shazias world shatters when her husband marries another woman. Though Abbas initially agrees to provide monthly maintenance for their children, he soon stops supporting them financially. Refusing to remain silent, Shazia takes the bold step of approaching the court. In a desperate attempt to silence her, Abbas pronounces triple talaq. What follows is a powerful journey of Shazias fight for justice, as the narrative examines the fragile intersection of personal faith, entrenched social customs, and constitutional law. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 09:57 IST News movies bollywood 'I Am A Fan For Life': Karan Johar Lauds Yami Gautam For Haq, Calls It Emraan Hashmis Career Best Meenakshi Seshadri's Walk Down Memory Lane On Beach Where Hero and Meri Jung Were Shot Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 18:25 IST Meenakshi Seshadri became one of Hindi cinema's leading actresses in the 1980s and 1990s. Meenakshi Seshadri revisits Hero, Meri Jung memories during beach visit. (Photo Credit : Instagram) Veteran Bollywood actress Meenakshi Seshadri delighted fans by reliving treasured moments from her early film career on a recent nostalgic beach vacation in Mumbai. The actress called outdoor shots close to her heart" and posted a set of pictures from a beach near the locations of sequences from her classic flicks Hero (1983) and Meri Jung (1985). In an Instagram caption, Meenakshi wrote that the location brought back fond recollections of her formative years in movies amid tranquil sea views and sunshine. Visited the beach near where we shot for Hero and Meri Jung. I love outdoor shoots," she wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meenakshi Seshadri (@iammeenakshiseshadri) Hero and Meri Jung: Meenakshi Seshadris Iconic Beginnings The beach stop was a nostalgic trip back to some of Meenakshis most important cinematic achievements. Hero, directed by Subhash Ghai, marked a breakthrough for both Meenakshi and her co-star Jackie Shroff, who made his debut in a lead role. The romantic action movie, which followed a hitman whose life changed after falling in love with his victim, became a beloved classic. In another 1985 Ghai film, Meri Jung, Meenakshi starred alongside Anil Kapoor in a gripping courtroom drama in which a son battles to defend his fathers identity following an erroneous conviction. The movie also had prominent actors like Amrish Puri, Nutan, Javed Jaffrey, A. K. Hangal, Kushboo and Parikshat Sahni, demonstrating Meenakshis versatility in a variety of genres early in her career. Legacy and Life After Cinema Meenakshi Seshadri became one of the top actresses in Hindi cinema during the 1980s and 1990s, winning praise for her varied filmography, which includes Aandhi-Toofan, Damini, Ghatak, Dacait, Swati, Inaam Dus Hazaar, Shahenshah, Ghar Ho To Aisa, and more. Her early success with Hero and Painter Babu contributed to her long-lasting reputation in Indian cinema. Her last appearance was in Rajkumar Santoshis 1996 Hindi-language action movie Ghatak: Lethal, which also starred Sunny Deol, Amrish Puri, and Danny Denzongpa. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 18:25 IST News bollywood Meenakshi Seshadri's Walk Down Memory Lane On Beach Where Hero and Meri Jung Were Shot Pope Leo XIV on Sunday called for an end to violence in Ukraine amid new attacks on energy infrastructure that are causing significant harm to civilians. " In Ukraine, severe, new attacks aimed at energy infrastructure as the cold weather grows harsher are taking a heavy toll on the civilian population. I pray for those who suffer and renew my appeal for an end to the violence and for renewed efforts to achieve peace. #PrayTogether," the post on X reads. Vijay Varma And Fatima Sana Shaikh's Gustaakh Ishq Gets OTT Release Date Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 18:13 IST Audiences had varied feelings about the film, although they praised and loved Vijay and Fatima's performances. The film was released in theatres on November 28. (Photo Credit : X) Vibhu Puris directorial film Gustaakh Ishq was first screened at the Gala Premiere section of Goas 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). It opened in theatres on November 28, 2025. Audiences had varied feelings about the film, although they praised and loved Vijay and Fatimas performances. Now after much anticipation, the film is all set to stream on OTT this month. According to a Free Press Journal report, the film would be published on JioHotstar commencing January 23. The film delves into subjects like love and sacrifice, the preservation of art and legacy, the conflict between tradition and modernisation, and the spirit of poetry. Gustaakh Ishq Plot The film tells the narrative of Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rahman, a young man living in poverty with his mother and younger brother, Jumman, in Darya Ganj, Purani Delhi. Nawabuddin, as the eldest child, has taken on the familys responsibilities since a young age. He is aware that his late fathers prized printing press has been abandoned. Determined to honour his fathers legacy, he intends to restart the printing firm. Nawabuddins life changes dramatically when he travels to Punjab on business and falls in love with the daughter of an Urdu poet. Vijay Varma has been open about breaking his negative on-screen image and step into the world of old-school romance as a lover boy in Manish Malhotras produced Gustaakh Ishq. On the other hand, speaking about casting Fatima as the lead during the trailer launch, Manish Malhotra shared, Shes very petite and beautiful. Shes always done such wonderful roles, but shes never come as a heroine with the dupatta and nazaakat. So I texted her, and she was very responsive. She asked for the script, and I sent it to her at about 8 oclock. Just when I went to sleep at about 11:30 pm, I got a message from her saying that Im doing the film. We had a lot of discussions." Gustaakh Ishq Cast The films ensemble cast includes Vijay Varma as Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rahman / Pappan, Fatima Sana Shaikh as Minni, Naseeruddin Shah as Aziz Baig/Babba, Rohan Verma as Jummah, Sharib Hashmi as Bhoore, Rohan Verma as Jummah, and Natasha Rastogi as Mother, among others. Gustaak Ishq was produced by Manish Malhotra and Dinesh Malhotra under the name Stage5 Productions. Vishal Bhardwaj created the music for the film and Hitesh Sonik composed the score. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 18:13 IST News bollywood Vijay Varma And Fatima Sana Shaikh's Gustaakh Ishq Gets OTT Release Date 'Hell Is Not Far': Mahhi Vij BREAKS SILENCE On Link-Up Rumours With Nadeem Nadz Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 09:29 IST After her divorce from Jay Bhanushali, Mahhi Vij slammed trolls linking her to best friend Nadeem Nadz, calling the rumours filthy and warning haters strongly. Mahhi Vijs birthday post for her best friend Nadim Nadz sparked trolling. Actor and television host Jay Bhanushali and Mahhi Vij announced their divorce recently after about 15 years of marriage. Following their divorce announcement, Mahhi Vij posted a heartfelt birthday wish for her best friend, Nadeem Nadz, inviting severe trolling, with many linking her to Nadeem romantically. Now, Mahhi has strongly reacted to the rumours and called out the trolls for spreading negativity. Taking to her Instagram, Mahhi shared a video where she called out the trolls, stating they couldnt digest the fact that she and Jay had gotten separated without any gandagi." She said, Jo log humare baare mein jaante hain, unhe yeh sab ridiculous lag raha hai. Just because humne bina koi controversy ke divorce liya hai, aap logon ko hazam nahi ho raha. Aapko gandagi chahiye." Nadim mera best friend hai aur hamesha mera best friend hi rahega. Aapne Abba shabd ko ganda kar diya hai. Shame on you thu on you people for writing such shitty stuff about me and Nadim. Its not just about me; itne saare log hain jo usse respect karte hain. Aap itne level tak gandagi mein jaa sakte ho," she further added, and questioned if people dont say I love you" to their best friends. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mahhi Vinod Vij (@mahhivij) Hell is not far for you guys who are saying such things about me and for the person who is my heart, soul, and my everything," Mahhi added while slamming the trolls. Jay Bhanushali on social media linking Mahhi Vij and Nadeem Nadz Mahhi Vijs close friend Ankita Lokhande decided to address the situation head-on. Taking to her Instagram Stories on Sunday, January 11, Ankita posted a long and emotional note condemning the trolling and clarifying the nature of Mahhis bond with Nadeem. In her note, Ankita urged people to stop drawing conclusions without understanding the history behind certain relationships. She described Nadeem as someone who has consistently stood by people during difficult times and referred to him as a God-sent person" for many, including herself. Jay Bhanushali responded shortly after Ankitas post went viral. Acknowledging her intervention, he commented, Thank you, Ankita, and I agree to everything you said," subtly backing her clarification and putting his support behind her words. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 09:29 IST News movies television 'Hell Is Not Far': Mahhi Vij BREAKS SILENCE On Link-Up Rumours With Nadeem Nadz Masterda Surjyo Sen: The Teacher, Who Lit The Torch Of Freedom In The Minds Of Students & People Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 12:03 IST Surya Sen led the Chittagong Armoury Raid in 1930, inspiring youth and women like Kalpana Datta and Pritilata Waddedar in Bharats freedom struggle against British rule. Surya Sen, like Bhagat Singh, was influenced by the revolutionaries in Europe and Russia. (Image: indianculture.gov.in) The year was 1893. Swami Vivekananda, a great Bengali, had given a famous lecture in the World Parliament of Religions at Chicago in the United States of America. Many revolutionary groups like The Jugantar and The Anushilan Samiti were formed. Newspapers like The Yuganthar, Vande Mataram (started in 1889), and Amrit Bazar Patrika of 1891 had sown the ideas of revolution in the youth, which the British tried to muzzle through the Press Acts of 1908 and 1910 like they did with the Rowlatt Act. The spread of the ideas of revolution was curbed by the Dramatic Performance Act in 1876. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyayas Anand Math (Vande Mataram) was very inspirational. In 1905, Bengal was partitioned by Lord Curzon. Rabindranath Tagore wrote patriotic songs. Meanwhile, there was the impact of World War I and the Rowlatt Act of 1917. Surjyo Sen, also widely known as Surya Sen or Surjya Sen, was born on the March 22 in 1894 at Noapara in Chattogram (Chittagong as called by the British) in Bharat, which was ruled by the British imperialists at that time. After India-Pakistan partition and Independence, Chittagong became part of East Pakistan (Post 1971, now Bangladesh). His father was Ramniranjan Sen, a School Teacher. His father died young and he was raised by his kind uncle. Surjyo da had many siblings. He completed his primary education at Dayamayi Primary School in Noapara. Surjyo Sen was enrolled in Harsh Chandra Dutts National High School in Chattograms Nandankanan. In 1913, Surya Sen passed his Matriculation Exam in 1st division. Later, he went to study at Chittagong College, where he first pursued his Intermediary and which he completed successfully. However, due to a certain misfortune, he could not complete his BA degree at Chittagong College. He continued his BA at Krishnath College in Behrampore (now a town in Murshidabad in free Indias West Bengal). He came back to Chittagong and became a Maths teacher at a high school in Nandankanan, Chittagong. He was an excellent Teacher. He became famous as Masterda. Master means Teacher. Da is a term of respect for elders or seniors in Bengali language. He married Pushpa Kuntla but did not involve in family life. His mind was set on obtaining freedom for India from the British. Surya Sen was a good organiser and strategist. He was both soft-spoken and sincere. He had both charm and charisma. Surya Sen, like Bhagat Singh, was influenced by the revolutionaries in Europe and Russia. He soon created an army of young students. Surjya da learnt about Indias freedom struggle from a teacher in Krishnath College. Initially, Surjyo was greatly attracted by Gandhis Ahimsa philosophy or the policy of non-violence. He became close to Deshbandu Chittaranjan Das. He was a part of Gandhijis Non-Violent Non-Cooperation movement but was later disillusioned by Gandhijis policies when Gandhi ji called off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 because of a lone incident at Chauri-Chaura, a place in present-day Bihar. The same kind of disillusionment happened with freedom fighter, Bhagat Singh, too. Bhagat Singh, Surjyo Sen, and some other revolutionaries fighting for independence from India began to obsess with violence as a means of revolution in order to secure independence for India after they had witnessed the failure of the Ahimsa or Non-Violence weapon brandished by Gandhiji to obtain independence from the extremely cunning and cruel British imperialists. Surjyo Sen was disappointed with the Indian National Congresss acceptance of Dominion Status for India as a Goal. Meanwhile, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre happened on the April 13th of 1919. The cruelty of the British disturbed Surjyo Sen and Bhagat Singh. It was then that they thought of taking up arms against the British. The British had meanwhile passed the draconian Rowlatt Act of 1919, according to which anybody could be arrested and could even be jailed without trial. Masterda was a contemporary of Bhagat Singh both influenced by the World Wars, Russian Revolution, Lenin, ideas of Karl Marx and Engels. There were many who influenced Surya Sen. Jatindranath Das was around twenty-three years old when he died for Bharat Mata. Persons like Jatin Da, Deshbandu Chittaranjan Das, RB Bose were all already doing much for Bharat Mata. We must remember how on March 23, 1931, three freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar were all executed by the British. Surjyo Sen was especially influenced by the actions of the Irish Republican Army. The Irish Republican Army was established in 1919 to halt British rule in Ireland. The Irish Republican Army demanded the withdrawal of the British from Ireland. Later, the Irish Republican Army split into two factions Officials and Provisionals. The Officials sought independence through peace while Provisionals believed in violence as a means of obtaining independence. The Provisionals felt that peaceful means were unable to secure independence for Ireland. The violence of the Provisionals of The Irish Republican Army resulted in 1800 deaths, including those of 600 civilians. There was an equally brutal retaliation by the British army, which continued for 30 years. The Irish Republican Army exploded bombs and shot/injured many. They targeted public places like pubs. Inspired by the violent means of the Irish Republican Army to obtain independence for Ireland, Surjyo Sen joined the Anushilan Samiti, a revolutionary group of India, as a means to obtain freedom for Bharat. And later he started the IRA, aka The Indian Republican Army. He was greatly inspired by the exploits of a Teacher in Ireland, who was responsible for The Easter Uprising against the British. So, Surjyo da, too, thought that it was possible to rise like that against the British in Bharat. Surya Sen became the General of the Chittagong branch of the IRA. All this happened in 1929. In 1929, a conference of the Chittagong Congress was held under the leadership of S.C. Bose. Surjyo Sen was made District Secretary of the Congress. Surya Sen, Ambika Chakraborthy, Nirmal Sen, Ganesh Ghosh all decided to form an independent government free from British rule in Chittagong. A meeting was later arranged and the following were proposed such as: 1. A sudden takeover of the armoury. 2. Disrupting railway network. 3. Disrupting telephone network. 4. Snapping telegram lines. 5. Mass killing of Europeans. 6. Forming Interim government of revolution. So, lets find out as to why the Chittagong armoury raid became so famous in history. The Chittagong or Chattogram revolution happened on the April 18, 1930. Masterda, along with five friends and a small army of young boys, raided the Chittagong armoury, cut off the railway lines and other communication lines. Most of the Indian Republican Army were boys as young as twelve. They were part of Surya Sens army. Most were students. They took over Chittagong for a day from the British. Surjyo Sens IRA (Indian Republican Army) brought down the mighty British empire for a day in Chattogram. He hoisted the Indian Flag and declared an India Republic on the 18th of April of 1930. Surjyo Sen was a man far ahead of his times with a mighty vision in his head that of extricating Bharat from British rule. In fact, with respect to the Chittagong armoury Raid, Surjyo da was trying to replicate the Easter Day uprising that had happened in Dublin in Ireland and which had triggered the path to freedom for Ireland. Surya Sen hoped for a similar success in Bharat. Eventually, he was right in this assertion because Bharat did acquire freedom from the British within the next few years using the combined approach of both violence and peace, multiple uprisings all over Bharat. Let us first understand as to who were the main comrades of Masterda. Surjyo Sens close comrades were Ambika Chakravarthy, Ananta Lal Singh, Ganesh Ghosh, Lokenath Pal, Nirmal Sen, Kalpana Datta, and Pritilata Waddedar. Ambika Chakraborthy was the one who maintained the network of contacts. He was also in charge of getting funds and collecting information about the police. Ananta Singh was a renowned physical instructor, who trained young boys in shooting and fighting. Ganesh Ghosh was the military strategist of Masterdas group. Lokenath Bal was the youngest of Sens comrades. He was tall, fair, and handsome and could easily pass off as a British citizen or officer or soldier. He was often used by the revolutionaries. Nirmal Sen smuggled in the arms and ammunition. Kalpana Datta was part of Surjyo Sens group. She was a chemistry student, who used chemical supplies from the college and taught herself how to make bombs and explosives. She was allowed to participate after the partly successful Chittagong Armoury raid. She was the first woman in the freedom movement of Chattogram and a pioneer woman. Pritilata Waddedar was a messenger in Masterdas group. She acted as a messenger of information between those freedom fighters in Jail/those hiding to help stay in touch with the outside world. Pritilata wanted to become a martyr and she became so after she consumed cyanide after a successful attack on a British Club, wherein many Britishers were killed. Surjyo Sens recruitment of women in the Bharatiya freedom struggle was a trendsetter for the amalgamation of women in the freedom movement. An amount of Rs 18,000 (which was a huge sum, given that it was 1930) was required for the Chattogram Armoury Raid. Small amounts were collected and contributed. Surjyo das plan with respect to the Chittagong Armoury raid was thus He was calling for the capturing of 2 British Armouries in Chittagong and distributing weapons to other revolutionaries. The plan included dismantling the telephone and telegraph systems and also to break down the railway line between the city and the rest of Bengal. Surjyo Da fixed the 18th of April of 1930 as the day to capture the Armouries. They managed to capture the Armouries. Unfortunately, they were not able to obtain the necessary machine guns and the ammunition. 18th April, 1930: The Chattogram Armoury Raid Masterda was a master planner, organiser, and strategist. He was a well-read person. He planned to carry out simultaneous attacks in 5 places in Chattogram or Chittagong. Imagine, if there had been similar attacks carried out in different places at different times, all over Bharat. However, there are always few visionaries and brave people like Surya Sen. The plan was to raid the Police and Army armoury of Chittagong, take the Machine Guns along with the cartridges. The plan was to sabotage the railway line (transport) and telegraph (communication) lines, attack the European Club and either kill or take the European officers as hostages. There were different groups to attack different places in Chattogram. The Police Armoury was located on a small hillock. Around 6 revolutionaries led by Ganesh Ghosh took over the armoury and raised slogans of Vande Mataram. Ganesh Ghosh and Anant Singh attacked the guard. The others who were involved were Dev Prasad Gupta, Himantu Sen, Haripad Mahajan, and Saroj Guha. There was another group of 10 members headed by Lokenath Bal, who captured the Auxiliary Military Armoury. The others involved in this attack were Rajat Sen, Manoranjan Sen, Jiban Goshal, Phani Nandi, Subodh Chowdhury, and thirty others. The Nangalkot railway line attack was carried out by Lokenath, Kalpana, and Lal Mohan. A goods train passed by in Chittagong. Lal Mohan Sen, Subodh Mitra, Sukumar Bhoumik, and Haren Dutt reached the railway station, 60 miles from Chittagong. They uprooted the rail track and cut the telegraph lines. The passing goods train derailed. The other group consisted of Upendra Kumar Banerjee, Vijay Shankar, Sarkar, and Sushil Dey. The British Cantonment attack was carried out by Pritilata. The attack on the European Club was carried out by Surya Sen. Another group caused the destruction of the Telegraph Office. Dwijan Dastidar, Kalpana Chakraborthy, Maninder Guha, Biren De, and Niranjan. Ambika Da, aka Ambika Chakraborthy, was to lead this group. The revolutionaries used chloroform to make the Telegraph operators unconscious. The revolutionaries broke the Telegraph apparatus with hammer and axe and Ambika da had a revolver. On the April 18, 1930, however post capturing the Chittagong armoury, the revolutionaries burnt the British Union Jack Flag and hoisted the Temporary Indian Flag. Slogans of Inquilab Zindabad and Vande Mataram were shouted. The Plan would have worked out quite well but for the Fault Lines. Unfortunately, even Surjyo Sen did not anticipate that no cartridges would be in the Police/Army armoury. In addition, there were few or almost no machine guns. Also, they had mistaken Good Friday as a Festival and not a day of mourning for Christians. Since it was Good Friday, there was almost no European at the European Club. Thus, Surya Sen and other revolutionaries of The Indian Republican Army had foolishly believed that the cartridges would be kept along with rifles and machine guns. In addition, they thought that Good Friday was a Festival Day. There were definite fault-lines in the spying/intelligence collection on behalf of the rebels and so the Chittagong Armoury Raid was not a complete success in spite of the best and sincere efforts by the small army of men and children led by Surya Sen. After the part-success and part failure of the mission to capture the armouries, the young lads led by Surya Sen had to go to the Jalalabad hills in Chittagong to fight because they knew that they would be at an advantage on the hills. Surjyo Sen lost many comrades in the ensuing battle in the Jalalabad hills with the British. Surjyo Sen and few others escaped into the neighbouring villages. Surjyo Sen could not be caught by the British for the next four years. Eventually, he was betrayed by Netra Sen, his relative in whose home he was staying. Surjyo was thus arrested in 1933. Netra Sen was later killed by a revolutionary loyal to Surya Sen. Finally, Surjyo Sen was arrested and taken to Midnapore Jail. Then, he was taken to Ratnagiri. Surjyo was hanged on the 12th of January of 1934. He was brutally tortured before he was hanged. Tarakeshwar Dutt was hanged with Sen and their bodies were thrown into the sea. Surjyo da had to endure extreme torture at the hands of the British. His teeth were broken with a hammer. His nails were pulled out. His eyes were gouged out. Surya Sen was a man ahead of his times. His decision to allow children, women, and teenagers into the freedom struggle showed his visionary capacity. His liberal attitude in allowing all those who wanted to be a part of the freedom struggle was an unprecedented virtue and boon. He knew that the British imperialists would not suspect that children and women would take part in revolution. In addition, Masterda was probably well aware of the nature of youth to be led easily by a vision than elders. Masterda provided them with leadership and vision. It is easier to make children believe in dare-devil dreams that adults would dismiss using their logic. Thirdly, the children also have more enthusiasm than adults in wanting to achieve their dreams. The mighty British Empire would have fallen much earlier had there been more Masterdas, who believed in revolts and uprisings. If a small but important town like Chittagong could have achieved so much by the efforts of one person, then imagine if there were uprisings everywhere then the British would have left long ago! The sad thing was that the British army and all their workforce mainly consisted of Indians. The British would not have been able to rule India had our own people not betrayed them. It was the greed and the foolishness of the Bharatiya people, which had kept them in slavery for so long. Thus, the Chittagong Armoury Raid was the biggest achievement in the freedom struggle of Chittagong before independence. Masterda Surjyo Sen wanted the Chittagong uprising to be an example for all future uprisings against the British in the different provinces of Bharat. Surjyo Da or Master da or Surya Sen or Surjya Sen seems to have been a great inspiration to Netaji SC Bose. Netaji Subas Chandra Bose has been honoured with a memorial by Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi ji at New Delhi. It is now equally important to honour the Legend behind the Legend. It is quite clear that Netaji was inspired by his fellow Bengalis, who protested against the British. His important inspirations must have been Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyaya, Surjyo Sen, Rabindranath Tagore, Jatin da, Chittaranjan Das, and Rash Behari Bose among others. Surya Sen seems to have been a great inspiration to Shri. Subas Chandra Bose. One must remember that it was Surjyo Sen, who was amongst the first persons to involve women directly in revolution against the British. These included persons like Kalpana Dutta and Pritilata Waddedar amongst others. This is also what Subhas babu did he created a Womens Regiment known as Rani Lakshmi Bai Regiment in his Indian National Army. It also appears that Subhas Babu had taken a cue from the Chittagong Armoury raid, which included children amongst members in the army of soldiers against the British. The INA, too, had children working as soldiers. Thus, the presence of both children and women in Netajis army reminds one of some striking resemblances with Surya Sens Indian Republican Army. Kalpana Dutta and Pritilata Waddedar stood as epitomes of womens freedom and rights. The fight for freedom begins with the young people. Only the youth of a country can truly transform the future of a nation. The thirst for freedom begins at a young age for great souls like Shri. Surya Sen and Shri. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. We must sacrifice our youth for Bharat Mata like Vanchinathan and Surya Sen. This is in sharp contrast to those who decide to do good unto their nation only in their old age. Masterda knew that the acts of revolution and violence would not be able to secure independence from the British. He wanted to trigger similar protests across Bharat. He wanted his revolutionary groups acts of defiance to create ripple effects and multiplier effects. His life activities conveyed the great message that life is all about trying and fighting even if one might not succeed immediately. His Chittagong armys courage, perseverance, strategy and planning, spirit of sacrifice, patriotism, and hard work are just unbelievable and greatly inspiring to one and all. The task of honouring Netaji SC Bose will remain incomplete till we complete building a resplendent Memorial for Masterda Surya Sen in Bharat. Just like Bhagat Singh belongs to both Bharat and Pakistan, may the spirit of Surya Sen guide the relationship between Bharat and Bangladesh. Masterda is the pride of Bengal. Masterda is the pride of Bharat. Jai Hind and Vande Mataram! Dr. S Padmapriya, Ph.D, Author, Educator and Thinker, from Chennai. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 12:00 IST News opinion Masterda Surjyo Sen: The Teacher, Who Lit The Torch Of Freedom In The Minds Of Students & People Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | Echoes Of 'Sindoor': Threats, Drones And Pakistan's Strategic Strain Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 21:44 IST A clip allegedly featuring JeM chief Masood Azhar threatening India and reports of drones near the border have added a new dimension to the precarious India-Pakistan landscape At a time when global security alignments are fluid, South Asia cannot afford an India-Pakistan flashpoint. (Image for representation: AFP) By any measure, the fragile peace between India and Pakistan remains a house of cards. Just months after Indias Operation Sindoor, which struck deep at terror infrastructure across the border, a new audio clip allegedly featuring Masood Azhar the leader of the Jaish-e-Mohammed has emerged. In the clip, circulating on social media, Azhar boasts of thousands" of suicide bombers poised to strike India a chilling crescendo of rhetoric that has reignited concerns about militant intent and propaganda warfare. But beyond the inflammatory words lies a deeper question: Can Pakistan really afford an escalation with India in the midst of its own unravelling internal security landscape? BETWEEN THREAT AND THEATRE There is no doubt that Masood Azhar is a figure of terror notoriety with a history of anti-India rhetoric and violent plot links. The audios claim of massive suicide operative strength if genuine would be alarming. Yet responsible analysis must treat its authenticity with caution and consider its propaganda value. After heavy losses to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) cadres during Operation Sindoor last year, such soundbites serve more as a psychological signal than verified operational intelligence. They are designed to project resilience and sow fear, not necessarily reflect battlefield truth. Rhetoric, in modern conflict, is a weapon itself shaped as much by the audience as by the adversary. In this sense, Azhars message resembles theatre more than threat, calibrated to reassure supporters and unsettle critics. But for India, whose security apparatus has been vigilant since the Pulwama attack and strikes that followed, even hollow threats cannot be ignored. DRONES ALONG THE LoC: GREY-ZONE REALISM Reports of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) sighted near the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border have, meanwhile, added a new dimension to this precarious landscape. These arent hypersonic jets or massive aerial bombardments they are small, creeping incursions indicative of grey-zone tactics. Such drones are cheap, deniable, and can be used for surveillance, intelligence gathering, or even smuggling weapons and materials. Their recurring presence speaks to a persistent low-intensity friction rather than all-out war, but friction is precisely what can ignite unintended escalation. For India, these sightings have strategic implications. They demand enhanced air-defence protocols, sharper ground vigilance, and more integrated intelligence. They also underscore an uncomfortable truth: cross-border tensions now blend conventional military posturing with asymmetric, ambiguous threats that blur lines of engagement. PAKISTANS INTERNAL PRESSURE COOKER Herein lies the paradox for Islamabad. On one front, it teeters under militant provocations; on another, it faces deep internal fractures that make foreign adventurism a perilous gamble. Take the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) a hardened insurgent network that continues to conduct attacks and regroup despite military operations aimed at dismantling it. It has asserted organisational structures across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and beyond, threatening Pakistani forces and infrastructure an alarming trend. Then there is the Balochistan conflict, which has flared into one of Pakistans most complex internal security challenges. Armed separatist groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have executed significant operations the 2025 Jaffar Express hijacking is a recent example showcasing sophistication and resolve. The provinces insurgency is rooted in long-standing grievances over autonomy, economic exploitation, and identity, and it continues to undercut Islamabads narrative of stability. In short, Pakistan is fighting on multiple fronts: Islamist militants in the northwest and northeast; separatists in the southwest; and state challenges to sovereignty along the Afghan border. This three-pronged security crisis often described as a three-body problem" is a recipe for overstretch. SO CAN PAKISTAN AFFORD A FIGHT WITH INDIA? The short answer is no not without risking systemic instability. Any significant escalation with India, in the context of unresolved domestic insurgencies and militant pressures, will stretch Pakistans military, intelligence, and economic resources to the brink. Islamabads strategic calculus must balance against an exhausted economy, fragile governance, and the spectre of rising violence within its own borders. Turning outward to confront India particularly over Kashmir will likely provoke domestic backlash and strain a polity already struggling to maintain internal cohesion. Further, cross-border adventurism comes with international costs. It will undermine Pakistans diplomatic positioning, potentially alienate neutral partners, and invite economic repercussions at a time when stability is essential for development and security cooperation. GEOPOLITICAL RIPPLES For India, the implications are equally complex. New Delhi must navigate deterrence without sowing further instability. India must counter rhetoric with resilience and recalibrate responses to drone incursions without escalating to full conflict. For the wider region, major powers watch closely. China, with strategic stakes in Pakistan through the CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), has often offered diplomatic cover; the United States and Gulf states, seeking moderation, repeatedly urge de-escalation. At a time when global security alignments are fluid, South Asia cannot afford an India-Pakistan flashpoint. Each bombardment of rhetoric or drone sighting risks turning cold war into hot fire with consequences no nation truly wants. In the end, Azhars words and the incursion of drones are symbols of a conflict that refuse to fade. They remind us that in South Asia, peace is not merely the absence of war it is the presence of systemic stability, dialogue, and mutual restraint. For India, the task is clear: vigilance without provocation, strength without impulsiveness, and a commitment to peace that outlasts threats, real or imagined. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 21:42 IST News opinion Opinion | Echoes Of 'Sindoor': Threats, Drones And Pakistan's Strategic Strain Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | The Myth Of Salvation Through Conversion Written By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 18:06 IST How missionary promises failed the Congo, and why faith was never meant to deliver prosperity. Christians celebrate mass at the Saint Esprit parish following fighting between M23 rebels and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, January 26, 2025. (REUTERS) For more than a century, a powerful civilisational myth has been sold to the worlds poorest societies: convert to Christianity, get educated, become modern, and eventually grow rich like America." It is a narrative aggressively promoted by missionaries, amplified by Western media, and internalised by post-colonial elites. Africa was told this story repeatedly. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is what happened next. Today, over 95 per cent of Congolese identify as Christian. This has been the case for nearly a hundred years. Yet in 2026, the country remains among the poorest on earth. Its GDP per capita hovers between $800 and $900. More than 70 per cent of the population lives in extreme poverty. A staggering 97 per cent of children are unable to read and understand a simple text. This outcome is often framed as a failure" of Christianity, as if the faith promised prosperity and somehow failed to deliver. Others blame residual paganism" for the stagnation. Both framings are wrong. Christian theology never promised wealth, material success, or worldly flourishing. In fact, it does the opposite. It elevates suffering, sanctifies poverty, warns against riches, and places salvation firmly outside this world. Blessed are the poor," not the prosperous. It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven." The Christian worldview sees deprivation not as a problem to be solved, but as a spiritual condition to be endured. So what promised education, dignity, prosperity, and development"? Not theology. It was missionary propaganda. Congo did not misunderstand Christianity. It was sold a claim Christianity never doctrinally made. The Christian Experiment Began With A Gun Christianity did not enter Congo peacefully. It arrived tied to the boot of King Leopold II of Belgium, a devout Christian monarch who ruled Congo as his personal colony. Under his regime, rubber quotas were enforced through terror. Failure to meet them meant mutilation. Severed hands were collected as proof of punishment. By conservative estimates, over 10 million Congolese died during this period. This was not a deviation from Christian rule; it was its colonial expression. Churches were built alongside forced-labour camps. Priests blessed the system. The cross stood next to the whip. The most famous photograph from this era shows Nsala, a Congolese man staring at the severed hand and foot of his five-year-old daughter, cut off because his village failed to meet rubber quotas. Was this Christian charity" at work? Was this civilisation? Or was it extraction disguised as salvation? Missionaries Didnt Just Preach, They Governed In Congo, missionaries were not peripheral actors. They ran schools, hospitals, food distribution systems, and civil institutions. Access to education, safety, and even medicine was conditional on baptism. Indigenous belief systems were systematically destroyed. Local authority structures were dismantled. Traditional leadership was delegitimised. Submission replaced sovereignty. The message was simple: abandon your gods, abandon your customs, abandon your identity, and you will be uplifted. But after all that, did Jesus save" Congo from disease, hunger, and poverty? No. The people complied, converted, and surrendered their civilisational backbone. What they received was dependency. A society cannot stand upright when its cultural spine is removed. What replaced it was not empowerment but obedience. Not self-rule but subservience. A Christian Nation Without Power Congo today is a Christian nation without the ability to exploit others. And we are told that this is true Christianity." Europe and America, we are told, are rich not because of Christianity but because they deviated from it. So what happens when a country follows Christianity sincerely? Congo happens. Despite being one of the most mineral-rich regions on earth, Congo remains desperately poor. It holds vast reserves of cobalt, copper, gold, and coltanminerals essential for the global green economy. Yet Congolese children mine cobalt with their bare hands so Western electric cars can run clean. Seven million people are displaced. Over twenty-five million face chronic hunger. Christian Congo did not colonise anyone. It did not enslave other societies. It followed the gospel of submission and patience. And it was stripped bare. The Real Lesson The failure is not that Christianity did not make Congo rich. It never promised to. The failure is that Congo was sold a lie that faith would deliver development. That baptism would bring dignity. That abandoning its civilisation would result in prosperity. The West did not become rich because it was Christian. It became rich by colonising, extracting, and enslavingoften justified using Christian language. Congo followed the moral code, not the power code. And paid the price. This is the uncomfortable truth: Christianity works very differently for the coloniser and the colonised. For the powerful, it is a tool. For the powerless, it is a chain disguised as comfort. Congo is not a failure of faith. It is the outcome of believing a civilisational liea lie that told a people to kneel when they should have stood. The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author. He pens national, geopolitical, and social issues. His social media handle is @prosenjitnth. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 18:06 IST News opinion Opinion | The Myth Of Salvation Through Conversion Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Opinion | Why G RAM G Is Essential For A Viksit Bharat Written By : & News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 13:31 IST The new scheme, apart from addressing various shortcomings of the old programme, has been designed to realise the vision of a developed Bharat MGNREGA remained limited as a welfare-oriented poverty alleviation programme, whereas todays rural youth are determined to realise the dreams of Viksit Bharat 2047. (PTI) Parivartanmev Sthiramasti, meaning change is the only constant, is one of the core sutras of the Bharatiya Knowledge Tradition. The Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and Buddhist teachings explicitly mention the need to bring about and accept change as per the requirements of time and place. Famous American President John F Kennedy echoed the same thought when he said, Time and the world do not stand still. Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future." Considering the rapidly changing 21st century, the needs and aspirations of Young Bharat, and the goal of a developed Bharat while advancing Gandhian ideals and plugging corrupt practices the Narendra Modi government passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill (VB G RAM G). However, opposition parties, rather than accepting this progressive reform, have begun opposing VB G RAM G, smelling blood in a bid to regain power. Every long-term policy needs to be reviewed and evaluated after 15 to 20 years. Families, society, and the nation witness an entire generational change in two decades. A new generation arrives with new needs and aspirations. Present-day Bharatiya society is moving forward simultaneously encompassing Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. Over the past 15 years, we have transitioned from the pen-and-paper world to the digital age and have now entered the era of artificial intelligence. It is but natural to adapt and transform old long-term plans to suit the modern milieu and emerging needs. For these very reasons, the Modi government launched the VB-G RAM G scheme, replacing NREGA (renamed MGNREGA in 2009 by adding the prefix MG, ie Mahatma Gandhi), which had been in operation since 2005. It must be noted that rural employment schemes have consistently evolved according to requirements. In the 1960s, Rural Labour Programmes were implemented. Successive governments made adjustments or introduced new schemes according to the demands of the time, resulting in programmes such as the National Rural Employment Programme, Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (Jawahar Rozgar Yojana, 1993), and the Comprehensive Rural Employment Programme. In 2005, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was launched as a legal entitlement to work and was renamed in 2009 as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). In the new and rapidly changing economic, social, and technological landscape, the MGNREGA scheme is no longer proving to be fully effective. At the same time, large-scale corruption was occurring within the scheme. Moreover, MGNREGA remained limited as a welfare-oriented poverty alleviation programme, whereas todays rural youth are determined to realise the dreams of Viksit Bharat 2047. Keeping all these factors in mind, the Modi government has introduced the G RAM G Act. The new scheme, apart from addressing various shortcomings of the old programme, has been designed to realise the vision of a developed Bharat. It will be aligned with regional realities through Gram Panchayat plans, and to achieve this goal, Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has been incorporated. The new Bill for a corruption-free initiative provides that the Centre will set standards, while states will implement the policy with accountability, resulting in a collaborative partnership. Coordination between the Centre and the states is crucial to improving efficiency and strengthening outcomes. The total annual funding estimated for the implementation of the new Bill is Rs 1,51,282 crore, of which the estimated central share is Rs 95,692 crore. It will not, therefore, impose an undue financial burden on the states. The most significant feature of the G RAM G scheme is that it ensures proper alignment with agricultural cycles and provides increased employment guarantees. While MGNREGA guaranteed only 100 days of wages, G RAM G guarantees 125 days of employment to rural households. Additionally, keeping in mind coordination between labourers and farmers, there is a provision for 60 days of leave during crop harvesting and sowing periods. Combining this period with agricultural employment, workers can now secure up to 185 days of employment annually. MGNREGA has often been criticised for being limited to short-term relief and for creating less durable assets. As a result, expected benefits and rural development outcomes have not fully materialised. In fact, over Rs 10 lakh crore has been spent under MGNREGA so far, yet basic infrastructure capable of pushing development to a higher level remains largely invisible on the ground. Addressing this gap, the G RAM G Act emphasises the creation of durable assets. Unlike MGNREGA, which was implemented without pre-determined standards and goalsleading to misuse of resources and slower rural developmentthe G RAM G scheme targets four broad areas. First, water security activities, including canal construction, conservation of dams and ponds, and tree plantation. Second, strengthening core rural infrastructure through roads, bridges, community buildings, and solid waste management facilities. Third, expanding employment and livelihood frameworks through agricultural assistance, food preservation, and dairy infrastructure. Fourth, addressing natural calamities through activities such as forest fire management and flood shelter construction. This four-dimensional work design has been ordained after thorough research and planning, ensuring optimal utilisation of labour and expansion of public assets. Under the new plan, 50 per cent of expenditure will be on construction materials instead of 40 per cent earlier. Importantly, decisions regarding the nature and execution of work will not be made by officials sitting in Delhi, but by Gram Committees at the local level. Another major problem with MGNREGA was delays in wage payments, which left labourers feeling cheated. The G RAM G scheme mandates weekly or bi-weekly wage payments. The adoption of digital technologies further eliminates delays and corruption. Media reports have suggested that contractors benefited disproportionately under MGNREGA in states such as Bengal and Punjab. G RAM G introduces biometric attendance, geo-tagging of assets, and real-time dashboards, significantly reducing corruption and fake beneficiaries. The scheme also retains provisions for unemployment allowance, balancing rights-based entitlements with administrative efficiency. MGNREGA also suffered from weak coordination between the Centre and the states and limited accountability at the state level. Under the new scheme, the Centre will contribute 90 per cent of funds in hill and north-eastern states, with states contributing the remaining 10 per cent. In other states, the Centre will provide 60 per cent of the funding, thereby inducing states to be more accountable. Political psychology suggests that when ones own stake is involved, the quality of work improves. Amid opposition protests, there is also a sentiment questioning why the new scheme has been named Ram rather than Mahatma Gandhi. It must be noted that Ram here refers to Shri Ram, the protector of the poor and deprivedthe Gareeb Nawaz, as referred to by Tulsidas. The country has a longstanding tradition of giving new names to new schemes. Moreover, the name G RAM G does not disrespect Gandhi, as it is rooted in the very deity he revered. Additionally, the acronym G RAM G (pronounced Ji Ram Ji in Hindi), designed specifically for rural Bharat, closely resembles the traditional greeting Jai Ram Ji Ki, which remains common in rural India even today. The G RAM G Act is resolute in taking employment and rural development to new heights by expanding employment guarantees, strengthening financial discipline, ensuring timely payments, aligning work with agricultural cycles, and shifting the focus from short-term relief to sustainable rural development. There is little doubt that G RAM G will prove to be a milestone in the journey towards a Viksit Bharat. Prof Niranjan Kumar is Dean of Planning at Delhi University, and Dr Gunjan Agrawal teaches Economics at Lakshmibai College. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 13:31 IST News opinion Opinion | Why G RAM G Is Essential For A Viksit Bharat Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Last Election For Marathis': Raj Thackeray Rakes Up North Indian Migration Ahead Of BMC Polls Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 09:36 IST Thackeray warned migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar against what he described as the imposition of Hindi and the erosion of Maharashtras linguistic and cultural identity. MNS Chief Raj Thackeray (PTI/File) Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray once again revived the emotive issue of migration from North India as he stepped up his campaign ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, framing the civic polls as a decisive moment for the Marathi manoos". Addressing party workers, Thackeray warned migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar against what he described as the imposition of Hindi and the erosion of Maharashtras linguistic and cultural identity. While clarifying that he does not oppose the language itself, he cautioned against forcing it on the state, linking the issue to jobs, land and political power in Mumbai and Maharashtra. I dont hate the language, but if you try to impose it, I will kick you. Theyre coming from all sides to Maharashtra and snatching away your share. If land and language are gone, you will be finished. Today, this crisis has arrived at your doorstep," said Thackeray. Thackeray alleged that large-scale migration was reducing the share of opportunities available to locals, arguing that the loss of land and language would ultimately weaken the Marathi community. Calling the upcoming civic elections a turning point, he described them as the last election for the Marathi man" and urged voters to unite in the name of Marathi identity and Maharashtras future. Invoking Mumbais history, the MNS chief said the city was built through the sacrifices of many and questioned how those sacrifices would be justified if locals lost control over their own city. He also issued organisational instructions to party workers, stressing vigilance on polling day and asking booth-level agents to remain alert to prevent irregularities. The sharp rhetoric comes amid renewed political mobilisation around identity issues ahead of the high-stakes BMC polls, widely seen as a crucial contest for control over Indias richest civic body. Earlier, Raj Thackeray had launched a broader attack on the BJP, alleging that forces seeking to separate Mumbai from Maharashtra were currently in power both at the Centre and in the state. He warned that if such forces gained control of municipal corporations, the Marathi population would be politically marginalised. In a recent joint interview with Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, published in Saamana, Raj said their coming together was not for personal political survival but for safeguarding the future of the Marathi manoos". The interview, conducted by Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, followed the announcement last month of an alliance between the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) for the January 15 BMC elections. During the interview, Raj Thackeray also claimed that migration into Maharashtra was no longer limited to people seeking livelihoods, alleging that migrants were now forming their own political constituencies, a trend he said posed long-term challenges to local representation and identity. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 09:36 IST News politics 'Last Election For Marathis': Raj Thackeray Rakes Up North Indian Migration Ahead Of BMC Polls Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... No Decision From Governor On Karnataka Hate Speech Bill Yet, BJP To Intensify Protest Against It Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 13:04 IST The BJP has maintained that existing legal provisions are sufficient to address hate speech and related offences and that a separate law could be misused. The Karnataka government and BJP are at loggerheads over the new hate speech legislation. (Image: PTI) The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill continues to await a decision from Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, with the Lok Bhavan yet to either clear or return the legislation passed by the State legislature amid strong opposition resistance. It continues to remain on the Governors desk. In a statement, the Lok Bhavan said the Bill is still being examined. Of the 22 Bills cleared during the Belagavi session of the legislature, the Governor has approved 19 and sent back two including the SC quota bill, all while the Hate Speech Bill remains undecided. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said there has been no communication indicating approval or rejection so far. The BJP is expected to take a delegation and meet the Governor on this issue on Dec 13. Speaking to the media in Mangaluru, the CM said the government would offer a detailed explanation if the Governor sought clarifications on the legislation. The pending status of the Bill has revived political sparring in the State, with the BJP reiterating its opposition and questioning the necessity of a new law when the existing law is tough enough. BJP questions intent, cites free speech risks The BJP, which sits in the opposition in Karnataka, has maintained that existing legal provisions are sufficient to address hate speech and related offences. The party has argued that the proposed law could be used selectively to stifle dissent. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka told the Assembly that the Bill poses a threat to constitutional freedoms. He alleged that the legislation could be used to target political opponents and the media under the pretext of regulation. The partys stance comes even as it has faced criticism in other states over its own handling of dissent. State government defends legislation Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara defended the Bill in the Assembly, saying it was intended to address shortcomings in the current legal framework. He said the proposed law would classify hate speech and hate crimes as non-bailable offences and strengthen the States ability to respond. The Congress government has argued that the legislation is necessary in the context of increasing incidents of hate-driven offences and communal tensions. What is the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill? Passed by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in December 2025, the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, is a state-specific law aimed at clearly defining and penalising hate speech and hate crimes. The Bill was approved by the State Cabinet on December 4 and introduced in the Assembly by Home Minister G Parameshwara amid disruptions from the opposition. It proposes strict penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and monetary fines. The legislation seeks to curb speech or actions that promote hatred or discrimination on grounds such as religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, language, place of birth or residence. How does the Bill define hate speech and hate crime? Under the Bill, hate speech" includes any spoken, written, visual or electronic expression intended to provoke harm, hostility, hatred or ill-will against an individual, group, community or organisation, regardless of whether the target is living or deceased. Hate crime" refers to the act of communicating, publishing, circulating, promoting, inciting or attempting such expression, including abetment, with the intention of causing disharmony or enmity. The scope of the Bill covers acts or expressions based on religion, race, caste, community, gender, sexual orientation, disability, language, tribe, place of birth or residence. What penalties does the Bill propose? The proposed punishments include: Imprisonment of one to seven years and a Rs 50,000 fine for hate crimes Two to ten years in prison and a Rs 1 lakh fine for repeat offences Offences under the Bill are classified as cognisable and non-bailable and will be tried by a Judicial Magistrate First Class. Proceedings will be governed by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The Bill also brings organisations and institutions within its scope. Those in charge at the time of an offence will be presumed liable unless they can prove lack of knowledge or show that due diligence was exercised to prevent the violation. The political implications of the move have widened further after the Congress government in neighbouring Telangana indicated that it is considering bringing in a similar law. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 13:04 IST News politics No Decision From Governor On Karnataka Hate Speech Bill Yet, BJP To Intensify Protest Against It Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Stabbed From Front and Back: Shivakumar Gets Candid As Karnataka Leadership Tussle Intensifies Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 17:12 IST Shivakumar's remarks appeared to be a direct volley at his detractors within the Congress-led government and his rivals in the JD(S) amid the ongoing leadership tussle. Rapid Read Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar In a startlingly candid address that has sent ripples through Karnatakas political corridors, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar revealed the depth of the internal warfare he faces, claiming he is being stabbed from both the front and the back." Speaking at a Vokkaliga community entrepreneurs event on Sunday, the veteran leaders remarks appeared to be a direct volley at his detractors within the Congress-led government and his rivals in the JD(S), marking a sharp escalation in the rhetoric surrounding the states ongoing leadership transition debate. The stabbing" metaphor served as a raw centrepiece to a speech that balanced vulnerability with a firm assertion of power. Shivakumar lamented that the most painful strikes were not coming from distant enemies, but from his own people" and those he once sincerely supported. He specifically revisited the fractured relationship with former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, categorically rejecting accusations of backstabbing during their previous coalition. My conscience knows how honest I was when Kumaraswamy was the CM," Shivakumar declared, adding that he no longer requires certificates" of loyalty from those who have turned against him. Have Full Confidence In My Party However, the Karnataka deputy CM also expressed full confidence that Congress will take care of his political future. In this temple of the world, everyone gets at least one opportunity. Perform your duty with self-confidence. Do not think of yourself as grass or manure," he said. Underscoring the struggles he endured during his political career, Shivakumar said, I come from a very ordinary family. My father was not a big politician or a Chief Minister; he was only a taluk board member. My grandfather was the same. From there, through struggle, politics, fights, and hardships, I am sitting here today. I have self-confidence in my party that it will take care of my future." This defiant stance comes at a precarious moment for the Karnataka Congress, as the party hit the midpoint of its term and speculation regarding a power-sharing" agreement between Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reaches a fever pitch. By framing himself as a leader who has taken many blows" to reach his current position, Shivakumar signaled to the party high command that his patience is tied to his immense personal sacrifice. He also reminded his audience that he did not inherit his status from a political dynasty, but carved it out like a rock" a name he embraced to describe a resilience built on surviving both legal battles and internal sabotage. Beyond the immediate political friction, the Deputy Chief Minister warned the next generation of Vokkaliga entrepreneurs to learn from his scars, advising them that no one can be trusted" in environments where blood and money circulate. Even as he described being chewed up" by critics on Instagram and television, Shivakumar maintained that he remains unfazed by the digital onslaught. His closing remarks had a lot of strategic signalling, while expressing absolute faith that the Congress party will take a decision" on his future, he left no doubt that he views himself as a leader who has paid his dues in full and expects the party to honour that debt. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 17:12 IST News politics Stabbed From Front and Back: Shivakumar Gets Candid As Karnataka Leadership Tussle Intensifies Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'They Are Just Ignorant': BJP's Annamalai Hits Back At Raj Thackeray Over 'Rasmalai' Jab Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 11:51 IST Reacting to Raj Thackeray's remarks, Annamalai said he was unfazed by personal jibes and threats allegedly issued during political rallies in Mumbai. BJP leader K Annamalai and MNS leader Raj Thackeray | File Image BJP leader K Annamalai on Monday strongly responded to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackerays remarks targeting him ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, dismissing the attacks as ignorant and politically motivated." Reacting from Chennai, Annamalai said he was unfazed by personal jibes and threats allegedly issued during political rallies in Mumbai. Who are Raj Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray to threaten me? I am proud to be a farmers son. Some people are holding meetings only to abuse me. I dont know if I have become that important," he said, adding that intimidation would not deter him. Referring to reports of threats against him, Annamalai asserted that he would visit Mumbai regardless. Some have written that they will cut my legs if I come to Mumbai. I will cometry cutting my legs. If I were afraid of such threats, I would have stayed back in my village," he said. Annamalai also rejected the suggestion that speaking positively about leaders or cities outside ones home state undermines regional identity. If I say K. Kamaraj is one of Indias greatest leaders, does that make him any less Tamil? If I say Mumbai is a world-class city, does that mean Maharashtrians didnt build it?" he asked, describing the criticism against him as rooted in ignorance. The sharp exchange follows remarks by Raj Thackeray at a joint Shiv Sena (UBT)-MNS rally in Mumbai, where the MNS chief mocked Annamalai as rasmalai" and questioned his right to comment on Mumbai-related issues. Thackeray also revived the controversial slogan Uthao lungi, bajao pungi," a phrase historically associated with anti-South Indian rhetoric, in a pointed jibe. During the rally, Raj Thackeray further warned migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar against what he called the imposition of Hindi in Maharashtra, linking language, jobs and regional identity. He described the upcoming BMC polls as a decisive election for the Marathi community and urged voters to unite and remain vigilant on polling day. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 11:51 IST News politics 'They Are Just Ignorant': BJP's Annamalai Hits Back At Raj Thackeray Over 'Rasmalai' Jab Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... In Dnipropetrovsk region, a 59-year-old man was injured in a drone strike in the Pokrovsk community, a house was damaged, and artillery shelling and other destruction were also recorded in the region, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, Mykola Lukashuk, has said. The attacks were directed at Nikopol, Pokrovsk, Marhanetsk and Chervonohryhorivsk communities "A 59-year-old man was injured in a drone strike in the Pokrovska community, he will be treated at home. The house was damaged," the report said. In the Chervonohryhorivsk community, eight private houses, an outbuilding, a gas pipeline and a power line were damaged as a result of the shelling. Will Kick Out Bihar, UP People If...: Raj Thackeray's Warning Ahead Of Mumbai Civic Polls Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 20:16 IST Raj Thackeray warned migrants from Bihar and UP against imposing Hindi in Maharashtra, stressing protection of Marathi language and culture at an MNS political gathering. Raj Thackeray warned migrants from Bihar and UP against imposing Hindi in Maharashtra, stressing protection of Marathi language and culture at an MNS political gathering. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray made remarks warning migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh against what he described as attempts to impose Hindi in the state of Maharashtra. Speaking at a public event, Thackeray said he did not harbour anger towards any language but would not tolerate efforts to force Hindi on the state. I dont have anger towards any language, but if people from Bihar and UP try to impose Hindi, they will be kicked out of Maharashtra," he said. The remarks were shared in a video posted by PTI, which said the comments were made during a political gathering attended by MNS workers and supporters. Thackeray reiterated his long-standing stance on linguistic identity, asserting that the Marathi language and culture must be protected. He has previously opposed policies he views as undermining regional languages, often positioning the MNS as a defender of Marathi pride. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 20:16 IST News politics Will Kick Out Bihar, UP People If...: Raj Thackeray's Warning Ahead Of Mumbai Civic Polls Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Redmi Note 15 Brings Reliable Performance With Design Niceties Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 11:12 IST Redmi Note 15 is one of the new phones that have launched in 2026 so far but can Xiaomi re-do its popular lineup in the market? Redmi Note 15 has launched in India earlier this month Xiaomi is starting the new year with its popular Redmi Note lineup in the Indian market and the 2026 edition is called Redmi Note 15. We are seeing the regular model launch first this year with a slew of improvements in focus. The design of the Redmi Note series has evolved in recent years as the company looked to justify the steep hike in the prices owing to market trends. Now, it is looking to continue on that trajectory with the Redmi Note 15 as the industry looks to grapple under the cost pressure forced by memory chip shortage. The Redmi Note 15 starting at Rs 22,000 gets a sleeker design, and change in the hardware among others. But does it revert back to its usual reliable self and get lost amidst a sea of options. We tried to find out over the last few weeks and heres the answer. Sleek And Premium Looking The new Redmi Note 15 is a lot thinner (7.35mm compared to 8mm on the Redmi Note 14) and even lighter at 178 grams (190 grams on the RN 14). The overall build quality is made of plastic, including the frame but the finishing and the grip of the phone gives it a premium touch thanks to the curved nature of the front panel. These designs have worked for years and now we are seeing them made available for a lower price segment, and Redmi Note 15 is one of them. Xiaomi has even added IP66 rating with the new model along with MIL-STD durability which wasnt there on its predecessor. Crisp And Punchy Display The 6.77-inch AMOLED display is more or less the same on the Redmi Note 15 but you notice the definite colour saturation level and crispness thanks to the better panel. It still comes with a 120Hz refresh rate which adapts but not like an LTPO panel. The overall display is curved which gives it the differentiating factor. The screen protection loses the Gorilla Glass 5 layer instead you get scratch resistant glass. The visibility level of the screen in daylight conditions is quite good and you wont face issues using it under sunlight. The panel is also decent for multimedia consumption. Reliable Performer? Redmi Note 15 switches to a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. This is more or less a sideways upgrade from the 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra SoC but a definite improvement when you really use the phone. The benchmark scores also clearly tell you that regular and daily tasks will be handled with ease but dont go expecting high-level gaming performance. At best, it can support the popular titles in the lower graphics settings. Having said that, the fluidity of the device makes the experience much better this year. The HyperOS Chain Xiaomi says Redmi Note 15 will get 4 OS upgrades but it starts the device with the Android 15-based HyperOS 2 version. You also are being promised 6 years of security patches which is good. The brand needs to fulfill these terms and improve the rollout speed which has been lagging far behind in the market for a while. The software is pretty basic and just an evolutionary version of MIUI with some heavy animation touches gone. It does not feel very jarring or clunky and that helps you with a smooth overall experience. The Main Camera Focus The main 108MP rear sensor on the Redmi Note 15 is mostly the one to look at. It does well when the light is good and captures ample details and even the colours look fairly balanced. There is a slight change to the sensor output which helps with better quality images but there is still some work left which can be improved on with a few more updates to the camera. The low light shots are not very pleasing and look mostly basic with some level of noise creeping through. The main challenge lies with the sensor unable to handle the glare in the visual in the right manner which can be tweaked in the software. The ultrawide lens also performs well in daylight but the details are not clear all the time. The Workday Horse Xiaomi isnt joining the battery race (yet) with the Redmi Note 15 but you do have a 5,520mAh unit which scored 20 hours+ on the PCMark Battery tests. This means the phone can easily run for a whole day on nominal use with 5G, Wi-Fi, music, video streaming and web surfing involved. Gaming is not exactly the best way to gauge its endurance but the drain is faster than you would like. The 45W charging support isnt lightning fast but reliably quick for most users. Redmi Note 15 shows the old charm is still there but the price factor is no longer in their hands (or anyone). The phone has a sleek design, the display is sharp and bright, the main camera just works and the battery life is reliable. The performance is not segment-leading and the software cycle needs a better push this year. Another solid Redmi Note offering but buyers have more options. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 11:12 IST News tech Redmi Note 15 Brings Reliable Performance With Design Niceties Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... I Had No Choice Left: Bengaluru Engineer Forced To Quit Google, Calls It A Bitter Moment What Happened? Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 09:57 IST Along with his corporate role at Google, the techie was involved in creating educational content on YouTube. The techie worked at Google in two separate stints. (Photo Credit : X) A Bengaluru-based software engineers honest post about leaving Google has struck a chord online. His revelations sparked a conversation about corporate rules, side hustles and creative freedom. The man named Arpit Bhayani, who worked at Google in two separate stints, revealed that his last day at the tech giant came sooner than expected. Taking to X, the engineer wrote, It is not bittersweet, but a purely bitter moment. I had no plans of leaving, but I had no choice left." The reason behind his departure was a conflict involving his work outside Google. He creates educational content through online courses and YouTube, something he had been doing openly alongside his corporate role. Yesterday was my last day at Google. It is not bittersweet, but a purely bitter moment. I had no plans of leaving, but I had no choice left.I had to leave because of a conflict with my outside work (courses and YouTube), and once legal gets involved, there is not much you can pic.twitter.com/6jbsyAfF55 Arpit Bhayani (@arpit_bhayani) January 10, 2026 As the man explained, I had to leave because of a conflict with my outside work (courses and YouTube), and once legal gets involved, there is not much you can do." What hurt him the most was not just leaving the company but walking away from work he deeply cared about. I am bummed about leaving a domain that I dearly lovein-memory databases," the man wrote. He added that he was equally upset about leaving behind his team. In his words, I am bummed because I was working with some exceptionally good engineers and genuinely good people. I am bummed because there was so much good stuff left to build." Despite the abrupt exit, the man expressed gratitude towards Google. He said both his stints at the company were fulfilling and helped him grow professionally. His post on X further read, I will forever be grateful to Google for giving me two stints. Both were extremely fulfilling and something that made me a better engineer and operator." Signing off, he also praised his team working on Memorystore, calling them fiercely loyal. This team would take a bullet for each other," he wrote. Fellow Techies Express Disappointment The Bengaluru-based mans post sparked an outpouring of reactions from fellow engineers and tech professionals. Many questioned how educational content could be seen as a conflict of interest. One user commented, Thats sad! Someone got jealous otherwise, I dont see any conflict of interest between your official responsibilities and YouTube/courses. Its Googles loss." Similar Sentiments In Comments Section Another user highlighted the impact of Bhayanis work, saying, You create educational videos that help even Google engineers This was a win-win situation." Others echoed similar sentiments, wondering why the issue surfaced after years of honesty. This sucks! All the best for whatever is lined up next. I wonder how theres suddenly a conflict when youve been openly doing both corporate and YT for years," said an individual. A person even wondered why Google would be concerned about what employees do during their free time. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 09:55 IST News viral I Had No Choice Left: Bengaluru Engineer Forced To Quit Google, Calls It A Bitter Moment What Happened? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Techie Resigns After Landing Rs 15 LPA Package. New Companys Move Leaves Him In Shock Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 16:32 IST With 2.5 years of work experience, the techie attended an interview at a company, performed well, and received an offer of Rs 15 LPA along with a joining bonus. Software developer's current company paid less but had better facilities. (representative image) Getting a high-paying job offer is a dream for many, but for one software developer, it quickly turned into a stressful ordeal. With over two years of experience, he interviewed at another company and performed well, receiving an offer of Rs 15 LPA along with a joining bonus. Although his current job paid less, it offered better facilities. However, the high work pressure and ongoing office issues ultimately pushed him to resign in search of better growth and opportunities. Soon after, things changed. The new company revised the offer, cutting the salary to Rs 13 LPA and removing the joining bonus altogether. To make matters worse, the workplace policies were far stricter than anticipated. Having already resigned from his previous job, the developer now finds himself stuck in a difficult and uncertain situation. Techies High Salary Offer Turns Into Stress Taking to Reddit, the user explained, My friend, having 2.5 years of experience, went on a recruitment drive in a company (lets call it company B) they got to know about from their ex colleague working in that company B. They casually walked to the interview as a practice interview as a net software developer and got offered 15LPA + 50k joining bonus. Their current company (lets call it Company A) pays almost 10LPA and has mixed reviews. Company A is good with amenities and on time payments and stuff. But the colleagues are not that good. They are experiencing a lot of workload being put as if management is targeting them. Politics and workload are the reasons they wanted to switch jobs. Also, they thought the company A might retain them and they get a nice hike." Company A has 60 days notice period and upon request after putting resignation, they almost agreed to let go in 30 days. But not retaining in any case. Now, just after 2026 started, company B says your offer will get revised and you will hear soon. Then, after a few days, they say the revised salary will be 13 LPA with no bonus. The company B is a smaller company from Dubai with a small office with almost no amenities (no food, games, etc) and requires to be present in the office 4 days a week with a strict 9 hours with punching at 9:30 am, else salary cut," they added. Users Suggest Looking For New Jobs During Notice Period Reacting to the post, one of the social media users suggested, You still have a hike at company B. No need to go back. Youre in your notice period, so you can find another job while at it, using the initial 15lpa offer letter they shared to negotiate better. And dont trust company B now, knowing they dont honour the offer they made." Another shared, Search for another job. If you are good enough for 15LPA, youre good for 18LPA. Get the other job, but keep telling the 13 LPA job that you will come till the last date- and then deny. Never re-negotiate with the 13LPA company- they acted in bad faith." If the TL is so bad, why would they even approve 30 days release rather than making your friend stay and suffer with a low salary. Your friend is being ungrateful, neither your friend nor you understands how difficult it is to getan early release," a comment read. An individual stated, Interview for other companies while in notice period and ask other companies that you are an immediate joiner, you will get a better offer from this. Pro tip: Dont give out the name of the company for which you received the offer to another one." Another mentioned, Bro, in 2015 I was offered a job, then I resigned, and then they said they would not offer me a job as I had delayed the acceptance letter. I had to ask my manager to retain me. With a lot of deliberations, he accepted but said, Dont expect hikes. I had no other way out." In the comments section, the person who shared the story said their friend is now considering accepting the revised Rs 13 LPA offer. However, they believe it may be safer to withdraw the resignation and stay with the current company, even if it means not receiving a salary hike this year. They also claimed that the team lead often creates issues and uses office politics to block direct communication with HR. According to them, even basic requests, such as leaving early, require the team leads approval instead of the managers, adding to the challenging work environment. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 16:32 IST News viral Techie Resigns After Landing Rs 15 LPA Package. New Companys Move Leaves Him In Shock Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Indian-Origin Start-Up Founder Quits Meta To Build An AI Startup From Scratch, Thanks To YouTube: It Wasnt Easy Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 18:48 IST Ruchir Baronia left Meta in February 2025 to launch Frontdesk, an AI startup that automates business calls. Ruchir Baronia joined Meta at UC Berkeley(Photo Credit: X) An Indian-origin tech professional in New York has traced his AI entrepreneurship journey back to learning to code through YouTube tutorials as a school student. Ruchir Baronia, who left Meta in February 2025 to launch Frontdesk, an AI startup that automates business calls, recalled pacing around his bedroom while testing a voice app he had built. My clearest memory from middle school is pacing in my bedroom, phone in hand, repeating the word wake again and again," he told Business Insider. Baronia quickly became hooked as his early apps began getting downloads. I had just learned to code from YouTube. My apps were getting downloads, and I was addicted. It was the first time I saw that code written alone in my bedroom could reach people I would never meet." How Did He Get Inspired? A family emergency later inspired him to focus on real-world impact. When I was starting out, I realised code could protect people," he said, leading him to build Rescuer in 2016, a voice app that triggered emergency alerts with a shouted phrase. What mattered more was that I learned that code written from my bedroom could help someone. From then on, I began building for real impact." After studying engineering and business at UC Berkeley, Baronia joined Meta, working on a fintech team. Id push one line of code, and millions of transactions would be affected," he said. While the scale was exciting, he felt removed from the business side of building products. As AI models improved, his earlier phone experiment gained traction. After a viral college post, hundreds of businesses reached out, asking for a solution," he said. Feeling the opportunity was urgent, he left Meta. The window felt finite. Every month I stayed was a month these businesses were not being served." What Happened Next? He founded Frontdesk in New York, providing an AI operating system that manages customer conversations, scheduling, and follow-ups. Most people in our office share a similar story to mine; they left Microsoft, Amazon, or Meta, walking away from good salaries and stock options, because they believed this was worth building." Most nights, my work looks the same as it did in middle school. I pace, talk into a phone, and listen for what feels off. The difference is that now, when it works, it works across millions of calls," Baronia said. The phones are still ringing, and the models are still getting better. I know where I want to be while that happens: close to the code and building something worth leaving comfort behind." He now runs Frontdesk from New York City, helping businesses avoid losing customers to missed calls. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: January 12, 2026, 18:48 IST News viral Indian-Origin Start-Up Founder Quits Meta To Build An AI Startup From Scratch, Thanks To YouTube: It Wasnt Easy Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 20 Soldiers Killed Hundreds: Viral Account Claims Use Of Sound Wave Weapon In Venezuela Raid Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 22:32 IST A Venezuelan security guard recounts how US forces used drones, sonic weapons and advanced tech to swiftly topple Maduro, overwhelming hundreds of defenders with just 20 soldiers. Rapid Read A destroyed anti-aircraft unit at La Carlota military air base, after US President Donald Trump said the U.S. has struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro, in Caracas, Venezuela. (IMAGE: REUTERS) A chilling first-person account circulating on social media has added to the sense of shock across Latin America following the US military operation that toppled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, with claims of advanced technology and overwhelming force used during the raid. The account, attributed to a Venezuelan security guard loyal to Maduro and shared by commentator Mike Netter, describes radar systems shutting down without warning, swarms of drones overhead and a small number of US soldiers descending by helicopter. The guard claims fewer than two dozen attackers, backed by superior technology, overwhelmed hundreds of defenders. Most striking is his description of what he believed was a sound wave" or sonic weapon, saying an intense force caused bleeding, disorientation and collapse among Venezuelan troops, leaving them unable to fight. Those twenty men, without a single casualty, killed hundreds of us," the guard said, warning other countries against confronting the United States. The post gained wider attention after it was reposted by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who urged followers to read it, amplifying its reach. The security guard also described that the attack unfolded in stages, beginning with what he says was the sudden appearance of drones after radar systems failed. He claims a small number of helicopters followed, deploying what he estimated to be around 20 soldiers. Despite their limited numbers, he said the troops appeared far more technologically advanced than anything Venezuelan forces had previously encountered. Stop what you are doing and read this https://t.co/v9OsbdLn1q Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 10, 2026 The guard goes on to describe what he calls a one-sided battle, saying hundreds of defenders were overwhelmed within minutes. He alleges the attackers fired with extreme speed and precision, claiming it felt as though each soldier was shooting hundreds of rounds per minute", leaving little opportunity for resistance. We had no chance," he said, describing the encounter as a massacre rather than a fight. While the claims in the viral account cannot be independently verified, they echo the scale and speed of the US operation described by Agence France-Presse. According to AFP, the United States launched airstrikes shortly before 2 am on Saturday, hitting key military targets including Fort Tiuna, Venezuelas largest military complex and La Carlota airbase near Caracas. US General Dan Caine said Operation Absolute Resolve" was aimed solely at capturing Maduro, with airstrikes clearing the way for helicopters used in the raid. The operation involved more than 150 aircraft and months of preparation, he said. Maduro, who had ruled Venezuela for 12 years and carried a $50 million US bounty, was seized and flown to New York along with his wife to face drugs and weapons charges. President Donald Trump said no US soldiers were killed, though he later suggested that foreign fighters protecting Maduro had died. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Caracas, Venezuela First Published: January 12, 2026, 22:32 IST News world 20 Soldiers Killed Hundreds: Viral Account Claims Use Of Sound Wave Weapon In Venezuela Raid Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... A Planned Moment: Ousted PM Oli Says 'Gen Z' Protests That Shook Nepal Were Not Spontaneous Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 20:14 IST Olis comments come as he faces scrutiny over the states response to the youth-led uprising that toppled his government last year. Rapid Read Members of ousted Nepali prime minister KP Sharma Oli's political party voted for him to retain leadership of the organisation on December 18, meaning he will oversee its preparations for national elections next year. (IMAGE: AFP) Nepals former prime minister KP Sharma Oli has said last years Gen Z-led protests that toppled his government were not spontaneous, claiming they were the result of long-term preparation, as the country continues to deal with the political fallout of the deadly unrest. The comments come a week after Oli gave a statement to a government commission investigating the crackdown on the protests. Speaking in an interview with RT India, Oli said the September uprising followed a broader regional pattern, pointing to unrest in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in recent years. Asked whether Nepal was seeing a similar trajectory, he argued the developments were not coincidental. People were talking from the very beginning," Oli said, claiming that references to unrest in neighbouring countries had circulated widely in Nepal even before protests broke out. He described the movement as a planned moment" rather than a purely organic uprising driven by youth anger, suggesting such ideas were being amplified globally through news and other material. When asked whether intelligence agencies had provided advance warnings, Oli said formal inputs were not required. Sri Lanka was loudly telling us, Bangladesh was telling us," he said, adding that the threat had been visible for years. He also acknowledged the governments failure to respond effectively, saying the situation went out of our capacity". Oli Faces Probe Olis remarks come as he remains under scrutiny over the states response to the protests. Earlier this month, he gave a statement to a government commission probing the crackdown, according to Agence France-Presse. 'A Planned Moment': In Bombshell Interview With RT India, Former PM KP Sharma Oli Suggests Gen Z Protests Were Hijacked He also reveals that intel input was not needed because the threat had been "brewing for many years." https://t.co/VKAz0mJG7q pic.twitter.com/OmhP0GgXby RT_India (@RT_India_news) January 12, 2026 While Oli had earlier questioned the commissions constitutional basis, AFP reported that officials recorded his statement at his residence after issuing a summon. Authorities have imposed travel restrictions on Oli and several other former top officials as the inquiry continues. Nepals Gen Z Protests The protests erupted in September after a brief government ban on social media, but quickly escalated into nationwide demonstrations led by young protesters under the loose Gen Z" banner. Anger over economic stagnation, corruption and entrenched political elites fuelled the movement. Violence intensified rapidly, with parliament and government offices set ablaze on the second day, leading to the governments collapse. At least 76 people were killed during the unrest, according to AFP. Oli resigned shortly after protesters set fire to his house and other buildings. An interim administration led by former chief justice Sushila Karki took charge, and Nepal is scheduled to hold elections on March 5, 2026. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Kathmandu, Nepal First Published: January 12, 2026, 20:14 IST News world A Planned Moment: Ousted PM Oli Says 'Gen Z' Protests That Shook Nepal Were Not Spontaneous Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Bangladesh Awami League's Hindu Leader Dies In Police Custody Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 16:09 IST Prolay Chaki, Awami Leagues Pabna cultural secretary, died in prison after a heart attack. His death highlights ongoing concerns over custodial deaths. Prolay Chaki, Awami Leagues Pabna cultural secretary, died in prison after a heart attack. His death highlights ongoing concerns over custodial deaths. (Pic: X @AA0FAISAL) Prolay Chaki, a musician and the cultural affairs secretary of the Awami Leagues Pabna district unit, died in prison on Sunday night after reportedly suffering a heart attack. Officials said he passed away at around 9:15 pm on January 11. Chaki had been arrested in connection with a case linked to an alleged attack on the anti-discrimination student movement. Supporters of the Awami League have claimed that the charges against him were false. His death has once again drawn attention to concerns over the safety of Hindus and political detainees, as it marks another instance of an Awami League activist dying while in police custody. Party members and supporters allege that several leaders and activists have been arrested on fabricated charges and subjected to custodial abuse. According to claims made by Awami League supporters, 41 party leaders and activists had died in police custody as of January 3, with Chakis death adding to that figure. They allege that such deaths have been occurring repeatedly, often on a monthly basis. The party has also alleged that these incidents have received limited scrutiny from human rights organisations and has accused the current administration under Muhammad Yunus of failing to prevent custodial deaths. Authorities, however, have not publicly responded to these allegations. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: January 12, 2026, 15:53 IST News world Bangladesh Awami League's Hindu Leader Dies In Police Custody Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Calculated Move? Why China Reached Out To Jamaat Ahead Of Bangladesh Elections Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 16:37 IST Sources say China is acutely aware that Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh remains one of the most potent street-mobilisation forces in the country during election periods. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen meets Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wens recent meeting with Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has triggered quiet but intense scrutiny within South Asian strategic circles. According to top government sources, the engagement is being seen as a calculated diplomatic move by Beijing ahead of Bangladeshs high-stakes national elections, rather than any ideological endorsement of the Islamist party. Sources say China is acutely aware that Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh remains one of the most potent street-mobilisation forces in the country during election periods. Regardless of its formal electoral performance, Jamaats organisational reach, cadre discipline, and ability to bring supporters onto the streets give it significant leverage during moments of political volatility. Beijing is believed to view this capacity as a force multiplier" one that can influence voter turnout, shape protest dynamics, and affect post-poll stability. Chinas concern, officials indicate, is rooted in uncertainty surrounding the post-election political configuration in Dhaka. With alliances fluid and outcomes unpredictable, Beijing is engaging with all influential stakeholders to safeguard its strategic and economic interests. Engagement with Jamaat, sources say, provides China with a fallback option an actor that possesses both disruptive street power and the ability, if persuaded, to help calm tensions during unrest. For Beijing, stability during and after the polls is critical. China has made substantial investments in Bangladesh under the Belt and Road Initiative, spanning ports, power projects, and connectivity infrastructure. These assets are particularly vulnerable during prolonged political turmoil, protests, or violent confrontations. By meeting Jamaats top leadership through its local ambassador, Beijing is believed to be seeking informal assurances to limit spillover risks to Chinese projects and personnel during a volatile election phase. Government sources also point out that Jamaats ideological positioning traditionally hostile to India makes it a natural counterweight to New Delhis influence in Dhaka. From Beijings perspective, keeping channels open with such actors helps ensure strategic balance, especially if Bangladeshs post-election leadership recalibrates its foreign policy priorities. The meeting is also seen as a subtle signal to Dhakas political establishment that China retains alternative options and is prepared to work with multiple power centres if required. At the same time, sources emphasise that the outreach should not be read as political backing. Rather, it reflects Beijings pragmatic approach of hedging risks by keeping all influential players on the right side". News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 16:37 IST News world Calculated Move? Why China Reached Out To Jamaat Ahead Of Bangladesh Elections Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Can Pakistan Do Without IMF Loan In Future? Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's 'Big' JF-17 Plan Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 19:43 IST Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif thinks an unprecedented surge in global orders for the JF-17 Thunder jet may render the $7 billion IMF programme unnecessary The JF-17, jointly manufactured by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, is marketed as a cost-effective, multi-role fighter with a unit cost between $25 million and $30 million. (Image: AFP/File) It looks like Pakistan is betting its economic future on the Chinese-origin JF-17 Thunder fighter jets. And defence minister Khawaja Asif thinks an unprecedented surge in global orders for the aircraft may render Islamabads dependence on a $7 billion IMF programme unnecessary. Asifs latest statement comes at a time when Pakistan recently welcomed the release of a $1.2 billion loan tranche from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He, however, told Geo News: Our aircraft have been tested, and we are receiving so many orders that Pakistan may not need the International Monetary Fund in six months." The cornerstone of this highly ambitious fiscal strategy is a series of multi-billion dollar deals, the highlight of which is a $4-billion weapons pact with the Libyan National Army marking one of Pakistans largest-ever arms sales, which includes the JF-17 and training aircraft. The country has also reached a deal with Azerbaijan as it seeks to monetise its domestic defence industry. According to sources, central to this outreach is a strategic negotiation with Saudi Arabia. The two allies are in talks to convert approximately $2 billion of existing Saudi loans into a procurement deal for the JF-17, the sources said. This jets-for-loans" arrangement, potentially worth a total of $4 billion, aims to operationalise a mutual defence pact signed last year while easing Pakistans acute financial strain as per a Reuters report. The government is also celebrating potential milestones elsewhere. Iraq has expressed keen interest" in the JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft following a visit by Pakistans air force chief to Baghdad. Similarly, extensive talks have been held with Bangladesh regarding the procurement of the aircraft with Islamabad promising fast-tracked delivery" and a complete support ecosystem. The JF-17, jointly manufactured by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (58 percent) and Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (42 percent), is marketed as a cost-effective, multi-role fighter with a unit cost between $25 million and $30 million. Analysts have suggested that the jets marketability has increased because it is tested and has been used in combat". But there are also those who look at this plan with skepticism. Some experts argued that the revenue from production may not be sufficient to rescue the nation from its debt while other critics pointed to the heavy toll of the May 2025 military conflict with India, known as Operation Sindoor. Pakistan reportedly lost between six and nine fighter jets and saw nearly 20 percent of its air base infrastructure suffer extensive damage. The IMFs $7 billion programme has strict conditions. The latest tranche requires fiscal reforms, subsidy cutbacks, and stringent anti-corruption measures to tackle persistent and widespread corruption risks". While Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hails the loans as proof of stability, Pakistan remains one of the IMFs largest debtors. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: January 12, 2026, 19:43 IST News world Can Pakistan Do Without IMF Loan In Future? Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's 'Big' JF-17 Plan Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham has praised US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their support of protesters in Iran. "I am so proud of @POTUS and @SecRubio for being in the corner of the people of Iran and their protests against oppression. The Make Iran Great Again hat that I showcased with President Trump has clearly become in his own words now a symbol of support for the protestors," he wrote on X. Cannot Accept US Takeover In Any Circumstance: Greenland As NATO Steps In For Its Defence Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 21:34 IST Greenland rejects US takeover plans, reaffirming its sovereignty and commitment to NATO cooperation, despite repeated interest from Washington and comments by President Trump. Greenland rejects US takeover plans, reaffirming its sovereignty and commitment to NATO cooperation, despite repeated interest from Washington and comments by President Trump. (AI Image) Greenlands government on Monday said it would not accept a takeover of the Arctic island by the United States under any circumstances, while reaffirming its commitment to strengthening its defences and increasing cooperation within NATO. In a statement, the government of the autonomous Danish territory said Washington had once again expressed interest in taking control of Greenland, a move it firmly rejected. The United States has reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something the governing coalition cannot accept under any circumstance," the statement said. The remarks come amid repeated comments by US President Donald Trump, who has previously suggested bringing Greenland under US control, citing strategic and security interests in the Arctic. While rejecting any change in sovereignty, Greenlands government said it would continue working to enhance the islands defence and security within a NATO framework, underscoring cooperation with allies rather than unilateral control. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Denmark First Published: January 12, 2026, 21:34 IST News world Cannot Accept US Takeover In Any Circumstance: Greenland As NATO Steps In For Its Defence Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Donald Trump Calls Himself 'Acting President of Venezuela' In Latest Truth Social Post Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 08:54 IST Donald Trump called himself the 'Acting President of Venezuela' on Truth Social, just a day after issuing an executive order to ring-fence Venezuelan oil funds in the US. Donald Trump's Truth Social Post (Credits: X) In his latest post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump referred to himself as the Acting President of Venezuela." The post came only two days after Trump moved to tighten control over future Venezuelan oil sales by signing an executive order declaring a national emergency and protecting Venezuelan oil revenues held in the United States. According to a White House fact sheet, the order blocks creditors from accessing these funds and prevents them from being seized to settle debts or legal claims. The administration said the aim is to keep the money intact so it can be used in line with US foreign policy priorities. ( @realDonaldTrump Truth Social Post )( Donald J. Trump Jan 11 2026, 8:23 PM ET ) pic.twitter.com/ueMAyaXVqK Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) January 12, 2026 The order states that the Venezuelan oil revenue held in foreign government deposit funds should be used in Venezuela to support peace, prosperity and stability." It was signed on Friday, just days after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in Caracas. Several companies, including Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips, have long-standing claims against Venezuela after their assets were nationalised nearly two decades ago, and both are still owed billions of dollars. Trump Says Venezuela Situation Is Working Out Well Earlier on Sunday, Trump said that talks with acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez are positive. Speaking on the situation in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump said that developments in the country were moving in a positive direction and that Washington was working closely with its leadership. Venezuela is really working out well. Were working along really well with their leadership, and well see how it all works out," Trump said. #WATCH | On the situation in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump says, Venezuela is really working out well. Were working along really well with their leadership, and well see how it all works out."On his meeting with the acting President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez, US pic.twitter.com/Oqkw7soZlN ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 Referring to his meeting with Venezuelas acting President Delcy Rodriguez, Trump said the discussions had been constructive. Shes been very good. She asked us if we could take 50 million barrels of oil, and I said yes, we can, it is worth $4.2 billion, and it is on its way right now to the United States," he said. US Captures Venezuelas Leader Nicolas Maduro Earlier this month, the United States carried out what it described as a large-scale strike in Venezuela, leading to the capture of the countrys leader, Nicolas Maduro. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown to New York, where they were formally indicted on charges linked to an alleged narco-terrorism conspiracy. Following the operation, US President Donald Trump said Washington would temporarily take charge of Venezuelas administration to oversee a transition. We will run Venezuela until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition. We cant take a chance that someone else takes over Venezuela who doesnt have the interests of Venezuelans in mind," Trump said. In Caracas, Delcy Rodriguez, who previously served as vice president and oil minister, was sworn in last week as Venezuelas interim president, according to official announcements. Trump has also said that the interim authorities in Venezuela would hand over between 30 and 50 million barrels of what he described as high-quality, sanctioned oil" to the United States. The oil, he said, would be sold at market rates. 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! I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan immediately. It will be taken by storage ships and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States." News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 08:34 IST News world Donald Trump Calls Himself 'Acting President of Venezuela' In Latest Truth Social Post Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Get News From Reliable Sources: Iran Ambassador Refutes Reports Of Indian Nationals Arrests Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 08:58 IST The clarification comes amid rising concern over safety in Iran following protests that began on December 28. Since protests began in late December, over 500 people have been killed so far. (Image: AFP) Irans Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, has dismissed reports claiming the arrest of Indian nationals in Iran amid the ongoing unrest in the contry. In a post on X, he said news circulated by some foreign accounts about developments in Iran was totally false" and urged people to rely only on reliable sources for information. The ambassador was responding to a viral X post that alleged Iranian police had arrested 10 Afghan and 6 Indian nationals, along with their Iranian accomplices". He rejected the claim and said misinformation was being spread about the situation in the country. The news circulated on some foreign X accounts about Irans developments, is totally false. I request all interested people to get their news from the reliable sources. pic.twitter.com/mZpxZVYBXR Iran Ambassador Mohammad Fathali (@IranAmbIndia) January 11, 2026 Protests in Iran The clarification comes amid rising concern over safety in Iran following protests that began on December 28. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported that hundreds of people have been killed since the protests started. Iran has repeatedly accused foreign media outlets of spreading false reports about events inside the country. Indian students safe Meanwhile, the All India Medical Students Association (AIMSA) and the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) said on Sunday that all Indian students studying in Iran are safe. They appealed to families and the public not to panic. Dr Mohammad Momin Khan, Vice President of AIMSA and the FAIMA Doctors Association, said both groups had received confirmations from Indian students across Iran. He said many students personally contacted the associations to reassure their families about their safety. All our students are safe. There is no need to panic," Dr Khan said in a statement. Message from Indian students in Iran :At the Iraqi border using Iraqi internet.All Indian students are safe.Curfew after 8 PM.Classes and exams postponed till 26 Jan, except externship students@sidhant @ANI @PTI_News @AdityaRajKaul @Shalini_Journo @kntnewsagency pic.twitter.com/ub6jC2WOQW Dr Mohammad Momin Khan (@DrMohammadMomin) January 11, 2026 Dr Khan added that senior officials and the Indian Embassy are closely monitoring developments. He said they remain in constant touch with students and local authorities to ensure their well-being. AIMSA and FAIMA said they are keeping regular communication channels open and will share updates promptly. They stressed that this was necessary to prevent misinformation and unnecessary anxiety among families in India. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Iran First Published: January 12, 2026, 08:58 IST News world Get News From Reliable Sources: Iran Ambassador Refutes Reports Of Indian Nationals Arrests Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Hindu Auto Driver Stabbed To Death In Bangladesh As Violence Against Minorities Continues Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 23:22 IST The attackers thrashed and stabbed the auto-rickshaw driver to death. After the murder, the criminals stole the man's auto-rickshaw and fled the scene. Samir Das, a Hindu auto driver, was beaten and stabbed to death in Daganbhuiyan. (X) Another Hindu man was beaten to death by a group of attackers in Daganbhuiyan in Bangladeshs Chittagong on Sunday evening. The victim, identified as 28-year-old Samir Das, an auto driver, was thrashed and stabbed to death by a group of attackers on Sunday evening. According to journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, assailants further took away Dass battery-operated auto-rickshaw and fled the scene. Samir was the eldest son of Kartik Kumar Das and Rina Rani Das. Another Hindu killed in Bangladesh!On January 11 evening, miscreants kil-led Samir Kumar Das (28) and took-away his CNG autorickshaw from Feni district's Dagonbhuiyan area. He was the eldest son of Kartik Kumar Das and Rina Rani Das. pic.twitter.com/IgiBILqa4H Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury (@salah_shoaib) January 12, 2026 This is the latest incident in the series of attacks on Hindu minorities in the neighbouring country. Several Hindu individuals have been assaulted and attacked in Bangladesh after violent protests erupted in the neighbouring country following the death of July uprising organiser Sharif Osman Hadi in Singapore. Prolay Chaki, a musician and the cultural affairs secretary of the Awami Leagues Pabna district unit, died in prison on Sunday night after reportedly suffering a heart attack. Chaki was been arrested in connection with a case linked to an alleged attack on the anti-discrimination student movement. Supporters of the Awami League have claimed that the charges against him were false. Last week, a Hindu man, identified as Joy Mahapatro, was allegedly beaten and later poisoned by a local Muslim, named Amirul Islam. A 25-year-old Hindu man died on Tuesday after he jumped into a canal while trying to escape a mob that accused him of theft. Mithun Sarkar, a resident of Bhandarpur village, was chased by locals who suspected him of stealing, news agency ANI reported. On Monday, Rana Pratap Bairagi, a Hindu businessman and acting editor of a newspaper was shot dead in Jessore district. A 40-year-old Hindu grocery shop owner Sarat Mani Chakraborty died on same day. In another horrific incident, a Hindu woman was allegedly gang-raped by two men, who also tied her to a tree and cut off her hair in a glaring display of lawlessness and atrocities against minorities in the country. Earlier, another Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, was lynched and burnt to death in Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy. After thrashing and killing Das, the mob hung his body from a tree and set it on fire. Another Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, was lynched to death by a mob over extortion allegations. Bajendra Biswas, a Hindu garment factory worker, was shot dead in Bangladeshs Mymensingh in the same month. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Bangladesh First Published: January 12, 2026, 23:03 IST News world Hindu Auto Driver Stabbed To Death In Bangladesh As Violence Against Minorities Continues Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... India-Germany Partnership Is A Strategic Asset Amid Geopolitical Uncertainties: Friedrich Merz Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 13:59 IST Merz said his two-day visit to India comes at a time when profound global changes are challenging countries across the world. Merz also said violence against people who are protesting against the Iranian regime must stop and called upon the Iranian government to protect its citizens. (Photo:X/MEA) German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday called the partnership between India and Germany a strategic asset" amid geopolitical uncertainties. Merz said his two-day visit to India comes at a time when profound global changes are challenging countries across the world. It is no coincidence that India is the first Asian country I am visiting as Chancellor. It comes at a time when profound global changes are challenging us. Technological transformation and geopolitical uncertainties affect the way our economies operate and compete. Against this backdrop, the partnership between India and Germany is a strategic asset, economically, politically and in a global context," the Chancellor said, speaking at the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Gandhinagar. Merz emphasized the need for a Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union. We discussed this with PM Modi and leading CEOs to fully tap the economic potential. We need to conclude a Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union. We must use this opportunity. The President of the European Union will be travelling to India by the end of this month to make progress towards it," he added. Merz also said violence against people who are protesting against the Iranian regime must stop and called upon the Iranian government to protect its citizens. People in Iran have been protesting peacefully for freedom and a better life in their country. It is their right to do so. I pay tribute to the courage with which they confront the disproportionate violenceThe violence directed at the Iranian people is not a sign of strength, but of weakness, and it must stop." Without naming the United States, Merz stated that the policy of protectionism contradicts the principles of free trade and open markets. Countries like India are focused on free trade and open markets. We are experiencing that great powers and big powers are using supply chains and raw materials as instruments of power. Together, we oppose this. By reducing unilateral dependencies in supply chains, we make both our economies more resilient," he said, addressing a joint press meet with PM Modi. Merz further said that the world order is changing, marked by a return of great-power politics and spheres of influence. We advocate for an international order in which we can live freely and securely. The world order is changing as we speak, marked by great power politics and spheres of influence. Russias aggression against Ukraine is probably the most drastic expression of this change. We dont always agree on all matters, and that holds true for European partners as well, but our overlaps are very significant indeed," he said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 13:50 IST News world India-Germany Partnership Is A Strategic Asset Amid Geopolitical Uncertainties: Friedrich Merz Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Indonesia In Talks With Pakistan Over Defence Deal Involving JF-17 Jets, Killer Drones Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 23:21 IST Indonesia's Defence Minister met Pakistan's Air Chief in Islamabad over a possible defence deal that involves the sale of combat jets and killer drones. Rapid Read The JF-17 multi-role fighter jet is jointly developed by Pakistan and China. (Reuters) Indonesias Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin met Pakistans Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu in Islamabad as both countries are closing in on a potential defence deal that includes the sale of combat jets and killer drones to Jakarta, according to reports. The visit comes after a series of multi-billion-dollar deals by Islamabad with several countries, including a $4-billion weapons pact with the Libyan National Army that marked one of Pakistans largest-ever arms sales, which includes the JF-17 and training aircraft. Sources told Reuters that the talks between Indonesia and Pakistan revolved around the sale of JF-17 jets, jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and killer drones designed for surveillance and striking targets. Two sources said the talks were in an advanced stage and involved more than 40 JF-17 jets. The meeting focused on discussing general defence cooperation relations, including strategic dialogue, strengthening communication between defence institutions, and opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields in the long term," Indonesian defence ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait told Reuters, saying the talks had not led to concrete decisions. Why Is Indonesia Making A Deal With Pakistan? The JF-17, jointly manufactured by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (58%) and Chinas Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (42%), is marketed as a cost-effective, multi-role fighter with a unit cost between $25 million and $30 million. Pakistan is negotiating with Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Bangladesh for JF-17 sales. A source told Reuters that Pakistan was discussing the sale of JF-17 Thunder jets, air defence systems, training for junior, mid-level, and senior Indonesian air force officials, and engineering staff. A major driving force for this deal is Jakartas push to replace its ageing air force fleet. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was in Pakistan last month for a two-day visit for talks on improving bilateral ties, including defence. The country has put in several orders for jets, including 42 French Rafale jets worth $8.1 billion in 2022 and 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkey in 2025. Jakarta has also considered buying Chinas J-10 fighter jets and is in talks to purchase US-made F-15EX jets. Pakistan is also eyeing a defence pact with Bangladesh that could include the Super Mushshak training jets and JF-17s, as relations are improving with Dhaka following Sheikh Hasinas ouster in a student-led uprising in 2024. However, some look at this plan with scepticism. Some experts argued that the revenue from production may not be sufficient to rescue the nation from its overwhelming debt, while other critics pointed to the heavy toll of the May 2025 military conflict with India, where Pakistan lost between six and nine fighter jets. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: January 12, 2026, 23:21 IST News world Indonesia In Talks With Pakistan Over Defence Deal Involving JF-17 Jets, Killer Drones Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Ready For Dialogue', Iran Says As Protests Rage And Trump Mounts Pressure Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 15:57 IST Trump claims Iran's leaders want to negotiate, while FM Abbas Araqchi says Iran is ready for war or dialogue. Speaker warns US and Israel of retaliation amid ongoing protests. Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said internet service will be resumed in coordination with security authorities. (Al Jazeera/X) After US President Donald Trump said Irans leaders have reached out to negotiate, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the country is ready for war but also for dialogue". In a briefing to foreign ambassadors in Tehran via English translation, Araqchi said: We are ready for war but also for dialogue". Trump said, They called to negotiate. Yesterday, the leaders of Iran called. They want to negotiate. I think theyre tired of being beaten up by the United States. We may meet with them. I mean, a meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of whats happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up." He also said that he is in contact with Iranian opposition leaders. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned Washington against a miscalculation." Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all US bases and ships will be our legitimate target," said Qalibaf, a former commander in Irans elite Revolutionary Guards. Meanwhile, Araqchi has also said internet service will be resumed in coordination with security authorities. Earlier, Trump said that military strikes against Iran are being considered after reports that protesters have been killed during ongoing anti-government demonstrations. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked whether Iran had crossed the red line". Trump said on Sunday that the United States is ready to help Iran gain freedom from the government led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran was looking at freedom, perhaps like never before," and added that the US stood ready to assist. The United States has previously carried out strikes on Iranian territory. In June, US forces dropped at least six bunker-buster bombs on three sites, including the Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, which is located deep underground. The strikes followed Iranian threats against Israel and were coordinated with Israeli attacks on Irans military infrastructure. According to US-based rights group HRANA, 490 protesters and 48 security personnel have died and more than 10,600 people have been arrested. The protests began on December 28 in response to soaring prices. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Tehran, Iran First Published: January 12, 2026, 14:57 IST News world 'Ready For Dialogue', Iran Says As Protests Rage And Trump Mounts Pressure Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Irans Khamenei Warns Against Deceitful Actions As Trump Weighs Airstrikes Amid 600+ Deaths Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 02:52 IST The warning from Khamenei comes as Trump keeps airstrikes among his options amid mounting deaths and pro-regime rallies in Iran. Rapid Read The remarks from Ayatollah Khamenei and the White House come as Washington signals that airstrikes remain an option while Iran faces its deadliest unrest in years. (IMAGE: REUTERS FILE) Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the United States to stop what he called deceitful actions" and reliance on traitorous hirelings" on Monday, as the White House said US President Donald Trump was keeping airstrikes on Iran among his options. Khameneis remarks, posted on his official X account, came after Iran staged mass pro-government rallies across the country, which authorities said demonstrated public support for the Islamic Republic amid weeks of unrest. The great Iranian nation has asserted its resolve and identity in the face of the enemies," Khamenei said, describing the rallies as a warning to US politicians to halt what he called hostile actions and interference. The statement was issued on the same day as comments from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said Washington was weighing a range of responses as reports of a deadly crackdown on protesters continued to emerge from Iran. White House Says Airstrikes Remain An Option Speaking to reporters outside the West Wing on Monday, Leavitt said Trump was very good at always keeping all of his options on the table", adding that airstrikes were among the options available to the commander in chief. One thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table. And air strikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander in chief," Leavitt told reporters. #WATCH | White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says, "I think one thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table, and airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the Commander in Chief, diplomacy is pic.twitter.com/2rKKThR71v ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 She stressed that diplomacy remained the administrations preferred route but said public rhetoric from Tehran differed sharply from messages being conveyed privately to Washington. Leavitt said Trump was interested in exploring those private communications, even as he remained unafraid to use military force if he deemed it necessary. The great Iranian nation has asserted its resolve and identity in the face of the enemies. This was a warning to US politicians that they should halt their deceitful actions and stop relying on their traitorous hirelings. Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) January 12, 2026 Trump had said a day earlier that Iran appeared to have crossed a previously stated red line with protesters being killed, warning that the US military was considering very strong options". He also said Iranian leaders had reached out seeking talks but added that Washington may have to act before a meeting". Irans foreign ministry has acknowledged that a channel of communication remains open between Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. Protests, Crackdown And Pro-Regime Rallies The standoff comes against the backdrop of Irans most serious unrest in years. According to rights groups, a violent crackdown on protests has killed at least 648 people, including minors, with thousands more injured and an estimated 10,000 arrested. The demonstrations, initially sparked by economic grievances, have spread across major cities and evolved into a direct challenge to Irans clerical leadership. Authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign interference and imposed a days-long internet shutdown, which rights groups say has hampered efforts to verify the true scale of the violence. On Monday, the government organised nationwide rallies in support of the Islamic Republic. State television showed large crowds in Tehran and other cities, with senior officials declaring the protests defeated. Khamenei hailed the turnout as proof that what he described as a foreign-backed plot had failed. At a rally in Tehrans Enghelab Square, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Iran was facing a four-front war", including what he described as military pressure from the United States and Israel. He said Irans armed forces would respond forcefully if attacked. World Reacts To Tehran Protests The European Union has voiced support for Iranian protesters and said it is considering additional sanctions over the repression. The European Parliament has also announced a ban on Iranian diplomats entering its premises. France has condemned what it called indiscriminate state violence against protesters, while Russia has criticised what it described as foreign interference in Irans internal affairs. Despite official claims that calm is returning, protests have continued in several cities, and rights groups warn that the death toll is likely far higher than confirmed figures. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Tehran/Washington D.C. First Published: January 13, 2026, 02:52 IST News world Irans Khamenei Warns Against Deceitful Actions As Trump Weighs Airstrikes Amid 600+ Deaths Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'No Conversations With US': Cuban President After Donald Trump's 'Make A Deal' Threat Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 21:23 IST Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel responded angrily to Trump's warning on "making a deal" soon or face consequences, saying no one dictates Havana what to do. Rapid Read Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel (L) and US President Donald Trump. (AFP) Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Monday said there were no conversations with the United States after US President Donald Trump issued a threat to the communist-ruled country, telling it to make a deal" with Washington or face serious consequences. There are no conversations with the US government except for technical contacts in the area of migration," Diaz-Canel wrote on X after Trump said the countries were in talks after the US military toppled Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in an audacious raid. #Cuba es una nacion libre, independiente y soberana. Nadie nos dicta que hacer. Cuba no agrede, es agredida por EE.UU hace 66 anos, y no amenaza, se prepara, dispuesta a defender a la Patria hasta la ultima gota de sangre.#CubaEsCoraje Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez (@DiazCanelB) January 11, 2026 We have always been willing to engage in a serious and responsible dialogue with the various governments of the United States, including the current one, on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, principles of International Law, and reciprocal benefit without interference in internal affairs and with full respect for our independence," the Cuban leader further said. He further said relations between the US and Cuba can only advance if they are based on international law rather than hostility, threats, and economic coercion. No One Tells Us What To Do These remarks came after Trump pressured Havana to make a deal" soon, pledging to cut off all oil and money Venezuela had provided before the arrest of Maduro in a lightning raid on January 3. The US has imposed economy-crippling sanctions on Cuba for decades, but Trump has ramped up the pressure in recent days. In a message on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Cuba had long relied on large amounts of Venezuelan oil, but that would no longer continue. Venezuela doesnt need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years. Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will," he said. THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," Trump added in his post. The threatening social media post drew an angry retort from Diaz-Canel, who said no one" would tell his country what to do. Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. No one tells us what to do. Cuba does not act as an aggressor; it is aggressed upon by the United States for 66 years, and it does not threaten; it prepares, ready to defend the Homeland to the last drop of blood," he said. A week ago, Trump stated that Cuba is ready to fall," noting that the islands economic crisis was worsening and it would be difficult for Havana to hold out" without receiving heavily subsidized Venezuelan oil. A Cold War-era US trade embargo has cinched Cubas economy beginning in 1962, and since 2000, Havana increasingly relied on Venezuelan oil provided as part of a deal struck with Maduros predecessor, the firebrand leftist Hugo Chavez. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Havana, Cuba First Published: January 12, 2026, 21:23 IST News world 'No Conversations With US': Cuban President After Donald Trump's 'Make A Deal' Threat Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Nukes, Jets & Missiles For Muslim Nations? Sources Reveal Asim Munirs Defence Doctrine | Exclusive Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 10:36 IST While no formal nuclear sharing or transfer is claimed, sources describe Pakistans role as providing an implicit nuclear deterrence umbrella and strategic reassurance. Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir (File image: ISPR/AP) Pakistans military under Field Marshal Asim Munir is pursuing an aggressive defence and strategic outreach across the Muslim world, exploring military partnerships, arms procurement and broader security cooperation, with several countries, according to top security sources familiar with recent in-camera briefings. Sources describe the approach as a new doctrine of defence diplomacy," with Pakistan positioning itself as a reliable military supplier and strategic partner for Muslim-majority nations facing regional uncertainty. This outreach has reportedly intensified after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia sealed a strategic mutual defence understanding, which, according to sources, significantly altered the regional balance of power in the Middle East. Top security sources further suggest that Pakistans strategic value to key Muslim nations is not limited to conventional arms alone. Islamabads status as the only nuclear-armed Muslim country has emerged as a critical factor in recent defence outreach. While no formal nuclear sharing or transfer is claimed, sources describe Pakistans role as providing an implicit nuclear deterrence umbrella and strategic reassurance to friendly states facing potential threats, particularly from Israel. This perceived strategic cover," sources say, has significantly strengthened Pakistans bargaining position and reshaped regional security calculations. Top security sources claim Saudi Arabia had access to advanced intelligence assessments indicating rising instability across Yemen, Israel-Palestine, and parts of North and East Africa including Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Somaliland, alongside concerns over emerging Saudi-UAE frictions. These assessments allegedly prompted Riyadh to formalise deeper military coordination with Islamabad at an early stage. Following this agreement, Turkey, Bangladesh and several other Muslim nations have shown interest in similar defence and strategic arrangements with Pakistan, sources said. Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar reportedly informed journalists during an in-camera briefing that around eight Muslim countries have formally or informally explored defence partnerships with Islamabad. According to top security sources, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Libya, Sudan, Jordan, Egypt and others are assessing procurement of Pakistani military hardware and training support. Pakistan has allegedly secured defence export orders worth approximately $8 billion in the current fiscal year 202526, with ambitions to reach $20 billion over the next three to five years. Among the major deals cited by sources is a $3.7 billion package involving weaponry and JF-17 Thunder fighter jets with Saudi Arabia, a $4.6 billion agreement with Azerbaijan for 40 JF-17 aircraft currently under delivery, and a $1.251.4 billion arms deal with Libya routed through UAE banking channels. Sudan has also reportedly signed a $1.1 billion weapons agreement, while Bangladesh is said to be close to finalising a $1 billion defence deal. The proposed exports include JF-17 Thunder jets, Karakoram-8 aircraft, attack helicopters, surveillance and kamikaze drones, air defence systems, radars, rockets, missiles, armoured platforms and naval weaponry. Sources claim Saudi Arabia is now actively encouraging friendly regimes to procure Pakistani arms and training. Field Marshal Asim Munir, sources said, is personally driving this strategy, engaging with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Qatar, Bangladesh and select African states. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 10:36 IST News world Nukes, Jets & Missiles For Muslim Nations? Sources Reveal Asim Munirs Defence Doctrine | Exclusive Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Ukraine's ambassador to USA discusses Ukraine's economic recovery with U.S. Chamber rep Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, discussed the recovery of Ukraine's economy with a representative of the American business organization U.S. Chamber. "Ukrainian-U.S. dialogue reinforces the pivotal role of American partners in rebuilding and reviving Ukraine's economy. In-depth talks with U.S. Chamber covered energy, mining, infrastructure, technology, and defense, Ukrainian-U.S. Investment Fund for Reconstruction," she wrote on the social network X. On Cam: Truck With USA Dont Repeat 1953 Slogan Drives Into Crowd Supporting Iran Protests In LA Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 10:04 IST A U-Haul truck with slogans referencing Irans 1953 coup drove into a crowd at an anti-Iranian regime rally in Los Angeles, injuring at least two. Police detained the driver. Rapid Read The incident was reported on Sunday afternoon (local time). (Image: X/@CollinRugg) A U-Haul truck drove into a group of demonstrators at an anti-Iranian regime rally in Westwood, Los Angeles, on Sunday afternoon (local time), leaving at least two people injured. The incident took place near the Wilshire Federal Building, where thousands of people had assembled for a protest supporting the ongoing uprising in Iran. The demonstration, scheduled to begin at 2 pm, had drawn large crowds, according to a report in CBS News. The incident was captured on camera. Watch The Video Here BREAKING: Someone driving a U-Haul truck plows into people at an Iran protests in Los Angeles, California.NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DONT REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH," a sign on the truck read. Video: @Shangoolans pic.twitter.com/gI6Ft3unb9 Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 12, 2026 The vehicle was marked with political slogans linked to Irans past, including the message: No shah, no regime. USA: Dont repeat 1953, no mullah," referencing the US-backed coup in 1953 that toppled Irans then prime minister and reinstated the shah. Truck Driver Detained Local media reported that police detained a man at the scene after removing him from the truck. As he was taken away, some protesters attempted to assault him, using flagpoles, before officers stepped in to prevent further violence. The truck sustained visible damage, with its windshield smashed and glass scattered across the street. The attached trailer appeared empty, its rear door left open as police inspected the vehicle and the surrounding area. Authorities said they have not yet determined whether the driver deliberately drove into the crowd or acted out of panic amid the protest. Around 3,000 demonstrators had assembled in Westwood by about 3 pm, New York Times reported, citing LA Regional Transportation Management Center. An agency spokesperson said both the northbound and southbound off-ramps to Wilshire Boulevard were closed as a precaution to stop protesters from entering the freeway. The closures remained in place until roughly 5 pm, after most of the crowd had cleared. The Los Angeles Police Department said no ambulances were dispatched following the incident. Mayor Karen Bass Visits Protest Site Several hours later, Mayor Karen Bass visited the location and addressed the situation during a news briefing. She expressed concern over US involvement in international conflicts and stressed the need for demonstrations to remain peaceful regardless of how charged the issue is." In a post on X, First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said the Department of Justice was aware of the incident. The rally was organised to show solidarity with protesters in Iran, where US-based activists claim more than 500 people have been killed in a violent crackdown by authorities. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: January 12, 2026, 10:04 IST News world On Cam: Truck With USA Dont Repeat 1953 Slogan Drives Into Crowd Supporting Iran Protests In LA Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Ongoing Rights Abuse': Imran Khan's Sister Condemns His Solitary Confinement, Calls For Sit-In Prayers Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 23:59 IST Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan's sister Aleema Khan said the treatment meted out to him is a gross violation of domestic laws as well as international legal frameworks After being denied a visit to former Pakistan PM Imran Khan a few days ago, his family had organised sit-in prayers outside Rawalpindis Adiala Jail. (Image: PTI/File) Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khans sister has once again condemned her brothers continued solitary confinement and said he has now been in complete isolation for three months. After being denied a visit to Imran a few days ago, the family had organised sit-in prayers outside Rawalpindis Adiala Jail. Aleema Khan issued another call for a collective religious gathering outside the prison on Tuesday (January 13). Addressing the media and supporters, Aleema said the treatment meted out to Imran is not only a gross violation of Pakistans domestic laws but also stands in direct contravention of international legal frameworks. She stressed that extended isolation is classified as a form of torture under international law, while categorising the governments actions as a serious violation of basic human rights. She said he was being systematically denied his most fundamental legal protections. Aleema further said visitation rights for his legal team and family are mandatory and not a privilege to be granted by authorities. Under the law, six family members and six lawyers are entitled to meet him every Tuesday, yet these rights are being consistently bypassed. Supporters and members of Imran Khans party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have also voiced their frustrations, stating that they have been caught in a hamster wheel" of legal bureaucracy for the past two years. Despite obtaining multiple court orders to facilitate meetings, they are frequently barred at the prison gates leading to a cycle of filing for contempt of court only to be denied again. They have also highlighted that when Nawaz Sharif was behind bars, at least 200 people were permitted to visit him weekly without the necessity of court interventions. But the current administration is denying a sister the basic right to see her brother, they added. In response to what she called ongoing human rights abuse", Aleema has called for a public gathering outside the jail, which will feature a Khatam-e-Quran followed by a collective prayer at 3.30 pm Pakistan time. She said the prayers are intended for the release of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, as well as all other individuals undergoing illegal imprisonment across the country. During the last such sit-in, women reciting Quranic verses were forced to disperse after water was mysteriously poured over them an act described by protesters as ridiculous" and unfortunate". News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: January 12, 2026, 23:59 IST News world 'Ongoing Rights Abuse': Imran Khan's Sister Condemns His Solitary Confinement, Calls For Sit-In Prayers Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Pakistan's Unusual Military Diplomacy: What PAF Chief's Recent Engagements With Several Nations Mean Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 14:53 IST Pakistan Air Chief Marshal Sidhu visited the United States in July 2025, marking the first visit by a serving PAF chief in over a decade. A central figure in this outreach was Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), whose visits spanned key capitals and defence platforms through 2025 and early 2026. Pakistans military leadership stepped on to the global stage in 2025, with a series of foreign engagements that pointed to an unusual phase of military diplomacy. At a time when Pakistan faced domestic political uncertainty and economic stress, these overseas visits reflected how Rawalpindi sought to engage external partners directly on security, economic, and geopolitical issues. From Washington and Beijing to the Gulf and Eastern Europe, the engagements combined security outreach with bargaining over training, interoperability, defence trade, and regional positioning. CNN-News18 traces how Pakistans military leadership attempted to recalibrate its external posture amid regional crises, great-power competition, and shifting post-conflict realities. A central figure in this outreach was Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), whose visits spanned key capitals and defence platforms through 2025 and early 2026. 1 July 2025 United States Air Chief Marshal Sidhu visited the United States, marking the first visit by a serving PAF chief in over a decade. He met senior US officials, including Secretary of the Air Force (International Affairs) Ms Kelli L Seybolt, US Air Force Chief of Staff General David W Allvin, and officials at the Pentagon, State Department, and Capitol Hill. The discussions focused on bilateral defence cooperation, interoperability, joint training, technology exchange, regional security, and counterterrorism. The visit came amid broader US efforts to reassess military partnerships in South Asia while managing competition with China. 8 April 2025 China In Beijing, the PAF chief met Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun, PLA Air Force Commander General Chang Dingqiu, and other senior military officials, including Major General Cao Xiaojian. The meetings centred on strengthening strategic military cooperation and expanding practical collaboration in training, joint exercises, and strategic communication. The talks also addressed regional and global security challenges, reflecting the continued defence alignment between Beijing and Islamabad. 2223 October 2025 Romania Pakistans outreach extended to Eastern Europe with a visit to Romania. At Romanian Air Force Headquarters, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu met Lieutenant General Leonard-Gabriel Baraboi, Chief of the Romanian Air Force Staff, and other senior officials. The agenda included bilateral defence ties, operational cooperation, joint air exercises, exchange programmes, and training of air and ground crew. The engagement indicated Pakistans efforts to broaden defence contacts beyond its traditional partners. 20 November 2025 United Arab Emirates (Dubai Airshow) On the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow, held from 1721 November, the PAF chief held meetings with air chiefs from friendly countries and UAE defence officials, including Lt Gen Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Al-Alawi and Major General Rashid Mohammed Al-Shamsi. Discussions covered military-to-military cooperation, joint exercises, professional exchanges, airpower development, and aerospace technologies. Pakistan also used the platform to promote defence exports, including the JF-17 Thunder, with a memorandum of understanding signed with a friendly country for procurement. 8 January 2026 Saudi Arabia In Saudi Arabia, Air Chief Marshal Sidhu met HRH Lt Gen Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force, and General Fayiadh bin Hameed Al-Rowaily, Chief of the General Staff. The talks focused on expanding defence cooperation, joint training, operational collaboration, interoperability, and regional security, underscoring longstanding military ties between the two countries. 10 January 2026 Iraq In Iraq, the PAF chief met Iraqi Air Force Commander Lt Gen Mohanad Ghalib Mohammed Radi Al-Asadi. Discussions centred on military cooperation and joint training. Iraq expressed interest in acquiring JF-17 Thunder fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, citing Pakistan Air Force experience and operational capability. Taken together, these engagements highlight how Pakistans military leadership used defence diplomacy to engage multiple regions simultaneously, navigating security concerns, defence trade opportunities, and shifting geopolitical alignments without a parallel civilian diplomatic push. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 14:53 IST News world Pakistan's Unusual Military Diplomacy: What PAF Chief's Recent Engagements With Several Nations Mean Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Real Friends Can Disagree But...': US Ambassador Sergio Gor Says Trump Likely To Visit India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 13:24 IST Emphasising New Delhi's significance to Washingtons global strategy, the ambassador said that no other partner is more essential than India. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor (File photo) Sergio Gor formally assumed charge as the United States Ambassador to India on Monday and underlined the importance of the India-US partnership, suggesting that President Donald Trump could visit India in the near future. Speaking after taking over his new role, Gor said the relationship between President Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was built on a strong personal foundation. I have travelled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real," he said, adding that ties between the two countries are anchored at the highest political level. Real friends can disagree, but they always resolve their differences in the end," he remarked. #WATCH | Delhi: After assuming charge as the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor says, I have travelled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real. The United States and India are bound, not just by shared pic.twitter.com/Wo1ztKxAoi ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 Calling India a vital strategic partner, the ambassador said he arrived with profound respect" and a clear mandate to deepen bilateral ties. Describing the partnership as one between the worlds oldest democracy and the worlds largest democracy, Gor said his goal was to take the relationship to the next level" across multiple domains. Gor also indicated that a visit by President Trump to India was possible. Recalling a recent conversation, he said Trump had spoken warmly about his last visit to India and his rapport with Prime Minister Modi. I hope the President will be visiting us soon, hopefully in the next year or two," Gor said, adding with a touch of humour that Trumps habit of making late-night phone calls might suit the IndiaUS time difference. Emphasising Indias centrality to Washingtons global strategy, the ambassador said, No partner is more essential than India." He outlined an ambitious agenda focused on cooperation as true strategic partners", with both sides bringing strength, leadership and mutual respect to the table. Both sides remain actively engaged, Gor said, underlining Washingtons determination to conclude a long-pending trade agreement with New Delhi. Gor also highlighted the US-led strategic initiative Pax Silica, describing it as a framework spanning critical minerals to advanced manufacturing, and announced that India will be invited to join the grouping. Earlier, upon arriving in India on January 9, Gor had posted on social media that he was great to be back in India" and spoke of incredible opportunities" ahead for both nations. However, Gors tenure begins at a challenging moment in bilateral relations. Several areas of cooperation, including defence, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and critical minerals, require renewed momentum after recent slowdowns. Trade and tariffs remain a major point of friction. Last week, President Trump approved legislation proposing steep tariffs on countries purchasing Russian crude oil. India is already grappling with existing US duties, including a 50 per cent tariff imposed on Indian goods in August 2025, with a portion linked specifically to Indias energy imports from Russia. Against this backdrop, Gors emphasis on dialogue, strategic partnership and personal diplomacy signals an effort to stabilise ties and steer the relationship back toward cooperation in the months ahead. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 12:19 IST News world 'Real Friends Can Disagree But...': US Ambassador Sergio Gor Says Trump Likely To Visit India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trump Congratulates Former Adviser Dina Powell McCormick After Meta President Appointment Curated By : Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 19:59 IST Donald Trump congratulated Dina Powell McCormick on Truth Social after she was named Meta president by Mark Zuckerberg, highlighting her government and Goldman Sachs experience. FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy Dina Powell. REUTERS/Jim Bourg/Files US President Donald Trump on Monday congratulated Dina Powell McCormick after she was named the new president of Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Powell served as the deputy national security adviser for strategy from 2017 to 2018 in the Presidents first term In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump praised the appointment, calling it a great choice" by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Congratulations to Dina Powell McCormick, who has just been named the new president of Meta," Trump wrote. She is a fantastic, and very talented person, who served the Trump Administration with strength and distinction." Who Is Dina Powell McCornick? Dina Powell McCormick is a former senior US government official and corporate executive. She served as deputy national security adviser for strategy under Trump, where she was involved in key foreign policy initiatives, including Middle East diplomacy and US engagement with regional allies. Before her role in government, Powell McCormick built a long career in the private sector, holding senior leadership positions at Goldman Sachs, where she focused on global sovereign investment strategy and public-private partnerships. She later returned to the firm after leaving the White House. She is married to David McCormick, a Republican senator from Pennsylvania and former CEO of Bridgewater Associates. Powell McCormicks appointment to a top leadership role at Meta has drawn attention due to her blend of government, finance and policy experience. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 12, 2026, 19:59 IST News world Trump Congratulates Former Adviser Dina Powell McCormick After Meta President Appointment Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Trump Says Iran Leaders 'Called To Negotiate As US Military Considers Strong Options Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 09:20 IST Trump said that military strikes against Iran are being considered after reports that protesters have been killed during ongoing anti-government demonstrations. US President Donald Trump (Getty Images) US President Donald Trump said Irans leaders have reached out to negotiate, saying they are tired after pressure from the United States. He said a meeting is being arranged, but warned that the US may still act if developments before the talks require immediate action. Follow LIVE Updates: HERE Trump said, They called to negotiate. Yesterday, the leaders of Iran called. They want to negotiate. I think theyre tired of being beaten up by the United States. We may meet with them. I mean, a meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of whats happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up." The US President also said that he is in contact with Iranian opposition leaders. Earlier, Trump said that military strikes against Iran are being considered after reports that protesters have been killed during ongoing anti-government demonstrations. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump was asked whether Iran had crossed the red line". Theyre starting to. There seem to be some people killed," Trump said. He added that the situation was being taken seriously by Washington. Trump said on Sunday that the United States is ready to help Iran gain freedom from the government led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran was looking at freedom, perhaps like never before," and added that the US stood ready to assist. The United States has previously carried out strikes on Iranian territory. In June, US forces dropped at least six bunker-buster bombs on three sites, including the Fordow nuclear enrichment facility, which is located deep underground. The strikes followed Iranian threats against Israel and were coordinated with Israeli attacks on Irans military infrastructure. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 12, 2026, 08:39 IST News world Trump Says Iran Leaders 'Called To Negotiate As US Military Considers Strong Options Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... UK Media Regulator Probes Elon Musks X Over Grok AI's Sexual Deepfake Images Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 17:56 IST Ofcom is investigating X, owned by Elon Musk, over Grok AI chatbot generating sexualised deepfake images, including of children, possibly breaching UK online safety rules. Ofcom is investigating X, owned by Elon Musk, over Grok AI chatbot generating sexualised deepfake images, including of children, possibly breaching UK online safety rules. UK media regulator Ofcom on Monday launched a formal investigation into X, owned by Elon Musk, over the misuse of its AI chatbot Groks image generation feature to create sexualised deepfake content. In a statement, Ofcom said it had received deeply concerning reports" that the Grok AI chatbot account on X was being used to generate and circulate undressed images of individuals. The regulator said such content could amount to intimate image abuse or illegal pornography. Ofcom also raised alarm over reports that the tool had been used to create sexualised images of children, warning that this may constitute child sexual abuse material. The investigation will examine whether X has breached UK online safety rules by failing to prevent the creation and spread of illegal and harmful content through its AI-powered features. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: January 12, 2026, 17:56 IST News world UK Media Regulator Probes Elon Musks X Over Grok AI's Sexual Deepfake Images Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... US Ambassador Sergio Gor: A Trump Loyalist Entrusted With Restructuring India-America Ties Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 25, 2026, 14:51 IST US ambassador Sergio Gor: "I come to this remarkable nation with profound respect and a clear mission: to take the partnership between our two nations to the next level." Rapid Read US ambassador Sergio Gor said there were incredible opportunities ahead for the two nations. (PTI) US ambassador Sergio Gor, known to be a key member of President Donald Trumps inner circle, who is in New Delhi, on Monday said that America was determined to get a trade deal with India. As the world adopts new technology, it is essential that India and the United States work hand in hand from the very start of this initiativeYou and I have an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity to redefine diplomacy. What it can accomplish could be the most consequential global partnership of this century," he said. No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each bringing strength, respect, and leadership to the table," said Gor. He further said, It is great to be here as the United States Ambassador. I come to this remarkable nation with profound respect and a clear mission: to take the partnership between our two nations to the next level. This is the intersection between the worlds oldest democracy and the worlds largest democracy During my last dinner with him, President Trump recounted his last visit to India and also his great friendship with the great Prime Minister of India. I hope the President will be visiting us soon, hopefully in the next year or two President Trump has a habit of calling at 2 in the morning, and with the time difference in New Delhi, it might work out pretty well." #WATCH | Delhi: After assuming charge as the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor says, No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each pic.twitter.com/0qY9AgRoHw ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 Who is Sergio Gor? Born in Tashkent in 1986, Gor spent part of his youth in Malta, where his family lived after emigrating in the 1990s. His mother ran a business and held Israeli nationality. In 1999, Gor and his family moved to Los Angeles, where he later attended high school. He earned a BA from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he became active in conservative student politics founding a chapter of the Young Americas Foundation and joining the College Republicans. ALSO READ | What Is Pax Silica That US Ambassador Sergio Gor Said India Will Be Invited To Join? Sergio Gors rise in politics After college, Gor started as a Republican National Committee operative and served as a spokesman and communications aide for several Republican members of Congress, including Steve King, Michele Bachmann, and Randy Forbes. With Senator Rand Paul, he took on progressively senior roles: spokesman, communications director, and deputy chief of staff gaining deep experience in messaging and political strategy. The U.S. values its relationship with India and under the strong leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Modi, I am optimistic about the days ahead for both of our nations." @USAmbIndia Sergio Gor while delivering his statement to the press during his visit pic.twitter.com/3j2gvnliw8 U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) December 31, 2025 Sergio Gor and Donald Trump Trump Victory Finance Committee (2020): Gor became the chief of staff, managing fundraising for Donald Trumps campaign. Winning Team Publishing (2021): Along with Donald Trump Jr., he co-founded a conservative publishing company that produced books associated with Trumps political brand. MAGA Inc. & Super PAC Work: He served as a senior advisor to Trump-aligned groups and led Right for America, a political action committee supporting Trumps campaigns. After Trumps 2025 inauguration, Gor was appointed Director of the White House Presidential Personnel Office, a powerful role overseeing federal hiring. In this role, he and his office vetted and placed thousands of government staffers. His tenure drew attention, including public criticism from figures like Elon Musk, who once called him a snake" amid political and appointment disputes. Gor, 38, was sworn in as the US envoy to India in mid-November. #WATCH | Delhi | Ambassador Sergio Gor assumes charge as the new US Ambassador to India. He says, It is great to be here as the United States Ambassador. I come to this remarkable nation with profound respect and a clear mission: to take the partnership between our two pic.twitter.com/IMdDUKyOnT ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 Gor as US Ambassador to India On August 22, 2025, President Trump nominated Gor as the U.S. Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. The U.S. Senate confirmed him in October 2025. His portfolio covers bilateral cooperation with India and broader regional affairs in South and Central Asia, areas spanning trade, defense, technology, and geopolitical strategy. Why Gors visit matters for India-US ties The India-US ties have been reeling under severe stress after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for Indias purchase of Russian crude oil. India had described the US tariff action as unfair, unjustified and unreasonable". There have been efforts by both sides in the last couple of months to firm up a proposed trade deal, which could address Indias concerns over tariffs. Senator Lindsey Graham recently announced that President Donald Trump has approved a Russian sanctions bill designed to pressure Moscow to end its war with Ukraine. The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 is a proposed U.S. law that would authorise extremely stringent sanctions on Russia and nations trading with it, especially in the context of the Ukraine war. Its most striking feature is its call for unprecedented tariffs, at least 500%, on imports from Russia and some of its major trading partners, a step with wide-ranging diplomatic and economic implications. The Acts tariff provisions could create significant trade friction with major economies that continue to buy Russian energy, such as India, China, and Brazil. Gors arrival in India comes days after a fresh row erupted between the two sides following US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnicks claim that the proposed trade deal between the two countries couldnt be sealed last year as Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not make a telephone call to President Donald Trump. New Delhi rejected the claim and described Lutnicks remarks as inaccurate". Apart from tariff, the relations witnessed a downturn on a number of other issues, including Trumps claim of ending the India-Pakistan conflict in May last year and Washingtons new immigration policy. Im trusting Sergio to help strengthen one of our countrys most important international relationships and thats the strategic partnership with India," Trump had said after Gors oath ceremony. Gor had described his new role as an honour of a lifetime" and said he looks forward to enhancing" the relationship between the US and India. Gor had visited India for six days in October, days after his appointment was confirmed by the Senate. He had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during the visit. With Agency Inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 12:54 IST News world US Ambassador Sergio Gor: A Trump Loyalist Entrusted With Restructuring India-America Ties Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... How Donald Trump Used The Venezuela Raid To Warn China To Keep Out Of US Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 11:50 IST The US raid that captured Maduro was used by the Trump administration to send a direct warning to China to curb its growing influence in the Americas, according to a report. Donald Trump/Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is escorted (Photos: AFP/Reuters) The Donald Trump administrations blunt message in reference to oil executives, following the dramatic US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, has brought the spotlight on how the US President used the Maduro raid to warn China to keep out of the US. According to a Reuters report, senior US officials said that the January 3 raid, which saw American commandos seize Maduro in a pre-dawn operation in Caracas, was designed not only to upend Venezuelas leadership but also to send a clear strategic signal to Beijing. For Washington, the operation was intended to demonstrate that Chinas growing political, economic and security footprint in Latin America would not be tolerated. For more than two decades, China has steadily expanded its influence across the region, investing heavily in infrastructure, energy projects and strategic facilities, while positioning itself as a partner to governments facing US pressure. Venezuela, in particular, emerged as a key beneficiary of Chinese financing after Western sanctions tightened, with Beijing securing oil supplies and deepening military cooperation. US officials told Reuters that this era is now over. Donald Trump made that message explicit in remarks to oil executives, where he expressed unease about China and Russia operating so close to US borders. We dont want you there," Trump said he told both countries, adding that while Washington maintains cordial relations with them, their presence in the Western Hemisphere was unacceptable. He also indicated that China could instead purchase oil from the United States. According to the report, the successful raid dealt a symbolic and practical blow to Chinas standing in the region. US forces swiftly neutralised Venezuelan air defences supplied by China and Russia, systems that failed to prevent the operation. Trump later said tens of millions of barrels of oil previously under sanctions and largely destined for China would now be redirected to the United States. Analysts quoted by Reuters said the episode exposed the limits of Chinas power projection in the Americas. Craig Singleton of the Foundation for Defence of Democracies said the operation highlighted the gap between Beijings global ambitions and its actual ability to protect partners when confronted directly by Washington. Diplomatic protests, he noted, offer little reassurance once US military pressure is applied. China rejected the US action. In a statement to Reuters, Chinese embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu criticised what he described as Washingtons unilateral and bullying behaviour, while insisting that China would continue to pursue friendly cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries regardless of developments in Venezuela. The White House declined to comment officially, though one administration official told Reuters that China should reassess its position in the region, arguing that regional partners are increasingly aware that Beijing cannot guarantee their security. The raid also appeared to sharpen contradictions in Trumps China policy. While Washington has pursued trade concessions with Beijing, it has simultaneously taken tougher stances on security issues, including Taiwan. The Venezuela operation signalled a more hawkish approach, particularly given its timing. Just hours before his capture, Maduro had publicly met Chinas special envoy for Latin America, a moment US officials said suggested Beijing was caught off guard. For years, China invested heavily in Venezuelas oil sector and military capabilities, including radar and air defence systems. Their failure during the raid has prompted scrutiny, with analysts saying countries relying on Chinese defence equipment are now questioning its effectiveness. Reuters reported that Chinese officials are assessing what went wrong. Beyond Venezuela, US officials remain wary of Chinas activities elsewhere in the region, including in Cuba and around the Panama Canal. While analysts caution that prolonged instability in Venezuela could create openings for China to regain influence, others warn that a US embrace of strict spheres-of-influence thinking could ultimately serve Beijings broader strategic aims. ALSO READ | Donald Trump Calls Himself Acting President of Venezuela In Latest Truth Social Post News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: January 12, 2026, 11:46 IST News world How Donald Trump Used The Venezuela Raid To Warn China To Keep Out Of US Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Were Screwed: Trump Warns Trillions At Risk If US Supreme Court Curbs Tariff Powers Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 07:13 IST Trump warns that striking down his tariffs could force the US to repay vast sums already collected from importers. Rapid Read US President Donald Trump wearing a "happy Trump" pin speaks during a meeting with oil industry executives at the White House in Washington, DC, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS) US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that the United States could face trillions of dollars" in losses if the Supreme Court rules against his administrations sweeping tariff regime, declaring that the country would be SCREWED." In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said that a ruling against the government could force the US to repay many hundreds of billions of dollars" in tariffs already collected, apart from additional payback" claims from countries and companies that invested in factories, plants and equipment to avoid the duties. When these investments are added, we are talking about trillions of dollars," Trump wrote, calling the potential fallout a complete mess" and warning that it would be almost impossible for the country to pay back such sums. He said determining who should be repaid, how much, and over what period would itself take years. Framing the tariffs as a national security bonanza," Trump said any claim that repayments could be handled quickly or easily was false. Anybody who says that it can be quickly and easily done would be making a false, inaccurate, or totally misunderstood answer," he wrote. The comments came as the Supreme Court continues to weigh a legal challenge to Trumps tariff powers. The court did not issue a ruling on the matter on Friday, despite speculation that a decision could be imminent, and released only one opinion unrelated to tariffs. It remains unclear when the ruling will be delivered, with the court next scheduled to issue opinions on Wednesday. At the heart of the case are two key questions: whether the administration was justified in using emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs, and whether importers would be entitled to reimbursement if those powers are found to have been misused. Even if the White House were to lose the case, the administration retains other statutory tools to impose tariffs without relying on emergency authorities. Trump, however, insisted that striking down the tariffs would undermine US economic strength. When America shines brightly, the world shines brightly," he wrote. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: January 13, 2026, 00:04 IST News world Were Screwed: Trump Warns Trillions At Risk If US Supreme Court Curbs Tariff Powers Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... On the night of January 12 (from 18:00 on January 11), the enemy attacked with 156 attack UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera type and drones of other types from the following directions: Millerovo, Kursk, Orel, Bryansk, Primorsko-Akhtarsk - Russia, Chauda temporarily occupied Crimea, about 110 of them Shahed UAVs, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Telegram. "According to preliminary data, as of 8:00, air defense shot down/suppressed 135 enemy UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera type and drones of other types in the north, south, east and center of the country," the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine informs. In addition, hits of 16 attack UAVs were recorded at 11 locations, as well as the fall of downed (fragments) at two locations. The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. 'Yunus Govt's Rule By Terror': Sheikh Hasina Condemns Attacks On Minorities In Bangladesh Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: January 12, 2026, 21:02 IST Citing the killing of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das, ousted Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina said the crime underscores how minorities are in "grave danger" in Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in Bangladesh following a student uprising beginning July 2024, and went into exile in India as she fled from her country on August 5. (Image: AFP/File) Ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina came down heavily on the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, saying its rule by terror" has resulted in fear, displacement, and the erosion" of the countrys secular fabric. Citing the killing of Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das, Hasina said the horrific and shameful crime" underscores how minorities are in grave danger" in Bangladesh. What we are witnessing is the systematic dismantling of Bangladeshs secular and democratic identity. Jamaat-e-Islami and allied extremist groups have been given political space, protection, and impunity under the Yunus regime," Hasina told News18 in an interview. She said under her government, the protection of minorities was not optional but a constitutional obligation and a moral duty. Comparing the freedom of expression when she was in power, she slammed the Yunus regime for suppressing dissent by arresting journalists on baseless charges". During our 15 years in government, we welcomed and encouraged freedom of expression and criticism. Journalists were free to write without fear of retaliation or violence. Today, journalists are being arrested on baseless charges for daring to write about the realities of life under Yunus," she said. Excerpts from the interview: There are fresh concerns about the safety of minority communities after the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das. How do you respond to the alleged targeting of Hindus and violence against minorities in Bangladesh since your ouster in August 2024? The killing of Dipu Chandra Das was a horrific and shameful crime, and it underscores the grave danger facing minority communities in Bangladesh today. Since August 2024, we have witnessed a sustained cycle of violence against Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Ahmadi Muslims, and indigenous communities; violence that has been allowed to spread unchecked through denial, inaction, and total impunity. This did not begin spontaneously; it is symptomatic of the Muhammad Yunus-led governments rule by terror. Any government that elevates extremists into positions of power and grants the perpetrators immunity in the eyes of the law, while exclusively prosecuting its political rivals, has voluntarily made minorities easy targets. Under my government, the protection of minorities was not optional; it was a constitutional obligation and a moral duty. Today, that duty has been abandoned. The result is fear, displacement, and the erosion of Bangladeshs secular foundations. What is your response to the killing of Osman Hadi, which was pinned on the Awami League and linked to India? Authorities have now admitted they had no evidence. The killing of Osman Hadi was a tragic and awful event that deserved a proper, impartial response from the government. Instead, his death was immediately politicised and led to a wave of unforgivable violence directed at our countrys media. His death is the direct consequence of the lawlessness, electoral violence and repression of free speech that has been allowed to define Bangladeshs politics under Yunus. During our 15 years in government, we welcomed and encouraged freedom of expression and criticism. Journalists were free to write without fear of retaliation or violence. Today, journalists are being arrested on baseless charges for daring to write about the realities of life under Yunus. What is most concerning is that, without evidence, blame was directed at the Awami League and baselessly linked to India. The subsequent admission by the authorities that they have no evidence confirms what was clear from the outset: this was scapegoating, not justice. The Awami League has repeatedly been used as a convenient target to deflect attention from the interim governments collapse of law and order. When facts are replaced with accusations, and impartial investigations are replaced with propaganda, the rule of law ceases to exist. From attacks on media houses, diplomatic missions, minorities, and cultural symbols of Bangladesh, what is your assessment of the Yunus regimes involvement with Jamaati forces so as to unravel the secular fabric of Bangladesh? What we are witnessing is the systematic dismantling of Bangladeshs secular and democratic identity. Jamaat-e-Islami and allied extremist groups have been given political space, protection, and impunity under the Yunus regime. Attacks on media institutions, intimidation of journalists, assaults on minorities, and the destruction of cultural symbols are not isolated incidents, they are symptoms of rule by terror. Our independence battle was predicated on a rejection of religious extremism and authoritarianism. Allowing the Jamaat to dominate public life is not reform; it is historical reversal. How do you respond to those who blame your engagement with groups like Hefazat-e-Islam for the July uprising and your ouster? This narrative is a distortion of facts. During my time in office, engagement with religious groups was undertaken to preserve stability, uphold the constitution, and prevent violence, not to legitimise extremism. Indeed, we worked tirelessly to curb domestic terrorist groups and ensure that our society was a place where religious pluralism could flourish. The uprising was not a spontaneous religious movement. It was a meticulously planned campaign of destruction and violence that capitalised on a legitimate student protest. This was later admitted by Yunus himself. In July 2024, my government established a judicial inquiry to understand the causes of the tragic loss of life in the violence of that summer. This was immediately dissolved by Yunus on taking office, no doubt because he knew it would incriminate him. Retrospectively blaming our democratically elected government for an extremist takeover absolves those who orchestrated violence and benefitted from the subsequent chaos. Yunus accused you and your supporters of inciting violence and spending millions to disrupt the electoral process in a call with a US envoy. How do you respond to that, and has the US done enough to condemn the violence in Bangladesh? These allegations are entirely unfounded. The Awami League has consistently called for calm, accountability, and democratic resolution through elections. It is deeply ironic for an unelected administration that has banned opposition parties, detained hundreds of thousands of citizens, and tolerated mob violence to accuse others of incitement. The United States has been cautious in its statements. Yunus was once the darling of some western political elites, but they are increasingly seeing him for the fraud he is. Even the President has said as much. Statements of concern are important, but they must be matched by clear condemnation of arbitrary detention, attacks on minorities and journalists, and the exclusion of major political parties from elections. Democracy cannot be selectively defended. For Bangladesh, the only viable path forward lies in free, fair, and inclusive elections. Is that possible when Yunus appears to lack legitimacy or resolve? Yunus has never had any democratic legitimacy. Not a single Bangladeshi has cast a vote for him. Instead, he has repeatedly delayed elections, disenfranchised tens of millions of ordinary people, and attempted to tear up our constitution in favour of his own illegitimate charter. You cannot organise credible elections while banning the countrys largest political party, organising a show trial of its leadership and arbitrarily detaining its supporters on entirely fabricated charges. Today, over 1,52,000 people remain in custody, including over 120 members of Parliament. They endure brutal conditions, insufficient food and space and are routinely denied medical treatment. These intolerable conditions are accompanied by brutal acts of physical and psychological torture that have resulted in over 100 deaths. Between December 20 and 24, 2025, alone, nearly 9,000 people were detained without any case, charge or arrest warrant. Their only crime has been to support the Awami League or to dare criticise the interim government. This is not law enforcement; it is mass repression. I believe the possibility of democratic restoration still exists, but it will require sustained international engagement, the lifting of political bans, the release of political detainees, and robust election monitoring. Without these conditions, these will be elections in name only and make a mockery of democracy. Tarique Rahman has returned from 18 years of exile. What are your hopes from his return and the BNP? Tarique Rahmans return reminds us all of the corruption, violence, and extremism that characterised the BNPs rule. Let us not forget that Tarique Rahman has lived in exile in London for years, far removed from the daily realities faced by ordinary citizens. He fled Bangladesh after being found guilty of abetting his late mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, in the embezzlement of public funds. Bangladesh does not need politics driven by vengeance, exclusion, or corruption. It needs leadership rooted in the country, accountable to its people, and committed to pluralism. Whether the BNP chooses that path remains to be seen. Already, we are seeing BNP activists intimidate Awami League voters on their doorstep, forcing them to vote for their party or face violence and destruction. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: January 12, 2026, 21:02 IST News world 'Yunus Govt's Rule By Terror': Sheikh Hasina Condemns Attacks On Minorities In Bangladesh Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... Elon Musk is framing the uproar over X's Grok chatbot as a free-speech fight, even as regulators in multiple countries scrutinize the service over sexually explicit "deepfake" images , the BBC reports. Critics say Grok has been used to generate sexualized pictures of people, including women and minors, without their consent, prompting investigations and calls for tougher laws. In response to the backlash, Musk posted messages including an AI image of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a bikini, and insists his critics "just want to suppress free speech" and desire "any excuse for censorship." UK media regulator Ofcom says it launched an urgent review of X this week and has received a formal response from the company. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has signaled she would back Ofcom if it sought to restrict or even block X in Britain under powers in the Online Safety Act. Those powers could include asking a court to cut off X's funding or access in the UK if the platform does not comply with safety rules. X has now restricted Grok's image editing and generation tools to paying subscribers, a move Downing Street called "insulting" to victims of sexual abuse. Conservative influencer Ashley St Clair, the mother of one of Musk's children, told the BBC that Grok produced sexualized images of her as a minor despite her denying consent, and accused X of failing to act decisively against illegal content, including child sexual abuse imagery. Grok currently tells users they must subscribe to unlock image-editing features, but some sources tell the Guardian the Grok app was still allowing users to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Lawmakers from across the UK political spectrum have condemned the use of Grok to produce non-consensual sexual images, but some warn that current law may not fully cover AI-generated abuse. The chairs of Parliament's technology and media committees say they fear "gaps" in the Online Safety Act leave questions about whether such images are clearly illegal and how far regulators can police generative AI tools. Similar concerns are emerging abroad. Australia's prime minister called the material "completely abhorrent" and said the company's digital safety commissioner is investigating the issue. Malaysia and Indonesia, meanwhile, became the first countries to block the chatbot, the AP reports. India, France, and other European Union countries are also scrutinizing Grok. Roman Britain may have left a far grander mark on south Wales than previously thought. Archaeologists using ground-penetrating radar in Margam Country Park near Port Talbot have identified what they say is the largest Roman villa ever found in Walesabout 572 square meters in size and likely once the hub of a major agricultural estate. The scan shows a corridor-style villa with two wings, a front veranda, at least 14 rooms, and surrounding defensive works, along with a separate 354-square-meter aisled building that may have served as a barn or meeting hall, per the BBC . The structures lie less than a meter below the surface in the park that has never been ploughed or built on, raising hopes for unusually intact remains. Project lead Dr. Alex Langlands of Swansea University said the site has the potential to be "Port Talbot's Pompeii." He said the building appears "really impressive and prestigious," probably once decorated with mosaics and statues and occupied by a local elite. Because most Roman finds in Wales are military, the discovery of such a substantial estate suggests the region was more integrated and affluent in the Romano-British period than often assumed. Langlands argued the site could force a rethink of south Wales' role in the Roman era, saying it shows the area was not merely a frontier but home to high-status rural centers comparable to those in southern England. The exact location is being kept quiet to deter illegal metal detecting while researchers focus on conserving the site and securing funding for future excavation. The ArchaeoMargam project, led by Swansea University with the Neath Port Talbot council and Margam Abbey Church, is involving local schools and residents and will present initial findings at the end of the week. Officials say the villa helps fill a major gap in Margam's story between its Iron Age hillfort and medieval abbey and could boost tourism in a town better known today for its troubled steelworks, per the BBC and Wales Online. Ariana Grande said goodbye to her Wicked character Glinda's pink and went dark in a black voluminous ball gown Sunday for the Golden Globes. Like Grande, several celebrities kept it classic in black on the red carpet, the AP reports. Teyana Taylor and Jenna Ortega took risks with their black dresses. Taylor wore a custom slinky Schiaparelli gown in black that showed off some skin and featured a deep low-cut back with a glittery low-hanging bow. Also in black, but keeping it goth, Ortega wore a Dilara Findikoglu gown with black shoulder tassels and cut outs, and Lisa of Blackpink choose a semi-sheer look by Jacquemus. Ayo Edebiri, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, and Mia Goth were also in black. Some, including Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, and Natasha Lyonne, donned anti-ICE pins to protest the death of a Minneapolis woman at the hands of immigration officers, the AP reports. Nikki Glaser, who is hosting for the second time, brought some color to the carpet where she wore a strapless satin blush-pink corseted satin gown with a full skirt by Zuhair Murad. Sinners star Wunmi Mosaku stunned in a flowy yellow Matthew Reisman gown. The mother-to-be revealed her baby bump on the carpet. Mosaku's costar Hailee Steinfeld also showed off her pregnant figure on the carpet in a peach colored gown. Actor Claire Danes eschewed the academic laid back tailored looks of her "Beast in Me" character for an effortlessly elegant, couture gown designed by her close friend Zac Posen for GapStudio. Posen and Danes' friendship and creative collaboration began in high school, and Posen has been dressing the star ever since. The male nominees didn't stray too far from traditional looks. Colman Domingo pared down his typical colorful suits for a black suited look adorned with silver leaves by Valentino. Timothee Chalamet, nominated for Marty Supreme, has become one-to-watch for his fashionable choices over the years. Chalamet wore a black velvet suit. Chalamet's partner of three years, Kylie Jenner, did not walk the carpet with the actor but viewers captured her in a silver snug dress. Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams brought the cummerbund back but with a laid-back twist. The breakout star paired a white-peak lapel dinner jacket with an unbuttoned silk shirt. Williams' co-star Connor Storrie walked the carpet in a tuxedo jacket by Saint Laurent and paired it with a black tie and sunglassesand plastered his trademark curly locks into a shaggy, retro-inspired mullet. See those looks and others in our gallery. (Or check out the night's winners here or Glaser's monologue here.) Photo: Red Cross Society Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) volunteers helped unblock cars stuck in snow traps in Zhytomyr region. "Over the past two days, volunteers from the Ukrainian Red Cross rapid response team in the Zhytomyr region have been helping unblock vehicles using a specialized all-terrain vehicle," the URCS reported on Facebook on Sunday. Volunteers helped unblock 10 vehicles, including five trucks, on van, and four cars. Nikki Glaser went hard then eased up in her monologue to open Sunday's Golden Globes, the AP reports. In her earliest jokes she suggested stars in the room might be in the Epstein Files and took a shot at CBS, the network airing the show. "There are so many A-listers, and by A-listers, I do mean people who are on a list that has been heavily redacted," she said. "And the Golden Globe for best editing goes to the Justice Department." She segued into mocking the recent woes at CBS News and its killing of a critical 60 Minutes story about the Trump administration sending immigrants to a prison in El Salvador. "The award for most editing goes to CBS News," she said. "Yes, CBS News: America's newest place to see BS news." She didn't bring up Venezuela, a subject she told the Associated Press this week she was considering mentioning, but worried it would already be old news in the chaotic moment. And there was no mention of ICE. Glaser also told the AP she was struggling to find a joke about Julia Roberts, saying she was so beloved and respected that nothing Glaser tried with her comedy club test audiences was landing. She ultimately found a way to come at it sideways. "Just like the podcasters nominated tonight, I should not be allowed to be this close to Julia Roberts," she said, and got the big laugh she was looking for. She also made the obligatory joke about Leonardo DiCaprio dating young women. "You've worked with every great director. You've won three Golden Globes and an Oscar," she said. "And the most impressive thing is that you were able to accomplish all of that before your girlfriend turned 30." She then went meta and apologized for being so obvious. "Leo, I'm sorry I made that joke, it's cheap. You know what, I tried not to, but like, we don't know anything else about you, man. Like, there's nothing else, like open up!" she said, getting a bigger laugh than she did for the first joke, especially from DiCaprio himself. Of DiCaprio's fellow nominee for One Battle After Another, Sean Penn, she said, "Everyone in this town is obsessed with looking younger. Meanwhile, Sean Penn, is like, what if I slowly morph into a sexy leather handbag?" And she seemed to pull half the room into her final mega-joke. "Guillermo del Toro, keep making weird monster sex movies," she said. "James Cameronkeep making weird monster sex movies. Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos, keep making wonderfully bizarre movies together and go harder. I want Emma Stone playing a piece of toast with epilepsy." It went on and on, with lines including "Paul Mescal and Jacob Elordi, keep being the same person to my mom, OK?" It was Glaser's second time hosting the show. She was quickly rehired after getting strong reviews in her first outing last year. (Click for the night's winners, or red carpet looks.) President Trump is warning that one of America's biggest oil companies may be unwelcome in one of the world's biggest oil patches. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, the president said he is inclined to block Exxon Mobil from future projects in Venezuela after the company balked at his push for a rapid return, reports the Hill . "I didn't like Exxon's response. You know we have so many that want it. I'd probably be inclined to keep Exxon out," Trump said, accusing the company of "playing too cute." The remarks came days after Exxon CEO Darren Woods told Trump at a White House meeting that Venezuela is "uninvestable" in its current form. Woods said Exxon would require sweeping changes to commercial terms, the legal system, and oil laws, plus strong and lasting protections for investors, before entering the country again. Venezuela expropriated Exxon's and ConocoPhillips' assets in 2007 and still owes them billions from arbitration awards, per CNBC. The company did not immediately comment on Trump's comments, and its shares were down about 1.1% in premarket trading Monday. Trump wants US oil producers to commit roughly $100 billion to Venezuela's energy industry and has promised unspecified "guarantees" and security support from Washington. "We are going to have guarantees," Trump said. "They had problems in the past because they didn't have Trump as a president." Chevron is currently the only major US oil company still operating there. After being seized earlier this month, former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro remains in a jail in New York City. President Trump says Iranwhich is facing its deadliest unrest in yearshas reached out to negotiate with the US in an apparent bid to ward off military intervention. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, Trump warned the move may be too late. "The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what's happening before the meeting," he said, per the AP. "But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate." On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was ready for warand talks. "We are not warmongers, but we are prepared for war," he said, per the Washington Post. "We are also prepared for negotiations, but fair negotiations, with equal rights and mutual respect." Maxim Naumov will head to his first Olympics less than a year after losing both of his parents who doubled as his coachesin a plane crash over Washington, DC. On Sunday, US Figure Skating named the 24-year-old to the three-man team for the 2026 Milan Games, alongside Ilia Malinin and Andrew Torgashev, reports People . Naumov is the son of 1994 world pairs champions Evgenia "Zhenya" Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who died on Jan. 29 of last year when an American Airlines flight collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter. The crash killed 67 people, including 28 members of the skating community. "We did it," Naumov said when asked what his parents would have said, per the BBC. "Every day, year after year, we talked about the Olympics," he added. "It means so much in our family, and it's what I've been thinking about since I'm 5 years old. So I can't say into words how much this means to me." The selection came three days after an emotional short program, where Naumov broke down as his scores came up and held a photo of himself at age 3 with his parents. The full 16-member teamincluding the ice-dancing duo of Madison Chock and Evan Batesis one of the strongest ever for USA, notes the AP, which has the details. A weekend protest in Los Angeles against Iran's government briefly turned chaotic when a U-Haul truck drove into a crowd of demonstrators, reports the Los Angeles Times . Two people were treated at the scene for minor injuries, and the driver was taken into police custody, per CBS Los Angeles , which has video from the scene. The incident happened as hundreds of protesters gathered near the Wilshire Federal Building in the Westwood neighborhood, in solidarity with anti-government protests in Iran. Authorities have not released the driver's identity or said whether he has been arrested or charged. The truck had banners reading, "No Shah" and "No Mullah," slogans opposing both the former monarchy and the current clerical leadership in Iran. Some protesters attacked the driver as police removed him from the truck, the video at CBS shows. One man climbed onto the truck and kicked the front windows, cracking them. A valet worker at a Hilton hotel in Dallas says she lost her job after posting a TikTok video warning that federal immigration agents were staying in the building. The 20-year-old, who identifies herself only as Gia for safety reasons, filmed a short video Wednesday at the Hilton Anatole showing unmarked vehicles she said belonged to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Quite frankly, I don't really care if I lose my job," she said in the clip. "I care more about your families and about unity." Gia tells the Dallas Morning News that a manager at Towne Park, the third-party company that runs valet services at the hotel, ordered her to delete the post; when she refused, she was terminated for allegedly violating the firm's social media rules. In a statement, Towne Park said the employee "violated our business conduct policy and is no longer employed by our company." A spokesperson for the Hilton Anatole said the hotel contacted Towne Park after learning about the video and added that the property respects guest privacy and aims to remain a welcoming space for all. The TikTok video drew more than 2.5 million views and has sparked online calls to boycott Hilton, per the Independent. Gia says she has also received threats on the platform. A college student studying nursing, she says she posted out of concern that "innocent people will be jailed and families separated" through immigration operations. She says she was especially worried about hotel staff who might be at risk, and emphasized that the videos do not show agents' faces. "I'm not trying to be political," she said, adding that she believes civil rights are being eroded. (Last week, Hilton dumped a Minneapolis-area hotel that had canceled reservations for ICE agents.) Pope Leo XIV met with Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado in a private audience at the Vatican on Monday. The meeting, which the AP reports hadn't been previously included in the list of Leo's planned appointments, was later listed by the Vatican in its daily bulletin, without adding details. Machado is touring Europe and the United States after she reemerged in December after 11 months in hiding to accept her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, has called for Venezuela to remain an independent country after US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his compound in Caracas and flew him to New York to face federal drug-trafficking charges. Leo had said he was following the developments in Venezuela with "deep concern," and urged the protection of human and civil rights in the Latin American country. Venezuela's opposition, backed by consecutive Republican and Democratic administrations in the US, had vowed for years to immediately replace Maduro with one of their own and restore democracy to the oil-rich country. But President Trump delivered them a heavy blow by allowing Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, to assume control. Meanwhile, most opposition leaders, including Machado, are in exile or prison. After winning the 2025 Nobel Prize for Peace, Machado said she'd like to give it to or share with Trump. Machado dedicated the prize to Trump, along with the people of Venezuela, shortly after it was announced. Trump has coveted and openly campaigned for winning the Nobel Prize himself since his return to office in January 2025. The organization that oversees the Nobel Peace Prizethe Norwegian Nobel Institutesaid, however, that once it's announced, the prize can't be revoked, transferred, or shared with others. "The decision is final and stands for all time," it said in a short statement last week. A newly described dinosaur seems to have come with its own built-in egg-grabber. In a study published in the Proceedings of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences , researchers unveil Manipulonyx reshetovi, a small Late Cretaceous dinosaur with one of the strangest forelimbs yet seen. About the size of a dog, the dinosaur had a hand dominated by a large claw, flanked by smaller digits and three bony spikes that may have helped it latch onto smooth objectslike dinosaur eggs, the New York Times reports. "I've honestly never been more flabbergasted by any dinosaur fossil," outside paleontologist Stephen Brusatte tells the outlet, noting he initially wondered if the fossil hand even belonged to a dinosaur. The partial skeleton was first dug up in 1979 in Mongolia's Gobi Desert, a former river delta that 67 million years ago hosted a wide variety of dinosaurs. Manipulonyx (meaning "manipulating claw") belongs to the alvarezsaurids, a family of small, long-legged dinosaurs with short forearms ending in a single oversized claw and much-reduced side digitsfeatures that once led some scientists to mistake them for flightless birds. How these animals used their peculiar arms has been debated: some researchers argue they tore into insect nests like anteaters, others that their stubby arms couldn't reach the ground and were instead suited to raiding nests. What makes Manipulonyx stand out, lead author Alexander Averianov says, is the rare preservation of its wrist and hand. The fossil shows articulated wrist bones, tiny side fingers, and three spikes likely sheathed in keratin. One spike sat along the inner hand, another between the main claw and smaller fingers, and a third projected from the palman arrangement that outside researcher Michael Pittman calls "totally unexpected" for this group. Averianov's team suggests the spikes and fingers worked together to clamp slippery eggs while the main claw split them open, perhaps during nighttime nest raids aided by good vision and hearing. Other evidence points in the same direction: another alvarezsaurid was found with oviraptorid eggshell fragments, and the original label on the Manipulonyx fossil notes nearby eggshells as well, the Times reports. Brusatte finds the egg-thief idea reasonable but says the real function could be even odder. "All I'm confident in saying is that they weren't using these arms and hands to fly or swim," he says. Paramount isn't good at rejection, apparently. The company informed Warner Bros. Discovery on Monday that it refuses to accept Warner's decision to choose Netflix over Paramount as a buyer. As a result, it announced two actions in a letter, reports Bloomberg : Board fight: Paramount also plans to nominate directors to the board of Warner Bros. Discovery when the window to do so opens next month ahead of the annual shareholder meeting, reports Forbes. These nominees would, not surprisingly, oppose the Netflix deal. Read These Next President Trump threatens to sue Nude images mistakenly published in DOJ's Foul play investigated in disappearance of What we know about Savannah Paramount, meanwhile, didn't raise its offer of $30 a share. "We are committed to seeing our tender offer through," the letter said. "We understand, however, that unless the WBD board of directors decides to exercise its right to engage with us under the Netflix merger agreement this will likely come down to your vote at a shareholder meeting." President Trump is "skeptical of climate change and shows little concern for the environment," writes Ted Nordhaus in a Washington Post op-ed. But if it sounds like the heart of a piece slamming Trump policies, think again. Instead, the founder of the nonprofit Breakthrough Institutewhich seeks technological solutions to environmental problems lauds the president for what he calls a "moon shot" on the environment. The administration has "launched the most ambitious effort to commercialize new nuclear energy technology since the Eisenhower administration's Atoms for Peace initiative," he writes. "The goal is to develop smaller and more nimble reactors to help meet a growing demand for energy, which is partly driven by an explosion of data centers for the artificial intelligence boom." But even if the stated goal is not to mitigate climate change, the effect is the same, writes Nordhaus, who runs through the particulars of the policy changes underway (including a revision of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's regulatory code). He likens the situation to Trump's first term, when the president spearheaded Operation Warp Speed for COVID vaccines, even if Trump and his supporters don't want to dwell on that topic today. There's no guarantee that the "unprecedented" push for nuclear energy will help, of course, but "having cheap, scalable nuclear energy helps reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels, provides more clean power and could prove critical in making deep reductions in global emissions." (Read the full column.) Photo: Creative Commons BY 4.0. The European Commission audit confirmed the compliance of the Ukrainian system of state control over residues of veterinary drugs, pesticides and pollutants in animals and products of animal origin with the requirements of the European Union, the press service of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection of Ukraine has said. "The positive assessment of the European Commission testifies to the systematic work of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection of Ukraine and the compliance of Ukrainian control with European standards. This creates additional opportunities for Ukrainian producers and strengthens trust in Ukrainian products in the EU," said Serhiy Tkachuk, head of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection of Ukraine, quoted by the press service. It is noted that the purpose of the audit was to assess how state control over residues of veterinary drugs, pesticides and pollutants in animals and products of animal origin is carried out in Ukraine. During the audit, which lasted from September 29 to October 10, 2025, EC experts from the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) assessed the implementation of the plans for state control of residues in food animals and products of animal origin, the procedure for investigating cases of non-compliance, and the capabilities and capacity of the laboratory network. The results provided a positive conclusion: the state control system of Ukraine complies with the approaches and principles in force in the European Union. The auditors confirmed that control is consistent, laboratory tests are reliable, and the response to violations is effective. "This means that Ukraine provides reliable guarantees of the safety of food products of animal origin supplied to the EU market. The audit results confirmed: Ukraine continues to remain in Annex I of Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 2021/405, and therefore has the right to export the relevant products to the countries of the European Union," the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection of Ukraine summarized. A 68-year-old surfer is alive after spending more than a day stranded on coastal rocks in Puerto Rico and being dramatically plucked from the spot by a Coast Guard helicopter. The man went out alone near Surfer's Beach in Aguadilla around noon Thursday, according to his daughter, and disappeared, CBS News reports. When he failed to return to his Airbnb for more than 24 hours, the host reported him missing Friday evening, triggering a large land-and-sea search involving the Coast Guard, Puerto Rico police, US Border Patrol, a specialized local maritime unit, and other emergency crews. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter launched from Air Station Borinquen swept the shoreline north of Aguadilla on Friday and eventually spotted the missing man. Video released by the Coast Guard shows him stranded on a reef, standing beside his board, and signaling to the aircraft from a spot officials said was unreachable by foot or boat because of rocks, reefs, and rough water. Rescuers hoisted him into the helicopter; he was described as dehydrated but awake and talking after the 30-hour ordeal. The Coast Guard later released audio of the call in which Capt. Robert Stiles told the family the surfer was "alive and well," prompting tearful thanks on the other end of the line. In a statement, Stiles urged people heading into the water to share their plans with someone and use proper safety gear. The Environmental Protection Agency is poised to change how it weighs the impact of dirty airby no longer putting a dollar figure on many of the lives it could save, reports the New York Times . The newspaper describes the move as a "seismic shift" that may make it easier to repeal current limits on two major pollutants: fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone. Under the new approachoutlined in emails and documents seen by the newspaperthe agency's cost-benefit analyses would largely focus on what regulations cost businesses, not the dollar value of reduced illness and premature death. The Times frames the context thusly: "Over the past four decades, Republican and Democratic administrations have used different estimates of the monetary value of a human life in cost-benefit analyses. But until now, no administration has counted it as zero." Business groups, including the US Chamber of Commerce, have long pushed for changes, saying health benefits are overstated and uncertain. But legal and environmental experts say the shift undercuts the EPA's core mandate to protect public health. "The idea that EPA would not consider the public health benefits of its regulations is anathema to the very mission of EPA," says Richard Revesz of the New York University School of Law. EPA spokeswoman Carolyn Holran said the agency will still consider health impacts from fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone but will no longer assign them a monetary value, arguing that past analysesincluding in the Biden administration conveyed "false precision." One big question is whether the new stance will hold up in court. ProPublica, meanwhile, reports on another potential EPA change: The agency is considering whether it has the legal authority to revise pollution rules more than once, even if new science emerges. Chemical companies have argued that the answer is no, and the EPA is weighing its response. Read that full story. Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly sued the Pentagon on Monday over attempts to punish him for his warnings about illegal orders. Kelly, a former astronaut and Navy pilot, is seeking to block his censure from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week, the AP reports. Hegseth announced last Monday that he censured Kelly over the Arizona senator's participation in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders. Kelly vowed last week to fight the move with "everything I've got." "The First Amendment forbids the government and its officials from punishing disfavored expression or retaliating against protected speech," his lawsuit says. "That prohibition applies with particular force to legislators speaking on matters of public policy." Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Evening clouds will give way to clearing overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low around 0F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Evening clouds will give way to clearing overnight. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low around 0F. Winds light and variable. Photo: https://t.me/energyofukraine Energy workers have completed a key stage of emergency work in Kyiv and the region after the Russian attack on January 9, and the transition from emergency electricity restrictions schedules on the Right and Left Bank of the capital to hourly ones is underway, Deputy Energy Minister Roman Andarak has said. "Thanks to the prompt and professional actions of energy workers who worked around the clock, the key stage of emergency work in Kyiv and the Kyiv region has been completed. Emergency shutdowns are in effect on the Right and Left Bank in the capital. The transition from emergency to forecasted schedules is currently underway," he said during a briefing at the Ministry of Energy, which was broadcast online. For her part, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Telegram that a significant improvement in the electricity situation is expected closer to Thursday "Given the scale of the damage in the capital, the supply of coolant and electricity was restored in record time. At the same time, for objective reasons, planned and emergency power outage schedules are currently in effect. It takes time to significantly improve the situation in Kyiv - we are focusing on Thursday," she wrote. As reported, emergency power outages have been ongoing since Friday in parts of the Pechersk, Holosiivskyidistricts and on the Left Bank of the capital. In addition, emergency schedules are applied in the Odesa, Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. According to Andarak, on Monday night, the Russian Federation struck another blow to the Ukrainian energy sector, as a result of which consumers in the Odesa, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Chernihiv regions were left without electricity. He noted that energy workers began emergency restoration work at night. But, in particular, in the Chernihiv region, where an energy infrastructure facility was damaged and a number of settlements were left without electricity, the restoration of electricity supply will begin as soon as the security situation allows. Andarak added that due to adverse weather conditions, 161 settlements in the Kyiv region, 48 in the Zakarpattia region, 36 in the Dnipropetrovsk region and 15 in the Chernihiv region were left without electricity. Repair teams of the regional energy companies are working to restore the damaged lines. A winter pressure pattern is set to re-establish itself in the latter half of this week, allowing cold air to flow more easily into areas around Japan. The peak of the cold air is forecast for Thursday, January 29, and Friday, January 30, when snow clouds associated with the Japan Sea Polar air mass Convergence Zone (JPCZ) are expected to move inland, particularly across eastern parts of the Sanin region and western Hokuriku, raising the risk of heavy snowfall. TOKYO, Jan 13 (News On Japan) - Ceremonies celebrating those turning 20 were held across Japan on January 12th, with events taking place nationwide to mark Coming of Age Day. In Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, around 35,000 people attended one of the countrys largest coming-of-age ceremonies, often described as a mammoth event reflecting the citys scale. In Osaka, a smaller but symbolic ceremony took place at Abeno Harukas, where 58 participants climbed 1,637 steps from the basement to the 60th floor in what was dubbed the stairway to adulthood, wearing sashes bearing their personal aspirations. One participant said the climb made becoming an adult feel real, adding that while there was some anxiety, they hoped to give back and support the next generation as they themselves had been supported. In Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, the annual Disney-themed coming-of-age ceremony was also held, with characters such as Mickey Mouse appearing to congratulate participants. Those celebrating this year were born in fiscal 2005, between April 2, 2005, and April 1, 2006. Twenty years ago, then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi dissolved the House of Representatives to seek public approval for postal privatization, leading to a landslide victory for the Liberal Democratic Party in what became known as the postal dissolution. The same year saw a major train derailment on the JR Fukuchiyama Line in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, that killed 106 drivers and passengers, as well as turmoil in the broadcasting industry when Livedoor, led by Takafumi Horie, aggressively purchased shares in Nippon Broadcasting System. It was also the year Expo 2005 Aichi, Japan, was held. By the time this generation was around three years old, in July 2008, the iPhone had entered the Japanese market, and many grew up with smartphones as a constant presence, earning them the label of digital natives. When they graduated from junior high school in March 2021, their ceremonies were held during the COVID-19 pandemic. One participant who attended a ceremony in Kitakyushu said it was a joy to finally see everyones faces without masks. Fashion choices at coming-of-age ceremonies are also shifting. According to kimono retailers, around 40% of participants now wear so-called mama-furi, furisode kimono inherited from their mothers, with accessories such as obi belts updated to give the traditional garments a more contemporary look. Muted, low-saturation colors are especially popular this year, as they photograph well and allow wearers to choose furisode with a sensibility closer to everyday fashion. The process of selecting a furisode has even earned its own name, furi-katsu, with more than 30% of participants reserving their outfits between one and two years in advance, often starting around high school graduation. Popular patterns and fabrics are claimed early, and securing convenient dressing times has become increasingly difficult. A woman in her 40s from Yokohama, whose daughter attended a ceremony this year, said they chose the furisode in the winter of her daughters third year of high school, but even then only an early-morning dressing slot at 5 a.m. was available for a ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m. According to the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry, the number of new adults born in 2007 who have turned 18 stands at 1.09 million, unchanged from the previous year and the second-lowest figure on record, highlighting Japans demographic decline even as communities across the country continue to mark the transition to adulthood with large-scale events, symbolic ceremonies, and evolving traditions. Source: FNN + Sources SHIZUOKA, Jan 13 (News On Japan) - Men wearing traditional fundoshi loincloths entered the freezing sea to pray for good health and freedom from illness at the Severe Winter Sea Misogi Festival, held in Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture. The event, marking its 25th year, is a traditional ceremony in which men born in the years zodiac sign and those facing unlucky ages offer prayers for abundant harvests and good health. Its bold and austere atmosphere has earned it the nickname the festival where men polish their manhood. In 2026, 18 participants in their 30s to 60s from across Japan took part. A participant from Kyoto, visibly shivering, said he was shaken by the cold but hoped to ward off misfortune as he was in an unlucky year. Another participant, who joined the ritual to mark his 60th birthday, said the water was cold but left him feeling invigorated, as if his body tightened and his spirit ignited. About 1,000 spectators gathered to watch, some reaching out to touch the men said to be imbued with divine energy, sharing in the good fortune of the New Year. Source: SBSnews6 Now entering its second year, the Canadian creator program is welcoming new applicants TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2026 /CNW/ - After the overwhelming response and success of Sephora Squad Canada, today, the retailer announced the program's highly anticipated second year. Sephora Canada is calling on authentic, passionate voices who embody belonging and represent diverse beauty communities across the country. Sephora Squad Canada Is Back, Seeking the Next Wave of Creators Shaping Beauty Culture. (CNW Group/Sephora) Applications will open on January 19, offering ten Canadian creators from across the country the opportunity to shape the next Sephora Squad. Each member of the Squad will contribute a distinct point of view, creative approach, and connection to their audience, collectively reflecting the diversity, individuality, and values that define Sephora Canada. The new Sephora Squad roster will be unveiled in Spring 2026. During the partnership, selected members will gain access to content opportunities, brand collaborations, mentorship, and networking events, along with exposure to some of the most sought-after beauty brands, founders, and products in the industry. "The response to our first year of Sephora Squad Canada reinforced what we've always known Canada is home to an incredibly talented and diverse creator community," says Allison Litzinger, SVP, Marketing at Sephora Canada. "As we build on that momentum, we're continuing to invest in creators whose voices embody our values and our belief that everyone belongs in beauty. This next chapter is about deepening impact, nurturing connection, and continuing to grow alongside and celebrate the incredible communities that our creators represent." Sephora Squad Canada invites beauty lovers from all backgrounds to apply, welcoming creators who share their passion for beauty through authentic storytelling and meaningful connection across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. While beauty content experience is required, creators with intersecting interests in areas such as lifestyle, fashion, and wellness are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and reside in Canada to be eligible. For more information about Sephora Squad Canada and the application process, please visit https://www.sephorasquad.ca and follow @sephoracanada on Instagram. About Sephora: Sephora is the world's leading global prestige beauty retail brand. With 52,000 passionate employees operating in 34 markets, Sephora connects customers and beauty brands within the world's most trusted and dynamic beauty community. We serve a highly engaged community of hundreds of millions of beauty followers across our global omnichannel network of more than 3 000 stores and iconic flagships, and our e-commerce and digital platforms, offering personalized and immersive seamless experiences across every touchpoint. With our curation of close to 500 brands and our own label, Sephora Collection, we offer the most unique and diverse range of prestige beauty products, tailored to our customers' needs from fragrance to make-up, haircare, skincare and beyond, as we constantly reimagine the world of prestige beauty. Since our inception in 1969 in Limoges, France, and as part of the LVMH Group since 1997, we have been disrupting the prestige beauty retail industry. Today, we continue to break with convention to drive our mission: champion a world of inspiration and inclusion where everyone can celebrate their beauty. SOURCE Sephora Media Contact: Aubrey Farbstein, Middle Child, [email protected] On Monday morning, in one of the schools of the Obolon district, during the educational process, a 9th grade student stabbed a teacher and a classmate with a knife, the victims were hospitalized, the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has said. The PGO's Telegram channel notes that after the crime, the minor tried to hide in the school premises and cut his hands. "He was detained by law enforcement officers at the exit from the institution and taken to the Okhmatdyt hospital, where he is under medical supervision. After providing assistance, the issue of detention will be resolved in accordance with Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine," the prosecutor's office emphasizes. According to the report, during an examination of the boy's phone, correspondence with alleged representatives of the Russian special services was found. Under the procedural guidance of juvenile prosecutors of the Obolon District Prosecutor's Office of Kyiv, criminal proceedings were initiated under Part 2 of Article 15, p. 1 part 2 of Article 115 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - attempted murder of two or more persons. Priority investigative actions are underway, the motives and all circumstances of the incident are being established. "There is no threat to other students and employees of the institution," the message specifies. Ukraine's Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) emphasizes that the decision of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) regarding the tender to select a manager for the IDS Ukraine group of companies does not assess the legality of ARMA's actions. IDS Ukraine is a producer of Morshynska and Myrhorodska mineral water. "The decision of the High Anti-Corruption Court within the framework of considering an appeal regarding the actions of NABU does not establish violations by ARMA and is not an assessment of the legality of the Agency's actions. Judicial oversight is a standard mechanism of a rule-of-law state; it is not accusatory in nature and does not imply the establishment of any guilt," ARMA said in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine provided last week. ARMA stressed that it acts in strict compliance with current legislation, and that the assets of the IDS Ukraine group, including enterprises producing products under the Morshynska and Myrhorodska brands, were transferred to its management based on rulings by investigating judges. "These assets are linked to sanctioned Russian individuals, in particular Mikhail Fridman, who is under sanctions imposed by Ukraine, the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada in connection with support for the Russian regime and threats to international security. After seizure, such assets cannot be left without management, as this creates risks of uncontrolled withdrawal of financial flows, their possible depreciation, and loss of economic value. The law directly imposes on the state the obligation to ensure their proper management. That is why ARMA organizes an open and transparent procedure to select a manager through the Prozorro system, where the conditions are published in advance, the criteria are the same for all participants, and each stage of the procedure is recorded in a public digital environment," the agency explained. ARMA also noted that it continues cooperation with law enforcement agencies, ensures preservation of the economic value of seized assets, conducts transparent procedures, and fully complies with legal requirements, "acting publicly, consistently, and under institutional oversight." As reported, in the autumn of 2022, by court decision, ARMA received management of corporate rights (including those of the Myrhorod and Morshyn plants), industrial designs, and trademarks of enterprises within the IDS Ukraine group. In April 2023, Carpathian Mineral Waters was selected as the asset manager for the Morshyn plant, but the transfer of the asset into management never took place. In March 2025, ARMA reported termination of the contract as not implemented. On November 28, 2025, ARMA announced a new tender to find an asset manager for the company. Companies with relevant experience were invited to participate, including investment funds, distributors, and other market participants with appropriate expertise. Applications are being accepted until December 12, 2025. The tender conditions were criticized by a number of companies willing to participate. Among them were Geological Investment Group LLC, Verkhovtsevo Oil Extraction Plant LLC, and sole proprietor Vsevolod Omelianovych Bilas. Potential participants stated that the tender conditions artificially restrict competition and effectively exclude most Ukrainian companies from managing the assets of Morshynska and Myrhorodska. Among such requirements, potential participants cited ARMA's demand that bidders have at least 15 narrowly specialized staff members (engineers, power engineers) on payroll, whose higher education credentials must be recorded in the Unified State Electronic Database on Education. However, the database contains complete diploma data only from after 2000. In addition, the bidder must have "production of non-alcoholic beverages" as its primary business activity, making participation impossible for professional asset management companies and consortia specializing in asset management. Separately, the admission of direct competitors of IDS Ukraine to the tender was noted, which is prohibited by the new Law "On ARMA," entering into force after January 30, 2026. The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) accepted a complaint from a number of potential tender participants who requested the removal of discriminatory requirements in the tender documentation for selecting a manager of the seized assets of the IDS Ukraine group. In September 2024, the Ministry of Justice filed a lawsuit with the High Anti-Corruption Court seeking confiscation of IDS Ukraine's assets and other assets of Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman, Petr Aven, Andrey Kosogov, and Rissa Investments Limited in favor of the state. In particular, the case concerns 100% of the shares of PJSC Myrhorod Mineral Water Plant, PJSC Morshyn Mineral Water Plant Oscar, PJSC Industrial and Distribution Systems (IDS), as well as a 100% stake in IDS Aqua Service LLC, Potuzhnist LLC, IVA Private Enterprise, and state-owned enterprise NOVA.COM, which are indirectly owned by Rissa Investments Limited. In October 2024, IDS Ukraine called on the Ministry of Justice to prohibit ARMA from taking actions to transfer part of the assets to a management company and to carry out nationalization under a scenario favorable to the state. According to the company's management, this scenario is the least destructive way to seize sanctioned assets. At that time, the group estimated its share of the Ukrainian bottled mineral and drinking water market at more than 40%, including 27% for the Morshynska brand. On December 25, 2025, the High Anti-Corruption Court granted a lawsuit filed by potential participants in the tender to select an asset manager for IDS Ukraine and ordered the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) to initiate a pre-trial investigation into alleged abuse of office by ARMA's leadership in selecting a manager for the IDS Ukraine group. According to the HACC ruling in case No. 911/13129/25, the complaint of the lawyer from Asters Law Firm, acting in the interests of New World Value Fund Limited regarding the inaction of authorized NABU officials, specifically the failure to enter information on a criminal offense into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations, was upheld. Foreign Minister Espen Bart Eide, who is visiting Kyiv, has announced the allocation of NOK 4 billion (about $396 mln) in aid to Ukraine, which will be directed to the energy sector and the functioning of the Ukrainian state. "Today it is -16 degrees Celsius in Kyiv. We can only imagine how cold it is when the electricity goes out, and often for six hours at a time. This is money that Ukraine really needs and needs now. Several times a week, Russia attacks the infrastructure that provides electricity to ordinary people in Ukraine. Ensuring that Ukrainians can keep warm, cook and live their lives more or less as usual is very important for them to be able to continue to endure this war. A war that they are fighting on behalf of all of us," Eide said. It is noted that Norway is in constant dialogue with the authorities in Kyiv and other participants on the distribution of Norwegian support for the energy sector. The goal is to meet Ukraine's needs and spread the risks. It is important to maintain energy production and strengthen the resilience of the energy sector. "It is necessary to finance the purchase of gas that can be delivered quickly. At the same time, damaged infrastructure needs to be repaired and spare parts purchased," Eide explained. The Norwegian contribution will be channeled through partners such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Energy Community, which aims to expand the EU's internal energy market to third countries such as Ukraine. This has been agreed with other key donors. Official exchange rate on Monday: 1 Norwegian krone is equal to 4.2606 UAH (or about $0.1) War longer than the Soviet-German one, while aggressor has not achieved any strategic goal FM Sybiha Photo: https://x.com/andrii_sybiha The Russian war against Ukraine has been going on longer than the Soviet-German war, while the aggressor has not achieved any strategic goal in the past four years, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has said. "This war has been going on longer than the Soviet-German war. At the same time, the aggressor has not achieved any strategic goal in these almost four years. Now is the time to unite all efforts to force Moscow to make peace," he said at a joint press conference with his Norwegian counterpart in Kyiv. During the talks, the heads of the Foreign Ministries outlined cooperation priorities for this year and held a detailed conversation on a wide range of issues of bilateral relations, in particular regarding investment potential and the growth of mutually beneficial partnership in the areas of security, defense and technology. "Ukraine and Norway already have a number of joint defense projects, and today it is no coincidence that leading Ukrainian defense companies participated in our negotiations. This is about joint, mutually beneficial cooperation. We see the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation," Sybiha noted. The ministers paid special attention to strengthening Ukrainian air defense as part of the European air shield. Both at the bilateral level and with the involvement of other partners. "Strengthening the defense of Ukrainian skies is not only the protection of lives, but also an investment in the peace and security of all of Europe," the Foreign Minister noted. During the talks, Sybiha informed his colleague about the dynamics of peace efforts with the United States and European partners and Ukraine's readiness for the next steps. The heads of foreign policy departments separately discussed the strengthening of sanctions pressure on Russia and work on strong security guarantees for Ukraine. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed gratitude to Norway for its significant contribution to the treatment of Ukrainian soldiers and discussed the further development and expansion of relevant programs. In December, the Norwegian Parliament approved $8.3 billion in support for Ukraine for 2026, maintaining last year's level. Norway is the leader in the PURL initiative with a total contribution of $850 million. Sybiha noted that almost $17 billion over two years is a strong support and contribution to security and peace throughout Europe. The foreign ministers also exchanged views on a wide range of issues on the international agenda, including developments in Iran, Venezuela and the detention of tankers of the Russian shadow fleet. A former Bergen County sheriffs officer agreed to settle her discrimination lawsuit against the department for nearly half a million dollars. Emily Lyons first started working for the sheriffs office in 2014. She filed a lawsuit in 2019, which claimed that she faced gender discrimination and retaliation after reporting sexual harassment by a superior officer. Under the settlement agreement, reached in October 2025, the county and the sheriffs office agreed to pay $450,000, with $250,000 going to Lyons and $200,000 to her attorneys. The lawsuit said the sheriffs office repeatedly blocked Lyons from transferring to specialized units that could have advanced her career after she reported sexual harassment in December 2015. It also claimed that the superior she accused was later suspended following an internal affairs investigation. Lyons, who retired in April 2023, claimed she requested to be moved to the K-9 unit, which would have resulted in additional pay that would count toward her pension, but that open positions were given to less experienced officers instead. She later learned she wasnt chosen for the role because she is a woman, according to the lawsuit. Lyons said she repeatedly asked to be reassigned to the Bergen County Prosecutors Office, but her requests were ignored. She also claimed she was denied a chance to work in the sheriffs Bureau of Criminal Identification, a unit where she had prior experience. The lawsuit alleged the sheriffs office violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. Lyons claimed she suffered damages, including the loss of compensation, earning power and self-esteem, as well as physical and mental injury. Her case was first filed in Bergen County Superior Court and later moved to Passaic County. During a February 2023 hearing, Bergen County Superior Court Judge John D. ODwyer allowed her claims for a hostile work environment to move forward, according to a court transcript. Among those allegations was that Lyons did not take modified duty during her pregnancy. She claimed she feared losing her detective bureau position after a superior officer threatened her. Emily testified, faced cross examination, and the county quickly settled mid-trial, Charles Sciarra, an attorney representing Lyons, said in a statement. We thank the judge and jury and defense counsel for their hard work and efforts. Amelia Caceres, public information officer for the sheriffs office, said the office is unable to discuss the matter unless Lyons first discloses information about the case. In a 2019 statement to NorthJersey.com, Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton denied the allegations. I can assure you assignments and opportunities are made available to the employees of my office solely based on operational needs, merit and fitness, Cureton said. Furthermore, any allegation that Officer Lyons was denied any opportunity based on her gender or allegations against another officer is simply false. As part of the settlement, Lyons agreed to drop her lawsuit and not seek reemployment with Bergen County, according to court documents. The former longtime mayor of Collingswood has sued his own borough claiming the new mayor violated ethics laws after casting the deciding vote to outsource emergency medical services at a board of commissioners meeting last month. James Maley, a current commissioner and former Collingswood mayor, filed a lawsuit in Camden County Superior Court alleging Collingswood Mayor Daniella Solano Ward should have recused herself from voting to award an EMS contract to Virtua Health EMS. Solanos husband is a doctor in the Virtua Health network and met with the borough fire department and elected officials prior to a request for proposals being issued, the lawsuit said. On Monday, Judge Francisco Dominguez issued a temporary injunction against the creation or execution of any contracts between the borough and Virtua Health EMS until the court can sort out the facts in the case. The next hearing is scheduled for Monday, according to court records. At the Dec. 1 Collingswood Board of Commissioners meeting, Ward said she disagreed with the boroughs solicitor who advised her to recuse herself from voting on awarding the bid for EMS services to Virtua because of a conflict of interest. The solicitor also shared his legal opinion with the other commissioners prior to the meeting. Maley, a municipal land-use attorney and former mayor of Collingswood for 27 years, pounced on Wards statement at the meeting announcing she would cast the deciding vote. Its absurd. It is wrong. It is unethical, Maley said about Wards anticipated vote contradicting the borough attorneys advice. You should have not been involved in this process. According to Maley, he was left in the dark about the possibility of privatizing the boroughs EMS services and claimed Ward and the deputy mayor were not transparent with the public. In the lawsuit, Maley claimed Ward, who was elected mayor in May, should have recused herself from voting on the matter based on an informal meeting she and her husband had with Collingswood Fire Chief Geoffrey Joyce and other fire department members in August. At that meeting, Maley claims the group discussed the boroughs request for bids to manage and operate the boroughs EMS services while excluding Deputy Mayor Amy Henderson Riley, who oversees public safety, from the meeting. Ward and her husband, Jared Ward, met with the deputy mayor and the fire chief in August to better understand the volume of emergency call statistics, according to Collingswoods attorneys. Ward, a former EMT, is a physician who works at Cooper, Virtua and AtlanticCare hospitals, according to court documents. Ward, her husband, Riley and Joyce denied in sworn affidavits that the contract was discussed at the August meeting. Riley claimed she was present for the meeting. Ward and her husband did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Riley and Joyce declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. Collingswoods attorneys also denied the contract proposal was structured at the August meeting and said the borough did nothing wrong. An attorney for the borough declined to comment on pending litigation. A request for bids for EMS services was publicly advertised in September with a deadline for sealed bids on Oct. 16, according to a resolution passed by Collingswoods commissioners. Based on the belief that the potential request for bids was discussed at the August meeting, Maley asked the boroughs solicitor, Joseph Nardi, to offer a legal opinion prior to the Dec. 1 meeting on whether Ward should recuse herself from voting, court documents show. Nardi issued a detailed legal analysis in an email sent to all three commissioners on Dec. 1, hours before the commission meeting to award the contract. It concluded that Ward should recuse herself from the vote. Ward ignored the advice and cast the deciding vote to award the contract to Virtua Health EMS, which submitted the lowest bid. The final vote was 2-1 in favor with Maley casting the lone opposing vote. The biggest thing for me is theres gotta be a more public process on this, Maley told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday. Brown and Connory, the law firm where Nardi is a partner, was not reappointed as Collingswoods borough solicitor at the reorganization meeting on Monday. Virtua submitted a $0 bid for the contract while a second bid was submitted by Event Medical Staffing Solutions that would have charged the borough about $454,000 to operate the boroughs EMS services. A spokesperson for Virtua declined to comment on the allegations in the lawsuit. As a result of privatizing EMS services, Maley said at recent commission meetings that the borough will lose about $450,000 in billing revenue, money that helped fund firefighter positions. Ward argued that the revenue loss will be offset by over $100,000 in overtime savings for the borough. It would also free up firefighters to focus on responding to fire calls while improving response times, she said. Collingswoods fire department has historically staffed four or five firefighters for each shift and two of those firefighters were assigned to ambulance responses, according Joyces affidavit filed in the case. Based on the requirements for staffing the ambulance, that leaves two or three firefighters available to respond to fires at any given time, Joyce said in the affidavit. He added that the staffing limitations have created serious scheduling issues for the borough in recent years and claimed three or fewer firefighters cannot properly respond to an average house fire. After Maley filed his suit on Dec. 16, Ward and the others accused of violations filed sworn certifications claiming they did not discuss the bid proposals at the August meeting. They also accused Maley of cherry picking facts. Attorneys for Collingswood said Maley relayed his incorrect assumptions about the August 2025 meeting to borough solicitor Joe Nardi, III, who used Plaintiffs facts to form the basis of a legal opinion about a purported conflict of interest. Attorneys for the borough also claim that Maley shared the legal opinion with the press and attached it to a public legal filing without considering the boroughs attorney-client privilege, according to court documents. Wards husband, who works in a separate division of the Virtua Health system as a doctor, joined the meeting to discuss the burden EMS services place on Collingswoods career firefighters, according to Ward and the boroughs attorneys in their response to Maleys lawsuit. Collingswood receives over 4,000 calls for emergency services per year, well above area averages of 1,500 calls annually in neighboring departments with similar staffing levels, according to Joyce. Beckett DeJean, the brother of Eagles star Cooper DeJean, was arrested on Sunday for operating while intoxicated, according to TMZ. Beckett, 20, was arrested in Iowa in the early hours of the morning and charged with a first offense OWI, according to the Ida County Sheriffs Office. He was booked at 1:09 a.m. and released at 10:45 a.m. Coopers season with the Eagles came to an end later that day with a 23-19 loss to the 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles had the No. 2 seed in the NFC after finishing the regular season with a 11-6 record. Cooper recorded two tackles and two passes defended in the loss. After nearly three decades working in education, Westfield Superintendent Raymond Gonzalez is being recognized as New Jerseys top superintendent. Gonzalez, who has led Westfield Public Schools in Union County since 2021, was honored at a meeting last week in Trenton after he was named 2026 Superintendent of the Year by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. He is the first Latino superintendent to receive the award, Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District Superintendent Nelyda Perez said while introducing Gonzalez at the State Board of Education meeting Wednesday. Hes deeply grounded in family, community and service, values that clearly inform his leadership in his district, Perez said as Gonzalez stood beside her. His tie was a collage of photos of his three children. As New Jersey Superintendent of the Year, Gonzalez is a contender for the National Superintendent of the Year Award by the American Association of School Administrators. The national superintendent award will be announced at the American Association of School Administrators conference in February. Gonzalez got his start as a bilingual teacher before taking on leadership roles in Paterson, Hackensack, Wayne Township and Westwood. In Westfield, he oversees 10 schools that serve nearly 6,000 students. Gonzalezs breadth of knowledge, strategic insight and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to advance progress across New Jerseys public education system, New Jersey Association of School Administrators Executive Director Richard G. Bozza said in a November statement announcing the award. Gonzalez has been vocal about using artificial intelligence in the district. In a 2025 article on the New Jersey School Board Association website, he wrote that Westfield uses AI to model different interventions for struggling students. We can move away from a trial-and-error approach to improving equity and move directly to a trial-and-succeed process that guarantees successful outcomes for our students, Gonzalez said. In September, the association also named Gonzalez New Jersey Region Superintendent of the Year. The other regional honoree was John R. Giacchi, chief education officer of Franklin Borough School District in Sussex County. Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrills victory has set in motion an unusual scheduling request from a Passaic County school district. Waynes school district wants to switch to remote instruction on Feb. 5 and April 16 because its buildings are serving as polling places in the primary and special election. Voters will be going to the polls to choose someone to fill the 11th District Congressional seat vacated by Sherrill after she was elected governor in November. A resolution adopted by the Wayne school board last month asks the state Department of Education to waive the provision in state law requiring public school students to be in classrooms for the day to count toward the minimum 180 days of instruction that are required. The resolution also asks the education department to extend the same option to all school districts where buildings will be hosting voters in the Feb. 5 primary and April 16 special election. Sherrills former district includes nearly four dozen municipalities in Passaic, Essex and Morris counties. Wayne, like some other school districts serving as polling places in New Jersey, closes for the general election in November and primary in June for security reasons. Losing another two days without providing remote instruction would interrupt ongoing units of study, reduce valuable instructional time in the weeks leading up to statewide assessments and end-of-year evaluations, disrupt established classroom routines, and undermine the continuity of learning for all students, according to the school boards resolution. A state education department spokesperson told NJ Advance Media the department does not comment on pending local requests. New Jerseys law requiring at least 180 days of instruction includes an exception that was used during the COVID-19 pandemic. It allows remote learning when schools are closed more than three consecutive school days due to a declared state of emergency or public health emergency. However, neither scenario would cover the short-term inconvenience of a one-day snowstorm or closing due to an election. The Wayne resolution says that repeated full-day closures for election-related purposes over multiple years have a cumulative effect on instructional pacing, curriculum implementation, and teachers ability to maintain consistent progress toward academic standards, which can contribute to learning loss and widen existing achievement gaps. Some educators have sought since before the pandemic to loosen the restrictions. Efforts to change New Jerseys law date to at least 2015 when the Bergen County Association of School Administrators first endorsed learning from home as an option. In 2016 and 2018, then-state Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, D-Bergen, introduced legislation that would permit up to three days of virtual instruction when schools close due to weather or other emergencies. The bills died in Trenton without a vote. The Wayne school board is forwarding its resolution to nearly a dozen state and local officials, including Sherrill. Sherrill will be sworn in as governor Jan. 20. Wayne has nine elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools. The district enrolls approximately 7,800 students. Like a childrens nursery rhyme gone very, very wrong, Tracy Letts 1996 play Bug hints at sweet dreams a tentative romance between two troubled souls before the bedbugs start biting. The insects in question are not actual bedbugs but aphids, spied by Gulf War vet Peter (Namir Smallwood) in a cluttered Oklahoma motel room hes sharing with Agnes (Carrie Coon, Letts real-life wife), a waitress with a tragic past and an abusive ex-husband recently sprung from prison. And they bite? Agnes asks Peter of the bugs. Maybe, maybe not it doesnt really matter. Because soon Peter has become convinced the bugs have burrowed beneath his skin, and Agnes is pretty sure shes seeing them, too. Written in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombings, Bug is an unwieldy concoction: lurid thriller, doomed romance, and cautionary tale about the rise of conspiracy theorists all perhaps overly indebted to the rotting-in-the-West Gothics of Sam Shepard. The 2006 film version, starring Michael Shannon and Ashley Judd, played up the pulp. The new production now playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre the first time the play has been presented on Broadway is more measured and realist, even unexpectedly quiet in moments. At least until Peter starts ranting about a computer chip implanted in the skin of every human being born on this planet since 1982. The result is consistently engaging and beautifully acted, especially by Coon, whose characters desperation to unravel the mystery of what happened to her missing son becomes the shows beating heart. Yet this Bug, directed by David Cromer, doesnt seem to fully hang together. The Newark-born Smallwood is in his early 40s, playing a character described in the plays script as 27 and a recent Gulf War veteran tilting the story away from its vision of a young generation of disaffected men finding solace in paranoia, and making it almost a Frankie and Johnnystyle study of middleaged anomie. (Programming note: There is a very long scene in which both actors are fully unclothed, requiring patrons to deposit cell phones into sealed bags upon entering the theater.) And Cromers decision to stage a more psychologically convincing Bug isnt entirely supported by the material. Agnes seems to fall under Peters spell too quickly and too completely, a problem less apparent in the more frantically paced and overthetop movie. Coon returns to Broadway for the first time since a 2012 production of Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf. (Shes appeared more frequently at Chicagos Steppenwolf Theater, where she first broke through and where this production originated in 2020.) As an actress, she can be floridly theatrical (watch her on The Gilded Age), or richly internalized (see The White Lotus), and here she gets to be both, often in the same breath. If Bug" werent three decades old, youd think Letts had written it for her. In fact, Bug was Letts second produced play, mounted in his twenties, following the even more outrageously grotesque Killer Joe (1993). At the time he seemed another punk product of an entire Tarantinoflavored era when blood splatter, onstage nudity, and jump scares became standins for emotional acuity. A decade later, though, he wrote August: Osage County, still the most incisive and entertaining family drama of this century. The marketing materials and advance press for Bug have emphasized its ahead of its time qualities. Did it predict our current moment, where antigovernment conspiracy theories arent merely commonplace but increasingly the price of admission in our public discourse? Perhaps. But its better appreciated as a livewire artifact of a writer finding his voice and seeing what buttons he could push. A curiosity that like most curiosities may make you wince if you look too closely. Bug Samuel J. Friedman Theater, 261 West 47th Street Tickets on sale through Feb. 22, 2006 Andrea Yates shocking crime is explored in the new Investigation Discovery docuseries The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story. Its been 25 years since Yates shocking crime made national news. In June 2001, she drowned her five children in the bathtub of her home in Clear Lake City, Texas. Yates, now 61, is institutionalized at Kerrville State Hospital in Kerrville, Texas, where she has resided since 2007. Patients of the facility were deemed incompetent to stand trial or found not guilty by reason of insanity in Texas courts. Yates has repeatedly waived her annual right to a hearing that would determine her eligibility to leave Kerrville State. Shes where she wants to be. Where she needs to be, Yates longtime attorney George Parnham told ABC News in 2021. And I mean, hypothetically, where would she go? What would she do? Andrea and her husband Russell Rusty Yates had four sons and one daughter: Noah (born in 1994), John (born in 1995), Paul (born in 1997), Luke (born in 1999) and Mary (born in 2000). Andrea suffered from postpartum depression, postpartum psychosis and schizophrenia in the years leading up to the murders of her five children. She was hospitalized several times and made multiple suicide attempts. Due to her severe mental health struggles, Andreas psychiatrist, Dr. Mohammed Saeed, advised Rusty to supervise her at all times. Andrea was left alone with her five children for an hour on the morning of June 20, 2001. She drowned the children during that time before calling the police. Andrea confessed to the murders. As she struggled with postpartum psychosis and schizophrenia, Andrea believed that she was evil and that killing her children was the only way to save their souls. READ MORE: Beloved actress husband accused of child sexual abuse One month after the murders, Andrea told a psychiatrist for the defense that she was worried about her children going to hell and believed that dying young would save them. In their innocence, theyd go to heaven, she told the psychiatrist, according to ABC News. Yates was found not guilty by reason of insanity in July 2006. She was then committed to North Texas State Hospital-Vernon Campus before being moved to Kerrville State Hospital in 2007. Where is Andrea Yates husband now? Rusty Yates in the docuseries "The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story." Investigation Discovery According to his LinkedIn page, Rusty works for NASA as a senior systems engineer, a position he has held since 2011. He was a project manager for NASA at the time of the murders. Rusty filed for divorce from Andrea in 2004. The divorce was granted in March 2005. Rusty was then married to Laura Arnold from 2006 to 2015. The pair share one son. Rusty participated in the three-part ID docuseries The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story, which premiered on Jan. 6. He told cameras that he doesnt blame Andrea for their childrens deaths. Being a mother was Andreas favorite role, he said. She was an awesome mother. Rusty also said he was naive about the severity of Andreas mental health issues leading up to the murders. Andrea and Rusty Yates and one of their sons. Investigation Discovery I didnt know it at the time, but Andrea was having visual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations. It led to the delusions of having the devil in her, he said in the docuseries. Andrea didnt tell me what was going on in her head. Nobody thought the kids were at any risk at all. The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story explores the teachings of preacher Michael Woroniecki. Rusty and several formal followers of Woroniecki claimed in the doc that the preachers rigid teachings may have exacerbated Andreas mental health crisis. Woroniecki did not participate in the doc, but he previously denied that the murders were connected to his teachings. I shared Jesus with them. ... I hold [Rusty] responsible but I also hold Andrea responsible, he said in 2002, according to ABC News. God knows what we shared with those people. The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story is available to stream on HBO Max. A Gloucester County man accused of killing his fiance and wounding her teenage daughter in a shooting in Paulsboro earlier this month will remain jailed, a judge ruled Monday. Ramon Luis Acevedo, 40, of Paulsboro, attended his detention hearing virtually by video conference from the Salem County Jail. Acevedo is charged with first-degree murder, and second-degree aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection with the Jan. 3 shooting. Authorities said Acevedo called 911, identified himself and said he had shot two people. During Mondays hearing, Assistant Prosecutor Alec Gutierrez said Acevedo told police he intentionally shot his fiance, a 36-year-old woman, and accidentally shot her 15-year-old daughter. Police found the woman, whose identity has not been released, dead in the bedroom of an Elizabeth Avenue home with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Acevedo was arrested at the scene. The manner of death was ruled a homicide, Gutierrez said. Police blocked the 100 block of Elizabeth Avenue in Paulsboro, NJ on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Gutierrez said the teenager was shot in the shoulder through a bathroom door. She was taken to Cooper University Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries. Acevedo told police the firearm accidentally discharged while he tried to manipulate it after shooting his fiance, Gutierrez said. According to Gutierrez, Acevedo also told investigators that he and his fiance had been arguing around Christmas about refinancing the residence and the future of their relationship. Caitlin Douma, the attorney representing Acevedo, argued that while there is a presumption of detention for a murder charge, Acevedo had no criminal history and he would not pose a risk of failing to appear in court and committing additional criminal offenses. Mr. Acevedo is a father to two children who live in Philadelphia. Hes a homeowner. He is a technician for a school bus company, and he has never been in trouble with the law before, Douma said. She also said Acevedo has been completely candid and compliant with law enforcement. This is a terrible situation, and that is not lost on Mr. Acevedo, Douma said. But even in the throes of the high emotions of this incident, Mr. Acevedo has consistently provided law enforcement with all of the information that they needed to come to the house to render aid to the alleged minor victim and to take over the situation to ensure the safety of all involved. He himself called 911 immediately after the incident to report the shootings, she added. And he did so with a full understanding of what the consequences would be for that phone call. Gutierrez argued Acevedo is a severe danger to the community and would pose a risk of obstructing justice or failing to appear in court since he faces a potential life sentence. Judge Benjamin Morgan ruled the defense did not overcome the presumption for detention, and ordered Acevedo to remain jailed. The issue of the amount of time that this defendant is facing presents a failure to appear concern for the court, he said. Moreover, the weight of the evidence is extremely strong in favor of the State. Acevedo has seven days to file an appeal. A pre-indictment conference is scheduled for Feb. 19. The Asset Tracing and Management Agency (ARMA), within the framework of the implementation of court decisions on the management of the assets of the IDS Ukraine group, provided clarifications on the process of selecting a manager, while at the same time considering the appearance of public statements and materials from potential participants in the competition as aimed at discrediting it. ARMA recalled that after the seizure of assets, the state is obliged to ensure their proper management. Leaving an asset without management means the risk of financial manipulation, downtime, depreciation or loss of economic value. That is why ARMA organizes management in the interests of the state and society. The selection of the IDS Ukraine asset manager, ARMA noted, is carried out through the Prozorro electronic system. The terms of the competition are published in advance, the criteria are the same for everyone, and each stage of the procedure is recorded in a public digital environment. ARMA conducts preliminary market consultations and announces a competition to find a manager, and only after determining the winner is the asset actually transferred to management under the acceptance and transfer acts. "The tender documentation does not contain requirements for specific companies or a narrow range of participants. Potential managers can confirm experience in any of the specified areas - production or sale of food or beverages, water supply or property management. This approach does not create advantages for any category of business," ARMA drew the attention of the participants of the competition. The agency specified that all participants additionally undergo a check of financial capacity, transparency of the ownership structure and business reputation. The purpose of these requirements, according to the agency, is to ensure professional and responsible management of a strategically important asset. "The agency records the intensification of public statements and materials aimed at discrediting the competition. The reason for this pressure is obvious: the assets of the IDS Ukraine group have been under the de facto control of persons who received significant income from them for years. Transferring assets to state management means the loss of this control, which causes resistance and attempts to influence the process in the public space," ARMA said. The agency emphasized that the use of procedural mechanisms in the public sphere should not replace the legal procedure or affect the perception of the legality of the body's actions until the adoption of relevant court decisions "ARMA acts consistently and transparently, ensuring the preservation of the economic value of assets, preventing their downtime or depreciation, attracting professional managers on a competitive basis, and accountability at each stage of the procedure. The management of seized assets is not a subject of discussions or manipulations, but a direct duty of the state, which ARMA performs within the framework of the law, publicly and under institutional control," the agency said. In the autumn of 2022, ARMA, by court decision, received corporate rights (in particular, the Myrhorod and Morshyn factories), industrial designs, and trademarks of IDS Ukraine group enterprises for management. In April 2023, the company Karpatskie mineralni vodi was chosen as the asset manager of Morshynska, however, the transfer of the asset to management never took place. In March 2025, ARMA announced the termination of the contract as such, since it was not implemented. On November 28, 2025, ARMA announced a new competition to find a manager for the company's assets. Companies with relevant experience were invited to participate: investment funds, distributors and other market participants with relevant expertise. Submission of applications continued until December 12, 2025. The tender conditions were criticized by a number of companies willing to participate. Among them were Geological Investment Group LLC, Verkhovtsevo Oil Extraction Plant LLC, and sole proprietor Vsevolod Omelianovych Bilas. Potential participants stated that the tender conditions artificially restrict competition and effectively exclude most Ukrainian companies from managing the assets of Morshynska and Myrhorodska. Among such requirements, potential participants cited ARMA's demand that bidders have at least 15 narrowly specialized staff members (engineers, power engineers) on payroll, whose higher education credentials must be recorded in the Unified State Electronic Database on Education. However, the database contains complete diploma data only from after 2000. In addition, the bidder must have "production of non-alcoholic beverages" as its primary business activity, making participation impossible for professional asset management companies and consortia specializing in asset management. Separately, the admission of direct competitors of IDS Ukraine to the tender was noted, which is prohibited by the new Law "On ARMA," entering into force after January 30, 2026. The Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) accepted the complaint of potential participants in the competition. In September 2024, the Ministry of Justice filed a lawsuit with the High Anti-Corruption Court seeking confiscation of IDS Ukraine's assets and other assets of Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman, Petr Aven, Andrey Kosogov, and Rissa Investments Limited in favor of the state. In particular, the case concerns 100% of the shares of PJSC Myrhorod Mineral Water Plant, PJSC Morshyn Mineral Water Plant Oscar, PJSC Industrial and Distribution Systems (IDS), as well as a 100% stake in IDS Aqua Service LLC, Potuzhnist LLC, IVA Private Enterprise, and state-owned enterprise NOVA.COM, which are indirectly owned by Rissa Investments Limited. In October 2024, IDS Ukraine called on the Ministry of Justice to prohibit ARMA from taking actions to transfer part of the assets to the management company and to carry out nationalization under a scenario beneficial to the state. On December 25, 2025, the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine satisfied the claim of potential participants in the competition for the selection of the asset manager of IDS Ukraine and obliged the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) to initiate a pre-trial investigation into the abuse of official authority by the management of ARMA when selecting the manager of the IDS Ukraine group of companies. According to the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice in case No. 911/13129/25, it was decided to satisfy the complaint of the lawyer of JSC Law Firm Asters in the interests of the company New World Value Fund Limited against the inaction of authorized persons of the NABU, in particular, regarding the failure to enter information about a criminal offense into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations. Jersey City has landed $1 million in federal funding to build the Bayside Community Center. The center will be the first of six planned recreation facilities set to expand across the citys neighborhoods, according to a news statement issued Thursday by the city. State Sen. Angela McKnight secured the American Rescue Plan grant for the facility, which will be located within Bayside Park in the Greenville section. The project advances a 2024 city ordinance calling for recreation centers in each ward. The new community centers will include flexible spaces for youth programs, fitness and wellness activities, educational workshops, cultural programs and community-based services for all residents. The multi-purpose hub will be designed with direct community input to reflect local priorities. Additional public meetings are scheduled for 2026 to seek feedback from residents before construction begins. A 32-year-old man was charged with three counts of attempted murder after after allegedly dragging an officer and attempting to run over officers during two separate traffic stops in Middlesex County on Friday. The first incident took place when a Sayreville police officer pulled over Rennard C. Roseburgh for a traffic violation, East Brunswick police said. Roseburgh then fled, dragging the officer, officials said. Police in neighboring East Brunswick were notified and an officer stopped Roseburgh after spotting his vehicle on Old Bridge Turnpike. After initially stopping, Roseburgh accelerated toward two patrolmen and a lieutenant, all of whom had to jump out of the way to avoid being struck, police allege. Roseburgh then purposely rammed his vehicle into several unoccupied police vehicles before finally being taken into custody, authorities said. In addition to the attempted murder charges Roseburgh is charged with eight counts of aggravated assault, eluding and a weapons offense, East Brunswick police said. Jail records also say Roseburgh is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. He is being held at the Middlesex County jail. No attorney is listed in court records. Court records say Roseburgh is from Sayreville. East Brunswick police Chief Frank LoSacco issued a warning for people who dont follow lawful police commands To those who believe resisting arrest is an option: it is not. To those who think fleeing will end well: it wont. To those who put officers lives at risk: expect handcuffs, not sympathy. The only appropriate venue to challenge law enforcement action is through the judicial system, not by endangering lives in the street." Immigration and Customers Enforcement agents raided a laundromat and other businesses in Morristown on Sunday, taking up to 10 people into custody, including a local high school student, officials said. Federal agents targeted a laundromat on Speedwell Avenue near Henry Street, Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty told NJ Advance Media on Monday. This sweep included a high school senior, Dougherty said. Its terrible. Just terrible. Dougherty said the student, a senior a Morristown High School, was being held Monday morning at an ICE detention center in Elizabeth. Dougherty declined to identify the student, stating hes a juvenile. The mayor could not say for sure where the other detainees were taken. Clearly, the laundromat was a target, Dougherty said. Some of the people were taken into custody inside the laundromat, while others who had left the business were arrested nearby, Dougherty said. Video posted to social media appears to show agents taking people into custody outside the laundromat. Morristown was not notified in advance and did not participate in or assist with this federal action, Dougherty said. With few exceptions, the New Jersey Attorney Generals Immigrant Trust Directive prohibits local police and towns from cooperating with ICE on most civil immigration enforcement activities. Dougherty, who said his administration supports the towns diverse and immigrant communities, expressed concern about the enforcement action. Morristown is a community built by generations of immigrants, and our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, Dougherty said. Actions like this create fear and uncertainty for families who contribute every day to our schools, businesses, and neighborhoods, the mayor said. I want our immigrant residents to know that the Town of Morristown stands with you and will continue to advocate for dignity, fairness, and respect for all who call this community home, he added. Three years ago, Young Adult Trenton Public Library associate Stephanie Hampton had an idea to host a sex education presentation to help local teens. My goal initially was to inform the teenagers of this community of all the resources and information available within walking distance of their homes. I knew there was a need in this community, said Hampton, the head of the librarys young adult services. After contacting Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey Inc.s Trenton-based health center, Hampton said she learned about its Spill the T.E.A. (Teen, Education and Advocacy) program. The peer education program run by Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey a nonprofit that provides reproductive and complementary health care services throughout New Jersey. It empowers high school students in the greater Mercer County area to demonstrate leadership, serve as valuable sources of sexual health information for their peers, and gain personal and professional development skills, said Casey Olesko, the nonprofits vice president of communications. Teens listen to presentation from Planned Parenthood Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey's presenters as part of its "Spill the T.E.A." at the Trenton Public Library. Trenton Public Library As part of the program, Olesko said high school students who join the program become peer educators and deliver presentations about various subjects pertaining to sex education or teen-related topics, like media and relationships. The library will host its next program presentation on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 4-5 p.m., at the librarys young adult lounge, at 120 Academy St., in Trenton. Hampton said during each presentation peer educators are accompanied by a staff member from the nonprofit to ensure all facts discussed are accurate. Since 2024, Hampton said the program has received 10 to three attendees per presentation. The program, Olesko said was initially launched during the 2022-2023 school year, and the first full cohort of peer educators joined the program in the Fall of 2023. Olesko said the programs peer educators play a vital role in their communities by helping peers access sexual and reproductive health information and health care. Since 2022, our students have connected with more than 3,000 people across Mercer County through dozens of community partnerships and workshop presentations, said Olesko. Hampton said in the midst of her learning about the nonprofits program in 2024, two students, who were members of the program, approached her at the library about hosting a presentation. After I received their resumes and an overview of their proposed presentation, they mentioned their advisor was the same person I had been emailing with to plan the special event, said Hampton. It was easy to organize after that. Trenton Public Library's young adult lounge, at 120 Academy St., in Trenton. Trenton Public Library Hampton said the library co-hosted its first presentation in November 2024, and has continued to co-host presentations throughout each year. I learned over the course of that year that misinformation is dangerous, but being in New Jersey, we were lucky to have some protections, said Hampton. The library had the space, time, and ability to hold programs like this, and we also have access to more information for those who need it. Last year, Hampton said the library co-hosted six presentations events on different topics ranging from menstruation to abuse in teen dating. Ali Glaser, the nonprofits chief training and community engagement officer, said, Young people deserve to have the information, resources, and skills they need to protect their health and build their future without shame or judgment." The nonprofit, Glaser said is proud to provide these student leaders with the opportunity to develop their skills and interests and equip them for a healthy future. Olesko said to participate in the program students must go through the nonprofits application process, and 10 students are selected for each years cohort. Students have held one-on-one conversations with peers, both in-person and virtual, said Olesko. They have also partnered with other local community organizations, and led workshops with a variety of youth-serving groups. Olesko said the program is focused on the Mercer County area, but the nonprofit hopes to expand it into other areas of the state. To learn when the next presentation will be, visit the librarys website. For more information about the program, visit nonprofits website or email education@ppncsnj.org. A young child draws with chalk provided by volunteers while her family waits to be called into Delaney Hall to visit a relative. Ande Richards Stephanie Campos parents immigrated from Peru in the 1970s, overstaying a tourist visa before eventually gaining legal residency after their children were born in the United States. Her father went to work at an electrical wire and cable insulation manufacturing company in Passaic joining a union, buying a home, and building what she describes as the American Dream. When I see the people at Delaney Hall, I see my parents. I see my family, my community, said Campos, 51, of Hudson County. Campos is among a network of volunteers who show up daily outside the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, providing support with translation, transportation, food, clothing, and blankets for those visiting detainees, including children. On any given day, the volunteers number from a few to dozens, rotating in and out in three-hour shifts, managed by a leader responsible for site logistics. Its volunteering, Campos said, but its also more than that for me. I dont see not doing this work as an option its personal. The average daily population at the detention center reached 807 in December, a significant rise from September, when there were 234 people in custody, according to data from TRAC, a nonpartisan research group that obtains and analyzes federal records. That influx created a community of people in need of help. Sandra Hafraouis husband, Abdellatif, was detained at Delaney Hall from Aug. 11 until his release the day before Thanksgiving. I dont think I probably would have made it through the process without them, Hafraoui, 53, of Bayonne, said of the volunteers. When I went there for the first time, I had no information. I didnt know how the facility worked or how to help my husband, and the volunteers answered all my questions and helped me navigate the process. A network outside the gates Kathy O'Leary (pointing) said she volunteers at Delaney Hall several days a week. Ande Richards Campos learned that Spanish-speaking volunteers were especially needed on visiting days after attending a training led by the New Jersey chapter of Pax Christi an international Catholic peace and justice movement. She began visiting in the summer and has returned once or twice a week since July. Id heard about Delaney Hall, said Campos, a project director at Columbia University and an adjunct professor at Hudson County Community College and John Jay College. I wanted to see what its like, since I live not far from it. Campos helps families by translating and assisting them in understanding visitation procedures, commissary costs, phone fees, available supports and finding their loved ones unit numbers in the detention center. She also coordinates volunteer drivers and Uber donations so families can make visitation days. Families are sending about $50 a week just for commissary, she said. Detainees have three meals a day, but the food is bad, so people buy ramen. Toothbrushes, toothpaste everything costs money. Throughout the week, she connects families to a WhatsApp group started by Cosecha New Jersey, a grassroots movement working to achieve permanent protection for immigrants. What started as volunteering became its own ecosystem, Campos said. Kathy OLeary, of Long Hill Township, is a constant presence. She serves as the New Jersey regional coordinator for Pax Christi. Were here because every major religion teaches welcoming the stranger, OLeary said. She pointed to the leadership of Pope Francis and his successor, Pope Leo XIV, who she said has continued to speak clearly about migrant dignity. Now that we have an American pope, there can be no excuse, OLeary said. He understands whats happening here. OLeary said volunteers initially tried to delay the opening of Delaney Hall but quickly shifted to direct support once detainees began arriving. They now provide chairs, umbrellas, water, food, toys for children and clear information about visitation rules, which are often missing or misleading. She said children sometimes wait hours in extreme heat or cold, and strict dress codes can result in denied visits. Volunteers have responded by organizing supplies, cultural events and toolkits for families. Youth and elders unite Desmond Kuhn, 18, of New York City, began going to Delaney Hall after attending a Democratic Socialists of America event while studying at Montclair State University. I was told they protest outside Delaney Hall on Thursdays, Kuhn said. So, I came. That first visit coincided with a high-profile incident in June in which four detainees escaped. Kuhn has continued to return, visiting detainees on behalf of families and assisting with communication with lawyers. Volunteer Jean Fortin, 71, of Union County, is a retired engineer and lawyer. A lot of the people who are here during weekdays are retired because they have the time, Fortin said. We dont expect the people who are trying to hold down jobs to be here, right? And every now and then, somebody unemployed comes and joins. She said Delaney Hall represents something more troubling than a county jail. This is worse, Fortin said. Because this makes money for stock investors. The GEO Group has a 15-year, $1 billion contract with ICE to operate Delaney Hall, according to previously published reports. Officials for the GEO Group referred questions to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which did not respond to calls and emails for comment. But in a February press release, GEO stated that it treats detainees humanely and in accordance with the standards specified and enforced by its federal client. We are proud of the role our company has played for 40 years to support the law enforcement mission of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the statement read, in part. In all instances, our support services are monitored by ICE. This is the face of America Volunteer Adam Marshall, 39, of Essex County, described the atmosphere outside Delaney Hall as oppressive. Watching deportation convoys has become a recurring nightmare, said Marshall, who focuses on setting up supplies, managing storage and supporting visitors waiting in extreme conditions. For Marshall, a laid-off federal worker, the volunteer work is deeply personal. What I lose in money, Ive gained in a spiritual calling, he said. Members of the People's Organization for Progress stand outside Delaney Hall after a rally in support of immigrant rights on Nov. 20, 2025. Ande Richards Valerie Kelly, also of Essex County, is a member of the Peoples Organization for Progress, a Newark-based social justice organization. This is the face of America right now, Kelly said. Were here to represent the people, especially those behind these gates and their families. The power should belong to the people. My Monmouth County backyard is a hotbed for animal activity. Squirrels and chipmunks. Stray cats. The occasional marmot. Then theres the fox that caused more than a few problems for my neighbors COVID-era chickens. We also get plenty of deer. Its usually two or three doe at a time, sometimes with a fawn, sometimes with a buck. They usually jump into my fully-fenced yard, have a snack or a hangout, and then jump back out. But one morning last week, there was a solo buck lying near the back fence in the wooded portion of the yard. Unusual. Was it hurt? Or just resting? It was tough to tell from my deck, and I didnt want to startle him by getting closer. Time would tell, I figured. He was still there the next morning. Hed moved a few feet from his spot the day before a hopeful sign but he was still lying down. Not so hopeful. A few hours later, he got up to scavenge what greenery he could find in the mostly bare woodsy area. And he was limping, obviously favoring his right rear leg, if he was putting any pressure on it at all. What was I supposed to do about an injured buck? Should I watch nature take its course either hed heal or he wouldnt or did I have to call animal control for some more drastic action? I certainly didnt want it to suffer, but Im no deer-whisperer. How would I know? And what would happen if he died in my backyard? LOOKING FOR ADVICE My first online searches yielded questionable results. One story said some New Jersey towns require homeowners who have a dead deer on their property to drag it to the street for a pickup. Like, how? Hire a few neighborhood teens to put it on a blanket and drag it to the curb? That didnt sound right, so I emailed a reliable source: the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Some regulations were posted online, but I wanted to make sure they werent out of date. I had a lot of questions, actually. While I waited for responses, I went to my towns website, which offers a page with resources for issues with all kinds of wild animals. That was another rabbit hole. It addressed bats, which weve had in our home three times (that we know of). The first was inside a bathroom window screen. It left after chittering at my husband, who tapped the window to encourage it to fly away. The two others in separate incidents, at least flew around our family room before escaping through the windows we opened. Its still unclear how they got in. In screen shots taken from a video, a bat flies around my family room in February 2025. Karin Price Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com The town website also addressed rabies, another concern of ours once, after a skunk wandered into the yard. Im not all that familiar with normal skunk behavior, but he should have been more afraid of me. It just wouldnt leave, and we had dogs at the time. The animal control officer who took it away thought it wasnt rabid, but just a baby who lost his mom. And shed relocate him. We hope thats what happened. The website also addressed coyotes and bears and foxes and others, but it didnt offer any deer advice. Rats. (It did offer advice on rats, actually.) I left a message with my towns animal control officer, figuring I wasnt necessarily sealing the bucks fate. Next, I turned to my local Animal Protection League of New Jersey. Dont call the police. They will shoot. They kill everything, came the unsurprising opinion of the representative. They recommended a couple of other animal rescue organizations that would not capture and nurse the deer, but might offer advice about other things we could do whether we should leave it food or water, for example. A few hours later the buck was resting again a very harried-sounding animal control officer called back. I described the behavior exhibited by the buck, now in my yard for at least 36 hours. Either its going to go down tonight or its going to be gone, they said. I didnt ask for clarification on what go down meant. They advised to give it space and let it recuperate. As long as its up and walking around, we leave it alone, they said. If its still there tomorrow and its lying down, call us back. THE LONG WAY HOME? It had been long enough that I started to wonder if we should name the buck. One colleague suggested Bambi while my editor referenced the buck as the poor big guy. No. I was not naming this animal. Next check found our backyard neighbors daughter jumping on their trampoline on the other side of the fence, a mere six feet away from the buck. He watched, seemingly undisturbed by the ruckus. That, too, wasnt encouraging. He should have been uncomfortable with that kind of action so close by. Moments later, NJ Advance Media crack photojournalist Patti Sapone arrived to take a few photos with a long lens. We shared the photo of the deer with Kurt Bresswein, reporter for our sister publication LehighValleyLive.com and co-author of Misfire, a deep dive into deer hunting issues in Pennsylvania. I would call that an 8-pointer since you can count the small ones called brow tines, he said. Beautiful buck! Beautiful buck, indeed. We opened the gate to the yard, just in case the buck wanted to leave given that jumping over the fence didnt seem like an option. Maybe he had some friends at the nearby treelined schoolyard, a popular gathering place for deer. But if he didnt if the worst happened we kept coming back to the big question: How do you get rid of a dead deer on your property? Finally, DEP confirmed the regulations I found online were indeed current. Deer found dead on any private property shall be disposed of by State or municipal police officers, or personnel authorized by them, upon request of the property owner, it said. That was a relief. No blanket-dragging from the yard. We also got a little clarity on hurt wildlife. If an animal is injured so severely that its beyond recovery and euthanasia is necessary, local police should be contacted, DEPs Fish & Wildlife division said. It also noted that animal control officers are not authorized to carry firearms so theyre not generally referred to for responding to calls where an animal is injured beyond recovery. We also learned something new from the regulations, which say people can keep a dead deer. Theyd have to get a permit from state or municipal police to possess the accidentally killed deer for consumption, or to transfer the deer carcass to another person for consumption. The deer must have been killed in an accidental collision and reported to authorities in a timely manner. It includes a deer that has been so severely injured by a collision with a motor vehicle that it must be killed shall be considered as accidentally killed. That was more than enough for my curiosity. As for whether there was anything I should or should not do for the buck, DEP referred us to the U.S. Department of Agricultures Animal Plant Health Inspection Service. It did not respond to our inquiry. In the late afternoon, my husband saw the buck get up. He slowly walked out of the woods and onto the grass, nibbling his way as he limped towards the now-open gate. He was gone before the sun went down. Anti-ICE protests continued throughout New Jersey over the weekend in response to Wednesdays fatal shooting in Minneapolis and led by opponents of a reported plan by the agency to open a detention center in the Republican-dominated Morris County suburb of Roxbury. This is not partisan and it is not political, said William Angus, lead coordinator of the No ICE North Jersey Alliance, or Project NINJA, which organized a rally Sunday morning at the Roxbury intersection of Routes 46 and 10. A crowd numbering well over 150 people at one point attended the rally, with organizers estimating more than 400 attendees at its peak. And Angus said opposition to the facility among residents of Roxbury and surrounding towns transcended political ideology. You can be a Republican and you can support ICE, but it doesnt mean you want a facility in Roxbury, Angus said. Mayor Shawn Potillo and all six of his colleagues on the township committee are fellow Republicans of President Donald Trump, who launched a widespread crackdown on undocumented immigrants the day he was sworn in almost a year ago. Spokespeople for ICE did not respond to requests for comment the Roxbury matter Sunday. The rally was the second one held in Roxbury following a Dec. 24, report in The Washington Post listing the township among two dozen locations around the country where the agency, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, intends to open detention centers in industrial buildings. A detention center in Roxbury would be New Jerseys third, along with facilities in Newark and Elizabeth, and its first suburban immigrant lockup. Angus said the rally was originally scheduled for Jan. 18 but was moved up a week following the fatal shooting Wednesday of Renee Nicole Good, 37, by an ICE officer. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three who lived in Minneapolis, was trying to run over the officer in an act of domestic terrorism when he shot her in her SUV. Critics of the shooting, however, have pointed to video footage of the shooting in asserting that Good was murdered by the officer. In addition to the Roxbury rally, weekend events in response to the shooting were held throughout the state. In Mountainside, in Union County, a midday event on Sunday drew a crowd of 200 people, with no arrests or issues, Police Chief Giannuzzi said. The crowd was peaceful, Giannuzzi added. Elsewhere, protests were scheduled for Sunday in Woodbury in Gloucester County; Bellmawr in Camden County; Franklin Township in Somerset County; Jersey City in Hudson County; and Montclair, Clifton and Bloomfield in Essex County, among others. Opposition to the crackdown is particularly acute in Essex, where there is a large immigrant population and high-profile incidents at the Delaney Hall detention center and the Ocean Seafood Depot have drawn nationwide attention. A rally in downtown Newark drew 200 protestors on Thursday night, when there were also candlelight vigils outside the Delaney Hall, and on the Newton Green opposite the Sussex County courthouse. The popular protests are in addition to criticism of the shooting and resistance to the crackdown among New Jerseys elected officials. Gov. Phil Murphy, on Thursday labeled the shooting horrifying, deplorable, despicable, after state lawmakers earlier in the week advanced a package of bills that would limit cooperation with federal immigration officials. For the Roxbury Township Council, the first item of business on this Tuesday nights meeting agenda is a resolution, opposing the locating of a United States Immigration and customs enforcement processing or detention facility in warehouses within the township. Protestors at Sundays Roxbury rally held signs reading, No ICE in Morris and Justice for Renee, while chanting No hate, no fear / Immigrants are welcome here. Groups participating in the rally included Cosecha, a nationwide immigrants rights organization increasingly active in New Jersey. Morris County is a county that, when you are different, you feel it, said Jenny Garcia, a volunteer organizer with Cosecha. Morris was 65.7% white non-Hispanic, and 16.9% Hispanic as of 2024, according to Census estimates. It was even less diverse when Garcia, 30, was growing up in Jefferson Township, when she recalled riding in the family car two decades ago when her immigrant father was pulled over by a police officer. Go back to your country, Garcia said the officer told him. The irony was not lost on her that white Republicans are now among those leading the opposition to an ICE facility that would facilitate the detention and deportation of immigrants. The fact that we are fighting right now is a reckoning, she said. NJ Advance Media staff writer Rudy Miller contributed to this article. A Fox News guest questioned Vice President JD Vances hillbilly values during a tense discussion about political protests and immunity for federal agents on Sunday. Corbin Trent, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs (D-N.Y.) former communications director, criticized Vance for claiming that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis last week is protected by absolute immunity. Trent, who was raised in the foothills of Appalachia in East Tennessee, said Vances remarks were incompatible with the way Appalachia communities feel about law enforcement. The idea that JD Vance says that they should have absolute immunity, I thought this guy was a hillbilly. He had a book called Hillbilly Elegy, Trent said, referring to Vances 2016 memoir about his upbringing in Appalachia. And I can tell you, hillbilly values, at least where Im from in Appalachia, are that the government ought not to have absolute immunity when they shoot you in the face, Trent continued. But maybe we came from a different Appalachia. Trent noted that while Vance and President Donald Trump have been critical of protests taking place against the U.S., they have offered total support for Iranians currently staging anti-government demonstrations in their country. We look at the protesters in Iran and theyre patriots, theyre people that are trying to overthrow an oppressive regime, Trent said. Here, if you have protestors they should be shot in the face, and anybody who does it should have absolute immunity. So when is violence, when is protest, when is all of this acceptable? U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) slammed President Donald Trump on Sunday over his possible plan to take over Greenland. Paul joined a number of critics sounding the alarm on Trumps musings to make Greenland a part of the United States. The administration has not ruled out military force to take the territory that is owned by Denmark. Paul said on ABCs This Week on Sunday that he hopes Trump would not resort to military force to take Greenland. He also emphasized that any military action would need to be approved by Congress. Paul also explained that the U.S. wont be successful in purchasing the territory if officials keep threatening a possible military invasion. But lets say you wanted to buy Greenland and Im not disputing that that might be something we might want, to buy Greenland. You dont get there by angering and denigrating the people who live there and saying, Were going to march the Marines in and take if you dont sell it to us. It doesnt make them very willing to sell to us," he said. So really, if your goal is somehow were going to rattle the saber and then theyre going to sell it to us, I think its having the opposite effect. I think youd be hard-pressed to find someone in Greenland for it, but youd also be hard-pressed to find somebody in Washington whos for a military invasion on either side of the aisle, he added. Paul said that he thinks there would be enough pressure to stop any military invasion. But the problem is, they keep rattling the saber. They keep saying were going to do this. We keep this in our armamentarium that we will reserve the right to invade Greenland, he said. He said that the War Powers Act should ensure Congress gets a say in whether the U.S. goes to war. The War Powers Act was thrust into the national spotlight after Trump did not seek congressional approval for a military operation in Venezuela earlier this month. And that gets back to the War Powers Act. Thats why this debate is so important, because its not just about Venezuela. Its about Venezuela. Its about Greenland. Its about Colombia. Its about Cuba. Its about whether or not the people get a say in whether we go to war, Paul added. Trump has toyed with the idea of acquiring Greenland for the U.S. since his first term and has repeatedly brought up the idea throughout his second term. His renewed interest in Greenland came days after the U.S. launched a military operation in Venezuela to remove leader Nicolas Maduro from power. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you that, Trump said. Paul was one of five Republican senators last week who voted with Democrats to restrict Trumps authority over future military operations against Venezuela. Trump attacked the group of Republicans in a post on Truth Social, threatening to back primary challengers against them. Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America, Trump said in a Truth Social post. U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) just issued a stark warning for the future of the NATO alliance as President Donald Trump continues to muse about annexing Greenland. The Trump administration has not ruled out using military force to take the territory that is owned by Denmark. Murphy warned Sunday on NBC News Meet the Press that invading Greenland could wreck the future of the NATO alliance that the U.S. has been a member of since World War II. It would be the end of NATO, right? I mean, NATO would have an obligation to defend Greenland. And so clearly whether we would be at war with Europe, with England, with France, Murphy told anchor Kristen Welker. Murphy then bashed Trump for focusing on Greenland, Venezuela and building a ballroom instead of helping Americans. The president is spending every single day thinking about invading Greenland, managing the Venezuelan economy, building a ballroom. He is not thinking about the American people at all. This month, health insurance premiums on 22 million Americans are going up, doubling in some cases. Kids arent able to eat three meals because the Trump administration has slashed food assistance, Murphy said. And so every single day, the president is thinking about Greenland, his ballroom, Venezuela. He is spending no time thinking about the actual crises that are being visited on American families. This is a president who is distracted by things that dont matter to the American people at a moment where the American people are in crisis, he said. That is the underlying reality of a White House that has become out of control, he added. Trump has toyed with the idea of acquiring Greenland for the U.S. since his first term and has repeatedly brought up the idea throughout his second term. His renewed interest in Greenland came days after the U.S. launched a military operation in Venezuela to remove leader Nicolas Maduro from power. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it, I can tell you that, Trump said last week. While the administration has not ruled out using military force to acquire Greenland, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that the U.S. is interested in purchasing the island territory. Hes not the first U.S. president that has examined or looked at how we could acquire Greenland, Rubio said as he took questions last week. Theres an interest there. US President Donald Trump said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "has no trump cards." "He has no trump cards. He didn't have - he didn't have trump cards from day one. Right now he has one thing - Donald Trump," Trump said in an interview with The New York Times on January 8. He added that "if he doesn't have Donald Trump, it's going to be a total disaster, and he knows it, and European leaders know it, and everybody knows it." When asked about the timing of peace talks, Trump stressed that there is no timetable. "We're doing everything we can. I don't have a timetable. If we're doing everything we can, I'd just like to see war. That's not the case for us, I think if I wasn't involved, it could have turned into World War III. It went very badly, very badly. It won't happen again," he said. Trump also said that he believes both sides are ready to make a deal now. "I've had times where I've made a deal with Putin and Zelenskyy didn't want to make a deal, which shocked me. You saw a little example sitting right here. Then I've had times where it's been the other way around. I think they both want to make a deal now, but we'll figure it out," he said. President Donald Trump appears to have added a new role to his resume. Trump shared a fake Wikipedia page on his Truth Social platform late Sunday, which referred to him as the Acting President of Venezuela starting this month. Trumps joke comes as he told The New York Times last week that he expects the United States to run Venezuela for at least over a year, saying only time will tell when asked about U.S. oversight over the South American country. We will rebuild it in a very profitable way, Trump said during a wide-ranging interview, which touched on how the United States will oversee Venezuela oil. His prediction followed the covert U.S. military operation into Caracas, which led to the capturing of its leader, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife. Both were extradited to New York, where they pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism conspiracy, among other charges, during their first appearance in an American courtroom last week. Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, has since been sworn in as interim president while Trump has maintained her administration is giving us everything that we feel is necessary in the meantime. Trumps swipe was quickly met with mixed reactions on social media. Trump sucks at running America, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) wrote on X. Which is why he also sucks at running Venezuela. The Tennessee Holler, a progressive news site, claimed that the guardrails are gone. MAGA commentator Eric Daugherty declared Trump the KING OF THE WEST! Liberal commentator JoJoFromJerz added: It was the darkest of times, it was the dumbest of times. In another post, Trump responded to a user joking that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will become the president of Cuba. In recent days, Trump has urged the regime in Havana to come to a deal for Venezuelan oil before it is too late. Meanwhile, he has predicted the countrys collapse, telling reporters that I dont know if theyre going to hold out. Sounds good to me, Trump wrote on Truth Social of Rubio, who also serves as the national security adviser and acting archivist. Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-Fla.) applauded the idea, writing on X, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! MAKE CUBA GREAT AGAIN! Several Greenlanders are pushing back against President Donald Trumps desire to obtain their Arctic homeland. While speaking to reporters on Air Force One late Sunday, Trump said the United States must acquire Greenland and not lease it before China and Russia take over the island. Im not going to let that happen, Trump said. Id love to make a deal with them. Its easier. But one way or the other, were going to have Greenland. His musings come as officials in Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly maintained that the autonomous territory which contains critical rare earth minerals and falls under the boundaries of Denmark, a NATO member is not for sale. A handful of residents, too, are putting forth the same defense, according to interviews with the Financial Times. Trump is serious, one Greenlander named Martin Rasmussen told the outlet, noting that he has started boycotting American goods. Trump is going to fight to the bitter end. Helte Johannsen, a longtime fisherman, said he doesnt think Trump knows anything about Greenland. I have never seen any Russians or Chinese, Johannsen said. Another resident, Maja Overgaard, argued bluntly: I dont want to live in an American empire. Josef Iyberth, who hunts seals and reindeer in his free time, said he would not fight an invasion. Our guns are not for people, he joked. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he plans on meeting with Danish officials this week. Trump has framed the possibility of securing Greenland, which houses 57,000 residents, as a national security priority. The presidents interest in the territory dates back to his first term. In 2019, he compared a purchase of the island to a large real estate deal but his idea was dismissed by authorities. After returning to the White House, Trump revived his effort. In March, when asked about his vision for annexing the territory, he responded, Well, I think itll happen. Weve been dealing with Denmark. Weve been dealing with Greenland, Trump said during a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. And we have to do it. We really need it for national security. They are treating us as if we were merchandise in a shop, Greenlandic politician Per Berthelsen said in the interview with the Financial Times. I have difficulties seeing the difference between the way the Americans are acting towards Greenland, and Russia, where you can see that the interest is to make their [territory] bigger, Berthelsen continued. Others in Greenland view a potential takeover as an opportunity for Greenland to gain overall independence from Denmark. How can it be worse? Greenlandic opposition leader Pele Broberg said. We are living in one nightmare, we cant worry about the next nightmare. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any U.S. attempt to secure Greenland by force would mean the end of the NATO alliance. Trump has hit back at the claim, writing in a post on his Truth Social platform Monday that Im the one who SAVED NATO!!! Lets not forget, it wouldnt just be in the best interest of the United States, but perhaps it would be in the best interest of Greenland as well to be part of the United States and protected by the United States, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later told reporters. A poll from Verian, commissioned by the Danish paper Berlingske and released in January of last year, found that 85% of Greenlanders do not want their island to become a part of the United States. Only 6% were in favor, while 9% said they were undecided. President Donald Trump just revealed one of his major regrets following his loss in the 2020 election. In an interview with The New York Times last week, Trump revealed that he regretted not ordering the National Guard to seize ballot boxes after the 2020 election. New York Times reporter David E. Sanger noted that Trump mused about ordering the National Guard to take the ballot boxes after the 2020 election, but ultimately decided not to do so. Well, I should have, Trump said, according to the New York Times. He then questioned whether the National Guard would have been able to successfully carry out his order. I dont know that they are sophisticated enough. You know, theyre good warriors. Im not sure that theyre sophisticated enough in the ways of crooked Democrats and the way they cheat, to figure that out, he said. Despite no evidence, Trump has baselessly claimed for years that the 2020 election was stolen from him due to voter fraud. More than five years after Democrat Joe Biden defeated him, Trump still complains about the rigged election. There was no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election despite Trumps repeated claims. In the months following that election, Trump urged then-Vice President Mike Pence to block the certification of the votes on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump repeated those false claims in the interview with The New York Times, according to the transcript. But many, many things took place in the 2020 and its coming out already the 2020 election. And by the way, the 2024 election, there was a lot of cheating, too, but I won by a lot because it was too big to rig," Trump said. Trumps comments about the National Guard come as he has ordered the troops to address crime in Democratic-led cities in recent months. His deployment of the National Guard has been met with legal hurdles as Democratic leaders opposed the troops in their cities. If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story is a new special from Investigation Discovery taking a look at the infamous case from the shows title. It began on Tuesday, Jan. 6 at 10 p.m., and you can watch on-demand now on DirecTV (free trial) or Philo. All three episodes of the series premiered on the same day. Andrea Yates, of Houston, Texas, became a household name in the true crime world when she confessed to drowning her five children in their bathtub in June of 2001. Since her initial conviction, she has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. Philo Philo does not offer a free trial Buy Now The Investigation Discovery special purports to take a look at a cult Andrea Yates had allegedly been involved with, and how a powerful bit of fire-and-brimstone preaching may have driven her to murder. Heres a look at the official trailer for the series, courtesy of the Investigation Discovery YouTube channel: How to watch The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story for free You can watch the new Andrea Yates special on Philo, which is cheap and carries easy access to Investigation Discovery, but does not offer a free trial. DirecTV is also a perfectly valid option, and may even be preferable for those looking to cut the cord and watch a wider variety of shows. Streaming Service Cost Free Trial? Philo $33 No DirecTV $74.99 Yes RELATED STORIES ABOUT TV STREAMING PLATFORMS In James Ijames Fat Ham, Juicy has already made a decision about whether to barbecue or not to barbecue. Hes going into human resources. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play is based on Hamlet, though its much more of a comedy. Juicys father has just died, and his uncle Rev has moved in on his mother Tedra. And far from Medieval Denmark, the action takes place at a Black familys backyard barbecue in the South. The NOLA Project presents Fat Ham at Dillard University from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6. In Fat Ham, Juicys life is thrown into turmoil after the death of his father, whos been killed in prison. In stunning time, Rev has moved in and married his mother, and the backyard barbecue is actually a wedding celebration. Juicy and his friend Toi are setting up a mishmash of streamers and leftover holiday decorations when Juicys father appears as a ghost. Pap says Rev had him killed. He wants Juicy to exact revenge. Juicy already has been having problems with Rev. Juicy is queer, and Rev is loud, opinionated and thinks Juicy is too soft. But theres also a kingdom at stake. Juicys father owned a barbecue restaurant, and its not clear if itll stay open or who will own or run it. Tedra loves her son, and her practical approach is to try to smooth over the tensions between Rev and Juicy, or just to encourage people not to talk about it. The tensions are buried under a good time. Toi is distracted by all sorts of things on his smartphone and tech toy distractions, and he leaves to get beer and ice for the party. Tedras friend Rabby comes over for the party, and she brings her children Larry, a Marine suffering from PTSD, and Opal, whos also queer and not comfortable in her clothes or body. Negotiating family tensions is a big part of the drama and humor. NOLA Project Artistic Director Tenaj Wallace, who is directing the show, says they started working on the play at just the right time. Were doing it right after the holidays, Jackson says. I told them were getting back into this. I hope you used your holiday family time and did some method acting. But nobody at the barbecue wants trouble. They put out a spread and haul out karaoke to keep the good times going. In many ways, Ijames is having fun with Shakespeare. He even slips in one of Shakespeares most quoted lines, The plays the thing, which comes from Hamlet. In the tragedy, Hamlet arranges for a play-within-the-play to try to expose the person guilty of murdering his father. Here, its sort of a bridge to a game of charades. There are other appropriations of lines from Hamlet and some jokes about its events. But Ijames is serious about exploring ideas of masculinity, generational trauma and identity. Tedra has a difficult balancing act, trying to both care for her son and make room for her new husband. Tedra is accepting, but in a very mild way, Jackson says. Shes not against (Juicys) lifestyle or what she believes his lifestyle might be, but shes also perpetuating that toxic masculinity, because she allows these father figures to physically harm him because of the way he is. Jackson says the way the family members laugh in the presence of very serious situations is a natural fit for New Orleanians and their sense of humor. The play is supposed to be set in the South, though Ijames specifically suggests it be set in North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee or Virginia but definitely not in Mississippi, Alabama or Florida. At Dillard, the set may bear some resemblances to the surrounding Gentilly neighborhood, Jackson says. Teaser Fest brings burlesque competition, edgy night shows, more to New Orleans on Jan. 15-18 Teaser Fest returns this week with a Queen of the Striptease competition, a Spooky showcase and more at local venues on Jan. 15-18. Ijames didnt have Louisiana in mind when he included a line about your mama and nem. And Jackson isnt departing from the script, but she says there may be some references to New Orleans bounce and the last show the NOLA Project presented at Dillard, the original show Catch the Wall in 2013. Jackson performed in that show, and it was her first production with the NOLA Project. Many in the Fat Ham cast are new faces to NOLA Project productions. Rayshaughn Armant plays Juicy. Delphine J is Tedra, and Justin William Davis is Rev and Pap, Juicys father. Dillard students were invited to audition, and three are in the show, including Condoleezza Semien as Opal, Jordan Melancon as Tio and Colby Muse as the understudy for Juicy (whos scheduled to perform Jan. 30 and Feb. 3-4). Fat Ham is the second Ijames play the NOLA Project has produced. In 2023, it presented White at the New Orleans Museum of Art. In that satire, based on real events at New Yorks Whitney Museum, a white painter hires a Black actress to pretend to be him, in a drama exploring race, representation and appropriation. Fat Ham was originally set to open during the pandemic in Ijames native Philadelphia, but premiered as a filmed show instead. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2022 and debuted on Broadway in 2023. Fat Ham runs Jan. 15-Feb. 6 at Dillard Universitys Cook Theater. Tickets are $20-$55 via nolaproject.com. Photo: Pixabay Emergency power outages have been implemented in Kyiv, the DTEK energy holding company reported. "Kyiv: at the command of Ukrenergo, emergency power outages have been implemented throughout the city. Schedules do not apply during emergency power outages," DTEK said in a telegram. As reported, after the Russian attack on January 9, emergency power outages were implemented on the Left Bank of the capital, parts of the Pechersk and Holosiivsky districts. Farmers and land managers on Dartmoor will continue to receive government support after confirmation that the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme will run for another three years. The announcement was made by Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds at the Oxford Farming Conference, with confirmation of the extension of the scheme between 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029. 30 million of national funding was confirmed for 2026/27, with funding levels for later years to be announced in due course. READ NEXT: Bovey residents reminded not to cope alone as new Citizens Advice figures revealed Dartmoor National Park Authority said the decision gives reassurance to local farmers and helps protect the long-term future of the moors landscapes, wildlife and communities. Since FiPL began in 2021, Dartmoor has received 3.3 million, supporting more than 200 projects, including work to improve nature, tackle climate change, strengthen farm businesses and improve public access. Dartmoor National Park Authority Chief Executive Kevin Bishop expressed his delight in the news of a three-year extension of the scheme. FiPL is an innovative scheme, it provides funding to farmers and land managers to improve access, enhance nature, tackle climate change and support the development of farm businesses. This extension will provide important funding to help sustain and enhance Dartmoor over the next three years. In her speech, the Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds highlighted the value of the scheme to upland areas such as Dartmoor. During our time with upland communities, we also heard how much farmers value our Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. Today Im pleased to announce were extending the programme for another three years with 30 million in funding next year. She also announced a new long-term partnership focused on Dartmoor, working with social entrepreneur Dr Hilary Cottam and local communities. Ms Reynolds said the aim is to develop a place-based approach shaped by local people. Im announcing that Dr Cottam and Defra will start a long-term partnership with communities in Dartmoor co-designing solutions to specific problems. She added that communities should lead change from the ground up. The FiPL programme brings together farmers, protected landscape bodies and local communities to deliver projects that single farms could not achieve alone. Dartmoor National Park Authority thanked farmers, land managers and partners for their work so far, saying their efforts have made a lasting difference to Dartmoors landscapes, wildlife and communities. Farmers and land managers can register their interest in future funding through the Dartmoor National Park Authority website. Volunteers have begun work to improve Heathfield Community Centre in Bovey Tracey, with plans for new planting and closer links with a local primary school. Work started before Christmas, with volunteers clearing an area where old, rotten fencing is set to be replaced by a native hedge. READ NEXT: Major funding decision brings long-term support for Dartmoor farming and land The hedge will be planted in partnership with nearby St Catherines Church of England Primary School. Plans also include creating a raised bed at the centre, where pupils and their families will be able to grow fruit and vegetables. The work is being led by retired Bovey Tracey couple Jane Tarr and Nick Clough, who run the not-for-profit group Trees of Hope. Trees of Hope was co-founded in 2018 with Kennedy Tafara Chinyere in his home village in Zimbabwe. Mr Chinyere moved to the UK nine years ago but continues to oversee the organisations work in Africa. The group supports disadvantaged communities in Zimbabwe by running a plant nursery, helping local people replace lost forestry and improve their environment. After seeing the social and environmental benefits of the project overseas, Jane and Nick wanted to develop something similar in their local area. A conversation with Devon County Councillor Sally Morgan led them to focus on Heathfield Community Centre as a suitable location for the project. Jane Tarr said: Its just the beginning. Theres a big job to do and we want to do that with the communitys involvement. Nick and I know from our careers that involving schoolchildren can lead to their families coming on board, and thats what wed like to see happening. St Catherines is one of four Devon schools were working with, and we look forward to developing our relationship with them and the wider Heathfield community. Bovey Tracey Town Councillor Hannah Mills-Brown, one of the ward members for Heathfield, welcomed the work. She said: Its wonderful that Trees of Hope has turned its attention to our community centre and we hope everyone really enjoys getting involved. Fellow ward councillor Lisa Robillard-Webb said improving facilities in Heathfield was a priority for the town council. She added: The Town Council has already said that improving facilities in Heathfield is a priority and this is a great start from an organisation were proud to partner with. Millions of workers will gain the right to parental leave from their first day in a job under changes announced by the government, due to come into force from April. The reforms, confirmed on Sunday, January 11, remove the existing qualifying period for parental leave and are expected to benefit more than 18 million people across the UK. Ministers say the changes will give families greater security and help raise living standards, particularly for those in insecure work. Under the new rules, parents will no longer have to wait months to become eligible for unpaid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child. The government says this will prevent workers from having to choose between taking time off to care for a newborn and returning to work to avoid losing their job. An additional 32,000 fathers a year are expected to become eligible for paternity leave immediately, bringing their rights into line with maternity leave. Bereaved partners will also gain new entitlements, including up to 52 weeks of paternity leave if their partner dies before the childs first birthday. Reacting to the announcement, North Devons Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome said the move would be good news for many families across North Devon. We Liberal Democrats have continuously called for strengthened parental pay and leave, including making it a day one right, he said. Mr Roome said he was proud that shared parental leave had originally been introduced under a Liberal Democrat-backed government, but warned take-up remained low due to inadequate statutory pay. The UK still lags behind comparable countries on shared parental leave, and too many parents are left trying to manage eye-watering childcare costs, he said. He added that around a quarter of fathers were not eligible for paternity pay because they were self-employed or had not been with their employer long enough, calling for further reforms to improve access. The government says the changes form part of its wider Employment Rights Act, which it argues will create more secure jobs and ensure economic growth is felt by working people in every part of the UK. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the reforms would ensure every new parent could properly take time off when they have a child. For too long, working people were left without the basic rights and security they deserve, he said. That ends now. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said no one should have to worry about losing pay or their job when their baby arrives, describing the reforms as a way of giving families the security they deserve. The changes come as part of an ongoing government review of parental leave and pay, examining maternity, paternity and shared parental leave to see how the system can work better for both parents and employers. Mr Roome said the review must go further, particularly for unpaid carers. If ministers are serious about tackling inequality in caring responsibilities, they also need to look at the millions of unpaid carers supporting disabled or elderly relatives, of whom I have heard from many in North Devon, he said. He added that any new rights for workers must be balanced with reforms to support small businesses, including changes to business rates and the apprenticeship levy. Statutory instruments implementing the parental leave changes are due to be laid in Parliament today< Monday, January 12), with the new rights expected to take effect from April. Photo: https://thedigital.gov.ua/ 5G connectivity from all three Ukrainian mobile operators began operating in test mode in central Lviv on Monday; it will be introduced in Borodianka in January and in Kharkiv in February, First Deputy Prime Minister, and still Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov said. "Today, a 5G pilot was launched in central Lviv. The city has one of the highest penetration rates of 5G-ready smartphones in Ukraine. More than 20 5G base stations have already been built in Lviv," Fedorov wrote on his Telegram channel on Monday. According to him, the main advantage of this technology is higher data transmission speeds around 500 Mbps. Ukraines largest mobile operator, Kyivstar, said in a press release that the rollout of 5G will later extend to Kyiv and Odesa. The company said the government determined the testing geography, selecting the most populous cities with developed infrastructure. "Full-scale deployment of 5G in Ukraine will be possible only after the end of the war," Kyivstar said. The company that in Ukraine 5G technology will operate in two frequency bands 3,500 MHz (to ensure high data transmission speeds) and 700 MHz (to expand coverage). Kyivstar added that based on the results of tests conducted prior to the official launch in Lviv, the maximum download speed in Kyivstars 5G network under minimal load exceeded 2.4 Gbps, while in the 4G network this figure reached 1 Gbps. The third-largest mobile operator, Lifecell LLC (TM lifecell), part of the DVL group (Datagroup Volialifecell), explained in its release that for now 5G coverage is concentrated in central Lviv, including Rynok Square and adjacent streets, within a radius of about 700 meters from City Hall, as well as in the area of the main railway station. "The availability of a 5G signal may also depend on location and building density; access to the new-generation network may also be limited indoors," the operator specified. Ukraines second-largest mobile operator, VF Ukraine (Vodafone Ukraine, VFU), emphasized that testing is preliminarily expected to continue until the end of 2026. "We planned to fully launch the technology in 2022, but the full-scale war forced us to postpone these plans for security reasons," Fedorov added in the statement. In November, Lilia Malion, head of the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications and Postal Services (NCEC), noted that the launch of 5G mobile communications in Ukraine depends on the security situation, but the commission is nevertheless preparing for the relevant auction, as it requires a significant amount of time. Israel Is Still Demolishing Gaza, Building by Building More than 2,500 structures have been destroyed since the start of the cease-fire, an analysis by The New York Times has found. Demolitions after cease-fire Gaza City GAZA STRIP Khan Younis Israeli control under cease-fire Rafah ISRAEL EGYPT Jabalia Gaza City GAZA STRIP Israeli control under cease-fire Mediterranean Sea Khan Younis ISRAEL Demolitions after cease-fire Rafah EGYPT Demolitions after cease-fire Gaza City GAZA STRIP Khan Younis Israeli control under cease-fire Rafah ISRAEL EGYPT More than two months ago, Israel and Hamas signed a cease-fire agreement that offered Palestinians in Gaza a hope of respite after a punishing two-year Israeli bombardment that left much of their enclave in ruins. The destruction has continued. Israel has demolished more than 2,500 buildings in Gaza since the cease-fire began, according to a New York Times analysis of satellite imagery from Planet Labs. It says it is destroying tunnels and booby-trapped homes. This is what Israels actions look like. A nighttime video from Oct. 30, when the cease-fire was in effect, shows what appears to be a large-scale controlled demolition in a part of Shejaiya, a neighborhood in Gaza City, that is under Israeli military control. As part of the cease-fire agreement reached earlier that month, the Israeli military withdrew its forces beyond an agreed-upon boundary inside Gaza, represented on maps published by Israel as a yellow line. That left Israel in control of about half of the enclave. Most of the demolitions since the cease-fire began have been in those Israeli-controlled areas. But dozens of buildings have been destroyed beyond the yellow line in areas effectively under Hamas control, where the Israeli military had agreed to halt its operations. In satellite images taken shortly after the truce, clusters of intact buildings can be seen in the Shejaiya neighborhood, which spans the yellow line. Shots of the same area months later show that it has largely been reduced to wasteland. And scores of buildings, the images show, were destroyed beyond the yellow line, in some cases as far as 900 feet over. Oct. 14 Israeli control under cease-fire Gaza City Shejaiya Previously razed Dec. 13 Demolitions beyond the yellow line 900 ft. Demolitions in the Israeli-controlled area Shejaiya GAZA STRIP Oct. 14 Dec. 17 Israeli control under cease-fire Demolitions beyond the yellow line 900 ft. Demolitions in the Israeli-controlled area Gaza City Shejaiya Shejaiya GAZA STRIP Previously razed Oct. 14 Dec. 17 Israeli control under cease-fire Demolitions beyond the yellow line 900 ft. Demolitions in the Israeli-controlled area Gaza City Gaza City Shejaiya Shejaiya GAZA STRIP Previously razed Sources: Satellite images by Planet Labs; Israeli military (yellow line as depicted in maps published online) Many of the structures were likely to have already been severely damaged after two years of Israeli bombardment. A United Nations assessment found that, as of Oct. 11, more than 80 percent of Gazas structures were damaged or destroyed. The people who lived in them are believed to have been displaced by successive evacuation orders and raging fighting. Israeli officials say the widespread demolitions are happening as part of efforts to demilitarize Gaza. Since the cease-fire, they say the military has destroyed underground tunnels that were once used by militant groups, and has leveled buildings that were booby-trapped. At the height of the war, which began after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the Israelis estimated that the tunnel network spanned hundreds of miles, with thousands of entrances. Hamas has used the tunnels to store weapons, hide hostages and stage ambushes of Israeli soldiers. Many Palestinians in Gaza argue that Israel has been flattening entire neighborhoods, with little regard for those who once lived or owned property there. Given the extent of the tunnel network, they say they fear that if Israel tries to dismantle it all, many more of the remaining structures in the territory could be imperiled. Niveen Nofal, 35, who lived in Shejaiya before being forced to move, said she felt a deep sense of loss to learn that Israel was leveling her neighborhood. Our hopes and dreams have been turned into mounds of rubble, she said. The scale of ongoing destruction is stark. Across eastern Gaza, in areas under Israeli control, satellite imagery reveals that entire blocks have been erased since the cease-fire, as well as swaths of farmland and agricultural greenhouses. Oct. 14 Detail 350 ft. Destroyed greenhouse Nov. 5 Demolished buildings Razed orchard Oct. 14 Nov. 5 Destroyed greenhouse Razed orchards Demolished buildings 350 ft. Detail Oct. 14 Nov. 5 Destroyed greenhouse Razed orchards Demolished buildings 350 ft. Detail Source: Satellite images by Planet Labs Israel is wiping entire areas off the map, said Mohammed al-Astal, a political analyst based in Gaza. The Israeli military is destroying everything in front of it homes, schools, factories and streets. Theres no security justification for what its doing. An Israeli military official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under military rules, said Israel was not indiscriminately knocking down buildings. He said they sometimes collapsed when Israeli soldiers detonated explosives in the tunnels beneath them. The official acknowledged that the military was carrying out demolitions on both sides of the yellow line, but said that Israeli ground forces had not crossed the line to do so. The Times was unable to verify that claim. He also said that the Air Force was striking structures that posed a threat to Israeli soldiers, and that some of these were adjacent to the yellow line. Some tunnels, he said, traverse the withdrawal line, so detonating them could cause buildings on either side of it to collapse. President Trumps 20-point plan for ending the Gaza war, which formed the basis for the cease-fire, said that all military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons production facilities, will be destroyed. But Israel and Hamas also agreed to suspend all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment. One former Israeli military official questioned the scope of the demolition. This is absolute destruction, said Shaul Arieli, who commanded forces in Gaza in the 1990s. Its not selective destruction, its everything. Classified maps from the Israeli military intelligence directorate show an expansive tunnel network in the Shejaiya area and scores of locations where the military believes militants have booby-trapped homes and roads. The Israeli military allowed The Times to view those maps, which it said were produced for soldiers deployed in Gaza. The Times could not independently verify the accuracy of the maps. Husam Badran, a senior Hamas official in Qatar, said the Israeli demolitions were violating the cease-fire agreement. The agreement isnt vague, its clear, he said in an interview. Destroying peoples homes and property isnt allowed. Theyre hostile actions. Israeli officials have said that the military will continue carrying out the demolitions until the last tunnel, as the defense minister, Israel Katz, put it in a post on social media in November. If there are no tunnels, Mr. Katz wrote, there is no Hamas. Ashraf Nasr, 32, who lived in Shejaiya before being displaced, said he was filled with sadness to see his hometown pulverized. Our memories have been erased, he said. But Hamas gave Israel the pretext to carry out this disaster. It militarized civilian spaces. Stephen Chase was 19 years old when he woke up from a knee surgery speaking fluent Spanish despite only being able to count to 10 in the foreign language before the operation. Despite having only minimal knowledge of Spanish, he was able to converse fluently in Spanish for about 20 minutes after waking up from the surgery, before going back to English. I did not speak Spanish. I had a year in high school when Id had a Spanish class, Chase told LadBible. It was really beginner level, it was low level. Maybe I could count to 10 and knew a couple of phrases here and there. Photo: Dan Gold The father-of-three from Salt Lake City, Utah, doesnt remember speaking Spanish, just that nurses were asking him to speak English after waking up from the surgery, which made him really confused. He recalls everything he said to them in English, and it was only later that he found out he spoke fluent Spanish. The 33-year-old attorney was diagnosed with Foreign Language Syndrome (FLS) an extremely rare medical condition, with only around 100 confirmed cases on record since it was discovered in 1907. According to the National Library of Medicine, it can be caused by a number of factors, including brain injuries and tumors, psychological stress, and general anaesthesia. Chasescase stands out because he has exhibited Foreign Language Syndrome repeatedly after several surgeries over more than a decade. Over that period, he underwent several surgeries for sports-related injuries and, more recently, a septoplasty, and every time he woke up from the anesthesia, he spoke fluent Spanish. Photo: Unsplash The nurses say they ask me questions like how are you feeling? and am I in pain? after waking up, and I answer the questions in Spanish, Stephen Chase said. In my head, Im just speaking and I dont understand why they cant understand me. Asked why he thinks he speaks Spanish of all languages, the 33-year-old man said he believes it has something to do with growing up around Hispanic people and constantly hearing the language, despite never bothering to understand it. Apparently, FLS is different from the equally rare Foreign Accent Syndrome, in which people speak in their native language but develop a foreign accent. Republican-connected DCI Group is assisting the Nigerian government in communicating its actions to protect its Christian communities and maintaining US support in countering West African jihadist groups and other destabilizing elements, according to its agreement with Aster Legal. The one-year contract, which was signed Dec. 17, is worth $9M. Either side may terminate the $750K monthly retainer pact if it provides 60 days advance written notice of termination. President Trump announced on Christmas Day that the US carried out airstrikes in Nigeria against Islamist terrorist attacks that primarily targeted innocent Christians. DCI Group has nine people working on the account including managing member Justin Peterson and senior advisor Doug Davenport. Trump appointed Peterson, who worked on the presidential campaigns of Elizabeth Dole and George W. Bush, to serve as his rep to the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico. Davenport worked on each of Trumps three presidential runs, and most recently served as 2024 campaign convention team manager for the GOP session in Milwaukee. Top GOP operative Roger Stone consults on the Nigerian effort. 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 German defense concern Rheinmetall has announced the delivery of the first five Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) at the beginning of this year, with the next step being the procurement of additional batches of such vehicles, including production in Ukraine. "Rheinmetall is supplying Ukraine with additional systems for national defense. The country is to receive its first Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicles as early as the beginning of 2026. The corresponding contract was signed in December 2025. The value of the order for the first five combat vehicles amounts to a double-digit million euro figure, with the systems being financed by the Federal Republic of Germany," the concerns website reported on Monday. It is noted that the decision in favor of the Lynx KF41 was made after thorough testing. The IFVs will be equipped with a two-person Lance turret and will be specially configured for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "We are grateful for the trust that Ukraine has placed in us We would also like to thank the German government for its support. This order is a fundamental success that underscores our ongoing efforts to support Ukraine," said Rheinmetall AG CEO Armin Papperger. Fianna Fail TD for Offaly, Tony McCormack, has welcomed confirmation that the Chinese market has reopened to Irish beef following the suspension of exports in September 2024. The decision by the General Administration of Customs in China (GACC) to lift the suspension is a significant development for the Irish beef sector, restoring access to an important international market. Deputy McCormack said: "The confirmation this week that the Chinese market will reopen for Irish beef is a very important and positive development for our farmers. It restores access to a key international market and supports the continued growth of Irelands beef sector." He said the announcement is a reflection of the strength of Irelands agri-food standards and regulatory oversight: Irelands animal health, traceability and food safety standards are respected across the world. This decision is a clear endorsement of the robustness and transparency of those systems. READ NEXT: Major windfarm's benefit fund opens for applications from Offaly communities This announcement underlines the importance of continuous engagement on the international stage. The Taoiseachs visit to China last week to meet President Xi Jinping in Beijing played an important part in achieving this result. Working with other countries abroad opens up opportunity for us at home. Opportunities that will ultimately create more jobs and increase income streams for Irish business. Maintaining access to key markets is of huge importance for the sustainability of Irish beef production. We must continue to take all possible measures to protecting those opportunities. READ MORE: Hard work made last August's Tullamore Show a success chairman THE Councillors of Offaly County Council have received a 40% increase in their salary over the last few years, a recent meeting of the local authority was told. Elaine Lynch, Communications and Meetings Officer of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), told the meeting that, following the Moorhead Report recommendations in 2020, the Councillors' basic annual salary increased from around 18,000 (plus expenses) to approximately 30,000, a rise which dealt with a long-standing demand for better remuneration reflecting increased workloads. The Moorhead Report recommended substantial increases, acknowledging the significantly expanded role of councillors after the 2014 Local Government Reform Act. In 2021 a 8,000 annual increase was approved, bringing basic pay to around 25,000 for many councillors, alongside expense changes. Further increments occurred as part of broader public sector pay deals, pushing salaries to over 30,000+ annually by mid-2025. Cllr John Leahy, Cathaoirleach, told the meeting that the Councillors' salary prior to the Moorhead Report had been far too low and the subsequent increases aimed to recognize the demanding, full-time nature of the job, as well as attracting and retaining members. Ms Lynch told the meeting that the AILG is Ireland's main representative body for the 949 elected city and county councillors in 31 local authorities. She said the organisation acts as a vital resource for training, policy development, and advocacy, ensuring councillors are supported and their role in delivering effective local government and representing communities is recognised by national bodies. Formed in 2014 from previous associations, the AILG engages with government to champion local democracy and community needs. The AILG is our union, commented Cllr Noel Cribbin. They do trojan work on our behalf. Cllr Sean O'Brien said the AILG is an excellent organisation, which has welcomed many new members since the last local elections. Ms Lynch said the AILG has improved working conditions for the hundreds of Councillors throughout Ireland. However, due to social media, abuse and harassment of Councillors has become commonplace. No one should have to put up with such harassment. It is not part of the job description. She said Councillors play a very important role in society and their remit covers housing, the environment and roads. You advocate for your constituents, we advocate for you. She pointed out that the Local Democracy Taskforce is currently investigating ways of improving the local government system, an investigation which could significantly improve local democracy. The Taskforce will report back to us in the Spring. Their aim is to create a stronger local democratic system, a stronger local governance system. Cllr Eddie Fitzpatrick said it's hugely important for the Councillors to have an organisation such as the AILG representing them. Cllr Claire Murray-Smale thanked the AILG for all the help they gave me since I was first elected in 2024. Their help made my new role considerably less daunting. Prior to the last local elections, remarked Cllr Sean O'Brien, the AILG met the various political parties and briefed them on a number of issues relating to the working life of Councillors. The AILG has a massive, positive influence on the system. The work of the Local Democracy Taskforce will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for significant improvement, for the reforming and strengthening, of the local government system, a system which is the beating heart of Irish democracy. Cllr Liam Quinn said the Office of the Planning Regulator shouldn't have the power it has over the Council's Development Plan. The AILG should tackle this OPR over-reach, he said. Cllr Leahy said it's harder being a Councillor than a TD. It is endless work. We do it because we love it. Our constituents often want a response immediately; and if they don't get a response within an hour or two then they contact another Councillor. Ms Lynch remarked that the Tanaiste Simon Harris once said that the hardest job he ever did was being a County Councillor. READ NEXT: Offaly County Council members agree with push for Irish unity SSE Renewables is proud to announce the launch of the inaugural Yellow River Community Benefit Fund, created to deliver meaningful support to communities surrounding the Yellow River Wind Farm, outside Rhode, in County Offaly. Developed in line with the Governments Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), the Yellow River Community Benefit Fund will contribute 2 per megawatt hour of renewable electricity generated. This is expected to provide a significant annual fund to support local initiatives. Eligible applicants include not-for-profit groups operating within a 10km radius of a Yellow River Wind Farm, with priority given to those within 5km. The fund offers two streams of support; the Local Community Fund is designed to assist small-scale, grassroots initiatives that make a difference locally, while the Major Projects Fund focuses on large-scale projects with long-term impact. The fund is designed to support community projects that address local challenges through innovative solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on supporting initiatives that promote quality education, clean energy, sustainable communities, and climate action. READ NEXT: Over one hundred people take part in parkrun at popular Offaly venue The Yellow River Community Benefit Fund will open for applications on Monday, 12 January and close at 5pm on Monday, 2 March. To support prospective applicants, an information workshop will be held in person on Monday, 26 January at Rhode GAA Hall and Tuesday, 27 January at Rochfortbridge Community Centre. An online information workshop will follow on Wednesday, 4 February. To register for a workshop, please email yellowrivercbf@sse.com. Speaking about the Community Benefit Fund, Annette Duffy, Community Investment Manager at SSE, said Were delighted to launch the Yellow River Community Benefit Fund, which reflects our commitment to supporting the communities that host renewable energy projects. This fund will help local groups deliver initiatives that make a real difference, from small grassroots projects to major developments that create lasting impact. I encourage all eligible community groups to apply and join us in creating positive change for the region. The Yellow River Wind Farm, which underpins this fund, began construction in October 2022 and reached completion in 2025. At peak delivery, the project has supported approximately 150 full-time construction jobs, with the final wind turbine installed in June 2024. Comprising of 29 turbines with a total installed capacity of over 101 MW, Yellow River Wind Farm can generate enough renewable electricity to power up to 75,000* Irish homes each year and offset nearly 70,000* tonnes of carbon emissions annually. For more information or to apply, visit https://www.sserenewables.com/yellow-river/ or email yellowrivercbf@sse.com. READ NEXT: 'Story Tots' and 'After-School Lego' among the free offerings at two libraries in Offaly Exactly four years since Ashling Murphy was murdered near Tullamore, on Monday afternoon her family and the local community walked along the canal bank to the place where she died. The Ashling Murphy Memorial Walk is now an annual event commemorating the 23-year-old who was exercising on the Grand Canal near Digby Bridge, Cappincur when she was stabbed to death. A primary teacher at Durrow National School, the young Blueball woman had driven to the car park near Digby Bridge after completing a day's work. Led by Ashling's parents Ray and Kathleen, her sister Amy and brother Cathal, hundreds of people gathered at the car park at 3pm and walked in silence the short distance to the canal side shrine which marks the site of the murder. After a decade of the rosary was led by Tom Lawless, Durrow National School principal James Hogan spoke on behalf of the Murphy family and the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund, thanking everyone, locally, nationally and worldwide, for their support. Mr Hogan said it was hard to believe four years had passed. But unfortunately that is life and we have to remember Ashling for the positives she brought to our world in the 23 short years, he said. He spoke about how the Ashling Murphy Memorial Fund has been set up to keep her name and legacy alive. And that for sure we will do. It has proven to date, the great support we've got from so many individuals, organisations, clubs, from fundraising and various events to keep her memory alive. But as that money comes in, we give it out twice as fast. He said over 150,000 worth of support for various agencies, individuals, clubs, sports, schools and Comhaltas branches had been distributed from the fund so far. Ashling was involved in sport, music, the teanga Gaeilge, school. A real community person. We're delighted to be able to support and keep that going. He also thanked all the local people who kept the shrine beautifully and who visited it regularly. It all does help. And we're very grateful. Ashling might not be here but she's always with us in spirit. He added: We think of her on this day, four years on from her tragic loss. She is deeply, deeply missed every day. It's wrong, it is wrong, and it's not fair. But we have to move forward together and we will. READ NEXT: Ashling Murphy's father in emotional musical tribute to daughter at memorial day in Tullamore He acknowledged the presence of the Murphy family, Ashling's boyfriend at the time of her death, Ryan Casey, and offered the community's sympathy to them. You're a credit. You're so proud of her, and you should be and we know you are and she's very proud of you. And we will support you all the way. Ashling Murphy, a talented musician and fiddle tutor, was then remembered with a selection of traditional Irish tunes played by many of those present, including her father Ray and her sister Amy. Jozef Puska (35), a former resident of Mucklagh and native of Slovakia, is serving a life sentence for the murder of Ashling Murphy. He had denied the killing but was found guilty after a trial at the Central Criminal Court in 2023. An appeal has been fixed for April. Two of his brothers, Lubomir Jnr and Marek Puska were later convicted of withholding information from gardai during the investigation. Viera Gaziova, wife of Lubomir Jnr Puska, and Jozefina Grundzova, wife of Marek, were convicted of obstructing the prosecution of Jozef Puska. All were convicted after denying the charges. Lucia Istokova, wife of Jozef Puska, was convicted after she pleaded guilty to withholding information from gardai. All of those convicted lived with their children in the same house at Lynally Grove, Mucklagh. Lorraine Wynne who runs their independent Travel Counsellors business in Offaly is part of the Travel Counsellors Ireland team that has won Best Long-Haul Agency for the second year in a row at the 2025 ITTN Irish Travel Trade Awards. The prestigious awards, hosted annually by Irish Travel Trade News (ITTN), celebrate excellence, innovation and customer care across Irelands travel industry. Headquartered in Mahon, Cork, Travel Counsellors Ireland has more than 80 independent business owners nationwide and is part of a global community of over 2,500 Travel Counsellors across six countries. The company has become known for delivering highly personalised service, expert travel advice and trusted leisure and corporate travel management. Lorraine, who has been running their independent travel business in Offaly since 2015, said: I am so proud to be part of a team that has been recognised on a national stage. Winning Best Long-Haul Agency reflects the care, personal service and attention to detail we give every client. Being able to run my own business here in Clara while having the support of such a strong community, is incredibly rewarding. It is wonderful to see Travel Counsellors Ireland acknowledged for the work we do every day. Cathy Burke, Managing Director of Travel Counsellors Ireland, said: We are incredibly proud to be recognised among Irelands best at this years ITTN Awards. This achievement is a tribute to our amazing community of Travel Counsellors across the country who consistently go above and beyond for their clients. Because these categories are voted on by customers, winning Best Long-Haul Agency for the second year reflects the passion, care and professionalism shown every day, as well as the trust customers continue to place in us. READ NEXT: Tullamore Tidy Towns to 'shame' litter louts and rogue dog walkers This recognition also speaks to the culture weve built. For anyone passionate about travel, being a Travel Counsellor is really the best job. The relationships our Travel Counsellors build with their clients, and the loyalty theyve earned over the years, are at the heart of our success. The 2025 ITTN Irish Travel Trade Awards took place at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin on Friday, 28 November. Celebrating 20 years in 2025, Travel Counsellors Ireland continues to grow its network of experienced travel professionals and new entrants to the industry, offering the opportunity to run a flexible, independent business with the support of cutting-edge technology and a strong, people-first community. READ NEXT: Offaly firm wins major international restoration award for Ireland and UK There's a specific kind of magic that settles over the Turkish Riviera when the morning mist finally lifts from the Taurus Mountains. Fethiye is a Both directions of Interstate 5 in the Salem area will close for ongoing road work beginning 10 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12. The closure will be between exit 248-252 from Kuebler Boulevard to Delaney Road 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. the next morning Monday-Wednesday, Jan. 12-14. The closures are part of work that includes: Building a sound wall near the Terrace Lake Park community. Building the new Battle Creek Bridge. Preparing to widen the section of I-5 north of Delaney Road and pave a section of southbound I-5. Bringing in materials to build up the elevation of the Battle Creek Road SE and Wiltsey Street SE intersection for a roundabout. The Oregon Department of Transportation warns drivers to expect delays along a posted detour route. See maps. Southbound detour map Map courtesy of ODOT Northbound detour map. Map courtesy of ODOT The work is weather dependent, but clear skies and mild temperatures are in the forecast through the end of the week. For more details on this ongoing project, visit the website: oregon.gov/odot/projects/pages. A U.S. Border Patrol officer fired two shots through the drivers window of Luis Nino-Moncadas Toyota Tacoma when it backed up and rammed an unoccupied federal rental car several times, according to court records filed Monday. Nino-Moncada, 33, appeared briefly in U.S. District Court in Portland, accused of aggravated assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon and damaging federal property in excess of $1,000. The officer shot Nino-Moncada in the arm and his passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, 32, in the chest Thursday afternoon after the truck drove into the parking lot of an Adventist Health medical office building and federal officers surrounded it in an attempt to stop it. Nino-Moncada walked gingerly Monday into the courtroom wearing a white sweatshirt and sweatpants, his left arm bent at an awkward angle but not in a sling. A Spanish interpreter sat beside him to help him understand the proceeding. Prosecutor Leah Bolstad urged his detention, saying hes a danger to the community and may flee. The judge ordered Nino-Moncada detained until a release and probable cause hearing later this week. According to a federal affidavit, the Border Patrol officers last week were focused on arresting the passenger in the red pickup that Nino-Moncada was driving and knew she was associated with him. When they spotted her in the truck near Adventist Health hospital, six federal officers in four unmarked cars moved to stop the pickup in the parking lot of Medical Office 3 at 10201 S.E. Main St. The officers approached the truck, identified themselves in English and Spanish and ordered the two occupants to get out, FBI agent Daniel Jeffreys wrote in the affidavit. Nino-Moncada reversed and slammed several times into one of their unoccupied black rental cars stopped behind him, the affidavit said. One officer fired into the drivers window before the truck sped out of the lot, the affidavit said. The Border Patrol officer who fired had been standing near the front of the pickup when it reversed and hit the rental car. The officer then moved to a position near the pickups front drivers door and fired twice into the truck, another Border Patrol officer told the FBI, according to the affidavit. At least one other federal officer drew a gun but held it pointing down. He said he was wasnt afraid for his life because there was enough distance between him and the truck, the affidavit said. Another officer backed away from the moving truck and told FBI investigators that he was concerned for the safety of nearby civilians, the affidavit said. That officer said Nino-Moncada raised his hands after the gunshots and then drove away. Another officer said he heard the gunshots and saw the trucks drivers window shatter. Nino-Moncada drove about three miles and stopped in the parking lot of a Northeast Portland apartment complex to call 911. As Portland police placed a tourniquet on his arm there, he repeatedly said, F--- ICE! and later told FBI investigators that he intentionally rammed the Border Patrol rental car in an attempt to flee, according to the affidavit. The account in the court document is based on FBI interviews of four of the six Border Patrol officers who were at the scene and not the officer who fired the shots. There is no body camera footage from any of the six officers, and the medical offices fixed surveillance cameras didnt capture the shooting, according to the FBI. Zambrano-Contreras has been transferred to the federal immigration detention center in Tacoma and faces an allegation filed in federal court in Texas of entering the country illegally. A federal affidavit in her case says the Border Patrol officers in Portland attempted an investigatory stop on the truck she was riding in and that one Border Patrol agent fired his gun because the trucks driver attempted to run over the Border Patrol agents. Zambrano-Contreras is accused of crossing into the U.S. on Sept. 16, 2023, about a mile east of the port of entry at El Paso, Texas. She was then released on her own recognizance due to lack of space in the detention facility there, according to court records. FBI photos of the damaged Border Patrol rental car that was not occupied when Luis Nino-Moncada, 33, is accused of ramming into it in reverse as he attempted to get away from federal immigration officers who cornered his truck in a medical office parking lot last Thurs., Jan. 8, 2026. FBI FBI investigators said Zambrano-Contreras was served with a notice to check in at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Portland then, but she never did. She has a notice to appear in immigration court for a formal hearing on her case in June 2028. Nino-Moncada also faces deportation, having previously been ordered out of the country by an immigration judge in Denver on Nov. 21, 2024, according to the affidavit in Portland federal court. Both are from Venezuela, federal authorities said. Law enforcement continues to investigate the links between these subjects and TDA, referring to the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, the Portland affidavit said. In a statement Monday, U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi said: Anyone who crosses the red line of assaulting law enforcement will be met with the full force of this Justice Department. This man an illegal alien with ties to a foreign terrorist organization should NEVER have been in our country to begin with, and we will ensure he NEVER walks free in America again. Oregon Federal Public Defender Fidel Cassino-DuCloux, whose office represents Nino-Moncada, has said that the federal shooting of their client and the subsequent accusations leveled against him and his passenger follow a well-worn playbook that the government has developed to justify the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of its agents. They have accused him and his passenger of unrelated crimes and have claimed without evidence that he is a member of Tren De Aragua, just as they have said about many other Venezuelan citizens, he said. Washington County connection Federal officials have said that Zambrano-Contreras is suspected to be involved in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and previously involved with a Portland shooting last summer after a prostitution deal gone bad in Washington County. She has never been charged with any shooting, according to police. She also appeared to be the victim of a prostitution-related robbery in Washington County, the affidavit revealed. On July 7, she escaped from a Washington County apartment on Southwest Firlock Way where she had gone two times that night to work as a prostitute, the affidavit said. On her second visit, one of the men she met forced her to perform a sex act and initially wouldnt let her leave, she told investigators. She was later forced to leave without her money or her belongings and texted Nino-Moncada to pick her up and bring her back to the extended stay hotel in Portland where shed been staying, the affidavit said. Nino-Moncada told investigators that she was crying that night and had marks on her neck when he picked her up, the affidavit said. Once back at the hotel, Zambrano-Contreras called a friend named Alex, who went back to the Washington County apartment with her to try to retrieve her money and belongings, according to court records. Nino-Moncada and several other men accompanied them. One of the men broke the apartments window and Zambrano-Contreras went inside but couldnt find her belongings and left, she told investigators, according to the affidavit. She said she didnt hear any gunshots fired. But the Washington County Sheriffs Office was called to the apartment that night on a report of a shooting. More than one man said they had engaged the prostitution services of Zambrano-Contreras earlier in the night at the apartment, but she and others returned and broke in after an earlier dispute. The men inside the apartment fled out the back and were shot at as they ran off, the affidavit said. Sheriffs office investigators recovered a single 9mm casing near the back of the apartment that later matched casings from several other shootings, including one that occurred in Northeast Portland four days later, the affidavit said. On July 11, Portland police responded to a shooting call near Northeast 82nd Avenue and Sandy Boulevard, where a man was shot in the chest and arm. The victim told police he was a Venezuelan national and the shooting stemmed from an altercation with Tren de Aragua gang members who sold him a car, the affidavit said. He identified one of the members as Alex. He said when he tried to get his money back from Alex, another man who was with Leo and Camion shot him and fled, the affidavit said. The victim, who was cooperative with police, identified Nino-Moncada as an associate of the gang and close associate of Camion, the affidavit said. Portland Police Chief Bob Day last week said Nino-Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras names came up during the July 11 shooting investigation but they were never arrested or named as suspects in the shooting. On Aug. 19, Portland police executed a search warrant at the extended stay hotel in Portland and briefly detained Zambrano-Contreras and Nino-Moncada. They admitted they were involved in the break-in at the Washington County apartment but denied any involvement in the shooting. Use of force policy After a Border Patrol agent shot the two last Thursday, the officers team leader showed up at the shooting scene, according to the FBI. The team leader wasnt involved in the operation but spoke with some of the federal officers at the medical office building. The leader then reported to the FBI their understanding of what occurred based on what they had heard on scene, the affidavit said. The team leader told the FBI that the truck driver appeared to have tried to drive into one of the Border Patrol agents and that the agent got out of the trucks way and shot at the driver multiple times, the affidavit said. The Department of Homeland Securitys use of force policy, updated in 2023, says officers should use tactics and techniques that effectively bring an incident under control while promoting the safety of LEOs (law enforcement officers) and the public, and that minimize the risk of unintended injury or serious property damage. The departments law enforcement officers should also avoid intentionally and unreasonably placing themselves in positions in which they have no alternative to using deadly force, the policy says. Homeland Security officers are prohibited from firing at an operator of a moving vehicle unless the use of deadly force is justified under other policy standards -- and an officer must also consider the hazards that may be posed to law enforcement and innocent bystanders by an out-of-control vehicle, the policy says. A review by policing experts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection use-of-force cases and policies in 2013 recommended that its officers be prohibited from shooting at vehicles unless the occupants are attempting to use deadly force - other than the vehicle - against an agent. Training and tactics should focus on avoiding positions that put agents in the path of a vehicle and getting out of the way of moving vehicles, the report by the Police Executive Research Forum said. Oregonian Staff Writers Yesenio Amaro and Gosia Wozniacka contributed to this story. The Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence did not support the inclusion of the dismissal of SBU head Vasyl Maliuk on the agenda of the Verkhovna Rada session, reported committee member Iryna Friz (European Solidarity faction). "The committee did not support the decision to include the presidents motion to dismiss Vasyl Maliuk as head of the Security Service of Ukraine on the plenary session agenda," Friz told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday. According to her, only seven members of parliament voted in favor of the decision, six voted against, and two abstained. A U.S. Border Patrol officers firing into a side window of a moving truck was the very tactic that policing experts more than a decade ago advised the federal government to halt to avoid increasing risks to public safety. Yet the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys use-of-force policy appears to still allow its officers to react the way the Border Patrol agent did in Portland last week. A federal affidavit released Monday said the Border Patrol officer fired as the truck reversed and rammed an unoccupied rental car several times before driving out of a crowded parking lot at a Southeast Portland medical office building. The rental car was used by federal officers. Homeland Security officials said the driver had weaponized the truck and that the officer fired in self-defense and to protect others. It is the latest shooting involving a pattern of similar tactics used by federal immigration officers throughout the U.S. , though accounts of what triggered the shootings slightly differ. The FBI is leading the investigation of Thursdays shooting in Portland and working with Portland police. Oregons Justice Department has opened a separate but parallel investigation, citing concerns about federal agents use of excessive force in Portland and nationally. A 2013 review of U.S. Customs and Border Protection use-of-force cases and policies recommended that its officers be prohibited from shooting at vehicles unless their occupants are using deadly force -- other than the vehicle -- against an agent. Training and tactics should focus on avoiding positions that put agents in the path of a vehicle and getting out of the way of moving vehicles, said the report by the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington, D.C.-based independent organization that does research on policing. It also said agents should be trained to get out of the way of oncoming vehicles and not intentionally step in front to stop them. Homeland Security updated its use-of-force policy in 2023 and tells officers to use tactics and techniques that effectively bring an incident under control while promoting the safety of LEOs (law enforcement officers) and the public, and that minimize the risk of unintended injury or serious property damage. The Border Patrol officer shot driver Luis Nino-Moncada, 33, in the arm and passenger Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras , 32, in the chest. Nino-Moncada was arrested, accused of federal aggravated assault and damaging federal property and appeared Monday in U.S. District Court in Portland. Zambrano-Contreras has been transferred to the federal immigration detention center in Tacoma and faces an allegation in federal court in Texas of illegally entering the U.S. in 2023, about a mile east of the El Paso port of entry. Homeland Security officials said they had targeted Zambrano-Contreras stemming from an investigation into a prostitution ring run by the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Both Zambrano-Contreras and Nino-Moncada are Venezuelan nationals and illegally in the U.S., federal authorities said. The Border Patrol agent was near the drivers window of the red Toyota Tacoma pickup truck and fired at the driver, other federal officers told the FBI in interviews. The FBI noted that one other Border Patrol agent drew his gun but held it down because he didnt feel he was in danger, according to the affidavit. And another agent backed away from the moving truck and told FBI investigators that he was concerned for the safety of nearby civilians, the affidavit said. That officer said Nino-Moncada raised his hands after the gunshots and then drove away. The FBI didnt note if Nino-Moncada or Zambrano-Contreras were armed. They drove several miles away to an apartment complex off Northeast 146th Avenue and Nino-Moncada called 911. Portland police found them there and they were taken to separate hospitals to treat their wounds. The Homeland Security policy says its officers should also avoid intentionally and unreasonably placing themselves in positions in which they have no alternative to using deadly force. Use of deadly force may be used only when necessary -- when a law enforcement officer has a reasonable belief that the target of such force poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the law enforcement officer or someone else. But if people are fleeing in a car and officers believe they pose an imminent danger, the policy says agents also must consider the hazards that may be posed to law enforcement and innocent bystanders by an out of control vehicle if the officer uses deadly force. The standards also say: Deadly force shall not be used solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing subject. A Customs and Border Patrol policy handbook from 2021, says: In all instances, covered in this policy or not, Authorized Officers/Agents shall only use objectively reasonable and necessary force to effectively bring an incident under control, while minimizing the risk of injury for all involved parties. The handbook also says its officers should avoid standing directly in front of or behind a suspects vehicle and shouldnt place themselves in the path of a moving vehicle or use their body to block a vehicles path. Officers should avoid intentionally and unreasonably placing themselves in positions in which they have no alternative to using deadly force. The Police Executive Research Forum had reviewed deadly force by Customs and Border Protection officers from January 2010 through October 2012, including 67 case files of deadly force. Border Patrol officers are within the Customs and Border Protection agency. The forums review found that the agency didnt consistently and thoroughly review all deadly force encounters. Most of those encounters occurred during their main mission of patrolling along the U.S.-Mexico border. In 15 cases, Customs and Border Protection officers fired at or into vehicles. At that time, the policing analysts said it appeared the federal agency allowed officers to shoot at the driver of any suspect vehicle that came in the direction of agents or they suspected was trying to flee from the officers. The officers intentionally put themselves into the exit path of the vehicle, thereby exposing themselves to additional risk and creating justification for the use of deadly force, the forums report said. In most of these cases, the agents said they were shooting at the driver who was coming at them and posing an imminent threat to their life, the report said. In some cases, passengers were struck by agents gunfire. Little focus has been placed on defensive tactics that could have been used by shooting agents such as getting out of the way, the report said. It should be recognized that a ounce (200 grain) bullet is unlikely to stop a 4,000 pound moving vehicle, and if the driver of the approaching vehicle is disabled by a bullet, the vehicle will become a totally unguided threat. Obviously, shooting at a moving vehicle can pose a risk to bystanders including other agents, the policing experts wrote. Chuck Wexler, the executive director of the forum, said his agency recommended that Customs and Border Protection prohibit shooting at vehicles unless the force used is something other than the vehicle, like a gun. He said the forums report led to changes in the agencys policies, but how far they went I cant precisely say. Concerns about police shooting at moving vehicles goes back to 1972 when New York police shot a young teenager in a stolen car, Wexler said. At that time, New York City police examined their policies and decided to prohibit officers from shooting at moving cars unless the force used by a suspect was something other than a moving vehicle. You can always get an individual another day but you cant get a life back, Wexler said. And here we are 50 years later, its still an issue in law enforcement. Geoffrey Alpert, a criminologist at the University of South Carolina who has researched high-risk police activities for more than three decades, said state and local police agencies across the nation have changed their policies to restrict officers from shooting at vehicles for all the right reasons. Alpert declined to comment directly on the Border Patrol agents shooting in Portland but said firing a gun at a moving vehicle in a crowded parking lot isnt safe. Its always a balance between risk and benefit, he said. The risk is so high in those environments -- shopping centers, parking lots, medical office lot -- that its got to be an incredibly serious offense to warrant it. He said he hopes the investigation by the FBI or the Oregon Department of Justice -- or the agency itself -- delves into the Border Patrol officers justification for firing into the pickup and whether the officer followed the agencys use-of-force force policy and training. I think the policies are pretty good, but do they follow them? he said. Alpert, who previously served on a compliance team evaluating Portland police use of force, also pointed out the lack of body worn cameras on the Border Patrol officers at the Portland shooting scene. The federal government is making all the state and local police agencies equip their officers with the cameras, yet their law enforcement agencies dont do it themselves, he said. I never understood that. On Monday, officials with the National Police Accountability Project condemned the shooting in Portland and said they supported the independent investigation by the Oregon Department of Justice, noting the Portland shooting came a day after a federal immigration officer fatally shot a 37-year-old driver in Minneapolis. The unsettling pattern of federal agents using lethal force in civilian communities must be a moment of reckoning, said Lauren Bonds, a civil rights attorney and executive director of the National Police Accountability Project. Portland and Minneapolis should alarm us all: these operations, touted as public safety efforts, are resulting in severe injuries and death with too little transparency, civilian oversight, or accountability. The accountability project, based in Redmond, Wash., is a national nonprofit that works through legal action and education to end law enforcement abuses. Attorney Juan Chavez, civil rights project director at the Oregon Justice Resource Center, also condemned the shootings in Portland and Minneapolis amid heightened immigration enforcement. When federal agents use lethal force in residential neighborhoods with no transparency or oversight, it underscores how normalized violence has become in policing. Portlanders deserve full, impartial answers and real accountabilitynot secrecy, immunity, or cops investigating themselves, he said. An ex-educator with Portland Public Schools was sentenced to 2 years in prison for downloading images of child sex abuse and suggesting lewd acts in an online chat with someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl. Craig Douglas-Meyers, a former math teacher at Hosford Middle School in Southeast Portland, learned his punishment Thursday. A Multnomah County jury previously found the 39-year-old guilty of multiple counts of luring a minor and second-degree encouraging child sex abuse in November. I betrayed my wife, my kids, and myself, as well as the community, Douglas-Meyers said in court last week. I despise everything Ive done. Portland police officers arrested Douglas-Meyers at his Montavilla neighborhood home in August 2024, following a tip from a California detective who had posed as a young girl in online chat rooms. The teacher complimented her body and suggested they could have a fun date despite knowing her age. Investigators obtained a warrant and found the child sex abuse images on Douglas-Meyers computer. During the sentencing hearing, defense attorney Rich Cohen noted the former teachers lack of prior convictions and asked Judge Jeff Auxier to impose a sentence of probation alone, saying Douglas-Meyers was an excellent candidate for sex offender treatment. Douglas-Meyers parents testified, saying their son would live with them at their semi-rural property if released. He has been in custody since his arrest. Douglas-Meyers was on paid administrative leave from the time of his arrest until Dec. 3, when he left his $96,000-a-year job. He started working for the school district in May 2010, records show. Prosecutor Chuck Mickley, however, called for the full 2 years in custody, highlighting the possibility of recidivism. Youre a pedophile if you have a sexual interest in children, regardless if you act on it or not, Mickley said. The problem is that Mr. Douglas-Meyers acted on it. Auxier followed the recommendation, granting credit for time served only. The judge told Douglas-Meyers his conduct had real victims the children he had observed in photographs and had made it harder for blameless male educators to earn trust. The overwhelming majority of male middle school teachers do their work with integrity and are valuable faculty members, Auxier said, and you made it so much harder for them to do their jobs. The driver shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Southeast Portland was booked Sunday afternoon into jail on an assault allegation and is expected to appear Monday in federal court. FBI agents arrested Luis David Nino-Moncada, 33, at OHSU Hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound to his arm. Hes accused of aggravated assault of a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon and damaging federal property in excess of $1,000. He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center downtown on a U.S. Marshals Service hold at 2:08 p.m. Sunday. FBI officials said after the shooting that they were investigating an assault on federal officers and described him as one of two assailants who fled the scene after the shooting. Nino-Moncada and the passenger in his Toyota pickup, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, were both shot and wounded Thursday in the parking lot of an Adventist Health medical office building in the 10200 block of Southeast Main Street. Zambrano-Contreras was shot in the chest and remains hospitalized at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Homeland Security officials said Border Patrol agents were targeting Zambrano-Contreras, alleging she played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and was involved with a prior shooting in Portland. They said Nino-Moncada was a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member. An agent fired a defensive shot when Nino-Moncada weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents after the officers identified themselves, Homeland Security officials said in a statement shortly after the shooting. A witness told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he saw federal officers approach a red Toyota truck and pound on the drivers window. The truck reversed twice, hitting the car behind it both times, before turning and speeding out of the lot, he said. He said he heard five shots as it sped off. Another witness reported hearing tires squealing and then two gunshots. 36 1 / 36 Two shot by federal immigration agents in Portland Nino-Moncada pulled into an apartment complex a few minutes later near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside Street, where he called 911. Patrick Herrington, who lives in the apartment complex, said he heard the trucks horn honking like crazy and saw Nino-Moncada lying on the sidewalk as emergency responders cut off his coat and applied a tourniquet to his arm. He saw Zambrano-Contreras lying on the ground near the front of the truck. They were both conscious, he said. He also noticed that the drivers window was broken out. Luis David Nino-Marcada, 33, drove into the last parking space in The Bria Apartments off Northeast 146th Avenue after he was shot in the arm during an encounter with Border Patrol officers in Southeast Portland on Thurs., Jan. 8, 2025. There, he called 911 to report he and his passenger had been shot. Courtesy of Justin Wood The Oregon Department of Justice announced last week it was going to conduct its own parallel investigation of the shooting. Nino-Moncadas defense attorney, Oregon Federal Public Defender Fidel Cassino-DuCloux, criticized the federal governments quick characterization of what happened, saying the accusations follow a well-worn playbook of blaming the people hurt for the dangerous and unprofessional conduct of its agents. A day before the Portland shooting, an immigration enforcement agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in her car in Minneapolis in a disputed sequence of events. Homeland Security officials also claim she weaponized her car. Nino-Moncada has a case pending in Washington County, accused of driving under the influence of intoxicants and unauthorized use of a car without the owners consent in November. He pleaded not guilty last month. The owner of the car was Zambrano-Contreras. Nino-Moncada, a Venezuela national, entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and faces a final deportation order, Homeland Security officials said. As the nation celebrates the legacy of slain human rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., various organizations will host events to commemorate the holiday. Also see our list of closed Federal and state offices, and service adjustments on Jan. 19. Events A Legacy In Motion: Moving the Dream Forward The annual Keep Alive the Dream tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. is a free event that promises drumming, spoken word, music, and storytelling performances as well as education, and cultural expression. There will also be local vendor and community group displays. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Life Change Church, 3635 N. Williams Ave.; worldartsfoundation.org. SOLVE MLK Jr. Day of Service Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first federal holiday honoring an African American, is observed annually on the third Monday in January. This day of service celebrates the life and legacy of King and is a nationally recognized Day of Service, encouraging all Americans to volunteer and contribute to the betterment of their communities. Tasks include trash clean up and restoration projects. Various locations and times Monday, Jan. 19. Sign up for a spot at the website. Many events fill before the holiday; solveoregon.org/mlk. iUrban Teen MLK Jr. Day Breakfast This years theme is Strength Through Unity: Empowering Voices, Inspiring Change. Enjoy breakfast as youre included in a meaningful community gathering honoring Kings legacy of service, equity and devotion. There will be live music and messages from spiritual leaders. 8:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, ilani Resort, 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield; tickets $85; zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/martin-luther-king-jr-breakfast. Martin Luther King Jr. Endowed Lecture Lewis & Clark Law Schools annual event features a lecture by public scholar and bestselling author Carol Anderson titled The Strangling of American Democracy. The lecture is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to attend in person or virtually. 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Flanagan Chapel at Lewis & Clark College, 615 S. Palatine Hill Road; law.lclark.edu/calendars/events. Urban League of Portland MLK Day Brunch Each year, the Martin Luther King Jr. Brunch honors the enduring legacy of King and his historic connection to the Urban League of Portland. This gathering brings together elected officials, community leaders, and advocates to celebrate Kings vision and recommit the community to action that advances justice and equity. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. MLK Jr. Blvd; SOLD OUT; ulpdx.org/events/2026. Regional events We Make American Great Si Se Puede event (Salem) This MLK Day rally calls for justice and protection for immigrant communities. The student-led assembly welcomes families, workers, students, faith leaders and advocates to gather in support of immigrants. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Oregon State Capitol, 900 Court St., N.E. Salem; gofundme.com/f/help-us-host-the-mlk-day-rally. OSU Peace Breakfast (Corvallis) Oregon State University hosts its 44th annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. with a breakfast and speakers Monday morning and a Day of Service on Jan. 31. Breakfast 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Alumni Center Ballroom on campus, 725 S.W. 26th St., Corvallis, free. See the website to register or to get information on other events; diversity.oregonstate.edu/MLKCommemoration. Yamhill County The Chehalem Cultural Center hosts its annual celebration featuring an interactive program of spoken word, videos, and discussion. 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, in the Grand Ballroom, 415 E. Sheridan St., Newberg; free; chehalemculturalcenter.org/mlk-day-celebration-yamhill-county. Silverton MLK Jr. Observance The annual community potluck features keynote speaker Reyna Lopez, president of PCUN farmworkers union in Woodburn, as well as sing-alongs and readings. All are welcome. 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, Silverton Grange, 201 Division St., Silverton; free; silvertongrange.org. OF NOTE: The Federal Government is no longer offering free National Parks Day on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Read more about the change here: oregonlive.com/politics/2025/12/fee-free-holidays. Governmental service holiday adjustments Federal offices: Closed. U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon: Closed. Oregon and Washington state offices: Closed. Oregon and Washington state courts: Closed. Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas and Clark county offices, city of Portland and Vancouver offices, Metro Regional Center: Closed. Portland parking meters: Free except in city parks that charge for parking. Banks: Closed, some in-store branches may be open. U.S. Postal Service offices: Closed, no regular mail service. Libraries: Multnomah County libraries: Closed. Washington County libraries: Most are closed. Each librarys on-site hours, on-site services and procedures, and book drop hours are different. Check with your local branch. Clackamas County libraries: Closed. Fort Vancouver Regional Library District: Closed. Transportation TriMet: Buses and MAX will be on Sunday schedules. If your bus does not operate on Sundays, it will not run Monday. WES has no service. Portland Streetcar will be on regular schedule. See trimet.org for details. C-Tran: All buses on regular schedules, but administrative offices are closed. Portland Aerial Tram: No service. Attractions Oregon Zoo: Open. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry: Open. Portland Art Museum: Closed on Mondays Oregon Republicans criticized the states Democratic leaders Sunday for their responses to a Thursday shooting by a Border Patrol agent that wounded two people in Southeast Portland. These moments are difficult, theyre emotional and they require restraint, House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer, from McMinnville, said at a Sunday press conference. But she and a handful of Republicans from the Oregon House and Senate said that instead of showing such restraint, leaders stoked tension and undermined trust as details about the shooting were still emerging. They called on Democrats to turn down the temperature in political statements. It is deeply irresponsible for elected officials to politicize an active investigation, to inflame fear and undermine law enforcement before the facts are established, Elmer said. At least one Border Patrol agent shot two people during a traffic stop in Southeast Portland just after 2 p.m. on Thursday. Hours later, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said on social media that the driver was affiliated with a Venezuelan gang and that its agent fired at the car in self defense after the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over law enforcement agents. Attorneys for the two people shot in Portland have disputed that characterization, saying they were trying to drive away from immigration officers and accusing the federal agents of dangerous and unprofessional conduct. The shooting came just a day after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a Minnesota driver in an encounter that Homeland Security also characterized as self defense. Both incidents have rekindled protests against immigration enforcement in Portland, which had dwindled since the fall. Democratic elected leaders issued statements condemning violence by immigration officers after Thursdays shooting and some alleged the federal government would spin the story about what happened in Portland. On Thursday night, Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek, police Chief Bob Day, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and other city and state government leaders held a press conference to address the shooting. They acknowledged that they did not yet have all of the details about what prompted the shooting, but several argued the incident was catalyzed by President Donald Trumps ramp up of immigration enforcement in American communities. We are all shaken and outraged by another terrible, unnecessary, violent event instigated by the reckless agenda of the Trump administration, Kotek said at the news conference. While the details of the incident remain limited, one thing is very clear: When a president endorses tearing families apart and attempts to govern through fear and hate rather than shared values, you foster an environment of lawlessness and recklessness. Elmer accused Oregon leaders of failing to immediately mention the alleged gang connections of the people shot. Local leaders said they could not confirm those statements Thursday because federal authorities had not shared information with them. This is uncharted territory for us, Day said then. On Friday, the federal government identified the pair injured as Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras. Day confirmed the pair had some nexus to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua but said their exact level of connection to the gang wasnt clear. Zambrano-Contreras had previously been arrested on a prostitution allegation, Day said. Both names came up during an investigation of a Portland shooting last summer, but neither were identified as suspects or face charges in the case, Day said. Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr, of Dundee, alleged the pair were not peaceful bystanders and said the federal agents were not looking for trouble. This was a targeted operation that turned into a life threatening encounter because of the actions of the suspects, Starr said Sunday. ... When elected officials immediately jump to inflammatory language before the facts are known they send a dangerous message: They tell the public that law enforcement is illegitimate. They tell people that officers are the enemy. They tell people that interfering with law enforcement is not just justified but somehow a righteous form of protest. The man in black rode his dapple gray horse to the gate of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building, a large Mexican flag waving behind his back. Im not going nowhere, the man bellowed toward the government agents assembled at the South Portland ICE facility on Oct. 22. Every week, Im going to be down here with a different horse. Every week. Im one from la raza that aint scared of you guys. Seated atop an Andalusian horse he called Principe, the man told reporters that his name was Mateo Garcia and that he was a local horse trainer with a ranch in Washington, parents who emigrated from Mexico and Russia and an uncle who had been detained by ICE. As with many of the people who visited Portlands daily protests last fall, the man said he was there to draw attention to President Donald Trumps immigration actions. His story was featured in a news article and video in The Oregonian/OregonLive and other outlets. Some aspects of the mans story appear to be true. He did indeed have a horse. He appears to be a decent rider. He might have access to a ranch. But according to family members, law enforcement officials and others who say theyve met him, the man is misrepresenting parts of his background. He is not the son of immigrants, has no Mexican heritage and has no living uncles, two family members and two acquaintances said. They also said they do not believe he owns a ranch. And according to court records, his name is not Mateo Garcia. Instead, it appears the mans name is Matthew Karl Hofmann, a 42-year-old who was born, like his brothers and mother, in Vancouver, but lives today in east Multnomah County, those family members and acquaintances said. He does have some Russian heritage via a great grandfather on his mothers side, but both of his biological parents were born in the Portland area and have primarily German, Irish and Swiss roots, they said. And when he described himself as a horse trainer with a ranch in Washington, he was working at Jiffy Lube. A man identifying himself as Mateo Garcia stands beside a horse trailer outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland on Oct. 19, 2025. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Robert Hofmann, 48, of Vancouver said he learned of the protesting horseman late last year from his younger brother, Tyler, 33. He said he instantly recognized the man in the news video as his middle brother, Matthew. Hes not half Mexican, Robert Hofmann said. His parents arent immigrants. He doesnt have an uncle detained by ICE. Another direct family member and two acquaintances also identified the man in the video as Matthew Hofmann, but said they preferred to remain anonymous because they feared retaliation. The Oregonian/OregonLive viewed mug shots and family photographs of Matthew Hofmann that closely resemble images of the man who said his name was Mateo Garcia, down to the tattoos on the back of his hands. A phone number the horseman gave to a photojournalist from The Oregonian/OregonLive in October is the same one Matthew Hofmann listed as belonging to him in signed court documents as recently as 2023. Court records dating back two decades list Hofmanns race as white. A birth certificate for Robert Hofmann Sr. the horsemans father, according to the family members and acquaintances lists his race as white and his origin as not Spanish/Hispanic/Latino. Weeks after his photo appeared in The Oregonian/OregonLive, the man sent a text message to Mark Graves, the staff photographer, to ask for a raise before realizing he had mistaken Graves for another Mark who worked at Jiffy Lube, he wrote. Court documents say Matthew Hofmann has at least a dozen felony convictions over the past 25 years, including theft, unlawful use of a weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm. In a phone call last week, the man answered to Matthew, but said he had no clue why anyone would accuse him of not being who he said he was. He said his father, who he identified as Marco Garcia, is a Mexican immigrant living in Vancouver and is still alive, but refused to provide contact information for him or any other friend or family member who could verify his identity. I dont give a (expletive) what nobody says, the man said. I was doing the right thing. And now Im getting scolded. That (expletive) aint cool. The man refused to name his Washington ranch its private; it doesnt have a name and claimed to have never worked at Jiffy Lube. Asked about his text messages to the photojournalist, he said he had left that job a few months ago due to discrimination over his role in the Portland protests. He refused to share a picture of his drivers license or any other form of identification to prove he was Mateo and not Matthew. Its kind of hard when youre waiting for your new drivers license to come in the mail, he said. A photograph of Matthew Hofmann shared by family, featuring tattoos similar to those of the man who identified himself to reporters at Mateo Garcia last October. Courtesy of the Hofmann family Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Aileen Santoyo said a law enforcement source sent her the horseman video after The Oregonian/OregonLive began inquiring about the mans identity. Shes in a position to recognize Matthew Hofmann; she is currently prosecuting him for illegally firing an assault rifle toward the East County Courthouse in Gresham on July 4, 2024. She said the men were one and the same. In the course of our jobs there are many times people go by different names, Santoyo said. But that persons legal government name as we have filed charges against is Matthew Hofmann. Gresham Police Detective Justin Boyd investigated that gun case, interviewing Hofmann for about 45 minutes in 2024. He said that despite being caught on video firing the rifle from a Rockwood apartment complex while children celebrated the Independence Day holiday nearby, his defense to us was that the AK-47 that he was handed and shot off toward the courthouse in Gresham was a prop gun. He stood on business (with that story) for months, Boyd said. Ill say this, Boyd continued. I definitely wouldnt eliminate that guy from being the same. Hofmann pleaded no contest to the gun charge in September. He was sentenced to five years of probation on Monday afternoon. Matthew Karl Hofmann is sentenced at the Multnomah County Courthouse in Portland, Ore., on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Its unclear whether Hofmann does indeed own the horses he has brought to the ICE facility. He said he does. Family and acquaintances say its unlikely, while noting they havent had contact with him in some time. According to a court record and images on social media, Hofmann also goes by the rap name G Wyte. A Facebook user with the name Wyte Folks and photos of a man resembling Hofmann astride a horse has posted inquiries about boarding options and left a review for a small farm in Washington that provides horse transportation services. Robert Hofmanns girlfriend, Leelannee Bennett, 43, of Milwaukie, said shes known the horseman as Matthew Hofmann for two decades. He has always borrowed money from us (and) his mom and dad, Bennett said. After visiting the ICE facility on horseback several times as the Portland protests began to dwindle in October, a TikTok account associated with the man appeared to pivot toward fundraising. Two posts on Nov. 11 show a fresh stack of shirts printed with a painting of the protest horseman facing the ICE building. On Christmas Eve, the account began promoting a GoFundMe page titled Stand with Portlands Immigrant Families. Proceeds from the fundraiser list Mateo Garcia as the beneficiary. As of Monday, the page had raised $125 toward its $2,600 goal. The day The Oregonian/OregonLive reviewed the TikTok account, it had posted a pair of stories, one featuring a cartoon video describing a thoroughly debunked online meme, another an AI-generated account of Pancho Villas famed 1916 attack on Columbus, New Mexico. After speaking with a reporter for around 20 minutes last week, the man abruptly hung up, then called and texted several times to say he had spoken with his lawyer and would be filing a lawsuit against The Oregonian/OregonLive if any story were published about him. He declined to provide his attorneys contact information. I didnt get no fame off this (expletive), so whats the purpose behind this? he said. Nobodys broken the law, nobodys done anything wrong. Hours later, the TikTok account became private. Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com Lawyers for the man and woman shot Thursday by a U.S Border Patrol officer in Southeast Portland accused the government of trying to justify dangerous conduct of its agents by blaming the people wounded. Federal authorities on Friday identified the two people shot during a traffic stop with immigration agents as Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security accused the pair of being vicious Tren de Aragua gang members who were let loose on American streets by former President Joe Biden and weaponized their vehicle against immigration agents. Attorneys disputed that characterization. Zambrano-Contrerass lawyer Conor Huseby said the pair were trying to drive away from an interaction with law enforcement. Nino-Moncadas attorney said his client was lucky to survive what he characterized as dangerous and unprofessional conduct by federal officers. The federal government has a well-documented history of making false and inflammatory statements about immigrants, Venezuelans in particular, Huseby said. Nino-Moncada was arrested Sunday at OHSU Hospital, where he had been treated for a gunshot wound, and booked into a Multnomah County jail in Portland. Heres what else you need to know for Monday: Portland Police Chief Bob Day speaking at a press conference following the shooting of two people in Portland by federal agents on January 8, 2026. Mark Graves/The Oregonian Pair shot have some nexus to gang, police chief says Portland Police Chief Bob Day said Friday that Zambrano-Contreras and Nino-Moncada have some nexus to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, but said it wasnt clear how exactly they may be connected to the gang. Homeland Security claimed that Zambrano-Contreras played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and was involved with a prior shooting in Portland in July and that Nino-Moncada was arrested for impaired driving and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Both entered the U.S. illegally from Venezuela, federal officials said. Day said Friday that Zambrano-Contreras was previously arrested on a prostitution allegation in Washington County. She acknowledges throughout her social media posts that she works as an escort. A former boyfriend told The Oregonian/OregonLive that shes from northern Venezuela and he doesnt believe she has any ties to Tren de Aragua or any other gang. While Zambrano-Contreras and Nino-Moncadas names came up in the investigation of a summer shooting in Portland, Day said, they were never identified as suspects in the shooting nor do the pair face charges in that case. FBI agents and other law enforcement at the scene at Southeast 146th and East Burnside Street, where a vehicle ended up after allegedly being involved in a shooting with Border Patrol in Portland, Oregon, Thursday, January, 8, 2026. A man and woman were both injured in the shooting. Beth Nakamura The Oregon DOJ is soliciting tips for its investigation of the shooting Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced a formal investigation into the shooting Thursday the first such investigation since Oregon officials announced in November that they would prosecute federal agents who use force beyond the reasonable scope of their duties and now the agency is looking for tips. The new tip line, 971-673-3900, is intended to provide community members with a secure, direct way to share information.. so DOJ can assess the facts and determine whether any violations of the law occurred, spokesperson Jenny Hansson said in a statement. The tip line could reflect actual or anticipated tensions between state and federal law enforcement investigators. Thats not without precedent. Federal officials denied Minnesota state officials access to evidence in the Jan. 7 killing of Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Roughly 1,000 people gathered at the waterfront in downtown Portland on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Local organizations Swing Left and Cedar Mill Indivisible organized the event in response to recent shootings by ICE and Border Patrol agents. Allison Barr/The Oregonian Protests against immigration enforcement continued through the weekend Hundreds of protesters gathered across Portland over the weekend to protest the Trump administration following two violent interactions involving federal immigration authorities. Friday protests included a somber vigil for the Portland shooting victims at the Southeast Portland medical complex where the shooting took place and a much louder demonstration in front of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. On Saturday, at least 1,000 people showed up at the Tom McCall Waterfront Park and more gathered outside a hospital and at a town hall with U.S. Rep Maxine Dexter. Among the demonstrators at Friday nights vigil was Som Subedi, who said he and his wife are from Bhutan. Their entire family are now U.S. citizens, he said. But they still live in fear that they will be stopped. When he goes to work, his wife and three children are full of anxiety that he wont return. Every single day, Som Subedi said. Because of my accent and the brown face. Theres always the doubt that I wont come home. Looking for more coverage? Catch up on these recent stories: Oregon Republicans criticize Democratic leaders response to Portland Border Patrol shooting Oregon lawyers seek court order to halt ICE warrantless arrests Sick, Unhinged Democrats: White House listicle targets dozens of politicians, 2 in Oregon, who have spoken out against ICE What is Tren de Aragua, and are they active around Portland? Portland police reassign officer after video surfaces of comments on Minneapolis shooting - Reporters Max Bernstein, Noelle Crombie, Aimee Green, Fedor Zarkhin, Jamie Goldberg, Jamie Hale and Zane Sparling contributed to this report. An Oregon-based producer of nonalcoholic spirits and owner of the countrys first zero-proof distillery has begun winding down operations. >> Business opening or closing in your neighborhood? Email the reporter at vnocera@oregonian.com. Owners Brad Whiting and Seth OMalley founded Wilderton Aperitivo in 2019, with a focus on spirit-free botanical cocktails. In 2023, the pair opened a nonalcoholic distillery and tasting room in scenic Hood River a space the company touts as the first and only facility of its kind in the United States. Wilderton, an Oregon-based producer of nonalcoholic spirits, opened a tasting room and distillery in Hood River in 2023. Ryan Fernandez/The Oregonian Customers were informed last week that Wilderton would go on indefinite hiatus by the end of the month. Like many other small businesses, 2025 threw us a combination of curveballs that even our superhero team couldnt overcome, the company wrote in an email to subscribers Wednesday. Whiting and OMalley elaborated on the closure in a statement to The Oregonian/OregonLive Friday, attributing the decision to a combination of factors primarily driven by a historically difficult business funding/financing environment. Remaining inventory will be available online through January, they said, as well as at retail, bar and restaurant partners across the West Coast while supplies last. The Hood River distillery and tasting room have already closed. Much like a great aperitivo, this news is bittersweet, the Wednesday email to subscribers continued. Bitter because we dont know when or if Wilderton products will be back online again. But sweet because we are so immensely proud of what we accomplished, the connections we forged, and the memories we made together along the way. I think the experience of art leaves a residue that goes beyond what can be captured in ideological criti James couldnt say no to anyonehe would get four invitations a night and he would make sure to make each visit.I watched two doc I would have found it satisfying to discover that these were two sides of the same coin for him: its nice and he suffers from the kind of nihilism that today we would call depressionthe feeling that nothing matters or is worth doing. Photo: https://t.me/ministry_of_defense_ua The Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence recommends the Verkhovna Rada supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys motion to dismiss Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, said committee member Iryna Friz (European Solidarity faction). "The committee supported Shmyhals resignation. There were eight votes in favor and six against," Friz told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday. It wouldnt have hurt if guests had thrown in some sad musings about the declining state of the sport.Thats been my experience navigating the world through heterosexuality he needs to work on his racist assumptions about the other kids on the Main Li I know you like to drink out of little cups! He smiled and the inside of his mouth was blue from the raspberry preworkout.Theyd both worked in the same hippie jewelry sto Let me list the elements of my ugly bathroom: the sink has plastic handles and Why did unicorns become such a thing in eighties America? I watch a commercial for stationery products by Lisa Frank.I lay in bed trying to figure it all out and by the t Our experiences with Other Places were beyond what the other could understand Excessive screen time is damaging toddlers' ability to speak, according to UK government research that prompted officials to announce new guidance for parents of children under five. The research, which surveyed 4,758 parents, found that two-year-olds with the highest screen use, approximately five hours daily, could say significantly fewer words than those with screen use of about 44 minutes per day. The findings revealed that nearly 98% of children under age two engage with screens daily during a critical period for language development. How Screen Time Affects Toddlers Research from the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics shows that one-year-olds exposed to more than four hours of screen time daily face delays in communication and problem-solving skills that persist into the preschool years, according to The Guardian. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced on Monday that the UK government will develop its first-ever official guidance on screen time for under-fives, set to be released in April 2026. A national working group led by Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner for England, and Professor Russell Viner, a scientific adviser from the Department for Education, will create the guidance after consulting with parents, children, and early years professionals. "Parents, teachers, and nursery workers talk about children arriving at nursery and school and finding it harder to hold conversations, focus, or engage in learning," Phillipson stated. The Education Secretary acknowledged that screens are now part of family life and emphasized that parents need practical support on how to use them effectively rather than whether to use them at all. The new guidance will assist parents in identifying alternatives to screen-based activities and is expected to suggest using screens as part of interactive activities like storytime or with educational games. It will also be accompanied by lessons for parents on early years development, including speech and language support, Policy Mogul reported. Read more: 7 Proven Ways to Reduce Screen Time Without Power Struggles The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to one hour per day for children aged 2 to 5, with no screen use for children under 18 months except for video chatting. Research indicates that screen exposure cuts down on critical parent-child conversation time, which is essential for vocabulary acquisition. Studies have shown that toddlers hear approximately 1,100 fewer adult words per day when screens are on, reducing opportunities for the back-and-forth exchanges that build language skills. Children's Language Development A rich home literacy environment, including reading, storytelling, and conversations, can help mitigate the negative effects of screen exposure on vocabulary development. Felicity Gillespie, director of the charitable organization Kindred Squared, called the evidence-based guidelines "long overdue and much appreciated," noting that polling shows 40% of parents believe limiting screen time would better prepare their child for school. Children exposed to screens before 12 months face higher risks of language delays compared to those introduced to screens at later ages. The guidance aims to help families balance screens with play, speaking, and reading during the crucial early years of child development, as per the BBC. Editors note: This is the final piece in the series titled Virtual Dominance: How a cyber charter school has upended K-12 education in Pa. The series looked at the causes and consequences of the unprecedented growth of Commonwealth Charter Academy, Pa.s fastest growing school. The final piece is an analysis of what the stories revealed. Commonwealth Charter Academy is the most successful education organization that most Pa. residents had never heard about until recently. The cyber charter school is larger than any K-12 district in the commonwealth outside Philadelphia. And its roughly $667 million budget last year was substantially larger than the budgets of Dauphin County, the city of Harrisburg and Harrisburg Public Schools combined. PennLive published a 10-part series, Virtual Dominance, about how the school has managed to attract more than 35,000 students and what the implications are of this explosive growth. Even as PennLive began publishing the first half of the series in October, some of the dynamics that made CCA so successful were starting to change. Lawmakers drastically cut the schools funding and are requiring the school to adapt to new regulations. Then, some local school districts started pursuing legal action to reign in the schools excesses. One reason CCA flew under the radar for so long is its growth is unprecedented. It added 25,000 students in the past five years. The speed of this change caught politicians, regulators, educators and news outlets off-guard. The school has also avoided attention. Charter schools are designed to be run by non-profit trustees who are appointed rather than democratically elected. Innovation can require ruffling the feathers of the status quo and nonprofit boards are, in theory, better able to withstand pressure to conform than publicly elected boards. But even among cyber charter schools, PennLives investigation found, CCA has stood out for how little it prioritizes transparency. This may not be an accident: CCA owes much of its success to its willingness to buck conventions. The school separated itself from the national for-profit company that was controlling it, Connections Academy, to give it more local control. Then the school invested heavily in developing its own software and educational content rather than relying on a national curriculum. Some of its staff say the school didnt always prioritize quality as it was being developed, but the school says owning the curriculum has given it flexibility. Most recently CCA invested around $500 million in a network of Family Education Center buildings, while other cyber schools were spending more on staff or saving in their rainy day funds. Whether or not you agree with CCAs choices and not even everyone at CCA did the school has been forging its own path. CCAs willingness to take on educational orthodoxy has extended to the regulatory body responsible for overseeing it: the Pennsylvania Department of Education [PDE]. The school has resisted PDEs efforts to impose an enrollment cap that would limit how many students it could serve. It has fought efforts to require students to appear on-camera or in-person as part of a system of wellness checks, even after one of its students died from neglect. And the school has become the de facto center of resistance to the states standardized testing regime. The schools ability to avoid and resist public scrutiny has some limits: The school is publicly funded and subject to the whims of Pa.s political process. CCA and other cyber charters have faced the threat of budget cuts every year for more than a decade. But Republicans in the state legislature, who are strong advocates of school choice, have largely protected CCA in the past. So it seems to have caught CCA off-guard that its own rapid success was changing the political dynamics that had previously given it cover. The Pa. legislature passed a roughly 20% cut in funding for cyber charter schools in November, along with several other regulations meant to provide more accountability. Those cuts followed more modest cuts and changes passed in 2024. CCA student Anthony attends class on his computer in October. PennLive CCAs political power has always been more diffuse than traditional school districts because its students are spread across the commonwealth. Most voters have their kids enrolled in local public schools. So even Republicans who believe strongly in school choice face an electorate more directly invested in their local districts success than CCAs. The financial impact CCA was having on these schools grew too large to ignore. (There are 13 other cyber charter schools who make up about half of the Pa.s cyber charter sector but the rapid growth has only come from CCA.) The impact was muted at first because local school districts were receiving additional COVID-relief funding. But when that federal funding dried up, local school district leaders began to complain loudly about the roughly $100 million in additional lost revenue they were facing each year, as CCA continued to attract more students. CCA student Maleah draws on a white board during a live class. PennLive CCA hasnt said yet how its going to respond to the recently passed state funding cuts. When CCA was just a small or medium-sized charter school, most voters and politicians didnt notice how CCA dug in its heels. But CCA is no longer an upstart, alternative to the traditional public school system; CCA now forms one of the largest parts of the system. CCA could try to adapt to its new political reality by increasing its transparency or working more collaboratively with regulators. But early indications suggest that it may continue a combative approach: the school held special board meetings in December and January to hire three new law firms. CCA isnt the only actor that needs to adapt: so do traditional school districts. The recent budget cuts wont make the financial challenge that CCA represents go away. The financial pressure will return and could grow even larger if local schools dont figure out how to retain the students CCA has been taking away. The Pennsylvania Department of Education also needs to adapt: CCAs dominance isnt just a threat to the funding of traditional schools, but the rest of the cyber charter school sector. Smaller schools are showing signs they are struggling to attract students as they compete with the singular megaphone that CCA now wields. CCA was born out of the innovation that charter schools are meant to foster but its size could squelch potential future innovations. If CCA wants to avoid future cuts and regulations, it may have to more proactively make the case that its students are best served by a mega-cyber charter school. There are some obvious advantages to its size, such as being able to offer a wide variety of classes, more physical locations and some economies of scale. But its possible the schools quality will suffer from continued growth, which some former CCA staff members told PennLive, has already happened. CCA seems to do little outreach to the public beyond parent recruitment and tours for politicians. It doesnt send out regular press releases, organize events that provide transparency into its operations, publish robust data about academic performance or explain the trade-offs involved in the strategic decisions it makes or even acknowledge that trade-offs exist. CCAs CEO, Tom Longenecker, almost never gives media interviews and didnt respond to roughly a dozen requests from PennLive. The schools chairman of the board has taken to throwing insults at media coverage he doesnt like rather than devising a plan to better communicate with the public. Much of the schools communication efforts are focused on attracting new students and keeping parents happy. But if the school wants the political support necessary to continue its work, CCA may have to try to more actively persuade people who dont experience the school first-hand that its providing a high-quality education to all its students. The question about quality The resistance to state testing at CCA, in particular, has upended one of the main mechanisms by which charter schools are supposed to be held accountable. Republican President George W. Bush pushed an educational reform agenda that promoted more choice among charter schools, at the same time he tried to increase accountability through standardized testing. The theory was that parents would choose higher quality schools and struggling schools would have to adapt, improve or close. CCA has turned this formulation on its head: instead of attracting parents with evidence of the schools quality, CCAs leaders say the fact that parents choose the school is the evidence of its quality. There isnt a clear measure of quality anymore to give teeth to any efforts to hold CCA accountable. Neither Democratic nor Republican leaders show much support for Pa.s current testing requirements and they have not given a clear vision of what being a quality school is supposed to look like. And until that happens, CCAs growth has demonstrated that Pa.s de facto measure of school quality is enrollment because thats how Pa.s schools are financially rewarded. CCAs leaders get this: They often describe the school as a family service organization, first and foremost, and secondarily, an educational institution. A teacher at Commonwealth Charter Academy works to keep students engaged during a lesson. PennLive This can be seen in how CCA runs its office buildings with corporate efficiency. Its employees respond quickly to parent concerns and often do whatever it takes to make them happy. Thousands of those parents have become fervent supporters of the school. There are undoubtedly many public schools that would benefit by taking a more customer-service approach to their relationships with parents. One of the big unanswered questions remaining is what CCAs growth ultimately means for the 35,000 students it is supposed to educate. CCAs critics worry its students will ultimately be less prepared to enter Pa.s colleges and workforce, as the school lowers standards to keep parents happy. No amount of positive parent survey responses will prepare CCAs students for the real world challenges they will ultimately face. Academic studies tend to show cyber school students doing worse than students in traditional schools after they graduate. And while there are limitations to these studies, they at least serve as a stand-in for the students who are hard to reach. It is hard to get a CCA parent who is avoiding truancy problems to tell her story, for example. And its hard to know exactly what proportion of CCAs students are benefiting from its flexibility and how many are using the schools flexible approach to avoid accountability. The academic studies and test data tend to show one thing; the schools most vocal parents tend to believe another. While this seems like a stalemate, this past year shows that Pa.s political leaders and CCAs parents continue to forge ahead with the best information available to them. Editors note 1/15/2025: The story corrected the amount of money CCA spent on buildings that had been reported incorrectly in a previous story. You can read the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and 10th stories in the series here. Composer Guy Moon, who wrote the music for such popular Nickelodeon childrens shows as The Fairly Oddparents and Danny Phantom, has died. He was 63. The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner reported that Moon died on Jan. 8 due to traumatic injuries suffered in a traffic accident. We feel singularly blessed to have been able to call him dad and husband, his family wrote in a statement posted to his Facebook page. As we stand together at the base of what seems to be an insurmountable grief, we are emboldened to grieve him with honor and courage with the tools that he equipped us with in his beautiful life. He has left an unmistakable legacy, and will be profoundly missed by us, his family, and countless others whose lives he impacted. Moon composed music for the popular cartoon show The Fairly Oddparents through its entire run, from 2001-17. His work on that show earned him four Emmy nominations. He also wrote music for such other Nickelodeon shows as Danny Phantom, T.U.F.F. Puppy, Bunsen Is a Beast, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and The Addams Family (1992). He also composed music for The Jimmy Timmy Power Hour, Cow and Chicken, The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, The Green Vail, The Brady Bunch Movie, and A Very Brady Sequel. People reported that Fairly Oddparents creator Butch Hartman took to social media after Moons death, writing, I have no words yet because there are none adequate enough. I will be making a statement soon. Guy was my friend. My brother. My family. My heart is broken. Moons family said they hope to hold a ceremony celebrating his life in Los Angeles on Feb. 7, and another in his Wisconsin hometown at an unspecified date. The U.S. Department of State issued a warning earlier this month about traveling to a popular Caribbean destination. On Jan. 5 the department updated its travel advisory for the country of Grenada to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. The reason? An increased risk of crime. American citizens in Grenada have been victims of armed robbery, assault, burglary, and rape, the advisory states. In some cases, American citizens have been killed. Police response times are not as fast as one may expect in the United States. The State Department has four travel advisory levels, Level 4, Do Not Travel, being the highest. Level 2 warns travelers to be aware of increased risks to safety and security. if you do decide to travel to Grenada, the department recommends you: Online speculation about the presence of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show has sparked a growing spread of misinformation. Multiple posts on Facebook and TikTok have stated that undercover or plain clothes ICE agents are walking around the farm show and staying at local hotels without naming a source for their information. These rumors are false, Pa. Department of Agriculture Press Secretary Shannon Powers told PennLive on Sunday. The Department of Agriculture has not found any ICE personnel working on or near the Farm Show complex. A PennLive reporter walking around the complex on Saturday did not see any ICE agents. Powers also said ICE has not rented or reserved event space or an exhibit booth in the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex for the Farm Show. There are law enforcement personnel on the property, but they are focused on safety and security of Farm Show visitors, Powers said. Pennsylvania State Police troopers are stationed and patrolling the Farm Show complex and parking lots to keep visitors safe, working in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Farm Show Security, Capitol Police, local municipal police departments and Harrisburg Fire Police. Discourse about ICE has ramped up since Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis last week. Good was a 37-year-old mother of three. In the last several months, the Department of Homeland Security has heavily increased immigration enforcement, characterized by arrests of undocumented immigrants, a social media campaign and crackdowns on protests. The Pittsburgh Steelers will face either the New England Patriots or Buffalo Bills if they win against the Houston Texans on Monday. After the Bills travelled to Jacksonville and knocked out the Jaguars, it eliminated the Denver Broncos as a possible team the Steelers could face. The Broncos, who hold the No. 1 seed in the AFC, will draw the lowest seed remaining in the field for the divisional round. Since the Steelers have the No. 4 seed and the Bills have the No. 6 seed, Pittsburgh can not face the Broncos on the round. The Steelers would host the Bills if the Los Angeles Chargers defeat the Patriots on Sunday night. If the Patriots win, the Steelers would then head up Foxborough once again in the event they would defeat Houston. Pittsburgh still has to win, and given they play on Monday, it will almost certainly be a Sunday night they get in the next round of the playoffs, too. The Bills won their first road playoff game with Sean McDermott and Josh Allen at the helm by defeating the Jaguars in a hard-fought matchup. Meanwhile, the Steelers lost to the Bills in a 26-7 drubbing the first time those teams met weeks ago. The Patriots lost 21-14 in a Week 3 clash in Foxborough where they fumbled the ball four times, with the Steelers recovering all of those fumbles. If the Steelers can get past a stingy Houston team, it will be a rematch that will require new tricks to be pulled out in both matchups. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) and the NGO UMIND hold educational webinars for women. In December, as part of the "Support for Expanding Womens Economic Empowerment in Ukraine" program, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society and the UMIND NGO held online training sessions to help women adapt to change, build careers and develop their own businesses, UMIND reported. More than 1,000 women took part in the webinars in December. The educational series of three webinars opened with "Emotional Literacy: How to Recognize and Process Emotions," presented by crisis psychologist Anastasia Horbachova. She explained why attempts to ignore or suppress emotions at work lead to burnout and reduced effectiveness. The next session focused on professional self-realization and reputation. The training, "Personal Brand Architecture: Values, Positioning, Uniqueness," was led by strategic communications expert Olena Levandovska. She suggested viewing a personal brand through the metaphor of building a house, where everything begins with a foundation. The December series concluded with the training "Strategic Personal Development, or How to Achieve Goals," led by business trainer Yulia Tsaruk. The session focused on turning desires and intentions into a clear and realistic action strategy. Registration for the January webinars is available at: https://ee.urcs.org.ua/single/NyojI2GP The event is held as part of the "Support for Expanding Womens Economic Empowerment in Ukraine" program, implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross Society in partnership with the Austrian Red Cross, with support from NACHBARN IN NOT and the Austrian Development Agency, and with organizational and technical support from the UMIND NGO. James Mitchell Wins the Inaugural G500 Event at GUKPT London Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link The first Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) festival of 2026 is in full swing at the Grosvenor Victoria Casino in London. A brand new tournament, the 500 buy-in G500, kicked things off, offering a 100,000 guaranteed prize pool. However, after 513 players bought in (including re-entries), the inaugural G500 paid out 219,300, with 47,700 going to the eventual champion, James Mitchell. Mitchell is not a high-volume live tournament grinder, but does tend to come out of the woodwork whenever a major event takes place in the English capital. His decision to enter the G500 proved to be a masterstroke, as the 2010 Irish Open champion came away with the largest share of the spoils. Sixty-two players received a share of the prize pool. The likes of Arian Hassankashani, Albert Sapiano, Tamer Kamel, Richard Ashby, and Joe Hindry finished in the money places. When Seyed Sarkeshik bowed out in tenth, his suited king-deuce losing to the pocket eights of Aaron Khera, the final table was set. 500 G500 Final Table Results Rank Player Prize 1 James Mitchell 47,700 2 Aqeel Butt 31,890 3 Michael Harrison 21,470 4 Lorenc Boci 14,670 5 Goonjan Mall 10,250 6 Lewis Javens 7,360 7 Aaron Khera 5,510 8 Vadim Cojocaru 4,280 9 Qing Feng Zheng 3,440 Qing Feng Zheng busted in ninth, with Vadim Cojocaru and Aaron Khera joining him at the cashier's desk, the latter losing with pocket kings after Michael Harrison's pocket queens flopped a set. Lewis Javems fell at the hands of Mitchell in sixth for a career-best 7,360. Javems three-bet Mitchell's opening raise, bet the flop, then jammed the turn with ace-queen on an ace-high board with two hearts. Mitchell went into the tank and called with ace-jack. Just as it looked like Mitchell would be left with around four big blinds, the jack of spades landed on the river to bust Javems and catapult Mitchell to second place in the counts. Fifth-place went to Goonjan Mall, a finish worth 10,250. Mall, who was the runner-up in the GUKPT Grand Final Mini Main last November, committed his last ten big blinds with king-jack, and lost a coin flip to the pocket nines of Harrison. The dangerous Lorenc Boci was the next player to be relieved of their stack. Boci got 14 big blinds into the middle with king-queen against the pocket tens of Mitchell. Those tens held, Boci busted in fourth, and the surviving trio of players laddered further up the payouts. The G500 progressed to the heads-up stage with the demise of Harrison. In a battle of the blinds, Mitchell moved all-in with five-four of diamonds from the small blind, and Harrison called off his last 10 big blinds with ace-four. Mitchell hit a straight on the river, and Harrison was gone. Mitchell held a 74 big blind to 12 big blind advantage over Aqeel Butt going into heads-up, but Butt wasn't prepared to go down without a fight. Butt managed to reel Mitchell back in before Mitchell put some distance between the two players. The final hand of the G500 saw Mitchell move all-in with ten-eight of clubs, and Butt called off his last seven big blinds with nine-seven. Neither player paired either of their hole cards, meaning Mitchell's ten-kicker played and won him the inaugural G500 title and 47,700. Yucel Eminoglu Banks 23,000 Worth of Live Credit Yucel Eminoglu Fans of Yucel Eminoglu will see plenty of their hero in GUKPT events throughout 2026 thanks to him securing 23,000 worth of live credit via the 100,000 Invitational event. The GUKPT ran this tournament for the top 18 finishers in the 2025 National Poker League (NPL). The prize pool comprised of live credit for Grosvenor-run events. The man known affectionately as "Mad Turk" emerged victorious and received the 23,000 top prize. Two others, runner-up Calogero Morreale (16,000) and Dale Wilson (12,500) banked five-figure worth of live credit, with the other 15 grinders receiving between 2,000 and 9,000. 100K invitational Results Rank Player Live Event Credit 1 Yucel Eminoglu 23,000 2 Calogero Morreale 16,000 3 Dale Wilson 12,500 4 Andrew Hulme 9,000 5 Adam Wilkinson 6,000 6 Alex Rizvi 5,000 7 Keith Littlewood 4,000 8 Mariusz Czech 3,000 9 Michael Rosaman 2,500 10 Thomas Clack 2,500 11 Stephen McCabe 2,500 12 Robert Douras 2,000 13 Phil Tate 2,000 14 Ravi Sheth 2,000 15 Iman Sarkeshik 2,000 16 Harry Sandford 2,000 17 Stefan Lazar 2,000 18 Wantao Tang 2,000 Remaining 2026 GUKPT London Schedule The 2026 GUKPT runs through to January 18 in a live sense before January 19-20 sees the 110 Online Closer take place at Grosvenor Poker. The 1,250 buy-in, 250,000 guaranteed GUKPT London Main Event shuffles up and deals for the first time on January 15. Last year, Wantao Tang left 428 opponents in his wake as he became the Main Event champion, a result worth an impressive 83,400. Date Time Tournament Guarantee Mon 12 Jan 3:00 p.m. 340 NLHE Mini Main Day 1b 150,000 6:00 p.m. 340 NLHE Mini Main Day 1c 150,000 8:00 p.m. 140 Main Event Satellite Tue 13 Jan 12:00 p.m. 340 NLHE Mini Main Day 1d Turbo 150,000 4:00 p.m. 340 NLHE Mini Main Day 2 150,000 6:00 p.m. 1,100 PLO High Roller 50,000 9:00 p.m. 280 High Roller Satellite Wed 14 Jan 12:00 p.m. 280 High Roller Satellite 3:00 p.m. 2,500 NLHE High Roller Day 1 100,000 5:00 p.m. 200 NLHE Turbo 8:00 p.m. 140 Main Event Satellite Thu 15 Jan 12:00 p.m. 2,500 NLHE High Roller Day 2 100,000 1:00 p.m. 1,250 NLHE Main Event Day 1a 250,000 7:00 p.m. 140 Main Event Satellite 10x seats Fri 16 Jan 12:00 p.m. 140 Main Event Satellite 12:00 p.m. 1,250 NLHE Main Event Day 1b 250,000 9:00 p.m. 1,250 NLHE Main Event Day 1c Turbo 250,000 Sat 17 Jan 12:00 p.m. 1,250 NLHE Main Event Day 2 250,000 1:00 p.m. 550 NLHE GUKPT Cup Day 1 50,000 Sun 18 Jan 12:00 p.m. Main Event Day 3 250,000 12:30 p.m. 550 NLHE GUKPT Cup Day 2 50,000 1:00 p.m. 330 PLO Bounty 3:00 p.m. 200 NLHE Closer Mon 19 Jan 7:00 p.m. 110 Online Closer 20,000 Tue 20 Jan 7:00 p.m. Online Closer Day 2 20,000 Share this article Ali Rockett covers the city of Charleston, from inside City Hall to outer West Ashley. She previously worked at papers in Virginia and her home state of North Carolina. Photo: @V_Zelenskiy_official Telegram President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed documents on the reconstruction and economic development of Ukraine and instructed Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Taras Kachka and Minister of Economy Oleksiy Soboliev to provide full support and assessment on all economic aspects of future agreements between Ukraine and the United States and trilateral ones: Ukraine Europe the United States. "We have determined the necessary parameters for the mechanisms for using reconstruction funds that will come from our partners. We understand that the American side is in communication with Russia regarding the basic political framework for ending the war," Zelenskyy said in a Telegram channel on Monday. The president said there should be a clear answer from Russia whether they are ready to end the war on real terms. "If there is no such readiness, the pressure on the aggressor should continue to increase. We see the right tactics both in relation to the tankers of the shadow fleet and in relation to financial schemes that help marginal regimes from other parts of the world circumvent the sanctions imposed against them," Zelenskyy said. He said if Russia chooses war, the worlds response should be to restrict Russian export revenues as much as possible. Seth Taylor covers Greenville and the Upstate for The Post and Courier. Born in Iowa, he worked in Wyoming at the Buffalo Bulletin before moving to the Palmetto State. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. New York-born and Charleston-based author Cheri Glover writes about her coming-out moment following open-heart surgery in "The Model Motivator: One Woman's Journey Past the Runway.' The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has banned entry to the first 261 Russian fighters who participated in the war of aggression against Ukraine, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced. Estonia has imposed entry bans on the first 261 of Russian combatants who took part in the war of aggression against Ukraine - and this is only the beginning. Hundreds of thousands of fighters from the aggressor state have been involved in this brutal war, committing atrocities and spreading violence. They have no place in Estonia and in the Schengen area, he said on X Monday. The minister added that Estonia continues to work to ensure that the doors remain closed to Russian former combatants and called on other countries to do the same. PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 17:01:04 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 362 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Creator Brian "DJGUNZZZZzzz" Goodman connects to 40 platforms live on BEAM, showcasing the power and simplicity of BEAM's global multistreaming technologyDALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 /BEAM ( beamstream.gg) and creator Brian "DJGUNZZZZzzz" Goodman have set a new world record for the most simultaneous live multistreams, by connecting to 40 platforms simultaneously during Saturday's live streaming event.The stream kicked off Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET as DJ GunZZZZzzz and his guests celebrated achieving the record while live on BEAM. At 1:30 PM, BEAM leadership joined the stream via Beacon MAX, BEAM's proprietary communications platform, for a live discussion about the technology and community driving this achievement. The stream continued with a celebration of creativity featuring live music, art, and gaming, all in collaboration with DJ GunZz and his special guests."Today, the world is seeing the first proof of our vision to connect audiences and creators everywhere," said Angel Munoz, Co-founder and CEO of BEAM Media Corp. "BEAM removes the barriers that limit creators and gives them the power to reach anyone, anywhere. Our technology makes global connection effortless through features like Unichat, Univiewers, and Unititles. This moment shows what's possible when technology serves creativity." "Streaming with BEAM has opened doors I never thought possible," said Brian "DJGUNZZZZzzz" Goodman. "I connect with audiences around the world on platforms I could never reach all at once before. Seeing everyone come together in real time has been incredible. This is the future of live content, and I'm excited to keep building with BEAM." BEAM's platform connects creators to over 90 platforms worldwide, with unified chat (unichat) and unified viewers (univiewers) support across 25 major services. Its advanced infrastructure delivers HD multistreaming with near-instant global connections, giving creators the speed, stability, and reach to engage audiences anywhere.About BEAM Launched in April 2024, BEAM ( beamstream.gg) has become the world's largest multistreaming platform, enabling creators to broadcast simultaneously to 90 platforms across 210 countries. BEAM's mission is to empower creators by simplifying livestreaming, increasing global reach, and building an interactive community-driven ecosystem.Media Contact: Brent Barry, SVP of MarketingBEAM Media Corp brent@ beamstream.gg SOURCE: BEAM Media Corp PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 18:00:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 392 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 OLD BRIDGE, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Blonder Tongue LLC is pleased to announce the appointment of Don Young to the position of Chief Revenue Officer.A former Vice President of Business Development at Blonder Tongue, Don returns to this leadership position after a successful tenure as Business Director at Sencore. In his new role, he will oversee Engineering, Product Development, Sales, and Marketing, and will report directly to Bob Palle, President and CEO."Don has a proven record of vision, technological expertise, and a relentless commitment to ensure that our products and system solutions exceed market and customer expectations for performance, ease of use, and long-term reliability," said Palle. "He is a true professional, and we are excited to welcome him back to Blonder Tongue." A graduate from Shorter University with a degree in Business Management, Don's career has focused on system engineering, sales and marketing of video delivery and distribution from the beginning. He started out at Blonder Tongue in 2014 as a Manager of Business Development and quickly advanced to Vice President of Business Development and Architecture before departing in 2021."I'm excited to return to Blonder Tongue at such an important time in the company's evolution," said Young. "With a strong legacy of engineering excellence and expanding opportunities across IP and RF video distribution, my focus will be on aligning product innovation, go-to-market strategy, and customer partnerships to drive sustainable revenue growth." For more information, visit www.blondertongue.com About Blonder Tongue, LLCBlonder Tongue, LLC was formed to purchase the assets of Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc., the oldest designer and manufacturer of telecommunications and cable television video transmission technology in the USA. Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. had a history of offering engineering and manufacturing excellence with an industry reputation for delivering ultra-high reliability products. This reputation will continue under the auspices of Blonder Tongue, LLC. As a leader in cable television system design, the Company provides service operators and systems integrators with comprehensive solutions for the management and distribution of digital video, IPTV and high-speed data services, as well as RF broadband distribution over fiber, IP, and Coax networks for homes and businesses. Additional information on the Company and its products can be found at www.blondertongue.com ContactsBob PallePresident and CEO bpalle@ blondertongue.com 732-679-4000SOURCE: Blonder Tongue, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 13:33:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1066 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Chesapeake Gold Corp. (TSXV:CKG) ("Chesapeake" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into an agreement with Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud"), as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (collectively, the "Underwriters"), pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to purchase for resale 2,380,953 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $4.20 per Unit (the "Offering Price") on a "bought deal" basis for gross proceeds of $10,000,002.60 (the "Underwritten Offering").Each Unit will consist of one common share 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 purchase one Common Share at a price of $5.65 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months following the Closing Date (as defined herein).The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option (the "Over-Allotment Option", and together with the Underwritten Offering, the "Offering"), exercisable in whole or in part, at any time for a period of up to 30 days after and including the Closing Date, to purchase for resale at the Offering Price additional Units equal to up to 15% of the number of Units sold pursuant to the Underwritten Offering at the Offering Price to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes.The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to advance the Company's proprietary oxidative leach technology, the Metates project, the Lucy project and for general working capital.In connection with the Offering, the Company intends to file a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated February 23, 2024 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus"), with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (except Quebec). The Units may also be sold in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and in such other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States, in each case in accordance with all applicable laws provided that no prospectus, registration statement or similar document is required to be filed in such jurisdiction.Copies of the applicable offering documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . Delivery of the Base Shelf Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement and any amendments thereto will be satisfied in accordance with the "access equals delivery" provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation.The Base Shelf Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement will contain, important detailed information about the Company and the Offering. Prospective investors should read the Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Base Shelf Prospectus and the other documents the Company has filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca before making an investment decision.The Offering is expected to close on or about January 27, 2026 (the "Closing Date"), or on such date as agreed upon between the Company and Red Cloud. The closing of the Offering is subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and the entering into of an underwriting agreement among the Company and the Underwriters.The securities described in this news release have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) or persons in the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws of the United States or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities within any jurisdiction, including the United States, in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.For Further Information:For more information on Chesapeake, its Metates and Lucy Projects or proprietary oxidative leach technology, please visit our website at www.chesapeakegold.com or contact Jean-Paul Tsotsos at invest@ chesapeakegold.com or +1 778 731 1362.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 news release.About ChesapeakeChesapeake Gold Corp.'s flagship asset is the Metates Project ("Metates") located in Durango State, Mexico. Metates hosts one of the largest undeveloped gold-silver deposits in the Americas [1] with over 16.77 million ounces of gold at 0.57 grams per tonne (g/t) and 423.2 million ounces of silver at 14.3 g/t within 921.2 million tonnes in the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource category and a further 2.13 million ounces of gold at 0.47 g/t and 59.0 million ounces of silver at 13.2 g/t within 139.5 million tonnes in the Inferred Mineral Resource category. See the technical report titled "Metates Sulphide Heap Leach Project Phase I" dated January 13, 2023, and news release dated February 22, 2023.Forward-looking StatementsThis news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Offering, the completion of the Offering and the timing in respect thereof, the intended use of proceeds of the Offering, and the timely receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.Such forward looking statements or information are based on a number of assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the continued advancement of the Company's technology; conditions in general economic and financial markets; the price of gold and silver; the availability and costs of mining equipment and skilled labour; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results; timing and amount of capital expenditures related to drilling programs; performance of a PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 21:34:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1083 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATESVANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Chesapeake Gold Corp. (TSXV:CKG) ("Chesapeake" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that due to significant investor demand, the Company and Red Cloud Securities Inc. ("Red Cloud"), as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters (collectively, the "Underwriters"), have agreed to increase its previously announced "bought deal" public offering (the "Underwritten Offering") from $10,000,002.60 to $15,000,300. Pursuant to the upsized Underwritten Offering, the Underwriters have agreed to purchase for resale 3,571,500 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of $4.20 per Unit (the "Offering Price").Each Unit will consist of one common share 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 purchase one Common Share at a price of $5.65 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months following the Closing Date (as defined herein).The Company has granted to the Underwriters an option (the "Over-Allotment Option", and together with the Underwritten Offering, the "Brokered Offering"), exercisable in whole or in part, at any time for a period of up to 30 days after and including the Closing Date, to purchase for resale at the Offering Price additional Units equal to up to 15% of the number of Units sold pursuant to the Underwritten Offering at the Offering Price to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes.The Company also intends to complete a non-brokered private placement (the "NB Offering", and together with the Brokered Offering, the "Offerings") of up to 685,000 units of the Company (the "NB Units") at a price of $4.20 per NB Unit for gross proceeds of up to $2,877,000. Each NB Unit consists of one Common Share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "NB Warrant"). Each NB Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of $5.65 at any time on or before that date which is 36 months following the closing of the NB Offering. The NB Units will be issued on substantially the same terms as the Units and will be subject to a hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws until four months and one day after the closing of the NB Offering.Eric Sprott, through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation which is beneficially owned by Mr. Sprott, has indicated his intention to participate in the NB Offering to maintain his pro rata ownership of common shares of the Company following the completion of the Offerings. Prior to the Offerings, Mr. Sprott beneficially owned or controlled 12,883,499 common shares and 1,850,000 warrants representing approximately 17.9% of the outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis and approximately 19.9% on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of such warrants.As the NB Offering involves a "related party transaction" within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 (the "Policy") and Multilateral Instrument 61101Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61101") adopted in the Policy, the Company intends to rely on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61101 in respect of related party participation in the NB Offering as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction is expected to exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61101).The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offerings to advance the Company's proprietary oxidative leach technology, the Metates project, the Lucy project and for general working capital.In connection with the Brokered Offering, the Company intends to file a prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement") to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated February 23, 2024 (the "Base Shelf Prospectus"), with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada (except Quebec). The Units may also be sold in the United States on a private placement basis pursuant to one or more exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") and in such other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States, in each case in accordance with all applicable laws provided that no prospectus, registration statement or similar document is required to be filed in such jurisdiction.Copies of the applicable offering documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . Delivery of the Base Shelf Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement and any amendments thereto will be satisfied in accordance with the "access equals delivery" provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation.The Base Shelf Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement will contain, important detailed information about the Company and the Brokered Offering. Prospective investors should read the Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Base Shelf Prospectus and the other documents the Company has filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca before making an investment decision.The Offerings are expected to close on or about January 27, 2026 (the "Closing Date"), or on such date as agreed upon between the Company and Red Cloud. The closing of the Offerings are subject to the Company receiving all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and the entering into of an underwriting agreement among the Company and the Underwriters.The securities described in this news release have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) or persons in the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws of the United States or an exemption from such registration requirements is available. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy a PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 21:45:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 431 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 /Robbins LLP reminds stockholders that a class action was filed on behalf of all investors who purchased or otherwise acquired agilon health, inc. (NYSE:AGL) securities between February 26, 2025 and August 4, 2025. Agilon describes itself as the "trusted partner empowering physicians to transform health care in our communities." For more information, submit a form, email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003.What are the allegations? Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Agilon Health, Inc. (AGL) Misled Investors Regarding its Business ProspectsAccording to the complaint, defendants failed to disclose that they 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, and materially overstated the immediate positive financial impact from "strategic actions" taken by agilon to reduce risk.On August 4, 2025, agilon issued a press release announcing that Steven Sell had stepped down as President, CEO and a Director of the Board. Plaintiff alleges that the Company's form 8-K filed with the SEC stated that "Mr. Sell's departure was a termination without 'cause' under Mr. Sell's employment agreement[.]" The complaint further alleges that on August 4, 2025, agilon issued disappointing financial results. On this news, the price of the Company's stock fell over 50%, to close at $0.8801 on August 5, 2025.What can you do now? You may be eligible to participate in the class action against agilon health, inc. Shareholders who wish to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their papers to the court by March 2, 2026. The lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here.All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses.About Robbins LLP: A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002.To be notified if a class action against agilon health, inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today.Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.Contact:Aaron Dumas, Jr.Robbins LLP5060 Shoreham Pl., Ste. 300San Diego, CA 92122 adumas@ robbinsllp.com (800) 350-6003 www.robbinsllp.com SOURCE: Robbins LLP PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 14:00:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 457 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Endeavour Solutions Inc. is proud to announce its rebrand as Endeavor4, marking a significant milestone in our journey to deliver everyday excellence for clients across North America. This transformation brings together Endeavour Solutions, Purely CRM, Express Info, Corterra Solutions, and other recent acquisitions under one unified brand-reflecting our continued commitment to client success and innovation."Our clients' success drives everything we do. With Endeavor4, we're better positioned than ever to provide tailored solutions that unlock the full potential of their Microsoft Business Applications. Our consultants are committed to living our 4 core values: Knowledge, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability. " Steve Ewing, Vice President, Endeavor4As a top North American consulting firm and Microsoft Cloud Solutions Partner for Dynamics 365 business applications, Endeavor4 combines deep expertise across 4 key pillars: AI & Advisory, Enterprise solutions, Mid-market & SMB solutions, and Specialty Cloud solutions - with a relentless focus on making business applications work smarter and harder for each client. Our expanded footprint across the United States and Canada positions us to serve a growing base of mid-market and enterprise organizations with tailored solutions that drive measurable results."This rebrand represents more than a new name-it is a bold step forward in our mission to lead clients to excellence. By uniting our teams and capabilities under Endeavor4, we are creating a stronger, more innovative partner for clients across the United States and Canada." Scott Jorgens, Sr. Director Marketing, Endeavor4"Adopting the Endeavor4 brand name in 2026 is a pivotal moment in our growth strategy. It sets the stage for accelerated growth and for additional mergers and acquisitions across North America, enabling us to broaden our capabilities and deliver even greater value to our clients."David Shimoni, CEO Endeavor4Looking ahead, with this rebrand, Endeavor4 is poised to accelerate growth, expand service offerings, and continue empowering organizations to unlock the full potential of their business applications. Endeavor 4 has key North American offices Coast-to-Coast, including: Halifax NS, Boston MA, Toronto ON, Chicago IL, San Antonio TX, and Vancouver BC.Popular product lines supported by Endeavor4 include: Microsoft Power Platform, Dynamics 365 (CRM), Dynamics 365 Finance, Dynamics 365 Supply Chain, Dynamics 365 Business Central, Dynamics GP, Microsoft Copilot, Azure, and several other Cloud-based Business Applications.About Endeavor4Endeavor4 is a North American consulting firm and Microsoft Cloud Solutions Partner for Dynamics 365 business applications - we have the depth and breadth of capability to help each client unlock the full power of their AI, ERP, CRM, and Specialty Cloud Solutions. Building and maintaining a true partnership by living our values of Knowledge, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability are the promises we make and keep.Learn more at https://www.endeavor4solutions.com Media Contact:Scott JorgensSr. Director MarketingEndeavor4 sjorgens@ endeavor4solutions.com SOURCE: Endeavor4 PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 15:00:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 404 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 DENVER, CO / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Lighthouse, the leading commercial platform for the travel and hospitality industry, today announces its sixth consecutive year of category leadership in the HotelTechAwards, winning top honors in the following categories:Best Rate Shopping & Market Intelligence: Rate InsightBest Hotel Rate Parity: Parity InsightBest Business Intelligence: Lighthouse BIBest Direct Booking Tool: The Hotels Network Personalization (winner for the fourth consecutive year)The Hotels Network was acquired by Lighthouse in April 2025 and marks the first time all four award-winning solutions are recognized together as part of a single Lighthouse platform, highlighting the company's ability to unify pricing, parity, distribution, business intelligence, and direct booking optimization into a single commercial platform.Today, more than 80,000 hotels across 185 countries rely on Lighthouse to transform complex market data into actionable insights that drive revenue growth."Six years of consistent recognition across these categories is a powerful validation of the standard we set for ourselves, but more importantly, it reflects the deep trust our customers place in us every day" said Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO of Lighthouse. "These awards belong to the hoteliers who took time to provide their feedback to HTR and who push us to keep innovating. Their success is our success, and we're just getting started." The HotelTechAwards determine winners based on verified customer feedback and key data signals including integration compatibility, organizational health, market share, partner quality, and customer support excellence. Each year, over 1.5 million hotel industry professionals use HotelTechReport.com to inform hotel technology purchasing decisions."The HotelTechAwards are intentionally designed to reward sustained, real-world impact - not short-term momentum," said Jordan Hollander, CEO of HotelTechReport. "Winning across rate intelligence, parity, business intelligence, and direct booking for six consecutive years requires more than strong individual products; it demands deep integration, consistent execution, and the trust of tens of thousands of hoteliers globally. Lighthouse's ability to maintain category leadership while successfully integrating The Hotels Network into a unified commercial platform is exceptionally rare in this industry and sets a clear benchmark for what modern hotel revenue technology should look like." The recognition caps a year of significant expansion for Lighthouse, including The Hotels Network acquisition and the launch ofConnect AI,which makes hotels discoverable and bookable directly within AI platforms like ChatGPT.See what category-leading commercial intelligence looks like.Request a demoContact:Adam Swart adam.swart@mylighthouse.com (917) 359-8969SOURCE: Lighthouse Ltd. PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 14:40:07 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1030 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / NextSource Materials Inc. (TSX:NEXT)(OTCQB:NSRCF) ("NextSource" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has finalized multiple term sheets with strategic investors to fund Phase 1 of the Company's proposed Battery Anode Facility ("BAF") in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi in the UAE. These term sheets indicate substantial progress in the Company's strategic financing process and further reinforces the Company's path towards the final investment decision ("FID").The Company has finalized term sheets with several strategic investors, including local sovereignlinked entities and a Japanese strategic consortium including a diversified industrial trading group with deep experience across the global battery materials and infrastructure sectors. This follows the successful conclusion of the first stage of due diligence and the investor site visit held on November 25, 2025 to the industrial building and site secured for the location of the Company's proposed BAF in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi.The term sheets propose an equity investment at the project level in the BAF project under which new strategic partners would potentially acquire an interest of up to 50% in the UAE BAF and subsequently fund their pro rata share of Phase 1 capital costs. This approach aligns with NextSource's objective to minimize dilution of the Company while potentially partnering with investors that bring strategic and regional value to the BAF project and across the battery supply chain.The term sheets executed are non-binding and subject to customary conditions. The Company is now advancing next steps with these parties, alongside ongoing technical, commercial, and legal due diligence, with a view toward potentially finalizing a preferred funding structure and executing definitive agreements in the coming months.Hanre Rossouw, President and CEO of NextSource, commented:"The level and quality of funding interest we are seeing at the project level is a strong validation of our UAE BAF strategy. These strategic investors recognize the importance of establishing secure, scalable, and geopolitically aligned anode supply chains outside of China. This process marks a significant first step toward funding our first commercial-scale BAF".The Company is currently advancing parallel workstreams to reach FID by the end of Q1 2026, supported by strong progress in the front-end engineering and design with its engineering partner firm, Stantec. Following a prospective successful FID and funding, the Company will proceed with full equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, and rampup in accordance with its phased development plan.About NextSource Materials Inc.NextSource Materials Inc. is a battery materials company based in Toronto, Canada that is intent on becoming a vertically integrated global supplier of battery materials through the mining and value-added processing of graphite and other minerals.The Company's Molo graphite project in Madagascar is one of the largest known and highest-quality graphite resources globally, and the only one with SuperFlake graphite. The Molo mine has begun production through Phase 1 mine operations.The Company is also developing a significant downstream graphite value-add business through the staged rollout of Battery Anode Facilities (BAF) capable of large-scale production of coated, spheronized and purified graphite for direct delivery to battery and automotive customers, in a fully transparent and traceable manner. The Company is now in the process of developing its first BAF in the UAE.NextSource Materials is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "NEXT" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "NSRCF".For further information about NextSource Materials, please visit our website at www.nextsourcematerials.com or contact us at +1.416.364.4911 or email Brent Nykoliation, Executive Vice President at brent@ nextsourcematerials.com Safe Harbour: This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. Forward looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", "expected" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements include any statements regarding, among others, that the non-binding term sheets will progress to definitive agreements and the timing thereof, timing of construction, development and completion of the BAF, timing and completion of front-end engineering and design, timing of FID, the phased development plan of the BAF as well as the Company's intent on becoming a fully integrated global supplier of critical battery and technology materials. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks, which could cause actual results to vary and, in some instances, to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company and described in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. These risks include that the non-binding term sheets will not progress to definitive agreements, the parties to the non-binding term sheet will not be satisfied with their due diligence review, risks related to the construction and development of the BAF, the risk that a positive FID decision may never be reached as well as other risk factors set forth in the Company's latest Annual Information Form (which includes the disclosed risk related specifically to the development commissioning and operation of the BAF) There is no assurance that the definitive agreements will be completed with the above noted timeframe or at all. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive there from. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assum PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-13 00:00:36 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 370 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Agilon Health, Inc. ("Agilon" or the "Company") (NYSE:AGL). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Agilon and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until March 2, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Agilon securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On August 4, 2025, Agilon issued a press release reporting that Steven Sell "has stepped down as President, CEO, and a Director of the Board." That same day, Agilon issued another press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. Commenting on the results, Agilon's Executive Chair stated that "as we progressed through this transition year, it's become clear that the industry headwinds are more acute than previously expected[.]" Further, the release announced that the Company was "suspending its previously issued full-year 2025 financial guidance and related assumptions." On this news, Agilon's stock price fell $0.94 per share, or 51.52%, to close at $0.88 per share on August 5, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-13 00:00:27 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 550 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Primo Brands Corporation ("Primo Brands" or the "Company") (NYSE:PRMB). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Primo Brands and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 12, 2026 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Primo Brands securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained atwww.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On June 17, 2024, Primo Water Corporation ("Primo Water") announced entry into a merger agreement (the "Merger") with an affiliate of BlueTriton Brands, Inc. ("BlueTriton"). The two companies touted the synergies of the Merger, stating that the combined company was expected to have "significant financial and operating leverage" and "enhanced distribution capabilities" which would position it "for sustained long-term growth." On November 8, 2024, the companies announced the completion of the Merger and the formation of the combined entity, Primo Brands.On August 7, 2025, Primo Brands announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. On an accompanying earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Robbert Rietbroek acknowledged that "[t]he speed by which we closed facilities and reduced headcount led to disruptions in product supply, delivery, and service." Following these disclosures, Primo Brands' stock price fell $2.41 per share, or 9.13%, to close at $24.00 per share on August 7, 2025.Then, on November 6, 2025, Primo Brands announced Rietbroek's departure as CEO and disclosed that the Company was drastically reducing its full year 2025 net sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance. During a corresponding earnings call, Primo Brands' new CEO Eric Foss admitted that the Company "probably moved too far too fast on some of the various integration work streams" and that "[t]here's no doubt that speed impacted our ability to get through a lot of the warehouse closures and route realignment without disruption." Foss further revealed that Primo Brands had experienced "customer service issues" as well as "integration issues related to the technology move over." On this news, Primo Brands' stock price fell $8.20 per share, or 36.19%, over the following two trading sessions, closing at $14.46 per share on November 7, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP Photo: @svyrydenkoy Telegram Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko discussed preparations for the upcoming meeting in the format of the "energy Ramstein" with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. "We are consistently continuing systematic international work to attract all available resources to support the Ukrainian energy system. We held a meeting with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. We handed over to the Norwegian side an agreed list of equipment necessary for repairs after the shelling and further strengthening energy stability," Svyrydenko said in the Telegram channel. The parties also discussed the preparation of the upcoming meeting in the format of the "energy Ramstein" initiated by Ukraine as a platform for coordinating long-term support with partners. "Norway is one of the key donors to the Energy Support Fund and a strategic partner of Ukraine in the energy sector. We are grateful to the Norwegian government for announcing a new contribution of $ 400 million to support energy sustainability and the purchase of critical equipment," the prime minister said. Svyrydenko separately thanked for the decision to continue the partnership in 2026 and allocate $8.3 billion within the Nansen Programme. "In 2026, Norway also plans additional allocations to Norfund for business development and investment projects in Ukraine. Systemic international support is a key element of the restoration of energy and economic sustainability of Ukraine," she said. PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-13 00:00:30 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 337 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. ("Alexandria" or the "Company") (NYSE:ARE). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.The class action concerns whether Alexandria and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.You have until January 26, 2026, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Alexandria securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com [Click here for information about joining the class action]On October 27, 2025, Alexandria reported below-expectation financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2025 and, in particular, cut its full-year 2025 funds from operations, or FFO, guidance. The Company attributed the setback 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 Long Island City property.On this news, Alexandria's stock price fell $14.93 per share, or 19.17%, to close at $62.94 per share on October 28, 2025.Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-11 23:15:10 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 637 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 11, 2026 / WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Perrigo Company plc (NYSE:PRGO) between February 27, 2023 and November 4, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 16, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Perrigo 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 Perrigo. class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48085or 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 16, 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 litigate 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 has 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 made materially false and/or misleading statements and or failed to disclose that: (1) the infant formula business acquired from Nestle suffered from significant underinvestment in maintenance; (2) Perrigo needed to make substantial capital and operational expenditures above Perrigo's outwardly stated cost estimates to remediate the infant formula business; (3) there were significant manufacturing deficiencies in the facility for Perrigo's infant formula business; (4) as a result of the foregoing, Perrigo's financial results, including earnings and cash flow, were overstated; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Perrigo's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Perrigo class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=48085 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: 2026-01-13 00:00:56 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 672 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 /WHY: New York, N.Y., January 12, 2026. 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 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 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: 2026-01-12 15:00:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 498 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Students can apply by June 15, 2026, to win $2,500.CHICAGO, ILLINOIS / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Shore Law is an industry leader when it comes to nursing home abuse cases. Clients who turn to the Chicago-based firm for legal support can trust its personal injury lawyers to treat them like individuals instead of case numbers.Today, Shore Law wants to extend its client advocacy by lending a hand to students pursuing a college education.The Speak Up, Stay Protected: Whistleblowers in Elder Care Scholarshippromises $2,500 to a student who can create a video of less than three minutes discussing how their state laws protect nursing home abuse whistleblowers.Shore Law and its team specifically want young people to think about the ways that legal safeguards make it easier and safer for whistleblowers to report abuse that might otherwise put nursing home residents at risk for severe injuries or death.Applicants should create a video no more than three minutes long discussing their state's specific whistleblower legislation and how that legislation protects nursing home whistleblowers. Additionally, students should analyze what legal reforms could strengthen these protections and encourage more reporting.Students have until June 15, 2026, to complete and submit their applications for consideration. The scholarship selection committee will choose its winner within three months of the scholarship submission deadline. Please do not contact Shore Law during this time, as the team can't provide students with updates on the status of their applications.The use of AI to generate a scholarship video, create fake actors, or modify a student's voice will result in a student's application being removed from the applicant pool without further consideration. Shore Law wants to celebrate students' unique perspectives on the statutes designed to make it easier to protect the elderly members of their communities.Students should review the scholarship's terms and conditions before submitting their applications for consideration. The team with Shore Law looks forward to hearing applicants' thoughts and offering its support to a student who thoughtfully engages with their state's whistleblower legislation.About Shore LawShore Lawis on the cutting edge of advocacy for victims of nursing home abuse and neglect. Helmed by Megan Shore, the firm's Chicago personal injury lawyers take pride in litigating on behalf of victims of sexual assault, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neglect, birth injuries, dental malpractice, and community integrated living arrangement abuse, among other incidents.Megan Shorehas spent her entire career advocating for people in need and has a 100% success rate when it comes to obtaining the compensation that her clients need to recover from their losses. Working with Shore Law allows clients to benefit from that personalized attention, ensuring that their voices are heard in the wake of life-changing accidents and mistreatment.Shore Law consistently makes it easier for victims to navigate the civil system without introducing any additional stress into their lives. Interested parties canreach out to the team's representatives to book a free case consultation today .Contact Information: Megan Shore, Attorney312-668-7893 mshore@ shoreinjurylaw.com SOURCE: Shore Law PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 14:00:52 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 952 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 WARREN, ID / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 /Sidney Resources Corporation (OTCID:SDRC) ("Sidney" or the "Company") is pleased to report a significant metallurgical milestone achieved through ongoing processing and testing at its Warren District project in Idaho. Recent work has successfully produced metallic smelter "buttons" containing iridium, marking a key technical advancement in the Company's polymetallic development program.Figure 1: Heavy mineral concentrate prior to smelting. Material shown has been upgraded through gravity separation and represents pre-concentrated feed rather than raw ore. This step physically increases metal content prior to thermal processing.The smelter buttons represent the final product of gravity separation followed by smelting and are not raw rock or unprocessed concentrate. This progression - from mineralized material to physically isolated metal - reflects the transition from geochemical identification to demonstrable metal recovery, a critical step in reducing technical risk at the project level.Figure 2 : Microscopic view of bronzite-rich concentrate prior to smelting.Angular silicate grains are visible alongside dense metallic phases. The heterogeneous texture is consistent with platinum group metal (PGM) systems, where ultra-rare metals such as iridium occur in localized grains rather than uniformly distributed.Iridium is among the rarest elements on Earth, estimated to be approximately 40 times rarer than gold, with global annual production of roughly 7-10 tonnes. The metal is considered strategically important due to its use in defense, aerospace, nuclear, and advanced electronics applications. At present, the United States has no meaningful domestic primary supply of iridium.Figure 3: Concentrate during active smelting. Elevated temperatures allow dense metallic phases to coalesce while silicate material separates into slag, producing recoverable metallic smelter "buttons" used for analytical testing.Independent energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) testing conducted on the smelter buttons confirms iridium present in concentrated material at approximately 390 to 1,120 parts per million (ppm), equivalent to roughly 12.5 to 36 ounces per ton. By comparison, prior bulk ore testing returned iridium at sub-ppm or background levels. These results demonstrate orders-of-magnitude enrichment achieved through physical processing, consistent with early-stage metallurgical success for ultra-rare PGMs.Figure 4: Metallic smelter button following gravity concentration and smelting. Iron-rich alloy containing iridium and associated metals. Independent XRF testing confirmed significant iridium enrichment relative to raw ore, demonstrating successful physical metal recovery. While XRF is a semi-quantitative, spot-based analytical method and not a final assay technique, it is appropriate at this stage to confirm the presence and relative concentration of target metals. The Company notes that iridium has been detected consistently across multiple samples, scans, and testing dates. Sidney intends to advance this work through bulk homogenized sampling and fire-assay-based platinum group metal (PGM) methods as metallurgical optimization continues.Independent laboratory assays conducted byInstitut fur Materialprufung Glorfeld GmbHon raw ore samples from the Warren District confirmed the presence of iridium at approximately 0.2 grams per tonne (g/t) in mineralized rock prior to any physical processing. These results represent ore-stage values and are reported in grams per tonne, the standard unit used for precious metal analysis in raw geological material. Copies of the independent Glorfeld assay certificates are available on the Company's website.The iridium concentrations reported elsewhere in this release in parts per million (ppm) or ounces per ton refer specifically to metallic smelter button material (sometimes referred to as dore), which represents the final product of gravity concentration followed by smelting. These values do not reflect the grade of the original ore, but rather the degree of enrichment achieved through physical processing.Additional analytical work conducted through a separate U.S.-based laboratory program at PTOE Labs evaluated raw ore, gravity table feed, concentrates, and smelter button material, and similarly confirmed the presence of iridium across multiple stages of processing. Results from this independent program demonstrate consistent and progressive enrichment of iridium as material advances from ore to metallic product, consistent with expected behavior in platinum group metal systems.For context, iridium is one of the rarest elements in the Earth's crust and is almost exclusively produced globally as a byproduct of nickel, copper, or PGM mining, where head grades are typically measured in fractions of a gram per tonne. The detection of iridium at measurable ore-stage levels, followed by substantial concentration into metallic smelter buttons, supports the conclusion that iridium is a genuine component of the Warren District mineral system and that the Company's processing workflow is successfully concentrating this ultra-rare metal.The recovered smelter buttons are iron-rich metallic alloys, a result that is both expected and positive in PGM systems. Iron commonly acts as a carrier phase for PGMs during early metallurgical processing and does not preclude further separation or upgrading. In addition to iridium, analytical results indicate the presence of gold, silver, other PGMs, tungsten, and rare earth element pathfinder metals in the buttons and associated slag, supporting the Company's view that the Warren District hosts a polymetallic mineral system with multiple potential value streams.Importantly, this metallurgical progress was achieved over a period of weeks, reflecting rapid iteration and a tight operational feedback loop between field sampling, processing, and analytical review. While this work does not constitute a mineral resource or reserve estimate and economic parameters have not yet been established, it demonstrates that Sidney has successfully converted mineralized material into recoverable metal and verified its composition.The Company will continue metallurgical testing and evaluation as part of its broader development strategy at the Warren District.About Sidney Resources CorporationSidney Resources Corporation (OTCID: SDRC) is a U.S.-based mineral exploration and development company focused on rare earth elements, gold, silver, tungsten, and platinum group metals in Idaho's historic Warren Mining District. The Company controls over 4,000 acres of patented and unpatented mineral rights and is expanding its footprint by an additional 7,600 acres through 380 newly sta PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 02:45:06 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 554 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / January 11, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors 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 by overseeing lead counsel with the goal of obtaining a fair and just resolution, you must request this position by application to 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 PR-Inside.com: 2026-01-12 23:00:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 788 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 12, 2026 / Usha Resources Ltd. ("Usha", "USHA" or the "Company") (TSXV:USHA)(OTCQB:USHAF)(FSE:JO0), a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company, announces that, further to its news release of October 27, 2025, it closed its non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") on December 11, 2025 raising gross proceeds of $500,000 through the issuance of unsecured convertible debentures (the "Debentures").Each Debenture has a one-year term (the "Maturity Date") and is convertible into common shares (the "Shares") of the Company on the Maturity Date at a conversion price of $0.05 per Share (the "Conversion Price"), subject to the force conversion rights detailed below.Forced Conversion RightsSubject to the terms and conditions of the Debentures, all interest payable to the debenture holder (the "Holder") on becoming due shall be payable in Shares at the interest conversion price per Share, subject to compliance with all applicable legislation and receipt of TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") approval, which approvals may or may not be granted and if not granted, such interest will only be payable in cash.If any time prior to the Maturity Date, the Company announces a business combination with a corporation that has a market capitalization at least $10,000,000 (calculated at the time of the announcement) ("Qualifying Business Transaction") and the volume-weighted average closing price of the Shares on the Exchange for the fifteen (15) days immediately prior to the date of announcement of the Qualifying Business Transaction is greater than $0.10 per Share, the Company may force conversion (the "Mandatory Conversion Right") of all but not less than all of the principal of the then outstanding Debentures at the Conversion Price, upon either: (i) giving the Holder 10 days' advance written notice; or (ii) the issuance of a news release advising all holders of Debentures of the Company's exercise of the Mandatory Conversion Right.The interest conversion price is the greater of: (i) the volume-weighted average closing price of the Shares on the Exchange for the fifteen (15) days prior to the date immediately before the date the accrued interest becomes payable; and (i) the Market Price of the Shares at the time the accrued interest becomes payable.Any payment of accrued but unpaid interest owing to the Holder by the Company payable in Shares pursuant to the Debentures is subject to prior Exchange acceptance with the application to be made by the Company at the time the accrued interest is payable. Any unaccrued interest pursuant to the debenture agreement will be paid in cash only.The Company paid finder's fees of $500 cash to an eligible finder in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the Exchange. The proceeds from the Private Placement will be used for general working capital. The Debentures are subject to a four-month and one-day statutory hold period from the date of issuance expiring on April 12, 2026.The Private Placement remains subject to the final approval of the Exchange.About Usha Resources Ltd.Usha Resources Ltd. is a North American mineral acquisition and exploration company focused on the development of quality critical metal properties that are drill-ready with high-upside and expansion potential. Based in Vancouver, BC, Usha's portfolio of strategic properties provides target-rich diversification and includes Southern Arm, a copper-gold VMS project in Quebec, Jackpot Lake, a lithium brine project in Nevada and White Willow, a lithium pegmatite project in Ontario. Usha trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol USHA, the OTCQB Exchange under the symbol USHAF and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol JO0.USHA RESOURCES LTD.For more information, please call 778-899-1780, email info@ usharesources.com or visit www.usharesources.com 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.The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.SOURCE: Usha Resources Ltd. Presco Plc has announced a change in the composition of its board with the appointment of Adewale Arikawe as a non-executive director, effective from 2 January. In a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) signed by its secretary, Frederick Ichekwai on Monday, the palm oil producer said Mr Arikawe was appointed to fill a casual vacancy on the board and will serve until the companys next annual general meeting. He replaced Felix Nwabuko, who retired after several years on the board. The company said Mr Nwabuko made significant contributions to Presco and its parent company, SIAT NV, and thanked him for his years of service and leadership. Presco also disclosed that Mr Arikawe had been appointed Group Chief Executive Officer of SIAT, with oversight responsibility for all its subsidiaries. These include Presco Plc, SIAT Nigeria Limited and Ghana Oil Palm Development Company Limited. The company said Mr Arikawe would work with existing leadership teams across the group to strengthen execution, accelerate strategic growth and promote a high-performance culture. His focus would include developing leadership capacity, empowering teams and delivering sustainable results. Mr Arikawe has more than 26 years of experience in general management, commercial strategy, sales and brand management. He previously held senior leadership roles at Royal FrieslandCampina, overseeing operations across sub-Saharan Africa, and at FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria. He also worked at Nestle Nigeria Plc, where he managed multi-channel sales operations and contributed to key growth initiatives. Mr Arikawe holds an MBA from the University of Chichester and has completed executive education programmes at London Business School and IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. The board said it welcomed Mr Arikawes appointment and reiterated its appreciation to Mr Nwabuko for what it described as his enduring legacy. Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has set social media abuzz after publicly praising his son, Gbolahan, during his wedding to Damilola Adio. Gbolahan and Damilola held their traditional introduction ceremony in L&K Estate, Ado Kekere Town, Eti-Osa, Lagos State, in July 2025. Members of the elite in attendance, including Mr Adeleke, his wife, Titilola, were family members of both the groom and the bride. Speaking to guests and members of his new in-laws family at the wedding ceremony, which took place on 10 January at the Monarch Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos, Mr Adeleke revealed that he and his son shared similar tastes in women. In a viral video obtained by PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, the 64-year-old recounted how his son often brought ladies home in the past. This, he said, prompted him to ask when he intended to settle down and get married. He said, Adio family, we set a date, and it came to pass. All the phone calls, the visits to London to greet you and tell you that we wanted to marry this lady. My son, Gbolahan, and I had discussed for a long time when he was going to bring home a wife. He told me, Daddy, Im still testing, and I asked him how many times he was going to test. I had been studying my son whenever he brought someone home, and I discovered that we have the same spec. Whenever he brought any woman, I would say, This isnt your spec, and he would say he knew. I would then tell him to go and bring his spec. The wife The governor, however, revealed that from the day Gbolahan brought Damilola home, he knew she was the right woman for his son. He explained that this conviction stemmed from the striking resemblance Damilola bore to his wife. The day he brought home Damilola, I hugged him and said, Thats it. So, I declare today that this is the day the Lord has made, and we shall all rejoice. Adio family, I want to thank you for accepting us to marry your daughter. You know your daughter was fresh when we came to marry her, and we will take care of her. It is not only Gbolahan that married her; we all married her. That is how we do it in Yoruba land, especially in Ede, Osun State, where we hail from. All of us will be monitoring Gbolahan and ensuring that he takes care of her. She will not suffer; whenever you see her, you will be happy, said the governor. He assured his in-laws that their daughter would not face any hardship or lose the radiance they admired when they came to ask for her hand in marriage. Your daughter came to marry from a Christian home. It is your daughter whose hand in marriage we came to ask for. The wedding attracted several dignitaries from all walks of life, including actresses Bukky Wright, Fathia Balogun and Laide Bakare; fashion designer Seyi Vodi; the wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Olayemi Oyebanji; Fuji music icon Wasiu Kwam 1 Ayinde; Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Davidos father, Adedeji Adeleke; and Davido, among others. Reactions The governors gesture involving his son, prostrating to seek Damilolas hand in marriage on his behalf, has sparked both praise and criticism. Some netizens commended Mr Adeleke for embodying traditional Yoruba values through his prostration, while others criticised the act, arguing it was inappropriate for a governor. Here are some of the comments. So he has been bringing them home, an you know its not them but you stay quiet sugaH.eth (@sugaH_eth) January 10, 2026 That statement from Governor Adeleke is both hilarious and profoundly human. The sheer confidence of claiming a spec in women that apparently skips generations borders on comedic brilliance, like a live-action genetic algorithm for love, but it also reveals a deeper truth: THE HOPE (@Judecstephen) January 10, 2026 Whenever he brought someone home.. Laise Motunde. LUSHOLa (@iamthepreence) January 10, 2026 Thats a good father right there. Knowing well about his son. May God bless their home. WINNINGWHALE (@DeeWestMoney) January 10, 2026 Gbolly na retired bad boy sha. Make I no even talk cos Baba go dey read am . Serubawon (@kpumpin0007) January 10, 2026 if you notice very well, adeleke family has done a lot of ceremony during this tenure . govt money sweet . they already feeling the second term is 50/50 better still they use govt money now . congratulations to the new couple dgreatasiwaju1 (@dgreatasiwaju01) January 10, 2026 The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has renewed its Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) missions mandate until 20 December 2026 amid ongoing clashes in the countrys east. Since the escalation of violence a year ago, over 7,000 deaths have been documented in the three eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. The region also suffers systematic and large-scale sexual violence, the forced recruitment of children, and obstacles to delivering much-needed humanitarian aid. Globally, UN peacekeeping missions are up against geopolitical tensions and fragile support, creating a gap between capabilities and expectations. Its no different for the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), which is entangled in the complex Great Lakes context. Operational constraints and political complexities have drastically hampered MONUSCOs mandate to protect civilians and stabilise the region. Violence between the national army and armed groups continues, and regional tensions have worsened despite various diplomatic initiatives. The mission has become increasingly misaligned with realities on the ground. It should be assessed and adjusted to match current dynamics and the political and security climate of the DRC and Great Lakes. The Congolese-UN 2023 transition plan, which envisaged a gradual withdrawal of the mission by December 2025, fell away when the security situation worsened in 2021. Escalating violence between the March 23 Movement (M23) and government-aligned forces in January 2025 fundamentally altered the conditions. Eastern DRC has been a hotbed of crises for decades, fuelled by a weak state, corruption and a lack of territorial control. This is aggravated by regional actors involvement notably neighbouring countries Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi in an already over-militarised situation. The UNSC has highlighted the support for M23 by Rwanda and, to a degree, Uganda, and the DRCs support for the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda rebels. This has created an intractable regional security crisis that hinders any attempt at a peaceful resolution and undermines MONUSCOs efforts to protect civilians. Internally, the mission faces a lack of troop commitment and limited resources. DRC communities and politicians also criticise it for being ineffective against M23 and the Ugandan-originated Allied Democratic Forces. This anti-MONUSCO sentiment has become a political lever in DRC. The mission is often blamed for the failures of the Congolese government and army, which bear primary responsibility for the security and protection of civilians. Regional forces deployed to eastern DRC from East and Southern Africa have had to withdraw due to political divisions, limited resources and impossible mandates, with similar structural problems as MONUSCO. M23s gains highlight the constraints of an overly rigid and territorially limited mandate. MONUSCO replicates the general objectives of peacekeeping without sufficiently adapting to the DRC context. This, along with its expanding list of tasks, puts pressure on resources and results in a crisis of confidence. The missions operations are also limited to within the DRC, although the conflict is characterised by armed groups that act across borders. Peacekeeping in DRC is also uncoordinated and fragmented due to a lack of joint planning and competition among international actors. Poor intelligence sharing creates operational gaps that armed groups can exploit. These limitations result in reactive responses that favour defensive rather than offensive actions, restricting MONUSCOs capacity to protect civilians, despite blatant abuses on the ground. The missions mandate must be adjusted in favour of greater flexibility, regional cooperation, more support for local forces, and clear criteria for withdrawal. The UNSC should define a robust and flexible plan incorporating improved intelligence sharing and adaptive rules of engagement, and develop a civil-military early warning mechanism in coordination with regional actors. To neutralise aggressive armed factions, the missions Force Intervention Brigade needs a clear mandate and sufficient resources to avoid overstretching MONUSCO. Military engagement should target groups identified by regional consensus. MONUSCO and the Congolese government must redefine a withdrawal and transition strategy based on assessment criteria and local preparedness, not fixed timelines. They must accelerate training and equipping the DRC army and police, with a focus on respecting human rights. An enforcement mechanism will be needed to prevent the DRC armys complicity in human rights abuses. For regional actors, MONUSCO must be anchored within a revitalised regional political strategy that focuses on diplomacy, mediation and coordinated sanctions, rather than merely deploying troops. Without this, the missions efforts will be paralysed in the face of an ever-dynamic political and security environment. Remadji Hoinathy, Senior Researcher and Nirvaly Mooloo, Research Officer, Central Africa and Lake Chad Basin, ISS For more on this topic, click here to read our new policy brief: Recalibrating MONUSCO: mandate limits vs. political realities in eastern DRC (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who is visiting Kyiv, announced the allocation of DKK 4 billion in aid to Ukraine, which will be directed towards the energy sector and the functioning of the Ukrainian state. "It's 16 degrees below zero in Kyiv today. We can only imagine how cold it is when the power goes out, often for six hours at a time. This is money that Ukraine desperately needs, and it needs it now. Several times a week, Russia attacks the infrastructure that supplies electricity to ordinary people in Ukraine. Ensuring that Ukrainians can keep warm, cook, and live their lives more or less as normal is crucial to their continued ability to endure this war. A war they are waging in the name of all of us," Eide said. It is noted that Norway is in ongoing dialogue with the authorities in Kyiv and other stakeholders regarding the distribution of Norwegian support for the energy sector. The goal is to meet Ukraine's needs and spread risks. It is important to support energy production and strengthen the resilience of the energy sector. "We need to finance the purchase of gas that can be delivered quickly. At the same time, we need to repair damaged infrastructure and purchase spare parts," Eide explained. Norway's contribution will be channeled through partners such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Energy Community, which aims to expand the EU's internal energy market to third countries such as Ukraine. This is coordinated with other key donors. The unexpected abduction of President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, and his wife, Cilia Fores, by the United States in an invasion on 3 January, has sent shock waves around the world. It is a grave assault on the rules-based international order and a crude display of the perverse doctrine of might is right. The world should be deeply concerned about President Donald Trumps embrace of this malevolent act from the USs discredited playbook. Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, in the midnight of that Saturday, was assailed by torrential missiles and bombings, which dismantled the countrys aerial and other defence systems, thus paving the way for the 15,000 US Delta Force Commandos to break into the presidential fortress. This criminal aggression, state officials said on Thursday, claimed 100 lives, including Mr Maduros Cuban guards. Mr Maduro was handcuffed and immediately flown to the US. On 5 January, President Maduro and his wife (alongside their son and other state officials, in absentia) were arraigned before a New York Court, where narco-terrorism conspiracy, the importation of cocaine, and other related offences were levelled against them. However, they pleaded not guilty. I am sir, Nicolas Maduro, President of the Republic of Venezuela. And I have been kidnapped since 3 January, he told the presiding Judge, Alvin Hellerstein, when asked to confirm his identity. But Mr Trumps utterances before and after Mr Maduros capture belied his real motive. The target is Venezuelas oil resources and the forceful dominance of the petro-dollar system. Venezuela is the country with the richest oil reserves globally. The US will run the country on a temporary basis and get the oil flowing, Mr Trump said. Venezuela is now expected to give up about 50 million barrels of oil to the US. Mr Trump confessed that the money will be controlled by me. And, he ensured that when Mr Maduros deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, was sworn in as interim President, she got the stern warning to either cooperate with the US or be ready to get booted out. Clearly, this is brigandage, a moral albatross associated with only rogue states. This is hollowing out whatever is left of the US moral capital under Mr Trumps leadership. With the humongous oil and other mineral resources to be plundered from the South American country already within reach, a democratic transition seems to be almost impossible in the near future. A post from Mr Trumps verified Truth Social handle on Thursday revealed that, Venezuela is going to be purchasing only America Made Products, with the money they receive from our new Oil Deal, therefore making the US its main principal partner in global business. The kidnapping of Mr Maduro was shadowed by a fouled political firmament that reached a head with the last presidential election, which Mr Maduro was alleged to have rigged, prompting Washingtons virulent disapproval and a series of diplomatic rows. Thereafter, the American characterisation of Mr Maduro as a drug lord and Venezuela, a narco state, was more recently followed by airstrikes on boats allegedly conveying hard drugs to the US, and then the military encirclement and siege laid to the country, preparatory to an attack. However, Mr Trumps heist plot had in fact been long conceived. After the 22 June bombing of three nuclear facilities in Iran, he issued, in September, an Executive Order renaming the American Department of Defence as the Department of War, circling back to a 1947 state of affairs, which signalled the dangers ahead. Interestingly, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and Europe have been tepid in their reaction to this act of a seemingly unhinged global hegemon. However, Russia, China, France and the United Nations have strongly condemned the aggression. A critical subtext to Mr Trumps Venezuelan drama is a most vicious geopolitical script to undermine China, a major trade ally of Venezuela, and contain Russias influence in the Latin American region. In some respects, what Mr Trump cannot achieve through tariffs or trade wars, he is seeking to enforce through military might. It is an invocation of the Monroe Doctrine, with all its apocalyptic repercussions. Enamoured of the Venezuelan triumph, Mr Trumps focus has now shifted to Colombia, Mexico, Cuba and Greenland an Arctic island that is an autonomous territory of Denmark, which he wants to annex for the US strategic defence interest. That will herald the end of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), a post-World War II defence pact, which, to a large extent, has guaranteed global peace. Article 5 of the treaty expressly states that an attack on one is an attack on all, and this protocol is complementary to Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter, which forbids the use of force against the territorial integrity of a member nation. Today, the US parades itself as the policeman of the world. But its unhinged displays in the international arena, epitomised in the Venezuela event, set a dangerous precedent, as the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, observed. Also, as President Lula da Silva of Brazil put it, Mr Trump has crossed an unacceptable line. This is apt. But where will the trigger or punitive actions against the US come from? By Trumps acts of aggression, he has exposed the hypocrisy in his role as a peacemaker in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the other war-ending deals he claims to have brokered. Apparently, he does not look a shade different from Vladimir Putin, who has seized Ukraines territories of Donetsk, Luhansk and the entire Crimea. Perhaps Mr Putin would no longer feel restrained from pursuing a regime-change plot in Kyiv, just as China might not show any scruples in swallowing up Taiwan. Yes, the US may have behaved similarly in Panama in 1989 when it ended General Manuel Noriegas regime and took him to America, where he was imprisoned; enabled the fall of Jean Bertrand Aristide in Haiti; and engineered regime changes in Iraq and Libya, but the Venezuelan episode dwarfs them all. Here, Mr Trump has been brazen and unabashed in his declarations to appropriate the countrys oil resources for US benefits. In Iraqs case, its oil revenues were controlled under a UN resolution. ALSO READ: Trump says US will run Venezuela following kidnap of Maduro by American forces Unfortunately, Mr Guterres is yet again in an uncomfortable corner, ruminating over the relevance of the UN that he leads, and always helpless in dealing with a bull in a china shop. The message Mr Trump has very clearly sent across the world is that powerful countries can bully their weak, hapless neighbours without scruples, in a manner reminiscent of the era of gunboat diplomacy, or even unpretended colonisation. This emergent canon of disregard for rules or mechanisms that guarantee global peace and security is one that bodes ill for humanity and serves as fertile grounds for the descent of the world into crises across several frontiers. It needs to be checkmated right now. The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has significantly expanded its drone capability and is finalising plans to launch coordinated aerial attacks on Nigerian military positions in parts of Yobe and Borno states, PREMIUM TIMES can report. A confidential security assessment sighted by PREMIUM TIMES indicates that the terrorists intend to deploy Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) against military formations and patrol teams operating in key conflict areas across the two states. According to sources familiar with the matter, ISWAP commanders have concluded arrangements for the attacks, which are expected to involve multiple drones operating simultaneously against selected targets. The sources disclosed that fighters loyal to the group in the Timbuktu Triangle and Sambisa Forest axis recently received a new batch of about 35 drones, allegedly transported through the Lake Chad corridor, a notorious logistics route used by insurgents operating around Nigerias north-eastern borders. Security officials said the newly acquired UAVs have already undergone test flights and were confirmed to be operationally ready, raising concerns within the military about a possible escalation in the groups use of asymmetric warfare tactics. ISWAP has increasingly relied on drone technology in recent years, both for reconnaissance and offensive operations, marking a dangerous evolution in the conflict that has raged in the North-East for over a decade. Security experts say the group typically use commercially modified drones to surveil troop movements, adjust mortar fire, and, in isolated cases, drop locally fabricated explosive devices on military positions. Military analysts say the growing sophistication of ISWAPs drone programme mirrors trends seen among extremist groups in other conflict zones, where low-cost UAVs are repurposed to offset conventional military disadvantages. Nigerias armed forces have, in recent years, intensified counter-terrorism operations across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, degrading several insurgent strongholds and killing or capturing key commanders. However, insurgent groups, including ISWAP and Boko Haram, have continued to adjust tactics, including the use of improvised explosive devices, ambushes on supply routes, and increasingly, aerial surveillance. Security sources said the latest intelligence has prompted calls within the Nigerian military for the urgent deployment of robust counter-drone measures to neutralise the emerging threat and protect troops on the frontlines. Neither the Nigerian Army nor the Defence Headquarters has publicly commented on the intelligence at the time of filing this report, but officials have previously acknowledged the growing challenge posed by insurgents use of technology for military purposes. The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in 2009, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions across Nigerias North-East. ISWAP, which broke away from Boko Haram in 2016 and later pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, has since emerged as one of the most lethal armed groups in the Lake Chad region. PREMIUM TIMES will continue to monitor developments surrounding the evolving security situation. Two members of the Rivers House of Assembly, who are loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike, have withdrawn from the impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers. The Minority Leader of the assembly, Sylvanus Enyinna Nwankwo, and Peter Abbey, who represents Degema State Constituency, urged their colleagues to exercise restraint and allow for dialogue to maintain stability in the state. In a video widely circulated on Facebook and an excerpt published by Rivers State Television, the lawmakers urged their colleagues to prioritise the overall interest and stability of Rivers above partisan disagreements. Call for cooling-off period The legislators stressed that the prevailing political climate demands calm, dialogue and a cooling-off period within the assembly to allow, in their words, wisdom and truth to prevail in the legislative chambers. Although they did not expressly mention the impeachment process during the briefing, their intervention is being interpreted by political observers as a withdrawal from the impeachment push against Mr Fubara, which has heightened tensions in the state. Background to impeachment moves The Rivers assembly parted ways with Mr Fubara because of the feud between the governor and Mr Wike, who is the FCT minister. The current impeachment notice on Mr Fubara is the third attempt in less than three years to remove the governor. The previous efforts had split the legislature into two factions, causing President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspend the governor, the deputy governor, and the lawmakers. READ ALSO: Rivers assembly alleges secret plot to scuttle impeachment move against Fubara The lawmakers accused the governor of constitutional breaches and administrative misconduct, allegations his supporters have dismissed as politically motivated. PREMIUM TIMES could not immediately get the assemblys comment on the position of the two lawmakers. The assemblys spokesperson, Enemi George, and the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, did not respond to calls and text messages from our reporter. The National Forum of APC Young Professionals (NFAYP) has called on President Bola Tinubu and key members of his cabinet to urgently clear outstanding debts owed to indigenous contractors across Nigeria, saying continued delays threaten economic livelihoods and could have political repercussions ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued Sunday evening and signed by the National Chairman, Lukman Adejobi, and Secretary, Godwin Lukas, the forum expressed dismay at what it described as the federal governments failure to honour payment commitments to local contractors, despite interventions by the National Assembly and presidential directives. NFAYPs demand comes against the backdrop of multiple, high-profile protests by indigenous contractors across Abuja in 2025, highlighting deepening frustration with government inaction. Last year, the prolonged dispute between the federal government and indigenous contractors escalated into sustained street protests in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Hundreds of contractors affiliated with the Association of Indigenous Contractors of Nigeria (AICAN) and other groups barricaded major government buildings, including the main gates of the National Assembly complex and the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja. The demonstrations disrupted legislative activities and forced the House of Representatives to suspend plenary for one week in solidarity with the protestors. PREMIUM TIMES reported that contractors, armed with placards and loudspeakers, blocked the National Assembly entrance for days, demanding payment of billions of naira owed for contracts executed and completed under the 2024 fiscal year. Lawmakers noted that security operatives had at times closed the main gate to contain the standoff, causing heavy traffic and interruptions in parliamentary business. The House, thereafter, issued a formal seven-day ultimatum to the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and the Accountant-General of the Federation to settle outstanding debts tied to the 2024 and 2025 budgets. They, however, made a U-turn to reconvene the following day, claiming that the decision follows positive developments arising from engagements and interventions across various levels of government concerning issues that informed the earlier adjournment, particularly matters relating to contractors agitations and the non-release of funds under the 2024/2025 budget. Beyond the National Assembly, local contractors blocked access to the Ministry of Finance, waving placards decrying prolonged non-payment for contracts executed under the 2024 capital programme. Organisers said warrants had been issued, but actual disbursements never materialised, leaving many firms unable to meet loan obligations. NFAYP reacts NFAYP, which is not an organ of the ruling party, APC, said government assurances, including interventions by a presidential committee and National Assembly oversight, had yielded only piecemeal payments, with more than 2 trillion still outstanding, according to the forums own checks. We have sounded this warning severally. You are complaining of a lack of funds and said you have appropriated the sum of N1.8 trillion in the 2026 budget to clear outstandings of the 2024 capital projects executed by indigenous contractors, but you are paying foreign contractors; how do you want their local counterparts to feel? You have forgotten that these same local contractors would be the ones to stand for you tomorrow during elections. No foreigner can decide any vote during elections in Nigeria. If we dont treat our own right, we would be the ones to suffer the consequences when the time comes, the statement added. The forum argued that failure to pay local contractors has eroded their creditworthiness, pushed some firms to bankruptcy, and weakened confidence in public contracting. It also flagged the potential impact on the 2027 elections, suggesting that unpaid contractors may withhold support or even switch allegiances, affecting the APCs electoral prospects. It called on the federal government to take desperate steps to urgently attend to the obligations owed to the indigenous contractors, while calling on the contractors to shelve their planned protests this January and give the federal government a little more time, to enable the outstandings of the 2024 budget cleared. Sijibomi Ogundele, Managing Director of Sujimoto Holdings, a Nigerian real estate developer, has threatened legal action against businessman Aderemi Lasaki, a board member of First Bank Holdings Plc, over a dispute concerning the Lucrezia project, an ultra-luxury residential development on Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos State. The development is being executed by Sujimoto Group, who serve as the main contractor, with Mr Lasaki acting as the joint venture partner. A joint venture partner is an individual or company that enters into a formal partnership with another party to work together on a specific project or business venture. Sebili Oni & Co., representing Mr Lasaki, issued a buyer beware advisory to prospective purchasers, stating that their client would not append his signature to the property. Joint venture agreements The firm noted, however, that all joint venture agreements had been fully complied with by Sujimoto Construction Limited. We act on the instructions of our Client who is the JV Partner of the above stated property and the ONLY authorised signatory to all the Deed of Assignment in respect of the 20 Maisonettes and 2 Pent Houses in the said property situated at Plot 16, Zone K, Mixed Development Zone, Federal Government Layout, Banana Island Foreshore Estate, Off Onikoyi Road, Ikoyi, Eti-Osa, Local Government Area of Lagos State. Prospective subscribers to the above property are hereby notified and put on notice that the authorised signatory to the said property will not append his signature to any Deed of Assignment to be issued to any/all prospective assignee(s) and will prevent all subscribers from moving into the property until ALL terms and conditions that surrounds the Joint Venture Agreements are fully complied with by Sujimoto Construction Limited, the buyer beware statement read. In response to the buyer beware advisory, Mr Ogundele, in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Monday, alleged that Mr Lasaki sought to distort and misrepresent the facts, misleading the public about a fully completed and contractually protected project. Opportunism over transparency He accused Mr Lasaki of prioritising opportunism over transparency. He gave him fourteen days to retract the statement across all media outlets, warning that failure to do so would prompt legal action. Mr Ogundele noted: We have, through our Solicitors, demanded that Mr Aderemi Lasaki retract the recent misleading publication and issue a public apology in the same manner and across similar media outlets within 14 days. Failure to comply will result in Sujimoto initiating legal proceedings seeking 100 billion in damages for trade libel, unlawful interference, deliberate misrepresentation, obstruction of lawful unit allocation, and attempts to assert unauthorised control in violation of the Joint Venture Agreement. We state categorically that the claims issued by Sebili Oni & Co., purporting to represent Mr Aderemi Lasaki a board member of First Bank Holdings Plc alleging the referenced party will not append his signature to any Deed of Assignment, are entirely false and without legal merit. Neither Sujimoto nor Mr Lasaki have the title documents. Project Mr Ogundele further explained that he had overcome severe debt pressures, difficult economic conditions, and the formidable challenges associated with delivering a project of this scale. He noted that he successfully brought the Lucrezia project to fruition, establishing it as one of Nigerias premier residential developments. As a legal professional who understands the implications of custody and risk, I ensured that all title documents were placed under the guardianship of an independent third partyStanbic IBTC Trustees Limitedto eliminate any possibility of misrepresentation or unauthorised control. Upon completion, the Trustee is OBLIGATED to release units allocated to Sujimoto and those to the JV partner as stipulated in the Agreement. All units in Lucreziasecurely held in trustremain fully protected and cannot be obstructed or withheld by any party. Any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate distortion of facts and an attempt to undermine a fully protected contractual process. Every buyer who has purchased a unit will receive their homewithout disruption, interference, or delay, he said. Furthermore, Mr Ogundele urged stakeholders to disregard the distractions, emphasising that purchasing a home is not comparable to buying a wristwatch or a bicycle. He stressed that verified documentation, legal titles, and incontrovertible facts govern real estate transactions. Contradiction He further described the statement issued by Sebili Oni & Co. on behalf of Mr Lasaki as misleading and in direct contradiction of the framework governing the project. Mr Ogundele affirmed that Lucrezia will be completed and delivered to its rightful owners, emphasising that dedication, discipline, and integrity will triumph over opportunism, greed, and deception. He reiterated Sujimotos unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and stressed that the company will not hesitate to enforce its rights fully and decisively. The Agreement expressly grants Sujimoto exclusive possession of the Lucrezia Project and the unequivocal right to construct till completion, and the full right to sell or transfer its allocated units to third partieswhether before, during, or upon completionand no individual has discretionary authority to obstruct this process. The projects cost was initially valued at approximately 10 billion; however, Sujimoto ultimately spent an amount estimated to be four to five times that figure. As we continue to review final costs, due to recession, soaring construction costs, pandemic disruptions, political turbulence, regulatory uncertainty, and severe market volatility. Despite these pressures, we surpassed all projectionsdeploying personal capital, assuming extraordinary debt, and overcoming challenges that would have halted even the most experienced developers. Through it all, we upheld both the letter and the spirit of the agreement. Our team of over 474 professionalsarchitects, engineers, artisans, and site workersreported to the site every day for five years, said Mr Ogundele. He added that the dedication, resilience, and discipline of his team, comprising over 474 professionals, architects, engineers, artisans, and site workers, remain the cornerstone of Lucrezias success. Looking ahead, LeonardobySujimotothe tallest and most anticipated luxury residential tower in Sub-Saharan Africa is set to break ground in Q2 2026, underscoring our unwavering commitment to redefining luxury real estate across the continent. Renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Ivara Esege, have issued a legal notice to the private hospital in Lagos where their 21-month-old son, Nkanu Nnamdi, died. The family had alleged Nkanu died due to medical negligence on the part of Euracare Hospital. In a legal notice dated 10 January, issued by the law firm of Kemi Pinheiro, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the couple accused Euracare Hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and attending staff of breaching their duty of care during a series of medical procedures. The toddler died in the early hours of 7 January, after being transferred for an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line. These procedures were preparatory steps for a planned medical evacuation to the United States. The notice claims that young Nkanu, who was sedated with propofol, developed severe complications during transfer within the hospital. The parents alleged inadequate monitoring, improper dosing, lack of supplemental oxygen, insufficient medical personnel, and delays in responding to his deteriorating condition. They also raised concerns over informed consent and the availability of resuscitation equipment. The legal notice requests certified copies of all medical records and evidence relating to young Nkanus care within seven days, warning that destruction of evidence could result in legal consequences. Although the Euracare Hospital has yet to react publicly to the legal notice, it had previously denied wrongdoing. It described the patient as critically ill upon referral and stating that all care provided was in line with established clinical protocols and internationally accepted standards. The hospital said it had initiated a detailed internal review and expressed sympathy for the family. Lagos government intervenes The Lagos State Government has ordered an investigation into the death. In a statement earlier, Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, said the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) had visited the facility and begun a comprehensive review of all reports and allegations. The agency will work with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other relevant bodies to ensure a credible investigation. The investigation will examine compliance with clinical protocols, professional conduct, patient safety standards, and the roles of all parties involved. Findings will be made public, Mrs Ogunyemi said. Nigerians share experiences Reacting to the development, a former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Joe Abah, shared his experience on X, recounting how a private hospital in Abuja pressured him to undergo surgery. A private hospital in Abuja said I needed surgery and was trying to pressure me to do it with them immediately. I wasnt sure, and my family wasnt comfortable, Mr Abah wrote. Mr Abah said his wife reminded him that in the United Kingdom, there is a mandatory 14-day cooling-off period between being advised to undergo surgery and the procedure itself, except in life-threatening emergencies, allowing patients time to seek other opinions. He said he decided to get additional medical opinions, including consultations abroad, which revealed that surgery was unnecessary. Getting a second opinion elsewhere and a third opinion abroad, it turned out that I didnt need any surgery at all, he wrote. Several Nigerians responding to Mr Abahs post narrated similar experiences of alleged wrong diagnoses and pressure to undergo surgery. An X user, @eakpe, said a hospital in Abuja once told a friend he urgently needed heart surgery. He decided to see his doctor in the UK, only to be told that he had an ulcer and that the chest pain he was feeling was from acid reflux, the user wrote, adding that the hospital later apologised after being confronted with the new diagnosis. Another user, @Ugwumsinach, recounted how her two-year-old son underwent adenoidectomy surgery in November 2025, noting that relatives were more concerned about whether he had woken up from anaesthesia. I found it odd; now I understand them, she said. Medical negligence concerns Ms Adichie said her sons death was avoidable and attributed it to critical failures in care during routine procedures. She said Nkanu suffered seizures, cardiac arrest, and ultimately died despite resuscitation efforts. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the case has reignited conversations about medical errors in Nigeria. The study also reported that about 33.3 per cent of patients experienced additional injuries as a result of treatment. The high prevalence and varied patterns of medical errors underscore the need for systemic interventions, including enhanced training, mentorship programs, and error-reporting systems to improve patient safety and healthcare outcomes, it noted. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) is responsible for investigating cases of medical negligence and sanctioning officials found to be negligent. The council has, in the past, sanctioned dozens of medical practitioners for wrongdoings. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike, scheduled to begin today, 12 January. It said the suspension of the strike is due to fresh commitments from the federal government and key health sector stakeholders. The association announced the decision after a virtual emergency National Executive Council (E-NEC) meeting held on Sunday, saying the suspension would last until 25 January, when it plans to review progress made on its demands. The development comes days after the National Industrial Court of Nigeria issued an interim order restraining NARD and its members from embarking on the planned strike, pending the hearing of a substantive motion fixed for 21 January. Conditional suspension In a communique signed by its Secretary-General, Shuaibu Ibrahim, NARD said the decision to suspend the resumption of the strike was strategic and conditional, allowing time to assess progress made through engagements with key government institutions. The association said it resolved to halt the resumption of its Total, Indefinite and Complete Strike (TICS 2.0) following firm commitments from critical stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and other agencies involved in health sector administration. It also cited the involvement of the National Assembly, the State Security Service, and direct presidential intervention led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. This suspension is strategic and conditional, allowing room to objectively review tangible progress at the January NEC meeting commencing 25 January 2026, the communique said. Court order restraining strike On 9 January, the National Industrial Court, Abuja, restrained NARD, its members, agents and privies from embarking on the planned nationwide strike. Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the interim order while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by the federal government and the Attorney-General of the Federation. The court barred the association from calling, directing, organising, participating in or embarking upon any form of industrial action, including strikes, picketing or work stoppages, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice fixed for 21 January. NARD was granted liberty to apply to vary or discharge the order. The association, however, did not reference the court order in its statement announcing the suspension of the strike resumption. Background to the dispute NARD had earlier announced plans to resume its TICS 2.0 from 12 January, citing the federal governments failure to implement agreements reached after its previous industrial action. The association had suspended an earlier indefinite strike on 29 November 2025 after 29 days, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government. Under the agreement, the government committed to implementing key demands within four weeks. NARD later accused the authorities of failing to meet multiple deadlines. Lokoja crisis, salary arrears On the lingering crisis at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Lokoja, NARD said the report of a committee earlier set up by the health ministry has been implemented. It added that a new reconciliation committee comprising chief medical directors, the ministry and NARD representatives has been established to ensure resident doctors remain at the facility and to broker lasting peace between the Association of Resident Doctors and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria at the hospital. On salary-related demands, NARD said verified lists for the outstanding 25 and 35 per cent Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) arrears have been forwarded to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). The association said the Ministry of Labour has written to the Ministry of Finance to facilitate payment, while progress has also been recorded on accoutrement allowances, promotion arrears and salary arrears. It added that the Minister of State for Finance has acknowledged receipt of the documents and that discussions are ongoing to establish a clear and expedited payment plan. Entry-level, work-hour regulation NARD said the Director of Hospital Services at the health ministry would communicate a clarification from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to hospital managements, reaffirming CONMESS 3 as the recognised entry level for resident doctors. It also disclosed that a multi-stakeholder committee involving the health ministry, chief medical directors, the Nigerian Medical Association and NARD has been constituted to address locum practice and work-hour regulation. It added that preliminary activities have already commenced. Allowances, collective bargaining The association confirmed that a circular on the professional allowance table has been released, with assurances that full implementation would begin with January salaries and that 18 months arrears would be captured in the 2026 budget. On the stalled Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations, NARD said it would continue to push for their immediate resumption and timely conclusion. NARD also reported progress on the implementation of specialist allowances and said the Ministry of Labour had intervened in issues affecting house officers welfare. It added that the health ministry would formally engage the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to address salary delays, arrears, and the issuance of pay advisories through IPPIS. While appreciating its leadership and members nationwide, the association stressed that the suspension of the strike resumption remains conditional. The NEC remains confident that the timely and decisive intervention of the Vice President will culminate in a lasting resolution of the protracted challenges confronting Nigerias health sector, the communique said. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Nigerian government for allegedly abandoning Nigerian students in Morocco, who are studying under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA) scholarship. Mr Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, also faulted the government for failing to pay the scholars stipends as and when due. He stated that the BEA scholarship scheme has enabled Nigerians to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in various countries since its inception in 1993. He also criticised the discontinuation of the BEA scholarship by the Nigerian government. Programme suspension Mr Atiku claimed that the government had quietly discontinued the programme without notice. However, the Ministry of Education last year announced a five-year suspension of the scholarship scheme following a review which found that most of the courses could be accessed locally. The government also said existing beneficiaries would continue to receive full support until they complete their studies and return home. Responding to claims that students had been abandoned, the ministry said all BEA beneficiaries enrolled before 2024 had received payments up to the 2024 budget year. In a statement issued by the ministrys spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, the education minister, Tunji Alausa, said any outstanding payments were due to fiscal constraints. Any temporary delays in outstanding payments are attributable to fiscal constraints and are currently being addressed through ongoing engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance, the statement quoted Mr Alausa as saying. Unpaid stipends The former vice president said that about 1,600 young Nigerians are stranded abroad with empty pockets and fading hope as a result of the non-payment of their stipends. He said the students have not been paid any stipend for 2025. PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that the Nigerian BEA scholars in Morocco said they were owed four-month stipends dating back to 2023. The President of the Union of Nigerian Bilateral Education Agreement Scholars, Bilal Aliyu, had said the scholars are owed $500 monthly stipends for September to December 2023, as well as $1,123 in exchange rate differential for six months, from March to August 2023. For 2024, the scholars said they received $220 stipends instead of $500 without prior notification or justification, noting they were only informed of the reduction at the time of disbursement. I gathered that hunger, rent arrears, and shame have become the daily companions of the beneficiary students, Mr Atiku said. In Morocco, one student did not survive the ordeal, dying in November last year and turning quiet suffering into public grief. Parents and scholars poured into the streets of Abuja, protesting before the Ministries of Education and Finance, their placards heavy with sorrow and rage, their questions unanswered. BEA Scholarship The BEA scholarship is a diplomatic and mutual cooperation between Nigeria and some countries, which enables Nigerian students to pursue academic studies in partner countries such as China, Russia, Algeria, Hungary, Morocco, Egypt, and Serbia. Through these agreements, host countries provide beneficiaries with free tuition, accommodation, and monthly stipends. The Nigerian government also supports the scholars with take-off grants and monthly stipends throughout the study period and return passage upon successful completion of their programmes. However, even before the recent situation, there had been several cases of Nigerian scholars lamenting the delay in the payment of their stipends by the Nigerian government. Key witnesses set to testify in court in a multi-billion naira port ownership dispute involving the former Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, have alleged threats to their lives. Mr Ganduje and other defendants face a 10-count charge of criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest. He was charged alongside his aide, Abubakar Bawuro; his lawyer, Adamu Aliyu-Sanda; and the former Managing Director of the Nigeria Shippers Council, Hassan Bello. The defendants are scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday. Allegations of intimidation The witnesses, Bashir Uba and Ahmad Rabiu, are expected to testify before the State High Court in the criminal case filed by the Kano State Government regarding the ownership dispute on the Dala Inland Dry Port Limited. The prosecution has lined up witnesses, including government officials who were allegedly manipulated into signing documents that facilitated fraudulent transfers from the state government to the private port entity. One of the principal witnesses, Mr Uba, a retired director at the state ministry of commerce, told PREMIUM TIMES that he felt his life was in danger after unknown individuals visited his home and warned him to withdraw from the case. There was an unusual knock at my residence on Saturday. Out of fear, I did not open the door immediately. Instead, I peered through a small opening in the gate and saw two unknown men standing outside, Mr Uba stated. According to Mr Uba, the men identified him by name, recited his phone number, and mentioned his place of previous and current employment. They said they only wanted to give me a piece of advice. They told me, You should stay away from that case you are supposed to witness. When I asked which case they meant, they replied, You know better. Mr Uba said he has reported the incident to the police and his legal counsel. Similarly, Mr Rabiu, another prime witness, reported suspicious activity at both his office and residence. In a brief, urgent statement to his lawyers seen by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Rabiu alleged that agents acting on behalf of the defendants were using state security apparatus to track him. I am in hiding due to threats of being abducted by agents of Ganduje and Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro. I have learned that they have launched a massive manhunt through the Kano State Commissioner of Police. I am calling for immediate intervention, Mr Rabiu stated. Mr Gandujes spokesperson, when he was governor, Abba Anwar, did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES request for comment regarding the allegation. The state government accused Mr Ganduje and other defendants of conspiring to fraudulently transfer 80 per cent of the shares of Dala Inland Dry Port, including the states 20 per cent equity, to private ownership under the fictitious name City Green Enterprise. The prosecution also alleged that the defendants diverted over 4.49 billion of Kano State funds to execute infrastructure projects, including a double carriageway, electricity, and perimeter fencing at the dry port, for their personal and family benefit. The defendants also faced charges of abuse of office and conflict of interest, as it was alleged that they leveraged their official roles to redirect public resources for personal benefit, thereby violating financial and constitutional regulations. Background PREMIUM TIMES exposed how Mr Ganduje secretly transferred the state governments 20 per cent stake in the facility to private hands, making his children co-owners of the company before awarding a contract worth more than N4 billion to provide infrastructure for the project. The transfer ended Kano States shareholding in the project, while Mr Gandujes children and aide, Abubakar Bawuro, became directors and shareholders. What Premium Times investigation exposed When Dala Inland Dry Port Limited was incorporated on 8 December 2003, its only directors were the founder, Ahmad Rabiu, and his son, Rabiu Ahmad Rabiu. Two years later, at an extraordinary general meeting on 19 January 2005, the board was expanded with the appointment of four new directors: Abdulaziz Haladu, Anwar Isyaku-Rabiu, Diepreye George, and Abdullahi Kwaru. Records obtained by this newspaper show that on 5 March 2020, Mr Gandujes three children and his longtime associate, Abubakar Bawuro, replaced Mr Rabius son and all other directors elected in 2005 as board members of the company. Minutes of the companys Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on 5 March 2020, at its Zaria Road office in Kano, confirmed the appointment of Abdulaziz Abdullahi Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umarall children of Mr Ganduje alongside Mr Bawuro as new directors of Dala Inland Dry Port Limited. It was also at the meeting that the state government was removed as a co-owner of the dry port and the Ganduje children were appointed, not just as directors, but also as shareholders with five million shares each. According to its ordinary resolution, the meeting was attended by all the shareholders, and it was unanimously resolved that Abdulaziz Abdullah Umar, Umar Abdullahi Umar, and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar the three children of Mr Ganduje be allotted five million shares each, each being 20 per cent of the total 25 million shares of the company. Mr Rabiu and Mr Bawuro were also each allotted 20 per cent, creating a new ownership structure of five equal shareholders, each with 20 per cent of the companys shares. This structure edged out the Kano State Government from the ownership of the company. The state government said due process was not followed in the divestment process, accusing Mr Ganduje of using his office to undermine the state. Nnenna Anozie, wife of John Anozie, who was abducted by operatives of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in June 2017, has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to imprison the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for alleged contempt. Mrs Anozie, who made the request in a motion filed on 11 December 2025, accused Mr Egbetokun of disobeying a September 2025 court judgement ordering the production of the officers involved in her husbands abduction and disappearance. The judgement, delivered on 24 September 2024 by Federal High Court judge Binta Nyako in Abuja, also ordered the release of the investigation files on the police officers implicated in the abduction and awarded N2 million in damages against the police. All of these orders were ignored by the police, Mrs Anozie said in her motion, and called for the imprisonment of the IGP, who was a party to the case leading to the judgement and head of the police force. PREMIUM TIMES, in a detailed report on the case, chronicled a long history of police disobedience to court orders and directives of the panels of enquiry following the arrest of Mr Anozie by the police and his subsequent disappearance. The officers implicated in the case are Anthony Obiozor Ikechukwu, an assistant superintendent of police; Uzochukwu Emeana, sergeant, John Eze, Oriole, also known as T Boy, and Sunday Okpe, a superintendent of police. Mrs Anozie said the police officers, who were officers of the defunct SARS in Awkuzu, Anambra State, travelled to abduct her husband at his home in Lekki, Lagos State, in June 2017. The victim has not been seen since then as he was neither charged nor produced before any court, despite several court orders directing the police to do so. Battle to get justice During one of the court proceedings initiated by Mrs Anozie, the police told the court that Mr Anozie had died in custody, yet failed to comply with another order requiring them to produce his body or explain the circumstances of his death. Mrs Anozie subsequently petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), wrote to police authorities and appeared before the #EndSARS judicial panel in Abuja, but no remedy came as none of the culpable police officers was held accountable. On 24 September last year, Mrs Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered judgement in a freedom of information action filed by Mrs Anozie against the police. The judge ordered the IGP to release the officers implicated in the case for prosecution, provide all related files, and awarded N2 million in damages against the police. The judgement asked the police to carry out the orders within seven days from when they were issued. But weeks went by without the police complying with the judgement. Aftermath of police disobedience So, in October 2025, Mrs Anozie, through her lawyer, Vincent Adodo, commenced contempt proceedings against the IGP, with issuance of Form 48 (Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order). Form 48 essentially warns an alleged contemnor to comply with a court judgement or face the consequences of disobedience. When the police failed to act, Mrs Anozie followed the Form 48 with Form 49 (Notice of Committal to Correctional Centre), which sets the stage for alleged contemnors to convince the judge why they should not be jailed for disobeying an order of court. An affidavit in support of the motion filed by Mrs Anozes lawyers in December, said the IGP took no action to comply with the court judgment in question despite being served with both Form 48 and Form 49. The motion sought an order committing the IGP to Kuje prison in Abuja for contempt until he purges himself of the contempt/disobedience of the order of this honourable court. The court has fixed the hearing of the motion for 9 February. The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has banned entry to the first 261 Russian fighters who participated in the war of aggression against Ukraine, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced. Estonia has imposed entry bans on the first 261 of Russian combatants who took part in the war of aggression against Ukraine - and this is only the beginning. Hundreds of thousands of fighters from the aggressor state have been involved in this brutal war, committing atrocities and spreading violence. They have no place in Estonia and in the Schengen area, he said on X Monday. The minister added that Estonia continues to work to ensure that the doors remain closed to Russian former combatants and called on other countries to do the same. In turn, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha thanked his Estonian counterpart for his "clear and principled position." "I highly commend Estonia and Tsakhna personally for their clear and principled position on this important decision. Those who participated in Russia's aggressive war must be held accountable. The entry ban is a necessary security measure and a clear signal that impunity will not be tolerated. We call on our partners to adhere to this approach," he wrote on social media X. According to public sources, an entry ban into one Schengen Area country is entered into the Schengen Information System (SIS), blocking entry into all participating countries. The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has accused the US President, Donald Trump, of making statements that fuel the bloody protest ongoing in Iran. Mr Araghchi told Foreign Diplomats in Tehran, the state capital, on Monday, that the protests in the country have grown violent to give the US an excuse to intervene militarily in the country. According to him, the protest, now brought under control, turned intensely violent over the weekend after Mr Trump threatened to take military action against the country. He claimed terrorists have taken over the protest to target protesters and security forces, in order to invite foreign intervention. According to Al Jazeera, Mr Araghchi claimed that the Iranian authorities have video footage purporting to show arms being distributed among protesters. He also stated that authorities will soon release confessions of detainees. We are ready for war but also for dialogue, he added. The protest in Iran, which has now lasted 16 days, began on 28 December over the worsening economic crisis. The Iranian currency had hit an all-time low against the US dollar, and shopkeepers and bazaar merchants in Tehran embarked on a strike to protest this. Over time, the protest spread to 574 locations in all of Irans 31 provinces. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), more than 500 people have died, and more than 10,000 people have been arrested. The country has suffered a prolonged economic crisis that was exacerbated after Donald Trump reimposed US sanctions in 2018 during his first term as president. The situation further worsened after Israel launched strikes on the Islamic Republic in June last year in a 12-day war that targeted several of Irans nuclear sites and killed key officials. READ ALSO: US bans Iranian officials at UN from shopping in New York The ongoing protest, which first centred on the economy, expanded to politics, with protesters now chanting anti-government slogans. Meanwhile, Mr Trump has threatened to have the US intervene militarily if Iranian authorities violently suppress and kill the protesters. In a post on Truth Social, he declared that the US was locked and loaded and ready to go and that if Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, the United States of America will come to their rescue. The Iranian foreign minister responded strongly to this threat, warning Washington that any intervention would destabilise the region and that Iran would retaliate against an attack. The Islamic Republic of Irans response to any aggression will be swift, decisive, and comprehensive, he said. The resignation of Muhammad Bello, former Director-General of Governor Uba Sanis 2023 Campaign Council, from the All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified concerns about internal cohesion within the ruling party in Kaduna State, just over a year to the 2027 general elections. Mr Bello, a former Commissioner for Education and later Commissioner for Information, formally withdrew his APC membership in January and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Political observers describe the move as one of the most symbolic defections so far, given his central role in delivering Governor Sanis electoral victory in 2023. His exit comes against the backdrop of the parting of ways between Governor Sani and his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, with whom he once shared a close political alliance. Mr Bello joined the ADC and was appointed as a member of the committee reviewing the partys constitution. A professor-turned-politician, Mr Bello made key contributions to policy and decision-making in the state government for two years before resigning from the government and subsequently from the party. A party losing familiar faces Beyond Mr Bellos defection, attention is increasingly being drawn to the quiet withdrawal of several prominent political actors who were visible during the early APC consolidation in Kaduna and played active roles in past election cycles. Figures such as Suleiman Hunkuyi, a former senator, and Yusuf Hamisu, a former governorship aspirant during the early years of the Fourth Republic, were part of the wider political movement that once rallied around Governor Sani. Today, however, they are largely absent from frontline party activities. Although indications suggest they remain aligned with the party and the governor, their reduced public presence compared to previous years has been noticeable. For analysts, the reduced visibility of such figures raises questions about elite disengagement and its potential impact on grassroots mobilisation. These are politicians with deep local networks, said a Kaduna-based political analyst, Imran Bello, who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES in Kaduna. When they go quiet or step aside, it weakens the partys reach, especially at ward and local government levels. El-Rufai factor still looms Although Nasir El-Rufai is no longer governor, his shadow still looms large over Kaduna politics. His public disagreement with Governor Sani fractured what was once a tightly coordinated political structure that dominated the state for nearly a decade. Mr Bellos defection is widely interpreted as an indirect alignment within this broader rift, reinforcing perceptions that the APC in Kaduna has yet to recover from the post-transition shock fully. El-Rufai built a system that relied on loyalty, structure, and discipline, said another observer, Gideon Malam. Once that system fractured, it became difficult to maintain internal consensus. Mixed signals from voters Residents of Kaduna metropolis, Zaria, and Southern Kaduna who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES suggest that while the APC still commands a significant base, voter confidence can no longer be taken for granted. A civil servant in Kaduna North, Farouk Abashe, noted that political engagement has declined since the elections. People who mobilised voters in 2023 are no longer as active. You can feel the difference, he said. In Sabon Gari, a trader expressed hope and assurance for the APC, however. The governor is delivering in infrastructure, and the people are also applauding him for uniting the state. But some believe it is not enough. Implications for 2027 While Governor Sani retains the advantages of incumbency, the unfolding developments suggest that the APC may face a more competitive political environment in the next election. Political parties such as the ADC and PDP could benefit from elite defections if it continues to happen, especially if they succeed in converting symbolic exits into grassroots momentum. For the APC, the challenge ahead appears twofold: first, to rebuild internal trust among aggrieved stakeholders and to re-energise party structures that once relied heavily on influential political actors who are now either inactive or aligned elsewhere. A test of political management Ultimately, the exit of Mr Bello may prove less significant as an isolated event than as a signal of tensions within the Kaduna APC. How the party manages reconciliation, inclusion, and political messaging over the next year could determine whether it enters the 2027 elections as a united force or a fragmented incumbent. For Kaduna voters, the coming months may reveal whether the ruling party can turn internal challenges into renewal or whether the cracks will widen into electoral vulnerabilities. A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has warned that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may become irrelevant if it fails to field Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in 2027. Mr Fayose disclosed this in an interview with Arise News, which is scheduled for broadcast on Tuesday. Mr Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, defected to the ADC in December shortly after declaring his intention to contest in the 2027 presidential election. Obi is the only life figure in ADC Speaking in the interview, Mr Fayose said Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, is the only political figure who can give the ADC national relevance. Obi is the only traction. Obi is the only meaning, Obi is the only factor, Obi is the only person in ADC that matters, he said. Im telling you, even if you dont field Obi, if ADC fails to field Obi, their case will be worse than their coming together, Mr Fayose added. The former Ekiti governor argued that Mr Obis political influence is beyond party structures, noting that his popularity was clearly demonstrated during the 2023 general election when the LP won many seats in the National Assembly and a governorship election in Abia State. When Obi went to Labour Party, Labour Party that was never known, people won elections to the House of Representatives, he said, maintaining that Mr Obis influence in the LP brought immediate electoral fortunes to the party. Atiku, Rotimi Amechi, El Rufai are all spent forces During the interview, Reuben Abati, one of the programme anchors, mentioned other top politicians, including the former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the former governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, who are members of the ADC I didnt say there are no other human beings in ADC. Im saying others are largely spent forces, Mr Fayose responded. Peter Obi is the life in ADC, he added. READ ALSO: Atiku reacts to Peter Obis defection to ADC The former governor stressed that Mr Obi would get significant support regardless of the political party under which he contests in 2027. However, Mr Fayose said his comments should not be misconstrued as predicting a victory for Mr Obi in the 2027 election. Im not saying Obi will win this election. Im not saying Obi will not win this election, he said. Barely 24 hours after gunmen attacked a Benue Links bus along the Otukpo axis of Benue State, suspected armed herders have killed a retired soldier in the town, deepening fears over the security situation. The former military officer, a retired Master Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army identified as Anyebe, was killed on Sunday in the Asa 2 area of Otukpo. Residents said the attackers stormed his residence and shot him dead, triggering panic in the neighbourhood. IDOMA VOICE, a community newspaper, reported that the same group of attackers also struck the Obaganya area of the town on the same day, where they shot a man and abducted his wife and infant child before fleeing into the surrounding bushes. In another incident, gunmen opened fire on a vehicle conveying market women in the FTC Otobi axis of Otukpo as they returned from a market in Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area. Police operatives were said to have intervened, forcing the attackers to retreat and preventing casualties. A resident and community leader, Meddy Olotu, described the situation as alarming and warned that the town was sliding into chaos. Otukpo is boiling. This town is no longer safe. If urgent steps are not taken, the situation may get completely out of hand, he said. As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to speak on the incidents. Calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as her phone line was inaccessible. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the killing came shortly after a Lagos-bound Benue Links bus was ambushed around the Burnt Bricks area of Otukpo. During the attack, gunmen reportedly emerged from the bushes and opened fire on the vehicle, injuring three passengers who were later rushed to the hospital for treatment. READ ALSO: Two security operatives killed in fresh attack on Benue community A series of violent incidents across Benue State in recent weeks includes attacks on commercial vehicles, the killing of two security operatives in Kwande Local Government Area, and the murder of five farmers by suspected armed herders. The newspaper also reported cult-related clashes in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo that left at least eight people dead between late December and early January, underscoring growing concerns over insecurity across the state. Trial judge Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Apo, Abuja, on Monday, exposed an attempt by a lawyer facing forgery charge before him to meet him privately in chambers. Mr Onwuegbuzie, during Mondays proceeding, openly questioned the lawyer, Victor Giwa, about the motive behind the requested private meeting. Is it a practice for a defendant to go and see a judge in his chamber when your case is before him? Mr Onwuegbuzie asked. Mr Giwa replied, no, after which the judge expressed shock over his conduct. It is shocking to hear that a defendant who has a matter before a judge has the tenacity to see a judge in his chamber, Mr Onwuegbuzie said, warning that this court will not tolerate that. Mr Giwa and another lawyer, Ibitade Bukola, are facing three counts, including forgery, before the judge. The police accused the defendants of forging a letter on the purported letterhead of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Awa Kalu. According to the indictment, Mr Giwa allegedly forged the letter purportedly appealing to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to stop his arraignment before Judge Samira Bature for an earlier case on 2 July 2024. The forged letter was allegedly titled, Urgent and Solemn Appeal to Suspend the Arraignment of Our Colleague Victor Giwa on Charge Number: CR/222/2023. The indictment also accused both defendants with illegal eviction, criminal intimidation, threat to life, and damage to property worth N300 million. The police arraigned them jointly in October 2025, when they both pleaded not guilty to the charges. Unethical During Mondays proceedings, the prosecution lawyer, T. Y. Silas, said Mr Giwa approached him regarding the proposed meeting with the judge. But he said he declined the proposal because Mr Giwa allegedly refused to disclose the meetings purpose. Mr Silas said the defendants behaviour was unethical and inappropriate. Giwa defends action However, Mr Giwa, defended his action. He said both the prosecution and Ms Bukolas lawyer had agreed to see the judge in the presence of the court registrar. He said but 10 minutes later, the prosecution lawyer, Mr Silas, approached him asking the reason for the meeting. His refusal to disclose the purpose of the meeting prompted Mr Silas to change his mind. The defendant said his actions were guided by the rules of ethics. According to him, under the rules of professional conduct, one could approach the court in the chambers by seeking a private audience with the judge if such matters are considered private. But the judge rejected Mr Giwas defence. Trial stalled again Later on Monday, Mr Giwa sought an adjournment due to the absence of his lawyer, Ibrahim Idris, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who was said to be recuperating from prostate surgery, The prosecution lawyer, Mr Silas, objected to the call for adjournment, citing several instances of past adjournments at Mr Giwas instance. Mr Silas also said Mondays hearing was equally scheduled at the instance of Mr Giwa. The trial has stalled on different occasions as a result of the absence of the defendants or their lawyers from court. In May 2025, he cited the death of his sister as the reason for his absence. In October 2025, one of the lawyers, Ogbu Aboje, informed the court that he was absent due to medical reasons. The second defendant, Ms Bukola, was absent from proceedings at a point due to what she said to be her daughters immunisation appointment. As a result, the court issued a bench warrant for the defendants arrest to compel them to appear for arraignment. Also, in a separate criminal case before the High Court in Maitama, the judge, Samira Bature, warned Mr Giwa and others after his failure to appear in court for the sixth time. Citing Mr Giwas track record, Mr Silas, on Monday, relying on Section 396(4) Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, told the court that parties were limited in the number of adjournments they could seek after arraignment. He noted that Mr Giwas lawyer, being a SAN, ought to have junior lawyers available to represent him. Mr Silas then urged the court to award costs against Mr Giwa for wasting judicial time. But Mr Giwa insisted that he had not benefited from the adjournments and had a right to a lawyer of his choice. He tagged Mr Silas request as mischievous. Ms Bukolas lawyer, Ogbu Aboje, also urged the court to grant an adjournment. The trial judge agreed with Mr Silas that Mr Giwas lawyer, as a SAN, ought to have another lawyer to represent him in court. While characterising Mr Giwas excuse as unsatisfactory, the judge stated that the court would make every concession to ensure a fair and procedural outcome. It is pertinent to note the rigmarole that is going on here. We have no reason to adjourn this matter, but the court decided to bend back to accommodate the first defendant. The first defendant came with a SAN and 13 advocates to represent him before, but today they are nowhere to be found. We want to fulfil all righteousness. This case is hereby adjourned to 21 January, the judge said. Mondays proceedings came less than a week when another judge overseeing the N8.7 billion money laundering trial of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami warned that no one connected with the case should attempt to approach him. Judge Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued the warning while delivering his ruling on the bail application filed by Mr Malami and his co-defendants one of his wives, Asabe Bashir, and son, Abdulaziz Malami. Irrespective of my familiarity with you, when I am dealing with any case, do not approach me. The law cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned, the judge cautioned. Troops of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army have rescued 18 passengers travelling to Cameroon along the CalabarCameroon waterways. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the rescue was confirmed in a statement issued by Yemi Sokoya, assistant director of public relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, and made available to reporters in Calabar on Monday. According to Ms Sokoya, a major, the operation followed the hijacking of a passenger boat en route from Nigeria to Cameroon. It said a distress call indicated that suspected sea pirates, operating in two speed boats and a wooden boat, intercepted the boat and kidnapped the passengers around Kombo Fishing Port within Cameroonian waters. It said troops of 13 Brigade deployed at Ikang responded promptly and pursued the suspects, leading to an exchange of gunfire that caused one of the pirates speed boats to capsize. The pirates abandoned the victims and fled into the surrounding creeks. All the passengers were rescued unharmed, the statement quoted Ms Sokoya as saying. The Commander of 13 Brigade, Patrick Alimikhena, commended the troops for their swift and professional response. Mr Alimikhena, a brigadier-general, said the successful rescue demonstrated the courage, professionalism and commitment of the troops to protecting lives and securing the waterways. He assured that the brigade would continue to dominate its area of responsibility and protect citizens from criminals. The brigade commander also urged members of the public to provide useful information to assist security agencies in tackling crime in Cross River. He emphasised that community cooperation remained vital to sustaining peace and security in the state. READ ALSO: Edo residents protest rising kidnap attacks Abduction for ransom has become one of the top crimes in Nigeria, with just about anyone being a target. In April 2025, gunmen suspected to be pirates abducted 20 passengers who were travelling in a boat from Oron in Akwa Ibom State to Cross River State. About four months later, in September 2025, some 17 passengers travelling along the same route were abducted by pirates. Passengers to both states now prefer to travel by water because the Calabar-Itu Federal Highway is dilapidated. (NAN) A Benin High Court on Monday ordered 52 people remanded at Ubiaja Correctional Centre over last Saturdays protest in Ekpoma, Esan-West Local Government Area of Edo State. The residents protested against the rising kidnap attacks in the area. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some students from Ambrose Alli University were among those arrested and remanded following the violent protest in Ekpoma. The suspects were arraigned through an exparte motion filed by police counsel, Polycap Odion. Journalists were denied access to the courtroom. Justice Williams Aziegbemi said he lacked jurisdiction and advised defence lawyers to file bail applications at Ubiaja High Court. He ordered the remand of the suspects and adjourned the case until 26 February for hearing. The police spokesperson in Edo, Eno Ikoedem, stated that the suspects were arrested for engaging in violent protests. Many defendants claimed they were abducted from their homes overnight or early Sunday morning and taken directly to the Police command in Benin. A man, who identified himself simply as Abdulsalam, said his two sons never participated in the protest, while a mother said her son was arrested while taking clothes to a dry cleaner. READ ALSO: Edo residents protest rising kidnap attacks Some lawyers expressed shock that charges of malicious damage and armed robbery were filed against the suspects. A lawyer, Wisdom Isaac, said, Nobody made complaints against the suspects, yet they are arraigned and remanded. (NAN) In 2025, the US government revoked more than 100,000 visas, doubling the total number revoked in 2024 under the Joe Biden administration. This set a new record for the Donald Trump administration, which has embarked on a broad crackdown on immigration since January last year. The State Department, in a post on X, disclosed that during this period, the administration revoked around 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised worker visas for individuals who lost their legal status due to prior criminal records. However, most revocations were for business and tourist travellers who overstayed their visas. The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised visas for individuals who had encounters with U.S. law enforcement for criminal activity. We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe, the US Department wrote. Also, according to the departments deputy spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, the four leading causes of revocations were overstays, driving under the influence, assault, and theft. He also stated that the revocations represented a 150 per cent increase compared to 2024. The administration also adopted a strict policy on visa issuance, with tightened social media vetting and expanded screening that affected Nigerians. But the administration also targeted students who had protested in support of Palestine, claiming that they had expressed antisemitic behaviour. In August, the State Department revoked the visas of more than 6,000 international students. Every single student visa revoked under the Trump Administration has happened because the individual has either broken the law or expressed support for terrorism while in the United States, it had said. READ ALSO: Trump warns of more US strikes in Nigeria PREMIUM TIMES reports that last month, the US also imposed new travel restrictions on Nigeria and many other African countries, citing security concerns and difficulties in vetting nationals. The new restriction barred entry for Nigerians seeking to enter the US as green card holders, or on B1, B2, B1/B2, F, M, and J visas. It further introduced a requirement that Nigerians seeking to enter the United States on a B1/B2 visa post bonds of up to $15,000 before being granted entry. If you wanna live treat me good If you wanna live, live I beg you treat me good Im like a walking razor Dont you watch my size Im dangerous, said Im dangerous Im like a walking razor Dont you watch my size Im dangerous, dangerous. Peter Tosh, Steppin Razor (1977) Winston Hubert McIntosh, the Jamaican martial arts exponent better known by his stage name, Peter Tosh, was one of the trio together with Robert Nesta (Bob) Marley and Neville Livingstone (Bunny Wailer) who founded the legendary Reggae band, the Wailers, in 1963. By 1974, the group was all but dissipated. First, Bob Marley and then Peter Tosh, launched off into what would become epochal solo careers. Their respective paths as solo artistes telegraphed the ideological conflicts that ultimately sundered the Wailers. While Bob Marleys music offered a medley of reconciliation, romance, and regroup, Peter Tosh was muscular in protesting the injustices of his environment. His solo debut in 1976, which came out under the title, Legalize it, was way ahead of its time in making the political and clinical case for the legalisation of Marijuana. The following year, in 1977, Peter Toshs second album, which came out under the title, Equal Rights, was to become the anthem of an international movement for social justice, whose birth coincided with the launch of the album. One of the tracks in this album was Steppin Razor, a perspicacious dirge of self-assertion which was to define his identity in life, as well as his legacy upon his untimely killing ten years later in 1987. Musicians, of course, have an entitlement to artistic license in framing themselves in the public imagination, which is not necessarily available to other vocations. Forsaking the rules that control their own vocation, it now seems that some judges in Nigeria may prefer, like Peter Tosh, to exercise both artistic license and faux testicularity in inventing themselves in judicial fashion as Mr. Justice Steppin Razor. In August 2023, for instance, Flora Azinge, a senior judge of the High Court of Delta State, presiding over election petitions in Kano, north-west Nigeria, complained publicly for the second time in open court that a senior member of the bar offered one of her staff a sum of 10 million bribes for onward delivery to the panel. On an earlier occasion, she has claimed that an un-named senior lawyer had asked her to provide him with her account for the transmission of a seasonal gift. Preferring instead to flex her credentials as Madam Justice Steppin Razor, the judge was reported as having threatened that she would no longer take any attempt to bribe judges, saying that attempts to pervert the cause of justice through the back door is not tenable in her court. She did not say what she would be prepared to do or how many importunations it would take for her to do them. In the court hall where the judge voiced these claims, there were lawyers present but none had the courage or presence of mind to remind her that she had powers to deal summarily with the complaints that she raised or that by choosing not to exercise those and instead bury them in anonymous allegations, she was actively involved in bringing her judicial office into disrepute. This past week, Polycarp Nwite, a judge sitting in Abuja, has chosen to join the ranks of the judicial Steppin Razor, in announcing that he is dangerous. The occasion was the adjourned sitting of the Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory for the hearing of the application for bail in the trial of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his wife, and son, on charges of money laundering and aggravated pillage of Nigerias patrimony. After granting the application of the accused for bail, the judge is reported to have launched into what can at best be described as performance-enhanced monologue, suggesting that he had been importuned by some senior lawyers to compromise the case or to go easy on the accused: When I am handling any case, please dont approach me. When you are doing your case, you can get the best lawyers in this country to do your case, but dont attempt to approach me for any help. I am not the type of judge. I know what God has done for me by giving me this job, and I have vowed to do it to the best of my ability. I have sworn before Almighty God and man that I am going to do my duty without fear or favour. He added, with a touch of hyper-ventilation, that any attempt to try this will be vehemently resisted. His audition for the position of Mr. Justice Steppin Razor this time was a tad more pathetic than the earlier example. In one stroke the judge undermined his claim that he is not the type of judge who can be influenced and made his promise of vehement resistance to such sound desperately shameful. To understand why, it is relevant to recall that Nigerias Constitution makes it a human right that all courts must be independent and impartial. The Judicial Code of Conduct requires all judges to preserve transparently, the integrity and respect for the independence of the Judiciary. According to the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, judges shall decide matters before them impartially, on the basis of facts and in accordance with the law, without any restrictions, improper influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences, direct or indirect, from any quarter or for any reason. It amounts to a perversion of the cause of justice to seek to influence a judge in the performance of his or her judicial functions. There are many options for dealing with this. One, the affected judge can report the matter to the police or to the Attorney-General for investigation and prosecution. Two, the affected judge is also endowed with powers to punish it summarily as an act of criminal contempt for which the guilty person may be sent to jail. Three, if the perpetrator is a lawyer, a public servant, or other regulated professional the judge may additionally refer the conduct for disciplinary process before mechanisms of professional sanction. Four, the judge could use his or her judicial bully pulpit for naming and shaming by inviting the perpetrator to allocute to or admit the facts in open court and simply reprimand thereafter. Our latest Mr. Justice Steppin Razor is so endowed with courage that he managed in this case to not consider any of these options worthy of his exertions. Instead, he bloviated, threatened, auditioned for the role of Steppin Razor, and was so dissipated by the colossal effort required for all these that he could not even manage to name the person or persons to whom his threat or resistance was addressed. On the whole, this shameful show was a squalid advertisement of judicial malpractice. A judge who finds himself or herself in a position to make the kind of public declamations that our latest Mr. Justice Steppin Razor made in court has two options: to disclose the identity of the perpetrators and subject them to sanction or to recuse himself or herself from further participation in the case. In this present case concerning Malami et fils, the judge was unwilling or unable to muster either. Instead, he chose to threaten consequences for a future contingency whose occurrence, on the evidence of the current one, we are unlikely to ever hear of. The only thing the judge managed to accomplish in this case, therefore, was to publicly advertise his availability to be nobbled. Peter Tosh, the original Mr. Steppin Razor, will suffer no fear that his title is about to be taken away. The most recent judicial candidate failed the audition hopelessly; it was not even close. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through [email protected]. Nigeria is once again trapped in a familiar and dangerous cycle: confronting a grave national security threat through emotionally charged narratives, partisan framings, and poorly differentiated solutions that blur the line between grievance and criminality. The armed banditry plaguing Northern Nigeria particularly across the North-West and parts of the North-Central has generated an avalanche of commentary for and against dialogue with bandits. While supporters of dialogue are often cast as well-intentioned, their opponents frequently argue that such a stance is insensitive to the victims of banditry. This essay intervenes in that conversation. Its purpose is not to provoke a sterile debate between advocates of dialogue and proponents of kinetic action, nor to dismiss non-kinetic tools wholesale. Rather, it seeks to interrogate the assumptions, misdiagnoses, and conceptual errors that increasingly shape public discourse on banditry, often in ways that undermine Nigerias national security, rather than strengthen it. What is urgently required is the clarity of threat, precision of categorisation, and discipline in policy response. Banditry in Northern Nigeria is neither monolithic nor reducible to a single narrative of grievance. Treating it as such through emotional understanding, ethnic profiling, or indiscriminate calls for amnesty risks legitimising violent criminal enterprises, emboldening perpetrators, and eroding the states monopoly over the use of force. I write neither as a passive observer nor as a theorist detached from the theatre of violence. Before entering public service, I spent over a decade as a journalist covering conflict and insecurity in Northern Nigeria. I later served as spokesperson to the government of Kaduna State and pioneer commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs. For nearly a decade, I was a member and later secretary of the State Security Council, actively involved in security operations, a liaison between the government of Kaduna State and security forces, and coordinator of intelligence gathering and internal security, among other responsibilities. My work took me repeatedly into frontline areas: Birnin Gwari and its adjoining corridors; the forests and flashpoints of Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger states; and into out-of-reach locations in Chikun, Igabi, Giwa, Kajuru, Kachia, Kagarko, Kauru, Kubau, and other high-risk zones across the state and beyond. My submission is, essentially, a summary of the practical knowledge from my involvement. Banditry in Northern Nigeria today is not primarily a grievance-based phenomenon seeking political redress. It is a violent, profit-driven criminal ecosystem that has evolved into a quasi-corporate enterprise, with diversified revenue streams, transnational arms supply chains, and entrenched leadership structures. To treat it otherwise is to misread the threat. Banditry is not new to Northern Nigeria. Historical accounts trace cattle rustling and armed robbery as far back as 1891 around Dansadau, where some traditional rulers were accused of colluding with bandits. Cross-border criminality involving some Tuareg, Fulani, Gobirawa, and Asebenawa actors existed during the colonial period, but these activities were limited in scale and lethality, constrained by the absence of widespread small arms proliferation. The contemporary mutation of banditry emerged gradually but decisively in the post-2011 period. What began as rural criminality cattle rustling, highway robbery, and communal disputes metastasised into mass kidnapping, village annihilation, sexual violence, arms and drug trafficking, territorial control, and many other challenges. The turning point was not merely grievance but weaponisation: the transition from sticks and swords to pump-action rifles and, eventually, AK-47s and other high-calibre weapons. Scholarly work, including that of Dr Murtala Rufai, identifies Alhaji Kundu and Buhari Tsoho (Buharin Daji) as architects of the first modern bandit gang. Their operations expanded rapidly across Zamfara and neighbouring states, eventually spawning over 120 gangs by 2021. Between 2011 and 2021 alone, these groups reportedly killed over 12,000 people, displaced tens of thousands, destroyed entire villages, and stole hundreds of thousands of livestock. Crucially, the early victims of modern banditry were Fulani herders, whose cattle were rustled en masse by bandits of the same Fulani extraction. Eventually, these legitimate cattle owners resorted to self-help by also acquiring low-calibre weapons to protect their livestock from being rustled by the bandits, as the interventions of the Police and traditional rulers failed and the authorities turned a blind eye not seeing the dangers ahead and just perceiving the development as the usual intra-Fulani herders feud. In return, because of their contacts and resources, the bandits started acquiring automatic weapons, they overpowered these legitimate cattle owners and massively rustled their cattle. It also got to a stage in which bandits were kidnapping these cattle owners and demanding herds of cattle or its equivalent in cash as ransom. Many cattle owners who had no herds of cattle to present nor money to pay as ransom were killed, and some of their daughters and wives were forcibly taken as sex slaves. This trend impoverished these owners, driving many of their kin to join banditry to recover their stolen cattle. Others joined gangs like the Kungiyar Gayu to demand pastoral unity and justice in response to cattle rustling, extortions, allegations of injustices by local traditional rulers, police partialities, politicians, local court corruption, and other abnormal practices that exposed them to extreme poverty without a source of livelihood. Some were also brainwashed by bandits to join banditry in the name of resisting a perceived agenda against their ethnicity in view of social discrimination and stereotyping. As I have previously argued, the first main targets of Kundu and Tsohos gang were the legitimate Fulani cattle owners. Once they were finished with them, they turned to rustling the farming cattle (Shanun Huda) of Hausa farmers, alongside killings, kidnappings, gender-based violence of the Hausa women, confiscation of properties, and the destruction of farms. In response, Hausa farming communities formed volunteer groups, commonly referred to as Yan-Sakai or Yan-Banga. The excesses of these volunteers generalising and categorising all Fulani, including herders who were also victims, as complicit drew a dangerous ethnic battle line. The rural Fulani herders could no longer access towns and markets, while Hausa farming communities could not access their farms deep in the forest. Markets became inaccessible. Farms were abandoned. Forests became battlefields. This development set in motion killings and counter-killings, even as cattle rustling intensified. In the midst of this, kidnapping for ransom emerged, with bandits carrying out abductions and the Yan-Sakai organising counter attacks excesses that affect the innocent based on shared ethnicity. This dynamic further compounds the crisis, as aggrieved innocents seek vengeance, since there is no justice system to dispense justice, while the bandits and Yan-Sakai pursue their own, parallel cycles of retribution. The Yan-Sakai killing of a Fulani leader, Alhaji Isshe of Chilin village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State an event recorded as occurring on 16th August 2012 marked a decisive escalation. As Rufai noted in his thesis, they carried out the public murder on the accusation that he was harbouring criminals and rustlers. Reprisal followed reprisal. What began as criminality hardened into an ethnicised cycle of violence, even as bandit gangs expanded operations against all communities, regardless of identity. By the time the government acted, the criminality had become entrenched across several centres of gravity in Zamfara State and neighbouring corridors. Kidnapping and attacks intensified around 2013 and resurged in 2016 across Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Niger, Plateau, and Benue. A major obstacle to an effective response has been the tendency of some media sections to fracture the banditry narrative along ethnic and religious lines: one story for Zamfara and Katsina, another for non-Hausa communities in Plateau and Benue. The criminality perpetrated by the bandits for instance, in Benue and Plateau states further ignited the long-standing farmers-herders, land-grabbing, and indigene-settler tensions and crises, which usually take on religious and ethnic dimensions because the farmers are largely non-Fulani Christians, while the herders are Fulani Muslims. This escalation occurred despite a positive history of Fulani-Tiv and Fulani-Berom relations built on complementary farming and pastoralism over time. The good side of Tiv and Fulani brotherhood was well captured by Akiga Sai (1898-1959) in his book, History of the Tiv. The exact passage is: Besieged with animosity from their neighbours, the Tiv pulled out from their neighbors, the Tiv pulled out from their midst and migrated north-east, if one uses a modern compass, until they met with another alien group called Fulani and mingled with them. The Fulani never troubled them by interfering with their way of life. They formed close bonds with each other. In case of any attack by another group, the Fulani would easily repel such an attack. The Tiv marvelled at the dexterity with which the Fulani fought and defeated aggressor ethnic groups and nicknamed the Fulani pul, meaning conqueror in the Tiv language. Akiga Sai was a man of historic firsts. He was the first Tiv man to declare himself a Christian in 1912 and was among the first group of four to be baptised in 1917. He became the first Tiv to read and write, edited the first Tiv newsletter (Mwanger u Tiv) published by the Gaskiya Corporation, served as the first Tiv elected politician in the Northern House of Assembly, was one of the delegates sent to the London constitutional conference in 1953, and authored the first book ever written by a Tiv person. He completed the Tiv language manuscript for his book, History of the Tiv, in 1935. An edited English translation by Rupert East was first published by the International African Institute in 1939 under the title, Akigas Story: the Tiv tribe as seen by one of its members. In a separate 2016 article on Nigerian linguistics, the scholar Farooq Kperogi notes: Again, although the Fulani and the Berom of Plateau State see themselves as belonging to the furthest poles of northern Nigerias political and cultural divide, especially in light of the recent internecine ethnic conflict in Plateau State, they not only belong to the larger Niger Congo language family (to which many languages in central and southern Nigeria belong); they actually belong to the same Atlantic Congo subfamily of the Niger Congo family. These historical and linguistic ties underscore how the contemporary framing of conflict along rigid ethnic lines is dangerous, one that bandits and partisan narratives exploit. Much as theres a problem, the better part of the past can be used in reframing narratives to halt bloodshed and exploit the strengths of diversities and the ubiquitous of all humans. Furthermore, the fact that banditry is perpetrated by criminals whose ethnic identity is traceable to Fulani has exacerbated the problem. I have argued elsewhere that, despite the symbiotic nature of banditry and farmers-herders conflicts, there is a fundamental difference between the two; and all parties (farmers and herders communities) are ultimately victims of the banditry perpetrated by these criminals and their collaborators who are driven by economics and terror. The book, The Root Cause of Farmers-Herders Crisis in North Central Nigeria, by Plangshak Musa Suchi and Sallek Yaks Musa explores this problematic nexus in greater detail. The medias selective framing fuels polarisation and obscures the underlying criminal logic that drives the violence. Banditry is not tribal or identity-based violence but a form of terrorism and criminality perpetrated by criminal elements who must be viewed and treated as such. Ethnic profiling weakens the collective battle against crime, complicates counter-banditry campaigns, and strengthens the bandits emotional narratives. At its core, contemporary banditry is sustained by money. What began as cattle rustling evolved into a sophisticated criminal economy with multiple income streams: ransom payments, cattle sales, arms trafficking, illegal mining, protection levies, forced taxation, mercenary killings, drug peddling, and collaboration with transnational criminal networks across borders. Some kingpins transitioned from field operations into full-time arms dealing, supplying weapons not only to their own gangs but to other criminal actors. In certain forest corridors, weapons became easier to obtain than food. The accumulation of wealth allowed bandits to establish shadow governance structures in ungoverned spaces and thrive in their lucrative enterprise of crime. Faced with mass casualties and public pressure, several state governments in the past turned to dialogue and peace accords. Early attempts at negotiation were documented, such as a reported meeting with the bandit leader Buharin Daji at Gobirawa Chali village in December 2016. Zamfara, Katsina, and others experimented repeatedly with negotiations, arms surrender ceremonies, and promises of reintegration. Key events include a peace agreement in Katsina on 15th January 2017, a major surrender ceremony in Zamfara on 16th December 2019, and another peace accord enacted by the Zamfara state government in 2019. Each time, violence temporarily subsidedonly to return with greater ferocity. Former Governor Aminu Bello Masaris frustration was telling: peace accords rarely lasted beyond a few months. Bandits regrouped, rearmed, and resumed operations. In Kaduna State, an attempt to suggest dialogue was rebuffed, and the state maintained an outright rejection of negotiationa stance hardened by major attacks in 2021 and 2022. This position stemmed from a hard-earned assessment: financially incentivised criminals have little reason to abandon lucrative violence. Dialogue is not inherently wrong. Its error lies in misapplication. A central failure in Nigerias discourse is the refusal to distinguish between categories of armed actors involved in the banditry cycle. There exists a group of low-risk non-state actors: individuals who armed themselves defensively after suffering attacks from bandits or vigilantes, as earlier discussed. They do not engage in predatory kidnapping but in violence associated with the repercussions of attacks and criminality perpetrated by bandits. These actors and communities can be engaged through dialogue, disarmament, and state protection, alongside an emphasis on recourse to the law and the avoidance of stereotyping that creates chains of serial attacks and counter-attacks resulting in killings and displacement while banditry flourishes. But there is a second group: heavily armed, profit-driven bandit networks responsible for mass killings as hired mercenaries; serial kidnappings of students, citizens and expatriates; cattle rustling; attacks on schools and hospitals to cripple education and healthcare service delivery; attacks and killings of worshippers at mosques and churches, as well as at markets, farms, and rivers during fishing; the burning of communities and territorial control; the displacement of communities; the enslavement of community members to run errands and service their logistical needs for petrol and food; and the conscription of others from these enslaved communities into armed banditry and other related crimes. They impose protection levies on communities and levies for the clearing of farms, farming, and harvesting. They engage in armed robbery, maintain informant networks that aid targeted kidnappings, and coerce communities to place their wards on routine sentry duty to report security force movements while forbidding them from volunteering information or responding to official inquiriesa directive enforced by the threat of execution. They are also involved in illegal mining, procuring and trafficking in arms and drugs, carrying out joint operations and fusing with ideologically based terror groups, attacks on critical national infrastructure, and gender-based violence, including the impunity with which they make minors and married women into sex slaves, and attacks on security forcescarting away arms and committing other forms of violent attacks for monetary gain and objectives that undermine national security and Nigerias sovereignty. These actors operate criminal franchises. Appeasement or kid-glove approaches only strengthen them, as practical study shows they rush to embrace truces when weakened by the coercive power of the state, buying time to restock and rebalance their armoury. Within this category are those they conscripted; if these individuals surrender voluntarily and give up their arms, it should be honoured while they are profiled, further disarmed, and processed as guaranteed by law and protocols. Advocates of dialogue often underestimate the intelligence advantage held by security agencies. Lawful interception, human intelligence networks, and post-operation verification provide a far clearer picture of bandit intentions than any forest-level engagement. For those familiar with security management trends, these capabilities provide intelligence agencies with crucial advantages. They enable the collection of real-time details and background intelligence on armed groups, putting strategic communications, tactics, and decoys at the agencies fingertipsall without the knowledge of the groups themselves or of the commenting public. Bandits stage theatrical performances for emissaries: choreographed displays of arms, rehearsed grievances, emotional appeals. These are psychological operations designed to conceal their real motive, which is fundamentally criminal and nothing more. What emissaries hear is not truthit is an emotional narrative, as many advocates do not engage in post-intelligence verification that security agencies conduct and from which they glean actionable intelligence. Nigeria has paid dearly for ignoring early warning signs: Maitatsine, Boko Haram, and now banditry. Each followed the same trajectorydismissal, appeasement, escalation, catastrophe. Recent statistics underline the cost. According to a report issued by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in December 2024, which calls for deeper reflection on the economy of banditry, between May 2023 and April 2024, the nation recorded more than 600,000 deaths from insecurity, with 614,937 citizens killed nationwide. The North-West had the highest figure with 206,030, followed by the North-East with 188,992, while the least was recorded in the South-West at 15,693. The Bureau, in the said report which has not been countered, added that 2,235,954 Nigerians were kidnapped and a total of 2,231,772,563,507 (approximately $1,438,040,707) was paid in ransom. The report stated that the North-West remained dominant in Nigerias kidnap-for-ransom landscape, recording 425 incidents, or 42.6 per cent of total cases nationwide. The region also accounted for 2,938 victims, representing 62.2 per cent of all abducted persons. This report and the recent one issued by SBM Intelligence in December 2025 are worrisome, presenting a clear scenario and a sign that the nation must tread with caution. Banditry in Northern Nigeria is not a misunderstanding to be resolved through sentiment and politicking. It is a national security threat that demands conceptual clarity, differentiated responses, and state resolve. Dialogue has a placebut only where actors are willing to genuinely disengage. Criminal enterprises masquerading as aggrieved must be confronted with lawful, proportionate, and decisive force. Nigerias future security depends not on emotional understanding, but on strategic honesty. To move forward, Nigeria must formally abandon the tendency to treat bandits as a single category. A national threat differentiation doctrine should be adopted across federal and state security architecture, clearly distinguishing between low-risk armed non-state actors, who are defensive and grievance-driven, and high-risk entrepreneurial bandit networks, which are profit-driven, transnationally connected, and heavily armed criminal franchises. This distinction should guide who may be engaged, who must be disarmed, and who must be confronted with the might of the state. Without this clarity, dialogue and force will continue to be applied blindly, with counterproductive results. Consequently, dialogue, reconciliation, and reintegration must be surgically applied, not morally universalised. Engagement should be limited to individuals who do not engage in kidnapping for ransom, do not command armed groups, have no history of mass killings or sexual violence, and are willing to submit to biometric registration, vetting, and monitoring. Such processes must be embedded within formal Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) frameworks, not ad hoc political expediency arrangements. Any negotiation with high-value bandit leaders constitutes strategic appeasement and should be reconsidered. The bandit economy survives on cash flow. Therefore, payments by communities for peace, protection, access to farms, mining, or ceasefires must be officially discouraged because they are indirect terror financing and a source of oxygen for the crisis. Communities must be protected so that survival payments and ransom do not become their only option, and networks in communities involved in ceasefire payments or facilitation ought to be dismantled. Ending violence requires cutting revenue, and no line enabling or sustaining a revenue source should be taken lightly. For entrenched, profit-driven bandit groups, force must be lawful, precise, relentless, and intelligence-led. Operations should prioritise command nodes, arms supply chains, logistics corridors, financial intermediaries, and forest-based staging areas. This is not collective punishment; it is targeted state enforcement of the monopoly of violence. The Kaduna-bound train attack of 2022 and similar incidents demonstrate a dangerous convergence between bandit networks and ideological terrorist elements. Nigeria must treat this convergence as an early-stage insurgency risk, disrupt funding overlaps, shared training, and weapons transfers, and prevent bandit networks from evolving into full-spectrum terrorist organisations, as happened with Boko Haram. History shows the cost of ignoring this phase is catastrophic. Bandits thrive where the state is absent. Security operations must be followed immediately by permanent security presence, the reopening of schools and health facilities, the restoration of markets and rural livelihoods, and the reinstatement of administrative control through courts and civil authority. Clearing operations without holding and governing will only recycle violence. Furthermore, the state must lead a deliberate narrative reset. Official communication should describe banditry as criminal violencea threat to the common good that must be addressed. Media framing that profiles entire communities must be actively discouraged, and law enforcement actions must be visibly even-handed. While community self-defence emerged from necessity, its excesses escalated violence. The security outfits being established by some states must be regulated and trained in human rights and rules of engagement, placed under clear legal authority, and held accountable for abuses. Unregulated activities compound the crisis and fuel cycles of attacks. Nigerias history Maitatsine, Boko Haram, now banditry reveals a pattern of ignored warnings. Intelligence assessments must translate into early action, not delayed consensus. Political hesitation in the face of clear threat indicators must be treated as a national security failure. Prevention is always cheaper in lives, legitimacy, and resources than containment. Finally, Nigeria must stop debating banditry primarily as a sociological misunderstanding. It is a violent criminal economy, and a threat to national security and all the negative consequences earlier discussed. The central lesson from the foregoing is simple: If emotional narratives continue to override intelligence, law, and experience, the country risks repeating the very mistakes that produced its gravest security catastrophes. Samuel Aruwan is a postgraduate student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. In 2025, Ukraine recorded the largest number of civilian casualties since 2022, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) has said. As reported by the HRMMU press service, in its monthly report on the harm caused to civilians, the Mission confirmed that war-related violence in Ukraine in 2025 resulted in the deaths of 2,514 civilians and the injury of 12,142 people. The total number of civilian deaths and injuries in 2025 was 31% higher than in 2024 (2,088 deaths; 9,138 injuries), and 70% higher than in 2023 (1,974 deaths; 6,651 injuries). The vast majority of civilian casualties confirmed by the HRMMU in 2025 occurred in Ukrainian government-controlled territory as a result of attacks by Russian armed forces (97%; 2,395 deaths and 11,751 injuries). "The 31 per cent increase in civilian casualties compared with 2024 represents a marked deterioration in the protection of civilians. Our monitoring shows that this rise was driven not only by intensified hostilities along the frontline, but also by the expanded use of long-range weapons, which exposed civilians across the country to heightened risk," Head of HRMMU Danielle Bell said. The UN notes that increased attempts by Russian armed forces to seize territory in 2025 led to civilian deaths and injuries, the destruction of critical infrastructure, the disruption of basic services and new waves of population displacement in front-line areas. Some 63% (9,253) of all casualties in 2025 occurred in frontline areas. Older people, who make up a significant proportion of those remaining in front-line villages, have been particularly affected. The HRMMU documented that people aged 60 and over accounted for over 45% (742 deaths) of civilians killed in frontline areas in 2025, despite representing only 25% of Ukraine's total population. The use of short-range drones near the frontline has caused significant civilian casualties: 577 people were killed and 3,288 were injured, a 120% increase compared to 2024 (226 deaths; 1,528 injured). For example, on 25 December, a short-range drone hit a vehicle carrying volunteers carrying out evacuations in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, killing one aid worker and injuring two others. On December 6, a short-range drone killed a woman and injured her two adult children in occupied Horlivka, Donetsk region. "The expanded use of short-range drones has rendered many areas near the frontline effectively uninhabitable," Bell said. According to the mission, long-range weapons (missiles and cluster munitions) caused 35% of civilian casualties in Ukraine in 2025 (682 deaths; 4,443 injured), a 65% increase in deaths and injuries compared to 2024 (531 deaths; 2,569 injured). In the deadliest attack of 2025, long-range weapons used by Russia hit Ternopil in the west of the country on November 19, killing at least 38 civilians, including eight children. On July 31, long-range strikes by Russia in Kyiv also killed 32 civilians, including five children, and injured 170 others, including 17 children. "This is the highest verified number of civilian casualties in the capital since the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine," the mission said in the report. In October 2025, Russian forces resumed large-scale coordinated strikes on energy facilities across the country, causing emergency power outages and the introduction of blackout schedules. The resumption of attacks on energy infrastructure across the country has coincided with ongoing attacks in the regions. Odesa region was among the hardest-hit regions in December, suffering repeated strikes that led to prolonged power outages in several cities. These outages lasted for several days and seriously affected local residents, especially those in difficult living conditions, disrupting access to electricity, water and heating, as well as limiting the ability to store and cook food and use elevators in high-rise buildings. Attacks on energy infrastructure continued, causing prolonged power outages as temperatures dropped in January 2026. "The sharp increase in long-range attacks and the targeting of Ukraine's national energy infrastructure mean that the consequences of the war are now felt by civilians far beyond the frontline. With temperatures now down to minus 15 degrees Celsius, disruptions to electricity, water and heating are placing civilians across the country at heightened risk," Bell said. Troops of the Nigerian Armys 6 Brigade, Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke, have arrested two suspected gunrunners in Taraba State. The armys Acting Assistant Director of Public Relations, Umar Muhammad, said the arrest was effected through credible intelligence from the community The arrests, made on Sunday under Operation Peace Shield, were carried out by troops in collaboration with operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the army stated. According to the army, the first suspect, Christopher Adamu, also known as Suffer, 48, was arrested at Sebos Joint in the Mayo Dasa general area of Jalingo Local Government Area after security operatives trailed him based on credible intelligence. It stated that items recovered from Mr Adamu include a hunters identification card, two ATM cards, a National Identification Card, an Itel keypad mobile phone, six rings, a handband, and assorted charms. Preliminary investigations, the army said, indicated that the suspect was actively involved in illegal arms trafficking. During interrogation, Mr Adamu allegedly confessed to working with an accomplice identified as Chmn from Shomo Gari in Karim Lamido Local Government Area. Acting on further intelligence derived from the first arrest, troops later apprehended a second suspect, James Yangyang, 37, at Tautre village on the outskirts of Anguwan Bera in Ardo Kola Local Government Area. The army also disclosed that investigations revealed that Mr Adamu allegedly sold an AK-47 rifle to one Bazoe John of Murbai village, Ardo Kola LGA, in November, suggesting the existence of an arms supply network operating in the area. Both suspects are currently in military custody and will be handed over to the relevant authorities for prosecution upon completion of the investigations. Reacting to the arrests, the Commander of 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army, and Sector 3, Operation Whirl Stroke, Kingsley Uwa, commended the troops and intelligence operatives for what he described as their professionalism and effective collaboration. Mr Uwa urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information, assuring the public that such information would be treated with confidentiality and acted upon promptly. Two security operatives deployed to Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State have been killed by suspected armed herdsmen, raising renewed security concerns in the area. The attack happened on Saturday in Udeku, a community in the Turan district of Kwande LGA. A community leader, Akerigba Lawrence, who spoke with The PUNCH, said the killings forced many residents to flee the community, adding that normal activities had been disrupted as fear spread in the area. Everything has shut down here, Mr Lawrence said. There are no economic or social activities going on anymore. People are scared. The deceased officers were part of security personnel deployed to the area following repeated attacks by armed herdsmen. An anonymous source, who spoke with The PUNCH, said the victims, a soldier and an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), had left their duty post on a motorcycle to refill their cooking gas at Aga Market. On their way back, they ran into a roadblock mounted by the armed herdsmen, the source said. They were taken unawares. The attackers opened fire and killed them instantly. According to residents, youths in the community later mobilised, searched nearby forest areas, recovered the bodies of the slain officers, which were reportedly burnt, and conveyed them to a mortuary in Jato-Aka. A senior military officer involved in Operation Whirl Stroke, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed the incident and said one of the victims was a soldier. Yes, a soldier was killed, and he was an aircraftman, the officer said. The Benue State Police Command said no police officer was involved in the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, said an officer from a sister security agency was among those killed. The NSCDC also confirmed the attack. Its spokesperson, Michael Ejelikwu, said three security operatives attached to Operation Whirl Stroke were attacked. Yes, unfortunately, I can confirm that at about 1500 hours on Saturday, 10th January 2026, armed herdsmen attacked three security personnel attached to Operation Whirl Stroke and killed two of them, Mr Ejelikwu said. He said the attack took place at Udeku, Maav-Ya, Mbakyol Council Ward of Kwande LGA, and identified one of the deceased as CCA Tijani Idris, with service number 76691, from the Kaduna State Command, who was seconded to the joint task force. Despite the incident, Mr Ejelikwu said the corps remained committed to confronting insecurity. NSCDC remains resolute in the fight against all forms of insecurity, he said. The killings come barely days after armed herdsmen invaded the same area and killed five farmers during harvest activities, deepening the humanitarian crisis in Kwande. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported a series of violent incidents across Benue State in recent weeks, including the attack on a Benue Links bus along the Otukpo axis, the killing of farmers in Kwande, cult-related clashes in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo that left at least eight people dead, and repeated attacks on commercial transport along major highways. ALSO READ: Four killed in another Benue attack The newspaper also reported that security agencies, including troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, have intensified operations in parts of Benue and neighbouring states following rising attacks on rural communities and security personnel. Beyond Kwande, traditional rulers in Gwer West and Agatu Local Government Areas, including Daniel Abomtse and HRH James Ejeh, have recently raised concerns over what they described as an influx of armed herdsmen into Benue State, warning that communities were increasingly vulnerable. The renewed violence has heightened concerns among residents and security analysts, particularly following reports of increased attacks on farmers and security operatives since late December. The Kogi State Police Command says joint police and military operations, backed by aerial support, are ongoing in forested areas of the state, with several suspected bandits killed and their camps dismantled. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, William Aya, announced the development in a statement on Sunday. He said the operation involved ground forces working with the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing to flush armed groups out of their hideouts. According to Mr Aya, Scores of bandits were neutralised, their networks dislodged, and others flushed out of Kogi forest in the ongoing operations by the joint police and military. He said the exercise was being carried out with vigour, commitment, and utmost professionalism, adding that the police air wing provided support through what he described as precision air strikes. The police spokesperson urged members of the public to be vigilant and report anyone seen with bullet wounds, injuries or suspicious behaviour to the nearest police station. Security is a shared responsibility, he said, calling on residents to provide credible information that could assist security agencies. According to Mr Aya, the operation forced armed groups out of several forest enclaves, with video footage showing a helicopter firing into suspected bandit camps and parts of the forest set ablaze after air strikes. The joint offensive operation had dislodged their networks and neutralised several fighters, he said. The police command did not provide an exact figure for the number of bandits killed, and PREMIUM TIMES could not independently verify the claims at the time of filing this report. The renewed operations come amid a spike in violent attacks and abductions across parts of Kogi State. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported a series of incidents in the Yagba and Kabba-Bunu axes, including the abduction of residents and deadly raids on rural communities. On 31 December 2025, suspected bandits attacked the Omi-Ara community in Yagba West Local Government Area, abducting an unspecified number of residents. In earlier incidents, gunmen attacked two churches in the same axis between August and November, abducting a pastor and his wife. More recently, residents of Idofin community in Yagba East Local Government Area were thrown into panic after an evening attack that left one person dead and another injured. In Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Ayetoro-Kiri community also reported that three abducted residents died despite the payment of ransom, while several others were hospitalised and dozens remained in captivity. Residents across the affected areas have repeatedly called on the state government and security agencies to intensify operations, restore confidence and ensure the safety of lives and property, as concerns persist over the frequency of attacks and the reach of armed groups in the state. The Cross River State Government has defended the controversial N13,000 registration fee for a youth empowerment loan scheme, insisting that the charge is legitimate and covers statutory banking and business registration costs. The defence followed public backlash after applicants were asked to pay the fee to access loans of up to N5 million under the Cross River State Youth Empowerment Scheme. In a statement dated 9 January 2026 and signed by Owan Enoh, secretary to the Cross River State Government, the government said reports describing the fee as extortion were based on misinformation in the public space. There has been some misinformation in the public space regarding the Federal Government loan to Cross Riverians to start or expand their businesses, the statement said. What the N13,000 covers According to the government, the loan is a federal initiative, domiciled at Zenith Bank, and is implemented in collaboration with the Cross River State Government through the youth empowerment scheme. The required statutory deposit of N13,000 is authentic for all potential beneficiaries of the loan and is used for Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) processes, opening of account number in Zenith Bank by potential beneficiaries and the issuance of ATM to each beneficiary, the statement said. The government added that the loan amount varies for different categories of businesses with a pegged maximum of N5 million. It urged residents to take advantage of the loans and benefit maximally. Backlash and suspension The clarification comes after a letter signed by Kalita Aruku, chairperson of the Cross River State Youth Empowerment Scheme, circulated on social media, listing requirements for applicants, including CAC documents, BVN, NIN, tax identification number, six months bank statement and a registration fee of N13,000. The fee triggered criticism online, with many arguing that it excluded poor and unemployed youths. This is exactly how the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, wrote Emmanuel Bassey, who shared the letter on Facebook. True empowerment should remove barriers, not create them. Agba Jalingo, the publisher of CrossRiverWatch, described the fee as an aberration, asking: If after paying, the applicant is not able to get the loan, will the money be refunded? Amid the backlash, the state government had earlier ordered an immediate halt to all collections linked to the scheme. In a letter dated 8 January 2026, Enyong Amiokama, State coordinator of the People First Complaints and Solution Desk Office, said the government had received complaints of extortion, illegal taxation and fraudulent activities. The letter quoted Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River as condemning any form of exploitation of citizens and warned that non-compliance will attract serious consequences. No extortion Aruku Mr Aruku denied any wrongdoing. He told PREMIUM TIMES that nobody is extorting money from anybody. The loan is domiciled in Zenith Bank. To get the loan, you must have a corporate account with Zenith Bank, he said, adding that the charges are bank-related and the money is not paid to anybody. The Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, had earlier told this newspaper the scheme was suspended to allow investigation and promised that the public would be briefed on the outcome. The Nigerian Army on Sunday dismissed as misleading and malicious a report alleging that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, raised an alarm over rising cases of pipeline vandalism during his recent visit to 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. SaharaReporters, on 9 January, reported that Mr Shaibu, a lieutenant-general, has expressed concern over rising pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta. However, the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Appolonia Anele, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, stated that the report was a misrepresentation of facts and should be disregarded. Ms Anele, a colonel, clarified that during the COAS address to troops at the 6 Division Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, on 9 January, he did not express concern nor raise any alarm over alleged rising pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta. According to her, the COAS emphasised the importance of the Divisions mandate to protect critical national infrastructure, noting that effective execution of the task would have a positive impact on the nations economy. She quoted COAS as saying, Your job here is very key to protecting critical national infrastructure, and once you do that job very well, it will impact positively on the economy of the country. He urged troops to remain disciplined, committed and dedicated, assuring them that their welfare remained a top priority under his Command Philosophy, she said. Ms Anele said the army chief also approved immediate measures to address some challenges raised by commanders, including the construction of additional accommodation, the renovation of existing quarters, and the completion of ongoing projects to ease accommodation challenges. According to her, Mr Shaibu further assured troops that issues relating to quality education for their children were being addressed, while urging personnel to carry out their duties conscientiously. READ ALSO: Nigerian Army arrests two suspected gunrunners in Taraba Fielding questions from journalists, the COAS said his visit was part of routine operational tours to interact with officers and men, assess their combat readiness and identify challenges for prompt solutions. Ms Aneke stressed that security parameters on the ground demonstrated commendable efforts by troops and other security agencies in combating oil theft and pipeline vandalism, resulting in improved stability and sustained exploration activities in the oil and gas sector. She urged media organisations to verify facts before publication and called on members of the public to disregard reports aimed at downplaying security efforts in the region. She also appealed to residents of the Niger Delta to continue providing credible intelligence on the activities of economic saboteurs to security agencies, thereby enabling a prompt response. (NAN) A 26-year-old man has allegedly killed his 35-year-old girlfriend in Anambra State, Nigerias South-east. The suspect, Valentine Anikpe, allegedly stabbed the victim, Ogechukwu Mmadubugwu, to death in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state. Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in Anambra State, in a statement on Sunday said the incident happened at about 12 a.m. on 9 December. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the suspect has been arrested over the incident. He said the suspect was arrested on 7 January by operatives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka During interrogation, the suspect confessed to stabbing the victim in the neck with a knife, an act that led to her death, he said. The police spokesperson said the suspect claimed that he killed the victim, a single mother, over suspicion of infidelity. He said the suspect further claimed that the fatal confrontation between him and the victim was due to his bankruptcy and emotional distress as well as failed efforts to establish a business for the victim. The suspect also confessed to dropping a fake letter claiming he had been kidnapped by people he owed money, in a bid to mislead investigators and aid his escape from the crime scene, he stated. Investigation Mr Ikenga said the police in the state had begun an investigation into the incident. He dismissed reports suggesting that the victim was killed by those she owed money, describing such reports as false and misleading. Meanwhile, as part of ongoing investigative procedures, detectives have visited the mortuary where the deceaseds body was deposited, he said. The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigations. Mr Ikenga said the latest incident sparked outrage in the community and also renewed conversations about domestic violence and relationship-related crimes within the area. He urged residents of the state to seek lawful and peaceful means of resolving disputes and to report early signs of domestic violence to security agencies to prevent avoidable tragedies. Prohibited in Nigeria Murder is outlawed in Section 315 (6) of Nigeria Criminal Code Act. Offenders, on conviction, face death sentence, section 319 (1) said. Several persons have been convicted for murder. A high court in Lokoja, Kogi State, in January 2022, sentenced a man, Muritala Dare to death by hanging for stabbing his colleague to death with a broken bottle. The Achi Mbieri Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State has called for accountability from its leaders over the handling of the oil revenue accruable to the community. A group of concerned community members, under the auspices of the Achi Stakeholders Forum, made the call during a news briefing in Owerri on Sunday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that, in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, some part of the revenue accruable to the oil-rich community had been paid by Seplat Energy, an oil exploration company in the area. The group alleged that the money was inequitably disbursed by the communitys President-General, Victor Iwuagwu, to the component villages, without due supervision by the communitys executive council. The communitys Financial Secretary, Richard Durunna, stated that during the community meeting on Saturday, he clearly denied involvement in the disbursement in question. Mr Durunna also said that Mr Iwuagwu had unilaterally run the affairs of the community without input from other members of the executive, including himself. He, however, said that, after rising from the meeting, the stakeholders and community members agreed to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the president-general to convene an emergency meeting and explain his financial dealings to the community. I am completely unaware that Seplat Energy already paid us, I only got wind of it when the various villages confirmed receiving money from the president-general. When I asked him about the sharing formula, he said he shared it according to the instructions of his late mother in a dream. I find this bizarrely disturbing and call for accountability so that records can be set straight, he said. Another member of the group, Charles Opara, described the discovery of oil in the community as a supposed blessing rather than a reason for chaos. Mr Opara, therefore, called on Mr Iwuagwu to desist from personalising the gains from oil and give a proper account of his stewardship. The communitys Traditional Prime Minister, Adolphus Nnadi, called on the Imo State Government to intervene and order for a forensic investigation by a panel of inquiry to set matters right. A youth leader, Chigazu Ohamadike, called for calm and a peaceful resolution of the differences. NAN reports that it could not get Mr Iwuagwus comment on the matter as he repeatedly declined several telephone calls. An Aide to Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, Christian Anokwuru, has stated that the oppositions plotting to unseat the governor in 2027 is merely chasing shadows. Mr Anokwuru, a Catholic priest, is the special adviser to the governor on Policies and Interventions. He said this during a news briefing in Umuahia on Sunday. Mr Anokwuru was reacting to the spate of criticisms and vicious media attacks against the governor by the opposition in the state, including former Orji Kalu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Kalu, a former governor of the state, is a senator. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Kalu recently vowed to do all within his powers to deliver Abia to the APC in the 2027 general elections. The governors aide said that it was absurd for the old political leaders who allegedly ruined and underdeveloped the state to think they would return to power, riding on President Bola Tinubus might. He mocked the opposition politicians for dropping the presidents name and banking on his achievements, rather than citing the legacies they left behind during their time as governors. He said, It is a long-established principle in both law and public life that anyone who demands equity must come with clean hands. This principle is particularly relevant in the current political climate in Abia State. When former governors and past political office holders, whose administrations are still fresh in the collective memory of the people, congregate to challenge the present administration of Alex Otti, the public is entitled to interrogate not just their claims, but also their credibility. He said that everything about the oppositions supposed criticism against Mr Ottis administration was rested on Renewed Hope. It is expected that an opposition made up of past governors and political office holders should build their argument against a sitting government based on their own achievements in the past, rather than relying on name-dropping of President Tinubu and Renewed Hope, he said. Opposition essential to democracy, but Mr Anokwuru also said that opposition is essential in a democracy, when it is credible and constructive rather than destructive and deceptive. It serves as a check on power, sharpens governance, and protects public interest. However, opposition loses its moral force when it is driven by selfishness and bitterness rather than facts, and by personal resentment rather than policy-based critique, he said. He frowned at the recent posture by the Abia opposition, saying it appears less like constructive engagement and more like a coalition motivated by animosity and political survival and relevance. More concerning is the heavy reliance on the perceived might of President Tinubu as the backbone of the opposition. Opposition politics should be built on ideas, track records, and alternative visions, not on borrowed federal influence. When individuals, who should speak from the strength of their own achievements, instead lean on external executive power, it signals an absence of substance. Federal proximity cannot substitute for local legitimacy, nor can it erase the lived experiences of the people under previous administrations, he said. Mr Anokwuru expressed delight that the president reckoned with the governor as one of the best performing governors in Nigeria, if not the best and had continued to support him rather than endorse the propaganda by the opposition. He said that Abia deserved an opposition that is intellectually honest, fact-driven and rooted in the welfare of the people. Anything short of that is not opposition in the true sense, but a reactionary alliance struggling to remain relevant in the face of changing political realities, Mr Anokwuru said. He argued that constructive opposition points out gaps, proposes solutions, and holds leadership accountable in a manner that ultimately benefits the state, without undermining the government for its own sake. When opposition shifts from principled criticism to deliberate misinformation, it ceases to be a democratic asset and becomes a personal vendetta. Governor Otti, over the weekend, urged Abias residents to ignore recent meetings and criticisms by opposition politicians, describing them as noise driven by selfish interests rather than concern for the welfare of the people. (NAN) The Federal Government on Sunday inaugurated the N40 billion Closed-Circuit Television Camera (CCTV) Centre of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CCTV centre was built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). Inaugurating the centre, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said that the current administration met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge. When we came on board in 2023, we met a very terrible Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge, both on the pavement, surface, infrastructure above the water and even infrastructure below the water. The president, therefore, directed total re-evaluation and rehabilitation of the surfaces of the Third Mainland Bridge and changing the expansion joints. Lagosians were very happy with the president for that beautiful work, and that work completed and commissioned is still succeeding because of the quality, he said. He thanked the CCECC for a job well done. He said the ministry would be handing over a boat and two Hilux vans, which were part of the contract, to the police for monitoring of the bridge. If they need to incorporate other security agencies, they can do that, but the idea of this project is that we have a lay-by on the bridge, so we view everything going on on this bridge. Mr Umahi expressed concern about motorists speeding on the bridge, urging them to adhere to traffic rules and regulations. Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, said that the centre was the first of its kind in Nigeria. I doubt if there is any bridge in Nigeria that has what we have deployed here today, where you have CCTV to monitor both the underwater and even the bridge itself. We have a boat that has been bought for surveillance of the bridge. There are two Hilux vans, too. We have 240 solar panels in this environment, and that is not enough. The whole place is fully air-conditioned. We have 10 inverters inside the building. We have the powering units. We have a transformer, a 300KVA transformer. We have a standby generating plant and monitoring screens, Mr Dare said. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the provision and thanked Mr Umahi for ensuring that due process was followed in establishing the centre. We have about 1,268 solar street lights that are part of this contract, he said. He added that a bore was part of the project. Mr Dare said that the projects contract sum was N40.17 billion. He said that the federal government had paid N36 billion to the contractor handling the project. This is the first level commissioning. We are still going to come back here to do even for the extension of the bridge, which is about to be completed. We pray that very sooner than later, we will come back to do a full-blown commissioning. (NAN) The African Democratic Congress (ADC) leders, on Friday, received defectors in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State. Among the defectors was a media entrepreneur and former Youth Party chairmanship aspirant Ayodele Adio who was accompanied by dozens of his supporters event. At the event held at Lekki Phase 1, Mr Adio and his supporters were sworn into the party. The Lagos State Chairman of the ADC, George Ashiru, was not present. In his stead, the partys 2023 senatorial candidate for Lagos Central, Yomi Idowu, and the Eti-Osa Local Government Chairman, Elizabeth Ekanem, formally received the defectors into the party, administering the oath of allegiance on behalf of the state leadership. Also in attendance to join in receiving the defectors was Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Partys 2023 governorship candidate in Lagos who defected to the ADC in 2025. Mrs Ekanem, in her opening remarks, described the ADC as a people-centred political movement committed to national renewal. Eti-Osa ADC is standing tall to give a voice to both the present and future generations and to contribute meaningfully to Nigerias development ahead of 2027, she said, adding that the party was prepared to address Nigerias economic, educational, and humanitarian challenges. Mr Rhodes-Vivours presence was a clear signal of the partys broader strategy: to unite opposition voices under one banner. We must unite the opposition if we are serious about challenging the ruling party, he said. Any election without a united opposition is doomed to fail. We are proud of what Ayodele Adio has done at the grassroots, and we look forward to his contributions to the ADC. Mr Idowu described Mr Adio as a fearless community advocate who had consistently supported civic causes. His joining the ADC strengthens our resolve to deliver Lagos and Nigeria, he said, alleging that attempts to frustrate the event reflected the partys growing influence in the state. Defector criticises Lagos govt Speaking at the event, Mr Adio, who led the other defectors, criticised successive administrations in Lagos for what he described as a failure of political imagination, arguing that public service had been replaced by self-interest. Nearly five decades after former governor Lateef Jakande warned about poverty beneath our flyovers, those words have become the daily reality for millions in Lagos, he said. While a privileged few move around in tinted SUVs, the rest of the city is drowning in waste, open sewers, and unaffordable housing. He said the rising cost of rent, poor waste management, and deteriorating public health conditions had pushed many young people into despair, drugs, and gambling. Good governance should deliver the greatest good for the greatest number, and the ruling party in Lagos has failed in that responsibility, Mr Adio said, adding that he was joining the ADC to pursue politics that values every child equally and leaders who are stewards, not masters. He thereafter formally declared his membership in the party and was subsequently sworn in. Deputies of the European Solidarity faction in the Kyiv City Council announced their intention to adopt a series of decisions aimed at overcoming the consequences of the energy crisis caused by massive shelling and a sharp drop in temperature. We have consistently advocated for issues such as cogeneration, a programme to co-finance alternative energy supplies, and power sources for medical facilities in the city budget. Continuing this, we will demand several simple things at the next plenary session, said faction leader Volodymyr Prokopiv at a briefing on Monday. According to him, first and foremost, the EU will initiate the allocation of funds for additional financing of services that work around the clock to restore life support systems. These are our utility workers, representatives of management companies, Kyivenergo, Vodokanal, the State Emergency Service, and medical workers. Such people should receive bonuses, Prokopiv emphasised. The faction also proposes to provide assistance to socially vulnerable groups of the population and to request the immediate return of eight billion hryvnias withdrawn from the city budget. The Kyiv City Council session, at which the relevant decisions are to be considered, will take place on Thursday. The Chair of the Commission on Health, Family, Social and Veteran Policy, Maryna Poroshenko, thanked the services that have been working for several days to eliminate the consequences of the shelling. Our task is to support each other and persevere. The Poroshenko Foundation has already initiated the purchase of gas burners, power banks, and EcoFlow devices for residents who find themselves in the most difficult conditions, she said. Marina Poroshenko reported that EU deputies are in constant contact with Kyiv residents and social services. According to her, on Wednesday, a meeting of the relevant commission will be held to discuss the work of medical and social services in the current conditions. NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Brad Gerstman, Manhattan-based government relations lawyer and founding partner of Gerstman PLLC, has released his "Best Dressed in Politics" list for 2025. This fashion-focused round up has become a lighthearted, annual occurrence for those involved in New York politics. The full listpresented in no particular order and inclusive of men onlyappears below. Politics may be serious business, but personal style doesn't have to be. Every year, a handful of elected officials manage to stand out not just for their work, but for how well they wear itliterally. From perfectly tailored suits to thoughtful details that show real personality, these leaders understand that presentation is part of the platform. Below is this year's Best Dressed in Politics list, celebrating those who consistently show up looking sharp and confident, with no ranking and no shortage of style. New York State Assemblyman Al Taylor Assembly Member Taylor dresses with a timeless Harlem polish that never goes out of style. His look is built on sharp tailoring, strong silhouettes, and an unmistakable appreciation for tradition, often capped off with one of his trademark bowties. It's a wardrobe that doesn't chase trends or ask for attention; it simply shows up on time, ready for business, and perfectly put together. New York City Councilman Erik Bottcher Councilman Bottcher's wardrobe mirrors his professional precision. With a model-like physique that naturally elevates even the simplest looks, he favors streamlined suits, neutral tones, and modern cuts that feel deliberate and uncluttered. There's a quiet confidence in how he dresses - nothing flashy, just sharp tailoring that lets both the fit and the work speak for themselves. Former NYC Mayor Eric Adams Former Mayor Adams understands the power of the visual. His suits are bold, fitted, and unmistakably intentional - often paired with shirts and accessories that make a statement before he even speaks. He dresses like a man who knows the cameras are rolling and wants the suit to say exactly what he would've said himself. New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker Senator Parker dresses like fashion is part of the job description. Color, pattern, texturenothing is off-limits, and somehow it always works. His pocket squares alone deserve their own staffer. He doesn't just enter a room; his outfit arrives first and introduces him. United States Representative Ritchie Torres Congressman Torres has mastered modern elegance. His suits are impeccably tailored, his silhouettes clean, and his styling thoughtful. He often incorporates subtle pops of color that feel youthful without undermining authority. There's a quiet sophistication to his look - measured, intentional, and effortlessly sharp. United States Representative Mike Lawler Congressman Lawler is a walking menswear checklistin the best way. Structured suits, conservative colors, perfectly chosen ties, and that now-signature beard. His look says "I respect tradition," while quietly adding, "and I own a very good mirror." New York State Assemblyman Clyde Vanel Assemblyman Vanel's style reflects his forward-thinking reputation. He favors modern tailoring, sleek fits, and understated color choices that feel contemporary and intentional. His look is clean and efficientno excess, no distractions. It's a wardrobe that aligns perfectly with someone focused on innovation and the future. New York State Senator James Skoufis Senator Skoufis has quietly become one of Albany's most stylish regulars with a look that recalls a modern JFK. He's comfortable experimenting with fabrics, seasonal colors, and modern tailoring, all while maintaining an effortless polish. You get the sense he genuinely enjoys getting dressed, and that confidence carries through in every appearance. New York State Assemblyman Brian Cunningham Assemblyman Cunningham keeps his style classic and controlled, favoring clean, well-tailored suits and thoughtfully restrained accessories. And then there's the bearda serious statement in its own right, and no easy feat to style well. The balance he strikes between polished tailoring and strong grooming is impressive, proving that subtlety, when done right, can still make a lasting impression. New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern Assemblyman Stern wears a suit with an ease that can't be taught. Whether at formal events or more relaxed public appearances, he looks completely at home in tailored clothing. When a suit looks this natural, it stops being an outfit and starts being a uniform. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Borough President Richards dresses with the kind of polish that feels both deliberate and accessible. He has a knack for looking prepared for anythinga photo op, a public address, or a quick conversationproof that good style is often about readiness as much as it is about taste. About Gerstman PLLC Gerstman PLLC is a New York based government relations firm committed to making a difference for those we represent. From politics to policy (and everything in between), we understand what it takes to succeed in the greatest city in the world. Our diverse team of lawyers, lobbyists, and communications experts, offer one-of-a-kind strategies to service clients operating within a variety of industries. From real estate to education, consider us your professional problem solvers. Media Contact: Nicole Schwartz 718.309.7763/ [email protected] SOURCE Gerstman PLLC ATX Defense's compliance solution for small businesses leads trend for cloud service providers AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ATX Defense, a leading provider of compliance and cybersecurity solutions for the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), today announced that its flagship platform, CMMC Space, has been independently assessed as FedRAMP Moderate Equivalent. The assessment, conducted by a certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO), verified 100% compliance with the FedRAMP Moderate security control baseline and confirmed full adherence to Department of Defense DFARS 252.204-7012 cyber-incident reporting and response requirements. Achieving FedRAMP equivalence reinforces CMMC Space as one of the more secure and rigorously assessed solutions available to defense contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), reflecting a security posture aligned with stringent federal cloud requirements. "Defense contractors need a solution that is both secure and practical for CMMC compliance," said Zach Walker, co-founder of ATX Defense. "Earning FedRAMP Moderate equivalency underscores our commitment to delivering government-grade protection for CUI while helping contractors accelerate their path to assessment readiness." Launched in 2024, CMMC Space is a certified Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solution featuring a hardened Google Workspace, a secure Chrome browser, and mission-specific virtual machines within Google's FedRAMP High environment. It has a proven track record of helping organizations reach compliance in as little as two months. A CMMC Space subscription includes all essential DIB services, from complete documentation to hands-on guidance through the CMMC certification process. "FedRAMP Moderate Equivalent security is rapidly becoming the baseline across the defense industry, and meeting that bar requires rigorous controls and disciplined execution," said Shawn Kotoske, ATX Defense co-founder. "With CMMC Space, we've built an agile, end-to-end solution specifically for small and emerging businesses bringing the workflows, documentation, and evidence you need for CMMC Level 2 into one place so teams can get compliant and stay audit-ready without unnecessary complexity." About ATX Defense ATX Defense is a small but fierce consulting firm grounded in Austin and national security. Founded by Army combat veterans with experience at NSA, CIA, DIU, and the Pentagon, they bring deep technical expertise and a moral backbone to CMMC compliance and defense modernization. As the first and only Google Partner to become both a CMMC Managed Service Provider (MSP) and a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), ATX Defense brings uncommon solutions to common problems so progress doesn't get strangled by the status quo. With a debut on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list, ATX Defense is among the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Learn more at ATXdefense.com. SOURCE ATX Defense WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Eric J. Dalton, Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer of Angels on Call Homecare, has been nationally and globally recognized for his leadership and innovation in healthcare, earning two of the industry's most prestigious honors: 2025 HomeCare Hero by HomeCare Magazine and 2025 IE Global Healthcare Visionary of the Year. Eric J. Dalton Named 2025 HomeCare Hero and IE Global Healthcare Visionary of the Year, Recognized for Transforming Dementia and Parkinsons Care in America Angels on Call Homecare The dual recognitions spotlight Dalton's role as a transformative leader reshaping how dementia and Parkinson's care are delivered in the United States particularly through home-based, person-centered models that prioritize dignity, purpose, and clinical excellence. The HomeCare Hero Award, presented annually by HomeCare Magazine, honors individuals who are advancing the homecare profession through leadership, innovation, and measurable impact. Dalton was selected for his work building nationally recognized specialized care programs, advancing workforce training, and pushing the boundaries of what homecare can achieve. The IE Global Healthcare Visionary of the Year Award recognizes leaders whose work is driving meaningful change on a global scale. Dalton was honored for his ability to translate bold vision into operational excellence developing care models that challenge institutional norms while improving outcomes for individuals living with neurodegenerative conditions. "Years ago, I kept saying we needed to reimagine how dementia and memory care are delivered," said Dalton. "Not as a slogan but as a responsibility. These recognitions aren't about me. They represent the proof that when you combine compassion, accountability, and innovation, homecare can lead healthcare forward. This work is about families, Care Professionals, and restoring dignity where it's often been lost." Under Dalton's leadership, Angels on Call Homecare has emerged as a national pioneer in specialized care. The organization recently became the first and only healthcare provider in New York to earn Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care Accreditation and the only healthcare organization in the United States to hold both Purple Flag Dementia Accreditation and Certified Parkinson's Disease Care (CPDC) accreditation achievements widely regarded as redefining standards for home-based care. Dalton's leadership philosophy centers on building systems that honor both clinical rigor and human connection. Through initiatives such as the Memory Care Angels (MCA) program, advanced caregiver training pathways, structured care planning, and values-driven culture development, Angels on Call has demonstrated that excellence in healthcare does not require institutional walls. "Eric leads with purpose and integrity," said Pamela Fitzpatrick, RN, Founder & President of Angels on Call Homecare. "His vision has elevated not just our organization, but the expectations of what homecare can and should be. These honors reflect his unwavering commitment to families, Care Professionals, and the future of healthcare." Beyond operational achievements, Dalton has become a national voice advocating for innovation in dementia care, aging-in-place solutions, workforce excellence, and accountability in healthcare delivery. His work continues to influence how providers, policymakers, and communities think about caring for vulnerable populations. "As our population ages, we don't need more facilities we need better systems," Dalton added. "My focus is building care models that protect dignity, empower caregivers, and give families confidence. This is just the beginning." About Angels on Call Homecare Founded in 2005, Angels on Call Homecare is a licensed healthcare organization serving eight counties across New York. With nationally recognized programs in dementia care, Alzheimer's support, Parkinson's disease care, and mobility services, Angels on Call is redefining what it means to age in place with dignity, purpose, and safety. Contact: Rob Dalton [email protected] (248) 794-7135 SOURCE Angels on Call Homecare Company will integrate advanced systems across all surface combatant ships to stay ahead of emerging threats FALLS CHURCH, Va., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD), announced today that it was awarded the Ship and Air Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Systems Support (SACSS) contract to continue modernizing the U.S. Navy fleet. The $988 million contract, awarded in December, has a one-year base period, four one-year options and a six-month option. GDIT has decades of experience delivering mission-critical services to the Navy. Under the contract, GDIT will modernize and integrate C5ISR systems to enhance the operational effectiveness and readiness of naval forces. The company will provide integration, engineering, procurement, logistics and installation services onboard all classes of surface combatant ships, including guided missile ships, aircraft carriers, Coast Guard vessels, manned and unmanned aircraft and shore stations. GDIT will upgrade these systems efficiently to enable the Navy to keep its current vessels operational and ensure mission continuity. "C5ISR systems are foundational to how our Navy senses, communicates and fights in the modern battlespace," said Brian Sheridan, GDIT senior vice president for Defense. "We look forward to continuing to deliver innovative solutions to ensure these vital systems operate at peak performance and enable our warfighters to stay ahead of emerging threats." GDIT has decades of experience delivering mission-critical services to the Navy. The company supports the development of advanced electronic warfare technologies for airborne platforms, provides training support services for more than 100,000 U.S. and allied sailors around the globe, and delivers advanced artificial intelligence/machine learning solutions to modernize the Navy Enterprise Service Desk program. GDIT is a business unit of General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 110,000 people worldwide and generated $47.7 billion in revenue in 2024 More information about General Dynamics Information Technology is available at https://www.gdit.com. More information is available at www.gd.com. SOURCE General Dynamics Information Technology HSK39004, a novel dualtarget therapy, aims to compete in the global COPD market, highlighting innovation and international capabilities BEIJING, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 9, 2026, Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (Ticker Code: 002653) announced that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with US based biotech AirNexis. Under the agreement, Haisco grants AirNexis the rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize its independently developed innovative drug HSK39004 globally, excluding Greater China. The total deal value reaches up to USD 1.063 billion, including an upfront payment of USD 108 million (USD 40 million in cash and USD 68 million in AirNexis equity), up to USD 955 million in development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments, and tiered royalties on postlaunch net sales reaching the mid-teens percentage. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in the internationalization of innovative respiratory drugs originating from China. As a core respiratory asset of Haisco, HSK39004 is a proprietary PDE3/4 dual inhibitor that delivers "synergistic bronchodilatory and antiinflammatory effects", providing an addon maintenance therapy option for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The drug has been developed in two inhaled formulations: an inhalation suspension and a dry powder inhaler (DPI). The DPI formulation enables rapid administration, requiring only five seconds from the start to the completion of inhalation, which significantly improves patient compliance compared to competing products. Both formulations have entered Phase II clinical trials in China. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that HSK39004 shows strong bronchodilatory and antiinflammatory activity with a favorable safety profile. AirNexis was founded and supported by the globally renowned life sciences investment firm Frazier Life Sciences (FLS), other major investors include OrbiMed, Life Sciences at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, SR One, Longitude, and Enavate, which together have committed USD 200 million to support the program. Frazier Life Sciences is a leading global investor in innovative biopharmaceutical companies across discovery, development, and commercialization, spanning both private and public markets. Since 2016, Frazier has raised more than USD 5.3 billion in capital, including venture funds focused on company creation and private enterprises, as well as longonly public funds targeting small and midcap companies. Since 2010, companies in Frazier's portfolio have obtained more than 65 FDA approvals and completed over 60 initial public offerings or strategic acquisitions. Other key investors are also toptier global life sciences investment institutions. For instance, OrbiMed (founded in 1989) manages approximately USD 20 billion in assets under management and invests through private equity, public market, and royalty fund strategies. Life Sciences at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, established in 2021, focuses on latestage venture investments in therapeutics companies with multiasset pipelines at early clinical stages. As of September 30, 2025, Goldman Sachs's assets under management amounted to approximately USD 3.5 trillion. This collaboration brings together multiple internationally renowned life sciences investors, underscoring strong market confidence in the project. The global COPD market is estimated to reach USD 30.2 billion by 2033. Despite competition from MNCs like Merck and GSK in the PDE3/4 space, HSK39004 is poised to become the world's first dry powder inhaler targeting this mechanism, offering a paradigm-shifting treatment for patients globally. As a benchmark enterprise in China's innovative drug sector, Haisco builds on a core strategy of "innovationdriven growth and global expansion". Haisco has established a diversified R&D pipeline encompassing smallmolecule innovative drugs, biologics, and highend generics. Haisco is actively advancing more than 50 R&D programs across key therapeutic areas including respiratory diseases, oncology, autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, central nervous system diseases and pain management; notably, over 10 of these programs are now in pivotal clinical stages. The company has maintained a sustained commitment to R&D, with investment averaging more than 15% of revenue in each of the last three years. It has established three major R&D centers in Chengdu, Shanghai and Silicon Valley, and built a research team led by top experts from China and abroad, forming a dualengine innovation system combining inhouse R&D and external collaboration. As early as 2015, Haisco initiated its global strategy and has since actively expanded into overseas markets through multiple models, including licenseout transactions, codevelopment partnerships, and overseas mergers and acquisitions. The company has previously outlicensed several innovative drugs to international partners across Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia. The collaboration with AirNexis deepens global engagement by by integrating international capital and clinical resources, accelerating the translation of innovation programs worldwide and laying a solid foundation for more original drugs to enter global markets. Haisco stated that this collaboration is highly aligned with its international strategy and is expected to generate sustainable cash flow and longterm investment returns. Unlike the traditional "licenseout" collaboration model, this transaction adopts a Newco partnership structure. This enables deeper strategic alignment and shared growth with AirNexis and its investors, marking an upgrade in Haisco's global expansion strategy. Haisco remains highly confident in the future global market performance of HSK39004. Looking ahead, Haisco will continue to focus on areas of unmet clinical needs, strengthen independent innovation and global collaboration, and strive to bring Chinadeveloped original medicines to patients around the world. SOURCE Haisco STOCKHOLM, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Interlinked AB, a Swedish MedTech company with a patented safety connector technology, announces today that it has signed sales distributor agreements across three continents, covering countries in Europe, the Middle East, and North America. The agreements include binding minimum volume commitments. The agreements represent a clear step forward in Interlinked's international commercial expansion and establish a repeatable, distributor-led sales model across multiple healthcare systems. Interlinked's safety connector platform, ReLink / LinkUS, is designed to reduce accidental catheter dislodgement and to de-risk invasive procedures by reducing avoidable harm, clinical disruption, and associated downstream healthcare costs. "These agreements confirm that our technology has moved from validation to commercial execution," said Katarina Hedbeck, CEO and co-founder of Interlinked AB. "With distributor commitments now in place across three continents, our focus is on delivery, performance, and expansion within the markets already secured." Next steps Interlinked's near-term priorities include: Commercial rollout with signed distributors Expansion within existing contracted territories Continued engagement with additional distributors in selected priority markets Securing growth capital to support fulfilment of contracted orders and international expansion. Contact Katarina Hedbeck, CEO [email protected] www.interlinked.care About Interlinked AB Interlinked AB is a Swedish MedTech company developing a patented safety connector technology focused on risk reduction in invasive medical procedures. The company's platform reduces accidental catheter dislodgement, improves patient safety, and lowers avoidable clinical and operational costs for healthcare providers. Interlinked operates internationally with contracted commercial activity across Europe, the Middle East, and North America. About ReLink / LinkUS ReLink / LinkUS is a safety connector platform designed to reduce unintended catheter dislodgement by maintaining system integrity during external harmful forces. The platform is approved for use in nephrostomy drainage, IV therapy, and veterinary care, and has been clinically validated in various care settings. The technology is CE-MDR approved for all indications and FDA registered for drain. Selected ReLink configurations are approved for dual civilian and military use in Europe. North America focus In North America, Interlinked's commercial focus is on LinkUS Drain, a safety connector designed for nephrostomy drainage catheters. Accidental catheter dislodgement in nephrostomy care is a high-cost, avoidable complication, often leading to reinsertion procedures, infection risk, prolonged care, and additional downstream interventions. While existing procedure codes reimburse catheter reinsertion, they do not capture the full economic impact of dislodgement events, which frequently includes imaging, procedural resources, extended length of stay, and complication management. As a result, healthcare providers often absorb a substantial share of the total cost. LinkUS Drain is positioned as a risk-reducing safety device tackling dislodgement associated clinical and operational consequences. The product is FDA registered, has been presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology, and is supported by US-focused publications currently in progress. Interlinked is actively engaging US distribution partners for LinkUS Drain as part of its North American expansion. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/interlinked/r/interlinked-ab-signs-contracted-distributor-agreements-across-europe--the-middle-east--and-north-ame,c4291013 The following files are available for download: New Kipu Helix Platform and Kipu Circle Partner Ecosystem unveiled during JPM Week MIAMI, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Kipu Health, the leading technology platform for behavioral healthcare, today announced significant company momentum driven by strong customer growth, national scale, partner ecosystem growth and the launch of Kipu Helix, its new intelligent operating system purpose-built for behavioral healthcare. The announcement coincides with Kipu's participation in JPM Week, surrounding the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference, where the company is engaging with investors and industry leaders on the future of AI-powered care delivery. Kipu now supports more than 1,800 behavioral healthcare customers across 6,000 locations nationwide, powering more than 5 million episodes of care. Customers range from residential and outpatient providers to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) and large, multi-state organizations. This dramatic growth reflects Kipu's scale, trust, and leadership in a rapidly evolving market. "Behavioral healthcare providers are being asked to do more with less, while navigating increasing clinical, regulatory, and financial complexity," said Carina Edwards, CEO of Kipu. "The introduction of Kipu Helix is designed to become the foundation providers can rely on for delivering high-quality care and critical business operations by using one partner, one platform, one data model, and one AI intelligence." Addressing Complexity Through Platform Innovation Behavioral healthcare organizations are facing unprecedented operational complexity, driven by rising demand for care, workforce shortages, increasing regulatory requirements, and mounting financial pressure. Powered by a single AI intelligence data model and user experience, Kipu Helix brings together: Patient outreach and admissions Care delivery and clinical documentation Revenue cycle management and billing Compliance and regulatory workflows Analytics and executive insights By eliminating fragmented point solutions, Kipu Helix is designed to accelerate time-to-care, improve patient experience and outcomes, enhance clinical productivity, and strengthen financial performance. AI-Driven Impact Across Clinical and Financial Operations AI is deeply embedded throughout the Kipu Helix platform, helping providers reduce administrative burden, improve documentation quality, strengthen compliance readiness, and prevent revenue leakage by connecting clinical and financial data in real time. By surfacing actionable operational and financial insights, Kipu enables leaders to make faster, more informed decisions across their organizations. "Kipu's approach to AI is practical and purpose-built for behavioral healthcare," Edwards added. "When Banyan Treatment Centers implemented Kipu Intelligence, the organization experienced dramatic improvements across clinical notes and documentation. This kind of real-world ROI underscores the Kipu value prop: reducing friction, improving outcomes, and creating measurable impact for providers." Banyan Treatment Centers, which operates 19 facilities nationwide, reported the following improvements: Documentation times decreased by 42% across 22 tracked studies, including: 67% reduction in time spent completing Biopsychosocial Assessments 60% reduction in time spent on new client documentation 70% reduction in time spent on existing client documentation 90% reduction in time spent on Against Medical Advice (AMA) discharges and Administrative Discharge (AD) notes by 42% across 22 tracked studies, including: Reduced onboarding time for new employees through a 61% decrease in time to complete assessments. through a 61% decrease in time to complete assessments. Note compliance increased to 100% among clinicians using AI-supported documentation, eliminating the need for supervisor corrections and reducing the hidden operational costs associated with rework and delayed billing. Expanding Choice Through the Kipu Circle Ecosystem Alongside the launch of Kipu Helix, Kipu also announced the expansion of Kipu Circle, its partner ecosystem program designed to give providers access to integrated, best-in-class solutions without sacrificing simplicity or data integrity. Kipu Circle enables provider choice while preserving a unified experience, with featured partners including: Team Recovery integrated alumni referrals, patient engagement, and alumni management integrated alumni referrals, patient engagement, and alumni management Braided.io integrated automation for pre-admission workflows and customer relationship management systems integrated automation for pre-admission workflows and customer relationship management systems Recovery.com integrated marketing, admissions, and referral management integrated marketing, admissions, and referral management Care Predictor integrated solutions to strengthen patient engagement and therapeutic alliance while improving staff hiring and retention "As the foundational operating system for behavioral healthcare, Kipu Helix brings together a best-in-class connected ecosystem that allows providers to innovate and grow without fragmentation," Edwards said. Momentum Heading Into 2026 As behavioral healthcare continues its shift toward AI-enabled, data-driven operations, Kipu's growing customer base, new platform strategy, and expanding ecosystem position the company as a long-term partner for providers navigating industry change. From April 22-24, Kipu will host Elevate 2026 the Kipu Customer Conference in Carlsbad, California, bringing together more than 300 treatment providers and 10+ behavioral health technology partners for an immersive three-day experience focused on collaboration, learning, and innovation. The conference will offer two experience tracks tailored to treatment program executives and operational leaders, with master-class sessions, peer-led case studies, strategic insights, and hands-on learning opportunities curated to address today's most pressing challenges. Elevate 2026 will have a dedicated focus on the impact of AI and intelligent platforms on care delivery and operational performance, helping organizations future-proof their operations and make informed strategic decisions amid rapid industry change. Kipu executives will discuss the company's momentum, platform vision, and long-term market outlook at meetings during JPM Week, January 11-13 in San Francisco. About Kipu Health Kipu is the leading technology platform supporting more than 6,000 behavioral healthcare facilities nationwide. With the first, intelligent operating system for behavioral healthcare, Kipu powers patient acquisition, care delivery, compliance, and financial performance for providers, their teams and their patients to thrive. For more information, visit www.kipuhealth.com. Media Contact: Jay Staunton 781.790.6023 Correction: Updates have been made throughout the release. SOURCE Kipu Health Rick Weil (Managing Director, Co-Head of Packaging) and Melanie Yermack (Managing Director, Co-Head of Packaging) served as transaction leads. Mesirow acted as the exclusive financial advisor on this transaction, highlighting the firm's continued success in the packaging sector. CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mesirow announced it acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Wertheimer Box on its sale to SupplyOne, Inc., a portfolio company of Revelar Capital. Mesirow Advises Wertheimer Box on its Sale to SupplyOne, Inc., a Portfolio Company of Revelar Capital | L to R: Melanie Yermack, Managing Director, Co-Head of Packaging and Rick Weil, Managing Director, Co-Head of Packaging Wertheimer Box is a Chicago-area corrugated packaging provider known for custom shipping boxes, branded packaging, e-commerce mailers and specialty retail displays. Founded in 1939 and based in McCook, Illinois, Wertheimer Box has grown into one of the largest independent corrugated packaging providers in the region. The Company combines decades of experience with strong design, printing and manufacturing capabilities to serve an impressive customer base. Doug Wertheimer, Owner and President of Wertheimer Box, said, "Mesirow's sector knowledge and deep industry relationships were invaluable in identifying SupplyOne as an ideal partner. Joining SupplyOne enables us to tap into national resources and logistics, while preserving the close-knit culture and dedicated customer service that our clients have come to expect. We're excited for what this partnership means for our customers and to build on an 85+ year legacy our employees have created in the market." "We are proud to have advised Wertheimer Box in its strategic partnership with SupplyOne," said Rick Weil, Managing Director and Co-Head of Packaging at Mesirow Investment Banking. "Wertheimer Box is a highly respected and innovative Chicagoland packaging organization with a stellar reputation. SupplyOne emerged as an ideal partner that can enhance Wertheimer Box's deep expertise in custom corrugated production with national scale and diverse packaging portfolio to deliver exceptional value to Wertheimer's customers." added Melanie Yermack, Managing Director and Co-Head of Packaging at Mesirow Investment Banking. The sale of Wertheimer Box represents another successful corrugated transaction completed by Mesirow Investment Banking. Mesirow is one of the most active advisors in the packaging industry, having completed more than 220 transactions in the last 25 years. By leveraging extensive sector-specific expertise across industry groups and nurturing deep, longstanding relationships, Mesirow has amassed a proven track record of highly tailored and successful transactions on behalf of its clients. About Mesirow Mesirow is an independent, employee-owned financial services firm founded in 1937. Headquartered in Chicago, with offices around the world, we serve clients through a personal, custom approach to reaching financial goals and acting as a force for social good. With capabilities spanning Private Capital & Currency, Capital Markets & Investment Banking, and Advisory Services, we invest in what matters: our clients, our communities and our culture. Mesirow has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Chicago by Crain's Chicago Business multiple times and is one of Barron's Top 100 RIA firms. To learn more, visit mesirow.com, follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to Spark, our quarterly newsletter. About Wertheimer Box Founded in 1939, Wertheimer Box is an independent corrugated packaging provider offering custom boxes, branded packaging, e-commerce mailers, and point-of-purchase (POP) displays. Known for its high-touch customer service, flexible minimums and comprehensive corrugated capabilities, Wertheimer Box serves businesses of all sizes from its Illinois location. For more information, visit www.wertheimerbox.com. Media [email protected] Michael Herley | 203.308.1409 Nothing contained herein constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any Mesirow investment vehicle(s). Mesirow Financial, Inc. is not affiliated with Wertheimer Box, SupplyOne, Inc., Revelar Capital or their affiliates. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mesirow refers to Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. and its divisions, subsidiaries and affiliates. | Investment Banking services offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc., Member FINRA and SIPC. Award recognition disclosures: mesirow.com/award-recognition-disclosures SOURCE Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) will host its nationally recognized Fashion Funds the Cure event on Friday, February 6, 2026, bringing together families, advocates, researchers, and supporters for an unforgettable evening that blends high fashion with heartfelt purpose. Held at the iconic Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, the event will celebrate the courage of children fighting cancer and spotlight the critical need for increased pediatric cancer research funding. A pediatric cancer warrior walks the runway at a National Pediatric Cancer Foundation Fashion Funds the Cure event. As institutional research budgets tighten, the stakes for children with cancer continue to rise. Pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease for children in the United States, yet only a small fraction of national cancer funding is directed toward treatments designed specifically for kids. NPCF is using this moment to elevate the national conversation and ensure that children's needs remain front and center. "Every child deserves the chance to grow up, dream big, and live a full life," said NPCF CEO David Frazer. "Fashion Funds the Cure brings their stories to the spotlight and reminds the country why continued investment in pediatric cancer research is essential. We see the problem, and we are driving the solution." Proceeds raised from this event will support NPCF's mission to develop safer, more effective treatments through collaborative research across 40 leading hospitals nationwide. The evening will feature: Runway walks pairing pediatric cancer fighters with professional models Spotlights on each child's dreams for the future Celebrations of research breakthroughs made possible through NPCF's Sunshine Project Opportunities for guests to directly support ongoing research and clinical trials NPCF has invited several national leaders and distinguished guests whose presence would underscore the broad, shared commitment to improving outcomes for children facing cancer. "Supporting children's health is something that unites us," Frazer added. "We are grateful for every partner who stands with families in this fight." Event Details Event: Fashion Funds the Cure benefiting the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation Date: Friday, February 6, 2026 Location: Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, 1301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20240 Time: Reception begins at 5:30 pm; Runway Show starts at 7:00 pm Tickets & Donations: Please visit Nationalpcf.org/Washington ABOUT THE NATIONAL PEDIATRIC CANCER FOUNDATION: The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to funding research and clinical trials to develop less toxic, more effective treatments for childhood cancer. Our purpose is to reduce the side effects of current treatments, improve survival rates, and eliminate childhood cancer. Our collaborative research model includes 40 hospital partners and leading scientists. Since its inception, the NPCF has donated over $50 million to research and has funded over 30 project initiatives. The NPCF is a top-rated charity with a 100% score for financial transparency and responsibility, and has received 4 stars from Charity Navigator for the past 14 years. To learn more about the foundation, visit NationalPCF.org. SOURCE National Pediatric Cancer Foundation NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB) is proud to announce its role as Joint Bookrunner and Joint Lead Arranger in a landmark $281 million project financing for Ruta del Este, concessionaire company formed by ISA Vias (previously Intervial Chile S.A.) to develop the project. This project marks the first concession awarded in Panama under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Law of 2019. The financing will facilitate the execution of the Panamericana del Este road project, a critical infrastructure project that involves the rehabilitation and repaving of an approximately 246-kilometer corridor linking the eastern outskirts of Panama City to the Darien province near the Colombian border. This initiative aligns with Natixis CIB's commitment to social transportation goals and reinforces its expertise and leadership in the region and sector. "We are honored to support ISA, ISA Vias, and the Ruta del Este project as it represents a significant milestone as the first-ever PPP concession in Panama," said Aitor Alava, Head of Infrastructure & Energy Finance Latin America at Natixis CIB. "At Natixis CIB, we are dedicated to partnering with our clients in their efforts to expand into new markets, showcasing our underwriting capabilities in this pioneering financing. The Panamericana del Este, part of Panama's most vital highway, serves as the primary road link between Panama City and the Guna Yala communities along the coast, as well as the Darien region bordering Colombia. This project is poised to benefit agricultural producers by enhancing their access to demand centers, creating approximately 1,500 direct jobs during construction, and significantly reducing travel time by about 1.5 hours from end to end of the road." ISA Vias, a subsidiary of ISA, is recognized as one of the largest operators of road concessions in Latin America, managing over 1,200 kilometers of road infrastructure. Andres Contreras, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ISA Vias, stated, "This operation not only highlights the bank's confidence in Panama but also showcases ISA Vias robust business model, which continues to drive our goal of becoming a leader in road infrastructure across Latin America." About Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking is a leading global financial institution that provides advisory, investment banking, financing, corporate banking and capital markets services to corporations, financial institutions, financial sponsors and sovereign and supranational organizations worldwide. Our teams of experts in about 30 countries advise clients on their strategic development, helping them to grow and transform their businesses, and maximize their positive impact. Natixis CIB is committed to aligning its financing portfolio with a carbon neutrality path by 2050 while helping its clients reduce the environmental impact of their business. As part of Groupe BPCE, the second largest banking group in France through the Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne retail networks, Natixis CIB benefits from the Group's financial strength and solid financial ratings (Standard & Poor's: A+, Moody's: A1, Fitch: A+, R&I: A+). Press contact: Tara Flanagan, Prosek Partners Tel: +1 646 818 9022 [email protected] cib.natixis.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/natixis-corporate-investment-banking/ https://www.youtube.com/user/natixisvideos https://podcast.ausha.co/green-momentum Our information is certified with blockchain technology. Check that this press release is genuine at www.wiztrust.com. SOURCE Natixis US children's choir brings message of hope and unity China Daily) 08:23, January 12, 2026 The One Voice Children choir performs at Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing on Dec 31, New Year's Eve. The event, which used music to convey love, was a follow-up visit by the American choir after their performance at the hospital in January last year, and an important part of the hospital's efforts to create a humane medical environment. ZHANG YUWEI/XINHUA On the first day of the New Year, a cold wind swept through Beijing, rattling windows and sharpening the city's winter chill. Inside a packed theater, however, the air carried a very different feeling one of warmth and anticipation. As the concert drew to a close, softened stage lights cast a gentle glow over the performers of the American children's choir, One Voice Children. Applause rolled through the hall, rising from the back rows and moving steadily toward the stage. Then, 14-year-old Bruce stepped into the spotlight. One of the youngest first-time visitors on the tour, he offered the audience a small, unscripted surprise. For the choir, this marked its third consecutive New Year tour to China. Bruce told the audience that they prepared a special gift: We Are Together, an original song created by the choir. "We are together. We are friends forever. Nothing can break the bond of you and me. We believe in each other. Sisters and brothers. We are the hope this world needs." As the choir's voices rose in unison, the audience responded instinctively. Some listeners quietly mouthed along, while others lifted their phones to capture the moment. Even after the music ended, the energy lingered. Laughter, whispered encouragement, and shy greetings in English and Chinese mingled in the air, as the connection forged on stage continued well beyond the final song. For Bruce, the path to this stage began in a simple, almost casual way by following his sister. "She joined first, and it just looked cool," he said. What started as curiosity soon turned into opportunity, eventually bringing him thousands of miles from home to perform in China. Having joined in 2024, Bruce has spent the last two years singing with One Voice. "Singing is super fun," he said. During the tour, Bruce also performed Chinese songs, including Wish, a pop song released in 2021 that reflects on the quiet hopes of one generation and how those dreams gradually take shape in the lives of the next. Looking ahead, the journey itself felt like part of the adventure. The tour would take Bruce to cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Guangzhou and onto China's high-speed rail network, something he had long been curious about. "I've always wanted to come to China," he said. "People-to-people exchanges are very important. Getting to know people's culture is a big part of that." For 11-year-old Abby, joining One Voice Children was fueled by joy and a belief in the transformative power of music. "It's really fun, and we get to sing one of my favorite things to inspire people in the world through music," she said. Abby said she has studied Chinese since first grade in the US state of Utah. Performing Wish left a particularly deep impression on her. "It really inspires me," she said, describing the long hours of listening and rehearsal that went into preparing the song for Chinese audiences. Sixteen-year-old Ainsley found her first trip to China both a musical milestone and a revelation about shared humanity. "I always feel so inspired that we get to come here and meet people in China," she said. "America and China are so different, but when it comes down to it, we're all people, and we're all dealing with the same things. It's just so beautiful to me that we get to see each other." She hoped that audiences could feel the heart behind the performances. "I want people to know that they are so incredibly loved. The world can be such an amazing place if we all put in our part," she said. Asked to describe China to friends and family back home, she noted both the country's vastness and its collective spirit. "It's very big, obviously, but it's also very expressive. You can really tell that you're a community and that everyone is doing their part to make the country a better place." One Voice Children, a nonprofit organization based in Utah, was founded on the belief that young people can promote kindness and understanding. The initiative grew out of One Voice Children's Choir, whose members aged 5 to 18 first performed on the world stage at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Since then, it has developed into an international cultural presence. Their annual New Year tours to China combine stage performances with community outreach, including visits to hospitals, allowing young performers to convey messages of hope, care and cultural exchange in tangible and human ways. Masa Fukuda, the choir's director, reflected on the power of music to bridge cultures. "Obviously, we speak different languages, and sometimes it's hard to communicate. But with the power of music, being a universal language, it really transcends all cultural differences and breaks down walls," he said. "It has a magical power to unite people. Wherever we go, people treat us so nicely, with a lot of kindness and generosity. That really touches our hearts. We always try to give back to the Chinese people, but they keep giving us more." The director also spoke of the enduring importance of youth exchanges. "It's very, very important. When you actually go and visit people, sometimes it's very different from what you hear. Personal interaction allows people to truly understand each other's culture, values and daily lives." Looking forward, the choir hopes to collaborate with Chinese ensembles in the future. "Our theme for this concert tour is 'Wish'. We want to feel together in the form of unity, truly understanding each other, and creating lasting friendships. We want the Chinese people to know how much we love them the country and the culture. We hope for lasting relationships for years and years to come, more collaboration, and a brighter future together." (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) New roles strengthen operational excellence and financial strategy across the organization LEXINGTON, Ky., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PepperPointe Partnerships, one of the largest privately doctor-owned, doctor-led dental service organizations (DSO), announces the expansion of its senior leadership team with the creation of three new Vice President roles. The newly established positions Vice President of Operational Support, Vice President of Financial Operations, and Vice President of Strategic Finance reflect the organization's continued growth and its commitment to providing exceptional support to their supported dental practices. PepperPointe Partnerships new vice presidents: Alisa Houp, Vice President of Financial Operations; Alex Dotson, Vice President of Operational Support; and Nicole Nickels, Vice President of Strategic Finance. These strategic additions are designed to extend the organization's leadership capacity and further strengthen PepperPointe's operational infrastructure, enhance financial performance, and support long-term, sustainable growth across its network of partner practices. "These roles represent an intentional investment in leadership depth," said Dr. Greg White, President and CEO of PepperPointe Partnerships. "As we grow, it's critical that we continue to strengthen the teams and leaders responsible for day-to-day operational excellence and long-term financial health, while maintaining a clear and focused organizational structure." Alex Dotson has been promoted to Vice President of Operational Support after more than six years with PepperPointe Partnerships. During his tenure, Dotson has played a key role in advancing financial accounting processes, optimizing business workflows, and delivering data-driven insights across PepperPointe and its three group practices. In his new role, Dotson will focus on strengthening operational systems, improving cross-functional communication, and enhancing the performance of PepperPointe's support services. He will oversee the IT, Procurement and Vendor Relations, and Data Analytics teams, ensuring these functions deliver consistent, best-in-class operational support that enables partner practices to focus on patient care. Alisa Houp has been promoted from Director of Accounting to Vice President of Financial Operations, a role that expands her leadership scope and strategic influence within the organization. In her new position, Houp will oversee PepperPointe's finance and accounting functions, as well as the revenue cycle management team, with a focus on financial accuracy, operational efficiency, and scalability. Her leadership will support consistent financial performance across partner practices while strengthening systems that drive accountability, transparency, and long-term stability. Nicole Nickels, CPA joins PepperPointe Partnerships as Vice President of Strategic Finance, bringing more than 12 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant providing strategic financial leadership. In this role, Nickels will lead financial planning and analysis, support new growth opportunities, and support strategic client initiatives. She will also play a key role in doctor retirement and transition planning, while proactively identifying financial risks and opportunities that support PepperPointe's long-term strategic objectives. "Alex and Alisa have more than proven their capabilities, leadership, and commitment to our organization during their time at PepperPointe, and I am thrilled to elevate them into these new roles," added Dr. White. "Nicole is an outstanding addition to our team, and her expertise will be instrumental as we continue to grow thoughtfully and strategically in support of our mission to protect patients, support doctors, and elevate care." The creation of these Vice President roles underscores PepperPointe Partnerships' evolution into a more robust, strategically aligned organization one that is intentionally structured to meet the growing needs of its partner practices while continuing to serve patients and communities with excellence. About PepperPointe Partnerships Founded in 2017 and based in Lexington, Kentucky, PepperPointe Partnerships is a dental service organization (DSO) built to protect patients, support doctors, and elevate care. We partner with dental practices to solve operational and growth challenges building innovative systems, centralized support, and strategic tools that strengthen performance and improve the experience for patients and teams, while preserving practice culture and clinical decision-making. PepperPointe's support model is designed to create efficiencies, expand capabilities, and help practices grow sustainably. Grounded in the belief that we are better and stronger together, we build solutions that strengthen the long-term sustainability of dentistrywhile staying committed to the practices and communities we serve. That commitment shows up in how we invest in innovation: developing specialized companies, shared tools, and scalable systems that support practice performance, enable collaboration, and elevate the experience for both patients and providers. We believe the strongest outcomes come from leveraging the strengths and culture of doctor-owned practicesnot replacing them. That's why we are devoted to empowering and working alongside the doctors and teams we support, helping them build on what they do best and deliver exceptional care with lasting impact. For more information, visit pepperpointe.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook. Media Contact: Brianna Atkins PepperPointe Partnerships 304.416.2328 [email protected] SOURCE PepperPointe Partnerships HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency today announced $35 million in funding is available through its new HOME-ARP program to create and preserve rental housing for at-risk or homeless Pennsylvanians. The HOME-ARP program is designed to support developers, nonprofit organizations and local partners in building new rental units or rehabilitating existing properties to ensure affordable housing options for vulnerable populations. All applications must be received no later than 2 p.m., April 1. "This initiative represents a significant step toward addressing housing insecurity and strengthening communities across the Commonwealth," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. "PHFA's mission is to provide housing opportunities for all, and this is the latest program we've made available to help meet the needs of those most in need." This HOME-ARP program offers 0% interest, deferred-payment loans that can be used to support the development, rehabilitation and preservation of rental housing for applicable qualifying populations and low-income households. Eligible applicants include housing developers, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations committed to expanding affordable housing. For more information about the HOME-ARP program, including eligibility requirements and application details, visit https://www.phfa.org/mhp/developers/arp.aspx. The HOME Investment Partnerships Program American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) was created as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. About PHFA The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $20.1 billion of funding for more than 206,750 single family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 110,284 rental units, distributed approximately $362 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 51,400 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board. Media Contact: Chris Anderson [email protected] - 717-780-3915 SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new statewide poll for Iowans for Affordable Healthcare shows strong bipartisan concern about rising healthcare costs and growing skepticism that lawmakers are doing enough to address affordability. Nearly two-thirds of Iowans (61%) say their healthcare costs have increased, and 59% say federal lawmakers could be doing more to lower costs. At the state level, confidence is eroding: 49% say state legislators are not making the right decisions on healthcare prices, and political support for candidates is already shifting, according to the poll. If enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits expire, the consequences would be severe, according to polling results. Eighty-six percent of marketplace enrollees say they would delay or skip care, including 82% of Trump voters, highlighting broad, cross-party concern. The poll, which was conducted by the independent polling firm Cygnal, also finds Iowans strongly oppose policies that raise costs: By more than a 2-to-1 margin (57-24), voters oppose mandates that increase health insurance premiums. 58% of Iowans say they would accept fewer nearby pharmacy options if it means paying less for medicines, with affordability ranking as the most important factor in healthcare decisions. 72% oppose allowing pharmacies to add new dispensing fees that could cost an estimated $10 per prescription, as proposed in SF 383. An overwhelming 84% oppose new facility fees for doctor's office and clinic visits stemming from hospital mergers, including 92% of Republicans, 77% of Democrats, and 86% of Independents. "Iowans are united on one issue: healthcare costs too much," said Phil Jeneary, Executive Director for Iowans for Affordable Healthcare. "Voters want lawmakers focused on lowering prices not policies that make care harder to afford." A link to the more detailed memo about the poll findings can be found on the IAAHC website: https://www.iaahc.com/post/poll-iowans-say-healthcare-costs-are-rising-lawmakers-aren-t-keeping-up Methodology: This statewide poll was conducted for Iowans for Affordable Healthcare among likely Iowa voters using a mixed-mode sample. Results were weighted to a 2026 likely general election audience. Sample size: 600 likely general election voters. Conducted December 7-8, 2025, with a margin of error 3.99%. About Iowans for Affordable Healthcare (IAAHC): Iowans for Affordable Healthcare is a non-partisan organization dedicated to lowering healthcare costs, increasing transparency, and ensuring that every Iowan, regardless of income or location, has access to affordable, quality healthcare. Learn more at https://www.iaahc.com/ Contact: Phil Jeneary, Executive Director Iowans for Affordable Healthcare [email protected] SOURCE Iowans for Affordable Healthcare Industry veteran joins QDOBA's leadership team focused on doubling the size of the 840-restaurant brand. SAN DIEGO, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- QDOBA, America's rapidly growing #2 restaurant brand in the Mexican fast-casual category, today announced that Cathy Tang has joined the brand as Chief Legal Officer (CLO). Tang brings more than 25 years of restaurant and public company experience and will lead all aspects of legal, compliance, risk management and corporate governance, and play a key role in franchise strategy and transactions. Cathy Tang joins QDOBA's leadership team as Chief Legal Officer. "We are very fortunate to have an executive of Cathy's caliber join our talented leadership team. I had the privilege of experiencing her remarkable partnership and capability first-hand when she reported to me as Chief Legal Officer while I was President of KFC Corporation, and I'm thrilled to be reunited," said John Cywinski, CEO, QDOBA. "Her blend of strategic insights, team collaboration, growth mindset and deep restaurant franchise experience will help guide us as we unlock the full potential of the QDOBA brand." "I'm excited to join QDOBA at this time of incredible growth," said Cathy Tang, Chief Legal Officer, QDOBA. "It's a privilege to be working alongside CEO John Cywinski again and to partner with the QDOBA team and our franchisees to build on the strong foundation that makes this brand so special." TANG'S BACKGROUND Tang most recently served as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality, Inc. (2025), following her tenure as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Krispy Kreme, Inc. (20202024). At Krispy Kreme, Tang was responsible for all aspects of legal, SEC/regulatory compliance, corporate responsibility and board governance for the $2 billion global brand and led the legal, governance and overall oversight of its 2021 IPO. Prior to Krispy Kreme, Tang spent over 20 years at Yum! Brands, Inc., including serving as Global Branding Counsel (2017-2020), Chief New Business Officer, KFC Global (2015-2017) and Chief Legal Officer, KFC Corporation (2009-2015). Tang earned her law degree from the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville and her B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS Q: What are Cathy Tang's job responsibilities at QDOBA? Tang will lead QDOBA's legal, compliance, risk management and corporate governance functions, and will play a key role in driving franchising, development and transactional initiatives. Q: How does Cathy Tang's appointment support franchise partners? Tang's strong leadership and deep experience collaborating with franchisees will help QDOBA scale responsibly without slowing momentum by supporting franchising, strengthening consistency around agreements and brand standards, and helping the brand stay ahead of an evolving legal and regulatory environment. Q: How does this connect to QDOBA's long-term growth plans? The brand's accelerated growth strategy to double its U.S. footprint by 2032 includes investing in leadership that helps expansion stay durable over time. QDOBA has more than 650 development commitments and targets more than 100 openings per year by 2027. Q: Where is QDOBA expanding in the U.S.? QDOBA continues to see meaningful opportunity across the U.S. and is focusing on high-demand markets with strong interest from experienced multi-unit operators. For more information and to find the location nearest to you, please visit QDOBA.com. About QDOBA Mexican Eats QDOBA is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant with 840 locations in 45 states across the U.S., as well as in Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan and South Korea. Committed to bringing flavor to people's lives, QDOBA prepares fresh ingredients by hand in-house throughout the day and flame-grills its chicken and steak to create a variety of bold, flavorful menu options. Guests can experience QDOBA's delicious offerings by customizing their own burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, nachos and salads to suit their personal tastes and cravings. Premium toppings can always be added to entrees at no extra charge, including signature 3-cheese queso and hand-crafted guacamole. For seven consecutive years, QDOBA has ranked among the top fast-casual restaurants in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards including six years at #1. QDOBA was also recently named one of Yelp's Most Loved Airport Brands, a distinction based on extensive analysis of ratings and reviews from travelers. Discover more at QDOBA.com or on the QDOBA app, which is available for download on the iTunes App Store or Google Play. Fans can also connect with QDOBA on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok. MEDIA CONTACT: Allyson Petras, [email protected] MSL SOURCE QDOBA Restaurant Corporation PORTLAND, Maine, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- RxAnte, the leading provider of analytics, software, and services for pharmacy care management, today announced a significant strategic growth investment from Primus Capital ("Primus"). This partnership will accelerate RxAnte's efforts to scale its innovative value-based pharmacy solutions and expand its clinical service offerings for health plans and their members with advanced drug therapy management needs. Helping Health Plans and their Members get More from Medicines RxAnte pioneered the use of health care data and advanced analytics to assess risk of unsafe medication use, manage programs to improve prescribing and adherence, and measure outcomes in vulnerable populations. In 2026, the company will manage over 34 million lives in partnership with leading regional and national health plans. The investment from Primus Capital comes at a time of rapid expansion for Mosaic Pharmacy Service, RxAnte's technology-enabled pharmacy care management subsidiary. Mosaic provides high-touch, data-driven pharmacy care for medically complex and vulnerable populations. The company's peer-reviewed outcomes studies, conducted in collaboration with UPMC Health Plan, demonstrate that Mosaic improves member health, reduces hospitalizations, lowers medical costs, and improves quality scores. UPMC is a world-renowned health care provider and insurer that has been a partner with RxAnte since 2016. "Our partnership with Primus Capital marks a pivotal moment in RxAnte's journey," said Josh Benner, Co-Founder and CEO of RxAnte. "As drug prices continue to climb and medication use continues to be a focus of quality measurement, pharmacy care needs to be more individualized and coordinated than ever before. With the pioneering support and guidance of UPMC, we developed a truly unique and value-based model of pharmacy care for medically complex and socially vulnerable patients." "Primus shares our vision around data-driven pharmacy care management as one of the greatest opportunities to improve health outcomes and reduce total cost of care", said Brent Burns, Executive Vice President of UPMC Enterprises, the innovation, commercialization and venture capital arm of UPMC. "This new partnership with Primus will help us accelerate bringing RxAnte solutions to more patients." Strategic Alignment for Growth Primus Capital, a private equity firm with a long history of investing in high-growth healthcare technology and services companies, identified RxAnte as a market leader in the pharmacy care management space. "We are thrilled to partner with the RxAnte team," said Phil Molner, Managing Partner of Primus Capital. "RxAnte has built a unique, data-driven platform that solves one of the most persistent and costly challenges in healthcare. We look forward to supporting their continued innovation and expansion as they re-shape the role of pharmacy in supporting better outcomes." About RxAnte, LLC RxAnte, LLC, is a health technology and services company dedicated to helping people taking complex medication regimens live longer, healthier lives. Through its analytics, software, and subsidiary Mosaic Pharmacy Service, RxAnte provides health plans with the insights and clinical services necessary to improve medication use at the population level. For more information, visit www.rxante.com. About Primus Capital Primus Capital is a growth-oriented private equity firm focused on investing in leading companies within the healthcare, software, and technology-enabled services sectors. Primus partners with management teams to accelerate growth through operational improvements, strategic guidance, and capital for expansion. For more information, visit www.primuscapital.com. Media Contact: Thayer Montague VP Marketing [email protected] 571-414-8987 SOURCE RxAnte Honoring a legacy of leadership while advancing the next chapter CINCINNATI, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SEI, a management consulting firm delivering fresh perspectives and reliable results, announced leadership transitions that honor the firm's legacy in Cincinnati while positioning the office for its next phase of growth. The SEI Cincinnati leadership team. After more than two decades of leadership, Managing Director David Biederman will retire from his role and continue supporting the firm in an advisory capacity through 2026. Maria Korengel, one of SEI's original hires who has served the firm in leadership roles, including VP of Administration, will also retire after more than 30 years of dedicated service, most recently supporting the Cincinnati office. Rob Seichter, a 20-year SEI veteran, will step into the role of Managing Director for SEI's Cincinnati office. He will continue to lead alongside Managing Principal Stephanie Eyer, who joined the Cincinnati leadership team in 2022, and Managing Principal Andy Kutcher, who will join the team in 2026 after 10 years with SEI. Together, the leadership team reflects deep continuity and experience, along with a shared commitment to building on the foundation established by Biederman and Maria. "We couldn't be more grateful for everything Biederman and Maria have done for SEI," said Seichter. "Biederman has been a mentor to me and to so many others, shaping how we lead through the strength of relationships. We're fortunate he'll continue supporting us in an advisory role. Maria's steady leadership and genuine care have touched every employee's life and, in many cases, their families as well. She has truly been the glue of our Cincinnati office for more than 30 years." Celebrating the People Who Shaped SEI Cincinnati's Legacy SEI Cincinnati holds a special place in the firm's history. Founded in 1992, the Cincinnati office is where SEI's vision of a collaborative, employee-owned consulting model first took root. For more than three decades, Cincinnati has helped shape SEI's approach to culture, client work and community engagement nationwide. Leaders like Biederman and Maria were instrumental in building that foundation, guiding the firm through its formative years and into sustained growth. David Biederman Known to most simply as "Biederman," he has exemplified SEI Cincinnati's leadership and culture for more than two decades. Throughout his tenure, he served as a mentor, connector and trusted guide to colleagues across the firm. "After 23 incredible years, I can confidently say that working at SEI has been the best decision of my life second only to marrying my wife," said Biederman. "The bonds I've formed with my work family and close-knit friends have made this journey truly special. Together, we've achieved remarkable success, and I will cherish these memories forever." Maria Korengel Known for her unwavering support of SEI consultants and her deep commitment to a people-first organization, Maria has shaped the Cincinnati experience for generations of employees. "Looking back on 32 years with SEI, I'm filled with gratitude," said Maria. "I've had the privilege of contributing to the company's growth from its early beginnings and being part of a culture deeply committed to its people." About SEI There's always a better way to do business and SEI has 30 years of evidence to prove it. SEI helps some of the world's most recognizable brands solve problems, create opportunity, and achieve more than they could alone. If you haven't heard of them, that's by design. Founded in 1992, over 600 employee-owners serve 13 markets across the U.S., with Cincinnati continuing to lead as the firm's first and foundational office. For more information, please visit www.sei.com or contact the SEI Cincinnati office at (513) 459-1992. SOURCE Systems Evolution, Inc. CHICAGO, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Start Early , a national leader in early learning and care, today announced that Diana Rauner will step down as President this June. The Board of Directors has unanimously appointed Celena Sarillo, Executive Director of Start Early Illinois, to serve as the organization's next President. Diana Rauner Diana first joined Start Early as a Board member in 2003, became the Executive Director of Illinois in 2007 and was appointed President in January 2011. Under her visionary leadership, Start Early has grown from a $35 million nonprofit public-private partnership focused predominantly on Illinois into a $125 million national organization expanding its impact to millions of children, parents, professionals and policy makers across the country. "Diana's leadership has transformed Start Early and positioned the organization as a national voice for early learning and care," said Mary Hasten, Board Chair of Start Early. "Her vision, strategic focus and deep commitment to children and families have strengthened our programs, expanded our national reach and advanced meaningful policy change. We are grateful for her extraordinary service." After conducting a comprehensive succession process, the Board selected Sarillo to lead the organization into its next chapter. "Celena brings collaborative leadership, knowledge of early childhood systems and a strong grounding in community partnership," said Hasten. "She has the right combination of strategic perspective and operational expertise to build on our foundation and guide Start Early's national impact." Sarillo joined Start Early in November 2024 and currently oversees the Illinois statewide prenatal-to-age-five strategy, including its early learning and care programs, Educare Chicago and policy and research initiatives across Illinois and Chicago. Previously, she served as CEO of the American Red Cross of Illinois and as Executive Director of Erie Neighborhood House, where she began her career as a Head Start social worker. "It has been the greatest privilege of my career to lead Start Early and work with such brilliant and committed colleagues," said Rauner. "I am deeply confident in Celena's leadership and the organization's future. Start Early is well-positioned to continue advancing opportunities for children and families nationwide." "I am humbled by the opportunity to lead Start Early into its next chapter," said Sarillo. "I look forward to building on Diana's legacy and working with our teams, partners and communities to ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential." The organization will undertake a phased transition process over the next six months to ensure continuity across strategy, operations and partnerships. To learn more, visit www.StartEarly.org About Start Early Start Early is a national nonprofit public-private partnership advancing early learning and care for families with children, before birth through their earliest years, to help close the opportunity gap. For over 40 years, Start Early has delivered best-in-class doula, home visiting and Early Head Start and Heart Start services. With expertise in program delivery, research and evaluation, professional development and policy and advocacy, Start Early works in partnership with communities and other experts to drive systemic change so that millions more children, families and educators can thrive. Learn more about www.StartEarly.org Media Contact: Rachel Chick 8473315861 [email protected] SOURCE Start Early LONDON, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sumsub, a global leader in identity verification and fraud prevention, today announced it has joined the World Economic Forum's Unicorn Community, an exclusive, invite-only program for private high-growth companies valued at over $1 billion and shaping the future of the digital economy. Sumsub Co-founder and CEO Andrew Sever will attend the 2026 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, contributing expertise on digital trust, AI-driven fraud, and inclusive access to digital services. Sumsub's inclusion comes as identity fraud reaches new levels of sophistication. According to the Sumsub Identity Fraud Report 20252026, sophisticated fraud grew 180% year over year, with multi-step attacks increasing from 10% in 2024 to 28% in 2025 of all identity fraud. These attacks now span the entire customer lifecycle, making one-time checks ineffective and requiring continuous, real-time protection. With more than 4,000 clients worldwide and millions of identity checks performed annually, Sumsub brings hands-on, global experience to the WEF community. At WEF's 2026 Annual Meeting, the company will focus on three priorities: combating AI-powered fraud at scale, expanding digital inclusion through smarter verification, and shaping next-generation AI anti-fraud solutions through global collaboration. Fighting sophisticated AI fraud at scale As fraud rapidly evolves, Sumsub is focused on countering complex, AI-powered threats, including deepfakes, synthetic identities, and large-scale money mulling operations. Sumsub addresses these risks through end-to-end event monitoring across the entire user journey, and by developing next-generation defenses against AI fraud agents, autonomous systems capable of executing coordinated attacks with minimal human involvement. Empowering digital inclusion through smarter verification Sumsub is also advancing digital inclusion by reducing identity barriers that exclude legitimate users from the digital economy. Its Non-Document Verification and Reusable Identity suite enable secure onboarding in markets with poor-quality documents or higher fraud risk, helping users globally to get access to digital services and businesses expand without compromising compliance or security. Through initiatives such as Greenflag, part of the UN SDG Leaders Programme, Sumsub raises awareness of digital exclusion as a structural risk to global economic growth. Shaping the future of AI anti-fraud through collaboration To address emerging threats like deepfakes, Sumsub is investing in long-term solutions through research and global cooperation. Its AI Academic Program, launched in 2025, brings together industry and academia, including Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), to develop technologies such as deepfake detection and image protection. Sumsub also collaborates with global institutions, including Interpol through initiatives such as SynthWave, to raise awareness of new fraud typologies and strengthen cross-border responses to AI-enabled crime. "We are grateful to join the World Economic Forum Unicorn Community at a moment when trust in the digital world is being fundamentally tested," said Andrew Sever, co-founder and CEO of Sumsub. "AI is reshaping both fraud and defense, and our mission is to stay ahead of these threats while fighting digital exclusion and empowering people everywhere to access digital services safely and fairly." Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities, World Economic Forum, added: "We are pleased to welcome Sumsub to the World Economic Forum Unicorn Community. Sumsub's work at the intersection of digital trust, fraud prevention, and inclusion reflects the type of innovation needed to build a secure and resilient digital economy, and we look forward to their contributions to our global initiatives." As part of the World Economic Forum Unicorn Community, Sumsub will work alongside global leaders in government, business, and civil society to help shape a more secure, inclusive, and trustworthy digital economy. About the World Economic Forum The World Economic Forum, committed to improving the state of the world, is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. About Sumsub Sumsub is a leading full-cycle verification platform that enables fraud-free, scalable compliance. Its adaptive, no-code solution covers everything from identity and business verification to ongoing monitoring quickly adjusting to evolving risks, regulations, and market demands. Recognized as a Leader by Gartner, Liminal, and KuppingerCole, Sumsub combines seamless integration with advanced fraud prevention to deliver industry-leading performance. SOURCE Sumsub Significant expansion of Teneo's Financial Advisory business in Asia-Pacific with the addition of 22 New Zealand-based professionals Transaction follows Teneo's acquisition of PwC Australia's Business Restructuring Services unit last year Teneo to open offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch NEW YORK and LONDON and SYDNEY and AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Teneo, the global CEO advisory firm, today announced the latest expansion of its fast-growing global business with an agreement to acquire PwC New Zealand's Business Restructuring Services unit. Through the transaction, 22 members of PwC New Zealand's Business Restructuring Services team will join Teneo including partners John Fisk, Richard Nacey, Stephen White and Executive Director Malcolm Hollis. They will report to Daniel Butters, CEO of Teneo's Financial Advisory business. As part of Teneo's global Financial Advisory business, the New Zealand team will continue to provide deep expertise in local and international restructuring and insolvency situations, providing a seamless experience for clients and stakeholders. The transaction follows the firm's acquisition of PwC Australia's Business Restructuring Services unit which was announced in July 2025. "Today's acquisition is another important milestone in our global growth and the build out of Teneo's offering across Asia-Pacific," said Paul Keary, CEO of Teneo. "We are deeply committed to continuing to invest in the region, providing a wide range of reputational, strategic and financial advisory services. We are delighted to welcome our new colleagues from PwC New Zealand to the firm." "We continue to see significant opportunity across the region for a critical events advisor of scale, and this acquisition will further strengthen our capabilities in an important market for our business," said Daniel Butters, CEO of Teneo's Financial Advisory business. "We have seen great momentum following the expansion of our Financial Advisory business into Australia last year, and our new colleagues in New Zealand will play a key role in helping us continue to provide world-class service to clients." John Fisk, incoming Head of Financial Advisory New Zealand at Teneo, said, "We are excited to be joining Teneo and be a key part of its strategy to grow a global financial advisory and restructuring business. We will remain focused on what has always been important: the growth and development of our team and continuing to deliver great outcomes for our clients." "We are pleased to confirm the sale of PwC New Zealand's BRS unit to Teneo. We look forward to working with Teneo on a seamless transition and wish the team all the best for the future," said Andrew Holmes, CEO, PwC, New Zealand. "PwC remains focused on advancing our clients' ambitions in AI and business transformation, while strengthening trust. With the deep expertise of our Advisory, Assurance, and Tax & Legal teams, we are committed to supporting their success." Teneo now has more than 1,800 employees around the world. Over the last several years, Teneo's Financial Advisory business has grown to nearly 650 employees providing a range of services including business restructuring, corporate insolvency and bankruptcy, capital advisory, business transformation and forensics and investigations advisory. Teneo operates across Asia-Pacific, with a well-established presence in key markets including Australia, Japan, Singapore, China and Hong Kong SAR. The deal is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close at the end of February 2026. About Teneo Teneo is the global CEO advisory firm. We partner with our clients globally to do great things for a better future. Drawing upon our global team and expansive network of senior advisors, we provide advisory services across our five business segments on a stand-alone or fully integrated basis to help our clients solve complex business challenges. Our clients include a significant number of the Fortune 100 and FTSE 100, as well as other corporations, financial institutions and organizations. Our full range of advisory services includes strategic communications, investor relations, financial transactions and restructuring, management consulting, physical and cyber risk, organizational design, board and executive search, geopolitics and government affairs, corporate governance, and ESG. The firm has more than 1,800 employees located in 45+ offices around the world. For more information about Teneo, please visit teneo.com. SOURCE Teneo MILWAUKEE, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TKO Miller, a leading middle market investment bank, today announced that the U.S. operations of SUDPACK, a leader in high-performance films and innovative packaging solutions, have been acquired by PPC Flex, a leading North American flexible packaging manufacturer sponsored by GTCR. TKO Miller acted as the exclusive investment banking advisor for SUDPACK. About SUDPACK SUDPACK is a leading manufacturer of high-performance films and packaging solutions for the food, medical, and pharmaceutical industries and customer-specific compounds for technically demanding applications. Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Ochsenhausen, Germany, the family-owned company operates a highly advanced manufacturing footprint across Germany, France, Poland, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Its facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art production technology and operate to the highest quality and safety standards, including cleanroom manufacturing capabilities. SUDPACK is recognized for its strong commitment to sustainability, responsible corporate stewardship, and innovation in circular economy solutions within the plastics industry. About PPC Flex Headquartered in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, PPC Flex is a leading provider of printed and converted flexible films, pouches, and innovative packaging solutions. Strategically positioned between large-scale converters and regional suppliers, the Company differentiates itself through an agile, service-driven, and technology-enabled operating model focused on specialized, high-value end markets. PPC Flex serves a diverse customer base across cleanroom packaging for healthcare and medical applications, consumer snack and organic brands, private label, specialty produce, pet care, nutraceutical, bakery, and horticulture markets. About GTCR Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, GTCR is a leading private equity firm that invests in partnership with management teams to build market-leading companies through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. GTCR focuses on investments across the business and consumer services, financial services, technology, healthcare, and media and telecommunications sectors. Since inception, the firm has invested more than $30 billion in approximately 300 companies and currently manages approximately $50 billion in equity capital. About TKO Miller TKO Miller is an independent, advisory-focused, middle market investment bank providing merger and acquisition and financial advisory services for businesses nationwide, with a special focus on family- and founder-held businesses. TKO Miller aims to bring value to clients by combining outstanding people with a results-oriented, flexible approach to transactions. Our services include company sales, recapitalizations, asset divestitures, and management buyouts. TKO Miller has a strong industry specialization in manufacturing, plastics and packaging, business services, consumer products, and industrial products and services. For more information, visit our website, http://www.tkomiller.com. SOURCE TKO Miller, LLC In a turbulent world, China's diplomacy stands out as a refreshing current: Global Times editorial Global Times) 08:49, January 12, 2026 Illustration: Liu Xidan/GT Less than two weeks into 2026, the international landscape has grown even more turbulent. "Bad news" is dominating global headlines, seemingly signaling a year fraught with volatility and anxiety. Yet this is not the full picture of today's world. Some foreign media have noted that in the first two weeks of 2026 alone, diplomatic events at home and the Chinese foreign minister's overseas visits have spanned Northeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, North America and Africa. With unprecedented breadth and depth, China's diplomacy has set the tone for the new year. From hosting Pakistan's deputy prime minister and foreign minister to a South Korean president's state visit after a nearly nine-year hiatus; from the Irish taoiseach's five-day visit to China to the Canadian prime minister's upcoming China trip, and the Chinese foreign minister's Africa tour at the start of the year - now in its 36th consecutive year - a series of intensive, high-level diplomatic engagements has traced a clear and consistent theme: deepening global partnerships based on equality and mutual benefit, while firmly upholding international fairness and justice. By providing certainty through its own actions, China is injecting much-needed stability and positive energy into a restless world. China's neighborhood remains the top priority of its overall diplomacy. At the very beginning of the year, in-depth high-level interactions between China and Pakistan, as well as between China and South Korea, set the tone for neighborhood diplomacy - stabilizing relations, building trust and advancing cooperation. On January 3, a Pakistani delegation visited China for the Seventh Round of China-Pakistan Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue, which also kicked off the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The all-weather strategic cooperation between China and Pakistan has become an important stabilizing factor for the region and beyond. On January 4, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung began a visit to China, during which the two sides signed 15 cooperation documents and jointly sent a strong message opposing protectionism and upholding the outcomes of World War II. This not only signifies a new start for China-South Korea relations, but also makes a positive contribution to peace and stability in Northeast Asia. China's diplomacy not only pays great attention to its neighborhood, but it also expands globally. Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin arrived in China on January 4, with a focus on aligning development strategies in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and pharmaceutical and health industries. As an important member of the European Union and the rotating presidency holder in the second half of the year, Ireland has clearly expressed its willingness to play a constructive role in promoting the healthy development of China-EU ties, injecting momentum for their revival. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he would visit China this week, reflecting the warming of China-Canada relations and the international community's general recognition of China's open market and the dividends of stable development. This year marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa. China's foreign minister visited Ethiopia, Tanzania and Lesotho. Lesotho, as one of the countries that have been most severely impacted by high US tariffs, has benefited from "zero tariff" treatment from China, which reflects China's firm commitment to supporting and assisting other developing countries. Some Western scholars point out that today's world is increasingly chaotic and disordered, with some countries eager to engage in "small circles" and bloc confrontations, and certain major powers placing domestic law above international law. In contrast, China's diplomacy has consistently focused on managing its own affairs and providing opportunities for the world through its high-quality development. 2026 marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Recently, several mainstream international media outlets have made positive forecasts about China's economic prospects. With China implementing more incremental policies to expand domestic demand and accelerate high-level opening-up, the Chinese economy is expected to maintain stable and sustainable growth. The high stability of society and the predictability of economic development are the sources of confidence in China's diplomacy. It is undeniable that some conflicts continue around the world, and humanity is entering a period of systemic problems. However, China views its development as intertwined with the development of the world. Some netizens have remarked, "While the world is in chaos, China is busy mending." This perspective reflects a simple truth: China can only do well when the world is doing well; when China does well, the world will get even better. The diplomatic initiatives at the beginning of 2026 represent China's concrete actions in practicing the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity and new international relations. These actions demonstrate to the world that Chinese diplomacy values both righteousness and interests, with righteousness taking precedence. Chinese modernization will not follow the historical path of great powers engaging in plunder and expansion but is committed to closely aligning the interests of the Chinese people with those of people around the world to achieve common development. In the face of a complex and interwoven international situation, Chinese diplomacy is playing a pivotal role amid changes unseen in a century with greater strategic determination, a more proactive stance, and more diverse approaches. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) China, Tanzania reaffirm longstanding friendship, pledge deeper cooperation Xinhua) 09:30, January 12, 2026 Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, Jan. 10, 2026. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong) DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- China and Tanzania are friends with a shared future, and the friendship forged and nurtured by leaders of the older generation remains the most valuable spiritual asset of the two countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hassan asked Wang to convey her New Year greetings and best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping. She thanked China for its strong support for Tanzania's development under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The Tanzanian side firmly adheres to the one-China principle, Hassan said, adding that Tanzania is ready to align its development plans with China's, deepen practical cooperation, advance the revitalization of the Tanzania-Zambia Railway and the building of a regional prosperity belt, strengthen inter-party exchanges, expand people-to-people interactions, and promote economic growth so as to bring benefits to the two peoples. Hassan spoke highly of the four major global initiatives proposed by Xi, saying that Tanzania stands ready to enhance multilateral coordination with China and jointly promote a more just and equitable global governance system. The Chinese foreign minister conveyed Xi's cordial greetings to Hassan, saying that China and Tanzania are friends with a shared future. The friendship between the two countries was forged and nurtured by leaders of the older generation, has withstood the test of changing international circumstances, and remains a most valuable spiritual asset, he said. The two sides should jointly carry forward this friendship and continue to enrich it with new connotations of the times, Wang said, adding that China attaches great importance to relations between the two parties and the two countries. China stands ready to work with Tanzania to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen exchanges on governance experience, deepen practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and push forward the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, Wang said. Wang said China appreciates Tanzania's firm commitment to the one-China principle and supports Tanzania in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and national dignity, as well as pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions. The two sides should actively promote high-quality cooperation and turn the revitalized Tanzania-Zambia Railway into an engine for regional development, Wang said. China supports Tanzania in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs and stands ready to work with Tanzania and other developing countries to be a force for peace, stability and progress in the world, Wang added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As 2026 begins, many people are setting goals to live healthier, stay active, and take control of their well-being. For those who rely on supplemental oxygen, maintaining optimal respiratory health is a key part of achieving these resolutions. VARON is supporting these efforts with the launch of the VP-8 Lite Portable Oxygen Concentrator a lightweight, reliable, and portable device designed to deliver convenient oxygen support wherever life takes you. Customer-Driven Design: A Lightweight, Accessible Oxygen Solution for Everyday Use VARON developed the VP-8 Lite based on clear customer feedback: users wanted a portable lightweight oxygen concentrator that supports daily activity, travel, and an active lifestyle, while remaining easy to use and more affordable. This demand builds on the strong foundation established by the VP-8G, one of VARON's most advanced portable oxygen concentrators, which has earned a solid reputation for reliable performance and high oxygen output. With the VP-8 Lite, VARON expands its portable oxygen concentrator lineup by introducing a more budget-friendly option designed for users with moderate oxygen needs. While the VP-8G remains the preferred choice for individuals requiring higher oxygen concentration and maximum output, the VP-8 Lite focuses on portability, extended battery life, and everyday conveniencemaking reliable oxygen therapy more accessible to a broader group of users. According to VARON's CEO, "The VP-8G has been widely recognized for meeting higher oxygen demands. With VP-8 Lite, we are responding to customers who want the same portability and reliability in a more affordable solution tailored to moderate oxygen needs." Simple, Reliable Oxygen Support On the Go The VP-8 Lite oxygen concentrator is designed to help users maintain healthy oxygen levels throughout the day. Its compact design, long battery life, and quiet operation make it easy to incorporate into daily routines, whether at home, commuting, or traveling. By making oxygen therapy more accessible and convenient, the VP-8 Lite enables users to focus on their well-being and quality of life. The device also features intelligent pulse flow technology, providing oxygen safely and efficiently based on individual needs. While the technology is advanced, the experience for users is simple: consistent, reliable oxygen support wherever it is needed. Beginning 2026 with Practical Oxygen Support The arrival of the VP-8 Lite gives individuals a new option for managing oxygen therapy as they step into 2026. Designed for everyday use and mobility, the device supports users who want to stay engaged in daily routines, travel plans, and personal goals without added complexity. By offering a portable, lightweight oxygen concentrator suited for moderate oxygen needs, VARON continues to expand access to oxygen therapy that fits real-world lifestyles. The VP-8 Lite reflects a focus on usability, reliability, and long-term comforthelping users start the year with an oxygen solution that adapts to their lives, rather than the other way around. For more information on the VARON VP-8 Lite Portable Oxygen Concentrator, Please visit the official VARON website. About VARON VARON designs and supplies oxygen concentrators for home and portable use, serving customers in markets worldwide. The company's product portfolio covers a range of oxygen therapy needs, offering multiple device options to support different usage scenarios and mobility requirements. Through ongoing product development and a focus on dependable performance, VARON provides oxygen therapy solutions intended for consistent, everyday use across a variety of lifestyles. Media Contact: VARON Oxygen Concentrator Email: [email protected] Website: www.varoninc.com SOURCE Varon oxygen concentrator A new operation executive joins Viega, bringing over 30 years of experience as the company continues to expand its North American footprint. BROOMFIELD, Colo., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Viega North America, the industry leader in press technology, announces the appointment of Dave DeLater as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. Dave DeLater, COO, Viega North America New Viega facility in Mantua, OH, which opened in 2025. DeLater brings extensive global operations experience, including leadership of manufacturing sites across Europe, Asia and the United States, along with a strong background in Lean initiatives, technology-driven efficiency and operational excellence. DeLater joins Viega from Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he most recently served as Vice President of Global Operations, leading global operations across multiple sites and regions. In his new role as part of the North American Board, DeLater will oversee operations initiatives at all North American manufacturing and logistics locations. He will advise leaders and support the development of key operations capabilities. He will report directly to the Viega North America CEO, Marki Huston, who was promoted from COO of Viega North America to CEO in early 2025. "I'm pleased to welcome Dave DeLater as our Chief Operating Officer and member of the North American Board," said Marki Huston, Chief Executive Officer, Viega North America. "Dave brings deep global operations experience and a strong track record of operational excellence that directly supports customer success. His leadership will be critical as we continue to scale our operations, strengthen reliability and service for our customers and support Viega's continued growth across North America." DeLater's appointment comes after Viega North America reached a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to the region, marked by the September 2025 launch of the new manufacturing, distribution, and training facility in Mantua, Ohio. "I couldn't be more honored to join the Viega team," said DeLater. "I was drawn to the company for its world-class culture, focus on operational excellence and deep commitment to customer success. I look forward to supporting that legacy as we continue to strengthen our operations and deliver for our customers well into the future." With this latest addition, Viega reinforces its commitment to operational excellence and reliability for customers throughout North America. For more information, visit www.viega.us. Viega North America is a subsidiary of The Viega Group, which has more than 125 years of experience in building technology. Viega is the global market leader in metal piping systems, serving the industrial, commercial and residential markets. With ten locations around the world, Viega employs more than 5,500 people and produces more than 17,000 products and systems, including PureFlow, ProPress, MegaPress and MegaPressG. In the U.S., Viega has seminar centers in Colorado and Ohio and the Viega Experience Center in New York City, which provides continued training through in-person and online workshops. SOURCE Viega North America NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- National law firm Wilson Elser today announced the promotion of 41 attorneys to the partnership, effective January 1, 2026. "It is my pleasure to announce our 2026 elevated partner class, reflecting our continued commitment to developing and advancing outstanding talent from within our firm," said Wilson Elser Chair Daniel J. McMahon. "These attorneys exemplify Wilson Elser's high standards of client service, professional integrity, and collegiality. I sincerely congratulate each of our new partners on reaching this significant milestone." The new partner class represents a broad cross-section of the firm's core practice areas, reflecting the depth and range of services the firm delivers to its clients. Drawn from more than 20 offices nationwide, the class also underscores Wilson Elser's ability to seamlessly support clients across jurisdictions and markets. The New Partners Katherine M. Beres (Detroit, MI) Katherine Beres focuses her practice on premises liability, automobile and trucking liability, professional liability, and insurance coverage disputes. Kate is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty and Transportation Practices. Christin Brown (White Plains, NY) Christin Brown focuses her practice on general liability in the areas of premises liability, labor law, personal injury, transportation and trucking liability, as well as sexual molestation and abuse claims. She is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Carole J. Buckner (San Diego, CA) Carole Buckner defends clients against claims related to professional liability, business, and real estate matters. She also has extensive experience defending employers and conducting workplace investigations. She is a member of the Professional Liability & Services and Employment & Labor Practices. Roberto Caruso (New York, NY) Roberto Caruso defends construction management, airport ground handling, airline and technology services companies, and product manufacturers in numerous claims ranging from labor law, commercial automobile liability, premises liability, airport accidents, product liability, breach of contract, and subrogation to insurance and indemnification claims. He is a member of the Aviation & Aerospace and Complex Tort & General Casualty Practices. Corinne L. Conrad (Chicago, IL) Corinne Conrad concentrates her civil litigation defense practice in the areas of premises liability, product liability, construction litigation, trucking and transportation, and employment. She is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Blake H. Crawford (Dallas, TX) Blake Crawford handles insurance coverage matters with an emphasis on commercial general liability and business auto liability claims, and also has extensive experience with professional liability claims, including D&O liability, employment practices liability, professional malpractice, and financial institution claims. He is a member of the Insurance & Reinsurance Coverage Practice. Rachel A. Davis (White Plains, NY) Rachel Davis is a civil litigator who focuses her practice on general liability and casualty matters, including premises liability, construction accidents, property damage, and New York Labor Law disputes. She represents well-known commercial, residential, and retail property owners, as well as big box stores, hospitals, and medical facilities. She practices in both federal and state courts and has second-seated several successful trial wins at Wilson Elser over the past decade. Rachel is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Joanna L. DeLauro (New York, NY) Joanna DeLauro assists clients in preventing, mitigating, and managing exposure through risk, crises, and claims and litigation management. She is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Dale S. Dobuler (Orlando, FL) Dale Dobuler concentrates his practice exclusively on complex insurance coverage analysis, insurance coverage litigation, and bad faith. He is a member of the Insurance & Reinsurance Coverage Practice. Shaina Druker (Tampa, FL) Shaina Druker defends corporations nationwide in complex high-exposure lawsuits and catastrophic injury cases in the areas of transportation, premises liability, and other complex tort and general casualty matters. She is a member of the Transportation Practice. Eric D. Eddy (Hartford, CT) Eric Eddy handles complex tort matters and cases involving catastrophic injuries and large losses. He is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Laura J. Ellenberger (Denver, CO) Laura Ellenberger handles a broad range of commercial litigation with a focus on logistics, transportation, and trucking matters. Her litigation practice also includes the defense of construction and design professionals, professional negligence claims, product liability and general liability matters, and employment-related disputes. She is a member of the firm's Commercial Litigation, Transportation, and Design Professionals Practices. Siobhainin S. Funchion (White Plains, NY) Siobhainin Funchion is a seasoned trial attorney who defends complex and catastrophic medical malpractice matters involving major NY metropolitan hospitals, physicians, and nurses. She also represents medical professionals before state licensing boards. She is a member of the Medical Malpractice & Health Care Practice. Joseph M. Fusz (Chicago, IL) Joseph Fusz assists clients with cyber risk management and compliance, cybersecurity incident and breach response, and state and federal regulatory investigations. He is a member of the Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Practice. J. Peter Greco (Orlando, FL) Peter Greco handles complex litigation matters with an emphasis on aviation and general liability claims, and also has significant experience defending theme parks in cases involving alleged attraction-related injuries. Pete is a member of the Aviation & Aerospace Practice. Jeffrey D. Hill (Dallas, TX) Jeffrey Hill focuses his practice on the defense of claims related to general liability, premises liability, product liability, and commercial litigation. He is a member of the Commercial Litigation Practice. Christine R. Hogan (Baltimore, MD) Christine Hogan has a practice spanning a broad range, including insurance defense, general liability, premises liability, and commercial litigation matters in Maryland and West Virginia. She is a member of the Cannabis Law Practice team. Nicole Holland (White Plains, NY) Nicole Holland defends medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, and general negligence matters in New York and Connecticut. She is a member of the Medical Malpractice & Health Care Practice. Mark A. Johnson (Los Angeles, CA) Mark Johnson is a litigator who represents a wide variety of businesses and individuals in civil litigation matters ranging from toxic torts to sexual assault. He is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Theodore A. Kardis (Kansas City, KS) Theodore Kardis has handled high-risk, high-stakes litigation for more than 25 years, primarily in Missouri and Kansas. His practice spans a broad range of litigation in a variety of industries. Camille Kraft (Houston, TX) Camille Kraft handles general civil litigation (personal injury), contract disputes, product liability, premises liability, general negligence, and other complex tort matters. She is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Anthony T. Ling (Madison, NJ) Anthony Ling represents businesses and individuals in all aspects of civil litigation. He is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Dylan M. Marck (Philadelphia, PA) Dylan Marck represents individuals and businesses in many aspects of civil litigation in areas of transportation, general liability, and other complex tort and general casualty matters. He is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Adam P. McMillen (Las Vegas, NV) Adam McMillen has practiced law since 2006 and brings nearly two decades of experience litigating complex matters in state and federal courts. A seasoned trial lawyer, he takes a strategic, tailored approach to each case and is known for his thorough depositions and meticulous trial preparation. He has served as first chair in 18 jury trials and also focuses on alternative dispute resolution for his clients. Robert F. Merlo (Chicago, IL) Robert Merlo focuses his defense litigation practice on professional liability, primarily defending and advising attorneys in a wide range of matters, such as claims for malpractice, statutory violations, and professional responsibility and ethics matters. He is a member of the Lawyers' Liability Practice. Kelsi Wade Piatkowski (Houston, TX) Kelsi Wade Piatkowski represents businesses and individuals in all aspects of civil litigation in state and federal courts in Texas. Kelsi primarily defends clients in commercial transportation, premises, and other general liability matters. She is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Christopher R. Post (White Plains, NY) Christopher Post has experience representing insurers, insureds, and corporations in a wide variety of litigation matters, including premises liability, labor law, and automobile accidents. He is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Lindsay B. Powell (McLean, VA) Lindsay Powell defends general liability matters, commercial automobile liability, premises liability, and medical malpractice matters. She is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Joshua W. Praw (San Francisco, CA) Joshua Praw is a civil litigator specializing in toxic tort, product liability, and commercial general liability matters. He is a member of the Toxic Tort Practice. Jason B. Rojas (Philadelphia, PA) Jason Rojas focuses his practice on general civil litigation, including premises liability, product liability, construction defect, professional liability, workers' compensation, and motor vehicle liability. He is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty and Design Professionals Practices. Eliza M. Scheibel (White Plains, NY) Eliza Scheibel concentrates her practice on municipal and employment litigation with extensive experience representing public entities, officials, and employers in complex trial and appellate matters. She is a member of the Municipal/Local Government Practice. William Sciales (New York, NY) William Sciales concentrates his practice on the defense of doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and associated staff. He is a member of the Medical Malpractice & Health Care Practice. Yana M. Siegel (New York, NY) Yana Siegel has extensive experience zealously representing corporate, professional, and municipal clients in complex, high-exposure multiparty cases involving labor law, construction design and defect, property damage, contracts, indemnity, risk transfer, risk mitigation, negligence, and premises liability issues. She is a member of the Construction Practice team. Marcella S. Spoto (Milwaukee, WI) Marcella Spoto has nearly 25 years of experience representing parties in complex litigation in various jurisdictions in state and federal courts. Her practice includes products liability, professional liability, construction, toxic tort, transportation, medical malpractice, and commercial litigation. Jason S. Stewart (Atlanta, GA) Jason Stewart focuses his practice on transportation and trucking liability and general high-exposure personal injury litigation defense, including wrongful death, premises liability, product liability, and negligent security. He is a member of the Transportation Practice. Michael E. Stoberski (Las Vegas, NV) Mike Stoberski has litigation and trial experience in professional liability, transportation, premises liability, product liability, and construction. He is a member of the Transportation and Professional Liability & Services Practices. Saige A. Subick (New York, NY) Saige Subick is an experienced litigator who effectively defends claims involving complex tort and general liability matters, as well as employment and labor litigation. She focuses her work on defending claims arising out of the evolving CVA and ASA statutes, discrimination and hostile work environment claims, as well as premises liability and motor vehicle actions. She is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty and Employment & Labor Practices. Elyse S. Tormey (Madison, NJ) Elyse Tormey is a civil litigator focusing her practice on insurance defense in complex, high-exposure matters. She represents insurers and insureds in cases involving personal injury, construction defect, trucking, premises liability, and product liability. She is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty and Transportation Practice groups. Roberto M. Ureta (Miami, FL) Roberto Ureta handles complex civil litigation matters involving insurance and general liability defense, including professional liability, premises liability, negligent security, personal injury, product liability, wrongful death, construction defect, automobile/trucking liability, contract disputes, and indemnification disputes. Rob is a member of the Professional Liability & Services, Complex Tort & General Casualty, Design Professionals, and Construction Practices. Patricia C. Wik (New York, NY) Patricia Wik focuses her practice on the defense of premises liability, construction accident matters, and automobile liability, specializing in peer-to-peer vehicle sharing programs. She is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. Jessica A. Woodhouse (New York, NY) Jessica Woodhouse has over 16 years of experience as a civil litigator. She focuses her practice on general liability, premises liability, construction matters, and evaluating risk for many corporate and professional clients. She is a member of the Complex Tort & General Casualty Practice. About Wilson Elser Wilson Elser is the preeminent defense litigation firm in the United States. At any given time, our more than 1,300 attorneys are engaged in some 100,000 defense and coverage matters, with many defending clients in various local, state, and federal courts. Indeed, over more than four decades, our litigation, coverage, and trial lawyers have gained a reputation for taking on and prevailing in the most challenging and technical cases, frequently "parachuting in" to assume unresolved matters from other law firms. Our success also derives from winning on our clients' terms and rigorously adhering to their guidelines. We are ranked 95 in the Am Law 100 and 36 in the National Law Journal's NLJ 500. For more information, go to www.wilsonelser.com. PR Contact: Andrew Blum, AJB Communications [email protected] | 917.783.1680 SOURCE Wilson Elser BEAVERTON, Ore., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- YorLabs, Inc., a medical technology company pioneering next-generation intracardiac imaging solutions for electrophysiology (EP) and interventional cardiology (IC), today announced the successful completion of the first clinical procedure using its FDA 510(k)-cleared YorLabs Intracardiac Imaging System. The procedure marks the first real-world clinical use of YorLabs' Zero-CapEx imaging platform following U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance. The YorLabs platform currently provides high-resolution 2D intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) imaging, and the company is actively developing 4D ICE capabilities as part of its product roadmap. The procedure was conducted at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), one of the nation's leading academic medical centers, by Saket Sanghai, M.D., and Firas Zahr, M.D., using the YorLabs system to provide real-time intracardiac visualization during an atrial fibrillation ablation procedure. The system delivered high-resolution imaging under single-operator control and integrated seamlessly into the existing cath lab workflow without requiring additional capital expenditures. "This first procedure represents an important step forward for how intracardiac imaging can be delivered in the cath lab," said Dr. Sanghai. "The system was intuitive to use, fit naturally into our workflow, and provided the image quality needed to confidently guide the procedure." "Having access to high-quality intracardiac imaging without the constraints of traditional capital equipment is compelling," added Dr. Zahr. "This new platform has the potential to broaden access to ICE-guided procedures while reducing complexity for physicians and care teams." The YorLabs Intracardiac Imaging System is the first Zero-CapEx ultrasound platform designed specifically to simplify workflow, reduce cost, and enhance procedural efficiency inside the cath lab. Its compact, wireless, software-defined architecture enables single-operator control and high-resolution, real-time imaging across a broad range of intracardiac procedures. "This milestone demonstrates that our platform performs as designed in the clinical environment," said Gregory D. Casciaro, President and CEO of YorLabs. "Completing our first procedure at a leading academic medical center like OHSU so soon after FDA clearance reinforces our belief that intracardiac imaging can be simpler, more accessible, and better aligned with how physicians practice today." Advancing Access to ICE-Guided Procedures The use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) continues to expand rapidly across electrophysiology and structural heart procedures, driven by the need for improved visualization, safety, and procedural precision. YorLabs' Zero-CapEx is designed to meet this growing demand by delivering advanced imaging performance without the cost, complexity, or infrastructure burden of legacy capital systems. YorLabs plans a limited U.S. market release in 2026, followed by broader commercial rollout and clinical partnerships with leading centers of excellence in electrophysiology and interventional cardiology. About YorLabs YorLabs is a privately held medical technology company headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, with manufacturing and distribution operations in Carlsbad, California. The company develops advanced intracardiac imaging and guidance systems that simplify complex procedures, reduce cost, and improve patient outcomes. Its proprietary platform redefines how imaging is delivered inside the heartmaking precision therapy accessible in every cath lab. For more information, visit www.yorlabs.com. SOURCE YorLabs 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. About this content About Emily Jarvie Emily began her career as a political journalist for Australian Community Media in Hobart, Tasmania. After she relocated to Toronto, Canada, she reported on business, legal, and scientific developments in the emerging psychedelics sector before joining Proactive in 2022. She brings a strong journalism background with her work featured in newspapers, magazines, and digital publications across Australia, Europe, and North America, including The Examiner, The Advocate, The Canberra Times, 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. About this content About Lisa Uhlman Lisa Uhlman is an equities reporter at Proactive Investors, covering ASX-listed companies across the mining, energy, biotech and emerging tech sectors. With a background in legal and financial journalism, Lisa brings a sharp analytical lens to market news and corporate developments. Prior to joining Proactive, she reported for national trade publications and newswires, with a focus on court reporting, regulatory affairs and ESG-related business issues. Based in Sydney, she is... 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 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. Industrial city in NE China charts new path of higher-quality development 15:06, January 12, 2026 By Hao Yingcan ( People's Daily An old residential building in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning province, is equipped with elevators. (Photo/Huang Jinkun) A series of upgrades -- from newly insulated exterior walls and modernized utility pipelines to added stairwell handrails and the conversion of an abandoned boiler room into a community activity center -- has brought visible changes to Chang'an community in Dadong district, Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning province. Local resident Sun Jiabao confirms these improvements have reshaped neighborhood living. Built more than 30 years ago, the community was once synonymous with poor sanitation and rundown conditions. The 2023 renovation program successfully revitalized the area. Aging public facilities, inadequate supporting services, and subpar urban greenery are common challenges faced by many old industrial cities in the course of development. As one of China's earliest-established cities with a high urbanization rate, Shenyang has in recent years taken urban renewal as a key lever, exploring a new path toward quality-driven, intensive development. Shenyang has a large number of old urban areas. Of the city's more than 6,500 residential communities, over half are classified as old neighborhoods. Renovating these areas is a crucial part of the broader urban renewal campaign. Over the past five years, Shenyang has renovated 1,823 old residential communities, benefiting 803,000 households. More than 1,600 elevators have been installed or upgraded, improving mobility for over 110,000 residents. Upgrading aging utility networks is equally important. "The city's gas pipeline network stretches over 10,000 kilometers, and some sections have been in operation for many years, posing potential safety risks," said Guo Zhengxue, deputy director of the Shenyang municipal bureau of housing and urban-rural development. Photo taken on Dec. 11, 2025 shows the Shenyang Imperial Palace after a snowfall in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning province. (Photo/Zou Xinjiang) Over the past five years, the city has renovated more than 1,350 kilometers of aging gas pipelines. By 2025, gas-related safety incidents had fallen by over 70 percent compared with 2021, significantly improving overall safety. During the same period, Shenyang also completed renovations of 1,933 kilometers of water supply pipelines, 393 kilometers of drainage pipelines, and 844 kilometers of heating pipelines, greatly enhancing the city's safety and resilience. As physical improvements take shape, community services evolve in tandem. Cao Xue, Party head of Chang'an community, explained how needs-based assessments now guide their elder-care system. The community now offers 25 professional services, including meal delivery, bathing assistance, and rehabilitation training, either free of charge or at low cost. Urban livability extends to green spaces. On the south side of Wenti West Road in Heping district, a long-abandoned plot of land has been transformed into a pocket park. Winding paths run through the space, which is equipped with bar counters and seating areas. Today, 3,198 compact, well-designed pocket parks with diverse functions are scattered throughout Shenyang. Statistics show that over the past five years, the city has added 16.9 square kilometers of urban green space, bringing its green coverage rate to 40.74 percent. Residents visit a cultural complex transformed from industrial remains in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning province, Dec. 6, 2025. (Photo/Huang Jinkun) Moving from simply expanding greenery to keeping areas green year-round tests a city's capacity for refined management. At Shenyang's centralized urban management command center, large digital screens display real-time data on the maintenance of parks and green spaces across the city, making park locations and vegetation conditions visible at a glance. The Shenyang Fangcheng cultural tourism area exemplifies heritage integration, containing both the Shenyang Imperial Palace and over 16,000 households. This seamless blend of historical sites, commercial zones, and residential spaces raises preservation questions: How to renew while retaining authentic character? Shenyang's approach includes restoring facades of 359 buildings, removing more than 1.35 million meters of abandoned cables, adding over 1,100 landscape features, and turning 67 historical alleys into themed cultural experience corridors. By prioritizing original-appearance restoration, the city maximizes historical continuity. Cultural revitalization complements physical renewal. To date, the Shenyang Fangcheng cultural tourism area has 54 inaugural stores -- the first store of a brand in the region -- along with more than 170 flagship and experience stores. It has also developed three nighttime economy scenarios, including folk culture-themed zones. The share of experiential cultural tourism formats has risen from just 3 percent to 46 percent. Shenyang's profound industrial heritage presents another key task for urban renewal: how to breathe new life into industrial relics. On Xinghua North Street in Tiexi district stands a steel-framed factory building with a distinctive sawtooth roof. Once the No. 2 metalworking workshop of the former Shenyang Heavy Machinery Factory, it has now been transformed into a cultural and creative park, drawing visitors for exhibitions and performances and offering a vibrant artistic atmosphere. "Old factory buildings are solidified history, but they are also valuable resources for promoting urban renewal. With proper renovation and operation, industrial rust belts can be transformed into stages for everyday life," said Liu Kebin, vice mayor of Shenyang. So far, the city has designated 700,000 square meters as protected industrial heritage zones, with many old factories and workshops revitalized through adaptive reuse. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) 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. 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. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Oxford, Cambridge join Ice Dragon Boat Race in Harbin (People's Daily App) 16:00, January 12, 2026 Universities from China and abroad gathered at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) to experience the thrills of ice dragon boat racing. The inaugural HIT Cambridge Oxford Cup Ice Dragon Boat International Friendship Race was held on January 10 on the frozen Songhua River in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. Fourteen teams competed, including students from Oxford University, the University of Cambridge, Peking University, Tsinghua University and HIT. Paddling in unison across the ice, the young contestants raced toward the finish line, demonstrating strong teamwork and determination. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) Washington, Jan 12 : India has undergone a profound political, economic and cultural transformation over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav said, asserting that it is "the proudest moment" to be an Indian today. Washington, Jan 12 (IANS) India has undergone a profound political, economic and cultural transformation over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior BJP leader Ram Madhav said, asserting that it is "the proudest moment" to be an Indian today. Addressing an OFBJP gathering here, Madhav said India had emerged stronger, more unified and more confident over the last 1012 years. "There cannot be a better time to be an Indian than today," he said. He pointed to economic growth as a key marker of change. "India has not only bounced back, but today is able to register something like 7.5 per cent GDP growth on an annual basis," he said, contrasting this with slower recoveries elsewhere. Madhav said cultural revival has become mainstream. "Initially it was seen as a BJP project, but today it has been mainstreamed," he said, referring to what he called a renewed sense of national identity. On the Ram temple, he said its construction reflected broad public participation. "The RSS organisation alone reached out to 150 million people," he said, adding that contributions came from across political and religious lines. Madhav also cited the abrogation of Article 370 as a defining moment. "Nothing of that sort happened," he said, rejecting earlier predictions of violence, and noting that no major party now calls for its restoration. He said nationalism in India today was "nationalism in the positive sense," rooted in unity and stability. Politically, Madhav said the Modi government enjoys sustained public trust. "The longer he's in power, the more popular he becomes," he said, calling it a break from conventional political wisdom. He cited recent electoral victories as evidence. "People were happy about the leadership, happy about the governance," he said. Madhav dismissed speculation about leadership succession. "Why should I think about what after him," he said, referring to PM Modi, adding that no such debate is currently underway in India. He acknowledged challenges in the neighbourhood but said India's leadership has been careful not to act impulsively. "Assertiveness has to be responsible. It cannot be aggressive," he said. Madhav said India's global standing has improved because of principled independence. "We said nothing doing. We go by what is our understanding of the situation," he said, referring to India's positions on major global conflicts. In his remarks, he noted that India's rise under OM Modi has reshaped its domestic politics and global profile. PM Modi remains one of the most electorally dominant leaders in India's post-independence history. Seoul, Jan 12 : The South Korean government will continue efforts to ease tensions and build trust with North Korea despite Pyongyang's recent claim accusing Seoul of carrying out drone incursions into the country, the unification ministry said on Monday. Unification ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho made the remarks after President Lee Jae Myung ordered last week the creation of a joint military-police investigation team to look into the alleged drone incursions. On Sunday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, demanded that Seoul provide a detailed explanation, a day after the North Korean military claimed that the South violated the North's sovereignty by sending drones carrying surveillance equipment in September and on January 4. "It's important to continue efforts to alleviate tensions and build trust between the South and the North through prompt truth-finding by the investigation team," the spokesperson said in a press briefing. Yoon also reaffirmed Seoul's stance that it has no intention of provoking or irritating North Korea, Yonhap news agency reported. The South Korean military has denied sending the drones on the dates claimed by the North or operating the models found in the North, raising the possibility that they may have been flown by private entities. On Saturday, North Korea had claimed that South Korea infringed on its sovereignty with drone incursions in September last year and earlier this week, saying that Seoul should be ready to 'pay a high price' for what it called a provocation. But South Korea's defence ministry had rejected Pyongyang's claim, saying the South's military did not operate drones on the dates asserted by the North. A spokesperson of the General Staff of the Korean People's Army issued a statement denouncing South Korea as 'the most hostile' enemy, insisting that Seoul has continued to stage provocative acts, contradicting its overtures for dialogue with Pyongyang, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "The Republic of Korea (ROK) should be ready to pay a high price for having committed another provocation of infringing on the sovereignty of the DPRK with a drone," the spokesperson said, referring to South Korea by its official name. DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Washington, Jan 12 : US President Donald Trump has said he would strip naturalised Americans of their citizenship "in a heartbeat" if he believed they were dishonest or posed a threat. Washington, Jan 12 (IANS) US President Donald Trump has said he would strip naturalised Americans of their citizenship "in a heartbeat" if he believed they were dishonest or posed a threat. Trump made the remarks in an interview with The New York Times last week, the transcript of which was released Sunday, during a contentious exchange about immigration, national security, and citizenship. "If they deserve to be stripped, I would, yes," Trump said when asked whether he would revoke citizenship from naturalized Americans. Pressed further, he added, "I'd do it in a heartbeat." Trump said his administration was "looking at criteria" for such actions, though he did not outline specific standards. He rejected suggestions that citizenship protections should be absolute, arguing that national loyalty and honesty should determine eligibility. During the course of the interview that lasted for about two hours in the Oval Office, Trump repeatedly focused on Somali Americans while discussing immigration, describing Somalia as "one of the worst in the world" and claiming that people from the country had caused serious problems in the United States. Asked directly whether people of Somali descent were a group he was considering for citizenship revocation, Trump replied, "Sure I would," adding, "if they were dishonest." Trump singled out Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, saying she should be "immediately thrown out of Congress" and sent back to Somalia. When asked whether she should lose her US citizenship, Trump replied, "Oh, absolutely." New York Times reporters challenged Trump on the lack of evidence for some of his claims, including allegations about Omar's personal history, which they said were unproven. Trump rejected those objections and insisted his views were justified. He dismissed concerns that his comments painted entire communities with a broad brush, saying, "I don't care. I want great people in this country. I want people that love the country." Trump argued that judges could block him under certain circumstances but suggested that his authority was broader in areas tied to law and order. He said he had been elected on promises of border control and public safety. The president also raised the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act, which would expand presidential powers to deploy the military domestically, though he said he had not yet felt the need to do so. Trump's remarks come amid ongoing legal battles over immigration enforcement, deportations and civil rights, as well as broader debates over the constitutional limits of executive authority. Under US law, citizenship revocation is rare and typically requires proof of fraud during the naturalization process, with courts playing a central role. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, also marked as National Youth Day, and said that this day brings new strength and self-confidence for younger generations. The government proclaimed January 12 as National Youth Day in 1984 with the aim of motivating young individuals by connecting them to the principles and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, while also promoting their involvement in the development of the nation. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda, the powerful source of inspiration for India's youth power, on his birth anniversary. His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a Viksit Bharat. My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions." He said that the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda serves as an inspiration for society. In a video message, the Prime Minister said, "What Swami Vivekananda gave to the country and society transcends time and place, inspiring every generation. He showed us the way. It was Swami Vivekananda who, in that era, said that fearless, selfless, pure-hearted, courageous, and ambitious youth are the foundation upon which the nation's future is built. He had immense faith in the youth and their power." Calling on the younger generation, PM Modi said, "Now, you have to live up to his faith. Today, as the world looks to India with great hope, it is because of all of you, my young friends. Today, be it a village, a city, or a town, the enthusiasm of the youth is everywhere. I extend my best wishes to all of you on National Youth Day." Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata. He is widely praised for introducing Indian philosophies, including Vedanta and Yoga, to the West. Swami Vivekananda's famous speech at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago sparked interfaith dialogue and revitalised Hinduism as a world religion. He promoted Indian nationalism, social reform, and unity, urging youth to serve humanity, and established the Ramakrishna Mission for education and service. New Delhi, Jan 12 : The government has refuted a report by an international news organisation that it is proposing to force smartphone makers to share source code with the government and make several software changes as part of a raft of security measures, prompting opposition from giants like Apple and Samsung. According to IT Ministry, these news reports have not quoted any statement from these smartphone manufacturers or the industry associations which represent them. "Instead, they have selectively chosen to ignore the comments of industry association which clearly indicates its mischievous intent to sensationalise the news," it said in a statement. Committed to strengthening cybersecurity and safeguarding the privacy of citizens, the government said that a structured process of stakeholder consultations is going on to develop an appropriate and robust regulatory framework for mobile security. These consultations are part of the IT Ministry's regular and ongoing engagement with industry on safety and security standards. It is is continuously taking steps to ensure the safety and security of users and to protect their personal data in the rapidly evolving digital ecosystem. "MeitY routinely conducts consultations on various aspects such as safety compliance, electromagnetic interference and compatibility (EMI/EMC) parameters, Indian language support, interface requirements, and security standards. Following stakeholder consultations, detailed discussions are held with industry on different dimensions of security requirements," it explained. The ministry is working closely with industry stakeholders and addressing their concerns in a constructive manner. Accordingly, MeitY has been engaging with industry representatives to better understand technical challenges, compliance burdens, and international best practices adopted by smartphone manufacturers. The ministry said that all legitimate concerns raised by the industry will be examined with an open mind, in the best interests of both the country and the industry. Earlier, India's smartphone manufacturing industry sought to play down concerns around a reported government proposal on source code sharing, saying the issue is part of a long-running consultation process and does not represent any new or immediate regulatory change. The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) said that discussions between the government and the industry have been going on for several years and should not be seen as a sudden policy shift. IANS na/ Chennai, Jan 12 : Senior Dravidian Movement leader Dr S. Ramadoss is holding discussions to join the DMK-led alliance, Tamil Nadu Minister Rajakannappan has said, amid growing signs of a split within the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK). The developments come at a time when tensions between Ramadoss and his son, Anbumani Ramadoss, continue to deepen, resulting in the party functioning in effect as two separate factions. With Assembly elections drawing closer, Anbumani-led PMK has already aligned with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), setting the stage for a possible realignment by the Ramadoss camp. Speculation intensified a few days ago after Ramadoss met party cadres at his residence in Thailapuram and later spoke to the media. In a remark seen as politically significant, he described the four-year tenure of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin as "good governance". When asked whether he could consider an alliance with VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan, Ramadoss responded cryptically, saying that in politics "anything is possible, anything can happen, even the unexpected; one can never say nothing will happen." Against this backdrop, a DMK consultative meeting held at Paramakudi in Ramanathapuram district added fuel to the political buzz. Addressing the gathering, Minister Rajakannappan said discussions were indeed underway for Ramadoss to join the DMK alliance, lending official weight to the speculation. Rajakannappan also pointed out that several alliance partners, including the MDMK, have largely been contesting elections under the DMK's 'Rising Sun' symbol. He urged cadres and alliance partners to work collectively to ensure victories for coalition candidates, signalling confidence in a broad-based front ahead of the polls. While no formal announcement has been made by Ramadoss himself, the minister's remarks are being widely interpreted as confirmation that talks are progressing. If the move materialises, it could significantly reshape Tamil Nadu's alliance arithmetic, especially in regions where PMK traditionally commands influence. Seoul, Jan 12 : Ordering a temporary suspension of business operations at e-commerce giant Coupang may be possible, the head of South Korea's antitrust watchdog said on Monday, amid an ongoing investigation over a recent large-scale data breach at the US-listed company. "If an order is not implemented or if it is deemed insufficient to provide relief to affected consumers, a business suspension is also possible," Ju Byung-gi, chairman of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), said in a radio interview, reports Yonhap news agency. Coupang announced the results of its internal probe on Dec. 25, saying a former employee had stolen personal information from 33.7 million user accounts but saved data from only about 3,000 accounts, which, it claimed, was later deleted. The science ministry quickly dismissed the findings as one-sided and an incomplete conclusion, stressing that a joint public-private investigation involving the ministry and the Personal Information Protection Commission has yet to be concluded. Ju said the FTC was also examining other issues related to Coupang beyond the data breach, including its business practices. He added that the FTC will soon announce the results of its deliberations on allegations that Coupang passed on losses incurred from sales at low prices to partner suppliers. Meanwhile, Police summoned Harold Rogers, interim chief executive officer (CEO) of Coupang Corp., to appear for questioning as part of an investigation into the company's alleged wrongdoings, including a recent large-scale data leak, sources said. A special task force (TF) at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, launched earlier this month, was scheduling an appearance date with Rogers, according to the sources. The summons was reportedly related to the controversy over the e-commerce giant's own investigation following the data breach. Coupang announced the results of its probe on Dec. 25 that a suspect stole personal information from 33 million users, but only saved the data of 3,000 individuals. In response, the science ministry dismissed the findings as being one-sided and incomplete. a"IANS na/ London, Jan 12 : English star Kit Harington, who starred in the fantasy series "Game Of Thrones" as Jon Snow,said that he was left furious at the online petition to remake the much-criticised eighth season with "competent writers" as he felt it was insulting to the efforts of showrunners David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. Harrington told the New York Times newspaper: "That genuinely angered me. Like, how dare you? Sorry, that's just how I feel. I think it was a level of idiocy that can only come about through social media." The concluding season of Game of Thrones was slammed for its reduced length and plot choices and the actor said that he and the cast were "tired" by the end of the show's run in 2019, reports femalefirst. co.uk. He told GQ in 2024: "I think if there was any fault with the end of Thrones, is that we were all so tired, we couldn't have gone on longer. And so I understand some people thought it was rushed and I might agree with them. But I'm not sure there was any alternative. I look at pictures of me in that final season and I look exhausted. I look spent. I didn't have another season in me." Addressing the backlash to the story, Harington added: "Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I think there were mistakes made, story-wise, towards the end maybe. I think there were some interesting choices that didn't quite work." The network head honcho Casey Bloys shared at the time that he and the makers of Game of Thrones were aware of the petition but never "seriously considered" bowing to its demands. He said: "There are very, very few downsides to having a hugely popular show, but one I can think of when you try to end it, many people have big opinions on how it should end. The petition shows a lot of enthusiasm and passion for the show, but it wasn't something that we seriously considered." -- Syndicated from IANS Seoul, Jan 12 : LG Display Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeong Chul-dong has vowed to address China's rise in the liquid crystal display (LCD) sector by improving the price competitiveness of its premium organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels. Jeong made the remark during a meeting with reporters in Las Vegas on Wednesday (U.S. time) on the margins of CES 2026, sharing his views on exhibitions by Chinese technology firms, Yonhap news agency reported on Monday "I had the impression that Chinese companies have made significant efforts in terms of resolution and costs for their LCD products in an attempt to catch up with OLED," Jeong said. "I felt that competition has intensified significantly." Jeong, however, noted that OLED panels still stand out compared with LCD counterparts in terms of technology, adding that LG Display will continue efforts to cut costs for OLED products to counter Chinese rivals. The CEO said such efforts will enable LG Display to supply price-competitive OLED panels to clients, helping them roll out affordable premium products amid the rise of budget LCD rivals. While OLED TVs are generally perceived as premium products, their prices have been considered a hurdle for consumers, who often turn to LCD products for more affordable options. The CEO added the company will utilise artificial intelligence (AI) technology to revamp its structure to generate stable profits. The display maker earlier said its accumulated operating profit for the January-September period came to 348.5 billion won (US$238.8 million), paving the way for a turnaround on an annual basis for the first time since 2021. "This year, our goal is to become a technology-oriented business that generates profits continuously," Jeong said. "Beyond turning to profit, we aim to build the capacity to withstand any market environment." He added the company will proactively address the rise of the humanoid robot industry, building on experiences gained from the automotive display segment. "Seeing numerous humanoid robots (at the exhibition) made me think that the display sector must pursue innovation accordingly," Jeong said. "LG Display already holds necessary technologies, including those for P-OLED products, which are reliable and enable curved designs (for humanoid robots)," he added. a"IANS na/ Detail of 'The Last Jew in Vinnitsa,' photograph first published in 1961 by the now-defunct United Press agency, in which Jakobus Onnen (aged 34) is about to murder a prisoner. Historian Jurgen Matthaus solves one of the mysteries surrounding the image known as The Last Jew of Vinnitsa, which depicts an SS officer about to kill a man. The victims identity remains unknown The image captures all the horror of the Shoah: a Nazi points a gun at a mans head, who looks at the camera with an almost defiant expression. Other German soldiers, and even a civilian, watch the scene without showing much emotion. It is an image of absolute evil. Before the person about to be killed lies the abyss of a mass grave filled with corpses. This photograph, taken in Ukraine in 1941, epitomizes the so-called Holocaust by Bullets and is one of the best-known images of the genocide suffered by Jews under Nazism. Until now, the name of the killer was unknown. However, thanks to artificial intelligence and the collaboration of two family members, German historian Jurgen Matthaus has identified the perpetrator: Jakobus Onnen, who was 34 years old at the time and died in 1943 during an attack by Soviet partisans. The victim, however, remains unidentified. Matthaus published his finding in an article in the specialized journal Zeitschrift fur Geschichtswissenschaft (Journal of History). The research carried out by Matthaus, a historian specializing in the Holocaust who recently retired from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, where he worked as a researcher, first made it possible to correct the location of the image universally known as The Last Jew in Vinnitsa. The photograph was first published in 1961 by the now-defunct United Press (UPI) during the trial of Adolf Eichmann, one of the main organizers of the Holocaust. Eichmann had been captured by Israeli agents in Argentina, tried, and hanged a trial on which Hannah Arendt based her famous book Eichmann in Jerusalem, in which she coined the concept of the banality of evil. 'The Last Jew in Vinnitsa,' one of the most famous photographs of the Holocaust, of which there are two copies. The image had been discovered by Holocaust survivor Al Moss, who handed it to UPI to show the world the crimes committed by the Nazis. At the time, very little information was available, and the low-resolution photograph was thought to have been taken in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia. It depicted the Einsatzgruppen the death squads that carried out mass shootings of Jews in open fields in Poland and the former USSR during World War II. It became one of the most horrifying documents of the Holocaust by Bullets, in which millions of people mostly Jews, but also Roma, prisoners of war, and resistance fighters were shot near ravines or in mass graves, almost always dug by the victims themselves, in forests or open fields near towns. By the end of the conflict, 1.5 million Jews had been exterminated in Ukraine, according to data collected by Raul Hilberg in his monumental work The Destruction of the European Jews. Only after these mass shootings, in late 1941 and early 1942, did the Nazis begin operating extermination camps with gas chambers, where nearly three million people, mostly Jews, were murdered. A chance discovery allowed 66-year-old Jurgen Matthaus to answer many questions surrounding the photograph findings he published in 2023 in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. Very little was known about that photo, he explains in an email interview. That changed a few years ago when the archives of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where I worked as a historian until my retirement, received a donation of the war diaries of a Wehrmacht captain. One of the diary volumes dealt with the German attack on the Soviet Union in June 1941. It contained not only a good-quality copy of the photo, but also the captains diary entry, which confirmed the location of the crime. On the back of the photo was written: Late July 1941. Execution of Jews by the SS [Schutzstaffel, Germany for Protection Squadron] at the Berdychiv Citadel. July 28, 1941. Comparison between different photos that allowed the identification of Jakobus Onnen as the Nazi murderer in the photograph 'The Last Jew in Vinnitsa.' The Wehrmacht officer Walter Materna described in his diary that a massacre of Jews had taken place in that city, which would demonstrate that members of the regular German army were fully aware of the mass killings carried out by the SS and the death squads, even if they did not participate directly. The next step came later, when a couple contacted the historian after reading his article, convinced that a relative of theirs was the Nazi in the photograph. It was the womans uncle her mothers brother whom they suspected had been part of the Einsatzgruppen. The key factor in identifying the killer in the photo was the availability of comparable images, says Matthaus. In this case, I was fortunate to be contacted by a reader of my previous publication on the subject who, along with his wife, suspected that the killer was a relative of hers. He provided photographs of Jakobus Onnen that were close in date to the war and of sufficient quality to allow for facial recognition. The experts involved used both traditional facial recognition techniques and artificial intelligence; the latter produced similarity rates between 98.5% and 99.9%, very high for historical photographs. From there, he was able to piece together a biographical profile of the perpetrator: Jakobus Onnen, born into a middle-class family in 1906 in the village of Tichelwarf, near the Dutch border. He was a teacher, spoke French and English, and was an early Nazi: he became a member of the Sturmabteilung (Storm Division, SA) in 1933, the year Hitler came to power, then joined the SS, and during the war, was part of the death squads. The photo clearly shows that the killer was a member of the German Security Police and the SD, that is, the part of the police apparatus headed by SS chief Heinrich Himmler, which was part of the infamous Einsatzgruppen, Matthaus explains. These units followed the Wehrmacht in its advance through the Soviet Union and killed hundreds of thousands of civilians, especially Jews. After the war, Allied and German prosecutors investigated these murderous units. Onnens name was among those identified as members of one of them, but because he died in combat in Ukraine in August 1943, he was never investigated. Murder of a Jewish family in Miropol (Ukraine) on October 13, 1941, photo taken by Lubomir Skrovina. Security Services Archive, Historical Collection of the State Security Service (StB) Prague Although there are many images of the Holocaust, only about a dozen capture moments of killings, and all have been thoroughly investigated by historians. The Nazis occasionally took such photos as trophies, though today they appear repulsive and horrifying. For the genocidal Nazi mindset, these were not crimes but the fulfillment of a mission of which they were proud. Many of these images were destroyed after the war, while others surfaced as evidence of historys greatest crime. Researcher Wendy Lower published a compelling analysis in 2021 of another piece of evidence: a photograph of a massacre in Ukraine in 1941 in her book The Pit, showing the murder of a mother alongside her child by Ukrainian collaborators. Like The Last Jew of Vinnytsia, she was able to identify the perpetrators, but not the victims. Matthaus explains: My colleagues and I tried to locate references to the victim in wartime documents, postwar oral histories, and other sources, but we found nothing substantial. Equally unsuccessful was our attempt to identify him in Soviet photographs taken before the German attack of June 22, 1941, in archives in Ukraine. The conditions for conducting such research in a country that has been under Russian attack for four years are hardly promising; however, they were very helpful. But, once again, the result was negative. I continue to hope that solid leads can be found in the future that will help answer the question of who the man about to be shot was. Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum in Jerusalem and also a research center, maintains a database of 4.7 million names of Shoah victims. About 1.3 million remain unidentified. One of them is still that Jew in Berdychiv, who embodies humanity in one of the most horrifying images in history. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition New Delhi, Jan 12 : Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, is slated to visit Israel from January 13-15, underscoring the growing strategic and economic engagement between India and Israel, an official statement said on Monday. The minister will participate in the 'Second Global Summit on Blue Food Security: Sea the Future' on the invitation of Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Israel, Avi Dichter, the statement added. The visit is expected to further reinforce the longstanding partnership between India and Israel, strengthen collaboration in fisheries and aquaculture, and create new pathways for collaboration in areas of mutual interest. This reflects the shared commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture, according to Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. Apart from participating in the 'Sea the Future Summit', Singh is also expected to have separate bilateral meetings with his Israeli counterpart Dichter and Ministers of other countries attending the conference. The ministry said that discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation through policy alignment and institutional partnerships, promoting sustainable fisheries management and modern aquaculture technologies, enhancing research, capacity building and innovation linkages, facilitating trade and investment through improved market access and standards, joint R&D in advanced aquaculture and advancing the blue economy agenda with emphasis on sustainability, climate resilience and food security. Singh is also slated to meet CEOs of major Israeli companies and startups in fields of agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture. The programme includes visits to key institutions and innovation hubs offering insights into Israel's cutting-edge technological ecosystem in the field of fisheries and aquaculture. Meanwhile, India's seafood exports touched an all-time high (in value) at Rs 62,408 crore during 2024-25, up by 3.11 per cent compared to Rs 60,523.89 crore in 2023-24, and continues to rise this fiscal (FY26). Meanwhile, fish production increased to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY2024-25, from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY2013-14, up by a massive 106 per cent. "IANS na/ -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, Jan 12 : The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) has sought a report from the state chief secretary, Rajesh Agarwal, about the statement made by the BJP Minister Girish Mahajan that the Mahayuti government will deposit Rs 3,000 for December 2025 and January 2026 to eligible beneficiaries of Ladki Bahin Yojana before Makar Sankrant, which is on January 14. The SEC has asked the state chief secretary to submit a report on Monday itself. The SEC's move comes after opposition parties slammed the Mahayuti alliance, alleging that it was a move to woo women voters and the violation of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of elections to the 29 municipal corporations slated for January 15. Minister Mahajan last week in his post on X said, "From Deva Bhau, the beloved sisters will receive.. A grand gift for Makar Sankranti!Before January 14, 3000 rupees for the months of December and January will be deposited into the bank accounts of the beloved sisters!" Advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar, General Secretary of the State Congress, submitted a letter to the State Election Commission on Saturday. He claimed that the state government intends to deposit Rs 3,000 (combined instalments for December 2025 and January 2026) into the accounts of beneficiaries on January 14, exactly one day before the voting. Congress argues that this is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and serves as an inducement to women voters, calling on the Commission to stop the payment. On its part, the State Election Commission sources said, "A letter was sent to Chief Secretary Rajesh Kumar on Sunday. The Commission has asked for the actual facts and whether the government truly intends to distribute two months' worth of funds collectively right before the polls. A response was demanded by 11 a.m. on Monday." Amid the raging over the timing of the disbursement of the financial aid to eligible beneficiaries of Ladki Bahin Yojana, the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit back, saying that "When we started the scheme, Congress leaders went to the High Court to stop it, but that petition didn't hold. Now they are saying don't give the money. 'Ladki Bahin' is a continuous ongoing scheme of the state government, and such schemes do not fall under the restrictions of the election code of conduct. No matter what Congress says, the funds will be given to our beloved sisters." However, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal argued that "Congress is not opposed to the Ladki Bahin scheme at all. However, if the government gives not one, but two months' worth of money on January 14 -- the day before voting -- it is a clear violation of the code of conduct. Our only demand is that the Commission should stop this specific act." Pune, Jan 12 : The political atmosphere in Pune has escalated to a critical juncture as Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and the BJP's top guns, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, are embroiled in a significant verbal confrontation regarding the issue of "freebie" politics. The conflict intensified after Deputy CM and NCP chief Ajit Pawar, representing the Nationalist Congress Party, promised free PMPML (Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited) bus and Metro services in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad in their joint manifesto, titled 'Ashtasutri Pragati (Eight-Point Progress)'. In a strategic move to woo voters, Dy CM Ajit Pawar claimed that making public transport free is financially viable. He argued that if the Municipal Corporation allocates Rs 5 crore monthly for the Metro and Rs 20 crore for PMPML (totalling roughly Rs 300 crore annually), free travel could become a reality within three years of the NCP coming to power. This announcement has reportedly rattled the BJP leadership, who recently released their own 'Sankalp Patra' (Vision Document) focused on a "Developed Pune". Incidentally, NCP and BJP are engaged in a friendly fight, but due to political rhetoric between the two, the contest has become fierce. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has openly criticised fellow Deputy CM Ajit Pawar's campaign promise of providing free bus and metro travel to residents of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, calling it unrealistic and legally unfeasible. He remarked, "I was actually thinking of announcing today that all flights taking off from Pune should be free for women. What does it take to make an announcement? It costs us nothing to make tall claims." He suggested that such promises often stem from political insecurity. He stated that politicians sometimes release unrealistic manifestos out of "desperation" when they realise they might not win. "Even then, I believe we should only say things that people can actually believe -- things that are actually doable," he added. CM Fadnavis provided a detailed technical explanation as to why the Metro fare cannot be waived at the whim of a state leader (Ajit Pawar). "The Metro is a joint venture between the state and the Central government. The Chairman of the Metro body is a Union Secretary, while the Managing Director is from the State. Under the law, a dedicated 'Fare Fixation Committee' holds the legal authority to decide ticket prices," he explained. He further stated, "Even if I want to waive the ticket price tomorrow, I cannot do it. The committee determines the cost based on operational expenses. If you don't charge the commuters, you must explain exactly where the funds to cover those expenses will come from." Defending the sensibilities of Pune's citizens, CM Fadnavis emphasised that the local population values quality over charity. He noted that Punekars are disciplined taxpayers who have historically stood in long queues to pay their bills on time. "Punekars don't want freebies. They want a service that is reliable and dependable," he asserted. "They want excellent Metro and bus services. They are willing to pay the minimum required cost for a better experience. They know this promise is just an election stunt that cannot be fulfilled," he noted. On the other hand, Minister Chandrakant Patil was quick to dismiss Dy CM Ajit Pawar's promise as "misleading". He countered by revealing internal government friction, alleging that Dy CM Ajit Pawar himself had previously stalled a file regarding free higher education for girls for six months, citing a lack of state funds. Minister Patil further asserted that any decision regarding free Metro or bus services rests solely with the cabinet and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, not the Deputy Chief Minister. "This is not within his (Ajit Pawar's) authority to grant," he stated, attempting to reclaim the narrative for the BJP. The "free travel" row is the latest chapter in a two-week-long offensive launched by Ajit Pawar against the BJP's governance in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. Dy CM Ajit Pawar has consistently targeted Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, mocking the BJP's role in the Metro project by claiming the groundwork was laid during the previous Congress-NCP regime. Previously, he labelled the BJP leaders overseeing the Pune Municipal Corporation as a "trio of administrators (Karbhari Trikut)" and accused them of financial mismanagement. The tension recently forced CM Fadnavis to intervene after BJP State President Ravindra Chavan expressed "regret" over the alliance with Ajit Pawar, following the latter's pointed remarks about those who once levelled Rs 70,000 crore corruption allegations against him. Political observers suggest that Ajit Pawar's daily salvos and "subtle taunts" (such as his frequent use of "Jai Jinendra" to reference the Jain Boarding controversy) have kept the BJP on the defensive. By shifting the focus to direct voter benefits like free transport, the NCP aims to disrupt the BJP's stronghold in the upcoming municipal and state-level contests. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text January 12 : Prayagraj: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath joined Shrimad Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Jis 726th manifestation festival at Magh Mela on Saturday and shared thoughts. Goraksh Peethadheeshwar and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attacked those running secularisms contract and urged avoiding dividers. He said division on caste, sect-religion basis will become cause of total destruction for us, like whats seen in Bangladesh today. No one speaks on incidents there. Shops of those running contract in secularisms name wield power to break Hindu society and Sanatan Dharma, but on Bangladesh incidents, Fevikol and tape seem stuck on their mouths. No candle march even on Bangladesh incidents. This is a warning for us too. CM warned that those dividing society today can never be well-wishers. When in power, these people couldnt think beyond family. They will give many slogans again, but when opportunity comes, they will do the same as before. Identity crisis, anarchy, attacks on Sanatan Dharma, and under riots guise scorch everyone again. We must not allow repetition. Double engine government always stands to strengthen Sanatan faith. Never let dividers, breakers, weakeners flourish. If we all advance with this resolve, coming time is Sanatan Dharmas. Just as flag waves on Ram Mandir, Sanatan flag will wave worldwide, and then no audacity to cut weak, Dalit Hindus in Bangladesh. Chief Minister said Prayagrajs holy land was developed as Sanatan Dharmas center by Maharishi Bhardwaj, Maharishi Valmiki, other revered sages through penance-sadhana. On this Triveni holy land, 726 years ago Bhakti Shiromani Bhagwan Ramanandacharya manifested. Prayagrajs holy land, with Bhagwan Veni Madhavs infinite grace, Bhagwan Akshayavats vicinity, Trivenis form we remember as Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna, Mother Saraswati, devotees from country-world come dip at Sangam. Here is dharma, justice, knowledge too. Countrys various seekers gather here for all three. CM Yogi said Satua Baba united everyone. Bhagwan Ramanandacharyas holy birth anniversary in Prayagraj. Paush Purnima fell on 3 January this year so all joined event. CM called saints: Discuss, at Daraganj family/site where Ramanandacharya Ji manifested, build their memorial-temple, government will cooperate. Ramanandacharya Ji Maharaj united divided society. Make their inspiration lifes mantra. CM Yogi mentioning Jagadguru Ramanandacharya said no one becomes great suddenly. For greatness, capacity to imbibe divine qualities, firm will-power, vision needed. Ordinary man thinks only self-family, world limited to family, but great man full of divine qualities has divine vision to awaken welfare-dharma. Their feelings not for self-selfishness, but paramarth. On this earth, Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Bhagwan did this work. CM said 726 years ago era was when invaders wanted to crush Sanatan Dharma. Foreign invaders conspired to break society, divide on caste name, shatter social fabric on many ideologies. Then Ramanandacharya Ji called to unite sects-religions. Said all people always entitled to surrender at Gods feet. Dont divide on sect-religion basis. To unite society, Bhagwan Ramanandacharya made twelve disciples from different castes (Anantacharya Ji, Kabir Das Ji, Sadguru Ravidas Ji, Sadguru Pipa Ji, Sursuranand Ji, Sukhanand Ji, Narharyanand Ji, Yoganand Ji, Bhavanand Ji, Dhanna Ji, Sain Ji, Gailwanand Ji Maharaj). Ramanand traditions streams unite society today. Many traditions saints on this platform proclaim Sanatan Dharma unity. CM mentioned Ravidasia sect, Kabir Das etc. traditions saints worship sentiments. Said Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Ji Maharaj gave disciples of worship methods (Sagun and Nirgun). He proclaimed uniting divided society. CM Yogi said saint devises full way to unite society, when saint society proclaims on one platform, results come. Ayodhyas grand Ram Mandir construction is revered saints sadhana-unity result, concretized by PM Narendra Modi. 1952 first general election, country saw many PMs. All contributed to development, but Ayodhyas core soul deserved respect and Ram Lalla reinstallationthis sentiment concretized by Modi Ji glorified Indias tradition. Modi Ji first PM to visit Ram Mandir. Attended shilanyas, pran-pratishtha, post-construction Sanatan Dharma flag-hoisting. PM Modi showed world needs action-will. CM bathed Triveni morning, expressed gratitude to Mother Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati. Said 8-10 years ago situation not like this, but Ram-Ganga bhakt in power gives such opportunity. Modi Ji via Namami Gange expressed Ganga gratitudethis only Indias true son can do. Bathers bless, express thanks. CM Yogi said 31 lakh devotees on Paush Purnima. Santoshacharya Ji Maharaj Satua Baba welcomed all.Swami Ramdineshacharya Ji Maharaj, Swami Raghavacharya Ji Maharaj, Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj, Mahant Vaishnav Das Ji Maharaj, Mahant Rajendra Das Ji, Mohan Das Ji, Janardan Das Ji Maharaj, Mahant Balvir Giri Ji, Avdhesh Das Ji Maharaj, Janmejaysharan Ji, Shashikant Das Ji Maharaj, Vidya Chaitanya Ji Maharaj, Damodar Das, Yamuna Puri Ji Maharaj, Ramhridaya Das Ji Maharaj, Lakhan Das Ji Maharaj, Shukrayu Das Ji Maharaj, Jagadguru Vaidehi Vallabh Devacharya Ji Maharaj, Cabinet Minister Swatantra Dev Singh and Nandgopal Gupta Nandi, MLA Siddharth Nath Singh, Harshvardhan Vajpayee, Deepak Patel, Guru Prasad Maurya, former MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi and Vinod Sonkar etc. New Delhi, Jan 12 : The PSLV-C62 mission, which took off early this morning, has faced an anomaly at the third stage of rocket separation, said ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, adding that the space agency has launched a probe. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket, which was intended to deploy the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite and 15 co-passenger satellites into sun-synchronous orbit, launched at 10:17 am IST from the First Launch Pad (FLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Speaking to reporters after the launch, Narayanan stated that the mission faced a setback after a deviation was observed at the end of the third stage. He added that the vehicle performed perfectly until the third stage, and the team is currently analysing ground data to understand the issue before providing further updates. "We attempted the PSLV-C62 EOS-N1 mission. The PSLV is a four-stage vehicle - the first stage is a solid motor with two strap-ons, the second stage is liquid, the third stage is solid, and the fourth stage is liquid. The performance of the vehicle close to the third stage was as expected and as predicted," Narayanan said. "However, near the end of the third stage, we observed some disturbance in the vehicle, and there was a deviation in its flight path. As a result, the mission could not proceed as expected. We are now analysing the data from all ground stations, and once the analysis is complete, we will come back to you," he added. The PSLV-C61 mission, launched in May 2025, also faced a technical anomaly in the rocket's third stage, which prevented the mission from reaching its intended orbit. The mission aimed to deploy the 1,696 kg EOS-09 Earth Observation Satellite into a 505 km Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit. Meanwhile, the PSLV-C62 mission, which marked the first launch of 2026, took off on the 64th flight of the PSLV. The EOS-N1, also called the Anwesha, aimed to enhance India's remote sensing capabilities across agriculture, urban mapping, and environmental monitoring. "The PSLV-C62 mission will also demonstrate KID or Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator from a Spanish startup, which is a small-scale prototype of a re-entry vehicle being developed by the startup," according to ISRO. The PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 Mission marked the 9th dedicated commercial mission undertaken by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO. The launch was the fifth to use the PSLV-DL variant with two solid strap-on motors. PSLV has completed 63 flights, including notable missions like Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Aditya-L1, and Astrosat Mission. In 2017, PSLV set a world record by launching 104 satellites in a single mission. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Kolkata, Jan 12 : Kolkata Police have decided to formally approach the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to obtain the names and details of officers who conducted raids last week at the I-PAC office in Salt Lake and the residence of its director, Pratik Jain, on Loudon Street. Simultaneously, city police investigators will continue efforts to identify ED and CRPF personnel through CCTV footage collected from both locations. Sources said that investigators have already learnt that an ED Assistant Director led the raid at Jainas residence last Thursday. An official communication seeking confirmation and details will be sent to the ED via email. Police are also attempting to ascertain the identities of six Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who provided security during the operation. Investigators have learned that six CRPF personnel were deployed to secure the ED team during the raid at Jainas residence. The Kolkata Police will write to the CRPFas Eastern Regional Office seeking their details. As part of the investigation, police officers visited Pratik Jainas residence on Saturday and seized all CCTV footage and digital video recorders (DVRs) from the premises. Statements of Jainas domestic staff and security personnel have been recorded, and the buildingas security register has been seized. Investigators are examining whether the ED officers entered their names in the security register on the day of the raid, and if so, what details were provided. If required, police may also record statements of Pratik Jain, his wife and his mother, sources said. The buildingas facility manager has already been summoned. According to preliminary findings, ED officers entered Jainas residence at around 6.20 a.m. on Thursday and concluded the raid at approximately 2.50 p.m. Kolkata Police personnel reached the spot later, between 11.15 a.m. and 11.20 a.m. Investigators are reconstructing the sequence of events before and after the police arrival using footage from multiple sources, including CCTV cameras and police body-worn cameras. Several officers present at the scene were wearing body cameras, and the footage captured is being examined closely, sources added. Last Thursday, ED officials carried out searches at Pratik Jainas Loudon Street residence and the I-PAC office in Salt Lake in connection with an alleged coal smuggling case. Following news of the raid, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the residence. The Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that ED officials seized election-related party documents, candidate lists, election strategy papers and electronic records under the guise of the raids. Subsequently, the Chief Minister lodged complaints at Shakespeare Sarani Police Station and Bidhannagar Electronic Complex Police Station, alleging theft of Trinamool Congress election-related documents. Based on these complaints, Kolkata Police have initiated an investigation into the alleged removal of party documents and electronic data during the ED operation. Quetta, Jan 12 : The Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), an alliance of pro-independence armed groups in Balochistan, claimed responsibility for 174 attacks on Pakistani security forces in 2025, killing 167 military and intelligence personnel, local media reported. The group also stated that in these attacks, 95 Pakistani security officials were injured across the province. In its latest infographic report for 2025, the BRAS said that its fighters also captured 26 individuals during the attacks, including members of Pakistani intelligence agencies, reports The Balochistan Post. According to the report, the BRAS carried out 35 explosions, 14 raid operations and 35 cordon-and-search actions, targeting 15 infrastructure installations, destroying 30 Pakistani government and military vehicles and seizing 51 weapons. The BRAS further claimed that in August 2025, in a major strike in Balochistan, its fighters took control of Zehri town in Khuzdar for more than one month, during which the Pakistani forces were targeted with intensity, according to the report in The Balochistan Post. The group claimed to have seized a large number of vehicles, weapons and military equipment and added that its fighters patrolled the area and addressed public gatherings throughout their control, the report added. Last week, armed groups affiliated with the BRAS alliance also released their 2025 annual operations reports. As per the report of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), its fighters carried out 521 attacks last year, killing more than 1,060 Pakistani military personnel and injuring over 556. The group stated that vehicles, quadcopters, surveillance towers and military infrastructure were destroyed, and 208 weapons were seized. The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) also claimed responsibility for 581 armed attacks against Pakistani security forces across Balochistan in 2025, resulting in 929 casualties, including 647 security personnel killed and 282 others injured. In its annual operational report for the period from January to December 2025, the BLF stated that these operations caused significant human and material losses to Pakistani security forces. In a media statement, the BLF spokesperson, Major Gwahram Baloch, described 2025 as a "decisive and exceptional year" for what the group called "national resistance struggle" in Balochistan. Additionally, the Baloch Republican Guards (BRG) said it carried out 88 attacks in several provinces across Pakistan, including Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab, targeting railway tracks used by Pakistani forces, checkpoints, police posts, gas pipelines and communication towers, claiming 22 Pakistani personnel's lives and injuring 35 others. Balochistan has been reeling under the endless atrocities at the hands of Pakistani authorities, who facilitate death squads in the region to carry out enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and illegal detentions of Baloch people. Seoul, Jan 12 : A Seoul court on Monday held the first hearing of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's trial on charges of benefiting the enemy over allegations of dispatching military drones to Pyongyang in 2024. The hearing took place at the Seoul Central District Court behind closed doors, with Yoon, former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Yeo In-hyung, former head of the Defence Counterintelligence Command, in attendance. Yoon and the two others have been indicted on charges of aiding the enemy in connection with the alleged drone dispatch to North Korea's capital in October 2024, Yonhap News Agency reported. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team believes the alleged dispatch was aimed at inciting the North's retaliation, which could then be used as a pretext for Yoon's martial law declaration two months later. The team charged Yoon with "benefiting the enemy in general," based on its judgment that the drone dispatch led to the leak of military secrets to the North when they allegedly crashed near Pyongyang. The court's bench said it would decide every session whether to proceed with the trial behind closed doors, citing state secrets involved in the case. The ousted former president is standing trial on multiple charges in connection with his failed martial law bid, including for leading an insurrection. Meanwhile, a court on Friday postponed hearing the sentencing request for former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched imposition of martial law to next week, following delayed proceedings earlier in the day. The bench overseeing Yoon's trial at the Seoul Central District Court announced the decision during what was supposed to be the final hearing, saying it would schedule an additional session next Tuesday to hear the sentencing request of special counsel Cho Eun-suk and Yoon's final statement. Friday's session had been watched closely as the special counsel team had been expected to request one of three types of punishment allowed by law for the ringleader of an insurrection -- the death penalty, life imprisonment or life imprisonment without forced labour. Yoon was indicted last January on charges of leading an insurrection through his December 3, 2024, declaration of martial law. The hearing had been expected to run late into the night as a total of eight defendants, including the ousted president, were scheduled to present their final statements and have their lawyers deliver closing arguments. The seven defendants, aside from Yoon, include former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho, who are accused of playing a key role in an insurrection through their involvement in the brief execution of martial law. The session ran longer than expected, however, as Kim's lawyers, who went first, spent more than 10 hours examining paper evidence. After 9 pm, the bench announced it would end the session after the seven defendants, aside from Yoon, completed their respective paper evidence examination and closing arguments, and postponed the special counsel's sentencing recommendation and closing arguments, as well as Yoon's final statement, to next Tuesday. Legal sources anticipate the court's sentencing will come in early February. Yoon is charged with conspiring with the former defence minister and others to stage a riot with the aim of subverting the Constitution by illegally declaring martial law in the absence of war or an equivalent national emergency. In particular, he is charged with mobilising troops and the police to seal off the National Assembly compound and prevent lawmakers from voting down his decree, and ordering the arrest and detention of the National Assembly speaker and the then leaders of the ruling and main opposition parties. Yoon became the first sitting president to be indicted with physical detention in January last year. He was released in March following a court order that cancelled his arrest, but was taken into custody again in July on additional charges related to his martial law attempt. Bhopal, Jan 12 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, describing him as the "fountainhead of inspiration" for the youth and a guiding force for nation-building. Bhopal, Jan 12 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, describing him as the "fountainhead of inspiration" for the youth and a guiding force for nation-building. He participated in the 'Surya Namaskar' event organised to mark the occasion at a government school in Bhopal. "Swami Vivekananda ji -- the fountainhead of inspiration for youth, showed the path to the welfare of the world through spiritual energy, philosophy and contemplation. He inspired the youth to contribute to nation-building. I offer countless prostrations at his feet," Yadav said. After performing Surya Namaskar and Pranayam, the Chief Minister addressed the Youth Diwas programme and expressed concern over the rapid rise of drug addiction among young people in the state. The Chief Minister said that it is saddening that drug addiction is increasing rapidly among the youth and urged school children to stay away from it to make their future better. Yadav termed drug abuse as a social evil, which is hollowing out the roots of family (values) and society. "I would appeal to our youth to do Surya Namaskar every day. It will keep their mind and body healthy and fit. It will also protect them from drug addiction," the Chief Minister said during his address to the programme. Madhya Pradesh PWD Minister Rakesh Singh, School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh and local BJP MLA Bhagwandas Sabani also participated in the 'Suraya Namaskar' programme. As the Swami Vivekanand's birth anniversary is being celebrated as "Youth Diwas" across the country on Monday, the Madhya Pradesh government organised the 'Surya Namaskar' and 'Pranayam' programmes in all government and private schools, which were participated in by district administrative officials and local public representatives. The School Education Department, in a notification on Sunday, has informed that students from Class 6 to 12 will be participating in the 'Surya Namskar' programme along with their parents and teachers. The district administrations were tasked to ensure the necessary preparation of the event at every school in their respective areas. New Delhi, Jan 12 : The ruling NDA in Bihar on Monday hit back strongly at RJD leader and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav over his remarks targeting the coalition, with JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar accusing him of contradicting himself and questioning his credibility even within his own alliance. Minister Ashok Choudhary, meanwhile, said the NDA, having received a massive mandate, would respond in its own way to the political situation. Reacting to Tejashwi Yadav's statement, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, "He contradicted himself with his own statement. The label of a 'criminal-political syndicate' was applied to him by the court. The allegations made by Rohini Acharya regarding this matter remain uncontested. If it is the victory of the system, then your victory is also part of that same victory. Tejashwi Yadav's statements are no longer taken seriously by the constituents of his own alliance." Neeraj Kumar's remarks came after Tejashwi Yadav accused the NDA of turning democracy into "dhan tantra" and "machine tantra", claiming that it was not his party but the people of Bihar who lost the Assembly elections held last year. The ruling NDA had decisively defeated the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan in the November 2025 Assembly polls to retain power in the state. Adding to the NDA's response, Minister Ashok Choudhary said, "The NDA has received such a huge mandate. Surely they will respond to it in some way. They have their own way of thinking and their own approach." His statement underlined the coalition's confidence following its electoral victory and its intention to chart its own course of governance. Earlier on Sunday, Tejashwi Yadav, who arrived in Patna after a tour of Europe, alleged that a "conspiracy was hatched" and that the election was "won through deceit". He also announced that he would refrain from commenting on the NDA government's functioning for the next 100 days to observe whether it fulfils its poll promises. "Since we practice positive politics, I will not say anything about the decisions and policies of the current government for 100 days. I will see when our mothers and sisters get Rs 2 lakh. When will one crore youth get jobs? There was talk of setting up four to five factories in each district. Let's see what happens," Yadav said. The dust has settled from the latest war within the Sinaloa Cartel, revealing the shape of what remains of the surviving criminal structures after 15 months of fighting. The infighting between factions has left the main ones battered, especially Los Chapitos, commanded by the sons of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the old regional drug lord. Of the four sons, only two remain at large, living on the run and stripped of their key lieutenants, who have either been killed or captured. Their enemies the sons and followers of their fathers former partner, Ismael El Mayo Zambada have emerged stronger from the war. But the biggest victory in all this violent chaos belongs to neither faction. A new Chapo is emerging in Sinaloa, less media-savvy than his predecessor, but just as capable of exporting drugs north. Security sources consulted by EL PAIS indicate that the main beneficiary of the cartel war is, beyond a doubt, the group led by Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, alias El Chapo" Isidro. One of the U.S. governments biggest enemies, Meza Flores runs a major operation producing and trafficking synthetic drugs, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, primarily in northern Sinaloa, especially in Los Mochis and Guasave. He exports more drugs than everyone else, one of the sources asserts. Hes the big winner of the war; hes very powerful, the same source adds, a surprising statement given the events of December. In the final weeks of last year, Mexican authorities virtually wiped out one of the pillars of El Chapo Isidros faction, the Inzunza family. On December 1, marines killed the son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, alias El Pichon, in Choix, a small municipality inland from the coastal city of Los Mochis. [El Pichon] started shooting at the Navy helicopter, and they returned fire, a source familiar with the federal security cabinet meetings noted. Several other arrests were also made in that operation. On New Years Eve, the National Guard arrested the father, Pedro Inzunza Noriega, alias Sagitario, 62, in Culiacan, the state capital. Unlike the previous arrest, this one was made without a single shot being fired. One would think that the downfall of the Noriegas, the first criminals accused of narco-terrorism by the U.S., had dealt a significant blow to El Chapo Isidros group. The Trump administration, in fact, considered the Noriegas to be the leaders of the faction. In a statement released in May, the U.S. Department of Justice placed them at the head of the Beltran Leyva organization, named after the family that founded the faction more than 20 years ago, now fallen from grace, with the Beltran Leyva brothers either dead or in prison. This organization, under the leadership of Inzunza Noriega, is allegedly responsible for some of the largest seizures of fentanyl and cocaine destined for the United States in history, said the FBI agent in charge of the Noriega investigation at the time. A soldier in Culiacan, Sinaloa, in September 2024. Jose Betanzos Zarate (Cuartoscuro) In Mexico, the interpretation is different. To begin with, authorities place El Chapo Isidro at the head of the faction, even above the son of Alfredo Beltran Leyva, one of the founding brothers, who is serving a sentence in the United States. This son, Jesus Alfredo Beltran, alias El Mochomito, is another target of the Trump administration, although not at the level of El Chapo Isidro, who a few months ago was added to the FBIs list of the 10 most wanted fugitives. To give an idea of the scale of the new Chapos operation, one of the sources consulted stated: I wouldnt say that [the fall of the Noriega brothers] affected his operation. If anything, it was a blow to his morale. Little is known about El Chapo Isidro. In a profile prepared a few years ago by Cenapi, an analysis center of the former Attorney Generals Office, researchers placed his birth on June 19, 1982, in Navojoa, just across the regional border in the neighboring state of Sonora. It is unknown how he arrived in Sinaloa. His strength was scrap metal; he dismantled ships in Guasave, at Las Glorias beach and El Colorado, and sold the scrap. He was involved [in drug trafficking], but he wasnt very important, says a Sinaloa security force agent, consulted about him. Sometime in the first decade of this century, Meza Flores began to accumulate power. The Beltran Leyva brothers Arturo, above all, then Alfredo, and finally Hector cousins of El Chapo Guzman, ran their own network exporting cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin to the United States. Their group and Guzmans operated in parallel, without any issues. But at the end of the decade, the situation changed. In January 2008, authorities arrested Alfredo Beltran, a capture his brothers attributed to a betrayal by El Chapo Guzman. In May of that year, hitmen gunned down one of his sons, Edgar Guzman Lopez, in a shopping mall in Culiacan. Military personnel in Culiacan, Sinaloa, on August 29, 2025. Jose Betanzos Zarate (CUARTOSCURO) That war like the one waged over the last 15 months by the rest of El Chapos sons against the faction loyal to El Mayo resulted in thousands of murders, a fragmentation of the countrys drug trafficking structures, and their militarization, a situation that explains the present panorama and the last 20 years of violence. El Chapo Isidro thrived in the ruins of that first war. The only surviving member of the Beltran Leyva cartel, Hector, took refuge in Nayarit, from where he rebuilt his organization, notorious in recent years for its alleged ties to former Secretary of Defense Salvador Cienfuegos, as documented by U.S. authorities. Hector was arrested in 2014 and died, supposedly of a heart attack, in 2018. Once in Sinaloa, El Chapo Isidro grew up in the criminal corridor along the northern coast, between Los Mochis and Guasave, where authorities made the largest fentanyl seizure in the countrys recent history: over a ton, in December 2024. He rose to power under the wing of his uncles, Agustin and Salome Flores Apodaca. After the formers arrest in 2012 and subsequent extradition, El Chapo Isidro took command of the faction. He inherited the entire Beltran Leyva business, overseeing Guasave and the surrounding mountains, all the way to Leon Fonseca and Sinaloa de Leyva, says the Sinaloa security forces agent. From 2011 to 2020, Mexican authorities arrested him at least four times, according to Cenapis records, for serious crimes such as organized crime, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and weapons possession. For some reason, none of these resulted in him being imprisoned. The Mexico Attorney Generals Office has at least 15 open investigations against him. In the United States, the U.S. Attorneys Offices in Southern California and the District of Columbia filed separate indictments against him for conspiring to traffic cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin into the country, and for using weapons in that conspiracy. But, for now, he remains a target. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition New Delhi, Jan 12 : Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again triggered a controversy with his remarks describing Hindutva as "Hinduism in paranoia", drawing sharp criticism from the BJP, which accused him of "insulting" Sanatan Dharma. Aiyar, during a debate titled 'Hinduism Needs Protection From Hindutva' on Sunday, said, "Hindutva is Hinduism in paranoia. It asks 80 per cent Hindus to quiver in front of 14 per cent Muslims. Hindutva is a BJP leader slapping a blind, hungry tribal girl because she attends a Christmas lunch in a Church. Hindutva raids shopping malls to tear down Christmas decorations." Referring to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Aiyar said, "Savarkar described Buddhism as an existential threat to all Hindus. He described it as the ultimate negation of Hindutva, bearing the opiate of universalism and nonviolence. He said it was disastrous to national virility and even the existence of the Hindu race." Aiyar further asserted that Hinduism and Hindutva are fundamentally different, saying Hinduism is a spiritual tradition while Hindutva is political in nature. "Hinduism is a great spiritual religion. Hindutva is a political tract. Hindutva came in 1923; for thousands of years before Hindutva, Hinduism faced trial and tribulation and yet survived, flourished, with no need for Hindutva protection. There is no way Gandhi's and Swami Vivekananda's Hinduism can be protected or promoted by Savarkar's Hindutva," he said. Continuing his criticism, Aiyar added, "Savarkar wrote 'Hindus understand themselves as Hindus through acts of violence'. The Mahatma wrote that the Hindu has an old-age civilisation and is essentially non-violent. You've seen that Hindutva vigilantes beat up and even kill anyone suspected of hoarding, eating or transporting beef. Gandhiji wrote that it is a denial of Hinduism and of Ahimsa to kill a human being to protect a cow." The remarks prompted an immediate backlash from the BJP, with party leaders accusing the Congress of harbouring hostility towards Hindu beliefs. Reacting to Aiyar's comments, BJP MP Mithilesh Kumar Katheria told IANS, "Mani Shankar Aiyar has spoken incorrectly. Both Hinduism and Hindutva are essential for Hindus. Hindutva is not political. Congress do not have love for Hindus; they love others. The language and culture of India are part of Hindutva. This is our India, our nation, so how can we speak against Hindutva? Hindutva is our life." Uttar Pradesh Minister Narendra Kashyap also slammed the Congress leader and told IANS, "Thinking or imagining that the Congress party can change the definition of Sanatan Dharma is very dangerous for them. Sanatan Hindu and Hindutva are synonymous with each other. That is why Aiyar's statements are careless. Because of such statements, Congress is stooping so low." Earlier, BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also reacted strongly, taking to X to accuse the Congress of attempting to divide the Hindu community. "Yet again Congress attempts to create a divide between Hindus. They want 1 Hindu to stand up against the other Hindu. This benefits Congress whose only focus is -- 'Consolidate Vote Bank: Unite Minority, Divide Hindu Majority'," he wrote. Congress is yet to comment on Aiyar's remarks. Amaravati, Jan 12 : Amid the ongoing dispute with Telangana over the sharing of river waters, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday defended the proposed Polavaram-Nallamalla Sagar link project, saying it will not harm anyone. He wondered what was wrong with using water released from upstream in the Godavari River and diverting it at Polavaram to Nallamalla Sagar. "I never objected when Telangana built its projects. Both Telugu states can efficiently utilise the Godavari waters," he said. The Chief Minister was speaking at a meeting with ministers and secretaries at the Secretariat. He said the Polavaram project will be completed and dedicated to the nation before Godavari Pushkaram. He stated that Polavaram is a magnificent project and once it is completed, no state in South India can compete with Andhra Pradesh. "Every year, 3,000 TMC of water goes to waste into the sea. By providing water to the Krishna delta through Pattiseema, we are saving water in Srisailam and giving it to Rayalaseema. Through Nallamala Sagar, there is an opportunity to provide water to Rayalaseema, Prakasam, and other regions," he said. He stated that Telangana State will also have the opportunity to utilise the surplus water from Polavaram. Chief Minister Naidu said that Bhogapuram International Airport will also be dedicated to the nation soon. He claimed that the coalition government has saved Visakhapatnam Steel Plant with the cooperation of the Central government and the assistance of Rs 12,000 crore. "Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is a sentiment for the people of Andhra Pradesh, and we will definitely protect that plant," he said. The Chief Minister revealed that Andhra Pradesh attracted 25 per cent of the foreign investments that came into the country during the current financial year. Stating that Andhra Pradesh has become a destination for investments, he said that if all the agreements made through Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) materialise, 16 lakh jobs will be created. "We have also approved investments worth Rs 8.74 lakh crore through the State Investment Promotion Board. These will also generate a large number of jobs," he said. He noted that Google is also setting up an AI data centre in Visakhapatnam with an investment of $15 billion. He congratulated the officials and government departments who worked hard to bring investments to the state. "We will soon lay the foundation for the Quantum Valley in Amaravati. A quantum computer will be operational here within six months," he said. New Delhi, Jan 12 : An Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid conducted last week in Kolkata at the premises of a political consultancy group professionally linked with West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress has turned into a centre-state confrontation, again leading to questions over operational issues in a federal structure. New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) An Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid conducted last week in Kolkata at the premises of a political consultancy group professionally linked with West Bengalas ruling Trinamool Congress has turned into a centre-state confrontation, again leading to questions over operational issues in a federal structure. Thursdayas raid, along with subsequent media coverage and ground reports, underscore how such relations in a federal setup are increasingly tested when central agencies follow their duty in politically charged contexts, with states asserting their constitutional authority over law and order. Reports earlier spoke of a spat between central and state agencies, even as the raid was on, where the state police commissioner was said to have been present. But the highlight was the visit of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself, and allegedly driving away with hard copies and digital documents from the premises under raid. The operations were conducted at the residence and office of Pratik Jain, head of I-PAC, a political consultancy firm. The agency has been providing professional services to the Trinamool Congress for a long time, which has led to the issue quickly escalating into a standoff between central and state authorities. While the central agency, accompanied by CRPF personnel, carried out searches citing financial irregularities by the firm -- in what some Opposition leaders in the state perceive as a retaliatory measure -- the police began a counter-operation, collecting CCTV footage and witness statements and identifying central officials involved. Meanwhile, legal processes have also been initiated by both sides. West Bengalas ruling Trinamool Congress views the raids as politically motivated -- given I-PACas role in strategising for the party -- especially when the Assembly election is expected to be announced soon. The issue has been aggravated with complaints filed against the ED in at least two police stations -- in Kolkata, and another in adjacent Bidhannagar. The police reportedly have also collected CCTV footage from the house of the consulting agencyas head. Statements from some people have also been collected. The episode reflects the broader friction in Indiaas federal system, where central investigative agencies often clash with state police over jurisdiction and political sensitivities. Ideally, centre and state agencies should collaborate, but such incidents show adversarial dynamics. The ED operates under central authority, often investigating financial crimes with national implications. State police, however, retain constitutional responsibility for law and order within their territory. The deployment of CRPF alongside ED officials points to the centreas reliance on paramilitary forces to secure its operations, while the stateas demand to identify personnel involved in the raid reflects its assertion of authority over activities within its jurisdiction. The January 8 episode highlights the recurring friction between central agencies and state governments in Indiaas federal system. If West Bengal succeeds in pressing charges against ED officials, it could embolden other Opposition-led states to challenge central interventions. Conversely, if the centre asserts supremacy, it may reinforce the perception of federal imbalance tilted toward New Delhi. In case of Opposition-ruled states, there have been allegations of non-cooperation for central forces deployed to maintain law and order in areas facing insurgency or in the election process. Opposition leaders and parties in other states, too, have repeatedly alleged that ED and other central agencies are leveraged to pressure defections or discipline adversaries, especially around elections and coalition reshuffles. In all such cases, investigative actions are read through a political lens, where perceptions of selective enforcement erode trust in federal institutions and deepen polarisation. Seoul, Jan 12 : A former lawmaker of South Korea's main opposition People Power Party (PPP), Ihn Yohan, criticised former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration on Monday, saying he thought Yoon had a compelling reason to impose it. Ihn expressed "deep" disappointment over the crisis in a video posted on his YouTube channel to congratulate Representative Lee So-hee, who succeeded him as a proportional representative after his resignation last month, Yonhap News Agency reported. "When martial law was declared a year ago, I thought there was a national crisis that the president could not fully disclose to the people," he said. "I thought there must there have been a compelling and urgent reason for the commander-in-chief to declare it." "But that was not the case," he added. Ihn said he knew how "horrific" a wrongful declaration of martial law can be, as he recalled being labelled as an instigator after interpreting for foreign correspondents during the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju. "What has been revealed over the past year, since the martial law, is deeply disappointing and humiliating," he said. He also expressed hope that Lee would become a successful lawmaker, describing himself as a "failed" one. Ihn, who had been closely aligned with Yoon and won a proportional seat in the April 10 general elections last year, resigned in mid-December, saying South Korea had overcome the "unfortunate events" that had unfolded since Yoon's failed martial law bid. A great-grandson of American missionary Eugene Bell, Ihn was born in 1959 in Suncheon, 290 kilometres south of Seoul, in South Jeolla Province, and worked as a medical doctor before becoming a lawmaker. Meanwhile, a Seoul court on Monday held the first hearing of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's trial on charges of benefiting the enemy over claims of dispatching military drones to Pyongyang in 2024. The hearing took place at the Seoul Central District Court behind closed doors, with Yoon, former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Yeo In-hyung, former head of the Defence Counterintelligence Command, in attendance. Yoon and the two others have been indicted on charges of aiding the enemy in connection with the alleged drone dispatch to North Korea's capital in October 2024. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team believes the alleged dispatch was aimed at inciting the North's retaliation, which could then be used as a pretext for Yoon's martial law declaration two months later. The team charged Yoon with "benefiting the enemy in general," based on its judgment that the drone dispatch led to the leak of military secrets to the North when they allegedly crashed near Pyongyang. The court's bench said it would decide every session whether to proceed with the trial behind closed doors, citing state secrets involved in the case. The ousted former president is standing trial on multiple charges in connection with his failed martial law bid, including for leading an insurrection. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Chennai, Jan 12 : The makers of director Mohan G's eagerly awaited Tamil-Telugu historical drama 'Draupathi 2' have now announced that the film will release on January 15 this year. It may be recalled that the makers of the film were among the first to seize the opportunity to release their film for the festival when they realised that the release of Vijay-starrer 'Jana Nayagan' was getting postponed. In fact, a source close to the unit of the film had told IANS soon after Jana Nayagan's postponement that 'Draupathi 2' was definitely coming for Pongal. "It will be out on one of the festival days. The team is working out the details but the film is certainly coming for Pongal," the source had then said. The makers on Monday announced that 'Draupathi 2' would release on January 15. Produced by Chola Chakravarthy of Netaji Productions in association with G. M Film Corporation, 'Draupathi 2', has triggered huge interest among fans. Sources say the film is set in the 14th century and that it unfolds against the backdrop of the rule of Hoysala emperor Veera Vallalar III, the valour and resistance of the Kadavarayas of Sendhamangalam, and the turbulent shifts triggered by the Mughal invasion of Tamil Nadu. The film features Richard Rishi and Rakshana Induchoodan in the lead. Actor and cinematographer Natti Natraj too will be seen essaying a key role. The film will also feature actors Y. G. Mahendran, Nadodigal Barani, Saravana Subbiah, Vela Ramamoorthy, Siraj Johnny, Dinesh Lamba, Ganesh Gaurang, Divi, Devayani Sharma, and Arunodayan, further strengthening the filmas historical scale and dramatic presence. The film boasts of a good technical team as well. It's Telugu dialogues have been penned by Samrat, while Ghibran Vaibodha has scored the music. Cinematography for the film is by Philip R. Sundar and Thanika Tony is in charge of choreography. Stunts for the film have been choreographed by Action Santosh while editing is by Devaraj. Art direction has been done by Kamalnathan. New Delhi, Jan 12 : India and the US continue to be actively engaged in trade talks and the next meeting between the negotiators of the two countries is scheduled for Tuesday, America's newly-appointed Ambassador to New Delhi, Sergio Gor, said on Monday. Addressing staffers and journalists as he took charge of the US Embassy here, Gor said that US President Donald Trump conveyed "his best wishes to his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi." "The friendship between Trump and PM Modi is real and the US and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end," Gor remarked. He also stated that while trade is very important for the India-US ties, the two countries will continue to work closely together on other very important areas, such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health. He emphasised that both sides remain in regular contact despite differences over tariffs and market access. Gor also announced that India will be invited to join 'PaxSilica' as a full member next month. He explained that 'PaxSilica' is a new initiative that the United States launched just last month to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI development and logistics. "Nations that joined last month include Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Israel. India's inclusion would further strengthen the group," he added. Gor's statement on the bilateral trade talks clears much of the confusion created by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's comments that the India-US trade negotiations have stalled because PM Modi "didn't call" President Trump. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected Lutnick's statement, saying that "The characterisation of these discussions in the reported remarks is not accurate." "India remains interested in a mutually beneficial trade deal between two complementary economies and looks forward to concluding it," MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said. Lutnick had said the trade deal failed after Trump did not receive a call from PM Modi on the issue, adding that Washington moved ahead with other agreements instead. Jaiswal said, "We have seen the remarks. India and the United States were committed to negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the US as far back as 13th of February last year. Since then, the two sides have held multiple rounds of negotiations to reach a balanced, mutually beneficial trade agreement." Kolkata, Jan 12 : A controversy arose regarding a poster that displayed Trinamool Congress' All India General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee in front of Swami Vivekananda's ancestral residence located on Simla Street in North Kolkata on Monday. The BJP strongly criticised the poster, claiming that it featured only Abhishek Banerjee's image and omitted any representation of Swami Vivekananda, despite the message 'Welcome, Crown Prince' written on it. The BJP said that by placing such a poster in front of Swami Vivekananda's house, especially on his birth anniversary, the Trinamool Congress has insulted Vivekananda himself. However, the Trinamool Congress has denied these allegations and questioned the BJP's placards and hoardings. Monday marked the 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar arrived at Simla Street early in the morning to commemorate the occasion. Abhishek Banerjee is also scheduled to visit later in the afternoon to pay his respects to Vivekananda. The poster welcoming him was put up by Jorasanko MLA Vivek Gupta in front of Swami Vivekananda's house. Criticising the poster, Suvendu Adhikari said, "Swami Vivekananda is the real crown prince. No one else is the crown prince. I have been coming here for the last 33 years. Every year on Swamiji's birthday, I put up hoardings and banners. I don't even let my name be written on them. And see their arrogance that the Chief Minister's nephew is being called 'Yuvraj' I heard that the Pradhan Maharaj here had forbidden the councillors to put up anyone else's photograph. Even after that, they didn't listen." Echoing the LoP, Sukanta Majumdar said, "Swamiji used to roam here once. Now, coal thieves and cow thieves roam around. The people of Bengal should uproot them. Otherwise, a genius like Vivekananda will never be seen on this land again." The BJP also organised a 'Vivek Yatra' from Hedua to Shimla Street to pay tributes to Swamiji. State BJP President Samik Bhattacharya, state Yuva Morcha president Indranil Khan, and the party's North Kolkata district BJP president Tamoghna Ghosh were present with Suvendu Adhikari and Sukanta Majumdar. However, the Trinamool Congress leaders said that the party supporters see Abhishek as a 'crown prince'. That is why such a hoarding was made and was not meant to insult Swamiji. Party spokesperson Arup Chakraborty said, "Central Minister Sukanta Majumdar, former BJP state president, called Vivekananda a 'confused Leftist'. I will not listen to the BJP's lecture on Vivekananda. In fact, Vivekananda is Narendranath Datta at the end of the day. He is a symbol of Bengalis' emotions and self-respect." State Minister Shashi Panja raised a counter-question about the BJP's posters. She claimed that the posters in the hands of BJP leaders had Swamiji's message written on them, 'Proudly say that I am a Hindu'. Shashi Panja criticised the BJP and said, "Instead of such a message, they could have used another message, such as proudly saying that I am a human being." Regarding Abhishek Banerjee's photograph, the state minister said, "I don't know why this is being questioned. Popular leaders are viewed and admired differently by their followers. Abhishek is viewed as a prince by his followers. There is no point in insulting anyone else. This is the love of the people for their beloved leader." New Delhi, Jan 12 : Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal, claiming that the BJP's political fight in the state is not an ordinary electoral contest but a struggle between terrorism and democracy. He asserted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government must be removed from power. Speaking on the political situation in West Bengal, Giriraj Singh claimed, "In West Bengal, the BJP is fighting a battle between terrorism and democracy. This time, Mamata Banerjee's government, which is accused of supporting terrorists, being pro-Muslim, and encouraging Bangladeshi infiltrators, must be overthrown in West Bengal." The Union Minister's remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state, with the BJP intensifying its attack on the ruling party ahead of the upcoming elections. Singh alleged that the current dispensation has compromised law and order and national security, positioning the BJP as the only alternative capable of restoring democratic values in the state. Echoing similar sentiments, BJP MLA Pawan Singh said that the political atmosphere in West Bengal indicates growing public discontent with the ruling party. "As you can see, politics in West Bengal is ongoing, and the ruling party's name keeps coming up in corruption cases. The people are against the ruling party. I feel that if the public were happy, they would express it openly. But the fact that the public is silent shows they are opposed," he said. Pawan Singh further added that voters are politically aware and are making up their minds ahead of the polls. "Regarding the elections, people are fully aware and expressing their opinions. I think there is a real chance for some change this time," the BJP legislator said, indicating confidence within the party about a possible shift in the political landscape of West Bengal. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a petition filed before the Supreme Court that West Bengal government officials allegedly stopped its sleuths from carrying out searches and seizing material linked to the agency's probe into an alleged coal smuggling scam linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC. The ED approached the apex court a day after the Calcutta High Court adjourned the hearing of its plea alleging interference by Banerjee during searches conducted at the residence of I-PAC director Pratik Jain. I-PAC has been working on the election strategy for Banerjee's ruling Trinamool Congress ahead of the state elections scheduled to be held by April. Banerjee has filed two complaints at separate police stations over the ED searches at the I-PAC chief's Kolkata residence and another property on the city's outskirts. The state police have also registered a suo motu complaint in the matter. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has moved the Supreme Court with a caveat, seeking to ensure that no order is passed without hearing its side in connection with the ED searches. Quetta, Jan 12 : Continuing its crackdown on public sector employees, Pakistan's provincial government in Balochistan has suspended 38 assistant professors and lecturers, including six female teachers from various departments of the colleges, for three months over their participation in strikes and protests, local media reported on Monday. According to a notification issued by the Balochistan chief secretary, the action was taken under the Balochistan Employees' Efficiency and Discipline Act (BEDA) for participating in a strike, locking government offices, and hampering official work, accusing the suspended teachers of breaching government rules and regulations. Citing officials, The Balochistan Post reported that those suspended include Abdul Qudoos Kakar, chairman of the Balochistan Grand Alliance, a coalition of government employees that has been spearheading the protest movement for several days over multiple demands related to employees' rights. Condemning the government's move, the employee organisations expressed concern and described the suspensions as an effort to suppress the right to protest, warning that punitive measures against teachers would further escalate tensions between the government and its employees. Meanwhile, the Baloch Students Action Committee (BSAC) denounced the government decision, calling it part of a longstanding pattern of suppressing voices seeking justice. In its statement, the organisation said "the history of Balochistan bears witness that whenever a voice for truth and justice is raised, the government of the time has tried to suppress it through force and revenge", adding that the response to the Balochistan Grand Alliance's "legitimate demands" through "repression and violence" was "extremely shameful and authoritarian". According to the spokesperson of the BSAC, the suspension of professors and lecturers, including female teachers, as well as the arrest of alliance leaders, reflected a government "afraid of knowledge and the pen". He said that despite the authorities' claim of improving education, "on the other hand, it suspends and arrests teachers proving that in reality education and public welfare are not its priorities". The organisation called on the Balochistan government to drop "stubbornness and the use of force" and pursue a peaceful engagement with the protesting employees. Hyderabad, Jan 12 : Ahead of the Sankranti festival, Hyderabad Police intensified their special drive against Chinese manja and seized contraband worth Rs 43 lakh during the last four days. The police have stepped up enforcement against the banned Chinese manja (synthetic/nylon kite string) to curb its sale, storage, and transportation in the city. Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar said on Monday that the special drive is underway across the city. From January 8 to January 11, the police have seized 2,150 bobbins worth Rs 43 lakh. The top cop posted on 'X' that police registered 29 cases against those involved in the sale and arrested 57 people. The Commissioner said that the banned manja poses a threat to the environment, birds, and human lives. During the last month, police registered 132 cases and seized 8,376 bobbins worth Rs 1.68 crore. A total of 200 people have been arrested. Sajjanar said that jail is inevitable for those selling or buying the banned manja. Use safe threads and celebrate the Sankranti festival joyfully, he said. "The kite should soar in the sky not in innocent lives! The Chinese manja thread doesn't break but it severs human necks, bird wings. Your fleeting joy should not become an inconsolable sorrow in someone else's home. Selling or using banned Chinese manja will invite strict action, without fail. Celebrate the festival as a festival. Not by taking lives," he said in another post. The Chinese Manja has left six motorcyclists, including a constable and a student, injured during the last few days. They sustained grievous neck injuries In the latest incident, a 33-year-old man suffered a deep cut on his shoulder due to Chinese manja while travelling on a bike in Gachibowli on Sunday. K. Surya Teja, who works in a software company, was injured while travelling on the SLN Terminal flyover. He was rushed to a hospital, where he underwent the procedure to suture the wound. Amid Washingtons push to control an island that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, EL PAIS reviews six possible scenarios: from a military attack to an agreement Whether the easy way or the hard way, Donald Trump wants to do something about Greenland, an autonomous territory that has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark for more than two centuries. In Copenhagen, the Danish capital, and in Nuuk, Greenland, authorities are taking this threat seriously. They are studying historical precedents (Alaska, Louisiana, the Virgin Islands) and parallels in other parts of the world (Venezuela, Crimea, the Marshall Islands, Panama). They are dusting off old treaties. They are speculating about how the president of the United States might seize the Arctic island. They are proposing solutions. And unease is growing among local leaders. As leaders of Greenlands political parties, we reiterate our firm position: that the United States contempt for our country must end, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and parliamentary leaders said Friday in Nuuk. This was in response to Trumps latest remarks, in which he stated: We are going to do something in Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we dont do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and were not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor. Here are six potential scenarios, based on several conversations with experts and former diplomats this week in Denmark: 1. A military intervention After the brief U.S. incursion into Venezuela on January 3, alarm bells went off in Nuuk and Copenhagen. Could a similar operation in Greenland be conceivable? Would the U.S. deploy special forces in this territory, which is 50 times larger than Denmark but has fewer than 60,000 inhabitants? What it would have in common with the Venezuelan operation would be the use of force and the will to exert control. But in this case, it wouldnt be about capturing a foreign leader wanted by U.S. justice, nor simply about controlling its government, but about incorporating the territory into the United States. It could happen violently. A handful of U.S. troops taking control of strategic buildings: the parliament, the police, the public media outlets, the airport. The Star-Spangled Banner flying over Nuuk. Its not the most likely scenario, but it cant be completely ruled out, says Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen, head of the strategic studies section at the Royal Danish Defence College. A poll by the Voxmeter institute, published this Saturday, indicates that 38% of Danes believe the U.S. will conquer Greenland by force. How would Denmark respond? Militarily, there is little it could do. But in discussions about possible scenarios, options are being suggested, such as a military deployment in the Greenlandic capital, as a signal to the U.S. A 1952 order is cited that obliges Danish soldiers to fight if their territory is attacked, which would also apply to a U.S. attack. Lars Bangert Struwe, of the analysis firm Geopol Strategi and a former official in the strategic office of the Danish Ministry of Defense, points to one of the potential complications in this scenario: Conducting military operations in the Arctic is very difficult because it is so cold that it requires highly trained and skilled personnel. This was evident during World War II, he says. The cold and weather conditions could kill more Americans than an actual invasion. 2. Hybrid warfare The takeover could be more subtle. The Danish military presence in Greenland is minimal. The Americans have the Pituffik aerospace base and a few hundred soldiers. They could do what the Russians have done at the North Pole: plant their flag and say its now the United States, reflects Jonas Parello-Plesner, executive director of the Alliance of Democracies Foundation and a former Danish diplomat with extensive experience in the U.S. This would be a method similar to the one used by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2014 to illegally annex the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. Russia took control by deploying the so-called green men, soldiers who did not identify themselves as such. It then ratified the annexation with an illegal referendum. Constitutionally, an independence referendum would be the prerequisite for Greenland, once fully sovereign and independent from Denmark, to join the United States. But the process would take years, Parello-Plesner explains. The only way to do it during Trumps presidency would be by pushing something illegal, she says. Like the Russians, [Trump] would say, Now its ours, and some countries would recognize it. Before reaching this point, the U.S. could launch a hybrid war, according to Struwe, with U.S. intelligence services attempting to seduce the Greenlandic independence movement. The presence of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and other Trump allies in recent months, or the appointment of a U.S. special envoy, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, points to an increase in civilian activity. It is possible that Trumps harassment of the island will backfire and ultimately bring it closer to Denmark. Following successive agreements in 1979 and 2009, Greenlands economy is largely dependent on Denmark, but it enjoys a considerable degree of self-government. Today, a majority of Greenlanders favor independence, but a majority also rejects annexation by the United States. 3. Deterrence (diplomatic) Whats unusual, according to the experts in politics and academia consulted for this story, is the fact that whats under consideration is a U.S. attack on a country and territory where it already has a presence, and which its supposed to defend as a NATO ally. On paper, U.S. forces should defend Greenland against an invasion... But what if the invasion is American? Militarily, Denmark and its European allies can do little, but Parello-Plesner mentions another option that is already underway: the diplomatic deterrence of the Danes and the European Union. The Americans will be isolated within NATO, and although Trump isnt a big fan of NATO, theres the entire Pentagon system and Congress, where there is strong support for NATO. Congress members in Washington Democrats and some Republicans are Denmarks trump card. It will not be easy, though. Trump, in an interview with The New York Times, said that we may have to choose between NATO and Greenland. If his demands regarding Greenland are not met, the Atlantic Alliance is finished (and possibly support for Ukraine as well). 4. A purchase In 2019, during his first presidential term, and again a year ago upon taking office, Trump declared his desire to purchase Greenland. While this may have seemed extravagant, it wouldnt be the first time the United States has bought territory from another country. Without these acquisitions, the U.S. would have a different geography and would not be what it is today. In 1803, the U.S. purchased Louisiana from Napoleonic France, a territory then larger than the present-day state of Louisiana. It cost the equivalent of $430 million today, according to a calculation by The Wall Street Journal. In 1867, it purchased Alaska from Russia for $158 million. The buying and selling of territories has a long tradition, at least until the end of World War II and the establishment of an international order more or less based on law. But there is something very Trumpian about the desire to buy a piece of land as if it were real estate. If he gets his way, it wouldnt be the first time Copenhagen has entered into a transaction of this kind with Washington. In 1917, Denmark sold what were then called the Danish West Indies to the United States for $25 million (equivalent to $633 million today, according to the cited calculation). Today, these are the U.S. Virgin Islands. The State Department website explains the purchase in a way that despite the differences in time, geography, and scale is reminiscent of Trumps justification for conquering Greenland: primarily for strategic reasons, in order to ensure tranquility in the Caribbean. Today, other echoes of that time resonate. The 1917 treaty stated: The United States of America shall not object to the Danish Government extending its political and economic interests over the whole of Greenland. Greenlandic citizens celebrate the arrival of a helicopter with passengers and supplies in September in Ittoqqortoormiit. ESTHER HORVATH (The New York Times/ContactoPhoto) Trump is ignoring these commitments, but this isnt the first time the United States has tried to buy Greenland. The last time was in 1946 when Democratic President Harry Truman made an offer of $100 million. For the U.S., it was about extending the control it had enjoyed over the island during World War II, thanks to an agreement with the Danish ambassador in Washington, made behind the backs of the authorities in Nazi-occupied Denmark. Denmark told Truman no. Today, Danes and Greenlanders are rejecting the offer again (and in any case, it would be the Greenlanders who should decide, once they are independent). Greenland is not for sale, they say. 5. An association One option for bringing Greenland closer, if not fully incorporating it, would be through a Coalition of Free Association (COFA) like the one that links the U.S. to Pacific territories such as the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. According to this scenario, the U.S. would make an offer to Greenland, and Greenland would accept, speculates Rahbek-Clemmensen. Formally, Greenland would become independent, but it would enter into very close cooperation with the U.S. and would give it, de facto, control over its own security policy and perhaps also over its mineral wealth, in exchange for economic support. These Pacific nations maintain their sovereignty, but in exchange for economic aid, they offer full access to the U.S. Armed Forces. This isnt impossible, says Parello-Plesner. But its not plausible either, since we already have treaties. What could be attempted with Trump, who isnt exactly a man to worry over details, would be to repackage the current [1951] treaty: to rewrite it and tell him its a treaty for him. Theres already a kind of dual sovereignty regarding defense. 6. An agreement In Copenhagen, experts emphasize that the 1951 agreement with Washington for the defense of Greenland already allows for many of the U.S. demands regarding security to be met. According to the deal, the U.S. has the right to build, install, maintain, and operate facilities and equipment, as well as improve and generally prepare the area for military use. At the end of the Cold War, Washington closed the bases and left only one open, but it could open as many as it wanted and increase its military presence. It could also invest. Nothing prevents it. Denmark and Greenland could offer the U.S. a way out of the crisis, something that wouldnt lead to political control of Greenland, Rahbek-Clemmensen points out, but that the U.S. could showcase as a victory, and thus we could turn the page. A new defense agreement, for example, or new legislation on Chinese investments, or an increase in military spending. There is a recent precedent of a country Trump wanted to conquer, one he seems to have forgotten about for now: Panama and its canal. Marco Rubio went to negotiate with them, forced the Chinese company out, brought in American companies, and Trump thought it was a good deal, says Parello-Plesner. Now we could renew the treaties we already have, and we could undertake joint projects on mineral resources and rare earth elements. Perhaps theres a more amicable agreement here. The solution, Struwe adds, is to talk to the Americans and promise them there will be no Chinese or Russian presence in Greenland, so that security concerns dont exist. The underlying problem, he adds, is that Donald Trump doesnt see [Greenland] as a security issue, but as a way to expand the US. Copenhagen believes that current agreements already address security concerns and tensions with China and Russia in a strategically vital Arctic. It will be more difficult for Denmark and its partners to provide a satisfactory response to Trumps desire to declare Greenland as part of the United States. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Guwahati, Jan 12 : Continuing its crackdown on illegal medical practice, the Assam Police in Cachar district have arrested another individual for allegedly practising medicine using forged qualifications, officials said on Monday. The accused has been identified as Shamim Ahmed Laskar, a resident of the Bhaga area under the Dholai police station limits. He was apprehended following a complaint alleging that he had been running a medical chamber without valid medical credentials. According to police, the arrest was made after a written complaint was submitted by Dr Abhijit Neog, Anti-Quackery and Vigilance Officer of the Assam Council of Medical Registration (ACMR). Acting on the complaint, a police team conducted a raid at the accusedas medical chamber on Saturday and detained him on the spot. During the search operation, police recovered several forged MBBS certificates and other related documents from the premises. Preliminary investigation indicated that Shamim Ahmed Laskar had been illegally practising medicine for a considerable period, allegedly misleading patients and posing a serious threat to public health and safety. Police officials said the accused failed to produce any valid registration or authorisation to practise medicine. The seized documents have been sent for further verification, and a detailed probe has been launched to determine the duration of his illegal activities and whether any patients suffered harm due to his unauthorised treatment. Investigators are also examining the possibility of a wider network involved in the fabrication or circulation of fake medical certificates. Further arrests cannot be ruled out, officials added. Notably, the Assam Police in Cachar district have intensified their drive against quackery and unqualified medical practitioners over the past few months. As part of the sustained campaign, around 20 individuals posing as doctors have been arrested from different parts of the district. Authorities have reiterated their appeal to the public to verify the credentials of medical practitioners and report suspicious activities to the police or the ACMR to prevent endangering lives through unqualified medical practice. Uttar Pradesh lays a strong foundation for AI in the medical sector, to emerge as a model state. Image Source: IANS News January 12 : Lucknow: With the vision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the nature of healthcare services in Uttar Pradesh, the countrys most populous state, is changing rapidly. Amid a population of nearly 24 crore, vast rural areas, and challenges ranging from maternal and child health to non-communicable diseases, the states healthcare system is being made technology-enabled and future-ready. This is why Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a powerful support tool in the health sector, taking decision-making, disease identification, and quality of treatment to new heights. Through efforts, the Yogi Government has demonstrated to the country and the world that with strong political will, digital infrastructure, and the dedication of frontline workers, AI can significantly strengthen healthcare services. In the near future, with equitable access and coordination among states, Uttar Pradesh will not only set an example at the national level but also globally in AI-based public health innovation. The Additional Chief Secretary for Medical Health & Family Welfare Amit Kumar Gosh said, CM Yogi's vision to use technology to provide better, accessible, and timely healthcare services to the common people. Over the past 8.5 years, along with strengthening the health infrastructure, priority has also been given to digital platforms. As a result, Uttar Pradesh today is among the leading states in the country with the highest potential to implement AI-based healthcare solutions on the ground. The state has around 10 lakh frontline health workers including ASHA workers, ANMs, nurses, and doctors, who form the backbone of healthcare services from rural to urban areas. To make their work easier and more effective, several major digital platforms are active in the state. These include the Health Management Information System (HMIS), Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Portal, Nikshay Portal for TB control, and e-Sanjeevani. Today, these platforms are not limited to data collection alone but are playing a crucial role in policy formulation, monitoring, and quick decision-making. This data creates a strong foundation for AI-based solutions. The Additional Chief Secretary also added, the state has made digital public infrastructure the central pillar of health reforms. Through e-Sanjeevani, the telemedicine network has expanded extensively. Today, Uttar Pradesh has become the state providing the highest number of teleconsultations in the entire country. This very network is now moving towards adopting AI-based clinical decision-making. Currently, AI-based Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) are helping doctors at Primary Health Centres and through telemedicine services in making treatment decisions. This system suggests various treatment options based on the patients symptoms, medical history, and available data. This not only improves the quality of treatment but also reduces the workload on doctors in hospitals with high patient volumes. CM Yogi believes that AI cannot replace a doctor; rather, it empowers them further. With this philosophy, AI is being adopted in the state as a supportive tool. National Health Mission Director General Dr Pinky Joval said, the number of TB patients in the state is significant. Keeping this in view, the Yogi government has given top priority to TB eradication. She also added, by integrating AI-based analytical tools with the Nikshay Portal, areas and patient groups with higher risk are being identified. Mapping and early warning systems are helping doctors assess where additional resources and intensive monitoring are required. This enables identification even before cases emerge, strengthening CM Yogis vision that prevention is the best treatment. At the same time, reducing maternal and infant mortality rates is among the major priorities of the Yogi government. AI-based tools are assisting in identifying high-risk pregnancies, ensuring timely referrals, and improving new-born care. Frontline workers receive simple/ digital alerts, enabling them to take necessary steps in time. Non-communicable diseases, especially diabetes and hypertension, are on the rise in the state. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), around 6.5 percent of adults in the country are affected by diabetes. In Uttar Pradesh, AI is strengthening community-level screening and early detection. Pilot projects such as retinal image analysis for identifying diabetic retinopathy have demonstrated that AI can expand the reach of screening and make referral systems more effective. The AI model being adopted in the state is completely human-centric. Technology is being developed by keeping the experience of ASHA workers, ANMs, nurses, and doctors at the core. Initial pilot projects in the state have clearly shown that when AI solutions are aligned with ground-level needs, they are adopted seamlessly. This is accelerating innovation through collaboration among research institutions, technology companies, and donor agencies. The Yogi government is working towards developing Uttar Pradesh as a model state in the field of AI so that other states in the country can also follow up. For this, emphasis is being laid on a national vision for ethical and inclusive AI in healthcare, strengthening data quality, establishing a clear framework for validating AI solutions, and capacity building. January 12 : Lucknow: In order to ensure that only eligible students truly benefit from the Post-Matric Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Scheme, the Yogi government has taken a significant decision. Important amendments have been made to the Post-Matric Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Scheme Regulations-2023. These amendments will apply equally to students from Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes as well as the general category. The scheme is operated by the Social Welfare Department. This step by the Yogi government is seen as an effective effort to bring transparency to the admission processes in private educational institutions while safeguarding the interests of genuinely eligible students. Social Welfare Deputy Director Anand Kumar Singh stated that the main objective of the amendment is to make the admission process in private educational institutions technically transparent and clear, so that only eligible students can avail the benefits of scholarships and fee reimbursement. This will effectively curb the misuse of the scheme through management quota, spot admissions, and other non-transparent admission processes. Under the amended rules, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students studying in vocational or technical courses in private educational institutions will be eligible for the schemes benefits only if their admission was through a fully transparent process. This includes the institution issuing public advertisements to invite applications, preparing a rank list, and publishing a selection list, all of which are now mandatory. Additionally, fees collected from students must be only those approved by the competent authority or the fee regulatory committee. Under the amended rules, general category students will also receive fee reimbursement benefits, provided their admission was through a transparent process and only approved fees were charged from them. Deputy Director Anand Kumar Singh clarified that students admitted through management quota, spot admissions, or any other non-transparent process will not be eligible for the schemes benefits. Similarly, no benefits will be provided if the institution charges fees exceeding the prescribed amount. Rajkot : , Jan 12 (IANS) The talks for a trade agreement between India and the European Union have entered the final stage, while negotiations are continuing with the US for a bilateral trade deal, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday. The minister's statement came as he delivered the keynote address at the Regional MSME Conclave being held in Rajkot. Goyal has just returned from Brussels, where he attended high-level talks with the EU Trade and Economic Security Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic, on Friday as part of the efforts to secure a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). India is pushing for zero-duty access for its labour-intensive sectors -- such as textiles, leather, apparel, gems and jewellery, and handicrafts. "During this dialogue, we deliberated across key areas of the proposed agreement. We reaffirmed our commitment 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," Goyal said in a post on X. Goyalas remark on the continuation of India-US talks came on a day when the new US Ambassador to New Delhi, Sergio Gor, also said that the next round of the talks will be held on Tuesday (January 13) Addressing staffers and journalists as he took charge of the US embassy here, Gor said that President Donald Trump conveyed "his best wishes to his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi". "The friendship between Mr Trump and Mr Modi is real, and the U.S. and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end," Gor remarked. He also stated that while trade is very important for India-US ties, the two countries will continue to work closely together on other very important areas, such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health. He emphasised that both sides remain in regular contact despite differences over tariffs and market access. Kolkata, Jan 12 : The 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda was celebrated on Monday at Belur Math, the international headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, in Howrah district, adjacent to Kolkata. The day-long observance followed traditional rituals and cultural practices, blending devotion, reverence, and reflection on Swamijias message of service to God through service to humanity. The celebrations of Swamiji's birth anniversary at Belur Math began early Monday with the morning prayer of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, the spiritual mentor of Swamiji. The enthusiasm and devotion of thousands of followers of Swamiji, Shri Ramakrishna, and the latteras wife and spiritual consort, Maa Sarada, assembled at Belur Math over the auspicious occasion, perfectly reflected Swamijias statement after its foundation -- Ekhane Udvinno Chota Jogotke Plabito Korbe, Manusher Jibangoti Palte Debe (From here shall emanate such unpolluted streams of thought as shall inundate the whole world and change the course of human life). Special rituals were performed throughout the day at Belur Math to celebrate the auspicious occasion. The rituals performed on the occasion were not just spiritual but also marked by a strong intellectual and contemplative spirit. As Swamjias birthday is observed as the National Youth Day, members of various organisations and institutions inspired by his teachings organised processions that culminated at Belur Math. Students from several educational institutions also took out morning processions to the monastery. Vedic recitations and discourses were held as part of the programme. The entire observance at Belur Math was conducted in a non-political manner, in keeping with the institutionas spiritual ethos. Meanwhile, Swami Vivekanandaas birth anniversary was also commemorated at his ancestral house on Simla Street in north Kolkata. Unlike Belur Math, the event there was marked by political overtones, with leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties visiting the site from Monday morning to pay their respects. January 12 : Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh government is fully committed to farmers welfare in line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths vision. In this direction, the Revenue Council is rapidly working to make the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana completely digital. The timeline for the schemes digitization has been set for February 2026. In the Chief Secretarys meeting, Revenue Council officials reported that once the process is complete, the schemes operations will be fully online. This will allow farmer families to easily receive compensation from home in case of accidents. Additionally, digitization will make the schemes operations more timely, effective, and transparent. Officials informed the meeting that by December 2025, approximately 29,394 farmers applications have been approved under the scheme. In line with the Chief Ministers directives, the Revenue Council is fully digitizing the scheme. With NICs assistance, a modern web portal and software are being developed. Through this portal, the entire process from application submission, document upload, verification, approval, to benefit disbursement will be online. Previously, applications could be submitted via NICs web portal, but other processes involved physical verification, causing difficulties for farmer families. Once fully online, farmers wont need to repeatedly visit tehsil or district offices, and opportunities for corruption will be eliminated. Department officials stated that the portal update work is underway and will be completed by February 2026. Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana was launched by CM Yogi Adityanath in 2019. The Revenue Councils divisional report states that by December 2025, approximately 29,394 farmers applications have been approved under the scheme. Among these, the highest numbers are from Lucknow division with 3,569, Gorakhpur division with 3,143, and Ayodhya and Kanpur divisions with 2,491 and 2,436 approvals respectively. The scheme provides a safety net to farmers and their families in case of accidents. Under it, farmers receive up to 5 lakh in financial assistance for death or permanent disability due to accidents. The Revenue Councils digital initiative is a significant step toward Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths vision of Digital India and e governance. Digitization will enable farmers to apply from home, track application status, and receive benefits directly in their bank accounts. It will also save time and enhance transparency in operations. The state governments aim is to ensure no eligible farmer is deprived of the schemes benefits. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 : Kerala's Leader of the Opposition (LoP), V.D. Satheesan, on Monday, ruled out the Congress-led UDF's participation in the Left Democratic Front's protest against the Centre, accusing the Pinarayi Vijayan government of staging a "fake agitation" to conceal what he termed a political understanding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Addressing the media, LoP Satheesan said the Chief Minister and the Kerala government "stand submissively before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi", while misleading the people in Kerala by projecting themselves as fighters against the Centre. "This is a government that protests outside and signs papers placed before it by PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah inside," he alleged. The Opposition leader said the Kerala government's stand on Central schemes, including the PM SHRI project, had already exposed its duplicity. "If the UDF joins such a protest, we too will be compromised," Satheesan said, making it clear that the Congress-led front would stay away. The LoP alleged an "unholy understanding" between the BJP leadership at the Centre and the CPI-M leadership in Kerala to protect each other from legal troubles. He also accused the CPI-M of promoting majoritarian communalism in the state, on lines similar to the BJP. "Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan himself enabled hate speeches by Vellappally Natesan, and similar statements by A.K. Balan later made the pattern clear," he said. According to LoP Satheesan, the CPI-M has adopted the Sangh Parivar's strategy of exploiting religious divisions for political gain. "After the last Parliamentary elections, the CPI-M has shifted from encouraging minority communalism to promoting majority communalism," he alleged, adding that the current protest was aimed at diverting public attention from this shift. Reiterating long-standing accusations, LoP Satheesan claimed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had risen politically with the support of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). "Not a single Congress MLA has entered the Assembly with RSS or BJP backing. Pinarayi Vijayan, on the other hand, has done so," he said, alleging secret engagements with RSS leaders even after assuming office as the Chief Minister. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Kolkata, Jan 12 : Kolkata Police has started the process of making the neighbours of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) director Pratik Jain, witnesses in the investigation against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the latter's raid and search operations at Jain's residence at Loudon Street in central Kolkata on January 8. Kolkata, Jan 12 (IANS) Kolkata Police has started the process of making the neighbours of Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) director Pratik Jain, witnesses in the investigation against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over the latteras raid and search operations at Jainas residence at Loudon Street in central Kolkata on January 8. Sources said on Monday that already, some of the neighbours have been summoned by the investigating team of the city police for questioning on their experiences, while the ED officials, accompanied by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, conducted raid and search operations at Jainas residence on Thursday morning. On January 8, ED officials suddenly raided the Loudon Street residence of Pratik Jain, the head of I-PAC in connection with a coal smuggling case. The raid was also carried out at I-PAC's Salt Lake office. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the scene upon receiving the news. According to the Trinamool Congress supremo's allegations, election-related party documents, candidate list, election strategy and electronic records of the party were "looted" by the ED officers in the name of conducting raids. Following this, the Chief Minister filed complaints against the ED at the Shakespeare Sarani Police Station and the Bidhannagar Electronic Complex Police Station, alleging theft of documents. Based on these complaints, the police have launched an investigation into the alleged theft of Trinamool Congress election-related information and documents. It was learnt that the police have summoned residents of that apartment complex for questioning regarding the ED raid. It is reported that notices have been sent to residents of Pratik's apartment on Loudon Street, as well as to his neighbours. It is understood that they have been summoned to provide information about what they heard since the ED raid began and the movements of the officers during the search. The police also want details of the incident from the neighbours to corroborate their findings on that day. Residents and neighbours of that apartment have been summoned in connection with both, the case filed by Trinamool supremo Mamata Banerjee and the suo motu case filed by the police. According to sources, ED officials were unable to collect any significant evidence from Pratik Jain's house and office. However, they have obtained evidence related to the obstruction of their investigation process. They have two CCTV footages; one shows a police officer pushing a CRPF jawan and the other is a video of an altercation at Pratik Jain's house, said sources. At the same time, the Kolkata Police have collected all the CCTV camera footage and Digital Video Recorders (DVR) from the house. It is also reported that the statements of Pratik Jain's domestic staff and security personnel have been recorded. Furthermore, the house's security register has also been seized. It is learnt that the police are examining what names the ED officers wrote in the register book on the day of the raid, or if they wrote anything at all. If necessary, the police will also speak to Pratik Jain, his wife and his mother, according to sources. The police have already summoned the building's facility manager. On the other hand, investigators have learnt that on the day of the raid, Thursday, the ED officers entered Pratik's house at 6:20 am and left at 2:50 pm. However, police officers also arrived at the scene during the investigation. According to information, police officers arrived at Pratik Jain's residence between 11:15 am and 11:20 am. Police are examining the sequence of events before and after the arrival of the cops using footage obtained from various sources. This includes not only CCTV footage but also footage from police body cameras. Several police officers who arrived at Pratik Jain's house that day were wearing body cameras. It is reported that multiple moments were captured on these body cameras. Police sources indicate that all this footage is being examined. Bhopal, Jan 12 : Bhopal witnessed a bold declaration of intent at the Madhya Pradesh Startup Summit and Ecosystem Awards 2026, held at Ravindra Bhavan. Madhya Pradesh has announced its ambitious plan to expand its startup base from the current 6,500 to 10,000 within the next year-and-a-half, underscoring its growing role in India's dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. Principal Secretary (Industry) of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), Raghvendra Kumar Singh, highlighted that the summit was not merely a review of past achievements but a platform to align policy, administration, and entrepreneurship for future growth. He noted India's position as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem, with nearly 159,000 Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade-registered startups, more than 100 unicorns, and 16 lakh direct jobs. Madhya Pradesh, he emphasised, is already outperforming national averages, with nearly 3,100 women-led ventures, and is determined to scale up further under the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy, 2025. The Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy, 2025, offers robust financial and infrastructural support, including a Rs 100 crore seed capital fund, grants up to Rs 30 lakh, interest subsidies, and subsistence allowances. Women-led startups account for 47 per cent of the state's ecosystem -- three times the national average -- while inclusive measures extend to SC/ST entrepreneurs, incubation support, and digital infrastructure. "These grants are not charity but smart economic initiatives for entrepreneurial mainstreaming," Singh remarked, citing successful ventures in districts like Narmadapuram, Vidisha, and Harda. While Chief Minister Mohan Yadav underscored India's legacy of innovation, recalling the pioneering work of Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose in plant sensitivity, microwaves, and semiconductors. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives in fostering research and entrepreneurship, including programmes launched from Indore in 2022. Showcasing local innovation, Chief Minister Yadav highlighted a startup developing a low-cost machine capable of harvesting one acre of crops for just Rs 10 in an hour, addressing agricultural and environmental challenges. "India, now the fourth-largest economy, will soon rise to third and eventually first," the Chief Minister declared confidently. The summit reaffirmed Madhya Pradesh's position as a leading state in India's startup rankings, with a vision to drive inclusive, future-ready growth and strengthen India's march toward becoming a global economic leader. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 : Kerala's much-celebrated public healthcare system is facing one of its gravest crises, with government medical college teachers warning that systemic neglect could push the sector towards collapse. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 (IANS) Keralaas much-celebrated public healthcare system is facing one of its gravest crises, with government medical college teachers warning that systemic neglect could push the sector towards collapse. The Kerala Government Medical College Teachersa Association (KGMCTA) on Monday said the stateas medical education and tertiary care framework is being steadily weakened by staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and policy paralysis. In a strongly worded statement, the association noted that medical colleges form the apex of Indiaas three-tier healthcare structure, providing advanced treatment, training specialists, and conducting research. "The strength of the entire public health system depends on the quality of these institutions," the KGMCTA said, cautioning that continued neglect would undermine Keralaas health security. Despite the governmentas claim of raising the number of medical colleges to 14, the association argued that most lack even basic secondary-care facilities, while only a few have full-fledged tertiary care and speciality services. This shortfall, it said, has forced patients to increasingly depend on private hospitals, driving up out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Official data, the KGMCTA pointed out, places Kerala among the states where patients spend the most from their own pockets for treatment. The crisis is compounded by severe faculty shortages. According to the association, 375 teaching posts, including professors, associate professors, and assistant professors, remain vacant across government medical colleges. New colleges in Kasaragod, Wayanad, Konni, and Idukki are operating with acute deficits in manpower and infrastructure. Doctors are often compelled to examine 300 to 400 patients a day, raising serious safety concerns. The KGMCTA alleged that instead of addressing root causes, authorities resort to suspending doctors when errors occur under extreme workload conditions. Recruitment delays due to prolonged court cases and the failure to implement promised pay revisions and allowances have further demoralised faculty. The association said assurances given by the Health Minister during talks on November 10, 2025, have not translated into action. As a result, the KGMCTA has announced an escalation of its agitation, including indefinite boycotts of outpatient services and non-emergency procedures in phases from January 13. However, it stressed that emergency care, ICUs, inpatient services, emergency surgeries, and post-mortem examinations will continue uninterrupted. "This is not merely a doctorsa protest, but a struggle to protect the right of ordinary citizens to affordable, quality healthcare," the association said, urging public support while seeking their patience for temporary inconveniences. The former president of Venezuela awaits trial in New York, where he is expected to argue that international law was violated and that diplomatic immunity must be respected Nicolas Maduro has gone from sleeping in the Casa de Los Pinos, a fortified palace in Caracas, to sleeping on a metal cot, covered with a wool mattress, at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. It is one of the worst prisons in New York, known as hell on earth. It is there that he awaits trial for narcoterrorism offenses. The ousted president of Venezuela was captured along with his wife, Cilia Flores, by a U.S. special forces unit that transferred them to New York. Attorney General Pam Bondi released the indictment that same day, charging him with four offenses related to narcoterrorism and possession of machine guns. He is accused of conspiring and devising a plan with high-ranking officials in his government to flood the United States with cocaine. The leader of the Chavista regime faces a legal ordeal that could last for more than two years. The couple faces severe penalties, including life imprisonment. Their lawyers will attempt to overturn the arrest by invoking international law, defending their diplomatic immunity, challenging evidence, and contesting the proceedings. The case against Maduro is poised to be one of the trials of the century in the United States due to its complexity and media attention. The first episode of the soap opera that the case threatens to become unfolded last Monday. The Latin American leader, heavily escorted by police officers and DEA agents, arrived at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse, the building that houses the Southern District Court of New York, for his first court appearance. There, amid great anticipation, he appeared before Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a 92-year-old magistrate with extensive experience in high-profile cases. Maduro, 63, pleaded not guilty. Seemingly relaxed and calm, even smiling, he proclaimed through a translator: I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still the president of my country. I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela, he stated. I am the president of Venezuela, and I am being held hostage here, he insisted before being interrupted by the judge. His wife, visibly bruised and with some serious injuries after their abrupt capture as they tried to flee their shelter during the attack by the elite U.S. military unit, echoed this sentiment: I am the First Lady of the Republic of Venezuela. Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores, before the judge in New York, on January 5. Elizabeth Williams (AP) These brief testimonies constitute the first line of defense. His lawyer, a tenacious and tough Washington jurist nicknamed The Pitbull, is Barry Pollack, known for his skill in securing the release of Julian Assange, the co-founder of WikiLeaks, the platform responsible for the largest leak of classified files in recent history. Pollack, who has already begun to question the suitability of some members of the prosecution, plans to begin his work with two lines of defense: first, that Maduros arrest was illegal because it violates international law; and second, that he has immunity as president of Venezuela. During the hearing, Pollack raised questions about the legality of his military abduction, a point Maduro emphasized as a line of defense. That same day, several countries protested the military action at the UN Security Council. The U.S. operation in Venezuela is clearly illegal, and it will be crucial for the international community to recognize it as such and for the United States to be held accountable. Otherwise, the credibility of the international ecosystem will be seriously undermined, stated Marc Weller, Professor of International Law at the University of Cambridge. The Trump administration, however, maintains that it was a law enforcement operation that required military intervention in a foreign country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued: Essentially, this was the arrest of two fugitives wanted by U.S. justice, and the Department of Defense supported the Department of Justice in that. Matthew C. Waxman, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), a nonpartisan U.S. think tank, says: Once hes in U.S. custody, the international legality of his detention wont matter much for prosecution. Maduro will keep raising this issue, but I doubt hell get anywhere. Its quite obvious that, to obtain immunity, you need to be a diplomatically recognized head of state, Dick Gregorie, a federal prosecutor in Miami, explained to CNN. Maduro is considered an illegitimate president by U.S. authorities after failing to demonstrate his victory in the 2024 elections. The electoral records compiled by the opposition declared Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia the winner, backed by opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who had been barred from holding office. There is also a precedent that could support the White Houses position: the case of Panamanian dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega, arrested in 1990, also on January 3, like Maduro, and tried in a Miami court on drug trafficking charges. The two cases share many parallels. Noriegas lawyers also unsuccessfully attempted to appeal to international law. The Panamanian dictator was sentenced to 40 years in prison, although he was extradited to France to serve the final years of his sentence there. Gregorie worked on the formal prosecution in Noriegas case. He recalls that one of the defense strategies, which he suspects will be replicated in Maduros case, is to demand the release of evidence and details of Maduros high-level relationship with Washington. Classified information threatens to delay the proceedings for months. Judge Hellerstein has scheduled the next hearing for mid-March. It is expected that the validity of the evidence on which the Justice Department has based its case will be debated then. Some analysts suggest that the administration may have gathered potentially incriminating evidence and testimony from other legal proceedings. The nephews of Cilia Flores, Maduros wife, have been prosecuted for drug trafficking in the United States. This is the same crime for which the former head of the Chavista regimes intelligence services, Hugo Armando El Pollo Carvajal, was convicted. He pleaded guilty after deciding to cooperate with U.S. authorities. He was tried in the same New York court where Maduros case is being heard. Nicolas Maduro, at DEA facilities in New York, on January 3. @PaulDMauro (REUTERS) The politician who started out as a bus driver in Venezuela faces four charges: conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine into the U.S., and possession of machine guns and destructive devices, as well as conspiracy to acquire those weapons. Conspiracy cases are often more difficult to prosecute due to the complexity of presenting evidence, compared to other types of crimes that are more straightforward. It remains to be seen whether the case will ultimately go to trial or whether a plea bargain will be negotiated in exchange for a reduced sentence and extradition to another country, as happened with Noriega. The Justice Departments indictment includes precise details. It alleges that Maduro used the Venezuelan Embassy in Mexico to facilitate the return of cocaine proceeds. The more detailed indictment describes how, between 2006 and 2008, Maduro sold diplomatic passports to criminals so they could transfer drug trafficking proceeds from Mexico to Caracas. It asserts that the defendants conspired with narcotics traffickers and narco-terrorist groups to ship processed cocaine from Venezuela to the United States via Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, utilizing Mexicans because of their control of the routes and their expertise in smuggling the drug across the border. The hearing in March is also expected to begin clarifying the lawyers lines of defense. The prison where Maduro is being held is known as hell on earth. Drugs are rampant, fights between inmates are frequent, and complaints about the conditions, including frequent power outages and filth, are commonplace. He shares the prison with 1,300 other inmates in an overcrowded facility. Advocates often complain about the dangers faced by prisoners in this jail, which they describe as inhumane. For security reasons, Maduro is in a separate unit, isolated from the general prison population. Until U.S. courts determine the legality of the raid [on Maduros residence], criticism that it was illegal is opinion, not fact. An additional benefit of prosecuting Maduro is that these arguments will be heard in court. Given the gravity and constitutional nature of many of the legal issues at stake, the case will end up in the Supreme Court. That process could take years, says Mark F. Cancian, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Hyderabad, Jan 12 : The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has arrested an imposter who was trying to interfere in the working of the Directorate in connection with an ongoing investigation against Heera Gold MD Nowhera Shaik and others. The ED, Hyderabad Zonal Office, said on Monday that Kalyan Banerjee was produced before a Special PMLA Court, which remanded him to judicial custody till January 23. The ED said that after failing to legally protect properties acquired by her out of Proceeds of Crime, Nowhera Shaik hired the services of an imposter, Kalyan Banerjee, on a monthly remuneration as well as a commission basis. Kalyan Banerjee started messaging and calling ED officers and falsely projected himself as close to several high-ranking bureaucrats and politicians. He tried to entice the officers to manipulate the auction process, but when he was categorically told to follow due process of law, he started threatening the officers and put pressure on them to stall the auction process. The ED found during the investigation that he was an imposter who was impersonating a consultant to various departments and was close to senior bureaucrats and politicians. He was finally traced on the basis of intelligence, and a search action under section 17 of the PMLA was conducted at his premises in Secunderabad on January 10. He admitted to impersonation in order to put pressure on officers. He also admitted that he was acting on the directions of Nowhera Shaik and her associates. The ED has been investigating a case against Nowhera Shaik and others under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, on the basis of several FIRs registered by the police in various states. Investigation by the police revealed that Nowhera Shaik and others had collected investment of more than Rs 5,978 crore from the gullible public with a promise of higher returns of more than 36 per cent a year, but failed to return even the principal amount. The ED investigation revealed that Nowhera Shaik had utilised part of the Proceeds of Crime towards the purchase of various immovable properties in her name, in the name of her companies and her relatives. During the investigation, properties amounting to around Rs 428 crore have been attached by ED and Prosecution Complaint as well as Supplementary Prosecution Complaint have been filed before the Special PMLA Court, Hyderabad. On a petition by the ED, the Supreme Court gave approval for the auction of confirmed attached properties so that the proceeds of the same could be restored to the victims. Several attached properties in the case have been put up for auction through MSTC. However, Nowhera Shaik repeatedly tried to stall the auction process before the Supreme Court as well as the Telangana High Court. To stall the last auction, which was conducted on January 5, 2026, she filed a petition before the Telangana High Court, alleging malafide in the auction process. The petition was dismissed by the Court, and an exemplary cost of Rs 5 crore was imposed on Nowhera Shaik. The court ordered that the said cost be deposited by Nowhera Shaik in the Prime Ministeras Relief Fund. Patna, Jan 12 : Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi expressed serious concern over the attacks on minority communities, particularly Hindus and temples in Bangladesh. He said that members of the Hindu community and their places of worship were facing repeated attacks and claimed that the Opposition parties in India were maintaining silence on the issue. Saraogi alleged that if any incident occurs against minorities elsewhere, Opposition leaders immediately take to the streets, but no voice is being raised against what he termed as atrocities against Hindus. "This selective silence is unfortunate," he said. He demanded that the Bangladeshi government ensure complete security for the Hindu community and their religious sites. Saraogi added that there is a limit to tolerance and that the Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is serious about the safety and dignity of Hindus. Commenting on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's development tour, Saraogi said the Chief Minister is actively monitoring Bihar's progress. He noted that several new schemes announced during the tour have received Cabinet approval amounting to over Rs 50,000 crore. "The Chief Minister is visiting districts to review development works, and implementation of these schemes has already begun at a fast pace," he added. Meanwhile, Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday strongly criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over the alleged attack on Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, saying the state is witnessing a direct confrontation between democracy and what he claimed was a government with a terrorist mindset. Addressing the media in Begusarai, Giriraj Singh alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government is surviving with the support of tyrannical elements, terrorists, and Bangladeshi infiltrators. He asserted that the BJP would restore democracy in West Bengal and work towards identifying and expelling illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators. "A government cannot be run on the basis of hooliganism and violence. Bengal is an integral part of India, and those doing politics with the support of Bangladeshi infiltrators will be given a befitting reply," the Union Minister said. New Delhi, Jan 12 : A delivery rider, identified as Rishabh Kumar, was brutally assaulted after being forced to squat like a chicken as a form of punishment at a Zepto store in Delhi's New Ashok Nagar area, police said on Monday. The incident took place on Sunday in Kondli, which falls under the jurisdiction of the New Ashok Nagar police station in East Delhi, and the entire episode was captured on CCTV cameras installed at the premises. According to police officials, the assault allegedly followed an incident in which Rishabh took a perfume from the store and sprayed it on himself. This act was reportedly noticed by other employees present at the store. Following this, the delivery rider was allegedly subjected to humiliating treatment, during which he was forced to squat like a chicken before being brutally beaten by those present. The New Ashok Nagar Police Station has registered a complaint in the matter and initiated an investigation. Officials said that the CCTV footage is being examined, and further action will be taken soon based on the findings. Police also confirmed that the victim is undergoing a medical examination, and legal proceedings are being initiated in accordance with the law. The incident comes just days after another Zepto delivery executive was allegedly attacked by two scooty riders in a separate case, highlighting growing concerns over the safety of gig workers. In that incident, the delivery agent was beaten by two men following a road rage altercation and was left injured and lying helpless in the middle of the street. As incidents involving assaults on gig workers continue to surface, the issue of their rights and safety remains under active discussion. The gig workers had also staged a nationwide protest on New Year's Eve, demanding better working conditions and pay. In a related development, the Labour Ministry recently proposed a 90-day annual work threshold as a mandatory eligibility criterion for gig and platform workers to access social security benefits under the Social Security Code, 2020. The draft rules were published on December 31, marking a significant step towards extending social protection to workers in the gig economy. Seoul, Jan 12 : South Korean Police and military officials launched a joint investigation on Monday to investigate North Korea's claims of drone incursions across the inter-Korean border. On Saturday, the North's military claimed that South Korea violated the North's sovereignty by sending drones into its territory in September and on January 4, but Seoul's defence ministry denied the claim. The joint team of some 30 police and military officials has started investigating the alleged incursions, according to the National Police Agency's National Office of Investigation. South Korea's military has denied sending the drones or operating the models allegedly found in the North, raising the possibility that private entities may have been behind them. Police are reportedly prioritising looking into past cases involving drones similar to the model unveiled by North Korea. Experts have rejected the drones in question were operated by the military, saying they appear to use low-cost commercial parts unfit for military purposes. Some have said the drones appear similar to a model from Chinese drone manufacturer Skywalker Technology, Yonhap news agency reported. Earlier in the day, the South Korean government will continue efforts to ease tensions and build trust with North Korea despite Pyongyang's recent claim accusing Seoul of carrying out drone incursions into the country, the unification ministry said. Unification ministry spokesperson Yoon Min-ho made the remarks after President Lee Jae Myung ordered last week the creation of a joint military-police investigation team to look into the alleged drone incursions. On Sunday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, demanded that Seoul provide a detailed explanation, a day after the North Korean military claimed that the South violated the North's sovereignty by sending drones carrying surveillance equipment in September and on January 4. "It's important to continue efforts to alleviate tensions and build trust between the South and the North through prompt truth-finding by the investigation team," the spokesperson said in a press briefing. Yoon also reaffirmed Seoul's stance that it has no intention of provoking or irritating North Korea. The South Korean military has denied sending the drones on the dates claimed by the North or operating the models found in the North, raising the possibility that they may have been flown by private entities. Amaravati, Jan 12 : Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday accused the coalition government in the state of 'backstabbing' youth by not fulfilling the election promises. He alleged that the government has placed the future of the youth and the state in peril. The former Chief Minister took to 'X' on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary to target the TDP-led NDA government over its policies towards youth. "Swami Vivekananda believed that if the youth work with focus and a goal, India grows stronger. On this National Youth Day, we remember his call. Is the state government allowing the youth to achieve this goal? In reality, the state of Andhra Pradesh's youth is grim," he posted. He mentioned that payment for eight quarters of fee reimbursement has been pending. He also wrote that the government has not paid Rs 4,900 crore under the Vidya Deevena scheme, while Rs 2,200 crore remains unpaid under Vasathi Deevena. Jagan Mohan Reddy said the Rs 3,000 per month unemployment allowance, as promised in the alliance's manifesto, has not been paid over the past two years. He stated that online certification courses have been discontinued. "Backstabbing the youth by breaching manifesto promises, the state government has placed the future of the youth and the state in peril. I demand the Chandrababu Naidu government to Arise, Awake, and facilitate the youth to achieve their goals," the former Chief Minister added. Meanwhile, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, saying he ignited confidence and courage among India's youth. "National Youth Day draws its strength from the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, whose life ignited confidence, courage, and a spirit of service among India's youth. He placed his faith in young minds, urging them to build character, seek knowledge, and work selflessly for the nation and humanity with discipline and unity. Greetings to the youth on National Youth Day, you are our nation's greatest strength," he posted on 'X'. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 : The conspicuous absence of Kerala Congress(M) chairman Jose K. Mani and RJD leader M.V. Sreyams Kumar from the 'Satyagraha' protest led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Palayam Martyrs' Memorial on Monday has reignited intense speculation over a possible realignment within the traditional political fronts, with Assembly elections on the horizon. Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 12 (IANS) The conspicuous absence of Kerala Congress(M) chairman Jose K. Mani and RJD leader M.V. Sreyams Kumar from the 'Satyagraha' protest led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Palayam Martyrsa Memorial on Monday has reignited intense speculation over a possible realignment within the traditional political fronts, with Assembly elections on the horizon. CM Vijayan led the protests against the "callous" attitude of the Centre towards Kerala. While senior leaders of both parties were present -- including Kerala Congress (M) Minister Roshy Augustine, Chief Whip N. Jayaraj and RJD representative Varghese George -- the absence of the two party chiefs did not go unnoticed. The protest, widely viewed as the ruling Left Front's informal launch of its election campaign, acquired added political significance in the backdrop of their continued disengagement from recent LDF activities. Jose K. Mani had skipped the previous two LDF meetings as well, and his absence from the high-profile protest has sharpened whispers of unease within the Kerala Congress (M) over its alliance choice. Adding to the intrigue is his reluctance to publicly confirm whether he will assume charge as captain of the LDFas central region jatha scheduled for February -- a role already under discussion for reassignment to N. Jayaraj. The central jatha is slated to run from Angamaly on February 6 to Aranmula on February 13, alongside other regional jathas led by CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan and CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam. The renewed churn has also brought the RJD into focus, with M.V. Sreyams Kumaras absence reinforcing perceptions of coordinated political distancing. Both leaders head parties with a history of shifting political loyalties, a legacy shaped during the eras of their respective fathers -- K.M. Mani and M.P. Veerendra Kumar -- who were known for recalibrating alliances in response to changing political winds. Within the Kerala Congress (M), pressure has reportedly mounted from influential sections, including traditionally supportive Christian groups, to reconsider a return to the UDF. Proponents argue that the anti-Left mood evident in the local body elections must be politically acknowledged. The partyas modest tally of five wins from 12 seats in the otherwise Left-favourable 2021 Assembly polls has further fed concerns of a potential setback if it continues with the LDF. At the same time, a counterview within both parties cautions that abandoning the LDF -- which stood by them during politically difficult phases -- just ahead of the elections could be perceived as opportunistic. Some MLAs have publicly backed continuing with the Left, while others have said that they will stand by the partyas final call. The Congress and the Muslim League, meanwhile, have openly favoured the Kerala Congress (M)as return to the UDF, seeing it as a pathway to consolidating an anti-incumbency front. However, resistance from the Joseph faction and anxieties over seat-sharing remain unresolved hurdles. With high-level party meetings scheduled on the 16th and seat negotiations expected to intensify across fronts, the silence of Jose K. Mani and M.V. Sreyams Kumar is speaking louder than words -- and the next few days could decisively shape Keralaas pre-poll political chessboard. Pune, Jan 12 : Amid the heated campaigning for the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, on Monday, has cleared the air regarding the unexpected alliance between the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in his interview to a regional TV channel explained the tactical reasoning behind joining forces with the Sharad Pawar-led faction in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, citing the primary goal of preventing a split in the vote bank of two NCP factions. He said that he initially approached the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to discuss a potential alliance between their respective Shiv Sena and NCP factions, given that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had decided to contest the Pune polls independently. "I asked Eknath Shinde if we should contest together since the BJP was going solo. At that time, he (Eknath Shinde) declined, saying his discussions with the BJP were still ongoing," Deputy CM Pawar added. According to Deputy CM Pawar, Shiv Sena chief leader Shinde reached out a day before the 'AB' form (candidate nomination) deadline, suggesting an alliance after talks with the BJP failed. However, Deputy CM Pawar declined at that stage, noting that he had already announced his candidates and a last-minute change would lead to internal rebellion. Following the failed coordination with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Pune, the two NCP factions -- led by Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar -- initiated talks. Deputy Chief Minister Pawar emphasised that "arithmetic" was the driving force behind the reconciliation for this local body election. He noted that if the two factions fought separately, the division of loyal NCP voters would benefit the BJP. "Ultimately, the number of seats won is what matters. If these votes come together, our strength increases," he added. Despite rumours that Deputy CM Ajit Pawar demanded all candidates contest under his 'Clock' symbol, he clarified that he took a flexible approach. In areas where the Sharad Pawar faction was stronger, Ajit Pawar agreed to let the candidates lead. He confirmed that high-level discussions took place between himself, NCP-SP MP Amol Kolhe, and NCP MLA Rohit Pawar to finalise the seat-sharing formula. The political climate in Maharashtra has been volatile since the 2023 split within the NCP, which saw Ajit Pawar join the Mahayuti government alongside the BJP and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena. Ajit Pawar's faction is aligned with the BJP at the state level. However, local body elections often see unique "local adjustments". In this instance, the BJP's decision to contest the Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections on its own strength forced the other political players to rethink their strategies. The political observers suggest that the reunification of the "Two NCPs" for the Pune local polls marks a significant tactical shift, suggesting that regional dominance remains a priority for both factions over state-level alliances. Jaipur, Jan 12 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday said youth participation is crucial to realising the vision of a "Developed Rajasthan", asserting that India is a young nation and its youth form the foundation of both the country and the state. Addressing students from various educational institutions during a pre-budget dialogue at the Chief Minister's residence, Sharma said the dream of a Developed India and a Developed Rajasthan can be achieved through the energy and strength of the youth. Extending greetings to the youth on National Youth Day, he said Swami Vivekananda remains a source of inspiration for all, and his message encourages the youth to remain steadfast and determined in achieving their goals. "When youth progress, the nation and the state move forward," he said. The Chief Minister said the state government is committed to fulfilling the aspirations of young people and ensuring their inclusive development, adding that the government's priority is to make the budget youth-centric to accelerate the state's development and build a strong Rajasthan. Taking a dig at the previous government, CM Sharma said while promises were made to youth earlier, his government has taken strict action against incidents of paper leaks, adding that no such cases have been reported in the past two years. He said the government is prioritising employment for youth and in the past two years more than one lakh government appointments have been made, while recruitment processes are underway for around 1.5 lakh posts. Sharma said the government has set a target of four lakh jobs in the government sector and significant employment generation in the private sector over the next five years, creating over one crore job opportunities for youth. He said several important steps are being taken to promote entrepreneurship among youth. Under the Rising Rajasthan initiative, investment proposals worth Rs 35 lakh crore have been received, of which projects worth Rs 8 lakh crore have been grounded. To support this, skill development initiatives are being strengthened, and more than three lakh youth have received skill training in various economic sectors, he said. The Chief Minister said the state government has also provided internships to two lakh students, established 65 lakh launchpad nests, and extended assistance to 658 beneficiaries. CM Sharma said the government has implemented a comprehensive development roadmap with a focus on water and electricity. Work is progressing rapidly on projects such as the Ramjal Setu Link Project, seawater-related initiatives for Shekhawati, and schemes connected with the Indira Gandhi Canal, Dewas, Mahi and Narmada, he said. He added that several important decisions have also been taken in the power sector. The government had promised daytime electricity supply to farmers and is now delivering extended hours of power supply, with the state moving towards self-reliance in electricity. The Chief Minister said the state government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working on the vision of "Development along with Heritage". As part of this effort, concessions have been provided for the conservation and restoration of 662 historic havelis in the Shekhawati region, he said. Sharma said Rajasthan is rich in 82 types of mineral resources and its tourism destinations have global recognition. The state's lakes, forts, havelis, deserts and religious sites remain major attractions for domestic and international tourists, he said. He said training facilities are being developed through the phased establishment of Atal Gyan Kendras at every gram panchayat to benefit rural students. The objective is to provide employment-oriented training at the grassroots level, he said, adding that the government is guided by a welfare-oriented approach inspired by the philosophy of Integral Humanism, ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reach the last person in society. During the programme, youth appreciated several decisions taken by the Chief Minister over the past two years in the interest of young people. They also offered suggestions on education, employment, skill development, entrepreneurship and industry. The Chief Minister assured that efforts would be made to incorporate these suggestions into the upcoming budget. Earlier, he paid floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda on National Youth Day. The event was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Skill and Entrepreneurship) Sandeep Verma, Principal Secretary (Women and Child Development) Bhawani Singh Detha, Principal Secretary (Finance) Vaibhav Galaria, senior officials, and a large number of students from Rajasthan University, various government colleges, government ITIs and other institutions. New Delhi, Jan 12 : For the first time since domestic production began in 2021, US tech giant Apple Inc's iPhone exports from India crossed Rs 2 lakh crore in 2025, as per industry data. New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) For the first time since domestic production began in 2021, US tech giant Apple Incas iPhone exports from India crossed Rs 2 lakh crore in 2025, as per industry data. Exports of the tech company in Januarya"December 2025 reached a record $23 billion or Rs 2.03 lakh crore, up nearly 85 per cent over 2024 exports. Around three months remain before Appleas fivea'year PLI window ends. Under the production-linked incentive scheme (PLI), Appleas focus in India had been expansion of the iPhones exports. In the first nine months of FY26, iPhone exports stood at nearly $16 billion, pushing cumulative shipments during the PLI period beyond the $50a'billion mark. By comparison, Samsung exported devices worth around $17 billion during its fivea'year eligibility period under the scheme from FY21 to FY25. Appleas manufacturing footprint in the country includes five iPhone assembly plantsa"three operated by Tata Group entities and two by Foxconna"supported by a supply chain of around 45 companies, including many MSMEs supplying components for domestic and global operations. Driven largely by iPhone shipments which contributed about 75 per cent of total smartphone exports, smartphones rose to Indiaas single largest export category in FY25, up from their rank of 167 among export items in 2015. India became the worldas second-largest mobile phone producer, with more than 99 per cent of phones sold domestically now Made in India moves up the manufacturing value chain. The smartphone PLI scheme is scheduled to conclude in March 2026, though the government is reportedly exploring ways to extend support. Under revised rules, companies were allowed to claim incentives for any five consecutive years within a sixa'year period. Apple also sold about 6.5 million iPhone 16 units in the first 11 months of 2025, making it the countryas highest selling smartphone. New Delhi, Jan 12 : A CBI court has convicted and sentenced two former Punjab National Bank (PNB) officials in connection with a Rs 4 crore bank fraud case involving the Jor Bagh branch in New Delhi, an official statement said on Monday. The convicted public servants are Kulvinder Kaur Johar, then Chief Manager and Branch Head, and Ranjiv Suneja, then Senior Manager of PNBas Jor Bagh branch. The court sentenced both to three yearsa rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 75,000 each. The bankas panel advocate, Narendra Singh Parihar, was also convicted and sentenced to two-and-a-half yearsa imprisonment with a fine of Rs 50,000. The conviction and sentencing were pronounced on January 9. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered the case on July 11, 2013, against Sanjeev Dixit, proprietor of M/s Shankar Metals; Sanjay Sharma, proprietor of M/s Super Machines; Indra Rani; and other unknown persons. According to the prosecution, the accused entered into a criminal conspiracy to dishonestly and fraudulently obtain a cash credit facility of Rs 4 crore from PNBas Jor Bagh branch by submitting bogus and forged property documents. The loan proceeds were subsequently diverted for purposes other than those for which the facility had been sanctioned. The investigation revealed that Sanjeev Dixit, in connivance with PNB officials Kulvinder Kaur Johar and Ranjiv Suneja, along with panel advocate N.S. Parihar and others fraudulently secured the cash credit limit using forged property and KYC documents. The bank funds were then siphoned off through bogus bank accounts of fictitious firms and companies, the CBI said. Following completion of the investigation, the CBI filed charge sheets against Sanjeev Dixit alias Sanjay Sharma, N.S. Parihar, Kulvinder Kaur Johar, Ranjiv Suneja, and private individuals Rahul Sharma and Rajeev Sharma. After the trial, the court convicted and sentenced the accused accordingly. The prime accused, Sanjeev Dixit, has been declared a proclaimed offender and is currently evading trial, while Rahul Sharma and Rajeev Sharma were acquitted, the statement added. Tehran has indicated its willingness to negotiate with the US and restore internet service. Hundreds of protesters have died The severity of the crackdown in Iran has reduced the intensity of the protests of recent days, and on Monday the government sought to turn the page. After four days of communication blackouts, accompanied by reports of hundreds of deaths, the leaders of the Islamic Republic claim to have regained control of the situation. During a meeting with foreign diplomats on Monday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the authorities are willing to restore internet connectivity in the country and negotiate with the U.S., according to reports by Qatari broadcaster Al Jazeera, the only major international outlet able to broadcast from Tehran during the communications blackout. U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday reiterated the possibility of striking Tehran as punishment for the bloodshed that occurred during the rallies, but several analysts are considering the possibility that the destabilization of Iran could lead to negotiations for a new nuclear agreement that imposes conditions such as abandoning uranium enrichment that the Iranian government had previously deemed unacceptable. Araghchis words the minister stated the riots sought to provide an excuse for U.S. intervention and that the situation is now under total control seem part of an attempt to put one of the worst episodes in the countrys recent history behind it. At the same time, on Sunday night, the government declared three days of national mourning for those who died in the protests, which the regime blames on rioters or terrorists backed by the U.S. and Israel. Several cities across the country, including Tehran, held mass rallies on Monday by supporters of the regime, who defend the legitimacy of the authorities which many Iranians see as being in decline and protested against alleged foreign interference in the unrest. Protesters gather in Tehran on Sunday. CONTACTO via Europa Press (CONTACTO via Europa Press) The change in attitude by the Islamic Republic coincides with the cooling off of protests. Journalist Tohid Asadi, reporting for Al Jazeera from the Iranian capital, said on Monday morning that there is a large police presence on the streets and that tensions on the ground have eased compared to Thursday. On that day, several sources reported an uncontrolled situation that included apparent indiscriminate shooting by the authorities. The BBC, which has contacts inside the country, points in the same direction and cited several sources indicating that protests continued throughout Sunday night, albeit at a reduced level compared to previous days. Citizens, whom the broadcaster does not identify for security reasons, attributed the lower turnout to the fear of protesters in the face of authorities crackdown. Various human rights groups claim that hundreds of people have died as a result of police violence. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has verified the deaths of 572 people 69 security officers and the rest protesters during two weeks of protests, and says it is verifying others. The group also counts 10,694 arrests, according to its updated records as of Monday. These figures are consistent with the information gathered by several witnesses. The family of one of the victims said they found hundreds of bodies in a morgue in the capital, according to a statement made to Iran Human Rights (IHR) by the mother of a student who was shot. Sources contacted by the BBC on Sunday counted 180 bags in a single morgue near Tehran, where broken families gathered in search of their loved ones. The streets are full of blood, the sources said, adding that municipal workers rush to clean the streets before sunrise. Protesters in Paris burn the Iranian national flag during a rally in support of demonstrations in Iran, Sunday, January 11, 2026. Michel Euler (AP) Cushioning the blow Since the protests began in late December, sparked by anger over the countrys economic collapse, Iranian authorities have increased their violence against demonstrators. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, denounced the existence of saboteurs and demanded that they be put in their place. Similar statements by security and justice officials raised fears of a wave of repression similar to those in 2019 and 2022, which quelled demonstrations calling for an end to the Islamic Republic, leaving hundreds dead. The omens materialized last Thursday night. After 12 days of demonstrations in dozens of municipalities, the authorities plunged Iran into informational darkness and abandoned restraint. Until that moment, Iranian human rights groups had recorded 45 deaths during almost two weeks of demonstrations. Less than 100 hours later, the number of confirmed victims is 12 times higher. On Monday, after having dampened the protests, Iranian leaders are trying to gain full control of the situation domestically and internationally. The foreign minister has indicated that Iran is prepared for war but even more so for dialogue, and the ministrys spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, has assured that there are open lines of communication with Washington. This comes after Trump indicated on Sunday, aboard Air Force One, that the White House is considering various very strong military options in response to the killing of civilians. The president, who had previously warned that the U.S. was ready to help Iranians in their quest for freedom, said during the same flight that Iranian authorities had contacted him because they want to negotiate. At the local level, the government called for rallies on Monday, which were attended by tens of thousands of regime supporters in an attempt to flex their muscles, judging by aerial images broadcast by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. According to state news agencies, the demonstrations seek to condemn the burning of shops, mosques, and vehicles, as well as to reject the actions of alleged agents of Washington and Israeli intelligence, who are blamed for the dozens of deaths according to those agencies that occurred during the riots. Until now, this type of violence had only been seen on the part of Islamic State terrorists raised by the U.S., said the official statement calling for the mobilization. Press TV, a state outlet broadcasting overseas, said on Monday that the rally in the capital had millions of attendees. Although the mobilization of Iranians from all walks of life had seemed to push the Islamic Republic to the brink in recent days, the regime still stands on significant roots. In a country with 90 million residents, some analysts point to the 13 million votes cast in 2024 for hardline presidential candidate Saeed Jalili as indicative of the pool of supporters of the status quo. Another factor is the cohesion that the security forces have shown so far. Karim Sadjadpour, a researcher at the Carnegie Endowment, warns that Iran meets all the other necessary conditions for a revolution that would bring down the authorities, such as economic crisis, division among the elites, and a favorable international context. When the repressive forces decide they no longer benefit from the regime and are unwilling to kill for it, Sadjadpour writes on social media, the lethal force that keeps the Islamic Republic alive will cease to do so. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition New Delhi, Jan 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood by the ideals and teachings of Swami Vivekanand, through decades of his public life. What reflects his unflinching faith and devotion in Swami Vivekanand's teachings is a hand-written note, accessed directly from PM Modi's personal diary. Modi Archive, a popular social media handle on X, shared an image of the Prime Minister's personal diary from the past, showing how he honoured Swami Vivekananda's vision by always choosing 'service over self'. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, the Modi Archive wrote: "Come, let us all sacrifice our lives, you and I, each one of you. This and many such acts are merely a beginning. Believe me, from the sacrifice of every drop of our lifeblood will be born great, heroic workers and warriors of god, who will revolutionise the entire world." The post further added that on National Youth Day 2026, the nation should honour Swami Vivekananda's vision by embracing the principle of 'service over self', a value that continues to guide the Prime Minister's approach to governance and public service. Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary, also marked as National Youth Day, and said that this day brings new strength and self-confidence for younger generations. The government proclaimed January 12 as National Youth Day in 1984 with the aim of motivating young individuals by connecting them to the principles and teachings of Swami Vivekananda, while also promoting their involvement in the development of the nation. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda, the powerful source of inspiration for India's youth power, on his birth anniversary. His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a Viksit Bharat. My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions." He said that the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda serves as an inspiration for society. In a video message, the Prime Minister said, "What Swami Vivekananda gave to the country and society, transcends time and place, inspiring every generation. He showed us the way. It was Swami Vivekananda who, in that era, said that fearless, selfless, pure-hearted, courageous, and ambitious youth are the foundation upon which the nation's future is built. He had immense faith in the youth and their power." Calling on the younger generation, PM Modi said, "Now, you have to live up to his faith. Today, as the world looks to India with great hope, it is because of all of you, my young friends. Today, be it a village, a city, or a town, the enthusiasm of the youth is everywhere. I extend my best wishes to all of you on National Youth Day." Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863, in Kolkata. He is widely praised for introducing Indian philosophies, including Vedanta and Yoga, to the West. Swami Vivekananda's famous speech at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago sparked interfaith dialogue and revitalised Hinduism as a world religion. He promoted Indian nationalism, social reform, and unity, urging youth to serve humanity, and established the Ramakrishna Mission for education and service. Jaipur, Jan 12 : The Rajasthan Tourism Department will organise the Kite Festival 2026 on January 14, presenting a unique confluence of folk culture, kite flying, lanterns, and fireworks. The festival aims to further strengthen Rajasthan's rich cultural heritage and reinforce its tourism identity on the global stage. Tourism Commissioner Rukmani Riyad said that Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari will also participate in the event. Their presence will lend special dignity to the festival and reflect the state government's commitment to promoting Rajasthan's cultural heritage, folk traditions, and tourism at the international level. She noted that the festival, which has been organised continuously for over two decades, has evolved beyond a traditional celebration and has now emerged as a flagship and trusted brand of event-based tourism in Rajasthan. Tourism Department Deputy Director Upendra Singh Shekhawat said that the one-day festival will be held on January 14, 2026, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Jal Mahal embankment on Amer Road, Jaipur. The sight of colourful kites soaring against the backdrop of the historic Jal Mahal, the tranquil lake, and the open sky is expected to offer an unforgettable experience for tourists and city residents alike. The programme will feature cultural performances by folk artists, a kite exhibition, live kite-making demonstrations, and special displays of fancy kite flying. To enhance the visitor experience, special attractions such as free distribution of traditional cuisine, complimentary kites for foreign tourists, and free camel-cart rides will also be arranged. Shekhawat added that the second phase of the festival will begin at 6:30 pm, following the daytime celebrations. "The evening segment will feature the Lantern Festival, where lanterns will be released into the sky, followed by a spectacular fireworks display against the historic backdrop of the Hawa Mahal. The vibrant play of light and colour over the Pink City skyline will serve as the grand finale of the Kite Festival," he said. He said that the Kite Festival 2026 once again conveys the message that Rajasthan is not merely a destination to be seen, but an experience to be lived, where skies are filled with kites during the day, and historic monuments glow at night, bearing witness to the celebrations. The Kite Festival has remained immensely popular over the years among residents, domestic tourists, and international visitors. Each year, thousands of tourists experience Rajasthan's vibrant culture, folk arts, and renowned hospitality through this event. The festival is organised by the Rajasthan Tourism Department, with the support of the Jaipur District Administration, Jaipur Municipal Corporation, and the Department of Archaeology and Museums. Chandigarh, Jan 12 : Solving the murder of former sarpanch Jharmal Singh, Punjab Police on Monday claimed to have arrested seven accused, including two assailants, in a major blow to the Prabh Dasuwal gang. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said investigations have established gangster Prabh Dasuwal as the mastermind behind the murder, committed due to old enmity, underscoring the pre-planned and targeted nature of the crime. The DGP, accompanied by Additional Director General of Police (Counter Intelligence) Amit Prasad, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill and Commissioner of Police Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, said the breakthrough reflected the resolve of the police to act decisively against organised crime. Providing details of the arrests, DGP Yadav said the accused have been identified as Sukhraj Singh, alias Gunga (20), Karamjeet Singh (23), Jobanpreet Singh (19), Harpreet Singh, alias Happy (27), Jobanpreet Singh (20), Kulwinder Singh, alias Kinda (20), and Armandeep Singh. He said Sukhraj Singh has a criminal history involving theft and Arms Act cases and was also involved in the murder of sarpanch Rajwinder Singh. The DGP said investigations revealed that gangster Prabh Dasuwal had old enmity with the former sarpanch and had even fired at him earlier, clearly indicating a pre-planned and well-orchestrated conspiracy. He said the case was taken up on the highest priority, and multiple specialised teams were constituted to investigate the murder. "The investigation, aided by a combination of technical surveillance and precise human intelligence, enabled police teams to identify both shooters, Sukhraj Singh and Karamjeet Singh, involved in the crime," DGP Yadav said. He said sustained interstate coordination, intelligence-led tracking and close cooperation with Central agencies and Chhattisgarh Police led to the arrest of both shooters from Raipur in Chhattisgarh. "Both accused were deliberately changing locations across multiple states, including Maharashtra, Delhi, Bihar, Punjab and Chhattisgarh, and were using forged Aadhaar cards to conceal their identity and evade police detection," he said. The DGP said another police team arrested two more accused, both named Jobanpreet Singh, from Mohali. He said Harpreet Singh was arrested from Valtoha, while Kulwinder Singh and Armandeep Singh were arrested from the Bhikhiwind area of Tarn Taran. He added investigations revealed these five accused played a crucial role in the conspiracy by providing logistics, shelter, weapons and a motorcycle to the shooters. --IANS vg/dan Bengaluru, Jan 12 : A Karnataka BJP delegation led by Leaders of the Opposition R. Ashoka and Chalavadi Narayanaswamy met Governor Thawarchand Gehlot on Monday and urged him not to grant assent to the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, sent to him by the Congress-led government. Speaking to reporters after submitting the memorandum, R. Ashoka claimed, "We met the Governor and conveyed that Karnataka has been turned into a goonda state. There is no one to question anything, and jungle raj prevails. As the first citizen of the state, all orders are being carried out in your name. In this backdrop, we have requested the Governor to save the state." Referring to the proposed Hate Speech law, Ashoka said the primary function of the Karnataka Legislature is to deliberate and make laws, but the Speaker and the Chief Minister did not allow a proper discussion under some pretext. Ashoka alleged that the Congress was following the same "conspiracy" adopted during the Emergency under late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974. "The same conspiracy is being played out today under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. If the Governor signs the Bill, there will be no scope for free expression, and Karnataka could be turned into a police state. Then how will democracy be protected?" he questioned. "We have urged the Governor not to give consent to this Bill, which has been brought by the Congress as part of a conspiracy. This Bill will snatch away the rights of the people and curb freedom of speech," Ashoka alleged. He also raised the issue of the alleged attack on BJP MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy and the murder of a Congress worker in Ballari. "Whoever commits murder, it remains murder. The investigation has been rendered directionless. Those who conspired have not been touched, and the case is being hushed up," he claimed and demanded that the matter must be handed over to the CBI. Addressing reporters, Narayanaswamy said that law and order had collapsed in the state and that the biased approach of the government had been brought to the notice of the Governor. "The law and order situation in the state is the worst. In the Janardhana Reddy case and the murder of Congress worker Rajashekar, no arrests have been made. In Hubballi, in the case involving the stripping of a BJP woman worker, an attempt-to-murder case has been registered against the victim. In Ballari, a murder has occurred, but no arrests have been made," he said. Former Deputy Chief Minister and MP Govind Karjol, Legislative Council Opposition Chief Whip N. Ravikumar, MP P.C. Mohan, MLAs S.R. Vishwanath and S. Muniraju, Legislative Council members Bharathi Shetty and Keshav Prasad, BJP State Vice President Malavika Avinash, State General Secretary H.C. Thammesh Gowda, State Chief Spokesperson Ashwath Narayan, State Spokesperson Prakash Shesharaghavachar, retired IPS officer Bhaskar Rao, Bengaluru North District President S. Harish, Bengaluru Central District President Saptagiri Gowda, and other leaders were present during the meeting. New Delhi, Jan 12 : India and Chile are close to concluding a bilateral comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with four rounds of talks already having been completed on the issue, Chile's Ambassador, Juan Angulo, said on Monday. New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) India and Chile are close to concluding a bilateral comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with four rounds of talks already having been completed on the issue, Chileas Ambassador, Juan Angulo, said on Monday. The agreement would boost bilateral trade and investments as well as services, the envoy said in an interaction with IANS. "We hope that with the CEPA negotiations, we will increase the presence of more companies and industries from Chile and India in terms of investments," he added. The decision to sign a CEPA was taken at a meeting between Chileas President, Gabriel Boric, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in April 2025. "I signed the terms of reference in May. And two weeks after that, we had the first round of negotiations in Santiago. Then we have had three rounds, so we finished the fourth round of negotiations very recently," the Ambassador said. "We are looking forward to ending this process soon, in the very last round of negotiations," he added. India and Chile already have a preferential trade pact in place, and the CEPA will usher in a new phase in the bilateral economic relationship, he added. The envoy pointed out that Chile has been working in many areas to deepen and expand its relationship with India. "The commercial part is one on CEPA, but we also have, for instance, agriculture. We signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of agriculturea couple of years ago, on the exchange of information and transfer of technologies. There are working groups meeting in that area," he added. Angulo further stated that an agreement has been signed for cooperation in science and technology, while India and Chile could also collaborate in the field of startups, which is an area of mutual interest. "We have also signed an agreement on Antarctica. And we are trying to boost the scientific research that both countries can do together. There are many areas for future cooperation," he added. The Ambassador also said that he was happy to see that India was boosting its relationship with the EU. "At the end of the month, leaders of the European Union will come for the Republic Day celebrations. There is news that maybe the free trade agreement between India and the European Union will be signed or will be finalised. We are on the same path in fostering trade agreements," he added. Thiruvananthapuram Jan 12 : Kerala's former police chief Dr T.P. Senkumar on Monday raised sharp questions over the manner in which the police handled the arrest of expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, cautioning that failure to strictly follow criminal procedure could weaken the case. In a detailed Facebook post, Senkumar questioned whether mandatory provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were adhered to in the registration of the rape complaint and the subsequent arrest. Without commenting on the merits of the allegation itself, he focused squarely on procedural compliance. Senkumar said that if the complaint was received by email from abroad, police were required under BNSS provisions to formally call the complainant, obtain her physical presence, and secure her signature before registering a case. "Only after completing this process can a case be legally registered," he noted. The former police chief further questioned whether the complainant was subjected to a mandatory medical examination within 24 hours of case registration, as required under BNSS Section 184(1). He argued that without such an examination, the credibility of the complaint under Section 35(1)(b) could be challenged. Raising a series of pointed legal queries, Senkumar asked how police could legally inform the grounds of arrest under Section 47(1) or secure judicial remand under Section 187(1) if foundational procedures were not followed. He also questioned how a grievance submitted by the complainant to the Chief Minister could, by itself, constitute a criminal proceeding. Using a metaphorical reference, Senkumar warned that procedural lapses could allow the accused to escape legal consequences. "If criminal procedure is not followed, the a hena will get away," he said, urging the police to strictly adhere to statutory safeguards. While the police have maintained that they acted in accordance with the law, Senkumaras intervention has added a new dimension to the debate, shifting focus from political claims to legal process. Mamkootathil was arrested in a secret midnight operation on Saturday based on a complaint that came from a woman now settled in Canada. She also sent a voice message to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the trials and tribulations she suffered from Mamkootathil. Jaipur, Jan 12 : Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagde on Monday said that everyone should draw inspiration from the life of Swami Vivekananda and imbibe the values he propagated, asserting that working for the welfare of the poor and the weak is the highest form of service to God. He said Swami Vivekanandaas teachings remain highly relevant even today, as he inspired people to move forward with determination and fearlessness, stressing that success is certain when goals are pursued with courage and dedication. The Governor was addressing the Seva Sangam programme organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad, Kota Mahanagar, on the 163rd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda at the Shiv Jyoti Convent School auditorium here. He said Swami Vivekananda urged the youth to believe that any goal in life can be achieved through self-confidence. Bagde also emphasised that the true purpose of education is not merely the acquisition of information, but the development of character along with courage, compassion and concentration. He said positive thinking is essential in life as thoughts shape oneas future. The Governor said Swami Vivekananda taught that words should be so positive that they do not hurt anyoneas feelings, and also propagated the ideal of universal brotherhood. Referring to Vivekanandaas historic address at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893, Bagde said he presented Indiaas culture, spirituality and glorious traditions to the world, giving a message of universal tolerance and harmony and calling for the elimination of ill-will among human beings. The Governor said India would become the worldas leading nation on the strength of the intellectual and physical capabilities of its people. He appealed to everyone to work with the shared goal of enhancing the nationas prestige on the global stage and to continue striving until the goal is achieved. On this occasion, Bagde also honoured 31 organisations from Kota for their outstanding contributions to social service. Chandigarh, Jan 12 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said all responsible institutions that prioritise ethics, transparency and public welfare while partnering in the state's health goals are welcome in the state. Chandigarh, Jan 12 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday said all responsible institutions that prioritise ethics, transparency and public welfare while partnering in the stateas health goals are welcome in the state. Along with a strong public healthcare framework, the role of the private sector in diagnostics and medical services is also extremely important for residents. The Chief Minister was addressing the inauguration ceremony of Prem Sagar Cardiac Hospital at the Vivekanand Arogya Kendra, operated by Bharat Vikas Parishad Maharana Pratap Trust in Gurugram. Paying tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his 163rd birth anniversary, the Chief Minister also extended greetings to the people of the state on Lohri, Makar Sankranti and Pongal. CM Saini said the Haryana government has consistently worked to ensure that every citizen of the state has access to affordable, accessible and effective healthcare services. Institutions like Vivekanand Arogya Kendra are strengthening these efforts at the grassroots. Inspired by the Prime Ministeras Fit India message, the state government has expanded modern diagnostic and treatment facilities to the common people. The government has ensured that no poor citizen is deprived of treatment due to a lack of funds. Under the Ayushman Bharat-Chirayu Scheme, 1.34 crore cards have been issued in the state so far, through which claims of Rs 4,500 crore have been provided for the treatment of about 25 lakh patients. In addition, all senior citizens above 70 years of age are being provided free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh annually under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, under which claims amounting to Rs 53.57 crore have been given for the treatment of 26,513 elderly people so far. The Chief Minister said the government is ensuring that government hospitals in every district are equipped with modern medical facilities comparable to private hospitals. In the first phase, such facilities have already been started in 10 district hospitals, while work to develop these facilities in 12 more district hospitals is in progress. The objective is to ensure that quality and accessible treatment are available to the common citizen within their own district. --IANS vg/dan London, Jan 12 : Evidence emerging from dossiers and open-source material paints a troubling picture of Pakistan's relationship with internationally designated terrorist organisations. Far from isolated incidents, the findings suggest a coherent model of state patronage, where tolerance, political cover, and material support function as mechanisms to "sanitise" violence. DefenceNet reported that the boundary between the state and groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) is not blurred by accident but systematically managed. Leadership, infrastructure, and mobilisation activities of these groups continue openly despite UN sanctions, reflecting a strategy designed to keep armed networks operational while shielding them from international accountability. One striking example, according to the report, is the reconstruction of the Markaz Syedna Bilal complex in Muzaffarabad (PoK). Previously identified as a JeM training facility and targeted during Operation Sindoor, the site was rebuilt as a state-backed project. In October 2025, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, along with senior officials and political leaders, publicly visited the facilityan act described as a political statement of rehabilitation rather than counterterrorism. DefenceNet also highlighted the institutionalisation of ideological indoctrination. The seven-day Daura-e-Tarbiyah seminars in Quetta, presented as "educational programs," are in reality structured radicalisation stages preceding militant training. From 5-12 December 2025, JeM organised such a camp at Saryab Road and Jama Masjid "Afzal Guru Shaheed", openly advertised and conducted without state intervention. Political legitimisation of armed networks is another dimension. The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), widely seen as LeT's political front, contested the 2024 general elections and continued public activities in 2025. According to the report, senior LeT figures, including Hafiz Talha Saeed, openly participated in PMML meetings despite US and UN sanctions. Public rallies further expose this normalisation. On 14 September 2025, JeM leader Masood Ilyas Kashmiri glorified Osama bin Laden at a gathering in Mansehra, while in Karachi, Talha Saeed led a march under visible police protection. Even when permits are officially denied, such events proceed, underscoring the gap between paper restrictions and ground realities. The report stressed that Pakistan's role extends beyond domestic networks. Strategic ties with Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, and Indonesia have created a triangular politico-military framework linking South and Southeast Asia. The report warned that this normalisation of Pakistan as a security partner, despite its extremist links, directly impacts Europe, China, and the United States - fuelling radicalisation, destabilising trade corridors, and undermining deterrence strategies. The comparison with Abdullah Ocalan's case, the report said, highlights the contrast; while Turkey severed ties with terrorism through arrest and trial, Pakistan integrates and repackages armed networks into political and social structures. The result is violence institutionalised as a method, with consequences that extend far beyond South Asia. Kochi, Jan 12 : The Kerala court, hearing the actress assault case, on Monday delivered sharp criticism at advocate T.B. Mini, counsel for the survivor, questioning her conduct and attendance during the course of the trial. The trial court here in the infamous actress abduction case that took place here in February 2017 had recently convicted and sentenced six people, while acquitting four other accused, including popular actor Dileep. The court on Monday observed that the actress's lawyer had appeared for around ten days during the trial and was present for no more than half an hour at a time. Making the remarks while considering contempt of court petitions, the judge said the courtroom appeared to have been treated as a place of rest rather than a forum for serious legal engagement. The court went on to note that during the brief periods of presence, the lawyer was often found sleeping, and yet later accused the court of not hearing or considering arguments. The observations come against the backdrop of continued controversy surrounding the verdict in the high-profile case involving the alleged abduction and sexual assault of an actress on February 17, 2017. The prosecution's case stated that the survivor was kidnapped after her car was intercepted near Athani in Angamaly, sexually assaulted, and subjected to the recording of obscene visuals. In its judgment, the trial court had acquitted actor Dileep, holding that charges of criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidence were not proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Following the verdict, advocate Mini had publicly criticised the court, particularly disputing the finding that the prosecution failed to produce convincing evidence, calling such conclusions false. Meanwhile, the state government has obtained legal advice recommending that an appeal be filed before the Kerala High Court. The Special Public Prosecutoras opinion states that the trial courtas verdict cannot be accepted in full and that the acquittal of Dileep and other accused warrants appellate scrutiny. The legal advice further notes that the convicted accused were awarded only the minimum prescribed punishment and argues that the trial courtas rejection of crucial evidence against Dileep is legally unsustainable. It also flags portions of the lengthy judgment, alleging that unnecessary reasoning appeared to favour the accused. Emphasising the need to uphold justice in a case that has drawn national attention, the prosecution has asserted that intervention by the higher judiciary is essential to address the perceived flaws in the trial courtas findings. The Soviet front of World War II, the Great Patriotic War for Russians, lasted 1,418 days. The special military operation as Vladimir Putin dubbed Moscows invasion of Ukraine, reached its 1,418-day mark on January 12. Nearly four years of war that, in the Soviet theater, resulted in the retreat of the Third Reich from Moscow and the Volga to Berlin, while the Kremlins current campaign remains entrenched in Donbas. The anniversary comes at the worst possible time for Putin. If the parallels with the Holy War were already causing concern within Russia, now the United States, the country it aspires to emulate as a superpower, has just carried out its own special operation in Venezuela with the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro, in a matter of minutes. The Kremlins biggest success in 2025 has been expelling the Ukrainian army from the Russian region of Kursk, where Kyivs forces staged an incursion in 2024. Along the rest of the front, advances have ranged from a few dozen miles to a few hundred meters. Putin wanted to force the surrender of all of Ukraine in 2022, but today he barely controls 99% of the territory of the Luhansk region, 80% of Donetsk both of which Moscow had partially controlled since 2014 and another three-quarters of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, where he doesnt hold the provincial capitals, but has created a land corridor with the annexed Crimea. Russian soldiers in Ukraine in an image provided by the Russian Ministry of Defense on December 25. Associated Press/LaPresse (APN) The front is more reminiscent of the trenches of the First World War than Operation Bagration or the Blitzkrieg of the 1940s. Russian advances in 2025 have been modest, at the cost of even greater losses than in previous years. Ukrainian forces remain on the defensive in a war of attrition, and the occupied villages have not resulted in a strategic breakthrough. In fact, the much-touted conquest of Pokrovsk remains unfinished, despite Moscow having deployed around 170,000 troops to the area. By comparison, the current German Armed Forces has 180,000 active troops. A joint investigation by the BBC and the independent Russian newspaper Mediazona has confirmed the deaths of 160,000 Russian soldiers in this war through open sources, although their analysis of obituaries, graves, and news reports only accounts for between 40% and 65% of the total, according to these media outlets. Their estimate is that between 243,000 and 352,000 Russians have died, while the number of wounded is several times higher. This conflict is very different from World War II, where at least 8.6 million Soviet soldiers, from various peoples (Ukrainians, Belarusians, Russians, Armenians, Georgians, and Kazakhs, among others), died, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Great Patriotic War was the culmination of total war. However, in his invasion of Ukraine, Putin has tried to avoid provoking a full-scale war in order to protect himself. Putinism seeks to maintain its long-standing social contract: if you dont raise your voice and dont speak about politics, the Kremlin will more or less leave you alone. Except for the forced mobilization of September 2022 to stabilize a disintegrating front, the regime has incentivized contract military service. Thus, the Kremlin has opened the civil service and universities to those who go to war, in addition to paying them a salary 210,000 rubles a month (around $2,570) that is three to four times the average Russian wage. Soviet soldiers during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, in May 1988. Robert Nickelsberg (Getty Images) Russia is currently filling its ranks. Last year it recruited 417,000 soldiers, in line with previous years, according to Security Council Vice Chairman Dmitry Medvedev. The problem for the Kremlin is that this war is far bloodier than other traumatic conflicts of the recent past. Russians are weary, and the economy is hanging by a thread. In the two Chechen wars (1994-1996 and 1999), some 11,000 Russian soldiers died, according to the State Duma Defense Committee. By comparison, in the conquest of Bakhmut alone (2022-2023), 19,500 Wagner Group soldiers died, most of them prisoners released from jail, plus thousands more casualties from other Russian units. This figure is even higher than the 15,000 Soviet deaths during the occupation of Afghanistan between 1979 and 1989. The mothers and wives of military personnel played a crucial role in ending past conflicts. Their protests demanding the return of their husbands and sons were fundamental in pushing the Kremlin toward peace. However, the invasion of Ukraine is proving to be different. The systematic repression of these women and other peaceful demonstrations has stifled all dissenting voices in a spiral of silence saturated by war propaganda. The longer the war drags on, the more questions arise among Russians. According to the Kremlins own polls, two-thirds of the population would end the conflict tomorrow, although an overwhelming majority believes that Putin alone should decide what is best for Russia. The leadership of the high command, headed by the immovable Valery Gerasimov, chief of staff since 2012, is also in question. Moods in the face of a war of attrition against a Western-backed Ukraine are swinging between euphoria and pessimism, according to the shifting statements from Washington and Europe. In any case, Russia has mortgaged its future with its invasion of Ukraine. Putin announced in the early hours of February 24, 2022, that he was launching a lightning offensive under the pretext of an operation to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine, as well as bring to trial those who perpetrated numerous bloody crimes against civilians. The objective was to capture Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the elected president of Ukraine, legitimized by Putin himself in 2019 and who appeared as a comedian on Russian state televisions New Years Eve broadcasts in 2013. Soviet soldiers captured in Stalingrad in October 1942. LAPI (Roger Viollet via Getty Images) On February 24, Russian forces launched an offensive into the heart of Ukraine on three fronts. The objective of the advance from the north, supported from Belarusian territory, was to capture Kyiv and the Ukrainian government. Russian airborne forces were to seize Hostomel Airport while a massive column advanced toward the capital, where Chechen units had been infiltrated to eliminate Zelenskiy. But Ukrainian forces put up a strong fight, much to the Kremlins surprise. Putin would eventually withdraw his troops from that front in the face of the threat of a greater debacle. The Kremlin launched an all-out offensive on Ukraine that, according to its own propaganda, was supposed to last three days. Its failed attempt to capture Zelenskiy in the first hours of the assault has recently returned to the memory of Russian nationalists like a nightmare. Trumps operation against Maduro, with U.S. helicopters flying over Caracas, and Washingtons blessing of Venezuelan interim President Delcy Rodriguez, has revived that unpleasant Russian memory. Almost four years earlier, Russian planes, tanks, and soldiers fell under intense enemy fire. Ukrainian civilians did not greet the troops with flowers either. The Kremlin soon afterward carried out a purge of its intelligence services for having misinformed Putin. The main mistake was that the intelligence services believed that Ukrainian state institutions were weak and corrupt, nor did they anticipate the reaction of Zelenskiy and Ukrainian society in general, says Russian journalist Andrei Soldatov by telephone. This reporter specializing in the Russian secret services revealed in 2022 the wave of arrests carried out for this failure within the Russian National Guard [Rosgvardia] and the Federal Security Service (FSB), including the arrest of the head of the Fifth Directorate and his deputy, the department responsible for foreign espionage. Its much easier to believe that the Americans are naive and always buy everyone off. Thats rather than thinking that our level of planning, intelligence, and coordination is still far below par and something needs to be done about it, denounced Yuri Kotenok, a well-known Russian war correspondent, this week. The reporter also cited Israeli and Ukrainian special operations as examples, from drones hidden in trucks to bombs concealed in Hezbollah pagers. That purge of Russian intelligence would not be the only clean-up undertaken by Putin in an increasingly protracted war. The Kremlin dismissed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in 2024 and imprisoned his aides for alleged corruption. Two heroes of the special military operation, Generals Ivan Popov and Sergei Surovikin, had also fallen a few months earlier due to their close ties to rebel factions within the army. Both had been responsible for halting the Ukrainian counteroffensive. The failure in World War I which for Russia lasted about 1,300 days led to the Russian Revolution and the collapse of the Tsarist Empire. The Afghan War only weakened the country and damaged the governments reputation, thus contributing to the collapse of the USSR. And if the current situation continues for another five years or more, what will happen? 1941, 1917, or 1991? asks an influential Russian pro-war channel, Voyennoye Obozreniye. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Bengaluru, Jan 12 : The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said that the party is ready for the Bengaluru civic polls and has asserted that victory is assured for the party. The BJP also stated that the party's national leadership would take a decision on a possible alliance with the JD(S) with regard to the Bengaluru civic poll. Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Monday, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka made the remarks while responding to questions on the civic elections. It may be noted that the Supreme Court on Monday set a June 30 deadline for the Congress-led government to conduct the Bengaluru civic polls. Ashoka said, "The BJP has been consistently demanding that elections be conducted. We are ready. Potholes, deaths caused by potholes, garbage dumps, and the collapse of law and order will help us win. The Congress will be defeated in Bengaluru. Do you need any more reasons for their fall? We are ready for the elections." He alleged that the Congress-led government had betrayed the people of Bengaluru. "We are ready for the polls. The issue of an alliance will be discussed by our national leadership. A new national president will take charge in a few days. I met him in Delhi. He will speak to the JD(S), and the coordination committee will make a decision," Ashoka said. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, said that the BJP was fully prepared for the Bengaluru civic elections. "People know what the Congress leaders have done to Bengaluru. When it rains, people are forced to move in boats. Potholes have not been filled. The people know this, and they will bury the Congress party in the same potholes," he said. Senior BJP MLA from Bengaluru S.R. Vishwanath said that the Supreme Court had directed the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to conduct elections by June 30. "The reservation list has been submitted to the court. The BJP has opposed the formation of the GBA. The division of Bengaluru into five zones is unscientific. Objections were raised regarding the formation of wards, but they were not considered. Despite all this, we will win," he said. "As per the court's directions, the Congress government has to conduct the polls. We are ready. Meetings have already been held. Despite conspiracies, the BJP will win in all five zones," Vishwanath added. The Supreme Court on Monday set a deadline of June 30, 2026, for the completion of the election process for the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the State of Karnataka to publish the final ward-wise reservation by February 20, 2026. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the State of Karnataka, informed the court that the process of notifying reservations would be completed within a month. The bench clarified that no further extension of time would be granted. Solapur, Jan 12 : The Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal, on Monday, claimed that without fearing the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) bulldozer, Congress workers stood their ground with determination as the party won 41 Municipal Council Presidents and 1,006 Corporators' post. "Just as in the municipal councils, the Congress will also hoist its victorious flag in the municipal corporations," he added. "In the local body elections, the ruling party (Mahayuti) has turned democracy into a spectacle. They have left no stone unturned to tarnish the state's vibrant culture, conventions and traditions, using money power, the police, the administration and even the Election Commission. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is extremely arrogant and is running bulldozers over opposition parties," Sapkal said. The State Congress President told the reporters that during the local body elections in the state, three murders took place, which presents a terrifying picture of demonic politics. "The Bharatiya Janata Party is giving tickets to members of the koyta gang, Worli matka operators and drug mafias. In Tuljapur, the BJP has given a drug mafia candidate the Mayoral post. Not only criminals, but even rapists are being given protection by the BJP. In Municipal Council and Municipal Corporation elections, there should be discussion on urban issues, but instead the ruling party is debating Marathi, Hindi and Urdu languages, and who should become the Mayor -- Marathi or outsiders. The ruling party's aggressive push for unopposed elections is completely wrong. In such unopposed seats, there should be a "None of the Above" (NOTA) option to save democracy," he added. Sapkal also clarified that the Congress is not opposed to capitalists, but the manner in which the Narendra Modi-led Union government is allowing few businesses free rein across every sector of the country is extremely dangerous for the nation. "For the sake of few industrialists, the BJP is acting like a water carrier. If the Congress comes to power at the Centre, their companies will be nationalised, just as the British government took over the East India Company," he said. Sapkal added that the Congress has an alliance with the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi in Mumbai, Latur and Nanded. "This alliance is not merely political but a convergence of ideologies, and it needs to be carried forward. Alliance partners should avoid baseless and unnecessary statements." He clarified that MP Praniti Shinde is in the Congress and will remain with the party. Chittagong, Jan 12 : A shocking incident at Chittagong University has ignited widespread condemnation after Assistant Professor Hasan Muhammad Roman Shuvo was violently assaulted by a group of students led by Abdullah Al Noman, office secretary of the Chittagong University Central Students' Union. Video footage circulating on social media shows Noman and his associates dragging the teacher by the neck and forcing him into the proctor's office. The Daily Star reported that the attack was not an isolated scuffle but a deliberate act of public violence, raising serious questions about campus governance and the moral collapse of student leadership. What has alarmed observers most is the role of Noman himself. As an elected student leader, he was expected to prevent disorder, yet he spearheaded it. Despite clear evidence, the university administration has taken no visible disciplinary action, a silence critics say is indefensible. Noman's claim that he acted "protectively" because "some students wanted to beat him" has been dismissed as hollow. The report further said that such statements only confirm the presence of a mob, with Noman at its front. His assertion that the teacher "was not harassed" has been widely ridiculed as an insult to common sense. Universities are meant to uphold due process, not mob justice. The proctor has already confirmed that Shuvo faces multiple probes, but ongoing investigations cannot justify physical assault. The newspaper said that taking the law into one's own hands is pure lawlessness, especially in an academic setting. The administration now faces uncomfortable questions: How could such violence occur in broad daylight during admission tests? Why was the teacher left unprotected? And why has no action been announced against Noman despite overwhelming video evidence? By remaining passive, the university risks normalising violence as a tool of campus politics. The incident sends a chilling message to faculty, students, and incoming freshmenthat power, not principle, determines safety, and that elected positions can shield perpetrators from accountability. Invoking the July Uprising to justify the assault has been condemned as a distortion of history, betraying the values of a movement rooted in resistance to oppression. The newspaper said an urgent action is required. If violence led by student leaders goes unpunished, universities risk becoming arenas of fear rather than spaces of learning. How Chittagong University responds will determine whether it stands for justice or quietly submits to mob rule. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Facing a severe economic crunch in the absence of political will, net losses of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Pakistan surged by 300 per cent, while taxpayer-funded fiscal support surged to Rs 2.1 trillion (local currency), according to a new report. The Tribune Express writes in an Editorial that the "headline numbers are troubling". "Aggregate SOE revenues fell by Rs 1.4 trillion to Rs 12.4 trillion in FY25, while overall net losses widened sharply to Rs 122.9 billion from Rs 30.6 billion in the same year," the Editorial further stresses, adding that few indicators capture the depth of Pakistan's fiscal malaise as starkly as the performance of its state-owned enterprises. The report clearly states that "this is a horrific structural failure that continues to drain public resources and undermine economic stability". The National Highway Authority and power distribution companies continue to bleed, "weighed down by structural flaws and operational inefficiencies that have been discussed ad nauseam but rarely addressed with resolve", it added. Meanwhile, the government in Pakistan is actively feeding 'paper growth' sectors that may bring some GDP growth but do not stimulate commercial investment -- like real estate where the rich park their wealth and let it grow. Since 2019, the poorest 20 per cent of Pakistani households have seen their real monthly incomes plunge by nearly 12 per cent, said the Editorial in The Express Tribune. "In contrast, the wealthiest quintile enjoyed a 7 per cent increase, which may not seem high till we consider that they were making all that money when the economy was in freefall, average wages outside the public sector were declining, and poverty shot up," the Editorial mentioned. The fact is that savings have been nearly wiped out for most, collapsing by 66 per cent overall, as families deplete their reserves just to afford essentials. "Consequently, spending on health and education has fallen by a staggering 19 per cent, which does not bode well for the future," the report lamented. Bengaluru, Jan 12 : The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fact-finding committee formed in the backdrop of row surrounding demolition and rehabilitation of encroachers in Kogilu Layout region of Bengaluru by the Congress-led state government after the intervention of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in this matter. Speaking to the media after submitting a report to the State BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra at the party's state office, Jagannath Bhavan, on Tuesday, Yelahanka BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath said a fact-finding committee led by him had examined the issue in detail. He also demanded that the incidents related to the eviction of illegal occupants in the Kogilu Layout be handed over to the NIA for investigation. Vishwanath alleged that there was an attempt to hurriedly provide houses to foreign nationals and reiterated that an NIA probe was necessary due to the involvement of foreign elements. He demanded that the Congress-led state government immediately evict those who had newly erected huts on government land in Bengaluru. Vishwanath also alleged that out of the nearly 100 scrap collectors in the Bengaluru city, about 95 per cent were Rohingyas. "They possess certain identity cards, but when we asked for details, they refused to share them. They admit that they crossed the border by paying money. They also said there are organised groups facilitating illegal entry through West Bengal," he said. He claimed that their language was neither Hindi nor Urdu and was difficult to understand. "One can clearly identify Bangla and Rohingya languages. Recently, we even heard a woman chanting 'Jai Bangla' on a television channel. They are living here openly and fearlessly," he said. Demanding action against the Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals, BJP MLA Vishwanath said reports suggested that more than two lakh Rohingyas and Bangladeshi nationals were present in the state. "All such cases must be verified, and those found illegal should be arrested and either deported or proceeded against legally," he demanded. He said houses built over stormwater drains had been demolished, and in Kacharakanahalli, huts were set on fire for allegedly encroaching upon a lake. "No compensation was given even in those cases," he noted. Referring to issues related to housing in Bengaluru, BJP MLA Vishwanath said that more than 15,000 people were waiting after applying for houses in the city. "Illegal allotment of houses or grant of assistance in violation of rules should not be allowed. Everything must be done strictly as per rules and not under the guise of humanitarian considerations," he added. He alleged that while people who migrated from places like Kalaburagi and were evicted after illegally occupying land were not given compensation, support was being extended to foreign nationals. "The BJP will not accept such appeasement under any circumstances. A thorough verification must be conducted by our competent police machinery," he said. Referring to reactions from Kerala leaders, BJP MLA Vishwanath said, "Didnat the Kerala Chief Minister (Pinarayi Vijayan) and Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal make a lot of noise? Not a single person in the eviction list is from Kerala. All this drama was done for votes in Kerala." He said the state had been sacrificed for political interests elsewhere. "Whether they are from Kerala or not is irrelevant, but our state has been made a victim for political reasons. There is not a single person from Kerala in the list of those whose residential structures are demolished. There is not even a single Christian. In the list available with us, the majority are Muslims," he claimed. BJP MLAs S.R. Vishwanath and S. Muniraju, State BJP Vice-President Malavika Avinash, State BJP General Secretary H.C. Thammesh Gowda, Bengaluru North District President S. Harish, retired IPS officer Bhaskar Rao, and other party leaders were present on the occasion. A fact-finding team was appointed to examine the eviction of alleged illegal residents in the Kogilu Layout area submitted its report on Monday to the State BJP President Vijayendra. The fact-finding team was constituted under the leadership of Yelahanka MLA Vishwanath to examine the sequence of events and submit a report. Karnataka Assembly Opposition leader and BJP leader, R. Ashoka, said that 36 lakh people in Karnataka are waiting for housing after paying deposits. "After neglecting them, the Congress-led government has fallen silent merely because politicians from Kerala raised objections. Is Karnataka being run by the INDIA bloc government of Kerala?" he asked. He also alleged that the Karnataka government had released Rs 10 crore as compensation for a death caused by an elephant attack, claiming that the elephant had strayed from Karnataka forests. "Are we servants of another stateas leadership?" BJP leader Ashoka chided the Congress government. Referring to an X post by the Kerala Chief Minister, BJP leader Ashoka said, "The Kerala CM has stated that he will raise his voice on issues related to Muslims in any part of the country. Is our government accountable to them?" BJP leader Ashoka also criticised the Congress government's approach to language issues. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised the importance of mother tongues, but the Kerala government has adopted a negative approach. In Kerala's Kasaragod district, where Kannadigas are in the majority, Kannada-speaking people are being targeted. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has merely washed his hands of the issue by posting on social media," he alleged. On the demolition of houses carried out in Kogilu Layout area, BJP leader Ashoka said the BJP had staged protests and announced that a major convention would be held on January 17 to protest the violence in Ballari and the alleged high-handedness of the police against BJP MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy. "We will question the breakdown of law and order in the state," he added. Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said that law and order had collapsed in the state and that the state government's biased approach was evident. "These concerns have been brought to the notice of the Karnataka Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot," he said. Referring to the Kogilu demolitions and the rehabilitation of encroachers, Narayanaswamy said the state government had committed a serious blunder. "Demolishing encroachments and then providing housing to encroachers is completely wrong. This issue needs to be discussed," he added. Agartala, Jan 12 : With the situation improving, the district administration on Monday lifted the suspension of internet and mobile data services in Tripura's Kumarghat subdivision of Unakoti district, while the prohibitory order under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was relaxed and restricted only to vulnerable areas, officials said. A senior police official said that so far, 11 persons from both communities have been arrested in connection with the clashes that broke out on January 10 over the collection of subscriptions for a local fair. The situation remained tense but largely peaceful in the mixed-population Kumarghat subdivision. Unakoti District Magistrate Tamal Majumder said that internet and mobile data services, which were suspended on Saturday (January 10) following the violence, were restored on Monday. The prohibitory order imposed under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, on Saturday to prevent further escalation of tension and maintain law and order in the entire Kumarghat subdivision has now been reduced to only the Fatikroy police station areas, he said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, while addressing a government function here, said that those who take the law into their own hands will not be spared. A delegation of the Communist Party of India (CPI) on Monday visited the incident site to assess the situation. However, when the delegation attempted to interact with the affected minority families and conduct an on-the-spot inspection, they were allegedly prevented by the police administration, triggering allegations. According to police, trouble began on Saturday (January 10) when a group of youths stopped a timber-laden vehicle at Saidarpar under Fatikroy police station limits and demanded a subscription for a community fair. Tension escalated after a minority family in the Shimultala area allegedly refused to contribute, following which an unruly mob gathered and set fire to a few houses, vehicles and other properties, including a timber shop, and vandalised a place of worship. The situation quickly turned volatile as news of the incident spread across the mixed-population locality. Following incidents of arson, vandalism and damage to properties, including a place of worship, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Kumarghat imposed Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, to prevent further escalation and maintain law and order. Acting Superintendent of Police Avinash Rai, accompanied by District Magistrate Tamal Majumder and other senior officials, rushed to the affected areas with additional forces and reviewed the security arrangements. On the extent of the damage, a police official said that a detailed assessment is being carried out by district administration officials. A large contingent of Assam Rifles, Tripura State Rifles (TSR), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police personnel has been deployed in the affected areas. "The security forces led by senior officials are conducting regular patrolling and closely monitoring the situation. There has been no fresh incident since Saturday night," Additional Superintendent of Police of Unakoti district Rupam Chakma told the media. He said that stern action would be taken against anyone spreading rumours or circulating fake photos and videos. The situation remains under close surveillance, and authorities have appealed to the public to maintain peace and refrain from spreading rumours. Akola, Jan 12 : The political landscape in Akola's Akot remains volatile as the controversial alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) has resurfaced in a new form. Akola, Jan 12 (IANS) The political landscape in Akolaas Akot remains volatile as the controversial alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) has resurfaced in a new form. Despite a nationwide outcry and explicit orders from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to scrap the "unholy" tie-up, the two parties appeared to cooperate once again during the selection of co-opted (nominated) members for the Akot Municipal Council. The "second act" of the BJP-AIMIM alliance unfolded when all five AIMIM corporators threw their support behind Jitesh Barethia, the son of former BJP Municipal President Ramchandra Barethia, for a co-opted corporator seat. The five AIMIM corporators supporting the BJPas Jitesh Barethia include Afreen Anjum Sharifuddin (group leader), Dilshadbi Razzaq Kha, Reshma Parvin Mohammad Azim, Dr Yusuf Khan Hadik Khan and Hannan Shah Sultan Shah. Initially, the AIMIM had nominated its own candidate, Taj Rana. However, Ranaas application was rejected on technical grounds, allegedly because it was submitted after the deadline. This left Jitesh Barethia as the sole candidate nominated via the AIMIM's quota. Consequently, Barethia a" the son of a prominent local BJP leader a" will now serve as a co-opted corporator with the official backing of the AIMIM. This development comes just days after the BJP and MIM initially formed the Akot Vikas Manch (Akot Development Front) to gain a majority in the 35-member council. However, amid outcry, the state BJP leadership took a stern view. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered the immediate dissolution of the alliance, stating that tie-ups with Congress or AIMIM are "strictly unacceptable." The state's BJP unit issued show-cause notices to local MLA Prakash Bharsakale and City President Harish Tawari for forging the alliance without central approval. Following the backlash, the five AIMIM corporators had officially withdrawn from the Akot Vikas Manch and formed an independent group. The Congress party has reacted sharply to this development, accusing the BJP of hypocrisy. Local Congress leaders alleged that the BJP and AIMIM are "two sides of the same coin," claiming this "indirect alliance" proves their secret understanding despite public denials by senior leaders. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena also slammed BJP for their alliance in Akot Municipal Council while questioning its Hindutva. Meanwhile, the rejected AIMIM candidate, Taj Rana, has indicated plans to move the court against the rejection of his application. Despite the ongoing drama, the BJP leadership has yet to take final disciplinary action against MLA Prakash Bharsakale, keeping the political circles in Maharashtra buzzing with speculation over the "Akot Pattern." Gandhinagar, Jan 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and respect for international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The two leaders also announced a new bilateral Indo-Pacific consultation mechanism. India welcomed Germanyas continued and growing engagement in the region, including activities under the Capacity Building and Resource Sharing pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) co-led by India and Germany, according to the joint statement released following the talks between PM Modi and Chancellor Merz. PM Modi and Chancellor Merz held restricted and delegation-level talks in Ahmedabad and reaffirmed the shared democratic values, commitment to a rules-based international order, and mutual respect underpinning the Strategic Partnership. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional and global developments. PM Modi and Merz reaffirmed their strong support to the Indiaa"Middle Easta"Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and emphasised its transformational potential in reshaping and promoting global commerce, connectivity and prosperity. The two leaders look forward to the first IMEC ministerial meeting to take concrete steps for advancing this initiative. "India and Germany reiterated the urgent need for comprehensive reforms of the UN Security Council, through the expansion of permanent and non-permanent categories of membership to reflect contemporary realities. In this regard, the two countries called for moving forward towards commencing text-based negotiations at the IGN," the joint statement said. The two leaders reiterated their concern over the ongoing war in Ukraine and expressed support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with international law and the principles of the UN Charter. PM Modi and Merz welcomed the Gaza Peace Plan and termed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 of November 17 as a "step forward" to end the conflict in Gaza. They encouraged all parties to implement the resolution in its entirety. The joint statement said: "The Leaders underscored the urgent need for accelerated global action on climate change and welcomed the UNFCCC process. They highlighted the significance of the Paris Agreement and reaffirmation of COP 30 in Belem and the decisions taken under it in recent years, especially to create a Just Transition Mechanism and Technology Implementation Programme and look forward to the Global Stocktake." "They called for significantly enhanced climate action and increasing efforts in the areas of climate finance and technology transfer to support developing countries in a just transition to green and sustainable energy systems and economies, and in adapting to the increasing impacts of climate change. They emphasised the potential of well-designed climate action for economic development and poverty reduction and the importance of scaling up climate finance by all actors for shaping and accelerating the transition along national and cross-border value chains," it added. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of mobilising finance and investment for renewable energy and welcomed the joint efforts under the India-Germany Platform for Investments in Renewable Energy Worldwide, such as the launch of joint working groups on solar energy manufacturing and wind energy, as well as the newly established Joint Working Group on Battery Energy Storage Solutions. PM Modi and Chancellor Merz expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation on Green Hydrogen, including work under the joint roadmap within the Indo-German Energy Forum and stressed the need to align Indiaas National Green Hydrogen Mission and Germanyas National Hydrogen Strategy through deeper technological, commercial and regulatory collaboration and strengthened business-to-business linkages. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Two robbers were arrested for stealing Rs 1.2 lakh cash and digital devices from a car whose driver fell asleep in the parked vehicle in Vasant Vihar, a Delhi Police official said on Monday. The two accused who broke the windshield for the theft were identified as Mohd Nadeem and Ravinder, South West District Deputy Commissioner of Police Amit Goel said in a statement. The two were arrested following the incident on January 10 near Palam Marg, the police said. The police recovered a Honda Amaze car used by the accused duo to escape after the theft. Four bags carrying cash amounting to Rs 1.2 lakh, one iPad, and one pair of AirPods were seized. According to the police, at about 11 p.m. on January 10, the complainant, F Hussain, parked his vehicle on Palam Marg in Vasant Vihar. His family members went inside a restaurant for dinner, while the complainant remained inside the vehicle and fell asleep. A little later, the two accused arrived in a car and parked it behind the complainantas vehicle, the police said. One of the accused broke the rear windshield of the complainantas car, while the other overpowered the complainant and pushed him inside his own vehicle, before the two escaped with the cash and digital devices, the police said. Thereafter, the complainant made a call to the Police Control Room (PCR), the police said. A case was registered under section 309 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Vasant Vihar police station. Based on the registration details of the offending vehicle and technical surveillance, raids were conducted at a slum in Inderlok and the nearby areas. Subsequently, both the accused were arrested, the police said. Nadeem had previously been involved in nine criminal cases of robbery and attempt to murder, while Ravinder had been involved in four criminal cases of theft, robbery and Arms Act, registered at different police stations across Delhi, the police said. Ranchi, Jan 12 : Jharkhand's millennia-old megalithic culture is set to be presented on the global stage. A government delegation led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren is preparing to showcase the region's ancient stone structures, cave paintings and distinctive landscapes at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, later this month. The delegation will present detailed documents on Jharkhand's megalithic sites to the international community, to initiate concrete steps towards securing global recognition and protection for these ancient structures as world heritage sites. Following the Davos visit, the delegation will travel to the United Kingdom as well. This will be the first time the Jharkhand government is participating in the WEF annual meeting. According to the official schedule, the delegation will depart from Jharkhand on January 18 and take part in international engagements until January 26. After Davos, the Chief Minister and accompanying officials will visit London and Oxford, where they will participate in programmes related to investment promotion and policy cooperation. As per information released by the state government's public relations department, Jharkhand will present itself at Davos with the theme of "harmony with nature and development". The delegation will engage in discussions across various sessions focussing on investment opportunities, mineral resources, industrial infrastructure, energy transition, tourism and sustainable development. Alongside economic engagement, Jharkhand's rich cultural and natural heritage will be showcased to a global audience. The megalithic structures found across Singhbhum, Hazaribagh and adjoining regions are considered not only historically significant but are also believed to be linked to astronomical phenomena such as the movement of the sun and the calculation of day and night. The megalithic sites in the Pakri Barwadih area of Hazaribagh have often been compared to Stonehenge, a prehistoric megalithic structure on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England. Experts suggest that these ancient structures reflect a shared understanding of early human civilisation, where time, nature and the cosmos were expressed through stone architecture. During the UK leg of the tour, CM Soren will also deliver a special lecture and participate in an interactive session at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. The Jharkhand government believes the international outreach will be a significant step towards gaining global recognition not only for the state's economic potential but also for its unique and ancient megalithic heritage. The order was given by acting president Delcy Rodriguez, following Italian diplomatic and intelligence efforts and US mediation. Non-profits confirmed that 24 people have been freed so far The government of Venezuela has announced the release of 116 political prisoners. Non-profit groups have for now confirmed that 24 individuals were freed in the early hours of Monday morning, including two Italians and the dual SpanishVenezuelan citizen Alejandro Gonzalez, the former husband of lawyer, human rights defender, and academic Rocio San Miguel. The statement from the Ministry for Prison Services notes that these measures have benefited individuals deprived of their liberty for acts associated with disrupting the constitutional order and undermining the stability of the nation. Activist Rocio San Miguel, an expert on the Venezuelan military, was released from prison on January 10 along with four Spanish citizens, after spending two years in the Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN) prison, El Helicoide. She was accused of being part of a conspiracy against then-President Nicolas Maduro. Her ex-partner, Alejandro Gonzalez de Canales, is a retired member of the Venezuelan military and was arrested on the same day, February 9, 2024. At the time, he was working as a manager for the Chevron oil company, where he was in charge of coordinating flights for company employees and executives. He was accused of revealing political and military secrets concerning national security, obstruction of justice, and criminal association. Italian aid worker Alberto Trentini and businessman Mario Burlo were released early Monday morning from El Rodeo I prison in Caracas. They are reported to be in good condition and are staying at the Italian Embassy in the capital, where they are expected to return to Italy in the coming hours, announced Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. I spoke with our two compatriots: they are well and will soon return to Italy, Tajani told Spanish new agency EFE, adding that the plane taking them home has already departed from Rome. Their release was ordered by acting Venezuelan president, Delcy Rodriguez, thanks to Italian diplomatic and intelligence efforts and U.S. mediation, after days of heightened tension, Italian media explained. Following the U.S. arrest of Nicolas Maduro, the United States, along with other Western countries, requested that Rodriguez release political prisoners as a gesture of breaking with the previous government. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also sent a public message to Delcy Rodriguez requesting the release of the prisoners. After the capture and extraction of Nicolas Maduro during a U.S. military incursion, the Venezuelan government announced the release of a significant number of political prisoners as a gesture toward peace. The gesture was intended to contribute to the effort for national unity, in the words of the president of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodriguez, who made the announcement. The releases have been taking place slowly since last Thursday. So far, counting the 24 freed early Monday morning, according to Foro Penal, and the 17 released over the weekend, 41 prisoners have been freed out of more than 800. According to other organizations, more than a thousand people are detained for political reasons. Four days after the announcement of the releases, the Ministry of Penitentiary Services reported on Monday that clemency has been granted to 116 detainees whose cases have been reviewed. But not all of those releases have taken place yet, and those who have already been freed are under restrictions, such as not being allowed to speak publicly about their cases. During the Christmas and New Years holidays, measures were announced for another 187. But inconsistency in the figures have become common in the releases of prisoners that the Chavista government grants in moments of high tension. Often the numbers announced do not materialize. Arbitrary detentions also have not ceased. On Sunday, dozens of relatives of prisoners slept in front of four prisons in the country to demand that all political prisoners be freed. The news of the death due to a sudden decompensation according to the Attorney Generals Office of Edison Torres in the cells of the Bolivarian National Police, known as Zone 7 of Boleita, has increased concern about the condition of the detainees. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Kolkata, Jan 12 : After controversies over the raid and search operations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC)'s office and residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain last week, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, on Monday, have now been deployed for security cover from the central probe agency's office at the Central Government Office (CAG) complex at Salt Lake in Kolkata. As of now, personnel of a private security agency were responsible for handling the security of ED's office at Salt Lake. However, from Monday, a total of 12 CRPF personnel have been deployed to man the security of the same office, six for each of the two entry gates to the central agency office. Sources aware of the development said that since the ED is currently handling the investigation of several high-profile cases of money laundering in West Bengal and crucial documents and evidence relating to these cases are there in the Salt Lake office of ED, the Union Home Ministry took no risk in the matter following the I-PAC office raid controversy and decided to deploy CRPF personnel there. At the same time, a company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) of CRPF, a highly specialised combat unit of the central forces, has been brought to CRPF's camp at Rajarhat in Kolkata. Sources added that although currently they are kept on reserve, the CRPF have been specially brought to Kolkata for two specific purposes. The first purpose is to escort the officials of any central investigating agency during their raid and search operations, depending upon the seriousness and sensitivity of the operations. The second purpose is to combat situations where the central agency officials face massive resistance, like the snatching of documents during the raid and search operations. However, this company will not be used for regular or day-to-day operations. It is learnt that both the decision to deploy CRPF personnel for the security of ED's office at Salt Lake as well as to keep the company of the special unit of the force on reserve had been taken by the Union Home Ministry following the controversies over ED's raid at I-PAC's office last week, as well as the residence of Pratik Jain last week. Bhopal, Jan 12 : In a major decision ahead of the 77th Republic Day, the Madhya Pradesh government has approved the premature release of 87 life-term convicts from prisons across the state. The Jail Department issued the order in line with guidelines under a directive dated May 27, 2025, after a detailed review of 481 cases. According to an official statement, district-level committees examined each case based on legal provisions, case background and relevant facts. Of the total reviewed, 394 convicts were found ineligible for early release. The decision has been taken under Sections 432, 433 and 433(A) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, which empower the state to remit or commute sentences under specific conditions. Authorities clarified that the releases will be subject to strict safeguards. Prisoners with pending appeals in the High Court or the Supreme Court will only be eligible if their cases are resolved by January 26, 2026. Those with fines must pay them or serve additional time, while convicts with sentences remaining in other cases will have to complete those before release. Individuals facing pending trials will continue as under-trials, and interstate cases may involve transfers before release is granted. In addition to the life convicts, seven non-life term prisoners have been granted remission of sentence, also conditional on fine payments and resolution of appeals by the same date. Officials said rejections were primarily in cases where convicts had not completed 20 years of imprisonment, including remissions, as required under state policy. The move, timed with Republic Day, is part of an annual gesture aimed at promoting rehabilitation and reducing prison overcrowding, while ensuring public safety through case-by-case scrutiny. Prison reform advocates have welcomed the decision, describing it as consistent with humanitarian principles. However, they stressed the importance of monitoring post-release behaviour to ensure reintegration into society. With Madhya Pradeshas prisons housing thousands of inmates, such initiatives reflect the governmentas effort to balance justice with mercy. The releases are scheduled to take place on January 26, symbolising hope, renewal and the spirit of freedom on Republic Day. Ahmedabad, Jan 12 : At the ongoing International kite festival in Gujarat, hundreds of kites filled the skies with professional kitists showcasing their prowess for welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the Sabarmati riverfront. The kites that garnered maximum attention were the thematic and patriotic ones. The kites themed on images of Prime Minister Modi and Operation Sindoor garnered maximum attention. The inauguration of kite festival saw participation of hundreds, however, the moment that captured everyone's attention was when PM Modi flew the special-themed kites, enhancing the festive atmosphere of the event. According to the kite makers, theme-based and patriotic kites are aimed at invoking patriotism and national pride among participants. These kites have been designed, using modern technology and high-quality materials. Endang, from the Indonesian Kite Museum in Jakarta, Indonesia, told IANS that the kite themed after PM Modi, was made nearly eight years ago. He said that in 2018, when Prime Minister Modi visited Indonesia, he flew the same kite in Jakarta. At that time, India and Indonesia were celebrating 70 years of friendship. According to Endang, on that historic occasion, the President of Indonesia Joko Widido and Prime Minister Modi flew the kite together. It took about a week to make the kite, and it involved very delicate work. The kite with the 'Operation Sindoor' theme also attracted a lot of attention. Praveen Kumar, hailing from Rajasthan expressed happiness, saying, "We are very proud that Prime Minister Modi flew the kite we made. This time we chose 'Operation Sindoor' as the theme." Varun Chadha, a member of the Indian kite team, said, "The atmosphere became electric with presence of PM Modi. The event was very successful, and there was tremendous enthusiasm among the people." Mumbai, Jan 12 : The Maharashtra State Election Commission (SEC) on Monday barred the Mahayuti government from depositing an advance instalment of Rs 1,500 for January along with the December 2025 assistance into the accounts of eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana ahead of Makar Sankranti on January 14, citing the ongoing civic poll process. However, the SEC allowed the state government to deposit the December 2025 financial aid of Rs 1,500, stating that it is part of the ongoing scheme and does not violate the Model Code of Conduct for the elections to 29 municipal corporations scheduled for January 15. The SEC had sought a report from Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal by 11 a.m. on Monday over BJP Minister Girish Mahajan's claim that the Mahayuti government would deposit Rs 3,000 covering aid for December 2025 and January 2026 into the accounts of eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana before Makar Sankranti. The Commission had asked for the factual position and whether the government intended to distribute two months' worth of funds collectively immediately before polling. The SEC's move came after opposition parties slammed the Mahayuti alliance, alleging that it was an attempt to woo women voters and amounted to a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. Mahajan had last week said in a post on X: "From Deva Bhau, the beloved sisters will receive.. A grand gift for Makar Sankranti! Before January 14, 3000 rupees for the months of December and January will be deposited into the bank accounts of the beloved sisters!" SEC sources said the Commission received a report from the Chief Secretary stating that Ladki Bahin Yojana is an ongoing scheme like Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana and others, and the government would continue disbursement under the scheme. The Chief Secretary also clarified that there would be no violation of the Model Code of Conduct as it does not apply to ongoing schemes, the sources said. However, the Commission took the view that while the government is entitled to pay the December 2025 aid to eligible women beneficiaries, it cannot pay the January instalment in advance during the ongoing election process. Earlier, Advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar, General Secretary of the state Congress, submitted a letter to the State Election Commission on Saturday. He claimed that the state government intended to deposit Rs 3,000 (combined instalments for December 2025 and January 2026) into the accounts of beneficiaries on January 14, exactly one day before voting. The Congress argued that this would violate the Model Code of Conduct and serve as an inducement to women voters, urging the Commission to stop the payment. Amid the row over the timing of the financial aid disbursement, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit back, saying: "When we started the scheme, Congress leaders went to the High Court to stop it, but that petition didn't hold. Now they are saying don't give the money. 'Ladki Bahin' is a continuous ongoing scheme of the state government, and such schemes do not fall under the restrictions of the election code of conduct. No matter what Congress says, the funds will be given to our beloved sisters." However, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal argued: "Congress is not opposed to the Ladki Bahin scheme at all. However, if the government gives not one, but two months' worth of money on January 14 the day before voting it is a clear violation of the code of conduct. Our only demand is that the Commission should stop this specific act." Guwahati, Jan 12 : A Congress party meeting in Assam's Morigaon district turned violent on Monday, leaving a senior district-level party functionary seriously injured and triggering fresh internal tensions within the party. The injured leader has been identified as Ejaz Hussain, the district Congress administrative general secretary, who was admitted to Morigaon Civil Hospital following the incident. Hussain later complained to the Morigaon Sadar Police Station, naming Mohammad Asif Nazar, the Congress MLA from Lahorighat, in connection with the alleged assault. According to the FIR, the clash erupted at the Morigaon school playground, where party workers were making preparations for a Congress joining programme ahead of Gogoi's visit. Tensions reportedly flared after banners and posters of Faridul Hussain, a Congress ticket aspirant from the Lahorighat Assembly constituency, were displayed at the venue. The complaint alleged that MLA Asif Nazar objected to the posters and directed party workers to remove them. When Ejaz Hussain intervened and attempted to prevent the banners from being torn down, he was allegedly assaulted by a group of individuals led by a youth identified as Akshay Bordoloi. Hussain claimed in his complaint that the assault took place in the presence of the MLA and allegedly on his instructions. The incident led to chaos at the venue, forcing organisers to halt preparations temporarily. Police officials said a case has been registered based on the complaint, and an investigation is underway. "We have received a written complaint, and necessary legal steps have been initiated. Further details will emerge after the investigation," a senior police officer said. The incident has embarrassed the Congress at a time when the party is stepping up organisational activities and induction programmes across Assam ahead of the Assembly elections. The visit of the APCC president was aimed at strengthening the party base in Morigaon, but the violence has exposed simmering factionalism within the district unit. Party leaders, however, said efforts were being made to defuse tensions and ensure discipline within the organisation, stressing that such incidents undermine the party's political message and credibility. --IANS tdr/dan Quetta, Jan 12 : A child was critically injured after an explosion in a pile of garbage in Turbat city of Pakistan's Balochistan, and authorities have started an investigation into the incident, local media reported. The victim, identified as Adil, son of Qadir, a resident of the Fish Market area of Turbat, suffered serious injuries following the blast that occurred in the Jusak area on Friday, The Balochistan Post reported. He was taken to the hospital for treatment. Doctors at the hospital said that the child has suffered severe damage in one leg and described his condition as critical. The cause of the explosion has not been determined yet, and an investigation has been launched into the incident. On January 5, a large number of people held a major protest in Turbat against the rising crime and lawlessness in the Kech district of Balochistan. Hundreds of men and women participated in the protest, organised by All Parties Kech, the tradersa association, doctorsa associations, and civil society organisations, local media reported. The rally 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, National Party leader and former Balochistan Chief Minister 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. Kech Bar Association President Advocate Syed Majeed Shah condemned the kidnapping incidents that were happening in the region and said that the 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. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Two suspected cases of Nipah virus disease, listed as a high-priority pathogen by the WHO, have been identified in West Bengal, according to official sources on Monday. The cases were identified on Sunday at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL), ICMR, AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal. The sources noted that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is closely monitoring the situation in the state, with Union Minister JP Nadda writing to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, "assuring full support." The Health Minister also spoke to the Chief Minister over the telephone and reiterated "Centre's commitment to extend all necessary assistance to the State in managing the situation". Even as Nipah is a zoonotic disease with high mortality and potential for rapid spread, the situation is being handled with utmost priority by the Central government, the sources said. "Immediately upon receipt of information, the Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, held discussions with the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary (Health), Government of West Bengal, to review the situation and ensure swift and coordinated action," the sources said. "A National Joint Outbreak Response Team has been deployed to support the State Government in containment and public health response measures," they added. The team comprises experts from the All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata; National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai; AIIMS Kalyani; and the Department of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Central Government guidelines on Nipah Virus Disease under the Communicable Disease Alert have been shared with the State Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) unit. In addition, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, has also been activated to coordinate the national response. The Centre is also providing comprehensive technical, logistical and operational support to the State. "All essential resources, including laboratory support, enhanced surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control measures, and expert guidance, have already been mobilised," the sources said. "The State has been advised to ensure close coordination with the deployed expert teams and to undertake meticulous contact tracing and other containment measures," they added. Nipah virus disease is an emerging zoonotic infectious disease caused by the Nipah virus (NiV). It can cause acute encephalitis, severe respiratory illness, and, in many cases, death. First discovered in 1999 in Malaysia, the Nipah virus (NiV) causes yearly outbreaks throughout south and southeast Asia, especially in India, with associated mortality rates of 4075 per cent. Mumbai, Jan 12 : BJP legislator R. Tamil Selvan on Monday defended party leader K. Annamalai over his statement on Mumbai, saying his remarks were aimed at highlighting the city's global importance and development under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, but were being deliberately misinterpreted for political gains. "Our leader K Annamalai described Mumbai as a city respected across the world. What he wanted to say was that Mumbai is becoming the world's number one city, chiefly because of the blessings of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Be it Metro projects, road construction or the provision of services, Mumbai has emerged as an important city on the global platform. Annamalai was talking in this context. He did not say anything wrong about it. However, his words are being distorted for political gains," Selvan, the BJP legislator from Sion Koliwada, said. Former IPS officer and ex-Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai, who was in Mumbai last week to campaign for the party in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, had said: "People want a triple engine government. This is the only metro city in the country where a triple engine is possible. Modi is in Delhi, Fadnavis is the Chief Minister and now Mumbai will have a BJP mayor. Mumbai is not a Maharashtra city but an international city. The budget of this city is Rs 75,000 crore. Chennai's budget is Rs 8,000 crore while Bengaluru's budget is Rs 19,000 crore. So you need good people in the administration to manage the finance and to manage the development." Responding to Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray mocking his name as "Rasmalai", Selvan said: "Raj Thackeray is a senior leader and many respect him. I still respect him, but he should respect others as well. I am also from Tamil Nadu, but I won the Assembly election three times with the support of around 90,000 Marathi voters so that I can serve them. They did not see my background." "It is the BJP's outlook to give tickets to persons who serve society. Everyone should be respected. I serve here as a representative of the people, including Maharashtrians," Selvan said. Selvan further claimed that he had worked extensively in Maharashtra, saying: "I have visited several rural parts of Maharashtra and undertaken works like river cleaning and widening of riverbeds. I did not do this work in Tamil Nadu, but here in Maharashtra." Taking a dig at his critics, he said: "Now people have seen who uses foul language against our Chief Minister who works for the people. We oppose such use of foul language. Chief Minister Fadnavis will take appropriate action against such people." The BJP legislator also said he invokes Maharashtra's icons in his speeches. "Wherever I go to deliver a speech, I begin it by taking the names of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, Lokmanya Tilak and Veer Savarkar. Is this the way to ridicule a person and his attire just because he is from south India?" he asked. Commenting further on the controversy over Annamalai's statement that Mumbai is not a Maharashtra city, Selvan said: "How can anyone separate Mumbai from Maharashtra? Not even a Prime Minister will be able to do it. Annamalai did not say those words out of disrespect. He was only saying that Mumbai has a global identity." Islamabad, Jan 12 : Activists held a protest after a young trade unionist went missing in Korangi Industrial Area in Pakistan's Karachi, with trade union leaders alleging that he was taken away by the police at the request of an influential industrialist since he had been speaking against forced retrenchment at an industrial unit, local media reported. The protest was held outside Karachi Press Club on Sunday on the call given by the National Trade Union Federation Pakistan (NTUF-P) after Iqbal Abro went missing. During the protests, the participants carried portraits of Abro and demanded his release from "illegal custody," Pakistan's leading daily 'Dawn' reported. Speaking to reporters, Nasir Mehmood, Comrade Gul Rehman and other trade union leaders alleged that Awami Colony police kidnapped Iqbal Abro, tortured him and later took him to an unknown place. They termed it an enforced disappearance and accused an influential industrialist for being involved in it as the young activist had been raising his voice about the rights of the workers who had been retrenched by the industrial unit without justification. They announced that a petition had been filed in the Sindh High Court. The NTUF-P leaders warned that they would decide their next step at a labour conference scheduled to be held on soon if Abro is not released. Recently, police statistics have shown a decline in reported street crimes in Pakistan's Karachi from 71,105 cases in 2024 to over 64,000 in 2025. However, the same official data underline the extent to which abnormality has become normal in the country's largest city, a report said. According to police data, 6,683 vehicles were hijacked at gunpoint in 2025, including 302 cars and 6,381 motorbikes, compared to 8,370 such incidents in 2024. As many as 39,934 vehicles were stolen in 2025, including 1,813 cars and 38,121 motorbikes, down from 43,382 in the previous year, according to a report published in the 'Business Recorder'. Phone snatching incidents continued to occur frequently across Karachi. As per the same data, 19,353 mobile phones were snatched in 2024, highlighting the persistent scale of street crime in the city. An editorial in the 'Business Recorder' noted that Karachi's police statistics, released at the turn of the year, were intended to show improvement. While they do reflect a decline in reported street crimes from 71,105 in 2024 to over 64,000 in 2025, the same figures reveal what the editorial described as the real indictment of life in Pakistan's largest city. The editorial pointed out that more than 46,000 citizens lost their cars or motorbikes in 2025, while over 17,000 people were deprived of their mobile phones during the year. "A 'reduction' that still leaves tens of thousands dispossessed at gunpoint or through theft is not a success story. It is a measure of how low the baseline has sunk," the editorial said. Experts have cautioned against drawing sweeping conclusions from a comparison of only two years, noting that official figures capture only what is recorded in police registers and not the full extent of crime. They flagged the absence of credible research and the lack of a holistic data ecosystem that includes inputs from other stakeholders such as paramedics and hospitals. Mumbai, Jan 12 : Murlidhar Mohol, the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Cooperation and Civil Aviation, on Monday brushed aside any 'imminent threat' to the BJP's poll performance in Maharashtra municipal elections, either from Thackeray brothers' reunion or the Pawar clan. Mumbai, Jan 12 (IANS) Murlidhar Mohol, the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Cooperation and Civil Aviation, on Monday brushed aside any aimminent threata to the BJPas poll performance in Maharashtra municipal elections, either from Thackeray brothersa reunion or the Pawar clan. Mohol, the Lok Sabha MP from Pune Lok Sabha constituency, spoke to IANS on a range of topics with special focus on the civic polls battle, particularly in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad regions, explaining how both the Shiv Sena and NCP were on a weak footing and the BJP maintains an edge over 'allies turned foes'. Below is the full interview: IANS: Why is the BJP confident about its poll prospects in the Pune Municipal Corporation elections? Murlidhar Mohol: The people of Pune vote very thoughtfully, whether it is a local body election, an Assembly election, or a Lok Sabha election. We have to make Pune the best city in the world. The people of Pune know that if the city is to see growth and progress, it will only be possible due to the BJP, PM Modi, and Devendra Fadnavis. IANS: Both factions of NCP have come together for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations. Do you think this will affect the MahaYuti alliance, particularly in Pune? Murlidhar Mohol: I don't think it will have any effect. People in Pune know in whose hands their future stands secured. NCP was contesting separately earlier, now they are together again, tomorrow they will slip again, it goes on. These (NCP factions) are just regional parties, not national ones. There will be a triple-engine government this time. The public is with us, and a BJP leader will become Pune Mayor. The agenda for the BJP-Shiv Sena and NCP (Ajit Pawar) in local bodies was different. We saw this in the municipal corporations and municipal councils. Across Maharashtra, we all contested separately, yet we remain united in the state. IANS: Do you think that the BJP had a role in reuniting both factions of NCP? Murlidhar Mohol: The fact that both NCP factions have come together clearly means that Ajit Pawar is somewhere or the other afraid that power will not come into his hands, which is why they have joined forces. But today's public knows who works and who to vote for. The credit does not go to us but to the people of Pune, who believe in us. The public's trust in us, the BJP played a major role in demoralising their cadres, and hence they have reunited. IANS: Would it be better for the BJP if the NCP factions unite for the future? Murlidhar Mohol: See, they are family; if they do come together, I don't see a problem. It's their call. Even though one faction is with us in the MahaYuti government, we don't mind if the families reunite. IANS: Will it be fine with the BJP if Sharad Pawar is willing to join MahaYuti? Murlidhar Mohol: I am just a small worker of the party. However, whatever the leadership decides, we will go by it. IANS: Do you think that the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) joined hands to save the 'Thackeray brand'? Do you think the 'Thackeray brand' still exists? Murlidhar Mohol: Definitely, I do feel it. Shiv Sena (UBT) has been in power in the BMC for several years now. Despite being in power there, they failed to earn people's trust. Today, the party itself no longer exists, and neither does the support. Now they have joined hands with the MNS. I feel this is driven by the fear that they might be left with nothing, so the two have come together just to save whatever they can. It's a fight for their existence. IANS: Do you think that Uddhav Thackeray abides by the Hindutva ideology of Shiv Sena? He has also said that the MahaYuti betrayed him in the past. What is your take on this? Murlidhar Mohol: Uddhav Thackeray's Hindutva is gone. That is why he is left all alone now. He abandoned Hindutva the day he formed a government with the Congress party, after winning the 2019 elections with the BJP. In 2019, we contested the elections as part of the MahaYuti. If we fought as an alliance, then the government should also have been formed by the alliance. Devendra Fadnavis was our Chief Minister's face, and clearly, we (the BJP) had the majority. After the elections, he was so obsessed with becoming Chief Minister that he betrayed the Hindus, the BJP and all the 110 million people of Maharashtra. IANS: There has been a heated 'Khan-Pathan-burqa' debate over who will become the Mayor. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has also made several statements regarding this. If a hijab-wearing woman does become the Mayor, what problem does the BJP have with it? Murlidhar Mohol: We believe in what the public wants. At the end of the day, it all comes down to who the public gives its support to. I do believe, as the Chief Minister has said, that a Marathi-speaking person should become the Mayor, be it in Mumbai, Pune or anywhere else. However, people have their opinions; they can say whatever they want. IANS: What do you think about the law and order situation in Bengal under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee? Murlidhar Mohol: TMC has been in power for many years. The law and order issues have been observed for a long time. Now, people feel that enough is enough. How long will we continue to tolerate injustice and oppression? Apart from this, there is an issue of Bangladeshi infiltrators. So many of the infiltrators are living there. However, I believe that violence is not an option. The BJP will form a government in Bengal this time, as people are not with Mamata Banerjee at all. Following the intervention in Venezuela, the US president feels increasingly empowered to act without restraint toward other governments The scene in the East Room of the White House last Friday was almost like something out of a medieval court. At the center was an emperor U.S. President Donald Trump euphoric after his countrys military operation in which U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, and surrounded by his top advisers. Around him were executives from the major multinational oil companies, who had come from around the world to pay homage and vie for a piece of Venezuelas energy sector. This is historic, said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. A magnificent operation, congratulated his vice president, J.D. Vance. Youve given hope to the people of Venezuela, declared Ryan Lance of ConocoPhillips. Thank you for what you did, said Bryan Sheffield of Parsley Energy Following the attack in Caracas, Trump is elated. What he sees as an unqualified success the capture of the Venezuelan president without U.S. casualties in what resembled a blockbuster movie operation vindicates his worldview. It is a vision in which his country, and especially he himself, enjoy a carte blanche to act as they wish, to coerce other governments, exploit natural resources, and not have to answer to international law. A virtually unlimited global power in which, according to one of his favorite metaphors, he holds all the cards. Emboldened by an action that has diverted public attention away from scandals such as the one involving financier Jeffrey Epstein, Trump is now turning to more bellicose rhetoric to threaten further interventions. While predicting that changes in Venezuela will hasten the fall of Cubas communist regime, he has pointed to ground attacks against drug cartels that are running Mexico. Before his Wednesday call with Colombian President Gustavo Petro, aimed at a fragile truce, he warned the allied leader to watch his ass. On Friday he threatened Iranian authorities if the number of protesters killed in crackdowns against demonstrations increased. He has also threatened to do something about Greenland, the Arctic island that belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark, the easy way or the hard way. His argument in favor of brute force also extends domestically, as he unconditionally defends the actions of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who claimed selfdefense in firing at close range and killing a woman, Renee Nicole Good, whose vehicle was blocking traffic on a street in Minneapolis Protests outside the White House on Saturday following the death of Renee Good, who was shot by an immigration agent in Minneapolis last Wednesday. Tom Brenner (REUTERS) While praising the use of force, Trump declares his disdain for multilateralism. As he outlined his plans to control Venezuelas oil indefinitely, last week he withdrew his country from dozens of international organizations key elements of the multilateral system that the White House argues waste taxpayer dollars on ineffective or hostile agendas. Most of the institutions that the U.S. has withdrawn from deal with climate change and promoting equality. Almost simultaneously, his administration has proposed doubling the military budget to $1.5 trillion and is demanding that defense companies ramp up production to rearm. The goal is to turn the U.S. military into a colossal Godzilla that can respond to the allout modernization of Chinese forces and overwhelm those of other countries peace through strength, as Trump likes to boast. My own morality. My own mind. Its the only thing that can stop me, he boasted last week in an interview with The New York Times. I dont need international law, he added. According to Trump, only he can decide if and in what cases a given rule can limit the United States. He believes he can use any tool at his disposal coercion, economic sanctions, military force to promote what he considers his countrys interests, and as he posted a few months ago: He who saves his Country does not violate any Law. Divying up the world Trump defines his vision as the Donroe Doctrine, a play on his name and that of James Monroe, the U.S. president who two centuries ago proclaimed America for the Americans to block European expansion on the continent. Some experts have described it as a division of spheres of influence among great powers, with Washington controlling what it calls the Western Hemisphere, China taking Asia, and Russia claiming the territory of the former Soviet Union. Political scientists Stacey Goddard and Abraham Newman coined the term neoroyalism: An international system structured by a small group of hyper-elites who use modern economic and military interdependencies to extract material and status resources for themselves, the researchers write in an academic article. In this hyper-elitist system, Trump enjoys an exceptional position, commanding exclusive resources such as his countrys military power and the global dollar-based financial system. He also has a wide latitude of action, thanks to presidential powers to intervene abroad that successive administrations had already expanded, especially after the 9/11 attacks. He is not a president who is drastically expanding his powers abroad, because he already had those powers. The question is whether he will use them judiciously, notes Robert Strong, professor emeritus at Washington University and Lee University, in a videoconference organized by the Miller Center at the University of Virginia. US President Donald Trump at a meeting with oil executives last Friday at the White House. Kevin Lamarque (REUTERS) Since taking office, Trump has been testing this model of force even though he campaigned against U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts. Before the U.S. strikes on Venezuela, Trump attacked targets in Yemen, Somalia, Syria, Iran, and Nigeria. These were generally opportunistic, lightning operations. Its the kind of military showmanship that Trump thrives on and endorses: quick, short, with a demonstrable result, and that forces everyone else to do what he says, notes Eric Edelman, former assistant secretary of defense for policy in the George W. Bush administration (2001-2009). In another era, such selfserving objectives would have been cloaked in a mantle of good intentions: rescuing a failed state, restoring democracy and human rights, or fighting terrorism. Now they are laid bare. We live in a world in which you can talk all you want about international niceties and everything else, White House domestic policy adviser 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." These are the iron laws of the world, added the ideologue, who is close to Trump and one of the most powerful men in the administration. Or to put it another way: The days of the United States propping up the entire world order like Atlas are over, as proclaimed in the Trump administrations foreign policy handbook, the National Security Strategy, which was published a month before the military operation in Venezuela. A preview The National Security Strategy makes it clear that U.S. intervention in Venezuela is a preview of what is to come. Its not a one-off action; its the beginning. Its not a tactic; its a strategy. Washington once again conceives of the American continent as its backyard, a region where the United States must have primacy, free of hostile foreign incursions or ownership of key assets. This is OUR Hemisphere, the State Department proclaimed on social media last week, in case there was any doubt. In this vision, Europe loses relevance; it is seen as a region where multiculturalism is leading to civilizational erasure. Priority shifts to the American continent, perceived on the one hand as the source of what Miller and Trump consider the main security risks for the United States: immigration and drug trafficking. On the other hand, it is seen as an immense exclusive economic zone, a source of natural resources to exploit and markets to which to sell products: it is no coincidence that Trump announced last week that, according to him, Venezuela will come to buy exclusively from U.S. brands. President Donald Trump greets his Argentine counterpart, Javier Milei, during the United Nations General Assembly last September. Evan Vucci (AP) The National Security Strategy paints a picture in which Washington unabashedly supports friendly governments such as Javier Mileis Argentina or Nayib Bukeles El Salvador , openly endorses favored candidates like Nasry Asfura in Honduras , and attempts to coerce countries perceived as recalcitrant, such as Lula da Silvas Brazil, which Washington has sought to punish with tariffs and sanctions. This coercion, as demonstrated in Venezuela, can escalate to full-blown military intervention. For now, the intervention in Venezuela has shocked the rest of the world. Europeans are moving at breakneck speed to try to dissuade the Trump administration from possible actions in Greenland. Petro has acknowledged that before his conversation with Trump to calm tensions, he seriously feared military action in Colombia. The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, is forced to call for calm. And authorities in Venezuela are, for the moment, complying with Trumps wishes. The new leader, Delcy Rodriguez, has offered cooperation and, according to Trump, has already promised 30 million barrels of oil to the U.S. Nicaragua is keeping a close eye on the U.S. and this Saturday released half of its political prisoners. Trump, for his part, maintains that he enjoys broad support within the United States and that his supporters are fully behind him: MAGA loves everything I do. MAGA is me, he said. However, polls point to a somewhat more complex scenario: while voters are split down party lines on the military operation in Venezuela, most fear it could draw U.S. forces into excessive involvement in the South American country, potentially triggering one of those endless wars like Iraq or Afghanistan that the president had promised to avoid. Questions about the future This is not the only question being raised about the future. Professor Alexander Bick from the University of Virginia warns that the seizure of assets belonging to other sovereign states sets a very bad precedent for the behavior of governments globally. Russia may see it as a boost to its war in Ukraine. China, as an argument for invading Taiwan. And Beijing may resist relinquishing the vast commercial and security interests it already has in Latin America: from the Peruvian port of Chancay to infrastructure investments in Colombia, including the enormous loans to Venezuela that Caracas has been repaying with oil. Whether the Trump model can prevail over Russia and China remains to be seen, says Edelman. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a meeting with a Chinese delegation just hours before he was taken by US forces Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores Palace (via REUTERS) In its annual analysis of major global risks, consulting firm Eurasia Group considers the United States the top risk in 2026. The risk of U.S. policy overshoot is high especially now that Trump has a successful raid under his belt, says Ian Bremmer, president of the riskanalysis firm, wrote in his weekly newsletter. Trump will be tempted to double down on what has worked so far and push further, whether through sanctions, meddling in elections, or promoting candidates in Latin America. In the process, Trump risks planting seeds of anti-Americanism and pushing conflict, traffickers, and cartels into new places, which has happened on almost every continent where America has overextended itself, Bremmer wrote. Although Trump boasts that he has no restraints, the first signs of resistance are beginning to appear. In the Capitol, the Senate has given the green light to advance a bill that would prohibit the president from taking new military action in Venezuela without congressional permission. The vote was supported by a group of Republicans, who joined the Democrats. Behind the scenes, Republican legislators are warning that an intervention in Greenland would shatter NATO and go too far. Abroad, the European Union last week signed a freetrade agreement with the Mercosur countries after years of delay; the EU is working on a strategy of resistance. And just as elections will be held this year in countries such as Brazil, Peru, and Costa Rica, where the Trump administration may be tempted to back a particular candidate, the United States will also hold elections in 2026 the midterm elections in which control of Congress, now dominated by Republicans, is at stake. Trump himself knows that this vote could completely upend his agenda: If we dont win, [the Democrats] will look for an excuse to impeach me, he warned last week in a meeting with lawmakers from his party. The scene was a far cry from the hand-kissing ceremony seen Friday at the White House. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition New Delhi, Jan 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Digital India has created a whole new community of creators and is driving the unprecedented rise of the 'Orange Economy', covering culture, content and creativity. Speaking at the final session of Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 here, PM Modi said India emerged as a global hub for media, film, gaming, music and digital talent. "India is witnessing rapid growth across creative and technology-driven sectors, powered largely by young innovators and entrepreneurs," Prime Minister Modi said. Highlighting the growth of startups, he said that more than a thousand defence startups are currently operating in the country. "Young entrepreneurs are working on a wide range of technologies, including drones, anti-drone systems, AI-based cameras and robotics, reflecting India's expanding innovation ecosystem," the Prime Minister said while addressing the participants in the national capital. The Prime Minister also spoke about the transformation of India's space sector. He said that five to six years ago, the responsibility of developing the space sector rested solely with ISRO. "Five to six years ago, the responsibility of developing India's space sector rested only with ISRO. We opened the space sector to private enterprises, expanded policies, and created supporting institutions," PM Modi explained. He further highlighted large-scale youth participation in nation-building initiatives. "The involvement of crores of young people, with over 50 lakh registrations and more than 30 lakh youths sharing ideas under the Viksit Bharat Challenge, shows an unprecedented level of engagement," the Prime Minister mentioned. According to the Prime Minister, the combination of Digital India, startup growth, and youth participation is reshaping the country's future. "India's creative economy, driven by culture, content and innovation, is not only generating new opportunities at home but is also positioning the country as a global leader in emerging sectors," Prime Minister Modi said. Rajkot, Jan 12 : Summits such as the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference play a crucial role in developing local ecosystems across the country and help advance the vision of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), industry representatives said on Monday. Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference here, Prakram Singh Jadeja, Chairman and Managing Director of Jyoti CNC Automation Limited, said that platforms like the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference help build strong local industrial ecosystems and support the growth of MSMEs. He added that under the Viksit Bharat vision, India aims to become a $30 trillion economy, with Gujarat expected to contribute $3 trillion to this target, making such events extremely important. Preeti Patel, Managing Director of Respian Enterprise, said the Vibrant Gujarat platform is a valuable event for the entire industry as it provides an opportunity to engage with the government and understand policies. She said her company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the conference and is at an advanced stage of starting production. "The company's factory will manufacture small defence equipment, and design approvals have already been received," Patel told IANS. Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, told IANS that business representatives from Rajkot and across Gujarat participated in the conference. He said detailed discussions were held on opportunities expected to emerge in the defence sector over the next 10 years. "Several issues were raised during the discussions, and it was decided that another round of talks involving the Gujarat government, the Defence Ministry and industry bodies will be held in the coming months," Kumar mentioned. Kumar further said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision is to ensure that everything used in the country is manufactured domestically, and India has the capability to achieve this goal. Gujarat's Minister for Science and Technology, Arjun Modhwadia, said more than 5,000 MoUs were signed at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, with investment commitments worth Rs 5.78 lakh crore. He added that representatives from all sectors participated in the event. He also said the region has immense potential, noting that nearly two-thirds of Gujarat's coastline and more than half of the state's land area fall within this region. "The coming decade will belong to India," he told IANS. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Vice-President (V-P) C.P. Radhakrishnan, on Monday, urged fresh Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) graduates to dedicate their knowledge and skills to nation-building. Addressing the ninth Convocation of JNU, V-P Radhakrishnan emphasised that education and proper training alone would enable India's youth to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat @2047. He recalled the teachings of Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary and stressed education must go beyond degrees to build character, strengthen intellect and empower individuals to stand on their own feet. The Vice-President urged graduates to uphold three core responsibilities -- intellectual honesty in the pursuit of truth, social inclusion to reduce inequalities, and active contribution to national development. He called upon them to remain guided by constitutional values and India's civilisational ethos, and to always respect their parents and teachers. Highlighting India's civilisational tradition of knowledge, Vice-President Radhakrishnan referred to ancient centres of learning such as Nalanda and Takshashila and noted that Indian scriptures and classics, from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita to Kautilya's Arthashastra and Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural, have consistently placed learning at the centre of societal and ethical life. He underlined that true education shapes conduct and character, and is not limited to the acquisition of degrees. The Vice-President stressed that modern science and traditional values must grow together. Referring to the democratic ethos of JNU, V-P Radhakrishnan said debate, discussion, dissent and even confrontation are essential elements of a healthy democracy. However, he added that such processes must ultimately lead to a conclusion. Once a decision is taken, he emphasised, there must be a collective willingness to cooperate in its implementation to ensure smooth and effective administration. The Vice-President appreciated the inclusive atmosphere of JNU and the efforts by the University to promote equity and social inclusion in both student admissions and faculty recruitment. He also commended the leadership of the university for expanding its academic engagement into emerging and civilisational fields, including the establishment of new Centres for Hindu, Jain and Buddhist Studies at the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies. He also appreciated JNU's sustained efforts to promote Indian languages through initiatives such as the Special Centre for Tamil Studies and chairs and programmes in Assamese, Odia, Marathi and Kannada, saying that knowledge creation must flourish in mother tongues in line with the spirit of the National Education Policy. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday complimented Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the successful flight test of Third Generation Fire and Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability, an official said on Monday. The missile was flight-tested successfully against a moving target in KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra, by DRDOas Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, on Sunday, the official said in a statement. Rajnath Singh also complimented the industry for the successful test, terming it an important step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Congratulating the team, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat said that the trial target was successfully conducted, thereby leading the weapon system for induction into the Indian Army. The indigenously developed MPATGM consists of state-of-the-art indigenous technologies like Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker, all-electric Control Actuation System, Fire Control System, Tandem Warhead, propulsion system and high-performance sighting system, which are developed by DRDO's sister laboratories. These associated labs include Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune, and Instruments Research and Development Establishment, Dehradun. The Thermal Target System was developed by the Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur, to simulate the target tank. The IIR seeker is well accomplished with day and night combat operation capability. The warhead is capable of defeating modern main Battle Tanks. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are the Development-Cum-Production Partners (DcPP) for the weapon System. The missile can be launched from a Tripod or a Military Vehicle Launcher, said the statement. Earlier on Friday, the Defence Minister described the youth of the country as the driving force behind the country's aspirations for building a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and exhorted them to "dream big, but cautioned against not letting those dreams weigh one's own self down. He praised the diverse achievements of the youth, expressing confidence in their creativity, ambition, and determination to propel India into the ranks of developed nations. He urged the youth to embrace multidisciplinary learning, keeping pace with emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, and space exploration. "Learning never stops. Absorb lessons from new practices, from your own mistakes, and from the experiences of others. Dream biga"but don't let those dreams weigh you down," Defence Minister Singh advised the youth. Kolkata, Jan 12 : Trinamool Congress General Secretary and party Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee on Monday directed the party's Information Technology cell -- termed as "Digital Yoddhas" or "Digital Warriors" -- to launch a massive digital campaign explaining why the Trinamool Congress is opposing the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) raid and search operations at the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and at the residence of I-PAC co-founder Pratik Jain last week. He issued the instructions while outlining the party's position at a digital conclave of the Trinamool Congress on Monday afternoon, which was attended by members of the party's IT cell. A member of the party's IT cell present at the conclave said the first point of contention raised by the Trinamool Congress is why the ED conducted the raids and searches in a six-year-old coal smuggling case just ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections this year. The second point, the IT cell member said, was why the residence of an I-PAC director operating from Kolkata was chosen for the raid and search operations when two other directors were operating from Delhi and Hyderabad. The third contention, which the member said is a summation of the first two, is that the alleged intention behind the raids and searches was to access the blueprint of the Trinamool Congress's election strategy for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. "Our General Secretary has directed us to start an extensive campaign on these lines immediately," the IT cell member said. Incidentally, on Thursday, different ED teams conducted raids and searches at a total of 10 places, of which six were in Kolkata and four in New Delhi. However, the teams faced resistance at two places, both in Kolkata. While ED officials were conducting raids and searches at Jain's residence in Loudon Street in central Kolkata and at I-PAC's office in Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the two places one after another, accompanied by top officials from the state administration and the police. She left both places with several paper files and electronic documents. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court heard a matter related to the raids, with the ED accusing the Chief Minister of misusing her constitutional authority to create hindrances for central investigating agency officials in discharging their official duty. Kalaburagi, Jan 12 : Highlighting regional disparity between northern and southern Karnataka, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday appealed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President D.K. Shivakumar to ensure Mysuru-like development for the Kalaburagi region. Kharge, who hails from Kalaburagi, was addressing a public gathering in Jevargi town of Kalaburagi district. Referring to a statement made earlier by Deputy CM Shivakumar that he wished he had been born in the region, Kharge said: "After the implementation of special status (Article 371J), funds are now flowing to this region, and Shivakumar said he wished he had been born here. It is not necessary for you to be born here, nor for us to be born in your region. What we want is this just as Mysuru and your constituencies are developed, ensure the same level of development here." "We do not want Kalaburagi to become London, Singapore or America. What we want is the same kind of development that Mysuru and your constituencies have. That should be done here as well. Because of prolonged neglect, no one brought such a law earlier. I insisted and pleaded. Even when we did not have a majority, I went door to door, convinced everyone and ensured that this law was passed," he said. Kharge said that under the special status law, priority should be given to this region while implementing development programmes. "What usually happens is that Mysuru and Bengaluru regions take away most of the benefits. People of this region keep waiting. This must stop, and the focus should be on the people here," he said. "I request you once again. Mr. Shivakumar, you need not be born here. But whatever works are sanctioned for Mysuru, your constituency, or Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's constituency, ensure that at least 75 per cent of that level of work is carried out here. Only then will people experience prosperity and peace. Our children are still forced to go to Bengaluru for education," he said. Kharge further said: "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah did not study in a convent school. He studied in a Kannada-medium school and went on to become Chief Minister twice. The Deputy CM studied in convent schools and was educated in both Kannada and English. You must now focus your attention here. Otherwise, it will create problems. I have not come here to provoke anyone; I am speaking on behalf of the people." Earlier, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, addressing the gathering, said: "We have released Rs 1,000 crore for Jevargi in Kalaburagi district. In the entire Kalyana Karnataka region, you have given the Congress the highest number of seats in both the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. You have empowered the Congress party, and we are here to express our gratitude." "Large grants have been released for this region, and I even said I wished I had been born here. In my own constituency, such huge funds are not sanctioned. Even as Deputy Chief Minister, I am not able to get such large grants and organise such programmes," Shivakumar said. New Delhi, Jan 12 : Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Monday met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and held extensive pre-Budget consultations on various aspects related to agriculture and rural development. He expressed confidence that the Budget for financial year 202627 will prove to be a milestone in realising the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve of 'Prosperous Farmers, Empowered Villages'. Chouhan visited various states across the country and, apart from the states, has also held wide-ranging interactions in Delhi with progressive farmers, agricultural experts, Self-Help Groups, cooperative institutions, rural industries, and senior representatives of national-level institutions related to both the ministries. "The ideas and suggestions emerging from these discussions were compiled into a comprehensive set of recommendations on agriculture and rural development, which he submitted to the Finance Minister," said an official statement. Chouhan said that under the leadership of PM Modi, the Central government is continuously working to make rural India self-reliant and prosperous. Under the Prime Minister's capable and visionary leadership, the upcoming Union Budget will be encouraging for farmers and rural communities, he stated. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has confirmed that FM Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 on February 1, which happens to be a Sunday. The Finance Minister will begin the presentation of the Budget at 11 a.m. in the lower house on February 1, the Speaker said in response to a question at a press conference. The Budget Session of the Parliament will commence on January 28 and will continue till April 2. There was some uncertainty on the exact date as the usual date of February 1 for the presentation of the budget fell on a Sunday this year. The Lok Sabha Speaker has now clarified the issue. IANS na/ Hyderabad, Jan 12 : The Telangana government will enact a law to deduct 10 per cent salary of the government employees who are not looking after their parents and transfer the same to the bank accounts of the parents. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy stated on Monday that the complaints lodged by elder parents against their sons should be taken as a serious issue and ensure that 10 per cent of the salary is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the parents He announced while launching the free distribution of retrofitted motorised vehicles, battery-operated tricycles, battery wheelchairs, laptops, hearing aids, mobile phones, and other advanced equipment to persons with disabilities. The government has allocated Rs 50 crore for the new scheme. The government is also setting up daycare centres, 'Pranaam', for senior citizens. He also announced that a new healthcare policy will be introduced in the Budget proposals for 2026-2027. The Chief Minister stated that the government is committed to providing better healthcare for all in the state, and hence, the government decided to introduce a new health policy in the next budget. He also declared that transgender individuals will be nominated as Co-Option members in all Municipal Corporations in the next elections. One co-option member post will be allotted to transgender individuals in every municipal corporation. This will help transgender to raise their issues. He claimed that the government has already launched a slew of schemes for the welfare of persons with disabilities. "Our government is working from a humanitarian perspective to ensure that persons with disabilities live with self-respect in society," he said. For the empowerment of persons with disabilities, the Chief Minister also said that a special quota was provided to them in education and employment. The government has already announced that Rs 2 lakh will be given to the newly wedded persons with disabilities. The government is providing opportunities to persons with disabilities in all fields so that they do not feel left behind in this competitive world, he said and appealed to them to utilise the opportunities The Chief Minister remembered former Union Minister Jaipal Reddy, who rose to become the Best Parliamentarian and an inspiration to persons with disabilities. Jaipal Reddy reached great heights despite facing disability, he said. Reaffirming the government's commitment to social justice and equal opportunities for all, CM Revanth Reddy said that the caste census conducted for the first time in the Telangana was a role model to all other States. Bowing to pressure from Telangana, the Union government has agreed to conduct a caste census as part of the national census. The state government was also implementing SC classification and providing equal opportunities, he added. Patna, Jan 12 : A video allegedly showing Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Lok Sabha MP Surendra Prasad Yadav using objectionable language has gone viral on social media, triggering a major political controversy in Bihar. The RJD MP, who represents Jehanabad Lok Sabha constituency, has dismissed the video as AI-generated and refused to issue any apology. Responding to queries from the media, Surendra Prasad Yadav denied the allegations and claimed that the video was fabricated using artificial intelligence. He said he would not apologise under any circumstances and challenged anyone who wished to file a case against him. "I am not afraid of anyone. If someone wants to file a case, they can do so. I will face it," the RJD MP said, while accusing the media of creating controversies for personal and financial gain. He also alleged that the Bihar government was behind the incident and criticised the working conditions of journalists, calling for a fixed salary structure for media personnel. Surendra Prasad Yadav said that he does not bow to pressure and reiterated that he would not seek forgiveness, regardless of the controversy. In the widely circulated clip, the RJD MP is allegedly heard using objectionable language while speaking to local residents. According to reports, the video is said to be from a recent visit to Jehanabad, where locals questioned him about development works and the RJD's dismal performance in the recent state Assembly elections. During the interaction, the RJD MP allegedly expressed anger over receiving only around 15,000 votes from the area and appeared upset over the lack of expected support from certain sections of voters. The video reportedly includes offensive remarks directed at a particular community. The viral clip has provided fresh ammunition to the ruling NDA, with leaders from the JD-U and BJP launching sharp attacks on the RJD. JDU Spokesperson Neeraj Kumar mocked the MP, saying that the latter's statement reflects growing frustration within the RJD. He claimed that the controversy exposes the collapse of the "so-called MY" (Muslim-Yadav) equation frequently cited by RJD leaders and indicates erosion in the party's traditional support base. Union Minister Giriraj Singh, speaking in Begusarai, also criticised the RJD, saying that the party believes certain communities are its permanent vote bank and can therefore be treated disrespectfully. He said the people has now become aware of this mindset and will not tolerate such behaviour. Thane, Jan 12 : As the campaigning for the Municipal Corporation elections reaches its fever pitch, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray on Monday levelled explosive allegations against the ruling MahaYuti alliance. Speaking at a joint public rally alongside Uddhav Thackeray in Thane, Raj Thackeray accused the ruling parties of attempting to "buy" candidates and using money power to influence the democratic process. Raj Thackeray claimed that massive sums of money are being funnelled to force opposition candidates out of the race. "Offers ranging from Rs 1 crore to Rs 15 crore were made to candidates to withdraw their nominations," he alleged. He cited specific instances, claiming that three members of a single family contesting in one ward were offered a combined total of Rs 15 crore, which they refused. He further alleged that a female candidate was offered Rs 5 crore, while another was offered Rs 1 crore to step down. Raj Thackeray took a sharp swipe at the current state of politics in the region, particularly in Kalyan-Dombivli. "I visited Kalyan-Dombivli recently and saw a massive wave of support. However, they have turned the election into a 'market of slaves.' If you have truly worked for development, why do you need to distribute Rs 5,000 per household?" he questioned. He also mocked the internal friction within the Mahayuti, noting, "BJP workers are distributing money while Eknath Shindeas Sena workers are intercepting it. Itas unclear what exactly is happening within this government." The MNS chief did not mince words while criticising Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, specifically regarding the influence of a few industrialists. "Devendra Fadnavis, who are you doing all this for?" Raj Thackeray asked, referring to Fadnavis as a "falcon" merely fetching prey for others. Raj Thackeray also played a video during the rally to counter Fadnavis regarding remarks made by BJP leader K Annamalai. He accused Fadnavis of lying to protect Annamalai, who allegedly claimed that Mumbai has no link to Maharashtra. aI thought Fadnavis understood English, but he is blatantly lying by saying Annamalai didn't mean that. They want to erase the Marathi identity of our cities," he asserted, while clarifying that his opposition is not against the Gujarati community but against the "conspiracies" being hatched against the state. An official of the Union Election Commission displays a ballot for counting during the second phase of the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 11, 2026. Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon. Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments). (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) YANGON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon. Voting began at 6 a.m. local time on Sunday. At 4 p.m., an election official at a polling station in Yangon's Latha township announced the closure of the polling station. Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments). The second phase of the election was held in 100 townships across 12 of the 14 regions and states. In the Yangon region, it was held in 16 townships, including the townships of Latha, Bahan, Kyimyindaing and Kawhmu. Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election is being held in three phases, with the first phase held in 102 townships on Dec. 28 last year, and the third phase scheduled for Jan. 25 this year in 63 townships. Following the first phase of the election, the Union Election Commission (UEC) announced the lists of over 100 elected representatives to the Pyithu Hluttaw, more than 30 to the Amyotha Hluttaw and over 100 to the State and Region Hluttaws. Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council, said on Sunday, "We will convene the parliament in March. In April, the new government will take office. We will do it according to the same format as before." The UEC said that about 5,000 candidates from 57 political parties are competing in the three phases of the election, adding that it plans to set up over 21,000 polling stations across the country for all three phases of the general election. Officials of the Union Election Commission work during the second phase of the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 11, 2026. Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon. Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments). (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Officials of the Union Election Commission work during the second phase of the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 11, 2026. Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon. Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments). (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Officials of the Union Election Commission work during the second phase of the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 11, 2026. Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon. Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments). (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Officials of the Union Election Commission work during the second phase of the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 11, 2026. Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon. Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments). (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) An official of the Union Election Commission displays a ballot for counting during the second phase of the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 11, 2026. Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon. Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments). (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) An official of the Union Election Commission displays a ballot for counting during the second phase of the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 11, 2026. Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon. Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments). (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Officials of the Union Election Commission work during the second phase of the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar, Jan. 11, 2026. Voting for the second phase of Myanmar's multi-party democratic general election concluded on Sunday afternoon. Following the closure, election staff at the polling station, in the presence of domestic and international media, candidates, and observers, counted the votes, including advance votes, for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments). (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) New Delhi, Jan 12 : Delhi's Intermediate Reference Laboratory (IRL), Tuberculosis Centre, has achieved a major milestone with its first certification from the Central Tuberculosis Division (CTD), Government of India, to conduct Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) for two drugs, an official said on Monday. New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Delhias Intermediate Reference Laboratory (IRL), Tuberculosis Centre, has achieved a major milestone with its first certification from the Central Tuberculosis Division (CTD), Government of India, to conduct Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) for two drugs, an official said on Monday. Bedaquiline (BDQ) and Pretomanid (Pa), which will be tested, are two key drugs used globally for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), the official said. This certification marks a significant advancement for Delhias TB response, enhancing the stateas in-house capacity to diagnose and manage multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), said Pankaj Kumar Singh, Delhi Health Minister. "This certification is a major boost to our TB elimination efforts. By enabling in-state DST for Bedaquiline and Pretomanid, we are ensuring faster, more accurate diagnosis and timely treatment for our patients. Delhi remains firmly committed to contributing to the Prime Ministeras vision of a TB Mukt Bharat, and we will continue to strengthen our diagnostic and treatment systems with the highest standards of care," he said. Until now, many patient samples requiring advanced DST had to be sent outside the state, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. With this approval, patients in Delhi will now benefit from faster results, timely treatment initiation, and better clinical outcomes, he said. The IRL New Delhi TB Centre is among the country's most advanced laboratories, equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as BSL-3 laboratory facility, MGIT 960, Line Probe Assay (LPA), Xpert XDR, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Truenat, PathoDetect, and Real-Time PCR. These high-end diagnostic platforms ensure comprehensive, accurate, and rapid TB detection, fully aligned with national and global standards. In 2025 alone, the laboratory processed over 30,000 samples, demonstrating its crucial role in supporting TB diagnosis and treatment across the state. Delhi has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership in strengthening TB care under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). The state has enrolled the highest number of eligible drug-resistant TB patients on the new WHO-recommended BPaLM regimen (1,065 since December 2024)a"a shorter, more effective treatment noted for higher success rates and significantly reduced mortality. Simultaneously, Delhi continues to intensify Active Case Finding (ACF) drives across high-risk and vulnerable communities. Supported by rapid molecular diagnostics, these efforts ensure early detection of TB and drug resistance, prompt treatment initiation, and seamless linkage to care. Ahmedabad, Jan 12 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged German companies to make full use of India's talent, and further strengthen skill, innovation, and industrial linkages. Addressing the 'India-Germany CEOs Forum' in the presence of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, PM Modi said that India's talent pool is capable of advancing innovation and productivity in German industry and in recent years, especially in the high-tech sector, skill mobility has increased rapidly. "In today's challenging global environment, India is moving forward with over 8 per cent growth. Behind this is not just one reason, but continuous and comprehensive reforms. The private sector is being promoted in every field, whether defence, space, mining, or nuclear energy. Compliance requirements are continuously being reduced, ease of doing business is improving. These efforts have made India today a symbol of growth and optimism for the world," PM Modi told the gathering. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement is also soon going to be realised. "This will open a new chapter for our trade, investment, and partnership. That means, the path is clear for you. I invite German precision and innovation to connect with India's scale and speed. You can manufacture in India, take full advantage of domestic demand, and export without any obstacles," he noted. For his first Asia visit, Chancellor Merz chose India as the destination. "This reflects India's central role in Germany's diversification strategy, and it is a clear signal of Germany's trust in India. In line with this trust, today we have taken several important decisions. First, we have decided to make this seamless economic partnership limitless. That means, along with traditional economic sectors, strategic sectors will also see deeper cooperation," said PM Modi. The world's two major democratic economies will deepen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies. "We are mutual partners in semiconductors. Along with this, there are immense possibilities in power electronics, biotech, fintech, pharma, quantum, and cyber. Third, we all have complete clarity that the India-Germany partnership is not only mutually beneficial, but also better for the world. India is moving ahead to become a world leader in green hydrogen, solar, wind, and biofuel," Prime Minister emphasised. For German companies, there are great opportunities in manufacturing solar cells, electrolyzers, batteries, and wind turbines. "Together, we can develop solutions for the world ranging from e-mobility to food and health security. India has an all-inclusive vision for AI, and when Germany's AI ecosystem connects with it, we can ensure a human-centric digital future," PM Modi highlighted. The Chancellor was accompanied by a high-level delegation, including 23 leading German CEOs and industry leaders. IANS na/ Agartala, Jan 12 : Tripura Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath, on Monday, flagged off a consignment of 15,000 scented lemons from the Agartala Railway Station to Kolkata, marking another milestone in the state's expanding organic farming sector. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that although scented lemons from Tripura had earlier been sent outside the state, this consignment was exported through the Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency in collaboration with Baramura Organic Produces Company Limited. Minister Nath said the lemons were cultivated by around 80 farmers across nearly 100 hectares of land, mainly in the South Hadrai and Hawaibari areas of Khowai district. He added that the initiative was taken by Sourav Gupta, a resident of Agartala, following the 'Prabashi Tripura' programme held recently under the leadership of Chief Minister Manik Saha. "Farmers are our 'Annadata' (food providers) and deserve the highest respect. Agriculture is the backbone of India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasised the need to strengthen this sector by providing all necessary support to farmers. Agriculture remains our first priority," the Minister said, adding that the produce would be marketed in Kolkata. Minister Nath also said that another consignment of 15,000 scented lemons would be exported shortly. Highlighting the state's progress in organic farming, the Minister added that the area under organic cultivation in Tripura has increased from around 2,000 hectares before 2018 to more than 20,000 hectares at present. "Our main objective is to double farmers' income. The state government is supporting farmers by ensuring market access and fair prices through Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs)," he said. Tripura Assembly Treasury bench Chief Whip Kalyani Saha Roy, Agriculture Secretary Apurba Roy and other senior officials were also present at the event. Meanwhile, Minister Nath earlier said that over the last seven years (2018 to 2025), the Horticulture Department has exported 73.15 metric tonnes (MT) of pineapple to Dubai, Oman and Qatar. "In addition, 4.40 MT of jackfruit were exported to the US, while 30 MT of ginger and 17 MT of betel leaf were exported to Bangladesh during the same period," the Minister added. Guwahati, Jan 12 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday mounted a sharp counterattack against the Congress over allegations of poor fiscal management, asserting that Assam is the best fiscally managed and fastest-growing state in the country, a claim he said stands firmly validated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Reacting to criticism related to state borrowings and financial health, the Chief Minister said Assam's fiscal discipline is well within all permissible limits and strictly adheres to established norms. He maintained that the state government has followed a transparent and rule-based borrowing policy, leaving no scope for irregularities or financial mismanagement. Sarma said repeated allegations by the opposition were politically motivated and lacked factual backing, particularly when the RBI itself had formally endorsed Assam's financial performance. "If we had done anything wrong, would the Reserve Bank of India have given us a certificate?" he asked, stressing that the state's finances have been independently scrutinised by the country's apex banking institution. Turning the focus on the Indian National Congress, the Chief Minister said the party should instead introspect on its own record of governance. He pointed to the Congress-led Karnataka government, alleging that it has accumulated loans amounting to Rs 92,000 crore, which he described as a new benchmark in public borrowing and a cause for concern. The Chief Minister also took a swipe at a section of the media for questioning Assam's fiscal position despite official data suggesting otherwise. He said the RBI has ranked Assam at the top in terms of financial growth and development, while some regional reports have portrayed the state as lagging. Sarma said it was for the public to decide whether greater credibility should be accorded to the Reserve Bank of India or to selective media narratives, reiterating that Assam's financial governance rests on strong institutional validation and data-driven assessments. --IANS tdr/dan Kolkata, Jan 12 : Police in West Bengal's Cooch Behar district have arrested a man in connection with the murder of an unidentified person, with investigators claiming that during interrogation the accused confessed that he intended to consume the victim's flesh. The incident took place in the Kurshahat area under Dinhata in Cooch Behar district and has triggered panic among locals. Police said on Monday that the identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained. The victim, who reportedly lived in a hut near a crematorium in the area, was found dead in a pond in Kurshahat. After the body was recovered, it was noticed that there were cut marks on the neck and throat. Following the recovery, police launched an investigation and arrested a youth identified as Firdous Alam. Sources said the accused was allegedly intoxicated. Police claimed the accused murdered the unidentified person, took the body near water, cleaned it and hid it. During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to the killing and admitted that he intended to eat parts of the body. Dinhata SDPO Dhiman Mitra said: "The incident is extremely rare and serious. The accused committed the murder to consume human flesh. It is being considered a rare case of cannibalism." "The police received information about the accused from local sources, after which he was arrested. A thorough investigation is underway. More details will be shared later," he said. Police said the body was recovered on January 10 and the accused was arrested on Monday, after which a murder case was registered and an investigation was launched by the Dinhata Sahibganj police station. During the probe, police arrested Alam, a resident of Tharaikhana village. He was produced before a district court on Monday, which remanded him to four days of police custody. Indore, Jan 12 : Amid mounting criticism from across the country over contaminated drinking water that has claimed several lives in Indore's Bhagirathpura area in recent weeks in Madhya Pradesh, Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava on Monday said he had taken moral responsibility from the very first day the health crisis broke out. Addressing a press conference in Indore, the BJP leader emphasised that both the state administration and the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) have been making "all possible efforts" to provide assistance to affected families and to bring the situation under control. He asserted that the health situation had "largely improved" in the past few days. "I had taken moral responsibility from the very first day the tragic incident came to light. Our first responsibility is now to ensure that the situation returns to normal in the Bhagirathpura area and the people get all possible help," Bhargava stated. The Mayor has been under fire, particularly from the opposition Congress, which has accused the civic body of negligence. Bhargava defended Indore's reputation, saying the city has always been known for its culture and public participation, which enabled it to be ranked India's cleanest city for the last several years. "I won't say on what the Congress says, but those who are questioning Indore's tag as the cleanest city are disrespecting the efforts of thousands of 'safaikarmis' and the people of Indore, whose relentless contribution has made it the cleanest city," he added. Notably, the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, Umang Singhar, during a visit to Bhagirathpura last week, had questioned Indore's cleanest city tag in light of the water contamination tragedy. Indore, ranked India's cleanest city for the eighth consecutive year, now faces growing scrutiny over water safety and governance. As investigations continue, the opposition has been demanding accountability and corrective measures. According to officials, the number of new patients of diarrhoea has continued to decrease over the past few days, supporting the government's claim that the health situation has improved. However, 39 patients remain admitted in multiple hospitals, with 10 of them in intensive care units (ICU). The tragedy has cast a shadow over Indore's celebrated civic achievements, raising questions about infrastructure, oversight, and the balance between cleanliness rankings and basic public health safeguards. Bhubaneswar, Jan 12 : The Rourkela Police in Odisha on Monday busted an interstate cybercrime gang and arrested seven alleged fraudsters, including a bank employee, who used to open mule bank accounts that were sold or rented to cybercriminals across the country and used to launder money defrauded from unsuspecting victims. Police sources stated that the gang was primarily engaged in the procurement and operation of mule bank accounts opened in the names of residents, mainly from Rourkela and nearby areas. "The gang arrange bank accounts, activates SIM cards and identity cards of unsuspecting individuals. They often use forged documents and impersonation. Many accounts were opened with the tacit approval or negligence of complicit bank staff; bypassing standard Know Your Customer (KYC) norms," informed the Rourkela Police in a press note on Monday. The accused persons later sold or rented those accounts to cybercriminals across India. These accounts were rented or sold for a meagre amount of Rs 5,000-10,000 per account, which was then distributed among the members of the syndicate. These mule accounts were used as pass-through accounts to receive fraudulent proceeds from cybercrime victims. The funds were eventually siphoned off both within India and abroad through laundering. The investigating officers also found during the course of the investigation that these mule accounts were involved in around 200 cyber fraud complaints or cases across India, as ascertained through the SAMANWAYA portal under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Given the volume of accounts opened with forged documents and without adequate scrutiny, the police also suspect the involvement of more bank insiders from different banks. In another cybercrime case, the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police arrested three more cybercriminals of the Katri Sarai gang of Bihar. As many as 12 alleged cyber fraudsters of the gang were arrested by the twin city police on Sunday. The gang, operating from Bhubaneswar, used to dupe innocent victims of their hard-earned money by luring them with fake gift voucher wins, Kerala lottery scams, and fraudulent loan offers. Bikaner, Jan 12 : In a case involving the abduction and sexual assault of a Class 12 student reported from the Napasar police station area of Bikaner district, Rajasthan Police on Monday detained an accused from another state. "We have detained an accused named Waqeel, aged 20, from another state and he will be brought to Rajasthan on Tuesday," Bikaner Superintendent of Police Kavendra Singh Sagar told IANS. When asked about the state, the police officer said its name cannot be revealed at this stage. According to the complaint lodged by the victim's family, the incident occurred on January 6 when the girl was on her way to school. Two young men allegedly arrived in a car near the school premises, forcibly abducted her and drove her around for several hours. During this time, the accused allegedly sexually assaulted the student and threatened her, the complaint stated. The crime came to light when villagers from a nearby area, suspecting suspicious activity, stopped the car. Taking advantage of the situation, the accused allegedly fled the spot, leaving the girl behind. The villagers immediately informed her family, who reached the location and took her to safety. Based on the family's report, a case was registered on January 11 at Napasar police station. Police officials said one of the accused is reportedly a lawyer. The investigation has been handed over to Gangashahar Circle Officer Himanshu Sharma. He said the medical examination of the victim has been conducted and further investigation is underway. Police said further action would be taken after receiving the medical examination report. Meanwhile, investigations are continuing, the police officer told IANS. Women's safety continues to remain a major challenge in the country, with repeated cases of harassment, assault and violence. Despite stricter laws and awareness drives, many incidents also go unreported due to fear and stigma. Finance Portugal Stands Out As the Worlds Most Attractive Residency Program Portugal stands as a premier destination for both living and investment, offering a harmonious blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and economic stability. Portugals unique combination of favorable climate, safety, modern infrastructure, and high living standards makes it an exceptional choice for individuals seeking a vibrant place to live, retire or invest. Foreign Investment Foreign investment in Portugal is robust, with the total stock of foreign investment reaching 200 billion in 2024, equivalent to 71% of GDP. 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For more information, please visit us https://portugalcitizenshipbyinvestment.com Folio Literary Management has acquired the boutique childrens agency Greenhouse Literary Agency from Coolabi Group. The deal, which Folio said reinforces its commitment to childrens and YA books, will see Greenhouses list and team join Folio Jr., Folios dedicated childrens publishing division. Founded in 2007 by U.K. childrens publisher Sarah Davies, Greenhousewhich describes itself as a transatlantic agencyrepresents such authors as Bill Doyle, Rebecca Monk, and Ngozi Ukazu. Under the agreement, former Greenhouse director Chelsea Eberly will join Folio Jr. as VP and agent, along with her assistant, Huyen Vu. Ive long admired the Folio and Folio Jr. team and know that the Greenhouse Literary Agencys legacy will continue alongside such stellar colleagues, Eberly said in a statement. Folio, which was founded in 2006 and introduced its childrens division in 2010, represents a roster of more than 1,000 authors. Folio partner Emily van Beek, who founded Folio Jr., said that Greenhouses authors are top of mind. Greenhouse has built an extraordinary legacy grounded in care, collaboration, and creative excellence, and were honored to carry that work forward while offering even more support and opportunity for these creators as part of Folio, said van Beek in a statement. Greenhouse belongs to the Working Partners Group, a fiction packager that was acquired by childrens media packager Coolabi Group in 2012. Eberly will continue working with Working Partners and its agency, Rights People, after her transition to Folio. Chris Snowdon, managing director of Working Partners and Coolabis director of IP creation, expressed his hopes that the acquisition will benefit Greenhouses creators. We are confident the move to Folio Jr., with its established childrens publishing infrastructure, will provide continuity and opportunities for growth for all Greenhouse clients, he said. A plush toy shop owner (L), with three "Cry-Cry Horse" stuffed toys in front of her, talks with a client at the Yiwu International Trade City in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. A stuffed toy horse with a sullen face has gone viral recently on Chinese Internet. In Yiwu, a small commodities hub in east China, orders have soared as factories ramp up production to meet market demand. Dubbed "Cry-Cry Horse," the toy was originally a stitching mistake but unexpectedly touched the hearts of netizens with its pitiful expression which has a soothing effect. At present, nearly 20,000 of such toy horse are ordered every day. (Photo by Lyu Bin/Xinhua) A staff member shows "Cry-Cry Horse" stuffed toys at a store in the Yiwu International Trade City in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. A stuffed toy horse with a sullen face has gone viral recently on Chinese Internet. In Yiwu, a small commodities hub in east China, orders have soared as factories ramp up production to meet market demand. Dubbed "Cry-Cry Horse," the toy was originally a stitching mistake but unexpectedly touched the hearts of netizens with its pitiful expression which has a soothing effect. At present, nearly 20,000 of such toy horse are ordered every day. (Photo by Lyu Bin/Xinhua) "Cry-Cry Horse" stuffed toys are displayed at a store in the Yiwu International Trade City in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. A stuffed toy horse with a sullen face has gone viral recently on Chinese Internet. In Yiwu, a small commodities hub in east China, orders have soared as factories ramp up production to meet market demand. Dubbed "Cry-Cry Horse," the toy was originally a stitching mistake but unexpectedly touched the hearts of netizens with its pitiful expression which has a soothing effect. At present, nearly 20,000 of such toy horse are ordered every day. (Photo by Lyu Bin/Xinhua) A merchant from Finland poses for a selfie with a "Cry-Cry Horse" stuffed toy at the Yiwu International Trade City in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, Jan. 12, 2026. A stuffed toy horse with a sullen face has gone viral recently on Chinese Internet. In Yiwu, a small commodities hub in east China, orders have soared as factories ramp up production to meet market demand. Dubbed "Cry-Cry Horse," the toy was originally a stitching mistake but unexpectedly touched the hearts of netizens with its pitiful expression which has a soothing effect. At present, nearly 20,000 of such toy horse are ordered every day. (Photo by Lyu Bin/Xinhua) In Praying Their Way: 24 Prayer Practices for Kids and the Adults Who Love Them (Upper Room Books, Feb.) pastor, professor and father Roger Owens teams up with his 14-year-old daughter, Mary Clare, to offer insights on how parents can encourage their children to develop a positive relationship with God. We spoke to the father-daughter duo about inspiration, their Starbucks writing routine, and why no one is an expert on the topic of prayer. Roger, how did the idea for the book come about? When Mary Clare was 13, I would sing to her before bed, and we would talk about God, prayer, life and death. At the same time, she was given a book on mindfulness practices for kids, and she loved doing those meditations before bed. I started to think how nice it would be to have a book like this on prayer and contemplative spiritual practices. So one day, while we were in the car, I asked Mary Clare if shed be interested in working on a book with me. I understand Roger took the lead in writing several chapters. What was your role, Mary Clare, in the creative process? My job was to read some of my dads reflections on prayer and add a kids perspective. I got to tell some stories from my life that illustrate the points he was trying to make about prayer. I wanted to give adults and kids a picture of what doing these prayer practices might be like for a young person. As a father and a pastor, Roger, why do you think parents may struggle to encourage their children to pray? First, adults might not feel confident in their own prayer lives. We can easily think, Who am I to be teaching someone else to pray? Its important to remember, there are no experts in prayer. The book aims to address both of these challenges by giving prompts for conversation about prayer and prayer practices that will make adults feel more confident, more grounded in prayer. Roger, can the prayer principles outlined in the book be applied to younger and older children? Yes. Older kids will be able to do any of these prayer practices, even reading the book for themselves. Most of these prayer practices will work with younger kids, too. People working with younger kids can read through the practice first, make any adjustments they think might be necessary for younger kids. I think of these practices as very adaptablethey are guides, but nothing is set in stone. Mary Clare, what are some of the best moments you had as father and daughter as you wrote this book? I loved driving to coffee shops where we would work together. We had a favorite Starbucks wed go to on Sunday evenings. Wed talk about the book. Id read what Dad wrote, and would usually laugh. And then wed write some with our earbuds in, and then hed read what I wrote. Sharing our writing with one another was the best part. Also, this was when Starbucks started offering free refills, so that was nice! In the late 19th century, the United States benefitted from the historical/geopolitical writings of U.S. Navy Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan. In twenty books and hundreds of articles and essays, Mahan urged our political and military leaders to focus on sea power in its broadest sense as a means of national defense and commercial prosperity. Today, as China challenges U.S. command of the seas, we would benefit from a 21st century Mahan to point the way to maintaining our naval superiority and economic well-being before it is too late. A recent Pentagon report notes that the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) intends to surpass U.S. submarine strength and equal U.S. aircraft carrier numbers in ten years. In that same time period, China plans to deploy intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in numbers that will effectively erase Americas current nuclear advantage. A 2025 congressional report noted that by 2030, China will have 435 warships versus 294 for the United States. That report concluded that the PLANs modernization efforts have substantially reduced the U.S. [naval power] advantage, and that if current trends continue, China might eventually draw even with or surpass the United States in overall naval capability. Chinas shipbuilding capacity is 230 times that of the United States. In the South China Sea, the report says, China may already have surpassed the U.S. in naval capabilities, which does not bode well for Taiwan. But the implications of these two reports extend far beyond Taiwan. Since 1945, the United States has been the unchallenged mistress of the seas and oceans. Mahan described the worlds oceans as a wide common in his 1890 classic The Influence of Sea Power upon History: 1660-1783. Mahan followed-up that seminal work with his two-volume The Influence of Sea Power upon the French Revolution and Empire (1892). In those two books and in numerous essays, Mahan showed that superior sea power was a necessary component for global influence and strategic reach in the modern world. Whats more, Mahan understood that for island powers, such as Great Britain and the United States, superior sea power was necessary for economic growth, commercial influence, and victory in time of war. In the 1890s, the worlds leading naval power was Great Britain, but it was soon to be challenged by Imperial Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm II, who abandoned Bismarcks maintenance of a stable European balance of power in favor of German hegemony in Europe and greater influence abroad. In the late 1890s and early 1900s, Germany embarked on a naval buildup designed to challenge Britains command of the sea. As Robert Massie explained in his book about Germanys sea power challenge to Great Britain titled Dreadnought, Kaiser Wilhelm II wished his country, already the strongest in Europe, to advance beyond its Continental predominance to world power. It was this sea power challenge along with ill-fated alliance diplomacy, Massie believed, that transformed regional European crises into the global conflagration of the First World War. Massie had the benefit of hindsight in the writing of Dreadnought. Mahan saw it all coming as early as 1898 in his book The Interest of America in Sea Power, Present and Future. German leaders, Mahan wrote, want a big navy and seek to extend their influence to establish their positions, and to knit them together so they may play a mighty part in the worlds history. Mahan saw this as not only a challenge to Great Britain, but also to the United States. Mahan suggested that Germany might attempt to extend its influence into Latin America, in violation of the Monroe Doctrine. In 1902, in an essay titled The Persian Gulf and International Relations, Mahan wrote that the German empire is restlessly intent, not only upon economical and maritime development . . . but also upon self-assertive aggression with a view to territorial aggrandizement in more than one part of the world. Mahan expressed the fear that Germany was gaining on Britain in both economic and commercial matters, and that this development could upset the European balance of power. Mahans most prescient analysis of the implications of Germanys naval challenge to Great Britain appeared in 1910 in The Interest of America in International Conditions. Mahan examined the rapid and steady growth of German naval power from 1875 to 1910, as well as growing sentiment in Germany for a strong navy. The naval rivalry between Germany and Britain, Mahan wrote, is the danger point, not only of European politics, but of world politics as well. Robert Massie later noted that Germanys challenge to British naval supremacy posed an existential threat to Britain and its empirepotentially undoing what Britain had achieved at Trafalgar and maintained thereafter. World War II was Americas Trafalgar momentthe event that made the United States the new mistress of the seas and oceans. During the Cold War, the Soviet challenge at sea never seriously threatened U.S. naval predominance. Our unchallenged maritime power enabled the United States to become an economic and military superpower. Since the end of World War II, the U.S. Navy has controlled the global commons and supported a globe-wide trading network that has benefitted most of the world. It is a naval predominance that Mahan foresaw and would recommend continuing. It is a naval predominance, however, that current trends threaten to undermine. The United States has 21st century Mahans who understand the nature of Chinas sea power challenge and the need for the U.S. to maintain naval supremacy. James Holmes of the Naval War College and Toshi Yoshihara of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments are two intellectual disciples of Mahan whose counsel and advice should be heeded by the Trump administration. Holmes and Yoshihara have noted, however, that China, too, has sea power enthusiasts who study and admire Mahan. President Trump and Secretary of War Hegseth appear to grasp the implications of Chinas sea power challenge. The president recently announced that the Navy will develop a new class of battleships for the 21st century. Trump foresees a new golden fleet of advanced warships, which Navy Secretary John Phelan notes are desperate[ly] need[ed]. They are desperately needed because of Chinas sea power challenge. In the 21st century, like the 20th century, victory in war and peace through strength require U.S. naval supremacy. Francis P. Sempa writes on geopolitics. Turkey has been the highest volume firearms importer to the United States for many years now, and given that their global military exports have more than doubled in the last five years, that isnt something likely to change anytime soon. Because so many of these foreign-made guns have been, eh, inexpensive at best in the past, it can be easy for some to shrug off any gun out of Turkey. But Sarsilmaz isnt a company making craptastic plastic mag-fed shotguns like so many others. First founded to make flintlocks in 1880 back in the Ottoman Empire days, Sarsilmaz is reportedly now the largest small arms manufacturer in Turkey. Though flintlocks are out, they make machineguns, triple-barreled 20mm cannons, and SARBOT armed autonomous robodogs (the SARBOT). The SAR9 SOCOM avoids the entirely blocky profile with a nicely sculpted grip. Sarsilmaz also makes the primary issued pistol for Turkey, itself the second largest army in NATO. And their special forces? Theyre issued a variation of the one this article is about, the SAR9 SOCOM. SARSILMAZ SAR9 SOCOM SPECS: Caliber: 9mm Capacity: 17, 51 Barrel Length: 5.2 inches Weight (unloaded): 29 ounces Width: 1.4 inches MSRP: $529 Accessories: SureFire XC3 $299, surefire.com SIG Sauer Romeo-X Compact Enclosed $500, sigsauer.com Price as configured: $1,328 Sportsmans Warehouse $550 SAR9 SOCOM Just with a quick glance you know what this one is all about. Plastic lower and blocky upper equates to a standard striker gun, and the threaded barrel over 5 inches long means duty. There are lightening cuts up front that double as serrations paired with serrations at the rear. The external extractor is pinned in place, simplifying slide disassembly compared to some other strikers. Atop you have night sights with a yellow photoluminescent front. The SAR9 SOCOM is optic-ready, but not for the larger RMR or Shield like youd expect, but the smaller RMSc. The grip is contoured and feels great in the hand. Anyone who is cautious about this pistol should first pick one up you can tell right away that this isnt cheap plastic. The grip not only has interchangeable backstraps (it comes with three) but interchangeable side panels (also three sets). Inside that grip you can flush-fit a 17-round magazine, and it also ships with an extended magazine as well. The stock night sights are excellent, so far as irons go. Theres an aluminum magwell that can be removed if it bothers you too much. We didnt find it too obtrusive to keep, but its nice to have the option. The straight trigger breaks at just beyond 90 degrees, and our scale measured it to be a bit under 4 pounds when pulled from the bottom. It has a short reset, but overall wed call it Just OK. (Remember, this gun is called the SOCOM and not the COMPETITION 3000.) The controls are not ambidextrous but they are nicely nested. We suspect the slim rectangle mag release may be a love-it-or-hate-it feature, but we had no problems with it. The woodland two-tone of the olive and peanut are really a pleasing combination, especially with the red trigger blade but for those afraid of style it can still be had in basic black. OUTFITTING Though there are more RMSc/Romeo-Zero options seemingly every day, it is still more limiting than a full-size footprint. Yes, you can use adapter plates (in fact, some are available on the Sarsilmaz website), but here we decided to go native. SIGs sealed pistol optics are impressive, and the Romeo-X Enclosed Compact is one of our go-tos in this footprint. It sits low enough that you can still see your irons through the bottom of the optic even with the standard sights. The controls are low-profile but still accessible. For a light, a duty-size like a SureFire X300U or Streamlight TLR-1 would look right at home here. But just like the smaller RMSc optic mount, we went with something slimmer. The SureFire XC3 spits out 550 lumens and 7,200 candela for an hour and a half with a single CR123A, and we love the form factor. LOOSE ROUNDS & ON THE RANGE The Sarsilmaz SAR9 SOCOM had no surprises in terms of functioning it just worked like you expect a pistol of this price made in this era to work: without failure. This was unsurprising, having recent experience with some other Sarsilmaz pistols. The threaded barrel can be confidently put to use, too: no problems suppressed either (Sarsilmaz was at CANCON East and the SOCOM ate a ton of rounds from a myriad of silencers). Sarsilmaz is coming out with something new to prove, and theyre worthy of your attention. Speaking generally, Turkish small arms manufacturing overall reached a new threshold in quality and reliability a few years ago, and Sarsilmaz is major standout among them. DHAKA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- In response to a protracted supply shortage disrupting domestic and commercial sectors, Bangladesh Bank has relaxed import rules for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Under the new arrangement, LPG imports will now be classified as industrial raw materials, and payments can be deferred for up to 270 days, according to a circular issued by the central bank on Monday. The move comes amid a severe LPG supply crunch in the South Asian country, which has been experiencing a shortage of cooking gas since December. Private operators imported approximately 1.46 million tonnes of LPG into Bangladesh last year. The Union Budget for 2026-27 is expected to sketch out a road map for trebling the cooperative sectors contribution to the Indian economy over the next decade, with the aim of bringing 500 million people within its ambit, in line with the objectives of the National Cooperative Policy, 2025. Photograph: Kind courtesy, Ministry of Cooperation Sources said the National Cooperative Policy, launched by the Union Minister for Cooperation Amit Shah in the national capital a few months ago, clearly articulated the need to constitute a task force to expand the number of people involved with cooperatives by 66 per cent from the existing 300 million, while ensuring the autonomous functioning of cooperatives and democratic control by their members. The policy also called for a 30 per cent increase in the number of cooperative societies from the current level of about 830,000. The forthcoming Union Budget is expected to lay down a clear road map on how to achieve the above-mentioned policy objectives, a senior official said. Although there are no direct estimates of the cooperative sectors share in the countrys total gross domestic product, sectoral data underlines its economic significance. Cooperatives accounted for about 14 per cent of total agricultural credit, 25 per cent of fertiliser production and 31 per cent of sugar production, as of 2016-17. In addition, the sector commanded around 85 per cent of liquid milk distribution and roughly 15 per cent of the countrys total storage capacity. The implementation of the policy, framed by a high-powered panel chaired by former Union Minister Suresh Prabhu, is being monitored at the national level through a two-tier mechanism chaired by Shah himself. Among other recommendations, the National Cooperative Policy has argued for the creation of a new national apex cooperative bank to strengthen coordination among various tiers of cooperative banks, while preserving the existing three-tier credit structure of primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS), district central cooperative banks (DCCBs) and state cooperative banks to ensure the flow of affordable credit. The policy has also proposed encouraging the branding of organic, agricultural and dairy products under the Bharat brand as an umbrella identity, while leveraging well-established state-level brands. It further calls for the creation of a Cooperative Stack to enable data-driven decision-making and improve service delivery across the sector. In addition, the policy has called upon PACS to function as bank mitra for district cooperative banks, enabling them to provide banking products and services to members at their doorsteps. Global risks include a potential delay in the US-India trade agreement, the possibility of a sharp correction in US equity markets, and renewed geopolitical tensions. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff The equity market is likely to fare better in 2026 after a subdued 2025, supported by expectations of a gradual turnaround in investor sentiment and improving earnings momentum across a broader set of companies, Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC said in its equity outlook for 2026. The asset manager expects equity returns in the range of 10-12 per cent this year. According to the fund house, strong domestic liquidity, prospects of a return of foreign portfolio investor (FPI) flows, and relatively compressed valuations compared with last year are likely to aid the market's performance. While the rupee may pose a near-term challenge, it could emerge as a longer-term opportunity. 'A trade deal could arrest excessive currency depreciation and act as a meaningful trigger for renewed foreign institutional investor inflows,' it said. A negative impact of artificial intelligence on India's demographic dividend and continued slowdown in domestic consumption could emerge as headwinds in 2026. Global risks include a potential delay in the US-India trade agreement, the possibility of a sharp correction in US equity markets, and renewed geopolitical tensions. The asset manager said largecap stocks are likely to continue to outperform midcap and smallcap stocks. 'From an asset allocation point of view, domestic equities remain attractive relative to other asset classes while fixed income would likely offer stability as the rate cycle turns positive. 'Overall, 2026 is not expected to be a straight line as geopolitics, trade concerns and currency movement continue to persist as real risks. After the reboot and refresh, investors can look forward to reclaiming earnings-led returns,' the AMC said. 'Focus on portfolio resilience, not return maximisation in 2026' In an environment shaped by global uncertainties, investors should focus on resilience-driven portfolio construction rather than opting for return maximisation, wealth management firm Client Associates said in its 2026 outlook. 'While long-term growth prospects for Indian equities remain intact, elevated valuations and near-term moderation in earnings growth warrant a calibrated approach to equity exposure,' it said. The wealth manager expects earnings growth for Sensex companies to remain subdued in the near term followed by a recovery over the medium term supported by improving macro conditions and accommodative monetary policy. 'Largecap-oriented strategies better placed to deliver in 2026' Large-cap-oriented diversified strategies and select hybrid funds appear better placed on a risk-reward basis in 2026, Shriram Wealth said in its outlook. 'Large Cap oriented diversified strategies including largecap, flexicap and multicap along with hybrid funds such as balanced advantage, multi-asset, etc appear better placed on risk-reward basis,' it said. The wealth manager further said that investors could consider diversifying a portion of their portfolios, around 10 to 15 per cent, into global equities to benefit from opportunities across sectors such as technology and healthcare. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff 'His report created a lot of negative reaction in Kerala and in a way, he was crucified for writing such a report.' 'I asked him, "Don't you feel frustrated?"' 'His reply was, "Have you read Bhagavad Gita Chapter2"?' 'He particularly mentioned verse 47, where Sri Krishna tells Arjuna, "Your duty is to work without thinking of the fruits you get".' "He said, "similarly, my duty was to do what best I could do without hoping for any rewards".' IMAGE: Dr Madhav Dhananjaya Gadgil. Photograph: Kind courtesy, Siddaramaiah/Facebook World renowned environmental scientist Dr Madhav Dhananjaya Gadgil was a giant in the field of ecology and environment protection. Dr Gadgil protected environment from corrupt practices, which perhaps nobody else has done in the recent times. Dr Gadgil submitted a report, known as the Gadgil Committee report as the head of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), constituted by the ministry of environment and forests in 2010. The Gadgil Committee Report mapped the entire Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area that had to be protected. But the report was not made public because of its content. It was then that an economist and environmental activist from Kerala, G Krishnan filed an RTI application in the Delhi high court asking the ministry of environment and forests to disclose the Gadgil report. The high court then ordered the ministry to post all the reports on the ministry's web site within 30 days of being received. "I remember him as a man who was sincere to the core, extremely knowledgeable, and who had real concern for people and the environment. He did not have a tunnel vision unlike our present day leaders. He had a long-term vision. I remember him for his long-term vision and understanding of issues," Mr Krishnan tells Rediff's Shobha Warrier. Meeting Dr Gadgil Though I had heard about Dr Gadgil in the 1990s in the context of the book Ecology And Equity which he wrote along with historian Ramachandra Guha. As you know, the Western Ghats Ecology Experts Panel was appointed in 2010. As an afterthought, Dr Gadgil was asked to look into Athirapalli project by (then environment minister For the first time I met Dr Gadgil at Athirapalli when he came to visit. There were a lot of people there, and it was a very crowded meeting. I got introduced to him as a representative of the Rain Research Centre that was fighting to save Athirapalli, and I talked to him briefly. Subsequently in the afternoon, there was a smaller meeting at Chalakudi where the Kerala State Electricity Board and irrigation department representatives were also there. During that meeting, we gave a representation as members of the River Research Centre who was one of the pioneer organisations which was fighting the Athirapalli project. We had prepared a detailed report on the implications of the project. The report impressed him very much because it was very systematically done with a lot of data, facts and figures. He complimented us for preparing such a report. During the meeting, he asked all the departments to give their views, but the KSEB and irrigation department officials chose to remain quiet. One of the negative impacts of the Athirapalli project was on the water supply for irrigation purposes. I had collected a lot of information from the irrigation department through several RTI applications spanning one-and-a-half years. And it said the project was bad from the irrigation point of view, and it would completely destroy the cropping pattern in our area. I had put all the information I had collected as a separate representation and told Dr Gadgil about this. I also told him that the hands of the irrigation department are completely tied, but they submitted to me in the RTI that the project was not desirable. Then he said, give me all those papers. The next day, I met him and gave all the papers. In fact, I had already prepared everything in anticipation of this. He was quite impressed with what I had prepared. IMAGE: A view of the Western Ghats. Photograph: ANI Photo He was really feeling the pain of the destruction of Poona After the meeting, I saw him sitting in the lobby. There was nobody with him. I asked whether I could talk to him. He said, of course. I told him I wanted to talk to him about Pune from where he was. I had gone to Pune as a student in the late 1960s for the first time. In 2005-2006 I found that the place had been completely ruined. He agreed that a beautiful city like Pune had been completely destroyed by lack of planning and urbanisation process without creating the required infrastructure for development. He spoke about how the corporate builder lobby had taken over the land, how unplanned growth had destroyed the city. He said he was very pained to see how a beautiful city was destroyed. I felt he spoke from his heart. After all, he was basically a Poonaite. His father was an eminent economist who was the founder director of the Gokhale Institute of Economics and Politics. Since I had read a lot about his father and his work, we spoke about his father and how he developed the Gokhale Institute. At that point of time it was one of the leading educational institutions in Poona, and Poona was known as the Oxford of the East. I could feel he was really feeling the pain of the destruction, the gradual and slow destruction of Poona as a city as well as a centre of education. Regular correspondence on the Athirapalli project We continued to interact via e-mail after he went back to Poona because he went through whatever we had written about the Athirapalli issue and wanted clarifications on some points. That was how our e-mail correspondence started. He wanted to know more about the impact on water flow in the Chalakudi river which was already declining. In fact, the Chalakudi river feeds about 24 villages in the Ernakulam and Trissur districts. After a couple of months, the e-mail correspondence came to an end once he got all the clarifications. He must also have got busy with preparing the report by then. IMAGE: An aerial view of flooded Kochi. Photograph: ANI Photo The Gadgil Committee report was not made public Subsequently I came to know that he had submitted the report to the ministry, but the ministry was not inclined to release the report to the public. It was then that I decided to file an RTI in the Delhi high court. But I did not tell him that I intend to do this. After the Delhi high court asked the ministry to release the report to the public, Dr Gadgil sent me an e-mail saying, 'You have done good work. I am happy that somebody from Kerala took the initiative and tried his best to bring the report out in the public'. I told him that I didn't do anything great. It was a job which any citizen in Kerala or anybody in the country could have done. It just happened that I did it. The real correspondence between us started after the report was released in 2011 and continued for another six months. IMAGE: Search and rescue operations underway in Wayanad after a landslide hit the district on July 30, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Kerala reacted negatively to the Gadgil committee report His report created a lot of negative reaction in Kerala and in a way, he was crucified for writing such a report. I told him I felt very frustrated to see such a reaction in Kerala after he had done so much work. I asked him, 'Don't you feel frustrated?' His reply was, 'Have you read Bhagavad Gita Chapter2?' He particularly mentioned verse 47, where Sri Krishna tells Arjuna, 'Your duty is to work without thinking of the fruits you get'. He said, similarly, my duty was to do what best I could do without hoping for any rewards. He wrote the quote in Sanskrit. He said he was not frustrated because he did his duty and was not bothered about whatever happened after that. I felt he was consoling himself and at the heart of hearts, he was feeling bad. As I felt bad, I wrote long mails to him on what was happening in Kerala. But his replies were brief, in three or four sentences, always mentioning the Bhagavad Gita, and quotes from Bhagavad Gita. When the Kasturi Rangan report came, he mentioned that at least he (Kasturi Rangan) could have discussed the matter with him before finalising the report, which unfortunately he didn't seem to inclined to do. But Dr Gadgil said he had no grudges against him (Kasturi Rangan) as each one had their own way of working. He was a very large hearted person. Later on, it was Dr Sajeev, a senior scientist at KFRI (Kerala Forest Research Institute) at Peechi in Thrissur who regularly updated Dr Gadgil about what was happening in Kerala. It was Dr Sajeev who did the maximum work in Kerala spreading the true message of the Gadgil Committee report. Dr Gadgil was aware of what was happening in Kerala during the monsoon. After every flood and every landslide, the Kerala media had been asking for his opinion, and on what he had predicted in the report. By then, he had major health issues and his wife, a renowned scientist herself, was also not keeping well. And they had turned into kind of recluses in Pune. So, I did not want to trouble him. IMAGE: A view of a flood in Kerala. Photograph: Kind courtesy @adgpi/Twitter Dr Gadgil, an unassuming person. My first impression of him was that he was a very simple, unassuming man. He was very humble. I consider humility as one of his major virtues. When you talked to him, you did not get the impression that he was on a very high pedestal. He treated you as an equal. He put everybody in their comfort zone. You never got intimidated by him; he was a well-known scientist and you were a layman. But he treated you like an equal. Whenever I met him, I was at ease. He was a wonderful person, a wonderful human being, simple, unassuming and knowledgeable. IMAGE: G Krishnan IMAGE: G Krishnan Remembering Dr Gadgil... I remember him as a man who was sincere to the core, easy to deal with, extremely knowledgeable, and who had real concern for people and the environment. He had a clear understanding of the long-term impact of environment on people and their livelihood, and the future of mankind. He did not have a tunnel vision unlike our present day leaders. He had a long-term vision. I remember him for his long-term vision and understanding of the issues. Unfortunately, our new generation, barring for a very few, are not bothered about the environment. Everybody seems to think that make hay while the sun shines. That is everybody's attitude. Of course, there are exceptions. The media in Kerala remembers him only when there is a flood or a landslide in the state. I always say that like Mahabali's visit to Kerala once in a year for Onam, Dr Gadgil also comes to Kerala during the monsoon season every year. That is the only time Kerala remembers him. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff 'For the remaining Maoist cadres, they shall soon confront one of two outcomes: Either surrender or face neutralisation.' IMAGE: Former Maharashtra director general of police Rashmi Shukla along with police commandos and surrendered Maoists holding a copy of the Constitution. Photograph: Kind courtesy GADCHIROLI POLICE As Gadchiroli district approaches a complete dismantling of Maoist insurgency, the focus has shifted to ensuring that surrendered cadres are rehabilitated with dignity while maintaining pressure on the handful of remaining active operatives. The district's transformation from one of India's six most Maoist-affected regions to achieving near-elimination of the insurgency within months represents a significant milestone in the country's counter-insurgency efforts. The Government of India removed Gadchiroli from the list of the six most Left Wing Extremism-affected districts in October 2025, recognising the dramatic shift in the security landscape. This transition has been accompanied by the systematic collapse of the Maoist leadership structure, with the politburo -- once the strategic nerve centre of the movement -- now reduced to merely three active members. The Dandakaranya special zonal committee, which was the last bastion of Maoism and of which Gadchiroli was an integral component, has witnessed its foundational pillars crumble. "We have penetrated the jungle, engaged them successfully, and returned without sustaining a single casualty to our security forces. That message has also contributed to creating a sense of apprehension in their minds -- that no location in Gadchiroli remains secure for them. That realisation also contributed to the numerous surrenders," Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police Neelotpal tells Prasanna D Zore/Rediff in the concluding segment of the interview. PART I: How Gadchiroli Broke The Maoist Backbone The principal question remains: How do you balance strong action and aggressive policing with efforts to encourage surrender? The message to everybody willing to lay down arms and join the mainstream is clear. However, there remain certain elements who are unwilling to lay down their arms or who refuse to abandon violence. Against them, we have recently delivered a very strong message: we can strike you in the deepest reaches of your liberated zones. All encounters that have transpired in 2025 have occurred in hitherto liberated zones -- areas that were the Maoists' strongholds. We have penetrated the jungle, engaged them successfully, and returned without sustaining a single casualty to our security forces. That message has also contributed to creating a sense of apprehension in their minds -- that no location in Gadchiroli remains secure for them. That realisation also contributed to the numerous surrenders. For four decades, all Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas have struggled with Maoist insurgency. What message does this decisive shift send to Maoists still hiding in the forests, especially in Maharashtra's remaining 500 square kilometres? Let me clarify: We have minimal Maoist presence now. We have only ten cadres remaining, located near the Chhattisgarh border, in what was previously a liberated zone. However, it (the 500 sq km zone) is no longer a liberated zone -- there is no Maoist presence there. It is merely a security vacuum because we do not yet maintain a permanent presence there, though we shall be opening an outpost within two months. The message that the surrender sends to them is profoundly significant. (One of) Their think-tank (Bhupati) -- the individual who has been associated with the Maoist movement for 42 years -- has laid down his weapons and embraced the Constitution. That message itself speaks volumes: it signals the beginning of the end of the so-called revolution. Has the top leadership of the Maoist central committee been dismantled? The politburo (the highest decision-making body of the Maoists) has collapsed like a house of cards. At present, only three politburo members remain active. Of these three, Ganpati may not be active in a single location. Deuji is still active and third one is Misir Besra who is still active in Jharkhand. These are the only three politburo members who remain active. What does this indicate about how the Maoist leadership structure and the Maoist movement in Gadchiroli are transforming? We are almost on the threshold of rendering Gadchiroli completely Maoist-free. The Government of India removed us from the list of the six most-affected districts in mid-October 2025. We were previously one of the six most-affected districts in the country, and this transition -- from a most-affected district to a negligible-threat district within two months -- represents a monumental achievement for us. As far as Maoism in Gadchiroli is concerned, it was formerly a constituent of the Dandakaranya (DNDKR) region. DNDKR was the last bastion of Maoism. We can confidently assert that Gadchiroli, which was an integral component of DNDKR, no longer harbours more than 10 Maoists. It is not entirely Maoist-free, but we have traversed a considerable distance, and we have ground yet to cover. With the loss of leadership they have experienced -- they lack any middle-rung cadre to replace the senior cadres who have either surrendered or been neutralised -- the remaining cadres in Gadchiroli are predominantly lower-level operatives. (Out of these 10) one is a state committee member, one is a divisional committee member, and the remainder are lower-ranking cadres. What is the basis of your assertion that only 10 Maoists remain active in Gadchiroli today? IMAGE: A woman Maoist carrying a reward of Rs 8 lakh surrenders before the Gadchiroli police and CRPF forces in Gadchiroli. Photograph: ANI Photo The surrendered cadres have informed us. Those who have surrendered (along with Bhupati) -- apart from these ten -- belonged to the same groups. Consequently, they have disclosed how many individuals have been left behind. This is based on the statements of the surrendered cadres and the records available with us as of now, which are closely corroborated. Do they still retain the capability to inflict damage? They do retain some capability, but I wish to appeal to them: This would be futile now. Ultimately, they will either surrender or face neutralisation. How swiftly do you envisage achieving a completely Maoist-free Gadchiroli? As expeditiously as possible. We are certainly working towards the Government of India's deadline of March 31, 2026, which envisages a Maoist-free India. We are proceeding with aggressive anti-Naxal operations to that end. Following Maoist surrenders, how does the police and state administration ensure these individuals are rehabilitated appropriately and not compelled back into extremism? Post-surrender, they remain under observation for a brief period. They are not isolated. After the official surrender is formalised, they receive considerable financial assistance under various schemes of the government of Maharashtra. For instance, if a politburo member like Sonu surrenders, he will receive an amount of Rs 25 lakh under various central and state schemes. Beyond that, we are providing land and constructing houses. Each surrendered Maoist receives approximately 100 square metre of land for constructing houses, provided free of cost by the government. And the material to construct the houses also comes from the government? From the chief minister's housing scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. We provide them with whichever scheme is available and ensure their access to it. We are also providing them with employment and self-employment opportunities along with housing, which is free. Additionally, they receive land. The land is registered in their name. What measures are in place to ensure these rehabilitation efforts are sustainable and prevent any possibility of former Maoists returning to violence? IMAGE: Then Maharashtra DGP Rashmi Shukla along with police commandos and children of surrendered Maoists during a cultural gathering. Photograph: Kind courtesy GADCHIROLI POLICE The comprehensive nature of our rehabilitation package addresses this concern fundamentally. When an individual receives not merely financial assistance but also permanent housing, land ownership, and gainful employment, they acquire a tangible stake in mainstream society. The employment of 70 former Maoists at the Lloyds Steel Plant is particularly significant -- these individuals are earning dignified livelihoods and contributing productively to the economy. Moreover, the manner in which we conduct surrenders -- in the presence of the chief minister and other senior dignitaries -- sends a powerful message about the state's commitment to their welfare. This sense of ownership that the government has demonstrated towards surrendered cadres creates a psychological security that is as important as physical security. They recognise that the state views them not as enemies to be punished, but as citizens to be reintegrated. Gadchiroli police community policing initiative has led to WHAM (Winning of Hearts and Minds) of tribal people. This has led to erosion of support base. Finally, what message would you convey to Maoists who remain active -- as you have stated, some remain active -- but are observing these surrenders closely? I wish to appeal to them once more: They should lay down their arms and join the mainstream. For the remaining cadres scattered throughout the district, they shall soon confront one of two outcomes: Either surrender or face neutralisation through anti-Naxal operations. The choice is theirs, but the inevitability of this conclusion is beyond question. The Maoist movement has lost its ideological appeal, its public support, its leadership, and its operational capability. The revolution, as they conceived it, has reached its end. What remains is an opportunity -- an opportunity to return to their families, to live with dignity, and to contribute to the very communities they once sought to liberate through violence. That opportunity will not remain available indefinitely. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff IMAGE: Assam BJP President Dilip Saikia addresses a press conference in Guwahati. Photograph: ANI Photo Stepping up political pressure ahead of the assembly elections, the Congress-led Opposition bloc in Assam has lodged an FIR against state Bharatiya Janata Party President Dilip Saikia, accusing him of directing BJP MLAs to delete Opposition voters during the ongoing Special Revision of electoral rolls. A delegation of leaders representing eight Opposition parties filed the complaint at the Dispur police station in Guwahati on Friday, alleging that Saikia, during a video conference held on January 4, asked legislators to ensure the removal of 5,000 to 10,000 voters in at least 60 assembly constituencies. Assam has 126 seats and goes to the polls in March-April. One of the leaders in the delegation said the FIR requests the police to secure the video recording of the meeting and investigate the alleged attempt to manipulate the rolls. "We have urged the police to collect the footage and ensure that no one involved in any conspiracy of vote theft escapes accountability. This substantiates the charge of vote chori that our leadership has been raising," the leader said. The team included senior figures from the Congress, Asom Jatiya Parishad, Raijor Dal and other alliance partners. In November last year, the Congress joined hands with seven regional and Left parties to contest the elections jointly against the BJP-led coalition, which is seeking a third consecutive term. After filing the FIR, the delegation also submitted a memorandum to Assam's chief electoral officer, calling for immediate intervention. Asom Jatiya Parishad President Lurinjyoti Gogoi accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate the rolls. "As the BJP is certain about losing power, they are resorting to illegal and unfair means of vote chori," Lurinjyoti Gogoi alleged. "They want to delete names of indigenous voters and bring in their own supporters through this so-called Special Revision. But the people of Assam are alert and will thwart this conspiracy," he added. The BJP dismissed the allegations. A party spokesperson described the charges as a politically motivated smear campaign by the Opposition. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier brushed aside the accusations, remarking that the Opposition was levelling charges even before the final electoral rolls were published. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday slammed recently united Shiv Sena-UBT president Uddhav and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena head Raj Thackeray, saying the January 15 Mumbai civic body election is the battle of survival for the cousins, and not for the Marathi people. IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the 'Jahir Sabha' for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation election at Airoli, in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, January 12, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo Addressing a rally in Mumbai in support of the Mahayuti alliance consisting of the BJP-Shiv Sena on the penultimate day of campaigning for the civic polls, Fadnavis asserted Mumbai is an inseparable part of Maharashtra and no one can dare to break it away. At the rally for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election at iconic Shivaji Park, the CM showed old videos of Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, who have joined hands for civic polls after nearly 20 years of estrangement, attacking each other. Responding to MNS chief Raj Thackeray's remarks that the election to the Mumbai civic body will be the last one for Marathi people, Fadnavis said, "Your own survival is at stake. "The (BMC) election is not about threat to Mumbai, Marathi speakers, but your own survival," the BJP CM noted, referring to the Thackeray cousins, whose parties are pitted against the BJP-Shiv Sena combine to control India's biggest and richest civic body with over Rs 74,000 crore budget. Fadnavis, a former ally of Uddhav Thackeray, declared that his commitment was to install a Mahayuti mayor in Mumbai and usher in an era of transparent civic governance. "We will transform the city," he vowed, appealing to people to vote for the BJP and Shiv Sena in Thursday's polls. Fadnavis said it was the Uddhav Thackeray-led MVA government (November 2019-June 2022) which decided to make Hindi compulsory from Classes 1 to 12 in the state under the New Education Policy and also scrapped the Dharavi redevelopment tender floated by his government before 2019. "When we came to power we realised that the tender of the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) government was not proper. We allotted the work to Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DPR) in which the state government is a major stakeholder and Adani group is the developer," he told the gathering. Notably, the mega project involves transforming Asia's largest slum (Dharavi) into a modern, planned township by providing permanent housing to its residents besides building infrastructure, and commercial spaces. He emphasised that only Marathi is a compulsory language in Maharashtra. "Under a three-language policy, one can learn any language of their choice, but Marathi is a compulsory language in Maharashtra," the added. Fadnavis said the Navi Mumbai International Airport, which started operations last month, was proposed several years ago to decongest the Mumbai airport and was completed in five years. "We will construct a third airport (in Mumbai region) and also increase the capacity of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai," he declared. Fadnavis affirmed Indian economy is on a healthy growth path since 2014 and net worth of several companies has also expanded since then. "Non-BJP-ruled states have also taken investment from Adani group companies," he emphasised. The BJP leader slammed Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray for imitating him in public and said at least his uncle (Raj Thackeray) does better mimicry. "He (Aaditya) must remember what condition his uncle's party (MNS) is due to mimicry. Uddhav Thackeray wants me to have a debate with Aaditya Thackeray. I challenge Uddhav Thackeray to send Aaditya for debate tomorrow (Tuesday) which is the last date of campaign and our candidate Sheetal Gambhir will debate with him," Fadnavis said. He said the Mahayuti flag will unfurl atop the Mumbai municipal corporation. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, and Union minister Ramdas Athawale, a BJP ally, were also present at the rally. China on Monday reaffirmed its territorial claims over the Shaksgam Valley against the backdrop of India's objections, stressing that the Chinese infrastructure projects in the area are "beyond reproach". IMAGE: The Chinese construction activities in Shaksgam Valley are taking place amid the over three-and-half-year old border row between India and China in eastern Ladakh. Photograph: Reuters India last Friday criticised China's infrastructure development projects in the Shaksgam Valley, saying it reserves the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its interests as it is an Indian territory. Pakistan illegally ceded 5,180 sq km of Indian territory in the Shaksgam Valley to China in 1963 from areas illegally occupied by it. "Shaksgam Valley is Indian territory. We have never recognised the so-called China-Pakistan 'boundary agreement' signed in 1963. We have consistently maintained that the agreement is illegal and invalid," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. "We also do not recognise the so-called China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which passes through Indian territory that is under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan," he said. Reacting to Jaiswal's comments, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing in Beijing that "first of all, the territory you mentioned is part of China's territory". "China's infrastructure activities in its own territory are beyond reproach, she said while responding to a question on India's criticism." Mao said China and Pakistan have signed a border agreement and determined the border between the two countries since the 1960s. "These are the rights of Pakistan and China as sovereign States," she said. On India's criticism of the CPEC, Mao repeated Beijing's narrative that it is an economic initiative aimed at local economic and social development and improving people's livelihoods. "Such agreement and CPEC will not affect China's position on the Kashmir issue and China's position remains unchanged in this regard," Mao said. China's official stand on the Kashmir issue, as often reiterated by Beijing, is that Jammu and Kashmir dispute is left over from history, and should be properly and peacefully resolved in accordance with the UN Charter, relevant UN Security Council resolutions and bilateral agreements. In his response to a question on China's infrastructure development in the Shaksgam Valley, Jaiswal said, "The entire Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India. This has been clearly conveyed to Pakistani and Chinese authorities several times." United States President Donald Trump repeated his claim that he has solved the conflict between India and Pakistan, saying he ended eight wars but still did not get the Nobel Peace Prize. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump speaks with members of the media aboard Air Force One en route from Florida to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland,. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Reuters "I ended eight wars. I -- If you look at those wars, these were tough wars to end, too. And let me tell you, India and Pakistan were going at it. As you know, they were going at it...But that was one of eight. But we ended eight strong wars. Some have been going on for more than 30 years, Trump said in an interview to The New York Times last week. He asserted that no one else has ended eight wars and repeated his criticism of former President Barack Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. "I've ended -- remember this, I've ended eight wars. Nobody else has ever done that. I've ended eight wars and didn't get the Nobel Peace Prize. Pretty amazing. Obama got it. He was there for a few weeks, and he got it. He didn't even know why he got it. They asked him, why did he get it? He was unable to answer the question, he said. This was the third time in as many days last week that Trump claimed credit for stopping the conflict between India and Pakistan, an assertion he has now made about 80 times since May 10 last year, when he announced on social media that India and Pakistan agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington. India has consistently denied any third-party intervention. During a meeting in the White House on Friday with oil and gas executives to discuss plans for the Venezuelan oil reserves, Trump said Look, whether people like Trump or don't like Trump, I settled eight wars, big ones. Some going on for 36 years, 32 years, 31 years, 28 years, 25 years, some just getting ready to start like India and Pakistan, where already eight jets were shot out of the air, and I got it done in rapid order without nuclear weapons. Trump also said that Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, who had visited the White House last year, credited him for saving millions of lives by stopping the conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The Pakistani leader "made a very public statement. He said that President Trump saved a minimum of 10 million lives, having to do with Pakistan and India, and that was going to be raging, he said. Earlier, in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Trump said he stopped the war between India and Pakistan, the two nuclear powers "ready to go at it big as he again claimed that eight planes were shot down in the conflict. He said one should get a Nobel Prize for stopping each war. Because some of these wars were going on for 30 years. India and Pakistan were ready to go at it big. And these are two nuclear countries. I got that one stopped. Eight planes were shot down. They were really at it, and I got it stopped. It was a big one, Trump had said. Hindu activists objected to the walima (wedding reception) of a newly-married couple in Kotwali police station area of Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, organising a protest that prompted the family to cancel the event, a police officer said. IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted only for representational purposes. Photograph: ANI Photo He said on Sunday night, Dr Adnan, a resident of Zia Khel locality in Shahjahanpur city, was holding his walima ceremony at a local banquet lawn. He had married a Hindu girl named Neelam in a registry marriage in Delhi. As information went around, a large number of Hindu activists reached the event venue and created a ruckus. A purported video of the incident has also surfaced. Rajesh Awasthi, a Hindu leader who participated in the protest, said they had received information that Adnan had married a Hindu girl and his family was holding a walima feast. Triggered by this, Hindu activists reached the venue and protested against the marriage. Awasthi said the police were also informed, who arrived at the scene and the walima ceremony was eventually cancelled. A memorandum was submitted to superintendent of police Rajesh Dwivedi on Monday, demanding action against Adnan under the National Security Act, he added. Superintendent of police Rajesh Dwivedi told PTI on Monday that Adnan Ansari (29), a dentist by profession, had married Neelam (35), an MBA graduate working in a multinational company, in a Delhi court on September 12 last year. The walima ceremony for the marriage was being held on Sunday night. He said when the police reached the spot after receiving information, the family members informed them that they had cancelled the walima ceremony. The senior officer, citing family members, said Adnan's family had also printed invitation cards for the walima, in which the bride's name was mentioned as Neelam Ansari. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will continue to feature prominently in all Congress campaigns in Uttar Pradesh but she is a national leader and not confined to the state alone, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ajai Rai said on Monday after it chose her birthday to roll out a 100-day political campaign to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. IMAGE: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. Photograph: ANI Photo The state Congress chief was responding to speculation that the launch of the campaign on Priyanka Gandhi's birthday signalled her return to a central role in UP politics ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Rai told PTI that both Uttar Pradesh and Priyanka Gandhi, currently a Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad in Kerala, are important in the party's scheme of things. "Priyanka Gandhi is a national leader, not confined to UP alone. But at the same time, she will continue to feature prominently in all party campaigns in UP," he said. Priyanka Gandhi was appointed Congress general secretary in charge of Uttar Pradesh in 2019 and led several high-profile campaigns, including the 'Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon' initiative and the decision to allocate 40 per cent of tickets to women in the 2022 Assembly elections. However, the party's electoral performance continued to decline, with Congress winning just two seats in the UP Assembly polls. Following that setback, Priyanka Gandhi largely stayed away from active politics in the state. The party, however, showed a revival in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh when it contested in alliance with the Samajwadi Party and won six seats, fuelling speculation about her possible return to a prominent organisational role in the state. The Congress's decision to announce its 100-day Uttar Pradesh action plan on Priyanka Gandhi's birthday added to the buzz. Rai, however, said a popular leader like her cannot be restricted to one state, and declined to confirm whether she would address the nearly 30 rallies planned across UP under the programme. He said the first rally under the campaign would be held in Sitapur on January 24, and the programme would culminate with a grand rally at the Ramabai Ambedkar Ground in Lucknow after about 30 rallies across the state. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra announced the party's 100-day action plan at a press conference at the state Congress headquarters in Lucknow on the occasion of Priyanka Gandhi's birthday. Addressing the media, Mishra accused the BJP government of attempting to undermine democratic processes through measures such as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged efforts to dilute the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). She said the Congress was committed to countering what she described as the BJP's "anti-democratic designs". Outlining the programme, Mishra said the party would organise over 30 'Samvidhan Samvad Mahapanchayats' across the state over the next 100 days to highlight the alleged failures of the Yogi Adityanath government and defend constitutional values, beginning from Sitapur on January 24. She said the Congress would also launch a 'MNREGA Bachao Sangram' to protect the employment guarantee scheme, monitor the SIR process through dedicated committees, prepare to contest the 2026 panchayat elections independently, and organise year-long programmes to mark 140 years of the party's service and sacrifice. The plan also includes preparations for the 2026 MLC elections, organisational strengthening down to the booth level, and a mega rally in Lucknow after the statewide outreach concludes. The press conference on Monday concluded with Congress leaders and workers celebrating Priyanka Gandhi's birthday by cutting a cake at the party headquarters. Similar programmes were held at the party's key locations and offices across the state to mark Priyanka's birthday. OSLO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Danish ambassador to the United States has refuted on social media against a post by the U.S. special envoy to Greenland regarding Washington's role in the island's security history. In response to U.S. special envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry, Danish Ambassador Jesper Moller Sorensen wrote on social media platform X on Sunday that Greenland has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark for centuries, and the fact has repeatedly been recognized by the U.S. administrations, the United Nations, and the international community. Emphasizing that only the people of Greenland should decide their future, Sorensen added, "For 80 years, Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. have had a successful security partnership in the Arctic. Let's continue to address security challenges in the Arctic as partners and allies." On Sunday afternoon, Landry posted on X that "The U.S. defended Greenland's sovereignty during WWII when Denmark couldn't. After the war, Denmark re-occupied it-side stepping and ignoring UN protocol." Landry's post prompted criticism from numerous social media users, many of whom accused the U.S. official of misrepresenting historical facts and voiced support for Denmark and Greenland. The exchange came amid renewed controversy after U.S. President Donald Trump recently revived rhetoric suggesting that the United States should acquire Greenland for security concerns. His remarks have drawn widespread opposition from European allies, particularly Denmark and Greenland. Signalling an intent to rebuild strained ties, President Donald Trump's new ambassador to Delhi said on Monday that no country is as essential as India to the United States, and asserted that both sides are actively engaged to firm up a trade deal. IMAGE: US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor speaks at a ceremony attended by US embassy employees in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI video grab In his arrival speech, Sergio Gor also announced an invitation to New Delhi for a US-led strategic alliance, known as 'Pax Silica' on critical minerals and artificial intelligence. The comments made just hours after he began work are seen as a welcome outreach by the Trump administration which has mounted pressure on India in recent months over tariffs and H1B visas. "You and I have an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity to redefine diplomacy. What it can accomplish could be the most consequential global partnership of this century," Gor said addressing the US embassy employees. "No partner is more essential than India. In the months and years ahead, it is my goal as ambassador to pursue a very ambitious agenda. We will do this as true strategic partners, each bringing strength, respect and leadership to the table," he said. Gor, 38, also emphasised that the friendship between Trump and PM Narendra Modi is "real" and will help in resolving "differences", which have resulted in the worst phase in the relations in the last two decades. The downturn began after Trump slapped a 50 per cent tariff on India, including a 25 per cent additional duties for India's purchase of Russian crude oil. Apart from the tariff issue, the relations witnessed a severe strain on a number of other issues that included Trump's claim of ending the India-Pakistan conflict in May last year and Washington's new immigration policy. "The United States and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest levels. Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end," he said. Gor also noted that India and the US are actively engaged on the proposed bilateral trade deal in remarks that came days after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested Washington was not very keen to seal the deal soon. While talking about trade, the US envoy also recalled Secretary of State Marco Rubio's remarks that it will be a "year of reciprocity". "We are raising the standard for diplomacy itself. That means fair trade, mutual respect, and shared security," Gor said. "Many of you have asked me for an update on the ongoing trade deal negotiations. Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow." Gor, however, did not elaborate on whether it will be a telephonic call between the trade negotiators of the two sides. The envoy did not take questions after delivering his address to employees and a small number of invited journalists. "India is the world's largest nation. So it's not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there," he said. "And while trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas, such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health," he said. Gor also touched upon the 'Pax Silica' initiative that the US launched last month. Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Israel and several other nations have joined it already. "Today, I am pleased to announce that India will be invited to join this group of nations as a full member next month," he said. "As the world adopts new technology, it is essential that India and the United States work hand in hand from the very start of this initiative." The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Election Commission on fresh interim pleas of Trinamool Congress MPs alleging arbitrariness and procedural irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of applications filed by lawmakers Derek O Brien and Dola Sen in their pending petitions challenging the procedural actions taken in the ongoing SIR in the state. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Derek O Brien, said the EC's instructions on the SIR are being issued through social media platforms like WhatsApp and made booth-level officers (BLOs) act without any formal orders. Sibal also said the poll panel has introduced a 'logical discrepancy' category of voters, who may be issued notice for a quasi-judicial hearing on their eligibility over errors or anomalies in the voter details. The counsel representing the poll panel sought two weeks to file the replies to the pleas. The CJI-led bench granted one week to the poll panel to file a common reply to the pleas of the two TMC lawmakers. It then listed the plea for hearing on January 19. Derek O'Brien, in his plea, alleged arbitrariness and procedural irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls in the state. The application said 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. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently 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". 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 the 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 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. Another plea by MP Dola Sen contends that the SIR orders are arbitrary, unconstitutional and will lead to invalid deletion of genuine voters. The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Madhya Pradesh high court order that quashed the termination of a judicial officer who allegedly created a nuisance and urinated in front of the berth of a woman co-passenger onboard a train in 2018. IMAGE: A view of the Supreme Court of India. Photograph: ANI Photo Terming the civil judge's conduct as "disgusting", a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that it was a "shocking" case and he should have been dismissed. It issued a notice to the judicial officer and the Madhya Pradesh government seeking their responses on the petition filed by the high court's administrative side against a May last year order of the high court's division bench that had quashed the termination order of September 2019 and had directed that the judicial officer be reinstated within 15 days. "You should have been dismissed," the apex court bench said. "Issue notice, returnable within four weeks. In the meantime, effect and operation of the impugned judgement shall remain stayed," the top court said while posting the matter for hearing after six weeks. The judicial officer was appointed to the post of Civil Judge, class-II, in March 2011, and it was alleged that in June 2018, when he was travelling in a train, he misbehaved, harassed the co-passengers in a drunken state and undertook certain obscene activities. It was also alleged that in the state of intoxication, he urinated in front of the berth of a woman co-passenger and due to the nuisance, passengers had to pull the chain, and the train was delayed. He was arrested and, since the offence was bailable, was released on bail. A show-cause notice was issued to him in June 2018 and the judicial officer submitted a detailed reply to it, denying the allegations levelled against him. He was also prosecuted under Section 145 of the Railway Act, 1989, for the same set of allegations and after a detailed trial, the special railway magistrate, Jabalpur, acquitted him in March 2019. The judicial officer was issued another show cause notice in September 2018, along with articles of charge and a preliminary enquiry report. He filed a reply and denied all the charges levelled against him. In its order, the high court had noted that the inquiry officer had found the judicial officer guilty of the charges levelled against him. Later, the administrative committee proposed the punishment of removal from service and the same was approved by the high court's full court in September 2019. In compliance with the recommendation of the full court, his services were terminated by an order dated September 28, 2019. He then approached the high court with a petition seeking the quashing of the September 28, 2019, order and the recommendation of the administrative committee as well as the decision of the full court. While dealing with his plea, the high court's division bench had noted that the special railway magistrate had acquitted him and recorded that there was no medical evidence on record that confirmed alcohol consumption. "In the present case, the acquittal of the petitioner by the special railway magistrate was not merely on technical grounds or for want of prosecution; rather, it was a result of a thorough appreciation of the evidence on record," the high court had said. It said that key prosecution witnesses, including the alleged victim, had not supported the prosecution's case and categorically failed to identify the judicial officer. "This acquittal, coupled with the lack of any fresh or independent material in the departmental enquiry, casts serious doubt on the sustainability of the punishment imposed upon the petitioner (judicial officer) in disciplinary proceedings," the high court had said. It had also noted that on the basis of media reports, a show cause notice was issued to the judicial officer and a departmental enquiry was initiated. "The termination order, in light of the above facts and settled legal principles, suffers from arbitrariness and disproportionate exercise of power," the high court had said. While quashing the termination order, it had directed that the authority may, if deemed appropriate, impose a minor penalty, strictly limited to the proven charges of not seeking prior approval for travel and not informing the arrest in a criminal case to the district judge concerned. All India Congress Committee president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar would be called to New Delhi for discussions whenever necessary, amid an ongoing "power tussle" within the ruling Congress in Karnataka. IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Siddaramaiah and D K Shivakumar will be called to Delhi if necessary. Photograph: ANI Photo Kharge said, "Whenever necessary, the party would call them," in response to a question from reporters on when the CM and Deputy CM would be summoned to Delhi for talks. The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20. The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of the government's formation in 2023. Siddaramaiah, who recently became the longest-serving chief minister of the state, surpassing the record held by Devaraj Urs, has expressed confidence that he will complete the full five-year term. However, he has maintained that the final decision rests with the Congress high command. Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, on Sunday said his hard work had brought him this far in politics and that he was confident about the Congress party's future decision regarding him. His remarks are being seen as an assertion of his chief ministerial ambitions. Two suspected cases of Nipah virus have been detected at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory at AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal, official sources said on Monday. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: L Anantha Krishnan/ANI Photo According to a senior official of the West Bengal health department, two nurses working at a private hospital in North 24 Parganas district were showing symptoms of Nipah virus. The condition of the two nurses, one male and one female, is stated to be very critical, he said. Both nurses work in the same hospital in Barasat. They are suspected of being infected with Nipah virus. Samples of both nurses were sent to Kalyani AIIMS for testing, and preliminary reports indicate a possible Nipah infection," the official told PTI. While one nurse is a resident of Nadia district, the other lives at Katwa in Purba Bardhaman district, he said. Both are currently admitted to the Barasat hospital where they work, and have been placed in the isolation ward with ventilator support, the official added. Given the serious nature of the Nipah virus infection, a zoonotic disease with high mortality and potential for rapid spread, the situation is being handled with utmost priority, the sources said. Upon receiving the information, the Union health secretary held discussions with the chief secretary and principal secretary (health), government of West Bengal, to review the situation and ensure swift and coordinated action. A national joint outbreak response team has been deployed to support the state government in containment and public health response measures, the sources said. The team comprises experts from the All India Institute of Health and Public Hygiene, Kolkata; National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE), Chennai; AIIMS Kalyani; and the Department of Wildlife, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, they said. The Centre has shared guidelines on the Nipah virus under the communicable disease alert with the state Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) unit. In addition, the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) at the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Delhi, has been activated to coordinate the national response. Union Health Minister J P Nadda has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, assuring full support from the Centre, official sources said. In a video message, Nadda said he spoke to Banerjee over the phone and reiterated the Centre's commitment to extend all necessary assistance to the state in managing the situation. The government of India is providing comprehensive technical, logistical and operational support to the state government, Nadda said. All essential resources, including laboratory support, enhanced surveillance, case management, infection prevention and control measures, and expert guidance, have already been mobilised, they said. The state has been advised to ensure close coordination with the deployed expert teams and undertake meticulous contact tracing and other containment measures, Nadda said. According to state health department sources, one of the nurses recently returned from her hometown in Katwa, where she fell ill and was initially admitted to a local hospital on December 31. As her condition worsened, she was transferred to the Bardhaman Medical College, and then by a special ambulance to the Barasat hospital, the health official said. A source said the other suspect case had a history of travelling to Ghugragachi in Nadia district, which is located close to the India-Bangladesh border. Nipah virus is a notifiable disease, requiring immediate reporting to the Central government. Bengaluru police on Sunday said they have arrested a 18-year-old man on murder charges in connection with the death of a 34-year-old woman software engineer, who was initially suspected to have died in a fire accident, at her apartment in the eastern part of the city. Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: @BlrCityPolice/X The man is a native of Kodagu district. He allegedly murdered her for refusing sexual advances. The victim, who hailed from Dakshina Kannada, worked for a prominent tech company in Bengaluru. It was initially suspected that she died due to suffocation from smoke, after a fire broke at her two bedroom flat, allegedly due to a short circuit, late on January 3 night. The incident had happened at Subramanya Layout in the Ramamurthy Nagar police station limits. Her flatmate had gone to her hometown when the incident happened. Police, who investigated the case based on a complaint by a victim's friend, who expressed suspicion about the death, have arrested the suspect. According to police, the suspect, who lived with his mother next door, allegedly entered the victim's flat through a siding window at around 9 pm on January 3 and asked her to cooperate sexually, to which she resisted. He is then said to have held her mouth and nose tightly, rendering her unconscious. She suffered a minor injury and was bleeding, they said, adding that the accused then threw her clothes and other evidence on the bed in the room and set it on fire, to destroy the evidence. He then fled, after taking the victim's mobile phone. Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams and experts had visited the spot and based on certain technical evidence, the suspect has been arrested and further investigation is on, officials said, adding that he has been remanded in custody for three days. United States President Donald Trump has posted a photo of himself on his social media site Truth Social with his designation listed as "Acting President of Venezuela." IMAGE: Donald Trump posts his photo calling himself the 'Acting President of Venezuela'. Photograph: Donald Trump on Truth Social The post on Truth Social on Sunday has Trump's official portrait and then the designation "Acting President of Venezuela, "Incumbent January 2026." It also has his designation as the 45th and 47th President of the United States, who assumed office on January 20, 2025. Earlier this month, the US carried out a "large-scale" strike against Venezuela, capturing the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, who, along with his wife Cilia Flores, was flown to New York, where they were indicted on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges. Trump has said that the US will "run Venezuela "until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition. We can't take a chance that someone else takes over Venezuela who doesn't have the interests of Venezuelans in mind." Venezuela's vice president and oil minister, Delcy Rodriguez, was formally sworn in as the country's interim president last week. Trump had said that the interim authorities in Venezuela will be turning over between 30 and 50 million barrels of high-quality, sanctioned oil to the US, which will be sold at its market price. "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! I have asked Energy Secretary Chris Wright to execute this plan immediately. It will be taken by storage ships and brought directly to unloading docks in the United States." Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief and actor Vijay was questioned for nearly six hours by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi on Monday in connection with the Karur stampede case, officials said. IMAGE: Actor-politician Vijay arrives in New Delhi to appear before the CBI in the Karur stampede case. Photograph: ANI video grab The Tamil superstar will be called again for questioning as some queries need to be clarified further, they said. The CBI wanted him to come on Tuesday for questioning but the actor asked for another date citing Pongal. The agency has agreed to his request and will give him a fresh date, the officials said. Vijay reached the heavily barricaded CBI headquarters here at 11.29 am in a black Range Rover. After completion of the necessary formalities, he was taken to a team in the anti-corruption unit of the agency that is investigating the September 27, 2025, stampede, which claimed 41 lives and left more than 60 injured in Tamil Nadu's Karur. He left the CBI headquarters at around 6.15 pm after nearly six hours of questioning by a team of officials where he was asked various questions related to the rally in which the tragic incident took place, the officials said. The CBI also questioned Tamil Nadu's former ADG (law and order) S Davidson Devasirvatham in the case. Anticipating a huge turnout of the actor-politician's supporters, multiple units of Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces were deployed around the CBI office building to prevent any protests. A small group of fans managed to slip in among the mediapersons gathered outside the CBI office to get a glimpse of the actor. "We are around 40 fans who have come here to get a glimpse of the actor. We are all based in Delhi," Aiyanar, one of the fans who works as an operations manager with a Noida-based MNC, told PTI. Vijay arrived in Delhi on a chartered flight from Chennai with some of his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) colleagues, including Aadhav Arjuna, party sources said. The CBI has also questioned several TVK office bearers in the case. The federal agency took over the case from an SIT following a Supreme Court order and has been gathering evidence related to the stampede. In October last year, the apex court asked the CBI director to appoint a senior officer to take over the investigation. The court also set up a three-member supervisory committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi to monitor the CBI probe. A bench comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and N V Anjaria had said the stampede has left an imprint in the minds of citizens throughout the country. It has wide ramifications with respect to the life of citizens and enforcing the fundamental rights of the families who lost their 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," the bench said. The Allahabad high court has ruled that a wife cannot be denied maintenance under Section 125 of Criminal Procedure Code merely because she is highly qualified or possesses vocational skills. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo Setting aside a family court order rejecting a woman's application seeking maintenance from her husband, Justice Garima Prashad observed that it is "misplaced for a husband to rely solely on the qualifications of his wife to evade his legal obligation to maintain her". The court said a wife's mere potential to earn is distinct from actual gainful employment. It emphasised that this is a reality faced by many women who despite their education find it difficult to join the workforce after years of domestic duties and childcare responsibilities. The court set aside an order of the additional principal judge, Family Court, Bulandshahr, who had rejected the wife's application moved under Section 125 CrPC seeking maintenance from her husband. The family court had rejected the wife's plea for maintenance on the grounds that she had concealed her professional education from the court and had not approached the court with clean hands. It was also of the view that the wife was living separately without any sufficient cause and that she had refused to return to the matrimonial home despite proceedings under Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act. The family court had, however, directed that an amount of Rs 3,000 per month be paid to the minor son from the date of filing of the petition. During the hearing in the high court, the wife's counsel argued that she had no source of income and that the second opposite party, husband, had failed to produce any proof that his wife had been working and was gainfully employed. The husband contended that his wife is highly qualified and is currently employed as a private teacher, holds an ITI diploma in tailoring and she also earns income by providing tuition to children. The high court noted that the wife might have left the matrimonial home due to the ill treatment and that there was also no specific finding regarding the wife's proof of gainful employment. It further observed that the statutory right of the wife to get maintenance from her husband cannot be infringed by setting up a case that she had the capacity to earn. The high court in its decision dated January 5 observed, "It is a matter of social reality that women devote themselves to domestic responsibilities and take care of children and are unable to be gainfully employed. It is, therefore, misplaced for a husband to rely solely on the qualification of his wife to evade his legal obligation to maintain her." It also acknowledged an unemployed wife's situation who has to single-handedly care for her young child, saying it reflects the "reality faced by many women, who, despite their education, find it difficult to join the workforce after years of domestic duties". Furthermore, the high court termed Rs 3,000 awarded to the adolescent son as a "meagre" amount and noted that the boy requires support to study and grow in a healthy environment. The high court sent the matter back to the Family Court, Bulandshahr, for passing a fresh, reasoned order within one month. BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- As China enters 2026 with strong development momentum, anti-corruption remains a key priority as the Communist Party of China (CPC) steers the country forward. Over the past year, China's rigorous anti-corruption campaign pressed ahead relentlessly, with authorities vowing "no pause or retreat" as they maintained efforts to root out graft and misconduct. The country's anti-corruption watchdogs kept a close watch on key senior officials, and optimized inspections to ensure power operates under strict oversight. During the entire year, 65 centrally administered officials, mostly at the ministerial level or above, were placed under investigation for corruption, with nine of the cases initiated in December alone, according to information released on the website of China's top anti-corruption authorities. Prominent names on the list of probed officials included Jiang Chaoliang, Jin Xiangjun, Lan Tianli, Liu Hui, Yi Huiman, and Zhang Shiping. The crackdown on corruption also made continuous progress in areas impacting the daily lives of ordinary people. From January to November, 536,000 low-ranking officials had been disciplined, with 20,000 referred for prosecution. In the global hunt for corrupt fugitives and stolen assets, China scored repeated victories. Through the "Sky Net" operation, the country repatriated 782 fugitives and recovered 23.66 billion yuan (about 3.38 billion U.S. dollars) in illicit assets in just 11 months. In July, Zhou Jinghua, one of the "100 most-wanted" corruption suspects sought through an Interpol Red Notice at China's request, was extradited from Thailand, becoming the last fugitive in Asia apprehended under the campaign. In the same month, Liang Jinwen, one of the earliest top 100 Red Notice fugitives, returned to China and turned himself in after 28 years at large overseas. He has fully returned the assets he was suspected of taking before fleeing abroad in 1996. Throughout the year, the CPC spared no effort to rectify conduct. In March, it launched a four-month education campaign to urge its around 100 million members to bolster compliance with a code of conduct. Disciplinary watchdogs have publicly released typical cases of violations of the Party's code of conduct, known as the eight-point rules, explicitly naming the individuals involved. In 2025, the CPC completed inspections across all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. China has also strengthened its institutional framework. In June, the revised Supervision Law came into effect, which further expanded supervisory powers and removed institutional bottlenecks, demonstrating a clear and firm stance on severely punishing corruption. BRATTLEBORO Education, housing and infrastructure are agreed to be important ongoing priorities for legislators in the new session as they t Amy Spear is president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and Megan Sullivan is vice president of Government Affairs for the Vermont Chamber. The opinions expressed by columnists and op-ed writers do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. Videos show funeral processions in Tehran for those killed during recent protests, as families chant slogans against Iran's supreme leader. Human rights groups say hundreds have been killed in a crackdown by security forces amid a digital blackout. LUSAKA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's electoral body said on Monday that it is in the final stages of preparatory work to undertake the delimitation of constituencies ahead of the August general elections. Brown Kasaro, chief electoral officer of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), said the delimitation exercise, which aims to divide some large constituencies, will be conducted with the full participation of all relevant stakeholders. He said the exercise is expected to be completed before the certification of the register of voters, scheduled for April 30, in line with the commission's roadmap. "The commission assures stakeholders that it is treating the delimitation exercise with the urgency it deserves to ensure that it is completed prior to the certification of the 2026 register of voters," he said in a statement. Currently, Zambia has 156 constituencies. The delimitation of constituencies is provided for under Zambia's amended Constitution and is intended to address the challenge of overly large constituencies to enhance development and representation. Zambia is scheduled to hold general elections in August 2026. The European Union says it will start lifting sanctions this month first imposed on Kosovo in summer 2023, when Pristina implemented the results of controversial elections in the Serb-dominated north despite warnings from Brussels. The move could potentially resuscitate the Balkan country's EU hopes, allowing this to be the year its EU membership application, submitted in late 2022, can finally be assessed by the European Commission. It may also allow for a restart of the Brussels-facilitated dialogue with Serbia after a two-year hiatus. The sanctions raised eyebrows when first adopted as they lacked precedent when it came to the bloc's relationship with an EU hopeful. For starters, they were not sanctions in a strict political and procedural sense and have been referred to as "measures" in the "corridor lingo" of Brussels. EU sanctions must be presented to the 27 EU member states in a formal legal act and then unanimously agreed. This was the case, for example, when Brussels imposed asset freezes and visa bans on individuals from EU candidate country Turkey in 2019 due to the unauthorized drilling for gas in the Eastern Mediterranean. With Kosovo, nothing of the sort happened. Instead, the EU foreign policy chief at the time, Josep Borrell, wrote a letter to EU member states outlining the measures and recommending the capitals implement them even though there was no obligation. The directorate-general for enlargement, the EU's department dealing with countries wanting to join the bloc, then informed Kosovo of what would hit them. These measures were mainly EU-related, meaning funding for Kosovo from the bloc's common budget would be frozen, high-level visits would be on hold, and the Stabilization and Association Council -- the main political conduit for Brussels-Pristina relations -- would not meet until further notice. Intriguingly, while there was no formal EU unanimity to impose the sanctions, member states later stepped in to demand unanimity to lift them. In one of his last acts before leaving office in 2024, Borrell asked for the measures to be removed, but there was no consensus and the initial decision stood. Some momentum in Kosovo's favor came with the new European Commission team starting at the tail-end of 2024 as diplomats noted that outgoing Hungarian Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi had "a soft spot" for Serbia and prevented any real movement in favor of Pristina. An approach of "gradual lifting" of the measures was announced, though what it entailed wasn't spelled out. Both European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and new EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas visited the country in 2025, dismissing the notion of a ban on high-level visits even though no high-ranking Kosovar politician came to Brussels on a bilateral visit that year. The political breakthrough came at an EU-Western Balkans summit in Brussels on December 17, when Von der Leyen announced that the measures would be lifted. This came after what Brussels called "smooth and peaceful" local elections in north Kosovo in October reversing the move from 2023. But that wasn't the end of the story. In the run-up to the summit France, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, and Spain pushed for a two-step lifting in which roughly half the frozen money -- 216 million euros -- could be released for Pristina imminently. The remainder, some 205 million euros, would be distributed first after the national parliamentary elections on December 28; they argued that incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti could benefit too much electorally if all the cash was released immediately. A new condition had been set by largely the same countries had been instrumental in Serbia avoiding similar EU measures later in 2023 after Serb militants with alleged Belgrade backing attacked Kosovar police in the northern village of Banjska, leaving one law enforcement officer dead. While other EU member states grumbled that pro-Serbian member states yet again were causing anti-Kosovo moves, they eventually agreed as they wanted to avoid another political impasse. In the end, Kurti increased his vote share and the EU promptly put out a statement saying the second part of the frozen funds would be released in early 2026. The issue now is that while the political decisions have been taken to lift all the measures, the actual technical work hasn't yet kicked in. In fact, the first batch of money has been "programmed" -- meaning earmarked for various Kosovo recipients -- but has not yet been received. According to EU officials RFE/RL has spoken to, Brussels has not made the formal move to "program" the second batch even though it is expected to be a formality made later in January. As these measures were imposed in an unprecedented way in 2023, there is discussion in Brussels about what is needed to technically lift them. For example, do EU member states need to be consulted again in writing or in some council working group or committee, or can the commission just go ahead regardless? What is clear, however, is the European Commission wants to re-engage with Kosovo. Few in the building believe Serbia and Kosovo will be happy to take part in the dialogue to normalize relations anytime soon, but the Brussels envoy for the talks, Danish diplomat Peter Sorensen, recently had his mandate renewed for another two years. It is believed that Kallas, who has yet to host a single dialogue at the highest political level, is keen to try to achieve something in the Western Balkans after a bruising start as the bloc's top diplomat. With Brussels increasingly sidestepped on issues such as peace talks about Ukraine, the Gaza war, and the situation in Iran, EU officials half-jokingly note that getting Serbia and Kosovo to agree might be the "lowest-hanging fruit" available for the bloc at the moment. There could also be a chance that EU member states finally agree to send over Kosovo's EU membership application to the European Commission for the EU executive to assess whether Pristina can join the club down the line. The last country that truly tried to tackle the issue is the Czech Republic, which received the application during its six-month presidency of the council in the latter half of 2022. The five Kosovo nonrecognizers Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, and Spain blocked any movement, however, and have made it clear to fellow EU member states holding the rotating council chair that they won't entertain the issue. We can expect that nothing will happen in the first half of 2026 while Cyprus is at the helm, but there might be a change when Ireland takes over in July. Dublin has indicated it is pushing hard to conclude EU accession negotiations with Montenegro by the end of the year and hopes to push Albania, Moldova, and Ukraine closer to the club as well. With EU enlargement being one of Ireland's top priorities, it may even test the waters on Kosovo. Rumors are swirling in Brussels corridors that Spain -- often the most hardened of the nonrecognizing quintet -- will finally allow the commission to give an assessment so long as the process doesn't force member states to immediately tackle the issue of Kosovar statehood. Three years. 10 months. 18 days. As of January 12, thats the amount of time thats elapsed since Russia launched its all-out assault on Ukraine: Europes largest, bloodiest conflict war since World War II. That's one day longer than the Soviet Union spent battling Nazi Germany between 1941 and 1945, during World War II, the largest, bloodiest conflict of the 20th century. Heres one crucial difference, though. In 1945, Moscow battled German forces across thousands of square kilometers, pushing them out of the country -- all the way back to Berlin -- before victory in what Russians today call the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin often likens the Ukraine war to the Great Patriotic War, trumpeting the battlefield leadership of the Soviet generals and officers who expelled the Germans. In 2026, not only is Moscow the invader -- of Ukraine -- but its also struggling to achieve victory on the battlefield. Rather than sweeping across great expanses of territory, Russian forces are grinding forward at a snails pace. More like World War I than World War II. Heres how the two wars, now of equal length, played out territorially over time. And this interactive map shows how the territory taken by Russia in Ukraine and the territory captured by the Red Army compare to the size of modern European countries. NOTE: Borders on the eve of the German invasion of the USSR were obtained from Stanford Universitys Spatial History Project. Modern border data was obtained from OpenStreetMap. "Of course I want all this to end sooner, butit seems to me that it will continue for a while," a Ukrainian soldier who gave only his first name, Petro, told RFE/RL at a position near the front last May. "There won't be a cease-fire. Everything indicates that the war will go on," said another man in his unit, Oleksandr. He added that at a minimum, Russia seemed determined to take the portion of Ukraine's Donetsk region that remains under Kyiv's control. Eight months later there's no cease-fire, let alone a lasting peace. Russia has been unable, despite intense and deadly fighting, to capture Donetsk in its entirety -- one of its fundamental goals -- and analysts say the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II is unlikely to end in 2026. "None of the conditions for a final resolution of the conflict are in place," Ruth Deyermond, a senior lecturer in the Department of War Studies at King's College London, told RFE/RL. "Neither Ukraine nor Russia seems to be in a position to achieve a conclusive victory on the battlefield and, though both are under significant pressure, neither appears likely to collapse." Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with the expectation that Ukraine would be subjugated in short order. Nearly four years later, Russian forces hold less Ukrainian territory than they did in the first few weeks of the onslaught. On foot, by motorcycle, and even on horseback when mud stymies vehicles, they are pushing forward slowly and at a huge cost in terms of casualties -- but Kyiv still controls sizable portions of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson, three of the five Ukrainian regions Moscow baselessly claims are now Russian. On the two sides taken together, the war has killed or wounded more than 1.5 million combatants, according to Western intelligence estimates. Relentless Russian air attacks across Ukraine have killed or wounded tens of thousands of civilians and have decimated the country's power and energy infrastructure. The main obstacle to peace in 2026 is Russia, which "seems to have no interest in an end to the fighting, let alone the war," Deyermond said. US President Donald Trump started his second term in office last January with brokering an end to the war high on his agenda. In a whirlwind of diplomacy in the past few months, Ukraine, its European backers, and the United States have drawn closer to agreement on a blueprint for peace. Talking Tough The chances of success, however, have been clouded throughout by the question of whether Russia would make any concessions on key issues such as territory -- especially in the Donbas but also elsewhere -- and its attitude about security guarantees for Kyiv, particularly when it comes to the prospect of Western soldiers on the ground in Ukraine. Disagreements over the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant are another sticking point. The coming weeks could bring more clarity "as peace negotiations settle out. It appears that the US, Ukraine, and Europe can find common ground, but Russia is not willing to make concessions," Mark Cancian, a military expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told RFE/RL. "Their stated goals are totally unacceptable to any of the other parties. Their intransigence stems from their belief that they are winning." Amid reports of progress in recent talks involving Ukraine and the West, Russia has, if anything, signaled a harder line. In fact, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated outright that Moscow would "toughen [its] negotiating position" after Russia accused Ukraine of launching a large-scale drone attack on one of Putin's residences. Kyiv denied it, and Trump -- after initially suggesting he believed it when Putin told him about by phone -- later echoed a CIA conclusion that neither the Russian president nor his residence was targeted. Putin used a December 19 press conference, a New Year's address, and an appearance on Orthodox Christmas to signal that Russia is focused on victory, not peace. He praised Russian soldiers in his remarks on December 31 and on January 7, when he said they were on a "holy mission" like that of Jesus Christ. He made no mention of peace. "Putin's default position remains continuing the war, based on operations on the ground and guidance to his commanders, who remain committed to offensive operations against all four Ukrainian regions [that Russia claims in addition to Crimea] -- Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Kherson -- in 2026," said Dara Massicot, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and an expert on the Russian military. "Putin is still laying claim to 'Donbas and Novorossiya,'" she said, noting that he used a contentious term that harks back to imperial Russia's dominion over swaths of eastern and southern Ukraine. Of course, Putin is known for talking tough, and he's no stranger to using public bluster to hide a more pragmatic or nuanced approach. With internal and external pressures rising, "both Russia and Ukraine are looking for ways to end the war on terms that are best for them, rather than dragging it out for many years to come," Oleg Ignatov, senior Russia analyst at the Crisis Group, told RFE/RL. Breaking Point "This is the main lesson of 2025. Both sides understand that prolonging the full-scale war for too long carries the risk of destabilizing them and hindering their development for many years to come," he said. But for now, he said, "both sides believe that continuing the war could improve their negotiating positions in 2026." Both countries have vulnerabilities, including challenges connected to manpower -- a major problem for Ukraine -- as well as weapons supplies, economic constraints, and other factors. When the war will end is unclear, but "what I can tell you is that the pressure on Russia's domestic war machine will be bigger in 2026 than at any time over the past four years," Andras Toth-Czifra, a fellow at the US-based Foreign Policy Research Institute and an expert on Russian regional and budgetary issues, told RFE/RL. But "despite personnel gaps and financial shortages, Ukraine will likely fight until it truly runs out of arms, soldiers, or both. Nor should we expect Russia to crumble as a result of mounting economic costs and personnel losses," said Olga Oliker, Europe and Central Asia program director at the Crisis Group. "Fundamentally, while it is possible for either side to reach its breaking point this year, just where those breaking points are may prove knowable only in hindsight," Oliker told RFE/RL. Thus, the full-scale war could "continue into its fifth year, with limited territorial gains, high casualties, and continuing missile and drone strikes throughout Ukraine and on key targets in Russia," she said. While there are alternatives to a continuation of all-out conflict, "The war in Ukraine is unlikely to end in a sustainable peace in 2026," Oliker said. One possibility, she said, is that "the Trump administration will pressure Kyiv into accepting most, if not all, of Russia's terms, amounting to an effective surrender." This would likely lead to a tense situation, stoking political volatility in Ukraine and concern about Russia's intentions elsewhere in Europe, while "Moscow, too, will be nervous, while also looking to cement gains," she said. "None of this will look much like peace, and it may yet spark more violent conflict." Deyermond also said that while the war is unlikely to end in 2026, "it may become a temporarily frozen conflict if a cease-fire is agreed." But "even if the active phase of the war is paused, like other frozen conflicts it can't be settled by negotiation because both parties think their most fundamental interests are at stake," she said. "For UkraineRussia's occupation and its imperialist desire to control Ukraine -- to force it back into a colonial relationship that erases Ukrainian independence and national identity -- is an existential threat," Deyermond said. "On the Russian side, Putin's presidency is now so tied to the war and to the project to subjugate Ukraine that no de-occupation or withdrawal of demands about the future character and direction of Ukraine seems possible until Russia has a new president." However, she added, "there doesn't seem to be much chance of a change in the Kremlin in 2026, so I expect that in late December 2026 we'll be asking ourselves if the war is likely to end in 2027." BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China again urged the United States to immediately cease its blockade, sanctions and coercion in any form against Cuba, and to do more to contribute to regional peace and stability, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday. China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, Mao said at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on the recent threats U.S. President Donald Trump made against Cuba. Federal Chancellor of Germany visits India at the invitation of PM Modi; Condemn Pahalgam, Delhi terror attack The leaders welcomed the establishment of a new Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue between the two countries. Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, is on a two-day visit to India starting today, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On his maiden visit to India, the Chancellor is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including 23 leading German CEOs and industry leaders. Advertisement It is also his first visit to Asia as Federal Chancellor, reflecting the high priority Germany attaches to India as a key strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific, according to a joint statement released by both countries. The visit follows the successful 7th Indi a-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) held in New Delhi on 25 October 2024, and comes at a high point in the journey of bilateral ties between the two countries, with the completion of 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership in 2025, and the commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026, the release read. Advertisement Both leaders sincerely appreciated the renewed momentum in bilateral engagement across government, business, civil society, and academia, which has played an instrumental role in advancing and deepening the Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz in Ahmedabad earlier today. The two leaders paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Sabarmati Ashram and participated in the famous Kite Festival. Advertisement They also addressed the India-Germany CEOs Forum. As per the joint statement, the two leaders held restricted and delegation-level talks in Ahmedabad on 12 January 2026, reaffirming shared democratic values, commitment to a rules-based international order, and mutual respect underpinning the Strategic Partnership. Both leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional and global developments. They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation, including deepening military-to-military cooperation through joint exercises, training, and exchanges of senior officials. Advertisement The leaders welcomed the establishment of a new Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue between the two countries. Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Germany's intent to participate in Naval Exercise MILAN and the 9th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs in February 2026, Air Combat Exercise TARANG SHAKTI in September 2026, as well as Germany's decision to deploy a Liaison Officer to the Information Fusion Centre Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR). The two leaders unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism. They called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. Der Sabarmati Ashram ist ein eindrucksvolles Zeugnis der Ideale Mahatma Gandhis, die unzahligen Menschen auf der ganzen Welt Kraft gegeben haben. Heute Morgen bin ich in Ahmedabad mit dem deutschen Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz zum Sabarmati Ashram gegangen.@bundeskanzler pic.twitter.com/gB00VaD0mK Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2026 They condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025, and the terror incident in Delhi on 10 November 2025. They committed to strengthening cooperation against terrorists and terrorist entities, including those listed under the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee. Both sides also called upon all countries to continue working towards eliminating terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, as well as disrupting terrorist networks and financing, in accordance with international law. The leaders welcomed the ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty and noted the progress under the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism. Chancellor Merz is scheduled to visit Bengaluru, with engagements focusing on business and technological collaboration between India and Germany. (For more news apart from Federal Chancellor of Germany visits India at the invitation of PM Modi; Condemn Pahalgam, Delhi terror attack," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) SC seeks Centre, EC response on plea challenging lifetime immunity to CEC, ECs A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said, We would like to examine it. We are issuing notice. The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Central government and the Election Commission seeking their response on a PIL plea challenging a provision of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023. The bill alleges that a life-long, unprecedented immunity has been given to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Election Commissioners (ECs) from civil and criminal actions over any act undertaken by them while performing their official duties. Advertisement The Bill cannot give life-long unprecedented to CEC and EC, which makers of Constitution didnt even grant to the judges. Parliament cannot grant such an immunity high Constitutional framers did not grant to other dignitaries., the counsel for petitioner stated. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said, We would like to examine it. We are issuing notice. (For more news apart from SC seeks Centre, EC response on plea challenging lifetime immunity to CEC, ECsotice to Centre, EC over lifetime immunity to CEC, ECs from civil and criminal action," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) 35-year-old man found hanging from tree; family suspects murder Based on the statement of the deceased's father, Teja Singh, a case has been registered against the deceased's wife... Bhadaur Suicide: The body of a 35-year-old man was found hanging from a tree in the village Pakho Kalan of the Bhadaur Assembly constituency in Barnala district of Punjab. The family has suspected foul play in the incident. The deceased has been identified as Gurlal Singh, son of Teja Singh, a resident of Baso Patti in village Pakho Kalan. He was a daily-wage labourer and belonged to a poor family, as per information received. Gurlal Singh was the sole breadwinner of the family and supported his parents and other family members. Advertisement What the family of the deceased said Family members, including the deceaseds mother, father, brother, sister-in-law, and aunt, stated that Gurlal Singh and his wife, Sandeep Kaur, had entered into a second marriage with each other around 11 years ago. Both had children from their previous marriages. The family alleged that Sandeep Kaur had an illicit relationship with a man from the same village. They claimed that Gurlal Singh often objected to this, following which his wife allegedly threatened to leave him and pressured him repeatedly. The family further alleged that Sandeep Kaur, her parents, and her alleged lover had issued death threats to Gurlal Singh. Advertisement They said that when Gurlal Singh did not return home, a search was launched, during which his body was found hanging from a tree along the roadside under suspicious circumstances. The family suspects that due to Sandeep Kaurs alleged illicit relationship, Gurlal Singh was murdered, his neck broken, and his body hung from the tree to make it appear as a case of suicide. They have demanded that the police arrest the deceaseds wife, her alleged lover, and members of her parental family, and take strict action against them. What the police said Advertisement SHO Balwinder Singh of Police Station Rurke Kalan said that the police received information about a body hanging from a tree. He added that the preliminary investigation suggests a case of suicide. Based on the statement of the deceaseds father, Teja Singh, a case has been registered against the deceaseds wife, Sandeep Kaur, and another man from the village. The police officer said that both the accused have been arrested. He added that further investigation is underway based on the medical report. Advertisement What Visuals Tell: In the visuals from the scene where the deceaseds body was found, the body can be seen with the knees touching the ground, as if he is sitting on his knees, with a red muffler-like cloth tied around his neck and to a branch of the tree. (For more news apart from 35-year-old man found hanging from tree; family suspects murder," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Breaking News: Two members of 'Rohit Godara' gang shot in police encounter Two gang member of infamous Rohit Godara gang shot in crossfire. Two members of the Rohit Godara gang were shot during a crossfire with the police in Punjabs Ludhiana district on Monday. The encounter took place in the Haibowal area of the district. Multiple rounds were fired from both sides during the exchange of fire. Advertisement Police recovered two illegal weapons and several rounds of ammunition from their possession. The gangsters opened fire at the police, following which the police also fired in self-defence, as per information received. During the exchange of fire, both gangsters were seriously injured. The Police Commissioner reached the spot following the incident. Advertisement (For more news apart from Breaking News: Two members of 'Rohit Godara' gang shot in police encounter," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Haryana: Car with 3 Cylinders Catches Fire Near Police Station; Police Probe Possible Conspiracy Police said the incident became suspicious when efforts were made to trace the owner of the vehicle. In a highly suspicious incident, a car carrying three gas cylinders of five kilograms each caught fire near a police station in Haryana, prompting the police to launch a multi-angle investigation. A Maruti 800 car bearing registration number DL 3CAZ 6681 was parked by a man near Ambalas Baldev Nagar police station around noon on Saturday. He reportedly set the car on fire and recorded a video before leaving the scene. The video was later sent to several addresses. Advertisement The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the area. Police said smoke began emanating from the car before it caught fire. The fire was brought under control immediately, preventing any major damage. SP Ambala Ajit Singh Shekhawat, SP Uttam, STF Ambala DSP Aman Kumar, along with forensic teams, the bomb squad, and CID officials, reached the spot after the fire was doused. Advertisement Explaining the sequence of events, police said, Around noon, a person came to the police station, parked his car, roamed around the premises, and then left. Such activity is normal as the public frequently visits police stations. At that time, nothing appeared suspicious. Some time after he left, smoke was seen emanating from the car, which then caught a small fire. The fire was extinguished immediately. Police said the incident became suspicious when efforts were made to trace the owner of the vehicle. As per preliminary investigation, no explosive material was found at the scene. Advertisement A video of the incident was circulated online. We called a special team to check whether any explosive material was present. After a detailed inspection, no explosive material was found, police said. Police further clarified that gas cylinders were found inside the car; however, despite being full, they did not explode during the fire. Remnants from the scene, including ash and other materials, have been collected by the Scene of Crime Team to determine the cause of the fire. Advertisement It is clear that some inflammable material was present. Whether any explosive material was used will be confirmed once forensic reports are received, the police added. The officer said the cars registration number was intact and pointed out that vehicles are often sold multiple times without ownership being officially transferred. The registered owner of the car was traced to Delhi. Police said the person who sold the car had died last year, and the deceaseds children were unaware of the incident. This car has been sold multiple times since then. The investigation is underway from several angles, and an update will be shared soon, police said. From a security and investigative perspective, the CCTV footage has not been shared with the media. (For more news apart from Haryana: Car with 3 Cylinders Catches Fire Near Police Station; Police Probe Possible Conspiracy," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Punjab CM seeks access to archival docs on Bhagat Singh from British authorities He also requested early and positive consideration of the request. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to the British Deputy High Commissioner in Chandigarh, seeking access to audio and video recordings, as well as archival documentation, on the trial proceedings of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar, and Shaheed Shivaram Hari Rajguru. In a letter dated 09 January 2026, CM Mann, citing a report, highlighted that the documents are presently held by authorities in Scotland and preserved within a museum or institution maintaining historical legal archives from that era. Advertisement These records hold profound historical and emotional significance for the people of Punjab, as well as for global scholars of history and human rights. The Government of Punjab seeks access to these archival materials for academic study, digital preservation, and public exhibition at the "Shaheed Bhagat Singh Heritage Complex," Khatkar Kalan, District Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Punjab, India, the letter read. The Chief Minister requested that the matter be taken up with the authorities in Scotland to facilitate the provision of the archival material or to provide guidance on the requisite formal procedure to obtain copies for preservation and display. CM Mann has asked the Scottish authorities to contact Dr. Abhinav Trikha, IAS, Administrative Secretary, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, for any further coordination, clarification, or procedural documentation. Advertisement He also requested early and positive consideration of the request. The gesture will be remembered as a significant step in honoring the shared history and the universal ideals of justice, sacrifice, and human dignity, the letter concluded. According to a report by The Indian Express, in December 2025, CM Mann sought the support of the United Kingdoms legal fraternity to help obtain a rare piece of video footage of Bhagat Singh for the government. Advertisement During an interaction with a delegation of the Bar Council of England and Wales at his residence on December 18, the Chief Minister highlighted that no video record of Bhagat Singh exists in India, the report added. He had stated that it had been learnt that Scotland Yard might possess rare footage of Bhagat Singh, particularly from the time of his arrest and trial, the Indian Express report read. (For more news apart from Punjab CM seeks access to archival docs on Bhagat Singh from British authorities," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Punjab Police arrest 3 in murder case of Kabaddi player Rana Balachauria Rana Balachauria was murdered on 15 December 2025 in Sector-79, Sohana, district SAS Nagar. Kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria Updates: In the culmination of an intelligence-based operation spanning Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Sikkim, a team of the Punjab Polices Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has arrested two shooters involved in the murder of kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria, Punjab Police said in an official statement. Rana Balachauria was murdered on 15 December 2025 in Sector-79, Sohana, district SAS Nagar. Advertisement The accused shootersKaran Pathak, also known as Karan Defaulter, and Tarandeep Singhwere arrested today from Howrah, West Bengal, with the assistance of Sikkim Police, Mumbai Police, West Bengal STF, Central Agencies, and the local Howrah Police. Additionally, Akash, a close relative of foreign-based handler Amar Khabe Rajputa, has also been apprehended. All arrested persons will be brought to Punjab for further investigation, the Punjab police said in the statement. Advertisement Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend remaining associates to completely unravel the case, it added. Punjab Police reaffirmed that it remains fully committed to eradicating organised crime and ensuring peace and harmony across the state. (For more news apart from Punjab: Fire Breaks Out at Central Bank of India in Bathinda," stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Principal Secretary Rahul Bhandari emphasised that the Mandi is crucial for boosting the rural economy and fostering regional trade. File Photo. To ensure the safety of the livestock, a dedicated temporary veterinary dispensary has been established at the venue. Punjabs Famous Ghora Mandi Set for Grand Maghi Showcase Advertisement The Punjab government is set to host the legendary Ghora Mandi at Sri Muktsar Sahib, a cornerstone of the annual Maghi celebrations. Animal Husbandry Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian announced that the traditional horse and cattle fair will be a grand spectacle of rural heritage, which is expected to draw thousands of breeders, traders, and enthusiasts from across Northern India. The fair will be spread over a 70-acre site, featuring prized equine breeds, most notably the Marwari and Nukra. Beyond trade, the event serves as a celebration of Punjabs deep-rooted agrarian soul and animal husbandry excellence. To ensure the safety of the livestock, a dedicated temporary veterinary dispensary has been established at the venue. A 40-member specialised team, led by Deputy Director Gurdit Singh, has been deployed to provide round-the-clock medical care and disease surveillance. Advertisement Minister Khudian said that livestock farmers have already started arriving with their animals, signalling a robust turnout. Principal Secretary Rahul Bhandari emphasised that the Mandi is crucial for boosting the rural economy and fostering regional trade. Authorities have urged farmers to bring only healthy livestock to the venue to maintain strict biosafety protocols. The fair remains a vibrant testament to Punjabs thriving livestock sector and enduring cultural traditions. Advertisement Source: Times of India BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will pay an official visit to China from Jan. 14 to 17 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Monday. At a regular news briefing, Spokesperson Mao Ning said that this visit marks the first trip to China by a Canadian Prime Minister in eight years, and the Chinese side places great emphasis on it. Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with the Canadian prime minister to provide new strategic guidance for further improving and developing China-Canada relations, said Mao. Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji will hold separate talks and meetings with the Canadian prime minister to conduct comprehensive and in-depth exchanges on bilateral relations as well as issues of mutual interest. "The sound and stable development of China-Canada relations serves the common interests of both countries and their peoples, and also contributes to world peace, stability, development and prosperity," Mao noted. China looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to enhance dialogue and communication, increase political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, properly manage differences, address each other's concerns and consolidate the momentum of improvement in China-Canada relations to bring greater benefit for the two peoples, said the spokesperson. Divergences over Mercosur agreement The European Union has concluded a trade agreement with Latin American countries, contested by European politicians and businessmen. Mercosur Mihai Pelin, 12.01.2026, 13:50 Brussels has confirmed that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will sign the free trade agreement with the Mercosur states, approved by the EU last week, on Saturday in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay. The agreement was approved despite the negative votes of France, Poland, Austria, Ireland and Hungary and the abstention of Belgium. In order to reach a qualified majority, it was necessary to negotiate additional safeguard clauses for the European farmers, who continued to protest in recent days. An analysis by the EFE news agency shows that this treaty responds to Brussels need to find alternative markets and trading partners, in the context of escalating trade tensions with the United States, but also of the need to counter China in Latin America and Europes dependence on Beijing for critical materials. To take effect, the Mercosur agreement must be ratified by the European Parliament, where opposition is expected from several MEPs both from countries that do not want the agreement, and from groups such as the far right, the greens or the left, due to concerns about the environment and unfair competition. Romania voted for this agreement, after negotiating, together with other European states, additional elements to protect Romanian and European producers. This decision, however, drew harsh criticism from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) towards one of the partners in the ruling coalition in Bucharest the Save Romania Union (USR). More specifically, the PSD condemned the decision of the Romanian diplomacy, a portfolio held by the USR, to mandate the representative in Coreper (Committee of the Permanent Representatives of the Governments of the Member States to the European Union) to vote in favor of the trade agreement, in the absence of clear clauses that had to guarantee that Romanian farmers would be protected from imports from Latin America. In response, USR showed that, on the contrary, the Romanian state supported the initiative only after tough negotiations that brought clear guarantees for industry and agriculture. The agreement is not seen in a positive light by European farmers either, who protested in several countries in recent days, fearing unfair competition. The supporters of the agreement, which will allow the community bloc to export to the markets of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay with substantially reduced customs duties and to import products from these states, consider it essential for stimulating exports, supporting the continents economy and strengthening diplomatic ties in a context of global uncertainty. Mercosur, a South American trading bloc, was established in 1991. Together, the Mercosur countries form the 6th largest economy in the world, with a total population of 270 million inhabitants. The main goods exported by the EU to Mercosur are machinery and appliances, chemical and pharmaceutical products and transport equipment, while the Union imports agricultural and mineral products, cellulose or paper. (LS) Indonesia will on Monday release November numbers for retail sales, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity. In October, sales were up 4.3 percent on year. Australia will see December figures for job advertisements from ANZ Bank; in November, job ads were down 0.8 percent on month. Finally, the in Japan are closed on Monday for Coming of Age Day and will re-open on Tuesday. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Economic News What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more. Several biotech and healthcare names posted notable gains in after-hours trading on Friday, with investors showing renewed interest in companies tied to drug development, healthcare services, and financing updates. Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ZNTL) led the pack, surging 17.65% to close at $4.40, up $0.66 in the after-hours session. While there was no fresh news on Friday, the company recently provided a corporate update on January 6, 2026, highlighting key milestones and expected momentum in its azenosertib development program for the year. The update appears to have bolstered investor confidence in the company's pipeline progress. LifeMD, Inc. (LFMD) also saw strong gains, climbing 12.18% to $4.33, up $0.47. The move comes days after LifeMD announced the closing of a new senior secured revolving credit facility with Citizens Bank, N.A. The facility provides up to $50 million in total availability, with $30 million committed and an additional $20 million accordion option. Management emphasized that no balance was drawn at closing, citing sufficient cash on hand and expected cash flow to fund organic growth initiatives. NanoViricides, Inc. (NNVC) advanced 11.11%, finishing at $1.24 after-hours, a gain of $0.12. The company did not release news on Friday, but the stock attracted speculative interest late in the session. Intelligent Bio Solutions Inc. (INBS) posted a 9.10% jump, closing at $19.55, up $1.63. Despite no new announcements, the stock continued to draw momentum from investor enthusiasm in the biotech sector. IO Biotech, Inc. (IOBT) rose 6.49% to $0.60, adding $0.037 in after-hours trading. The company had no news on Friday, but the move suggests bargain-hunting activity at lower price levels. Neurogene Inc. (NGNE) gained 2.06%, closing at $18.29, up $0.37. Earlier in the week, Neurogene announced that its management team will participate in the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, where they will present a company overview and meet with investors. China SXT Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (SXTC) also advanced 2.06% to $18.29, up $0.37. The company recently disclosed a definitive agreement with a single investor for the purchase of 66,666,666 Class A ordinary shares (or pre-funded warrants) at $0.15 per share in a registered direct offering. The financing move highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen its capital position. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Dassault Aviation societe anonyme (AM.PA), a French aerospace company, on Monday announced a strategic partnership with Harmattan AI to accelerate the integration of controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence technologies into combat aviation systems. As part of the collaboration, the company is participating in Harmattan AI's $200 million Series B funding round. The company said the partnership will help Harmattan AI's embedded AI technologies into Dassault Aviation's future air combat, including Rafale F5 and Unmanned Combat Aerial System, mainly to enable control of unmanned aerial vehicles. The net proceeds from the funding round will be used to expand AI-enabled mission deployments across new operational theaters, extend the product offering into additional domains, and scale industrial manufacturing of ISR, drone interception, and electronic warfare platforms. On Friday, Dassault Aviation closed trading 5.68% higher on the Paris Stock Exchange. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Sanofi (SNY) announced that the European Commission has approved Teizeild for adult and pediatric patients aged eight years and older with stage 2 type 1 diabetes. This marks the first time a disease-modifying therapy for autoimmune T1D has been authorized in the European Union, representing a significant milestone in diabetes care. Type 1 diabetes is a progressive autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells. Stage 2 T1D is a presymptomatic, characterized by abnormal blood sugar levels and autoantibodies, with patients at high risk of progressing to stage 3 T1D, which requires lifelong insulin therapy. Teizeild (teplizumab) aims to delay this progression, protecting beta-cell function and offering families a treatment option beyond insulin replacement. The approval is based on results from the TN-10 Phase 2 study, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 76 participants aged eight to 45. Patients received either a single 14-day course of Teizeild or placebo. Results showed that Teizeild delayed the onset of stage 3 T1D by a median of 48.4 months compared to 24.4 months with placebo. At study end, 57% of patients treated with Teizeild remained in stage 2 T1D versus 28% in the placebo group. The hazard ratio for progression to stage 3 was 0.41, indicating a significant reduction in risk. Safety findings were consistent with prior studies. The most common adverse events were transient lymphopenia and rash, both manageable and expected. Teizeild, marketed as Tzield outside the EU, is already approved in the United States, United Kingdom, China, Canada, Israel, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. In addition, the therapy is currently being tested for young children with stage 2 type 1 diabetes and has been accepted for priority review in the U.S., highlighting its potential to expand into pediatric population for children aged one and older. Olivier Charmeil, Executive Vice President, General Medicines, Sanofi, stated: "We are pleased that, for the first time, we will be able to offer patients and families in the EU a disease-modifying therapy designed to address the underlying immune process of type 1 diabetes. We remain committed to working with external stakeholders across the EU to bring patients the benefits of Teizeild, a unique therapy that may prevent the natural progression of type 1 diabetes by protecting beta-cell function." Tzield generated 18 million in sales during the third quarter of 2025, compared to 15 million in the same period of 2024, underscoring growth in uptake and physician adoption. SNY has traded between $44.62 and $60.12 over the past year. The stock closed Friday's trading at $49.03, up 1.87%. In premarket trading today, SNY is at $49.40, up 0.75%. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) on Monday said it has agreed to sell all manufacturing and supply rights for its SmartDose 3.5mL On-Body Delivery System, along with related facilities, to AbbVie (ABBV) for $112.5 million. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2026. Revenue from the SmartDose 3.5mL system is expected to be about 4% of fiscal 2025 sales. The company said it will continue to develop and manufacture other SmartDose products, including the SmartDose 10mL On-Body Delivery System for larger-volume injections. "As part of our portfolio review, we have determined it is best to transition the SmartDose 3.5mL product to AbbVie. This decision aligns with our ongoing commitment to our customer development pipeline and patient-centric approach for large dose on-body delivery devices to drive durable and profitable growth," said Eric M. Green, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board. On Friday, WST shares closed at $275.52, down 1.26%, while ABBV shares slipped 0.05% to $220.08. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX), a medical devices manufacturer, Monday announced that it has agreed to acquire Valencia Technologies Corporation, a privately held medical company. The financial details of the deal have not been divulged. The company expects the deal to be dilutive on GAAP earnings due to the acquisition-related net charges and amortization expense. Valencia's eCoin System is an implantable tibial nerve stimulation device for the treatment of urge urinary incontinence, a common symptom of overactive bladder. In the United States, nearly 30 million adults ages 40 and older have bothersome symptoms of OAB Approved by the FDA a coin-sized device is placed under the skin near the ankle in a minimally invasive procedure for patients who are intolerant to or have an inadequate response to more conservative UUI treatments. Once implanted, the device stimulates the tibial nerve to help regulate how the brain communicates with the bladder. "The addition of the eCoin system to the Boston Scientific portfolio will enable us to expand into implantable tibial nerve stimulation (ITNS), a high-growth adjacency for our Urology . ITNS technology complements our existing pelvic health product line, and we look forward to offering a more comprehensive set of treatment options to patients across the care continuum." said Meghan Scanlon, senior vice president and president, Urology, Boston Scientific. The transaction is expected to complete in the first half of 2026. In pre-market activity, BSX shares were trading at $97.94, up 0.31% on the New York Stock Exchange. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Honda Cars India Ltd has pledged a major comeback in the Asian subcontinent. The company currently has three vehicles to offer Amaze, City and Elevate. It has to be noted that Elevate is Hondas only SUV in India and has just received a price hike for January 2026. Lets check out the details. Honda Elevate Price Hike January 2026 Elevate is one of 13 vehicles competing in the highly contested 4.2m to 4.4m SUV segment. Competition is cut-throat and Honda Elevate emerged as the 6th best-selling vehicle in this segment in November 2025 sales charts as it sold 1,836 units, facing YoY growth of 10.07% and MoM decline of 16.01%. Now, Honda has just revised prices of its Elevate SUV by up to Rs 60k for the month of January 2026. This price hike is not uniform and is variant dependent. Highest price hike of Rs 59,900 has been burdened towards the base SV variant. This takes Elevates entry-level price from Rs 11 lakh (Ex-sh) to Rs 11.6 lakh (Ex-sh). Stepping up from SV, we have V trim which has received a price hike of Rs 9,990, which is the same with both Manual and Automatic. Price went up from Rs 11.96 lakh (Ex-sh) to Rs 12.06 lakh (Ex-sh) for Manual and Rs 13.12 lakh (Ex-sh) to Rs 13.22 lakh (Ex-sh) for Automatic variants equipped with a CVT. If we look at VX trim level, Honda has hiked the prices by Rs 13,590 to both Manual and Automatic. Manual variant went up to Rs 13.75 lakh (Ex-sh), while automatic variant Rs 14.91 (Ex-sh). ZX, on the other hand, received a price hike of Rs 9,990 and the new prices for Manual is Rs 14.98 lakh (Ex-sh) and Automatic Rs 16.16 lakh (Ex-sh). ZX Black variants are also available for Rs 10,000 extra. 10 New Cars by 2030 Honda is on the verge of turning its fortuners around in the Indian market and has promised ten new cars for the country by 2030. Seven of these will be SUVs, showing growing demand for high-riding vehicles. The company is also focusing on premium-isation of Honda brand with more halo cars to be launched in India via CBU route. Think Prelude sportscar. A big bet is also on electric vehicles and localisation of EV propulsion technology. In that regard, we will see the launch of Honda 0 Alpha electric SUV. ICE SUVs like ZR-V are likely to be on the cards for Indian market as well. More details will be revealed in the future. Law enforcement agencies across India are increasingly turning to high-performance motorcycles to improve mobility and emergency response, and Pune has taken a significant step in that direction. On January 12, 2026, the Pune Police, along with Pimpri-Chinchwad Police and Pune Rural Police, inducted a fleet of 100 specially customised Bajaj Dominar 400 motorcycles to strengthen patrolling efficiency and rapid response capabilities across urban and rural areas. Fleet to Serve Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Rural Regions Manufactured by Bajaj Auto Ltd, these police-spec Dominar 400 motorcycles have been purpose-built to meet the demanding requirements of modern law enforcement. Designed for speed, stability and endurance, the fleet is expected to play a key role in maintaining law and order while enabling quicker response during emergencies across Punes diverse terrain. Police-Spec Dominar 400: Key Modifications and Features The Bajaj Dominar 400, powered by a 373.3cc liquid-cooled engine, is well known for its strong performance and long-distance capability. For police duty, the motorcycle has been extensively modified with advanced safety and communication equipment. Each unit is equipped with LED emergency lights, sirens and a public address (PA) system, allowing officers to manage traffic situations and respond effectively during high-pressure operations. Dual-channel ABS further enhances braking confidence and rider safety. Beyond visibility and safety upgrades, the police-spec Dominar 400 also integrates modern technology to support daily operations. Features such as GPS tracking systems and charging points for essential devices like mobile phones and walkie-talkies have been added. Every motorcycle is also fitted with an emergency first-aid kit, underlining its role as a first responder vehicle. Practicality has been enhanced through lockable side panniers and a top box, enabling officers to carry equipment such as first-aid supplies, documents and other essential gear. First Deployed During Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 Before being deployed for regular law enforcement duties, the newly inducted motorcycles will form part of the official convoy for the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, scheduled between January 19 and January 23, covering a distance of 437 km. Following this event, the bikes will be allocated across Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and Pune Rural Police departments for day-to-day operations. With extensive road infrastructure upgrades carried out in the district over the past few months, the addition of these high-performance motorcycles is expected to significantly enhance policing efficiency. The induction ceremony was held at the Pune Police Ground in Shivajinagar in the presence of senior officials, including Pune Police, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police and Pune Rural Police, along with several civic administrators. With their blend of performance, technology and safety-focused upgrades, the customised Bajaj Dominar 400 motorcycles are expected to become a vital asset in strengthening Punes rapid emergency response system. BANGKOK, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's exports are expected to expand 2 percent to 4 percent in 2026, bolstered by potential growth in the electronics sector amid significant domestic and external headwinds, the Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC) said on Monday. Despite the upwardly revised forecast, TNSC Chairman Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan noted that global demand remains subdued, partly due to U.S. tariff measures, and that last year's exports expanded at a double-digit rate, creating a high base. Shipments in some sectors, particularly electronics, still see room for growth and are expected to benefit from increased foreign investment, the council said in a statement. Food and processed agricultural products continue to find opportunities in new markets with strong demand for Thai goods, while automotive parts and vehicles also see potential expansion in certain niche segments, the statement said. The council estimated Thai export growth of more than 9 percent for the entire last year, on the back of accelerated import demand from key trading partners during the first three quarters. If You Go Directions: From Santa Fe, travel south on I-25 approximately 40 miles to U.S. 550 exit at Bernalillo. Travel northwest on U.S. 550 for 21 miles and turn west on Cabezon Road, located about 3 miles south of the village of San Ysidro. The trailhead for White Ridge Bike Trails is about 5 miles into the drive along the dirt road, which has some washboard sections but is passable in a passenger car in dry conditions. Continue on Cabezon Road about another 5 miles miles to reach the parking area for Seismosaurus Trail in the Ojito Wilderness. The parking area for Hoodoo Trail is about 1 mile beyond that. Stay safe: Cabezon Road can become impassable in rainy or snowy conditions. There are no facilities or reliable water sources in or near the Ojito Wilderness. Bring in all the water youll need. There is little shade to be found in the wilderness and it can be brutally hot in the summer. Dress appropriately for the season. Be mindful of recreational shooting that occurs frequently in areas near the wilderness. If venturing off trail, make note of prominent features and have a map and compass or GPS device to make sure you can find your way back to your vehicle. Cell phone service can be limited or nonexistent in the wilderness. Be respectful: Follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out anything that you bring in. Historic remnants of structures, artifacts from Indigenous inhabitants and fossils found within the wilderness must be left undisturbed. When exploring areas near San Ysidro, respect and be aware of pueblo boundaries, as BLM lands often share a border with either Zia Pueblo or Jemez Pueblo. The wilderness is closed to motorized and mechanical forms of transportation, including mountain bikes. Shooting is not allowed in the wilderness. WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday once again claimed that the United States will acquire Denmark's Greenland "one way or the other." Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said that with regard to Greenland, he was not considering leasing or short-term arrangements, but "acquiring" the territory. "We're talking about acquiring, not leasing, not having it short term, we're talking about acquiring," said Trump, adding it's insufficient for the country to merely maintain military bases on the island. "I'd love to make a deal with them. It's easier, but one way or the other, we're going to have Greenland," Trump asserted. Asked if the U.S. demand for Greenland will damage NATO and European allies, Trump said, "If it affects NATO and it affects NATO, but you know, they need us much more than we need them." "I'm the one that saved NATO," Trump claimed, again questioning whether NATO allies would support the United States when it is needed. "I just wonder whether or not, if we needed NATO, would they be there for us? I'm not sure they would," the president said. Trump also repeated his baseless allegations that Russian and Chinese warships and submarines were "all over the place" around Greenland, using the false claims to argue that the United States needs to own Greenland for national security reasons. "If we don't do it, Russia or China will," Trump claimed, offering no evidence. "I have seen the intelligence. There are no ships, no submarines," the Financial Times quoted one of two senior Nordic diplomats with access to NATO intelligence briefings as saying on Sunday. The two diplomats told the newspaper that there was no evidence of Russian or Chinese ships or submarines operating around Greenland in recent years, directly contradicting Trump's allegations. Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide also told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that there was "very little" Russian or Chinese activity near Greenland, reported U.S. media outlet Politico. A long-standing mystery in vertebrate evolution why most major fish lineages appear suddenly in the fossil record tens of millions of years after their presumed origins is tied to the Late Ordovician mass extinction (LOME), according to a new analysis by paleontologists at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. The authors found that this mass extinction event, about 445 to 443 million years ago, triggered parallel, endemic radiations of jawed and related jawless vertebrates (gnathostomes) in isolated refugia, reshaping the early history of fishes and their relatives. Most vertebrate lineages are first recorded from the mid-Paleozoic, well after their Cambrian origin and Ordovician invertebrate biodiversification events. This delay has often been attributed to poor sampling and long ghost lineages. Instead, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology paleontologists Wahei Hagiwara and Lauren Sallan suggest that LOME fundamentally reorganized vertebrate ecosystems. Using newly-compiled global databases of Paleozoic vertebrate occurrences, biogeography, and ecosystems, they found that this mass extinction event coincided with the disappearance of ubiquitous stem-cyclostome conodonts (extinct marine jawless vertebrates), along with losses among early gnathostomes and pelagic invertebrates. In the aftermath, post-extinction ecosystems hosted the first definitive appearances of most major vertebrate lineages of the Paleozoic Age of Fishes. While we dont know the ultimate causes of LOME, we do know that there was a clear before and after the event. The fossil record shows it, Professor Sallan said. We pulled together 200 years of Late Ordovician and Early Silurian paleontology, creating a new database of the fossil record that helped us reconstruct the ecosystems of the refugia, Dr. Hagiwara said. From this, we could quantify the genus-level diversity of the period, showing how LOME led directly to a gradual, but dramatic increase in gnathostome biodiversity. LOME itself unfolded in two pulses during a period marked by prolonged global fluctuations in temperature, alterations in ocean chemistry including essential trace elements, sudden polar glaciation, and sea level changes. These changes devastated marine ecosystems and produced a post-extinction gap with low biodiversity. That gap persisted into the earliest Silurian. The researchers confirm a previously proposed interval of missing vertebrate diversity known as Talimaas Gap. During this time, global richness remained very low, and surviving faunas were composed almost entirely of isolated microfossils. Recovery was slow: the Silurian period comprised a 23-million-year recovery interval, during which vertebrate lineages diversified gradually and intermittently. Most Silurian gnathostome lineages diversified gradually and intermittently during an initial period of otherwise very low global richness. Rather than spreading rapidly across ancient oceans, early jawed vertebrates appear to have evolved in isolation. The scientists found a high level of endemism in gnathostomes from the very beginning of the Silurian, with diversification occurring in specific, long-lasting extinction refugia. One such refugium was South China, where the earliest definitive evidence for jaws appears in the fossil record. These early jawed vertebrates remained geographically restricted for millions of years. Turnover and recovery following LOME matched those following climatically similar events like the end-Devonian mass extinction, including prolonged intervals of low diversity and delayed dominance of jawed fishes. In what is now South China, we see the first full-body fossils of jawed fishes that are directly related to modern sharks, Dr. Hagiwara said. They were concentrated in these stable refugia for millions of years until they had evolved the ability to cross the open ocean to other ecosystems. By integrating location, morphology, ecology, and biodiversity, we can finally see how early vertebrate ecosystems rebuilt themselves after major environmental disruptions, Professor Sallan said. This work helps explain why jaws evolved, why jawed vertebrates ultimately prevailed, and why modern marine life traces back to these survivors rather than to earlier forms like conodonts and trilobites. The study was published January 9 in the journal Science Advances. _____ Wahei Hagiwara & Lauren Sallan. 2026. Mass extinction triggered the early radiations of jawed vertebrates and their jawless relatives (gnathostomes). Science Advances 12 (2); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aeb2297 This photo taken on Sept. 17, 2025 shows a scene of a drone training lesson organized by the local government in Baiyin, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Cheng Nan) LANZHOU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- At a training center in Baiyin, a city in northwest China's Gansu Province, Li Yanrong intently watches a computer screen as he guides a virtual drone through takeoff, hovering, cruising and landing, all under the careful supervision of his instructor. The sophomore at a local vocational mining college has invested 8,000 yuan (about 1,140 U.S. dollars) of his savings into a professional drone pilot course. He is working to earn a pilot license for medium-size BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drones, which will enable him to operate larger drones over longer distances and enhance his chances of securing higher-paying work. "Once I master drone operations, I can take on tasks like agricultural spraying or smart patrol inspection," Li said. "It will give me better job prospects." Li is among a growing number of young Chinese people seeking opportunities in the country's rapidly expanding low-altitude economy -- a sector that covers drones, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and related services operating below conventional airspace altitudes. His instructor, Wei Cunxin, previously worked for the country's largest drone manufacturer in the southern Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen. In early 2025, Wei returned to his hometown of Baiyin to start his own drone business. "The sky is no longer the private domain of a few. It is becoming a stage that everyone can share," 26-year-old Wei told Xinhua. Wei's company now employs 10 people, all under the age of 30. It provides pilot training certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and offers services such as energy infrastructure inspection, land survey, agricultural spraying and aerial photography. Shang Hongbo, a 22-year-old employee from the nearby city of Qingyang, expressed optimism about the sector's growth prospects. A university graduate majoring in drone application technologies, Shang said that experienced pilots engaged in crop protection can earn more than 8,000 yuan for a full day and night of work. The local government is taking steps to ensure skills training keeps pace with the industry's growth. In 2025, authorities in Baiyin partnered with training institutions to launch free drone training programs for unemployed people, rural migrants and recent college graduates. "We provide a one-stop service that also recommends jobs for trainees," said Gao Minqiang, a district human resources and social security bureau official, noting that three training sessions have attracted more than 100 participants. Among these trainees is Wu Xuejiao, 34, who said the program has helped her master drone operations and learn about applications in agriculture, logistics and inspections. "It feels like I've gained another skill to make a living," she said. Drones are becoming an increasingly common sight across Gansu. In rural areas, they fly low over fields to spray crops. In cities, police use them for traffic monitoring. They are also deployed for patrol inspections, surveys and aerial photography. China's low-altitude economy has gained significant momentum since it was identified as a new growth driver in the 2024 government work report. The CAAC has projected that China's low-altitude economy reached a market scale of 1.5 trillion yuan in 2025 and will climb to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035. Since 2024, many regions have rolled out policies to promote the sector, with development focuses ranging from drone manufacturing to applications in logistics, agriculture and passenger transport. Differentiated regional development policies will help shape the industry's development pattern nationwide, and the sector's outlook is increasingly promising, said Zhu Qiantao, a professor at Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics. Wei Cunxin (L) chats with a colleague at his company in Baiyin, northwest China's Gansu Province, Sept. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Cheng Nan) BAGHDAD, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani discussed regional security and the recent escalation in Syria's Aleppo during a phone call on Sunday, calling for de-escalation amid a volatile regional situation. They emphasized the need for restraint and an immediate end to violence, citing "serious repercussions for the security and stability of the region," the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. They noted that de-escalation must be pursued through dialogue and peaceful means. Aleppo has experienced days of intense clashes and reciprocal shelling between government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, causing large-scale civilian displacement from affected neighborhoods. The discussion also covered recent developments in Iran and Yemen, with both officials highlighting the direct influence of these issues on broader regional security. The two sides agreed to intensify joint coordination, monitor security developments, work to limit the scope of violence, and bolster regional stability. SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- South Korea formed a military-police investigation body to probe the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s claims of South Korean drone infiltrations, Yonhap news agency said Monday. The National Office of Investigation of the National Police Agency announced that a task force of around 30 members, which comprised 20 police officers and 10 military personnel and led by the director of the security investigation bureau, launched its investigation to uncover the truth behind the DPRK's claims. The Ministry of National Defense said the South Korean military did not possess such drones, vowing to thoroughly investigate the possibility of them being civilian drones. The investigation body was formed after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered an investigation by a joint military-police team on Saturday. Lee stressed that if true, the infiltration of civilian drones would be a grave crime threatening national security and peace on the Korean Peninsula. The chief executive of The British Land Company is leaving to head up a pan-European logistics firm after five years in the role, it was announced on Monday. Simon Carter, who has been at British Land for a total of 18 years, is to join P3 Logistics Parks as chief executive following a 12-month notice period. P3 invests and develops warehouses across Europe and is owned by GIC, Singapores sovereign wealth fund. Carter will be based in London, however. Carter, 50, said: British Land has been a huge part of my professional life, and it has been a privilege to work for such a fantastic business. The contrarian calls we made post-pandemic have positioned British Land for long-term success. Chair William Rucker said Carter had achieved a huge amount during his time at British Land. We wish him all the best in his new role at P3, he added. Carter joined the commercial property specialist in 2004, working in various roles across strategy and corporate finance before leaving in 2015 to become chief financial officer of Quintain Estates & Development. He re-joined the business as chief financial officer in 2018 before taking up the top role in 2020. British Land, which specialises in London campuses, retail parks and urban logistics and was promoted to the FTSE 100 in December, said it will now start a full process to appoint his successor. Its portfolio is currently valued at around 15.2bn. Heineken chief executive Dolf van den Brink is to step down after almost six years in the job amid lower sales for the industry as a whole as brewers face declining demand for their products. Van den Brink will stay on as an adviser to Heineken for eight months after his exit at the end of May. Shares in the brewer - which also makes Amstel, Birra Moretti and Cruzcampo, were down more than 4% on the news. Brewers have faced an increasingly tough market as consumers moderate consumption on the back of health fears and soaring prices in pubs and clubs amid the cost-of-living crisis. The past years have been marked by significant change as Heineken progressed through its transformation and has now reached a stage where a transition in leadership will best serve the company in further executing its long-term ambitions, Van den Brink said on Monday. AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said Van den Brink's departure was not a shock given Heineken had underperformed counterparts like AB InBev and Carlsberg in share price terms. Part of any future strategy may involve seeking to diversify into new areas, selling underperforming brands and leaning more into zero and low alcohol products as well as the classic playbook of taking out costs," he said. Many of these avenues would represent a continuation of Heinekens existing Evergreen strategy but it will be interesting to see if the brewer goes outside of the company for this appointment given van den Brink was an internal promotion. An outsider might have more scope and a fresh enough perspective to push through more radical changes in an attempt to restore Heinekens fortunes. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Seven people were arrested in connection with a a shot fired within a food court at a mall in Passaic County, according to the Wayne Police Department. Wayne police responded to reports of a fight and a shot fired in the food court of Willowbrook Mall shortly after 7 p.m. on Dec. 30, according to officials. Responding officers said it was a chaotic scene and numerous people fled the area. A witness approached the officers while police were trying to gain control of the situation. The person pointed out three men and said they were involved in the altercation, authorities said. Police said the three males were detained and later arrested. Using surveillance footage, officers were able to confirm three people, two adult men and one juvenile male, were involved in the fight that led to the gunshot. Ashir Walker, 18, of Paterson, was charged with inciting a public brawl, disorderly conduct and simple assault, police said. Kashjeme Powell, 18, of Paterson was charged with inciting a public brawl, disorderly conduct and simple assault, police said. A unidentified 17-year-old, of Paterson, was charged with inciting a public brawl, disorderly conduct and simple assault, police said. The three suspects from the other half of the fight including the person who fired the gunshot fled the scene and were not located the night of the incident, officials said. In the early morning hours of Jan. 9, authorities said they searched several locations in Paterson and one in Winslow Township during their investigation. Police said the searches led to the arrest of the three outstanding suspects from the mall incident, as well as one additional arrest. A stolen handgun was recovered, too. Wilhemina Kelson, 62, of Paterson, was charged with hindering apprehension, police said. A unidentified 17-year-old, of Paterson, was charged with possession of a large capacity magazine, riot involving a firearm, simple assault, inciting a public brawl, risking widespread injurt and tampering with evidence, authorities said. An additional unidentified juvenile, 17, of Paterson, was charged with inciting a public brawl, riot involving a firearm, simple assault, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, risking widespread injury, terroristic threats, underage possession of a handgun and community gun, officials said. Kayson McCaskill, 18, of Paterson was charged with inciting a public brawl, simple assault, riot involving a firearm, risking widespread injury, unlawful possession of a handgun, recieving stolen property, possession of a large capacity magazine, underage possession of a hangun and community gun, police said. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A 7Eleven convenience store is slated to rise on the longvacant corner of Forest Avenue and Sharon Avenue in West Brighton, with an anticipated opening in 2027. The store will occupy 386 Forest Avenue, a one-time Capital One branch and, before that, a dry cleaners. A company spokeswoman confirmed the project is moving forward. The Irving, Texasbased chain, known worldwide for Slurpees, Big Gulps, and grabandgo staples, operates roughly 85,000 stores across more than 20 countries. Local historian and West Brighton native Phil Straniere recalls earlier uses of the corner, including a doctors office run by Dr. Mazur, a pediatrician with HIP, before the property changed hands. Straniere noted that real estate broker Emil Gourian later bought the parcel, demolished the original structure, and built a new office. A 1980 Advance report noted that the corner also figured in a state investigation into Emil Gourian, who was then operating Richmond Realty Services at the site. The Department of State found him guilty of improperly withholding portions of homebuyer deposits, revoked his license, and ordered restitution. Three of the four affected couples were ultimately located after the Advance reported on the case. Today, the vacant onestory retail building sits on a 10,000-square-foot lot comprising a 3,165-square-foot structure and a 6,835-square-foot parking area. The site is zoned R3X with C12 and HS overlays. Founded in 1927 as the Southland Ice Company, 7-Eleven is headquartered in Irving, Texas. It operates as a subsidiary of SevenEleven Japan under the Seven & I Holdings conglomerate. Most U.S. stores are franchised. The years after the Great Recession were a kind of Goldilocks era in Oregons power market. The states population and economy were growing robustly, yet power demand was flat. Major advances in power conservation, like LED lightbulbs and more efficient heating and air conditioning, kept a lid on electricity use. That helped hold down rates because Oregons utilities could make do with the power they had. The states population growth stalled after the pandemic. Oregons job market flatlined and the regional economy fell into malaise. Those are phenomena usually associated with a decline in power consumption. But something unexpected happened. Oregons electricity use jumped. Data centers, lured by billions of dollars in local tax breaks, turned everything upside down. While consumer and commercial power demand has remained relatively constant for more than a decade, big tech companies have sent electricity consumption soaring from one side of the state to the other. Power planners say thats only the beginning. They expect artificial intelligence to trigger a massive increase in power use at new and existing data centers in the years ahead. The huge uptick coincides with Oregons mandate that utilities switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. That leaves fewer options for meeting the surging demand. Complicating matters, climate change has transformed the way Oregonians use electricity. Many more homeowners are installing air conditioning to cope with sweltering summer temperatures and people are turning up the heat amid extreme winter storms. Oregon's looming energy crunch This is part one of a series about the ability of Oregons largest electric utilities to meet the interlocking challenges of decarbonizing the grid while maintaining affordable and reliable service. Part 1: The regions soaring energy demand coupled with supply constraints could spark a new power crisis Part 2: Utility progress toward looming green power mandates has been slow, throwing doubt on their ability to meet the targets and adding to the costs. Part 3: Will consumers, already struggling with steep utility rate increases, pay for Oregons climate ambitions and data center boom? Can new legislation, dubbed the Power Act, shield customers from surging electricity costs? Part 4: There are possible solutions to Oregons looming energy crisis, but many are expensive or unproven and nearly all would take years to implement. A new study commissioned by regional utilities concluded that within five years, the Northwest may need nine gigawatts more than it currently has the capacity to provide. That is an immense amount of energy, roughly equal to all the electricity Oregon uses today. A shortfall that big dramatically increases the risk of a new power crisis, reminiscent of the one that rocked the region at the turn of the century. A spike in energy demand during an ice storm or a summer heatwave particularly during a low water year that curtails hydro operations could send power costs spiraling up as utilities scramble to meet peak demand. Or they might be forced to turn off power altogether, with rolling blackouts that could last for days to manage the cascading effects of a sudden electricity shortage. Utilities and energy watchdogs are divided over the scale of the threat. Some feel that regulators and power companies have identified the problems and have a plan to deal with them. Others, though, say that the states clean energy mandates, its fragmented planning network, bottlenecks in approving and building new generation and transmission coupled with extraordinary Oregon tax breaks that keep luring more data centers are a recipe for disaster. Its safe to say theres a lot of concern among the industry in the region, said Arne Olson, a consultant with the economic research firm E3, who co-authored the new study. The question, he said, is whether its going to be possible to maintain a reliable electric system as we decarbonize it. Data center deluge Oregons problem is simply that its supply of electricity isnt increasing fast enough to keep up with rapidly increasing demand. Lets take each side of the equation in turn, starting with demand. Oregon has benefited enormously from improvements in energy efficiency, especially in the years since 2010. The Northwest Power and Conservation Council estimates that more efficient appliances, better heating and cooling systems in office buildings, new classes of light bulbs and similar advances have saved 3,000 average megawatts of electricity since 2010. (An average megawatt is 1 million watts of electricity, consumed 24 hours a day for 365 days.) Thats greater than the annual output of the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest power-generating facility in the United States. Such energy savings made it possible for Oregon to grow its economy substantially during the last decade without needing to build big new power plants or add major transmission lines. The story changed in 2019. State data shows demand surged upward that year and kept climbing rapidly. Power use is now up 30% from 2010, and most of that growth has come in just the past few years. No one in Oregon government tracks who is buying all that power. But we can find the answer in reports filed by the states utilities, starting with the biggest Portland General Electric. PGEs annual financial reports show that residential and commercial electricity demand is essentially unchanged since 2010. Industrial power demand is soaring, though up 73%. In a presentation to state regulators this fall, PGE says that energy demand from data centers in its service territory has risen sixfold since 2020. The utility says its hard to gauge just how much more power data centers will need in the future, but its base case is that data centers power use will more than double by the end of the decade. There are a wide range of other possibilities, though. If power availability is constrained, PGE says data center power might increase as little as 25% by 2030. Or, if the industry takes off, local data centers might consume five times more power than they already do. Now lets look at one of Oregons smallest utilities. The Umatilla Electric Cooperative serves just 11,400 members in a remote patch of northeastern Oregon, including Morrow, Umatilla and Wallowa counties. And yet Umatilla Electric is suddenly Oregons third-largest energy provider, delivering 8.6 million megawatt hours last year. The tiny utilitys electricity sales have soared nearly tenfold since 2010. In that time, Umatilla Electrics customers are responsible for a little more than half of the growth in Oregon power demand. Thats because the utility is the primary energy provider for Amazons data centers near Boardman and Hermiston. A new report by the data science firm Aterio finds Oregon ranks third nationally in terms of data center square footage and energy use. Big tech companies come to Oregon for many reasons, including ready availability of power, land and communication lines that connect the state to transpacific fiber-optic cables. The biggest attraction, by far, is Oregons tax structure. The state has no sales tax and that saves data centers tens of millions of dollars when they spend $1 billion or more on the high-end computers that run large server farms. More important, unlike Washington and many other states, Oregon allows local governments to give away unlimited sums in local property tax breaks. It doesnt require that those exemptions be tied to job creation, either. Thats significant because data centers are not major employers. Oregon also doesnt track how much the data centers save in property taxes every year. But The Oregonian/OregonLive does. Savings topped $330 million in fiscal 2025 and are rising sharply as big tech companies expand and upgrade their facilities with more advanced computers for artificial intelligence. By itself, Amazon will save nearly $200 million in Oregon taxes this year and billions of dollars in the years to come through tax breaks granted by officials in Morrow and Umatilla counties. The nine-gigawatt problem Despite forecasts from regional planners more than a decade ago predicting a surge in data center demand, the spike, when it came, caught utilities off guard. We havent had rising demand for a long time, Olson said. So, were not used to experiencing rising demand in the Northwest. Thats exactly why rising electricity demand could be a crisis. Data centers use about 11% of Oregons electricity today, according to the nonprofit Electric Power Research Institute. It forecasts that artificial intelligence demands will push data centers power consumption to a quarter of the states total by 2030. Part of the issue is that technology evolves in unpredictable ways. Artificial intelligence has been part of the zeitgeist at least since Arnold Schwarzenegger suited up for the first Terminator movie in 1984. But no one knew just when AI would take off, and few understood the implications for the nations electricity grid. Another issue is that tech companies are very secretive when they site data centers, wary of tipping off competitors about their business plans and favored locations. In Oregon, big tech companies have gone by a variety of code names (Project Vitesse, Maverick and Cloud, among others) to shield their identities before they were ready to build. For power planners and utilities, that has made it difficult to gauge when data centers plan to open and how much power theyll take. Building new power plants can take years. It can be just as difficult to site and win permits for transmission lines, which can travel hundreds of miles over private property and through environmentally sensitive locations. Data center demand, by contrast, arrives virtually overnight. When a new facility comes online it can draw as much power as a small city. That has earned the largest installations a new industry moniker: hyperscalers. Google's incentives in The Dalles will save the company more than $50 million in Oregon property taxes this year. Statewide, the data center industry enjoys nearly $400 million in tax savings this year and billions more in years to come. Vickie Connor/The Oregonian So as data centers have expanded, Oregons energy suppliers have been perpetually behind. As the Northwest plans for its energy future, its leaders have to navigate more than rising demand. They need to coordinate among regulators in various states, the federal government, dozens of private utilities and big energy customers like data centers. Theres not one person responsible, and thats where it gets challenging, said Jessica Reichers, technology and policy manager at the Oregon Department of Energy. Complicating matters, in 2019 and 2020 Washington and Oregon each moved to require utilities to shift toward renewable energy in place of plants fueled by natural gas or coal. Washington aimed to move to 100% renewable energy by 2045. Oregons mandates kick in faster, with legislation targeting 2040. Its been clear from the start those targets would be hard to meet. Clean technologies are still developing and many sources of renewable energy, like wind turbines and solar, function intermittently when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining. That makes them a poor match for utilities firm capacity needs, particularly to meet spikes in demand triggered by extreme weather. And those extremes are made more frequent by climate change, the very problem the renewable mandates aim to address. The Bonneville Power Administration, meanwhile, has been strained in recent years by short staffing and exploding demand for new transmission. That hobbled the federal agency that owns three-quarters of the regions high-voltage grid, making planning arduous even as data center demand surged. Altogether, the array of developments means the Northwest likely will face a major shortfall of power supply in as few as five years and have a diminished set of tools to address it. Thats how we arrive at the nine-gigawatt problem, according to Steve Wright, a former Bonneville director who continues to track the regions power market closely. A nightmare scenario Most forecasts suggest the region is building enough new generation and transmission capacity to keep the lights on nearly all the time. The trouble comes at those peak hours, when temperatures are especially high or especially low. Homes and businesses will demand more electricity and the capacity to generate more could be limited. Large new battery arrays might be able to manage a surge in demand that lasts a few hours one hot afternoon when solar, wind and hydropower cant keep up. What worries Wright and others is the prospect of a heat dome or winter freeze that lasts for several days, in a low-water year when the rivers cant provide enough hydropower to compensate for rising demand. Batteries cant solve that problem, he said, because theres no lull in demand to recharge them. The result could be something like the western energy crisis of 2000 and 2001, a nightmare period burned into Wrights brain because he had just taken over as Bonnevilles administrator. A sudden power shortage could send prices spiraling upward again, straining residents pocketbooks and bankrupting employers. Even worse, he warns, it might turn into something like what happened in Texas in 2021, when prolonged blackouts cut off electricity to millions of homes and resulted in more than 200 deaths. The five-day outage is the one that creates the greatest threat to human health and safety, Wright said. Its not just, you know, you gotta fix your clocks. This is the one that people die in. A bridge to the future Is this already a crisis? Not everyone thinks so. E3s study, the one that forecasts the nine-gigawatt shortfall in future power supply, finds that three gigawatts of new supply are already well into the planning or construction phase. That still leaves a big six-gigawatt gap, but its one that utilities and regulators are working to bridge. Jennifer Light, director of power planning at the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, calls herself a surprising optimist. She said the region has the tools to manage its energy future. Theres a lot of coordination. A lot of collaboration, trying to think through the challenges together, Light said. The council forecasts regional electricity demand and Light says its projections are close to E3s, suggesting a large gap between the power available now and whats needed in the future. In Lights view, though, the planning process has identified the problem and is creating a path to fix it. Sometimes that will come through new power plants and transmission lines, she said. But the council also expects that new energy efficiency measures, like home heat pumps, will provide efficiency gains similar to those that kept regional power demand down during the last decade. Its not clear which efficiency measures will be more cost-effective, Light said, or what new resources the Northwest will need to manage future demand. But she said forecasters are creating a menu of options to ensure the region has the power it needs. Our plan is to be robust across all that uncertainty, she said. Thats what were planning towards. Power planners, regulators and lawmakers have begun to plan for the coming power crunch. Last year, Oregon passed a law one of the first of its kind in the nation that aims to make data centers pay for their impact on power costs. It directs the Public Utility Commission to ensure data centers pay the cost of the new electrical plants and transmission lines that serve them. It also requires regulators to begin tracking the impact of large energy users like data centers, a provision that could protect the state from being caught flat-footed again by rising data center demand. I believe it gives us the tools that we need to keep our prices as low as possible for our residential and small commercial customers, said John McFarland, vice president at Portland General Electric. Consumer watchdogs are skeptical, though. The Citizens Utility Board, which advocates for ratepayers, claims that PGE plans to charge consumers too much to cover the cost of generating more power to account for rising demand demand the utility board ascribes to data centers. PGE says residential customers are contributing to higher demand during peak times and should cover some of those costs. Separately, McFarland said that PGE is requiring new data centers to have backup batteries on hand and integrate them into the utilitys power grid. Were able to call on (it) when we need it during one of those peak events, he said. Others see a darker future. I think our industry has got to be a little bit more comfortable with letting folks know theres a potential for blackouts, said Scott Simms, director of the Public Power Council. The council advocates on behalf of more than 80 publicly and consumer-owned utilities around the Northwest. Were getting less self-reliant and thats really scary from a reliability standpoint, keeping the lights on, Simms said. The region may have to rethink its approach to renewables, according to Simms and some utilities. He argues for retaining natural gas plants for the foreseeable future to handle peak periods that renewables cant meet. Geothermal power, small nuclear reactors and other new energy sources could eventually provide a base to augment solar, wind and hydropower. But its far from clear how economically and politically practical those options are, and most will take many years to develop. The reality we face is we need a bridge to the future, Simms said, specifically the near-term future of the next years of now until, say, 10 to 15 years from now. Gosia Wozniacka and Ted Sickinger contributed to this article. On Christmas Eve, residents of Roxbury were shaken from their holiday routines by a national news report that name-dropped their small Morris County town. The report, published by The Washington Post, said that Roxbury was among a small group of communities under consideration for new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. The plan, according to documents drafted by ICE and reviewed by the Post, would involve converting existing warehouses into facilities where as many as 1,500 people would be held pending deportation. The center would become the largest in New Jersey by detainee population. Local officials were blindsided. So far, we only know what was in the Post report, Brian Considine, the chair of the Roxbury Dems, said on Thursday. You have to wonder if the feds are just messing with you, he added, giving a grim laugh. The report spread across town very quickly, according to William Angus, a community organizer who lived in Roxbury for a decade before moving to neighboring Hackettstown two years ago. Our first thought was, we need to go to the town council, he said. Our second thought was, we need to get a protest going. Within days, the normally tranquil municipality of 23,000 people found itself in the eye of a fast-moving political and emotional maelstrom. Residents flocked to a Dec. 30 township council meeting then flooded a major intersection the following weekend to protest a facility that local officials say they themselves learned about only through the press and that the federal government has yet to confirm. The Post report described a draft of Department of Homeland Security planning documents outlining a nationwide expansion of immigration detention capacity through the conversion of large industrial warehouses. Roxbury was listed among roughly 16 potential sites of similar size, though the newspaper cautioned the documents were preliminary and subject to change. That caveat has done little to calm nerves, especially in the wake of the fatal shooting of a woman in Minnesota by a federal immigration officer Wednesday. No one wants to see that play out in Roxbury, said Darcy Draeger, chair of the Morris County Democratic Committee. Operating in a vacuum Local leaders say they have received no communication from ICE or DHS about any proposed project. At the Dec. 30 meeting, Mayor Shawn Potillo said that township officials had learned about the alleged plan the same way as other residents. To the best of this councils knowledge, no officials in the Township of Roxbury have been contacted by the federal government, nor do we have any information from them at this time regarding the validity of the Washington Posts report, he told the crowd. Reached by email on Friday, Potillo declined to comment further. But Draeger said that officials were still in the dark. Everyone is operating in a vacuum of information right now, she said. Spokespeople for ICE and DHS did not respond to requests for comment. Roxbury Township's welcome sign NJ Advance Media file photo Draeger said the county Democratic committee contacted the office of U.S. Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., whose congressional district includes Roxbury, seeking any information. They were told Kean had no comment, she said. A spokesperson for Kean did not return inquiries from NJ Advance Media. The federal government has remained silent, even as state lawmakers in Trenton move on the issue. This week, New Jersey Democrats advanced a package of immigrationrelated bills supporters say would bolster protections for immigrant communities by limiting state and local cooperation with federal enforcement. Adam McGovern, a legislative strategist at Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, said in a statement that he was confident the bills were all but assured of passage next week. It is a powerful sign of how much New Jersey doesnt want outsiders in masks terrorizing our neighborhoods, and how much we can depend on each other to care, he said. This is not acceptable The first public test of Roxburys reaction came at the township council meetings year-end meeting, normally a sleepy affair. Instead, about 65 residents showed up and roughly 20 spoke, according to organizers and attendees. Many voiced fear, anger and uncertainty about what an ICE facility would mean for their families and their town. The humanity that was on display was very, very moving, said Justin Strickland, a Chatham Borough councilman and a Democrat running in the Feb. 5 special election to fill Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrills vacated seat. Strickland said the meeting reinforced his view that ICE has drifted far from its original mission. ICE was created to protect American citizens from terrorist attacks, not to terrorize American communities, he said. It clearly does not serve the purpose that it was intended. Days later, more than 150 people gathered in freezing temperatures at the intersection of Routes 10 and 46, chanting, dancing in inflatable costumes and waving signs opposing the potential facility. Another protest is planned for Sunday morning at the same intersection, Angus said. Attendees described the demonstration, which was supervised by local police and Morris County sheriffs deputies, as peaceful but urgent. It was very energized, said Brian Varela, a Democrat running to unseat Kean, who brought a bullhorn to take part in chanting. People wanted to make clear that this is not acceptable, he said. Not who Roxbury is Concerns about an ICE warehouse in Roxbury extend beyond civil liberties. Angus cited fears about depressed property values, increased demands on police and fire services and rising property taxes. Any town that becomes a prison town changes, he said. Thats not who Roxbury is. Several speakers at the council meeting shared deeply personal stories, including one woman whose husband self-deported earlier this year and another who said she fears being detained without her children knowing where she is. A number of people were crying and had to fight back tears, said Angus, who also testified. Every single person had a different reason for opposing it. Opposition has drawn from across the political spectrum, organizers said, with Angus pointing to State Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco (R-Morris), who serves as Roxburys municipal attorney. No one will ever accuse him of being liberal, but he has been very outspoken about how he does not want this, Angus said. And if he can feel that way, I know that there are other Republicans who do, too. Bucco, who did not immediately return a request for comment, told NJ Spotlight News earlier this week that he was opposed to the idea. Delaney Hall in Newark, NJ on Monday, December 22, 2025 John Jones | For NJ Advance Media I dont think that an ICE facility in the middle of a town like Roxbury is something that the federal government should consider, he said. Internal DHS criteria cited in the Washington Post report suggest a detention center holding 1,500 people would require a warehouse of roughly 400,000 to 500,000 square feet a scale that residents say would transform the face of the township. If built, it would also more than double the size of New Jerseys current immigration detention infrastructure, which constitutes two smaller holding facilities. Less than 50 miles east of Roxbury, Delaney Hall in Newark is operating with a maximum capacity of 1,000 beds. A town over, the Elizabeth Contract Detention Center holds another 300 detainees. But even that expansion is dwarfed by the most expansive components of the federal plan. According to the Post, ICEs draft plan envisions an additional seven large-scale warehouse detention hubs across the country, each capable of holding between 5,000 and 10,000 people. Those mega-sites would be located close to major logistics hubs in Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Georgia and Missouri, according to the report. Frightening Despite the growing protests, local leaders acknowledge they may have limited legal authority if the federal government ultimately moves forward. My understanding is there are very few tools that could potentially prevent this, Draeger said. Thats frightening. Nationwide, immigration detention has been scaling up rapidly under the Trump administration. Federal data shows that ICE held more than 68,000 people in detention by mid-December 2025, the highest number on record, according to the Post. The Trump administration deported more than 605,000 people in 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced in December. A further 1.9 million people left the U.S. voluntarily, or self-deported, the government said. There were 685,000 total deportations in fiscal year 2024 under former President Joe Biden, according to a report published last year by the Migration Policy Institute. Still, Draeger said, the rapid mobilization in Roxbury has revealed something about how New Jerseyans might respond to further expansion. Morris County has a very strong grassroots community, she said. People are putting their bodies where their values are. HAVANA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Sunday demanded that the United States stop illegally detaining Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. "It has been eight days since the brutal kidnapping of the legitimate president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro Moros, and his wife Cilia Flores," said Rodriguez on X. "We demand that the U.S. government put an end to this illegal detention, respect his immunity, stop the judicial and media farce that this trial has turned into and ensure his life and care," he added. "We call on the international community to join this just demand, to preserve international law, as well as the life, justice and rights of President Maduro and his wife," said the diplomat. WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. President Donald Trump on Sunday fired off another warning to the government of Cuba as the close ally of Venezuela braces for potential widespread unrest after Nicolas Maduro was deposed as Venezuelas leader. Cuba, a major beneficiary of Venezuelan oil, has now been cut off from those shipments as U.S. forces continue to seize tankers in an effort to control the production, refining and global distribution of the countrys oil products. Trump said on social media that Cuba long lived off Venezuelan oil and money and had offered security in return, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! Trump said in the post as he spent the weekend at his home in southern Florida. I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. He did not explain what kind of deal. Hours later, Cubas president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, responded on X by saying those who turn everything into a business, even human lives, have no moral authority to point the finger at Cuba in any way, absolutely in any way. The Cuban government said 32 of its military personnel were killed during the American operation last weekend that captured Maduro. The personnel from Cubas two main security agencies were in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, as part of an agreement between Cuba and Venezuela. Venezuela doesnt need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years, Trump said Sunday. Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will. Trump also responded to another accounts social media post predicting that his secretary of state, Marco Rubio, will be president of Cuba: Sounds good to me! Trump said. Trump and top administration officials have taken an increasingly aggressive tone toward Cuba, which had been kept economically afloat by Venezuela. Long before Maduros capture, severe blackouts were sidelining life in Cuba, where people endured long lines at gas stations and supermarkets amid the islands worst economic crisis in decades. Those who hysterically accuse our nation today do so out of rage at this peoples sovereign decision to choose their political model, Diaz-Canel said in his post. He added that those who blame the Revolution for the severe economic shortages we suffer should be ashamed to keep quiet and he railed against the draconian measures imposed by the U.S. on Cuba. The islands communist government has said U.S. sanctions cost the country more than $7.5 billion between March 2024 and February 2025. Trump has said previously that the Cuban economy, battered by years of an American embargo, would slide further with the ouster of Maduro. Its going down, Trump said of Cuba. Its going down for the count. Romanos Macaroni Grill, a Texas-born restaurant chain, has had a difficult time of late, with fewer than 10 locations still operating, according to PennLive.com, an SILive.com sister site, which studied the chain after recent closings in Pennsylvania. Last week, a Romanos Macaroni Grill closed its doors in southern Pennsylvania, according to the outlet. The chain once had more than 200 locations and now only nine reportedly remain open. Romanos Macaroni Grill offers both a set menu and a make-your-own-pasta bowl. Guests can take a provided sheet and check off what they want for pasta, sauce and toppings, usually for under $20. Phil Romano, an Italian-American, founded the chain, opening the first restaurant in Leon Springs, Texas, in 1988. The chain has struggled financially through the years, emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018. Recently, Romanos Macaroni Grill restaurants in Sacramento, California, Reno, Nevada, and San Antonio, Texas, have closed. A review of current information by Pennlive.com suggested many restaurant locations still listed on the restaurants website are, in fact, closed. Romanos Macaroni Grill did not respond to a request for comment by Pennlive.com. Here are the last nine remaining locations, according to the news outlet: STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican representing Staten Island and South Brooklyn, failed to join 17 of her party mates when they voted to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies last week. The House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday aimed at restoring tax credits that help lower costs for Americans who purchase their insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare. Malliotakis said she declined to join her 17 Republican colleagues in voting for the legislation because of the problems she sees with the healthcare program. The legislation passed by the House fails to strike the necessary balance to prioritize patients, protect taxpayers, and hold insurance companies and their brokers accountable, she said in an emailed statement. Enacting a clean extension of COVID-era Affordable Care Act subsidies without the necessary reforms to stop the rampant fraud and abuse by insurers is irresponsible. More than 6.4 million people have been improperly enrolled in these plans using in some cases false Social Security numbers that are from deceased individuals, or duplicated. Programs that passed as part of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 have long relied on subsidies to remain solvent, but Democrats expanded those subsidies in a 2021 COVID relief package with an expiration date at the end of last year. Those expansions helped some of the poorest Americans cover the costs of healthcare, and their expiration raised premiums for anyone purchasing coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. When the current Republican-controlled Congress failed to extend the expanded subsidies, they reverted back to the levels passed in 2010 increasing healthcare costs for millions of Americans, about 80,000 in Malliotakis district. The 6.4 million improper enrollees Malliotakis referenced is a number oft cited by Republicans taken from a June report of the Paragon Health Institute. Paragon found its own estimates for eligible subsidy recipients were far lower than the number of actual enrollees, prompting accusations of fraud. The American Hospital Association issued a series of reports last year disputing those estimates and the conclusion of fraud. However, the Republican-controlled Senate has rejected the bill passed Thursday by the House. President Donald Trump has also been one of the staunchest opponents of the Affordable Care Act. Malliotakis, a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, in the House has led a push from that group to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies, implement certain fraud protections, and establish minimum premiums of $5 for everyone purchasing healthcare in the marketplace. As a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, I have been part of a bipartisan group of senators and congress members actively working on a compromise, she said. [It] is my hope that the final product will be more reflective of the bipartisan legislation I introduced with 7 of my House colleagues that extends the subsidies, protects patients, and puts this money back into the pockets of patients instead of insurance companies. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Successful negotiations at a Staten Island hospital helped avert a nurses strike that swept across the city Monday. Last week, management at West Brightons Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) agreed to demands from the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) that have stalled negotiations at some of the largest hospitals in the city. According to the union, the hospital agreed Thursday to improved safety measures, provide possible financial remedies to nurses who work short-staffed, protect health benefits, and raise base wages. While a tentative agreement is pending a vote among RUMC nurses, hospital spokesperson Alex Lutz applauded both sides for the successful negotiations. Our agreement reflects our mutual commitment to supporting our nurses and ensuring safe, highquality care continues for our patients and their families," he said. We appreciate the professionalism and goodfaith efforts on both sides throughout the negotiation process, and we look forward to continuing our work together in caring for our community. We value our nurses and respect the important role they play every day. Through its agreement with NYSNA, RUMC avoided being part of the largest nursing strike in the citys history as 15,000 nurses walked off the job Monday at hospitals under the New York Presbyterian/Columbia, Montefiore Medical Center, and Mount Sinai umbrellas. Mount Sinai medical facilities on Staten Island are unaffected by the strike action, according to a hospital spokesperson. NYSNA President Nancy Hagans, a resident of Tompkinsville and nurse at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, said the intransigence of hospital bosses forced the nurses out on strike Monday. Unfortunately, greedy hospital executives have decided to put profits above safe patient care and force nurses out on strike when we would rather be at the bedsides of our patients, she said. Hospital management refuses to address our most important issuespatient and nurse safety. It is shameful that the citys richest hospitals refuse to continue healthcare benefits for frontline nurses, refuse to staff safely for our patients, and refuse to protect us from workplace violence. It is deeply offensive that they would rather use their billions to fight against their own nurses than settle a fair contract. The striking nurses have won some high-powered political support, including from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Attorney General Letitia James. Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday that her staff has been in contact with both sides and that Department of Health staff will be onsite at affected hospitals to ensure patient safety and continuity of care. My top priority is protecting patients and ensuring they can access the care they need. At the same time, we must reach an agreement that recognizes the essential work nurses do every day on the front lines of our healthcare system, she said. I continue to urge both sides to remain at the table and reach an agreement as soon as possible. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump said Monday that Irans trade partners will face 25% tariffs from the United States as he looks to pressure Tehran over its violent protest crackdown thats left nearly 600 dead across the country. The U.S. president has repeatedly threatened Tehran with U.S. military action, if his administration found the Islamic Republic was using deadly force against antigovernment protesters. Its a redline that Trump says he believes Iran is starting to cross and has left him and his national security team weighing very strong options. Trump announced the tariffs in a social media posting, saying they would be effective immediately. China, Brazil, Turkey and Russia are among economies that do business with Tehran. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its crackdown on protesters in nationwide demonstrations that activists said Monday had left at least 599 people dead. Iran had no direct reaction to Trumps comments, which came after the foreign minister of Oman long an interlocutor between Washington and Tehran traveled to Iran this weekend. It also remains unclear just what Iran could promise, particularly as Trump has set strict demands over its nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal, which Tehran insists is crucial for its national defense. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, insisted the situation has come under total control in remarks that blamed Israel and the U.S. for the violence, without offering evidence. Thats why the demonstrations turned violent and bloody to give an excuse to the American president to intervene, Araghchi said, in comments carried by Al Jazeera. The Qatar-funded network has been allowed to report live from inside Iran, despite the internet being shut off. However, Araghchi said Iran was open to diplomacy. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that a channel to the U.S. remained open, but talks needed to be based on the acceptance of mutual interests and concerns, not a negotiation that is one-sided, unilateral and based on dictation. Meanwhile, pro-government demonstrators flooded the streets on Monday in support of the theocracy, a show of force after days of protests directly challenging the rule of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian state television aired chants from the crowd, which appeared to number in the tens of thousands, who shouted Death to America! and Death to Israel! Others cried out: Death to the enemies of God! Irans attorney general has warned that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an enemy of God, a death-penalty charge. Trump acknowledges proposal for talks Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran, including cyberattacks and direct strikes by the U.S. or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who werent authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Irans threats of retaliation, he said: If they do that, we will hit them at levels that theyve never been hit before. Trump said that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters. I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, Trump said. Iran wants to negotiate. Iran, through the countrys parliamentary speaker, warned Sunday that the U.S. military and Israel would be legitimate targets if Washington uses force to protect demonstrators. More than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information. It said 510 of the dead were protesters and 89 were security force members. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Irans government hasnt offered overall casualty figures. Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Irans security services to launch a violent crackdown. Protesters flooded Tehrans streets and its second-largest city on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Online videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media. At 2 p.m. Monday, Iranian state television showed images of demonstrators thronging Tehran toward Enghelab Square, or Islamic Revolution Square in the capital. It had been airing statements all morning from Iranian government, security and religious leaders to attend the demonstration. It called the rally an Iranian uprising against American-Zionist terrorism, without addressing the underlying anger in the country over the nations ailing economy. State television aired images of such demonstrations around the country, trying to signal it had overcome the protests. Fear pervades Irans capital In Tehran, a witness told the AP that the streets were empty at the sunset call to prayers each night. By the Isha, or nighttime prayer, the streets are deserted. Part of that stems from the fear of getting caught in the crackdown. Police sent the public a text message that warned: Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers. Another text, which claimed to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in demonstrations. The witness spoke on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing crackdown. The demonstrations began Dec. 28 over the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, which trades at more than 1.4 million to $1, as irans economy is squeezed by international sanctions in part levied over its nuclear program. The protests intensified and grew into calls directly challenging Irans theocracy. Video shows corpses outside capital Meanwhile, video circulating online purports to show dozens of bodies in a morgue on the outskirts of Irans capital. People with knowledge of the facility and the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said Monday that the video shows the Kahrizak Forensic Medicine Center. In the footage, people are seen walking by dozens of bodies in bags laid out in a large room, attempting to identify those there. In some cases, bodies can be seen lying outside on blue tarps. A large truck can be seen in part of the footage. Presidential son Barron Trump is at the center of a crazy Bridgerton-like scheme that would land the U.S. ownership of Greenland. USA Today reports that an X user who goes by the name Miss White wants to see Barron Trump, the child of President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, marry Princess Isabella of Denmark. The simple diplomatic solution is Barron Trump marries Princess Isabella of Denmark and Greenland is given to America as dowry payment pic.twitter.com/fhs3b6IDZG miss white (@cinecitta2030) January 7, 2026 Isabella is second in line to the Danish throne. Greenland is a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Miss White calls the marriage the simple diplomatic solution to the stand-off over Greenland. She wrote: The simple diplomatic solution is Barron Trump marries Princess Isabella of Denmark and Greenland is given to America as dowry payment. More than 7 million people have viewed the post since it was first shared earlier this month. President Trump has said he wants to take over Greenland, which is already home to a major American military facility, as a national-security move for the U.S. The president has suggested purchasing the Arctic nation from Denmark. Denmark and Greenland have both firmly resisted Trumps overtures. A number of social-media users have weighed in on the marriage pitch, some definitely with their tongues in cheek. This is how we in Austria resolved conflicts in the good old days of the Habsburg monarchy, one X user wrote. Wrote another: This would be a pretty clever deal actually. If life were as simple as Bridgerton, this would work, said another. Others, however, were shocked by the very idea of a Middle Ages-like political marriage. That is not geopolitics, that is medieval fan-fiction, an X user wrote. Greenland is not a bargaining chip, Princess Isabella of Denmark is not a pawn, and Barron Trump is not a diplomatic tool. Nations are not exchanged through marriages, this is not the 1400s. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Democrats looking for a leg up in the 2026 congressional elections have again set their sights on Staten Island. A case making its way through the New York Supreme Court in Manhattan could see the shared portion of Staten Islands congressional district, represented by Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, shifted from part of South Brooklyn to lower Manhattan. This is the most egregious, frivolous attempt weve seen yet from Washington Democrats to erase the voice of the people of our district, Malliotakis said Thursday. What the Democrats are trying to do here is tilt the scale so this district never elects a Republican again and our city never has a Republican representative again. The Washington, D.C.-based Elias Law Group filed the lawsuit related to Staten Islands district on behalf of two Staten Islanders and two Manhattanites, and has handled much of Democrats redistricting litigation. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis pictured Oct. 10, 2024, shows Malliotakis in the Advances Bloomfield office. (Advance/SILive.com | Jason Paderon) In the firms case related to New Yorks 11th Congressional District, it argues that Black and Latino voters on Staten Island have faced decades of stymied political power, and that the current map, approved in 2024 by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York Legislature, violates the rights of Black and Latino voters under state law. As a solution, the lawsuit proposes shifting the shared portion of the district into lower Manhattan, a move the plaintiffs say would give a fairer voice to the Islands Black and Latino voters by having them share a district with voters in Manhattan areas like Battery Park City, the Financial District and the West Village. They argue congressional district maps drawn in 2024 shouldve brought the 11th Congressional District into Manhattan to create a minority influence district where Black and Latino voters on Staten Island could combine with communities in Lower Manhattan to elect their candidates of choice. A portion of the state constitution is written to ensure racial and language minority groups do not have less opportunity to elect their preferred candidates. The petition filed in October acknowledges Malliotakis as the Islands first Latino member of Congress, but discounts her Cuban heritage as she was not the candidate of choice for either Black or Hispanic voters. Justice Jeffrey Pearlman heard arguments last week on the case, but no future appearances are scheduled on the New York court systems online calendar. What a different district would look like William Cooper, a redistricting expert, submitted an illustrative map for the plaintiffs in the case showing what a possible new district with Manhattan would look like. Coopers plan effectively trades 11th Congressional Districts South Brooklyn geography with most of the 10th Congressional Districts share of Manhattan outside Chinatown. Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democrat currently representing District 10, is facing a tough primary challenge from former Comptroller Brad Lander, but would be redistricted into the Staten Island seat should Coopers map come to fruition. Goldman resides in Battery Park City. Staten Island doesnt have a large enough population for a congressional district entirely of its own, and the shift into Lower Manhattan would give Democrats an advantage over Malliotakis heading into the November elections. The move isnt entirely unprecedented. Assembly District 64, represented by Democratic Assemblymember Charles Fall, touches part of the west Brooklyn waterfront and makes its way into lower Manhattan. Staten Islands congressional district following the 1970 Census also encompassed parts of lower Manhattan. A new Democratic advantage? Staten Island has been one of New Yorks most conservative locales for a decade with almost 64% of the borough voting for President Donald Trump in 2024. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis speaks at the Staten Island Republican Partys Trump Triumph Rally in Midland Beach on Saturday, November 2, 2024. (Owen Reiter for the Staten Island Advance) Owen Reiter While voters in both district-mate options went for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the last presidential election, those in lower Manhattan did so more overwhelmingly, according to an analysis from The City news outlet. That advantage could help Democrats take the only Republican-held congressional district in the five boroughs, which Malliotakis first won in 2020 when she defeated former Democratic Rep. Max Rose. The people of Staten Island and southern Brooklyn had a Democrat representing them. They fired that individual because they felt that person did not adequately represent them, Malliotakis said. This is the only competitive district that New York City has. The move could also help Democrats tip the scales in Washington as a counter to Trumps administration. Currently, Republicans control 218 of the House of Representatives 435 seats, giving them a slight advantage. Seats across the country are up for grabs in November, and both parties have made mid-decade gerrymandering efforts in several states. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, left, listens as Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a news conference in New York, Oct. 11, 2023. AP Amid an August push from Republicans for more advantageous Texas congressional districts, Hochul said she intended to fight fire with fire. Staten Islands congressional seat seems to be her partys primary target in New York. Congressional maps have been the center of a New York fight Hochul is a defendant in the case, as are Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Attorney General Letitia James, all Democrats. James office responded to a request for comment with reference to a letter they filed in the case on behalf of all four politicians. The letter takes no position on the claim of racially-biased maps, and goes as far as preemptively arguing against Malliotakis attorneys who had to intervene in the case to defend the maps Democrats passed in 2024. New Yorks current congressional district maps replaced those created in 2022 by a court-appointed special master who took over the process after a controversial and chaotic state effort failed to deliver legally-acceptable maps. Typically, states redraw their congressional district lines after each decennial U.S. Census giving political parties in control of a state government, Democrats in the case of New York, an opportunity to redraw advantageous lines and take more control over the federal government. However, New York voters approved an Independent Redistricting Commission in 2014 that was meant to remove politics from the redistricting process. The State Legislature did retain an approval requirement for the maps, so if the Independent Redistricting Commission doesnt draw maps to New York Democrats liking, those maps wont be approved. Thats what happened in 2022, leading to the appointment of the special master, and in 2024 the State Legislature wound up drawing its own maps, leaving what the special master drew largely in place, particularly in the 11th Congressional District. Petitioners in the ongoing case want Justice Pearlman to declare the existing map unlawful under the New York Constitution, and direct a redrawing of the 11th Congressional District. Malliotakis attorneys attempted to have Pearlman recuse himself from the case, but were unsuccessful. He is an experienced election lawyer. Hes also worked as an attorney for Stewart-Cousins in multiple cases, and in multiple roles for Hochul, including as her chief of staff when she was lieutenant governor. A decision in the Pearlman case is expected in time for this years elections, but no matter the outcome of this trial, its likely that the losing side will appeal. President Donald Trump has bestowed an insane new title upon himself. In a social media post over the weekend, Trump reposted a doctored image of a Wikipedia page that lists him as the Acting President of Venezuela, the Daily Mail reported. Trumps actual Wikipedia page contains no such title, but it appears that Trump doesnt mind that the doctored image is out there. The Trump administration earlier this month launched a military strike against Venezuela and took Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro captive. President Donald Trump's post on Truth Social labeling him the "Acting President of Venezuela" has angered Democrats. (President Donald Trump/Truth Social) President Donald Trump/Truth Social Maduro is now in U.S. custody to face drug charges. Maduros second-in-command, Delcy Rodriguez, is actually the interim leader of the South American country. But Trumps social-media stunt was still enough to outrage opponents, including U.S. lawmakers. Trump sucks at running America. Which is why he also sucks at running Venezuela. The U.S. is now warning all Americans to leave Venezuela. And the [White House] thinks U.S. companies will invest in Venezuela. LOL, Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu wrote. The Former President of Venezuela is an alleged felon while the Acting President of Venezuela is a convicted felon, wrote failed Democratic congressional candidate Moe Davis. Those poor Venezuelan ba*****s cant catch a break. Trump hosted U.S. oil executives at the White House on Friday to discuss potential investments in Venezuelas oil industry. Trump is seeking a total of $100 billion to invest in the countrys oil infrastructure. One top oil executive pushed back at the idea. We have had our assets seized there twice and so you can imagine to re-enter a third time would require some pretty significant changes from what weve historically seen and what is currently the state, ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods said. Today its uninvestable. Trump retorted that Exxon might be left out of any White House oil plans in Venezuela. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A major storm system is developing but is currently expected to track offshore, preventing a significant snowfall event for Staten Island and the rest of New York City, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines said. According to Kines, precipitation will take place Wednesday night and through the day on Thursday in the form of rain, as temperatures are expected to be above freezing during this window. Temperatures on Thursday are expected to reach the lower 40s, allowing surfaces to become wet from rain. There is a possibility, Kines said, that some wet snow could begin to mix with the rain on Thursday afternoon. This transition would signal the arrival of colder air and precede the period of concern for light, accumulating snow later that night. Kines said the snowfall totals are contingent upon the unknown pathway the systems will take. Were not totally sure of the particular track the systems will take, Kines said. Kines predicted that it is highly likely the storm systems will remain out at sea and the eye of the storm will pass by Staten Island without making a direct impact. Since the storm is currently projected to stay off of land, it is not expected to produce a significant snowfall event for the borough, Kines said. Despite the larger storm system staying offshore, there is a possibility of light snow accumulation of an inch or less Thursday night. Kines warned that even a little bit of snow Thursday evening could be enough to cause some slick conditions across the area. The conditions will result in the snow sticking to surfaces during the overnight hours. Kines cautioned that the forecast is not set in stone. He noted that there are still ways the forecast could change, and the possibility of a more significant snowfall that requires shoveling has not been entirely ruled out. A potential hazard to watch for is the formation of ice due to a freezing melting pattern. As temperatures begin to fall later on Thursday afternoon and into Thursday night, wet spots could freeze, creating patches of black ice on roads and walkways. Thats a time period that were concerned about, Kines said. There is also a potential for gusty winds to accompany the weather system, Kines noted. The forecaster indicated this could happen Thursday night into Friday. Looking ahead to the following week, the early forecast appears favorable. The forecaster stated that the early part of the week, including the Martin Luther King Day holiday, does not look too bad with temperatures projected to be in the 30s and dry. So if youre off on Monday right now, its pretty decent for you, Kines concluded. COLOMBO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and several others injured in a head-on collision between a car and a van in Navadankulama in Sri Lanka's Northwestern province on Monday morning, police said. The victims included two women and one man who had been traveling in the car. Another injured passenger is being treated at a regional hospital, police said. Seven out of the nine individuals were injured and admitted to the hospital. Mundalama Police have launched further investigations into the accident. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. The Golden Globes has wrapped for another year. Check out all the magic moments as they unfolded in our blog and head to culture editor-at-large Michael Idatos wrap for an analysis of the nights proceedings and what it means for the Oscar race here. And read on to see the full list of winners and nominees for the 2026 Golden Globes below. Film Best motion picture drama Advertisement Eating outArtisans & farmers Zero income: Locals rally behind small businesses wiped out by fires Raffles, donations and other fundraising efforts are under way for more than 80 businesses devastated by fire in Harcourt, from wineries to cafes, distillers to cider-makers. Emma Breheny, Emily Holgate and Bianca Hrovat January 12, 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 As the small Victorian town of Harcourt reeled from the shock of Fridays devastating fires that destroyed homes and the towns co-operative housing 80-plus businesses, their neighbours in Castlemaine were already swinging into action. A fundraiser was quickly organised by winemakers Boomtown and held on Sunday afternoon at its winery in Castlemaines Mill precinct, with an auction, raffle and drinks sales going towards support for Harcourt residents. Brian Nunn assesses the destruction at Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores. Jason South Boomtown confirmed between $130,000 and $140,000 was raised in five hours, after dozens of local businesses donated prizes. Funds will go to the local CFA and the Harcourt Progress Association, with Castlemaine Community House also supporting the latters work. Its not much money compared to whats needed, but it will help, said Boomtown owner Tim Sproal. Advertisement More than 50 structures including homes and businesses were destroyed in Harcourt, a town known for its apples used to produce cider. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up The Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores, which contained more than 80 businesses, was reduced to ashes and mangled metal by Fridays Ravenswood blaze. Hundreds of locals filled Castlemaine winery Boomtown on Sunday to raise funds for Harcourt. Instagram/Boomtown Wines Local Gilles Lapalus ran two businesses from the space. His wine business, Maison Lapalus, lost all its stock and equipment, while the equipment, stock and raw materials of his Maidenii vermouth business were also destroyed, including rare items like a 10-year-old solera system. A solera is a stacked arrangement of barrels thats used to age sherry, wine, spirits and more. Since Lapalus established Maidenii with Shaun Byrne around 2012, the brand has become a vermouth of choice for many top bars and restaurants in Australia. Advertisement The loss of raw materials, including the locally gathered botanicals that are key to vermouth-making, means Maidenii will not be able to produce a 2026 vintage. That leaves us with a gap next year where we have zero income, Lapalus said. Its more than that, though. I lost half my super. My super was that business. While hes had offers of support flood in from the local and international hospitality community, he cant yet turn his mind to recovery. The fires still burning, the wind change will come this week, were likely to have more disasters. Gilles Lapalus had two businesses, including Maidenii Vermouth, destroyed in Harcourt. Advertisement Lapalus has a home near Chewton, about nine kilometres from Harcourt, that he evacuated on Friday afternoon as the fire was nearing. When the wind changed direction, the fire bore down on Harcourt. While his home was spared, at 8pm that night, he received a message saying the towns cool stores were gone. I feel lucky compared to Henry of Harcourt, for example. They lost everything: the house, the business, the orchard, everything. Henry of Harcourt is a family cider business thats been running for more than 25 years. It could very well spell quite a serious blow to Henry of Harcourt because I cant go through the process of growing up trees for another 10 years to start up the types of varieties that we had, cider maker Michael Henry told this masthead on Saturday. Advertisement Conna Mallett, co-director of Castlemaine brewery Love Shack, was also affected by the damage to Harcourts Cool Stores. We had all of our stock there. Six weeks worth of stock 1500 slabs, 450 kegs ... all gone. Thats a pretty rough hit to take, especially as a small business who lives hand-to mouth most of the time, he said. We just have to start knuckling down and brewing seven days a week ... we want people to buy Love Shack but we cant keep up with the demand ... so we might have to get a bit creative. But theres a lot of people out there struggling more than we have. Lots of businesses stored their stuff [at Cool Stores] and lost it all. Mallett said Love Shack lost about $200,000 worth of stock, a mix of slabs, kegs and packaging materials, which insurance didnt cover. Advertisement Thats a pretty rough hit to take, especially as a small business who lives hand-to mouth most of the time. Conna Mallett, co-director of Castlemaine brewery Love Shack Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns, who chairs peak body Business Mount Alexander, said: Its staggering how much amazing local produce was lost [at the Cool Stores]. Thats before we even get to the fruit. Harcourt cafe Cool Store, located in a building separate to the Cooperative Cool Stores, was also destroyed. Fowles Wines in Avenel, further east, was destroyed by the Longwood fire on Thursday. The remnants of stock at the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores. Jacqueline Brodie-Hanns Advertisement Castlemaine businesses such as Superhero Banh Mi are offering to feed anyone sheltering in the town. Others are encouraging the public to buy wine directly from affected wineries to help with their cashflow. In Melbourne, restaurants including Horn Please in Fitzroy North and Bibi Ji in Carlton are organising their own fundraising for those affected by bushfires. Both restaurants say theyre donating $1 from every pot of curry sold for the next seven days, with funds going towards families, firefighters and volunteers. Other fundraising efforts include the Victorian Bushfire Appeal (to be active from Tuesday), Victorian Farmers Federation Disaster Relief Fund, and Blaze Aid. Lapalus says messages from the community, fundraisers and offers of help are keeping him going. Its just humanity at its best. But, unfortunately, [the fires] not finished and theres so many unknown things at the moment, he said. Advertisement NationalLiterature Chair quits Adelaide Festival board as writers week crisis continues Kerrie O'Brien January 12, 2026 12:21pm 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 Adelaide Festival chair Tracey Whiting has resigned, becoming the fourth board member to quit over the decision to remove Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from the Writers Week program. Tracey Whiting has resigned as chair of the Adelaide Festival board. Whiting announced her resignation in a post to LinkedIn on Sunday evening, writing, Recent decisions were bound by certain undertakings and my resignation enables the Adelaide Festival, as an organisation, to refresh its leadership and its approach to these circumstances. She did not offer further comment. With only three remaining members Leesa Chesser, Adelaide city councillor Mary Couros, and Brenton Cox former Adelaide Writers Week director Jo Dyer said on BlueSky the board was now in breach of the Adelaide Festival Corporation Act, which states, At least 2 members must be women and at least 2 must be men. Advertisement Last Thursday, the Adelaide Festival board announced that while it was not suggesting in any way that Abdel-Fattah or her writing had any connection with the Bondi attack, given her past statements it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to program her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi. Related Article Opinion Censorship Politicians shouldnt decide who appears at writers festivals. Its a dangerous path Richard Flanagan Writer The move prompted dozens of authors to pull out of the festival, including best-selling Australian author Trent Dalton. On Monday, Dyer who ran the event from 2019 to 2022 said on Radio National there had been pressure over the line-up in the past but that she and other directors pushed back. This time, however, she said the board had buckled and would no longer be able to legally function. Clearly, [the South Australian premiers pressure] puts the board in an invidious position. To their discredit, they were not able to withstand that pressure as they should have. But now we dont have a functioning organisation, and it is the people of Adelaide and South Australia who are the victims of this debacle, she said. Advertisement In 2024, Abdel-Fattah was among the signatories to a letter to Adelaide Writers Week requesting the removal of New York-based opinion writer Thomas Friedman from the line-up because of his comments in a New York Times article comparing the situation in the Middle East to the animal kingdom. However, in a response seen by this masthead, dated February 9, 2024, the festival board rejected this petition. Signed by the (now former) chair of the board, Whiting, it reads: Asking the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Writers Week to cancel an artist or writer is an extremely serious request. We have an international reputation for supporting artistic freedom of expression. Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah. Speaking to the Guardian on Sunday, Abdel-Fattah rejected any allegation of hypocrisy. We were concerned about the impact of Friedmans views on socially and historically marginalised people who have been dehumanised and discriminated against..., she said. Advertisement Related Article Literature Board members quit Adelaide Festival as dumped writer calls in lawyer In contrast, I was cancelled because my presence and identity as a Palestinian was deemed culturally insensitive and linked to the Bondi atrocity. The Adelaide Festival did not respond to questions about the incident. The Adelaide Advertiser reports that former Adelaide Festival board member Tony Berg resigned in October, citing concerns Writers Week director Louise Adler did not warn the board that she had already made an offer to Randa Abdel-Fattah and, given her anti-Zionist stance, he could not in all conscience remain. Abdel-Fattah sent a legal letter to the festival on Sunday, demanding to know why she had been disinvited from the event. Advertisement Editors note: this story was edited to amend quotes offensive to Muslims and Jews. The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday. Undreamed of meetings (C8 last week) continue. My husband and I, says Jenny Archbold of Bellingen in a regal manner, went to Europe in 1980. A friend of ours said he was going at the same time and we should arrange to meet up. Fat chance of that I said as no one had a fixed itinerary, then we called in to check the Poste Restante in Vienna and found our friend at the counter doing the same thing. Josephine Piper of Miranda tells, Years ago, travelling on a post bus in the Swiss Alps, the driver stopped to allow us to enjoy the view. I have a cousin [in] Australia, where are you from? he asked. Miranda, I replied. Oh, Ive been to Miranda Fair. His cousin was a chef in a local restaurant. Also in Europe, Wolf Kempe of Lithgow relates, While I was having dinner in my hotel in Wroclaw, Poland, some years ago, the group nearby asked to borrow a chair. They were from Sydney, and I and the lady in the group had been migrants on the same trip of the MV Skaubryn from Bremen to Melbourne in 1956. We remain in contact nowadays. However, these meetings worry some people. Anne Baillie of Saint Georges Basin says, My mother always insisted that she could never have an affair. Wherever she travelled, she always met someone she knew. Again to drinks. Peter Watson of Annandale asks, In 1960s Adelaide, I loved tetra-packs, called Snips, of frozen milk chocolate or strawberry. There was also the icy orange alternative called Sunnyboy and a raspberry one called Raz. Were these wonders unique to Adelaide? or if they had counterparts in other states? Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. What did the NSW planning department get a developer backed by billionaire James Packer for Christmas? A development approval that advances a $91 million plan from Melbourne company Time and Place to bulldoze an older unit block in Potts Point and replace it with fewer, high-end apartments against the wishes of local opponents and the City of Sydney Council. The City of Sydney Council and independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich are among critics of the proposal to demolish the Chimes building in Potts Point. Sitthixay Ditthavong Time and Place submitted plans to knock down the 1960s Chimes building on Macleay Street and replace the 10-storey block of 80 studio or one-bedroom units with a new building up to 13 storeys, possibly comprising about 34 apartments. At least 15 per cent of the block would be temporary affordable housing, available at a lower price than market rent for at least 15 years, under the NSW governments policy of giving developers extra height and floor space if they offer homes for lower-income earners. More than 180 negative submissions on revised plans, including from the council and Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, raised concerns about a net loss of lower-cost housing, demolition of the building rather than adaptive reuse, displacement of existing residents and the projects bulk and scale. CARACAS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Communication and Information Minister Freddy Nanez on Sunday condemned as a "war crime" the U.S. attack on the South American nation earlier this month. At an international cultural event, Nanez underlined the historical responsibility of the international cultural community in the face of an escalation of violence and a process of weakening international law. The stigmatization against Venezuela responds to economic interests associated with its natural resources rather than ideological motivations, he said, recalling historical precedents of external interference in other nations. According to Nanez, there has been an intensification of hostility since 2019 with sanctions, covert operations and the illegal appropriation of Venezuelan assets, but "Venezuela will not surrender." He also called upon poets, artists and intellectuals around the world to assume ethical and active responsibility in the face of threats to the self-determination of peoples. Advertisement Updated NationalQueenslandExtreme weather As ex-cyclone drenches north, thunderstorm risk reaches Brisbane Catherine Strohfeldt Updated January 12, 2026 3:50pm ,first published 11:36am 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 Communities are bracing for life-threatening flash flooding as the remnants of ex-cyclone Koji move westward across Queenslands north, threatening regions still recovering from record rain in the new year. Koji was declared a cyclone on Saturday evening, and had been expected to cross the coast as a category 2 storm. In the early hours of Sunday it was downgraded to category 1, then weakened below tropical cyclone intensity as it crossed the coast between Ayr and Bowen about 10am. Loading Speaking in Mackay on Monday, Premier David Crisafulli said government disaster response efforts were dropping medicine and supplies to cattle in western Queensland regions, where almost 50,000 animals had been lost. Advertisement These are early days, he said. As graziers find the time and courage to fill out the forms, those losses are going to increase. Crisafulli praised local communities for their preparedness that he said meant no lives had so far been lost as the storm made landfall, and urged inland communities to remain vigilant to flooding. At this stage were dealing with around about 20 wrecked vessels along different parts of the coast, he said. Early Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology issued warnings for intense rainfall and flash flooding in inland regions between Mackay and Gladstone. Advertisement Meteorologist Christie Johnson said the states south-east would probably receive scattered thunderstorms, which would centre on the Sunshine Coast hinterland region and travel south through the week. That risk of severe thunderstorms [on Tuesday] extends down to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and maybe even into the Northern Rivers in New South Wales and into parts of the Darling Downs as well, she said. The weather bureau said flash flooding posed the biggest risk. Nine News About six rivers in Central and North Queensland were expected to flood in coming days, including the Connors and Isaac rivers, which the weather bureau predicted would exceed flood levels experienced during ex-tropical cyclone Oswald. Johnson said the main concern was flash flooding, rather than swollen rivers, and the storm moving west across the week, which would bring rain to areas still recovering from flooding. Advertisement Itll make its way into the Northern Territory, and potentially, if it even manages to keep itself intact, it might reach as far as the Kimberley, she said. Weve got a sort of 10 per cent to 15 per cent chance that if it does reach the waters off the north coast of Western Australia, it could actually redevelop into a cyclone. Heavy rain and high wind lashes North Queensland as the remnants of the former cyclone Koji hammer the coast. Nine News She said some of the heaviest rainfall overnight on Sunday was inland of Rockhampton, such as in the township of Clermont, which received about 25 per cent of its average annual rainfall in 12 hours. Weve seen quite a lot of heavy rainfall around that part of the world, including some that are definitely breaching the heavy rainfall thresholds, Johnson said. Advertisement She said flash flooding and swollen rivers were threatening Yatton, a major cattle farming property inland of Rockhampton. The Bureau of Meteorology urged inland regions between Mackay and Gladstone to brace for flash flooding brought on by ex-cyclone Koji. Bureau of Meteorology Five people were rescued by SES overnight on Sunday, and 158 requests for help were made by Monday morning. Queensland police said 60 additional SES personnel had been deployed in the most affected regions. Crisafulli said affected coastal communities were quickly recovering, with 20,000 homes reconnected to power and all ferry services resuming. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. New South Wales police have arrested a 36-year-old Logan man in Kempsey, after his carer was found dead at his residence, about 370 kilometres away from the site of his arrest, in the early hours of Monday morning. The 46-year-old woman from Ashgrove was reported missing by family about 1am on Monday. Police examine the house at Buccan, south of Brisbane, where a woman was found dead, with a man arrested over the NSW border in Kempsey. Nine News She was last seen at The Gap in Brisbanes western suburbs about 7pm on Saturday after she dropped a relative off at a party. Investigations led police to a property on Waterford Tamborine Road in Buccan, south of Brisbane, to conduct a welfare check about 3am on Monday. Advertisement NationalVictoriaBushfires Big as Black Saturday: Critically endangered species on brink as fires rip through habitats Bianca Hall January 13, 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 Victorias bushfires have torched almost as much land as the Black Saturday disaster, prompting grave fears for vulnerable animals, including a small and genetically distinct population of dingoes. The fires, which began last week, have so far burnt almost 400,000 hectares, nearly equalling the 450,000 hectares destroyed in 2009 during Black Saturday. Mount Lawson State Park, where the Walwa bushfire started last week, is now largely burnt. This years fires have burnt diverse ecosystems around Victoria from Big Desert in the states north-west, to cool and damp forests in the Otways and grasslands in central Victoria, and into far-east Gippsland. Advocates say the dingoes could have been killed by fires that have torn through more than 58,000 hectares in and around Wyperfeld National Park in the Wimmera. Advertisement Professor of wildlife ecology and conservation Euan Ritchie said he was not aware of another day in Victorias history in which so much of the state and so many different ecosystems had been so damaged. One of the really important things to bear in mind with these fires is that in some parts of the state, its not that long since the Black Saturday and 201920 fires, he said. So many plants, ecosystems and wildlife populations are probably still recovering, in some ways, from whats happened in the past. Ritchie said Australians generally considered native wildlife and plant species to be resilient to fires, but climate change was exacerbating the ferocity and frequency of bushfires, and weakening native species defences to fire. Even what we might think of as being resilient species may now not be able to cope because these fires are just coming too frequently, and theyre too large in scale, and theyre too severe, which means that recovery is sort of not possible. Advertisement The Dingo Conservancy secretary Jo Samuel-King said she held grave concerns for the fate of a genetically distinct population of dingoes living in Big Desert, after fires ripped through the dingoes known habitat. We dont know if theres any left, she said. We dont know. She urged the government to deliver water to the desert park. Dingoes in Big Desert are a genetically distinct population. Grave fears are held for their survival. Ellisha Martion Ellisha Martion, who has worked for five years to monitor the dingo population, which she estimated to have fewer than 100 adults left last year, said much of the 58,000 hectares of burnt landscape was dingo territory. Theres no water in the park, and theyre going to be forced onto private land, she said. Advertisement The Victorian National Parks Association believes the entire Mount Lawson State Park where the Walwa bushfire began has been burnt. Mount Lawson is home to critically endangered barking owls, endangered spotted-tailed quolls, and critically endangered Booroolong tree frogs, as well as numerous rare plant species. Wild Research senior ecologist Glen Johnson said another species of concern were long-footed potoroos, which would now be vulnerable to predator attacks, including by foxes. Barking owls are listed as critically endangered in Victoria. John Woudstra The long-footed potoroo is typically in really deep damp forests, which [are] generally not so accessible to foxes. So post-fire [the habitat] becomes much more accessible to foxes, and the impacts on species like potoroos are much more magnified. He urged the government to undertake feral animal control programs once the bushfires were out, similar to deer-control programs undertaken in the Grampians National Park following the 2019-20 Black Summer fires. Advertisement Related Article Animals For decades, people have believed this dingo myth. DNA testing has revealed the truth In the Alpine National Park, home to vulnerable snow gums and alpine ash, southern sections have burnt, as well as more than half the rugged and remote Wabba Wilderness Park in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. Peter Jacobs, a former chief ranger in the Victorian alps turned Upper Ovens Valley Landcare Group president, said alpine ash forests and snow gum forests grew at high elevation in the Victorian Alps. Alpine ash rely on fire to produce seeds and regenerate. But this can only happen if there is sufficient time between fires, to allow the trees to reach sufficient maturity to produce seeds about 20 to 25 years. What were finding, more recent times, is these forests are getting burned multiple times, Jacobs said. And if they get burnt under a 20-year interval, it means theres very little seed to regenerate. And if that keeps happening over multiple times, the forest virtually becomes lost. The whole ecosystem collapses. Advertisement Related Article Updated Victoria bushfires CFA funding sparks political stoush as bushfires burn nearly 400,000 hectares A spokesman for the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action said it was deploying staff to respond to wildlife welfare during the current fires. Further wildlife response activities will start as soon as its safe to do so for staff and accredited field assessment teams this will include on-ground teams searching for and assessing affected wildlife. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaUniversity Familiar face set to lead University of Melbourne Noel Towell January 12, 2026 3:13pm 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 University of Melbourne vice chancellor Glyn Davis will return as its interim leader while the university searches for a successor to Emma Johnston, who died last month. Chancellor Jane Hansen told university staff on Monday that Davis, who most recently headed the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, will take the reins in February. Returning University of Melbourne vice chancellor Glyn Davis. Alex Ellinghausen Davis previously served as the universitys 19th vice chancellor from 2005 to 2018. In making this appointment, the University Councils focus was on ensuring leadership, stability and confidence as we work toward realisation of the strategic goals outlined in the approved Strategy 2030, Hansen said via a statement. Advertisement Related Article Education Unfathomable loss: University of Melbournes vice chancellor dies at 52 Professor Davis, with his unique knowledge and experience of the University of Melbourne, and broader higher education sector, is perfectly placed to lead the university into semester one and begin implementation of the strategy. Professor Johnston, who was described as a visionary leader in science and research, had been in the universitys top job for less than 12 months when she died in December from cancer, aged 52. In her final weeks, Johnston finalised the first step in the University Strategy 2030 her 10-year plan that aims to build a more resilient institution amid challenging operating realities, anchored in the goal of benefiting society through education and research. Hansen said she was grateful to Davis for agreeing to take on the interim role on short notice. Advertisement Related Article Public service Public service heads shuffled as Albanese makes mark on bureaucracy Many of you will already know Glyn as our 19th vice-chancellor, Hansen said on Monday. During this time, he made an extraordinary contribution to our university, including the introduction of the Melbourne curriculum, Hansen wrote in her all-staff email. In his own message to staff on Monday, Davis praised Johnstons enthusiasm and vision. It was a shock and tragedy...when a short illness claimed our vice-chancellor, aged just 52, Davis wrote. We mourn not just a remarkable individual, but the future Emma could see and was so keen to share. Advertisement Professor Michael Wesley and Professor Jane Gunn will serve as acting vice chancellor until Davis begins on February 2. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalVictoriaCity life The many faces of Melbournes west captured in new community project Carolyn Webb January 12, 2026 7:30pm 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 If you walked past Blossom Taw in the streets of Melbournes western suburbs, you wouldnt know her past struggles. But as a teenager in Myanmar, and a member of the Karen ethnic group, Taw protested and fought for years against the military junta. A portrait of Blossom Taw features in David Mullins book Faces of Wyndham. David Mullins Taw was imprisoned, poisoned and tortured in her home country by the regime, and friends and relatives were killed and maimed. While living in Thailand after she left her home country, she was again jailed for protesting. She arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2008. Now a single mother of seven children living in Tarneit, Taw is among 128 residents of the City of Wyndham who feature in the Faces of Wyndham project a self-funded labour of love of Point Cook photographer David Mullins. Advertisement What started as portraits posted on his Facebook page aiming to portray the areas extraordinary cultural diversity, slowly grew. Over time, stories of resilience and community service emerged and now, Mullins is hosting an exhibition and releasing a book of his work. One interviewee, Asunta Agot Majur, fled South Sudan with relatives when she was five and lived as a refugee in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya before coming to Australia in 2004. Photographer David Mullins takes portraits of locals for his Faces of Wyndham Facebook page. Wayne Taylor Her first impression of Australia was that she had arrived in heaven, Mullins said. The promised land of honey and milk, as the Bible quotes it. The land without starvation and homelessness. Another subject, Patrick Preston, was born during a Nazi air raid on London during World War II. During his photo session, he told Mullins how, as a crane driver in 1970, he watched the West Gate Bridge fall and kill a number of his workmates an experience that sparked a lifelong effort to improve safety conditions for construction workers. Advertisement Mullins said his happiest interviewee was Nelzita Nascimento, an indigenous Tupi-Guarani woman from Brazil, who at age eight was sent away from home to work for food and shelter. From South Sudan, Asunta Agot Majur was a refugee in three countries before she came to Australia. David Mullins Later in life, Nascimento migrated to Australia to join her son. Mullins said of photographing her in his studio: Considering the background shes had, she radiated happiness, she was smiling the whole time she was here. The books cover depicts Gary Harding, who Mullins said made for a powerful portrait with his facial tattoos and traditional clothing that express Hardings Maori identity. Advertisement Mullins, who migrated at age 18 with his family from England in 1989, said he learnt that despite surface differences, his subjects shared certain goals. We all want health, safety, love and security. The cover of Mullins Faces of Wyndham book features Gary Harding expressing his Maori heritage. David Mullins Mullins vowed to continue Faces of Wyndham, and said he might expand the project to other parts of Melbourne. I meet so many fantastic people, he said. Im going to do one profile a week, indefinitely, until I am not able to do it. Advertisement The free Faces of Wyndham exhibition will be at the Creative Asia Art Centre at the World Trade Centre in Docklands from February 19 to March 3, with the opening on February 21 at 2pm. Mullins book can be bought at the exhibition, or ordered on the Faces of Wyndham Facebook page. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Updated NationalVictoriaCrime Two men charged after imam allegedly assaulted, threatened in Islamophobic attack Isabel McMillan and Carla Jaeger Updated January 12, 2026 5:21pm ,first published 12:33pm 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 Muslim leader allegedly attacked on Saturday says he was punched in the face during a terrifying racist attack that has prompted calls from religious organisations for stronger action on Islamophobia. Three people were arrested on Sunday after Imam Ismet Purdic, leader of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society in Noble Park, and his wife were allegedly driven off the road and racially abused in Melbournes south-east. Imam Ismet Purdic and his wife were allegdely racially attacked at the weekend. Facebook Brendan Nicholls, a 23-year-old man from Cranbourne North, has been charged with assaulting Purdic and damaging the imams car. Police said his co-accused, a 22-year-old man from Cranbourne East, was to be charged with assault and criminal damage. An 18-year-old woman from Dandenong South was also arrested, but released pending summons. Advertisement Nicholls was remanded in custody to appear in Dandenong Magistrates Court on Monday. However, the matter was adjourned after the court heard he was withdrawing from an undisclosed substance and behaving erratically. Nicholls screams from his remand cell could be heard from the courtroom. Purdic says the men kicked his car and one of them punched him in the face. Nine News The other accused man was released on bail to appear in court in May. Purdic on Monday described the profound trauma caused after he and his wife were allegedly targeted with Islamophobic slurs and threats, including a stabbing threat and physical assault. Advertisement Police said the imam and his wife were driving along the South Gippsland Highway in Dandenong South about 7.40pm on Saturday when they were targeted with racial abuse from the occupants of a nearby black hatchback. Related Article Crime Muslim woman scared to leave Melbourne home alone after evil shopping centre attack The hatchback allegedly blocked the imams vehicle, forcing him off the road and into a service station, before the occupants got out of the hatchback and damaged the couples car. In a statement to this masthead, Purdic said the attack allegedly began with the men throwing cans and food while the couple were driving. After forcing the car off the road, Purdic said, the men began kicking his car, with one of the men smashing the vehicles side mirror with his hand. Advertisement I was getting out of the car, and the other one punched me in the face, on the left cheek below the eye. The taller of the two ran to the other side of the car to attack my wife and take her cell phone One of the attackers threatened to stab my wife, the imam said. Purdic said that soon after witnesses intervened, which prevented the two men from instigating further attacks. I want to emphasise that I was attacked without any provocation, he said. They insulted me with vulgar words motivated by Islamophobia. We must all work to prevent this kind of thing from happening in Australia, and we all together must make a choice in what kind of world we want to live in. Premier Jacinta Allan said she spoke with Purdic and his wife on Monday, and described the attack as a terrible instance of Islamophobia. Advertisement Related Article Bondi shooting Its hateful racism: Islamophobia spikes since Bondi attack I want to say very clearly to the Muslim community, but particularly to Muslim women, that I will fight and support your right every single day to live freely in this state, free from hate, and also fight for your right to move around our community safely and with dignity, Allan said. Purdic received medical treatment on Monday for his injuries, a spokesperson for the Australian National Imams Council confirmed. The Bosnia-Herzegovina Islamic Society condemned the attack and said Purdic had called on Australians to work together to prevent racist attacks. The imam has expressed gratitude that his children were not present, noting the profound trauma the incident has caused, the statement said. Advertisement Imam Purdic has served the community for more than 12 years as a religious leader, educator and interfaith advocate through the Interfaith Network Dandenong, promoting peace, coexistence and mutual respect. Related Article Racism Mosque to host community meeting after Islamophobic graffiti He has called on all Australians to work together to prevent such hatred and violence. The Australian National Imams Council said the alleged offenders appeared to be of Anglo white appearance with distinctive tattoos, and were exhibiting behaviour and language consistent with white supremacist and extremist hate ideology. This attack comes despite Victoria formally recognising 15th March as the United Nations International Day to Combat Islamophobia, the council said in a statement. Advertisement ANIC also warns that political rhetoric and irresponsible media commentary are actively fuelling this violence, particularly the dangerous false equivalence being drawn between peaceful pro-Palestinian advocacy and the Bondi terror attacks. The council urged stronger national action on Islamophobia and far-right extremism. The Greens lashed the premier for failing to act on a reported rise in attacks on Muslims. These targeted and disproportionate acts of violence on Muslim Australians demand more than hollow words, said Anasina Gray-Barberio, the Greens spokeswoman for multiculturalism and anti-racism. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app. Advertisement NationalWAFishing Perth diver describes moment he surfaced to find his boat missing Hannah Murphy and Yvonne Ardley January 12, 2026 7:03pm 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 West Australian man has described the moment he surfaced after a morning of diving to find his boat had disappeared, leaving him stranded in the ocean and far from shore. Ryan Chapman and a friend had anchored off Mindarie, a popular coastal destination in Perths northern suburbs, to go diving and fishing at the weekend. Chapman told this masthead the pair had intended to have a deckhand aboard to monitor the boat while they were in the water, but another friend was unable to join them. The weather was good so we just decided to send it anyway, Chapman said. Advertisement He said the pair periodically surfaced to check on the anchored boat and had no cause for concern. However, when Chapman came up for air after about an hour in the water, he realised what had happened. I came up, and the boat was gone, he said. I couldnt see it at all. Chapman said his first thought was that the boat had sunk. To be honest, the first thing going through my head was the boats and my co-owner is going to kill me, he said. Advertisement Perth fisher Ryan Chapman surfaced from a diving expedition near Quinns Rocks to discover his boat had come loose and drifted away. Instagram/@ryanchapman___ Chapman and his friend spotted a nearby fishing boat, which was about a kilometre from their position. He said it took them about an hour to swim towards it, with the pair splashing and yelling to attract attention. Rescuer Tahnee Forster said they soon noticed Chapman in distress and motored out to meet him. She said it took them a moment to find Chapmans companion. Advertisement [Ryan mentioned his] friend, and the first thing that clocked in our heads was, oh OK, theres somebody else out there, she said. Then when we saw him and it was just relief we just had a bit of a joke around after that. The men eventually found their boat about two kilometres from where they had last been diving, and Chapman said he believed it was likely a knot that came loose on his anchor and the boat had been pulled by the current. Undeterred by the ordeal, Chapman said they didnt go home straight away and kept fishing. We couldnt go home empty-handed, he said. Advertisement When asked her message for the pair, Forster joked they owed her a pint. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalWATobacco Opinion Why are law-abiding WA citizens turning a blind eye to organised crime? Rebecca Peppiatt Journalist January 13, 2026 9:33am January 13, 2026 9:33am 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 Australians are, by and large, a nation of do-gooders and curtain twitchers, despite the larrikin narrative. We are the first to call Crime Stoppers over a suspicious car in the street or a surge in local shoplifting. Smokers cant resist the lure of cheap cigarettes it seems. Dominic Lorrimer Yet, there is one crime currently unfolding on what appears to be every second street corner that we arent just ignoring but actively funding. When it comes to the illegal tobacco trade, the publics sense of civic duty has been thoroughly stubbed out by the lure of a $15 packet of smokes. Advertisement Because when it comes to illegal tobacco products, no one bar the police and government appears to really care. Smokers dont want to go back to paying upwards of $40 a packet, dissidents dont want to fill the governments tax coffers, and people who dont smoke shrug their shoulders. The figures are reflected in the governments declining tobacco excise intake, and even its own research, which reveals at least half of the nations tobacco market is made up of illicit cigarettes and costing taxpayers more than $11.8 billion a year. Where the police can usually rely on the publics support in reporting illegal activity, in this instance the silence is deafening. No dobbing-in seems to be forthcoming, and its not hard to see why. Advertisement A half-price deal is too good to be true and in WA anyway the cheap cigarettes are very easy to come by. Related Article Crime Firebombings no deterrent as Perth tobacco shops keep selling illicit cigarettes No hush-hush conversation. No slipping the packet under the counter. The shop owners dont hide what theyre doing because no ones watching and telling them off. And because every shop on every street corner now sells cheap smokes, people who have for their entire lives been law-abiding citizens are now finding themselves complicit in the illegal, violent tobacco trade by buying them and making some organised crime bosses very rich. The consequences for all involved? Not much, apparently. Advertisement In comparison to the rest of Australia, WA has the softest laws in relation to illegal tobacco. A fine of $10,000 if individuals are found selling them for the first time rising to $20,000 for subsequent offences, and $40,000 for companies if the Department of Health catches them out. In comparison, shops over east are shut down on the spot and owners can be fined millions of dollars if theyre caught peddling illegal products. Unsurprisingly, its now harder to get cheap cigarettes anywhere east of the Nullarbor. Some will say thats not a good thing, but theres another side to this exploding industry that should be more concerning. Firebombings, shootings and arson. Maybe the odd ram raid thrown in for good measure. Advertisement These have become a byproduct of the illegal tobacco industry, as more organised crime syndicates attempt to muscle in on what is clearly a lucrative business. On Monday, WA Police revealed Taskforce Maverick which was established in response to the escalating tobacco war violence had charged 11 people with a combined 51 offences, including criminal damage by fire, stealing, traffic and drug offences. Senior Sergeant Ryan McGuggon said the alleged low-level criminals had been paid a grand total of nothing. You dont have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that getting paid $0 to go to jail for a very long time is not a very good deal, he said. The criminal syndicates that stand out, that use these stand over attack tactics have no honour. Advertisement Another problem is that the people allegedly recruited to fire the shots and strike the matches are prone to hitting the wrong business, such as the case of the cafe in Beechboro that had a car plough through the front of it on Christmas Day. Related Article Updated Tobacco Pressure grows over WA tobacco shop laws in wake of Bunbury firebombing Police said they believed the intended target was a nearby tobacco store that was allegedly selling illegal smokes. This time, no one was hurt, but that might not always be the case. It was a case of mistaken identity that saw Melbournes tobacco wars turn deadly when an innocent 27-year-old woman was killed in a firebombing attack last year. By maintaining its fine system, WA has effectively hung out an open for business sign for organised crime. Advertisement Police can only do so much without public support, but they are even more hamstrung when the business driving a violent interstate turf war is penalised in the same way as a minor licensing breach. We are playing with fire, and eventually, someone other than a shopfront is going to get burned. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsFederalBondi shooting Relatives of Bondi victims plead for changes to ridiculous compensation scheme Matthew Knott and Nick Newling Updated January 13, 2026 8:58am ,first published 4:17am 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 Relatives of the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack are urging the federal government to set up a new compensation scheme as frustration grows within the Jewish community about what is viewed as a lack of support for those affected by the massacre. Close relatives of those who died in the attack are eligible for payments of up to $75,000 from the NSW government under a joint federal and state package announced soon after the nations worst terror attack, which killed 15 innocent people. Sheina Gutnick, daughter of Reuven Morrison, said she hoped the federal government would do more to support the loved ones of victims of the Bondi attack. Sitthixay Ditthavong Sheina Gutnick, whose father, Reuven Morrison, was killed in the December 14 attack as he tried to protect others, said: We definitely think that more needs to be done. Lives have been shattered, but nothing concrete has been offered to the families at a federal level. Gutnick, who lives in Melbourne, said she hoped support for survivors and relatives of loved ones would receive more attention now a federal royal commission has been announced. She said all families would need to be assessed individually based on need, with a focus on long-term psychological support. Advertisement Jenny Roytur, whose uncle Boris Tetleroyd was among those killed, said her aunt and cousin needed more support than they had been offered. Royturs cousin Yaakov was seriously injured in the attack and is likely to be permanently disabled. Related Article Bondi shooting A long road ahead: The forces mobilising to support Bondi victims The compensation that is currently available is ridiculous and laughable really, she said. The federal government really needs to step in and do more. Describing the process for accessing support as convoluted and confusing, Roytur said: I feel like Im constantly fighting for support for [Yaakov] and my aunty. This shouldnt be the case. A federal government spokesperson said the federal and state governments had equally contributed to $2.9 million in compensation for those affected by the Bondi attack. Advertisement Asked at a press conference on Tuesday about requests for funding, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: Ive regularly engaged with people, including Rabbi [Yehoram] Ulman, whos the spiritual leader of that community. Well continue to engage constructively. Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said: The families of the dead have repeatedly told me the compensation schemes available to them are inadequate and bureaucratic, which has in some cases exacerbated their trauma ... We are a generous nation and we can afford to alleviate the uncertainty and anxiety that financial distress causes, where it is the result of circumstances as devastating as this. People pay their respects last month to victims of the Bondi attack. Jessica Hromas Noting many of those affected migrated to Australia from the Soviet Union and lived in public housing, Ryvchin said: I cannot imagine a worthier public expense than a substantial fund to quickly and generously help those who are living through the unimaginable. Independent MP Allegra Spender, whose electorate of Wentworth includes Bondi, said she had concerns about the level of compensation being provided to survivors and victims families. Advertisement I have raised the level of victim compensation with the federal and state governments based on community feedback, Spender said. The devastating impact on those who have lost someone or been significantly injured are profound and lifelong, and the compensation should reflect that. Related Article Updated Bondi shooting Hate speech bill blasted by Coalition, Muslim groups The federal and NSW governments announced a joint-funded support package for victims and their families, local businesses and the Jewish community in Sydney four days after the attack. A joint media release on December 18 said enhancements would be made to NSWs existing victim support scheme including financial support for injured victims and their immediate families, including for funeral costs and the repatriation of remains. Under the NSW support package, victims who suffered a physical injury from a bullet or shrapnel during the attack are entitled to a lump sum of $35,000. Advertisement Family members including spouses, de facto partners, parents, children and siblings of those killed in the attack are entitled to a $75,000 payment less any applied recognition payments of either $7500 or $15,000. The package also included a further $2 million in funding for Jewish community organisations to support victims families, $1 million each for legal services and Jewish-organised mental health triage, and $3.6 million for support officers to tend to affected individuals and families. The federal government offers victim support payments of up to $75,000 for Australians impacted by overseas terrorist attacks, but does not have an established program for domestic attacks. Victims of the 2014 Lindt cafe siege in Sydney were not offered federal assistance under the Abbott government, but received support from the NSW government up to $15,000. NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Michele Goldman said the NSW government had mobilised quickly to provide support and has been incredibly responsive. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter. Advertisement PoliticsNSWEducation Private school threatened with closure over principals social media posts Emily Kowal January 12, 2026 6:14pm 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 regional NSW Islamic school whose principal once shared social media posts stating Zionists should burn in the pits of hellfire has seven days to prove its leader is fit and proper or risk being shut down. New Madinah College in Young has until January 19 to provide evidence its principal, Sheikh Abdulghani Albaf, meets fit and proper requirements or the states schools regulator will consider cancelling the schools registration. Abdulghani Albaf, the principal of New Madinah College. According to its website, New Madinah College teaches children the Koran, Arabic and fundamental Islamic values as well as core subjects. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) last January became aware of comments allegedly made by Albaf on his personal social media accounts over several years. Advertisement In one post shared in December 2023, prior to his appointment, Albaf described Zionists as absolutely worse than Nazis. The zionist terrorist regime is more devilish, evil and atrocious than any other terrorist in history. In 2024 he shared another status, stating: May Allah destroy the Zionist terrorist regime. While the majority of posts were made before Albafs appointment to the school in 2024, NESA monitored the school due to its history of inconsistent compliance with registration requirements. NESA requires the school to address its compliance issues, which could include removing an individual from their position. In mid-2025, while Albaf was principal, he made another post, prompting NESA to issue a show cause notice to the chair of New Madinah Colleges board about the conduct of the schools principal. Advertisement NESA was asked to provide examples of the post but was unable to do so due to an ongoing investigation. It confirmed the post triggered the show cause notice. As is the case for all schools, there is no tolerance for non-compliance with registration requirements, including the expectation that all responsible persons meet fit and proper requirements, a NESA spokesperson said in a statement. In a letter written in January 2025, the chair of the Young Muslim Association and chair of New Madinah College, Mohammed Barghachoun, defended Albafs record. Sheikh Abdulghani has consistently met all the necessary criteria for his position, including holding a valid Working with Children Check and maintaining a clear police record, Barghachoun said. He said the principals posts did not reflect his current conduct or values and has shown no signs of racism or hatred. Advertisement Referring to the posts made in 2023, Barghachoun said the principals comments should be understood in the context of his personal life before joining the school, and that it was inappropriate to hold him accountable for actions or statements made prior to his employment. Acting Education Minister Courtney Houssos directed NESA to strengthen its fit and proper person requirements for principals. This will ensure that unacceptable conduct does not go unchecked, as the community rightly expects, Houssos said. NSW schools must be welcoming places for everyone. The Herald contacted Albaf, New Madinah College and the Islamic Schools Association of Australia for comment. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. NEW YORK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Federal Reserve on late Sunday confirmed that the federal prosecutors are investigating Fed Chairman Jerome Powell over the central bank's multi-billion-dollar project to renovate its headquarters. In a public statement posted on the website of the Federal Reserve late Sunday, Powell said the Department of Justice on Friday served the Fed with grand jury subpoenas, "threatening a criminal indictment related to my testimony before the Senate Banking Committee last June. That testimony concerned in part a multi-year project to renovate historic Federal Reserve office buildings." Advertisement PoliticsVictoriaVictoria bushfires Telcos face renewed pressure after fire outages leave people stranded and desperate Rachel Eddie and Alexander Darling January 12, 2026 8:19pm 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 Victorians in bushfire-ravaged parts of the state were unable to reach family, and firefighters also lost connectivity during last weeks catastrophic conditions, prompting renewed calls for telecommunications to be secured during natural disasters. Stephen Meyer, a local farmer group officer for the Natimuk area CFA stations in Victorias west, said he lost phone service while fighting the fire in the area on Friday. Meyer said this limited firefighters ability to tackle the blaze in a co-ordinated way. Lachlan Hick lost a property in the Natimuk fire. One of our commanders jumped in a vehicle and started finding fire trucks on the fire ground and giving them information. They did a great job ... because we couldnt communicate properly. Lachlan Hick, who lost one of his two properties in the Natimuk fire, grabbed his two elderly neighbours when a wind change suddenly resulted in evacuation orders about 1pm on Friday. But there was no reception as they drove away from town, and his neighbours couldnt communicate with their loved ones. Advertisement That was the difficult part, Hick said. It was about 20 minutes before reception returned once they got close to Horsham. Telstra confirmed a power outage at the Mount Arapiles mobile site, which covers Natimuk, temporarily cut services. Back-up power did not operate as expected, western Victoria regional engagement manager Adrienne Holobowski said. The generator had nine days worth of fuel, Telstra said, but suffered a mechanical fault in the extreme weather conditions. The failure is being investigated. Advertisement Our teams restored services the following day once it was safe to access the site, Holobowski said. Related Article Updated Victoria bushfires CFA funding sparks political stoush as bushfires burn nearly 400,000 hectares She noted Telstra had brought more than 100 mobile sites back online in the past week. Federal member for Indi Helen Haines has renewed calls for telecommunications to be secured during natural disasters. Multiple inquiries have advocated temporary disaster roaming, which allows for cross-network use if one network goes down. This is already available for Triple Zero calls, though it failed during last years Optus outages. Advertisement Haines, an independent whose electorate has been devastated by the Longwood fire, also called for mobile phone base towers to have back-up power to protect network coverage in emergencies. Towong and Strathbogie shires experienced outages due to the Longwood fire. The Natimuk fire area was also affected. Its an inconvenience on a regular day, but its a matter of life or death in a situation that were in right now, Haines said. Federal independent MP Helen Haines. Alex Ellinghausen Telstra, TPG and Optus began trialling disaster roaming in November. Advertisement The federal government has been working with the industry since 2023 on its commitment recommended by the Senates Connecting the Country report, the ACCCs regional mobile infrastructure inquiry, and the Bean review into the Triple Zero system and Communications Minister Anika Wells said last year that she expected the telcos to make it work. But Telstra warned challenges remained. While [temporary disaster roaming] is an innovative solution with the potential to provide temporary access to communications for regional and rural communities during disaster situations, there are several challenges to be managed, Telstra wrote in its November submission to a parliamentary inquiry into Triple Zero outages. These include ensuring any surviving network is not overloaded from an influx of traffic causing it to fail, which would be an even worse outcome for the impacted community. An Optus spokeswoman said 112 mobile sites were affected by extreme heat and bushfires in Victoria over the weekend, but all had been fully restored. Advertisement During the extreme weather, many sites lost mains power and operated on battery back-up. Our field teams worked around the clock in challenging conditions to deploy generators and maintain connectivity for customers, she said. Optus sites are designed to have a minimum of four hours battery back-up to ensure service continuity during power outages. Loading A federal government spokeswoman said significant investments had been made through programs to boost the resilience of telco networks. Funding for these programs has helped deliver back-up batteries and generators for communications infrastructure to keep communities connected for longer periods during and following emergencies and natural disasters, she said. The federal government is separately pursuing universal outdoor mobile obligation, which it plans to launch in December 2027. The obligation would force telcos to provide phone call and text coverage and in part relies on satellites rather than solely on land-based infrastructure. Advertisement National Farmers Federation president Hamish McIntyre, who backs the universal outdoor mobile obligation, has also been calling for temporary disaster roaming. When natural disasters hit, people shouldnt lose the ability to communicate just because one mobile network goes down. This can leave entire communities cut off, McIntyre said. Farmers are often on the front line of fires, floods and storms, and they are critical to local emergency response. Communication is key to a fast and effective response. Weve seen the Triple Zero fallback fail in recent outages. Strengthening that system is important, but communities also need to reach neighbours, family, and local responders. Advertisement In a statement, the Australian Communications and Media Authority said funding initiatives assisted telcos to prepare for emergencies. Telecommunications providers undertake planning to manage power outages and to engage back-up generators in the event of power outages. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Travel newsTravel tips Opinion The world has hundreds of stunning arcades. Australias are under threat Lee Tulloch Travel columnist January 13, 2026 5:00am January 13, 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 Theres a controversy swirling at present around Sydneys landmark Queen Victoria Building, which is one of the harbour citys tourist attractions. The landlord of the building has lodged a development application to change the buildings multicoloured glass windows on Market Street to ultra-clear, so they can better showcase the goods displayed inside. The landlord argues that the coloured glass reduces the attractiveness and value of the space to potential retailers. The QVBs landlord has lodged an application to replace its stained-glass windows with clear ones. Louie Douvis The actual pieces of coloured glass in question are a reglazing undertaken during a 1980s restoration, which returned the building to its original facade. Advertisement A fine example of 19th-century Romanesque Revival architecture, the shopping arcade is state heritage listed. Changes can be approved, but only under special legislation. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. There is plenty of public resistance to the changes. The facade is iconic. The coloured glass gives the building unique character and draws people to the block in an otherwise dreary CBD. The Queen Victoria Building is a fine example of 19th-century Romanesque Revival architecture. James Alcock Theres too much bland retail space already. One of the reasons many of us shop online these days, apart from convenience, is that the modern equivalent of the Victorian shopping arcade, the mega mall, is so uninspiring. Advertisement The big global retail brands have turned the worlds shopping streets and malls into one big boring advertisement for the same merchandise. Heritage arcades, with their smaller shops and architectural beauty, often house independent retailers among the known brands. The first shopping arcades were social and cultural hubs Sydneys Strand Arcade. Edwina Pickles The Block Arcade, Melbourne. Eddie Jim The first shopping arcades, built to keep shoppers protected from the weather, were also social and cultural hubs. The QVB is part of that tradition, a meeting place, especially at Christmas. So is Sydneys other retail beauty, the Strand Arcade. Advertisement I grew up in Melbournes suburbs, and we would go to town regularly to visit the citys heritage shopping arcades, the Royal Arcade to see the comically scary Gog and Magog clock, and the beautiful Block Arcade. There might have been some shopping involved, but there was also a sense of occasion about it. The arcades were attractions in themselves. The great age of arcade building in Europe occurred between 1786 and the late 1930s. This had a big influence on Australias shopping landscape. After the French Revolution, developers in Paris built hundreds of beautiful arcades to connect and cover shops, only to see about 150 of them razed by Baron Haussmann in the 19th century. There remain fewer than 30 these days, the largest number, nine, concentrated in the 2nd arrondissement near the Bourse. The Passage des Panoramas, one of the oldest covered passages in Paris, built in 1799. Getty Images The oldest arcade is Passage du Caire, which dates from Napoleons expedition to Egypt. Another is Passage des Panoramas, opened in 1799, which also contains the 215-year-old Theatre des Varieties. Advertisement The architectural details of different arcades are exquisite, including fish-bone glass roofs and cast-iron decorations. Some are well preserved, others a bit run down, but they all offer a mesmerising stroll through history. The Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries in Brussels are three majestic interlinked grand glass-roofed galleries built between 1846 and 1847, considered the earliest covered shopping galleries in Europe. The 1847 Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries in Brussels, one of the earliest covered shopping galleries in Europe. Getty Images The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade, connecting Milans famous opera house and cathedral. iStock Milan has its Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (1865-1877), with its magnificent glass and cast-iron vaulted roof, connecting The Duomo and the Teatro Alla Scala, the citys most famous landmarks. Advertisement If you enter a modern shopping mall with the pretentious name galleria, the concept comes from this building. Budapests Parisi Udvar arcade was based on the Passage des Panoramas in Paris. The name means Parisian Court. Completed in 1913 with art nouveau, Moorish and gothic elements, it was completely abandoned over the years. Now its a luxury hotel, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. There are cafes and bars you can visit, if not shops. Hyatts Parisi Udvar Hotel Budapest was formerly a historic arcade. London has the gorgeous Burlington Arcade in Mayfair, built in 1819 by Lord Burlington so that his wife could shop safely away from the riffraff of the streets. In Wales, Cardiff is known as the City of Arcades, boasting more Victorian and Edwardian arcades than any city in Britain. Advertisement Cardiff, the City of arcades. iStock Other British arcades of note include The Argyll Arcade in Glasgow, the citys first purpose-built shopping arcade (1827), and the opulent Victoria Quarter in Leeds. Related Article Travel tips Seven experts name the worlds best cities for shopping Global luxury brands tend to seek out leases in these lovely buildings for their prestige. The atmosphere is uplifting and shoppers drop more money when theyre relaxed. Its only when they are threatened that people realise how important these heritage buildings are to them. Advertisement The QVB faced total demolition from 1959 to 1971 and was saved. The current controversy might seem to be about a few coloured windows. But its really about memory, community and pride of place. Advertisement WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Greenland PM speaks out as Trump questions NATO alliance David Crowe January 13, 2026 9:54am 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 Nuuk: Greenland is turning to NATO allies to stop US President Donald Trump from claiming control of the territory, after days of growing dispute over its sovereignty and ahead of a meeting in Washington to negotiate the stark differences. NATO leaders are canvassing new steps to bolster security in the Arctic against Russia and China, displaying a show of collective defence after Trumps claims highlighted divisions over the future of the alliance. Danish military forces participating in exercises with NATO near Nuuk, Greenland, in September. AP In another provocative remark about security, Trump declared it would save a lot of money for the US to withdraw from NATO and said he doubted any of the allies would help the US in an emergency, despite this being in the pacts terms. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt in the US capital on Wednesday. Advertisement Taking a firm line ahead of that meeting, Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen issued a statement on social media early on Tuesday (AEDT) to emphasise that any security test for the territory was an issue for NATO. Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and part of NATO through the commonwealth, he said. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen says any security tests for the territory are an issue for NATO, not the US. Bloomberg This means that our security and defence belong in NATO. That is a fundamental and firm line. There has been a lot of international attention on our country in recent years. Also in NATO. That in itself is positive. Our country has strategic importance, and our security is important. For us. For our allies. And for stability in the Arctic. Advertisement The statement included a photograph of the prime minister and all members of the governing coalition outside the parliament in Nuuk, Greenlands capital. By highlighting membership of the Danish commonwealth, the statement contrasts with calls from others in the parliament, such as Naleraq party leader Pele Broberg, for a rapid move to break ties with Copenhagen and seek a separate defence pact with America. Loading Greenlanders told this masthead they were anxious about the clash over their future because Trump had not ruled out using force to take their land, although some dismissed the chances of military action to force the issue. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned in recent days that any move against Greenland would threaten the NATO alliance, the central pact since 1949 in preserving security among the US, European countries and Canada. Advertisement Related Article Analysis Greenland Greenlanders tell absolutely insane Trump what they really think Trump sent mixed signals about NATO on Sunday when questioned by reporters on Air Force One, saying he saved the alliance by getting European countries to spend 5 per cent of their economic output on defence. If we dont take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland, and I am not going to let that happen, he said. I would love to make a deal with them, its easier, but one way or the other, were going to have Greenland. Asked if that would compromise NATO, he said it would save a lot of money if the US left the alliance. Advertisement I like NATO. I just wonder ... if we needed NATO, would they be there for us? Im not sure they would, he said. European leaders have discussed ramping up military operations in the region to send a signal to the US, according to Reuters and several other media outlets reports on a discussion about a joint operation called Arctic Sentry. Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, this week. AP NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the leaders were talking about further steps in the Arctic, although he did not criticise Trump and his remarks about Greenland. All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security because we know that with sea lanes opening up, there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active, Rutte said at a press conference in Croatia. Advertisement Related Article Opinion Trump diplomacy Trump calls climate change a con job but it could drive his bid to seize Greenland David Crowe Europe correspondent As an alliance together with our seven Arctic allies, we have to work together to make sure that the Arctic stays safe. And currently we are discussing the next step to that. The seven Arctic allies in NATO are the US, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark (and therefore, Greenland). The US has a missile defence base in the far north of Greenland, a legacy of monitoring stations set up during the Second World War. The International Institute for Strategic Studies, an independent group based in London and Washington, said on Monday that under existing pacts with Denmark and Greenland, the US could expand its military operations if it wanted to. Advertisement Under current treaty arrangements, nothing prevents the US from increasing its military presence in Greenland, said IISS senior fellow Charlie Edwards. Related Article Exclusive Greenland The movement that could decide Greenlands deal with Trump He said a deal on Greenland based on consultation and consent could bolster security, but warned that division would weaken that security. The US Congress has not backed Trump in his approach to Greenland, and the Associated Press reported that a bipartisan Congressional delegation would head to Copenhagen this week to show unity on the issue. Democratic senator Tim Kaine, who ran for vice president in 2016, said on Sunday that Congress would prevent Trump and his team from taking military action over Greenland. Advertisement I think Congress will stop them, both Democrats and Republicans, he told CBS. This would be disastrous. It wouldnt just be America First. It wouldnt just be the end of NATO, it would be America alone. 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. Advertisement WorldEuropeTrump diplomacy Opinion Trump calls climate change a con job but it could drive his bid to seize Greenland David Crowe Europe correspondent January 13, 2026 5:00am January 13, 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 The wind is howling down the main street of Nuuk on Sunday afternoon, just as the sun sets about 4pm, and it sweeps ice crystals up from the ground and into the faces of the people walking down the street to the supermarket. The official temperature is zero degrees, but the weather report says the 70km/h wind has driven this down to minus 13 on the feels like scale. Visitors to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, shield themselves with thick layers of clothing and lean into the wind as they walk. You can tell the hardened locals, however, by the way they shrug off the deep freeze without putting as much as a cap or a beanie on their heads. One young mother, bundling two children and a pram onto a bus, lets her long hair fly up like a flag in the wind. Make America Go Away: a baseball cap, distributed for free by Danish artist Jens Martin Skibsted, in Sisimiut, Greenland. Juliette Pavy/Bloomberg via Getty This isnt cold, some of the Greenlanders tell me. They think it is unseasonably warm. By their reckoning, it should be much lower at this time of the year and not just on the feels like measure. The mean temperature in Nuuk in January is minus 7.7 degrees. At a time when temperatures are soaring in Australia and bushfires are destroying homes and lives, the conditions in Greenland seem like the opposite extreme. The common factor, however, is the concern about the warming planet. Advertisement This is another worry for the people of Greenland when US President Donald Trump is making them nervous by talking about taking control of their territory. Related Article Analysis Greenland Greenlanders tell absolutely insane Trump what they really think We are going to do something in Greenland, whether they like it or not, Trump said on Friday. I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we dont do it the easy way, were going to do it the hard way. He seems to mean Denmark when he talks about doing a deal, given it is the old colonial power that still funds many of the services in the autonomous territory, but this is not really clear. Whatever transaction Trump has in mind, he never seems to address what Greenlanders want. One young woman in Nuuk screws up her face when asked about Trump. He treats us as objects, not as human beings, she says. Advertisement There is a contradiction at the heart of Trumps demands, and it all comes back to the weather. Trump dismisses the science about climate change: Its the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world, he told the United Nations last September. At the same time, his ideas turn in part on the way global warming changes the future of Greenland. When the Americans worry about Russian and Chinese ships in these northern waters, the climate is part of their calculations. Climate change has opened vast areas of the Arctic to surface ships, said an analysis from the US Department of Defence, now the Department of War, more than six years ago. Trump was president at the time. Related Article Exclusive Greenland The movement that could decide Greenlands deal with Trump The US response, however, has been to leave its military operations in Greenland largely unchanged. The major US base at Pituffik, previously known as Thule, is estimated to have about 150 personnel. Technology has replaced people at this remote base to detect missiles, but there is no public plan to scale up the military facilities. The climate is also a factor in the White House talk about extracting critical minerals in Greenland and countering Chinas control of these commodities. If the ice sheet melts, mining becomes more commercial in theory, at least. In fact, the scale and timing of the commercial shift is uncertain. Advertisement The greater concern is the impact on the people of Greenland and the world. The islands ice sheet is 1.2 metres thinner, on average, than it was in 2010, according to NASA and the European Space Agency. They calculate this has melted as much water as is stored in Lake Victoria in Africa. One man in Nuuk, who was raised in a small community on the western coast, tells me the winter ice used to be two metres thick in his village. These days, he says, it can be less than a metre. This is anecdotal, but it tallies with the science. No wonder Greenlanders are so anxious about Trump. He brings more uncertainty to their world when they are worried about the climate. One Nuuk local, Julia Pars, a business consultant, tells me some people say they cant sleep at night because they think about the US invading their territory. Pars shares the concerns, but she separates the anxiety about Trump from the security pact with America. Like others I spoke to, she has no problem with the US president sending more military forces into Greenland under the 1951 defence pact that has been updated to reflect the territorys autonomous government. Julia Pars, a business consultant in Nuuk, on Sunday. David Crowe Advertisement Of course Im OK with that, Pars tells me. Because its part of the agreement we have had for so long with the United States and with NATO, and its been a good idea. I believe in the institutions and agreements made after the Second World War, and I believe theyre important still. This is not an unusual response when I speak to people in Nuuk, and it is also the view of the major political leaders here. They seem to believe in the US alliance, and the unity of Western democracies, more than the US president. I do not hear objections to hosting more US forces in Greenland. Related Article Updated Trump diplomacy Military is always an option: White House escalates Greenland clash with NATO allies Trump seems intent on dividing NATO over this land. The Greenlanders would rather stick together. It is not hard to see what Trump should do if he is serious about the strategic importance of Greenland. He could expand the US missile defence and naval facilities. He could build more US submarines, more quickly, to patrol the northern Atlantic. He could also do everything possible to make AUKUS happen because Britain needs the new submarine fleet if it is to dominate the gap between Greenland, Iceland and itself the gap that Russian submarines slip through to approach the Americas. Advertisement Most of all, Trump could strengthen NATO. The US, Canada and Europe all need Greenland. Sooner or later, this strategic reality will dictate the decisions. The wind is still roaring through Nuuk after sunset, but the Greenlanders seem unflustered. Parents tow their toddlers along the street in small plastic sleighs. Friends emerge from cafes and walk in the chilly air to their cars. It is a harsh environment, especially in the middle of winter, and the Greenlanders know how to tough it out. They may be worried about Trump. But they will survive him. David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. 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. PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in an urgent Public meeting on January 12, 2026. The Public meeting was adjourned on January 9, 2026, and will be reconvened on Monday at 14.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Finance will be in attendance. The agenda point is: Deliberations on the issues surrounding the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten a. The recent nomination of the Chairman of the CBCS by the Council of Ministers b. An update on the ENNIA situation c. Developments concerning Mullet Bay (IS/092/2025-2026 dated September 22, 2025) This meeting was requested by MP E.J. Doran, MP A.M.R. Irion, MP D.T.J. York, MP O.E.C. Ottley and MP F.A. Lacroes. The Minister will be returning to answer questions posed in the second round. Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules. The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Mr. Richinel S.J. Brug, is pleased to announce Senior Connect, a one-day event designed to bring seniors and service providers together in a welcoming and accessible setting. Senior Connect will take place on Friday, February 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Government Administration Building parking lot. The event is free of charge and open to all seniors and their families. Senior Connect aims to make access to care and support services easier, more engaging, and more impactful by creating a direct link between seniors and organizations that provide essential services. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, receive information, and connect directly with service providers in one convenient location. A wide range of service providers will be present, including those active in: Social services Healthcare Home care Physical activity and wellness Recreation and daycare Support groups Transportation and related services Minister Brug emphasized the importance of initiatives such as Senior Connect, stating that ensuring seniors are informed, supported, and connected remains a priority for the Ministry. I continue to reiterate that our seniors deserve clear access to information and services that support their health, independence, and quality of life. Senior Connect is about bringing those services closer to them and strengthening the support network around our elderly community, the Minister stated. The Ministry encourages seniors, caregivers, and family members to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about available services and resources. For more information, the public is encouraged to follow official government communication channels and Minister Brugs social media page. PHILIPSBURG:--- In a recent address to the community, Member of Parliament and Leader of the United Peoples Party (UPP), Honorable Omar Ottley, has called for urgent action to dismantle the glass ceiling that has hindered local employees in the government and public sector. Over recent years, many dedicated public servants have expressed feelings of stagnation, frustration, and favoritism, citing a lack of growth opportunities and the perception that their potential has been capped. Too many of our capable locals feel as though they have reached their maximum potential within the government and public sectors, said MP Ottley. It is disheartening to see so many individuals leave what used to be an attractive field of employment. We need to recognize the immense value that our local workforce brings and ensure that they are given the opportunities to thrive. Recent appointments within the government-owned utility company, GEBE, have raised serious concerns about the inclusion of local expertise. Reports indicate that qualified locals are too often being overlooked, prompting questions about the criteria used in these decisions. The MP has also received complaints from employees at other government-owned companies on St. Maarten, where they feel that favoritism is undermining the very principles of fairness and equal opportunity. It is time for a comprehensive review of our hiring and promotion practices, Ottley emphasized. We must prioritize innovation and indexation, ensuring that our workforce is equipped with the skills needed to meet todays demands. Outdated skills can no longer be the norm. It is imperative that we invest in training and development programs that empower our locals to not only meet but exceed the expectations of their roles. We need a government that reflects the community it serves a government that actively seeks to elevate local talent and ensure that everyone has a fair shot at success. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Finance announces the approval of the Basic Bank Account legislation, a major step toward expanding financial inclusion and ensuring that all residents have access to essential banking services. The legislation originated in March 2022, when Member of Parliament Rolando Brison introduced a motion and initial draft aimed at guaranteeing the right to a basic bank account. Following extensive review and parliamentary discussion, the draft was formally submitted in December 2023 and finalized after continued debate throughout 2024 and 2025. The Ministry of Finance formally advanced the legislation in April 2025 as part of its broader financial inclusion agenda. The Minister recognized Mr. Brisons role as initiator, while emphasizing the importance of cooperation beyond political lines. It does not matter who initiated this legislation. What matters is that it is good for the people we are elected to serve, the Minister stated. When something benefits our people, we must put political differences aside and work together. Highlighting the impact of the law, the Minister added: A basic bank account is not a privilege, it is a necessity, the Minister said. This law opens doors, restores dignity, and allows more people to fully participate in our economy. This law ensures that no resident of Sint Maarten is excluded from basic financial services and reflects our commitment to governing in the interest of all. BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- From chatbots to autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how work gets done in China, boosting efficiency while redrawing industrial boundaries. However, the shift has heightened concerns about job displacement, with workers ranging from assembly-line operators to designers and translators already feeling the pressure. Acknowledging short-term disruption, economists believe AI is less the end of jobs than a transformative force that, much like earlier waves of technological revolutions, will restructure the labor market by giving rise to new professions and work models. China's policymakers, for their part, are acting to guide AI's development in an effort to cushion its impact on employment, while also stepping up investment in human capital, aiming to build a workforce better equipped for rapid technological changes and support an economy in transition. NO JOB KILLER Analysts said concerns about technology displacing workers are hardly new. Every major technological leap, from the steam engine to mechanization, has triggered similar fears. "Even as some traditional roles are gradually fading, AI raises productivity and opens space for new industries, creating new opportunities and redefining employment in the future," said Wu Jie, an analyst of think tank DRCnet. In August 2025, the State Council rolled out guidelines for the "AI Plus" initiative, calling for broader use of AI to create new jobs and upgrade existing ones, while steering innovation resources toward sectors with strong employment potential. The World Economic Forum has projected in a report that by 2030, AI and data processing technologies would have created about 11 million jobs worldwide, more than offsetting the roughly 9 million jobs they are expected to displace. Notably, this dynamic is already visible in China. China's AI core industry is approaching a scale of 600 billion yuan (around 85.58 billion U.S. dollars), according to Ding Zhuang, a research fellow at Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at the Renmin University of China. "From breakthroughs in large language models and algorithms to the deep integration of AI with manufacturing, services and biotech, demand for talent is surging," he said. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has identified 72 new occupations over the past five years, with more than 20 tied directly to AI. Each new occupation is expected to generate jobs for 300,000 to 500,000 people in its early stages. Autonomous driving offers a telling case study. Rather than simply replacing drivers, companies are creating roles that combine operational experience with digital skills. Firms behind robotaxi services are hiring ground-safety supervisors, vehicle testers and dispatch algorithm engineers. Many openings give priority to former taxi, bus or ride-hailing drivers, reflecting a push to retrain rather than discard traditional workers. One such transition is Zhang Chao, a former car leasing manager who is now a remote safety operator for robotaxis in Beijing. He monitors autonomous vehicles in real time and intervenes when necessary, such as rerouting cars in response to road closures. The role requires a solid understanding of vehicle systems and software, as well as concentration and patience, Zhang said. "The factory floor used to be about assembling, welding and repairing. Now workers are shifting from holding wrenches to managing systems, becoming testers and operators for intelligent connected vehicles," said Wang Hao, a researcher at the China Center for Information Industry Development. INVESTING IN PEOPLE With AI representing a deep restructuring of skills, divisions of labor and job forms, the government has accelerated adaptation through retraining, upgraded education and investment in human capital. A nationwide skills-upgrading campaign through 2027 is providing subsidized training for more than 30 million people. Schools have been ordered to strengthen AI education, starting at the primary level, to help students understand how technology interacts with society. More recently, a new phrase has emerged in official documents: "Investing in human capital." It has appeared repeatedly in the 2025 government work report, long-term development planning papers, and a high-level economic meeting last month that set priorities for 2026. This concept reflects a shift in thinking. As technology accelerates, human creativity has become the core competitive asset that is helping China move from labor-intensive growth toward intelligence- and creativity-driven development, analysts explained. Given an aging population, improving human capital will help China shift from a demographic dividend to a talent dividend, said Liu Mingxi, a researcher at the Institute of Science and Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Despite such momentum, experts said much still needs to be done. Aligning university curricula with fast-moving AI applications, retraining mid-career workers, and supporting those displaced by automation all require a more comprehensive policy framework. Gong Piming, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, called for targeted transition assistance for groups hit hardest by technological changes, including enhanced unemployment benefits, retraining subsidies and re-employment incentives to shorten their path back to work. China should create multi-tiered digital talent programs and embed "AI training for all" and lifelong learning into the workforce, said Li Tao, a professor at Beijing Normal University, noting the significance of such efforts to help the workforce adapt to disruptive changes driven by accelerating development of AI. 'I know the pain': ex-refugee takes over as UNHCR chief Kakuma, Kenya, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 Barham Salih has known torture and the wrenching loss of exile. Four decades after his own ordeal, he has taken the helm of the UN refugee agency as it grapples with a funding shortfall and ever-rising needs. A former Iraqi president, Salih, 65, became the first former head of state to run the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) at the start of the year. "It is a profound moral and legal responsibility," Salih told AFP during his first trip in the new role -- to Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. "I know the pain of losing a home, losing your friends," he said. The Kakuma refugee camp, which Salih visited on Sunday, is east Africa's second largest, hosting roughly 300,000 people from South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda and Burundi. It has been in place since 1992. The world "should not allow this to continue", Salih said, praising a new initiative by Kenya to turn its camps into economic hubs. "We should not only protect refugees... but also enable them to have more durable solutions," he said, while adding: "The better way is to have peace established in their own countries... nowhere is nicer than home." - 'Electric shocks, beating' - The son of a judge and a women's rights activist, Salih was born in 1960 in Sulaymaniyah, a stronghold of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which sought self-determination for Iraq's Kurds. He went into exile in Iran in 1974, spending a year at a school for refugees. As a teenager in 1979, back in Iraq and already a member of the PUK, he was arrested twice by former dictator Saddam Hussein's regime. "I was released after 43 days after having suffered torture, electric shocks, beating," he said. Upon release, he still managed to rank among Iraq's top three high school students, according to a former colleague, before fleeing with his family to Britain where he earned a degree in computer engineering and a doctorate. Salih has "real experience of exile... He brings a personal perspective of displacement, which is very important," Filippo Grandi, his predecessor at UNHCR, told AFP last month. Salih went on to a successful career in Iraqi Kurdistan and Iraq's federal government after Hussein's overthrow in 2003, holding the largely ceremonial role of president from 2018 to 2022. - 'Serious budget cuts' - Refugee numbers have doubled to 117 million in the past decade, the UNHCR said in June, but funding has dropped sharply, especially since Donald Trump returned to the White House. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres recently praised Salih's experience as a "crisis negotiator and architect of national reforms" at a time when the agency faces "very serious challenges". "We have had very serious budget cuts last year. A lot of staff have been reduced," Salih told AFP. "But we have to understand, we have to adapt," he said, calling for "more efficiency and accountability" while also insisting the international community meets its "legal and moral obligations to help". burs-jcp/mnk/er/kjm GAZA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Gaza's interior authorities announced on Monday the killing of the head of the Khan Younis police investigations department in the southern Gaza Strip by unknown gunmen. In a press statement, the authorities said that Mahmoud al-Astal, 40, was assassinated after being shot in the al-Mawasi area. The statement added that preliminary investigations indicated the shooting was carried out from a car by several individuals accused of collaborating with Israel. It explained that security forces have opened an investigation into the incident and are working to track down the perpetrators. The killing comes as Hamas announced plans to dissolve the government bodies administering the Gaza Strip and transfer their duties to an independent technocratic committee. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said on Saturday that the movement had made a "clear decision" to hand over administrative responsibilities, stressing the need to facilitate the committee's work and ensure its swift formation. Armed pirates abduct nine sailors off Gabon Libreville, Gabon, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 Armed assailants boarded a fishing trawler off Gabon's coast over the weekend and abducted nine sailors, the defence ministry said. The incident on Saturday night was the latest act of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, which spans more than 5,700 kilometres (3,500 miles) from Senegal to Angola off Africa's west coast. "This attack, perpetrated by three armed individuals, led to the abduction of nine crew members, including five Chinese nationals and four Indonesians," the navy's chief of staff Hubert Bekale Meyong said in a video statement broadcast by Gabonese media on Monday. "The trawler IB Fish 7, flying the Gabonese flag, was the victim of a pirate attack while engaged in fishing about seven nautical miles southwest of Ekwata, in Gabonese waters," he added. Six other sailors of Indonesian, Chinese and Burkinabe nationalities remained onboard the vessel, he said. Gabonese authorities located the trawler before it was escorted to the port of Libreville and an inquiry has been opened. In February last year, three sailors were kidnapped at gunpoint from a fishing trawler in waters near the capital. Part of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Guinea is a key maritime route for oil and gas as it borders west Africa's major oil producers. It is also popular with amateur fishing enthusiasts, pleasure-boaters and tourists keen to go whale watching off Gabon's coastline. The waters were long considered among the most pirate-infested in the world. But in recent years pirate attacks have become less frequent after a joint crackdown by countries bordering the gulf, alongside several European nations. Press Release from Business Wire: Esri (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 REDLANDS, Jan 12, 2026 (BSW) - Esri , the global leader in location intelligence, announced today that the Shom (French Hydrographic and Oceanographic Office) has officially adopted Custom Chart Builder (CCB) for automated production of all paper nautical charts. Following extensive testing and configuration, Shom confirmed that CCB-generated charts meet the stringent safety standards required by the French Navy, marking a pivotal advancement in automating maritime cartography and reinforcing its role as a pioneer in maritime digital transformation. "This adoption demonstrates that high-quality, regulation-compliant paper charts can now be produced without manual intervention, dramatically reducing production time and cost," said Rafael Ponce, Esri principal maritime consultant. "Shom's endorsement validates Esri's CCB as a trusted solution for hydrographic offices worldwide, supporting the transition to digital-first workflows and e-navigation." Over the course of 2024, Shom evaluated multiple software solutions and selected Esri's CCB suite for its ability to automate chart creation from Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs). After a successful collaboration on development-including Shom's customized symbology-Shom achieved a rendering quality that met the operational standards of the French Navy. The result is a scalable, efficient solution that preserves safety and compliance while enabling significant resource savings. "Thanks to Esri's Custom Chart Builder, Shom has modernized its chart production workflow without compromising safety," said Nicolas David, who serves as chief of the Cartographic Department at Shom and led the CCB testing. "The CPENC [Certified Printed ENC] provided by Shom does not present any significant differences compared to conventional nautical charts." Esri's CCB is designed for maritime agencies, defense organizations, and hydrographic offices seeking to streamline chart production while maintaining regulatory standards. It supports the transition to S-100-based digital products by freeing staff to focus on them, and also helps organizations balance legacy needs with future demands. Esri recognized Shom's achievement with a Special Achievement in GIS Award at the 2025 Esri User Conference. Discussions are now underway to integrate Shom's configurations into future CCB releases, benefiting and enabling more out-of-the-box charting capabilities for other hydrographic offices. Shom also plans to share its FME-based developments and expertise to support global adoption. To learn more about how Esri can help professionals in the maritime industry meet changing standards in nautical charting, visit esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-maritime/overview. About Shom The Shom, the French national hydrographic and oceanographic office, provides physical knowledge of the ocean. It measures and describes sea levels, currents, marine sediments, swells, sea temperature, salinity, underwater noise, relief, magnetic fields, etc., and predicts how they will change. Its internationally recognized expertise informs the decisions of sea users and maritime stakeholders. Its products and services meet the needs of the armed forces, ensure the safety of navigators, guide public policy on the sea and coastline, support the development of the blue economy, and contribute to the preservation of the marine environment. About Esri Esri, the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, helps customers unlock the full potential of data to improve operational and business results. Founded in 1969 in Redlands, California, USA, Esri software is deployed in hundreds of thousands of organizations globally, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and universities. Esri has regional offices, international distributors, and partners providing local support in over 100 countries on six continents. With its pioneering commitment to geospatial technology and analytics, Esri engineers the most innovative solutions that leverage a geographic approach to solving some of the world's most complex problems by placing them in the crucial context of location. Visit us at esri.com. Copyright 2025 Esri. All rights reserved. Esri, the Esri globe logo, ArcGIS, The Science of Where, esri.com, and @esri.com are trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of Esri in the United States, the European Union, or certain other jurisdictions. Other companies and products or services mentioned herein may be trademarks, service marks, or registered marks of their respective mark owners. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112160180/en/ Contact Jo Ann PruchniewskiPublic Relations, EsriMobile: 301-693-2643 Email: [email protected] 2026 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release. RSF drones strike Sudan's eastern city of Sinja: military source Port Sudan, Sudan, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces launched a drone strike Monday on an army base in the southeastern city of Sinja, a military source told AFP. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media, said RSF drones "targeted the headquarters of the army's 17th Infantry Division in Sinja, the capital of Sennar state". Since April 2023, the civil war between the army and the RSF has killed tens of thousands and left around 11 million people displaced internally and across borders. Sennar state has seen relative calm since the army recaptured key Sudanese cities in late 2024 in an offensive that later saw it regain the capital Khartoum. The Sennar region was last targeted by drones in October. One resident of Sinja told AFP on Monday that they "heard explosions and anti-aircraft fire". Sinja, which is located around 300 kilometres (180 miles) southeast of Khartoum, lies on a road linking army-controlled areas of eastern and central Sudan. The strike comes a day after the army-aligned government said it had returned to Khartoum following three years operating from its eastern wartime capital of Port Sudan. Sweden invests over $400 mn in military drones Stockholm, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 Sweden is investing four billion kronor ($437 million) to acquire drones for all branches of its armed forces, the country's defence minister said Monday, stressing that Europe needed to assume "greater responsibility" for itself and Ukraine. Defence Minister Pal Jonson said the investment included reconnaissance and electronic warfare drones and "long-range loitering munitions" -- also known as kamikaze or suicide drones. "It also includes maritime drones for mine clearance and maritime surveillance," Jonson added. According to Jonson, the drone systems should all be delivered "within two years". The minister also said Sweden was investing 1.3 billion kronor in its "space capability, with around 10 military satellites that will enhance the effectiveness of our unmanned systems and cruise missiles". On Sunday, Sweden announced it would be investing 15 billion kronor in ground-based aerial defence systems. In November, the Nordic country announced it was spending around $366 million on IRIS-T surface-to-air short-range missiles to protect itself against missiles, drones and combat aircraft. Speaking at an annual defence conference, Jonson also lamented that the security situation had deteriorated compared to a year earlier. "To the growing threat from Russia, we are now adding increased American unpredictability. An obvious conclusion is that Europe must assume greater responsibility for our own and Ukraine's security," Jonson said. Russia claims Oreshnik missile hit Ukrainian aviation plant Moscow, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 Russia on Monday claimed to have hit an aviation repair plant in Ukraine's western Lviv region last week with its Oreshnik ballistic missile, the first time either country has named the strike's alleged target. Moscow said it fired the Oreshnik in response to its allegations that Ukraine attempted to hit one of President Vladimir Putin's residences in a drone strike, something Kyiv denied and the United States said it doubts happened. It was the second time the weapon -- which can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads -- is known to have been used in combat. "On the night of January 9th, the Lviv state aircraft repair plant was put out of action by the Oreshnik mobile ground-based missile system," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement. AFP is unable to verify the claim. Ukraine has confirmed the missile was fired on the Lviv region, which is close to the EU border, and published images of what it said were fragments of the missile. It said a "civilian target" was hit, but did not elaborate on the exact location or the extent of any damage. Asked about Russia's claim on Monday, Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat told AFP: "We never comment on where the hit was." Residents of Rudno, on the outskirts of Lviv and near the aviation plant, told AFP last Friday that they heard explosions at night, and some reported gas outages. Russia said Ukraine used the plant to repair and service its Soviet-designed MiG-29 aircraft and the US-made F-16 jets supplied by the West. Putin has claimed that Oreshnik, an intermediate-range missile that can reach targets between 3,000 and 5,500 kilometres (1,860-3,400 miles) away, is "impossible" to intercept by modern air defences. Sudan paramilitary strikes southeastern state capital Port Sudan, Sudan, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces launched drones at an army base in the southeastern city of Sinja on Monday, a military source told AFP, a day after the army-aligned government announced its return to Khartoum. Since April 2023, the war between the army and the RSF has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 11 million internally and across borders, and created the world's largest displacement and hunger crises. Sinja, the capital of Sennar state, lies around 300 kilometres (180 miles) southeast of Khartoum, along a strategic road connecting the national capital to the army-controlled east. It had largely been spared the fighting since the army recaptured the area in late 2024 as part of a wider offensive that saw it later retake Khartoum. The military source, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to brief the media, said RSF drones "targeted the headquarters of the army's 17th Infantry Division" in Sinja. One resident told AFP that they "heard explosions and anti-aircraft fire". The Sennar region had last been targeted by drones in October. In the year following its recapture, more than 200,000 people returned to Sennar state, according to the United Nations' migration agency. But the agency has warned many such returns across the country remain "fragile", often taking place in areas with damaged infrastructure and ongoing insecurity. - Return to Khartoum - Monday's strike comes a day after Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced that the internationally recognised government had returned to Khartoum after close to three years of operating from its wartime capital of Port Sudan. Along with the government, millions of civilians had fled the capital early in the war when RSF fighters quickly overran it. Since the army regained control last year, around 1.2 million have gradually returned, according to the latest UN figures. Reconstruction efforts are underway, but the RSF, which with its allies now rules around a third of the country, sporadically launches long-range drones deep into army-controlled territory, particularly targeting infrastructure. The army and its government control Sudan's north, east and centre. The RSF now dominates the vast western region of Darfur and has pushed through the southern region of Kordofan, aiming to capture cities that would bring it closer to Khartoum. With multiple cities under paramilitary siege, hundreds of thousands face mass starvation in Kordofan. The UN has called the conflict a "war of atrocities", with both sides accused of targeting civilians. Somalia cancels all UAE deals after Somaliland, Yemeni spats Mogadishu, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 Somalia cancelled all agreements with the United Arab Emirates on Monday amid tensions over Israel's recognition of Somaliland and reports the Emiratis used Somali territory to help a Yemeni separatist flee his country. "Having carefully assessed recent developments and exercising its constitutional authority, the Council of Ministers has annulled all agreements concluded with the United Arab Emirates... including bilateral security and defense cooperation agreements," the Somali government said in a statement. There have been deepening disagreements between Somalia and the UAE over a number of issues. The UAE is seen as quietly supporting the move by Israel last month to recognise Somaliland, the first to do so since the self-proclaimed republic declared independence from Somalia in 1991. The UAE built and operates a large deep-water port and military base at Berbera in Somaliland. Tensions spiked again last week after Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of helping a Yemeni separatist leader, Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, escape by boat and plane via Berbera and Mogadishu to Abu Dhabi. Somalia's immigration agency said at the time it was investigating an "alleged unauthorised use of Somalia's national airspace and airports". The Somali government did not directly mention the recognition of Somaliland or the alleged escape of Zubaidi in its statement cancelling deals with the UAE. It said the decision was "based on credible reports and compelling evidence concerning hostile actions undermining national sovereignty, territorial unity, and the political independence of the country". Somalia cancels all UAE deals after Somaliland, Yemeni spats Mogadishu, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 Somalia cancelled all agreements with the United Arab Emirates on Monday amid tensions over Israel's recognition of Somaliland and reports the Emiratis used Somali territory to help a Yemeni separatist flee his country. "Having carefully assessed recent developments and exercising its constitutional authority, the Council of Ministers has annulled all agreements concluded with the United Arab Emirates... including bilateral security and defense cooperation agreements," the Somali government said in a statement. There have been deepening differences between Somalia and the UAE over a number of issues. The UAE is seen as quietly supporting the move by Israel last month to recognise Somaliland, the first to do so since the self-proclaimed republic declared independence from Somalia in 1991. The UAE built and operates a large deep-water port and military base at Berbera in Somaliland. Tensions spiked again last week after Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of helping a Yemeni separatist leader, Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, escape by boat and plane via Berbera and the Somali capital Mogadishu to Abu Dhabi. Somalia's immigration agency said at the time it was investigating an "alleged unauthorised use of Somalia's national airspace and airports". The Somali government did not directly mention the recognition of Somaliland or the alleged escape of Zubaidi in its statement cancelling deals with the UAE. It said the decision was "based on credible reports and compelling evidence concerning hostile actions undermining national sovereignty, territorial unity, and the political independence of the country". "The decision of the cabinet today comes after a long period of endurance by the leadership of the federal government. The UAE continued to interfere with Somalia's internal affairs and has been engaging in acts of misconduct and dual-track policy in Somalia," a senior official in the Somali presidential palace told AFP, on condition of anonymity and without going into details. - Stoked fears - Much of the international community, especially in the African and Arab world, opposed Israel's recognition of Somaliland, with many fearing it would stoke other seccessionist movements. But the UAE has remained quiet. Somaliland enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own currency, passport and army. It is seen as a useful launchpad for Israel to target Houthi rebels in Yemen or for the UAE to supply allies in Africa. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called the Israeli decision a "threat" to stability in the already volatile Horn of Africa. In its statement on Monday, the Somali government said the UAE would no longer be permitted to operate in Berbera, although it has only theoretical authority over the region. It said partnerships with the UAE at two other ports in Somalia -- at Bosaso and Kismayo -- were also cancelled, although these also lie in areas where the federal government has only limited control, in the semi-autonomous states of Puntland and Jubaland, respectively. Sudan paramilitary strike on southeastern city kills 27 Port Sudan, Sudan, Jan 12 (AFP) Jan 12, 2026 Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces launched drones at an army base in the southeastern city of Sinja on Monday, killing 27 people, military and health sources told AFP. Sinja, the capital of Sennar state, lies around 300 kilometres (180 miles) southeast of Khartoum, along a strategic road connecting the national capital to the army-controlled east. The strike came a day after the army-aligned government announced its return to Khartoum after close to three years operating from its wartime base in the eastern city of Port Sudan. Sinja had largely been spared the fighting since the army recaptured the area in late 2024 as part of a wider offensive that saw it later retake Khartoum. The military source, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to brief the media, said RSF drones "targeted the headquarters of the army's 17th Infantry Division" in Sinja. Ibrahim al-Awad, the Sennar state health minister, said that the attack also wounded 73 people. A security source told AFP on condition of anonymity that the strike targeted the army headquarters "during a meeting attended by military, security and government officials" from several eastern and central states. The governor of White Nile state narrowly "escaped death", according the state's communications office, which said his bodyguard and head of protocol were among the victims. One resident of Sinja told AFP that they "heard explosions and anti-aircraft fire". The Sennar region had last been targeted by drones in October. - Fragile return - Since April 2023, the war between the army and the RSF has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced 11 million internally and across borders, and created the world's largest displacement and hunger crises. In the year following Sennar's recapture, more than 200,000 people returned to the state, according to the United Nations' migration agency. But the agency has warned many such returns across the country remain "fragile", often taking place in areas with damaged infrastructure and ongoing insecurity. Along with the government, millions of civilians had fled Khartoum early in the war when RSF fighters quickly overran it. Since the army regained control last year, around 1.2 million have gradually returned, according to the latest UN figures. Reconstruction efforts are underway, but the RSF, which with its allies now rules around a third of the country, sporadically launches long-range drones deep into army-controlled territory, particularly targeting infrastructure. The army and its government control Sudan's north, east and centre. The RSF now dominates the vast western region of Darfur and has pushed through the southern region of Kordofan, aiming to capture cities that would bring it closer to Khartoum. With multiple cities under paramilitary siege, hundreds of thousands face mass starvation in Kordofan. The UN has called the conflict a "war of atrocities", with both sides accused of targeting civilians. This photo taken on Aug. 13, 2025 shows a view of the Phnom Sampov, a limestone mountain and religious site, in Battambang province, Cambodia. Cambodia's Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with Fauna & Flora-Cambodia Program, on Monday released guidelines for sustainable development and management of caves, the first of their kind for the country. The guidelines mark a significant step towards the protection and sustainable management of Cambodia's unique limestone karst ecosystems, said a joint press release. (Fauna & Flora-Cambodia Program/Handout via Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with Fauna & Flora-Cambodia Program, on Monday released guidelines for sustainable development and management of caves, the first of their kind for the country. The guidelines mark a significant step towards the protection and sustainable management of Cambodia's unique limestone karst ecosystems, said a joint press release. "The guidelines integrate international best practices with Cambodian context, providing practical measures to safeguard bat colonies, preserve rare and endemic cave biodiversity, promote sustainable guano harvesting, and ensure responsible tourism development," the press release said. "They also emphasize the preservation of the unique cultural and archaeological heritage found in many of Cambodia's cave systems," it added. Limestone caves are among Cambodia's most under-appreciated natural treasures, the press release said, adding that hidden within dramatic karst landscapes, they hold exceptional cultural, biological, and economic value. "These ecosystems support unique and often irreplaceable lifeforms, preserve remnants of our ancient past, and sustain local livelihoods through tourism and guano collection," the press release said. "Yet despite their significance, Cambodian caves remain poorly understood, largely unregulated, and are increasingly threatened." Designed as a comprehensive resource for local and sub-national authorities, protected area managers, and community stakeholders, the cave guidelines will equip stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to protect and sustainably manage limestone and cave ecosystems across Cambodia, the press release said. This photo taken on March 8, 2025 shows a view of the Phnom Sampov, a limestone mountain and religious site, in Battambang province, Cambodia. Cambodia's Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with Fauna & Flora-Cambodia Program, on Monday released guidelines for sustainable development and management of caves, the first of their kind for the country. The guidelines mark a significant step towards the protection and sustainable management of Cambodia's unique limestone karst ecosystems, said a joint press release. (Fauna & Flora-Cambodia Program/Handout via Xinhua) This photo taken on Dec. 3, 2023 shows an interior view of the Phnom La'ang Kang Kep cave, which is used as a sacred site, in Battambang province, Cambodia. Cambodia's Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with Fauna & Flora-Cambodia Program, on Monday released guidelines for sustainable development and management of caves, the first of their kind for the country. The guidelines mark a significant step towards the protection and sustainable management of Cambodia's unique limestone karst ecosystems, said a joint press release. (Fauna & Flora-Cambodia Program/Handout via Xinhua) WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to discuss options for Iran with his senior advisers on Tuesday, Reuters quoted a U.S. official as saying on Sunday. It was quite the switch-up, not only for the dark-dominated red carpet, but also for Lawrence, who has become famous for her low-key cool mum street style, championing quiet luxury brand The Row like no one else. Her Golden Globes look brought forward a fresh dose of femininity, proving that Lawrence can still play around with her red carpet style. I wish to seek protection of courts in my own jurisdiction as I understand it, the Scottish courts are not subservient to courts in England and Wales, their opinion is equally valid and most importantly they have the absolute right to take a different view from the courts in England and Wales. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue There is an established definition of a start on site, which is pretty much the same as Homes Englands definition. I cant just tell [a member of staff] you need to record a start for this particular scheme. It was an outrageous allegation, and I think I responded to it quite substantially. He went on: There have been multiple contractors going bust that have affected our programme. So yes, it might be the case that something that has legitimately started on site is not currently continuing to be built out because of factors beyond the mayor's or the GLAs control. Asked about the possibility of banning the organisation, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sky News: Its a very thorough process that the Home Secretary would go through in determining whether to proscribe an organisation Im not going to second-guess the decisions of the Home Secretary on a matter as significant as this. Asked if she would ban the IRGC, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told Sky News: It's a very thorough process that the Home Secretary would go through in determining whether to proscribe an organisation... I'm not going to second-guess the decisions of the Home Secretary on a matter as significant as this. TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that the situation in Iran is "under total control" following violence linked to protests over the weekend, while denouncing the United States for intervening. In a meeting with foreign diplomats, Araghchi said the country's nationwide protests were "turned violent and bloody" to give an "excuse" for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene, Al Jazeera reported. Trump's warning of military action against Tehran if protests turn bloody encouraged "terrorists" to target protesters and security forces to invite foreign intervention, the minister said, noting, "We are ready for war but also for dialogue." According to Araghchi, the demonstrations were "stoked and fuelled" by foreign elements, and security forces would "hunt down" those responsible. He said that Iran has obtained evidence of U.S. and Israeli involvement in domestic "terrorist activities," including footage showing weapons being distributed to protesters, and that authorities will soon release confessions of detainees. Regarding a nationwide internet blackout that has lasted for days, Araghchi said that the government is coordinating with security authorities to ensure the Internet is restored soon. A protest broke out late last month over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. It soon spiraled into nationwide unrest, with clashes reported between police and protesters. The two weeks of unrest, which Iran has blamed on the United States and Israel, have led to at least 111 members of Iran's security forces being killed, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. The ex chancellor, who also led the Conservative government's vaccine programme in the early days of the pandemic, added: "I've made my mind that the team that will deliver for this nation will be the team that Nigel will put together, and that's why I've decided that I'm joining Reform UK." Speaking of Martin, who starred as Charlie Slater in the BBC One soap, Yip, 74, who appeared alongside him in 1980s BBC police drama The Chinese Detective, said: I was only seven years into my acting career and most of that had been working in the theatre (when he joined the programme). "Iran wants to negotiate, yes. We might meet with them. A meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what is happening before the meeting, but a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate," Trump told reporters on Air Force One. The blank slate of January is here, and with it, a flurry of well-meaning intentions. Whether youre looking to be your healthiest self, update your wardrobe, or learn a new skill, weve got the lists to help. Nows the perfect time to bolster your wardrobe: the January sales are still going strong, with many pieces now at their lowest prices, meaning they should be affordable even as we await payday. Michael Cargill speaks with reporters in early 2019 after entering Austin City Hall while openly carrying a handgun, The Austin gun rights advocate and gun shop owner has filed bankruptcy for the second time in as many years. Austin American-Statesman Austin gun-rights advocate Michael Cargill has fought for looser restrictions on firearms for more than a decade. He even helped win a case at the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the first Trump administrations ban on bump stocks devices that can convert a semi-automatic into a near fully automatic weapon. But the Supreme Court may be a cakewalk compared to the challenge Cargill and his gun shop are facing from creditors in bankruptcy court. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cargill and his Central Texas Gun Works owe nearly $3 million to individuals, other businesses, the federal government and even Alex Jones bankruptcy estate. According to court documents, CTCHGC LLC, the gun shops registered name, is deep under water, with about five times more in debt than it has in assets. And Cargills wealth is so tied up in the gun shop that his personal bankruptcy proceedings are being administered concurrently with those of the business. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source The situation is so desperate for Cargill that he has petitioned the court for an emergency hearing this week to allow him to use cash to pay his staff. Their paychecks were due Friday and the motion asked for a hearing as soon as Monday or Tuesday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This is the second time in two years the gun shop has declared bankruptcy. The abrupt and untimely death of Cargills former attorney Kell Mercer may have been a contributing factor to the need to reenter bankruptcy, according to Stephen Sather, his current attorney. But Sather said the behavior of some creditors to recoup what theyre owed was a bigger factor. One lender, seeing the struggles of Central Texas Gun Works, began sending notices to companies that owed Cargill and his gun shop money. According to Sather, those notices said the creditors had a lien on the property and that they would collect any money owed to it. When people get these notices they shut down because they dont know who to pay, Sather said. FROM 2017: Austin leaders nix nomination of gun rights activist to city panel Advertisement Article continues below this ad A comparison of the two bankruptcy filings shows the store has made little, if any, progress on paying down its debt to some of its largest creditors. According to filings from September 2024, for example, the business then owed more than $650,000 to Austin-based Adrian Jung. Now, hes owed more than $730,000, according to Cargills Dec 23 bankruptcy petition. The gun shop still owes nearly $1 million to the U.S. Small Business Administration. And it owes more than $35,000 to conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, via the now bankrupted media moguls estate. Like the last time Cargill entered bankruptcy, his lack of timely filing of paperwork may again cost him the protection from creditors the bankruptcy process provides. The U.S. trustee in the combined cases, Shane Tobin, has asked the court to do just that: Either convert this case to Chapter 7 [liquidation] or dismiss this case because of CTCHGC, LLCs (Debtor) unexcused failure to timely comply with a filing requirement imposed by the Bankruptcy Code. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If the case is dismissed, Cargills creditors would probably have to sue him to get their money back, which could set off a frenzy to file. Tobins proposed order is scheduled to be heard Friday. But if Cargill can get the necessary filings made this week, Sather said, its unlikely the judge will dismiss. Cargill has been a loud voice for gun rights in Austin and has tried to be an influential voice in the Republican Party of Texas. He has often leaned into controversy and made a habit of engaging the press to amplify his message. At one point he hosted a radio show called Come and Talk It, its title a play on the Come and Take It slogan from the Texas Revolution. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In addition to beating the national ban on bump stocks in the courts, Cargill was the proxy for a lawsuit by Attorney General Ken Paxton against the city of Austin over its ban on firearms in City Hall. A judge sided with Cargill. He has been no stranger to controversy, either. A bruising 2012 primary race for the Precinct 2 constable seat led to allegations of tortious interference and lawsuits. In August, he was videotaped body slamming a man who he said had threatened to stab him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last week, in another violent turn, Cargill took to X and Instagram to boast that a man who had attempted to rob his gun store had potentially met a violent end. He said his staff stopped the robbery, that his team would use deadly force and that the man would not be going home. Brandon Lingle covers technology, cybersecurity and aerospace for the Express-News. You can reach him at Brandon.Lingle@express-news.net. Before writing for the Business team, he was an Editorial Board member and opinion columnist. Brandon joined the paper in 2020 as a Report for America fellow. He came to journalism after more than 20 years in the Air Force. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to employees of defense/aerospace manufacturing company Rocket Lab on Friday in Long Beach, Calif. It was part of his Arsenal of Freedom tour, a call to action to revitalize Americas manufacturing and re-energize the nations workforce. Rocket Lab won government contracts to build satellites, including a recent $816 million deal in late 2025 for 18 missile-tracking satellites for the Space Development Agency. Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times STARBASE Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth laid out his plan Monday night to toss out the old military industrial complex and replace it with a system built on artificial intelligence and rapid deployment of new technology he said would be focused on warfighters. In a speech inside Elon Musks SpaceX rocket factory, Hegseth capped off the Texas leg of what the Department of Defense is calling the Arsenal of Freedom tour, which it said is intended to fuel a revival of the nations defense industry. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The challenge is that our legacy approach to technological development assumes that technology moves in a linear way and that only existing companies can provide it, Hegseth said. That ends today. Earlier in the day, he spoke at Lockheed Martin Corp.s facility in Fort Worth, where he stood in front of one of the F-35 fighters built there and repeated his mantra that the military must be tougher and better prepared but added that it must also be armed with the latest technology. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source That was the theme he expanded on in Starbase, where he held forth for 45 minutes to a crowd of SpaceX employees clad in backwards ball caps and hard hats, government employees and elected officials in suits, and military personnel in camouflage. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They had waited more than an hour for the speech while Hegseth was led on a walking tour of the facility by Musk, founder and CEO of the commercial space company. The speech was initially scheduled for the afternoon but night fell long before Hegseth appeared. After taking the stage, he offered praise for Musk and the SpaceX employees at Starbase where the company builds and launches its Starship mega-rocket using them as a counterpoint to what he called the defense industrys risk-averse culture thats slowing innovation. We need to be blunt here. We can no longer afford to wait a decade for our legacy prime contractors to deliver a perfect system, Hegseth said. Winning requires a new playbook. Elon wrote it with his algorithm: Question every requirement, delete the dumb ones and accelerate like hell. Transformative realignment In a statement, the Pentagon called the reorganization a transformative realignment of its innovation ecosystem. Advertisement Article continues below this ad This overhaul replaces a historically fragmented system with a more unified and fast-paced innovation enterprise built to deliver technology to the warfighter with greater urgency, it said. Commercial innovation demands clarity and speed, not long delays or uncertainty. Hegseth said the new effort would be led by Trump appointee Emil Michael, the undersecretary of research and engineering and chief technology officer of the Defense Department. We are rolling out the red carpet for innovators, Michael said in a statement. This new structure creates a stronger identity for our innovation ecosystem and gives industry a more direct path to move technology into the hands of the American warfighter. Speed will now be prioritized, as will increasing data sharing and reducing what Hegseth called bureaucratic blockers, or government employees who slow down project progress. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We are done running a peace-time science fair, he said. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth makes remarks Friday during his Arsenal of Freedom tour stop in Los Angeles. Department of War He also said Musks artificial intelligence chatbot Grok will join Googles generative AI engine in operating inside the Pentagon network as part of a push to feed the militarys data into the developing technology. Very soon we will have the worlds leading AI models on every unclassified and classified network throughout our department, Hegseth said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The announcement came just days after Grok which is embedded into X, the social media network also owned by Musk drew global outcry for generating highly sexualized deepfake images of people without their consent. Malaysia and Indonesia blocked the AI platform while the U.K.s independent online safety watchdog announced an investigation Monday. The European Union said earlier X must deal with the issue. Other countries are investigating and may also clamp down. In response to such fallout, Grok said it was limiting image generation and editing to paying users. As of Tuesday, though, the tools were still available to free users. On Tuesday, the nonprofit Public Citizen said Groks record should disqualify it from government use. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Deploying Grok across other areas of the federal government is worrying enough, but choosing to use it at the Pentagon is a national security disgrace, the watchdogs J.B. Branch said in a statement. San Antonio visit NASA and the Pentagon have already invested billions into Musks Starship program, which is expanding into Florida and possibly California. SpaceX has received more than $22 billion in federal contracts since 2008, and Trumps threats last year to cut Musk-owned company contracts hasnt slowed Pentagon spending. Last week, the Space Force announced it awarded SpaceX another $739 million in contracts for launches in 2027 and 2028. That comes after a $714 million deal for launches the space firm landed in October. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hegseth began his day in San Antonio, where he visited troops at Brooke Army Medical Center who were wounded during the operation to extract President Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela. The Pentagon said last week that two U.S. soldiers wounded in the Jan. 2 commando raid were recovering at the giant medical center. Five other soldiers who took part in the operation also suffered injuries but had returned to duty, a spokesman said. In Forth Worth, Hegseth referred to the operation, dubbed Absolute Resolve, as an example of the sort of military he and President Donald Trump want and the kind of overwhelming force they hope to bring to bear on every campaign, repeating their Peace through strength mantra. Its a mantra thats been heard throughout history, from the Roman emperor Hadrian to U.S. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan. While in North Texas, he also swore in recruits at a Navy recruiting site and visited Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hegseth also fell back on his standard talking points, decrying woke principles hes said have hindered the militarys effectiveness. No more DEI. No more dudes in dresses, he said to cheers and applause from the Fort Worth crowd. More competition Such talk aside, the overwhelming message of Hegseths North Texas speech seemed to be you build it and we will buy it. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We ultimately dont care what name is on the side of a missile or plane, he said. We just want the best and our expectation is that every company competes. He said the military needs superior technology to ensure its never in a fair fight. Were going to give the same message to small companies and medium-sized companies, he said. The urgency of the moment requires it. The warfighters need it and they need it yesterday. Lockheed Martin is one of the largest defense contractors in the country. It recently won a contract to build nearly 300 more F-35 stealth attack fighters at a cost of $23 billion. The program has an estimated annual economic impact of $72 billion and provides more than 250,000 advanced manufacturing jobs, according to the company. In the Fort Worth area, the program supports more than 49,000 direct and indirect jobs and $9.4 billion in annual economic impact. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Hegseths industry tour began early last week at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. It then headed to California, where he gave the oath of enlistment to new recruits, spoke with officer candidates and visited Rocket Lab, a commercial space company in Long Beach. It also comes just days after Trump said he was ramping up pressure on weapons makers, which he has criticized for slow production. He signed an executive order placing restrictions on executive pay and stock buybacks at defense companies that do not maintain adequate production, have not made capital investments or are deemed to be underperforming. Earlier this month, he called for increasing military spending by 50%, to $1.5 trillion in 2027, citing troubled and dangerous times. Hegseth referred to that whopping increase Monday night. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We will not squander this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand our security, he said. After announcing it Sunday, the Department of Defense declined to share information, timing or details of access for media to report on Hegseths industry tour. From Sunday through Monday, the Pentagons spokesman for the event declined to return repeated phone calls and emails regarding Mondays events. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A reporter with Hearst Newspapers, the states largest media organization, was escorted from the site of Monday evenings speech, which instead was covered via livestream from elsewhere in Starbase. "This is an imperialist aggression," decry protesters at a #Rome rally against U.S. moves on #Venezuela and #Greenland. New Tesla Model Y electric cars, some with Robotaxi markings, are parked on a lot in southeast Austin on Jan. 2, 2026. Austin has emerged as a major testing ground for autonomous vehicle technology amid a broader federal debate over regulation. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman A U.S. House of Representatives committee hearing could have ramifications for how Texas regulates and oversees autonomous vehicle deployment. The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee will consider several draft proposals Tuesday, with some members aiming to ban states from setting rules for AVs and others looking to ease exemption requirements. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The discussion comes as driverless robotaxi testing and deployment expands nationwide, with Austin as a major launching pad. Automakers have urged Congress for years to make those deployments easier, with pressure intensifying in recent months. Amazons Zoox, Austin-based Avride and Volkswagens ADMT are currently testing in Austin as well. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Safety advocates and some state lawmakers have called for stricter guardrails on deployment and for mandating human supervision during testing. Most companies test vehicles with human drivers before full commercial service, though some Tesla robotaxis still use safety monitors in the front passenger seat, despite CEO Elon Musks earlier claim that all such monitors would be removed by the end of 2025. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Any easing of federal autonomous vehicle regulations could have long-term implications for how Texas navigates the emerging sector, particularly as Austins robotaxi operations face increased scrutiny over safety concerns. What the House is discussing Congress has long been divided over autonomous vehicle regulation, slowing deployment and leaving the federal government without strict guidelines. Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, said that for now the federal government is limited to enforcing recall and exemption laws because there is no federal framework to regulate autonomous vehicles. For the past year, Washington has said it would consider new regulations, with U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy saying last April that a new department framework to boost AVs is necessary to help the country compete with Chinese rivals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In June, major automakers including Tesla called for the Trump administration to make necessary regulatory changes faster. Tuesdays hearing will see lawmakers consider proposals to establish those regulations, but Brooks said they fall short of the standards applied to other vehicle safety requirements. One proposed bill would raise the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations annual exemption cap from 2,500 vehicles per automaker to 90,000. The exemptions allow automakers to deploy vehicles on a limited basis without meeting certain safety standards such as requirements for steering wheels or pedals if they can demonstrate the vehicles are safe. The agency has approved few exemption requests so far. One bill would remove rearview mirror and steering wheel requirements for driverless robotaxis, reflecting automaker suggestions that those features are unnecessary. Another proposal would bar states from setting rules for autonomous driving systems and self-driving vehicles altogether. The states wouldnt be able to regulate autonomous vehicles. The federal government is not regulating autonomous vehicles, Brooks said. At that point, the only backstop for consumer protection is the courts. And theres even language in proposed bills that would bring into question the ability of consumers to access the civil justice system. Its all highly problematic. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Waymo autonomous vehicles are seen charging at a facility in Southeast Austin on Nov. 19, 2025. On Tuesday, a U.S. House subcommittee is scheduled to consider legislation that could reshape how autonomous vehicles are regulated nationwide. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Texas AV law and how it can be changed During the previous legislative session, Texas revised its 2017 framework governing AV operations. Although the new regulations took effect Sept. 1, the authorization process will not be enforceable until May 28, according to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles spokesman Adam Shaivitz. Beginning that date, AV operators will be required to obtain TxDMV authorization to operate commercially on Texas roads. Advertisement Article continues below this ad To obtain approval, operators must show that their vehicles: Can operate while complying with state traffic laws. Are equipped with a recording device. Comply with federal laws and federal motor vehicle safety standards. Achieve a minimal risk condition if the automated self-driving tech is rendered inoperable. Submit a First Responder Interaction Plan to the Department of Public Safety. Are registered, titled and insured under Texas law. The new law relaxed aspects of the 2017 framework, removing much of municipalities ability to regulate AVs within city or county limits. Even that limited state control could be eroded by the federal regulations now under consideration. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The preemption language of the bills that are proposed is so broad that it's hard to say that it wouldn't touch on virtually any state trying to regulate any aspect of autonomous vehicle impacts, Brooks said. The language is so broad and vague in many ways that it raises the question of whether states will be able to enforce any of their laws, including traffic laws, against autonomous vehicle companies. Autonomous vehicle safety concerns As self-driving technology evolves, many automakers have argued that autonomous vehicles are central to a safer future. Industry reports, including one commissioned by Waymo, have found that autonomous vehicles are involved in fewer serious crashes than other vehicles. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But critics argue the technology is not ready for widespread deployment and that bypassing regulatory steps set by states and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration could lead to traffic violations and potentially life-threatening crashes. NHTSA has opened a number of investigations in self-driving vehicles operated by Waymo, Tesla and Zoox. Waymo most recently came under fire after an Austin ISD investigation found that the self-driving robotaxis illegally passed Austin school buses more than 20 times between August and December. A Tesla Cybercab is tested on Guadalupe Street in Austin, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. The purpose-built robotaxi was unveiled in 2024 as a fully autonomous vehicle. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Teslas first AV-related probe came after videos online circulated showing the companys robotaxis driving erratically and violating traffic laws shortly after launching in Austin. The companys other probes focus on its Full Self-Driving technology updates, now available in all Tesla vehicles. The company has also recently been targeted by other auto safety bills, like one introduced by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Illinois), which would require Tesla to modify the design of its door handles. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Austin-based automaker is beginning production of its new two-seat driverless robotaxi, the Cybercab. A prototype of the pedal-less, wheel-less AV has been spotted on Austin streets at night, including the MoPac Expressway, officially known as Loop 1. John Zerwas, Chancellor ad interim of the University of Texas System, speaks in his office in the UT System administration office building on Monday, August. 4, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman The University of Texas System has signed a new Space Act agreement with NASA. UT System Chancellor John Zerwas visited NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston to formally sign the deal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "The agreement builds on existing work and will facilitate deeper collaboration in areas like space exploration research, educational engagement in STEM fields, and workforce development in the aerospace, cybersecurity and semiconductor industries," the UT System said in a social media post. Chancellor @JohnZerwasMD looks out at the original 1965 Mission Control Room of the @NASA_Johnson Space Center as some 60 years on UT System institutions look to chart a new future with NASA. Today, UT System leaders visited the Center to sign a Space Act Agreement with NASA. pic.twitter.com/Q62Rp6s5gu The University of Texas System (@utsystem) January 9, 2026 Space Act agreements, authorized under the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, allow NASA to partner with public and private organizations in the United States and abroad on agency projects and missions. Since its creation, NASA has made agreements with numerous universities, including several in Texas. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source According to NASA's database, the agency has two other active Space Act agreements with the UT System, the states largest university system, which operates nine academic institutions and four health institutions across Texas. Those agreements, both signed in November 2025, are valued at more than $61,700 combined and are set to expire in September 2030. Texas has long been a major hub for the aerospace industry, anchored by NASAs operations in Houston and supported by higher education institutions and commercial space companies. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Cedar Park-based Firefly Aerospace Inc. has several active Space Act agreements with NASA related to research, design, and launch and landing technologies. Those agreements are valued at more than $4.3 million combined. RedFarm, a popular New York City-based Chinese restaurant, opened an Austin location in the Second Street district downtown in 2024. Sara Diggins/American-Statesman Modern Chinese restaurant RedFarm entered the Austin market with plenty of buzz in the fall of 2024, based on the restaurant's history of success in New York City for more than a decade. But it has quietly left the scene. The restaurant at 201 W. Third St. closed in early January after about 14 months of business. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It was our honor to open RedFarm Austin with our amazing service and kitchen teams, and we thank all of our guests who joined us during our time in Austin," co-owner Zach Chodorow said in a statement to the American-Statesman. "We hope you will come see us in NYC sometime soon. Chodorow, along with his famous restaurateur father Jeffrey Chodorow (China Grill), opened RedFarm in NYCs West Village in 2011 with the late Ed Schoenfeld and chef Joe Ng. The restaurant became a hit thanks to its Peking duck and creative dishes like Pac-Man dumplings and pastrami egg rolls, eventually spawning a second NYC location. RedFarm, an upscale Chinese restaurant in downtown Austin, is closing. Sara Diggins, Austin American-Statesman The restaurateurs expanded to Florida with a partner in spring 2024 and in the fall of 2024 partnered with Austin restaurateur Jesse Herman (co-founder of La Condesa, Sway and Otoko) to bring their unique brand of hospitality and cuisine to Austin. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The restaurant performed a major overhaul of the Cantina Laredo space in the Second Street District, including the renovation of a massive kitchen with five high-powered wok stations set on a metal cooking surface covered with constantly flowing cold water; two stations for cooking, cooling and drying Peking duck; a room designated for dim sum preparations; and enough space for up to 22 cooks to prepare meals for 150 guests at a time. But the New York City import never took off in the evolving downtown dining scene, which in recent years has welcomed Bill's Oyster, VanHorn's steakhouse both in the same block of buildings as RedFarm Restaurant Francois and Guest House, among others. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Austin-based band GOOD. performs at Empire Garage during the Red River Cultural District's Free Week on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. Renee Dominguez/RRCD The sudden dismissal of its entire security staff at Empire Control Room & Garage ahead of the 2025 holiday season has drawn attention to years of financial strain and ongoing lawsuits for the live music venue located in Austins Red River Cultural District. The controversy has prompted some social media users to urge patrons to boycott the venue, which opened in 2013, during the districts upcoming Free Week festival. We are reorganizing, Empire Control Room and Garage manager and founder Steve Stenschein told the American-Statesman. Unfortunately we cant keep the same headcount with the changes in market and consumer preferences. Bar sales are down, and the current payroll is not sustainable going forward. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Music businesses across Austin are facing uncertainty amid the city's evolving economic landscape. In May, Parish a sister venue to Empire Control Room and Garage, also founded by Stenschein announced it would close its doors at 501 Brushy St., citing high operating costs and changing consumer behavior. "This is a city-wide problem: The cost to access high-quality, creative spaces for performing arts is too high for a community that depends on them to make art and music for a living," a post on Parishs website said. "This is the second time Parish has had to move in the past five years, and many other spaces in town are facing the same challenges we are." Patrons browse market vendors on the back patio of Empire Control Room & Garage during Red River Cultural District's Free Week on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025 in Austin. Renee Dominguez/RRCD Rally Austin support amid music venue uncertainty The developments at Empire Control Room and Garage come after the venue was fully purchased with the help of the city of Austins Rally Austin Program in October 2024, when the city loaned the company $2.2 million to buy and expand the property. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The deal wasnt a grant but a standard, interest-rate mortgage, which city officials have described as profitable for the city and beneficial for businesses, providing economic development support aimed at stabilizing property-owning music venues in Austin. However, the city-backed aid stands in contrast to ongoing legal disputes between Stenschien and former business partners and investors that surfaced amid public backlash over the staff firings. There is no indication the disputes involve city funds or violate the terms of the Rally Austin loan. Austin-based band Retro Cowgirl performs inside Empire Control Room during the Red River Cultural District's Free Week on Saturday, Jan 4, 2025 in Austin. Renee Dominguez/RRCD Empire in throes of ongoing lawsuits According to Austin Business Journal, the lawsuits the most recent of which was filed by Sternschien against former business partner Andy Sernovits on Dec. 29 deal with decision-making authority over the business and property. The publication also reported that Empire is delinquent on more than $103,000 in Travis County property taxes, accrued over 2024 and 2025. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Stenschein told Business Journal that the dispute and subsequent litigation regarding the shareholder and governance issue did not affect Rally Austins support, and that the city-backed assistance provided in May 2024 remains in place. Moving forward, Sternshein said the venue plans to adopt new business models to ease internal financial strain and stabilize operations. Large display of Kirkland Purified bottled water at Costco, Queens, New York. Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images A large water pipeline break over the weekend has rattled a Texas community. Here's what to know about the water main break in El Paso that occurred around 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10. Advertisement Article continues below this ad El Paso residents document flooding after water main break Officials say the water line break was in Northeast El Paso. Residents documented significant flooding in the area. An estimated 38,000 customers in Northeast El Paso and parts of Central El Paso were affected, EPWater reports. These residents experienced little to no water service, including McGregor Range. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to a Sunday update by the utility service, the damaged line feeds into several smaller distribution lines. Around 15 water reservoirs were drained as a result. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source "We understand how disruptive this outage is and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, said Gilbert Trejo, Vice President of Operations and Technical Services. Restoring service and protecting public health are our top priorities. Our crews have been working around the clock and will continue 24/7 efforts until service is restored. At the time, EPWater warned full restoration of water services may take up to 36 hours. Residents and businesses were urged to minimize water use and avoid all non-essential use. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Full repairs to the water main could take several days. Some EPISD schools closed Monday On Sunday night, the El Paso Independent School District announced several schools would be closed on Monday, Jan. 12. The district will excuse absences for all students living in the impacted area. Here's the list of campuses that will be closed Monday: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Andress HS Irvin HS TMECH Canyon Hills MS Charles MS Magoffin MS Navarette MS Bobby Joe Hill Pk-8 Barron ES Bliss ES Clendenin ES Duran ES Park ES Stanton ES Torres ES Travis ES Whitaker ES Several EPISD campuses that remain open are under a boil water notice, including: Austin HS Chapin HS Richardson MS Coldwell ES Crockett ES Moreno ES & Montessori at Moreno Moye ES Nixon ES Tom Lea ES Sunrise Mountain ES EPWater sets up water distribution sites EPWater has set up four water distribution sites. Customers can bring containers to Sue Young Park, Arlington Park and Sunrise Park. Bottled water is also being distributed at Chisolm Park, across from Clendenin Elementary School. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Anyone aware of elderly or disabled individuals who need water delivery can call 915-594-5500. EPWater issues boil water notice EPWater also issued a boil water notice after the water main break, giving the following instructions: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Boil all water used for drinking, cooking and ice-making. Bring water to a rolling boil for three minutes, then allow it to cool. Use bottled water as an alternative. Businesses should discontinue use of drinking and soda fountains connected to tap water, Denzil DeSilva holds a picture of his late son, Mauris DeSilva, while testifying Wednesday, the first day of the sentencing hearing for Austin police officer Christopher Taylor, about how his son's death has affected his life. Taylor was convicted earlier this month of deadly misconduct in the 2019 shooting of Mauris DeSilva. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-St In December 2024, an all-Democrat court in Austin was set to hear the appeal of an Austin police officer convicted of shooting and killing a mentally ill man when an order arrived from the Texas Supreme Court. The three-page directive instructed the Third Court of Appeals to transfer the first 15 cases it received Dec. 4 or after to the Seventh Court of Appeals in Amarillo. The order was part of a routine process the states highest civil court uses to balance caseloads among the states 14 regional intermediate appeals courts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But the transfer gave what legal experts say proved to be a significant advantage to former Austin police officer Christopher Taylor: It meant his politically charged case was moving from a liberal-leaning court to far more conservative jurists in the rural Texas Panhandle. For his legal team, it was an early Christmas gift. I felt like we would have a better shot, said Richard Wetzel, Taylors attorney. I was pleased. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Austin attorney Chris Perri, who specializes in post-conviction appeals and closely followed the case, said he immediately believed the transfer to an all-Republican court 500 miles away would favor Taylor. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I would think that would be the best news I could get if I were a police officer defendant, he said. Normally a defendant would be scared they are going to be harder on me. They are going to lock me up and throw away the key. Last month, a three-justice panel gave Taylor a best-case-scenario ruling. Not only did the justices overturn his conviction, they took what experts say is a highly unusual step in deeming Taylor acquitted, ruling that the Travis County jury that convicted him lacked sufficient evidence. How it all played out Taylor had been sentenced to two years behind bars in the death of Mauris DeSilva, who had a knife when Taylor and another officer fired at him in a downtown condo tower in 2019. The court's ruling allowed the state licensing agency for police officers to restore his employment eligibility last week, and Police Chief Lisa Davis is now considering reinstating him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Seventh Court of Appeals courtroom in Amarillo Seventh Court of Appeals Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza blasted the Dec. 30 decision, calling it absurd and saying The conservative Amarillo-based 7th Court of Appeals judges think they know better than the Travis County jurors who heard the case and convicted Taylor. Its unclear why Garza did not attempt to block the transfer, even though state rules allow prosecutors to file a motion explaining why a case should remain in its home court. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Garzas office said it "will refrain" from responding to an inquiry from the American-Statesman about whether the lack of a challenge was intentional. The Austin-to-Amarillo transfer was conducted through a century-old process administrators call docket equalization, used to prevent some courts from being overburdened while others carry a lighter workload. About 5% of appeals filed with the courts in the past two years were transferred, according to the Texas Office of Court Administration. The system has been widely debated over decades. Some attorneys say that it prevents excessive wait times for rulings from busy courts, but others say it plucks cases from judges elected by voters in the states 14 appellate districts, making the courts less democratic. Dallas attorney Wade Glover, who wrote a 2008 paper on the topic for the Texas Tech Law Review, said the process also creates unpredictability about where and by whom cases will be heard and can turn justice into a crapshoot. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A century-old system Austin police officer Christopher Taylor leaves the courtroom during his deadly conduct trial in Judge Dayna Blazey's 167th District Court at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. Taylor is charged with deadly conduct for his role in the death of Mauris DeSilva in 2019. Mikala Compton/American-Statesma/Austin American-Statesman The transfer of Taylors case was part of a process that dates back more than a century. Texas created its appeals courts at a time when the Legislature did not allow individual courts to add justices as workloads grew. Instead, lawmakers created new courts as population centers expanded. That history explains why Houston has two intermediate appeals courts: the First Court of Appeals, established in 1892, and the Fourteenth Court of Appeals, created in 1967. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A constitutional amendment approved in the late 1970s eventually allowed courts to add justices. But by then, the state had already adopted docket equalization as a way to manage uneven workloads, said Austin-based attorney Jason LaFond, an appellate specialist and former assistant state solicitor general. That machinery takes the pressure off the Legislature to create new judgeships and regional courts, LaFond said. "They probably don't feel a strong need." Over the years, the Legislature and the state Supreme Court have revised laws and rules governing transfers to address complaints from attorneys and litigants. Lawmakers, for example, authorized appellate courts in 1999 to hold hearings by teleconference to reduce travel burdens. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Supreme Courts current rules, adopted in 2006, say the high court may transfer both civil and criminal cases based on the number of filings in each court compared with the statewide average per justice, adjusted for historical trends. Texas Office of Court Administration spokeswoman Megan LaVoie said agency staff members help the Supreme Court with data collection and calculation of transfers when they are needed. Orders are typically issued at the start of each fiscal quarter, in September, December, March and June. Taylors timing proved especially favorable. To avoid immediate incarceration, Taylor filed his notice of appeal on Dec. 3, the same day a judge handed down a two-year sentence. Three days later, the Travis County District Clerk notified the Third Court of Appeals of the filing, and the court acknowledged receipt that day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad About three weeks later, the Supreme Court issued an order transferring the first 15 Austin cases received on or after Dec. 4 to Amarillo. The next 18 were sent to El Paso. The same order reassigned dozens of cases statewide, including appeals from Fort Worth, San Antonio and Waco. Did the transfer matter? Council approaches the bench during Austin police officer Christopher Taylor's deadly conduct trial in Judge Dayna Blazey's 167th District Court at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. Taylor is charged with deadly conduct for his role in the death of Mauris DeSilva in 2019. Mikala Compton/American-Statesma/Austin American-Statesman Wetzel, Taylors appellate attorney, said he does not believe conservative ideology drove the Amarillo courts decision. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "I think any conscientious appellate judge among any of the 14 courts of appeals would have reached the same result, he said. Perri strongly disagreed. Judges, he said, routinely interpret the law through the values of the communities where they live and are elected. Christopher Taylor starts further up the playing field than most criminal defendants, he said. They are going to be suspicious of the liberal prosecution and liberal jury who convicted him." Perri said the Amarillo court acted as a 13th juror, selectively interpreting the evidence to justify an acquittal. He said the opinion appeared to ignore key facts, including that DeSilva had no history of violence toward others, and that another officer at the scene deployed a Taser. Advertisement Article continues below this ad [Y]ou are just seeing the bias drip off the page when you read that opinion, he said. It is just evidence of a very biased judiciary. 'The best of a difficult situation' Even so, legal observers say the case may ultimately be decided by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, whose all-Republican judges would likely have reviewed the outcome regardless of which intermediate court handled the appeal. State leaders have periodically floated proposals to overhaul Texas appellate system, including shrinking the number of courts, adding justices or redrawing judicial districts based on population. None have gained traction at the Capitol. Advertisement Article continues below this ad To Glover, the Dallas attorney, the need for a case redistribution process is proof the system is flawed. [T]he locations and jurisdictions of the appellate courts are antiquated, having been substantially in place before the Great Depression, Glover wrote. If the Texas appellate courts were better organized and located to meet the needs of Texas citizens of the 21st century, dockets, for the most part, would not need to be equalized. Absent significant efforts to review and possibly overhaul the current court structure, LaFond said, the transfer system remains the states most practical option. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Austin police investigate a homicide in the 9800 block of Middle Fiskville Road Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Austin police are investigating a second fatal shooting in North Austin within 24 hours, marking the citys fifth homicide this year, officials said. Multiple calls reporting gunfire and an injured man sent officers to the 9800 block of Middle Fiskville Road about 6:03 a.m. Monday, Sgt. Lee Knouse, an Austin police spokesperson, said during a Monday morning news briefing. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene about 6:31 a.m. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The victim was described by Knouse as a white or Hispanic man. Police did not release his age, and next of kin had not yet been notified as of Monday morning. The killing comes after another homicide occurred nearby in North Austin on Sunday, but police do not believe the two cases are connected, Knouse said. Crime scene investigators work at the scene of a homicide in the 9800 block of Middle Fiskville Road Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman All information available indicates that theyre isolated, he said, adding that there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A crime scene investigator works at the scene of a homicide in the 9800 block of Middle Fiskville Road Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Austin police investigate a homicide in the 9800 block of Middle Fiskville Road Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Austin police investigate a homicide in the 9800 block of Middle Fiskville Road Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Crime scene investigators work at the scene of a homicide in the 9800 block of Middle Fiskville Road Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Crime scene investigators work at the scene of a homicide in the 9800 block of Middle Fiskville Road Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Knouse said the department regularly reviews crime trends and deploys resources based on analysis from commanders and crime analysts, but he did not have specific information on additional patrols in the area. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Police are urging anyone with information to contact APDs homicide unit at 512-974-8422 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. Tips can be submitted anonymously. Austin police cruiser Austin American-Statesman A man in his 20s was killed in a shooting Monday night near a North Austin H-E-B, according to the Austin Police Department. Officers were dispatched around 7:58 p.m. to 9504 North Lamar Blvd. after a caller reported hearing multiple gunshots, APD spokesperson Officer Aaron Townsend said during a late-night briefing. When officers arrived, they found a person with obvious trauma to his body and immediately began life-saving efforts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Austin-Travis County EMS also attempted to revive the victim, but he was pronounced dead at 8:15 p.m., Townsend said. Police said there is no ongoing threat to the public. Investigators are searching for a black Dodge Charger or Challenger that may be connected to the shooting. Townsend said the vehicle had at least two people inside, though their exact involvement has not been determined. Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Detectives and crime scene technicians were at the location late Monday, working to piece together what happened, police said. Witnesses who were in the area at the time of the shooting are being interviewed at police headquarters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Townsend described the killing as just a tragedy and urged residents to stay vigilant across the city, noting that violence can occur in any area. Be safe, be aware of your surroundings, he said. Police have not released the victims name, citing the need to notify family members. The only information available is that he was a man in his 20s, Townsend said. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or the APD homicide tip line at 512-477-3588. Students walk to class at Ridgetop Elementary School in Austin, Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. The school is one of four in the district that offers Spanish dual language across the entire campus, but it will close this summer. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Austin Independent School District opens enrollment Monday with some changes that could impact families regardless of whether their home campus is slated for closure. Austin ISD officials plan to close 10 campuses next year in an effort to shave $21.5 million off a $65 million budget gap. However, the closures have also prompted some programmatic changes, which will mean some shifts for enrollment practices. Advertisement Article continues below this ad All students must go through the enrollment process in Austin ISDs online Enroll Austin portal, whether the student is new or returning and whether theyre attending their neighborhood school or a specialty program. Even if families dont attend one of the 10 schools slated for closure, the timeline for enrollment may have changed since last year, depending on the type of school a student is interested in. Whats the timeline? From Jan. 12 to Feb. 6 a period the district is calling Round 1 students can apply to admission-based programs like the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders, Kealing Middle Schools magnet program or Covington Middle Schools Fine Arts Academy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Students can also apply to certain dual language programs. From Feb. 16 to April 10 dubbed Round 2 registration opens for general enrollment and transfers. Students will learn about Round 1 placements on March 13 and about Round 2 placements on April 24. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Are there changes to admission-based programs? Each program has different admission requirements, so students and their families can visit each schools website to learn more. Theres no advantage to applying earlier, as all applications submitted by the Feb. 6 deadline are considered equally, Austin ISD spokeswoman Maritza Villela said. Children eat lunch in the cafeteria at Andrews Elementary School Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024. Mikala Compton/American-Statesman What should I know about dual language? Austin ISD offers dual language programs at 45 elementary schools, 11 middle schools and five high schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, specific two-way programs, which have students learning English and Spanish in the same classroom, require that students apply for a spot. This year, the district offered wall-to-wall or across-campus dual language programming at four elementary schools that students could attend if they were within the attendance zone, or if they transferred in. These programs are now housed at Becker, Sunset Valley, Ridgetop and Reilly elementaries. Three of those campuses are slated for closure at the end of the school year. Reilly will remain open, but without the wall-to-wall dual language program. Odom Elementary in South Austin will be Austin ISDs only wall-to-wall dual language campus next year. Families can also apply to two-way dual language programming at three elementary campuses: Pickle, Wooten and Sanchez. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Families can start submitting applications for these schools on Jan. 12. What if I want to apply for a transfer? Students who are already transfer students will be able to stay at their current campus, if its remaining open, until the highest grade that campus offers. Students can apply for a new transfer between Feb. 16 and April 10. Admission decisions may depend on the capacity of each school. All applications sent within the Round 2 window are treated equally, so theres no advantage to applying earlier, Villela said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What should I know about attending my neighborhood school? If a family wants to enroll their student in their zoned, neighborhood school, parents can sign up between Feb. 16 and April 10. General registration for neighborhood schools continues April 13 and remains ongoing through the summer and fall. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Families can enroll in Austin ISD prekindergarten programs from April 1 to May 22. The district will offer eligible students seats on an ongoing basis. Where can I get help enrolling? Austin ISD is scheduling at least four in-person enrollment clinics at each campus thats slated for closure to help walk families through the process. Families should check with their local campus for a schedule, Villela said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Respiratory therapist Kelly Young sits in the helicopter being used by Texas Children's Hospital in Austin to carry critical care patients. The first flight in a leased helicopter will happen Tuesday. Nicole Villalpando/American-Statesman A new helicopter will take to the skies over Central Texas on Tuesday. Texas Children's Hospital has added a helicopter to its Kangaroo Crew intensive care transport team, which previously used only ambulances to bring patients to its Austin facility. The team will be able to travel 120 nautical miles to pick up a patient. The hospital, which opened almost two years ago, has launched programs that are attracting patients from across Texas and around the country, said Dr. Jeff Shilt, the president of Texas Children's in Austin. "Having a helicopter for a pediatric hospital is really a differentiator for us." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The $15 million investment makes Texas Children's the only hospital pediatric or adult in Austin with a dedicated helicopter. The other hospitals use STAR Flight. Respiratory Therapist Kelley Young looks at the equipment inside Texas Children's Hospital's helicopter. It is like having a miniature intensive care unit inside. Nicole Villalpando/American-Statesman The air transport program will expand this summer with a larger helicopter that will seat four in the bay instead of three and fly up to 200 nautical miles. That will take this helicopter beyond Waco, Brownwood, San Antonio and College Station, where this current helicopter can go, to near Dallas, San Angelo, Corpus Christi and Beaumont. Texas Children's also has a plane that is based in Houston that can carry patients who are much further than 200 nautical miles. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The helicopter also will be used locally when traffic on MoPac Boulevard or Interstate 35 would make an ambulance trip longer than 30 minutes to an hour. Texas Children's Hospital in Austin has started a helicopter transport team and will have a new helicopter coming in summer. The first flight in a leased helicopter will happen on Tuesday. Nurse John Samluk and respiratory therapist Kelly Young are part of the transport team. Nicole Villalpando/American-Statesman The helicopter's crew of four pilots, critical care nurses and respiratory therapists is based at the Georgetown Executive Airport, which is seven minutes of flying time to the hospital in North Austin. Respiratory therapist Kelly Young gets into the helicopter being used by Texas Children's Hospital in Austin to carry critical care patients. Nicole Villalpando/American-Statesman Texas Children's Hospital in Austin has started a helicopter transport team and will have a new helicopter coming in summer. The first flight in a leased helicopter will happen on Tuesday. Nurse John Samluk and respiratory therapist Kelly Young are part of the transport team. Nicole Villalpando/American-Statesman Each time the helicopter takes off, a respiratory therapist and a registered nurse travels with it. The medical team has been trained in trauma care and has multiple certifications. They also can bring a patient-specific specialized doctor or nurse practitioner if needed. There is a seat for a guardian to ride with their child. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Statesman Logo Want more Statesman? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source Inside the helicopter is a miniature intensive care unit with ventilators, monitors and oxygen tanks that can be moved in and out to stabilize a patient in a hospital, during the flight and after landing at the Texas Children's helipad until the patient is connected to hospital machines. "We take the ICU to them, stabilizing them and bring them back to a higher level of care," said Kelley Young, a respiratory therapist with 19 years of critical care team experience working in a helicopter. Texas Children's Hospital in Austin has started a helicopter transport team and will have a new helicopter coming in summer. The first flight in a leased helicopter will happen on Tuesday. The patient will be strapped into a sled that can be taken in and out of the helicopter. Nicole Villalpando/American-Statesman The patients are strapped into a sled that is tied down to the helicopter. That sled can be put onto a gurney to take the patient in and out of the helicopter. For smaller patients, such as babies, there are parts that are added to secure them to the sled. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The team is prepared for an emergency, including each having a survival kit on them and an additional one in the helicopter. "We do a lot of training and a lot of simulations," said John Samluk, a critical care nurse with the team. They also can talk to everyone in the helicopter using headsets and call to hospital staff at either end of the journey to relay or receive updates. CARACAS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela on Sunday reiterated its "historic stance" toward Cuba, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the principles of "fraternity, solidarity, cooperation and complementarity," despite mounting pressure from Washington for Caracas to isolate the Caribbean nation. The Venezuelan government released a statement underscoring its support for the free exercise of self-determination and sovereignty of peoples, which it considers fundamental pillars of international relations. It emphasized its adherence to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and international law, highlighting the longstanding and evolving ties between Venezuela and Cuba. The Venezuelan government stressed that relations between states should be governed by the principles of non-intervention, sovereign equality and self-determination and that "political and diplomatic dialogue" is the only viable path to "peacefully resolve disputes of any kind." This statement comes amidst heightened pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has urged Venezuela to isolate Cuba by cutting off the flow of fuel and money from the South American country to the island nation. Daniel Acosta, a former University of Texas pharmacy professor, recently tried to establish an endowment to help Hispanic graduate students. The scholarship fund was denied amid fears over Texas' anti-DEI law. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Something is clearly wrong when an alumni organization won't accept cash that would help more scholars become professors. Unfortunately, that is exactly the chilling effect that Texas anti-DEI law is having at the University of Texas. As the American-Statesmans Lily Kepner recently reported, UT alum Daniel Acostas years-long effort to create a scholarship for Hispanic doctoral students in the College of Pharmacy has become the latest casualty of the political crusade against programs meant to address racial inequities. His story is a case study in how the policy has gone too far and threatens the rich mix of viewpoints that bolster UT's success on the world stage. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Acosta pulled together a $100,000 endowment for the alumni organization Texas Exes to create a scholarship for doctoral students in pharmacology or toxicology from a diverse or underrepresented background.A UT spokesperson told Kepner that Senate Bill 17, the 2023 measure banning diversity, equity and inclusion policies at public universities, bars UT from accepting any scholarship that provides a special benefit based on race, sexual orientation or gender. Yet even as the nonprofit Texas Exes is not bound by SB 17, the organization ultimately declined to create the scholarship, citing its focus on diversity, Acosta said. A spokesperson for Texas Exes declined to discuss the issue with us. An employment lawyer told Kepner he sees no legal basis for the scholarship to be denied. But as Acosta noted, the broader anti-DEI culture that instills a fear of reprisal ultimately nixed his scholarship. Who is made better off by the denial of this opportunity? Advertisement Article continues below this ad Not the doctoral students who face crushing student loan debt. Not the future UT students whose aspirations and horizons would be broadened by interactions with a more diverse faculty. Not the proud network of alumni invested in ensuring UT retains its prestige by continuing to attract the best and brightest. Instead, the climate of fear from SB 17 runs counter not only to our First Amendment right to academic freedom, but also to our cultural identity as Americans. Curiosity and an openness to differing perspectives should drive our endeavors to increase knowledge. Given the political heat around DEI, it's worth remembering the actual purpose of such programs. They are about fairness recognizing that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not. Students from backgrounds like Acosta's, who described himself as a poor Chicano boy from El Paso, must overcome barriers their peers never faced. DEI initiatives aim to widen access to a still-uneven playing field. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas Exes should, of course, follow the law. But if the law does not prohibit the creation of Acostas scholarship, the alumni organization does its present and future members a disservice in denying it. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code SOFIA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- GERB-UDF, the largest political formation in the Bulgarian parliament, on Monday declined the president's mandate to form a new government, paving the way for another round of early parliamentary elections. The announcement was made during a ceremony at which Bulgarian President Rumen Radev handed the exploratory mandate to Rosen Zhelyazkov, GERB-UDF's nominee for prime minister. Zhelyazkov, whose coalition holds 66 seats in the 240-seat legislature, has led Bulgaria's coalition government since January last year. The government resigned in December amid large-scale protests over the ruling majority's economic policies, but has remained in office as a caretaker until either elections or the appointment of a new Council of Ministers. Under the Bulgarian Constitution, the president is now required to mandate a prime minister-designate nominated by the second-largest parliamentary group to attempt to form a government. Should that effort fail, a third mandate will be given to a nominee from one of the remaining parliamentary groups. If all three attempts fail to form a new cabinet, Radev shall appoint a caretaker cabinet and call new parliamentary elections within two months. Speaking at the ceremony on Monday, Zhelyazkov said many political parties believed new legitimacy could only be achieved through early parliamentary elections, adding that they should be scheduled as soon as possible. "We believe that March 29 is a good date for holding the elections," Zhelyazkov told Radev at the ceremony, which was open to reporters. "From here on, we move on to handing over a mandate to the second-largest parliamentary group," Radev said in turn. "This will happen in the coming days, and I hope we will have a good pace so that we don't really delay the election process." Zhelyazkov's government was sworn in on Jan. 16, 2025, after snap elections in October 2024 - the seventh parliamentary election in Bulgaria in three and a half years. CANBERRA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Australia's parliament will be recalled next week to introduce new hate speech and gun laws in response to the Bondi terror attack on Dec. 14, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday. The prime minister said at a press conference that both houses will return on Jan. 19 and 20, earlier than the scheduled return on Feb. 2. "The terrorists at Bondi Beach had hatred in their minds but guns in their hands. This law will deal with both, and we need to deal with both," Albanese said. The Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill covers a comprehensive package of reforms, including more serious penalties for hate crimes, new serious offenses for hate preachers seeking to radicalize young Australians and inciting hatred to intimidate and harass, and a strengthened ban on prohibited symbols. If passed, the bill will also make it easier for the minister for home affairs to cancel or refuse a visa for people intent on spreading hatred and enable the minister to list organizations as prohibited hate groups. The government is going to move a condolence motion to acknowledge the victims of the attack before debating the bill. The legislation will also set up the National Guns Buyback Scheme, aiming at "getting guns off" Australian streets. "We want to ensure that Australia remains a society where everyone has the right to be proud of who they are, and we also want to make it clear that conduct which is hateful, dangerous, and divisive will also be illegal," the prime minister said. A poster in Tokyo warns residents that the metropolitan area is also home to bears, and that sightings have increased dramatically across the country. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes) The U.S. Air Force is advising people on an installation in northeastern Japan to stay calm after a bear was observed on the facility Saturday night. We had a friend on base tonight, Misawa Air Bases Outdoor Recreation Center posted on its Facebook page that evening alongside a cartoon image of a bear on a sled. Misawas 35th Fighter Wing has no photograph of the bear, wing spokesman Capt. LeeRoy Stark said by email Monday. The bruin was spotted near Misawas ski lodge, according to the Outdoor Rec post. Members of the community who encounter a bear should stay calm, the post advised. Do not run, the message said. Make your presence known (firm voice). Back away slowly while facing the bear. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force deployed in November to confront the threat of bears in northern Japan. The rare mobilization followed a surge in bear encounters nationwide that left 13 people dead and more than 200 injured so far this fiscal year, which runs until March 31, according to Japans Ministry of Environment. Experts attribute the spike in bear encounters to several overlapping factors, including expanding forests, shrinking food supplies, declining rural populations and a drop in the number of hunters. An online map of bear sightings updated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government shows the animals have been encountered within 5 miles of Yokota Air Base, headquarters of U.S. Forces Japan in western Tokyo. The country is home to two bear species: the Japanese black bear and the larger Ussuri brown bear. Black bears typically reach about 5 feet in height and just over 200 pounds, though adult males can weigh twice as much. Brown bears, which live only on Japans northern island of Hokkaido, can weigh up to 880 pounds. The countrys bear population was about 11,700 in 2020, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Bear numbers have more than doubled over the past 30 years. Those who encounter a bear should not approach, corner, or stare at the animal, according to the Misawa Outdoor Recreation Centers post. If it advances: stand your ground, appear larger, the post advised. If attacked: protect head/neck; fight back if necessary. People who encounter a bear should report it immediately to the police, according to the post. BANGKOK, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's military announced on Monday the immediate lifting of the curfew imposed in the southern province of Narathiwat. In an official announcement, the Narathiwat Task Force stated that the curfew was being lifted as the local security situation had been brought under control. The move is aimed at easing inconveniences to people's daily lives and boosting the region's economic and tourism development. Anutin Charnvirakul, Thai caretaker prime minister, told the media in an interview on Sunday that the earlier explosions in multiple areas of Thailand's southern border regions were an attempt to disrupt the upcoming election. Earlier on Sunday, the military confirmed that multiple petrol stations in Thailand's southern border provinces were hit by arson attacks and explosions late Saturday night, leaving one police officer injured, with five petrol stations in Narathiwat among the targeted sites, which led to the imposition of a curfew in Narathiwat that took effect on Sunday. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment headquarters in Vilseck, Germany, is shown on Oct. 2, 2025. The regiment released a 10-point plan to improve morale following a report in Stars and Stripes last year. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Strip) GRAFENWOEHR, Germany The U.S. Armys 2nd Cavalry Regiment has unveiled a plan to reduce stress, improve trust and provide better care for its troops months after several soldiers and their families came forward with allegations of toxic leadership and a dysfunctional culture in the Germany-based Stryker unit. The regiment posted a 10-point plan to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment Facebook page on Dec. 22 to fix the problem of senseless stress and improve readiness, predictability, trust, and showing better care for its soldiers, according to the post. The announcement prohibits work-related texting during off hours, requires advance notification of training schedules and protects weekends and off time. It also orders leaders to be more involved in the lives of their troops, attend professional development training to better address mental health concerns, and review and act on complaints. The plan was released three months after complaints from soldiers and spouses spilled onto social media. In a subsequent report in Stars and Stripes, three soldiers and two spouses described poor morale in the regiment due to unnecessarily long work hours and toxic leadership. The regiment has not commented on what prompted the plan. Three Equal Opportunity complaints filed with the V Corps inspector general were provided to Stars and Stripes. The complaints reported instances of being sent to the field for an extended period of time during a documented health crisis, bullying, discrimination and retaliation for seeking mental health support. They included a complaint by one of the soldiers Stars and Stripes interviewed for its story and two others from soldiers who declined to comment. V Corps, the units parent command, said at the time that it had launched a preliminary inquiry into the allegations and that the regiment had followed unit family time policies, which are designed to get soldiers off work by 3 p.m. on Fridays. It also stated that V Corps would be paying close attention to command climate surveys that were underway at the time. The outcomes of the inquiry and surveys remain unclear. Officials from V Corps in both Europe and the U.S. did not respond to emails and calls starting Jan. 5. The plan bans out-of-work texting between the hours of 6 p.m. and 5 a.m., except for an emergency. Weekend work is also prohibited unless approved by the regimental commander, and adequate pre-planned compensation is provided. Training calendars will be posted six weeks out, and concerns presented by soldiers and their families through interactive customer evaluations (ICE), command climate surveys and family channels will be reviewed and acted upon immediately. The command also launched initiatives to improve and monitor mental health. In addition to integration programs and unit cohesion events like intramural sports, troop commanders and first sergeants are now required to attend behavioral health and Army substance abuse leader professional development training. Troop command teams will also complete in-person welfare checks of barracks and off-post housing to provide care and early identification of risk. Squadron command teams and field grade officers will be present at subordinate echelon events, slides from the 10-point plan state. Engage with these leaders and their families; they are there to help improve your work-life quality. The slide about stopping outside-of-work texting got the largest response. As of Monday, it had 28 likes and hearts. One poster responded with hand clapping emojis. Looking out for the Joes is always a beautiful thing, another wrote. Two soldiers in the unit who talked to Stars and Stripes last week on the condition of anonymity said it was still too early to tell if the changes would take root, but both reported positive starts. One stated that regimental command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Clark appeared to have taken the issues seriously and visited the various troops and companies to listen to soldiers concerns. The soldier said he was worried about a backslide once attention to the issue fades. The other soldier said that the guidance is being brought up in daily conversations, formations and leadership huddles, and people are acknowledging it. Personally, Im cautiously optimistic, he said. If these changes are consistently reinforced and genuinely implemented from the top down, I think they could bring about meaningful, positive change for 2CR. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a man from a capsized boat off the coast of Guam less than an hour after receiving his distress call on Jan. 12, 2026. (U.S. Coast Guard) The U.S. Coast Guard rescued a mariner stranded aboard a capsized boat less than an hour after receiving a distress call on Monday morning, a feat attributed to the mans emergency preparedness. The 58-year-old man, who was not identified, was aboard a 22-foot pleasure boat just off Guams western coast when his vessel overturned, Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam said in a news release Monday afternoon. Rough seas, including a high surf advisory and a rip current, likely contributed to the vessel capsizing, according to the release. Watchstanders at the Joint Rescue Coordination Center on Guam received an alert from the mariners personal locator beacon and a distress message from his GPS device at 10:22 a.m. A 45-foot response boat-medium from U.S. Coast Guard Station Apra Harbor found the capsized vessel and the mariner sitting on top of it at 11:09 a.m. The boater reported no medical concerns, according to the release. The use of a locator beacon and GPS advice, and his decisions to inform a friend about his plans and to stay with the boat made all the difference, according to Coast Guard Cmdr. Grant Johnson. These actions, combined with multiple redundant communication methods, allowed us to locate and recover him swiftly and safely, Johnson said in the release. The man was taken to Agat Marina, where he met his family. The Coast Guard also issued a warning about the capsized vessel as a potential hazard to other mariners. An F/A-18E Super Hornet with Strike Fighter Squadron 14 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the South China Sea, Jan. 4, 2026. (Samuel Evarts/U.S. Navy) The USS Abraham Lincoln recently held live-fire drills in the South China Sea, where the aircraft carrier has been operating for at least two weeks, according to the U.S. Navy. The Abraham Lincoln, which deployed to the Indo-Pacific from its homeport of San Diego on Nov. 24, has been in the South China Sea since at least Dec. 26, according to photos posted to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service website. Since then, the carrier has kept busy with flight operations, replenishments-at-sea, damage control training and explosive ordinance disposal drills. Its escort ships, which include the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance, have also participated. A spokesman for the U.S. 7th Fleet, Cmdr. Matthew Comer, described the warships activities as routine operations, in an email Monday. On Thursday, the Abraham Lincoln continued training with a live-fire drill involving a Phalanx Close-In Weapon System mounted turrets designed to counter incoming missiles, aircraft and boats, according to the photo captions. The ship was still in the South China Sea as of Friday, according to those images. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln fires a Phalanx Close-In Weapon System during live-fire training in the South China Sea, Jan. 8, 2026. (Shepard Fosdyke-Jackson/U.S. Navy) Warships operating in the fleets area of responsibility regularly patrol the Indo-Pacific to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance peace through strength, according to the captions. Shortly after the Abraham Lincoln arrived in the South China Sea, Beijing kicked off a live-fire drill Dec. 29 and 30 that encircled Taiwan, which lies between the East and South China seas. The exercise, dubbed Justice Mission 2025, was intended as a punitive and deterrent action against Taiwan and countries that support its independence, Chinas Eastern Theater Command said at the time. Beijing views Taiwan, a functional democracy, as a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary. Comer did not respond to Stars and Stripes questions about the Abraham Lincolns activities or whether they were related to the Chinese drills. The carrier left San Diego in November alongside the Spruance and guided-missile destroyers USS Michael Murphy and USS Frank E. Peterson Jr. In mid-December, the Abraham Lincoln stopped in Guam, the United States westernmost territory and a hub for military activity in the region, before heading for the Philippine Sea. A cyber duty identifier patch is worn by a cyberspace operations officer at Camp Nett in Niantic, Conn., May 17, 2023. (Matthew Lucibello/U.S. Air Force) Air Force duty identifier patches the shoulder patches bearing abbreviated career field descriptions like MX, PA and PJ and relegated to the dust bin a year ago are back. Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach ordered the patches returned to service Friday as part of updated dress and appearance regulations. Ive decided to bring duty identifier patches back because the Air Force is made up of many different specialties, each with a unique role in our mission to generate airpower, he said in an Air Force news release. We are a unified force working together to win. The policy change for duty identifiers is one of six highlighted by the Air Force in a memo from Richard Anderson, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs. The memo also addresses backpacks, earbuds, text messaging and eyeglass and sunglass frames and lenses. The patches, or tabs, were worn on the left shoulder of airmens camouflage utility uniforms until a Jan. 24, 2025, memo from Wilsbachs predecessor, Gen. David Allvin, who took the opposite view when he banished more than 134 tabs for various career fields. As we identify ourselves as one type of airman or another, with one specialty or another, we really diminish ourselves, Allvin said at the time. Our real value is our integral part of a winning war fighting team. A list accompanying Wilsbachs order reinstating the patches lists 103 approved designators, from 1SGT for first sergeant to FAO for foreign area officer and POL for fuels. Reinstating the duty identifiers is intended to honor the skills and heritage within the force, according to the release. Your expertise matters. These patches are a reflection of the skills you earned, and every patch tells a story that ends with AIRPOWER, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe said in the release. The reversal was generally welcomed on the Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page, an unofficial site where service members sound off on Air Force news and events. I had mine hidden under my unit patch the whole time, commenter Austin Jones, a member of the Alaska Air National Guard, posted Saturday. I knew this day was coming. Other changes announced Friday include guidance on earphones and earbuds. Wearing any earpiece, headphones or Bluetooth wireless technology while in uniform, indoors or outdoors, is authorized only for official duties, according to the release. The use of personal electronic media devices, including earpieces, speaker phones or text messaging while walking in uniform is limited to emergencies or when official notifications are necessary, the release states. The regulations allow exceptions during travel on public transportation and while wearing physical training gear during individual or personal fitness training. As for eyewear, so-called smart glasses equipped with photo, video or artificial intelligence capabilities are not allowed while in uniform. Authorized eyeglass lenses must be conservative, clear, slightly tinted, or photosensitive lenses, the release states. Authorized eyeglass and sunglass frames must be black, brown, white, dark blue, gray or transparent material, or gold or silver wire. Authorized sunglass lenses must be traditional gray, brown or dark shades, according to the regulation. A Vision 60 robodog operates alongside Japan Ground Self-Defense Force troops at Narashino Training Area outside Tokyo, Jan. 11, 2026. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) NARASHINO TRAINING AREA, Japan Japanese soldiers showed off doglike robots during airborne training alongside troops from the United States and 13 other nations Sunday. The four-legged machines embarked with members of Japans 1st Airborne Brigade, who landed in a pair of CH-47 Chinook helicopters at this training area in Chiba prefecture, near Tokyo. It was the first time robodogs have participated in the annual drill, according to an announcer at the event. The robots and troops maneuvered in front of a crowd of 10,000 invited into the training area and gathered on high ground to enjoy the action. Japan Ground Self-Defense Force shows off new robot dogs at military display in Chiba prefecture pic.twitter.com/nWJ46og2PM Seth Robson (@sethrobson1) January 11, 2026 One of the mechanical canines ambled up a hill and hunkered down next to a tank in front of dignitaries that included Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and U.S. Army Japan commander Brig. Gen. James Dooghan. Koizumi had just leaped from a 36-foot-high tower to simulate a parachute jump, according to a press announcement from his ministry. The quadrupeds are Vision 60 ground robots manufactured by Ghost Robotics, a Philadelphia firm, Japans Sankei Shimbun reported Sunday. The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force employed the robots for search efforts and to deliver relief supplies following the Noto Peninsula earthquake on Jan. 1, 2024, according to the manufacturers website. The magnitude-7.6 temblor killed more than 690 people and severely damaged or destroyed more than 1,300 homes. A Vision 60 robodog operates alongside Japan Ground Self-Defense Force troops at Narashino Training Area outside Tokyo, Jan. 11, 2026. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi takes part in a multinational exercise at Narashino Training Area outside Tokyo, Jan. 11, 2026. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) In the United States, Air Force security forces have employed the same robots at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., according to an Air Force news release from April 27, 2023. The Vision 60 is a quadrupedal urban and all environment ground robot, or robodog, and capable of maneuvering through austere environments with minimal difficulty, the release states. The durable, 112-pound robots can operate for more than three hours at a time, according to Ghost Robotics. They can function in temperatures from minus 40 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit and will work while submerged in several feet of water. The demonstration in Chiba prefecture not far from Narita International Airport included flyovers by Air Force C-130J Super Hercules airlifters but a planned parachute jump was canceled due to high winds. There were also maneuvers by Japanese tanks and UH-1J Huey helicopters during the drill. Officials got a closeup view of a mock knife fight between a pair of heavily camouflaged Japanese snipers and some balaclava-wearing bad guys. The airborne training has been held annually since 1974. This years drill also included soldiers from Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom, according to a Dec. 5 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force news release. American troops take part in a multinational exercise at Narashino Training Area outside Tokyo, Jan. 11, 2026. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers rappel from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during a multinational exercise at Narashino Training Area outside Tokyo, Jan. 11, 2026. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Stars and Stripes reporter Hana Kusumoto contributed to this report. An airman participates in survival training on the coast of the Arctic Ocean on Jan. 13, 2022. The Arctic region is the new front line for competition with Russia and China, who are coordinating their efforts in the High North for nefarious purposes, according to the top American general in Europe. (Zade Vadnais/U.S. Air Force) STUTTGART, Germany The Arctic is rapidly becoming a front line for NATO competition with Russia and China, as adversaries expand their presence in the High North and probe alliance defenses, the top American general in Europe said over the weekend. Russian and Chinese naval vessels are conducting more frequent joint patrols in Arctic waters, and Chinese icebreakers and research ships have expanded their operations in the region for military advantage, U.S. European Commands Gen. Alexus Grynkewich said Sunday at a security conference in Sweden. Its not for peaceful purposes, said Grynkewich, who also serves as NATOs supreme allied commander in Europe. Theyre not studying the seals and the polar bears. Theyre out there doing bathymetric surveys and trying to figure out how they can counter NATO capabilities on and under the sea. So thats something that could grow very quickly, and we need to be mindful of it and ready for it. Grynkewichs comments come as the Arctic emerges as a point of contention between the United States and its allies in Europe. Last week, President Donald Trump renewed his push for the United States to take possession of Greenland, an autonomous territory of ally Denmark. The Trump administration hasnt ruled out the possibility of using military force to take control of the territory, which Trump says is needed for national security reasons. Trump has said his preference is for the U.S. to reach a deal on transferring control of the island to Washington. If we dont do it the easy way, were going to do it the hard way, Trump said Friday without elaborating on what the hard way might entail. So far, officials in Greenland and Denmark have balked at the idea of a deal. And the notion of launching a military offensive on a NATO ally has been blasted by numerous U.S. elected officials, including several influential Republican senators. Other European allies, including Germany and France, have expressed political backing for Greenlands right to determine its own future. Grynkewich sidestepped the issue on Sunday when asked about Trumps push for Greenland. I wont comment on the political dimensions of recent rhetoric. Its not my place to do that as a military officer, he said. Instead, he pointed to ongoing discussions in NATOs highest political body, the North Atlantic Council, saying allies are involved in healthy dialogue there on thorny issues. Allies must deal with adversaries including Russia, China, Iran and North Korea that are increasingly aligning their efforts in ways that directly challenge the West, Grynkewich said. Russia continues to test advanced military systems in the Barents Sea, while shadow fleets of oil tankers linked to Russia, Iran and Venezuela help finance Moscows war effort and pose growing risks to undersea cables and other critical infrastructure in the Baltic and Arctic regions, he said. In response, NATO has taken steps to strengthen deterrence across northern Europe, Grynkewich said. He cited new operations aimed at protecting underwater infrastructure and improving air and missile defense integration along its eastern flank. Grynkewich said that for now, he does not believe that NATO territory is under immediate threat from Russia, partly because the war in Ukraine is occupying the vast majority of the Kremlins forces. Also, Russia is aware of the incredible power of the alliance, he said, adding that Russia knows that it cannot afford to take us on. WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that his administration is weighing "some very strong options" including potential military action against Iran. When asked by reporters aboard Air Force One if Iran has crossed a red line to trigger a response, Trump said, "They're starting to, it looks like." "We're looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options. We'll make a determination," Trump said. The president added that he is getting an "hourly" report on the situation in Iran. Trump revealed that the leaders of Iran have reached out to him, expressing a desire to negotiate. "The leaders of Iran called," said Trump, adding that "They want to negotiate." Trump is scheduled to be briefed Tuesday on options to respond to the unrest in Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing U.S. officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine are expected to attend the Tuesday meeting, said the report, adding that Trump isn't expected to make a final decision at the meeting as the deliberations are at an early stage. The Trump administration's options could include boosting anti-government sources online, deploying secretive cyber weapons against Iranian military and civilian sites, placing more sanctions on the country and military strikes, as well as the possibility of sending terminals of Starlink, a satellite-based internet service owned by Elon Musk, into Iran, according to the report. The Pentagon hasn't moved any forces in preparation for potential military strikes, said the report, noting the United States will need to put assets in place not only to launch attacks but also protect American forces in the region. The United States recently moved the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group from the Mediterranean to Latin America, leaving no carrier in either the Middle East or Europe. Iran's parliamentary speaker reportedly threatened on Sunday to attack American military bases in the Middle East if the U.S. acted first. Rubio held phone talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Saturday over Iran, Syria and other Middle East matters. Trump said on Friday that the United States will not send troops to Iran if it gets involved. "If they start killing people like they have in the past, we will get involved. We'll be hitting them very hard where it hurts," Trump said, "That doesn't mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts." Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall in the rial and long-standing economic hardships. The reported death toll amid the protests is mounting. MJ Arrebola Granada Monday, 12 January 2026, 12:31 Share Federico Jimenez and Nigel, a couple who spent many years living and working near Bath in the southwest of England, have returned to Polopos-La Mamola, on Granada province's Costa Tropical, to start a guesthouse which they have named 'Casa Mariscal'. During their time in England, the couple worked in a pub which, despite the difficulties of the pandemic, managed to stay open almost all year round, adapting to the restrictions and managing the business through hard work and long hours. However, as time went by, the situation became more and more complicated: the cook left, finding staff became increasingly difficult and Nigel, who was the manager, had to work in the kitchen as well, with the physical and mental strain that this entailed. This was compounded by the death of Nigel's father, a moment that marked a turning point for the couple, when they started to reflect on the direction their lives were taking and the need to enjoy time and family more. In the summer of 2024 they decided to come to Spain to visit Federico's family. Federico is originally from Malaga and has a brother who was already living in Polopos. In fact his father's family is from the village and his grandfather was the local doctor for many years. A family connection Despite having lived outside Spain for more than a decade, Federico has always maintained a link with the village, where he has spent summers, holidays and many important moments of his childhood. During the trip in 2024, they began to look at properties without any real intention of buying. A large house came up, although at first it seemed too "big" a project. But, the former owner, an Englishman living in the UK, had inherited the house from his mother. He had no interest in keeping it or investing in it and was keen to sell. . Federico and Nigel decided to buy the house and have converted it into a bed & breakfast with five rooms, all with private bathrooms, located on the first floor of the house, while the couple live on the second floor, which they are still renovating little by little. During the renovation, they have had the help of people very close to them, including Brian, an English builder who has lived in the village for decades and who, as he explains, has been key to the work progressing smoothly and without language barriers. Recording After months of talks and negotiations, Federico and Nigel finally reached an agreement and in January 2025 they received the keys to the house. Just a few weeks later, the renovation work began and they contacted the British television programme 'A New Life in the Sun', which is broadcast on Channel 4 and follows British people who decide to leave the country to start a new life in Europe. According to Federico, the programme team has been visiting them approximately every two weeks for months, recording the project and their adaptation to life in the village. "At the beginning it was a strange experience, we didn't have any experience in front of the camera, but as time went by we got used to it and ended up showing ourselves as we are," explains Federico. The first episode was aired on 5 January in the UK. The couple are confident that the project will be well received for a number of reasons, including the tourist interest in the village in recent years, the large British community that follows the programme and the connection between many people who left the village and now wish to return, even if only for a visit, to show their children what life was like there. The mayor of Polopos-La Mamola, Matias Gonzalez, has shown his support for the initiative, stressing that the project is not only an important investment and an economic boost for the village, but also a way to make Polopos known at an international level. "We offer them all possible support and wish them every success in this new stage," Gonzalez has said. Undoubtedly the biggest hurdles for Federico and Nigel have been the administrative and licence issues, although they say they are almost ready and plan to announce the opening of the accommodation through their own website and platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb. Both are clear that this project is a way of giving back to the village everything it has given them and of contributing to keeping Polopos alive. Rafael Aguilar Sevilla Monday, 12 January 2026, 15:09 Share Squatting remains a major problem in Spain, with the the Andalusian regional government revealing that it has had to deal with 2,800 formal complaints since 2019. One of the tools to combat this phenomenon is the creation of the Andalusian system of information and advice on evictions and the fight against squatting, which also provides for the exclusion of those convicted of squatting from access to subsidised housing and establishes a pioneering verification protocol in collaboration with municipal councils. Since 2019, Andalucia has registered more than 1,300 eviction files and more than 4,500 homes have been legally handed over to those who need and are waiting for them. The regional government also awarded a contract to strengthen the verification of the proper use of housing and guarantee its social purpose during this period. At the end of January 2026, the Andalusian housing law will come into force, promising the creation of a coordination commission on evictions and the fight against squatting. Homeowners pull out of the rental market Regional minister for development, housing and territorial articulation Rocio Diaz has urged the central government to approve the necessary legal measures to curb squatting, warning that "many owners have left the rental market for fear that their homes will be occupied, which is also one of the causes for the increase in rental prices". The regional government believes that the national housing law has encouraged illegal squatting, as it makes evictions more difficult and creates legal uncertainty for owners. "We demand that the office of Pedro Sanchez implement a national 'anti-squatting' plan to put an end to this situation that generates coexistence issues and has a negative impact on the rental market and on employment," Diaz stated. The regional ministry believes that "an anti-squatting law is necessary", but that "there is a lack of political will on the part of the central government to process and approve" it, although there have been several "drafts and proposals" in the lower house. Alekk M. Saanders Almeria Monday, 12 January 2026, 16:41 | Updated 16:55h. Share Last month a 91-year-old Brigitte Bardot died at her home La Madrague Saint Tropez. It was the city that was most associated with the screen icon, but way back in the 50s, 60s and 70s she was clossly associated with another Mediterranean pasradise - Andalucia It was in the late 50s that the young French actress came to the Costa del Sol to shoot the film The Night Heaven Fell, directed by her then-husband Roger Vadim. It was the start of a love affair with Andalucia - and here are four movies that she filmed in the region. The Night Heaven Fell Brigitte played Ursula, a young woman who had just left a convent and settled in rural Andalusia with her cruel husband, Count Ribera. While Ursula's husband hates the young villager Lambert (played by Stephen Boyd), Ursula falls in love with him. After Lambert kills Ribera in self-defence, the lovers take refuge in a gorge called El Chorro. In addition to the Gaitanes Gorge (better known as Caminito del Rey), filming took place in many locations in the area, including Alhaurin el Grande, Alora, Churriana, Cartama, and Malaga. It is said that the French actress did not mind demonstrating her free attitude, which in the still conservative province of Malaga was considered 'immoral behaviour'. This is precisely why some locals asked for the actress to be expelled from the province. However, most of the locals were charmed by Bardot and crowds of people followed her to shops and streets wherever she went. Interestingly, Brigitte is remembered by Almeria people in the context of buying nylon stockings, in that period quite a spicy moment. Incidentally, Almeria is another Andalusian province that is proud of Brigitte Bardot's visits for filming. In fact, The Night Heaven Fell was partly shot in Almeria province as well. The film features landscapes of Cuevas de Almanzora and Pulpi, among others. Shalako The French actress returned to Almeria in 1968 to star in the film Shalako, directed by Edward Dmytryk. The film is set in New Mexico in 1880. A cowboy named Shalako (played by Sean Connery) works as a guide for a group of European aristocrats, leading them through desert areas inhabited by Native Americans who are bothered by the hunting expeditions and certain games organized by the travelers. The 32-year-old Brigitte Bardot played the role of a Russian countess. This spaghetti western was filmed at Shepperton Studios near London, but the outdoor scenes were shot in Almeria, specifically in the Tabernas Desert, which was often used for filming European westerns at the time. It was there that Cesar Lucas photographed Brigitte Bardot again with... a donkey. In Almeria, the actress stayed in several iconic locations, including the legendary Cortijo Romero, known as the House of Cinema. It is believed that the actress spent some nights outside the hotel in the cheerful company of local gypsies (they played Native Americans in the film). Later the French diva was thankful to the gypsies because they helped her learn to play the guitar and dance flamenco. Rum Runners A couple of years later, the already very famous Brigitte Bardot visited Almeria again. In 1970, the French actress came to shoot the film Rum Runners, in which she played a popular actress adored by the captain Corny, played by Italian actor Lino Ventura. During Prohibition in the United States, he smuggles rum on his ship, and in his spare time, the captain goes to the local cinema to watch films starring his favourite actress. One day, the fan meets his idol in real life and cannot resist courting her. However, their romance, thwarted by his superiors and her fans, must be kept secret. The Legend of Frenchie King Incidentally, a year later, Brigitte Bardot returned to Spain, again to shoot a western. The Legend of Frenchie King (also known as Petroleum Girls) is a 1971 French-Spanish-Italian-British comedy western, filmed near Madrid. The local landscapes "reflected" Texas, where a new family arrives in a French-speaking town. They call themselves the Millers, but in reality they are the daughters of the hanged criminal Frenchie King. The sisters try to establish relations with a neighbouring family with many brothers. Away from the cameras, Brigitte Bardot also easily established contacts with the locals. The French actress charmed those around her not only with her appearance, but also with her spontaneity. The French actress was a great admirer of the Spanish Mediterranean lifestyle. Brigitte participated in a bullfight in the arena in Mijas and with pleasure took part in local festivals. She was able to turn both Malaga and Almeria into a playground of revelry. Jose Antonio Sau Monday, 12 January 2026, 10:35 Share The rise of hepatitis A among the children of Malaga province and Spain as a whole has become a cause for concern. Paediatricians from the vaccines and immunisations advisory committee of the Spanish paediatrics associations (CAV-AEP) are calling for the inclusion of the vaccine for babies from 12 to 15 months of age, as well as for all other unvaccinated children, in the calendar. In the past five years, the number of cases in children under 15 years of age in the province has risen more than six times (6.33). Three cases were detected in 2020, compared to 19 in 2025. The year-on-year increase between 2024 and 2025 is 171.4% (there were seven cases in 2024). In Andalucia, between 2020 and 2025, there has been an increase from eight to 64 cases in children under 15, representing a 700% increase, according to data from the regional ministry of health, presidency and emergencies. What is hepatitis A?Hepatitis A is a viral infection that affects the liver and is transmitted via the faecal-oral route, mainly through contaminated water or food or through close contact with an infected person. In children, it is usually mild or asymptomatic. Head of paediatrics at HM Hospitales in Malaga says that the disease is most often caused by eating contaminated food and usually presents with jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes due to excess bilirubin in the blood), acholia (white or pale stools), very dark urine, abdominal pain, low-grade fever, very poor general health and "excessive tiredness". Hepatitis A is usually more severe in adults than in children, with more pronounced symptoms. "The infection can last quite a long time, depending on the degree of liver damage. It can lead to inflammation when jaundice damages the liver and transaminases, which are liver enzymes, increase. According to Dr Gonzalez, the infection can last two, three or four weeks. She says that complete rest is necessary to avoid liver complications. "If the liver is very inflamed, there may be bruising, ruptures, etc., in addition to significant pain," the doctor says. Moreover, there is no treatment beyond complete rest and fighting any specific complications that may arise. Why are cases rising? Why have cases increased across the country in both children and adults? Dr Gonzalez says that cases of this disease have not been observed in years, which has naturally led to more lax measures. A person with hepatitis A can contaminate any food they touch and, therefore, spread the disease. The fundamental recommendation is to wash fruit and food thoroughly. To this we should add that "more and more people" refuse to get vaccinated against all sorts of diseases. Moreover, the infection can be brought into the country by foreigners. The current increase can be attributed to low vaccination rates among children and the fact that the vaccine is not added to the protocol. Until now, people travelling to certain countries made up one of the groups subject to vaccination. Furthermore, when the virus recirculates more intensely in the general population, children act as a vulnerable and exposed group, from which the spread extends to families, schools and communities. Transmission occurs more easily among the youngest members of society due to children having less developed hygiene habits. It is important to note that, considering that cases in children are often milder, higher incidence can be attributed to improved epidemiological detection. In addition, there has been greater surveillance following the sharp national upturn. Furthermore, children's natural exposure to the virus has decreased significantly in recent decades, which has reduced immunity, making contagion even easier. Dr Gonzalez says that, given the very low presence of hepatitis A in the recent past, some cases now have to be treated in emergency departments. Hepatitis A can cause clotting disorders and risk of bleeding. The good news is that this type of hepatitis is not chronic and most children recover in just a few weeks, becoming immune for life. The alarming detail here is that they can transmit the virus without knowing it. If adults contract it, they can need up to two months to recover, which means that they cannot go to work during this time. Although it is rare, the risk of complications increases with age, even more so in people with pre-existing liver disease, which is why vaccination is key to protecting children and adults. The regional ministry of health states that "the hepatitis A vaccine is not currently included in the vaccination schedule. However, when an outbreak is declared, the protocol is followed, which, among other measures, includes vaccinating close contacts". In reality, only Catalonia, Ceuta and Melilla include routine vaccination against hepatitis A. "Until now, Spain was a country with low endemicity of hepatitis A, so vaccination was recommended only for risk groups, with these three exceptions," CAV-AEP coordinator Dr Francisco Alvarez says. "However, the increase in cases in the last two years in most regions is forcing us to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and enhance prevention through vaccination," he states. Eugenio Cabezas Monday, 12 January 2026, 18:47 Share The Nerja Cave, one of the best-known tourist attractions on the eastern Costa del Sol, celebrated the 67th anniversary of its discovery with an emotional tribute to its five discoverers, on Monday 12 January. Those discoverers were five young boys from Maro, who in 1959 changed the history of tourism in the Axarquia and in Spain forever. The event, organised by the Nerja Cave Foundation on Plaza de los Descubridores, brought together three of them - brothers Miguel and Manuel Munoz and Jose Torres, as well as Maria Lopez, widow of fellow discoverer Jose Luis Barbero. Only Francisco Navas, the oldest member of the expedition, was absent for health reasons. The president of the Nerja Cave Foundation and representative of the central government in Malaga, Javier Salas, opened the event by highlighting how "intrepid" those five lads were, aged between 13 and 20 at the time. Salas recalled that, thanks to the rapid work done to the cave to open it up to the public, tourist visits began in 1960: "an event that transformed the history of tourism not only in Nerja, but also in Malaga and throughout Spain," Salas said. Skeletons Vice-president of the foundation and mayor of Nerja, Jose Alberto Armijo, thanked the discoverers and their families for "an achievement that has marked the present and future of the municipality". The discoverers shared memories that remain vivid more than six decades later: "The first impression was something that couldn't be explained, that's the main thing, because none of us had ever seen anything like it," Miguel Munoz told SUR, before admitting that the next feeling was panic: "We were scared and we ran away, at least I did. I don't know how scared the others were, but I do remember how scared I was." Jose Torres recalled the moment they arrived at what is now known as the Ghost Room: "We saw some skeletons on the floor. When we stepped on them, bones crunched. We looked and saw some skeletons. Then we said, 'Those are people who came in before us and died here, let's go,' and we all ran out." Manuel Munoz recounted how they were chasing bats when they reached the Waterfall Room, the first large chamber they saw in the cave. "We completely forgot about the bats because we began to feel something strange that none of us could explain," he said. Lack of awareness The discoverers acknowledged their complete lack of awareness at the time. "Nowadays, a seven-year-old child knows what a prehistoric cave is and what stalactites and stalagmites are. We knew absolutely nothing. One of us was already 20 years old and the youngest was 13," explained Manuel Munoz. "What did I know about stalactites? They were just drips hanging from the ceiling," another of them said. "I told the village teacher the next day: we found a bigger, beautiful cave with drips hanging from the ceiling," he added, recalling how, years later, he learned that those drips were actually complex formations of stalactites and stalagmites. A few days later, as Munoz said, they returned accompanied by the village teacher, who began to explain what it all was. Later, in April 1959, local photographer Jose Padial took photos of the cave, which were published in SUR later that month, making the cave known to the world. Images from the anniversary event E. Cabezas On 12 January 1959, those five boys from Maro Jose Luis Barbero, Francisco Navas, brothers Manuel and Miguel Munoz, and Jose Torres had gathered in the area, attracted by a narrow opening where they saw bats entering, which they loved to chase. From that opening, they entered the cave and explored several spaces until they reached what is now known as the Ballet Room and the Ghost Room, from where they decided to return to the surface, unaware that they had just discovered one of the great prehistoric caves of the Mediterranean. Years later, the cave has been recognised as a Site of Cultural Interest and has established itself as a major tourist and cultural attraction, with the foundation responsible for its conservation and promotion. Pending the finalisation of visitor figures for 2025, in 2024 it exceeded half a million and by March 2025 it had reached 20 million visitors since its opening to the public on 12 June 1960. The 67th anniversary event, held before a large audience, was also attended by several patrons of the foundation, its manager Jose Maria Dominguez, employees and representatives of the town hall, associations and business people from the area. They all agreed on the same message: Nerja and La Axarquia would not be what they are today without the curiosity of those five boys who one day decided to chase some bats. Regina Sotorrio Monday, 12 January 2026, 16:04 | Updated 18:30h. Share The big toe of Neptunes bronze foot is the size of a human hand. Lying flat in a Malaga workshop, the sculpture appears deceptively modest; yet it is in these gargantuan details that its true scale is revealed. Once hoisted onto its concrete plinth at the mouth of the citys port, the sea god will tower 11 metres high. But as artist Gines Serran peels back the protective packaging on a project five years in the making, he is not just fighting the logistics of two-tonne bronze - he is fighting for his reputation. Earlier this week, the prestigious San Telmo Academy of Fine Arts launched a scathing attack on the project, branding Serrans aesthetic "pretentious," "grandiloquent," and "kitsch." In a statement that has sent shockwaves through the local art scene, experts likened his work to "superhero comics of the Marvel universe" rather than contemporary classicism. Gines Serran has been living in Malaga for a year, in an attic in the heart of the city, where he has been finishing this project, the most personal of his career, "in silence", as he said. He is not an artist who seeks the spotlight, so he keeps his distance from the press. The fine arts academy's statement, however, has made him speak up to defend his work. The experts criticised the aesthetic and the practical suitability of the large sculptures, as well as Serran's career. The comments came just a few weeks before Las columnas del mar is installed at Plaza de la Marina. Serran responded: "I would like it to be the locals, the people of Malaga, who judge my work and not four people." The 76-year-old artist's life sometimes sounds like a movie. He went to New York at the age of 21. He had a total of 25 dollars in his pocket, when he began painting with the Sioux Native American community. Later, he had a studio in the Manchurian region in China. In Italy, Serran received a distinction from the Medici family. He has been married three times and has two children, also artists. Gines Serran is a unique man, capable of having hours-long conversations. 'The academy could have contacted me to learn about the project and see the photos of Neptune instead of saying this is not good for the city' He is surprised and hurt by the academics' reaction. "I would have been grateful to San Telmo if, before saying anything, they had phoned me. They could have contacted me through the Port Authority so that I could clear up any of their doubts about the project and show them photos of Neptuno, instead of them simply saying that this is not good for the city," he said. He believes that his work will "beautify" Malaga and eventually become an "icon", one of those places where everyone who passes by takes a photo. The sculptures will, for better or worse, not go unnoticed. The large two-tonne Neptune will be accompanied by a huge Venus, more than five metres high (on a three-metre pedestal), with a shining sun in her hand, in a nod to the Costa del Sol. Behind them will be two lions at ground level, measuring three and a half by almost two metres. "It will be what the children will enjoy the most," Serran said with a smile. His son Francisco, who assists him in the creative process, accompanied him during the talk with SUR. Serran's work will not cost the city "a single euro", as the artist explained. The project is his gift to the city and a tribute to his father Cristobal, who was born in Villanueva del Rosario. Cristobal was the son of a shepherd who emigrated to Ceuta to earn a living and find a better life for his family. He loved shells, the same shells that crown Neptune. Gines Serran Pagan was born in Ceuta 76 years ago, but he began his journey around the world as soon as he could, until he settled in New York, where he has been living for 30 years. "I feel that nostalgia for Spain, for my roots, for my blood. It's like a tree: if you don't water the roots, the branches won't grow well. I have watered the roots of Ceuta and I am now watering the roots of Malaga," Serran said. This search for origins is what connected him with classicism and mythology years ago. He is so passionate about stories about ancient gods that his primal artistic instincts bring life to sculptures that seem almost human. From what SUR has learnt, not all of San Telmo's academics share the criticism of the artist's work. What most hurts Serran is that they call his career a "strange curriculum". "I have exhibited in 23 countries. I have an inventory of 1,500 works sold, with collectors in 60 countries. If you ask the AI who Gines Serran is, it gives you a whole report. If you Google my name, my sculptures and exhibitions have been all over the world." In the last 25 years, he claims to have made 30 monumental sculptures across the planet, from Manila to Kentucky. "Not even in the Renaissance did an artist make such large works," he said, showing receipts that prove that one of his projects was sold for 2.6 million dollars in the Philippines. The evaluation of Malaga's Neptune is close to two million, while that of Venus is around one million. Gift to Malaga On one wall of his home hang the key to the city of Miami, a medal that recognises him as an ambassador of art in Rome and the distinction awarded by the Medici family. "They say I am the second Michelangelo. They even sent me a letter authorising me to reproduce any of Michelangelo's works in bronze." The artist said that he has eight projects planned for this year, "including in the University of Cambridge, New York, Miami, Qatar, the Philippines, China and Spain". "Why do they talk about me that way? It's insulting and defamatory," he stated. Of course, Serran knows that his career has been far from conventional. He is not an academic artist and he has training as an anthropologist and archaeologist. "I was given eight scholarships. I had to get some the highest grades at New York University," the artist said. He has always painted, but his professional roots are related to another of the fascinating stories of his life. "I started living with the Native Americans, the Sioux, who adopted me as a brother in '92 at a Sun Dance. The tribal leaders would come to the United Nations to speak and stay at my house," Serran explained. With them, he began to shape his artistic language. "Of course it's a strange curriculum!" Some of the other comments of the academy make Gines Serran grin. According to San Telmo, his aesthetic responds to a "pretentious and grandiloquent pseudo-neoclassicism, with an unmistakable kitsch hook, more typical of the superhero comics of the Marvel universe than of a sincere recovery of classicism from a contemporary point of view". "So, is Madrid's Cibeles and Neptune also Marvel? And what about Rome's Piazza di Spagna? In New York, there's Prometheus at the Rockefeller Center. Or the Statue of Liberty itself. It's just slander," Serran responded. His sculptures are of classical, harmonious beauty, but with a counterpoint that distances them from the purely Renaissance. His Neptune carries a gold-plated fishing net, which falls from one of his hands to his feet. With the other hand, he holds the trident. Venus raises a golden sphere, as a symbol of the sun. The sculptures will be temporary. According to the contract, they will be at the entrance to the port for a "maximum" of 25 years and they could even be removed earlier, if that is deemed necessary. Trajectory Serran's classicism is a response "to the crisis of art". It has reached a point where "anything" is considered a masterpiece. "There is so much shit in the art world that I have no choice but to go to the roots," he said. But that doesn't stop him from painting an abstract and an expressionist painting. "Like Picasso. I am very flexible with my art." The artist believes that Neptune and Venus suit Malaga. "It is a city by the sea, with an enormous cultural heritage from the time of the Phoenicians, the Romans. You dig in the soil here and find ruins. It is an ancient city, with a legacy and a wonderful history, which tourists also come to know and learn about," he said. Serran has always been connected to Malaga. He already had a studio in Marbella in the 70s, when he moved to New York. "I would spend a month there and recharge my batteries," he said. A few years ago, he sold it and bought two houses in his father's village. Then, he set up his Spanish base in the centre of Malaga. But he has not stopped travelling. Four or five times a year, he goes to the workshop he founded 35 years ago in Manchuria, in the north of China, close to Siberia, where he carves his large-scale work in clay on scaffolding. From there, he obtains a fibreglass mould, which he then transfers to another mould in earth and sand, which is placed in the kiln and into which the bronze is poured. "I use the same alloy as the Greeks and Romans: 85% copper and three other metals (zinc, tin and lead). I am guaranteed a minimum durability of 2,000 years," he stated. "Between fame and glory, I prefer glory, because it's the people who judge, who say 'we love this and it's part of us'. That's what I'm after," Serran said, alluding to the greatest goal of his life. They say karma works in mysterious ways, but for a gang of bungling burglars in Malaga, it worked with the blunt effect of a gearbox failure. In what could be one of the most amateurish heists in the citys recent history, a gang of ram-raiders were forced to flee on foot after their getaway car became wedged inside the restaurant they were trying to rob. To add to their woes, one suspect reportedly left his wallet - complete with identification - inside the abandoned vehicle. The drama unfolded at approximately 5am on Sunday 4 January, in the Teatinos district. Residents in the Torre Atalaya area were woken by the screech of tyres and a deafening crash as a small car was reversed at high speed through the glass front of Rosarios Burger. Police were alerted, and on their arrival, there was no sign of the thieves. But the car was left behind unlocked, with the keys still in the ignition and the engine running. The owner of Rosario Burger's explained: "When I arrived, the police were already there and a neighbour told me she heard the sound of the car wheels. They were trying to escape, but they couldn't. The car got stuck," he explained to SUR. The bar's security cameras captured one of the criminals, who had a face mask and gloves on when stealing money from the till. Even then he bungled the robbery - he left behind more cash. In the end, the suspects (the number involved is not known at this stage) decided to flee, leaving the car, which, according to sources, they had allegedly stolen. Inside the car, the officers found a wallet with documents belonging to one of the alleged offenders. Now, the owner of the bar is trying to repair the damage caused, especially to the window, and is reinforcing security measures to prevent another robbery. In this kind of situation, he admits, one feels "more vulnerable", even if the robbers were amateurs. KABUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- More than 6 million tourists, including some 9,000 foreigners, with the remainder being domestic tourists, have visited historical sites in Afghanistan in the past nine months of 1404 in the Persian calendar (from March 20, 2025 to Dec. 20, 2025), spokesman for the Ministry of Information and Culture Khabib Ghafran said. The increase in the number of tourists compared to past years indicates an improvement in the services provided to tourists and the tourism industry, the official said, adding that the government would build more facilities, such as hotels, to better serve the visitors as part of efforts to promote the tourism industry in the post-war nation. Tourists from the Central Asian states, Russia, Germany, France, the United States, China, and Arab countries are among those who have visited Afghanistan over the period, the official went on to say. However, the official did not disclose the income generated through the country's tourism industry. Cristina Vallejo Monday, 12 January 2026, 11:57 | Updated 19:18h. Share Malaga province gained 1,990 workers from other regions in 2024. This makes it the third largest net absorber of employees in Spain, after Alicante (3,475 people) and the Balearic Islands (3,185) and ahead of Guadalajara, Valencia, Castellon and Madrid, which gained only 751 workers from other provinces. This data, compiled by the Ministry of Finance, reflects movements within the labour market between 2023 and 2024, excluding the Basque Country and Navarre, which have their own tax systems. As far as Malaga is concerned, the data shows that behind this gain of almost 2,000 employees from other regions, there is, on the one hand, the entry of 6,470 workers coming from other non-Andalusian provinces and, on the other, the departure of 4,480 people to other regions. Losses in Andalucia Malaga recorded a net gain of nearly 2,000 salaried workers, bucking the trend across Andalucia as a whole, which lost 7,132 employees. This was because the 29,405 people who chose the region for work were outweighed by more than 36,500 who left for other regions. Andalucia is, in fact, the region that lost the highest number of workers to internal migration in 2024, having failed to offset departures with arrivals, followed by Castilla y Leon (-2,313), Castilla-La Mancha (-1,941) and Extremadura (-1,935). At the other end, the regions that gained the highest number of workers were Valencia, with 6,329, ahead of Catalonia, with 2,937. The main culprit for the loss in Andalucia is Seville, which was the province with the worst labour balance in Spain. In 2024, a total of 16,593 salaried workers left this province, compared with the mere 8,105 that it attracted, resulting in a net drop of close to 8,500 salaried workers. Malaga stands out in terms of attracting employees from other regions. Inflows far outweigh outflows: far fewer people leave than come. The Costa del Sol province, however, by no means attracts the most workers: Madrid tops the ranking, with 55,241 Spanish workers gained in 2024, although 54,500 left. Also ahead of Malaga are Barcelona, Valencia, the Balearic Islands and Toledo. Seville also ranks ahead: in 2024, income tax data shows that it received 8,105 salaried workers from other provinces outside Andalucia, compared with 6,470 in Malaga. Nonetheless, nearly 16,600 people left Seville. If Malaga is a magnet for workers from other regions, it does not act as a magnet for the rest of Andalucia the way Seville does. According to data compiled by the Ministry of Finance, Malaga recorded a net loss of 378 workers to the rest of Andalucia. A total of 5,194 workers left Malaga for other Andalusian provinces, while only 4,816 salaried employees moved here from elsewhere in Andalucia. In contrast, Seville led Andalucia's labour "migrations", having received 13,276 people from the rest of the region compared to just 4,756 departures. In net terms, it gained 8,520 people. It was also the province that gained the most labour force from its own region, ahead of Valladolid (up by 3,704 workers from the rest of Castilla y Leon), Valencia (3,063) and Toledo (3,000). From this it can be concluded that Seville acts as a pole of attraction for workers like no other regional capital. Movements within the region show that Cadiz was the province that brought the most workers to Seville in 2024, with 2,922; ahead of Malaga (2,561). Seville was the preferred destination within Andalucia for Malaga workers that left their province and vice versa: Malaga was the preferred destination for Seville-based workers who chose to move within the region. Labour migration from Malaga contained within Andalucia The data published by the Ministry of Finance also reveals some interesting dynamics in the province of Malaga. On the one hand, workers from the province who decide to leave mainly choose another province in Andalucia: the 4,480 employees who left Malaga and Andalucia contrast with the almost 5,200 who left the province to stay in the region. The pattern is different for those moving to Malaga. Most newcomers come from other regions rather than from within Andalucia. Specifically, 6,470 workers arrived from other regions, compared with 4,816 who moved to Malaga from other Andalusian provinces during 2024. Almudena Nogues Monday, 12 January 2026, 15:48 Share The state meteorological agency (Aemet) has forecast more rainfall for several parts of Malaga province this week, with experts warning that Andalucia is among the regions that will see "heavy rainfall". "A cold front will move slowly on Tuesday, hitting the western part of the region on Wednesday," SUR's weather expert Jose Luis Escudero says in his blog. "Aemet forecasts moderate showers that may be locally heavy in Huelva, Seville and Cadiz." At the moment, the probability of rainfall in interior areas such as Ronda from 6pm on 13 January onwards is 85%. This spell will continue throughout the day on Wednesday. There is also a high chance of rain (75%) in municipalities on the western coast such as Estepona and Marbella. Closely following is the Antequera district, with 70%. "At the moment, the eastern part of the province is where the least rain is expected. The likelihood of rain is also low in Malaga city, although a few drops may fall," Escudero said. The unstable conditions will return throughout Spain. "On Tuesday, the advancing front will bring widespread rain to Galicia, the westernmost part of Castilla y Leon, the Central System, Extremadura and western Andalucia. Between five and 20mm will fall in all these areas, with a maximum of up to 50mm," the Meteored specialist portal forecasts. The front will weaken as it passes through to the east of the country. "There will be light to moderate rainfall across the centre of mainland Spain. Up to 20mm could fall in central Andalucia and the Strait of Gibraltar," the website says. Furthermore, this will not be the only front arriving this week. Another is expected between Thursday and Friday, but it is still too early to say how it will affect Malaga. Susana Zamora Monday, 12 January 2026, 15:53 Share Spain's Supreme Court has banned double penalisation, which means that banks can no longer charge interest for late payment plus fees on the same overdraft. According to the ruling, signed on 17 December 2025, such charges will be legitimate only when they are related to services that are "real, necessary and distinct", i.e. a single banking service cannot be charged for twice. In this specific case, the court extended its ruling to non-consumer clients - to a commercial company, to be precise. The judges upheld a company's appeal against Banco Santander, which applied two penalties for the same overdrafts: a 4.5% fee for an overdraft plus late payment interest of 29% for the same debit. The ruling stated that the ban on double taxation does not derive exclusively from consumer protection legislation, but from general principles of contract and banking law. The magistrates underlined that banks cannot use the client's business status to justify practices that entail an overlapping of costs for the same economic practice. The resolution recalled ruling 431/2020 of 15 July, in which in order for entities to be able to charge fees to their customers, two requirements must be met: the fee must correspond to a real service provided to the client and the costs of providing that service must have actually been incurred. "Under these two premises, banks may not charge for services that have not been requested or accepted by customers, who must have been personally informed in advance of the amount they will have to pay for the service". Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse Universitys Whitman School of Management is launching a program next month to teach students how to evaluate the investment potential of startups while connecting entrepreneurs with investors. Think like Shark Tank, said Alexander McKelvie, dean of the Whitman School and professor of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas to potential investors at events modeled after Shark Tank, ABCs reality show where businesses sell their concepts to investors. As part of the class, students will set up the events, vet businesses and conduct market research, McKelvie said. The goal, he said, is to teach the undergraduate and graduate students what investors weigh when their money is on the line. The university and business school will not make investment decisions or take ownership stakes in ventures. The investors retain control over their money, but the students will recommend whether to invest. Were just saying, hey, this is what we see with this opportunity, and then the investors make the capital investment, or not, in the new venture, said Jeff Gish, who will run the program and serve as its new academic director. The school has invited investors and entrepreneurs with connections to SU to participate. Already, more than a dozen of both are involved, McKelvie said. The group of potential investors, including some from Central New York, will form the Orange Business Angel Network, an ongoing effort to build business connections among SU alumni, students, parents and anyone associated with the university. That network, McKelvie said, is about more than money. Entrepreneurs can also get mentorship and guidance, he said. The program will start to address a need McKelvie said he hears about repeatedly: The struggle to win over investors. The number one thing we hear from successful student entrepreneurs who become alumni entrepreneurs is access to capital, McKelvie said. They wish that they had an angel to help take that next step. Many SU alumni have reached out to the Whitman School looking for the next startup to invest in, McKelvie said. Gish is teaching at the University of Central Florida now, but hes also an experienced entrepreneur and angel investor. For seven years he owned a transportation company in the Pacific Northwest with 57 employees and 42 trucks before selling to a competitor. Then, he pursued a doctorate at the University of Oregon before using his own capital to invest in a fund. Gish said he is excited to meld academic learning and real-world, hands-on learning. There are real consequences to the work that were doing because these are real entrepreneurs seeking capital and these are real investors investing their dollars into entrepreneurship, he said. The program targets early-stage companies valued at less than $10 million and with revenues under $2 million. SU-affiliated investors and entrepreneurs from all over the country are submitting applications, McKelvie said, including 10 to 15 startups working in artificial intelligence, tech and other services. Gish said hes been in touch with at least a dozen investors in Upstate and Central New York, including Upstate Capital and New York State Ventures. The investors have to meet Securities and Exchange Commission requirements for net worth and income thresholds, and have a connection to Syracuse University as an alumni, parents, faculty or staff. Were making it very selective and starting it small to allow it to grow over time, McKelvie said. While about 40 similar university angel networks exist nationally, McKelvie said Syracuses program stands out for centering students in the due diligence process. The big piece is that this is really student-focused and making sure that they are at the heart of this academic learning, McKelvie said. Gish said the course will prepare the students for careers in business. Its not the expectation that they would become angel investors, unless theyre already a high-net-worth individual, Gish said. Salina, N.Y. A man who was fatally stabbed in Salina on Friday was killed by his brother-in-law, prosecutors said. Taiwo Ogunsola, 38, of Salina, was stabbed multiple times in the neck with a kitchen knife Friday afternoon by Raoof Mustafa, 47, according to a criminal complaint. Ogunsola was married to Mustafas sister, according to prosecutor Caitlyn Buckman. Ogunsola was taken to Upstate University Hospital in critical condition before he died Friday night. Mustafa suffered from mental illness, his family said on a GoFundMe post for the Ogunsola family. The stabbing at 543 Sunflower Drive led to a more than 13-hour-long standoff between Mustafa inside the house and a large law enforcement presence that included SWAT officers and deputies. Streets were blocked off for hours and deputies set up a mobile command center down the block. As officers attempted to negotiate with the suspect, he set fires inside the home, according to Thomas Newton, a spokesperson for the sheriffs office. Firefighters hosed down the recurring blazes while being protected by SWAT officers. Residents were forced to shelter in place as law enforcement tried to negotiate with the suspect. Some slept in cars when they couldnt get back to their homes. The standoff ended early Saturday morning when officers broke into the home and found Mustafa in the attic, deputies said. Mustafa has been charged with second-degree murder, third-degree arson and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. The victim and the suspect lived next to each other in a two-family home. Ogunsola lived at 541 Sunflower Dr., according to voter registration records. Mustafa lived at 543 Sunflower Dr., according to records. Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to pursue perhaps the most ambitious development of nuclear power in America, setting a new goal to build five gigawatts of new nuclear capacity instead of just the one gigawatt she announced last June. Thats more nuclear power than has been built in the United States in the past 30 years. Hochul will announce the plans Tuesday in her State of the State speech, her office told syracuse.com. If her vision succeeds, New Yorks nuclear capacity would increase from 3.4 gigawatts today to 8.4 GW. Gov. Hochul will ensure that New York State leads in the race to harness safe and reliable advanced nuclear energy to power homes and businesses with zero-emissions electricity for generations to come, her office said in an email. The governor also will announce plans for training and education programs to develop a skilled work force for the plants. Building 5 gigawatts would be the equivalent of building five new traditional reactors. The four nuclear plants New York has now range in capacity from 1.3 gigawatts to 0.6 GW (600 megawatts). But state officials have expressed interest in newer designs, still under development, that would yield smaller reactors. For the past year Hochul has championed nuclear power as essential to help meet future electricity demand that is expected to rise sharply. Last June, she ordered the state power authority to develop at least one gigawatt of new nuclear power. Now Hochul will direct the state Public Service Commission to map out plans for another four gigawatts. One gigawatt of nuclear power -- roughly the capacity of a single large reactor -- is enough to supply nearly 1 million average New York households. The PSC will launch an initiative to consider, review and facilitate a cost-effective pathway to 4 gigawatts of new nuclear energy, the governors office said. They did not provide details. New Yorks recently released state energy plan anticipates the addition of two-to-three gigawatts of new nuclear power by 2040 but does not describe the path to development. Now Hochul is doubling the quantity and making development a priority for state regulators. Advanced nuclear power is a key part of my all-of-the-above energy plan, Hochul said in a prepared statement. Our initiative to create a nuclear reliability backbone for New York will ensure safe, around-the-clock, emission-free power to help keep the lights on and rates down. Interest in nuclear energy is surging across the nation as energy planners look for ways to satisfy sharply rising demand without producing more greenhouse gas emissions. But the technology faces big challenges. Cost, for one. Nuclear plants are notoriously expensive to build. And while there are dozens of companies working to develop new, cheaper models, none is ready for commercial primetime. The last two nuclear plants built in the United States, Plant Vogtle units 3 and 4 in Georgia, cost roughly $35 billion combined, more than twice the initial budget of $14 billion. The 1.1-gigawatt units came online in 2023 and 2024, seven years later than planned. Georgia ratepayers were hit with significant bill increases to help pay for them. Its not clear how the Public Service Commission will ensure that nuclear power contributes to Hochuls frequent promises to make energy more affordable. New Yorks existing nuclear plants need subsidies to compete with natural gas plants. The four existing reactors three in Oswego County and one in Wayne County have received more than $500 million a year in ratepayer subsidies since 2017 in addition to what they earn selling their power. State regulators are considering a proposal to extend those payments, which are due to expire in 2029, for another 20 years. The governors nuclear aspirations are bound to be met with shock from some environmental advocates and other critics who argue that investing in nuclear energy drains vast resources that would be better spent on renewable technology. Anti-nuclear advocates also warn that there still is no permanent plan for dealing with spent nuclear fuel, which remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years. But support for nuclear power appears to be growing. In a poll last year by the Pew Research Center, about six in 10 Americans said they favored building more nuclear plants to generate electricity, up from about 43% in 2020. A Siena Research Institute poll in August showed about half of New Yorkers supported Hochuls plan for new nuclear power, with 26% opposed. Hochul is calling her new initiative the Nuclear Reliability Backbone. She stresses that nuclear power is always on. The Upstate nuclear plants typically produce more than 90% of their full generating capacity over the course of a year, according to data reported by owner Constellation Energy Corp. Hochul says nuclear power can provide a reliable base of energy while renewable sources like wind and solar add to the mix with intermittent generation. Nuclear plants also can help diminish the role of natural gas plants, which contribute to carbon emissions. This effort will provide firm, clean power that complements renewable energy resources and reduces reliance on fossil fuel generation, Hochuls office said. By creating a stable foundation of always-on energy, the Backbone will allow renewable resources to operate more efficiently and flexibly. New Yorks grid manager, the New York Independent System Operator, predicts that demand for electricity will grow 50% to 90% over the next two decades. NYISO officials have urged the state to start building new generation at a much faster pace than it has. Its not clear how quickly New York would be able to add nuclear capacity. Regulatory approvals alone typically take years. In addition to meeting energy needs, Hochul said her nuclear program will create jobs. In her speech Tuesday, the governor will announce a workforce development program called NextGen Nuclear New York. She envisions working with educational institutions ranging from K12 schools to higher education and worker training programs to align curricula with nuclear industry jobs. By investing in its people, New York will ensure its nuclear future is powered by New Yorkers, for New Yorkers, Hochul said. Staff writer Tim Knauss can be reached at: email|Twitter| 315-470-3023. Syracuse, N.Y. For months, Rhea Holmes slept on her husbands grave at Oakwood Cemetery after being evicted from her Syracuse home. From May to mid-December, she quietly lived at the cemetery, sleeping under a tarp atop his grave. She would sneak in in the evenings. She sometimes used bathrooms at nearby Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to clean up. Holmes said she didnt tell people she was homeless. I didnt want people to worry, she said. I just stayed there. As the weather turned cold and snowy, cemetery staff alerted police that she was sleeping there. Officers told her she couldnt do that anymore. It could have ended there but the officers mentioned the womans plight to a colleague, Officer James Pastorello. Pastorello knew Holmes because a few days earlier on a cold winter day he gave her a ride to the cemetery, believing he was helping a woman visit loved ones. He didnt know she was living there. I was completely shocked, Pastorello said. When I found out she was sleeping outside, especially with how cold it was getting, that really hit me. Pastorello said he immediately told Holmes that sleeping outdoors was no longer an option. The officer decided he had to help her find a home. Simply the right thing to do Pastorello and a fellow officer bought a hotel room for Holmes but knew it couldnt be a long-term solution. Pastorello began reaching out to people he knows in search of help. One of those calls was to Joe LeMura a former vice principal at Henniger High School who retired in 2012. He is also the brother of Le Moyne College President Linda LeMura. Pastorello said he became friends with Joe LeMura while working for the city school district. I didnt ask him for anything at the time, Pastorello said. I just told him the story and said wed talk later. Next thing he knew the president of Le Moyne asked how she can help. Within a day, Holmes was offered temporary housing in a vacant home owned by the Jesuit college near campus. Holmes moved into the house the weekend before Christmas. Linda LeMura said the timing allowed the college to respond swiftly because the home was empty during the semester break. There was a window where we could help, and it was simply the right thing to do, she said. For Holmes, the move marked the first time she had slept indoors in months. She said she was evicted May 14 from the home she shared with her husband for almost 20 years. Holmes had worked at Upstate University Hospital as an administrative assistant. Her husband Rev. Eddie Holmes preached and sang at various churches before he joined the Tucker Missionary Baptist Church as a pastor for the childrens church. He later worked as a nursing home security guard. In 2020, Holmes husband died unexpectedly from congestive heart failure. They had been married 26 years. Holmes said the grief after her husbands death was so profound that she lost her sense of purpose, a period she said led directly to her homelessness. Holmes said her landlord allowed her to stay in the home for five years before taking action. Holmes and her husband had three children, two boys and a girl. Her oldest child lives in California and the other two live in Syracuse. Holmes said they just were not in a position to help her. Holmes said she turned to the cemetery for comfort and with no stable housing and little support, she stayed there through the summer, fall and into the early winter months. When Pastorello first encountered Holmes earlier in December, she was struggling up a hill in Thornden Park with groceries in freezing temperatures. He asked where she was going and she told him the cemetery to visit loved ones. He offered her a ride. He didnt know he was dropping me home, Holmes said. I was living there I was staying in Oakwood Cemetery on top of my husbands grave. A Tiny Home Holmes, 55, who has lived in Syracuse all her life, said the transition from sleeping outdoors to having heat, a bed and a secure place to stay was overwhelming. She said she felt safe for the first time in months. Pastorello started a GoFundMe drive to help Holmes cover basic needs. It has raised more than $3,200, which Holmes said shell use to buy essentials and begin thinking about her future. I wasnt thinking past getting through the day before, she said. Now I can. As word of Holmes situation spread, more help followed. A Tiny Home for Good a nonprofit organization founded by Le Moyne alumnus Andrew Lunetta that provides housing for people experiencing homelessness reached out and offered Holmes a longer-term solution. Holmes moved into one of the organizations tiny homes on Slocum Avenue on Jan. 5. The one-bedroom home is just under 300 square feet. The nonprofit sets rent for its homes based on a tenants income, Lunetta said. Housing staff set Holmes rent at $314 a month to match temporary assistance she qualifies for through Onondaga County. In other cases, tenants may be employed, and staff work with them when they move in or renew a lease to determine a rent the tenant can consistently afford, Lunetta said. Holmes new home includes an entryway with a closet for coats and everyday necessities, Lunetta said. It has a small kitchen area with a full-size refrigerator but no stove. The apartment also includes a stackable washer and dryer and a full bathroom with a shower. Holmes said the new home feels like a brand-new start. My old house was so close to the cemetery, and this feels like a true new beginning, Holmes said. Its amazing. I dont even have the words to describe it. Pastorello, 33, a nine-year veteran of the police department, said the experience of meeting Holmes and helping her reinforced why he became a police officer: seeing people in need and stepping in when it matters. Holmes said she hopes sharing her story helps others better understand the realities of homelessness and the power of small acts of kindness. So many people feel invisible, she said. All it took was one person stopping to care. Holmes said she is already thinking about how she will make the space her own. She plans to decorate it with photos starting with pictures of her father, her husband and Pastorello. Holmes said she didnt just get a home through the experience. I gained a lifelong friend, she said of Pastorello. And I finally have a place to call home. NEW DELHI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) mission on Monday faced an anomaly after launch, and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) later confirmed the launch was a failure, local media reported. Syracuse, N.Y. At a Sunday meeting with Syracuse residents, Mayor Sharon Owens reiterated city police will not act as agents for ICE under her leadership, which is less than two weeks old. The comments come a day before a planned march and vigil in downtown Syracuse to protest the federal governments immigration policies and actions and remember Renee Good, who was shot and killed last week in Minneapolis. On Monday, nearly a dozen Syracuse-area activist groups will lead the ICE Out For Good rally, beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Columbus Circle and marching to Clinton Square for a vigil at 4:30 p.m. The protest aims to demand justice for those harmed or killed by federal immigration enforcement, including ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to organizers. Tammy Honeywell, one of the protest organizers, said immigration enforcement has escalated locally, heightening fear in immigrant communities across Central New York. We dont want ICE on our streets harassing our neighbors, kidnapping people and using physical force, she said. The protest is meant to make clear that county residents will not accept collaboration with ICE or other federal immigration agencies. Owens told the crowd of almost 100 people that immigration enforcement nationwide has been alarming, particularly as people with deep community ties are targeted for minor or long-standing violations. What is going on in this nation around immigration is just ridiculous, the mayor said at the gathering at All Saints Parish Center in Syracuse. Youre going after people who work in hospitals, who own businesses, who are part of the fabric of our community. The mayor said city officials usually learn about ICE activity from residents, social media posts, or calls, noting that neither the Syracuse Police Department nor the mayors office receives advance notice of federal enforcement actions. She stressed that undocumented residents should not be treated as criminals solely because of their immigration status, pushing back against language she said dehumanizes immigrants. The diversity of this city is what makes us the best, Owens said. Owens, who took office this month, also highlighted housing, lead pipe replacement and workforce development as top priorities, emphasizing equitable investment across neighborhoods. She stressed she plans to work on increasing homeownership, protecting renters, beefing up code enforcement, and collaborating with state and federal agencies on economic development and I-81 projects. ICE has targeted dozens of people in Central New York in recent months, including restaurant owners, farmworkers, and hospital employees. In November, a French man who overstayed his visa fled to Canada after ICE officers followed him and his husband from their Liverpool home to a Syracuse store. Honeywell said the protest is deliberately being held near the Civic Center to pressure Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon to retract his direction allowing the county Probation Department to work with ICE. Activists are also calling on McMahon, the Sheriffs Office, and Syracuse police to publicly reject collaboration with federal immigration authorities, refuse to share surveillance data, and support the New York for All Act and a Syracuse City Council resolution reaffirming the citys sanctuary status. We are saddened by the murder of Renee Good as well as all the other known and unknown deaths at the hands of DHS, Lee Cridland, an ICE Out For Good coordinator, said in a press release. Good, a Minneapolis mother, was fatally shot by ICE agents last week after dropping off her 6-year-old son at school. Co-organizers for Mondays event are Syracuse Democratic Socialists of America, the CNY Solidarity Coalition, LGBTQ Syracuse, May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Syracuse Immigrant Refugee Defense Network, Citizen Action of New York, Jewish Voice for Peace Syracuse, Syracuse Peace Council, and Indivisible Onondaga County. President Donald Trump issued a warning to Cuba over the weekend. According to The Associated Press, Trump said Sunday that Cuba had been living off Venezuelan oil and money and had offered security in return, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA ZERO! Trump said in a post on Truth Social. I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. He did not explain what kind of deal, according to AP. President Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba responded to Trump by saying that his country was prepared to defend itself against American threats, according to The New York Times. Cuba is a free, independent and sovereign nation, Diaz-Canel wrote on X. No one tells us what to do. He added that the Caribbean island was ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood. Venezuela is believed to send about 35,000 barrels of oil a day to Cuba, according to the BBC. Cuba is one of the nations Trump has been turning his attention toward following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that ousted Nicolas Maduro. Trump has also spoken frequently about his desire for Greenland to become part of the United States. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week he would be concerned if he were in the Cuban government and added that theyre in a lot of trouble, according to the BBC. On Sunday, Trump re-posted a social media message suggesting Rubio could become president of Cuba, the BBC said. A Central New York union leader launched a campaign today Monday for the Democratic nomination to challenge Assemblymember John Lemondes in the November election. Ian Phillips, 41, a Democrat from Auburn, will be making his second bid to unseat Lemondes, R-LaFayette, in the 126th Assembly District. Phillips is the regional political organizer for New York State United Teachers and is the former president of the Auburn School Board. He lost the 2024 election to Lemondes by more than 7,000 votes in a district that spans parts of Onondaga and Cayuga counties. Phillips told syracuse.com that he decided to campaign for the seat again because he feels that voters want a state lawmaker who will be accountable and focus on their concerns like affordability. I feel really strongly that we need term limits, Pillips said. We need all kinds of systems in place to hold our elected officials accountable. I think our current assemblyman clearly sees this job as a consolation prize where he can mail it in and not really have to listen to his constituents. Lemondes announced Friday that he was dropping his bid for the 22nd Congressional District seat in Central New York and would instead seek a fourth term in the state Assembly. But this year, Lemondes may face a Republican primary election for the Assembly seat. Onondaga County Legislator David Knapp, R-LaFayette, said Friday he planned to move forward with his previously announced campaign for the 126th District, despite the decision by Lemondes to seek reelection. Phillips is the only Democrat to date to kick off a campaign for the Assembly seat. He launched his campaign Monday along the shore of Skaneateles Lake, with the endorsements of Skaneateles Supervisor Chris Legg and Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino. Phillips said he will focus his campaign on accountability, affordability and protecting the Finger Lakes. Phillips began his career in politics as a staffer for former Rep. Dan Maffei, D-Syracuse. He later served as campaign manager for John Mannions first bid for a state Senate seat in Central New York. The 126th Assembly District spans the towns of Lysander, Elbridge, Camillus, Skaneateles, Marcellus, Spafford, Otisco, Tully, LaFayette, Pompey and Fabius in Onondaga County. The district also includes parts of Cayuga County including the city of Auburn. As of Nov. 1, the district has 35,539 registered Republican voters, 29,961 Democrats and 29,942 independent voters who are not enrolled in a political party. A Niagara Falls man was shot early Monday while driving on Interstate 190 in Niagara County, authorities said. Troopers from State Police Troop T in Buffalo were dispatched at 12:46 a.m. Jan. 12 to Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital after a 32-year-old man arrived with a gunshot wound, police said in a press release. Investigators said the man, who is from Niagara Falls, was driving northbound on I-190 between exits 14 and 15 when a dark-colored vehicle pulled alongside his car and someone inside fired multiple rounds. The victim was struck during the shooting. The man continued driving to the hospital while a passenger in his vehicle called 911, according to police. He was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. State Police said portions of I-190 could be closed throughout the day Monday as the investigation continues. No arrests have been announced, and police have not released a description of the suspect vehicle beyond its dark color. More information will be released as the investigation continues. Anyone with information is urged to contact New York State Police. People take part in a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 12, 2026. Tens of thousands of pro-government citizens took to the streets across Iran on Monday, responding to calls from Iranian authorities to demonstrate solidarity. (Xinhua/Shadati) TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of pro-government citizens took to the streets across Iran on Monday, responding to calls from Iranian authorities to demonstrate solidarity. State media broadcast images of large crowds converging on Enghelab Square in the capital, with demonstrators chanting slogans such as "Death to America," "Death to Israel," and "Death to the enemies of God." Similar gatherings were reported in cities including Kerman, Zahedan, and Birjand, as well as at a funeral procession for security personnel killed in Shahrud, Semnan province. Broadcasters described the events as a "popular uprising against American-Zionist terrorism." On Saturday, Iran's Islamic Development Coordination Council called on people to stage a protest on Monday afternoon to condemn the "terrorist actions of U.S. and Israeli agents." Earlier on Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that the situation in Iran is "under total control" while denouncing the United States for intervening. According to Araghchi, the demonstrations were "stoked and fuelled" by foreign elements, and security forces would "hunt down" those responsible. He said that Iran has obtained evidence of U.S. and Israeli involvement in domestic "terrorist activities," including footage showing weapons being distributed to protesters, and that authorities will soon release confessions of detainees. A protest broke out late last month across Iran over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. It soon spiraled into nationwide unrest, with clashes reported between police and protesters. Over the past two weeks, at least 111 members of Iran's security forces were killed in the unrest, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Casualty figures for protesters have not been officially released. People take part in a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 12, 2026. Tens of thousands of pro-government citizens took to the streets across Iran on Monday, responding to calls from Iranian authorities to demonstrate solidarity. (Xinhua/Shadati) People take part in a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 12, 2026. Tens of thousands of pro-government citizens took to the streets across Iran on Monday, responding to calls from Iranian authorities to demonstrate solidarity. (Xinhua/Shadati) A man takes part in a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 12, 2026. Tens of thousands of pro-government citizens took to the streets across Iran on Monday, responding to calls from Iranian authorities to demonstrate solidarity. (Xinhua/Shadati) People take part in a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 12, 2026. Tens of thousands of pro-government citizens took to the streets across Iran on Monday, responding to calls from Iranian authorities to demonstrate solidarity. (Xinhua/Shadati) People take part in a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 12, 2026. Tens of thousands of pro-government citizens took to the streets across Iran on Monday, responding to calls from Iranian authorities to demonstrate solidarity. (Xinhua/Shadati) People take part in a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 12, 2026. Tens of thousands of pro-government citizens took to the streets across Iran on Monday, responding to calls from Iranian authorities to demonstrate solidarity. (Xinhua/Shadati) People take part in a demonstration in Tehran, Iran, on Jan. 12, 2026. Tens of thousands of pro-government citizens took to the streets across Iran on Monday, responding to calls from Iranian authorities to demonstrate solidarity. (Xinhua/Shadati) TOKYO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday ordered the establishment of a liaison office to gather information in response to a series of wildfires that have broken out in the vicinity of Tokyo. Takaichi said in a post on X that the government would work closely with local authorities and mobilize relevant ministries to prevent the fires from spreading further and to ensure the safety of residents. A wildfire that erupted in Uenohara City, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Jan. 8 has yet to be fully contained. Meanwhile, a fire broke out on Sunday in Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and firefighting efforts are still ongoing. A wildfire also broke out in Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on Sunday. The fire was extinguished on Monday after burning for more than 24 hours, with no injuries or damage to homes reported, according to the fire department. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The cool, composed Leonardo DiCaprio might have been pulling the wool over our eyes all along. Film fans are reacting with delight to DiCaprios real personality, after an off-air Golden Globes moment went viral on social media. The actor attended the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday (11 January) after being nominated for his role in the action comedy One Battle After Another, which took home four awards in total. DiCaprio, 50, may have found himself roasted by host Nikki Glaser over his dating habits, but it was a clip of the star filmed during an advert break that most people are talking about. In the video, he can be seen animatedly speaking to another attendee suspected to be his One Battle After Another co-star Chase Infiniti after Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters won two awards, for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for Golden. I was watching you with the K-pop thing, he could be seen saying to Infiniti, who is a huge fan of K-pop, mimicking her by pouting and flicking his hair. He added: You were like, Whos that? Is it... Oh, K-pop! DiCaprio is known for his calm composure and was even mocked at the ceremony by Glaser for his privacy but people are pointing out that this clip could paint a picture of what hes actually like behind closed doors. Insane seeing his personality IRL, one person wrote, with another agreeing: He has so much personality offscreen. Another suggested his professional persona has been the real performance all along, with one declaring: This practically counts as a new Leo performance, sorry I dont make the rules. While many believe DiCaprio was talking to Infiniti, another theory is that he was talking to his friend Jennifer Lawrence, with whom he co-starred in the 2019 film Dont Look Up. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Earlier in the ceremony, comedian Glaser said in a joke aimed at DiCaprio: What a career you've had: countless iconic performances, you've worked with every great director, you've won three Golden Globes, an Oscar, and the most impressive thing is you were able to accomplish all of that before your girlfriend turned 30. The actors girlfriends have included Danish model Nina Agdal, who was 25 at the time and The Night Manager star Camila Morrone, who was 20. He is now romantically linked to 27-year-old Italian model Vittoria Ceretti. Leonardo DiCaprio took joke about younger girlfriends in his stride at Golden Globes ( X ) Chloe Zhaos weepie Hamnet and Paul Thomas Andersons caper One Battle After Another were big film winners at the Golden Globes, with agenda-setting Netflix drama Adolescence winning four awards in the TV categories. Meanwhile, Hamnets Jessie Buckley, Marty Supreme star Timothee Chalamet, Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) and Sentimental Value actor Stellan Skarsgard established themselves as firm Oscar contenders following their triumphs in the film acting categories. See the full list of winners here. Get the inside track from Roisin O'Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin, the guitarist who played in the acclaimed British experimental rock band Black Midi, has died. He was 26. The group, who formed in 2017, were part of an emerging scene that formed around the London venue Brixton Windmill. They released music through producer Dan Careys label Speedy Wunderground and Rough Trade Records. A statement from Kwasniewski-Kelvins father Tony was posted to Rough Trades Instagram, reading: It is with deep sadness that we as a family regret to inform you that Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin has died after a long battle with his mental health. A talented musician and a kind, loving man finally succumbed; despite all efforts. Matt was 26 years old. He will always be loved. Please take a moment to check in with your loved ones so we can stop this happening to our young men. The familys message was accompanied by a further statement from Rough Trade, who wrote: Rough Trade Records would like to extend deepest sympathy to the Kwasniewski-Kelvin family who have shared this statement on the tragic passing of founding black midi member Matt - an incredibly talented person who will be truly missed. open image in gallery Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin playing with Black Midi at the BBC 6 Music Festival at the Camden Roundhouse, London on March 6, 2020 ( Chris Lever/Shutterstock ) If you are struggling with mental health issues please reach out to your loved ones or one of the range of charities such as Mind, CALM and Samaritans who provide services and someone to talk to in any time of need. Kwasniewski-Kelvin attended the prestigious creative arts college, The Brit School. There he met fellow guitarist Geordie Greep and drummer Morgan Simpson. Together they formed Black Midi, with Cameron Picton later joining on bass. They played their first gig at the Brixton Windmill on June 12, 2017 and went on to have a residency at the venue. In June 2018, they released their debut single bmbmbm on Speedy Wunderground. Debut album Schlagenheim followed in 2019 on Rough Trade Records. In a 2020 scene report for The Independent, Kieran Read wrote: When Black Midi performed their single bmbmbm at last years Mercury Prize their first televised performance vocalist Geordie Greeps awkward moaning and guitarist Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvins out-of-nowhere front flip felt more provocative and perplexing than rapper Slowthai throwing Boris Johnsons disembodied head around. Read added that the band members share an affinity for jamming angular, frenetic grooves and feeding obscure samples (like Nikki Grahames Big Brother meltdowns) through their amps. After a whirlwind few months, including signing to Rough Trade Records, an airtight KEXP performance and a cosign from Cans Damo Suzuki, they were quickly lauded as the weirdest band around, which, in turn, only assisted in building their recognition. Kwasniewski-Kelvin left the band, citing concerns about his mental health, prior to the release of their second album Cavalcade in 2021 but received writing credits on the record. Among those paying tribute to the musician were representatives of the Windmill, who wrote on X: RIP Matt Kwasniewski-Kelvin. Don't know what else to say apart from deepest condolences to his family and for everyone to heed their advice. So sad. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Viewers tuning into the 2026 Golden Globes were left confused by a random UFC plug in the middle of the awards show. Moments after The Secret Agent won Best Motion Picture (Non-English Language), the lights began to flicker as two UFC fighters clad in branded gear walked out, strutted downstage, and then disappeared. @paramountplus and @CBS promoting the @ufc on the @goldenglobes is the dumbest thing ever!!!! one viewer wrote on X while another agreed, Very random forced #ufc cameo. Corporate synergy. This CBS UFC nonsense is a mess, someone else wrote while another said, the ufc people looked just as confused about why they were there as i was. Other viewers were annoyed that the UFC bit took up valuable broadcast time. open image in gallery UFC fighters made an odd cameo in the middle of the Golden Globes broadcast ( CBS ) The Globes took the time to televise two UFC fighters wordlessly walking to the end of the stage and back like a 5th grade girl modeling her new back to school clothes but Best Score was presented during a commercial break??!? one wrote while another agreed, rushing the secret agent crew off to have some random ufc people to circle the stage..? The cameo was likely the result of a deal signed by CBSs parent company, Paramount, that takes effect this year, making the network the home for all UFC events. Worth over $7 billion, the deal was announced in August and will have all 2026 UFC events and Fight Nights available to stream on Paramount+. Select events will also be broadcast on CBS. The UFC cameo came after Golden Globes host Nikki Glaser opened the show with a fiery, no-holds-barred monologue taking aim at CBS. After making several jokes aimed at A-list stars in the room and even the Epstein files, Glaser honed in on the network broadcasting the awards show. And the Golden Globe for most editing goes to CBS News, referring to its ongoing controversy, surrounding claims that its new editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, withheld a recent 60 Minutes segment that was reportedly critical of Donald Trumps policies. open image in gallery Nikki Glasers opening monologue took aim at CBS, despite the network airing the awards show ( AP ) CBS News, Americas newest place to see B.S. news, Glaser said. We need another. Just last month, Weiss pulled a 60 Minutes report about the alleged abuses in an El Salvador prison for deported migrants, citing a lack of sufficient context. Her last-minute decision to spike the segment caused uproar behind the scenes, with one source telling The Independent that Weiss could soon be facing a revolt from staffers. Even before Weiss controversially took over as CBSs editor-in-chief in October, the broadcaster was under fire for its $8 billion merger with Paramount and Skydance, both owned by David Ellison, whose father, Larry Ellison, is a well-known Trump ally. Sundays ceremony honored the best in film and television from the past year, with Paul Thomas Andersons Leonardo DiCaprio-starring dark comedy One Battle After Another leading the film nominees and HBO Maxs wealth satire The White Lotus hoping to dominate in the TV categories. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Love Island: All Stars is set to resume filming this week after its launch was delayed by wildfires near the shows South Africa villa. The winter edition of the hit ITV2 programme was due to start airing on Monday (12 January). However, ITV announced over the weekend that production had been postponed indefinitely due to health and safety concerns. The Independent understands that show bosses are now working to resume filming, though the new airdate remains unconfirmed. There is also no word yet on whether the series will be shorter than expected in order for the finale to air as originally planned. Love Island: All Stars is now in its third year and ITV has already confirmed the 12 former Islanders who will be returning to the villa for a second chance at finding love in front of the cameras. The cast includes series six fan favourite Leanne Amaning, Ronan Keatings son Jack who appeared in series eight and Millie Court, who won series seven with her then-boyfriend Liam Reardon. The cast of 'Love Island: All Stars' 2026 ( ITV ) Production for the new Love Island: All Stars series was already underway when fires broke out in the Western Cape region last week, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes. The ITV shoot was called off for safety reasons on Saturday (10 January), with the broadcaster issuing a statement which read: Further to a production evacuation owing to ongoing wildfires in the area, our assessment of the location site has concluded that filming will need to be postponed. Health and safety is our greatest priority and will always come first, and therefore the transmission of Love Island: All Stars will be delayed until a date to be confirmed. Authorities in South Africa said on Sunday (11 January) that progress had been made in containing one of the two major fires in the Western Cape region, while battling the other remained challenging. Fronted by Love Islands usual host Maya Jama, the All Stars edition has matched up one pair who have managed to make things work. Its inaugural season, in 2024, was won by Tom Clare and Molly Smith, who got engaged in September last year. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice I am routinely asked, by friends and family, for television recommendations. Its my job, after all. And there are plenty of shows I love recommending Mad Men, Gilmore Girls, M*A*S*H and feel confident wont reflect badly on either party. And then theres Square Mile drama Industry, a show that is so good that it deserves to be recommended, but so icky that watching it makes me feel like an unbathed incel. The fact that it returns on BBC One this week, for its fourth season, with more hype than ever, is a sign that its vicious satire is hitting the mark. Tender a payments processor for seedy porn and gambling sites is trying to go legit. Its founders, Whitney (Max Minghella) and Jonah (Kal Penn), are applying for a banking licence, a task that requires the involvement of both financial institutions and government officials. But is there something fishy about this clean-up act for the self-anointed PayPal of bukkake? The process of going straight brings Tender into the orbit of both Harper (Myhala), burning through another volatile self-started fund, and Yasmin (Marisa Abela), whose primary concern seems to be massaging the ego of her husband, Henry (Kit Harington), who has slipped into substance abuse since the failure of his start-up, Lumi. I failed upwards and then failed totally, he laments. There are no second acts. But Tenders search for legitimacy needs some roots in British society, offering Henry and Yasmin a chance to leverage their aristocratic ties. When Industry first appeared in November 2020 at the height of Covid-era uncertainty it focused on the psychological battle royale among City graduates. Those interns are now masters of the universe, controlling hedge funds, operating reckless shorts, and stabbing one another in the back (and front). If they learnt anything from the brutalising experience of being subordinate, it was only how to execute the same brutality on their own subordinates. Trauma is, after all, cyclical, and the cycles in Industry come around with the speed and clamour of fairground teacups. Here, in its fourth season, the show feels like it has matured and the expectation of humanity is restricted. That makes the punctures of pathos more powerful than ever. The cast deserve much of the credit for turning Industry into one of the best shows on TV. Myhala has evolved Harper from a prickly outsider into an unpredictable shark. She has a face that can slip between innocent girlishness and dead-eyed cruelty at the twitch of a muscle. Bringing in Kit Harington, too, has proven a masterstroke. He might have the abs of a Hollywood leading man, but he plays Henry as believably pathetic, a coddled egg becoming increasingly scrambled. Harington was the first big name to join the regular cast, but this series adds several more: Mad Mens Kiernan Shipka as a slippery ingenue, Stranger Thingss Charlie Heaton as a muckraking financial hack, as well as Minghella and Penn as sparring founders. The expansion of the Industry universe mightve risked diluting its impact, but instead, it relieves some of the shows oppressive claustrophobia. The myopic power-struggle of Harper and Yasmin is still at the dramas heart (Do you know why I do this? Harper asks her business partner Eric (Ken Leung). Because I enjoy it, and Im f***ing good at it), but there is now occasional relief from the internecine tension. The shows writers, Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, have also grown in both aspiration and confidence. They have a good ear for smutty dialogue (jerking off is recession-proof) and social commentary (there should be a tariff on podcast equipment), but, crucially, they remain relentlessly committed to the shows manifesto of unlikeability. Not only is every character battling their inherent selfishness, but the narrative is unflinching. Rishi (Sagar Radia), who was put through the wringer in the third season, is shown no mercy here. It gives the show the power to shock. Even though the financial machinations remain (largely) impenetrable, theyre also less consequential than ever. Industry is not about deals but alliances, not about contracts but truces; it is a show about the fragility of any relationship in the face of greed and ambition. In its fourth season, Industry feels like a show with a clear identity. Human nature in all its beautiful ugliness. But Down and Kay keep expanding the canvas, bringing new players in while exiting others. It makes Industry feel kinetic, electric, even while its giving you no one to root for and nothing to believe in. Perhaps thats its ultimate statement on capitalism: inexorable momentum, for no good reason. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice McDonalds is reportedly gearing up to roll out some massive menu changes for 2026, including the U.S. introduction of its biggest burger yet, according to a report. The fast food giant is set to feature several new menu items this year, including its biggest burger ever, an official secret menu and a partnership with Pokemon though American fans should be warned, not all of the new items are expected to hit the U.S. McDonalds Big Arch, a massive double patty burger that has already been introduced abroad, may make its U.S. debut this year, according to the Daily Mail. The menu item features two beef patties, white cheddar cheese slices, crispy onions, lettuce, pickles and Big Arch sauce all served on a poppy and sesame seed bun. McDonalds has not publicly commented about the items speculated launch in the U.S., news of which spread after an American employee shared a photo outlining new menu items coming in January on Reddit. open image in gallery McDonalds is reportedly getting ready to launch its biggest burger yet in the U.S., the Big Arch, which is popular amongst the fast food chains diners abroad ( Getty/iStock ) McDonalds did not immediately return a request for comment from The Independent. The beefier burger also comes with a steeper price tag, according to the Mail. In Canada, a Big Arch meal with fries and a drink runs consumers about $12.59, which translates to roughly $9 U.S. dollars pricier than most other menu items. It wouldnt be the first time McDonalds made big moves to try and win customers back, after 2024 saw the chain report its first sales decline since the COVID-19 pandemic. The fast-food chain made a quick recovery by introducing some special offers, including a four-item meal deal for $5 that helped boost sales from 2024 going into 2025. Earlier this month, McDonalds revealed its biggest menu changes in years, including a new McValue menu that features eight items across breakfast, lunch and dinner. Additionally, a new add one for $1 offer allows customers to add local food and drink deals to their meals, the company said. open image in gallery The Big Arch features two beef patties, white cheddar cheese slices, crispy onions, lettuce, pickles and Big Arch sauce, served on a poppy and sesame seed bun ( McDonald's ) The company also plans to continue its $5 meal deal, which has been extended multiple times since the summer. McDonalds may also see a Pokemon-themed Happy Meal to celebrate the gaming franchises 30th anniversary. While the collaboration has not officially been confirmed, The Street reported that the promotion could include four-card booster packs and themed packaging. Meanwhile, internationally, the company plans to release a secret menu that turns viral social media food hacks into limited-time deals, according to Fox 35. No U.S. rollout has been confirmed. "Some of these mash-ups shouldn't work, but they are weirdly good and need to be tried to be believed," Ben Fox, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for McDonald's in the U.K. and Ireland, said in a statement. "This limited-time lineup celebrates the creativity of our customers that we see every day on social media." General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday called for advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance with higher standards and more concrete measures. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) in Beijing. Xi urged efforts to confine power to an institutional cage in a more well-conceived and effective manner, and press ahead with the anti-corruption fight with a clearer understanding and stronger resolve, thus providing a strong guarantee for achieving the goals and tasks of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Xi pointed out that in 2025, the CPC Central Committee had intensified efforts to improve Party conduct, uphold integrity and combat corruption, achieving notable results. Xi said efforts were made to maintain a tough stance against corruption and eradicate the breeding grounds and conditions for corruption. Xi emphasized that implementing the major decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee is a fundamental requirement for upholding its authority and its centralized, unified leadership. Party organizations at all levels and Party members and officials should implement the decisions and plans of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee with concrete actions, he said. Xi noted that confining power to an institutional cage is an important task in exercising full and rigorous Party self-governance. He stressed that all are equal before the law and regulations, that compliance with them admits no privilege, and that enforcement of the law and regulations allows no exception. Xi underscored that the fight against corruption is a major struggle that the Party cannot afford to lose, and must never lose. He said that the current anti-corruption situation remains grave and complex, and that the task of eliminating the soil and conditions breeding corruption remains arduous. Xi added that it is essential to maintain a firm stance to leave corrupt officials with no place to hide. Stressing the need to stay attuned to new trends and features of corruption, Xi urged efforts to innovate methods and approaches, promptly detect and accurately identify corrupt practices, and effectively address all forms of corruption, so as to continuously enhance the penetrating power of anti-corruption efforts. He also urged strengthening coordination among all forms of oversight to advance integrated governance through whole-process collaboration, and called for sustained efforts to forge a loyal, upright and responsible disciplinary inspection and supervision force that dares to and is good at fighting against corruption. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang attended the meeting. Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CCDI, presided over the meeting. On Monday afternoon, on behalf of the standing committee of the CCDI, Li also delivered a work report. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, addresses the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) on Jan. 12, 2026. Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi attended the session. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), delivers a work report on behalf of the standing committee of the CCDI during the fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC CCDI in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2026. The fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC CCDI opened here on Monday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Actor Wunmi Mosaku used the Golden Globes red carpet to announce her second pregnancy, simultaneously calling for greater recognition of the anxieties and vulnerabilities inherent in gestation. The Sinners star expressed her hope that the profound journey of pregnancy is "truly honoured," particularly for Black women. The 39-year-old British-Nigerian actress, who features alongside Michael B Jordan in the action horror, appeared in a custom Matthew Reisman bright yellow gown, cradling her baby bump ahead of Sundays award ceremony. Mosaku spoke to Vogue about her decision to stop trying to conceal her pregnancy, choosing instead to embrace the moment. She explained: "Baby has seen me through ever so carefully, and I want to celebrate how wonderfully weve done together to get here as a team, as demanding as its been." open image in gallery Wunmi Mosaku attends the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton ( Getty Images ) She added that the Yoruba saying, "Iya ni Wura which means mother is golden," inspired her choice of the yellow dress for the significant occasion. The Bafta-winning actress also candidly addressed the struggles of pregnancy, especially for Black women, advocating for less scrutiny around womens bodies during such a vulnerable period. "Matrescence is a journey often a very difficult one. No matter how easy a pregnancy may appear, you have no idea what someone has endured to arrive there. The trials. The tears. The tests," she stated. She further highlighted the societal lack of gentleness towards pregnant individuals: "We know, in theory, that it isnt simple but we dont practice the gentleness required when speaking about, or to someone who is, or might be, or has been, or is trying to become pregnant." Mosaku powerfully articulated the unique fears faced by Black women during pregnancy: "Being pregnant as a black woman, youre not just worrying about whether your baby will be OK, youre praying you will be too. Holding joy and fear at the same time is not abstract its rooted in lived experience, medical bias, and real statistics. Black maternal mortality is always on our minds." open image in gallery Mosaku says she has been truly honoured to go on her pregnancy journey ( Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP ) She concluded by emphasising the extreme nature of childbirth: "Pregnancy and labour are among the most extreme and dangerous things a person can naturally endure. I wish we truly honoured that: the vulnerability, the anxiety, the anticipation, the profound transformation in motion. We remember the mothers who were ignored, who had traumatic labours, and the precious lives lost." Mosaku is also known for her roles in the hit series Luther with Idris Elba, her Bafta-winning performance as Gloria Taylor in Damilola Our Loved Boy, the 2020 horror film His House, and alongside Tom Hiddleston in Loki. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A snub on TikTok allegedly sparked a deadly confrontation that ended with an 18-year-old woman being fatally shot in her Baton Rouge home. Officers responded to Columbus Dunn Drive on Thursday afternoon where they found Kassidy Jackson suffering from a gunshot wound, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. She was transported to Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where she later died. Paulasia Banks, 19, was arrested later that same day and charged with first-degree murder. According to the arrest affidavit obtained by The Advocate, Jackson answered a knock at the door and thats when Banks and two men allegedly forced their way into the house. Banks, who confronted Jackson after discovering she had blocked her on TikTok, also demanded to know why she had not heard from Jackson between noon and 1:30 p.m. that day, police said. open image in gallery Paulasia Banks, 19, is accused of killing a woman after she blocked her on TikTok ( Baton Rouge Police Department ) A fight reportedly broke out between Banks and Jacksons other girlfriend, who was not identified, who was then able to get away in order to check on a child in another part of the home. Moments later, the girlfriend allegedly heard a gunshot and returned to find Jackson on the floor. Banks and the two men fled the scene in a vehicle registered to Banks and did not attempt to help Jackson, according to police. In a police interview, Banks told investigators that she had confronted Jackson in the kitchen but Jackson had managed to push her out of the house and shut the door. Banks went on to say that she then fired through the door, striking Jackson, according to the affidavit. Banks also claimed that she and Jackson had been dating for several months. But the other girlfriend told police the two were not in a relationship. Banks was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated burglary. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A California mother has been convicted of murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter after the child drowned in a swimming pool while her mom was drunk and chatting with men on dating apps, prosecutors said. Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, was found guilty last week of second-degree murder and felony child endangerment in the drowning death of her daughter, Danielle Pires, at their home in Turlock, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office. She now faces 15 years to life in prison. On September 12, Turlock police were called to the home after Brassart dialed 911 and reported that her daughter was floating in the backyard pool. When officers arrived, they pulled the childs lifeless body from the water and attempted life-saving measures. Danielle was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers noticed that Brassart was displaying signs of impairment, prosecutors said. Detectives immediately began an investigation into the death. open image in gallery Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, was found guilty of second-degree murder and felony child endangerment in the death of her daughter, Danielle Pires ( Turlock Police Department ) Investigators found that after calling for help, Brassart remained in the home and never attempted to rescue Danielle, District Attorney Jeff Laugero said. Instead, she remained inside the home after calling for help. Home surveillance footage showed that the toddler had been left unattended in the backyard for an extended period of time before entering the pool and drowning. During that time, Brassart was in her bedroom for about 45 minutes using her phone to message men she had met on dating apps, prosecutors said. Brassart told investigators she could not reach her daughter because of a leg injury and claimed she was confined to a wheelchair. However, evidence presented at trial contradicted that claim. Video evidence was introduced at trial showing her walking and standing without the use of a wheelchair prior to the drowning, Laugero said. Prosecutors also noted that Brassart had crutches and a walking boot inside the home and introduced footage showing her driving and attending nail appointments in the days before the incident. Officers found empty liquor bottles throughout the home, and a blood alcohol test later revealed Brassarts level measured 0.246 percent at the time of the incident more than three times Californias legal driving limit. The childs father, Daniel Pires, who was at work when the drowning occurred, had allegedly asked Brassart not to drink alcohol while caring for their daughter, the Turlock Journal reported. Court records show Brassart had also been ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. This is a case where the defendant knew, and she didnt care, prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Sara Sousa said during the trial. She didnt care that her daughter was at risk; she didnt care that she wasnt watching her, because all she wanted to do was be selfish and get drunk. Jurors also heard evidence that Brassart had previously been advised in parenting classes about the dangers of leaving toddlers unsupervised. She not only failed in her duty to care for her child, but she did it in a way that was so reckless and indifferent to human life that her conduct amounted to second-degree murder, Sousa said after the verdict. Brassart is scheduled to be sentenced February 5. The Pan Am Life building at 601 Poydras Street, where McGlinchey Stafford's home office has been located since 2008, can be seen behind a passing street car and commuter in New Orleans, in this file photo from May 26, 2017. A child learns to operate a robotic dog at the University of Macao in Macao, south China, Jan. 11, 2026. The launch ceremony for the celebrations of the 45th anniversary of the University of Macao, along with an open-day event, kicked off here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Students of the University of Macao perform at the launch ceremony for the celebrations of the university's 45th anniversary in Macao, south China, Jan. 11, 2026. The launch ceremony for the celebrations of the 45th anniversary of the University of Macao, along with an open-day event, kicked off here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) People visit the University of Macao in Macao, south China, Jan. 11, 2026. The launch ceremony for the celebrations of the 45th anniversary of the University of Macao, along with an open-day event, kicked off here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) People make sachets at the University of Macao in Macao, south China, Jan. 11, 2026. The launch ceremony for the celebrations of the 45th anniversary of the University of Macao, along with an open-day event, kicked off here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Foreigners pose for photos in front of the library of University of Macao in Macao, south China, Jan. 11, 2026. The launch ceremony for the celebrations of the 45th anniversary of the University of Macao, along with an open-day event, kicked off here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Cheong Kam Ka) Advertisement NationalNSWBondi Junction attack She had our backs we got hers: Hero Bondi Westfield cop diagnosed with cancer Perry Duffin and Jack Gramenz Updated January 12, 2026 3:26pm ,first published 11:26am 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 heroic NSW Police officer who confronted and killed a knife-wielding attacker who took six lives and injured a dozen more in Bondi Junction Westfield has been diagnosed with cancer, spurring a wave of support and donations from Australians. Inspector Amy Scott ran towards danger as Joel Cauchi stabbed shoppers with a military-style knife inside the eastern suburbs shopping centre on April 13, 2024. Inspector Amy Scott receiving the NSW Police Commissioners Valour Award in June 2024. Kate Geraghty Scott was alone when she faced the attacker minutes after his rampage began. She raised her pistol and, as Cauchi charged towards her, shot him dead preventing the further loss of life, including her own. NSW Police Legacy on Monday announced that Scott had been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer and launched an appeal to ease the financial burden on her family. Advertisement Beyond her dedicated service to the community, Amy is a devoted wife, a loving mother of two young boys, and has a family who depend on her and walk this journey beside her every day, Legacy wrote online. Amy is widely known as selfless, compassionate, and one of the kindest people you could ever meet. Scott with her wife and children, in a photograph shared by NSW Police Legacy on social media revealing her cancer diagnosis. NSW Police Legacy She is every bit the remarkable human you would think. She is fiercely independent and the first to champion others. Legacys fundraiser said Scott faced a long, uphill battle against the insidious disease. Advertisement This is a powerful reminder that even our strongest people are human, and this fundraiser has been created to ease the financial burden for Amy and her family during this incredibly challenging time. Legacy has so far raised more than $190,000. Hundreds of messages of support flooded in on Monday, along with the donations, many thanking Scott for her service as an officer. Loading She showed a heap of courage that day. She had our backs we got hers, Shane Brownlee wrote. Advertisement Amy you have been so strong and brave in choosing a career with the police and then especially with your actions at Bondi shopping centre that you will get through this. Love and prayers are with you, Pam Halcrow wrote. One donor gave $7500 without even leaving their name. Many donations came from other police, including from interstate forces. From one of your blue family xx, one wrote. Survivors of breast cancer also encouraged Scott with hundreds of messages on social media. Advertisement Scott was given a Commissioners Valour Award for displaying exceptional bravery in a life-threatening situation at a police graduation ceremony in June 2024 by then-commissioner Karen Webb. Scott (centre) arriving at the NSW Coroners Court in Lidcombe a year after the attack. Kate Geraghty Webbs successor, Commissioner Mal Lanyon, on Monday said that Scott was surrounded by the unwavering love and support of the entire NSW Police Force. I also know that the broader community is holding Amy and her family in their thoughts and extend their heartfelt support during this time, Lanyon said. Despite everything Amy is facing, she continues to show the remarkable person that she is by going out of her way to support her workmates, regularly coming into the station to offer comfort and assistance to those impacted by the recent Bondi terror attack. Advertisement Scott had quietly taken a leave of absence after the inquest into the Bondi Junction stabbing in the middle of 2025. She had told the inquest she had run into the shopping centre, resigned to her belief that she was going to die. NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon in December. Sam Mooy Whilst I was the person who faced Joel, those same officers [went in too] I just want to acknowledge their courage and bravery, Scott told the inquest. As tragic as that day was, it restored my faith in humanity. Advertisement NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday said that Scott is a genuine, bona fide Australian hero. Related Article Graphic content Bondi Junction attack New video of hero cop Amy Scott facing Westfield Bondi Junction killer silences inquest [She is] someone we owe a huge debt of gratitude to, not just because of her heroic actions in Bondi Junction of a couple of years ago, but she has been an inspiration to the exact same officers that attended the terrorism event on the 14th of December, Minns said at a press conference on Monday. She is so important for NSW Police and our community. Im devastated to hear this news. If anyone deserves a break its Amy, and we just wish her the very best, she is an absolute champion. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley described Scott as the epitome of the brilliance of the NSW Police Force. Advertisement The whole police family are suffering at the moment with the knowledge of her diagnosis. We wish her and her family well. Catley said that Scott was the first person to call the local commander to offer assistance on the night of the Bondi Beach terror attack in December. Shes always the first one to put up her hand, to be there to support her colleagues, to support the community, and to be the best that she can be as a police officer, Catley said. We wish her all the best, and she will have our full support. Deputy Commissioner announces retirement It came as Catley paid tribute to Deputy Commissioner Peter Thurtell, who announced his retirement on Monday after more than four decades of service. Advertisement Thurtell joined the force in 1985, first posted to Redfern Police Station. He was awarded the NSW Police Commissioners Commendation for Service after he co-led the largest policing operation ever undertaken in regional NSW in the search for wanted murderer Malcolm Naden, who was arrested in 2012 after nearly seven years on the run. Deputy Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Chris Minns last year. Dominic Lorrimer Thurtell also led the COVID-19 hotel quarantine and repatriation operation in 2020. He will leave the NSW Police force with his head held high, Catley said. Advertisement He has an impeccable police record, and he will be recognised as he exits as one of the best police officers we have seen here in NSW. Thurtell will be formally farewelled at a ceremony on February 13. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement NationalQueenslandEntertainment Was it Colonel Mustard with a candlestick in the library? Cluedo show makes a game of murder Nick Dent January 12, 2026 12:13pm 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 CLUEDO Playhouse, QPAC, until February 1 Its hard to go wrong with cosy crime at the moment just ask Richard Osmans accountant and crime doesnt get much cosier than the guess-the-killer boardgame Cluedo (or Clue, as its known in the US). This 2017 stage adaptation, which has toured the US, is based on the 1985 film, which flopped with critics and audiences but continues to enjoy a second life as a cult favourite. Some of the cast of Cluedo (left to right): Laurence Boxhall (Reverend Green), David James (Professor Plum), Adam Murphy (Colonel Mustard), Grant Piro (Wadsworth), Rachael Beck (Mrs White), Genevieve Lemon (Mrs Peacock) and Olivia Deeble (Miss Scarlett). Jeff Busby The movie was written and directed by Jonathan Lynn, co-writer of evergreen British sitcom Yes Minister, and you can only assume with Cluedo he was using the side of his brain that comes up with Bernards wilfully bad jokes rather than the one responsible for Sir Humphreys sparkling repartee. Advertisement The play version commencing its Australian tour in Brisbane at least gets to showcase polished comedic performances and some precision stagecraft. Luke Joslin directs physical comedy with panache, and both James Brownes 1940s costumes and his modular set (channelling the neo-gothic mansion in the boardgame) never fail to please the eye. Adam Murphy (Colonel Mustard) and Olivia Deeble (Miss Scarlett) in Cluedo. Jeff Busby The characters are of course heightened game pieces: military duffer Colonel Mustard (Adam Murphy); flighty dowager Mrs Peacock (Genevieve Lemon); disreputable doctor Professor Plum (David James); black widow Mrs White (Rachael Beck); licentious Miss Scarlett (Olivia Deeble) and lily-livered Reverend Green (Laurence Boxhall). On a dark and stormy night theyre summoned to an English country house for dinner with a side serving of murder. But the fare owes more to Benny Hill than to Agatha Christie. Saucy French maids, gay jokes, nudges and winks abound; motives and logic are thinner on the ground. The late playwright Tom Stoppard turned down the offer to write the film, and the scripts adaptors (Sandy Rustin, Hunter Foster and Eric Price) could have done with some of Stoppards skill at homage, pastiche and plotting. Indeed, theres barely any plot here at all, and little of the satisfaction of puzzle pieces slotting together. But there is a lot of shouting, and a lot of hammy music cues, which amuses at first, but swiftly gets tiring. Advertisement Related Article Entertainment Kids, animals, a Wiggle and Warlow: Annie demands you leave your cynicism at the door Happily, Cluedo picks up steam towards the end of its fast-paced 90 minutes, with a couple of very funny deaths and a multiple-ending ending that turns the silliness up to 11. Its here that Grant Piro, playing the manipulative butler Wadsworth, gets a bravura monologue recapping everything that has happened that reaches awe-inspiring heights of absurdity. Its a show in which, in one way at least, the butler really did it. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. China again urged the United States to immediately cease its blockade, sanctions and coercion in any form against Cuba, and to do more to contribute to regional peace and stability, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday. #XinhuaNews Advertisement Letters NationalVictoriaLetters A tall order not to offend any reader Updated January 13, 2026 9:02am ,first published 7:50pm 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 To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. Photo: Cathy Wilcox CARTOON APOLOGY The Age says in its editorial (12/2): Wilcox and other cartoonists must be allowed to continue to draw the world as they see it. So what precisely are you apologising for? For offending a few people how many? Five, 10, a thousand? Your readership is approximately 4.5 to 5.2 million. Should The Ages editorial staff be instructed to never offend readers again? A tall order, I think. I have been an Age reader for more than 50 years, and have seen thousands of cartoons many which I agreed with, others which I found offensive. Never have I pressured The Age to apologise for free speech and I never will. Peter Semple, Campbells Creek Intention irrelevant when impact is harmful Re The Age editorial (12/2): This is not accountability; it is insulation. Invoking free speech and cartooning tradition sidesteps the central issue: attacking a traumatised community in the immediate aftermath of violence is not scrutiny of power, regardless of intent. However, intention is irrelevant when the impact predictably reinforces harmful tropes, and the claim that many found it thought-provoking is not a moral defence. Offence taken by a targeted community is not balanced out by approval elsewhere. Placing the cartoon on the opinion page does not absolve editors of judgment or responsibility. Editorial independence is not diminished by restraint; it is defined by it. You cannot apologise for the pain while simultaneously justifying the act that caused it. If this is your idea of independence, whats missing isnt courage. Its judgment. Liora Miller, Malvern Advertisement So much for free speech I am offended by The Ages cowardly editorial. So much for free speech. I support Cathy Wilcox. Phil Bodel, Ocean Grove Delayed response to immediate politicisation The Age editorial (12/1) seeks to justify Cathy Wilcoxs cartoon stating: Wilcoxs intention was to scrutinise the almost immediate politicisation following the horrific attack at Bondi. The shameful cartoon was published some three weeks after the Bondi terrorist attack. Seeking to justify Wilcoxs cartoon on the grounds of almost immediate politicisation simply lacks credibility! William Holmes, Kew Inference is insulting In what must be the ultimate in Claytons apologies, The Age has apologised for that infamous Wilcox cartoon because many ... in the community, particularly Jews, were deeply hurt and offended by it. But what The Age suggests is that so many took offence because their eyes deceived them when they thought that they had seen a cartoon that mocked the wide cross-section of Australians who had called for a royal commission, and which also indulged in the hideous antisemitic trope of the manipulative Jew. The inference that the problem was just that this multi-award-winning cartoonist failed to clearly articulate her intentions is insulting to ones intelligence. Geoff Feren, St Kilda East Hope for future of cartoons I am a very long-time subscriber of The Age and want to express my very real disappointment that your editorial has seen fit to issue an apology for the Cathy Wilcox cartoon from January 7. Apart from the fact that cartoons are intended for social comment and can often by their nature be offensive to any particular person or group, there is a real kernel of truth in the cartoon. The tragedy at Bondi was immediately politicised by certain politicians (yes, Benjamin Netanyahu among them). I dont understand why the editorial apologises for the cartoon and then goes on to say that Wilcox and other cartoonists must be allowed to continue to draw the world as they see it. I can only hope that brilliant cartoonists such as Wilcox will not be kowtowed into producing work that is anodyne and essentially pointless. Judy Hungerford, Kew THE FORUM Advertisement Preach to unconverted The bushfires have been yet another wake-up call, highlighting disastrous impacts of climate change. Your correspondents rightly highlight past ignored evidence and lack of political will to act, from John Howard to Donald Trump (Letters, 12/1). Why have other recent extreme weather events often been downplayed, including recent drought in much of Victoria, record algal bloom in seas off South Australia, and record floods in northern Queensland? Vested interests in politics, industry and parts of the media contribute misinformation and spin. Arguments include that Australia has always been a land of fire and flood, that climate action is not affordable, and that countries like America and China cause far more of the problem, so what we do wont make a difference. There is no point in preaching to the converted. We have to get through to those who, for various reasons, treat the problem as one of ideology, not of science. John Hughes, Mentone Warming not new Youd think bushfires havent occurred before by the letters in The Age attacking the government. Early explorers spoke about evidence of severe bushfires. Records indicate the planet has been warming for many thousands of years. While governments need to make decisions to protect the planet, they also need to take into account our ever-increasing population. David Stannard, Brighton Galling vision It is particularly galling watching the prime minister on TV bemoaning the fire disasters in Victoria, when he was instrumental in approving a massive increase in Woodsides North West Shelf gas project into 2070, thus increasing greenhouse emissions for years to come. You cant have it both ways, Anthony Albanese. Glenn Murphy, Hampton Park We all have a role A good selection of letters (12/1), all blaming John Howard for not addressing climate change, seem to think its someone elses responsibility. Perhaps the writers should ask themselves: do they own a large-engined vehicle? Do they use their heater and air-conditioner regularly? Do they have solar panels? It seems to me that the most vocal dont see their own role in reducing emissions. Angus McLeod, Cremorne Power play Your correspondent (Letters, 12/1) says that powerlines can be unreliable in bushfires, so surely its time for us to abandon the grid and focus on localised or onsite solar or wind energy plus batteries. OK, but what if the batteries go flat due to insufficient local power generation? Peter Drum, Coburg Advertisement Never-ending wars Sean Kelly suggests that droughts and bushfires pushed our nation to give climate change its proper level of concern (From horror to painful lesson in how not to respond, 12/1). As several correspondents have pointed out, this simply isnt the case (Letters, 12/1). Despite more heatwaves, bushfires and floods sweeping across the country, the federal Liberal Party has turned its back on meaningful climate action. Anthony Albaneses Labor government, meanwhile, continues to approve new coal and gas projects that dwarf other efforts to tackle climate pollution. Both major parties remain locked in tit-for-tat point-scoring amplified by the media. In short, the loud, hyperpartisan political culture Kelly describes in the aftermath of the awful events at Bondi is alive and well in Australias seemingly never-ending climate wars. Karen Lamb, Geelong Strengths and weakness Sean Kellys article makes an excellent point about the danger of haste in choosing a side and then stubbornly sticking to it, even in the face of changing tides and a mountain of opinions piling up against you. But it raises the question: If we deride weak politicians, those who refuse a stance or flip-flop on issues to remain neighbourly with those on both sides of the fence, but we equally abhor the proverbial strongman (or woman!) who refuses to renege even as the writing is cemented on the wall, how can our politicians ever win? Iona Bulford, Carlton North Lack of funding How dare Premier Jacinta Allan say to Victorians that she has got our backs when it comes to bushfires? She has decimated the CFA, and so little back-burning has been done as to be laughable. The state is tinder dry! Of course, there are going to be fires. Bayse Thomas, Mortlake Shoutout to Sikhs A big shoutout and thank you to the Australian Sikh community. In times of disaster, their volunteers continue to provide support via their central kitchen and mobile food vans delivering hot food to communities, including those currently in fire-ravaged areas. Their generosity provides an example that others could well look to follow. Barry James, Lilydale Spare us outrage There is a lot of confusion about what freedom of speech is. I write 20 letters a year to the editor of The Age. Most, brilliant though they are, are refused publication. This is not censorship. This is not a denial of my freedom of speech. My freedom of speech does not impose a duty on anyone to publish my words or give me platform. Similarly, the Adelaide Writers Festival is under no obligation to give Randa Abdel-Fattah or anyone else a platform, so please spare us all the hyperbolic outrage. Chris Curtis, Hurstbridge Advertisement Not a snooze fest Your correspondent (Letters, 12/1) appears to have completely missed the whole point of attending a writers festival, which is to engage critically and respectfully with others, particularly scholarly thinkers and experts, with whom you may disagree. It is not to snooze through a sanitised program. A writers festival should be a bastion of free speech, and provoke significant intellectual exercise. Attendees are well-capable of interrogating the quality and moral veracity of the ideas presented. Michelle Goldsmith, Eaglehawk Rally vibe misrepresented I was at the Palestine rally in Melbourne on Sunday and take issue with the negative tone of the article, Anger at first Palestine rally since the Sydney massacre (12/1). Yes, Nasser Mashni did have a crack at quite a few people, but what wasnt reported is that he (and other speakers) continually decried any form of racism and inequality. Indeed, he challenged those present, saying: If you do not have love in your hearts, you are not welcome here. And that was the vibe, not anger. Felicity Johnston, Northcote Related Article Note From The Editor How The Age chooses which letters to publish Coalition policy lacking The federal government is creating a policy intended to be tougher on terrorism. The Coalition has criticised the government for not recalling parliament sooner to debate the issues. Presumably, the Coalition already has a well-considered policy for being tougher on terrorism. Debate about an optimal policy could be hastened by the Coalition announcing its policy. Alan Gunther, Carlton Gun reform priority While the recently announced royal commission, and community-based programs to encourage pluralistic values and tolerance of diversity, are commendable, they are unlikely to influence Islamic State-fuelled lone-wolf actors like the Bondi gunmen. It is important to restrict such individuals access to deadly weapons. Gun law reform should still be a top priority. Laurie McCormack, Flemington Advertisement Too many layers Australia is very inefficiently governed by too many jurisdictions acting without co-ordination (Voters like their councils, but still think they can go, 12/1). States need to operate much more co-operatively, so that education, aged care, hospitals etc are seamlessly integrated, and people can move from one part of Australia to another easily. Local councils also need to offer identical services. Juliet Flesch, Kew Familiar gaslighting The ICE agents video footage (Video shows moment before shooting, 11/1) capturing the verbal exchange between him and Renee Good and her wife, Rebecca Good, culminating in the shooting of Renee in Minneapolis, is both a familiar and triggering scenario for many women looking on. Not least of which in the context of sexual violence, image-based abuse, and/or intimate partner violence that pervades and maligns both Australias and the United States record on mitigating violence against women. Indeed, the haunting prelude to the fatality whereby Rebecca Good goaded the ICE agent You wanna come at us? You wanna come at us? I say go get yourself some lunch, big boy (while Renee Good tried to de-escalate the situation, saying, Thats fine dude. Im not mad at you, as she drove off) is defiance of masculine authority that precipitates most violence perpetrated against women. Moreover, the ICE agents dripping contempt expressed to the womens defiance (f---ing bitch) that any woman who has challenged male authority is only too familiar with and the post-incident narrative whereby Renee Good is reframed as a dangerous or provocative woman are the quintessential elements of gaslighting typically ascribed to female victims of crime. Jelena Rosic, Mornington Dancing in aisles I dont know which show of Saturday Night Fever your reviewer Cameron Woodhead attended (Fond homage to the disco classics is not enough to ignite this drama, 12/1), but its not the one we enjoyed on Sunday, nor the one which had the audience standing and whooping in the aisles. Talk about over-analysis. Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy a terrific trip down memory lane. Robert Collier, Glen Iris AND ANOTHER THING ... Bushfires Could we please stop giving awards to people who are successful in business and thus already rewarded? Instead, I suggest a category for those who have lost their homes while they were defending those of others. Bernadette Briglia, Red Hill South Advertisement I wonder if Scomo could make amends with the nation by going to hold a hose for a weary firefighter for a day or so. Ruth Davis, Carrum Tyrone Rice, a CFA and community stalwart in Harcourt, contemplates the loss of his own home. Jason South Its strange that those most affected by climate change in the regions often vote for parties that will not act on it. Ross Hosking, Blackwood, SA Alliances Why dont I feel confident of our nuclear submarine program when a spokesperson for the Australian Submarine Agency (Grim warning on subs, 12/1) describes AUKUS as going full steam ahead? Peter Martina, Warrnambool It appears AUKUS is in trouble with insufficient expertise to develop a new nuclear-powered submarine. Perhaps Australia could drop out and allow the expertise of France to join the group. The only problem would be what to call it. Alan Inchley, Frankston Advertisement Advertisement The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here. To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@theage.com.au. Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. Advertisement WorldEuropeEpstein fallout Mandelson: I didnt know about Epsteins crimes because Im gay Daniel Martin January 12, 2026 11:30am 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 Lord Peter Mandelson has claimed he was kept in the dark about the full horror of Jeffrey Epsteins crimes because he is gay. The former British Labour Party powerbroker was sacked as UK ambassador to the United States last year after it emerged he had urged the financier to fight for early release from prison. Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and Lord Peter Mandelson. AP Mandelson claimed that because of his sexuality, he was kept separate from what [Epstein] was doing in the sexual side of his life. Despite having previously described him as his best pal, he told the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg that he had been at the edge of this mans life. Advertisement In his first interview since losing his job, Mandelson refused to apologise to Epsteins victims for writing to him after his conviction for sex offences, claiming he was not culpable for any of Epsteins criminal activity. The BBC drew criticism from senior Labour figures, who branded the interview a slap in the face for Epsteins victims, while a cabinet minister said Mandelson had been guilty of deep naivety. Mandelson, when asked whether it was the case that he was never offered sexual favours by Epstein because he was gay, replied: Possibly, some people will think that because Im a gay man, I was insensitised, or I wasnt attuned to what was going on. Did you really think that if I knew what was going on and what he was doing with and to these vulnerable young women, that Id have just sat back, ignored it, moved on? Lord Mandelson, Labour peer and former British ambassador in Washington I think the issue is that because I was a gay man in his circle, I was kept separate from what he was doing in the sexual side of his life. Advertisement He continued: I mean, he in a sense had three buckets of people in his life, the business and the financial, the political and the academic, and then what he was doing with young women. Its possible that some people crossed over, but I didnt, and I think probably the reason I was separate from the third of those is because Im gay. Mandelsons sexuality was made public by Matthew Parris, a Conservative MP, on the BBC program Newsnight in 1998. Prime Minister Keir Starmer sacked Mandelson in September 2025 after emails between the peer and Epstein emerged, showing his friendship with the paedophile was much deeper than he had previously admitted. Related Article Epstein fallout Reprehensible: Epstein scandal spills into London and claims a top Downing Street scalp Advertisement Epstein was convicted in 2008 of procuring a child for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute, for which he served 13 months in custody. It later emerged that he had procured a large number of underage girls who were subjected to repeated rape and sexual violence. Emails published earlier in 2025 showed that in 2003 Mandelson had described Epstein as his best pal, while in a subsequent message written in 2008, after Epsteins conviction, he wrote: You have to be incredibly resilient, fight for early release and be philosophical about it as much as you can Your friends stay with you and love you. In September, the US House of Representatives oversight committee published a 2003 letter from Mandelson in which he described Epstein as his best pal and wrote about how he had met his interesting friends. However, while insisting that he was at the edge of this mans life, on Sunday Mandelson also said Epsteins lawyer had spent a lot of time trying to persuade him of the paedophiles innocence. Advertisement The peer said that as a result, he had believed Epstein had been falsely criminalised, saying: I believed his story and that of his lawyer, who spent a lot of time trying to persuade me of this, because I did go into it, that he had been falsely criminalised in his contact with these young women. Mandelson said his decision to stand by Epstein was a most terrible mistake on my part. I believed the story he told in 2008 in his first indictment in Florida. I accepted his story, and I wish I hadnt, he said. I gave my support to somebody because I believed what he was telling me, and it was misplaced loyalty. Excerpts from emails sent from Peter Mandelson to Jeffrey Epstein released by US Congress last year. He added: I can say it to you categorically, I never saw anything in his life when I was with him, when I was in his homes, that would give me any reason to suspect what this evil monster was doing is preying on these young women. Advertisement Related Article Epstein fallout Bombshell Epstein files: A from Balmoral asked for inappropriate friends Did you really think that if I knew what was going on and what he was doing with and to these vulnerable young women, that Id have just sat back, ignored it, moved on and said, OK, thats his life?, he said. Do you think Id have written emails like that if I had had any knowledge or suspicion of what he was doing? The peer denied he had misled Starmer by not revealing the true extent of his friendship with Epstein, saying he did not even have access to the toe-curling emails he had sent. The emails that were published came as a huge surprise and a huge shock to me, not just to them, he said. They no longer existed on my server I had long since disused. I was unable to share emails with them that I didnt recall and I didnt possess. Advertisement I was not culpable Mandelson refused to apologise to Epsteins victims for continuing his relationship with the abuser after his conviction, saying he would apologise only for the system having failed to protect them. I want to apologise to those women for a system that refused to hear their voices and did not give them the protection they were entitled to expect, he said. That system gave him protection and not them. If I had known if I was in any way complicit or culpable, of course, I would apologise but I was not culpable. I was not knowledgeable of what he was doing, and I regret, more regret to my dying day, the fact that powerless women were not given the protection they were entitled to expect. Advertisement Related Article Epstein fallout Girls as young as 14 recruited for sexual massages, second batch of Epstein files reveals Mandelson also told the BBC he never saw any young women when he visited Epsteins homes, saying: There were no girls on the island when I was there. Whether on the island or in New York, or there was another occasion when I stayed at a ranch in New Mexico the only people who were there were the housekeepers. Never were there any young women or girls or people that he was preying on or engaging with in that sort of ghastly, predatory way. Mandelson, who served in the cabinet under former Labour prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, dodged the question of whether he deserved to be sacked by Starmer. I understand why I was sacked, he said. The prime minister found himself in the middle of what must have seemed to him a sort of thermonuclear explosion. Advertisement Mandelson also gave his backing to Starmer and said he was sure he would continue to give the leadership he is giving at present. He said he would not be returning to public office, but added: I dont know whats next, but Im not going to go and just sort of disappear and hide, thats not me. I will find something useful to do. Following the interview, Heidi Alexander, the British transport secretary, criticised his failure to say sorry to Epsteins victims. She said: I think what we saw there in that interview was, at best, deep naivety from Peter Mandelson, and I think it would have gone a long way for the women who were subjected to the most appalling treatment at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein, for Peter to have apologised. Related Article Exclusive AUKUS High probability of failure: Former top officials dire AUKUS warning Advertisement BBC criticised for giving peer airtime Other senior Labour figures also criticised the BBCs decision to give Mandelson a platform, accusing the broadcaster of aiding his swift rehabilitation. Baroness Hazarika, a former Labour adviser, said the interview was a slap in the face to Epstein victims, adding: [Lord Mandelson] was part of the system of male power which enabled and dismissed abuse. The media went after Mandelson correctly in my view. Now the media is aiding his swift rehabilitation and PR. We rightly were disgusted by the grooming gangs scandal. Would we platform the mate of an Asian grooming gang leader? Of course not. Advertisement Its almost like the victims of child sex abuse, often female, are cynically used until the story moves on. Powerful men are always to be excused. John McDonnell, the former shadow chancellor, said: When Keir Starmer appointed Mandelson, I said publicly it was a serious error of judgment. Ive always been a supporter of the BBC in its role as a public broadcaster, but the decision to invite Mandelson onto the Kuenssberg program calls into question once more its judgment. Stephen Flynn, the SNPs leader in Westminster, posted on social media that Sir Keir should have stripped Lord Mandelson of his peerage months ago. The fact this hasnt happened is a stain on this deplorable Labour government, he said. Advertisement Responding to criticism, a BBC spokesman said: This was Lord Mandelsons first interview since losing the role of US ambassador last year. As well as hearing about his insights on US foreign policy, he was repeatedly challenged about his links to Jeffrey Epstein. The Telegraph, London 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. Roadmaster Drivers School is marking a $1.1 million investment in a relocated and completely renovated state-of-the-art training facility in Atlanta on January 22nd. This expansion offers Class A CDL training, financial assistance, and job placement support, empowering a new generation of drivers. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Jan. 12, 2026 -- The United States supply chain continues to evolve as demand grows for skilled, professional drivers who can support modern logistics operations. To help meet this need and expand access to career opportunities, Roadmaster Drivers School today announces a $1.1 million investment in its relocated and fully renovated training facility in Atlanta. The upgraded campus reflects Roadmaster's commitment to workforce development by equipping individuals with the training necessary to obtain Class A Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) are the foundation of stable, well-paying careers to keep America moving. "Roadmaster is focused on making CDL training more accessible and appealing to younger adults by highlighting fast entry into a stable career, modern training equipment, and strong earning potential," says Brad Ball, President of Roadmaster Drivers School. "This $1.1 million investment in our Atlanta campus demonstrates our commitment to the region and to helping qualified individuals enter the workforce while building a solid future for themselves." Preparing the Next Generation of Commercial Truck Drivers The trucking industry remains a cornerstone of the American economy, offering competitive pay, nationwide job availability, and long-term career stability. At the same time, the profession continues to evolve, with increasing reliance on safety technology, quality customer service, and more diverse route options that support improved work-life balance. With 92% of carriers operating as small businesses with ten or fewer trucks, access to high-quality training remains essential to sustaining operations and supporting economic activity across the country. "Drivers today face challenges such as navigating advanced safety technology and maintaining safe driving habits in high-traffic environments," Ball notes. "Roadmaster prepares students to overcome these hurdles with hands-on road time, trip-planning instruction, defensive-driving techniques, and up-to-date training that reflects current industry expectations and regulations." Modern Training Designed for Real-World Readiness Roadmaster's renovated Georgia location addresses the barriers to entry that often discourage potential drivers. The facility features an expanded footprint designed to accommodate a higher volume of students without compromising the quality of instruction. Modern equipment, including automatic transmission trucks, allows graduates to train on the technologies they will encounter in today's fleets. Focused Career Entry: The program is designed with focus for efficiency, taking approximately one month for full-time students to complete. This focused, efficient and full-time training provides individuals a more direct pathway to start earning a living when compared to most trade programs or four-year degrees. The program is designed with focus for efficiency, taking approximately one month for full-time students to complete. This focused, efficient and full-time training provides individuals a more direct pathway to start earning a living when compared to most trade programs or four-year degrees. Comprehensive Curriculum: The course includes ELDT-compliant theory, behind-the-wheel range and behind-the-wheel public road training under the supervision and guidance of qualified instructors During the process, students learn vehicle inspections, safety procedures, and trip planning. The course includes ELDT-compliant theory, behind-the-wheel range and behind-the-wheel public road training under the supervision and guidance of qualified instructors During the process, students learn vehicle inspections, safety procedures, and trip planning. Financial and Career Support: Roadmaster removes financial hurdles through in-house financing for qualified applicants and potential tuition reimbursement from participating carriers after graduation while working. Furthermore, students receive job pre-qualification support, often securing employment offers before graduation. "Roadmaster's program includes ELDT-compliant theory, behind-the-wheel range and behind-the-wheel public road training under the supervision and guidance of qualified instructor, as well as CDL exam preparation," Ball explains. "Students learn vehicle inspections, safety procedures, trip planning, and vehicle control skills required to test for a Class A CDL." Expanding Economic Opportunity in Georgia Beyond training individual drivers, Roadmaster's investment in Georgia reflects a broader commitment to workforce development and regional economic growth. The school plans to continue building relationships with employers, workforce organizations, and community stakeholders to align training with real hiring needs. By investing in modern facilities and expanding access to CDL training, Roadmaster is helping individuals pursue rewarding careers while supporting the long-term strength of the transportation industry. The Roadmaster Drivers School Georgia facility is now open and accepting applications. Prospective students and media are invited to visit the campus to learn more about available training programs and career pathways in the trucking industry. "We are looking forward to meeting adventurous Georgia residents ready to embark on their new and exciting vocation," says Ball. "Trucking isn't just a job; it's an essential, respected, and increasingly well-paying gig these days. Just stopping by to see us could lead you down the path to a thrilling and lucrative new career." 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: New Report Showing Hostility to EVs Easing New research shows Republican hostility to EVs easing, end of federal EV subsidies curbing EV demand, strong EV sales potential in multifamily housing, 49 percent of younger (under 45) open to buying Chinese-made vehicles, and sharply polarized views of Elon Musk and Tesla. President Trump remains controversial among auto consumers, with only 28 percent rating him a friend of the U.S. auto industry DETROIT, Jan. 12, 2026 As President Donald Trump prepares to travel to Detroit this week to address the Detroit Economic Club and tour a Ford Motor Co. plant during the opening of the North American International Auto Show, new national research from EVs for All America finds that Americans views on electric vehicles are evolving, with Republican resistance easing but concerns about jobs, China and affordability still shaping the market. Our latest national survey of auto consumers has good and bad news for EVs, said EVs for All America founder and CEO Mike Murphy. The fierce partisan polarization over EVs is declining, but the removal of federal EV subsidies remains a cooling factor for sales in the short term. The report, Fixing Americas Partisan Divide Over EVs: Tracking Three Years of Slow Progress, analyzes three years of national polling of U.S. auto consumers and finds positive movement among Republicans, strong partisan polarization over Elon Musk and Donald Trump, and a clear road map to sell more EVs across America. Key findings from the new report include: Republican hostility toward EVs has lessened by 20 points over three years. GOP voters are increasingly less likely to say EVs are for people who see the world differently, signaling a gradual thaw in cultural resistance. GOP voters are increasingly less likely to say EVs are for people who see the world differently, signaling a gradual thaw in cultural resistance. President Trump faces significant doubts among consumers about his support for the U.S. auto industry. Only 28 percent of auto consumer voters in households earning $50,000 or more rate President Trump as a Friend of the U.S. Auto Industry. The sample represents more than 80 percent of the new- and used-vehicle market and roughly two-thirds of the presidential-year electorate. Only 28 percent of auto consumer voters in households earning $50,000 or more rate President Trump as a Friend of the U.S. Auto Industry. The sample represents more than 80 percent of the new- and used-vehicle market and roughly two-thirds of the presidential-year electorate. Opinions of Elon Musk are sharply divided along party lines. While Republicans give Musk favorable ratings (which has helped thaw GOP consumers hostility to EVs), Democrats overwhelmingly hold strongly unfavorable views at 86 percent, creating a significant branding problem for Tesla. While Republicans give Musk favorable ratings (which has helped thaw GOP consumers hostility to EVs), Democrats overwhelmingly hold strongly unfavorable views at 86 percent, creating a significant branding problem for Tesla. Republican voters are deeply concerned about the loss of auto manufacturing jobs to China. The majority of Republican voters worry that U.S. national security is at risk if Americas industrial base continues to erode with the loss of manufacturing jobs to China. 88 percent worry at least some, including 53 percent who worry a lot. The majority of Republican voters worry that U.S. national security is at risk if Americas industrial base continues to erode with the loss of manufacturing jobs to China. 88 percent worry at least some, including 53 percent who worry a lot. The loss of federal EV subsidies cools consumer interest. Roughly half of auto consumers say the end of federal EV incentives makes them less likely to buy or lease an electric vehicle. Conversely, an examination of EV sales in Germany after EV subsidies ended shows a strong recovery over the two years since the credits ended, following an initial sales decline. Roughly half of auto consumers say the end of federal EV incentives makes them less likely to buy or lease an electric vehicle. Conversely, an examination of EV sales in Germany after EV subsidies ended shows a strong recovery over the two years since the credits ended, following an initial sales decline. Multifamily building residents remain a significant opportunity for increased EV sales if overnight Level 2 charging is added to apartment buildings and condo parking. 65 percent of condo owners and 70 percent of apartment renters say they would be more likely to buy or lease an EV if their building offered overnight Level 2 charging in parking spaces. The finding highlights a major adoption barrier for urban and suburban consumers who lack access to private garages. 65 percent of condo owners and 70 percent of apartment renters say they would be more likely to buy or lease an EV if their building offered overnight Level 2 charging in parking spaces. The finding highlights a major adoption barrier for urban and suburban consumers who lack access to private garages. Consumers clearly report that the best path to selling more EVs, both in red states and blue, involves moving marketing messages away from green messaging and instead focusing on the many positive vehicle attributes that EV drivers enjoy, including fast, fun to drive, quiet, and the ability to avoid traditional and expensive gas stations. including fast, fun to drive, quiet, and the ability to avoid traditional and expensive gas stations. The data show that consumers under 45 are far more open to EVs than older consumers, a trend that should grow as younger consumers age and gain market share. In a troubling long-term sign for existing auto brands in the U.S., younger consumers under 45 show a definite open-mindedness to purchasing Chinese-made vehicles, while consumers over 55 are far more hostile. The path to breaking down the partisan EV divide is clear in the data, said Murphy. Its all about focusing on great vehicle performance and attributes, not on political climate dogma. Its also about smart EV policy at the state level, including state incentives such as Californias proposed new program, since the Trump administration has decided to back away from federal support for EVs. Since 80 percent of all EVs sold in America are sold in 15 states, smart pro-EV policy in those core states is the best public policy move in the short term. Opinions of EVs are always higher in states with a large EV market penetration since our data shows positive word of mouth is a huge factor in attracting more EV customers. Murphy said the findings offer timely context as national political leaders spotlight manufacturing and the auto industry. With the President heading to Detroit to talk about jobs and American manufacturing, this research underscores that EVs are an important path to creating more American auto jobs and helping secure U.S. auto manufacturing, not targets of a culture war, Murphy said. That only helps China seize the future of the global auto industry, a real threat to the U.S. and our allies. Automotive and political leaders should take our findings on younger consumers interest in Chinese-made cars seriously as well. The report is based on annual national surveys of 600 registered voters age 18 and older in households earning $50,000 or more, representing more than 80 percent of the U.S. new- and used-vehicle market. EVs for All America conducted these surveys each November from 2023 through 2025. The report also incorporates additional research, including an October 2024 survey of 800 registered Republicans and an October 2025 survey of 400 California condo and apartment residents. National polling was conducted by Hill Research Consultants, with the California survey conducted by David Binder and Associates. About EVs for All America EVs for All America is a nonprofit research and education organization focused on expanding electric vehicle adoption by advancing practical policies, consumer-focused messaging, and solutions that work across the political spectrum. BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's top economic planner on Monday released a trial regulation aimed at improving the evaluation and management of government investment fund allocations. The move is intended to better leverage these funds to serve national strategies, promote industrial upgrading, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship. Issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the regulation highlights the role of allocation evaluations in guiding government investment funds to align with national industrial policies and support the building of a modern industrial system. It also calls for stronger coordination between national-level funds and local government funds to support major national strategies, key sectors and weak areas where market forces fall short. The regulation sets out evaluation criteria focusing on funds' performance in supporting national strategies such as new quality productive forces, technological innovation and commercialization of research outcomes, patient capital, and public well-being. Additional indicators assess alignment with the country's regional strategies, priority investment areas and efficient capacity utilization, as well as policy implementation. The NDRC said final evaluation results will be communicated to provincial-level governments, relevant departments, evaluated entities and relevant financial institutions. The results will be released through a registration system. BJPs Sanjay Kumar challenges Owaisi to make hijab-clad woman as AIMIM chief HYDERABAD : UNION Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Sunday challenged AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi to show the courage to make a hijab-clad woman as his partys chief before dreaming of a Burqa-clad lady as Prime Minister of India. Strongly reacting to the Hyderabad MPs recent statement that India will one day have a hijab-clad woman as PM, Kumar in a post on X asked, How many Muslim women has All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen actually given tickets to as MLAs or MPs? How many Muslim women hold real decision-making posts in the Majlis? Slogans cannot hide zero representation. He said in 2018 (assembly polls), BJP fielded Shahzadi Syed against AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi in the Old City. She was threatened, targeted, and defeated. This is your true face. Today, she serves on the National Commission for Minorities, Kumar said. He said BJP has a Minority Morcha and grooms women leaders and asked What does AIMIM have beyond rhetoric? The Union Minister alleged that when Muslim women activists raise their voice and question the Majlis, they face intimidation. We understand your fear. Muslim women can see your hypocrisy clearly. Many view Honble PM Shri @narendramodi ji as an elder brother who acted in their interests instead of confining them, he said in the post. The Union Minister said real empowerment came through reforms and cited abolishment of triple talaq, providing legal dignity and protection for Muslim women, opening bank accounts, gas connections, toilets and housing in womens names. Kumar further said BJP empowers women irrespective of religion and alleged that Asaduddin Owaisi, on the other hand, speaks of empowerment while imposing restrictions on women in party, public life, and even at home. Addressing an election rally on Friday in Maharashtras Solapur ahead of the January 15 civic polls, Owaisi said a hijab-clad woman would one day become Indias Prime Minister as the countrys Constitution accords equal status to people from all communities, unlike in Pakistan, where members of only one faith can occupy top constitutional posts. Bundelkhand Film Festival begins in Damoh Our Correspondent: ON SOCIALmedia many artists have emerged who are creating many series and comedy shows in the Bundelkhandi language, and they are being widely appreciated across the country and the world. Through Bundelkhand, through the Bundeli Festival, in the coming times, we will take our Bundelkhand forward in the fields of film and tourism, said Minister of State for Culture, Tourism, Religious Trusts and Endowments, Dharmendra Singh Lodhi. He was addressing the Bundelkhand Film Festival and Film Tourism Conclave 2026 organised at Damoh on Saturday. Minister Lodhi said that in the coming times, just like the Bhojpuri film industry, there should also be a Bundeli film industry, films should be made in the Bundeli language, and Bundeli artists should make a name for themselves in the country and the world. The "Bundelkhand Film Festival and Film Tourism Conclave 2026," organized with the objective of implementing the state government's film tourism policy, has entered its first phase. Renowned film actor Raghubir Yadav, Mukesh Tiwari,Line producer Wasim Ali, addressed the gathering. Sidharth Malaiya, Abhishek Bhargava hailed Bundelkhand Film Festival and termed it as wonderful and incredible initiative taken by Minister Dharmendra Singh ji. Collector Kochar said that the district administration will play a very important role in facilitating filmmakers. Patron, Bundelkhand Film Festival and Film Tourism Conclave 2026, Engineer Satyendra Singh Lodhi, said that discussions had been going on for the past six months on how to promote the film industry and corridor in Bundelkhand. State Minister Dharmendra Singh had a vision of how to develop a film corridor in Bundelkhand, and this is a small effort in that direction, made with everyone's cooperation. A short film prepared by line producer Wasim Ali was screened at the event, showcasing Orchha to Bhedaghat and other places in the state, including the land of Bundelkhand and tourist places of Damoh. Chief Minister attends Gaura PujaFestival, Baiga Pujari Conference Staff Reporter : CHIEF Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today attended the Gaura Puja Festival and Baiga Pujari Conference at Maharishi Valmiki Ashram, ITI Rampur in Korba district. Addressing the programme, Chief Minister Sai said that the tribal community has its own glorious history, unique culture and rich traditions. Baiga and Pujari communities are still playing a very important role in preserving these traditions, he added. Chief Minister Sai announced to name the Balco Road from ITI Chowk as Janjatiya Gaurav Path and to install statues of tribal heroes at the starting point of this road. He also highlighted the works of his government. In his address, Industry Minister Lakhanlal Dewangan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is moving ahead with the goal of developed India, similarly, under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, work is progressing rapidly towards developed Chhattisgarh. He said that there are many ancient religious places in the district, which are being developed under the guidance of Chief Minister Sai and are being given a new identity as tourist destinations. Katghora MLA Premchand Patel, Panatram Bhagat and Birbal Singh also addressed the programme. Mayor Sanju Devi Rajput, former Minister Nankiram Kanwar, other public representatives and people in large number were present. Chilly conditions continue to persist across State Staff Reporter: AFTER witnessing a sharp dip in temperatures over the past few days, Madhya Pradesh experienced a noticeable rise in temperatures during the last 24 hours. Weather remained dry across all divisions of the State, with no rainfall recorded anywhere. According to observations recorded at 8.30 am on Sunday, maximum temperatures rose appreciably by about 2.3 to 3.3 degrees Celsius in districts of Gwalior, Chambal and Rewa divisions, while no significant change was observed in the remaining divisions. In several parts of Bhopal, Narmadapuram, Shahdol and Sagar divisions, maximum temperatures were 1.6 to 2.7 degrees above normal, whereas they remained near normal elsewhere. Minimum temperatures showed no major change across the State, indicating that nights are still cold, though the extreme chill has eased slightly. Minimum temperatures were below normal by about 1.8C in Bhopal division, while Chambal division recorded minimum temperatures around 2.1C above normal. Other regions reported near-normal night temperatures. The lowest minimum temperature in the state was recorded at Kalyanpur in Shahdol district at 4.8C. Notably, Khajuraho, which had earlier recorded a lower minimum of 3.6C, saw a rise in temperature, with the minimum now settling at 6.4C, indicating a gradual easing of the cold wave conditions. On the other end, Amarkantak (Anuppur) recorded the highest minimum temperature at 15.5C. Day temperatures also reflected this warming trend. The highest maximum temperature of 30.5C was recorded at Khandwa, followed by Narmadapuram at 30.2C. The lowest daytime temperatures were observed at Amarkantak (18.8C) and Morena (19.8C). However, fog continued to affect visibility in several districts during early morning hours. Moderate fog was observed in Rajgarh district, while shallow fog was reported from Satna, Sidhi, Khajuraho, Datia, Gwalior, Ujjain and Ratlam. The Meteorological Department has also warned of the possibility of moderate fog at isolated places in Rajgarh, Agar-Malwa, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Bhind, Morena and Sheopur districts, which may impact road, rail and air travel during late night and early morning hours. Weather experts explained that the current conditions are being influenced by strong westerly winds high up in the atmosphere over northeast India, known as the subtropical westerly jet stream. In addition, a western disturbance, which is a system of winds moving from west to east, is currently positioned far to the west and north of the state. Since this system is not directly affecting Madhya Pradesh, the weather is expected to remain dry and largely stable, with no major change in temperatures in the coming 24 hours. In Bhopal and surrounding areas, the sky remained clear with light haze. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 26.4C, which is 1.7C above normal, while the minimum temperature dropped to 8C, about 4.6C below normal, indicating cold nights despite warmer days. Morning humidity levels were high at 82 percent, contributing to haze and chill during early hours. Winds were light to moderate, blowing at 1012 kmph. The forecast for Bhopal till Monday morning (January 12) suggests clear skies with haze, with temperatures likely to range around 28C during the day and 9C at night. CM takes part in grand tractor rally Staff Reporter : CHIEF Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, on Sunday, formally and ceremoniously launched Farmer Welfare Year 2026 from the State capital and led a historic rally of 1,101 tractors by farmers. The disciplined participation of a massive number of tractors lent the event a truly historic character. Expressing delight at the enthusiasm of farmers during the tractor rally, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the rally was not merely an event, but a powerful symbol of farmers unity, confidence, and the state governments farmer-friendly vision. He said the event reflects the governments firm commitment to prioritising agriculture and taking continuous, concrete steps in the interest of farmers. A deeply emotional and inspiring moment unfolded when Chief Minister Dr. Yadav himself took the wheel of a tractor. His request to the tractor driver and his act of driving the tractor highlighted his simplicity and respect for the hard work of farmers. This gesture of humility and warmth moved the gathering, as farmers greeted the Farmer-Chief Minister with thunderous applause. Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that farmers, women, youth and the poor are at the centre of the governments policies. Keeping the empowerment of these four sections in focus, the state government is designing and implementing schemes and programmes to ensure that the benefits of development reach the last person in society. He announced that the year 2026 will be observed as Krishak Kalyan Varsh, during which special emphasis will be laid on farmers interests. For the effective implementation of Farmer Welfare Year, 16 departments of the State Government will work in close coordination to strengthen all dimensions of agriculture, including production, cost, marketing, income, and overall welfare. Dr Yadav stated that the States agricultural growth rate has reached 16 percent, reflecting the inherent potential of the sector and the success of policy initiatives. He clarified that the governments objective is not limited to increasing production alone, but also to enhancing farmers income and reducing agricultural input costs through practical and effective measures. Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that this marks the first day in fulfilling the resolve of Farmer Welfare Year 2026. Developmental and welfare-oriented programmes will continue throughout the year. The government remains committed to ensuring farmer prosperity, sustainable agriculture and renewed strength for the rural economy CR trims ticket windows in Ngp Divn Staff Reporter : Even as holiday season is set to set in, the Central Railway (CR) authorities have resorted to curtailing the number of ticket booking windows at Nagpur Division leaving travellers in the lurch. Bharatiya Yatri Kendra (BYK) has taken up the issue with Commercial Branch, protesting the shutting down of passenger reservation system (PRS) windows at Nagpur and Ajni units. They contended that the paper ticket is still quite popular and Railways might have its own reasons for abandoning the same but it is fraught with danger as it is warding the travellers off the traditional system. Basant Shukla, Secretary, BYK, said, he was dismayed at seeing long queues at the station PRS counter. On inquiry, it was learnt that the Railways has decided to reduce the number of ticket windows by 2 at every unit. Due to the closure of ticket windows, the citizens, now, have to spend considerable time waiting for their turn in the queue. The decision stems from ongoing dowsizing move in the Railways with larger aim to reduce the staff size. Besides superannuation, many of the staffers have been moved to ticket checking and with shortage of enquiry-cum-clerk, the Railway is closing down PRS windows. Similarly, the number of current ticket counters also have been curtailed. From earlier six to only three now, the latest development is set to leave the general travellers in a fix, he added. Shukla also said, during a routine visit to Nagpur Railway Station, one gets surprised to witness that even senior citizens, cancer patients for whom a dedicate window used to be in place, were standing in queue. This was due to closure of dedicated window meant for them as of the five PRS windows on Western side, now only two are kept open. There used to be four counters on the Santra Market side of the station, now only two remain open even as there is no let-up in queue for ticket booking. Also at Ajni unit, earlier four ticket windows were functioning and now only two are kept open by the administration. Therefore, any given day, one can see long queue at the booking windows. Shukla said, one major disadvantage to the travellers is due to long time taken for ticket booking, many a time their chance of getting confirmed ticket vanishes. Further, for the senior persons and patients standing in queue, it is quite taxing to keep standing for long time, awaiting for their turn to come, he added. The BYK in a communication to Sr Divisional Commercial Manager (Sr. DCM) pointed out that now post completion of SSC and HSC exams, the rush at the counters will increase as families then start making planning for undertaking tours. Also, for marriage season in summer, the people are going to line-up to book tickets in advance. In such scenario, extra counters would ensure faster booking of tickets. However, the curtailment of ticket windows is a fait accompli for the travellers, as they are being force to take recourse to on-line platform for ticket booking, which has its own disadvantages. In the name of cost-cutting, Railways is deliberately forcing hardship on common citizens. Yes, these days, one can book ticket through digital mode, but the problem is that many a time due to heavy rush the tickets do not get confirmed even after long wait. Thus to ensure that one can travel without worry, people still prefer paper ticket. DIFFERENT CHOICE ACTOR Emraan Hashmi says it was interesting for him to take a deep dive into the world of smuggling and customs in his upcoming series Taskaree: The Smugglers Web. Created by Neeraj Pandey and directed by Raghav Jairath, the show revolves around a dedicated customs officer, played by Hashmi, and his team take on a notorious smuggler, Sharad Kelkar, leading a powerful syndicate, but unexpected obstacles threaten their mission. I don't know why but this is one law enforcement body on which no film or show has been made. We've made films on police officers, army, BSF and I've pretty much played everything but this (custom officers) was fantastic. "I felt this was a new world when I read the script, like how smugglers get things in, and also how, when a customs officer sees someone, it is not about just seeing someone suspicious in green or red channels because they do a lot of research. It is a welloiled system, and knowing the intricacies of that was fabulous, the actor said at the trailer launch of Taskaree recently. Working with Pandey, best known for thrillers such as A Wednesday, Special 26 and Baby, turned out to be a great experience, Hashmi said. The way the show has been written, there are a lot of surprises. It's a thriller show and Neeraj is the master of the thrillers, his name is up there on the list. It has become difficult to surprise the audience because they are always ahead of the curve, they know that there's a twist coming or a cliffhanger moment. I'm a fan of thriller (genre) so when I got the episodes to read it, a lot of things took me by surprise and there are wonderful cliffhanger moments in the show. Hashmi lauded the makers for doing thorough research on the customs department and how smuggling happens, and this only helped him understand the show and his character. I've travelled a lot and so things do get stored in your subconscious mind as you often see custom officials at the airport. In this profession (customs) it is about reading people. But after signing the show, I met a lot of people (from the customs department), he said. But the script, however, had a lot of information, and whatever queries I had I would ask the team, which consisted of Neeraj sir, Raghav and others, and they had all the answers. They have been working on it for t w o - a n d - t w o - h a l f years, he added. On a lighter note, the actor said that in the early 2000s he was often whisked away by customs officials, who suspected him of having smuggled something. I've got called out at immigration very early on, maybe because of the earrings or something else, but now when they see me with my sweet family, they don't suspect me," he said. Actors Amruta Khanvilkar, Nandish Singh Sandhu, Anurag Sinha, and Zoya Afroz round out the cast of the show. Taskaree: The Smugglers Web is set to debut on Netflix on January 14. Hundreds of people gathered in front of the State Library in central Melbourne on Sunday to protest against the United States' military action in Venezuela and to express support for Palestinians. #protest #US Dy CM Devda urges Centre to boost capital expenditure for State in 2026-27 Budget Staff Reporter: DEPUTY Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda, in a pre-budget meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Saturday, urged the Central Government to increase capital expenditure for the state in the 2026-27 budget. Highlighting the positive outcomes of the special capital assistance scheme launched in FY 2020-21, he noted that Madhya Pradeshs capital expenditure rose from Rs 56,539 crore in FY 2023-24 to Rs 67,441 crore in FY 2024-25, a 19% increase, and is estimated at Rs 82,513 crore for FY 2025-26, a 22% rise over the previous year. He requested additional allocation to accelerate ongoing infrastructure projects across the State.Staff Reporter DEPUTY Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda, in a pre-budget meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Saturday, urged the Central Government to increase capital expenditure for the state in the 2026-27 budget. Highlighting the positive outcomes of the special capital assistance scheme launched in FY 2020-21, he noted that Madhya Pradeshs capital expenditure rose from Rs 56,539 crore in FY 2023-24 to Rs 67,441 crore in FY 2024-25, a 19% increase, and is estimated at Rs 82,513 crore for FY 2025-26, a 22% rise over the previous year. He requested additional allocation to accelerate ongoing infrastructure projects across the State. JMC seizes banned Chinese manja during drive Staff Reporter : TO ENSURE the safety of citizens as well as birds and animals, the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation has launched a major drive against the use and sale of banned Chinese manja. Acting on the directions Municipal Commissioner Ram Prakash Ahirwar and district administration, extensive search operations were carried out across the city, leading to the seizure of illegally sold Chinese manja and charkhi (kite reels). Special teams of the Municipal Corporation conducted raids in areas falling under Division No. 14 Vijay Nagar and Division No. 6. Shops in Gohalpur, Motilal Nehru Ward, Chitranjan Das Ward and Zakir Hussain Ward were inspected during the operation. Traders were issued strict warnings and informed about legal action for selling the banned manja. Senior officials informed that Chinese manja is not only prohibited by law but also poses a serious threat to human life and causes severe injuries to birds and animals. During the drive, a large quantity of Chinese manja and whirls was seized and further legal procedures were completed. Additional Commissioner Manoj Shrivastava, Market Superintendent and Nodal License Officer Rajendra Dubey, Ajay Paseria, Sandeep Pandey, Amit Joshi, Kuldeep Pathak, Ram Swaroop Rajak, Health Department SI K L Ahirwar and Encroachment Department employees conducted the drive. Meanwhile, Collector Raghvendra Singh and the Municipal Commissioner have appealed to citizens to use only safe cotton thread for kite flying and to immediately inform the administration if anyone is found selling Chinese manja. Sabalenka is Brisbane champ TOP-RANKED Aryna Sabalenka has captured her second consecutive Brisbane International title, and 22nd overall, with a straight sets victory over Marta Kostyuk on Sunday. It was the third year in a row Sabalanka appeared in the final and the Belorussian player looked in comfortable surroundings as she closed out a 6- 4, 6-3 victory in just 1 hour and 17 minutes at Pat Rafter Arena. The Brisbane International is a tune-up event for this years Australian Open, which begins January 18. HIGH INTENSITY FINAL KOSTYUK went hard early by attacking Sabalenkas second serve,clawingbackanearlybreak with sublime drop shots that briefly rattled the worlds topranked player. However, the Belorussians relentless intensity and matchsmarts proved decisive as she exploited the oppressive Brisbane humiditywith punishing baseline rallies to clinch the opening set in 40 minutes. As Kostyuk wilted under the physicalstrain,Sabalenka accelerated in the second set. With a mix of raking ground strokes and deceptive drop shots, she forced a mounting error count from the Ukrainian toclose out the match without dropping a set all week. FROSTY POST-MATCH ATMOSPHERE AFTER sealing the victory, Sabalenka looked down the court at Kostyuk and kissed both biceps -alikely nod to previous comments by the Ukranian that she possessed higher testosterone levels than other players. Kostyuk has said the comments made in an interview last year had been taken out of context, but further the tensions between the pair since the Ukranians refusal to shake Sabalenkas hand after a match at the French Open in 2023. The exchange resulted in a frosty post-match presentation. During the trophy ceremony, Kostyuk spoke passionately abouther home land but not ably declined to mention Sabalenka by name. I want to say a few words about Ukraine,Kostyuk said. I play every day with a pain in my heart. There are thousands of people who are without light and warm water right now, itsminus 20 degrees outside right now, so its very, very painful to live this reality every day. I was incredibly moved and happy to see so many Ukrainian fans and flags here this week Slava Ukraini. Sabalenka, meanwhile, congratulated Kostyuk, stating she hoped they would meetin another final soon. She also took a cheeky dig at her boyfriend Georgios Frangulis during her victory speech. Hopefully soon I will call you somehow else, Sabalenka said looking at Frangulis in the playersbox.That just put extra pressure, right? Later Sunday, top-seeded Daniil Medvedev played Brandon Nakashima in the final of the mens tournament at Brisbane. The former No 1-ranked Medvedev is seeking his 22nd career title, while it will be Nakashimas first ATP Tour final in four years. Somnath Mandir identity of Indias history and civilisational journey Somnath Swabhiman Parv concludes: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Somnath Temple during the Shaurya Yatra procession as part of Somnath Swabhiman Parv, in Somnath, Gujarat. (PTI) By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla SOMNATH REFERRING to religious verses, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that merely seeing the Somnath Shivling (Shiva Lingam) frees a person from sins and fulfills their wishes. In 1026, the foreign invader Mahmud Ghazni attacked this sacred site and attempted to destroy it. The attack was a symbol of barbarity and destruction, which wounded not only a temple but also attempted to break the morale of our society. Despite repeated efforts to erase our legacy, to destroy the firstmost Somnath Jyotirlinga, in every period when an attack was made, the temple was rebuilt by our ancestors and still stands tall representing our self-respect. It has become a story of Reconstruction and Courage, not destruction. The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering on the concluding day of Somnath Parv on Sunday. In a veiled attack on the opposition, he said, In the past, acts of barbarity and cruelty by invaders were diluted by being termed merely a loot for economic purpose, but the truth remained undercover. Agents of appeasement knelt before religious fundamentalists. We were taught the temple was destroyed only for wealth. The Prime Minister recalled the contributions of Ahilyabai Holkar, Swami Vivekananda, and other great personalities who played a role in reviving Somnath in different periods. Its name is Som, meaning Amrit - nothing can destroy it. PM Modi said that this is proof of the unwavering willpower and faith of crores of Indians. Conspiracies against India are being hatched through other means instead of swords. Forces that had opposed the reconstruction of the Somnath temple are still active, now working through ill intentions and other means. He cautioned people to remain united and strong to defeat such actions. Braving winter chills, thousands of devotees started coming to Somnath from Rajkot and nearby villages from Saturday night itself to have a glimpse of PM Narendra Modi and witness the Shourya Yatra. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the grand Yatra during the Somnath Swabhiman Parv on Sunday. On this occasion, thousands of people present at Somnaths Shankh Circle welcomed him with flowers amid divine chants of Har Har Mahadev and Jai Somnath. The Prime Minister waved to and acknowledged the huge crowd lining the road from Shankh Circle to Hamirsinh Circle. During the Yatra, the PM also played the traditional Bhagwan Shiv instrument, Damru. A team of 54 horsemen before and after Prime Minister Narendra Modis vehicle represented the story of valour displayed by Indians to protect this temple from invaders attacks. The convoy was led by around 2,500 Rishikumars chanting the Omkar Mantra. Horses and riders came from 15 districts of the Police Cavalry. This grandest-ever Shourya Yatra in Somnaths history also stood as a symbol of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. Along the route, artists from various states presented diverse cultural performances, showcasing the rich heritage of Indian culture, as local residents said. With the Prime Minister in the vehicle, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Spokesperson Minister Jitu Vaghani, and Education Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja were present. After this ceremonial procession, the PM performed puja at Shree Somnath Temple and addressed the gathering. Prime Minister said that in 1947, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel visited Somnath and resolved to rebuild it, and on May 11, 1951, the temple was reopened for devotees. Mentioning the presence of the then-President Dr Rajendra Prasad at that programme, the then political leaders had reservations over his visit. But history has proven that this decision was correct. The Prime Minister also remembered the contribution of K M Munshi, who worked with Sardar Patel to carry out this task. PM Modi also participated in Omkar chanting at Somnath Temple. The PMdescribed Somnath as a symbol of Indias civilisation that, despite being repeatedly broken, stood up even stronger. What is eternal cannot be destroyed. Somnath stands proudly today despite centuries of violence from invaders. India too has re-established itself on the world stage after invasions and colonial exploitation. Prime Minister Modi also mentioned the achievements of contemporary India. He said that today the world looks at India with hope and confidence. India is playing a crucial role in finding solutions to global problems. He said that Somnath has been connecting people of different faiths and ideologies for centuries and remains a center of spiritual awakening even today. Its story is giving inspiration to us and guiding future generations. The Prime Minister said that despite the attack a thousand years ago, the waves of Somnath still rise with the same force, conveying the message that while hatred and fanaticism may cause momentary destruction, faith and goodwill create for eternity. Like Somnath, India too will regain its ancient glorious position and move forward with the resolve of a developed India. Our country will become the third-largest economy in the world. PM concluded his speech with a Har Har Mahadev chant. The PM paid floral tributes to the statues of Veer Hamirji Gohil and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Veer Hamirji Gohil is remembered for sacrificing his life defending the Somnath Temple during an invasion. X accepts mistake, removes 600 accounts; assures compliance Grok obscene content issue NEW DELHI : MICROBLOGGING platform X admitted its mistake and removed about 3,500 pieces of content, as well as deleted over 600 accounts, after the IT Ministry raised concerns over obscene content linked to Elon Musk-backed AI chatbot Grok, Government sources said on Sunday. X has assured the authorities that it would comply with Indian laws. The action comes amid mounting pressure on Grok from Governments worldwide, as regulators intensify scrutiny of the generative AI engine over content moderation, data safety and non-consensual sexually-explicit images that have flooded X over the last few days. According to Indian Government sources, X has accepted its mistake and assured it will comply with Indian laws. Accordingly, it has blocked around 3,500 pieces of content, and over 600 accounts have been deleted. It has also assured that going forward, it wont allow obscene imagery, sources said. Last Sunday, Xs Safety handle said it takes action against illegal content on its platform, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), 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, X had said, echoing the stance taken by Musk on illegal content. X is facing a global backlash over the digital undressing of images through user prompts on the xAI chatbot Grok. It has come under fire from Governments across the world. , including in Europe and Asia, warning it of consequences if the platform failed to adhere to online safety norms, while public calls for action on both X and Grok over the issue have been growing. On January 2, the IT Ministry had pulled up X and directed it to immediately remove all vulgar, obscene and unlawful content generated by Grok or face action under the law. In the directive, the Ministry asked the US-based social media firm to submit a detailed action taken report (ATR) within 72 hours, spelling out specific technical and organisational measures adopted or proposed in relation to the Grok application, the role and oversight exercised by the Chief Compliance Officer, actions taken against offending content, users and accounts, as well as mechanisms to ensure compliance with the mandatory reporting requirement under Indian laws. The IT Ministrys missive had noted that Grok AI, developed by X and integrated on the 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. Importantly, this is not limited to creation of fake accounts but also targets women who host or publish their images or videos, through prompts, image manipulation and synthetic outputs, the ministry had said, asserting that such conduct reflects a serious failure of platform-level safeguards and enforcement mechanisms, and amounts to gross misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in violation of stipulated laws. The Government had made it clear to X that compliance with the IT Act and rules is not optional, and that the statutory exemptions under section 79 of the IT Act (which deals with safe harbour and immunity from liability for online intermediaries) are conditional upon strict observance of due diligence obligations. The Government warned X in clear terms that any failure to observe due diligence obligations will result in the loss of the exemption from liability (under section 79 of the IT Act), and that the platform will also be liable for consequential action under other laws, including the IT Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. It asked X to enforce user terms of service and AI usage restrictions, including ensuring strong deterrent measures, such as suspension, termination and other enforcement actions against violating users and accounts. X was also asked to remove or disable access without delay to all content already generated or disseminated in violation of applicable laws, in strict compliance with the timelines prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021, without, as such, vitiating the evidence. The initial response by X to the notice, though detailed, was seen as a mere reiteration by the platform that it respects Indian laws and stipulated guidelines, and that India is a big market for the platform. In its response, X also outlined the strict content takedown policies it abides by when it comes to misleading posts and those related to non-consensual sexualised images. Although that reply was long and detailed, the IT Ministry was of the opinion that it missed key information, including takedown details and specific action that had been taken on the Grok AI obscene content issue, and to prevent it in future. The response fell short of expectations, prompting the Government to toughen its stance and ask for more details, including specific action taken on obscene content linked to its Grok AI and measures to prevent a repeat in future. X has now accepted its mistake and told the Government that it will comply with Indian laws and regulations, sources said. Apart from India, the UK and the EU have also mounted pressure on X over the Grok deepfake image issue. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer termed it disgusting, while the European Commission has reportedly asked X to retain all documents relating to the AI chatbot Grok for longer. Ofcom, the UKs independent communications regulator, in a recent social media post, said: 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, Ofcom had said. During the week, three Democratic US senators, in an open letter, called on Apple and Google to suspend X and Grok from their app stores for violating terms of service. An employee sorts out medicines at a pharmacy in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2026.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) KABUL, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Esmatullah, a 32-year-old taxi driver in Kabul and the sole breadwinner for a family of 10, spends more than 1,000 afghanis (nearly 16 U.S. dollars) per month on medicines prescribed for his wife, who suffers from a neurological illness. While alternatives are available, rising prices still strain his limited income. "Prices are higher than before," he said quietly. "In the past four months alone, we have spent nearly 5,000 afghanis (about 77 U.S. dollars) on medicines." When the land border crossings with Pakistan were abruptly shut, panic quietly spread through pharmacies, hospitals, and thousands of Afghan homes. For many families already struggling with illness, the sudden fear was not only about politics, but it was also about whether the next dose of life-saving medicine would arrive at all. Compounding the border woes, reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Health Cluster in December 2025 revealed a deepening humanitarian shadow: Nearly 445 health facilities suspended or closed operations due to funding shortages, driven by cuts in international aid, including from the United States. This left 3.79 million people in 33 of 34 provinces without essential healthcare, a stark reminder of Afghanistan's fragility. However, Afghanistan's pharmaceutical market quietly adapted. New supply routes were activated, alternative trading partners stepped in, and most decisively, Chinese medicines began filling the gap, arriving reliably, affordably, and at scale. Aziz Ahmad Ahmadi, a veteran wholesaler in the Afghan capital, Kabul city, with more than two decades in the trade, spoke with genuine enthusiasm about this shift. "Currently, about 25 percent of Afghanistan's medicine needs are met by Chinese products." Ahmadi highlighted how Chinese pharmaceuticals, from injections and tablets to soothing syrups, are priced roughly 15 percent lower than counterparts from India or Iran. Mohammad Yaqub Mangal, acting head of the Afghanistan Union of Medicine and Medical Equipment Importers, painted a stark picture of dependency: "Only about 20 percent of medicines are produced domestically. The remaining 80 percent are imported." Mangal said that Chinese pharmaceuticals and equipment now in the market are substantial. "Chinese surgical instruments, syringes, syrups, and medicines are widely embraced," Mangal told Xinhua. "They are affordable, and their quality is acceptable for our market." Currently, Afghanistan has 130 pharmaceutical factories producing more than 600 types of medicines, according to the official data from the Ministry of Public Health. Still, domestic production falls far short of national demand. In early November 2025, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Afghanistan's deputy prime minister for economic affairs, openly urged traders and industrialists to pivot toward alternative markets, particularly in neighboring countries. In this context, China stands out as Afghanistan's most favorable and reliable external source of medicines and medical equipment. For many Afghans, Chinese pharmaceuticals represent more than affordability, they represent continuity of care, stability, and dignity. Across pharmacies and clinics in Kabul and beyond, there is a growing sense of cautious optimism. Patients, traders, and health workers alike hope that the presence of Chinese medicines in Afghanistan will continue to expand, ensuring that access to essential treatment remains within reach for millions. Staff members arrange medicines at a pharmacy in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2026.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) A customer purchases medicines at a pharmacy in Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2026.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua) OSLO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. desire to take over Greenland cannot be accepted under any circumstances, said Greenland's government on Monday. "Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. As part of the Realm Community, Greenland is also a member of NATO, and the defense of Greenland should therefore be conducted through NATO," the government said in a statement. The government said it will increase its efforts to ensure that the defense of Greenland is carried out within the framework of NATO, noting that all NATO member states, including the United States, share a common interest in Greenland's defense. U.S. President Donald Trump recently revived rhetoric suggesting that the United States should acquire Greenland for security concerns. His remarks have drawn widespread opposition from European allies, particularly Denmark and Greenland. Aegon NV (NYSE:AEG Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. AEG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on Aegon in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Zacks Research cut Aegon from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 28th. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of Aegon in a report on Friday. UBS Group downgraded Aegon from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Aegon in a report on Monday, December 29th. Get Aegon alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AEG Aegon Price Performance Institutional Trading of Aegon Shares of NYSE:AEG opened at $7.65 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $15.34 billion, a P/E ratio of -47.78, a P/E/G ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 0.78. Aegon has a 1-year low of $5.42 and a 1-year high of $8.15. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $7.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $7.56. Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. CWM LLC lifted its stake in shares of Aegon by 87.2% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,767 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 2,687 shares during the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its holdings in Aegon by 299.5% during the 3rd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 7,410 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 5,555 shares during the period. Independence Bank of Kentucky bought a new stake in Aegon in the third quarter worth $64,000. AlphaCore Capital LLC purchased a new position in Aegon during the third quarter worth $81,000. Finally, Earned Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Aegon during the second quarter valued at $74,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 4.32% of the companys stock. Aegon Company Profile (Get Free Report) Aegon N.V. is a multinational financial services company headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, specializing in life insurance, pensions and asset management. Established in 1983 through the merger of AGO and Ennia, Aegon has built a reputation for offering retirement solutions, savings products and protection plans aimed at helping customers secure their financial futures. The company operates under well-known brands, including Transamerica in the United States, and serves both individual and corporate clients. Throughout its history, Aegon has pursued strategic acquisitions and partnerships to strengthen its market position and broaden its service offerings. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Aegon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aegon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $375.61, but opened at $360.50. American Express shares last traded at $357.8620, with a volume of 1,073,878 shares trading hands. Key Stories Impacting American Express Here are the key news stories impacting American Express this week: Get American Express alerts: Positive Sentiment: JPMorgan raised its price target on AXP from $360 to $385 (still a neutral rating) the higher target signals analyst conviction about upside if policy risk fades. Article Title JPMorgan raised its price target on AXP from $360 to $385 (still a neutral rating) the higher target signals analyst conviction about upside if policy risk fades. Positive Sentiment: Long-term bull pieces highlight American Expresss strong brand, network effects and consistent earnings power, supporting a constructive multi-year outlook for shareholders. Is American Express Stock a Millionaire Maker? Long-term bull pieces highlight American Expresss strong brand, network effects and consistent earnings power, supporting a constructive multi-year outlook for shareholders. Neutral Sentiment: Consensus coverage remains clustered at Hold (majority of analysts), implying mixed near-term expectations even before this weeks headlines. Consensus Hold Report Consensus coverage remains clustered at Hold (majority of analysts), implying mixed near-term expectations even before this weeks headlines. Neutral Sentiment: Several analysts and outlets urge caution but say a 10% APR cap is unlikely to be enacted as proposed, which could limit lasting damage if the policy talk fades. MarketWatch Analysis Several analysts and outlets urge caution but say a 10% APR cap is unlikely to be enacted as proposed, which could limit lasting damage if the policy talk fades. Negative Sentiment: President Trumps proposal for a oneyear 10% cap on creditcard APRs sparked heavy premarket selling across card issuers, directly pressuring AXP due to potential revenue/interest income risk. Barrons: Stocks Drop on Trumps Plan President Trumps proposal for a oneyear 10% cap on creditcard APRs sparked heavy premarket selling across card issuers, directly pressuring AXP due to potential revenue/interest income risk. Negative Sentiment: Media coverage and opinion pieces amplified investor fears (downgrades and panic headlines), producing shortterm volatility and heavier trading volume in AXP. Seeking Alpha Downgrade Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have weighed in on AXP shares. Credit Suisse Group set a $328.00 price objective on American Express in a research report on Monday. DZ Bank upgraded American Express from a sell rating to a hold rating and set a $340.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 21st. HSBC set a $295.00 price objective on American Express and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Evercore ISI set a $400.00 price target on shares of American Express in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Cowen reissued a hold rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Thursday. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seventeen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $352.82. American Express Stock Performance The company has a current ratio of 1.61, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $247.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.15. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $369.05 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $339.88. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 30th. The payment services company reported ($11.85) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.56 by ($15.41). American Express had a net margin of 14.97% and a return on equity of 33.41%. The firm had revenue of ($17,139.00) million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $18.91 billion. Sell-side analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 15.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. American Express Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, February 10th. Investors of record on Friday, January 2nd will be issued a $0.82 dividend. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.9%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.01%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other American Express news, CMO Elizabeth Rutledge sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $360.21, for a total transaction of $18,010,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief marketing officer owned 85,577 shares in the company, valued at approximately $30,825,691.17. This represents a 36.88% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Douglas Tabish sold 2,515 shares of American Express stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.61, for a total transaction of $894,359.15. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 2,515 shares of the companys stock, valued at $894,359.15. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 57,515 shares of company stock valued at $20,658,509. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. lifted its stake in American Express by 153.3% in the 3rd quarter. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. now owns 76 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Briaud Financial Planning Inc purchased a new stake in shares of American Express in the second quarter worth about $26,000. Access Investment Management LLC bought a new position in American Express during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC purchased a new position in American Express during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Guerra Advisors Inc bought a new stake in American Express in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Institutional investors own 84.33% of the companys stock. About American Express (Get Free Report) American Express is a global financial services company primarily known for its payment card products, travel services and merchant network. Founded in 1850 as an express mail business, the company evolved through the 20th century into a payments and travel-focused organization. Its core activities include issuing consumer and commercial charge and credit cards, operating a global card acceptance and processing network, and providing travel-related services and customer loyalty programs. American Express issues a range of products for individuals, small businesses and large corporations, including personal cards, business and corporate cards, and cobrand partnerships with airlines, hotels and retailers. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PROS Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PRO Get Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the eight ratings firms that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $21.65. Several research analysts have issued reports on PRO shares. Needham & Company LLC lowered PROS from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $25.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Northland Capmk lowered PROS from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Northland Securities set a $23.25 price objective on PROS in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. KeyCorp lowered PROS from an overweight rating to a sector weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 23rd. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a sell (d-) rating on shares of PROS in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Get PROS alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on PROS PROS Stock Up 0.0% NYSE PRO opened at $23.25 on Wednesday. PROS has a 52 week low of $13.61 and a 52 week high of $29.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -75.00 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a fifty day moving average of $23.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of $19.77. PROS (NYSE:PRO Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, October 27th. The software maker reported $0.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.05) by $0.27. The firm had revenue of $91.68 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $94.71 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.14 EPS. PROSs revenue was up 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that PROS will post -0.2 EPS for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On PROS A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of PRO. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of PROS by 36.3% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 312,513 shares of the software makers stock worth $5,937,000 after purchasing an additional 83,274 shares during the period. Kopion Asset Management LLC raised its stake in PROS by 62.3% in the second quarter. Kopion Asset Management LLC now owns 644,440 shares of the software makers stock worth $10,092,000 after buying an additional 247,381 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB purchased a new stake in PROS during the second quarter worth $676,000. BlackBarn Capital Partners LP bought a new stake in PROS during the 2nd quarter valued at $3,561,000. Finally, AXQ Capital LP purchased a new position in shares of PROS in the 2nd quarter valued at $594,000. 94.27% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. PROS Company Profile (Get Free Report) PROS Holdings, Inc (NYSE:PRO) is a global software company specializing in AI-driven solutions for pricing optimization, sales guidance and revenue management. The companys flagship platform leverages advanced analytics and machine learning to help businesses set dynamic prices, streamline quoting processes and improve margin performance. PROS solutions also support e-commerce initiatives by enabling personalized pricing and real-time inventory management. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, PROS has expanded its footprint across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. See Also Receive News & Ratings for PROS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PROS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Asana (NYSE:ASAN Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Sunday. A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on ASAN. UBS Group lowered their price target on Asana from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price objective on Asana from $14.00 to $11.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 5th. DA Davidson lowered their target price on shares of Asana from $17.00 to $15.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Citigroup reduced their target price on shares of Asana from $17.00 to $16.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, BTIG Research assumed coverage on shares of Asana in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Asana presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $16.11. Get Asana alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Report on ASAN Asana Stock Down 2.3% NYSE:ASAN opened at $12.97 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.07 billion, a P/E ratio of -13.94 and a beta of 0.91. Asana has a 1-year low of $11.58 and a 1-year high of $24.50. The companys fifty day moving average price is $13.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 1.40. Asana (NYSE:ASAN Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 2nd. The company reported $0.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.01. Asana had a negative return on equity of 79.80% and a negative net margin of 28.33%.The business had revenue of $201.03 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $198.78 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.02) EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. Asana has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.250-0.260 EPS and its Q4 2026 guidance at 0.070-0.070 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Asana will post -1.09 EPS for the current year. Insider Transactions at Asana In other Asana news, Director Justin Rosenstein sold 850,233 shares of Asana stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.12, for a total value of $12,855,522.96. Following the sale, the director owned 210,398 shares in the company, valued at $3,181,217.76. The trade was a 80.16% 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. Also, COO Anne Raimondi sold 62,165 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.31, for a total value of $889,581.15. Following the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 702,013 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,045,806.03. The trade was a 8.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 1,600,027 shares of company stock worth $23,904,222 in the last 90 days. Insiders own 61.28% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Asana Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Bogart Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Asana during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Asana during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its position in shares of Asana by 137.7% in the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 2,463 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,427 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Asana by 119.7% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,553 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 1,391 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Asana by 64.0% in the 2nd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 4,371 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 1,706 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 26.21% of the companys stock. About Asana (Get Free Report) Asana, Inc (NYSE: ASAN) is a leading provider of work management and collaboration software designed to help teams organize, track and manage their work. Founded in 2008 by Dustin Moskovitz and Justin Rosenstein, Asanas platform enables users to create projects, assign tasks, set deadlines and visualize progress across diverse workflows. The companys cloud-based solution includes customizable project templates, timeline views, boards and automated rules that streamline routine processes and reduce manual effort. Built for both small teams and large enterprises, Asana supports integrations with a wide array of third-party applications, including communication tools, file-sharing services and DevOps platforms. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Asana Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Asana and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $41.30 and last traded at $41.09, with a volume of 12235 shares. The stock had previously closed at $40.40. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades BCH has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Banco De Chile in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Banco De Chile from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Friday, November 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Banco De Chile from $31.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Banco De Chile from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on shares of Banco De Chile from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, Banco De Chile currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $34.00. Get Banco De Chile alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Banco De Chile Banco De Chile Stock Up 1.2% The firm has a market capitalization of $20.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.62, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.00, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.53. The firms 50-day moving average is $37.62 and its 200 day moving average is $32.63. Banco De Chile (NYSE:BCH Get Free Report) last released its earnings results 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). Banco De Chile had a return on equity of 23.25% and a net margin of 32.87%.The firm had revenue of $764.93 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $831.97 million. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Banco De Chile will post 2.31 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Banco De Chile Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. TT International Asset Management LTD bought a new stake in Banco De Chile in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $26,962,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Banco De Chile by 199.1% in the third quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 352,465 shares of the banks stock valued at $10,680,000 after purchasing an additional 234,619 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its position in shares of Banco De Chile by 177.7% in the third quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 298,085 shares of the banks stock worth $9,032,000 after purchasing an additional 190,741 shares in the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. bought a new stake in shares of Banco De Chile in the second quarter worth $3,454,000. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC grew its position in Banco De Chile by 128.4% in the second 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 in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.24% of the companys stock. Banco De Chile Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Banco De Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco De Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ Get Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) was downgraded by investment analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday. Several other brokerages have also issued reports on CNQ. Evercore ISI lowered Canadian Natural Resources from an outperform rating to an in-line rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Securities reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Canadian Natural Resources in a research note on Tuesday, September 30th. Zacks Research cut Canadian Natural Resources from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, December 19th. Finally, Desjardins lowered shares of Canadian Natural Resources from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Canadian Natural Resources presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $48.50. Get Canadian Natural Resources alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Canadian Natural Resources Canadian Natural Resources Trading Up 1.7% CNQ opened at $32.08 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.53. Canadian Natural Resources has a fifty-two week low of $24.65 and a fifty-two week high of $35.12. The companys 50 day moving average price is $32.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $31.91. The firm has a market capitalization of $66.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.20 and a beta of 0.69. Canadian Natural Resources (NYSE:CNQ Get Free Report) (TSE:CNQ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.54 by $0.08. Canadian Natural Resources had a net margin of 14.90% and a return on equity of 18.93%. The firm had revenue of $6.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.97 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Canadian Natural Resources will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Canadian Natural Resources Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of CNQ. AQR Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Canadian Natural Resources by 85.5% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 18,090 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $557,000 after acquiring an additional 8,336 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp increased its stake in Canadian Natural Resources by 92.7% in the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 29,096 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $896,000 after purchasing an additional 13,996 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC raised its holdings in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 4.3% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 79,374 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $2,445,000 after purchasing an additional 3,266 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources by 47.3% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 1,644 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 528 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Intrua Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Canadian Natural Resources during the 1st quarter worth about $230,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.03% of the companys stock. Canadian Natural Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE: CNQ) is a Calgary-based independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company. Established in the early 1970s and publicly listed in Canada and the United States, the company is principally engaged in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its asset base spans conventional and unconventional reservoirs and includes oil sands mining and in-situ thermal projects, midstream processing and upgrading capacity, and related field operations. The companys operations are concentrated in Western Canada, where it develops heavy crude, bitumen from oil sands and conventional light crude and natural gas resources. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Natural Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Natural Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:CX Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $12.50 and last traded at $12.4350, with a volume of 475679 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $12.42. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Cemex from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on Cemex from $7.00 to $8.25 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Barclays lifted their price target on Cemex from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group increased their price objective on Cemex from $10.00 to $11.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 17th. Finally, Citigroup cut Cemex from a buy rating to a neutral rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $9.00 to $10.00 in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Cemex has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $10.14. Get Cemex alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on CX Cemex Stock Up 0.6% The stock has a market cap of $18.11 billion, a PE ratio of 13.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.59. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $11.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $9.51. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Cemex (NYSE:CX Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The construction company reported $0.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.15. Cemex had a return on equity of 6.85% and a net margin of 8.62%.The company had revenue of $4.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $226.73 million. Equities research analysts expect that Cemex S.A.B. de C.V. will post 0.69 EPS for the current fiscal year. Cemex Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 23rd. Investors of record on Monday, December 15th were paid a $0.0224 dividend. This represents a $0.09 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 15th. Cemexs payout ratio is currently 9.68%. Institutional Trading of Cemex Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CX. WealthCollab LLC raised its position in shares of Cemex by 73.7% in the second quarter. WealthCollab LLC now owns 3,724 shares of the construction companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 1,580 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in shares of Cemex by 256.7% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 4,298 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 3,093 shares in the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. raised its holdings in Cemex by 100.0% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 3,488 shares of the construction companys stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,744 shares during the period. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in Cemex by 63.7% during the second quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 5,210 shares of the construction companys stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 2,027 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Reyes Financial Architecture Inc. purchased a new position in Cemex during the third quarter worth approximately $36,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.97% of the companys stock. About Cemex (Get Free Report) Cemex (NYSE: CX) is a global building materials company headquartered in Monterrey, Mexico. The company produces, distributes and sells cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates, as well as related building materials, to construction markets in more than 50 countries. Cemexs product portfolio also includes asphalt and mortar mixes, waste-derived fuels and other complementary construction solutions, supported by a network of production facilities, distribution centers and logistics operations. Founded in 1906 as Cementos Hidalgo, the company adopted the Cemex name in 1976 following a series of domestic mergers and expansions. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cemex Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cemex and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG Get Free Report) had its target price dropped by research analysts at Citigroup from $283.00 to $280.00 in a report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the energy companys stock. Citigroups price target would suggest a potential upside of 44.68% from the companys current price. Several other brokerages have also recently weighed in on LNG. Weiss Ratings reiterated a buy (b-) rating on shares of Cheniere Energy in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Cheniere Energy from $284.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Jefferies Financial Group set a $290.00 price target on Cheniere Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Bank of America lowered their price objective on Cheniere Energy from $274.00 to $271.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a strong-buy rating and issued a $278.00 price objective (up from $275.00) on shares of Cheniere Energy in a report on Friday, October 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $268.06. Get Cheniere Energy alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Cheniere Energy Cheniere Energy Stock Performance NYSE LNG traded down $0.65 on Monday, hitting $193.53. 1,477,855 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,906,604. The company has a market capitalization of $41.65 billion, a PE ratio of 10.78, a P/E/G ratio of 6.24 and a beta of 0.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.81. The businesss fifty day moving average is $201.04 and its 200 day moving average is $221.53. Cheniere Energy has a 52 week low of $186.20 and a 52 week high of $257.65. Cheniere Energy (NYSE:LNG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The energy company reported $4.75 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.75 by $2.00. Cheniere Energy had a return on equity of 37.52% and a net margin of 21.12%.The company had revenue of $4.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $3.93 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 18.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Cheniere Energy will post 11.69 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Transactions at Cheniere Energy In related news, Director W Benjamin Moreland purchased 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The stock was bought at an average price of $208.22 per share, with a total value of $1,041,100.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 9,856 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,052,216.32. This represents a 102.97% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Assetmark Inc. boosted its holdings in Cheniere Energy by 718.1% in the 2nd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 1,669 shares of the energy companys stock worth $406,000 after buying an additional 1,465 shares during the period. Morningstar Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Cheniere Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,723,000. Railway Pension Investments Ltd lifted its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 62.9% during the third quarter. Railway Pension Investments Ltd now owns 777,200 shares of the energy companys stock worth $182,626,000 after acquiring an additional 300,100 shares in the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Cheniere Energy by 3.3% in the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 39,440 shares of the energy companys stock worth $9,604,000 after acquiring an additional 1,273 shares during the period. Finally, Nordea Investment Management AB grew its position in shares of Cheniere Energy by 3.9% in the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 109,285 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $26,360,000 after purchasing an additional 4,083 shares in the last quarter. 87.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Cheniere Energy (Get Free Report) Cheniere Energy, Inc is a U.S.-based energy company that develops, owns and operates liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and markets LNG to global customers. The companys core activities include natural gas liquefaction, longterm and shortterm LNG sales and marketing, and the associated midstream services required to move gas from production basins to international markets. Cheniere focuses on converting domestic natural gas into LNG for export, providing a bridge between North American supply and overseas demand. Chenieres principal operating assets are large-scale LNG export terminals located on the U.S. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Cheniere Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cheniere Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MELBOURNE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Fierce heat, erratic winds and relentless fires are battering southeastern Australia, as scientists warn of worsening "climate whiplash," the rapid shift between fire and flood conditions intensified by climate change. More than 30 bushfires were burning across the states of Victoria and New South Wales late Sunday, driven by extreme heat and gusty winds. Meanwhile, Cyclone Koji brought heavy rain and fierce winds to the northern state of Queensland. One emerging aspect of such climate change is "hydroclimatic whiplash," sudden and often frequent transitions between very dry and very wet conditions, according to an article published Monday on The Conversation website. "It can feel like the climate system is toggling between lots of different states: floods one minute, bushfires the next," said author David Bowman, professor of pyrogeography and fire science at the University of Tasmania. Describing the phenomenon as "climate instability," Bowman said such intertwined extremes reflect a more unstable climate system. Unpredictable fire behavior is being fueled by heatwaves that dry vegetation and trigger "dry lightning," igniting blazes without significant rainfall, according to the article, which cites the state of Tasmania, where violent fires in December were driven by rare Antarctic stratospheric warming events. "The temperatures were not extraordinarily hot, and the vegetation wasn't extremely dry, but the winds were so intense they drove uncontrollable fires," Bowman wrote, adding that firefighting aircraft could not be used because of the winds. Authorities warn that Australia faces increasingly dangerous fire seasons. Adapting will require stronger public awareness, better land management, and safer urban buffers, he added. Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Get Free Report)s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $121.32, but opened at $116.90. Citigroup shares last traded at $117.3520, with a volume of 3,407,321 shares traded. Key Stories Impacting Citigroup Here are the key news stories impacting Citigroup this week: Get Citigroup alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades C has been the subject of a number of research reports. Cowen reiterated a hold rating on shares of Citigroup in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on Citigroup from $118.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Oppenheimer dropped their target price on Citigroup from $123.00 to $120.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 19th. Bank of America boosted their target price on Citigroup from $115.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Finally, HSBC reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $87.00 price target on shares of Citigroup in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. Fourteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $118.94. Citigroup Stock Down 3.0% The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.62. The firms 50 day moving average price is $109.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $100.18. The company has a market capitalization of $210.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.18. Citigroup (NYSE:C Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 14th. The company reported $2.24 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.89 by $0.35. The business had revenue of $22.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.92 billion. Citigroup had a return on equity of 7.91% and a net margin of 8.73%.Citigroups quarterly revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.51 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Citigroup Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in Citigroup by 166.9% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 19,990 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,407,000 after acquiring an additional 12,499 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Citigroup by 25.4% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 10,852 shares of the companys stock worth $770,000 after purchasing an additional 2,199 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank increased its stake in shares of Citigroup by 6.6% during the first quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 20,932 shares of the companys stock worth $1,486,000 after purchasing an additional 1,302 shares during the period. TrueWealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Citigroup by 8.0% during the 2nd quarter. TrueWealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,007 shares of the companys stock worth $596,000 after purchasing an additional 520 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arvest Investments Inc. bought a new stake in Citigroup in the 2nd quarter valued at $474,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 71.72% of the companys stock. Citigroup Company Profile (Get Free Report) Citigroup Inc is a global financial services company headquartered in New York City with roots tracing back to the City Bank of New York, founded in 1812. The modern Citigroup was created through the 1998 merger of Citicorp and Travelers Group and has since operated as a diversified bank holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments and institutions worldwide. Citis principal businesses include retail and commercial banking, credit card and consumer lending products, wealth management and private banking, and a full suite of institutional services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Delivery Hero SE (OTCMKTS:DLVHF Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Hold by the six research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating on the company. Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Delivery Hero in a research note on Friday, November 14th. Cantor Fitzgerald upgraded Delivery Hero to a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Finally, Citigroup cut Delivery Hero from a neutral rating to a sell rating in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Get Delivery Hero alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on DLVHF Delivery Hero Price Performance Delivery Hero Company Profile OTCMKTS DLVHF opened at $26.71 on Monday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $22.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $26.11. Delivery Hero has a 1 year low of $19.25 and a 1 year high of $33.00. (Get Free Report) Delivery Hero SE is a global online foodordering and delivery platform that connects consumers, restaurants and couriers through its digital marketplace. The companys core business revolves around providing a seamless, ondemand food delivery experience via mobile apps and websites. Beyond traditional restaurant delivery, Delivery Hero also operates a network of cloud kitchensknown as dark kitchensto meet growing consumer demand for a broader variety of cuisines and faster fulfilment times. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Delivery Hero has grown through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Delivery Hero Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Delivery Hero and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. DHL Group Sponsored ADR (OTCMKTS:DHLGY Get Free Report) has received a consensus rating of Hold from the seven research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, one has assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. A number of brokerages have weighed in on DHLGY. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of DHL Group in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Sanford C. Bernstein downgraded shares of DHL Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. UBS Group raised DHL Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 26th. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of DHL Group in a research report on Friday, November 21st. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded DHL Group from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, November 21st. Get DHL Group alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on DHL Group DHL Group Price Performance DHLGY stock opened at $55.83 on Friday. DHL Group has a 52-week low of $33.89 and a 52-week high of $56.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. The stock has a market cap of $67.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 1.21. The business has a fifty day moving average of $52.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of $48.28. DHL Group (OTCMKTS:DHLGY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $0.88 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $23.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.19 billion. DHL Group had a return on equity of 15.44% and a net margin of 4.24%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that DHL Group will post 3.01 earnings per share for the current year. DHL Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) DHL Group (OTCMKTS: DHLGY) is the international logistics and postal services business of Deutsche Post DHL Group, headquartered in Bonn, Germany. The company operates a global network that serves corporate and individual customers with a range of logistics solutions spanning domestic and international mail and parcel services, express courier operations, freight forwarding, contract logistics and supply chain management. It offers services to e-commerce retailers, manufacturers, healthcare and automotive companies, among other industries. Its principal operating activities are organized across distinct logistics businesses including express courier services for timesensitive international shipments, global forwarding and freight for air, ocean and road transport, contract logistics for warehousing and distribution, ecommerce fulfillment solutions, and national postal and parcel operations in Germany. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for DHL Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DHL Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ennis (NYSE:EBF Get Free Report) was upgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Saturday. Separately, Weiss Ratings reiterated a hold (c) rating on shares of Ennis in a report on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold. Get Ennis alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on EBF Ennis Price Performance Shares of EBF opened at $18.43 on Friday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $17.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $17.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $466.02 million, a PE ratio of 11.10 and a beta of 0.36. Ennis has a one year low of $16.30 and a one year high of $22.00. Ennis (NYSE:EBF Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, December 22nd. The industrial products company reported $0.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $100.17 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $100.50 million. Ennis had a return on equity of 14.11% and a net margin of 11.01%.During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.39 EPS. Insider Transactions at Ennis In related news, COO Boyne Wade Brewer bought 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 3rd. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $17.05 per share, with a total value of $34,100.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief operating officer owned 23,684 shares of the companys stock, valued at $403,812.20. The trade was a 9.22% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 3.70% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ennis A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. State of Alaska Department of Revenue bought a new stake in Ennis during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Traub Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Ennis during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Ennis by 1,037.3% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,524 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 1,390 shares in the last quarter. Kozak & Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in Ennis during the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its holdings in shares of Ennis by 56.8% in the 2nd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,456 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 890 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.33% of the companys stock. Ennis Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ennis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ennis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EQT Corporation (NYSE:EQT Get Free Report) was the target of some unusual options trading on Monday. Stock traders acquired 27,981 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 50% compared to the average volume of 18,689 put options. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages have recently issued reports on EQT. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of EQT from $60.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their target price on shares of EQT from $72.00 to $73.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on EQT from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 7th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on EQT from $70.00 to $68.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price objective on EQT from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Nineteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, EQT presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $64.65. Get EQT alerts: View Our Latest Report on EQT EQT Stock Up 0.3% NYSE:EQT traded up $0.14 on Monday, hitting $51.23. 8,944,136 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 10,213,675. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $56.55 and a 200-day moving average price of $54.54. EQT has a 52 week low of $43.57 and a 52 week high of $62.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.58 and a quick ratio of 0.58. The company has a market cap of $31.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 0.68. EQT (NYSE:EQT Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The oil and gas producer reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by $0.02. EQT had a return on equity of 6.88% and a net margin of 22.59%.The business had revenue of $1.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.12 earnings per share. EQTs quarterly revenue was up 52.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that EQT will post 3.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. EQT Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 5th were issued a $0.165 dividend. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 5th. This is a boost from EQTs previous quarterly dividend of $0.16. EQTs payout ratio is currently 22.60%. Insider Activity In related news, EVP J.E.B. Bolen sold 1,422 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $52.79, for a total transaction of $75,067.38. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 69,486 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,668,165.94. This represents a 2.01% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.65% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On EQT Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Caxton Associates LLP acquired a new position in shares of EQT in the first quarter valued at approximately $256,000. Focus Partners Wealth boosted its stake in EQT by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 21,637 shares of the oil and gas producers stock valued at $1,156,000 after purchasing an additional 1,789 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in EQT in the 1st quarter valued at $280,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in EQT by 31.6% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 5,301 shares of the oil and gas producers stock worth $283,000 after buying an additional 1,273 shares during the period. Finally, Strs Ohio bought a new position in EQT during the 1st quarter worth $1,844,000. 90.81% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About EQT (Get Free Report) EQT Corporation (NYSE: EQT) is a U.S.-based energy company focused on the exploration, development and production of natural gas. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company concentrates its upstream operations in the Appalachian Basin, producing from major shale formations including the Marcellus and Utica. EQTs primary product is natural gas, with production activities supported by associated liquids and conventional gas assets where applicable. In addition to drilling and well development, EQT operates and coordinates the infrastructure and commercial activities necessary to bring gas to market. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for EQT Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EQT and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gold Fields Limited (NYSE:GFI Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $48.63 and last traded at $48.34, with a volume of 735291 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $45.69. Analyst Ratings Changes Several brokerages recently commented on GFI. Canaccord Genuity Group cut shares of Gold Fields from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $39.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Monday, October 13th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Gold Fields from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered their price objective on Gold Fields to $45.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 24th. HSBC reissued a hold rating on shares of Gold Fields in a research note on Thursday, October 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on Gold Fields from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $42.13. Get Gold Fields alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on GFI Gold Fields Stock Up 6.8% Institutional Investors Weigh In On Gold Fields The stocks fifty day moving average price is $42.62 and its 200 day moving average price is $36.58. Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GFI. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its position in shares of Gold Fields by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 34,303,269 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,439,365,000 after purchasing an additional 539,923 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in Gold Fields by 84.7% in the second quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 5,549,220 shares of the companys stock worth $131,350,000 after buying an additional 2,545,579 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in Gold Fields by 32.9% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,919,432 shares of the companys stock valued at $116,443,000 after acquiring an additional 1,217,594 shares during the last quarter. DJE Kapital AG raised its stake in shares of Gold Fields by 19.7% during the second quarter. DJE Kapital AG now owns 4,511,125 shares of the companys stock worth $105,260,000 after acquiring an additional 742,174 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. lifted its holdings in shares of Gold Fields by 32.1% in the 3rd quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 4,371,211 shares of the companys stock worth $183,416,000 after acquiring an additional 1,062,242 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 24.81% of the companys stock. About Gold Fields (Get Free Report) Gold Fields (NYSE: GFI) is a Johannesburgbased gold mining company that operates as an international producer of gold. Listed on multiple exchanges and traded in the United States via American Depositary Receipts under the ticker GFI, the company focuses on the exploration, development, extraction and processing of gold-bearing ore and the sale of refined gold products. Its operations span several regions, serving global bullion markets and supplying gold for both investment and industrial uses. The companys core activities include mine development and underground and openpit mining, ore treatment and refining, and ongoing exploration to replace reserves. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Gold Fields Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gold Fields and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CoastalSouth Bancshares (NYSE:COSO Get Free Report) is one of 20 public companies in the State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare CoastalSouth Bancshares to related companies based on the strength of its valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability and risk. Profitability This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get CoastalSouth Bancshares alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets CoastalSouth Bancshares N/A N/A N/A CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors 7.23% 6.94% 0.79% Insider and Institutional Ownership 72.2% of shares of all State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies are owned by institutional investors. 6.7% of shares of all State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score CoastalSouth Bancshares 0 1 1 0 2.50 CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors 29 167 197 19 2.50 This is a summary of recent ratings for CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors, as reported by MarketBeat.com. As a group, State Commercial Banks Fed Reserve System companies have a potential upside of 6.41%. Given CoastalSouth Bancshares competitors higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe CoastalSouth Bancshares has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors. Earnings and Valuation This table compares CoastalSouth Bancshares and its competitors revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio CoastalSouth Bancshares $70.50 million N/A 20.77 CoastalSouth Bancshares Competitors $707.57 million $95.99 million 38.96 CoastalSouth Bancshares competitors have higher revenue and earnings than CoastalSouth Bancshares. CoastalSouth Bancshares is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Summary CoastalSouth Bancshares competitors beat CoastalSouth Bancshares on 9 of the 10 factors compared. CoastalSouth Bancshares Company Profile (Get Free Report) CoastalSouth Bancshares, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Through our wholly owned subsidiary, Coastal States Bank, a South Carolina state-chartered commercial bank, we offer a full range of banking products and services designed for businesses, real estate professionals, and consumers looking for a deep and meaningful relationship with their bank. Today, we have a community banking presence in some of the fastest growing and most business-friendly markets in the U.S., namely the Lowcountry of South Carolina (Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Beaufort), nearby Savannah, Georgia, and the Atlanta, Georgia market. In addition to our traditional community banking operations, we operate four specialty lines of business that provide scalability and diversification: Senior Housing Lending focuses on lending to operators across the spectrum of senior care, with an emphasis on assisted living; Marine Lending focuses on consumer loans primarily to high-net-worth borrowers secured by yachts and high-end sport fishing vessels; Government Guaranteed Lending focuses on origination of small business and other loans guaranteed by the SBA and USDA; and Mortgage Banker Finance focuses on mortgage warehouse lending to mortgage originators. By combining the relationship-based focus of a community bank with our specialty lines of business, we believe we can capitalize on the substantial growth opportunities available in our markets, particularly given the scarcity of community banks between $1.5 billion and $5.0 billion in total assets. Our principal executive offices are located in Atlanta, Georgia. Receive News & Ratings for CoastalSouth Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CoastalSouth Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday. HII has been the topic of several other reports. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a market perform rating and set a $362.00 price objective on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries in a research report on Friday, November 7th. TD Cowen increased their target price on shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries from $320.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 31st. Melius raised Huntington Ingalls Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Huntington Ingalls Industries from $287.00 to $342.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on Huntington Ingalls Industries in a research report on Friday, December 12th. They set a buy rating and a $376.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four 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, Huntington Ingalls Industries has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $325.75. Get Huntington Ingalls Industries alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Huntington Ingalls Industries Huntington Ingalls Industries Trading Up 2.4% HII opened at $387.37 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $15.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.36. Huntington Ingalls Industries has a 52 week low of $158.88 and a 52 week high of $391.04. The businesss 50 day moving average is $327.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $291.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The aerospace company reported $3.68 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.29 by $0.39. The business had revenue of $3.19 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.95 billion. Huntington Ingalls Industries had a return on equity of 11.79% and a net margin of 4.74%.The companys revenue was up 16.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.56 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Huntington Ingalls Industries will post 13.99 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, VP Edmond E. Jr. Hughes sold 850 shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $315.44, for a total value of $268,124.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 8,731 shares in the company, valued at $2,754,106.64. The trade was a 8.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Christopher D. Kastner sold 15,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $321.06, for a total value of $4,815,900.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 68,139 shares in the company, valued at $21,876,707.34. This represents a 18.04% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 17,103 shares of company stock valued at $5,477,768 over the last 90 days. 0.86% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Huntington Ingalls Industries Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. CI Investments Inc. grew its position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 16.7% in the third quarter. CI Investments Inc. now owns 231 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 33 shares during the last quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Huntington Ingalls Industries by 3.9% during the 3rd quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC now owns 1,011 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $291,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. 1834 Investment Advisors Co. boosted its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter. 1834 Investment Advisors Co. now owns 2,535 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $730,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the period. O Keefe Stevens Advisory Inc. boosted its stake in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. O Keefe Stevens Advisory Inc. now owns 5,758 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,658,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. Finally, Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Huntington Ingalls Industries by 10.1% in the 3rd quarter. Resona Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 438 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $122,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.46% of the companys stock. About Huntington Ingalls Industries (Get Free Report) Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) is Americas largest military shipbuilding company and a leading provider of professional services to the U.S. government. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII designs, constructs and maintains nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, submarines and other complex vessels for the U.S. Navy. The companys products include nuclear aircraft carriers, Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines, as well as amphibious assault ships, destroyers and cutters. Established in 2011 as a spin-off from Northrop Grummans shipbuilding operations, HII traces its heritage to two historic builders: Newport News Shipbuilding, founded in the 19th century, and Ingalls Shipbuilding, founded in 1938. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Huntington Ingalls Industries and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones (NYSE:IRS Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Sunday. Separately, Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold. Get IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on IRS IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones Stock Down 0.7% IRS stock opened at $16.37 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $15.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $14.44. The company has a market cap of $1.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 1.49. IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones has a 12-month low of $10.61 and a 12-month high of $17.21. The company has a quick ratio of 2.52, a current ratio of 2.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones (NYSE:IRS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 25th. The financial services provider reported $1.45 EPS for the quarter. IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones had a net margin of 86.65% and a return on equity of 27.35%. The business had revenue of $93.69 million for the quarter. IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 2nd. Investors of record on Monday, November 24th were issued a $1.4151 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 24th. This represents a yield of 998.0%. IRSA Inversiones Y Representacioness dividend payout ratio is currently 28.17%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Van ECK Associates Corp acquired a new stake in shares of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones in the third quarter worth about $25,000. Crocodile Capital Partners GmbH increased its holdings in shares of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones by 8.0% during the 4th quarter. Crocodile Capital Partners GmbH now owns 39,107 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $647,000 after acquiring an additional 2,890 shares during the last quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC raised its stake in shares of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones by 23.2% in the 3rd quarter. Verition Fund Management LLC now owns 16,721 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $198,000 after acquiring an additional 3,148 shares in the last quarter. Systrade AG raised its stake in shares of IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones by 6.2% in the 2nd quarter. Systrade AG now owns 110,000 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,532,000 after acquiring an additional 6,399 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ping Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. Ping Capital Management Inc. now owns 93,200 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,103,000 after purchasing an additional 7,000 shares during the last quarter. 45.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones (Get Free Report) IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones SA (NYSE: IRS) is Argentinas leading real estate company, specializing in the development, acquisition and management of commercial, office, residential and hospitality properties. The companys core operations encompass the planning and operation of shopping centers, premium office towers in Buenos Aires, urban residential complexes and full-service hotels. IRSA leverages its extensive land bank and development expertise to create mixed-use destinations that cater to evolving urban lifestyles. IRSAs shopping center division features a portfolio of flagship malls in Argentina, complemented by its Mall Plaza platform, which develops and operates retail destinations in Chile, Peru and Colombia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IRSA Inversiones Y Representaciones and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $70.58 and last traded at $70.61, with a volume of 38419 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $70.27. iShares Europe ETF Stock Performance The firm has a 50-day moving average of $67.46 and a 200-day moving average of $65.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.91. Get iShares Europe ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On iShares Europe ETF Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in IEV. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF in the second quarter worth $59,097,000. Barings LLC lifted its position in iShares Europe ETF by 6.0% during the second quarter. Barings LLC now owns 723,437 shares of the companys stock valued at $45,757,000 after purchasing an additional 41,244 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 4.6% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 472,737 shares of the companys stock worth $30,955,000 after buying an additional 20,869 shares during the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 30.6% during the 2nd quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 401,731 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,409,000 after purchasing an additional 94,166 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC raised its position in iShares Europe ETF by 121.3% in the second quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 358,224 shares of the companys stock worth $22,658,000 after acquiring an additional 196,368 shares during the period. About iShares Europe ETF iShares Europe ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Europe 350 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 Europe 350 (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the stocks of companies in the countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares Europe ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Europe ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NEW YORK, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- A police officer in the U.S. state of South Carolina was shot and wounded while sitting in his patrol car early Sunday, and a suspect was later shot and killed. Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis described the shooting as an "ambush-style attack." According to a video from the scene posted on Facebook, the officer was repeatedly shot. The police identified a 42-year-old male suspect, pursued his vehicle, and shot and killed him in an exchange of gunfire. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is conducting an investigation into the case, and the Greenville Police Department is cooperating. iShares MSCI South Africa ETF (NYSEARCA:EZA Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $72.81 and last traded at $72.8130, with a volume of 19585 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $70.69. iShares MSCI South Africa ETF Price Performance The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $67.54 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $62.03. The firm has a market cap of $626.51 million, a P/E ratio of 14.34 and a beta of 0.78. Get iShares MSCI South Africa ETF alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of EZA. Strs Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI South Africa ETF during the first quarter valued at $12,032,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of iShares MSCI South Africa ETF by 65.9% in the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 9,141 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $491,000 after acquiring an additional 3,631 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of iShares MSCI South Africa ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $5,138,000. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in iShares MSCI South Africa ETF by 386.7% during the third quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 27,327 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,752,000 after purchasing an additional 21,712 shares during the period. Finally, Innealta Capital LLC boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI South Africa ETF by 138.7% in the third quarter. Innealta Capital LLC now owns 21,697 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $1,391,000 after purchasing an additional 12,608 shares during the last quarter. iShares MSCI South Africa ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI South Africa ETF, formerly iShares MSCI South Africa Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of publicly traded securities in the aggregate in the South African market, as measured by the MSCI South Africa Index (the Index). The Index seeks to measure the performance of the South African equity market. The Index is a capitalization-weighted index that aims to capture 85% of the (publicly available) total market capitalization. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI South Africa ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI South Africa ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR Get Free Report) had its price objective increased by equities researchers at Mizuho from $137.00 to $143.00 in a report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an outperform rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Mizuhos price target points to a potential upside of 1.41% from the companys previous close. Several other equities research analysts have also commented on EXR. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Extra Space Storage from $150.00 to $142.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Extra Space Storage from $155.00 to $152.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 5th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price target on Extra Space Storage from $148.00 to $146.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 7th. UBS Group cut their target price on Extra Space Storage from $156.00 to $148.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Extra Space Storage from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eleven have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $146.60. Get Extra Space Storage alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on EXR Extra Space Storage Stock Up 1.3% Extra Space Storage stock traded up $1.82 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $141.02. The companys stock had a trading volume of 134,655 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,304,070. Extra Space Storage has a 52-week low of $121.03 and a 52-week high of $162.77. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $131.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $139.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.24 and a quick ratio of 0.24. The stock has a market capitalization of $29.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.46, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.27. Extra Space Storage (NYSE:EXR Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The real estate investment trust reported $2.08 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.06 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $858.46 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $736.26 million. Extra Space Storage had a return on equity of 6.56% and a net margin of 28.40%.The businesss revenue was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.07 earnings per share. Extra Space Storage has set its FY 2025 guidance at 8.120-8.20 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Extra Space Storage will post 8.1 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Extra Space Storage during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,058,303,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its position in Extra Space Storage by 900.0% in the third quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 2,187,795 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $308,348,000 after buying an additional 1,969,013 shares in the last quarter. Resolution Capital Ltd grew its position in Extra Space Storage by 116.2% during the 2nd quarter. Resolution Capital Ltd now owns 1,950,842 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $287,632,000 after acquiring an additional 1,048,685 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in Extra Space Storage by 85.7% during the 3rd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,441,444 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $203,160,000 after buying an additional 665,204 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in Extra Space Storage by 60.1% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 1,477,404 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $217,828,000 after buying an additional 554,666 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.11% of the companys stock. Extra Space Storage Company Profile (Get Free Report) Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR) is a real estate investment trust that specializes in the ownership, development and operation of self-storage properties. The company provides storage solutions for residential and commercial customers, offering a range of unit sizes, climate-controlled units and specialized options such as vehicle and boat storage. Extra Space Storage markets itself as a customer-focused operator, with online rentals, contactless move-in options and ancillary retail products like packing supplies and insurance to support tenant needs. Its business model combines property ownership with third-party management and development activities. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Extra Space Storage Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extra Space Storage and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New York State Teachers Retirement System increased its holdings in Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI Free Report) by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 111,911 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 2,305 shares during the quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in Cummins were worth $47,268,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of CMI. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Cummins during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC raised its holdings in Cummins by 1,333.3% in the third quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 86 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Tripletail Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Cummins in the third quarter valued at $39,000. CNB Bank acquired a new position in Cummins during the 2nd quarter worth $43,000. Finally, SJS Investment Consulting Inc. increased its position in shares of Cummins by 1,414.3% in the 3rd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 106 shares of the companys stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.46% of the companys stock. Get Cummins alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have recently commented on CMI. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Cummins from $530.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Raymond James Financial upgraded Cummins from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $585.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Cummins in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They issued an overweight rating and a $599.00 price target for the company. Argus raised their price objective on Cummins from $459.00 to $573.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Cummins from $400.00 to $460.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $492.75. Cummins Trading Up 1.5% NYSE:CMI opened at $552.52 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $76.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.67, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 1.12. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $498.53 and a 200 day simple moving average of $429.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.77 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Cummins Inc. has a 12-month low of $260.02 and a 12-month high of $554.15. Cummins (NYSE:CMI Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $5.59 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.83 by $0.76. Cummins had a return on equity of 26.02% and a net margin of 7.95%.The firm had revenue of $8.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.97 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $5.86 earnings per share. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that Cummins Inc. will post 22.54 EPS for the current year. Cummins Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 4th. Investors of record on Friday, November 21st were given a $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 21st. This represents a $8.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Cumminss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.52%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Cummins news, CFO Mark Andrew Smith sold 13,110 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $470.66, for a total value of $6,170,352.60. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 31,582 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,864,384.12. This trade represents a 29.33% 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. Also, CEO Jennifer Rumsey sold 4,570 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $473.89, for a total value of $2,165,677.30. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 42,880 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $20,320,403.20. This represents a 9.63% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 19,330 shares of company stock worth $9,135,364. Insiders own 0.41% of the companys stock. About Cummins (Free Report) Cummins Inc (NYSE: CMI) is a global power technology company that designs, manufactures, distributes and services a broad portfolio of diesel and natural gas engines, electrified powertrains, power generation systems and related components. Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, Cummins has grown into one of the worlds leading suppliers of internal combustion engines and a provider of technologies that reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The companys product lineup includes heavy-, medium- and light-duty engines for on-highway and off-highway applications, generator sets and power systems for commercial and industrial use, and key engine components such as turbochargers, fuel systems, air handling, filtration and aftertreatment solutions. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cummins Inc. (NYSE:CMI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Cummins Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cummins and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New York State Teachers Retirement System decreased its position in The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR Free Report) by 8.3% in the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 620,667 shares of the companys stock after selling 56,211 shares during the period. New York State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in Kroger were worth $41,839,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of Nova Scotia grew its position in shares of Kroger by 102.5% during the second quarter. Bank of Nova Scotia now owns 168,395 shares of the companys stock worth $12,079,000 after buying an additional 85,223 shares in the last quarter. Monument Capital Management purchased a new position in Kroger in the second quarter worth approximately $2,901,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd grew its holdings in Kroger by 2,313.4% during the 2nd quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 138,915 shares of the companys stock worth $9,964,000 after acquiring an additional 133,159 shares in the last quarter. Advocate Group LLC increased its position in shares of Kroger by 16.6% in the 2nd quarter. Advocate Group LLC now owns 121,392 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,707,000 after purchasing an additional 17,284 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AdvisorShares Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kroger in the 2nd quarter valued at $480,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.93% of the companys stock. Get Kroger alerts: Kroger Stock Down 0.5% Shares of NYSE KR opened at $59.52 on Monday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $63.88 and a 200 day moving average price of $67.26. The stock has a market cap of $37.66 billion, a PE ratio of 55.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a quick ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.28. The Kroger Co. has a 52-week low of $58.12 and a 52-week high of $74.90. Analysts Set New Price Targets Kroger ( NYSE:KR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 4th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $33.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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 company posted $0.98 earnings per share. Kroger has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.750-4.800 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that The Kroger Co. will post 4.44 earnings per share for the current year. A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Guggenheim reiterated a buy rating and set a $78.00 target price on shares of Kroger in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. Argus set a $85.00 price objective on Kroger in a research report on Thursday, September 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Kroger from $73.00 to $71.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Friday, December 5th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $80.00 price target (down from $82.00) on shares of Kroger in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Kroger presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $74.19. Read Our Latest Analysis on KR More Kroger News Here are the key news stories impacting Kroger this week: Positive Sentiment: Kroger completed the sale of Vitacost to iHerb to streamline operations, preserve its 2025 guidance, and refocus on core grocery and margin improvement management portrays the deal as part of a strategic review to simplify the business. Read More. Kroger completed the sale of Vitacost to iHerb to streamline operations, preserve its 2025 guidance, and refocus on core grocery and margin improvement management portrays the deal as part of a strategic review to simplify the business. Read More. Positive Sentiment: iHerb says the Vitacost acquisition strengthens its U.S. business in vitamins/minerals/supplements the buyers strategic rationale increases the likelihood of a smooth transition and reduces execution risk for Kroger. Read More. iHerb says the Vitacost acquisition strengthens its U.S. business in vitamins/minerals/supplements the buyers strategic rationale increases the likelihood of a smooth transition and reduces execution risk for Kroger. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Analysts and options traders showed bullish signals: Deutsche Bank upgraded KR from Hold to Buy with a $75 target, and there was unusually high calloption volume both indicate upside conviction among some institutional and derivatives traders. Read More. Read More. Analysts and options traders showed bullish signals: Deutsche Bank upgraded KR from Hold to Buy with a $75 target, and there was unusually high calloption volume both indicate upside conviction among some institutional and derivatives traders. Read More. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Consumerfacing initiatives continue: Kroger launched a Verified Savings program and targeted discounts for SNAP/WIC/Medicaid shoppers and debuted checkout features highlighting customer savings moves that may help traffic, loyalty and comps in a tight consumer spending environment. Read More. Consumerfacing initiatives continue: Kroger launched a Verified Savings program and targeted discounts for SNAP/WIC/Medicaid shoppers and debuted checkout features highlighting customer savings moves that may help traffic, loyalty and comps in a tight consumer spending environment. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Store-level experiments: a proposed State Street remodel includes an instore Dunkin incremental nongrocery partnerships can boost traffic but are unlikely to move nearterm earnings materially. Read More. Store-level experiments: a proposed State Street remodel includes an instore Dunkin incremental nongrocery partnerships can boost traffic but are unlikely to move nearterm earnings materially. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Industry context: outlets rank grocery chains (where Kroger appears) and competitor valuation stories (e.g., Albertsons) are circulating useful for relative valuation but not an immediate company catalyst. Read More. Read More. Industry context: outlets rank grocery chains (where Kroger appears) and competitor valuation stories (e.g., Albertsons) are circulating useful for relative valuation but not an immediate company catalyst. Read More. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Kroger will close about 60 stores as part of a postmerger refocus on stronger markets the planned closures signal ongoing restructuring and cost but raise nearterm execution and severance costs and reduce store count. Read More. Kroger will close about 60 stores as part of a postmerger refocus on stronger markets the planned closures signal ongoing restructuring and cost but raise nearterm execution and severance costs and reduce store count. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Operational/PR hit: a Kroger store in Orion Township remained closed after inspectors found rodent evidence localized foodsafety incidents can pressure traffic and require remediation spend and invite shortterm negative headlines. Read More. 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. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Kroger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kroger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prosperitas Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Vertiv Holdings Co. (NYSE:VRT Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 25,973 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,918,000. Vertiv comprises approximately 1.6% of Prosperitas Financial LLCs holdings, making the stock its 22nd largest holding. Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Empowered Funds LLC increased its position in Vertiv by 25.9% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 11,557 shares of the companys stock worth $834,000 after purchasing an additional 2,377 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth grew its position in shares of Vertiv by 26.4% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 34,920 shares of the companys stock worth $2,521,000 after buying an additional 7,300 shares during the period. Belpointe Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vertiv during the first quarter worth approximately $462,000. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Vertiv by 51.0% in the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 3,243 shares of the companys stock valued at $234,000 after buying an additional 1,096 shares during the period. Finally, First Hawaiian Bank boosted its stake in Vertiv by 17.3% in the first quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 4,045 shares of the companys stock valued at $292,000 after acquiring an additional 598 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.92% of the companys stock. Get Vertiv alerts: Insider Activity In other news, EVP Stephen Liang sold 5,501 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.48, for a total value of $937,810.48. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 4,050 shares of the companys stock, valued at $690,444. The trade was a 57.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 2.63% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Vertiv Stock Up 1.8% Vertiv stock opened at $163.64 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $171.53 and a 200-day moving average of $153.58. The company has a quick ratio of 1.43, a current ratio of 1.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. Vertiv Holdings Co. has a twelve month low of $53.60 and a twelve month high of $202.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $62.56 billion, a PE ratio of 61.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 2.06. Vertiv (NYSE:VRT Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 22nd. The company reported $1.24 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.99 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $2.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.59 billion. Vertiv had a net margin of 10.67% and a return on equity of 50.82%. The firms revenue was up 29.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.76 EPS. Vertiv has set its Q4 2025 guidance at 1.230-1.290 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance at 4.070-4.130 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Vertiv Holdings Co. will post 3.59 EPS for the current fiscal year. Vertiv Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 25th were issued a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.2%. This is a boost from Vertivs previous quarterly dividend of $0.04. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, November 25th. Vertivs dividend payout ratio is 9.43%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In VRT has been the subject of several recent research reports. Cfra Research upgraded shares of Vertiv to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Zacks Research upgraded Vertiv from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Vertiv from $150.00 to $206.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Barclays upgraded Vertiv from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and raised their target price for the stock from $181.00 to $200.00 in a report on Friday, January 2nd. Finally, Mizuho upped their price target on Vertiv from $165.00 to $198.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Buy rating, four have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $181.38. Get Our Latest Report on VRT Vertiv Profile (Free Report) Vertiv is a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions for data centers, communication networks and commercial and industrial environments. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company designs, manufactures and services equipment and software that support power availability, thermal management and IT infrastructure management for a broad set of end markets, including hyperscale and enterprise data centers, colocation providers, telecom operators and industrial customers. The companys product portfolio includes uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), power distribution units (PDUs), battery and DC power systems, precision cooling and thermal management equipment, racks and enclosures, and integrated modular infrastructure. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Vertiv Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vertiv and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Seabridge Gold Inc. (TSE:SEA Get Free Report) (NYSE:SA) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as C$44.75 and last traded at C$43.97, with a volume of 53920 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$42.93. Seabridge Gold Price Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 58.83, a quick ratio of 3.34 and a current ratio of 2.28. The company has a 50-day moving average of C$38.54 and a 200-day moving average of C$30.64. The firm has a market capitalization of C$4.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -79.02 and a beta of 1.77. Get Seabridge Gold alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, insider Elizabeth K. Fillatre Miller sold 1,648 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$40.49, for a total value of C$66,727.52. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 32,969 shares in the company, valued at C$1,334,914.81. This represents a 4.76% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Insiders own 2.78% of the companys stock. Seabridge Gold Company Profile Seabridge Gold Inc is a development stage company involved in the evaluation, acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties sited in North America. The companys principal projects include the Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell property located in British Columbia, the Courageous Lake property located in the Northwest Territories and its newly acquired Iksut Property located in northwestern British Columbia. It has various other mineral resource projects throughout North America. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Seabridge Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Seabridge Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shoprite Holdings Ltd (OTCMKTS:SRGHY Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,638 shares, an increase of 20,375.0% from the December 15th total of 8 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,836 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 9,836 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.2 days. Shoprite Stock Performance Shares of SRGHY traded up $0.13 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $16.77. The companys stock had a trading volume of 3,122 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,331. Shoprite has a 1-year low of $12.69 and a 1-year high of $17.50. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $16.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $16.07. Get Shoprite alerts: About Shoprite (Get Free Report) Shoprite Holdings Limited, trading in the form of American Depositary Receipts under the symbol SRGHY on the OTC Markets, is the largest food retailer on the African continent. Headquartered in Brackenfell, South Africa, the company operates a diversified portfolio of supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience stores. Its retail network serves both urban and rural markets with a focus on affordability, quality fresh produce and a broad range of everyday household items. The companys core retail brands include Shoprite, Checkers, Checkers Hyper, Usave and OK Furniture, each tailored to specific market segments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Shoprite Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shoprite and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Skeena Resources Limited (TSE:SKE 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$37.60 and last traded at C$37.12, with a volume of 47976 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$35.60. Analysts Set New Price Targets SKE has been the subject of several recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of Skeena Resources from C$34.00 to C$53.00 in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Desjardins raised shares of Skeena Resources to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. TD Securities lifted their price objective on Skeena Resources from C$28.00 to C$35.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Finally, CIBC increased their target price on Skeena Resources from C$36.00 to C$40.00 in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of C$33.60. Get Skeena Resources alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Skeena Resources Skeena Resources Price Performance About Skeena Resources The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.27, a current ratio of 1.87 and a quick ratio of 1.55. The stock has a market capitalization of C$4.49 billion, a PE ratio of -37.86 and a beta of 2.11. The company has a 50-day moving average of C$29.67 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$25.37. (Get Free Report) Skeena Resources Ltd is a Canadian mining exploration company focused on developing prospective precious and base metal properties in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The companys primary activity is the exploration and development of the past-producing Eskay Creek mine acquired from Barrick. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Skeena Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Skeena Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. (NYSE:SQM Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $78.00 and last traded at $76.5510, with a volume of 296612 shares. The stock had previously closed at $74.40. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SQM has been the subject of several recent research reports. Rothschild & Co Redburn began coverage on Sociedad Quimica y Minera in a research note on Friday, October 24th. They issued a neutral rating and a $54.00 price objective for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $63.00 price target (up previously from $45.00) on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera in a research note on Thursday, December 4th. Scotiabank restated a sector outperform rating on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera in a report on Monday, November 24th. UBS Group set a $79.00 price objective on shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, Rothschild Redb raised Sociedad Quimica y Minera to a hold rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $59.75. Get Sociedad Quimica y Minera alerts: Get Our Latest Analysis on SQM Sociedad Quimica y Minera Stock Performance The firms fifty day moving average price is $62.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $49.45. The company has a current ratio of 2.82, a quick ratio of 1.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. The firm has a market cap of $22.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.37 and a beta of 0.98. Sociedad Quimica y Minera (NYSE:SQM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 18th. The basic materials company reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.68 by ($0.06). Sociedad Quimica y Minera had a return on equity of 9.79% and a net margin of 12.12%.The company had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.46 earnings per share. Sociedad Quimica y Mineras revenue was up 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts expect that Sociedad Quimica y Minera S.A. will post -1.31 earnings per share for the current year. Sociedad Quimica y Minera Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a special dividend, which was paid on Monday, January 5th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 30th were given a dividend of $0.1236 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, December 30th. Sociedad Quimica y Mineras payout ratio is 6.56%. Institutional Trading of Sociedad Quimica y Minera A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in SQM. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 18.5% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 198,789 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $7,898,000 after buying an additional 31,066 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 53.8% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 358,646 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $14,249,000 after acquiring an additional 125,506 shares during the period. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera during the first quarter worth approximately $7,346,000. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera by 6.5% in the 2nd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 22,140 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $823,000 after acquiring an additional 1,346 shares during the period. Finally, Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sociedad Quimica y Minera in the 2nd quarter valued at $67,759,000. 12.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Sociedad Quimica y Minera Company Profile (Get Free Report) Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (NYSE: SQM) is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals and minerals headquartered in Santiago, Chile. The company focuses on the extraction and processing of key inputs for the agricultural, industrial and hightech sectors. Its core business activities include the mining of lithium, potassium and iodine, as well as the manufacture of valueadded products derived from these raw materials. SQMs product portfolio spans lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide used in electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems; potassium chloride and potassium nitrate fertilizers designed for precision agriculture; and iodine and its derivatives for pharmaceutical, food and electronics applications. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sociedad Quimica y Minera Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sociedad Quimica y Minera and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF (NYSEARCA:NANR Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $72.67 and last traded at $72.5810, with a volume of 12210 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $71.97. SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $816.98 million, a PE ratio of 18.42 and a beta of 0.75. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $66.72 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $63.09. Get SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fiduciary Alliance LLC raised its holdings in SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF by 6.5% during the third quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC now owns 50,294 shares of the companys stock worth $3,249,000 after purchasing an additional 3,081 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its stake in shares of SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF by 12.8% in the 3rd quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 8,016 shares of the companys stock valued at $521,000 after acquiring an additional 912 shares in the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC grew its position in shares of SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF by 46.3% in the third quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 7,152 shares of the companys stock valued at $462,000 after purchasing an additional 2,265 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF during the second quarter worth $195,000. Finally, Triumph Capital Management acquired a new position in shares of SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF in the third quarter valued at $204,000. About SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF The SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF (NANR) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in stocks based on a particular theme. The fund tracks an index of US & Canadian firms involved in natural resources and commodities businesses. NANR was launched on Dec 15, 2015 and is managed by State Street. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chinese new energy vehicle brands are showcasing their latest models and technologies at the 102nd Brussels Motor Show, which is underway from Jan. 9 to 18 in Brussels, Belgium. #GLOBALink Staffline Group plc (LON:STAF Get Free Report) insider Thomas Spain sold 31,281 shares of Staffline Group stock in a transaction on Friday, January 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 46, for a total transaction of 14,389.26. Thomas Spain also recently made the following trade(s): Get Staffline Group alerts: On Thursday, December 18th, Thomas Spain sold 34,720 shares of Staffline Group stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 46, for a total transaction of 15,971.20. On Wednesday, December 10th, Thomas Spain acquired 138,612 shares of Staffline Group stock. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 46 per share, with a total value of 63,761.52. On Thursday, November 27th, Thomas Spain sold 91,560 shares of Staffline Group stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 46, for a total value of 42,117.60. On Monday, November 24th, Thomas Spain sold 66,496 shares of Staffline Group stock. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 46, for a total value of 30,588.16. On Wednesday, November 19th, Thomas Spain bought 18,500 shares of Staffline Group stock. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 45 per share, for a total transaction of 8,325. On Monday, November 10th, Thomas Spain sold 43,036 shares of Staffline Group stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 46, for a total transaction of 19,796.56. On Thursday, October 23rd, Thomas Spain sold 134,293 shares of Staffline Group stock. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 45, for a total value of 60,431.85. On Wednesday, October 15th, Thomas Spain sold 118,621 shares of Staffline Group stock. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 46, for a total value of 54,565.66. Staffline Group Stock Up 0.9% STAF stock traded up GBX 0.41 during midday trading on Monday, hitting GBX 46.08. The stock had a trading volume of 186,687 shares, compared to its average volume of 157,785. The business has a 50-day moving average of GBX 45.32 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 45.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 47.04, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market cap of 53.17 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.74. Staffline Group plc has a 52-week low of GBX 18 and a 52-week high of GBX 51.05. About Staffline Group Staffline Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides recruitment and outsourced human resource services, and skills and employment training and support services in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It operates through three segments: Recruitment GB, Recruitment Ireland, and PeoplePlus. The company provides solutions to the agriculture, supermarkets and retail, drinks, driving, food processing, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. It also offers adult and prison education, skills-based employability programmes and support, recruitment process outsourcing, and managed service provider solutions; branches, permanent, and contract recruitment solutions; generalist recruitment services; workforce recruitment and management to industry customers; and technical and engineering recruitment services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Staffline Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Staffline Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stone House Investment Management LLC reduced its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (BATS:EFV Free Report) by 11.4% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 455,087 shares of the companys stock after selling 58,559 shares during the period. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF accounts for about 5.2% of Stone House Investment Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest holding. Stone House Investment Management LLC owned about 0.11% of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF worth $30,869,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Tritonpoint Wealth LLC boosted its position in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Tritonpoint Wealth LLC now owns 5,965 shares of the companys stock valued at $379,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares during the period. Claris Advisors LLC MO lifted its stake in iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 2.2% in the second quarter. Claris Advisors LLC MO now owns 7,766 shares of the companys stock valued at $493,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. Red Tortoise LLC boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 2.2% during the second quarter. Red Tortoise LLC now owns 7,966 shares of the companys stock valued at $506,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares during the period. Cooper Financial Group boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 1.0% during the third quarter. Cooper Financial Group now owns 19,321 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,311,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares during the period. Finally, Lauterbach Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF by 2.5% during the second quarter. Lauterbach Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,865 shares of the companys stock worth $499,000 after acquiring an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF alerts: iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Stock Up 38.7% Shares of BATS:EFV opened at $72.50 on Monday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $70.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $67.82. The company has a market cap of $29.72 billion, a PE ratio of 12.17 and a beta of 0.73. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF has a fifty-two week low of $51.05 and a fifty-two week high of $66.83. iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Profile iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Value 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 Value 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 financials, energy, healthcare, telecommunication services, industrials, utilities, consumer discretionary, materials, information technology and consumer staples. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI EAFE Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (NYSE:SMFG Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $20.35 and last traded at $20.2650, with a volume of 119312 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $20.20. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Zacks Research cut Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group in a research report on Monday, December 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy. Get Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group alerts: View Our Latest Stock Analysis on SMFG Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $129.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.18 and a beta of 0.36. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $18.33 and its 200 day moving average price is $16.82. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (NYSE:SMFG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 14th. The bank reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.40 by $0.19. The business had revenue of $8.15 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.41 billion. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group had a net margin of 13.80% and a return on equity of 9.14%. Equities research analysts expect that Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc will post 0.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group in the third quarter valued at $32,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its stake in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 225.3% during the third quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,919 shares of the banks stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 1,329 shares during the period. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its holdings in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 163.2% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,979 shares of the banks stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 1,227 shares during the period. 3.85% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (Get Free Report) Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc (SMFG) is a Tokyo-based financial holding company that provides a broad range of banking and financial services through a network of domestic and international subsidiaries. Established in 2002 as a holding company for the Sumitomo Mitsui banking operations, SMFGs core banking business is conducted primarily through its main operating bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), alongside other affiliates covering trust banking, securities, leasing and consumer finance. The groups product and service mix spans corporate and commercial banking, retail deposit and loan services, trade and project finance, cash management, syndicated lending, foreign exchange and treasury services, and capital markets and investment banking activities through its securities arm. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF) by 7.9% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,586,386 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 116,829 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. owned about 0.25% of Capital One Financial worth $337,234,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in COF. Earned Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Capital One Financial in the second quarter worth approximately $254,000. Plancorp LLC purchased a new stake in Capital One Financial in the second quarter worth $272,000. CIBC Asset Management Inc lifted its position in shares of Capital One Financial by 53.9% during the second quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 88,505 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $18,830,000 after purchasing an additional 30,991 shares during the last quarter. Cortland Associates Inc. MO purchased a new stake in shares of Capital One Financial during the third quarter valued at $14,391,000. Finally, Smith Chas P & Associates PA Cpas grew its holdings in shares of Capital One Financial by 1,490.0% in the second quarter. Smith Chas P & Associates PA Cpas now owns 43,486 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $9,252,000 after purchasing an additional 40,751 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.84% of the companys stock. Get Capital One Financial alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, insider Frank G. LapradeIii sold 17,840 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $222.03, for a total value of $3,961,015.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 48,315 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,727,379.45. This trade represents a 26.97% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Ravi Raghu sold 13,450 shares of Capital One Financial stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $250.00, for a total transaction of $3,362,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 30,337 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,584,250. This trade represents a 30.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 298,895 shares of company stock valued at $67,111,541. 1.26% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Capital One Financial Trading Down 2.5% NYSE:COF opened at $249.41 on Monday. Capital One Financial Corporation has a 52 week low of $143.22 and a 52 week high of $259.64. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $230.47 and a 200 day moving average of $222.26. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. The stock has a market capitalization of $158.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 105.23, a PEG ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.13. Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The financial services provider reported $5.95 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Capital One Financial had a net margin of 2.24% and a return on equity of 10.94%. The business had revenue of $15.46 billion for the quarter. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Capital One Financial Corporation will post 15.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Capital One Financial Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th were paid a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.3%. This is a boost from Capital One Financials previous quarterly dividend of $0.60. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 17th. Capital One Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 135.02%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently weighed in on COF. BTIG Research lifted their price objective on shares of Capital One Financial from $264.00 to $308.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, December 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price target on Capital One Financial from $240.00 to $263.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, December 17th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $280.00 price objective on shares of Capital One Financial in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Capital One Financial in a research report on Monday, December 8th. They set an outperform rating and a $270.00 target price for the company. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on Capital One Financial from $271.00 to $294.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have assigned a Buy rating and seven have assigned a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Capital One Financial currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $276.25. View Our Latest Research Report on Capital One Financial Capital One Financial Profile (Free Report) Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) is a diversified bank holding company headquartered in McLean, Virginia. The companys core businesses include credit card lending, consumer and commercial banking, and auto finance. Capital One issues a wide range of credit card products for consumers and small businesses, and it operates deposit and digital banking services aimed at retail customers and small to midsize enterprises. Products and services include credit and charge cards, checking and savings accounts (including the online-focused Capital One 360 platform), auto loans, and commercial lending solutions. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Capital One Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Capital One Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Swedbank AB (OTCMKTS:SWDBY Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as SEK 35.79 and last traded at SEK 35.75, with a volume of 3414 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at SEK 35.58. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently commented on SWDBY shares. Zacks Research raised shares of Swedbank from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Barclays restated an underweight rating on shares of Swedbank in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Swedbank in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Morgan Stanley restated an underweight rating on shares of Swedbank in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Swedbank from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Thursday, December 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Swedbank currently has a consensus rating of Reduce. Get Swedbank alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Swedbank Swedbank Stock Up 0.3% The stock has a 50-day moving average of SEK 32.76 and a 200-day moving average of SEK 30.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.83, a current ratio of 1.50 and a quick ratio of 1.50. The firm has a market cap of $40.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.35 and a beta of 0.66. Swedbank (OTCMKTS:SWDBY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The financial services provider reported SEK 0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of SEK 0.64 by SEK 0.15. Swedbank had a return on equity of 15.55% and a net margin of 26.30%.The firm had revenue of SEK 1.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of SEK 1.73 billion. Sell-side analysts predict that Swedbank AB will post 2.34 EPS for the current fiscal year. About Swedbank (Get Free Report) 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Swedbank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Swedbank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report released on Sunday. TJX has been the subject of a number of other reports. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an outperform rating and set a $170.00 price target on shares of TJX Companies in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Cowen reiterated a buy rating on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley restated an overweight rating and set a $162.00 price target (up from $159.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on TJX Companies from $163.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, November 20th. Finally, BTIG Research reiterated a buy rating and issued a $165.00 price objective on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, November 20th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and twenty-four have given a Buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $163.86. Get TJX Companies alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on TJX TJX Companies Price Performance NYSE:TJX opened at $157.88 on Friday. TJX Companies has a 52 week low of $112.10 and a 52 week high of $159.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The company has a market capitalization of $175.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 34.85, a P/E/G ratio of 3.54 and a beta of 0.75. The stocks fifty day moving average is $151.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $140.79. TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, November 19th. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $1.28 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $15.12 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.80 billion. TJX Companies had a return on equity of 58.30% and a net margin of 8.68%.The companys revenue was up 7.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.14 EPS. TJX Companies has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.330-1.360 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 4.630-4.660 EPS. Equities analysts expect that TJX Companies will post 4.18 EPS for the current year. TJX Companies Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 12th will be paid a $0.425 dividend. This represents a $1.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 12th. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.53%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other TJX Companies news, CEO Ernie Herrman sold 30,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.81, for a total transaction of $4,464,300.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 535,143 shares in the company, valued at $79,634,629.83. This represents a 5.31% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Amy B. Lane sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.40, for a total value of $75,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 22,212 shares in the company, valued at $3,362,896.80. This represents a 2.20% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 54,863 shares of company stock valued at $8,226,366. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On TJX Companies Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TJX. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in TJX Companies during the second quarter worth approximately $1,808,774,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of TJX Companies by 12,417.0% in the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,057,273 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $501,033,000 after buying an additional 4,024,859 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its stake in TJX Companies by 91.6% during the 3rd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 6,712,226 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $970,185,000 after acquiring an additional 3,208,458 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC lifted its position in TJX Companies by 120.7% in the second quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 5,016,792 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $620,406,000 after acquiring an additional 2,743,676 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ABN AMRO Bank N.V. acquired a new position in TJX Companies in the second quarter valued at $244,687,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.09% of the companys stock. TJX Companies Company Profile (Get Free Report) TJX Companies, Inc is a leading off-price retailer of apparel, footwear, home fashions and other consumer goods. The company operates multiple retail concepts that offer discounted brand-name and designer merchandise, including well-known banners such as T.J. Maxx and Marshalls in the United States, HomeGoods for home furnishings, TK Maxx in parts of Europe, and Winners and Homesense in Canada. Merchandise categories span womens, mens and childrens apparel, accessories, beauty, home decor, kitchenware and small furniture, with frequent changes in assortment that create a treasure-hunt shopping experience for consumers. The companys business model centers on opportunistic buying, purchasing excess, irregular or out-of-season inventory from manufacturers, department stores and other suppliers, and passing savings to customers through lower prices. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for TJX Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TJX Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its position in Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA Free Report) by 5.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 87,250 shares of the credit services providers stock after buying an additional 4,368 shares during the quarter. Mastercard accounts for 1.8% of Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd.s portfolio, making the stock its 10th largest position. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd.s holdings in Mastercard were worth $49,629,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of MA. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Mastercard by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 78,475,807 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $44,098,695,000 after purchasing an additional 931,132 shares in the last quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC bought a new stake in Mastercard in the second quarter worth $11,421,213,000. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Mastercard by 2.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 19,760,552 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $11,062,509,000 after buying an additional 542,841 shares during the period. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Mastercard by 55,868.1% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 13,421,148 shares of the credit services providers stock valued at $7,541,880,000 after buying an additional 13,397,168 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Mastercard in the second quarter worth about $6,725,317,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.28% of the companys stock. Get Mastercard alerts: Mastercard Stock Down 0.8% MA opened at $575.63 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $516.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.81, a PEG ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.86. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $557.43 and a 200-day moving average price of $566.88. Mastercard Incorporated has a twelve month low of $465.59 and a twelve month high of $601.77. The company has a quick ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40. Mastercard Increases Dividend Mastercard ( NYSE:MA Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The credit services provider reported $4.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.31 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $8.53 billion. Mastercard had a return on equity of 202.03% and a net margin of 45.28%.The businesss quarterly revenue was up 16.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.89 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Mastercard Incorporated will post 15.91 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.87 per share. This is an increase from Mastercards previous quarterly dividend of $0.76. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 9th. Mastercards payout ratio is presently 22.25%. Trending Headlines about Mastercard Here are the key news stories impacting Mastercard this week: Positive Sentiment: Investors rotated back into payments: Zacks notes MA is up ~7.6% over the past month as money flows out of AI trades into steady-growth payment networks, supporting demand for the stock. Mastercard Up 7.6% in a Month Investors rotated back into payments: Zacks notes MA is up ~7.6% over the past month as money flows out of AI trades into steady-growth payment networks, supporting demand for the stock. Positive Sentiment: New cobrand card rollout: a Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard promotion (large bonus + credits) highlights ongoing card partnerships and product-level drivers of new accounts and spend. Such offers can boost TPV and interchange over time. Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard review New cobrand card rollout: a Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard promotion (large bonus + credits) highlights ongoing card partnerships and product-level drivers of new accounts and spend. Such offers can boost TPV and interchange over time. Positive Sentiment: Nonpayment services are a growing revenue stream: reporting on how Visa and Mastercard expanded into data, risk services and tokenization underscores diversification beyond interchange, which supports margins and longterm growth. How nonpayments became big business Nonpayment services are a growing revenue stream: reporting on how Visa and Mastercard expanded into data, risk services and tokenization underscores diversification beyond interchange, which supports margins and longterm growth. Neutral Sentiment: Commerce media and AI positioning: Mastercards commercemedia strategy and comments about AI agents doing the buying point to new addressable markets, but monetization timelines remain unclear. Mastercards commerce media boss on AI agents Commerce media and AI positioning: Mastercards commercemedia strategy and comments about AI agents doing the buying point to new addressable markets, but monetization timelines remain unclear. Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage is mixed: recent pieces highlight MA as a strong growth name, but broker notes and reiterations (e.g., Monness Hold $525 vs. KBW Buy) show differing targets this can mute volatility as investors await clearer catalysts. InsiderMonkey analyst roundup Analyst coverage is mixed: recent pieces highlight MA as a strong growth name, but broker notes and reiterations (e.g., Monness Hold $525 vs. KBW Buy) show differing targets this can mute volatility as investors await clearer catalysts. Neutral Sentiment: Apple Card issuer change: reports that Chase will take over Apple Card issuance introduce potential shifts in cobrand and network arrangements; impact on MAs fees/volumes is uncertain and worth monitoring. Apple Card moving to Chase Apple Card issuer change: reports that Chase will take over Apple Card issuance introduce potential shifts in cobrand and network arrangements; impact on MAs fees/volumes is uncertain and worth monitoring. Negative Sentiment: Regulatory/legal headwinds: a proposed Visa/Mastercard settlement that could change checkout experiences for shoppers may bring restrictions, remediation costs or revenue impacts if merchant rules or fee structures are altered. That raises downside risk to interchange and business model assumptions. Proposed Visa, Mastercard settlement Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on MA shares. Truist Financial dropped their target price on Mastercard from $638.00 to $630.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, November 4th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Mastercard in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Morgan Stanley set a $665.00 price objective on Mastercard and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on Mastercard from $669.00 to $660.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Mastercard from $640.00 to $660.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, October 6th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $657.48. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on MA 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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Mastercard Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mastercard and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tesla, Envirotech Vehicles, and Rivian Automotive are the three Electric Vehicle stocks to watch today, according to MarketBeats stock screener tool. Electric vehicle (EV) stocks are shares of publicly traded companies whose primary businesses involve designing, manufacturing, or supplying components and services for electric vehicles including automakers, battery producers, charging infrastructure providers, and related software or materials firms. For investors, these stocks offer exposure to the long-term shift toward electrified transport and potential high growth, but also carry risks from heavy capital needs, supply-chain constraints, regulatory changes, and intense competition. These companies had the highest dollar trading volume of any Electric Vehicle stocks within the last several days. Get alerts: Tesla (TSLA) Tesla, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, leases, and sells electric vehicles, and energy generation and storage systems in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Automotive, and Energy Generation and Storage. The Automotive segment offers electric vehicles, as well as sells automotive regulatory credits; and non-warranty after-sales vehicle, used vehicles, body shop and parts, supercharging, retail merchandise, and vehicle insurance services. 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. Read Our Latest Research Report on EVTV Rivian Automotive (RIVN) Rivian Automotive, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells electric vehicles and accessories. The company offers consumer vehicles, including a two-row, five-passenger pickup truck under the R1T brand, a three-row, seven-passenger sport utility vehicle under the R1S name. Read Our Latest Research Report on RIVN See Also Commonwealth Business Bank (OTCMKTS:CBBI Get Free Report) and United Bancorporation of Alabama (OTCMKTS:UBAB 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, risk, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends and institutional ownership. Risk & Volatility Commonwealth Business Bank has a beta of 0.19, suggesting that its share price is 81% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, United Bancorporation of Alabama has a beta of 0.43, suggesting that its share price is 57% less volatile than the S&P 500. Get Commonwealth Business Bank alerts: Dividends Commonwealth Business Bank pays an annual dividend of $0.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.5%. 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 out 27.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. United Bancorporation of Alabama pays out 23.1% 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. Earnings and Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Commonwealth Business Bank $122.69 million N/A $22.43 million $1.80 6.19 United Bancorporation of Alabama $97.72 million 1.63 $28.00 million $6.07 8.59 This table compares Commonwealth Business Bank and United Bancorporation of Alabamas gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation. United Bancorporation of Alabama has lower revenue, but higher earnings 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. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current recommendations for Commonwealth Business Bank and United Bancorporation of Alabama, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Commonwealth Business Bank 0 0 0 0 0.00 United Bancorporation of Alabama 0 1 0 0 2.00 Insider and Institutional Ownership 5.5% of United Bancorporation of Alabama shares are held by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares Commonwealth Business Bank and United Bancorporation of Alabamas net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Commonwealth Business Bank 15.89% N/A N/A United Bancorporation of Alabama 22.18% 14.56% 1.53% Summary United Bancorporation of Alabama beats Commonwealth Business Bank on 10 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. 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. 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. Receive News & Ratings for Commonwealth Business Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Commonwealth Business Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of V2X, Inc. (NYSE:VVX Get Free Report) have been given an average rating of Hold by the eleven analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $63.1111. Several research firms have recently issued reports on VVX. Truist Financial increased their price target on V2X from $58.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $61.00 target price on shares of V2X in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised their target price on shares of V2X from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of V2X from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on shares of V2X in a report on Thursday, December 11th. They issued a neutral rating and a $62.00 price objective for the company. Get V2X alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on V2X V2X Price Performance NYSE VVX opened at $62.76 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $55.56 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $54.92. V2X has a 52 week low of $41.08 and a 52 week high of $63.74. The stock has a market cap of $1.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.56 and a beta of 0.11. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. V2X (NYSE:VVX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by $0.14. V2X had a return on equity of 15.22% and a net margin of 1.81%.The company had revenue of $1.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.13 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.29 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. V2X has set its FY 2025 guidance at 4.650-4.950 EPS. Analysts forecast that V2X will post 4.16 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, major shareholder American Industrial Partners C sold 2,250,000 shares of V2X stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total transaction of $123,750,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 5,750,001 shares of the companys stock, valued at $316,250,055. The trade was a 28.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Dino M. Cusumano sold 2,250,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total transaction of $123,750,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 5,750,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $316,250,055. This trade represents a 28.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 5,700,000 shares of company stock valued at $313,560,000. 0.88% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of V2X Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of V2X in the second quarter valued at $1,483,000. Kendall Capital Management acquired a new position in V2X during the second quarter valued at $660,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in V2X by 2.8% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 374,553 shares of the companys stock worth $18,186,000 after acquiring an additional 10,062 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in V2X during the 1st quarter worth about $506,000. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC purchased a new position in V2X during the 1st quarter valued at about $207,000. 95.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About V2X (Get Free Report) V2X, Inc provides critical mission solutions and support services to defense clients worldwide. It offers a suite of integrated solutions across the operations and logistics, aerospace, training, and technology markets to national security, defense, civilian, and international clients. The company was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in Mclean, Virginia. See Also Receive News & Ratings for V2X Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for V2X and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. This photo taken on Jan. 7, 2026 shows collages created by senior patients during group cognitive training sessions at the memory clinic of Hepingli Community Health Service Center in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Shen Anni) by Xinhua writers Shen Anni and Xia Ke BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Every Wednesday morning, an 88-year-old woman walks slowly into a memory clinic at a community health center in Beijing, accompanied by her husband. She greets the doctor, sits down at a small table, and begins working on a jigsaw puzzle designed for a six-year-old child, fitting the pieces together one by one under the staff's guidance. The weekly ritual is part of her cognitive training. Diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2022, she now struggles with memory loss and speaks little to those around her. There was a time when each medical visit meant an hour-long journey across the city to a top-tier hospital, adding physical and emotional strain to an already difficult routine. Since last year, however, her rehabilitation and regular check-ups have taken place just a few steps from home, at Hepingli Community Health Service Center. "It's so convenient not having to travel far to see a doctor," she said. This shift reflects a broader move towards community-based care for patients with cognitive impairment in China's cities. By the end of 2024, China's population aged 60 and above had reached 310 million, accounting for over one-fifth of the total population. Of these people, more than 53 million suffer from cognitive impairment, a number that grows as the country's aging population increases. Cognitive impairment refers to a set of symptoms caused by brain disorders that affect memory, language and reasoning. Dementia is a severe form of cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of cognitive impairment. Han Ying, neurologist at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University in Beijing, explains that while Alzheimer's disease cannot yet be cured, early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in treating it. Regular cognitive training and medication under a doctor's guidance are effective ways to slow the progression of the condition. "Although symptoms cannot be reversed, early detection and intervention, before obvious symptoms appear, can delay their onset by up to five years, giving patients the chance to maintain normal or near-normal cognitive function for the rest of their lives," she said. However, due to the stigma of illness and the misconception that early symptoms are part of natural aging, only around one in five dementia patients in China ever receive a formal diagnosis, Han said. In addition, for seniors living far from top hospitals, frequent travel for rehabilitation can be a major hurdle. Community memory clinics have emerged as a solution. Beijing opened its first such clinic at Hepingli Community Health Service Center in 2023. Li Jianguo, the center's deputy director, noted that each year the center offers free health check-ups for senior residents. Those suspected of cognitive impairment undergo an initial assessment and, if needed, are referred to top hospitals for further evaluation. The center's memory clinic also provides access to expert care. Every Wednesday, doctors from leading hospitals hold consultations there, serving about 10 patients. Notably, rehabilitation services are available daily and are supported by nurses, Li said. Today, the memory clinic has become a hub for both rehabilitation and social interaction. In the clinic, some seniors could be seen tapping away at "whack-a-mole" on computers, while some were reading prose aloud accompanied by the doctors. Nearly every week, the clinic hosts a group activity when about 10 seniors gather to make collages, and it also offers options like puzzles, dominoes, and toy fishing games. Eighty-six-year-old Ms. Feng eagerly participates in every group activity. With her children away, a caregiver accompanies her. "I love chatting with everyone -- it's so lively. It makes me feel young again," she said. "Active participation in intellectual and social activities helps slow further brain decline," explained Zhu Jie, a doctor at the memory clinic. Currently, nearly 100 seniors with cognitive impairment are registered in the health records at this center. Beijing now has more than 20 community memory clinics, with plans to expand this number to 100 by 2030. Other regions, including east China's Shanghai and south China's Guangdong Province, have also opened community memory clinics, and some private hospitals have followed suit. Sunbow Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital, located in Beijing, launched its memory clinic in early January, offering a full cycle of early screening, diagnosis, intervention and long-term follow-up. "We want to prevent patients from reaching severe dementia," said Jiang Tao, the hospital's marketing director. "Memory clinics not only improve life quality for those with obvious symptoms but also help early-stage patients slow progression. They serve as warm havens for safeguarding memory." At present, specialized outpatient services for cognitive disorders remain concentrated in hospitals, and community-based memory clinics are mainly located in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Grassroots memory clinics are still scarce in other regions, especially rural areas, said Li. In rural healthcare institutions, he noted, limited staff capacity, shortages of equipment and medicines, and weaker support from higher-level hospitals mean that establishing grassroots memory clinics will take considerable time. Still, he believes that whether in cities or the countryside, raising public awareness of cognitive health must come first. "Greater attention from society as a whole is essential," he said. The Chinese government issued an action plan regarding elderly dementia in 2024, aiming for over 50 percent of people suspected of cognitive impairment to have sought medical care by 2030. Hepingli Community Health Service Center holds monthly lectures for local residents. "We hope that through continuous efforts, we can awaken awareness among both the elderly and society at large, thereby helping more seniors to hold on to their memories for as long as possible," said Li. Senior patients play puzzles under a staff member's guidance at the memory clinic of Hepingli Community Health Service Center in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Anni) A senior patient receives cognitive training on a computer under the guidance of a staff member at the memory clinic of Hepingli Community Health Service Center in Beijing, capital of China, on Jan. 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Shen Anni) Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF (NYSEARCA:ASHR Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $34.19 and last traded at $34.1650, with a volume of 580818 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $33.91. Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF Price Performance The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $32.89 and a 200-day moving average price of $31.45. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.87 billion, a PE ratio of 13.62 and a beta of 0.27. Get Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in ASHR. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $8,997,000. Hutchinson Financial Advisors INC acquired a new stake in Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF in the second quarter valued at $631,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF by 26.6% during the 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,185,968 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $32,662,000 after acquiring an additional 249,190 shares during the last quarter. Sun Life Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $5,461,000. Finally, Trium Capital LLP acquired a new position in Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF during the 3rd quarter worth $31,955,000. Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF Company Profile The Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF (ASHR) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the China Shenzhen SE \u002F CSI 300 index. The fund tracks an index of the 300 largest and most liquid Chinese shares traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. The fund holds physical China A-shares. ASHR was launched on Nov 6, 2013 and is managed by Xtrackers. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Xtrackers Harvest CSI 300 China A-Shares ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SYDNEY, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Australia's minister for resources said on Monday that the federal government's critical minerals strategic reserve faces a "long road" before it generates revenue for the country. Resources Minister Madeleine King, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Don Farrell, minister for trade and tourism, on Monday said that the strategic reserve will be operational by the end of 2026 and will initially prioritize antimony, gallium and rare earth elements. Under the government's proposal, the reserve will operate by securing rights to critical minerals produced in Australia and on-selling those rights to meet global demand. King said at a press conference in Western Australia that the legislation to establish the reserve will also expand the powers of the existing government agency Export Finance Australia, allowing it to secure offtake agreements with other countries with fixed or floating prices for critical minerals. Asked if the scheme will generate revenue for Australia, King said she is confident that it will have upside. Newsletter launched | IMPHAL, Jan 12 : Manipur Technical University (MTU) achieved a significant academic milestone with the official release of the first edition of its university newsletter, NEXUS - Education with Impact. As per a release issued by MTU, the inaugural edition was formally unveiled by the Vice-Chancellor of MTU, in the presence of the Registrar, Chief Finance Officer (CFO), and Prof Kananbala Sarangthem, Head of the Department of Botany, Manipur University. The occasion was also attended by faculty members, administrative staff, and students, reflecting the collective spirit and academic vibrancy of the MTU community. The newsletter is the outcome of the dedicated efforts of the University Editorial Team, led by editor Kosygin Leishangthem, with the support of sub-editors Dr L Iboyaima, Y Chandrika, and Angom Teresa, and member Hijam Harish. The first edition of NEXUS-Education with Impact presents a comprehensive snapshot of MTUs recent academic, research, and institutional developments. It features articles and reports highlighting technical insights, faculty achievements, workshops, outreach initiatives, and dynamic student activities. Maintenance Tribunal | THOUBAL, Jan 12 (DIO) : In a landmark judgment, the Maintenance Tribunal, Thou-bal has ordered legally obligated children of a senior citizen to provide Rs 10,000 per month as financial assistance. The case was filed by a senior citizen from Thoubal Athokpam. The Tribunal was presided by Arvind Hanglem, IAS, SDO, Thoubal. After the hearing concluded, Arvind Hanglem said this is the first case in Manipur taken up under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. According to the MWPSC Act, every senior citizen has the right to get financial security from their adult children or heirs in the form of monthly maintenance. The SDO, Thoubal also appealed to the public to be aware of the MWPSC Act and get the benefits of the law in cases where senior citizens are deprived of financial support from their children/heirs. WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The fatal shooting of a U.S. woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis has continued to reverberate across the United States, triggering protests in dozens of major cities. With federal officials and local authorities offering starkly different accounts of the shooting, observers said that the escalating chaos could further strain partisan tensions and spotlight growing public anger over immigration enforcement tactics. CONFLICTING NARRATIVES On Wednesday in Minneapolis, 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent during a federal enforcement operation involving her vehicle. The shooting has sparked widespread controversy nationwide, with sharply divergent accounts from federal and local officials highlighting partisan tensions over immigration enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance defended the ICE agent involved, claiming the woman had attempted to run over officers. "The woman driving the car was very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer, who seems to have shot her in self-defense," Trump wrote on social media platform X, only hours later. "She tried to run somebody over with her car, and the guy defended himself when that happened," Vance said at a White House press briefing on Thursday, accusing the media of "lying about this attack." While republicans have stressed the necessity of ICE enforcement and the risks faced by agents, calling for additional federal support, Democrats, in contrast, have criticized what they see as excessive use of force, pushed for limits on ICE authority, and demanded a transparent investigation. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have demanded that ICE leave the city and state immediately, arguing that the presence of ICE is causing chaos. "We've dreaded this moment since the early stages of this ICE presence in Minneapolis," said Frey. "This was a federal agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying." Democratic House lawmaker Ilhan Omar told CBS on Sunday that it is "not acceptable" for Trump and other officials to have issued public statements condemning the shot women "without a full investigation." Amid the partisan dispute, the FBI has taken full control of the case, limiting Minnesota authorities' access to evidence -- a move Governor Walz criticized as undermining transparency and impartiality, arguing that "people in positions of power have already passed judgment." ESCALATING TENSIONS Amid ongoing differences between the Republican-led federal government and Democratic-led local authorities, nationwide protests have continued, further straining relations between local communities and federal authorities. On Thursday morning, outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, demonstrations turned confrontational as hundreds of protesters chanted at ICE agents, with officers deploying tear gas and arresting some demonstrators. In downtown Minneapolis on Friday night, about 30 people were detained after a march blocked roads and caused minor damage. Meanwhile, nationwide protests flared in major cities across the country -- including New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and Seattle -- calling for changes to federal immigration enforcement and an end to ICE operations. "Frankly, this is the predictable outcome of the militarization of police forces, the hiring of masked thugs armed to the teeth, and the ugly branding of anyone who disagrees with this administration as 'the enemy,'" Greg Cusack, a former member of the Iowa House of Representatives, told Xinhua. CONCERNS OVER IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT Since the start of Trump's second term, the federal government has dramatically intensified arrests and deportations and tightened legal immigration through various measures. On Nov. 5, the White House published a summary stating that "since taking office, the Trump Administration has arrested 150,000+ illegal immigrants, deported 139,000+ illegal immigrants, and released just nine illegal immigrants into the U.S." Yet analysts and polling data show that most Republican and MAGA-aligned voters support stricter immigration policies, even as those measures have sparked legal challenges and public criticism. Some Americans argue that the administration has, in certain cases, overstepped legal boundaries and bypassed proper procedures. In a July analysis, the Brookings Institution noted that Americans have strong "procedural objections" to the way the Trump administration is carrying out its policies. The article noted that many Americans believe the administration has acted too quickly and made numerous mistakes, disapprove of ICE agents wearing masks rather than uniforms during raids, dislike the way detention facilities are being used, and support the right of immigrants to challenge deportation in court. Trump "has handled deportations in a very tough manner, and there are many images of masked agents in unmarked vehicles grabbing people off the street," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua earlier. "This disturbs a number of people due to its brutality and cruelty." According to a Pew Research Center survey released in December, 53 percent of Americans say the administration is doing "too much" when it comes to deporting immigrants living in the United States illegally, up from 44 percent in March. "Trump's handling of deportations is unpopular ... The aggressive deportations we've seen, often against people without criminal records or even with legal standing to be in the United States, fall far outside what swing voters expected," Christopher Galdieri, a political science professor at Saint Anselm College in the northeastern state of New Hampshire, told Xinhua. As budget season comes around, there is that inevitable, and justified, focus on small businesses, or MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), but there is an urgency this time around, something not seen since the pandemic. Of course, considering that MSMEs constitute a third of Indias GDP, a third of manufacturing, and nearly half of its exports, it is but natural in any given year. But this time around, it is anything but normal, considering how the world of business and trade has been upended all over the world, and in India, in less than a years time. Thanks to Donald Trumps tariff war, there has been an upsetting of the apple cart that was a global order, and a trade mechanism, built on bilateral and multilateral co-operation has now turned into a free-for-all where, shockingly, might could just be right, and everyones back to the drawing board to do a SWOT analysis (strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats) of their economies. For India, it is a crucible test the nation has to endure Trumps 50 per cent tariff on nearly half of Indias goods export to its biggest export market has hit it hard, job losses are estimated in the hundreds of thousands in some of the export-oriented sectors, while Trump is already threatening 500 per cent tariffs. And remember, Trump is yet to eye Indias prized export area pharma as well as services sector, including the big-ticket IT services. Last year, there was a nearly five per cent increase in allocation to MSME sector, including a credit guarantee scheme, incentives for exporters, and a Fund of Funds for startups. But the new situation has given compelling reasons for the government to double down on MSMEs. The question is, will Nirmala Sitharaman hold out a helping hand, and more precisely, what will that helping hand hold? While the sector has been receiving credit support amply since the pandemic easier access, longer credit period, and simpler eligibility norms, the belief is that more of the same continues to be the need of the hour, but for a different reason. In one word, Atmanirbhar Bharat. While Indias hopes still lie in a trade deal being worked out, its next-best-thing strategy involves a more self-sufficient ecosystem and focusing on the domestic markets, as well as, of course, trade deal with other blocs. As Ravi Saxena, CEO and founder of the appliance brand WonderChef, who by the way exports to the US and other countries, calls it constraints turning into a real opportunity. Constraints on imports of finished goods from China is pushing established brands (in India) to build local supply chains. Many companies that earlier relied on imports are now supporting MSMEs with technology, know-how and capital, Saxena said, adding, This creates a golden window for manufacturing MSMEs to scale, upgrade quality and become export-competitive, benefitting the broader economy. But there is a hitch here getting money for this fresh push, with raw material costs being high and most MSMEs struggling to get funds. The budget must address this imbalance by...enabling factories to focus on value addition and exports. It is ironic that the very year that Indian exports got their biggest knocking yet with the tariff whammy, could directly lead to a course correction for Indian small-scale manufacturing. The focus has shifted from importing cheap raw material and assembling goods, to trying to master the whole ecosystem domestically, right from raw materials or components to the technology know-how to scaling up manufacturing and looking at broader markets domestically as well as abroad. So how can the budget help? Credit, credit, credit is the simple answer making capital easier to access for small businesses and simplifying local compliance could go a long way. Another C could well complete the picture Customs Duty. As economist Rahul Ahluwalia, founder and director of Foundation for Economic Development, puts it, Rationalising customs duty will enable MSMEs to get inputs at globally competitive prices and reduce disputes and delays at customs, opening up huge global markets for them." The Indian Armys plans to set up the Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) have gained momentum with discussions being held to create four IBGs from two different divisions of Mountain Strike Corps (MSC), also known as the XVII Corps. IBGs are brigade-sized, agile, self-sufficient combat formations proposed by the Indian Army, integrating infantry, artillery, armor, engineers, signals, air defence, and logistics, to enable rapid mobilisation and strikes, particularly along borders with China and Pakistan, capable of carrying out both offensive and defensive roles. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India According to an exclusive report by the Indian Express, the implementation of the IBGs will begin with the the 59 Division and the 23 Division of the XVII Corps, after the government grants permission. Headquartered at Panagarh, XVII Corps, also known as Brahmastra Corps, is one of the four strike corps of the Indian Army. The proposed formation of IBGwhich has been under discussion for seven yearsis part of the restructuring plan of the Indian Army, which also includes the formation of Bhairav battalions, Rudra brigades, Divyastra batteries, and Shaktibaan units. The report said each of the IBGs will be commanded by an officer of Major General rank and will comprise 5,000 troops. The IBGs will be able to access logistics and other support from the corps units under the corps headquarters, as well as from the other holding formations of the XVII MSC, whenever necessary, the report said. ALSO READ: Thimayyas dare: The impossible story of India's first high-altitude tank attack in 1948 A separate group may also be created under the corps headquarters to provide fire support for the IBGs. These plans are still in the discussion phase and will be refined further before being implemented. These IBGs are part of a broader restructuring initiative within the Army, which also includes the formation of Bhairav battalions, Rudra brigades, Divyastra batteries, and Shaktibaan units. The Rudra brigades are being established with a concept similar to that of the IBGs. According to the report, the formation of IBGs will be an important force multiplier in mountainous terrains as their swift and agile nature will ensure rapid deployment in any area. Amid media reports that Bangladesh is planning to procure JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from Pakistan, and Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are in talks to convert about $2 billion of Saudi loans into a JF-17 fighter jet deal, Pakistan's defence minister, Khawaja Asif, has made a tall claim. According to the defence minister, Pakistan may no longer have to depend on International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailouts if countries continue to showcase interest in the single-engine lightweight combat jet, developed jointly by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), and end up procuring them. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India He credited this interest that various countries are showing in the aircraft to the India-Pakistan conflict in May. The conflict, according to him, showcased to the world Pakistan's resolve and military capabilities. "Our aircraft have been tested, and we are receiving so many orders that Pakistan may not need the International Monetary Fund in six months," he said during an interview with Geo News. According to a Reuters report, Aamir Masood, a retired Air Marshal and defence analyst, claimed that Pakistan was either in talks or had finalised deals for providing defence equipment, including JF-17s, with as many as six countries. He said the marketability of the fighter jet increased as it was "tested and has been used in combat." Pakistan has been attempting to expand its arms export in the past few months. Islamabad had struck a deal with the Libyan National Army for the sale of JF-17 fighter jets and training aircraft. ALSO READ: Did four-day war with India turn Pakistan's JF-17 into a hot export fighter? A Reuters report, on Monday, said Indonesia's defence minister met Pakistan's air force chief in Islamabad, and the two, while discussing areas of defence cooperation, also discussed the sale of JF-17 jets. -400 https://t.co/TJb2DqSUF7 pic.twitter.com/c1yL6BUIsb RT_russian (@RT_russian) November 29, 2018 Russia has reportedly confirmed that the fourth squadron of the Triumf S-400 long-range air defence system will be delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of May 2026. The delivery timeline coincides with the Operation Sindoor anniversarythe military conflict with Pakistan last year that proved the missile systems worth to the nation. Moscow's battle-proven mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system was sought by India in 2015, and a deal was inked during Vladimir Putins visit to India in October 2018. The agreement is for the delivery of five regiment sets, costing 40,000 crore and three have been delivered so far. The S-400 has been incorporated into India's multi-layered Sudarshan Chakra defence system and proved its worth during the four-day face-off with Pakistan. India's first S-400 squadron became operational in December 2021 and was deployed in Punjab. ALSO READ | Ukraine war making India's S-400 air defence systems deadlier? Russia plans upgrade to make them tougher to beat Quoting a senior defence official familiar with the bilateral talks involving the two time-tested allies, Defence Security Asia reported that the remaining deliveries of the S-400 systems are scheduled to be completed by 2027. The fourth will be delivered in 2026, while the final unit will take another year to reach New Delhi, the report added. The lethal Triumf batteries Each S-400 squadron integrates a reinforced command-and-control centre, the 91N6E Big Bird long-range surveillance radar with a detection range of nearly 600 kilometres, and the 92N6E Grave Stone engagement radar, along with mobile launchers. The 91N6E radar can track targets based on their size and speed, with smaller ballistic targets detected at shorter ranges and larger aircraft, such as strategic bombers, tracked from much farther away. For more defence news, views and updates, visit: Fortress India The system employs a diverse missile inventoryincluding the 40N6 with a 400-kilometre range, the 48N6 at 250 kilometres, the 9M96E2 at 120 kilometres, and the 9M96E at 40 kilometresallowing operators to carry out cost-effective, layered interceptions depending on the threat. Capable of engaging targets at altitudes of up to 30 kilometres and at terminal speeds exceeding Mach 14, the S-400 significantly restricts enemy airspace options by forcing hostile aircraft to fly lower, farther away, or with reduced weapon loads. ALSO READ | Another war? Iran tests Russia's S-400 for the first time, says Israeli reports The S-400 Triumf (Russian: C-400 , NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is a mobile strategic high-altitude anti-aircraft missile system designed by the NPO Almaz missile design bureau. It is a version of the S-300 family of high-altitude missiles. It was the world's pic.twitter.com/XZI5m8wWAh Leandro Romao (@leandroOnX) May 28, 2025 Meanwhile, reports have previously stated that the war in Europe has made the Russian weapon system even more lethal. Building on the lessons learnt from the Ukraine war, in which Moscow successfully deployed air defence systems (including for thwarting attacks with US-made ATACMS), Russia is modernising the S-400 to neutralise threats with much greater effectiveness. "The speed of change allows us to respond without delay to new challenges. One of these responses is the enormous modernisation potential of the S-400 air defence missile system, which allows us to quickly mitigate emerging threats during the special military operation. Triumf has acquired new capabilities and properties that are generally not characteristic of air defence systems," Yan Novikov, CEO of Almaz-Antey Group, had said. Almaz-Antey is the Russian state-owned defence conglomerate that designed, developed, and currently produces the S-400 system. A testament of Indo-Russian bond News agency PTI, in an early October 2025 report, claimed India is considering procuring additional units of the air defence system and the topic may figure in talks between New Delhi and Moscow when Putin visits India in December. Later that month, ANI added that the IAF is looking to buy missiles worth around 10,000 crore to boost the country's air defence capabilities. ALSO READ | India's Russia-made S-400 air defence system superior to US Patriot system? Both the previous Donald Trump and Joe Biden administrations had warned India that proceeding with the S-400 purchase would invite sanctions under the provisions of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). CAATSA is legislation that provides for sanctions to be imposed on companies in other countries trading with entities in Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The controversy surrounding the censor clearance of Vijay-starrer Jana Nayagan has now escalated to the Supreme Court of India, after the films producer, KVN Productions, filed an appeal challenging an interim stay order passed by the Madras High Court that has thrown the films release into uncertainty. The appeal arises from a sequence of judicial developments earlier this month. On January 9, a single-judge Bench of the Madras High Court, presided over by Justice P.T. Asha, directed the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to clear Jana Nayagan for release forthwith. The order was based on the recommendation of an examining committee of the CBFC, which had agreed to grant the film a U/A 16+ certificate subject to certain cuts. The producers complied with these suggestions and made the required edits. However, shortly after, a complaint was submitted by one of the CBFC examining committee members, alleging that certain scenes in the film could hurt religious sentiments. The complainant also raised objections to scenes depicting the defence forces, arguing that these should be reviewed by a defence expert before certification. Acting on this complaint, the CBFC decided to refer the film to a revising committee, despite having earlier indicated that the certification process was nearing completion. This sudden change prompted KVN Productions to move the Madras High Court urgently, contending that the referral would delay the release of the film, which was scheduled to hit theatres on January 9. After hearing arguments over January 6 and 7, Justice Asha ruled in favour of the filmmakers. In her January 9 order, she held that once an examining committee had recommended certification and the filmmakers had agreed to carry out the suggested cuts, the CBFC chairperson could not unilaterally refer the film to a revising committee. The judge emphasised that such a referral, at that stage, lacked justification and would undermine procedural certainty under the Cinematograph Act and the CBFCs own guidelines. However, the relief was short-lived. Within hours of the single-judge order, the CBFC urgently mentioned the matter before a Division Bench of the Madras High Court. A Bench led by Chief Justice M.M. Shrivastava stayed Justice Ashas verdict, citing procedural fairness. The Division Bench observed that the Union government and the CBFC had not been granted adequate time to file their response before the single-judge decision was rendered. On this ground alone, the operation of the order directing immediate clearance of the film was stayed. Court questions CBFC procedure It is this interim stay that KVN Productions has now challenged before the Supreme Court. In its appeal, the producers have argued that the Division Benchs order effectively nullifies a reasoned judicial finding without addressing the merits of the case. The producers contended that last-minute objections, raised after compliance with the examining committees directions, amount to arbitrary interference with artistic expression and commercial certainty. The dispute has attracted heightened attention because Jana Nayagan is being projected as the final film of Vijay, one of Tamil cinemas biggest stars. The film assumes added political significance in light of Vijays recent entry into politics through the formation of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). At a broader level, the case revives long-standing questions about the scope of the CBFCs powers, internal dissent within certification committees, and the balance between censorship, administrative discretion, and freedom of expression. The Supreme Courts intervention is expected to clarify whether the CBFC can reopen the certification process after an examining committees recommendation has been accepted and acted upon by filmmakers. The plea is likely to be listed in the coming week. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan received four rare honours in classical Japanese martial arts on January 11. He was awarded the Fifth Dan in Karate, inducted into the historic Takeda Shingen Clan, which carries Samurai lineage, and Jenjutsu, the ancient Japanese swardmanship, and bestowed with the Tiger of Martial Arts title. He has been awarded the prestigious Fifth Dan (Godan in Japanese) by the Sogo Budo Kanri Kai, a respected Japanese organisation that governs traditional martial arts, including Karate, Kenjutsu, Iaido, Jujutsu and other classical combat systems. The honour recognises more than three decades of his sustained dedication to martial arts practice and discipline. The Fifth Dan is considered a senior black belt rank, conferred only after years of rigorous training, teaching and adherence to the philosophical foundations of Budo (the martial discipline). With this recognition, Pawan Kalyan is reportedly the first Indian celebrity to receive the Godan rank or fifth level from the Sogo Budo Kanri Kai, marking a rare international acknowledgement of an Indian practitioner in Japanese martial traditions. In another significant honour, Pawan Kalyan was inducted into the historic Takeda Shingen Clan, becoming the first Telugu-speaking individual to be admitted into the samurai lineage outside Japan. The induction was carried out under the guidance of Muramatsu Sensei, an honour that is seldom extended to non-Japanese practitioners and reflects deep trust in both skill and character. Though the number of non-Japanese practitioners who got this honour was not publicly available, news reports suggest that it is a rare honour. He was also formally inducted into Kenjutsu, the ancient Japanese art of swordsmanship, further underlining his long-standing engagement with traditional combat forms. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to martial discipline and philosophy, the international Golden Dragons organisation conferred on him the title Tiger of Martial Arts. A black belt in Karate, Pawan Kalyan trained under Dr Siddiq Mahmoodi, one of Indias leading Budo experts. His martial arts background has shaped his personal discipline and has also influenced his film career, where he is known for showcasing authentic combat techniques. An elderly doctor couple in Delhi is the latest victim of the digital arrest cyber fraud, spending two weeks falsely arrested, under constant supervision, and incurring a loss of Rs 14.85 crore. Victims Dr Om Taneja and Dr Indira Taneja, who are residents of Delhis Greater Kailash, were placed under digital arrest for over two weeks by cybercriminals posing as law enforcement and regulatory officials from various government agencies. The fraud is said to have taken place from December 24, 2025 to January 9, 2026, during which time the couple was coerced into transferring money to multiple bank accounts. At noon on December 24, Dr Indira Taneja received a call claiming it was on behalf of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), and that her phone number would be disconnected due to her involvement in obscene calls". Further, the caller accused her of money laundering charges against which an FIR and arrest warrants had been issued in Maharashtra. Dr Taneja stated that the 'Colaba Police' banners behind the impersonating police officer made the story believable. They connected me to a man in a police uniform on a video call, she said. The man on call alleged that a Canara Bank account in her name was used in a major fraud, and since the couple had come from America, it was a matter of national security. The doctor couple had returned from the United States and were residents of Greater Kailash since 2016. The scammers exploited their situationknowing fully well that the couples children lived abroad, and that Dr Om Taneja was recovering from surgeryby threatening them with an immediate arrest unless a digital verification process was complied with. Upon refusal to travel to Mumbai due to her husbands surgery, the accused suggested an alternative to Dr Indira. They said that they would keep verifying and checking in with the family, just like a bail verification process. During the two-week period, the couple was forced to remain on continuous video and phone calls and was instructed not to contact anyone. Using these pressure tactics, the criminals coerced the doctors into transferring their life savings into multiple bank accounts. Despite the couple's pleas about medical conditions and a lack of support, the criminals eventually forced them to give up Rs 14.85 crore. The calls abruptly ceased on January 9, which led to the couple realising that they had been manipulated, after which they approached the Delhi Police and filed an e-FIR. The Delhi Police has said that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts being made to track down the bank accounts and individuals involved in the scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved the Supreme Court, seeking directions for the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Director General of Police (DGP) of the state, and the Kolkata police commissioner, alleging obstruction of a money laundering probe linked to political consultancy firm Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC). In its petition filed on Monday, the ED alleged that senior constitutional and police authorities in West Bengal actively interfered with and sabotaged a lawful investigation, turning "protectors of the law into perpetrators of serious cognisable offences". The agency claimed its officers were intimidated, threatened, and prevented from performing their statutory duties during search and seizure operations conducted as part of a multi-state probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to the ED, its officers were surrounded by a mob allegedly instigated by political functionaries, during which official files and electronic devices containing incriminating material were forcibly snatched and destroyed. The agency asserted that the destruction and tampering of evidence were deliberate and systematic, warranting mandatory registration of an FIR under criminal law. The ED has named the chief minister, the states top police officer, and the Kolkata police commissioner as accused in their official capacities, arguing that their actions and omissions directly facilitated the obstruction of justice. The agency has invoked 17 provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, including sections relating to criminal intimidation, destruction of evidence, obstruction of public servants in discharge of official duty, and criminal conspiracy. The central agency told the apex court that it had initially approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking a court-monitored investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged attack on its officers. However, it claimed that the considerable clout enjoyed by the chief minister and her supporters was used to engineer a disturbance inside the High Court premises itself, leading to chaos in the courtroom and forcing the judge to adjourn the matter without passing any effective order. In an unusual assertion, the ED has contended that the disruption of judicial proceedings amounted to an attempt to derail legal scrutiny at its very inception. The agency has urged the Supreme Court to intervene, arguing that no impartial investigation is possible within the state police machinery, given the alleged involvement of the highest levels of the state executive. The petition also refers to past incidents in West Bengal where, according to the ED, central investigating agencies were allegedly attacked or obstructed while probing cases involving leaders or functionaries of the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). These include instances where CBI officials were allegedly prevented from carrying out court-mandated investigations, which the ED says demonstrate a recurring pattern of resistance to central probes in the state. The case is likely to revive the long-running confrontation between the BJP-led Union government and the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal. Beyond the immediate allegations, the petition raises significant constitutional questions on the limits of executive authority, the accountability of elected functionaries, and the extent to which the Supreme Court can direct criminal proceedings against a sitting chief minister and senior police officers. Legal experts note that while the Supreme Court has, in exceptional circumstances, ordered registration of FIRs and transferred investigations to central agencies, directing criminal action against a sitting chief minister remains a rare and high-threshold exercise. The case is expected to be listed for hearing later this week. Bengaluru Police have arrested an 18-year-old man on charges of murder, a week after a 34-year-old woman software engineer was found dead in her rented house in the eastern part of the city. The incident occurred on the night of January 3 at Subramanya Layout, within the limits of the Ramamurthy Nagar police station. The victim, who hailed from Dakshina Kannada district, was initially believed to have died from smoke suffocation after a fire broke out in her two-bedroom flat, allegedly due to a short circuit. However, a detailed police investigation later revealed that the death was the result of a cold-blooded murder. The accused has been identified as Karnal Kurai, a native of Kodagu district, who allegedly killed the woman after she resisted his sexual advances. Police launched the investigation following a complaint filed by the victims friend and flatmate, who was away in her hometown at the time of the incident. The investigation revealed that Kurai, who lived next door with his mother, allegedly entered the victims flat through a side window at around 9 pm on January 3 and demanded that she cooperate to his sexual advances. When she resisted, he allegedly held her mouth and nose tightly, causing her to lose consciousness. The victim sustained minor injuries and was bleeding, police said. In an attempt to destroy evidence, the accused allegedly gathered the victims clothes and other belongings, placed them on the bed and set them on fire. He then fled the scene after taking the victims mobile phone. A local court has remanded Kurai to police custody for three days. He has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 103(1) (murder), 64(2), 66, and 238 (destruction of evidence). JUBA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday that it had secured 5 million U.S. dollars to support vital resilience programs for children and families in South Sudan. The UN agency said the funding will assist essential interventions in education, child protection, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene. Noala Skinner, UNICEF representative in South Sudan, said the funding will enable UNICEF not only to provide immediate relief but also to invest in sustainable programs for health, protection, and education. "Investing in the well-being and potential of South Sudan's children is an investment in the nation's future peace and stability," Skinner said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. She called on all stakeholders to facilitate unhindered access to every child to implement lifesaving and resilience-focused programs. According to UNICEF, this funding comes at a crucial moment for South Sudan, where humanitarian needs are high, with 10 million people, including 5.3 million children, in need of humanitarian assistance. The country also faces a severe education crisis, with over 2.8 million school-age children out of school, it said. UNICEF said more than 7 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity by mid-2026, with malnutrition affecting more than 2 million children under five as a worsening food and nutrition crisis threatens millions. "The one-year funding will focus on building stronger systems and programs that can withstand the volatility currently affecting the country, including extreme climate events," UNICEF said. South Sudan is currently confronting overlapping crises, including a complex humanitarian emergency caused by conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability, according to the UN. The Allahabad High Court adjourned the hearing on the Gyanvapi mosque dispute case on Monday, citing the matter is pending before the Supreme Court. The Allahabad High Court will next hear the matter on February 3. Hearing the matter, Allahabad High Court Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal noted that since the counsel for the parties informed that the matter is pending before the Supreme Court and since the apex court is set to hear the matter on January 27, the hearing on petitioner Rakhi Singh's plea in this court is adjourned to February 3. Singh is one of the petitioners in the case, which seeks a scientific survey of the ablution area (wazu khana) of the Gyanvapi complex. According to the Hindu side, a scientific survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is essential to ascertain the true nature of the structure. While the Hindu side claims it to be a Shivling, the Muslim side said it was a fountain. Earlier, a Varanasi court refused to direct the ASI to survey the wazu khana' area of the Gyanvapi mosque. According to the petitioners, the survey is essential in the interest of justice, and it shall benefit the plaintiff(s) and defendants alike. In the petition, Singh argued that a scientific survey will also help the court arrive at a decision on the suit. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay is set to appear before the CBI just before Monday afternoon. This comes after at least 40 people died and at least 60 were injured in a September 27 stampede at Tamil Nadu's Karur, where the actor-politician had made a public appearance before hordes of fans and TVK supporters. #WATCH | Chennai: TVK president and actor Vijay emplanes for Delhi from Chennai airport. Vijay will appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Delhi today for a probe into the Karur stampede. pic.twitter.com/XGlgbuLVMY ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2026 The actor, who is already under Y-category security, has sought additional security for himself from the Delhi police, ahead of the CBI questioning. He left for Delhi early on Monday, along with a small group of party office bearers, including Nirmal Kumar, Aadhav Arjuna, Vishnu Reddy, Jagadeesh Palaniswami, C. Rajendran, and the head of his security detail, Naeem. He is expected to return to Chennai the following evening. Notably, the CBI probe had faced pushback from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Tamil Nadu government in early December, which had challenged the Supreme Court's October 13 order directing the CBI to take over from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that had been probing the case. The state government had argued that there were "no exceptional circumstances to direct central agency intervention", making a case for the competency of the SIT. "The records clearly establish that the district administration and police acted with utmost diligence, foresight, and compliance with all statutory and procedural safeguards," it had added, refuting allegations of negligence on the part of the Karur district administration and the police. Yet, the probe was finally handed over to the CBI, which has already questioned the party's top brass, except for Vijay. The Karur stampede took place after the actor-politician's scheduled appearance at Karur's Veluswamypuram. When he finally made his appearance after a significant delay, his retinue was met with a larger crowd than previously expected, in which many people dismantled the barricades. He even threw water bottles into the packed crowd, which eventually led to children separated from their parents, and many people trampled before the police could take action. Chaos soon ensued, leading to Vijay making his exit. Apologising to the people, Vijay at the time had alleged that the stampede was a political conspiracy by the DMK government. Just before noon on Monday, a chartered aircraft from Chennai touched down at Delhis Palam airport. On board was Vijay Tamil cinemas 'Thalapathy' turned first-time political challenger, arriving to face the most serious scrutiny of his public life so far. Within an hour, a convoy of vehicles made its way to the headquarters of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Lodhi Road. Outside the heavily guarded complex, a small group of party workers from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) stood quietly, holding placards and watching every movement. There were no slogans, no raised voices, only the muted tension of a leader being questioned over a tragedy that left 41 people dead. For nearly six hours, Vijay sat across the table from CBI officers, answering questions related to the Karur stampede a deadly crowd crush that occurred at a political rally addressed by him in September last year. According to sources, CBI questioned Vijay about the sequence of events leading up to the stampede, his delayed arrival at the venue, the swelling crowd that waited for hours, and the moment when chaos broke out. According to sources, during his questioning, Vijay told the CBI sleuths that neither Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) nor its functionaries were responsible for the Karur stampede, a position that mirrors the stand taken earlier by senior TVK members who were grilled as part of the probe. Vijay maintained that he chose to leave the rally venue after sensing that his continued presence amid the swelling crowd could lead to further chaos, rather than defusing it. Investigators have recorded his statement and are expected to closely analyse it in the coming days, corroborating his version with other material on record, including statements given by police officials. The police, in their submissions, have attributed the deadly stampede to delays in Vijays arrival at the venue, arguing that the prolonged wait led to overcrowding and loss of crowd control, a claim that now lies at the heart of the CBIs effort to reconcile competing narratives and fix accountability for the tragedy. CBI officials also examined rally schedules, security arrangements, communication records, and visual footage. Vijay was asked whether he was aware of crowd density levels, who made decisions on barricading and entry points, and whether warnings from local authorities were received or ignored. The Karur stampede marked a turning point for Vijays fledgling political party. Announced amid much fanfare, TVK was projected as a clean alternative in Tamil Nadu politics. The tragedy, however, brought uncomfortable questions about responsibility, crowd control, and the risks of personality-driven mobilisations. The case took a dramatic turn when the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe, transferring the investigation from the Tamil Nadu police and citing the need for an independent inquiry. The courts decision meant that Vijay, who had so far spoken only through statements and party responses, would eventually have to appear in person. By evening, Vijay emerged from the CBI building without addressing the media. His convoy moved swiftly, avoiding cameras. Party workers folded their banners and dispersed quietly. There were no triumphant gestures, only the heavy stillness of an unresolved tragedy. For the families of the 41 victims, the questioning offered a measure of movement in a case that has been slow and painful. For Vijay, it underscored how swiftly political ambition can collide with accountability. As the CBI continues to analyse statements, footage, and records, the investigation remains open-ended. Whether responsibility will be fixed, and on whom, is yet to be determined. But for six hours in Delhi, the spotlight shifted from the star on stage to the man answering questions behind closed doors. The Maharashtra State Election Commission has sought 10 more days from the Supreme Court to complete the local body election process. The Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections in the state will likely be postponed once again. Meanwhile, a fresh petition has also been filed in the Supreme Court to hold all the Zilla Parishad elections simultaneously. Both of the petitions will be heard on Monday before a bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant. The State Election Commission is asking for an extension till February 10 on administrative grounds. The Supreme Court had set a deadline for all local body elections in the state to be held before January 31. After a dispute over providing OBCs 27 per cent of the reservation, the court had ordered that all local body elections be held within the 50 per cent reservation limit. In the same order, it was said that elections be held only in those zila parishad and panchayat samitis that comply with the 50 per cent reservation limit. The second phase of the Municipal Corporation election will be held on January 15. The commission had prepared to hold the 12 Zila Parishad and 125 Panchayat Samiti elections, which comply with the 50 per cent reservation limit under them, in the first week of February While conducting the election, the Zilla parishads in the 12 districts of western Maharashtra, the commission failed to hold about 20 parishads out of the 32, to the 50 per cent limit. Since the locations were all in Vidarbha and Marathwada, the commission decided that the election would not be held until the reservations issue was resolved. If the court orders that elections be held in all of the zilla parishands, the commission will have more time to prepare. There is also reportedly a shortage of EVMs due to the Muncipal elections. Sources say that the elections may be delayed until April-May as exams for class 10 and 12 will be held in the meantime. Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nainar Nagenthran said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple while he comes to Madurai for the Tamil Nadu assembly polls campaign. The prime minister is expected to visit Madurai on February 23. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is planning to kickstart its poll campaign in Tamil Nadu with Modi's public meeting in Madurai. Senior leaders from the BJP and All India Anna Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) inspected multiple venues in Madurai on Monday for Modi's rally. Talking to presspersons, Nagenthran said a huge rally will be organised in Madurai during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Besides Madurai, Modi will take part in poll campaigns in Chennai, Trichy and one more city in the poll-bound state. In Madurai, the rally is likely to be held at Amma ground. BJP state president Nainar Nagendran, AIADMK deputy leader R P Udhayakumar, former minister Sellur Raju, AIADMK legislators Rajan Chellappa, Periya Pullan, senior BJP leaders H Raja, Pon Radhakrishnan and Kesava Vinayagam visited the Amma Ground. "if a public meeting is held in Madurai, Prime MinisterModi is likely to visit the Murugan temple in Thiruparankundram," Nagenthran said. Nagenthran's also denied rumours that the BJP has sought a power-sharing arrangement with AIADMK if the alliance comes to power. Speculations are abuzz that the BJP has sought 56 seats and three ministerial berths as part of the alliance. Modi's visit comes amidst a raging row over lighting a lamp at the deepathoon (lamp pillar) atop the hill. Though the Madras High Court directed the state government to make arrangements for lighting a lamp at the pillar, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led state government refused to abide by the orders, citing law and order issues. The Tamil Nadu government has now approached the Supreme Court, challenging the Madras High Court's orders. The DMK maintains that the pillar atop the hill is not a deepathoon, but a survey stone. There is no need for the BJP to put pressure on Vijay. Even the old Parasakthi film has been given many obstacles by the Censor Board. The Congress may insist on a coalition government. We don't have to do everything they do. Our only aim is to get rid of the DMK. We are not saying we want a coalition government. There are rumours that the BJP wants 56 seats and three ministers," he said. MNS chief Raj Thackeray triggered a controversy on Sunday when he used the slur Hatao lungi, bajao pungi' at BJP leader K Annamalai, for the latters statement that Bombay was not a city of Maharashtra but an international city. Rajs use of the controversial and xenophobic slogan that was used in the 1960s by Shiv Sena, has invited flak from many quarters ahead of the BMC elections. During campaigning in the western suburbs, Annamalai said, Bombay is not a city of Maharashtra. It is an international city. The remark triggered a controversy with both factions of Shiv Sena, taking it up, urging the BJP to clarify its stand. But, Raj Thackeray took it one step ahead and lashed out at Annamalai, even calling him Rasmalai. Origin of the slogan The Shiv Sena, which openly championed Marathi dignity, coined the slur targeting the South Indians in the 1960s and 70s. Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray was strongly opposed to the presence of South Indians in Mumbai, so much so that he would publish the names of South Indian workers in his publications. Shiv Senas campaign was on the alleged grounds that the South Indians were stealing the jobs of the Marathi people in their own states. Shiv Sainiks would protest the screening of Tamil films and vandalise restaurants. To visually and culturally mark the outsiders and mass mobilise Marathi votes, Thackeray started using the slur "Hatao Lungi Bajao Pungi" not as a formal policy but as a provocative slogan. This campaign eventually helped Bal Thackeray emerge as a prominent leader of the Marathi community. However, by the mid-1970s, Shiv Senas South Indian issue lost salience, and the party slowly shifted its focus to anti-communism, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and openly projected a Hindutva stance. It stopped targeting South Indians as they needed a wider political alliance. So much so that Adithya Thackeray, grandson of Bal Thackeray himself, appeared in a Lungi during the Assembly election campaign in 2022. However, the slogan remains a potent symbol of Mumbais nativist political roots, which Raj Thackeray has weaponised now. Annamalai responds Annamalai hit back at Raj Thackeray on Monday against the personal attacks. "Who are Aditya Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to threaten me?" Annamalai said. "If I say Kamaraj is one of India's greatest leaders, does that mean he is no longer a Tamil? If I say Mumbai is a world-class city, does that mean Maharashtrians didn't build it?" Annamalai asked. A war of words has erupted between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray and BJP leader from Tamil Nadu K. Annamalai over the latter's remarks about Mumbai city. The dispute began when Annamalai, while campaigning for the BJP in the Dharavi and Sion Koliwada areas for the upcoming BMC elections, stated that Mumbai is not just a Maharashtra city. "Bombay is not a Maharashtra city, but an international city," he said, emphasising the need for a "triple-engine government" to govern Mumbai effectively. We need a BJP mayor in Mumbai, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre. Mumbai is a global metropolis with a budget of over Rs 40,000 crore, while Bengalurus budget is Rs 19,000 crore and Chennais is Rs 8,000 crore. The city needs capable people in administration to manage such finances," Annamalai had said. However, his comments did not go down well with MNS, with party chief Raj Thackeray questioning Annamalais authority to comment on Mumbais affairs. A rasmalai has come from Tamil Nadu. Whats your connection to this place? Hatao lungi bajao pungi, Thackeray said, referencing slogans from the Shiv Sena's campaigns in the 1960s and 1970s. Rajs remark drew a sharp reaction from Annamalai, who on Monday labelled those criticising his comments as "ignorant." "If I say Kamaraj was one of India's greatest leaders, does that mean he is no longer a Tamil? Similarly, if I say Mumbai is a world-class city, does it mean Maharashtrians didnt contribute to its development? These people are just ignorant, he responded. Annamalai also launched a scathing attack on Raj and Shiv Sena leader Aditya Thackeray, accusing them of holding meetings merely to insult him. "Who are Aditya Thackeray and Raj Thackeray to threaten me? Im proud to be the son of a farmer. They've held meetings just to abuse me. I don't know if Ive become that important," the BJP leader said during a press conference in Chennai. He further claimed that he had been receiving multiple threats since his remark. "Some have written that they will cut my legs if I come to Mumbai. But I will come to Mumbailet them try. If I were afraid of such threats, I would have stayed in my village," he asserted. Rikshit Chauhan, one of the three Indian crew members from the Russian-flagged oil tanker Bella 1, now renamed Marinera, was set to return home next month before his wedding on February 19. The merchant navy officers family was who are from Himachal Pradeshs Kangra district, has now asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure his safe return. The 26-year-old was a crew member on the ship when it was chased across the Atlantic in a maritime pursuit by U.S. Coast Guard vessels. The oil tanker was intercepted on January 7, and the crew aboard were detained by the US. Chauhan was employed by a Russian company and was sent to Venezuela for his first assignment to collect oil. The pursuit had begun on the Caribbean Sea and extended into the North Atlantic. While speaking to local new media in Palampura, Kangra, Chauhan's mother, Reeta Devi, said, "Please ensure the safe return of my son, Rikshit." "We talked to Rikshit for the last time on January 7 and are praying to God for his safe return before that date. "We appeal to the prime minister and the external affairs minister to ensure the safe return of Rikshit and two others from Goa and Kerala, who are also crew members of the same vessel." Ranjtih Singh, his father, said that Rikshit had indicated that further contact would be unlikely for some time. He said that due to America's military action against Venezuela, the company had instructed them to return from Venezuela. "We learnt on January 10 that our son's ship had been seized," Singh said The ship had reportedly waited at the Venezuelan border for ten days after being stopped and was returning after being called back by the Russian company when it was seized. The vessel had 28 crew members consisting of three Indians, six Georgians, 17 Ukrainians and two Russians. Apart from the two Russians, all the others were detained. Local MLA Ashish Butail was notified of the matter. Butail told PTI that the state government has taken up the case with the ministry of external affairs. President Donald Trump said Iran had proposed negotiations after he warned of possible military action amid escalating unrest in the Middle Eastern country. Trump said his administration was in talks to arrange a meeting with Tehran but cautioned that he may be forced to act first as reports of rising casualties emerge and Iranian authorities continue to arrest protesters. I think theyre tired of being beaten up by the United States, he said. The President said he was weighing a range of responses to the unrest, including potential military options. The death toll from the uprising continues to rise. US-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, while more than 10,600 people have been arrested during the past two weeks of unrest. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the options under consideration include military strikes, covert cyber operations, expanded sanctions and providing online assistance to anti-government groups. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night. Meanwhile, Tehran has warned it would target US military bases in the Middle East if Washington carries out any intervention in support of protesters. Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all US bases and ships will be our legitimate targets, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said. The US military said it remains postured in the Middle East with forces capable of defending US interests, as well as its partners and allies. The US Navys Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet continues to operate in the region. The US Navy's Mideast-based 5th Fleet is also stationed in the island kingdom of Bahrain. The escalating crisis in Iran has pushed US President Donald Trump into the centre of a dangerous and fast-moving geopolitical confrontation. As anti-government protests spread across Iranian cities, driven by economic hardship and long-standing political repression, Trump has cast the unrest as a historic chance for Iranian freedom. At the same time, he has openly signalled that the United States could intervene, raising fears that domestic protests could spiral into a wider regional conflict. Trumps language on Iran has been unusually direct and confrontational. He has repeatedly warned Iranian leaders not to use deadly force against protesters, claiming that the United States is ready to help and that the regime is in big trouble. In some of his strongest remarks, he suggested that he could authorise military strikes if the government continues to kill demonstrators. While insisting that he does not plan to send American troops on the ground, Trump has said the US could hit the regime very, very hard in ways that would cause serious pain. Much of this messaging has been delivered through Trumps posts on Truth Social, where he has addressed Iranian protesters directly, praising them and suggesting that they may be on the brink of freedom. These statements have raised the hopes that the president will step in decisively. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East Behind the scenes, the Trump administration is weighing a wide range of options. According to officials and media reports, Trump has been briefed on possible military strikes, covert cyber operations, tougher economic sanctions and efforts to help Iranians bypass state-imposed internet shutdowns. One idea under consideration is providing online or satellite-based access to counter the regimes blackout and allow protesters to organise and communicate with the outside world. Trump is also expected to consult senior advisers on how far the United States should go. Some allies within the Republican Party have taken an aggressive stance. For instance, Senator Lindsey Graham has urged Trump to target Irans leadership directly. These discussions are taking place against the backdrop of the recent confrontation. In June, the United States bombed Iranian nuclear facilities after an unexpected Israeli strike, triggering Iranian missile retaliation and leaving hundreds dead. Irans leadership has used Trumps threats to undermine the protest movement. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has dismissed the demonstrations as acts of vandalism encouraged by foreign enemies, accusing protesters of trying to please Trump. President Masoud Pezeshkian has gone further, claiming that the United States and Israel are actively directing the unrest to destabilise the country. Iranian officials have also issued stark warnings. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guard commander, has said any US attack would be a serious miscalculation. He warned that American military bases, naval vessels and Israel itself would be considered legitimate targets if Iran is struck. These threats underline how quickly events could escalate beyond Irans borders. Trumps position is complicated by pressure from Iranian opposition figures abroad. Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Irans last shah, has called for immediate international action, arguing that the world must stop crimes against humanity. Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi has made similar appeals. Pahlavi has even told protesters that Trump is watching their bravery, reinforcing the belief that US support may be forthcoming. Many critics, however, feel that an American attack could unite Iranians behind the regime. Senator Rand Paul has warned that it may strengthen the hardliners. Another worrying point for American planners is the fact that even if they manage to remove Khamenei from the equation, the vacuum is likely to be filled by IRGC commanders. Regional experts also point out the practical difficulties. Carrying out precise air strikes in a densely populated city like Tehran without killing large numbers of civilians would be extremely hard. Senior regime figures are also likely to have tightened their security after last years clashes. Geopolitical realities indicate that the growing rhetoric might create an untenable situation for Trump. His promises to support or even rescue protesters have raised hopes that may be difficult to meet. If he fails to act, he risks being seen as encouraging a movement and then abandoning it. If he does act, the consequences could be severe, including attacks on US forces, a regional war and serious disruption to global oil markets, which have already begun to react to the unrest. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with former U.S. Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner, now chairman of Warburg Pincus, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Jin Liangkuai) BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said on Monday that China welcomes foreign enterprises including Warburg Pincus and long-term capital to continue expanding their investment in China and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China. He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with former U.S. Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner, now chairman of Warburg Pincus. The vice premier said that China is fully implementing the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, in accordance with the suggestions and arrangements of the 15th Five-Year Plan, and advancing the building of a unified national market, unswervingly expanding high-level opening-up and promoting high-quality economic development. For his part, Geithner said that he is optimistic about the prospects of China's economic development, and Warburg Pincus is willing to continue to deepen its presence in the Chinese market and promote the deepening of economic and trade cooperation between the United States and China. Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to issue a public reaction to the anti-regime protests rocking Iran, but the aftermath of the unrest will likely be felt in Moscow, according to political analysts. Tehran is a close ally of Moscow in its war against Ukraine, and both countries have engaged with each other constantly on several global issues, including nuclear diplomacy. The unrest in Iran, which comes close on the heels of the Venezuela issue, has made Moscow nervous, according to political strategist Mikhail Sheitelman. The analyst said Russia was already hurting from the loss of Venezuela and its tankers, which the US detained. This represents a huge setback to the Russian elite, who lost billions of dollars in Venezuelan business. Sheitelman claims that Trumps warning that the US could intervene in the Iranian unrest meant that Russia could lose another ally. "There's a chance a revolution will break out in Tehran, and the Americans will participate. If the regime collapses, the US will control both Venezuelan and Iranian oil. There's no need to reset anything in Iran; everything's working; all that's left is to send their contractors there. The Americans are now entering Venezuela. Trump has a meeting scheduled with oil companies regarding billions of dollars in investments there," Sheitelman told Ukrainian media Channel 24. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East Trump taking control of Iranian oil means Russian oil becomes unnecessary, the analyst believes. If the United States succeeds in exerting influence over Iran, the Shahed drones Russia receives from Tehran could change their destination. If Iran is under US control, Iranian kamikaze drones will no longer be Russian, he said, stating that one cannot rule out the possibility of the drones flying from Ukraine to Russia. Theoretically, the risks for the Russians are such. They've already lost Venezuela, and the tankers too. Putin refused to sign the peace agreement, so he missed out on everything, Sheitelman said. Another political scientist, Taras Zagorodniy, also believes that the events in Iran could impact the "axis of evil," particularly China and Russia. The destablisation in the Middle East means a rise in oil prices, Zagorodniy said on Channel 24. If the US takes control of Iranian oil exports, it will put China under pressure from all sides. After the situation in Venezuela, the Americans will control half of the world's oil supply. And if Iran is added, he believes OPEC+ as an organization will be dead, the scientist from Ukraine claimed. It will be a huge setback for Russia if the US continues to exert pressure and take away oil market share. This will be a huge blow, destabilising the Middle East, putting pressure on China and Russia, because the latter will have no tools left to harm the US or other normal countries, Zagorodniy stated. The social media and news outlets have lately been flooded with news and the latest updates from the ongoing protests that have rocked Irans Islamic regime for the last two weeks. Chants of Mullahs must get lost have become pervasive across Iran following a collapsing currency and shuttered bazaars, which triggered the largest nationwide protests since the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in 2022. One of the defining features of the nationwide protests occurred in Qom, often described as the Vatican of Shiism. In the published footage, women wearing Islamic clothing are also seen among the protesters, indicating the breadth of dissatisfaction across different layers of society. Chants like Death to the dictator, We will fight, we will die, we will take back Iran, and Reza Shah, may your soul rest in peace signify direct challenges to the ideology of political Shiism that governs the Islamic Republic. This is Qom, one of Iran's most conservative and religious cities, where clerics are trained and educated. pic.twitter.com/Szgi5WZ3OH | Sana Ebrahimi (@__Injaneb96) January 8, 2026 To understand why the recent episodes in Qom are significant, one needs to look beyond the number of people on the streets to the citys demography and symbolic geography. Qom's population is overwhelmingly Shia, with over 99% adhering to the faith, and is highly observant of their religion. More importantly, it is a major global centre for Shia scholarship and pilgrimage, housing significant seminaries and shrines, such as the Fatima Masumeh Shrine. The city attracts millions of religious tourists annually, and serves as a spiritual heartland for Twelver Shia Islam in Iran. The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran was sparked in Qom, and Ayatollah Khomeini used the holy city as the launchpad for his Velayat-e-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist), including other ideological pillars of the state. For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East Among the prevailing issues, the demonstrations in Qom, the regimes traditional base, can be plausibly attributed to the deepening sense of systemic economic injustice between both the non-clerical professional and non-official clerical class and those tied to the seminary system (hawzeh elmieh). While those with advanced degrees in engineering and social sciences are frequently marginalised by a stagnant labour market that pays wages below the legal minimum of 104.4 million rials (US$110) per month, their clerical counterparts benefit from a robust, institutionalised safety net. For the 2024-2025 financial year, the government allocated at least 360 trillion rials (approximately US$600 million) to its propaganda activities, of which 40 trillion rials (approximately US$66.7 million) was allocated to support the Qom Seminary. This situation is further exacerbated by the scale of the clerical apparatus, which supports thousands of seminarians through tax-exempt stipends (shahrieh) and exclusive financial perks. Moreover, this economic divide has manifested in visible consumption patterns, in which a new social class of clergy and seminary-affiliated staff reportedly earn triple the salaries of skilled professionals and exercise purchasing power through institutional gift cards at state-funded grocery stores. Mohammed Shoaib Raza In addition to this, the economic woes of non-official clergymen and seminary students add further context to the current dynamics in Qom. The statistic that 90% of clerics do not hold government positions highlights a massive internal divide. While the official clergy (those in the judiciary, ministries, or foundations, bonyads) enjoy state salaries and benefits, the vast majority of traditional clergy rely on dwindling religious endowments and private donations. This creates a class struggle within the clergy, where the seminary students and independent preachers feel abandoned by the state they are expected to represent. The vast majority of seminarians subsist on a modest US$50 monthly stipend, which forces them into the informal economy as labourers or even taxi drivers. Similar discontent was observed among young seminary students and certain clerical groups in Qom in 2023, who voiced concerns about deteriorating economic conditions. Moreover, non-official clerics often bear the brunt of public anger directed at the regime without enjoying any of the regime's luxuries and face social ostracisation or verbal abuse due to the states failures. While this does not mean that the Qom clergy have endorsed protests in the city or Iran, the friction between the "political clergy" in Tehran and the traditional "theological hierarchy" of Qoms hawza cannot be ignored. While Tehrans authority is enforced through the Supreme Leader and the Revolutionary Guards, Qoms influence is rooted in the independent scholarly prestige of the marjas. In recent years, public appeals from high-ranking Grand Ayatollahs, such as Naser Makarem Shirazi, Abdullah Javadi-Amoli, and Hossein Nuri Hamadani, for the state to address popular grievances have exposed a significant rift between Qoms traditional clerical hierarchy and Tehrans political establishment. While Qom is obviously not entirely homogeneous in protest against the regime, it represents a significant challenge to the internal stability of the Islamic Republic, potentially signalling a growing rift between traditional Shia religious identity and the states political framework. Ultimately, if the regime cannot maintain the loyalty of its spiritual heartland, it faces a crisis of authority that state funding and coercive intervention alone may struggle to resolve. Mohammed Shoaib Raza is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for West Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Something deeply unsettling happened on Monday morning at Sriharikota. For the second time in eight months, India's most dependable rocketthe PSLVfailed mid-flight, and once again, the problem struck at exactly the same spot: the third stage. If you're wondering why this matters so much, imagine your most reliable family car suddenly breaking down twice in the same way within months. That's the kind of concern rippling through India's space community right now. Looking back to May 18, 2025. ISRO launched PSLV-C61 in its XL configuration, the heavy-lifter version with six strap-on boosters for extra thrust, carrying a crucial radar satellite called EOS-09 that was meant to watch over our borders and help with everything from farming to disaster management. "The rocket had lifted off beautifully, the first stage roared as expected, the second stage performed perfectly. Then came the third stage, a solid fuel motor that, once lit, burns like a firework and cannot be stopped or adjusted. Suddenly, the chamber pressure dropped. Think of it like a pressure cooker losing steam unexpectedly. The rocket couldn't gain enough speed, and the mission failed. We lost the satellite, and with it, months of work by hundreds of scientists," explained space analyst Girish Linganna. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan had called it a chamber pressure issue. A committee was formed, investigations happened, and by August, they said they'd found the problem and fixed it. Everyone breathed easier. The PSLV has been our workhorse since 1993, successfully launching over 60 missions, including the famous Chandrayaan-1 and Mars Orbiter. Before 2025, it had failed only twice: once in 1993 during its very first flight, and once in 2017 when a heat shield wouldn't separate. This was supposed to be a rare blip, quickly corrected. Monday, January 12, 2026. Another PSLV mission, C62, this time in the DL variant with just two strap-on boosters, a lighter configuration for smaller payloads. It carried EOS-N1a hyperspectral satellite meant to study everything from crop health to water qualityalong with 15 smaller satellites from various companies. The launch at 10.18 am started perfectly. First stage, flawless. Second stage, smooth. Then the third stage fired up, and for a while, everything looked normal. But near the end of its burn, something went terribly wrong. The rocket started experiencing what engineers call "disturbances in roll rates"essentially, it began tumbling and spinning when it shouldn't have. The flight path deviated, and altitude and speed dropped below the required levels. The mission failed. None of the satellites reached orbit. They're likely lost. "Two failures, eight months apart, both in the third stage. This isn't a coincidence anymore. It's a pattern, and patterns demand answers. The third stage uses solid fuel. Once you light it, there's no turning it off, no adjusting the throttle like you can with liquid engines. So when something goes wrong, it goes wrong fast. The May failure showed a pressure drop, suggesting incomplete or uneven burning inside the motor. Today's failure showed the rocket losing control and tumbling, which could mean the nozzle that steers the rocket malfunctioned, or there were structural issues causing uneven thrust," added Linganna. VIDEO | Sriharikota: Sharing an update on the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 mission, ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan says, Today, we attempted the PSLV-C62 EOS-N1 mission. The PSLV vehicle is a four-stage vehicle with two solid stages and two liquid stages. The performance of the vehicle up to pic.twitter.com/bq8Eh3rkyi Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 12, 2026 As per this analyst, the worrying part is that both rockets likely used third stages from similar production batches, possibly with components from the same suppliers. Could there be a hidden manufacturing defect that the previous investigation missed? Or did the fixes applied after May not address the root problem completely? ISRO makes these motors in-house at facilities in Thiruvananthapuram, but various suppliers provide raw materials and components. Quality control in rocket manufacturing is brutally unforgiving even microscopic cracks in the motor casing or tiny flaws in insulation can cause catastrophic failures. Today's C62 mission was handled by NewSpace India Limited, ISRO's commercial arm, carrying paying customers, including international satellites. For years, PSLV has been India's calling card in the global launch marketreliable, affordable, and trusted by nations worldwide. This double failure doesn't just hurt our strategic defence capabilities; it threatens India's hard-earned reputation as a dependable commercial launch provider, potentially costing multi-million dollar contracts as customers nervously eye other options. But ISRO has bounced back before, and they've done it quickly. One can recall the 2017 failure when the heat shield wouldn't separate. ISRO investigated thoroughly, fixed the explosive separation system, added better testing procedures, and the very next launch succeeded beautifully. That led to years of perfect flights. The same DNA of rigorous analysis and relentless problem-solving exists today. What needs to happen now? "First, absolute transparency. ISRO must share detailed findings with the public, not just technical committees. Second, this is the perfect moment to bring in India's growing private space sectorcompanies like Skyroot, Agnikul, and industrial giants like HAL and L&T, who are already building PSLV components. Fresh eyes, independent testing, and advanced simulationsthese can catch problems that internal teams might miss. Third, ISRO needs to slow down and be thorough. The pressure to launch frequently is real, but not at the cost of reliability," pointed out Linganna. On Monday, due to this failure, strategic satellites are lost, millions of rupees evaporated, paying customers are disappointed, and, more painfully, confidence is shaken. But space exploration has always been about learning from failure. Every successful space programmeNASA, SpaceX, the European Space Agencyhas stumbled and risen stronger. ISRO's team includes some of the most talented engineers on the planet. They will dig into every byte of telemetry data, examine every centimetre of similar motors, run exhaustive tests, and find the answer. The PSLV isn't finished. It's just going through a rough patch, the kind that makes teams sharper and systems more robust. When it flies again, and it will, it'll carry not just satellites, but the lessons learned from these difficult days. India's space journey doesn't pause for setbacks; it learns from them and pushes forward, always forward. US Ambassador-designate Sergio Gor announced on Monday that India will soon join the Pax Silica alliance, a US-led strategic initiative aimed at building a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain. "I am pleased to announce that India will be invited to join this group of nations as a full member next month," he said during a ceremony attended by US embassy employees in New Delhi. Gor also praised the strong relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, expressing confidence that the two leaders would soon resolve any differences. "I have traveled all over the world with President Trump, and I can attest that his friendship with Prime Minister Modi is real," he added. What is Pax Silica? Pax Silica is a strategic initiative designed to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain, which spans from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and logistics. The term "Pax" comes from the Latin word for "peace," signifying stability and long-term prosperity, while "Silica" refers to the compound refined into silicon, a key component in the computer chips that power artificial intelligence. According to the US Department of State website, the initiatives goals are to reduce coercive dependencies, safeguard materials essential for artificial intelligence, and ensure that participating nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale. Countries currently involved in Pax Silica include Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK, Israel, the UAE, and Australia. Additionally, Taiwan, the European Union, Canada, and the OECD contribute as guests. Venezuelan and Cuban security personnel stood no chance against US forces who were no more than 20 in number but managed to advance at a great pace, using suspected sonic weapons to take out a numerically superior enemy force, a survivor said in a post shared by Karoline Leavitt on X. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared an X post on Saturday that claimed to be an interview with a Venezuelan security official who survived the US mission to abduct President Nicolas Maduro. "Stop what you are doing and read this," Karoline Leavitt said while sharing the post from Mike Netter, in which the terrified Venezuelan is heard saying he never wants to fight the Americans again and the world doesn't know what they are capable of. ALSO READ | US Navy sent Boeing Growler aircraft on electronic warfare mission against Venezuela air defence systems: Report Hundreds of his comrades were killed by the US soldiers, who were sharp and swift in their progress, the unnamed survivor said. Their arms, however, couldn't hurt even a single US soldier among those who were airdropped from helicopters. It felt like they were firing around 300 rounds a minute, he added. The US soldiers were technically superior to anything they had ever fought and had equipment beyond the imagination of most. There were not more than twenty of them, but they managed to "massacre" their Venezuelan counterparts, which also included Cuban specialists who were in charge of Maduro's security. ALSO READ | Decoding US military action in Venezuela: Chinese military expert explains what may have unfolded The man claimed to be on security duty when the US strike happened out of nowhere. The enemy first blocked all their communication systems and sent swarms of drones to their positions before the personnel arrived and started killing them, he said. "We were on guard, but suddenly all our radar systems shut down without any explanation. The next thing we saw were drones, a lot of drones, flying over our positions. We didn't know how to react." Stop what you are doing and read this https://t.co/v9OsbdLn1q Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) January 10, 2026 "After those drones appeared, some helicopters arrived, but there were very few. I think barely eight helicopters. From those helicopters, soldiers came down, but a very small number. Maybe twenty men. But those men were technologically very advanced. They didn't look like anything we've fought against before," the post said. ALSO READ | How many died in the US strike in Venezuela? Official toll and conflicting reports The interviewee further said that the US soldiers used a sonic weapon that made the enemies vomit blood. Many, including himself, were incapacitated by it, and resistance was almost non-existent from that point. "At one point, they launched somethingI don't know how to describe it... it was like a very intense sound wave. Suddenly I felt like my head was exploding from the inside. We all started bleeding from the nose. Some were vomiting blood. We fell to the ground, unable to move." The traumatised security guard thus concluded the interaction with Mike Netter: "I'm sending a warning to anyone who thinks they can fight the United States. They have no idea what they're capable of. After what I saw, I never want to be on the other side of that again. They're not to be messed with." Donald Trump's USA launched strikes on Venezuela on Saturday and captured its president, Maduro, who is now held in the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, New York, along with his wife. It is said that the elite Delta Force was deployed by the Pentagon for the operation that shook the world. After the Minneapolis fatal shooting, which claimed the life of a 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, it seems the ICE agent Jonathan Ross's family, including his wife and children, has gone into hiding. According to The Daily Mail, the feds have been visiting Ross's residence, where he lives with his wife, Patrixia. Also read | Who is Jonathan Ross? Details about ICE agent's military past and Iraq connection emerge When the identity of the ICE agent responsible for the shooting emerged, media reports revealed that Ross had been married to a woman whose parents were Filipino. There are also reports, confirmed by the neighbours, that Ross's family have left their home in the Minneapolis suburbs. Meanwhile, soon after the incident, Ross's father, Ed, defended his son's actions and held Good accountable for her fate. "She hit him. He also had an officer whose arm was in the car...You would never find a nicer, kinder...committed, conservative Christian and tremendous father and husband. I couldn't be prouder of him," Ed told Daily Mail. Also read | Minneapolis ICE shooting: Did Renee Nicole Good have a criminal history? Fact-checking the rap sheet on X While asked about his daughter-in-law, Ed, without elaborating, said that Patrixia is a US citizen. Ross, a MAGA supporter, is an Iraq War veteran and has served for nearly two decades in the Border Patrol and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Amid nationwide protests against the ICE, the Trump administration and Homeland Security have jumped in to defend Ross's shooting. President Donald Trump, while sharing a video of the incident, said that the officer fired the shots in "self-defence". The woman used her car as a weapon, said Vice President J.D. Vance. However, a detailed investigation is underway by the FBI into the incident. ICE is under intense fire as nationwide protests surge following the killing of Renee Nicole Good; hundreds of demonstrators are flooding the streets to demand an end to federal impunity and a full investigation into the fatal shooting. The demonstrators demanded that the governor of Minnesota and the mayor of Minneapolis use their authority to hold the ICE agents accountable for their actions. Also read | Minneapolis ICE shooting: Did Renee Nicole Good have a criminal history? Fact-checking the rap sheet on X BREAKING: Thousands of protestors have gathered in New York Ciry and across the country to protest against ICE. This is real power. pic.twitter.com/LK71iAHGXX Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) January 11, 2026 As the situation remained tense in many cities, the Trump administration is planning to send "hundred more" federal officials to Minneapolis. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that more officials will be sent in order to ensure the safety of the ICE and Border Patrol individuals working in the area. BREAKING This is not LA or NYC! This Anti-ICE Protest is in Deep Red Kansas. ICE has No Idea what Theyve Unleashed... pic.twitter.com/jFqKtcPXGU Pamphlets (@PamphletsY) January 11, 2026 Anti-ICE protests swept across the US, including Austin, Seattle, New York and Los Angeles. Huge crowds are gathering in Minneapolis to protest against ICE. This is how you resist! But please, for the love of goodness, remain peaceful at all costs; they want violence to kill more innocent people. pic.twitter.com/m5cyhh7IK5 Andrea Junker (@Strandjunker) January 10, 2026 Also read | Minneapolis shooting: New video shows ICE agent's version, reveals last words of Renee Good Meanwhile, Indian-origin Congressman Shri Thanedar announced that he intended to introduce legislation to dismantle the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and end its current enforcement authority. The bill, the 'Abolish ICE Act, ' is a step toward justice, accountability, and a more humane approach to immigration policy, he said. Also read | Who is Jonathan Ross? Details about ICE agent's military past and Iraq connection emerge The proposed legislation would eliminate ICE, which was created in 2003 under the Department of Homeland Security. Commenting on Noem's claim of Good committing an act of 'domestic terrorism' and 'weaponised' her car to attack ICE agents, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told CNN that anybody can see that this victim is not a domestic terrorist. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance supported Jonathan Ross and termed his shooting as "self-defence". However, the FBI has taken over the investigation, while leaders raise concerns about the fairness of the inquiry. "Deep mistrust over the federal investigation...because so many of the things that we are hearing are not true," said Frey. After the incident, the Minnesota administration has launched a separate inquiry into the shooting. The officials alleged that the federal agencies are not cooperating with their independent investigation. "If it was an FBI investigation that was done jointly with an investigation from the [Minnesota] Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, we could have some trust that there were entities and individuals at the table that were properly reviewing the evidence," Frey said. Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI Get Free Report) and Bollore (OTCMKTS:BOIVF Get Free Report) are both large-cap transportation companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, institutional ownership and earnings. Insider and Institutional Ownership 80.7% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.4% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Canadian National Railway alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Canadian National Railway and Bollore, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Canadian National Railway 1 9 9 2 2.57 Bollore 0 0 0 0 0.00 Profitability Canadian National Railway currently has a consensus target price of $117.27, suggesting a potential upside of 18.52%. Given Canadian National Railways stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Canadian National Railway is more favorable than Bollore. This table compares Canadian National Railway and Bollores net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Canadian National Railway 26.86% 21.50% 8.03% Bollore N/A N/A N/A Volatility and Risk Canadian National Railway has a beta of 0.96, suggesting that its share price is 4% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Bollore has a beta of 0.7, suggesting that its share price is 30% less volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Canadian National Railway and Bollores revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Canadian National Railway $12.44 billion 4.89 $3.25 billion $5.27 18.78 Bollore $3.39 billion 4.44 $1.97 billion N/A N/A Canadian National Railway has higher revenue and earnings than Bollore. Summary Canadian National Railway beats Bollore on 13 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Canadian National Railway (Get Free Report) Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks. It offers trucking services, such as door-to-door services, import and export dray, interline services, and specialized services, comprising flatbed trucks, on-deck mobile transport trays, expedited cargo, and permit/overweight services; and supply chain services. It serves automotive, coal, fertilizers, temperature controlled cargo, forest products, dimensional, grain, metal and minerals, petroleum and chemicals, consumer goods, and third party logistics applications. The company operates a rail network of approximately 20,000 route-miles of track and shipping spanning. Canadian National Railway Company was incorporated in 1919 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. About Bollore (Get Free Report) Bollore SE engages in the transportation and logistics, communications, and industry businesses in France, rest of Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. It operates through Bollore Logistics, Bollore Energy, Communications, and Industry segments. The company offers freight forwarding, railroad, and port services; and distributes oil products. It also provides advertising, and communication consulting services; owns and publishes Cnews, a French daily newspaper; provides ticketing and venue services; acts as a pay-TV operator; and operates Mac-Mahon cinema theaters. In addition, it develops batteries based on lithium metal polymer technology for use in electric buses and energy storage solutions, as well as in stationary applications; and polypropylene films for capacitors and electrical components. Further, the company integrates identification, tracking, and mobility solutions for retail, transport, and logistics; provides equipment for pedestrian and vehicle access control; and electric shuttles solutions. The company was founded in 1822 and is based in Puteaux, France. Bollore SE is a subsidiary of Financiere de l'Odet SE. Receive News & Ratings for Canadian National Railway Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian National Railway and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- NASA launched a new satellite mission into low Earth orbit on Sunday to study the atmospheres of exoplanets and their host stars. The mission, codenamed Pandora, lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 5:44 a.m. Pacific Time from Vandenberg Space Force Base in the U.S. state of California on Sunday. Pandora will examine at least 20 exoplanets along with their host stars. The satellite will conduct long, continuous observations as the planets orbit their respective stars, simultaneously collecting visible and near-infrared light. This data will help researchers distinguish between signals originating from the planets and those from the stars, according to NASA. Pandora's observations are expected to determine whether a planet's atmosphere contains hazes, clouds or water, or whether apparent signals of these substances actually arise from the star, NASA said. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note issued to investors on Sunday morning. Several other analysts have also recently commented on AEM. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $140.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 15th. Jefferies Financial Group set a $189.00 target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Sunday, December 7th. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $209.00 to $226.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, October 16th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $180.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Zacks Research raised Agnico Eagle Mines from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $201.60. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on Agnico Eagle Mines Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Performance Shares of Agnico Eagle Mines stock opened at $190.90 on Friday. Agnico Eagle Mines has a 12 month low of $81.45 and a 12 month high of $191.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.31, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. The stock has a market cap of $95.78 billion, a PE ratio of 27.87, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 0.63. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $170.41 and a 200-day simple moving average of $153.41. Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM Get Free Report) (TSE:AEM) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The mining company reported $2.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.76 by $0.40. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 15.64% and a net margin of 32.62%.The firm had revenue of $3.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.93 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.14 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Agnico Eagle Mines will post 4.63 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Trading of Agnico Eagle Mines Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in AEM. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 381.3% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 154 shares of the mining companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 122 shares during the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the second quarter worth $29,000. City State Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 69.2% during the 2nd quarter. City State Bank now owns 269 shares of the mining companys stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 110 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 59.7% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 198 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.34% of the companys stock. About Agnico Eagle Mines (Get Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE: AEM) is a Canadian-based senior gold producer headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. The company is principally engaged in the exploration, development, production and reclamation of gold-bearing properties. Agnico Eagle pursues both greenfield and brownfield exploration to expand its resource base and operates a portfolio of producing mines and development projects to generate long-life gold production. Its core business activities span the full mining lifecycle: grassroots and advanced-stage exploration, prefeasibility and feasibility studies, mine construction, underground and open-pit mining, ore processing and metal recovery, and post-mining reclamation and closure. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chevron (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities researchers at Wall Street Zen from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report issued on Saturday. CVX has been the subject of several other reports. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Chevron from $177.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price target on shares of Chevron from $170.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. Raymond James Financial restated an outperform rating and issued a $160.00 price objective (down from $170.00) on shares of Chevron in a research note on Friday, October 17th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Chevron from $185.00 to $179.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Zacks Research raised Chevron from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, December 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating, nine have assigned a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Chevron currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $167.14. Get Chevron alerts: View Our Latest Stock Report on Chevron Chevron Stock Up 1.8% Chevron stock opened at $162.15 on Friday. Chevron has a one year low of $132.04 and a one year high of $168.96. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $152.31 and a 200 day moving average of $153.56. 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 stock has a market cap of $326.49 billion, a PE ratio of 22.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 10.19 and a beta of 0.70. Chevron (NYSE:CVX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The oil and gas company reported $1.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.14. Chevron had a return on equity of 8.74% and a net margin of 6.57%.The business had revenue of $48.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $46.99 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.48 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Chevron will post 10.79 EPS for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets 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. Also, insider Alana K. Knowles sold 7,956 shares of Chevron stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $165.05, for a total value of $1,313,137.80. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 1,207 shares in the company, valued at $199,215.35. This trade represents a 86.83% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 631,990 shares of company stock worth $99,716,808. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Chevron Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quaker Wealth Management LLC grew its position 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 valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 439 shares in the last quarter. Decker Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new position in Chevron during the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Vermillion & White Wealth Management Group LLC grew its holdings 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 valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. increased its stake in Chevron by 52.3% in the 2nd quarter. IMG Wealth Management Inc. now owns 265 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $38,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marquette Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Chevron during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Institutional investors own 72.42% of the companys stock. Key Headlines Impacting Chevron Here are the key news stories impacting Chevron this week: Positive Sentiment: Chevron is in advanced talks with the U.S. government to expand its Venezuela license, which would allow higher exports to Chevrons refineries and third parties a clear potential earnings and volume catalyst. Read More. Chevron is in advanced talks with the U.S. government to expand its Venezuela license, which would allow higher exports to Chevrons refineries and third parties a clear potential earnings and volume catalyst. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Shipping and operational activity is picking up: data and filings show Chevron loading Venezuelan crude and contracting multiple tankers, signalling the company can scale flows quickly if approvals hold. Read More. Shipping and operational activity is picking up: data and filings show Chevron loading Venezuelan crude and contracting multiple tankers, signalling the company can scale flows quickly if approvals hold. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Market positioning and deal activity: reports show Chevron competing with traders and partners to control Venezuelan exports and lining up bids for international assets moves that could expand supply links and reserves. Read More. Market positioning and deal activity: reports show Chevron competing with traders and partners to control Venezuelan exports and lining up bids for international assets moves that could expand supply links and reserves. Read More. Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Bernstein and other outlets have recently raised targets or reiterated bullish theses on CVX amid the Venezuela angle, providing analyst-driven validation. Read More. Analyst support: Bernstein and other outlets have recently raised targets or reiterated bullish theses on CVX amid the Venezuela angle, providing analyst-driven validation. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: White House engagement: President Trump met with oil executives to discuss Venezuela reconstruction policy backing could help but details, guarantees and timelines remain uncertain. Read More. White House engagement: President Trump met with oil executives to discuss Venezuela reconstruction policy backing could help but details, guarantees and timelines remain uncertain. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Companies want guarantees: FT/Reuters reporting that U.S. majors want formal guarantees from Washington before committing large capital, implying any large-scale Venezuela rebuild will be phased and conditional. Read More. Companies want guarantees: FT/Reuters reporting that U.S. majors want formal guarantees from Washington before committing large capital, implying any large-scale Venezuela rebuild will be phased and conditional. Read More. Neutral Sentiment: Distribution risk: some shipments to traditional buyers (notably Chinese buyers) are paused, tempering near-term cash conversion despite increased loading activity. Read More. Distribution risk: some shipments to traditional buyers (notably Chinese buyers) are paused, tempering near-term cash conversion despite increased loading activity. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Large insider selling disclosed (CEO, CFO and other insiders sold sizable blocks in early January), which can be perceived negatively and add short-term selling pressure. Read More. Large insider selling disclosed (CEO, CFO and other insiders sold sizable blocks in early January), which can be perceived negatively and add short-term selling pressure. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Analyst downgrades and sell-side caution: at least one firm cut CVX to Strong Sell and others trimmed price targets, reflecting some skepticism about sustainable upside after the recent run. Read More. Read More. Analyst downgrades and sell-side caution: at least one firm cut CVX to Strong Sell and others trimmed price targets, reflecting some skepticism about sustainable upside after the recent run. Read More. Read More. Negative Sentiment: Political/reputational risk: high-profile criticism and scrutiny around U.S. handling of Venezuela investments raise execution and regulatory uncertainty. Read More. Chevron Company Profile (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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Chevron Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chevron and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of KBR (NYSE:KBR Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Sunday. KBR has been the subject of several other research reports. Citigroup cut their target price on KBR from $62.00 to $57.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. Oppenheimer assumed coverage on shares of KBR in a research report on Tuesday, December 2nd. They issued an outperform rating and a $60.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of KBR in a report on Thursday, November 13th. They set an equal weight rating and a $45.00 target price on the stock. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of KBR from $55.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c-) rating on shares of KBR in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, KBR currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $57.40. Get KBR alerts: View Our Latest Report on KBR KBR Stock Up 1.6% KBR stock opened at $44.41 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $41.90 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.56. The company has a current ratio of 1.18, a quick ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.74. KBR has a 1-year low of $39.52 and a 1-year high of $60.98. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.52. KBR (NYSE:KBR Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The construction company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.07. KBR had a return on equity of 35.14% and a net margin of 4.71%.The firm had revenue of $1.93 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.99 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.84 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that KBR will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year. KBR Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th will be paid a $0.165 dividend. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 15th. KBRs payout ratio is currently 22.68%. Institutional Trading of KBR Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position in KBR by 207.8% in the third quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 594 shares of the construction companys stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 401 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in KBR by 432.5% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 607 shares of the construction companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 493 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in KBR by 75.8% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 617 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 266 shares during the last quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of KBR in the 3rd quarter worth about $32,000. Finally, Byrne Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of KBR during the 2nd quarter valued at about $41,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.02% of the companys stock. KBR Company Profile (Get Free Report) KBR, Inc is a global engineering, procurement, construction and services (EPC&S) company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The firm delivers integrated solutions and technologies across the full project lifecycle for customers in the energy, government, industrial and infrastructure sectors. Its offerings span feasibility studies, front-end engineering design, detailed design, procurement, fabrication, construction, commissioning and operations support. The company is organized into business segments that include Energy Solutions, which focuses on oil and gas processing, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities and petrochemical plants; Government Solutions, providing logistics, sustainment, training and mission support for defense, intelligence and civilian agencies; and Sustainable Technology, delivering chemical process technologies, water treatment and lower-carbon fuels expertise. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gildan Activewear Inc. (TSE:GIL Get Free Report) (NYSE:GIL) has been given an average recommendation of Buy by the seven research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, three have issued a buy recommendation and two have given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$81.00. A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. National Bankshares boosted their target price on Gildan Activewear from C$91.00 to C$92.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 23rd. Citigroup cut Gildan Activewear from a buy rating to a neutral rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from C$60.00 to C$63.00 in a report on Monday, October 20th. TD Securities upped their target price on shares of Gildan Activewear from C$73.00 to C$74.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Desjardins set a C$95.00 price target on shares of Gildan Activewear and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, December 19th. Get Gildan Activewear alerts: Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Gildan Activewear Gildan Activewear Trading Up 0.3% GIL opened at C$88.34 on Friday. Gildan Activewear has a 1-year low of C$52.77 and a 1-year high of C$90.06. The stock has a market capitalization of C$16.36 billion, a PE ratio of 28.41, a PEG ratio of 4.55 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a current ratio of 2.31, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 101.26. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of C$82.92 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$78.51. Gildan Activewear (TSE:GIL Get Free Report) (NYSE:GIL) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The company reported C$1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Gildan Activewear had a net margin of 13.05% and a return on equity of 23.10%. The company had revenue of C$1.27 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Gildan Activewear will post 4.5460385 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Gildan Activewear Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 15th were given a dividend of $0.226 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 19th. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Gildan Activewears payout ratio is presently 28.39%. Gildan Activewear Company Profile (Get Free Report) Gildan is a leading manufacturer of everyday basic apparel. The Companys product offering includes activewear, underwear, socks, and intimates sold to a broad range of customers, including wholesale distributors, screenprinters, embellishers, retailers or e-commerce platforms, as well as global lifestyle brand companies. Gildan markets its products in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, under a diversified portfolio of Company-owned brands including Gildan, Hanes, Comfort Colors, American Apparel, ALLPRO, GOLDTOE, Peds, Bali, Playtex, Maidenform, Bonds, as well as Champion which is under an exclusive licensing agreement for the printwear channel in the U.S. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Gildan Activewear Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gildan Activewear and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE:AG Get Free Report) (TSE:FR) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the eight brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $17.3333. Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of First Majestic Silver from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Sunday, October 5th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a hold (c-) rating on shares of First Majestic Silver in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. HC Wainwright set a $17.50 price objective on shares of First Majestic Silver in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of First Majestic Silver from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Sunday, November 16th. Finally, National Bankshares set a $22.00 target price on First Majestic Silver and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Get First Majestic Silver alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on AG Institutional Investors Weigh In On First Majestic Silver First Majestic Silver Trading Up 5.7% Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position in First Majestic Silver by 32.0% in the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 43,225,807 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $531,234,000 after purchasing an additional 10,471,543 shares during the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of First Majestic Silver by 14.0% in the third quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 21,014,859 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $258,273,000 after purchasing an additional 2,581,023 shares during the period. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its stake in shares of First Majestic Silver by 38.5% in the third quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 18,932,368 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $232,539,000 after purchasing an additional 5,265,612 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of First Majestic Silver by 4.3% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 18,050,155 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $221,657,000 after buying an additional 739,315 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lingotto Investment Management LLP boosted its position in shares of First Majestic Silver by 2.2% during the second quarter. Lingotto Investment Management LLP now owns 9,964,096 shares of the mining companys stock worth $82,403,000 after buying an additional 213,577 shares during the period. 27.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Shares of NYSE AG opened at $18.92 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.96, a current ratio of 3.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $14.77 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $11.82. First Majestic Silver has a 52-week low of $5.09 and a 52-week high of $18.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 135.14 and a beta of 0.77. First Majestic Silver (NYSE:AG Get Free Report) (TSE:FR) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The mining company reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.11 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $285.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $429.78 million. First Majestic Silver had a return on equity of 3.14% and a net margin of 7.07%.First Majestic Silvers revenue was up 95.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted ($0.09) EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that First Majestic Silver will post 0.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. First Majestic Silver Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 28th. Investors of record on Friday, November 14th were paid a dividend of $0.0052 per share. This represents a $0.02 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 14th. This is an increase from First Majestic Silvers previous quarterly dividend of $0.00. First Majestic Silvers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.29%. First Majestic Silver Company Profile (Get Free Report) First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE:AG) engages in the production of silver from its wholly owned operations in Mexico. Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company focuses on acquiring, developing and operating high-grade silver projects. Established in 2002, First Majestic has built a multi-mine portfolio to supply silver primarily for the global industrial and investment markets while generating by-products such as gold, lead and zinc concentrates. First Majestics principal operations are located in the historic Mexican Silver Belt, with producing mines including La Encantada in Coahuila, Santa Elena in Sonora and La Parrilla in Durango. See Also Receive News & Ratings for First Majestic Silver Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Majestic Silver and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:ABG Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the nine analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, six have given a hold recommendation and two have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $250.5714. ABG has been the subject of several recent research reports. Zacks Research cut Asbury Automotive Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of Asbury Automotive Group in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Asbury Automotive Group in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $275.00 to $251.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, December 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Asbury Automotive Group from $230.00 to $235.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Wednesday, November 5th. Get Asbury Automotive Group alerts: Read Our Latest Report on ABG Asbury Automotive Group Trading Up 2.0% Shares of Asbury Automotive Group stock opened at $255.66 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.30 and a current ratio of 0.99. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $234.01 and a 200-day moving average of $240.10. Asbury Automotive Group has a 52-week low of $201.68 and a 52-week high of $312.56. The stock has a market cap of $4.97 billion, a PE ratio of 8.96 and a beta of 0.82. Asbury Automotive Group (NYSE:ABG Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $7.17 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $6.80 by $0.37. The business had revenue of $4.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.84 billion. Asbury Automotive Group had a net margin of 3.15% and a return on equity of 15.26%. The businesss revenue was up 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $6.35 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Asbury Automotive Group will post 26.28 EPS for the current year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Asbury Automotive Group Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ABG. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Asbury Automotive Group by 1,570.2% in the 4th quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 9,086 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,113,000 after purchasing an additional 8,542 shares in the last quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL grew its position in Asbury Automotive Group by 52.2% in the third quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL now owns 53,973 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,194,000 after acquiring an additional 18,507 shares during the last quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in Asbury Automotive Group during the third quarter worth about $208,000. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group in the third quarter worth about $512,000. Finally, Woodline Partners LP bought a new position in shares of Asbury Automotive Group in the third quarter worth about $32,684,000. About Asbury Automotive Group (Get Free Report) Asbury Automotive Group, Inc (NYSE:ABG) is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States. Headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, the company operates a network of franchised dealerships representing a diverse portfolio of automotive brands. Its core business activities include the sale of new and pre-owned vehicles, as well as the provision of vehicle finance, insurance and protection products to retail customers. In addition to retail sales, Asbury offers a comprehensive suite of after-sales services, from scheduled maintenance and certified collision repair to parts distribution. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Asbury Automotive Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Asbury Automotive Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC lifted its holdings in shares of GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Free Report) by 146.7% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 34,160 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 20,314 shares during the period. GE Aerospace comprises 0.9% of Tema Etfs LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 18th largest holding. Tema Etfs LLCs holdings in GE Aerospace were worth $10,276,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Ameriflex Group Inc. increased its holdings in GE Aerospace by 23.5% in the 2nd quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. now owns 1,742 shares of the companys stock worth $437,000 after buying an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co lifted its stake in GE Aerospace by 21.3% during the 3rd quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 32,021 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,633,000 after acquiring an additional 5,625 shares during the period. Cadinha & Co. LLC boosted its holdings in shares of GE Aerospace by 154.8% during the 3rd quarter. Cadinha & Co. LLC now owns 97,280 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,264,000 after acquiring an additional 59,106 shares during the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey grew its stake in shares of GE Aerospace by 1.8% in the second quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 159,682 shares of the companys stock worth $41,101,000 after acquiring an additional 2,779 shares during the period. Finally, Czech National Bank grew its stake in shares of GE Aerospace by 3.3% in the third quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 269,330 shares of the companys stock worth $81,020,000 after acquiring an additional 8,668 shares during the period. 74.77% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get GE Aerospace alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets GE has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage on shares of GE Aerospace in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. They set an underperform rating on the stock. Bank of America boosted their target price on shares of GE Aerospace from $310.00 to $365.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on GE Aerospace from $275.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Wall Street Zen lowered GE Aerospace from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, January 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price objective on GE Aerospace from $271.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Sixteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $309.94. Insider Transactions at GE Aerospace In other GE Aerospace news, SVP Russell Stokes sold 8,000 shares of GE Aerospace stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $297.71, for a total transaction of $2,381,680.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 150,434 shares of the companys stock, valued at $44,785,706.14. The trade was a 5.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock. GE Aerospace Trading Up 2.3% Shares of GE Aerospace stock opened at $321.65 on Monday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $303.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $288.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $339.28 billion, a PE ratio of 42.94, a P/E/G ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.40. GE Aerospace has a 1-year low of $159.36 and a 1-year high of $332.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 0.76. GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 21st. The company reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.46 by $0.20. The business had revenue of $11.31 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.29 billion. GE Aerospace had a return on equity of 34.01% and a net margin of 18.34%.GE Aerospaces revenue for the quarter was up 26.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.15 earnings per share. GE Aerospace has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.000-6.200 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that GE Aerospace will post 5.4 earnings per share for the current year. GE Aerospace Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, January 26th. Investors of record on Monday, December 29th will be issued a $0.36 dividend. This represents a $1.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 29th. GE Aerospaces dividend payout ratio is currently 19.23%. GE Aerospace Company Profile (Free Report) GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) is the aerospace business of General Electric, focused on the design, manufacture and support of aircraft engines, integrated propulsion systems and related aftermarket services. The company serves commercial airlines, airframers, business and general aviation operators, and defense customers, providing propulsion solutions for a broad range of aircraft types from single?aisle airliners to widebody and military platforms. Its product portfolio includes a family of commercial and military jet engines as well as spare parts, components and systems engineering. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for GE Aerospace (NYSE:GE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for GE Aerospace Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GE Aerospace and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC acquired a new position in Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 41,718 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,410,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC boosted its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 655,209.0% in the second quarter. Kingstone Capital Partners Texas LLC now owns 76,028,952 shares of the companys stock worth $11,832,680,000 after acquiring an additional 76,017,350 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Procter & Gamble during the second quarter worth $5,099,644,000. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Procter & Gamble by 15,971.7% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 7,012,744 shares of the companys stock worth $1,117,270,000 after buying an additional 6,969,110 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 1.4% during the 2nd 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 during the period. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in Procter & Gamble by 21.4% in the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 16,374,499 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,608,785,000 after acquiring an additional 2,880,895 shares during the last quarter. 65.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Insider Transactions at Procter & Gamble In related news, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 725 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.57, for a total value of $108,438.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 979 shares in the company, valued at $146,429.03. This trade represents a 42.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler assumed coverage on Procter & Gamble in a research report on Wednesday. They issued a neutral rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. Barclays reduced their price target on Procter & Gamble from $153.00 to $151.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Raymond James Financial lowered their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $185.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on Procter & Gamble from $176.00 to $171.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Finally, TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $168.00 to $150.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $169.23. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Procter & Gamble Procter & Gamble Stock Performance PG opened at $141.81 on Monday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $144.93 and a 200 day moving average of $151.45. Procter & Gamble Company has a fifty-two week low of $137.62 and a fifty-two week high of $179.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $331.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.70, a PEG ratio of 4.79 and a beta of 0.39. 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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.90 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $22.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.23 billion. Procter & Gamble had a return on equity of 32.63% and a net margin of 19.74%.The companys revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.93 EPS. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.100 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 24th were given a $1.0568 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 24th. This represents a $4.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.0%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 61.75%. Key Procter & Gamble News Here are the key news stories impacting Procter & Gamble this week: 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tema Etfs LLC increased its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 34.1% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 102,238 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after purchasing an additional 25,997 shares during the quarter. Tema Etfs LLCs holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb were worth $4,611,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of BMY. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in the second quarter worth about $1,554,154,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 16.8% in the 2nd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 70,802,680 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $3,277,456,000 after acquiring an additional 10,195,775 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb by 428.5% during the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 11,311,281 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $523,599,000 after acquiring an additional 9,171,098 shares during the period. Man Group plc lifted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 280.4% during the second quarter. Man Group plc now owns 7,465,845 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $345,594,000 after purchasing an additional 5,503,391 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 142.8% in the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 8,436,811 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $390,541,000 after purchasing an additional 4,961,869 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 76.41% of the companys stock. Get Bristol Myers Squibb alerts: Key Headlines Impacting Bristol Myers Squibb Here are the key news stories impacting Bristol Myers Squibb this week: Bristol Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.0% Shares of BMY stock opened at $55.92 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $113.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 9.25 and a beta of 0.29. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 12-month low of $42.52 and a 12-month high of $63.33. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $50.93 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.81. Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.63 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.52 by $0.11. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 76.53% and a net margin of 12.57%.The business had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.75 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.80 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Bristol Myers Squibb has set its FY 2025 guidance at 6.400-6.600 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bristol Myers Squibb Increases Dividend 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 $0.63 dividend. This is a boost from Bristol Myers Squibbs previous quarterly dividend of $0.62. This represents a $2.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, January 2nd. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 85.14%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c-) rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Morgan Stanley reissued an underweight rating and set a $37.00 price target (up from $36.00) on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, December 12th. Dbs Bank raised Bristol Myers Squibb to a moderate buy rating in a research note on Thursday, October 2nd. Scotiabank reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $60.00 target price (up previously from $53.00) on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, November 17th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, thirteen have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $56.62. View Our Latest Analysis on BMY 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 late?stage pipeline reflect a strong emphasis on cancer and immune?mediated conditions. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MA reduced its stake in shares of Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR Free Report) by 0.3% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 1,668,285 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 5,133 shares during the quarter. Danaher comprises approximately 2.9% of Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MAs holdings, making the stock its 9th largest position. Loring Wolcott & Coolidge Fiduciary Advisors LLP MAs holdings in Danaher were worth $330,754,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in DHR. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new position in shares of Danaher during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute bought a new stake in Danaher in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. TruNorth Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Danaher during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Red Tortoise LLC grew its position in Danaher by 175.0% in the 2nd quarter. Red Tortoise LLC now owns 154 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tripletail Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Danaher in the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. 79.05% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Danaher alerts: Danaher Price Performance NYSE DHR opened at $238.28 on Monday. Danaher Corporation has a 1 year low of $171.00 and a 1 year high of $258.23. The businesss fifty day moving average is $225.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $210.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $168.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.13, a P/E/G ratio of 4.24 and a beta of 0.89. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.52. Danaher Dividend Announcement Danaher ( NYSE:DHR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, October 20th. The conglomerate reported $1.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.72 by $0.17. Danaher had a return on equity of 10.92% and a net margin of 14.44%.The business had revenue of $6.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.71 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Danaher Corporation will post 7.63 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 26th will be paid a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 26th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. Danahers dividend payout ratio is currently 26.39%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on DHR shares. KeyCorp reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Danaher in a research report on Thursday, December 18th. Bank of America reduced their price target on Danaher from $230.00 to $220.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised Danaher from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 22nd. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of Danaher in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of Danaher in a report on Monday, December 1st. They issued an overweight rating and a $270.00 price objective for the company. Twenty-one investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $249.92. Get Our Latest Stock Report on DHR Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, SVP Brian W. Ellis sold 21,776 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $219.23, for a total transaction of $4,773,952.48. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 14,553 shares in the company, valued at $3,190,454.19. The trade was a 59.94% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Teri List sold 3,298 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $226.50, for a total transaction of $746,997.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 20,762 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,702,593. This trade represents a 13.71% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 30,248 shares of company stock worth $6,609,663 over the last ninety days. 11.10% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Danaher Profile (Free Report) Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR) is a global science and technology company that designs, manufactures and markets products and services for the life sciences, diagnostics, and environmental and applied markets. The company organizes its operations into business segments focused on Life Sciences, Diagnostics, and Environmental & Applied Solutions, supplying instruments, reagents, software and related services that support research, clinical testing, biopharmaceutical development, and industrial and environmental monitoring. Products and services in Danahers portfolio include analytical and diagnostic instruments, laboratory consumables and reagents, digital and software solutions for workflow and data management, field and industrial monitoring equipment, and service and maintenance programs. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DHR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Danaher Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Danaher and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday once again claimed that the United States will acquire Denmark's Greenland "one way or the other." Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said that with regard to Greenland, he was not considering leasing or short-term arrangements, but "acquiring" the territory. "We're talking about acquiring, not leasing, not having it short term, we're talking about acquiring," said Trump, adding it's insufficient for the country to merely maintain military bases on the island. "I'd love to make a deal with them. It's easier, but one way or the other, we're going to have Greenland," Trump asserted. Asked if the U.S. demand for Greenland will damage NATO and European allies, Trump said, "If it affects NATO and it affects NATO, but you know, they need us much more than we need them." "I'm the one that saved NATO," Trump claimed, again questioning whether NATO allies would support the United States when it is needed. "I just wonder whether or not, if we needed NATO, would they be there for us? I'm not sure they would," the president said. Trump also repeated his baseless allegations that Russian and Chinese warships and submarines were "all over the place" around Greenland, using the false claims to argue that the United States needs to own Greenland for national security reasons. "If we don't do it, Russia or China will," Trump claimed, offering no evidence. "I have seen the intelligence. There are no ships, no submarines," the Financial Times quoted one of two senior Nordic diplomats with access to NATO intelligence briefings as saying on Sunday. The two diplomats told the newspaper that there was no evidence of Russian or Chinese ships or submarines operating around Greenland in recent years, directly contradicting Trump's allegations. Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide also told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that there was "very little" Russian or Chinese activity near Greenland, reported U.S. media outlet Politico. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at an annual security conference on Sunday that Stockholm was "highly critical" of what the Trump administration was doing to Denmark and Greenland. "We are probably even more critical of the rhetoric that is being expressed against Greenland and Denmark," said Kristersson, noting that the rules-based international order is under greater strain than it has been in decades. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Sunday that Denmark is "at a crossroads" amid Trump's threats to obtain Greenland, calling it "a fateful moment." "We are at a crossroads, and this is a fateful moment," Frederiksen said at a rally. "What is at stake is bigger than what the eye can see, because if what we experience from the Americans is that they are actually turning their backs on the Western alliance, that they are turning their backs on our NATO cooperation by threatening an ally, which we have not experienced before, then everything will stop." Foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Vivian Motzfeldt, are due to meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week. The White House issued a statement Tuesday, saying that "utilizing the U.S. military" is always an option for Trump over his demand for Greenland. Rubio reportedly told U.S. lawmakers that Trump's recent threats didn't signal an imminent invasion and that the White House's goal is to buy the island from Denmark. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. boosted its position in Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 6,166,709 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 23,765 shares during the quarter. Procter & Gamble makes up about 0.5% of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th largest position. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc.s holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $947,515,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of PG. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Procter & Gamble in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Procter & Gamble by 67.9% in the second quarter. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC now owns 178 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Corundum Trust Company INC acquired a new position in shares of Procter & Gamble during the third quarter valued at $32,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Procter & Gamble in the second quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Procter & Gamble in the second quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors own 65.77% of the companys stock. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Procter & Gamble Stock Performance Shares of PG opened at $141.81 on Monday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $144.93 and a two-hundred day moving average of $151.45. The stock has a market cap of $331.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.70, a PEG ratio of 4.79 and a beta of 0.39. 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 Company has a one year low of $137.62 and a one year high of $179.99. Procter & Gamble Dividend Announcement Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 24th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) 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 firm had revenue of $22.39 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $22.23 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.93 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. Procter & Gamble has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.830-7.100 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Procter & Gamble Company will post 6.91 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, November 17th. Investors of record on Friday, October 24th were paid a $1.0568 dividend. This represents a $4.23 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, October 24th. Procter & Gambles payout ratio is presently 61.75%. More Procter & Gamble News Here are the key news stories impacting Procter & Gamble this week: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently weighed in on PG shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $165.00 to $157.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, December 18th. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Procter & Gamble in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Morgan Stanley set a $175.00 target price on Procter & Gamble in a research note on Monday, October 27th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $170.00 to $158.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $153.00 to $151.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 8th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and ten have given a Hold rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Procter & Gamble presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $169.23. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Procter & Gamble Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 725 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $149.57, for a total value of $108,438.25. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 979 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $146,429.03. This trade represents a 42.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders. Procter & Gamble Company Profile (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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Procter & Gamble Company (The) (NYSE:PG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eldorado Gold Corporation (NYSE:EGO Get Free Report) (TSE:ELD)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $39.59 and last traded at $39.6230, with a volume of 87824 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $38.28. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades EGO has been the subject of several research reports. Scotiabank raised their price target on Eldorado Gold from $25.50 to $33.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 23rd. 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 research note on Monday, December 1st. CIBC increased their price target on shares of Eldorado Gold from $32.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an outperformer rating in a report on Friday, October 10th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, October 11th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded Eldorado Gold from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $31.20. Get Eldorado Gold alerts: Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on EGO Eldorado Gold Stock Up 3.7% The company has a market cap of $7.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.04, a PEG ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 0.54. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $32.15 and a 200 day moving average of $27.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 2.79 and a quick ratio of 2.28. Eldorado Gold (NYSE:EGO Get Free Report) (TSE:ELD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.49 by ($0.08). Eldorado Gold had a return on equity of 8.89% and a net margin of 22.15%.The firm had revenue of $436.44 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $422.25 million. Research analysts anticipate that Eldorado Gold Corporation will post 1.5 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its position in Eldorado Gold by 33.9% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 16,499,858 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $476,679,000 after purchasing an additional 4,173,963 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Eldorado Gold by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,387,901 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $242,226,000 after acquiring an additional 209,947 shares in the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC grew its position in Eldorado Gold by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 8,173,003 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $236,118,000 after acquiring an additional 182,780 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its position in Eldorado Gold by 8.4% in the third quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 5,413,904 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $156,364,000 after purchasing an additional 419,576 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Carrhae Capital LLP boosted its stake in shares of Eldorado Gold by 10.6% during the third quarter. Carrhae Capital LLP now owns 4,994,738 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $144,298,000 after purchasing an additional 480,253 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.58% of the companys stock. 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica (NYSE:EMBJ Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The stock traded as high as $72.79 and last traded at $72.46, with a volume of 71248 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $71.45. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth EMBJ has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica from $59.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 15th. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c+) rating on shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research upgraded Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica from a strong sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica from $79.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, November 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $63.86. Get Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica alerts: View Our Latest Research Report on EMBJ Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $13.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 1.60. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $65.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $60.44. 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 earnings results on Tuesday, November 4th. The aerospace company reported $0.30 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.67 by ($0.37). Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica had a net margin of 4.34% and a return on equity of 8.24%. Equities 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 initiated a stock repurchase program on Thursday, November 6th that permits the company to buyback 0 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the aerospace company to reacquire shares of its stock through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of EMBJ. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its holdings in shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica by 98.2% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,508 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $70,000 after buying an additional 747 shares during the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC increased its stake in Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica by 15.7% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 2,149 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $130,000 after purchasing an additional 291 shares in the last quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica by 1,608.7% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 2,170 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $123,000 after buying an additional 2,043 shares in the last quarter. Rexford Capital Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $203,000. Finally, Everett Harris & Co. CA acquired a new position in shares of Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica in the second quarter worth $239,000. 34.65% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Embraer-Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Enel Chile S.A. (NYSE:ENIC Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $4.39 and last traded at $4.3450, with a volume of 119688 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $4.25. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c) rating on shares of Enel Chile in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Enel Chile from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, November 30th. Zacks Research raised shares of Enel Chile to a hold rating in a report on Monday, December 15th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and set a $4.30 price target on shares of Enel Chile in a report on Friday, December 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $4.30. Get Enel Chile alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on ENIC Enel Chile Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of $6.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 72.43 and a beta of 0.97. The firms fifty day moving average is $3.91 and its 200 day moving average is $3.70. Enel Chile (NYSE:ENIC Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 29th. The utilities provider reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.11 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $1.20 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.16 billion. Enel Chile had a return on equity of 1.23% and a net margin of 1.75%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Enel Chile S.A. will post 0.45 EPS for the current year. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Enel Chile by 9.5% in the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 36,292 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $132,000 after buying an additional 3,136 shares during the period. Truist Financial Corp lifted its position in shares of Enel Chile by 25.2% during the 3rd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 16,684 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $65,000 after acquiring an additional 3,357 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Enel Chile by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 287,814 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,120,000 after purchasing an additional 3,744 shares in the last quarter. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Enel Chile by 24.4% in the third quarter. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. now owns 19,583 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $76,000 after purchasing an additional 3,835 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Inspire Investing LLC lifted its position in Enel Chile by 43.2% during the first quarter. Inspire Investing LLC now owns 15,691 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 4,735 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 3.20% of the companys stock. About Enel Chile (Get Free Report) Enel Chile SA, traded as ENIC on the NYSE, is one of Chiles leading integrated electric utilities, with core businesses spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution. The company serves a diverse customer base that includes residential, commercial and industrial users, striving to deliver reliable power across both urban and rural regions. In its generation segment, Enel Chile operates a balanced portfolio of assets, including hydroelectric plants, thermal power stations and an expanding suite of renewable energy facilities such as wind and solar farms. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Enel Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enel Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (NYSEARCA:EWL Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as $60.73 and last traded at $60.7050, with a volume of 36364 shares. The stock had previously closed at $60.58. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Trading Down 0.0% The stock has a market cap of $1.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.82 and a beta of 0.81. The firms 50-day moving average is $58.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.29. Get iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. acquired a new position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF during the second quarter worth about $38,000. Advisory Services Network LLC purchased a new position in iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $44,000. MAI Capital Management boosted its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF by 631.1% during the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 965 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 833 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF in the second quarter valued at approximately $56,000. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF in the third quarter valued at approximately $60,000. 68.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Company Profile iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Switzerland Capped Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI Switzerland 25/50 Index (the Index). The Index consists of stocks traded primarily on the Zurich Stock Exchange. The Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization weighted index with a capping methodology applied to issuer weights so that no single issuer of a component exceeds 25% of the Index weight and all issuers with weight above 5% do not exceed 50% of the Index weight. Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. A.P. Moller-Maersk (OTCMKTS:AMKBY Get Free Report)s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $12.52 and last traded at $12.5199, with a volume of 27658 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $11.73. Analyst Ratings Changes AMKBY has been the topic of several research reports. Wolfe Research restated an underperform rating on shares of A.P. Moller-Maersk in a research note on Thursday. BNP Paribas downgraded shares of A.P. Moller-Maersk to a strong sell rating in a report on Wednesday, September 17th. BNP Paribas Exane downgraded shares of A.P. Moller-Maersk from a neutral rating to an underperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Citigroup restated a neutral rating on shares of A.P. Moller-Maersk in a research note on Thursday, November 13th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res upgraded shares of A.P. Moller-Maersk to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, September 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and five have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, A.P. Moller-Maersk currently has an average rating of Reduce. Get A.P. Moller-Maersk alerts: Read Our Latest Report on A.P. Moller-Maersk A.P. Moller-Maersk Stock Up 7.7% The companys 50 day simple moving average is $10.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $10.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a current ratio of 2.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.98 billion, a PE ratio of 8.04 and a beta of 0.88. A.P. Moller-Maersk (OTCMKTS:AMKBY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The transportation company reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.51 by ($0.20). The firm had revenue of $14.21 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.44 billion. A.P. Moller-Maersk had a return on equity of 8.51% and a net margin of 8.83%. On average, analysts forecast that A.P. Moller-Maersk will post 0.41 EPS for the current fiscal year. About A.P. Moller-Maersk (Get Free Report) A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S is a Danish integrated transport and logistics company headquartered in Copenhagen. Operating under the Maersk brand worldwide, the group provides container shipping and end-to-end logistics services, combining ocean freight with land-based transportation, contract logistics, warehousing, and supply chain management for global shippers and manufacturers. The companys core activities include container shipping operations, terminal services through APM Terminals, and a growing logistics and services business that offers freight forwarding, customs brokerage, inland transportation and warehousing. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for A.P. Moller-Maersk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for A.P. Moller-Maersk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF (NYSEARCA:IMTM Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $49.99 and last traded at $50.0150, with a volume of 29727 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $49.70. iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF Price Performance The firm has a market cap of $3.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.95 and a beta of 0.81. The companys 50 day moving average is $48.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $47.15. Get iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF alerts: Institutional Trading of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. CENTRAL TRUST Co bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. MAI Capital Management increased its holdings in iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 245.1% in the 3rd quarter. MAI Capital Management now owns 673 shares of the companys stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 478 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 121.8% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 865 shares of the companys stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 475 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF by 959.4% during the 2nd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,123 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 1,017 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AlphaCore Capital LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF during the second quarter worth about $60,000. iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF (IMTM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI World ex USA Momentum index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap stocks from developed countries, ex-US. The momentum-selected stocks are weighted by market cap and momentum. IMTM was launched on Jan 13, 2015 and is managed by BlackRock. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Intl Momentum Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rogers Communications (TSE:RCI.B Get Free Report) (NYSE:RCI) had its target price cut by research analysts at Desjardins from C$57.00 to C$55.00 in a research note issued on Monday,BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the stock. Desjardins target price indicates a potential upside of 9.32% from the stocks current price. Several other research analysts have also weighed in on RCI.B. TD Securities raised their price objective on shares of Rogers Communications from C$62.00 to C$64.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. CIBC lifted their target price on Rogers Communications from C$58.00 to C$60.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. Canaccord Genuity Group raised their price objective on Rogers Communications from C$55.00 to C$57.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Rogers Communications from C$46.00 to C$50.00 in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their target price on Rogers Communications from C$55.75 to C$57.75 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Sunday, October 26th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of C$56.92. Get Rogers Communications alerts: View Our Latest Analysis on RCI.B Rogers Communications Stock Down 0.5% Rogers Communications Company Profile Shares of RCI.B traded down C$0.25 during trading on Monday, reaching C$50.31. The companys stock had a trading volume of 343,926 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,164,453. The company has a market cap of C$27.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.03, a P/E/G ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 436.50. The company has a fifty day moving average of C$52.23 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$49.70. Rogers Communications has a twelve month low of C$32.42 and a twelve month high of C$56.15. (Get Free Report) Rogers is the largest wireless service provider in Canada, with its more than 10 million subscribers equating to one third of the total Canadian market. Rogers wireless business accounted for 60% of the companys total sales in 2021 and has increasingly provided a bigger portion of total company sales over the last several years. Rogers cable segment, which provides about one fourth of total sales, offers home internet, television, and landline phone service to consumers and businesses. Remaining sales come from Rogers media unit, which owns and operates various television and radio stations and the Toronto Blue Jays. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Rogers Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rogers Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Canadian National Railway (TSE:CNR Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNI) had its price target decreased by Desjardins from C$161.00 to C$160.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday,BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the stock. Desjardins price objective suggests a potential upside of 17.30% from the stocks current price. A number of other brokerages have also commented on CNR. Scotiabank upped their target price on Canadian National Railway from C$150.00 to C$160.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, November 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$154.00 to C$153.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Vertical Research raised shares of Canadian National Railway from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, January 5th. ATB Capital increased their price target on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$150.00 to C$151.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, November 3rd. Finally, Cibc Captl Mkts raised Canadian National Railway from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$153.33. Get Canadian National Railway alerts: Check Out Our Latest Report on Canadian National Railway Canadian National Railway Stock Performance Shares of CNR traded down C$1.29 during trading hours on Monday, reaching C$136.40. 472,729 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,079,455. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 107.59, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.64. The stocks fifty day moving average is C$134.68 and its 200 day moving average is C$133.85. Canadian National Railway has a 1-year low of C$126.11 and a 1-year high of C$154.56. The stock has a market cap of C$83.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 0.80. Canadian National Railway (TSE:CNR Get Free Report) (NYSE:CNI) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 31st. The company reported C$1.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of C$4.17 billion for the quarter. Canadian National Railway had a return on equity of 27.10% and a net margin of 31.20%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Canadian National Railway will post 8.2610275 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Canadian National Railway Company Profile (Get Free Report) CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canadas Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the U.S. Gulf Coast, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian National Railway Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian National Railway and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:MUFG Get Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $17.31 and last traded at $17.2450, with a volume of 302982 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.09. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have issued reports on MUFG. Weiss Ratings restated a hold (c) rating on shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold. Get Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group alerts: Get Our Latest Research Report on Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The stock has a market cap of $204.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.38, a PEG ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 0.35. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $15.75 and a 200-day simple moving average of $15.17. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE:MUFG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, December 29th. The company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group had a return on equity of 9.39% and a net margin of 13.98%.The company had revenue of $9.78 billion for the quarter. Research analysts forecast that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. will post 0.99 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 43.8% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 334,909 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,565,000 after acquiring an additional 101,930 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth grew its position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 14.8% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 15,959 shares of the companys stock valued at $218,000 after buying an additional 2,058 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 245.3% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 4,790 shares of the companys stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 3,403 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 104.1% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 41,909 shares of the companys stock worth $571,000 after buying an additional 21,379 shares during the period. Finally, Confluence Investment Management LLC raised its position in Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group by 4.4% during the second quarter. Confluence Investment Management LLC now owns 96,217 shares of the companys stock worth $1,320,000 after acquiring an additional 4,070 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 13.59% of the companys stock. Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AMMAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Monday sent a humanitarian aid convoy to Syria, according to a military statement. The convoy, organized by the Jordanian Armed Forces, comprises 51 trucks carrying essential food items and relief supplies. The delivery was coordinated with the Syrian government to ensure efficient aid distribution, aiming to ease the living burdens of those affected by the current conditions in the country, the statement said. The humanitarian convoy came as tens of thousands of civilians are fleeing their homes in Syria's northern city of Aleppo due to clashes between the Syrian interim government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). A ceasefire was reached between the two sides on Friday following days of intense clashes, shelling, and drone strikes in Aleppo's Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh. The last fighters from the SDF withdrew from the city of Aleppo on Sunday. Minera Alamos Inc. (CVE:MAI Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Monday . The company traded as high as C$5.68 and last traded at C$5.49, with a volume of 84535 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$5.15. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities analysts have weighed in on MAI shares. Desjardins lowered their price objective on Minera Alamos from C$10.00 to C$9.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 18th. National Bankshares reduced their price target on Minera Alamos from C$6.50 to C$5.50 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 19th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and two have given a Buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of C$7.25. Get Minera Alamos alerts: Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MAI Minera Alamos Trading Up 6.8% Insiders Place Their Bets The business has a fifty day moving average price of C$4.39 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$4.08. The company has a current ratio of 4.26, a quick ratio of 3.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 21.24. The firm has a market capitalization of C$594.24 million, a PE ratio of -79.71 and a beta of 1.10. In other Minera Alamos news, insider David Rodger Stewart purchased 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, December 15th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$4.40 per share, for a total transaction of C$52,800.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider directly owned 44,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately C$195,800. This trade represents a 36.92% increase in their ownership of the stock. 5.11% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. About Minera Alamos (Get Free Report) Minera Alamos Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of mineral properties in Mexico. The company explores for gold, silver, molybdenum, and copper deposits. It holds 100% interests in the Santana project consists of 9 mining claims covering an area of approximately 3,100 hectares located in the east-southeast of Hermosillo, Sonora; the Cerro de Oro project that includes an area of 6,500 hectares situated in Zacatecas, Mexico; and the La Fortuna project covering an area of approximately 6,100 hectares located in Durango State, Mexico, as well as the Los Verdes property located in the State of Sonora, Mexico. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Minera Alamos Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Minera Alamos and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WESCO International (NYSE:WCC Get Free Report) had its target price upped by Barclays from $274.00 to $302.00 in a report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has an overweight rating on the technology companys stock. Barclayss target price indicates a potential upside of 10.37% from the stocks current price. Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Wall Street Zen raised WESCO International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Saturday, January 3rd. 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 report on Wednesday, October 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada raised shares of WESCO International from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and upped their target price for the company from $262.00 to $302.00 in a research note on Wednesday, November 19th. KeyCorp increased their target price on shares of WESCO International from $258.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, October 31st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a hold (c+) rating on shares of WESCO International in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, WESCO International presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $259.88. Get WESCO International alerts: Get Our Latest Report on WCC WESCO International Trading Up 1.6% Shares of WCC stock traded up $4.32 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $273.62. The company had a trading volume of 400,326 shares, compared to its average volume of 476,125. The company has a 50 day moving average of $259.12 and a 200 day moving average of $228.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 2.09 and a quick ratio of 1.20. The firm has a market cap of $13.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.46, a P/E/G ratio of 1.72 and a beta of 1.45. WESCO International has a 1-year low of $125.21 and a 1-year high of $279.04. WESCO International (NYSE:WCC Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 30th. The technology company reported $3.92 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.75 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $6.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.91 billion. WESCO International had a return on equity of 13.12% and a net margin of 2.81%.The firms quarterly revenue was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $3.58 earnings per share. WESCO International has set its FY 2025 guidance at 13.100-13.600 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that WESCO International will post 13.3 EPS for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In other WESCO International news, EVP Christine Ann Wolf sold 4,685 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $259.52, for a total transaction of $1,215,851.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 30,195 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,836,206.40. This represents a 13.43% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Diane Lazzaris sold 7,522 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $256.00, for a total value of $1,925,632.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 45,401 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,622,656. This trade represents a 14.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 17,036 shares of company stock valued at $4,385,254. Company insiders own 3.30% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On WESCO International Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in WCC. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in WESCO International during the first quarter worth $5,036,000. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its position in WESCO International by 13.4% during the 2nd quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 507 shares of the technology companys stock worth $94,000 after buying an additional 60 shares in the last quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its stake in shares of WESCO International by 45.4% during the 2nd quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 26,010 shares of the technology companys stock worth $4,817,000 after buying an additional 8,122 shares during the last quarter. Norman Fields Gottscho Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of WESCO International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,200,000. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of WESCO International by 51.4% in the second quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 17,366 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $3,216,000 after acquiring an additional 5,896 shares during the last quarter. 93.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. About WESCO International (Get Free Report) 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 value?added 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for WESCO International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WESCO International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Range Resources (NYSE:RRC Get Free Report) had its price target cut by stock analysts at Citigroup from $39.00 to $36.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a neutral rating on the oil and gas exploration companys stock. Citigroups price target would suggest a potential upside of 6.97% from the companys previous close. A number of other research firms have also recently issued reports on RRC. UBS Group raised their price objective on Range Resources from $38.00 to $43.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Barclays raised shares of Range Resources from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on shares of Range Resources from $45.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $43.00 target price on shares of Range Resources and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $39.00 price target (down previously from $44.00) on shares of Range Resources in a research note on Monday, December 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have assigned a Buy rating, fourteen have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $41.95. Get Range Resources alerts: Get Our Latest Report on RRC Range Resources Stock Up 0.6% NYSE:RRC traded up $0.21 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $33.66. 3,541,265 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,217,073. The stock has a market cap of $7.97 billion, a PE ratio of 14.14, a PEG ratio of 0.22 and a beta of 0.51. Range Resources has a twelve month low of $30.32 and a twelve month high of $43.50. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $36.86 and a 200 day moving average of $36.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.56 and a quick ratio of 0.56. Range Resources (NYSE:RRC Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, October 28th. The oil and gas exploration company reported $0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.54 by $0.03. Range Resources had a return on equity of 15.99% and a net margin of 19.64%.The business had revenue of $655.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $721.22 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.48 earnings per share. Range Resourcess revenue was up 21.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Range Resources will post 2.02 earnings per share for the current year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Range Resources A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of RRC. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its holdings in Range Resources by 4.7% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,013 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $245,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the period. Profund Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Range Resources by 5.5% during the 3rd quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 5,427 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $204,000 after purchasing an additional 282 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio increased its stake in shares of Range Resources by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 73,294 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $2,981,000 after acquiring an additional 299 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. increased its stake in Range Resources by 2.5% in the third quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 12,503 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock valued at $471,000 after purchasing an additional 302 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Range Resources by 3.1% in the second quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 10,596 shares of the oil and gas exploration companys stock worth $431,000 after acquiring an additional 315 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.93% of the companys stock. Range Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Range Resources Corporation, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids. The company focuses its core operations on the Appalachian Basin, with a significant presence in Pennsylvanias Marcellus Shale. Through its drilling and completion activities, Range Resources seeks to optimize production efficiency while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation and cost management. The companys technical expertise centers on advanced horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques, which it applies to unlock unconventional resources. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Range Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Range Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Aspen Pharmacare (OTCMKTS:APNHY Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Monday . 1,461 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 72% from the previous sessions volume of 850 shares.The stock last traded at $7.19 and had previously closed at $6.83. Aspen Pharmacare Stock Up 1.2% The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $5.74 and a 200-day moving average price of $5.98. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. Get Aspen Pharmacare alerts: About Aspen Pharmacare (Get Free Report) Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited is a multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Durban, South Africa. Founded in 1997 by Stephen Saad and Gus Attridge, Aspen has grown from a regional generic drug producer into a global specialist in branded and generic medicines. The company is publicly traded on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and its American depositary receipts trade over?the?counter under the symbol APNHY. Aspens core business encompasses the development, manufacture and distribution of a broad portfolio of injectable and oral pharmaceutical products. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Aspen Pharmacare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aspen Pharmacare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cap Gemini SA (OTCMKTS:CGEMY Get Free Report) shares gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $35.12, but opened at $33.8450. Cap Gemini shares last traded at $33.82, with a volume of 3,469 shares. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have issued reports on CGEMY. Morgan Stanley cut Cap Gemini from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a research report on Monday. Zacks Research cut shares of Cap Gemini from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Cap Gemini presently has a consensus rating of Reduce. Get Cap Gemini alerts: View Our Latest Report on CGEMY Cap Gemini Trading Down 3.9% Cap Gemini Company Profile The firms 50-day moving average price is $32.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $30.77. (Get Free Report) Cap Gemini (OTCMKTS: CGEMY), commonly known as Capgemini, is a global professional services and consulting firm that provides technology-led business transformation services. The companys core activities include management and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, cloud migration and managed services. Capgemini delivers solutions across the digital value chain, combining strategy, design, engineering and operations to help clients modernize legacy systems, implement cloud platforms, deploy data and AI capabilities, and secure IT environments. Founded in 1967 by Serge Kampf and headquartered in Paris, Capgemini has grown through organic expansion and strategic acquisitions to broaden its capabilities and geographic footprint. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Cap Gemini Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cap Gemini and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Grupo Simec, S.A. de C.V. (NYSEAMERICAN:SIM Get Free Report) saw an uptick in trading volume on Monday . 659 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 25% from the previous sessions volume of 884 shares.The stock last traded at $28.96 and had previously closed at $29.66. Grupo Simec Price Performance The company has a fifty day moving average price of $29.14 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $28.09. The company has a market capitalization of $4.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.96 and a beta of 0.26. Get Grupo Simec alerts: About Grupo Simec (Get Free Report) Grupo Simec (NYSE American: SIM) is a Mexico?based producer and distributor of long steel products, serving construction, infrastructure, industrial and energy markets. The companys core operations encompass the manufacture of merchant bar steel, including reinforcing bar (rebar), wire rod, merchant bars and structural shapes. In parallel, its service centers offer cutting, bending and other value?added processing services to meet the precise specifications of fabricators and end users. With multiple steel mills located throughout Mexico and an expanding footprint in the United States, Grupo Simec maintains a vertically integrated supply chain that spans raw?material sourcing, steelmaking and downstream processing. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Simec Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Simec and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Eurofins Scient (OTCMKTS:ERFSF Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $84.8980 and last traded at $84.7860, with a volume of 188 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $78.80. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a hold rating on shares of Eurofins Scient in a research note on Wednesday, October 29th. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of Eurofins Scient in a research report on Wednesday, October 22nd. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded Eurofins Scient to an outperform rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold. Get Eurofins Scient alerts: Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Eurofins Scient Eurofins Scient Price Performance About Eurofins Scient The business has a fifty day moving average of $70.86 and a 200 day moving average of $73.20. 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Eurofins Scient Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eurofins Scient and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Enersys (NYSE:ENS Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $161.31 and last traded at $160.1490, with a volume of 71288 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $158.29. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a buy (b) rating on shares of Enersys in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Enersys from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday, November 8th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating on shares of Enersys in a report on Friday, November 7th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Enersys from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, BTIG Research upgraded shares of Enersys from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Enersys currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $126.00. Get Enersys alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on Enersys Enersys Stock Performance The stock has a market capitalization of $5.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 2.77 and a quick ratio of 1.73. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $143.62 and a 200 day moving average of $117.36. Enersys (NYSE:ENS Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 5th. The industrial products company reported $2.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.36 by $0.20. Enersys had a net margin of 9.05% and a return on equity of 22.48%. The company had revenue of $951.30 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $890.27 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.12 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Enersys has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 2.710-2.81 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Enersys will post 9.99 EPS for the current year. Enersys Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 26th. Investors of record on Friday, December 12th were paid a dividend of $0.2625 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 12th. This represents a $1.05 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Enersyss payout ratio is 12.28%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Enersys news, insider Chad C. Uplinger sold 6,702 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.46, for a total transaction of $1,015,084.92. Following the transaction, the insider owned 23,713 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,591,570.98. This trade represents a 22.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.91% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Enersys Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings in Enersys by 5.9% in the third quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,158,838 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $130,902,000 after purchasing an additional 64,503 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Enersys by 2.4% in the 2nd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 989,020 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $84,838,000 after buying an additional 23,252 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP raised its stake in Enersys by 9.4% during the 3rd quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 965,026 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $109,009,000 after buying an additional 82,944 shares during the period. New South Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Enersys by 22.6% during the third quarter. New South Capital Management Inc. now owns 857,600 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $96,874,000 after acquiring an additional 158,267 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners grew its stake in Enersys by 4.7% in the third quarter. Boston Partners now owns 680,174 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $76,973,000 after acquiring an additional 30,767 shares during the period. 94.93% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Enersys Company Profile (Get Free Report) Enersys, headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania, is a global leader in stored energy solutions, specializing in manufacturing and distributing industrial batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, and related accessories. The company serves a diverse range of end markets, including telecommunications, data centers, medical, aerospace, defense, electric vehicle motive power, and utility outcomes. Its products are engineered to deliver critical reserve power and motive power applications across key infrastructure and industrial sectors. The companys product portfolio encompasses lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion energy storage systems, chargers, inverters, power management software, and a broad array of battery accessories. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Enersys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Enersys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Stifel Financial (NYSE: SF) recently received a number of ratings updates from brokerages and research firms: 1/12/2026 Stifel Financial had its outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Citigroup Inc.. 1/12/2026 Stifel Financial had its price target raised by analysts at Citizens Jmp from $140.00 to $155.00. They now have a market outperform rating on the stock. 1/8/2026 Stifel Financial had its price target raised by analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $133.00 to $136.00. They now have a neutral rating on the stock. 1/7/2026 Stifel Financial had its outperform rating reaffirmed by analysts at Wolfe Research. They now have a $149.00 price target on the stock. 12/11/2025 Stifel Financial was given a new $150.00 price target on by analysts at UBS Group AG. They now have a buy rating on the stock. 12/11/2025 Stifel Financial had its buy rating reaffirmed by analysts at UBS Group AG. They now have a $150.00 price target on the stock. 11/24/2025 Stifel Financial was downgraded by analysts at Zacks Research from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating. Stifel Financial Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, December 1st were given a dividend of $0.46 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. Stifel Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.51%. Get Stifel Financial Corporation alerts: Stifel Financial Corp. is a diversified financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1890, the firm has grown into a full?service brokerage and investment banking organization serving individual investors, corporations and institutions. Through its principal subsidiary, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, the company delivers a broad array of financial products and services backed by research?driven insights. The firms main business activities are organized into two core segments: Private Client Group and Institutional Group. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Stifel Financial Corporation Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stifel Financial Corporation and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. NAIROBI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- With the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges unfolding in 2026, China and Africa have ushered in a new chapter in civilizational dialogue, shaping shared development and future. CIVILIZATIONAL EXCHANGES SHAPE SHARED FUTURE The year will witness a series of cultural activities under the theme "Consolidate All-Weather Friendship, Pursue Shared Dream of Modernization," aimed at deepening mutual understanding, strengthening emotional and practical bonds, and solidifying public support for China-Africa friendship. In recent years, academic and think-tank collaborations between China and Africa have flourished, contributing to practical development. "The world is changing. Countries are becoming independent and are finding their way to develop. All countries need cooperation with others, but we need to have our own path. There should not be clashes of civilizations. We should learn from each other, talk to each other, and share," said Bernard Shamlaye, former minister of social development and culture of Seychelles. In November 2025, the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum China-Africa Partnership Conference, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, brought together leaders and experts to discuss partnership and cooperation. Allawi Ssemanda, executive director of the Development Watch Center Uganda, noted that the fleet of Zheng He, a renowned navigator of China's Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), visited Africa for trade and friendly people-to-people exchanges, highlighting that China-Africa relations have always been built on reciprocity and cooperation. More than 600 years ago, Zheng led his fleet on seven epic voyages across the seas, reaching as far as Africa's eastern coast and the shores of the Red Sea. These journeys forged a magnificent legacy of trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchanges between Chinese and African civilizations, and indeed among world civilizations. Ssemanda added that while reflecting on history is important, it is also vital to look ahead and explore new opportunities to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Jean-Francois Ferrari, Seychelles's former designated minister and minister for fisheries and the blue economy, kept a scroll map tracing Zheng's maritime routes in his office. Ancient East African place names on the map, such as Mombasa and Malindi, correspond to records in a history book on the Ming Dynasty, illustrating enduring cultural links forged along the Maritime Silk Road. "We want to make the world a better place for everyone. And what is better to unite the people than history, than culture?" Ferrari said. "As you (China) have a very ancient civilization, you have a lot to teach us. Let us not divide the world based on nationalities or origins. Let us use all those differences to unite us and make the world stronger." ENDURING FRIENDSHIP ACROSS CONTINENTS Alain Butler-Payette, former secretary of state in the Office of the President of Seychelles, said, "What China advocates is 'unity in diversity' -- that is the key." "Despite its rich culture and long history, China doesn't impose its culture on anyone, but loves to project its culture, and that contributes to understanding between nations." Just across the sea from Seychelles, even earlier traces of Sino-African civilizational exchange have been discovered in Kenya and Tanzania. Research conducted by the Changsha Tongguan Kiln Museum in central China's Hunan Province shows that glazed ceramic shards from Changsha kilns dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907) were unearthed along the coasts of both countries, centuries before Zheng's voyages. At the National Museum of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, Chinese porcelain fragments and nautical records are on display. Shomari Rajabu Shomari, the museum's historical curator, noted that Zheng's fleet brought silk, porcelain, and tea, while promoting cultural exchanges between China and Africa. "We have those ceramics in the picture, and the images identify the symbols of the voyage that most of the visitors we receive from China come to see," Shomari said. Over 600 years ago, Chinese fleets also arrived in Kilwa Kisiwani, a once-thriving Tanzanian port along the Indian Ocean trade route, and witnessed a bustling hub crowded with merchant ships laden with gold, spices, and porcelain. Today, the ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani have been recognized as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Just across the water, the Chinese-built Kilwa Fishing Harbor, dubbed a "port of the future," is rising, linking the past with the future. "Six hundred years ago, the Chinese came in peace to trade. Now, six hundred years later, they are helping us build a port that leads to prosperity," Shomari added. Shomari said that exchanges between China and Africa were built on equality and mutual respect, fundamentally different from hegemonic patterns of European maritime expansion. MUTUAL LEARNING SPURS SHARED DEVELOPMENT In 2017, China's Henan Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau partnered with the National Museum of Kenya to launch a Sino-Kenyan Paleolithic joint archaeological project, exploring human origins from a Global South perspective. At the end of 2024, the book From Henan to East Africa: China-Kenya Joint Archaeological Project -- A Study on Stone Artifacts from Lake Bogoria Paleolithic Site was published, marking a milestone in the collaboration. Mary Gikungu, curator of the National Museum of Kenya, praised the project, saying that the exchange of techniques and expertise revitalized Africa's prehistoric heritage and broadened global understanding of human origins. Zhao Qingpo, associate researcher at China's Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Heritage and Archaeology, noted that the Sino-Kenyan project has helped shift the paradigm of global human origins research from a "Western-centered" model to a multi-source, multi-point approach based on joint exploration. During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September 2024, China proposed 10 partnership actions for China-Africa cooperation, placing mutual learning among civilizations at the top of the agenda. Recent collaborations, ranging from the joint compilation of the Flora of Kenya by Chinese and Kenyan scholars to partnerships in cutting-edge fields such as aerospace, have expanded Africa's scientific and technological capacity. Meanwhile, academic exchanges have also driven breakthroughs in infrastructure, renewable energy, electronic information, and other key technological industries, continuously expanding the scope of China-Africa exchanges. On June 10, 2025, the first International Day for Dialogue Among Civilizations was celebrated worldwide. Zainab Baugala, director-general of the United Nations Office at Nairobi, emphasized that dialogue is the path to peace. Humphrey Moshi, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Dar es Salaam, said that each culture has unique value and deserves mutual respect and learning, noting that China's vision aligns with international consensus on pluralism, coexistence, and inclusive development. A prosecution is expected in relation to the killing of Denis Donaldson in Co Donegal in 2006, the Irish justice minister has said. Mr Donaldson was shot dead in Co Donegal in 2006, months after admitting his role as a police and MI5 agent over 20 years. In 2009, the dissident republican group the Real IRA claimed responsibility for Mr Donaldsons killing. Mr Donaldsons daughter Jane has said the family did not accept the claim of responsibility and have called for a public inquiry into his death. Minister Jim OCallaghan said on Monday that directions had been received by Gardai to prosecute a person in relation to the case and that proceedings are under way. He made the statement after meeting with Mr Donaldsons daughter Jane Kearney and her husband. It has now been nearly 20 years since Denis Donaldson was killed near Glenties, Co Donegal in April 2006, he said in a statement. It is a matter of regret that it has not yet been possible to bring those responsible to justice. I met today with Mr Donaldsons daughter, Jane Kearney, her husband, Ciaran, and their solicitor to hear directly their concerns regarding the investigation into Mr Donaldsons killing. He said he had assured them that the Garda investigation into Mr Donaldsons killing remains active and open. He added: Furthermore, I have been informed by Garda authorities that directions have been received to prosecute an individual for offences in this case and proceedings are under way in this regard. In those circumstances, I conveyed to the Donaldson family that I did not consider it appropriate to establish a separate commission of inquiry. I emphasised the importance of allowing An Garda Siochana to continue its investigation with a view to bringing the individual before the courts as soon as possible. I reaffirmed the absolute commitment of An Garda Siochana to this outcome. An Garda Siochana has been contacted for comment. Agree or disagree, we notice a bold move from Jackson County legislator Manny Abarca. Context . . . Masks for law enforcement have been hotly debated for years even is the fashion choice is common practice across the globe in Western nations. Still . . . The legislation might gain traction amongst progressive voters even as there's preliminary law enforcement push back already. Here's the sitch: A Jackson County legislator will push a new ordinance this week that would ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks and hiding their identities while on duty. Ordinance 6050 was drafted by Manny Abarca, who said it is needed to rebuild public trust in law enforcement. The measure would prohibit authorities from concealing their faces or badges during the performance of their official duties. When ICE comes into our community, when any authority comes into our community and says Im going to cover my face. I dont have to tell you who I am, I dont have to tell you my badge number, it hurts community policing, Abarca said. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Developing . . . Top story in local news tonight . . . Kansas City's violent streak continues into the new year and the homicide count remains constant despite year-end claims of progress. Accordingly . . . Here's more info on tonight's deadly shooting by way of info police are sharing with local media . . . Check-it: Homicide 6400 block of Manchester This evening just before 6:30 PM officers were dispatched to an apartment in the 6400 block of Manchester Avenue on a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers responded to the dispatched apartment unit where they located an adult male victim inside suffering from apparent gunshot trauma. Officers checked for signs of life just as EMS was responding. EMS declared the victim was deceased at the scene. Preliminary investigation reveals there was an argument between an adult male victim, and an adult male suspect. That argument escalated into gunfire and resulted in the victim being struck. The adult male suspect has not been identified at this time and left the scene prior to officer arrival. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel have responded to the scene to begin canvassing the area for evidence and collecting witness statements. This incident is being investigated as a homicide and is ongoing at this time. If anyone was in the area and heard or saw anything or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline. We are committed to assisting victims of violent crimes through use of Missouris Protection Program for Victims/Witnesses of Violent Crime. Funding for temporary, or even permanent relocation, may be available but is subject to pre-approval by the States administering agency. ############ Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Man dies following shooting at southeast KC apartment complex: KCPD At least one person is dead Sunday evening following a shooting at an apartment complex in southeast Kansas City, the Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) said. Kansas City Police Department responds to Sunday evening homicide Officials are responding to a Sunday evening homicide in Kansas City. Developing . . . Actually . . . It's not really like TKC is one of those "back the blue" bloggers . . . We're just realistic Talk to enough cops and they're the FIRST to tell you that not everybody who wears a badge is a hero. Nevertheless . . . Here's an important fact that needs to be added to this coverage . . . On March 20, 2005, Lance Shockley ambushed and murdered Sergeant Carl DeWayne Graham, Jr., of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. And so . . . While sad, the circumstances of his death aren't nearly as tragic as the brutal killing which precipitated his deadly punishment from the state. Check-it . . . During Lance Shockley's final moments in Missouri's execution chamber in October 2025, he wanted his daughter, an ordained minister, by his side as his spiritual adviser. A few years earlier, the U.S. Supreme Court had expanded religious rights for the condemned, saying spiritual advisers could accompany them into the execution chamber and could touch them while praying aloud. But the Missouri Department of Corrections refused Shockley his chosen spiritual adviser, and he died alone. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . HELSINKI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) could help provide security for Greenland if Denmark requests it, European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius said on Monday, warning that any U.S. military takeover of the Arctic territory would cause the end of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Speaking to media on the sidelines of a security conference in Sweden's Salen, Kubilius said he shared Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's view that a forced takeover would deal a fatal blow to NATO and severely damage transatlantic ties. He added that such a move would also trigger a strong negative reaction among Europeans. Kubilius said he did not believe a U.S. invasion was imminent, but noted that Article 42.7 of the EU treaty obliges member states to provide mutual assistance if a member country is subjected to armed aggression. He said the bloc could step up support for Greenland at Denmark's request, including by deploying troops and expanding military infrastructure such as naval presence and counter-drone capabilities. Denmark and the United States, both NATO members, are scheduled to meet this week to discuss the Greenland issue. Greenland and Denmark have repeatedly said the territory is not for sale, while U.S. President Donald Trump has insisted Washington must "own" Greenland without ruling out the use of force. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Europeans within NATO were discussing ways to strengthen the alliance, but stressed that such work should not be based on any presumption that NATO would stop functioning. Also at the security policy conference in the western resort town of Salen, Kristersson on Sunday criticized recent U.S. actions in Venezuela and Trump's "threatening rhetoric" toward Denmark and Greenland, warning that such moves undermine international law and increase risks for smaller countries. Kristersson said Washington should instead show gratitude toward Denmark, as it has been a longstanding ally. He also pledged Swedish support for Denmark. Since taking office in January 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring control of Greenland, stating that he would not rule out the use of "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal. Last month, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as U.S. special envoy to Greenland, renewing diplomatic tensions between Washington and the Danish Realm. Trump said in a recent interview that the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland. The security conference in Salen began in 1946 and is organized by the Swedish civic defense organization Folk och Forsvar. Salen is a mountain town about 400 km northwest of the capital, Stockholm. Presidential Holidays is introducing its new Madurai Rameshwaram Kanyakumari tour, offering travelers a seamless journey to iconic temples, scenic coastlines, and cultural landmarks with comfort and convenience. (TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - January 12th, 2026 - Presidential Holidays, one of South Indias most trusted travel brands, proudly announces the launch of its Madurai Rameshwaram Kanyakumari Tour Package, designed to provide travelers with an ideal blend of spirituality, culture, heritage, and scenic beauty. This thoughtfully curated package is suitable for pilgrims, families, senior citizens, and leisure travelers seeking a well-organized South India experience. Experience the Spiritual Heart of Madurai The tour begins in Madurai, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance. Travelers will visit the world-famous Meenakshi Amman Temple, celebrated for its intricate Dravidian architecture and divine aura. The itinerary also includes stops at the Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, Gandhi Memorial Museum, and other local attractions that showcase Madurais vibrant traditions, festivals, and cuisine. Guests will enjoy guided tours, photo opportunities, and ample time to soak in the citys historic charm. Rameshwaram - The Sacred Island From Madurai, the journey continues to Rameshwaram, one of the most sacred pilgrimage destinations in India. The package includes a visit to the revered Ramanathaswamy Temple, famous for its long temple corridors and sacred water tanks known as theerthams. Guests can perform rituals, take part in spiritual ceremonies, and experience the divine energy of the island town. The tour also features stops at other notable landmarks, including Agni Theertham, Pamban Bridge, and Dhanushkodi, providing a holistic spiritual and scenic experience. This segment of the tour is designed to balance devotion with exploration, offering travelers insight into the regions mythology and history. Kanyakumari - Where Three Seas Meet The final destination is Kanyakumari, Indias southernmost tip, where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean converge. Known for its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, Kanyakumari offers a serene conclusion to the journey. Travelers will visit landmarks such as the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, and Kanyakumari Amman Temple. The coastal ambiance provides the perfect mix of relaxation and cultural exploration, allowing guests to enjoy boat rides, scenic photography, and peaceful moments by the ocean. This destination also highlights the importance of Tamil Nadus natural beauty in complementing its spiritual and cultural heritage. Why Choose Presidential Holidays? Expert Planning: Years of experience in South India tourism ensure that every itinerary is thoughtfully crafted. Customer Satisfaction: Personalized attention and 24/7 support throughout the journey. Flexible Options: Ability to customize the tour based on budget, duration, and preferences. Reliable Services: Comfortable transportation, safe driving, and clean accommodations. Cultural Immersion: Opportunities to experience Tamil Nadus spiritual, historical, and natural landmarks. About Us Presidential Holidays is a leading travel company based in Madurai, specializing in South India tour packages, pilgrimage tours, honeymoon trips, and customized travel solutions across India and abroad. With a strong commitment to quality, transparency, and customer satisfaction, Presidential Holidays has earned the trust of thousands of travelers. The company focuses on creating memorable travel experiences through well-planned itineraries, comfortable accommodations, and reliable transportation, making every journey smooth, safe, and enjoyable. For More Information Visit: https://www.presidentialholidays.in/packages/south-india/madurai--rameswaram-kanyakumari ### BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Baku Stock Exchange has become a regular member of the U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC), Trend reports via the Chamber. The Baku Stock Exchange is Azerbaijans primary securities marketplace, established in 2000 to support the countrys capital formation and debt financing needs. Founded in 2000, the BSE provides a regulated venue for trading equities, government and corporate bonds, and money-market instruments, helping channel capital from investors to issuers. For global investors, the exchange represents a gateway to Azerbaijans financial markets, offering exposure to sovereign and corporate debt in a resource-rich economy with growing capital-market infrastructure. As market depth and issuance continue to expand, the exchange plays an increasingly important role in connecting issuers with long-term capital and supporting broader financial market development, said the USACC. Since its establishment in 1995, USACC has served as the leading platform fostering commercial, economic, and cultural ties between the United States and Azerbaijan. Over the past three decades, USACC has played a pivotal role in promoting dialogue between the public and private sectors, facilitating trade and business diversification and economic cooperation between the two nations. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. On January 12, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev presided over a meeting dedicated to the State Program for the improvement of water supply, wastewater, and stormwater systems in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula for 20262035, Trend reports. The head of state delivered a speech at the meeting. Speech by President Ilham Aliyev - Today we will discuss the issues related to resolving the water problems of Baku and the Absheron Peninsula. This is an issue that holds a special place among the infrastructure projects we are implementing. As you may know, large-scale infrastructure projects have been implemented in our country in recent years, both in Baku and in all regions. Almost all of the key infrastructure problems have been resolved. Several regional development programs have been adopted over the past twenty years. Each program covered a five-year period, and all of the programs have been successfully implemented. As a result, we have resolved the main infrastructure problems. First and foremost, electricity supply now covers the entire country. We have entered a completely new stage. I recently touched upon this issue at the opening of a new wind power plant. Our energy generation capacity exceeds our needs. We are even exporting electricity. There was a time when there were serious problems in this area and an energy shortage. We even had to import electricity from abroad. Today, as a result of the measures we have taken, new generation capacity has been put in place it currently stands at 10,000 megawatts. At the same time, substations, transmission lines, and the distribution network all these elements have been integrated into a single system. Most of the shortcomings in this area have been eliminated. Today, we are thinking not only about our own energy needs we can consider that this issue has been resolved but also about export routes. And not just thinking: we are creating them. In a few years, Azerbaijan will be exporting electricity to world markets at the same level as it is currently exporting oil and gas and contributing to the energy security of a number of countries. I should note that serious negotiations are currently underway with neighboring states and with our own companies, as well as companies from neighboring countries, to achieve this. We have largely resolved the issues of gas supply. Today, gas supply in our country has reached 96 percent. By this, I mean the population, not settlements. Today, 96 percent of the population is supplied with natural gas. This is an issue that occupies a special place among the infrastructure projects we have carried out over the past 20 years. In the past, our gas supply was not sufficient to meet domestic demand. We also imported gas from abroad and faced great difficulties. Today, more than 10 countries in the world and the number of these countries is increasing every year, with new countries to be added to this list this year are purchasing Azerbaijani natural gas and enhancing their energy security. The construction of highways has gained momentum. Highways, rural roads, and intercity roads these projects are ongoing today. Currently, all the infrastructure projects I mentioned are underway in the liberated territories. Electricity generation capacities, transmission lines, roads, bridges, tunnels, water supply, and gas supply in general, the territories that remained under occupation for many years are now reviving, coming back to life, and being connected to a single infrastructure network. Drinking water and irrigation projects have always been in the spotlight as well. The people of Azerbaijan remember quite well that this was one of the biggest concerns in the past. These issues have also gradually been resolved. Today, drinking water and sewage projects have been implemented in most of our cities, and this process is still ongoing. We have built four large reservoirs over the past 20 years, with a total capacity of more than 500 million cubic meters. Among them, I should specifically mention the Takhtakorpu and Shamkirchay reservoirs. If these reservoirs had not been built, the water supply of Baku and the western region could be facing major problems today. The Takhtakorpu reservoir allowed us to collect the waters of the Samur River into the Jeyranbatan reservoir and stockpile a reserve there. This also included a complete overhaul of the Jeyranbatan reservoir. A cutting-edge complex of treatment facilities has been built. Today, we are implementing drinking water and irrigation projects in the liberated territories. Several important projects have been completed over the past five years. Reservoirs that were once destroyed and incapacitated by Armenia have now been overhauled. Among them, I should first mention the Sarsang water reservoir. This is one of the largest reservoirs not only in the liberated territories but also in our country as a whole. During the occupation of our lands, the Armenian state carried out water terror against us. The blocking of the waters of the Sarsang and Sugovushan reservoirs, as well as the use of water as a weapon, caused major problems. Water was cut off during months when it was needed and then released, causing major floods. In other words, the state of Armenia was carrying out water terror. Today, the Sugovushan and Sarsang reservoirs have been completely rebuilt. In other liberated areas, the Kondalanchay and three reservoirs in Fuzuli district, as well as the Khachinchay reservoir in Aghdam district, have been rebuilt. The Zabukhchay reservoir, which was completely rebuilt in Lachin district, is already in operation. The construction of two more large reservoirs in the liberated territories the Hakarichay and Bargushadchay reservoirs is also on the agenda, and preparatory work is already underway. We will probably start tangible work there this year. Water sources are very important for every country. Approximately a quarter of our internal water sources come from territories that were once under occupation. The advantage of these water sources is that most of them are formed on the territory of Azerbaijan. In other words, dependence on other countries has significantly decreased as a result of the return of our territories. Azerbaijans other important water sources are formed abroad the Kura River, the Araz River, and the Samur River. While paying attention to this area, we should also take into account this sensitive issue. Today, there are serious concerns worldwide about climate change. Many countries are already sustaining serious damage as a result. All issues related to our water security are being addressed in a systematic manner. As I noted, over the past 20 years, the projects I have listed alone although much more is being done now show that if these steps had not been taken in a timely manner, issues related to water security could have created very serious problems for us today. Our goal is to provide the population, industry, and agriculture with sustainable water, protect water sources, increase reservoir capacity, establish full accounting, and collect water when the season comes so that it can be used throughout the year. Unfortunately, the drinking water problems of Baku and the Absheron Peninsula have been serious for many years. Some work has been done in this direction; however, I believe the time has come to adopt a large-scale and comprehensive state program. This program will cover the city of Baku, its settlements, the city of Sumgayit, and Absheron district. The preparation process began some time ago on my instructions, and the program is now almost ready. We will discuss it today, review the work already done, and determine what more needs to be done. As mentioned, the primary goal of this program is to provide Baku and the Absheron Peninsula with sustainable drinking water. The program must be implemented by 2035, which in itself shows how large-scale it is, as time is needed to implement it in full. Financial sources for its implementation have been identified. It will be financed from two sources: the state budget and foreign loans. The reforms carried out in this sector in recent years have significantly reduced our foreign debt. Today, Azerbaijan is one of the worlds leading countries in terms of the ratio of foreign debt to GDP, which stands at just over 6 percent. This allows us to apply for additional foreign loans, especially considering that leading international financial institutions are approaching us themselves. We could also implement this program using domestic funds. However, the country faces many challenges, including the restoration of Garabagh and East Zangezur, strengthening military capacity, and implementing other projects and social initiatives. Therefore, we will use two sources of financing. As a result of the programs implementation, around 30 new reservoirs will be built. These are major, large-scale infrastructure projects. Meter installation should reach 100 percent. Currently, 70 percent of the population is provided with uninterrupted drinking water; this figure is expected to rise to 95 percent. The water supply of Baku, Sumgayit, Absheron district, and 64 settlements will be significantly improved. More than 200 kilometers of main canals and the same length of distribution networks will be built and reconstructed. One of the main problems we face today is water loss. If losses were at a low level, even the water reserves available to us could be sufficient. However, we must plan and calculate for the future. After all, the population is growing, our industry is growing, and, of course, so is demand. Therefore, a sharp reduction in losses is one of the top priorities. Today, losses in this area account for approximately 4045 percent. As mentioned, as a result of the implementation of the program, this figure should be sharply reduced. Currently, only 50 percent of the population has access to sewage services. As a result of the implementation of the program, this figure should increase to 95 percent. As soon as heavy rains fall, urban transport becomes paralyzed, and very serious problems arise. This is not only the case in Baku or Azerbaijanwe see it on television everywhere in the world. Floods have become commonplace even in the cities of the most developed countries. No city infrastructure can handle several days of heavy and incessant rain. However, despite this, we still have quite a few weaknesses in this area. Therefore, a new collector network will be built on 30 streets of Baku for rainwater management, which will be of great benefit. Water discharged into the sea must be purified 100 percent. This is one of the key factors contributing to pollution of the Caspian Sea. Accordingly, additional measures will be taken. Modernization and expansion of the Hovsan water treatment plant are also on the agenda. A digital management system should be applied to the water sector. I have already shared information on this. I would also like to reiterate that a desalination plant will be built in Azerbaijan for the first time to improve the water supply of the Absheron Peninsula. This process has already begun. The project will be implemented entirely through foreign investment. It will increase the volume of water supplied to Baku and Absheron. Technological advances make this feasible, as the Caspian Sea is not highly saline. There is full confidence that desalination will provide clean, high-quality drinking water. At the same time, a large resource base for irrigation will be created. The Samur-Absheron water canal: we have rebuilt this canal. It is a completely concrete canal, and the losses there are quite small. However, measures are still on the agenda to further develop the infrastructure of this canal to ensure that the Jeyranbatan reservoir has a sustainable water supply. Today, water enters Baku from five sources. The sixth source will be a desalination plant, and, of course, this flow must be fully ensured. I should also note that one of the projects we have implemented over the past 20 years is the fully reconstructed Oghuz-Gabala-Baku water line. If this water line had not been built, Baku would be facing very serious water shortages today. As I mentioned, the program is very broad and quite specific. All tasks have been set, and oversight will be exercised by both the Government and the Presidential Administration. Public oversight, of course, must definitely be ensured as well. The implementation of this program must be extensively covered in the media so that the people of Azerbaijan, especially those living in Baku and Absheron, can see and know when each issue is being resolved. There should be no delays, because, let me reiterate, the program is intended to cover the period until 2035. We thought it could be implemented even faster, but in order not to rush and to organize all the work with quality, we decided that it is a program of about 10 years, which means there is enough time, but there should not be a single day of delay. X X X Subsequently, Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev and Chairman of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency Zaur Mikayilov informed President Ilham Aliyev about the progress achieved so far and the upcoming measures planned under the program. X X X The discussions then continued. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The term of active military service of officers in peacetime has been reduced by six months in Azerbaijan, Trend reports. This issue is reflected in the amendments to the laws "On approval of the regulations on military service" and "On military duty and military service" approved by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. According to the amendment, the term of active military service in peacetime for officers called up for active military service from the reserve or voluntarily entering active military service on the basis of an agreement has been reduced by six months to one year. At the same time, higher-educated active military service personnel who successfully complete the officer training course during their active military service and voluntarily enter active military service as officers will be awarded the military rank of lieutenant. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received Sudan's Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Muawiya Osman Khalid today, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend. The meeting addressed the agenda of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Sudan, with a particular focus on regional dynamics and security concerns. Both sides emphasized the crucial role of political dialogue in strengthening bilateral ties and advancing collaboration within multilateral frameworks. The significance of the consultation mechanism between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, alongside the value of mutual visits, was also underscored. Sudan's active participation in COP29 and its involvement in the upcoming World Urban Forum were highlighted as key points of cooperation. The discussion also covered the two nations' collaboration within international organizations, notably the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), with both sides acknowledging the progress in these areas. The meeting discussed cooperation in the energy, humanitarian, educational, light industry, and other sectors. Azerbaijan was commended for providing educational scholarships to Sudanese students. Additionally, the meeting exchanged views on other regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest. On the same day, a political consultation was held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Sudan. The consultations were led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Yalchin Rafiyev, and Muawiya Osman Khalid from the Sudanese side. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The "State program on the improvement of water supply, rainwater and wastewater systems in Baku city and Absheron peninsula for 2026-2035" has been approved, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree. According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan must coordinate and monitor the implementation of the measures envisaged in the state program. In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers must inform the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan once a year about the implementation status of the measures envisaged in the state program. Monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the measures envisaged in the state program will be carried out by the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication upon the order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan must take appropriate measures to ensure the provision of necessary financial resources in the process of drawing up the state budget and state investment programs of Azerbaijan annually, in accordance with the financing mechanisms for the measures envisaged in the state program, as well as to attract funds from other sources. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Azerbaijan has made changes to the leadership of its Intergovernmental Commission with Latvia, which oversees economic, scientific, and cultural cooperation between the two countries, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, signed a decree appointing the countrys Minister of Agriculture as Azerbaijans co-chair of the commission. The position was previously held by the nation's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov received a delegation led by the Regional Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and Eurasia, Carl Kress, today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Trend. The meeting discussed the current state of bilateral cooperation between the countries in areas such as energy, trade, regional connections, including the TRIPP route, economic investment, as well as the familiarization of U.S. private sector representatives with relevant infrastructure and logistics opportunities in Azerbaijan, and the prospects for the development of cooperation. The bilateral contacts and discussions held separately in the areas mentioned in the direction of preparing the Strategic Partnership Charter after the Washington Peace Summit on August 8 last year were highly appreciated. In addition, the meeting exchanged views on the important role of Azerbaijan in the energy security of the region, the importance of developing renewable energy resources, the diversification of trade routes in the Middle Corridor, as well as the existing favorable business and investment environment in Azerbaijan, and the opportunities for establishing new relations. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 5. A desalination plant will be built in Azerbaijan for the first time to improve the water supply of the Absheron Peninsula. This process has already begun, President Ilham Aliyev said during his speech at the meeting dedicated to the 2026-2035 State Program on improving water supply, wastewater, and stormwater systems in the city of Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, Trend reports. "The project will be implemented entirely through foreign investment. It will increase the volume of water supplied to Baku and Absheron. Technological advances make this feasible, as the Caspian Sea is not highly saline. There is full confidence that desalination will provide clean, high-quality drinking water. At the same time, a large resource base for irrigation will be created. The Samur-Absheron water canal: we have rebuilt this canal. It is a completely concrete canal, and the losses there are quite small. However, measures are still on the agenda to further develop the infrastructure of this canal to ensure that the Jeyranbatan reservoir has a sustainable water supply. Today, water enters Baku from five sources. The sixth source will be a desalination plant, and, of course, this flow must be fully ensured," the head of state said. XI'AN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Xi'an City Wall, initially erected some 1,400 years ago -- in 582 A.D., during the Sui Dynasty, now stretches 13.74 kilometers encircling the city of Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. As one of the largest, oldest and best-preserved ancient urban fortifications in China, it once faced great challenge in preservation and protection, as its interior structure -- mostly tamped earth -- has been eroded by wind and rain throughout the time. Tourists visit the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Tourists visit the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) A tourist poses for photos beside the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Oct. 13, 2025. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) A boy runs on the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Nowadays, the problem is largely solved by AI in Xi'an with the wall modeled at centimeter-level precision into a digital twin system through more than 3,000 monitoring points and over 1,300 visual sensors installed along the wall. Currently, this digital twin system, along with other data, restoration records and visitor operation information, is managed by a "super brain" called the "Xi'an City Wall Digital Cabin Comprehensive Management Platform," which anticipates potential risks by tracking subtle signs of structural strain. Data sensing and monitoring devices are pictured on the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2025 shows crack monitors installed on the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Staff members monitor via a digitalized management platform for the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) An inspector measures the length of a crack on Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) Tourists try a mixed-reality game themed on city protection on the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) "This 'Digital Cabin,' which fully utilizes existing facility and resources, was finally realized thanks to the support of experts, scholars, and 14 joint laboratories in the field of wall preservation," said Zhao Bin, director of the Xi'an City Wall Digital Industry Innovation Center, who spearheads the execution of the "Digital Cabin." Zhao Bin, born in 1988 in Huayin of Shaanxi, has been working in the field of culture, tourism, and digitalization for 14 years. After completing his undergraduate studies in 2011, he first worked on brand operations at the Huashan Mountain Scenic Spot. Later, he was engaged in cultural and tourism promotion in Weinan and management of digital assets for cultural and tourism sites in Hangzhou. "In 2023, I returned to Xi'an and participated in the preservation of the city wall, overseeing the implementation of the 'Digital Cabin' project," Zhao Bin said. Through the years, Zhao Bin has successfully promoted the digital transformation of multiple cultural heritage projects. Zhao Bin is pictured inside the Yongning Gate of the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Zhao Bin (C) communicates with a staff member at the Xi'an City Wall Digital Industry Innovation Center in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Zhao Bin introduces digital sensing devices on the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the Yongning Gate of the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) This file photo taken in February of 2016 shows Zhao Bin working during an opening event of Weinan Museum in Weinan City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua) This file photo taken in November, 2024 shows Zhao Bin sharing his experiences and ideas in the protection and revitalization of ancient city walls at a conference of the International Ancient City Walls and Castles Alliance in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua) This file photo taken in October of 2015 shows Zhao Bin working in Weinan City in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua) Zhao Bin (L) communicates with colleagues at the Xi'an City Wall Digital Industry Innovation Center in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 5, 2026. (Xinhua) "After all these years, my deepest realization is that cultural heritage is not just an antique to be displayed. It needs to be brought to life through digital technology," Zhao Bin said, "However, people of this field cannot work by themselves. We need resource integration, bold thinking, and experimentation to truly merge digital technology with cultural heritage." According to Zhao Bin, through collaboration of experts and scholars from various fields, the "Digital Cabin" has been fully upgraded. It not only plays a crucial role in monitoring and providing early warning for cultural heritage preservation, but also leverages its advantages in cultural tourism operations, emergency safety, and flood control. Zhao Bin walks on the Xi'an City Wall with an exoskeleton robot during the New Year holiday in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 4, 2026. (Xinhua) Tourists visit a photo exhibition themed on the city wall protection on the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Zhao Bin views cultural and creative products at a cultural and creative store of the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 4, 2026. (Xinhua) This file photo taken on Oct. 14, 2024 shows artists performing outside the Yongning Gate of the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Zhao Bin tests an AR telescope gadget on the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 4, 2026. (Xinhua) Looking ahead, Zhao Bin believes that the digitalization of cultural heritage will evolve from "single-point innovations" to "comprehensive system upgrades." He said he planned to compile the experience of Xi'an City Wall into a replicable model to help more cultural heritage institutions and high-rated scenic areas in China avoid unnecessary detours. "I also hope this 'Chinese solution' can go global, allowing cultural heritage sites in the world to benefit from China's digital technology," said Zhao Bin. Zhao Bin is pictured on the Yongning Gate of the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) A tourist poses for photos on the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) This photo taken on Sept. 10, 2025 shows the entrance of Yongning Gate of the Xi'an City Wall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhu Weixi) An aerial drone photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows the Xi'an City Wall and the moat in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Shao Rui) Produced by Xinhua Global Service BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Azerbaijan has launched a new tax oversight mechanism aimed at reducing disputes between businesses and tax authorities, Trend reports. Official sources indicate that this measure will significantly limit the number of field audits and, in some cases, allow for the cancellation of financial penalties The changes follow amendments to the Tax Code that introduced a system known as horizontal monitoring, which allows taxpayers to disclose potential tax risks to authorities in advance. Vugar Bayramov, a member of the Azerbaijani Parliament on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship, said the reform is designed to encourage transparency while easing administrative pressure on businesses. Practically speaking, the new rules will further minimize the number of on-site inspections. Over 800,000 active taxpayers were registered in 2024, yet only 384 on-site tax inspections were conducted during the year. Compared with 2023, the number of inspections declined by 29%, and it was 5 times lower than in 2018, Bayramov wrote on social media. The MP said one of the most significant aspects of the new system is the conditional removal of financial sanctions. Under the new amendments, if risks are disclosed to the tax authority in advance, no financial penalties will be applied. Only when the tax authority identifies undisclosed risks will a 25% financial sanction be imposed, he said. According to Bayramov, the tax authority will electronically monitor the submitted data throughout the period covered by horizontal monitoring. He added that the system prioritizes advanced consultation, which he said would help reduce tax risks and improve financial discipline and corporate governance. The framework also allows participants to calculate depreciation on fixed assets using either the declining balance method or the straight-line method. Medium and large businesses with automated accounting systems and internal control mechanisms will be eligible to join the program, which Bayramov described as a transparent cooperation model between tax authorities and major taxpayers. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The Shirvan crane vessel, operated by ASCO, part of AZCON Holding, has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, the company stated, Trend reports. The refurbishment was carried out at the Bibiheybat Ship Repair Yard and involved comprehensive work on the vessel's winch system, oil and water coolers, air balloon fittings, various pumps, separators, compressors, auxiliary engine generators, electric motors, and piping systems. Additionally, automation, navigation equipment, and electrical components were thoroughly inspected and repaired as necessary. The living quarters, sanitary facilities, and mess areas underwent essential repairs, while watertight doors, portholes, and ventilation hatches were refurbished. The 100-ton crane arm and all guiding rings were dismantled, fully overhauled, and reinstalled, with all crane screws being replaced. The main and auxiliary engines were serviced by the floating workshop crew from the Caspian Sea Oil Fleet. To evaluate the technical condition of the underwater sections, the vessel was dry-docked. During this process, the rudder and bottom-side fittings were repaired, damaged metal plates and protective belts were replaced, and both sides of the hull were fitted with new protective fenders after undergoing cleaning and painting. Following the repairs, the crane system successfully underwent testing, and the vessel completed sea trials to verify the operation of mechanical and electrical systems. Upon successful completion, the ship was handed over to classification society representatives. Meanwhile, the Shirvan measures 98.5 meters in length and 17 meters in width and is equipped with main engines generating 22400 horsepower. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. A total of 25 anti-tank mines, 152 anti-personnel mines, and 636 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO) were discovered and neutralized in Azerbaijans liberated territories over the past week (from January 5 through 11, 2025), Trend reports, citing the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA). The Agency noted that mine clearance operations covered 875.1 hectares of land over the reporting period. The operations were carried out by ANAMA in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), the State Border Service (SBS), and four private companies across the districts of Tartar, Aghdara, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Khojaly, Khankendi, Shusha, Khojavend, Lachin, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action was founded in 1998. It mobilizes the requisite resources to address mine action in alignment with national needs and priorities, coordinates inter-agency efforts for the safe clearance of mines from de-occupied and war-affected regions, continues to conduct research, clears mines from territories, and transfers them to end users, while also communicating Azerbaijan's mine issue to the global community and enhancing mutually beneficial collaboration with international and donor organizations to combat the mine threat. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Wastewater management systems will be established in Mashtagha, Ramana, Bina, Gala, Zira, Turkan, Dubandi, Gurgan, and Hovsan settlements of Azerbaijan. This issue is reflected in the "State program on the improvement of water supply, rainwater and wastewater systems in Baku city and Absheron peninsula for 2026-2035" approved by decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. Thus, it's planned to obtain an expert opinion on the construction projects of the incoming sewerage collector for the HovsanBina MashtaghaTurkan basin, start construction work, complete 40% of the planned tasks, and put into operation new collectors with a total length of 116 km. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The restoration of a 30-kilometer section of the Samur-Absheron Canal in Azerbaijan will be completed by 2029, Trend reports. This issue is reflected in the "State program on the improvement of water supply, rainwater and wastewater systems in Baku city and Absheron peninsula for 2026-2035" approved by decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. According to the program, irrigation water supply will be improved in the service areas of the Samur-Absheron Canal, and the Jeyranbatan reservoir will be provided with sustainable water. Thus, it's planned to prepare the project and estimate documents, obtain expert reports on construction projects, begin restoration works, complete 50% of the planned tasks, and finalize the restoration of a 30-kilometer section of the Samur-Absheron canal and its hydraulic structures from 2026 through 2029. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Azerbaijan intends to set a sustainable water supply to support the future growth of the Alat Free Economic Zone, Trend reports. The project is part of the State Program on the Improvement of Water Supply, Rainwater, and Wastewater Systems in Baku City and the Absheron Peninsula for 20262035, approved by a decree from President Ilham Aliyev. Under the plan, construction of a main water pipeline in Alat will begin in 2026-2027, with 50% of the work completed during the initial phase and a 10-kilometer stretch finalized by the end of the period. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. As many as 417 people were killed or injured to varying degrees by mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Azerbaijan following the Second Karabakh War, Trend reports. This issue was discussed by members of the Public Council under the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) regarding the recent series of mine incidents in the liberated territories. At the end of the discussions, the members issued a statement. "Recent mine incidents occurring consecutively in the territories liberated from occupation have caused serious concern. In the very first days of the new year, the second mine incident has already been recorded. This fact once again shows that the mine threat still remains real and ongoing. In the period since the Second Karabakh War, 417 people have been killed or have sustained bodily injuries of varying degrees as a result of explosions of mines and unexploded ordnance. The victims include civilians visiting the region, people engaged in agriculture, workers participating in restoration and reconstruction works, journalists, military personnel, as well as employees of institutions performing their official duties. As the Public Council under ANAMA, we once again draw attention to the fact that entering uncleared areas, touching unknown objects, and ignoring warning signs lead to severe and sometimes irreversible consequences. Precisely in order to ensure safety and prevent possible mine incidents, activities are being carried out to temporarily conserve and fence off areas highly contaminated with mines and other explosive ordnance. It's vitally important, especially for those who carry out their daily activities in the liberated territories, as well as for the population returning to their native lands, to comply with the required rules. Today, comprehensive work in the field of ensuring mine safety is being continued by the state. We believe that in preventing the mine threat, not only the responsible behavior of state institutions but also that of every citizen is of decisive importance. Observing safety rules is the most reliable way to protect human life. Taking the above into account, we call on everyone in the region, without exception, to operate only in permitted and cleared areas, to take warning signs seriously, and to immediately inform the relevant authorities when encountering suspicious objects or situations involving mine risk. There is nothing more valuable in the world than the protection of human life. Indifference to the mine threat can lead to new tragedies," the statement emphasized. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action was founded in 1998. It mobilizes the requisite resources to address mine action in alignment with national needs and priorities, coordinates inter-agency efforts for the safe clearance of mines from de-occupied and war-affected regions, continues to conduct research, clears mines from territories, and transfers them to end users, while also communicating Azerbaijan's mine issue to the global community and enhancing mutually beneficial collaboration with international and donor organizations to combat the mine threat. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The energy sector will continue to play a central role in Azerbaijans economy in the coming years, given its significant contribution to fiscal revenues and export earnings, Anna Rose Bordon, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission in the country, told Trend. She said that the global energy transition and declining demand for fossil fuels pose challenges to the long-term sustainability of hydrocarbon-dependent growth. According to the mission head, in this context, economic diversification remains critical. "The government should continue to attract private investment by pursuing key reforms such as improving state-owned enterprises' performance, enhancing governance, and promoting private sector access to finance," Bordon added. Azerbaijan has outlined measures in its third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to decarbonize the electricity sector by 2035. Key measures include: - Modernizing transmission and distribution networks to accommodate rising demand and boost renewable energy integration; - Implementing advanced grid management tools to minimize technical losses; - Significantly increasing power generation from renewables, with a primary focus on solar and onshore wind; - Expanding installed solar capacity; - Scaling up onshore wind power capacity. Since the power sector mainly relies on natural gas, it continues to be the country's biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, making up 21% of total emissions as of 2022. A Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) is a country's own plan laid out under the Paris Agreement to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and adjust to the impacts of climate change, working towards keeping global warming down to well below 2C, ideally 1.5C, in comparison to pre-industrial levels. These plans lay out specific targets, policies, and measures for tackling and adapting to climate change and need to be updated every five years with rising ambition, making up the core of national climate action. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, January 12. The most outstanding sector of Tajikistans economy in 2025 was the green energy field. Since the beginning of the year, Tajikistan outlined long-term perspectives and began active implementation in this sector, highlighting it as a national priority up to 2040. Trend presents the review of key events of green energy in Tajikistan for 2025: 1) January, 2025: On January 9 the Parliament of Tajikistan ratified a series of agreements to secure financing for the construction of the Rogun Hydropower Plant (HPP). Among the key documents ratified were credit agreements between Tajikistan, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for the HPP's construction. The Rogun HPP, situated on the Vakhsh River, is designed to consist of six power units, each with a capacity of 600 MW. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate over 17 billion kWh of electricity annually, significantly boosting Tajikistan's energy supply and helping to meet growing demand. Furthermore, approximately 70% of the plant's output will be exported to neighboring Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan at competitive rates, enhancing regional energy cooperation and trade. On January 11 the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan announced that by 2040, Tajikistan's water sector is set to go digital, with 80% transformation. This target is part of the National Water Strategy, which aims to enhance water supply and sanitation across the country over the next two decades. By 2030, it aims for 50% of the sector to be digitized through the introduction of water resource management systems, monitoring systems, and the automation of various processes. 2) February 2025: In February the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Tajikistan's Humo Micro Deposit Organization officially begun the installation of a solar photovoltaic system at Humo's Bokhtar branch. The project was implemented under the Green Economy Financing Facility Tajikistan II (GEFF II). The GEFF II program continues to support the adoption of eco-friendly and energy-efficient solutions across the country. The program is supported by the EBRD and is financed by donors such as the Green Climate Fund, the Federal Ministry of Austria, and South Korea. The program includes funding of up to $50 million to stimulate investments in environmentally friendly technologies across the agriculture, housing, and commercial sectors. Another key event was the visit of European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Sikela. In the course of the visit, Sikela met with the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon. During discussions on sustainable development, both sides focused on the development of renewable energy sources, especially hydropower. According to Sikela, this will provide clean electricity to millions of people and turn Tajikistan into a regional energy exporter. The signing of an agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to modernize Tajikistan's energy system to the tune of 20 million euros was an important outcome of the visit. The following project, Sikela explained, will focus on improving the productivity and sustainability of the cotton industry. The program, funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) with a $20 million budget, also aims to boost the country's efforts to adapt to climate change. The European Investment Bank (EIB), in turn, decided to initiate the process of appraising the Rogun hydropower plant (HPP) construction project in Tajikistan. 3) March 2025: In a joint effort in the energy sector, come March, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, put pen to paper on the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On the Ratification of the Agreement Between the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on Ensuring Access to Water Management and Energy Facilities". The Agreement advocates for the synergistic functionality of the main dam featuring a tri-gate system alongside the headwater intake apparatus of the Ak-Tatyr/Machoi conduit. On March 31, during a work visit to Tajikistan's Khujand, Sadyr Japarov, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, took part in the ceremony that marked the start of the CASA-1000 projects 500 kV "Datka-Sugd" line with Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan. 4) April 2025: In April the construction of a 10-04 kV power transmission line was completed in Tajikistan's Alichur, Chechekti, Bashgumbez, Bulunkul, and Khargushi villages in the Murghab district of the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region. A protocol on amendments to the agreement between the governments of Tajikistan and Russia of 2009 on cooperation in the operation of Sangtuda HPP-1 was signed in April as well. The document addressed several key issues related to the operation of the Sangtuda-1 plant and aims to improve its management framework. Sangtuda-1, with a design capacity of 670 megawatts and four hydro units of 167.5 megawatts each, is one of the largest operating hydropower plants in Tajikistan, supplying about 12% of the countrys total electricity generation. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) approved the concept for a new project to improve water infrastructure in Tajikistan's Yavan. The funds will finance key components of a Priority Investment Programme (PIP) aimed at upgrading Yavans water supply infrastructure. The local utility provider, Yavan Water Company, which is fully owned by the state unitary enterprise Khojagii Manziliyu Kommunali (KMK), will implement the project. It is being delivered under the broader Integrated Water Resources Management Framework. 5) May 2025: In May a significant event happened in the field of climate awareness. Tajikistan joined the Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health under the World Health Organization (WHO). The Pan-European Commission on Climate and Health operates under the WHO Regional Office for Europe and includes the chair, Katrin Jakobsdottir, former Prime Minister of Iceland, the chief scientific advisor, and 10 commissioners. 6) June 2025: In June Tajikistan officially launched 2D seismic survey operations as part of the Bokhtar oil and gas exploration project, implemented by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). 7) July 2025: July was marked by the visit of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to Tajikistan, during which the countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the energy sector. The MoU aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the utilization of hydropower resources. As part of the agreement, the two countries will enhance the exchange of expertise in the design and construction of hydropower plants, as well as work to build human resource capacity in the sector. 8) August 2025: In August, Tajikistan and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) signed a concessional loan agreement worth $50 million, under which QFFD will support the construction of the Rogun hydropower plant (HPP) in Tajikistan. 9) October 2025: Kazakhstan announced its readiness to sign an intergovernmental agreement on electricity supplies from Tajikistans Rogun hydropower plant, previously outlined in the 2023 memorandum as part of Kazakhstan Energy Week 2025 in October in Astana. One of the major international achievements was the participation of Tajikistan in Central AsiaU.S. Summit (C5+1) in Washington, D.C., where Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon emphasized the importance of advancing the country's ties with the United States and the broader Central Asian region. "Peace, stability, and sustainable security are the fundamental basis for all economic and trade relations," Rahmon said, highlighting the interconnected nature of security and economic growth. Noting the countrys vast hydroelectric resources and strategic location, Rahmon stressed Tajikistans readiness to develop partnerships in the green energy sector and in electricity exports to neighboring countries. We are committed to working with international partners to strengthen and expand cooperation in these areas," he added. 10) November 2025: In November Tajikistan started exploring plans to develop new wind and solar power plants with the involvement of ACWA Power, aiming to expand renewable capacity and support the countrys goal of achieving full energy independence by 2027. Moreover, Tajikistan relaunched 3 hydroelectric units at the Kairakkum Hydroelectric Power Plant, marking the completion of a full modernization program for all six units. The upgrade program, which commenced in 2019, spanned nearly seven years. Once all units are fully operational, annual electricity generation at the Kairakkum HPP is projected to increase from approximately 580 million kWh to 850 million kWh. The six units of the Kairakkum HPP were originally commissioned between the 1950s, with the final unit entering service in 1956. After nearly seven decades of operation, equipment deterioration had substantially reduced production efficiency. President Emomali Rahmon ordered the construction of two new solar power plants in the Asht district of Sughd and the Jaykhun district of Khatlon to be completed and commissioned by August 2026. Each facility represents an investment of $125 million and will be built with government support by local companies Ayon Energi LLC and Toqikgidroelektromontazh OJSC in cooperation with the Chinese construction firm CSCEC. 11) December 2025: In December Tajikistans Ministry of Finance and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) signed loan and grant agreements to support the implementation of the "Energy Loss Reduction" project to modernize electricity metering infrastructure and install power meters across distribution networks in Tajikistans Khatlon and Sughd regions. The total value of the agreements amounts to 43 million euros, including 28 million euros in loan financing and 15 million euros in grant funds provided by the EUs Asia-Pacific Investment Fund. The Government of Tajikistan announced in December that the import and subsequent supply of solar panels to Tajikistan, as well as their spare parts and components, are exempt from value-added tax until 2031. This draft amendment to the Tax Code of Tajikistan was approved by the Majlis Namoyandagon (lower house of parliament) on December 12 and supported by the Majlisi Milli (Upper House of Parliament) on December 15. A draft law introduced by members of parliament proposes a new provision to Part 10 of Article 251 of the Tax Code, which would exempt the import and subsequent supply of renewable energy equipment - such as solar panels, including inverters and energy storage devices - as well as their spare parts and components, from value-added tax. The Government of Tajikistan also confirmed the Program for the Development of the Electric Power Sector for 2026-2030 along with an Action Plan for its implementation. According to the program, by 2030 electricity generation capacity in the country is expected to increase by 2,680 MW. Significant reductions in electricity losses across the grid are also planned, and electricity exports are projected to reach up to 5 billion kilowatt-hours per year. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) outlined that several large renewable energy projects involving Chinese companies are under preparation in Tajikistan. For instance, Eging PV Technology intends to develop a solar power plant with a capacity of up to 1.5 GW between 2025 and 2028. Simultaneously, China Datang Overseas is evaluating two additional projects: a 500 MW solar power plant in the Sughd region and a solar module manufacturing facility in the Khatlon region. All these initiatives are expected to be executed as greenfield investments, funded entirely by the Chinese companies' own resources, with no direct financial assistance from the host countrys budget. Capital construction is projected to begin in the latter half of 2025 or 2026, following the completion of feasibility studies and the necessary site approvals. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. MOSCOW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces have seized control of the settlement of Novoboikovskoye in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russia's Ministry of Defense said on Monday. Groups of the Russian Armed Forces used operational-tactical aircraft, strike drones, missile troops, and artillery to strike 157 locations, the ministry said in a statement. The ministry added that its forces have struck and disabled energy and transport infrastructure facilities supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). "Targets included energy and transport infrastructure serving the UAF, military airfields, enterprises producing and storing long-range drones, as well as temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian military formations and foreign mercenaries," it added. Separately, the ministry noted that Russia's air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 52 fixed-wing drones, five guided aerial bombs, and four U.S.-made HIMARS rockets over the past 24 hours. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The supply of vegetable oil in Iran has returned to normal following a temporary shortage in the countrys markets, the statement of Iran's media says, Trend reports. Consumers are now able to purchase vegetable oil without significant difficulty at retail outlets. While some stores may still experience temporary shortages due to outstanding orders that have yet to be delivered, these outlets are expected to resume full sales shortly. On January 10, Irans Minister of Agriculture, Gholamreza Nouri, addressed the recent disruption in vegetable oil availability, attributing the issue to the implementation of new pricing measures. 'This problem has now been resolved,' Nouri stated, adding that the market shortage is being swiftly addressed. In the past week, sales of vegetable oil were restricted as a result of price adjustments, with customers limited to purchasing a single bottle per transaction. Currently, the price of a 675-gram bottle of sunflower oil in the Iranian market stands at 1.84 million rials (approximately $1.84), while a 675-gram bottle of blended liquid oil is priced at 1.82 million rials (approximately $1.82). Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 12. Uzbekistan and China have agreed on new stages of development for Uzmetkombinat JSC, Trend reports via the company. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Bakhodir Abdullayev, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of Uzmetkombinat, and Su Changyun, Director of the Head Office of the China Metallurgical Association. During the discussions, the parties exchanged insights on recent advancements in the metallurgical sector, with a particular focus on Chinas practical experience in the development of its steel industry. Additionally, they outlined plans for the continued growth and modernization of Uzbekistan's metallurgical industry. Significant emphasis was placed on the extensive collaboration between Uzmetkombinat and the Chinese company Jialong, with the Uzbek delegation expressing sincere appreciation for the valuable support provided throughout the partnership. Furthermore, Uzbekistans trade turnover with China reached $14.6 billion from January to November 2025, solidifying Chinas position as Uzbekistans foremost trading partner. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) represents a major milestone in the pursuit of durable peace and regional connectivity, Elchin Amirbayov, the Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, said in an interview with the JASON Editorial Committee at the Azerbaijani Embassy in The Hague, Trend reports. TRIPP is not just a road; it is a route for trust, cooperation, and prosperity. Azerbaijan is firmly convinced that its implementation may benefit all actors involved, without exception, as it is meant to contribute to consolidating peace, achieving stability, and economic development in the region. Therefore, we invite all parties to regard it as a true win-win project, Amirbayov said. In the interview, Amirbayov also discussed Azerbaijans broader regional and international engagement. He highlighted the countrys energy exports to Europe, including natural gas and emerging green energy projects, and stressed the corridors role in enhancing trade and transport links with Turkiye, Central Asia, and the Turkic world. He touched on environmental cooperation, particularly with Dutch partners in green technologies, and reiterated Azerbaijans commitment to a balanced foreign policy with Russia and Iran. At the same time, he acknowledged ongoing challenges such as landmine contamination in liberated territories and constitutional issues in Armenia, which remain key hurdles for ensuring lasting peace. On August 8 in Washington, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, US President Donald Trump, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint declaration. One of the points of the document provides for the launch of the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP) to unblock regional communications. During the meeting, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan initialed the draft Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Interstate Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and signed a joint appeal to the current OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to close the OSCE Minsk Group process. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The Chamber of Accounts has provided its assessment of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijans (SOFAZ) budget for next year, Trend reports via the chamber. According to information, the Funds budget revenues are projected at their lowest level over the past five years (2022-2026) due to a decline in crude oil production and export prices, as well as a narrowing of other income sources. The draft decree estimates the Funds budget revenues at 13 billion manat ($7.65 billion), which is 5 billion manat ($2.94 billion), or 27.8%, lower than the actual performance in 2024; 1.42 billion manat ($84 million), or 9.8%, below the approved 2025 budget; and 1 billion manat ($59 million), or 7.4%, less than the expected execution figure for 2025. The projections assume an average annual export price of crude oil of $65 per barrel, a European Hub gas price of $440 per 1,000 cubic meters (according to bp data), and an average exchange rate of the Azerbaijani manat against the US dollar in line with the state budget. Compared with revenue forecasts for 20222025, the 2026 budget is expected to generate the lowest revenues in that period. The Chamber of Accounts noted that in the first nine months of the current year, the Fund achieved 90.5% of budget revenues and 74.6% of expenditures, with the average crude oil sale price reaching $71.4, slightly above the projected $70. Strong management of Fund assets led to actual revenues exceeding budget projections of $2 billion by 151.2%, despite the absence of expected dividends from oil and gas projects totaling 396.2 million manat ($233 million). This contributed to the Funds assets increasing by 16.9% compared to the start of the year ($60 million), reaching $70.1 billion, including off-budget revenues of $10.1 billion. Despite the strong nine-month performance in both income and expenditures, and crude oil revenues exceeding budgeted forecasts, the Funds total projected revenues for the end of 2025 are expected to fall short by 381.3 million manat ($224.2 million). This shortfall is due to the absence of 209.4 million manat ($123.1 million) under the Settlement Protocol, 396.2 million manat ($233 million) in dividends from oil and gas projects, and lower-than-expected transit revenues. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, January 12. Turkmenistan approved the Plan of the Interdepartmental Commission on the Caspian Sea for 2026, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. The decision was made at the 64th meeting of its Interagency Commission on Caspian Sea Affairs at the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 10. The session was attended by the relevant Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, alongside heads and representatives from several ministries and specialized agencies. During the meeting, officials reviewed the Commissions activities for 2025, aligning them with the established agenda. Particular emphasis was placed on tasks scheduled for the first half of the current year. Meanwhile, in September 2025, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov announced the countrys plan to establish a regional center aimed at combating desertification in Central Asia, while promoting the Caspian Environmental Initiative. As part of these efforts, Turkmenistan intends to host the Caspian Environmental Forum in 2026, further cementing its commitment to preserving the Caspian Sea ecosystem. The initiative also seeks to advance the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals through multilateral cooperation in the areas of transport, energy, and climate. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The decrease in the level of oil and gas revenue coverage for transfers from the State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) to the state budget over the years, as well as the increasing tendency of covering part of the transfer through the liquidation of assets under the fund's management, are factors necessitating careful monitoring in the coming years, Trend reports. This issue is reflected in the review of the Accounts Chamber on the 2026 budget of SOFAZ. The review emphasized that the net revenues from the sale of hydrocarbons allocated to Azerbaijan make up the largest share in the funds revenue structure. "According to the data provided by the fund, it's predicted that crude oil production in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field will be 120.1 million barrels in 2026, which is three million barrels less compared to 2025s figure (123 million barrels), due to a decrease in production. The peak production level of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli field was 303 million barrels in 2010, and since then, a consistent decrease in production has been observed. Based on the provided data, the production volume in 2026 is expected to be approximately 2.5 times lower than the peak period (2010), with a reduction of 183 million barrels," the review delineated. The review noted that the sharp decline in oil prices and the prolonged period of low prices, combined with a decrease in production, creates the risk of reducing the revenues of SOFAZ and the rapid depletion of its assets. "Thus, the revenues from the sale of profit oil and gas in 2026 are predicted to amount to $5 million, with the governments share from the ACG fields revenues reaching $4.23 million, or 84.2% of total revenues," the review added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel UK exports to Georgia rise as imports decline by 2Q2025 Photo: National Statistics Committee Trade between the United Kingdom and Georgia developed unevenly over the reported period, with UK exports demonstrating growth while imports declined. The structure of bilateral trade reflects differing dynamics across goods and services, shaping the overall balance between the two economies. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, January 12. Uzbekneftegaz has been instructed to increase daily natural gas production from 66 million cubic meters to 70 million cubic meters and to ensure an output of at least 25.4 billion cubic meters in 2026, Trend reports via the Uzbek president's office. The task was announced during President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs review of the objectives and long-term development plans of Uzbekneftegaz Joint-Stock Company. It was emphasized that increasing gas reserves will require the development of new prospective investment blocks, as well as the acceleration of operations and improved efficiency at fields already allocated to investors. The meeting also noted that current naphtha production capacity utilization stands at around 70%, while exports of naphtha are carried out at prices approximately 50% lower than the potential value of processed products. In this regard, it was stressed that processing naphtha into polymer products could increase added value by up to six times, prompting instructions to ensure full utilization of existing capacities. In addition, measures aimed at improving the companys financial performance were discussed. Special attention was paid to combating theft and corruption in the oil and gas sector. To mitigate corruption risks within the company, a new position of deputy chairman has been introduced, alongside the establishment of a compliance and internal anti-corruption control service. The task has been set to build an effective system for the prompt detection and prevention of legal violations across the industry. The president instructed the relevant officials to further deepen sectoral reforms, increase gas reserves and production volumes, and strengthen financial discipline. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC) and Baku Stock Exchange (BSE) have agreed to work on preparing the cooperation strategy for 2026 and identifying specific joint projects, Trend reports via the BSE. On 9 December 2025, Ruslan Khalilov, CEO of the Baku Stock Exchange (BSE), met with Natig Bakhishov, Executive Director of the US-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC). During the meeting, BSEs membership in the USACC was formalized, and the parties discussed their cooperation strategy for 2026. During the meeting, the leaders of BSE and USACC exchanged views on strengthening mutual investment flows and expanding cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States in the field of capital markets. The parties also discussed the implementation of projects across various sectors in 2026. BSE emphasized that strengthening collaboration with capital market participants operating in the United States and creating favorable conditions for mutual investments are among its key priorities. During the meeting, Ruslan Khalilov, CEO of BSE, noted that USACC membership will provide strong support in exploring potential cooperation opportunities with the U.S. market. The Baku Stock Exchange is committed to building partnerships and fostering collaboration with capital market participants, professional investment service providers, banks, as well as investment technology vendors, he said. Natig Bakhishov, Executive Director of USACC, for his part, pointed out that USACC is pleased to welcome the Baku Stock Exchange as a member. Cooperation in the field of capital markets plays an important role in deepening business ties between the United States and Azerbaijan. As USACC, we stand ready to contribute to the development of bilateral relations in the financial sector and support joint initiatives with the BSE, PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese-invested car tire plant was launched in southeast Cambodia's Svay Rieng province on Monday, said a news release from the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC). Situated in the Sin Bavet Special Economic Zone in Bavet town on the border with Vietnam, the plant was invested in by Wanli Tire Co. Ltd., a subsidy of China's Guangzhou Industrial Investment Holdings Group (GIIHG). Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and CDC's first Vice Chairman Sun Chanthol thanked Wanli Tire for choosing Cambodia as its first-ever production base outside of China. He said the factory commenced its Phase 1 production line after a year of construction. "This serves as a testament reflecting the momentum of development and deep confidence in Cambodia's investment climate," Chanthol said. He said the factory will provide numerous benefits to Cambodia, including employment opportunities and the transfer of modern knowledge and technology to Cambodian workers. "The factory will become a vital market for absorbing domestic natural rubber raw materials, helping to improve the livelihoods of Cambodian rubber farmers," he said. Cambodia exported car tires worth 1.22 billion U.S. dollars during the first 11 months of 2025, an increase of 58 percent year-on-year, according to a Ministry of Commerce report. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The price of 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas was taken as $440 in Azerbaijan's draft consolidated and state budgets for the current year, Trend reports. This issue is reflected in the report of the nation's Chamber of Accounts on the State Oil Fund's (SOFAZ) budget for 2026. Per the documentation, this represents an increment of $198, equating to an increase of 81.8% relative to the fiscal year 2025. Simultaneously, the fiscal valuation of Azerbaijani crude, designated as Azeri Light, has been recalibrated downward by $5, as previously communicated, adjusting from $70 to $65. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Azerbaijan spills beans on natural gas export to Syria in 2025 In 2025, Azerbaijan began exporting natural gas to Syria, marking a new phase in its energy exports. Overall, the countrys gas exports were distributed among several regions, including Europe, Turkiye, and Georgia. A new project launched in August 2025 aims to provide gas to Syria for electricity generation. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Azerbaijan releases data on natural gas production at Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli field in 2025 Photo: South Zagros Oil and Gas Production Company Azerbaijan's natural gas production at the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli field saw a notable increase in 2025, contributing to the overall growth in the country's gas output despite a decrease in production at the field compared to the previous year. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register Azerbaijan lifts curtain on its TANAP-crossed gas export to Turkiye in 2025 In 2025, Azerbaijan continued its natural gas exports to Turkiye via the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP). According to data from the Ministry of Energy, the volume of gas exported via TANAP remained stable compared to the previous year, while overall exports to Turkiye saw a slight decrease. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Baku will host the 6th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Italy Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation on January 13, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy. Azerbaijans co-chair of the commission is Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov, while Italy is represented by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Edmondo Cirielli. The 5th meeting of the commission was held in Rome on January 14, 2020. Italy is Azerbaijan's largest trading partner. This is confirmed by statistical data. From January through November 2025, the volume of trade between Azerbaijan and Italy amounted to $11.243 billion. According to the State Customs Committee, this is $926.8 million or 9% more than in the same period of 2024. During the reporting period, trade turnover with Italy accounted for 25.21% of Azerbaijan's total trade turnover. Thus, the country under review ranked first among the countries with which Azerbaijan conducted the largest number of trade operations during the reporting period. From January through November 2025, exports of products from Azerbaijan to Italy amounted to $10.803 billion. This is $960.2 million or 9.8% more than in the same period of the previous year. Thus, Italy ranked first among the countries with which Azerbaijan exported the largest amount of products during the reporting period. During the reporting period, exports of crude oil and petroleum products from bituminous rocks to Italy amounted to $6.525 billion. At the same time, the volume of exports of these products reached 12.671 million tons. Thus, compared to the same period in 2024, the value of exports of crude oil and petroleum products from bituminous rocks from Azerbaijan to Italy increased by $383.1 million, or 6.2%, and the volume increased by 2.808 million tons, or 28.5%. In addition, the latest data from the State Statistical Committee shows that from January through October 2025, Azerbaijan exported 7.903 billion cubic meters of natural gas (in gaseous form) worth $3.876 billion to Italy. According to the data, compared to the same period of the previous year, this figure increased by $628 million, or 19.3%, in value terms, and decreased by 160 million cubic meters, or 2%, in volume terms. For comparison, in January-October 2024, 8.063 billion cubic meters of natural gas were exported from Azerbaijan to Italy, and the total value of these exports amounted to $3.248 billion. In January-November 2025, imports from Italy to Azerbaijan amounted to $439.469 million, which is $33.4 million, or 7.1%, less than the same period in 2024. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to lend 220 million ($240 million) to German energy and infrastructure company WEMAG to support power grid expansion in West Mecklenburg, as Germany steps up investment to integrate renewable energy and electrification, Trend reports via the Bank. The loan will finance more than one-third of WEMAGs planned grid investments over the next four years, helping to strengthen electricity infrastructure amid rapid growth in solar power, electric vehicles and heat pumps, the EIB said on Tuesday. WEMAG Chief Financial Officer Caspar Baumgart said the financing would enable the company to modernize and expand its electricity grid while maintaining supply security. Expanding our grids is challenging and requires strong partners, Baumgart said. With the EIB by our side, we are securing investments that are crucial for climate protection, economic development and security of supply. Grid expansion in West Mecklenburg has intensified as large-scale solar parks and decentralized rooftop photovoltaic systems create new power flows, increasing pressure on existing infrastructure. WEMAG said the investments would improve grid stability and allow households, businesses and industry to connect more renewable generation, charging stations for electric vehicles and heat pumps. Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns Minister-President Manuela Schwesig said the project combined EU-level financing with regional expertise. Together, we are ensuring that the electricity grid remains safe, resilient and high-performing in the long term, she said. EIB Vice-President Nicola Beer said the loan was part of the banks broader effort to ensure that the energy transition delivers tangible benefits at the local level. A stable, high-performing grid is essential for secure, affordable and renewable electricity, Beer said. These investments help businesses electrify production, create jobs and prevent infrastructure bottlenecks from holding back economic development. WEMAG Netz GmbH plans to invest around 1.2 billion in grid infrastructure in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern by 2033, the company said. The loan agreement was signed at WEMAGs battery storage facility in Schwerin, which was commissioned in 2014 as Europes largest commercial battery storage system. The 16-megawatt, 20-megawatt-hour lithium-ion facility provides grid-balancing services and supports system stability under fluctuating wind and solar generation. The EIB said it will provide up to 45 billion between 2023 and 2027 to support renewable energy projects under the EUs REPowerEU plan, aimed at reducing dependence on Russian fossil fuels. In 2025 alone, the bank invested 3.7 billion in German energy projects, including electricity and heating networks and renewable generation. The EIB is the European Unions long-term lending arm and its largest financier of energy security and electricity grid projects across the bloc. Protestors opposing the U.S. military action against Venezuela staged a demonstration outside the U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne on Monday. Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Samaddin Asadov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport, met with a delegation led by Carl B. Kress, Regional Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), during their visit to Azerbaijan, the nation's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport told Trend. The meeting highlighted satisfaction with the deepening strategic cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States. Discussions focused on potential collaboration on railway infrastructure, telecommunications, space technologies, and the construction of data centers for artificial intelligence technologies. The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) is an independent U.S. government agency that helps American businesses create jobs by funding project planning, feasibility studies, and pilot projects for critical infrastructure in developing countries, linking U.S. technology and expertise to overseas opportunities in sectors like energy, transport, and telecom. Its mission is to advance U.S. economic interests and support sustainable development in emerging markets, generating significant U.S. exports and jobs by acting as a "first mover" in large infrastructure projects. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. In 2025, international financial institutions maintained a strong presence in Kazakhstan, with investments concentrated in key sectors such as transport, energy, climate initiatives, and finance. These investments were closely aligned with both the strategic priorities of the international financial community and Kazakhstans overarching objectives, including economic modernization, the development of transport corridors, and the enhancement of financial resilience. Among these institutions, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) emerged as the most active investor in Kazakhstan. The banks investments in the real sector focused on fostering the development of processing industries and establishing export-oriented production capabilities. Notably, the EBRD extended a loan of up to $10 million to Empire Manufacturing Kazakhstan for the construction of a coffee processing plant in Khorgos, with approximately 50% of the plants output slated for export to Central Asia and the Caucasus. Additionally, the EBRD provided a loan of up to 25 million to Orzax Central Asia, a subsidiary of Orzax Turkiye, to support the construction and operation of a food additives plant in the Turkestan region. The plants production is also aimed at exports to Asia and Eastern Europe. Both projects not only aim to establish new production facilities but also serve to enhance Kazakhstans position within regional supply chains. Simultaneously, the EBRD continues to actively engage with banks and microfinance institutions. For instance, Bank CenterCredit secured a substantial financing package of $60 million to promote green lending initiatives, as well as to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and businesses led by women and youth. Additionally, through a $25 million loan to Home Credit Bank Kazakhstan, the EBRD is advancing energy-efficient and climate-oriented projects for both businesses and households. Special emphasis is placed on microfinance institutions, with KMF receiving $25 million and Arnur Credit benefiting from a $7 million loan, both aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs and young business owners. Thus, the EBRDs financing not only targets large corporations but also supports small and medium-sized enterprises, with a notable focus on projects led by youth and women. Infrastructure remains the EBRDs primary area of investment. In 2025, the bank approved 449 million in financing for JSC KazAvtoZhol, Kazakhstans national road operator, to reconstruct a 234-kilometer stretch of the AktobeUlgasyn highway. This project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Kazakhstan, has a total project value exceeding 1 billion euros. Additionally, the EBRD provided a 35 million euro loan to the Aktau port complex, which will significantly increase its cargo handling capacity. The project also includes an EU grant of up to 10 million euro aimed at modernizing port infrastructure. These projects further confirm that the EBRD views Kazakhstan as an important transit hub. The Aktau project is particularly indicative: the expansion of berths, acquisition of new equipment, and acceleration of container handling are directly linked to the development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor) and the growth of cargo flows between Europe and Asia. The bank emphasized that the Aktau port was identified in a joint EU study as one of the key elements of the TITR. EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso emphasized that the bank, together with the EU, supports the project because it aligns with its strategic objectives for Kazakhstan and Central Asia. She noted that the initiative is also part of global solutions in transport and logistics infrastructure under the EUs Global Gateway program, with EBRD investments aimed at removing key infrastructure bottlenecks along the Middle Corridor. Furthermore, on October 10, 2025, the EBRD signed memoranda of understanding with Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan regarding investment in the construction of the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant on the Naryn River in Kyrgyzstan. The bank indicated that it is considering providing a combined financing package of 1.3 billion in support of the project. Additionally, memoranda were signed between the EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the three Central Asian countries for a total of 900 million euros to implement the project. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) operates somewhat differently. Its focus in 2025 was not on individual projects in Kazakhstan but on initiatives impacting multiple countries in the region. On April 5, 2025, the ADB, AIIB, and the ministries of energy of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the feasibility study for the Caspian Green Energy Corridor project. The project will involve integrating energy systems and creating a green corridor for the transmission and trade of renewable energy. It envisions a comprehensive transfer of green energy from the Caspian region to Europe via the Black Sea cable. Despite recognizing the strategic importance of the energy sector for the region and actively investing in energy infrastructure and renewable energy, the ADB believes that ensuring long-term impact requires more innovative and integrated approaches. In 2025, the bank analyzed its activities in Kazakhstan, the results of which indicated the need to revise the cooperation format with the country. This involves transitioning to a more comprehensive model of engagement, utilizing various instruments - from flexible credit mechanisms to knowledge exchange, human capital development, political dialogue, and wider application of successful ADB project experience. Climate and water resources remain another key focus of the ADB. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved $250 million for the From Glaciers to Farms program, implemented under the leadership of the ADB. The initiative covers nine developing ADB member countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries largely depend on rivers fed by glaciers and snow, which play a key role in agriculture, water supply, and electricity generation. The program aims to create sustainable water management and agricultural systems to support vulnerable communities. Additionally, in November 2025, the ADB announced plans to invest more than $10 billion by 2030 to support projects and initiatives under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, of which Kazakhstan is a member. These funds are intended to develop infrastructure, enhance climate resilience, and implement other key regional initiatives. The World Bank (WB) in 2025 provided Kazakhstan with funding to develop a carbon market, enabling the country to establish an emissions trading system and prepare for carbon credit operations. This is particularly relevant as Kazakhstan is a pioneer in carbon pricing in Central Asia, being the first country in the region to implement an Emissions Trading System (ETS). To support the efforts of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources and JSC Zhasyl Damu (ETS operator), the World Bank provided a $4.8 million grant from the Partnership for Market Implementation Trust Fund (PMI Trust Fund). These funds will be used to implement the project by June 30, 2028. The initiative is expected to strengthen Kazakhstans ETS, encourage greenhouse gas emissions reduction, develop the domestic carbon credit market, and formulate a strategy for trading carbon credits in the international market. Meanwhile, the European Investment Bank (EIB) continued to invest in infrastructure and the green transition in Kazakhstan in 2025. In addition to financing the Kambarata-1 hydropower plant, the EIB provided a 200 million loan via the Development Bank of Kazakhstan to develop roads, transport corridors, and renewable energy. These funds will support sustainable transport infrastructure, including the Middle Corridor, as well as projects to increase renewable energy and reduce climate impact. The EIB also worked with the housing sector: EIB Global and the Kazakhstan Housing Company (JSC) signed a cooperation agreement aimed at jointly increasing the number of energy-efficient and sustainable homes in the country. The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) also actively implements projects in Kazakhstan. On April 14, 2025, the bank, together with UN ESCAP, launched an initiative to share experiences among energy specialists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The project aims to strengthen subregional cooperation in sustainable energy development. Additionally, the EDB issued its debut bond in UAE dirhams on the Astana International Exchange, becoming the first issuer of such bonds in Kazakhstan. In October 2025, the bank signed an agreement with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan and UNDP for the project Developing a Business Ecosystem for Sustainable Irrigation. As part of the initiative, the EDB allocated a $5.3 million grant for irrigation system modernization and increased water use efficiency in the country. Furthermore, Kazakhstan and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to attract financing of up to $1.1 billion for priority infrastructure projects in the country. In 2025, Kazakhstan became a major hub for international investment. Funds from the EBRD, EIB, ADB, WB, IsDB and EDB were directed to roads, ports, energy, and climate projects. International financial institutions support both large companies and small businesses. This strengthens the countrys export and transit potential, develops the green economy, and promotes new technologies. In 2026, the Turkish Investment Fund, with members including Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, and Uzbekistan, is expected to begin financing, opening additional opportunities for attracting international capital. Kazakhstan has outlined ambitious plans for the development of its energy and infrastructure sectors, significantly enhancing its appeal to international investors. By 2030, the country plans to commission 93 renewable energy facilities with a total capacity of 2.3 GW. Furthermore, Kazakhstan's long-term energy strategy envisions the integration of at least 8.4 GW of renewable energy by 2035. In the transport sector, over 11,000 km of roads are slated for construction and reconstruction by 2026, including the continuation of the KyzylordaZhezkazgan highway (208 km) in the Ulytau region. Additional key road projects include the "CenterWest" (896 km), AktobeUlgasyn (232 km), KaragandaZhezkazgan (572 km), among others. These infrastructure projects not only aim to improve domestic and transit logistics but also create new avenues for attracting both domestic and international investments. The successful realization of these ambitious plans hinges upon effective state financial management. As of October 1, 2025, Kazakhstans external debt stood at $171.4 billion, reflecting an increase of $6.7 billion over the previous nine months. This highlights the critical need for a balanced approach to borrowing and the strategic mobilization of external capital. Kazakhstan possesses considerable potential in green energy and transport infrastructure development, aligning with the priorities of international financial institutions and opening up significant investment opportunities. However, the successful implementation of these initiatives depends on sound financial discipline, strategic coordination between public and private stakeholders, and the proactive engagement of external funding sources. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 12. QazaqGaz and Kazakhstan's Agip Caspian Sea B.V. have signed a Joint Study Agreement to assess the hydrocarbon potential of the Kamenkovsky subsurface block in the Caspian Sea, Trend reports via QazaqGaz. The agreement was signed by Alibek Zhamauov, Chairman of the Management Board of QazaqGaz, and Seger Hoytink, Chairman and Managing Director of Agip Caspian Sea B.V. The main objective of the joint study is to evaluate the investment feasibility of equity participation in a subsurface exploration project targeting hydrocarbons at the Kamenkovsky block. Under the joint study agreement, the parties will carry out a comprehensive program of geological and geophysical studies. The results will form the technical basis for assessing the hydrocarbon potential and commercial viability of the Kamenkovsky block. The Kamenkovsky block is located in the northern flank zone of the Caspian sedimentary basin, an area considered highly prospective for the discovery of gas and gas-condensate fields. Several major fields, including Karachaganak, Chinarevskoye, and Rozhkovskoye, have previously been discovered in this region. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASTANA, Kazakhstan, January 12. The fifth meeting of Kazakhstan's National Kurultai will take place in Kyzylorda on January 20, 2026, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh president. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has approved the date for the next meeting during a working session on parliamentary reform. The National Kurultai, an advisory body to the President of Kazakhstan, serves as a platform for generating ideas and developing steps toward strengthening public unity and national development. Meetings of the National Kurultai convene as necessary but occur at least annually. The previous sessions of the National Kurultai took place on March 13-14, 2025, in Burabay; March 15, 2024, in Atyrau; June 17, 2023, in Turkestan; and June 16, 2022, in the Ulytau region. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, January 12. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan conducted a review of the country's foreign policy system for 2025 and engaged in discussions regarding the key priorities and activities planned for 2026, Trend reports via the press service of the Tajik MFA. The issues were addressed during a regular session of the MFA Collegium, presided over by Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin. The meeting was attended by Collegium members, Parviz Davlatzoda, Head of the Foreign Relations Department of the Executive Office of the President of Tajikistan, as well as leaders of the Ministry's principal departments, divisions, and their deputies. The session also saw participation from heads of several related entities, including the state unitary enterprise Dipservice under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Center for Advanced Training and Retraining of Personnel, and the State Institution of the Foreign Policy Magazine. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Disrespect for the flag of Iran is unacceptable under any circumstances, the Foreign Ministrys spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, said today at a press conference in Tehran, Trend reports. According to him, European countries have made certain shortcomings in fulfilling their duties in protecting the security of Iranian diplomatic missions. Baghaei noted that this is considered contrary to diplomatic rules and principles. The official said that the Iranian flag was disrespected in London the other day, and in this regard, the UK Embassy in Tehran was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Iran's protest on this issue was announced to the other side. In recent days, individuals who entered the Iranian embassy in London changed the Iranian flag and hung the flag of the Shah's era on the embassy building. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in a telephone conversation with the UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has called on the United Kingdom to fully uphold its international legal obligations to ensure the safety and security of Irans diplomatic missions in London, Iranian FM wrote on his X page, Trend reports. "In phone conversation with the UK Foreign Secretary this evening, I made clear that the UK is per international legal obligations dutybound to ensure the safety and security of Iran's London Consulate and Embassy. If the UK cannot uphold its duty to protect diplomatic missions, Iran would be left with no choice but to consider evacuating our personnel. I also urged the UK to avoid interfering in Iran's internal affairs, including by continuing to refrain from taking action against Israeli-backed terrorists posing as news organizations. Ofcom has clear rules and regulations about the incitement of violence and glorification of terrorism. The UK Government must take action to ensure that its own domestic laws are upheld," the minister said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. There is a line of communication between Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff, the Foreign Ministrys spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said today at a press conference in Tehran, Trend reports. According to him, this channel is used to convey necessary messages between the two countries. Baghaei stated that, in addition, the Swiss embassy, which protects U.S. interests in Iran, is officially operating. The Iranian official stated that, in general, Iran has never left the negotiating table. In recent decades, Iran has always adhered to the principle of diplomacy and negotiation. However, these negotiations must lead to meaningful results and address the concerns of all parties. Naturally, unilateral discussions dictated by specific goals will not lead to results. I think that contradictory statements in this regard will lead to uncertainty in strategies, he noted. On April 12, 19, and 26, and May 11 and 23, 2025, five rounds of indirect talks between Iran and the US on Iran's nuclear program took place. The indirect talks were organized through the mediation of Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, and were led by Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Iranian delegation, and Steve Witkoff, US Special Representative for the Middle East, from the American delegation. The first, third, and fourth rounds of talks took place in Muscat, the capital of Oman, and the second and fifth rounds in Rome, the capital of Italy. On the morning of June 13, 2025, Israel launched air strikes against Iran. The strikes killed a large number of high-ranking military officials, generals, nuclear scientists, and other senior officials. That same evening, Iran responded to Israel with Operation True Promise III, launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at several targets, including Tel Aviv, resulting in civilian casualties and widespread destruction. On June 22, the U.S. launched military airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites. The airstrikes reportedly destroyed the Iranian nuclear facilities. On the evening of June 23, Iran launched air strikes on a U.S. military base in Qatar. On June 24, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office announced that the Israeli government had agreed to a ceasefire with Iran, brokered by US President Donald Trump. Iran's Supreme National Security Council also issued a statement announcing the cessation of attacks. by Juvenal Quicassa In an era when the global geopolitical landscape is marked by various types of conflicts between states, sanctions, and exclusionary rhetoric among international actors, Chinese diplomacy has increasingly emerged as a more tangible alternative for countries of the Global South. From a constructivist perspective, China's external engagement is a clear commitment to multilateralism, grounded primarily in the pillars that underpin peaceful relations among states, namely respect for international law and the affirmation of state sovereignty. Although these principles have been progressively undermined by some Western powers, they remain fundamental for nations that have historically been marginalized within the international system. Undeniably, like any major country, the Chinese government pursues strategic interests within the international structure. Nevertheless, China has pursued its strategic objectives without imposing political models or interfering in internal affairs, opting instead for cooperation, development assistance, and recognition of diverse national development paths, in line with international norms. For many African, Latin American and Asian countries, the growing volume of trade and the increasing preference for commercial exchanges with China represent a new chapter that departs from past practices. For decades, international assistance to these countries was closely tied to political conditionalities and imposed programs, resulting in a significant loss of autonomy in decision-making processes. In contrast, Chinese diplomacy has consistently emphasized the principle of sovereign equality, asserting that each state should determine its own development model. This approach has yielded innovative outcomes for Global South countries, enabling them to negotiate infrastructure, energy, transport and industrialization projects on more balanced terms, aligned with genuine needs for economic growth and regional integration. Chinese diplomacy has demonstrated that development is no longer an abstract discourse but rather a concrete instrument for social transformation. As evidence of this dynamic, bilateral trade between China and African countries reached approximately 295 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, firmly establishing China as Africa's largest trading partner. Another aspect worthy of reflection is the vision advanced by China. Through its policy statements and positions expressed at international forums, China has consistently advocated a more just, inclusive and multipolar international order, one in which development is understood as a right rather than a privilege reserved for a limited group of states. By strengthening platforms such as BRICS and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China has significantly contributed to amplifying the political voice of the Global South within an international arena long governed by Western-dominated rules. These initiatives can be viewed as diplomatic instruments shaping a global order that seeks to build consensus, promote dialogue and reduce the confrontational logic that has long dominated global politics. China's foreign policy, particularly its emphasis on development as a core agenda within multilateral global institutions, rests on a simple yet often overlooked principle: there can be no peace without development. By investing in infrastructure and connectivity networks, China demonstrates a concrete commitment to reducing structural inequalities that fuel political instability, social conflict, and economic crises across the Global South. Therefore, the construction of roads, ports, railways and power plants should not be viewed merely as physical projects, but as instruments of integration that enhance territorial connectivity, strengthen state capacity and create opportunities for millions of people. For the Global South, such investments represent a tangible pathway toward sustainable growth and economic autonomy. At a time when international law is frequently applied selectively, Chinese diplomacy has remained relatively consistent in defending internationally-enshrined principles. State sovereignty and non-interference must be respected, regardless of a country's political or economic weight. Contemporary international media narratives often reveal a reality in which major powers disregard international law, impose sanctions and authorize unilateral interventions against smaller states based on asymmetries of power. China's stance, expressed both in words and deeds, resonates strongly with many Global South nations that view China as a partner willing to cooperate without interfering in domestic choices. This represents a significant diplomatic distinction within an international system still marked by profound power imbalances. As a member of the Global South, China's engagement with other Global South countries should not be interpreted as submission or dependency of China's partners, as often portrayed by Western media, but rather as a strategic opportunity. It is therefore incumbent upon partner countries to negotiate responsibly, ensure transparency, and guarantee that projects genuinely contribute to national development. If managed effectively, relations with China can strengthen economies, expand political maneuverability and contribute to a more balanced international order. In a world undergoing profound transformation, Chinese diplomacy emerges not as an inevitable threat but as a concrete possibility for cooperation grounded in respect, development, and multilateralism. Editor's note: Juvenal Quicassa is an international relations expert at the University of Belas of Angola The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. The head of Irans Expediency Discernment Council (EDC), Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, has urged citizens to participate in a pro-government rally taking place across the country, Trend reports. Larijani emphasized that the purpose of the rally is to honor those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of maintaining public order, as well as to commemorate the victims of various incidents. He urged Iranians to participate in large numbers, both to pay their respects and to demonstrate support for the authorities. The rally is set to commence at 14:00 (GMT+4), with pro-government demonstrations already taking place in several cities across Iran. BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 12. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that Iran has reached out to the United States to explore the possibility of negotiations, Trend reports via the White House. Yesterday, the leaders of Iran called. They want to negotiate. I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States. We may meet with them, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. Trump also added that a meeting was being arranged, but warned that Washington might take action depending on developments before the meeting takes place. 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. Russia is preparing another large-scale attack on Ukraine in the coming days. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening address, Ukrinform reports. And please, make sure to pay attention to the air raid alerts. There is intelligence indicating that the Russians are preparing a new massive strike. Drones to deplete our air defenses, and missiles. They want to exploit the cold. This strike may occur in the coming days, Zelensky said. Read also: Pope urges to stop attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure As previously reported, Kyivs energy infrastructure came under a massive attack on the night of January 9, leaving parts of the city without electricity and heating. Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine Under Project Nightfall, the United Kingdom has launched a competition to rapidly develop ground-launched ballistic missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometers and designed to operate in high-threat battlefields with heavy electromagnetic interference. The UK government said this in a press release seen by Ukrinform. "Nightfall missiles will be capable of being launched from a range of vehicles, firing multiple missiles in quick succession and withdrawing within minutes allowing Ukrainian forces to hit key military targets before Russian forces can respond," the press release reads. According to the statement, with a 200kg conventional high explosive warhead, high precision production rate of ten systems per month and a maximum price of GBP 800,000 per missile, Nightfall is intended to provide Ukraine with "a powerful, cost-effective long-range strike option, with minimal foreign export controls." UK Defense Secretary John Healey MP said that Russian attacks overnight on Thursday, January 8, just go to show "how Putin thinks he can act with impunity, targeting civilian areas with advanced weaponry." He also added that instead of seriously negotiating a peace, the Russian dictator is seriously escalating his illegal war. Healey noted that the air raid sirens around Lviv, which he heard on his way to Kyiv, were "a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero conditions." "We won't stand for this, which is why we are determined to put leading edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians as they fight back," Healey said. UK Minister for Defense Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard, in turn, said that "a secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine." "These new long-range British missiles will keep Ukraine in the fight and give Putin another thing to worry about. In 2026, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. Providing equipment to keep them in the fight today, whilst working to secure the peace tomorrow." He said. The project aims for three industry teams to each be awarded a GBP 9 million development contract to design, develop and deliver their first three missiles within 12 months for test firings. Development contracts are aimed to be awarded in March 2026. Whilst aimed at supporting Ukraine, Nightfall will also inform future UK Armed Forces' long range strike projects. Photo credit: Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Russian forces have attacked civilian vessels sailing under the flags of Panama and San Marino, injuring one crew member. Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba reported this on Facebook, according to Ukrinform. A tanker flying the Panamanian flag was waiting to enter port to load vegetable oil when it was hit by a Russian drone. As a result of the attack, a crew member was injured and is receiving necessary medical assistance. "Maritime rescue services are already on site, and a fire on board is being extinguished," he said. A vessel sailing under the flag of San Marino came under attack while leaving port carrying a cargo of corn. There were no casualties, and the ship continues its voyage. Kuleba stressed that these incidents once again prove that Russia is deliberately targeting civilian vessels, international trade, and maritime safety. "Despite the aggressor's ongoing terror, Ukraine continues port operations and fulfills its international obligations," he said. On January 9, Russian attack drones struck two civilian vessels near ports in the Odesa region. One person was killed and several were reported injured. The lower house of the Parliament of the Czech Republic may consider a vote of trust in the government of Andrej Babis on Wednesday. This plan was announced by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "The vote of confidence will take place no earlier than Wednesday," Okamura told journalists on Monday, explaining that he does not expect the vote to happen on Tuesday, when the parliamentary session will begin. Lawmakers will vote on confidence in a three-party coalition government consisting of ANO, Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD), and the Motorists. It is expected that the Babis cabinet (ANO party) will receive confidence, as the coalition partners hold 108 out of 200 seats. A simple majority of the deputies present is sufficient to express confidence in the government. Ahead of the vote, Prime Minister and leader of the ANO political movement Andrej Babis will try to persuade coalition partner SPD not to oppose the continued participation of the Czech Republic in the ammunition initiative at the level of coordination, provided that its financing is fully terminated. Babis is scheduled to meet with Okamura's party on Tuesday, which continues to resist the move. "The SPD position is consistent.... We said before the elections that we do not want the Czech Republic to continue participating in the ammunition initiative," party leader Okamura said. At the same time, he acknowledged that a certain "coalition compromise" was necessary, as the government is only beginning its work. Parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic were held in early October last year. On December 9, President Petr Pavel officially appointed Andrej Babis as prime minister, and on December 15 the new coalition government was sworn in. Photo: Poslanecka snemovna Parlamentu Ceske republiky Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has explained his country's position on security guarantees for Ukraine and warned Kyiv against legally recognizing Russia's control over the occupied territories. He said this at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is visiting Croatia, Ukrinform reports. "The problem is that Russia first wants to sign an agreement and only then move toward a ceasefire, while the Coalition of the Willing proposed a ceasefire as the first step, followed by an agreement," Plenkovic said. He stressed that based on Croatia's own experience, "Ukraine must never de jure give up the occupied territory." "This is a very important issue because it would reward the aggressor or become a concession impossible to justify domestically." Meanwhile, Russia is seeking to "restore relations with the United States," using Ukraine as an instrument to achieve that goal, Plenkovic said, adding that Moscow is also striving for sanctions relief and international rehabilitation. Regarding Croatia's participation in security guarantees, he reiterated that Croatian troops would not be deployed to Ukraine, but Croatia "will find ways to continue helping Ukraine, as we have so far, whether in terms of political support or energy assistance." He recalled that Croatia is already supplying Ukraine with requested energy technologies to help restore its energy infrastructure after Russian attacks. Referring to Ukraine's past experience with security guarantees, Plenkovic mentioned the negative example of the Budapest Memorandum, which was not upheld by its signatories. He stressed that Croatia consistently supports Ukraine's defense efforts, recognizing that Ukraine is fighting not only for itself, but for European democracy and freedom. "Today we discussed our contribution to Ukraine a friendly nation and a victim of Russian aggression. Over the past several years, the Croatian government has provided 15 military aid packages, the latest approved at last week's government meeting. We have also contributed to the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, the so-called PURL, which NATO oversees and coordinates for purchasing U.S.-produced weapons," Plenkovic said. He stressed that "Ukraine is defending not only its own freedom, but also democracy and freedom in Europe, and this is why the consequences of Russian aggression are so obvious across the entire continent." Plenkovic noted that the world and Europe are currently facing "very complex and challenging circumstances," including global security threats, Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, and issues related to adherence to international law. He informed Rutte about Croatia's fulfillment of its defense commitments in recent years, including achieving defense spending of 2% of GDP. "In 2025, defense spending reached 2.78% of GDP. This exceeded the Ministry of Defense budget, reaching EUR 1.9 billion," he said, adding that 34% of funds went toward modernization, compared with the minimum NATO requirement of 20%. He noted that these efforts were complemented by the procurement of modern weapon systems, including Caesar self-propelled howitzers and Leopard tanks. According to the prime minister, Croatia is also using new defense financing instruments, including SAFE loans, under which the country has requested EUR 1.7 billion to fund defense spending in the coming years. At the end of December 2025, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Romania and Croatia for joining PURL and announcing their first contributions to the program. PURL is a joint U.S.NATO program launched in 2025 to accelerate the supply of critical U.S.-made weapons and equipment to Ukraine. Partner countries finance procurement according to Ukraine's prioritized requirements list, with contributions coordinated through a special NATO fund. This enables Ukraine to quickly receive vital systems such as Patriot and HIMARS missiles directly from U.S. stockpiles, strengthening its defense. Photo: Video screenshot KIEV, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday submitted bills to the parliament proposing the extension of the country's current martial law and mobilization, the parliament's press service reported. If approved, both measures would be extended for an additional 90 days, until May 4. Lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said parliament is expected to consider the bills later this week. The martial law and general mobilization have been extended multiple times since they were first introduced in February 2022 in response to the ongoing conflict with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide have discussed prospects for joint weapons production and other military cooperation projects. Zelensky announced this on X, Ukrinform reports. "We appreciate today's decision by Norway to allocate a $400 million aid package to our country. This is very important and will truly support our people. During a meeting with Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, I thanked him for such substantial assistance and for all the support packages for the military and energy sectors. I thank Norway for its assistance since the very beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression," Zelensky wrote. He noted that the meeting also focused on the energy situation in Ukraine. According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, special attention during the meeting was paid to diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a just peace. "The head of state emphasized the importance of adopting the Paris Declaration and described it as a strong political signal from partners regarding the provision of reliable security guarantees for Ukraine," the statement said. In addition, the two discussed Norway's participation in the PURL initiative, which enables the purchase of air defense missiles, including for NASAMS systems, and underlined the importance of its further development. Read also: Ukraine hands Norway list of equipment needed for energy sector repairs Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide is visiting Kyiv on Monday. Photo credit: @ZelenskyyUa Estonia has imposed an entry ban on 261 people who participated in the war against Ukraine on the side of Russia. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced this on the social network X, Ukrinform reports. Estonia imposed entry bans on the first 261 of Russian combatants who took part in the war of aggression against Ukraine - and this is only the beginning. Hundreds of thousands of fighters from the aggressor state have been involved in this brutal war, committing atrocities and spreading violence. They have no place in Estonia and in the Schengen area, the head of the Foreign Ministry emphasized. According to Tsahkna, Estonia will keep working to ensure the door stays closed to Russian ex-combatants. He also called on other countries to take similar steps. As reported by Ukrinform, in December, Latvia declared 14 Russian athletes persona non grata. Photo: ERR What Happens After Cash Welfare? Marylands Longest-Running Study Has Answers A new report from the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) provides an unprecedented look by any U.S. state at how the same people move through cash assistance programs before and after they receive help as opposed to aggregate-only data. UMSSWs Lauren Schuyler and Letitia Logan Passarella co-author the annual Life After Welfare report. The Life After Welfare: 2025 Annual Update follows more than 42,000 adults who exited Marylands Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Marylands version of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program between state Fiscal Years 2020 and 2024. In addition to comparing different groups of people at different moments, researchers tracked changes within individuals. This shift reveals how employment and earnings evolve over time. It reveals the actual trajectories of those leaving cash assistance, showing how employment and earnings evolve for the same person before entry and after TCA exit, said Lauren A. Schuyler, PhD, assistant research director of the UMSSW Family Welfare Research and Training Group, who is the lead author of the report. Individual progress can be masked through aggregated averages. We were able to see who had certain types of changes in employment not just whether or not they were employed, Schuyler said. Did they move from having partial employment throughout the year to full employment? Did they have partial employment, and they then have no employment after they left? Maryland is the only state to have publicly tracked welfare leavers (recipients who leave TCA) for nearly three decades. UMSSW has partnered with the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) since 1997 for the Life After Welfare report, analyzing comprehensive administrative data sets on cash assistance. Using DHS administrative data, the report examines cases of 42,459 adult recipients. For 30 years, Maryland has shined on a light on what happens to families after leaving TCA, said Letitia Logan Passarella, MPP, research director of the UMSSW Family Welfare Research and Training Group and co-author of the report. This years report goes even further tracking individual families to better understand those journeys. This insight is critical for shaping policies that support economic stability. Work Is the Norm, Not the Exception Life After Welfare challenges political and racist false narratives about who relies on the cash welfare program and what their life looks like. One of the reports clearest findings counters a persistent misconception that most people who leave cash assistance are not working. The report refutes two misconceptions: that most welfare leavers remain disconnected from work, and that there is a culture of refusing employment obligations that is associated with certain demographic groups, Schuyler said, referring to a policy position authored by New York University professor Lawrence M. Mead that endorses a theory that behavioral and cultural norms discourage steady work as opposed to structural and administrative constraints. At least 61 percent of leavers were employed in the year after exit, an increase from the year before they entered TCA. Much of that growth came from full-year employment, not short-term or sporadic work. The big picture is that earnings remain low and earnings remain low for a couple of reasons, Schuyler said. Partial employment is one of the reasons for low earnings, and the sectors in which folks are employed are another reason for low earnings. Nearly seven in 10 families received TCA for a year or less before exiting, highlighting that the program is a short-term support for families and children. Even after leaving cash assistance, most families continue to rely on supports like Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to the report. The findings reflect how far wages in many of Marylands largest industries still fall short of meeting basic needs. Some participants in the TCA program are employed in Marylands top sectors including retail, accommodations, food service, and health care. The state doesnt capture occupational classification codes like other states to better understand the jobs people hold within these industries. If our economy here in this state is based on these sectors such as retail trade that pay non-living wages, then it makes sense that some of our lowest income, most vulnerable community members are going to be employed in some of these sectors, Schuyler added. One limitation of the study is that the administrative data does not capture all employment outcomes. Specifically, the data does not reflect jobs with employers who do not pay unemployment insurance taxes. That includes workers such as independent contractors or gig workers. Nor does the data capture employment secured outside of Maryland. This is particularly important given that Marylands out-of-state employment rate is roughly four times the national average, meaning some individuals counted as not working could be employed in neighboring states or Washington, D.C. Its not actually fair to say that 27 percent arent employed, Schulyer said. Its a smaller percentage than that. But what percentage it is, we dont know, and theres not really a way to figure it out with the current way things are. The report also breaks down outcomes by race and ethnicity, showing clear results. Black leavers had the highest employment rates in the years following exit, as well as the strongest employment continuity and increased or consistent earnings from before entry to after exit. However, they experienced the lowest median earnings, reflecting broader wage inequities. That combination tells an important story, Schuyler said. People are working. The issue is the quality and compensation of that work. Why This Study Stands Apart As state policymakers navigate the Maryland General Assemblys legislative session this year, the findings offer a reminder: Most families use cash assistance briefly, most are working, and many still struggle, not for a lack of trying but instead because low-wage work remains the backbone of the economy. These annual reports are used by the Maryland Department of Legislative Services to provide context to the Maryland General Assembly for legislative oversight and analyses of the DHS budget. This helps lawmakers understand if there is appropriate funding for families. Life After Welfare offers something special: consistent evidence on what happens after families leave cash assistance, Logan Passarella said. These insights help policymakers understand that economic stability is complex and targeted interventions are vital. LOS ANGELES, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were injured on Sunday afternoon when a truck plowed into a crowd of protesters gathered in Los Angeles for a demonstration related to the situation in Iran, local media reported. NEW YORK, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- About 15,000 nurses went on strike Monday after their union and hospitals failed to reach a breakthrough in contract negotiations, marking the largest nursing strike in New York City history, according to local media. The New York State Nurses Association said nurses from five privately-run hospitals walked off the job, accusing their hospitals of refusing to "settle fair contracts that include enforceable safe staffing ratios, guaranteed healthcare benefits for frontline nurses, and protections from workplace violence." New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Friday, ahead of the strike, as it comes amid a severe flu season and could disrupt hospital operations. The families of four University of Idaho students murdered in 2022 have filed a lawsuit against Washington State University, alleging the institution failed to act on repeated warnings about Bryan Kohberger, who was a graduate student there at the time. The lawsuit claims those failures allowed what the families describe as a foreseeable tragedy, reigniting scrutiny of how universities respond to behavioural warning signs. Lawsuit Alleges Negligence And Title IX Violations Filed in Washington Superior Court, the lawsuit accuses WSU of negligence and of violating Title IX by failing to take appropriate action after receiving complaints about Kohberger's conduct. The families argue the university had a responsibility to protect students and staff once concerns were formally raised. According to the filing, as reported by NBC News, the alleged lack of intervention created conditions in which the risk posed by Kohberger was allowed to escalate unchecked. Thirteen Complaints Allegedly Raised While Kohberger Was Enrolled The lawsuit claims WSU received 13 formal complaints describing Kohberger's behaviour as 'inappropriate, predatory and menacing'. The court filing alleges that female students, staff and faculty felt unsafe in his presence, with some reportedly leaving classrooms mid-lecture due to fear. The complaint further states that Kohberger allegedly followed women to their vehicles, stared aggressively and positioned himself in ways that blocked exits, leading some to require regular security escorts. The families argue these reports should have prompted decisive action. Murders That Shocked A College Community In November 2022, four students from the University of Idaho were found stabbed to death in an off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho. The victims were Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. Mogen, Goncalves and Kernodle lived at the property, while Chapin was staying overnight with Kernodle. The killings sent shock waves through the small college town and prompted an intensive, multi-agency investigation. Arrest, Evidence And Guilty Plea Kohberger was arrested more than a month later at his family home in Pennsylvania. Investigators tied him to the killings using DNA evidence, video surveillance footage and mobile phone location data, according to prosecutors. In July, Kohberger pleaded guilty as part of a deal that allowed him to avoid the death penalty. He was later sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for first-degree murder, along with an additional 10-year sentence for a burglary charge. Families Say Lawsuit Is About Accountability In a statement issued through their legal team, the families said the case is intended to hold institutions accountable rather than seek vengeance. They argue universities must respond decisively when credible concerns about behaviour are raised. The lawsuit frames the case as part of a wider debate about institutional responsibility and the importance of early intervention when warning signs emerge. WSU Response And Broader Implications WSU told The New York Times that its 'hearts remain with the families and friends impacted by this horrific tragedy', but declined further comment. The university has not admitted wrongdoing, citing the ongoing legal process. The case is expected to draw broader attention to how universities handle behavioural complaints under Title IX and other safety frameworks, particularly when those concerns fall outside traditional disciplinary categories. Originally published on IBTimes UK Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam. ISLAMABAD, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Five policemen were killed and several others injured in a bomb attack on a police vehicle in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province on Monday, police officials said. The incident happened when an improvised explosive device exploded near an armored police vehicle in the Gomal area of Tank district of the province, according to the police officials in the area. The police vehicle was destroyed, killing policemen, including a senior police officer, while injuring three passersby. Following the blast, police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation in the surroundings to arrest the culprits. No group has claimed the attack yet. Taking notice of the attack, KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said that the terrorists cannot dampen the nation's morale as the country would continue its fight against terrorism. Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli went on trial on Monday for money laundering in a sprawling corruption case that has drawn in several South American leaders. Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, which has since changed its name to Novonor, has admitted to paying hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes throughout Latin America to secure huge public works contracts between 2001 and 2016. The so-called "Car Wash" scandal, which erupted in 2014, has landed dozens of top politicians and business figures behind bars. Former Peruvian presidents Alejandro Toledo and Ollanta Humala are serving lengthy sentences in their country after being convicted of being on the take from Odebrecht. Politicians in Argentina, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela have also been convicted over their roles in the scandal. Martinelli, who faces a 12-year prison sentence if convicted in absentia, appeared in a Panama City court via video conference from Colombia, where he sought asylum last year. "I am innocent, I am not responsible" the 73-year-old, who was president from 2009 to 2014, pleaded. Odebrecht has admitted to paying $59 million (50 million euros) in bribes during Martinelli's tenure to win the tender for construction of Panama City's metro, the modern coastal highway in the capital, and for the expansion of Panama's international airport. The prosecution argues that, although there is no evidence of payments being paid directly into Martinelli's personal accounts, he was the final recipient of the funds and had "full knowledge of the illicit origin" of the money. "This case is entirely political," Carlos Carrillo, the former president's lawyer, told AFP. Another former president, Juan Carlos Varela, and two of Martinelli's sons are also accused in the case but will be tried at a later date by the Supreme Court. Martinelli sought asylum in Colombia last year to avoid arrest in a separate money laundering case over which he was sentenced to nearly 11 years imprisonment. jjr/mis/cb/ksb KHARTOUM, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government on Sunday announced its work priorities after officially resuming operations in the capital, Khartoum, placing peace, public security, livelihoods, and the restoration of state institutions and basic services at the top of its agenda. Speaking to reporters at the Khartoum State Government headquarters, Prime Minister Kamil Idris said peace is a primary objective of the government. "What we seek is a peace that Sudanese people accept, in the context of a war that was imposed on the country," he said. He said that despite challenges, the government will prioritize citizens' livelihoods and security while enhancing basic services, including expanding healthcare facilities, reopening universities on schedule, and extending access to water and electricity. On the economic front, the prime minister said the government will prioritize agriculture development, rehabilitate slaughterhouses, build a new airport, and establish an integrated export-oriented city. Khartoum State Governor Ahmed Osman Hamza told reporters that the central government's return signals the capital is ready to receive its residents, urging them to return and participate in rebuilding. The government's return is part of official efforts to restore administrative functions and public services to Khartoum, following recent announcements of plans to gradually reinstate state institutions. The Sudanese government relocated to Port Sudan in late April 2023, days after fighting broke out in Khartoum between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has left tens of thousands dead and millions displaced, both inside Sudan and across its borders. In May 2025, the SAF declared Khartoum State cleared of RSF forces, paving the way for the city to gradually reclaim public spaces and resume normal life. Alberto Trentini freed after 423 days in Caracas jail. Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni on Monday announced that Venezuela has released Italian nationals, Alberto Trentini and Mario Burlo, from prison. Welcoming the news with "joy and satisfaction", Meloni stated that a plane was on its way from Rome to repatriate the two Italians who "are now safely at the Italian embassy in Caracas". Trentini, a 46-year-old aid worker from Venice, was arrested in Venezuela in November 2024 while working for the Humanity and Inclusion, an NGO that helps disabled people. He was held at the El Rodeo maximum-security jail in Caracas despite not having any formal charges pressed against him. Turin entrepreneur Burlo, 52, had been held for more than a year in the same prison. He was arrested for no clear reason after going to Venezuela in 2024 to explore new business opportunities, according to news agency ANSA. In her statement, Meloni expressed her "heartfelt thanks" to authorities in Venezuela, starting from interim president Delcy Rodriguez, for the constructive cooperation" shown in recent days. Last week Venezuela released Italian-Venezuelan politician and journalist Biagio Pilieri, 60, and Italian businessman Luigi Gasperin, 77. Pilieri had been in jail for 16 months, while Gasperin was imprisoned since August. Venezuelas government on Thursday pledged to release "a significant number" of prisoners, including foreign nationals, in what it described as a gesture of goodwill. The move comes after the US attacked Venezuela and captured its president, Nicolas Maduro, with US president Donald Trump claiming that the release of prisoners detained for political reasons was at the request of Washington. Bar San Calisto to reopen its doors in February. The ongoing renovation of Bar San Calisto, one of Rome's most iconic bars, has prompted nostalgic regulars to grab mementos from the rubble outside. The landmark watering hole in the Trastevere quarter will remain closed until mid-February as the premises gets a new look, however owner Marcello Forti promises that the restyling won't involve any major changes to the interior. Forti, known to everyone as Marcellino, also pledged that the bar's famously cheap prices will remain the same when it reopens next month. (A coffee still costs 90 cents and a large bottle of Peroni beer will set you back just 2.50). In the meantime, Romans have been taking home pieces of the bar as keepsakes, from fragments of the original counter to the old black and white floor tiles. "We're renovating the bar area, not the bathroom area. I think the work will be completed by 16 February" - Forti told news outlet RomaToday - "We're putting in a horseshoe-shaped bar with a cash register". What the interior in San Calisto used to look like. Photo Wanted in Rome. Despite his assurances, there are concerns among regulars and past visitors that San Calisto could lose the down-at-heel vibe that is part of its charm. Until now the bar has retained its vintage decor, remaining a bastion of "romanita" in a district whose coffee shops and restaurants are increasingly being modernised for the tourist market. Located off the central Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, San Calisto has been run by Marcellino since 1969 and has featured in numerous films including Paolo Sorrentino's Oscar-winner La grande bellezza. Photo La Repubblica High Court Reporter Two building supplies businesses have initiated separate High Court challenges against An Coimisiun Pleanalas grant of permission for the extension of the Luas line to Finglas, north Dublin, bringing to three the number of cases brought over the decision. Brooks Timber & Building Supplies Ltd together with Downshire Propco Ltd and Murdock Builders Merchants (Ireland) Ltd are seeking to quash the grant of permission to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) for the extension. It emerged last month that Firethorn Ltd, owner of the Manhattan Peanuts factory on Finglass McKee Avenue, had initiated proceedings against the grant of permission. The new line, granted permission on October 28th last year, was planned to run from the current Luas Green line terminus at Broombridge in Cabra to Charlestown, north of Finglas village, a distance of just under 4km, at an expected cost of 600 million. On Monday, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys granted leave, or permission, for the parties in the three cases to pursue their judicial review challenges. Brooks Timber & Building Supplies operates a building supplies business off Ballyboggan Road, Cabra West. Downshire Propco, with a registered address of New Road, Banbridge, Co Down, owns the premises where the business is operated from. Murdock Builders Merchants runs a building supplies business at premises on St Margarets Road and McKee Avenue, Finglas, next door to the Manhattan Peanuts factory. In all three cases, an order is sought quashing ACPs decision to grant permission for an extension of the Luas line. TII is a notice party to the three actions. According to its court documents, Firehorn claims ACPs decision is invalid, alleging that a proposed new access road set to be built at McKee Avenue as part of the Luas extension contravenes the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 and the Jamestown Masterplan, a Dublin City Council development plan. Firehorn claims that construction of the access road will require TIIs compulsory acquisition of 1,390m2 of its lands at McKee Avenue. This is despite TIIs alleged support of an alternative road layout, which would only encroached one metre on to Firethorns lands, the firm says. Firethorn alleges that ACP has not provided adequate reasons for granting permission for the access road layout requiring the compulsory land acquisition. Firethorn also claims that the effect of ACPs decision infringes its property rights under the Constitution. In its court documents, Murdock Builders Merchants also claims the decision is invalid because the proposed development contravenes the Jamestown Masterplan, arising from the proposed access road off McKee Avenue. Murdock Builders Merchants says the proposed access road will extend beyond its property boundaries, and will impact its ability to conduct business. Both Murdock Builders Merchants premises and the Manhattan Peanuts site are close to the proposed Luas stop at St Margarets Road. In its court documents, Brooks Timber & Building Supplies and Downshire Propco say that ACPs omission of permission for an access road at Broombridge Road agreed in the plans for the development following consultation between the firms and TII renders the decision void. Brooks Timber & Building Supplies business in Cabra West is currently accessible via Broombridge Close, off Ballyboggan Road. It made submissions to TII following concerns that the Luas extension works would impact the ability of heavy goods vehicles to access the premises. Brooks Timber & Building Supplies and Downshire Propco also say ACPs decision interferes with their property rights under the Constitution. The cases will return later this month. The Luas line extension was designed with four stops, running north from Broombridge, to St Helenas in south Finglas, an area dominated by two-storey social housing developments largely built in the 1970s; then on to Finglas village; next to St Margarets Road, which will serve the new Jamestown housing development and existing estates; before terminating close to the M50 at Charlestown, an area dominated by a shopping centre and high-density apartment schemes built over the past 20 years. Olivia Kelleher A new library at the University of Galway is set to be named after bright, kind, loving, and caring Cork doctor Karen Guinee (23), who was murdered a week before her graduation. Ms Guinee, who was from Douglas in Cork city, studied at the university for six years from 2000 to 2006. She had newly qualified as a doctor when she was killed by her boyfriend, Patrick 'Pa' Hogan (27), in June 2006. She died just days before her 24th birthday and also never got to attend her conferring. Mr Hogan of Griffin Avenue, Galway was given a life sentence at the Central Criminal Court in March of 2008 after he admitted murdering Ms Guinee at his address some time between June 11th and June 12th, 2006. The Guinee family said that they are so proud of the decision to name the new university library in memory of Karen. Karen was tragically taken from us almost 20 years ago, a week away from her graduation as a doctor. Her death has left a void and placed an unspeakable trauma on us all as a family. "Karen was so terrifically bright, kind, loving and caring. We miss her everyday and her loss in this world is felt by everyone who knew her. "The Dr Karen Guinee Library will serve as a living tribute to Karen. For us as a family, it will give a deeper meaning to her absence. During Karens six years studying medicine in University of Galway, the Library would have become a second home one where she would have spent countless hours with friends, sharing knowledge and enriching herself with ideas and plans for her future career. "As a family, we hope that every student will carry Karens memory forward, in a beautiful state-of-the-art facility that Karen undoubtedly would have loved.Karens life was cut short, but her legacy lives on. "We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Michael Guinee, Karens uncle and godfather, the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, and all those involved at University of Galway. Dr Michael Guinee, chair of the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, said that as the first person in her family to go to university, Karen carried with her the dreams and hopes of her family. Her passing was a profound loss to me as her godfather and to her family, friends, and the community she had already begun to serve with such care and dedication. "By naming the new University of Galway Library in her name, it is my hope that we can honour her memory, and inspire future generations of students to a career of excellence, dedication and service." President of University of Galway, Professor David Burn, paid tribute to the Guinee family, and the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation. We are honouring Dr Karen Guinee not because of the tragedy that occurred, but because of the life she lived. By naming the University of Galway Library after her, we acknowledge her aspirations, her compassion and her deep commitment to helping others. "In doing so, we send a message about the safe, respectful and inclusive University we strive for and the type of community and society we work to uphold. The Dr Karen Guinee Library is more than a building; it is a legacy. It will be a place of study and discovery, but also a place of resilience, and hope. Monica Crump, University of Galway Librarian, said that the library will stand as a place of learning and research, inspiration and innovation, collaboration and quiet reflection. The announcement of the Dr Karen Guinee Library follows a significant philanthropic gift from the Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, which is also supporting the establishment of a scholarship for medical students. The library is currently under construction in the centre of the Galway city campus. The landmark development overlooks the Corrib and is visible from the Newcastle Road area and the Quincentenary Bridge. A stand-out feature is that the ground floor will be open to the general public. The new building spans approximately 10,000m2 and will range in height from four to sixstoreys, with 2,244 study spaces. The building of the Dr Karen Guinee Library at University of Galway is also supported by Government with a 15 million capital grant through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Additional philanthropic support for the building of the Dr Karen Guinee Library has been generously provided by a group of lead alumni and other individual donors, and by corporate supporters including CBE and Anthony Ryan Ltd. Construction is expected to be completed next year. A convicted con artist is expected to be sentenced this Wednesday for dishonestly defrauding a man out of thousands of euro. Catherine O'Brien, of An Grianan, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, dishonestly induced John Blake into paying her 20,000 to purchase a horse, 1,100 for insurance and 984 to transport the horse from France to Ireland. The 48-year-old was due to be sentenced for her crimes last November after being found guilty on three counts of deception after a trial in July 2025. Prosecuting barrister Conor O'Doherty said of the defendant: "Ms O'Brien is a devious and determined liar preying on a vulnerable and naive man who was caught into a web of deceit." In November 2025, her legal counsel presented a medical certificate excusing her attendance. In December 2025, her new defence counsel Ronan O'Carroll BL, under the instruction of solicitor Ciaran Mulholland, appealed to the court that she be sentenced before Christmas. The Circuit Court was in the middle of conducting another trial at the time of this request. Judge Eugene O'Kelly acceded to the request but when the date came around, O'Brien's counsel presented another medical certificate. Judge O'Kelly said in December: "[O'Brien] has had many bench warrants and she has absented herself numerous times." Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme BAGHDAD, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Two workers were killed and three others injured in an ammonia gas leak in northeastern Iraq, Qatar News Agency reported. Civil defense teams rescued 19 people at the scene following the gas leak, Iraqi security sources were quoted as saying on Sunday. An investigation was underway to determine the cause of the leak, said the report. This is the message from former workers of Waterford Crystal, who say that government Ministers have provided them with incorrect information regarding their pensions. The situation stretches back to the early nineties, when over 400 Waterford Crystal employees were left without a pension. The workers claim that they were offered only one pension option at the time the return of their pension contributions. They were entitled to receive three options contained on an option form. The workers assert that none of the more than 400 employees were ever offered these forms, and that no evidence of the forms existence has ever been proven. Parliamentary questions Last week, Minister Mary Butler said that a parliamentary answer she received on the matter in 2017 from then Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty was incorrect. Regina Doherty, who was the Minister at the time, said the workers were offered their options, and they werent, Minister Butler said. Former Waterford Crystal worker Walter Croke welcomed Minister Butlers comments. This is not the first time, however, that an incorrect statement has been provided by government officials, Mr Croke said. Former Minister Paudie Coffey, former Minister John Halligan and former Senator David Cullinane (now TD) have all presented parliamentary questions on behalf of the workers in the past decade. The answers they received are all inaccurate and also need to be corrected, Mr Croke said. "We feel the official Dail record should be corrected to reflect the fact that none of the Ministers have ever seen signed option forms and they have never been able to produce them." Attorney general Meanwhile, a recently circulated letter from the Department of Social Protection stated that the Attorney General has advised the government that there was no basis on which the State could be obliged to compensate the former workers. Mr Croke told us this week that he believes the attorney general needs to revisit this decision. He added that the workers hope to have a meeting with Minister Mary Butler and Minister John Cummins with a view to finding a solution. A man with 95 previous convictions has been ordered to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years. Gary Hennessy (38), of Kilcohan Park, Waterford City, appealed the severity of his sentence for a litany of offences he carried out between 2023 and 2024. On the night of August 10, 2023, he committed burglary at an office in Waterford City, causing 160 worth of damage. 10 days later, Gardai recovered seven benzodiazepine tablets from Hennessy. Both charges were taken into consideration. On August 29, 2024, Hennessy spat in the face of a Garda officer on patrol in Ballybeg. Judge Christopher Callan noted that Hennessy had 95 previous convictions and has been "in and out of prison". Defence counsel Tom Giles Kelly, BL, told Judge Callan that his client was "making great progress" in prison and was willing to engage with the probation services pending his release. The court heard that addiction was the backdrop to Hennessy's offending. Hennessy told the Judge: "I'll never go down that road again." Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme A number of events took place throughout last year in the Deise county and Waterford. Among them was the 'Get Better Running, Get Social' Sundays in the People's Park and Waterford News & Star photographer, Joe Evans was there to capture images of those in attendance. Photos of other events are also available to view here on the website under the 'Archive' section and collections of nostalgic photos from our archive, titled 'Colourful Memories of Waterford - Volume 1 and 2', are currently available as fantastic photobooks on sale at The Book Centre or through our office on Gladstone Street. Hard copy prints of photos are also available to buy through our office. Lynn Mitchell, Dylan Moran and Graham Dowling, at the Get Better Running, Get Social Sunday's in the Peoples Park. Photo: Joe Evans Took part in the Get Better Running, Get Social Sunday's in the Peoples Park, hosted by Graham Dowling and Chris Connolly. Photo: Joe Evans Took part in the Get Better Running, Get Social Sunday's in the Peoples Park, hosted by Graham Dowling and Chris Connolly. Photo: Joe Evans Took part in the Get Better Running, Get Social Sunday's in the Peoples Park, hosted by Graham Dowling and Chris Connolly. Photo: Joe Evans Jojo Byrne and Graham Dowling, at the Get Better Running, Get Social Sunday's in the Peoples Park. Photo: Joe Evans Took part in the Get Better Running, Get Social Sunday's in the Peoples Park, hosted by Graham Dowling and Chris Connolly. Photo: Joe Evans On the morning of June 7, 2019, a 15-year-old student from Waterford arrived to her school to sit her junior certificate exam. Upon finishing the exam, she left the school on break and walked to a nearby park. Whilst here, she entered a structure in the park. The dark structure was full of eight boys, all of whom were fellow classmates of the girl. The boys trapped her in the structure and sexually assaulted her. Four of the boys involved, who are now aged in their early twenties, appeared in Waterford Courthouse recently to be sentenced. Three of them have been convicted of sexual assault and one convicted of false imprisonment. The legal proceedings have been complicated and prolonged. All the parties involved are now adults and matters relating to delays in the case were previously brought before the Supreme Court. The sentencing hearing in Waterford last week was in-camera, and the mens names have been redacted from this report to protect the identity of the victim. The incident After her morning exam, the victim entered the structure and found herself trapped alone inside with a group of eight boys. She became surrounded by the boys, and they began touching and groping her. One of the boys pulled down his clothing and exposed himself. Two boys stood at the entrance to the structure, blocking the victims exit. The victim recounts that she tried to escape but was grabbed by her waist and pushed back inside. She pleaded with the boys to leave her out, however, she remained trapped for approximately 20 minutes. The incident came to an end when some other young girls from the school came on the scene. They all returned to school with the victim to sit their afternoon exam. Upon leaving school later that day, the victims mother recounted that her daughter appeared upset. A report of the incident was made to gardai several months later, in February 2020, and the victim was subsequently interviewed in detail by specialist interviewers. In her complaint to Gardai, the victim described having felt like a monkey in a cage during the incident. Four of the boys involved were arrested and questioned in mid-August 2020. None of them made any admissions. Two of the boys have previous convictions for possession of drugs and drug driving offences. Victim impact A victim impact statement was presented during the court proceedings in Waterford last week. The statement outlined that the victim has suffered from night terrors, panic attacks, anxiety, self-loathing and feelings of suicide since the incident. The unsafe, anxious feeling never left me, she said in the statement. The incident changed her relationship with family and friends, and she still struggles to trust people. She believes that the individuals involved have learned nothing since the assault, and that they have displayed no honesty, courage or humanity. They are far from sorry, the statement said. The victim also said that she doesnt feel like the legal system has treated her well. I can now only hope that the defence will do what they should have done six years ago, the statement concluded. Defence The four men protest their innocence and have been consistent in their denials. Each of their defence counsels all referred to their young age at the time of the incident as a mitigating factor. The defence also outlined that there was no age disparity between the assailants and the victim. Before proceedings can commence, a probation report will need to be obtained for one of the men. All four were remanded on continuing bail until January 14. Supported by the Court Reporting Scheme Up to seven Waterford schools, both primary and post-primary, are slated to receive special education classes for the 2026/27 academic year. On Monday January 12, Minster for State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage John Cummins announced that seven Waterford schools would be allocated special classrooms for children with additional needs. The Waterford schools will receive the classes as part of a tranche of funding from the Department of Education. The funding is understood to support 168 special classes nation-wide. Over the past several years, parents in Waterford and beyond have protested against the lack of school spaces for their children. Parents have had to travel outside of Waterford to ensure their child's constitutional right to an education. In April 2025, multiple parents from Waterford travelled to Dublin to call on the Government to deliver adequate educational classes and supports for their children. Many parents have had to face waiting lists and backlogs and other barriers to their children's education. 'Prioritised' TD Cummins claimed that he has worked with the Education Minister, schools and parents to ensure that Waterford was 'prioritised' in the allocation process. The Fine Gael Deputy said: "Today the government is announcing the sanction of 168 new special classes across 159 schools nationwide in this, the first tranche of classes to for the next school year. Im delighted that seven of these will be in Waterford, four at post primary and three at primary level. "I would like to thank my Fine Gael colleague Hildegarde Naughton and her predecessor Helen McEntee for the significant work that has gone into bringing forward the date for sanction significantly so that we have less uncertainty on much needed special class places right across the country. This is something which parents have continually called for, so I am delighted to see the sanction dates being brought forward. He went on: "This is an area I am deeply passionate about and I have consistently worked with schools, parents and line Minister to ensure that Waterford is prioritised when it comes to the availability of special class places. Last year, sixteen special classes were added across Waterford demonstrating the need that exists and I know these seven classes in tranche one will be welcomed by parents groups. I would like to put on record my thanks to the schools involved for their leadership in promoting inclusive education. A centralised admissions portal is also being trailed in a number of locations which I know the Minister is committed to rolling out nationally The schools receiving the classes are; Ard Scoil na nDeise, Dungarvan (Post-Primary), Ard Scoil Na Mara, Tramore (Post-Primary), Waterpark College, Waterford (Post-Primary), Presentation Secondary School, Waterford (Post-Primary), Scoil an Baile Nua, Kilmacthomas (Primary), Bunscoil Bothar na Naomh, Lismore (Primary), Mount Sion CBS National School, Waterford (Primary). Ottoline Spearman A variety of stories lead the news on Monday morning. Refugees will have to wait three years to be reunited with their families under a new International Protection Bill, reports the Irish Times. The proposed changes would also apply to immediate family members. The Government may stop short of requiring e-scooters to be registered or for users to be licensed in a new crackdown on e-scooters, with junior transport minister Sean Canney saying that safety can be improved without going through a lengthy process of drafting legislation. And a conservation charity has said that the Government is seeking to dramatically erode the public right of access to justice via the courts in proposing to introduce caps on legal costs for judicial review challenges. Economists have warned that Ireland's reliance on corporate tax receipts from US multinationals remains one of the biggest threats to Ireland's financal stability, reports the Irish Examiner. The Echo leads with the childcare crisis in Cork, as 134 facilities have closed in only five years. Gardai are tapping into an insurance database, which has seen over 16,000 uninsured vehicles seized in the first 10 months of last year, with more than 1,600 drivers being caught for driving without insurance each month. That's the Irish Independent's splash this morning, which reports that more than 4.2 million driver numbers have been added to the Imid database as of November. The Irish Daily Mirror covers the protests in Iran, and how the nation has threatened retaliatory attacks should the US interfere with the unrest that has seen over 500 people killed and more than 10,000 arrested. The Irish Daily Star reports on an armed man, wearing a balaclava, who rushed into a pub in Ballyfermot, West Dublin on Saturday. Onlookers grabbed the gunman to prevent him from opening fire, with a bar stool reportedly thrown at the man. Robina Aminian, a 23-year-old student, was shot in the back of the head in Iran as part of the regime's crackdown on dissent, reports The Irish Daily Mail. The Belfast Telegraph looks at how an MLA, who was the victim of a deepfake porn video, has quit the X platform following revelations that its AI chatbot was being used to digitally undress people. Advertisement LifestyleFashionGolden Globes Crop tops and whale tails? Hollywoods leading women show how its done Damien Woolnough January 12, 2026 12:40pm 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 Golden Globes red carpet made it clear that the key trends of 2026 are taking longer to settle than a toddler after two sippy cups of red cordial. When best-dressed-list regulars Jennifer Lawrence and Lopez struggle to make the right impact in nude-illusion dresses and the majority of actresses, including Ariana Grande and Julia Roberts, take refuge in big black dresses, it hints at a clothing crisis. It was left to leading ladies who know their personal brand as well as their luxury labels and some teen spirit to offer style self-assurance to the proceedings. Rose Byrne in Chanel Rose Byrne in Chanel at the Golden Globes. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Advertisement Australian actress Rose Byrne was a winner on the red carpet before picking up her trophy for her performance in If I Had Legs Id Kick You. Byrnes custom green Chanel dress from the brands new creative director, Matthieu Blazy, was like a pimped up version of Keira Knightleys iconic outfit from the 2007 film Atonement, featuring more than 4600 embroidered elements. Teyana Taylor in Schiaparelli Teyana Taylor in custom Schiaparelli. Getty Images Teyana Taylor in custom Schiaparelli. Getty Images Advertisement It has taken a bedazzled bow for a whale tail to finally make the best dressed list. The 90s trend of deliberately exposing thong underwear, parodied in the Australian television series Kath & Kim, was revived on the red carpet by One Battle After Another actress and Globe winner Teyana Taylor. Related Article Golden Globes Golden Globes 2026 as it happened: Rose Byrne gets a win as One Battle After Another and Adolescence clean up Contrasted with the elegant swoops of Taylors custom black Schiaparelli gown, with a gentle train and scarf detail, the cheeky undergarment embellishment was the fashion equivalent of an amuse bouche that left us tickled. Owen Cooper in Bottega Veneta Growing up on screen and the red carpet can be hard for self-conscious teenagers (see Judy Garland, Jodie Foster and Daniel Radcliffe), but Golden Globe winner Owen Cooper, 16, has the help of one of Italys most coveted luxury labels. Advertisement Owen Cooper in Bottega Veneta. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP The Adolescence actor looked at ease in a putty two-piece suit, with a belted cropped jacket with leather collar from Bottega Veneta. Think of it as the thinking boys tracksuit. Just dont try running in the brands leather shoes with woven leather toes. Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton Alongside the stiff structured broken mirror ball dress of One Battle After Another actress Chase Infiniti and Jenna Ortegas gothic Dilara Findikoglu dress, Emma Stone looked relatively at ease in a butter yellow two-piece ensemble from Louis Vuitton. Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Advertisement Only in Hollywood can a crop top with matching bralette and fringed skirt come across as casual and relaxed. After 10 Golden Globes ceremonies, Stone clearly knows the drill. Selena Gomez in Chanel On the surface, the black velvet off-the-shoulder bustier dress worn by Selena Gomez to the Golden Globes looks easy. Sorry Temu suppliers, but it took the Chanel atelier more than 323 hours to construct the deceptively simple outfit, with its 200 flowers made from feathers, organza and silk chiffon. Selena Gomez in Chanel. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP Advertisement Follow the Only Murders in the Building stars lead and do not try this at home or online. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday. Advertisement NationalLiterature Adelaide Writers Week cancelled after director quits Kerrie O'Brien Updated January 13, 2026 12:18pm ,first published January 13, 2026 6:05am 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 years Adelaide Festival Writers Week has been cancelled after 180 writers boycotted the event and its director quit following a decision by the festival board to remove Palestinian-Australian writer Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah from the line-up. The events director, Louise Adler, resigned on Tuesday morning, saying she cannot be party to silencing writers after the festival board removed Abdel-Fattah from the program last week. Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah has rejected the Adelaide Festivals apology. Writing for The Guardian, Adler said she did so with a heavy heart. In a statement announcing the cancellation of Writers Week, which had been due to start on February 28, the festival apologised to Abdel-Fattah for how the decision was represented. Advertisement It went on to say: [We] reiterate this is not about identity or dissent but rather a continuing rapid shift in the national discourse around the breadth of freedom of expression in our nation following Australias worst terror attack in history. Louise Adler has announced she is quitting as Adelaide Writers Week director. Eddie Jim As a board, we took this action out of respect for a community experiencing the pain from a devastating event. Instead, this decision has created more division and for that we express our sincere apologies. In an Instagram post, Abdel-Fattah said she refused and rejected the boards apology, describing it as disingenuous, and saying it adds insult to injury. It is clear the boards regret extends to how the message of my cancellation was conveyed, not the decision itself, Abdel-Fattah wrote. Advertisement New board appointments were announced on Tuesday afternoon by the South Australian Arts minister, Andrea Michaels. Judy Potter, immediate past chair of the Adelaide Festival, has been appointed chair, with previous AF executive director Rob Brookman, media identity Jane Doyle and accountant John Irving. The new board will meet on Wednesday. Just one member of the board involved with the decision to remove Abdel-Fattah remains, Cr Mary Couros, who represents Adelaide City Council. Reputationally it is an issue for us but we are the festival state and we will bounce back from this, Michaels said. On Sunday, Abdel-Fattah sent a letter, via her lawyers, to the festival asking why she was disinvited. Advertisement Adler argued vehemently against the boards decision, which was revealed last Thursday. Since then, four members of the board have resigned, including the chair, and writers have pulled out en masse. Adler says her count is 180. In the aftermath of the Bondi atrocity, state and federal governments have rushed to mollify the we told you so posse. With alarming insouciance, protests are being outlawed, free speech is being constrained and politicians are rushing through processes to ban phrases and slogans, she writes. Now religious leaders are to be policed, universities monitored, the public broadcaster scrutinised and the arts starved. Writers and writing matters, even when they are presenting ideas that discomfort and challenge us. We need writers now more than ever, as our media closes up, as our politicians grow daily more cowed by real power, as Australia grows more unjust and unequal. Sydney-based Abdel-Fattah had been scheduled to speak about her new novel, Discipline, which examines ideas of truth and censorship. In recent years, she has come under fire for past social media posts that said Zionists had no claim to cultural safety and that institutions that considered fragile feelings of Zionists were abhorrent. Advertisement She was also criticised for posting an illustration of a paraglider with a Palestinian flag parachute as her Facebook profile photo the day after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. She has since apologised. At that point, I had no idea about the death toll, about what was happening on the ground, Abdel-Fattah told ABC News on Monday. Of course I do not support the killing of civilians. Related Article Opinion Censorship Politicians shouldnt decide who appears at writers festivals. Its a dangerous path Richard Flanagan Writer Asked about the social media posts, Adler told the ABC on Tuesday night that she believed they had been deleted and were not relevant to the authors spot on the program. Shes not been asked to come to Writers Week because of her social media feed. Shes been asked to come to talk about a novel shes written called Discipline, a novel thats topical, of this moment, and I thought was worthy of a conversation, she said. Responding to Adlers announcement on Instagram, Abdel-Fattah wrote, I stand with her. Advertisement She continued: Zionists went after a Palestinian woman and an anti-Zionist Jewish woman. Thats their business model ... Judaism and Jewish identity is not Zionism, a political ideology. Solidarity with the brilliant Louise Adler, who has had her Jewish identity attacked and erased. Last Thursday, the Adelaide Festival board announced that while it was not suggesting in any way that Abdel-Fattah or her writing had any connection with the Bondi attack, given her past statements, it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to program her at this unprecedented time so soon after Bondi. Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern cancelled her appearance at the festival on Monday, following high-profile writers Trent Dalton, Helen Garner, Zadie Smith and Masha Gessen. Adler did not respond to requests for comment. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Advertisement Updated NationalNSWCrime Where is Bondi Beach? Man caught wearing suspicious vest granted bail Amber Schultz, Jack Gramenz and Max Maddison Updated January 12, 2026 1:37pm ,first published January 12, 2026 4:33am 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 arrested for allegedly wearing a vest covered in duct tape and asking for directions to Bondi Beach during a terrorist attack vigil has been granted bail after breaking down in court and saying the incident was a mistake. Cleophias Machaya, 33, was on Monday charged with offensive behaviour, drug possession and giving false information to police over his suspicious behaviour on Sunday evening. Cleophias Machaya was granted bail on Monday afternoon. Nine News The Local Court Bail Division heard Machaya, who was wearing a camouflage vest secured to his body with silver duct tape with visible bulges, approached a bystander at Oxford Street at Bondi Junction to ask for directions during the memorial event on Sunday evening. Thousands had gathered at Bondi Beach for the final daily vigil to mourn the 15 people killed in the terrorist attack on December 14. Advertisement Where is Bondi Beach? he is alleged to have asked the woman. An image shared on Facebook by the Australian Jewish Association appearing to show one of the duct-taped vests. Australian Jewish Association Officers from Operation Shelter, set up to reduce antisemitic and other hate crime activity, caught up with Machaya on Bondi Road at Bondi, where he was arrested. He was taken to Surry Hills police station. A search of his vehicle parked in Maroubra allegedly uncovered a second duct-taped vest along with a face mask and a tin allegedly containing prohibited drugs. The bomb disposal squad was called in to where the man was arrested, and then attended the car, as crowds left the vigil. Performers sang songs in Hebrew and one dedicated to 10-year-old victim Matilda at the final daily Bondi vigil on Sunday. Bondi Remembers Advertisement A photo of the vest, which had been deemed safe by the disposal squad and destroyed, was shown to the court. The court heard Machaya told police the vest was weighted and was used for exercise. Related Article Bondi shooting Thousands gather to hear Waltzing Matilda rendition for 10-year-old Bondi victim Magistrate Margaret Quinn said the alleged behaviour was most unusual. Wearing a camouflage vest in a place where theres been severe distress to people is extraordinary. It is incomprehensible. I do not understand it, she said. No wonder he was reported. Advertisement The police prosecutor said wearing an altered vest while asking for directions to the site of a terrorist attack showed his message was clear. His intention was to cause that person fear that he was going to Bondi Beach, he said. The defence said Machayas clear lack of criminal history, his young age, and the fact that he lives in south-east Melbourne, far away from Bondi, meant he didnt pose a risk to the public if he were granted bail. Machaya told the court he made a mistake and began sobbing. I didnt mean anything, he said, before being told by his Legal Aid lawyer to stay quiet. Machaya lives in Hampton Park with his father and is employed at his fathers air-conditioning business. He was granted bail on the condition that he is released into the care of his father, who will travel from Victoria to collect him. Advertisement Machaya will next face court in mid-February. Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said members of the Jewish community had come across the police response to the vest-related arrest on their way home. We are pleased that the suspicious item was apparently found not to be dangerous, but the whole Bondi community has been on edge since the Hanukkah attack, he said. Rabbi Yossi Friedman leads people in prayers at the Bondi Pavilion in December. Kate Geraghty The vigil marked the end of shloshim, the 30-day Jewish mourning period that followed the shooting at Bondi. Advertisement Since the first day after the attack, Rabbi Yossi Friedman has held vigils at Bondi Pavilion three times a day, at 7.30am, 1pm and 7.30pm. The arrest came as NSW Premier Chris Minns announced stronger powers for local councils to shut down prayer halls accused of hosting hate preachers, beefing up fines and allowing utilities to be cut off when operators ignore planning laws and cease-use notices. Pressed on whether the closure of prayer halls would push hate preachers underground, Minns said he did not believe allowing these groups to operate somehow lowered the temperature in the community. He said they should be stamped out. NSW Premier Chris Minns announced stronger powers for local councils to shut down prayer halls accused of hosting hate preachers. Dominic Lorrimer And Im just sick of a situation where we cant even close down an illegally operating prayer hall where you should be seeking approval, as does every other business organisation everything from the Boy Scouts to a dump to a garbage disposal unit, has to go through the local councils, he said. Advertisement Minns said the new regulation would also apply to prayer halls that did not spew hate speech if they were not complying with their development applications. Canterbury-Bankstown Council issued a cease-use directive in December after it found the Al Madina Dawah Centre had never been approved to operate as a prayer hall. But a message that remained on its locked gates on Monday said the centre is not closing. A letter to the community on the Al Madina Dawah Centres locked gates, informing the public a Change of Use application has been lodged and the centre has not closed. Kate Geraghty We will be temporarily pausing operations until the matter is fully rectified, the message said, mirroring a similar statement released in December. Advertisement This pause is purely to ensure full compliance with council requirements and to obtain the necessary approvals. Following the cease-use notice in December, the Al Madina Group questioned the basis, timing and motivation behind the order. Al Madina Group rejects any attempt to conflate administrative or planning matters with allegations of extremism, national security, or criminal conduct, the group said. The Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown on Monday. Kate Geraghty Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone labelled the state government announcement complete garbage and accused the state government of palming the problem off to local councils. Advertisement How can the council regulate hate speech? I mean, this is a police matter, he told 2GB. Carbone said development applications for places of worship generally attracted so many objections that they ended up going to a state government panel anyway. The other big issue is these places can operate anywhere; they can operate in a local club, they can book a hall, Carbone said. Dont try and pretend that this is a council issue because what hes actually announced changes absolutely nothing if youre an unauthorised place of worship. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app. Advertisement NationalVictoriaCity life The many faces of Melbournes west captured in new community project Carolyn Webb January 12, 2026 4:30pm 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 If you walked past Blossom Taw in the streets of Melbournes western suburbs, you wouldnt know her past struggles. But as a teenager in Myanmar, and a member of the Karen ethnic group, Taw protested and fought for years against the military junta. A portrait of Blossom Taw features in David Mullins book Faces of Wyndham. David Mullins Taw was imprisoned, poisoned and tortured in her home country by the regime, and friends and relatives were killed and maimed. While living in Thailand after she left her home country, she was again jailed for protesting. She arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2008. Now a single mother of seven children living in Tarneit, Taw is among 128 residents of the City of Wyndham who feature in the Faces of Wyndham project a self-funded labour of love of Point Cook photographer David Mullins. Advertisement What started as portraits posted on his Facebook page aiming to portray the areas extraordinary cultural diversity, slowly grew. Over time, stories of resilience and community service emerged and now, Mullins is hosting an exhibition and releasing a book of his work. One interviewee, Asunta Agot Majur, fled South Sudan with relatives when she was five and lived as a refugee in Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya before coming to Australia in 2004. Photographer David Mullins takes portraits of locals for his Faces of Wyndham Facebook page. Wayne Taylor Her first impression of Australia was that she had arrived in heaven, Mullins said. The promised land of honey and milk, as the Bible quotes it. The land without starvation and homelessness. Another subject, Patrick Preston, was born during a Nazi air raid on London during World War II. During his photo session, he told Mullins how, as a crane driver in 1970, he watched the West Gate Bridge fall and kill a number of his workmates an experience that sparked a lifelong effort to improve safety conditions for construction workers. Advertisement Mullins said his happiest interviewee was Nelzita Nascimento, an indigenous Tupi-Guarani woman from Brazil, who at age eight was sent away from home to work for food and shelter. From South Sudan, Asunta Agot Majur was a refugee in three countries before she came to Australia. David Mullins Later in life, Nascimento migrated to Australia to join her son. Mullins said of photographing her in his studio: Considering the background shes had, she radiated happiness, she was smiling the whole time she was here. The books cover depicts Gary Harding, who Mullins said made for a powerful portrait with his facial tattoos and traditional clothing that express Hardings Maori identity. Advertisement Mullins, who migrated at age 18 with his family from England in 1989, said he learnt that despite surface differences, his subjects shared certain goals. We all want health, safety, love and security. The cover of Mullins Faces of Wyndham book features Gary Harding expressing his Maori heritage. David Mullins Mullins vowed to continue Faces of Wyndham, and said he might expand the project to other parts of Melbourne. I meet so many fantastic people, he said. Im going to do one profile a week, indefinitely, until I am not able to do it. Advertisement The free Faces of Wyndham exhibition will be at the Creative Asia Art Centre at the World Trade Centre in Docklands from February 19 to March 3, with the opening on February 21 at 2pm. Mullins book can be bought at the exhibition, or ordered on the Faces of Wyndham Facebook page. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. Students from Philadelphia University in Jordan display Hanfu in Amman, Jordan, on Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua) AMMAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Philadelphia University in Jordan on Monday held a celebration to mark the 2026 Chinese Spring Festival, highlighting cultural ties between China and Jordan. Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Guo Wei and university President Abdullah Al Jarrah attended the event alongside faculty and students. In his remarks, Guo described the Spring Festival as China's most important traditional holiday, symbolizing family reunion, renewal, and hope. Al Jarrah praised Jordan-China relations as a model of mutual respect, particularly in education and culture, highlighting the university's ongoing partnership with the Chinese Embassy and the Confucius Institute. The celebration featured a traditional Chinese clothing, or Hanfu, fashion show, comedy skits, poetry recitations, and songs performed by Jordanian students, showcasing their growing proficiency in the Chinese language and their cultural understanding. Dima Al Malahmeh, the Jordanian director of the university's Confucius Institute, said the institute has celebrated the Chinese New Year annually since its establishment in 2012 to promote the Chinese language and culture among youth. The largest fundraising campaign in WSUs history is about to invest millions into student success January 12, 2026 OGDEN, Utah With a goal of raising $200 million, Amplify Weber State: The Campaign for Weber State University is on its way to expanding student opportunities, enhancing their experiences, and ensuring they graduate prepared to succeed. The university launched the multi-year campaign on Jan. 9, announcing $125,574,910 is already secured toward the $200 million goal. Since the beginning of this institution, our supporters have stepped up again and again in ways that transform our campuses, advance student access and opportunity, and better our community overall, said Interim President Leslie Durham. That shared success has brought us to this point, and now its time for an amazing next chapter. Private donations have a major impact at WSU. In the past several years, philanthropy has supported vital programs and opportunities like national defense research at Miller Advanced Research & Solutions Center, the highly demanded occupational therapy assistant program, startup business funding and mentoring through Wildcat MicroFund, and free course materials through Stewart Library Open Educational Resources. Since the Amplify campaigns inception, donors have funded more than 150 new scholarships, helping thousands of students pursue their goals and graduate. WSU alum Steve Starks, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Company and vice chair of the organizing committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, is chairing the campaign. What I love most about this campaign is that its about students and access and education, Starks said during the campaign kickoff event. I know without a doubt that what the community puts into Amplify Weber State will be returned exponentially in benefits for our students, our region, our state, and beyond. As the university continues working toward its $200 million goal, upcoming fundraising efforts will include events and opportunities for supporters to engage with WSUs mission and invest in the future of students. Funds will help position WSU for success in the coming decades and support high-priority programs. These include: CARACAS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez said Monday that Venezuela has its own acting president and is moving ahead with its international relations, after U.S. President Donald Trump posted an image on social media calling himself "Acting President of Venezuela." At a school year kick-off event in the Venezuelan state of La Guaira, she rejected any narrative that minimizes the role of Venezuelan authorities in the political leadership of the country. "Here we have a government that rules Venezuela, here we have an acting president, and here we have a president held hostage in the United States," said Rodriguez, referring to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who was seized by U.S. forces along with his wife on Jan. 3. Venezuela is working to consolidate international relations based on mutual respect and within the framework of international law, she said. CARACAS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said Monday that Venezuela and Italy have agreed to raise their diplomatic missions to the ambassadorial level following talks with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Gil said on Telegram that the agreement was reached during a phone conversation in which both sides also agreed to work on a bilateral agenda. "In the coming days we will make the corresponding announcements and contacts." During the call, Gil also briefed Tajani on recent U.S. attacks against Venezuela. He said the bombings at several locations across the country "caused hundreds of deaths among civilians and military personnel, in open violation of international law and the United Nations Charter." Kenneth Fox While new laws were introduced on May 20th, 2024, making e-scooters legal on Irish roads, the Government is considering further legislation as injuries have started to increase. Three people also died in e-scooter accidents last year, prompting them to consider making helmets compulsory, having tougher enforcement on speed limits, and curbing underage use. What laws already exist for e-scooters, and what is the timeline for when tougher legislation could be implemented? Here is everything you need to know. What laws currently exist around e-scooters? As of May 20th, 2024, users must: Be 16 years or older; Obey a speed limit of 20km/h; Drive on the left. E-scooters are allowed in cycle or bus lanes and on local, regional or national roads; Have lights, a bell or audible warning device, reflectors, and brakes on their e-scooter, and it must be kept in a roadworthy condition at all times; Obey signals given by gardai or a school warden and follow the same rules of the road that apply to cyclists, including traffic lights, road signs, and all types of pedestrian crossings. E-scooter users are prohibited from: Use footpaths, pedestrianised areas or motorways; Hold or use a mobile phone; Have a seat on their e-scooter; Carry passengers or goods. What data is there on e-scooter injuries? With the rise of e-scooter usage, data on injuries has become more widely available, showing a trend that the majority of those injured are male and aged between 20 and 39 years old. A study aimed to quantify the impact of e-scooter-related injuries on healthcare resources at the Mater University Hospital in Dublin over two years, from May 1st, 2021, to June 30th, 2023. Published in the Irish Medical Journal, the study highlighted the injuries of 380 patients, of which 259 were male and predominantly aged 20-39 years, and 351 were riders. A significant proportion of 143 patients were triaged as very urgent. 53 or almost 14 per cent required admission, 43 or 11 per cent underwent surgery. E-scooter injuries more frequently involve the head and upper limbs, and this is consistent with previous studies, the authors highlighted. The injury patterns lead to higher rates of injuries requiring admission and surgery compared with those seen in bicycle-related trauma. E-scooter-related injuries represent a significant and growing burden on trauma and emergency care systems. Our findings align with international trends demonstrating high rates of features, surgical intervention and extended hospital stays," the author of the study said. What legislation is being considered? The Government is examining tougher enforcement on speed limits and underage use, after a rise in serious injuries, reports on Monday have said. Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister of State for Road Safety Sean Canney have said they are determined to strengthen regulations and improve enforcement of the rules around speed and underage use of e-scooters. They are due to meet Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien early this year to discuss ways of strengthening the regulations. It is understood that compulsory helmets and high-visibility jackets will be their focus. It is understood that the Government will stop short of requiring e-scooters to be registered or for users to be licensed. Some of the more powerful e-scooters on sale in shops and online in the Republic are advertised as having top speeds of 60km/h or more. Selling a machine that can go at a speed in excess of what is allowable is a huge anomaly, said Mr Canney. If the scooter can go up to 40km/h even though the regulation says 20km/h, people will go at 35km/h or even 40km/h, he said. 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. TEHRAN, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of pro-government Iranians flooded the streets on Monday, answering an official call to show solidarity with the state. As state media broadcast images of sprawling crowds at Tehran's Enghelab Square, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi declared that the internal situation is now "under total control." The pro-government demonstrations, which also took place in cities such as Kerman, Zahedan, and Birjand, were characterized by state broadcasters as a "popular uprising against American-Zionist terrorism." In Shahrud, the rallies coincided with a funeral for security personnel killed during recent unrest. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei described the gatherings as a stern warning to U.S. politicians to "halt their deceitful actions and stop relying on their traitorous hirelings." The current wave of instability was triggered last month by a sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial and sweeping reforms to government subsidies. What began as an economic protest quickly morphed into nationwide unrest, leading to violent clashes between police and demonstrators. Earlier Monday, Araghchi reiterated that the situation in Iran is "under total control" and accused the United States of interference. In a meeting with foreign diplomats, he claimed that nationwide protests had been "turned violent and bloody" to give U.S. President Donald Trump an excuse to intervene. Araghchi said Iran is "ready for war but also for dialogue," accusing foreign elements of fueling the demonstrations and vowing that security forces would "hunt down" those responsible. He further claimed that Iran had obtained evidence of U.S. and Israeli involvement in domestic "terrorist activities," including footage showing weapons being distributed to protesters, and said authorities would soon release detainees' confessions. He also added that internet service, blacked out since Thursday, would be restored soon. Trump said Sunday that his administration is considering "some very strong options," including potential military action against Iran. The White House emphasized Monday that Trump prefers diplomacy but is prepared to use force if necessary. Trump also claimed that Iran is seeking to negotiate with Washington following his threat of retaliation over Tehran's "crackdown" on protesters, though Tehran has not made direct comments on this claim. According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, at least 111 members of Iran's security forces have been killed, while casualty figures for protesters have not been released. Rights groups outside Iran estimate that around 600 protesters have died over the past two weeks, though the figure cannot be independently verified. Meanwhile, the European Union said Monday it is considering additional sanctions against Iran. "We are appalled by the reports of casualties We stand ready to propose new, more severe sanctions following the violent crackdown on protesters," EU Foreign Affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced a ban on all Iranian diplomats and representatives from entering Parliament premises, citing Tehran's response to unrest. Iran's foreign ministry summoned the envoys of Britain, Germany, France, and Italy after their governments expressed support for the protests, Tasnim reported. Officials presented the envoys with "video evidence of violent acts by rioters," saying the incidents went beyond peaceful demonstrations, and urged the diplomats to relay the footage to their foreign ministers and retract statements backing the protests. Enditiem NAIROBI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The chief of the United Nations refugee agency on Monday called for greater solidarity and stronger global support to develop solutions that refugees need to rebuild their lives. On his first official visit to Kenya, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih commended Kenya's key role in welcoming refugees and the government's commitment to progressive refugee policies. He acknowledged Kenya's decades-long generosity in hosting refugees and the visionary policies that allow refugees to work and access healthcare, education, and financial services. "Despite scarce resources, Kenya continues to show remarkable solidarity for people in need through smart policies that foster self-reliance and economic growth," Salih said in a statement issued in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, after meeting Kenyan President William Ruto and visiting Kakuma Refugee Camp in northwestern Kenya. In March 2025, Kenya launched a landmark program to improve the lives of over 800,000 refugees and asylum-seekers and their generous hosts by transitioning the country's refugee camps into integrated settlements. The Shirika Plan is a framework to move from humanitarian assistance toward refugee self-reliance and peaceful coexistence with host communities. Refugees can access legal identity papers, work permits, mobile money and banking services, public education, and universal healthcare. "Kakuma is a place of transformation and innovation, sending a powerful message to the world: rather than trapping refugees in aid dependency, we must urgently prioritize solutions that allow people to live in dignity and contribute to society," said Salih. The high commissioner said the funding crisis is threatening lives and risks reversing the hard-won progress made. "That is why I am urging development actors, international financial institutions, donors, and the private sector to step up their support for the Shirika Plan," Salih added. LUSAKA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- More than 2.3 million children have gone back to school due to the introduction of a free education policy in Zambia, said Douglas Syakalima, minister of education, on Monday. Syakalima said the policy has helped rescue children from the streets and is shaping a disciplined and productive future generation. "These children were thirsty for knowledge. It was money that kept them away," he said when welcoming learners back from their holidays. The minister added that the introduction of free education would go a long way in reducing social problems such as crime and unemployment, noting that education is part of social control. He encouraged parents and guardians to take advantage of the free education policy and send their children to school. Syakalima further said the government would secure free education by transforming it from a policy into law through the introduction of a bill next month. Meanwhile, Kelvin Mambwe, permanent secretary for educational services in the Ministry of Education, said the government would remain steadfast in monitoring and enforcing the free education policy across all levels, from early childhood to secondary education. He urged school administrators to uphold learners' rights to free, quality education and to provide the necessary support to keep students engaged and progressing. The government led by President Hakainde Hichilema introduced free education after winning the 2021 general elections, fulfilling one of its key campaign pledges. CAIRO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Egypt on Sunday signed an agreement with Norwegian firm Scatec to build a massive renewable energy complex, which the company said will be the largest combined solar and battery storage installation in Africa. The "Energy Valley" project, located in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), includes a 1.95-gigawatt solar power plant and a 3.9-gigawatt-hour battery energy storage system, Scatec said in a press release, adding that the project will be capable of delivering 24-hour-a-day clean electricity, generating an estimated 6,000 gigawatt-hours annually. In a statement released by the Egyptian cabinet, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who attended the signing ceremony, said the project would significantly support Egypt's clean energy goals. Separately, Madbouly inaugurated nine new industrial projects in the Sokhna Industrial Zone, including two factories for solar panel components, with a total investment of 190 million dollars. UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Escalating insecurity across Sudan's Kordofan region is causing new waves of displacement and crippling civilian infrastructure including health services, UN humanitarians said Monday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said civilians are paying a devastating price. "In the city of Dilling in South Kordofan state, the Sudan Doctors Network reported yesterday that three major hospitals are now out of service amid ongoing shelling, and that four doctors have reportedly been killed," the office said. "Continued insecurity and siege-like conditions have severely restricted access to life-saving assistance for civilians trapped in the city." OCHA said the medical association reported on Monday that five people were killed and 13 others injured, all civilians, in an attack on Kartala Market in the Six Mountains area of South Kordofan on Sunday. The International Organization for Migration reported that more than 2,200 people were displaced last week from the locality of Abassiya and the state capital Kadugli, in South Kordofan, and were heading toward White Nile state. Local partners indicated that families displaced from North Kordofan continue to arrive in Gedaref, Khartoum and River Nile states. The UN resident and humanitarian coordinator for Sudan, Denise Brown, led an assessment mission last week to Al Afad camp in Northern state, and authorities reported that the camp reached full capacity of 3,000 households with 60 to 80 new families arriving daily from the Darfur and Kordofan regions. The assessment found only 100 functional latrines in the camp, far short of the estimated 800 required. OCHA said that local authorities reported that nearly 80,000 displaced families are hosted across Northern state, placing severe strain on food, health, water, education and sanitation services, and putting women, children, older people and persons with disabilities at risk. The office called on all parties to stop attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure immediately, respect international humanitarian law, and ensure rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that the UN chief's personal envoy for Sudan Ramtane Lamamra is in Cairo until Thursday for the fifth Sudan Consultative Group meeting, hosted by Egypt, providing an opportunity for renewed and coordinated international engagement to advance peacemaking efforts in Sudan. OCHA also urgently appealed for additional funding so humanitarian partners can scale up life-saving assistance and help avert an even deeper humanitarian catastrophe across Sudan. "In 2026, our partners aim to help 20 million people through the 2.9 billion U.S. dollar humanitarian needs and response plan," OCHA said. The criminal attack on Venezuela and the kidnapping of its president, Nicolas Maduro, by US imperialism at the beginning of the new year has thoroughly exposed all the phony claims that Washington defends international law. In doing so, this attack has also undermined the fraudulent rationale for war preparations and remilitarization in Japan. For the past decade and a half, Tokyo has drastically ramped up its remilitarization alongside Washington, claiming that the two were standing up for the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region. The Japanese political establishment falsely claimed that Tokyo needed to rearm in order to defend allies, above all against so-called Chinese aggression. President Donald Trump, left, and Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands during a signing ceremony at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. [AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein] Tokyo is reliant on its alliance with Washington and this phony defense narrative to justify its militarist agenda and to circumvent the Japanese constitution which, in Article 9, explicitly bars Japan from maintaining a military or waging war overseas. At her first press conference of the year on January 5, far-right-wing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi backed the attack on Venezuela by avoiding any clear public assessment of Washingtons actions. She declared, While cooperating closely with the relevant nations, we will proceed with diplomatic efforts to stabilize the situation and restore democracy to Venezuela. This echoed remarks she made the previous day on social media, in which Takaichi also claimed that Our country has traditionally respected fundamental values and principles such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Tokyos position therefore is that working with Washington will result in democracy in Venezuela and that US imperialism can be relied upon to uphold the rule of law. At the same time, the Takaichi governments response shows the nervousness within the political establishment and sections of the financial and industrial ruling class that Washingtons actions cut across Japans own imperialist interests and exposes the true nature of its remilitarization agenda. The Trump regime in Washington has thrown out even the pretense that US imperialism stands up for the rule of law anywhere in the world. This was summed up by fascist White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller who stated in a January 5 interview with CNN, We live in a world that is governed by strength, that is governed by force, that is governed by power. These are the iron laws of the world that have existed since the beginning of time. Washington has declared that it will run Venezuela with the attack aimed at securing access to the latters vast oil supply while, in the words of US officials, forcing Caracas to kick out China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba and sever economic ties. Trump has also proposed attacking other nations and territories, again threatening on Friday to seize Greenland whether they like it or not. Tokyo does not stand for the rule of law any more than Washington, but regurgitates this phrase to cover up its true agenda: the reemergence of Japanese imperialism as a military power, able to project its strength throughout the Indo-Pacific region in an attempt to offset the crisis of capitalism that it faces. Japanese imperialism is working to secure supply chains to meet its industrial needs as well as export markets overseas. Like other imperialist powers, it also hopes to exploit the Chinese working class as an even cheaper labor platform than that currently offered by the Stalinist bureaucracy in Beijing. To carry out this agenda and to confuse anti-war sentiment, which is widespread in Japan, Tokyo regularly accuses China of trying to change the status quo in the region through force. Yet the actions of the Trump regime are precisely those that Tokyo attributes to Beijing in regard to Taiwan and disputed territories in the East and South China Seas. Itsunori Onodera, head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Partys (LDP) Research Commission on Security, stated on January 4 that the US administrations invasion of Venezuela is a change of the status quo by force itself, and it contradicts the grounds for denouncing China and Russia. In other words, Washingtons actions directly contradict Tokyos rationale for remilitarization and war while undermining Tokyos own imperialist ambitions in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Other LDP members have demonstrated this nervousness as well. A meeting of party officials and lawmakers on Friday largely backed Takaichis public handling of the situation, but at least one lawmaker, according to Nikkei Asia, reportedly asked, Why arent we saying that the US is violating international law? Since Trump took office a year ago, tensions between the US and Japan have grown, particularly over trade and the tariffs Washington imposed on Japanese exports to the US. Sections of the ruling elite are chafing at the economic demands placed on Japanese big business. As former senior trade official Masahiko Hosokawa stated last September, Its a mistake to think that America will just ask for something and Japan will just give it. Japan did not become Americas ATM. The comments by officials like Onodera therefore reflect the potential for conflict between the two imperialist powers. At the same time, Tokyo is no doubt concerned what effect the attack on Venezuela will have in Japan. Successive governments have used the so-called China threat or North Korea threat to paint imperialist Japan as a victim to justify the increasing militarization of the region in line with the US and other allies like South Korea, spending trillions of yen for war even as prices for the working class increase while wages remain stagnant or falling. In 2014, the government of Shinzo Abe, Takaichis political mentor, pushed through a so-called reinterpretation of the constitution to allow Japan to participate in collective self defense; that is, to wage war overseas so long as it is done in conjunction with an ally. This was codified through military legislation the following year, rammed through parliament in the face of massive public opposition and protests. Under Abe and his successors, including Takaichi, military spending has climbed to record highs year after year, including 9.04 trillion yen ($US57.5 billion) for fiscal year 2026, which will likely increase through additional supplementary budgets. A supplementary military budget last year increased total military spending for fiscal 2025 to 11 trillion yen ($US69.9 billion), reaching two percent of GDP for the first time, a year earlier than previously planned due to US pressure to step up war spending. In addition, alongside Washington, Tokyo has steadily challenged the One China policy over Taiwan, including by regularly exchanging high level delegations with Taipei, and provocatively dispatching Maritime Self Defense Force (Japans navy) vessels through the Taiwan Strait in the name of freedom of navigation, which Japan did for the first time in September 2024. Two months ago, Takaichi declared in parliament that Japan was prepared to go to war with China over Taiwan if Beijing imposed a military blockade around Taiwan, which she claimed would constitute a survival-threatening situation, or the legal justification for military action. This means that were Beijing to carry out actions far less provocative in Taiwan than what Washington has done in Venezuelablockading the country, murdering fishermen off the coast, attacking and abducting a sitting presidentTokyo would use it as the pretext to drag the Japanese working class into war. The attack on Venezuela is not some aberration or sudden departure from previous foreign policy for US imperialism. It is the continuation and escalation of a decades-long record of wars of aggression, from Iraq and Afghanistan to Libya and Syria. The Biden administrations full throated support for Israels genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza and the US-instigated war against Russia in Ukraine demonstrate the real barbaric nature of the US agenda. All of these wars have been backed by Tokyo in the vicious pursuit of its own imperialist agenda. Elevenlabs AudioNative Player This frame grab from a video released Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, by Iranian state television shows a man holding a device to document burning vehicles during a night of mass protests in Zanjan, Iran. [AP Photo/Iranian state TV] The World Socialist Web Site condemns the escalating tirade of threats of military action against Iran emanating from the White House. American imperialisms fascist, would-be dictator president isaccording to his own words and the New York Timespreparing an imminent military strike on Iran. This is to be garishly packaged in the most cynical and absurd of all pretexts: that the US is attacking Iran to defend the Iranian people. Just days after Trump ordered a criminal assault on Venezuela that killed at least 80 people, the kidnapping of its president, Nicolas Maduro, and the seizure of the countrys vast oil wealth, he is, according to numerous reports, just days and possibly hours away from initiating war with Iran. On Saturday, the Times reported that the Pentagon has presented President Trump with a range of options, including strikes on nonmilitary sites in Tehran. Trump has himself repeatedly threatened to strike Iran. On the sidelines of a meeting Friday with top US oil executives convened to discuss Washingtons seizure of Venezuelas oil, he declared, Well be hitting them very hard where it hurts. When Trump held a war council with Israeli Prime Minister at his Mar-a-Lago estate on December 29, he and his aides cited Irans nuclear program as reason for the US to again attack Iran. Now, with unbridled cynicism he is pointing to the Islamic Republics mounting suppression of anti-government protests as justification for attacking Iran, casting himself in Hitler-like fashion as a liberator. Mass protests born of mounting economic distress have convulsed Iran since December 28 and in recent days have reportedly spread to all parts of the country. Irans Shia clergy-led bourgeois nationalist regime has increasingly responded with repression. Since last Thursday evening it has shut down internet and cell phone access, made mass arrests and violently suppressed protests. On Friday, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed the government would not back down in the face of vandals and saboteurs. Irans attorney general has warned that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an enemy of God, making them liable, if convicted, to the death penalty. Human rights groups based outside of Iran have made varying claims of the numbers of protesters killed, from dozens to over 100. The government, for its part, has highlighted the deaths of more than a dozen security forces and what it describes as armed attacks on police stations. Because of the Islamic Republics repressionitself an indication of the regimes ever narrowing social baseand the relentless hostility of the Western corporate media to an Iran not directly subservient to imperialism, it is difficult to get a precise picture of the protests in Iran. But any progressive tendency in Iran would have to immediately repudiate Trumps support, denounce the threat of imminent US military action and call for the immediate lifting of the punitive sanctions that are strangling Irans economy. There are undoubtedly deep social grievances among Irans workers and rural toilers. The Islamic Republic is a repressive capitalist regime. It was consolidated through the violent suppression of all left-wing and independent working class organizations in the aftermath of the 1979 Revolution that overthrew the tyrannical US-imposed monarchical dictatorship of the Shah. In recent years, beginning with the mass protests that erupted against poverty and social inequality in December 2017, the Iranian working class has emerged as a combative force. Recent months have seen strikes and protests by miners, oil workers, and health and transport sector workers, among others. However, the current wave of protests were not initiated by workers. Rather, as Ayatollah Khamenei himself acknowledged, they started among the bazaari, that is, shopkeepers and merchants drawn from sections of the Iranian bourgeoisie and petty bourgeoisie that have traditionally been, to use Khameneis own words, a pillar of the regime. While sections of workers and the unemployed have no doubt been swept up in the protests, the working class has not intervened en masse, and even more significantly as an independent force advancing its own demands and employing its own class struggle methods. To the contrary, everything suggests that the protests are assuming an increasingly pronounced right-wing character, with reactionary, pro-imperialist forces inside Iran, and outside in the broader region, Washington and the other imperialist capitals seeking to leverage them. Irans workers and toilers must beware. In 2013, the mass opposition to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, whose government had proven manifestly unable to meet any of the social grievances that had propelled the 2011 Revolution, was exploited by the most powerful sections of the bourgeoisie and the military to bring to power a savage dictatorship under General el-Sisi that continues to rule to this day. The Western media is now highlighting protesters support for the Shahs son, the Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. Based in the US since 1978, he has called for opponents of the Islamic Republic to seize control of city centres and appealed to Trump to make good on his threats to attack Iran. There is evidence that some of the video clips that purport to show protesters voicing support for the return of a pro-US monarchy have been doctored. Be that as it may, there is no reason to discount that sections of the Iranian bourgeoisie and petty-bourgeoisie long for the return of a tyrannical monarchy, serving as a client of Washington, as under the Shah. Meanwhile, Kurdish nationalists allied with US imperialism and, in some cases, openly with Israel are launching armed attacks. If these forces prevail, they will bring to power a neo-colonial regime. Such a regime would turn over Irans oil to the very imperialist powers, led by the US, that for decades have waged an unrelenting campaign of aggression and economic warfare against the Iranian people; allow Iran to be used as a staging ground for Washingtons military-strategic offensive against China and Russia; and ruthlessly exploit and suppress the working class. The Iranian working class cannot endure imperialist subjugation, nor the economic deprivation and political repression of the Islamic Republic. It must intervene as an independent political force in opposition to imperialism, all the institutions of the Islamic Republic and all factions of the Iranian bourgeoisie. Workers in North America and Europe, for their part, must indefatigably oppose the continuing imperialist aggression against Iranwhether in the form of a direct military attack, covert action and the leveraging of the pro-imperialist factions of the bourgeoisie and clerical-political establishment or the continuing campaign of economic warfare. All are elements in American imperialisms drive, in concert with its Israeli Zionist attack dog, to establish through war, state terror and regime-change a new Middle East under unbridled US hegemony. This predatory objective, like Trumps attack on Venezuela and seizure of its oil, is inseparable from Washingtons preparations for war with China and other strategic rivals. It is the task of the Iranian working class to settle accounts with the Islamic Republic; Trump, his ostensible Democratic Party opponents, and their crowned lackey, Reza Pahlavi, want their enslavement. Khamenei and the Islamic Republics clerical-led establishment point to Trumps aggression and threats to justify their repression and misrule. But the internally divided Iranian regime has proven itself utterly incapable of providing any progressive response to the ever escalating campaign of US imperialist-led bullying and aggression. This is because, in the final analysis, it is itself an instrument of imperialism. Its opposition to imperialism, such as it is, is only from the standpoint of expanding the Iranian bourgeoisies own possibilities for exploitation. For decades, the Islamic Republics political establishment has been bitterly divided between a faction, led by the late former President Hashemi Rafsanjani, his protege ex-President Hassan Rouhani, and now the current President Masoud Pezeshkian, eager for a rapprochement with Washington and the European imperialist powers; and an opposed faction, led by the so-called Principlists and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, that favour closer ties with China and Russia to strike a harder bargain with imperialism. Khamenei has acted as a Bonapartist ruler, favouring one faction then the other, while trying to maneuver between the imperialist and greater powers and Irans workers and toilers. Both factions have systematically dismantled the social concessions that were made to the working class and rural masses in the immediate aftermath of the revolution, implementing neo-liberal, pro-investor policies, further entrenching poverty and economic insecurity amid ever-widening social inequality. And both factions have sought to place the full burden of Irans confrontation with imperialism on the backs of working people. Even after last Junes US-Israeli attack, Tehran redoubled its efforts to reach an accommodation with Trump, only to be spurned at every turn. This fecklessness is rooted in class dynamics: The regimes greatest fear is the threat from the working class. To defeat imperialism in the Middle East requires the united mobilization of the working class and oppressed massesMuslim, Jewish and Christian, Arab, Turkish, Kurdish, Israeli and Iranianin the fight for social equality and democratic rights for all, against all the capitalist regimes and all the communal and sectarian divides they foster. To say that this cannot be done on the basis of the Islamic Republic regimes reactionary Islamist appeals and Shia populist ideology is to state the obvious. The entire history of modern Iranfrom the failure of the Constitutional Revolution at the beginning of the 20th century and the overthrow of Mosaddeghs nationalist regime in 1953 through the hijacking and suppression of the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the 47 years of the Islamic Republicdemonstrates that the only viable strategy for the Iranian working class is the strategy of Permanent Revolution. First formulated by Leon Trotsky, the strategy of Permanent Revolution animated the 1917 Russian Revolution and the struggle against the nationalist Stalinist bureaucracy, which usurped power from the working class under conditions of the revolutions isolation, and ultimately restored capitalism. It establishes that in the imperialist epoch the democratic tasks associated with the historic bourgeois revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuriesincluding national independence and unity and the separation of church from statecan be realized only through the establishment of workers power and as part of the fight for world socialist revolution. Two people were shot and seriously injured by Customs and Border Protection agents in Portland, Oregon, this past Thursday. The victims have been identified as 33-year-old Luis David Nino-Moncada and 32-year-old Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, both Venezuelan nationals. Four days after the shooting, the circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear. Luis David Nino-Moncada (left) and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras (right). The couple appears to have been shot outside the Adventist Health Clinic at approximately 2:18 p.m. About six minutes later, police received a report that a man had been shot near Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside, roughly eight miles from the clinic. The attempted murders occurred one day after Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was gunned down by immigration agent and Iraq war veteran Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As was the case following the murder of Good, the Trump administration immediately flooded social media with lies and racist xenophobia to justify the attempted killing. In its initial statement on X, the Department of Homeland Security claimed that Zambrano-Contreras was a Venezuelan illegal alien affiliated with the transnational Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and involved in a recent shooting in Portland, while Nino-Moncada was believed to be a member of Tren de Aragua. DHS further claimed that after immigration agents identified themselves to the vehicle occupants, the driver weaponized his vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents. The statement concluded, Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot. The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene. No body-camera footage has been released to corroborate any of these claims by DHS or local police. With no direct visual evidence and the dubious circumstances under which the shooting occurred, establishing the factual sequence of events must be taken up by community members and workers. What is known is that after the shooting, it was the alleged gang members who called police, not the federal agents. When Portland police arrived at the scene, they found Nino-Moncada with a gunshot wound to the arm and Zambrano-Contreras with a gunshot wound to the chest. The pair were transported to separate hospitals. A staff member at Legacy Emanuel Hospital, who requested anonymity, told Oregon Public Radio that FBI agents were present at the hospital following the shooting. It is not surprising that immigration Gestapo feel empowered to shoot and kill workers and residents, regardless of immigration status. The shooting in Portland took place mere hours after Vice President JD Vance made a televised appearance slandering Good as a brainwashed leftist engaged in terrorism. Vance claimed, without evidence, that Good was part of a broader left-wing network to attack, to doxx, to assault and to make it impossible for our ICE officers to do their job. He labeled her a domestic terrorist and blamed her for her own death, stating, I can believe that her death is a tragedy while also recognizing that its a tragedy of her own making, and a tragedy of the far-left who has marshaled an entire movement, a lunatic fringe against our law enforcement officers. Vance proceeded to defend Ross, stating, That guy is protected by absolute immunity. He was doing his job. There is no question that the Trump administrations explicit endorsement of extrajudicial killing emboldened federal agents in Portland to act as judge, jury and executioner. Every day since the shooting there have been protests in Portland calling for immigration Gestapo to leave the city as well as Minneapolis, and for the immigration agencies to be abolished. In response, Democratic Party officials have called for calm and complacency. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, local officials and religious leaders held a press conference after the shooting. Speakers repeatedly called for calm while laughing and joking among themselves as the microphone was passed around. These appeals mirrored those of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz following the murder of Good. Walz has since issued an executive order authorizing the deployment of the Minnesota National Guard. Portland officials urged outraged workers and families to not give the Trump administration an excuse. Federal agents are already conducting mass raids and executing people in the streets. They require no excuse. Meanwhile, Portland police have echoed DHS claims that Nino-Moncada and Zambrano-Contreras had alleged ties to Tren de Aragua, allegations that have not been confirmed by any local or national outlet. On Friday, Portland Police Chief Bob Day stated, They do have some nexus to involvement with TdA. We can confirm that. In response to protests against federal immigration violence, Portland police have deployed in force. Dozens have been assaulted and at least 6 people have been arrested as of this writing. People march to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in honor of victims of ICE shootings Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Portland, Oregon. [AP Photo/Jenny Kane] In the face of nationwide protests held this weekend calling for justice for Renee Good and all victims of immigration police brutality, Democrats have already confirmed they will do nothing to halt wanton state violence against workers and residents. Appearing on CNNs State of the Union Sunday morning, Senator Mark Warner (Democrat-Virginia), vice charman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, confirmed he opposed using an upcoming government funding deadline at the end of the month as a leverage point to defund or otherwise constrain the immigration Gestapo. Listen, I think we went through the longest government shutdown in American history last year. I dont think we need to repeat it, said Warner. The simple fact is that the Democrats defend the nation-state and the capitalist system and are organically incapable of opposing the police state. Since ICE was created by Congress in a bipartisan vote following the September 11 attacks, both parties have expanded funding for the police, immigration Gestapo and military spending. The defense of democratic rights, including the right of workers to live and labor wherever they choose, requires a break from the Democratic Party and a turn to the working class. Independent rank-and-file committees must be built in every workplace, school and neighborhood. They must link their struggles internationally to bring the power of the global working class to bear against the transnational capitalist oligarchy and put an end to imperialist war abroad and police-state murder at home. KHARTOUM, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 32 people were killed and 86 others injured in drone strikes in central and southern Sudan on Monday by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to local sources. At least 27 people were killed and 73 others wounded in a drone strike by the RSF on a military base in the city of Sinja in Sudan's central Sinnar State, a government source in Sinnar State told Xinhua, adding that the death toll may rise due to the severity of injuries. An eyewitness said the attack targeted the Sudanese army's 17th Infantry Division headquarters and nearby electricity and water facilities. "There were simultaneous and powerful explosions in the city, along with the sound of Sudanese army anti-aircraft fire," the witness said, adding that casualties were taken to multiple hospitals in the state. Informed sources confirmed the targeted location, saying the attack took place during a high-level security meeting attended by the governors of Sinnar, White Nile, and Blue Nile states, as well as military and security officials. The strike directly hit the meeting hall. The Sinnar State government also issued a statement, saying Sinja was targeted on Monday afternoon by an RSF strategic drone, and that the Sudanese army's anti-aircraft defenses engaged the drone. It acknowledged casualties among civilians, without providing an exact number. Meanwhile, El Basha Tabig, advisor to the RSF commander, said in a post on Facebook that "the strike on the 17th Infantry Division headquarters is not an isolated incident." "What happened sends a direct message to the army leadership and those supporting the continuation of the war," he said, threatening further escalation in the coming period. It marked the first major security development in Sinja since the Sudanese army regained control of the city in November 2024. Meanwhile, volunteer medics and eyewitnesses said five civilians were killed and 13 others injured in a drone strike on Monday on a market in Sudan's South Kordofan State. The Sudan Doctors Network, a volunteer group, said in a statement the strike in the morning targeted the Kartala market in the Al-Jibal Al-Sitta (Six Mountains) area and was carried out by an RSF guided drone. The network condemned the "direct attack" on civilians and held the RSF fully responsible, calling the strike a "flagrant violation" of international humanitarian law, and urging the international community to protect civilians in conflict areas. Witnesses described the strike occurring during peak market hours with "no military presence at all -- only vendors and shoppers," noting that most of the injured were women and elderly people. "We were inside the market when we heard the sound of the aircraft, then the explosion occurred suddenly. Panic spread, and we saw injured people on the ground before trying to help them with very basic means," an eyewitness told Xinhua. The RSF has not issued a comment on the incident. The Kartala area, under the control of the Sudanese army, is a strategic location southeast of the state capital Kadugli and east of Dilling, the state's second-largest city. It saw heavy fighting in November 2025 between the Sudanese army and RSF-aligned forces. Sudan has been engulfed in a deadly conflict since April 15, 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the RSF, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced within the country and across its borders. Buderus stainless steel plant in Wetzlar [Photo by Buderus Edelstahl GmbH] With the end of 2025, production ended at the long standing Buderus steelworks in Wetzlar in the German state of Hesse. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Several plants northern Hesse are in the process of being shut down, including Goodyear in Fulda and the Continental sites in Wetzlar and Schwalbach/Taunus. As a result several thousand jobs are being lost in the region. The mass job cuts, caused by a growing crisis of the global capitalist system, require a political perspective in order to defend every job and place key industries in the hands of the working population. The current wave of plant closures is not just a case of regrettable isolated cases, but rather an expression of a systematic restructuring by big business in the interests of profit. Without regard for social impact, unprofitable plants are being shut down and thousands of jobs destroyed. With the shutdown of the blast furnace in October and the loss of 470 jobs by the end of 2025, a 300-year history of steel production in Hesse now comes to an end. Founded in 1731 as a steel company, Buderus dominated the entire Wetzlar-Giessen region. But In recent years, the plant was first sold to Bosch, again to the Austrian steel company Voestalpine and then, at the end of 2024, transferred to the private equity firm Mutares. A locust that derives its profits not from steel production but from buying up and reselling factories in crisis, the new owner has now broken up the company, using every trick in the book. The steelworks, which until recently produced over 300,000 tonnes of crude steel per year using state-of-the-art (green) technology, has been deemed unprofitable in the wake of the energy crisis brought on by the NATO proxy war with Russia. Thus, they support the war against Russia with the cynical argument that arms contracts could secure steel workers jobs! The Buderus hot rolling mill was sold to Georgsmarienhutte (GMH, Germanys third-largest steel group after Thyssenkrupp and Salzgitter). That facilitys roughly 600 jobs are also at risk, with GMH also fighting for survival. According to GMH CEO Anne-Marie Grossmann, its energy costs have risen from 37 million to 84 million in just four years. Mutares has sold off the Buderus drop forge, where around 70 employees manufacture drive, transmission and axle components for commercial vehicles, to the FerrAl United Group, which produces for the arms industry. The plant will remain open based on hopes for military orders, Stephen Mayer, IG Metall union official in Mittelhessen, promised last August. IG Metall has helped organise the shutdowns tab at every stage. It has gone along with all of the management demands, including Mutares withdrawal of Buderus from the industry-wide collective bargaining agreement (such agreements are the norm in Germany). For a long time, IG Metall pinned its hopes on subsidies from the federal government to save the site. Mutares has taken over other important companies. These include: the operations of transport company Arrivaa subsidiary of Germanys national railroad Deutsche Bahnsin Denmark, Serbia and Poland; firefighting equipment maker Magirus; and a controlling stake in Peugeot Motocycles. It then began to dismantle all of them. For its part IG Metall never sounded the alarm and refused to call upon the affected workers to conduct joint resistance. They limited themselves to organising ineffective funeral marches for the doomed plants and carrying out negotiations on mitigating measures. On 9 October, IG Metall organised a funeral march through Wetzlar, which the Stalinist German Communist Party (DKP) notably called a final walk for our steelworks. Since then, the company works councils and IG Metall officials have been winding down jobs, negotiating social plans and severance payments, and appealing to the capitalists to curb their brutality. In its end of year statement the IG Metall for North Hesse managed to avoid mentioning by name Buderus, Bosch, Mutares or the German government (which is a coalition of the Christian Democratic Union, Christian Social Union, and Social Democratic Party). Instead, the author, local IG Metall representative Oliver Scheld, expressed a pious wish for social responsibility on the part of employers. He wrote: Constant job cuts and relocations are the wrong answers. Participation, co-determination and training are the right way to ensure that everyone can have a secure future. The pseudo-left DKP commented in a whining tone: Struggles can be lost or end in compromisebut in any case, they create valuable experiences for the future [i.e., defeats!!] that we urgently need for the coming struggles. Because the next factory closure, the next bad year, will comeand the corporate bosses will again try to shift their crisis onto our backs. This defeatism and pessimism resembles a rabbit staring down the barrel of a gun. At the same time, waves of plant closures continue in North Hesse. Continental is closing its sites in Wetzlar and Schwalbach/Taunus, following the earlier closures of its facilities in Karben and Babenhausen. The Lollar iron foundry near Giessen is also being closed. The Daimler truck plantin Kassel, with 2,700 jobs, and VW auto production in Baunatal, with 16,000, are also under threat. Tyre manufacturer Goodyear in Fulda is also being shut down, as is the Bayer company in Frankfurt-Hochst. The justifications put forward for the closures, which the trade union bureaucrats accept, are the same everywhere: low-wage competition, rising energy prices, Trumps tariffs, etc. This obscures the deeper reasons: the brutal capitalist logic of maximising profits and the fact that the gap between rich and poor is constantly widening because a super-rich elite is clinging to its own privileges. This class of shareholders, board members and their clientele, most of whom in western Germany are based in the nearby Frankfurt banking district and the affluent Taunus area, will stop at nothing to get what they want. For the working population, this means factory closures, layoffs, precarious employment, casual work, falling real wages and child poverty. According to a survey conducted before Christmas by the German Joint Welfare Association, almost a quarter of the population of Hesse (23.7 percent) lives in poverty when housing costs are taken into account. That is around one and a half million people, many of them in northern and central Hesse. In this situation, it is high time to take action and take up the fight for every job and against plant closures, layoffs, wage cuts and the governments war policy. This can only be achieved by setting up rank-and-file action committees, in opposition to the bureaucrats of IG Metall and the other unions, which are deeply entrenched in established political circles and business. Through committees, workers can unite with colleagues in other companies, industries and countries to pose the question: Who controls production? This is ultimately a political question, and for this, workers need their own party. The establishment of democratically organised action committees will immediately meet with furious resistance from all of the mainstream partiesfrom the far right Alternative for Germany AfD to the Left Party. The Sozialistischer Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) and the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) call for the fight against war, fascism and social cuts to be taken up in the struggle for a socialist and international perspective. Dana auto parts workers leave Warren, Michigan plant on March 13, 2025 This year will see contract expirations for roughly 4,000 workers at auto parts supplier Dana Inc. plants in multiple US states, along with thousands of other auto parts workers, amid a continuing wave of layoffs and cost-cutting across the global auto industry. Other major contract battles include 2,500 workers at Nexteer in Saginaw, Michigan and 1,200 at Bridgewater Interiors plants in Lansing, Michigan and the Detroit metropolitan area. Another 1,000 workers at five American Axle plants in Michigan, as well as 900 Magna seating workers in Highland Park, Michigan, also face contract deadlines. Workers are determined to overcome poverty wages and brutal working conditions. Since the 1980s, the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the United Steelworkers (USW) have systematically sold out strikes and suppressed auto parts workers wages to boost the international position and profits of the Detroit Three automakers. In 2021, the USW and UAW bureaucracies rammed through a four-year agreement over mass opposition from workers. In May, that deal, which paved the way for mass layoffs, plant closures, arbitrary firings and deadly conditions, will expire at nine Dana facilities across the country. Now a new wave of job cuts are threatening auto parts workers. In an October WARN Act (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) letter, the Dana Thermal Products plant in Auburn Hills, Michigan, announced that 200 workers would be permanently laid off due to the closure of the facility by the end of this month. The EV battery cooling plant, operated by a Dana subsidiary, has been hit by falling electric vehicle sales, accelerated by the Trump administrations elimination of EV consumer tax credits. Falling EV sales have also led to 1,100 job cuts at General Motors Factory Zero plant in Detroitwhere the flagship EV facility was reduced to a single shift on January 5 and hundreds of layoffs at GM joint venture battery operations in Lordstown, Ohio and Lansing, Michigan. Ford has also slashed jobs at its REV-C plant in Dearborn and EV battery plants in Marshall, Michigan and the Blue Oval Battery Park near Louisville, Kentucky. In May 2025, 295 Dana workers in Lima, Ohio, were permanently laid off. Because the plant was closing, workers were denied bumping rights, preventing them from transferring to other Dana facilities based on seniority. Job cuts, speedup and exhausting hours have also led to dangerous conditions in the auto parts industry, which has a significantly higher rate of accidents and injuries than other manufacturing sectors, and Dana is no exception. After skilled trades worker Ronald Adams Sr. was crushed to death when an overhead hoist suddenly engaged at the Stellantis Dundee Engine Plant last April, Dana workers reported similar unsafe conditions. Theres supposed to be a lock on the cages, but there are none. Stellantis is like our plant, one Dana worker told the World Socialist Web Site. Some departments have lockout/tagout measures and some are much more dangerous. Were supposed to have our own lockout keys. What happened to [Ronald] can happen anywhere, he concluded. Even as attacks on workers intensify, Dana continues to reap profits. Its stock price jumped to $26.69 following the sale of Danas off-highway powertrain plants to Allison Transmission for $2.7 billion, a deal that included the Lafayette, Indiana, facility. Danas most recent public filing, released in October, reported $162 million in earnings before interest and taxes. Dana CEO Bruce McDonald receives more than $1.3 million annually in compensation, in addition to company stock with a potential value exceeding $9 million. Behind these figures lies a deepening crisis engulfing the global auto parts industry. As the World Socialist Web Site has warned, the sector faces the prospect of a wave of bankruptcies driven by relentless cost-cutting pressure from the major automakers. Confronted with falling sales, tariffs, rising borrowing costs and intensifying competition, the automakers are seeking to offload the enormous expenses of EV transition and automation onto their suppliers. This has produced a brutal squeeze on margins throughout the supply chain, particularly among highly leveraged Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4 suppliers. The crisis is erupting most sharply in Europe. Germanys auto parts industry has seen mass layoffs at some of the worlds largest suppliers. Bosch, the worlds biggest auto parts manufacturer, has announced plans to cut tens of thousands of jobs globally, while ZF Friedrichshafen is moving to eliminate up to 14,000 positions amid collapsing demand. These job cuts are not temporary adjustments but signal a structural contraction of the industry as capital seeks to defend profits through the destruction of jobs and working conditions. This global breakdown is adding an explosive charge to the wave of contract expirations now unfolding across the United States, as parts suppliers seek to claw back costs directly from workers and rely on the UAW and USW bureaucracies to enforce concessions. In 2021, Dana workers voted down two concession-filled contracts, while the USW and UAW blocked workers democratic right to strike by enforcing a contract extension. Union officials openly threatened workers demanding strike action. USW district representative John Doust told angry workers, You dont get no stipend [strike pay], explaining that the union would only provide limited assistance based on need, requiring workers to present copies of their bills. At the Dana Toledo Driveline plant, a supporter of the IWA-RFC distributes announcement of rank-and-file investigation into the death of Stellantis worker Ronald Adams Sr. Ultimately, the unions used a $3,000 signing bonus to pressure workers into ratifying the agreement, exploiting widespread financial insecurity. At the same time, the USW and UAW siphoned off between 1.45 and 1.7 percent of the bonus in dues, pocketing more than $150,000. The contract also undermined the eight-hour day through an Alternative Work Schedule (AWS), allowing Dana to operate weekend crews on 10-hour shifts without overtime pay after eight hours. From 2021 to 2023, the Dana Workers Rank-and-File Committee (DWRFC) exposed brutal and dangerous conditions throughout the companys plants. This included the death of brother Danny Walters, a 60-year-old Dana worker in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, who suffered a head injury on the job, went into convulsions, and later died. Workers at other facilities reported similarly hazardous conditions. At the Pottstown, Pennsylvania plant, workers cited dangerously high carbon dioxide levels and inadequate ventilation. In Fort Wayne, Indiana, workers were gassed with the chemical disinfectant Aspen One Step under the pretext of COVID protection. In another incident, a worker fell inside a robot cage, struck her head on concrete, suffered a seizure, and was sent back to work days later. Union officials and management worked together to suppress exposure of these crimes. In 2023, the DWRFC also led a struggle against arbitrary firings, carried out with the open collusion of the UAW Local 12 leadership, at the Toledo Driveline plant. Workers at the Toledo Driveline plant recently told WSWS reporters that they are routinely forced to work 12-hour shifts, sometimes six or seven days a week, with the full sanction of the UAW bureaucracy. We ask for help from the union and we dont get it. But we have to pay dues, a young worker at the plant recently told the WSWS. Responding to the fight by the IWA-RFC to build new rank-and-file committees to mobilize the working class independently of and in opposition to the union bureaucracy, he said, Me and my friends, we talked about how there used to be sit-down strikes and workers demanded what they needed. Its up to us to do this. Other contract battles this year Shift change at Nexteer Saginaw plant Workers at the Nexteer steering plant in Saginaw, Michigan, face a May contract expiration. They have never recovered concessions imposed by the UAW in earlier agreements. In 2021, workers overwhelmingly voted down a UAW-backed contract, only to be forced to re-vote on another concessions agreement that was narrowly ratified. The deal maintained the hated two-tier system, imposed inadequate raises that amounted to a decline in real wages, increased healthcare costs and enforced mandatory overtime through critical status. The contract covering 1,100 workers at the American Axle and Manufacturing (AAM) plant in Three Rivers, Michigan, also expires this year, along with contracts at four smaller AAM facilities. In 2008, some 3,600 AAM workers carried out a three-month strike against massive concessions. The UAW isolated the struggle and imposed a sellout that paved the way for the sweeping concessions it agreed to during the Obama administrations bankruptcy restructuring of GM and Chrysler. In May, 1,200 workers at Bridgewater Interiors plants in Michigan will also face a contract deadline. In July, about 900 UAW-represented workers at Magna Seating in Highland Park will see their contract expire. Additionally, contracts covering 4,400 Alcoa and Arconic aluminum workers in Indiana, New York, Iowa, Tennessee and Louisiana expire in mid-May. Auto parts workers are also being profoundly radicalized by Trumps drive for world war and the administrations violent suppression of democratic rights, including the ICE murder of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Dana workers in Warren, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio have given powerful statements connecting the fight to defend democratic rights with the struggle to defend their jobs and living standards. Dana and other parts workers must draw the necessary conclusions: The defense of wages, jobs and lives cannot be entrusted to the UAW and USW bureaucracies. The struggle must be taken into workers own hands through independent rank-and-file committees. Because of their central position in interconnected supply chains, Dana and other auto parts workers wield immense collective power. Realizing this power requires the independent initiative of the rank and file. To learn how to join and build rank-and-file committees, fill out the form below. Mass anger over the killing of Minneapolis mother and wife Renee Nicole Good by immigration agent and Iraq war veteran Jonathan Ross erupted across the United States over the weekend. More than 1,000 protests were held nationwide to demand justice for Good and the abolition of the immigration Gestapo. Anti-ICE protesters gather in New York City at the William Tecumseh Sherman Monument in Grand Army Plaza at the southeast corner of Central Park, New York City, January 11, 2026. In response to nationwide outrage over Goods murder, the Trump administration has promised to surge more unaccountable federal agents under the command of the aspiring dictator into the city. Rejecting the lies of Trump administration officials who have uniformly supported Rosss actions and threatened further bloodshed, workers, retirees and youth peacefully marched this weekend in remembrance, but also with purpose. In Philadelphia on Saturday night, thousands of people marched and sang songs outside City Hall. Hey-oh, the crowd sang in unison, we wont be silent while our friends are gunned down. Defying the ongoing federal occupation of Minneapolis, tens of thousands of people have continued to gather and march around the site of Goods killing and throughout the city. In Portland, Oregon, where two people were shot by a Customs and Border Protection agent the day after Good was killed, protests have been held every night, bringing in hundreds to thousands of people. Demonstrations drawing thousands were also held over the weekend in Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, DC; Asheville, North Carolina; Burlington, Vermont; Dallas, Texas; Knoxville, Tennessee; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Tucson, Arizona; Detroit, Michigan; Columbus, Ohio; Boston, Massachusetts; and Los Angeles, California. Hundreds of others, numbering from the dozens to the thousands, were held in smaller cities and rural towns. A protester in Pahrump, Nevada carries a sign that reads, "ICE is Trump's SS" "Killers with badges" "Get out!" In Livingston, Montana, roughly 200 people gathered to remember Good and oppose fascism. Dozens carried a banner that read, An unarmed US citizen should not be shot dead blocks from her own home by masked, unidentified men employed by the US federal government in American streets. Protesters also carried signs that read, Ever wonder what you would have done in 1930s Germany? Youre doing it now, and Expand Medicare, Abolish ICE. In Essex Junction, Vermont, home to fewer than 11,000 people, all five corners of a major intersection were filled with demonstrators on Sunday. A section of the multi-hundred protest in Essex Junction, Vermont, January 10, 2026. While the protests were nominally organized by the Democratic Party-aligned 50501 movement, they were not promoted by the party or by the mainstream capitalist press. The front page of the Washington Post on Sunday evening referred only to a protest of hundreds against ICE in the city. As of Sunday evening, the only reference to protests on the front page of the New York Times referred to Iran. This omission is even more glaring given that one of the largest protests over the weekend was held in New York City. While protests have been ongoing in the city, tens of thousands marched in the January cold on Sunday to demand an end to federal immigration kidnapping and killing operations. One New York protester interviewed by a World Socialist Web Site reporter about whether a dictatorship is being established in the United States replied, 100 percent. She said, They already laid the groundwork for it during the first administration, adding that in the last week, real, real fascism is happening. Weve literally just got American citizens being shot dead for trying to oppose, peacefully oppose and peacefully legally observe an ICE protest. You have the vice president going on. She wasnt even declared dead at the hospital before she was declared a domestic terrorist. Members of the Socialist Equality Party intervened at protests across the country where they advanced demands that include: The immediate arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the murder of Renee Nicole Good The withdrawal of all ICE, CBP and DHS forces from Minneapolis and every other city The abolition of these Gestapo agencies that terrorize immigrant communities The immediate release of all detainees held in ICE custody and an end to all raids, renditions and deportations Full legal rights and protections for all immigrant workers and their families These demands cannot be met through the current political setup. Democratic leadership, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Chuck Schumer, have already indicated they would not support using an upcoming government funding vote to block funding for ICE. Migrant Insider reported last week that Senate negotiators are actively pursuing a plan to increase funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by around 10 percent. In opposition to the Democrats complicity, the Socialist Equality Party is calling for the systematic development of working class rank-and-file defense committees in every neighborhood, workplace and school. These organizations will fight to unite the working class across artificial boundaries and professions in a common struggle against the immigration Gestapo and the capitalist system they defend. Last Thursday, high school students, university students and young workers discussed how to continue the fight against conscription at an online meeting of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE). Tamino Dreisam, spokesperson for the IYSSE in Germany, speaks on What next in the school strike against military service? For a socialist perspective against the reintroduction of compulsory military service! (English subtitles can be accessed on YouTube) In an introductory report, Tamino Dreisam, spokesperson for the IYSSE in Germany, placed this question within the broader political context. He opened with the fundamental assessment that the fight against conscription must be a fight against the drive to war as a whole, because conscription is an integral component of the development toward a Third World War. To illustrate the ruthlessness of imperialist policy, he pointed to the recent attacks on Venezuela and quoted Stephen Miller, the deputy chief of staff in the White House, who stated in an interview with CNN: We live in a world that is governed by strength, that is governed by violence, that is governed by power. The US government rules over Venezuela because it has stationed its military around the country. Tamino highlighted that the doctrine of might makes right is being elevated to official state policy. This, he argued, is the logic of world war and fascism. The German government was aligning itself behind the attack on Venezuela and Trumps methods, Tamino explained. At the same time, he denounced the cynicism of the ruling elites, who invoked international law only when it benefits them and trample it underfoot when it stands in their way. As an example, he cited the support for Israels actions in the Gaza war, which he characterized as an expression of imperialist policy. Crucial to his report was Taminos depiction of the German policy of rearmament as a qualitative leap: Germany was rearming on a scale not seen since Hitler, with a massive increase in the defence budget and the declared goal of making the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) the largest military force in Europe. This was linked to the open objective of being capable of defeating Russia within a few years. Raising the question of what Germany or Europe would look like even one day after a war against a nuclear power, he exposed the historic and existential dimension of the dangers. Tamino drew a clear political conclusion from this: Conscription serves not only military goals but also the disciplining and breaking of opposition, particularly among the youth. Our generation is to be placed under military discipline to suppress resistance against war and militarism. It necessarily followed that the fight against conscription cannot be waged merely as an appeal to the government or as a matter of individual self-protection. He sharply opposed political forces that claim to oppose conscription while simultaneously supporting rearmament and pro-war policies, such as the Green Youth (Grune Jugend) and the Social Democrats Young Socialists (Jusos). He declared that such groups were certainly not allies, but rather political opponents. He also denounced groups like the Socialist German Workers Youth (SDAJ)the youth organization of the Stalinist DKPwhich seek to keep questions of war and militarism out of the movement in order to preserve unity with these warmongers. Instead, the movement must be oriented toward the only social force capable of stopping the war policy: the working class. A school strike was a strong signal, but a school strike alone remains a protest and will change nothing if it does not become the spark that draws workers in factories, transport, schools, hospitals and ports into the struggle. Tamino emphasized that appeals to the ruling class fall on deaf ears and will be answered with further repression. The struggle can only be successful if it grasps the root of the evil: capitalism and its profit logic, which drives the imperialist powers to war. He concluded with four principles that the movement must adopt: The fight against conscription must be waged as a fight against war and capitalism. The movement must be completely independent of all political parties and organizations of the capitalist class. The struggle must proceed from the working class. Above all, the struggle must be international and oppose imperialism with the enormous power of the working class in a united global movement. This international perspective was underscored in the following contribution by David Rye, a leading IYSSE member in the US. He described the attack on Venezuela as a clear sign of the global crisis of capitalism and a warning to workers worldwide. The assault exposes the character of US foreign policy as the use of force to open markets and resources and an attempt to restore hegemony in the Western Hemisphere. Crucial to this was Ryes emphasis that imperialist aggression abroad and repression at home belong together: Imperialism abroad and suppression at home are inevitably two sides of the same class programme. He pointed to polls showing that the war was deeply deeply detested by the US population and supported by only a minority. At the same time, he described the domestic escalation as an assault on democratic rights, combined with the militarization of the police, surveillance and austerity policies to finance war. He sharply compared todays state persecution to the fascist methods of the Nazis and referred to the ICE immigration authority as a modern Gestapo. His central appeal was that the international working class must be mobilized because it is the only force that can stop the course toward war and dictatorship. What was necessary is an independent class organization, a revolutionary leadership, and the formation of rank-and-file committees in factories and at universities. Solidarity across borders must be organized practically, he said. These contributions were followed by a lively discussion in which numerous participants raised central questions. A young person from Brandenburg asked what one can do as a single individual in a small town. An 11th-grade student in Essen addressed an important problem: Many young people can make little sense of the term capitalism; at the same time, the acute danger of conscription must be made concrete, down to the reality of holding a weapon in ones hand. In their replies, IYSSE members emphasized that the central issue was to fight for a political perspective. Education about the immediate threat and an understanding of capitalism belonged together. One could begin the discussion with the concrete consequences of conscription, but to wage a fight against it required a perspective that explains the causes and points the way forward to the working class. As the meeting progressed, a debate developed regarding the role of the Left Party (Die Linke), their youth organization Left Youth (Linksjugend) and Stalinist organizations. One participant warned against sweeping generalizations, arguing that there were also honest opponents of war in such organizations. IYSSE members replied that organizations must be judged not by individual intentions, but by their programme, class interests and practical record. While many young people may join out of honest opposition, the task is to break them politically from these organizations by explaining their pro-capitalist character and winning these young people to an independent, revolutionary orientation. Finally, Christoph Vandreier, the chairperson of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP), spoke. He highlighted the decisive contradiction: While large sections of the population are against war, the parties in the Bundestag (parliament) support the policy of rearmament. The Greens were the sharpest example of this, as they emerged from the peace movement and today rank among the most aggressive proponents of militarism. Therefore, it was not enough to appeal merely to a general anti-war sentiment. One must explain why these parties have moved to the right and why protests limited to appeals to the government lead into a political dead end. On the question of how conscription and war preparations can be stopped, Vandreier emphasized that the cause of warthe capitalist systemmust be understood and fought. The profit drive, the competition between nation states, and the hunt for resources and markets under capitalism drive the ruling class to rearmament and war. Conscription was therefore not an isolated measure, but part of the preparation for a major, potentially nuclear war that would devastate Europe. One must certainly make the immediate reality of war clear to young people, but without a political explanation of the causes, one could neither argue convincingly against militarism nor build a movement that actually wins. Responding to the objections regarding the Left Party and its youth wing, he answered that organizations must be judged by their programme and practice, not by the attitude of individual members. Some young people join the Left Party out of honest opposition to the government, but they must be told that this party supports capitalism and pro-war policies and organizes the necessary social attacks. Historically, he pointed out that wars have only been stopped by the independent mobilization of the working class and a revolutionary leadership. The conclusion to be drawn: no alliances with pro-capitalist forces, but an international orientation and the building of an independent socialist movement. A family member reacts after a federal immigration officer used a battering ram to break down a door before making an arrest Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Minneapolis. [AP Photo/John Locher] Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Sunday that hundreds of additional armed immigration agents were deploying to the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, in the wake of the murder of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer last week. Noem appeared on both CNN and Fox News Sunday morning to defend the killing of Good by Jonathan Ross, a veteran ICE officer, who fired three shots into the victims head at point-blank range. She repeated as though by rote the lies spouted by top administration officials even before they knew the identity of Good, a mother of three who was participating with her partner in monitoring the activities of ICE agents in Minneapolis. Large numbers of federal agents began arriving Sunday, with initial deployments outside ICE facilities in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The dispatch of several hundred more ICE and Border Patrol officers brings the total number of federal agents mobilized across the Twin Cities to well over 2,000, the largest such deployment ever carried out by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Noem made the astonishing claim that Minnesota state and local officials were responsible for inflaming public opinion over the ICE murder, as if the actions of ICE agents had nothing to do with the mass popular revulsion over the summary execution carried out in broad daylight. We need our leaders to turn down their rhetoric, she said on CNN, but she defended her own vilification of Renee Good as a domestic terrorist and President Trumps claim that Good was a paid agitator. She told interviewer Jake Tapper that law enforcement officers every day in this country are in difficult situations where they have to make split-second decisions to protect themselves, the public and their colleagues, and that they have to rely on their training. Thats exactly what this officer did. And I know that the left and I know the crazy activists in this country that are trying to undermine our way of life will attack and try to destroy a law enforcement officer to do that. Tapper then showed Noem a video of fascist Trump supporters storming the Capitol on January 6, 2021, overwhelming, beating and trampling officers of the Capitol Police. Those are law enforcement officers being physically attacked, he asked her. By this standard, would any of those officers been justified in shooting and killing the people causing them physical harm? Noem sought to evade the question and lapsed into meaningless babble when Tapper pointed out Trump had pardoned all the January 6 attackers. He concluded: Theres a different standard for law enforcement officials being attacked if theyre being attacked by Trump supporters. We just saw that. Another top official in the Trump persecution of immigrants, White House adviser Tom Homan, combined slanders of Renee Good with threats of even more police violence. Speaking on NBCs Meet the Press, he told interviewer Kristen Welker, Youve got to put yourself in the mind of the officer, right? Youre in a city where theres protest, interference, impediment, like these two ladies were doing before this instance occurred. He said there needed to be a full investigation of the killing. But while were doing that, weve got to stop the hateful rhetoric. Saying this officer is a murderer is dangerous. Its just ridiculous. And its just going to infuriate people more, which means theres going to be more incidents like this He concluded with a further slap at the victim: Lets remember, what she did was a crime. Its illegal to interfere and impede ICE law enforcement officers. The following exchange then took place: WELKER: Just to be clear, is anyone who protests ICE a domestic terrorist in the eyes of the administration? HOMAN: I cant say that. You know, its a case-by-case basis. But, you know, if you look up the definition of terrorism, is there violence, is there a threat of violence based on an ideology that wants to change the way the government does what we do? Look on the definition of terrorism. After this declaration that anyone protesting ICE could potentially be charged with terrorismor summarily executed for that crimeHoman went on to blame the media and members of Congress for characterizing ICE agents as racists, Nazis or secret police, making clear that they too could become targets of the Trump administrations violent rampage. DHS Secretary Noem has already taken action along these lines, issuing an order that members of Congress who wish to inspect an ICE detention facility must give seven days advance notice. As a result, three Democratic members of Congress, including Ilhan Omar, whose district includes Minneapolis and the neighborhood where Renee Good was killed, were barred from entering an ICE detention facility just outside the city on Saturday. Last month, a federal judge in Washington D.C. issued a court order against any DHS actions to restrict congressional oversight visits to ICE facilities. But when Representative Angie Craig tried to show a copy of the court order to ICE agents at the detention center outside of Minneapolis, they refused to look at it, she said on MS NOW. I informed them that they were violating the law. They said they didnt care. Afterwards, Omar said, What happened today is a blatant attempt to obstruct members of Congress from doing their oversight duties. But appearing Sunday on the CBS program Face the Nation, Omar made no reference to the DHS action in barring access to the congressional visit. Instead, she repeated her calls for ordinary citizens to record the actions of ICE agents to create the level of accountability and transparency that we need. This is, of course, exactly what Renee and Rebecca Good were doing when Renee Good was murdered by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Omar made no suggestion that Congress or the Democratic Party should take any action in response to ICE lawlessness, which has the full backing of the Trump administration. One Democrat appearing on Meet the Press, Senator Chris Murphy, was asked directly about impeaching Trump. Kristen Welker pointed out that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosiwho pushed through Trumps impeachment over withholding arms shipments to Ukrainesaid in December that Trump had not yet crossed the line justifying impeachment in his second term. Murphy replied cynically, Well, as you know, I would be a juror in an impeachment trial. So I dont generally give advice to the House on whether or not they should impeach. But listen, I have common sense. And so I know that this president has committed 10 times more impeachable offenses in his second term as he did in his first term. Notably, Murphy did not suggest that Trump should be impeached for illegal actions or defiance of the Constitution, or his mobilization of troops and federal agents to invade American cities, let alone acts of mass murder like the air strikes against Venezuela, Yemen or Iran. Instead, he continued, He is stealing from the American people. The amount of corruption that he is involved in, taking a luxury private jet from Qatar, trading national security secrets to a foreign nation in exchange for a $2 billion investment in his cryptocurrency. That is wildly corrupt. This is a transparent evasion. The Democrats do not call for Trumps impeachment, nor do they plan to campaign for it in the 2026 elections, because they want to dampen down the growing popular hostility to this government. They fear that it will develop into an explosive political confrontation that would threaten the foundations of the capitalist system as a whole. The day after the US Trump administrations military invasion of Venezuela and abduction of its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters issued an evasive statement that tacitly supported the illegal takeover. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters [AP Photo/Rick Rycroft] Peters briefly posted on X on January 4 that New Zealand was concerned by and actively monitoring developments in Venezuela and expects all parties to act in accordance with international law. In a thinly veiled endorsement of right-wing opponents of Maduro, Peters added that New Zealand stands with the Venezuelan people in their pursuit of a fair, democratic and prosperous future. This was said after the US military had bombed Venezuela, killing about 100 people as part of its kidnapping operation. Peters did not explain how such actions are consistent with international law and democracy. Approached by NZ media for a higher level comment, Prime Minister Christopher Luxons office simply referred journalists back to Peters tweet. Amid the blanket silence in Wellington, the international situation rapidly escalated with Trump declaring the US would run Venezuela and seize its oil. Peters statement echoed that of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who similarly refused to condemn Washington. Albanese said his government was monitoring developments. He called on all relevant parties to support dialogue and diplomacy, and backed international law and a peaceful, democratic transition in Venezuela that reflected the will of the people. This is said even as the fascists in Washington are abandoning any pretence of adhering to international law, dialogue and diplomacy. Trumps Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller dismissed international niceties and declared the Hitlerian iron lawthat might makes rightnow applied not just to former colonies but even the territories of European powers. As Trump renewed his threats to annex Greenland, a territory of Denmark and a NATO ally of the US, throwing the European Union into crisis, the NZ government remained silentdespite New Zealand having close military-strategic ties with NATO. The Venezuela invasion was a decisive act of US imperialismpart of a broader strategy to reassert dominance in the Western Hemisphere, seize resources and isolate geopolitical rivals, above all China. New Zealands silence is firmly embedded in this global context: it aligns Wellington with Washingtons war preparations against China. Trumps actions have created a crisis for governments internationally: they cannot pretend to be supporting democracy in Taiwan or Ukraine if they openly endorse the blatant criminality of US imperialism in Venezuela. Meanwhile US allies refuse to denounce Washington for fear of the negative ramifications for their long-standing strategic and commercial partnerships, particularly following Trumps use of retaliatory tariffs. At the same time, there is palpable nervousness among the ruling elites in New Zealand about widespread anti-war sentiments in the population, as seen in ongoing protests against the US-Israeli genocide in Gaza. Sections of big business are also concerned about repercussions for New Zealands relationship with China, NZs biggest trading partner. Chinas ambassador to New Zealand, Wang Xiaolong, expressed grave concern over the forcible seizure of Maduro and his wife. 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, he said, later adding in response to Millers declaration that the world is now governed by strength, force and power: All masks now off! The New Zealand opposition Labour Partys associate foreign affairs spokesperson, Phil Twyford, released a statement condemning the Venezuela attack and Maduros kidnapping. He described the Trump administrations threats against Greenland as a fundamental threat to New Zealand values and our place in the world, and where might takes precedence over international law. This is not a statement Labour would have issued if it was in government; in fact it is an utter fraud. Labour fully supports the alliance with US imperialism and preparations for war against China. While Labour was still in the government it supported the genocide by Israel as an act of self-defence. Green Party leader Marama Davidson called on Luxon to show leadership and moral courage and condemn the US attacking Venezuela. Davidson described the attack as pure American imperialism over a region that has some of the worlds largest oil reserves. This is a display of illegal might that has never had the interests of the Venezuelan people at its core. The Greens position, no less than Labours, is completely fraudulent. Davidson falsely boasted that New Zealand has a strong and proud tradition of standing up for the rule of law on the international stage and resolving conflict through peaceful means. In fact, NZ is a minor imperialist power which has always sided with the major powersfirst Britain, now the USto pursue its own predatory neo-colonial interests, particularly in the Pacific. Former Labour Prime Minister and ex-UN official Helen Clark told Radio NZ there was no doubt the attack on Venezuela was illegal under the UN charter, as the US was not acting in self-defence. But like Twyford, Clark was at pains to refuse any defence of Maduro, saying there was a case for him to appear before the International Criminal Court on charges for crimes against humanity, of which she declared there was quite a long list. Clarks own history involved sending NZ military forces to join the criminal US-led occupation of Afghanistan. The Green Party has never challenged this. While posturing as opponents of the Gaza genocide, the party was in the 2017-2023 Labour Party-led government which took no action against Israel. Labours then Prime Minister Chris Hipkins denounced pro-Palestine protests while endorsing Israels right to self-defence. The Greens and Labour both fully support New Zealands alliance with US imperialism, including the war against Russia over Ukraine and militarisation of the Indo-Pacific against China. Labour and the Greens are positioning themselves to head off and derail emerging popular opposition. Moralising about Maduros legitimacy and so-called crimes is already repeated by pseudo-left groups. At a rally in Wellington on Friday, Valerie Morse from Peace Action Wellington told Radio NZ the governments response had been pathetic, but emphasised: We are not in favour of a violent dictatorship, and thats what Maduros regime was. Theres nobody here supporting Maduro. Some corporate media commentators, while nominally opposing the actions of the Trump administration, continue to denounce China, the main target of the relentless US-led warmongering. Robert Patman from Otago University told Stuff that the New Zealand government had run a softly softly approach with the Trump administration, which had proven to be unsuccessful. The problem, he declared, is that it could embolden China to step up its efforts to forcibly reunify, or unify, Taiwan with China. This turns reality on its head. Trumps Western Hemisphere takeover strategy is to further advance US preparations for war against China over Taiwanan agenda that the likes of Patman do not oppose. The positioning of all factions of the ruling establishment highlights their complicity with imperialist aggression. The plunge into world war and fascist barbarism cannot be countered by making moral appeals to the imperialist governments or parties, or to the UN. Such appealsput forward repeatedly by the middle class organisations that have led the Gaza protestshave proven to be completely futile. The only way forward is the mobilisation of the international working class, in opposition to all the capitalist parties and their pseudo-left backers, based on a socialist program to put an end to imperialist war by abolishing the capitalist system which is the source of war. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) government in Sri Lanka and the JVP as a party issued two separate statements on US imperialisms invasion of Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. These two statements expose the hypocrisy and subservience of the JVP and the government it leads to US imperialism. After weeks of mobilising a massive armada, destroying boats and imposing an oil blockade, the US launched military strikes on defence installations in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on January 3 and kidnapped President Maduro and his wife on bogus allegations of drug trafficking. This military aggression, which nakedly violates international law and Venezuelas sovereignty, is openly aimed at seizing control of the countrys oil resources and reimposing colonial domination over Venezuela, Latin America and beyond. The JVP formed in 1966 on the basis of Maoism, Castroism and Sinhala populism to wage the armed struggle has all but abandoned its claims to be Marxist as it integrated itself into the Colombo political establishment in the 1990s. Before coming to power in 2024, the JVP hailed the government of Hugo ChavezMaduros predecessorand later defended the Maduro government itself against US oil embargoes and geopolitical threats. The JVP political bureau did issue a limited statement on January 3 stating that the party strongly condemns the United States of Americas military aggression against the independent and sovereign state of Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. It continued, no powerful country has the right to violate this [sovereignty] principle and that modern society and governance should be more civilised... Democracy, human rights, sovereignty and freedom of states are universally accepted principles. Therefore, military aggression violating these principles cannot be justified under any circumstances. The statement, aimed at appeasing the widespread hostility to the blatant US act of aggression including in the JVPs own social base, was a pro forma declaration that did not refer to the Trump administration and its predatory economic motives, or its wider threats against other governments in Latin America or elsewhere. The following day, however, a cowardly and grovelling official government statement from the Ministry of External Affairs did not even include a token condemnation of the US actions. Its four short paragraphs simply state that it is deeply concerned about the recent developments in Venezuela, without saying what these developments were. It does not name the US or the Trump administration or even refer to the kidnapping of Maduro and his wife. The statement simply declares the need to respect principles of international law and the UN Charter, but without saying who had breached international law. It concludes with, it is important that the United Nations and its organs such as the UN Security Council be seized of the matter and work towards a peaceful resolution. The appeal to the UN is meaningless. The fascist Trump administration has repeatedly insisted that it does not care about international law, UN rules or charters. It has not only threatened Latin American governments and Iran but warned that it will seize Greenland from its NATO ally Denmark by military means if necessary. When asked by journalists whether the governments position was the same as the JVPs, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath declared: No. Political parties have their own views. That is different. The government represents all sides in this countryboth the government and the opposition. It is in that sense that we are making this statement. The governments refusal to reference, let alone condemn, the criminal actions of the Trump administration is not just an act of utter cowardice. The JVP came to power with the backing of important sections of the Sri Lankan ruling class to implement the IMFs savage austerity agenda. JVP leader Dissanayake with US ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung [Photo: US Ambassador Julie Chung Facebook page] Even prior to assuming office, the JVP openly sought closer ties with US imperialism, Western financial institutions and neighbouring India. An openly confrontational statement against Washington would threaten the desperately needed IMF emergency loan negotiated after the country defaulted on foreign debt in 2022. It would also risk opening up fissures within the government itself. The NPP formed by the JVP to whitewash its past record contains representatives of the upper middle class as well as of the countrys powerful military. The government has fully embraced the IMF program, committing itself to deeper austerity, fiscal consolidation, and so-called structural reforms demanded by global lenders, enforcing these attacks directly against workers and the poor. Above all, the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regime knows full well that Washingtons global hegemonic plans are directed primarily against China. Its onslaught on Venezuela is part of these global military plans. The Dissanayake government has maintained and expanded cooperation with the US through defence dialogues, intelligence sharing and participation in US-led Indo-Pacific security frameworks, while pretending to maintain a non-aligned stance. Its response to US aggression against Venezuela is similar to its evasive attitude to the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza. Even as tens of thousands of Palestinians were slaughtered and entire cities reduced to rubble, Colombo limited itself to abstract calls for ceasefires and humanitarian access, avoiding any reference to Israel or its chief sponsor, the US. The statements treated the aggressor and the victim as moral equals, reducing genocide to a conflict requiring restraint on all sides. A similar statement was issued by the Colombo government following the US military strikes on Iran in mid-2025. Again, the JVP/NPP government expressed concern and urged de-escalation while refusing to identify Washington as the aggressor. The JVPs limited condemnation of the US gangsterism in Venezuela, as a party, is a transparent attempt to cover up the JVP-led governments craven subordination to US imperialism. Both President Dissanayake and Foreign Minister Herath are top leaders in the JVP. The JVP/NPP governments response is a warning to workers and youth in Sri Lanka. Those who once believed the JVP represented a break from the pro-imperialist policies of previous bourgeois governments must now confront the reality that it continues the subservience to US imperialism. Its refusal to clearly oppose the genocide in Gaza, US attacks on Iran, or the US assault on Venezuela all point to the same conclusion: the JVP/NPP government and the Sri Lankan capitalist class, tied to international finance capital, are inherently incapable of mounting any genuine opposition to imperialism. This is a powerful confirmation of Leon Trotskys theory of Permanent Revolution, which explains that no faction of the bourgeoisie in countries of a belated capitalist development is capable of carrying out genuinely democratic or anti-imperialist tasks. The task of opposing imperialist war and defending oppressed peoples internationally falls to the working class, armed with a Marxistthat is, Trotskyistperspective to build a unified anti-war movement to advance the struggle for world socialism. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in New York. [AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura] In the first 10 days of his tenure as mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, a Democrat and member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has, in the face of outrageous crimes by the Trump administration, curtailed his criticism of the fascist president and would-be dictator, slandered pro-Palestinian protesters and further strengthened the authority of the New York Police Department (NYPD). Far from opposing the political establishment, Mamdani is working to deepen his integration into the Democratic Party and the capitalist oligarchy it serves. After an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good in her car in Minneapolis on January 7, Mamdani correctly used the term murder to describe the killing. He also added, As ICE attacks our neighbors across America, it is an attack on us all. But what is most significant is what Mamdani did not say: that at the heart of the killing is a brutal and deadly campaign by the Trump administration to establish a dictatorship, one that targets not only immigrant workers, but the democratic rights of all, including native-born citizens. Far from warning the population about the step toward a presidential dictatorship that Goods murder signifies, Mamdani has remained conspicuously silent about its causes and origins, offering no substantive explanation or course of action to stop ICE or the Trump administrations escalating repression. Indeed, Mamdanis brief statement on Goods murder avoided any reference to Trump or the actions of the Trump administration. On Friday, on MS Nows The Briefing with Jen Psaki, when Psaki, Bidens former press secretary, asked him about the feasibility of his universal childcare campaign promise, Mamdani responded, Because we are prioritizing it. We are proving that government can still work for good outcomes and doesnt have to be all terror and chaos like the Trump administration produces. The claim that city government can still work for good outcomes while heavily armed federal police patrol major cities, assaulting and killing at will, is delusional. Its political source lies in the partnership that Mamdani made with Trump in the White House on November 21, where the two pledged to cooperate in addressing the affordability crisis. The Trump administration issued its own provocative statement directed at Mamdani when Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appeared at a press conference the day after the murder of Renee Nicole Good, held at the Customs and Border Protection offices at One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Noem repeated lies about Good and her killing, declaring, Your mayor just said in that statement that he is going to stand with illegal people who have broken our law before hes going to put New York City citizens first. In an interview later in the day, Mamdani responded by saying that he had instructed my NYPD to be very firm about its adherence to the sanctuary city policies, which limit cooperation with ICE, but also allow ICE to act unimpeded in many cases. Mamdani reiterated that his relationship with Trump is honest and productive. The latest accommodation to Trump is of a piece with the phone call Mamdani made to Trump on January 3 after the kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduroa call whose full content has still not been released. According to Mamdani, he told Trump that he opposed the pursuit of regime change and the violation of federal and international law, but offered no concrete plan to oppose these crimes. He told the media, I registered my opposition, I made it clear, and we left it at that. Speaking to Psaki on her January 9 show, Mamdani elaborated that he and Trump are honest and direct about their fundamental disagreements. In fact, Mamdanis entire approach is aimed at concealing what millions already recognize: that Trump is a fascist determined to wage war on the entire world and cannot be reasoned with. Mamdani also joined the ruling-class campaign against pro-Palestinian protesters after demonstrators chanted slogans in support of the Islamist organization Hamas at a rally on Thursday in Queens. Rather than defending their right to free speech, Mamdani initially declared that the chants were wrong and have no place in our city. But Mamdanis statement was too mild and too late for several Democratic politicians and Zionist commentators. They contrasted it unfavorably with the immediate denunciations issued by Governor Kathy Hochul, who responded to footage of the chants by declaring, Hamas is a terrorist organization that calls for the genocide of Jews this type of rhetoric is disgusting, its dangerous. Similar statements came from Mamdanis allies, including Attorney General Letitia James, former Comptroller Brad Lander and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. By Friday evening Mamdani obliged and told the media, As I said earlier today, chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city. We will continue to ensure New Yorkers safety by entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest. In his statements about the protest, Mamdani said nothing about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The protest was held at a synagogue in Queens where a private company was marketing real estate properties in Israel that included Palestinian land in East Jerusalem, which is not a part of Israel under international law. While Mamdani has condemned the use of houses of worship for such purposes in the past, he was silent on this issue Friday. Mamdanis talk of a constitutional right to protest is belied by his first executive actions. On January 1, he rescinded former Mayor Adamss directive limiting protests near houses of worship, issued after a 2025 demonstration at a Manhattan synagogue that was holding a seminar for an organization that promotes Zionist settlements on the West Bank. Yet Mamdanis own second executive order reinstated similar restrictions, aimed at keeping pro-Palestinian protesters away from the very types of events he condemned last week. Mamdani has taken a number of measures aimed at accommodating the police. In his first 10 days in office, the NYPD has been involved in two fatal shootings. In the first, at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital on Thursday night, a police officer shot and killed a man wielding a broken piece of toilet who had barricaded himself in a room with a patient and a security guard. The second occurred in Greenwich Village, where a police officer shot and killed a man driving a vehicle after he drew a fake gun. While Mamdani promised thorough investigations in both cases, he did not question the NYPDs version of the deaths and said: Officers were placed in incredibly difficult and dangerous circumstances. The actions they took, they responded swiftly. Responding to criticisms that he had taken too long to make his statements, Mamdani said: I wanted to make sure that everything that we shared with New Yorkers was the language that we wanted them to know about this. Mamdanis Police Commissioner, Jessica Tisch, a friend of the Trump family and scion of the billionaire Tisch family, had no such concerns. In a statement she said, Officers were engaged in two police-involved shootings, and there is every indication that their actions were nothing short of heroic. After issuing an executive order on January 1 that technically removed the police commissioner from reporting directly to the mayor, rumors circulated in the media that Tisch had been demoted. The Mamdani administration then launched a public relations campaign to reassure the ruling elite that this was not the case. Tisch told the media, I report directly to the Mayor, and the two held a joint news conference in which the police commissioner took center stage while Mamdani played a secondary role. For example, as Politico noted, Tisch reiterated her support for a gang database used by the NYPD. The mayor, who has vowed to dismantle it, declined to weigh in. On Wednesday, Mamdani said he opposed one of Tischs policiesissuing criminal summonses rather than traffic tickets to bicyclists for infractions such as running red lights. However, he declined to simply order Tisch to stop, a power well within his authority, and told the media he is engaged in conversations with the police commissioner. Meanwhile, on January 9, journalists reported on X that the NYPD was making arrests on Canal Street in Lower Manhattan of predominantly immigrant workers who sell watches, jewelry and handbags there. It was the site of a major ICE raid in October, with several West African immigrants seized. A second raid in November by ICE was thwarted by hundreds of protesters who prevented ICE vehicles from leaving a nearby garage. Mamdani issued a statement on X in which he told protesters to obey the law. These workers arrested on Friday by the NYPD are in danger of harassment by ICE and deportation if they appear in court to contest charges. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath in Sri Lanka, Jan. 12, 2026. Wang on Monday made a stopover in Sri Lanka on his way back from a trip to Africa and held a friendly meeting with Herath. (Xinhua/Chen Dongshu) COLOMBO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday made a stopover in Sri Lanka on his way back from a trip to Africa and held a friendly meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China has extended a helping hand to Sri Lanka at the earliest opportunity to cope with the devastating cyclone, and believes the Sri Lankan people will overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes at an early date. Wang said China is willing to enhance exchanges of governance experience with Sri Lanka, expand practical cooperation in various fields, facilitate people-to-people exchanges, further deepen the strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and everlasting friendship between the two countries, and jointly build a China-Sri Lanka community with a shared future. Wang said that in the face of an increasingly complex and volatile international situation, China will firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries, uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and work with like-minded countries to oppose the resurgence of the "law of the jungle," resist all forms of power politics and bullying, and defend multilateralism and international fairness and justice. Wang noted that China appreciates Sri Lanka's long-standing adherence to the one-China principle and is willing to continue supporting Sri Lanka in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions. He added that the two sides can strengthen regional cooperation oriented toward South Asia and jointly promote a more just and equitable global governance system. Herath thanked China for its valuable assistance following the cyclone disaster. He said Sri Lanka regards China as one of its most reliable strategic partners, and is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, deepen cooperation in infrastructure, maritime affairs, tourism, and cultural exchanges, and continuously enhance the Sri Lanka-China strategic cooperative partnership. He reaffirmed Sri Lanka's adherence to the one-China principle, expressed firm support for China's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and said Sri Lanka is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in multilateral affairs to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. DHAKA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Three people were killed and ten others injured on Monday when a train ploughed into a pickup van at a rail crossing in Bangladesh's central Faridpur district, some 101 km away from the capital Dhaka. All the victims were workers from a jute mill, and the deceased, along with the injured, were traveling in the van when the accident happened, SM Rakibul Hasan, a senior official of the Boalmari sub-district in Faridpur, told Xinhua over the phone. NEW DELHI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least two people, including an eight-year-old boy, were killed and several others reported missing early Monday in a devastating fire at a marketplace in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, police said. The two people injured in the incident are undergoing treatment at the hospital. The fire broke out in a building in the old bus stand in the main market in Arki of Solan district, about 38 km west of Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. According to officials, police, State Disaster Response Force, and firefighting teams are searching for the missing persons. The fire has caused significant damage and completely gutted 10 to 15 shops and some houses. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Hi, friends! I'm Crystal, and I write the That Got Dark newsletter, BuzzFeed's weekly roundup of all things creepy, macabre, and horrible AF. And if you looooove this kind of content, you should subscribe !!!!! Here's what the newsletter is covering this week: Warning: Graphic content ahead, including stories of murder. 1. real radioactive material. Thats right. A cute little toy commemorating humanitys newest way to erase entire cities and kill hundreds of thousands of people. So, the other day, it came to my attention that in 1947, Kix cereal offered children an Atomic Bomb ring as a prize. And yes, it containedradioactive material. Thats right. A cute little toy commemorating humanitys newest way to erase entire cities and kill hundreds of thousands of people. Related: People Who Were Kidnapped Are Sharing How They Escaped, And Oh My God According to experts , though, the amount of radiation in the ring wasnt enough to actually cause harm (unless ingested). Kid-tested, mother-approvedand somehow still a bad idea. Anyway, lets get into this weeks other strange nightmares. 2. The story of Lacey Fletcher, a 36-year-old autistic woman from Louisiana, who was found dead in January 2022 after years of extreme neglect. Authorities were called to her parents home after they reported her unresponsive, but when first responders arrived, they determined she had already died. Fox 26 Houston / Via youtube.com Investigators believe Lacey had been left sitting on a couch for an estimated 12 years. She was found partially fused to the sofa, severely malnourished, and suffering from extensive, untreated medical conditions. Her death was ruled sepsis caused by prolonged immobility, malnutrition, and untreated infections. Fox 26 Houston / Via youtube.com Advertisement Advertisement Her parents were initially charged with second-degree murder, though the charges were later dropped as part of a plea deal, sparking widespread outrage and questions about how such long-term neglect went unnoticed. Fox 26 Houston / Via youtube.com Shoutout to That Got Dark reader Andrea Ives who shared this story with us! 3. The eerie missing persons story of Jennifer Kesse , a 24-year-old woman who disappeared from Orlando, Florida, on Jan. 24, 2006. 10 Tampa Bay / Via youtube.com Related: People Are Sharing The Innocent Questions That Are Actually Really Insulting, And I Implore You To Take A Look At These So You Dont Offend Someone In The Future She was last seen leaving her condominium complex for work but never arrived at her destination. Her car was later found parked about a mile away at a nearby apartment complex. 10 Tampa Bay / Via youtube.com Surveillance footage from the complex showed a person of interest exiting Jennifers car and walking away. But in an incredibly eerie coincidence, the persons face was blocked by fence posts in every single frame of the video, making them impossible to identify. Despite years of investigation and national attention, no trace of Jennifer has ever been found. 10 Tampa Bay / Via youtube.com Advertisement Advertisement 4. This creepy Wikipedia page about Bloody Bones , a centuries-old bogeyman from British and American folklore that parents used to scare kids into behaving. Daniel Eskridge / Alamy Depending on the story, he would hide in wells, ponds, cupboards, or under the stairs, waiting to grab children who wandered too close. In some Southern versions, another creature named Rawhead and Bloody Bones are described as two connected beings that steal kids and make sure they dont come back. TL;DR, hes the reason looking into dark places has never felt like a great idea. Related: Ex-Inmates And People In Corrections Are Sharing The Things About Prison That Most People Dont Know 5. This person's freaky story about growing up next to a sex cult: "I grew up next door to the highest-ranking female members of the NXIVM cult. The oldest daughter, Lauren, babysat for my sister and me on a few occasions while she was a teenager and prior to the cult being established. But when I was a teenager, some of the neighbors and I started becoming suspicious. I told my parents I thought that the people next door were in a cult, but they laughed it off, thinking it was teenage dramatics. About 15 years later, the FBI showed up, and it was all exposed!" Amy Luke / Getty Images Submitted by Anonymous, Clifton Park, NY Presenting itself as a multi-level marketing organization that "offers personal and professional development" seminars, NXIVM is generally believed to have been a front for a sex cult that was founded by convicted sex trafficker Keith Raniere. Some of the cult's members included heiresses, powerful CEOs, and even Hollywood actors, such as Allison Mack, Grace Park, and Kristin Kreuk, among many others. HBO released a popular docuseries in 2020 called The Vow that delved into NXIVM's shady practices via former members. Jemal Countess / Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement 6. Finally, the story of John Joubert , an American serial killer responsible for the murders of three boys in Nebraska and Maine between 1982 and 1983. KETV NewsWatch 7 / Via youtube.com A former Air Force airman, Joubert stalked and killed his victims using knives and ligatures. He was arrested after the murder of 13-year-old Danny Joe Eberle in Omaha, when police matched tire tracks and fibers to Jouberts vehicle and home. He later confessed to two additional murders committed years earlier. KETV NewsWatch 7 / Via youtube.com Related: Only 2% Of Americans Can Name All 50 States So If You Score Higher Than 67% On This Quiz, You're A Geography Expert Joubert was convicted and sentenced to death, and in 1996, was executed by electric chair. His last meal: Pizza with green pepper and onions, strawberry cheesecake, and Coca-Cola. Crystal Ro / BuzzFeed Advertisement Advertisement Do you have a dark or shocking story you want to share? Perhaps theres a strange Wikipedia page you want to talk about? Tell me all about it at thatgotdark@buzzfeed.com, and who knows, maybe itll be featured in a future edition of That Got Dark! Also in BuzzFeed: 51 Absolutely Fascinating Photos I Can Almost Guarantee You've Never Seen Before Also in BuzzFeed: Take This Quiz And Well Reveal Which Fictional Beauty Icon You Are Based On Your Makeup Style Also in BuzzFeed: If You Can Name At Least 7 Of These Plants, Congrats! You Know More Than The Average Person Read it on BuzzFeed.com NEED TO KNOW 19-year-old influencer Isabel Veluso has died at the age of 19 at Hospital Erasto Gaertner in Curitiba, Brazil The teen shared in 2021 that she had been diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma In October 2025, an open letter Veluso had written to her baby son Arthur in which she promised him, "I will be back," went viral Influencer Isabel Veloso has died after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was 19. Veloso was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in 2021. She died at Hospital Erasto Gaertner in Curitiba, Brazil, on Saturday, Jan. 10, the Brazilian outlet Mix Vale reported. Veloso had been hospitalized since November 2025. Advertisement Advertisement The influencer had been detailing her cancer journey in candid videos and photos shared on her Instagram, which has 4 million followers. Velosos death comes after an open letter written to her 1-year-old son, Arthur, went viral in October 2025 on social media. She had shared the letter while she was separated from him because she was undergoing a bone marrow transplant. In the letter, translated from Portuguese, Veloso told her son that she didnt walk away and that I will be back, while sharing a sweet photo of her and her baby boy laughing together at home. Isabel Veloso/Instagram Isabel Veloso with her son Arthur and husband Lucas Borbas Isabel Veloso with her son Arthur and husband Lucas Borbas Hey there, my love, Veloso began the letter. Mom is not with you right now, and I know you feel it And that smell you are looking for in the air is not yet there but I want to tell you something: I didn't walk away. I am here through it all. Advertisement Advertisement In your pillow, in your favorite toy, in the sounds the house makes when you wake up, the mom-of-one continued. And mainly ... I am inside the reason that got me up one more time: you, my love. Veloso explained to her son that mom is in a place that takes care of the body, and that she hopes to see him again soon. I will be strong again. To carry you over. To run with you in the park. To see you growing, smiling, sleeping peacefully. And I will be back. It will take a little while, but I'll be back, she wrote. With the same heart the same love, with a hug everything that this longing has done. Veloso reminded her son in the letter that mom is listening from wherever she is and that you were never alone, adding finally, I promise I'll be back soon. 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. Veloso welcomed her son, Arthur, with her husband, Lucas Borbas, in December 2024. The couple announced on social media that they were expecting their first child in August 2024, eight months after Veloso learned of her terminal cancer diagnosis. Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, the teenager had chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant before she was given the all clear. Velosos cancer, however, returned three months later with a 6.6-inch tumor in her lungs, per The Daily Mail. Read the original article on People Danny Ramirez is enjoying quality time with girlfriend Jessica Alba and he wants the world to know it. The actor, 33, took to Instagram on Sunday, January 11, to share multiple loved-up selfies with Alba, 44, as the couple soaked up the sun on a white sand beach and ventured on a night out together. One snap showed the Honey actress planting an open-mouth kiss on Ramirezs cheek as he flashed a broad grin with his eyes closed. Another photo showed the Top Gun: Maverick actor pressing up against Alba as he snapped a beachfront selfie with her, while a third image captured by Ramirez showed the duo laughing together. Advertisement Advertisement Alba showed her approval for the post, sharing a heart-eyed and two red heart emojis in its comments section. Danny Ramirez Cozies Up to Jessica Alba in New Selfies After Confirming Their Romance The carousel comes one week after Us Weekly exclusively revealed that Alba and Ramirez escaped on a romantic getaway to Mexicos Cabo San Lucas over the new year. An eyewitness spotted the pair at the citys airport on January 3, sharing that they were super touchy feely with each other. The insider also said that Alba was constantly putting her arms around Ramirez. There was a lot of PDA, the source said at the time, adding that for his part, Ramirez appeared very chivalrous while holding both his and her luggage. Courtesy of Danny Ramirez/Instagram Ramirez began dating Alba last year after she split from Cash Warren following 16 years of marriage. The new couple sparked romance rumors after they were spotted returning from another Mexico vacation in July 2025, with Us confirming at the time that their friendship had evolved into something more. (Alba announced her separation from Warren, 47, in January that year and filed for divorce one month later.) Advertisement Advertisement Alba and Ramirez were subsequently spotted on various outings together before making their red carpet debut as a couple in October 2025 while celebrating the world premiere of Valentina at the Mill Valley Film Festival. Alba went Instagram official with Ramirez later that month when she shared a photo of them holding hands while exploring beaches in Australias Byron Bay. The public confirmation arrived on the back of photos obtained by the Daily Mail that captured Ramirez kissing Alba while walking down a Gold Coast, Australia, beach. Jessica Alba and Danny Ramirezs Relationship Timeline: A Look at Their PDA-Packed Romance So Far For Ramirezs part, he hard-launched the relationship one month later. Taking to Instagram in November, the actor shared selfies with Alba snapped at the Baby2Baby Gala in Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement Warren, who shares three children, Honor, 17, Haven, 14, and Hayes, 8, with Alba, publicly reflected on a tumultuous year that brought positive change by the end of 2025. Taking to Instagram on December 31, Warren wrote of the previous year, You started out as the year I wanted to forget, but so damn thankful you grew into the year Ill always remember. From my day 1s to my new-news I am so grateful. Thanks for extending your hands to help me get back on my feet. Happy New Year. While Warren remains single, the entrepreneur was photographed holding hands with actress and model Hana Sun Doerr last summer. New details have emerged about the sudden death of Victoria Jones, 34, the daughter of actor Tommy Lee Jones. According to court records, Jones was facing multiple misdemeanor charges, including public intoxication, at the time of her tragic death. Jones was found dead Jan. 1 inside the Fairmont San Francisco. Authorities have said her death is believed to be the result of a drug overdose, though the investigation remains ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital show that Jones was arrested May 14, 2025, in Santa Cruz, California, and charged with public intoxication and resisting a police officer. She was scheduled to appear for a pretrial conference on Jan. 27. On the night of her death on Jan. 1, emergency responders were dispatched to the Fairmont San Francisco at approximately 2:52 a.m. following a report of a medical emergency, according to the San Francisco Fire Department. Japan Tokyo Film Festival A hotel guest alerted staff after noticing Jones appeared impaired, according to the Daily Mail. Paramedics arrived at the scene and pronounced an individual dead. The department did not publicly identify the deceased. Advertisement Advertisement Audio from the 911 call, obtained by People, classified the incident as a code 3 for the overdose, color change. The case remains under investigation by police and the San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Following the discovery, Tommy Lee Jones issued a statement thanking supporters for their condolences. We appreciate all of the kind words, thoughts, and prayers. Please respect our privacy during this difficult time. Thank you. The statement was signed, The Family of Victoria Kafka Jones. Officials said there were no immediate signs of foul play as they seek the publics help in determining how she came to be on the 14th floor of the Fairmont. Advertisement Advertisement However, questions remain about the circumstances leading up to her death. Japan Tokyo Film Festival As investigators work to piece together what happened, attention has shifted to Jones final hours as well as her life and relationship with her father. Victoria was the daughter of Tommy Lee Jones and his second wife, Kimberlea Cloughley, whom the actor was married to from 1981 to 1996. She began acting at a young age, appearing in films alongside her father. Jones daughter made her film debut in 2002 with a brief appearance in her fathers movie Men in Black II. She later took on several small roles as a child actor, including an episode of One Tree Hill in 2005 and a part that same year in the Western The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, which was directed by her father. Advertisement Advertisement While she did not continue acting into adulthood, she occasionally appeared alongside Jones at public events. In 2017, she joined him on the red carpet at the ArcLight Hollywood for the premiere of Just Getting Started, which also starred Morgan Freeman and Rene Russo. Read the original article on silive.com. Melissa Gilbert has deactivated her Instagram account following the issuance of an arrest warrant for her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, on child sex abuse allegations, according to PEOPLE. Gilberts Instagram page became inactive as of Jan. 11, PEOPLE reported. Users attempting to view the account now see a message indicating the profile is no longer available. According to the arrest warrant, Busfield, 68, is accused of engaging in unlawful sexual conduct with two 11-year-old twin boys. One of the minors alleged the incidents began when he was 7 years old. The boys mother filed a police report in October 2025, stating that her children disclosed the alleged abuse occurred between approximately November 2022 and spring 2024, NBC News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Albuquerque police launched an investigation in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted authorities, according to the warrant. The boys parents told police that their sons were child actors who met Busfield while working on the Fox series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield served as a director. Professionals at the hospital suggested the boys were groomed, according to statements cited in the warrant. The warrant further alleges that Busfield told police the parents were upset because their sons had been replaced by a younger actor who auditioned for the role, according to PEOPLE. Busfield later received a call from Warner Bros., which informed him it was investigating a complaint, the warrant states. Busfield has not been convicted of any crime, and the allegations outlined in the warrant have not been proven in court. Advertisement Advertisement Gilbert and Busfield married in 2013. In April, Gilbert shared an anniversary post on Instagram describing Busfield as my favorite person, who has my favorite face and my favorite soul. Read the original article on cleveland.com. Melissa Gilbert has fled social media following the news that her husband, Timothy Busfield, is facing arrest for child sex abuse charges. The Little House on the Prairie actress, 61, no longer has active accounts on Instagram and Threads. The link to her Instagram account now shows a message that reads, Profile isnt available. The link may be broken, or the profile may have been removed. Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield attend the Nymphes DOr Golden Nymphs nominees party in 2023. Corbis via Getty Images Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield attend The Butcher Boy opening night in NYC in 2022. Getty Images However, Gilberts Instagram account for her lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie, is still up and running. Advertisement Advertisement The account posted a video on Saturday of Gilbert making a snow angel, with a motivational message in the caption. Saturdays call: look for a sign and when you find fresh snow, you make one, the caption began. Todays reminder is simple: do what matters step outside, laugh a little louder, and make space for joy, the message continued. Because sometimes the most grown-up thing we can do is drop into the moment and make snow angels like nobodys watching. The Post has reached out to Gilbert and Busfields reps for comment. Melissa Gilbert lying in the snow. officialmodernprairie/Instagram An arrest warrant released Friday revealed that Busfield, 68, is wanted in New Mexico on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. Advertisement Advertisement The Albuquerque Police Department alleged that the West Wing alum engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with a pair of 11-year-old twins while directing the Fox show The Cleaning Lady in 2024. Busfield, who worked on the program from 2022 to 2025 as a director, allegedly grew closer to the boys during their time shooting the show, according to the warrant. Timothy Busfield attends Chiller Theatre Expo Spring 2022 in New Jersey. Getty Images Timothy Busfield at the For Life New York premiere in 2020. ABC via Getty Images He allegedly told the kids to call him Uncle Tim and tickled them on their stomachs and legs, per the arrest warrant. The doc states Busfield spoke to detectives on the phone about the allegations in November 2025 and said it was highly likely that he had physical contact with the boys. Follow The Posts coverage on Timothy Busfield I dont remember those boys, he also said, according to the affidavit. No, I dont. I dont actually, I dont remember it, if it happened. I dont remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldnt be uncommon for me. Advertisement Advertisement Gilbert, who has been married to Busfield since 2013, allegedly listened in on her husbands call with investigators via speaker phone, according to the affidavit. Gilbert is not accused of any wrongdoing. Its unclear if Busfield has been booked as of Monday morning. Melissa Gilbert and Timothy Busfield attend the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival in 2023. Getty Images Melissa Gilbert hugging her husband Timothy Busfield at the 62nd Monte Carlo TV Festival. Getty Images Six months before the arrest warrant came out, Gilbert shared the secret to the couples long-lasting marriage on Jennie Garths I Choose Me podcast. I think its part and parcel of the fact that its a partnership, that we do everything with the other one in mind, and we are very considerate of one another and we respect each other immensely, she said during the July 2025 episode. And so there are no decisions that are made singularly. Advertisement Advertisement Everything is discussed, shared, and theres so much comfort in that, and its so much gentler and easier, Gilbert added. I mean, you know, we all have our moments, but theyre so few and far between with both of us. Even our arguments are constructive. Melissa Gilbert was seen during a segment of Good Day New York in February 2025. Getty Images Timothy Busfield and Melissa Gilbert pose for a portrait in February 2019. Getty Images During a 2023 interview with People, Gilbert opened up about her and Busfields joyous roles as grandparents. Its absolutely heavenly because I have, as a grandparent, Im going to speak for both of us. As grandparents, Tim and I can relax in the knowledge that weve done all of this, so theres no stress, she shared. Im not stressed at all, Gilbert added. Were both really relaxed with them, and we can just play and have fun and give them back. Sarah Ferguson is preparing to leave Royal Lodge, the Windsor property that has been her home for more than two decades. However, according to sources, the former Duchess of York is seriously weighing up her option to move to Australia. She is torn between leaving the UK and staying close to her beloved family, especially her daughters and grandkids. Sarah Ferguson torn between leaving the UK and staying close to family, says source After her ex-husband, former Prince Andrew, was asked to vacate his Royal Lodge along with Sarah Ferguson, she has been seriously considering moving to Australia to be with her older sister, Jane Ferguson Luedecke. A royal expert revealed to RadarOnline.com, Sarah has always had a fondness for the country, and there is a sense she might encounter a warmer reception there than in Britain right now. Even other sources cited that Australia represents a chance to step outside that narrative, regain a degree of privacy and live without constant examination. Advertisement Advertisement However, Fergusons move might not be that easy due to her close relationship with her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, and with her grandchildren. As a result, she feels torn. An insider noted, the 66-year-old British authors identity now is bound up with her daughters and grandchildren, and the idea of putting an ocean between them is genuinely painful. As per the tipster, she is well aware of the cost of distance from her family and does not take it lightly. However, she also understands that protecting her own wellbeing has to come first if she is to get through this. But as of now, Sarah Ferguson is in Britain, contemplating her decision as status and trappings are no longer the point. She now wants a place where she can exist quietly, without feeling pursued by old controversies, added the source. Originally reported by Parul Singh on Reality Tea. The post Sarah Fergusons Painful UK Exit Could Distance Her From Family Source appeared first on Mandatory. Juried award winners of the 37th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival were announced Sunday, Jan. 11, with Oliver Laxe's "Sirat" winning the FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Feature Film. "Sirat" is Spain's official submission to the Academy Awards' best international feature film category. The film follows a father and son who arrive at a rave deep in the Moroccan mountains searching for their loved one. The festival screened 178 films from 72 countries and territories, including 53 premieres. Screenings conclude Monday, Jan. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Here is the full list of winners. FIPRESCI Prize A still from Oliver Laxe's "Sirat." A special jury of international film critics reviewed 44 of the official submissions for the Academy Awards International Feature Film category that were selected to screen at this years Festival. FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Feature Film: "Sirat" (Spain), director Oliver Laxe FIPRESCI Prize for Best International First Feature Film: "Happy Birthday" (Egypt), director Sarah Goher FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Screenplay: "Sentimental Value" (Norway), director Joachim Trier FIPRESCI Prize for the Best Actress in an International Feature Film: Nina Ye, Janel Tsai, Shi-yuan Ma "Left-Handed Girl" (Taiwan), director Shih-Ching Tsou FIPRESCI Prize for Best Actor in an International Feature Film: Milan Ondrik - "Father" (Slovakia), Director Tereza Nvotova Best Documentary Award The Documentary Award is presented to the director for the most compelling non-fiction filmmaking from among those selected to screen at the festival. Advertisement Advertisement Best Documentary Award: "Natchez" (USA), director Suzannah Herbert Best Documentary Award special mention: "Yanuni" (Austria), director Richard Ladkani New Voices New Vision Award The New Voices New Visions Award focuses on films that the festival programming team felt represent the most distinctive new directors who have emerged in the last year. New Voices New Visions Award: "3670" (South Korea), director Joonho Park New Voices New Visions special mention: "Deaf" (Spain), Director Eva Libertad Ibero-American Award The Ibero-American Award is presented to the best film from Latin America, Spain or Portugal selected to screen at the festival. Advertisement Advertisement Ibero-American Award: "Runa Simi" (Peru), director Augusto Zegarra Ibero-American special mention: "It Would Be Night in Caracas" (Mexico/Venezuela), directors Mariana Rondon and Marite Ugas Desert Views Award Awarded by the Desert Views Jury made up of locals to a film that, in the spirit of neighborliness, promotes understanding and acceptance among people. Desert Views Award: "Beloved Tropic" (Panama), director Ana Endara Young Cineastes Award The Young Cineastes jury is composed of high school students with a passion for cinema. Young Cineastes Award winner: "Remaining Native" (USA), director Paige Bethmann Advertisement Advertisement Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 'Sirat,' 'Sentimental Value' win awards at Palm Springs Film Festival Editors Note: This review was originally published during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Cineverse releases A Useful Ghost in U.S. theaters Friday, January 16, 2026. Rich, complex films that can be crassly oversimplified because of a sex scene between a human and a machine have had a great run at Cannes in recent years. Now, Ratchapoom Boonbunchachokes directorial debut A Useful Ghost is ready to join the canon of one of the nichest arthouse subgenres of the 2020s. More from IndieWire Advertisement Advertisement Much like Titane before it, the early discourse around A Useful Ghost might revolve around an intimate love scene between a Thai man and a Shop-Vac thats possessed by the ghost of his late wife. (Ill spare everyone the details, but I imagine the logistics will be easy for many of you to visualize.) But like Julia Ducournau, Boonbunchachoke has made a darkly hilarious film that deserves to be remembered for much more than its shock value. A Useful Ghost begins with a real contender for the best opening line of this years festival: Mere particles of dust in the air changed my ladyboy life forever. Its a fittingly funny launch to a film that revolves around the physical and spiritual dangers of dust particles. March (Witsarut Himmarat) runs a successful vacuum cleaner factory in Thailand. Its a largely uneventful life, save for the occasional encounters with ghosts that haunt his place of business. But everything changes when his beautiful, loving wife Nat (Davika Hoorne) dies after being poisoned by dust in his factory. The backbone of Marchs young family and an incredible mother to their son Dot, Nat is gone but not forgotten. And shes not even gone for that long. She soon returns as a ghost and assumes the body of one of Marchs vacuums. The husband and wife resume their emotional and carnal relationship, but its clear she came back for a very specific reason: to clean the factory and prevent her child from being exposed to the particles that killed her. But her arrival poses a major emotional roadblock to Marchs traditional family, who are jaded from a bad experience when a dead employee returned as a vacuum and threw a metaphorical wrench into their business. Plus, theyve barely been able to wrap their minds around the fact that his older brother is gay. Welcoming a human-vacuum relationship into the family is a tougher proposition. A Useful Ghost masterfully blends deadpan lines like Im less worried about the fever than the fact that he made out with a vacuum cleaner with a sincere story about the invisible workers we choose to ignore and love that doesnt waver in the face of family disapproval. The hardest challenge for films with such unique premises that have genuine heart behind them is often creating an internal set of rules thats plausible enough to generate immediate buy-in from audiences. Transcending novelty is only possible when you convince us to stop saying wow, thats so weird and begin genuinely investing in the characters. Advertisement Advertisement Boonbunchachoke does an immaculate job of threading that needle by quickly establishing the way appliances who can recall their past lives are treated in this world. Being reincarnated as a vacuum cleaner is a rare, but not shocking occurrence in this familys life. And given that theyve already faced one major business setback caused by a sentient vacuum, any feelings of curiosity that you or I might experience in such a situation are immediately replaced with annoyance at the inconvenience. Its their apathy towards the fantastical situation that allows their humanity to take center stage. The magical realism is also cleverly woven into the ways of thinking that dominate traditional Eastern culture. The love for March that brings a reincarnated Nan back to the factory and the genuine happiness (not to mention sexual satisfaction) that she still brings him are an afterthought to a family that is primarily focused on selfless duty and sacrifice in the pursuit of maintaining the family image. That bittersweet tension between love and tradition provides the films emotional core as well as its very title, as Nan tries to endear herself to her former in-laws and differentiate herself from other ghosts by providing a sense of utility. As the family hesitates to accept her even with her mission to make the factory safer, the sincerity of everyones principles faces a genuine test. Due to both its status as one of the highest profile Thai films to debut at Cannes in years and its unconventional reincarnation story, A Useful Ghost is bound to elicit some comparisons to the work of Apichatpong Weerasethakul. Its far from a perfect analogy, as A Useful Ghost moves at a pace thats damn near brisk when compared to Weerasethakuls meditative works. But hopefully Boonbunchachoke and the film community at large can look past the specifics and appreciate the invocation for what it really means: a phenomenal new filmmaker has arrived from Thailand, and international festivalgoers should expect to enjoy his works for years to come. Grade: B+ A Useful Ghost premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Cineverse releases the film in January 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Want to stay up to date on IndieWires film reviews and critical thoughts? Subscribe here to our newly launched newsletter, In Review by David Ehrlich, in which our Chief Film Critic and Head Reviews Editor rounds up the best new reviews and streaming picks along with some exclusive musings all only available to subscribers. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Every episode of "Friends" acted as a portal to a comforting alternate reality, one where the characters always ate breakfast together and rent in New York was actually affordable. And as anyone who has ever watched the show has their favorite episodes, so too do the series' creators. Marta Kauffman and David Crane spoke with Glamour back in 2016 and revealed their own personal favorite episodes from the long-running NBC series, which went off the air back in 2004 but has remained ubiquitous ever since. Kauffman, who told the outlet picking favorite episodes was like trying to pick a favorite child, said she had a soft spot for any episode that featured someone giving birth. "I think that must be a mother thing," she said. "Friends" certainly had its fair share of births, from Lisa Kudrow's Phoebe acting as a surrogate for her brother Frank Jr. (Giovanni Ribisi) and his wife Alice (Debra Jo Rupp) to Jennifer Aniston's Rachel delivering her and Ross' (David Schwimmer) baby, Emma. The show's tenth and final season also featured the birth of Chandler (the late Matthew Perry) and Monica's (Courteney Cox) baby via their own surrogate, Erica (Anna Faris). When Kauffman spoke with Vulture in 2020, she made a definitive choice, pointing to Season 4's "The One With the Embryos" as her ultimate "Friends" episode. "That, for me, really says it all," she said. Co-written by Jill Condon and Amy Toomin, it saw Rachel and Monica face off against Chandler and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) in a game of trivia that resulted in the boys winning the girls' apartment. Meanwhile, Phoebe announced her pregnancy after a successful embryo implant. "It had heart, it was funny, it was emotional," Kauffman explained. "That, for me, is one of the iconic episodes." Crane, however, preferred a different type of episode. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The 15 Worst Episodes Of Friends Ranked David Crane has a soft spot for the Friends Thanksgiving episodes Courteney Cox's Monica Gellar wears a turkey on here head as Matthew Perry's Chandler Bing watches in Friends - NBC Asked by Glamour about his favorite "Friends" installment, co-creator David Crane highlighted the Thanksgiving episodes. "For some reason, everyone just stepped up," he explained. "I mean, the one with Brad Pitt and the one with the flashback... those have a special place in my heart." It makes sense that Crane would choose the holiday-themed episodes as his faves, since they contained some major "Friends" moments. Season 5's "The One with All the Thanksgivings," written by Gregory S. Malins, saw the gang reminiscing about Thanksgivings past, specifically their worst ever experiences of the holiday. During the episode, we learn the Monica accidentally cut off Chandler's toe, leading him to storm out. She then dons the Thanksgiving turkey and dances to cheer him up in a classic scene that ends with Chandler admitting he loves her. Like "The One with the Embryos," "The One with All the Thanksgivings" had both heart and humor, making it a standout and propelling it to the top of TVLine's own list of the best "Friends" Thanksgiving episodes. Season 8, episode 9, "The One With the Rumor," saw Jennifer Aniston's then-husband Brad Pitt join the group for Thanksgiving as Will Colbert, an old school friend of Monica and Ross' who harbors a grudge against Rachel for bullying him. Though the titular rumor is one aspect of the series that hasn't aged all that well Will revealed that he and Ross told people in high school that Rachel was born with both male and female reproductive parts Pitt was one of the show's biggest guest stars. The episode is memorable for his presence alone ... and for Joey eating an entire turkey by himself while wearing Phoebe's maternity clothes. Enjoyed this article? Sign up to TVLine's free newsletter, and add us as a preferred search source for the latest in TV, streaming and movie news. Read the original article on TVLine. JAKARTA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia said that Indonesia will stop importing diesel fuel for private gas stations starting in 2026, following the expansion of domestic refining capacity. "Starting this year, I will no longer issue permits for diesel imports. From this year onward, there will be no more diesel import permits," Bahlil was quoted as saying by local media on Monday. He said the suspension of diesel imports will also apply to private fuel filling stations. Any diesel cargoes still arriving in Indonesia in January or February would be part of the remaining imports approved in 2025, he added. "But this year, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, on the order of President Prabowo Subianto, because we already have refineries in place, will no longer issue import permits," Bahlil said. The refinery referred to is the Refinery Development Master Plan project at Refinery Unit V in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. The project enables the refinery to process up to 360,000 barrels per day, equivalent to about 22-25 percent of national fuel demand. Anthony Bourdain was a cult personality, a sardonic wordsmith, and a beloved chef turned author turned television host in which he explored the cultures, and foods, of the world. But beneath his affable, yet crabby, on-screen persona, there was a darkness. And when he died at his own hands in 2018, the world mourned. He left behind a family, a young daughter, and a legacy. I often go back and watch old episodes of Parts Unknown and No Reservations they still hit, infused with Tonys signature wit, all these years later. One episode recently reappeared on my feed: Tonys trip to Liberia where, during his time exploring the West African nation, he had a surf lesson from the countrys first-ever surfer, Alfred Lomax, a force in forging the countrys blossoming wave-riding community. At the time, Tony, admittedly, was not in the best shape of his life. This was before he found jiu jitsu, and took a turn with his fitness. And so, the surf session was physically taxing for the lifelong New Yorker. But he gave it a shot, regardless, and narrated his futile attempt at catching a wave in his classic self-deprecating nature. Related: First Look at Pharrell Williams Surfing His $350M Wave Pool (Video) This, of course, was a very, very bad idea, Tony narrates as he paddles out. I cant even summon the strength needed to paddle out. Im dead on my board. You may as well have strapped Jimmy Hoffa to this thing; hed be far more animated and graceful. As I see it, the fact that I didnt cough yellow bile onto my board was a big win. Advertisement Advertisement Tony attempted to catch, what looked like, just about one wave before calling it quits. His position was off; he paddled breath stroke as the wave crashed behind him, sending him floundering in the whitewater. But that was Tony: always game, down for whatever. Related: The Story Of The Robertsport Surf Club & A Guide To Surfing In Liberia Rest in peace, Tony. We miss you. Check out the full clip of the surf session below. This story was originally published by Surfer on Jan 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Surfer as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Travel marketing has perfected the art of the bait-and-switch, luring budget-conscious travelers with promises of affordable adventures that quickly transform into financial nightmares. Recent analysis of traveler spending data reveals how seemingly budget-friendly destinations deploy hidden costs, forced upgrades, and tourist-specific pricing to extract far more money than advertised. Here are the destinations where "affordable" becomes anything but. Bali, Indonesia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Marketed as a budget backpacker paradise, Bali's reality involves mandatory tourist visas, inflated foreigner pricing, and infrastructure that forces expensive workarounds. The famous $5 daily budget applies only if you're willing to stay in questionable accommodations far from main attractions and eat exclusively at local warungs. Transportation costs skyrocket due to traffic congestion and tourist-targeted pricing, while popular areas like Canggu and Seminyak charge Western prices for accommodation and dining. Goa, India India's party state attracts budget travelers with promises of cheap beach living, but the reality involves significant hidden costs. Alcohol prices rival European levels due to heavy taxation, while beachfront accommodation carries premium pricing during peak season. Advertisement Advertisement Transportation between beaches requires expensive taxis or risky motorbike rentals, and the constant need for bottled water, Western food, and medical precautions adds substantial daily expenses. Thailand (Tourist Areas) Image Credit: Shutterstock. While rural Thailand remains genuinely affordable, popular destinations like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, and parts of Bangkok now charge near-European prices. The dual-pricing system means foreigners pay significantly more for everything from national park entries to transportation. Tourist-area restaurants charge 300-500% more than local establishments, while accommodation during peak season can exceed costs in many European cities. Morocco (Tourist Routes) Image Credit : Shutterstock. Morocco's reputation for budget travel dissolves quickly on the established tourist circuit. Marrakech's riads charge boutique hotel prices, while the constant pressure for guides, tips, and "tourist taxes" creates unexpected expenses. Advertisement Advertisement Transportation between major cities costs far more than advertised due to tourist-specific pricing, and the aggressive haggling culture often results in visitors paying inflated prices despite extensive negotiation. Vietnam (Major Cities) Image Credit: Shutterstock. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have embraced tourist pricing that contradicts Vietnam's budget reputation. Hotels in tourist areas charge Western rates, while restaurants catering to foreigners cost 5-10 times more than local establishments. The famous street food requires careful selection to avoid tourist-priced vendors, and transportation apps often include significant foreigner surcharges. Nepal Image Credit: Shutterstock. Trekking in the Himalayas involves numerous hidden costs beyond the advertised permit fees. Required guides, porters, and safety equipment quickly escalate expenses, while mountain accommodation and food prices increase dramatically with altitude. Advertisement Advertisement Flight delays and cancellations to mountain airports often require expensive charter alternatives, and proper gear rental or purchase costs significantly more than budget calculations suggest. Cambodia Image Credit: Shutterstock. Angkor Wat's temple passes represent just the beginning of Cambodia's tourist costs. Siem Reap accommodation and dining prices approach regional capital levels, while transportation throughout the country relies on tourist-specific services charging premium rates. The dual currency system (USD/Riel) often works against travelers, and infrastructure limitations force expensive private transportation for most attractions. Egypt Image Credit: Shutterstock While accommodation and food can be cheap, Egypt's tourist economy operates on aggressive upselling and hidden fees. Pyramid and museum entries require multiple expensive add-ons for meaningful access, while transportation involves constant negotiation and tourist surcharges. Advertisement Advertisement The pressure for guides, tips, and "special access" fees creates daily unexpected expenses, and the need for bottled water and Western amenities adds significant costs. Bolivia Image Credit: Shutterstock. South America's cheapest country becomes expensive when factoring in safety and comfort requirements. La Paz's high altitude often necessitates immediate medical attention or expensive oxygen treatments, while tourist-standard accommodation costs significantly more than basic hostels. Transportation to major attractions like Salar de Uyuni requires expensive tour packages, and the country's infrastructure limitations force costly private arrangements. Guatemala Image Credit: Shutterstock. Central America's budget reputation dissolves in Guatemala's tourist areas, where shuttle transportation, tourist police taxes, and foreigner pricing inflate costs. Antigua's colonial charm comes with boutique pricing, while accessing attractions like Tikal requires expensive domestic flights or lengthy overland journeys. Advertisement Advertisement Safety concerns often necessitate private transportation and higher-end accommodation. Philippines (Tourist Islands) Image Credit: Shutterstock. Island-hopping costs escalate quickly through boat transfers, environmental fees, and resort monopolies on popular destinations. Palawan and Boracay charge near-international rates for accommodation and dining, while transportation between islands involves expensive flights or lengthy ferry journeys. The archipelago's geography naturally creates captive markets with inflated pricing. India (Golden Triangle) Image Credit: mikecphoto / Shutterstock. Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur have perfected the art of tourist extraction through guide requirements, monument surcharges, and dual pricing systems. The Taj Mahal experience alone involves multiple fees beyond basic admission, while transportation requires constant negotiation to avoid extreme overcharging. Tourist-area accommodation and dining approach Western prices despite the country's overall affordability. Sri Lanka Image Credit: Shutterstock. The island's post-conflict tourism boom has created inflated expectations and pricing in popular areas. Colombo and Kandy charge boutique rates for tourist accommodation, while transportation costs escalate through tourist-specific pricing and fuel surcharges. Advertisement Advertisement The country's compact size means expensive private drivers become necessary for efficient sightseeing, and popular attractions now charge significant foreigner premiums. Jordan Image Credit: Shutterstock. Petra's entrance fees represent just the beginning of Jordan's tourist costs. Accommodation throughout the country targets international visitors with premium pricing, while transportation requires expensive private arrangements due to limited public options. Restaurant meals in tourist areas cost more than comparable dishes in neighboring countries, and the constant pressure for guides and tips creates ongoing unexpected expenses. Kenya/Tanzania (Safari Destinations) Image Credit: antony trivet photography / Shutterstock. Safari tourism involves enormous hidden costs beyond basic park fees. Accommodation near popular parks charges luxury rates regardless of amenity levels, while transportation requires expensive 4WD vehicles and professional drivers. Advertisement Advertisement Food costs escalate in remote areas, and the pressure for tips, conservation fees, and community charges creates constant additional expenses. Istanbul, Turkey Image Credit: Shutterstock. Turkey's economic instability has created unpredictable pricing where advertised rates often multiply through currency fluctuations and tourist surcharges. Popular areas like Sultanahmet charge European prices for accommodation and dining, while transportation apps and taxis often include significant foreigner markups. The constant pressure for carpet tours, cooking classes, and cultural experiences creates ongoing upselling situations. Peru (Machu Picchu Route) Image Credit: Shutterstock. The Sacred Valley's tourism infrastructure operates on premium pricing despite Peru's overall affordability. Cusco accommodation targets international visitors with boutique rates, while train access to Machu Picchu costs more than international flights. Advertisement Advertisement Altitude sickness often requires expensive medical attention or oxygen treatments, and the pressure for guides and tour packages inflates costs significantly. Mexico (Tourist Zones) Image Credit: Shutterstock. Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen now charge Caribbean resort prices despite Mexico's budget reputation. The peso's volatility creates unpredictable pricing, while tourist areas operate separate economies with inflated costs. Transportation requires expensive private arrangements due to safety concerns, and all-inclusive resort pressure often results in higher overall spending than anticipated. If you count yourself among the millions of homeowners in the world, you know that maintaining a valid insurance policy on your property is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself. You no doubt also know that selecting the right insurance can be downright nerve-wracking. And even when you rely on discount programs, like the one offered by smart home company Nest, coverage can still cost you a pretty penny. That's why it can be particularly disheartening to hear stories of insurance companies taking extra measures to make things more difficult for homeowners. One such case involves reports of an insurer in California allegedly relying on aerial drone footage to end coverage for one of its customers. That company is CSAA; according to Modesto home owner Joan Van Kuren, the AAA-affiliated insurer decided to not renew her policy after it gathered images of her home via a drone fly-over. Van Kuren told CBS Sacramento the official reason given by CSAA was that it had found a "substantial increase in hazards" accumulated around her property. The homeowner claims the images she was shown as proof of CSAA's decision were captured via camera-equipped drone, which have become increasingly affordable as the technology becomes more widespread. After being approached by the local CBS affiliate, CSAA has denied the use of a drone, but did confirm the photos were sourced by what it referred to as proprietary aerial imagery. Whatever the case, it would seem that aerial photography is now increasingly being used by insurance companies to make policy decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 13 Celebrities Who Own A Gulfstream G650 Private Jet The legality of drone usage and what to do if your policy comes under siege Aerial photo showing a neighborhood from overhead - Bilanol/Getty Images There are laws concerning how drones can be utilized in residential areas, leaving some to question the legality of insurers using them for business purposes. Drone operators need to abide by some strict rules to avoid getting in trouble with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but these regulations don't cover privacy concerns. These are often handled on a state-by-state basis; in California, for example, Section 1708.8 of the state's Civil Code was amended in 2015 to make it an illegal invasion of privacy for drone pilots to enter the airspace of a person and capture images of them without their consent. This means that insurers are likely within their legal rights to use aerial photography, provided they're just capturing images of your home and not you personally. However, there is a modicum of protection for homeowners afraid of insurers dropping them unceremoniously. Insurance companies can only cancel your policy in instances of fraud or nonpayment, which means the most they can do to you is inform you they will not be renewing your current coverage. They can't do so without providing you advance notice of their decision. This gives you the opportunity to either appeal that decision or file a complaint with your local state regulator. In some cases, your insurer may provide you an opportunity to rectify the issue and continue your coverage. That was just the case with Austin, Texas resident Tracy Gartenmann, who reportedly received aerial images of her home via email from her insurer, along with a notice that she had two months to trim the overgrown trees on her property or risk losing her coverage. Caveats aside, homeowners should officially count themselves on notice about keeping their home and surrounding property in tip-top shape, lest a high-tech aerial machine snap a potentially insurance-killing shot. Advertisement Advertisement Want the latest in tech and auto trends? Subscribe to our free newsletter for the latest headlines, expert guides, and how-to tips, one email at a time. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on SlashGear. It might be a volcanic rock in the middle of the Atlantic, but the island of Terceira, one of nine that make up the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, throws more parties than a college fraternity. They say that the Azores is made up of eight islands and an amusement park, my guide, Fernando Brazil, joked as he drove his Land Rover past one of the islands many colorful chapels, known as imperios. Brazil explained that Terceira holds more festivals than all the other Azorean isles combined. Most revolve around the imperios, which are dedicated to the Holy Spirit and can last up to 10 days, with concerts, parades, and bullfights. There is a festival here almost every week, Antonio Camara, owner of Pro Island Travel, which offers Jeep tours of the island, later told me. I was in Biscoitos, a village on the northern tip of Terceira, which is the third largest island in the Azores but is less visited than popular Sao Miguel. When I visited over a long weekend this past fall, there was a lull in between festivals. Still, in just a few days, I felt the pull of Terceiras joyful atmosphere and natural wonders. My home base was the Torel Terra Brava, a 44-room property that opened late last summer in Angra do Heroismo, the oldest city in the Azores. (At one point in the 16th century, it was such an important maritime hub that it served as the capital of Portugal.) With an island-chic aestheticrattan lanterns, antique blue-and-white porcelain, a palette of forest green and claythe Terra Brava offers an elegant setting for relaxation between island adventures. Its the first Azores property for Torel, a Portuguese hotel brand with outposts in Lisbon, Porto, and the Douro Valley. From left: Pro Island Tour; Luis Ferraz/Torel Terra Brava From left: Swimming at Biscoitos, on Terceira; the pool at Torel Terra Brava. From left: Swimming at Biscoitos, on Terceira; the pool at Torel Terra Brava. Opening in the Azores has been a longtime dream, Ingrid Koeck, the brands co-owner, told me as we drove to a dairy farm. She wanted to introduce me to some of the people who are maintaining Terceiras farming practices (agriculture is the island groups main industry). So we paid a visit to Jose Luis Parreira, one of the many dairy producers. As we walked around his land, Parreira would occasionally call out to one of the cowshe knew all 80 of them by name. Farmers like Parreira are not just producing milk for much of Portugal; they are also helping to keep and maintain the islands dramatic landscapes. Advertisement Advertisement So are the islands winemakers. Back in Biscoitos, I met with Sandro Mendonca of Adega dos Sentidos, who uses traditional farming methods: growing the vines within curraletas (stone-walled enclosures) to protect them from the strong Atlantic winds, with no irrigation. In spite of the harsh conditions, the volcanic soil tends to produce intense, mineral-rich flavors. The wines pair perfectly with the islands bold cuisine. Along with Torel Terra Bravas restaurant Bistro Tres, the best seafood can be found at O Pescador, where the menu includes an excellent cataplana, a stew with linguica sausage, clams, shrimp, squid, and mussels. I also had a standout dinner at Sintonia Experience, which serves elegant Portuguese dishes, like a curry made with lobster, red pepper, and saffron. "Waves rolled across some of the pools, but the central one stayed calm, allowing me to swim a few laps. It was otherworldly, like bathing on the moon." Another day, I got to know the islands adventurous side. Because of strong environmental protections, the Azores are not overdeveloped, and are popular with outdoorsy travelers looking to whale-watch, fish, or hike. In the morning, I headed out to sea with tour operator Ocean Emotion in search of sperm whalesand to my delight, dolphins surrounded us for much of the way. Later I walked along trails covered in spongy moss that glowed in every shade of green. Advertisement Advertisement Throughout my trip, almost everyone I met was eager to share their favorite swimming spot. In the end, it was my guide Brazil who led me to the one Ill never forget. At the far tip of Biscoitos was a string of natural poolsstartlingly blue against the black volcanic rock. Waves rolled across some of the pools, but the central one stayed calm, allowing me to swim a few laps. It was otherworldly, like bathing on the moon. Even without the islands famous parties, Terceira was intoxicating. A version of this story first appeared in the February 2026 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Heating Up." Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Western Pennsylvania is full of former steel and coal towns that have redefined themselves since those industries' departure. The largest and best-known of these is Pittsburgh, the one-time steel capital that's transformed into one of America's most livable cities. Many of the smaller towns around Pittsburgh have gone through a similar evolution. One example is Ambridge, a Beaver County town of just under 7,800 people (according to the U.S. Census Bureau) that grew as a company town for the American Bridge Company. Its manufacturing plant anchored Ambridge's economy until it closed in 1982. In the decades since, Ambridge has reinvented itself as a charming and historic getaway whose revitalized downtown pays homage to its 19th-century roots. Ambridge is about a half-hour drive northwest of Pittsburgh, and about the same distance east from the waterfall, beach, and wildflowers of the underrated Raccoon Creek State Park. Its history goes back well before the arrival of the American Bridge Company. In fact, the town celebrated its bicentennial in June of 2024, and many of its buildings date back to the early 19th century. St. John's Lutheran Church is one of the oldest churches in southwest Pennsylvania, built in 1838. Some of its historic homes have been converted into bed-and-breakfasts, like the Hestlet House, a log home built in the 1820s, and The Epochary Inn, an 1824 brick home whose quaint historic furnishings are complemented by a fully modern vegan menu. Along with historic buildings occupied by inns, restaurants, and other businesses, visitors can check out the Old Economy Village, an outdoor museum where visitors can see artifacts, images, and documents from Ambridge's earliest days. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The Most Breathtaking And Lively Mountain Towns Across America, According To Reddit Historic Ambridge Shot of Old Economy Village, with a round stone structure in the foreground surrounded by grass and trees, with brick buildings in the background under a blue sky - Zack Frank/Shutterstock In the 1780s, German priest Johann Georg Rapp founded the Harmony Society, a group that believed the second coming was imminent and they needed to remain pure and ready for the rapture. In 1803, Rapp and his followers immigrated to the United States to establish Harmony, which still exists today as a quaint historic borough just outside Pittsburgh. The community grew to about 700 members by 1814, when crop struggles and conflicts with neighbors prompted their move first to a settlement in Indiana, then back to Pennsylvania in 1824 to found Oekonomie (or "Economy" in modern parlance). Economy was a prosperous agricultural community through the 19th century, but the Harmonist commitment to celibacy made it difficult to sustain their population. By 1905, the Harmony Society disbanded, and the American Bridge Company purchased the land for a manufacturing plant and a surrounding company town called Ambridge. The buildings constructed by the Harmonists were integrated into the new town, and today make up the 32-acre Ambridge Historic District. At the heart of the Historic District is Old Economy Village, where visitors can see 17 restored Harmony Society buildings in their original locations. These buildings include a mix of residences and community buildings like the Post Office, Mechanic's Building, and Feast Hall, which once hosted the group's communal meals and housed their Natural History Museum. Reenactors help to bring the past to life and act out the daily tasks that commune members would have engaged in. The historic village is open Fridays through Sundays from April through December, when you can take a docent-led tour of the Rapp Houses or buildings along Cobblestone Street or explore on your own. You can start your tour at the Visitors Center, where you can see exhibits and a short video explaining the history of the site. Dining and events in Ambridge Brick storefront of Rivertown Antiques in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, with a lightpole decorated for Christmas in the foreground - @Rivertownantiques / Instagram Old Economy Village isn't the only place in Ambridge where you'll find historic buildings. Independent shops and restaurants have moved into many of the brick rowhouses throughout Ambridge's Historic District. It's an especially great place to find collectibles and vintage goods, which you can peruse at antique shops like Bird & Bear, Good Intent Trading, and Rivertown Antiques, all of which are within easy walking distance of the Old Economy Village. The borough is so walkable that Walk Score, a platform that rates how pedestrian-friendly communities are, gives Ambridge a score of 80, or "Very Walkable." Advertisement Advertisement When you work up an appetite, The Orbit Bar & Grill is a favorite spot for affordable home-style cooking. Its Friday fish fry is especially popular (so much so that the fish is often sold out by 6 p.m.), with one Yelp reviewer calling its cheesesteak "the best I've ever had in Pennsylvania." If you're in the mood for German fare, head to Mad Anthony's Bier Stube, a tavern named for a Revolutionary War general housed in a 200-year-old building that serves authentic German dishes like schnitzel, spaetzle, and wurst. The specialty cheesecakes and pastries at Caffe Nero will satisfy your sweet tooth, while Old Crow Coffeehouse is a top spot to start your day with a breakfast sandwich and a cup of joe. The Ambridge Historic District also puts on community-wide festivals throughout the year. September is the time for the popular Crush & Brew, an event featuring food trucks, live music, and tastings of wine, beer, and mead. Ambridge also goes all-out for Christmas, with activities around town including carriage rides, a live nativity, and a model railroad exhibit. Whatever time of year you visit, interpretive signs are posted throughout the Historic District, and you can pick up a walking tour map from the Information Kiosk on Church Street to guide your exploration of Ambridge's original 19th-century buildings. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. Philosopher Sir Francis Bacon in 1597 famously opined, "Knowledge itself is power." For anglers, this truism carries intense meaning when pursuing pelagic fish like billfish, mahi, tuna and wahoo. Offshore fishermen are constantly seeking information, poring over internet reports, calling tackle shops, and networking with core groups-all to find out where fish might bite tomorrow. Today, however, there's even more insight available, thanks to two advanced fish-forecasting technology services, including Simrad's new FishCast powered by Roffs and Fish Mapping from SiriusXM Marine. Let's look at these two systems to see what kind of power they can give you. Fish Cast FishCast powered by Roffs is a new system that integrates with C-Map electronic charts to create an overlay on select Simrad MFDs. FishCast was developed for Simrad by Fathom Science. The company has access to detailed real-time oceanographic data, the same kind of data tapped by commercial ships and offshore oil-platform operations. By partnering with Roffs-the popular satellite fishing forecast service-Fathom Science also has extracted more than a decade of bluewater angling data. This is then combined with oceanographic intelligence to offer AI-enabled offshore maps forecasting optimal catch locations provided as charted GPS waypoints. FishCast also includes forecast heat maps of Sea Surface Temperature and Ocean Color/Clarity. This data packet is updated every morning with a three-day forecast divided into three-hour windows that forecast how conditions will change and where fish will likely move throughout the day. Anglers can define a custom search radius of up to 120 nautical miles from a selected home port. Advertisement Advertisement These forecasts are designed to be downloaded to a compatible Simrad MFD via Wi-Fi before you head out using the marina internet or via a satellite internet service such as Starlink. It can be selected by region for 18 states along the East Coast and Gulf, as well as the Bahamas. To access FishCast, you need a subscription, starting at $99 for a week, $150 per month or $1,260 annually. You can set up FishCast directly on your Simrad MFD (with software version 2.3 or later) using Wi-Fi and the C-Map X-Chart Manager app. Alternatively, you can subscribe online at xstore2.c-map.com. Consistently finding fish amid the great blue desert is easier with the help of timely satellite data and oceanographic analytics. Courtesy SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping The popular Fish Mapping features from SiriusXM Marine are provided by Garmin, a world-wide leader in GPS-enabled devices and technology. Garmin's team of oceanographers analyze data layers from multiple sources to identify fishing hot spots, leveraging over 30 years of oceanographic, commercial and sportfishing experience. It combines this information to generate timely, easy-to-understand offshore analysis delivered to your MFD via the SiriusXM Marine satellite network at any time to help guide you to fish. You can also download the information on the Fish Mapping app via cellular or Wi-Fi to help plan trips. Fish Mapping includes eight key elements on your MFD: Fishing Recommendations map (updated twice weekly) with color-coded circles highlighting hotspots, Weed Lines (every 24 hours), Sea Surface Height Anomaly indicating upwellings and convergence zones (every 24 hours), Sea Surface Temperature Contours (every 3 hours), Sea Surface Temperature Front Strength (every 24 hours), Subsurface Sea Temperatures at 30 meters (every 24 hours), Plankton Concentration Contours (every 24 hours), and Plankton Front Strength (every 24 hours), with more features available on the app. Advertisement Advertisement Because Fish Mapping insight is delivered through an onboard MFD via the SiriusXM Marine satellite network, it is accessible just about everywhere, even far offshore. As with the popular SiriusXM Marine weather service, Fish Mapping does not require internet or cellular service, but it does need a separate compact antenna that fits easily on a center-console boat or an inboard sportfisher. Fish Mapping is compatible with MFDs from major brands such as Furuno, Garmin, Lowrance, Raymarine, and Simrad. Each one requires a specific antenna system to enable satellite reception. Fish Mapping covers all US coastal waters (over 150 miles offshore from the contiguous US), as well as the Bahamas. Read Next: Using the Latest Sonar Advancements to Find Fish To access Fish Mapping, you need to subscribe (siriusxm.com/fishmapping). The monthly fee is $109.99, plus $25 activation fee. It includes the popular SiriusXM Marine Offshore Weather package. The subscription can be suspended for up to six months each year if, for example, you don't need it in the offseason. Advertisement Advertisement With either of these systems, you have access to more knowledge, and therefore more power than any offshore angler has possessed in the history of sport fishing. It's the kind of knowledge that leads to great success. Sir Francis Bacon would be impressed. The post The Power of FishCast and Fish Mapping appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman. Morocco has been high up on my bucket list for a long time (partly because how cool would it be to sing the song Morocco by Moon Taxi while exploring the country), and it sounds like I'm not the only one with interest in this African hotspot. In 2025, Morocco achieved something remarkable: It emerged as Africas most visited country. Morocco edged ahead of long-time tourism powerhouse Egypt by welcoming nearly 20 million international visitors, which is a record figure that marks a new chapter in the countrys global tourism appeal. Morocco has benefitted from sustained investment in tourism infrastructure, new flight links from key markets, major cultural and sporting events, and a strategic vision that positions it as a must-see destination for international travelers. Advertisement Advertisement Heres whats driving the surge and what you must see and do when you visit. Subscribe to our newsletter for more travel news! Unsplash- Mari Potter (Unsplash- Mari Potter) A new tourism record for Morocco In 2025, official tourism data shows that Morocco welcomed 19.8 million visitors, an impressive 14% increase from the previous year. That figure not only sets a new peak for the country but also places Morocco squarely at the top of Africas tourism rankings, surpassing heavy-hit markets like Egypt and Tunisia. Part of this growth has come from expanded international connectivity: Morocco has increased direct flight routes from Europe, the Middle East, and even the Americas, making the country more accessible than ever. Advertisement Advertisement Major events like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted across several Moroccan cities, have also played a role, drawing huge crowds and showcasing the nations cultural vibrancy on a continental stage. But while these numbers are impressive, its the experience on the ground that keeps travelers coming back. From ancient medinas to Sahara sunsets, Morocco delivers diversity few destinations can match. Related: Egypt's $1 billion museum is finally open after two decades What to do and see in Morocco Whether youre a first-time visitor or returning for more, Moroccos attractions are endlessly compelling. 1. Explore historic cities Moroccos cities blend ancient tradition with cosmopolitan energy: Advertisement Advertisement Marrakech: The Red City is home to the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa square, a UNESCO cultural space where snake charmers, storytellers, and spice stalls come alive at sunset. Fes: Wander Fes el-Bali, the worlds oldest medieval medina, and discover craftsmen at work in narrow alleys. Rabat and Casablanca: The elegant capital and the economic heart of Morocco offer modern flair alongside historical treasures. 2. Relish nature Moroccos landscapes are as varied as its culture: High Atlas and Toubkal National Park: Trek through cedar forests and challenging mountain terrain to Africas highest peak, Jbel Toubkal. Ouzoud Falls: These dramatic waterfalls cascade over 100 meters and are perfect for nature lovers and photographers. Talassemtane National Park: Explore forests, rugged peaks, and the natural Bridge of God near Chefchaouen. Iriqui National Park: Discover the vast desert landscapes and seasonal wetlands of southern Morocco. Unsplash- Vince Gx (Unsplash- Vince Gx) 3. Experience the Sahara Desert No visit to Morocco is complete without a trip to the Sahara Desert. Ride camels over golden dunes, spend nights under the stars in traditional Berber camps, and watch sunrise paint the desert in incredible hues. 4. Sample Moroccan cuisine From tagine and couscous to freshly brewed mint tea, Moroccan food is a feast for the senses. Explore local markets, attend a cooking class, or sip coffee in a riad courtyard. 5. Enjoy festivals Morocco hosts vibrant cultural celebrations like the Mawazine Music Festival in Rabat, which is one of the worlds largest music events, drawing millions of music lovers every year. Related: Popular African tourist destination under travel alert: Here's what you need to know Why Morocco now? Moroccos tourism boom isnt accidental. With strong national strategies focused on expanding connectivity, enhancing visitor experiences, and hosting global events, the country has successfully transformed itself into a tourism leader not just in Africa, but on the world stage. Advertisement Advertisement Whether its the bustling souks of Marrakech, the winding alleys of Fes, or the tranquil Sahara dunes, Morocco offers a travel experience rich in culture, adventure, and unforgettable moments and thats why everyone is visiting this popular spot in Africa. This story was originally published by TravelHost on Jan 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Authorities made a horrific discovery this week at a famed national park, and details remain unclear as to exactly why it happened in the first place. Mother, Son Reported Missing According to multiple reports, a mother and her 6-year-old son in Colorado were reported missing by the husband and father of the child on Jan. 7. At the moment, it's not clear why the mother and son went missing, and authorities have not shared any more details beyond the fact that the husband reported them missing. Park Rangers Respond to Report The Denver Gazette reports that park rangers in Utah's Canyonlands National Park responded on Jan. 8 to a report about a suspicious vehicle in the Island in the Sky district of the park. Advertisement Advertisement The call came in at around 8:15 a.m. The area does not allow camping, so it was strange that a vehicle had been parked there in the first place. Reports say that the car was believed to have been there overnight. Related: Beloved National Park Attraction Reopens After 4-Year Closure Upon a closer inspection, the park rangers then discovered an unresponsive 6-year-old boy inside the car. Emergency life-saving measures were immediately attempted, but the boy was ultimately rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Just outside the vehicle, a woman was found dead. Murder-Suicide Probe Opens The San Juan County Sheriff's Department in Utah on Monday shared that the missing mother and son from Colorado have been positively identified as the deceased woman and 6-year-old boy found in the famed park's Shafer Trail. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities in Utah also on Monday shared that they're investigating the case as an apparent murder-suicide. The sheriff's department in Utah will not release the names of the individuals "out of respect for the family and the tragedy that they are experiencing." Related: National Park Officials Make Grim Discovery 2 Months After Woman Was Swept Away by River "This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family during this incredible difficult time," a statement from the sheriffs office stated. "Our investigators are diligently working on this case. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest any ongoing threat to public safety. Based on all evidence obtained so far, this case is being investigated as a homicide and suicide." This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jan 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Authorities in Los Angeles are investigating an incident on Sunday, Jan. 11, in which a driver plowed a U-Haul truck into a large crowd that expressed support for Iranian protesters. Hundreds of people were demonstrating in Westwood, a neighborhood in Los Angeles near the federal building, in support of Iranian protesters when a U-Haul truck plowed into the group, KNBC and KABC-TV reported. Local TV stations described a chaotic scene as a large group of people surrounded the speeding truck and attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the driver of the U-Haul "collided with individuals marching along Veteran Avenue in the area of the Federal Building" at about 3:30 p.m. local time. The driver, who has not been publicly identified, was detained pending further investigation into the incident. A U-Haul rental truck drives into a crowd which had gathered to show support for Iranian demonstrators, in the Westwood suburb of Los Angeles, Calif. on Jan. 11, 2026, in this screengrab taken from a social media video. Police cordon off a U-Haul rental truck after it was driven into a crowd which had gathered to show support for Iranian protesters, in the Westwood suburb of Los Angeles, California, U.S. Jan. 11, 2026, in a still image from aerial video. People walk near a U-Haul truck that reportedly was driven into a crowd during an anti-Iranian regime rally on Jan. 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. People walk near a U-Haul truck that reportedly was driven into a crowd during an anti-Iranian regime rally on Jan. 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. People walk near a U-Haul truck that reportedly was driven into a crowd during an anti-Iranian regime rally on Jan. 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. People walk near a U-Haul truck that reportedly was driven into a crowd during an anti-Iranian regime rally on Jan. 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif. U-Haul truck plows through anti-Iranian regime protesters in LA 1 of 6 A U-Haul rental truck drives into a crowd which had gathered to show support for Iranian demonstrators, in the Westwood suburb of Los Angeles, Calif. on Jan. 11, 2026, in this screengrab taken from a social media video. At this time, one person was confirmed struck by the vehicle (an adult male); however, no significant injuries have been reported," the police department said in a statement. "A Rescue Ambulance treated the individual at the scene. No one has been transported to the hospital for medical treatment." Advertisement Advertisement Two people were evaluated at the scene, but both declined to be transported to the hospital, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. No other injuries were reported, and the crowd was "voluntarily dispersing" by around 4:43 p.m. local time, the fire department said. Earlier, the fire department reported that the size of the crowd was delaying their response time. Police said the investigation remains ongoing as they determine what led to the collision. Videos shared on social media showed demonstrators attempting to pull the driver out of the U-Haul before police officers took him into custody. Iran protests: What to know about the anti-government demonstrations as Trump warns the country's leaders Advertisement Advertisement Videos also showed the vehicle's windows broken and angry protesters trying to punch the driver as officers escorted the man away. The Los Angeles Times reported that demonstrators hit the U-Haul and ripped off a sign attached to the vehicle that had a message in Arabic and another in English: "No Shah. No Regime. USA: Dont Repeat 1953. No Mullah." Protesters were marching in support of anti-government demonstrations in Iran, which have entered their third week and have resulted in hundreds of deaths. Human rights organizations have condemned the violent crackdown. As of Jan. 11, the Human Rights Activists News Agency has estimated that over 580 people have been killed since the unrest began in the Middle Eastern country. More than 10,600 people have been detained by authorities, according to the human rights group. Iran has not provided any official figures. A government-imposed internet blackout has cut off much communication with those inside the country since Jan. 8, impeding the flow of information. Contributing: Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY; Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: U-Haul truck plowed into LA crowd supporting protests in Iran On Halloween 2023, Faybeann Ragsdale was set up, shot and killed. Now, two men charged with his death have pleaded guilty. Jagunte Jaylee Bass and Kevin Yamil Rosa pleaded guilty to murder and other charges earlier this month. In the days before the murder, prosecutors say Bass reached out to Ragsdale, saying that his bro wanted to buy marijuana. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The three young men met at the Walmart in Monroe, but since law enforcement was in the parking lot, they moved over to Home Depot. Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say Bass and Rosa were setting up Ragsdale to be robbed. Rosa got into Ragsdales SUV, and prosecutors say he shot Ragsdale twice. The SUV was on, and when Ragsdale was shot, it accelerated through the Home Depot parking lot and part of a bank parking lot before crashing into another car near the entrance to Arbys. Witnesses say they saw Rosa get out of the car and into Bass vehicle. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Rosa was arrested in Conyers while hiding in the backseat of a car. Investigators found bloody clothes and a gun hidden under his friends moms bed. Bass was arrested in Coweta County. Rosa was already a convicted felon and was sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years. Bass was sentenced to life in prison plus 15 years. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] MANILA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a dumpsite collapse in the central Philippine city of Cebu has climbed to eight as search and rescue operations continued Monday for 28 people still missing, a city official said. Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said in a radio interview that while 12 people were rescued after the facility collapsed last Thursday afternoon, 28 individuals, including engineers and site workers, remain unaccounted for four days. Tumulak said realistic hopes of finding survivors have begun to fade as rescue and retrieval efforts are slowed by serious safety concerns and hazardous environmental conditions at the site. Rescue teams are carefully removing debris using acetylene torches, backhoes, and a 50-ton crane, while managing the dangers posed by unstable trash mounds that continue to emit methane and carbon gases. Local officials warned that cutting metal with acetylene torches in an environment saturated with methane is extremely dangerous due to the high risk of fire and explosion, as both gases are highly flammable and can easily ignite. The collapse has forced the city to suspend dumping operations at the facility, raising concerns about the growing volume of daily garbage, Tumulak added. Mariana Tata, 26, had 2 common, subtle symptoms of colon cancer. She thought her bloating and rectal bleeding were due to hemorrhoids or GI issues. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and is undergoing treatment. For about a year, Mariana wasn't sure what to make of her bloating. Sometimes, she assumed it was just part of being a woman with a regular menstrual cycle. She also had some friends with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, thinking she had similar GI issues. Advertisement Advertisement Then, in April, she noticed blood in her stool one of the most common symptoms of colon cancer in young people. "That alarmed me a little bit," Tata, 26, told Business Insider. When it didn't go away for a month, she called her primary care physician, who believed the cause was hemorrhoids but sent Tata to get an abdominal scan just in case, as she was also diagnosed with anemia a few years before and suddenly had worsened symptoms. The scan revealed a 20-centimeter tumor on one of her ovaries. Tata was sent to Syracuse Hospital in New York, where more testing led to a stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis, with the cancer spreading to her abdominal wall. Shortly after, both of her ovaries and fallopian tubes would be removed, Tata losing her ability to have biological children. Tata, still in treatment, remembers being shocked. "When you're young, you don't think that it's cancer," she said. "Colon cancer was not in my mind at all." Cancer changed her life plans Prior to her diagnosis, Tata planned to buy a house and have kids with her boyfriend. Mariana Tata Prior to her diagnosis, Tata and her boyfriend discussed their future: Having kids and buying a house together. Advertisement Advertisement Plans changed when she needed surgery to remove the large mass on her right ovary, which she soon learned damaged her left ovary as well. "There was no option to save any of my eggs," Tata said, meaning she would have to carry donated eggs or embryos through IVF. For now, Tata said, that means she's letting go of the idea of having children. Knowing she'd have to pay for cancer treatment also made her rethink other plans, like the house. Before she hit her deductible, she was "scraping together" as much as she could to pay for the ER visits, CT scan, abdominal scan, and blood work. While she said some friends helped put together a GoFundMe to help with costs, she's still paying off a hospital bill from the summer that cost nearly $1,000, and anticipates future treatment costs. "It is very rough, especially in your 20s and 30s when you plan on using your money for something else and then you get hit with cancer," she said. "You have to reevaluate what you're actually spending your money on." Splitting time between her boyfriend and parents Tata lives with her parents during and right after chemotherapy sessions. Mariana Tata Tata splits her time between two homes, based on her chemotherapy schedule. On the night before her next treatment, she leaves the apartment she shares with her boyfriend to go to her parents' house. Because her boyfriend works and her parents are retired, she can get more around-the-clock care there. Advertisement Advertisement "My mom is the one who nurses me back to health, basically," Tata said, giving her anti-nausea medication around the clock. "My family has been absolutely amazing, and I think my being so strong comes from them because they carry me whenever I can't do it anymore." Tata, who had parts of her colon removed prior to starting chemotherapy, feels she bounces back better from treatments than other cancer patients she's spoken to. On the alternating weeks that she doesn't have chemotherapy, she said she almost forgets she has cancer, focusing more on getting her strength back. But the days when she gets disconnected from her chemo pump are brutal, usually lasting from Wednesday to Monday. "It kind of punches you in the face and reminds you every two weeks that you have to go through this and you are sick," she said. "It's kind of just my new reality." Making sense of her diagnosis Tata said connecting with other patients helped her process her diagnosis. Mariana Tata As of now, Tata is considered stable, with no progression of cancer as she continues chemotherapy treatment. Advertisement Advertisement "My oncologist expects me to go back to work in February, which is very nice," she said. Tata, who is still employed as an enrollment operations assistant at her alma mater, Utica University, went on short-term and long-term disability during treatment. She's hoping her treatments become more scattered after chemotherapy, helping her to more closely return to the routine she had before her diagnosis. She said connecting with other colon cancer patients through the Colorectal Cancer Alliance and a Facebook group helped her get more comfortable with sharing her experience. "At the beginning of my diagnosis, I didn't know what to do with myself," she said. "I felt so alone, and I wasn't ready to talk to people." Connecting with others made it easier to deal with her ongoing treatment. Her advice: Get a second opinion It also made her more aware of the rising rates of cancer among young people. Advertisement Advertisement "I feel like young people are the margin of the forgotten who do face this," she said. Given how subtle colon cancer symptoms can be, she hopes other young people take action if they sense a change in their body. "Go to the doctor, no matter how big or small it is," she said. "Because what I thought was a small thing turned into a very big thing." She also emphasized advocating for yourself and even seeking out second opinions, because "not a lot of doctors jump when you notice bleeding in your stool." In her case, she's grateful that hers took immediate action. "If my doctor didn't recommend a CT scan or abdominal scan, I don't know where I would be right now," she said. Read the original article on Business Insider A 17-year-old Hamilton Southeastern High School student, who has been missing since the beginning of the year, may be in "a dangerous situation," her family said. Hailey Buzbee is listed as a runaway by the Fishers Police Department. Her parents last saw her at 10 p.m. on Jan. 5, her father Beau Buzbee told IndyStar. He thinks she left her home in the Enclave at Vermillion Neighborhood in the early hours of Jan. 6. "Based on when she left, she couldn't have done that alone," Beau Buzbee told IndyStar. "Real progress has been made by the community because of the outreach and concern for her... We shared as much as we possibly can and put the word out. People have given us the hope and strength that we need." It's believed that Hailey Buzbee, 17, left her home in the Enclave at Vermillion Neighborhood in the early hours of Jan. 6, 2026. Since then, community members have been distributing thousands of flyers, and Hailey's story has been shared across social media platform. A GoFundMe for search efforts amassed more than $15,000 six days after her disappearance. Advertisement Advertisement Buzbee isn't the only teenage girl who has been reported missing in the area since the start of the new year. Three teenage girls have been reported missing in Noblesville, Westfield, and Fishers, around the same days. One girl has since been found, and law enforcement officials do not believe any of the disappearances are connected or related. Other missing girls in Hamilton County Amber Dawn Simpson shared on Facebook that her 18-year-old daughter, Nevaeh Paige Schmidt, went missing Jan. 4. "She left her dad's house around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, and hasn't been seen or heard from," Simpson wrote in a Jan. 9 post. "Her phone last pinged in Washington, Indiana, at 5:07 p.m. has had the location and phone off since then. Please, if anyone sees or knows where she is... We are very worried, and I just want her to let us know she's okay." Advertisement Advertisement In a news release, Westfield Police said Schmidt was reported missing from her home in the late morning hours of Jan. 5. According to the release, Schmidt was heading to a friend's house in Indianapolis, "However, she was not located there." Investigators believe she left her home of her own free will. Schmidt is described as White, with blue-green eyes. Her hair is colored blue and pink. Her left hand has two smiley face tattoos. Anybody who has any information about her disappearance should email Detective Andrew Bowell at ABowell@westfield.in.gov, call him at (317) 804-3292, or call dispatch at (317) 773-1282. Nevaeh Paige Schmidt, 18, has been missing since Jan. 4, 2026. Liz Crane, a 15-year-old listed as a runaway juvenile by Noblesville Police, was last seen Jan. 3. She was suspected of leaving her home between 2 and 3 a.m. on Jan. 4. Noblesville Police announced she was found on Jan. 9. Advertisement Advertisement As for Buzbee, she's described by her parents as being "the kindest, sweetest girl," and said online that "Hailey means the world to us, and we will go to the ends of the earth to find our precious daughter." Hailey Buzbee has brown eyes and curly brown hair. She was last seen wearing a white blouse, grey jeans, a black puffer jacket, and carrying a pink Vera Bradley duffle bag. Anybody with information about her disappearance should call 911 or the Hamilton County non-emergency line in Noblesville at (317) 773-1282. Jade Jackson is a public safety reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Three girls in Hamilton County have gone missing since year started ATLANTA (AP) Fighting that broke out at a Georgia state prison over the weekend left three inmates dead and injured a corrections officer and 13 more inmates, the Georgia Department of Corrections said Monday. The agency said the violence erupted in an outdoor area of the medium-security Washington State Prison, and that guards used non-lethal weapons to subdue the fighting. It said the situation was under control within about 90 minutes. Visitors were safely evacuated after some injured inmates entered the prison's visitation area, the statement said. The agency said it believes the episode was gang-affiliated but gave few details about what happened, including how the three prisoners died. A Department of Corrections spokesperson did not immediately return phone, email and text messages seeking further information Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Video posted to social media showed at least 20 inmates running along an outdoor walkway enclosed by security fencing. Some of the inmates appeared to be holding clubs or other makeshift weapons. The footage was posted by the Human and Civil Rights Coalition of Georgia, which advocates for prisoner rights. The group said the footage came from an inmate. The coalition posted another video showing fighting that it said was recorded Dec. 13 at Washington State Prison, which has a capacity of about 1,550 inmates and is located about 130 miles (210 kilometers) southeast of Atlanta, according to the Department of Corrections website. Relative says one inmate was killed days before his release Its like theyre just letting them run around, do whatever, said Michelle Lett, who told The Associated Press her nephew was among the inmates killed. They werent trying to stop nothing. They were just running free in the prison. Advertisement Advertisement Lett said her nephew, 42-year-old Jimmy Lee Trammell, had been transferred to Washington State Prison recently ahead of his scheduled release Wednesday. She said a warden called Trammell's brother late Sunday to tell him that Trammell had been fatally stabbed in a fight. Unofficial word of his death had already reached the family from an inmate with a contraband cellphone, Lett said. The Department of Corrections confirmed Trammell's death in its statement Monday, which said he was serving a 20-year sentence for burglary. Also killed were Ahmod Dewayne Hatcher, 23; and Teddy Dewayne Jackson, 27. The agency said both Hatcher and Jackson had been convicted of aggravated assault. The violence was predictable considering Department of Corrections records indicate Washington State Prison has been badly understaffed, said Atteeyah Hollie, deputy director of the Atlanta-based Southern Center for Human Rights, which advocates for better prisons with fewer inmates. She cited July figures showing that 72% of staff positions authorized for Washington State Prison were vacant. Unfortunately, we are in a state of normalized crisis, Hollie said. Advertisement Advertisement While fights break out at U.S. prisons daily, its rare to see violence that results in multiple deaths and so many people hurt, said Bryce Peterson, who studies corrections for the Center for Naval Analyses Center for Justice Research and Innovation. By any definition, this would fall under what we would call collective violence or a riot, Peterson said. This is certainly not a typical fight. This is much more serious. Peterson said that larger-scale prison violence typically has multiple causes, such as tension between inmate factions that erupts at an understaffed prison where guards struggle to contain the violence. He said the fact that people died at Washington State suggests some inmates had weapons. Theres usually protections in place that failed or broke down and led to this kind of incident, Peterson said. Advertisement Advertisement Justice Department reported unchecked violence at Georgia prisons in 2024 The fight came less than two years after a 2024 report by the U.S. Department of Justice said Georgia prison officials were deliberately indifferent to unchecked deadly violence, widespread drug use, extortion and sexual abuse at state lockups. The report, which followed a civil rights investigation, found sophisticated gangs run prison black markets trafficking in drugs, weapons and electronic devices such as drones and smartphones. Investigators also cited a rising number of homicides in Georgia prisons, from seven in 2018 to 35 in 2023. Homicides later rose to 66 in 2024, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and were on pace to top in 2025 through June. State officials denied they were violating inmates' constitutional rights at the time of the 2024 report, but Corrections Commissioner Tyrone Oliver and others have acknowledged that the pandemic led to a staffing crisis in state prisons as many prison guards resigned. The state has pumped more than $600 million in new spending into the Department of Corrections in recent years. That has helped hire more guards, but the corrections chief told lawmakers in December that the state is still 1,000 guards short of recommended staffing levels. Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Bill Hitchens, a Republican from Rincon, said at the December hearing that hes concerned the prison system isnt making meaningful progress toward preventing inmates from jamming or disabling cell-door locks. Broken locks allow inmates to roam freely and commit attacks. Oliver said at the time that fully replacing cell-door locks could take years. ___ Bynum reported from Savannah, Georgia. Associated Press writers Sarah Brumfield in Washington and Kate Brumback in Atlanta contributed. An incident at a Georgia prison on Sunday has left three inmates dead, and at least 12 other inmates and a guard wounded. Washington County Sheriff Joel Cochran confirmed that his office responded to the Washington State Prison to assist with security on the perimeter of the facility. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Washington County Coroner Paul Hodges confirmed the deaths of three inmates. Advertisement Advertisement Cochran said at least 12 inmates and one guard were taken out of the prison for treatment. The Georgia State Patrol, Davisboro Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriffs Office also responded to assist. TRENDING STORIES: Channel 2 Action News has reached out to the Georgia Department of Corrections for more details on what led up to the incident. The prisoners killed have been identified as 23-year-old Ahmod Hatcher, 42-year-old Jimmy Trammell and 27-year-old Teddy Jackson. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SpaceX targeting Thursday for Cape Canaveral's second rocket launch of 2026 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. Read the full story here. NASA Artemis moon mission could launch from Florida in 1 month. What to know 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Read the full story here. Starship to launch on 1st 2026 flight. When will rocket debut in Florida? New year, new Starship. SpaceX could soon debut from South Texas a more advanced and powerful version of its mammoth spacecraft known as Starship. Read the full story here. Who is Mark Kelly? What to know about retired NASA astronaut after censure Before he found himself a target of the Trump administration as a U.S. senator, Mark Kelly was a veteran NASA astronaut who flew to space on four separate missions in a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Kelly, D-Arizona, was recently issued a formal censure courtesy of Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth for his role in a video telling service members they "can refuse illegal orders." Kelly was first elected to office in 2020, about nine years after he retired from both the Navy and NASA. Read the full story here. SpaceX postpones afternoon rocket launch from Cape, aims to try again Friday Sunny skies and calm breezes were forecast for SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket launch attempt this afternoon from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station but instead, the mission has been postponed to Friday, Jan. 9. SpaceX's new Friday launch window extends from 1:03 p.m. to 5:03 p.m. Upon a successful liftoff, the rocket will rise to the southeast and deploy a batch of 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Advertisement Advertisement Read the full story here. NASA to bring Crew-11 home from ISS early after astronaut medical issue After a crew member aboard the International Space Station suffered an undisclosed medical issue, NASA crews are working to bring the four Crew-11 astronauts back home to Earth earlier than planned. NASA did not identify the crew member or provide details on the medical concern, citing privacy issues. Crew-11's early return will represent the first medical evacuation in the 25-year history of the ISS, said Dr. James Polk, chief health and medical officer at NASA Headquarters. Read the full story here. What would sunrise look like on Mars? NASA Curiosity rover snaps photo Mars, with its rust-hued surface, is known as the red planet for a reason. Advertisement Advertisement A recent photo from NASA, though, gives an idea of what our celestial neighbor would look like under skies that resemble our own. One of the U.S. space agency's two rovers wandering the Martian iron oxide-infused surface recently pulled together a composite panoramic image of a region of the planet that, to viewers, may be reminiscent of an Earthly sunset. Read the full story here. With astronaut medical issue on ISS, here's a look at NASA's Crew-11 As NASA weighs whether to bring Crew-11 home early from the International Space Station due to a medical issue involving one of the astronauts, here's what you need to know about the crew. NASA astronauts Mike Fincke and Zena Cardman were preparing for a upcoming morning spacewalk Jan. 7, when the preparation was halted. According to NASA, an unidentified crew member experienced a medical issue. Identity and medical information were not released by NASA due to privacy laws, but the agency said the astronaut was in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Read the full story here. SpaceX launch recap: Live updates from Starlink mission from Cape Canaveral Launch recap: Scroll down to review live updates from the Friday, Jan. 9, liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on the Starlink 6-96 mission. Read the full story here. Is life on Europa? Study says orbiter launched in Florida may not find any A NASA spacecraft that launched in 2024 from Florida may be in for disappointment when it reaches a Jupiter moon to search for signs of life at least, if a new study carries weight. Jupiter's moon Europa has long been shortlisted among scientists as one of our solar system's most promising locations to search for the conditions that could support life, if not life itself. But a new study has cast doubt on the idea that the intriguing world shrouded in ice could indeed harbor extraterrestrial life deep in its vast ocean of liquid saltwater. Advertisement Advertisement Read the full story here. As NASA prepares to bring Crew-11 home, look back at 5 space emergencies With NASAs Crew-11 cutting a six-month stay in orbit short due to an astronauts medical condition, it marks the first time in history a mission on the International Space Station ended early for medical reasons. But it is not the first time an astronaut faced a medical challenge in space from blood clots to colds. NASA also has experience working through in-space emergencies, as they did with Apollo 13. Read the full story here. NASA working to bring Crew-11 astronauts home in first ISS medical evacuation Planning is underway for NASA's first medical evacuation in the 25-year history of habitation aboard the International Space Station as the four Crew-11 astronauts prepare to return to Earth earlier than expected. Advertisement Advertisement Details should be released in the next few days. Here's what we know: An unidentified crew member is stable after a medical concern arose Wednesday, Jan. 8, forcing postponement of a two-astronaut spacewalk. Read the full story here. Astronomers on Cloud-9 after discovery of strange new cosmic object A team of astronomers are, in a manner of speaking, on cloud nine after discovering a never-before-seen astronomical object in the distant universe. The starless cloud composed of dark matter, nicknamed Cloud-9 for reasons we'll get to below, is a galaxy that failed to form in the ancient universe, NASA said in a January press release announcing the discovery. It's likely the strange cosmic cloud, which astronomers believe wasn't able to accumulate enough gas to form stars, is one of many other small failed galaxies in the universe now dominated by dark matter, according to researchers. Advertisement Advertisement Read the full story here. Here's the list of all 2026 rocket launches from Cape Canaveral, Florida Florida's Space Coast home of NASA's Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station remains the reigning rocket launch capital of the world. Last year ushered in a new annual record of 109 orbital launches, with SpaceX's workhorse Falcon 9 rockets accounting for 101 of those missions. How high will Florida's launch total climb during 2026? Read the full story here. NASA to bring Crew-11 astronauts back home Thursday. Here's what we know. After an astronaut suffered a medical issue on the International Space Station, NASA's four-person Crew-11 is making preparations to board their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and undock from the orbiting laboratory at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, pending weather conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Following a deorbit burn in Earth's atmosphere, Crew-11 should splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast about 3:40 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, NASA announced. Read the full story here. SpaceX targeting Monday for next rocket launch from Cape Canaveral SpaceX is targeting Monday afternoon for its third rocket launch of the year from Cape Canaveral. The launch is set to occur no earlier than 12:42 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12 from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission will be a Falcon 9 rocket sending the company's next batch of 29 Starlink internet satellites to orbit. Read the full story here. For the latest news and launch schedule 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. 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: 321 Launch: Space news you may have missed over the past week (Jan. 12) Some Americans are starting the new year knowing they may get an income tax break. The tax cut isnt coming from the federal government, but a handful of states. Eight states, including Kentucky, lowered their income tax rate, effective Jan. 1, according to the nonprofit thinktank Tax Foundation. By putting more money in their residents pockets, states hope to spur economic growth and attract more workers, businesses and investments, experts said. Advertisement Advertisement The cuts demonstrate that states continue to embrace reforms that will give them a competitive edge and promote continued economic growth for years to come, the Tax Foundation said. What states are cutting income tax rates? Tax rates are falling in these states: Indiana : Flat rate falls to 2.95% from 3% last year, with a further rate reduction to 2.9% on January 1, 2027. Legislation last year calls for lowering the flat individual income tax rate to a potential 2.55% in 0.05% increments in even-numbered years beginning January 1, 2030, provided revenue thresholds are met. Kentucky : Flat rate drops to 3.5% from 4% Mississippi : Flat rate decreases to 4% from 4.4% as the final reduction as part of a scheduled multiyear phase-down of its individual income tax Montana : Top marginal rate falls to 5.65% from 5.9%, with a further reduction to 5.4% in 2027. The lower rate of 4.7% remains unchanged, but the bracket for this rate is expanded. Nebraska : Top rate drops to 4.55% from 5.2% as part of an ongoing phase-down to gradually reduce the top rate to 3.99% by 2027. North Carolina : Flat rate falls to 3.99% from 4.25%, marking the final rate reduction in a multi-year plan to cut the individual income tax rate. Ohio : Moves to a flat 2.75% rate from 3.125% on income above $26,050. There is no tax on income below that threshold. Oklahoma: Top rate slides to 4.5% from 4.75% and six individual income tax brackets are reduced to three brackets. Medora Lee is a money, markets and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at mjlee@usatoday.com and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday morning. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 8 states, including Kentucky, drop income tax rates in 2026 The stimulants Ritalin and Adderall have been used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for decades, but research shows they dont act on the brains attention circuitry as had long been assumed. Instead, the medications primarily target the brains reward and wakefulness centers, according to a new study published in the journal Cell. The research, which used brain imaging data from almost 5,800 children ages 8 to 11, also pointed toward the important role that lack of sleep plays in the disorder. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement When I first saw the results, I thought I had just made a mistake because none of the attention systems are changing here, said Benjamin Kay, one of the studys authors and a professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Its not that the stimulants are ineffective. The paper clearly shows that they help, said Nico Dosenbach, another of the authors and a professor of neurology at the university. They help kids who have a diagnosis of ADHD do better in school and do better on tests, and they help kids who dont sleep enough and a lot of Americans dont sleep enough. Although ADHD is often thought of as a childhood condition, an estimated 15.5 million American adults have the diagnosis; roughly half of them received the diagnosis in adulthood. The disorder afflicts an estimated 7 million children, ages 3 to 17. The prevalence among American children rose from 6.1 percent in 1997 to 1998 to 10.2 percent in 2015 to 2016, according to one study. Advertisement Advertisement The exact cause of ADHD remains unknown, and there is no single test for the condition. Despite the name Attention Deficit, ADHD is a multifaceted disorder in which difficulty focusing attention is just one component, Maggie Sweitzer, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University School of Medicine who did not work on the study, said in an email. Its important to remember that ADHD is not a benign condition - individuals with ADHD are not only at risk for school problems in childhood, but also for occupational, social, and physical, and mental health problems across the lifespan. For many people these medications are transformative. The brain images used in the Cell paper published last month came from children enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, which began in 2015. Advertisement Advertisement Researchers compared images of children who took prescription stimulants on the day of their scan with those of children who did not take stimulants. By studying the connections that allow different regions of the brain to communicate with one another, the scientists discovered that stimulants were promoting increased activity in the wakefulness and reward regions, but not in the attention ones. Dosenbach said the stimulants pre-reward our brains and allow us to keep working at things that wouldnt normally hold our interest, such as a class in school that feels like drudgery. The stimulants are not a cognition booster, Dosenbach said. They dont make you smarter, I dont think. They dont actually give you better attention. Advertisement Advertisement Researchers found that the stimulants not only helped children diagnosed with ADHD, but also those who had slept less than the recommended nine hours a night. The stimulants did not lead to better school performance by children who did not have ADHD and were not sleep-deprived. Psychiatrists said there are some non-stimulants used to treat ADHD, such as Atomoxetine. The new study supports an increasing body of research that has pointed toward lack of proper sleep as a contributor to ADHD. 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, said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Sinan Omer Turnacioglu, interim division chief of neurodevelopmental pediatrics and neurogenetics at Childrens National Hospital, said that while sleep medications can be prescribed for children with ADHD, it is also important to address behavioral management, including limiting light exposure and time in front of a computer screen before bed. He suggested that people have some kind of winding-down bedtime routine to really decrease the level of stimulation before going to sleep. Turnacioglu and other experts stressed that giving prescription stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall to children is not the same as giving them a 5-Hour Energy shot. The prescription stimulants, he said, dont work in the exact same way in the nervous system. Sweitzer said the study suggests that clinicians and families should be discussing sleep, behavioral strategies and medication options to address ADHD. Advertisement Advertisement Max Wiznitzer, a professor of pediatrics and neurology at Case Western Reserve Universitys School of Medicine and member of the board of directors for the nonprofit Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), said research has shown that the condition can shorten life expectancy. Because theyre impulsive, they dont necessarily make good choices, Wiznitzer said. They dont remember to take their medicines. They sometimes eat too much. Theres more obesity, more cardiovascular disease, more diabetes. Related Content This is war: In texts, U-Va. board members plot with Youngkin, decry DEI The best moments and biggest shocks of the 2026 Golden Globes Despite Gaza ceasefire, war still deadly along Israels Yellow Line Autism experts and advocacy groups are reacting after Mattel announced a new Barbie doll, the first with autism, on Sunday. Many celebrated the new doll from the global toy company, saying its introduction raises awareness of a condition that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates approximately 3.2% or about 1 in 31 children in the U.S. have. Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is a spectrum, which means symptoms vary by person. Some need little support in their daily lives, and some may need a great deal of support in performing day-to-day activities. Some may have advanced conversation skills and others may be minimally verbal. Advertisement Advertisement Geraldine Dawson, founding director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development and William Cleland Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine, said she was "pleased" to see the new Barbie doll with autism. Mattel - PHOTO: Mattel is introducing a new autistic Barbie doll featuring accessories such as headphones and a tablet. "Autistic kids often feel excluded because they are different. Having a doll that represents their personal experiences sends a message that they are valued and included," Dawson told ABC News in a statement. "This can play an important role in developing a positive sense of identity and self-esteem. For kids on the spectrum, this is especially important because it can buffer them from developing mental health problems, such as depression, which are common among autistic kids." The advocacy group and nonprofit Autism Speaks also said the new doll "helps reinforce a positive self-image for autistic children." "When toy brands like Toys 'R' Us or Mattel support autism, they send a powerful message about inclusion that can shape kids' identities early on," Eileen Lamb, a senior director of marketing and social media strategy at Autism Speaks, told ABC News in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Barbie introduces 1st doll with Type 1 diabetes She added, "As a mom to two children on the spectrum, and someone who was diagnosed later in life, seeing a doll like this feels like an important building block toward better understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of autistic people, starting in childhood and continuing throughout life." The new Barbie doll, part of the Barbie Fashionistas collection, has features Mattel said reflects common experiences some with autism have or relate to, such as elbow and wrist articulation that can showcase stimming behaviors like hand flapping and a slanted gaze to indicate non-direct eye contact. Barbie unveils first-ever doll with Down syndrome Advertisement Advertisement The doll also comes with accessories like headphones, representing one of the tools kids and people with autism might use to decrease "sensory overload," a tablet showing symbols used in augmentative and alternative communication apps that some nonverbal individuals with autism use to communicate, and a fidget spinner. Mattel said it partnered with the nonprofit disability rights organization Autistic Self Advocacy Network, or ASAN, to bring the new doll to life and aims to give kids with autism another way to "see themselves represented in Barbie." The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity, another nonprofit, praised the partnership between ASAN and Mattel, saying it "reflects an effort to be thoughtful about how autism is represented." "When neurodivergent experiences and support tools show up in everyday play, it can help reduce stigma and make space for empathy and understanding for Autistic kids and non-autistic kids alike," Brenda Dater, executive director of the Association for Autism and Neurodiversity, told ABC News in an emailed statement. "We see this as one step in an ongoing evolution of authentic representation. What's most important is continuing to listen to Autistic voices and recognizing that representation should reflect the full humanity and diversity of the world children are a part of." Advertisement Advertisement According to the CDC , autism is a developmental disability caused by brain differences that can be marked by a wide variety of symptoms and signs . They may include avoidance of eye contact, a lack of facial expressions, repetition of words, delayed cognitive and social skills, unusual eating patterns and more. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The new legislative session is approaching, and lawmakers are preparing for what could be a fast-paced and strategic few months in Montgomery. I think youll see some public safety legislation, some bills regarding education and economic development, said former state representative Paul DeMarco. But really, I know lawmakers want to get in, get everything that needs to be done and then adjourn for the session so they can go back and campaign for votes before the May party primaries. Because this is an election year, political experts say the calendar, not just policy, will play a major role in how much gets done. Advertisement Advertisement Teenage male dead following Birmingham shooting With it being an election year, you wont see nearly as many bills passed as a regular year because they want to get in, get that business done and get back home, DeMarco said. Democrats say the focus this session will be on pushing back against certain republican-backed measures while also trying to move legislation they say directly impacts everyday Alabamians. One is going to be defeating that naturalized citizenship bill, said Wayne Rogers, former Jefferson County Democratic Party Chair. Certainly, were going to try to defeat that. Were also going to be focusing on trying to have something passed for prison reform to make our prison systems better, because we know theres so many problems. And then focusing on kitchen table issues trying to find ways to make life better for Alabama citizens, maybe lower the grocery tax again. Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to timeline, Rogers says lawmakers are expecting a slow start with a few key exceptions. It will be several weeks before any bills get passed, Rogers said. There will be some things that will be pushed through very quickly. Were hoping the budget bills will be fairly non-controversial and get done quickly so the session can end at the end of March. Governor Kay Ivey is also expected to set the tone for the session, delivering her final State of the State Address on Tuesday and laying out her priorities for her last year in office. 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 CBS 42. Housam al-Astal, leader of the Gazan "Counterterrorism Service," claimed responsibility for killing a Hamas police chief, warning those working with the group of imminent death. Housam al-Astal, leader of the anti-Hamas Gazan "Counterterrorism Service" militia, announced that the group killed a senior Hamas police officer in the Gaza Strip on Monday. Hamas's official news agency, SAFA, corroborated that the terrorist, who held the position of Khan Yunis police chief, was killed in al-Mawasi, identifying him as Mahmoud al-Astal. Advertisement Advertisement The terror group's "investigations" linked the shooting with "a vehicle carrying a number of Israeli occupation agents." Hamas's rhetoric often links anti-Hamas militias, such as the "Counterterrorism Service," with Israel, describing them as "occupation agents." Gunmen stand guard at the funeral of Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas deputy military commander who was killed in an Israeli airstrike during the conflict between Israel and Hamas, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in the central Gaza Strip, February 7, 2025. (credit: AGUSTIN MARCARIAN/REUTERS) The "Counterterrorism Service" is often referred to as the armed wing of the Popular Forces militia. It appears to have been founded by Ghassan Duhine, who took over as militia leader following Yasser Abu Shabab's death. Astal appeared in a video posted to his official social media wearing a black military-style uniform, including a tactical vest bearing a Palestinian flag, and holding a rifle. He stood behind a table displaying assorted firearms, ammunition, magazines, and a camera. Militia leader: 'Death is coming to those who work with Hamas' In the video, Astal warns that "Those who work with Hamas, your destiny is to be killed. Death is coming to you." Advertisement Advertisement Astal, whose group controls parts of Khan Yunis, alleged that the killed Hamas terrorist was responsible for "killing many people in the streets," and "committing murder of our people." The "Counterterrorism Service" also claimed to have killed two Hamas terrorists and arrested a third on Tuesday afternoon, claiming that the operation was carried out after one terrorist "confessed" during an interrogation. MOSCOW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday rebuked British Defence Secretary John Healey's remarks about "abducting" President Vladimir Putin. Maria Zakharova, the ministry's spokesperson, called the remarks "the obscene fantasies of British deviants" during an appearance on the Russian TV channel TV Tsentr. On Friday, Healey said he would "take Putin into custody and hold him accountable for war crimes" when asked by Ukrainian media which world leader he would like to abduct. ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) Protesters gathered in Roanokes Elmwood Park on Sunday afternoon to speak out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after an agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis on January 7. I think its important that we all come out here to voice our opinion on why what the federal government is doing and what ICE is doing is wrong on so many levels, said Sullivan Manley, one of the protesters. The Department of Homeland Security has stood behind the agent that shot and killed Good, arguing that he was acting in self-defense. Advertisement Advertisement But some protesters are calling for the abolishment of ICE following Goods death. ICE is not welcome in this city, said Danny Clawson, one of the organizers of the protest. ICE is not welcome in Southwest Virginia. ICE is not welcome in this country. ODU alumna killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis Protesters said they gathered to honor Good, but also to demand accountability for the federal agents involved in the situation that led to her death. The FBI says it is investigating the incident. There were also calls to support immigrants and their families within the community, such as Amanda Vongphakdy, whose father was deported to Laos in November. Advertisement Advertisement My dad had been here for 45 years, said Vongphakdy, who said her father attended Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke. He will be 60 in March. Hes been here since he was 14. Vongphakdy said that had it not been for her father having a sister living in Laos, shes not sure where he would have gone. She joined in the protest on Sunday with her two children in hopes of gaining some insight into what to do next, as she questions whether her father will ever be able to return. Im here to maybe hear stories and get resources to figure this out, said Vongphakdy. This is a new rule book. How is it written? What do we do? And is this forever? Advertisement Advertisement 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 WFXRtv. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Heres what youll learn when you read this story: The archaeological site at Turkeys Bogazkoy-Hattusha, the former capital of the Bronze Age Hittite empire, is a hotbed of ancient languages. During excavations of the ruins, archaeologists uncovered a new language written on a tablet detailing a foreign ritual. Although experts arent sure what the specific idiom says, they can confirm that the new language is a member of the Anatolian Indo-European language family. Today, the ancient city of Hattusha the capital of the Hittite empire that ruled north-central Turkey in the late Bronze Age (1650 - 1200 BCE)is a treasure trove of ancient languages. Advertisement Advertisement At the Bogazkoy-Hattusha archaeological site, excavations over the past century have uncovered around 30,000 cuneiform tablets detailing the history, traditions, and society of Bronze Age Anatolia. This site is so rich in Bronze Age history that the once-powerful capital became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Although most of the tablets found in Hattusha are written in Hittitethe oldest attested Indo-European language (and the language tree through which English evolved)many other languages of the region can be found among these cuneiform treasures, including Luwian, Palaic, and Hattic. However, 2023 excavations at the site revealed a surprising discoveryan entirely new language. The Hittites were uniquely interested in recording rituals in foreign languages, Daniel Schwemer, head of the Chair of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Julius-Maximilians-Universitat (JMU) Wurzburg in Germany, said in a press statement . Advertisement Advertisement And hidden in this particular ancient cultic text is a recitation written in an unfamiliar language. According to the archaeologists, the Hittite text refers to an idiom from the language of the land of Kalasmaan area that wouldve lied along the northwestern edge of the Hittite empires frontier. Although experts have no idea what this particular cuneiform passage says, they can confirm that the language is a member of the Anatolian Indo-European family, which also includes Luwian, Palaic, and Hittite. As its name suggests, Indo-European languages make up a large family of languages that encompass many modern countries in Europe and the Indian subcontinent. Most of the languages from these regions can trace their roots back to an original mother language (though the Basque language is a head-scratching outlier). Experts believe that the Proto-Indo-European language likely originated around the Black Sea, in what is now southern Ukraine. On the other side of the Black Sea, evidence suggests that Kalasma lies near modern-day Bolu or Gerede in northwestern Turkey, which is closer to the geographic area in which Palaic was spoken. However, the newly discovered language has more in common with Luwian, a language spoken by people in the southeastern corner of the Hittite empire. Although only a mere sliver of the Kalasma language is known today, its more than likely that more evidence of this long-forgotten tongue is waiting to be discovered somewhere along the vast stretches of Anatolia. You Might Also Like The Brief The countdown for NASAs Artemis II lunar mission is getting closer. NASA announced that the earliest launch window for Artemis II is Feb. 6, 2026, with 12 more possible dates available from February-April. The Artemis mission, a followup to the Apollo program, hopes to have astronauts back on the moons surface by 2027. NASAs Artemis II, the first mission to send astronauts to the moon in more than 50 years, is set to launch in coming months. Advertisement Advertisement As NASA prepares for final testing, the agency has released more than a dozen possible dates for Artemis IIs launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis II mission What we know The second mission for the Artemis program will send four astronauts around the moon aboard the Orion spacecraft. Orion will not land on the moon. The goal of the mission is to confirm all of the spacecrafts systems operate as intended with people on board in deep space. NASAs Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (NASA/Joel Kowsky) The first Artemis mission in 2022 sent an empty Orion capsule to circle the moon after blasting off on NASAs new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Although the launch and lunar laps went well, the capsule returned with an excessively charred and eroded bottom heat shield, damaged from the heat of reentry. Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Blue Origin rocket launches first wheelchair user into space Artemis IIs launch has been delayed multiple times. Those delays have pushed the third Artemis mission a moon landing by two other astronauts to at least 2027. The crew will travel approximately 4,700 miles beyond the moons surface. What we don't know Its unclear if the mission could face more delays. What they're saying "Through Artemis, NASA will explore more of the moon than ever before and create an enduring presence in deep space," NASA said. NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (NASA/Eric Bordelon) The backstory Artemis is a follow-up to the Apollo program of the late 1960s and early 1970s. NASAs vaulted Apollo program sent 24 astronauts to the moon, with 12 landing on it. An American astronaut hasnt stepped foot on the moon since Apollo 17 in December 1972. Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Lightning on Mars: Scientists capture crackling sounds Artemis II possible launch dates Timeline The earliest launch window for Artemis II is Feb. 6, 2026, according to NASA. Here are the other possible launch dates: Feb. 7 Feb. 8 Feb. 10 Feb. 11 March 6 March 7 March 8 March 9 March 11 April 1 April 3 April 4 April 5 April 6 April 30 What's next The next step is for NASA to haul the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to begin final integration, testing and launch rehearsals, NASA says. That will happen no earlier than Saturday, Jan. 17. The Source This report includes information from NASA, The Associated Press and previous FOX Local reporting. FOX's Catherine Stoddard contributed. Astronauts brains can change shape and shift positions during stays in space, according to a new study with implications for NASAs goals to conduct long-duration missions to the moon and Mars. The study, published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that after spaceflight, astronauts brains were tilted upward and shifted up and back in the skull relative to their normal positions on Earth. The affected areas of the brain included sensory-related regions linked to motion sickness, disorientation and loss of balance, the scientists found. The research adds to a growing but still nascent field of aerospace medicine focused on the toll that spaceflight and the microgravity environment take on the human body. Such research is crucial for planning long-term missions as NASA looks to build a base on the moon and send astronauts deeper into the solar system. Advertisement Advertisement We need to understand these changes and their impacts to keep astronauts safe and healthy and protect their longevity, said Rachael Seidler, a professor in the department of applied physiology and kinesiology at the University of Florida and a co-author of the study. Seidler and her colleagues analyzed MRI scans from 26 astronauts before and after their time in orbit. The time the participants spent in space ranged from a few weeks (for space shuttle flights) to roughly six months the standard duration for missions aboard the International Space Station. A few individuals studied spent extended, yearlong stints at the space station. An astronaut looks out the window of the cupola on the International Space Station. (NASA) (NASA) The people who went for a year showed the largest changes, Seidler said. There were still some changes evident in people who went for two weeks, but duration seems to be the driving factor. She added that among astronauts who had stayed in space six months or longer, the upward movement was pretty extensive, particularly in structures at the top of the brain. Advertisement Advertisement Its on the order of a couple of millimeters, she said, which doesnt sound like a big number, but when youre talking about brain movement, it really is. That kind of change is visible by eye. Seidler said the brain changes observed sometimes caused sensory conflicts for astronauts while in space, manifesting as temporary disorientation or motion sickness. Back on Earth, the shifts can also contribute to balance issues as the astronauts readjust to Earths gravity. But she said the study did not find serious symptoms, such as headaches or cognitive impairment, during or after spaceflight. That was surprising to me, Seidler said. For comparison, the research team also analyzed brain scans from 24 civilian participants on Earth who were put on bed rest for up to 60 days while tilted back, so that their heads were 6 degrees below their feet. The idea was to simulate a microgravity environment, and the scientists found similar changes in brain position and shape after the period of bed rest. The astronauts brains experienced greater upward shift, though. Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Mark Rosenberg, an assistant professor of neurology at the Medical University of South Carolina and the director of its aerospace and performance neurology program, said scientists have known that spaceflight can affect the brain, but Seidlers study is one of the first to document how those upward shifts influence how astronauts function in space and back on Earth. We knew the brain shifts upward, but does it actually have any kind of operational impact? said Rosenberg, who was not involved with the study. This study is able to make some of those associations. The findings raise new questions for potential follow-up, such as whether there are differences between brain changes among male and female astronauts, and whether a crew members age is a factor. Piecing together a complete picture, however, is limited by a sample size problem: Only up to a dozen or so astronauts launch to the International Space Station each year, and NASAs astronaut corps has historically been dominated by men. More research is also needed to understand if the observed brain changes have longer-term impacts. Advertisement Advertisement So far, like most other changes to astronauts bodies after stints in space including bone loss, deterioration of muscle strength and fluid redistribution the shifts do not appear to be permanent. After the body readjusts to the familiar tug of Earths gravity, things more or less return to normal, Rosenberg said. But its not yet known whether different gravity environments will introduce new complications. If youve been on Mars with one-third Earths gravity, or on the moon with one-sixth Earths gravity, will it take three or six times as long to get back to normal? Rosenberg said. He and Seidler both said the findings so far should not be viewed as an argument against humans spending extended periods in space. But it will be critical to figure out if there is any lasting damage and how to avoid it, if possible. Advertisement Advertisement Whether we care to admit it or not, we are eventually going to become a space-faring species, Rosenberg said. Its only a matter of time. And these are just some of the unanswered questions that we need to sort out. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Four astronauts aboard the International Space Station recently began packing their bags to prepare for an unprecedented early departure to Earth after one of them experienced a medical issue. The impending medical evacuation would bring to an untimely end a joint NASA and SpaceX mission known as Crew-11, which reached the orbital laboratory in August. When the four spacefarers on the mission, including two Americans, land back on Earth, they'll become the first crew to ever depart the space station early for medical reasons in its 25-year history. NASA made the decision Thursday, Jan. 8, to end the mission early after one of the astronauts aboard the ISS experienced what the U.S. space agency referred to as "medical concern." The issue also prompted NASA to cancel the first of two planned spacewalks for January. 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 what happened on the International Space Station, and how to watch the four astronauts return home. Advertisement Advertisement Spaceflight in 2026: 6 spaceflights ahead in year ahead, from NASA moon missions to SpaceX Starship When will astronauts leave International Space Station early? The astronauts of the Crew-11 mission are due to depart no earlier than 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 14, from the International Space Station, NASA announced. Were the undocking to occur as scheduled, the crew would face a more-than 10-hour journey through space and Earth's atmosphere, culminating in a water landing around 3:40 a.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 15, off the coast of California. "Mission managers continue monitoring conditions in the recovery area, as undocking of the SpaceX Dragon depends on spacecraft readiness, recovery team readiness, weather, sea states, and other factors," NASA said in a Jan. 9 blog post. 1st-ever ISS evacuation due to medical emergency NASA's decision to cut short the mission came after a "medical concern with a crew member." NASA did not identify the astronaut who is stable nor share details about the medical issue, citing privacy. Advertisement Advertisement "The capability to diagnose and treat this properly does not live on the International Space Station," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a Jan. 8 press conference. The medical issue forced NASA to postpone a spacewalk initially scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8. A second spacewalk set for Thursday, Jan. 15 also appears to have been canceled. What is the International Space Station? The International Space Station has been stationed in low-Earth orbit for more than 25 years, typically about 260 miles high, where it has been home to astronauts from all over the world. Throughout its lifespan, the station has served as a test bed for scientific research in microgravity and has in years past opened itself up to private commercial missions. The orbital laboratory is operated through a global partnership of space agencies, including NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Canadian Space Agency. Advertisement Advertisement More than 290 spacefarers from 26 countries have visited the International Space Station, including 170 from the United States alone, according to NASA. NASA astronaut Mike Fincke inserts a cryogenic storage unit containing research samples into a science freezer for preservation and later analysis on the International Space Station. This view of Earth was captured from a window on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as it approached the International Space Station. NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Jonny Kim practice using a robotic arm on the Destiny laboratory modules robotics workstation on the International Space Station. Kim used the device in September to capture Northrop Grummans Cygnus XL cargo craft as it arrived at the outpost. Northrop Grummans Cygnus XL cargo craft, carrying over 11,000 pounds of new science and supplies for the Expedition 73 crew, is pictured in the grips of the International Space Stations Canadarm2 robotic arm following its capture. Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Ryzhikov conducts a spacewalk Oct. 16 outside the International Space Station. The International Space Station is seen from the Crew 8 SpaceX Dragon during undocking in October 2024. The International Space Station as seen in Nov. 2021 from astronauts aboard a SpaceX Dragon. This still from a video captured by NASA astronaut Zena Cardman, a member of Crew-11, from the International Space Station shows auroras above the South Pacific Ocean. Cardman took the footage from a SpaceX Dragon capsule that was docked at the time. NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams is pictured Thursday, Jan. 30 during her second spacewalk of the month. In this photo, Williams is attached to the tip of the Canadarm2 robotic arm as the International Space Station orbits 260 miles above Earth. NASAs SpaceX Crew-9 members pose together for a portrait inside the vestibule between the International Space Station and the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft. Clockwise from left, are NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Suni Williams, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. International Space Station marks 25 years with humans on board. See photos 1 of 10 NASA astronaut Mike Fincke inserts a cryogenic storage unit containing research samples into a science freezer for preservation and later analysis on the International Space Station. How to watch NASA coverage NASA will provide live coverage of the return of the astronauts, beginning with them boarding and undocking on the SpaceX Dragon capsule they rode to the station until they splash down in the Pacific Ocean. Coverage will be available on the agency's streaming app, NASA+ also available on YouTube and the agencys X account as well as Amazon Prime. Netflix, which provides some live NASA coverage, including rocket launches, is not promoting the event on its platform. What is NASA SpaceX Crew-11? When did it reach the space station? The crew of NASAs SpaceX Crew-11 mission pose for a photo during a training session for their upcoming trip to the International Space Station at SpaceX facilities in Florida. From left: Oleg Platonov, Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and Kimiya Yui. As the name suggests, Crew-11 is NASA and SpaceX's 11th science expedition to the International Space Station. Advertisement Advertisement The four astronauts selected for the mission reached the orbital laboratory in August, replacing the Crew-10 contingent. The missions, most of which last about six months, are contracted under NASA's commercial crew program. The program allows the U.S. space agency to pay SpaceX to launch and transport astronauts and cargo to orbit aboard the company's Dragon vehicles, freeing up NASA to focus on its Artemis lunar program and other spaceflight missions, including future crewed voyages to Mars. NASA is also hoping to certify Boeing's Starliner capsule to add a second operational vehicle for missions to the ISS before the station is retired by 2030. Who are the astronauts on Crew-11? Here's a look at the four astronauts who are part of Crew-11: Advertisement Advertisement Zena Cardman , a NASA astronaut from Virginia making her first spaceflight; Mike Fincke , a NASA astronaut from Pennsylvania making his fourth trip to space; Kimiya Yui , a Japanese astronaut of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA); Oleg Platonov, a Russian Roscosmos cosmonaut. When will Crew-12 launch, reach space station? The early return of the Crew-11 astronauts would leave the space station understaffed until the arrival of the mission's Crew-12 replacements. The Crew-12 astronauts are due to arrive at the station as early as Feb. 15, NASA said as recently as Nov. 20 in a blog post. However NASA and SpaceX are now evaluating earlier launch opportunities. SpaceX uses its Falcon 9 rocket one of the most active in the world to launch the crew missions from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The astronauts themselves ride a Dragon crew capsule the only U.S. spacecraft capable of carrying astronauts to and from the space station that separates from the rocket in orbit. 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. What astronauts are on the International Space Station? The Crew-11 astronauts are among seven people living and working aboard the International Space Station. Advertisement Advertisement NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russians Sergey Mikaev and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, who arrived at the end of November on a Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, are the newest additions at the orbital laboratory. 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: Astronauts prepare to depart ISS after 'medical concern.' Here's when Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara warns the Israeli government of violating a High Court ruling on military conscription, stressing the risk to Israel's democracy and security. Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara warned the High Court of Justice on Monday that the government is in active violation of a binding court ruling on military conscription, describing the conduct of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet as a danger to Israels democratic system. In a sharply worded response to petitions seeking sanctions for contempt of court, the attorney-general confirmed that the government has failed to implement the High Courts November ruling requiring equal enforcement of mandatory military service, including against ultra-Orthodox draft evaders, and has taken no meaningful steps to comply with the decision. Advertisement Advertisement The government did not act to implement the judgment or the operative remedies directed at it, nor did it express any genuine intention to do so, Baharav-Miara wrote. This constitutes a violation of the courts ruling. The petitions were filed following a November High Court judgment, issued by an expanded panel, which held that in the absence of valid legislation exempting yeshiva students, the state must enforce conscription under existing law. The court ordered the government to formulate, within 45 days, an effective and equitable enforcement policy, including the cessation of economic benefits tied directly or indirectly to draft evasion, and to initiate criminal proceedings against draft dodgers. View of the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on February 13, 2017 (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90) Deadline expired That deadline expired earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement According to the attorney-generals submission, no such enforcement policy was adopted, no operative instructions were issued, and no coordinating authority was appointed. The only government discussion held on the matter, she noted, was brief, attended by a limited number of ministers, and conducted without the participation of the prime minister, defense minister, or finance minister. Baharav-Miara warned that the governments inaction is particularly grave given public calls by senior ministers to ignore judicial rulings, which she said have gone uncondemned by the prime minister. Such conduct, she wrote, empties judicial review of practical meaning and opens a dangerous path toward unrestrained rule by power. Citing Deputy Supreme Court Chief Justice Noam Sohlberg, the attorney-general stressed that the issue is not only one of equality but of urgent security necessity, noting the armys stated need for thousands of additional soldiers amid the ongoing war. Sohlberg warned in the judgment he authored that continued mass evasion undermines Israels defense capacity and places an unsustainable burden on serving soldiers and reservists. Advertisement Advertisement While the court had emphasized that it was not dictating specific enforcement measures, Sohlberg cautioned that continued defiance could justify stronger judicial intervention in the future. Uri Keidar, CEO of Israel Hofsheet, one of the petitioners, said the government was deliberately prioritizing political survival over enforcement of the law. The government continues to vigorously advance an evasion law while doing nothing that might destabilize its political coalition even at the cost of ongoing, severe harm to the serving public, Keidar said. As early as this coming Wednesday, another petition we filed will be heard, demanding the revocation of eligibility for housing lotteries for draft evaders. We believe the court will continue to stand with those who serve and carry the state on their backs. The time for equality has come. Advertisement Advertisement The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, another petitioner, said the attorney-generals position fully supports its claims that the governments conduct poses a direct threat to Israels democratic order. The attorney-general agrees with the Movements argument that the government is not complying with the courts ruling in a manner that creates a real danger to the existence of the democratic regime in the State of Israel, the organization said. A situation in which the government disregards a judicial ruling cannot be tolerated. We hope the court will order the government to immediately comply with the judgment and to take extensive additional civil-economic measures to enforce conscription. By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Australia's national parliament will cut short its summer break to pass laws tackling hate speech after the Bondi Beach mass shooting, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday, as concerns were also expressed over free speech. The December 14 shooting in Sydney that killed 15 people at a Jewish Hanukkah celebration sparked nationwide calls to tackle antisemitism. Police say the alleged gunmen were inspired by the Islamic State militant group. Advertisement Advertisement The federal parliament will return next Monday, and Albanese said he wanted legislation to step up penalties for hate speech and authorise a gun buyback to pass the following day. Australians were entitled to express different views about the Middle East, he told reporters in Canberra. "What they are not entitled to do, is to hold someone to account for the actions of others because they are a young boy wearing a school uniform going to a Jewish school or a young woman wearing a hijab," he said. The proposed laws will also ease visa denials on the ground of racial bigotry, and lower the threshold for banning hate organisations including neo-Nazi groups, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement ALBANESE FACED CRITICISM FROM JEWISH GROUPS, ISRAEL In the days after the Bondi Beach attack, Jewish community groups and the Israeli government criticised Albanese for failing to act on a rise in antisemitic attacks and criticised protest marches against Israel's war in Gaza held since 2023. Last week, Albanese said a Royal Commission would consider the events of the shooting as well as antisemitism and social cohesion in Australia. A top Australian arts festival has seen the withdrawal of dozens of writers in a backlash against its decision to bar an Australian Palestinian author. The Adelaide Festival board said last Thursday it would disinvite Randa Abdel-Fattah from February's Writers Week in the state of South Australia because "it would not be culturally sensitive to continue to programme her at this unprecedented time, so soon after Bondi". Advertisement Advertisement A Macquarie University academic who researches Islamophobia and Palestine, Abdel-Fattah responded criticising the move as "a blatant and shameless act of anti-Palestinian racism and censorship". Around 100 authors have since withdrawn from the festival in protest, local media reported. The festival's executive director, Julian Hobba, said the arts body was "navigating a complex and unprecedented moment" after the "significant community response" to the board decision. Three board members and the chairperson had resigned. MOST POPULOUS STATE ADOPTS TOUGHER RULES Advertisement Advertisement New South Wales state premier Chris Minns unveiled new rules on Monday that allow local councils to cut off power and water to illegally operating prayer halls and impose bigger fines, as part of measures to curb "hate preachers". Minns said the move was prompted by the difficulty in closing a Muslim prayer hall in Sydney linked to a cleric found by a court to have made statements intimidating Jewish Australians. The mayor of the western Sydney suburb of Fairfield, which has a large Muslim community, said councils should not be responsible for determining hate speech. "Freedom of speech is something that should always be allowed, as long as it is done in a peaceful way," Mayor Frank Carbone told Reuters. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry and Clarence Fernandez) An Avelo Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft, taxiing to the gate. (Photo: Getty Images/Jon Tetzlaff) Budget airline Avelo is closing two of its three operating bases in North Carolina, decreasing service for customers in the state. The airline is streamlining its fleet, shuttering three bases nationwide and consolidating its network around four remaining bases, the company announced last Tuesday. Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), the second busiest in the state, and Wilmington International Airport (ILM) will no longer serve as operating bases for Avelo. Advertisement Advertisement Those two airports are larger airports with lots of capacity on competing routes, Avelo Airlines communications manager Courtney Goff told NC Newsline. The closures come as Avelo also announced its ending its controversial deportation flights January 27 and closing its base at Mesa International Airport in Arizona. The airline began a charter program for the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Immigration Customs and Enforcement agency in May 2025, NC Newsline previously reported. The program provided short-term benefits, but ultimately did not deliver enough consistent and predictable revenue to overcome its operational complexity and costs, Goff said. Advertisement Advertisement But Goff denied that the closures of other bases were connected to controversy over the airlines work with ICE, saying the airline did not see a decline in customers. Avelo flew a record 2.6 million customers on scheduled commercial service in 2025, 11% higher than in 2024. Avelo is known for serving smaller, regional airports that often dont have direct flights from other carriers. It functions on a point-to-point network, as opposed to the hub-and-spoke model, which connects passengers through larger airports more common for full-service, legacy airlines. The airline will continue service from RDU to New Haven, Conn. (HVN) and Rochester, N.Y. (ROC), according to the Jan. 6 announcement, which are both also served by low-cost competitor Breeze Airways. Avelo nixed the routes connecting RDU to Grand Rapids, Mich. (GRR) and Wilmington, Del. (ILG); it was the only carrier offering these flights. A spokesperson for RDU said the airport continues to house a wide range of airlines and destinations from which travelers may choose. Advertisement Advertisement At ILM, Avelo still has flights to New Haven; Nashville, Tenn. (BNA); Tampa, Fla. (TPA); and Baltimore, Md. (BWI). These routes have the most demand and limited capacity and they currently work well within our network, Goff said. There are also opportunities to add seasonal service to ILM and RDU as scheduling and demand permits. Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (USA) near Charlotte continues as a base, seeing an increase in service on some of its routes. The Charlotte-area base employs more than 75 crewmembers for Avelo, according to Goff. The airlines operations at the airport began in May 2024, and Avelo has served more than 230,000 customers on over 2,000 flights at Concord-Padgett Regional Airport since then. Advertisement Advertisement Changes have begun rolling out and will be completed in the spring, Goff said. Brett Snyder, president of airline industry blog Cranky Flier, said this change marks a division in North Carolina. Western North Carolina benefits since Concord is one of the remaining bases, and it will likely see increased attention, he told NC Newsline. In the east, however, with both RDU and Wilmington losing bases, its going to be a deep reduction in flying for the airline. American soldiers dug foxholes into the ridgeline at Djebel Chambi. The infamous Afrika Korps under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel had just launched a massive offensive the day prior. The Americans knew what was coming. Two survivors of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel shared their harrowing story with the Jewish community on Sunday in San Francisco. Bay Area resident Rebecca Goodman turned out Sunday night at Congregation Chevra Thilim to hear from two October 7 survivors. "I want to hear their story. I want to bear witness so that when others tell me this, it did not happen, I can say I heard from people who were there," said Rebecca Goodman, a Bay Area resident and employee of the Jewish Community Relations Council. Advertisement Advertisement People packed the synagogue, hoping to hear first-hand how Eliya and Ziv survived the terrifying Hamas attacks in Israel at the Nova Music Festival. Both Eliya and Ziv went to the bomb shelter together. They endured all sorts of horrific things because of the attackers. EXCLUSIVE: Former Israeli hostage, who was held by Hamas for 505 days, shares story of hope Omer Shem Tov spent 505 days held hostage by Hamas and is now sharing his story of survival and how he never gave up hope. "They had thrown grenades into the shelter," said Rabbi Shlomo Zarchi. "Very few people survived in there." Eliya was kidnapped and held in captivity for 505 days. Advertisement Advertisement "Eliya was taken hostage. He did not know what had become of his girlfriend, Ziv, who had stuck in the shelter," Zarchi said. His girlfriend survived the attacks in the bomb shelter. "She either played dead, or she was buried under bodies," Zarchi said. After Ziv was rescued, she fought tirelessly to bring Eliya home. Eliya was finally released and video shows the moment the two got to see each other for the very first time. "It's a miracle," said Siena Naaman Cohen, co-founder and CEO of The Chosen Foundation. MORE: South Bay Jewish community commemorates 2nd anniversary of Oct 7 Hamas attack Jewish community leaders explained why it was so important to bring the survivors to the Bay Area to understand what happened that day. Advertisement Advertisement "For us, it's just to hear the story. Just after 500 days in captivity I can't imagine how you survive so many days and still strong," said Cohen. "It took almost two years to return all our hostages. We had over 200 hostages." Ziv and Eliya, now reunited, are speaking around the country to share their incredible survival story. They're also sharing that they will get married in August. "They waited until the release of all the hostages were released to begin their celebration of life. It's such an extraordinary message of resilience, hope and compassion," said Zarchi. Those who turned out to hear Ziv and Eliya share their story of extraordinary strength and resilience say it's a story that others need to hear. Advertisement Advertisement "Now, with all the antisemitism in the world, I think it's really important that even Americans that are not Jewish stand alongside of them to show support for everything that's going on. The travesty that happened on October 7," said Greg Hutchinson, a San Anselmo resident. Many also say it's a story that must not be forgotten. If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live MOSCOW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,000 types of new and upgraded military equipment were deployed by Russia for frontline testing in 2025, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov told President Vladimir Putin on Monday. Manturov said Russia planned to showcase a broader range of military hardware in the near future, focusing on air defense systems, aircraft and multiple rocket launcher systems. He added that Russia's defense-industrial complex enterprises had largely completed national defense procurement orders for 2025. Russia's unmanned aerial vehicle and electronic warfare systems have attracted strong interest in the international market, with the total value of signed military export contracts reaching 70 billion U.S. dollars by the end of last year, according to Manturov. The deputy prime minister also noted that the civilian output from the defense-industrial complex enterprises had grown by an average of 10 percent annually over the past three years, with civilian products accounting for more than 30 percent of total output by the end of 2025. These products include railway transport equipment, construction and road machinery, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, consumer electronics and telecommunications devices. He further noted that Russia's space agency Roscosmos conducted 17 carrier rocket launches in 2025, while the number of Russian satellites in orbit increased from 288 to 300. I like to start off the new year with good news, and so despite having a mixed bag today, lets begin with a positive bit of local news. I mentioned in November that Drawing Board Brewing, which ended up closing its previous shop in December, was only moving its operations not closing permanently. While the owners kept mum about the new location, they dropped several hints, and it turns out that the new brewery will be just a block down the road. The brewery, formerly on the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets in the Florence section of Northampton, will now be located on the corner of Main and Maple Streets. (Some folks might recall the spot being the former home to Pizza Factory.) Advertisement Advertisement Drawing Board actually created a special beer for the transition, coyly naming it Corner to Corner Pale Ale, with artwork of both Chestnut and Maple leaves on the label. I sampled it before the old location closed and it was fantastic. I hope they keep it in regular rotation. Stay tuned for news on when Drawing Board reopens. In other, sadder local news, Wandering Star Craft Brewery in Pittsfield closed on New Years Eve after a run of almost 15 years. Owner Chris Post started as a home brewer and opened the brewery at 11 Gifford St. in 2011. I had a few of Wandering Star brews over the years, and they always were spot-on. Best of luck to whatever Post does next. On the national front, but certainly germane to Massachusetts, the Brewers Association, a nonprofit trade group representing the nations 9,000-plus breweries, will be ramping up its efforts for its Brews to Barns initiative in 2026. The proposal is geared toward providing an excise tax credit to reward breweries for donating spent grain to the agricultural sector. Many brewers already donate their spent grain to local farmers. This type of partnership reduces farm costs and keeps usable organic matter out of landfills, so it seems like a perfect fit. But the BA notes that a significant amount of spent grain is still wasted, often ending up in landfills where it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Advertisement Advertisement The initiative was inspired by a bill introduced in Texas and promoted by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild in 2025. Lets hope Massachusetts, which has plenty of both farms and breweries, jumps on board with this win-win proposition. And finally, zooming out to the international level, I am sad to report that Craig, the Kenyan elephant who served as an ambassador for the popular Kenyan lager brand called Tusker, died on Jan. 3. Craig was believed to have been one of Africas largest male tuskers and died of natural causes at Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, conservationists said. Craig had just turned 54 years old. He led a long life and no doubt fathered many calves, said the Amboseli Trust for Elephants in a message. The Kenya Wildlife Service described Craig as an icon of successful conservation. Lets all raise a glass in memory of this pachyderm beer ambassador. Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The City of Belmont plans to use $25 million from the federal government to improve road safety near schools. ALSO READ: North Carolina faces $50M funding loss over immigrant trucker licenses The city says it will add high-visibility crosswalks, more lights, and signal upgrades on eight corridors and five intersections that link four schools. Officials reported a deadly crash, four serious wrecks and 19 pedestrian and bicyclist crashes in these areas between 2018 and 2024. VIDEO: Construction planned to expand I-85 from Belmont to Gastonia to eight lanes Jan. 11BEMIDJI Bemidji Sons of Norway will meet at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2508 Washington Ave. SE. "What's a lag? Where do I find a bygdebok? What do they have to do with my genealogy? Join Bemidji Sons of Norway to find the answers," a release said. The meeting is free and open to the public. Snacks will be provided. Authority figures who fail to report allegations of crimes against children would have a lot more time to be brought up on charges if a new Florida bill becomes law. The bill would tweak how the statute of limitations works for failure to report crimes like sexual abuse against a minor. Currently, once a mandatory reporter like a teacher or doctor learns of suspected abuse and fails to report it, law enforcement has only three years to bring charges against them. Advertisement Advertisement State Representative Wyman Duggan (R-Jacksonville) is sponsoring the bill, which he told us came at the request of State Attorney Melissa Nelson during an upcoming episode of This Week in the 904. When you drop, you drop your child off at school, its a reasonable expectation that theyre going to look after your child in the same way that you would. And if they have an obligation to report and fail to do so, they should pay a penalty for that and my bill helps make that reality, Duggan said. Under the bill, the clock wouldnt start ticking until law enforcement learns of the failure to report, rather than the actual date the failure to report occurs. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] That means those who stayed silent and allowed abuse to go unpunished could still held accountable, even if the victim doesnt come forward to report their abuse for years. Advertisement Advertisement Duggan explained it was the wave of abuse allegations at Douglas Anderson back in 2023 that put the issue in the spotlight. It was discovered that mandatory reporters, people who had an obligation to report the behavior, failed to do so, but unfortunately, the three-year statute of limitations had expired. So, the State Attorney was unable to bring a charge against them, Duggan said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] In Florida, a mandatory reporter should not be able to escape liability by staying silent until the statute of limitations expires, Nelson told Action News Jax in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Duggan also filed this bill last year, but it failed to get traction in the Senate. Things are looking better this year though, as the bill cleared its first Senate Committee Monday afternoon, one day before the official start of session. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. (The Center Square) A proposal to eliminate Wisconsin income tax on overtime pay is headed for a Tuesday committee vote. Assembly Bill 461 would match a temporary federal income tax exemption on overtime that would apply to the extra pay received for working overtime up to $12,500 per year for an individual or $25,000 per year for joint filers. The exemption is targeted at middle-income residents and is phased out for those making an adjusted gross income between $150,000 and $275,000 as an individual or $300,000 to $550,000 as a joint filer. Advertisement Advertisement Assembly Bill 461 is a practical step to ensure hard-working Wisconsinites keep more of what they earn at a time when their families need that money much more than the government, Sen. Rob Hutton, R-Brookfield, said in testimony on the bill. It ensures their sacrifice of personal and family time is not unduly punished by our tax code, supports staffing needs, and honors our states traditions of hard work and sacrifice. The current federal exemption applies to tax years 2025 through 2028 but the Wisconsin bill would not have an endpoint. The bill would reduce Wisconsin tax collections by an estimated $176 million in fiscal year 2026 and then $150 million each year after that. Not adopting this policy in Wisconsin would further degrade Wisconsins tax competitiveness, Evan Umpir, the General Counsel and Director of Tax, Transportation & Legal Affairs for the Wisconsin Chamber wrote in testimony supporting the bill. For Wisconsin to remain competitive, we should make sure our tax code rewards hard work and productivity. The body of a Chicago Public Schools teacher who went missing over one week ago was pulled from Lake Michigan on Monday morning, officials said. The Chicago Police Department said its marine unit recovered a woman's body from the water in the 3100-block of South Lake Shore Drive on the city's South Side just before noon. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the woman as 53-year-old Robert Healy Elementary special education teacher Linda Brown. Advertisement Advertisement Police said Brown was seen on Saturday, Jan. 3 in the Bronzeville neighborhood's 4500-block of South King Drive, not far from where she lived. Investigators later found her car near 35th and Lake Park Avenue. SEE ALSO | Missing CPS teacher seen getting out of car near lakefront on South Side, not returning, family says Police said in a statement on Friday afternoon that a surveillance image had captured Brown, at an unknown time and day, in the area of the 3500-block South Lake Park Avenue, before her body was ultimately recovered on Monday. Brown's family spent days searching for her. Those who knew Brown have described her as a loving woman and wife. In a text message, her family said they are "absolutely heartbroken." Advertisement Advertisement Brown's former student, Rene Lopez, said she had a unique way of reaching people. "She just made us believe in a sense of hope," Lopez said. "She just created a sense of community, a safe space within her classroom." Brown was Lopez's sixth grade homeroom and science teacher at Dr. Jorge Prieto Math & Science Academy, and she also taught his brother and 10 of his cousins. "We always carried a piece of her with us. We always reached out for advice, and she always had a safe space for us to be able to ask questions, to express ourselves," Lopez said. Lopez said he became the first in his family to graduate, and Linda played a strong role in that. Advertisement Advertisement "I want the city of Chicago to really understand how much of an impact she played to her community," Lopez said. "Although she's no longer here physically, her legacy will continue to flourish through all the lives that she was able to touch." Former CPS teacher Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson issued a statement on Monday, saying, "I am deeply saddened by the news of Linda Brown's passing. As a special education teacher at Healy Elementary she made an immeasurable impact on countless young lives and was a vital member of the Bridgeport community. I'm praying for her family, and for her students as they grieve and remember Linda and all the joy she brought." Robert Healy Elementary's principal sent a message to the school community on Monday, saying, "It is with deep sadness that I update you on a situation impacting our community. Ms. Linda Brown, one of our teachers, has passed away. Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. We know that this loss will raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school, especially our students. We are working closely with the Chicago Public Schools Crisis Management Unit to provide grief counseling and support to students and staff members. Our own school-based mental health professionals will also be available for students who need ongoing services. Advertisement Advertisement Information about the funeral service will be made available as soon as we have it. If your child wishes to attend, we strongly encourage you to accompany them to the service. If the funeral is scheduled during school hours, students who wish to attend will need parental permission to be released from school. We are deeply saddened by this loss and will do everything we can to help our school community heal." On Monday, police said they are conducting a death investigation, pending autopsy results. How Brown ended up in the water was not immediately clear. Her cause of death was not immediately known. A Boston man charged with hitting and killing a wellknown art collector with his car is preparing to seek an insanity defense. According to the Boston Globe, William Haneys lawyers say his client has a history of struggling with mental health. Prosecutors allege that on January 3, Haney intentionally drove into 79yearold John Axelrod in the Back Bay. Axelrod, a respected art collector, died at the scene along with his dog. Advertisement Advertisement Haney faces charges including firstdegree murder and animal cruelty. He is currently being held without bail and has been sent to Bridgewater State Hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. A court hearing in the case is scheduled on January 23. 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. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Jan. 11 (UPI) -- A box truck rammed through a crowd demonstrating in support of protesters in Iran on Sunday, injuring two people, authorities said. The incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. PST in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Uncorroborated video of the incident posted online shows a U-Haul truck driving through the crowd of seemingly hundreds of people at 1350 S. Midvale Avenue. Signage seen on the side of the truck's cargo box included the message: "No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don't repeat 1953. No Mullah." Advertisement Advertisement The Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement that two people were injured in the incident but they declined transport to a hospital. The driver of the truck has been detained, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The LAPD confirmed that an adult male was struck by the vehicle and was treated at the scene. "This incident is being actively investigated to determine what led to the collision," the LAPD said. The LAFD said the crowd was "voluntarily dispersing." Bill Essayli, first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said on X that authorities were aware of the incident. Advertisement Advertisement "The FBI is on the scene working with LAPD to determine the motive of the driver," he said in the statement. "This is an active investigation and we will update the public when we have more information." The protest was held in Los Angeles as the Iranian regime, led by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has responded with escalating violence to mass protests triggered late last month over the country's deepening economic crisis. According to the non-governmental Human Rights Activists News Agency, which reports on Iran, at least 544 people have been killed in the last 15 days. Iran Human Rights said the death toll could exceed 2,000, citing sources. Advertisement Advertisement Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the director of IHR, said the killings of protesters "may be even more extensive than we currently imagine" due to Iran being submerged in a Internet blackout since Thursday. "The Islamic Republic is committing a major international crime against the people of Iran, and the international community is obligated, under international law, to use all available means to stop this crime," Amiry-Moghaddam said in a statement. The Brief A man is accused of firing multiple gunshots at a vehicle during a road rage incident on Interstate 75 in Gibsonton Saturday evening, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. FHP says Genaldo Mercado, 33,admitted to firing three rounds from his gun at the victims vehicle. He told investigators he feared for his life during the road rage after the other vehicle slowed down and a passenger allegedly threw objects at his SUV. Mercado was arrested early Sunday morning and taken to the Hillsborough County Jail. He faces 22 charges. GIBSONTON, Fla. - A man is accused of firing multiple gunshots at a vehicle during a road rage incident on Interstate 75 in Gibsonton Saturday evening, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The backstory FHP says troopers responded to reports of a road rage shooting on northbound I-75 near Gibsonton Drive. Advertisement Advertisement Troopers spotted the victims vehicle being chased by the suspects SUV as the vehicles exited I-75. MORE NEWS: Hillsborough County school bus aide accused of hitting 9-year-old student with autism: HCSO FHP says the victims car ran a red light while trying to escape the chase. Troopers followed the suspect, later identified as Genaldo Mercado, 33, as he got back on northbound I-75, passing the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. Mercado continued northbound, taking the Interstate 4 westbound exit before getting off at the U.S. Highway 301 exit. Courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office joined the pursuit and a deputy pulled over Mercados SUV. Advertisement Advertisement Inside the vehicle were Mercado, another man and three children, ages 4, 12 and 8. Troopers at the scene found spent shell casings on the drivers side of the SUV and a handgun inside the vehicle. Investigators spoke with the victims in Gibsonton and located their vehicle, which had been hit by three bullets. FHP says Mercado admitted to firing three rounds from his gun at the victims vehicle. He told investigators he feared for his life during the road rage after the other vehicle slowed down and a passenger allegedly threw objects at his SUV. Mercado was arrested early Sunday morning and taken to the Hillsborough County Jail. He faces the following charges: Advertisement Advertisement Child neglect (3 counts) Discharging a firearm from a vehicle (3 counts) Shooting at, within, or into a vehicle (3 counts) Attempted murder in the first-degree premeditated firearm discharge (5 counts) Reckless driving Criminal mischief Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (5 counts) Possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony The Source Information for this story was provided by the Florida Highway Patrol. SAO PAULO, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Brazilian antitrust body CADE said on Monday it had opened an investigation into the new terms of Meta's WhatsApp business tool, adding it would also suspend the tool's new terms in Brazil while it evaluates the case. * There are potential anti-competitive practices arisingfrom the new terms, CADE said. * These anti-competitive practices would be regarding theaccess and offering by artificial intelligence (AI) toolproviders to WhatsApp users, it added. * CADE's investigation came after complaints from AIchatbot providers over terms imposed in October banning themfrom WhatsApp Business Solution, regulatory documents showed. * A WhatsApp spokesperson said the claims "arefundamentally wrong." * "The emergence of AI chatbots on the WhatsApp BusinessPlatform overloads our systems, which were not designed for thistype of support," they said. (Reporting by Andre Romani; Editing by Kylie Madry and Brendan O'Boyle) WARSAW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Former Polish Justice Minister and ex-Prosecutor General Zbigniew Ziobro has been granted political asylum by Hungary, his lawyer Bartosz Lewandowski said on social media platform X on Monday. Ziobro is accused of committing a total of 26 criminal offenses in a Polish prosecution-led investigation into the Justice Fund. On Nov. 7 last year, the Polish parliament lifted Ziobro's parliamentary immunity in relation to all charges and approved his detention and arrest, according to the Polish Press Agency. Ziobro later posted on X that he was targeted by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his associates for initiating numerous investigations into their alleged corruption and theft during his tenure as prosecutor general. He added that he had decided to remain abroad until "genuine guarantees of the rule of law are restored in Poland." A senior figure in the opposition Law and Justice (PiS) party, Ziobro served as justice minister from 2005 to 2007 and again from 2015 to 2023. Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Dozens of candles illuminated the Mill Pond in Brighton on Sunday evening in honor of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother who was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during a morning raid on Jan. 7. Around 100 people from Brighton and the surrounding area, holding anti-ICE signs and candles, gathered at the vigil to honor Good and to protest against ICE in an event organized by the Indivisible Livingston Group. Advertisement Advertisement We are gathered here this evening with a variety of emotions, but beginning with grief for what happened to Renee Good and for grief for what is happening in our country, said Reverend Rudra Dundzila of Community Unitarian Universalists church. The death of Good, shot by a masked ICE agent identified as Jonathan Ross, 43, during the confrontation, led thousands of demonstrators to take to the streets around the country to protest against the federal agents and their immigrant crackdown. Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Multiple vigils, rallies, and protests have been held in Goods honor across the country since her killing, including from coast to coast in Michigan. We pray for peace for our country and for finding ways of reconciliation and communication, and talking with each other. For the common good of all people that we live with in our country. This is what we invoke tonight in our vigil, Dundzila finished. Advertisement Advertisement The video of Goods death went viral worldwide in a matter of hours, generating polarized opinions. Kelly Lovelady, 58, who has lived in Brighton for almost 30 years, says she watched the video repeatedly and disagrees with the federal governments gaslighting statements about the situation. Republican officials from the president on down were quick to defend Ross, claiming he fired in self-defense and standing with ICE. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned that the officer acted based on how he was trained to act in situations like that and described Good as a domestic terrorist. In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump called protesters professional agitators and blamed the radical left movement of violence and hate. Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Were supposed to be allowed to protest in the United States, and we are supposed to have constitutional rights that are being trampled on right now. And if we allow this to stop us from coming out, they win, and we lose, and we lose more than what is there today. We lose the future for our kids that we had when we were growing up, Lovelady added. Some attendees chose to march along a section of the small lake with their candles and signs in hand. Carrying an inverted flag, Simon Ren, 67, said that attending the vigil is a duty. Advertisement Advertisement Being a citizen comes with responsibilities, not just privileges, Ren said. Since Goods death, politicians in Michigan have been no exception to the polarization of opinions, with Democrats condemning the shooting and Republicans defending Ross. However, for Richard Gienapp, a member of the Indivisible Livingston Group, there are many mixed emotions among the people. I know theres a range of emotions that bring people here tonight, and we really want to acknowledge those emotions. Whether its anger, outrage, sadness, grief, or frustration, Gienapp says. Protests demand accountability Amidst the various vigils to honor Good, there were also numerous protests focusing on the actions of ICE, specifically in regard to her death, but more generally opposed to the Trump administrations use of the agency to disregard constitutional rights and carry out its mass deportation agenda. Advertisement Advertisement They ranged from larger gatherings in Detroit and Grand Rapids, to smaller communities across Michigan. On Saturday, dozens of protestors gathered in Howell for an event organized locally by Stand Against Extremism Livingston County. Among those attending the rally was Mariah McDonald of Brighton, a mother who said she has been attending protests regularly and felt compelled to speak out after Goods death. Im here to show my support for people in the United States and for immigrants, McDonald said. They make America great. I want to raise my kids in a country that accepts all and loves all. Several dozen protestors gathered in Howell, angered over the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 10, 2025. | Photo by Jon King/Michigan Advance McDonald said she has not been surprised by the polarized response to video of the shooting circulating online, noting that even among friends, there are starkly different interpretations of what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Its frustrating, she said. Some people believe one narrative without looking at the bigger picture. I just wish people would be more open-minded. She also expressed skepticism that Goods death alone would lead to meaningful change, pointing to past moments of national outrage that failed to result in lasting reforms. How many times have we said, This is going to be the spark? McDonald said. George Floyd was supposed to be the spark. Kids being zip-tied was supposed to be the spark. It only changes if we keep showing up and saying this is not OK. Several dozen protestors gathered in Howell, angered over the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 10, 2025. | Photo by Jon King/Michigan Advance Curtis Hamilton of Howell said he attended the vigil not only to mourn Good, but to speak out against what he sees as an alarming political trajectory. Advertisement Advertisement This is a vigil for that woman who was killed in Minneapolis, but its more than that, Hamilton said. When you look at all the people who have died in ICE custody, too many people are asleep to whats going on. Hamilton, who described himself as a student of history, compared current trends to those seen in authoritarian movements abroad. This is the same playbook that Mussolini and Hitler went through, the same playbook used by authoritarians in Hungary and elsewhere, he said. Were living through it right now. Michigan Advance Editor-in-Chief Jon King contributed to this story. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Advertisement Advertisement Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Advertisement Advertisement Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Approximately 100 people gathered in Brighton to honor Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 11, 2025. | Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz/Michigan Advance Several dozen protestors gathered in Howell, angered over the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 10, 2025. | Photo by Jon King/Michigan Advance Several dozen protestors gathered in Howell, angered over the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 10, 2025. | Photo by Jon King/Michigan Advance Advertisement Advertisement Several dozen protestors gathered in Howell, angered over the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 10, 2025. | Photo by Jon King/Michigan Advance Several dozen protestors gathered in Howell, angered over the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jan. 10, 2025. | Photo by Jon King/Michigan Advance Jan. 12 (UPI) -- The British government on Monday launched an investigation into X after its artificial intelligence tool, Grok, was found to be creating sexualized images of women and girls without their consent. Britain's Ofcom, its communications services regulator, announced Monday that it would officially investigate X and whether the company has made appropriate changes for users in the United Kingdom. If the agency finds that the company has broken British law, it can impose fines of up to $24 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater. In the most serious case, it can get a court order to block the site in the U.K. entirely. Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the government highlighted cases of women being digitally undressed or put into sexualized situations by Grok and the photos being distributed on X. There were also cases of young girls being undressed, creating child sexual abuse material. On Friday, Grok began only allowing paid subscribers to use its image generation and alteration tools. On Jan. 3, X's safety account announced: "We take action against illegal content on X, including CSAM, 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," the account said. Advertisement Advertisement X and xAI owner Elon Musk said the British government wanted "any excuse for censorship" in response to a post asking why other AI platforms were not being investigated, the BBC reported. British Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told the BBC she welcomed the investigation. "It is vital that Ofcom complete this investigation swiftly because the public -- and most importantly the victims -- will not accept any delay," she said. Her predecessor Peter Kyle said, "The fact that I met just yesterday a Jewish woman who has found her image of herself in a bikini outside of Auschwitz being generated by AI and put online made me feel sick to my stomach." Advertisement Advertisement "And the fact that there are people who are running and designing these materials, putting it out on to the internet without checking the impact it would have on their customers and their service users and to society as a whole, I think is a real worry," Kyle added. An Ofcom spokesperson said the investigation would be a "matter of the highest priority." "Platforms must protect people in the U.K. from content that's illegal in the U.K.," the spokesperson said. "We won't hesitate to investigate where we suspect companies are failing in their duties, especially where there's a risk of harm to children." Malaysia and Indonesia temporarily blocked access to X over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Malaysia said that responses from Musk "failed to address the inherent risks posed by the design and operation of the AI tool" and relied on users to report abuses. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said it "considers this insufficient to prevent harm or ensure legal compliance." Indonesia Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid said she had asked X to clarify the negative impacts of its AI service, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. "This step was taken to protect women, children and the public from the risks of fake pornographic content generated by artificial intelligence, including the practice of non-consensual sexual deepfakes," she said on Instagram. As storm clouds gathered over Europe and Germany menaced Poland in May 1939, Marcel Deat, the French former socialist and later Nazi collaborator, asked rhetorically whether it was worth dying for Danzig (Pourquoi mourir pour Dantzig?). Today some are asking whether it is worth dying for Greenland. It probably doesnt sound any more appealing in Danish or in Kalaallisut, the Greenlandic language spoken by the countrys native Inuit population. Donald Trump has refused to rule out the use of military force to keep out Russia and China and secure Greenlands natural resources for the United States. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, has said: Nobodys going to fight the United States over the future of Greenland. He is wrong. The Danes have said that they intend to shoot first and ask questions afterwards. And they will, and so they should. Denmark will fight, however futile that may be. Blood will be shed and there will no going back from that. Advertisement Advertisement Most of us understand the strategic significance of Greenland and the American interest in keeping the island and control of its minerals out of hostile hands. We know that the Russian and Chinese threats to Greenland, though by no means acute, are real. b' ' Securing the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) gap against the Soviet Union was important during the Cold War and will be vital in any confrontation with Moscow and Beijing today. We also accept that if there were ever a real danger of an invasion by Russia or China, and if Denmark showed itself in any way hesitant about resisting it, the US would be fully justified in taking pre-emptive action in violation of Danish sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement On several occasions in the past, the UK has been forced to take such measures, including against Denmark. In 1801, in retaliation for that countrys membership of the League of Armed Neutrality directed against Britain, the Royal Navy attacked the Danish reserve fleet and largely destroyed it. Six years later, the British returned to force the Danes to surrender their navy which London believed was in danger of being handed over to Napoleon. Large swathes of Copenhagen were destroyed by bombardment. In 1940, the Navy attacked the Vichy French fleet at Oran in North Africa, again to stop it from falling into enemy hands, this time those of Nazi Germany. These moves were brutal, cost many lives both military and civilian, and left a legacy of bitterness, but they were necessary. There is, to be absolutely clear, no parallel whatsoever between the situations in 1801, 1807 and 1940. There is no immediate threat of a Russian or Chinese invasion, and unlike the Danes of yesteryear or the Vichy French, the Danish government is fully signed up to containing the aggressors of the day through the Nato alliance. The US has stationed troops and equipment on the island continuously for more than 80 years. The Danes have invited them to send more, if they wish. There is nothing in military terms, in fact, that the Americans could secure through an invasion that they do not already have. Advertisement Advertisement Trump knows this, and seemingly his real aim is to seize raw materials, especially the critical minerals needed to power new technologies. This is why he speaks openly of getting the country, rejecting any thoughts of association short of outright annexation. An attack on Greenland, in the present circumstances, would be completely unlike any American action, however controversial, in the past 100 years. It would be a naked imperialistic land grab and an assault on a democratic Nato ally. b' ' The military conflict might be short; the political consequences would be incalculable. Unfortunately, Trump derangement syndrome has seen such past hyperbole, such frequent crying of wolf, that we have not yet registered just how much our world would change. Advertisement Advertisement Politically, psychologically and culturally an American attack on Greenland would be catastrophic. It will mark the end not only of the Nato alliance but of the transatlantic Anglo-American brotherhood rooted in history and epitomised today by the Five Eyes alliance. We would have to rip American technology out of all our systems, including communications, the nuclear deterrent and supply chains. The attack would produce a collective nervous breakdown in Western elites and populations, this time for good reason. As for Britain, we would have to admit that the French were right about the Americans and that would finish us off. Trump would have to pay a hefty political price on the domestic front. It is not at all clear that the US military would carry out an illegal attack on an ally of this sort. There would certainly be many resignations. Congress would revolt. There would be a large price to pay on the stock market. The US president would probably be forced to withdraw and some Americans would end up in prison, or at least unable to travel, in large parts of the Western world. That is why I am certain no invasion will happen. Trump is bluffing. Sadly, though, there is a lot of (further) damage that the president can do to the alliance and the wider Western cause even if he just confines himself to intensifying the rhetoric and perhaps increasing the pressure through military deployments and generally behaving in a thuggish manner. Real estate magnate that he is, one can see him turning off the electricity and gas to get pesky homeowners out so that he can develop the whole area. Advertisement Advertisement So far, Western leaders have been on the horns of a dilemma. If they stand up to Trump on this, they risk him doubling down as is his wont, causing more aggravation than necessary, and also retaliatory action with regard to Ukraine. If they dont resist, which has largely been their policy so far, they encourage him, and they also undermine the Western narrative and morale. However, we are soon approaching a watershed. If it makes little sense to antagonise Trump over, say, Venezuela, where the American arguments are much stronger anyway, there is no point in appeasing him over an issue which goes to the heart of the Western cause. We may much prefer to be American vassals than Russian ones but we havent got to that stage yet. In this bleak situation, the US vice-president has just thrown us a lifeline. Having stoked the controversy through a provocative visit to Greenland last year, he has now told us all to calm down. Instead of indulging in crazy over-reactions, JD Vance warns certain Europeans to take the security of that landmass [Greenland] more seriously because, if theyre not, the United States is going to have to do something about it. The British military carries out regular exercises with forces in Norway to strengthen deterrence in the region - Corporal Daniel Clayton RLC/MoD We must take him at his word and fast. The UK should lead a new diplomatic and military effort to consolidate the security of the North Atlantic, which is sadly no longer completely guaranteed by Nato. We should build on the Joint Expeditionary Force in the Baltic and High North, which already unites Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, under British direction, to contain Russian aggression in the region. Advertisement Advertisement This new North Atlantic Expeditionary Force would include Canada and its task would be to draw a bolt across the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap, keeping out the Russians and Chinese as Vance requests. Greenland would receive a standing Canadian garrison, which would not violate the Monroe doctrine, and rotating European forces. UK forces would establish permanent bases in Iceland and the Faroe Islands. There is in effect already one in Norway. These deployments, though this need not be articulated openly, would also constitute a substantial political deterrent to any US ambitions in the region. The UK possesses the military capacity, the diplomatic standing and the historical tradition to carry out this task. In the Royal Marines, Britain has one of the largest European Arctic-capable forces, and probably the biggest contingent not needed, as the Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish ones are, for immediate homeland defence. London also has the naval and air assets to make such an expeditionary force credible. The domestic political payoff for the struggling Labour administration is obvious. As this governments reputation is going south in almost every other respect, it is time for Starmer to head north. Brendan Simms is professor of history at the University of Cambridge 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. A Bulgarian woman convicted for her role in the gang behind Britains biggest benefit fraud is once again claiming benefits. Tsvetka Todorova was jailed for three years in May 2024 for her part in the conspiracy which is suspected of stealing more than 54 million from taxpayers. The 54-year-old said she has not been able to work since being released from prison a year and a half ago and has been claiming benefits alongside her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Ms Todorova, who lives in Erith, south east London, told the Telegraph she is living a poor life and had been left with no choice but to claim benefits. She was found to have earned 263,514 personally from a benefits scam. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it was now reviewing its decision to award the Bulgarian national the money. The gang made false benefits claims for Universal Credit with an array of forged documents that used the identities of real people living in Bulgaria, who were complicit in the scheme and received a share of the money. Ms Todorova, Galina Nikolova, Gyunesh Ali, Patritsia Paneva, and Stoyan Stoyanov were jailed for a combined 25 years in 2024 at Wood Green Crown Court. Galina Nikolova and Stoyan Stoyanov were part of a gang that stole more than 50m from the UKs welfare system - Central News/Web Collect All of the gang, apart from Ali, have now been released from prison and are on immigration bail waiting to be deported. Advertisement Advertisement They should have been removed months ago but were not allowed to leave until confiscation proceedings against them had concluded. Money has never been important Ms Todorova, who said she had been on benefits since Dec 30, told the Telegraph: I got about 200. I havent had the right to work since I was released. My husband gets over 1,000 for Universal Credit as he hurt his back and cannot work. The mother of one, who previously described her time in HMP Bronzefield as a vacation, said she is desperate to remain in the UK. She now claims however that while in prison her human rights were violated and she was treated cruelly and rudely throughout criminal proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Ms Todorova said despite her claim for benefits she is living a poor life and said money has never been important to her. She said she only carried out the fraud to help struggling family members back in her home country. Ms Todorova said the DWP are still pursuing her for money which they claim she has in property in Bulgaria. The vast fraud was only uncovered after a policeman in Sliven, Bulgaria, tipped off British authorities when he noticed his city was suddenly awash with cash and criminals who were living like barons. The Telegraph previously revealed that thousands of people in Sliven, many of whom had never visited Britain, were receiving up to 2,500 a month in UK benefits. People in Bulgarias Sliven throw cash into the air Inspector Vassil Panayotov, who alerted police in Britain, said the true scale of the fraud is likely to be hundreds of millions of pounds higher than estimated. Advertisement Advertisement So far prosecutors have recovered just 1m of the gangs haul. At a confiscation hearing in December, Nikolova, Stoyonov and Paneva were ordered to pay back a further combined total of just 1m. Prosecutor Gareth Munday said that the sums being sought were what officials could realistically trace. Nikolova admitted she had moved money in cash overseas and Ali is believed to have money in cryptocurrency. A spokesman from the DWP said: This was a disgraceful crime against the British public, and we are taking rigorous action to recover the stolen funds. We are clear if those involved in this case do not pay back these funds within the required time they could be sent back to prison and then deported. Advertisement Advertisement In the case of Ms Todorova, we are currently reviewing the decision to award her Universal Credit. 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. California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced Sunday that he would not run for California governor, a decision he said was grounded in his belief that his legal efforts combating the Trump administration as the state's top prosecutor are paramount at this time in history. "In this moment, my place is here, on the front lines, in the trenches, serving as a bulwark, creating a protection around our state and our people, our values and our progress in the face of these vicious, inhumane, unlawful, cruel attacks from the Trump administration," Bonta said in an interview Sunday night. Bonta said his role as state attorney general affords him greater power to fight President Trump's policies that have disproportionately affected Californians than he would be able to do as governor. Advertisement Advertisement "I have a role to play that I think is leading in the nation," Bonta said. "I want to continue to be the biggest and most powerful check on the abuse of power from this president." Bonta said that Trump's actions in Venezuela, attempts to block welfare funds to Democratic-led states and the fatal shooting of a Minnesota mother of three last week by a federal immigration agent cemented his decision to seek reelection to his current post. Read more: Atty. Gen. Bonta spent nearly half a million on attorneys. His political consultant explains why The 53-year-old former state lawmaker and close political ally to Gov. Gavin Newsom has served as the state's top law enforcement official since Newsom appointed him to the position in 2021, after Xavier Becerra became then-President Biden's chief of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Advertisement Advertisement Bonta's office has sued the Trump administration more than 50 times a track record that would probably have served him well had he decided to run in a state where Trump has lost three times and has dismal approval ratings. In 2024, Bonta said that he was considering running for governor. Then in February he announced he had ruled it out and was focused instead on doing the job of attorney general. After former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced in 2025 that they would not run for governor, Bonta began reconsidering, he said. Bonta's final decision not to run was first reported by Politico on Sunday. "I had two horses in the governors race already," Bonta told The Times in November. "They decided not to get involved in the end. ... The race is fundamentally different today, right?" The race for California governor remains wide open. Newsom is serving the final year of his second term and is barred from running again because of term limits. Newsom has said he is considering a run for president in 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Former Rep. Katie Porter an early leader in polls late last year faltered after videos emerged of her screaming at an aide and berating a reporter. The videos contributed to her dropping behind Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, a Republican, in a November poll released by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by The Times. Porter rebounded a bit toward the end of the year, a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California showed, however none of the candidates has secured a majority of support and many voters remain undecided. Read more: Bonta says millions spent, but billions saved, in California's legal war with Trump California hasn't elected a Republican governor since 2006, Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans in the state, and many are seething with anger over Trump and looking for Democratic candidates willing to fight back against the current administration. Advertisement Advertisement Labor unions as well as business leaders encouraged Bonta to enter the unsettled race. Bonta said he had no immediate plans to endorse a candidate. "I think I could have been a game changer, and I think I would have consolidated a lot of support," Bonta said. "I don't know what's going to happen. I think it's still very much dynamic. It's not static, it's in flux. It's moving. It's changing. I think you're going to see potentially more candidates enter the race." Bonta has faced questions in recent months about spending about $468,000 in campaign funds on legal advice last year as he spoke to federal investigators about alleged corruption involving former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, who was charged in an alleged bribery scheme involving local businessmen David Trung Duong and Andy Hung Duong. All three have pleaded not guilty. Read more: Federal judge blocks Trump administration's freeze of $10 billion in child-care funds Advertisement Advertisement According to his political consultant Dan Newman, Bonta who had received campaign donations from the Duong family was approached by investigators because he was initially viewed as a "possible victim" in the alleged scheme, though that was later ruled out. Bonta has since returned $155,000 in campaign contributions from the Duong family, according to news reports. Bonta is the son of civil rights activists Warren Bonta, a white native Californian, and Cynthia Bonta, a native of the Philippines who immigrated to the U.S. on a scholarship in 1965. Bonta, a U.S. citizen, was born in Quezon City, Philippines, in 1972, when his parents were working there as missionaries, and immigrated with his family to California as an infant. In 2012, Bonta was elected to represent Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro as the first Filipino American to serve in Californias Legislature. In Sacramento, he pursued a string of criminal justice reforms and developed a record as one of the bodys most liberal members. Bonta is married to Assemblywoman Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), who succeeded him in the state Assembly, and the couple have three children. Advertisement Advertisement Times staff writer Dakota Smith contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The Government of Canada has announced a C$2,256,786 investment to enhance halal beef processing and packaging at Atlantic Beef Products Inc. (ABPI) in Prince Edward Island, widening capacity for certified products and reinforcing domestic supply chain capabilities. The funding is provided through the Kosher and Halal Investment Program, a federal initiative supporting technology adoption for federally regulated beef and veal processing facilities. Government funding targets packaging technology and processing efficiency Under the federal news release, the investment will underpin advanced processing equipment and packaging systems at ABPIs Albany facility. Advertisement Advertisement Key upgrades include installing steam vacuum systems to improve hygiene and safety, more efficient cutting and meat recovery equipment to reduce waste, and new packaging technology for retail-ready halal products. An in-line x-ray analyser is also planned to enhance product safety and quality control. The Government of Canada frames the funding as part of a commitment to help processors meet evolving market demand, support local businesses, and strengthen domestic food production. The Kosher and Halal Investment Program is designed to assist beef processors in adopting technologies and processing equipment that increase efficiency and expand halal and kosher product lines. Impact on local supply chain and halal market expansion ABPI is the only federally registered beef processing plant east of Quebec and processes up to 750 cattle per week, according to federal details. Advertisement Advertisement The funding aims to help the facility handle increasing demand for halal-certified products within Canada and potentially in export markets. Product yield improvements and enhanced packaging capabilities are expected to support both retail and foodservice supply chains. The federal government statement highlighted that such investments align with the Buy Canadian Policy, a framework prioritising Canadian-made goods and materials in public procurement, strengthening domestic industry participation. Broader context for halal food industry and packaging supply chains Growth in halal food segments has been noted globally as Muslim populations rise and consumer preferences shift towards diverse, certified products. Advertisement Advertisement For packaging professionals and supply chain stakeholders, investments in certification-compliant processing and packaging technology reflect wider food industry trends where traceability, compliance and product differentiation are increasingly important. This Canadian investment forms part of larger federal efforts to modernise food processing infrastructure and support value chain integration across regions. "Canada backs halal beef packaging upgrades with federal funding" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. Canada could see a sharp thinning of its restaurant sector and is forecasted to witness a net loss of 4,000 restaurants in 2026, according to a Dalhousie Universitys Agri-Food Analytics Lab report. The projection is measured on a net basis, meaning closures are expected to exceed the number of new restaurants opening by approximately 4,000. The study draws on Statistics Canada data covering food services and drinking places and includes information from Restaurants Canada, Global News reported. The warning comes alongside Restaurants Canada estimates that suggest 41% of food service businesses are operating at a loss or just breaking even. Advertisement Advertisement The report said: Based on current cost trajectories, balance-sheet conditions, and consumer behaviour, we expect Canada to lose roughly 4,000 restaurants on a net basis in 2026. This adjustment is already underway, even if it is not yet visible in headline statistics. The problem is not that restaurants are failing suddenly. It is that the sector has been operating in a prolonged state of economic stress since 2021. The report added that the restaurant industrys challenges are being driven by higher input and labour costs since the start of the pandemic, along with changes to the temporary foreign workers programme. It further stated that pandemic-era wage subsidies, rent relief, loan deferrals and tax postponements helped keep many businesses afloat. Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, it points to softer demand as Canadians become more cautious with discretionary spending. The report noted that this is affecting alcohol sales, which is often a major contributor to margins. While larger chains may have greater capacity to absorb prolonged cost and demand pressures, smaller, independently owned restaurants are likely to face the most difficulty if conditions do not improve. Agri-Food Analytics Lab director and report author Silvain Charlebois was quoted by the publication as saying: We have to appreciate the fact that were almost six years after the start of the pandemic, and the pandemic years were quite disruptive (for the restaurant industry), and there were many programmes maintaining many establishments alive artificially. Were seeing an industry being right-sized, essentially, based on the economic fundamentals were seeing out there. Advertisement Advertisement "Canada could see net loss of 4,000 restaurants in 2026 report" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. BEIJING (AP) A leader of Canada is visiting China this week for the first time in nearly a decade, a bid to rebuild the country's fractured relations with the world's second-largest economy and reduce Canada's dependence on the United States. The push by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who arrives Wednesday, is part of a major rethink as ties sour with the U.S. the world's No. 1 economy and long the largest trading partner for Canada by far. Carney aims to double Canadas non-American exports in the next decade in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and the American leader's musing that Canada could become the 51st state. Advertisement Advertisement At a time of global trade disruption, Canada is focused on building a more competitive, sustainable and independent economy, Carney said in a statement. Were forging new partnerships around the world to transform our economy from one that has been reliant on a single trade partner. Carney will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday and other officials. Canadian officials, in a briefing with reporters, said that it's an attempt re-energize a dormant strategic partnership and also noted that Washington's intervention in Venezuela is far reaching. Canadian officials said that there will be progress on trade irritants with Beijing, but not a definitive elimination of some tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Two of Carney's lawmakers, meanwhile, said they are quitting a sponsored trip to Taiwan early to avoid confusion about Canadas China policy as Carney prepares to visit Beijing. In a joint statement, Liberal lawmakers Helena Jaczek and Marie-France Lalonde said while they are returning to Canada based on advice from the government, it does not change Canadas stance on Taiwan. China views self-governed Taiwan as its sovereign territory and has said it would take it by force if needed. Michael Chong, the opposition Conservative foreign affairs critic, said the Liberal decision to quit the trip early is nothing short of kowtowing to Beijings authoritarianism." Carney will be in China until Saturday, and then visit Qatar before attending the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, next week. Advertisement Advertisement Trumps tariffs have pushed both Canada and China to look for opportunities to strengthen international cooperation, said Zhu Feng, the dean of the School of International Studies at Chinas Nanjing University. Carneys visit does reflect the new space for further development in China-Canadian relations under the current U.S. trade protectionism, he said. But he cautioned against overestimating the importance of the visit, noting that Canada remains a U.S. ally. The two North American nations also share a deep cultural heritage and a common geography. Pivoting toward China Carney has been in office less than a year, succeeding Justin Trudeau, who was prime minister for nearly a decade. He's not the first new leader of a country to try to repair relations with China. Advertisement Advertisement Australian Premier Anthony Albanese has reset ties since his Labor Party came to power in 2022. Relations had deteriorated under the previous conservative government, leading to Chinese trade restrictions on wine, beef, coal and other Australian exports. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to repair ties with China since his Labour Party ousted the Conservatives in 2024. He is reportedly planning a visit to China, though the government has not confirmed that. The two governments have differences, with Starmer raising the case of former Hong Kong media magnate Jimmy Lai, a British citizen whose conviction under a national security law has raised concerns about press freedom, in talks with Xi in late 2024 in Brazil. Trump, who has said he will come to China in April, has indicated that he wants a smooth relationship with Beijing, though he also launched a tit-for-tat trade war, with tariffs rising to more than 100% before he backed down. Advertisement Advertisement Bumpy relations In Canada, Trump's threats have raised questions about the country's longstanding relationship with its much more powerful neighbor. Those close ties have also been the source of much of Canada's friction with China in recent years. It was Canada's detention of a Chinese telecommunications executive at the request of the U.S. that started the deterioration of relations in late 2018. The U.S. wanted the Huawei Technologies Co. executive, Meng Wanzhou, to be extradited to face American charges. China retaliated by arresting two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on spying charges. While they were imprisoned, Meng was under house arrest in Vancouver, a Canadian city home to a sizable Chinese population. All three were released under a deal reached in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement More recently, Canada followed the U.S. in imposing a 100% tariff on electric vehicles and a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum from China. China, which is Canada's No. 2 trading partner after the U.S., has hit back with tariffs on Canadian exports including canola, seafood and pork. It has indicated it would remove some of the tariffs if Canada were to drop the 100% charge on EVs. An editorial in China's state-run Global Times newspaper welcomed Carney's visit as a new starting point and called on Canada to lift unreasonable tariff restrictions and advance more pragmatic cooperation. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that China looks forward to Carneys visit as an opportunity to consolidate the momentum of improvement in China-Canada relations. Advertisement Advertisement Canada-India ties Carney met with Xi in late October in South Korea, where both were attending the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. He has also tried to mend ties with India, where relations deteriorated in 2024 after the Trudeau government accused India of being involved in the 2023 killing of a Sikh activist in Canada. The fallout led to tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats, disruption of visa services, reduced consular staffing and a freeze on trade talks. A cautious thaw began last June. Since then, both sides have restored some consular services and resumed diplomatic contacts. In November, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said that the two countries would move quickly to advance a trade deal, noting the government's new foreign policy in response to Trumps trade war. Carney is also expected to visit India later this year. ___ Gillies in Toronto, Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi, Jill Lawless in London, and Shihuan Chen in Beijing, contributed to this report. (This story was updated to add new information) The Marion County Sheriff's Office said Jan. 12 that ICE holds are leading to severe overcrowding at the Adult Detention Center and the facility will no longer keep ICE detainees for more than 48 hours. In a news release, Sheriff Kerry Forestal said the jail is still housing roughly 175 inmates in Indiana Department of Corrections custody who belong in state prison. Advertisement Advertisement Housing these inmates carries an annual cost of almost $3 million for the Marion County Sheriffs Office. The release stated that those funds were neither budgeted nor approved by the Indianapolis City-County Council. We cannot continue to operate like this, Forestal said in the release. The State must play its role in ensuring public safety in Marion County. If this continues, the next Sheriff will be forced to seek additional ADC [Adult Detention Center] beds simply to remain under the 2,400-inmate budget cap imposed by the City-County Council. According to the release, Forestal has asked two different state administrations to address the issue, but has seen no relief. Now, however, ICE has agreed to keep its detainees in the jail no longer than 48 hours, Forestal said. Related: Rokita warns Indy councilors would be violating state law by blocking sheriff's budget Advertisement Advertisement "The Sheriff will continue to strictly follow the law by honoring ICE detainers. However, due to overcrowding, the ADC will no longer hold ICE Detainees for extended periods," the release said. According to the release, the change would bring the ICE detainee population at the Adult Detention Centerdown to single digits. Forestal said that although using the Miami Correctional Facility for ICE detainees helps reduce overcrowding, it will not eliminate the need for immediate local action. "Without these adjustments, the Sheriff would be forced to return to the City-County Council seeking nearly $3 million in additional funding. As a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, Sheriff Forestal maintains he must act now," the release read. Advertisement Advertisement Last year, the City-County Council threatened to restrict the Sheriffs budget, which would prevent the sheriff from holding ICE detainees. In a statement to IndyStar, City-County Council Councilor Leroy Robinson, who is over the Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee, said sustainable solutions will require the state to do it's part "fully, fairly and on time." He said the city's 2026 budget included $150.7 million for the Marion County Sheriff's Office, which was requested by the Sheriff. According to Robinson, the council has not been asked to give or approve any additional money. "As the Sheriff has outlined, multiple factors have contributed to this situation, including the continued failure of the Indiana Department of Correction to transfer approximately 175 individuals who should be housed in state facilities," Robinson said. "This is not a new issue, nor one created by the City-County Council. It is a longstanding structural problem that requires immediate action by the State of Indiana." Advertisement Advertisement Jade Jackson is a public safety reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: ICE detainees add to overcrowding at Marion County Adult Detention (The Center Square) A Louisiana jury last April determined oil giant Chevron owed $744 million for environmental damage to the state's coastline. Chevron, seeking a rematch in a potentially friendlier arena, told the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday that a federal court should decide the case. Chevron's argument centers on a federal law that allows defendants to move certain lawsuits from state court to federal court when the claims are tied to actions taken under federal authority. Chevron, whose case has been joined by the Trump administration, says its World War II-era work supplying aviation gasoline for the U.S. brings it within that rule. The justices must decide whether that is enough to allow Chevron to move the case, previously decided by jurors in Plaquemines Parish, to federal court. Chevron attorney Paul Clement argued the link is straightforward: Chevrons predecessors produced the specific crude oil that was the indispensable component of the gas they refined for the government. He said the contracts themselves drew the connection by tying what the government paid for the gas to the market price of crude and by promising to reimburse any new crude-oil taxes. That, according to Clement, shows crude production and gas refining were part of the same federally-directed effort. Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana and Plaquemines Parish argue the opposite: that no federal contract is at issue in the lawsuit. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill says the allegations focus on activities in Louisianas coastal zone that were not directed by the federal government. The statute itself requires acting under an officer. They've never identified a particular officer that they were purportedly acting under instructions, state Solicitor General Ben Aguinaga told the court. The outcome has the potential for broad implications beyond Plaquemines Parish. Local governments in Louisiana have filed more than 40 lawsuits in local courts seeking billions of dollars from energy companies. In 2016, thenAttorney General Jeff Landry, now Louisianas governor, signed a joint prosecution agreement with plaintiffs lawyer John Carmouche, who is working on dozens of cases similar to the one in Plaquemines Parish. The agreement committed the state to not expressly or impliedly endorse substantive defenses raised by any defendant in the coastal cases. Advertisement Advertisement Legal scholars called it a form of bias that can't be tolerated by the U.S. Constitution. You just can't have this in our federal system, said former Justice Department attorney Mike Fragoso. The fact of the matter is that there's a broader issue of constitutional principles of federal supremacy in all these kinds of cases. Murrill laughed when asked about that argument, calling it convenient." They certainly wanted to get President Trump's attention by trying to tether this issue and these cases to the president's policy agenda, Murrill said. This has nothing to do with federal supremacy, and it is not in conflict with that. Advertisement Advertisement A decision in either direction has a variety of other implications, to varying degrees. Two former Joint Chiefs of Staff, Navy Admiral Michael Mullen and Air Force General Richard Myers, warned that requiring extreme contractual detail as a standard could slow wartime contracting and discourage companies from helping the government in future emergencies for fear of later liability in state court. Meanwhile, the pursuit of billions of dollars in damages comes at a time when the U.S. demand for energy is expected to increase 25% by 2030. Louisiana is welcoming billions of dollars in industrial development and growth, including a $10 billion Meta data center in the northeast portion of the state. The lawsuits are in a state whose economy is unusually rife with oil and gas activity, and they "harm the very citizens they purport to protect," according to the Pelican Institute, a Louisiana-based conservative think tank that argues the litigation costs taxpayers, reduces offshore drilling activity and eliminates jobs. A lot of the communities recognize the good that businesses like Chevron can do in terms of not only the number of jobs, but the things that they offer to the community," Sarah Harbison, legal counsel for the Pelican Institute, said in an interview. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic (R) meets with visiting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte in Zagreb, Croatia, Jan. 12, 2026. (Patrik Macek/PIXSELL via Xinhua) ZAGREB, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- No Croatian troops will be sent to Ukraine, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic reiterated at a joint press conference with visiting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday. "Croatia's position is clear. The participation of our Armed Forces on Ukrainian territory is not an option, but we will find ways to help Ukraine, as we have done so far," Plenkovic said. Croatia has dispatched 15 packages of military aid to Ukraine, he said, adding that his country will host an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in the spring of 2027. Referring to Greenland, Plenkovic called for talks and said the United States must respect its allies. "The message is that allies must respect each other, and this also applies to the U.S.. I am sure that a solution can be found through talks. Greenland is part of Denmark, and, therefore, quality dialogue can resolve this situation," Plenkovic said. Since starting his second term in January 2025, U.S. President Donald 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. Greenland, once a Danish colony, became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It was granted home rule in 1979, expanding its autonomy, though Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defense. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic (R, front) welcomes visiting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Mark Rutte in Zagreb, Croatia, Jan. 12, 2026. (Patrik Macek/PIXSELL via Xinhua) The Orlando City Council on Monday is expected to approve an important part of the funding package for a permanent Pulse memorial. Its a restrictive covenant agreement that pertains to a grant of almost $400,000 provided by the state of Florida. As part of the terms of accepting the funding, the city will agree not to sell, transfer, mortgage, or assign the property without first getting state approval. Advertisement Advertisement A permanent Pulse memorial will cost roughly $12 million and will be a joint funding effort. The City of Orlando has agreed to provide $7 million. Orange County will contribute $5 million. Demolition of the old Pulse nightclub should start by early fall to give way for new construction. The project is expected to be completed in late 2027. This year in June will mark 10 years since 49 people were murdered at Pulse. At the time, it was the deadliest terrorist attack in the U.S. since the 9/11 attacks. Mondays city council meeting gets underway at 2 p.m. at Orlando City Hall. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. NEED TO KNOW A Colorado mother and her 6-year-old son were found dead in a national park last week Authorities in Utah are investigating the deaths, which they believe were the result of a murder-suicide The pair were reported missing the day before they were found Authorities in Utah are investigating a suspected murder-suicide after a Colorado mother and her 6-year-old son were found dead in Canyonlands National Park. Park rangers were called to the Shafer Trail around 8:15 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, after receiving a tip about a suspicious vehicle, the San Juan County Sheriff's Office in Utah said in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement There, they found a woman dead outside the vehicle and a boy unresponsive inside. First responders attempted life-saving measures, and the boy was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, per the sheriff's office. The deceased woman was later identified as the boys mother, according to an updated press release. 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. The sheriff's office said the mother and son were reported missing by family out of Colorado on Wednesday, Jan. 7, though their names have not been made public at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said, based on all evidence so far, this case is being investigated as a homicide and suicide, per the release. The investigation remains ongoing as of Monday, Jan. 12. Read the original article on People WASHINGTON (AP) The killing of a Minnesota woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer is reverberating across Capitol Hill where Democrats, and certain Republicans, are vowing an assertive response as President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation operations spark protests nationwide. Lawmakers are demanding a range of actions, from a full investigation into Renee Good's shooting death and policy changes over law enforcement raids to the defunding of ICE operations and the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in what is fast becoming an inflection point. The situation that took place in Minnesota is a complete and total disgrace, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said as details emerged. And in the next few days, we will be having conversations about a strong and forceful and appropriate response by House Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Yet there is almost no consensus among the political parties in the aftermath of the death of Good, who was behind the wheel of an SUV after dropping off her 6-year-old at school when she was shot and killed by an ICE officer. The killing immediately drew dueling narratives. Trump and Noem said the ICE officer acted in self-defense, while Democratic officials said the Trump administration was lying and they urged the public to see the viral videos of the shooting for themselves. Vice President JD Vance blamed Good, calling it a tragedy of her own making, and said the ICE officer may have been sensitive from having been injured during an unrelated altercation last year. But Goods killing, at least the fifth known death since the administration launched its mass deportation campaign, could change the political dynamic. Advertisement Advertisement The videos Ive seen from Minneapolis yesterday are deeply disturbing, said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in a statement. As we mourn this loss of life, we need a thorough and objective investigation into how and why this happened, she said. As part of the investigation, she said she is calling for policy changes, saying the situation was devastating, and cannot happen again. Homeland Security funding is up for debate The push in Congress for more oversight and accountability of the administration's immigration operations comes as lawmakers are in the midst of the annual appropriations process to fund agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, to prevent another federal government shutdown when money expires at the end of January. Advertisement Advertisement As anti-ICE demonstrations erupt in cities in the aftermath of Goods death, Democrats have pledged to use any available legislative lever to apply pressure on the administration to change the conduct of ICE officers. Weve been warning about this for an entire year, said Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla. The ICE officer needs to be held accountable, Frost said, but not just them, but ICE as a whole, the president and this entire administration. Congressional Democrats saw Goods killing as a sign of the need for aggressive action to restrain the administrations tactics. Several Democrats joined calls to impeach Noem, who has been under fire from both parties for her lack of transparency at the department, though that step is highly unlikely with Republicans in control of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Other Democrats want to restrict the funding for her department, whose budget was vastly increased as part of Republicans sweeping tax and spending bill passed last summer. Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, the top Democrat on the subcommittee that handles Homeland Security funding, plans to introduce legislation to rein in the agency with constraints on federal agents authority, including a requirement that the Border Patrol stick to the border and that DHS enforcement officers be unmasked. More Democrats are saying today the thing that a number of us have been saying since April and May: Kristi Noem is dangerous. She should not be in office, and she should be impeached, said Democratic Rep. Delia Ramirez, who represents parts of Chicago where ICE launched an enhanced immigration enforcement action last year that resulted in two deaths. Immigration debates have long divided Congress and the parties. Democrats splinter between more liberal and stricter attitudes toward newcomers to the United States. Republicans have embraced Trumps hard-line approach to portray Democrats as radicals. Advertisement Advertisement The Republican administration had launched the enforcement operation in Minnesota in response to an investigation of the nonprofit Feeding Our Future. Prosecutors said the organization was at the center of the countrys largest COVID-19-related fraud scams, when defendants exploited a state-run, federally funded program intended to provide food for children. Heading into the November midterm election, which Democrats believe will hinge on issues such as affordability and health care, national outcry over ICEs conduct has pressured lawmakers to speak out. Im not completely against deportations, but the way theyre handling it is a real disgrace, said Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, who represents a district along the U.S.-Mexico border Right now, youre seeing humans treated like animals, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Other ICE shootings have rattled lawmakers In September, a federal immigration enforcement agent in Chicago fatally shot Silverio Villegas Gonzalez during a brief altercation after Gonzalez had dropped off his children at school. In October, a Customs and Border Protection agent also in Chicago shot Marimar Martinez, a teacher and U.S. citizen, five times during a dispute with officers. The charges against Martinez brought by the administration were dismissed by a federal judge. To Rep. Chuy Garcia, D-Ill., Goods death "brought back heart-wrenching memories of those two shootings in my district. Advertisement Advertisement It looks like the fact that a US citizen, who is a white woman, may be opening the eyes of the American public, certainly of members of Congress, that whats going on is out of control, he said, that this isnt about apprehending or pursuing the most dangerous immigrants. Republicans expressed some concern at the shooting but stood by the administrations policy, defended the officer's actions and largely blamed Good for the standoff. Nobody wants to see people get shot, said Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga. Lets do the right thing and just be reasonable. And the reasonable thing is not to obstruct ICE officers and then accelerate while theyre standing in front of your car, he said. She made a mistake. Im sure she didnt mean for that to happen, nor did he mean for that to happen. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) This week on Capitol Report, the panel unpacks the Connecticut Republican Partys first advertisement of 2026. The ad attacks Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.) by focusing on affordability and pizza, is this the right strategy for the GOP? Plus, state leaders react to the deadly shooting of a woman by an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis. News 8 political reporter Mike Cerulli joins the show to unpack the abrupt retirement of New Havens police chief after he admitted to stealing money from a city fund. Advertisement Advertisement Plus, the U.S. Department of Justice sues the state of Connecticut for failing to provide voter data. How are leaders reacting? Finally, what is Connecticuts favorite fast food restaurant? A new survey answer may surprise you. Watch the full show in the player above. CAPITOL 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 WTNH.com. PEORIA Construction of a popular coffee chain location is expected to begin in Peoria early this year. Work on a Dutch Bros location at the intersection of War Memorial Drive and University Street in Peoria is expected to begin in March or April, Peoria City Councilman Alex Carmona told the Journal Star. Carmona, whose 2nd District is home to the development, said the Dutch Bros location is targeting an opening date in the fall. Advertisement Advertisement More: 9 Peoria-area developments to watch for in 2026 "There are many steps in the development process that can cause delays but at the end of the day I am very happy that this project is still moving forward," Carmona told the Journal Star. "I have seen the positive impact that a Dutch Brothers franchise can do to an area and I'm hoping that this will be the first step in revitalizing the vacant lots that they are building next to as well as the vacancies that we see on University (Street) close to that intersection." Approval for the Dutch Bros development, which could also see a second drive-thru style restaurant built, was somewhat controversial because of concerns over traffic patterns at the busy Peoria intersection. The Peoria City Council approved plans for traffic flow to the business in May, putting no traffic restrictions on the location. Controversially, that included allowing left-turn access to the site from University Street, something city staff had opposed. More: Former Peoria restaurant building near busy shopping center has sold This article originally appeared on Journal Star: When is Dutch Bros location opening in Peoria? The family of a British couple detained in Iran has said their imprisonment has "crossed a clear and dangerous legal red line". Craig and Lindsay Foreman were arrested by Iranian authorities last January while on a motorcycle trip around the world. Iran's government accuses the East Sussex couple of espionage, but Brendan O'Hara MP previously said they were being used as "bargaining chips" between states. Advertisement Advertisement The Foreman's legal representatives in Iran formally submitted an application for bail this week. Both of their Iranian defence lawyers have also written to the court, stating that the pair were innocent and that there was no lawful basis for their continued detention, according to the family. Legal limits on how long detainees can be held have also been exceeded, they added. 'Governments must not look away' Their son Joe Bennett, from Folkestone in Kent, warned that if the UK government failed to "respond decisively", it could strengthen Iran's pattern of detaining foreign nationals. "When governments fail to act at moments like this, cases often become harder to resolve," he said. Advertisement Advertisement British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was held in Iran for six years until the UK government paid a 400m tank debt. The Foremans are in "unsanitary and volatile" environments, said the family [Family handout] It comes amid days of deadly protest in Iran against the country's Islamic government. The Foreman's family said risks to their physical and psychological health were "rising by the day". "Conditions inside Iranian prisons are deteriorating. Violence, overcrowding and instability are increasing," they said in a statement. "Both are in unsanitary, scary, volatile environments." Bennett called on the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to formally recognise that the couple had been arbitrarily detained and apply sustained diplomatic pressure. Advertisement Advertisement "Governments must not look away," he added. The FCDO previously said it was "deeply concerned" by the situation facing the Foreman's in Iran. It said it continued to "raise this case directly with the Iranian authorities". Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story Related internet links MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota and its two largest cities sued the Trump administration Monday to try to stop an immigration enforcement surge that led to the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal officer and evoked outrage and protests across the country. The state, joined by Minneapolis and St. Paul, said the Department of Homeland Security is violating the First Amendment and other constitutional protections. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement action or limit the operation. This is, in essence, a federal invasion of the Twin Cities in Minnesota, and it must stop, state Attorney General Keith Ellison said at a news conference. These poorly trained, aggressive and armed agents of the federal state have terrorized Minnesota with widespread unlawful conduct. Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security is pledging to put more than 2,000 immigration officers into Minnesota and says it has made more than 2,000 arrests since December. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has called the surge its largest enforcement operation ever. Tension brimmed again Monday, five days after Renee Good was shot in the head by an ICE officer while behind the wheel of her SUV. From a large school walkout to emotional visits to a flower-covered memorial for Good to agents firing tear gas to break up crowds, Minneapolis remained on edge in the aftermath of the shooting. There have been dozens of protests or vigils across the U.S. in recent days to honor the 37-year-old mother of three and to passionately criticize the Trump administrations tactics. Since the deployment in the Twin Cities, whistle-burst warnings by activists are commonly heard when immigration agents flood streets. Witnesses have regularly posted video of federal officers using tear gas to discourage the public from following them. Advertisement Advertisement Feds say theyre protecting the public The Minnesota lawsuit accuses the Republican Trump administration of violating free speech rights by focusing on a progressive state that favors Democrats and welcomes immigrants. Theyre targeting us based on what we look and sound like. Our residents are scared. And as local officials, we have a responsibility to act, said St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, who was born in Laos. In response, Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin accused Minnesota officials of ignoring public safety. President Trumps job is to protect the American people and enforce the law no matter who your mayor, governor, or state attorney general is," McLaughlin said. "Thats what the Trump administration is doing; we have the Constitution on our side on this, and we look forward to proving that in court. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has repeatedly defended the immigration agent who shot Good, saying she and her vehicle presented a threat. But that explanation has been widely panned by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and others based on videos of the confrontation. The government also faces a new lawsuit over a similar immigration crackdown in Illinois. More than 4,300 people were arrested last year in Operation Midway Blitz as masked agents swept the Chicago area. The lawsuit by the city and state says the campaign had a chilling effect, making residents afraid to leave home. The lawsuit seeks restrictions on certain tactics, among other remedies. McLaughlin called it baseless. Students walk out of school Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of students on Monday walked out of Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, where federal agents had deployed tear gas on students and staff last week. Adults wearing safety vests cleared traffic, and many parents who are Roosevelt alumni showed up in old school wear. Marchers held signs that said, ICE out and Welcome to Panem, a reference to the dystopian society from the Hunger Games book series. Agents also fired tear gas to break up a crowd of people who showed up to see the aftermath of a car crash just a few blocks from where Good was killed. A crowd emerged to witness a man being questioned by agents who had rear-ended his car. Im glad they didnt shoot me or something, Christian Molina told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Standing near his mangled fender, he wondered aloud: Whos going to pay for my car? In St. Cloud, 65 miles (104 kilometers) northwest of Minneapolis, hundreds of people gathered outside a strip of Somali-run businesses when news spread that dozens of ICE officers were there. Meanwhile, in Portland, Oregon, federal authorities filed charges against a Venezuelan national who was one of two people shot there by U.S. Border Patrol on Thursday. The U.S. Justice Department said the man used his pickup truck to strike a Border Patrol vehicle and escape the scene with a woman. They were shot and eventually arrested. Their wounds were not life-threatening. The FBI said there was no video of the incident, unlike the Good shooting. ___ Associated Press reporters Ed White in Detroit, Sarah Raza in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Sophia Tareen in Chicago contributed to this report. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 55-year-old man from Cuba died in ICE custody on Jan. 3 at Camp East Montana after he was experiencing medical distress, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE says aggravated felon Geraldo Lunas Campos was pronounced dead at 10:16 p.m. on Saturday after experiencing medical distress, and his cause of death is under investigation. Earlier that Saturday, ICE says Lunas became disruptive while in line for medication and refused to return to his assigned dorm. Advertisement Advertisement He was placed in segregation, and while in segregation, staff observed Lunas in distress and contacted on-site medical personnel for assistance. Medical staff responded, initiated lifesaving measures, and requested emergency medical services. He was pronounced deceased by EMS, ICE said. Lunas was arrested by immigration authorities on July 14 of last year, during a planned enforcement operation in Rochester, New York. ICE says he entered the U.S. in 1996 and has been charged with and convicted of multiple crimes. An immigration judge ordered Lunas to be removed from the U.S. on March 1, 2005. However, he was not removed because the government could not obtain travel documents. ICE transferred him to Camp East Montana on Sept. 6, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement 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 KTSM 9 News. A judge in Switzerland has ordered that one of the two co-owners of the ski resort bar where 40 people died in a fire on New Year's Eve be kept in detention for 90 days. Swiss prosecutors have argued that Jacques Moretti, a French national, is a potential flight risk. He and his wife Jessica, who is also French, are suspected of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence and arson by negligence. The blaze at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana also left 116 people injured. Many of the victims were aged under 20. Advertisement Advertisement The fire is believed to have been started by sparklers in champagne bottles raised too close to the ceiling during celebrations. Authorities acknowledged last week that the bar in the popular ski resort had not undergone safety checks for five years. Jacques Moretti was first detained on Friday for an initial period of 48 hours. On Monday, a judge at what is known as a court of coercive measures ruled that he should be kept in custody for three months - a period that can be renewed under Swiss law. It is known as provisional - or preventive - detention and is meant to last until a case goes to court. Advertisement Advertisement In this instance, the court said the measure may be lifted upon payment of bail, whose sum would be set later. The couple were placed under criminal investigation days after the devastating fire. Moretti's wife, Jessica, who is under house arrest, told reporters on Friday that she was sorry about the "unthinkable tragedy". The prosecutors have said they believe the fire started when people celebrating the New Year raised champagne bottles with sparklers attached, setting light to sound-insulating foam on the ceiling of the basement bar. People across Switzerland observed a minute's silence on Friday [EPA/Shutterstock] The news that the bar had not been inspected for five years has shocked families of the victims. Advertisement Advertisement Venues like Le Constellation should have been checked annually, but Crans-Montana Mayor Nicolas Feraud said on Tuesday he could not explain why this had not been done for so long at that bar. "We regret that - we owe it to the families and we will accept the responsibility," he said. He added that sparklers would be banned in local venues. Most of the victims of the fire were young - eight were under the age of 16. Many of the injured have severe burns. Eighty remain in hospitals in Switzerland and other European countries. Jennifer R. Farmer is the author of First and Only: A Black Womans Guide to Thriving at Work and in Life, and the founder of Spotlight PR LLC. By many accounts, I am a success. Im an author, crisis communications expert, and former strategic communications lecturer at Johns Hopkins University and Towson University. Ive been a public relations consultant to some of the biggest names in social and racial justice, including prominent ministers, celebrities and non-profit leaders. Advertisement Advertisement I owe my success, at least in part, to my father Anthony Farmer. My father died Jan. 5, a mere two days after I returned from an overseas trip to Senegal and The Gambia. Three days after returning home to Ohio, I was settling in for the night when I heard a knock on the door. I wasnt expecting company, and considered not answering the door. The knock was soft but determined. Imagine my surprise when I peered out a window to see an officer standing in my driveway. I never could have imagined the news I was minutes away from receiving. It turns out that police from multiple jurisdictions made several attempts to notify me of my fathers passing. They succeeded on the last attempt. With deep compassion, the officers delivered the dreadful news and stayed with me as I attempted to process what was happening. The headline couldn't say enough Childhood photo of Jennifer Farmer (left) with her father, Anthony Farmer, and sister, Sabrina Farmer. David Farmer, Anthony Farmer's son, is not pictured. I later scanned the news looking for as much information as I could find. I was struck by a headline on NBC 4: Columbus Police Identify North Linden Hit and Skip Victim. The headline, while descriptive, could never fully describe the man with a heart of gold. Through tears, I will imperfectly do so here. Advertisement Advertisement My dad was fiercely independent, hardworking, and determined. More: Columbus man killed in hit-and-run crash identified by coroner He introduced me and my siblings to a love of travel, movement, and faith. As children, he took us regularly to the Ohio Historical Society and the Columbus Museum of Art. I love art today because of the seeds he planted when I was young. As a child, I loved listening to my dad and his siblings exegesis of the bible. Gathered around my grandmothers kitchen table, theyd discuss the Israelites, Canaanites, Amorites and the other nations from the bible. They spoke about the biblical cloud of witnesses as though they knew them personally. Their command of Gods word left me awestruck. I loved him completely My dad relayed a God who was all-powerful, acquainted with our struggles, yet capable of helping us either overcome or endure them. His faith was unwavering; his love steady. Advertisement Advertisement He was a soft-spoken, working-class man who grappled with his sexuality for much of his life. Before most people were out and proud, I learned to see the humanity in the LGBTQ+ community because I saw it in him. I loved him completely. Ill forever savor his beautifully simple advice: work hard and be fair. The key to saving money, hed say, is to manage desire. With conviction, he advised, If you want to know who a person truly is, be quiet and listen; theyll tell you everything you need to know. Even in its simplicity, his advice was poignant. He was also resourceful. As children, my sister and I had long, thick hair. Advertisement Advertisement In the early 80s, long before it was popular for men to do so, he was shampooing, pressing and styling our hair. He was so enthralled by his work that hed take us to his job at to show off his skills. In disbelief, his coworkers would turn to us and ask, Who did your hair? He took pride in our reply. As much as he meant to me, he meant even more to his grandchildren, including my children. My son described him as his best friend. My daughter knew him as her Uno partner. Nothing will fill the hole that his departure leaves. Jennifer, is it beautiful there? Athony Farmer (left) with hi brother, Frank Noah Farmer (right), and sister, Gayle Farmer (background). For these reasons and so many more, his passing is disorienting and it is traumatic. My mom died in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement My year wasnt supposed to start with the death of my only living parent. I was hoping Id have more time. Im grateful my voyage to West Africa was punctuated with a December 21 pre-travel visit with my father and a January 4 debrief call with him upon my return. I bought him a bracelet from Senegal and currency from The Gambia; gifts I was ultimately never able to deliver. In one of his final messages to me, he eerily asked, Jennifer, is it beautiful there? I cant fully explain why, but the question stopped me in my tracks. Sent hours before his death, I will forever wonder if he was talking about West Africa or his eternal home. And now, my question to him is this, Dad, is it beautiful there? Advertisement Advertisement As our family prepares our final goodbyes, Ive become a glimmer collector, looking for signs of Gods providence and grace. They exist, and I will find them. Jennifer Farmer Jennifer R. Farmer is the author of First and Only: A Black Womans Guide to Thriving at Work and in Life, and the founder of Spotlight PR LLC. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus hit-and-run victim Anthony Farmer loved 'completely' |Opinion LONDON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Britain's online safety regulator said on Monday it has opened a formal investigation into U.S. entrepreneur Elon Musk's social media platform X under the country's Online Safety Act, citing concerns that the platform was used to create sexualised imagery of women and children. In a statement, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) said it was deeply concerned by reports that Grok, an AI tool available on X, had been used to create and share illegal non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material. The office described the case as "the highest priority" and noted that it could block access to the service "where appropriate." If the investigation determines that the company has breached the law, Ofcom said it can require the platform to take specific measures to come into compliance or remedy harm caused by any violations. The regulator can also impose financial penalties of up to 18 million pounds (24.27 million U.S. dollars), or 10 percent of the company's qualifying worldwide revenue. In what it described as "the most serious cases of ongoing non-compliance," Ofcom said it can apply to a court for orders to require advertisers or payment providers to withdraw from the platform, or to demand internet service providers to block access to a site in the country. However, the regulator stressed that such measures would be taken only "where appropriate and proportionate to prevent significant harm to individuals" in Britain. X's Grok AI tool has come under mounting criticism following reports that it was used to generate allegedly illegal sexual content. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously said that the use of Grok to create illegal images was "disgraceful" and "disgusting." A former worker at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, who doxxed ICE agents, has now launched a GoFundMe. The worker, who identified herself as Gia, posted a viral TikTok video on January 7, warning that ICE agents were staying at the Anatole. A hotel spokeswoman told The Dallas Express she worked for a third-party parking company, which fired her. Gia confirmed the termination in a separate TikTok post. Now, Gia has launched a GoFundMe. Advertisement Advertisement After a lot of time and a lot of encouragement from the community, I did decide to make a GoFundMe just for the time being. Im sure that I will be able to find a job in the next month, after my video has gotten so much exposure, Gia said via TikTok. From the sidewalk near the valet stand, Gia also recorded videos of unmarked ICE vehicles in the Anatole parking lot and posted them online around the same time as her viral video. ICE IN UNMARKED VEHICLES Dallas tx, she posted with the soundtrack I Hate U B***h by Z-Ro playing. In the most recent video, Gia thanked supporters for the donations and encouragement. Advertisement Advertisement One user replied to the initial video, offering to hire her at a Plano business. My team is a diverse, multicultural and minority owned company, the user wrote. She is exactly the type of person wed [sic] want on our team. The hotel is just four miles down the road from the ICE-Dallas facility, where a sniper attacked agents in September killing two detainees and wounding another, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. Hilton recently cut ties with a Minneapolis-area franchise after hotel staff refused to serve ICE agents or Department of Homeland Security employees, as The Dallas Express also reported. Also in Minnesota, a worker leaked names, emails, and images of ICE agents staying at a hotel. Jan. 12 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1912, industrialist Andrew Carnegie lined up with the anti-trust view of former President Theodore Roosevelt as against the trust dissolution plans of President Taft today in testimony before the Stanley Committee. In 1919, UP correspondent John Graudenz arrested by German troops while en route to the scene of an attack in Berlin, he was later released. In 1919, U.S. President Woodrow WIlson, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau and Italian Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando met in Paris for what would be the first of more than 100 meetings of the so-called Big Four nations. These allies gathered to hash out the peace terms ending World War I and established the League of Nations. Advertisement Advertisement In 1932, Hattie Caraway, D-Ark., became the first woman elected to serve a full term as a United States senator. U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks as Janet Reno, the first female nominee for attorney general, listens in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on February 11, 1993. On January 12, 1994, Clinton asked Reno to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the Whitewater land deal. UPI File Photo In 1943, the U.S. wartime Office of Price Administration said standard frankfurters would be replaced during World War II by "Victory Sausages" consisting of a mixture of meat and soy meal. In 1986, U.S. Rep. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., traveled into space aboard the shuttle Columbia. Also aboard the flight was Franklin Chang-Diaz, the first Hispanic American in space. On January 12, 1932, Hattie Caraway, D-Ark., pictured in 1936, became the first woman elected to serve a full term as a United States senator. File Photo courtesy of Library of Congress File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI In 1994, U.S. President Bill Clinton asked Attorney General Janet Reno to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the Whitewater land deal affair that involved him and the first lady. Reno named New York lawyer Robert Fiske. Turkish police stand guard as forensic experts inspect the site of a blast in the Blue Mosque area in Istanbul's tourist hub of Sultanahmet, Turkey on January 12, 2016. File Photo by Ali Turkel/UPI Advertisement Advertisement In 2006, about 350 people were crushed to death by a stampeding crowd at the entrance to Jamarat Bridge in Mina, Saudi Arabia, during a pilgrimage to Mecca. In 2010, a magnitude-7 earthquake dealt Haiti and its capital Port-au-Prince a catastrophic blow, killing at least 100,000 people. The massive quake crippled the already-strained infrastructure of the island nation and sparked a cholera outbreak that killed thousands over the next several years. On January 12, 1912, industrialist Andrew Carnegie, pictured in 1913, lined up with the anti-trust view of former President Theodore Roosevelt as against the trust dissolution plans of President Taft today in testimony before the Stanley Committee. File Photo courtesy of Library of Congress File Photo by Anatoli Zhdanov/UPI In 2024, the United States and its allies conducted a full, large-scale retaliation against recent Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. DeAnna Hoskins, 57, president and CEO of JustLeadershipUSA, a national nonprofit dedicated to cutting the United States' inmate population in half by 2030. Hoskins told The Enquirer she plans to use her platform in 2026 to encourage state, county and city leaders in Ohio to institute more proactive measures focusing on prevention and diversion to keep people out of the criminal justice system. She said her advocacy is based on the experiences she lived "right there on the streets of Cincinnati." Advertisement Advertisement Hoskins, who had a crack cocaine addiction, received a pardon from former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland after serving six months in a correctional facility for violating probation on a felony theft charge. She said she would like to see more investment in social safety net programs to reduce crime and recidivism by addressing root causes, such as poverty and poor education. "If youre not invested in the social safety net, but you are invested in punishment and control ... your priority is the system, not the people,'' she said. See the full list The Enquirer's 2026 People to Watch Who is DeAnna Hoskins? Hoskins, a Cincinnati native who works from her home in East Price Hill, was the first formerly incarcerated person appointed a White House Fellow. Advertisement Advertisement She was a member of the 2024-2025 class serving at the Department of the Army, sharing her experiences as someone who successfully transitioned back into the community to help inform federal policymaking on criminal justice reform. Hoskins previously served as senior policy advisor over corrections and reentry with the Department of Justice under the Obama administration. She returned to Cincinnati in September from her yearlong sabbatical as a White House Fellow and resumed her position with JustLeadershipUSA. What one change Hoskins wishes for Greater Cincinnati Hoskins, who holds a masters degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati, said she would redesign how schools, law enforcement, courts and social service agencies respond to at-risk individuals at first contact. Advertisement Advertisement "Help only gets prioritized when you engage with the system in a negative way,'' she said. "If we realign the system so that help is the default, instead of punishment, it would not only change outcomes, it would change lives.'' This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is DeAnna Hoskins? Enquirer's 2026 person to watch Virgnia is considering how it will measure student performance in history and social science. (Mechelle Hankerson/Virginia Mercury) A resolution on how the state measures students performance in history and social science was delayed for two months during the Board of Educations business meeting on Thursday, giving Virginia and social studies leaders time to reach a compromise. Measuring student success helps address a number of factors, including ensuring students are meeting state academic standards, informing curriculum and improvements to teaching and learning, and encouraging critical thinking and civic knowledge, all of which align with the State Board of Educations months-long discussions and accountability changes. Board Change On Thursday, the board elected board member Mashea Ashton as board president to succeed Grace Creasey, who resigned in December before her term was set to expire in June 2026. Advertisement Advertisement However, the problem facing the board is determining how much flexibility social studies leaders will have once the combined subject of history and social science is added to the states Consolidated State Plan, the recognized accountability system, and ultimately approved by the board and the U.S. Department of Education. Were not opposed to accountability, but we want the option for performance assessments because it is what is better for students and more reflective of what our discipline goes in our defense, what historians do, Danyael Graham, Virginia Social Studies Leaders Consortium president, said in an interview last week. Historians dont sit there and answer multiple-choice or select-response questions about all their historical knowledge. Theyre developing arguments. Theyre using evidence. In addition to expanding opportunities for students and incorporating JROTC leadership courses into the state plan, the board is considering adding U.S. History or Civics to the state accountability system for the 2027-28 school year. Virginia is preparing the update following last years redesign of the plan. The federal government requires states to assess students only in math, reading, and science. Advertisement Advertisement A January study published by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission found that the proposal could face challenges due to the current scarcity of qualified instructors and the logistical difficulty of fitting extra classes into existing schedules. Board member Beth Ackerman said at the boards meeting last week that what makes her nervous about adding social studies to the accountability system is hearing concerns from the social studies community and from special education, because they will also need significant time to prepare new assessments. She said the board must consider requirements if the subject of history and social studies becomes an alternate assessment for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Given these concerns, Ackerman suggested, Maybe we move forward and exclude social studies for now, but I really feel like we should yield to some of the concerns were hearing around social studies. Advertisement Advertisement Vice President Bill Hansen opposed the idea. I hear your concerns, and I appreciate them, and well take them into account but I just think weve got to proceed with what we have and get the input from folks, Hansen said. Virginia Board of Education Member Beth Ackerman reading during a business meeting. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, who is also a teacher, threw his support behind adding history and social science to the accountability system into a letter shared with the board last summer. Recognizing this, the letter argued that although Virginia is stronger than many other states in emphasizing social studies education, the subject has still been deprioritized in recent years. Todd Truitt, a parent who spoke at Thursdays meeting, said he, too, supports the ESSA amendment, citing the value of standardized tests for ensuring schools teach essential historical knowledge and support educational equity. Advertisement Advertisement Opposition to content-based standardized exams often rests on the assumption that critical thinking skills transfer independently of knowledge, yet cognitive science consistently shows that thinking is domain-specific and driven by the content students know, making these exams one of the few reliable ways to verify whether schools have taught this essential knowledge, Truitt said. Social studies leaders have advocated for flexible, performance-based local assessments. These allow schools to measure student learning in meaningful, varied ways, while maintaining alignment with state standards. Such assessments balance accountability with recognition that students learn and demonstrate knowledge differently. Neeley Minton, president-elect of the Virginia Social Studies Leaders Consortium, said the group supports accountability but argued that the amendment conflicts with last years approved House Bill 1957, which she said allows for local alternative assessments instead of standardized Standards of Learning tests. Minton and other social studies leaders are concerned that moving the subject into the states accountability system will provide less flexibility and potentially rely on an older testing method that emphasizes rote memorization. Returning to rote instruction and selected response testing will not solve the literacy crisis that were in; it will make it worse, Minton said. Advertisement Advertisement Since November, interest in local alternative assessments in history and social science has grown, sparking further dialogue between the state education agency and social studies leaders across the commonwealth. Graham said she has been pleased to see the agencys engagement on the subject, clarifying that history and social science courses differ from math because their progression is not linear and course sequencing varies. She maintained on Thursday that existing rigorous, equitable, and scalable assessment systems should be prioritized and called for greater transparency and collaboration in the amendment process. We want it done right, Graham said in an interview. If (history and social science) are in there, lets take our time. Lets do it right. Lets not rush it just to say we got it in the ESSA Consolidated Plan. Advertisement Advertisement The board delayed any action to amend changes to the state accountability plan until March, when it meets for its work session and business meeting on March 25 and 26. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX It had been some time since a major multi-vehicle collision occurred on a Fresno highway, but that changed on Sunday when a 17-vehicle pileup on Highway 99, between North and Cedar Avenues, left one person dead and several others injured. According to the California Highway Patrol, dense fog reduced visibility to as little as 15 feet. When two drivers slowed down under these conditions, it set off a chain reaction that led to the pileup. Highway 99 remains closed as of 7 p.m. Although Highway 99 has a history of severe crashes, Sundays 17-vehicle collision does not mark the highways largest. Advertisement Advertisement In 2002, heavy fog near Fowler contributed to a crash involving at least 90 vehicles, resulting in three deaths and numerous injuries. Again in 2007, foggy conditions south of American Avenue in Fresno triggered a collision with 86 vehicles, killing two people and injuring 12. With more foggy days forecast, the California Highway Patrol is urging extra caution. Just safety first, CHP spokesperson Mike Salas said. We cant stress it enough. Please slow down, especially in inclement weather fog specifically. If you can delay your trip, please do. Tragedy can happen. Drive at safe speeds and keep those seat belts buckled. Advertisement Advertisement The National Weather Service in Hanford has issued a fog advisory for much of the San Joaquin Valley from Merced County to south of Kern County beginning at midnight and lasting until 11 a.m. Monday. Drivers are reminded to remain vigilant, reduce speed, and exercise extreme caution when traveling in foggy conditions on Highway 99 and throughout the region. One person is dead and several injured after a fog-related crash on Highway 99 between North and Cedar in Fresno, California on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement photo This story was originally published by Public News Service. Detroit teachers are pushing for the release of immigrant students from Michigan many of them minors who are being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Some were sent to out-of-state detention facilities. Nationwide, ICE has taken more than 65,000 people into custody, and at least 600 children have been placed in federal detention this year. Advertisement Advertisement Kristen Schoettle, an English as a Second Language teacher at Western International High School in Detroit, said the effect on students has been immediate and traumatic. I have many students who are afraid to go to school, Schoettle explained. For them, Ive really just been sending them work through Teams. I hear of students whose parents have been detained almost every day. Schoettle noted at least four students from her school are in ICE custody; some were sent to a family detention center in Texas. ICE officials maintain they are carrying out federal immigration law, and that detention decisions are based on legal status and court processes, not school enrollment. Schoettle added what is most painful for her is seeing teenagers who have followed the rules treated like criminals and separated from their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Theyre good kids. Theyve done nothing wrong, Schoettle emphasized. Honestly, if this was 10 years earlier, they would have had access to DACA and had more protections. So, its just, for me, its the cruelty. She and other advocates have said the kids detained at their school highlight growing concerns about how immigration enforcement is affecting children, school attendance and family stability across the region. ICE has said individuals in custody are given access to legal proceedings. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX New Hampshire is planning on holding the first-in-the-nation presidential primary once again in 2028 whether the rest of the country likes it or not. The Democratic National Committee will likely decide the order of its 2028 presidential calendar by the end of the year, and states that wish to hold a presidential primary or caucus before Super Tuesday must submit their plans to the Rules and Bylaws Committee by Jan. 16, 2026. New Hampshire has held the first primary since 1920 even in 2024, when the DNC wanted South Carolina to go first instead. The state is applying to go first again in 2028, but officials have said it doesnt really matter what the DNC decides: New Hampshire will be going first no matter what, as mandated by a state law passed in 1975. Advertisement Advertisement Whether or not it is sanctioned or not, is really the conversation, New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley said. The Republican National Committee is also set to decide on their 2028 calendar by September, but former NH GOP Chairman Chris Ager, who is on a committee to promote the primary, said he's "very confident" New Hampshire will remain first. "We've heard no movement whatsoever by anyone on the RNC to change the presidential primary process," Ager said. The New Hampshire Republican and Democratic primaries are typically held on the same day. The DNC calendar controversy For years, the Democrats early window of voting included four states: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. But following the 2020 Iowa caucuses, which were plagued by reporting delays and inaccuracies, the DNC voted to remake its calendar. Advertisement Advertisement Based on a recommendation from then-President Joe Biden, the DNC chose South Carolina to lead off the 2024 Democratic presidential primaries, saying it reflected the nations racial diversity. But New Hampshire refused to break tradition and held an unsanctioned primary Jan. 23, 2024, before South Carolina's primary. Bidens name was absent from the ballot in New Hampshire, but he won anyway through a write-in campaign led by state Democrats. The DNC later voted to count New Hampshire's delegates. The DNC suggested it would revisit the order ahead of the 2028 presidential election cycle, and the Rules and Bylaws Committee is now soliciting applications from states that want to be part of the early nominating window in 2028. The committee will then choose 10-15 states that will be allowed to make their case for why they should go early, Buckley said, adding around 30 states applied last election cycle. Up to five states will ultimately be chosen to vote before Super Tuesday. The committee is emphasizing the need to create a system that elevates viable candidates who can win a general election. As we go through this process the real question we face is asking each state why including them in the early window, pre-window period, helps us elect a Democratic president and win the election, committee member Stuart Appelbaum said at a Monday, Oct. 27, meeting. That is the prime criteria that we will be looking at in making our decision. Advertisement Advertisement The committee will be looking at three pillars rigor, fairness and efficiency to determine the order. Why should NH go first? Buckley said that the chosen states will make their case to hold an early primary sometime from April to June. New Hampshire's presentation will focus on what makes New Hampshire unique, he said. We are a very purple state. We are not a blue state, we're not a red state, we're a state where we're competitive at every level, Buckley said. And that is an important test for our candidates to be able to attract independent voters and independent support during the nominating process. Vetting candidates at small forums is a long tradition in New Hampshire, and it will be particularly important in 2028 as Democrats face a wide-open field of potential candidates. Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, because New Hampshire didnt have a sanctioned primary, Biden didnt visit the state and wasnt scrutinized in the way candidates usually are by New Hampshire voters. Biden ended up dropping out of the race in July due to concerns about his age following a disastrous debate performance. In 2024, bypassing New Hampshire meant that you didn't have a real selection for any candidate in the Democratic Party, because it was a foregone conclusion as to who would be the nominee, and New Hampshire didn't get its typical opportunity to vet the candidates, said University of New Hampshire Survey Center director Andy Smith. Which, in hindsight, would have been a very good thing to have done. New Hampshire voters take their role in this process seriously, Buckley said. The state sees a high level of turnout in primary elections, and as a small state with an affordable path to getting on the ballot, New Hampshire allows all candidates regardless of fame or wealth the opportunity to establish themselves as viable. New Hampshire does democracy better than anywhere else in the world, which is why it remains the best place to kick off the presidential primary process, said Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-NH, in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement While Buckley acknowledges that diversity plays an important role in the nominating process, he said thats why they supported the expansion of the early primary states to include South Carolina and Nevada. Jim Splaine, a Portsmouth Democrat and former state representative and state senator, speaks May 27, 2025 at the State House during an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary law. Buckley said that they aren't going to focus on the state law mandating New Hampshire go first in their argument to the DNC. But it will come into play if they aren't chosen to go first. The secretary of state basically can just look at the legislative calendars of all the other states, see when they're going to have their primaries, and just move ours a week before theirs, Smith said. So, New Hampshire will have the first-in-the-nation primary. Again, whether or not that's sanctioned by the Democratic Party is the big question. Will the DNC approve of NH going first? The exact 2028 primary calendar likely wont be set until the end of the year. But Smith thinks theres a good chance the DNC will allow New Hampshire to go first. Advertisement Advertisement I'd say they certainly would be receptive to going back to the schedule that they used for the last several decades, Smith said. The history of New Hampshire being first and successfully being first is a strong argument to make. Neither he nor Buckley think the drama of 2024 will affect the DNCs decision this year. Another sign New Hampshire might get to go first? Potential presidential candidates, like Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-AZ., and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, have already made visits to the Granite State. Theres a pretty positive vibe out there, Buckley said. Contributing: Brianne Pfannenstiel, Howard Altschiller This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Can NH keep first-in-the-nation primary as DNC decides on 2028? DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) An Israeli drone strike Monday killed three Palestinians who had crossed the ceasefire line near central Gazas Morag corridor, hospital officials said. Israels military said the three approached troops and posed an immediate threat. They said they later found weapons and intelligence-gathering equipment on them. The strike came as Gaza awaits an expected announcement this week of a Board of Peace to oversee its governance. Hamas has said it will dissolve its existing government once the new committee takes over the territory, as mandated under the U.S.-brokered peace plan. Advertisement Advertisement The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 440 people have been killed since Israel and Hamas agreed last October to suspend their two-year war. Since then, each side has accused the other of violating the ceasefire, which remains in its initial stage as efforts continue to recover the remains of the final Israeli hostage in Gaza. Israels military controls a buffer zone that covers more than half of Gaza, while the Hamas-run government retains authority over the rest. Throughout the war, Israel has supported anti-Hamas groups, including an armed group in southern Gaza that claimed responsibility on Monday for the killing of a senior Hamas police officer in Khan Younis. Lt. Col. Mahmoud al-Astal was gunned down in the Muwasi area, the Hamas-run Interior Ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Hamas spokesperson Hazem Kassem, in a post on Telegram on Sunday, called for a speeding up of the establishment of the Palestinian technocratic committee set to govern Gaza. Hamas and the rival Palestinian Authority have not announced the names of who will sit on the committee and it remains unclear if they will be cleared by Israel and the U.S. Officials say that Trump will announce his appointments to the Board of Peace in the coming days. Under Trumps plan, the board would supervise the new Palestinian government, the disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an international security force, additional pullbacks of Israeli troops and reconstruction. The U.S. has reported little progress on any of these fronts so far. Advertisement Advertisement According to Turkish officials, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan participated on Monday in a video conference with the U.S. and others meeting to discuss preparations for the second stage of the ceasefire agreement. The talks, held as a continuation of a meeting in Miami at the end of December, also included officials from Egypt and Qatar. Dozens of Palestinians, including medical workers, held a protest in Gaza City on Monday to demand the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners still being held in Israeli prisons. The protest was organized by the Palestinian Prisoners Committee outside the building of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City. Meanwhile, groups that advocate for Palestinian prisoners said that Israeli authorities have confirmed the death of a detainee from Gaza. In a statement Sunday, the Prisoners Affairs Commission and the Palestinian Prisoner Society said that Hamza Abdullah Abdelhadi Adwan died in prison on Sept. 9, based on information the family received from the Israeli military. Israeli military officials said Monday that its police force will investigate and send their findings to the military prosecutors office for review. Advertisement Advertisement Adwan, 67, a father of nine with serious health problems, had been detained at a checkpoint on Nov. 12, 2024. Two of his children were killed in the Gaza war. Since the start of the war, 87 Palestinian detainees have died in Israeli prisons including 51 from Gaza according to the Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Commission. They said that more than 100 detainees some not yet identified had died of torture, starvation, medical neglect, and abuse. ___ Magdy reported from Cairo. Associated Press reporters Sam Metz and Audrey Horowitz in Jerusalem, Suzan Fraser in Ankara and Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia contributed to this report. ___ Find more of APs Israel-Hamas coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war As the Allied war effort in Europe balanced on the knifes edge of history in the spring of 1944, the fate of nations hinged not only on armies, airpower, and logistics, but on silence. The invasion of Nazi-occupied France, known as Operation Overlord, was the most complex and heavily guarded military operation ever conceived. Every detail, from troop movements to weather forecasts, was cloaked in layers of deception and secrecy. Within this tense atmosphere, even a careless word could undo years of planning and cost tens of thousands of lives. It was against this backdrop that one of the most extraordinary and cautionary security breaches of World War II occurred, not through espionage or sabotage, but through arrogance, alcohol, and indiscretion. The incident involved Maj. Gen. Henry J.F. Miller of the United States Army Air Forces, a senior officer whose career ended at a dinner party in London. Read Next: The German rehearsal that doomed Omaha Beach attackers The episode became a stark example of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhowers uncompromising stance on operational security and the extreme measures taken to protect the secrecy of D-Day. Who Was Maj. Gen. Henry J.F. Miller? London in 1944. (Ministry of Information) Miller was no minor figure. As chief of the Ninth Air Force Service Command, he held significant responsibility within the Allied air effort. His command played a crucial role in logistics, maintenance, and support for tactical air operations, functions essential to the success of the invasion force that would soon storm the beaches of Normandy. Advertisement Advertisement By April 1944, Miller had achieved flag rank, a mark of senior leadership and trust. He moved in elite circles in London, interacting regularly with British officers, Allied planners, and civilian elites. Like many senior officers stationed in wartime London, he lived under immense pressure. Yet with rank came responsibility, and with responsibility came an absolute obligation to safeguard the secrets of Operation Overlord. That obligation would soon be violated in spectacular fashion. A City on Edge In the spring of 1944, London was a city suspended between hope and dread. Allied forces were visibly gathering. American troops filled the streets, pubs, and hotels. Airfields buzzed with activity. Convoys rolled through the countryside at night, their movements carefully disguised by elaborate deception plans designed to convince German intelligence that the invasion would strike elsewhere. Everyone knew something big was coming, but no one outside the highest levels of command was supposed to know when or where. Advertisement Advertisement Claridges Hotel, one of Londons most elegant establishments, was a frequent gathering place for senior officers and dignitaries. It was here, at a dinner party in April 1944, that Miller made a catastrophic mistake. The Breach Was a Drunken Boast At the dinner party, Miller had been drinking heavily. Alcohol, combined with ego and a sense of privilege, proved a dangerous mix. In conversation with several British women, civilians with no security clearance, Miller began boasting about his importance and insider knowledge. Then came the fatal words. He stated that the invasion of France would begin before June 15. Related: Eight brothers fought in World War II In isolation, the comment may sound vague. It did not mention Normandy, the beaches, or even the exact date. But in the context of April 1944, this was explosive information. The window for a cross-channel invasion was already limited by tides, moonlight, and weather. Narrowing that window further was the kind of intelligence German planners desperately sought. Advertisement Advertisement The date of Operation Overlord was among the most closely guarded secrets of the war. Even many senior officers were deliberately kept in the dark until the last possible moment. For a major general to casually reference the invasion timetable while drunk, in public, to civilians was a stunning breach of discipline. Word of Millers remarks did not remain confined to the dinner table. As with many indiscretions in wartime London, the story spread quickly and soon reached Allied counterintelligence. Eisenhower Learns of the Incident Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, wasnt someone to let a slip of the tongue go unpunished. (U.S. Navy) When the report reached Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, his reaction was immediate and severe. Eisenhower understood better than anyone what was at stake. Operation Overlord involved more than 150,000 troops landing on hostile shores on the first day alone. A compromise of the invasions timing could allow German forces to reinforce Normandy, reposition armored divisions, or prepare coastal defenses with devastating consequences. Advertisement Advertisement To Eisenhower, there was no such thing as a minor security lapse at this stage of the war. He reportedly regarded Millers behavior as unforgivable. Unlike some commanders who might have quietly reassigned the officer or issued a reprimand, Eisenhower chose to make an example. His decision reflected not anger alone, but strategy. He wanted every officer, American and British alike, to understand that secrecy was nonnegotiable, regardless of rank. Swift and Ruthless Consequences Who needs a court-martial when Ike is around? (U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Jade Venegas) The punishment was extraordinary in both speed and severity. Eisenhower ordered that Miller be stripped of his temporary rank as a major general. He was reduced to his permanent rank of lieutenant colonel, a humiliating demotion that erased years of advancement. Miller was immediately relieved of his command and ordered to return to the United States in disgrace. Advertisement Advertisement There would be no court martial, no lengthy proceedings. Eisenhower acted decisively, ensuring the matter was dealt with before it could distract from invasion preparations or invite further risk. The message was unmistakable. No one was above the rules, and no breach, intentional or not, would be tolerated. Did the Germans Know? If the Germans had believed the boasts of Maj. Gen. Henry J.F. Miller, the news of D-Day might have been very different. (Getty Im One of the most remarkable aspects of the Henry J.F. Miller incident is what did not happen. German intelligence never acted on the information. Read Next: Why Germany was always the underdog in World War II There are several reasons for this. First, it is unclear whether the boast ever reached German ears in a credible form. British counterintelligence was highly effective, and London was under intense surveillance to prevent leaks. Even if the comment was overheard or passed along, it may have been dismissed as rumor or drunken gossip. Advertisement Advertisement Second, and perhaps most importantly, the Germans could not believe that a senior Allied officer would be so careless. Nazi intelligence analysts were conditioned to expect deception. The idea that a major general would casually reveal invasion timing at a party likely seemed implausible. Ironically, the very recklessness of Millers remark may have saved the Allies from disaster. A Career in Ruins For Miller, there was no redemption. Shortly after his return to the United States, he retired later in 1944 due to disability. Whether genuine or convenient, the retirement marked the end of his military career. The disgrace followed him into obscurity, his name largely erased from official narratives of the air war in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement He would live with the knowledge that, in one careless evening, he had undone everything he had built. Unlike many officers who were relieved quietly or reassigned, Millers demotion was absolute. The loss of rank alone was devastating. In military culture, it represented not merely a professional setback but a moral judgment. Eisenhowers Philosophy of Command There were many sides to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, center, with Lt. Gens. Omar Bradley, left, and George Patton. He just better not get on his bad side. (U.S. Army) The Miller incident reveals much about Eisenhowers leadership style. Often remembered as genial and diplomatic, Eisenhower could be ruthless when necessary. He believed that discipline and unity were essential to coalition warfare. In the weeks before D-Day, he was managing egos, national rivalries, and unprecedented logistical complexity. A single breach of security could unravel it all. Advertisement Advertisement Eisenhower understood that secrecy saved lives. His willingness to destroy the career of a general officer demonstrated to every subordinate that the rules applied equally, from private to general. Time Magazine later noted the incident as an example of Eisenhowers uncompromising enforcement of security, a reminder that victory required not just courage, but restraint. Secrecy and Deception Before D-Day Gen. George S. Patton Operation Overlord relied heavily on deception. Operation Fortitude created a phantom army under Gen. George S. Patton, convincing the Germans that the invasion would strike at the Pas-de-Calais rather than Normandy. False radio traffic, dummy equipment, and double agents all played their part. This deception only worked because the Allies were fanatically disciplined about information control. Advertisement Advertisement The Miller incident underscored how fragile that discipline could be. If a major general could lapse, so could anyone. Eisenhowers response reinforced the culture of silence that helped ensure German forces were caught off balance on June 6, 1944. Silence as a Form of Service The first advanced headquarters of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force and Dwight D. Eisenhower memorial ceremony takes place on June 7, 2019, at Tournieres, France. (U.S. Army) On June 6, 1944, Allied forces landed in Normandy and began the liberation of Western Europe. The success of that day rested on countless acts of bravery, sacrifice, and discipline, many of them unseen. The disgrace of Maj. Gen. Henry J.F. Miller is one of the darker footnotes to that triumph. It is a story not of heroism, but of human weakness, and of a commander who understood that weakness could not be allowed to endanger the mission. In the end, the Miller incident stands as a stark reminder that in moments when history hangs in the balance, silence can be as powerful as any act of courage. Dont Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty special forces vs special operations dvids Feature The difference between Special Forces and special operations (and why words matter) By Adam Gramegna reincarnation general patton tunisia getty History The 8 reincarnations of General George S. Patton By Blake Stilwell good news stories 2025 david medal of honor getty Military News 3 Really good news stories you might have missed in 2025 By Adam Gramegna animals in the military mules horses marines History A brief history of animals in the US military By Daniel Tobias Flint battle of the bulge german soldiers shutterstock World War II 3 Stories from the Battle of the Bulge you wont see in Band of Brothers By Adam Gramegna NEW MEXICO (KRQE) Few clouds with mostly calm winds & dry conditions have allowed for the radiational cooling process to once again take place, but because of the cold air mass aloft retreating slowly, its not quite as cold this morning for most. Air temperatures in the north are starting off below 0 in a few areas while most are ranging from the single digits to the 20s from I-40 to the north, while areas to the south are mostly ranging from the upper teens to the low 30s with the mildest air being in far-southern areas or in the far-Northeast Plains. Forecast Continues Below Advertisement Advertisement Afternoon temperatures will mostly be ranging from the 30s to low 60s from northwest to southeast from high to low elevation as high pressure aloft will allow for the temperatures to rise. Warmer-than-normal conditions will also return ahead because of slightly stronger west-northwesterly winds to go up, over, and down the southeast-sloped mountain faces, sinking, compressing, drying, & spreading a warming process at the surface as a result. Much less moisture will continue to be the trend as the pendulum swing pattern of somewhat-damp mornings for a few with breezy easterly winds shifting to southwesterly drier winds in the afternoons will still continue periodically ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Low pressure will bring a very few spotty rain and or wet snow showers in the Guadalupe Mountains region tomorrow, as noticeably cooler air will follow on the backside of that system on Wednesday for eastern areas, as while another similar cooldown will form on Friday, temperatures will mostly continue to gradually climb ahead. 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. ST. PETERSBURG, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- About 80 tons of petroleum products spilled at an oil depot in the town of Olenegorsk in Russia's northwestern Murmansk region, local media reported on Monday. The regional department of Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations said that it received a report Sunday evening of a fuel spill at the oil depot in Olenegorsk, a town located about 110 km south of Murmansk, according to a TASS report. The ministry said a pipeline linked to a gasoline storage tank failed to seal properly, resulting in the leakage of about 80 tons of AI-95 gasoline within the depot. Fuel supply was promptly shut off, and the spilled petroleum products have been contained within special trapping facilities, it added. At least 20 people have been killed by a wild elephant in nine days in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, officials have said, adding that the animal is yet to be captured. The deaths occurred between 1 and 9 January in the Chaibasa and Kolhan forest areas of West Singhbhum district, which are part of one of the largest Sal forests in Asia. Human-elephant conflict has been reported in the region for years, with officials and researchers linking it to shrinking forest cover, habitat fragmentation and increased human activity near elephant corridors. Advertisement Advertisement A massive search operation involving more than 100 forest personnel is under way to locate the elephant, officials say. "This is an unprecedented situation. It's the first time such a pattern of fatalities has been linked to a single male elephant in the region," said divisional forest officer Kuldeep Meena, adding that the entire area had been put on high alert to prevent further loss of life and property. Their immediate priority, he said, was to trace, capture and safely return the animal into the wild. District magistrate Chandan Kumar told the BBC that a forest worker is among the 20 people who have died. Authorites have announced monetary compensation for their families. The elephant is yet to be captured, local officials say [Mohammad Sartaj Alam/BBC] Most of the deaths occurred at night, when residents were guarding paddy stored in fields and barns - a common practice in rural India. Advertisement Advertisement One of the victims, 34-year-old Mangal Singh Hembram, was attacked near his home in Bodijari village while returning from work, officials said. In Birsingh Hatu village, 62-year-old Urdub Bahoda was killed while watching over his field, according to his family. Later the same night, Vishnu Sundi, 42, from a neighbouring village was trampled to death while sleeping outside his house, his son said. In another incident on 5 January, Kundra Bahoda and his two children - six-year-old Kodama and eight-year-old Samu - were killed by the elephant. Kundra's wife, Pundi, said she escaped with her injured two-year-old daughter and found out only later that her husband and two older children had died. Forest officials said the elephant was young, agile and frequently changed its location, particularly at night, making it difficult to track. Teams have been using traditional drum alerts to warn residents and advising people not to go outdoors or sleep outside at night. Advertisement Advertisement Meena said a preliminary assessment suggested the animal could be in its mating phase when male elephants experience heightened aggression due to increased testosterone levels. Officials said such behaviour usually subsides within 15 to 20 days. They also said the elephant may have strayed from its herd, underlining the need to locate it and allow it to rejoin other elephants in the forest. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. A pair of anglers look toward the Richmond skyline as they fish for striped bass in the James River. (Photo by Evan Visconti/For the Virginia Mercury) As the state prepares to inaugurate its next governor and lawmakers return to Richmond for 2026 next General Assembly legislative session this week, energy and environment policies are expected to dominate debates. Advocacy groups are laying out policies they want to see garner lawmakers support and the governors signature, with many familiar bills that failed in recent years. With a hefty Democratic majority in the House of Delegates and a slimmer Democratic hold in the Senate, several bills that had previously been vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin that will make a return. Gov.-Elect Abigail Spanberger has already outlined multiple measures aimed at efficiency programs and reducing the need for transmission line buildouts that she plans to support. Advertisement Advertisement The Commission of Electric Utility Regulation (CEUR), a group made up of legislators and citizen members, have presented a slate of legislative recommendations after months of public hearings that have gained support from various groups. Here are the key proposals. Affordability The voters of Virginia spoke loud and clear last fall: making life more affordable is their priority concern. The commission suggests that there be more transparency around potential energy efficiencies and involuntary service disconnections through monthly reports to the State Corporation Commission. It also suggests extending the 2038 commitments for the companies to fund programs for low-income households. Legislation from Sen. Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, also aims to urge the utilities to aid low-income households with upgrades to help reduce their power usage. The major companies already have programs in place to help homeowners get access to grants and other funds for efficiency upgrades. Regulation reform Clean Virginia, a powerful clean energy lobbying group, is pushing lawmakers to pass utility regulation reforms. Some of the tweaks they recommend include directing the SCC to create a group to design performance-based regulations for utilities that they say would control costs and lessen vulnerability. The group plans to deliver recommendations for future legislation. Advertisement Advertisement CEUR also recommends changing how utilities file their biannual integrated resource plans. The IRPs are what the utilities use to show their long-range projections on power usage from their customers and what power generation projects will be needed in order to retain grid reliability. There have been some debates over how the utilities calculate what customer bills could look like in the future and the SCC has ordered the companies to show two different methods of those calculations. The commission wants to take a closer look at how the companies are calculating their projected load growth and how to ensure the numbers are accurate as data centers proliferate across the commonwealth. Data centers The ongoing debate around data centers centers on the tremendous amount of power they use, and how to ensure they are paying a fair share of the power generation. A recent rate case for Dominion Energy was seen as a step in the right direction by the Southern Environmental Law Center. The case created a new rate class for high load customers and locked them into 14-year contracts to make sure they pay for the energy they are projected to need, even if the projects dont come to fruition or may not stay online for more than a few years. Advertisement Advertisement Clean Virginia is recommending additional oversight, proposing the SCC review and create an approval process for large load users over 25 megawatts before they can get hooked up to the grid. The group said there needs to be more consideration of how adding these power-hungry facilities will have an impact on ratepayers bills and the energy infrastructure that would be needed to sustain grid reliability. Along those lines, a bill filed by Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan, suggests that the SCC consider large load customers voluntarily financing energy technologies as a way to speed up their connections. Another proposed bill from Del. Josh Thomas, D-Prince William, recommends the SCC having a review process for high load users over 25 MW to ensure the state has the infrastructure to meet their power needs. Lawmakers will also have to consider if they wish to keep or alter the current tax incentive for these users. There has been discussion of tightening the requirements for companies to meet in order to be eligible for the tax breaks. Environment On the environmental policy side, there are moves to expand the states efforts to reduce pollution that ends up in waterways. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation has laid out their priorities, which include maintaining funds for the agricultural cost share program that helps farmers implement best practices that reduce sediment and other pollutants from escaping their properties. Advertisement Advertisement Despite signs pointing towards a tighter budget process this year, CBF also is urging the state to invest in the Community Flood Preparedness Fund as well as the Stormswater Local Assistance Fund. The group stresses how important it is to help coastal communities become more resilient against rising flood waters. There is also a push by lawmakers and environmental groups to urge the Department of Environmental Quality to take a closer look at the source of forever chemicals ending up in rivers and streams. The General Assembly 2026 legislative session begins this Wednesday, Jan. 14. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In November 2025, Estonias parliament, the Riigikogu, approved the 2026 State Budget Act, with 51 members voting in favour and 37 against, and no abstentions. The budget projects total revenue of 18.6bn ($20.3bn) and expenditure of 19.5bn ($21.3bn). Public investment is set to reach 1.3bn ($1.4bn), representing a 45% increase compared to 2025. However, the government expects tax revenues to decline by 780m ($851.7m), with the overall tax burden falling from 36.6% to 35.2%. As a result, the budget deficit is forecast at 4.5% of GDP, while state debt is expected to rise by 1.7bn ($1.9bn), reaching 25.9% of GDP, in 2026. Estonias 2026 budget reflects a strategic reallocation of public spending toward defence readiness, critical infrastructure, and productivity-enhancing investments, while continuing to support key social programs. Defence spending will increase to at least 5% of GDP in 2026, representing an additional 844.5m ($922.1m) compared to 2025. The funding will be used to strengthen air defence, develop division-level force structures, expand drone capabilities, and support the domestic defence industry, including the continued development of the defence industry park. Infrastructure and energy investments will remain a key budget priority. A total of 684.2m ($757m) will be allocated to railway development and maintenance, including 435.7m ($475.8m) for Rail Baltica, alongside 283.1m ($309.1m) for road infrastructure. The budget also provides 40m ($43.7m) to expand renewable energy capacity, with further allocations for climate measures of 11.5m ($12.6m), biodiversity protection of 23.3m ($25.4m), and forestry development of 14.4 m ($15.7m). Advertisement Advertisement Social and economic programs will receive targeted funding. The Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture will allocate 174.4m ($190.4m) for sustainable public transport, supported by around 50m ($54.6m) in ticket revenue, while 1.7m ($1.9m) will be directed toward food safety monitoring. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications will allocate 117m ($127.8m) to support business research and development, including 27.3m ($29.8m) for innovation loans, and 40m ($43.7m) annually to attract large-scale investments. Meanwhile, 210m ($229.3m) has been earmarked for pension indexation, supporting a projected 5.4% increase in average pensions in 2026. The 2026 state budget is expected to support growth in Estonias construction industry by sustaining public investment in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and transport infrastructure projects. GlobalData expects the Estonian construction industry to record a growth rate of 3.8% in 2026. Increased allocations for Rail Baltica, road development, and railway maintenance, as part of the latest budget, are expected to sustain demand across civil engineering and large-scale transport construction, while higher defence spending will support the development of military infrastructure, logistics facilities, and industrial parks linked to the domestic defence industry. At the same time, funding for renewable energy expansion, climate measures, and green hydrogen initiatives is likely to drive activity in energy-related construction, including grid upgrades, generation facilities, and supporting infrastructure. Although fiscal pressures and a higher budget deficit may limit private-sector investment sentiment, the scale of public investment and clear prioritisation of strategic sectors are expected to provide stability for contractors and suppliers, helping to underpin moderate but steady growth in Estonias construction industry in 2026. "Estonias parliament approves 2026 state budget, focusing on defence and productivity" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. Farming groups in the EU have opposed a trade deal with South Americas Mercosur bloc, calling it fundamentally unbalanced and flawed. The backlash came immediately after a qualified majority of EU member states voted on Friday (9 January) in favour of the trade accord with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the blocs has "delivered a substantive and mutually beneficial deal" while the European Council said the agreement "offers tariff reductions and opens access to new markets for a wide range of goods and services", arguing agriculture "will benefit from improved trade terms". Advertisement Advertisement However, in a statement issued the same day, Copa-Cogeca, representing EU farm organisations and agricultural cooperatives, said they were united in denouncing the deal despite the latest adjustments to the additional safeguard measures. The farming lobby warned the agreement erodes trust in European governance, democratic processes and parliamentary scrutiny at a time when institutional credibility is already under strain. Copa-Cogeca strongly criticised what it described as the Councils last-minute decision to withdraw the declaration guaranteeing no provisional implementation of the agreement before the European Parliament has the chance to have its say, despite past promises that this would not happen, is extremely concerning. The organisation said it would continue mobilising farmers against the accord. Advertisement Advertisement According to the European Commission, it will create the world's biggest free trade zone, covering a market of more than 700 million consumers. The deal, originally agreed in 2019, has repeatedly stalled amid resistance from several EU countries. A political agreement was reached between the parties in December 2024. The European Dairy Association welcomed the member states' move to approve the deal. "This represents a major breakthrough highlighting the EUs trade ambitions the success of its negotiations, and will be sure to bring economic growth and resilience to Europe," the EDA said. Advertisement Advertisement Von der Leyen is scheduled to travel to Paraguay to sign the deal, which still requires ratification by the European Parliament. She said the agreement "will increase prosperity and create incredible opportunities", adding: "This deal marks a new era of trade and cooperation with our Mercosur partners." The EU is Mercosurs second-largest trade partner, accounting for almost 17% of the blocs total trade in 2024. In that year, trade in goods between the two sides was worth over 111bn ($129.7bn). At the core of the trade deal is a mutual reduction of import duties. The EU will progressively remove tariffs on 92% of Mercosur exports up to ten years, while Mercosur will phase out duties on 91% of EU exports over 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Von der Leyen described the deal as a "win-win agreement", adding: "We have heard the concerns of our farmers and our agricultural sector and we have acted on them. This agreement contains robust safeguards to protect their livelihoods. We are also stepping up our actions in relation to import controls, because rules must be respected, also by importers. "At the same time, we will harness the opportunities this agreement offers for our farmers. For example, this agreement includes 350 European geographical indications which is more than in any other EU trade deal." To address concerns among EU farmers about potential competition from South American producers, the agreement incorporates safeguard mechanisms and quotas for sensitive goods. A provisional understanding on these measures was entered in December. Advertisement Advertisement Both sides have accepted tougher rules allowing the EU to temporarily suspend tariff-free imports on sensitive products, including poultry, beef, sugar, eggs and citrus, if inflows are deemed to be harming European producers. Under these provisions, an investigation into suspending preferential tariffs would be triggered by an increase in import volumes of more than 8% or a price drop of over 8% compared to a three-year average. The Commission may also decide to monitor non-sensitive products at the request of domestic industries. Von der Leyen said around 60,000 European companies export to the Mercosur countries, with half of them being SMEs. Advertisement Advertisement She said those firms will benefit from lower tariffs, saving about 4bn a year in export duties, along with simplified customs procedures and improved access to raw materials. The Commission president projected EU exports to Mercosur would increase by almost 50bn by 2040, while Mercosur exports to the EU are expected to grow by up to 9bn. "EU farming groups express anger at Mercosur agreement" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The draw for the two semi-finals of Eurovision 2026 took place in Vienna on Monday, with Israel among the 15 participants set to compete for a spot in the final despite protests by several countries. Israel is due to perform in the first semi-final on May 12 alongside Greece, Belgium, Sweden, Croatia and others. Denmark, Romania, Switzerland and Norway are among those featuring in the second semi-final. Advertisement Advertisement Germany, France, Italy, Great Britain and host Austria are automatically qualified for the final. New voting rules give less weight to the public vote in the semi-finals than in previous years. The Semi-finals will once again use a roughly 50/50 split between jury and audience voting. A jury will help decide on 10 of participants from each of the semi-final shows advancing to the final round. In another change, each viewer may only cast up to 10 votes, compared to up to 20 votes previously. The new rules also apply to the final. The 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna has been overshadowed for months by a debate about Israel's participation against the backdrop of its two-year military campaign in the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Spain, Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands and Slovenia said they would boycott this year's edition of the music spectacle in protest. The entries from a total of 35 countries will be determined in the coming weeks. Sales for the approximately 90,000 tickets for the nine shows during the week of the competition are meanwhile set to begin on January 13 at 1 pm (1200 GMT). This year will mark Vienna's third time hosting Eurovision, which was launched after World War II to promote international understanding. Former prime minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili has been sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering, the prosecutor's office said on Monday. Garibashvili signed a confession and entered into a plea deal, prosecutors said. He had faced the possibility of a significantly longer prison sentence. In addition to the jail term, a fine of 1 million Georgian lari ($371,120) was imposed. Advertisement Advertisement Money seized during a search of his home, allegedly from criminal activities, was also confiscated and given to the state, the statement said. His lawyer told local media the amount is around $6.5 million. Garibashvili served as Georgia's prime minister twice, first from 2013 to 2015 and again from 2021 to 2024. On both occasions he stepped down before completing his term. He also served as chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Garibashvili withdrew from politics last year, publicly citing a desire to spend more time with his family and pursue work in the private sector. Georgia has been in the throes of a political crisis since a disputed parliamentary election in October 2024. Georgian Dream declared itself the winner, while opposition parties rejected the result and accused the government of electoral fraud. Advertisement Advertisement When Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced in November 2024 that the country's efforts to join the European Union would be suspended, weeks of mass protests followed, some of which turned violent. The ruling party has since taken an increasingly authoritarian, anti-Western course and has passed Russian-style laws to crack down on critics. By Saad Sayeed, Ananda Teresia and Ariba Shahid ISLAMABAD/JAKARTA Jan 12 (Reuters) - Indonesia's defence minister met Pakistan's air force chief in Islamabad to discuss a potential deal that includes the sale of combat jets and killer drones to Jakarta, three security officials with knowledge of the meeting on Monday said. The talks come as Pakistan's defence industry moves forward with a series of defence procurement negotiations, including deals with Libya's National Army and Sudan's army, and looks to establish itself as a sizable regional player. Advertisement Advertisement One source said the talks revolved around the sale of JF-17 jets, a multi-role combat aircraft jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and drones designed for surveillance and striking targets. The other two sources said the talks were in an advanced stage and involved more than 40 JF-17 jets. One of them said Indonesia was also interested in Pakistan's Shahpar drones. The sources did not share any discussions about delivery timelines and the number of years a proposed deal would span. Both Indonesia's Defence Ministry and Pakistan's military confirmed the meeting between Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Pakistan's Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. "The meeting focused on discussing general defence cooperation relations, including strategic dialogue, strengthening communication between defence institutions, and opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields in the long term," defence ministry spokesperson Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait told Reuters, adding the talks had not yet led to concrete decisions. Advertisement Advertisement The Pakistani military confirmed the meeting in a statement and also said the defence minister met army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir for talks that "focused on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional and global security dynamics, and exploration of avenues for enhancing bilateral defence cooperation". INDONESIA REPLACING AGEING AIR FORCE FLEET One additional security source with knowledge of military procurement talks said Pakistan was discussing the sale of JF-17 Thunder jets, air defence systems, training for junior, mid-level, and senior Indonesian air force officials, and engineering staff. "The Indonesia deal is in the pipeline," retired Air Marshal Asim Suleiman, who remains briefed on air force deals, told Reuters, adding that the number of JF-17 jets involved was close to 40. Advertisement Advertisement Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto was in Pakistan last month for a two-day visit for talks on improving bilateral ties, including defence. Indonesia has put in a slew of orders for jets in the past few years, including 42 French Rafale jets worth $8.1 billion in 2022 and 48 KAAN fighter jets from Turkey last year to strengthen its air force and replace its ageing air force fleet. Jakarta has also considered buying China's J-10 fighter jets and is in talks to purchase U.S.-made F-15EX jets. PAKISTAN'S RISING DEFENCE INDUSTRY Interest in the Pakistani military's weapons development programme has surged since its jets were deployed in a short conflict with India last year. Advertisement Advertisement The JF-17s have been at the centre of that growing attention, figuring in a deal with Azerbaijan and the $4 billion weapons pact with the Libyan National Army. Pakistan is also eyeing a defence pact with Bangladesh that could include the Super Mushshak training jets and JF-17s, as ties improve with Dhaka. Reuters has also reported that Islamabad was in talks with Riyadh for a defence deal that could be worth between $2 billion and $4 billion and involves the conversion of Saudi loans into military supplies. (Reporting by Saad Sayeed and Ariba Shahid in Islamabad, and Anada Teresia in Jakarta; Additional reporting by Mubasher Bukhari in Lahore; Editing by Alex Richardson) By Aaron Ross Jan 12 (Reuters) - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will seek to extend his four-decade rule on Thursday in an election that has renewed questions about the 81-year-old leader's eventual succession. While political analysts say Museveni's stranglehold on Ugandan institutions makes victory for him and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party a near certainty in presidential and parliamentary elections, how the vote unfolds could have important implications for the country's path forward. Advertisement Advertisement WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES? Museveni, who came to power at the head of a rebellion in 1986, is aiming for a seventh term in office. His main challenger is 43-year-old Bobi Wine, who finished runner-up in the 2021 election with 35% of the vote and is popular with young voters. Other notable candidates are former military chief Mugisha Muntu, an anti-corruption campaigner, and Nandala Mafabi, a lawmaker who was previously the opposition leader in parliament. WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUES? Museveni has campaigned on a slogan of "protecting the gains", touting a record of relative peace and stability. Advertisement Advertisement He has said he wants to make Uganda a middle-income country by boosting manufacturing, adding value to agricultural exports such as coffee and cotton and capitalising on the start of oil production expected later this year. Wine has focused on restoring political freedoms, accusing Museveni of "40 years of dictatorship". The government has denied allegations of widespread human rights abuses. Wine has also vowed to stamp out corruption, bolster youth employment and review production-sharing agreements with international oil firms if they do not favour Ugandan interests. WILL THERE BE UNREST? Advertisement Advertisement Successive elections in Uganda have been marred by violence and crackdowns on government opponents. Security forces killed more than 50 people before the last election in 2021 while responding to protests triggered by Wine's arrest. Hundreds of opposition supporters have been detained in the run-up to this year's vote, and at least one was killed at a campaign event. Violent youth-led protests in neighbouring Kenya and Tanzania over the past two years have underscored the risks to the government of young people's frustration with political systems they see as corrupt and unresponsive to their needs. Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Ugandan authorities said they were banning live broadcasts of riots, "unlawful processions" and other violent incidents. WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR FOREIGN ACTORS? Museveni's Uganda has been a strategic ally of Western countries, sending troops to fight Somalia's al Shabaab and other militant groups in the region. It also hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa. The United States criticised the 2021 elections as neither free nor fair and imposed visa bans on some Ugandan officials, but Washington is unlikely to weigh in on this year's poll after U.S. diplomats were instructed in July not to comment on the integrity of foreign elections. Advertisement Advertisement Museveni's government has curried favour with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration by entering an agreement in August to take in deportees from the U.S. who are nationals of third countries. Uganda has expanded its economic ties with China and non-Western powers such as Russia and the United Arab Emirates in recent years. China National Offshore Oil Corporation is one of the two lead partners in Ugandas Lake Albert oil fields, which are due to start commercial crude production later this year. WHAT ELSE WILL UGANDA OBSERVERS BE WATCHING? There may be little suspense about the election outcome, but political observers will be watching the vote for what it says about a future presidential succession. Advertisement Advertisement Museveni is widely thought to be lining up his son, military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to succeed him. Kainerugaba has fuelled the speculation by openly discussing his presidential ambitions, although Museveni has denied grooming his son to succeed him. Political analysts say Kainerugaba's status as heir apparent is a source of controversy within the NRM and that other party heavyweights are also positioning themselves for Museveni's eventual departure from the scene. One important metric will be Museveni's margin of victory. In 2021, he registered his lowest score in a presidential election with 58% of the vote. Any further slippage could weaken his political standing before a possible succession battle, analysts say. (Editing by Timothy Heritage) After Donald Trump launched a lightning operation to topple Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, rumours surfaced online that the US president announced he would next free former Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte from detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The graphic shared in the posts bears no resemblance to official statements released by the White House, and there was no record of Trump issuing such remarks on his social media. "Like what I did to Venezuelan President Maduro, I will do to Former President Rodrigo Duterte," reads a graphic that bears the seal of the President of the United States, shared on Facebook on January 5, 2026. It goes on to say Trump vowed to "missile Duterte out" and bring him home. Advertisement Advertisement "My troops are ready to pick him up from the ICC Detention Center. I stand with my dear friend from the Philippines, he did nothing wrong." Screenshot of the false Facebook post captured on January 7, 2026, with a red X added by AFP The graphic also circulated in other Facebook posts following the Trump administration's snatch-and-grab raid in the oil-rich South American nation (archived link). US commandos carried out airstrikes on Venezuela's capital Caracas to capture Maduro and his wife, who were flown to New York City where they face drug trafficking and weapons charges. Both pleaded not guilty. Former Philippine leader Duterte is detained at the ICC in The Hague, where he faces crimes against humanity charges over his brutal war on drugs (archived link). Advertisement Advertisement Trump has long been hostile to the UN-backed court and his administration has slapped key ICC officials with sanctions for their probes of alleged Israeli war crimes (archived link). Several users appeared to believe the circulating graphic shows a genuine statement from the Republican president. "Thank you Pres. Trump please help our president Du30 bring him back to the Philippines please," read one user comment, using a popular nickname for Duterte. Another said: "We are happy and thankful. Hoping this will come TRUE." However, as of January 12, there have been no official reports to support the claim. Advertisement Advertisement Trump described his relationship with his then-Philippine counterpart as "very good" in 2017, but has criticised the Duterte administration during a July meeting with incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos, saying "they did not know what they were doing" (archived here and here). Falsified quote There was no record of the supposed statement to free Duterte on official White House platforms or on Trump's verified accounts, including his social media platform Truth Social (archived here and here). A review of the Wayback Machine and Trump's Truth, an independent archive of all his posts, also found no trace of the quote (archived here and here). AFP contacted the US Embassy in Manila for comment but did not receive a response. Advertisement Advertisement A comparison between the fabricated graphic and recent White House posts featuring genuine Trump statements show differences in style and formatting, including the colour of the text and the use of the White House logo (archived here and here). Screenshot comparison of the false graphic (left) and a genuine graphic posted by the White House (right) Screenshot comparison of the false graphic (left) and a genuine graphic posted by the White House (right) Philippine media organisations Vera Files and Rappler have also fact-checked similar claims (archived here and here). AFP has repeatedly debunked fabricated Trump quotes including one purportedly expressing his support after Duterte's arrest. Claim: A secret NASA document named "Project Anchor" leaked in November 2024, revealing the agency believed the Earth would "lose gravity" for seven seconds on Aug. 12, 2026. Rating: Rating: False In early January 2026, a rumor circulated online that Earth would "lose gravity" for seven seconds on Aug. 12, 2026 leading to "40 million deaths from falls," among other cataclysmic outcomes. Social media users copied and pasted text featuring the claim, alleging that a secret NASA document named "Project Anchor" leaked in November 2024, which revealed the agency had known of and organized special preparations for the cosmic event. Advertisement Advertisement For example, on Dec. 31, 2025, Instagram user @mr_danya_of whose account became unavailable either Jan. 6 or 7, meaning its post was not live at the time of publication shared a brief video of a man, who did not speak, sitting in a car. Overlaid text on the footage read (archived): "On August 12, 2026, the world will lose gravity for 7 seconds. NASA knows. They're preparing but won't tell us why." (Bluesky user @deardean22.bsky.social) The post's caption presented in full later in this article further claimed: "In November 2024, a secret NASA document titled 'Project Anchor' leaked online. The project's budget is $89 billion, and its goal is to survive a 7-second gravitational anomaly expected on August 12, 2026, at 14:33 UTC." The post estimated there would be "40 million deaths from falls," "infrastructure destruction," "economic collapse lasting over 10 years" and "mass panic." Other examples of the claim appeared on 4chan, Bluesky (archived), Facebook (archived), Instagram (archived), Reddit (archived), Threads (archived), TikTok (archived) and X (archived). Advertisement Advertisement In short, while NASA's website said a total solar eclipse would occur on Aug. 12, 2026, the rumor about "Project Anchor" and gravity loss was false. Searches of Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo found no reputable results about a "Project Anchor" leaking online during or after November 2024. Similar searches of Facebook specifically during 2024 and 2025, as well as on X, uncovered no posts where users discussed a "Project Anchor." A NASA spokesperson said via email that the rumor was not true: The Earth will not lose gravity on Aug. 12, 2026. Earth's gravity, or total gravitational force, is determined by its mass. The only way for the Earth to lose gravity would be for the Earth system, the combined mass of its core, mantle, crust, ocean, terrestrial water, and atmosphere, to lose mass. A total solar eclipse has no unusual impact on Earth's gravity. The gravitational attraction of the Sun and Moon on the Earth, which doesn't impact Earth's total gravity, but does impact tidal forces, is well understood and is predictable decades in advance. The @mr_danya_of Instagram user's post was the oldest record of the rumor, according to the searches. The original link and video (archived) were viewable on Jan. 6. By the following day, the user's account was inaccessible. Instead, an error message read: "Profile isn't available. The link may be broken, or the profile may have been removed." Advertisement Advertisement The user commonly shared interest-based stories told from varying perspectives much of the tales appearing fictional each with multiple paragraphs possibly fabricated and written with artificial-intelligence tools. One sign of AI pertained to the user's use of emojis in some of the videos' text captions, a common finding in AI-generated storytelling text. Several videos that were still live, as of this writing, on the Instagram user's TikTok and YouTube profiles (archived, archived) said the user worked at Google, a morgue, a crematorium and a hospice, as well as served in positions as a psychiatrist and criminologist. After posting about the Earth losing gravity, the user's next video told a fictional story about 600 people disappearing from the town of Portlock, Alaska, in 2019. That video about Alaska, as well as the "lose gravity" clip, did not appear on the user's TikTok or YouTube accounts. We contacted @mr_danya_of via a private TikTok message to confirm the user authored the fabricated rumor, as well as to ask about the missing Instagram account. We will update this article if we receive further information. 'Project Anchor' post text, in full Instagram's @mr_danya_of and other users shared the text for the gravity-loss rumor as follows: On August 12, 2026, the world will lose gravity for 7 seconds. NASA knows. They're preparing but won't tell us why. In November 2024, a secret NASA document titled "Project Anchor" leaked online. The project's budget is $89 billion, and its goal is to survive a 7-second gravitational anomaly expected on August 12, 2026, at 14:33 UTC. Key facts: Duration: 7.3 seconds. Expected casualties: 40-60 million. What will happen: 1-2 seconds: Everything not secured will rise (people, vehicles, animals). 3-4 seconds: Objects will continue to rise to 15-20 meters. 5-6 seconds: Panic and chaos will ensue as people hit ceilings. 7 seconds: Gravity returns, and everything falls from height. Expected consequences: 40 million deaths from falls. Infrastructure destruction. Economic collapse lasting over 10 years. Mass panic. Reason for the anomaly: The intersection of two gravitational waves from black holes, predicted in 2019 with a probability of 94.7%. NASA has known about this for five years. What NASA is doing: Building underground bunkers for "essential personnel." Developing securing systems for buildings. Who will get spots in the bunkers: Government leaders, scientists, military personnel, and "selected citizens with genetic diversity." Why they're silent: An announcement would trigger mass panic and chaos. Better to have 40 million unprepared victims than 8 billion in a state of panic. The leak has been ignored by the media as "conspiracy theory," but an independent physicist confirmed the intersection of gravitational waves. His paper was retracted, and he has since disappeared. What you can do: Follow the "civilian survival protocol": Stay indoors with a low ceiling. Lie on the floor face down. Hold onto something secured. 20 months until the event. NASA knows. Governments are preparing. They won't tell you. For further reading, Snopes previously reported the facts about the probability of an asteroid named 2024 YR4 striking Earth on Dec. 22, 2032. Sources: "Future Eclipses - NASA Science." NASA, 14 Oct. 2022, https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/. Advertisement Advertisement Jerf. "This Post Nicely Doubles as an Explanation of Why Current-Gen LLM's Tendencies t... | Hacker News." Hacker News, 24 June 2025, https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44366298. Liles, Jordan. "Why NASA Keeps Changing the Probability of an Asteroid Impacting Earth in 2032." Snopes, 21 Feb. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/02/21/nasa-asteroid-hitting-earth-2032/. Thakur, Divya. "Why ChatGPT Uses Emojis (and What That Says About Us)." Becisions, 6 June 2025, https://www.becisions.com/post/why-chatgpt-uses-emojis-and-what-that-says-about-us. "What Is Gravity?" NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, GRACE-FO, 30 Sept. 2013, https://gracefo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/5/what-is-gravity. BRUSSELS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Monday that she has ordered a ban on all diplomatic staff and other representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from entering any European Parliament premises. The decision followed protests that broke out across Iran late last month and escalated into nationwide unrest, amid reports of clashes between security forces and protesters. Over the past two weeks, at least 111 members of Iran's security forces were killed in the unrest, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Casualty figures for protesters have not been officially released. Claim: Project 2025, The Heritage Foundation's document that has largely been used as a roadmap for U.S. President Donald Trump's second term in office, contains language calling for the "re-hemisphering" of Latin American countries. Rating: Rating: True Context: Page 184 of Project 2025 does use the word "re-hemisphering" when discussing Latin America. It uses the word in an economic context rather than a militaristic or interventionist context, with a goal of moving "manufacturing and industry closer to home." While the next bullet point, "A 'local' approach to security threats," does call for more U.S. intervention in Latin America, it proposes potential military (and other) collaborations with allies in and outside Latin America not unilateral military operations. Advertisement Advertisement In January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump began a series of military operations into the South American country of Venezuela without receiving prior authorization from Congress, which holds the sole constitutional power to declare war. In a news conference after the first operation, in which U.S. troops captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, Trump referenced the Monroe Doctrine, a policy adopted in 1823 under then-President James Monroe claiming that the continents of North and South America fell under the protection of the United States. In the wake of the events, posts appeared online suggesting that a call for such an aggressive and imperialistic foreign policy could be found in the pages of Project 2025, a plan spearheaded by conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation that lays out a roadmap for Trump's second term in a roughly 1,000-page document titled "Mandate for Leadership 2025: The Conservative Promise." Previous Snopes reporting has detailed the deep connections between Project 2025, its authors and many of the Trump administration's decisions during his first year back in office. Page 184 of Project 2025 calls for re-hemisphering. Don Winslow (@donwinslow) January 7, 2026 According to the social media posts, the justification for the military operations into Venezuela could be found on Page 184 of the document, which supposedly called for the "re-hemisphering" of Latin America. Advertisement Advertisement Snopes reviewed the Project 2025 document and found that Page 184 did in fact, contain a reference to the "re-hemisphering" of Latin America. As a result, we've rated the claim true. However, the contextual language around that phrasing revealed that the Trump administration's military operations in Venezuela went a step beyond the document's proposed policy, which did not call for the use of unilateral force but instead focused on cooperating with allies to address security concerns and strengthen economic ties between the U.S. and Latin America. The subsection featuring the phrase "re-hemisphering" was titled "Western Hemisphere" and largely focused on economic issues. It began with a claim similar to the justification for the Monroe Doctrine, namely that the U.S. has a "vested interest in a relatively united and economically prosperous Western Hemisphere." After a section on Mexico and a section about the stopping fentanyl from entering the United States through the southern border, Project 2025 turned to "A hemisphere-centered approach to industry and energy." This is where it used and defined the term "re-hemisphering." The full text of that section reads: A hemisphere-centered approach to industry and energy. The next Administration has a golden opportunity to make key economic changes that will not only provide tremendous economic opportunities for Americans but will also serve as an economic boon to the entire Western Hemisphere. First, the United States must do everything possible, with both resources and messaging, to shift global manufacturing and industry from more distant points around the globe (especially from the increasingly hostile and human rights-abusing PRC [China]) to Central and South American countries. "Re-hemisphering" manufacturing and industry closer to home will not only eliminate some of the more recent supply-chain issues that damaged the U.S. economy but will also represent a significant economic improvement for parts of the Americas in need of growth and stabilization. Similarly, the United States must work with Mexico, Canada, and other countries to develop a hemisphere-focused energy policy that will reduce reliance on distant and manipulable sources of fossil fuels, restore the free flow of energy among the hemisphere's largest producers, and work together to increase energy production, including for nations that are looking for dramatic economic expansion. The final section about the Western Hemisphere, which discussed "A 'local' approach to security threats," raised the possibility of military action but emphasized the need for cooperation with Latin American countries and U.S. allies. specifically named Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Venezuela as being "regional security threats in their own rights" or "vulnerable to hostile extra-continental powers" and called for the U.S. to "lead these democratic neighbors to fight against the external pressure of threats from abroad and address local regional security concerns." The initiative, explicitly described as a "collaboration," would need to "span all tools at the disposal of U.S. allies and partners, including security-focused cooperation." Advertisement Advertisement That language echoed an earlier section on Venezuela, on Page 181, which concluded, "The next Administration must work to unite the hemisphere against this significant but underestimated threat in the Southern Hemisphere." Sources: "After Trump's Removal of Maduro, European Leaders Reject His Demands for Greenland." PBS News, 6 Jan. 2026, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/after-trumps-removal-of-maduro-european-leaders-reject-his-demands-for-greenland. "America 250: Presidential Message on the Anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine." The White House, 2 Dec. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/12/america-250-presidential-message-on-the-anniversary-of-the-monroe-doctrine/. Gedeon, Joseph. "Democrats Decry Venezuela Attack as Republicans Defend Trump after Senate Briefing." The Guardian, 7 Jan. 2026. US News. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/07/trump-venezuela-attack-democrat-republican-senators. Advertisement Advertisement "How the Monroe Doctrine Factors into US Arrest of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro." AP News, 4 Jan. 2026, https://apnews.com/article/monroe-doctrine-venezuela-trump-western-hemisphere-maduro-e5581d71ea15f2fb02461e74ac6b08ca. Ibrahim, Aleksandra Wrona, Nur. "How Trump Policies Align with Project 2025 on Immigration, Federal Reform and More." Snopes, 16 Dec. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/12/16/trump-policies-project-2025/. . "These Project 2025 Creators Are Now Shaping Trump Admin Policies." Snopes, 16 Dec. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/12/16/trump-admin-project-2025/. . "What Trump Has Said about Project 2025 over the Years: A Timeline." Snopes, 16 Dec. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/12/16/trump-project-2025-timeline/. Advertisement Advertisement News, A. B. C. "Trump Demands Venezuela Kick out China and Russia, Partner Only with US on Oil: Exclusive." ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-demands-venezuela-kick-china-russia-partner-us/story?id=128963238. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026. . "Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine' Seeks Influence over Western Hemisphere Citing Old US Policy." ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-donroe-doctrine-seeks-influence-western-hemisphere-citing/story?id=128926397. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026. . "Trump's Vow to 'run' Venezuela, Sell Oil, Part of Plan to Dominate Western Hemisphere." ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trumps-vow-run-venezuela-sell-oil-part-plan/story?id=128873221. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026. News, N. B. C. "Trump Warns Venezuela to Cooperate or Risk New U.S. Military Attack." NBC News, 7 Jan. 2026, https://www.nbcnews.com/world/venezuela/live-blog/live-updates-trump-venezuela-maduro-rodriguez-attack-greenland-ukraine-rcna252515. Advertisement Advertisement "US Plans to 'run' Venezuela and Tap Its Oil Reserves, Trump Says, after Operation to Oust Maduro." AP News, 3 Jan. 2026, https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-explosions-caracas-ca712a67aaefc30b1831f5bf0b50665e. Wrona, Nur Ibrahim, Aleksandra. "What's Project 2025? Unpacking the Pro-Trump Plan to Overhaul US Government." Snopes, 3 July 2024, https://www.snopes.com//news/2024/07/03/project-2025-trump-us-government/. Claim: A plane that vanished while flying between Germany and Argentina in 1962 landed 29 years later in Chile. Rating: Rating: False In January 2026, a post on Facebook (archived) shared a three-minute clip seeming to show podcaster Joe Rogan telling a story of a plane that disappeared while flying between Germany and Argentina in 1962 and reappeared in 1991, 29 years later, landing at a Chilean airport. According to the story, it was a routine commercial flight for 92 passengers and six crew members for the plane's first three hours in the air. The pilot's final transmission was apparently "We see something ahead" which the Rogan in the video erroneously said was six words before going silent and disappearing. There were search operations on the Atlantic Ocean and in parts of South America before authorities determined the plane to be lost at sea. On Oct. 3, 1991, Chilean air traffic controllers noticed a radar signature that matched an outdated plane model that hadn't flown for decades, although the exact model wasn't named. After its landing, authorities went inside the aircraft to find everything inside dated back to 1962, even though none of the passengers or crew appeared to have aged at all. All the passengers apparently insisted the plane had been in the air for only a few hours. Advertisement Advertisement The same video appeared on TikTok (archived) several minutes after the original Facebook post. A shorter version with a slightly different script also popped up elsewhere on Facebook (archived). https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=872222749071151 This was not a true story, and we've rated the claim false. Not only did the story lack evidence, but it was also eerily similar to past fictitious stories about the reappearance of missing aircraft. The social media posts were the only sources Snopes could find for the story of the plane that reappeared after going missing for 29 years. However, there are plenty of similar fictional stories of planes disappearing and reappearing varying amount of years later. Advertisement Advertisement Most prominent among these stories was one of a plane that apparently disappeared in 1955 and reappeared 37 years later, which Snopes fact-checked previously. That urban legend was based on three identical stories Weekly World News, a tabloid, published in 1985, 1993 and 1999 about the supposed disappearance of "Flight 914." In 1989, Weekly World News published a story about the reappearance of a different missing plane, this one vanishing in 1954 and reappearing 35 years later, supposedly landing perfectly at an airport in Brazil even though all 92 occupants of the plane were skeletons. Weekly World News has a reputation for publishing fictious stories, particularly with a supernatural bent. On its about page, Weekly World News calls itself "the authority on aliens, mutants, conspiracy theories, biblical prophecies, health cures, and wayward politicians." That same page claims Weekly World News began as a print publication in 1683; in actuality, it began publishing in 1979, according to the Library of Congress. The video shared on social media resembled various aspects of these Weekly World News stories. In the Flight 914 story, the passengers and crew were alive and seemingly confused that they landed in a different year from when they took off. The plane in that story landed in Venezuela despite originally flying from New York City to Miami. In the other story, the 92 skeletons echoed the Facebook video's 92 passengers. Half a month prior to posting the video about the plane disappearing for 29 years, Easy PodCast, the Facebook page that first posted the video, shared another video of a similar story (archived) that also echoed the Weekly World News stories. In that video, a flight from Miami to Los Angeles disappeared only to land in Venezuela 37 years later. Advertisement Advertisement The Rogan voiceover, as well as the script itself, was likely generated by artificial intelligence tools. The video's Rogan spoke with an unnatural, stilted cadence that didn't match the way the real Rogan speaks. The script itself included factual errors that suggested AI generation. The most obvious of these mistakes was the video's Rogan referring to the four-word transmission in the story as six words long. Another part of the script that seemed to be an AI error was the description of the search for the missing plane. The video claimed that the aircraft disappeared three hours into a flight from Frankfurt, Germany, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, but also that the search for the missing flight was concentrated in the Atlantic Ocean and parts of South America. Based on a modern flight path, plane three hours into a flight from Frankfurt to Buenos Aires would likely be in the ocean just south of Portugal, in Europe. Therefore it would make no sense to search parts of South America but not southwestern Europe or northwestern Africa, closer to where the plane would have been at the time it disappeared. Fictional stories of planes going missing and reappearing at a different time aren't uncommon. The premise is the basis for a 1961 episode of "The Twilight Zone" and the NBC television series "Manifest." Reporting from Snopes' archives contributed to this story. Sources: Clontz, Derek. "Riddle of Flight 914 - World Weekly News." Google Books, 7 May 1985, books.google.co.in/books?id=xO8DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=%22riddle+of+flight+914%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiL_5WFwMPZAhXCgI8KHYjrBOkQ6AEIJjAA#v=onepage&q=%22flight%20914%22&f=false. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Fisher, Irwin. "1950s AIRLINER LANDS with 92 SKELETONS on BOARD." Google Books, 14 Nov. 1989, books.google.com/books?id=TuwDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA15&dq=Santiago+Flight+513&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjpwpzGq82JAxVCD1kFHUJ4CrMQ6AF6BAgIEAI#v=onepage&q=Santiago%20Flight%20513&f=false. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026. "Playback of Flight LH510." Flightradar24, 6 Jan. 2026, www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/lh510#3dcc9727. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026. Snopes. "Did a Plane Disappear and Land 37 Years Later?" Snopes.com, Snopes, 1 July 2019, www.snopes.com/fact-check/flight-914-reappears-37-years/. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026. "Weekly World News." Google Books, Weekly World News, 1 May 1993, books.google.com/books?id=Ru4DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA72&dq=plane+37+years&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjt0ZaNhJTjAhVIZc0KHZzjBO4Q6AEIMDAC#v=onepage&q&f=false. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026. "Weekly World News." Google Books, Weekly World News, 7 Sept. 1999, books.google.com/books?id=CPEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=plane+37+years&q=flight+914#v=snippet&q=flight%20914&f=false. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026. Today in 1965, a nuclear rocket engine exploded in the Nevada desertscientists purposefully set off the blast, sparking political controversy that lingered for decades. The experiment coincided with the rise of the atomic bomb and the surging space age, as the United States and the Soviet Union duked it out to achieve cosmic supremacy. Four years earlier, the U.S. had launched its first spacecraft powered by nuclear energythe heat from a nuclear reaction sending a rocket whizzing spaceward. But the precise risks of a launch gone sideways remained unclear. One continuing nightmare of the atomic age is the possibility that somewhere, some time, a nuclear reactor may go out of control and blow itself to bits like an overheated steam-age boiler with its safety valve tied down, according to a Time article published on Jan. 22, 1965. Builders and promoters of reactors insist that this is highly improbable, but the Atomic Energy Commission wants more factsjust in case. ROCKET RISKS: The moment the Kiwi reactor blew to bits in Jackass Flats, Nevada. Photo by NASA / Wikimedia Commons. The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission oversaw the development of peacetime nuclear science and technology from 1946 to 1975. For more clarity on potential rocket accidents, the commission vaporized part of a prototype Kiwi nuclear reactor core on Jan. 12, 1965, in Jackass Flats, Nevada by abruptly boosting power on the generator. They aimed to observe the impacts on the reactor and surrounding environment. Scientists set the Kiwi on a railroad car and placed test objects around it, including nuclear fuels and explosives. Advertisement Advertisement The reactor reached temperatures above 8,000 degrees Fahrenheitnearly as hot as the suns surfaceand hundreds of pounds of uranium fuel transformed into vapor. Then, a cloud of grey smoke rose up with a ball of fire at its heart; out of it spouted flashes of light like giant Fourth of July sparklers, Time reported. Observers heard a loud bang and felt a modest shock wave. Read more: What Nuclear War Means for the Ocean As the cloud cleared, Air Force bombers dropped in to gather air samples. Researchers hoped that the radioactive fallout would travel away from inhabited parts of Nevada. But the explosion instead whisked a radioactive cloud more than 200 miles southwest to Los Angeles. Advertisement Advertisement Technically, the test went off without a hitchit matched predictions from researchers at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, and the results suggested that nuclear-powered rockets could be vaporized into wee bits in space at the end of their missions. To gauge the impacts on surrounding populations, the U.S. Public Health Service monitored the nearby neighborhood and gathered milk samples in parts of southern Nevada and California covering more than 200 miles downwind of the test site. The government also tracked the fallout cloud as it traveled the skies. Ultimately, testing revealed that estimated radiation doses to humans beyond the test site were well below current limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency, The Associated Press reported. There was, however, some political fallout. An Associated Press article publicizing the test prompted the Soviet Unions government to question whether the U.S. was violating a treaty that banned nuclear weapons testing, but the Department of State informed the USSR that reactors are designed as stable power sources and are intrinsically unsuitable for use as weapons. In 1994, Massachusetts Representative Edward J. Markey released documents on the test, as part of a broader inquiry into covert radiation experiments during the Cold War. Elements of the nuclear-powered rocket program should qualify as human experiments, Markey wrote. He also urged that such tests should include a public discussion of radiation protection measures and anticipated doses to workers and the public, according to The Associated Press. Advertisement Advertisement In a 1986 report, Markey shared details on 31 nuclear experiments spanning the 1940s through the 1970s, in which about 695 persons were exposed to radiation which provided little or no medical benefit to the subjects. He referred to these participants as American nuclear guinea pigs and requested that those involved be compensated for damagesthey later received a total of nearly $5 million from the government. While the world avoided mass destruction during the Cold War, the Kiwi blast and other tests investigated by Markey illuminate how this standoff still hit close to home. Enjoying Nautilus? Subscribe to our free newsletter. Lead image: AEC-NASA / Wikimedia Commons. This story was originally featured on Nautilus. Motorists traveling in North Fort Myers on S.R. 739 (North Tamiami Trail) from north of the Caloosahatchee River to S.R. 78 (Bayshore Road) should expect some congestion, especially during rush hour, starting today (Jan. 12). The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) sent an advisory on Jan. 9 that said beginning Monday, Jan. 12, through Friday, Jan. 16, and Tuesday, Jan. 20, the eastbound, outside turn lane from Pondella Road to southbound Business 41 (S.R. 739) will be closed during the daytime hours, beginning at approximately 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. More: Florida teen hits 'Golden Fan Cup' jackpot at Chick-fil-A Advertisement Advertisement These single-turn lane closures will allow FDOT crews to install a new mast arm as well as associated conduit for the upgraded traffic signals. The FDOT advisory said the estimated completion of the project has been adjusted due to project resequencing in response to addressing community concerns. Estimated completion is early 2026. "We are committed to delivering these safety improvements as quickly as possible while ensuring quality and safety remain top priorities," the advisory said. More about this project In December, the early reopening of the double right-turn lanes (eastbound Pondella Road to southbound Business 41) was achieved through resequencing of the work. Only activities requiring a permanent double-lane closure were completed during that phase. Advertisement Advertisement While additional work remains (that was originally planned during that detour), moving forward, lane construction activities will be performed using temporary single-lane closures with barrels that are in place only during active work hours and removed at the end of each shift. This means motorists will be able to make the right turn from eastbound Pondella Road to Business 41 southbound (which was unavailable during the double lane closure in December). Sign Up for Updates To sign up for updates and access the weekly Road Watch, please visit the project website at 446293-1 SR 739 from north of the Caloosahatchee River to SR 78 (Bayshore Road) This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida road improvements lead to inevitable delays in around state Deputy Secretary of State Sandy McMerty speaks in opposition to a bill that would require reporting on the true source of funds backing political campaigns in North Dakota on Jan. 23, 2025. McMerty said her office does not endorse the use of dark money but that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled it is unconstitutional. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor) A new website allows members of the public to view the financial interest statements of North Dakota political candidates and other elected or appointed officials. For decades, candidates and some government officials have had to disclose information including their familys primary source of income, as well as businesses they or their spouse have a financial stake in. Advertisement Advertisement State filings previously were maintained as paper records and could only be accessed by submitting a request to the North Dakota Secretary of States Office, which could involve a fee. Moving forward, the public will be able to download the forms for free online. On the offices new website, which went live Jan. 1, users can search for filing by name, year, position, agency and other categories. The Legislature directed the Secretary of States office to make the filings available online in a law passed last year. The law, House Bill 1469, also for the first time requires candidates and certain officials to update their statements annually. Advertisement Advertisement The statements were previously only required when someone became a candidate for elected office, or when they were appointed to a position by the governor. That meant a lot of the information on file about officials financial interests was out of date, said Carol Sawicki, treasurer for the League of Women Voters of North Dakota. Things could change which they usually do and the public wouldnt know about it, said Sawicki, who testified in support of the legislation. The new deadline for annual filings is Jan. 31 of each year. Candidates running for office must submit statements of interest by April 6 along with other candidacy paperwork. Advertisement Advertisement As of Friday afternoon, there were more than 150 filings on the website. Deputy Secretary of State Sandra McMerty said that for practical reasons, the Secretary of States Office doesnt plan on digitizing paper-copy statements of interest from past years. House Bill 1469 also for the first time requires filers to provide the following information: A list of any local governments or state agencies that the individual or their spouse have provided more than $5,000 worth of goods or services to. A list of any employer, business or trust in which the individual or their spouse has more than a 10% stake in. McMerty said the agency has reached out to officials and candidates to notify them of the new requirements, and is hosting trainings to make sure they understand the changes. Advertisement Advertisement Candidates for federal office are exempt from the statement of interest reporting requirements, since they already report this information to the Federal Election Commission. Sawicki said she hopes the Legislature considers requiring more detailed statements of interest in the future. She suggested that candidates and officials be required to share information about not just spouses, but other relatives as well like children, parents and siblings. Children and parents are very often very closely financially intertwined, she said. The launch of the new site coincides with a major upgrade to the Secretary of States Offices campaign finance search tool. McMerty said the update allows users to search and analyze campaign finance data in greater detail. Advertisement Advertisement The general upgrades are really a more user-friendly platform for both the public and those who are required to file, she said. City and county candidates and office holders dont file their information with the Secretary of States Office, but with local agencies. A proposal to change several elements of North Dakotas campaign finance laws failed at the tail end of the 2025 legislative session. The bill was partly intended to incentivize more candidates to file on time by increasing late fees and making info about late filers public online. Lawmakers also debated adding other requirements, including publicizing candidates beginning and ending campaign fund balances, and itemized campaign expenditures. North Dakota already makes campaign contributions above $200 public. Advertisement Advertisement Legislators opposed to the additions said they doubted the information would be useful to the public, and feared the changes would discourage North Dakotans from running for office. The Secretary of States Office is in charge of collecting late fees for officials and candidates that file with its office. Late fees range from $25 to $100. There is a $200 fee for anyone who is asked to file a corrected statement and fails to do so. Those who willfully violate filing requirements could also be subject to a class A misdemeanor. This story was updated to correct the deadline for 2026 candidates and clarify information related to fees. North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer can be reached at msteurer@northdakotamonitor.com. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COPENHAGEN, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Finnish police said on Monday they had lifted the seizure of a ship which had been held on suspicion of sabotaging an undersea telecoms cable running from Helsinki to Estonia across the Gulf of Finland, although the investigation continues. The Baltic Sea region is on high alert after a string of power cable, telecom link and gas pipeline outages since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and NATO has boosted its military presence with frigates, aircraft and naval drones. Finland seized the Fitburg cargo ship on December 31 while en route from Russia to Israel, and detained one crew member as part of the investigation. The ship will leave Finland's territorial waters on Monday, police said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement "Finnish and Estonian police have completed their work on board the vessel, and the seizure can therefore be lifted," head of the investigation at Finland's National Bureau of Investigation, Risto Lohi, said in the statement. Some of the ship's crew remain under a travel ban, he added. (Reporting by Stine Jacobsen, editing by Terje Solsvik) The North Reading Fire Department, alongside assistance from mutual aid, extinguished a fire at a home on Sunday morning. The incident occurred around 6:20 a.m. when a 9-1-1 call was made by the homeowner of 235 Haverhill Street to report a fire in her home. Officers of the North Reading Police Department were the first to respond, ensuring that no one was inside the home. Officers were able to rescue a dog. Advertisement Advertisement Fire crews arrived shortly afterwards to discover fire emitting from the living room of the home. The crew on scene, Acting Capt. Sean OBrien and Firefighters Chris Jacobson, Jason Tannian, and Steve Yobaccio ordered a working fire, which brought mutual aid from Middleton, Wilmington, and additional North Reading crews to the scene. Crews stretched a hose inside the home to attack the fire, containing it to the living room. Firefighters were able to rescue a cat, but another cat was killed, and a third is missing. Crews remained on scene until 9:30 a.m., overhauling the home, which had sustained fire and smoke damage. Advertisement Advertisement One resident of the home was displaced and is being assisted by neighbors and the North Reading Council on Aging, and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 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. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Investigators have determined that children playing with fireworks, specifically sparklers, started a fire in Virginia Beach. Firefighters responded to a fire in the Princess Anne Plaza area of Virginia Beach Sunday evening and found multiple sheds burning, authorities said. Virginia Beach Fire Department crews were dispatched to a reported single-family duplex fire around 6:45 p.m. When firefighters arrived at a home on Lakecrest Road, they found no active fire but observed smoke coming from a nearby street behind the location. Advertisement Advertisement Crews redirected to the 3200 block of Brookbridge, where light smoke and flames were coming from a shed. Wind conditions caused the fire to spread to a fence and then to two additional sheds on the opposite side of the fence at the Lakecrest Road address. Three sheds were exposed in total, but there was no extension to any residential structures, officials said. The fire was declared out at 7 p.m. No residential structures were damaged, and no injuries to civilians, firefighters or pets were reported. No residents were displaced. The Virginia Beach Fire Department provided WAVY TV 10 with this drone video of units battling the blaze: Advertisement Advertisement The Virginia Beach Fire Department wishes to remind everyone of the statewide fire prevention code, which strictly prohibits fireworks and pyrotechnics within city limits unless properly permitted. Illegal fireworks are a class one misdemeanor punishable by up to one-year in jail or a $2,500 fine. 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 WAVY.com. Hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil in Roy G Holland Memorial Park in Fishers to honor a woman killed by a federal immigration officer. The crowd, bundled in coats, scarves and hats, chanted between singing songs and listening to speakers. The vigil, hosted Jan. 11 by the local group Fishers Resist, is one of more than 1,000 protests and events that happened nationwide this weekend after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, 37, in Minneapolis on Jan. 7. Advertisement Advertisement Good joins at least nine other people who have been shot by ICE in the past four months. Federal officials have said Good struck ICE officer Jonathan Ross with her vehicle, prompting Ross to fire in self-defense. Local officials have called that narrative "propaganda," and video analyses conducted by media outlets have failed to reach a consensus on what happened. Ross, 43, once served in the Indiana National Guard from 2002 to 2008. Jonathan Ross: ICE officer in shooting was former Indiana National Guard, Iraq vet Organizers at the vigil estimated the crowd was at least 150 that's how many glow sticks were handed out and potentially as many as 500. Advertisement Advertisement One attendee, Lorena Lane from Carmel, donned a black dress with a red, white and blue liberty sash. Her hat, black and feathered, was adorned with an Indiana cardinal."I'm here to personify the concept of liberty," Lane said through tears, "which is at risk right now in our country." Many attendees shared a sense that American principles were at risk, something they felt was demonstrated by Good's death. Paintings, photos and signs with her name were sprinkled throughout the crowd. "We have to take a stance against the harm thats coming into our cities from ICE, Melinda Humbert, who attended the vigil with her husband and daughter, said. The Fishers event followed a brief anti-ICE protest along East 86th Street in Indianapolis that took place the day before. It's part of a growing backlash against President Donald Trump's promise to conduct the largest mass deportation campaign in the country's history, where Indiana has been a key player. Advertisement Advertisement Since Trump took office and Gov. Mike Braun issued an executive order urging law enforcement agencies comply with ICE, the state's partnership with ICE has grown. Indiana has expanded its capacity for detainees, including at the controversy-plagued Miami Correctional Facility. Indianapolis, along with cities in Texas and Florida, is now a major hub for ICE arrests at jails and prisons. Flights, jails and judges: Indiana's ever-expanding role in ICE operations Immigration: The list of Indiana agencies partnering with ICE has grown in 2025 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: Fishers vigil honors woman shot by ICE in Minneapolis Dimko Zhluktenko is a drone operator who provides vital data to defend Ukraine's positions. The sergeant last deployed to Pokrovsk, a key battleground where Ukraine said it was outnumbered. He says Ukraine needs more than drones to stop Russia's brutal advance. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sgt. Dimko Zhluktenko, an ISR drone team leader in Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces. He deployed in 2025 near Pokrovsk, a key city that Russia said it captured in early December. Business Insider has verified his role in the Ukrainian armed forces. The article has been edited for length and clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Before the full-scale war, I was a software engineer, working for companies in San Francisco, New Zealand, and Germany. Today, I lead a team of five to six Ukrainian drone operators. Our task is to use high-flying drones to provide reconnaissance data to our troops and commanders. With our intelligence, artillery such as HIMARS and drone strike teams can target Russian equipment and soldiers, often before they can even reach the front lines. We were redeployed to the Pokrovsk area in August because the fighting there had become so intense. Because drone operators are priority targets in the war, we would spend our dayslong rotations in houses and underground bunkers outside the city. Advertisement Advertisement When we first arrived, the weather was sunny and ideal for flying. Zhluktenko flies fixed-wing ISR drones that give Ukrainian troops and commanders vital recon information. Both sides of the war rely on these kinds of systems for battlefield intel. Dimko Zhluktenko But the end of October was a disaster for us. Ukraine turns foggy in the autumn, with thick and low clouds that can stack from 100 meters to 300 meters above the ground. These are so thick that no infrared camera or thermal camera can see through them, and caused many days to be completely no-go for flying for our types of drones. At the time, the Russians took advantage of the clouds, using them to cover their advance on foot and in vehicles. Given the weather, the number of personnel they sacrificed to take the city, and our limited resources, there was eventually no viable way for us to defend Pokrovsk forever. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine is dependent on drone warfare. It has carried us through the terrible and scary times of these Russian assaults, and it has changed the face of war. For the entire summer of 2025, for example, I saw a tank only twice on the battlefield. Drones are cheap and effective, and if we had an infinite number of drones, we would have been working 24/7 to fight the Russians in Pokrovsk. But we don't have infinite drones, so in the meantime, we need other strike tools and resources, such as more artillery fire and troops. War is complex, and drones cannot be its only solution. Flying blind Zhluktenko poses for a photo while out on deployment with his squad. Dimko Zhluktenko In normal conditions, we fly our drones four times a day, with each flight lasting about three to four hours and sometimes into the night. It's tiring, but worth it, because you can make an enormous difference for Ukrainian defenders. We can spot where Russian forces are moving, denying them the element of surprise, and scout for assets such as air defenses and artillery for commanders to strike. Advertisement Advertisement Recon drone operators like us rely heavily on visual navigation. We study Pokrovsk so closely that, even when our drone is being spoofed, we can determine our flying location simply by the shape of the terrain or landmarks. When the foggy season comes, we try to make the most of any good visibility. Sometimes, you can get lucky and perform five flights in a five-day rotation. However, there were days when we found ourselves sitting in a house, just waiting for the weather to clear. You can try to fly under the clouds, but going low means our bulky drones are more easily spotted and destroyed. Since we have limited tools, we try to preserve them and not use them recklessly. Advertisement Advertisement Still, on days with strong winds, there's a chance that the clouds may break slightly and give you glimpses of the battlefield. Sometimes, when visibility is bad but not impossible to work with, we must risk flying in such weather, especially if our troops are defending against a major assault. A general aerial view shows the destroyed Pokrovsk covered in morning fog in October, following months of intense fighting. Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images) In late summer, the situation in Pokrovsk was becoming increasingly problematic, both on the ground and in the sky. Back in the day, we would help long-range artillery focus on the Russian rear. By autumn, we were working with units fighting at close range. Russia's brutal, simple mathematics I began to notice that Russia's tactics were making an impact around September. Advertisement Advertisement Across the warzone, their strategy is to find our limit and overwhelm it with the smallest number of soldiers needed to seize our positions. It is simple mathematics. Initially, they would send around 10 soldiers. If that wasn't enough, they would send 20. Then they would try 30. Day by day, they increase the number of troops and equipment. Their goal is to create a situation where we don't have enough drones to counter the amount of attacking infantry. To eliminate an assault of 50 guys, all spread out, we'd need at least 150 drones and artillery, which is difficult for us to organize with our limited resources. Advertisement Advertisement When we were working in Pokrovsk, there were already areas of the city where the Russians had advanced, so the fighting area was porous and undefined. The Kremlin claimed in early December that its troops had taken Pokrovsk and Vovchansk. Russian Defense Ministry/Anadolu via Getty Images Ukraine needs more than drones If we had more troops, we could have held out for much longer and performed more aggressive maneuvers. If we had more recon drones, our team could have flown over Pokrovsk nonstop, working despite the clouds. With more first-person-view strike drones, our pilots could continue to find and attack the Russians closer to the ground. But we don't have enough. So, we need other strike tools besides FPV drones, even though they account for about 80% of our kills on Russians. Advertisement Advertisement Ironically, some of these tools have disappeared because warfare has changed so much. Mortars might have helped, but we mostly stopped using them the battlefield is now so transparent that it is a suicide mission to ride around close to the front line in your pickup truck with a mortar. Soldiers from an artillery unit of the 152nd Symon Petliura Jaeger Brigade of the Ukrainian Land Forces fire an artillery weapon in mid-December. Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images What we definitely need is artillery ammunition. Last year, some HIMARS units I worked with were rationed to four strikes a week. Other artillery units were limited to just three artillery shells a day. We would find them a target, and they would say: "We don't have any more for today. Sorry, guys." The weather in this season means it is still what drone pilots call our "low season." At the same time, the terrain is now not too muddy, so it is the perfect time for Russians to attack. This month, I am redeploying to Dnipro. The fight continues. Read the original article on Business Insider Flash: Truck plows into crowd of protesters gathered in Los Angeles for demonstration on Iran -- media The officers are often masked, armed and do not identify themselves. At a Chilis in the Key West airport, they arrested 11 people at a family reunion. On a canal near Fort Lauderdale, they picked up two men whod gone fishing. In July, they detained a young man with a work permit and held him for three months. They stopped a construction worker in a small city near Orlando for jaywalking. And, in a chilling video of a traffic stop on Dec. 3, five officers surrounded a Toyota Corolla and dragged a 33-year-old woman in scrubs from her car. I am a U.S. citizen! she screamed to a reporter filming the spectacle. Please help me! Advertisement Advertisement Under the pretense of removing violent criminals from the streets, President Donald Trumps administration is waging a sweeping, relentless crackdown on immigrants whether they are in the country legally or not. Florida, where nearly one in every four people are immigrants, has become one of the nations strongest anti-immigration enforcers arresting more people than any other state except Texas. A Miami Herald analysis of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement data found that more than 20,000 immigrants have been arrested since Trump assumed office again on Jan. 20, 2025. The president found an eager partner in Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who boasted in November that his Florida Highway Patrol alone had gotten close to 10,000 arrests of illegal aliens this year. Minimum number of people arrested on immigration related charges in Florida in 2025 While state officials tout the arrest of predators and other criminals, the Herald investigation found that officers are often taking whoever they can including immigrants with work permits and pending asylum cases, spouses and parents of United States citizens, workers with no criminal records, and, as in the case of the woman in scrubs, U.S. citizens. I want to make something absolutely clear: This is not the America that I grew up in, and this is not the America that we represent, wrote Dayana O., the behavioral therapist in the video, in a statement to the Herald. She asked that her full name not be used for fear of retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement The Heralds tally of 20,000 is an undercount. The data is only through mid-October and does not include U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrests in Florida, because the federal government doesnt release those numbers by state. Nor could it account for thousands of state agency arrests, because a public-facing dashboard only began in August and is incomplete. But the number is still almost three times higher than 2024s the equivalent of a small city nearly the size of Key West disappearing from the state. Neither the DeSantis administration nor the U.S. Department of Homeland Security answered repeated requests for the number of people arrested in Florida in 2025 and data on the charges against them. The administration has described undocumented immigrants as an existential threat. Officers will stop at nothing to hunt you down, reads one DHS post. For Christmas, the government rolled out a holiday stipend of $3,000 for voluntary departure and released a series of videos, including one of Santa in an ICE vest, on social media. Advertisement Advertisement This Christmas, our hearts grow as our illegal population shrinks, is the caption for one DHS post on X, published with a video montage of holiday imagery set to an electronic version of All I Want for Christmas and the words: Christmas after Mass Deportations. A post from the White House reads: Avoid the Nightmare Before Christmas! In Florida, the Alligator Alcatraz and Krome detention centers are filled with complaints of inhumane conditions. Detainees are ping-ponged from one center to another, often across the country, and encouraged to sign deportation orders. Six people died in federal immigration custody in Florida in 2025, the Herald found. At least 30 have died across the country. A record 65,000 immigrants nationwide were in detention centers, federal prisons or local jails as of late November, according to the latest Immigration and Customs Enforcement data. Advertisement Advertisement Many people including U.S. citizens have been stopped and questioned. The federal government claims citizens are not being arrested, but in fact, more than 170 U.S. citizens have been detained across the country, an examination by ProPublica found. Under DeSantis, Florida has allocated more than $298 million to immigration enforcement, opened two state-run detention facilities and signed more agreements for local and state agencies to act as federal immigration agents than anywhere else in the country. More than 5,900 officers from 119 Florida law-enforcement agencies are helping the feds, according to a report by the State Board of Immigration Enforcement. When reached for comments with a list of nine questions, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin wrote: The first question reveals how ridiculous this story is going to be. Embarrassing. McLaughlin was objecting to this statement: We have found that, under the pretense of removing violent criminals from the streets, the Trump Administration is waging a sweeping, relentless crackdown on immigrants whether they are in the country legally or not. Advertisement Advertisement Instead of answering a reporters questions about how many immigrants had been detained in Florida, she sent the Herald an email that included 10 people with criminal records. She said that through local partnerships in Florida, hundreds of rapists, murderers, gang members, pedophiles, and drug traffickers are off of Florida communities and are now out of our country. Floridians should take a moment this holiday season and give thanks to the men and women of ICE, as well as their state and local leaders, for playing a key role in arresting the worst of the worst from their communities, McLaughlin wrote. Nearly a quarter of the 20,000 people detained more than 4,800 only had immigration violations, according to the federal data, which was obtained by the University of California-based Deportation Data Project and analyzed by the Herald. A third of those arrested in Florida by the Heralds count had criminal convictions, and the rest pending criminal charges which include non-violent crimes such as driving without a valid license. Since January 2025, the government has claimed without evidence that those arrested nationwide, some of whom have been shuffled to the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and a notorious prison in El Salvador, are the worst of the worst. But many of the immigrants caught in the crackdown and left for months in detention are working people who have built lives in the U.S. or were trying to. Truthfully, I dont know what Latinos are doing wrong, said Gabriel Hernandez Alvarez: who is a 19-year-old from Honduras with a valid work permit and a pending asylum case but was arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol in July. He spent three months in detention. Advertisement Advertisement Yes, there are people who arent good, he said, but there are people who came to work, to move their families forward, and we dont deserve what is happening. A scalpel not a sledgehammer Both the DHS and DeSantis mass-deportation campaigns are likely to intensify. Congress passed a bill in July allocating more than $170 billion to immigration enforcement, including $45 billion for detention alone. The Trump administration has also heavily restricted legal migration implementing far-reaching travel bans, pausing asylum decisions and canceling naturalization ceremonies for some. He placed full or partial travel bans on nearly 40 countries and announced reviews of green-card holders from 19 countries. Advertisement Advertisement In May, DeSantis sent a proposal to the White House outlining his plan to carry out Floridas own crackdown and establish detention centers to house 10,000 people. He, too, has urged restrictions on birthright citizenship. The governor declined to be interviewed for this report. Because Florida leads the nation in illegal immigration enforcement, we took proactive steps to increase transparency and highlight our success, Molly Best, DeSantiss press secretary, wrote in an emailed statement. In August 2025, we built and launched a comprehensive enforcement dashboard that showcases the strong results of our illegal immigration-related arrests. But a Dec. 15 report submitted to the Florida Senate highlights the challenges in the states dashboard, which only shows data since August. Reporting is inconsistent and lagging. Some agencies are not reporting anything at all. Multiple departments told the Herald they had no immigration arrests despite the site showing otherwise. Sheriff Grady Judds office in Polk County has arrested nearly 600 aliens, according to the dashboard. More than 200 of them were only taken for federal immigration violations not for a local or state crime, according to data analyzed by the Herald. Meanwhile, the Miami-Dade Sheriffs Office had only logged nine arrests in the dashboard since August. Advertisement Advertisement Miami-Dade Countys population is more than three times higher than Polks. It also has more pending deportation cases than anywhere else in the country more than 146,000 as of September, according to TRAC Reports, a non-profit based at Syracuse University. Judd told the Herald in an interview that while his office is just following the law everyday business people are getting called up as collateral. Im advocating that we need to figure out a system to legalize the good, hard-working, God-fearing, honest people that came across the border inappropriately, illegally, but theyre not violating any laws. Theyre just working hard. Theyre not taking any government money, Judd said. Im all for that, but irrespective of that, Im not a legislator. Im a rule-enforcer, and the rules say theyre here illegally, and thats where the conflict is, he added. We need to use a scalpel on this issue, you know, not a sledgehammer. Advertisement Advertisement The number of people who have legal protections from deportation but are now subject to arrest is rapidly growing. About 14 million people live in the U.S. without authorization or with temporary or precarious protection, according to the Pew Research Center. Hundreds of thousands of people relied on humanitarian immigration programs, which were terminated in 2025, making those people suddenly illegal and subject to deportation. The arrests are ripping apart communities, activists, lawyers and immigrants told the Herald. It seems like thats been the purpose and the goal to take immigrants and people of color off the streets and out of our communities, Lupita Vazquez Reyes, a volunteer with Unidos Immokalee northeast of Naples, said. Almost like purging them. These are working people On a sunny Thursday afternoon in August, a four-bedroom home in Palm Beach County was surrounded by about 27 sheriffs deputies, 26 cop cars, a K9 unit and at least one Florida Highway Patrol troopers. Inside, two elementary-school girls had been doing homework in bed. Outside, the officers yelled over a loudspeaker for a man to surrender. Carrying guns and battering rams, the officers ran along the sides of the building and blocked the exits, according to PBSO body cam footage reviewed by the Herald. Around 8 p.m., they broke down the doors and smashed the windows. Glass shattered across backpacks on a blue bedspread in a girls bedroom. They threw projectiles with pepper spray into the attic, where two men were hiding, according to a police report. Five men were arrested. Local activists and neighbors later were allowed to enter the home. In videos shared with the Herald, the girls stare through the broken windows. When the raid started, they hid in a closet with their mother, who held a baby, they told activists. The officers werent looking for drug dealers or gang members but for 27-year-old Guatemalan Jony Darinel Vasquez Lopez, charged with driving without a valid license, failure to stay in a designated lane, DUI, having an expired registration, driving a van without a bumper and evading arrest. In July, the Florida Highway Patrol had pulled him over for driving a van without a bumper and then arrested him for being in the country illegally. He fled from the patrol car handcuffed, according to news reports. The four other men in the house were all taken into ICE custody. A spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office later told a city commissioner in an email that officers were aiding the Florida Highway Patrol with a warrant for resisting arrest. The next morning, a principal picked up the girls and drove them to school. To Mariana Blanco, the director of operations of the nearby Guatemalan-Maya Center, the show of force didnt fit the crime. Thats when we realized it was kind of like a free for all, that they would be able to enter homes in that way, in the form of a raid with so many officers, Blanco said. It seems like the majority of these arrests are collateral damage, she said. Asked about the raid, PBSO spokesperson Therese Barbera told reporters to reach out to the Florida Highway Patrol, which did not respond to requests for comments. PBSO deputies assists ICE or FHP when requested ONLY, Barbera wrote in an email to the Herald. The total number of arrests, operations and raids and the impact of Floridas unprecedented year of immigration enforcement remain unclear. In April, a coalition of federal and state officers made 1,120 arrests across Florida in what was touted as the largest single-week ICE operation in the agencys history. The best is yet to come, DeSantis said at a press conference after the operation. A government press release stated that 63% had a criminal records, but officials would not list all those arrested or the charges against them. Officers then arrested more than 100 workers at construction sites in Tallahassee in May; some 200 people in the Florida Panhandle in August; and more than 400 people in Central Florida in September. Reporters submitted public-records requests for immigration-related reports from 55 police departments. The reports show people getting arrested regularly on sidewalks, highways and in homes. Many start with minor traffic violations, like driving without a license, too much exhaust coming out of a truck, riding a bike with broken tail lights or making an illegal U-turn. In Ocoee, a city about 12 miles outside of Orlando, a police officer stopped a man for jaywalking in November and then arrested the 38-year-old construction worker on immigration charges. On the 500 block of Beach Road on Jupiter Island a narrow strip of land hugging the coast north of Palm Beach one officer sat for days in his car, running license plates through a scanner. Between September and October, the officer arrested at least 10 men on immigration charges after the scanner did not turn up a valid drivers license. In December, immigration attorney Victor Martinez was returning to his office in Miami after getting some coffee when he saw three workers in a landscaping truck get detained by Florida state troopers and federal agents. He immediately took out his phone and began recording. In the video shared with the Herald, an agent wearing glasses on top of a mask escorts one handcuffed man while a state trooper speaks to another, also in handcuffs. A bystander can be heard trying to shame the agents in Spanish: Go find the thieves, go find the scoundrels! These are working people. Im a U.S. Citizen! Please help me The behavioral therapist in scrubs pulled over by Customs and Border Protection agents at mile marker 103.4 in Key Largo had been stopped for immigration operations twice before. But this time was different. I know that I havent done anything incorrect. Im just driving on my way to work, she said to officers in a video released by the Monroe County Sheriffs Office. As she reached for her license, agents yelled at her to open her door. They then pulled her from the car, her arms flailing. The video shows three large men trying to wrestle the 85-pound woman to the ground and handcuff her as she screams, Im a U.S. citizen! She is then carried into an unmarked SUV. She was released about 10 minutes later. U.S. Customs and Border Protection told the Herald she refused to roll down her window or show identification, and that the car belonged to her illegal alien boyfriend. Agents told Dayana that she was stopped because the car was registered to an illegal alien. Attorneys told the Herald that the stop appeared to violate the womans rights. If they were looking for the owner of the car and saw that he wasnt there, agents should have let the woman go. They would need a reason to believe that she was an alien. Videos show that her window was open. Dayana told the Herald that her husband, who owns the Toyota Corolla, was arrested by the same agency and by one of the same officers the month before. He has been in immigration custody since. She said she was traumatized by the experience and keeps thinking that agents are after her even though she is a U.S. citizen. Im always looking out the window to make sure no one is at my house, she said. In April, agents arrested a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Georgia and detained him for more than 30 hours. On May 2, they arrested an 18-year-old U.S. citizen named Kenny Laynez Ambrocio at a traffic stop and tased his undocumented coworker. The three U.S. citizens in Florida were all detained after traffic stops. Other people, who have spent months in detention, told the Herald that they had valid legal cases or documents. Caught in the dragnet are the immigrants who have built lives in the country they have U.S.-citizen children, they own local businesses, they pay taxes. On April 30, 11 family and friends of one Irish family were detained by the Border Patrol while eating lunch at the Chilis in Key West International Airport. Most had lived in the U.S. for decades and had U.S.-citizen children. One had a green card. They had arrived under a visa-waiver program with Ireland, some in the 1990s or early 2000s, and overstayed. They were visiting from Long Island to celebrate the 50th birthday of Myles OConnor. He and his wife had valid work permits, their son told the Herald. But OConnor, his wife, and his 72-year-old father were detained for six months, leaving the 21-year-old U.S.-citizen son to care for two younger siblings. By September, the son, Jerry OConnor, had made multiple trips to visit his father in the Broward Transitional Center and his mother in a Texas detention center. His mothers hair was falling out, and she appeared gaunt: the bones seemed to jut out of her face. She was confined to a room in a crowded facility for up to 23 hours a day, he said. He confronted her ICE officer and asked why she couldnt just have an ankle monitor. What would you do, like, if this was your mother? he asked, in tears. She never did anything wrong in her life. Letters from Alligator Alcatraz The Trump and DeSantis administrations goal has been clear: Use the threat of detention to get people to leave. In June, during the course of eight days, the state built Alligator Alcatraz at a 6,000-acre site in the Everglades in west Miami-Dade. Each bed costs $245 a day, or $450 million annually, the Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates. Very soon, this facility will house some of the most menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet, Trump said at a July 1 press conference there. A spokesperson for Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier later said the facility held deranged psychopaths. The Herald obtained exclusive data of around 1,800 people detained or scheduled to be detained there in July. A third had no criminal convictions or charges and some only traffic citations. By late September, at least 237 men on the list, with only immigration violations, were still being detained in eight states. They ranged in age from 18 to 72. Some told the Herald they had yet to see a judge. At the grand opening, Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem toured rows of bunk beds and cages. Two weeks later, 19-year-old Gabriel Hernandez Alvarez arrived on a bus, shackled by the hands and feet. What I saw was a really ugly place, he said. When he asked how other detainees were taken, they would say from work. Doing things right, and nothing wrong. Officials have not answered repeated questions from the Herald about how many people are detained there currently. Hernandez Alvarez was 15 when he fled gangs in Honduras and traveled to the U.S. border with his 9-year-old brother. The children were detained for a month before authorities released them to their mother in Florida. He went to Lake Worth Community High School, applied for asylum and received a work permit that would last from 2024 until 2029. The 19-year-old is soft-spoken but determined. He works in construction and dreams of owning his own company. For 23 days, he slept on a bunk bed inside a chain-link cell at Alligator Alcatraz. The bright lights never turned off, toilets wouldnt flush, and for days, he couldnt shower. We didnt see the light of day, he said. In one incident, Hernandez Alvarez said he saw a guard beat up a Cuban man after he asked for water. He cornered him and beat him mercilessly, and it wasnt just him, three others joined in to beat him up, Hernandez Alvarez said. State officials did not answer reporters questions about the incident, but other detainees have described beatings at the facility. Twenty detainees have written letters describing their experiences in Alligator Alcatraz. Haymel De La Vega, whose friend was arrested and detained at the facility in August, is collecting their testimonies and video statements. The men describe being shackled for up to 48 hours straight; guards beating detainees; and racist insults. Under the statement I was tortured in Alligator Alcatraz, written in English and Spanish, 40 detainees signed their names. In August, Hernandez Alvarez was transferred without explanation to a detention center in Denver. On Sept. 8, he had his first hearing. His lawyer, Mark Diaz, asked the judge why the 19-year-old could not wait out his asylum case outside of detention. Soon after, he was released. Never in my entire career have I seen my clients being treated the way theyre treated, said Jan Peter Weiss, an attorney who runs the firm representing Hernandez Alvarez. It causes a feeling of hopelessness. Many immigrants with no criminal records are ineligible for bond hearings under a new policy that was enacted in July. Weiss said that in 2025 he saw a lot more hate involved in policy decisions. Shortly after Trump was elected, his office was flooded with new cases, and officials had placed a goal for ICE officers to arrest 3,000 immigrants a day. It means treating my immigrant population as cattle, round them up and place them wherever you can place them, Weiss said about the directive. And well get to them, and when we get to them, well make sure theyre thrown out. DeSantis had said Alligator Alcatraz would be a one-stop shop from which detainees would face a quick deportation. But as immigrants inside fought for the right to stay and courts grew overwhelmed with cases, detainees were stuck for months in limbo. Some cannot afford to leave, or fear that they will be killed if deported, but are running out of legal options. Junior Betnardin, a 31-year-old Haitian, was arrested in Puerto Rico in early September, sent to Alligator Alcatraz and released. He bought a ticket back to San Juan, where authorities gave him an ankle monitor. But in November, a judge dismissed his case during a hearing. They told him to buy a plane ticket out of the country by Dec. 17, he said. Hed fled Haiti after armed men tried to recruit him first to the Dominican Republic, then to Puerto Rico. His lawyer, Yamila Rodriguez Maldonado, said he applied for Temporary Protected Status in March and never heard back, leaving him in Judicial limbo. The TPS designation for Haitians was ended by the Trump administration and is set to expire in February. It is very unfair that there is a remedy available for them, Rodriguez Maldonado said, and the government leaves them without that protection. If sent back to Haiti, Betnardin said, there is a 90% chance I would die. The young man, a tile worker, cant afford more lawyer fees. He checked in with authorities, unable to buy a ticket, and they scheduled a follow-up appointment. Truth be told, I dont yet know what I am going to do, he said. Can I go back to Haiti to die? Training the Kids Lake Worth Beach, where the August raid took place, is a seven-square-mile city just 12 minutes away from Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort. With one of the largest concentrations of Guatemalan immigrants in the country, Palm Beach County has been the target of relentless arrests. Guatemalans represent the second-largest group of people detained in Florida after Mexicans, according to ICE data analyzed by the Herald. The Guatemalan-Maya Center, a social-service agency run by an Irish Catholic priest on Lake Worth Road, is struggling to keep up. Blanco, the centers director of operations, said she and her team have a running list of 180 detainees who were arrested in the surrounding area in 2025. But the center doesnt track the multitude of others who have been deported. Its as though people have gone missing, she said. Families call the center frantic, unable to locate their loved ones. Children are left behind when a parent is detained or deported. A volunteers husband was arrested while mowing a lawn, and she was later arrested in a traffic stop in front of their children. On Dec. 11, staff members drove around Lake Worth Beach, placing signs on the streets where they knew someone had been taken. ICE KIDNAPPED A COMMUNITY MEMBER HERE, the signs read. I never knew how fragile our democracy was until living through this Trump administration, Blanco said. I keep thinking, well, how can they get away with this? Who is going to stop them? Nobody really stops them, she said, answering her own question. They continue to get more aggressive. Immigrants from Guatemalas indigenous Mayan communities have worked in the area for decades speaking 22 languages, but sometimes, no Spanish or English. Their children, many of them U.S. citizens, are their interpreters, legal advisors and advocates. Now, Blanco said, staffers are turning reluctantly to a last line of defense: Training the kids. In October, she sat with a 15-year-old whose parents saw federal agents on their doorstep through a security camera while at work. Slowly, Blanco went over what the teen should do if the agents come back. And made him repeat it, again and again. He held back tears. First, ask if they have a warrant signed by a judge, she said. If they bust down the door, its going to be really scary. Its going to be really scary, but its gonna be temporary, she told him. Youre gonna hold your younger siblings hand, and youre just gonna wait. Youre not gonna say anything, she said. Theyre probably gonna be yelling. Theyre gonna be, you know, breaking down doors, but you guys are just gonna stick together, right? But he was not born here, and Blanco was worried that the officers would think he was an adult and take him as well. Its horrifying, Blanco said through tears. Having to prepare a child for something like that is just awful. The government insists it does not separate families, but the children tell a different story. In 2025, the center coordinated travel and chaperones for 18 children going alone to Guatemala, the majority of whom had one or both parents deported. Nearly 80 other families and temporary caretakers have reached out to the center for assistance with travel documents, the majority on behalf of children, staff said. At Unidos Immokalee, volunteers are also helping children reunite with deported parents, going to countries some have only heard of in stories. They also say they are responding to an onslaught of arrests across Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Immokalee and nearby communities. It has been utterly traumatizing and utterly relentless in its pursuit of a specific demographic of our community, said Lupita Vazquez Reyes, the Unidos Immokalee volunteer. Agents pulled over a Pacific Tomato Growers bus with about 40 people on Nov. 12 in Immokalee, according to the group, which says 35 were detained. The Florida Highway Patrol denied a Herald public-records request for body camera footage and related reports, citing a federal statute related to ICE detainees, and did not respond to a list of questions about the incident. The group and a community observer sent the Herald videos and photos that they took during the arrests. A woman prays in Spanish inside the bus. Unmarked white vans line the road, some driven by men in camouflage uniforms. In one video, a man is tased while officers pin him to the ground. Unidos Immokalee said the man was a 20-year-old U.S. citizen whose mother was on the bus. His brother was also tased, they said, and their 13-year-old sister was pushed by the Florida Highway Patrol troopers. Get off of him!, someone yells in the background of another video. What is wrong with you guys? Just because were brown you guys want to treat us like criminals? We speak the same language, he screams. Were educated just like you. About two weeks after the bus arrests, the group organized an art night to support farmworkers. In a drawing of a girl in her mothers belly, a child wrote: Te extrano mama. I miss you mom. The shadow emerged bulky but elegant, heavy but graceful, silent, floating through the cyan wilderness off the coast of Jupiter in 90 feet of water and as time was running out to begin an ascent to avoid painful nitrogen poisoning. Diver Rick Vollaro knew immediately what it was. A white shark, a great white shark, a silvery iridescent torpedo with a crescent moon tail and black eyes, like a dolls eyes, as Quint describes in Jaws. I felt no apprehension, only a profound sense of exhilaration, Vollaro said. Advertisement Advertisement Then the hollering began. Before they were tracked like lost luggage, named like puppy dogs or after someones mom and featured as celebrities in social media posts, Floridas white sharks were uncommon knowledge. It was OCEARCH, which puts trackers on white sharks that can be followed by a smartphone app, that first brought Mary Lee to the attention of Sunshine Staters in 2013. Founder Chris Fischer named the great white after his mother and called authorities on her when she veered a little too close for comfort to a popular Jacksonville surfing spot. "I called the Jacksonville Beach police station. It was the strangest call I've ever made, but I thought I should let somebody know," Fischer said in a Palm Beach Post story a year later. Advertisement Advertisement Now, white sharks in Florida waters seem ubiquitous. Ripple and Danny and Ernst and Penny and Goodall and, yes, Quint, have all surfaced long enough in the past month for OCEARCH to get a signal from them as they swam off Floridas coast. More: Kayakers experience shark close encounter near Palm Beach Inlet Ripple, an 11-foot 6-inch male, pinged Jan. 9 about 80 miles south of the squishy coastline of Floridas Big Bend region. Penny, a juvenile female, spent New Years Eve in the Florida Straits far west of Key Largo. Goodall surfaced long enough Jan. 4 for OCEARCH to get its location off Jacksonville. Advertisement Advertisement The shark Vollaro and his fellow divers encountered Dec. 6, 2025, at the Esso Bonaire shipwreck off Jupiter was untagged. He worked with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, which identified it as a newcomer to its records. It is now known as Donna. And the muffled underwater screams heard after Donnas 15-minute inspection were cheers of happiness, a moment of enchantment with a pelagic Florida snowbird, broken by an exuberance that 90 feet of water and 55 pounds of pressure per square inch couldnt contain. Because even with the celebrity bombardment, it is a very rare thing to see a white shark in person in Florida. We were not expecting a white shark, Vollaro said. Ive done over 1,000 dives, but you could do 10,000, 20,000 and not see a great white shark. It was a bucket list moment. It was pure magic Great white sharks off Florida's coast: How often do bites happen? No one has been bitten by a white shark in Florida, according to the International Shark Attack File, and theres little to attract them into the shallow waters where people wade and swim. They are more likely to come close to beaches in Cape Cod or California, where prey, such as seals pile up along the coast. Advertisement Advertisement The Santa Cruz County Sheriff confirmed last week that 55-year-old swimmer Erica Fox was killed by a shark Dec. 21 while swimming near Monterey Bay, California. No specific species was tagged as the culprit but white sharks are known to be in the area. If it was a white shark, the fatal assault was likely a mistake, said Joe Miguez, manager of the International Shark Attack File at the Florida Museum of Natural History. More: Porn actress faked Florida shark attack, charter captain says Unfortunately, a test bite even from a juvenile white shark sometimes ends up in the loss of a limb and if that is your leg and it hits the femoral artery, you bleed out pretty quickly, Miguez said. They do have the ability to come close to shore, but in Florida, its just a question of, where is my prey? Advertisement Advertisement A 56-year-old Minnesota woman died of possible blood loss Jan. 8 off St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands after a shark is believed to have bitten off part of her arm, according to The St. Thomas Source. The shark species was. The species of shark was not immediately known. Miguez noted that the only mention of a white shark attack in Florida was about two miles off the coast of Palm Beach in 1964 when fishermen reported that one bit their boat. Humans arent on the traditional white shark menu, said Catherine Macdonald, director of the University of Miamis Shark Research and Conservation Program in the Rosenstiel School. Why do great white sharks venture into Florida waters? 4 SHARKS CRUISIN THE GULF! Two spent significant time in the Pulley Ridge hotspot. Ernst has shifted north, off Sarasota. Ripple is cruising south in the Gulf, last off St. Pete Beach. #SharkTracking #OCEARCH pic.twitter.com/z252FBYZQP OCEARCH (@OCEARCH) January 7, 2026 Macdonald said juvenile white sharks may prefer the balmier latitudes around Florida because warmer temperatures help them conserve energy while they are growing. So, they head south, often spending the coldest months of the year in the Gulf and paralleling Floridas coast during the migration. Advertisement Advertisement She said the youngest sharks are probably eating various fish, but older white sharks might prey on marine mammals like dolphins and small whales. On Jan. 7, a white shark was captured on video about 27 miles west of Venice chasing a pod of dolphins. Florida has a lot of sharks in general, and bites are vanishingly rare in spite of this being one of the biggest beach destinations in the world, Macdonald said. Since 1926, the highest single category of identifiable shark attacks in Florida came from bull sharks (16%), followed by blacktips (15%), and spinner sharks (9%), according to the shark attack file. The category of requiem sharks, which are ones that are hard to tell apart such as sandbar, blacknose and silky sharks, made up 36% of attacks. White sharks are not included in that category. Unprovoked shark attacks in Florida by species. Every few years people reach out to me and say there are so many more sharks at beaches than there used to be and Im like, Well, everyone has a cell phone now, Macdonald said. Advertisement Advertisement The December sighting of Donna off Jupiter was during a dive with the South Florida Underwater Photo Society where they were specifically looking for sharks. The Esso Bonaire, which is about four miles offshore, didnt disappoint with multiple species preceding the whites show-stopping appearance. Vollaro said it never got closer than 10 feet to any diver and circled the group with what he felt was cautious curiosity. It was pure joy, Vollaro said about seeing Donna. There was absolutely no fear. But why does the apex predator this specific species illicit such interest, anxiety and admiration from humans who now see them regularly in their social media feeds? Advertisement Advertisement Its a primal thing, Vollaro said. The thought of being eaten is just so terrifying to people, but it is also fascinating on some level. Kimberly Miller is a journalist for the USA TODAY NETWORK FLORIDA. She covers weather, the environment and critters as the Embracing Florida reporter. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://palmbeachpost.com/newsletters. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Diver captures rare great white shark sighting off Jupiter shipwreck Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback launched a stunning, racist attack on his Republican primary rival, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), over the weekend. Fishbacks bigoted dogwhistle came after one user shared pictures of Donalds with his wife and Fishback with a woman, captioning it BREAKING: James Fishback once again MOGS Byrone Donalds. Mog, per Merriam-Webster, is a humorous Internet slang term meaning to outclass, used especially to describe one person as appearing far more attractive than another. It was originally used to praise one man as being taller, more muscular, or more stereotypically handsome in direct comparison to another man. BREAKING: James Fishback once again MOGS By'rone Donalds pic.twitter.com/1suNFgBJmL Joan (@joanfromdc) January 11, 2026 In a quote-tweet, Fishback echoed the butchering of his name, and added his own not-so-subtle race-related dig, writing Byrone wants to turn Florida into a Section 8 ghetto. Byrone wants to turn Florida into a Section 8 ghetto https://t.co/y0bjhWNxvN James Fishback (@j_fishback) January 11, 2026 Tucker Carlson recently endorsed Fishback who has made his anti-Israel position a centerpiece of his campaign during a recent conversation between the two that Carlson promoted on X by declaring, James Fishback is running for governor in Florida. Pretty soon, all winning Republican politicians will talk like this. Advertisement Advertisement Fishback has been accused of beginning a relationship with his ex-fiancee, Keniah Fort, while she was still a minor. From Floridas Voice, a conservative Sunshine State publication: ort stated that she joined Fishbacks organization in 2021 at age 16, while Fishback was 26, and that he initiated a romantic relationship with her while she was still a minor. She said he explicitly instructed her to keep the relationship secret, a tactic some experts might describe as grooming. Documents show Fort alleged her relationship with Fishback escalated over time. In Spring of 2023, she said she and Fishback began to live together, during which she was financially dependent on him due to irregular pay from her work in his organization. The petition describes repeated conflicts and aggressive behavior, including Fishback throwing objects, screaming, and on one occasion grabbing Forts arm, leaving visible marks. Fort alleged Fishback tried to gaslight her and threatened self-harm to manipulate her. Fishback told Floridas Voice that False accusations are sadly all too common today. The court in Floridas Second Judicial Circuit reviewed these egregious accusations, conducted two lengthy hearings, and fully exonerated me. I have never been arrested or charged with any crime unlike my opponent Byron Donalds. President Donald Trump endorsed Donalds last February before the congressman had even begun his campaign. Advertisement Advertisement I am hearing that Highly Respected Congressman Byron Donalds is considering running for Governor of Florida, a State that I love, and WON BIG in 2016, 2020, and 2024, wrote Trump at the time. I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER! Byron has a great wife, Erika, and three beautiful sons. They are very proud of him! As Governor, Byron would have a BIG Voice, and would work closely with me to advance our America First Agenda. The post Florida Republican Endorsed by Tucker Carlson Launches Stunning, Racist Attack on Byrone Donalds first appeared on Mediaite. Floridas first execution of 2026 is set to take place in February, following a record year for executions in the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the death warrant Jan. 9. It paves the way for Ronald Palmer Heath, 64, to die by lethal injection Feb. 10. Heath was convicted in 1990 of first-degree murder, robbery with a death weapon and multiple forgery charges. Back in May 1989, Heath and his brother were at a Gainesville bar where they met a traveling salesman, Michael Sheridan. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said the men left the bar and went to a remote area to smoke marijuana. Thats when the brothers attempted to rob Sheridan, with Heath pulling out a handgun. Sheridan was beaten, stabbed and shot twice in the head. The two brothers dumped Sheridans body in a wooden area and used his credit cards to make purchases the following day at a Gainesville mall. Heath was tracked down several weeks later in Georgia via the credit cards. His brother, Kenneth Health, also was charged with Sheridans murder, but got life in prison through a plea agreement. Attorneys for Ronald Heath are expected to file appeals regarding the signed death warrant. Florida led the nation in executions in 2025 Floridas final execution of 2025 was Dec. 18 when Frank Athen Walls died by lethal injection following a conviction of fatally shooting two people during a home robbery. Advertisement Advertisement Walls execution was the 19th of the year, which set a record for the state since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. Floridas previous record for executions in a year was eight in 1984 and 2014. There are currently 251 inmates on death row in Florida, according to state records. Nationally, 47 people were executed in 2025. Michelle Spitzeris a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the networks Rapid Response reporter, she covers Floridas breaking news. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: First 2026 execution in Florida scheduled for February: Who, when HRANA estimated there were some 250 bodies at the facility, and published a video on X/Twitter that appears to show deceased people, in open body bags, lying in rows. The bodies of hundreds of slain Iranian protesters have been piled at the Kahrizak forensic medicine center south of Tehran, US-based Iranian rights group HRANA said on Monday, citing footage received by the organization. HRANA estimated there were some 250 bodies at the facility, and published a video on X/Twitter that appears to show deceased people, in open body bags, lying in rows. Advertisement Advertisement Additional footage of the Kahrizak forensic medicine center, shared online by CNN, appeared to show many more body bags lining the street outside the facility. Estimates suggest thousands killed during Iran protests Estimates of the casualties from the protests in Iran suggest that they may have exceeded 2,000, but the true figure is unknown. As of Sunday, HRANAs data has confirmed the deaths of 544. Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026. (credit: MAHSA / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images) According to the rights organization, more than 10,681 others have been imprisoned over the course of the protests. Medical staff in the Islamic Republic have described hospitals as underequipped and without proper room to handle an enormous influx of wounded and dead as the anti-regime protests continue to rage across the country. Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that he was "shocked" by reports of the Iranian regime's violence and extreme use of force against protesters. As the demonstrations intensify, Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi on Monday said they have entered a new phase. He called on Iranians to intensify their actions within the country, stating that institutions responsible for the Islamic Republics regime propaganda should be regarded as legitimate targets. NEED TO KNOW Prosecutors allege former chef Valentino Luchin robbed or attempted to rob three banks Luchin has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed on a $200,000 bond The case follows a prior 2018 conviction tied to an Orinda bank robbery A former chef from the Bay Area in California is facing federal charges after being accused of robbing multiple banks in San Francisco last year. According to reporting from ABC News and the San Francisco Chronicle, Valentino Luchin, 62, is accused of attempting to rob three San Francisco banks in September 2025 by passing notes to employees demanding cash, federal prosecutors said. Authorities allege two of the attempts were successful, resulting in roughly $2,800 taken, while a third robbery was unsuccessful, ABC News reported on Jan. 10. Susan Tripp Pollard/MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Chef Valentino Luchin as he appeared at Ottavio Osteria. Chef Valentino Luchin as he appeared at Ottavio Osteria. Luchin was arrested later that month and has pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Prosecutors allege the robberies occurred on the same day in neighborhoods near Chinatown, North Beach and the citys Central District, where Luchin lived at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Court records cited by the Chronicle show Luchin faces four felony charges tied to the alleged robberies, which prosecutors say involved great violence or actions showing cruelty, viciousness or callousness. During one incident, officials allege, a bank employee handed over a bag of cash out of fear after a man believed to be Luchin passed a note demanding money. While the exact amount was not disclosed, prosecutors cited the great monetary value of the crimes as an aggravating factor. Google Maps Rose Pistola. Rose Pistola. A trial was scheduled to begin Nov. 21, according to the outlet. Luchin remains in jail after a judge set his bond at $200,000. The Contra Costa Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement The case is not Luchins first run-in with law enforcement. The former executive chef of Italian restaurant Rose Pistola in San Franciscos North Beach neighborhood was previously convicted in connection with a 2018 bank robbery in Orinda, California. In that case, authorities said Luchin took more than $15,000 from a Citibank branch before fleeing. He later pleaded no contest to one count of second-degree robbery and was sentenced to one year in county jail and three years of probation, per the Contra Costa District Attorneys Office. At the time, Luchin told ABC7 that financial desperation following the closure of his Walnut Creek restaurant, Ottavio, played a role in his actions. The restaurant shut down in 2016 after six years in business. San Francisco Eater later reported that Luchin and his wife had accumulated more than $110,000 in debt after defaulting on a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan. Google Maps Ottavio restaurant. Ottavio restaurant. Through witness descriptions and surveillance video, the Orinda Police Department, assisted by Detectives from the Lafayette Police Department, were able to identify the suspect, the Contra Costa Sheriffs Office stated in a press release at the time. According to the Chronicle, Luchins public defender is now seeking a mental health diversion to provide substance abuse treatment. A hearing on that request is scheduled for next week. The charges remain allegations, and the case is ongoing. Read the original article on People A minister in Poland's previous right-wing government says he has received political asylum in Hungary as he faces charges of corruption at home. Former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, from the conservative nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, posted on X on Monday that the Hungarian authorities had granted him protection. He claimed that he had become the target of a "personal vendetta" by Poland's centre-left Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Advertisement Advertisement "I choose to fight against political banditry and lawlessness. I resist the advancing dictatorship," Ziobro wrote. Hungary did not initially confirm that it had granted Ziobro asylum. The Foreign Ministry told the online news site telex: "The rule of law is in crisis in Poland, and many people are facing political persecution. In Hungary, politically persecuted people are granted asylum in accordance with EU law." In Warsaw, it was expected that the fugitive 55-year-old politician would receive protection in Hungary. His deputy, Marcin Romanowski, who was also wanted by the public prosecutor's office, had been granted asylum there at the end of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Poland's General Prosecutor's Office is investigating Ziobro for 26 criminal offences, including suspicion of founding and membership in a criminal organization and suspicion of embezzlement of the equivalent of $41 million. According to investigators, he faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Ziobro has described the allegations as "reckless" and believes he is being persecuted for political reasons. The Polish parliament lifted his immunity as a member of parliament in November. A minister in Poland's previous right-wing government says he has received political asylum in Hungary as he faces charges of corruption at home. Former justice minister Zbigniew Ziobro, from the conservative nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party, posted on X on Monday that the Hungarian authorities had granted him protection. He claimed that he had become the target of a "personal vendetta" by Poland's centre-left Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Advertisement Advertisement "I choose to fight against political banditry and lawlessness. I resist the advancing dictatorship," Ziobro wrote. Hungary did not initially confirm that it had granted Ziobro asylum. The Foreign Ministry told the online news site telex: "The rule of law is in crisis in Poland, and many people are facing political persecution. In Hungary, politically persecuted people are granted asylum in accordance with EU law." For his part, Tusk wrote on X that it was a "logical choice" for Ziobro as the "mastermind of the system of political corruption" that he had asked the government of right-wing populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban for asylum. Advertisement Advertisement Ziobro's deputy, Marcin Romanowski, who was also wanted by the public prosecutor's office, had been granted asylum in Hungary at the end of 2024. Allegations of membership in criminal organization Poland's General Prosecutor's Office is investigating Ziobro for 26 criminal offences, including suspicion of founding and membership in a criminal organization and suspicion of embezzlement of the equivalent of $41 million. According to investigators, he faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Ziobro has described the allegations as "reckless" and believes he is being persecuted for political reasons. Advertisement Advertisement The Polish parliament lifted his immunity as a member of parliament in November. At the centre of the allegations against the PiS politician is a so-called Justice Fund administered by the Ministry of Justice, whose resources are supposed to benefit crime victims. As justice minister, Ziobro is alleged to have instructed subordinates to channel millions from the fund into projects from which he expected a benefit for his party. Did the PiS spy on political opponents? The former justice minister is also accused of diverting funds from the crime victims' fund to purchase the Israeli spyware Pegasus. Political opponents accuse the former PiS government of using Pegasus to spy on political adversaries. Pegasus exploits security vulnerabilities in smartphones to gain extensive access to data. It also allows for the interception of conversations. Advertisement Advertisement The PiS governed Poland from 2015 to 2023. During this time, it significantly restructured the justice system, leading to confrontations with the European Commission. In October 2023, the PiS lost the parliamentary election and has since been the largest opposition party in the country. Tusk's centre-left coalition has since been working to reverse the controversial judicial reforms of the PiS government. Democratic candidate for governor Helena Foulkes is calling on her 2026 election rivals to renounce donations from lobbyists this year, just as the traditional political fundraising season kicks into high gear. Foulkes, who launched her second run for governor in September, says all statewide officeholders and General Assembly members, plus anyone running for those offices, should not be allowed to accept contributions from registered lobbyists during the annual legislative session. The session typically runs from January through June, and Foulkes would start the ban one week before a session starts. Advertisement Advertisement "Too many Rhode Islanders feel like the State House isnt working for them," Foulkes said in a campaign release. "Ill proactively abide by these proposals during the legislative session, and Im calling on everyone running for governor to do the same." Former CVS executive Helena Foulkes announces her second run for governor on Sept. 9. Call comes as fundraising season starts in Rhode Island She released the campaign finance proposal on Monday, Jan. 12, the day of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi's annual season-opening fundraiser at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. The Senate president's annual fundraiser typically follows the House speaker's, and then other top lawmakers hold their own events through the winter and spring. Shekarchi, who has the largest campaign war chest in the state, continues to mull entering the Democratic primary for governor, a field that now features Foulkes and incumbent Gov. Dan McKee. Ban on lobbyist donations has been proposed before Legislation has been proposed in the General Assembly for several years running that would prohibit lawmakers from taking donations from lobbyists, but it has never gone anywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Foulkes, who mentioned banning lobbyist contributions at her campaign kickoff, wants to go further and extend the ban to statewide offices and candidates. As for her own fundraising, she said she will voluntarily abstain from lobbyist donations this session and has advised donors about this. How much are lobbyists contributing to the governor race? Of course, a ban on lobbyist contributions is likely to affect the Foulkes campaign accounts less than it would those of McKee or Shekarchi, whose fundraising is more reliant on local Rhode Island donors who are more likely to be Rhode Island lobbyists. In the 18 months ending last June, 56% of Foulkes' donations came from Rhode Island, compared with around three quarters of the donations to McKee and Shekarchi, according to a Journal analysis. Advertisement Advertisement And the campaign fundraising of top lawmakers typically revolves around the annual legislative calendar more so than the fundraising of candidates for governor or other statewide offices. Foulkes noted that 26 other states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut, have restrictions on fundraising during the legislative year. The rules in North Carolina are similar to her proposal for Rhode Island. If legislation is introduced, it will be given fair consideration in the public committee process," Shekarchi said about Foulkes' proposal. "I invite all interested parties to come and testify." What else is Foulkes proposing? In addition to banning lobbyist contributions, Foulkes also proposed sweeping new public disclosure rules for lobbyist meetings. Advertisement Advertisement "We need a database that shows every meeting or meaningful interaction a lobbyist or employee of a lobbying firm has with legislators or legislative staff members during the session and what issues or bills were discussed," Foulkes proposed. "These reports would be filed at least on a weekly basis during the legislative session, with tough penalties for non-compliance." State policy has been moving in a more permissive direction on elected officials accepting gifts from the public, with the Ethics Commission last year doubling the value of any single gift all elected officials could receive, to $50. But for lobbyists specifically, Foulkes wants to require the reporting of all gifts to lawmakers worth more than $1. "Lobbyists shouldnt be able to give a gift to a legislator and then never tell the public," Foulkes said. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Helena Foulkes calls on RI lawmakers to refuse lobbyist donations during session A national fraternity plans to sue the now former members who were involved in a hazing incident at Rutgers University last year that left a student seriously injured. The student, who has not been identified by Rutgers or local authorities, was critically injured at the Alpha Sigma Phi house in New Brunswick and was hospitalized on Oct. 15. The injured 19-year-old, who is from Matawan, was listed in stable condition days after it happened, however his current condition is not known. Advertisement Advertisement The Middlesex County Prosecutors Office said Monday the investigation is ongoing and no charges have been filed nearly three months after the incident. In a statement issued Monday, a Rutgers spokeswoman said the universitys review of the incident is ongoing. The school didnt comment on the lawsuit. The Carmel, Indiana-based Alpha Sigma Phi national chapter said Monday it will seek civil damages against every individual directly or indirectly involved in this heinous act. Those individuals have not been identified, however they will be notified of the fraternitys intent to sue. At that point, the lawsuit will be filed, a spokesperson for the fraternity told NJ Advance Media on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement This represents one of the most significant legal actions taken by a national fraternity because the members of the former chapter deliberately violated our guidelines on hazing and amnesty reporting, despite receiving training less than a month prior, a statement from Alpha Sigma Phi said. Because these men agreed to abide by our organizations rules and failed to do so, they must be held to account by all means available. Rutgers University Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity Days after the Oct. 15 incident, authorities with the national fraternity determined that hazing and water was involved. An Alpha Sigma Phi spokesman added that the incident occurred in the basement of 106 College Avenue and involved underground and unreported new members. At some point, water became involved, the spokesman said. This was not students just listening to music in the dark as was claimed by an anonymous parent. This was hazing. We are still trying to determine who and how many people were involved but we believe it will be double digits when all the facts come out. Advertisement Advertisement After the student was hospitalized, Rutgers placed a cease and desist order on all of the fraternitys activities and placed the chapter on organizational disciplinary probation until May 18. The national fraternity has since closed the Rutgers chapter and the students were evicted from the property. Inspection records reviewed by NJ Advance Media revealed that the building has a history of building code violations and New Brunswick posted a notice on the front of the residence declaring it an unsafe structure. A July 2025 inspection cited multiple electrical hazards and other life safety issues at the property, which was managed by CLVEN, the fraternitys national housing arm. NJ Advance Media staff writers AJ McDougall, Liz Rosenberg, Ted Sherman Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum attends a morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua) MEXICO CITY, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum held a phone conversation on Monday with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which she ruled out any U.S. military intervention in Mexican territory. During her usual morning press conference, Sheinbaum said that the call was necessary amid recent international tensions and threats of military intervention by the United States, following U.S. military actions in Venezuela, which Washington has claimed as efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking. She described the approximately 15-minute conversation as "cordial," noting that Trump offered U.S. support in combating drug cartels. However, Sheinbaum said such assistance was unnecessary. "We told him that so far we are doing very well and that it is not necessary. Furthermore, there is Mexico's sovereignty and territorial integrity. And he understood," she said. Asked by reporters whether the conversation fully ruled out any military action, Sheinbaum replied affirmatively, reiterating her commitment to defending national sovereignty. The Mexican people should "know that their president will never negotiate sovereignty or territorial integrity, ever," she said. "We seek coordination without subordination, as equals." Sheinbaum said she briefed Trump on Mexico's security results, including the dismantling of clandestine drug laboratories, arrests linked to organized crime, a 50-percent reduction in drug crossings into the United States, and a drop of more than 40 percent in drug-related deaths. Regarding Venezuela, Sheinbaum reiterated Mexico's constitutional principle of non-intervention. "I told him very clearly that we had a Constitution and that the constitutional principles were very clear," she said. She also announced that members of her cabinet will travel to Washington on Jan. 23 to continue security coordination, and that another call with Trump is planned to discuss trade issues, including tariffs and preparations for the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. "I am confident that the treaty review framework will be good. I am confident that it will be resolved this year," said Sheinbaum. She emphasized that cooperation with the United States will continue within a framework of collaboration and coordination. On Sunday, Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente also spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with both sides agreeing to strengthen cooperation against illegal arms trafficking and organized crime, while respecting Mexico's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum attends a morning press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, capital of Mexico, Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by Francisco Canedo/Xinhua) The European Commission announced on Sunday that the agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc will be signed in Paraguay on 17 January, after EU member states gave the green light on Friday despite objections from several countries, most vocally France. Supporters of the deal say it is vital for boosting exports, shoring up Europes economy and strengthening diplomatic ties at a time of global uncertainty. On the ground, however, the mood among farmers remains combative. Across France, agricultural unions and informal groups have stepped up actions aimed at ports, roads and key logistics hubs, arguing that the treaty would open the door to cheaper imports especially beef that they say do not meet the standards imposed on European producers. Advertisement Advertisement EU countries green-light Mercosur trade deal despite France's opposition Farmers tighten the pressure Monday began with fresh blockades in the south-west. Near La Rochelle, around 30 tractors and 60 protesters set up a barricade of straw bales outside oil facilities at the industrial port of La Pallice, answering a call from the local branch of the Coordination Rurale union. Further south, farmers moved to block the Maisica grain site in the port of Bayonne, an action led by the Confederation paysanne, Modef and the Basque union ELB, despite a prefectural ban on gatherings. About thirty tractors are blocking the entrances. The activists are arriving on site, Modef said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement A separate blockade on the A63 motorway near Bayonne was lifted overnight after negotiations with the prefecture. Around a hundred farmers had occupied the road since Friday, dubbing themselves the Ultras of the A63. After late-night talks lasting until around 1.30am Monday morning, they agreed to clear the road without incident, allowing traffic between France and Spain to resume in both directions. Farmers descend on Brussels to protest EU Mercosur trade deal Wider European mobilisation Elsewhere, pressure has continued to mount. In Le Havre, some 150 farmers used tractors to slow activity at the port, inspecting lorries and removing food products they said failed to comply with European standards, while stopping short of a full blockade. Advertisement Advertisement In northern France, dozens of farmers maintained a roadblock on the A1 motorway between Lille and Paris, the countrys busiest road. Coordination Rurale said the action would last at least until Wednesday. We have a huge number of people, said Damien Salomon, co-president of the union in the Pas-de-Calais department. We are now well capable of holding out for several days. Protests have not been limited to France. Demonstrations have also taken place in Italy, Poland and Ireland against the treaty, which would create one of the worlds largest free trade areas, covering more than 700 million consumers across Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. For critics, the deal risks destabilising European agriculture by exposing it to competition from imports produced under looser rules and controls. (With newswires) A Georgia man with a large stash of guns and ammo was arrested in California after pulling a gun on someone in the Planet Fitness parking lot. Police in Redwood City, California say they were called to a Planet Fitness after 2:45 a.m. on Dec. 15 where two men were arguing and one pulled out a gun. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Investigators say the argument started inside the gym and then continued in the parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Thats when they say 38-year-old Louie Yu from Sharpsburg in Coweta County pulled a gun on the other person and pointed it in a threatening manner within very close proximity to the victim. The victim ran back inside the gym and Yu left. TRENDING STORIES: Earlier this week, police found and arrested Yu in San Bruno, California. When he was being arrested, he had a loaded gun with him. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators searched his home and found five guns, two fake guns, several magazines and more than 1,500 rounds of ammo. Yu is being held in the Maguire Correctional Facility on a $150,000 bond. He is charged with assault with a firearm. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Police indicated Kahl may have been exposed to chemicals while inside the vehicle, though no further details were provided. As officers continued searching the area, emergency calls began coming in reporting a man matching Kahls description running through neighborhoods and attempting to enter parked vehicles. Callers described the individual as wearing only a tablecloth. During the search, police said Kahl entered a residence and took the keys to a Mercedes-Benz. He then drove away from the scene in the vehicle. Officers later located the Mercedes and conducted a traffic stop, leading to Kahls arrest without further incident. Investigators linked Kahl to multiple alleged crimes stemming from the days events. Police said he was charged with two counts of theft by taking, first-degree burglary, entering an automobile or other motor vehicle with intent to commit theft or a felony, loitering and prowling, and driving without a valid license. Advertisement Advertisement Authorities did not release additional information about the chemical exposure referenced earlier in the investigation or whether it contributed to Kahls behavior. No injuries were reported in connection with the incidents. Kahl was booked into the Gwinnett County jail, where he remains in custody. Police said the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges could be filed if further evidence emerges. The unusual circumstances surrounding the arrest drew attention due to the suspects appearance and the number of calls received by 911 throughout the day, but police emphasized that the situation was resolved safely. Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook. Geraldo Rivera sided with protesters on Friday following new cellphone footage of the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis was made public. After new cellphone footage from the perspective of the ICE agent responsible for shooting Renee Nicole Good hit social media Friday, Rivera took to X to side with the protesters. He made it clear that law enforcement can mess up concluded, This is on ICE. I love cops. but they sometimes fk up, Rivera tweeted. New cell phone footage from the tragic incident in Minneapolis does nothing to change my mind. The killing of Renee Good was entirely unnecessary. Advertisement Advertisement Two middle-aged ladies, talking smack were not the one with a loaded handgun, and a hair trigger. They did not escalate this deadly confrontation that led to the death of this mother of three young children. This is on ICE. I love cops. but they sometimes fuck up. New cell phone footage from the tragic incident in Minneapolis does nothing to change my mind. The killing of Renee Good was entirely unnecessary. Two middle-aged ladies, talking smack were not the one with a loaded handgun, and a hair Geraldo Rivera (@GeraldoRivera) January 9, 2026 In the new footage, which firing ICE agent Jonathan Ross captured via his cellphone, Ross is seen getting out of his car and walking toward Good while shes in her vehicle. He then approaches Good on the drivers side, where Good tells him, Thats fine, dude. Im not mad at you, referring to him recording her. Ross then takes video of her license plate as a bystander, who has been identified as Goods wife Becca Good, records him. At one point, Becca asks Ross, You want to come at us? I say go get yourself some lunch, big boy. Go ahead. Immediately afterward, another agent approaches Good on the drivers side of the car and pulls her handle, telling her to get out of the fking car. Thats when Good is shown backing up, turning her wheel to right as if to pull around Ross and driving forward before Ross yells in surprise and fires his gun three times. Hes heard calling Good a fking bitch right before her car crashes into parked vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement The new footage has spurred a number of other conservative journalists to comment on the incident. Piers Morgan echoed Rivera, as he wondered online why Ross opened fire on Good at all. Extraordinary new footage, but not sure it offers any more clarity as to why the ICE officer felt such an urgent need to shoot her, he wrote. Extraordinary new footage, but not sure it offers any more clarity as to why the ICE officer felt such an urgent need to shoot her. https://t.co/wxRLpKWQEa Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 9, 2026 Megyn Kelly on the other hand doubled down on her defense of the ICE agent. You can literally hear the alarm in the officers exclamation as hes hit, she said. There is nothing left to debate here. You can literally hear the alarm in the officers exclamation as hes hit. There is nothing left to debate here. https://t.co/56fuL4WJVC Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) January 9, 2026 The White House also commented on the new footage. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took to social media demanding an update to The New York Times story on the shooting and proclaiming President Trumps accuracy. Advertisement Advertisement I am hereby calling on the New York Times to update their reporting on the ICE Agents self defense in Minnesota, Leavitt said in an X post. President Trump was right again. The post Geraldo Rivera Sides With Protesters After New ICE Shooting Footage: I Love Cops, but They Sometimes Fk Up appeared first on TheWrap. Germany's interior minister is intent on fortifying the country's ability to counter possible further infrastructure attacks following an assault on Berlin's power supply that left some 100,000 without heating in sub-freezing temperatures. Alexander Dobrindt, a Bavarian conservative, on Monday told the annual conference of the dbb civil servants' association in Cologne that millions could be taken offline by attacks on digital infrastructure. This is currently the greatest potential crisis of this kind, he said. Extremists from the far right, the far left and from abroad are trying to attack the state, Dobrindt warned. A far-left extremist organization, the Vulkangruppe (Volcano Group), claimed responsibility for the power outage in Berlin earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement On Monday Dobrindt told the dbb conference that he started deploying more domestic intelligence officers to combat left-wing extremism a week ago. On Sunday he had already announced a package of measures calling not only for more staff for the intelligence services but above all an expansion of digital powers to shed more light on the scene and to track digital traces more quickly. No specific numbers or details were provided in the information published by the Bild newspaper. Addressing public service workers at the conference, Dobrindt promised more technical protection, more investigative powers and stronger state agencies. Employees should be better protected against hostility, he said. He also said he would set in motion civil service pay reform "in a few weeks." Some five years ago, the Constitutional Court criticized the current pay system, in part for placing lower pay groups too close to the social welfare level. Public workers warn against cuts Dbb chief Volker Geyer called for the state to be strengthened in view of current threats to democracy. Anyone who takes an axe to authorities and institutions, "as in the US or Argentina, lays it to democracy itself," Geyer warned. In both countries, governments have dismissed large numbers of government employees. Advertisement Advertisement "These are conditions we must not import," Geyer stressed. He also warned against civil service bashing. "Anyone who questions career civil service workers opens the door to arbitrariness, cronyism and inequality," the dbb chief said. He warned about the consequences of the skilled worker shortage in the public sector, with 600,000 employees already missing. "And the trend is rising," Geyer said, with 1.4 million employees set to retire over the next 10 years. "This is not a shortage of skilled workers, this is a personnel erosion that will bring the state to its knees." New strikes in sight In the current civil service pay dispute on the state level, Geyer announced expanded strikes if employers fail to make an "offer fit for negotiation." Advertisement Advertisement This Thursday and Friday the second round of talks for more than 900,000 public sector state employees will be held in Potsdam. After an inconclusive start, the leaders of the verdi and dbb unions will meet employers again. The collective bargaining association of the German states has rejected demands for a 7% pay rise, or at least 300 ($350). In Berlin, there have already been walkouts in nurseries, schools and district offices. Winter road services or university hospitals could also be affected by strikes. The state of Hesse is not part of the talks as a different collective agreement applies there. The co-leader of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) plans to expand the party's political and economic contacts in China following a multi-day visit, the Berliner Zeitung reported on Sunday. AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla and party lawmaker Enrico Komning travelled to Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong from Monday to Friday last week. Chrupalla said he was received with respect on the trip, according to the newspaper, which accompanied the delegation. Chrupalla later told dpa that discussions focused on Chinese investments in Germany and vocational training. Advertisement Advertisement He said he received clear feedback from the Chinese representatives: "Politicians must do their homework as quickly as possible to make Germany more attractive to foreign investors." According to the Berliner Zeitung, Chrupalla met Ma Hui, deputy head of the international department of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Committee, as well as Hong Kong's Commerce Minister Algernon Yau and business representatives from Germany. A spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry in Beijing provided a vague response when asked about Chrupalla's specific discussion partners and China's position on the AfD. She said China and Germany maintain comprehensive and in-depth exchanges in various areas, including politics, economics and culture, which include exchanges between legislative bodies and political parties. After his return, Chrupalla thanked the German Foreign Office on X for the support it provided for the trip. In response to a request for comment, the Foreign Office said German diplomatic missions abroad assist elected lawmakers in the organization of official trips. Previous trips by AfD representatives to the United States and Russia have come under scrutiny. The AfD, which is Germany's largest opposition party, has made efforts to boost its relations with the Republican Party in the US. Many of its members are also seen as sympathetic to Russia. By Maria Martinez WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Finance ministers from a group of advanced economies meeting in Washington on Monday discussed a possible price floor as well as partnerships to secure strategic rare-earth supplies, Germany's Lars Klingbeil said, adding that many issues remained open. "There are a whole series of questions that remain open and that are to be clarified in the coming weeks not only among finance ministers, but also among foreign ministers and energy ministers," Klingbeil said. Advertisement Advertisement He said discussion had just started but the issue would be a central topic under the French presidency of the Group of Seven advanced economies this year. The meeting in Washington brought finance ministers from the G7 as well as their counterparts from Australia, Mexico, South Korea and India. Klingbeil said a meeting of foreign ministers to address rare earths will take place soon. PRICE FLOORS FOR RARE EARTHS ON THE TABLE The finance ministers discussed price floors for rare earths, a minimum price ensuring producers outside of China receive at least that level even if market prices fall due to China's dominance and ability to flood markets with supply. Advertisement Advertisement "This is not about working against anyone, but about strengthening cooperation among partners," Klingbeil said. There has been no reaction from China to the meeting, he said, while stressing that Germany's strategy towards China is de-risking, not decoupling. "The advantage of minimum prices is indeed that the market then knows what prices it can expect, and that we can minimize the influence of countries that may then try to influence market prices," Klingbeil said. Nevertheless, he said countries need to weigh carefully the consequences that price floors could have in the coming years. Advertisement Advertisement "The discussion has now begun and we want to bring it to a quick conclusion," Klingbeil said. (Reporting by Maria Martinez; writing by James Mackenzie; editing by Mark Heinrich and Diane Craft) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is holding high-level talks in Washington on Monday in light of US threats of a violent takeover of Greenland and discussions about a ceasefire in Ukraine. The conservative politician plans to meet his US counterpart Marco Rubio on Monday afternoon. In addition to Greenland and further support for Ukraine, as it continues to defend itself against the full-scale Russian invasion, the talks are expected to focus on trans-Atlantic security and defence policy. Advertisement Advertisement Wadephul had reminded the United States of its responsibility for freedom, self-determination and towards NATO before his departure. US President Donald Trump cites the strategic importance of Greenland, a large presence of Russian and Chinese ships in the region and the island's natural resources as reasons for his threats. En route to Washington, Wadephul made a stop in Iceland, roughly 300 kilometres south-east of Greenland, on Sunday for talks with his Icelandic counterpart orgerur Katrin Gunnarsdottir about security in the Arctic region. Wadephul said Germany wants to make a greater contribution to military security in the region, where the German armed forces already contribute to maritime surveillance. Advertisement Advertisement Like the US and Germany, Iceland and Greenland, which officially belongs to Denmark, are members of the trans-Atlantic NATO alliance. Train journey to UN in New York Unexpectedly, Wadephul plans to travel by train to New York on Monday afternoon to meet UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The background to the visit is the US announcement to withdraw from 66 international organizations, including numerous UN ones. Washington justified the withdrawal by claiming that the organizations are not compatible with US interests. Many of these organizations deal with the environment and climate, gender equality, education, democracy, civil society and the rule of law. Wisconsin lawmakers, journalists and members of the public returned to the Capitol last week for a packed slate of committee hearings and executive sessions but for the first time in nearly 20 years, WisconsinEye was not broadcasting daily legislative proceedings. Wisconsin State Capitol on a snowy day. (Baylor Spears | Wisconsin Examiner) After WisconsinEye, the states version of C-Span, went off the air in December, Republican lawmakers rediscovered rules that bar members of the public from making video and audio recordings of committee hearings and decided to start enforcing them. Wisconsin lawmakers, journalists and members of the public returned to the Capitol last week for a packed slate of committee hearings and executive sessions but for the first time in nearly 20 years, WisconsinEye was not broadcasting daily legislative proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement A notice passed around Assembly committees listed two rules. Assembly rule 11, related to committee procedures, states that insofar as applicable, the rules of the Assembly apply to the procedures of standing committees and special committees. Assembly rule 26, which relates to members of the public observing from visitor galleries in the Assembly chambers, states that they may not use any audio or video device to record, photograph, film, videotape, or in any way depict the proceedings on or about the Assembly floor. Senate rule 11 also states that no persons other than members of the chief clerks staff, members of the staff of the sergeant at arms, members of a senators staff, and accredited correspondents of the news media may engage in any audio or video recording of the proceedings of the Senate or any committee without permission of the committee on Senate organization. According to the Senate Chief Clerk Cyrus Anderson, the rule was first adopted in 2005. Wisconsins open meetings law expressly states that governmental bodies shall make a reasonable effort to accommodate any person desiring to record, film or photograph the meeting, but the law includes a provision that says that no provision of this subchapter which conflicts with a rule of the senate or assembly or joint rule of the legislature shall apply to a meeting conducted in compliance with such rule. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jerry OConnor (R-Fond Du Lac) told the Wisconsin Examiner that the rules were reviewed in caucus at the start of the year. Many of [the members], like me, I didnt know there was a rule, OConnor said. So it was a reminder. Rep. David Steffen (R-Howard), who has served in the Assembly since 2015, said he couldnt remember looking at the rule in the last decade. How many times have I just kind of breezed past it? I guess I never really thought of it, primarily because Ive always had WisconsinEye to rely on to assist with that coverage, as well as present media and in-person public, Steffen said. Advertisement Advertisement Steffen said lawmakers, seeking to understand their options in the absences of WisconsinEye, looked over the Assembly rules. One of the things that immediately became apparent is that under our Assembly rules, we already have some things that are readily available for example, credentialed media but we also have things that have always been prohibited, Steffen said. It remains the rule of the day, so this isnt a new rule In terms of the enforcement, I think its more of an awareness campaign than anything. The rule enforcement caused some confusion throughout last week. Notices related to the rules were passed around and posted outside committee rooms. Committee chairs issued directions at the start of meetings. Reporters in committees were asked to show their credentials as they set up cameras and stood to take photos, and others, including staff members and members of the public without credentials, were stopped from doing so. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Clinton Anderson (D-Beloit), seeking to help fill the gap left by the absence of WisconsinEye, livestreamed on Facebook the meeting of the Assembly Local Government Committee on Wednesday, writing that we have to step up and do what we can. Anderson said on Thursday that he sought to do the same in the Assembly Agriculture Committee but was stopped from doing so as Rep. Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City) reminded the room of the rules related to recording. Were now hearing that this will become standard practice across committees. If thats the direction Republican leadership is heading, it represents a clear move to restrict public access, Anderson said in a statement. After WisconsinEye went dark, the response should have been to expand transparency, not quietly close another door on the public. I am disappointed to see the Assembly GOP go after the publics First Amendment rights. Testimony from two Republican lawmakers on a bill to exempt overtime from income taxes was interrupted during an Assembly Ways and Means committee meeting on Thursday afternoon by a point of order relating to video recording. I dont have a problem, video all you want, said Rep. Mike Bare (D-Verona), the committees ranking member, to someone who was holding up a cellphone Youve got nothing to hide. These guys have nothing to hide, but if were going to have a rule Advertisement Advertisement I know that there was staff taking a photo, yes, and I gotta challenge that if youre videoing if youre doing a video that youre not allowed in the committee area, OConnor said. OConnor told the Examiner after the meeting that he is fine with photos being taken in his committee and he believes committee chairs can use their discretion on whether to allow photos. He said video is different because of its potential use for political purposes. If its staff taking photos of their rep, I dont have a big problem of it, OConnor said. You could have somebody, an outsider, come and testify, and their best friend is sitting in this seat and wants to take a picture, thats not the issue. Trying to capture video, quite frankly, it gets down to it can be used politically, he added. So WisconsinEye tapes this, you cannot use a WisconsinEye clip in political campaigns. Thats why the rules originated, and I get that I dont want either side to violate that or benefit from it adversely. Advertisement Advertisement Bare said he wanted to ensure that the rules were being applied evenly if they were going to be enforced. We have a long, rich tradition in Wisconsin of open government, open access to government, and we shouldnt have be limiting that access to members of the public to staff to members and to the media in any way, Bare said, adding that the enforcement of the rules is clearly a response to WisconsinEye being offline, being dark, which seems like a preventable problem. Theres plenty of states in the country who provide funding for broadcasting We shouldnt be in the situation where we members or our staff have to livestream onto social media, Bare said. Weve got decades now of precedent of these things being broadcast out to the public. WisconsinEye halted its coverage in December due to a lack of funding after failing to raise sufficient funds to meet a matching requirement for the release of $10 million in state funds. WisconsinEye leadership has been in discussions with lawmakers about a potential solution, including releasing part of the $10 million that is intended to build an endowment. Advertisement Advertisement Were only going to be in session for maybe eight to 10 more weeks, and if were unable to get WisconsinEye back up and running in that timeframe, Im hopeful the public isnt going to be impacted any more than they already have been, Steffen said. Bill Lueders, president of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, told the Examiner that the enforcement of the rule is a bad idea. Regardless of the law, denying the public the ability to record and film legislative meetings, especially in the absence of a functioning WisconsinEye, is deeply undemocratic and, in my opinion, foolhardy. Nothing that goes on in these meetings is anywhere near as insidious as what people will assume is happening if the ability to film and record it is being curtailed, Lueders said. Lueders said the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council (WFIC) doesnt support anything that treats the media differently from ordinary citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Although they may legally be able to pass their own rule and enforce their own rule to deny people an opportunity, it doesnt make it any less of a good idea, Lueders said. Steffen said he would be open to having options for the public to record and photograph meetings as long as they are not obstructing the activity of a committee. I think that this situation, this hopefully short-term downtime, has created an opportunity to discuss some of those rules that have been on the books for some time, and perhaps theres some that need to be modified. In the meantime, Steffen said lawmakers are focused on finding a solution to make up for the loss of WisconsinEye and options for the public are limited to attending in person and consuming coverage by journalists in the Capitol. Steffen called on local reporters to fill the gap in a press release on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement All of them have the ability to record, maybe sometimes just audio, but they all have the ability to record a proceeding and put that on their website, Steffen said. That at least would provide some opportunity for transparency during this interim. Lueders said local media absolutely does not have the resources to film as many legislative hearings and sessions as WisconsinEye was doing; it just doesnt have that capacity. Cameras can come and show up for part of a hearing, but theyre not there filming entire meetings on a daily basis, and thats not a function that can be replicated Its more important than ever that ordinary citizens who attend these meetings are able to film and record it. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham selected lawyer Dawn Walters, director of the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department Office of Advocacy, to lead a new independent office to oversee complaints regarding child welfare in the state. (Courtesy photo/file photo) Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday announced her pick to lead a new statewide independent child welfare watchdog office: Dawn Walters, an attorney who heads the Office of Advocacy at the New Mexicos Children, Youth and Families Department. Lujan Grisham made her selection in a letter to the state attorney general, ending the monthslong process to find a leader for the Office of the Child Advocate, established during the 2025 legislative session via House Bill 5. Walters will require state Senate approval of her appointment, before taking on a term through December 2031. Advertisement Advertisement In an email to Source NM, Walters declined an interview saying she will not make further comments until the Senate confirmation process is complete. The law requires the child advocate to be a lawyer, licensed social worker or psychologist with at least five years of experience in child welfare or juvenile justice. The duties of the office include responding and investigating complaints on behalf of children in state custody or families interacting with the states Child Youth and Families Department. The office is administratively attached to the New Mexico Department of Justice. Proponents hailed the new office as a measure of oversight for the beleaguered CYFD and protection for children in state custody. The troubled agency has faced increased criticism for rising costs of settlements for child death and maltreatment while in state custody, as well as legal probes into injuries from private security guards and suicides of foster children. State Rep. Michelle Paulene Abeyta (D-Tohajilee), HB5s legislative sponsor and chair of the search committee, told Source NM Monday in a phone call Monday that Walters appointment is the result of a smooth search process by the committee to meet the deadlines in the law. Advertisement Advertisement The seven-member bipartisan search committee narrowed applicants from about 20 to three between November and December, recommending three finalists for the governors final selection. Now were at a position where the committee intends to lend its full support to Dawn Walters confirmation with the Senate, Abeyta said. Abeyta commended Walters vision for expanding the office beyond the states urban areas. In the interview, she described wanting to make sure that children from all over the state, no matter their geographical location, had access to this office and the ability to be heard, Abeyta said. Advertisement Advertisement Abeyta said the next step is to ensure the office is fully funded in the 2026 legislative session. Its going to be important that we have adequate funding and resources for Ms. Walters to run this office, she said. We plan to advocate for the funding that she needs to do the job, to build her team, to get working on day one. Walters, according to her LinkedIn profile, received her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015, and worked as a staff attorney for children in Pennsylvania for seven years. Shes worked at CYFD for nearly three years. Shes directed the Office of Advocacy for a little over a year, which helps youth and foster families with concerns about rights violations obtain information, facilitate communication, or further investigations at the agency. CYFD Communications Director Jake Thompson, in a statement Monday to Source NM, said the agency wishes Walters well in her new role. Advertisement Advertisement Dawn Walters has spent her career advocating for vulnerable children as an attorney in Pittsburgh and within state government. She understands both the system and the families it serves, Thompson said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Gov. Phil Murphy issuing an executive order at New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange on Jan. 11, 2025, that allows people with criminal convictions to serve on juries. (Photo courtesy of the New Jersey Governors Office) EAST ORANGE Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order Sunday that restores jury service rights to New Jerseyans with felony convictions, using his clemency powers just days before he leaves office to advance a policy initiative he said will allow juries to be more representative of the communities they serve. About 350,000 New Jerseyans, which is about 4% of our states population, have been denied the opportunity to perform one of the most fundamental civic duties, Murphy said at New Hope Baptist Church in East Orange. Today, we widen the circle of justice and acknowledge that a system cannot call itself fair if it excludes the people who have taken responsibility for their actions, rebuilt their lives, and earned their freedom. Moments after he signed the order, Murphy handed the pen he used to Dameon Stackhouse, who spent more than a decade in prison for robbery and is now a fellow at the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice in Newark. Advertisement Advertisement This is a pivotal moment for all of us who have faced the stigma of conviction, affirming that our contributions matter and that we are an integral part of the democratic process, Stackhouse said. Serving on a jury is not only a responsibility; it is a chance to participate actively in shaping the future. State law bars people with criminal convictions from serving on juries. The Legislature has considered legislation that would have eased the ban, but the bill never advanced in this session. It passed the Assembly in January 2024 but did not move in the Senate. Murphy, a Democrat, has been on something of a clemency spree in his final days in office, after spending most of his two terms as governor issuing no pardons. Since December 2024, he has pardoned or commuted sentences for more than 300 people. Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill (D) becomes the new governor on Jan. 20. Amol Sinha, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, applauded the move. Advertisement Advertisement People with criminal convictions who have served their sentences are as capable of serving as jurors as anyone else, said Sinha, whose organization launched an initiative in 2024 to push for a more expansive use of the governors clemency powers. Todays executive order will help repair some of the harms caused by excluding returning citizens from this vital civic duty. The order allows people with convictions to serve on juries after they have completed their entire sentence, including probation and parole, if their conviction came before Jan. 10, 2026. Sen. Michael Testa (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor) Critics of Murphys order believe he went beyond the reasonable bounds of his clemency powers. State Sen. Michael Testa (R-Cumberland) said Murphy with this order used those powers to bypass the Legislature, and has no legal authority to rewrite jury eligibility standards. Clemency exists to lessen punishment imposed on an individual. The exclusion of convicted criminals from jury service is not a punishment at all it is a policy judgment designed to protect the integrity, impartiality, and public credibility of the judicial system, Testa said. Any impact on offenders is incidental to that goal, not punitive in nature, and therefore well outside the constitutional scope of the Governors clemency power. Advertisement Advertisement Murphys order notes that the governor has the power to issue a partial pardon or to restore one or more specific rights, such as the right to serve on a jury, for people who have been convicted of crimes. The order says it shall not be considered a full pardon or remission of guilt. In an interview after he signed the executive order, Murphy said his clemency initiatives are not only well within the law, but the right thing to do. We have a society where if you commit a crime, you accept responsibility, you serve your time, you have every right to serve on a jury, Murphy said. Its not a life sentence. Its just not. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci knows the real reason Trump wrenched Nicolas Maduro out of Venezuelaand it has nothing to do with narcoterrorism. I think Trump looks at this and sees that theres a possible self-enrichment angle for him. I think thats pretty obvious, the 62-year-old former White House Communications Director told Joanna Coles on The Daily Beast Podcast. Anthony Scaramucci famously lasted only 10 days as White House communications director, and he quickly became a vehement Trump critic. / Bryan Dozier/Variety via Getty Images The second key reason for the strike, according to Scaramucci, is that Trump wanted oil money. Advertisement Advertisement Somebody went to [Trump], because hes a great conspiratorialist, and said, OK, listen, youve got 46 billion or so barrels of known reserves. Theyve got 300 plus. You take them, Canada, US, and were roughly 50 percent of the known reserves, Scaramucci said. You can put a herd on potentially people in the Soviet Union, now known as Russia... You could put another big herd on people in the Middle East, Scaramucci continued. You might be able to change our geo-strategic footprint. Okay, so essentially were reducing our reliance on foreign actors and helping ourselves to Venezuelas oil coffers? asked Coles. Its imperialism, is what it is, yeah, Scaramucci replied. Thats what hes doing. Trump pitched US oil tycoons on investing in Venezuelan oil on Friday while wearing a pin in his likeness. / SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images After the U.S. military abducted the Venezuelan dictator and his wife in a stunning Jan. 3 smash-and-grab operation, top Trump administration officials have attempted to emphasize a story that Maduro was the head of a narcoterrorist cartel funneling drugs into the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, meanwhile, has barely mentioned Maduros alleged crimes as hes gushed about the untapped oil at his fingertips. At the Jan. 3 press conference about the Maduro operation, the president said, Were going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, to go in, spend billions of dollars to fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country. Trump has not seemed interested in hyping up Maduro's crimes like administration officials like Marco Rubio. / Joe Raedle/Getty Images Scaramucci acknowledged Maduros dictatorial regime, but noted that his problems were also known by Trumps predecessors, who declined to take such a drastic action in Venezuela. The difference between Trump and previous U.S. presidents is that Trump prioritized money over another nations sovereign integrity, according to the former communications director. Theres a tremendous amount of drug trafficking and terrorism and terrorist training that comes out of Venezuela, said Scaramucci. And so you would say to yourself, should we do something there or not? Advertisement Advertisement I think past presidents have said, we dont want to do anything there because of the rules-based society and the sovereign integrity and things like that, but were going to sanction them and players that dont act in the interest of the United States, he continued. Nicolas Maduro was escorted by heavily armed federal agents after his capture on Jan 3. / XNY/Star Max / GC Images Scaramucci, who served in the first Trump administration for eleven days, said he wouldve counseled against the attack. Im a realist, but I will tell you that it was the wrong thing to do, he said. If I were in the position to make that decision, I would have never sanctioned that. I dont think a Harris, a Biden, a George W. Bush would have sanctioned that. Trumps naked play for foreign oil has divided the MAGA base so far, as Republicans have grumbled for the president to enact his promised America First agenda instead of busying himself with foreign military conflicts. Trump has promised an But Scaramucci warns that Venezuela is just another broken promise that core Trump supporters will convince themselves to accept. Advertisement Advertisement They dont care. Theyll stay with him, said Scaramucci of Trumps voters. He said, No forever wars. Hes now prosecuting forever wars. No problem. They said, You know, we want the Epstein files. Theres a lot of pedophilia out there, and theres pizza rings and all this other nonsense, and they said, Okay were going to give that all to you. Now, Were not going to give it to you. Elon Musk told you why, because hes in the file, and they said, Okay, all right, no problem. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Spokesman Kush Desai previously said of Scaramucci, After getting caught up in the drug of relevance, Anthony Scaramucci is marveling at the fact that The Daily Beast still takes him seriously. New episodes of The Daily Beast Podcast are released every Monday, Wednesday and Sunday on YouTube. Follow our new feed on your favorite podcast platform at beast.pub/dailybeastpod and subscribe on YouTube to watch full episodes. A gun was found on a student at an elementary school in Ohio on Monday morning, according to our CBS affiliate WOIO-19. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The incident happened at Riverside School, in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), on Montrose Avenue. Students from pre-K to eighth grade attend this school. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement The schools principal, Heather Kama-Starr, told WOIO-19 that a staff member found the weapon as the student was heading into the building. The gun was confiscated at that time. Kama-Starr said they are taking steps to prevent this from happening again. No one was injured in this incident, according to our CBS affiliate. As the building principal, it is my responsibility to ensure that our scholars are provided with a safe place that is conducive to learning and that their social-emotional learning is protected and uninterrupted, Kama-Starr wrote in a letter to parents. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Interstate 77 near Remount Road in west Charlotte is the scene of a homicide investigation, after one person was killed and two others were wounded by gunfire, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police. The person who died was identified by CMPD as 20-year-old Trevohn Maleek Marshall. Police were alerted to the shootings shortly after 12:00 a.m. on Jan. 11, according to a news release. Officers spoke with hospital officials at Atrium Health Mercy and were informed of a victim with a life-threatening gunshot wound who was transported to Atrium Main where he was pronounced deceased, CMPD said. Advertisement Advertisement Officers were also notified of two additional victims at Novant main with gunshot wounds that are in serious condition. Identities of the other two people were not released. Investigators suspect the fatal shooting occurred on Interstate 77 near Remount Road, but did not release additional details. Anyone with information in the case is asked to call the CMPD Homicide Unit at 704-432-8477 . Anonymous tips can be offered through Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. The fatal shooting is the second reported homicide of the year in Charlotte, with the other occurring Jan. 5 in the 3000 block of Carol Avenue. The man who died was identified as Kishmere Wright, 24. Advertisement Advertisement Charlotte structure fire reveals a body, CMPD says. Investigation underway Two teens found fatally shot miles apart are tied to same incident, CMPD says Mysterious armed man began shooting at tourist in Great Smoky Mountains, park says The suspect, identified as Hamas operative Zaid Haraz, was arrested on Monday morning following a day-long manhunt. Israeli security forces have arrested the suspect in a Palestinian shooting attack that wounded a soldier during a counterterror operation in Shechem (Nablus). The suspect, identified as Hamas operative Zaid Haraz, was arrested on Monday morning following a day-long manhunt. Additional suspects who assisted Harazs escape were also detained. Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday morning, the operation in Nablus, West Bank, left an IDF soldier moderately wounded as a result of a terrorist's gunfire. After the incident, the IDF started a manhunt, which ended today with Haraz's arrest. The soldier was taken to the hospital for medical care, and his family was notified. West Bank terrorist violence against the IDF has been a current reality in the territories. IDF troops in northern West Bank operation. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON UNIT) IDF troops shoot terrorist who tried to carry out ramming near Hebron A terrorist attempted to ram Nahal Brigade soldiers who were on patrol in the Harat al-Sheikh area of the West Bank, near Hebron, on Saturday. The soldiers responded with gunfire and killed him at the scene. No injuries to IDF troops were reported. The IDF said the details are still under investigation, and that "no clear data has been found to indicate that this was a deliberate terror attack." Immediate assistance for victims of human trafficking in Central Florida is accessible through various local and national organizations. In the event of an emergency, please call 911. Law enforcement reports that Florida has task forces in all 67 counties that meet regularly to help combat this heinous crime. Victims seeking help can reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to 233733. In Florida, the Florida Human Trafficking Hotline is available at 1-855-FLA-SAFE for reporting any suspected cases. Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Abuse Hotline is available at 1-800-96-ABUSE for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children and vulnerable adults. Additionally, Crimeline can be reached at 1-800-423-8477 to provide anonymous tips about criminal activities. Orange Local support services include the Victim Service Center of Central Florida, which provides crisis response, advocacy, and therapy for victims of sexual assault and violent crime. They can be reached at 407-254-9415 in Orange County, 407-483-7386 in Osceola County, and 321-972-4465 in Seminole County. Hope & Justice Foundation is a local non-profit in Orlando dedicated to preventing human trafficking and domestic violence, as well as offering educational programs. Those interested can contact them at 407-893-1477. The Salvation Army Orlando provides shelter, transportation, food, clothing, medical, and legal aid for trafficking survivors. Covenant House Orlando offers a safe space for youth 18-24 with meals and clothing, contact at 407-482-0404 or 1-800-441-4478. Advertisement Advertisement United Abolitionists, Inc. specializes in educating, preventing, rescuing, and rehabilitating survivors of human trafficking. Their contact number is 407-495-5846. For additional resources, individuals can review the list organized by Central Florida counties below. Osceola In Osceola County, the Childrens Advocacy Center offers forensic exams and therapy specifically for children under 12. The Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force emphasizes survivor-centered prevention and support initiatives. Volusia In Volusia County, the Salvation Army West Volusia supports local anti-trafficking initiatives, while the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice features a dedicated Human Trafficking Liaison to assist victims in both Flagler and Volusia counties. Their contact number is 386-238-4600. Brevard In Brevard County, the Salvation Army participates in human trafficking awareness events, disseminating resources and support. Similarly, the Red Sands Project engages in local events, helping to connect survivors with critical community resources. Flagler Domestic violence centers in Flagler and Volusia counties provide crucial 24/7 emergency shelter and advocacy for victims of exploitation, enhancing the support network in these regions. Sumter The Sumter County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) will observe Human Trafficking Awareness Month in January 2026 by sharing tips on reporting suspicious activity via non-emergency contact at 1-866-347-2423. Additionally, One More Child runs anti-trafficking programs to help families and children. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. TALLAHASSEE Florida has seized more than 1 million packages of hempproducts since the summer of 2023 for violating state packaging and production regulations, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. In some cases, investigators said the packages were inappropriately attractive to children, with candy-like shapes and flavors and cartoon characters on the labels. Watermelon and strawberry were popular flavors for yanked items. In other instances, the packaging wasnt child-resistant, the state said, or the products included prohibited synthetic cannabinoids. We will not tire in our commitment to cleaning up this industry, holding violators accountable, and sending a clear message: if you refuse to follow the law, you wont be doing business in Florida, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson said in a statement this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Tallahassee, where the agriculture department is headquartered, had far more individual products taken off the shelves than any other city. Still, overall, the hemp regulations are more limited than they could have been. Florida lawmakers in 2024 voted to overhaul the states hemp marketplace and stopbusinesses from selling the intoxicating products that can be found on gas station shelves and advertised on street signs. Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed that proposal, leaving the states hemp marketplace largely untouched. Ahead of the upcoming 2026 legislative session, the Tampa Bay Times reviewed the data about the hemp products Florida has pulled from the shelves. Heres what to know. Popular products Hemp products come in plenty of shapes: There are pre-rolls, drinks, vapes, cookies, lollipops and more. Advertisement Advertisement But at least a third of the products taken off the shelves by the state were gummies. Sour items dominated, and blue items also appeared frequently in the states seizures. In St. Petersburg, the agriculture department pulled more than 1,000 packages of 50 milligram delta-9 blue raspberry gummies from the store Uplift Health and Wellness this summer the most of any product pulled from shelves across Tampa Bay. In Fort Lauderdale, the agriculture department took hundreds of packages of Poison Apple Death Drops and Jonestown Juice Death Drops gummies. But gummies arent the only popular product found to violate the states packaging rules. In Jacksonville, the state took hundreds of THC sodas and drinks off the shelf from the brand Daizys Social Soda. The state said the drinks, which came in flavors like peach, berries & cream and blue raspberry, were attractive to children. Advertisement Advertisement THC drinks from Cheech & Chongs brand were also taken from some stores. In Orlando, the state took more than 2,000 packages of Watermelon Zour Kandy, a disposable vape with an astronaut motif. In Miami-Dade, the state seized thousands of vapes named after the marijuana strain White Runtz. Tallahassee targeted Tallahassee, the states capital, isnt nearly the states most populous city. And Leon County, where Tallahassee sits, isnt in the states top four most populous counties. But when it comes to the number of different products taken off the shelves, Tallahassee tops the list. Tallahassee is also second for the most amount of packages removed, second only to Hialeah. Advertisement Advertisement One store chain seems to be the reason why. Tallulah, a hemp store founded in 2019, has multiple storefronts across Tallahassee, along with locations in Port St. Joe and in Thomasville, Georgia. According to data from the states agriculture department, Tallulah has had the highest variety of products taken off the shelves of any other store statewide. When asked if Tallulah has been a target of the states agriculture department, a spokesperson saidthat if a business is targeting children with illegal hemp products, they should be very concerned about a (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) visit. Tallulahs stores are all closing, owner Ashley Guy said last month. The news was celebrated by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who said the closures were proof the states restrictions were working. But Guy attributed the closure to hemp changes on the federal level. Guy did not return an email seekingcomment about whether or not the closures were linked to the state raids. Advertisement Advertisement After Tallahassee, Tampa, Jacksonville and Port St. Joe, the Panhandle town with a population of fewer than 5,000 people, have the highest number of different products seized.Nearly every product taken from Port St. Joe was from the Tallulah store, according to the states data. In the Tampa Bay area, Hillsborough County had the highest number of packages removed from shelves. There, the single largest product removal came from Gator Wholesalers in Tampa, where the state took 400 packages of 100-pack Exotic Blend Gummies. Whats happening with hemp now? In November, President Donald Trump signed a broad ban on hemp products with more than trace levels of THC, an intoxicant, into law. The new law doesnt necessarily mean that hemp products will have to be taken off Floridas shelves, though. The federal ban will make certain products illegal at the federal level, much like marijuana, but doesnt stop a state marketplace from existing. Advertisement Advertisement That means hemp products that are grown, processed and sold all within Florida could remain legal, as long as Florida lawmakers keep the current laws intact. So far, at least three bills have been filed in the Legislature this session to change the states hemp laws and regulation. If passed, one would create a special license to authorize the sale of THC-infused beverages. Another would ban delta-8, and another would prohibit people from using hemp while driving. Last session, the House and the Senate took significantly different approaches to rewriting the states hemp rules and were not able to find a compromise. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) This week, the community raised enough money to get permanent markers, renaming a stretch of Oklahoma Highway 95 between Kansas and Oklahoma to honor the lives of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley. It is the same stretch of road that led the two women to their ambush, attack, and death. (Courtesy: OSBI) The two mothers were reported missing on March 30, 2024, after driving to Oklahoma from Hugoton to pick up Veroincas children from the childrens paternal grandmother. Their vehicle was found abandoned on OK-95 just south of Elkhart, Kansas. Veronicas dad, Clint Butler, said they are reclaiming a place marred in evil and violence and marking it with love and honor. She wouldnt want it, because shes not that way, shes not the kind of person thats going to say, well I deserve it so let me have it, Clint said. Advertisement Advertisement Shes going to be like Dad, stop, its not about me, its about my kids. Thats exactly the way she would think, he continued. The site where Veronica and Kelley were attacked is already covered with ribbons, flowers, and mementos of support. Oklahoma Highway 95 and Road L, south of Elkhart, Kansas, on April 10, 2024 (KSN Photo) Marker placed where Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelleys car was found abandonded on March 30, 2024. Photo taken on April 8, 2024 (KSN Photo) Clints desire for a permanent tribute is mixed with somber acceptance of his reality. Of course, everyone wishes it was a different circumstance, but it is what it is; we cant change that, he said. Those circumstances, rooted in evil, uncovered care. The thoughtfulness of everybody, and the concern that they have, and the the empathy that they have for our family, it means a lot, Clint said. Related: Man accused of killing two Kansas mothers asks for trial delay Advertisement Advertisement When you see the markers on the side of OK-95, Clint wants people to think of Veronica and Kelley. Love every single day, no matter what, even if theyre gone, still love, still show love, he said. Even though Veronica may not want this type of recognition, dads always know whats best, She does, she does deserve it, Clint continued. The GoFundMe to raise money for the markers has already reached its goal; however, it is still active. With any extra money, Clint wants to buy footstones for Veronica and Kelley with their pictures on them. Background Two weeks after the two women were reported missing, their bodies were found buried inside a chest freezer. They had been stabbed to death. Advertisement Advertisement Five suspects were arrested the next month: Tifany Adams (the paternal grandmother of Veronicas children), Tad Cullum, Cole Twombly, Cora Twombly and Paul Grice. Adams pleaded no contest last year. The cases against the other four are still working through the court system. Tifany Adams, Tad Cullum, Cora Twombly, Cole Twombly and Paul Grice (Courtesy: Texas County Sheriffs Office) To learn more about Veronica and Kelleys case, click here. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Advertisement Advertisement 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 KSN-TV. The difficulty of tracking the death toll from Iran's nationwide protests has been compounded by the government's decision to cut off the internet to the country, but some information has still been getting out. The Associated Press has been relying on figures provided by the Human Rights Activists News Agency. The U.S.-based agency, founded 20 years ago, has been accurate throughout multiple years of demonstrations, relying on a network of activists inside Iran that confirms all reported fatalities. That can include speaking with medical officials, family members and community leaders, as well as checking against funeral notices and other official documents. Advertisement Advertisement The agency is a tax-exempt nonprofit registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. One of its founders is Keyvan Rafiee, an Iranian political activist who faced repeated imprisonment at home before leaving the Islamic Republic for the United States. With communications greatly limited in Iran, the AP has been unable to independently confirm the group's toll. The theocratic government of Iran has not provided overall casualty figures for the demonstrations. Iranian state media has provided little information about the demonstrations, making it difficult to assess the scale of the protests. Videos that have surfaced online offer brief, shaky glimpses of people in the streets or the sound of gunfire. The AP reporting has relied on some of these videos, which likely have made it out of the country via Starlink satellite dishes. The AP authenticates such footage by checking it against known locations and events, as well as talking to regional experts. The AP also ensures the substance of the video is consistent with its own reporting. About $1 billion in federal funds for child care and social services in Illinois have been frozen. Illinois is one of several states seeing a freeze that collectively totals more than $10 billion. The Trump administration and a federal agency are concerned "by the potential for extensive and systemic fraud" in the programs, according to letters obtained by The State Journal-Register. Gov. JB Pritzker argued in a Jan. 6 press release that the Trump administration is "targeting these states because they are led by Governors of the opposite political party." Advertisement Advertisement Here's what we know about how Illinois families may be affected. More: Trump freezes $10B in child care funds Illinois, 4 other states Illinois child care programs face loss of federal funds Funding for programs and services has been frozen through Child Care and Development Block Grant, the Social Services Block Grant, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The CCAP provides subsidized child care to low-income working families and is the primary mechanism through which federal child care and TANF Block Grant dollars along with significant state General Revenue Funds support families in Illinois, as Pritzker's office explained in their release. Advertisement Advertisement Here's the impact the freezing of funds will have, according to Pritzker's office. Around 100,000 families, including more than 152,000 children, are served through the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program, which is partially funded through the Child Care and Development Block Grant. The TANF block grant supports thousands of licensed child care providers in every county of Illinois. TANF funds are used both to support the Illinois CCAP, and to support the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Daycare licensing work, which impacts providers and families in every corner of the state. The Social Services Block Grant supports 275 organizations statewide through 17 program areas designed to protect the network of Illinois human service providers and ensure the health and welfare of children, seniors, people with disabilities, and those facing poverty and food insecurity. More: 18 states to ban unhealthy food for SNAP. Is Illinois on the list? Letters from DHHS to Pritzker: Feds are 'rooting out fraud' While IDHS did not respond to an emailed question about impact on Springfield, a a spokesperson did share two letters sent from Alex Adams to Pritzker. Adams is the assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Advertisement Advertisement "Dear Governor Pritzker," the first wrote, dated Jan. 6. "The Trump Administration has made clear its commitment to rooting out fraud, protecting taxpayer dollars, and ensuring program integrity across all federal benefit programs. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is concerned by the potential for extensive and systemic fraud in Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) programs that rely on federal funding. These concerns have been heightened by recent federal prosecutions and additional allegations that substantial portions of federal resources were fraudulently diverted away from the American families they were intended to assist. Additionally, ACF has reason to believe that the State of Illinois is illicitly providing illegal aliens with SSBG benefits intended for American citizens and lawful permanent residents," one of the letters reads in part. ACF will be conducting a "thorough review of the States use of funding" and the State will be unable to draw SSBG funds without complying with terms of a temporary restricted draw down until the review is complete, the letter read. The federal agency seeks SSBG administrative data from recent years so the agency can "assess the extent to of any irregularities that may have occurred," among other documents requested. The second letter obtained by the SJ-R expresses similar sentiment and language, but is related to TANF. Pritzker's response: 'This is wrong, it is cruel' "Instead of working with states or providers who help families access affordable childcare, this announcement was rolled out through anonymous quotes and social media deliberately sowing confusion and fear among Illinois families who are already struggling with an affordability crisis worsened by President Trumps tariffs, budget cuts, and inaction," Pritzker said in his release. Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of parents and children depend on these child care programs to help them make ends meet, and now their livelihoods are being put at risk. This is wrong, it is cruel, and we will take every step possible to defend the kids and families depending on all of us right now, he added. Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register. He can be reached at tackerman@usatodayco.com. This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: How Illinois may be impacted by $1B in frozen child care funds President Herzog expresses concern over the exodus of young Christian families from Israel, stressing the importance of security and peace for all communities in the Holy Land. President Isaac Herzog on Monday expressed concern over the exodus from Israel by young Christian families. This is their home as it is my home as it is our home, he told faith leaders and other representatives of all the Christian denominations in Israel at the annual Christmas/New Year reception that he hosts for leading members of the diverse Christian communities. Advertisement Advertisement He stressed the importance of making people in the Christian communities feel welcome and secure. The president referenced the Abraham Accords as being a principle for peace and prosperity for all the children of Abraham and all the children of God. He underscored that it is the mission of faith leaders to plant peace and reconciliation in the entire region. Herzog also mentioned the Iranian people, saying that the hearts of Israel go out to them. He thanked Christians from around the world for their support in helping to shape a better future. Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, who heads the Council ofChurches in the Holy Land, which encompasses all Christian denominations, said that they were encouraged by the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and prayed that it would lead to a conclusive and permanent peace, healing the wounds of the seventh of October and of the war in Gaza. Christians in the Holy Land - working for the well-being of all He noted that Christians in the Holy Land continue to strive and work for humanitarian aid to be delivered for the well-being of all, especially children, women, the elderly, and those who are sick, injured, or wounded. Advertisement Advertisement In this context, he referred specifically to Gazan children with cancer who are being treated at Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem. Closer to home, Theophilos stated that more effective attention must be given to the real and growing difficulties in the other areas of the Palestinian territories. The rise and increasing hostility of radical groups in the West Bank and in Jerusalem are a real challenge, and effective ways must be found to ensure the well-being of communities that must live side by side in respect and safety, he said. We must not give up until we tackle an equally serious threat to all of us, which is the crime and violence that communities are experiencing in the northern communities of Israel. In concluding, Theophilos assured Herzog that the patriarchs and heads of churches will remain steadfast in their spiritual mission to be messengers of peace and reconciliation and to cooperate with the president and all those who place peace and fighting against all forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia before all other interests. Both Herzog and Yehuda Avidan, the director-general of the Religious Affairs Ministry, assured all those present that Israel will continue to preserve and protect all the holy sites and guarantee freedom of worship for all. Much less winter snow is falling on the Himalayas, leaving the mountains bare and rocky in many parts of the region in a season when they should be snow-clad, meteorologists have said. They say most winters in the last five years have seen a drop compared to average snowfall between 1980 and 2020. Rising temperature also means what little snow falls melts very quickly and some lower-elevation areas are also seeing more rain and less snow, which is at least in part due to global warming, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other scientific reports. Advertisement Advertisement Studies have also shown there is now what is known as "snow drought" during winter in many parts of the Himalayan region. Accelerated melting of glaciers in the wake of global warming has long been a major crisis facing India's Himalayan states and other countries in the region. This dwindling snowfall during winter is making matters worse, experts have told the BBC. They say that the reduction in ice and snow will not only change how the Himalayas look, it will also impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people and many ecosystems in the region. As temperatures rise in spring, snow accumulated during winter melts and the runoff feeds river systems. This snowmelt is a crucial source for the region's rivers and streams, supplying water for drinking, irrigation and hydropower. Advertisement Advertisement Apart from impacting the water supply, less winter precipitation - rainfall in the lowlands and snowfall on the mountains - also means the region risks being gutted by forest fires due to dry conditions, experts said. They add that vanishing glaciers and declining snowfall destabilise mountains as they lose the ice and snow that act as cement to keep them intact. Disasters like rockfalls, landslides, glacial lakes bursting out and devastating debris flows are already becoming more common. So, how serious is the drop in snowfall? Meteorologists say central Himalayas have also seen significant decrease in winter snowfall leaving mountains bare and rocky [Yunish Gurung] The Indian Meteorological Department recorded no precipitation - rainfall and snowfall - in almost all of northern India in December. Advertisement Advertisement The weather department says there is a high possibility that many parts of northwest India, including Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh states, and the federally-administered territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, will see 86% less than long period average (LPA) rainfall and snowfall between January and March. LPA is the rainfall or snow recorded over a region over 30 to 50 years and use its average to classify current weather as normal, excess or deficient. According to the weather department, north India's LPA rainfall between 1971 and 2020 was 184.3 millimetre. Meteorologists say the sharp drop in precipitation is not just a one-off thing. Advertisement Advertisement "There is now strong evidence across different datasets that winter precipitation in the Himalayas is indeed decreasing," said Kieran Hunt, principal research fellow in tropical meteorology at University of Reading in the UK. A study Hunt co-authored and published in 2025 has included four different datasets between 1980 and 2021, and they all show a decrease in precipitation in the western and part of the central Himalayas. Using datasets from ERA-5 (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis), Hemant Singh, a research fellow with the Indian Institute of Technology in Jammu, says snowfall in the north western Himalayas has decreased by 25% in the past five years compared to 40-year long-term average (1980-2020). Women walk along a mountain path in Uttarakhand state [Getty Images] Meteorologists say Nepal, within which the central Himalayas is situated, is also seeing a significant drop in winter precipitation. Advertisement Advertisement "Nepal has seen zero rainfall since October, and it seems the rest of this winter will remain largely dry. This has been the case more or less in all the winters in the last five years," says Binod Pokharel, associate professor of meteorology at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu. Meteorologists, however, also add that there have been heavy snowfalls during some winters in recent years, but these have been isolated, extreme events rather than the evenly distributed precipitation of past winters. Another way scientists assess the decrease in snowfall is by measuring how much snow is accumulated on the mountains, and how much of that remains for a period of time on the ground without melting: known as snow-persistence. Advertisement Advertisement The 2024-2025 winter saw a 23-year record low of nearly 24% below-normal snow persistence, according to a report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). It said four of the past five winters between 2020 and 2025 saw below-normal snow persistence in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. "This is generally understood to be consistent with decreased winter precipitation anomalies and snowfall in a significant portion of the HKH (Hindu Kush Himalaya) region," said Sravan Shrestha, senior associate, remote sensing and geoinformation with ICIMOD. A study Singh with the IIT in Jammu co-authored and published in 2025 shows that the Himalayan region is now increasingly seeing snow droughts snow becoming significantly scarce particularly between 3,000 and 6,000m elevations. Advertisement Advertisement "With snowmelt contributing about a fourth of the total annual runoff of 12 major river basins in the region, on average, anomalies in seasonal snow persistence affect water security of nearly two billion people across these river basins," the ICIMOD snow update report warns. Melting Himalayan glaciers pose long-term water scarcity risks, while reduced snowfall and faster snowmelt threaten near-term water supplies, experts warn. Experts say dwindling snowfall will impact the lives of millions of people in the region [Getty Images] Most meteorologists cite weakening westerly disturbances low-pressure systems from the Mediterranean carrying cold air as a key reason for reduced rainfall and occasional snow during winter in northern India, Pakistan, and Nepal. They say in the past, the westerly disturbances brought significant rain and snowfall during winter, which helped crops and replenished snow on the mountains. Advertisement Advertisement Studies are mixed: some report changes in westerly disturbances, while others find no significant shift. "However, we know that the change in winter precipitation must be related to westerly disturbances, since they are responsible for the majority of winter precipitation across the Himalayas," said Hunt. "We think two things are happening here: westerly disturbances are becoming weaker, and with less certainty, tracking slightly further northward. Both of these inhibit their ability to pick up moisture from the Arabian Sea, resulting in weaker precipitation," he added. The Indian weather department has labelled the westerly disturbance north India has experienced so far this winter as "feeble" because it could generate very nominal rainfall and snowfall. Advertisement Advertisement Scientists may sooner or later find out what is behind the decrease in winter precipitation. But what is already becoming clear is that the Himalayan region now faces a double trouble. Just when it is rapidly losing its glaciers and icefields, it has also begun to get less snow. This combination, experts warn, will have huge consequences. Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook. [BBC] Sign up for our Future Earth newsletter to get exclusive insight on the latest climate and environment news from the BBC's Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, delivered to your inbox every week. Outside the UK? Sign up to our international newsletter here. On a windy midsummer day, the breeze appears to tickle the ears atop this towering southeastern Utah mesa as it rustles the trees nestled at their tips. The branches move in unison, leaning into the same wind that gives voice to the soft melodies drifting from White Mesa Ute elder Aldean Ketchums flute. The tune carries into the pinyon pines and back out to welcome a group of runners cresting over the last stretch of a 50-mile relay prayer run to reach the campground. Martina Maryboy, of the Navajo Nation, leads the pack with her prayer sage in hand as they finish the last leg of their journey, following the same roads that Indigenous peoples had run thousands of years before. Martina Maryboy, a Navajo woman from Montezuma Creek, blows on a prayer sage while praying with a group at sunrise before embarking on an over 50-mile relay prayer run from Bluff to the Kagalia Guard Station Campground where the Bears Ears Summer Gathering is taking place at Bears Ears National Monument on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Historically, running was integral to communication and ceremony across many tribes. Individuals who could run long distances quickly to deliver messages were highly respected. This prayer run isnt just a run, but a spiritual pilgrimage to honor the land and their ancestors. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News People dance and sing while others make the color yellow by simmering sagebrush and cliffrose in pots, creating a strikingly fragrant blend of earth and flowers that fills the air while weavers teach children how to dye wool yarn. A family flips the last stack of blue corn pancakes full of calcium-rich juniper ash over the stove as campers taste blue corn mush and white corn with sumac. The twin buttes that resemble a bears ears stand tall over everything in sight. From the furthest reaches of the dark canyons below, to the pinyon pine trees that dot the mesa tops, to the cliff dwellings, hogans and rock art that shape the story of this land, the more than 8,900-foot high buttes can be seen from Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Bears Ears holds cultural and spiritual significance for the Native American tribes and pueblos that have historically inhabited and continue to have ties to this land. Despite the ongoing political tug-of-war over the hallowed ground, it remains sacred to them. The beginning of a lifelong relationship Aria Chee, 6, left, and father Cody Chee, right, of Navajo Nation from Waterflow, New Mexico, ride horseback up to the Kagalia Guard Station Campground where the Bears Ears Summer Gathering is taking place at Bears Ears National Monument on Saturday, July 26, 2025. One of the Bears Ears can be seen in the background. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News This July weekend spent sleeping in tents at the Bears Ears Summer Gathering hearkened to a time hundreds of years ago when activity teemed in these mesas and canyons. Men tended to corn and hunted mule deer and bighorn sheep. Women wove baskets, blankets and bags, and made sandals from yucca fibers. Children helped harvest sumac plants with their bright red berries. As Dave Mason, a Navajo man from Kirtland, New Mexico, makes an offering of corn pollen to a small pinyon pine tree on the last day of the summer gathering, the bright morning sun washes over the Bears Ears buttes behind him. Mason puts his flute to his lips and points it toward the buttes as he begins to play. These mountains have their own personalities, he told me after the song. They talk to each other. Theyre not just there. Deena Ute, left, and Elroy Lehi, right, secure a bear atop a car for a parade to celebrate the White Mesa Bear Dance in the White Mesa Ute community, located directly adjacent to the Bears Ears National Monument, on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. While its rare to see a bear in Bears Ears, they are present, and, more notably, part of the stories that tie tribes and pueblos to the landscape. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Bears were among the earliest animals that humans revered as sacred. Small clay bear effigies have been recovered from prehistoric ancestral Puebloan sites, evidence of reverence for the animal. Advertisement Advertisement The bear is a part of us. We dont eat him and we respect him, Ketchum said. While its rare to see a bear in Bears Ears, they are present and, more notably, part of the stories that tie tribes and pueblos to the landscape. Bears Ears today Tavithen Jones, 6, a Navajo from Cortez, runs with a dog during a morning run with fellow campers at the Kagalia Guard Station Campground during the Bears Ears Summer Gathering on Sunday, July 27, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News A number of tribes and pueblos have a connection to this land. To them, Bears Ears means more than just high desert beauty, or a place where bears roam. It is home to more than 100,000 Native American archaeological and cultural sites. The area is filled with ancient roads, pueblos, cliff dwellings, ancestral graves, burial sites and petroglyphs, in addition to the ancestral stone tools and pottery from the Hopi Tribe and Pueblo of Zuni, traditional Navajo dwellings and ceremonial structures known as hogans, the Ute tipi rings, and the Navajo, Ute and Paiute rock art. Christy Agnew looks at petroglyphs resembling bear paws on Newspaper Rock at Bears Ears National Monument on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. The petroglyphs on Newspaper Rock date back to 1,500 years ago. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Bears Ears is a living reminder of their ancestors. Advertisement Advertisement However, not all of those sacred sites remain pristine. In San Juan County, where Bears Ears is located, the illegal removal of artifacts from archaeological sites has been a pervasive problem. In 2016, despite their differences, five tribal nations with ancestral ties to Bears Ears Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe, Navajo Nation, Ute Indian Tribe of the Uintah and Ouray, Hopi Tribe, and Pueblo of Zuni united around the Antiquities Act of 1906 to ask the president of the United States to protect their cultural and spiritual homeland by designating Bears Ears as a national monument. Fog envelops the Bears Ears buttes at sunrise at Bears Ears National Monument on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News It was the first successful Native American-led campaign for a national monument in U.S. history. It was also the first time tribal nations would co-manage a national monument with the federal government. Last years Bears Ears summer gathering followed the release of the final federal Bears Ears Resource Management Plan in April 2025, outlining how the 1.36 million-acre monument would be managed in the future. While there are over 30 tribes and pueblos with cultural ties to Bears Ears, many Indigenous peoples with roots in the land live elsewhere today. Many at the summer gathering traveled from neighboring states to reconnect with their ancestors. Unlike others, Ketchum, of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, grew up here. A healing place Aldean Ketchum, a Ute Mountain Ute elder from White Mesa, plays a song on his eagle bone whistle as he shows the tipi he helped set up where he will play his flute in the Blanding Luminary Walk holiday festival in December, directly adjacent to Bears Ears National Monument, on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Its my backyard, said Ketchum, who, as a young boy, lived below the Bears Ears buttes in Allen Canyon in the summer and the White Mesa Ute community. Seeking inspiration for new music to fill the hundreds of flutes he has made in his lifetime, he comes to Bears Ears to find new songs. Advertisement Advertisement I listen to the animals and their songs and combine them with ours to create a healing sound that is universal and helpful for everyone, he said. The (flute) is a healing instrument that we have known for thousands of years. When he was a boy, Ketchum healed a red-tailed hawk he found with a broken wing in Allen Canyon. As an adult, he honored his old friend by carving a hawk on the end of his healing instrument. I could call him and summon him like a falconer. Hed hunt for us. Hed go and get a rabbit, or bonus if he got a jack rabbit, and wed make lunch. I didnt have to worry about food. I just thought people lived like this. Aldean Ketchum, a Ute Mountain Ute elder from White Mesa, shows a traditional cedar flute he made to honor the red-tailed hawk he healed as a child at his home in the White Mesa Ute community, directly adjacent to Bears Ears National Monument, on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News For hundreds of generations, Native Americans have relied on Bears Ears native plants and wildlife for food, medicine and spiritual healing. We are told as a generation that we are from this area. Our hogans are still here. Our sweat lodges are still here. Our sheep corrals are still in this area. We get our firewood in the wintertime from here. We also come here to pray, said Jean Holiday, a Navajo woman from Train Rock, Utah. Presley Dee, 11, a Navajo from Blanding, holds a 3-day-old lamb at the Kagalia Guard Station Campground during the Bears Ears Summer Gathering on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Sheep hold profound cultural, spiritual and economic significance for the Navajo people in the Bears Ears region, where historic sheep corrals and ongoing traditional practices are elements of the cultural landscape. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Holidays father, John Holiday Sr., was a Navajo Nation medicine man until the day he died at age 100. She said she feels the presence of her father and mother every time she returns to Bears Ears. Advertisement Advertisement Recently, Holiday used the knowledge passed down to her from her parents to collect blue corn pollen, cedar and other herbs from Bears Ears that she used in a ceremony to help heal someone with an illness and wounds. There are some holy spots, just like the Mormons having the Salt Lake Temple. This is like that for us. Its not a temple but its still a holy place for us, Holiday said. A place of refuge amid persecution Dave Mason, a Navajo man from Kirtland, N.M., looks out at the sunset from his tent at the Kagalia Guard Station Campground during the Bears Ears Summer Gathering on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Bears Ears is very sacred to me. Everything has its place. The creatures, the ants, the gophers, the coyotes, the wolves, the bears. They all have a special place, Mason said. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The 19th-century Navajo leader Manuelito, who was born near Bears Ears, used the remote canyons to hide and resist the U.S. Armys forced removal. He opposed the Long Walk, the brutal ethnic cleansing and deportation of the Navajo people from 1864 to 1866 to the Bosque Redondo internment camp in what is now New Mexico. Ultimately, Manuelito became a key negotiator of the 1868 treaty that secured the Navajo Nations right to return to their homeland. Manuelito is our grandpa on our moms side. Thats what we were told when we were youngsters, Holiday said. My moms side of the family are the ones that hid in this area. It provided them food to survive, like the deer, the roots, the plants thats how they survived in this area and thats why its very sacred. If somebody got sick, they already have plants. They dont run to the hospital or grocery store. They couldnt do that because of the Long Walk. They had everything here. Advertisement Advertisement We still do collect herbs. We still do hunt. We want to pass this down to our newer generation and tell them these stories that we are from here, Holiday said. Passing down the wisdom of the elders White Mesa Community elder Imogene Pelt holds a blanket that reads 100 Years of Silence in a parade to celebrate the White Mesa Bear Dance in the White Mesa Ute community, located directly adjacent to the Bears Ears National Monument, on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. The 100 Years of Silence project involved artists and Ute Mountain Ute tribal members sharing a part of the White Mesa Ute communitys past that hadnt been talked about: the Posey War. In 1923, the state of Utah waged the final war in U.S. history against a tribe, known as the Posey War. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Roy Kade and his apprentice, Casey Teseny, attended the Bears Ears Summer Gathering last July to do just that: pass down Indigenous knowledge to the youth. We look at our Mother Earth as our mother and the Father Sky as our father and we are the children in that way we are supposed to be stewards to the land. I am turning into a great uncle, and as an uncle I really see that need to learn the culture, learn the traditions, and pass that on to the youth. I would say me being here fits into the role that I needed when I was smaller. I wanted to ask questions, I wanted help, said Teseny, a Navajo man from Chinle, Arizona. Casey Teseny, a Navajo man from Chinle, Ariz., inspects the color of the yarn he just dyed at a weaving station at the Kagalia Guard Station Campground during the Bears Ears Summer Gathering on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Local vegetation like sagebrush, cliffrose, and Mormon tea were used in a vegetable bath to dye the yarn. Youre not only learning about the plants, youre learning about your home. Id consider this place having as much beauty as the stained glass windows within a cathedral, Teseny said. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Teseny explained to 9-year-old Akaedo Dee, a Navajo boy from Blanding, how sandals were made out of local vegetation. He also shared his knowledge in pottery, weaving and dyeing yarn with children at the gathering, explaining that the arts and crafts arent just pretty colors and shapes: They are a reflection of our surroundings. Advertisement Advertisement With every dip into the vegetable dye bath, Dees smile grew bigger as he realized sagebrush could give yarn color. Akaedo Dee, 9, a Navajo boy from Blanding, learns how to work with yarn at a weaving station at the Kagalia Guard Station Campground during the Bears Ears Summer Gathering on Saturday, July 26, 2025. It was Dees first time weaving and dyeing yarn. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Youre not only learning about the plants, youre learning about your home, Teseny said. After inspecting the color, the yarn met the sky as Teseny swung it back and forth, like a pendulum. The few water droplets remaining clung to the freshly dyed strand as it hung to dry a few feet above the forest floor. Clarisa Haskan, left, hugs daughter Harmony Ironchild, 13, from Aneth, right, at the Bears Ears Partnership office before Harmony embarks on her first three-day rafting trip from Sand Island to Mexican Hat, day-hiking in Bears Ears National Monument and sharing Indigenous knowledge on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Bears Ears Summer Camp is free for San Juan County or Indigenous youth. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News I feel all the memories. I feel the stories. Just being here and walking around the trees, theyve seen a lot. Theyve seen the different people that came through here. Theyve seen families grow. Theyve seen people move. Theyve witnessed a lot. Theyre a testament of that presence and that history, Teseny said. Advertisement Advertisement The Bears Ears Summer Gathering began in 2015 to bring the different tribes and pueblos with connections to Bears Ears together to advocate for the creation of the Bears Ears National Monument. Its status has fluctuated over the past decade. Liam Yarbrough, 10, watches as bear dance chiefs sing and use growlers, instruments played with sticks to imitate growls and spring thunder, symbolically waking the bears from hibernation, during the White Mesa Bear Dance in the White Mesa Ute community, located directly adjacent to the Bears Ears National Monument, on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News After President Barack Obama created the monument in late 2016, President Donald Trump reduced its size by 85% in December 2017. In October 2021, President Joe Biden restored its original acreage. Most recently, in May 2025, the Department of Justice released an opinion stating that the president can reduce or revoke national monuments. The document counters almost a century of legal interpretation of the Antiquities Act, calling into question the status of national monuments across the country, including Bears Ears. Sending the bear to sleep Aldean Ketchum, Ute Mountain Ute elder and bear dance chief of 40 years, wears a shirt representing the bear dance while watching people participate in the White Mesa Bear Dance in the White Mesa Ute community, located directly adjacent to the Bears Ears National Monument, on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Regardless of a governmental proclamation, every year when summer fades to fall, the bears must be sent to hibernation. That is Ute tradition. Four weeks after this years summer gathering, the White Mesa Ute community, located directly adjacent to the national monument, sent the bears to sleep for the winter at its annual Labor Day weekend Bear Dance. Advertisement Advertisement The White Mesa Bear Dance is the closing chapter of a season of dances that begins in the spring, when the first Bear Dance of the year is held to wake the bears from their winter sleep. Angela Clah, 12, from Moab, left, and Joseph Santio, 8, from Fort Duchesne, home of the Northern Ute Tribe, right, participate in the White Mesa Bear Dance in the White Mesa Ute community, located directly adjacent to the Bears Ears National Monument, on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The Bear Dance is a womans choice dance, meaning the women pick their partners. The practice originates from a Ute legend about two boys who were in the forest: One of the boys went home and the other boy was found by a mother bear. She sheltered the boy and taught him the ways of the bear, including the bear dance. He brought his knowledge of the dance to the village when he returned. Today, in the community of White Mesa, Ute tribal members havent forgotten mother bears wisdom. Women flick their shawl fringe and form lines, holding onto the men they have chosen as their partners as they move backward. They dance back and forth, mimicking a bear scratching against a tree, as the Bear Dance chiefs sing and use growlers, instruments played with sticks to imitate growls and spring thunder, symbolically waking the bears from hibernation. People participate in the White Mesa Bear Dance in the White Mesa Ute community, located directly adjacent to the Bears Ears National Monument, on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The respect is there when youre dancing and youre going backwards your partner is looking out for you because you cant see whats behind you. Its that very concept of you watch my back and Ill watch yours. You take care of me and Ill take care of you, Ketchum, a White Mesa Bear Dance chief, said. As the sun dipped below the horizon, long lines of shadows moved back and forth, contrasted by the golden light in between each pair of dancers. Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Councilman Malcolm Lehi reflected, When you dance, youre dancing for your elders, then you dance for the people that cant dance, then you dance for the people that need the healing. Giving voice to the cedar tree Aldean Ketchum, a Ute Mountain Ute elder from White Mesa, cuts wood from a cedar tree that he will use to make flutes up Cottonwood Canyon in Bears Ears National Monument on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. Ill come out and Ill play my music and all these animals will come out like the squirrels and birds. Theyll sit here and listen, Ketchum said. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News On a cold November day three months after the bears were put to sleep, Ketchum made his way up to the mesa tops of Bears Ears to look for pinyon nuts and cedar wood. And next year, the cycle will repeat. The bear will wake up, the summer gathering will commence, the bear will be put to sleep, pinyon nuts will grow, deer and elk will be hunted, herbs will be collected, the snow will fall, and the bear will be awakened again. Its a never-ending cycle for years. Everything is renewed every year in springtime and this life goes on, Ketchum said. While Bears Ears status as a protected monument has fluctuated over the last decade, the Native Americans havent ceased their harmonious partnership with the land. Aldean Ketchum, a Ute Mountain Ute elder from White Mesa, collects pinyon nuts up Cottonwood Canyon in Bears Ears National Monument on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. I love pinyon, fresh and roasted to perfection, Id live off that. We used to harvest it and get big old bags full and munch on it all year long, Ketchum said. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News The cedar tree is giving itself up to bring music. I give it a voice, Ketchum reflects while collecting cedar wood in Bears Ears to make flutes. With every cut into the wood, a powerful, fresh smell filled the crisp air of Cottonwood Canyon. Ketchum mimics the sounds of the animals when he plays his flute. Once, while hunting, he used his melodies to bring in a whole herd of elk, he reminisces, after running into his cousin who was heading up the canyon to hunt elk. Due to health complications, its been almost a decade since hes hunted. Later in the day, as snow began to fall, Ketchum called out to birds using the eagle bone whistle that never leaves his side. We stood inside a tipi he helped set up ahead of the Blanding Luminary Walk holiday festival in December where he played his flute for an audience. From barbed-wire to running free Aldean Ketchum, a Ute Mountain Ute elder from White Mesa, pauses to look out at Bears Ears National Monument on the drive down from the Kagalia Guard Station Campground after the Bears Ears Summer Gathering on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Its my backyard, said Ketchum, who, as a young boy, lived below the Bears Ears buttes in Allen Canyon in the summer and the White Mesa Ute community in winter. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News In 1923, in the same town Ketchum played his flute in a traditional Ute tipi for the annual holiday festival this year, the state of Utah waged the final war in U.S. history against a tribe. The assault, known as the Posey War, ended on April 29, 1923, with a five-week imprisonment of the Allen Canyon Utes in a makeshift, barbed-wire stockade in the center of town, the loss of access to ancestral lands in the Bears Ears region, the murder of two tribal members, and the forced enrollment of Ute children in boarding school in Colorado, separating them from their families. Starting in the 1950s, many of the Ute families from Allen Canyon began moving and building homes on tribal land about 11 miles south of Blanding. The settlement eventually grew into the modern-day community of White Mesa. Aldean Ketchum, a Ute Mountain Ute elder from White Mesa, pauses to look out at Bears Ears National Monument on the drive down from the Kagalia Guard Station Campground after the Bears Ears Summer Gathering on Sunday, July 27, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Ketchum grew up in White Mesa as a descendent of the Allen Canyon Utes 40 years after the Posey War. While the war resulted in the effective end of the Allen Canyon Ute peoples traditional, nomadic way of life in Bears Ears, Ketchum still experienced a piece of that lifestyle during his childhood, spending the summers in the canyon and connecting with the land from which his ancestors had been removed nearly 103 years ago now. Toward the end of a long drive down the canyon after the Bears Ears Summer Gathering back in July, Ketchum showed me where he spent his summers chasing deer, herding livestock, befriending birds, and learning how to play the flute. People participate in the White Mesa Bear Dance in the White Mesa Ute community, located directly adjacent to the Bears Ears National Monument, on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News Under that clear summer sky, the unifying and timeless power of Bears Ears was on full display. Children, parents and grandparents of different tribes and pueblos drifted off to sleep next to the ursine buttes, under the same stars that guided their ancestors. Now this is the space age, and what more could they do to us now? Ketchum said, looking out over the land. Were invincible. WASHINGTON (AP) New options for testing and treating some of the most common sexually transmitted diseases are becoming available, a trend that experts hope will keep downward pressure on U.S. infection rates. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first at-home test that can detect three common infections in women gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis as well as the first home-based kit for the virus that causes cervical cancer. The agency ended the year by approving two different drugs for gonorrhea, the first new options for the disease in decades. Advertisement Advertisement Its positive news after cases of sexually transmitted infections reached alarming highs before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted screening, education and treatment for sexual health nationwide. But the pandemic years also brought positive developments for testing. The same technology used for the first over-the-counter coronavirus tests is now being translated into home-based kits for syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections. Previously, the FDA had mostly limited the use of such tests to health professionals. Sexual health can be stigmatized and people can be hesitant about testing, said Dr. Ina Park, a sexual health specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. Now we have a lot of options for patients who may be wary of going into a providers office. New tests offer convenience and quicker turnaround times Advertisement Advertisement Testing company Visby Medical launched its three-in-one test for women last year, following FDA approval in March. The test includes a vaginal testing swab and a small testing device. After uploading a photo of the device, users can review the results on a mobile app. The test, which costs $150, also includes a telehealth consultation with a medical provider who can discuss the results and prescribe antibiotics or other medication, if needed. The entire process from buying the test to getting a prescription can take as little as six hours, compared with several days under the traditional testing model, says Dr. Gary Schoolnik, Visbys chief medical officer. Previously, a nurse or doctor would have to collect a sample, send it out to a lab, get the results and then schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the results. Advertisement Advertisement Many patients are very hard to track down and a lot of them, if they have a positive test result, are never treated and are lost to follow-up, said Schoolnik, who is also a professor emeritus at Stanford Medical School. The FDA approved Visbys test based on study results showing that it correctly detected the three infections with accuracy rates around 98% or higher. Thats similar to tests performed at hospitals and health clinics. Some home-based tests still require outside input to get the results. For example, in May the FDA approved Teal Healths testing kit for HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer. The companys Teal Wand allows women to collect their own vaginal sample, which is then placed in a tube and shipped to a laboratory for processing. Advertisement Advertisement Updated federal guidelines for HPV screening released earlier this month endorsed self collection for the first time. The FDA recently approved the first new gonorrhea drugs in decades The bacteria that causes gonorrhea has constantly evolved, developing resistance to nearly every antibiotic used to treat it. Both of the two new drugs can be taken by mouth, a major advantage over the current standard of care: an injection of the antibiotic ceftriaxone. Nuzolvenc, developed through a public-private partnership, comes in granules that dissolve in water. Bluejepa, from GlaxoSmithKline, is a tablet that is also approved to treat urinary tract infections. Advertisement Advertisement The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously recommended another drug, oral azithromycin, alongside injectable ceftriaxone, but dropped the pill from its guidance after signs that gonorrhea was growing resistant to it. We were down to one class of antibiotics recommended to treat gonorrhea and we had no other good options, said Park. So to have two new options in the same year is very exciting. The new tests and drugs come as STD rates are falling again The CDCs provisional data for 2024 showed a third consecutive year of fewer gonorrhea cases, and the second year in a row of fewer adult cases of chlamydia and the most infectious forms of syphilis. Advertisement Advertisement Experts point to several factors behind the trend, including less sexual activity among young people, increased use of an antibiotic as a morning-after pill to prevent infections and more at-home screening. The new tests could drive further reductions, although some experts urge caution. As more people test at home it could become harder to track national infection rates, which previously have been reported by a handful of large testing laboratories. Additionally, the new tests and drugs come with higher price tags that may limit access. For example, Visbys $150 test is not covered by insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Add to that recent Trump administration funding cuts to the CDC and other public health agencies and there could be more challenges on the horizon. Im feeling very optimistic about the fact that people have more testing options and also that we now have access to new drugs. Park said. What I fear is these cuts to public health are going to decrease access to sexual health care for populations who can least afford to take advantage of these new options. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Advertisement Advertisement ___ This story has been updated to correct an erroneous description of a test by Visby Medical. The test uses a vaginal swab, not urine. Also, users must upload a photo of the device to get the results, not send the test results to a mobile app. When it comes to board games and card nights, Georgians seem to value fair play more than cheating. New research from World of Card Games ranks Georgia No. 9 nationwide among the most honest states for game nights, based on how often residents search online for ways to cheat in popular games. Here's what to know. Is cheating more likely in Georgia? No, not in comparison to other states. According to the analysis, Georgia recorded 2.83 searches per 10,000 residents for game-cheating methods, placing the state firmly in the national top 10 for honest play. A deck of Uno cards with braille is seen at Mississippi Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Jackson, Miss., on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. The study compared search behavior across all 50 states to determine where interest in cheating tactics was lowest, signaling a stronger commitment to fair competition. America's top 10 most honest game night states California Texas Florida New York Pennsylvania Illinois Ohio North Carolina Georgia Michigan Methodology World of Card Games analyzed Google search volume across all 50 U.S. states for terms related to cheating in card and board games, including phrases like "how to cheat in Monopoly," "Scrabble cheats," and "how to cheat in poker." Advertisement Advertisement Search data was normalized per 10,000 residents using 2024 population estimates from World Population Review, allowing for fair comparisons between states of different sizes. Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Do Georgia residents cheat during game night? Why state says its honest Jan. 11Some 1,400 miles separate Independence Point on the banks of Lake Coeur d'Alene and the Minneapolis street where an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a woman Wednesday . Despite the distance, hundreds gathered Sunday at Independence Point to pay respects and grieve for the woman, Nicole Renee Good, and others who have died in ICE custody. "There have been so many miscarriages of justice, but this one just struck people. This one was so ridiculous; it was so violent and so unnecessary," attendee Jan Fay, 74, said. "It's like, we've all either been or known somebody like her." Advertisement Advertisement Freshly formed North Idaho Indivisible organized the vigil in Coeur d'Alene; attendees brought candles, flowers and signs to memorialize Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, and poet. Several speakers read poems in her memory. The solemn event was meant to "demand change in remembrance" for Good and others who have died in ICE custody. "I feel it's very important to have a voice here in North Idaho, because we are a minority force here," said Kristy Perretta, an organizer of the vigil. "After Renee Good's death, which was super tragic, we wanted to have our voices heard, but we didn't want to actually have a protest, so we wanted to do a remembrance." In 2025, 32 people died in ICE detention. It was the agency's deadliest year since 2004, the Guardian reported. A day after Good's killing, a Border Patrol agent in Portland shot two people, Luis David Nino-Moncada and Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, both later identified as Venezuelan nationals who appear to have connections with Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, Portland police said. "Here in North Idaho, we have not experienced much of what we're seeing in other parts of the country, but that does not give us the right or the permission to sit back and accept what's happening," Perretta told the hundreds huddled together around a memorial for Good. "We are still the United States, and we need to act like the United States with justice and liberty for all." Advertisement Advertisement The message resonated with attendee Ray Tekverk, still reeling from seeing photographs of the bullet hole through Good's windshield and bloodied airbags after her death. "I was just thinking of the 6-year-old," Tekverk, 74, said of Good's youngest child. "How are they going to explain that mom's not coming home?" For Tekverk, action is essential in the face of perceived injustice, like Good's killing or the arrests and deportations of immigrants around the country. It's a lesson he remembers vividly from his teenage years, when his World War II veteran father took him to France in 1969 to revisit some of the formative settings from his service. After visiting the golden sands of Omaha Beach where his father stormed Normandy, Tekverk's dad showed him the gates of the Dachau Concentration Camp. Tekverk's dad was one of the American soldiers who liberated the tens of thousands imprisoned there. He wanted his son to see for himself what he'd witnessed when he opened the gates, and not let anyone forget it. "He also said something else I don't usually mention," Tekverk said. "He said, 'All those people,' and he pointed towards Munich in the distance over rolling fields. He said, 'They knew, because you could smell it.' " Advertisement Advertisement Now well beyond his teenage years, Tekverk's dad's message compels him to speak out for others. "Whatever we can do, we're gonna try to do to keep us from going that way," Tekverk said. Elena Perry's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor. Hundreds of protesters have been killed by security forces in what may be the largest and possibly most consequential wave of protests in Iran since 2009, human rights groups say. The killings, difficult to verify because Iran has for days imposed a sweeping internet blackout, led to threats by President Donald Trump to intervene militarily. He has said he is weighing up military strikes, having pledged to take action if Iranian protesters were killed. "A massacre is unfolding in the country since the internet and communications shutdown," Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the Center for Human Rights in Iran, told USA TODAY on Jan 12. "It's a war unfolding on protesters." Advertisement Advertisement Visual story: Whats happening in Iran? Trump threatens military action, thousands feared dead Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders. The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue." See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified. Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. People tear down an Iranian flag after it was taken down in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on January 8, 2026. Date when the video was filmed could not be confirmed. An overturned car and multiple fires burn as protesters chant outside a police station, during Iran's biggest demonstrations in three years over economic hardship, in Azna, Lorestan Province, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on January 1, 2026. Protesters gather amid evolving anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified. People gather on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. The date of the videos could not be verified. Witnesses in Tehran told Reuters that protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8. People gather on the streets during a protest in Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on January 8, 2026. The date could not be verified but multiple videos verified to Mashhad were posted online on January 8. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi speaks during a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, January 9, 2026. Burning debris lies in the middle of a street during unrest in Hamedan, Iran on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. A person uses a lighter to set fire to a banner during demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. Burning debris lies next to an overturned dumpster in the middle of a street during unrest amid demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. Rocks, tree branches, and a toppled charity box remain on a street during unrest amid demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. A protester flashes victory signs as traffic slows during demonstrations in Hamedan, Iran, on January 1, 2026. The demonstrations erupted after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar shut their businesses to protest the sharp fall of Iran's currency and worsening economic conditions, with clashes reported in several provinces and Iranian media and rights groups saying multiple people were killed in the violence, marking the largest protests to hit the Islamic Republic in three years. Security forces detain protesters outside a commercial building on Ahmadabad Street in Mashhad, Iran on January 3, 2026. Iran has experienced recurrent waves of protests in recent years driven by political repression, economic hardship, rising living costs, and restrictions on civil and social freedoms, including women's rights. Demonstrations have frequently been met with arrests, heavy security deployments, internet disruptions, and, according to activists and rights groups, the killing of protesters, as authorities move to suppress dissent. People walk down the street, chanting in Farsi, "Reza Shah, rest in peace", in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on December 30, 2025. Demonstrators attempt to force a gate open to gain access to a building during a protest in Fasa, Iran, in this still image obtained from a social media video released on December 31, 2025. See Iran's anti-government protests, huge crowds, unrest in photos 1 of 16 Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders. The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue." See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified. More: US airstrikes on Iran 'on the table,' Trump White House says Trump is "keeping all of his options on the table," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Jan. 12. "And airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president." The U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency says it has verified the deaths of nearly 500 protesters. Opposition groups say the death toll is higher. Anti-government demonstrators have taken to the streets across Iran over the last two weeks to protest economic corruption, spiralling costs and a currency crisis. There is also widespread discontent with social and cultural restrictions mandated by Iran's clerical leadership. Advertisement Advertisement One doctor who treated wounded protesters over the last week said hospitals in Tehran and the city of Isfahan were overwhelmed with the injured, according to a Jan. 12 human rights report. More: Iran says it is open to talks with US but prepared for war A member of the Iranian police attends a pro-government rally in Tehran, Iran, January 12, 2026. Security forces in some cases used shotguns on demonstrators at close-range, as well as automatic weapons and heavy machine guns. The doctor said many of those injured suffered gunshot wounds to the head, chest and abdomen. Many victims arrived dead. The doctor's first-hand testimony was published in full by Center for Human Rights in Iran. Iran Trump says he's weighing military options amid deadly protests Advertisement Advertisement Trump has said Iran's leaders are seeking to negotiate and that a meeting has been set up, but that "we may have to act because of whats happening before the meeting." Requests for comment from Iran's diplomatic missions in New York and London were not immediately returned. It's not immediately clear if Trump will be persuaded to use the U.S. military in Iran for human rights transgressions alone. Officials in Israel, which also tracks Iran closely and fought a 12-day war with Tehran last year, also did not immediately comment. Unrest in Iran: Iran pulls plug on internet as protests surge and Trump warns Tehran A demonstrator lights a cigarette with fire from a burning picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei outside the Iranian embassy during a rally in support of nationwide protests in Iran, in London, UK, Jan. 12, 2026. "I think the next three days will be crucial," said Trita Parsi, a Washington, D.C,-based analyst of Iran. "But even if they manage to clamp down violently on the protests, it will only give (Iran's authorities) a short respite unless they do something very significant, including potentially replacing Iran's supreme leader. But even that may prove insufficient." Advertisement Advertisement During widespread unrest in Iran in 2009 that followed a contested election result, thousands were arbitrarily arrested and dozens killed on the streets or died in detention, according to Iran monitoring groups. Many said they were tortured. The last major protests in Iran were four years ago, sparked by the death in police custody of an Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iran protests: Hundreds killed government, rights groups estimate Hundreds gathered at downtown Oklahoma City's Scissortail Park to protest the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis. The rally on Sunday, Jan. 11, which drew Oklahoma City residents and people from surrounding communities, also acted as a broader expression of dissent against the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, commonly known as ICE, and President Donald Trump's heightened deportation policies. Protesters lined the sidewalks along Oklahoma City Boulevard and Robinson Avenue, many holding signs with explicit language condemning ICE, with the chart-topping anti-Trump rap song "FDT" frequently blaring through speakers. Advertisement Advertisement "Terror Is Policy When Fear Becomes The Tool," one sign read. Another sign read, "You Can't Spell 'Cowardice' Without 'ICE.'" A banner held by protestors spelled, "ICE OUT For Good!" Drivers passing by the the park often honked and cheered enthusiastically in support. Related: 'Everyone's scared.' How Trump's focus on immigration affects Oklahoma Sheena Martin, a volunteer and part-time organizer with Oklahoma 50501, said she was surprised by the turnout Sunday afternoon, calling it a "display of love" for immigrant communities. At the same time, though, she said Oklahomans who disapproved of the current administration needed to continue to rally and show up in the coming elections. "The state of Oklahoma is not angry enough about the fact that our neighbors who by and large statistically we are seeing have no criminal record are being yanked off of the streets in a manner only properly comparable to 1930s Germany," Martin said. Advertisement Advertisement Criticism of ICE has been growing the past year amid President Trump's promised crackdown targeting undocumented immigrants. His administration has ramped up deportation policies against people that officials say are violent criminals and living in the country illegally. But investigations by numerous news organizations have revealed that many people detained by ICE either have no criminal histories or are US citizens. Protests against ICE intensified nationwide after the Jan. 7 shooting of Good, who was described by Minnesota officials as a "legal observer" during an ICE operation in Minneapolis. Shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, the 37-year-old poet is survived by three children. 'Absolutely' what happened: Kristi Noem pressed on ICE shooting comments Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, has repeatedly defended ICE and quickly accused Good of "domestic terrorism." Noem, Trump and Vice President JD Vance have all said the ICE agent shot Good in self-defense and have alleged that she attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon. Advertisement Advertisement But Minneapolis officials have disputed the federal government's description of the shooting, calling it "propaganda" and saying video shows the agent "recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying." Analysis by USA TODAY of widely-circulated videos of the incident also shows Good's vehicle appeared to be turning away from the agent who shot her. Demonstrators gather in an anti-ICE protest at Scissortail Park in Oklahoma City on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, following the death of Renee Good, a U.S. citizen who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Virginia Savage, 70, of Chickasha, said she has also been protesting alongside other Democratic Party organizers in Grady County. She recalled an incident in Chickasha where she said a pickup driver jumped a curb, trying to hit her and other protestors, but failed. "Chickasha's not used to having people protest anything at all they're pretty compliant," said Savage, who was in OKC carrying a sign that called for "Justice for Renee Good" and described her death as a murder. For her, the anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies she sees from the Trump administration hit too close to home. Her ex-husband hailed from the Dominican Republic, and her grandmother was a Scottish immigrant. Advertisement Advertisement "A lot of us have immigrants in our families," Savage said. "Immigrants give us a lot, and Trump's full of s--- and needs to go to Hell. That's it." Exclusive look inside ICE: How the agency operates in Trump's America Cyndee Mashburn, 57, called for a transparent investigation into Good's death. "I work in healthcare," Mashburn said, "and so anything that we do, we are required to show we are competent to do our jobs. I want competency tests for ICE ... I want them to show they are trained in de-escalation. I have to be trained in de-escalation to be a nurse. Why should someone carrying a gun not have proper training for de-escalation?" Advertisement Advertisement Mashburn's own sign on Sunday in OKC featured a gavel and the phrase "Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes," attributed to Gray Panthers activist Maggie Kuhn and later popularized by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. "There's got to be more accountability," Mashburn said. "It can't be a rubber-stamp dictatorship. It's just got to stop." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 'ICE OUT For Good' rally draws hundreds after fatal Minneapolis shooting Hungary has granted political asylum to Poland's former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro who is facing charges of embezzlement. Ziobro is facing 26 charges related to embezzling money from a fund meant to be spent on crime victims and rehabilitating criminals. Instead, he is accused of authorising the purchase of spyware that was allegedly used to hack political opponents' phones. He says he is a victim of political persecution. Advertisement Advertisement Granting asylum to a citizen of a fellow EU member state goes against the spirit of EU standards. But in the case of Hungary it is neither new nor surprising. Ziobro is the second politician of the former Justice and Law-led government to be granted this status - last year it was his former deputy Michal Romanowski who fled to Budapest to seek protection. Both are accused of corruption and misusing their power - most notably by using the money of the state-controlled Foundation for Justice which was under their oversight in order to fund their party and its cronies. Ziobro was justice minister between 2015 and 2023 under the previous right-wing PiS-led government, which is politically aligned to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Advertisement Advertisement If found guilty he could face up to 25 years in prison. Writing on X, Ziobro said: "I have decided to accept the asylum granted to me by the government of Hungary due to the political persecution in Poland." "I have chosen to fight against political banditry and lawlessness. I stand in opposition to a creeping dictatorship," Ziobro added, accusing Prime Minister Donald Tusk of waging a "vendetta" against him. Ziobro is accused of authorising a 25m zloty ($7m; 5.15m) purchase from of Israeli-made Pegasus spyware, which Poland's current coalition government and a European Parliament investigative team found was used to secretly hack the phones of political opponents. Advertisement Advertisement Current Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said his phone was hacked and Tusk said his wife's and daughter's phones were also hacked. Ziobro is also accused of awarding Justice Fund grants to fire stations and women's associations without proper competition to bolster support for the government. As minister of justice from 2015 to 2023, Ziobro was the author of judiciary reforms which provoked a major conflict with Brussels. The issue led to a freeze of EU money for Poland as well as to verdicts of the European Court of Justice, which deemed them as violating fundamental EU rules and standards including the principle of judicial independence. Advertisement Advertisement Orban, who faced similar criticism, and the PiS rejected and ignored those rulings, saying they violated Poland's sovereignty and constituted an overreach of Brussels's powers. Ziobro is thus for Orban not just and not primarily a representative of an allied party, but most importantly a brother-in-arms in defence of national sovereignty against alleged EU oppression. Orban wants to present himself as the leader of the "patriotic" movement in Europe and Ziobro's request for asylum comes in very handy for him to pursue this goal. During a contentious interview with CNN's Jake Tapper on Sunday, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reiterated her claim that Renee Good, the woman who was fatally shot by an immigration agent in Minneapolis last Wednesday, was engaged in "domestic terrorism" because "she weaponized her vehicle to conduct an act of violence against a law enforcement officer and the public." Noem added that Jonathan Ross, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who killed Good, "acted on his training and defended himself and his life and his fellow colleagues" when he fired at the Honda Pilot she was driving. Judging from bystander video of the incident, those claims are dubious. That evidence does not definitively resolve the question of whether the shooting was legally justified. But it does suggest that Good, who was monitoring ICE activities in Minneapolis and attracted attention because she was blocking a lane of traffic on Portland Avenue, was trying to leave the scene rather than trying to run Ross down. It also indicates that Ross' tactics deviated from Justice Department guidelines and from police training regarding traffic stops. "Those officers had been out in an enforcement action," Noem told Tapper. "A vehicle had been stuck [in the snow]. They had come to help get that vehicle out. That's when this individual [Good] started blocking traffic for minutes and minutes.[She] was yelling at them and impeding a federal law enforcement investigation. That's what you need to focus on, Jake.They were breaking the law by impeding and obstructing a law enforcement operation." Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, Vice President J.D. Vance posted Ross' own cell phone video of the encounter, saying it confirmed that "his life was endangered and he fired in self defense." But that video is inconsistent with Noem's account in some ways, and it raises questions about Ross' behavior prior to the shooting. Although Noem said Good "blocked the road for a long time," Ross' footage and the other videos show cars driving past Good, using the lane that was still open. And although Noem said Good was "yelling at" the ICE officers, she is smiling in Ross' video and does not raise her voice. "That's fine, dude," she calmly tells Ross as he approaches her car, holding up his cell phone. "I'm not mad at you." Ross moves to the rear of the car, recording the license plate. "That's OK," says Good's wife, who has stepped out of the car and is recording the scene with her own cell phone camera. "We don't change our plates every morning, just so you know. It'll be the same plate when you come talk to us later. That's fine." Although Good's wife also seems calm, her attitude is more confrontational. "You want to come at us?" she says. "I say go get yourself some lunch, big boy." At this point, another ICE agent tells Good to "get out of the fucking car." Other videos show that agent grabbing the handle of the front driver's side door and reaching into the car. Meanwhile, Ross walks around the car to the front. Other footage shows him positioned near the left front bumper. "Drive, baby, drive," Good's wife says. Advertisement Advertisement The car backs up a bit, then moves forward, the front wheels turned to the rightaway from the ICE agents. "Whoa," Ross exclaims before firing three shots at the car, one through the lower left corner of the windshield and two more through the front driver's side window. The SUV continues moving down the street before crashing into a car parked on the left side. "Fucking bitch," someone says. When Tapper asked Noem if that was Ross speaking, she said "it could be." Ross' conduct prior to the shooting raises a couple of questions. First, why did he record the scene with his cell phone, keeping one of his hands occupied during a potentially dangerous encounter with someone Noem describes as a domestic terrorist? Second, why did Ross position himself in front of the car, which by Noem's account exposed him to the threat that justified firing his weapon? "If you're an agent," security consultant Jonathan Wackrow told CNN, "you should not be encumbered by anything in your hands. That's what body-worn cameras are for. But they're not wearing body-worn cameras." Law enforcement officers are trained not to stand in front of a car during a traffic stop, precisely because of the danger that Noem emphasizes. "Officers should not stand in front of the suspect vehicle," says the Metropolitan Police Academy, which trains Washington, D.C., cops. The preferred position, aimed at minimizing the risk to officers, is on the driver's side or the passenger's side at or behind the "B pillar" separating the front and rear seats. Advertisement Advertisement "Stepping in front of, standing behind or attempting to grab a vehicle to stop it will always be a losing, possibly fatal proposition," warns former Minnesota police officer Duane Wolfe in a recent Police1 article. "You can dramatically cut down on your chance of being run over by doing everything in your power to avoid standing directly in front [of] or behind a vehicle." If an officer nevertheless finds himself in the path of a moving vehicle, the Justice Department says, he may fire his weapon only if there is "no other objectively reasonable means of defense," such as "moving out of the path of the vehicle." Video shows that Ross did in fact quickly move away from the front of Good's car. At that point, according to Noem, Ross had already been struck. "He was injured," she told Tapper. "He went to the hospital. He was treated." The bystander videos do not clearly show whether the car made contact with Ross, although they do show him walking around after the shooting, which suggests that whatever injury he may have suffered was not very serious. In any case, President Donald Trump was clearly exaggerating when he said Good "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over" Ross, adding that "it is hard to believe he is alive." Advertisement Advertisement Whether or not the car actually hit Ross, and regardless of how seriously he was injured, he reasonably perceived a danger while he remained in front of the vehicle (where he would not have been had he followed standard police practice). But it is not clear whether he was in the car's path when he fired the first shot, and he definitely was not when he fired the second and third shots. When Tapper asked Noem about the justification for the shots that Ross fired as the car passed him, she noted that Ross was making a "split-second" decision, adding that he "took action based on his training to protect himself and the public." But it is hard to see in what sense that is true, since shooting Good did not stop the car from moving. To the contrary, the SUV careened down the street without guidance, stopping only after it crashed into another car. If anything, Ross aggravated any threat the car may have posed by killing the person who was steering it. Last Thursday, Vance sought to illuminate Ross' state of mind by noting a June 2025 incident in which he was injured after pulling over Roberto Carlos Munoz, a Guatemalan who had been convicted of sexual abuse. "That very ICE officer nearly had his life ended, dragged by a car, six months ago," Vance told reporters. "You think maybe he's a little bit sensitive about someone ramming him with an automobile?" As Tapper noted in his interview with Noem, that explanation suggests the earlier experience "might have influenced" how Ross responded to Good. "There's no indication [of] that," Noem said, which makes you wonder why Vance thought the information was relevant. Advertisement Advertisement It does seem to be relevant in at least one respect. As The New York Times notes, Ross was dragged because of how he responded after Munoz refused to roll down his window and open his door. Ross "then pulled his Taser, shattered the rear driver's side window of Mr. Munoz's car and reached in with one arm to try to unlock a door," the Times reports. "At that point, Mr. Munoz shifted into drive and pulled away, dragging the agent." Ross was dragged for about 100 yards, suffering an arm injury that required 20 stitches. "I feared for my life," Ross recalled at the December trial that resulted in Munoz's conviction for assaulting a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. While that ordeal was surely traumatic, Ross could have avoided it if he had followed another basic precaution that police officers are supposed to take during traffic stops. "Never reach into the car," a Police1 article warns. "Officers who reach into the vehicle run the risk of being dragged or otherwise attacked." The agent who told Good to "get out of the fucking car" likewise ignored that advice. Given the direction in which Good was steering, it seems doubtful that she intentionally "weaponized her vehicle." Ross may nevertheless have reasonably believed he was in danger when the SUV began moving forward, although that does not necessarily justify his response, especially after he was no longer in the vehicle's path. And he could have avoided the rapid escalation of the encounter if he had taken basic precautions, which he seems to have a history of ignoring. Advertisement Advertisement "This investigation will continue to unfold," Noem told Tapper, "and more and more information will come [out]." Yet Noem has prejudged the outcome by asserting that Good deliberately tried to run Ross down, that Ross acted in self-defense, and that he followed his training. She was making such statements, which the president and the vice president echoed, within hours of the incident. If all the relevant facts were already known at that point, why bother with an investigation? The post The ICE Agent Who Killed Renee Good Disregarded Traffic Stop Guidelines appeared first on Reason.com. Anti-ICE protests continued throughout New Jersey over the weekend in response to Wednesdays fatal shooting in Minneapolis and led by opponents of a reported plan by the agency to open a detention center in the Republican-dominated Morris County suburb of Roxbury. This is not partisan and it is not political, said William Angus, lead coordinator of the No ICE North Jersey Alliance, or Project NINJA, which organized a rally Sunday morning at the Roxbury intersection of Routes 46 and 10. A crowd numbering well over 150 people at one point attended the rally, and Angus said opposition to the facility among residents of Roxbury and surrounding towns transcended political ideology. Advertisement Advertisement You can be a Republican and you can support ICE, but it doesnt mean you want a facility in Roxbury, Angus said. Mayor Shawn Potillo and all six of his colleagues on the township committee are fellow Republicans of President Donald Trump, who launched a widespread crackdown on undocumented immigrants the day he was sworn in almost a year ago. Spokespeople for ICE did not respond to requests for comment the Roxbury matter Sunday. The rally was the second one held in Roxbury following a Dec. 24, report in The Washington Post listing the township among two dozen locations around the country where the agency, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, intends to open detention centers in industrial buildings. Advertisement Advertisement A detention center in Roxbury would be New Jerseys third, along with facilities in Newark and Elizabeth, and its first suburban immigrant lockup. Angus said the rally was originally scheduled for Jan. 18 but was moved up a week following the fatal shooting Wednesday of Renee Nicole Good, 37, by an ICE officer. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three who lived in Minneapolis, was trying to run over the officer in an act of domestic terrorism when he shot her in her SUV. Critics of the shooting, however, have pointed to video footage of the shooting in asserting that Good was murdered by the officer. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the Roxbury rally, weekend events in response to the shooting were held throughout the state. In Mountainside, in Union County, a midday event on Sunday drew a crowd of 200 people, with no arrests or issues, Police Chief Giannuzzi said. The crowd was peaceful, Giannuzzi added. Elsewhere, protests were scheduled for Sunday in Woodbury in Gloucester County; Bellmawr in Camden County; Franklin Township in Somerset County; Jersey City in Hudson County; and Montclair, Clifton and Bloomfield in Essex County, among others. Opposition to the crackdown is particularly acute in Essex, where there is a large immigrant population and high-profile incidents at the Delaney Hall detention center and the Ocean Seafood Depot have drawn nationwide attention. Advertisement Advertisement A rally in downtown Newark drew 200 protestors on Thursday night, when there were also candlelight vigils outside the Delaney Hall, and on the Newton Green opposite the Sussex County courthouse. The popular protests are in addition to criticism of the shooting and resistance to the crackdown among New Jerseys elected officials. Gov. Phil Murphy, on Thursday labeled the shooting horrifying, deplorable, despicable, after state lawmakers earlier in the week advanced a package of bills that would limit cooperation with federal immigration officials. For the Roxbury Township Council, the first item of business on this Tuesday nights meeting agenda is a resolution, opposing the locating of a United States Immigration and customs enforcement processing or detention facility in warehouses within the township. Protestors at Sundays Roxbury rally held signs reading, No ICE in Morris and Justice for Renee, while chanting No hate, no fear / Immigrants are welcome here. Advertisement Advertisement Groups participating in the rally included Cosecha, a nationwide immigrants rights organization increasingly active in New Jersey. Morris County is a county that, when you are different, you feel it, said Jenny Garcia, a volunteer organizer with Cosecha. Morris was 65.7% white non-Hispanic, and 16.9% Hispanic as of 2024, according to Census estimates. It was even less diverse when Garcia, 30, was growing up in Jefferson Township, when she recalled riding in the family car two decades ago when her immigrant father was pulled over by a police officer. Go back to your country, Garcia said the officer told him. Advertisement Advertisement The irony was not lost on her that white Republicans are now among those leading the opposition to an ICE facility that would facilitate the detention and deportation of immigrants. The fact that we are fighting right now is a reckoning, she said. NJ Advance Media staff writer Rudy Miller contributed to this article. Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Idaho Gov. Brad Little delivers the 2026 State of the State Address from the House of Representatives chambers on Jan. 12, 2026, at the Idaho Capitol in Boise. (Photo by Pat Sutphin for the Idaho Capital Sun) Idaho Gov. Brad Little issued plans Monday to balance the state budget by cutting state programs and reducing Medicaid spending without repealing Medicaid expansion. Little kicked off the 2026 legislative session by delivering the annual State of the State address at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise and submitting budget recommendations to the Idaho Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement During the approximately 30-minute address, Little also called for conforming with the federal tax changes championed by President Donald Trump. Our plan uses a responsible mix of one-time and ongoing spending reductions to keep the budget structurally sound, Little said during the speech. Across state government, executive agencies will tighten their belts. Were renegotiating contracts to save money. Were reprioritizing initiatives. Were finding operational efficiencies, and we will make disciplined use of cash balances and interest earnings. All of this serves to limit the impact on Idahoans as we right-size government. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Governor: Idaho is well positioned to weather the revenue challenges ahead Heading into the 2026 legislative session, Idaho has faced revenue and budget shortfalls following five years worth of tax cuts approved by the Idaho Legislature that reduced state revenue by a cumulative total of $4 billion, according to the nonprofit Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy. Advertisement Advertisement The most recent state budget reports issued prior to the new legislative session projected Idaho would end the current fiscal year 2026 with a budget deficit of $40.3 million. For next year, fiscal year 2027, state officials said Idaho could need to come up with an additional $600 million to $1 billion for the state budget. To avoid a budget deficit, Little recommended a series of cuts, funding shifts, freezes and reversions. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US A combination of factors has shifted us from years of record budget surpluses driven by rapid population growth, business expansion, and one-time federal funds to a period ahead that demands restraint, Little said during Mondays speech. Thankfully, the way we have governed in recent years has positioned Idaho to weather the revenue challenges ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Little recommended several spending cuts and transfers, including: Removing $275 million in funding from the Idaho Transportation Departments strategic initiatives fund, including $110 million for local highway districts; Making the 3% budget cuts Little ordered last summer permanent, reducing spending by an estimated $120 million annually; Reducing funding for Medicaid expenses by $45 million by making the 4% reduction in Medicaid provider rates ongoing and reducing services by an additional $22 million. Removing $30 million in funding for empowering parents grants, a program the Idaho Legislature ended last year; Saving an estimated $20 million in personnel costs by taking back funding for more than 100 state positions that have been vacant for more than six months; Pulling back $10 million in funding for local drinking water and wastewater projects through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality; Saving $9.5 million by declining to fund the enrollment workload adjustment for Idaho colleges and universities in fiscal year 2027. Idaho governor recommends leaving Medicaid expansion in place Little did not recommend dipping into the states main savings account, the Budget Stabilization Fund, to balance the budget. Taken together, these actions position us to achieve a balanced budget in the coming years and maintain confidence in Idahos economic future, Little said during the speech. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the cuts, Little also recommended declining to provide raises for state employees in fiscal year 2027 and did not recommend any new money for the Idaho Department of Lands to fight wildfires on state lands. Folks, some of these budget decisions are tough, but we will emerge stronger in the long run because of them, Little said. This is what financial responsibility looks like planning ahead and living within our means. As Little delivered the speech, hundreds of Idahoans wearing red T-shirts that read Medicaid unites us filled the rotunda and the hallways at the Idaho State Capitol to voice support for preserving Medicaid. More than 60% of Idaho voters approved Medicaid expansion at the polls during the 2018 general election. As of December, Medicaid expansion provided health insurance to about 85,000 Idahoans who did not qualify for traditional Medicaid. Medicaid is one of the largest programs in the budget, but the federal government pays for 90% of the benefits while the state pays the remaining 10%. Advertisement Advertisement In December, the Idaho Legislatures DOGE Committee recommended repealing Medicaid expansion and House Speaker Mike Moyle, R-Star, said repealing Medicaid expansion is on the table this year. But Little did not recommend repealing Medicaid expansion. Instead, he presented Idaho legislators with options for trimming Medicaid funding without repealing Medicaid expansion. Of course, the health and wellbeing of our people is the key to achieve lasting success, Little said, referencing the name of his budget plan, Enduring Idaho . Thats why our Enduring Idaho plan safeguards access to healthcare, particularly in rural communities. We know the affordability and accessibility of healthcare tops the list of concerns for Idahoans right now. Littles budget officials said the 2027 state budget Little proposed Monday is driven largely by so-called maintenance of operations budgets that are merely intended to keep the lights on at state agencies. Overall, Littles budget officials said the fiscal year 2027 budget reduces state spending by 0.5% compared to the current state budget. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Israel Air Force struck and killed the terrorists, who were approaching troops from the 188th Brigade, according to the army's statement. The IDF killed four armed terrorists near the Yellow Line in southern Gaza on Monday after they approached troops and posed an immediate threat, the military stated that evening. The Israel Air Force reportedly struck and killed the terrorists, who were approaching troops from the 188th Brigade. Advertisement Advertisement "During searches conducted following their elimination, weapons and military equipment intended to gather intelligence on IDF troops' activity in the area were located on the terrorists," the IDF's statement added. The IDF also assured that the strike was done in accordance with the Gaza ceasefire, and followed a violation by the terrorists approaching troops. Smoke rises in an area within the Yellow Line boundary, marking IDF-controlled Gaza territory, in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip November 18, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Ramadan Abed) IDF unveils five-year plan for Israel's military Also on Monday, the IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir announced that the military is launching concrete initiatives to advance his five-year plan across a range of areas, from developing a defensive "beepers" system to integrating robots at scale to addressing space warfare and expanding the use of artificial intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement The plan is expected to begin implementation on April 1, but approximately 12 teams are already starting work to define their goals and tactics. In the near future, the various teams will present their plans in a seminar-style format to other parts of the IDF. Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report. IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin reiterated that Israel sees the Iranian protests as an internal matter, stressing Israel's readiness for any potential Iranian attack. IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin on Monday night doubled down on prior IDF statements that Israel has no intention of intervening in the Iranian protest situation, viewing them as an internal matter. Defrin seemed concerned about persistent rumors that the IDF would attack Iran due to the protests. Advertisement Advertisement He appeared to want to avoid Tehran attacking Israel simply because of imaginary worries. Rather, he said Israel is on heightened alert to respond to any potential Iranian surprises, but will not fire first at this time. This follows similar statements made yesterday by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, who affirmed his view that the wave of Iranian protests and crackdown by the regime is an internal Iranian matter that does not relate to Israel. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir seen on November 3, 2025 (credit: MOSHE SHAI/FLASH90) If Tehran attacks Israel, the IDF plans to strike back with immense power to ensure the country is safe and secure, Zamir warned. Israel closely following Iran's ballistic missile threat Beyond the ongoing Iranian protests, Israel's defense establishment continues to closely follow Iranian attempts to rebuild their ballistic missile threat against Israel. Advertisement Advertisement There is no expectation of the Islamic Republic reaching a red line more dangerous volume in the near future, but that situation could also change in the coming months if Iran acquires additional technological capabilities. Zamir held several regular situation update meetings regarding the developments in Iran. The IDF is maintaining its highest readiness should the Islamic Republic make good on threats to strike the Jewish state, and continues to work creatively to bring additional new capabilities to the table. It was a little chilly across Florida Monday morning, with temperatures dropping into the 20s and 30s in North Florida. Wait until later this week when a strong cold front will bring even colder temps to the Sunshine State. Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Will it get iguana-dropping cold? Possibly. Here's what we know so far. Strong cold front coming to Florida later this week While a cold front brought some relief from some record-high temperatures in some locations last week, even colder air is coming. Advertisement Advertisement "There will be a strong cold front moving across Florida later this week," said AccuWeather meteorologist Renee Duff via email Jan. 12. "Dry, chilly weather will follow the front late Thursday (Jan. 15) into Friday." Florida chill coming: How cold does it have to be for pipes to freeze? How long will temperatures drop? Duff said Florida residents can expect "low temperatures across the Florida Panhandle on Thursday night to dip into the 20s, with mid- to upper 30s expected down toward Orlando and Tampa. "Friday will be the coolest day across the state, with high temperatures in the 50s throughout the Panhandle and peninsula and lower 60s all the way down into South Florida, about 10 to 15 degrees below the historical average." Advertisement Advertisement By Saturday, temperatures will be a few degrees below average but 5 to 10 degrees warmer than Friday, Duff said. See NWS predicted low temperatures Thursday night, Jan. 15 Predicted low temperatures across Florida Jan. 15, 2026, ranged from 25-29 in North Florida to the mid to upper 40s in South Florida. Low temperatures predicted in Florida Thursday night, Jan. 15 ranged from 25 in Tallahassee to 45 in Miami. The extreme southern tip of Florida and the Keys could see temperatures in the low to mid 50s, although Key West could be boasting a high of 56. Could next cold front cause iguanas to drop from trees in Florida? Green iguanas occur throughout much of the southern half of Florida but are most common near the coast. While temperatures across North Florida definitely would get cold enough to cause iguanas to fall if they're up a tree or on your roof, they prefer more southern habitats, especially along the coast. Northern portions of the state, where freeze warnings are in effect, lie mostly outside the reptiles natural range. Advertisement Advertisement But it's possible we could see some falling iguanas with the cold front coming later this week, especially along Florida's west coast and parts of Central Florida. Iguanas, an invasive species, thrive in Florida's warm climate, and they like to sleep in trees, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Their populations stretch along the Atlantic Coast in Broward, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties and along the Gulf Coast in Collier and Lee counties. When temperatures hit the 40s, iguanas slow down or become immobilized. They stiffen up and lose their grip on branches. Advertisement Advertisement So if temperatures do drop between 40 and 50 degrees where Florida's iguanas live, some of the reptiles might fall from trees or other high perches. Don't pick up iguanas that look frozen. They're not dead When temperatures hit the 40s, iguanas stiffen up and lose their grip on branches. The effect is only temporary. Once they warm back up, and you've picked them up, they may feel threatened and bite. How cold could it get in Pensacola, Florida? Cold temperatures are expected over the next seven days, the National Weather Service Mobile said. Monday night, along with several nights late this week and into next weekend, will feature sub-freezing temperatures across much of the area. "Thursday looks to be the coldest day of the week, with highs in the mid to upper 40s and lows crashing into the low to mid 20s, with upper 20s along the coast." Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, Jan. 15: High 49; low 31 Friday, Jan. 16: High 55; low 42 How cold could it get in Tallahassee, Florida? Temperatures expected across North Florida the week of Jan. 12, 2026. "A chilly week lies ahead with several instances of below average temperatures. Friday morning will be the coldest this week with a medium to high chance (50-80 percent) of an inland hard freeze," according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee. Thursday, Jan. 15: High 49; low 26 Friday, Jan. 16: High 53; low 34 How cold could it get in Jacksonville, Florida? Expected low temperatures in Northeast Florida the week of Jan. 12, 2026. Expect numerous freeze events through the weekend, with below-normal temperatures expected Thursday, according to the National Weather Service Jacksonville. Thursday, Jan. 15: High 55; low 29 Friday, Jan. 16: High 53; low 36 How cold could it get in Daytona Beach, Florida? "The combined northwest breeze, clear sky conditions, and cold continental airmass will send temperatures plummeting into the 30s for most by Friday morning," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne. Advertisement Advertisement "Wind chill values in the mid to upper 20s are forecast Friday morning as well, solidly reaching cold weather advisory criteria for 80% or more of East Central Florida. "Portions of northern Lake and Volusia counties may reach the upper 20s/low 30s (below freezing)." Thursday, Jan. 15: High 60; low 34 Friday, Jan. 16: High 56; low 40 How cold could it get in Melbourne, Florida? "The combined northwest breeze, clear sky conditions, and cold continental airmass will send temperatures plummeting into the 30s for most by Friday morning," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne. Friday's highs ranging from the mid 50s in the northern portion of NWS Melbourne's coverage area, which includes Brevard County. Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, Jan. 15: High 66; low 38 Friday, Jan. 16: High 60; low 45 How cold could it get in Port St. Lucie, Florida? "The combined northwest breeze, clear sky conditions, and cold continental airmass will send temperatures plummeting into the 30s for most by Friday morning," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne. Friday's highs ranging from the mid 50s in the northern portion of NWS Melbourne's coverage area to the low 60s in the southern region, which includes the Treasure Coast. Thursday, Jan. 15: High 70; low 36 Friday, Jan. 16: High 62; low 42 How cold could it get in West Palm Beach, Florida? "The cold front could drop temps late Thursday night into the 30s and 40s across the region," according to the National Weather Service Miami. "High temperatures across the region on Friday may not reach 70 due to this colder air." Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, Jan. 15: High 72; low 47 Friday, Jan. 16: High 63; low 56 How cold could it get in Miami, Florida? "The cold front could drop temps late Thursday night into the 30s and 40s across the region," according to the National Weather Service Miami. "High temperatures across the region on Friday may not reach 70 due to this colder air." Thursday, Jan. 15: High 76; low 49 Friday, Jan. 16: High 65; low 57 How cold could it get in Naples, Florida? "The cold front could drop temps late Thursday night into the 30s and 40s across the region," according to the National Weather Service Miami. "High temperatures across the region on Friday may not reach 70 due to this colder air." Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, Jan. 15: High 72; low 44 Friday, Jan. 16: High 63; low 47 How cold could it get in Fort Myers, Florida? "By Friday morning we will be seeing at or below freezing temperatures north of I-4, with mid to upper 30's everywhere else," according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay. "Highs on Friday with be staying in the 50s for most of us." Thursday, Jan. 15: High 68; low 37 Friday, Jan. 16: High 61; low 42 How cold could it get in Sarasota, Florida? A cold front is sending temperatures down across Southwest Florida the week of Jan. 12, 2026. "By Friday morning we will be seeing at or below freezing temperatures north of I-4, with mid to upper 30's everywhere else," according to the National Weather Service Tampa Bay. "Highs on Friday with be staying in the 50s for most of us." Thursday, Jan. 15: High 65; low 42 Friday, Jan. 16: High 57; low 46 How cold could it get in Orlando, Florida? "The combined northwest breeze, clear sky conditions, and cold continental airmass will send temperatures plummeting into the 30s for most by Friday morning," according to the National Weather Service Melbourne. Friday's highs ranging from the mid 50s in the northern portion of NWS Melbourne's coverage area, which includes Daytona Beach and Orlando. Thursday, Jan. 15: High 61; low 34 Friday, Jan. 16: High 58 ; low 38 Will Florida get any snow with this latest cold front? Don't count on the cold front later this week bringing any snow with it, and especially northing to rival the snow parts of Florida got in January 2025. "Chances for snow are very, very low; 5% if that, in North Florida," according to meteorologist Cameron Young with the National Weather Service Tallahassee, via phone Jan. 12. "There's always a battle with cold fronts this time of year on having enough moisture when the cold air arrives." "It's not impossible but right now models are saying all the moisture will leave by the time the cold air arrives," Jason Hess, meteorologist, with the National Weather Service Jacksonville, said. Historic snowstorm hit Florida in January 2025 A historic snowstorm hit Florida Jan. 21-22, 2025, breaking snowfall records along the northern Gulf Coast. The storm closed Interstate 10 from the Alabama/Florida state line to U.S. 90 (exit 192) just west of Tallahassee, a distance of almost 200 miles, and prompted a state of emergency to be issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis. "Pensacola shattered its previous two-day snowfall record with an incredible 8.9 inches of measured snow," the National Weather Service said. "This far surpassed the prior two-day record of 3.0 inches of snow, set during the February Snowstorm of 1895." Pensacola residents saw the temperature drop to 13 degrees on Jan. 22, breaking its daily low temperature record." What weather watches, warnings are in effect in Florida right now? Frost? Freeze? Cold weather advisory? What do they mean? Brush up on cold-weather terms National Weather Service offices in Florida have slightly different criteria for the different types of cold weather watches, warnings and advisories. Here is an explanation of the types and when they're issued in North Florida, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee. What is a frost advisory? A frost advisory is issued in North Florida up to 24 hours when temperature is forecast to be between 32 and 36 degrees on nights with calm winds when surface relative humidity is expected to approach or reach 100%, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee. What is a freeze watch? A freeze watch is issued when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24-36 hours. What is a freeze warning? A freeze warning is issued when significant, widespread freezing temperatures are expected. A freeze watch or warning is issued in Florida 24 to 48 hours in advance when temperatures are expected to hit 32 degrees or lower for at least two hours, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee. What is a cold weather advisory? A cold weather advisory is issued in Florida up to 24 hours ahead of when temperatures or wind chills of 15 to 24 degrees are expected, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee. What is an extreme cold watch or warning? An extreme cold watch or warning is issued for temperatures or wind chills below 15 degrees, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee. Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at tallahassee.com/newsletters. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida weather forecast predicting strong cold front later this week WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Illinois sued Republican U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Monday, with the state's Democratic governor JB Pritzker saying the lawsuit was filed over the Department of Homeland Security's "dangerous use of force." "Though Defendants describe this assault as 'immigration enforcement,' the reality is that uniformed, military-trained personnel, carrying semi-automatic firearms and military-grade weaponry, have rampaged for months through Chicago and surrounding areas, lawlessly stopping, interrogating, and arresting residents, and attacking them with chemical weapons," the lawsuit said. The filing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois accused the Trump administration of "causing turmoil and imposing a climate of fear" in the state. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward in Washington) A video of a group a community members confronting ICE agents in St. Cloud has gained widespread attention on social media after the agents allegedly followed a woman into the parking lot of a Somali shopping center. The clash between the agents and the group appeared to happen outside Waamo Cafe, which is located on the 3400 block of 3rd Street North. Numerous videos of the encounter, including one posted by Facebook user Khadar Omar Mohamed, have gone viral. "Get out. You're not supposed to be here," a man says as a large group shouts in the background. "You're not welcome, the man filming appears to say. Advertisement Advertisement A woman at the scene told St. Cloud LIVE that there were "40 or 50 members of what looked like the Somali community" who were "screaming at them to leave." A few moments passed, and the agents left. A woman at the scene told St. Cloud LIVE that there were "40 or 50 members of what looked like the Somali community" who were "screaming at them to leave." A few moments passed, and the agents left. Here's another angle of the incident: ICE agents returned to St. Cloud, Minnesota, to harass and target Somali businesses, but they did not expect to face this level of resistance from Somali Americans exercising their rights. pic.twitter.com/0vyE4buaHx OgadenSoldier (@OgadenSoldier) January 10, 2026 St. Cloud LIVE reports that citys police department confirmed one of its officers made contact with a federal agent, but the city did not have any notifications, directives, or coordination requests about federal immigration activity in the region. Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Rep. Dan Wolgamott, who represents St. Cloud in the state House, took to Facebook to address credible witnessed activity" of ICE agents in the city. These are difficult and disturbing times, but the people of St. Cloud know how to come together, support each other, and persevere, Wolgamott wrote. ICE will never break our spirit. We are unified, we will protect one another, and we will come out of this stronger than ever. This story was originally published by Bring Me The News on Jan 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN News section. Add Bring Me The News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. Russia has been accused of strapping a landmine to an African mercenarys chest and ordering him to run through no mans land as a human bomb to target Ukrainian fortifications. Widely shared video purporting to show preparation for the attack shows the black mercenary being marched through a trench at gunpoint and being ordered to storm Ukrainian positions. A Russian uses racist insults, telling the recruit he is being used as a can opener to blow himself up to open an enemy bunker. Advertisement Advertisement The video emerged as Ukraines ambassador to South Africa told The Telegraph that Russia was using Africans as meat for the meat grinder by tricking them into joining the war in Ukraine. Thousands of Africans are thought to have been lured to the front lines, either under false pretences or with promises of hefty salaries, in a Moscow operation to replace heavy casualties in its own ranks. Another video, published on Sunday, allegedly shows a group of new African mercenaries in a snow-covered forest singing songs in their own language. The Russian soldier filming says: Look how many disposables there are. Laughing at the upbeat troops, he adds that they will be singing differently once they are deployed to the front. Credit: Exilenova+ Advertisement Advertisement Olexander Scherba, the Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa, told The Telegraph that a recent scandal, in which members of a South African political party with close ties to Moscow had been forced into combat, showed the Kremlin did not care about its allies. In an interview at the Ukrainian embassy in Pretoria, Mr Scherba said: There might be all kinds of charm offensives on the African continent, but once an African person comes to this war, they just become meat for the meat grinder. Mr Scherba added that the scandal showed Russia looks at Africa through imperial eyes. Several African countries have recently warned against scams promising work and study opportunities in Russia that instead sent applicants to fight and die. Olexander Scherba, the Ukrainian ambassador to South Africa, has described how Russia is tricking Africans into joining the war on Ukraine South Africa has been captivated by the case of 17 men allegedly lured to Russia for bodyguard training by Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of its disgraced former president, Jacob Zuma. Advertisement Advertisement The men told reporters they thought they would then return to work in the protection unit of Mr Zumas Mkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party. Instead, they were made to sign army contracts, sent to the front line and still remain there, despite the former president, who has close relations with Russia, pleading for Moscow to help them. Ms Zuma-Sambudla insists that she thought the men were only undergoing non-combat paramilitary training. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, with her father Jacob, insisted she had been deceived by Russia and never intended to recruit anyone for combat - Darren Stewart/Gallo via Getty The 43-year-old, who is an MP with her fathers party and has frequently spoken in support of Vladimir Putin, said she had been deceived and never intended to recruit anyone for combat or mercenary activity. Advertisement Advertisement A letter purporting to be from Mr Zuma to Andrey Belousov, Russias defence minister, alleged the men had been misled and had signed contracts under patently misleading circumstances. There is no suggestion that Mr Zuma was aware of, or involved in, any attempt to mislead the men. Russian prisoners of war file through a detention centre in Lviv. Increasing numbers of African recruits are ending up in such facilities - Nadia Karpova/Frontliner/Getty Mr Scherba said: The whole saga about Zumas family members, if the saga is true and it looks like that, is just evidence of how Russia in the end does not value Africans. Even those who are dedicated to Russia, even those who love Russia, in the end they still can wind up just as meat in the meat grinder. While poor Russians make up the majority of Putins forces, Ukraine has estimated as many as 1,400 Africans are serving on the front lines. Hundreds of others are thought to have died. Advertisement Advertisement Some African recruits are thought to have known what they were getting into, while others were tricked with offers of jobs and scholarships. Fighting for a foreign army is illegal under South African law. This year, Nairobi began investigating the trafficking of Kenyans to fight, after Ukrainian troops captured Evans Kibet, a long-distance runner who said he had been misled into going to Russia for an exhibition race. Evans Kibet is one of an estimated 1,400 African citizens recruited by the Russian army - www.dw.com The Kenyan government has now found at least 82 citizens caught up in the Ukraine war. In a video released this week by the Ukrainian military, a Ugandan prisoner of war called Richard Akantoran said he had taken out a bank loan to travel to Russia after being promised a job in a supermarket. Advertisement Advertisement Another typical story is the case of Richard Kanu, who served in Sierra Leones military for more than 10 years, before looking for work in St Petersburg. He said he applied for a job by signing some Russian-language paperwork, but did not realise he had signed a contract to join the Russian army until he arrived at a base in Rostov-on-Don, just outside Ukraine. He is now a prisoner of war. Jean Onana, from Cameroon, told Ukrainian interrogators he travelled to Russia for a job in a shampoo factory. He had barely arrived in Moscow when he was detained along with 10 others from Cameroon, Zimbabwe and Ghana, and made to serve on the front line. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Scherba also warned anyone swayed by offers of a hefty pay packet that they were unlikely to see any money. He said there were so many ways for Russians to trick you out of your money and said life expectancy on the front line for new recruits was often only about 72 hours. Two Ukrainian soldiers run under fire in the Donetsk region. Africans are unwittingly joining the Russian army - Libkos/Getty He said: Just imagine how short the life expectancy for Africans is, because they care about foreigners much less than they care about their own citizens. Even if you survive this and even if there is any money at the end of it, it wont be righteous money, you will be fighting on the side of the aggressor, on the side of a colonial power. Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has been trying to grow its diplomatic clout in Africa but is running up against decades of skilful Russian influence-building. At the start of Putins invasion, many nations on the continent refused to condemn the aggression, or vote against Russia in the United Nations. Mr Scherba said that was because few in Africa had expected Ukraine to survive. He said: The whole world, not only Africa, thought that Ukraine didnt stand a chance. The plan that the Russians had was to take Kyiv in three days and all of Ukraine within 15 days. Many on the continent thought the world was on the verge of a new Cold War and wanted to open doors to both sides, so did not want to condemn Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Scherba said Russian popularity on the continent was not as much Russias strength as the Wests weakness. The global wave of anti-Americanism and anti-Western mood is very much present on this continent, he said. Its part of reality and Russia is using this sentiment that blames the West and somehow tends to see Russia as innocent no matter what happens. 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. Indonesia and Malaysia have become the first two countries to block Elon Musks Grok over the AI tools ability to produce non-consensual sexualised images of people. The Grok chatbot, which is developed by Mr Musks xAI and accessible through his social media platform X, has been used to produce thousands of images of real people in states of undress, including children. The South East Asian countries announced the bans over the weekend, while officials in the UK, Europe, Australia, Canada and India are also considering action. Advertisement Advertisement Indonesias communication and digital affairs minister Meutya Hafid said in a statement that the ban is to protect women, children and the broader public from the risks of fake pornographic content generated using artificial intelligence technology. Malaysian officials told local media that the ban follows the repeated misuse of Grok to generate obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive, and non-consensual manipulated images, including content involving women and minors. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said it had issued notices to X and xAI earlier this month calling for more effective safeguards against users creating sexualised images of real people. The Independent contacted xAI for comment and received a three-word automated response: Legacy media lies. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Musk launched Grok in 2023, pitching it as an edgy alternative to politically correct AI chatbots like OpenAIs ChatGPT. The AI tool caused controversy last summer after an update saw it praise Adolf Hitler and endorse a second Holocaust. A subsequent update aimed to address the issue of extremist content, however the addition of a spicy mode just weeks later allowed it to generate adult content. UK regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into X over potential breaches of the Online Safety Act. UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said in a statement on Friday: I would remind xAI that the Online Safety Act Includes the power to block services from being accessed in the UK, if they refuse to comply with UK law. If Ofcom decide to use those powers they will have our full support... We are in the coming weeks bringing in to force powers to criminalise the creation of intimate images without consent. Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version of this story misstated the date IndyStar reported news of the Marion County grand jury investigation. Mayor Joe Hogsett's decision to elevate Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Chief Chris Bailey to the mayor's office as his next No. 2 set off a collective "huh?!" across the city. That mild surprise coming from Hogsett's supporters and detractors alike as well as Bailey himself, who said he didn't expect to be tapped for the chief of staff role quickly turned to optimism. Advertisement Advertisement After Black Onyx Management CEO Marshawn Wolley digested the news, he called it an "inspired choice." City-County Council President Maggie Lewis said she "thinks the world of Bailey" but didn't have it on her "bingo card." Even Republican City-County councilors, including Joshua Bain, who has called for Hogsett's resignation, praised Bailey's "amazing leadership qualities." Several community leaders said the move appeared to signal Hogsett doubling down on public safety and quality of life issues in what many expect to be his last two years as mayor of Indianapolis. Hogsett, a former U.S. attorney, has made public safety a key piece of his political agenda. "[Bailey] brings a public safety mentality to it and I would imagine that's something clearly the mayor wanted," said the Rev. David Greene, senior pastor of Purpose of Life Ministries and president of the Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis. "I guess my hope is that in this role Bailey can bring a broader, more holistic approach to public safety." Advertisement Advertisement While it's somewhat unusual to see police chiefs be tapped for more political roles, Chuck Wexler, a national expert on police reform who knows Bailey personally and called him "terrific," said there are some notable recent examples of it working out. The mayors of Fresno, Calif., and Tampa, Fla., for example, are former police chiefs. And a former New Orleans police chief recently became the city's new deputy mayor. "All of this says to me that the mayor saw something in how Chris was running the police department, that ability to get things done and hold people accountable," said Wexler, who serves as executive director of Washington, D.C. based think tank Police Executive Research Forum. More: How IMPD Chief Chris Bailey will center public safety as Hogsett's new chief of staff Advertisement Advertisement While an asset, Lewis said Bailey's public-safety heavy background means that it will be imperative for him and the mayor to clearly articulate a well-rounded strategy and vision for the next two years. "I look forward to hearing directly what is his vision for this position and how do we collectively move the city foward," Lewis said. "I don't know his perspective on economic development, on infrastructure. I just never tapped into that part of Chris Bailey." Bailey, in an interview with IndyStar, said his public safety background suits him well to deal with the range of issues he'll face. "Everything that we do as a government revolves around public safety to start," he told IndyStar. "If you don't feel safe in your neighborhood, if you don't feel like a city is safe, then you don't come here. You don't visit here. You don't live here. You don't raise your family here. You don't invest your money here." Advertisement Advertisement More: Indianapolis violent crime in 2025 ticked down, police data shows Democratic councilor Jared Evans said hiring Bailey is a sign that the mayor is looking to build on his legacy over the next two years, in what is widely considered to be his last term unless he runs for a rare fourth term. "I think this hire signifies that he's serious about finishing out his term rather than coasting," Evans said. "He's still got unfinished business." Meanwhile, some said they thought the timing of the announcement made days after IndyStar reported a Marion County Grand Jury was investigating deals involving Hogsett's former embattled chief of staff Thomas Cook was pointed. Advertisement Advertisement "We got a grand jury out about former members of the administration and I can imagine that most people wouldn't want to work in that environment," said Keith "Wildstyle" Paschall, a frequent critic of the mayor. "Now you just hire a cop to do the job. I mean, that's a statement." Indianapolis police chief Chris Bailey speaks Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at the City-County Building about taking over as Mayor Joe Hogsett's chief deputy mayor and chief of staff. From patrol officer to the 25th floor Bailey's hire brings an important perspective two decades of law enforcement experience, including time as a patrol officer to an influential job, several community members told IndyStar. "He would be fully aware of underinvested neighborhoods and communities, and he could use his role as chief of staff (to) influence the mayor to bring in more resources to those underinvested communities," Greene said. "Hes probably been to a lot of [crime] scenes, and I would think hes a lot closer to that than the mayor would be. He could speak to whats lacking in these communities and neighborhoods, some of these underlying conditions that drive the crime. In the Crown Hill neighborhood, Danita Hoskin recalled Bailey's time as IMPD commander for the north district, saying he was "truly deserving" of being elevated to the mayor's office. Advertisement Advertisement "Chris Bailey has always been accessible, supportive and engaged with the residents of the Crown Hill neighborhood community," Hoskin said. Paschall said while he's had concerns with IMPD's conduct, including regarding police-involved shootings, he said Bailey's experience will equip him well to understand the dire consequences of things like the lack of affordable housing. "It's Bailey's officers who have to go clean up bodies out of public housing after people have been begging for security and begging for changes... Hopefully he sees the value in those things." Evans said Bailey has been the city's best example in recent years of a transparent and communicative police chief. But he recognized some will be inherently skeptical about the hire. Advertisement Advertisement "I love that he's an Indianapolis kid," Evans said. "He has a real passion for the city to be better. It really matters to him. That said, it will come with a lot of scrutiny, with concerns from the public (along with) people who have a mistrust for law enforcement right now. We're going to have to work through these issues." A difficult role at a difficult time Bailey will be the fourth person to serve as chief of staff under Hogsett, whose first chief of staff Thomas Cook has been the subject of intense scrutiny over the past year and a half. Economic development deals involving Cook are now the subject of investigation by a Marion County Grand Jury, along with allegations of unlawful touching and communication. In a 2024 IndyStar article, three former subordinates of Cook Lauren Roberts Caroline Ellert, and a third anonymous woman accused him of sexual misconduct and abuse of power. The allegations included sexual assault and harassment. Cook later apologized for "relationships that violated a trust placed in me." Advertisement Advertisement The mayor's overall handling of issues with Cook both related to economic development deals he profited from after leaving the city and the harassment allegations has been heavily scrutinized by the Indianapolis City-County Council, wherein five of the 25 members, including Democrats, have called for him to resign. More: Hogsett ignored Thomas Cook's secret relationship as money flowed to developers Former chief of staff Dan Parker, a former Indiana Democratic Party chair, spent considerable time navigating the fallout over those issues during the last year and a half before leaving the role in December. Several councilors said Bailey has the right character to take over that job. Advertisement Advertisement "I think Chris Bailey brings calm to the conversation," Lewis said. "He brings respect to the conversation. So while there's been a lot of things happening and lots of moving parts ... he's going to help level-set things." Evans said simply: "It's good we've got an adult in that position, that's always been one of the problems." Bain, who has called for Hogsett's resignation, said "when you look at what I would say are some things the administration has been lacking, you look at the charges against them, all these investigations, I applaud seeing someone with integrity being asked to serve in a role like that." Can Bailey repair relationships? Some suggested Bailey's new role as chief of staff could even improve the currently icy relationships between the mayor's office and some in the community, including on the council. "I think he's a good person," Lewis said of Bailey. "He's stressed the importance of working together and building a strong partnership. Setting that kind of tone, I think will really help when it comes to working with (the) 25(th floor)." Democratic councilor John Barth, who said he's "seen a lot of chiefs come and go" over the years, said he's hopeful that Bailey will emulate the style of former Republican Mayor Greg Ballard's chief of staff Chris Cotterill, who he said was always thoughtful in listening to and engaging other points of view. Barth said Hogsett's most recent chief of staff, Parker, "played the political side of the equation very hard and pushed buttons to achieve the goals he and the mayor had." Parker didn't immediately respond to IndyStar's request for comment. "My experience with Chief Bailey is that he will take a more collaborative approach," Barth said. "He has such a willingness to engage and that is something really positive to bring to this role." Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com or follow her on X @hayleighcolombo. Contact city government reporter Jordan Smith at jtsmith@usatodayco.com or follow him on X @jordantsmith09. Contact public safety reporter Jade Jackson at jade.jackson@indystar.com or follow her on X @iamjadejackson. Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why Indy leaders say they're surprised by Hogsett's chief deputy choice Law enforcement cooperation forges new path for regional security Global Times) 09:31, January 12, 2026 Illustration: Chen Xia/GT On January 10, China's Ministry of Public Security criminal investigation bureau publicly released close-up footage of four major telecom fraud kingpins being escorted back to China for the first time. Since the launch of specialized operations against Myanmar-based telecom fraud in October 2023, criminal syndicates known as the "Four Major Families" in Kokang, northern Myanmar, have been dismantled. Ringleaders have been repatriated, and all related cases have entered judicial proceedings. The release of this footage signals more than just domestic resolve against fraud. It raises a question worth contemplating: When transnational crime becomes a shared challenge among neighboring countries, how can pragmatic law enforcement cooperation transcend traditional security dilemmas and open new possibilities for regional governance? This cross-border crackdown on telecom fraud carries significance far beyond ordinary criminal investigation. Over 7,600 Chinese nationals suspected of telecom fraud have been repatriated from Myawaddy and other locations. A trilateral coordination mechanism among China, Myanmar and Thailand continues to function. Law enforcement agencies from six Mekong countries have jointly signed agreements to combat telecom fraud. Behind these concrete actions lies the emergence of a new paradigm for regional security cooperation. The core value of this paradigm lies in its "problem-driven" rather than "camp-based" approach. Transnational crimes - such as telecom fraud, human trafficking, and drug smuggling - recognize no borders or political systems. They directly threaten the lives and property of citizens across all countries. Southeast Asia has long grappled with structural challenges: geopolitical complexity, weak trust foundations among nations and high sensitivities around sovereignty. Traditional security cooperation, often built on ideological differences, great-power competition and historical grievances, struggled to achieve substantive breakthroughs. Facing such common threats, nations share a straightforward yet solid motivation for cooperation: protecting their own citizens and maintaining social stability. This pragmatic orientation, rooted in real needs, enables parties to set aside differences, focus on action and achieve breakthroughs in the relatively sensitive domain of law enforcement. This cooperation demonstrates a viable path from "trust deficit" to "strategic trust." Cross-border law enforcement involves highly sensitive issues: jurisdictional sovereignty, judicial independence and intelligence sharing. Unilateral action by any party could trigger diplomatic friction. Through institutionalized platforms such as the Lancang-Mekong ministerial meeting on law enforcement and security cooperation, parties have gradually established comprehensive chains - from information exchange and joint operations to personnel transfer and judicial assistance - while respecting each other's sovereignty and legal systems. This trust accumulation is incremental, concrete, and verifiable. It relies not on grand narratives but on successive instances of successful cooperation. Transnational crime not only directly endangers public safety but also erodes business credibility, disrupts investment climates and undermines trade order. Successful law enforcement cooperation does more than combat crime - it clears obstacles to regional economic integration, provides investors with predictable security assurances and creates environments where people can live in peace of mind and engage in cross-border exchanges. This security-development interaction proves far more sustainable than economic concessions or political gestures alone. Deepening this cooperation demands long-term strategic resolve and political wisdom. It requires all participants to genuinely uphold the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, while avoiding the instrumentalization or politicization of law enforcement cooperation. China will adopt an increasingly open and inclusive posture, providing more public goods for the region while respecting each country's strategic autonomy and development path choices. It also appeals to neighboring countries to adopt a more pragmatic stance, placing their citizens' security and well-being above geopolitical calculations, and to jointly resist attempts to turn regional cooperation into bloc confrontation. From a broader perspective, the positive interaction between law enforcement and economic cooperation is reshaping the internal logic of regional integration. The deepening of frameworks such as the Lancang-Mekong Economic Development Belt, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Area all require stable security environments as foundations. In an increasingly interdependent world, no country can remain unaffected in isolation, nor can any threat be eliminated through unilateral action. Only by resolving geopolitical competition through pragmatic cooperation and promoting common development through shared security, can we forge a viable path toward lasting peace and universal prosperity for our neighborhood and the wider world. (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) An Atlanta man is demanding answers after three inmates, including his brother, were killed as fights broke out inside Washington State Prison in central Georgia. Three inmates were killed, and at least 13 others were injured when fights broke out inside the Washington State Prison in central Georgia on Sunday. Two of those killed have been identified as Jimmy Trammell, 42, and Ahmod Hatcher, 23. Trammell was set to complete his 10-year sentence for felony burglary charges and be released from custody on Wednesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] He did 10 years in this prison, and he didnt make it home, Trammells brother, Aquinas, told Channel 2s Candace McCowan during Channel 2 Action News at 4:00. I was going to pick him up from the bus station, but I didnt get that chance." Advertisement Advertisement According to Aquinas, Trammell was killed on Sunday as fights broke out in the Washington State Prison in a disturbance that the Department of Corrections said is believed to be gang-affiliated. An altercation on the sidewalk among several inmates began at 1:25 p.m. Sunday. By 3 p.m., they report the incident was under control. The prison remains on lockdown. Aquinas got the call from the warden in the early hours of Monday morning. She just said he was involved in an altercation and he lost his life, he said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement He said hes heartbroken and angry about his brothers death. Im real angry, Im holding back my tears right now. I want to cuss. I want somebody to cuss because I dont have anyone to cuss out about this but Washington State Prison, said Aquinas. For Aquinas and Trammell, the past 10 years have been rough. They lost both parents and two siblings. But Trammells release was a chance at a second life and the turning of a new leaf. He talked about proving to me a better side of him than what I know, and that took him away from me, said Aquinas. Instead of a reunion, Aquinas is left with anger and confusion. Advertisement Advertisement The reason why hes dead is because they had a lack of security to protect him, having three days left in prison. He shouldnt have been in there, and I need some type of answers, he said. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A candlelight vigil at the University of Iowa Pentacrest brought out more than 100 people in honor of the late Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis. The event, which started at 6:30 p.m. and followed a protest and march, was organized by a group of people who said they were family members of Becca Good, the wife of Renee Nicole Macklin Good. Renee Nicole Good was killed during an immigration enforcement action in the Twin Cities, a day after hundreds of Homeland Security agents deployed to the area. Advertisement Advertisement Thank you so much for the love and support. We are gathered here today to honor and remember Renee Nicole Good tonight," a person who claimed they were a relative of Becca Good said on the Pentacrest. "We will light our candles as a community gathered together to show there is still love, hope, and good. We are not here for politics, and we are not here for the lies; we are here to honor her name, Renee Nicole Macklin Good. Let these candles be the light in the dark. The relative would not say how they were related to Becca Good and refused to identify themselves to the Press-Citizen. Organizers of a vigil to honor Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a woman shot by ICE in Minneapolis earlier this week, link arms as "Lean on Me" plays Jan. 11, 2026 at the Pentecrest in Iowa City, Iowa. Members of the Good family helped organize the event, though they would not identify themselves. The roughly 45-minute ceremony was filled with moments of silence, prayer, song, poetry, and remembrance. Another unidentified relative read Becca Goods statement she shared with Minnesota Public Radio. Advertisement Advertisement More: Watch residents march through Iowa City during ICE protest Becca Good described her wife as kind above all else, "In fact, kindness radiated out of her," the statement said. We thank you for the privacy you are granting our family as we grieve," the statement continued. "We thank you for ensuring that Renees legacy is one of kindness and love." In typical Iowa City fashion, the family member finished reading the statement by saying, Go Hawks." The vigil organizers did not say how Becca Good is tied to Iowa City. Becca Good allegedly spoke with ICE officer moments before her wife was shot Becca Good is allegedly front and center in a video filmed by the ICE officer who shot Renee Good. The woman who is believed to be Renee Good's wife is seen walking around the vehicle and speaking with the agent before Renee Good tries to drive off. She was shot moments later before Becca Good could get into the vehicle. Someone can be heard using an aggressive, derogatory term a few seconds later. Mourners gather for a vigil to honor Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a woman shot by ICE in Minneapolis earlier this week, Jan. 11, 2026 at the Pentecrest in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa City residents hold protest to decry ICE presence More than 500 people marched from the Pentacrest to the Ped Mall a few hours before Sunday's vigil to protest ICEs presence in communities like Minnesota and Iowa. The event was organized by Indivisible Iowa, a member of the national progressive grassroots organization, which is tasked with hosting demonstrations. Advertisement Advertisement Local signs with phrases like ICE Out For Good, and I like my ICE Crushed, and American flags waved in the wind. Iowa City mayor Bruce Teague, Iowa City City Councillor Mazahir Salih, Iowa State Representative Elinor Levin, Reverend Noar Boerner, Human rights scholar Hope Metcalf, and University of Iowa professor Lisa Heineman addressed the crowd. Indivisible organizer and local advocate Sue Thompson, a Minnesotan native who lives in Iowa City, was the rally's first speaker. She said strength comes from standing together and encouraging protestors to see the goodness in the world, just as Renee Good would. More: A jail, new electoral process and rezoning. Iowa City stories to watch Iowa City residents gathered Sunday, Jan. 11, at the Pentacrest for a protest in response to an ICE agent killing a Minnesota woman. The crowd marched its way to the Ped Mall for speeches. More: These 3 Iowa City businesses are planning to close. What to know Advertisement Advertisement I believe in the good in all people. That's why we're all here," Thompson said. "Renee was murdered in cold blood while exercising her constitutional rights to observe and protect the neighbors." Thompson said she was familiar with the neighborhood where Renee Good was killed, acknowledging her role as a mother. We're just trying to do good in the world, and yet her life was taken for no reason," Thompson said. "She was a mom and protector, with an amazing spirit. So this hits so hard for all of us, that's why we continue fighting in honor, standing here together for good, just like Renee Nicole Macklin Good. Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_ This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City hosts vigil for Renee Good following protest of ICE Federal data says Iowa's food insecurity rates are below the national average despite the state seeing an uptick in the number of people facing hunger in recent years. In the 2024 Household Food Security Report, Iowa was listed among 28 states that saw "statistically significant increases" in the prevalence of food insecurity in households. Nearly 11% of Iowa households were food insecure from 2022 to 2024 a 57% increase from the 7% reported over the 2019-2021 period, the report said. The national food insecurity rate was 13.7%, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement The prevalence of "very low food security" in households across those 28 states including Iowa also rose over the same period. That meant households struggled at points to buy food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which released the report. Some family members may regularly skip meals or eat less. From 2022-2024, about 4% of Iowa households fell in that category double the percentage points reported in the 2019-2021 period. Sham Ifaim (left) and Jen Walker (right) pack boxes of food for Healthy Kids Iowa recipients on June 10, 2025, at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. Food banks and pantries nationwide and in Iowa have faced record demand as pandemic relief programs helping families stay afloat ended. The federal government shutdown last year along with lapses in SNAP benefits further strained Iowa's food banks, pantries and communities. About 48 million people in the U.S. struggled to get enough food in 2024 a slight increase from the roughly 47 million in 2023, the USDA found. Advertisement Advertisement Of the 48 million, 33 million were adults and 14 million were children. The 2024 report published Dec. 30 was the last USDA survey that for about 30 years provided insight on how families afford food and have enough to eat daily. The USDA announced in September it would end the survey, which it called in a memo "subjective, liberal fodder" and did "nothing more than fear monger." It also found the survey "redundant," "costly" and "politicized." But anti-hunger advocates say families' eating habits, grocery expenses and participation in assistance programs included in the reports have long helped them stay informed and keep a pulse on how hunger affects families. Advertisement Advertisement More: What families said about Iowa's summer meal program "There is no comparable national report that's been around as long or is as comprehensive as this one," said Annette Hacker, chief communications and strategy officer at the Food Bank of Iowa. "The end of this report means that we will lose a consistent national benchmark. "Just because we don't have a report, doesn't mean food insecurity doesn't exist." Hacker said the food bank, which is part of the national nonprofit Feeding America, also looks to its organization's Map the Meal Gap analysis, but that data is two years behind. The federal report was released annually. Advertisement Advertisement If the USDA were to release a 2025 report, Hacker said Iowa's food insecurity rates may be even higher. "We all know that in 2025 that only grew," she said. "The need surged." More: After two years opting out, Iowa to participate in Summer EBT National nonprofit Feeding America, which includes the Food Bank of Iowa and five others in the state, released a statement Jan. 8 that noted the report's end and the work ahead to fight hunger. "Food insecurity is a malignancy on thriving," CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot said in a statement. "As one neighbor put it, 'Food prices, among other things, keep us focused only on survival not on wellbeing or things we could do to improve ourselves and our communities.'" Advertisement Advertisement F. Amanda Tugade covers community and faith for the Des Moines Register. Email her at ftugade@dmreg.com or follow her on X @writefelissa. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: USDA finds Iowa hunger rates below national average but rising Protests in Iran that began in late December over soaring prices have evolved into a broader challenge to its religious rulers, who have governed Iran since the 1979 revolution. More than 100 security personnel have been killed in recent days, state media reported, while opposition activists said the death toll is higher and includes dozens of protesters. Al Jazeera cannot independently verify either figure. We take a look at Irans main opposition groups: What shape are Irans opposition groups in? The establishment in Iran is facing mounting pressure from a fragmented opposition movement. Advertisement Advertisement While some groups and individuals in the movement are inside Iran, others are voicing opposition to the rulers from outside the country. They are mainly leaders who are living in exile or members of the Iranian diaspora. Groups in other countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany, have started to rally on the streets in solidarity with the protesters in Iran. Why dont the protests have clear leaders? Iran currently lacks a uniform opposition group which could form a government, Shahram Akbarzadeh, a professor in Middle East and Central Asian politics at Australias Deakin University, told Al Jazeera. Opposition groups in Iran and outside are disjointed and have different aims. Some have clear leaders while others do not. No individual inside Iran, however, has emerged as a clear opposition leader in the ongoing protest movement. Advertisement Advertisement A possible reason for this is that opposition members are fearful of reprisals if they have identifiable leaders. Irans Green Movement in June 2009 was a spontaneous mass demonstration by white collar workers, womens rights activists and civil society activists against the officially declared victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in perhaps the most publicly contested presidential election in the history of the country. The day after these protests began, Ahmadinejad and his supporters staged an official demonstration in support of his declared victory. He served as president until 2013. Ahmadinejad had been president since 2005. He was a hardline conservative, controversial for some of his opinions, including repeatedly denying the Holocaust. The 2009 presidential election was also contested by former Prime Minister MirHossein Mousavi, who became a symbolic leader of the Green Movement. Since February 2011, however, he has been held under strict house arrest for rejecting the official election results. Advertisement Advertisement Another candidate, Mehdi Karroubi, a reformist Muslim scholar and former parliament speaker, also took a leading role in challenging the election results and supporting the protests. He was placed under house arrest in 2011. In March last year, the Iranian authorities officially lifted Karroubis house arrest. Neither man is thought to be a focus of the current protests, but as a result of their examples, Iranian protesters inside the country tend not to organise themselves around a single, identifiable leader. In line with other protest movements around the world, protesters inside Iran increasingly rely on networked organising. Mobilisation through student groups, social media platforms such as Discord and neighbourhood networks has resulted in the creation of numerous local groups and local leaders rather than just one or two central figureheads. Advertisement Advertisement This was recently seen in the Gen Z youth protests in Nepal, which took place in September, and the youth protests in Bangladesh, which took place in July 2024 and resulted in the overthrow of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. [The] Iranian government has actively and effectively suppressed any attempt for organised opposition at home over the past decades and arrested and silenced its leaders, Maryam Alemzadeh, an associate professor in the history and politics of Iran at the University of Oxford, told Al Jazeera. Even nonpolitical NGOs, unions, student groups and anything that could resemble a bottom-up order has been quashed. As a result, neither leadership nor grassroots organisation can be expected, and protests are left contingent on ad hoc individual or collective decisions of the protesters. Which are the different groups among the opposition? Besides the mass-organised movements going on inside Iran now, there are some other opposition groups based both inside and outside the country. Reza Pahlavi and the monarchists Pahlavi, 65, is the son of the deposed shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and the heir of the former Pahlavi monarchy. Advertisement Advertisement After Mohammad Mosaddegh, Irans prime minister who was democratically elected in 1951, nationalised the British-controlled oil industry in Iran, he was overthrown in a 1953 coup backed by the United States and UK to reverse that move and secure Western oil interests. A repressive royal rule was reinstated until 1979 when the last shah fled the country as the Iranian Revolution took hold. He died in Egypt in 1980. Living in exile in the US, his son now leads a prominent monarchist movement known as the Iran National Council but claims not to be insisting on a return to a monarchy. Instead, he says he advocates for a secular, democratic system to be decided by a referendum. However, Pahlavi is supported by members of the Iranian diaspora and groups that do support the return of a monarchy. He is strongly opposed by other opposition groups, including republicans and leftists, so Irans opposition remains fragmented. Many people who currently live in Iran do not remember the era of the monarchy. While some Iranians who do view the pre-revolutionary era with nostalgia, many others remember it for its inequality and repression. Advertisement Advertisement Alemzadeh said Pahlavi emerged as the most prominent opposition leader in the aftermath of the Woman, Life, Freedom protest movement, which began in 2022. He enjoys support within [the] Iranian diaspora, especially the generation that left Iran with the 1979 revolution, like himself, but in parts of the younger generation as well. He does have some appeal in Iran as well, as there were chants in his support on the streets of Iran among other chants in this round of protests, but the extent of it is debated. Pahlavis appeal, she added, stems less from any credible plan or leadership of the protests than from years of nostalgic promotion by diaspora media and social media campaigns that have elevated him as the loudest available alternative amid widespread frustration and a lack of other visible leaders. Aided by an online campaign on social media, which was also assisted by Israel, according to Haaretz, Reza Pahlavi was then highlighted as the key to return to that ideal past, Alemzadeh said. Advertisement Advertisement She added that although Pahlavi is the bestknown opposition figure, there is little evidence he has a realistic plan or organisational base to manage the security apparatus, entrenched corruption, remaining government supporters and basic state functions in a post-Islamic Republic Iran. Calling for Pahlavis return is a nostalgic reaction to the economic and diplomatic deadlock created by the Islamic regime. It is more about rejecting the rule of the clergy, than calling for the restoration of the monarchy, Akbarzadeh from Deakin University told Al Jazeera. Protesters in London display images of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last shah of Iran, as they support the nationwide protests in Iran on January 11, 2026 [Isabel Infantes/Reuters] Maryam Rajavi and the Peoples Mujahideen Organisation The Mujahideen was a powerful leftist group that carried out bombing campaigns against the shahs government and US targets in the 1970s but eventually fell out with other groups. It is often known by its Persian name, the Mujahideen-e Khalq Organisation, or by the acronyms MEK or MKO. Advertisement Advertisement Many Iranians, including sworn enemies of the Islamic Republic, say they cannot forgive the group for siding with Iraq against Iran during the 1980-1988 war. The group was the first to publicly reveal in 2002 that Iran had a secret uranium-enrichment programme. However, the Mujahideen has shown little sign of any active presence inside Iran for years. In exile, first in France and later in Iraq, its leader, Massoud Rajavi, has not been seen for more than 20 years and his wife, Maryam Rajavi, has taken control. Rights groups have criticised the group for what they call cult-like behaviour and abuses of its followers, which the group denies. Advertisement Advertisement The group is the main force behind the National Council of Resistance of Iran, led by Maryam Rajavi, which has an active presence in many Western countries, including France and Albania. (Al Jazeera) Solidarity for a Secular Democratic Republic in Iran A number of groups based outside Iran and calling for a democratic republic joined together in 2023 to form the Solidarity for a Secular Democratic Republic in Iran (Hamgami) political coalition. It gained some popularity among the Iranian diaspora in the wake of the 2022 protests over the killing of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died in police custody after being arrested by Irans so-called morality police for not wearing her hijab correctly part of the strict dress code that was made obligatory shortly after the 1979 revolution. The coalition advocates for the separation of religion and state, free elections and the establishment of an independent judiciary and media. However, it has not gained much traction within Iran itself. I dont think it has any weight in the public sphere, Alemzadeh said. Kurdish and Baluch minorities Persians make up about 61 percent of Irans 92 million people while significant minority groups include Azerbaijanis (16 percent) and Kurds (10 percent). Other minorities are Lurs (6 percent), Arabs (2 percent), Baluchis (2 percent) and Turkic groups (2 percent). Iran is predominantly Shia Muslim, making up about 90 percent of the population, while Sunni Muslims and other Muslim sects account for roughly 9 percent. The remaining 1 percent includes roughly 300,000 Bahai, 300,000 Christians, 35,000 Zoroastrians, 20,000 Jews and 10,000 Sabean Mandeans, according to the Minority Rights Group. Irans mostly Sunni Muslim Kurdish and Baluch minorities have often clashed with the Persian-speaking, Shia Muslim government in Tehran. Several Kurdish groups have long opposed the government in western Iran, where they form a majority, and there have been periods of active rebellion against government forces in those areas. In Sistan-Baluchestan, along Irans eastern border with Pakistan, opposition to Tehran includes supporters of Sunni leaders seeking better representation within the country and armed groups with links to al-Qaeda. When major protests have spread across Iran, they have often been strongest in Kurdish and Baluch areas, but neither region has a single, unified opposition movement. Irans foreign minister has claimed that nationwide protests in his country turned violent and bloody to give an excuse for US president Donald Trump to intervene. Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after activists reported more than 500 have been killed the vast majority of them demonstrators. Speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, Mr Araghchi also claimed the situation has come under total control. Demonstrations in favour of the Iranian protesters have taken place in countries including Turkey and France (AP) (Emrah Gurel) The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks. Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Mr Trump said Iran had proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown targeting demonstrators, a move coming as activists said the death toll in protests rose to at least 544. Mr Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran including cyber-attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who were not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Irans threats of retaliation, he said: If they do that, we will hit them at levels that theyve never been hit before. Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump said his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters while in flight on Air Force One (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) (Julia Demaree Nikhinson) I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, Mr Trump said. Iran wants to negotiate. The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of whats happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate. There was no immediate acknowledgement from Iran of the offering for a meeting. The massive ongoing US military deployment to the Caribbean is a factor that the Pentagon and Mr Trumps national security planners must consider. Advertisement Advertisement Tehran also warned that the US military and Israel would be legitimate targets if America uses force to protect demonstrators. Mr Trump meanwhile said the Islamic Republic reached out and proposed negotiations. More than 10,600 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information and said 496 of the dead were protesters and 48 were with security forces. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Irans government has not offered overall casualty figures. Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Irans security services to launch a bloody crackdown. Protesters flooded the streets in the countrys capital and its second-largest city on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Online videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media. The threat to strike the US military and Israel came during a parliamentary speech by Mohammad Baagher Qalibaf, the hard-liner speaker of the body who has run for the presidency in the past. He directly threatened Israel, calling it the occupied territory. In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets, Mr Qalibaf said. We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the violent protests had provided Mr Trump with an excuse (Ramil Sitdikov/Pool Photo via AP) (Ramil Sitdikov) Politicians rushed the dais in parliament, shouting: Death to America! Advertisement Advertisement It remains unclear how serious Iran is about launching a strike, particularly after its air defences were destroyed during the 12-day war in June with Israel. Any decision to go to war would rest with Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US military has said in the Mideast it is postured with forces that span the full range of combat capability to defend our forces, our partners and allies and US interests. Iran targeted US forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in June, while the US Navys Mideast-based 5th Fleet is stationed in the island kingdom of Bahrain. Israel, meanwhile, is watching closely the situation between the US and Iran, said an Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to not being authorised to speak to journalists. Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio overnight on topics including Iran, the official added. The people of Israel, the entire world, are in awe of the tremendous heroism of the citizens of Iran, said Mr Netanyahu, a longtime Iran hawk. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV mentioned Iran as a place where ongoing tensions continue to claim many lives, adding that: I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society. Iran said on Monday it had summoned the ambassadors of Germany, France and the United Kingdom to its Foreign Ministry over expressions of solidarity by their leaders with protesters in Iran, where demonstrations have been met with a harsh crackdown. A statement carried by the state broadcaster said videos of the unrest were shown during the meeting. The Foreign Ministry said "violent" acts had crossed the boundaries of peaceful demonstrations. Germany's Foreign Office confirmed that its ambassador had been summoned. Advertisement Advertisement The Foreign Ministry in Paris also said its ambassador had been summoned, saying Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed latest developments in the country with the European ambassadors, who expressed their concern. There was no explicit confirmation of the summons from London. Government sources said the ambassador had attended a scheduled appointment at the Foreign Ministry in Tehran. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper earlier praised the courage of women who have joined the nationwide protests against the country's hardline Islamic rulers. She said exercising the right to freedom of expression and assembly should never be met with fear of violence or reprisals. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron said in a joint statement on Friday that they were "deeply concerned" by the violence and "strongly" condemned the deaths of protesters. Tehran demanded that the expressions of solidarity be withdrawn. As millions of Iranians took to the streets in the latest wave of violent nationwide protests this week, two of Irans most acclaimed filmmakers issued a stark warning over a renewed and dangerous crackdown by the Islamic Republic. Iran faces renewed instability marked by mass demonstrations, widespread arrests and reports of lethal force by security services that have resulted in more than 500 deaths so far, according to the Associated Press. In a joint letter obtained by TheWrap, It Was Just an Accident director Jafar Panahi and There Is No Evil director Mohammad Rasoulof said authorities have moved to isolate the country by cutting internet access, mobile service and landlines measures that rights groups warn often precede the harshest phases of repression. Advertisement Advertisement Panahi sentenced in Iran to one year in absentia last month and Rasoulof, who is living in exile in Europe, said they feared for the safety of fellow citizens, family members and colleagues left defenseless under the blackout. Their appeal echoes longstanding concerns from activists who argue that global silence during previous crackdowns enabled abuses to unfold unseen. The full text of the filmmakers letter is published below: In recent days, following the presence of millions of Iranians in the streets protesting against the Islamic Republic, the government has once again resorted to its most blatant tools of repression. On the one hand, the Iranian regime has cut off communication routes inside the country the internet, mobile phones, and landlines severing peoples ability to communicate with one another; and on the other hand, it has completely blocked all means of contact with the outside world. Advertisement Advertisement Experience has shown that resorting to such measures is intended to conceal the violence inflicted during the suppression of protests. We are deeply concerned for the lives of our fellow citizens, our families, and our colleagues and friends who, under these circumstances, have been left defenseless. We call on the international community, human rights organizations, and the independent media to immediately find ways to facilitate access to vital information in Iran by enabling communication platforms, and monitor what is happening in Iran. History bears witness that silence today will have regretful consequences in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Jafar Panahi Mohamed Rasoulof Also on Sunday, Holy Spider director Ali Abbasi tweeted support for the protesters, while lamenting that friends on the Left were dismissing the demonstrations because of who is supporting them. Its truly maddening to see my friends on the Left dismissing #IranProtests because wrong people are supporting us. Please take a moment to go through the news feeds and countless evidence of Islamic Republic brutality against innocent people. This is the same regime who Ali Abbasi (@_aliabbasi_) January 11, 2026 The post Iranian Filmmakers Warn of Deadly Crackdown as Protests Spark Blackout: Silence Will Have Regretful Consequences appeared first on TheWrap. By Supantha Mukherjee, Cassell Bryan-Low and Parisa Hafezi Jan 12 (Reuters) - Some Iranians are still using Elon Musks Starlink satellite internet service despite a nationwide communications blackout, three people inside the country said, the latest example of Starlink being used to counter internet shutdowns in geopolitical flashpoints. Iranian authorities have in recent days launched a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, including the near-complete shutdown of internet service, which is provided through fiber-optic cables and cellphone towers. Advertisement Advertisement But Starlink, which beams its service directly from thousands of low-earth orbit satellites, is still working in some places in Iran, despite being banned by authorities there, three people using Starlink in the country told Reuters. One of them, in Western Iran, said he knew dozens of people using Starlink and that users in border towns and cities were largely unaffected. Alp Toker, founder of internet monitoring group NetBlocks, said he has heard from people in the region that there is still some Starlink access in Iran, though service appears reduced. It is patchy, but still there, he said. Toker added a broader internet blackout that began in Iran on January 8th continued on Monday, with non-satellite connectivity at around 1% of usual levels in the country, based on the fixed-line and mobile internet data NetBlocks tracks. Advertisement Advertisement While it is not clear how Starlinks service was being disrupted in Iran, some specialists said it could be the result of jamming of Starlink terminals that would overpower their ability to receive signals from the satellites. Starlink, which is part of privately held U.S. company SpaceX, did not respond to requests for comment. Authorities in Iran could not be reached on Monday, amid phone and internet outages. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on terrorists and vowed to safeguard the governing system. CRITICAL TOOL AMID GLOBAL CONFLICTS The communication lifeline Starlink has provided for some protesters in Iran is the latest sign of the influence Musk and his satellite internet service have in global conflicts and unrest around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Starlink has been a critical tool for Ukrainian forces since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. In Myanmar, where the military junta has imposed repeated internet shutdowns, rebel groups, aid organizations and medics have used Starlink for communications. In Sudan, Starlink has also been used by both sides in a years-long civil war due to prolonged blackouts. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he plans to speak with Musk about restoring internet in Iran, without mentioning Starlink. Musk previously shipped free Starlink terminals, which are slightly larger than a laptop, to Ukraine and offered free internet service there. Standard Starlink terminals cost around $599, plus a monthly service fee, making it unaffordable for many Iranians. Musk's ability to tip the balance in global conflicts was demonstrated when he shut down Starlink as Ukraine retook territory from Russia in 2022, Reuters previously reported. Advertisement Advertisement Starlink is not licensed to operate in Iran, but Musk has previously said the service is active there. In December 2022, he posted on his social media platform X that the company was approaching 100 Starlinks active in Iran," a modest figure given Iran's population of 92 million. In June last year, in response to a post on X calling for him to provide Starlink access to Iran, Musk posted beams are on. Following the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, Irans parliament passed a law formally banning the use of Starlink, introducing severe penalties for those who use or distribute the unlicensed technology, according to Iranian state media. (Reporting by Supantha Mukherjee, Cassell Bryan-Low and Parisa Hafezi; Additional reporting by Joey Roulette; Editing by Joe Brock and Bill Berkrot) At the center of the request is police insistence that Urich be barred from working at the consultancy firm Perception, which investigators say is owned and managed by Israel Einhorn. Israel Police have requested the renewal of restrictive conditions on Yonatan Urich, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, seeking to extend the measures for an additional 60 days as part of the ongoing investigation into the so-called Bild leak affair. At the center of the request is police insistence that Urich be barred from working at the consultancy firm Perception, which investigators say is owned and managed by Israel Einhorn - a suspect in the same set of affairs whom police describe as deliberately remaining abroad despite an arrest warrant. Advertisement Advertisement In the filing, police state that Einhorn was questioned under caution outside Israel on suspicion of serious security offenses, and that since then, he has avoided returning to Israel. They warn that allowing Urich to work at Perception would create a concrete risk of circumventing contact bans and could enable coordination with a suspect who is beyond the reach of Israeli law enforcement. The request, filed Monday with the Rishon Lezion Magistrates Court and addressed to Judge Menahem Mizrahi, seeks to bar Urich from leaving Israel, restrict his contact with others - including the prime minister - and prevent him from returning to work at the Prime Ministers Office. Police argue that without an explicit prohibition on employment at Perception, the existing restrictions would be rendered ineffective. According to the filing, Perception is not a generic workplace but a company through which contact with Einhorn could continue indirectly, undermining the purpose of the court-imposed conditions. Yonatan Urich arrives for a court hearing as part of the 'Qatargate' affair in Lod, August 19, 2025 (credit: Jonathan Shaul/Flash90) The police request comes as the investigation into the Bild leak has intensified in recent days, with multiple senior Prime Ministers Office officials detained for questioning on Sunday. Braverman, Mantzur appeal over restrictive conditions On Monday, PMO chief of staff Tzachi Braverman and spokesman Omer Mantzur appealed restrictive conditions imposed on their release following questioning, arguing that the measures were disproportionate and unsupported by reasonable suspicion. A hearing on those appeals is scheduled for Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement The Bild affair centers on the September 2024 leak of a classified military intelligence document outlining Hamass position on hostage negotiations, which was published by the German tabloid Bild. Authorities allege the document was used to influence public discourse surrounding the war and hostage negotiations. In November 2024, an indictment was filed against former PMO spokesman Eli Feldstein and IDF reservist Ari Rosenfeld on charges including the unlawful transfer and possession of classified information and obstruction of justice. Urich was questioned in the case last year, and a hearing regarding his status was held in November. The investigative file is currently under review by the prosecution and the Attorney-Generals Office, which has yet to decide whether to file charges against him. Advertisement Advertisement The renewed police request unfolds against a complicated procedural backdrop involving two parallel investigations: the Bild leak case and a separate probe widely referred to as Qatargate. Last week, courts ruled that police missed a statutory deadline to extend restrictive conditions imposed on Urich in the Qatargate investigation, causing those measures to expire automatically and leaving the court without authority to reinstate them. At the same time, courts made clear that restrictions imposed on Urich in the separate Bild affair remain legally valid, as they were imposed later and remain within the statutory time frame. As a result, the Lod District Court ordered that a hearing on extending the Bild-related restrictions be held this week. Advertisement Advertisement Police argue that the allegations attributed to Urich involve serious offenses touching on state security, as well as concerns that evidence could be destroyed or that the investigation could be disrupted if restrictions are lifted prematurely. A central component of the request is the continued ban on Urich working at the Prime Ministers Office. Police say the restriction is narrowly tailored to a specific position and is intended to reduce the risk of interference with the investigation, rather than to bar Urich from employment altogether. The court is expected to decide at this stage whether the restrictions remain necessary and proportionate, as prosecutors continue reviewing the investigative material to determine whether to bring charges against Urich in the Bild case. Urich has denied wrongdoing. In a video posted on Twitter/X, Netanyahu asserted the importance of Israel and Germany's cooperation, particularly in the matter of cybersecurity. Israel and Germany signed a cyber defense cooperation agreement on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced. In a video posted on Twitter/X, Netanyahu asserted the importance of Israel and Germany's cooperation, particularly in the matter of cybersecurity. Advertisement Advertisement "I think Germany and Israel are natural partners," he stated. "We've cooperated on the Arrow III, we've cooperated in many areas. We cooperate technologically. Chancellor Mertz was here recently. We talked about defense cooperation." After Netanyahu and German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt signed the agreement, the prime minister expressed that it was a positive sign for Israel's future. "This reflects the growing closeness of many countries and major powers like Germany, and there are others, of course, that you are familiar with, which seek cooperation with us and want to promote not only security matters but also economic ones," Netanyahu said. "The State of Israel is on the rise," he concluded. Israel National Cyber Directorate to collaborate with German Cyber Department The signing of the cyber defense cooperation agreement follows a Letter of Intent signed on December 9, 2025, by the Director General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate, Yossi Karadi, and the Head of the Cyber Department at the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, Friederike Dahns. The letter expressed the two countries' intent to cooperate in expanding their cyber defense capabilities. The focus was on four areas: development of the next generation of the "Cyber Dome"; establishment of a Cyber Center of Excellence; joint exercises and simulations in cybersecurity and AI; and advancement of regulation in cyber risk management. The first month of the new year is bound to be the breeding ground of major network and protocol upgrades. Altcoins are also likely to capitalize on this momentum, with some even presenting examples of the same over the last few days. BeInCrypto has analysed three such altcoins that the investors must watch in the second week of January. Mantle (MNT) Mantle is approaching its first major network upgrade of the year, with the mainnet update designed to support all features of Ethereums Fusaka upgrade. Scheduled to go live this week, the upgrade could improve utility and scalability, potentially attracting new users and increasing on-chain activity. The development may serve as a catalyst for MNT price, which is trading near $0.99 and showing early upward pressure. To recover roughly 14% in recent losses, the altcoin must decisively breach $1.04. Securing that level would open a path toward $1.11 and signal renewed bullish momentum. Want more token insights like this? Sign up for Editor Harsh Notariyas Daily Crypto Newsletter here. MNT Price Analysis. Source: TradingView Downside risks remain if market confidence weakens. Should bullish momentum fail to build, MNT could struggle at $1.04 and face renewed selling pressure. A rejection there may drag the token back toward its all-time low near $0.94, invalidating the bullish thesis. MANTRA (OM) OM posted early-month strength, trading near $0.078 as MANTRA prepares a major network transition. Users must migrate ERC20 OM to MANTRA Chain before January 15, 2026. After the deadline, ERC20 OM will be deprecated through a managed sunset, concentrating liquidity and activity on the native chain. The migration aims to establish MANTRA Chain-native OM as the sole canonical token. Such structural upgrades often act as short-term catalysts by reducing fragmentation and improving network clarity. If investor confidence improves, OM price could advance toward $0.083, a level that must be reclaimed to support further upside momentum. OM Price Analysis. Source: TradingView Downside risks persist if the buying interest weakens. Chaikin Money Flow already signals capital outflows, suggesting selling pressure remains active. Should bullish momentum fail, OM could slip below $0.077. A sustained breakdown there may expose the token to a deeper pullback toward $0.072, invalidating the bullish thesis. Polygon (POL) POL ranked among the weeks strongest performers after Polygon was selected by Wyomings Stable Token Commission to host the states first stablecoin. The announcement boosted visibility and institutional credibility. This development helped drive renewed investor interest, positioning POL as a key beneficiary of real-world blockchain adoption. The project, launched by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), aims to trace the origin of thousands of ceramic vessels even when the kilns where they were fired have long vanished. A new Israeli research initiative is using cutting-edge scientific methods to solve one of archaeologys oldest mysteries: where ancient pottery was made. The project, launched by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), aims to trace the origin of thousands of ceramic vessels even when the kilns where they were fired have long vanished. According to a recent IAA announcement, thousands of pottery vessels uncovered at excavation sites across Israel will now be examined with advanced scientific methods and catalogued as part of a joint project led by Dr. Anat Cohen Weinberger of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Prof. Alexander Fantalkin of Tel Aviv University. Advertisement Advertisement The work is designed to create a distinctive fingerprint for each ancient production kiln, based on the mineral and chemical composition of pottery known to have been made there. The organizers said they envision a national database that would contain what they described as the genetic sequencing of the kilns, allowing researchers to propose a pottery vessels origin even when the kiln itself is absent at the excavation site. Cohen Weinberger said in the statement that this absence is common. In most excavations, we find large quantities of pottery, but not the kiln where it was produced, she said. Cohen Weinberger added that, without the kiln, archaeologists currently struggle to determine whether vessels were made locally or brought from elsewhere, calling that gap one of the central challenges in pottery research. A sign warning of archaeological diggings, in the Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park, December 18, 2025. (credit: YOSSI ALONI/FLASH90) The IAA stressed that identifying a vessels origin is not merely technical. It describes provenance as a key to reconstructing cultural and economic links, trade networks, population movement, technological influence, and broader historical processes. Advertisement Advertisement According to Cohen Weinberger, the first stage of the project focuses on pottery that can be tied to known kilns and analyzes it through two complementary scientific methods. Methods to analyse origin of ancient pottery One method is petrography, in which an ultra-thin ceramic slice of the vessel about 30 microns thick is examined under a polarizing microscope to identify minerals and rock fragments. The method can help link raw materials to the geological environment they came from and illuminate what it calls the potters recipe, the Antiquities Authority said. The second method is chemical analysis using neutron activation analysis, or NAA. The IAA described this as testing a tiny ceramic sample in a nuclear reactor to measure elemental composition, including rare trace elements. The samples origin can then be proposed by comparing the results to pottery samples whose production sites are already known. According to the IAA, the combined approach produces a unique profile for each kiln and can later be used as a reference point for pottery found at sites without a kiln. In those cases, the announcement says, researchers would compare an unknown vessels profile to the database and, if a match is found, propose where it was made, even if it was discovered far from the production site. Advertisement Advertisement Cohen Weinberger said in the announcement that many pottery vessels tested in past studies remained without a known production origin because researchers lacked comparative data, and that the emerging kiln profiles could help address that problem. According to the announcement, the research is being developed as a wide-scale national project. As part of it, the IAA said it is building a digital kiln atlas to consolidate the accumulated knowledge and make it available to researchers through a platform being developed by the authoritys digital technologies division. The statement says the atlas is intended to serve as a long-term research infrastructure for studying production, trade, and regional connections in the past. Dr. Mechael Osband, head of the Petrography Laboratory at the Zinman Institute, University of Haifa, told The Press Service of Israel that the project was promising. He is not associated with the IAAs initiative. This is a unique project with no parallel in other regions. It will provide an infrastructure for many studies dealing with different periods and will make a significant contribution to understanding economic and social connections in antiquity, he told TPS-IL. ROME, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Italy will hold a referendum on March 22-23 over a contentious reform of the justice system, sources close to the matter said on Monday, setting the date for a key test of support for Giorgia Meloni's government ahead of a 2027 election. The judicial overhaul separating the career paths of prosecutors and judges is a flagship reform of Meloni's right-wing coalition and faces fierce opposition from magistrates and the centre-left opposition. The government, which has accused magistrates of undue interference in areas from public works to immigration, says the move is necessary to prevent conflict of interest between the two groups and prevent political bias. Advertisement Advertisement Recent polls show Italians split on an issue that has roiled domestic politics for decades. The judiciary has accused the government of seeking control over prosecutors to dictate which crimes they can and cannot investigate -- a charge the centre-left opposition has echoed. Last week, Meloni dismissed media speculation that the government might seek to capitalise on a successful referendum campaign by calling early general elections, and said she would not resign in the event of a defeat. The justice reform was approved by parliament in October but must go to a referendum before becoming law because it entails a change to the constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Currently, magistrates enter the legal profession through a single exam and can switch between roles throughout their careers. Under the reform, candidates must choose at the outset whether to become a judge or prosecutor, with no possibility of changing. The council which oversees appointments and disciplinary matters would be split into two separate self-governing bodies, with members selected by lottery rather than election, a change aimed at preventing lobby groups from gaining the upper hand. (Reporting by Angelo Amante, writing by Gavin Jones; Editing by Crispian Balmer) The man photographed toting a lectern from the office of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol is now running for local office in Florida, according to election records. Records show Adam Johnson, a Republican, filed to run for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission on Tuesday, the fifth anniversary of the attack. Manatee County is located near Tampa Bay, Fla. Johnsons campaign website states that he is running to bring MAGA principles to county government and root out the corruption thats been costing you money and destroying our quality of life. Advertisement Advertisement He is expected to face at least four other candidates, all of whom are Republicans. Johnson was arrested in 2021, just days after hundreds of supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol to protest the certification of former President Bidens 2020 election win. In a now-viral image, Johnson was seen smiling and waving at the camera as he carried the podium, believed to be from Pelosis office. He ultimately pleaded guilty to one charge of entering a restricted building and was sentenced to 75 days in prison and one year of probation, according to WFLA. Johnson was one of more than 1,500 people prosecuted for their involvement in the riot, nearly all of whom were pardoned a year ago by Trump on his first day back in office, making good on a longstanding campaign promise. Advertisement Advertisement A new website launched by the White House this week states the pardons corrected a historic wrong against individuals who were unjustly punished, while also blaming Democrats for having masterfully reversed reality. The website went live as House Democrats held a forum with the House select committee that investigated the attack and Trumps involvement, during which Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) slammed the administration for trying to rewrite history. Instead of holding those responsible for the attack accountable, Donald Trump and far-right extremists in Congress have attempted to rewrite history and whitewash the horrific events of Jan. 6, Jeffries 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 Japanese research vessel on Monday began a historic voyage to attempt to dig deep-sea rare earths at a depth of 6,000 metres to curb dependence on China. Scientific drilling boat called the Chikyu left Shimizu Port in Shizuoka around 9:00 am (0000 GMT) for the remote island of Minami Torishima in the Pacific, where surrounding waters are believed to contain a rich trove of valuable minerals. The test cruise comes as China -- by far the world's biggest supplier of rare earths -- ramps up pressure on its neighbour after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo could react militarily to an attack on Taiwan. Advertisement Advertisement Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to seize it by force if necessary. China has long used its dominance in rare earths for geopolitical leverage, including in its trade war with US President Donald Trump's administration. Chikyu's voyage, delayed by one day due to bad weather, could lead to domestic production of rare earths, said Shoichi Ishii, programme director at the Cabinet Office. "We are considering diversifying our procurement sources and avoiding excessive reliance on specific countries," he told reporters at the port as the ship prepared to leave. Advertisement Advertisement "One approach I believe could be pursued is establishing a process to achieve domestic production of rare earths," he said. Rare earths -- 17 metals difficult to extract from the Earth's crust -- are used in everything from electric vehicles to hard drives, wind turbines and missiles. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has touted the test as the world's first at such depths. The area around Minami Torishima, which is in Japan's economic waters, is estimated to contain more than 16 million tons of rare earths, which the Nikkei business daily says is the third-largest reserve globally. Advertisement Advertisement These rich deposits contain an estimated 730 years' worth of dysprosium, used in high-strength magnets in phones and electric cars, and 780 years' worth of yttrium, used in lasers, Nikkei said. "If Japan could successfully extract rare earths around Minami Torishima constantly, it will secure domestic supply chain for key industries," Takahiro Kamisuna, research associate at The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), told AFP. "Likewise, it will be a key strategic asset for Takaichi's government to significantly reduce the supply chain dependence on China." The cruise is scheduled to last until February 14. Advertisement Advertisement Recent media reports said Beijing was delaying Japanese imports as well as rare-earth exports to Tokyo, as their two-month-old spat escalates. China this month blocked exports to Japan of "dual-use" items with potential military uses, fuelling worries in Japan that Beijing could choke supplies of rare earths, some of which are included in China's list of dual-use goods. hih/abs New autopsy details to be released in February will confirm that convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein did not die by suicide in jail in 2019 as authorities say, but was murdered, according to his brother. Jeffrey was murdered, and more autopsy facts will be coming out in February that prove it, Mark Epstein told NewsNation on Friday. Mark, who identified his brothers body after the alleged trafficker was found dead in a New York prison cell while awaiting trial, told the outlet the injuries he saw didnt correspond to the way his body was found hanging. Advertisement Advertisement Epstein later hired Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, to observe the autopsy by city officials, and the examiner concluded in 2019 that the evidence points to homicide rather than suicide. Official reviews, however, have concluded Epstein died of his own accord. Multiple government reviews have concluded Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019, but his brother Mark says forthcoming autopsy details will show the late pedophile was murdered (New York State Sex Offender Registry/Getty) A 2023 Department of Justice inspector general report concluded that a number of prison oversight failures contributed to the death, though it ultimately ruled that no one else was involved. Last year, facing pressure to deliver on Trump campaign promises to disclose the Epstein files, the DOJ and FBI reviewed the material again, and they again concluded that Epstein died by suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, there are persistent theories that Epstein was killed to protect his powerful friends and associates, who have included high-profile executives and world leaders. There are only three ways to die in prison, Mark Epstein added in his NewsNation interview. Suicide, natural causes or murder. And Jeff was murdered. I want to know who killed him and on whose behalf? The Trump administrations incomplete release of the Epstein files has fueled already widespread speculation that Epstein did not die by suicide (AFP via Getty Images) Imprisoned Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell has also said she believes he didnt die by suicide. The White House has faced allegations that it is engaging in a cover-up of the full Epstein story, owing to Donald Trumps past friendship with the late pedophile. Advertisement Advertisement A bipartisan revolt in Congress pressured the president to sign a bill releasing more of the files, though lawmakers accuse the administration of failing to comply with the bill's terms and have said they are drafting contempt charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi. The administration has strongly denied that Trump was aware of or involved in any of Jeffrey Epsteins wrongdoing. The Joliet Diocese offered a faith-filled farewell and appreciation through prayer at a special Sunday Mass honoring New York Archbishop-designate Ronald Hicks. "Today my heart is overflowing with gratitude," Hicks said. "In a few days, I am going to walk out of that office and the pastoral center for the last time, and I'll head to New York." The Sixth Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Joliet is just weeks away from his installment as the new Archbishop of New York. Advertisement Advertisement Parishioners packed St. Raymond Nonnatus Cathedral for bi-lingual thanksgiving mass. "He is for the people and he's going to be well blessed in New York," parishioner Doris Boehm said. "And we're going to miss him here. We're going to miss him so much here." Hicks is set to replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who is retiring at the age of 75. This new calling for Hicks is Pope Leo XIV's first major American appointment, selecting a fellow Chicago-area native to lead. Colin McGarel served at the seminary for years under then-Bishop Hicks. "I think the pope wants to see people with this kind of more broad experience," McGarel said. "And I think he sees that in Bishop Hicks as a man who's not only had that wider experience but has also been in a diocese, which has just so many diverse groups in it." Advertisement Advertisement RELATED | 'I go with a shepherd's heart': Bishop Hicks speaks on being named to lead New York Archdiocese New York's archbishop-designate dedicated his sermon to the congregation. "Thank you for what you do," Hicks said. "Thank you for who you are, and thank you for everything that we have shared together." And for the last time in Joliet, Hicks ended his mass as he always does, with a plea and a promise of prayers. "This one last time, I'm going to sincerely ask you for your prayers. Please pray for me. Pray for me when I take these next steps. Pray for me when I start this new life," Hicks said. "And know that when you are praying for me, I am going to be praying for all of you." Although Hicks says he will leave in a few days, he will be officially installed as Archbishop of New York on February 6 at a Mass in St. Patrick Cathedral. A federal judge on Friday blocked President Donald Trumps administration from enforcing most of his executive order on elections against the vote-by-mail states Washington and Oregon, in the latest blow to Trumps efforts to require documentary proof of citizenship to vote and to require that all ballots be received by Election Day. US District Judge John H. Chun in Seattle found that those requirements exceeded the presidents authority, following similar rulings in a Massachusetts case brought by 19 states and in a Washington, DC, case by Democratic and civil rights groups. Todays ruling is a huge victory for voters in Washington and Oregon, and for the rule of law, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said. The court enforced the long-standing constitutional rule that only States and Congress can regulate elections, not the Election Denier-in-Chief. Advertisement Advertisement The executive order, issued in March, included new requirements that people provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote and a demand that all mail ballots be received by Election Day. It also put states federal funding at risk if election officials didnt comply. Officials in Oregon and Washington, which accept ballots as long as they are postmarked by Election Day, said that could disenfranchise thousands of voters. During the 2024 general election, officials in Washington counted nearly 120,000 ballots that were received after election day but postmarked by it. Oregon officials received nearly 14,000 such ballots. The judge found that Trumps efforts violated the separation of powers. The Constitution grants Congress and the states the authority to regulate federal elections, he noted. Oregon and Washington said they sued separately from other states because, as exclusively vote-by-mail states, they faced particular harms from the executive order. Advertisement Advertisement Trump and other Republicans have promoted the idea that large numbers of people who were not U.S. citizens might be voting. However, voting by noncitizens is rare and, when they are caught, they can face felony charges and deportation. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the jury selection process was finished in the headlines. SOMERSET Gregory J. Mostoller's trial for alleged homicide was continued Jan. 12, the day when jurors were to be sitting in the courtroom for possible selection for the trial. Mostoller called state police on the morning of June 2, 2023, from a farm along Charles Street in Shade Township, saying, "A guy came at me with a wrench, and I killed him." Advertisement Advertisement The farm belonged to his deceased parents. This farm along Charles Street in Shade Township is the site of the deadly shooting. The man, who was shot at least seven times, was Clifton Earl Johnson, 64, of Hooversville. He was the owner/operator of Johnson Trucking LLC, Fallen Timber Road, Hooversville, for more than 30 years, according to his obituary. He was also a farmer who bred and raised horses for many years. The 70-year-old Richland Township man was waiting for police at the site of the shooting. He was charged that night before Boswell District Judge Susan Mankamyer with homicide. He has been awaiting trial in the Somerset County Jail. Homicide is a non-bondable offense in Pennsylvania. Other: Paul Kendrick appeals murder conviction. Why the death row inmate wants a new trial Advertisement Advertisement This is the second time a trial was scheduled and was continued after a jury panel was selected. The first time was in October. He has been on the call of the trial list more than a dozen times since he was arrested and accused of murder. Homicide in Pennsylvania is a general term, often called an umbrella, that includes murder, manslaughter (voluntary and involuntary) and attempted murder. Homicide, a first-degree felony, which is when the defendant(s) intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or negligently causes the death of another human being. First-degree felony in Pennsylvania is the most serious type of felony, and if the defendant is convicted,d the sentence could range from 20 years to life in prison or even death. This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Mostoller murder trial continued second time after jury panel selected AP Photo/Tom Baker The state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul sued the Trump administration on Monday over the recent surge of immigration agents in the area, arguing that it amounted to a federal invasion of the Twin Cities. Shortly thereafter, news broke that Chicago and Illinois had filed their own lawsuit on similar grounds. The litigation comes after several days of protests throughout the area after Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last Wednesday, among other incidents with federal agents, many of which have been captured on video and posted to social media. Advertisement Advertisement The 80-page complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota by the states Attorney General Keith Ellison and the city attorneys for the two cities, names as defendants seven officials in President Donald Trumps administration, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons, and U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino. The complaint focuses on Operation Metro Surge, the name the Trump administration gave to its deployment of federal immigration enforcement agents from multiple DHS agencies to Minnesota, specifically to the cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, an unprecedented surge that has involved [t]housands of armed and masked DHS agents [who] have stormed the Twin Cities to conduct militarized raids and carry out dangerous, illegal, and unconstitutional stops and arrests in sensitive public places, including schools and hospitalsall under the guise of lawful immigration enforcement. This massive deployment of armed agents to Minnesota bears no connection to the federal governments claimed objective of fighting fraud, the complaint continues, and instead reflects an alarming escalation of the Trump Administrations retaliatory actions towards the state, an operation that is driven by nothing more than the Trump Administrations desire to punish political opponents and score partisan pointsat the direct expense of Plaintiffs residents. The complaint goes on to note that the more than 2,000 DHS agents the feds say they have deployed to the Twin Cities greatly exceeds the number of sworn police officers that Minneapolis and Saint Paul have, combined. Advertisement Advertisement Operation Metro Surge is, in essence, a federal invasion of the Twin Cities, the plaintiffs argue. The complaint argues that the federal immigration operations are unconstitutional and unlawful, as violations of the First and Tenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, the federal Administrative Procedure Act, Minnesotas right to Equal Sovereignty, and violations of state and local laws. The plaintiffs are seeking a court order declaring Operation Metro Surge to be unconstitutional and unlawful, blocking the federal government from implementing this surge in Minnesota, and blocking the federal immigration agents from a list of unlawful actions described in this Complaint including wearing masks, using physical force to disperse people engaged in First Amendment-protected activities, and restricting them from brandishing weapons, committing physical assaults, using chokeholds, and so on. The complaint further requests a court order requiring the federal immigration agents to wear body cams and visible identification of an alphanumeric identifier on their uniforms. The unlawful deployment of thousands of armed, masked, and poorly trained federal agents is hurting Minnesota, said Ellison in a press release. People are being racially profiled, harassed, terrorized, and assaulted. Schools have gone into lockdown. Businesses have been forced to close. Minnesota police are spending countless hours dealing with the chaos ICE is causing. This federal invasion of the Twin Cities has to stop, so today I am suing DHS to bring it to an end. Advertisement Advertisement Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey voiced his support for the lawsuit, saying that his city didnt ask for this operation, but were paying the price. When federal actions undermine public safety, harm our neighbors, and violate constitutional rights, we have a responsibility to act, Frey added. Thats exactly what were doing today. In a press conference Monday afternoon, Ellison denounced the widespread unlawful conduct by the federal immigration agents, including making unconstitutional arrests and using excessive force, citing multiple examples. Keith Ellison: "These poorly trained, aggressive, and armed agents of the federal state have terrorized Minnesota with widespread unlawful conduct. They're making unconstitutional arrests and using excessive force this has to stop." pic.twitter.com/2Z0it1tF9b Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 12, 2026 Frey: "There are countless more people who are undocumented in Florida and Texas and Utah. Why are they in these much smaller cities in the middle of the Midwest? The answer is very clear: it's politics. Florida and Texas and Utah are Republican states. The reason that Minnesota pic.twitter.com/I87VOpVCNA Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 12, 2026 Frey: "Last week a group of our city's Public Works employees were stopped by ICE agents. 3 of the 4 employees were not white. The ICE agents asked to see the IDs of the 3 non-white employees and didn't even bother to ask the white employee for identification." pic.twitter.com/IVQrtdSYzB Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 12, 2026 Read the Minnesota complaint here. Later Monday afternoon, it was reported that Chicago and Illinois had also sued the Trump administration, filing their own lawsuit against DHS, ICE, Border Patrol, and multiple top agency officials in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement The Chicago and Illinois complaint similarly accuses the Trump administration of unleash[ing] an organized bombardment on the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago, causing turmoil and imposing a climate of fear, with uniformed, military-trained personnel, carrying semi-automatic firearms and military-grade weaponry, [who] have rampaged for months through Chicago and surrounding areas. These ICE and Border Patrol agents, the complaint continues, have acted as occupiers rather than officers of the lawrandomly and brutally stopping and questioning residents, separating parents from their children, detaining without warrant or probable cause citizens and non-citizens alike, and using tear gas and other chemical weapons in urban environments against unsuspecting bystanders, injuring dozens including children, the elderly and local police officers. Read the Illinois complaint here. This article has been updated with additional content. The post Minnesota, Illinois Sue Trump Admin for Federal Invasion first appeared on Mediaite. The Justice Department has a playbook ready for responding to emergencies like the one unfolding in Minneapolis, including containing unrest and defusing community anger or distrust in law enforcement. In the civil rights era, the agency formed its Community Relations Service, a group of dozens of federal specialists who were informally referred to as "America's peacemaker." For the type of crisis emerging in Minneapolis, the Community Relations Service had a long-time, fulltime staffer based in Minnesota, and would also immediately deploy its specialists from Chicago, St. Louis, Detroit, Indianapolis and Madison to get on the ground promptly to assist. Advertisement Advertisement At a time when relations between federal agents and the Minneapolis community, Portland and other U.S. cities have been deteriorating, the Justice Department is being criticized for scrapping its playbook, and turning away its "peacemakers." Several sources, including current and former Justice Department employees, said the Trump administration has shuttered the office and has begun pushing out many of the approximately 60 employees who served in the Community Relations Service. In a June 2025 report, the Trump administration said, "The (community relations service) mission does not comport with Attorney General and Administration law enforcement and litigating priorities." An agency budget request for 2026 showed the Justice Department planned to reduce the office's staffing from 56 to zero. The Justice Department estimates the cuts would save $24 million this year. Excerpt from a Justice Dept. 2026 budget document shows the department planned to reduce Community Relations Service office staffing from 56 to zero. Julius Nam, a former Justice Department prosecutor and Community Relations Service specialist told CBS News the office" has had a neutral, impartial role. That is so important in these situations, in which there is deep distrust of law enforcement by protesters and community groups." Advertisement Advertisement The Community Relations Service, whose specialists are referred to as "conciliators," convenes forums, meetings and dialogues to ease tensions and help head off unrest, protests and hate crimes. In a span from 2021 through 2024, the office conducted more than a dozen formal mediation sessions and more than 100 training programs. In Minneapolis, the office had some recent successes, in its response to the killing of George Floyd in 2020. An agency report reviewed by CBS News said the Community Relations Service's deployment to Minneapolis during the trial of Floyd's killer was the largest by the office in 2021. "The Community Relations Service deployed twice to Minneapolis during the trial and sentencing of Derek Chauvin," the report said. "Despite the challenges of social distancing, CRS conciliators worked for months to build relationships with the community, facilitate dialogues, and lead trainings." Advertisement Advertisement Bert Brandenburg, who used to work in the Community Relations Service, told CBS News, "When we sideline peacemakers, we all pay the price." "Minnesota is not the first and not the last city where you'd want peacemakers on the streets." Brandenburg said that through its 60-year history, the office was effective in its work to ensure independence and trust among police, local government leaders and communities during conflicts. He said the Community Relations Service would help de-escalate tensions and build up sufficient trust to get both sides of a conflict into a room for discussion and reconciliation. A Justice Department spokesperson told CBS News the portfolio and functions of the former Community Relations Service have been shifted into federal prosecutors' offices nationwide. The spokesperson said, "This transition will save the Department over $11 million and further President Trump's mission of having a federal government that's more efficient and effective for the American people." Advertisement Advertisement CBS News has learned that approximately 30 laid off Justice Department employees have been called back to work for the agency. Those employees include some who worked for the Community Relations Service. According to one of the impacted employees, the workers have been reassigned to work for federal prosecutors. Nearly a dozen civil rights organizations and charities filed a civil lawsuit in Massachusetts, seeking a court order to prevent the dismantling of the Community Relations Service. In the lawsuit, in which NAACP St. Louis County and the Haitian Community Help & Support Center are among the plaintiffs, the groups argue the Trump administration's cuts to the office were unlawful and have stymied critical, ongoing work by the Community Relations Service. The suit said the Trump administration's decision disrupted ongoing de-escalation efforts, including "mediation among community groups and law enforcement over a race-related policing incident when CRS abruptly [withdrew] from the process, leaving them without a mediator or any final agreement among the parties." "The Community Relations Service was designed to help de-escalate tensions like those we see in Minneapolis and Portland, and for decades it succeeded in that mission," said Stacey Young, executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Justice Connection, a group organized in 2025 to help represent and serve ousted Justice Department employees. Advertisement Advertisement Young said, "For no logical reason, the administration discarded the experts who were best positioned to keep budding conflicts from turning violent. We're seeing the consequences of that fateful decision." A newly introduced federal funding bill aimed at averting a government shutdown next month would allocate $20 million in funding for the Community Relations Service, if approved. Support for the funding appears highly likely among House and Senate Democrats. Nearly 100 congressional Democrats have filed a court motion in support of the civil rights groups' legal challenge to the Community Relations Service cuts. Their motion argued the Trump administration was closing the office by "executive fiat" and is "leaving local communities without the vital peacemaking support and services that the agency has long provided." Advertisement Advertisement The Community Relations Service was set up in the 1960's, amid metastasizing unrest, including fractured relationships between communities and police departments. The office was credited with helping prevent another riot in 1993, as racial tensions re-emerged following the second trial of police who beat Rodney King in California. It also helped ease rising racial tensions after the 1997 fatal police shooting of a Chinese-American man in Rohnert Park, California, and in Akron, Ohio in 2022, after the shooting of a Black man by police. Nam, the former Community Relations Service specialist, told CBS News he expects the Trump administration will shift some of the office's responsibility to its 93 U.S. attorneys' offices nationwide. He said the mission risks failing or falling short if it operates out of prosecutors' offices. And he added that the Community Relations Service was effective, in part, because it was not connected to law-enforcement agents, and was best positioned to build relationships with people in American communities. Nam told CBS News, "Those people could have gone to Minneapolis immediately this week." Advertisement Advertisement Greenland rejects Trump's threats, with one lawmaker saying it "is not a product, we're a people" DHS releases new video of Minneapolis ICE shooting Police arrest man in the murder mystery of Ohio dentist, wife As Middle Eastern markets experience fluctuations, with UAE stocks recently declining ahead of a pivotal U.S. jobs report, investors are closely monitoring the impact of global economic shifts on regional indices. In this environment, dividend stocks can offer a measure of stability and potential income, making them an attractive option for those seeking to navigate uncertain market conditions. Top 10 Dividend Stocks In The Middle East Name Dividend Yield Dividend Rating Yeni Gimat Gayrimenkul Yatirim Ortakligi (IBSE:YGGYO) 5.21% Saudi Awwal Bank (SASE:1060) 6.06% Riyad Bank (SASE:1010) 6.45% National General Insurance (P.J.S.C.) (DFM:NGI) 7.15% FMS Enterprises Migun (TASE:FBRT) 5.35% Emaar Properties PJSC (DFM:EMAAR) 6.94% Computer Direct Group (TASE:CMDR) 7.09% Banque Saudi Fransi (SASE:1050) 6.40% Arab National Bank (SASE:1080) 6.13% Anadolu Hayat Emeklilik Anonim Sirketi (IBSE:ANHYT) 5.83% Click here to see the full list of 58 stocks from our Top Middle Eastern Dividend Stocks screener. Let's dive into some prime choices out of the screener. Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: SABIC Agri-Nutrients Company is involved in the production, conversion, manufacturing, marketing, and trade of agri-nutrients and chemical products across several countries including Singapore, the United States, India, and others; it has a market cap of SAR54.22 billion. Operations: SABIC Agri-Nutrients generates revenue primarily from its Agri-Nutrients segment, which accounts for SAR12.36 billion, and a smaller contribution from its Petrochemicals segment at SAR542.49 million. Dividend Yield: 6.1% SABIC Agri-Nutrients offers a compelling dividend yield of 6.15%, ranking in the top 25% of Saudi Arabian dividend payers. However, its dividend history has been volatile over the past decade, with inconsistent growth and stability. Despite this, dividends are currently covered by earnings and cash flows with payout ratios at 72.1% and 78.7%, respectively. The company reported strong Q3 earnings growth, with sales reaching SAR 3.52 billion and net income at SAR 1.29 billion, indicating robust financial performance despite future earnings forecasts suggesting a decline. SASE:2020 Dividend History as at Jan 2026 Simply Wall St Dividend Rating: Overview: Atreyu Capital Markets Ltd operates through its subsidiaries to offer investment management services in Israel, with a market cap of 1.27 billion. A 16-year-old boy was found fatally shot inside a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University on Monday evening, and police are now looking for three other teens who may be connected to the shooting. Police identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, who investigators say entered the Chipotle at 12th and Montgomery streets with three other teenagers shortly before 5:15 p.m. Only three of the four walked out. Advertisement Advertisement "He's a kid. It's terrifying," said Cloud Mensah, a Temple freshman. "For it to happen in the first day of class so suddenly, you know kind of worry about the security." Philadelphia Police Inspector Scott Small said the restaurant was busy when the teens walked in. "It was very noisy at the time, and there was even some music playing, but we're not getting information that someone heard a gunshot," Small said. According to police sources, the teens asked employees for the bathroom code. Two went into one restroom while the other two went into another. A short time later, three of the teenagers left the restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement "Moments later, quickly thereafter, found the 16-year-old with a gunshot wound to his chest," Small said. Police recovered a shell casing inside a trash can. Sources told Action News they know the identities of the three other teenagers and are not seeking additional suspects. Detectives are still investigating what may have led to the shooting. No one has been arrested at this point. Students walking past the restaurant Tuesday said the killing shook them, but did not shock them. "It was very sad and it was like a woah moment but it wasn't surprising, unfortunately," said junior Arden O'Dell. Advertisement Advertisement Smith-Tate was a student at Imhotep Charter School. The district attorney's office said it visited the school Tuesday to provide grief resources. In a statement, Imhotep leaders said Smith-Tate "was caring, energetic, filled with school pride and comical. He was filled with light and love. We will always remember his smile." "As one can imagine, we are struggling today. Our collective hearts are hurting. But this community is resilient. Our love and our African-centered values will lead us through this tragedy," the Imhotep statement continued. Temple said the thoughts of the university are with the victim's family and loved ones. Advertisement Advertisement "The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy and there are no words that can make sense of it," Temple's statement reads. "This is, of course, deeply upsetting and took place adjacent to our campus in a commercial establishment. We encourage students who are impacted to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services," the statement continued. Anyone with information can call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online. Ten days after the apparent shooting deaths of an Ohio dentist and his wife, police announced an arrest in the case, identifying the suspect as her ex-husband. Michael David McKee, 39, was arrested Saturday and charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Spencer Tepe, 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, who were found dead in their Columbus home last month. Monique and Spencer Tepe. (Courtesy Tepe family) (Courtesy Tepe family) McKee and Monique Tepe had married in 2015 and divorced two years later, records show. Advertisement Advertisement A funeral visitation for the couple took place Sunday in Upper Arlington, Ohio. Heres what we know about the case. What happened? The couple was discovered dead at their Columbus home on the morning of Dec. 30 after concerned friends and colleagues of Spencer Tepes called authorities. The dentists boss called at 8:58 a.m., according to a transcript of the call, and described his employee as reliable and always on time but said he hadnt shown up to work and no one could reach him. Were very, very concerned because this is very out of character, and we cant get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing, he said. A police officer in Columbus, Ohio, adjusts crime scene tape after officers responded to a home and found Monique and Spencer Tepe dead. (Doral Chenoweth / USA Today Network via Imagn Images) (Doral Chenoweth) Roughly an hour later, a friend of Spencer Tepes stopped by the familys home for what he described in a 911 call as a wellness check. Advertisement Advertisement According to a transcript of the call, the friend found Spencer Tepe lying next to his bed in a puddle of blood. The couples two young children could be heard screaming in the background as the friend spoke to the dispatcher. Police arrived shortly after and the couple was pronounced dead at 10:11 a.m., according to an incident report. Authorities later said the kids were unharmed. The Franklin County Coroners Office said the couples preliminary cause and manner of death was an apparent homicide by gunshot wound. Who were Spencer and Monique Tepe? Spencer Tepe worked at a dental practice in Athens, Ohio, where he focused on comprehensive dentistry and implant therapy, according to a company biography. He was fluent in Spanish and was committed to serving others, a family statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Monique Tepe had a background in childhood education, family said, and loved baking. The family statement described her as a loving patient, and joyful mother whose warmth defined her. Together, Spencer and Monique shared a beautiful, strong, and deeply happy relationship, the family said. 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. Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead from gunshot wounds in their home in Columbus. (Rob Misleh) (Rob Misleh) We are heartbroken beyond words, the family added. While no outcome can ever undo this loss, our family is committed to seeing this tragedy fully and fairly brought to justice, and to honoring Spencer and Monique by protecting the future of the children they loved so deeply. A family friend, Phyllis Williams, remembered Monique Tepe as a very beautiful soul. Advertisement Advertisement She and Spencer loved each other dearly, and they were soulmates, she said Sunday. Following news of McKees arrest, the family called it an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer. Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, the family said, while thanking police and the community for support. 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, the statement said. We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world. What do police say? Investigators believe the couple was killed between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., a three-hour window in which a person of interest was recorded on a security camera walking in an alley next to their home, the police department said last week. Advertisement Advertisement The brief video shows a person walking in the alley wearing light-colored pants and a dark hooded jacket. Police did not confirm Saturday whether McKee is believed to be the person seen in the video. Security video shows a person of interest in the homicides of Spencer and Monique Tepe. (Columbus Police Department) (Columbus Police Department) In an interview with Spectrum News, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant appeared to explain the gap in time between when Spencer Tepes boss called and when his friend stopped by, saying that an officer who was initially dispatched to their home went to the wrong address. He did everything that he was supposed to do, knocked on the door, check the backyard, all those things, but it was not the right location, she told the outlet. Who is Michael McKee? McKee, who resides in Chicago, and Monique Tepe shared no children together. Advertisement Advertisement Hes being held in the Winnebago County Jail in Illinois, according to authorities, and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. It was not immediately clear whether he has retained a lawyer. McKee is a medical doctor specializing in vascular surgery, according to online license records. He is licensed in California and Illinois, and was previously licensed in Nevada, but that license expired in June. He graduated from the Ohio State University College of Medicine in 2014, the records show. He was listed as a vascular surgeon at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, Illinois, a city about 90 miles northwest of Chicago. OSF Healthcare said it is cooperating with authorities. Advertisement Advertisement His medical license records show no disciplinary history or malpractice. His criminal record shows only traffic-related tickets. Calls to numbers listed for his family members went unanswered Saturday. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com As protests in Iran escalate, Kurdish opposition groups, including PDKI, PAK, and PJAK, call for regime change, despite ongoing violence and a deadly crackdown on demonstrators. As protests have swept Iran over the past two weeks, Kurdish groups have played a key role in opposing the Iranian regime. The major Kurdish parties that exist in Iran have put out statements unifying their positions against the regime and supporting the protests. There are a number of Kurdish opposition groups that exist in Iran, and they have different political ideologies and backgrounds, they agree on the necessity of opposing oppression. Over the last several days, reports have indicated that hundreds of people have been killed in the protests in Iran. This came after a week and a half during which the regime appeared cautious in its approach and was waiting to see whether the protests would grow or gradually weaken. As the protests have shown, they have staying power; the regime has responded in the way it always does, by massacring people. Advertisement Advertisement Historically, the Iranian regime often carries out extreme abuses against minority groups whenever those groups join nationwide protests. For instance, the Kurdistan region of Iran is often subjected to extreme oppression and killings. This makes many minority groups wary of joining protests and also means they generally have extensive networks of opposition. This is true among Kurds, Arabs, Baloch, and others. The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, also known as the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran or PDKI, put out a statement on January 11 noting that one of their representatives in Norway, Amir Babakhani, had said, the goal is to see the regime in Iran fall. Our aim is to have a democratic country- one with freedom, where we can live together in a true democracy. The PDKI has also welcomed statements in Europe and elsewhere condemning the crackdown on the protests. On January 8, the group posted a message highlighting the unity of various Kurdish parties in Iran. The Dialogue Center for Cooperation among the political parties of Eastern Kurdistan released a statement thanking the people of Kurdistan and freedom-seekers throughout Iran. Fighters from the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), an Iranian Kurdish opposition group, are pictured near the border with Iran in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, in the outskirts of Sulaimaniya, Iraq, June 21, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/AKO RASHEED) Through strikes and continued protests, they delivered a clear, forceful political message to repressive forces and the ruling regime," the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement The Dialogue Center for Cooperation emphasizes that the freedom-loving people of Kurdistan demonstrated their renewed trust in their political parties through a general strike, the closure of markets and shops, and the expression of discontent across all cities, The statement affirms that the brave, freedom-loving people of Kurdistan have demonstrated that threats, intimidation, and repressive policies will not weaken their determination. Through unity and solidarity, the people and political parties of Kurdistan have sent a clear message that their freedom-seeking movement has entered a new phase. The Kurdistan Freedom Party The Kurdistan Freedom Party, or PAK, has been very active in fighting the Iranian regime. This group gained extensive experience fighting ISIS in Iraq. PAK sent forces to fight ISIS in 2014, and their units served on many of the toughest frontlines alongside Kurdish Peshmerga in northern Iraq. As such, the PAK has a tight-knit group of fighters. Their armed units, which they call the Kurdistan National Army or SMK, put out a statement on January 11 noting that in retaliation to false IRGC claims, SMK carried out successful operations in Isfahan and Kermanshah. The statement describes several operations in Iran. Previous posts by the PAK have shown images they claim come from their operations striking at Iranian regime elements. A January 10 post says that elements of the SMK killed six IRGC members. Advertisement Advertisement PDKI is a historic Kurdish party in Iran and maintains relatively good relations with Kurdish parties that govern the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq. PAK is a nationalist and centrist group. In contrast, the PJAK Kurdish party is a far-left group that has historic connections with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The PKK has recently said it is laying down its arms and disbanding its insurgency in Turkey. However, PJAK remains a force in the Kurdistan region of Iran. On January 11, PJAK put out a statement. PJAK Condemns Killings in Iran as Crimes Against Humanity, the statement was titled. The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) has issued a statement condemning the Iranian governments crackdown on nationwide protests, describing the killing of demonstrators as a clear crime against humanity. In the statement, PJAKs Co-Presidency affirmed that protests against the Islamic Republic continue across Iran. They accuse state forces of using light and heavy weapons against civilians in multiple cities and regions, including Tehran, Isfahan, Khorasan, Lorestan, and parts of Kurdistan. The statement went on to say that the PJAK Co-Presidency further shared that authorities have cut internet and telephone services to prevent information from reaching the outside world and to facilitate further repression. Calling on international institutions to take immediate action, they urge the global public and Iranians abroad to speak out and support the protesters. The statement further suggests that the ongoing demonstrations, led predominantly by youth and women, will ultimately lead to freedom and democratic change in Iran. The role of the Kurdish parties in Iran is important in the context of the protests. However, it remains to be seen if the protesters can challenge the regime or if Tehran will be able to weather the storm again. By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Gambia on Monday told judges at the United Nations' top court that Myanmar targeted minority Muslim Rohingya for destruction and made their lives a nightmare in a landmark case accusing Myanmar of genocide. It is the first genocide case the International Court of Justice is hearing in full in more than a decade. The outcome will have repercussions beyond Myanmar, likely affecting South Africas genocide case at the ICJ against Israel over the war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Myanmar has denied genocide. Israel denies genocide and lawyers for Israel dismissed South Africa's case as an abuse of the genocide convention. GAMBIA SAYS ROHINGYA 'TARGETED FOR DESTRUCTION' Gambian Justice Minister Dawda Jallow told ICJ judges the Rohingya were simple people with dreams of living in peace and dignity. "They have been targeted for destruction," he said. "Myanmar has denied them their dream, in fact it turned their lives into a nightmare subjecting them to the most horrific violence and destruction one could imagine." Gambia, a predominantly Muslim West African country, filed the case at the ICJ - also known as the World Court - in 2019, accusing Myanmar of committing genocide against the Rohingya, a mainly Muslim minority in the remote western Rakhine state. Advertisement Advertisement Myanmar's armed forces launched an offensive in 2017 that forced at least 730,000 Rohingya from their homes and into neighbouring Bangladesh, where they recounted killings, mass rape and arson. A U.N. fact-finding mission concluded the 2017 military offensive had included "genocidal acts". Myanmar authorities rejected that report, saying its military offensive was a legitimate counter-terrorism campaign in response to attacks by Muslim militants. ROHINGYA VICTIMS TO GIVE TESTIMONY Speaking in The Hague before the hearings, Rohingya victims said they wanted the long-awaited case to deliver justice. Advertisement Advertisement "We are hoping for a positive result that will tell the world that Myanmar committed genocide, and we are the victims of that and we deserve justice," Yousuf Ali, a 52-year-old Rohingya refugee who says he was tortured by the Myanmar military, told Reuters. In the 2019 preliminary hearings in the ICJ case, Myanmar's then leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, rejected Gambia's accusations of genocide as "incomplete and misleading". Gambia will present its case for three more days and on Friday Myanmar will be able to respond to the allegations. Following that the court will hear Rohingya victims of the alleged atrocities in closed sessions. That will mark the first time Rohingya victims will be directly heard by an international court. In total, the hearings at the ICJ will span three weeks. Advertisement Advertisement The ICJ is the U.N.'s highest court and deals with disputes between states. Myanmar has been in further turmoil since 2021, when the military toppled the elected civilian government and violently suppressed pro-democracy protests, sparking a nationwide armed rebellion. The country is currently holding phased elections that have been criticised by the United Nations, some Western countries and human rights groups as not free or fair. The military says the vote has public backing and is being conducted without coercion. Gambia took up the Rohingya's cause in 2019, backed by the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. (Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Frances Kerry, Gareth Jones and Alison Williams) Myanmar wanted to erase the Rohingya people through its use of "genocidal policies", The Gambia's foreign minister Dawda Jallow has told the UN's top court. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is hearing a landmark case brought by the Muslim majority, West African nation in 2019, which accuses Myanmar of deliberately trying to destroy the minority Muslim population. Myanmar has previously denied the allegations. Jallow said The Gambia had reviewed "credible reports of the most brutal and vicious violations imaginably inflicted upon a vulnerable group". Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of Rohingya were killed and more than 700,000 fled to neighbouring Bangladesh during an army crackdown in Myanmar in 2017. Jallow told the court on Monday that the Rohingya "had suffered decades of appalling persecution and years of dehumanising propaganda", which was followed by the military crackdown and "continual genocidal policies meant to erase their existence in Myanmar". A damning report issued by the UN in 2018 said top military figures in Myanmar must be investigated for genocide in Rakhine state and crimes against humanity in other areas. Myanmar rejected the report and has consistently said its operations targeted militant or insurgent threats. Advertisement Advertisement It will be given the opportunity to respond to The Gambia's allegations during the ICJ hearings, which are expected to last until the end of the month. The court has also set aside three days to hear from witnesses, including Rohingya survivors, but these sessions will be closed to the public and media. A final decision is not expected for several months, if not years. While the ICJ cannot prosecute individuals for crimes of the utmost severity, such as genocide, its opinions carry weight with the UN and other international institutions. Jallow said that his country had bought the case against Myanmar out of a "sense of responsibility" following its own experience with a military government. Advertisement Advertisement "Sadly, Myanmar appears to be trapped in the cycle of atrocities and impunities," Jallow said, referring to the military's overthrow of the civilian government in 2021. The country's former leader, Aung San Suu Kyi - who was deposed during the coup and jailed under charges widely condemned as politically motivated - saw her international reputation as a champion of human rights tarnished after she defended the army's actions following allegations of genocide against the Rohingya. Myanmar's former leader Aung San Suu Kyi was moved from jail to house arrest in 2023 [EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock] "We don't just hope to get justice, we demand it and we would like to ask the court to take the actions against the Myanmar dictators, the leaders of the Myanmar military who committed the genocide," one survivor, Monaira, told the Reuters news agency outside the court in the Hague in the Netherlands. More than one million Rohingya still live in refugee camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar region alone - some of the largest and most densely populated camps in the world, according to the UN's refugee agency. Advertisement Advertisement Others have made dangerous sea journeys to reach countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia. "We don't want any more refugee life in Bangladesh because it's been a long time, and this is the time when the final hearing is going to happen," another survivor, Salma, said. The case is expected to set precedent in other genocide cases, including that bought by South Africa against Israel over the war in Gaza, as it is the first to be heard in more than a decade and is being seen as an opportunity for the ICJ judges to refine the rules around the definition of genocide. The 1948 UN Genocide Convention, under which The Gambia accuses Myanmar of breaching in its treatment of the Rohingya, was adopted following the mass murder of Jews by Nazi Germany and defines genocide as crimes committed "with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group". Advertisement Advertisement Dawda Jallow said that "its words will be meaningless unless they are acted upon and enforced" in the case of Myanmar. He added that The Gambia was supported in its efforts to seek justice for the Rohingya by the 57 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, as well as 11 other intervening countries including the UK, France, Germany and Canada. As well as the ICJ case, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating Myanmar's military ruler, Min Aung Hlaing. U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran has proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic as a crackdown on demonstrators has led to hundreds of deaths. Trump said late Sunday his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act before then as reports of deaths mount and Iran's government continues to arrest protesters. Iran called, they want to negotiate, Trump told reporters on Air Force One. Advertisement Advertisement Iran did not acknowledge Trumps comments immediately. It has previously warned the U.S. military and Israel would be legitimate targets if America uses force to protect demonstrators. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has accurately reported on past unrest, said at least 599 people have been killed, including 510 protesters and 89 members of security forces. It said over 10,600 people have been detained during two weeks of protests. The group relies on supporters in Iran cross-checking information. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Irans government has not offered overall casualty figures. The Latest: Advertisement Advertisement Activists say death toll has reached at least 646 people Activists said the death toll from ongoing protests have at least 646 people. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the latest death toll early Tuesday. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information. It said 512 of the dead were protesters and 134 were security force members. More than 10,700 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the latest death toll early Tuesday. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information. It said 512 of the dead were protesters and 134 were security force members. 2 arrested at protest outside Iran's embassy in New Zealand Advertisement Advertisement In New Zealand, two people were arrested Tuesday during a protest outside the Iranian embassy in Wellington, authorities said. About 20 people protested outside the embassy, while police officers monitored the situation, the police said in a statement. Officers were considering wilful damage charges against the pair arrested. Police recognise the lawful right to protest, and maintained a presence to ensure the safety of all involved, a statement said. Radio New Zealand reported that a man climbed onto a fence at the embassy to erect a pre-1979 Iranian flag, before it was removed by someone from inside the embassy. Meanwhile, foreign ministry officials in Wellington have reminded New Zealanders of advice that they shouldnt travel to Iran and should leave immediately if they are there. The advisory has been in place since November 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Trump says Iran's trade partners to face 25% tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Irans trade partners will face 25% tariffs from the United States as he looks to pressure Tehran over its violent protest crackdown thats left nearly 600 dead across the country. The U.S. president has repeatedly threatened Tehran with U.S. military action, if his administration found the Islamic Republic was using deadly force against antigovernment protesters. Its a redline that Trump says he believes Iran is starting to cross and has left him and his national security team weighing very strong options. Trump announced the tariffs in a social media posting, saying they would be effective immediately. Advertisement Advertisement China, Brazil, Turkey and Russia are among economies that do business with Tehran. Iran and the U.K. trade sharp statements The top diplomats for Iran and Britain have traded sharp statements after speaking by phone. U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that Iran must halt the violence aimed at its people. She wrote on X that the killing and repression of peaceful protesters is horrific. Araghchi responded by saying the U.K. should stay out of Irans internal affairs. He also criticized security at the Iranian embassy in London, where a demonstrator on Saturday scaled a wall and replaced the Islamic Republics flag with the banner flown before the Western-backed shah was overthrown in 1979. Advertisement Advertisement If the U.K. cannot uphold its duty to protect diplomatic missions, Iran would be left with no choice but to consider evacuating our personnel, Araghchi said. White House says airstrikes are among options for Iran but diplomacy is first choice White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has told reporters that airstrikes are among the many, many options that President Donald Trump is considering but that diplomacy is always the first option for the president. Trump on Sunday said Iranian officials have reached out for talks. He has threatened to take military action against the Islamic Republic for its crackdown on the protests. Advertisement Advertisement What youre hearing publicly from the Iranian regime is quite different from the messages the administration is receiving privately, and I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages, Leavitt said. However, with that said, the president has shown hes unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary, and nobody knows that better than Iran. The U.S. last year bombed Iranian nuclear sites when it inserted itself into the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. Russian official alleges foreign interference The executive secretary of Russias Security Council has condemned what he described as foreign interference in Irans internal affairs. Advertisement Advertisement The council said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies that Sergei Shoigu spoke by phone Monday with his counterpart Ali Larijani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran. The statement said Shoigu also expressed condolences over the numerous casualties, without elaboration. Iran has alleged foreign influence in the protests. European Parliament bans Iranian diplomats from its premises The ban was announced Monday by the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. This House will not aid in legitimizing this regime that has sustained itself through torture, repression and murder, Metsola wrote on X. She also praised protesters who continue to stand up for their rights and their liberty. Advertisement Advertisement What analysts say about the protests and the crackdown in Iran The Iranian government seems to be publicizing the killing of demonstrators for the first time to dissuade others from joining in, said Kamran Matin, an associate professor of international relations at the University of Sussex in England and an expert on Iran. Its broadcasting some of the footage, both of those killed but also of the actual protests. It seems to be intended to intimidate protesters from returning to the streets. He also said that Trumps primary aim is to change the behavior of the Iranian regime, not necessarily the regime itself. Although some observers have speculated that Venezuela may provide a template for creating a new Iranian government, the situation in Tehran is very different, said Iran expert Siavush Randjbar-Daemi at the University of St. Andrews. He said there is no similar figure in Iran to interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, who took over after U.S. forces arrested Nicolas Maduro. Theres nobody who the Americans can really talk to like that, he said. A Turkish official cautions against foreign intervention in Iran A senior Turkish official voiced opposition to foreign interventions in Iran, warning that such actions could worsen the countrys crisis. Omer Celik, spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdogans ruling party, acknowledged on Monday that Iran faces internal challenges but stressed they must be resolved through its own dynamics and the will of the state. We would never wish for any chaos to emerge in our neighbor Iran, Celik said, adding that outside interference would only produce worse outcomes. He cautioned that regional instability could escalate further if external involvement is driven by what he described as Israeli provocations. Video purports to show images from a morgue Video circulating online purports to show dozens of bodies in a morgue on the outskirts of Irans capital. People with knowledge of the facility and the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said Monday that the video shows the Kahrizak Forensic Medicine Center. People are seen walking by bodies in body bags laid out in a large room, attempting to identify them. Another video, widely shared by activists, purportedly shows people gathered around a television monitor at the morgue, looking at images of corpses faces. Outside, people can be heard wailing in grief. The footage matches other images of the facility online. - By Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem Text messages warn parents to stop children from joining anti-government protests A witness told the AP that the streets of Tehran empty at the sunset call to prayers each night. Part of that stems from the fear of getting caught in the crackdown. Police sent the public a text message that warned: Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers. Another text, addressed Dear parents, which claimed to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in demonstrations. The witness spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing crackdown. - By Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Tens of thousands rally in Tehran in support of the government Iran drew tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators to the streets Monday in a show of power after nationwide protests challenging the countrys theocracy. Iranian state television showed images of demonstrators thronging Tehran toward Enghelab Square in the capital. It called the demonstration an Iranian uprising against American-Zionist terrorism, without addressing the underlying anger in the country over the nations ailing economy. That sparked the protests over two weeks ago. State television aired images of such demonstrations around the country, trying to signal it had overcome the protests, as claimed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier in the day. China supports Irans stability and opposes outside intervention China says it opposes the use of force in international relations and expressed hope the Iranian government and people are able to overcome the current difficulties and maintain national stability. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that Beijing always opposes interference in other countries internal affairs, maintains that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law, and opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations. German chancellor condemns crackdown on protests German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned in the strongest terms the violence that the leadership in Iran is directing against its own people. He said it was a sign of weakness rather than strength, adding that this violence must end. Merz said during a visit to India that the demonstrators deserve the greatest respect for the courage with which they are resisting the disproportional, brutal violence of Iranian security forces. He said: I call on the Iranian leadership to protect its population rather than threatening it. Iranian official says channel with US remains open Irans Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday suggested that a channel remained open with the United States. Esmail Baghaei made the comment during a news conference in Tehran. It is open and whenever needed, through that channel, the necessary messages are exchanged, he said. However, Baghaei said such talks needed to be based on the acceptance of mutual interests and concerns, not a negotiation that is one-sided, unilateral and based on dictation. Iranian news agency calls out celebrities, cultural leaders who expressed support for protesters The semiofficial Fars news agency in Iran, which is close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, on Monday began calling out Iranian celebrities and leaders on social media who have expressed support for the protests over the past two weeks, especially before the internet was shut down. The threat comes as writers and other cultural leaders were targeted even before protests. The news agency highlighted specific celebrities who posted in solidarity with the protesters and scolded them for not condemning vandalism and destruction to public property or the deaths of security forces killed during clashes. The news agency accused those celebrities and leaders of inciting riots by expressing their support. Canada said it stands with the brave people of Iran Canada said it stands with the brave people of Iran in a statement on social media that strongly condemned the killing of protesters during widespread protests that have rocked the country over the past two weeks. The Iranian regime must halt its horrific repression and intimidation and respect the human rights of its citizens, Canadas government said on Monday. Iran's foreign minister claims that situation under total control Irans foreign minister claimed Monday that the situation has come under total control after a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country. Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim. Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks. Irans foreign minister alleges nationwide protests are an excuse for Trump to intervene Irans foreign minister alleged Monday that nationwide protests in his nation turned violent and bloody to give an excuse for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene. Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after over 500 have been reported killed by activists -- the vast majority coming from demonstrators. Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks. Iran calls in British ambassador after protesters remove embassy flag Iran has summoned the British ambassador over protesters twice taking down the Iranian flag at their embassy in London. Iranian state television also said Monday that it complained about certain terrorist organization that, under the guise of media, spread lies and promote violence and terrorism. The United Kingdom is home to offices of the BBCs Persian service and Iran International, both which long have been targeted by Iran. By Juliette Jabkhiro and Elizabeth Pineau PARIS, Jan 12 (Reuters) - French far-right leader Marine Le Pen begins a crucial appeal in Paris this week that will determine whether she can run in the 2027 presidential election, after being barred from public office over a conviction for misusing EU funds. Le Pen, the longtime leader of the far-right National Rally (RN), was seen as a likely frontrunner in the 2027 race until she and others were found guilty last year of misappropriating more than 4 million euros ($4.7 million) of EU funds and given a five-year ban from running for public office, effective immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Le Pen appealed, as did the RN and 10 others found guilty of diverting European Parliament funds or receiving these funds. The hearing begins on Tuesday and should end on February 12. OUTCOME EXPECTED BEFORE SUMMER A ruling is expected before the summer, meaning her hopes of running in 2027 remain alive if her five-year ban is revoked or drastically curtailed. If she cannot run, Le Pen has said her protege, 30-year-old RN party president Jordan Bardella, will do so in her stead. On Monday Bardella told reporters that Le Pen would "show her innocence" and that she had his full "support and friendship". Advertisement Advertisement U.S. President Donald Trump and senior members of his team voiced support for Le Pen after her conviction, and any move to stop her from running would likely be seized on by them in their campaign to portray European courts and officials as seeking to unfairly block far-right politicians from power. Trump officials last year held internal discussions about sanctioning French prosecutors and judges involved in barring Le Pen, four sources told Reuters, although those talks no longer appear to be active. The news, first reported by German magazine Der Spiegel, was denied by Under Secretary of State Sarah B. Rogers on X on Thursday, describing it as a "fake story". A State Department spokesperson said: "We do not preview potential actions." Advertisement Advertisement French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said on Thursday the government would remain vigilant to potential U.S. meddling after Peimane Ghaleh-Marzban, president of the Paris judicial court, said any move against a French judge would "constitute an unacceptable and intolerable interference in the internal affairs of our country". Over the past year, the U.S. has imposed sanctions against 11 International Criminal Court judges involved in cases against Israel. LE PEN SAYS BAN POLITICALLY MOTIVATED Le Pen's lawyers, Rodolphe Bosselut and Sandra Chirac Kollarik, declined to comment ahead of the trial. Advertisement Advertisement Following her conviction, Le Pen accused the judiciary of politically motivated targeting, echoing rhetoric used in the U.S. "In the country of human rights, judges have implemented practices that we thought were reserved for authoritarian regimes," Le Pen told French TV channel TF1 at the time. The judges explained in their ruling that they had decided to make the ban effective immediately "to avoid irreparable harm to democratic public order". Opinion polls indicated that most French people supported the ruling. The European Parliament's lawyer Patrick Maisonneuve said he hoped Le Pen and her co-defendants' convictions would be upheld, including more than 3 million euros awarded in damages to the EU legislature. The RN was also ordered to pay a 2 million euro fine, with half the amount suspended. Advertisement Advertisement Judges said in last March's ruling that, between 2004 and 2016, Le Pen and others had used funds destined for work at the European Parliament to pay staff who were actually working for the party. Le Pen said the way she and her co-defendants used the money was legitimate. Le Pen's legal woes appear to have benefited Bardella. A poll last autumn found Bardella would win the presidency, no matter who his opponent was in the second round. "French people have turned the page on Marine Le Pen," Stewart Chau, an analyst with Verian Group, told Reuters.($1 = 0.8589 euros) (Reporting by Juliette Jabkhiro, Elizabeth Pineau, Gabriel Stargardter and Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by Juliette Jabkhiro; Editing by Gabriel Stargardter and Alex Richardson) State legislations will soon be back at work in Tallahassee, and they've got lots of ideas on how they'd change public education. One proposed bill would require teachers to swear a loyalty oath to the United States and to the state of Florida. Another would repeal a new law requiring school districts to allow charter schools to "co-locate" on under-utilized district property. And a third would increase oversight of voucher funding, which to the chagrin of public school advocates has soared in recent years. Here's a closer look at some of those pieces of legislation: Bill that would require teachers to swear a loyalty oath House Bill 147: State Rep. Tom Fabricio, R-Miami Lakes, has introduced legislation stating that a would-be teacher must swear to "support, protect, and defend the Constitution and the Government of the United States and the Constitution and Government of the State of Florida." The pledge goes further, requiring would-be teachers to swear that they will "well and faithfully perform the duties of a classroom teacher in a professional, independent, objective and nonpartisan manner." Advertisement Advertisement Finally, the legislation would require would-be teachers to swear to "uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and professional ethics" and that they would "foster a respectful environment for all students, which promotes critical thinking, civic responsibility and lifelong learning and that I will serve as a positive role model in both conduct and character, so help me God." Requiring teachers to swear or affirm something "so help me God" could run afoul of a would-be teacher's constitutional protections. And the question of what it means to be "nonpartisan" or a "positive role model in both conduct and character" is also likely to be topic of debate. The Florida Education Association (FEA) opposes HB 147, arguing that "in a free society, nobody should be forced to pledge their loyalty to a government as a condition of employment." Proposed legislation could bring big changes to public education in Florida. Bill to repeal law requiring districts to allow charter schools to co-locate on district property Senate Bill 424: State Sen. Darryl Ervin Rouson, D-St. Petersburg, has introduced legislation repealing the law requiring school districts to allow state-designated "schools of hope" charter schools to operate on under-utilized district property with the district picking up the costs. Advertisement Advertisement The "co-location" law, which was broadened last year, is seen as a boon for charter school operators, for whom the cost of space is a significant financial challenge. There were hundreds of requests from charter school operators seeking to use the expanded law to set up shop on district property. In December, the Palm Beach County School District rejected more than 40 requests from charter operators hoping to use some of the district's property. The district challenged the characterization of its property as under-utilized and said having charter schools operate on it would be a "material impracticality." Now, SB 424 would essentially repeal the co-location law, which the FEA describes as an "unfunded mandate." Repealing the law "restores local control by eliminating the provisions that allow Schools of Hope to claim 'vacant space' in public schools and take over that space and use school district resources at no cost," the FEA states. Advertisement Advertisement Charter schools enjoy broad support in the Republican-controlled state Legislature. GOP lawmakers see them as an important alternative to traditional public schools, which they argue have not performed well enough despite public funding. Traditional public school backers say that funding has been inadequate and that diverting public money to alternatives like charters and private schools simply reduces the amount of money available for the schools that educate the vast majority of the state's children. Voucher funding oversight Senate Bill 318: State Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Pensacola, has introduced legislation that would move the Family Empowerment Scholarship program into the state's funding formula for traditional public schools, expands financial support for districts that have changes in student enrollment and seeks to make sure voucher funding is available for all eligible students. SB 318 would also shift voucher payments to families from quarterly to monthly, and families would be required to verify continued eligibility before each payment. Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz' legislation is being introduced on the heels of a damning report from the state's auditor general, which found that the voucher program has inadequate oversight that allowed for misplaced funds, poor student tracking and cost overruns. Proposed legislation regarding the voucher program will likely spark intense debate in the Tallahassee, where it is prized by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republicans who view it as way to give parents an alternative to traditional public schools. The FEA calls Gaetz' bill "necessary, but not sufficient to address the myriad issues with the voucher program." Any legislation regarding the voucher program will likely spark intense debate in Tallahassee, where it is prized by Gov. Ron DeSantis and other Republicans who view it as way to give parents an alternative to traditional public schools. Democrats and traditional public school supporters see the voucher program as a huge and expanding funding diversion that siphons away money that could be used to improve traditional public education in Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Wayne Washington is a journalist covering education for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at wwashington@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Proposed legislation would change Florida voucher and charter programs State senators applaud during the first day of the 2026 legislative session. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard) With the banging of gavels, the Washington state Legislature opened its sprint of a 60-day session Monday in Olympia. The proceedings were more ceremony than substance, as the states 98 representatives and 49 senators began their work. Anticipating fiery disagreements over the next two months, Lt. Gov. Denny Heck, a Democrat who presides over the Senate, pleaded for grace and respect among lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement In the year of the countrys 250th anniversary, Heck focused on promises the nations founders made about what the United States would be. All the work to sustain democracy, all the sacrifices required for democracy, would ultimately be worthwhile. We are confident that will become self-evident at the end of our 60 days together, Heck told senators. So lets get started. In the other chamber, it didnt take long for the first disagreement. In opening day speeches, Democrats and Republicans couldnt agree on the root of Washingtons woes related to the state budget and high living costs for residents. State representatives sit in the House chamber on the first day of the 2026 legislative session. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard) To Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, its the federal government led by President Donald Trump whos to blame. Advertisement Advertisement To Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, its the Democrats in charge in Olympia and the policies theyve pushed through that are straining Washingtonians. If we want to know why life in Washington is more expensive than it is in nearly every other state, we need to only look in the mirror, Stokesbary said, citing billions in new taxes and fees Democrats passed in 2025. Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, gives her opening remarks for the 2026 legislative session which began on Jan. 12. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard) Meanwhile, back in the other chamber, Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, urged his colleagues to focus on drafting and debating a budget earlier in the session rather than waiting until after the release of a Feb. 16 revenue forecast. Democrats will roll out budgets a few days after the forecast, leaving less than three weeks to discuss and vote on the spending plans. Advertisement Advertisement Hanging over the proceedings on Monday was the strong possibility that Democrats could pass a new income tax on million-dollar earners in the state, a move that would surely draw legal challenges and a ballot fight. A bill to codify the uber-controversial levy hasnt been filed yet. All eyes will be on Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday, as he delivers his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature. He told public affairs network TVW on Monday hes trying to get his speech down to a reasonable length. The Standards reporters were at the Capitol throughout opening day and provided the updates below. Key Events Jan. 12, 2026 1:12 pm House and Senate adjourn for the day Jan. 12, 2026 1:05 pm Senate Republicans lose their first argument of the session Jan. 12, 2026 12:58 pm Democrats, not Trump, to blame for WAs woes, says House Republican leader Jan. 12, 2026 12:53 pm Jinkins goes Trump-heavy in opening day floor speech Jan. 12, 2026 12:35 pm House lawmakers sworn in; Yu honored Jan. 12, 2026 12:27 pm Krishnadasan takes oath of office Jan. 12, 2026 12:19 pm New lawmakers sworn in Jan. 12, 2026 12:13 pm A view from the Senate floor Jan. 12, 2026 12:07 pm House gavels in Jan. 12, 2026 12:04 pm Senate and House are in session Jan. 12, 2026 12:02 pm House chamber doors open Jan. 12, 2026 11:59 am Ferguson discusses budget challenges, tax proposal Jan. 12, 2026 11:38 am Jinkins doubles down on declining to hold initiative hearings Jan. 12, 2026 11:10 am Ferguson is on site Jan. 12, 2026 11:02 am A demand for hearings on two citizen initiatives Jan. 12, 2026 10:44 am When is the first cut-off? Jan. 12, 2026 10:37 am No time to waste House and Senate adjourn for the day Attention in the House chamber tomorrow will be on Gov. Bob Ferguson as he delivers his State of the State address before a joint session of the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Until then, action on the House floor is done. Senators made quick work of passing a batch of resolutions sent over from the House, and also adjourned for the day. Legislative committees will meet for the rest of the afternoon. State Sen. Keith Wagoner will deliver the Republican response to Fergusons speech tomorrow. Last updated: 1:29 pm Senate Republicans lose their first argument of the session Senators are on a break as they wait for the House to send over some resolutions. A few minutes ago, we had our first floor exchange. It came after the Senate churned through a series of first-day resolutions concerning the rules for Senate operations, committee membership, and the assignment of bills to committees. All are passing without debate. Advertisement Advertisement Except for Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407, dealing with cut-off dates. Here, Republicans lost their first argument of the session. Sen. Drew MacEwen, R-Shelton, wasnt opposed to the specific dates. He urged the Senate to reset its priorities and focus on drafting and debating a budget earlier in the session rather than waiting until after the release of a revenue forecast. This session, that forecast will be delivered on Feb. 16. Majority Democrats will roll out budgets a few days later, leaving lawmakers less than three weeks to discuss and vote on them. There is a better way to do this, MacEwen told The Standard. That would be to do the budget first and then see how the revenue forecast affects the numbers, he said. Democrats, not Trump, to blame for WAs woes, says House Republican leader House Minority Leader Drew Stokesbary, R-Auburn, delivered an immediate rebuke of the speakers focus on President Donald Trump as the cause of Washingtons ills. Advertisement Advertisement If we want to know why life in Washington is more expensive than it is in nearly every other state, we need to only look in the mirror, Stokesbary said, citing billions in new taxes and fees Democrats passed in 2025. He said this 60-day legislative session is an inflection point for Washington with another budget shortfall to address this year, despite the increased taxes. Theres also momentum for an income tax on residents earning over $1 million, a policy Republicans oppose. Stokesbarys speech, which closed with a call for increasing housing construction, lowering costs and reducing crime, got some claps from his Democratic colleagues. Jinkins goes Trump-heavy in opening day floor speech House Speaker Laurie Jinkins honed in on various Trump administration policies in her opening day speech on the chambers floor. Advertisement Advertisement She cited President Donald Trumps tariffs, the cuts to Medicaid and food stamps in his signature domestic policy bill and threats of funding cuts for other federal programs. We begin the 2026 legislative session with much of our good work from previous sessions now threatened by the actions of a federal administration with far different policy goals than the majority of Washingtonians, Jinkins said. I wish it were not so. She also shouted out legislation to ban law enforcement, including immigration authorities, from wearing face coverings and to put guardrails on the use of automated license plate readers. Masks are being used to obscure identities, escalate tensions, stoke fears, deny public transparency, and shield government from accountability, Jinkins said. That cant happen here. Advertisement Advertisement She closed with a call to action for her House colleagues. Our job this session is to spend every drop of energy we have, plus some, stopping the bad and building the good, Jinkins said. Lets start now. She received a standing ovation from Democrats and a smattering of claps from Republicans. House lawmakers sworn in; Yu honored House lawmakers who won election in November 2025 were sworn in on Monday, Jan. 12 as the 2026 session got underway. The only new representative in the House this year is Zach Hall, standing center right, a Democrat who was appointed to the seat vacated by Victoria Hunt, who won a Senate race to replace the late Sen. Bill Ramos. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street) The House is swearing in several House members who had been appointed to their seats but won election in November. Newly retired state Supreme Court Justice Mary Yu administered the oath. The only new representative is Zach Hall, a Democrat appointed to the seat vacated by now-Sen. Victoria Hunt, D-Issaquah, who won a state Senate race to replace the late Sen. Bill Ramos. Advertisement Advertisement This is a bit of an unprecedented year with so many new members who were sworn in this last year, House Speaker Laurie Jinkins. Jinkins also honored Yu, who retired from the bench at the end of 2025. Last updated: 12:41 pm Krishnadasan takes oath of office State Sen. Deb Krishnadasan, D-Gig Harbor, was sworn into the Senate on Jan. 12, 2026 after winning election last November. (Photo by Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard) State Sen. Deb Krishnadasan, D-Gig Harbor, was among the lawmakers sworn in on Monday. Last November, she defeated Rep. Michelle Caldier, R-Gig Harbor, to hang onto the seat. It was one of the closest watched legislative races of the year and drew around $4 million in spending by candidates and outside groups. Krishnadasan, who served six years on the Peninsula School District Board of Directors, was appointed to her seat in the 26th Legislative District after former state senator Emily Randall, a Democrat, was elected to Congress in 2024. The district includes parts of Pierce and Kitsap counties and includes Bremerton, Port Orchard, Purdy and Gig Harbor. Last updated: 12:31 pm New lawmakers sworn in The Senate is swearing in the handful of members who were appointed to their seats last session and won elections in November. Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Stephens is swearing them in. First up is Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle. A view from the Senate floor Senate lawmakers stand for the Pledge of Allegiance as floor proceedings begin on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by Jerry Cornfield/Washington State Standard) Last updated: 12:13 pm House gavels in House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, as 2026 proceedings get underway in the House. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard) Senate and House are in session The 2026 session of the Washington state Legislature is underway Lt. Gov. Denny Heck gaveled the Senate to order. A roll call of the 49 members of the chamber followed. A couple minutes later, Speaker Laurie Jinkins gaveled in the House, as the 98 members filed into their seats. Last updated: 12:09 pm House chamber doors open Lawmakers begin filtering into the state House chamber at the state Capitol, just before the noontime start of the 2026 legislative session on Jan. 12. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard) Ferguson discusses budget challenges, tax proposal A short time ago, Gov. Bob Ferguson spoke live with TVWs Mike McClanahan, host of The Impact. He outlined challenges he and lawmakers face erasing a budget shortfall and his goals on housing, transportation and public safety. The first topic, however, was his call for an income tax on those earning more than a million dollars a year. His announcement last month surprised many. He wondered why. Nobody should have been surprised, he said. Throughout his 18-month campaign for governor, he talked about the need for progressive taxes that make the states wealthiest pay a greater share of their earnings to help fund services provided by the state. He had a blunt reply to those worried that passage of such a law could, one day, be modified to cover those earning less than $1 million. I would not support and I will not sign a proposal from the Legislature that allows that, he told McClanahan. Afterwards, The Standard asked how he planned to respond to the state Executive Ethics Board decision that there is reasonable cause that the governor violated state laws when he allowed his former chief of staff, Mike Webb, to fly on a state plane last Spring. Heres our story. I havent looked at it yet, but thanks for asking, Ferguson said. Jinkins doubles down on declining to hold initiative hearings House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said Monday that a letter from a conservative group demanding hearings on two citizen initiatives doesnt change her view. Jinkins said Friday thered be no hearings on the measures in the House. She doesnt think declining to hear the initiatives runs afoul of the state constitution. The constitution doesnt say you have to hold hearings. It actually says you have to take action, Jinkins said. The action is going to be referring to the people. She said she hasnt read the Citizen Action Defense Fund letter sent Monday, but will do so. Ill see whether or not the letter makes good points or not, she said. I doubt that it does. Last updated: 11:40 am Ferguson is on site Gov. Bob Ferguson, left, speaks to TVWs Mike McClanahan in the state Capitol late Monday morning, before the sessions official kickoff. Ferguson will deliver his State of the State address on Tuesday. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street) A demand for hearings on two citizen initiatives A conservative group is demanding that Democratic leadership hold hearings on two Lets Go Washington initiatives likely set to go before voters in November. IL26-001 would repeal changes made last year to a 2024 Lets Go Washington initiative enshrining certain rights for parents of public school students. IL26-638 looks to block transgender girls from competing in girls sports. Speaking to reporters Friday, both Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen, D-Seattle, and House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said they dont plan hearings on the measures, which are deeply unpopular among Democrats. Im certain that we will not be passing either of those initiatives, Pedersen said. Theyll be up to the voters to decide. In a letter sent Monday, the Citizen Action Defense Fund argued that declining to hold legislative hearings on the initiatives is unconstitutional. The state constitution says initiatives shall take precedence over all other measures in the legislature except appropriation bills and shall be either enacted or rejected without change or amendment by the legislature before the end of such regular session. If the initiatives dont get hearings, I am authorized to inform you that we will consider the available options to ensure compliance with the constitution, reads the letter from Jackson Maynard, the defense funds executive director. Both initiatives appear to have enough signatures to go before the Legislature, but the secretary of states office hasnt certified them yet. The Citizen Action Defense Fund has also filed a lawsuit looking to block the parental rights rewrite that lawmakers passed last year. The case is pending in Thurston County Superior Court. House Bill 1296, which made last years revisions, was one of the most controversial bills passed in the 2025 legislative session. Democrats said the rewrite was necessary to clarify the earlier initiative backed by Lets Go Washington. READ MORE: WA Democrats wont hold hearings on parental rights, trans athlete initiatives Last updated: 11:03 am When is the first cut-off? All legislation must clear several hurdles before it can reach the governors desk. And there are deadlines for each one. One of the first arrives Feb. 4. That is when bills that will not cost the state money must be voted out of a policy committee. Three weeks isnt much time. Thats why youll see votes taking place in committees this week. Here is a draft of key cut-off dates. This will become official with legislative action today. Two are most critical. Feb. 17 is the house of origin cut-off. That means bills must be passed out of the chamber where they originate and sent to the other chamber for consideration. Exceptions here are the budgets. March 6 is the opposite house cutoff. This is the last day to consider legislation passed by the other chamber, except for budgets, bills necessary to implement budgets, matters that affect state revenue, and initiatives to the legislature. No time to waste Sixty days will go fast. As soon as Mondays pomp ends, the legislating begins. Ten committees six in the House and four in the Senate will hold meetings this afternoon. One of the most notable will be the House Appropriations Committee at 4 p.m., where the public will be getting its first chance to weigh in on Gov. Bob Fergusons budget proposal. Lots of interest in this one. Interest is high. As of Sunday evening, 98 people have signed in to testify, and about 600 registered their opposition but didnt want to speak. If you miss out on the budget discussion Monday, you will get another chance Tuesday when the Senate Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on the governors proposal in its 4 p.m. meeting. And the House budget committee plans a second public hearing Wednesday. If you want to testify on any bill, heres the link to sign up. Beavercreek High School has launched a coffee kiosk for students, offering a new beverage option as part of an initiative driven by the Student Advisory Board. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The coffee initiative emerged from conversations among students, particularly members of the Student Advisory Board who wanted to enhance the schools offerings. We were hoping to get local places to come in during certain days of the year and then it was thought we could have our own in the school, Avery Franklin, a senior at Beavercreek High School, said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Assistant Principal Jason Scott told News Center 7 that while not every request is possible, this one was. Now, in accordance with federal guidelines on calories and caffeinated beverages, students have yet another option during breakfast and lunch. Here at Beavercreek City Schools we truly believe that we want to work in the best interest of our students, and whats the best way to do that than to ask them the things they want to see happen because this school is more theirs than ours, Scott said. For now, students have one caffeinated blend available, served as hot or iced coffee, purchased with their student food account or cash. More options may be added in the future. Its such a beautiful thing to feel like your input matters and to leave a lasting legacy on the school like this, Macey Stewart, a senior, said. Its just really special to me. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] This off-the-radar utility stock is an ideal choice for growth and income investors, with its hefty 3.93% dividend yield. Brookfield Renewable Corp. ( NYSE: BEPC ) operates renewable power platforms and sustainable solutions. The company has signed a framework with Microsoft to develop over 10.5 GW of new renewable energy capacity from 2026 to 2030, and also has a hydro framework agreement with Google. We decided to screen our 24/7 Wall St. utility stocks research database to identify the top companies in the sector that have already struck substantial deals with some of Silicon Valleys most prominent players. Surging demand for electricity, which will only continue to grow, has made some of Americas oldest and best utility companies one of the best investments for growth and income investors who would like to participate in the AI/data center revolution but would rather play it from a safer angle. What could be a better avenue than utility stocks that pay dependable, and in some cases large, dividend payments every quarter? Five top companies that we have covered for years may be perfect stocks for Boomer and Gen X investors, and all are rated Buy at the top Wall Street firms we cover. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here . Paying dependable dividends and offering long-term safety for investors, top utility stocks make sense in a growth and income portfolio. Many top U.S. utility companies have already cut landmark deals with big-tech giants. Growth and income investors looking for a safer way to play the AI and data center explosion have found an avenue with utility stocks. Big tech companies are increasingly striking direct deals with utilities to secure reliable, long-term energy supplies as their power needs surge, driven mainly by data centers, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. These agreements often include power purchase agreements for renewable energy, such as wind and solar, allowing tech firms to lock in stable prices while helping utilities finance new generation and grid upgrades. In some cases, companies are also partnering with utilities on energy storage, transmission expansion, and even next-generation sources like small modular nuclear reactors to ensure around-the-clock power. For utilities, these deals provide guaranteed demand and investment capital. At the same time, tech companies offer energy security, cost predictability, and progress toward sustainability goalsmaking the partnerships strategically crucial for both sides. Story Continues The companys portfolio comprises hydroelectric, wind, solar, and storage facilities across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. It has approximately 33,000 megawatts of installed capacity and a development pipeline with approximately 155,400 megawatts. Brookfield Renewables businesses include: Renewable Power & Transition, which operates across five continents and manages a diverse portfolio of hydro, wind, solar, distributed energy, and sustainable solutions. Infrastructure owns and operates assets across the transport, data, utilities, and midstream sectors. Private Equity includes business services, infrastructure services, and industrials. Real Estate includes housing, logistics, hospitality, science and innovation, office, and retail. Credit & Insurance Solutions provides capital and risk management for insurers and individuals. Morgan Stanley has an Overweight rating with a $48 target price. Constellation Energy This is one of the top companies in the industry, and it has already completed some huge forward deals. With a small 0.45% dividend, Constellation Energy Inc. (NYSE: CEG) is a growth story for sure. It is a producer of emissions-free energy and an energy supplier to businesses, homes, and public sector customers nationwide. The company has secured 20-year power purchase agreements with both Microsoft and Meta Platforms, including the entire 1,121-megawatt output of its Clinton Clean Energy Center nuclear plant to power a Meta data center. The companys nuclear, hydro, wind, and solar generation facilities have a generating capacity equivalent to powering 16 million homes and provide about 10% of the nation's clean energy. Its segments include: Mid-Atlantic Midwest New York ERCOT Other Power Regions Through its integrated business operations, it sells electricity, natural gas, and other energy-related products and sustainable solutions to various types of customers, including distribution utilities, municipalities, cooperatives, and commercial, industrial, public-sector, and residential customers across multiple geographic regions. The company's nuclear fleet has a generating capacity of approximately 22 gigawatts (GWs). It operates approximately 10 GW of natural gas, oil, hydroelectric, wind, and solar generation assets. TD Cowen has a Buy rating with a $440 target price. Dominion Energy Dominion Energy Inc. (NYSE: D) is an integrated energy utility that offers electricity, natural gas, and related services. Many of the Wall Street firms we cover are positive on utilities, and this company pays a strong 4.62% dividend. The company has received requests to supply 47.1 gigawatts of power to data centers in Virginia, a major data center market, as part of a $50 billion capital investment plan from 2025 to 2029. Dominion Energy operates through four segments: Dominion Energy Virginia Gas Distribution Dominion Energy South Carolina Contracted Assets The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. The company has received requests to supply 47.1 gigawatts of power to data centers in Virginia, a major data center market, as part of a $50 billion capital investment plan from 2025 to 2029. The Gas Distribution segment engages in: Regulated natural gas gathering Transportation Distribution and sales activities Nonregulated renewable natural gas distribution This segment serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The Dominion Energy South Carolina segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in South Carolina. Dominion serves approximately 7 million customers, and the companys portfolio of assets includes approximately: 30.2 gigawatts of electric generating capacity 10,500 miles of electric transmission lines 85,600 miles of electric distribution lines 94,200 miles of gas distribution lines Barclays has an Overweight rating with a $64 target price. Entergy This energy company primarily engaged in electric power production and retail distribution in the Deep South of the United States. This top utility stock always makes sense for conservative investors, and Entergy Corp. (NYSE: ETR) pays a solid 2.64% dividend. The company produces and distributes electricity in the United States and is embarking on building two new 1.5 GW gas-fired power plants to supply Metas $10 billion AI data center in Northeast Louisiana, with $41 billion in planned investments. It operates in two segments: Utility Entergy Wholesale Commodities The Utility segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power in the City of New Orleans, as well as portions of: Arkansas Louisiana Mississippi Texas The company also distributes natural gas. The Entergy Wholesale Commodities segment is involved in: The ownership, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear power plants located in the northern United States Sale of electric power to wholesale customers Provision of services to other nuclear power plant owners Ownership of interests in non-nuclear power plants that sell electric power to wholesale customers The company generates electricity through gas, nuclear, coal, hydro, and solar sources. It sells energy to retail power providers, utilities, electric power co-operatives, power trading organizations, and other power generation companies. Its power plants have approximately 24,000 megawatts (MW) of electric generating capacity, which includes 5,000 MW of nuclear power. J.P. Morgan has a $108 target price for the stock. NextEra Energy This top company is among the highest-rated utility stocks on Wall Street, and it pays a dependable 2.79% dividend. NextEra Energy Inc. (NYSE: NEE) is an electric power and energy infrastructure company. It is working with Google on developing gigawatt-scale data center campuses and will generate 2.5 GW of solar projects for Meta. NextEra also agreed to a 25-year deal with Alphabet to acquire 3 GW of energy from a redeveloped nuclear facility. NextEra operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries, NextEra Energy Resources and NextEra Energy Transmission (collectively, NEER), and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL). The FPL segment is a rate-regulated electric utility that generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric energy in Florida. FPL has approximately 35,052 megawatts of net generating capacity, over 91,000 circuit miles of transmission and distribution lines, and 921 substations. The NEER segment owns, develops, constructs, manages, and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets in the United States and Canada and includes assets and investments in other businesses with a clean energy focus, such as battery storage, natural gas pipelines, and renewable fuels. It owns, develops, constructs, and operates rate-regulated transmission facilities in North America. J.P. Morgan has an Overweight rating and a $97 price target. Our Top 2026 Passive Income Ultra-High-Yield Picks With Up to 10% Dividends. Data Shows One Habit Doubles Americans Savings And Boosts Retirement Most Americans drastically underestimate how much they need to retire and overestimate how prepared they are. But data shows that people with one habit have more than double the savings of those who dont. And no, its got nothing to do with increasing your income, savings, clipping coupons, or even cutting back on your lifestyle. Its much more straightforward (and powerful) than any of that. Frankly, its shocking more people dont adopt the habit given how easy it is. This story was originally published on Smart Cities Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Smart Cities Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Local officials in Minnesota and elsewhere vowed to hold federal immigration agents accountable for alleged criminal and abusive conduct following the shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday, as some law enforcement officials sided with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement action. After the Federal Bureau of Investigation removed the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from the Good case on Thursday, Hennepin County, Minnesota, County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Friday that her office is moving forward in collaboration with the [Minnesota] attorney generals office and the BCA to preserve any evidence and ensure it can be reviewed. She asked community members to submit information, video and photos of the event to her office. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced Thursday that the Oregon Department of Justice is opening an investigation after two people were shot and injured during an encounter with federal agents in Portland. Todays incident only heightens the need for transparency and accountability, he said. Our office will take every step necessary to ensure that the rights and security of Oregonians are protected. Dive Insight: Protests erupted nationwide over the weekend after an ICE agent killed Good. Advertisement Advertisement DHS released a statement saying Good weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them. Several videos of the incident, including one from the ICE officer who shot Good, have been released online. As DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Saturday that hundreds more federal law enforcement officers were headed to Minnesota, mayors and governors moved to curtail ICE activity in their cities and states. In Chicago, where DHS last fall launched an aggressive deportation campaign that it called Operation Midway Blitz, former Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday announced she has established the ICE Accountability Project, a centralized public-facing repository for the collection of alleged criminal and abusive conduct by federal immigration agents. Simply put, we want to know and see where people believe that agents have crossed the line, she said during a press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Lightfoot said the project will work in conjunction with the Illinois Accountability Commission, which Gov. JB Pritzker created by executive order in October 2025 to capture the impact of what he called federal immigration agent abuses. In December, Pritzker signed the Illinois Bivens Act, making it easier for residents to sue federal immigration agents, restricting immigration enforcement outside state courthouses and limiting the information state-funded hospitals, public colleges and universities and day care centers can provide to immigration agents. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a similar portal to assist members of the public in sharing information with the California Department of Justice regarding potentially unlawful activity by federal agents and officers across the state in December 2025. Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal issued a strongly worded video statement Friday, calling ICE agents made-up, fake, wannabe law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement professionals around the country do their job, and we have been fighting for years to build that bridge between us and our communities, she said. You have one negative nutcase that causes this problem, and now we all have to fight again to let people know law enforcement works with communities. Other law enforcement officials expressed support for ICE. The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police released a statement Thursday supporting federal law enforcement and calling on politicians and leaders to stop the anti-law enforcement rhetoric. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said during a news conference that ICE agents are agents of law enforcement and we cannot become a society where we just decide to take everything in our own hands and start to commit crimes against law enforcement. You may not like what they are doing, he said. I can understand theres a lot of emotions out there, but that does not mean that you get to commit a crime. Recommended Reading MUNCIE, IN Local critics of President Donald Trump on Sunday, Jan. 11, staged a protest aimed at efforts by ICE agents to capture unauthorized immigrants. Sarah Vitale, leader of the Muncie Resists group that organized Sunday's protest in front of Walmart North along West McGalliard Road said the Muncie event was one of many "ICE out for Good" protests nationwide over the weekend. Local residents on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 11, took part in an "ICE out for Good" protest rally in front of Muncie's Walmart North store along West McGalliard Road. The protests stem from the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good during a confrontation with ICE agents in the Minnesota city. Advertisement Advertisement Members of the Trump administration have maintained the shooting by an ICE agent was justified and took place as Good who had allegedly been using her SUV in an effort to thwart ICE efforts in a Minneapolis neighborhood tried to strike the agent with her vehicle. The FBI is investigating the events leading to the fatal shooting. More: Latest 'No Kings' rally draws anti-Trump protesters to downtown Muncie bridge "The message (of the weekend protests) is we all need to be safe in our communities, and ICE is not protecting people," Vitale said. "Instead it's a danger." Vitale said events like the Good shooting "can't be acceptable." Local residents on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 11, took part in an "ICE out for Good" protest rally in front of Muncie's Walmart North store along West McGalliard Road. "That's not the America we believe in. The idea that an American citizen protesting, which is something we're all doing here, could be hurt by American law enforcement ..." Vitale said she was troubled that Trump and members of his administration had called the shooting "completely justified before there's an investigation." Advertisement Advertisement Vitale said members of Muncie Resists also want immigrants living in Muncie to "know they're safe, they're welcome, we love them and they're integral members of our community." Muncie resident Roscoe Rogers said he was participating in Sunday's protest in support of the U.S. Constitution. "If ICE followed the constitution, that would be wonderful," said Rogers, a former New Castle resident. Local residents on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 11, took part in an "ICE out for Good" protest rally in front of Muncie's Walmart North store along West McGalliard Road. A woman who declined to give her name said she was at Sunday's rally "because of everything that's happened over the past year." "Donald Trump is a travesty in this country," she said. "Democracy is ending. What isn't terrible right now?" Advertisement Advertisement Although most previous anti-Trump protest rallies in Muncie have been held on the Fallen Heroes bridge downtown, the bridge is closed for a sewer project. So Sunday's rally was on a sidewalk along West Clara Lane, with a fence separating protesters from traffic on four-lane McGalliard Road. Chants repeated at the event included, "No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA." Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Trump critics stage anti-ICE protest along Muncie's McGalliard Road State Rep. Steven Jackson, D-Shreveport (Photo by Allison Allsop/Louisiana Illuminator) The Louisiana Board of Ethics has declined to waive most of the nearly $10,000 in fines state Rep. Steven Jackson, D-Shreveport, faced for not submitting his campaign finance and personal disclosure documents on time or properly. The board voted to reduce Jacksons fines by $3,000 at his request, but he has a remaining fee balance of $6,720 to pay. The full reduction was also contingent on Jackson submitting some missing personal financial disclosure paperwork from 2023 by midnight Friday. Otherwise, the board said it would reinstate another $1,500 in penalties, for $8,220 in total. Advertisement Advertisement Jackson accrued the fees after he filed four ethics and campaign finance reports late and failed to file one at all. He also did not correct two reports the ethics board flagged for mismatching campaign account balances, which resulted in extra penalties. All but one of these reports was related to Jacksons campaign for Louisiana House of Representatives in 2023. He also ran up thousands of dollars in fines previously when he ran for and served in Caddo Parish government. By his own estimate, Jackson had already paid $10,000 to $15,000 in penalties for missing deadlines for 15 old campaign finance reports, not including those before the board Friday. What I will tell you is none of what you see is intentional, Jackson told board members. Jackson declined to talk to take additional questions from reporter after the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Campaign finance reports and personal financial disclosure paperwork are the primary way the public knows who donates to a political campaign and what conflict officials might have. Hundreds of candidates, elected officials and public employees are required to file them each year. As a state legislator, Jackson told the board he now has better systems in place to make sure his campaign finance and personal finance disclosure forms are filed on time. Now that Im in the legislature, we have staff that comes around that reminds us. I have a staff person in my office that has a calendar set, Jackson said. I am now able to pay a CPA to remind me. So I get three reminders now to submit my personal financial disclosure or to file for that extension if needed. Advertisement Advertisement Ethics board members were reluctant to reduce Jacksons fines further because of his poor track record meeting past deadlines. You have a history going way back of late filings, and you paid a fine numerous times. And thats not setting a great example for your citizens, your constituents, said board member John Crigler, a retired judge from St. Joseph. Jackson responded by saying he tried to take responsibility for missing those deadlines by paying large penalties in the past. Thats me taking ownership in my part, in my role and my responsibility in that, he responded. Yet when Jackson had paid ethics fines in the past, his hand has often been forced to do so. The ethics board filed a short-lived lawsuit in August 2019 to block Jackson from qualifying to run for his second term on the Caddo Parish Commission over $3,600 in late fees for his 2015 race. State law requires candidates for public office to pay their penalties in full before they enter a new election cycle. The suit was withdrawn a day later after Jackson hastily met with the board and paid some of the fines he owed. Advertisement Advertisement Over a separate group of fines, the attorney generals office in 2022 garnished more than $1,000 monthly from Jacksons paychecks for three months. Jackson also pushed back with the board Friday on the newer fines that were under consideration. He said he had never received the boards written warnings about one of them because his mail had been picked up by campaign volunteers from a shared post office box and never handed to him. Jackson now has a new mailbox he doesnt share with others, he said. The board has also struggled to deliver late fee notices to Jackson via certified mail, which requires a recipients signature. Four attempts to send penalty notices to Jackson went unsigned from August 2024 to March 2025, according to information the ethics board staff provided. Eventually, Ethics Administrator David Bordelon personally hand delivered Jacksons most recent late notices directly to Jackson while the representative was at the State Capitol on April 23 for the 2025 legislative session. Jackson said he is always open to contact from the ethics board and its staff. What I will tell you is that I always try to make myself available, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Yet Jackson was given several months to correct problems on two campaign finance reports that would have reduced or eliminated some of his fines altogether and he didnt, said Charles Reeves, an ethics board attorney. We spoke to [Jacksons] attorney multiple times, and she assured us that [a report change] was forthcoming, and when we reviewed the investigation report, it had not been amended, Reeves told the board. One time, the ethics board staff reached Jackson by phone to talk about his inaccurate or late campaign finance reports, and Jackson said he could not talk because he was on his way to the gym. The state representative said he would call the staff back but never did, Reeves said. By the end of Fridays hearing, Jackson appeared frustrated and confused over the ethics board not further reducing his fines. Advertisement Advertisement I followed the staffs recommendation, and I got here today only to find out that the recommendation that the staff gave me didnt resolve the problem, Jackson said. I just want to be clear. What do I owe at this point and what is still outstanding? The board voted 10-0 to reduce two $2,500 fines by $1,500 each and 7-3 to keep the remaining five fines, totaling $4,720, the same. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Pope Leo XIV met with Venezuelas opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado in a private audience at the Vatican on Monday, during which she asked him to intercede for the release of hundreds of political prisoners held in the Latin American country. The meeting, which hadn't been previously included in the list of the pope's planned appointments, was later listed by the Vatican in its daily bulletin, without adding details. Machado is touring Europe and the United States after she reemerged in December after 11 months in hiding to accept her Nobel Prize in Norway. Advertisement Advertisement "Today I had the blessing and honour of being able to share with His Holiness and express our gratitude for his continued support of what is happening in our country," Machado said in a statement following the meeting. "I also conveyed to him the strength of the Venezuelan people who remain steadfast and in prayer for the freedom of Venezuela and I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared." Pope Leo XIV meeting with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela at the Vatican, 12 January, 2026 - AP Photo Venezuela released several imprisoned high-profile opposition figures last Thursday in what Caracas described as a gesture to "seek peace" less than a week after US forces captured President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation. And again on Monday, dozens more political prisoners were released as rights groups questioned the numbers and family members clamoured for quicker releases. Advertisement Advertisement Machado also held talks with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who was an ecclesiastical diplomat in Venezuela from 2009 to 2013. Pope Leo XIV has called for Venezuela to remain an independent country after Maduro was seized in his compound in Caracas and taken to New York to face federal charges of drug-trafficking. The pontiff had said he was following the developments in Venezuela with "deep concern," and urged the protection of human and civil rights in the country. Venezuela's opposition, backed by consecutive Republican and Democratic administrations in the US, had vowed for years to immediately replace Maduro with one of their own and restore democracy to the oil-rich country. But US President Donald Trump delivered them a heavy blow by allowing Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, to assume control. Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, most opposition leaders, including Machado, are in exile or prison. After winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, Machado said she'd like to give it to or share with Trump. Trump has coveted and openly campaigned for winning the Peace Prize himself since his return to office in January 2025. The organisation that oversees the prize, the Norwegian Nobel Institute, said, however, that once it's announced, the prize can't be revoked, transferred or shared with others. "The decision is final and stands for all time," it said in a short statement last week. Trumpy Sen. Markwayne Mullin contradicted himself on live television while defending a federal immigration agent who fatally shot a Minneapolis mother. During an appearance on CNNs State of the Union, the Oklahoma Republican rallied behind ICE agent Jonathan Ross, who fired three shots into a vehicle in Minneapolis, killing 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. Widow and mom-of-one Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis Wednesday. / Facebook Sen. Markwayne Mullin appeared to stumble through his defense of a federal immigration agent on Sunday who killed a 37-year-old mother. / CNN/ / CNN The fact is that Renee Good was interfering with police activity. Theres no question about that right now, Mullin told CNNs Jake Tapper on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Once she blocked the ICE agents from doing their job, they exited the vehicle. Gave her verbal command, she wasnt listening, and then she purposely tries to accelerate and run over, he said. Mullin almost immediately tried to walk back that assertion. Screenshot/Alpha News/X I dont know if she purposely tried to run over the ICE agent, but there was an ICE agent position in front of her vehicle. She accelerated to them. At that point, that vehicle becomes a lethal weapon. Tapper was quick to note the inconsistency. You just asserted that the woman clearly tried to run over the guy, and then you said, at the very least, she was going forward while he was in front, Tapper replied. Advertisement Advertisement I think that does illustrate the fact that this is, at the very least, a widely disputed incident full of ambiguities and interpretations. How can anyone be confident that she was trying to attack the officer instead of she was trying to flee the scene? Mullin responded that, in his view, the distinction did not matter. It doesnt make any difference, he said. Police officers are doing their job, and she was interfering in their job. A screenshot of a video posted by Max Nesterak on the social media site X shows ICE officer Jonathan Ross shortly after he fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, 2025. / Screenshot/Max Nesterak/X The shootingcaptured on video from multiple anglessparked immediate tensions in the city and a political firestorm over ICE enforcement tactics. Good left behind three children: a daughter and a son, ages 15 and 12, from her first marriage, and a six-year-old son from her second marriage, which ended with her husbands death. Advertisement Advertisement When Tapper pressed Mullin on whether Goods actions warranted her being killed, the senator said yes, repeatedly insisting that her vehicle was being used in a so-called lethal manner. Tapper then pointed out that video footage appears to show Ross firing at the side of Goods carwhat Tapper described as out of harms way from the vehicle. Mullin dismissed the footage. Well, thats very selective imaging that you guys are using there, he said. Footage of the shooting that has circulated widely on social media shows ICE agents shouting at Goodwho had reportedly just dropped off her six-year-old son at schoolthrough the window of her SUV while it remained stationary on a Minneapolis street, blocking one lane of traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Good does not appear flustered in the video. The last words she can be heard saying before being shot are, Thats fine, dude. Im not mad at you. Im not mad at you. Moments later, as a woman believed to be Goods wife, Rebecca, confronts an officer recording the scene, a pickup truck pulls up nearby. ICE agents are then seen quickly approaching Goods vehicle and ordering her to step outside. Get out of the f--king car, an agent says. After failing to open the passenger-side door, Rebecca shouts, drive baby, drive. An agent is unable to open Goods locked door. She then attempts to leave the areafirst reversing briefly, then turning and accelerating forward. As the vehicle moves, three shots ring out, and Goods SUV crashes into another car parked along the residential street. Advertisement Advertisement Moments after the crash, while Good is dying from a gunshot wound to the head, an ICE agent is heard muttering, f--king b---h. The video obtained by Alpha News cuts off shortly thereafter. The White House has maintained that Good was attempting to ram Ross, with Trump claiming he was run over, hospitalized, and that it was hard to believe he was alive. But critics say the footage is damning for the administrationespecially since it confirms that an agents immediate reaction was not pain from an injury that supposedly hospitalized him, but instead to say a slur. The Daily Beast has reached out to Mullin for additional clarification. MAGA cheerleader Lindsey Graham has suggested that President Donald Trump should just kill Irans supreme leader as the Islamic Republic continues to be gripped by nationwide protests. The South Carolina senator pitched his plan to assassinate Ali Khamenei, the head of the countrys clerical regime, during an interview on Foxs Sunday Morning Futures. If I were you, Mr. President, I would kill the leadership that are killing the people, Graham, 70, said. You gotta end this. Advertisement Advertisement Graham called Khamenei the modern-day Hitler and a religious Nazi, and claimed that the Iranian people want to see the autocrats fall. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been the Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989 and is facing nationwide protests against his regime. / Atte Kenare/Getty Images Flashing a black Make Iran Great Again hat that hed shown off to Trump earlier in the week, Graham told Fox host Maria Bartiromo that whatever action Trump takes needs to embolden the protesters and scare the hell out of the regime. He argued that if the Ayatollah hangs on during the latest protests, it would amount to a giant Obama-step backward. I have faith in you, Mr. President, you are the Ronald Reagan-plus of our time, he said. Stand with the people, Mr. President. Let them know youre going to kill their oppressors. Advertisement Advertisement The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment. I am so proud of @POTUS and @SecRubio for being in the corner of the people of Iran and their protests against oppression. The Make Iran Great Again hat that I showcased with President Trump has clearly become in his own words now a symbol of support for the protestors. pic.twitter.com/StCza1oAem Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 10, 2026 Trump, 79, who ordered strikes on Irans nuclear facilities in June, told reporters on Sunday that the U.S. military is looking at strong options in response to the regimes crackdown on the growing protests. More than 500 people have been killed in the unrest, U.S.-based rights group HRANA said Sunday, according to Reuters, and more than 10,600 people have been arrested. There seemed to be some people killed that arent supposed to be killed, Trump said. But were looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it. He added that he would make a determination and revealed that a meeting is being set up with Iranian leaders who want to negotiate with the U.S. Irans clerical regime has governed since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which overthrew the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who himself had been installed in 1953 after a CIA-backed coup overthrew a democratically elected prime minister. Some of Donald Trumps own supporters appear fed up with what they see as his shaky grasp of the economic reality. The president, 79, faced backlash on Sunday after he flaunted the grand entrance to his sprawling Mar-a-Lago estate in a Truth Social postjust days after a disastrous jobs report and amid an affordability crisis. The entrance to Mar-a-Lago! Trump wrote on the platform, showing off the gold-encrusted entryway to his Florida resort. The president faced backlash on Sunday after he flaunted the grand entrance to his sprawling Mar-a-Lago estate / Truth Social/ Donald J. Trump What do we do with this information, Mr. President? one Truth Social user, who identifies as Eric Ochanji, wrote. The user regularly shares posts amplifying Trump administration officials. Another apparent Trump supporter responded more bluntly: Who cares? Advertisement Advertisement A Truth Social user who identifies as MAGA asked Trump when he would turn his attention to public spaces rather than his own resort. Amazing! Historical-looking even! When are we gonna class up American cities and airports? the user who identifies as Swamp Drainer wrote. One Truth Social user who identifies as MAGA asked Trump when he would turn his attention to public spaces rather than his own resort. / Truth Social Some of Trump's supporters urged the president to turn his attention towards America and away from Mar-a-Lago. / Truth Social / Truth Social Another user named Georgewhose posts show he has previously been supportive of Trumpwrote: How about those tariff rebate checks and Ill give a s--t about your entrance I want my money, referring to Trumps repeated promise to send Americans $2,000 checks funded by tariff revenues. Trumps boasting came after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a jobs report on Friday that was even bleaker than expected. Employers added just 50,000 jobs last month, falling short of economists forecasts. Advertisement Advertisement The most damning data was a revision to Octobers already weak figures, revealing that the economy shed 68,000 more jobs than previously reportedbringing the total to a staggering 173,000 nonfarm jobs lost. Even analysts on Fox Business acknowledged the numbers were grim. Maria Bartiromo, a Trump-friendly host, reacted bluntly: The jobs numbers are weaker than expected. BLS data also shows that President Joe Biden oversaw significantly stronger job growth in his final full year in office than Trump has during the first 11-and-a-half months of MAGA 2.0. The economy added an average of 168,000 jobs per month in 2024, compared with just 49,000 per month in 2025. Trump is also facing mounting criticism that he has become overly focused on foreign policy during his second term and increasingly disconnected from Americans struggling through a cost-of-living crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Last month, a Politico poll found that nearly half46 percentof U.S. adults said the cost of living is the worst they can ever remember it being, including 37 percent of voters who supported Trump in 2024. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to block Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk's company xAI, as concerns grow among global authorities that it is being misused to generate sexually explicit and nonconsensual images. There is growing scrutiny of generative AI tools that can produce realistic images, sound and text, and concern that existing safeguards are failing to prevent their abuse. The Grok chatbot, accessed through Musks social media platform X, has been criticized for generating manipulated images, including depictions of women in bikinis or sexually explicit poses, as well as images involving children. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Scrutiny of Grok is growing, including in the European Union, India, France and the United Kingdom, which said Monday it was moving to criminalize nudification apps. Britain's media regulator also launched an investigation into whether Grok broke the law by allowing users to share sexualized images of children. Last week, Grok limited image generation and editing to paying users following a global backlash over sexualized deepfakes of people, but critics say it didnt fully address the problem. An emailed request for comment by The Associated Press to xAI resulted in an automated reply from the media support address which stated, Legacy Media Lies. This was the same message received from a different address when asked for comment regarding the global backlash. Asian action aimed at Grok Advertisement Advertisement Regulators in the two Southeast Asian nations said existing controls weren't preventing the creation and spread of fake pornographic content, particularly involving women and minors. Indonesias government temporarily blocked access to Grok on Saturday, followed by Malaysia on Sunday. Initial findings showed Grok lacks effective safeguards to stop users from creating and distributing pornographic content based on real photos of Indonesian residents, Alexander Sabar, director-general of digital space supervision, said in a statement. He said such practices risk violating privacy and image rights when photos are manipulated or shared without consent. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission noted repeated misuse of the tool to generate obscene, sexually explicit and nonconsensual manipulated images, including content involving women and minors. The regulator said notices were issued this month to X Corp. and xAI demanding stronger safeguards. Advertisement Advertisement The restriction is imposed as a preventive and proportionate measure while legal and regulatory processes are ongoing, it said, adding that access will remain blocked until effective safeguards are put in place. Investigation launched in U.K. Launched in 2023, Grok is free to use on X. An image generator feature, Grok Imagine, was added last year and included a so-called spicy mode that can generate adult content. The U.K.'s media regulator said it 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. Advertisement Advertisement 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 investigation's 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. ___ Tarigan reported from Jakarta, Indonesia. Associated Press writers Sylvia Hui and Brian Melley in London contributed. Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Elon Musk's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok over its ability to produce sexually explicit deepfakes. Grok, a tool on Musk's X platform, allows users to generate images but has recently been used to edit images of real people to show them in revealing outfits. The South East Asian countries said Grok could be used to produce pornographic and non-consensual images involving women and children. They are the first in the world to ban the AI tool. Advertisement Advertisement There is also growing pressure to block Grok in the UK, with its technology secretary saying she would back the move, leading Musk to accuse the government of wanting to suppress free speech. Malaysia and Indonesia's communications ministries announced their move against Grok in separate statements over the weekend. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said on Sunday that it issued notices to X earlier in the year to seek tighter measures after it found "repeated misuse" of Grok to generate harmful content. But in its response, X failed to address the inherent risks of its platform's design and focused mainly on the reporting process for users, the regulator said. Advertisement Advertisement It added that Grok will be blocked until effective safeguards are implemented and urged the public to report harmful online content. Using Grok to produce sexually explicit content is a violation of human rights, dignity and online safety, Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's communications and digital affairs minister, said in a post on Instagram. The ministry has also asked Musk's X to provide a clarification on the use of Grok. Indonesian authorities have cracked down on other online sources of pornographic material in recent years, with platforms such as OnlyFans and Pornhub already banned in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Indonesian X users who found their manipulated pictures on the platform said they felt angry that this was allowed to happen. Kirana Ayuningtyas, a wheelchair user who posts online about her daily experiences, found that a stranger had commented on her picture with a prompt asking for Grok to depict her wearing a bikini. Ayuningtyas said she adjusted her privacy settings and contacted the platform to get the image removed prevent users from editing her photos. "Unfortunately, none of that really worked," she said, adding that it was hard to tell if someone out there is holding on to the images. Advertisement Advertisement She asked her friends to report the accounts that published her faked images, but doing so meant even more people see the edited images, which is deeply embarrassing for her. The BBC has contacted the Grok platform for comment. The use of Grok to generate sexualised images has been condemned by leaders worldwide, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called it "disgraceful" and "disgusting". The country's Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has also said she would back regulator Ofcom if it blocks UK access to Elon Musk's social media site X for failing to comply with online safety laws. Advertisement Advertisement She said the UK's Online Safety Act "includes the power to block services from being accessed in the UK, if they refuse to comply with UK law" and "if Ofcom decide to use those powers they will have our full support". EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 33-year-old man was arrested after physically assaulting a family member on Sunday night, Jan. 11, at a residence in Horizon, according to the Horizon City Police Department. Police say they responded at around 11 p.m. to the 14000 block of Desert Breeze in reference to a reported assault. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who reported being assaulted during an argument that escalated in the home. The victim stated that she was attacked by Pedro Balcazar Acosta, 33. Advertisement Advertisement Acosta was arrested and charged with assault on a family/household member, impeding breath/circulation. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $10,000 bond. 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 KTSM 9 News. The party supplies and costumes industry suffered a huge loss when party supply retailer Party City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in two years on Dec. 21, 2024, seeking to wind down over 700 store locations in 2025. Walmart, Target, Michael's, and dollar stores such as Dollar Tree stepped in to fill the void for party supplies and balloons. Walmart and Target sell a very limited amount of party supplies compared to Party City. Partiers can turn to Michael's and Dollar Tree for an adequate selection of helium balloons, but it's not as extensive as Party City. Party City was the top party supply store Party City was the go-to store for supplies whenever a child's birthday party was coming up, or when the family needed to pick up birthday and special occasion balloons, or an outfit for a costume party or Halloween. My family always headed for Party City to buy supplies for birthday parties featuring themes such as Star Wars or Barbie. For Halloween, I liked grabbing ridiculous character rubber masks like the classic Ronald Reagan or Jimmy Carter. Scary stuff. Most communities saw their Party City stores close down, but the party-supply chain still operates 19 locally owned franchise locations across the country in Arkansas, California, Hawaii, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Champion Party Supply files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with an uncertain future.Shutterstock Shutterstock Champion Party Supply files for bankruptcy And now a Party City rival has filed for bankruptcy protection after facing some unfortunate circumstances. Iconic Seattle-based retailer Champion Party Supply LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, as it evaluates whether to continue operations or liquidate its assets, according to RK Consultants. The 90-year-old party supply retailer filed its Subchapter V petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, listing over $44,000 in assets and over $936,000 in liabilities, including over $280,000 in secured claims and over $14,000 in priority tax obligations. More bankruptcies: The debtor also made payments to creditors within 90 days of its filing date, including over $40,000 in secured debt to CIT Group and over $8,700 in supplier payments, which it might be able to recover. "For preferential transfers, the trustee or debtor-in-possession can claw back payments made to non-insider creditors within 90 days before the bankruptcy filing date, provided the other elements of a preference are met," according to Delaware law firm Morris James LLP. Disruptions and displacement fuel distress Champion Party Supply attributes its distress to operational disruptions and displacement from its Interbay location, which was caused by the Sound Transit Ballard Link Extension Project. The project forced the debtor to relocate to an 8,000-square-foot location in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood in June 2024. Other economic issues that led to the bankruptcy filing include rising urban retail lease rates, a global helium shortage affecting high-margin balloon sales, and increased competition from e-commerce and seasonal pop-up retailers. Champion Party Supply launched in 1936 Champion Party Supply was founded at 1417 4th Avenue in downtown Seattle in 1936 by Robert Champion as a sign-making and retail display business. The store moved to Pike Place Market in 1950, and transitioned into the party and costume industry. The store remained the Pike Place Market location for 43 years before moving to a location near the Space Needle in 1993 and moving two more times to its Interbay store in 2015 and current location in 2024. Champion Party Supply products: Party supplies Balloons Seasonal products Costumes Kids costumes Costume accessories Wigs Makeup Champion Party Supply sells party supplies, balloons, seasonal products, costumes, kids costumes, costume accessories, wigs, and makeup. The company employs 12-15 staff members at its single retail and warehouse location. Party City remaining locations Fayetteville, Ark. Little Rock, Ark. Bakersfield, Calif. Fontana, Calif. Hawthorne, Calif. Porter Ranch, Calif. Sherman Oaks, Calif. Honolulu South Plainfield, N.J. Memphis, Tenn. Austin, Texas Humble, Texas San Antonio, Texas Shanandoah, Texas Midlothian, Va. Bayamon, Puerto Rico Caguas, Puerto Rico Guaynabo, Puerto Rico Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Related: Favorite casual restaurant chain files Chapter 11 bankruptcy This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jan 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the Retail section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here. A man found guilty of beating a fellow inmate to death at the Massachusetts Treatment Center in Bridgewater in 2021 has been sentenced to state prison, the Plymouth County District Attorneys Office said in a statement. Michael Robinson, 47, formerly of Gloucester, was sentenced Friday, Jan. 8 to serve 10 to 12 years in state prison on charges he beat fellow inmate Scott Wonoski, 43, of Worcester, to death in a bathroom inside the medium security facility, which is located on the same campus as the Old Colony Correctional Center in Bridgewater. On Dec. 17, 2025, after a six-day trial in Plymouth Superior Court, a jury deliberated 11 hours before finding Robinson guilty of one count each of involuntary manslaughter and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, the statement said. In the latter charge, footwear, such as a shoe when used to kick, can be a dangerous weapon, according to state law. Advertisement Advertisement The incident occurred on the evening of April 13, 2021, when corrections officers discovered Wonoski in a facility bathroom unresponsive and bleeding. He was transported to a hospital in Brockton where he was pronounced dead from blunt force injuries to his head and torso, according to the DAs office. His death was ruled a homicide, and video surveillance from the facility showed Robinson assaulting the victim and then exiting the bathroom. Wonoski had been at the Massachusetts Treatment Center since 2019 after he was convicted of attempted murder, the Department of Correction said. He was also a registered Level 3 sex offender in Massachusetts, having been convicted in May 2004 of aggravated rape, according to the state's Sex Offender Registry Board. The facility houses criminally sentenced male inmates identified as sex offenders and those who have been civilly committed as sexually dangerous persons, according to the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Advertisement Advertisement It wasn't immediately clear why or how long Robinson was incarcerated at the facility. Reporter Amelia Stern can be reached by email at astern@enterprisenews.com. Follow her on X at @ameliarstern1. This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Michael Robinson sentenced for beating Scott Wonoski to death A man has been charged in the deadly CTA Pink Line shooting last month, Chicago police said. The shooting happened on a CTA Pink Line train at about 1:22 a.m. in the 100-block of North Wells Street in Dec. 23, according to police. Pedro Villarreal, 34 of Chicago, is accused of shooting two men, killing one, police said. Two victims, 23 and 44 years old, were allegedly arguing with Villarreal, who was armed with a knife, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Police said one of the victims then took out a gun. Villarreal was able to get control of the gun and fired, hitting the two men. The 44-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and died at an area hospital. He was identified as Raymond S. Harrison Jr. by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. The 23-year-old man was shot in the wrist; he was expected to be OK. READ MORE | Suspect with knife takes gun from CTA train passenger in the Loop, shoots two men, killing one: CPD Villarreal was arrested by Cicero police on Saturday in the 1200-block of S. 49thAvenue in Cicero. He is facing multiple charges including murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, among other gun-related charges. Advertisement Advertisement Villarreal is due in court on Monday. READ MORE | Man accused in Blue Line fire attack pleads not guilty in indictment that includes City Hall blaze INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER Track crime and safety in your neighborhood A man convicted of running at least two meth labs in metro Atlanta will serve a 30-year prison sentence. A federal judge handed Ramiro Contreras-Sandoval, 41, his sentence last week. This case should send a clear message to anyone thinking about running drugs or using deadly weapons to protect their operation: the federal government will relentlessly seek justice and protect the community from drug traffickers, said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Justice added that Contreras-Sandoval, originally from Michoacan, Mexico, was in the United States illegally. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Prosecutors say Contreras-Sandoval and another man, Genaro Davalos-Pulido, ran two meth conversion labs out of homes in the metro Atlanta area between March 2019 and October 2021. In 2019, officers found nearly 300 pounds of meth mixture in paint buckets in a truck connected to Contreras-Sandoval at a lab in Morrow. Investigators tracked both defendants back to metro Atlanta in 2021, this time in Norcross, where they found a full-scale meth conversation lab. Drug Enforcement Administration agents seized the drugs, guns and $96,000 in cash. Advertisement Advertisement Davalos-Pulido pleaded guilty in June 2024 and a federal judge sentenced him to 20 years in federal prison. Contreras-Sandoval was convicted of all the charges against him in September. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] In Indiana, law enforcement officials charged a man with illegally dumping 8,000 pounds of construction debris. An investigation into the crime had been underway since November 6. As WDRB News reported, the Jefferson County, Indiana, Sheriff's Office arrested Samuel Jason Hedrick for illegal waste dumping. A local landowner contacted officials to report a large amount of construction debris illegally dumped on his property. Later that same day, they caught the person in the act of dumping more trash on the property. Advertisement Advertisement According to police, Hedrick "became verbally combative and fled the scene in his vehicle while towing a trailer loaded with construction debris." Hedrick was working for a trucking company to haul debris from a demolition project. After the first dump site, police uncovered four additional illegal dump sites in the same county. Some of the trash was dumped on active farm fields, causing crop damage. This illegal dumping story is concerning because these actions pose significant threats to public health and the environment. When someone illegally dumps trash or debris, it can introduce toxic chemicals to soil and water. Doing this can contaminate people's drinking water and harm local wildlife. Advertisement Advertisement Illegal dumping can also spread disease, make communities hazardous to live in, and lower property values. Community awareness of this reckless behavior is essential and should be supported by encouraging the reporting of suspicious activities, installing security cameras, and promoting safe waste disposal practices. Bringing criminals to justice with legal charges, fines, and jail time also sets an example and deters others from illegally dumping waste. Hedrick faces multiple charges and was held on a $10,000 cash-only bond. Should national parks be allowed to ban visitors for bad behavior? YES NO Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Make him pick it all up by hand and take it to the dump," one Facebook user commented on the Sheriff's Office post about Hedrick's arrest. "I hope the landowners receive restitution for the cleanup of their property," someone else shared. 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. The trial for Alexander Tchervinski, who faces a misdemeanor charge in the Downtown brawl that went viral in July, was continued again on Monday. Assistant City Prosecutor Jennifer Bishop asked for the continuance saying a key witness was not present because he feared for his safety. Bishop said misinformation in the media portrayed this witness as an FBI informant when he is not. The trial was supposed to start last month and was continued after the Tchervinski's lawyers said two witnesses were added at the last minute. Tchervinski's lawyer, Douglas Brannon, said an FBI informant was included on the witness list. Advertisement Advertisement Brannon said he never claimed the man in question was an informant, only that it appears an informant was present at the brawl and that the prosecution will not reveal the identify of the informant. Municipal Court Judge Donte Johnson granted the continuance on Jan. 12, but said it was the last continuance the case would get. Brannon said his client is ready "We want our trial and we want our day in court," Brannon said. Tchervinski, 45, is charged with disorderly conduct, which carries a sentence of up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine. Alexander Tchervinski appears in court on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. He faces a misdemeanor charge in the downtown Cincinnati brawl that went viral in July. He is among a total of eight people charged in the brawl. Tchervinski is White, while the seven other people are Black and face felony charges. Advertisement Advertisement Local Black leaders had called for Tchervinski and any other White people involved to face charges similar to those the Black defendants face. Cincinnati's police union has said the charges against Tchervinski are unwarranted and were prompted by politically motivated orders from the city. The city has said no such orders were made. The viral videos of the fight showed a verbal confrontation escalating to physical violence. One shows Tchervinski slapping a man, another shows Tchervinski knocked to the ground and getting beaten, and another shows a White woman who appears to be knocked out. Brannon has said his client acted in self-defense during the entire confrontation. Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, Brannon said the attack against Tchervinski was racially motivated. He said that Tchervinski was not going to abandon his friends as the attackers picked them off. Brannon said Tchervinski is cooperating with law enforcement in the felony cases and is prepared to testify if needed. Tchervinski was struck approximately 28 times in his head and face, Brannon said, and as a result suffered from concussion syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder. The brawl became the center of a political firestorm as Mayor Aftab Pureval, a Democrat, faced off against challenger Cory Bowman, a Republican and Vice President JD Vance's half brother. Advertisement Advertisement For months, Pureval fought off attacks saying Cincinnati was unsafe and he was mishandling the situation. Other Democratic mayors across the country have faced similar criticism. Pureval ended up winning the election in a landslide, but the city is still dealing with the political fallout. In the aftermath, Chief Teresa Theetge was placed on administrative leave and a law firm was hired to investigate her performance. Interim Chief Adam Hennie has been running the department since the middle of October. Hennie was in the courthouse on Monday. He shook hands with Tchervinski and others in a hallway as he passed by with a detective and an assistant chief. Brannon has recently filed a motion fighting the prosecution's request to restrict media access to the trial. The nature of the restrictions is not clear and Judge Johnson has not ruled on any motions regarding access. The matter would likely need to be addressed before the trial can start. Advertisement Advertisement "This is America," Brannon said. "These are free and open courts." The new date for the trial had not been determined at the time of this report. The Enquirer will update this report. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Trial delayed again for man named victim and suspect in viral brawl The man charged with firing more than 60 gunshots at Global Vision Bible Church Pastor Greg Locke's former home in Wilson County more than a year ago pleaded guilty to several charges in court Jan. 12. Tyler Poole, 21, of Hermitage, entered guilty pleas on one count of aggravated assault and two counts of reckless endangerment ahead of a scheduled trial on March 11-13. Poole has been jailed on a $50,000 bond since being booked on Dec. 4, 2024 according to Wilson County Sheriff's Office records. Poole entered the pleas and answered questions calmly in an orange suit. Judge Brody Kane presided over the case. Advertisement Advertisement We have no ill feelings towards Tyler whatsoever," Locke said. "We pray he has a life changing encounter with Jesus. We hope he remains strong and healthy. "Weve all made horrible decisions that can either define us or destroy us. Our heart is for him to grow from it, get out and have an amazingly blessed life and family. Greg Locke and his wife, Taisha, had arrived home just after the gunshots peppered their home, a vehicle and garage, according to a Wilson County Sheriff's Office report, which said that at least one child was at home when the gunfire took place. Poole was sentenced to five years in prison on the aggravated assault charge. Advertisement Advertisement He is also sentenced to two years on each reckless endangerment charge that will be served concurrently with the aggravated assault charge, making the total sentence five years with credit for time served in jail, which currently stands at more than a year, officials say. Tyler Poole being brought into a Wilson County courtroom on Jan. 12, 2025. The gunfire at Locke's former home, in the 1700 block of Chandler Road in western Wilson County, occurred late on Sept. 3, 2024, police have said. The residence was near the former location Global Vision Bible Church met at in a large white tent at 2060 Old Lebanon Dirt Road. No injuries were reported from the gunshots. The police report said an automatic weapon was used. Assistant District Attorney General Tammy Meade told presiding Judge Kane that 67 gunshots were fired at Locke's former home. There were 64 shell casings found, Meade said. Advertisement Advertisement One bullet cut through the headboard of the pastor's youngest daughters bed and lodged in her pillow, Locke posted on social media after the shooting. Locke no longer lives at the house where the gunfire took place. Pastor Greg Locke does his sermon at the Global Vision Bible Church in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., Sunday, April 3, 2022. Global Vision also moved to 1010 Maddox Simpson Parkway in Lebanon in late 2024. Locke has a large social media following and has been known for his conservative political positions and events, such as inviting people to burn items the church relates to witchcraft and the occult. Two counts of reckless endangerment and two counts of vandalism were dismissed as part of the plea. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Man who shot at home of TN pastor Greg Locke pleads guilty Marion County's newest treatment court, which helped criminal offenders recover from drug addiction while they gave back to the community, will cease to function after a loss of state funding. RESTORE Court, which stands for Restitution & Treatment On Route to Expungement, served individuals with low-level property crimes who face addiction. The court was created after the passage of House Bill 4002 recriminalized drug possession in Oregon and the Oregon Legislature allocated $20.7 million for the Oregon Behavioral Health Deflection Program. RESTORE Court is being shut down just over a year after it began. The Criminal Justice Commission allocated those funds to counties to develop deflection programs to refer people into treatment rather than incarceration. But Marion County had already been running its Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, for nearly a decade. Advertisement Advertisement County leaders decided to take the next step in addiction treatment and created RESTORE Court as the "next step" in deflection. People who entered RESTORE Court would serve on community service work crews supervised by the Marion County Sheriffs Office. By completing the required hours, they worked off the restitution and earned money that went directly to victims. Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson told the Statesman Journal in late August the participation numbers were "really encouraging" in the first year of the program. Nearly 50 people, the program capacity, were enrolled then. The program was expected to take about a year and a half to complete. Marion County received a roughly $1.4 million grant in the first round of funding for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which went toward expanding LEAD and creating RESTORE Court. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, county officials were told to assume funding would continue at the same level for a biennium total of $2.9 million, according to a representative from the district attorneys office. Advertisement Advertisement After the passage of House Bill 3069 in 2025, which adjusted the formula for calculating the funding for the 2025-27 biennium, the justice commission told the district attorney's office to estimate a reduced allocation of $2.6 million, the representative said. But the actual allocation came through at $1.9 million. The district attorney's office said in a Jan. 8 news release that enrollment is ceasing and that RESTORE Court will shut down, but that current participants will be able to complete the program. I am truly disappointed that our State could not see the value in an operational program that sought to get offenders the treatment they need while simultaneously making victims whole and helping our community in the process, Clarkson said in the release. Statewide, 2,674 people have been referred to deflection since Sept. 1, 2024, and 393 successfully completed their county's program, as of Aug. 4. More than 1,000 never entered deflection after being referred , and nearly 900 have failed the programs. Advertisement Advertisement The district attorney's office criticized the justice commission's allocation of funding according to population projections, rather than actual program success. "Instead, more dollars were directed to counties who merely say that they will have the ability to serve larger numbers of participants in the future," officials wrote in a news release. "The result is a disproportionate allocation that rewards counties for aspirational projections, while reducing support for established programs." Under HB 3069, funding is distributed based on "projections of potential populations served," according to the law. The funding allocation will be put toward the LEAD program, the district attorney's office said. Advertisement Advertisement "To fund imaginary programs that dont yet even exist at the expense of an operational, ground-breaking, collaborative system is a missed opportunity, Clarkson said. Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @isabeldfunk This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Marion County addiction treatment court to shut down after funding cut Democratic Senator Mark Kelly is suing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pentagon officials after Donald Trumps administration threatened to haul the Navy veteran to court and cut his retirement rank and pay. The threats followed Novembers video statement from Kelly and other lawmakers with military backgrounds telling troops they can and must refuse illegal orders, emphasizing that threats to constitutional order can emerge from right here at home. The Trump administration responded with extreme rhetoric and punitive retribution, including publicly branding Kellys statements seditious and treasonous, according to Kellys lawsuit, which was filed in Washington, D.C. Monday. Advertisement Advertisement A statement from the Pentagon suggested the retired naval officer could be recalled to active duty for court-martial proceedings or administrative measures, and Hegseth issued a Secretarial Letter of Censure declaring his statements undermined the chain of command, counseled disobedience, and constitute conduct unbecoming an officer. Trump, meanwhile, labeled the Democratic officials traitors who SHOULD BE IN JAIL RIGHT NOW for behavior he claims is punishable by DEATH as he raged against them in a series of Truth Social statements in the days that followed the video. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona is suing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and top Pentagon officials after the Trump administration threatened to haul him to court and cut his rank and retirement pay for joining a video warning US troops against following unlawful orders (Getty Images) The president also reposted several messages from Truth Social users, including a message demanding the president HANG THEM like GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !! It appears that never in our nations history has the Executive Branch imposed military sanctions on a member of Congress for engaging in disfavored political speech, according to Kellys lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement If allowed to stand, Hegseths attempts to censure Kelly could imperil protected speech, chill legislative oversight, and threaten reductions in rank and pay, the lawsuit states. Each of these actions also signals to retired service members and members of Congress that criticism of the Executives use of the armed forces may be met with retaliation through military channels, the lawsuit adds. A federal judge must intervene to preserve Kellys First Amendment rights and due process before an unconstitutional and legally baseless proceeding can begin, according to the lawsuit. Trump has called members of Congress who joined the video traitors guilty of treason, while Hegseth has ordered military officials to take administrative action against Kelly (REUTERS) In a statement supporting the complaint, Kelly said Hegseth is coming after what I earned after 25 years of military service in violation of my rights as an American, as a retired veteran, and as a United States Senator whose job is to hold him and this or any administration accountable. Advertisement Advertisement His unconstitutional crusade against me sends a chilling message to every retired member of the military: if you speak out and say something that the president or Secretary of Defense doesnt like, you will be censured, threatened with demotion, or even prosecuted, Kelly wrote. He is now suing Hegseth because there are few things as important as standing up for the rights of the very Americans who fought to defend our freedoms, he wrote. The video from Kelly, Senator Elissa Slotkin and Reps. Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan warns U.S. military personnel against threats to our Constitution, an apparent reference to the Trump administrations deployment of federalized National Guard troops into Democratic-led cities to support the presidents mass deportation agenda. Service members can refuse illegal orders, the message said. Advertisement Advertisement Kelly, a decorated fighter pilot, retired from active duty at the rank of captain from both the Navy and NASA in 2011 to care for his wife Gabby Giffords, then a Democratic congresswoman was nearly fatally shot during a constituent meeting. He later ran for and won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2020. Now, Pete Hegseth wants our longest-serving military veterans to live with the constant threat that they could be deprived of their rank and pay years or even decades after they leave the military just because he or another Secretary of Defense doesnt like what theyve said, Kelly said Monday. Thats not the way things work in the United States of America, and I wont stand for it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit also demands a judge block theTrump administrations unlawful and unconstitutional actions to preserve the status of a coequal Congress and an apolitical military. A Defense Department told The Independent that the Pentagon is aware of Kellys lawsuit but would not comment on ongoing litigation as a matter of department policy. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is reminding older adults that the annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is now open until March 31. During this time, beneficiaries who currently have a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different plan or to original Medicare. Changes to their enrollment will take effect on the first of the month following the month in which they enroll. Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI) the commonwealths Medicare counseling program is available through the 52 Area Agencies on Aging to help beneficiaries with Medicare questions, state officials said in making the announcement. Older adults can receive unbiased, no-cost Medicare assistance from trained PA MEDI counselors who can walk them through their options to assist in making informed health insurance decisions that optimize their cost savings and access to health care and benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Medicare Advantage is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to original Medicare for health and drug coverage. These bundled plans include Part A Hospital Insurance, Part B Medical Insurance, and usually Part D Drug Coverage. If your Medicare Advantage plan is leaving your service area, PA MEDI is here to help. Choosing a new Medicare Advantage Plan can be challenging but we can help you compare plans, look for cost savings, and even help you enroll in a plan that best fits your needs, said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. PA MEDI counselors can also help determine if you may be eligible for any of Pennsylvanias Medicare cost-savings programs like PACE, Extra Help, and the Medicare Savings Programs. PA MEDI counselors do not sell Medicare insurance products, nor do they endorse any insurance company, product or agent. Counselors will not recommend policies, companies or insurance agents but will provide free, confidential and unbiased personalized assistance. Older adults can contact their local Area Agency on Aging to schedule a personalized counseling session. More information: Call (800) 783-7067 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The killing of Renee Nicole Macklin Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis on Wednesday has sparked the fiercest protests yet over President Trumps immigration policy and actions. The shooting of two people by a Border Patrol agent in Portland has also added fuel to the fire. Meanwhile, Trump and his closest allies, including Vice President Vance, have defended the officer in Minneapolis specifically and ICEs conduct more generally. Advertisement Advertisement Trump said in a social media post Wednesday that Macklin Good had violently, willfully and viciously ran over the ICE officer, who seems to have shot her in self-defense. Video footage is far less definitive. It shows Macklin Good appearing to turn her SUVs wheels away from the officer; him firing a total of three shots, two of which are from alongside her vehicle; and the officer walking away without any clearly evident injury afterward. Nonetheless, Vance, in a fiery appearance in the White House briefing room Thursday, complained about an attack on law and order and branded media coverage of the killing an absolute disgrace. For the moment, the focus is understandably on the specifics of Macklin Goods violent death and the condition of the people shot in Portland. More protests are expected this weekend. Advertisement Advertisement But the tumultuous events are taking place against a backdrop in which immigration policy looms large but where the politics are more complicated than some people admit. Immigration was one of Trumps strongest issues in the 2024 election campaign against then-Vice President Kamala Harris. YouGov, a well-respected polling firm, wrote in October 2024, Our polling throughout the election has shown that voters are far more likely to prefer Trump than Harris on handling immigration. But support for what Trump has actually done in power is weaker. An Economist/YouGov poll last month indicated that 50 percent of Americans disapproved of Trumps performance on immigration, compared with 44 percent who approved. Advertisement Advertisement At some level, to even talk about immigration can be an oversimplification, eliding differences in public attitudes between, for example, ICE raids on one hand and clamping down on illegal crossings of the southern border on the other. There is a difference between being against illegal immigration in theory and most Americans are supportive of that position versus looking at it in practice, said Todd Belt, the director of the political management program at George Washington University. Belt noted that border enforcement often seems pretty benign. But forceful extraditions far from the border can often seem very different, he added, arguing that the bottom line is people dont like to see other people physically abused. In basic terms, the massive reductions in unauthorized crossings of the southern border are a political asset for Trump; and the actions of ICE, even before the killing of Macklin Good, are more of a liability. Advertisement Advertisement Last October, under Trump, there were just 11,707 encounters involving unauthorized migrants at the southern border, according to official statistics. In October 2024, the month before Trump won reelection, the number was roughly 106,000. Another 12 months previously, the number was 241,000. Conversely, however, 32 people died in ICE custody in 2025 making it the agencys deadliest year in more than two decades, The Guardian noted. At least 170 U.S. citizens have been detained by immigration officers, according to a ProPublica investigation. And as early as last July, a Quinnipiac University poll found that 57 percent of registered voters disapproved of how ICE was enforcing immigration laws, while only 39 percent approved. Independent voters disapproved by almost 30 points, 63 percent to 34 percent. Advertisement Advertisement In a Pew Research Center poll last October, 53 percent of Americans said the Trump administration was doing too much in terms of deportations, against 36 percent who said it was doing about the right amount and 10 percent who said it was doing too little. Liberal voices assert that the killing of Macklin Good could have a real impact, in part because of the visceral power of the scenes. This is one of those moments where people ask, what the hell are these people doing? said Fernand Amandi, a pollster and political consultant. Amandi acknowledged that the events would not change the views of those he characterized as part of the Trump cult. But, he added, to the average American, this is a shocking of the conscience in a way that is impossible to rationalize, excuse or defend. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, meanwhile, holds firm to the belief that his supporters will back what he described in his Truth Social post on the events in Minneapolis as a broader effort to do the job of MAKING AMERICA SAFE. Susan Del Percio, a Republican strategist who did not back Trump in any of his election campaigns, argued that on immigration, for Trump, people are happy that border crossings are down, they are happy with some of the things hes doing. But, she added, the problem was not quite on the issue of immigration, it is more to do with how he is executing his immigration policy. His forthright defense of the ICE officer who killed Macklin Good, for example, could be viewed as a kind of absolutism. He is saying, I can do whatever I want. Another Republican strategist working on a high-profile campaign this year, who asked to remain anonymous to speak candidly, argued that immigration was still an issue where Trump has the upper hand but it is a little bit more narrow than it was when he ran in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement The strategist asserted that the prevention of unauthorized border crossings was safer ground for the president and his party. But, this person continued, the focus is no longer a broken border, because he fixed that. Now, the question is, is this being reasonable? The scope of the debate moves. The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage. 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. The firm was again successful in 2025 , ousting three unfit legacy directors, including the chairman, following the fallout from the controversial acquisition of Omni Logistics. The acquisition which circumvented a shareholder vote diluted equity holders, spooked customers and left Forward with a heavy debt burden. Forward Air is continuing to explore strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of the company , due to Ancoras efforts. It was able to alter five board seats and push the chief financial officer to leave in 2021 as part of an effort to steer the companys focus back toward its core airport-to-airport, less-than-truckload network. Ancora claimed Forwards sagging valuation at the time was directly tied to its investments in other modes and services, which Ancora said had a dilutive effect. The group looks for opportunities across old economy sectors like the industrials complex. A clear view on valuation, an understanding of the cycle, the potential for margin and cash flow sustainability, and a pathway to improvement are some of the factors considered before it engages with a company. Those requirements align well with manufacturing, packaging, chemicals and transportation companies. Ancora Alternatives is the shareholder activism arm of diversified wealth manager Ancora Holdings Group, which has roughly $11 billion in assets under management. The firms activist roots stretch back to 2014, when Jim Chadwick joined as president. Its about finding businesses that in our view are good businesses that have very good bones, that probably at some point in time were great companies and great stocks, but theyve fallen on harder times for whatever reasons, Conor Sweeney, director and portfolio manager at Ancora Alternatives, told FreightWaves in an interview. The firm has undertaken several high-profile engagements in the space in recent years. The list of companies includes third-party logistics provider C.H. Robinson ( NASDAQ: CHRW ), expedited trucker Forward Air ( NASDAQ: FWRD ) and both Eastern Class I railroads CSX ( NASDAQ: CSX ) and Norfolk Southern ( NYSE: NSC ). Its most recent cooperation agreement was inked last month with temperature-controlled warehouse operator Americold ( NASDAQ: COLD ). Effectuating change to improve shareholder returns is the key tenet of investor activism. Ancora Alternatives has recently carved out a niche in the transportation industry, executing a string of board shakeups, C-suite overhauls and reworks of failed capital allocation strategies. Story Continues Sweeney said the firm has developed an information advantage in transportation. It has built an extensive network of industry experts, potential board directors and management candidates that it can lean on when undertaking a campaign. Thats a big differentiating factor for us where we have a lot of confidence that we can bring the right people to certain situations that are going to drive the outcomes that we desire and what we believe all shareholders desire, Sweeney said. These individuals frequently consist of former executives and directors of the target company, as well as previous leaders from its competitors. People with very real experience with the company and with the industry. Andy Clarke, former chief financial officer at both Forward Air and C.H. Robinson, has been instrumental in some of Ancoras engagements. Its just always finding the right person, who is helping us with the thesis on a company, because it increases the quality of our analysis significantly, Sweeney said. [It] increases the probability of success as we engage with the company, and ultimately, if you ever have to go to a proxy fight, engaging with the rest of the stakeholders. C.H. Robinson (2022): Ancora reached a cooperation agreement with C.H. Robinson in 2022. The deal included two board seats, the formation of a capital allocation and planning committee, and eventually the departure of its CEO Bob Biesterfeld. Under new leadership, the company has implemented cost controls, a new incentive structure and other margin-improving initiatives. Ancora seeks out high-quality businesses that are in a rut. It is prepared to engage when issues such as mismanagement, insufficient cost controls, inefficient capital deployment, or a need to divest noncore or underperforming assets are deemed solvable. There are a lot of different ways for value to be unlocked, and each one of these situations has their own specific recipe for what we think has been the problem and what we think is the ultimate successful outcome, Sweeney said. And we need to go and get the right people who have the skill sets in order to make that happen. Norfolk Southern (2024): Citing share price underperformance from poor service metrics, deteriorating profitability and the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio train derailment, Ancora led a campaign securing it three seats at Norfolk Southerns 2024 annual meeting, effectively removing the board chair and two board committee heads. Ancoras engagement also led to the removal of CEO Alan Shaw after an internal investigation revealed an inappropriate relationship with the companys chief legal officer, Nabanita Nag. Later that year, Ancora reached a deal with Norfolk Southern, giving it a fourth director on the board. Norfolk Southerns board, including the Ancora-picked directors, unanimously supported the $85 billion merger with Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) announced last year. CSX (2025): Ancora led an effort last year pressuring CSX into removing CEO Joe Hinrichs, characterizing his time in the role as a value-destructive tenure. It also called on the company to explore transcontinental service through M&A. BNSF parent Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-B) has said its not interested in merging with another rail, but the shakeup has pushed the railroads closer together. The two announced new intermodal service partnerships last year. Sweeney said the transports are materially under-owned. Most institutional investors dont want to live with the extreme cyclicality, especially in the highly-fragmented truckload market, thats inherent in the space. That leaves a void of active ownership and creates an opportunity where there are less eyes on these names. He said Ancora usually acquires an equity stake from as little as 0.5% up to 10%. He prefers to remain under the 5% threshold to avoid filing requirements with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The lack of disclosure allows for maximum flexibility and keeps the firms activity from impacting the way the stock trades. I dont need to be a 7% or 8% shareholder of a company to effectuate change, particularly as weve been able to have success driving really positive outcomes. Sweeney avoids companies where passive index funds hold significant ownership of the equity, as those funds tend to be very, very pro-company, pro-management. He pointed to Ancoras proposed seven-member change-of-control slate at Norfolk Southern as an example. Even though the proxy advisory firms recommended the majority of Ancoras slate, only one of its candidates received a single vote from the three largest passive holders. Americold (2025): A December cooperation agreement with Americold gave Ancora two board seats and forced the company to establish a finance committee. The committee will review the companys portfolio and make recommendations for potential sales or divestitures. Looking out across the transportation and logistics sector, Sweeney still sees opportunities that seem really interesting. Its always about the timing, the right situation, because our goal at the end of the day, its not activism, right? Its to drive returns for our investors. Activism is the tool we use in order to do that. More FreightWaves articles by Todd Maiden: The post Activist investor Ancora carves out niche in transportation sector appeared first on FreightWaves. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, on a state visit to India on Monday, condemned the violence directed by Iranian security forces against peaceful demonstrators as "disproportionate" and "brutal." "I call on the Iranian leadership to protect its population instead of threatening it," Merz said during a visit to the Indian city of Ahmedabad. "We condemn the violence that the leadership in Tehran is directing against its own people in the strongest terms." Advertisement Advertisement He said it was "a sign of weakness, not a sign of strength," adding that "this violence must end." Merz expressly praised the courage of the protesters, saying they were demonstrating peacefully for freedom in their country and that is their right. According to activists, the protests in Iran have now spread to 186 cities. A total of 483 demonstrators have been killed, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported. It said at least 544 people had died, including children and 47 security personnel. Around 10,700 people had been detained, it added. The group's figures could not be independently verified. Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during a joint press conference with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Kay Nietfeld/dpa India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R), and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hold a joint press conference. Kay Nietfeld/dpa India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz visit a kite festival during Merz's first major trip to Asia since taking office in May. Kay Nietfeld/dpa India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz visit a kite festival during Merz's first major trip to Asia since taking office in May. Kay Nietfeld/dpa German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he hopes an EU free trade agreement with India can be signed at a summit on January 27, as it is needed to unlock the full potential of economic relations between Germany and India. "We must not and do not want to leave this opportunity unused," the chancellor said, after talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa plan to travel to the Indian capital New Delhi at the end of January and, if possible, sign the agreement there. Advertisement Advertisement Sources close to the chancellor described the chances of success as good. Merz called it an "encouraging sign" that an agreement on the deal with four Latin American Mercosur states had been reached just last week, after more than a quarter of a century of negotiations. Talks on the EU-India agreement began 18 years ago. India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz visit a kite festival during Merz's first major trip to Asia since taking office in May. Kay Nietfeld/dpa Editors note: The butterfly in this story is officially called the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Researchers are on the move to save a butterfly thats on the brink of extinction. Scientists here in Albuquerque are currently raising what may be the last known caterpillar of this species. Just northeast of Alamogordo, the Sacramento Mountains were once home to what many considered a distinctly beautiful butterfly, only found in New Mexico, known as the SacramentoMountains checkerspot butterfly. Advertisement Advertisement Its a very special butterfly, explained Species Survival Specialist for the New Mexico BioPark Society, Quin Baine. People used to see it a lot. It was recognized for how beautiful it was. Its bright, orange, white, and black. And over time, people started noticing that it was less and less common. BioPark rhinos New Years Resolutions get check in The Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly thrives in high-altitude meadows solely in the Sacramento and Capitan mountains, relying on one food source also endemic to New Mexico. Baine says that the butterfly specifically feeds on the New Mexico Penstemon flower. But, over the last century, habitat loss, overgrazing, and even global warming have made that flower scarce, having a direct impact on the Sacramento Mountains checkerspot butterfly. We havent seen it in the wild for three years now. And so were very, very concerned about the future of this species, shared Baine. Advertisement Advertisement Researchers started documenting the decline of the checkerspot in the 90s. It wouldnt be until 30 years later, in 2023, that the species would be listed as endangered; too late to help the dwindling population. BUGarium at ABQ BioPark closes doors for major renovations Baine says it quickly became a race against time. By the time that youre no longer seeing it in the wild anymore, its far beyond the time when that species needs conservation attention in order to bring it back, he said. In 2022, researchers in New Mexico embarked on a recovery mission, collecting a handful of adult Checkerspot butterflies to lay eggs at the Bugarium at the ABQ Biopark. Advertisement Advertisement Only one egg survived. However, this one caterpillar has kept researchers hopeful. The fact that our caterpillar in captivity has lived for three years as a caterpillar indicates to us that theres hope for the population out there in the wild, emphasized Baine. This one caterpillar has surpassed researchers expectations about the life expectancy of this species, as well as its ability to adapt to its surroundings. 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. By Natalia Siniawski and Raul Cortes MEXICO CITY, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she ruled out a U.S. military intervention to combat drug cartels, following a "good conversation" on Monday with President Donald Trump on security and drug trafficking. In her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said she declined offers of military action from Trump and "ruled out" U.S. military intervention in Mexico. She would seek another call if the U.S. made statements to the contrary, she added. Advertisement Advertisement "We continue to collaborate within the framework of our sovereignty... We seek coordination without subordination," she said. Earlier on Monday, Sheinbaum said in a post on X that the two leaders discussed security with respect for Mexicos sovereignty, curbing drug trafficking, as well as trade and investment. Trump last week in remarks to Fox News said cartels were running Mexico and suggested the U.S. could strike land targets to combat them. His comments were the latest in a series of escalating threats to deploy U.S. military force against drug cartels within Mexican territory. Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente about the need for stronger cooperation to dismantle Mexico's violent narco-terrorist networks and stop the trafficking of fentanyl and weapons, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. Sheinbaum said at her press conference that fentanyl trafficking from Mexico to the United States had fallen by about 50% over the past year. She also said she had not discussed Cuba with Trump, following his comments that the island nation would no longer receive Venezuelan oil or money, following the capture of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces in early January. Mexico is ready to assist communication between Cuba and the United States if requested, Sheinbaum said. Advertisement Advertisement Sheinbaum said Trump asked her about Mexico's position on Venezuela and she responded that the country opposes military interventions under its constitution. (Reporting by Natalia Siniawski, Raul Cortes and Aida Pelaez-Fernandez; Editing by Cassandra Garrison and Bill Berkrot) Attorneys get suspended or disbarred every month for not properly responding to The Florida Bar. But theyre usually alive. For the second time in five years, a South Florida lawyer was disciplined after death. The state Supreme Court suspended South Miami-Dades Emelike Nwosuocha for three years on Dec. 11 for not providing an affidavit required by a previous suspension. According to database and social media information, Nwosuocha died at age 64 on July 21, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement A Nov. 1, 2025, Instagram post by one of Nwosuochas four children, actress Nia Miranda, said she learned of his death by heart attack six hours before the first day of filming on the AllBlk network streaming series G.R.I.T.S. My father had not been sick, Miranda said. He was still going to the gym. I had scheduled a flight to see him directly after I was done filming the series. A similar sequence of events involved Delray Beach attorney Sabrina Spradley, who died Oct. 14, 2019. The lawyer then was suspended in February 2020 and disbarred in December 2020, 14 months after her death. READ MORE: An attorney got disbarred in 2020 for not answering the Florida Bar. She died in 2019 Both situations involved the responsibilities of a suspended attorney. The paperwork of punishment The general language in the documents when the state Supreme Court issues a suspension includes the requirement that a lawyer must notify his clients, opposing counsel, tribunals, and all state, federal and administrative bars of which he is a member of his suspension, and to provide a sworn affidavit to The Florida Bar within 30 days of the suspension listing the names and addresses of all persons and entities that were furnished a copy of the suspension order. Advertisement Advertisement After a Miami-Dade civil case filed by Nwosuocha on behalf of a client was dismissed and the defendant was awarded $5,310 in attorneys fees, the defendant filed a Bar grievance claiming he couldnt collect that money from Nwosuocha. When Nwosuocha didnt answer the grievance until after a default judgment against him by the case referee, he got a six-month suspension on Aug. 17, 2023. That gave Nwosuocha until Sept. 16, 2023, to provide the affidavit. He didnt do that or pay the attorneys fees. The Bar filed a petition for contempt on April 17, 2024. Nwosuocha answered the affidavit part of the petition with I dropped all my clients and advised them that I was suspended. As to the money problem, he said he lacked the funds because companies wouldnt hire him while on suspension. But that response was filed too late, so Nwosuocha received a one-year suspension for contempt on June 18, 2024. This required another notification affidavit, due July 17, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Nwosuocha died on July 21, 2024. On Oct. 11, 2024, the Bar sent a letter and email telling Nwosuocha of his noncompliance with the conditions of his suspension to his record bar mailing address and record bar email address, specifically his failure to submit the sworn affidavit. Thats from the Oct. 8, 2025, Bar filing asking the state Supreme Court to find Nwosuocha in contempt again, suspend him for three years, and order him to submit the affidavit before allowing him to reply for reinstatement. Also, the request asked Nwosuocha be fined $1,250 in case costs. The state Supreme Court did all of the above on Dec. 11, 2025 508 days after Nwosuochas death. Something clicked as I listened to former Louisiana state schools superintendent John White talk about how he built support for his controversial education reforms a decade ago. It wasn't just that he had taken the time to visit every parish to meet with teachers who were skeptical of the youngish outsider pushing tectonic shifts in rigor, quality and accountability. It wasn't how he gathered their input, enlisted them to review curriculum or helped assemble thousands for a state conference that still empowers teachers as leaders and evangelists for high quality in their own communities. Advertisement Advertisement What struck me was how White talked about the teachers. "You would meet people out there in the middle of Louisiana who, you're just like, my God, you're so freaking smart,' and they literally would tell you exactly what's needed," said White, now CEO of a public benefit corporation that makes high-quality curricula. As he described how he got grassroots buy-in from teachers for reforms that have garnered national attention for maintaining student progress, I felt inspiration and then a pang of sadness. I couldn't imagine Houston ISD's state-appointed superintendent Mike Miles talking about teachers that way. Advertisement Advertisement DEFINING TERMS: HISD's Mike Miles says his curriculum is high quality.' It's not even vetted. And that, I believe after months of reporting, illustrates the key flaw of Miles' approach in the state takeover of HISD. Anyone can impose mandates, especially with practically a free hand by the state. Only leaders can get others to follow and sustain changes long after the change agent is gone. For all Miles' well-intended haste, and his remarkable early results in performance on state tests that reduced the district's 56 "F" campuses to zero, I wonder if the superintendent has considered how enduring his revolution will be. All these shifts in curriculum, instruction, teacher evaluations and pay won't be tectonic in Houston only temporary, as long as so many teachers and parents don't actually believe in them. Advertisement Advertisement Given the mass exodus of more than 13,000 students and thousands more teachers over two-and-a-half years, I don't see much believing or staying power. As beloved former Durham Elementary teacher Angela Kelly wrote in a Houston Chronicle op-ed, "Culture is not defined by mandates or slogans; it lives in the people who care deeply, who stay, who return even after being pushed out." Kelly, a high-performing educator whose own parents were longtime HISD teachers, was unceremoniously escorted off campus in September after questioning a sudden transition from the high-quality curriculum Eureka Math to Miles' untested New Education System curriculum. She was reassigned to a campus 16 miles away. HISD Superintendent Mike Miles, left, and Patrick Henry Middle School Principal Erika Vigil discuss the results of classroom observation during a campus visit on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. (Kirk Sides/Staff photographer) That kind of petty move, on top of all the firings of administrators who questioned Miles' reforms, has created a culture of fear, teachers have said in my interviews and in published reports. And that can pressure some principals - though not all - to err on the side of tyranny in their implementation of Miles' policies. They may visit teachers' rooms several times per day, correct them in front of their classes or reprimand teachers who deviate the slightest bit from schedule, even to read a storybook that's not on the agenda. Advertisement Advertisement EDUCATIONAL DIVIDES: Mike Miles says the 'science of reading' justifies limiting books in HISD. Experts say no. Teachers I've talked to say that their options are either to leave or to remain silent about problems that they might otherwise feel some agency to fix. Perhaps this is why talking to Miles or his staff can feel like they're on a different planet from the one that many teachers, parents and students describe. Miles knows good things are going on when he visits some schools, but he truly may not know how bad things are in other campuses because he's basically trained his underlings not to tell him. The problem isn't just Miles' attitude; his diminishment of educators is practically built into his model. Although Miles' deputy curriculum chief told me that "the teacher is the most important part in the classroom of executing a curriculum," and I believe she means it, teacher experience is second to NES lessons that are prepared, scripted and timed. The lessons are helpful to some but corrosive to the morale of others, especially without adequate training. And the system seems to defeat the purpose of performance pay: One reason Dallas' pay system got results is because only the best teachers were selected for targeted schools. In Houston, Miles doles out high salaries to many rookies. Advertisement Advertisement I've written about the contradictions of Miles' policies his praise-worthy intent to prioritize the science of reading and knowledge-building in early grades but also his shortsightedness in closing libraries, limiting access to literature and sloppily reinventing the wheel on high-quality curriculum with his own unvetted program. Miles claims teachers really want that program, now being used in virtually all of HISD's 274 campuses, and perhaps some teachers and principals do. On a tour last week of Milne Elementary, which jumped from an "F" in state ratings to a "B," principal Shanta' Creeks told me that Miles' reforms the structured curriculum, the focus on high-quality instruction, the strict schedule that practically eliminates disciplinary issues on her campus are what she always wanted. With 26 years in education, she says Miles' NES model lets her lead instruction as a principal, rather than managing budgets and other administrative duties. "I believe in the turnaround work because I lived it. I'm living it," she said. I asked her how she'd describe Miles as a leader. Advertisement Advertisement "I believe in the program, no matter who's leading it," she said. "If he chose to leave tomorrow, I would still be here if the program was here." No doubt, Creeks' confidence and supportive approach she sees the district-provided slides as "suggestions," not "scripts" makes for a more supportive environment for teachers to work and kids to learn. But that support and know-how isn't present at many other campuses, which have endured instability and a revolving door of principals. Lantrip Elementary, for example, dropped by more than 40 percentage points, among the steepest declines in the state in this year's Children at Risk ratings. Many teachers feel forced to implement Miles' curriculum and instructional model because their evaluations and salaries depend on it. Skimping on the glue Miles' my-way-or-the-highway' reputation was known from his days as the Dallas superintendent. I suspect Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath chose him in part for his hardline approach. Education reforms are notoriously difficult and plodding, often complicated by politicians, teacher unions and community groups. Advertisement Advertisement The Houston takeover afforded only so much time for big change, and Morath surely knew that Miles would jump in undaunted. Some of us who were worried about Miles' brash reputation gave him a chance because we too were fed up with the corruption, the self-interest and the infighting on HISD's elected board of trustees that had allowed some schools to fail students year after year. Among the first words I ever said to Miles when he met with the Chronicle editorial board in 2023 were, "We want you to succeed." But astute observers quickly saw that when Miles was skipping the trust-building and grassroots campaigns for his reforms, he was skimping on the glue to hold them together. TEARS AND TESTS: Why this HISD kindergarten teacher left, in her own words Advertisement Advertisement "Shocking the system may get you short-term gains, but it doesn't get you long-term success," said Coby Meyers, a professor and chief of research at the University of Virginia's Partnership for Leaders in Education. Research shows that state takeovers of districts tend to be ineffective and any academic gains short-lived. Meyers said that, after watching promising efforts wither, he and colleague Dallas Hambrick Hitt decided to study how some turnaround leaders managed to get sustained improvement. "What matters," Hitt and Meyers wrote in a 2017 study, "is not just if a school demonstrates initial gains within the typical two- or three-year window, but rather if the school persists in that upward trajectory beyond the period of initial improvement." They drew from 53 empirical studies to determine how some turnaround leaders got lasting academic results and identified things like building trust with teachers and collaborating with them on vision and decision making, investing in meaningful professional development and thinking critically about how to involve parents and community members in the changes. Advertisement Advertisement Instead, Miles has at times insulted, diminished and alienated his critics. The Chronicle reported in February that Miles even lost points in his annual evaluation when it came to effective communication and prioritizing a positive culture. Miles sometimes speaks of teachers with near disdain, suggesting that those fleeing the district can't handle a "high-performance culture." He says teachers who want to read aloud to students do so because it's easier than teaching them to read. He responded with dripping condescension to teachers frustrated about a last-minute mandate to switch to his curriculum, saying in a radio interview, "It's already prepared, teacher, so you can handle that." When Houston voters resoundingly rejected Houston ISD's $4.4 billion bond proposal, apparently due to lack of trust in Miles, the superintendent tried to shame them: "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children," Miles quoted Nelson Mandela in a statement. A sign opposing the HISD $4.4 billion school bond is visible on South Post Oak Road near West Bellfort Avenue on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. (Kirk Sides/Staff photographer) Perhaps it didn't occur to Miles that it's the very treatment of children, subjected to high-stakes quizzes and rushed, cookie-cutter learning environments often devoid of libraries, adequate wiggle time and field trips, that led parents to revolt in the first place. Jessica Evans, who grew up in HISD and has five children who have attended HISD during Miles' reforms, said one of her children was vomiting the first week of school due to the faster pace and lack of breaks. The child stressed over taking several daily quizzes, which aren't just used to assess progress but to determine grades and teacher salaries. "None of these people pushing these reforms would ever want their kids experiencing this," Evans told me last month. In September, Miles branded parents attending his address before Houston City Council as "extreme" and "disgruntled." At one point, he put the word "parents" in air quotes as if their status were negated by their dissent. (Can someone explain how it's acceptable, in a state whose leaders crow about a newly passed Parental Bill of Rights, to send Mom and Dad to the corner in dunce caps for airing their concerns?) If teachers and parents are peripheral, one would assume that children are central. But even many of them feel collateral to Miles' data goals. "You're turning classrooms into computer labs, and teachers into robots who read off slides. You call it innovation, but it's just control," Northside High School student Zachary Youngblood told the HISD board of managers at their Oct. 9 meeting. "Stop pretending this is helping us. It is not the future. It's a disaster. Bring back the real teaching, real connection, real education because we're students not test data, and we deserve better." Failure to own mistakes Miles has blamed enrollment declines on everything from "criticism around the takeover" to deportations amid the immigration crackdown, but he must know that families are voting with their feet not based on a newspaper article but on what their own children have experienced day after day in HISD classrooms. Some have suggested that parents and teachers just don't like change. And yet, teachers are willing to leave longtime school communities to start fresh. Parents are putting their kids through one of the most disruptive changes they can face, uprooting them from the schools they know, the friends they love and the teachers they trust, to begin anew somewhere else. Evans, the mother whose five children have attended schools such as Twain and Longfellow Elementary Schools; Pershing and Pin Oak Middle Schools; and Bellaire and Lamar High Schools, has often wondered how the takeover would have been different with a different leader. "There could have been so much less damage done with a leader who could listen, could reflect, who would care about community feedback," Evans told me. "It feels like, as a parent, we're the enemy." That's no way to run a school district. It's no way to run any organization. In the end, White told me, it was Louisiana teachers who fought to grow his reforms and rose to defend them when politicians had other plans. "You should want to convince people that this is good, that the change is good for kids," White told me, "Because the things that stick are the things that locals are pulling for." If that's true, then the impact of all Miles' boldness may prove brittle. A legacy with little buy-in from teachers, parents and students is built on a bayou floodway. Even the good changes will be washed away. This article originally published at Mike Miles' HISD takeover has major wins - and 1 fatal flaw. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Federal agents carrying out immigration arrests in Minnesota's Twin Cities region already shaken by the fatal shooting of a woman rammed the door of one home Sunday and pushed their way inside, part of what the Department of Homeland Security has called its largest enforcement operation ever. In a dramatic scene similar to those playing out across Minneapolis, agents captured a man in the home just minutes after pepper spraying protesters outside who had confronted the heavily armed federal agents. Along the residential street, protesters honked car horns, banged on drums and blew whistles in attempts to disrupt the operation. Video of the clash taken by The Associated Press showed some agents pushing back protesters while a distraught woman later emerged from the house with a document that federal agents presented to arrest the man. Signed by an immigration officer, the document unlike a warrant signed by a judge does not authorize forced entry into a private residence. A warrant signed by an immigration officer only authorizes arrest in a public area. Advertisement Advertisement Immigrant advocacy groups have conducted extensive know-your-rights campaigns urging people not to open their doors unless agents have a court order signed by a judge. But within minutes of ramming the door in a neighborhood filled with single-family homes, the handcuffed man was led away. More than 2,000 immigration arrests have been made in Minnesota since the enforcement operation began at the beginning of December, said Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told Fox News on Sunday that the administration would send additional federal agents to Minnesota to protect immigration officers and continue enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Minneapolis still tense after Renee Good shooting The Twin Cities the latest target in President Donald Trumps immigration enforcement campaign is bracing for what is next after 37-year-old Renee Good was shot and killed by an immigration officer on Wednesday. Were seeing a lot of immigration enforcement across Minneapolis and across the state, federal agents just swarming around our neighborhoods, said Jason Chavez, a Minneapolis city councilmember. Theyve definitely been out here. Chavez, the son of Mexican immigrants who represents an area with a growing immigrant population, said he is closely monitoring information from chat groups about where residents are seeing agents operating. Advertisement Advertisement People holding whistles positioned themselves in freezing temperatures on street corners Sunday in the neighborhood where Good was killed, watching for any signs of federal agents. More than 20,000 people have taken part in a variety of trainings to become observers of enforcement activities in Minnesota since the 2024 election, said Luis Argueta, a spokesperson for Unidos MN, a local human rights organization . Its a role that people choose to take on voluntarily, because they choose to look out for their neighbors, Argueta said. The protests have been largely peaceful, but residents remained anxious. On Monday, Minneapolis public schools will start offering remote learning for the next month in response to concerns that children might feel unsafe venturing out while tensions remain high. Advertisement Advertisement Many schools closed last week after Goods shooting and the upheaval that followed. Questions about who should handle investigation While the enforcement activity continues, two of the states leading Democrats said that the investigation into Good's shooting death should not be overseen solely by the federal government. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith said in separate interviews Sunday that state authorities should be included in the investigation because the federal government has already made clear what it believes happened. How can we trust the federal government to do an objective, unbiased investigation, without prejudice, when at the beginning of that investigation they have already announced exactly what they saw what they think happened," Smith said on ABCs "This Week." Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has defended the officer who shot Good in her car, saying he was protecting himself and fellow agents and that Good had weaponized her vehicle. Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, defended the officer on Fox News Channels The Sunday Briefing. "That law enforcement officer had milliseconds, if not short time to make a decision to save his life and his other fellow agents, he said. Lyons also said the administrations enforcement operations in Minnesota wouldn't be needed if local jurisdictions worked with us to turn over these criminally illegal aliens once they are already considered a public safety threat by the locals. Advertisement Advertisement The killing of Good by an ICE officer and the shooting of two people by federal agents in Portland, Oregon, led to dozens of protests in cities across the country over the weekend, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Oakland, California. ___ Contributing were Associated Press journalists Giovanna DellOrto in Minneapolis; Thomas Strong in Washington; Bill Barrow in Atlanta; Christopher Weber in Los Angeles; and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio. Editor's note: If you or someone you know has suicidal thoughts, addictive tendencies, stress and other mental health issues, you can call or text 988 , Oklahoma's Mental Health Hotline, or call 911. As volunteers with the United Cajun Navy began their own search for 12-year-old Ryan "RJ" Davis near his family's home in Caddo County, they were surprised when the boy revealed himself. It had been nine days since the boy's mother and stepfather reported him missing from Chickasha. But around noon on Sunday, Jan. 11, he was finally discovered near his parent's home in Cement, safe and healthy. Advertisement Advertisement His first words to the men who found him: "I'm sorry." "Kids in that environment, they kind of learn that anytime the attention is on you, it's a bad thing," said Luke van Ryn, a volunteer with the United Cajun Navy who was on scene when RJ was found. "So we just kept reassuring him." More: Missing 12-year-old Oklahoma boy found safe The United Cajun Navy, a volunteer search and rescue organization, released this photo of RJ Davis with one of them men who found him, Luke van Ryn. The day after RJ was found, his mother Kimberly Kay Cole, 33, and stepfather George Franklin Cole Jr., 43, were formally charged in Caddo County court with several counts of child abuse and other alleged crimes. Officials have not said whether any of the charges are directly linked to RJ's disappearance. They also have said little about what they believe the boy was doing while searchers were looking for him. Advertisement Advertisement The search for RJ drew nationwide attention, including from the volunteer search and rescue group known as the United Cajun Navy. The UCN is a nonprofit group based in Louisiana that regularly assists government authorities in humanitarian and post-disaster relief. A central Texas-based team from the UCN came to Oklahoma over the weekend to help with the search. "We told him he was safe and nobody was going to harm him anymore," said another rescuer, Thomas Gentile. "Then he gave us a big hug, and he was ready to go eat some pizza." More: What is the United Cajun Navy? Volunteer group finds missing Oklahoma boy Search for missing boy spanned rural area The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation hasn't said exactly where RJ was found other than that it was near the town of Cement in Caddo County, where the boy's mother and stepfather lived. Advertisement Advertisement The search spanned a vast rural area. Between Chickasha and Cement is more than 10 miles of pasture and woodland. The searchers brought RJ back to Chickasha to meet at the search headquarters. He was seen by medical personnel, but those who saw him on Sunday said he appeared to be physically healthy. During his nine days missing, the nighttime temperature dipped below freezing several times. However, rescuers said, he had access to an indoor space and had access to water and food. They have not said whether they believe the boy was living primarily outdoors. "We've been on plenty of these that's been the other way, so when you get to bring one home it's pretty rewarding. It's quite the hype," said UCN volunteer Shaun Schraeder. Mother, stepfather facing charges RJ's mother and stepfather were jailed Jan. 7 as the search for the boy was ongoing. Authorities said they made the arrests based on evidence gained through interviews and search warrants. Advertisement Advertisement According to court records filed Jan. 12, George Cole faces eight counts of child abuse, one count of child sexual abuse, three counts of child neglect, conspiracy and a charge of "pattern of criminal offenses." Cole appeared in court that day and a judge set his bond at $2.5 million. He was ordered to have no contact with minors, to have no weapons of any sort in his possession, wear a GPS device if bonded out, and to have no contact with witnesses or animals. Caddo County District Attorney Jason Hicks said that after his first court appearance on Jan. 12, George Cole returned to his cell where he tried to take his own life. He was taken to the hospital where he is undergoing tests, Hicks said. Kimberly Cole faces 11 charges that were also filed in court: Three counts of child abuse, two counts of child sexual abuse, three counts of child neglect, one conspiracy count and two counts of crimes against nature. Officials thank volunteers who helped search for missing boy OSBI and Chickasha PD are working with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to make sure RJ is placed in a safe home. At a news conference, McKee thanked the UCN, plus all the organizations, volunteers and the general public who helped try to find him. Advertisement Advertisement "Hundreds came forward to make sure everywhere that could be search would be searched," OSBI spokesman Hunter McKee said on Sunday. "They didn't know who this boy was, but they still stepped up and did everything they could to make sure this young man was found safe." (This story was updated with new information.) This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Missing Oklahoma boy RJ Davis found near parents home in Caddo County Stuart Stevens the chief strategist for Mitt Romneys doomed 2012 presidential campaign told MS NOW on Sunday that Vice President JD Vance believes he has to defend Nazis because that is the best way to advance in the Republican Party. Stevens made the eyebrow-raising claim while appearing on Alex Witt Reports. He was asked by host Alex Witt if he expected more violence following the shooting of Renee Good in Minnesota last week. Yeah, of course theres going to be more violence, Stevens said, before adding we should find out if a grand jury will charge him with murder. Advertisement Advertisement He then took issue with Vance defending the ICE officer who shot Good. This is not unique, [ICE agents] do not have immunity as JD Vance tries to pretend, Stevens said. It just goes to sort of a sickness at the core of the Republican Party. Why does JD Vance go out there? Why does JD Vance go out there and defend Nazis? It is unclear what example he was referring to or if he was referring to ICE agents as Nazis. Stevens said Vance is compelled to defend Nazis because it will help him win the 2028 GOP nomination over Marco Rubio. Here said: Just think about it, youre sitting around your office and you hear your boss say You know, there are a bunch of Republicans out there [that are] pro-Nazi Im gonna defend them! Like really? Why does he do that? Because he knows that the way you advance in the Republican Party the way the party is now is who can be the most transgressive. So hes in this sort of shadow battle with Marco Rubio for the nomination. So Im gonna go out and defend Nazis, lets see if Marco Rubio will go that far. And its just something that has happened in the Republican Party that is deeply, deeply sick. Witt said Stevens and her other guest Molly Jong-Fast had given viewers a lot to think about. Advertisement Advertisement She also agreed with Stevens that the vast majority of law enforcement officers abide by the law, they deserve our respect, and they should be shown appreciation for the really tough job that they do. Stevens is now a senior adviser for The Lincoln Project. Watch his comments above. The post Mitt Romneys Former Strategist: JD Vance Is Compelled to Defend Nazis to Advance In the Republican Party first appeared on Mediaite. By Alexander Tanas CHISINAU, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Moldovan President Maia Sandu has said she would vote in favour of unification with neighbouring European Union and NATO member Romania if a referendum were to take place to help protect its fragile democracy against Russian pressure. Sandu, whose pro-EU ruling party won a new mandate last September, has repeatedly accused Russia of meddling in Moldova, a former Soviet republic of around 2.4 million with a Romanian-speaking majority and a Russian-speaking minority. Advertisement Advertisement "If we have a referendum, I would vote for the unification with Romania," she said in an interview for the British podcast 'The Rest is Politics', broadcast on Sunday. "Look at what is happening in the world. It is getting more and more difficult for a small country like Moldova to survive as a democracy, as a sovereign country, and of course to resist Russia." Around 1.5 million Moldovans hold Romanian citizenship, but recent polls have shown that only around one-third support reunification with Bucharest. Sandu said she recognised most Moldovans do not support her position, adding that EU integration was a "more realistic objective". Advertisement Advertisement Her government has set its sights on joining the EU by 2030 but will have to implement difficult reforms in the face of opposition from Russia. Moldova's pro-Russian Socialists were in power as recently as 2020. Moldova, which also borders Ukraine, was part of Romania in the interwar period but was annexed by the Soviet Union during World War Two. It gained its independence in 1991 as the Soviet Union collapsed. (Writing by Dan PeleschukEditing by Gareth Jones) Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is one of the Best Stocks to Buy for High Returns in 2026. On January 5, Bloomberg reported that Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is launching AI services for restaurants to showcase their interiors. According to the report, this strategic move comes as Alibaba competes with Meituan in the Chinese food and dining sector. This new AI service will be launched in the companys map and location services app called Amap. The Amap app will allow restaurants to render 3D images by simply uploading videos or images. Moreover, the report cited an anonymous source familiar with the matter, who noted that Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is planning to offer this new feature based on its visual WAN model, to select businesses for free for a period of time. That said, Wall Street has a positive outlook on the stock. Recently, on January 8, Gary Yu from Morgan Stanley reiterated a Buy rating on the stock, but lowered the firms price target from $200 to $180. On the same day, Thomas Chong from Jefferies also reiterated a Buy rating on the stock with a $225 price target. Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) is a multinational tech giant focused on e-commerce, retail, cloud computing, and digital services. It aims to make it easy to do business anywhere by connecting buyers and sellers globally through platforms like Alibaba.com (B2B wholesale). While we acknowledge the potential of BABA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Houston, Texas-based carrier Avelo Airlines announced this month that it will stop providing deportation flights for individuals apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to USA TODAY, the carrier said after January 27, it will no longer operate deportation flights for ICE, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Avelo noted in a statement that conducting the deportation flights ended up not being worth it from a business standpoint. The carrier reportedly said, The program provided short-term benefits but ultimately did not deliver enough consistent and predictable revenue to overcome its operational complexity and costs. What Else Is There To Know About Avelo Airlines Scrapping Its Deportation Flights For ICE? Founded in 2021, Avelo Airlines is a low-cost carrier with destinations in the East Coast, Midwest, South, and the Caribbean. Interestingly, an Avelo spokesperson reportedly said that despite the airlines deportation flights for ICE sparking protests, the carrier had 11% more bookings in 2025 than the year prior. Advertisement Advertisement News of the airlines federal contract made headlines in April 2025, and its deportation flights began the following month. In a statement to CBS News, DHS highlighted that it will continue its partnership with CSI Aviation, which subcontracted Avelo. ICE never contracted directly with Avelo Airlines, the department reportedly said. ICE will continue to utilize its contracted service provider, which works with multiple airlines to support the American peoples mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens. What Else Is There To Know? According to CNBC, Avelos founder and CEO, Andrew Levy, commented on the airlines federal deal in an email sent to employees earlier this month. He reportedly said, We moved a portion of our fleet into a government program which promised more financial stability but placed us in the center of a political controversy. In addition to stopping its deportation flights, Avelo announced this month that it has been recapitalized and will be streamlining its network. It will cease operations at Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) in Arizona (its hub for the deportation flights), and at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Wilmington International Airport, both in North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement The carrier is reorienting its network around Tweed New Haven Airport (HVN) in Connecticut; Wilmington Airport (ILG) in Delaware; Concord-Padgett Regional Airport (USA) in North Carolina; and Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) in Florida. Additionally, its opening a base at Texas McKinney National Airport (TKI) in late 2026. In the press release, Avelo noted that the changes will affect customers experiences. The airline said, Avelo will make near-term schedule changes that will impact many customer itineraries. Communication will be sent directly to impacted customers by email and text. Customers needing additional help can seek assistance from Avelos Customer Support Center. The post This Month, Avelo Airlines Will Stop Deportation Flights For ICE appeared first on Travel Noire. Interest in Russian armaments abroad is at a record level, Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said on Monday. "Until 2022, the maximum order value was $55 billion. Today, with $70 billion in already signed contracts, we have a record," Manturov said during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Manturov attributed this to the war against Ukraine ordered by Putin in 2022. "The technology tested within the framework of the military special operation advertises itself," he said. Russian officials refer to the Ukraine war as a military special operation. Advertisement Advertisement Russian air-defence systems, aircraft and multiple rocket launchers are particularly in demand, according to Manturov. However, the high level of orders also has a downside: As recently as December, Manturov admitted that export orders would have to take a back seat to the Russian army's demand for new weapons, meaning they would be processed with delays. Russian war propagandists, such as the head of the state media holding RT, Margarita Simonyan, had originally predicted a quick Russian victory in the war against Ukraine; in reality, the conflict has lasted longer than the Soviet Union's defensive struggle against Nazi Germany in World War II. Moscow now explains the length of the confrontation by claiming that Russia is fighting against the entire West in Ukraine, when in fact NATO has not sent any soldiers to Ukraine. However, the West is helping the embattled country with weapons for its own defence. A 45-year-old woman from Northern California is facing 15 years to life in prison after she was convicted in the drowning death of her 2-year-old daughter, authorities announced late last week. The incident occurred on Sept. 12 around 3:30 p.m. at a home in the 4500 block of Fireside Drive in Turlock, a city about 15 miles from Modesto, according to a news release from the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office. Officers with the Turlock Police Department responded to the home after Kelle Anne Brassart called 911 to report that her daughter, Danielle Pires, was floating in the pool. Advertisement Advertisement At the residence, officers pulled the childs lifeless body out of the water. Despite administering life-saving measures, the toddler was declared deceased. Upon contact with Brassart, officers observed that she was displaying signs of impairment, prosecutors said. Detectives immediately began an investigation into the death. Investigators discovered empty and full bottles of liquor hidden throughout the home and learned that the girls father told Brassart that she couldnt drink while caring for their daughter, who needed to be supervised at all times. A 45-year-old woman who was drunk at the time her unsupervised daughter, 2, drown in a backyard swimming pool in Northern California was found guilty of second-degree murder, prosecutors announced on Jan. 9, 2026. (Google Maps) Home security cameras captured Danielles death and showed the little girl unattended in the backyard for an extended period before getting into the pool and drowning. Advertisement Advertisement During that time, investigators said Brassart, who had a blood alcohol level of .246%, was in the homes primary bedroom for 45 minutes communicating with men that she had met on dating apps. U-Haul truck plows into L.A. demonstrators marching in support of Iranian protests The 45-year-old mother also never attempted to get into the pool and save her daughter, telling police that a recent leg injury left her confined to a wheelchair. During her trial, though, the jury was presented with video evidence of her walking and standing without the use of a wheelchair prior to the drowning. Prosecutors also said she had crutches and a walking boot in the home. Advertisement Advertisement Further, evidence was introduced that Brassart had been advised in parenting classes about the dangers of leaving a child unsupervised as toddlers are incapable of appreciating risk, the release stated. The jury also heard evidence regarding an incident involving one of her other children where they were left unsupervised by Brassart, resulting in the child being hospitalized for nearly one week after ingesting medication. Brassart was convicted of second-degree murder and felony child neglect, along with the special allegation that she was also on probation for child abuse at the time of the death. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 5. 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 KTLA. (NewsNation) Revelations that a Chicago man charged in the killings of an Ohio couple was once married to victim Monique Tepe suggest a deep-seated resentment and hatred had festered for years, a former FBI special agent says. The bodies of Monique and Spencer Tepe were found Dec. 30 as police officers conducted a well-being check at the couples Columbus residence. Their young children and dog were unharmed, and there was no sign of forced entry. The suspect that authorities arrested over the weekend, Michael McKee, had been married to Monique Tepe from 2015 to 2017, records indicate. Advertisement Advertisement Ohio couples deaths shocking: Brother-in-law This divorce happened about nine years ago. They were married for such a brief time, Jennifer Coffindaffer, law and justice contributor, told NewsNation Prime on Sunday. That is strange, but I think it was a deep-seated resentment and hate that just built up and finally came to this conclusion. Investigators reportedly zeroed in on McKee, 39, after tracking a vehicle that had been parked in the neighborhood at the time of the killings to Rockford, Illinois. McKee, a vascular surgeon, is being held in Winnebago County and is slated to appear in court Monday. Authorities were expected to begin extradition proceedings. Coffindaffer said the motive in the case always seemed personal to her. The accused killer likely studied the Tepes and obtained the passcode that unlocked their door, she said. Advertisement Advertisement They had staked out the location well. It was also very clear they knew where the camera locations were because they evaded a lot of camera coverage, it would seem, she said. Funeral services were held Sunday for the Tepes. 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. Elon Musks Grok has been blocked by Indonesia and Malaysia, the first countries to do so after the artificial intelligence tools digital undressing function flooded the internet with photos of women and minors in suggestive and obscene manipulated images. International pressure has been mounting on Musk to rein in Grok on the heels of a viral trend where users have asked the AI tool to generate sexually explicit deepfakes. Grok is a tool on Musks social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Indonesias digital minister Meutya Hafid said in a statement Saturday the ban was to protect women, children and the broader public from the risks of fake pornographic content generated using artificial intelligence technology. Malaysia announced its own temporary ban Sunday following the repeated misuse of Grok to generate obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive, and non-consensual manipulated images, including content involving women and minors. Indonesia and Malaysia are both Muslim-majority countries with strict anti-pornography laws. Officials in the United Kingdom, European Union and India have also expressed concerns about Groks guardrails. Advertisement Advertisement When asked for comment on the bans, Groks parent company xAI gave CNN a three-word statement: Legacy Media Lies. Previously Musk and xAI said they were tackling the issue by permanently suspending offending accounts and working with local governments and law enforcement. But Groks responses to user requests were still flooded with images sexualizing women Grok is seen by many users as an outlier compared to other mainstream AI models by allowing, and in some cases promoting, sexually explicit content and companion avatars. The surge in the digital undressing trend began late last year when many users discovered they could tag Grok on X and make it manipulate images. Advertisement Advertisement Users have prompted the chatbot to generate images of people in bikinis and posing suggestively, causing distress to hundreds of thousands of women worldwide. Researchers at AI Forensics, a European non-profit that investigates algorithms, analyzed over 20,000 random images generated by Grok and 50,000 user requests between December 25 and January 1. The researchers found a high prevalence of terms including her put/remove, bikini, and clothing. More than half of the images generated of people contained individuals in minimal attire such as underwear or bikinis. Musk pushes back against censorship Publicly, Musk has long advocated against woke AI models and what he calls censorship. Advertisement Advertisement But the billionaire has pushed back against guardrails for Grok within the firm, one source with knowledge of the situation at xAI told CNN. The xAI safety team, already small compared to its competitors, lost several staffers in the weeks leading up to the controversy. Musk has said anyone who uses Grok to make illegal content will face consequences. But he has largely dismissed concerns about sexual content on the app, arguing governments just want to suppress free speech and responding to criticism with emojis. Last week, Grok limited some of its image generation features to paid X subscribers, but the restrictions only apply to one of the ways users interact with Grok. Advertisement Advertisement Non-subscribers can still request Grok to edit images on the app, and image and video generation functions are still offered for free through its standalone website and app. On Monday, the UKs communications services regulator opened a formal investigation into X to determine whether it has complied with its duties to protect people in Britain from illegal content. Undressed images of people may amount to intimate image abuse or pornography, while sexualized images of children may represent child sexual abuse material, Ofcom said in a statement. If the regulator finds that X has broken the law, it can levy a fine of up to 18 million ($24 million) or 10% of the companys qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater. CNNs Hadas Gold, Trista Kurniawan and Olesya Dmitracova contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com While Iran shuts down its internet, Starlink defies the ban, keeping some Iranians connected during the ongoing crackdown on protests. Some Iranians are still using Elon Musks Starlink satellite internet service despite a nationwide communications blackout, three people inside the country said, the latest example of Starlink being used to counter internet shutdowns in geopolitical flashpoints. Iranian authorities have in recent days launched a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, including the near-complete shutdown of internet service, which is provided through fiber-optic cables and cellphone towers. Advertisement Advertisement But Starlink, which beams its service directly from thousands of low-earth orbit satellites, is still working in some places in Iran, despite being banned by authorities there, three people using Starlink in the country told Reuters. One of them, in Western Iran, said he knew dozens of people using Starlink and that users in border towns and cities were largely unaffected. Alp Toker, founder of internet monitoring group NetBlocks, said he has heard from people in the region that there is still some Starlink access in Iran, though service appears reduced. It is patchy, but still there, he said. Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 2026. (credit: MAHSA / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images) While its not clear how Starlinks service was being disrupted in Iran, some specialists said it could be the result of jamming of Starlink terminals that would overpower their ability to receive signals from the satellites. Advertisement Advertisement Starlink, which is part of privately held company SpaceX, didn't respond to requests for comment. Authorities in Iran could not be reached on Monday, amid phone and internet outages. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on terrorists and vowed to safeguard the governing system. Critical tool amid global conflicts The communication lifeline Starlink has provided for some protesters in Iran is the latest sign of the influence Musk and his satellite internet service have in global conflicts and unrest around the world. Starlink has been a critical tool for Ukrainian forces since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. In Myanmar, where the military junta has imposed repeated internet shutdowns, rebel groups, aid organizations and medics have used Starlink for communications. In Sudan, Starlink has also been used by both sides in a years-long civil war due to prolonged blackouts. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he plans to speak with Musk about restoring internet in Iran, without mentioning Starlink. Advertisement Advertisement Musk previously shipped free Starlink terminals, which are slightly larger than a laptop, to Ukraine and offered free internet service there. Standard Starlink terminals cost around $599, plus a monthly service fee, making it unaffordable for many Iranians. Musk's ability to tip the balance in global conflicts was demonstrated when he shut down Starlink as Ukraine retook territory from Russia in 2022, Reuters previously reported. Starlink isn't licensed to operate in Iran, but Musk has previously said that the service is active there. In December 2022, he posted on his social media platform X that the company was approaching 100 Starlinks active in Iran," a modest figure given Iran's population of 92 million. In June last year, in response to a post on X calling for him to provide Starlink access to Iran, Musk posted beams are on. Following the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June, Irans parliament passed a law formally banning the use of Starlink, introducing severe penalties for those who use or distribute the unlicensed technology, according to Iranian state media. The Brief Two Long Beach women were arrested for allegedly using counterfeit $100 bills at approximately 12 In-N-Out locations across Los Angeles and Orange counties. Auriona Lewis and Tatiyanna Foster are accused of victimizing a dozen restaurants before being identified through surveillance footage and search warrants. Lewis faces felony charges for counterfeiting and grand theft, while Foster's case is pending a court appearance later this month. GLENDALE, Calif. - Two women accused of using counterfeit money at a dozen In-N-Out Burger restaurants in Southern California are behind bars, according to the Glendale Police Department. What we know The investigation began following a report of counterfeit activity at a Glendale In-N-Out on October 21, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Detectives discovered the incident was part of a larger pattern involving about a dozen restaurant locations across Los Angeles and Orange counties, according to the Glendale Police Department. By coordinating with In-N-Outs security team and reviewing video footage, police identified 24-year-old Auriona Lewis and 26-year-old Tatiyanna Foster, both from Long Beach, as the primary suspects. Evidence recovered such as counterfeit bills linked the pair to the illegal scheme, police said. On October 30, 2025, a task force including Glendale detectives and U.S. Marshals arrested Lewis in Palmdale. At the time of her arrest, she was in possession of counterfeit bills, gift cards, and transaction receipts. Advertisement Advertisement Foster was later taken into custody on December 15, 2025, after she surrendered at the Glendale Police Department. What's next The Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office charged Lewis with felony counterfeiting and grand theft in November. She pleaded not guilty. She's due back in court in Pasadena on Jan. 20, when a date will be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for her to stand trial. She is no longer in custody. Charges have not yet been filed against Foster, who remains jailed without bail due to a possible violation of probation stemming from a prior burglary case, according to court and jail records. Advertisement Advertisement The Glendale Police Department is encouraging any businesses that suspect they have been targeted by similar schemes to report incidents immediately by calling 818-548-4840. The Source This report is based on information from the Glendale Police Department. For the first time in the 25-year history of the International Space Station, NASA will be forced to make an emergency evacuation. On Thursday, NASA officially announced that it will remove the crew from the space station in the coming days in an emergency evacuation after one astronaut fell ill with a "serious" medical issue. NASA Announces Evacuation On Thursday, NASA made the historic announcement that, for the first time in history, the International Space Station will be evacuated after one of the astronauts fell ill with what NASA described as a "serious," but undisclosed medical condition. Advertisement Advertisement After discussions with chief health and medical officer Dr. James Polk and leadership across the agency, Ive come to the decision that its in the best interest of our astronauts to return Crew-11 ahead of their planned departure, NASAs administrator, Jared Isaacman, said at a briefing on Thursday. Due to patient privacy concerns, NASA did not identify the astronaut or the illness. However, the agency did make it clear that it was a "serious" situation that led to this unprecedented decision. This was a serious medical condition, Isaacman said. That is why were pursuing this path. When Will the Evacuation Happen? NASA announced on social media this week that the evacuation will take place " no earlier" than 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 14, with the goal of them landing near California early on Thursday morning, Jan. 15. However, NASA acknowledged that this plan is a bit in flux depending on weather and recovery conditions. Advertisement Advertisement While it is a serious medical concern that merits an evacuation, NASA's chief health and medical officer, Dr. James Polk, explained that the astronaut is "absolutely stable," allowing a little more flexibility with timing. Because the astronaut is absolutely stable, this is not an emergent evacuation, Polk said. Were not immediately disembarking and getting the astronaut down, but it leaves that lingering risk and lingering question as to what that diagnosis is, and that means there is some lingering risk for that astronaut onboard. Crew-11, which is led by U.S. commander Zena Cardman, arrived at the space station on a SpaceX capsule in August. The group includes NASA astronaut Mike Fincke, Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Platonov. While that group will be evacuated from the International Space Station next week, U.S. astronaut Chris Williams and Russias Sergei Mikayev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov will continue living and working at the station. This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jan 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here. BRUSSELS, Jan 12 (Reuters) - NATO member countries are discussing the next steps to collectively keep the Arctic safe, alliance chief Mark Rutte said on Monday, the latest sign of work among allies to satisfy U.S. President Donald Trump, who says he wants to take over Greenland. "All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security," Rutte told a press conference in Croatia. "With sea lanes opening up, there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active." Rutte said discussions on Arctic security were already under way since last year, and member countries were now "discussing the next step to that, how to make sure that we give practical follow up on those discussions." Advertisement Advertisement Trump said on Friday that the U.S. needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future. Greenland is an autonomous part of the kingdom of Denmark and houses a U.S. airbase under international treaties. Danish and Greenlandic officials say the island is not for sale, and that security concerns should be resolved among allies. European diplomats told Reuters that discussions were ongoing about a possible NATO operation to boost security in the Arctic, as officials search for ways to address U.S. concerns. No decisions have been made, the diplomats said, but some officials have suggested that an operation could be modelled on NATO's operations to boost security on its eastern flank, Baltic Sentry and Eastern Sentry. Advertisement Advertisement A German government spokesperson said on Monday that discussions about further strengthening security in the Arctic region were currently taking place within NATO. (Reporting by Lili Bayer, Sudip Kar-Gupta, Inti LandauroEditing by Lili Bayer and Louise Rasmussen) Newborn babies diagnosed with jaundice in Scotland can now receive vital treatment from the comfort of their own homes, thanks to an innovative "Hospital at Home" service launched by the nation's largest health board. This new programme allows infants meeting specific clinical criteria to undergo phototherapy, delivered by a specialised sleeping bag-style garment that emits therapeutic light, without needing to return to hospital. Around six in 10 newborns are affected by neonatal jaundice, often requiring several days of treatment. Traditionally, this meant disruptive hospital readmissions for mothers and babies just as they were settling into a home routine, a challenge now mitigated by this new at-home care option. Advertisement Advertisement The Hospital at Home service launched by the neonatal unit at the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow means babies can now be treated safely and comfortably in their own surroundings. Alicia Hardie, whose daughter Cora Donohue was born three weeks early on Christmas Eve, is one mother who has welcomed the service, along with her partner Mark Donohue. Cora was born three weeks early on Christmas Eve (Alicia Hardie/PA Wire) Miss Hardie, from Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, said: I gave birth at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and had lost a lot of blood, so I needed to stay in for a few days afterwards. We were all packed up and ready to go home when Coras blood test showed she needed light therapy for jaundice. At that point, we didnt know the Hospital at Home service existed, so we stayed in for another few days. Advertisement Advertisement We finally got home on December 30, but at Coras next blood test her jaundice levels were still high, and she needed the lights again, so back to hospital we went. It was during that stay that the team told us about the Hospital at Home equipment. Within two hours of learning about it, senior nurse Kerry was giving us everything we needed. After an early birth and the back and forth for blood tests, it was exactly what we needed. We could finally relax at home and start our new life together. Kerry was so supportive, and the equipment was incredibly easy to use. After just two days using the suit at home, Cora passed her blood test and shes doing brilliantly now. Advertisement Advertisement As part of the service, a neonatal senior nurse visits each family at home every day to check the babys bilirubin levels, assess progress, and determine whether treatment should continue. If the families have any questions at other times, someone is available over the phone. The service started work on November 24 last year and as of January 8, 40 have received jaundice treatment at home. The dedicated team delivering the initiative comprises four neonatal Hospital at Home senior nurses, four consultants and a service improvement manager. They currently have six units and treatment length varies from two to eight days, but is dependent on individual results from each baby. Cora Donohue with Hospital at Home equipment (Alicia Hardie/PA Wire) NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) neonatal Hospital at Home senior nurse Kayleigh Cunningham said: Hospital at Home helps us treat babies who may develop jaundice symptoms around 72 hours after birth, as this can happen often. Advertisement Advertisement If a mum and baby have already gone home, they would traditionally need to return for a hospital stay. This can be upsetting when families have just begun settling into life at home. The programme was designed and developed by the hospitals neonatal team following a successful three-month pilot in 2024. NHSGGC said its community midwives will continue to screen for jaundice during routine home visits, ensuring eligible babies can be referred swiftly to the new service. Allianz SE and Anthropic have forged a global alliance with the objective of embedding responsible AI across Allianzs business functions. The agreement outlines collaborative work in three main domains, with initial projects already under way. The first area targets insurance-specific operational enhancements through AI integration, such as making Anthropics AI-driven coding tool, Claude Code, available for use by all Allianz employees. The introduction of model context protocols aims to help staff securely connect and manage data from various sources within the organisation. The second project focuses on automation using custom-built AI agents. These systems are being designed to handle complex, multi-step processes such as claims handling in motor and health insurance. In cases requiring nuanced judgement, employees will still oversee the process to safeguard fairness. A third area of collaboration is the development of systems supporting transparency and regulatory compliance. These systems will document each AI-driven decision and its basis, aiming to meet sector-specific regulations and ensure actions can be traced if needed. Allianz CEO Oliver Bate said: "With this partnership, Allianz is taking a decisive step to address critical AI challenges in insurance. Anthropics focus on safety and transparency complements our strong dedication to customer excellence and stakeholder trust. Together, we are building solutions that prioritise what matters most to our customers while setting new standards for innovation and resilience." The insurer has started rolling out AI-based initiatives including multilingual voice support for roadside assistance, automated processing of food spoilage claims in Australia and faster payment of pet insurance claims in Germany. Allianz is also investing in training employees to improve AI competency across its workforce. Anthropic CEO and co-founder Dario Amodei commented: "Insurance is an industry where the stakes of using AI are particularly high: the decisions can affect millions of people. Allianz and Anthropic both take that very seriously, and we look forward to working together to make insurance better for those who depend on it." "Allianz partners with Anthropic to integrate responsible AI into operations " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. This article was originally published in CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday proposed paring down the responsibilities of Californias elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction and shifting more power to the State Board of Education. California can no longer postpone reforms that have been recommended regularly for a century, Newsom said, referring to numerous reports over the years that have suggested streamlining the states system of K-12 school governance. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter These critical reforms will bring greater accountability, clarity and coherence to how we serve our students and schools, Newsom said. Advertisement Advertisement The move is intended to simplify Californias convoluted education governance, which policy analysts have said can be inefficient, redundant and sometimes at cross purposes. Under his proposal, the State Board of Education, an 11-member body appointed by the governor, would take over the California Department of Education. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction would have broader responsibility to foster coordination and alignment of state education policies from early childhood through post secondary education. The proposal didnt offer further details. For more than a century, the states public K-12 schools have been governed by a web of authorities, both locally and at the state level. In Sacramento, the governor, state superintendent, State Board of Education and the Legislature all share policy-making duties, which may shift every few years depending on the political winds. The Department of Education, under the direction of the state superintendent, is supposed to carry out those policies. Locally, school boards and county offices of education also hold power over schools, especially since the state switched to a funding system about a decade ago that gives more flexibility to school districts. County offices, among other duties, are charged with overseeing school district budgets. Advertisement Advertisement California has a somewhat unique system of school governance. Its one of only nine states that elects a schools chief. In other states, the top schools officer is appointed by the governor or the board of education, according to research by Education Commission of the States. Newsoms proposal echoes a December report by Policy Analysis for California Education which called for an overhaul of the states school governance structure. The need for stronger, more coherent governance has never been greater. Schools are grappling with fiscal challenges alongside deepening inequities, persistent opportunity gaps, and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on student learning and well-being, the reports authors wrote. The issue is especially urgent, they said, as the federal government reels back its involvement in K-12 schools. President Donald Trump is in the process of shuttering the federal Department of Education, spinning off its duties to the states and other federal agencies. Federal education funding is also increasingly precarious, giving states more direct responsibility for educating children. Advertisement Advertisement The PACE authors suggested several solutions, including the proposal that Newsom put forth. Under the PACE recommendation, the Department of Education would be run by an administrator appointed by the State Board of Education, and the superintendent would act as an independent advocate, with an eye on accountability. Most of the power and responsibility for schools would lie with the governor. Previous proposals This is not the first time the issue has arisen. Several ballot measures over the years none successful have sought to change the role of the state superintendent. In 2023, ACA 9, by former Assemblyman Kevin McCarty, a Democrat from Sacramento, would have made the position appointed by the governor. McCarty withdrew it amid opposition from the California Teachers Association, the California School Boards Association and other groups. In his proposal, Newsom cited other previous reports recommending changes to state schools governance, including one from 2002 and another from 1920. The states current superintendent, Tony Thurmond, is winding down his second term. During his tenure, the department has expanded literacy efforts, community schools, student wellness programs and other initiatives. Hes also faced criticism for working side jobs and creating a toxic workplace. Advertisement Advertisement Thurmond, who terms out in 2026, is running for governor. Newsoms proposal has backing from a wide array of education players, including the Association of California School Administrators, California Association of School Business Officials, Californians Together, which advocates for English learners, and EdTrust-West, a research and advocacy organization focused on equity. For far too long, Californias fractured education governance system has contributed to persistent inequities disproportionately impacting low-income students, students of color and multilingual learners, said Christopher Nellum, executive director of EdTrust-West. EdTrust-West commends Governor Newsom for championing these essential reforms. This article was originally published on CalMatters and was republished under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license. The release of political prisoners announced by the government in Venezuela is progressing slowly, according to human rights organizations. Justicia, Encuentro y Perdon (Justice, Gathering and Pardon) stated on X on Monday that so far, 24 releases have been confirmed. Given the high expectations and the many unjustly detained, they said this was "clearly insufficient." The human rights organization Foro Penal (Penal Forum) also published a list of those confirmed to have been released so far. Advertisement Advertisement Among them are two Italians - development worker Alberto Trentini and entrepreneur Mario Burlo - but no prominent opposition politicians like Juan Pablo Guanipa or human rights activist Rocio San Miguel. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated on Monday that Trentini and Burlo are "safe in the Italian embassy in Caracas." She said she had spoken with both of them, and a plane from Rome is already on its way to bring them back to Italy. Meloni thanked Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez for the "constructive cooperation." Government announcement, but little implementation The government in Caracas announced last week that a large number of Venezuelan and foreign prisoners would be released, but did not specify numbers or names. Advertisement Advertisement Parliamentary President Jorge Rodriguez, brother of Delcy Rodriguez, described it as a gesture "in search of peace." So far, the implementation remains limited. According to media reports, relatives of political prisoners held vigils nationwide outside detention centres and complained about the lack of information from the authorities. Human rights organizations have criticized arbitrary arrests and non-transparent detention conditions for years. Particularly, the El Helicoide prison in Caracas is seen as a symbol of state repression, with former inmates reporting mistreatment and torture. Sen. Brian Stack said the judiciary committee, which he chairs, is committed to filling judicial vacancies as soon as it can. (Photo by (Hal Brown/New Jersey Monitor) The New Jersey Senate confirmed 16 judges Monday, a move that will bring the states judicial vacancies to the lowest level since Gov. Phil Murphys first year in office. Vacancies on the Superior Court bench will fall to 11 after the jurists confirmed Monday are sworn into office. Murphy, a Democrat, leaves Trenton on Jan. 20 after two terms as governor. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Brian Stack (D-Hudson), the chambers judiciary chairman, said Mondays confirmations mark meaningful progress toward strengthening New Jerseys court system. We just need to keep this going and keep it up. As the appointments are coming up and as seats become vacant, we are committed to filling them as soon as we can. The Senate president has made that very clear, Stack said. As many meetings as it takes to get that done, we will. Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) was the Senate Judiciary Committees chair for more than a decade before becoming the chambers top-ranked official in 2022. Court vacancies ballooned early in Murphys tenure, when he frequently butted heads with Democratic legislative leadership, and they surged again when the pandemic drew lawmakers focus away from court staffing. Advertisement Advertisement The dearth of new judges pushed Chief Justice Stuart Rabner to issue a dire warning to lawmakers in May 2022, when 75 of the states 433 Superior Court seats were empty. In some counties, Rabner ordered pauses to civil and divorce trials so the courts could move criminal, family, and domestic violence cases that require speedy resolutions. Those trials have since resumed. Top court officials have said the judiciary can operate sustainably with as many as 30 vacancies. Mondays votes confirmed all but two of the pending Superior Court nominations made by Murphy. The Senate did not advance the nominations of Wyckoff chief municipal prosecutor Joseph Maurice and Cranford Planning Board member Molly Hurley Kellett. Advertisement Advertisement Murphy nominations that are still pending will expire when new legislators are sworn in on Tuesday. The Senate confirmed only one of Murphys nominees to the Superior Court in 2018, ballooning vacancies from the nine left at the end of Gov. Chris Christies tenure. Stack said he does not anticipate similar standstills when Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill takes office next week. Obviously, its not always easy to get through the interview process, but I think well move these along pretty quickly now going forward, he said. That seems to be the commitment of Governor Sherrill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ASBURY PARK -- A troubled Asbury Park-based charter school violated public contracting laws and nepotism policies and put a private organization in control of its operations without state approval, according to a new report by the Office of the State Comptroller. College Achieve Greater Asbury Park Charter School, or CAPS Asbury, ceded much of its management to a private organization, College Achieve Public Schools Inc., CAPS Inc., by using a loophole in New Jersey's charter school approval process, the comptroller's report found. On Jan. 12, the same day the comptroller's report was released, state Sen. Vin Gopal announced new legislation that would require more transparency from New Jersey charter schools. Advertisement Advertisement The watchdog agency's report and new legislation follow two years of news articles in various publications that highlighted problems at the charter school. The Asbury Park campus of College Achieve Public Schools on Third Avenue. Gopal, who chairs the state Senate Education Committee, told an Asbury Park Press reporter the new legislation should close the loopholes in the state's charter school law, rules which CAPS Inc. and CAPS Asbury are accused of violating. The two charter school bills are headed to Gov. Phil Murphy's desk. Gopal said he hopes the governor will sign both before leaving office later this month. "This is the first time we've really looked at the charter statutes since it was created in 1997," the senator said. "The bill establishes comprehensive accountability and transparency requirements for New Jersey charter schools, their board of trustees, their management organizations." Advertisement Advertisement CAPS Asbury Park and its management organization, CAPS Inc., have been under scrutiny from elected officials and the media for various reasons over the past two years. For instance, CAPS Asbury's executive director hired her husband as a school principal, her mother as an interventionist, and her two children for additional roles, according to the comptroller's report. In addition, CAPS Asbury paid more than $100,000 to a company owned by the executive director's brother-in-law, the report found. On multiple occasions, the director and her husband also accepted cash for uniform sales and facilities rentals, but they did not document the financial transactions, the comptroller's report said. Advertisement Advertisement CAPS Asbury staff and others notified officials at CAPS Inc. about the situation, but officials did not fire the executive director until spring 2024, according to the report. "After a year-and-a-half-long review, this report largely revisits issues already addressed through a Department of Education evaluation and an independent analysis conducted more than a year ago, resulting in swift corrective action and strengthened controls," CAPS spokesperson Naush Boghossian said in an email. Boghossian said CAPS' focus remains on student performance, which exceeds that of their surrounding non-charter school peers. "While we do not know the cost of this (comptroller) investigation, it certainly exceeded the mismanagement it describes, raising serious questions about taxpayer value," Boghossian said. "Any misconduct cited was isolated, not systemic." Advertisement Advertisement From 2024: Asbury charter school network in crosshairs of legislative scrutiny over high salaries In addition to Asbury Park, CAPS Inc. operates charter school systems in Paterson and Plainfield. Between 2016 and 2023, the organization received $57 million in public money for its schools, which operate across 11 campuses, according to the comptroller's office. Comptroller staff said they have been unable to collect information on how that money was spent, and that CAPS Inc. declined to comply with subpoenas from the comptroller's office. Instead, CAPS Inc. filed two lawsuits against the Office of the State Comptroller in 2024 and 2025. The lawsuits are pending. Advertisement Advertisement Some of that money went to the salary of the organization's top administrator, CEO and founder Michael Piscal, who collected nearly $800,000 in the 2022-23 school year, according to 2022 tax filings obtained through GuideStar, an organization that provides information about American nonprofit organizations. His salary was later reduced to $312,000, a number higher than most public school administrator salaries in New Jersey. CAPS Inc. executives defended the salary, saying they do not qualify for lifelong public pensions like their public school system peers. The bills on the governor's desk would help curb charter school ultra-high salaries, by requiring the schools to publicly disclose their budgets and contracts of the top school executive. Bill S4713 would add requirements to charter school management and increase transparency, while S4716 would make changes to enrollment rules, reporting and athletics. State Sen. Vin Gopal discusses reforming New Jersey charter school laws during a news conference at the Trenton State House on Jan. 12, 2026. New Jersey has 84 charter schools serving 64,000 students, said Harry Lee, CEO of the New Jersey Charter Schools Association. The bills will help expand transparency, preserve charter school autonomy, and stop a few "outlier schools" from bending existing rules, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Lee, of the Charter Schools Association, said the legislation will also help prevent charter school "super teams" by requiring any charter school students to live within 20 miles of their school. CAPS Asbury was accused of building such a basketball "super team" by recruiting students from across New Jersey, at the expense of at-risk students in and around Asbury Park. CAPS officials countered that many of New Jersey's young NBA hopefuls were applying for the chance to play for the Asbury Park campus's famous basketball coach Dave Boff. Boghossian, the CAPS spokesperson, said the issues with the school were isolated problems that have been addressed. "CAPS students, who are among the most vulnerable children in the state, are outperforming their district peers and the state in every region we serve, and last year every graduating CAPS senior was admitted to a four-year college, earning more than $50 million in scholarships including acceptances to Harvard, MIT, Princeton and Penn," she said. Advertisement Advertisement She said CAPS Inc. has been working with the Department of Education to address the past problems and remains focused on academic success for students. From 2025: NJ Comptroller investigating charter school group with campuses in Asbury, Neptune Under the new bills, charter schools would have to hold public hearings on their budgets, post legal notices to change a school leader's contract, hold board of trustee meetings in-person in one of the school buildings, and post meeting minutes on the charter school website. The bills would also ban virtual charter schools, require legal notices be posted before renegotiating the contract with a charter management organization, make the trustee board comply with the Open Public Meets Act, and ban the board from contracting with a for-profit management organization to run the school. Advertisement Advertisement "Our number one goal is transparency, making sure any parent can go on a charter website, just like they can go on a public (non-charter school) website, they can see the contract, they can see the (meeting) minutes, " said Gopal, the state senator. The bills also seek to revise the charter school application process. The comptroller's report said CAPS Asbury's initial charter application to the state Department of Education was denied, partly due to concerns over its management organization having too much authority over the Asbury charter school. However, CAPS Asbury did not include mentions of CAPS Inc. in its second charter application to the state, which was approved, according to the report. After the charter was approved, CAPS Asbury contracted with CAPS Inc., according to the comptroller's report. This exposed a gap in the state department's review process, according to the comptroller. Advertisement Advertisement "The DOE (Department of Education) was aware of our model from the very beginning and evaluated it through established processes," said Boghossian, the CAPS spokesperson. "DOE oversight is ongoing and essential. We respect the Department of Educations review process and will continue to cooperate fully through the appropriate legal and regulatory channels to ensure safe, compliant operations for our students." The bills also aim to illuminate any financial problems charter schools face. The comptroller's report found CAPS Asbury had faced serious financial issues over several years, but did not publicly disclose the details, according to the watchdog agency. CAPS Inc. waived several hundred thousand dollars in fees owed by the Asbury Park charter school, according to the report. Yet, the only year the debt forgiveness was reported was in a financial audit from 2022-23, when CAPS Inc. waived $385,568 in fees from the prior year, according to the comptroller report. New Jersey charter schools with financial problems can have their charters revoked or face other corrective actions, according to the comptroller. The watchdog agency recommended: That CAPS Asbury's board of trustees regularly evaluate vendor transactions and the work of the chief school administrator Make sure the board can reasonably terminate the management contract with CAPS Inc. if needed, and formally approve its debt forgiveness with CAPS Inc. The trustee board require detailed accounting and explore why the school's spending regularly exceeds its budget. The report also urged the Department of Education to close the loophole in its charter school review process that enabled CAPS Asbury to turn over school management to CAPS Inc. after the charter was granted. "Charter schools are public institutions. When they delegate sweeping control to a private vendor without oversight or the ability to terminate the contract if needed, it creates an environment ripe for fraud, waste, and abuse," Acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh said in a news release. "Our findings underscore the need for stronger safeguards and transparency in charter school governance." A spokesperson for the Department of Education said department staff were reviewing the recommendations and remained "committed to working collaboratively with education stakeholders and lawmakers to ensure fiscal responsibility and stability across all public schools." Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 18 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701. This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: CAPS Asbury charter school violated law, ignored subpoenas | Watchdog NEW YORK (PIX11) Marches continued around the country this weekend in response to the deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis. A demonstration took over Fifth Avenue starting from the Upper East Side on Sunday afternoon, with protesters also calling out the Trump Administration on other issues. More Local News You have the ICE raids happening all across the country, you have the kidnapping, the war crime of the kidnapping of the President of Venezuela, said protester Emma Kaplan. Advertisement Advertisement Organizers billed the demonstration as No War, No Kings, No ICE. Im definitely queer so Im worried about my well-being. Im worried about my trans friends well-being, said protester Sarah Nasatka. I feel theyre instigating wars all over at this point, including my own country, which they are attacking now, going after Greenland, said protester Signe Aguirre. Pictures of Renee Good also dotted the crowd as people demanded justice for the 37-year-old mother shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Despite the video, theyre saying it didnt happen the way it happened, said a protester named Barbara. Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Homeland Security continues to defend the actions by ICE. The facts of the situation are the vehicle was weaponized, and it attacked the law enforcement officer. He defended himself and he defended those individuals around him, said United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on CNN Sunday. The protesters passed Trump Tower, along with the offices of Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, before ending at 47th Street and 2nd Avenue. Organizers said they want lawmakers to invoke the War Powers Resolution, block funding for both ICE and war and use every available tool to rein in the Trump Administration. Advertisement Advertisement The reality is we cannot rely on [the senators] to stop the fascism, but the people from below can compel them to do whats needed, said Kaplan. Demonstrators said they hope there is power in numbers and their message echoes beyond New York City. People are frustrated. People need direction, theyre looking for direction, said a protester named Dan. We cant fight these outrages one at a time. We have to get rid of the source through non-violent resistance and thats why we say Trump must go, said Kaplan. 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 PIX11. Demonstrators stand in front of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck on Jan. 11, 2026, during an ICE Out for Good rally in response to the killing of Renee Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross in Minnesota. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Hundreds of North Dakotans joined rallies in three cities over the weekend to protest the shooting death of a Minnesota woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. In Fargo, an estimated 500 people gathered for a demonstration organized by Red River United Indivisible. Advertisement Advertisement Jerrod Baetsch stood with an American flag upside down a sign of distress as a north wind blew in the face of protesters lining a Red River bridge connecting Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota. To stay at home felt useless, Baetsch said of joining Saturdays protest of the shooting of Renee Good, a mother who was killed Wednesday by Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Jerrod Baetsch of West Fargo, North Dakota, stands with an American flag upside down, a sign of distress, on the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Red River in Fargo on Jan. 10, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) The demonstrations follow thousands of ICE agents deployed to neighboring Minnesota. Goods wife, Rebecca Good, told the Washington Post they were supporting neighbors before the ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good. Video of the incident shows Renee Goods vehicle blocking traffic and ICE officers approaching the vehicle, with one officer ordering her to exit her vehicle. Ross fired as Good pulled the vehicle forward. Baetsch said any actions by Good in her vehicle did not justify the use of deadly force. Advertisement Advertisement The crowd observed a moment of silence for Good after gathering near a Statue of Liberty replica on the Fargo end of the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Speaking to the crowd, Colby Montigue of Fargo, urged people to continue to protest, organize and run for office. This doesnt stop until we do the work, said Montigue, a member of the Red River Valley Democratic Socialists of America. Minnesota officials announced Friday theyre collecting evidence in an investigation of the shooting and are asking the public to submit information. In Bismarck, demonstrators lined Boulevard Avenue on Sunday to rally outside the Capitol during an event called ICE Out for Good. Advertisement Advertisement Cherie Schumacher, a volunteer organizer for Missouri River Indivisible, said there were a lot of hateful comments made on social media ahead of the Bismarck event, to the point that it was actually kind of scary to go. Most people driving by had positive responses, Schumacher said, except for someone who drove by and fired what she described as soft BBs at participants as the event was ending. Schumacher said she was hit in the shoulder and someone else was hit in the back. They were just these little tiny foam things, so there was no harm to us, said Schumacher, who later said they may have been gel. But its sending a message anytime someone points anything at you to target you. People lined the street in front of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck on Jan. 11, 2026, a few days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was filmed shooting and killing Renee Good in Minnesota. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Another event was held Saturday in Grand Forks, with the Grand Forks Herald reporting a crowd of about 150 people. Advertisement Advertisement The North Dakota Human Rights Coalition was among groups that condemned the killing of Good last week. We urge residents to contact their representatives to demand oversight of federal enforcement actions, protections for freedom of speech and the right to protest, and policies that prioritize life, dignity, and community-based safety, the organization said in a statement. North Dakota Monitor editor Amy Dalrymple contributed to this report. This story has been updated with additional information. People lined the street in front of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck on Jan. 11, 2026, to protest an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shooting Renee Good in Minnesota. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Amy Ingersoll of Bismarck protests on Jan. 11, 2026, as a fire truck drives by a rally condemning Immigration and Customs Enforcement violence in Minnesota, where as many as 2,000 agents were reportedly deployed by the Trump administration. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) A protester holds a sign Jan. 11, 2026, in Bismarck during a rally opposing the fatal shooting in Minnesota involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Advertisement Advertisement Marlan Haakenson, left, talks to Laura Jyring, both of Bismarck, during a protest on Jan. 11, 2026, in front of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck. Haakenson held a Trump flag as a counter-protest while others lined the street to condemn violence by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) People lined the street in front of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck on Jan. 11, 2026, to protest an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shooting Renee Good in Minnesota. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Cynthia Kaip of Mandan demonstrates against recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in neighboring Minnesota on Jan. 11, 2026, in front of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) As part of a wave of protests across the United States decrying violence by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, Melody Schiwal of Bismarck participates in a protest on Jan. 11, 2026, in front of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Advertisement Advertisement People demonstrate in front of the North Dakota Capitol in Bismarck on Jan. 11, 2026, after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent killed a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis, sparking outrage across the United States. (Photo by Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) A crowd listens to speakers on the North Dakota end of the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Red River in Fargo on Jan. 10, 2026. The crowd gathered to protest ICE agents shooting and killing Renee Good in Minneapolis. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) A crowd in Fargo, North Dakota, on Jan. 10, 2026, protested the shooting and killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier in the week. (Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor) Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide arrived in Kyiv on Monday 12 January. Source: Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Sybiha welcomed his Norwegian counterpart and stressed the importance of allied relations between Ukraine and Norway. "We started with honouring the memory of our fallen defenders, who gave their lives to defend Ukraine and our shared values," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Sybiha also said he plans to discuss mutually beneficial cooperation, peace efforts, Ukraine's defence and its resilience with his counterpart. Background: It was reported in December that Norway will finance another batch of US weapons for Ukraine and is providing over EUR 267 million for this. Before that, Ukraine received two mobile radiological laboratories from the United States and Norway that will expand the monitoring capabilities of Ukrainian services. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Three people who were charged in connection with the murder of an 18-year-old girl are heading to jail. Annalaya Wilkersons mom says her daughter thought she was going to a party the night she was murdered. Monday, 3 of the 4 charged in the 18-year-olds death took a plea deal, but Annalayas mother says she still doesnt know why it happened. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Its shocking: Investigation continues into shooting of 2 teen girls in Washington County Advertisement Advertisement Its not enough time, I feel like they shouldve got a lot more time; life. I mean, they took her life, its not fair, said Billie Jo Dawson. Billie Jo Dawson is talking about a plea deal for three of the four people charged in connection with her daughters murder. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 2 men facing charges in Washington County shooting that killed teen girl, injured another in custody She said, I just feel hate. Thats it. I just hate them Ill never forgive them, never. State Police say Wilkerson and a 17-year-old girl were shot along Jolly School Road in South Franklin Township on April 13th, 2024. Police say the girls were both shot when they got out of the car. The 17-year-old was shot in the chest and survived. Wilkerson was found dead in the middle of the road. Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Teen survivor testifies as 2 men accused in deadly Washington County double shooting appear in court Those were her last words, Winnie, no! Literally begging for her life, you know. Knowing youre about to die, could you imagine? Dawson said. Windale Winnie Barfield Junior will serve 22-24 years and his brother Anthony Barfield will serve 15-30 years in a state prison as part of the plea deal. Jeheili Cochran, who is a relative of the Barfields also took a plea deal for tampering with evidence after reportedly getting rid of the murder weapon. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 2 more charged in connection to Washington County shooting that killed teen girl, injured another Advertisement Advertisement Theyre still not taking accountability. I still dont know why. I still dont know what really happened. Ill never know because they got to take a plea deal, Dawson said. Dawson and other family members made sweatshirts with the pictures of the four charged in her daughters death, with the words murderers and cowards. Thats how I feel - thats all theyll ever be. This is all theyll ever be, even when theyre released, this is all theyll ever be, Dawson said. Another man, Karon Whitlock, was also charged, but the DA says his case will be dealt with separately because hes been cooperating. Advertisement Advertisement Wilkersons mom says now, all she and others can do is remember Annalaya for the amazing person she was. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Shes just gone: Mom of 18-year-old found murdered in Washington County speaks out , Her smile. Her vibe. The way she lit up a room. This is the most justice I guess we can get for her, but she deserves a lot more, she said. Dawson says even though she spoke directly to the three in the courtroom, none of them made any statements or offered an apology. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Coming into the year 2026, Ukrainian drone operators are getting better at taking out Russian horse cavalry, and yes that is a real sentence. Over the last few weeks, the invading army appears to be experimenting with new forms of assault, given that its advance has slowed to a crawl. Large-wave attacks were neutralized by NATO-made heavy artillery, and motorized transports have been torn apart by kamikaze drones and land mines. That led to individual soldiers trying to rush across no-man's land on foot, but drones made short work of them. What's left to try but returning to the 19th century? In strict military terms, what the Russians are deploying are probably closer to dragoons than proper cavalry. As with earlier ATV assaults, this is just old-fashioned Russian infantry using a vehicle to move around quickly before jumping off and fighting on foot. It speaks volumes that they've gotten to this point: the invaders must be desperate for spare parts, forcing them to turn to animals. That's an indicator of general economic deterioration. However, as the Telegraph points out, horses are not made of metal, a tactical advantage against magnetic land mines. That's not to say these horses aren't hi-tech! The Russians have outfitted their horses with Starlink terminals, and yes that is also a real sentence. The Kyiv Post reports soldiers throwing a rig together, including a dish and a console. As the article notes, SpaceX is supposedly not doing business with Russia, but workarounds grant the soldiers access. Russian military expert Samuel Bendett told Forbes that this all looks like ad hoc improvisation by individual units in the field, rather than a coordinated doctrine from Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: When (And Why) Did Cars Switch From Leaded To Unleaded Fuel? How to fight a horse (2026 edition) As always, the actual horses don't have much say in the matter and don't know what's going on. The Ukrainians apparently didn't want to kill the quadrupedal conscripts, which required a change in tactics. Normally, the kamikaze drones would just dive-bomb the soldier on the vehicle, taking out both. To save the poor horse, operators now buzz the equine to spook it, throwing off the rider. The drone the circles back to strike the dismounted soldier. That's battlefield empathy for you. The video above shows an example. The whole thing is an example of opposing forces experimenting and adapting to one another, something that Russia and Ukraine have been doing since the invasion began. Drone warfare in particular is being tested in this war, with new tactics popping up all the time. The U.S. military has taken note and is actively trying to pivot to smaller, cheaper platforms itself. As the world adapts to this new form of conflict, expect more innovations and counter-innovations to appear, both in technology and doctrine. Even satellite-equipped dragoons, apparently. When the infantry starts forming squares, you know it's getting dire. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox, and add us as a preferred search source on Google. Read the original article on Jalopnik. A 27-year-old man was arrested on Friday morning after allegedly leading police on a chase Friday morning in Cleveland. The Garfield Heights Police Department said the driver passed officers at a high-rate of speed near Granger Road, according to our CBS news affiliate, WOIO. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement An officer tried to pull over the driver, but he allegedly refused to stop. The man, identified as 27-year-old Isaiah Joseph Coats, reached speeds up to about 90 mph during the two-minute chase. Coats crashed into a light pole on Turney Road near Ella Avenue and then fled the scene on foot. Officers were able to take Coats into custody without incident. He was taken to a local hospital to be treated and was charged with fleeing and eluding. Two other passengers were inside the car and remained on scene during the investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] MELBOURNE, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Australia will prioritise antimony, gallium and rare earth elements as part of its A$1.2 billion ($802 million) strategic reserve, it said on Monday, as its Treasurer Jim Chalmers prepares to join a G7 meeting to discuss critical minerals. Australia and several other countries are joining a meeting of finance ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies in Washington on Monday on the subject, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said over the weekend. More from Yahoo Scout Why are G7 countries meeting about critical minerals? How will Australia's strategic reserve operate commercially? What minerals will Australia prioritize in its strategic reserve? What agreements has Australia made with allies recently? Most of the G7, which includes the United States, Britain, Japan, France, Germany, Italy and Canada, as well as the European Union, are heavily dependent on rare earths supplies from China. The group last June agreed on an action plan to secure their supply chains and boost their economies. Australia, which has abundant supply of many critical minerals, has been developing a strategic reserve which it plans to make available to allies. The first minerals in focus are crucial for clean energy and high-technology manufacturing as well as advanced military equipment, the treasurer's office said in a statement. "The Reserve will operate by securing rights to minerals produced in Australia and on-selling those rights to meet demand, giving an added boost to Australias critical minerals sector and strengthening reliable supply chains for our trading partners," it said. Australia signed an agreement with the U.S. in October aimed at countering China's dominance in critical minerals. It included an $8.5 billion project pipeline and leverages Australia's proposed strategic reserve, which will supply metals that are vulnerable to disruption. ($1 = 1.4959 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Jamie Freed) There are a number of charming small towns to visit in the Buckeye State, including the overlooked waterfront escape of Bay Village. Tucked along the southern shore of Lake Erie, this town is home to an ethereal set of ruins that are just begging to be explored. Known formally as the Porter Creek Bridge Ruins, this dramatic set of bridge piers is located in the woods of Porter Creek Valley. Whether you're interested in history, photography, or semi-urban exploring, this is one hidden gem not to be missed. These almost eerie structures are the remains of a railway line that was built in 1901 as part of the Lake Shore Electric Railroad, connecting the major Ohio hubs of Cleveland and Toledo via an interurban trolley system. The railway once carried five million passengers a year during its heyday, before a decline that Cleveland Historical attributes to modernization, such as personal automobiles and buses. The last car ran on the railway line in May of 1938, and the line was dismantled after the company went bankrupt in 1939 during the Great Depression. Read more: The Rick Steves-Approved Checklist To Always Do Before Vacation How to explore the ruins at Porter Creek Bridge Soft light on the Porter Creek Bridge ruins near Bay Village, Ohio - cowtownchad/Instagram The striking remains of the Porter Creek Bridge are worth seeing in person. The bridge piers look like ancient relics, resembling Greek architecture. Trip Explorer Guide says the "structures jut from the forest canopy like classical columns," and one Google reviewer reports that the ruins are a "cool piece of history." It's a unique spot as nature has reclaimed the trestles, and the ruins are overgrown. Advertisement Advertisement The Porter Creek Bridge Ruins are relatively simple to reach, at a short 25-minute drive from Cleveland. Visitors should start at the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, just outside of Bay Village, and then head north on the bike path until they can drop down below the bridge piers. The location is marked on Google Maps as Lake Shore Electric Railway Trestle. Trip Explorers Guide advises the walk from the parking lot to the ruins is easy, although it can be muddy. There is no cost to visit the ruins, but as they aren't maintained, visitors should take care when exploring. For more fascinating ruins, travelers can add a visit to nearby Euclid to their list to see the Bridge to Nowhere in Hillandale Park an eerie architectural wonder surrounded by woodlands. Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter and add us as a preferred search source for access to the world's best-kept travel secrets. Read the original article on Islands. Barbed wire and fencing surrounding the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester is pictured on Sept. 5, 2025. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY An Oklahoma County killer will ask the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board for clemency following the shooting deaths of two. Kendrick A. Simpson, 45, is set to die by lethal injection on Feb. 12 at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. Advertisement Advertisement He could be the first inmate executed in Oklahoma this year. A clemency hearing is set for Wednesday before the five-member Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board. He was sentenced to death for the 2006 shooting deaths of Glen Palmer, 20, and Anthony Jones, 19, in Oklahoma City. Kendrick Simpson. (Photo provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections) Simpson, a felon prohibited from possessing guns, used an AK-style assault rifle and shot 20 times at the car carrying the victims. Kendrick Simpson hunted his victims, executed them without hesitation, and then boasted about what he had done, said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. The families left behind have endured unimaginable pain, and nothing in Simpsons decades on death row has shown that he deserved the mercy he refused to give others. Advertisement Advertisement Simpson is expected to argue that he suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder after being the victim in a 2004 shooting in New Orleans and because he was a child victim of sexual abuse. Prosecutors say the PTSD, if he has it, does not explain or excuse the murders. Simpson is also expected to go into details about a traumatic childhood that included violence and drugs. His attorneys allege he had an anemic defense, which failed to show the jury the truth about his history. According to his clemency packet, Simpson is profoundly remorseful, and takes responsibility. He is asking the panel to look at the whole of his life rather than a snapshot of the worst thing he has ever done and show mercy, according to his clemency packet. If the panel recommends clemency, Gov. Kevin Stitt will make the final decision. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Ugandans under the age of 40 - and that is more than three-quarters of the population - have only known one president. Yoweri Museveni seized the top job in 1986 following an armed uprising and at the age of 81, with a seventh election victory now under his belt, he shows no signs of budging. His time at the helm has been accompanied by a long period of peace and significant development, for which many are grateful. But his critics say he has maintained his grip on power through a mixture of sidelining opponents and compromising independent institutions. Advertisement Advertisement "We don't believe in [presidential] term limits," he once told the BBC, secure in his role after winning a fifth election. A year later, the age limit for a presidential candidate was removed - paving the way, many believe, for Museveni to become president for life. Museveni's journey began in 1944, when he was born into a family of cattle keepers in Ankole, western Uganda. He came of age during Uganda's struggle for independence from the UK, which was followed by a period of brutality and turbulence under Milton Obote and Idi Amin. For many years, Museveni did not know his birth date, writing in his memoir: "We had real life-threatening challenges such as extra-judicial killings and looting we had no time to worry about details such as dates of birth." Advertisement Advertisement In 1967, Museveni left Uganda to attend the University of Dar es Salaam in neighbouring Tanzania. There, he studied economics and political science and forged alliances with politically active students from around the region. Museveni's name gained currency in the 1970s, after a coup by the notorious Amin. Museveni helped form the Front for National Salvation - one of the rebel groups that, with Tanzania's help, ousted Amin. Amin was infamous for crushing dissent and expelling the country's Asian community. Under his eight-year rule an estimated 400,000 people were killed. Museveni, wearing his trademark hat, with Nelson Mandela in 1998 [AFP via Getty Images] "He was part of the colonial system," Museveni told the Global Indian Network in a recent interview. "Idi Amin was ignorant... a bit chauvinistic". Advertisement Advertisement Following Amin's fall, former President Milton Obote returned to power via a general election. However, Museveni refused to accept Obote's leadership, claiming the vote had been rigged. He launched a guerrilla struggle in 1981 and five years later, his rebel group, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), seized power and Museveni became leader. Uganda's economy began to grow steadily and over 10 years, the country saw an average annual growth of more than 6%. Primary school enrolment doubled and HIV levels dropped because of an anti-Aids campaign spearheaded by the president. Museveni became a darling of the West, but his reputation took a hit in 1998, when Uganda and Rwanda invaded neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo in support of rebels fighting to overthrow the government. Advertisement Advertisement Around this time, critics also complained that the president was growing less tolerant of opposing views. It also became clear he had no plans to cede power. Museveni had said, in a 1986 collection of writing: "The problem of Africa in general, and Uganda in particular, is not the people but leaders who want to overstay in power." But by 2005 his views had seemingly changed and Uganda's constitution was amended, removing the cap on how many terms a president could serve. In 2017, the age limit for presidential candidates was also eliminated - a move which led to MPs throwing chairs in a chaotic parliamentary brawl. [BBC] [BBC] Museveni has also faced allegations that he has weakened the independence of key institutions. Advertisement Advertisement In particular, Uganda's judiciary has been accused of recruiting so-called "cadre judges" whose loyalty lies with the government. When judges have gone against the government, they have sometimes found themselves at loggerheads with the authorities. For example, in December 2005, armed security personnel raided the High Court in the capital, Kampala, re-arresting members of a suspected rebel group, who had just been acquitted of treason charges. The media has also had its independence threatened. On the surface, Uganda has a lively media industry, but numerous outlets have been raided and journalists detained. Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the most significant factor in Museveni's longevity is the neutering of potential opposition forces. When it became clear that Museveni did not intend to leave power, some of his former associates started to break away. As they did, the security agencies turned their attention to them. For instance, Kizza Besigye of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change, who was once Museveni's doctor, first ran against the president in 2001. Since then, he has been arrested and prosecuted numerous times. In 2024, he mysteriously disappeared in Nairobi, only to appear four days later in a Ugandan military court. He remains in jail on treason charges, which he denies. Uganda's security forces have been accused of arbitrarily arresting opposition supporters [AFP via Getty Images] Pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine is the latest Museveni critic to face the wrath of the state. Advertisement Advertisement The 43-year-old opposition leader, whose star power draws huge crowds of youngsters, has been arrested, imprisoned and charged with crimes including treason. These have all later been dropped. In 2021 the police tear-gassed and even shot at Bobi Wine and his supporters, saying they had defied coronavirus restrictions on large gatherings. During the current campaign period, security forces have used "firearms and live ammunition to disperse peaceful assemblies" and abducted opposition party members in unmarked vans, a UN report says. Amid this environment, Museveni ominously told the public that "one soldier carries 120 bullets". However, he also ordered the police not to beat opposition supporters and use tear gas instead. Advertisement Advertisement Museveni's supporters point to the relative stability Uganda has enjoyed in the decades he has been in power. Emmanuel Lumala Dombo, a spokesperson for the NRM, points out that more than 1.7 million people have moved to Uganda after fleeing strife in their own countries. "Forty years ago, we were among the biggest exporters of refugees among the neighbouring countries that surround us," Dombo told the BBC. "Right now Uganda is the biggest host of refugees in Africa." This sentiment was echoed by a Museveni supporter who had, surprisingly, turned up to a Bobi Wine rally. Ndyasima Patrick told the BBC he would vote for Museveni because "he has kept us alive for all these years". Advertisement Advertisement He also respects Museveni's age and feels Bobi Wine would only be ready to lead Uganda when he hits his 50s. Museveni's government has recently been encouraging foreign investment, striking deals with the likes of China, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. He says he wants Uganda to become a middle-income country by 2040. Museveni sees himself not only as a stable, ambitious presence, but also as a nurturing figure for Uganda's youth. He fondly calls his young followers Bazukulu (meaning grandchildren in the Luganda language) and they refer to him by the nicknames M7 or Sevo. But with an eye on Bobi Wine, who is roughly half of Museveni's age, the president has been keen to show his vitality. In 2020, to encourage exercise during lockdown he was filmed doing press-ups, and then repeated the trick several times that year, including in front of cheering students. He has addressed his health on numerous occasions, saying late last year: "I have been here with you for 40 years now. Have you ever heard that I have been in hospital? Except when I had [coronavirus] for 21 days." As Museveni ages, critics worry that he is turning the country into his family's fiefdom. They note that the president's wife, Janet, is the education minister and his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba is head of the army. Museveni's grandson also enrolled into the army in July, a move seen as potentially perpetuating the family dynasty. The NRM has said little about how it will manage Museveni's succession, but speculation that 51-year-old Gen Kainerugaba will step up is rife. Should this come to pass, it could jeopardise Museveni's legacy of stability. Gen Kainerugaba is known for being unpredictable and provocative, especially on social media. He has used X to joke about invading Kenya, rile Ethiopia by backing Egypt during a dispute between the two countries and admit to detaining Bobi Wine's bodyguard in his basement. Additional reporting by Sammy Awami [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts This Christmas, the worlds oldest Christian church was under attack. The church in Armenia a small country in the Caucasus and the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion in A.D. 301 has been the object of a brutal campaign unleashed by countrys authoritarian ruler, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Recently, a striking headline In Gods name, what is going on in Armenia? dominated page nine of the Financial Times as part of a full-page advertisement accusing the countrys government of Christian persecution. It is an extraordinary accusation in a country where more than 90 percent are followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The countrys constitution gives the church a formal role in the preservation of its national identity, although the official separation of state and religion allows it to function independently. In short, the countrys oldest and most respected institution, which has sustained the identity of this small country for centuries while it has fallen under the rule of Romans, Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Mongols, Turks and Russians now finds itself on a collision course with its countrys own government. Advertisement Advertisement Pashinyan a college dropout turned yellow journalist, whose sudden ascent to power in 2018 is widely attributed to Russia makes no secret of the fact that he wants to overthrow the churchs spiritual leader, the Catholicos Karekin II. His elaborate campaign of pushing out the church leadership has involved the arrest of three archbishops, a bishop, several clergy and supporters. The aim is to divert attention of the country away from its existential problems. People from across Armenia are deeply dissatisfied with Pashinyans leadership and believe that the nation is drifting in the wrong direction. Nearly three-quarters of citizens now struggle with poverty and Pashinyans approval rating was measured in the single digits last summer one of the lowest ratings of any head of government in the world. A significant factor in dissatisfaction with his governance is the sense that Pashinyan has been unwilling or unable to safeguard Armenias national security and sovereignty during a period of exceptional geopolitical vulnerability. Armenia now confronts the coordinated pressure of Russia, Turkey, and Azerbaijan three powers whose cooperation threatens the countrys existence. Armenias loss of Nagorno-Karabakh (or Artsakh in Armenian), its main strategic defense buffer, in 2020 and the subsequent exodus of its 120,000 Armenian population in 2023 remains a national trauma. Pashinyan has attempted simultaneously to deny responsibility and deflect blame, while many view the churchs firm stance on this tragedy as a principal catalyst for his feud with the clergy. The church has vigorously defended the rights of the refugees and highlighted Pashinyans culpability for this national humiliation. Advertisement Advertisement Despite his highly unpopular attack on the Armenian Apostolic Church and his low approval rating, Pashinyan is laying the groundwork for an attempt to stay in power for another five years. Citing widespread abuse of administrative resources and government crackdowns on its critics, Transparency Internationals Anti-Corruption Center stated in a recent report that these problems are calling into question the freedom and fairness of this years Armenian parliamentary elections. In a recent interview, one of Armenias most prominent human rights advocates warned of escalating repression by the regime ahead of the June 2026 elections. As a measure of control over the judiciary by Pashinyan, she mentioned the publication, one day prior to the courts decision, of a court verdict extending the pre-trial detention of church benefactor and leading businessman Samvel Karapetyan, on a website owned by the Pashinyan family. Ironically, with their blind and unconditional support of Pashinyans anti-Christian and defeatist policies on Artsakh and his corruption record, EU member states are pushing the people of Armenia closer to Russia. By crushing dissent inside the country and cozying up to Russias Vladimir Putin and Chinas Xi Jinping, Pashinyan has shown time and time again that he is not a reliable partner for the West. His visit to China, with which he recently signed a strategic partnership agreement, is a testament to that, coming only days after the historic Aug. 8 peace deal he had pre-signed in the White House. The Trump administration should not fall for Pashinyans continuous flip-flopping. Advertisement Advertisement This would be a good time for the Trump administration to extend a helping hand to Armenia and Armenian Americans, most of whom remain faithful followers of Christian values and the Armenian church. A strong U.S. statement denouncing Pashinyans actions against the Armenian Apostolic Church would go a long way in helping the people of Armenia remove him from power and force new elections. Conversely, allowing Pashinyan to keep attacking the church and dividing his country risks jeopardizing the deal that the Trump administration worked so hard to seal. It might even backfire during midterm elections in November 2026. Dr. David A. Grigorian is a research fellow at Harvard Universitys Kennedy School of Government, a non-resident fellow at the Center for Global Development, and a 22-year veteran of the International Monetary Fund. 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. The events at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 were a nightmare. Armed Border Patrol agents arrived during dismissal on Wednesday, tackled people on school grounds, handcuffed two staff members and appeared to deploy chemical agents on bystanders including students. The district canceled classes for the rest of the week. Earlier that day, a woman was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent just blocks away. As horrifying as that scene was, its important to understand that the impacts ripple far beyond Minneapolis. Families across the country are watching and wondering: Could this happen at our school? The answer, according to new research, is that the fear is already everywhere even in schools where no enforcement actions have occurred. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter In December, UCLA researchers John Rogers and Joseph Kahne released findings from a nationally representative survey of more than 600 high school principals. The results are staggering: 70% report that students from immigrant families are expressing fear about their safety and their families well-being. Nearly two-thirds report students missing school due to immigration policies and rhetoric. More than a third report bullying and harassment directed at immigrant-origin students. And 58% report immigrant families leaving their communities entirely. Advertisement Advertisement These arent statistics from border states alone. Principals in Tennessee, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Minnesota describe the same patterns. One Wisconsin principal quoted in the survey recounted overhearing a student tell a classmate: Just make sure you have your ID with you. Perhaps most troubling is what a Texas principal shared: Students who had known one another since third grade were suddenly telling immigrant-origin classmates to go home. These werent strangers. These were peers who had sat together in class for years until the political climate gave them permission to see their classmates as not belonging. Some schools are responding heroically. According to the UCLA study, 78% of principals have created emergency response plans for potential ICE visits. Nearly half have developed protocols for supporting students if parents are detained or deported. Educators are connecting families with legal services, setting up meal trains and creating safe spaces for difficult conversations. Related Minneapolis Schools Shut Down for 2 Days in Wake of ICE Clashes, Fatal Shooting This protective work is essential. But emergency protocols cannot prevent a student from absorbing anti-immigrant rhetoric and directing it at a classmate. Legal services cannot rebuild students sense of belonging after someone they trusted tells them they dont belong. And no amount of planning can undo what students at Roosevelt witnessed yesterday trusted educators who were supposed to protect them being handcuffed, reports of chemical agents in the air, chaos where there should have been an ordinary after-school dismissal. Advertisement Advertisement America faces a fundamental question: What kind of civic infrastructure have we built in our schools? For too long, support for immigrant students has been concentrated in specialized programs English learner instruction, targeted interventions, crisis response rather than embedded in how schools operate for everyone. When students transition out of those programs, when political winds shift, when armed agents show up at dismissal, these young people discover whether their community is a place where they genuinely belong or whether what felt like acceptance was simply provisional accommodation. Real belonging means students know in their bones, not just from posters on the wall, that they matter, that their history is part of the schools story, that adults and peers will stand with them when it counts. Approximately 26% of school-age children in America come from immigrant-origin families. Many more have classmates, friends and teachers with these backgrounds. They must have the opportunity to attend schools where every student is known. Where diverse experiences are valued in curriculum and daily practice. Where students learn to navigate differences and build relationships across them. Advertisement Advertisement Educators across the country need to be free to do the slow, steady work of transformation building professional cultures where all teachers sees belonging as their responsibility, weaving migration throughout classroom lessons so students understand it as central to American identity and human experience, creating student-led initiatives where young people become architects of inclusive school cultures. This work requires consistency, trust, and time none of which survive when the school day can be upended without warning. Minneapolis just demonstrated what happens when immigration policy collides with the school day: canceled classes, traumatized students and staff, a community in crisis. Roosevelt High School will eventually reopen. Students will return. But what will they be returning to? What is America going to do to keep young people safe and build schools into the communities of belonging that every student deserves? Israels recognition of Somaliland the northwest Somali region as an independent country has marked a deliberate break with longstanding international practice. Announced outside the established rules-based order, the move left Israel isolated as the only UN member state to recognize a territory the international community still treats as part of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The backlash was immediate. Governments across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as the U.S., moved quickly to restate Somalias territorial integrity. The African Union led with a reaffirmation of Somalias unity, soon echoed by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the European Union. Advertisement Advertisement Washington followed suit, with the U.S. State Department confirming that its recognition of Somalia includes the territory of Somaliland. Each statement of reaffirmation rested squarely on existing legal frameworks governing sovereignty and borders, principles embedded in the UN Charter and rarely challenged without consequence. That position was reinforced beyond Somalias immediate neighborhood. More than twenty countries, joined by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, issued a joint rejection of Israels decision, warning that unilateral changes to Somalias borders would endanger peace and security across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea basin. Similar individual statements from governments in the Middle East and Asia reinforced the same point. Somalilands status, they insisted, remains a matter for international law and regional agreement, not selective recognition. Geography explains why the reaction was so forceful. Somaliland sits along the Gulf of Aden at the entrance to the Red Sea, a maritime artery carrying roughly thirty percent of global trade. That route is already under strain from the war in Yemen and repeated attacks on commercial shipping. Any political shock along this stretch of coast risks adding yet another layer of instability to an already fragile corridor. The density of military infrastructure and major power rivalry nearby adds to that sensitivity. Djibouti, a short distance away, hosts military bases from the U.S., China, France and others, a testament to the Red Seas importance to global commerce and power projection. Fresh incentives for militarization or external basing along this coastline threaten to sharpen rivalries and undermine peace and security at a time when restraint and coordination are already in short supply. Advertisement Advertisement Inside Somalia, recognition changes little on the ground. Somaliland does not exercise uncontested authority over all the territory it claims. Violence in and around Las Anod has displaced civilians and exposed internal divisions, while the recognition of North-East region as a Federal Member State earlier this year further narrowed the geographic scope of Somalilands secessionist claim. External recognition does not resolve these disputes. The security implications are harder still to dismiss. Extremist groups in Somalia have long exploited political disputes by portraying them as the product of foreign meddling. Moves that bypass Somali constitutional processes hand such groups fresh propaganda and complicate efforts to stabilize the country through dialogue and institution-building. They also sit awkwardly alongside counterterrorism operations that depend on coordination across Somalias recognized territory. Somalias federal system was designed to address regional grievances without dismantling the state itself. Talks between Mogadishu and Hargeisa have occurred before and can resume. Their credibility, however, rests on legal processes as recognized by Somalias neighbors and international partners. That framework allows for autonomy while preserving national unity. Throughout this period, Somalia has continued to cooperate closely with the U.S. and others on counterterrorism and regional security. That partnership rests on shared interests and settled policy, including Washingtons explicit commitment to Somalias sovereignty and territorial integrity. Advertisement Advertisement History offers a caution. Recognition of breakaway regions seldom remains an isolated act. Precedents spread, particularly in regions where borders were forged through compromise rather than consent. The Horn of Africa and the Red Sea are already grappling with overlapping crises that demand coordination, not diplomatic improvisation. The international reaction to Israels decision reflects a wider anxiety about how stability is sustained. With trade routes under strain and regional tensions entrenched, adherence to and respect for process, law and restraint has ceased to be a matter of diplomatic taste it has, rather, become a practical necessity. Dahir Hassan Abdi is the Federal Republic of Somalias ambassador to the U.S. 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. These are today's mortgage and refinance rates, which have fallen below 6%. It could be a good time to buy a house or refinance your existing loan. Lock in your rate today. From snowy owl sightings to peaceful forest walks, the Little Traverse Conservancy is offering several opportunities for residents to get outdoors and learn about the environment around them this winter. There are multiple events coming up in January and February all around the conservancys service area, which includes Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet and Mackinac counties. Winter Ecology Walk with Brad Von Blon When: 1-2:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 16 Where: Sally and Art Hailand, Jr./Helstrom Family Nature Preserves in Harbor Springs What: Join ecology technician Brad Von Blon to learn what happens to life on our lands in these cold winter months. Snowy Owl Festival - Snowshoe Lantern Walk When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7 Where: William B. Derby, Jr. Nature Preserve in Cedarville What: Step into a self-paced, solar-lit hike through the 1.5-mile trails of the William B. Derby Preserve. As part of the Snowy Owl Festival, this nighttime walk invites guests to experience the preserve in a way few ever do. No registration is required. Advertisement Advertisement More: Place of peacefulness: Little Traverse Conservancy opens new 56-acre preserve The 56-acre Enji-minozhiiyaamigak, The Place of Peacefulness preserve, located along Division Street in Charlevoix County's Bay Shore, officially opened to the public on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. Open House at Enji-minozhiiyaamigak: The Place of Peacefulness Nature Preserve When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7 Where: Enji-minozhiiyaamigak: The Place of Peacefulness Nature Preserve in Charlevoix Countys Bay Shore What: Explore the conservancys newest preserve, which opened to the public in August. Guests can enjoy a warm drink, cozy soup and a walk down to the Lake Michigan shore. Snowsfest 2026 - Snowshoe Lantern Walk When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13 Where: William B. Derby, Jr. Nature Preserve in Cedarville What: Enjoy this Les Cheneaux nature preserve along Lake Huron by lantern light. This trip will be led by Woods and Waters of Hessel. For more information, visit lescheneaux.net/snowsfest. Supranivean arthropods are bugs that live on snow. Supranivian Arthropods with Quinn Sommer When: 2-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18 Where: Allan and Virginia McCune Nature Preserve in Petoskey What: Join conservation technician Quinn Sommer on the hunt for supranivean arthropods (or bugs that live on snow) and learn how these tiny creatures manage to survive in harsh winter conditions. The American kestrel is the smallest falcon in North America. American Kestrel Presentation and Live Raptors When: 3:30-5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21 Where: Charlevoix Public Library Community Room What: Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch and the conservancy are joining efforts to reinvigorate the citizen science volunteer project monitoring American kestrels. The American kestrel is the smallest falcon found in the region, and their populations have been in decline nationally for over 40 years. Advertisement Advertisement Unless otherwise noted, all events require registration. You can register or find out more at landtrust.org/events. This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Get outdoors this winter with Little Traverse Conservancy 2026 events The country's largest private parking operator will pay the state of Tennessee $6.5 million after a 2-year investigation found the company misled consumers about its prices and charged surprise fees, court filings show. Metropolis Technologies, a California company, operates dozens of parking lots around Nashville and has been the subject of more than 300 complaints to the Tennessee Attorney General's Office and even class-action lawsuits. The money is expected to partly fund a restitution program run by the state for people who were overcharged in a Metropolis lot between July 1, 2021, and Jan. 6, 2026, a news release from the attorney general's office states. Metropolis will also offer $2.25 million in credits for a free parking program in Tennessee. Advertisement Advertisement Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti's office, which investigated Metropolis and negotiated the settlement, will determine how the $6.5 million gets spent. Tennesseans work hard for their money, and when they park they deserve a clear price up front and no shenanigans with bogus charges and stonewalling customer service, Skrmetti said in a news release. If the company does not follow through and do right by Tennessee consumers, we stand ready to take further action. Joel Mcanulty, 46, stands behind a sign that is mounted in the Clearview Avenue parking lot that is operated by Metropolis Technologies on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. Metropolis, which moved its headquarters to Nashville last year, is the countrys largest parking lot operator and oversees about 200 parking lots and garages in the city. Metropolis denied any wrongdoing and agreed to the payments to avoid the cost of litigation, court filings state. Metropolis looks forward to turning the page on long-past operational issues and continuing to bring forward a set of best-in-class parking standards in Tennessee," a Metropolis spokesperson said in a statement. What did the investigation into Metropolis find? The settlement comes after the attorney general's office launched an investigation into the parking giant in October 2023. The office had received more than 100 consumer complaints at that time, the news release states. Advertisement Advertisement "The investigation revealed that Metropolis misled consumers about its prices with inaccurate signs, charged surprise fees due to technology glitches, made obtaining refunds nearly impossible, and created confusion with notices that looked like government bills," a news release from the Attorney General's Office states. What are the terms of the agreement between Metropolis and the AG's office? Details about the settlement between Tennessee and Metropolis were included in an "assurance of voluntary compliance" filed in Davidson County Chancery Court and signed by a judge Jan. 9. In addition to the $6.5 million Metropolis will pay the state, Metropolis will soon establish a "Tennessee Parking Program." Through that program, drivers with Tennessee tags can receive a promo code to redeem $15 in free parking at participating Metropolis lots in Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville. Drivers will be able to use the promo code twice, for a total of $30 in free parking. The program will fund a total of $2.25 million in parking credits. Advertisement Advertisement Metropolis will also make other changes as a result of the agreement, including: displaying clear signage with accurate rates and the customer support phone number at every lot entrance never charging more than what is posted on the signage sending text messages with rates upon entry to lots with license plate reader technology giving consumers a 15-minute grace period to enter and exit with no charge stop implying affiliation with government agencies in electronic or mailed notices complying with state and local booting regulations automatically issuing refunds when its technology malfunctions and wrongfully charges a consumer evaluating each refund request individually. Joel Mcanulty, 46, stands in the Clearview Avenue parking lot that is operated by Metropolis Technologies on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. Metropolis, which moved its headquarters to Nashville last year, is the countrys largest parking lot operator and oversees about 200 parking lots and garages in the city. Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Metropolis Tech will pay Tennessee $6.5M, fund free parking When The Nature Conservancy used satellite imagery for the first time to map forest cover in the Northeast, one area stood out for its size and location. Stretching from the southern Rhode Island coast into Connecticut was a vast expanse of unfragmented forest that was larger than anything else like it between Boston and Washington, DC. The forest, which would come to be known as the Pawcatuck Borderlands, became a conservation priority for state and federal agencies as well as environmental groups. It helped shift the thinking from a single-species approach to protecting land to one that was more focused on larger ecosystems. Advertisement Advertisement That first mapping effort done by the Rhode Island office of the conservancy was completed in 1997. Every subsequent analysis of satellite data, said Tim Mooney, spokesman for the office, has come to the same conclusion as that early study that there is no other contiguous forest in the region of the same size and that the Borderlands is a one-of-a-kind ecological asset that needs to be protected. A map showing the connection between the Pawcatuck Borderlands and larger forested tracts that stretch north to the Appalachian Mountains "It still pops on the map," Mooney said. "It always comes up for connectivity and for its size." The forest covers some 136,000 acres on either side of the Rhode Island-Connecticut border, but it connects to forested areas that continue north across Massachusetts all the way to the Appalachian Mountains, some 433,000 acres in all. Mooney said the conservancy, which works globally, hasn't found any other forests that stretch unbroken from the Atlantic shoreline to the Appalachians. The forest is an important corridor for animals to move across the landscape. And it may become even more critical to species that need to find higher elevations and cooler temperatures as the region continues to warm, said Mooney. Advertisement Advertisement "It's an insurance policy against climate change," he said. The Borderlands is unique because it sits within a part of the country that's been heavily developed. While there are larger forests in northern New England, there are no other places in the southern part of the region that provide comparable deep forest habitat, oak trees with understories of blueberry and huckleberry, for wood thrushes, hooded warblers, worm-eating warblers and other species. Large parts of the Borderlands forest were protected long ago by Rhode Island and Connecticut. They include the Arcadia Management Area in Rhode Island and Pachaug State Forest in Connecticut. A night map that shows the lack of development in the Pawcatuck Borderlands forest. Efforts to conserve more portions were most active in the early 2000s as housing development pushed into rural places in Hopkinton, Coventry and other towns within the forest. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, The Nature Conservancy, various town land trusts and other groups and agencies stepped in to preserve individual parcels and prevent the forest from being broken up. Advertisement Advertisement While much of that work was successful, there are still threats to the area from development. A few years ago, when solar developers were eying unprotected parcels in the area, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation making core forests of the state off-limits to their projects. "It's one of those last, best opportunities for conservation," said Mooney of the Borderlands. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Pawcatuck Borderlands a conservation priority in RI, Connecticut But it's a lot easier to fall short of a high bar than a low one. Analysts expect Microsoft to grow revenue by only 16% this year with a similar increase in earnings per share. There will be a greater focus on its Azure cloud computing service, which is growing much faster than the overall company and presents the biggest direct monetization of its AI investments. But Microsoft is arguably a better investment than either chipmaker based on its valuation and risk profile. Analysts have high expectations for both Nvidia and Broadcom in terms of revenue and earnings growth. They see Nvidia's revenue climbing 50% this year and earnings per share increasing 60%. They see similar results for Broadcom as it gains momentum with its AI accelerators. Microsoft currently sports a median price target of $630 per share among Wall Street analysts. That presents 33% upside from its stock price as of this writing, just edging out the upside implied for both Nvidia and Broadcom. Analysts expect Nvidia to climb to $250 on average, and the median price target for Broadcom is $460, implying an upside of approximately 32% for each. Wall Street views all of the above stocks favorably, but one stands above the rest with more upside than any based on analysts' median price target. As of this writing, analysts expect shares of Microsoft to climb more than those of any other trillion-dollar company in 2026. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been the poster child for AI stocks , becoming the most valuable company in the world in 2024 and briefly touching a $5 trillion market cap in 2025. Fellow chipmaker Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) has gained momentum more recently, as its networking chips and custom AI accelerators offer key technology for AI data centers as well. The hyperscale public cloud platforms owned by Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG) (NASDAQ: GOOGL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) have seen demand outstrip supply quarter after quarter despite spending hundreds of billions to stand up and operate new data centers. At the start of the decade, there were just two companies with a market cap exceeding $1 trillion. Today, 10 publicly traded companies boast 13-figure market caps. Most of them have seen their stock prices climb due to the excitement surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI), benefiting directly or showing substantial growth prospects as a result. Growth expectations for this other trillion-dollar company are more modest, but it could easily beat them and grow even faster. Nvidia and Broadcom stand out as first-order beneficiaries from the trend, and analysts have high expectations for both in 2026. Investor excitement around AI has pushed several stocks into the $1 trillion club over the last few years. Story Continues What's more, Microsoft has a lot less risk built into achieving those numbers, so it's less likely to fall short or face an event that causes a huge earnings miss. Meanwhile, Nvidia and Broadcom are heavily reliant on just a few big customers, who could pull back on or shift spending plans at any moment. While Microsoft also has some customer concentration, with OpenAI contributing a significant amount of revenue to Azure, it's much more diversified overall, especially when its enterprise software business is included. Moreover, Microsoft appears poised to surpass those analysts' expectations in 2026, potentially leading to even more upside. The multiheaded AI growth machine Azure is by far the biggest focus of AI investors when it comes to Microsoft. The cloud business is growing faster than its two biggest rivals, Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services. It topped $75 billion in revenue in fiscal 2025, which ended in June, and it grew 39% in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. That's driven by significant spending from OpenAI, but also by demand from the industry at large. That said, Microsoft is investing heavily to meet demand. It spent $35 billion on capital expenditures last quarter, and management told investors to expect an even larger number when it reports its second-quarter results. That's more spending than Alphabet and roughly in line with Amazon's, but Microsoft has the backlog to support it. Microsoft ended the quarter with $398 billion in remaining performance obligations (across both Azure and its software business) with a weighted average duration of just two years. Microsoft expects to recognize 40% of that within 12 months. In that sense, it absolutely dwarfs Alphabet and Amazon, which have been growing quickly in their own rights. Not only is Azure growing rapidly, but Microsoft is also experiencing strong growth from its productivity and business segment, which includes commercial and consumer Microsoft 365 subscriptions, as well as Dynamics 365 (a cloud-based suite of AI-powered business applications). Both are seeing strong growth fueled by increases in revenue per user. That stems from the growing number of AI-powered features Microsoft is packing into its software with its Copilot platform. As more businesses adopt its Copilot features across its software suite, Microsoft should be able to produce strong revenue retention rates. Total users continue to climb, too. Commercial seats for Microsoft 365 climbed 6% last quarter, consumer subscriptions climbed 7%, and management said Dynamics took market share. Total revenue growth for the company's largest segment came in at 17%, above the average analysts' expectation for the full year. Combined with the momentum from Azure and its diverse backlog of customers, Microsoft is showing potential upside to analysts' expectations for the full year. At the same time, shares are trading for just 29 times forward earnings expectations, below the 34x earnings multiple for Broadcom and 40x multiple for Nvidia. So not only are analysts the most bullish on Microsoft, they may even be underestimating it. Should you buy stock in Microsoft right now? Before you buy stock in Microsoft, 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 Microsoft 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 $482,326!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,133,015!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 968% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 197% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of January 10, 2026. Adam Levy has positions in Alphabet, Amazon, and Microsoft. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, and Nvidia. 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. The Best Trillion-Dollar Stock to Buy for 2026, According to Wall Street was originally published by The Motley Fool After an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, a great many Republican officials scrambled to defend the shooter and blame the victim. Some in the party, however, went much further and took aim at dissent itself. Republican Rep. Roger Williams of Texas, for example, appeared on NewsNation just two days after Goods death and told viewers, People need to quit demonstrating, quit yelling at law enforcement, challenging law enforcement, and begin to get civil. And until we do that, I guess were going to have it this way. And the people that are staying in their homes or doing the right thing need to be protected. As a rule, people need to quit demonstrating is not the sort of statement American leaders make demonstrations are part of the fabric that helps define who we are as a people but Williams wasnt alone. Advertisement Advertisement A fellow Texan, GOP Rep. Wesley Hunt, also told Newsmax last week, The bottom line is this: When a federal officer gives you instructions, you abide by them and then you get to keep your life. On Sunday morning, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sat down with CNNs Jake Tapper and asked, The question is, why are we arguing with a president whos working to keep people safe? It was a rhetorical question, but the answer is that (a) the Trump-ordered ICE raids are not, in fact, keeping people safe; and (b) in a free country, were still allowed to argue with a president. But to fully appreciate the partys message, consider what happened when Donald Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night when he was asked whether he still believes deadly force was necessary in the incident that killed Goode. Advertisement Advertisement It was highly disrespectful of law enforcement, the president replied. The woman and her friend were highly disrespectful of law enforcement. You saw that. They were harassing them. We were following for days and for hours. And I think, frankly, theyre professional agitators. These are professional agitators. And law enforcement should not be in a position where they have to put up with this stuff. So Trumps answer to whether it was necessary for an ICE agent to shoot an unarmed mom in the face was that the victim had been disrespectful. All of which serves as a timely reminder that the Republican Partys line on dissent has reached an ugly and radical level that is plainly at odds not only with the First Amendment, but with the American tradition. The Late Show host, Stephen Colbert, in his opening monologue on Thursday night, told his audience, The message from this administration is clear: Only they determine the truth, and when their forces come to your city, obey or die, and if you die, you clearly didnt obey. Advertisement Advertisement The host continued, This should be an alarm bell for the entire country, whether you live in a red state or a blue state, because if we let this go on, regardless of who your state voted for, one day youll have unaccountable armed government agents acting with impunity in your town. The post People need to quit demonstrating: Republican opposition to dissent intensifies appeared first on MS NOW. This article was originally published on ms.now The operation was part of a large-scale plan formulated as a strategic response to strengthen sovereignty and deepen governance in the areas surrounding Jerusalem. Eight suspects were arrested while weapons, ammunition, drugs, and IDF equipment were apprehended in the Shuafat refugee camp near Jerusalem during Operation "Capital Shield," on Sunday evening, Israel Police confirmed. The operation was launched by Jerusalem District Police and Border Guard soldiers "as a strategic response to the need to strengthen sovereignty and deepen governance in the areas surrounding Jerusalem and the villages adjacent to the security barrier." Operation ''Capital Shield'' in the Shuafat refugee camp in the Jerusalem district. January 12. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE) Overnight, the Jerusalem district commander arrived at the Israel Border Police base in the Jerusalem perimeter to observe field operations, accompanied by the Jerusalem perimeter commander, Deputy Commander Eran Levi. Advertisement Advertisement "A new and significant phase in the defense of Jerusalem," Chief Avshalom Peled told Maariv. The last report on Shuafat is dated 2025, following the death of a Palestinian woman in the region. Border operations in Shuafat investigated In June 2025, the death of a Palestinian woman from East Jerusalem who was killed near the city's checkpoint in the northern Shuafat neighborhood was investigated by the Israel Police's Jerusalem District and the Justice Ministrys Police Investigation Department (PID). She arrived at the checkpoint in serious condition with deep wounds, and her death was later pronounced by emergency medical personnel. An investigation was then opened. Advertisement Advertisement East Jerusalem residents said that she was shot by Border Police officers who were operating in the area, while she was in her home. Border Police said it was looking into whether its operations and her death were connected. Alon Hochmon contributed to this report. CRESAPTOWN Maryland State Police are investigating the death of an inmate late Saturday at the North Branch Correctional Institution. Larry Horton, 51, was pronounced dead by emergency medical services personnel after being found unresponsive in his cell about 11:30 p.m., police said. A suspect, also an inmate, has been identified, police said. He is not being identified until charges are filed. Investigators are awaiting autopsy results by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine cause and manner of death. Advertisement Advertisement This marks the second inmate death at the maximum-security prison in about three weeks. Jordan Polston, 32, was found unresponsive Dec. 21 in a cell, and a fellow inmate is facing charges, according to authorities. The incident is under investigation by the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit, which will present findings to the Allegany County States Attorneys Office. Crime scene technicians from the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division also responded to NBCI. The East Providence Police Department is investigating a break-in and vandalism incident at Saint Marthas Church that occurred overnight on Sunday, leaving the church unable to hold morning services. Officers responded to the church at approximately 8 a.m., where they discovered significant damage, including vandalism of the altar, living quarters, and rectory. The break-in is believed to have occurred between 8 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday, resulting in numerous broken windows and graffiti inside the building. Detectives from the East Providence Police Department Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Major Crimes Unit are leading the investigation into this incident. Advertisement Advertisement The police are asking the community for assistance by reviewing surveillance footage and reporting any unusual individuals seen in the area during the time frame of the incident. Anyone with information regarding the break-in is urged to contact the East Providence Police at 401-435-7600. 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. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A New Hampshire native working as a police officer in Texas was killed in the line of duty over the weekend. The Copperas Cove Police Department confirmed that Officer Elijah Garretson was killed on Saturday, January 10. Garretson, 27, was shot and morally wounded while attempting to apprehend a fugitive wanted for allegedly engaging in organized crime activity who failed to appear in court. Jamison Cavazos, 26, allegedly shot Garretson while in a scuffle with him and two other officers who were attempting to arrest him. Advertisement Advertisement Cavazos, who fled the scene, committed suicide. Garretson was transported to the hospital where he later died. The Texas Rangers are currently handling the investigation. As we begin to navigate this incredibly difficult time, we ask for understanding and patience as our department, Officer Garretsons family, and our law enforcement family grieve this tremendous loss, the Copperas Cove Police Department said in a statement. Out of respect for all those affected and the ongoing investigation, no further information is being released at this time. The New Hampshire State Police mourns the passing of officer Elijah Garretson, a New Hampshire native, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty last Saturday, the New Hampshire State Police said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement During this difficult time, our thoughts are with his loved ones, colleagues at the Copperas Cove Police Department, and all those affected by this tragedy. He will never be forgotten. Texas Senator Pete Flores shared in a release that Garretsons death marks the second officer who was killed in the line of duty in a month. This officer placed his life in harms way trying to protect public safety and paid the ultimate price, said Flores. This loss is a tragic reminder of the courageous sacrifice that our law enforcement officers face every day. 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. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW ROME (AP) Pope Leo XIV met with Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado in a private audience at the Vatican on Monday, during which the Venezuelan leader asked him to intercede for the release of hundreds of political prisoners held in the Latin American country. The meeting, which hadnt been previously included in the list of Leos planned appointments, was later listed by the Vatican in its daily bulletin, without adding details. Machado is touring Europe and the United States after she reemerged in December after 11 months in hiding to accept her Nobel Peace Prize in Norway. Advertisement Advertisement Today I had the blessing and honor of being able to share with His Holiness and express our gratitude for his continued support of what is happening in our country," Machado said in a statement following the meeting. "I also conveyed to him the strength of the Venezuelan people who remain steadfast and in prayer for the freedom of Venezuela, and I asked him to intercede for all Venezuelans who remain kidnapped and disappeared, she added. Machado also held talks with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who was Nuncio in Venezuela from 2009 to 2013. Pope Leo has called for Venezuela to remain an independent country after U.S. forces captured former President Nicolas Maduro in his compound in Caracas and took him to New York to face federal charges of drug-trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Leo had said he was following the developments in Venezuela with deep concern, and urged the protection of human and civil rights in the Latin American country. Venezuelas opposition, backed by consecutive Republican and Democratic administrations in the U.S., had vowed for years to immediately replace Maduro with one of their own and restore democracy to the oil-rich country. But U.S. President Donald Trump delivered them a heavy blow by allowing Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, to assume control. Meanwhile, most opposition leaders, including Machado, are in exile or prison. After winning the 2025 Nobel Prize for Peace, Machado said shed like to give it to or share with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Machado dedicated the prize to Trump, along with the people of Venezuela, shortly after it was announced. Trump has coveted and openly campaigned for winning the Nobel Prize himself since his return to office in January 2025. The organization that oversees the Nobel Peace Prize the Norwegian Nobel Institute said, however, that once it's announced, the prize cant be revoked, transferred or shared with others. The decision is final and stands for all time, it said in a short statement last week. A wellknown establishment is facing serious consequences after the City of Bostons Liquor Licensing Board voted to suspend its liquor license indefinitely. According to officials, the decision follows a recent hearing in which the board sharply criticized the ownership of Allstons Draft Bar and Grill on Harvard Avenue, alleging multiple violations of serving alcohol to underage patrons. The board did not specify how many incidents were under review, but described the pattern as significant enough to warrant immediate action. Advertisement Advertisement The bars owner may apply for reinstatement of the license, but board members made it clear that approval would require substantial changes to the businesss operations and safety practices. Those changes have not yet been detailed publicly. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A relatively minor change at the U.S. Postal Service could have big impacts on future elections. In total, there are 14 states that allow mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day to be counted, so long as those ballots are postmarked by Election Day. Some of these states also conduct elections entirely or predominantly by mail, specifically California, Nevada, Washington and Oregon. A recent change to how the U.S. Postal Service postmarks letters is colliding with election administration across the country but not every state, even those that conduct elections fully by mail, will be impacted. Still, critics say the move is set to sow chaos ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In a notice accompanying the new rule, the USPS said that it was aimed at making it clearer what a postmark is. Specifically, USPS said that pieces of mail are not necessarily postmarked on the day that USPS takes possession of the piece of mail, but rather when that mail piece is processed in a processing facility. Advertisement Advertisement For people in rural parts of the country, specifically those who live more than 50 miles from a USPS regional hub, this likely means that their mail will be postmarked the next day. The USPS maintains that the rule does not mark an actual change in policy but is a clarification of current policy. Delays in postmarking have become increasingly common as the USPS has moved forward with an ongoing modernization campaign. Whether the rule marks a change in policy or a notification of an ongoing shift, the notice did spark interest from members of the public, and those who deal with time-sensitive mail, because many expect the postmark to mark the time USPS takes possession of a piece of mail. The issue, as it pertains to elections, is particularly acute in states where elections are conducted by mail and that allow ballots to be received as long as they are postmarked by election day. Elizabeth Parmelee, a scholar of democracy and civic education at Metropolitan State University of Denver, explained how Colorado orchestrates its elections, which are conducted by mail, but without postmarks. Advertisement Advertisement Every registered voter in the state receives a ballot in the mail. There are also ballot information books that come out separately, but they receive the actual ballot in the mail, and then they can vote that ballot whenever they want, Parmelee said. Our ballots tend to hit in early October, and then they can drop it in a drop box, they can take it to what are called voter service centers, or they can put a stamp on it and send it through the mail. In short, states like Colorado have a robust system in place aimed at ensuring voters receive the information they need to make sure that their votes are in on time and counted. While some of the states that are affected by the postmark rule in their elections may also allow people to vote by mail, the new rule primarily creates a voter education problem for election administrators. The post office will do what the post office is doing. The burden on the states that have been relying on postmarks, I think, is going to be voter education, making sure that all voters know you cannot rely on dropping your ballot into a U.S. postal office box or at the post office itself, and being sure that will be postmarked that same day, Parmelee said. If you need it postmarked that same day, you need to go into the post office and stand there and watch the personnel marking it. Jonathan Katz, a fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, told Salon that the postmark rule creates one more problem facing election administrators, who have already faced immense pressure in recent years, as well as threats and harassment. The issue exploded in 2020, following Trumps false claims that the election was illegitimate, and has escalated since. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. When you do these things and it seems to have been done without a lot of public education it has an impact, Katz said. When youre doing things like this you would hope that the administration, any administration, Republican or Democrat, would seek to strengthen the electoral systems integrity and security and seek to regain the trust of voters. And this is a move in the wrong direction so close to an election. Advertisement Advertisement Katz noted that mail-in ballots have, in particular, been a fixation of President Donald Trump, who has also threatened to issue an executive order aimed at mail-in ballots in recent months. In one post after last years election, the president declared that the vote in California was a GIANT SCAM and that mail-in ballots there were under very serious legal and criminal review. So far, even in states like California, where the rule stands to have the most significant impact on election administration, officials have yet to quantify how many ballots may be affected. Our office does not know how many Californians might be impacted because we have no way of knowing how those who are voting will return their ballot, the California Office of the Secretary of State said in a statement. Oregon officials have also noted that the rule stands to further strain election administration and that the state has been having problems with USPS in this arena for years. Advertisement Advertisement That relationship is not exactly instilling trust at the moment, Seger told the Spokesman Review, a local Spokane news outlet. The postmark changes are also coming during a broader period of uncertainty when it comes to mail-in voting and states ability to administer their own elections. This year, the Supreme Court is set to hear a major case on whether states are allowed to count ballots postmarked before but received after Election Day. The case has already had ripple effects, with Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, citing the case in his decision to sign a bill eliminating Ohios four-day grace period for receiving ballots after Election Day. I believe that this four-day grace period is reasonable, and I think for many reasons it makes a lot of sense, DeWine said. Therefore, I normally would veto a repeal of this four-day grace period. And frankly, thats what I wish I could do. DeWine signed it anyway, saying that he expects the Supreme Court would uphold a ruling from the Fifth Circuit, and outlaw such policies, and that the ruling would sew chaos in Ohio elections if the legislature did not act preemptively. Advertisement Advertisement Katz added that mail-in balloting, despite the attacks by the president, doesnt provide an advantage to either party and enjoys broad support from the American public. A Pew Research survey from last year found that 58% of Americans support allowing voters to vote by mail for any reason, though this support was lowest among Republicans at 32%. The new rule will also likely have a disproportionate impact on voters in rural areas, which are more likely to be affected by next day pickup policy at the post office, and which tend to lean Republican. There will be other impacts as well, such as on overseas and military voters. As with the implications of the postmark rule in domestic elections, its not immediately clear what impact any potential complications for overseas voters could have. Katz noted, however, that because so many elections are decided by thin margins, even small distortions could impact results. In a comment to Salon, Sophia Lin Lakin, director of the ACLUs voting rights project, stressed best practices for voters that are looking to ensure that their ballot is counted when voting by mail. Advertisement Advertisement It is always recommended that voters submit their mail ballots as early as possible. While the USPS has suggested that voters may request a manual postmark at a retail post office or purchase a Certificate of Mailing to conclusively prove the date they tendered their ballots, the best step voters can take is to mail their ballot well in advance of Election Day, Lin Lakin said. Most important here is that the USPS has been clear that there is no change in its long-standing policy to treat all Ballot Mail as First-Class Mail and to make an effort to provide a postmark for every mail ballot received. Given the important role that mail voting has in our elections, it is extremely important that USPS adheres to this long-standing policy. In a comment to Salon, USPS senior public relations representative Martha Johnson said, Postmarks are generally applied at our originating processing facilities and continue to be applied at those facilities in the same manner and to the same extent as before. Johnson also advised voters to reference the USPS election mail informational page if they decide to vote by mail. The post Postmark changes could cause midterm election chaos appeared first on Salon.com. In the pre-Roe days, nearly 20 states had some sort of law against abortion advertising or publishing information about abortion. In 1975, the U.S. Supreme Court said these were unconstitutional. Now First Amendment battles over abortion are back. In some states, authorities hostile to both abortion and free speech cite the overturning of Roe as justification for nouveau censorship schemes. If abortion is illegal in a certain locale, they argue, then promoting it thereeven if the acts in question would take place out of stateshould be illegal too. And in South Dakota, they've gotten creative: They're claiming that informational abortion ads constitute deceptive advertising. Advertisement Advertisement The matter is now headed to both state and federal court. The case stems from gas station ads purchased by Mayday.Health, which bills itself as "a reproductive health education nonprofit." Per the Mayday website, its mission "is to share information about abortion pills, birth control, and gender-affirming care in any state." The group does not sell or prescribe abortion pills itself, nor is it affiliated with any abortion providers or clinics. "We just want people to know their options," it says. To that end, the group provides a wealth of information about groups that can provide everything from "inclusive therapy" to telehealth abortion pill prescriptions. "South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has sent a letter to Mayday Health ordering the company to immediately cease and desist the deceptive advertising of the sale of abortion pills in South Dakota and said the state may bring a lawsuit against the company if it does not comply," Jackley's office announced on December 10. The investigation into Mayday ads was launched at the request of South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden. Advertisement Advertisement While abortion is generally banned in South Dakota, as is administering or procuring abortion-inducing drugs, Mayday is clearly not engaged in either endeavor. It's a website. An information clearinghouse. That's all. Mayday's gas station ads simply say: "Pregnant? Don't want to be? Learn more at Mayday.Health." Jackley argues that because these ads don't clearly "state the prohibitions listed in state law," they are somehow deceptive. But nowhere do the ads imply that abortion is legal in South Dakota. They simply direct people to a website where they can learn more about abortion access, including options that would involve traveling out of South Dakota to terminate a pregnancy (something the state cannot ban). Unsurprisingly, Mayday refused to remove the ads from South Dakota gas stations. Advertisement Advertisement So, two days before Christmas, Jackley's office announced that it had filed a lawsuit in South Dakota's Hughes County Circuit Court requesting a preliminary or permanent injunction against Mayday and another company, Momentara, preventing them "from engaging in the deceptive advertising of abortion-inducing pills and abortion services in this state," per the state's motion. The motion says that Momentara facilitated Mayday's "deceptive abortion advertisements." The main gist of the complaint is that Mayday's website tells people how and where to travel out of state for an abortion procedure or how to find telehealth doctors out of state who will prescribe them abortion pills. It also objects to the Mayday website's answer to the question of whether someone will be punished for taking abortion pills: "Research shows that hundreds of thousands of people have received and used pills by mail over the past few years with no legal problems." South Dakota suggests the company should instead advise consumers "that it is illegal to mail abortion-inducing drugs into the state of South Dakota." It also suggests that Mayday should have an extensive section on abortion-pill side effects. But Mayday's answer is not incorrect, and the company is under no obligation to say exactly what the state of South Dakota wishes it would say. In fact, a stricter warning could itself be deceptive, since it is not a crime for a pregnant woman to take abortion pills in South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary hearing on Jackley's motion is scheduled for Friday, January 16, at South Dakota's Hughes County Courthouse. This isn't the only legal action involving Mayday's South Dakota ads. Mayday has also sued Jackley, in federal court. "This action seeks to prevent Defendant South Dakota Attorney General Marty J. Jackley from punishing Plaintiff Mayday Health for publishing truthful information about reproductive healthcare," states Mayday's complaint. "The First Amendment prohibits the Attorney General from retaliating against Mayday and restraining its speech because of hostility toward Mayday, the information Mayday publishes, and the beliefs that impel Mayday to publish it." The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seems to agree. "Despite the state's near-total ban on abortion, the governor can't prevent information about abortion from being shared in South Dakota," it posted in December, when Jackley first sought to stop Mayday's advertising. "The United States Supreme Court considers speech about abortion protected speech under the First Amendment and has reaffirmed that position multiple times since Bigelow v. Virginia in 1975." Advertisement Advertisement In related news, the state Supreme Court in Wyominghome of "the country's first explicit ban on abortion pills," per the Associated Presshas struck down the state's abortion pill ban and another state law banning abortions. "Wyoming is one of the most conservative states, but the 41 ruling from justices all appointed by Republican governors was unsurprising in that it upheld every previous lower court ruling that the abortion bans violated the state constitution," AP reports. The plaintiffs in the Wyoming case argued that a 2012 constitutional amendment guaranteeing people the right to make their own medical decisions protected a woman's right to have an abortion. The amendment didn't specifically mention abortion, but it didn't exclude abortion either, and the justices opined that it wasn't for them to "add words" to the state constitution. More Sex & Tech News Updates on the Grok nudify controversy, in which xAI's chatbot has been stripping photos of peoplemostly women, sometimes girlswithout the consent of those pictured: Grok claimed last week to have limited image generation and editing, overall, to paying subscribers. But "as of Friday morning, image generation was still available to unpaid users through Grok's standalone website by simply confirming their year of birth when prompted," Forbes writer Martina Di Licosa reported last week. Meanwhile, several Democratic senators have been calling on Apple and Google to yank X and Grok from app stores. Even if image generation is limited to paying subscribers, "all X's changes do is make some of its users pay for the privilege of producing horrific images on the X app, while Musk profits from the abuse of children," Sen. Ron Wyden (DOre.) told NBC. Advertisement Advertisement A pilot program in Utah lets an AI system renew patient prescriptions. "The state sees automating routine prescription renewals as a way to ease pressure on providers while lowering costs for patients," Politico reports. "How millennials fell out of love with the internet": Here's a Vox conversation notable for its nuance on what's wrong with today's internet. For instance, on algorithmic feeds, which pundits proclaim that "everyone" dislikes, Max Read points out that "when [Facebook staff] interview people, people will say they felt like their time was better spent with the algorithmic, FYP-type feeds than with the way Facebook was 10 years ago." Also: Millennials like us, we were the protagonists of the internet for a really long time, because we were the people who grew up on it. We were the people who in our office knew the most about it. We were the people who created most of the content first on most of the social networks. And we're not the protagonists anymore. Some of that is aging out. Some of that is, there are people who are even more raised by the internet than we were, who have been online for an even higher percentage of their lives. "Saving America by Saving the Family": In a new report, the Heritage Foundation encourages the Trump administration to offer "massive tax credits for families with more children while capping alimony payments, enacting strict work requirements on social benefit programs, discouraging online dating, creating marriage 'bootcamp' classes and more," according to The Washington Post. And, oh boy, the "and more": The report suggests public-private partnerships to honor and provide monetary awards for every decade a couple remains married. It calls for a 16-year-old age limit on social media and certain AI chatbots, and further age restrictions on access to pornography, and it argues that "climate change alarmism" demoralizes young people and dissuades them from having children. The Heritage report also encourages local governments to institute a 'uniform day of rest' to limit commercial activity to 'set aside time for religious observance, family gatherings, outdoors activities, and rest.' Gone were several ideas mentioned "in the spirit of furthering debate" in a previous draft, including banning pornography entirely and legal punishments for adulterers. Advertisement Advertisement The eternal mixtape is now possible: Scientists have reportedly created a cassette tape that could hold every song ever recorded. The post 'Pregnant? Don't Want To Be?' Ads at South Dakota Gas Stations Spark First Amendment Battle appeared first on Reason.com. Berks County played a role in helping to redesign provisional ballot envelopes that were used in most counties across Pennsylvania during the 2025 general election. The new envelopes were created with input from election officials in Berks and four other counties in an effort to lower the number of provisional ballots that are rejected. Voters are asked to fill out provisional ballots when election officials cannot immediately determine a voters eligibility. They are sealed in envelopes until the county board of elections determines whether they can be counted. Advertisement Advertisement State officials say the changes to those envelopes appear to have paid off. The new envelopes clearly identify which fields voters must fill out, including highlighting the two places where the voter must sign. The envelopes also clearly mark which fields election workers are to fill out. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt announced in December that counties using redesigned provisional ballot envelopes in the general election saw an 11.3% decrease in the number of provisional ballots that were rejected for envelope errors compared to the previous year. Nine counties opted out of using the new envelopes: Bedford, Bradford, Crawford, Franklin, Huntington, Lackawanna, Lycoming, Monroe and Wyoming. Advertisement Advertisement Our goal remains ensuring every registered voter in our commonwealth can cast their vote and have it counted in every election, Schmidt said in a statement announcing the data. As with the changes to mail ballot materials two years ago, these improvements resulted in more registered voters being able to make their voices heard in Novembers election. Schmidt said that in counties where the new envelopes were used only 4.4% of provisional ballots were rejected for envelope errors, down from 4.96% rejected in the 2024 general election. After adjusting for voter turnout, an analysis comparing the number of provisional ballots rejected in each election showed that 11.3% fewer ballots were rejected for incomplete information on envelopes in 2025. Local input Before the July announcement of the redesigned envelope, the state Department of State received feedback from county election officials in Berks, Philadelphia, Butler, Mercer and Greene counties, who had all highlighted the need for a more user-friendly envelope design for both voters and poll workers. Advertisement Advertisement Despite seeing improvement with the new ballots statewide, local election officials said there was not much impact in Berks at least not yet. Berks County Elections Director Anne Norton said the changes made no significant difference in Berks, but that is most likely attributed to lower turnout than in a presidential election. She said they expect to see more of an impact as more federal offices will be on the ballot in 2026. The new design is just better to understand, she said. Norton said she was pleased she could be part of the redesign process, noting Berks was invited to participate because it is one of only three counties in the state that by law must provide all election materials in Spanish at some precincts. She said the biggest issue with the old ballots, which has been addressed with the new version, is people would fail to sign the envelopes in both areas where they were required to do so. A marketing technology firm that seeks to influence C-suite executives, policymakers, and other important people is getting a major infusion of cash from one of the worlds biggest investors. Applecart received a $100 million investment from the private equity giant Blackstone last year, two people familiar with the situation first told Semafor, in a fundraising round that would value the New York-based data company at around $500 million. While the company largely stays out of the headlines, Applecart has a leading place in an emerging but discreet cohort of companies and organizations aimed at reaching key figures in industry and government. The company was founded in 2013 and initially worked on Republican political campaigns, applying then-novel social graphs to helping clients make their case to stakeholders. Recognizing that in the 21st century many people simply dont know their physical neighbors, we expanded on that by building technology to find the friends, bosses, colleagues, and people in communities who can sway the opinions of others in a more significant way, co-founder Matthew Kalmans said in a rare interview in 2016. Applecart now specializes in using social data to provide insights to marketers and brands, as well as campaigns and advocacy groups. It touts its ability to use data to make social connections and reach and influence Fortune 500 decisionmakers and those in their immediate social circles. Initially conceived as a political technology firm largely backing moderate Republicans, the business has broadened its aperture over time to focus on reaching key influential figures across business, government, and media. In 2018, Applecart announced that Endeavor was investing in it and CEO Ari Emanuel would be joining its board. Applecart co-CEOs Kalmans and Sacha Samotin did not respond to multiple requests for comment. A spokesperson for Blackstone declined to comment. PSA Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines Group, officially opened its new headquarters in Charlotte, completing its relocation from Dayton, Ohio without any state or local incentives, officials announced on Monday. PSA Airlines hires nearly half of staff for new Charlotte HQ, still seeking 170 more The new headquarters will have more than 450 team members, including 150 who relocated from Dayton, more than 50 that were already in Charlotte and approximately 250 new hires, more than 80% of which have been filled. This strategic move makes PSA the only part 121-passenger airline based in North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement We are looking forward to starting our journey in Charlotte in earnest. Our relocators, many of whom were so excited to be here that they moved early, love it here. The talent were infusing from the local market is top-notch, and theres an abundance of it, said Dion Flannery, president and CEO of PSA Airlines. PSA Airlines operates more than 730 daily departures, including about 130 from Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The airline supports Americans American Eagle regional network and serves four American hubs: Charlotte (CLT), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Philadelphia (PHL), and Washington, D.C. (DCA). The headquarters is located at 2709 Water Ridge Parkway, situated in the Water Ridge Office Park, approximately two miles from American Airlines Charlotte Flight Training Center. A grand opening event for the headquarters is planned for March 2026. Despite the relocation, PSA Airlines will maintain a significant presence in Dayton where hundreds of team members including pilots, flight attendants and maintenance professionals will continue operations from the companys crew base and maintenance hangar at Dayton International Airport. The grand opening event for PSA Airlines new headquarters is scheduled for March 2026. VIDEO: PSA workers protest for higher wages at Charlotte Douglas Qatar and the UAE will join Pax Silica, a US-led initiative to secure artificial intelligence and semiconductor supply chains, including critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, and computing power, Reuters reported. The program is a crucial part of the Trump administrations strategy to push allies to stop working with rival nations like China. The group includes Australia, Britain, Israel, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. Qatar signed the declaration earlier today, and the UAE is expected to follow on Jan. 15. Pax Silica is a coalition of capabilities, with membership driven by the industrial strengths and companies of each country, Undersecretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg told Reuters. The moves come as Riyadh hosts The Future Minerals Forum from Jan. 1315. Human errors and track defects caused more than 3,000 rail accidents over the last decade, killing 23 people and injuring nearly 1,200. Yet federal railroad regulators failed to implement most of the safety recommendations that emerged from accident investigations. Thats according to an original analysis by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland. Behind those numbers, the Howard Center found, is a powerful industry that uses its money and influence to stymie federal safety reforms. Its actively lobbying President Donald Trumps administration to further reduce track inspection and repair requirements and loosen rules aimed at preventing crew fatigue. Advertisement Advertisement The centers analysis of data from the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates major accidents and recommends safety improvements, found it gave federal railroad regulators 81 recommendations from 2015 through 2024. The Federal Railroad Administration has only fully implemented five of them the lowest rate of any regulatory agency in the Department of Transportation. Three of the lingering safety recommendations came out of a 2021 derailment of Amtraks Empire Builder passenger train in Joplin, Montana. Zach Schneider, 28, was watching Montanas Great Plains roll by from the observation car of the long-distance train. Margie and Don Varnadoe, on a trip to celebrate their 50th anniversary, were walking between cars. All three were thrown to their deaths just before 4 p.m. on Sept. 25, when the train derailed, injuring 49 people. An investigation by the safety board blamed the tragedy in part on worn-down rail and other defects in the tracks owned by BNSF Railway defects the company inspector likely missed due to his workload, according to the NTSB. Advertisement Advertisement But board officials went further, citing the FRAs failure to set rules for track replacement or workloads. The safety agency had already recommended both measures repeatedly after previous rail accidents. FRA spokesperson Warren Flatau said in late September that the agency currently has 102 open safety board recommendations, some dating back as far as 1998, and is currently taking action or planning to take action on more than 70% of them. He said the agency plans no immediate action on the rest, generally because officials have determined they are infeasible or can be addressed with existing regulations. The FRA didnt respond to requests for additional information on what actions it is taking. Advertisement Advertisement To understand why rail safety initiatives have fared so poorly, the Howard Center examined the fate of safety reforms recommended repeatedly by investigators following major accidents over years, even decades. The analysis revealed a recurring cycle of industry opposition, FRA inaction, congressional capitulation and tragedy. The three major American freight railroads included in this story BNSF, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific did not dispute any of the facts or findings. All sent statements saying they are committed to safety. Deadly track defects In 1980, a train carrying vinyl chloride the same cancer-causing chemical at the center of the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, train disaster derailed in Muldraugh, Kentucky, causing two carloads of the flammable gas to spill and catch fire, and a third to vent toxic fumes. Four crew members were injured and about 6,500 people were evacuated. Advertisement Advertisement Investigators concluded the accident was caused in part by dangerously worn-down rail, one of several types of track defects that, collectively, contribute to about a quarter of the rail accidents in the United States. The safety board called on regulators to set a limit on how much wear a rail can sustain before it has to be replaced. But the FRA never addressed the issue. An FRA-sponsored study in 1998 found such limits would improve safety, but still it took no action. In the 45 years since the Muldraugh derailment, 44 people have died and another 2,300 have been injured in nearly 15,000 main-line accidents blamed on track defects, according to the Howard Centers analysis of FRA accident data. The fatal Montana derailment occurred on one of the busiest long-distance tourist routes in the U.S., carrying more than 300,000 passengers each year between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest. Advertisement Advertisement NTSB officials found the rail wear limits they recommended in the 1980s would have required BNSF to replace the rail involved in the accident. A BNSF inspector had driven over the track in a company vehicle twice the week of the derailment and documented concerns about that section of track. But the inspector didnt get out to walk the tracks, something the NTSB said likely would have identified defects. There had been no reported walking inspection in nearly a year. In a statement, BNSF said it inspects its tracks in excess of federal requirements. This tragedy is a powerful reminder that theres no substitute for robust track inspection practices, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said in a statement after the investigation, imploring track owners to provide inspectors the time and resources to do their work effectively. Advertisement Advertisement The safety board recommended again in July 2023 that the FRA regulate rail wear. A month later, the agency said it was committed to working with NTSB to prevent future accidents and save lives and that it welcomes and will consider all recommendations that will further that goal. The NTSB website showed no further response as of Dec. 18 from the FRA. Meanwhile, the industrys largest trade group is pushing to reduce human inspection requirements. In May, the Association of American Railroads, the trade group that represents the largest and wealthiest North American railroads, suggested reducing the frequency of required human track inspections in favor of additional automated inspections a move it argued would improve safety and reduce regulatory costs. On Dec. 5, federal regulators granted AARs request to let railroads do just that. The FRA approved a waiver that will allow participating railroads to cut weekly visual inspections in half, provided they comply with a number of new safety and reporting requirements. The NTSB says automated inspections are a supplement to human inspections, not a replacement for them, in part because neither method is 100% effective. Advertisement Advertisement BNSF said use of automation allows the company to detect and repair defects more quickly. Lance Marston, a rail inspector for Norfolk Southern, said the technology excels at identifying certain track defects not always visible to the human eye, such as the rails being too far apart. But it isnt designed to detect over two-thirds of rail issues human inspectors are trained to look for, including broken rails, according to data from the AAR and rail workers unions. Theres just no replacement for getting out there and putting boots on the ground, Marston said. Norfolk Southern said in a statement that automated inspection is just one part of its process and human inspectors play a critical role in evaluating the technologys assessments. Advertisement Advertisement Christie Lee, a track inspector for BNSF for the past two decades, said the introduction of automated inspections has meant fewer inspectors and higher workloads. We used to ride, like, 70 miles and we used to have three track inspectors, said Lee, whose territory now covers over 90 miles of track running from southern Wyoming and into Nebraska. Now its solely on two guys, two people, to ride the whole thing. An inspector in a BNSF maintenance vehicle rode over the accident site in Joplin two days before the derailment and noted some track anomalies. But he didnt stop to look closer and missed critical defects that led to the derailment, the NTSB found. Safety board investigators surmised he probably didnt have the time. That day, he had worked 16 hours inspecting 127 miles of track an excessive amount, the NTSB said. Investigators faulted BNSFs safety culture, finding the railroad hadnt done enough to manage employee workloads. Advertisement Advertisement Fatigued workers, the NTSB reminded the company, make mistakes. It was a message the board had repeated since at least 2004. Fatal fatigue In the pre-dawn hours of June 28, 2004, a Union Pacific engineer was operating on less than two hours sleep when he blew through a signal light and hit a BNSF train in Macdona, Texas. Over 9,000 gallons of liquid chlorine escaped from a punctured tank car, engulfing the area in a cloud of chlorine gas that suffocated the conductor and two local residents, and left 30 people in severe respiratory distress. The engineer went to bed late the previous night after visiting his daughter and playing cards with a friend. His first shift that weekend had ended Saturday afternoon, but only 9 hours later, hed reported for a 12-hour overnight shift, which ended just before noon Sunday. At 2:45 a.m. Monday, he was called in to operate the locomotive that would crash less than three hours later. The NTSBs investigation found the engineers fatigue triggered by a chronic lack of sleep, disrupted sleep cycle and long work shifts led to the fatal mistake that caused the collision. Like many freight train employees, the Union Pacific crew worked on-call, not on set schedules. Regulators give railroads broad discretion over crew scheduling, and employees are expected to adapt. In a statement, the AAR said the dynamic nature of railroad operations presents unique scheduling challenges. The industry, it said, continues to invest in tools, technology, and collaboration to support employee well-being and operational safety. But in its request to the Trump administration to roll back regulations, the AAR argued regulatory mandates aimed at preventing fatigue-related accidents are overly burdensome. The mandates, it said, create opportunities for employees to abuse fatigue-related protections. The AAR declined repeated requests to provide examples of abuse or potential abuse of fatigue-related protections by employees. If I go back through my career as an engineer and I think about mistakes that I made, I can almost attribute all of them to fatigue, said Scott Bunten, a general chairman for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, one of the two major rail unions. In 2006, the safety board recommended the FRA better regulate crew scheduling practices. But the agency didnt take action. Less than two years later, as part of the Rail Safety Improvement Act, Congress mandated implementation of fatigue risk management plans in the freight rail industry. It also said railroads were responsible for screening employees for sleep disorders and providing fatigue training. Only this year after more than 15 years has the FRA finished approving fatigue plans for all railroads. Fatigue-related accidents killed at least nine people and injured over 300 from 2015 through 2024, the Howard Centers analysis of NTSB investigation reports found. Railroad workers have the option to take personal rest days to avoid fatigue, but the unions argue punitive attendance policies discourage this. Crew members told the FRA as part of a 2022 study that they often dont report fatigue because they fear railroads retribution. They just want bodies on the trains, and honestly I dont think they care if theyre fatigued or not, former NTSB investigator Rick Narvell said. Safety delayed, lives lost The 50-year battle over adoption of positive train control, which automatically slows or stops trains if the crews do not, illustrates the industrys playbook. The NTSB first recommended the FRA consider requiring railroads to adopt the technology in 1970. Congress eventually stepped in following a rapid succession of tragedies in the early 2000s, including one in California that killed 25 and two in Arkansas and South Carolina that released clouds of poisonous gas, killing a total of 10. The law set a 2015 deadline. But the railroads immediately began pressing Congress to postpone, spending millions of dollars on lobbying and campaign contributions from 2008 through 2015. The campaign succeeded. Two months before the deadline, Congress pushed it to 2018, with extensions available for another two years. The railroads finally achieved full compliance with the safety recommendation in 2020. By then, 154 preventable accidents had claimed 300 lives and injured 6,800 people, an internal NTSB tally showed. In a statement, the AAR attributed the delay to the complexity and scale of technological development. Regulatory wish list When the Trump administration invited public input into how to shrink the federal bureaucracy this spring, the AAR responded within two weeks with a spreadsheet that itemized 80 regulations for modification or repeal. It laid out an expansive deregulatory agenda that would markedly reduce federal oversight of an industry that carries billions of passengers and millions of gallons of toxic chemicals through thousands of communities. Among the items on the AARs wish list: Repealing a requirement for minimum two-person crews and reducing administrative requirements for fatigue management plans. In the accompanying letter, the trade organization stated its aim was to cut through regulatory red tape in a manner that is consistent with railroad safety. ___ University of Maryland reporters Mary Burke, Taylor Nichols, Adriana Navarro and April Quevedo contributed reporting and data analysis for this story. ___ This story was produced by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland, whose work is funded by a grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation in honor of journalism pioneer Roy W. Howard. Petrochemicals still filled ponds near the Tangipahoa River across the street from the destroyed Smitty's Supply facility in Roseland on Sept. 30, 2025, nearly six weeks after it caught fire and exploded. (Photo: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) Federal law enforcement agents served a search warrant at the Smittys Supply plant in November, records show, signaling a rare criminal investigation could be underway into last years fire and oil spill disaster at a Tangipahoa Parish petroleum products supply plant. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which appears to be leading the inquiry through its Criminal Investigation Division, has so far said little about the search at Smittys Supply Inc. in Roseland and initially refused to confirm or deny it took place. Some details were revealed in EPA progress reports the agencys emergency response team used to document daily actions that took place at the disaster site in Roseland. Advertisement Advertisement The CID, with support of the FBI and Louisiana State Police, executed a search warrant for the site, a progress report entry for Nov. 18 noted. Its unclear what federal agents were targeting in their search. Neither Smittys Supply nor the public relations firm it hired to handle communications responded to a request for comment. Some recovery operations at the facility to identify hazardous chemicals and products were paused while agents conducted the search, the report stated. The search continued through the next day with an entry for Nov. 19 noting operations to segregate products behind two warehouses were still paused today during CID activities. After two days of searching, law enforcement agents left the site, allowing the EPAs response team to continue oversight of the cleanup. On Nov. 20, Smittys Supply and its contractors were allowed to resume the work they were doing behind the two warehouses, a report entry stated. Advertisement Advertisement The Environmental Protection Agency filed its progress reports, which are public records, with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The Illuminator obtained them from the departments public database during an ongoing review of the Smittys Supply file, which includes thousands of records. Spokeswoman Meagan Molter said the state Department of Environmental Quality is not involved in the investigation and directed questions to the EPA. EPA spokeswoman Jennah Durant refused to comment on whether a search warrant was executed. The agency refused the Illuminators public records request but acknowledged the existence of the warrant in a denial letter from its Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training. There is an ongoing regulatory investigation, and the records responsive to your request have been compiled for law enforcement purposes, the letter stated, citing a Freedom of Information Act exemption that applies strictly to law enforcement records that, if disclosed, could interfere with enforcement proceedings. Advertisement Advertisement Environmental laws are generally enforced through civil actions such as lawsuits or administrative fines. The infractions can lead to criminal investigations, but they are exceptionally rare, said Victor Flatt, a professor and associate director of the Burke Center for Environmental Law at Case Western University in Cleveland. Criminal charges are much less common much, much, much less common than civil, Flatt said. For whatever reason, theres a possibility there were criminal acts here, and thats what theyre investigating. Environmental criminal cases often arise from either an intentionally bad act or gross negligence on the part of the defendant, such as cutting corners or violating regulations in order to save money and increase profits, Flatt said. Other common elements of environmental criminal cases include the concealing of violations or falsification of records, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Several environmental statutes allow for criminal prosecution, including the Clean Water Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Air Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. Defendants can include company employees, executives and even the corporations as individual entities. Advertisement Advertisement You generally only see criminal charges in the really big cases, Flatt said. One of the most notable cases was the 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore rig explosion, which resulted in the largest oil spill in history. BP, the primary operator of the rig that exploded off the Louisiana coast, pleaded guilty to 14 felony charges, including 11 counts of manslaughter, obstruction of Congress and violations of the Clean Water Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The company was ordered to pay $4 billion in criminal fines and placed on probation for five years, which involved enhanced monitoring and a slate of improvements to eliminate the risk of a similar disaster. Transocean Deepwater Inc., which owned the Deepwater Horizon rig and leased it to BP, pleaded guilty to Clean Water Act crimes. The company was ordered to pay $400 million in fines and also placed on five years probation. Several BP executives and employees were indicted on related federal charges, but the most serious charges against them were eventually dropped. Advertisement Advertisement The government can be reluctant to prosecute environmental crimes because the burden of proof is much higher than it is for civil offenses, Flatt said. Also, corporations tend to have considerable resources to mount strong defenses, according to a Department of Justice webpage explaining the work of its Environmental Crimes Section. Because these cases routinely involve medium to large corporations, sophisticated white collar crime defense counsel are our usual adversaries, which means that our cases must be airtight, the page states. The EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality are jointly pursuing a civil case against Smittys Supply, alleging a long list of violations of the federal Clean Water Act and other federal and state environmental laws for incidents going back nearly five years. The agencies filed their lawsuit Nov. 5 in the federal court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Its possible for the EPA to use a search warrant in connection to a civil case if, for instance, a defendant was preventing access to evidence or a site location. However, Flatt said the search seems more likely to be part of a criminal investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Smittys Supply bottled and manufactured a variety of oils, fluids and other chemicals for distribution to automotive and industrial retailers. Its facility was almost completely destroyed in the Aug. 22 disaster. Storage tanks and drums holding millions of gallons of hazardous substances caught fire, with some exploding. Motor oils comprised most of the plants inventory, though the governments lawsuit also noted the presence of other chemicals such as a concentrated form of hydrogen peroxide, which can be highly volatile under certain conditions. The fire took two weeks to fully extinguish while oil and chemicals stored at the plant spilled onto both private and public lands and waterways, reaching as far as 47 miles downstream on the Tangipahoa River, according to the EPA. The agency estimates cleanup crews recovered oily waste and petroleum-based materials totaling 11 million gallons, which matches the facilitys storage capacity. State and federal officials have been unable to determine what started the fire but have discovered numerous violations of laws and environmental regulations they allege could have prevented the disaster or lessened its impact. Advertisement Advertisement If the EPA concludes its investigation and decides to file criminal charges, the case would then be turned over to the U.S. Department of Justice for prosecution, Flatt said. Those proceedings would be separate from the civil case proceedings. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 15026882 Republican Senator Rand Paul says President Donald Trump is shooting himself in the foot with his aggressive posturing towards Greenland. Trump has escalated his threats to take over the mineral-rich island, telling reporters Friday, We are going to do something in Greenland, whether they like it or not. The 79-year-old president said he would do it the hard way if he couldnt strike a deal to acquire the territory. On Sunday, Paul warned that Trumps denigrating saber-rattling is backfiring by alienating GOP lawmakers in Washington and people in Greenland. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul was one of five GOP senators to join Democrats in advancing a resolution on the War Powers Act last week. The resolution would block the presidents ability to use military force against Venezuela. / Tom Williams/Getty Images Lets say you wanted to buy Greenlandand Im not disputing that that might be something we might want, the 63-year-old Kentucky senator said on ABC Newss This Week. You dont get there by angering and denigrating the people who live there and saying, Were going to march the Marines in and take it if you dont sell it to us. It doesnt make them very willing to sell to us. Advertisement Advertisement Paul continued, So really, if your goal is somehow were going to rattle the saber, then theyre going to sell it to us, I think its having the opposite effect. I think youd be hard-pressed to find someone in Greenland for it, but youd also be hard-pressed to find somebody in Washington whos for a military invasion on either side of the aisle. The senator, one of the few Republicans who regularly challenges Trump, appears to be correct. Greenlands party leaders issued a joint statement Friday night rejecting Trump in response to his latest assertions that the U.S. needs the island, a semi-autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom, and his refusal to rule out the use of military force. We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders. The future of Greenland must be decided by the Greenlandic people, the statement said. We would like to emphasize once again our wish that the United States contempt for our country ends. Advertisement Advertisement Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has also rebuked Trump, reminding him that the U.S. has no legal basis to annex the territory. GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski said she hates the idea of the U.S. taking Greenland by purchase or force. Her party colleague, Susan Collins, also condemned talk of the U.S. taking over the island. / Bill Clark/Getty Images In Congress, several GOP lawmakers, including Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Susan Collins of Maine, have openly condemned talk of the U.S. taking over Greenland. Paul, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CBS Mornings last week that U.S. military action wont happen under my watch. I will do everything to stop any kind of military takeover of Greenland, he said. ABC Newss Martha Raddatz asked Paul on Sunday, Do you actually think he would use military force, or are we overreacting to that? Advertisement Advertisement I would hope not, Paul replied, reiterating his belief that Congress should decide if the military is deployed, whether in Greenland, Venezuela, or Colombia. Its about whether or not the people get a say in whether we go to war, added the senator, who was one of five GOP senators to join Democrats in advancing a resolution on the War Powers Act last week. The resolution would block the presidents ability to use military force against Venezuela. The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for comment. A White House official previously told the Daily Beast that utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander-in-chiefs disposal. Residents at The Park at Blanding apartments say they are living in a stinking situation as mounds of uncollected garbage are just another piece of the problem. For weeks, tenants at The Park at Blanding have been greeted by overflowing dumpsters and debris scattered across the grounds. What many initially hoped was a temporary holiday backlog has transformed into a concern. Im embarrassed for anybody to drive past these dumpsters, Pamela Greenwade said, who has lived at the complex for a year. Garbage looks like this at all three dumpsters; it was blowing all over the street this morning. Advertisement Advertisement >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< The eyesore is accompanied by an unavoidable stench that residents have been living with. Resident Cameron Graham noted that the conditions have impacted the communitys sense of dignity, particularly when hosting family. You come in the neighborhood, it stinks, you see trash everywhere, Graham said. The waste crisis is reportedly just one symptom of a larger management transition. Tenants claim that since One Wall Communities took over management, basic services have become unpredictable. Beyond the trash, residents report frequent water shutoffs and a total lack of communication regarding billing. Greenwade said she has not received a water bill in three months, yet her water has been shut off twice without warning. I dont dare put a perm in because I dont ever know when theyre gonna turn the water off again, she said. Advertisement Advertisement The property has been owned by Texas-based WMA Park at Blanding LLC since 2024. The current property management declined an on-camera interview but attributed the failures to the previous management team. They claimed the backlog was caused by unpaid bills inherited from the prior administration and stated they are working to resolve the issues. Management says they hope to have the trash cleared and the site cleaned by the end of the week. For the residents of The Park at Blanding, that resolution cannot come soon enough. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Residents in one Kenyan community are now facing a higher risk of displacement following the continued encroachment of a nearby lake. What's happening? As reported by the Associated Press, lakes in Kenya's Rift Valley are rising at historic rates. Thanks to rainy seasons becoming more intense and starting earlier, communities are bracing for the possibility that their homes will soon be swallowed up by the rising lake levels. "It seemed as if the lake was far from our homes," said Rose Wafula, whose family has lived near Lake Naivasha since 2008. "And then one night we were shocked to find our houses flooded. The water came from nowhere." Advertisement Advertisement Like many in the Rift Valley, Wafula and her family rely on the region's rich agricultural industry to pay the bills. While many farms near Lake Naivasha have enjoyed fertile soils and healthy crops in the past, the prevalence of flooding now jeopardizes their way of life. Why are rising lake levels in Kenya important? According to experts, the change in historic climate patterns is the main culprit behind the sudden influx in lake levels. Increased rainfall rates have also brought severe flooding throughout the region, only exacerbating the issue. "The lakes have risen almost beyond the highest level they have ever reached," said Simon Onywere, an environmental planning professor at Kenyatta University. In a recent study first published in the Journal of Hydrology, researchers discovered that lakes in East Africa increased in surface area by 27,730 square miles between 2011 and 2023. This was directly linked to the above-average rainfall and land-use intensification in the region. As a result, thousands of residents have been forced to retreat. Advertisement Advertisement "In Lake Baringo, the water rose almost 14 meters," Onywere said. "Everything went under, completely under. Buildings will never be seen again, like the Block Hotels of Lake Baringo." What's being done about the rise of lake levels? For now, officials in Kenya are working to help those most affected by the rampant flooding. "We are tackling this as an emergency," said Joyce Ncece, chief officer for disaster management in Nakuru County, where Lake Naivasha is located. "The county government has provided trucks to help families relocate. We have been helping to pay rent for those who lack the finances." However, experts also have an eye on the future in an attempt to prevent the devastating flooding from spiraling out of control. Richard Muita, acting assistant director of the Kenya Meteorological Department, suggested a transition to "conservation agriculture, where there is very limited disturbance of the land." How worried are you about rising ocean levels? Very Somewhat Not very Not at all 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. SACRAMENTO, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a labor-aligned progressive at the forefront of blue-state challenges to the second Trump administration, will not join the crowded field of Democrats running for California governor. Instead, hell continue his bid for reelection for attorney general. Bonta told POLITICO that recent actions by the administration, including President Donald Trumps decision to freeze welfare funds to California and four other blue states and the controversial shooting of a U.S. citizen by a federal immigration agent, reinforced to him the need to stay in the legal fight against the White House. Watching these recent events unfold reaffirms what I believe in my core, which is that my place is here on these front lines, continuing this fight, using the largest state Department of Justice in the nation to protect our people, he said. He added that remaining in his current role would allow him to continue to fight for Californians in only the way an attorney general can. And I think I can do that in ways that even other offices, including the governor, cannot. Advertisement Advertisement Bonta called Sacramento allies on Sunday to inform them of his decision. Its the second time this year that Bonta has said he would pass on a run. In February, he said he would support former Vice President Kamala Harris if she joined the contest. Months later, Harris decided against it. In recent weeks, labor unions quietly lobbied Bonta to reconsider after Sen. Alex Padilla also declined to run and former Rep. Katie Porter, who had been leading in the polls, suffered a series of public relations missteps. But Bonta has had bad press of his own. The AG has returned past campaign donations from owners of an Oakland waste-hauling company who have been indicted on federal bribery charges. More recently, hes offered shifting explanations for why he spent almost half a million dollars in campaign funds on legal services. A spokesperson said Bonta was approached as a possible victim in the bribery scheme. Advertisement Advertisement He would have entered the race as the highest-ranking elected official in the field. Hes spent the last year building up his anti-Trump bona fides, suing the administration more than 50 times, averaging more than one per week. Hes made national headlines joining coalitions of other blue-state attorneys general to bring legal challenges against federalizing the National Guard , cutting off food benefits and defunding Planned Parenthood . Nevertheless, his name ID in the state remains relatively low and he was unlikely to have the field-clearing heft of Harris or Padilla. Giving up the coveted post of attorney general to enter a crowded governors race would have been a risky bet. I think I would have won. Can I guarantee it? Of course, I can't, Bonta said, noting he has never lost an election before. I've never let a poll dictate my sense of duty, and my conscience is very clear here, he added. I have been able to deliver for the people of California in my current role in a way no one else can I think this is where I'm most effective. Bonta said he did not plan to endorse any Democrat for governor at the moment. In addition to Porter, the major Democratic contenders vying for a spot in Junes top-two primary include Xavier Becerra, a former California attorney general and ex-Biden Health secretary, Rep. Eric Swalwell, billionaire and Democratic megadonor Tom Steyer, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state Controller Betty Yee, state schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond and former state lawmaker Ian Calderon. MORIARTY Sal Lucero sometimes unlocks the office of the old gas station and turns on the Whiting Brothers sign, perched high over the street, illuminating it in soulful red and yellow neon. 66-logo.png Approaching 90, he swells with pride at the life he managed to forge for his family in this town along Route 66 as an automobile service man. In the 1960s and 70s, legions of roadtrippers from across the U.S. would pause their hard travel at Whiting Brothers. Then Lucero would come trotting out at all hours to perform oil changes and pump gasoline. Advertisement Advertisement I could never take a vacation, Lucero said, noting the two-lane Mother Road has long since given way to Interstate 40, which tends to shuttle people swiftly beyond Moriarty. No time to talk. Waiting, waiting, waiting on people all the time, both day and night. 123125_GC_Moriarty02rgb.jpg Andrea Stauffacher, an employee at the Sunset Motel in Moriarty since 2021, changes the sheets in a room last month. Built in 1959, the Sunset Motel is one of few original Route 66 motels still owned by the same family and is said to be the oldest continuously open business in Moriarty. The centennial anniversary of the iconic Route 66 which for decades carried travelers from Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif. comes as rural communities in New Mexico, a state with more than 500 miles of the route, aim to boost their tourism revenue, in part by rolling out new projects with the help of at least $3 million in state funding. Advertisement Advertisement The memories of those who can recall the halcyon days of Route 66 are also flowing this year, even if many of the old attractions were shuttered and abandoned long ago. Route 66 played a role in cultivating the allure and aesthetic of places like Santa Rosa, Tucumcari, Grants, Moriarty and Gallup. Some of these towns, which suffered when interstates came through allowing drivers to pass by them at high speeds continue to struggle with economic woes and population losses. Still, towns have a way of surviving by evolving over time, and Route 66 tourism remains an economic driver, leading some businesses to keep the original neon beaming at night. Route-66-NM.png Advertisement Advertisement For smaller communities outside of Albuquerque, it is a wonderful thing to see how some of them lean into their special little slice of Route 66, said Cody Johnson, a spokesperson for the New Mexico Department of Tourism. He noted some travelers, both domestic and international, find the concept of the great American road trip appealing, and Route 66 probably speaks to that nostalgia more than any other type of road trip in America. Many people feel strongly the Mother Road a nickname coined by novelist John Steinbeck continues to represent something distinctive about the American identity even after it was decommissioned in 1985. Spanning some 2,500 miles of scenery and oddity in the American heartland, Route 66 began to decline as early as the 1950s due to the advent of the interstate highway system. Route 66 follows the Interstate 40 corridor across the central part of New Mexico. An older stretch of the road before the highway was rerouted through the state in 1937, cutting the drive by more than 100 miles went through Santa Fe and Las Vegas, N.M., along what is now Interstate 25. Advertisement Advertisement Route 66 was one of the original roadways in the U.S. Numbered Highway System, established in November 1926, and in the early days served as a road of hope for farmworkers from states like Oklahoma and Arkansas who were in search of a new life during the Dust Bowl. Musical highway When hail storms descend on Santa Rosa and winds whip across the grasslands of Eastern New Mexico, Mike Gallegos grimaces. He hopes La Mesa Motels elegant rose-colored neon sign will escape damage. The sign, although expensive to maintain, draws roadies from Asia, Europe and across the U.S. who stop to snap photographs of original desert neon. Advertisement Advertisement We do all our neon, said Gallegos, the inns owner. Anytime one goes out, Im on it. He acknowledged, Its pricey and Ive had people say, Why dont you just put LED lights out there? 123125_GC_Moriarty03rgb.jpg Sal Lucero points to the names of businesses outlining a commemorative 50th anniversary poster that recognizes Moriartys role on Route 66. The poster is now 50 years old as the nation celebrates the Route 66 centennial. But he cant be swayed to make the change. It looks like neon, but its not neon so we keep the original, he said. Santa Rosa, a fairly isolated Guadalupe County stop with about 3,000 people, is an iconic Route 66 city, a place that has always catered to the traveler, but some old motels and other spots that once wooed tourists are now abandoned as local officials gear up for the roadways 100th anniversary. Advertisement Advertisement The Blue Hole, an 80-foot-deep swimming spot in the town, has long been a major attraction on the route, along with the Pecos River Bridge, a late-19th century railroad bridge built about 50 feet above the river. It was featured in John Fords 1940 film The Grapes of Wrath. The New Mexico Tourism Department has poured some grant money into the Santa Rosa area for the centennial. New Route 66 wayfinding signs have been added on either side of the city, paid for with part of a $123,000 grant to Guadalupe County. In another effort to give the city a bump, Santa Rosa is aiming to use some $60,000 from the state for the construction of a musical highway, with grooves in the roadway that create a melody when a vehicle passes over the rumble strips at a certain speed. One musical highway built more than a decade ago near Tijeras, east of Albuquerque, played the song America the Beautiful when vehicles drove over it at around 45 mph. Some say on social media the song is more faint than it once was, though still audible. Advertisement Advertisement I know what happens with people is they say its very costly to put something like that in, but when you do that, those are attractions, said state Sen. Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas, a Santa Fe Rosa native. Theyre destination activities and centerpieces, I believe. And what happens then is people feel very good about it, and so people come from all over because they want to go across the musical highway. Campos said the road where the singing highway is planned will need to be repaired before the project can move forward. The total cost is an estimated $600,000, he said, adding he is committed to securing the funding. When he was growing up in Santa Rosa, Campos said, much of the towns economy centered on tourism. But he has seen the changes wrought by the rise of the interstate. I grew up in the era of Route 66 [in] Santa Rosa, with all the restaurants and service stations and service to people who were traveling, he said. Now, with the bypass and I-40 itself, so much of that has changed. Advertisement Advertisement 123125_GC_Moriarty04rgb.jpg Mike Pogue, owner of the Sunset Motel with his wife, Elaine, adjusts a light last month in one of the original bathrooms from 1959. The motel was built by his father and family in the 1950s. Pogue recalled the cars of California families backed up in a line waiting for service at the nearby Whiting Brothers gas station in the summer of 1959. Santa Rosa City Administrator Richard Richie Perea offered a similar message while noting the windblown city is a hub for truck stops, with four in town. Small-town Americas dying out, Perea said. But, he added, Weve always promoted Route 66, and whats attractive about Santa Rosa now is its lakes and, of course, the Blue Hole. When you say Blue Hole, its tied to 66. Advertisement Advertisement The storied La Mesa Motel could soon begin a new chapter. Gallegos, the owner, has recently put it on the market for about $500,000 because he and his wife want to retire. He believes his motel, in his family since the 60s and La Loma, about a mile and a half west, owned and operated by another local family for decades are the only legacy motels remaining that keep up their old neon signs. The others have closed. La Mesa has received interest since going on the market, he said. Were not as famous as the Blue Swallow [Motel] in Tucumcari, but we do get a lot of business and we do stay busy quite a bit. He was optimistic about plans for a new musical highway. Everything helps, he said. Everything changes Known by its unmistakable gold and red neon signs, Whiting Brothers assembled a chain of dozens of gas stations and motels from Shamrock, Texas, to Lenwood, Calif. Sal Lucero, who grew up in Ribera, began working for the company in Moriarty in the 1960s, a busy era for Route 66. He purchased the business in 1985, and Whiting Brothers let him keep the sign that still looms in Moriarty. He ran the business with his late wife, Inez, under the name Sal & Inezs Service Station for years. Today, the business is largely closed, although he says he still opens it to sell car batteries. His establishment and the Whiting Brothers sign have been used in television shows, featuring prominently in an episode of Peacocks Poker Face, a two-season murder-mystery series that ended in 2025. Route 66 through Moriarty was superseded by I-40 in the 1960s, the citys website states. Prior to the construction of the interstate, travelers were forced to pass at much slower speeds through the town, giving it more visibility and generating more business. It ruins you, Lucero said of I-40s opening and the dip he noticed in business. Route 66 will never be the same again. You noticed right away, the first day. Today, Moriarty is a city of about 2,000 people east of Albuquerque. Its main street is home to a number of restaurants and businesses and is known by Duke City residents as a spot to purchase fireworks year-round. The city is planning a Pinto Bean Route 66 Centennial Fiesta and received $4,000 from the state for the celebration. Leaning against an old-fashioned cash register, Lucero said he cant change and fix tires and perform oil changes now. He had to stop selling gasoline in 2003 after almost 20 years, saying this sort of business is for the big corporation and not the little man. The telephone rang, and Lucero paused to answer it, hearing the voice of his daughter. But its been a happy place, he said after replacing the phone receiver. It was hard work. I provided for my family. What more do I want? Centennial grants Over the course of two fiscal years, the state Department of Tourism has awarded or announced the awarding of about $3 million in grants to communities through the Route 66 Centennial Grant Program. The department is also putting money toward national and international marketing campaigns as well as special projects from New Mexico Magazine. With special appropriations approved during the 2025 legislative session, the agency is awarding $1.3 million to Route 66 communities in the current fiscal year for marketing and promotion, special events and infrastructure, a news release from the agency states. In the previous fiscal year, $1.5 million was awarded to nine communities. Santa Fe and Albuquerque are both among the grant recipients. But a substantial pot of the money has been approved for small Route 66 towns, according to a news release from the state Tourism Department. Cody Johnson, a spokesperson for the agency, said it is common practice for the department to have about two-thirds of its grant funding go to rural communities. 123125_GC_Moriarty05rgb.jpg The famous Rotosphere, a star-like ball that once graced the popular Route 66 Mexican restaurant El Comedor, remains atop the building housing what is now the Country Friends Antiques store in Moriarty. We have definitely not gotten the impression that there was anyone left out that wanted to be involved, Johnson said of the spending. We have good representation from east to west, he added. Western New Mexico will receive some money, with the city of Grants, known for uranium mining and its proximity to Mount Taylor, awarded about $38,500 for a Route 66-themed sculpture installation as well as the restoration of a 66 arch, along with $7,000 for its Spokes on Route 66 car show. Meantime, the nearby village of Milan was awarded about $57,000 for the restoration of a vintage-style gas station. Gallup, a major hub in that part of the state with a prominent Route 66 image, is benefitting as well with $28,000 awarded for wayfaring signs. On the eastern side of the state, Tucumcari bears a string of Route 66 jewels Blue Swallow Motel, an inn on the route dating back to 1939, and Tee Pee Curios, a classic Route 66 curio shop with a concrete wigwam as its entrance, to name a few. The city of Tucumcari was awarded $51,767 for beautification of its convention center property and $121,000 for wayfinding enhancements. 123125_GC_Moriarty07rgb.jpg The remnants of the spectacle and attraction of the Snake Pit, a Route 66 attraction, at the old John Claar's Hitchin Post east of Moriarty on Dec. 31. Snake pit dollars The experience of Route 66 is always one of excess with spectacles designed to make travelers forget the fact there is always more road ahead. Near Moriarty, a concrete pit still has some mesh across portions of its top. You could drive by a million times and never notice the engraving SNAKE PIT against some orange paint. Rattlesnake pits and animal exhibits were features of the route, a way for locals to get a revenue stream and hold travelers in thrall next to trading post stops. Seated in Room 2 in the Sunset Motel in Moriarty, Mike Pogue remembered growing up around this place, built by his father and family in the 1950s at a time when locals in this stretch of Torrance County were looking to monetize their properties and open businesses that would tap into the Route 66 fever. Pogue recalled schools letting youth from the West Coast loose for the summer of 1959. With the Sunset Motel next door to the Whiting Brothers establishment, he described the cars of Californians backed up in a line waiting for service. Industrious in their preteens as the traffic crept along on Route 66 through the town, Pogue and his brother knew this marked an opportunity to turn a quick dollar. We could walk alongside them and sell them something, right? Pogue said. You want to buy a horned toad? You want that water jug filled up, that windshield cleaned right? This was Silicon Valley, Pogue said. This is where the growth was. A Russian drone has struck a Panama-flagged tanker waiting to enter a Ukrainian port, injuring a crew member. Source: Ukraine's Ministry for Communities and Territorial Development Quote: "An enemy UAV has struck a Panama-flagged tanker waiting to enter the port to load vegetable oil. Sadly, one crew member has been injured. He is currently receiving the necessary treatment. Maritime rescue services are already on site, extinguishing the ensuing fire on board. Advertisement Advertisement A San Marino-flagged ship leaving the port with a cargo of maize has also been attacked. Fortunately, there were no casualties and the vessel continues on its course. This is further proof that Russia is deliberately attacking civilian ships, international trade and maritime safety. Despite constant terror from the aggressor, Ukraine continues to operate its ports and fulfil its international obligations." Details: Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, clarified that the Panama-flagged vessel was in the waiting area, bound for the port of Chornomorsk to load oil. A Russian drone struck the vessel's superstructure, but no fire broke out. "The enemy's second strike was on a dry cargo ship flying the San Marino flag as it was leaving the waiting area. The fire was quickly contained. Fortunately, no one was injured," he said. Background: On 9 January, a Russian attack drone hit a civilian vessel heading to a Ukrainian port to load grain. Near Odesa, another ship carrying soybeans was damaged and a Syrian citizen was killed. On 30 December, Russian attack drones attacked the vessels Emmakris III and Captain Karam, which were entering the port to load wheat. On 23 December, a civilian vessel flying the Lebanese flag and carrying Ukrainian soybeans was damaged in Odesa port due to a nighttime Russian attack. It was previously reported that a Russian attack on the dry cargo vessel CENK M, flying the Turkish flag, has influenced some shipowners' decisions on calling at Ukrainian ports. Whereas they previously entered without arranging separate war-risk insurance, the situation has now changed. The intensity of Russian attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure surged in 2025. Ukraine recorded 36 strikes on ports in 2024, rising sharply to 96 in 2025. Last year, 325 port facilities were damaged in the assaults. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Sao Paulo-based cryptocurrency exchange Mercado Bitcoin (MB), one of Latin America's largest trading platforms, released a report outlining six major trends it expects to define the crypto market in 2026. The report identifies a major expansion in stablecoins, tokenization, altcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and AI-driven trading as key forces shaping the next phase of the industry. Bitcoin to gold ratio changes MB estimates that bitcoin (BTC) could reach 14% of golds market capitalization by the end of 2026. That ratio is currently at 5.65%, meaning that, all else equal, the price of bitcoin would more than double. The report cites bitcoin's growing role as a store of value, particularly in comparison to gold, which faces logistical challenges around transport and storage. The cryptocurrencys adoption by institutional treasuries, which have accumulated more than 1.09 million bitcoin so far, also shows bitcoin is no longer a niche asset, the firm said. Bitcoins digital, borderless, and self-custodied nature has allowed it to capture interest from investors looking for alternatives to traditional safe havens, the report adds. The 14% figure, MB added, isnt a guess but rather the result of a valuation methodology developed in partnership with researchers from the University of California (UCLA). In the "Bitcoin Valuation Framework," we use, among other methods, a Total Addressable Market (TAM) approach to estimate BTC's theoretical value, the report reads. Instead of forcing traditional cash flow models onto a monetary asset, we start with the global store-of-value market, use gold as the primary benchmark, and project what fraction of this market Bitcoin might capture under different adoption scenarios. That framework, the firms analysts wrote, takes them to their base scenario where bitcoin reaches 14% of golds market capitalization this year. Stablecoins to grow to half a trillion MB expects to see the stablecoin sector, already a core part of the crypto infrastructure, grow to reach a market capitalization of $500 billion in 2026. That, in part, will be over the growth of stablecoins that aren't tied to the U.S. dollar. According to MB, stablecoins have evolved from trading tools into payment instruments across countries and sectors. [Stablecoins] play an essential role as a source of liquidity for the sector, facilitating the rapid and secure movement of resources without exposure to the volatility of other digital assets, the report adds. It notes that in 2025, total market capitalization of stablecoins grew nearly 50% year over year, a trend the company attributes to broader adoption and regulatory clarity, particularly in the United States. There's been a subtle but significant shift in what NORAD has been seeing over the last year when it comes to mostly Russian but also Chinese activity in the Arctic, says the top commander of the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD). U.S. Gen. Gregory Guillot tells CBC News that air and sea incursions into the zones just outside North America have not only become more frequent, but also more co-ordinated. "I'd say the most consequential difference in 2025 has been the volume, the simultaneous volume," Guillot said in an exclusive interview. Advertisement Advertisement "Sometimes we'll have instead of a ship there might be four or five ships at the same time operating in various parts of the Arctic Ocean down into the Bering area," Guillot said. And then a few hours later, he said, there will be an air incursion in a different part of the region. That kind of activity, defence analysts say, is intended to test the reaction of the U.S. and Canadian militaries. As of late December 2025, NORAD had publicly acknowledged at least eight separate events in 2025 where it detected and tracked Russian military aircraft operating in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The events all took place in international airspace near but not inside North American airspace. Advertisement Advertisement There were no acknowledged sea incursions, at least in the public statements. However, it was acknowledged last summer that the Canadian military kept tabs on a Chinese research vessel when it was in Arctic waters off Alaska for the second time in two years. Guillot said he's confident in NORAD's ability to keep eyes on the region and to defend the Far North, if necessary. The remarks were made in a year-end interview just prior to the renewed crisis over Greenland and U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to annex the Danish territory. If you look at the map of North America as a clock, Guillot said, most of the activity they've witnessed is in the 10 o'clock position over Alaska. The activity in the two o'clock position, near Greenland, appears to be on and under the sea. "There's certainly Russian activity in the Arctic to the east of our continent," Guillot said. Advertisement Advertisement "A lot of times that activity, if it's in the maritime domain, will go through what we call the GIUK gap, Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom gap, and then out into the Atlantic, but not necessarily coming close to Canadian or United States territorial waters." Future of the Golden Dome Guillot also said he's had extensive talks with Canada's top military commander, Gen. Jennie Carignan, on the mechanics of how Canada could join the Trump administration's self-titled Golden Dome missile defence system. The federal government is currently in discussions and negotiations with the United States about joining the initiative but has not yet formally committed to full participation. Advertisement Advertisement Trump has publicly stated that it would cost Canada more than $61 billion US to join the program, but participation would be free if the country joined as the 51st state. Guillot didn't touch on the politics in his interview, but rather focused on how integration could happen. He said the questions the two countries are asking themselves include whether it makes sense to expand NORAD and include missile defence in the binational command, or allow each nation's operational commands to manage missile defence themselves, as U.S. NORTHCOM already does. Last summer, Defence Minister David McGuinty quietly removed the decades-old prohibition Canada had on participating in the U.S. ballistic missile defence program. Advertisement Advertisement "We can discuss threats, advanced threats, more openly with our Canadian counterparts," said Guillot, noting that he hosted McGuinty and Carignan at a demonstration of some of the systems the United States uses to detect and track incoming missile threats last year. A recent study by the Center for European Policy Analysis warned that Russia and China are pulling ahead of NATO nations, including Canada, in the race to develop and field drones capable of operating in harsh Arctic conditions. Guillot said he has not read the report, but said the U.S. Army has field tested counter-drone technology in the Arctic and has been co-operating extensively with Canada's joint operations command (CJOC) on the use of the systems. "On the defensive side, I've been very pleased with the performance of the systems that we've brought up there from a counter-[unmanned aerial system] UAS perspective. I've been very pleased with how they operate up in the harsh conditions," he said. Advertisement Advertisement At the end of November, the U.S. Army acknowledged the 11th Division in Alaska conducted a large-scale UAS and counter-UAS experiment in co-operation with defence contractors to measure how the systems behave in extreme cold. Small platoons of soldiers, using electronic warfare equipment, tracked drones and used commercially available counter-drones to bring them down during tests near Fort Greely and Fort Wainwright. Also in the testing phase, the U.S. military plans to deploy a micro nuclear reactor to independently power an air force base in the Alaskan Arctic in a program that's expected to have far-reaching implications for Canada's plan to deploy an over-the-horizon radar station in the polar region. One of the issues both the U.S. and Canada face in deploying new advanced radar stations is how those facilities, which require massive amounts of power, can be operated so far north. Guillot says micro reactors are a potential game-changer for military operations in a region where the weather can often be the biggest enemy. At the start of the year, Russian forces used a new Geran-5 attack drone against Ukraine for the first time, military intelligence (HUR) reported on Jan. 11. The unmanned vehicle, which resembles the Iranian-designed Karrar drone, utilizes the Telefly jet engine, though with a greater thrust than the Geran-3 model, according to HUR. Attack drones play a key role in Russia's aerial campaign against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, which escalated in recent weeks as Moscow seeks to knock out the country's energy grid. Advertisement Advertisement The new drone is approximately 6 meters (20 feet) long with a wingspan of 5.5 meters (18 feet). Unlike other Geran models which are based on the Iranian Shahed drones the Geran-5 is built in a conventional aerodynamic configuration. Other features resemble those of earlier models in the series, including the 12-channel satellite navigation system Cometa, and a tracker based on the Raspberry Pi microcomputer and 3G/4G modems, HUR said. The drone can carry a 90-kilogram warhead and has a claimed range of almost 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), meaning it could potentially reach any point in Ukraine. According to Ukraine's intelligence, Russia is considering fitting attack aircraft like Su-25 with Geran-5s to increase their range. Equipping the drones with R-73 air-to-air missiles to counter Ukrainian aircraft is also being considered, HUR said. Advertisement Advertisement As Russia seeks to modernize its drone fleet, Ukraine is also developing new tactics to counter Russian aerial strikes. Apart from using Western-supplied air defenses, Ukraine has ramped up production of interceptor drones, designed to counter Russian Shaheds. Just over the past week, Russian forces launched close to 1,100 strike drones against Ukraine, as well as 890 guided aerial bombs and 50 missiles, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 11. Read also: When did Russia really begin its aggression against Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Cyprus police have reported the disappearance of Vladislav Baumgertner, a Russian businessman and former CEO of Uralkali, a Russian potash fertiliser producer and exporter, who has been uncontactable since 7 January. The Russian embassy in Cyprus later reported the death of one of its staff members, who may have taken his own life. Source: Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian news outlet; Kommersant, a Russian news outlet; Cypriot broadcaster ANT1 Details: Baumgertner was last seen leaving his residence in Limassol. Later, one of his employees reported that the former Uralkali chief was not responding to repeated phone calls. Advertisement Advertisement On 10 January, specialist teams carried out searches in hard-to-reach terrain near the village of Pissouri. The last signal from Baumgertner's mobile phone was recorded on a steep, rocky stretch of coastline. On 11 January, the search operation was expanded to include aircraft, but it was later suspended due to an approaching storm. Baumgertner headed Uralkali from 2003 to 2013 and had been living in Cyprus in recent years. Shortly afterwards, the Russian embassy in Cyprus announced the death of a staff member, A.V. Panov, but provided no details. Local media reported that he had taken his own life. Cypriot TV channel ANT1 said the senior embassy official had been found dead in his office at around midday on 8 January. According to ANT1, the Cypriot authorities were only informed several hours later, and police officers who arrived at the scene were denied entry. Advertisement Advertisement The body was reportedly handed over to the police later, in the courtyard of the embassy complex, and the police were told that the cause of death was suicide. It was also reported that the deceased left a note, which the embassy has promised to send on to Moscow. It refused to disclose its contents. The Russian embassy said in a statement that it wishes to repatriate the diplomat's body as soon as possible. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Vladimir Solovyov, a prominent Russian propagandist, has said on one of his broadcasts that Russia should think about its "sphere of influence" and the possibility of carrying out new "special military operations" (SMOs) in Armenia and Central Asia. Moscow uses the term SMO to refer to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Source: Meduza, a Latvia-based Russian media outlet Details: Solovyov said he believes Russia should take an example from US actions in Venezuela, which he said have "spat on international law". Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "For us, what is happening in Armenia is far more painful than what is happening in Venezuela. Losing Armenia is a gigantic problem. Problems in our Asia, in Central Asia this is what could be a gigantic problem for us. And we must very clearly formulate our goals and objectives Who cares about international law and international order? If, for our national security, it was necessary for us to start an SMO in Ukraine, then why, based on the same considerations, can we not start an SMO in other points of our sphere of influence?" More details: Armenia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to this remark by handing the Russian ambassador a note of protest, "which expresses deep indignation at the comments made on air in a programme of a state TV channel". Armenia emphasised that such remarks are incompatible with friendly relations between Moscow and Yerevan. Background: The foreign ministries of Armenia and Azerbaijan released the full text of a peace agreement on 11 August, which was signed on 8 August 2025 with US mediation. On 8 August, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed at the White House, in the presence of US President Donald Trump, an agreement that includes the creation of a transit corridor that will be called the "Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! MOSCOW, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council, condemned in a conversation on Monday with a senior Iranian official what he described as a new attempt by foreign powers to interfere in Iran's internal affairs, Interfax news agency reported. Interfax said Shoigu spoke to Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's National Security Council, and expressed condolences over the large number of deaths in countrywide protests. "The secretary of Russia's National Security Council firmly condemned the latest attempt by foreign forces to interfere in Iran's internal affairs," Interfax quoted Russia's Security Council press service as saying. Advertisement Advertisement President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that the U.S. and Israel wanted to "sow chaos and disorder" in Iran by ordering what he called riots. Iran said on Monday it was keeping communications open with the U.S. The Russian statement said Shoigu expressed his readiness to develop cooperation on the basis of a strategic partnership treaty signed by Tehran and Moscow in 2025. "The two sides agreed to continue their contacts and coordinate their positions with the aim of strengthening security," the statement said. Iran's leaders are facing demonstrations that have evolved from complaints about economic hardship to calls for the fall of the entrenched clerical establishment. Advertisement Advertisement The U.S.-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 572 people. Reuters was unable to independently verify the tallies. Russia and Iran have developed closer ties since the Kremlin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. President Vladimir Putin and Pezeshkian signed a 20-year strategic partnership pact last year that deepened military ties and boosted cooperation in a range of areas. But it did not include a mutual defence clause of the kind included in a treaty between Russia and North Korea. (Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Nia Williams and Ron Popeski) Anthony Scaramucci, a prominent political figure, recently expressed his strong opposition to a hypothetical U.S. invasion of Greenland, citing potential severe consequences. In a post on X on Sunday, Scaramucci outlined his concerns about a potential U.S. invasion of Greenland. He stated that such an action would be viewed as an illegal war of aggression against a NATO allys territory. Don't Miss: Fast Company Calls It a Groundbreaking Step for the Creator Economy' Investors Can Still Get In at $0.85/Share Sam Altman Says AI Will Transform the Economy This Platform Lets Investors Back Private Tech Early Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, he warned that it could shatter the core trust architecture of U.S. alliances and have a boomerang effect on U.S. financial conditions. An outright US invasion of Greenland would be one of the most self-destructive foreign policy moves imaginable for the United States because it would: 1) Be viewed as an illegal war of aggression against a NATO ally's territory. 2)Likely shatter the core trust architecture of Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) January 11, 2026 Scaramucci concluded his post by stating that such an invasion is also strategically unnecessary. See Also: If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it? Scaramuccis comments come at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. His tweet underscores the potential risks and consequences of any aggressive foreign policy moves. While his post is hypothetical, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance that exists in international relations and the potential fallout from actions perceived as aggressive or unnecessary. Read Next: Advertisement Advertisement UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga: This article Scaramucci Calls Hypothetical US Invasion of Greenland 'One of the Most Self-Destructive Foreign Policy Moves Imaginable' originally appeared on Benzinga.com "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." DNA study leads researchers to pin humanitys low pain thresholds on Neanderthals. The team believes that, thousands of years ago, interbreeding caused the development of key traits that were then passed down to modern humans. As the study of Neanderthals continues, additional traits join the growing list of similarities between the species and modern humans. Not a big fan of getting shots at the doctor or sitting for tattoos? Your low pain threshold could just be a factor of your genetics, and long-held genetics at that. Advertisement Advertisement Researchers in Europe say theyve linked the genetics of ancient Neanderthal interbreeding to low thresholds for specific types of pain in modern humans. They published the findings in Communications Biology. We have been learning more and more about what we have inherited from [Neanderthals] as a result of interbreeding tens of thousands of years ago, Kaustubh Adhikari, study co-author and University College London Genetics, Evolution & Environment researcher, said in a statement. Our findings suggest that Neanderthals may have been more sensitive to certain types of pain, but further research is needed for us to understand why that is the case, and whether these specific genetic variations were evolutionarily advantageous. Since the Neanderthal genome was first sequenced 15 years ago, researchers have worked to link modern humans to these archaic ancestors in a variety of ways. So far, scientists have found links from Neanderthal DNA to everything from the shapes of modern noses to our propensity for diseases. In the recent study on pain, researchers investigated three variations in the SCN9A gene, and reported greater pain sensitivity among humans carrying all three variants. The SCN9A gene builds sodium channels that help nerve cells communicatein particular, it helps the cells alert the nervous system to a painful threat from damaged tissue. Advertisement Advertisement Authors say that the three gene variants were associated with a lower pain threshold for pricking the skin after earlier exposure to mustard oil (which was used to sensitize the area), but were not associated with any changes in tolerance for pain caused by heat or pressure. Carrying all three variants increased pain sensitivity as compared to carrying only one. The sodium channel was actually recognized as crucial in the scope of pain pathways in 2020 by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany and Swedens Karolinska Institutet. They suggested back then that Neanderthals experienced heightened pain sensitivity compared to modern humans, thanks to the SCN9A gene. But the earlier study didnt fully explore the mechanical aspects of the increased pain sensitivitythe prick is more powerful than pressure or heat. This recent study proposes that those holding the three Neanderthal variants have more sensitized sensory neurons, and are therefore able to warn the body of these poke-induced pains. We have shown how variation in our genetic code can alter how we perceive pain, Pierre Faux, first author and researcher at Aix-Marseille University and University of Toulouse, said in a news release, including genes that modern humans acquired from the Neanderthals. Advertisement Advertisement They also found that the three Neanderthal variants are more common in populations with higher percentages of Native American ancestry. The study says that the variants are largely absent in Europeans and common in Latin Americans, thanks to what they call population bottlenecks that occurred during the initial occupation of the Americas. The team now wants to know if this lower pain threshold offered up any sort of evolutionary benefit, or if increased pain sensitivity when poked is just another piece of Neanderthal history living in modern humans. You Might Also Like Immigration and Customs Enforcement has reported the death of an immigrant held at the Camp East Montana immigration detention center in El Paso. ICE reported that Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old immigrant from Cuba, had died on Jan. 3 at 10:16 p.m. after "experiencing medical distress." He had been held in segregation prior to his death after being "disruptive" while in line for medication, the news release of his death states. The cause of death is under investigation. The Camp East Montana ICE immigration detention center is set to be one of the largest in the country. More: Frozen meals, pleas for deportation: US Rep. Escobar details visit to ICE camp Advertisement Advertisement Lunas Campos had lived in the U.S. since 1996 and had been convicted of multiple crimes, including theft, possession of a controlled substance and sexual contact with a child, ICE said. He had faced deportation in 2005. He was detained on July 14, 2025, in Rochester, New York and had been held at Camp East Montana since Sept. 6. Lunas Campos is the second person to die while being detained for deportation at Camp East Montana since it opened in August. Francisco Gaspar Cristobal Andres was the first detainee held at the sprawling immigration detention facility to die. The 48-year-old man from Guatemala was taken to Hospitals of Providence East on Nov. 16 and would later die on Dec. 3. Advertisement Advertisement The detention facility is the largest facility in the U.S. It held 3,080 people as of Dec. 19. Civil rights advocates and U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, have raised concerns about conditions in the facility. The El Paso Times reported nearly 90 emergency 911 health calls coming from the facility in the first 15 weeks of operation, the Washington Post reported multiple violations during construction and the ACLU reported acts of physical violence against detainees and attempts to force detainees to self-deport. Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@usatodayco.com; @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @palabrasdeabajo.bsky.social on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Cuban immigrant dies at ICE detention center in El Paso, Texas ALABAMA A large great white shark has gotten the attention of scientists after recent jumps in activity. A great white shark named Ernst is on the move off the waters of Alabama this week. According to Ocearch, Ernst is a 12-foot, one-thousand-pound sub-adult great white shark that was first tagged by scientists in October 2025. Osearch is a non-profit organization that conducts research on our ocean giants to help scientists collect previously unattainable data. Advertisement Advertisement In the last month, she has traveled from the coast off the Florida Keys to the coast of Alabama. According to Ocearch, over the last two days, Ernst has delivered five pings in Alabama waters near Gulf Shores. Most recently, the shark was pinged just four miles offshore of Dauphin Island. This is not a common occurrence, although juvenile white sharks are frequently seen in shallow nearshore waters in areas such as Southern California, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Two Organizations Team Up To Save Cold-stunned Sea Turtles SOUTH AFRICA, ATLANTIC OCEAN - DECEMBER 2007: A great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) baited by the animal guide, Andre Hartmann, surfaces with an impressive open mouth on December 02, 2007 in Gansbaii, South Africa, Atlantic Ocean. Carcharodon carcharias is notable for its size, with larger female individuals growing to 6.1 m in length. However, most are smaller. Males measure 3.4 to 4.0 m, and females measure 4.6 to 4.9 m on average. (Getty Images) This species of shark lives in temperate and subtropical waters worldwide, often migrating seasonally to its preferred temperature range (50 - 80 degrees), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Ernst is barely older than a juvenile shark. Advertisement Advertisement "Weve noted tagged white sharks utilizing this part of the northeastern Gulf in other years - most commonly well offshore and near the continental slope," stated Ocearch Data Scientist, John Tyminski. "Seeing one move within a few miles of shore is certainly less common and highlights our need to better understand the drivers of this apex predators movements in the Gulf." Top 10 Us Cities With The Best Nighttime Tourism Opportunities Revealed Scientists will continue to monitor this shark's movements and, hopefully, acquire more data on why Ernst has swum so close to shore. Original article source: See it: 12-foot great white shark named 'Ernst' pings off coast of Alabama this week The deadline for entering Kentucky's upcoming primary elections is behind us, and the fields for each race are now set. Louisville Metro offices on the ballot will include mayor and odd-numbered Louisville Metro Council seats. The 2026 elections mark Louisville's first year of nonpartisan elections, meaning candidates will not be identified as Democrats or Republicans on the ballot. In the primary election, set for May 19, the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November. Advertisement Advertisement For nonpartisan races that have two or fewer candidates running, candidates will automatically advance to the November election. Those races include Metro Council Districts 1, 7, 11, 13, 15 and 25 and are not listed in this story. The races for Jefferson County Clerk, Jefferson County Sheriff and Jefferson County Attorney remain partisan. The Courier Journal was unable to gather information about some candidates prior to publication. If you are a candidate who would like to share information for this story, please contact reporter Killian Baarlaer. Here's who is running for Louisville Metro offices in May, listed in alphabetical order: People vote during Tuesday's special election for Kentucky's 37th District Senate race at the Beechwood Community Center in south Louisville, Kentucky December 16, 2025. Louisville mayor Matthew Bailey Bailey, age 21, describes himself as an "aspiring politician" in the bio of his campaign Instagram account. In a brief conversation with The Courier Journal, he identified himself as a Democrat and said he regularly volunteers at a museum in La Grange and graduated from the Academy at Shawnee. Tina Burnell Burnell is the founder of the Louisville Metro Watchdog Alliance and has said her campaign will focus on government transparency and combatting corruption. She formerly served as a legislative aide for Metro Councilwoman Crystal Bast, a Republican representing District 14. Stephen Dattilo Dattilo ran as a Republican for the District 21 Metro Council seat in 2022, garnering 34.6% of the vote in a loss to Betsy Ruhe. Bob DeVore DeVore ran for Louisville mayor in 2014 as the Republican opponent against then-Mayor Greg Fischer. He lost the race, winning 31.3% of the vote. Craig Greenberg Greenberg is running as the incumbent and is seeking his second term. He ran as a Democrat in the 2022 election and named public safety as his top priority at his 2026 campaign kickoff event. Lisa M. Holliday Harris Holliday Harris described herself as a "conservative woman," in an interview with The Courier Journal. She said the top issues of her campaign are bringing more entrepreneurial initiatives to west Louisville, improving Jefferson County Public Schools and making housing more attainable for young people. Jody Hurt Hurt ran for a seat on the Jefferson County Board of Education in 2022, losing with 33.9% of the vote, election records show. JusAustin Lane Douglas Lattimore Lattimore ran as a nonpartisan candidate in the 2018 mayoral race against Fischer, a Democrat and the incumbent at the time, and Republican candidate Angela Leet. Lattimore garnered 315 votes, election records show. Shameka Parrish-Wright Parrish-Wright is a progressive Democrat who currently serves as the Metro Council member for District 3. She ran against Greenberg in the Democratic primary in 2022, coming in second place with 21.6% of the vote. Bill Wells Jeffrey Yocum Yocum describes himself as a "Christian, Vet, Patriot, Husband, Father" in his X account bio. Louisville Metro Council District 3 Keisha Dorsey Dorsey represented District 3 as a Democrat on the council following her election in 2018 and left the council in 2023 to become the deputy chief of staff for Greenberg's office. Dorsey was terminated from the mayor's office in 2024 in a series of events that have since spiraled into a legal dispute. She told The Courier Journal in December that affordability, safety and accountability will be the top issues for her campaign. Shaun Spencer Spencer is an entrepreneur and the founder of the West Louisville Dream Team, the organization attempting to purchase the Nia Center from TARC. She has an endorsement from Parrish-Wright. In a Facebook post after she filed to run, Spencer said she will focus on listening to the community's needs, creating "common-sense laws" and supporting responsible development, among other focus areas. Kumar Rashad Rashad is a math teacher at Breckinridge Metropolitan High School and vice president of the Jefferson County Teachers Association. He served as the District 3 council member for roughly nine months in 2023 after Dorsey vacated the office and before Parrish-Wright won a special election. Primary focuses of his are education and providing more opportunities for youth. Louisville Metro Council District 5 Betty Bailey Bailey is a JCPS bus driver and co-founder of Purpose Over Profit, a nonprofit that helps people pursue life goals. Bailey sees division as the districts biggest challenge and hopes to bridge neighborhood and generational gaps by investing in shared spaces and supporting small businesses. Ray Barker Barker, a retired Louisville Metro Police officer and anti-violence advocate known as "Sir Friendly C," lost to incumbent Metro Councilwoman Donna Purvis in the 2022 primary. His priorities include public safety, economic development, rebranding west Louisville and youth programs, according to his campaign website. LaVon Clack Clack ran for the District 5 council seat in 2018 but lost to incumbent Purvis. He runs a nonprofit called Prominent Youth of America, which focuses on youth education and entrepreneurship. His campaign website names violence prevention, youth development, senior citizens, education and workforce development as priorities. Dave Duncan Duncan sells life insurance and holds two social work roles focused on youth offenders and substance abuse. His priorities include boosting west Louisville's economy with a particular focus on small businesses and improving public safety. Wallace Garner III Garner is a retired JCPS teacher and U.S. Air Force veteran who has been involved in the Louisville community in several capacities for decades, according to his Facebook. Aprile Hearn Hearn became interested in public policy after the 2020 police killing of Breonna Taylor and has been engaged as a local community organizer since. She describes herself as a democratic socialist on her campaign website and names neighborhood health and safety and improved access to public education as key aspects of her platform. Donna Purvis Purvis, a Democrat first elected in 2018, is seeking her third term as councilwoman for District 5. In an October interview with The Courier Journal, Purvis said her experience, legislative record and ability to work across the aisle set her apart from her opponents. Metro Council District 9 Alison Brotzge-Elder Brotzge-Elder ran in the District 9 Democratic primary in 2022, losing to Andrew Owen and collecting about 28.4% of the vote. The Louisville native is a communications professional running on a platform that focuses on community development, preserving natural resources, improving transportation options and boosting public safety. Mark England England has years of experience in the real estate business, having started England Associates Realtors in 2014, according to a social media post. In the post, he said District 9 "deserves practical, accountable leadership." Andrea Parr Parr is a technical analyst, organizer and democratic socialist, who, if elected, plans to fight for working-class people and families in District 9, according to her campaign website. Budget reform, affordable housing and investment in public space are among her policy priorities. Charles Todd Todd's Instagram bio says he is "community-driven leader fighting for affordability, safety and real healthcare access." Metro Council District 17 Merideth Booth Booth is an ambassador for the Louisville Metro Office for Women and an at-large chair for the Louisville Democratic Party executive committee. Her priorities include safe infrastructure, investments in parks and community spaces, supporting small businesses and nonprofit organizations, and community engagement and inclusion. Nancy-Lynne Walters Walters works for a biotech company in the neuroscience division and spent 14 years as a television news journalist before that. She is a current member of the Anchorage Independent Board of Education. Her top priorities include public safety, infrastructure and economic growth. Markus Winkler Winkler, a Democrat first elected in 2018, is seeking his third term on the council. He served as the Metro Council president in 2023 and 2024. Metro Council District 19 Alex Feria Feria is the founder of the mortgage brokerage Feria Financial and is engaged in the local community as an advocate for economic development, safer neighborhoods and civic involvement, according to his campaign website. If elected, he plans to donate his Metro Council salary to a small business or charity. Anthony Piagentini Piagentini is the incumbent councilman for District 19, first elected in 2018. He has over a decade of experience in Louisville's health care sector and is a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve veteran. He will chair the Metro Council's Republican caucus for the fifth time in 2026. Davanta R. Scruggs According to his Facebook page, Scruggs is the lead pastor of New Mount Zion Baptist Church of Shelbyville. He is also the community engagement and research specialist for the West End Opportunity Partnership, according to the organization's website. Metro Council District 21 Savannah Hughes Hughes told The Courier Journal in an email that District 21 "deserves safer streets, smarter infrastructure, thriving small businesses, and strong community." The Wilder Park resident added the district deserves a leader "who will authentically engage with constituents, elevate their voices, and fight for them in Metro Hall." Lonnie Joseph Joseph, who works in manufacturing, is president of the Wilder Park Neighborhood Association and a member for the Fourth Division Louisville Metro Police Department Advisory Board. If elected, Joseph said he would push for safer neighborhoods and public schools, improved roads and open communication between constituents and Metro Government. Betsy Ruhe Ruhe is the incumbent councilwoman for District 21, elected as a Democrat in 2022. She was a military police officer in the Army Reserve and served in Desert Storm. She taught special needs children at JCPS before retiring in 2021. In 2025, she was the vice chair of the council's Parks and Sustainability Committee. Ben Spalding In an email to The Courier Journal, Spalding said his top priority if elected is protecting District 21 from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He also wants Louisville recognized as a sanctuary city after Greenberg changed a policy in June to remove the city from a Trump administration list of places said to impede immigration enforcement. Spalding said affordability is another top issue for his campaign. Metro Council District 23 Jeff Hudson Hudson is the incumbent councilman for District 23 and was first elected in 2022. The Republican worked at GE Appliances as a mechanical engineer and program manager for more than 25 years. Ainsley Jones Jones serves as an instructional coach at a JCPS school aimed at educating special needs children with severe disabilities, she said in an email to The Courier Journal. She is "especially committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive community" and is passionate about serving vulnerable populations and ensuring all community members have equitable access to resources and opportunities. David R. Steff Steff has served as president of the Apple Valley Property Owners Association for 25 years and is a commissioner on Louisville's Planning Commission. His priorities include improving public infrastructure to ensure it can support new development in suburban areas and increasing police patrols in the community. Jefferson County Attorney Sarah Martin, Democrat Martin has served in the Jefferson County Attorney's Office as an assistant county attorney for 16 years, according to her campaign website. She has worked as a criminal prosecutor, a civil rights lawyer and an advisor to Metro Council in her career. She is currently the director of the Civil Division in the Jefferson County Attorney's Office. Karl Price, Democrat Price is a trial attorney who previously served as a senior prosecutor in the Jefferson County Attorney's Office until 2015, according to his LinkedIn profile. He lost in the 2022 Democratic primary to Mike O'Connell, who is not seeking a fifth term as county attorney, . Jefferson County Clerk Rosalind 'Roz' Welch, Democrat Welch has a professional background in the retail field, working with stores across the U.S. to remodel and enhance customer retail experiences, according to her campaign website. Her platform focuses on accountability, accessibility, engagement, efficiency and security. David Yates, Democrat Yates, a former Metro Councilman and state senator, has served as the interim Jefferson County Clerk since October, following the death of longtime Clerk Bobbi Holsclaw. His campaign website describes him as a "proven leader you can depend on." Jefferson County Sheriff Richard Breen, Democrat Breen is an attorney and founder of Richard Breen Law Offices, which practices accident and injury law. He served as a Jefferson County Sheriff's deputy before launching his legal career. He is committed to bringing the values of service, integrity and security to office if he is elected, according to his campaign website. Steve Healey, Democrat Healey is a former Louisville Metro Police colonel and chief of the Pewee Valley Police Department who currently serves as chief deputy of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office under Sheriff David James. On his campaign website, Healey says he is "committed to public safety through collaboration and trust." Stephen Yancey, Democrat Yancey worked for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for nearly three decades and currently works for Piedmont American Airlines. In the 2022 Democratic primary, he lost against longtime Sheriff John Aubrey, drawing 32.5% of the vote. Yancey pitches himself on his campaign website as a candidate who will "bring honesty and integrity" to the sheriff's office. Advertisement Advertisement Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor. This story may be updated with additional details. Killian Baarlaer covers Louisville Metro Government. Reach him at kbaarlaer@courier-journal.com or @bkillian72 on X. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville mayor, metro council candidates in 2026 primary elections GOP Rep. Rob Bresnahan last year bought stock in a major supplier for data centers that subsequently boomed in value at the same time he was encouraging data centers to be built in his Pennsylvania district. In June, Bresnahan bought between $1,001 and $15,000 of stock in Credo Technology, a company that provides electric cables and chips for data centers, according to a House report he filed in July. Bresnahan spokesperson Hannah Pope said the purchase totaled $1,454. Since then, the share price of Credo stock has risen about 109 percent joining the set of AI companies ballooning in value. The trade, which has not been previously reported, comes as data centers have become an increasingly hot-button political issue and his Democratic opponent has sought to make Bresnahans stock trading a top issue in the campaign. Bresnahan, a top target for Democrats in the midterms, has been under scrutiny for his stock trading. Among his trades, Bresnahan sold up to $130,000 in Medicaid providers stock a week before he voted to make cuts to Medicaid in Trumps big beautiful bill, NBC News recently reported . The first-term congressman campaigned in 2024 on a pledge to support a ban on congressional stock trading. Whether or not they have done something wrong, the idea that we can buy and sell stocks while voting on legislation that will have a direct impact on these companies is wrong and needs to come to an end immediately, he wrote in a letter in the Pottsville (Pa.) Republican Herald. But since taking office a year ago, he has made 648 trades, making him the fifth-most-active stock trader among members of Congress, according to Capitol Trades , which tracks congressional stock trading. Two months before buying Credo stock, Bresnahan talked up the potential of data centers to create jobs in his northeastern Pennsylvania district. I am pleased to hear that companies are looking to Northeastern Pennsylvania for their data centers, which can serve as catalysts for economic growth and technological innovation for our region, he told the Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader in April. In July, Bresnahan joined Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in praising private equity firm Blackstone after it announced plans to invest $25 billion in northeastern Pennsylvania to build data centers and power plants to power them. An Emerson College poll in December found that 54 percent of people in northeastern Pennsylvania opposed building data centers in their area, though 61 percent said they would create a significant number of jobs. Greenlands leaders and residents have hit back at President Donald Trumps takeover talk, saying they are tired of being treated like a prize to be claimed. Greenlandic MP Per Berthelsen told the Financial Times: They are treating us as if we were merchandise in a shop. I have difficulties seeing the difference between the way the Americans are acting towards Greenland, and Russia, where you can see that the interest is to make their [territory] bigger. U.S. President Donald Trump takes questions from the members of the press aboard Air Force One on January 11, 2026 en route back to the White House from Palm Beach, Florida. / Samuel Corum / Getty Images We are not for sale. We dont want to be Americans, we want to be Greenlanders, Berthelsen, a former Greenlandic foreign minister, told the Financial Times. Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to live in an American empire, resident Maja Overgaard said in the same report, while fisherman Helte Johannsen dismissed Trump outright: I dont think that Trump knows anything about Greenland. Trump has ramped up his threats to take over Greenland after the U.S. kidnapped Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro in an unprecedented military move, and said it would run the country during a transition period. During a press gaggle aboard Air Force One on Sunday, the president was asked whether he was still planning U.S. military action against Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with US oil companies executives in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on January 9, 2026. / SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images If we dont take Greenland, Russia or China will, Trump said. And Im not letting that happen. Advertisement Advertisement When asked if Greenland could offer him anything, he said, Sure, Id love to make a deal with them, thats easier. But one way or the other, were gonna have Greenland. Trump made a similar threat in a speech to Congress in March. On Sunday, he clarified his approach: Look, were talking about acquiring, not leasing, not having it short term. Were talking about acquiring. And if we dont do it, Russia or China will. And thats not going to happen when Im president. He repeated the threat Friday, telling reporters, We are going to do something in Greenland, whether they like it or not, and added he would do it the hard way if a deal could not be reached. Advertisement Advertisement Denmark and Greenland have consistently rejected the idea, warning that U.S. military action could threaten NATO and emphasizing that Greenland is not for sale. Last week, Greenlands government and opposition issued a joint statement: We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders. The future of Greenland must be decided by the Greenlandic people. Greenland, home to around 56,000 people mostly near Nuuk, is largely covered by ice but holds strategic and economic importance. Its location makes it vital to U.S. military early-warning systems, and melting ice has opened access to valuable resources, such as rare-earth minerals, drawing growing international interest. Its not fun being 56,000 people and having these threatsif you can call them thatfrom a giant like the US, Masaana Egede, editor of Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq, told the BBC last week. Advertisement Advertisement The citizens of Greenland are nervous about this, because this is not something that we take lightly. A 2025 Verian poll showed that only 6 percent of Greenlanders are in favour of becoming part of the U.S., with 9 percent undecided. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) says President Donald Trumps takeover of Venezuela was not about American national security interests, but about whats best for Trumps Mar-a-Lago oil industry buddies. Appearing Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press, moderator Kristen Welker asked the Connecticut senator about his past comments describing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as an illegitimate leader, and about his claims in 2019 that getting rid of Maduro would be good for the United States. Politics: Minnesota, Twin Cities Sue Federal Government To Stop Immigration Crackdown Is Venezuela now better off without Nicolas Maduro? Do you give the Trump administration some credit for that? Welker questioned. Advertisement Advertisement Doubling down on his comments, Murphy reiterated that Maduro is an illegitimate leader while also calling Russian President Vladimir Putin an illegitimate leader. He argued, however, that doesnt mean that its good policy to invade those countries. What we have seen over and over is that American military hubris, thinking that we can impose a political reality on a foreign country by force, ends up making us less safe, he explained. So yes, I thought that it was important for America to pursue a diplomatic strategy with our Latin American allies to try to force elections in Venezuela so as to allow the Venezuelan people to move Maduro out of power. I have never supported an invasion of Venezuela. Because I think Welker then interjected to ask, But is [Venezuela] better off? Politics: '**** Straight We Did': Stephen Miller Admits U.S. Invaded Venezuela In On-Air CNN Outburst Well, apparently this new person in charge, Delcy Rodriguez, is imposing a brutal crackdown on the Venezuelan people thats worse in some ways than what Maduro did, he continued. So for the Venezuelan people, nothing has changed. Advertisement Advertisement Murphy added: All that seemingly has changed is that American oil executives are going to get access to greater amounts of profit out of Venezuela. Rodriguez, who served as vice president to the now-dethroned Maduro since 2018, stepped in as acting president of Venezuela following Maduros capture by U.S. forces earlier this month. Rodriguez has fiercely defended Maduros regime against accusations of drug-trafficking and election-stealing. At a Jan. 3 news conference, Trump said he thinks Rodriguez is willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again, but ominously told The Atlantic a day later that if she doesnt do whats right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro. Politics: In Venezuela Takeover, Trump Makes It All About The Oil Shortly after Trumps news conference, Rodriguez condemned Maduros capture as an atrocity that violates international law, adding that Venezuela is ready to defend our natural resources. Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere in the interview, Welker asked Murphy about his thoughts on Trumps repeated remarks about annexing Greenland, which prompted the senator to declare that the right-wing leader has been spending no time thinking about the actual crises that are being visited on American families. Arguing that Trump is distracted by things that dont matter to the American people at a moment where the American people are in crisis, Murphy added, That is the underlying reality of a White House that has become out of control. Watch Murphys appearance on Meet the Press below. Related... Read the original on HuffPost The number of attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians in the West Bank rose by 25% last year, according to a report by the newspaper Haaretz, citing figures from Israels defence establishment. Asked for comment, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that "over the past year, there has been an increase in both the scope and severity of settler violence." In response to the trend, the IDF said that the military, police, border police and the Shin Bet security agency set up a joint task force to prevent, disrupt, investigate and prosecute violence against Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, more than 1,700 settler attacks have been recorded, Haaretz reported. Last year alone, 845 incidents left more than 200 people injured and four killed, according to the paper. In 2024, 149 Palestinians were injured and six killed in 675 attacks, it said. The increase is not due solely to a rise in isolated incidents but to the growing involvement of larger, organized groups that receive support from politicians and well-known far-right activists, the report said, citing army assessments. It also pointed to the spread of so-called "farms," whose number has risen from around 30 before the Gaza war to more than 120 at present. According to the Israeli rights group B'Tselem, these farms are agricultural outposts through which settlers take control of land in the West Bank without formal Israeli authorization, unlike recognized settlements. Haaretz reported that residents of such farms are frequently implicated in attacks on Palestinians. "Anyone who ignores the establishment of nearly 100 new farms since the start of the war should not be surprised by the rise in nationalist clashes and criminal offences," the newspaper quoted a senior defence official as saying. Checking off the sights on vacation can be tiring, with arduous journeys from one landmark to another. But in these tiny European countries, sightseeing without schlepping is guaranteed. Even the biggest can be easily driven across in a few hours, while the smallest is about the size of the average shopping mall. The appeal doesnt end there. Theyre no less memorable for their size, packing in an extraordinary concentration of eye-opening landscapes, culture and fascinating history within their pint-sized dimensions. Advertisement Advertisement Theres the minute nation thats home to over 70 castles and a hidden labyrinth; the bijou principality with over 65 mountain peaks above 6,500ft and over 190 miles of ski slopes; and the country thats smaller than Central Park in New York where youll find some of the most glamorous hotels in the world and a top-tier Formula 1 motor-sport circuit. Our portfolio of petite nations also includes one thats home to some of the greatest art ever created. Next, the big question: which one would you like to visit first? 1. Luxembourg Luxembourg City Old Town is a Unesco-listed district built on a rocky outcrop (Getty/iStock) Luxembourg is the largest country on this list at 998 square miles, yet thats only two-thirds the size of Rhode Island. Advertisement Advertisement However, its hugely rewarding culturally and has an enticing concentration of forests, valleys, and spellbinding architecture, plus a generous peppering of medieval castle sites. In fact, its known as the Land of Castles, with over 70 scattered within its borders. Not-to-be-missed highlights include the 11th-century castle of Vianden in the northeast of the country; the Mullerthal Region, dubbed Little Switzerland for its fairytale gorges and waterfalls; and the Bock Casemates subterranean tunnel network in Luxembourg City, a hidden labyrinth that fans out beneath the Old Town. Above ground, wander the cobblestone streets of this beautiful, Unesco-listed district, located at the confluence of the Alzette and Petrusse Rivers on a dramatic rocky outcrop. To refuel, duck into snug Chocolate House Nathalie Bonn for a hot chocolate and pastry, or Brasserie du Cercle for Luxembourgish classics such as Judd mat Gaardebounen (smoked pork collar with broad beans) and bouneschlupp (green bean soup with potatoes and bacon). Getting there: Fly to Paris or Frankfurt, then hop on a high-speed train to Luxembourg City in around two hours. Direct flights operate seasonally. Once youre there, public transport nationwide is free. Advertisement Advertisement Where to stay: Hotel Le Royal Luxembourg (from $300 per night) is located in the heart of Luxembourg City and features an indoor pool and spa, a fine-dining restaurant and soundproofed, en-suite accommodations with free wifi and 24-hour room service. Read more: Seven Unesco sites in Europe that are worth the hype 2. Andorra A spectacular spot to take in the majesty of Andorras landscape is the Mirador Roc del Quer viewpoint (Getty/iStock) The pint-sized principality of Andorra sandwiched between France and Spain is just 181 square miles, or about four-fifths the size of Chicago. But it packs a punch scenery-wise, with over 65 peaks above 6,562ft and one, Coma Pedrosa, towering to a height of 9,656ft. A spectacular spot to take in the majesty of Andorras landscape is near the town of Canillo at the Mirador Roc del Quer viewpoint, a dramatic viewing platform that juts 40ft out from a cliffside 6,400 feet above sea level. Advertisement Advertisement During the summer months, Andorra is a mecca for cyclists and hikers, and a playground for skiers during the winter: between its two principal ski areas, Grandvalira and Pal Arinsal, there are 219 slopes that would stretch to 191 miles end to end. To refuel for summer and winter activities, visit the capital, Andorra la Vella, and try some hearty Pyrenean cooking (think potato and cabbage hash and slow-cooked meats) at restaurant Borda Sabate. Getting there: As Andorra has no airport or rail station, youll need to fly to Barcelona in Spain or Toulouse in France, and continue by car or direct bus. The drive time from both cities is around three hours. Where to stay: Sport Hotel Hermitage & Spa (rooms from $420), about a 25-minute drive north-east of Andorra la Vella, has ski-in/ski-out access, plus indoor and outdoor pools and a stunning spa thats almost worth the trip alone. Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 10 awe-inspiring European road trips everyone should experience at least once 3. Liechtenstein Vaduz Castle is one of tiny Liechtenstein's biggest attractions (Olyasolodenko/stock.adobe.com) At just 62 square miles, the microstate of Liechtenstein, wedged between Switzerland and Austria, is slightly smaller than Washington, DC you could set off in the morning and drive across it twice before lunchtime. But its a country youll quickly realize should be slowly savoured. Amble around the capital, Vaduz, and youll discover fascinating museums to explore, from the Liechtenstein National Museum (for history) to the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein (for modern art), and charming cafes to linger in. While at the picture-postcard Vaduz Castle you can soak in panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Advertisement Advertisement For more majestic mountain views, drive to the alpine village of Malbun. From here, you can hike well-marked trails in a single afternoon along ridgelines that separate three countries. Getting there: Liechtenstein doesnt have a commercial airport. The easiest way in is to fly to Zurich, Switzerland, then continue by car or bus to Vaduz, which takes up to two hours. Where to stay: Park Hotel Sonnenhof (rooms from $430), perched above the capital, offers boutique luxury and stunning valley views. Read more: Seven European lakes you must visit at least once from A-list favorites to under-the-radar gems 4. San Marino The City of San Marinos medieval towers which sit atop Mount Titano (Getty/iStock) At 24 square miles, San Marino covers an area that is around three-fifths the size of Floridas Disney World theme park. Advertisement Advertisement The theme in San Marino? Resolutely Italian: it lies in northeastern Italy and is surrounded by it on all sides. And that geography shapes everyday life in the microstate the official language is Italian, pasta is the national cuisine and the architectural vibe is Italian hill town. However, San Marino is fiercely independent, and claims that its founding date of AD 301 makes it the oldest surviving republic in the world. To discover its fascinating history head to the Unesco-listed old town of the City of San Marino, which sits atop Mount Titano and is home to three grand towers: 11th-century Guaita, 14th-century Montale, and crowning the highest point of Mount Titano at around 2,400 ft above sea level 13th-century Cesta. Guaita and Cesta are both open to the public, the latter being home to the Museum of Ancient Arms. On clear days you can see the glistening Adriatic, 15 miles away, from the top. Advertisement Advertisement Afterwards, wander the Old Towns maze of cobblestone lanes and visit Ristorante Righi for a taste of the local pasta dishes. Getting there: San Marino has no airport or train station. Fly to Bologna, hop on a train to Rimini, then drive or take a bus to San Marino City, a journey of around 45 minutes. Where to stay: Titano Suites (rooms from $220) sits within the historic center of San Marino City, putting the towers, picturesque streets and expansive vistas on its doorstep. Read more: 10 great British cities to visit instead of London (that are far less crowded) 5. Monaco Monaco is only three-fifths the size of Central Park, but has plenty of glitz and glamor (Mirko/stock.adobe.com) Monaco, nestled between France and the Mediterranean Sea, is the second smallest country in the world at just 0.8 square miles or about three-fifths as big as Central Park in New York City. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in glitz and glamor. Advertisement Advertisement Eye-catching houses and hotels are stacked together, one above the other, on a hillside overlooking a harbor perpetually packed with superyachts. While legendary landmarks stand almost cheek by jowl. Stroll from the Casino de Monte-Carlo to the Opera de Monte-Carlo and the striking Oceanographic Museum, then take the elevator up to the Old Town, Monaco-Ville, where youll find the Princes Palace of Monaco home to the ruling Grimaldi family and seasonally open to visitors. The harbor at Port Hercule is also a memorable spot for a stroll, but factor in some time to get behind the wheel of a hire car and trace the route of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, which sees hairpin roads double as exhilarating sections for one of the worlds most prestigious motor sport circuits. To eat, try Le Castelroc in the Old Town for Provencal classics and harbor views. Getting there: Fly to Nice, then take the train or drive. The journey along the Monaco coast takes around 25 minutes. Where to stay: Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo (rooms from $650), opposite the casino, is a showstopper inside and out, with Belle Epoque architecture, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant and lavish bedrooms. Read more: Billionaire lifestyle on a budget: How to do a bucket-list trip to the F1 Monaco Grand Prix 6. Malta The incredible Blue Lagoon off the coast of Comino, one of the three main islands in the Maltese archipelago (Getty/iStock) Visit Malta and youll discover over 7,000 years of history squeezed into a country that, at 122 square miles, is slightly smaller than the city of Los Angeles. Plus, the three-island archipelago made up of Malta, Gozo and Comino is home to some of Europes dreamiest beaches, coves and lagoons. For the most intense history hit, linger in Maltas enchanting capital, Valletta, built by the Knights of St John in 1566 and now a Unesco World Heritage Site crammed with 320 monuments, from St John's Co-Cathedral to the opulent Grand Master's Palace. Just south of the city is the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum monument, a remarkable subterranean cemetery dating back 6,000 years. You can also step back in time in mysterious Mdina, the ancient capital. There, historical, car-free lanes thread between ornate, honey-colored churches and grand palaces. The beach, meanwhile, is a year-round option, with the Blue Lagoon off the coast of Comino one of the most sensational spots for a swim thanks to its incredible milky-blue waters. For a refined take on Maltas cuisine, book a table at Noni in Valletta, where you can indulge in the likes of ember-grilled sea bream served with cuttlefish, cabbage and spinach; and suckling pig with roast-bone sauce. Getting there: Fly to Malta International Airport. From the U.S., most services connect via London or major European hubs. Valletta is around 20 minutes by car from the airport. Where to stay: The grand Phoenicia Malta (rooms from $360) lies just outside Vallettas city gates and blends postcard-worthy harbor views with sumptuous interiors and top-tier amenities, including an indoor and outdoor pool. Read more: Best hotels in Valletta for a stylish stay in Maltas capital 7. Vatican City Vatican City is officially the world's smallest country, at just 0.17 square miles (Givaga - stock.adobe.com) Smaller than the average shopping mall, and walkable in minutes. Welcome to Vatican City, entirely enclosed by Rome and measuring just 0.17 square miles. Yet within lies a lifetime of art, architecture and religious history. At the countrys heart is the vast colonnaded piazza of St Peters Square, where the Pope addresses the world. It forms the grandest of entrances to St Peters Basilica, the heart of Catholicism and the largest church in the world by interior area (275,750 sq ft). Inside are Renaissance masterpieces, notably Michelangelos Pieta, and steps leading to the top of the dome from where you can gaze across the Vaticans rooftops and into Rome beyond. A short walk away is the Vatican Museums complex, a treasure house containing a seismic art and antiquities collection amassed over centuries and, without fear of hyperbole, one of the most spellbinding artistic achievements in human history: Michelangelos ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. To refuel and reflect, book a table at Ristorante Arlu. Its just outside the Vatican walls and serves classic Italian comfort fare. Getting there: Fly to Rome, then take the metro to OttavianoSan Pietro or walk in from nearby neighborhoods. Where to stay: Luxurious Residenza Paolo VI (rooms from around $400) has a bar overlooking St Peters Square and can organize art tours of Rome with art history graduates. Read more: Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Hotel, Rome, hotel review By Maria Tsvetkova and Aleksandra Michalska NEW YORK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - New York City nurses walked out of 10 major private hospitals across the city on Monday to demand increased staffing, funding of health benefits and protection from workplace violence often coming from patients. Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is just two weeks into his term, joined the picket lines to support 15,000 nurses that the New York State Nurses Association said were on strike. Advertisement Advertisement "They are not asking for a multi-million dollar salary. What they are asking is for their pensions to be safeguarded, to be protected in their own workplace, to receive the pay and the health benefits that they deserve," Mamdani told reporters. Mount Sinai said that the union's proposals would cost it $1.6 billion over three years, with a $638 million increase in nursing costs by the third year, which is 74% more than current costs. New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul had declared a disaster emergency last week, allowing out-of-state and foreign medical personnel to cover for striking staff. The disaster emergency is in effect until February 8. On Monday morning, dozens of nurses spoke of lack of healthcare benefits and inability to take adequate breaks during their shifts as they rallied outside a NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in uptown Manhattan. NewYork-Presbyterian is one of three healthcare networks affected by the strike along with Mount Sinai and Montefiore. Advertisement Advertisement "In the operating room, I work as a night nurse and we're always short on staffing and this is unsafe for the patient," said Michael Lazar, a 53-year-old NewYork-Presbyterian nurse. Mount Sinai said it had secured more than 1,000 qualified and specialized agency nurses to cover for striking medics and to deliver care for "however long a strike may last." NewYork-Presbyterian said all of its hospitals were open and continued to provide services. Montefiore did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A notice on its website said that services would not be impacted by the strike. Advertisement Advertisement The union and the hospitals held the last round of the negotiations the day before the strike, according to Mount Sinai and NYSNA. As of Monday evening, there was no information about the next talks. (Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova; editing by Donna Bryson and Stephen Coates) A 35-year-old man is in the hospital being treated for multiple gunshot wounds after a shootout with Jacksonville police Sunday in the Brentwood area. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said officers were called to a home in the area of 22nd Street East and Main Street North at about 6:45 p.m. for what he called an armed drug complaint. Responding officers came out and cleared the called, JSO Chief Paul said at a news conference after the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement JSOs drug task force returned to the scene later in the day to do surveillance, so they could see if there was any illegal activity from the residence where the complaints were coming from, Paul said. Two officers were sitting in an unmarked police vehicle at about 9:18 p.m. when a man, identified as Samuel Deandre Cook, walked around the vehicle, Paul said. When Cook approached the front of the vehicle, he pulled out a handgun and pointed it at the officer. The officers fired multiple shots at Cook through the windshield, Paul said. Cook ran away and the officers chased him for about two blocks. During the chase, Cook fired shots at the officers who continued shooting at Cook who took cover behind cars, Paul said. Cook eventually surrendered to the officers and was taken to the hospital. The officers were not injured. Advertisement Advertisement >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Community members joined the family of a sheriffs office volunteer killed in the line of duty to dedicate an intersection in his memory on Monday. Sgt. Rob Muth, a retired law enforcement officer, was directing traffic as a volunteer for the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office during the Cumming Christmas Parade Dec. 13 when a vehicle hit him. He died of his injuries Dec. 14. Cumming dedicated the intersection of Castleberry and Buford Dam roads the Sergeant Rob Muth Memorial Intersection. Advertisement Advertisement On hand for the sign presentation alongside members of Muths family were Mayor Troy Brumbalow, City Council members Christopher Light, Joey Cochran, Jason Evans, Susie Charles-Carr and Chad Crane, Sheriff Ron Freeman, Forsyth County Sheriffs Office deputies, Citizens Emergency Response Team volunteers, Cumming Police Department officers, Forsyth County Fire Department Chief Barry Head and firefighters. Muth was described as a lifelong public servant, having retired from the Boca Raton, Florida, Police Dept. after 21 years of service. He served the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office as a Bluecoat Security Officer for two years, as a volunteer with the sheriffs office Citizens Helping in Policing Unit and, most recently, with Citizens Emergency Response Team. The driver involved in the collision with Muth, Ronnie Jake Kirby, 68, was charged with four misdemeanors. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The shifting demand for remote talent amid global business growth The upswing in remote work has been the most conspicuous employment trend in recent memory, driven initially by necessity, before employee expectations and demand shifted along with it. This creates opportunities for fast-growing businesses seeking new strategies to perpetuate their expansion, both domestically and globally. When entering the global marketplace, the challenge to be competitive is especially steep. Solutions and services that might be keenly priced back home might not be so affordable in other regions. Remote working trends help here, too. Advertisement Advertisement A deluge of data points drives this home, and its worth covering them to understand better what remote work means for global business growth right now. For that reason, SmartScale360 examined how remote work trends are reshaping global talent acquisition. Facts that define remote work today Much attention is paid to the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic provided the catalyst to kick-start the ongoing remote work revolution, before the trend softened as offices reopened. This phenomenon was so marked that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau altered their Current Population Survey to ask respondents about their teleworking habits as a means of gauging the change. As a result, data now provides a clear picture of how things stand. BLS data shows that 35.5 million people worked remotely in 2024. Thats an annual increase of 5.1 million, representing almost a quarter of the entire American workforce. Even more interesting is that when respondents are filtered by level of education, 40.4% of those with at least a bachelors degree worked remotely. Advertisement Advertisement Other data points that inform this discussion come from the World Economic Forums Future of Jobs Report 2025, which focuses on employers rather than employees and emphasizes the growth of access to digital tools as the main force for transformation. Sixty percent of the businesses surveyed said they felt this trend would significantly alter their operations between now and 2030. In turn, the WEF study raises the issue of demographic shifts in labor markets that can be interpreted as contributing to the remote talent trends discussed here. First, in higher-income nations, the one-two punch of aging populations and shrinking working-age populations creates concerns for employers. Next, countries with lower average incomes are seeing a rapid increase in the number of working-age citizens. This inevitably reconfigures where and how demand for talent is sought. The acceleration of outsourcing Because of the factors outlined so far, modern businesses have had to adapt to embrace remote work as an option for employees. At the same time, the need to lower operational costs in order to succeed in expanding across global markets puts pressure on budgets. Advertisement Advertisement Organizations are no longer limited by geography; instead, they are prioritizing skill availability and cost-efficiency. This has led to a rise in cross-border hiring strategies, where forward-thinking leaders are bypassing tight domestic labor markets to secure top-tier talent from a truly global pool. A similarly intriguing statistic comes from the Remote Work Index, compiled by FlexJobs. It found that while remote job listings were actually down by 4% in Q3 of 2025, the types of roles being offshored remained stable in their distribution. The largest category here was that of roles requiring experienced employees, accounting for 66% of the market. In contrast, just 7% of roles being outsourced internationally were for entry-level employees. This indicates that growing businesses are seeking to expand access to in-house talent without compromising skills or experience, while still securing lower costs to fuel expansion into competitive global markets. How demand for remote talent will continue to change The simple takeaway is that remote work remains a transformative trend for businesses expanding internationally because it eliminates obstacles between ambitious organizations and the talent they need to grow. Advertisement Advertisement This raises the question of whether domestic employees will come to expect a salary squeeze because they must compete with international counterparts for available roles. However, with the rise of automation and AI, which are also putting pressure on professionals across the spectrum, this may be less of a concern than in previous eras. Going forward, the employment market should effectively be seen as truly global. Remote work provides flexibility for businesses and employees alike, and with the majority of organizations embracing it, the far-reaching impacts already recorded will only intensify and coalesce. This story was produced by SmartScale360 and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Simone Moro is back in Italy, recovering from the heart attack he suffered in Nepal while preparing to climb Manaslu in winter. He is currently planning a return to climbing. And the entrepreneurial Moro wants to expand his helicopter flying by setting up aerial rescue companies in Pakistan and Patagonia. Moro spent Christmas in Italy, but not with his family. He had to remain in the hospital for tests to confirm the preliminary diagnosis by Nepalese doctors. Good medical news Moro was finally released by the end of the year, with some good news. Advertisement Advertisement "Doctors say my heart didn't suffer too much despite being without assistance for 24 hours since I suffered the [heart attack] and was airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu," he told ExplorersWeb. "Specialists said I can return to doing what I was doing before, including climbing 8,000'ers." Moro will have a stress test done next week. Beyond that, he is taking it easy. Before leaving the hospital, however, he talked with some media about the possible cause of his health problems and his future plans. Left to right, Nima Rinji Sherpa, Simone Moro, and Oswald Pereira at Manaslu Base Camp during the 2024 attempt. Photo: Nima Rinji Sherpa Dehydration and too much altitude After consulting with the medical teams in Nepal and Italy, Moro concludes that the heart problem was caused by dehydration, an "unforgivable" mistake that he says would have cost him his life if the attack had happened on the summit of Mera Peak rather than back in base camp. "I didn't drink enough, I got dehydrated and, as blood thickens with altitude, the risk of developing a blood clot is very real," he told La Repubblica. File image of Simone Moro acclimatizing in Nepal. Photo: Facebook Moro says the afternoon after he returned from the summit, he felt a severe, sudden pain in his chest and left arm. He knew instantly that something was wrong and called for help, but due to the weather, helicopters could not fly until the following morning. He had to deal with the pain through the evening and the night. Back to Manaslu next winter In the hospital in Kathmandu, Moro underwent surgery to unblock his coronary artery. Advertisement Advertisement "I do not know since when or why my arteries were in that state," he said. "It could be a result of too many expeditions at high altitude." According to Infobae, Moro noted that his hematocrit levels are abnormally high, above 60%. "Winter Manaslu has just been postponed, not cancelled," he insisted to La Repubblica. "Next year, I'll try again." Nima Rinji Sherpa and Simone Moro before climbing Mera Peak to prepare for Manaslu. Photo: Simone Moro Karakoram heli rescue project Moro also spoke about a long-term project of his. In the next few months, he wants to start a private aerial rescue service in Pakistan, he told El Pais. Moro operates a helicopter company in Italy with seven helicopters, conducting high-altitude flights and rescues for Nepalese companies during the climbing seasons, including flights at altitudes of around 7,000m on Everest, Manaslu, and Annapurna. A similar service in Pakistan would be game-changing because, unlike Nepal, helicopter flights in Pakistan's mountains are restricted. Only the Pakistan military is allowed to operate helicopters there. During rescues, helicopters fly in pairs for security reasons, and they only take off with permission from military authorities. Simone Moro pilots a helicopter. Photo: Simone Moro/Instagram Already bought two helicopters Moro has partnered with retired brigadier and well-known rescue pilot Rashid Ullah. He was one of the pilots who performed the first long-line rescue in Pakistan, when they airlifted Tomaz Humar of Slovenia from Nanga Parbat. Moro said they have already bought two helicopters and are waiting for authorization by Pakistani authorities to operate in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Sources in Pakistan confirmed the project to ExplorersWeb, but cautiously note that this initiative is still in the planning stage. Brigadier Rashid Ullah. Photo: Pamir Times Patagonia next? He hopes to start operating in Pakistan this year. A little down the road, he is planning to enter another mountain market that currently lacks an air rescue service: Patagonia. Moro told El Pais he is working with an Argentine partner to start a company that will operate in the Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre massifs out of a base in El Calafate. NEED TO KNOW Six Flags parks throughout the country may undergo a name change New trademark applications reviewed by PEOPLE showed a series of "Enchanted Parks" filed under the basis of "amusement park services" The trademark names seemingly line up with a handful of current Six Flags properties A handful of Six Flags properties throughout the country may undergo some big changes in the near future. New trademark filings submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office between Jan. 8 and Jan. 9 seem to suggest potential name changes or even the sale of several Six Flags properties throughout the country. Advertisement Advertisement According to the filings, which were reviewed by PEOPLE, an entity called Enchanted Parks Holdings, LLC filed nine trademark applications last week. The applications were filed for amusement park services; amusement park and theme park services in addition to clothing namely, T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets" and more, per the documents. Google Maps The applications included filings for a general Enchanted Parks, as well as Enchanted Parks St. Louis, Enchanted Parks Michigan Adventure, Enchanted Parks Great Escape Lodge, Enchanted Parks Oceans of Fun, Enchanted Parks Galveston, Enchanted Parks Camping Resort, Enchanted Parks Water Safari and Enchanted Parks Waters Edge Inn. The filings seemingly line up with numerous existing Six Flags properties operated by the company: Six Flags St. Louis; Michigans Adventure in Muskegon, Mich.; Six Flags Great Escape park in Queensbury, N.Y.; Six Flags joint Worlds of Fun and Ocean of Fun in Kansas City, and Six Flagss Schlitterbahn waterpark in Galveston, Texas. Bill Greenblatt/UPI/Shutterstock A ride at Six Flag's St. Louis A ride at Six Flag's St. Louis Two other filings, Enchanted Parks Water Safari and Enchanted Parks Waters Edge Inn, seemingly reference two non-Six Flags properties in Old Forge, N.Y.: Enchanted Forest Water Safari and Waters Edge Inn, which seem to be operated by Innovative Attraction Management. Advertisement Advertisement Innovative Attraction Management, based in Florida, did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. The filings were all listed under Enchanted Parks Holdings, LLC, a company based in Delaware with a mailing address in Orlando, Fla. According to Delawares Division of Corporations, the business was formed on Dec. 18, 2025. Brett Comer/Houston Chronicle via Getty The Schlitterbahn waterpark in Galveston, Tx. The Schlitterbahn waterpark in Galveston, Tx. The attorney representing the company in the filings did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment. Gary Rhodes, Six Flags corporate director of communications, did not directly address the recent filings in a statement shared with PEOPLE. We have been reviewing our park portfolio and are committed to making decisions that strengthen the company and position us for profitable growth, he said in an emailed statement. Advertisement Advertisement Late last year, Six Flags hinted at closing underperforming parks after a series of repeated revenue shortfalls. During a company earnings call last November, Six Flags executive VP and CFO Brian Witherow said the company needs to be more strategic in allocating investment dollars, later emphasizing their ability to sell off and monetize parks that were not going to contribute to a great deal of growth. Getting the portfolio smaller and more nimble is a priority, he said. We're going to look at the parks where our returns are the greatest, where the opportunities for growth are the highest, and we're going to focus on those parks and the other parks we'll look to monetize and use those proceeds to reduce debt. 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. On Sunday, Nov. 2, the company welcomed guests to the Six Flags America amusement park in Bowie, Md. for one last time. The park, which opened as a drive-thru safari park in 1974 and later acquired by Six Flags, closed after 50 years of operation. Read the original article on People We recently published 10 Stocks Jim Cramer Talked About. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer talked about. Heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) is a stock Jim Cramer consistently discussed throughout 2025. The CNBC TV host insisted that the firm had exposure to AI through its products that enable data center construction. As 2025 ended, Bernstein raised its share price target for Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) to $630 from $557 and kept a Market Perform rating on the shares. It explained that the firm could benefit from the alignment between monetary and fiscal policy. In January, Bank of America kept a Buy rating on the shares as part of its preference for mining equipment providers over agriculture equipment providers. Cramer continued to assert the AI tailwinds for Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) and explained how the firms Chairman Jim Umpleby has been crucial in shaping its business: "Caterpillar (CAT)s incredible," Says Jim Cramer Copyright: jarretera / 123RF Stock Photo I gotta tell you this, Caterpillars incredible. Because the more you dig into it, the more you say, even NVIDIA recognizes the role of Caterpillar. That company has so pivoted. David, theres companies that we remember, that companys at 56. I remember when Goldman downgraded, before it was at a 100. What happened is, that you had just a, Jim Umpleby came in, and said were done. Were done with this episodic, were done with the idea that China, was it good, was it bad. What were gonna do is, return money to shareholders, were gonna grow the business, were gonna go into all new areas, because he was from solar, and it worked! While we acknowledge the potential of CAT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 30 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 11 Hidden AI Stocks to Buy Right Now. AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr. The Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery removed text referring to President Donald Trumps impeachments when it replaced his portrait in an exhibition of U.S. presidents last week. The previous portrait of Trump shown in the gallerys Americas Presidents exhibition included accompanying text describing Trumps career and time in office a similar format to the wall text descriptions of other presidential portraits in the gallery. Advertisement Advertisement The text included the lines: Impeached twice, on charges of abuse of power and incitement of insurrection after supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, he was acquitted by the Senate in both trials. But when the previous portrait was replaced on Thursday with one taken by White House photographer Daniel Torok, all accompanying text was removed, save identifying Trumps birth year and naming him as the 45th and 47th president. Trump is the only president whose display in the gallery did not include any extended text as of Sunday. Notably, the text accompanying President Bill Clintons official portrait notes that he was impeached for lying while under oath about a sexual relationship he had with a White House intern. The gallery said in a statement that the change was part of planned update to the exhibit, noting that it had previously rotated two photographs of Trump from its collection before hanging Toroks. Advertisement Advertisement The museum is beginning its planned update of the Americas Presidents gallery which will undergo a larger refresh this Spring, the gallery statement said. For some new exhibitions and displays, the museum has been exploring quotes or tombstone labels, which provide only general information, such as the artists name. White House spokesman Davis Ingle said in a statement that Toroks portrait was an iconic photo of the president and that his unmatched aura will be seen and felt throughout the halls of the National Portrait Gallery. The Smithsonian took a similar action in July when its National Museum of American History removed and the restored mentions of Trumps two impeachment proceeding from an exhibit entitled The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden. When Trump attempted to fire National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet in May, the White House compiled a list of grievances about her alleged bias which included the Gallerys mentions of Trumps impeachments, according to The New York Times which reviewed the list. Advertisement Advertisement The president has been a frequent critic of what he has referred to as the institutions woke practices. In August, Trump fired off a Truth Social post attacking the Smithsonian Museum for a host of things including showing how bad slavery was. The post Smithsonian Strips Mention of Trumps Impeachments in New Portrait Display first appeared on Mediaite. A former nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit in a Virginia hospital is expected to plead guilty to child abuse charges this week, according to her attorneys. Erin Strotman was charged last year in connection to mysterious injuries that appeared on newborns dating back several years, officials said. Multiple investigations were launched into how these babies could have been harmed and Strotman was hit with a total of 20 charges relating to her alleged cruelty toward nine premature babies who were under her care between 2022 and 2024. This includes charges of malicious wounding and felony child abuse, according to local news outlets. Advertisement Advertisement The headline alone was alarming last year: A nurse at Virginia hospital had been accused of abuse in a case where prosecutors said she intentionally broke the bones of at least one newborn baby in a neonatal intensive care unit. If that wasnt disturbing enough, there was, at least one news report said, another chilling dimension to the story: The babies, seven in total, were victimized because they were Black. The former nurse, one article in the Daily Mail read, was accused of racism as she targeted Black babies. But police said that there was just one problem with that story: It was wrong. Advertisement Advertisement In what the authorities described as a case of misinformation gone viral, the racial element of the abuse case at the hospital in Henrico County, Virginia, was inaccurate. Police tried to correct the record by releasing a statement on Jan. 7, 2025 without naming a specific news publication or social media influencer as the source of the misinformation. Henrico Police is aware of editorial social media videos discussing the Henrico Doctors Hospital NICU investigation, read a statement from the Henrico County Police Department. These individuals in the video claim the victims were targeted by the suspect on account of their race. The preliminary investigation indicates this information is not factual. While the police did not identify the racial backgrounds of the children who were abused, two Black parents, who said on social media that their children were victims of the crime, denied that race played a role in the abuse. One parent, Dominique Hackey, said in a video on TikTok that three of the babies, including his son, were Black and four of the babies were white. They are all boys, he added. Advertisement Advertisement This is not a hate crime, said the other parent, a Black mom, in a separate video posted on social media. Stop saying that. Please stop saying that. If you want us to get justice do it the right way. The rebuttals came too late to squash a firestorm of posts on social media, with users and celebrities posting videos and messages expressing their outrage that unbeknownst to them was based on misinformation. Former nurse Erin Elizabeth Ann Strotman has been charged with injuring at least one premature baby at Henrico Doctors Hospital in Henrico County, Virginia. (Courtesy of the Henrico County Sheriffs Office) Strotman was arrested on Jan. 3, 2025. Her case was part of a broader ongoing investigation into the entire NICU . The white nurse from nearby Chesterfield County was suspected of fracturing the bones of up to seven babies, Hackey said. (Police have not specified how many babies might be involved beyond the one charge currently against Strotman.) As a result of Strotmans arrest, the hospitals NICU has stopped accepting new patients. Advertisement Advertisement I hadnt even held my son before he was abused, said Hackey in the video, where he responded to questions about why he did not hold his child. Its because Im a Black man in America. I didnt want there to be any type of confusion over who [had] done it, he added, without losing focus on the cameras lens. I wanted, with undeniable, you know, conviction, to be able to say that I hadnt even held my son before he was abused. Strotman was facing a felony charge of child neglect and a charge of malicious wounding in connection to an incident involving an infant on Nov. 10, 2024. If convicted, she could face up to 10 years in prison on the child neglect charge and up to 20 years for malicious wounding. We are both shocked and saddened by this development in the investigation and are focused on continuing to care for our patients and providing support to our colleagues who have been deeply and personally impacted by this investigation, hospital officials said in a news release last year. Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Strotman has been held without bail at the Henrico County Jail since her arrest. My thoughts are with the families of the injured children, who suffered harm while in a facility designed to provide comfort and care, said Shannon Taylor, the chief prosecutor for Henrico County, in a statement. I assure the public that the investigation of these matters will be thorough and, if sufficient evidence arises to establish the criminal culpability of other individuals, additional charges will be brought forthwith. A 2023 Virginia Department of Health report obtained by Capital B revealed the hospital failed to report in August and September suspected abuse of four premature infants within 24 hours. Once health inspector investigators learned the four premature babies suffered fractures, the families, law enforcement, and other necessary agencies were notified. Advertisement Advertisement Then, on Jan. 17, 2024, two new security systems were installed at the hospital that allowed parents to view their babies every hour, on the hour in the NICU. The hospital also instituted a daily examination of all NICU babies led by neonatologists, and NICU-wide in-person safety training, according to the report. But on Nov. 22, 2024, Henrico County detectives responded to a report of a 5-month-old baby boy in the NICU with a fractured left femur, right tibia, and multiple rib fractures, according to the criminal complaint. Imaging of the newborns broken bones reviewed by medical staff determined that the breaks happened 7 to 10 days prior. The Henrico County Division of Police said theyre reviewing dozens of videos from inside the NICU and detectives are re-examining the 2023 and 2024 cases that involved six other babies as part of this broader investigation. Detectives combed through hours of footage that brought them back to Nov. 10, 2024. What investigators saw on camera led to Strotmans arrest. Advertisement Advertisement She was allegedly seen on camera placing her weight down on the legs of the baby then taking both legs and pushing them backwards to where his feet were at his head, according to the criminal complaint. The baby appeared to be crying in distress. One parent of an injured baby could not be reached for comment; Hackey declined to comment. My son knew pain before he knew any type of happiness, any type of joy, anything, said Hackey in the video. That doesnt sit right with me. He added, It is heartbreaking to me. The post Nurse Accused of Harming NICU Babies Expected to Plead Guilty appeared first on Capital B News. Workers lay fiber-optic cable at a broadband expansion site near Colton, South Dakota, in May 2023. (Photo by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight) Its expensive to extend fiber-optic cable to the remaining locations in South Dakota that dont have high-speed internet, so the state is leaning into providers offering service from satellites in space. The states ConnectSD initiative, which began in 2019, had helped bring broadband access to 91% of South Dakota by 2024. A state report noted the remaining 9% would be costly, given the price of bringing miles of fiber to remote areas with few customers. Advertisement Advertisement The broadband initiative has cost $300 million so far, with funding from federal, state and private sources. Gov. Larry Rhoden announced recently that the state will soon receive another $72 million in federal funding for the effort. A little more than a third of the new funding will go toward Low Earth Orbit Satellite technologies, like SpaceXs Starlink, to reach 2,705 of the 7,060 locations in the state targeted for the funds. Most of the other targeted connections will come by way of fiber-optic cable, and 177 will come via signals beamed from cellular towers. The satellite funding will not be used to pay for individual subscriptions, said a spokesperson for the Governors Office of Economic Development. Instead, the award reserves network capacity with the provider so service is available in those locations, said Bri Vande Pol. The provider is reimbursed on a per-location basis only when a customer subscribes to the service. Advertisement Advertisement Vande Pol said the federal funding requires providers to make high-speed internet available to each eligible location for at least 10 years. She said the provider receives 25% of the award upon confirming service is available, and the remaining payments for the reserved network capacity are made quarterly over the 10-year period. The new federal money comes from the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, authorized by the 2021 Infrastructure and Jobs Act, passed during the Biden administration. Under the Trump administrations changes to that program, states are encouraged to use a technology-neutral approach and connect locations in the most efficient way possible, Vande Pol said. In some of South Dakotas most remote areas, Low Earth Orbit satellite service is a strong, reliable solution that meets performance standards while allowing us to maximize the reach of available BEAD funding, she added. Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX As of June 2025, South Dakotas ConnectSD program had used $84.4 million in state general funds, $88.5 million in federal funds and $129.6 million in private investment from broadband providers to connect about 31,000 locations. The state and federal money has mostly been spent on grants to service providers, to help them expand their networks. Rhodens latest proposed budget asks lawmakers to authorize $87 million in federal funding to be spent on broadband in the coming fiscal year. Rhoden spokeswoman Josie Harms said the $72 million figure announced in a press release represents the amount that will actually be awarded to the subrecipients. The $87 million amount is the total spending authority, which includes the project costs as well as administrative costs and marketing costs, she wrote in an email to South Dakota Searchlight. North Korea has threatened to retaliate against hooligans in South Korea after alleging that spy drones were flown across the heavily militarised border. Pyongyang said that on Jan 4, a reconnaissance drone with two fixed cameras was detected flying northward from Incheon, a South Korean city near the capital Seoul. North Korea claimed the drone had been sent to film Pyongyangs major objects and could stay airborne for hours at a time. Advertisement Advertisement A statement from the countrys military strongly denounced the hooligans behind the serial outrageous encroachment upon our sovereignty and undisguised provocative acts against us. The ROK [Republic of Korea] military warmongers will be surely forced to pay a dear price for their unpardonable hysteria, the statement added. The drone allegedly flew five miles into North Korean airspace before it was struck with special electronic warfare assets over Kaesong, a North Korean city near the border. Pyongyang has claimed the drones filmed areas of North Korea - KCNA via KNS/AFP North Korea alleged that the two cameras contained videos of the country lasting just under seven minutes each. Advertisement Advertisement The relevant video data are a clear proof that the drone violated the territorial air of the DPRK for surveillance and reconnaissance of its area, the statement said. Seoul denied the allegation and said that it did not possess the type of drone that North Korea claims was used. Lee Jae-myung, the president of South Korea, has ordered a military investigation into the issue to establish the facts around the alleged incursion. The military is swiftly co-operating with police in line with the presidents directive, and a military-police probe is currently under way, said Chung Binna, the spokeswoman for the South Korean defence ministry. Advertisement Advertisement North Korea took down another drone allegedly sent by Seoul in September, which it said also contained a video of major objects. Pyongyang has also accused Seoul of using drones in the past to drop propaganda leaflets into the country. Efforts to improve relations blocked Since coming to office in June, Mr Lee has sought to improve relations with the North, but there has so far been little progress. While in China last week, Mr Lee also said that he had asked Xi Jinping to serve as a mediator between North and South Korea because all efforts had been completely blocked. The South Korean president said that the Chinese president appraised our efforts and said we need to be patient. Advertisement Advertisement The drone incident last week has left residents of Incheon worried that circumstances could escalate. One resident told The Korea Times that they were anxious because our village was mentioned as if it were a target and if a drone was able to cross over the heavily militarised border, then South Korean and American intelligence might not be working properly. 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. SpaceX launched its third mission of the year from Florida's Space Coast on Monday afternoon while preparing for the early return later this week of Crew-11 from the International Space Station. A Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Stations Space Launch Complex 40 at 4:08 p.m. Eastern time on the Starlink 6-97 mission with 29 Starlink satellites. This was the 25th flight of the first-stage booster, which made a recovery landing downrange on the droneship Just Read the Instructions stationed in the Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement It marked the third launch so far this year, which have all been from SpaceX flying from SLC-40 on Starlink missions. Its next two planned flights from Florida will follow suit, targeting launches on Wednesday during a window that runs from 1:01-5:01 p.m. and then Sunday during a window from midnight to 3:17 a.m., both flying up another 29 Starlink satellites. NASA and SpaceX have also announced plans to bring the four members of Crew-11 home this week after it was deemed one of the crew who suffered a medical issue on board the International Space Station would fare better if brought home early. The Crew Dragon Endeavour, which launched with NASA astronauts Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov to the station from Kennedy Space Center on Aug. 1, 2025, will cut its stay short with a docking no earlier than 5 p.m. Wednesday. The quartet would then splash down in Pacific Ocean after a nearly 11-hour trip home around 3:40 a.m. Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement NASA did not say which of the crew members suffered the medical incident, but it did force NASA to postpone a planned spacewalk that was to involve Fincke and Cardman. Fincke had been in command at the station on what is now Expedition 74, but handed over those duties to Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov during a ceremony on board the station on Monday afternoon. Its bittersweet, Fincke said. I wish it were longer, but we have what we have, and it was really it was a lot of fun. The departure of Crew-11 will leave the station with only three people on board until the next SpaceX Crew Dragon arrives, the two cosmonauts and lone NASA astronaut Chris Williams, who flew to the station on a Soyuz spacecraft in November. They aren't slated to finish their stay until later this year. Advertisement Advertisement The station has been continuously occupied for more than 25 years, and ran with just three-person crews from 2011-2020 for the most part after the end of the Space Shuttle Program. SpaceX then brought launches from the U.S. back when it flew test mission Demo-2 in May 2020, and have since performed 11 crew rotation missions to the station, so the normal ISS crew complement was seven. SpaceX has opted to bring its Crew Dragon spacecraft home a few times before the relief crew arrives, but normally theres a few days of handoff where the station population climbs to 11. Crew-11 was originally targeting a return in late February after the arrival of Crew-12, which had been targeting a launch to the station no earlier than Feb. 15. NASA and SpaceX, though, are in discussions to see if that timetable can be pushed up. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the operations around Crew-12 would not compete with the potential launch of the Artemis II mission, which could fly as early as Feb. 6 from KSCs Launch Pad 39-B. Advertisement Advertisement These are would be totally separate campaigns. At this point, we would as we mentioned before, were still evaluating what earlier dates would be achievable, if any, for Crew-12. So right now, were going to look at all operations, all of our standard processes to prepare for Crew-12, and look for opportunities if we can bring it in while simultaneously conducting our Artemis II campaign. Theres no reason to believe at this point in time that thered be any overlap, that wed have to deconflict for. NASA plans to roll out the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft to the pad as early as Saturday for more tests ahead of what would be the first crewed Artemis mission. If successful, it could line up launch in early February, although NASA has carved out launch opportunities for early March and April as well. _____ Spanish special forces have seized nearly 10 tons of cocaine on a freighter coming from Brazil in the Atlantic Ocean, authorities said on Monday. They said this is the largest cocaine seizure on the high seas in the history of the Spanish National Police. The ship was intercepted and boarded 290 nautical miles (just under 540 kilometres) west of the Canary Islands. All 13 crew members, who are reportedly from India and Serbia, were detained, the statement said. A firearm was also confiscated. Advertisement Advertisement The cocaine was reportedly hidden in a shipment of salt. According to the statement, the historic blow against the South American cocaine mafia took place last week. The Spanish forces were assisted in their investigations by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics (MAOC-N), to which Germany and other European countries belong, and the authorities in France, Britain and Portugal. The ship was taken to the port of Santa Cruz in Tenerife, where it has been anchored since Sunday afternoon. According to Spanish media reports citing National Police spokesmen, no other European country has ever achieved such a major cocaine bust on the high seas. Scenes of the operation can be seen in a video released by the Spanish police. According to official findings, Spain is increasingly becoming one of the most important gateways for the South American cocaine trade in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement In October, special police units seized 6.5 tons of cocaine on a freighter in the Atlantic. "The whole of Europe is currently being flooded with cocaine, and Spain plays an important role as a gateway to the continent," Joan Ramon Villalbi, the government commissioner for Spain's National Drug Plan, told Spanish lawmakers last year. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday announced "urgent and decisive" measures to address Spain's deepening housing shortage. The package is set to be enacted in the coming weeks through royal decree, Sanchez said at the inauguration of a public housing project on a former military site in Madrid, where 10,700 new homes are to be built. The government will crack down on fraud and abuse in rental contracts and create incentives for landlords that benefit long-term tenants, Sanchez said. Advertisement Advertisement The centrepiece of the left-wing government's plan is tighter regulation of tourist and short-term rentals, which Sanchez said have distorted local housing markets. The measures are intended to prevent the abusive practice of reclassifying standard rental agreements as temporary leases. Measures will also be introduced to curb abuses in room rentals. At the same time, landlords who extend long-term rental contracts without increasing rents will in future be granted a full tax exemption on the related rental income. Spain's central bank recently estimated the country's housing deficit at around 700,000 units, which is 100,000 more than in its 2024 estimate. A royal decree, which supplements existing legislation, does not require parliamentary approval to take effect. Jan. 12MOSES LAKE January is Stalking Awareness Month and those who work with victims want people to know that it is a serious issue and there is help available. "Stalking is usually a factor in a domestic violence victim's experience," said Abraham Tapia, a legal and community advocate with New Hope, which provides domestic violence support in Grant and Adams counties. "Following them around town, trying to access their social media." The month is meant to draw attention to an especially dangerous form of abuse. One out of three women in the U.S. will experience stalking at some point in their lives, according to statistics from the Stalking Prevention, Awareness, & Resource Center, and one in six men. More than a third of stalking cases involve a current or former intimate partner. Advertisement Advertisement Washington state law defines stalking as intentionally and repeatedly harassing or following another person and causing them emotional distress. That goes a long way beyond merely Googling their name or checking out their public social media pages, said Grant County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. "It's taking action to try to infiltrate their life and find out information about that person and use it in a way that's not in good faith," Foreman said. There are cases where stalkers are acquaintances or even total strangers, according to SPARC, but those don't happen much in the Basin, Tapia said. "For the most part it's somebody who's known to the victim who's doing the stalking," he said. "We have had people be stalked by a neighbor or by someone in the community, and those will take a little more work to identify who the stalker is. But in my experience, it's rare to see that kind of case. It's usually people who know each other." Advertisement Advertisement As a component of domestic violence, stalking adds a whole new dimension to the abuse. Physical abuse requires the perpetrator to be actively present, but the psychological effects of stalking can keep on traumatizing the victim in between physically violent episodes. It's also a lot harder to document for the authorities, Tapia said. "(Stalking) is sometimes a difficult thing to prove versus an abuser who physically assaults a victim," he said. "There's bruises and there's marks on their body, whereas stalking is more of a psychological abuse. And unless they have (the stalker) on camera following them around town, it's harder to prove." It's scary enough being followed by your abuser, Tapia said, but when there's not enough evidence for the police to take direct action, the feeling of helplessness makes everything harder. "They can report that their ex was following them around town or showing up at their work," he said. "But usually, the people who are stalking are a little bit more equipped to avoid detection in what they're doing. A lot of abusers who will just deny it outright or give another explanation as to why they were in the same place." Advertisement Advertisement That's even more prevalent in a small, rural community like those in the Basin, Tapia said. An abuser is likely to know the victim's daily routine, and there are only so many places they can be. Also, in today's high-tech world, they don't even have to be in the same place to stalk their victim. "Showing up (at the store or restaurants) whenever they're going someplace, that's the traditional stalking," said Moses Lake Police Captain Jeff Sursely. "But you can (also) be on their (social media) pages, their feeds, using fake profiles. There's a lot of different ways to harass somebody digitally." Nearly half of stalking cases include both in-person and electronic methods, according to SPARC. An intimate partner may have their victim's social media or bank account password or be able to obtain it. They may go into social media spaces and harass or humiliate their victim, or they may use it to find out where their victim will be at a given time, so they know where to follow them. They may impersonate the victim or contact their friends and family to smear their reputation or damage their personal relationships. A technique Sursely said he's seen is the use of electronic tracking devices. For a small price, you can get a small disk about an inch and a quarter in diameter that emits a signal that its owner can track with their cell phone. Some operate only within a short range; others can tap into satellite networks and let their owners know their location anywhere in the world. It can be attached to a phone, a key ring or a wallet to make sure its owner doesn't set it down and walk away. It can also be slipped into a purse or attached to a car. Advertisement Advertisement "We've had a couple of cases where people were using (tracking tags) to follow people," Sursely said. "Usually, it's somebody who figures out that it's occurring and then comes and reports that their phone is showing a (tag) within so many feet." There are apps that can detect if a tracking tag is being used in the vicinity, Sursely said. Anyone who thinks they're being stalked should immediately contact New Hope or the police, Tapia said. New Hope has resources for helping a victim get a protection order in place. That protection order can make all the difference, he said. "It puts the power in their hands, and then they can start reporting (the activity)," he said. "And if they can report it in a way where they have some kind of proof that the stalking did occur, then charges could follow through for the violation of a protection order as well." Advertisement Advertisement If there's a protection order in place, stalking becomes a felony under Washington law, which gives law enforcement more tools to put a stop to it. New Hope has a screening process advocates use to assess the danger a victim is in and what steps need to be taken to ensure their safety. Sometimes the risk is relatively low, but other times, the victim has to take some serious action. Some people have to move out of the area, but even then, often their harasser can find their new address, and it will all start up again. The State of Washington has a program called the Address Confidentiality Program that allows a person at risk to keep their address out of public records. A participant is assigned a post office box that they can use as their legal home, work or school address. All mail will be sent there, and then forwarded to the participant's actual address. That actual address is stored in a secure facility with no public access, according to the state's website. The ACP program can also make sure the person's information is kept out of publicly available records like voter registrations or marriage records that are ordinarily available online. New Hope advocates can help with applying for that program, Tapia said. "Stalking is emotional abuse in any form," Tapia said. "It can be just as damaging as physical abuse because it sticks with a client in a psychological sense; it's an infliction of fear for the victim. A bruise, it'll go away. But someone who's adamant on stalking and keeping a victim under surveillance, it's pretty malicious." Anyone who thinks they might be stalked, or who is experiencing any other sort of domestic abuse, can contact New Hope in confidence 24 hours a day at 1-888-560-6027, or come to the New Hope office weekdays at 311 W. Third Ave, Moses Lake. More information is available at New Hope's main line, 509-764-8402. On the Monday, January 12, 2026, episode of The Excerpt podcast: Following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, we looked at the growing anxiety within Venezuelan immigrant communities in the US. USA TODAY National News Reporter Lauren Villagran joins USA TODAYs The Excerpt to discuss how Maduro's capture might impact the residency status of immigrants and asylum seekers. Hit play on the player below to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript beneath it. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text. Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here Advertisement Advertisement Dana Taylor: On January 3rd, 2026, US Forest has captured Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and flew him to New York to face drug charges. Well, his arrest has led to questions regarding who will control Venezuela's vast oil reserves. Venezuelan immigrants are now left wondering how long they'll be allowed to remain in the US. Hello and welcome to USA TODAY's The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Monday, January 12th, 2026. Joining me now to discuss the fall of Maduro and how it's playing out in Venezuelan immigrant communities in America is USA TODAY National News Reporter, Lauren Villagran. So good to speak to you, Lauren. Lauren Villagran: Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for having me, Dana. Dana Taylor: Lauren, you wrote that sobering realities are setting in. Why does the arrest of Maduro put the legal status of some Venezuelan immigrants in the US in limbo and how many immigrants are we talking about here? Lauren Villagran: Yeah, there's not a perfect number because there is some overlap in the numbers in terms of what people have applied for, but the fact of the matter is that more than 600,000 Venezuelan immigrants lost their temporary protected status after the Trump administration revoked it last year. And the administration has taken a number of other steps, Dana, to curtail the legal pathways that Venezuelans had in the United States. That includes the cancellation of a humanitarian parole program called the CHNV Program. And they're also sort of squeezing asylum as well, looking to have cases dismissed or thrown out before a judge can rule on the merits. Advertisement Advertisement Dana Taylor: Deporting immigrants to Venezuela became easier for the US after President Donald Trump took office in 2025. What was the process like in previous years and what changed with the new Trump administration? Lauren Villagran: So Venezuela was one of the nations that the US considered recalcitrant, meaning that they frequently would not receive a deportation flight. And that was a huge issue in the Biden administration, although there were at one point negotiations that did allow for some deportation flights, but those had stopped in January of 2025. The Trump administration was able to negotiate a new order in which Venezuela began accepting deportation flights regularly. At one point, it was every Wednesday and Friday. Advertisement Advertisement But Dana, the fact remains that the Trump administration has wanted to deport millions of immigrants in this country, and Venezuelans have in some cases been the poster face of that deportation effort. But even with dozens of deportation flights that occurred last year, the Trump administration deported roughly 14,000 Venezuelans to Venezuela in 2025. Now, that's just a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in the United States now living without legal protections. Dana Taylor: When were the last deportation flights from the US to Venezuela and where does that leave Venezuelan immigrants in the US? Lauren Villagran: Advertisement Advertisement So the last known deportation flight from the United States to Venezuela occurred on December 10th. US immigration and customs enforcement tells me flights have not paused." But one organization that closely tracks ICE deportation, "Flights tells USA TODAY that there have been no additional deportation flights since that date. Dana Taylor: President Trump has made no secret about US interest in Venezuela's oil reserves. Is this operation also part of the president's immigration agenda? What has the administration said about deportations? Lauren Villagran: Yeah. So it's early days still, and it's unclear whether the fact that deportation flights have not been landing regularly in the past week or so is an indication of what's to come. Certainly Maduro's ouster is fresh still. We know that the administration has wanted to create conditions in which Venezuelans could return to their home country, but Venezuelans I've spoken with in the diaspora and the United States, as hopeful as some maybe do believe that conditions on the ground in these early days are still very complicated. You have a regime in place that is essentially the same one that was built up around Maduro. You have seen repression in the streets and the sort of celebrations and celebratory mood that you saw in Venezuelan communities in the United States has not materialized in Venezuela given the repression. Advertisement Advertisement Dana Taylor: You spoke with 53-year-old Neyorka Melendez who fled Venezuela in 2015, was granted asylum in the US. Tell me about the work she and her husband have been doing for former immigrants from Venezuela. Lauren Villagran: Neyorka and her husband spoke with our colleague, Eduardo Cuevas, about their work aiding Venezuelan immigrants who have arrived in New York. They themselves fled Caracas in 2015 early in the Maduro regime. She was a vocal critic of that government and they sought and won asylum in the United States. Now, she described it as a dream that one day she would be able to return to Venezuela if only to visit, but doesn't believe the conditions are right for that now for her or any Venezuelans. Advertisement Advertisement Dana Taylor: I was going to ask how they feel about Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's interim president, and if this was the change they were hoping for. Lauren Villagran: Look, the Venezuelans I've spoken to of all political stripes certainly want to see their country return to democracy. There are some who believe that leaving the regime in place was the right step for the Trump administration to maintain some semblance of stability, both economic and political in the country at this delicate moment. There are others that are aghast that the opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado would be sidelined as she was in the wake of this operation. But again, it's still early days elections have not been called. If they were to be called, it's unclear whether they would be fair. We know this regime outside observers have said lost the last election in Venezuela, but essentially retained power under fraud. So it's a developing situation, one that Venezuelans in the United States, regardless of their political stance, are happy to see Maduro ousted, but that doesn't mean that conditions on the ground in Venezuela are ready or ripe for democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Dana Taylor: Well, I know you spoke with the president of the local Venezuelan American Republican Club in Doral, Florida. Have you been able to get a sense of how the oust of Maduro is playing out in Venezuelan communities here? Lauren Villagran: Oh, absolutely. In South Florida, particularly in this very Republican community of Doral Florida, the president of the local club, Gustavo Garragory, told me that people are elated. They are grateful to President Trump as well as Secretary Marco Rubio for the successful operation in Venezuela to remove Maduro. But even he said that he is concerned about the vulnerable position that many members of his community are going to be left in with the administration revoking many of the pathways that had allowed them to immigrate under the Biden administration. He told me that there are families who are afraid to take their kids for an ice cream cone on the weekends. They're afraid to go out for pizza. So it's a bittersweet moment in which folks are celebrating Maduro's ouster, but are truly concerned about their ability to live, work, and remain in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Dana Taylor: As you said, it's early days, but are there some immigrants who now want to return to Venezuela? Lauren Villagran: Dana, there surely must be, but the folks that I talk to still believed that the situation is far too tense in Venezuela right now. You have seen already immediately in the wake of Maduro's ouster, key members of the Maduro regime come out to speak to cameras saying the people in the streets know what to do. That was from Diosdado Cabello, who is one of the key figures in the regime. There are collectivos in the street. Those are the armed militias who essentially keep order and enforce the government's repression of opposition. I think that even those like New York in New York who dream of being able to one day go back to a country that she loves, that many in the Venezuela and diaspora love dearly, they just don't feel like it's safe enough yet. Dana Taylor: And then for those who wish to stay in the US, is there a path forward for them? Lauren Villagran: Outside of a marriage-based green card, right now, no. The key protections have largely been erased. Now, asylum applications are reviewed on a case by case basis. So it really is going to depend on how attorneys for US immigration and customs enforcement, what route they decide to take for each individual case and how immigration judges respond, but we know the administration is asking immigration judges to dismiss cases or preemptively cancel them before they can hear the merits of whether someone deserves asylum or not. So it certainly is a moment for a very uphill battle. We've seen the Homeland Security Assistant Secretary, Tricia McLaughlin come out and say on Fox News that Venezuelans should be ready to return, that the conditions in the country are quickly going to improve. So I think we'll be watching in the coming days and weeks to see if the administration changes its policies vis-a-vis the Venezuelan diaspora. Gustavo Garragory, again, the Republican Venezuelan American in South Florida is hopeful that the administration might recognize the difficulties and provide a new path for his countrymen and women. Dana Taylor: Lauren Villagran is a National News Reporter for USA TODAY. It's always good to have you on the excerpt, Lauren. Thank you. Lauren Villagran: Thank you, Dana. I appreciate it. Dana Taylor: Thanks to our senior producer, Kaely Monahan, for her production assistance. Our executive producer is Laura Beatty. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com. Thanks for listening. I'm Dana Taylor. I'll be back tomorrow morning with another episode of USA TODAY's The Excerpt. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Venezuelan immigrants are in limbo following fall of Maduro | The Excerpt South Carolina is known for its affordability and charming amenities; however, it does not rank highly for raising a family. In WalletHub's recently released report on the Best and Worst States to Raise a Family in 2026, WalletHub highlights which states are affordable, safe, well-educated, and enjoyable for families. The company's analysis compares the 50 states across 50 key indicators of family-friendliness, including median annual family income, housing affordability, health care quality, crime rate and school quality. Advertisement Advertisement Here's just where South Carolina ranked for raising a family. The methodology: How did WalletHub get these rankings? Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for family life. The weighted average of each state across all metrics was used to calculate its overall score, and the resulting scores were used to rank-order the states. Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst, explained that raising a family has become significantly more expensive in recent years as the cost of living has risen quickly. In fact, it can cost a family as much as $320,000 to raise a child to age 18, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Advertisement Advertisement In light of the expensive nature of being a parent and the responsibility it entails, its important to live in a city that is affordable while still providing quality health care, education, safety, and enrichment opportunities, said Lupo. SC ranks in bottom 10 of states to raise a family South Carolina ranked 42nd in WalletHub's 2026 report on the Best and Worst States to Raise a Family. The report highlighted several challenges that contributed to South Carolina's low ranking. These challenges were particularly in areas such as family fun, where S.C. ranked 34th, and health and safety, where it ranked 39th. Additionally, the state's education and child care rank of 42 and affordability rank of 45 further impact its standing. Advertisement Advertisement Despite having a better economic status ranking of 23, these factors combined to place South Carolina 42nd overall in the 2026 WalletHub report. Some states offer a more supportive environment for families seeking better opportunities. Top 10 places to raise a family According to WalletHub, among the state rankings for raising a child up to 18, Utah stands out with the lowest separation and divorce rate, which is 1.7 times lower than that of New Mexico, the state with the highest rate. The best states for families include: Massachusetts Minnestoa North Dakota Wisconsin Nebraska New York Connecticut New Hampshire Illinois Maine Bottom 10 places to raise a family The worst states for families include: Advertisement Advertisement Georgia South Carolina Oklahoma Arkansas Louisiana Alabama Nevada Mississippi West Virginia New Mexico Ask the experts: How can states attract young families? Wallethub collaborated with several experts to gather insights into how states can become more attractive to young families. Cassandra D. Chaney, Ph.D., a professor at Louisiana State University, suggests that improving public education and providing affordable childcare are crucial steps. According to Chaney, a professor at Louisiana State University, authorities can strengthen family well-being by investing in high-quality education, accessible childcare, and family-friendly policies such as paid leave and flexible work arrangements. Advertisement Advertisement These investments offer numerous benefits. "Paid leave and flexible work options support both child and parental health by giving families the time needed to bond during the critical early years of development," said Chaney. Particularly, from birth to five." They also help build stronger family relationships, enhance worklife balance, reduce burnout, and improve employee retention. "In addition, these policies allow young families to maintain financial stability while caring for a newborn or growing family," said Chaney. Which increases job satisfaction and contributes to children's long-term cognitive, emotional, and social well-being." Advertisement Advertisement "Expanding access to healthcare and creating safe, livable communities with parks, recreational areas, and cultural amenities further enhance a states appeal to families, said Chanley. States with high resignation rates may also provide competitive employment incentives, livable wages, and supportive social policies, helping attract and retain young or growing families while improving quality of life across multiple dimensions. Dr. M. H. Raza, an associate professor at Missouri State University, emphasizes the importance of creating job opportunities and ensuring safe neighborhoods to enhance the overall quality of life for families. According to Dr. M. H. Raza, Associate Professor at Missouri State University, there are several factors that play an important role for families in determining a suitable place to live. "State authorities need to evaluate their education systems, childcare facilities, healthcare services, and overall quality of life to make them more attractive, affordable, and supportive of young families," said Raza. States should also ensure family safety, create parks and recreational facilities, and promote family-friendly community cultures that encourage engagement and social support." Advertisement Advertisement Economic incentives such as tax breaks for families, strong job markets, and affordable housing programs can further enhance families financial stability. "Authorities must also improve existing transportation infrastructure to meet families current needs and facilitate mobility, said Raza. Authorities can also support families in maintaining a healthy work-life balance by offering family-friendly policies and fostering inclusive and culturally responsive communities, which may increase overall quality of life and family well-being." Since families seek opportunity and stability, states need to prioritize these areas to attract and retain young families, said Raza. Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Is South Carolina a good place to raise a family? WalletHub rank In December 2025, Ecuadors National Assembly approved the governments 2026 budget proposal, with 78 votes in favour, 66 against, and four abstentions. The budget focuses on social programmes, security, and infrastructure development, with total budget spending set at $46.3bn, equivalent to 33.27% of GDP, which represents a 13% increase compared to the 2025 budget spending. It is based on projected real GDP growth of 1.8% in 2026, with nominal GDP estimated at $139.1bn. The macroeconomic framework estimates oil production of 165.5m barrels in 2026, with an average oil price of $53.5 per barrel, significantly below levels seen in previous years. Based on these assumptions, total revenue is estimated at $46.3bn, comprising $21.7bn in current revenues, $8.5bn in capital revenues, and $16.1bn in financing. On the expenditure side, $23.5bn is allocated to current spending, including wages and public services, while $1.8bn is earmarked for public investment and $10.5bn for capital expenditures. The budget projects an overall deficit of $5.4bn, reflecting a $1.8bn gap between permanent revenues and expenditures and a $3.6bn deficit in non-permanent accounts. To meet fiscal obligations and refinance debt, the budget includes a financing requirement of $10.5bn, most of which$8.4bnis earmarked for debt amortisation. Despite limited fiscal space, the budget continues to prioritise social support and funding for local governments. Spending on transfers and subsidies will total $6.3bn, including $1.8bn for social assistance programs such as the Human Development Bond and transport subsidies, and $3.9bn to support social security systems for civilians, police, and the armed forces. Public investment under the Annual Investment Plan will amount to $2.2bn across 388 projects, mainly focused on energy, social development, security, and public administration. In addition, transfers to local governments will reach $4.1bn, while mandatory funding for education and health is set to increase by $695m each. Overall, Ecuadors 2026 budget is likely to have a mixed impact on the construction industry. While planned capital spending, public investment programs, and transfers to local governments will help sustain activity in infrastructure, public buildings, and energy-related projects, tight fiscal conditions and a sizable deficit may constrain the scale and timing of project execution. As a result, the construction industry growth in 2026 is expected to remain moderate, with opportunities mainly concentrated in government-backed projects rather than large, privately financed developments. Sudans military-led government has returned to the capital after it was forced out during the countrys catastrophic civil war. Kamil Idris, the prime minister, announced the government would leave its wartime base in Port Sudan and return to Khartoum, nearly three years after fighting began. The capital, at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers, was badly damaged by street fighting with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) until the government regained control last March. Advertisement Advertisement Fighting had rocked the sprawling metropolis, which is composed of the three neighbouring cities of Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri), for more than two years. The symbolic move puts the government back in the countrys traditional seat of power, but Sudan remains shattered and there is little sign of the war ending. Today, we return, and the Government of Hope returns to the national capital, Mr Idris told reporters, promising better services for residents. Mr Idris addresses the media in Khartoum, telling them that the Government of Hope has relocated to the capital - Ebrahim Hamid/AFP As many as five million people are thought to have fled the capital at the height of the fighting, from a total of nearly 14 million who left their homes across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Large numbers have returned in recent months, but they have found a city often in ruins, with basic sanitation and health services destroyed. The United Nations estimates the capital needs 260m ($350m) of repairs to its basic infrastructure. Despite the end of fighting in Khartoum, Sudan remains effectively partitioned between the warring sides and front lines criss-cross the country, with atrocities continuing. RSF militia overwhelmed the besieged city of El Fasher, in Darfur, in late October. They are thought to have raped and killed thousands from black African groups who had been taking shelter there. As well as uprooting millions, the war has destroyed agriculture and blocked trade routes tipping parts of the country into famine and creating one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Advertisement Advertisement As many as 150,000 people are thought to have died, though the actual toll is unclear because the health system is not working and the dead are often not counted. Credit: X/ @clashreport Sudan has been convulsed by civil war ever since a rivalry between Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto president, and his deputy, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, flared into open fighting in 2023. Both the army and Hemedtis RSF have faced war crimes accusations over the course of the conflict. Each has also turned to foreign backers for money and arms. Pakistan was last week reported to be close to striking a deal worth 1.1bn ($1.5bn) to supply weapons and jets to Sudan. Advertisement Advertisement The deal would include 10 Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft, more than 200 drones for scouting and kamikaze attacks, and advanced air defence systems, Reuters reported. The pact would also include Super Mushshak training aircraft, and perhaps coveted JF-17 fighters developed jointly with China and produced in Pakistan. Relatives check the body bags of victims on Sunday. The remains were moved from makeshift graves with the view to having them reinterred at a cemetery in Khartoum - Marwan Ali/AP Advantage on the battlefield has swung back and forth over the past three years and it is unclear whether either side has the momentum needed to defeat its adversary. The army was caught ill-prepared at the start of fighting and quickly lost swathes of the country. It fought back last year taking Khartoum and other territory, but the RSF has since then successfully won ground behind a barrage of long-range drone attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Sudans army accuses the RSF of being supplied by the United Arab Emirates, which has denied backing either side. 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. The Sudanese army is renewing efforts for an operation to retake the Kordofan and Darfur regions from the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as the civil war rages deep into its third year. The army has been assessing the RSFs capabilities and resources in readiness for launching the military operation with a large number of military formations fully prepared to launch an attack, it said. Any full-scale operation to liberate Kordofan in central Sudan and Darfur in the west would surpass the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) recapture of the capital, Khartoum, in March in terms of the planning that has taken place before the mission, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Reporting from Khartoum, Al Jazeeras Hiba Morgan said the Sudanese army had reorganised and redeployed troops in various parts of Kordofan. We have also seen the Sudanese army retake control of territories in the Kordofan region as well as launch air strikes and drone strikes on several RSF positions in Darfur and Kordofan, she said. And it looks like these are the preparations or the first steps of that offensive that the army has been speaking about in efforts to regain control of territories in Kordofan and Darfur, Morgan added. The SAF on Friday said it inflicted heavy losses on the RSF during a series of air and ground operations carried out in Darfur and Kordofan. Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, the military said its forces conducted strikes against RSF positions, destroying about 240 combat vehicles and killing hundreds of fighters. It added that its ground forces had succeeded in pushing RSF fighters out of wide areas in Darfur and Kordofan, and operations were ongoing to pursue remaining elements. Darfur Governor Minni Arko Minnawi said the recent military action by the SAF in Kordofan has prevented the RSF from laying siege on North Kordofans capital, el-Obeid. But Morgan said people on the ground in the Kordofan region were not reassured by these words and want to see more definitive action from the SAF. Advertisement Advertisement They want to be able to return to their homes with the RSF withdrawing or retreating from the areas that they have taken over. So far, that is not happening, she said. In the meantime, attacks continue. A drone attack carried out by the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-North, an RSF ally, on Monday reportedly killed five people in Habila in South Kordofan state. The RSFs recent resurgence in the vast regions of Darfur and Kordofan has displaced millions more people. Both sides have been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, while the RSF has been implicated in atrocities in Darfur that the United Nations said may amount to genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Recently, the UN described el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, as a crime scene after gaining access to the largely deserted city for the first time since its takeover by the RSF in October, which was marked by mass atrocities. International aid staff visited el-Fasher after weeks of negotiations, finding few people remaining in what was once a densely populated city with a large displaced population. More than 100,000 residents fled el-Fasher after the RSF seized control on October 26 following an 18-month siege. Survivors reported ethnically motivated mass killings and widespread detentions. Fierce fighting and global funding cuts have pushed more than 33 million people towards starvation in what has become one of the worlds severest humanitarian crises, nongovernmental organisations said on Friday as the war passed its 1,000th day. Advertisement Advertisement The conflict has displaced 11 million people internally and abroad and created the worlds largest displacement and hunger crisis. Prime Minister Kamil Idris announced on Sunday the governments return to Khartoum, after nearly three years of operating from its wartime capital of Port Sudan. In the early days of the civil war, which began in April 2023, the army-aligned government fled the capital, which was quickly overrun by the RSF. The government has pursued a gradual return to Khartoum since the army recaptured the city. Today, we return, and the government of hope returns to the national capital, Idris told reporters on Sunday in Khartoum. Sudan's military-led government has returned to the country's capital after nearly three years of operating from its wartime base in the eastern city of Port Sudan. Sudan's Prime Minister Kamil Idris told reporters on Sunday that the "government of hope" was officially back in Khartoum and would begin efforts to improve services for the city's beleaguered residents. The military was forced out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) when civil war erupted between the two sides in 2023. The army recaptured it in a significant breakthrough last March. Advertisement Advertisement Khartoum has been recovering from years of fighting. Roughly five million fled the city at the height of the conflict, according to the UN. Those unwilling or unable to leave described a brutal RSF occupation, which included mass looting and fighters taking over civilian homes. Huge swathes of the city lie in ruins. In October, UN official Ugochi Daniels reported that basic services were "barely functioning". Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Idris said the government would work on improving electricity, water, healthcare and education in Khartoum. He also declared that 2026 would be a "year of peace" for Sudan, where at least 150,000 people have died since the war erupt. The UN has described the situation as the world's worst humanitarian crisis and around 12 million people have been forced from their homes. The war began after the head of the army, General Abdel Fattah-al Burhan fell out with his deputy and RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leading to a vicious struggle for power. Both the RSF and the Sudanese military have been accused of committing atrocities throughout the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement International efforts to broker peace have failed and both sides are backed by foreign powers who have poured weapons into the country. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has come under particular scrutiny recently over allegations of supporting the RSF, which it strongly denies. More stories on the conflict in Sudan: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts The Supreme Court could reshape U.S. elections for years to come as it hears a number of cases with implications for the countrys political landscape. In perhaps the most high-stakes example, the country is waiting to see whether the justices weaken a section of the Voting Rights Act. Other rulings expected this year could alter how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates, or affect the deadline for casting ballots on time. Advertisement Advertisement Here are some of the key cases to watch: Louisiana v. Callais Election experts and politicians alike are bracing for the Supreme Court to weigh in on Louisiana v. Callais, a case centered around the Bayou States congressional map that could decide the fate of the Voting Rights Act. When the high court heard oral arguments in October, the conservative majority raised concerns that states such as Louisiana were going too far in drawing majority-minority districts to comply with protections in the 1965 law, signaling they could move to limit the use of race in redistricting. Voting rights activists, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have raised alarm that the court could open the floodgates for discriminatory maps. Advertisement Advertisement A lot is at stake with regard to Callais, said Spencer Overton, a law professor at the George Washington University. As a result of the Supreme Courts retreat from putting a check on partisan gerrymandering, Section 2 remains the last real break on unbridled gerrymandering. If the court curtails Section 2, which protects against racial discrimination in voting procedures, it could give Republican states in the South virtual free rein to redraw their congressional and legislative lines as a national redistricting fight rages on. Republican-led redistricting in Texas this year kicked off a national scramble, prompting California Democrats to offset would-be Republican gains in the Lone Star State by passing their own redrawn map. Other states have since followed suit, with Florida this week becoming the latest GOP-led state to announce its intentions to redraw its map, citing the pending Louisiana case as a factor for officially launching the effort this April. Still, whether states would be able to take action before this years midterms depends on the timing of the high courts decision. Louisiana, for example, plans to use its existing congressional districts in 2026 because the Supreme Court did not rule before the end of last year, the Louisiana Illuminator reported. Advertisement Advertisement There will likely be an awful lot of political pressure on some states to redistrict quickly if a decision comes soon enough, said Nicholas Stephanopoulos, an election law professor at Harvard Law School. If Texas redistricted before Callais, I would expect that Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi would all redistrict after Callais, if theres any human way to get those new districts in place for 2026. Notably, the Supreme Court seemed poised to gut Section 2 in a 2023 case, but decided in a 5-4 ruling to keep it in place. The Louisiana case was not included in the latest Friday release of Supreme Court opinions. Court watchers say a ruling, especially if its one with major implications, is more likely in June, toward the end of the term. NRSC v. FEC In a case that will have major implications for how campaigns are funded, the Supreme Court is considering whether to strike down federal restrictions on coordinated spending between parties and their candidates, in a challenge backed by Vice President Vance. Advertisement Advertisement When Vance was a senator, he joined a fellow lawmaker and Republicans national campaign arms to sue the Federal Elections Commission (FEC), arguing the long-standing caps on coordinated spending violate free speech. Proponents of the restrictions say they prevent large donors from skirting contribution caps by funneling money to a candidate via a party, since federal law allows donors contribute more to a party than to an individual candidate. Others have contended that any changes to the limits should be left up to Congress. The case was argued before the Supreme Court in December. Even if a decision comes closer to the summer, experts say a campaign finance decision could certainly impact the flow of funds as candidates rev up to Novembers elections. Candidate committees and national party committees make plans about what to do with their money, but their plans can change, and so its absolutely possible for a late-breaking decision to change the landscape, said Justin Levitt, a constitutional law professor at Loyola Law School. Advertisement Advertisement Stephanopoulos, however, cast doubt that the case could dramatically transform the system either way. Some of the money that right now might go to super PACs will maybe instead flow to parties themselves. But since the super PACs are basically like shadow parties anyway, I think the effectiveness wont be huge, he said. Watson v. RNC In Watson v. Republican National Committee (RNC), the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case questioning whether states should be allowed to count mail-in ballots that come in after polls close. In Mississippi, ballots have a five-day grace period to be counted, as long as they were postmarked by Election Day. More than a dozen other states and territories have similar windows, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Advertisement Advertisement Republicans had convinced a lower court that the Mississippi statute goes against federal law setting the first Tuesday in November as Election Day, and the justices are being asked to overturn that ruling. Allowing states to count large numbers of mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day undermines trust and confidence in our elections, RNC Chair Joe Gruters said in a statement last fall. The Democratic National Committee (DNC), on the other hand, filed an amicus brief Friday arguing that, if justices rule for the RNC, voters across the country would be disenfranchised by mail delays. Republicans continued assault on mail-in voting is an attack on our democracy and is wholly un-American, DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. Voting by mail is safe, secure, and empowers voters who would otherwise struggle reaching a ballot box. Advertisement Advertisement Depending on the timing, theres a chance a ruling could affect mail-in voting in the midterms, experts said. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) last month reluctantly eliminated his states grace period for mail-in absentee ballots, citing the pending Mississippi case and concerns that Ohio elections would be chaotic if a ruling came down in the middle of the cycle. Arguments in Watson v. RNC are expected in March or later, after the court granted a motion to give the parties more time for filings, with a decision to follow. Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections A separate case related to mail-in voting, Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections, could make it easier for candidates to bring lawsuits against state election laws. Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and two of Trumps electors are appealing a lower court ruling that found they couldnt challenge Illinoiss law allowing ballots to be counted after Election Day. Unlike in Mississippi, the matter at hand isnt the ballot grace period, but rather whether Bost had the legal standing to sue. If the Supreme Court reverses the lower courts decision, candidates could have more leeway to challenge election laws and processes before Election Day. The ACLU, the League of Women Voters and other voting rights groups notably filed in support of Bosts standing, though they opposed his position on mail ballots. Advertisement Advertisement The court heard arguments in this case in October, with a decision expected by June. 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. Moodys Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi warned the labor market is stagnating and placed part of the blame on President Donald Trumps tariffs. But the Supreme Court, which is due to rule soon on the administrations global tariffs, could provide relief and help revive job growth, he said in a social media post on Sunday. That comes after the latest monthly jobs report showed payrolls rose by 50,000 in December, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.4%. For all of 2025, employers added just 584,000 jobs, a sharp decline from 2 million jobs in 2024 and the weakest year outside of a recession since the early 2000s. Advertisement Advertisement Since Trump shocked global markets with his Liberation Day tariffs in April, there has been no job growth, Zandi said, adding that subsequent revisions will likely show net declines. This reflects the direct effects of the tariffs on manufacturing, transportation and distribution, and ag-related businesses, which are steadily losing jobs, as well as the indirect uncertainty hit to hiring by most other businesses, he explained. Indeed, trade-exposed industries suffered steep losses last year. The manufacturing sector, for example, has hemorrhaged 70,000 jobs since April. Tens of thousands have also been lost in mining and logging as well as warehousing. Meanwhile, the health care and social services are among the few industries that are hiring steadily. Without those two sectors, the U.S. economy would have seen payrolls drop for the year. Advertisement Advertisement Other factors are certainly at play, including highly restrictive immigration policies, DOGE cuts, and artificial intelligence; however, the global trade wars fingerprints are all over the ailing job market, Zandi added. Thus, the fastest way to boost the job market would be for the Supreme Court to declare the reciprocal tariffs unlawful and for lawmakers to let them become a thing of the past. Justices are expected to hand down a decision any day now on Trumps ability to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). That law has been used for the bulk of Trumps trade war, including the so-called reciprocal tariffs and fentanyl-related duties. The administration has also leveraged the IEEPA tariffs to secure trade deals with the European Union, Japan, South Korea and others. But if the Supreme Court rules against Trump, that wont put an end to his tariff regime. Other levies are based on separate laws and arent under consideration at the high court. Advertisement Advertisement New tariffs could also be imposed outside IEEPA, though those would take longer to roll out with some offering only shorter periods to tax imports. While administration officials have expressed confidence that they have alternate ways to enact tariffs, Trump may not immediately jump at the chance. As the affordability crisis has become top of mind for lawmakers, Trump has rolled back some duties on coffee, pasta and other staples, while delaying tariffs on furniture. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Regarding the recent article "Roberts: Nation's legal foundation unshaken," Jan. 4, the headline as written is laughable. Recent rulings suggest that the court itself is aiding and abetting the undermining of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the rule of law. It is disingenuous of Chief Justice John Roberts to blithely dismiss the angst of we, the people, as we watch in horror the deliberate disdain of this administration as they systematically ignore the most basic tenets of said documents and standing legal precedent. Advertisement Advertisement Case in point: The Sept., 2025, 6-3 ruling on Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem currently giving a green light to ICE agents to stop anyone they deem to be illegal based solely on their appearance, language or job description, even though they have no probable cause. This screams of racial profiling 101! Another more disturbing ruling is the 2024 ruling on Trump v. United States, granting President Donald Trump broad presumptive criminal immunity for "official acts" taken as president. As we have witnessed, Trump has wasted no time implementing that freedom to act with impunity...or immunity, as the case may be. The aphorism we are told is "no man is above the law," not "no man is above the law except..." Seemingly, Roberts and company are woefully out of touch with the very core principles that they are tasked with upholding. May I suggest that said justices refresh their understanding of the words "we hold these truths to be self evident." Advertisement Advertisement Susan Gambetta, New Berlin Letters: Property taxes are up. What exactly did Act 10 accomplish? Opinion: ICE killed Renee Nicole Good. Your government is lying. Tips for getting your letter to the editor published Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state: Please include your name, street address and daytime phone. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words. Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter. Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing. Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months. All letters are subject to editing. Advertisement Advertisement Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Declaration of Independence understanding needs refreshing | Letters The suspect in a double murder that happened in Knoxville late last year was arrested in Michigan. The Knoxville Police Department said Dashonn Moten, a 28-year-old Detroit man, was taken into custody Jan. 12 by the U.S. Marshals Service. Police accused Moten of shooting and killing Troy Hutchison, 33, of Atlanta, and Rodrell Jeter, 25, of Detroit, on Nov. 16 along Interstate 640. Another man was hospitalized in the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Police say four men were in an SUV that pulled over near Gap Road around 3:40 a.m. Nov. 16. The suspect opened fire and drove away. The SUV was found abandoned in Kentucky, police said. Moten will be brought back to Knox County. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Suspect in Knoxville double murder arrested in Michigan Jan. 11 (UPI) -- A "suspicious object" was found by U.S. Secret Service agents during an inspection of Palm Beach International Airport on Sunday, the White House said, as President Donald Trump was to depart from his Florida estate for Washington. The unidentified object was discovered by the Secret Service during an advanced sweep of the West Palm Beach airport before Trump arrived at the aor[prt, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters in a statement. "A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Trump had been in Palm Beach since Friday night and departed for Washington on Sunday evening, arriving on the South Lawn of the White House at 9:12 p.m. EST via Joint Base Andrews, Md. Asked by reporters about the object aboard Air Force One, Trump replied: "I know nothing about it." This is a developing story. Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard has asked Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to include proposals outlined by Sweden in the European Union's 20th sanctions package against Russia. Source: European Pravda, citing Stenergard in a letter to Kallas Details: Stenergard said that efforts to deter Russia are producing clear results. She mentioned that sanctions imposed on Russia's energy sector and shadow fleet have significantly reduced revenues Russia can use for its aggression against Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement She stressed that the EU must continue to increase pressure on Russia. To this end, Stenergard asked Kallas to add the following measures to the proposal for the EU's 20th sanctions package: a full ban on maritime services for any vessels transporting Russian carbon-based energy resources from Russian ports tighter measures against Russian fertiliser exports to the EU removal of the value threshold for luxury goods. Stenergard noted that European luxury goods have symbolic and political significance that goes beyond their monetary value. "Luxury goods should not be exported to Russia regardless of their price tag. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation," Stenergard added. Background: It was recently reported that EU countries plan to approve the 20th sanctions package against Russia by the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On 18 December, the EU imposed sanctions on more than 40 vessels in Russia's shadow fleet, which Moscow has used to circumvent Western restrictions on its energy sector imposed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A Des Moines man who was shot and injured after assaulting both a police officer and his mother has been sentenced to probation and faces likely deportation. Jose Daniel Rodriguez-Sanchez, 19, was charged with assault and other offenses after the March 2025 encounter, that also injured a Des Moines officer. He later pleaded guilty to disarming a peace officer and willful injury causing bodily injury, both felonies. A review by the Polk County Attorney's Office found that officers responding to a call for service witnessed Rodriguez-Sanchez assaulting his mother and sought to detain him. When Senior Police Officer Chad Ruroden caught up to him, Rodriguez-Sanchez "charged at Ruroden and began to violently assault him," inflicting head and neck injuries, prosecutors said. Ruroden shot and wounded Rodriguez-Sanchez, who kept fighting, and other officers used a stun gun and pepper spray to subdue him. Senior police officer Chad Ruroden Rodriguez-Sanchez was hospitalized and later transferred to the Polk County Jail. The county attorney's review found Ruroden's actions justified. Advertisement Advertisement More: Names released in Dubuque bar fight turned police shooting Court records show Rodriguez-Sanchez pleaded guilty in November. On Monday, Jan. 12, the parties asked the court to sentence him to probation with the understanding that Rodriguez-Sanchez, a native of Honduras, will be transferred to federal immigration custody and likely deported. Defense attorney Erin Carr said Rodriguez-Sanchez had mental health problems that contributed to the actions leading to his arrest, and for which he is now receiving medication. The plea deal calls for five years' probation, although Carr said that will only matter if Rodriguez-Sanchez ever returns to the United States, at which time the probation requirements would take effect. Advertisement Advertisement William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Teen shot by Des Moines police officer faces deportation Edwards Lifesciences has announced that the US District Court for the District of Columbia has approved an injunction motion issued by US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), putting the brakes on the medtech giants plans to acquire JenaValve. Edwards will no longer proceed with the acquisition of JenaValve, maker of a transcatheter aortic valve replacement system for aortic regurgitation (TAVR-AR). Disagreeing with the courts decision, Edwards emphasised that the acquisition would have been in the best interests of a large, growing and underserved patient population. Due to this development, Edwards is revising its full-year 2026 earnings guidance to between $2.90-$3.05 per share from $2.80-$2.95 previously. Edwards added that it will continue its focus on advancing the SOJOURN transcatheter AR valve and enrolling patients into JOURNEY, a pivotal trial (NCT06455787) evaluating the J-Valve TAVR AR system. Edwards inherited J-Valve from JC Medical after acquiring the US company from Singapore-based Genesis MedTech in August 2024. JenaValves lead product for TAVR-AR is the Trilogy Heart Valve. The system is currently pending market approval from the FDA, having been in clinical trials under an investigational device exemption (IDE) granted in 2021. Edwards reached an agreement to acquire JenaValve in July 2024 alongside Endotronix in a combined $1.2bn deal to strengthen the companys structural heart portfolio. No TAVR devices with an AR indication are currently available on the US market, with JC Medical and JenaValve the farthest along in their devices clinical development. For this reason, the FTC sued Edwards in August 2025 to halt its acquisition of JenaValve. With JC Medical now a subsidiary of Edwards, the FTC claimed the companys acquisition of JenaValve stood to eliminate competition that has spurred innovation in the TAVR-AR space. At the time, Daniel Guarnera, director of the FTCs Bureau of Competition, said: The FTC is taking action to stop this anticompetitive deal and ensure that JenaValve and Edwards JC Medical subsidiary continue competing to innovate, expand treatment eligibility, and keep down costs. Edwards shares on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) opened at $86 per share on 12 January and have since fallen by over 1.5% to $83.72. Edwards, which has a market cap of $50bn, released its statement after markets closed on 9 January. According to GlobalData analysis, the overall TAVR market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% and forecast to double its valuation to $12.8bn in 2034. GlobalData analysts previously stated that the addition of AR as a new indication in the treatment modality could potentially accelerate the markets CAGR into double digits. More than 60 largely peaceful protests took place this weekend against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, including several in Southern California. But while many protests were without incident, they were not short on anger and moments of tension. Organizers called the gatherings the " ICE Out for Good" weekend of action in response to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis. In Huntington Beach, Ron Duplantis, 72, carried a diagram to represent the three shots fired at Good, including one through her windshield and two others that appeared to go through her side window. Advertisement Advertisement "Those last two shots," he said, "make it clear to me that this is murder." Participants in the "ICE Out" protest hold signs Sunday in Huntington Beach. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times) Huntington Beach has seen past clashes between Trump supporters and anti-racism activists, but as of mid-afternoon, Sunday's protest was tense at times, but free of violence. About 300 people and two dozen counterprotesters stood outside City Hall, with protesters carrying anti-ICE signs, ringing cowbells and chanting "ICE out of O.C." As cars sped past them on Main Street, many motorists honked in a show of solidarity, while some rolled down their windows to shout their support for ICE, MAGA and President Trump. "The reason why I'm here is democracy," said Mary Artesani, a 69-year-old Costa Mesa resident carrying a sign that read "RESIST." "They have to remember he won't be in office forever." Participants in the "ICE Out" protest in Huntington Beach hold signs as a car with a MAGA hat in the windshield passes. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times) The Trump administration has largely stood behind the ICE agent, identified as Jonathan Ross, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saying he acted in self-defense. Democratic officials and many members of the public have said the videos of the shooting circulating on social media appear to contradict at least some of the administration's assertions. Advertisement Advertisement "I'm outraged a woman was murdered by our government and our government lied to our faces about it," said protester Tony Zarkades, 60, who has lived in the Huntington Beach area for nearly 30 years. A former officer in the Marines, Zarkades said he is thinking of moving to Orange to escape the presence of so many Trump supporters in Huntington Beach. Large protests against ICE occurred in the Bay Area as well as Sacramento and other California cities over the weekend. In Oakland, hundreds demonstrated peacefully on Sunday, although the night before, protesters assembled at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and left graffiti, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle. In Los Angeles on Saturday night, protesters marched through the downtown area to City Hall and past the Edward Roybal Federal Building, with the L.A. Police Department issuing a dispersal order at about 6:30 p.m., according to City News Service. While many of the protests focused on what happened to Good in Minnesota, they also recognized Keith Porter Jr., a man killed by an off-dutyICE agent in Northridge on New Year's Eve. Advertisement Advertisement In Huntington Beach, the coastal community has long had a reputation as a Southern California stronghold for Republicans, though its politics have recently been shifting. Orange County has a painful legacy of political extremism, including neo-Nazism. In 2021, a White Lives Matter" rally in the area ended in 12 arrests. On Sunday, a small group of about 30 counterprotesters waved Trump and MAGA flags on a corner opposite from the anti-ICE rally. Counterprotester Victoria Cooper, 72, holds signs and shouts at participants of the "ICE Out" protest in Huntington Beach. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times) "We're here to support our country and president and support ICE," said Kelly Johnson, who gave his age as "old enough to be your sugar daddy." Wearing an "ICE Immigration: Making America Safe Again" T-shirt, Kelly said the protesters were "paid agitators" who had been lied to by the media. Advertisement Advertisement "Look at the other angles of the [shooting] videos," he said. "She ran over the officer." Read more: 'Active shooter' or ICE agent's victim? What happened in L.A. New Year's Eve killing? Standing with him was Jesse Huizar, 66, who said he identifies as a "Latino for Trump" and was here to "support the blue." The Chino resident said he came to the U.S. from Mexico when he was 5, but that he has no fear of ICE because he "came here legally." Huizar said Good's death was sad, but that she "if she had complied, if she got out of her car and followed orders, she'd be alive right now." Advertisement Advertisement But their voices were largely overpowered by those of the anti-ICE protesters. One of the event's organizers, 52-year-old Huntington Beach resident Denise G., who declined to give her last name, said they've been gathering in front of City Hall every Sunday since March, but that this was by far one of the largest turnouts they have seen. She felt "devastated, angry, and more determined than ever" when she saw the video of Good's shooting, she said. Counterprotester Kelly Johnson stands across from the "ICE Out" demonstration. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times) "It could be any one of us," she said. "The people not out here today need to understand this could be their family member, their spouse, their children. The time is now. All hands on deck." Nearby, 27-year-old Yvonne Gonzales had gathered with about 10 of her friends. They said they were motivated to come because they were outraged by the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement "I wish I was surprised by it," Gonzales said, "but we've seen so much violence from ICE." She suspected that race was a factor in the outpouring of support, noting that Good was a white woman while many others who have been injured or killed by immigration enforcement actions have been people of color, but that it was still "great to see this turnout and visibility." A few feet away, 41-year-old Christie Martinez stood with her children, Elliott, 9, and Kane, 6. She teared up thinking about the shooting and the recent ICE actions in California, including the killing of Porter. "It's sad and sickening," said Martinez, who lives in Westminster. "It makes me really sad how people are targeted because of their skin color." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NEW YORK (AP) Thousands of nurses in New York City went on strike Monday after negotiations through the weekend yielded no breakthroughs in disputes with three major hospital systems over staffing, benefits and other issues. Nurses on strike! ... Fair contract now! nurses shouted on a picket line outside NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital's campus in Upper Manhattan. Others picketed at hospitals in the Mount Sinai and Montefiore systems, where a 2023 nursing strike fed off pandemic-era frustrations and led to a deal to boost staffing and pay. "And now, its how theyre treating us: They dont want to give us a fair contract, and they dont want to give us safe staffing, and now theyre trying to roll back on our benefits, emergency department nurse Tristan Castillo said Monday outside Mount Sinai West. Advertisement Advertisement About 15,000 nurses are involved in the strike, according to their union, the New York State Nurses Association. The hospitals remained open, hiring droves of temporary nurses to try to fill the labor gap. The strike involves private, nonprofit hospitals, not city-run ones. But the walkout, which the union casts as lifesaving essential workers fighting hospital executives who make millions of dollars a year, could be a significant early test of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's new administration. The democratic socialist campaigned on a pro-worker platform and struck a similar note while visiting nurses on the NewYork-Presbyterian picket line Monday. These executives are not having difficulty making ends meet," said Mamdani, who extolled nurses' work and said they were seeking dignity, respect and the fair pay and treatment that they deserve. They should settle for nothing less. Advertisement Advertisement Some other Democratic city and state politicians also visited striking nurses, while New York Gov. Kathy Hochul sent state health officials to the hospitals to keep watch over patient care. She called in a statement for the sides to negotiate a deal that recognizes the essential work nurses do." The strike, which comes during a severe flu season, could potentially force the hospitals to transfer patients, cancel procedures or divert ambulances, though the medical centers insisted they were prepared and committed to meet patients' needs. The walkout could also put a strain on other city hospitals if patients avoid the medical centers hit by the strike. The nurses demands vary by hospital, but staffing levels are a top issue. The union says hospitals have given nurses unmanageable workloads. Nurses also want better security measures in the workplace, citing incidents such as an episode last week when a man with a sharp object barricaded himself in a Brooklyn hospital room and was then killed by police. Advertisement Advertisement The union also wants limitations on hospitals use of artificial intelligence. The hospitals say that theyve improved staffing in recent years and that the unions demands overall are too costly. Mount Sinai said the union was making extreme economic demands. Montefiore spokesperson Joe Solmonese said the union was pressing $3.6 billion in reckless demands, including exorbitant raises. The union didn't immediately respond to a question about its salary proposal and current wage levels. According to the hospitals, unionized registered nurses now average $165,000 a year at Montefiore, $162,000 at Mount Sinai, and $163,000 at NewYork-Presbyterian's Columbia University Irving Medical Center; none of the numbers includes benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Montefiore says the union's asks would raise the average to $220,000 in three years. Mount Sinai says the average there would hit $275,000. After the nurses gave notice Jan. 2 of the looming strike, the hospitals vowed to do whatever is necessary to minimize disruptions and said they were prepared to deliver care no matter how long the strike lasts. Mount Sinai said in a statement Monday it had lined up 1,400 temporary nurses. New York-Presbyterian accused the union of staging a strike to create disruption. "Were ready to keep negotiating a fair and reasonable contract that reflects our respect for our nurses and the critical role they play, and also recognizes the challenging realities of todays healthcare environment, the hospital said. Advertisement Advertisement Each medical center is negotiating with the union independently. Several other private hospitals in and near New York City reached deals in recent days to avert a possible strike. The three-day strike in 2023 resulted in a deal raising pay 19% over three years at Mount Sinai and Montefiore. The pact also included staffing improvements, though the union and hospitals now disagree about how much progress has been made, or whether the hospitals are retreating from staffing guarantees. The sides also dispute whether the hospitals are trying to reduce health benefits. Mount Sinai, for instance, says its proposals would cut costs without changing coverage. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) El Paso Water crews have been busy since late Saturday night, Jan. 10 working on a water main break that officials are calling unprecedented in nature. A spokeswoman for the utility company told KTSM 9 News they will be updating the public at 3 p.m. Monday during a news conference. We will live stream it on KTSM.com and all of our social media accounts. The break happened at about 10 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Girl Scout Way and Transmountain, near Skyline Park, in Northeast El Paso. Advertisement Advertisement Gilbert Trejo, vice president of operations and technical service for El Paso Water, said the break has impacted about 38,000 customer connections, totaling 100,000 people in Northeast El Paso and Central El Paso. People have been left without water service or with low pressure. The McGregor Range training area at Fort Bliss has also been impacted. An unknown number of homes were also damaged by water during the water main break, Trejo said. Utility officials said they will be working around the clock to make repairs but they may not be completed until mid-week. Utility officials also said they are concentrating on repairs and have not determined what caused the break. Advertisement Advertisement El Paso Independent School District officials said they have 17 schools in the area that have been impacted by the water main break and classes at those campuses will be canceled on Monday. Other school districts have also been impacted. There is a full list at the end of this story. El Paso Water crews are distributing water at Sue Young Park, Arlington Park, Sunrise Park and Chisolm Park. A fifth distribution site was added early Monday morning; North Skies park located at 7073 Cooper Town Drive in the Mesquite Hills neighborhood. Customers do need to bring their own containers, except at Chisolm. Trejo said they have issued a boil water advisory in the area that is affected, ranging roughly from Stateline Drive down to Murchison. The boil water advisory is out of an abundance of caution and El Paso Water Utility officials do not believe there is any contamination to the system. Advertisement Advertisement Crews will be working around the clock to restore service in the affected area, Trejo said. Trejo said that 36-inch water main suffered a break, but what has complicated the repair work is how the pipeline is designed and how smaller lines are connected to it. That has exacerbated the situation, Trejo said. About 15 water tanks have also been impacted, which has caused the large-scale water disruption, Trejo said. Crews will be going through a series of steps as they make repairs. The system will need to be purged of water and depressurized, Trejo said. They have already isolated the break and are working on purging the system, which needs to be done before other repairs can be done, Trejo said. Advertisement Advertisement Outside of the affected area, water remains safe to drink, Trejo said. El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson asked impacted community members to think about temporarily relocating to other parts of El Paso and staying with friends or relatives until the water main is repaired. We are working with El Paso Water and the Office of Emergency Management to ensure communication and that resources are available, Johnson said. Johnson also said this incident is a good reminder for residents to do some emergency planning and store supplies like water. Both the El Paso Police and Fire departments said the water main break is not affecting their ability to provide emergency services in the affected area. EPISD The following EPISD campuses will be closed on Monday: Advertisement Advertisement Andress HS Irvin HS TMECHS Charles MS Magoffin MS Navarette MS Bobby Joe Hill Pk-8 Barron ES Bliss ES Duran ES Stanton ES Torres ES Travis ES Whitaker ES Clendenin ES Park ES Canyon ES Clendenin Elementary School Park Elementary School Canyon Middle School Ysleta ISD Ysleta ISD announced that it has a handful of campuses that will also be closed on Monday because of the water main break. Those campuses are: Parkland Pre-K Parkland Elementary Dolphin Terrace Elementary Desertaire Elementary North Star Elementary Parkland Pre-Engineering Middle School Parkland High School Harmony Public Schools Harmony Public Schools said its Harmony School of Innovation Elementary and Harmony School of Innovation Middle High will also be closed on Monday. El Paso Diocese closures Most Trinity Catholic School and St. Joseph Catholic School will be closed on Monday. The office of Estrella del Paso will also be closed. Northeast County Annex Due to a water main break in the Northeast El Paso area, public services at the El Paso County Northeast Annex have been temporarily disrupted. Advertisement Advertisement The Northeast Annex includes a Tax Office, County Clerks Office, Justice of the Peace No. 2, and Financial Recovery Division. Employees from those locations may be assigned to other County offices where applicable until water services are fully restored. Information: (915) 273-3200. 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 KTSM 9 News. Judge Shosh Shitrit sentenced 29-year-old Liran Yaakobov to 36 months in prison, 30-year-old Netanel Aviv to 38 months, and 30-year-old Oz Hai Rachum to 40 months. The Beersheba Magistrates Court on Monday sentenced three Beersheba residents to lengthy prison terms for looting the site of the Nova music festival a day after the October 7 Hamas massacre, stealing personal belongings from victims who had been murdered at the scene and from others who fled for their lives. Judge Shosh Shitrit sentenced 29-year-old Liran Yaakobov to 36 months in prison, 30-year-old Netanel Aviv to 38 months, and 30-year-old Oz Hai Rachum to 40 months. Each defendant was also ordered to pay a fine of NIS 18,000, while Rachum was additionally convicted of possession of drugs for personal use after narcotics were found during a search of his home. Advertisement Advertisement According to the amended indictment, the three men drove on October 8, 2023 one day after at least 347 civilians and 17 police officers were murdered at the Nova festival nearKibbutz Reim as part of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel to the massacre site, which, by that time, had been declared a closed military zone. After encountering police roadblocks, Yaakobov falsely claimed he lived in a nearby moshav, enabling the group to pass through. Once inside the restricted area, the defendants roamed the site with the intent to steal property, entering abandoned vehicles and a deserted caravan, attempting to open trunks and doors, and removing items belonging to both murder victims and survivors who had fled the attack. Among the stolen items were a laptop belonging to Jenny Nissimboim, a credit card and ID belonging to Shay Mutzafi, and identification documents of Matan Lior all of whom were murdered at the festival as well as cash, electronics, alcohol, tools, and additional equipment belonging to other festival attendees and vendors. Defendants plead guilty The defendants pleaded guilty and were convicted of entering a military zone without authorization, obstructing a police officer, breaking into vehicles with intent to steal, attempted break-ins, and theft. Advertisement Advertisement In her sentencing decision, Shitrit described the crimes as part of a phenomenon of internal looting that emerged in the aftermath of the October 7 attack, calling it a moral collapse that compounded the national trauma. The immense joy of life that was cut short at the Nova festival on October 7 became a tragic symbol of national loss, she wrote. Alongside the unimaginable atrocities of murder, abuse, and abduction, another unthinkable phenomenon was revealed internal looting. Shitrit rejected defense claims that the defendants had gone to the area to assist or rescue victims, noting that their own admissions showed they entered the site with the intent to steal after deliberately deceiving police and violating a military closure order. She emphasized that the thefts occurred while bodies were still in the area and while security forces were engaged in emergency operations. The looting in these circumstances is not merely a property crime, she wrote. It is an absolute betrayal of human dignity and basic social solidarity. She added that personal items such as phones, laptops, and identification documents often constitute the final tangible link between victims and their families and that stealing them deepens the suffering of the bereaved. Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors argued during sentencing that the defendants actions crossed a fundamental moral line, exploiting chaos and collective grief for personal gain at a time when the country was in a state of existential crisis. Prosecutors further urged the court to impose a deterrent sentence, warning that leniency would send a dangerous message in the aftermath of a national catastrophe. While the court took into account the defendants personal circumstances and guilty pleas, it concluded that the severity and symbolic weight of the offenses warranted substantial prison terms, given the absence of a specific looting offense in Israeli criminal law and the need to reflect the exceptional gravity of crimes committed under such circumstances. The looting of victims of the October 7 massacre is not a localized criminal event, reads the ruling. It is a profound ethical failure that demands a clear judicial response one that reaffirms the boundaries of humanity even in times of national disaster. Three men have been sentenced to prison terms in Israel for looting at the site of the Nova music festival a day after the Hamas attacks in 2023 which killed hundreds there, media reports said on Monday. A court in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba sentenced them to prison terms of between 36 and 40 months. They had gained access to the site, which was at the time a restricted military zone, one day after the unprecedented terrorist assault on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement There they broke into cars and stole property belonging to the murdered victims or survivors who had fled. More than 370 festival-goers were murdered in the attack. In total some 1,200 people in Israeli communities were killed and more than 250 kidnapped during the assaults. In her judgement, the judge reportedly said the defendants had shown inexcusable opportunism. The looting was not only criminal, but a blatant betrayal of human dignity and basic social solidarity, she said. For every Spitfire and Hurricane, dozens of British fighter aircraft remain hidden in the shadows, neglected by popular history. Some of these were brilliant, some were terrible, and some were just unlucky. Of course, forgotten is a subjective term, and you may know some or even all of them. They are all fascinating designs that cast light on the whole dramatic story of the British fighter plane: 10: Bristol M.1 Monoplane Scout Bristol M.1 Monoplane Scout This excellent, exceptionally clean, monoplane fighter had its chance to fight curtailed by an overly cautious War Office, spooked by some pre-war crashes involving monoplanes. Monoplanes were banned, and even after the German Eindecker scout series had proved the effectiveness of the monoplane in 1915, it was still a struggle for the concept to gain acceptance. Advertisement Advertisement This didn't deter Frank Barnwell, a Scottish aeronautical engineer, from persisting with the M.1 monoplane. Heavy losses on the Western Front lent urgency to the development of an aircraft of superior performance. The M.1 proved capable, but the War Office was nervous of its high landing speed of 49 mph and monoplane configuration. 10: Bristol M.1 Monoplane Scout Bristol M.1 Monoplane Scout Royal Flying Corps pilots on the Western Front were impatient to receive the new aircraft, but things progressed more slowly than expected. Rumours abounded that another reason for its protracted delivery was an embarrassing crash by a senior officer of one of the prototypes, relating to the high landing speed. Only 125 aircraft were built and were relegated to training roles in England, as well as service in Palestine and the Balkans. No. 14 and No. 111 Squadrons based at Deir-el-Belah, Palestine, flew the aircraft from 1917. It survived a brief time in the new Royal Air Force before being retired in 1919. 9: Westland Whirlwind Westland Whirlwind In many ways an advanced and ingenious design, the sleek twin-engine Westland Whirlwind was one of the fastest and best-armed fighters of its generation. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Peregrine engines and armed with four nose-mounted 20-mm cannon, this compact fighter first flew in 1938. Advertisement Advertisement The extremely capable Teddy Petter designed the Whirlwind. However, the project was seemingly cursed. Early technical issues arose with the proposed Oerlikon guns, as well as with the replacement weapons, the 20-mm Hispano, which necessitated a redesign of the Whirlwind, and problems with engine deliveries. 9: Westland Whirlwind Westland Whirlwind As a light fighter-bomber armed with 250- or 500-lb bombs, the Whirlwind was effective, proving itself in sweeps of the Channel coast and France. Despite the design's great promise, only 114 were built, and it was withdrawn from service in 1943. There were several reasons the Whirlwind was not built in greater numbers. One reason was the discontinuation of its power plant, which led to a general concentration of effort and resources on the Merlin. Another reason was the availability of more manoeuvrable, easier-to-maintain single-engine fighters. The fact that the aircraft was too small to be easily converted into a radar-equipped two-seat night fighter also counted against this potentially world-beating fighter. 8: Sopwith Dragon Sopwith Dragon When the final Sopwith Snipe prototype was tried with a powerful 320-horsepower ABC Dragonfly I engine in 1918, the results were spectacular. Sopwith realised they were onto a winner and designed a Snipe to carry the even more powerful 360-horsepower Dragonfly IA. Advertisement Advertisement It first flew in 1919. The Dragon enjoyed a blistering top speed of 150mph at sea level. Even with full fuel and ammunition, it could also reach an impressive 25,000 feet. It was capable of a climb to 10,000 feet in seven and a half minutes, an astonishment climb rate for the time. 8: Sopwith Dragon Sopwith Dragon Armament was two synchronised .303 Vickers machine guns on the upper side of the nose. An order for 300 Snipes had been signed in October 1918 and was changed a month later to cover 300 Dragons. Everything was rather promising until it became apparent that the engine was a total disaster. Though much faith was put in the Dragonfly engine, it was unreliable, prone to overheating, vibration, and catastrophic mechanical failures. Perhaps two hundred Dragon airframes were built, but only around six aircraft had their engines fitted. The Sopwith Dragon never reached a Royal Air Force squadron. 7: Sopwith Salamander Sopwith Salamander The tough armoured Salamander was the A-10 Thunderbolt of its day. It was developed in 1918 as a ground-attack derivative of the successful Sopwith Snipe fighter; Sopwith Camel fighters had been used with great success as 'trench fighters' since late 1917, but losses, mainly to ground fire, had been heavy. Advertisement Advertisement The Salamander was therefore designed to survive sustained small-arms fire while attacking enemy trenches. Utilising the wings and tail of the Snipe, the Salamander featured an armoured box made from a steel plate between 6 mm and 11 mm thick, containing the pilot and forming an integral load-bearing part of the forward fuselage. 7: Sopwith Salamander Sopwith Salamander The armoured steel box itself weighed 275 kg, and steel accounted for more than 35% of the overall aircraft weightan extraordinarily high percentage for the era. At least one aircraft was fitted with a battery of eight downward-firing Lewis machine guns. Unfortunately, problems encountered due to armour becoming distorted during the hardening process delayed production and of the 1400 ordered, only 37 Salamanders had been built by the Armistice. Ultimately, a credible total of 497 examples were built, and some served into the early 1920s. 6: Saunders-Roe SR.A/1 Saunders-Roe SR.A/1 During the war, Japanese floatplane fighters proved that the idea could, to some degree, work - though mostly in the Pacifics more tranquil waters. Britains Saunders-Roe was more ambitious: it envisioned a seaplane that could shed its traditional speed limitations, powered not by propellers but by a jet engine. Advertisement Advertisement Creating an aircraft capable of 512mph with four 20-mm cannon would have proved an awesome, perhaps unbeatable, opponent to Japanese seaplanes and flying boats. Timing was against the aircraft; however, with the war winding down, the company looked away from this military project, instead devoting its resources to the huge, long-range, civilian flying boat, the Princess. This delayed the types first flight until 1947. 6: Saunders-Roe SR.A/1 Saunders-Roe SR.A/1 The aircraft proved impressive it had great handling, good agility and was pleasant to fly (notably, the prototypes were fitted with the first two examples of Martin-Baker production ejection seats). However, there wasnt much need for it by this time, and two months later, a carrier fighter that was faster still (the 600mph Sea Hawk) took to the air. The Royal Navy wasnt very interested in this eccentric design, believing in the conventional carrier concept. It was briefly revived in 1950 to assess its utility for the Korean War, but by then, technology had advanced, and it would have been no match for the latest fighters. The Squirt, as it was affectionately known by its creators, was not to be; three were built. 5: Gloster Javelin Gloster Javelin Compared to the beloved Hawker Hunter and hugely popular English Electric Lightning, the Gloster Javelin languishes in relative obscurity. This was not always the case; at the time of its operational debut in 1956, much was made of what was seen as an utterly modern design. Advertisement Advertisement Combining a tailed-delta design with guided missiles and a large radar, the Javelin appeared to offer a glimpse of the future. It was also imposing in size; it was a huge step up in size and weight compared to the Meteor and Venomit was really the RAFs first big twin-jet interceptor. 5: Gloster Javelin Gloster Javelin This large, heavily armed (albeit subsonic), day-night, all-weather fighter was the worlds first twin-jet delta-wing fighter; it was also the Royal Air Forces best interceptor of the 1950s. Unfortunately, the opposition moved the goalposts by developing air-launched stand-off missiles, requiring the sort of high-speed interceptor performance that simply could not be delivered by the Javelin. Development potential was hampered by an overly thick wing and a draggy rear fuselage, which limited top speed. The Javelin had a relatively short career and no export success; 436 were produced. 4: Blackburn Firebrand Blackburn Firebrand The story of the Firebrand torpedo fighter is a rotten one. The specification for the type was issued in 1939, but it wasnt until the closing weeks of the Second World War that it began to enter service. Despite a luxuriously long development, it was an utter pig in the air, with stability issues in all axes and a tendency to lethal stalls. Advertisement Advertisement There was a litany of restrictions to try to reduce the risks, including the banning of external tanks, but it still remained ineffective and dangerous to fly. Worse still, instead of trying to rectify the problems, the Royal Navys Fleet Air Arm (FAA) started a witch-hunt of those pilots who dared to speak the truth about the abysmal Firebrand. 4: Blackburn Firebrand Blackburn Firebrand Only two Firebrand squadrons formed, of which the flying complement was heavily, if not entirely, made up of qualified flying instructors, suggesting only the most experienced pilots could be trusted with this unforgiving monster. Despite many reports damning the Blackburn Firebrand, there are some, notably naval aviation historian Matthew Willis, who believe that the type was unfairly maligned. 3: Martin-Baker MB3 Martin-Baker MB3 Despite never entering service, the MB3 has been indirectly responsible for saving 7700 lives (and counting). Friends and partners, James Martin and Valentine Baker, had been designing unconventional monoplanes since the early 1930s. From the start, they believed that aircraft should be as simple as possible. Advertisement Advertisement The MB3 was their response to a wartime RAF requirement for a fast, heavily armed fighter. Formidably furnished with six 20-mm cannon, it was also designed for ease of maintenance and manufacture (unlike the Spitfire). 3: Martin-Baker MB3 Martin-Baker MB3 Test flights, which started on 31 August 1942, proved it was both highly manoeuvrable and easy to fly. Its top speed of 415mph was a touch faster than the contemporary Spitfire Mk VIII. The main load-bearing structures were constructed of heavy tubing (or built-up spars) so it would have been able to survive greater battle damage than an equivalent stressed skin aircraft. It was not to be, however: on a test flight on 12 September 1942, the engine failed soon after take-off, and the MB3 crashed in a field and killed its pilot, Valentine Baker. Though the team had been investigating the idea of escape seats since 1934, it was Bakers death that motivated James Martin to focus exclusively on ejection seats; today the company is the market leader in those systems. 2: Supermarine Spiteful Supermarine Spiteful Unfairly remembered today, if it is remembered at all, as little more than a not particularly satisfactory footnote to the Spitfire story, the Spiteful deserves better. Not only did it achieve the highest speed ever attained by an unmodified British piston-engine aircraft, it was also the fastest British piston-engined aircraft to enter production. Advertisement Advertisement With the Spiteful, Supermarine wanted to build a fighter that combined all the best characteristics of Reginald Mitchells Spitfire with the latest aerodynamic developments in wing design, specifically with regard to laminar flow, which simply put means that the airflow over the wing does not at any point break away from the surface into a turbulent flow, a major cause of aerodynamic drag on conventional wings. 2: Supermarine Spiteful Supermarine Spiteful Unfortunately for Chief Designer Joe Smith and Supermarine, the original Spitfire possessed by far the most aerodynamically advanced wing ever built when it first appeared and was the result of thousands of hours of work by the superb Canadian-born aerodynamicist Beverley Shenstone (the first academically trained aerodynamicist to work at Supermarine) and his team to tune the wing to work at the same level of efficiency from 50 mph to 500 (and beyond). By the time the Spiteful was in development, Mitchell was dead, and Shenstone had left. Smith was an excellent engineer; he was not, however, a designer of Mitchells flair, nor did he possess the theoretical aerodynamic genius of Shenstone, and no one else at Supermarine did. The wing the Spiteful ended up with demonstrated worse low-speed handling than the Spitfire and a notoriously vicious stall, yet had more problematic compressibility effects at high speed than the Spitfire. 1: Martin-Baker M.B.5 Martin-Baker M.B.5 Perhaps the greatest Allied might-have-been of the war? The British Martin-Baker M.B.5 drew unanimous praise from those who flew it for its speed, range and outstanding climb-rate. Key to its stupendous performance was its two-layered, contra-rotating propellers, which enabled it to better exploit the tremendous power of the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine. A top speed exceeding 450mph, the best-designed cockpit for pilots, and overall ease of maintenance were among the many blessings of this formidable fighter. Polish fighter Janusz Zurakowski, who displayed the type aerobatically at the 1946 Farnborough Airshow, was utterly impressed by the M.B.5 and considered it superior to even the Spitfire in many ways. 1: Martin-Baker M.B.5 Martin-Baker M.B.5 The installation of the Rolls-Royce Griffon engine was masterly, as was the flat-feed mechanism for the cannon, which eliminated the blister fairings of other fighters. As an easy-to-maintain all-rounder, the M.B.5 was likely the best British piston-engine fighter ever made. Whether it would have lived up to its obvious potential will remain unknown, having the misfortune to emerge into a world teeming with inferior but numerous Supermarine Spitfires and Hawker Tempests. It could also be fairly argued that the effort required to set up a new aircraft manufacturer was the last thing Britain needed at the time. Follow Joe Coles on Substack, Twitter X or Blue Sky. His superb Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes is available here. If you enjoyed this story, please click the Follow button above to see more like it from Autocar Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en ]]> The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced a series of actions aimed at combating widespread government benefits fraud in Minnesota, citing billions of dollars in taxpayer losses tied to complex fraud rings exploiting public assistance programs. While visiting the Twin Cities on January 9, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the initiatives are intended to increase transparency, strengthen enforcement, and recover funds misused through fraud schemes that targeted vulnerable populations, including children and seniors. According to Treasury, fraud rings operating in Minnesota have stolen billions of dollars from state and federal programs, including child nutrition and Medicaid programs, using the proceeds for personal enrichment in the United States and abroad. Treasury officials said the schemes diverted money intended to feed children, house disabled seniors, and provide services for families in need. FinCEN Expands Investigations and Reporting Requirements As part of the initiative, the Treasurys Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued multiple notices of investigation to money services businesses operating in Minnesota. These notices seek records and information under the Bank Secrecy Act to support ongoing examinations and investigations. Advertisement Advertisement FinCEN also issued a Geographic Targeting Order (GTO) requiring banks and money transmitters located in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, which include Minneapolis and St. Paul, to retain and report additional information on certain transactions of $3,000 or more where funds are transferred outside the United States. The GTO is designed to address what FinCEN described as limited visibility into individuals and entities located abroad who receive proceeds from government benefits fraud. Treasury said the additional reporting is expected to accelerate prosecutions and assist in recovering funds laundered internationally. IRS Launching Task Force on Fraud and Nonprofit Abuse Treasury also announced that the Internal Revenue Service will launch a task force to investigate fraud involving pandemic-era tax incentives and the misuse of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by entities linked to Minnesota-based social services fraud schemes. In addition, IRS civil enforcement is auditing financial institutions alleged to have facilitated the laundering of fraud proceeds and is supporting related criminal and civil investigations, Treasury said. Alert Issued on Child Nutrition Program Fraud FinCEN issued a formal Alert urging financial institutions nationwide to identify and report suspicious activity connected to fraud involving federal child nutrition programs in Minnesota. According to FinCEN, these schemes have defrauded the U.S. government of at least $300 million intended to feed children in need, with proceeds used to purchase real estate, vehicles, luxury goods, and international travel. Advertisement Advertisement The alert provides detailed red flags to help banks and money transmitters identify fraudulent behavior and report it through Suspicious Activity Reports, referencing a designated FinCEN alert code. Training and Coordination with Law Enforcement FinCEN also conducted on-the-ground training for Minnesota-based federal, state, and local law enforcement on using financial intelligence, including Suspicious Activity Reports, to better detect and dismantle fraud schemes tied to government benefits programs. Treasury officials said the combined actions reflect a coordinated effort across federal agencies to hold perpetrators accountable and safeguard taxpayer dollars. The trial is underway for a man accused of murdering his brother and his brother's entire family inside their home in Colts Neck, New Jersey, and then setting the home on fire. Prosecutors say it all comes down to money, part of an insurance fraud scheme. But attorneys for the defendant, Paul Caneiro, suggested there's another suspect in the 2018 murders who police never questioned. The defense suggests that police never focused on another potential suspect, Paul and Keith's other brother, Cory, who was not in court for Monday's opening statement. Advertisement Advertisement "Paul's financial situation was a house of cards, but what you'll also hear during this trial was that Cory Caneiro's situation was even worse," said Monika Mastellone, defense attorney. The murders of Keith Caneiro and his family were shocking. Monday, prosecutors shared more details about the horrific nature of the crimes and the motive behind the killing of Keith, his wife, and their two children, 11-year-old Jesse and 8-year-old Sophia. Opening statements gave the jury a roadmap of allegations made against the victims' brother, Paul Caneiro, who is accused of quadruple murder and setting his brother's home in Colts Neck on fire. "The shock and terror of having their home invaded, and in the dark, the defendant hunted them down," said Nicole Wallace, prosecution attorney. Advertisement Advertisement This took place in the early morning hours of November 20, 2018. Prosecutors claim that after the murders, Paul set his own house on fire in Ocean Township, New Jersey, as a way to cover up the crimes by burning evidence and making authorities believe he too was a victim. Hours later, authorities learned about the earlier murders of Paul's brother and family. That's when they started to investigate Paul as a possible suspect. Prosecutors allege this was all about a dispute over money. The brothers had two businesses together, but things fractured over an insurance policy worth $3 million. Advertisement Advertisement "It was this, the entanglement of their finances, that was the cause of some discord between the brothers and really the crux of the defendant's motive," Wallace said. The defense agreed the crime was horrible, but said that Paul loved Keith and his family, claiming Paul was not responsible for the murders or the two separate fires. "Paul Caneiro did not do this, he did not commit these crimes, he did not hurt anyone, he did not harm anyone, he did not set any house on fire," Mastellone said. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New Jersey news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. CHICAGO, Jan 11 (Reuters) - A truck plowed into a crowd gathered in Los Angeles to show support for Iranian protesters, the KNBC news outlet reported on Sunday. The outlet reported that hundreds of people marched in Westwood, a Los Angeles suburb. It was not clear if there were any injuries. (Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Tom Hogue) A Maryland truck driver facing three counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with a Christmas-week crash that killed three members of a Charlotte, North Carolina family, including a 2-year-old girl, has been released on bond following a hearing that appears nowhere on the public court docket. El Hadji Karamoko Ouattara, 58, of Montgomery Village, Maryland, was driving a 2014 Volvo tractor-trailer northbound on Interstate 81 near mile marker 145 when his rig ran off the right side of the roadway at approximately 11:08 p.m. on December 22, 2025, striking a 2025 Honda Odyssey that was stopped on the shoulder. Three of the six occupants of the minivan died from their injuries at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital: Lorraine Renee Williams, 65; Ebony Latasha Williams, 49; and Shazziyah Lesley, 2. Three other passengers, a 63-year-old man, a 73-year-old man, and a 10-year-old girl, survived with injuries. All six were wearing seatbelts, and the toddler was properly secured in a child safety seat. Advertisement Advertisement What should have been a straightforward criminal case has been anything but, at least from a public transparency standpoint. Ouattara was initially charged with reckless driving on December 23rd. Those charges were upgraded to three counts of involuntary manslaughter, a Class 5 felony under Virginia Code Section 18.2-36, when he appeared for arraignment in Roanoke County General District Court on December 29. Court records indicate that Ouattara appeared for a bond hearing at 10:00 a.m. that day and that he was granted bond. The defendants current status shows Bonded, and he has since been released from the Roanoke County jail. A man charged with killing three people, including a toddler, had his bond hearing and was released, and is effectively invisible to the public record. We reached out to the Roanoke County General District Court for clarification. They advised that all information must be paid for in advance and requested, and that the data will be mailed. All they confirmed was that he required a translator. Advertisement Advertisement According to federal law enforcement sources, Ouattara is a naturalized U.S. citizen who originally immigrated to the United States illegally from the Ivory Coast in the 1990s. Despite his unlawful entry, he eventually obtained legal permanent residency and subsequently became a U.S. citizen. Court records acknowledge his address as Montgomery Village, Maryland. What remains unknown, and what no media outlet has yet reported, is who employed Ouattara at the time of the crash, what motor carrier owned the 2014 Volvo tractor he was operating, and whether the carrier was operating under active authority. These are standard questions in any commercial vehicle fatality investigation, and the lack of public information is notable. Virginia State Police, which is conducting the crash investigation, has not released details about the motor carrier involved. The complainant listed on court documents is identified only as TPR TURNER, J A, which is actually Trooper John Turner, a Virginia State Police trooper who did not respond to a request for comment. Our initial FOIA request to the Virginia State Police was denied, citing an active investigation, even though Ouattara had already been charged. Since his release, we have re-filed the FOIA with the Virginia State Police. We refiled that FOIA request on January 9, 2026, and it was again denied by the Virginia State Police for the same active investigation reason. Whats odd to me is that this is a highway accident that took place on a public highway where people were killed. That accident has been cleared for nearly a month. The driver has been charged. The victims have been buried. I believe we have an active criminal case, but we do not have an active criminal investigation; there is a difference. This case lands at a particularly sensitive moment for trucking safety and commercial driver licensing enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has made CDL compliance a centerpiece of his DOT agenda, particularly regarding foreign-born drivers and non-domiciled commercial drivers licenses. We are going to use every resource, every tool that we have at DOT, to make sure that we have the right people on our road that are well qualified, well licensed, Duffy said in a statement earlier this month. That are proficient in the English language to make sure were maximizing safety. Duffys DOT announced on December 1 a crackdown on illegal CDL training providers, and California has revoked approximately 17,000 non-domiciled commercial drivers licenses in response to federal pressure. Whether Ouattaras case is connected to the broader non-domiciled CDL issue remains unclear. As a naturalized citizen from Maryland, he would have been eligible for a standard domiciled CDL through the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. But without knowing which carrier employed him or under what circumstances he was operating on I-81 that night, the full picture remains incomplete. The fact that he required a translator for court at least tells us he couldnt meet English proficiency requirements. Advertisement Advertisement The Williams family deserves answers. The public deserves answers, and frankly, the trucking industry deserves answers. When a commercial vehicle operator is charged with killing three people and walks out of jail on bond following a hearing after only spending week in jail, questions need to be asked about who is running this motor carrier, what their safety record looks like, how this driver came to be behind the wheel that night and why everyone seems to be working overtime obscuring basic information about the case. Ouattaras next scheduled court appearance is a preliminary hearing on February 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 1 of the Roanoke County General District Court. Ill be there for that. The defense attorney of record is Woods Rogers, a law firm headquartered in Roanoke. Advertisement Advertisement FreightWaves will continue to follow this case and will update this story as more information becomes available. The post Trucker Charged in Fatal I-81 Crash Released on Bond as Questions Swirl Over Crash Transparency appeared first on FreightWaves. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model . Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of James Hardie Industries plc ( ASX:JHX ) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. The US$34.84 analyst price target for JHX is 7.3% less than our estimate of fair value Story Continues The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.3%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 9.6%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035 (1 + g) (r g) = US$1.4b (1 + 3.3%) (9.6% 3.3%) = US$23b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$23b ( 1 + 9.6%)10= US$9.3b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$15b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$32.4, the company appears about fair value at a 14% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. ASX:JHX Discounted Cash Flow January 12th 2026 Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at James Hardie Industries as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.236. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. See our latest analysis for James Hardie Industries SWOT Analysis for James Hardie Industries Strength Debt is well covered by earnings. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Shareholders have been diluted in the past year. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market. Current share price is below our estimate of fair value. Significant insider buying over the past 3 months. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year. Looking Ahead: Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For James Hardie Industries, we've compiled three important factors you should consider: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 4 warning signs for James Hardie Industries (of which 2 are potentially serious!) you should know about. Future Earnings: How does JHX's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Australian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Regarding the 2002 invasion and occupation of Iraq, former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell warned then-President George W. Bush, "if you break it, you own it." He elaborated, "if we take out another country's government by force, we instantly become the new government, responsible for governing the country and for the security of its people until we can turn all that over to a new, stable, and functioning government." Trump: 'We Will Run the Country' The U.S. hasn't occupied Venezuela, but Nicolas Maduro, the country's former dictator, now languishes in a Brooklyn jail. Importantly, President Donald Trump claims, "we will run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition"a process, he says, that could last years. So far, the country's decapitated but still in-place socialist regime seems inclined to work with the U.S. government. Under pressure, it has begun releasing political prisoners including prominent leaders of the opposition. Of particular interest to the Trump administration, the state-owned oil company, PDVSA, is negotiating with U.S. officials over the future sale of oil, with the terms effectively set by Americans. Left out in the cold is the large and popular political opposition, including leaders such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, the presidential candidate who, by all accounts, actually won the last election. "I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader," Trump claimed of Machado, the most prominent opposition figure. "She doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country." Advertisement Advertisement Presumably, Trump meant Machado doesn't have support among rank and file government workers since the 2024 opposition ticketMachado was barred by the state from running herselfwon around two-thirds of the vote, according to independent counts. The public would very likely support an opposition-led government, but maybe the ranks of socialist loyalists who, after a quarter-century of rule, infest state institutions including the oil industry and the military, would not. The U.S. Chooses a Thug Over the Democratic Opposition So, the Trump administration has decided to place its bets on Venezuela's second-ranking thug, hardline socialist Delcy Rodriguez. After taking the oath of office, she seemingly accepted U.S. control of her country's oil, saying Venezuela is "open to energy relations where all parties benefit." For its part, the Department of Energy says the U.S. has taken over the marketing of Venezuelan crude oil: "These oil sales begin immediately with the anticipated sale of approximately 30 50 million barrels. They will continue indefinitely." Simultaneously, Rodriguez is consolidating what remains of her government's power in the hands of loyalists. "For those at home, the message from the new presidency is that nothing has changed and the revolution continues its march, 'firmer than ever,' which includes a purge in search of accomplices of the embarrassing U.S. incursion into the heart of Caracas," writes Jacobo Garcia of Spain's El Pais. Rodriguez's approach, adds Garcia, "accentuates the repressive model." The Opposition Could End Up Battling the U.S. Venezuelan opposition leader Machado has been courting the Trump administration including, reportedly, an offer to give her Nobel Peace Prize to the U.S. president. "I certainly would love to be able to personally tell him that we believethe Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan peoplecertainly want to, to give it to him and share it with him," Machado told Fox News. Advertisement Advertisement But if the olive branch is rejected and the popular opposition remains sidelined, Machado, Gonzalez, and their many supporters will find themselves fighting a regime as oppressive as ever but now backed by the United States. It will be very difficult for the Trump administration to argue that the ensuing mess, including the consequences of steps taken to keep Delcy Rodriguez in office and her colectivos paramilitary gangs, police, and troops terrorizing anybody who complains, isn't their responsibility. After all, every protester shot by a soldier, every skull cracked by the colectivos, will be in the name of propping up a national leader anointed by the U.S. government. Looking back on America's fumbled occupation of Iraq, former Secretary of State Powell commented, "We broke it, we owned it, but we didn't take chargeat least until 2006, when President Bush ordered his now famous surge, and our troops, working with new Iraqi military and police forces, reversed the slide toward chaos." Well, reversed the slide toward chaos to some extent, perhapsIraq remains shaky. Owning the consequences was a risk as soon as the U.S. moved to depose Maduro. Whatever the outcome, it would have been set in motion by American actions. By supporting the continuation of Maduro's regime under new management, the Trump administration is implicitly endorsing the censorship, fixed elections, corruption, and brutality that have kept that government in power since it took office under Hugo Chavez. Advertisement Advertisement Given the guarantees the Trump administration is making to lure American oil companies to reinvest in Venezuela, that could mean boots on the ground, or at least U.S.-employed security forces facing off against Venezuelans. "We're dealing with the country, so we're empowered to make that deal, and you have total safety, total security," Trump claimed of his offer to oil firms. "One of the reasons you couldn't go in is you had no guarantees, you had no security. But now you have total security." Far from being a liberator that saved the Venezuelan people from an entrenched socialist regime, the U.S. could become an enabler that turns the regime into a local subsidiary to get a piece of the action. The Trump Administration Is Keeping Venezuela Broken In truth, Venezuela was broken long before Americans raided Caracas and snatched Maduro away to a fate to be determined by the U.S. courts. But it was a brokenness of Venezuelans' own making. They voted themselves into a disastrous situation and have been trying to extricate themselves through a variety of channels ever since. Making Venezuela's problem an American problem was always going to be dangerous, because it meant assuming responsibility for an already fraught situation with the tough task of trying to fix things while potentially making them worse. Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration seems committed to ensuring that the outcome the U.S. is responsible for is terrible from day one. America didn't break Venezuela to begin with, but the Trump administration is working to keep it broken. The post The Trump Administration Owns Responsibility for Whatever Comes Next in Venezuela appeared first on Reason.com. Donald Trumps threat to annex Greenland represents an existential crisis for Nato, the senior Democratic US senator Chris Murphy has warned, with the demise of the decades-old alliance of western nations certain to follow any American military intervention. It would be the end of Nato, right? Nato would have an obligation to defend Greenland, the Connecticut senator and member of the chambers foreign relations committee said on Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. Murphy added that it would mean clearly we would be at war with Europe, with England, with France. Murphys comments came as Trump ramped up his fixation with the Arctic territory, with the US president telling reporters on Air Force One on Sunday that one way or the other, we are going to have Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement Trump had ordered a plan to be drawn up for an invasion of Greenland, the Mail on Sunday reported, adding that it is being resisted by military leaders on grounds of illegality. Murphys assertion that a forceful US acquisition would be the end of Nato is shared by political leaders in Europe, notably Mette Frederiksen, the prime minister of Denmark. Greenland is a former colony of Denmark and remains an autonomous part of the Danish kingdom, with its foreign and security policy under the control of Copenhagen. On Sunday, Frederiksen accused the US of turning its back on Nato and said this Wednesdays meeting in Washington DC between the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, Lars Lkke Rasmussen and Vivian Motzfeldt, and US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, would be crucial. Advertisement Advertisement We are at a crossroads, and this is a fateful moment, Frederiksen said at a political rally. A bipartisan group of US senators, including the Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski, is planning to visit Copenhagen to meet politicians from the Danish parliaments Greenland committee, it was announced on Sunday. The pessimistic comments of Murphy and Frederiksen were echoed on Monday by Andrius Kubilius, defense commissioner of the European Union, who noted that an EU treaty obligated member states to come to Denmarks aid if faced with military action by Trump. I agree with the Danish prime minister that it will be the end of Nato, but also among people it will be also very, very negative, he told Reuters at a security conference in Sweden. Advertisement Advertisement It will depend very much on Denmark, how they will react, what will be their position, but definitely there is such an obligation of member states to come for mutual assistance if another member state is facing military aggression. Murphy, meanwhile, accused Trump of trying to distract the American people over Greenland and other actions, including the capture of the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, a promise that US companies would control Venezuelas oil, and the construction of a ballroom at the White House. Lets also talk about whats at stake here, Murphy said. The president is spending every single day thinking about invading Greenland, managing the Venezuelan economy, building a ballroom. He is not thinking about the American people at all. This month, health insurance premiums on 22 million Americans are going up, doubling in some cases. Kids arent able to eat three meals because the Trump administration has slashed food assistance. And so every single day, the president is thinking about Greenland, his ballroom, Venezuela. He is spending no time thinking about the actual crises that are being visited on American families. That is the underlying reality of a White House that has become out of control. President Donald Trump pushed back on suggestions from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the United States could capture Russian President Vladimir Putin after Zelensky pointed to Washingtons recent action against Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. Trump waved off the idea of such an operation, while venting frustration over the grinding war and his failure so far to bring it to an end. Trump repeatedly said on the campaign trail that he could end the war on his first day back in office. Despite meetings with both Zelenskyy and Putin, a resolution remains elusive. "Well, I don't think it's going to be necessary," Trump said in response to a question from Fox News Peter Doocy during a meeting with U.S. oil companies executives at the White House Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Russia Alleges Attack On Putin Residence As Ukraine Denies Claim Ahead Of Trump Talks President Donald Trump pushed back on suggestions from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the United States could capture Russian President Vladimir Putin after Zelensky pointed to Washingtons recent action against Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. "I've always had a great relationship with him. I'm very disappointed," Trump said of Putin. "I settled eight wars. I thought this would be in the middle of the pack or maybe one of the easier ones." Trump said the conflict continues to take a heavy toll, particularly on Russian forces, and claimed Moscows economy is suffering. Read On The Fox News App "And in the last month, they lost 31,000 people, many of them Russian soldiers," Trump said, adding that the Russian economy is "doing poorly." Advertisement Advertisement "I think we're going to end up getting it settled," Trump said. "I wish we could have done it quicker because a lot of people are dying. Ukraine's Zelenskyy Yet To Read Peace Plan, Trump Says Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin as Russia continues its war against Ukraine and tensions remain high with NATO. "But largely it's the soldier population," he continued. "When you have 30,000, 31,000 soldiers dying in a period of a month, 27,000 the month before, 26,000 the month before that. That's bad stuff." Trump also criticized the Biden administration for sending what he said was $350 billion to Ukraine, arguing the U.S. should be able to recoup costs through a rare earth minerals agreement tied to continued support. He also claimed the U.S. is not losing money in the conflict, saying Washington is benefiting through arms sales to NATO allies, pointing to NATOs pledge to raise defense and security spending toward 5% of GDP by 2035, up from the longstanding 2% benchmark. Advertisement Advertisement "We're not losing any money. We're making a lot of money," Trump said. Click Here To Download The Fox News App Apartment buildings hit by a Russian missile strike Jan. 9, 2026, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine in the city of in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine. Zelenskyy made his comments after Russia said it fired its new nuclear-capable Oreshnik hypersonic missile as part of a massive overnight attack on Ukraine, a claim Kyiv disputed. Ukrainian officials said the barrage involved hundreds of drones and multiple missiles and struck energy facilities and civilian infrastructure, killing at least four people. Zelenskyy called on the United States and the international community to respond, saying Russia must face consequences for attacks targeting ordinary civilians. Fox News' Rachel Wolf contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump discusses whether he'd order a mission to capture Putin President Trumps call for Sen. Susan Collins (R) to be ousted in November tossed a monkey wrench into the high-stakes Maine Senate race, raising further questions about the GOPs most vulnerable incumbent and whether she will be able to pull off another high-wire act in the blue-leaning state this year. Frustrations at the White House boiled over on Thursday after Collins and four other Republicans sided with Democrats on a war powers resolution that would block further military action in Venezuela. While Republicans were miffed at the attack on the handful of members, its Collins they are most concerned about as she potentially holds the key to them retaining the majority next year. There were a lot of people shaking their heads and a lot of eye rolls, one Senate Republican said of the reaction in the conference to the attack on Collins. [You] probably ought [to] not take on the chair of Appropriations, whos a little bit pissed off about not getting regular-order appropriations done. And now youre sing on her on this sort of stuff? Advertisement Advertisement Its almost reminiscent of, Dont come to vote for the Georgia senators. Its not worth your while, the senator continued, referring to Trumps message to voters in the Peach State ahead of the January 2021 special elections that Democrats swept. Senate GOP leaders have long been protective of Collins, a Maine centrist who has frequently drawn Trumps ire, given what both sides readily acknowledge: Collins is the lone Republican who can win the seat next year. Without her, the seat is likely lost for good, similar to what Democrats experienced in Montana and West Virginia in recent years. That protectiveness extended to recent days after a furious Trump said that Collins and four colleagues should never be elected to office again, prompting top Republicans to rush to her side to give her backup in the midst of the latest dust-up. Trump also went so far as to call Collins directly to voice his displeasure in what was described as a profanity-laced rant, according to two sources. Yes, of course, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said when asked if he still wants her reelected. This was a short-term, immediate reaction to something he felt strongly about. But I think he like all of us wants to make sure that we have a Republican majority in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement For us at least, weve got to play the long game, Thune added in comments to Punchbowl News on Friday. There is one way to elect a Republican in the state of Maine, and thats for Susan Collins to be the nominee. Republicans are largely leaning on Thune and leaders to smooth things over between the two, with White House and Collins staffers expected to play a role. Although Collins is hardly a MAGA supporter, she has long been considered a team player. One GOP operative familiar with the Trump-Collins relationship noted that she helmed one of the most communicative offices during his first term and that the two sides always had a solid understanding of one another. These arent new feelings, right? He was able to understand call it the World Wrestling Federation aspect of this and was able to take his foot off the gas because at the end of the day, obviously, shes better than Graham Platner and [Maine Gov.] Janet Mills will be for him, the operative said. So he was able to get that [and it] was something that he was always comfortable with. Advertisement Advertisement The risks are even more acute this go-around, however. Although Collins has moved ahead with her reelection plans, Republicans are looking to make sure she has no reason to reconsider her options ahead of the March filing deadline. Atop that list is moving the remaining government funding bills via a number of minibuses in the coming weeks ahead of the Jan. 31 shutdown deadline. Collins, who secured her dream job as chair of the Appropriations Committee last year, has been forced to endure a bumpy roller-coaster ride ever since, one that Republicans are trying to make smoother. For now, the damage appears to be limited for the GOP. According to one Republican operative familiar with the situation, it does not appear that the White House has any further plans beyond Trumps statement, including shifting money away from her race or to outright oppose her. Advertisement Advertisement A primary opponent is also not on the table, the operative said. Nevertheless, the remark was still viewed as counterproductive throughout GOP circles. I think the reality is Susan Collins is an extremely valuable member of our caucus, said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), a member of GOP leadership. Lashing out through his Truth Social is the way for him to get his frustrations out. Collins is staring down a general election match-up against either Mills or Platner, an oyster farmer-turned-progressive rising star, that will feature different dynamics compared with her come-from-behind 2020 election victory. Advertisement Advertisement That is due in large part to the nature of midterm cycles and the fact Trump will not be on the ticket this time around. While the two Republicans are cut from different cloth, operatives were quick to note that they complemented each other well at the ballot box in 2020 even with Collins outrunning him by 18 percentage points. Trump carried the states heavily rural 2nd Congressional District by 7 percentage points in 2020, having also won it by double digits in his 2016 and 2024 victories, with his support giving Collins a jolt in the process. She won the district by 23 points. By contrast, Collins only lost the Democratic-heavy 1st District by 4 points. Former President Biden defeated Trump there by 23 percentage points. The question remains as to whether she will be able to run up the score in the rural areas in November without Trump buoying her, especially considering a potentially worse environment. Some in the GOP have questions. Advertisement Advertisement She has a fragile coalition that has only recently been tested during a presidential election, said one GOP operative who has worked on Senate races. She won by a healthy margin [in 2020], but how much can she stand to lose? You need the base to show up and theyre not just going to show up because its a midterm election cycle, and they see an R as better than a D who might also be on the ticket, the operative continued. They could just sit it out and not show up. Its not an insignificant development. Polling is scant, but a survey released in late November showed a tight race no matter whether Mills or Platner emerge in June. Republicans, though, are still riding with Collins to the bitter end. Advertisement Advertisement Its Alabama with [Nick Saban], the operative familiar with the Trump-Collins relationship said. No one gets rich betting against her. 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. (Adds dropped letter in "case" in headline) WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has fired a Justice Department prosecutor after he declined to lead the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, MS Now reported on Monday, citing multiple people briefed on the matter. Robert McBride, 64, the No. 2 official in the department's prominent Eastern District of Virginia, had been asked to run the Comey case in recent days but told Justice Department officials it would be difficult to do that and also run the office. Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge in November dismissed criminal charges against Comey, a longtime critic of President Donald Trump, after the U.S. attorney he hand picked to prosecute them was unlawfully appointed. McBride was named to be first assistant to U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, a former personal lawyer to Trump. Halligan recently discovered that McBride held private meetings with federal judges in the district, MS Now reported. The Attorney General supported McBride's firing, it said. The Justice Department did not immediately return a call for comment on the matter. (Reporting by Bhargav Acharya and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Costas Pitas and Caitlin Webber) LATE ON FRIDAY, a federal judge blocked the Trump administrations funding freeze on federal childcare funding going to five large Democratic-led states. The judges order came in response to a lawsuit filed by the five affected statesCalifornia, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New Yorkand could be overturned either upon the resolution of the lawsuit or upon appeal, should the Trump administration choose to contest the decision. Fridays order does not affect another recent policy move by the administration relating to childcare: putting in place new administrative requirements with far tighter restrictions before funds can be disbursed, ostensibly as a way of combating fraud. In practice, though, this move will likely not noticeably reduce fraud but may cause delays in states getting childcare aid out the door. If one doesnt understand how the U.S. childcare system works, that may not seem like such a big problembut the harmful ripple effects will go far, far beyond the directly affected families. Lets start with some background. The high cost of childcarefamilies using licensed programs often pay over $10,000 a year per childis a result of the fact that it takes many adults to care for young children. Adult-to-child ratios are kept low (often one adult for every six toddlers, with different ratios for different age groups), which means fixed personnel costs are high. Even with many staff members making poverty wages, childcare programs often operate with paper-thin margins and little to no financial cushion. At the same time, lower-income families cannot afford the fees; the families of some 1.4 million children rely on federal childcare subsidy vouchers. Advertisement Advertisement This creates a precarious balance: When states have trouble getting voucher reimbursements out in a timely manner, or when subsidy funding is unavailable, childcare programs struggle to make payroll or pay rent and may have to close their doors. This scenario has played out in recent years in states like Illinois and Missouri, where technical glitches caused major delays in processing reimbursement payments. Crucially, though, state-based programs that accept the federal subsidy arent serving only lower-income families. According to federal data, around half of childcare centers in the country receive some subsidy dollars, but only 6 percent have three-quarters of more of their children on subsidy. Meanwhile, a much larger percentage of childcare centers22 percenthave at least one child on subsidy but have less than half of their enrollment made up of these children. This means the negative effects of funding delays or freezes end up being widely felt. The same center may well be serving the child of a grocery store clerk and the child of a heart surgeon. Both jobs were called essential just a few years ago during the COVID pandemic. As the police chief of Montrose, Coloradoa small, conservative city in the western part of the statesaid in a 2023 video about the citys childcare struggles, breakdowns in care can even threaten public health and safety. Get a clearer sense of the political landscape in 2026 while also keeping your sanity intact: Sign up for a free or paid Bulwark subscription. Advertisement Advertisement Which brings us back to the Trump administrations recent actions. While a broader argument can be made that childcare access should be a universal rightand that the best way to avoid messes like this is by having a simple, publicly funded yet pluralistic system instead of one that runs on a pay-to-play basisa bit of self-interest is all it takes to realize how foolhardy the administrations current move is. The miner in Minnesotas Iron Range, the chicken-plant worker in California or Tennessee, the rural firefighter, the teacher in your child or grandchilds school: All of these individuals need childcare, and a great number of them use childcare providers that need federal subsidy dollars to keep the lights on. As the old saying goes, everyonewhether Democrat, Republican, or independentrelies on someone who relies on childcare. The stated rationale for the Trump administrations recent moves is a crackdown on fraud, with the proximate cause being the long-smoldering Minnesota scandal that recently blew up into a national story. Fraud is unacceptable, of course. As political scientist Ruy Teixeira recently pointed out, it dampens the publics trust in the countrys fairness. Thats true whether its a childcare program run by immigrants or one run by the wife of the former Republican lieutenant governor (and gubernatorial candidate) in North Carolina. Its as true when its happening in Mississippi as it is in Minnesota. That said, its worth noting that the overwhelming majority of childcare payments nationally96 percent or morehave been shown to be proper according to ongoing federal monitoring. Despite lacking any new factual cause beyond a highly questionable viral video, then, the Trump administration took two actions. First, for all fifty states, the administration activated its defend the spend system over the holidays. This idea, begun last year by the DOGE team, requires justifications for pretty much every expenditure an agency makes, a laborious, redundant process that has the effect of inhibiting federal programs. In this case, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is asking states for extra justifications and attestations they are implementing strategies and controls to identify fraud and ensure program integrity. Particularly given the hollowed-out capacity at ACF after widespread staffing cuts, significant delays in funding going out are almost certain. This isnt the first time the administration did this: Last spring, ACF briefly used (and then deactivated) defend the spend on childcare funding. The requirements for additional justifications led to numerous temporary program closures and staff layoffs, throwing many families into chaos. Advertisement Advertisement This time around, the effects are likely to be felt starting soon. In Texas, childcare providers that receive government funding recently got an email warning them payments to all [subsidy-accepting] providers could be delayed. We dont yet know exactly how long the delays might be. In Missouri, childcare providers are reportedly skipping paying their bills as they wait for delayed federal funding to come through. The situation was far more fraught in the five Democratic-led states where the administration froze federal childcare funding altogetherthe move blocked on Friday by Judge Arun Subramanian. Before the judges restraining order, those states were restricted from drawing down any funds until they provided reams of new data, threatening the very viability of those states childcare sectors. According to an analysis by the Century Foundation, such a funding freeze in those five states would directly affect some 300,000 children who rely on the subsidiesnearly one in four subsidy-receiving kids in the countryplus another 200,000 children whose childcare providers rely on the subsidies. Upwards of 150,000 working mothers might be pushed to leave the workforce because of lost childcare. If the courts ultimately rule that the Trump freeze can proceed, you can expect to see some of those effects. These moves by the Trump administration may also have a chilling effect on providers choosing to participate in the subsidy program at all, further reducing options for lower-income families and the health of the childcare sector writ large. Theres a long tradition, of course, of trying to score political points by punching down at the poor. In this case, however, the Trump administration may be counting on the fact that most Americans dont understand how much they need a functional childcare system regardless of whether they have young kids of their own. For all its many flaws, the existing subsidy program has kept a finger in the dam. We may be about to find out what happens when leaders choose to let the deluge through. Advertisement Advertisement Share Elliot Haspel is a senior fellow at the think tank Capita, culture of care fellow at the Better Life Lab in the think tank New America, and the author, most recently, of Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care For All (Oxford, 2025). President Donald Trump got under the skin of his critics Sunday after making his latest social media troll post. On Sunday night, Trumps account on Truth Social posted a mock Wikipedia page indicating that he is Acting President of Venezuela. After the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro following a U.S. military operation in the South American nations capital, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been acting president of Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement Trump has sought to coerce Rodriguez and other former Maduro loyalists still in power to advance his vision for U.S. control of Venezuelas lucrative oil exports, the Associated Press reported. The South American country has the worlds largest proven crude reserves. Trumps social media post angered critics and Democrats. Trumps posting about being Acting President of Venezuela when hes not even acting like a president at home, tweeted Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota. It was the darkest of times, it was the dumbest of times, added liberal influencer Joanne Carducci. Hes not even the acting president of America. Advertisement Advertisement Journalist Mehdi Hasan suggested Trumps troll was being overlooked. Imagine. If. Biden. Did. It, he tweeted. The U.S. and Venezuela severed ties during Trumps first term in 2019. The U.S. insistence that opposition leader Juan Guaido was the rightful president of Venezuela enraged Maduro, who maintained his firm grip on power. That year, the Trump administration shuttered the embassy in Caracas and moved diplomats to nearby Bogota, Colombia. U.S. officials have traveled to Caracas just a handful of times since. Donald Trump Read the original article on al.com. President Trump will meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado on Thursday, a White House official told The Hill. Trump said in an interview with Fox Newss Sean Hannity that he would be meeting with Machado this week. Well, I understand shes coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her, Trump said in the interview last week. Machado told Hannity last week that she would like to give Trump the Nobel Peace Prize she won earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement The president said in his interview with Hannity it would be a great honor to receive the prize from Machado. Ive stopped eight wars, Trump said. I think its been a major embarrassment to Norway. Now, I dont know what Norway has to do with it, but thats where the [Nobel Prize] committee is located, a lot of Norwegian people. The warm words from the president come as questions persist over who will lead Venezuela going forward. Trump told reporters earlier this week that Machado does not have sufficient support or respect in Venezuela to lead her native country. The U.S. has backed acting Venezuela President Delcy Rodriguez after Trump ordered a military operation in which U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and brought him to the U.S. to face drug charges. Advertisement Advertisement 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. Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado will meet President Donald Trump on Thursday, the White House has confirmed. The visit comes just weeks after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was seized in Caracas by US forces. But Trump declined to endorse Machado, whose movement claimed victory in 2024's widely contested elections, as its new leader. The US instead backed Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former vice-president. Advertisement Advertisement Machado said last week she hoped to thank Trump personally for the action against Maduro and would like to give the Nobel Prize to him. Trump called it "a great honour", but the Nobel Committee later clarified that it was not transferable. Earlier, Trump had expressed displeasure over Machado's decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, an honour the president has long coveted. Asked on Friday whether receiving Machado's prize might change his view of her role in Venezuela, the president said: "She might be involved in some aspect of it." "I will have to speak to her. I think it's very nice that she wants to come in. And that's what I understand the reason is," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this month, after Maduro's ouster, Trump had said Machado "doesn't have the support within, or the respect within, the country". "She's a very nice woman, but she doesn't have the respect," he said. The US has so far backed Delcy Rodriguez as Venezuela's interim president. Trump describes Rodriguez as an "ally", and she has not been charged by US officials with any crimes. "Delcy Rodriguez and her team have been very cooperative with the United States," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday. But Machado has maintained that her coalition should "absolutely" be in charge of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Machado has said nobody trusted Rodriguez, telling CBS that the interim leader was "one of the main architects... of repression for innocent people" in the South American country. "Everybody in Venezuela and abroad knows perfectly who she is and the role she has played," Machado said. The former legislator, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year, described US military action in Venezuela as "a major step towards restoring prosperity and rule of law and democracy in Venezuela". Rodriguez has rebuffed claims by Trump that the US was in charge of Venezuela. "The Venezuelan government rules our country, and no-one else does," she said in a televised speech. "There is no external agent governing Venezuela." It is by no means certain that the best thing that could happen for the many people in Iran now struggling for their freedom is for Donald Trump to bomb their country. Such a scenario is now perfectly feasible in a way that it was not even a year ago. First, from what can be discerned and verified from outside, the scale of the protests is growing in size and scope spreading across all classes and regions of the nation, and not just the big cities. There is now a sense of a popular movement gathering force, one that looks more capable of changing the country than previous uprisings ever did. Second, the precedent for direct action in Iran rather than relying on Israel as a proxy was set when the United States launched its successful raids on the nuclear facilities at Natanz and Esfahan in June. President Trump, as ever, overstated the damage, but it was nonetheless real. The American firepower deployed was formidable no fewer than 14 bunker-buster bombs, alongside an aerial armada only this superpower could muster. Irans previously much-feared air-defence systems proved almost useless, and retaliation from Irans militant allies in the region was limited. Advertisement Advertisement Third, President Trump has acquired a taste for intervention that would have seemed impossible during the early, isolationist phase of his presidency. He can see just how far his attack on Venezuela, for example, has altered the facts on the ground, and he and his closest, most ideologically attuned advisers have drawn what they consider to be the obvious conclusion: might is right. The same logic underpins the present strikes on Isis targets in Syria. Hence, the continual rattling of threats from the White House that American forces are locked and loaded, and that they will hit the ayatollahs where it hurts if protesters are harmed. Well, protesters are being harmed. The police are firing on civilians, cutting off phones and internet access to the outside world, and switching off street lights in an effort to crush the counterrevolution now underway. It was always going to be the case that the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would never surrender power, or even offer meaningful concessions, without a bloody fight. So it has transpired. This has been the modus operandi of the theocrats ever since they swept away the Shah, no liberal himself, in the Islamic Revolution of 1978-79, and turned what was at least a partially liberal and democratic revolt into a religious dictatorship with only a weak civilian arm of governance. As the revolts enter their third week, the regimes brutal tactics are failing. Elon Musks Starlink is providing some internet access, and videos and eyewitness accounts are coming out. Symbols and centres of power are being torn down and set alight. People are still pouring into the streets, and the police are still running away. Some of those tasked with repression police officers, civil servants, even Revolutionary Guards and the army may now be calculating where their personal interests lie, and are ready to switch sides. Momentum is building. Advertisement Advertisement The footage and testimony emerging from Iran are vivid and deeply moving. These are brave, patriotic people, exhausted by poverty and by being bossed around by the Islamic Republics elite. However strange it may sound, President Trump may even feel a degree of genuine sympathy for the protesters and their cause, as well as wanting to see the back of a regime that has been an implacable enemy of the United States for almost half a century. The president may believe that he can deter Irans theocratic leadership from unleashing further violence with the threat of unspecified reprisals by US forces. Yet it is Washington, not Tehran, that should exercise restraint. Such intervention would be entirely unnecessary and counterproductive. It would hand the ayatollahs the proof they crave that the counterrevolution is merely an agent of the Great Satan, splintering the Iranian resistance. It would also play into ancient folk legends partly justified, to be fair about nefarious Anglo-American interference in Iranian affairs and the theft of its oil resources. Looking further ahead, and depending on the nature of any strikes, bombing the regime out of existence could also destroy the machinery of government and the oil industry so completely that Iran would disintegrate even as it liberated itself as happened in Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Planning for the day after, when Ayatollah Khamenei might flee for his life to Moscow, appears conspicuously absent in Washington. That said, the European E3 powers Britain, France and Germany now forming an emerging de facto diplomatic bloc, could be far more forceful in their warnings to the regime and in their support for the forces of light. Urging Tehran merely to exercise restraint, refrain from violence, and uphold the fundamental rights of Irans citizens sounds as wishful as it is weak. The people of Iran deserve to know that if they want regime change, the West shares that ambition and stands ready to help them stabilise and rebuild their country. For now, however, the task of completing this counterrevolution rests with the Iranian people themselves. Weaker-than-expected Bitcoin performance will enable Ethereum to outperform the top crypto and hit $40,000 by 2030, according to Standard Chartereds latest forecast. The major British multinational bank published the prediction in a research note on January 12. 2026 will be the year of Ethereum, much like 2021 was, Geoffrey Kendrick, Standard Chartereds global head of digital assets research and author of the note, said. He argues that an improvement in Ethereums prospects relative to Bitcoin means the price ratio between the two assets could return to its 2021 high. At that time, the Ethereum to Bitcoin ratio hit a high of around 0.08, meaning that the price of one Ether token was 8% the value of one Bitcoin. However in the years since, Ethereum has lagged behind, and the ratio has dropped to around 0.03.For context, if the Ethereum to Bitcoin ratio rose to around 0.16, the two crypto assets would trade at an equal market value. Stablecoin play Standard Chartereds prediction highlights how traditional financial firms are growing more and more bullish on stablecoins and tokenisation taking real world assets such as stocks, bonds or real estate, and conferring ownership of them digitally on a blockchain. Ethereum is currently the biggest blockchain for tokenisation, hosting more than $10 billion worth of crypto and real world assets. It also hosts the majority of all stablecoins, which are often backed by US Treasury bonds. These factors, the bank says, put Ethereum in a strong position to take advantage of the increased interest in onchain finance. Bitcoin, on the other hand, was not designed to accommodate programmable smart contracts, and therefore has a comparatively tiny onchain ecosystem. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicts stablecoins could grow into a $3 trillion industry by 2030. The value of all tokenised assets on blockchains could surpass $19 trillion by 2033, according to an April report from Ripple and Boston Consulting Group. Ethereum ETFs Onchain finance isnt the only reason Standard Chartered sees a brighter future for Ethereum than Bitcoin. Investment through exchange-traded funds and digital asset treasuries is less important for Ethereums price performance than Bitcoins, the bank said. Investors have pulled over $1.9 billion out of Ethereum ETFs since November, according to DefiLlama data. In the same time, Bitcoin ETFs have seen over $4.6 billion in outflows. Even so, while crypto ETF flows have weakened overall, they are more constructive for ETH than for BTC at present, Kendrick wrote. Critics are calling out President Donald Trump for posting a wild image of himself on Sunday, complete with an outrageous new title. On his Truth Social platform, Trump posted a mock Wikipedia-style image showing himself as acting president of Venezuela as of January 2026. Earlier this month, Trump sent the U.S. military into Venezuela to remove its leader, Nicolas Maduro, and bring him to New York to stand trial on drug trafficking charges. Trump did not obtain approval from Congress, leading to a bipartisan rebuke in the Senate. Politics: Democrat Mary Peltola Launches Senate Bid In Alaska Delcy Rodriguez, who had been serving as Maduros vice president, is ostensibly the interim president, but after the operation, Trump said that the U.S. would be running the country. Advertisement Advertisement Trump also has designs on Venezuelas oil, and last week he discussed the issue with industry executives at the White House. The new post showing him as acting president of Venezuela suggests Trump indeed sees himself as in charge of that country. His critics fired back: *** Eva Golinger (@evagolinger) January 12, 2026 Completely INSANE. Hoodlum (@NotHoodlum) January 12, 2026 Trump sucks at running America. Which is why he also sucks at running Venezuela. The U.S. is now warning all Americans to leave Venezuela. And the @WhiteHouse thinks U.S. companies will invest in Venezuela. LOL. https://t.co/N7mzLtmzLIpic.twitter.com/p7RMWfZh2h Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 12, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Nothing says America First like posting that youre the acting President of another country that youve attacked with Americas military to steal their oil for your billionaire donors to profit from. https://t.co/JimF7INBoi Melanie D'Arrigo (@DarrigoMelanie) January 12, 2026 Hes living in complete fantasyland. How long will Republicans continue to pretend that this delusional, demented old man should remain in office? https://t.co/bnV4EtiQYr Polly Sigh (@dcpoll) January 12, 2026 Gulf of America levels of stupidity Michael G. (@MichaelGarofola) January 12, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Trump is under the impression that people like being colonized, a good argument for not electing the most ignorant person in the world to be the most powerful person in the world. https://t.co/1tpyzVYMTy Jesse Lee (@JesseCharlesLee) January 12, 2026 Chaos, division, contempt for democracy, defiance of the law, political theatre, normalisation of extremes: how Trumps authoritarian kleptocracy works. https://t.co/sX4kZV2s8c Ekklesia Network (@Ekklesia_co_uk) January 12, 2026 Come on. What the ****, Congress. _ (@SundaeDivine) January 12, 2026 Chaos, division, contempt for democracy, defiance of the law, political theatre, normalisation of extremes: how Trumps authoritarian kleptocracy works. https://t.co/sX4kZV2s8c Ekklesia Network (@Ekklesia_co_uk) January 12, 2026 Advertisement Advertisement Narnia, Atlantis and The Little Dipper (tee hee) as well. Lee Finishen (@5150Inprogress) January 12, 2026 Hes spiraling into a singularity of narcissistic terror over Epstein, and decompensating with performative dictatoring. His alternate reality is sealed and the people around him are riding his collapse to get what they wanttotal destruction of the world order. What a timeline. https://t.co/HKLvYzlpbP Jim Stewartson, Decelerationist (@jimstewartson) January 12, 2026 Political Updates Read the original on HuffPost Trump administration officials are set to meet with Danish officials on Wednesday to discuss Greenland. They are talks that follow President Donald Trump's open rejection of any middle ground, insisting that the United States must acquire the territory outright. Speaking aboard Air Force One Sunday night, Trump warned that Russia or China would move in if Washington doesn't act, dismissing Greenland's defense as little more than "two dog sleds." The meeting, first reported by CBS News, has not been publicly announced. But it follows days of escalating language from Trump, who has revived his push to acquire the world's largest island and refused to rule out force. From interest to escalation Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Congress last week that Trump remains interested in purchasing Greenland. Soon after, the White House confirmed officials are discussing a wide range of options for acquiring the Danish territory, including military action. Advertisement Advertisement Trump sharpened the message himself on Friday during a meeting with oil executives at the White House. "I would, I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way," he said. "But if we don't do it the easy way we're going to do it the hard way." In a separate interview with The New York Times, Trump said ownership of Greenland was important because it is "psychologically needed for success," while again arguing the territory is critical for U.S. defense. "I think that ownership gives you a thing that you can't do, whether you're talking about a lease or a treaty," Trump said. "Ownership gives you things and elements that you can't get from just signing a document." Zhang Quanwei/Xinhua via Getty Images Trump raises the stakes Trump doubled down further Sunday night, making clear his administration is not interested in leasing Greenland, only acquiring it. Advertisement Advertisement "I haven't done that," Trump said when asked if the U.S. had made a formal offer. "Greenland should make the deal because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over." He warned that Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic leaves the U.S. little choice. "In the meantime, you have Russian destroyers and submarines, and China destroyers and submarines all over the place," Trump said. "We're not going to let that happen." Asked about the potential impact on NATO, Trump appeared unmoved. "If it affects NATO, then it affects NATO," he said. "They need us more than we need them." AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson Congress draws a red line The president's comments have triggered unusually direct pushback on Capitol Hill, including from lawmakers who say Congress would act quickly to block any military move. Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Tim Kaine, who himself met with Danish officials last week, said Sunday that lawmakers would force a Senate vote barring U.S. military action against Greenland or Denmark if necessary. "If we need to, we will get overwhelming bipartisan support that this president is foolish to even suggest this," Kaine said on CBS's "Face the Nation." "We're not going to do it the hard way, and we're not going to do it the easy way, either we're going to continue to work with Denmark as a sovereign nation that we're allied with, and we're not going to treat them as an adversary or as an enemy." NATO consequences linger Other Democrats are warning that the stakes extend far beyond U.S.Denmark relations. Sen. Chris Murphy said annexing Greenland could trigger NATO's collective defense obligation, effectively forcing allies to respond to U.S. military action. Advertisement Advertisement "NATO would have an obligation to defend Greenland," Murphy said on NBC's "Meet The Press." "Query whether we would be at war with Europe, with England, with France." Denmark is a member of NATO, whose Article 5 treats an attack on one member as an attack on all. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a U.S. military move against Greenland would effectively end the alliance. Rejection from Greenland and Denmark Leaders in both Denmark and Greenland have rejected Trump's push outright. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and the leaders of all five parties in Greenland's parliament issued a joint statement Friday saying they don't want to become part of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement "We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders," the statement said. For now, the Wednesday meeting signals engagement, not resolution. But with the White House openly floating force, Congress threatening to step in, and NATO unity suddenly in question, Greenland has gone from a fringe idea to a real geopolitical test. The post Trump mocks Greenland defenses as two dog sleds' ahead of Denmark talks appeared first on Straight Arrow News. Related Links President Donald Trump said Sunday the United States would take Greenland "one way or the other," warning that Russia and China would "take over" if Washington didn't act. Trump says controlling the mineral-rich Danish territory is crucial for US national security given increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic. "If we don't take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I'm not letting that happen," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, despite neither country laying claim to the vast island. Advertisement Advertisement Trump said he would be open to making a deal with the Danish self-governing territory "but one way or the other, we're going to have Greenland." Denmark and other European allies have voiced shock at Trump's threats over the island, which plays a strategic role between North America and the Arctic, and where the United States has had a military base since World War II. A Danish colony until 1953, Greenland gained home rule 26 years later and is contemplating eventually loosening its ties with Denmark. The vast majority of its population and political parties have said they do not want to be under US control and insist Greenlanders must decide their own future -- a viewpoint continuously challenged by Trump. Advertisement Advertisement "Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over," Trump warned, as he mocked its defenses. "You know what their defense is, two dog sleds," he said, while Russia and China have "destroyers and submarines all over the place." Denmark's prime minister warned last week that any US move to take Greenland by force would destroy 80 years of transatlantic security links. Trump waved off the comment saying: "If it affects NATO, it affects NATO. But you know, (Greenland) need us much more than we need them." bur-ane/mtp United States President Donald Trump has said that Washington is considering strong options in response to Irans crackdown on anti-government protests, including possible military intervention. Were looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options. Well make a determination, he told reporters on board Air Force One late on Sunday. He said Irans leadership had called, seeking to negotiate after his threats of military action, and that a meeting is being set up. Advertisement Advertisement But he added that we may have to act before a meeting. There was no immediate comment from Tehran. Iranian leaders earlier on Sunday issued a stark warning against military intervention, with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf saying: In the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories [Israel] as well as all US bases and ships will be our legitimate target. The protests in Iran began on December 28, when merchants at Tehrans Grand Bazaar closed their shops over the Iranian rials plummeting value. The demonstrations quickly spread nationwide, with grievances evolving from concerns over soaring living costs to broader opposition against Irans clerical establishment, who have governed the country since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Advertisement Advertisement According to Iranian state media, at least 109 security personnel have been killed in the unrest, but opposition activists based outside the country say the death toll is higher and includes hundreds of protesters. A nationwide internet blackout has also persisted for more than 72 hours, according to monitoring groups. Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that his government was ready to listen to protesters, but urged the public to prevent rioters and terrorist elements from wreaking havoc. He told the IRIB broadcaster that that Israel and the US, which waged a 12-day war against Iran in June of last year, were masterminding the unrest in the country, saying that the same people that struck this country were trying to escalate these unrests with regard to the economic discussion. The unrest in Iran is unfolding as Trump pursues an assertive foreign policy, having abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and discussing acquiring Greenland by purchase or force. Advertisement Advertisement Trump was scheduled to meet with senior advisers on Tuesday to discuss options for Iran, a US official told the Reuters news agency. The Wall Street Journal reported that options included military strikes, using secret cyberweapons, widening sanctions and providing online help to anti-government sources. Trump said on Sunday that he plans to speak with billionaire Elon Musk about restoring internet in Iran. Hes very good at that kind of thing, hes got a very good company, Trump told reporters in response to a question about whether he would engage with Musks SpaceX company, which offers a satellite internet service called Starlink that has been used in Iran. The US leader also spoke on his plans for Venezuela and Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement Trump confirmed he would be meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado on Tuesday or Wednesday. He said global oil companies will also be safe if they invest in Venezuela, repeating a pledge made last week during a White House meeting with oil executives. There are guarantees theyre going to be safe, he said. They had problems in the past because they didnt have Trump as president. They had stupid people. On Greenland, Trump called for the Danish Arctic territory to make a deal, and said we are talking about acquiring it, not making a short term deal. Trump repeated his previous and unproven claims that China and Russia had deployed destroyers and submarines all over the place in the waters around Greenland. The territorys defence force, he said, was made up of two dogsleds. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who has previously said that US annexation of Greenland is necessary for Washingtons self-defence, said Russia and China will take Greenland if the US does not. Im not letting that happen, he told reporters. I would love to make a deal with them. Its easier, but one way or another were going to have Greenland. President Donald Trump issued a warning to Cuba over the weekend. According to The Associated Press, Trump said Sunday that Cuba had been living off Venezuelan oil and money and had offered security in return, BUT NOT ANYMORE! THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA ZERO! Trump said in a post on Truth Social. I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. He did not explain what kind of deal, according to AP. Advertisement Advertisement President Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba responded to Trump by saying that his country was prepared to defend itself against American threats, according to The New York Times. Cuba is a free, independent and sovereign nation, Diaz-Canel wrote on X. No one tells us what to do. He added that the Caribbean island was ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood. Venezuela is believed to send about 35,000 barrels of oil a day to Cuba, according to the BBC. Cuba is one of the nations Trump has been turning his attention toward following the U.S. military operation in Venezuela that ousted Nicolas Maduro. Trump has also spoken frequently about his desire for Greenland to become part of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week he would be concerned if he were in the Cuban government and added that theyre in a lot of trouble, according to the BBC. On Sunday, Trump re-posted a social media message suggesting Rubio could become president of Cuba, the BBC said. More on the Trump administration Read the original article on syracuse.com. President Donald Trump speaks during a House Republican retreat in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2026. Credit - Alex WongGetty Images President Donald Trump is seemingly trying to redefine what counts as an American citizen. Since returning to the White House, hes not only ramped up his immigration crackdown, but has also questioned the citizenship status of foreign-born U.S. citizens, sparking mass concerns over the potential weaponization of denaturalization. Trump has paid particular focus to Minnesota, on account of the widespread investigations regarding fraudulent schemes targeting government-funded programs within the state. The President has used the scandal to target Minnesotas Somali community and has accused them of destroying the state, on account of some people of Somali descent being found guilty of involvement with the schemes. He has seemingly taken to blaming the community as a whole rather than the individuals involved. Advertisement Advertisement Referencing members of the Somali community, Trump confirmed this week that his Administration is looking into stripping some Americans of their naturalized state. I would do it in a heartbeat if they were dishonest, Trump told the New York Times in an interview conducted Wednesday night. I think that many of the people that came in from Somalia, they hate our country. Although the Trump Administration is actively looking into the criteria for taking away citizenship, the President did not specify the exact foreign-born groups that would be targeted. Instead, he said: If they deserve to be stripped, I would, yes. Trump also did not specify what exactly would constitute one to deserve the denaturalization process and whether or not he was referring to the current legal parameters for denaturalization. Eryan Hanlon, immigration lawyer and partner at Greenwood Handlon Kendrick, says that certain legal evidence is required in order to pursue denaturalization. The Trump Administration would have to prove that they [the citizens] were either committing fraud or lying during their naturalization processperhaps through a fake marriage, or hiding a felony or a serious crime, or using a false name, says Hanlon. TIME has reached out to the White House for comment. Immigration crackdown: A demonstrator waves an upside-down American flag in front of a Federal building and U.S. Marines during a protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids directed by the Trump Administration on July 4, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Apu GomesGetty Images This is far from the first time Trump and members of his team have referenced denaturalization as part of ongoing efforts to crackdown on immigration. In December, during an appearance on Fox & Friends, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Administration was looking at revoking the citizenship of people of Somali descent if they are convicted in the fraud cases. This somewhat echoed Trumps own words, as he previously said send them back to where they came from, in reference to members of the Somali community in Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Trump has even targeted individuals with his threats. He expressed his desire to strip America-born adversaries of their U.S. citizenship, although its unclear how he would legally seek to do that. The President twice threatened to revoke the citizenship of New York-born comedian Rosie ODonnell, one of his decades-long sparring partners. ODonnell, who moved to Ireland following Trumps election win in 2024, rebuffed his commentary. But Trumps main focus has been on foreign-born American citizens. He previously questioned the citizenship status of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a U.S. citizen in 2018. And in December, he lashed out at Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who was born in Somalia and gained her U.S. citizenship aged 17 in 2000. During a speech in Pennsylvania, Trump told a rousing crowd: We ought to get her (Omar) the hell out. He then listened as the crowd chanted send her back. Should Trump, who campaigned on a platform of mass deportation, follow through on his threats against foreign-born Americans, it would mark a significant escalation of his immigration crackdown. In November, the President said he was terminating the Temporary Protected Status (TPS Program) for Somalis in Minnesota. After a shooting in Washington, D.C. killed National Guard member Sarah Beckstroma crime for which an Afghan national emerged as the sole suspectTrump ordered a reexamination of green card entries into the U.S. for people from 19 countries, including Somalia. That list of countries with full or partial travel restrictions was later expanded to 39. Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, in December, internal documents from the Trump Administration to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices reportedly pushed a monthly quota for denaturalization figures going into 2026. The USCIS offices were requested to supply Office of Immigration Litigation with 100-200 denaturalization cases per month, in guidance obtained by the New York Times. The quota would be a sharp increase in the number of cases for denaturalizing U.S. citizens, with 305 cases filed between 1990 and 2017, an average of 11 annually, prior to Trump taking office, according to the National Immigration Forum. Trumps first term saw a higher case number than the average, with 42 filed annually under his Administration. Smita Dazzo, deputy legal lead of HIAS, an organization based in the U.S. that provides legal assistance to refugees and asylum seekers, believes that the Trump Administration would have difficulty in achieving the reported quota, if it so desired. I think it would be very unlikely that if this program were to go through, especially at the scale this Administration wants it to, that it would not be challenged legally, she says, explaining that such cases would have to go through federal courts. Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts responded to the reported quota push by condemning attacks on immigrants and their rights to citizenship. The Trump Administrations latest anti-immigrant attack is xenophobia disguised as policy. It is disgusting and cruel to revoke the citizenship of Americans who have called this country home for years. All American citizensregardless of where they were borndeserve all of our nation's constitutional protections, he said. What is the legal basis for stripping an American of their citizenship? According to USCIS, a naturalized American can only have their citizenship removed if there is deliberate deceit on the part of the person in misrepresenting or failing to disclose a material fact or facts on his or her naturalization application and subsequent examination. Advertisement Advertisement Cases of denaturalization are a rare occurrence, as all naturalized citizens have already passed through vetting during immigration interviews and green card applications, says Dazzo, adding that she has never seen a client denaturalized in her 16 years of legal work. Cases of successful denaturalization mostly come down to if the misrepresentation was wilful, and such misrepresentation led to the person in question gaining their citizenship, or if the citizenship was procured illegally. A naturalized citizen can also be revoked of their status if the person becomes a member of, or affiliated with, the Communist party, other totalitarian party, or terrorist organization within five years of his or her naturalization. The USCIS will refer such cases for revocation should there be sufficient evidence to establish that the person is subject to one of the grounds of revocation. These cases have no statute of limitations, according to the Justice Department, which in 2020 created a dedicated section for denaturalization during the first Trump Administration. Advertisement Advertisement However, the Trump Administration cannot legally revoke a persons citizenship for crimes they have committed. Denaturalization is not a penalty for criminal convictions. The two are not related, says Dazzo. If somebody committed fraud prior to citizenship and did not disclose it on their naturalization application, they could be denaturalized for that purpose, says Dazzo, as it would qualify as a failure to disclose material facts. In agreement, Hanlon says: It would have to be fraud in obtaining their citizenship, rather than if this person has committed a crime since. This legal basis pulls into question the Trump Administration's active efforts to find a way to strip any foreign-born Americans convicted in the Minnesota fraud cases of their citizenship. In light of this, Dazzo is concerned that the Trump Administration could instead look for small details in former citizenship applications and argue them as intended misrepresentations. Advertisement Advertisement They may find any kind of mistake that could have been made, no matter how insignificant, and then claim that it's a material misrepresentation worthy of denaturalization, says Dazzo. Hanlon is also cautious that the application of the grounds to revoke citizenship could be stretched by the Trump Administration. If someone accidentally put the wrong birth date on an application and the government wants to denaturalize them, could that be twisted to be considered fraudulent when really it was a typo? she notes. An added concern is the possibility of eventual deportation efforts. "U.S. citizens cannot be deported, even if they originally immigrated here from somewhere else. But when someone is denaturalized, they revert back to their status as a green card holder. And as a green card holder, you can be deported," says Dazzo, emphasizing the precarious nature of stripping someone of their citizenship status. Contact us at letters@time.com. President Donald Trump on Sunday said Cuba would no longer receive oil or money from Venezuela. Trump warned Cuba to cut a deal with the US in a post on Truth Social. "I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE," he wrote. President Donald Trump on Sunday delivered a warning to Cuba, advising Havana to strike a deal "before it is too late." In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the island nation would no longer receive oil or money from Venezuela. Advertisement Advertisement "Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela," Trump wrote. "In return, Cuba provided 'Security Services' for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE!" "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO!" he continued. "I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE." Trump turned his attention to Venezuela's oil industry after the US captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in Caracas last week. Maduro has been indicted in the Southern District of New York on weapons and drug charges. On Friday, American oil executives met with Trump and senior administration officials to discuss a proposed $100 billion plan to invest in Venezuela's oil operations. Advertisement Advertisement Trump earlier said the government may reimburse oil companies for growing their operations in Venezuela. The Big Oil executives at the meeting, for their part, appeared largely hesitant to reenter the volatile country before major reforms are made. For Cuba, losing access to Venezuelan oil would be a big blow to its already uncertain economy. According to the US Energy Information Administration, Cuba imports the majority of its oil from Venezuela about 30,000 to 35,000 barrels a day, per most estimates. Speaking to reporters last week on board Air Force One, Trump said Cuba appeared "ready to fall." "I don't know if they're going to hold out," he said. "But Cuba now has no income. They got all of their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil." Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether the US would take military action in Cuba, Trump said he did not think it would be necessary, adding: "I think it's just going to fall." In his post on Truth Social, Trump also positioned the US as Venezuela's protector moving forward, saying that most of the Cuban security personnel stationed in Caracas had been killed in the operation to seize Maduro. The Cuban government announced that 32 of its nationals died during the US raid on the capital. Read the original article on Business Insider ANKARA, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Turkey said on Monday that any foreign intervention in neighbouring Iran would lead to greater crises in the country and the region, and it called for U.S. and Iranian negotiations to resolve existing problems. Iran is facing its biggest demonstrations since 2022 and U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to get involved if force is used against protesters. NATO member Turkey does not wish to see chaos in Iran despite "certain problems within Iranian society and government", Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkey's ruling AK Party, said. Advertisement Advertisement "As Iranian President (Masoud) Pezeshkian has stated, these problems must be resolved through the internal dynamics of Iranian society and the national will of Iran," Celik told a press conference after a meeting of the ruling party. "We believe that foreign intervention will lead to even worse consequences, and that intervention provoked by Israel in particular will lead to even greater crises." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel was closely monitoring the protests in Iran, adding: "We all hope that the Persian nation will soon be freed from the yoke of tyranny." Trump and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan have close personal ties. Advertisement Advertisement Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said the protests, which evolved from complaints over dire economic hardships to defiant calls for the fall of the deeply entrenched clerical establishment, send a very strong message to Tehran. "These demonstrations, stemming from genuine reasons and structural problems, are also being manipulated from abroad by Iran's rivals," Fidan told Turkish state broadcaster TRT on Friday. "What we're trying to do... is to support an agreement with Iran that benefits both sides, primarily the Americans, because the stability of the region depends on it." U.S.-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 544 people and the arrests of 10,681 people since the protests began on December 28. Reuters was unable to independently verify the tallies. (Reporting by Huseyin HayatseverEditing by Gareth Jones) By Wa Lone TORONTO, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Two Canadian Members of Parliament are ending a trip to Taiwan early this week ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China, they said in a statement on Monday. Helena Jaczek and Marie-France Lalonde, members of Carney's Liberal Party, said they had been pleased to work with members of all political parties on the delegation. "As this portion of the visit concludes, informed by advice from the government, we are returning home," their statement said. "It's important that we avoid confusion with Canada's foreign policy, given the overlap with the Prime Minister's engagement in Beijing, which was only confirmed last week." Advertisement Advertisement They said Canadas position on Taiwan has not changed. Three Conservative members of Parliament remained in Taiwan and will meet Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Tuesday, according to the island's presidential office. Asked about the departure of two ruling-party lawmakers, a spokesperson for Taiwan's foreign ministry said some members of the delegation had had to leave early "for some reason." "The foreign ministry continues to welcome friends from all walks of life to visit Taiwan and we will continue working with Canada to further deepen exchanges and cooperation across all fields," spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei said. Carney's office said the focus this week is on the prime minister's meetings in China. The Conservative Party did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has not ruled out using force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan rejects China's claims. Carney is trying to diversify Canada's exports away from its main market, the United States, as Canada faces uncertain trade policy from U.S. President Donald Trump. The China visit aims to increase engagement on trade, energy, agriculture and international security, Carney's office said. China is Canada's second-biggest trading partner. (Additional reporting by Maria Cheng in Ottawa; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Writing by Caroline Stauffer; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Two men have been arrested and charged with firearm offenses following a traffic stop in Mattapan, the Boston Police Department reports. The incident occurred around 2:16 a.m. on Saturday after officers conducted a traffic stop in the vicinity of 37 Harvard Street, after officers noticed a car with a faulty headlight. Once stopped, officers noticed that the front-seat passenger was wearing a ski mask and a ballistic vest. Upon an investigation, it was revealed that the driver, 42-year-old Darnell Buffong of Mattapan, was operating on a suspended license and had an active warrant for his arrest. He was subsequently arrested, issued a Massachusetts Uniform Citation for the motor vehicle violation, and a vehicle search was conducted. Advertisement Advertisement Following the search, officers found a firearm and a stun gun inside a bag within the vehicle. The firearm was secured, and both occupants were taken into custody without incident. Detectives responded to photograph and process the scene. The firearm recovered was identified as a Glock 43X, loaded with ten rounds of 9mm ammunition. 35-year-old Justin Frederick Williams of Dorchester was placed under arrest and charged with the following offenses: Carrying a firearm without a license (third offense) Possession of ammunition without an FID card (subsequent offense) Possession of a large-capacity feeding device Use of body armor in the commission of a felony Carrying a stun gun without a license Armed Career Criminal, firearm violation with three prior violent or drug convictions Advertisement Advertisement Both individuals will be arraigned in Dorchester District Court. 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. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW New MG cars from China are parked in a parking lot at JadeWeserPort. Hauke-Christian Dittrich/dpa The European Commission on Monday published guidelines for electric car manufacturers producing in China, offering ways to avoid countervailing tariffs introduced in 2024 in a long-running row over Chinese subsidies. Companies can submit price undertaking offers for battery-powered vehicles exported to the European Union, according to the guidance document. Each offer is to be assessed individually in line with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. These proposals are to include "the minimum import price, sales channels, cross-compensation and future investments in the EU," the commission said, and are meant to balance out market distortion caused by Chinese subsidies for car makers. The EU's countervailing duties were introduced in 2024 to protect the bloc's automotive industry after an investigation by the commission had concluded that, due to large subsidies, Chinese-built cars could be sold in the EU for around 20% less than domestically produced cars. The extra tariffs vary between 7.8 and 35.3% depending on the manufacturer. Foreign companies operating in China are also affected, including Tesla, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. In retaliation, China imposed additional tariffs on imports from the EU, including on spirits, pork and dairy products. Beijing's Ministry of Commerce welcomed the guidelines, saying that the progress made shows that both sides are able and willing to resolve differences within the framework of the WTO. Prior to the publication of the guidelines, the commission "received one offer from a company on one particular model for a price undertaking" which is currently being assessed, a spokesman for the commission said. Republican U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz has filed paperwork in Indiana to run again for Congress. Spartz, who started representing Indiana's 5th Congressional District back in 2021, confirmed she was running again in a statement that mentioned upcoming financial hardships for the United States. Our nation will soon face significant fiscal challenges, and my extensive expertise on fiscal issues and health care will be greatly needed in Congress, Spartz said in the statement. Too many people are running for office with corrupt personal agendas and radical policies that have been destructive to our country and undermine President Trumps conservative agenda, and we cannot allow them to prevail too many Americans have sacrificed for our freedoms. Advertisement Advertisement The Noblesville resident is seeking another term just a few years after reversing course on a 2023 decision not to run again for Congress. She ended up victorious in the general election after a contentious primary in 2024, despite an avalanche of negative ads against her. Spartz, who last year announced a decision to decline all committee assignments, already has one Republican challenger: Scott A. King, who has run unsuccessfully for the seat before. Other challengers could emerge before the Feb. 6 filing deadline. One Democrat, Indiana University Indianapolis professor and business owner Todd Shelton, has filed to run for the seat. Spartz has emerged as somewhat of a swing vote in the U.S. House, occasionally bucking party leaders, such as in the government shutdown debate last fall. Advertisement Advertisement Federal campaign spending data shows her campaign raised more than $680,000 between January and October 2025, but more up-to-date data isn't available. She ended that period with slightly less than $200,000 cash on hand. Contact senior government accountability reporter Hayleigh Colombo at hcolombo@indystar.com or follow her on X @hayleighcolombo. Sign up for our free weekly politics newsletter, Checks & Balances, curated by IndyStar political and government reporters. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz files to seek reelection to Congress Travelers from several countries visiting the United States for tourism and business purposes are now being required to pay a visa bond between $5,000 to $15,000 that experts say is designed to drown immigrants and travelers in bureaucracy. The State Department expanded its visa bond program this week to more countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. Under the pilot program, consular officers set hefty fees on people applying for B1/B2 visas, used to travel the U.S. for tourism and business. But the policys impact will be minimal for countries whose students, tourists, and professionals are already banned under a presidential proclamation in June blocking Cubans, Venezuelans, Antiguans, Barbudans, Dominicans and nationals from over a dozen other countries. Instead, the overlapping policies are part of an overarching strategy of layering bureaucratic hurdles to reduce legal immigration altogether, especially from certain nationalities, lawyers told the Miami Herald. Advertisement Advertisement The door thats immediately in front of you is closed, and if you somehow manage to open that one, you encounter another door that is also shut that you then have to deal with, said Jorge Loweree, managing director of Programs and Strategy at the American Immigration Council. Loweree added that the visa bond might also be the Trump administrations insurance in case the federal courts stop the travel ban. The presidential proclamation, announced in June 2025 and expanded in December, suspends a persons ability to enter the United States. Some countries are subject to a partial ban, others to a full ban. The State Department has stopped issuing many visas altogether for the 39 countries listed under the travel ban, save for limited exceptions. Under those narrow limitations like the persons entry into the U.S. being in the national interest or a professional athlete coming for a major sporting event someone could still be issued a visa and subjected to the bond, said Shev Dalal-Dheini, senior director of Government Relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. These exceptions are going to be in very rare instances, Dalal-Dheini said. The June proclamation included exceptions for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens such as spouses, foreign adopted children, and others. The December proclamation did not have those exceptions. Advertisement Advertisement The development comes days after the United States snatched Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and as President Donald Trump foreshadows that the Cuban government will soon collapse on its own. It also comes as Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda brokered agreements to accept deportees from the United States as part of the Trump administrations aggressive expansion of third country deportations. Read more: Migrants deported from U.S. could soon land in two Caribbean countries The Trump administration announced the visa bond program last year. It runs through August 2026. The original list focused on African countries. After its expansion, the list continues to be dominated by nations in the African continent, but also includes Asian nations like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan; and island nations within Oceania, like Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The administration has clearly identified countries that they deem to be undesirable, and they are targeting very intentionally and carving their citizens out of our immigration system, said Loweree. Advertisement Advertisement Travelers from the countries with visa bond requirements can only fly in and out of Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport. A Herald review of future flights in the coming month shows no direct flights from the capital cities of Havana in Cuba and Rousseau in Dominica. There is one daily nonstop flight to JFK from St Johns in Antigua and Barbuda, but no directs to Boston and Washington D.C. There have been no direct flights from Venezuela to the U.S. since 2019. To enter the United States, travelers must clear customs at the first airport where they land, even with connecting flights to the U.S. That means travelers subject to the visa bond who make it past the travel ban will need to first travel to other countries with nonstop connections to those three U.S. airports and have the required visas to enter the other country adding burdensome airfare and travel time. Under the visa bond program, the federal government returns the bond amount to applicants whose visas are denied, if visas expire before travel, or if a traveler leaves before their visa expires. However, the State Department breaches of the visa bond program include overstaying in the United States and claiming asylum on a non-immigrant visa. According to the Federal Register, the rule targeting certain foreign nationals is based on factors including visa overstay rates, whether foreigners can acquire citizenship in those nations through financial investments, and gaps in screening and vetting information. Data from the Department of Homeland Securitys Fiscal Year 2024 Entry/Exit Overstay Report, which the Federal Register cites, show that Cuba and Venezuela do not have the highest overstay rates. Antigua and Barbuda nationals had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 1.19%, Dominicans nationals had a rate of 4.09%, Cuban nationals had a rate of 6.84 percent , and Venezuelan nationals had a rate of 8.42 percent. Other countries reported higher rates. Advertisement Advertisement Sir Ronald Sanders, the ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States, said in a statement that no government included in the expanded visa bond list had been notified of their inclusion. The record shows that our countrys visitor overstay rate is consistently low, significantly below that of many countries not subject to bond requirements, said Sanders. Discussions are ongoing on removing restrictions for visas on legitimate Antigua and Barbuda travelers. Neither the visa bonds nor the entry suspension apply to existing visa holders already in the United States. The Trump administration must periodically review the travel ban. If the administration removes the ban from certain countries, then the visa bonds would apply to more travelers from currently banned countries. That hasnt happened so far. Its just continuing to make life difficult for individuals from these countries, said Dalal-Dheini. Jan 12 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that the world had to help Iranians build on protests to engineer change to free them from rule that brought evil to their own and other countries, including Ukraine. Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, described the nationwide protests gripping Iran as an "uprising". He said the unrest showed that Russia had to rethink its close links with Iran, which have included its wide use of Iranian-made "Shahed" drones in the nearly four-year-old war against Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement "Every normal person on Earth very much wants the people of Iran to finally be fortunate enough to free themselves from the regime that exists there and that has brought so much evil, including to Ukraine and to other countries," Zelenskiy said. "It is important that the world not miss this moment, when change is possible. Every leader, every country, international organisations must engage now and help people remove those who are responsible for Iran unfortunately being what it has been." U.S.-based rights group HRANA said it had verified the deaths of 572 people and the arrests of more than 10,000 in protests which began on December 28. The protests have evolved from complaints about economic hardships to calls for the fall of the clerical establishment. Advertisement Advertisement Russia and Iran have developed closer ties since the Kremlin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a 20-year strategic partnership pact last year that deepened military ties and boosted cooperation in a range of areas. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Alistair Bell) Ukrainian military forces have reportedly targeted three Russian drilling platforms in the Caspian Sea, according to a statement from Ukraine's General Staff, reported the Kyiv Independent. The platforms, operated by Lukoil, one of Russia's major oil companies, are the V. Filanovsky, Yuri Korchagin, and Valery Graifer sites, which are used to extract oil and gas. The Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) conducted the strikes, reporting direct hits and ongoing assessments of damage. Advertisement Advertisement In addition to these strikes, Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted a Russian Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system in the occupied regions of Luhansk Oblast and various other military assets, according to the same statement. The platforms affected are believed to contribute to Russias military efforts by supplying fuel to its army. Oil and gas exports constitute a significant portion of Russia's federal budget, crucially supporting Moscow's ongoing campaign in Ukraine. Further reports indicate that Ukrainian forces also attacked a warehouse and technical support facilities of Russia's 49th Combined Arms Army near Novotroitske in Kherson Oblast. This army group represents a primary Russian force in that region. Advertisement Advertisement While the Kyiv Independent has reported these developments, it has not independently verified the claims made by Ukraine's military. Throughout 2025, Ukraine stepped up its attacks on Russian oil infrastructure inside Russia and in occupied regions, using domestically produced drones as a key element of its strategy. In December, similar drone strikes were executed by Ukraines SSO against a Russian patrol ship and an oil platform at the Filanovsky oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea. "Ukrainian forces hit Russian oil platforms amid ongoing conflict" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. By Laurie Chen, Emma Farge and Michael Martina BEIJING/GENEVA/WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - When U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described China's lead trade negotiator Li Chenggang as "unhinged" for breaching diplomatic niceties shortly before a critical summit in October, he painted a picture of an erratic junior bureaucrat who had "gone rogue." Neither a wolf warrior nor a wallflower, Li is a chain-smoking, porcelain-collecting career diplomat with an encyclopedic knowledge of trade law and excellent English who alternates between charm and delivering Beijing's tough messages, sources say. Advertisement Advertisement After playing a crucial role in steadying the U.S.-China trade relationship in 2025, he is set to be at the forefront of further negotiations this year. U.S. President Donald Trump has made clear he wants to visit China in April and said he would host President Xi Jinping for a state visit later in the year. More than a dozen diplomats, businesspeople and current and former U.S. officials described the man at the heart of the worlds most important trade negotiations as smart and pragmatic, with a tough edge that helps China achieve its goals. Trade officials and Western diplomats who have interacted with the vice commerce minister in recent months described him as commanding rooms. One American business figure said he had an "executive presence," a contrast from the stereotypical Chinese bureaucrat: A stoic, script-bound delivery that allows little room for personal flair. They said he is well-prepared, with a deep understanding of China's economic structure and U.S. trade demands. One former U.S. official who negotiated with Li on an Obama-era investment deal called him a "rising star." Advertisement Advertisement From April through October, Li helped steer months of stop-start negotiations across European capitals - from Geneva to Stockholm to London - that tested the limits of economic diplomacy between the U.S. and China. The 58-year-old, who earlier represented China at the World Trade Organization before taking on his current role, navigated subjects spanning export curbs on rare earths, agricultural purchases and semiconductor access - issues that underpin $660 billion in annual bilateral trade. The October negotiations produced an uneasy truce that has held to this day, with China deferring expansive controls on rare earth exports for a year and agreeing to buy 12 million tons of U.S. soybeans by March. Li's near-term priority is to maintain the bilateral trade truce and create a positive environment for Trump's visit to China, said Neil Thomas of the Asia Society, a New York-based think tank. Advertisement Advertisement "The Chinese trade team's biggest challenge is to get the Trump administration to relax more U.S. export controls without generating an overwhelming backlash in Washington." PUBLIC REBUKE It was in the weeks ahead of the October talks that Li drew a public rebuke from Bessent when the Chinese negotiator sought meetings in Washington with officials who outranked him and "lectured" them about China's position in the talks, according to four senior U.S. businesspeople briefed on the trip. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private exchanges. Li tried to meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, one of the businesspeople told Reuters, but ended up speaking to Commerce Department Undersecretary William Kimmitt and a lower-level Treasury official who matched his rank in protocol terms, though they were not authorised to negotiate on trade with China, according to another person briefed on the exchanges. Advertisement Advertisement Regardless, he still "read the riot act" to his counterparts and conveyed demands from China's leadership to change their behaviour to get negotiations back on track, the person said. In terms of ranking, Li is second only to the commerce minister, making him China's No. 2 commerce official. Vice Premier He Lifeng remains Xi's point person for overseeing the U.S.-China economic and trade relationship and is Bessent's counterpart in terms of seniority. In public remarks, Bessent later called Li "very disrespectful." He also said Li threatened that China would unleash chaos on the global economic system if the U.S. imposed port-entry fees on Chinese vessels. The comments, which included Bessent calling Li unhinged, threatened to derail a planned presidential summit in South Korea in October, after both sides took a series of retaliatory moves. Advertisement Advertisement But Li and Bessent regrouped days later at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, where they hashed out a framework trade agreement that successfully deferred 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and expanded export controls on rare earths. In response to Reuters questions on Li, a White House official said: He did come uninvited in August and did seek meetings above his level, which were denied. The U.S. Commerce and Treasury departments did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. The WTO declined to comment. China's commerce ministry did not respond to a request for comment. ART LOVER Born in rural Anhui province, Li read law at the elite Peking University as well as Germany's University of Hamburg. He climbed the ranks at the Ministry of Commerce, including a period running its department of treaty and law from 2010 to 2017. In his current role, Li also oversees the export controls and anti-dumping probes that China uses with foreign companies to protect its rights and ensure a level playing field. Advertisement Advertisement During his time as China's WTO representative in Geneva from 2021 to 2025, Li was a prolific networker who regularly hosted dinners and smoked Chinese cigarettes with other ambassadors in between meetings, four WTO sources told Reuters. At the weekends, Li frequently scoured Swiss flea markets for discounted Chinese porcelain and could identify which dynasty the items came from, they said. Norway's WTO ambassador Petter Olberg, who worked closely with Li, told Reuters he was "extremely well liked and respected" and "very constructive about seeking solutions." "He's not one of those who shouts the loudest," Olberg said. "He thinks things through. He would always listen before he spoke at meetings." Advertisement Advertisement As a token of his appreciation, Li threw a lavish farewell banquet for the Mauritian WTO representative at his residence in December 2024, Olberg and other attendees said. Guests were served artfully presented hors d'oeuvres on plates hand-painted with karst mountains illustrating an ancient Chinese poem, according to a photograph provided by one attendee. A well-known poem by Tang dynasty scribe Li Bai celebrated the poet's profound love of friendship over natural beauty. CONTRASTING APPROACHES At the WTO, Li's tactics were not limited to poems and dinner parties. One aide recalled him getting angry and agitated while pursuing the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement a landmark deal that China played a key role in creating. Advertisement Advertisement He is an advocate of Beijing's efforts to reshape the multilateral trade order, pitching China as a stabilising force in the face of turmoil created by Trumps tariffs, said the Beijing-based Western trade diplomat. In negotiations with the U.S., he would have a good grasp of policy details and how to advance Chinas aims under the WTO legal framework, said one Western trade diplomat who met Li multiple times last year. Li's competence in meetings has led some observers to say that China has a stronger, more cohesive team that is empowered to implement directives from the leadership. One U.S. businessperson who met Li in September said Chinese negotiators go in knowing what they can and cannot accept," while their American counterparts require Trumps final approval after negotiating a framework. Advertisement Advertisement "Li is someone who skillfully deploys legal instruments in the trade war," said Henry Gao, an associate law professor at Singapore Management University. "I expect him to remain a leading figure in the U.S.-China trade negotiations for years to come." (Editing by Antoni Slodkowski and Thomas Derpinghaus) The University of Michigan Board of Regents voted unanimously to name Syracuse University Chancellor and President Kent Syverud as the 16th president of U-M. Syverud, 69, is a lawyer who earned a master's degree and juris doctorate at U-M. He currently serves on the school's Alumni Association board. After the board voted on Monday, Jan. 12, Syverud addressed the regents meeting crowd. Speaking in a soft voice, he described arriving in Ann Arbor for the first time as a student in May 1978. Advertisement Advertisement "I arrived in front of the Michigan Union on the Greyhound bus with one suitcase," he said. "I walked across State Street, and my life was changed, as it has been for so many thousands of others before and since, at Flint, at Dearborn, at Ann Arbor, and around the world." Syverud said he later met and married his wife in Ann Arbor, and he credited Michigan Medicine with saving the life of one of his sons, who was born with a congenital condition that required a rare surgery. "It really showed me what first-grade healthcare can be in the United States of America," he said. "We owe Michigan everything. To pay that forward by helping steward this special place now really is the greatest honor and responsibility I can imagine." Board of Regents Chairman Mark Bernstein led the search committee and said it focused on finding a leader with "integrity and character and conviction" who will "provide stability and vision." Advertisement Advertisement "We need a leader who understands our university, who knows firsthand what Michigan really means to our students, faculty, our state and society," Bernstein said. "We found that in Kent Syverud." Regent Denise Ilitch said it was "such a beautiful day" at U-M, noting she'd heard so many positive things from people who have worked with Syverud over the years. "He really does define a Michigan man, as we often hear," she said. Syverud will conclude this semester at Syracuse and take over at Michigan in June or July. He'll replace Domenico Grasso, who's been serving as president on an interim basis after former President Santa Ono resigned in May to pursue the presidency of the University of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Syverud has a lengthy academic career, including a stint teaching law at U-M in the 1980s and 1990s, eventually becoming Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Bernstein earned his own juris doctorate at U-M and said he remembers Syverud as a teacher. "In fact, 33 years ago, in 1993, then-Professor Kent Syverud taught my very first class on my very first day at Michigan Law," Bernstein said. The new president also has his own Michigan story, Bernstein said, noting the couple owns a summer home in northern Michigan. Syveruds contract will pay him a $2 million base salary, considerably more than the $1.3 million his predecessor earned. Advertisement Advertisement After his time teaching law at U-M, Syverud became law school dean at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and at Washington University in St. Louis. He was appointed chancellor and president at Syracuse in 2013 and took office in January 2014. He's credited with forming a school partnership with Micron Technologies, which is expected to invest $100 billion in a new microprocessor production facility near the Syracuse campus in Central New York, according to his biography. At the Syracuse School of Law, Syverud helped create one of the first online juris doctorate programs. The University of Detroit-Mercy is set to launch a similar program this fall. Syverud's tenure at Syracuse also included a controversy over the school's handling of a series of bias-related crimes that plagued the campus, beginning in 2019. Some students conducted sit-ins to protest and urged Syverud to resign if he didn't meet their demands. Advertisement Advertisement Syverud didn't resign, but he did agree to some of the student demands, according to Syracuse's student newspaper, The Daily Orange. Syverud also hired former United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch to conduct a review of the school's department of public safety and recommend changes. U-Ms newly appointed president Kent Syverud looks on before a special regents meeting at University of Michigans Ruthven Building in Ann Arbor on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. With his appointment, Syverud becomes the fifth U-M president in the past four years. In Jan. 2022, the Board of Regents fired former President Mark Schlissel after he had an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. Mary Sue Coleman, a former president, was brought back for a second time while the school searched for a longer-term replacement. Advertisement Advertisement In July 2022, the regents approved Santa Ono to be the school's 15th president. When Ono left in May 2025, the board named Grasso, a former chancellor at the U-M Dearborn campus, to serve as president on an interim basis. Contact John Wisely: jwisely@freepress.com. On X: @jwisely This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: University of Michigan votes to approve Kent Syverud as new president The first members of what would later become Irans fearsome revolutionary guards were trained in a quiet village outside Paris. Those close to the Islamic Republics founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who was in exile in Neauphle-le-Chateau, secretly began recruiting Iranian revolutionaries in the West to establish a peoples army. One of the groups founders, Mohsen Sazegara, has told The Telegraph that the aim in 1978 was to gather loyalists prepared to confront the Shahs regime head-on in Iran. Advertisement Advertisement The recruits first studied the theory of guerrilla warfare before being dispatched to Beirut and Damascus for military training. There, they learnt combat, sabotage, how to establish small groups of guerrilla forces and clandestine operations, preparing for a long struggle against Mohammad Reza Shahs regime in Tehran. The training principles were derived from studying the experiences of several guerrilla forces, including the Irish National Liberation Army. But they never got their chance. When Mohammad Reza Shah fled Iran on Jan 16 1979, and his government finally collapsed on Feb 11, the early Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members were not in the country. Ayatollah Khomeini with a supporter in Neauphle-le-Chateau January 1979, shortly before his exile came to an end - Roger Viollet/Getty Images The revolutionaries who toppled the Shah were not an organised military force. They were millions of ordinary Iranians students, workers, clerics, bazaar merchants, secular Leftists and liberals united only in their opposition to the monarchy. Advertisement Advertisement As is the case today, the unrest started with massive demonstrations paralysing Iranian cities. By January 1979, millions were in the streets. The Shahs security forces, despite brutal repression, could not suppress protests of such scale. And then the Shahs own military fractured. Soldiers many from unprivileged families sympathetic to protesters refused orders to shoot. They [the recruits] arrived in Tehran after the Islamic Revolution, Mr Sazegara told The Telegraph. We never imagined the revolution would succeed in about 100 days, he said. We expected a seven-year-long war against the Shahs army and then the American forces, as we didnt believe the US would abandon the Shah so easily. The exiled ayatollah surrounded by about 200 Iranian students in France - Bettmann Khomeini, who had been in exile for 15 years, created a secret back-channel to the US, new documents show. Advertisement Advertisement In a letter to then-president Jimmy Carter, he wrote: You will see we are not in any particular animosity with the Americans. He pledged his Islamic Republic will be a humanitarian one, which will benefit the cause of peace and tranquillity for all mankind, the BBC revealed. He returned on Feb 1. A day after the revolution, on Feb 12 1979, the idea of establishing a peoples army resurfaced among the new Islamic Republic authorities. We decided to establish a peoples army to sustain the new regime as the Shah was already gone and there was no longer a need to fight, Mr Sazegara said. The revolutionaries then found an abandoned intelligence office of the overthrown regime on a dead-end street in Tehran. Khomeini returned from exile in France and became the leader of the nascent Islamic Republic - Bettmann After cleaning the broken windows that locals had shattered a few days earlier, it became the new forces office. Advertisement Advertisement The plan was to establish a small organisation with around 500 staff members and approximately 50,000 volunteers, none of whom would receive a salary, Mr Sazegara recalled. We went to Qom and informed Khomeini that we had such a thing. He was very pleased to hear that it would help protect the regime. He looked up and said, Its great. On April 22 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini officially commanded the formation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. At the start of its operations, the IRGC was seen as an urban force, responsible for maintaining public order and security in the aftermath of the revolution and the collapse of the countrys law enforcement agencies, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the revolution itself. Advertisement Advertisement Its job was to disarm the revolutionary protesters and protect the clerical regime against any potential US attack and domestic coups. We didnt believe the US would leave us alone. We thought to train people and prepare them in case the US or any other country attacked, they could fight alongside the army, Mr Sazegara said. In the four-and-a-half decades since, however, it has expanded into a vast bureaucracy that is now almost inseparable from the fabric of the Islamic Republic, with one of its founders describing it as a seven-headed dragon. In addition to strategic military roles, such as advancing Irans nuclear programme and missile industries, urgent and sensitive security responsibilities, such as suppressing domestic protests, are also given to the IRGC. Islamic Revolution Guard Corps protects Irans fundamentalist regime - Sobhan Farajvan/Pacific Press/Shutterstock The IRGC forces have used Kalashnikov rifles and war weapons to fire directly into crowds during current wave protests that have spread across the country. The protests started in one market in Tehran on Dec 28 after the dramatic fall of Iranian rial. Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of people have been killed, thousands arrested and there has been an internet blackout since last Thursday. Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader, has ordered the Guards to take control of the crackdown amid fears of defections by the regular armed forces and police. The IRGCs deployment is the regimes ultimate insurance. It is a military force that cannot defect because its survival depends entirely on the Islamic Republics survival. Unlike the Shahs army in 1979, the Guards are professional revolutionaries with no future in a post-regime Iran. Its growth was swift. On Sept 17 1985, as the IRGC evolved into a serious military agency during the war with Iraq, it was equipped with ground, air and naval forces through an order from Ayatollah Khomeini. Advertisement Advertisement They own the country and whatever lives in this territory, a political science professor at a university near Tehran told The Telegraph. The IRGC, considered the ideological army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emerged as the dominant military force in the country following its success in repelling the advance of the Iraqi army. It gained extensive influence in the economic and social events of subsequent years, demonstrating its importance in national decision-making through the mobilisation of resources at its disposal. They tried to pretend like a classic army during the war against its original concept, after repelling the Iraqi army, they fought for six-and-a-half years for no reason, Mr Sazegara said. Advertisement Advertisement With the end of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war in 1988, it seemed that one of the Guards most significant missions had come to an end. The change, coupled with the death of Ayatollah Khomeini, significantly affected the atmosphere within the Guards and they started looking for additional resources. As a result, a decision was made to involve the IRGC in the countrys post-war development and construction efforts, and alongside its economic activities, its power grew daily. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the president, allocated substantial funds to strengthen military capabilities to appease the IRGC and keep them away from meddling in politics. Smuggling goods and drugs Rafsanjani allowed IRGC commanders to build private docks and ports along the southern coast of Iran, allowing them to import and export goods freely without any customs oversight. Advertisement Advertisement It entered the economy and turned into a monster, said its founder. They began smuggling goods and drugs, transforming into a mafia group that now controls the country. But they were still out of politics. After a reformist president won the 1997 election, Ali Khamenei, now the supreme leader, feared that liberals were gaining momentum and ordered the IRGC to enter politics. Soon, dozens of its commanders entered the Islamic Republics parliament, where they began to influence foreign policy and decisions regarding nuclear and missile programmes. Theyre pushing for many things, Mr Sazegara said. Its like a seven-headed dragon each head doesnt listen to the others, but they all obey Khamenei. Militarily, the IRGC is now believed to have about 190,000 personnel, not including the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force affiliated with the corps. Air and ground forces, navy and marine infantry branches account for most of them. But it is the overseas Quds Force that gains the most attention abroad. In the 2000s, it was allowed to build its own intelligence agency to rival its official counterpart. Primary goal of destroying Israel They are a revolutionary force driven by a religious ideology aimed at maintaining and expanding the power of an Islamic country, with the primary goal of destroying Israel, the Iranian professor said. Some of them are even under the illusion that they can destroy the US and seize control of global policy-making, but in reality, they are only isolating the country with their every decision. Its Quds Force is responsible for co-ordinating the axis of resistance made up of proxy and allied militant groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. It helped found Hezbollah in 1982 as an instrument to project Iranian power, and was heavily involved in insurgencies in post-Saddam Iraq, and ran Irans intervention in the Syrian civil war. They [Quds Force] smuggle oil and are accountable to no one for where the money goes they have built their own empire and dont even answer to the IRGC commander-in-chief, Mr Sazegara explained. They [IRGC] are spending billions of dollars on missile and nuclear programmes, and funding Hamas and Hezbollah, and no one dares to question them its a mafia organisation that will ultimately lead to the regimes collapse by its policies and actions. This is one of the reasons why Qasem Soleimani, the Quds Force commander, was killed in a US air strike ordered by Donald Trump in 2020. The IRGC and the Iranian regime were dealt a serious blow when Mr Trump ordered air strikes to target Iranian nuclear facilities in June. Missile strikes from Israel also resulted in a number of IRGC leaders being killed. The current civil unrest, where more than 500 people have been killed, is putting the regime and the IRGC under pressure. But the question looming large on their minds is what comes next either after another US strike or the removal or death of the 86-year-old Ayatollah. They want to intimidate the West, the professor in Tehran said. They have not been seriously tested yet the real test will come when Khamenei dies. 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. Over the last quarter of a century, it has been hard to look at Venezuela objectively. Politically, it is often interpreted more as a symbol than as a society: for the right, a recurring argument to discredit left-wing politics, and for the left, an uncomfortable topic that is best avoided. But both of these perspectives overlook the countrys authoritarian drift and its human consequences, making it hard to understand why much of the Venezuelan diaspora greeted the US intervention on Jan 3 with relief, and even happiness. Geopolitical precedents From an international perspective, there are now clear, serious risks. Iraq and Libya show how toppling an authoritarian regime can easily lead to a lengthy period of instability, violence and institutional collapse, with all the suffering this entails. Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, US president Donald Trump did not present the invasion of Venezuela as an action taken on behalf of the Venezuelan people. Instead, he has been explicit about his strategic interests. His actions thus undermine the basic principles of international law and set a dangerous precedent, which makes his warnings to Colombia and statements about Greenland even more disturbing. For all these reasons, condemnation of the US intervention must be clear and unwavering. However, such condemnation coexists with the reality faced by the majority of Venezuelan people, for whom life in the country has long been an experience of daily suffering. Leer mas: Venezuelans are reacting to Maduro's capture with anger, fear, hope and joy The Venezuelan diaspora This reality is what guides my own approach to Venezuela, which is rooted in both personal and academic perspectives. Through personal connections, I sought to understand the country during the Chavez era, and I have subsequently analysed the migration patterns of displaced people, as well as the migration policies of Colombia and Peru, the main recipients of an exodus of nearly eight million people. Advertisement Advertisement My research has reinforced a view that is less ideological, and more attentive to human consequences. It has shown me how, behind the political debates, there are countless stories of loss and interrupted life projects. Since 2017, there has been a broad consensus, both inside and outside Venezuela, on the need for political change. This has been consolidated by economic collapse and growing autocratisation under Nicolas Maduros regime, evident in the worsening humanitarian crisis and exodus, its repression of protests, and the replacement of the National Assembly with a Constituent Assembly. The consensus was not ideological. It was born from the conviction that the system had ceased to guarantee fundamental rights and minimal living standards. Opposition and elections in 2024 A divided opposition meant that this consensus did not crystallise until after the 2024 presidential elections, which were held under unfair, undemocratic conditions. The disqualification of opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado, elected in an October 2023 primary process, was followed by that of her successor, Corina Yoris, as repression intensified. In addition, nearly 30% of the Venezuelan population those who had been forced to leave the country were unable to vote. Advertisement Advertisement After the election on July 28, 2024, the National Electoral Council proclaimed Maduro as president. However, the opposition meticulously gathered and verified records with the support of organised citizen groups. They managed to show that they had in fact won with 67% of the votes. Winning under these conditions had enormous symbolic significance, but it did not translate into regime change. Rights violations continued without immediate consequences. Faced with this sustained deterioration, the international community failed to mount an effective response. Neither the diplomatic blockade of 2019 that followed the breakdown of constitutional order, nor the Barbados Accords (which aimed to pave the way for guaranteed elections in 2024) were successful. Leer mas: Venezuela's leader may be gone, but his regime remains with a new chief in Washington Exhaustion and relief In this context of exhausted stagnation, the relief, or even hope, felt by much of the Venezuelan diaspora after the US intervention starts to make sense. This is how some of the people I have spoken to describe it. Advertisement Advertisement My Venezuelan friends Andres, Cesar and Genesis emigrated first to Peru, and then to Spain. Their reactions to the US intervention have been nostalgia and restrained joy. They now believe the situation will improve, and that eventual regime change could bolster the countrys economy. If this is the case, then Cesars father might be able to receive cancer treatment without depending on remittances from abroad. Another friend, Alejandra, left Venezuela for Colombia after the 2017 protests. Since the US intervention, she has been caught between worry over President Trumps policies towards Latin America and hope that things might work out this time. She is weighing up the possibility of returning. The sentiments expressed by many Venezuelans are not just an emotional reaction, but also a rational assessment. The country had been in a state of collapse for years, with any domestic avenues for change closed off. Although Trumps statements are not encouraging ambitions regarding oil, postponing democratic transition, risk of armed conflict there seems to be hope, however fragile, for change. Andres and Alejandra both reject the inhumane nature of Trumps policies and acknowledge his interests in Venezuela. But they also believe that Venezuelas oil was already in the hands of Russia and China, and agree that there is now a possibility that the country could, over time, once again become a place where they could live. Contradictory, fragile hope The paradox is clear: what the world sees as a serious disruption of the international order is also, for many people, the first step out of a years-long dead end, even though it may not ultimately lead to real change. Advertisement Advertisement We can recognise this contradiction without legitimising the intervention or ignoring its dangers. But the events have a different political significance for those living in a society undergoing prolonged collapse. For many Venezuelans, merely breaking what seemed like absolute paralysis is enough to see this moment as a new beginning, however fragile and uncertain it may be. Este articulo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos academicos. Lee mas: Nieves Fernandez Rodriguez no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoria, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiacion de ninguna compania u organizacion que pueda obtener beneficio de este articulo, y ha declarado carecer de vinculos relevantes mas alla del cargo academico citado. The United States carried out large-scale strikes in Syria against the so-called Islamic State group (IS) in retaliation for an ambush attack in Palmyra last month that killed two US soldiers and one American civilian interpreter. The strikes, which were conducted by the US alongside partner forces, hit multiple IS targets across Syria. It comes less than a month after the US launched a similar attack on Dec 19, striking 70 targets across central Syria that had IS infrastructure and weapons. "These strikes are part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched and announced on Dec 19, 2025, at the direction of President (Donald) Trump, in direct response to the deadly ISIS attack on US and Syrian forces in Palmyra, Syria, on Dec 13, 2025," US Central Command said in a statement Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement The deadly attack in Palmyra last month killed American personnel, two of whom were members of the Iowa National Guard who were deployed in Syria as part of a coalition fighting IS. Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world, no matter how hard you try to evade justice, the statement concluded. December's ambush attack had been a major test for the improving relationship between the United States and Syria since the removal of Bashar al-Assad a year ago. Trump said Syria was fighting alongside US troops and that Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa was extremely angry and disturbed by this attack, which happened as the US military increases its co-operation with Syrian security forces. Syria recently joined the global coalition against IS. Senior US defense officials warned President Donald Trump that more time is needed to prepare for potential strikes on Iran, according to reports. Senior officials in the US defense establishment have warned US President Donald Trump that the military needs more time to prepare for strikes against Iran, British outlet The Telegraph reported on Sunday. This comes as protests escalated over recent days against the Islamic Republic regime. Advertisement Advertisement Trump is reportedly contemplating military action, including being presented with a range of targets, including leaders of Iran's security services, which have been responsible for clamping down on protesters, the outlet noted. However, regional commanders reportedly told officials that they have to "consolidate US military positions and prepare defenses" before Washington could carry out any strikes intense enough to trigger Iranian retaliation. Trump threatened to "get involved" in the protests, which are threatening to topple the regime, warning that he would hit Iran "very, very hard, where it hurts," if pro-regime security forces keep killing protesters. A demonstrator holds a burning photo of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in London, Britain, January 11, 2026 (credit: REUTERS/Chris J Ratcliffe) Trump has been briefed on options including striking non-military targets within the capital city of Tehran, or targeting elements of the Islamic Republic's security apparatus, The Telegraph reported. Trump briefing on Iran options planned for Tuesday, WSJ reports Trump is scheduled to be briefed by senior officials in his administration on Tuesday on specific options to respond to the protests in Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing US officials. Advertisement Advertisement The meeting will be a discussion about possible next steps, including military strikes, deploying cyber weapons against Iranian military and civilian sites, placing more sanctions on Iran's government, and boosting anti-government sources online, the Journal reported. The White House said it had no comment on the report. Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to intervene in recent days, posted on social media on Saturday: "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!! Some US senators skeptical about military options for Iran Meanwhile, some US lawmakers in both major parties questioned whether military action against Iran is the best approach for the United States as Iranian authorities face growing turmoil. Advertisement Advertisement Trump, in recent days, has left open the possibility of American intervention in Iran, where the biggest anti-government protests in years have led to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps blaming unrest on terrorists and vowing to safeguard the governing system. But at least two US senators sounded notes of caution during interviews on TV networks Sunday morning programs. "I dont know that bombing Iran will have the effect that is intended, Republican Senator Rand Paul said on ABC News "This Week" show. Rather than undermining the regime, a military attack on Iran could rally the people against an outside enemy, Paul and Democratic Senator Mark Warner said. Advertisement Advertisement Warner, appearing on "Fox News Sunday," warned that a military strike against Iran could risk uniting Iranians against the United States "in a way that the regime has not been able to." History shows the dangers of US intervention, said Warner, who argued that the US-backed 1953 overthrow of Iran's government set in motion a chain of events that gradually led to the rise of the country's Islamic regime in the late 1970s. Iran has said it will target US military bases if the United States launches an attack. But Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has often touted a muscular approach to foreign policy, said Trump "needs to embolden the protesters and scare the hell out of the [Iranian] regime." "If I were you, Mr. President, I would kill the leadership that are killing the people," Graham said on Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures" show. "Youve got to end this." Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of the Iranian shah who was ousted in 1979, said on Sunday he is prepared to return to Iran to lead a shift to a democratic government. Advertisement Advertisement "I'm already planning on that," Pahlavi said on "Sunday Morning Futures." "My job is to lead this transition to make sure that no stone is left unturned, that in full transparency, people have an opportunity to elect their leaders freely and to decide their own future." Reuters contributed to this report. Vivaia has tapped longtime designer Alan Buanne as its new creative director. The eco-friendly footwear brand is tasking Buanne with advancing the brands product thinking beyond aesthetics and feel, with a focus on how footwear supports the body as a whole. More from WWD This includes addressing the nuanced ways women think about support, developing silhouettes that work across a broad range of skin tones and clarifying how Vivaia communicates its material innovation and ocean-plastic commitments with greater purpose, the company said. Alongside product development, a key part of Buannes job will be to define Vivaias global brand image. The company noted that his work will center on telling stories around a modern, evolving customer her culture, values, and how footwear fits into everyday life. The brand is also exploring new global partners and collaborators to help tell this story with greater clarityfrom strategic organizational alliances to recognizable cultural figures who resonate authentically with women across markets. His first collections for the brand will be seen in the fall/winter 2026 collection. Buanne said in a statement that he is eager to join Vivaia at a pivotal moment. The brand has built a remarkably loyal global following by delivering products that genuinely support women in their everyday lives, Buanne noted. Women in their forties and beyond are approaching footwear with a level of intent that the wider category hasnt fully reflected until now. My purpose is to expand on whats already clearly resonating and take Vivaia into its next phase with that same decisiveness. Trained at Polimoda in Florence, Buanne has held senior roles at Nicholas Kirkwood and Bottega Veneta. He co-founded designer brand Neous in 2015. Buanne joins Vivaia as the brand enters its next phase of global expansion. In 2025, Vivaia surpassed 75 stores worldwide, with offline performance doubling year-over-year, the company said. Vivaia, store, SoHo, NYC, shoes, footwear, retail Looking ahead to 2026, the brand plans to expand to 130 stores globally, sustaining growth across Asia, Europe, and the United States. In the U.S., Vivaia noted that it plans to open 10 additional locations across New York, New Jersey, California, and Florida. These markets were selected based on where consumer demand is strongest, combining high online engagement with a clear preference for in-person shoppingbringing the brand closer to where its customers already are, the company noted. By David Hood-Nuno WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Department of Justice withdrew guidance expressly prohibiting lenders from discriminating against immigrants and non-citizens on Monday, potentially denting immigrants' legal ability to access loans. Democratic former President Joe Biden issued the guidance in 2023 to clarify that lenders could use immigration or citizenship status when deciding loan applications, as long as it was not the only factor nor lead to bias or discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Although the underlying law already bars lenders from discriminatory practices, the guidance sought to expressly clarify and enforce it to avoid discrimination. Withdrawing the guidance further whittles away the remnants of any and all Biden-era regulations and fulfills President Donald Trump's immigration policies, two key priorities of the administration, according to Lori Sommerfield, a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke in the law firm's consumer financial services practice. "The withdrawal of this joint guidance really underscores the Trump administration's two key priorities: A harder line on immigration and a continued effort to scale back enforcement of the federal fair lending laws," Sommerfield said. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, head of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, said in a joint statement with the CFPB announcing the policy that the Biden-era guidance had been "ideologically-driven," adding that the withdrawal restored alignment with established federal civil rights law. Advertisement Advertisement ANTI-IMMIGRANT SENTIMENT The withdrawal has an anti-immigration subtext in line with the broader Trump administration's goals of a more aggressive immigration crackdown in the new year, according to former CFPB officials and consumer finance lawyers like Kris Kully, a partner at law firm Mayer Brown. It could be interpreted as a wink and a nod to lenders, Kully said. Last April, the administration began deploying tactics to encourage immigrants without legal status to self-deport. One such tactic voided Social Security numbers issued while under temporary protected status. A lender may simply implement a blanket policy requiring an active Social Security number to apply for credit that's in line with the Trump administration's policy, but could run afoul of the law as a pretext to reject immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement "That may be all part of the same thrust to just make it unpalatable and unaffordable, and in other ways just difficult to stay," Kully said. (Reporting by David Hood-Nuno; Editing by Kat Stafford and Rosalba O'Brien) The Scott Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City is pictured on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) The Utah judiciary is holding a town hall at the Matheson Courthouse in Salt Lake City on Wednesday at 6 p.m. as part of an effort to strengthen Utahns trust, access and understanding of the states court system. The town hall is part of a statewide initiative called Court Connect, which is aimed at strengthening public trust in the courts, expanding access to justice, and increasing awareness of court resources and services, according to a news release judiciary officials issued Monday. Advertisement Advertisement This free, public event offers community members a chance to engage directly with Judiciary representatives in an informal, welcoming setting, the release said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The town hall comes ahead of a legislative session set to begin next week, during which the Republican-controlled Utah Legislature is expected to debate a slew of bills aimed at the judiciary, including one to expand the Utah Supreme Court. Tensions between the judiciary and lawmakers are high after a series of court rulings that have upset lawmakers, especially regarding redistricting and the Legislatures ability to change voter-approved ballot initiatives. The Court Connect town halls are meant to open doors and build stronger connections between the courts and the communities they serve, judiciary officials said. They offer the public an opportunity to learn more about the role of the Judiciary, how the courts operate, and how the judicial branch fits into the broader system of government. Advertisement Advertisement During the town hall, attendees can learn about the role of the courts in Utahs justice system, ask questions and interface directly with judiciary representatives, and meet with judges and other court personnel in a less formal setting, outside the courtroom. Attendees can also learn how to access justice services, including self-help resources, online filing systems, and court resources that are available in their communities. Town hall details: What: Court Connect Town Hall When: Wednesday, Jan, 14, 6 p.m to 8 p.m. Where: Matheson Courthouse, 450 S. State Street, Salt Lake City SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The University of Washington released a study on smartphone and social media use in teens. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). In the study, researchers looked at the smartphone habits of teens between the ages of 13 to 18. On average, teens spend a little over an hour on their smartphones during school hours. They wanted to see the impact of smartphones on task engagement at school and on overall academic engagement. Advertisement Advertisement The study found that teens spent most of their time on social media apps, with Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat at the top in usage. They found that how much a household earns per year influences smartphone usage. Teens between the ages of 16 to 18 from lower-income households used their smartphones more often than their peers. Dr. Dimitri Christakis, the senior author of the paper and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, commented on the findings: These apps are designed to be addictive. They deprive students of the opportunity to be fully engaged in class and to hone their social skills with classmates and teachers. Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Jason Nagata, the lead author and an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco says that this moves the conversation past teens self-reporting the over use of smartphone to real-world behavior. Teens are not always accurate reporters of their own screen time. Objective smartphone data gives us a clearer picture of actual use, said Nagata. The study points to least 32 states and the District of Columbia have started puting policies into place to ban or restrict cellphone usage in schools. However, Dr. Christakis believes that these bans arent strict enough. Advertisement Advertisement To date, theyve been very poorly enforced, if at all. I think the U.S. has to recognize the generational implications of depriving children of opportunities to learn in school, said Dr. Christakis. These findings are likely to shape ongoing conversations about smartphone use in schools as educators and policymakers seek ways to keep students off their phones and focused on their schoolwork. Valley City State University Student Anna Palmer works with a camera crew from "The College Tour" that featured the school. (Photo courtesy of The College Tour) Valley City State University officials are hopeful that the colleges growth in enrollment will get a boost from a video series that will highlight the school. Valley City State will be the first North Dakota campus featured on The College Tour, a series entering its sixth season. The 27-minute episode is available on Valley City States website and will air on the Amazon Prime streaming service starting June 2. Advertisement Advertisement I think that this is a great way to showcase some of our students and what theyre doing, and really kind of focus on a lot of the benefits of what VCSU has to offer, Erin Heide, director for enrollment services at Valley City State. The publicity is not free, however. The video production cost the college $92,000. Mark Potts, director for public relations at the university, said the school had some money designated for marketing that covered the cost. This is a strategic investment to increase the exposure of our university and potentially grow our enrollment. We are anticipating several years of use from the episode, Pott said in an email. Advertisement Advertisement The university is able to use smaller segments of the episode and background video in promotions to students across the country. Heide said the college recruits students from distant states such as Alaska, Hawaii and Florida. Sometimes, when they move into their residence hall in August, that is the first time they step foot on campus, Heide said. She said for those students who have not made an in-person visit, the video tour could provide more comfort in coming to campus. Maybe they feel like theyre a little bit more familiar with the place before they just have to move all their stuff in and start their new life. Advertisement Advertisement Valley City State has seen enrollment rising since the COVID-19 pandemic. The fall 2025 enrollment at 1,827 students marked the third consecutive year of record enrollment. Alex Boylan, host of The College Tour, speaks during the filming of an episode of the video series at Valley City State University. (Photo courtesy of The College Tour) Alex Boylan, creator and host for the series, said schools featured on the series can see a 5% increase in enrollment and a 2% increase in retention after their episode airs. Boylan said the series originated six years ago when his niece was struggling to choose which college to attend. He said the goal is to save families time and money by capturing what a campus is like before families decide to visit or enroll. A video crew was on the campus Sept. 8-12. The production crew did interviews with students and recent graduates who had been selected by the university. Advertisement Advertisement Grant Larson graduated with an education degree in spring 2025 and is teaching in Watford City. Larson said he wanted to highlight the opportunities for students on the campus, like his involvement with shooting sports. Larson came to Valley City from Leeds in northeast North Dakota. He said he had a good impression of Valley City State, but wasnt anticipating that he would enjoy college. So I kind of wanted to just get in and get my degree and get out as quickly as I could, Larson said. But the student clubs and organizations enhanced my experience so much there, and I owe a lot to those organizations for so much professional development, so many friends, so many connections. Anna Palmer is a sophomore from Hebron, majoring in health sciences with hopes of becoming a dentist, who was chosen for the video. Advertisement Advertisement One of the main things that I enjoyed talking about was the feel of campus, Palmer said. One of the things that really drew me in was that its a smaller campus, and it feels more homey. Other segments highlight the music, computer information systems, and fisheries and wildlife programs. Boylan, who has produced 200 episodes of The College Tour, said he was surprised by the beauty of the Valley City State campus along the Sheyenne River and how well the university and people of Valley City get along. The college has an amazing relationship with the community, he said. North Dakota Monitor Deputy Editor Jeff Beach can be reached at jbeach@northdakotamonitor.com. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Nonprofits working to advance gender equity and economic wellbeing for women and girls can get new grant funding in Vermont. The Vermont Womens Fund, a fund of the Vermont Community Foundation, is accepting applications for grants up to $15,000, according to an announcement. The grants are meant for initiatives that make pathways to economic wellbeing more accessible, invest in the career prospects of women earning less than a living wage, advance strategies to address systemic barriers and enhance organizational capacity, the announcement says. The Vermont Women's Fund website homepage Nonprofits can apply online at vermontwomensfund.org/grants. Applications will be accepted through 5 p.m., March 3, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement The fund awards single- or multi-year grants that support expenses and costs for pilot or established programs. Projects that engage with the arts are also encouraged. The Vermont Womens Fund says it is committed to addressing the needs of women and girls across all areas of the state. To view the list of 2025 grant recipients, visit vermontwomensfund.org/2025grants. In 2025, the Vermont Womens Fund distributed $359,336 to 39 organizations across the state. The fund remains the largest philanthropic resource dedicated exclusively to advancing gender equity and justice in Vermont. This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@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 Burlington Free Press: Vermont Women's Fund accepting grant applications for 2026 projects Police have identified the victim in a weekend shooting at a downtown Oklahoma City hotel. The Oklahoma City Police Department said that the victim, 22-year-old Sunjun July, was a security guard at the Wyndham Grand Hotel on 10 N. Broadway Ave. Officers responded to a call of a shooting at the hotel around 2:40 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, finding July with a gunshot wound in the parking lot. He was rushed to an area hospital where he died a short time later, according to a news release from the police department. July was only about two weeks shy of his 23rd birthday. The Wyndham Grand Hotel is located at 10 N. Broadway Ave. in downtown Oklahoma City. A security guard, Sunjun July, was killed in a shooting outside the hotel Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. Police said that a group of young people had entered the hotel lobby and had been asked by security to leave. OKC police spokesman Sgt. Brett Like said that while hotel employees were escorting the group out of the building, an "altercation" erupted in the parking lot between a 16-year-old boy and the hotel staff. Advertisement Advertisement The 16-year old pulled a pistol, shot July, and then pistol-whipped another hotel employee, according to the news release. Police also said that the 16-year-old accidentally shot himself in the leg before taking off on foot. He was found by police a short time later, taken into custody, and treated at a hospital, Like said. More: Downtown OKC hotel security guard killed in shooting; suspect in custody The 16-year-old was later booked into the Oklahoma County Juvenile Detention Center on a murder complaint, according to police. The Oklahoman is not naming him because he is a juvenile and has not been officially charged. The other hotel employee who'd been pistol-whipped also was treated for his injuries at a local hospital, police said. His identity was not given by police but he has since been released from the hospital. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Downtown OKC hotel shooting victim identified as 22-year-old Sunjun July The killing of a Hindu factory worker in Muslim-majority Bangladesh has inflamed already frayed relations with neighbouring India, but a video circulating on social media that purportedly shows a woman pleading for help is AI-generated. The video was shared by an account that regularly posts AI-generated content, and contains visual inconsistencies that are indicative of synthetically generated clips. "Another heart-wrenching cry from a Hindu sister in Bangladesh has brought tears to my eyes as a child of an Indian minority family. I urge the Indian government to teach Bangladesh a harsh lesson!" reads the Bengali-language caption of a Facebook reel shared on December 30, 2025. The video was viewed more than 74,000 times and is superimposed with text reading: "Bangladesh hindu". Advertisement Advertisement It appears to show a woman crying as she addresses her 'Indian brothers' and says, "I am speaking from Bangladesh; a guy sent me a marriage proposal and said he'll give me everything, but I am scared and confused." Screenshot of the false post taken on January 8, 2026 with a red X added by AFP The same video was also shared in similar Facebook and Instagram posts. "We need to teach Bangladesh a lesson," read a comment on one of the posts, while another said: "India needs to intervene in Bangladesh." The clip circulated as Muslim-majority Bangladesh grappled with high-profile killings that further inflamed tensions with its Hindu-majority neighbour India (archived link). Advertisement Advertisement Hindu garment factory worker Dipu Chandra Das was killed in Mymensingh, north of the capital Dhaka, on December 18, 2025 following allegations of blasphemy. India's The Hindu newspaper reported that protesters rallied outside Bangladeshi missions in several Indian cities, with demonstrators alleging religious minorities were being attacked across the border (archived link). There were also violent protests within Bangladesh after student leader Sharif Osman Hadi -- a key figure in 2024's pro-democracy uprising that ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina -- was shot and killed by masked gunmen in Dhaka. Hadi was a vocal critic of India, where Hasina has remained in self-imposed exile. Advertisement Advertisement The circulating video, however, was created with AI tools. A reverse image search on Google using keyframes from the falsely shared video led to the same clip posted on Facebook on December 24, 2025 (archived link). The page features several similar clips and the user who owns it told AFP on January 5, 2026 they were made with AI. A closer analysis of the footage shows multiple visual inconsistencies indicative of content generated with AI tools, such as the girl's teeth appearing to fade in and out as her mouth moves. AFP ran the clip through the DeepFake-o-meter tool developed by the University at Buffalo which found it 100 percent likely to be AI-generated (archived link). Results of the DeepFake-o-meter analysis AFP has previously debunked other false claims stemming from the violence in Bangladesh. The Washington state Capitol on April 18, 2025. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard) Washington state lawmakers begin a 60-day session today, in which a fiscal reckoning, flood recovery, and their own reelections loom large. They departed Olympia last spring, fingers crossed that a colossus of budget problems had been defeated with a one-two punch of spending cuts and new taxes. It was not. Advertisement Advertisement Adding to the difficulties: massive changes foisted upon states in the federal law dubbed beautiful by its Republican sponsors and ugly by its Democrat detractors. Then came the havoc of Decembers heavy rains and flooding. The financial toll for residents and public infrastructure is still being tallied. But it wont be cheap. And its not clear yet that the Trump administration will step in with federal aid. Meanwhile, Gov. Bob Ferguson came out last month in full support of an income tax on individuals earning over $1 million a year, setting up a major debate on tax policy. Two controversial citizen initiatives are pending, but are dead on arrival in the Legislature and will likely go to voters in the fall. Advertisement Advertisement Plus, policy debates are percolating on topics ranging from pennies to policing to pensions. And its an election year. All 98 House seats and roughly half of the 49 Senate seats will be on ballots. Those sitting in them now know their votes in the next two months could determine if they will be back in 2027. Here are four questions for which we dont know the answers, yet. How will they balance the budget? When Ferguson arrived in office a year ago, he pegged the multi-year shortfall in the state operating budget at $12 billion, a figure he later upped to $16 billion. The first-term Democratic governor and the Democratic-run Legislature responded with spending cuts throughout state government and imposing billions of dollars in new and higher business taxes. Lead budget writers discuss the outlook for the 2026 session on Jan. 9, in Olympia. From left to right, Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, Sen. Chris Gildon, R-Puyallup, Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, and Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard) A year later, Ferguson says the state is facing another gap, this one at least $2.3 billion, between what Washington expects to collect in tax receipts and the amount needed to cover the states expenses through mid-2027. That doesnt include the tab for the December floods. Advertisement Advertisement Crafting a solution will be a challenge. Cutting deeper could undermine public services. But Republicans and others say if Democrats keep piling on taxes, it could drive people out of business or out of the state. Ferguson has proposed very precise cuts as a fix this time around. He also wants to move large sums of cash out of accounts where its not needed immediately. This includes using $569 million of Climate Commitment Act revenue to cover the expense of the Working Families Tax Credit for low- and middle-income households, and a proposal to siphon $1 billion from the states rainy day reserve fund. Some Democrats are skeptical of using that much of the climate money on the tax credits, rather than spending it to reduce air pollution. Republicans balk at the rainy day fund drawdown. Advertisement Advertisement Legislative budget writers will put out their blueprints in late February. Will progressives get their income tax? Ferguson delivered arguably the sessions biggest news before the opening day gavel. It came last month with his call for taxing the income of those earning more than a million dollars a year. This is the same governor whose preaching of austerity at his inauguration 12 months ago drew glares from Democratic legislators. Those turned to scowls when he publicly and privately rejected Democratic proposals for a so-called wealth tax, a statewide payroll tax on large employers and a higher cap on annual property tax collections by local governments. Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, speaks at a rally during the 2025 session. Frame has been a leading voice in the Legislature in support of progressive taxes. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard) With his embrace of an income tax, progressives frowns may be easing. But Ferguson attached strings to his support. That makes some of them wary of whether hell sign what is sent to him presuming something is passed. Advertisement Advertisement To survive, the tax will need to be designed to withstand an inevitable court challenge. Lawmakers are also looking at how to possibly funnel money from the tax to the Working Families Tax Credit or to underwrite various other forms of targeted tax relief. Deciding how to use the revenue could further complicate the debate. There are election-year realities, too. While the governor is not on the ballot this year, most of the Democrats who would need to vote for the tax will be. Will Heywoods initiatives factor in? Lets Go Washington, the political committee led by hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, has become a perennial thorn in the side of majority Democrats in Olympia. The group is back this year with a new set of initiatives. One would roll back changes Democrats made last year to the groups 2024 parental bill of rights initiative. The other would bar transgender athletes from competing in girls sports. Brian Heywood of Lets Go Washington, center, testifies in support of one of the groups initiatives during the 2024 legislative session. Lawmakers approved three of the measures the group put forward that year. Democratic legislative leaders say they will not allow hearings during this years session for the groups two latest initiatives. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard) These are initiatives to the Legislature, meaning they go to lawmakers for consideration before possibly ending up on the ballot. Top Democrats made clear Friday that the initiatives will not get a hearing in the House or Senate this session, all but guaranteeing that theyll go to voters to decide in November. Advertisement Advertisement While the initiatives may be blocked legislatively, they could still pop up in the form of protests at the Capitol, or with Republicans finding ways to hammer on the wedge, culture war issues involved with an eye toward Election Day. How will Ferguson fare? Ferguson got off to a rocky start during his first session as governor, with staff drama and many Democrats miffed as he made a show of reaching out to Republicans and as he reined in progressive tax proposals. This session is a moment when Ferguson will either succeed or fail in showing hes a force that can drive the conversation and the priorities in Olympia. Gov. Bob Ferguson speaks to reporters in Olympia on Jan. 9, 2026. (Photo by Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard) Backing the income tax on high earners should build some goodwill among members on his partys left flank, but itll also put him front and center in a Republican narrative that Washington Democrats are out of control on spending and have an endless appetite for taxes. During last years session, Ferguson could readily fall back on the assertion that he inherited a budget blueprint and budget troubles from his predecessor, Jay Inslee. That kind of deflection will become increasingly difficult moving forward, as whats happening now is squarely on his watch. 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) Idaho Gov. Brad Little will begin the 2026 legislative session today by delivering the annual State of the State address to the Idaho Legislature. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The annual speech, which is roughly the Idaho equivalent of the State of the Union address, is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Mountain time at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. Advertisement Advertisement There are multiple ways to watch the speech and stay engaged with state government during the 2026 legislative session. The speech will be streamed live online, for free, via the Idaho in Session service and clicking on the House stream feed. After the speech ends, the streaming video will be available in the Idaho in Session digital media archives. Additionally, free public seating (which usually fills up well before the speech begins) is available in the public seating gallery above the House Chambers at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. The State of the State address is always a closely-watched speech in Idaho government and political circles because it gives the governor a very public forum to lay out policy goals for the year, present budget recommendations, highlight certain programs or initiatives and provide an overall assessment of the state of Idaho. Idaho Legislatures committee meetings, floor sessions to again be streamed online Once again, the Idaho in Session service will livestream all of the Idaho Legislatures committee meetings and floor sessions each day during the 2026 session. Advertisement Advertisement The Idaho Legislatures website is updated daily with the committee agendas and floor calendars that indicate what the Idaho Legislature is working on and voting on each day. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Once they are introduced and read across the desk, all bills introduced by the Idaho Legislature will also be posted online for the public to access. All floor sessions of the Idaho House of Representatives and Idaho Senate and all committee meetings, generally, are also open to the public and feature public seating available at the Idaho State Capitol, 700 W. Jefferson St. Legislative committees accept public testimony during public hearings on bills under consideration by the committee. Information about testifying before a legislative committee is available on the Idaho Legislatures website. Some legislative committee chairpersons require members of the public to sign up in advance to testify before their committee. Idaho Agriculture Day is Tuesday at the Idaho State Capitol State officials are inviting the public and elected officials to connect with farmers and members of the states agriculture industry during Idaho Agriculture Day on Tuesday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise. Advertisement Advertisement Hosted by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, the free event features food samples, interactive activities and information booths. Events are scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the second floor of the Statehouse. (The Idaho State Department of Agriculture) invites attendees to engage directly with farmers, ranchers and commodity group representatives while sampling foods that showcase Idaho produced commodities and products, state officials wrote in a press release issued Jan. 6. Idaho Agriculture Day serves as a platform for dialogue and connection offering state leaders and the public insight into how agriculture and food processing fuels our communities and contributes more than 26 billion dollars to Idahos economy, officials added. Several representatives from Idahos agriculture industry are scheduled to participate in the events, including officials from the Idaho Apple Commission, Idaho Barley Commission, Idaho Beef Commission, the Idaho Water Users Association, the Idaho Dairymens Association, the Idaho Wheat Commission, the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association and more. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WATERBURY - The Marching Eagles are bound for Hawaii. The marching band at Waterbury's Kennedy High School will attend the 30th annual Honolulu Festival and step off in Honolulu's Vietnam Veterans Day Parade in March, according to school officials. The Waterbury Public Schools, in a news release, said the Marching Eagles are the only high school band from Connecticut invited to the event. But the students will need some help getting to Hawaii. The district has allocated more than $10,000 for the trip, but the band is looking for more funds to defray the costs of travel, lodging, meals and transporting equipment. Advertisement Advertisement The school has begun a fundraising campaign, which includes a GoFundMe drive launched by the JFK Band Booster Club. As of Jan. 9, the campaign had raised $3,766. It has a goal of $50,000. The GoFundMe page describes the band's selection as "an incredible honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students to not only perform on a national stage, but to also pay tribute to veterans and immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Hawaii." According to the GoFundMe page, the students will take part in the parade as well as visit Pearl Harbor and march on the USS Missouri battleship. Advertisement Advertisement The band, formed three years ago, is now about 70 students strong. The GoFundMe page credited band director Nick Drabik with inspiring students "to believe in themselves and to understand the value of hard work and perseverance." The boosters' campaign states the group is "committed to making this experience accessible to all of our students, regardless of financial background, and we are reaching out to our community for support." It's not the only fundraising effort aimed at helping the band get to Honolulu. The Elks Lodge at 283 W. Main St., Waterbury, will host a pasta dinner to support the fundraising. The dinner will run from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan, 19. Advertisement Advertisement The Waterbury Public Schools said interested potential corporate sponsors should contact Superintendent Darren Schwartz's office by calling 203-574-8000 or visiting www.waterbury.k12.ct.us/contact-us-ql. This article originally published at Waterbury's Kennedy High marching band seeks fundraising help as it heads to Hawaii for parade. The News in Brief Monday, January 12, 2026 Euronews Georgia, the local franchise of the international news network, has announced that it will cease reporting on domestic developments and instead focus solely on international news, citing financial constraints and the cost of maintaining its franchise agreement.The channel began broadcasting in 2020 after Georgian communications company Silknet signed a franchise deal with France-based Euronews in 2019. Since then, Euronews Georgia has offered viewers a mix of local and international reporting, covering topics such as political developments, relations between Georgia and the European Union, and ongoing protests across the country.In a statement published on its Facebook page on January 9, the broadcaster announced that an internal financial review had revealed its current model was no longer sustainable. "An analysis of the financial situation revealed that, given current trends in Georgia's television advertising market, the existing broadcasting model cannot generate enough revenue to cover operational expenses and meet financial obligations under the franchise agreement with Euronews SA," the statement said.As a result, the channel said it will adopt a new format centered on international coverage. According to the statement, Euronews Georgia will now focus on "up-to-date, high-quality international content from Euronews, adapted for the Georgian audience."Lawyer Dimitri Khachidze said all expenses incurred by the Defense Ministry were justified, speaking after a court hearing in the case against former Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze."All witnesses confirmed that the expenses incurred by the Defense Ministry were necessary," Khachidze told reporters.He said the contract covered not only the price of the medical equipment but also its delivery, installation, room preparation, and related operational costs. According to Khachidze, witnesses explained that the equipment required multiple stages of setup, making comparisons based only on its base price misleading.Khachidze added that witnesses presented by the prosecution effectively supported the defense's position, confirming that the ministry's spending complied with contractual terms.Prosecutors allege that in 2023, Burchuladze abused his position by orchestrating the purchase of a medical device for a military hospital at an inflated price, causing a loss of 1,333,728 GEL to the Defense Ministry. They say the device was sold for 3,940,000 GEL instead of its actual value of 2,606,272 GEL.In a separate investigation, prosecutors claim that in March 2025, Burchuladze and his spouse purchased property in Spain for Euro544,000 and later used a fictitious real estate transaction in Daba Tskneti to conceal the origin of the funds. Headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut, Hubbell Incorporated (HUBB) designs, manufactures, and markets a broad portfolio of electrical and utility solutions. With a market capitalization of roughly $25 billion, the company supplies wiring devices, connectors, grounding products, lighting fixtures, industrial controls, and communication systems, alongside utility offerings such as distribution gear, arresters, insulators, smart meters, and protection devices. Against this backdrop, earnings visibility takes center stage. Hubbell is scheduled to report fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter results shortly. Analysts expect diluted EPS of $4.69, a 14.4% increase from $4.10 in the prior-year quarter. Importantly, the company has topped EPS estimates in three of the past four quarters, while missing expectations in just one. More News from Barchart Looking beyond the near term, Wall Street expects full-year fiscal 2025 diluted EPS of $18.16, implying 9.6% year-over-year growth. Momentum is projected to continue into fiscal 2026, with analysts expecting EPS of $19.71, an 8.5% increase from the prior year. www.barchart.com Share-price performance offers a contrasting signal. Hubbells shares have climbed 8.2% over the past 52 weeks and nearly 6% year-to-date (YTD). Over the same periods, the S&P 500 Index ($SPX) rose 17.7% and 1.8%, respectively. The divergence widens when viewed through a sector lens. The State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLI) climbed nearly 21.9% over the past 52 weeks and rose 4.4% YTD. www.barchart.com Hubbells fiscal Q3 2025 results triggered a strong market response on Oct. 28, 2025, with shares climbing approximately 4.9%. Revenue rose 4.1% year over year to $1.50 billion, falling short of the Streets forecast of $1.53 billion. Meanwhile, adjusted EPS increased 12.1% to $5.17, comfortably beating analyst estimates of $4.98. Investors prioritized profitability over the modest revenue miss, encouraged by solid organic growth in Electrical Solutions and Grid Infrastructure. These gains offset a sharp decline in Grid Automation tied to project roll-offs, highlighting Hubbells ability to defend margins across uneven demand conditions. The world loses its Starman as tributes pour in following the death of David Bowie. The news continues to look star-ward as the Cassini spacecraft reaches Saturn after a seven-year, two-billion-mile journey, marking a landmark moment in space exploration. Drama unfolds closer to home when a passenger jet makes a crash-landing on the Hudson River, with all 155 people on board surviving in what later becomes known as the Miracle on the Hudson. In geopolitics, Romania bans the Communist Party and Moscow moves to recognise Lithuanias independence as the Soviet Union continues to unravel. Meanwhile, the West edges closer to conflict in the Middle East after UN weapons inspectors discover Iraqi warheads. Within months, a US-led invasion is under way. All are revealed on the front pages of The Independent. 14 January 1988 New York babies test positive for HIV Blood tests carried out on newborns across New York reveal that one in every 61 babies born in the city is infected with HIV, providing stark evidence that the virus is spreading beyond the communities first impacted in the early years of the AIDS crisis. The findings raise alarm about transmission among drug users and unborn children. The following year, Princess Diana visits AIDS-infected children in Harlem, publicly hugging young patients in a gesture that helps challenge fear and stigma surrounding the disease. (The Independent) 13 January 1990 Romania bans communists Romanias interim authorities ban the Communist Party after days of mounting pressure from protesters, as angry crowds force concessions from the new leadership. The move signals what many describe as a second phase of the revolution, as the country struggles to define its political future in the wake of Nicolae Ceausescus fall. (The Independent) 14 January 1992 Hillsborough officer not charged The decision not to charge the only police officer still under investigation over the Hillsborough disaster is condemned by victims families as a whitewash, renewing anger over the lack of accountability following the deaths of 97 Liverpool supporters. Elsewhere on the front page, brothers Kevin Maxwell and Ian Maxwell risk imprisonment after refusing to answer questions about the Mirror Group pension funds in the wake of their father Robert Maxwells mysterious death. (The Independent) 15 January 1999 Clinton on trial The day a President went on trial, reports The Independent. As Washington is gripped by a snowstorm, President Bill Clinton battles a storm of his own as impeachment proceedings begin in the US Senate. All 100 senators, alongside the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, assemble in the chamber following Clintons impeachment the previous month. The trial ends in February 1999 with Clinton acquitted on both charges, allowing him to remain in office. (The Independent) Advertisement Advertisement 13 January 2002 Prince Harry visits rehab centre Prince Harry is taken to a drug rehabilitation centre at the request of his father, Prince Charles, after the teenager admits to episodes of drinking and drug use the previous summer. The visit, revealed in the press months later, places renewed focus on Harrys private struggles and the intense scrutiny surrounding the young royal as he comes of age in the public eye. (The Independent) 17 January 2003 War fears as weapons discovered in Iraq UN inspectors report the discovery of a dozen empty chemical warheads at newly built bunkers in Iraq, injecting new urgency into an already tense standoff between Baghdad and Washington. While inspectors say no definitive conclusions can yet be drawn, the find bolsters US claims over Iraqi weapons programmes, and the following weeks see diplomatic efforts unravel before a US-led invasion begins in March 2003. (The Independent) 15 January 2005 Cassini lands on Titan After a seven-year, two-billion-mile journey through the solar system, NASAs CassiniHuygens mission reaches Saturns largest moon in a tense and closely watched descent. Jubilant scenes unfold in mission control as scientists confirm the Huygens probe has landed safely on Titans frozen surface, marking the most distant soft landing ever achieved and a defining milestone in one of the most ambitious unmanned missions in space exploration. (The Independent) 16 January 2009 Miracle on the Hudson Moments after take-off from New York, an Airbus A320 loses power in both engines after striking a flock of birds, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing on the icy waters of the Hudson River. All 155 passengers and crew are rescued after evacuating onto the wings and nearby ferries, as captain Chesley Sullenberger brings the aircraft down safely in an extraordinary manoeuvre that quickly becomes known as the Miracle on the Hudson. (The Independent) Advertisement Advertisement 12 January 2016 David Bowie dies aged 69 Tributes pour in following the death of David Bowie at the age of 69, just days after the release of his final album, Blackstar. One of Britains most influential artists, Bowie reshaped popular music and culture over five decades, reinventing himself through personas such as Ziggy Stardust and leaving a legacy that spanned rock, soul, electronic music, film and fashion. This story was originally published on Higher Ed Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Higher Ed Dive newsletter. Most clicked story of the week The new year brings new challenges and, if 2026 is anything like its predecessor, the coming months could be more challenging than most. We rounded up six trends we expected to shape higher education's 2026, including continued federal probes into colleges, restrictions on international students and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act taking effect. Number of the week: $1.1M The amount the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will pay departing Chancellor Rodney Bennett. The hefty payout drew criticism from faculty, who are facing job cuts and program eliminations under a plan Bennett put in place. Legal losses for the National Institutes of Health A federal appeals court upheld a lower court's ruling that blocked the National Institutes of Health from unilaterally capping research funding for indirect costs. The agency declined to comment or say if it intends to appeal the decision further The NIH also settled a lawsuit with 16 states after it halted the decisionmaking process on thousands of grants earlier this year. The large-scale freeze came after internal NIH guidance sought to direct funds away from topics the Trump administration disfavored, like diversity, equity and inclusion. The administration did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement, but NIH must commit to the usual grant review process and cannot apply its anti-DEI directive. More updates from the courts The Trump administration unexpectedly scrapped its efforts to defend the termination of more than 400 Education Department staff during the most recent government shutdown. The administration in December had appealed a court order requiring affected staff to be rehired, but it withdrew its appeal less than a month later. A federal district court judge ruled that President Donald Trump did not exceed his authority by issuing a proclamation that requires employers to pay a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa applications. The Association of American Universities, one of the organizations suing over the cost, has already appealed the decision. College presidents look ahead to 2026 At the Council of Independent Colleges' annual Presidents Institute, hundreds of private nonprofit leaders gathered to discuss the biggest policy changes that higher education administrators should track. Seven college presidents also shared what they believe will be higher ed's most significant opportunities and challenges in the coming year, touching on mergers, workforce development and the end of federal Grad PLUS loans. Quote of the Week This is the exact kind of federal overreach Virginians rejected in November. Advertisement Advertisement Jay Jones Attorney general-elect of Virginia Jones joined student advocates in criticizing Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and the U.S. Department of Justice for their efforts to end a state law allowing certain undocumented students to pay in-state tuition. Miyares, a Republican who will leave office this week, filed a joint motion with the agency against the law after the DOJ sued Virginia. Recommended Reading Protests held across the country this weekend showed the sharp divide in opinion over a shooting involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minnesota. CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS OF PROTESTS IN OUR AREA Demonstrations on Pittsburghs South Side ended Sunday afternoon after hundreds gathered to protest ICE. Organizers say the protest was sparked by the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was shot Wednesday in Minneapolis by an ICE agent during a federal immigration enforcement operation. Advertisement Advertisement Sundays rally, called the ICE Out for Good protest, was one of hundreds held nationwide. Demonstrators marched through city streets, holding signs critical of ICE and calling for greater accountability from federal officials. Im just really sad about the whole situation, said Anna Haughwout of McKeesport. Its tragic for the poor woman who was killed, and its tragic for the officer that killed her. Paul Johnson of Lawrenceville said demonstrators were focused on protecting civil rights. They were only trying to make sure the people they love and care for had their civil rights protected, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Groups including Indivisible Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Women for Democracy called on the Trump administration to act following the shooting. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal officials say the ICE officer acted in self-defense after being struck by Goods vehicle. This officer was hit by her vehicle, Noem said in an interview with CNN. She weaponized it, and he defended his life and those colleagues around him and the public. Federal officials say the shooting remains under investigation and no charges have been filed. Protesters also reacted to comments from Pittsburgh Mayor Corey OConnor, who recently confirmed the city will not cooperate with ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear what that will look like beyond whats required by law. Demonstrators say the mayors position is reassuring. It should be a basic policy statement of all mayors, Johnson said. OConnors predecessor, former Mayor Ed Gainey, held a similar stance on the presence of ICE in Pittsburgh during his tenure. Demonstrators also gathered in Greensburg, at the Westmoreland County Courthouse. At this point, we are all very worried that the federal government is murdering essentially protesters in the streets, protester Abigail Graham-Pardus said. Another demonstration drew people to the Washington County Courthouse in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Were here for justice for Renee Good, who was trying to drive away in her car, protester Sharon Laffey said. She was driving away, and no police officer should shoot somebody three times when theyre trying to drive away. Uniontowns George Marshall Plaza saw a rally on Saturday. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Iran has threatened retaliatory attacks against Israel and US military centres in the region after tensions escalated amid widespread demonstrations against Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Donald Trump has been unequivocal about his intention to use military action to intervene in Iran if protesters are killed. But despite his threats, monitoring groups say that hundreds have died since Thursday, with over 10,000 people arrested. The American leader is to discuss the options for US intervention on Tuesday, according to the Wall Street Journal . He is said to be considering very strong options, which may include cyber-attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel or tightening sanctions, sources said. Advertisement Advertisement We are ready for war but also for dialogue, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday. Irans parliamentary speaker warned that both Israel (which he referred to as the occupied territory) and US military centres, bases and ships would be considered legitimate targets in the event of an attack. Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran (Getty) We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said. We will act based on any objective signs of a threat. The demonstrations began after a widening economic crisis across the country sparked the collapse of the local currency in recent weeks. The situation has been made worse by ongoing sanctions against the country. Advertisement Advertisement Khamenei has blamed the US and Israel for orchestrating the unrest and has called demonstrators terrorist agents working at the behest of foreign governments. Last year Tehran launched missile strikes against a US base in Qatar after vowing to retaliate against strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in the 12-day war. Click here for the latest updates on protests in Iran. Can Irans missiles reach US bases? Iran possesses medium-range missiles, with a range of up to 1,240 miles, and short-range missiles, which can travel up to 435 miles. US officials previously said that Iran had depleted its medium-range stockpile, with few remaining, but it still maintains ample short-range capabilities. Several US military bases lie within reach of Irans short-range weapons, according to estimates by the CSIS Missile Defence Project in the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement These include bases and military sites in Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates all of which may be at risk of Iranian retaliation with short-range weapons. In the wider region, the US operates a broad network of sites across at least 19 locations, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Eight are permanent, including in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Tens of thousands of US troops are stationed across the Middle East, in Arab Gulf countries just across the Persian Gulf from Iran and much closer than Israel. Those bases boast the same kinds of sophisticated air defences as Israel, but would have much less warning time before waves of missiles or swarms of armed drones. And even Israel, which is several hundred kilometres further away, has been unable to stop all of the incoming fire. Advertisement Advertisement Iran could also choose to attack key oil and gas facilities in those countries with the goal of exacting a higher price for US involvement in the war. A drone attack on two major oil sites in Saudi Arabia in 2019 claimed by the Houthis but widely blamed on Iran briefly cut the kingdom's oil production in half. US military recruitment was said to have been affected by a Trump administration ban on transgender personnel (US Department of Defense/AFP via) Bahrain Naval Support Activity Bahrain (NSA Bahrain) is home to the US Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet. The deep-water port can Americas largest military vessels including aircraft carriers. Four anti-mine vessels, two logistical support ships and several US Coast Guard vessels have a home port in Bahrain. Britains Royal Navy opened and operated the port during the 1920s, and the first US military presence was established when they joined World War 2. After the war it was recognised as a US Navy site. Iraq The US has a number of military bases in Iraq, including two air fields - the Al-Harir and Al Asad air bases - and dozens of camps and outposts. These bases were repeatedly targeted by pro-Iran militant groups after Israels invasion of Gaza in October 2023. Advertisement Advertisement At the height of the US occupation of the country from 2003 until 2011, there were reportedly 170,000 US personnel stationed in 505 bases across the country. In January 2024, the Iraqi government requested a start to negotiations on ending the US military presence in Iraq, as regional tensions grew due to the situation in Gaza. US army drones at the Ain al-Asad airbase in the western Iraqi province of Anbar (AFP/Getty) Kuwait Kuwait plays host to several US installations, including two air bases, alongside a number of other outposts. Ali Al Salem Air Base is home to the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, one of the main hubs for delivering combat support in the region. Qatar Qatars Al Udeid Air Base is the largest of its kind in the region, according to the Reuters news agency. It includes components of Central Command (Centcom), and elements of its air forces and special operations forces in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement The 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, which includes airlift, aerial refueling intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and aeromedical evacuation assets, AFP reports. Iran launched missile strikes against American bases in Qatar on Monday and The Independent understands Doha may have been given a prior warning of the attack. A US official said the missiles had been successfully intercepted and no casualties were reported. Al-Udeid Air Base, which is located in the desert outside the capital Doha, hosts around 10,000 US troops. It serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command, which directs American military operations across a vast area stretching from Egypt in the west to Kazakhstan in the east. Saudi Arabia The Prince Sultan Air Base is a major site which hosted a large US presence during its war in Iraq, and from which the US air force still operates. Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere, the Eskan Village near Riyadh serves as a housing facility for US military personnel, largely those who are under training. US soldiers and marines pictured in Kabul, Afghanistan (U.S. Marine Corps) United Arab Emirates Al Dahfra Air Base is home to the US 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, which has 10 aircraft squadrons and holds MQ-9 Reaper drones. The base also hosts the Gulf Air Warfare Centre for air and missile defence training. Egypt The US does not hold any major combat bases in Egypt, but there are a number of military facilities stationed in the country. Naval Medical Research Unit Three is based in Cairo, conducting research on infectious diseases and their prevention, and hosting the department of defences largest overseas laboratory. Trump previously said he would hit them hard if the Iranian government attacked protester (AFP/Getty) Jordan The Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan was allocated $143 million for upgrades and expansion in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement It hosts military partners including Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, with two runways almost 10,000 feet long. Has Iran attacked the bases before? US forces have been attacked on several occasions by Iran-backed forces since the outbreak of the latest war in Gaza and the subsequent conflicts with other state and non-state actors in the wider region. Last year in June, Tehran launched missile strikes against a US base in Qatar after vowing to retaliate when US forces directly attacked Irans three main nuclear sites following weeks of threats by Trump. US officials said the missiles had been successfully intercepted and no casualties were reported. In January 2024, three American soldiers were killed and dozens more injured after a one-way attack drone hit the military base Tower 22 in Jordan, near the Syrian border. US officials blamed the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, for the attack. In the recent past, we might have expected to see foreign critics referring to the United States as a predator nation, a label many Americans would have seen as insulting. But last week, Republican Rep. Andy Ogles appeared on Fox Business, where the scandal-plagued congressman described the U.S. the dominant predator in the Western Hemisphere and he meant it as a compliment. The larger question, however, is whether Donald Trump shares his perspective. Advertisement Advertisement At a White House event on Friday, ostensibly about domestic oil companies and Venezuela, the president took the opportunity to share some fresh thoughts about his crusade to acquire Greenland, including his insistence that his administration intends to do something on the Arctic island, whether they like it or not. The Republican added that he likes Denmark, but The fact that they had a boat land [on Greenland] 500 years ago doesnt mean they own the land. Im sure we had lots of boats go there also. (As Trump probably ought to know, the United States didnt exist 500 years ago.) My favorite moment was when the president said, If we dont take Greenland, youre going to have Russia or China as your next-door neighbor. Thats not going to happen. It was a comment that suggested (a) he doesnt know that Russia or China couldnt seize Greenland without triggering a NATO response; (b) Greenland is not the United States next-door neighbor; and (c) Russia already is the United States next-door neighbor. Advertisement Advertisement But the piece de resistance was Trump declaring, I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we dont do it the easy way, were going to do it the hard way. In September, when the Trump administration went after late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, the presidents Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr, appeared on a far-right podcast and mentioned his agencys role in granting broadcast licenses. Referring specifically to Kimmels monologue related to Charlie Kirk, Carr added, When we see stuff like this, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. Marveling at Carrs choice of words, Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas described Carrs threats as reminiscent of organized crime. He says, We can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way, the senator said on his podcast, quoting Carr. And Ive got to say, thats right out of Goodfellas. Thats right out of a mafioso coming into a bar going, Nice bar you have here, itd be a shame if something happened to it. Four months later, the president is using virtually identical phrasing in pursuit of Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement In November, The Atlantics Adam Serwer labeled Trumps second term as the mafia presidency, in which the Republican essentially tells his targets, If you dont want to get hurt, youll do what I say. The president continues to prove the thesis true. The post Whether they like it or not: Trump ups the ante in his crusade for Greenland appeared first on MS NOW. This article was originally published on ms.now Wisconsinites are paying more for government than they realize. And it's not just through higher taxes but through a growing web of costly regulations that quietly drive up the price of housing, energy, food and everyday goods. These regulations are written and enforced by unelected bureaucrats, not lawmakers. They carry the full force of law, impose significant costs on the public, and can now take effect without a single vote from your elected representatives due to a recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision. Thats not how an accountable government is supposed to work. The consequences of that decision are already being felt. Last year, Gov. Evers Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) proposed a rule that would have raised fees on Wisconsins cattle industry by as much as 1,700% before pulling it back after public backlash. Advertisement Advertisement Letters: Property taxes are up. What exactly did Act 10 accomplish? Another rule mandates changes to Wisconsins commercial building code that will drive up construction costs for multi-family housing costs that will ultimately mean higher rents for working families. Both rules were introduced despite objections from legislators, the very people constitutionally charged with writing Wisconsins laws, and under the new legal landscape, could have been advanced over their objections. And this is just the beginning. Supreme Court ruling puts power in the hands of bureaucrats All this stems from Marklein v. Evers II, a court decision that stripped the Legislature of meaningful oversight over agency rulemaking, upending decades of established precedent. As a result, unelected bureaucrats can now enact costly new rules that affect everyday Wisconsinites without ever answering to the peoples elected representatives. The Marklein decision will inevitably add even more weight to Wisconsins already burdensome regulatory code. Over the past few decades, that code has quietly grown into one of the largest in the nation, now ranking 13th overall in total regulatory restrictions and 2nd highest in the Midwest, according to data from the long-running RegData project. Advertisement Advertisement Wisconsin businesses now face tens of thousands more binding rules than most of their regional peers; only Illinois has more. The weight of this red tape acts like a hidden tax on economic growth sapping productivity, deterring entrepreneurship, and slowing wage gains. Even well-intentioned rules accumulate over time, creating a complex web that disproportionately burdens small businesses and startups, which lack the compliance departments larger firms can afford. This regulatory accumulation helps explain why Wisconsins economic growth has lagged behind that of neighboring states with lighter regulatory loads. Reducing regulations could boost Wisconsin's economy by $32 billion Without a systematic process to review, streamline, and remove outdated or duplicative rules, the states economy will continue to labor under the dead weight of its own bureaucracy. Recent research shows that a 20% reduction in regulatory restrictions could add up to $32 billion to the states economy over the next decade. The good news is that Wisconsin is not alone and other states have shown what real reform looks like. In Virginia, policymakers implemented a targeted regulatory reduction initiative modeled on the principles of regulatory budgeting and sunset review. Agencies were required to inventory their rules and reduce them by 25 percent within three years. Advertisement Advertisement The results were measurable and concrete: Virginia eliminated thousands of unnecessary requirements, saving Virginians an estimated $1.4 billion annually and accelerated housing and infrastructure projects without compromising safety. Other states, including Idaho, Ohio, and Arizona, have adopted similar reforms and seen improved transparency, accountability, and growth. 'Red Tape Reset' designed to restore accountability There is a path forward for Wisconsin to restore accountability to the rulemaking process and reduce our states overall regulatory burden. The Legislature is currently considering a package of reforms known as the Red Tape Reset, designed to put common-sense limits on how regulations are created and enforced. Opinion: ICE killed Renee Nicole Good. Your government is lying. Sunset review would require agencies to periodically justify existing regulationsor repeal them so outdated or unnecessary rules do not linger indefinitely. Regulatory budgeting would limit the growth of new rules unless old ones are eliminated. In practical terms, this means fewer surprise fee hikes, fewer mandates that drive up housing and energy costs, and more transparency before new rules take effect. Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers should also consider constitutional reforms that restore the Legislatures authority over rulemaking. These guardrails would ensure that major policy decisions that affect rent, food prices, and job opportunities cannot be made unilaterally by bureaucrats without public accountability. At a time when affordability is at the forefront of voters minds, Wisconsin cannot afford a regulatory system that operates on autopilot without meaningful oversight. We must reinforce a system of checks and balances to ensure that no single branch of government regardless of which party controls it can impose sweeping, costly policies without accountability. Patrick McLaughlin is a Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, and Kyle Koenen is the Policy Director at Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WI regulations drive up prices on housing, energy, food | Opinion Rebecca Insley said she wants answers because her husband, Derrick Manigault, has died after he was shot by police Saturday night in Gastonia Saturday night at Jakobs Food Mart Gaston Avenue. ALSO READ: Investigation underway following officer-involved shooting in Gaston County The only thing police have told Insley is that her husband had a weapon. Insley said Manigault went to the store often and is almost certain that he was there to buy cigars and a drink. Advertisement Advertisement Its really hard to wrap your brain around, Insley said. Hyperventilating. I was crying so much. I couldnt get words out. She said they married two years ago; however, they have been living separately since October, trying to reconcile their relationship. Insley recalled getting the call about the shooting. Its been completely traumatizing, Insley said. Police said there were two officers involved in the shooting in the store. Insley said she talked to police, and they only told her that her husband had a weapon. She said thats mind-blowing. Derrick didnt own any weapons. I never saw him carry a weapon, she said. Advertisement Advertisement There is an internal investigation into the shooting and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is leading the case. Insley said she deserves to know more than that. Right now, I just need very basic details about my husband and his last moments, she said. Insley said she is soft spoken and introverted but considers herself a fighter. Im a strong individual and I wont stop at anything, she said. The two officers involved in the shooting are on administrative leave. VIDEO: Investigation underway following officer-involved shooting in Gaston County Wilmington police have identified the 19-year-old man killed in a shooting in the city's Southbridge neighborhood last week. Melvin Njungwa was the first homicide reported by police in Delaware this year. He was killed in the 200 block of S. Claymont St. about 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 9, city police said previously. Delaware law enforcement reported 52 people being killed in violent crimes in last year, a drop of nearly 12% when compared with 59 people killed in 2024, according to a Delaware Online/The News Journal database. This includes both fatal shooting victims and those killed in other manners. Advertisement Advertisement BACKGROUND: Wilmingtons first homicide of 2026 claims life of 19-year-old Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Wilmington police ID man fatally shot in Southbridge A central San Joaquin Valley hospital was hit with four state penalties in 2025 for putting patients in harms way. According to enforcement data with the California Department of Public Health, Kaweah Health Medical Center in Visalia had four separate immediate jeopardy violations totalling $265,125. The incidents, which took place between the years 2023 to 2025, involved retention of foreign object in patients after feeding tube insertion, an erroneous surgical procedure and a patient death on Christmas Day in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Kaweah Health has had 10 immediate jeopardy citations since 2020, according to state enforcement data. According to CDPH, immediate jeopardy is a situation involving a threat of imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm. In California, citations for these violations can result in administrative fines between $25,000 to $125,000. Immediate jeopardy citations are the most serious type and theyre also rare. A 2021 analysis of hospital deficiencies reported by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services over a 10-year period found that only 2%, or 730 of 30,808, were elevated to immediate jeopardy designations. The analysis was published in the Journal of Patient Safety. Kaweah Health is facing a state investigation in a wrongful death lawsuit. Photographed Monday, Aug. 4, 2025 in Visalia. In August, The Bee also reported about a 2023 incident at Kaweah that prompted a lawsuit filed over claims that a man with heart problems was not treated quickly enough in the emergency department and died as a result. Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 1, 2023, Erick Burger, 60, called 911 and reported chest pain and shortness of breath. Within minutes of arriving at Kaweah Health Medical Centers emergency department, he started seizing and went into cardiac arrest, according to a state investigation report. He was pronounced dead about half an hour later. The state investigation, a former staff member, a lawsuit and paramedic report alleged that two emergency department nurses, unnamed in the lawsuit, were just sitting around and showed no urgency when Burger was brought into the hospital, according to Bee reporting in August. Paramedics radioed ahead to the emergency room staff that they were arriving in 10 minutes and Burger would need to be seen immediately. A former emergency department staff member spoke out publicly about Burgers death, saying he is the one who filed a complaint with the state over the incident, saying it was his ethical and moral obligation. The hospital did not comment on the incident for the Bee article in August, citing the lawsuit. The hospital did release a statement about the latest immediate jeopardy incidents and fines included in this story, saying Kaweah Health takes patient safety seriously. Advertisement Advertisement At Kaweah Health, patient safety is the utmost priority. Hospital leadership, medical staff, and employees work continuously to improve processes and protocols. Unfortunately, incidents can occur that require reevaluation and enhancement of care delivery, Kaweah Health said in a written statement. Kaweah Health takes these findings very seriously and wants to assure the public that the organization will continue to proactively evaluate and improve how care is provided to prevent similar incidents in the future, the statement said. Patient dies on Christmas in 2023 According to state inspection records, a 59-year-old male patient with chest pain was brought to the hospitals emergency department from a skilled nursing facility on Dec. 25, 2023. The patient who had a several health complications and heart problems including diabetes, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, and hypertension was admitted with orders for telemetry, a portable tool that allows for monitoring of the patients heart, respiratory rate and oxygen levels, according to the states review of the patients emergency records. Advertisement Advertisement Around 3:30 p.m., he was taken by a patient transport aide to the fourth floor for a hemodialysis procedure in which waste and excess liquids are filtered from the blood when kidneys can no longer do so. He was then returned to the second floor telemetry unit accompanied by an aid. A few hours after returning to his room, a monitoring technician noticed a problem with the patients telemetry monitor and called a charge nurse. The charge nurse found the patient unresponsive, and he was declared dead at 7:01 p.m. State inspectors found the hospital failed to follow its policy and procedure on cardiac monitoring when the patient was transported between units without a nurse. The report said the hospital also failed to communicate pertinent information during department handoffs and location of patient, which resulted in the lack of knowledge impacting patient care decisions. The hospitals protocol is for patients with new onset chest pain within 24 hours of admission to be transported between units by a nurse. Advertisement Advertisement It seemed like an oversight by the staff, a nurse manager said in a March 6, 2024, interview with state investigators. But a second registered nurse told state investigators the next day that they were unaware of the policy, and that transport staff typically accompanied patients to dialysis. These failures resulted in an unmonitored lethal heart rhythm followed by cardiac arrest, delayed CPR, and delays in potentially life-saving medications or other measures that could have potentially prolonged the patients life, state investigators found. The hospital was cited $60,375 on Jan. 17, 2025, for the incident. Errors in catheter, feeding tube insertions The three other citations issued in 2025 involved inserting feeding tubes or catheters. Advertisement Advertisement Kaweah Health was issued a $68,906 penalty on April 28, 2025, after a post-graduate medical school trainee inserted an intravenous three-channel line instead of a vascular access catheter in a 79-year-old patient admitted to the emergency department on October 14, 2024. This failure resulted in the patient having to have a second procedure to remove the triple lumen line, delayed emergency dialysis and potential for further health complications as a result, including a collapsed lung. The hospitals Director of Critical Care said in a Dec. 4, 2024, interview with state investigators that the kits for the catheter and central line look similar and the central line cart was not labeled effectively. Kaweah Health is facing a state investigation in a wrongful death lawsuit. Photographed Monday, Aug. 4, 2025 in Visalia. Then, on March 2, 2025, a 77-year-old male was brought to the emergency department after a fall at home. The patient had a history of lung cancer and had been receiving chemotherapy for the previous three months, according to state inspection records. On his fourth day in the hospital, the doctor ordered a post-pyloric tube to be inserted for medication administration. This type of tube is inserted through the nostrils to the small intestine with a weighted tip. A registered nurse ordered for the insertion of a gastric tube, which was not what the doctor ordered. However, the doctor said the tube was okay to use for medication administration. The Registered Nurse Preceptor caring for the patient didnt check that the stylet, a thin wire within the tube to help with placement, was removed. A night nurse noticed the patient in respiratory distress and observed the stylet, guide wire was still in the patients tube. The stylet was then removed around midnight, eight hours after it was placed. Advertisement Advertisement Leaving a guidewire in for more than eight hours can result in stomach or intestinal perforation. If the patient would have undergone an MRI imaging test with the metal stylet in place, this could have caused internal injuries or death, according to the state report. The hospital was cited $60,375 on June 3, 2025. A month later, Kaweah Health was hit with a $75,469 penalty on July 1, 2025, for a similar incident in which a guidewire was left in a patient for 11 days. A 60-year-old male with cerebral palsy and developmental mental delay was admitted to the hospital on Oct. 4, 2024, in an altered mental status. Two days later, a registered nurse inserted a feeding tube with the use of a style. A licensed vocational nurse realized the stylet was still in the feeding tube 11 days later on Oct. 16, 2024, according to a state inspection. The hospital failed to ensure a safe competent quality care when the stylet was not removed, putting patient at risk for intestinal perforations, obstructions, infections, internal injuries or even death, the report said. UPDATE: Leathers has since been released from jail on a $500 bond. She is due in court on Tuesday morning. *** MEMPHIS, Tenn. A Cordova woman was arrested during anti-ICE protests on Summer Avenue this weekend after a law enforcement officer said she assaulted and verbally attacked them, and resisted detention. Rebecca Leathers, 55, is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, indecent exposure, vandalism, assault, assault on a peace officer and obstructing a highway. Leathers was arrested Sunday afternoon, as protesters walked on Summer Avenue near Graham Street. Officers from several agencies blocked part of the street. Authorities estimated 100 protesters were involved, though witnesses say there were many more. Advertisement Advertisement Anti-ICE protesters march on Summer Avenue According to a statement from a state trooper, Leathers banged on the troopers windshield and window, screaming at him and attempting to enter the passenger-side door as protesters surrounded the vehicle. He says he got out of his vehicle to detain her. The trooper claims Leathers was aggressive and he smelled an odor of alcohol on her breath. She allegedly fought against her detention and threatened law enforcement and federal agents. Once she was taken to the THP Memphis headquarters, the trooper wrote that Leathers attacked the sexuality and race of of troopers at the station, including using the n-word. Advertisement Advertisement The trooper said Leathers pulled down her pants, exposing herself, and attempted to urinate on the floor. As troopers tried to escort her to the bathroom, they say she began damaging and destroying property. At one point, they say Leathers also kicked a THP trooper who is currently sworn in as a federal officer. Memphis restaurant owner refuses to serve Guard in viral video Leathers was placed on the floor and later became compliant and respectful, the troopers affidavit stated. Jail records show Leathers booked on Monday morning, with no bond set and a court date Tuesday. According to Indivisible Memphis, the group that hosted the protest, they said that there is video footage that shows Leathers standing in the roadway as a THP vehicle drove up beside her. Advertisement Advertisement At no point does footage show her charging the vehicle or attempting to enter it. Moments later, a trooper abruptly exited the patrol car, rushed toward Ms. Leathers, grabbed her, and forced her against the vehicle before taking her into custody. The footage shows Ms. Leathers remaining compliant during the arrest, said Indivisible Memphis. TN man sentenced to 138 years for 2021 double murder The group said that THPs affidavit of complaint contains allegations about Leathers after she was taken into custody. These claims have not been corroborated by any publicly released body camera footage, booking-area video, or independent witnesses. Notably, the affidavit itself states that Ms. Leathers was compliant and respectful during transport to both the hospital and jail, Indivisible Memphis stated. Advertisement Advertisement Indivisible Memphis said they are now demanding the release of all body-camera footage and dismissal of all charges against Leathers. Well, I feel like ICE in Memphis is not a bad idea, but not a good idea. I feel like there are more important things that are going on, but I dont feel like anyone should be attacking people, period, said Sherrie Carter, Memphis resident. Its criminal damage, its criminal negligence, she should have been arrested, why are you attacking the people who are overseeing the protest, if these are allegedly peaceful protests, why are you, and you alone causing issues, said a Memphis resident. WREG reached out to Invisible Memphis for any additional videos they have. We will let you know when we hear back. Advertisement Advertisement 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 WREG.com. By Sheila Dang and Jarrett Renshaw Jan 9 (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods said on Friday the U.S. oil major is ready to evaluate a potential return to Venezuela in what would be a stunning development after its assets in the South American country were nationalized nearly 20 years ago. Woods, however, said Venezuela was currently "uninvestable" and significant legal changes are needed. The comments came during a White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump that was hastily arranged less than a week after U.S. forces captured and removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power in a brazen overnight raid. More from Yahoo Scout Which oil executives met with Trump recently? What assessment plans does Exxon have for Venezuela? Why is Venezuela significant for Exxon's strategy? What did Exxon's CEO say about Venezuela operations? "It's absolutely critical in the short term that we get a technical team in place to assess the current state of the industry and the assets, understand what will be involved to help the people of Venezuela get production back on the market," Woods said, adding that the visit could happen once appropriate security guarantees were in place. He told Trump that Exxon needed durable investment protections introduced and the country's hydrocarbons law also needed to be reformed. "We've had our assets seized there twice. And so, you can imagine to re-enter a third time would require some pretty significant changes from what we've historically seen here and what is currently the state," the CEO said. Chevron Vice Chairman Mark Nelson, who was seated next to Trump adviser Stephen Miller, highlighted the company's 100-year history in Venezuela and its current status as the only American oil major currently operating there. He said the company is ready to increase liftings at its joint ventures with state oil company PDVSA by 100% immediately. "We are also able to increase our production within our own disciplined investment schemes by about 50% just in the next 18 to 24 months," Nelson said. CONOCOPHILLIPS CALLS FOR BANK INVOLVEMENT Exxon, ConocoPhillips and Chevron were for decades the most prominent partners of state company PDVSA, contributing to developing output at the vast Orinoco Belt, which is now the country's main oil region. The government of late President Hugo Chavez nationalized the industry between 2004 and 2007, and while Chevron negotiated deals to partner with PDVSA, ConocoPhillips and Exxon left the country and filed for prominent arbitration cases shortly after. Venezuela now owes over $13 billion collectively to Conoco and Exxon for the expropriations. Conoco has tried to seize PDVSA's foreign assets and is participating in the Delaware auction of Venezuela-owned Citgo Petroleum's parent to recover part of the money. A Florida woman allegedly posed as the grieving father of a teenager who died in Julys deadly Camp Mystic flooding in Texas and tried to raise money, leading to her being criminally charged with online impersonation, according to authorities. According to court records reviewed by multiple outlets, Maitlin Paige White, 28, of Crestview, Florida, is accused of posing as Matthew Childress and soliciting donations in the days after the death of his 18-year-old daughter, Chloe Childress, who was working as a counselor at Camp Mystic in Kerr county, Texas. Investigators said White had set up a GoFundMe page on 8 July, just four days after Chloes death, using Childresss name and a photo of his daughter without his knowledge or consent. The page asked the public to donate money to support the family in the aftermath of the flooding that killed 27 campers and counselors. Advertisement Advertisement Related: The long road to tragedy at the Texas girls camp where floods claimed 27 lives On 10 July, Childress alerted authorities after discovering the fundraising page. Upon investigation, detectives found another fundraising account set up on Spotfund under Childresss name. After requesting records from both companies, investigators said they obtained information linking the accounts to White, including her name, phone number, email address and bank account details. The records show both accounts were created on the same day, the Texas news outlet KTRK reported. Upon being contacted by detectives, White told them she was a single mother of two young children and had been looking for a quick way to make some money. according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement At the time of the investigation, Alan Rosen, a Houston-area constable, posted on Facebook on 11 July: We have launched an investigation into a case in which an online scammer pretended to be the father of Houstons Chloe Childress and set up a bogus GoFundMe page. Within minutes of detectives contacting GoFundMe, the page was shut down and the scam was stopped. It was unclear whether Rosen was referring specifically to Whites case. However, Rosens office confirmed the charges against White recently, posting her photo on X and stating that she had been charged for an online scam in which she pretended to raise money for the family of Chloe Childress of Houston. Meanwhile, in a statement on Texas news outlet KRIV, GoFundMe said it has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and bad actors who seek to take advantage of the generosity of others. Our team acted quickly to remove the fundraiser back in July, refund donors, and ban the account from future fundraising on GoFundMe. Thanks to our Trust & Safety procedures, at no point did the organizer have access to the total $5 raised. The parents of a 25-year-old tow truck driver are pleading for answers after he was shot and killed while parked outside a smoke shop in Northeast Philadelphia on Sunday night. Based on surveillance video, Aaron Whitfield Jr. and his girlfriend had been stopped for only a few minutes when another car pulled up, and two people inside opened fire. Video obtained by Action News shows a silver Honda pulling alongside the tow truck on Bustleton Avenue, near the 2100 block of Knorr Street, before at least a dozen gunshots were fired, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement The Honda then sped away. Police say two people inside the car were involved in the shooting, and both remain at large. Police believe the two victims were about to enter the shop before the shooting occurred. There was no vehicle attached to the tow truck at the time. Whitfield's father, Aaron Whitfield Sr., said the family searched hospitals before learning his son had died at the scene. "We couldn't find him. We went to every hospital. He was still dead in the truck," he said. "That's my son, that's my baby son." Whitfield's 21-year-old girlfriend, whose name has not been released, remains hospitalized with extensive gunshot wounds to her leg. His parents said she often accompanied him while he worked. Advertisement Advertisement "He's not with the streets, the nonsense or none of that," Whitfield Sr. said. "For somebody just to kill him and shoot his girl nine times, that's wrong." Police have not identified a motive. Violence connected to towing territory disputes and wreck chasing has long been an issue in the city, though investigators have not said whether that played a role in this case. Whitfield's parents said they were initially wary of their son entering the towing profession, but that he loved the work and had not mentioned any problems. Messages left for 448 Towing and Recovery, the company named on Whitfield's truck, were not returned. Advertisement Advertisement On December 22, a 20-year-old tow truck driver was shot by another driver in the city's Frankford neighborhood. The victim died from his injuries on December 26. Police say there is currently no definitive evidence linking the two incidents. Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact investigators. Whitfield Sr. said he regularly warned his son to stay alert. "I said, 'Just be careful, just watch your surroundings.' I tell them that every time he comes here." Whitfield's parents described him as gentle and dependable. "He ain't no troublemaker. He's a gentle giant," his father said. Advertisement Advertisement His mother, Kimberly Randleman, added, "He always went out of his way, took care of everybody. He would be one of the people that you could depend on." Randleman said the family is struggling to understand the violence. "I don't understand why they have no respect for nobody no more. They don't care where you are, who you with, who you're in front of, they don't care," she said. The family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses, a cost for which they were unprepared. Historian Vicki Crawford was one of the first scholars to focus on womens roles in the civil rights movement. Her 1993 book Trailblazers and Torchbearers dives into the stories of female leaders whose legacies have often been overshadowed. Today she is the director of the Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection, where she oversees the archive of his sermons, speeches, writings and other materials. Here, she explains the contributions of women who influenced King and helped to fuel some of the most significant campaigns of the civil rights era, but whose contributions are not nearly as well known. An activist in her own right Coretta Scott King is often remembered as a devoted wife and mother, yet she was also a committed activist in her own right. She was deeply involved with social justice causes before she met and married Martin Luther King Jr., and long after his death. Advertisement Advertisement Scott King served with civil rights groups throughout her time as a student at Antioch College and the New England Conservatory of Music. Shortly after she and King married in 1953, the couple returned to the South, where they lent their support to local and regional organizations such as the NAACP and the Montgomery Improvement Association. They also supported the Womens Political Council, an organization founded by female African American professors at Alabama State University that facilitated voter education and registration, and also protested discrimination on city buses. These local leadership efforts paved the way for widespread support of Rosa Parks resistance to segregation on public busing. Following her husbands assassination in 1968, Scott King devoted her life to institutionalizing his philosophy and practice of nonviolence. She established the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, led a march of sanitation workers in Memphis and joined efforts to organize the Poor Peoples Campaign. A longtime advocate of workers rights, she also supported a 1969 hospital workers strike in South Carolina, delivering stirring speeches against the treatment of African American staff. Scott Kings commitment to nonviolence went beyond civil rights at home. During the 1960s, she became involved in peace and anti-war efforts such as the Womens Strike for Peace and opposed the escalating war in Vietnam. By the 1980s, she had joined protests against South African apartheid, and before her death in 2006, she spoke out in favor of LGBT rights capping a lifetime of activism against injustice and inequalities. Women and the March While Scott Kings support and ideas were particularly influential, many other women played essential roles in the success of the civil rights movement. Advertisement Advertisement Take the most iconic moment of the civil rights struggle, in many Americans minds: the Aug. 28, 1963, March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, at which King delivered his landmark I Have a Dream speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Sixty years after the march, it is critical to recognize the activism of women from all walks of life who helped to strategize and organize one of the countrys most massive political demonstrations of the 20th century. Yet historical accounts overwhelmingly highlight the marchs male leadership. With the exception of Daisy Bates, an activist who read a short tribute, no women were invited to deliver formal speeches. Members of congregation of Carmel Presbyterian Church donating money for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963. (Getty Images) Women were among the key organizers of the march, however, and helped recruit thousands of participants. Dorothy Height, president of the National Council of Negro Women, was often the lone woman at the table of leaders representing national organizations. Anna Arnold Hedgeman, who also served on the planning committee, was another strong advocate for labor issues, anti-poverty efforts and womens rights. Photographs of the march show women attended in large numbers, yet few historical accounts adequately credit women for their leadership and support. Civil rights activist, lawyer and Episcopalian priest Pauli Murray, among others, called for a gathering of women to address this and other instances of discrimination a few days later. Hidden in plain view African American women led and served in all the major campaigns, working as field secretaries, attorneys, plaintiffs, organizers, and educators, to name just a few roles. So why did early historical accounts of the movement neglect their stories? Advertisement Advertisement There were women propelling national civil rights organizations and among Kings closest advisers. Septima Clark, for example, was a seasoned educator whose strong organizing skills played a consequential role in voter registration, literacy training, and citizenship education. Dorothy Cotton was a member of the inner circle of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, of which King was president, and was involved in literacy training and teaching nonviolent resistance. Yet womens organizing during the 1950s and 1960s is most evident at local and regional levels, particularly in some of the most perilous communities across the deep South. Since the 1930s, Amelia Boynton Robinson of Dallas County, Alabama, and her family had been fighting for voting rights, laying the groundwork for the struggle to end voter suppression that continues to the present. She was also key in planning the 50-mile Selma-to-Montgomery march in 1965. Images of the violence that marchers endured particularly on the day that came to be known as Bloody Sunday shocked the nation and eventually contributed to the passage of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965. Or take Mississippi, where there would not have been a sustained movement without womens activism. Some names have become well known, like Fannie Lou Hamer, but others deserve to be. Two rural activists, Victoria Gray and Annie Devine, joined Hamer as representatives to the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, a parallel political party that challenged the states all-white representatives at the 1964 Democratic Convention. A year later, the three women represented the party in a challenge to block the states congressmen from taking their seats, given ongoing disenfranchisement of Black voters. Though the congressional challenge failed, the activism was a symbolic victory, serving note to the nation that Black Mississippians were no longer willing to accept centuries-old oppression. Advertisement Advertisement Many African American women were out-front organizers for civil rights. But it is no less important to remember those who assumed less visible, but indispensable, roles behind the scenes, sustaining the movement over time. Vicki Crawford is a professor of Africana Studies at Morehouse College. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The post The Women Who Stood With Martin Luther King Jr. And Sustained a Movement for Social Change appeared first on Katie Couric Media. The World War II siege of Bastogne will be the focus at Erie's Hagen History Center on Jan. 17. The daylong event will celebrate American soldiers who refused to surrender though surrounded by German troops. Erie men were among the troops besieged at Bastogne, who flew planes that dropped supplies for the troops and who fought in other parts of the larger Battle of the Bulge, said Roman Straub, who is coordinating the history center event. Original and replica equipment will help illustrate the lives and responsibilities of soldiers at Bastogne. "A lot of people seem to forget about Erie's rich military history beyond the Battle of Lake Erie. In fact, Erie has been tied to global events such as the Battle of the Bulge throughout its history," Straub said. Advertisement Advertisement Erie army Sgt. Sam Pizzo destroyed two German tanks with bazooka fire during the battle, delaying a Panzer advance until American artillery arrived, said Straub, a Gannon University graduate, former Hagen History Center intern and graduate student at West Chester University. Pizzo was awarded the Silver Star for his actions. "A lot of people came out of Erie to do good things for this country through their service in the armed forces. It's an honor to bring some of them back into the spotlight," Straub said. The siege of Bastogne American soldiers, mainly from the 101st Airborne Division, were outnumbered and surrounded at Bastogne, Belgium, in December 1944. They held their position for eight days before troops from Patton's Third Army began pushing the Germans back. The three-month Battle of the Bulge was Germany's last major offensive against the Allies' western front in the Ardennes forest in Belgium, Luxembourg and France. Advertisement Advertisement Germany surrendered in May 1945. Recreating the siege Reenactors portraying American and German soldiers will help bring the siege of Bastogne to life at the Hagen History Center event. Authentic vehicles and equipment, encampments, strategy talks and role-playing missions will help visitors imagine what soldiers experienced. Straub and Mark Squeglia former Hagen History Center board member and past interim executive director will detail the battle and the local soldiers who participated in two special programs during the day. Due to limited seating, preregistration is required for the 11:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. presentations. Email info@hagenhistory.org. Erie's first WWII casualty: Strong Vincent graduate killed at Pearl Harbor Advertisement Advertisement Other events will include reenactments of the Germans urging an American surrender, at 1 and 4:15 p.m., and a ceremony honoring local men who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, at 4:45 p.m. A full listing of the day's events is available on the Hagen History Center website. Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for veterans, $6 for students ages seven and older. Contact Valerie Myers at vmyers@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: WWII Battle of Bulge to be focus of Erie history center event A wrong-way collision into an electrical police briefly affected power to the Valley Metro light rail system near downtown Phoenix on Jan. 11, according to police. A truck collided with an electrical pole shortly after 3 a.m. near 17th and Washington streets, Phoenix police said. Officers determined the truck had traveled eastbound on Washington Street, a westbound-only street, when the collision occurred. A passenger in the truck remained at the location; however, the driver had fled. Advertisement Advertisement The truck had struck a pole that supplies power to the light rail system, according to police. Valley Metro employees worked on the pole to restore power and resume normal service. Some A Line trains experienced delays, Valley Metro posted on X.com. Westbound A Line trains resumed regular service shortly after, according to a 9:15 a.m. post. By 11:40 a.m., the A line trains no longer had significant delays. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Wrong-way crash into electrical pole affects light rail in Phoenix Democratic members of the West Virginia House of Delegates announce their priorities for the upcoming legislative session Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (Photo by Lori Kersey/West Virginia Watch) The minority party of the West Virginia House of Delegates hope to prioritize affordability and lowering the cost of living during the 2026 legislative session, which starts this week. The House Democrats held a news conference Monday to announce their kitchen table agenda for this year. The plan comes after they held a series of events across the state designed to hear about the issues facing state residents. Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest things was cost of living, Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell, said. It was cost of living, and it was about everyone not being able to afford the power bill. The Democrats four focus areas are utility bills, health care, child care and housing, they said during the press conference. Democrats make up only nine of the 100 members of the House of Delegates. Last month, House Republicans announced their agenda for the year would focus on economic development and job creation. To address workforce development, GOP lawmakers said theyll support another pay raise for the states teachers and school service personnel. Advertisement Advertisement Hornbuckle said the delegates hope to work with Republicans on bills that would address affordability. Weve never cared about credit, Hornbuckle said. So much so that a lot of my colleagues up here, weve served for 10, 8, 6-plus years. We have been talking about these things for the past decade. And I would tell you, if youre talking about bipartisanship, we are super excited that the other side is listening to us now. And were going to hopefully do these things together. Hornbuckle said the party hopes to aggressively attack the cost of utility bills, introducing several bills to address the issue. Specifically, the Democrats say they will back legislation including bills to: Advertisement Advertisement Freeze utility rates until mid-2027 to allow lawmakers time to implement good policies for utility bills Reform the West Virginia Public Service Commission, which is charged with approving or disapproving utility rate increases. Embrace an all of the above energy strategy so that the state is not dependent on one fuel to generate electricity Regulate junk fees on utility bills Implement tax credits to cover interest for first-time homebuyers The 60-day legislation session begins Wednesday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Students line up as they return to school in Durham County. (File: NC Newsline) When a mental health crisis strikes a classroom in Hyde County Schools, a school psychologist does not walk down the hall. There isnt one. Instead, administrators begin a series of phone calls to outside providers or neighboring districts. Then, they wait. We are provided those services by somebody that we call in, but thats not always easy, said Melanie Shaver, superintendent of Hyde County Schools. They have a very set schedule. And when you do have a crisis, which you do, we really rely on other districts to help us out. Advertisement Advertisement Between the 202021 and mid-202425 school years, 14 North Carolina districts have operated without a staff psychologist, according to data provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Districts contract with outside providers to meet legal requirements for special-education evaluations. But students still lack consistent access to a psychologist for ongoing mental health support, including preventive care. In practice, students in crisis may sometimes wait hours or days for help. School district leaders cite funding constraints and a statewide shortage of school psychologists, a problem that hits rural districts hardest, where many have no full-time staff and lack the resources to compete with larger, wealthier districts. Advertisement Advertisement *** A 2025 School-Based Mental Health Plan report found that more than half of school leaders cited insufficient staffing as the biggest barrier to student safety. The report described mental health services in many districts as reactive rather than systematic, with schools responding to crises instead of preventing them. School psychologists are the only school-based professionals trained to conduct legally required special-education evaluations while also providing preventive mental health services. They are part of a broader support network that includes counselors, social workers and nurses. When your only access to a school psychologist is someone who appears once a week or twice a month, you lose the preventative and consultative work theyre also trained to provide, said Deirdre Martyn, president of the North Carolina School Psychology Association. Youre only putting out fires. Advertisement Advertisement Most of the districts without psychologists are clustered in rural North Carolina, where high-poverty communities overlap with limited mental health infrastructure. Along with Hyde County, the districts include Cherokee, Gates, Granville, Hertford, Mitchell, Northampton, Warren and Washington counties, as well as the city systems in Hickory, Roanoke Rapids, Weldon, Clinton and Elkin. National guidelines recommend one school psychologist for every 500 students. In North Carolina, the ratio is closer to one for every 1,928 students. Even in districts that have psychologists on staff, many are split across multiple schools. Martyn said that was her experience working in a rural North Carolina county, where she rotated among three schools spread miles apart. On the days I was in a school building, my time was almost entirely consumed by legally required evaluations, she said. I would test five or six students and then leave to write reports on another day, which makes it very difficult to build relationships with students and families or to provide the comprehensive, preventative services schools need. Advertisement Advertisement We are almost four times the recommended level, said Michelle Ries, president and CEO of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. Regardless of whether a district has a psychologist or not, those we do have are overwhelmed. For North Carolinians aged 10 to 17, suicide is now the third-leading cause of death, Ries noted. When you dont have psychologists who are able to recognize early signs, she said, you put kids more at risk. *** The absence of psychologists creates ripple effects across schools, said Leigh Kokenes, who also represents NCSPA. Without psychologists to conduct behavior assessments or develop prevention plans, that work often falls to teachers and social workers who are already stretched thin, Kokenes said. Advertisement Advertisement In our rural communities across North Carolina, where many times there are no school psychologists in schools, the mental health needs of children remain untreated, Kokenes said. Triage occurs and the gaps are filled in the moment, but the root cause will not be resolved without comprehensive care over time. And without a specialist to guide intervention, discipline often becomes the default response, she said. The 2025 state report found that staffing shortages have reduced schools ability to make referrals and provide consistent follow-up. When mental health teams are missing key members, students often lose continuity of care the person who evaluates a child one week may not be there to follow up the next. *** Advertisement Advertisement Patrick Miller, former superintendent of Greene County Schools, said his district went three years without a psychologist. The person we worked with was excellent, but she served multiple districts, Miller said. We had to get in line. If something urgent came up, you were at the mercy of her schedule. Contracting was also more expensive, he said, and more limited. You get assessments. You dont get the full role. Kids dont stop needing support because the contract hours are over. For Hyde County, that arrangement means relying on mobile crisis units for mental health emergencies, Shaver said, with responses typically arriving within the day. Students who need ongoing care are referred to outside agencies or primary care providers. The district budgets about $80,000 a year for contracted psychological services, she said, and completes special education evaluations within the required 90-day window. Advertisement Advertisement In Weldon City Schools, Superintendent Tammy Boone relies on partnerships that bring private providers onto campus daily. She described the arrangement as a stopgap until the district can secure funds for a full-time staffer. Recruitment adds another challenge. Compared with larger, wealthier districts that can offer salary supplements to attract and retain talent, rural districts with smaller tax bases rely largely on grant funding, especially now that federal funding has expired. Sometimes it can be a challenge to attract people to this area, especially when there are so many other larger areas that border us, Boone said. A majority of districts surveyed in the 2025 state report cited inadequate funding as their primary issue. Advertisement Advertisement *** Shaver said Hyde County faces the same hurdle. We dont have maybe some of the sign-on bonuses or supplements that other counties have that tend to help recruit, Shaver said. But that may soon change. In the 2026-27 school year, the district expects to have a staff psychologist for the first time in years. Kathryn Oneal Brown, a longtime special education teacher in Hyde County, decided to pursue the role herself. Its nice to have someone who really knows a student and can do a comprehensive evaluation versus someone just coming in, giving a test, and then thats their limited interaction with the student, Brown said. I think just, you know, better data. Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, she enrolled in a virtual graduate program through Eastern Washington University, driving to neighboring counties on Fridays for unpaid practicum work. I wouldnt have been able to do this if there was no virtual option, Brown said. State lawmakers are now trying to expand that pathway. During the 2025 legislative session, legislators introduced Senate Bill 259, a $20.4 million proposal that would provide monthly salary supplements for school psychologists and fund a virtual training program at Appalachian State University. But the 2025 state report warns that without a shift toward sustained, recurring funding, any progress made by such initiatives could be short-lived. Meantime, Boones district is seeking grant funding for a full-time school psychologist. Everything in North Carolina tends to be a funding issue, said Boone. The internationally recognised government of Yemen says its forces have taken full control of the south from the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC), which was aligned with the Saudi-backed government until recently. As the president of the country and the high commander of the armed forces, I want to assure you of the recapture of Hadramout and al-Mahra, Rashad al-Alimi, the head of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), said on Saturday. Last month, Saudi Arabia provided military support to the PLC after the STC captured the two border provinces, which Riyadh said was a threat to its national security. The STC along with the PLC had fought against the Houthis, who control northwest of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, the STC was dissolved, and its leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, fled the country after forces loyal to the PLC took control of most of the south and eastern Yemen. The future of the STC, which is backed by the United Arab Emirates, remains uncertain amid internal divisions and the exile of its leader. Saudi Arabia is now planning to host a conference of the main political factions from the south to shape the future of Yemen. So whats the latest political and security situation in Yemen, and what are the challenges in uniting Yemen? What did the PLC chief al-Alimi say? In his televised address on Saturday, al-Alimi announced the formation of a Supreme Military Committee, which has been tasked with preparing military forces for the next phase of the conflict and readying them if the Houthis reject peaceful solutions. Advertisement Advertisement The Yemeni leader warned armed groups to surrender their weapons and rejoin the ranks of the state, underlining the importance of strengthening security, protecting social peace and working closely with the [governing] coalition and the international community to combat terrorism. He accused the Houthis of refusing to engage in dialogue and blamed the Iran-linked group for prolonging Yemens suffering because of their coup against constitutional legitimacy. South Yemen has for the first time in 10 years one political and military authority. No more military factions, no more divisions over ethnic and sectarian lines for the time being. There is going to be one Supreme Military Committee under the control of President Al-Alimi, Al Jazeeras Hashem Ahelbarra said, reporting from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rashad al-Alimi has told the Houthis that they have two options: negotiate a settlement or face repercussions, including the potential for a military offensive, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Al-Alimi is a successor of Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, the leader of a United Nations-backed government who was evicted by the Houthis in 2014. The Houthis insist they are the legitimate authority across Yemen and do not recognise the PLC, which was formed in 2022. Now the PLC, backed by Saudi Arabia, is reforming institutions, disbanding STC institutions, and they are saying that their focus in the near future would be confrontation with the Houthis, Ahelbarra said. The president said the issue of self-determination in southern Yemen would remain a top priority, backing a southern dialogue conference under Saudi Arabias sponsorship. Whats the status of the STC? As the Saudi-backed military campaign against STC forces intensified in Hadramout and al-Mahra provinces, the southern separatist movement announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north on January 2. Advertisement Advertisement But days later, the southern separatist force suffered major territorial losses at the hands of the PLC forces, who expanded their control over most of southern Yemen, where the STC had sway for more than a decade. The groups now-exiled leader remains defiant, but some of its other leaders have switched loyalties. On Friday, STC Secretary-General Abdulrahman Jalal al-Subaihi said in a broadcast on Yemeni television that the dissolution of the group was taken to preserve peace and security in the south and in neighbouring countries. He praised the measures taken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the solutions it has provided that meet the needs of the people of the South. However, STC spokesman Anwar al-Tamimi, who is in Abu Dhabi, rejected the announcement coming out of Saudi Arabia, calling it ridiculous news. Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, thousands of STC supporters poured onto the streets of Aden, the capital of anti-Houthi forces in southern Yemen. The STC members who joined Riyadh say they are waiting to see what happens next when it comes to details of the Riyadh conference, Ahelbarra said, referring to talks between the PLC and STC in the Saudi capital. I think the consensus is that everybody is willing to talk about federal system, some sort of autonomy. But the very notion of separatism is over. Will people in the south willing to accept the notion of autonomy or federalism, that remains to be seen, he said. The disenfranchisement of southern Yemen after the region was merged with the north to form a united Yemen in 1990 has also been one of the grievances. Advertisement Advertisement Al-Alimi said these are genuine concerns which are going to be taken into account at the conference. Whether he will be able to address some of those concerns remains to be seen, the Al Jazeera correspondent said. The date of the conference is yet to be announced. Since its formation in 2017, the STCs goal has been separation from the rest of Yemen. Two years later, it took control of Aden and other areas in the south from the Yemeni government. Al-Zubaidi later joined the PLC as vice president, but he continued to nurse the ambition for a two-state solution as STC fighters continued to expand their control in the south, weakening the fight against the Houthis. The current conflict was triggered after the STC forces captured Hadramout and al-Mahra, drawing the Saudi military actions. Advertisement Advertisement Al-Zubaidi has since been removed from his post as a PLC member, stripped of his immunity, and charged with high treason and inciting internal strife. The Saudi military said in a statement on Thursday that al-Zubaidi fled by boat to Somalia and then flew to Abu Dhabi. What happened in recent weeks? In November, a Saudi-backed umbrella group of tribes from the Hadramout region seized the PetroMasila oil facility, seeking a bigger share of oil revenues and an improvement of services for Hadramout residents. The STC used the seizure as a pretext for advancing in Hadramout and al-Mahra. These two regions hold nearly all of Yemens oil reserves. Advertisement Advertisement Tensions soared after Saudi-backed forces attacked the Yemeni port city of Mukalla in the south, alleging incoming shipments of arms from the UAE for the STC. The UAE said it had been surprised by the Saudi air strikes and the shipments in question did not contain weapons and were destined for Emirati forces, not the STC. Less than two weeks later, Yemens Saudi-backed government had taken control of the south and east of the country from STC forces. Hesham Alghannam, a Saudi scholar with the Malcolm H Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, said the kingdoms move made it very clear that it views Yemens eastern provinces, especially Hadramout, as a core national security matter. Advertisement Advertisement Riyadh views the region as critical, Alghannam said, because of its geography and strategic oil and port assets. From Riyadhs view, losing influence there would be more than a local setback, he told Al Jazeera. It would create a major security gap. It would weaken energy resilience and open space for hostile or competing powers to position themselves directly south of the kingdom. The Saudi-backed governing coalition then asked the UAE to withdraw its forces from Yemen within 24 hours. The UAE withdrew all its counterterrorism units from Yemen. The UAEs Ministry of Defence said it carried out a comprehensive assessment of its role in Yemen and decided to end its mission there. The episode has strained ties between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Giants Forces, which were part of the STC, have switched sides throwing their weight behind the PLC [Fawaz Salman/Reuters] What next? The STC will find it hard to bounce back without military support from the UAE while many of its leaders have shown a willingness to participate in the Saudi-led dialogue. However, it is believed to still hold some influence in the region. Abdulaziz Alghashian, an adjunct professor at Naif Arab University, said the dissolution of the STC was inevitable. I think the legacy of the STC has now become just too poisonous. I think the recent developments have just illustrated the fact that there is probably no goodwill for the STC to be part of a genuine political process, Alghashian told Al Jazeera. The dissolution of the STC suggests clearly there is a clear restructuring of the political process within Yemen. And the political framework that Saudi Arabia is trying to work with is also being redeveloped and restructured in a manner that creates a lot of confidence for Saudi to get involved in, he said. But some experts said the Saudi goal of a united Yemen would be difficult to achieve due to southern divisions and the Houthis control of northwest Yemen. Yousef Mawry, a journalist based in Sanaa, said Yemens conflict will shift from the south to the north and a showdown is expected between the PLC forces and the Houthis. He added that both sides believe in a unified Yemeni state but each side believes they are the ones who should be ruling over the affairs of both the north and the south. The big question: Is there a common ground that al-Alimis government and the Houthis can agree on? he said. The Houthis believe that al-Alimis government is nothing but a Saudi proxy that is working on behalf of the US and Saudi interests over Yemeni land. Al-Alimi has pointed fingers at the Houthis, accusing them of being an Iranian proxy, he told Al Jazeera. The Saudi-led military coalition, which included the UAE, intervened in support of Hadis UN-recognised government in 2015 but failed to defeat the Houthis. The war ended in a deadlock with the Houthis still in control of Sanaa and the regions around it. Saudi Arabia and the Houthis agreed to release prisoners and pledged not to attack each others territory. But the larger political questions remain to be resolved. What we are seeing is that al-Alimi is taking over full control of the south. Once they have full control, whatever political framework that works in, the Houthis are not going to accept it, Mawry said. There is mistrust between the two sides with the Houthis accusing the PLC of catering to the interests of foreign powers while the PLC accuses the Houthis of running Iranian propaganda. Saudi Arabia has historically maintained influence in its southern neighbour Arab regions poorest country. Houthis challenged Riyadhs traditional role in the country. Mawry fears the conflict will likely grow as both sides have drawn red lines. They want full control of Yemen, he said. The first sign of an impending nightmare for 20-year-old Jose Roberto Ramirez came just after 11 a.m. on Thursday in the suburban town of Robbinsdale, just outside Minneapolis. According to Ramirez, a U.S. citizen, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents began following his vehicle. What he alleges followed next was a violent, random arrest and detainment. It happened roughly 10 miles away from where an unarmed mother and U.S. citizen, Renee Nicole Good, 37, was killed the day prior. Advertisement Advertisement Good, who was trying to flee a street where a federal immigration raid was occurring when an ICE agent fatally shot her, was almost immediately labeled a domestic terrorist by Kristi Noem and other top Trump administration officials. A portrait of Renee Nicole Good is pasted to a light pole near the site of her shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. / Stephen Maturen / Getty Images Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Google/Getty Ramirez recounted that, on Thursday, he stopped for a red light behind a Ford Explorer. When the signal turned green, the Explorer did not move. It just stood there, Ramirez told the Daily Beast on Friday. I just stood there for a while. The Explorer had tinted windows, but when Ramirez finally pulled around the other vehicle, he could see that it was occupied by men in tactical gear. He surmised they were with ICE. The shooting of Good, who left behind an orphaned six-year-old, had occupied national headlines for the previous 24 hours. Advertisement Advertisement We made eye contact, Ramirez recalled. Ramirez is American, born of mixed ancestrypart Mexican, part Native American of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. Ramirez figured ICE agents would view him as a non-white person in a BMW and grew nervous. He saw in his rear-view mirror that the Explorer had begun to move behind him. He called his aunt, Shawntia Sosa-Clara, who lives in the immediate area. Ramirez was still on the phone with Sosa-Clara, saying he was afraid he was being followed by ICE, when a traffic signal up ahead began to change. Facebook screenshots from a video showing the interaction between Border Patrol agents and Jose Roberto Ramirez, age 20, and his aunt Shawntia Sosa-Clara. / Facebook I make it past the green light, and it turns red for them, he recalled. Ramirez then saw that the Explorer kept coming, turning on the vehicles emergency lights as they passed through the intersection. Advertisement Advertisement Then they turn their lights off, Ramirez said. All of a sudden, I see them right up behind me. Then I see them put their masks up. So I was like, Oh yeah, auntie, theyre gonna stop me. Ramirez and Sosa-Clara quickly agreed to meet in the parking lot of a nearby Hy-Vee supermarket. He pulled in, and the Explorer was right behind him. The agents jumped out and drew their service weapons. A Google Maps street view Hy-Vee in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. / Screenshot via Google Maps Pointing their guns, Ramirez remembers. Theyre screaming. Sosa-Clara arrived in her Nissan moments later, and Ramirez said the agents also pointed their weapons at her. She had already called the Robbinsdale police on her way to meet Ramirez to inform the department that her nephew was being followed by ICE. A police car appeared, stopping across the parking lot. The ICE agents approached the police officers and exchanged a few words. Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, Ramirez hurried into his aunts Nissan, its interior all pink, a feather hanging as a sacred object from her rearview mirror. She was recording on Facebook Live as the agents returned. You got ID? one of the agents asked. Yes, he has an ID, the aunt said, then she instructed Ramirez, Get your ID. Ramirez had anticipated this. He had taken out his drivers license as he was getting out of the BMW, but he had misplaced it in the sudden panic. His aunt tried to placate the agents while he searched for it. Were citizens! she said. Were Native! She was asserting that her roots long predate the first European arrivals in North America, and that she and Ramirez have ties to the only ethnic group that cannot be called immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Hes my nephew! she added. An onlooker holds a sign that reads She went on to express an increasingly common feeling about ICE. Theyre really mean people, she said to her nephew about the agents as they surrounded the car. They have no heart. They arent human. Theyre not even human. The sentiment was rare during the years when President Barack Obama was known as the Deporter-in-Chief. The Obama administration deported roughly three million people, a record for a modern president at that time. Under the second Trump administration, the president declared he would beat Obamas numbers and deliver the largest mass deportations in U.S. historya promise he has not yet met. Advertisement Advertisement But beyond metrics, even while overseeing a record number of deportations, Obama was not calling immigrants vermin and garbage, as Trump has frequently done since he first began campaigning for president more than 10 years ago. And ICE agents were not uniformly wearing masks. As the encounter continued, one of the agents appeared to use a cellphone to scan Ramirezs face. ICE has been employing facial recognition software to identify undocumented immigrants. Let them scan your face, Sosa-Clara told Ramirez. A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed an American woman on the streets of Minneapolis on Jan. 7. / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images Ramirez had raised his own cell phone to record the agents. He told the Beast that one of them knocked it from his hand, punching him in the face in the process. Advertisement Advertisement Why did you hit him? the aunt exclaimed. No! No! No! A captain with the local police later told the Daily Beast that footage either from his officers body cameras or a squad car camera shows Ramirez punching an ICE agent. Ramirez and the aunt both insist that the agents were the only ones who punched. The Facebook video does not clearly show any punches. It does show Ramirez being grabbed by the neck as he was being removed from the Nissan. Get the f--- out of the car! an agent can be heard saying. Ramirez asserts that the agents struck him repeatedly in the head as he was dragged from the car. He said the agents threw him against a Tesla charging station and then handcuffed him. The cuffs dug painfully into his wrists, and he asked the agents to loosen them. Protesters gather in Minneapolis after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minnesota. / Anadolu / Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images They made it tighter, Ramirez remembered. Advertisement Advertisement Ramirez was loaded into the back of the Explorer and was driven at a considerable speed to the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, the city where Ramirez was born. He told the Daily Beast that during this car ride, the agents in the vehicle made light of the fatal shooting of Renee Good the day before. They said Ramirez was sure to meet family members in detention, that he was going to prison, and that his life was over. They are saying, The boys are in town. Were gonna light the city on fire! Ramirez told the Daily Beast. A whole bunch of that crazy stuff. At the facility, the agents scanned Ramirezs face twice more with no apparent result. He was then shackled, fingerprinted, and photographed. While being booked, Ramirez saw a group of Hispanic men who had been arrested in winter attire. Ramirez assumed they were snow shovelers trying to earn a few bucks in the icy streets. The Trump administration funneled 2,000 ICE agents into Minnesota after a welfare scandal rocked the state and drew the close attention of the president. In December, Trump posted on Truth Social about the Somali community in Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Lowlifes like this can only be a liability to our Countrys greatness, Trump, 79, wrote. Send them back from where they came, Somalia, perhaps the worst, and most corrupt, country on earth. A Dec. 31 post from President Donald Trump calling Somali immigrants While detained, Ramirez overheard an agent say they did not even bother to go after Somalis. I heard in the conversation [the agents] were saying like, Were not even targeting like Black Somalis, were going to target Hispanics, Ramirez recalled. Ramirez says he was put in a cell with two other U.S. citizens, protesters accused of assaulting ICE agents. They were packed shoulder to shoulder in an adjacent pen. They dont even have a place to sit, Ramirez said. They were just kind of like standing, just people crying, some holding in tears and trying to stay strong. After six hours, Ramirez came to what he hopes will be the end of his nightmare run-in with the federal agency. They gave me my stuff, they took off my shackles, and they said, Oh, youre getting released on pending charges, Ramirez said. ICE did not respond to a request for comment. Any charges are still pending at the time of this writing. Community members stand shoulder to shoulder during a candlelight vigil at the Minnesota State Capitol. / Annalise Kaylor/NurPhoto via Getty Images The agents made a mistake when returning Ramirezs property. They gave me somebody elses car keys, Ramirez recalled. I gave them back. He had been experiencing an increasingly urgent need to use the restroom, but that was not an option in detention. He asked if he could use one before he left the building. The agents told him to use the Porta-potty outside. It was locked. Fortunately, his mother, aunt, and several cousins were waiting to give him hugs. They all then went home, in the city where he was born, in a land where their ancestors lived for thousands of years, long before there even was a country called America to be made great. EXCLUSIVE If he eventually goes ahead with a likely 2028 White House run, Vice President JD Vance will have the backing of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin of Virginia. "I think Vice President Vance would be a great nominee," Youngkin said in an exclusive interview on "Fox News Sunday," as he looked to the race to succeed term-limited President Donald Trump. Youngkin told Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich that "as people speculate on what's going to happen down the road in 2028, I agree with President Trump and [Secretary of State] Marco Rubio. I think JD Vance would make a great, great presidential nominee." Advertisement Advertisement The answer by Youngkin, who's been viewed the past two years by political pundits as a potential contender for the 2028 GOP presidential nomination, was the first time he's publicly weighed in the next White House race. White House Race Underway: With 2026 Looming, Both Parties Are Already Playing For 2028 Vice President JD Vance meets with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin in Damascus, Virginia, on Jan. 27, 2025, to survey damage from Hurricane Helene. (Fox News) Youngkin's "Fox News Sunday" interview came just days before completing his single term as governor of Virginia, which by law prevents governors from running for re-election and serving consecutive terms. Read On The Fox News App While Vance has yet to say anything publicly on whether he'll launch a 2028 campaign to succeed Trump, he is considered by many on the right to be the president's heir apparent to eventually take over the MAGA and America First mantles. Advertisement Advertisement Vance Lands Backing Of Influential Conservative Group Vance was endorsed last month by Erika Kirk at an annual summit hosted by Turning Point USA, the increasingly influential and politically powerful conservative group. Erika Kirk greets Vice President JD Vance during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest, Dec. 21, 2025, in Phoenix. The backing of the vice president by Turning Point , which is particularly influential among younger conservatives and whose political arm has built up a powerful grassroot outreach operation, could give Vance a major boost if he does launch a White House bid next year. David Marcus: What Jd Vance Told Me About 2028, Rubio And The Future Of Maga Youngkin energized Republicans nationwide in 2021, as the first-time candidate who hailed from the partys business wing edged out former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe to become the first GOP candidate in a dozen years to win a gubernatorial election in the one-time swing state that had trended toward the Democrats over the previous decade. Advertisement Advertisement The governor instantly became a Republican rock star and speculation stirred about a possible future White House run. Youngkin speaks at an election night party in Chantilly, Virginia., Nov. 3, 2021, after he defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe. But the governor always demurred when asked about a possible presidential bid, saying countless times over the past few years that his political focus was solely on Virginia and that he intended to "finish strong." Youngkin is likely to campaign for fellow Republicans in this year's midterm elections, when the GOP aims to hold its House and Senate majorities, and 36 states hold contests for governor. Click Here To Download The Fox News App "I think the most important thing we can do, just like Vice President Vance said recently, is stay focused on the here and now. We have to deliver. We have to deliver for Americans and Virginians. We have huge elections in 2026 to keep and expand our majorities in the House and the Senate," Youngkin said as he pointed to the midterms. Advertisement Advertisement And he reiterated, "I just deeply respect the vice president's reminder that we have to stay focused on today. And if we stay focused on today and deliver results, then Americans will continue to extend our license to lead." Original article source: Youngkin backs JD Vance for 2028, calls vice president a 'great' GOP nominee ExxonMobil has made clear that any return to Venezuelas oil industry would require sweeping structural changes, despite renewed political interest in reviving the countrys vast but crippled petroleum sector. Speaking at the White House alongside other oil and gas executives, ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods said Venezuela is currently uninvestable due to weak legal protections, restrictive hydrocarbon laws, and a history of asset seizures. Woods remarks were delivered during a meeting hosted by President Donald Trump focused on the future of Venezuelas oil and gas industry and its implications for U.S. energy security. Mehr von Yahoo Scout What conditions would ExxonMobil need for Venezuela investment? What happened to ExxonMobil's previous Venezuelan operations? How could ExxonMobil help restore Venezuela's oil production? Why does ExxonMobil consider Venezuela currently uninvestable? Woods emphasized that ExxonMobil operates on a multi-decade investment horizon and cannot commit capital without durable legal and commercial frameworks. He noted that while Venezuela holds some of the worlds largest hydrocarbon resources, the challenge is not resource discovery but the ability to develop them under stable and predictable conditions. Woods described the oil industry as a "depletion business for a product that is in great demand and will be in demand for many, many, many decades to come", underscoring why international oil companies remain interested in Venezuela despite its long-running political and economic crisis. Despite that, ExxonMobils history in the country weighs heavily on its current stance. The company first entered Venezuela in the 1940s and has seen its assets expropriated twice, most recently during the nationalizations of the mid-2000s under former President Hugo Chavez. Woods said any third re-entry would require significant changes to avoid a repeat of past losses. Those changes would need to include reforms to Venezuelas hydrocarbon laws, credible investment protections, and a functioning legal system capable of enforcing contracts. Without them, Woods said, large-scale international investment is unlikely to return. While ExxonMobil has not engaged directly with the Venezuelan government, Woods expressed confidence that the Trump administration could work with Caracas to help establish conditions more conducive to investment. He also stressed that the company does not yet have a view on whether it would be welcomed by the Venezuelan public or authorities. In the near term, Woods said ExxonMobil would be willing to deploy a technical assessment team to Venezuela - if invited by the government and provided with adequate security - to evaluate the condition of oil fields, infrastructure, and production capacity after nearly two decades of underinvestment and operational decline. By Alan Charlish WARSAW, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Zbigniew Ziobro, a former Polish justice minister who has been granted asylum in Hungary, is no stranger to conflict, regularly unleashing tirades against the "losers" and "softies" who opposed his judicial reforms or approach to the European Union. However, the tough-talking, gun-carrying nationalist has observed the latest battle in his turbulent career from afar, choosing not to return to Poland to face 26 charges that include abuse of power and leading a criminal group. Advertisement Advertisement Ziobro, 55, says he is the victim of a witch hunt waged by the pro-EU government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has vowed to bring to justice members of the right-wing former Law and Justice (PiS) administration accused of wrongdoing. The ex-minister, who denies any wrongdoing, has been preparing for a showdown ever since PiS lost power in 2023. Then, in a fiery address to parliament, he taunted his opponents over a previous failed attempt to prosecute him for exceeding his authority during his first stint as justice minister in 2005-2007. "I'm counting on you," he cried, addressing the benches of Tusk's Civic Coalition (KO). "I hope you won't turn out to be the same losers you were during the time of the State Tribunal!" Advertisement Advertisement ALLEGED MISUSE OF FUNDS Prosecutors say Ziobro and several of his deputies misused millions of zlotys from a fund intended for victims of crime. They say the cash went towards purchasing Pegasus spyware that was used against political opponents or buying everything from fire engines to equipment for country housewives' associations to curry favour with rural voters. Ziobro does not deny that money from the fund went towards Pegasus, but says that this and all the other spending was in Poland's national interests. He accuses the KO government of seeking revenge because he had investigated suspected corruption among Tusk's associates. Advertisement Advertisement "THE SHERIFF" Ziobro studied law at the prestigious Jagiellonian University in his native Krakow. He joined PiS at its inception in 2001 and rose to prominence during an inquiry into bribery allegations involving the centre-left government of the time. His no-nonsense approach to sittings of the commission formed in 2003 to investigate the allegations gained him the nickname "the sheriff". In 2006 the event that many political observers say had the biggest effect on him took place. Ziobro's father Jerzy died after a heart operation and his family blamed the doctors involved. Now Poland's justice minister, he directly attacked surgeon Miroslaw Garlicki, telling reporters: "No one will ever again be deprived of life by this man." Advertisement Advertisement Garlicki sued Ziobro and the minister was forced by a court to issue a public apology. Critics said Ziobro sought to influence the investigation into his father's death and that his exasperation with judges who failed to pin responsibility on Garlicki fuelled his confrontational approach to a profession he said regarded itself as an "exceptional caste". JUDICIAL REFORMS The judicial reforms he spearheaded when he returned as justice minister in 2015 were central to a conflict between Warsaw and Brussels over democratic standards that resulted in billions of euros in EU funds being withheld. Advertisement Advertisement Critics said the changes politicised the process for appointing and disciplining judges. Ziobro also combined the roles of prosecutor general and justice minister, a move critics said compromised prosecutors' independence. PiS said the reforms removed communist influence in the judicial system and improved efficiency. The clashes with the EU caused disputes within government, especially between Ziobro and then-Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who favoured a more conciliatory approach towards Brussels. "In negotiations you can't be... a softy, you have to be tough," Ziobro said in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement His decision to seek asylum in Hungary from the right-wing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban - another long-term critic of the EU - prompted a senior minister in Tusk's administration, Tomasz Siemoniak, to say Ziobro was fleeing Polish justice "like a coward". CANCER DIAGNOSIS On the day the new parliament was sworn in in 2023, Ziobro was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. While a parliamentary commission in Warsaw examined his role in alleged wrongdoing relating to Pegasus spyware, Ziobro underwent multiple operations and chemotherapy in Belgium. PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said putting a man in Ziobro's condition in prison would be "equivalent to a death sentence". Advertisement Advertisement But Ziobro himself has remained typically combative. "For using brutal and unlawful methods, members of Donald Tusk's regime currently ruling Poland will face severe consequences," he said in a post on X on Monday. "I will personally contribute to this fight." (Reporting by Alan CharlishEditing by Gareth Jones) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday evening that intelligence suggests Russia is preparing another major attack on Ukraine. Zelensky said the attack, which could happen in the next few days, could include drones which might take out air defences and missiles, urging Ukrainians to pay attention to air raid sirens. Russia wants to take advantage of the cold weather, Zelensky surmised. In many regions of Ukraine, temperatures are currently falling to double digits below zero degrees Celsius at night. Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, Zelensky warned of a major night-time attack by Russian forces. Hours later, Russia's military launched a fierce attack on the western Ukrainian region of Lviv, which it said included the use of its new Oreshnik medium-range missile. In the capital, Kiev, the attack caused such severe power, water and heating outages that Mayor Vitali Klitschko advised residents to temporarily leave the city. Russia has been waging a destructive war against Ukraine for almost four years. Zelensky sees progress in talks with US representatives In his evening video address, Zelensky also spoke of progress in the exchange between the Ukrainian negotiating team and US representatives. Advertisement Advertisement He said most of the documents were ready to be signed, without providing further details. Zelensky said he expected the Davos format to be very successful in terms of relations with Ukraine's partners and its reconstruction after the Russian attacks. The World Economic Forum traditionally takes place in the Swiss resort of Davos at the beginning of the year. It is actually the annual meeting of its members, predominantly large companies, which are meant to use the forum to consider how they can contribute to solving global crises. Politicians have been using the forum for informal discussions for many years. Four astronauts from the International Space Station have safely returned to Earth earlier than planned due to an unexpected medical issue with one of the crew members, officials at NASA and SpaceX announced on Thursday. It was the first-ever medical evacuation of astronauts from the ISS. The SpaceX Crew-11 astronauts had been due to return to Earth in late February, but on Jan. 8, NASA announced its decision to cut the mission short due to a medical concern with a crew member currently living and working aboard the orbital laboratory. The crew member, who was not identified due to medical privacy guidelines, is in stable condition, NASA said. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said during a Thursday news conference that all four astronauts were "all safe and in good spirits." When did they return to Earth? After 167 days in space, a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying the four astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov splashed down off the coast of San Diego at 3:41 a.m. ET on Thursday. What happens next? After splashdown, a recovery ship and two fast boats evaluated the SpaceX Dragon capsule to ensure it was safe to proceed with recovery efforts. Then, the recovery ship hoisted the capsule onto the main deck with the four astronauts still inside, and the crew was able to exit the spacecraft. Advertisement Advertisement "All crew members are currently undergoing the routine post-splashdown medical evaluation," Isaacman said. The crew member of concern is doing fine. We will share updates on their health as soon as it's appropriate to do so." NASA said this will be followed by a planned overnight hospital stay. The crew members will then return to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they will reunite with their families and undergo standard postflight reconditioning after their return from space. Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev and NASA astronaut Chris Williams will remain on board the ISS to complete their six-month mission, which began in November. They'll await the arrival of SpaceX Crew-12: NASA's Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot of the European Space Agency and Roscosmos's Andrey Fedyaev. Crew-12 is due to launch in February for a nine-month space research mission. What was Crew-11s mission? The International Space Station. (NASA) Isaacman said that Crew-11 was a "very successful mission," despite having to return to Earth early. "Over the past five months aboard the International Space Station, Crew-11 completed a series of demanding and productive mission objectives," he said. "The crew spent more than 850 hours on scientific studies, including research on bone loss in microgravity, and the long-term storage of cryogenic fluids in space with direct applications in medical and industrial fields. This work advanced our understanding of long-duration space flight, and contributed valuable research that benefits life here on Earth and further human exploration." Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Just a year after paying $23.5 million for an estate in Florida, Fox News host Sean Hannity is listing the property for $44.9 million and he's throwing in the furniture to sweeten the deal, according to Realtor.com. Hannity purchased the Manalapan property in what's known as Billionaires Row through a trust linked to his financial adviser. It was briefly floated as a luxury rental for $130,000. The 1% buyer pool is drawn to Manalapan, a market that is even more exclusive than Palm Beach, broker Antonio Liguori of Premier Estate Properties told Realtor.com in October. "It's arguably one of the most exclusive and private communities in the country, perhaps even more so than Palm Beach," Liguori said. Don't Miss: The 13,000-square-foot mansion is on 1.86 acres and is one of fewer than 60 homes in the area to offer private frontage on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway. The main house has seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. The property also has a detached, one-bedroom guesthouse. While Palm Beach is known for its high-end real estate, Manalapan has become a stronghold for generational wealth. Unlike other coastal markets, Manalapan offers larger acreage and a level of privacy that high-profile figures like Hannity require, Realtor.com reported. "The people who buy in Manalapan can buy anywhere in the world," Nick Malinosky of The Exclusive Group at Douglas Elliman, told Realtor.com. "These are the who's who of billionaire clients. It's not like Manalapan was their second choice." Trending: This Jeff Bezos-backed startup will allow you to become a landlord in just 10 minutes, with minimum investments as low as $100. Hannity, 64, relocated to Florida from New York in early 2024, citing the state's favorable tax climate as one of the primary motivators, according to Fox News. Hannity's decision to offload the Manalapan estate may be linked to his ongoing mega-mansion project in nearby Palm Beach, Realtor.com reported. Hannity received approval from the Palm Beach Architectural Commission to combine two adjacent townhomes purchased for a combined $20.2 million into a single waterfront residence. Construction on that project began in 2025. Read Next: The first airline liquidations of 2026 have already started emerging. The first airline to formally cease operations in 2026 is Royal Air Philippines the Manila-based charter and cargo airline more commonly referred to as Royal Air received licensing to run commercial flights in 2017 and quickly expanded to international destinations like Cambodia, China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. On Jan. 4, the airline confirmed that it was canceling all of its commercial flights in a situation that left between 3,000 and 4,000 travelers with tickets booked between until March 2026 having to seek out alternative travel options. While the airline currently states that it is looking forward to "welcoming you aboard soon," a long string of recorded financial challenges makes any scenario other than a total shutdown increasingly unlikely. Indian charter airline Dove Airlines enters voluntary liquidation process A second airline to shut down entirely in 2026 is Indian charter carrier Dove Airlines. As first reported by local Insolvency Tracker, the airline that was founded in 2007 out of Kolkata has entered the voluntary liquidation process on Jan. 5 after multiple attempts to turn its finances around did not come into effect. The airline has not operated flights since 2022 when it lost its last Cessna CitationJet/CJ/M2 jet to creditors. In 2015, manufacturing company Usha-Martin divested its 50% stake in the charter carrier due to sustained financial losses. Related: Another airline files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, all flights canceled The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) of India has kept the airline in insolvency proceedings for years due to efforts to find new funders and turn its finances around (the company brought in modest profits of 23.9 lakh or $2,600 USD for the 2024 fiscal year) but after these failed to materialize the airline has chosen to enter voluntary liquidation proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). Dove Airlines took flight in 2007 but faced multiple financial problems.Shutterstock Shutterstock "The airline remained plagued by financial stress": Dove Airlines "At its peak, Dove Airlines operated as a non-scheduled (charter) carrier, providing passenger and cargo services using regional aircraft like the Dornier 228," Insolvency Tracker reports. "Despite ambitious mid-career plans to join the governments UDAN scheme for regional connectivity, the airline remained plagued by financial stress, grounded fleets, and legal disputes with aircraft lessors." These airlines filed for bankruptcy in 2025: The Hungarian Wine Writers Circle (MBK) has announced the winners of its annual Grand Prix, with Lake Balatons wine regions once again claiming the top honours. In the white wine category, the 2024 Keknyelu from Balint Foldi (Badacsony) took the top spot, while the 2021 Peregrina blend from Zelna Winery (Balatonfured) was named the best red. A Rigorous Selection Process The MBK competition is unique in its approach. Rather than an open entry system, the process begins with wine writers nominating bottles they believe represent the highest international standards. To qualify, wines must be no more than five years old with a sugar content below 12 g/l. Through several rounds of voting, the field is narrowed down to the "Super 12"the best 12 white and 12 red wines of the year. The final Grand Prix winners are then selected via a blind tasting. Regional Highlights While Hungarys 22 wine districts are spread across six major regions, the Balaton area dominated this years list with ten entries. The Pannon region (including Villany and Szekszard) followed with six, while Northern Hungary (Eger, Matra, and Bukk) secured five spots. A notable mention goes to Gabor Kiss from Villany; his 2022 "Enigma" was so highly regarded that it was included in the Super 12 list by acclaim, though it was not entered into the final sensory evaluation out of respect for the producer, bringing this year's red wine shortlist to 13 items. Special Recognition The Dr. Jozsef Kosarka Memorial Award, named after the late founder of the MBK, was awarded to the Vesztergombi Winery from Szekszard. This prize recognizes the winery that received the highest number of total nominations from the writers across all categories. Join the Celebration The awards will be presented by MBK President Edit Szabo at the Nagy Fehervari Wine Festival on January 10 at the Mercure Hotel Magyar Kiraly in Szekesfehervar. For those interested in meeting the producers, Balint Foldi and Barna Barabas (Zelna Winery) will be hosting a joint master class during the festival. ********************************************************************************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop: As an independent portal were grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here. MoonPay has withdrawn its services from Hungary, becoming the latest player to exit the domestic cryptocurrency market, according to a report by revb.hu. The company cited legislative changes that took effect in 2026 as the reason behind the move. While users can still transfer existing crypto assets to external wallets, fiat currency withdrawals are no longer automated; customers must now contact customer service for assistance, making the process significantly more cumbersome. Meanwhile, Strike also announced its immediate exit from the Hungarian market in a message to users yesterday morning, likewise citing the changed regulatory environment. The new rules, introduced at the end of 2025, require crypto-related activities to be conducted through a so-called validator, though the role and identity of these validators remain unclear. Revolut and CashCoin previously halted their crypto services in Hungary in December. Strike, known for its fast Bitcoin transactions and user-friendly interface, told users they can manage their portfolios only until midnight, after which buy and sell functions will be disabled. Withdrawals will still be possible after that time, revb.hu reported. ********************************************************************************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop: As an independent portal were grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here. The ruling Fidesz-Christian Democrats (KDNP) alliance will field 65 seasoned and 41 new candidates at the 2026 parliamentary elections, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Fidesz's leader, told the party congress. The congress will be dedicated to presenting the individual candidates, Orban said. The Fidesz-KDNP list and the leader of the list will be made public by Feb 20, he said. "Having spent 20 years as prime minister, I am as ready for the task as ever," Orban said. Fidesz has won a two-thirds majority four times in a row, as well as winning "every local election and all European parliamentary elections since the EU accession," he said. Rather than the principle of not changing a winning team, Orban said he believed in "always reforming [the community] because the only thing better than Fidesz is Fidesz itself." Fidesz Congress - Foreign politicians praise Orban and party's activities in video messages About a dozen foreign politicians, including heads of government and state, welcomed ruling Fidesz's 31st congress held in Budapest on Saturday with video messages praising Prime Minister Viktor Orban's international and domestic political activities and the larger ruling party. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "Viktor is an outstanding statesman." He added that "we are living in dangerous times" and facing an increasingly uncertain future. "Security is by no means a given. It must be fought for and constantly defended. This requires strong leaders with a clear-headed, strategic vision who love their country unconditionally. It requires perseverance and unwavering courage," Netanyahu said, adding: "Viktor Orban has these qualities. He has the perseverance, courage, and wisdom to defend his country and his people." Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Serbia and Hungary had successfully renewed and strengthened their relations. "Currently, we are experiencing the best cooperation in our entire history, and we can truly work together. And we all owe this to Viktor Orban's commitment, hard work and dedication to our relations," he said. He added that establishing good, even the best, relations with Serbia paled in comparison to what Orban had achieved on the international political stage. Orban and Fidesz have always stuck to their convictions, and no one has been able to persuade him or the party leadership to do anything that would harm the interests of the Hungarian nation, Vucic added. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that they always knew how to understand each other because they were by higher values: "our friendship, our love for our people, and the close ties between our nations." "Together, we stand for a Europe that respects national sovereignty, is proud of its cultural and religious roots and identity, strongly defends its borders and security, courageously supports the family as the basic unit of our society, and pragmatically protects our producers from bureaucratic overregulation and green ideological brainwashing," she said. She added that these were fundamental values in Europe and expressed hope that they would remain fundamental values in Hungary. Andrej Babis, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, said that Fidesz was "a great team" and that Orban was "undoubtedly one of Europe's most important politicians, with connections around the world." Orban has had an impeccably credible career, he added. Babis said: "Viktor Orban always fights for the interests of the Hungarian nation and Hungary under all circumstances. He is a true Hungarian who always has the interests of his people at heart." Javier Milei, President of Argentina, said that Orban "has turned Hungary into a bastion of the Western world in a Europe that is increasingly being engulfed by darkness." "The two countries are spiritual brothers because only a country that has experienced the destruction of freedom caused by socialism is capable of defending freedom to its last breath," he said. Alice Weidel, parliamentary group leader and co-chair of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, said that Orban is the guarantor of the sovereignty and freedom of European states. Ten years ago, he courageously stood up against mass migration, and today he is fighting for peace in Ukraine and peace in Europe, she added. She said Europe needed Viktor Orban. All sovereigntists in Europe hope for Orban's victory in the upcoming election, she added. Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally parliamentary group in France, wished Fidesz every success in its campaign and said that, fortunately, they could count on a leader who is "exceptional in his intelligence, perseverance, and depth of conviction." Thanks to leaders like Orban, the camp of patriots, defenders of nations and sovereign peoples was enjoying increasing success in Europe, she said, adding "Long live Hungary, long live Fidesz, and above all: long live and triumph the Europe of nations!" In Hungary, Fidesz is the best guardian of sovereignty and the future, she said. Santiago Abascal, president of Spain's Vox party, said that Orban was a "true patriot" who had placed Hungary at the centre of the world. He showed that the Europe made up of nations is very much alive and can never be replaced by "an organisation above nations controlled by elites without democratic mandate", he said. In Hungary, Fidesz is the best guardian of sovereignty and the future, he added. Matteo Salvini, president of Italy's Lega party, said that Fidesz in Hungary, like Lega in Italy, spoke the language of peace and fought for the security of citizens and nations. "Thus, in the face of this decisive challenge, the message is simple and powerful: if you want peace, vote for Fidesz", he said. According to Herbert Kickl, president of the Austrian FPO, under Orban's leadership, Hungary was one of the strong nation states that pointed out wrong European decisions at all levels, especially in the area of refugee policy. "Orban is the guarantee that Hungary will continue to follow the path of the strong and brave, from which other countries can also draw courage," he said. Mateusz Morawiecki, president of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) party family and former Polish prime minister, said that under Orban's leadership, "Hungary is an important pillar of security, dynamic economic growth, and Europe's return to normality and development". Fidesz congress - Orban: Young people would be 'done' under Tisza-DK govt If a government of the opposition Tisza and Democratic Coalition (DK) side with Brussels and "enter the war", and "reorganise the economy, then, dear young people, you are done," Prime Minister Viktor Orban told the Fidesz congress on Saturday. Referring to the Socialist win at the 2002 election, he said "many thought things can only get better; that ended in an economic collapse and eight wasted years." Ukraine has requested 800 billion dollars for the next decade, beyond covering its security and war costs, he said. "And Brussels issued an order that Hungary also must join the European war economy," coupled with a request to scrap a number of allowances for the public, he said. Orban also called on Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony to "stop pointing at the government and start pointing at Brussels; the EU would take the most money from Budapest inhabitants, as this is where most of [the money] is. Fidesz congress - Orban: This is no time for 'experimental lunatics' Prime Minister Viktor Orban told the 31st congress of the ruling Fidesz party that in an era of dangers, "only reliable, faithful and experienced governments can ensure a peaceful, safe and predictable life". "This is no time for experimentally minded lunatics," he said. "Now, what Hungary needs most is calm confidence," Orban said. "At the next elections, we must defeat not only our political opponents. In reality, we will have to triumph over lies, frivolousness, cynicism, slyness and submission, and all their Hungarian representatives," he said. Fidesz is undergoing an "orderly, carefully considered generational shift in full agreement, where everyone knows their role and does their job confidently." "Those who belong to us can be sure that the community counts on them, and they can count on the community; if there is a quality linked to Fidesz, that is camaraderie," Orban said. Fidesz congress - Orban: 'Whether Hungary turns into immigrant state at stake at election' "One of the issues at stakes at the upcoming election is whether we will bow down to Brussels and turn Hungary into an immigrant country, or whether we will continue the rebellion and repel all of Brussels' migration attempts," Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday. "I propose that we continue the rebellion," Orban, who is also the head of ruling Fidesz, said at the 31st congress of the party held in Budapest. Orban said the European Union's migration pact required Hungary to build refugee camps capable of accommodating tens of thousands of migrants and to immediately take in hundreds of migrants from Western countries that had allowed them to enter. The migration pact is supported by opposition Tisza and the Democratic Coalition (DK), and its accelerated introduction is regularly voted on in the European Parliament, Orban added. 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 ********************************************************************************************* You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoops groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop: As an independent portal were grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here. Janadhikar Party's Chief Pappu Yadav has been injured in a road accident in Bihar's Buxar. His 9 supporters have also got injury in this accident. The incident took place when Pappu Yadav was going from Chhapra to the house of a worker in Chakki block of Buxar district. During this, three vehicles of the convoy collided with each other. China and Pakistan will look at extending their $57 billion CPEC to Afghanistan, Chinese Foreign Minister said on Tuesday. China has tried to position itself as a helpful party to promote talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistani Foreign Minister said his country and China were 'iron brothers', but did not directly mention the prospect of Afghanistan joining the corridor. The woman, along with her brother, attacked the delivery man and strangulated him with shoe laces. Weather News: It is getting cold in all the states of North India. At the same time, a red alert has been issued for winter in Delhi-NCR. Along with the severe cold in Delhi, people are also facing the brunt of air pollution. After the US operation in Venezuela and Maduros capture, Trump says Cubas oil and cash lifeline is over and urges Havana to strike a deal before it is too late. Google (GOOG, GOOGL) on Monday became the fourth company to join the $4 trillion market cap club, riding a wave of investor excitement related to its latest AI advancements. It's now the second-most-valuable company after Nvidia (NVDA). The search giant joins Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), and Nvidia on the short list of names that have crossed the threshold, though Microsoft has since pulled back below the market milestone. Nvidia topped $5 trillion in October but has since fallen back into the $4 trillion range. The company is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the AI trade, thanks to its Google Cloud Platform. On Nov. 18, Google debuted its Gemini 3 AI model, which received full-throated endorsements from executives, including Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff. On Nov. 25, The Information reported that the company is in talks with Meta (META) to provide the social media firm with its custom TPU AI chips for use in its own data centers. In October, Google inked a deal with Anthropic (ANTH.PVT) that will see the Claude developer use up to a million of Google's TPUs to power its AI services. More from Yahoo Scout What drove Google to achieve $4 trillion market cap? How does Google's AI compete with other tech giants? What are the concerns about an AI bubble? How significant is Google's chip partnership with Meta? Read more: Are we in an AI bubble? How to protect your portfolio if your AI investments turn against you. Google's potential chip arrangement with Meta puts Nvidia in a difficult spot, as investors questioned whether the AI GPU leader could hold onto its lead with increased competition from one of its own customers. Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft have developed their own custom data center chips too. Nvidia, however, pushed back against fears that Google posed a threat to its future, saying at the time that its chips are a generation ahead of Google's. Google's milestone marks a stunning turnaround for its AI fortunes. The company was largely caught flat-footed when OpenAI (OPAI.PVT) debuted ChatGPT in November 2022, despite Google's involvement in helping to develop the transformative technology behind ChatGPT. A few months later, Microsoft announced it was rolling out its own chatbot powered by ChatGPT, thanks to its early investments in the AI company. Google tried to match that with its own chatbot, but it fell flat. That led to fears that Google's search crown was in jeopardy as consumers began using ChatGPT to find information on the web. Google CEO Sundar Pichai addresses the crowd during Google's annual I/O developers conference in Mountain View, Calif., on May 20, 2025. (Camille Cohen/AFP via Getty Images) CAMILLE COHEN via Getty Images But over the years, Google has steadily improved its own AI models, incorporating them into its search platform via AI Overviews, found at the top of search pages, as well as its AI Mode. Google has also brought Gemini to its Android operating system, Google Maps, and other services. The value of mining deals in Africa declined by 79% over the past five years, compared with a more than tripling in Latin America over the same period, according to the McKinsey Global Institute. The divergence shows how risk perceptions continue to weigh on Africa, despite its vast reserves of copper, nickel, manganese, lithium, uranium, silver, and other minerals critical to the energy transition and technology supply chains. That has made miners wary of committing capital though Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries want to change that trend, through vehicles like the Public Investment Fund-backed Manara Minerals and Abu Dhabis International Resources Holding. The McKinsey analysis, released ahead of this weeks Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, discusses the potential for greater cooperation in a super region spanning Africa, Western Asia, and Central Asia. The area holds more than half of the worlds critical mineral reserves, but has the lowest level of exploration spending of any region globally. Mohammed Sergie NEW DELHI (AP) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met on Monday in western Gujarat state to push for deeper economic and security ties between the South Asian nation and Europes largest economy. Modi and Merz held talks in the city of Gandhinagar, where the two countries signed various agreements to enhance cooperation in the defense sector, skill development, health and education, as both nations seek to reduce dependence on China and bolster economic ties. After the bilateral talks, Modi noted that Germany is Indias most important trading partner in the European Union and said both leaders were seeking to expand those ties. He said the two countries are pursuing new projects in areas such as climate action, energy and mining of rare earth elements, and have also agreed on a road map to boost cooperation between their defense industries for joint development and production. We want to elevate the relations between India and Germany to an even higher level, Modi said. Germany has not traditionally had close defense ties with India, but the two sides have been trying to boost cooperation in the sector. Germanys Thyssenkrupp is expected to partner with Indian firms to build six advanced conventional submarines in India, part of New Delhis ongoing efforts to modernize its naval capabilities. Merz said India and Germany share tremendous economic potential, and the two countries are working together to strengthen ties in the field of security policy and defense cooperation. India is a desired partner, a partner of choice for Germany, Merz said, according to a live official translation. He added that negotiations on a free trade agreement between India and the EU need to be concluded to fully realize the potential of economic ties between the two countries. The two sides also signed an agreement that makes it easier for Indians to work in Germany's health care sector. Merzs visit to India also his first to an Asian country since he took office last year comes ahead of a planned India-EU summit later this month, where leaders hope to make progress on a long-pending free trade agreement. India hopes to deepen economic engagement with Europe in the face of U.S. tariff rates of 50%. During his visit, Merz toured the Sabarmati Ashram, once home to independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, and attended the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati riverfront. Modi and Merz flew kites during the event. Merz, who is accompanied by a large business delegation, is later scheduled to travel to southern Bengaluru city to meet Indian and German business and technology leaders. By Shivam Patel NEW DELHI, Jan 12 (Reuters) - India and the U.S. will discuss trade issues in their next call scheduled for Tuesday, Washington's newly-appointed ambassador to New Delhi, Sergio Gor, said on Monday, at a time when failure to secure a trade deal has roiled their ties and pushed the rupee to a record low. India will also be invited to join Pax Silica next month, Gor said, referring to a U.S.-led initiative to build a silicon supply chain from critical minerals to semiconductors and AI. Trade talks between India and the U.S. fell apart and Trump then doubled tariffs on Indian goods in August to 50%, among the world's highest rates, including a levy of 25% to punish New Delhi for purchasing Russian oil. The two nations have been close to a deal on several occasions since they agreed to negotiate in February last year, India said last week. "Both sides continue to actively engage. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow," Gor said in New Delhi as he formally took charge of his position, adding that the two countries will continue to work on issues such as security, counterterrorism, energy, technology, education and health. The failure to reach a deal has pushed the Indian rupee to a record low and spooked investors waiting for progress in two-way negotiations. FRIENDS ALWAYS RESOLVE DIFFERENCES, GOR SAYS Gor's comments brought some cheer to Indian markets, and the benchmark Nifty 50 recovered 220 points to trade 0.15% higher as of 12:45 p.m. (0715 GMT). Indian trade minister Piyush Goyal, in comments made elsewhere, also said that New Delhi continues to talk to Washington for a trade deal. "The United States and India are bound not just by shared interests, but by a relationship anchored at the highest level," Gor said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier agreed to target a deal by fall 2025, and more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. To bridge the $47 billion goods trade gap, India pledged to buy up to $25 billion in U.S. energy and boost defence imports. Reuters has reported that New Delhi and Washington were very close to a trade deal last year but a communication breakdown led to the collapse of any potential pact. "Real friends can disagree, but always resolve their differences in the end," Gor said. (Reporting by Shivam Patel, additonal reporting by Bharath Rajeswaran in Bengaluru, writing by Tanvi Mehta; Editing by YP Rajesh) BENGALURU, Jan 12 (Reuters) - India's Tata Consultancy Services on Monday posted a third-quarter revenue marginally above estimates on AI-driven demand, with revenue from its key North America market registering growth for the first time in two years. Artificial intelligence-led tech spending boosted growth for the Tata Group firm in a traditionally weak quarter, with AI services generating $1.8 billion annually and making up about 5.8% of total revenue. More from Yahoo Scout How are macro headwinds affecting India's IT sector? What caused TCS's net profit to decline significantly? Why did North America revenue grow for first time? What drove TCS's AI services growth this quarter? "Based on the client conversations, strong deal momentum and the leadership we are gaining in AI, we are confident of a good calendar year 2026," said K Krithivasan, chief executive during a post-earnings analyst call. Clients of India's $283 billion IT industry, however, remain cautious about tech spending due to growth concerns in the world's largest economy, with macro headwinds like uncertainty over U.S. tariffs and proposed $100,000 visa fees further weighing on the sector. "The North America market has risen as the demand slowdown has bottomed out but we expect a gradual recovery as structural weakness continues," said Ambarish Shah, analyst, Systematix. The region, accounting for nearly half of the firm's revenue, grew for the first time since July-September 2023, with five out of eight regions growing, led by Middle East and Africa at 8.3% and Continental Europe at 3.5%. The company also said tepid numbers in banking and financial services, and retail segments were due to the year-end seasonality impact and expected recovery from the ongoing quarter. Consolidated revenue for India's largest software services firm rose 4.9% to 670.87 billion rupees ($7.44 billion) in the quarter ended December 31. Analysts had expected 666.76 billion rupees, as per data compiled by LSEG. The Mumbai-based firm's quarterly net profit fell 14% to 106.57 billion rupees, missing analyst estimates of 130.24 billion rupees. TCS attributed this to one-time restructuring costs associated with layoffs, the impact of India's new labour codes enacted in November 2025 and other legal costs. TCS's total order book stood at $9.3 billion in the quarter, down from $10.2 billion a year ago. The company declared a dividend of 11 rupees per share as well as a special dividend of 46 rupees per share. Its Mumbai-listed shares closed 1.3% higher ahead of the results. ($1 = 90.1660 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Sai Ishwarbharath B; Editing by Janane Venkatraman and Vijay Kishore) Nazrin Abdul Azerbaijan's shift towards green energy is creating additional opportunities to expand its bilateral economic collaboration with the Netherlands, according to Elchin Amirbayov, Azerbaijan's Special Representative for Foreign Affairs. As reported by Azernews, he made this statement during a meeting with experts in The Hague. "This is one of the areas where we can broaden our bilateral economic relations with the Netherlands, as they are one of the leaders in this sector with advanced technologies and expertise. We are a country that is keen to expand our partnership in green energy," Amirbayov was quoted as saying by the JASON Institute for Peace and Security Studies. In his discussions with experts, the Special Representative also touched on Azerbaijan's foreign policy priorities, emphasizing the importance of the countrys alliance with Central Asia. He noted: "Central Asia, with its wealth of natural resources and strategic geopolitical position, attracts the interest of many major global players. From a Western perspective, Azerbaijan serves as a natural gateway between Europe and Central Asia." Amirbayov also highlighted the strengthening of Azerbaijans relations with Central Asian nations, which has led to the transformation of the "C5" format into a "C6" format. He believes that this new reality will offer a fresh perspective, enabling the region to view the Caspian Sea not as a dividing line, but as a unifying element. The focus on in-app advertising dovetails with inDrives push into groceries, a higher-frequency use case where the company expects to generate stronger engagement and advertising demand than from rides alone. inDrive is scaling grocery delivery in Pakistan, its second market after Kazakhstan, through a partnership with local dark-store operator Krave Mart, which received an investment from inDrive in December 2024. In-car and on-vehicle advertising are part of the longer-term roadmap. However, Smit said inDrive plans to prioritize in-app formats through 2026, citing operational complexity around on-car advertising in emerging markets and stronger early returns from digital placements. The advertising business will initially focus on placements within the app, including during the waiting period after a ride is booked and while passengers are en route, moments that generate high engagement and sustained attention, Smit told TechCrunch. Advertising on inDrive is being rolled out across markets including Mexico, Colombia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Egypt, and Morocco. The rollout follows mid-2025 tests that delivered hundreds of millions of impressions and drew interest from global consumer brands and banks, said Andries Smit, inDrives chief growth business officer, in an interview. inDrive has built its position on affordability, using a peer-to-peer negotiation model that lets riders and drivers agree on fares directly rather than relying on fixed pricing. It nonetheless operates in a crowded market alongside global players such as Uber and local micro-commuting options including taxis and autorickshaws, prompting the company to look beyond rides alone. That backdrop shaped inDrives super app strategy, aimed at adding higher-frequency services such as grocery delivery in frontier and emerging markets. The latest move by the Mountain View, California-headquartered firm comes as ride-hailing platforms face intensifying competition and tighter margins across emerging markets, pushing companies to look beyond transport for growth. Advertising offers a high-margin revenue stream that scales with usage, while grocery delivery increases how frequently users open the app. The combination could help inDrive reduce reliance on ride commissions while reinforcing its core mobility business. Known for its bidding-based approach to fares, inDrive is deepening its push beyond ride-hailing by rolling out advertising across its top 20 markets and expanding grocery delivery to Pakistan, executing on a super app strategy outlined last year to build new revenue streams and boost engagement while sustaining growth in price-sensitive markets. Story continues Pakistan stands out, Smit said, because of a combination of rising demand for quick commerce and inDrives own scale in the market. Grocery retail remains highly fragmented and informal, while urban consumers are increasingly turning to app-based delivery as more households juggle work and family responsibilities. Simultaneously, inDrive has emerged as one of the countrys leading mobility platforms, giving it a large, engaged user base to cross-sell groceries without the high customer acquisition costs that have weighed on many quick-commerce startups. Since launching in 2021, inDrive has steadily expanded its footprint in Pakistan, with ride volumes rising nearly 40% year-over-year in 2025, while deliveries through its courier services grew 67% in the first half of the year, per company data shared with TechCrunch. The company views Pakistan as one of its fastest-growing markets globally, with particularly high usage in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Overall, inDrive operates ride-hailing services in more than 20 Pakistani cities and intercity services across over 200 locations. InDrives grocery rollout in Pakistan will begin in Karachi, the countrys largest city and one of the companys strongest markets, where users will be able to order daily essentials through the app with delivery times of around 20 to 30 minutes. The service will then expand to other major cities, including Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi later this year as inDrive builds out supply and logistics with Krave Mart. The platform plans to offer more than 7,500 products spanning fresh produce, meat and dairy, snacks, and household items alongside free delivery on orders above PKR 499 (about $2) with no service fees. Image Credits:inDrive In addition to its rapid growth as a ride-hailing market, Pakistan has also emerged as a focal point for inDrives capital deployment. Of the companys $100 million multi-year investment program announced in late 2023, Smit said the largest share so far has been directed toward Pakistan, though he declined to disclose specific figures. He added that at least half of the overall $100 million commitment has already been deployed. Were seeing incredible potential in Pakistan, said Smit. Ideally, we want to continue and double down on [investments] as we see performance. inDrives growing focus on Pakistan comes despite broader investor caution toward the market. Venture capital and public investors have largely stayed on the sidelines amid geopolitical and macroeconomic risks, even as activity shows signs of recovery. Equity funding in Pakistan rose 63% YoY in 2025 to $36.6 million across 10 rounds, per a recent report by Karachi-based startup analyst firm Data Darbar well below the $347 million and $331 million raised in 2021 and 2022, respectively. However, the gap between investor caution and on-the-ground demand is precisely where inDrive sees opportunity. Having operated across dozens of emerging markets, Smit said the company is more accustomed to volatility and less reliant on shifting capital-market sentiment, giving it confidence to invest where others hesitate. With an established local business and a large active user base, he noted that inDrive can also help partners scale without heavy spending on customer acquisition an advantage that becomes especially valuable when external funding is scarce. inDrives push into advertising and commerce is underpinned by scale. The company operates in 1,065 cities across 48 countries and has surpassed 360 million app downloads, making it the worlds second most-downloaded mobility app for the third consecutive year, behind Uber, per company data. Looking ahead, inDrive expects advertising to become a more meaningful contributor over the medium term, particularly as grocery and delivery volumes grow and create more opportunities for contextual promotions. Ride-hailing, which accounted for about 95% of inDrives revenue just a few years ago, now makes up closer to 85%, even as the core business continues to grow, reflecting how newer verticals are beginning to scale. Groceries, delivery, advertising, and, eventually, financial services are expected to play a larger role over the next three to five years as the company expands selectively across priority markets, Smit said. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value: We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model . In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Fielmann Group AG ( ETR:FIE ) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Analyst price target for FIE is 61.86 which is 19% below our fair value estimate Story Continues We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.6%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2035 (1 + g) (r g) = 382m (1 + 1.6%) (6.6% 1.6%) = 7.7b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 7.7b ( 1 + 6.6%)10= 4.1b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is 6.4b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 43.8, the company appears quite good value at a 43% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. XTRA:FIE Discounted Cash Flow January 12th 2026 Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Fielmann Group as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 6.6%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.195. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. See our latest analysis for Fielmann Group SWOT Analysis for Fielmann Group Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Specialty Retail market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow for the next 3 years. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the German market. Next Steps: Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Fielmann Group, we've put together three essential items you should consider: Risks: You should be aware of the 1 warning sign for Fielmann Group we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does FIE's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. The speed with which Russias top two oil firms reacted underscores how seriously Moscow is taking the latest sanctions -- and is likely to be read in Beijing as a signal to tread far more carefully with the second presidential administration of Donald Trump than it did with the first, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order . A very senior adviser to Trump during that period exclusively told OilPrice.com recently: We didnt know how difficult it was to get things done back then, or the best way to do them to get them through quicker, but in the break [between Trumps first and second presidency] we worked all that out and came up with detailed plans, and thats what youre seeing now. The latest measures targeting Lukoil and Rosneft -- and by implication all other Russian and Chinese firms operating in Iraq -- form part of a full suite of blocking sanctions overseen by the U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Targeting Russias top two oil firms marks a major escalation from previous sets of sanctions that encompassed lower-tier firms such as Gazpromneft and Surgutneftegas, which were in turn part of Washingtons gradual tightening of the screws on Putin. These moves have been reinforced by the European Unions (E.U.) continued mirroring of such prohibitions, as seen in its 19 th sanctions package, which included measures against Russias shadow fleet of vessels used to evade restrictions.. These included additional measures targeting Russias shadow fleet of vessels used to evade current restrictions. For the first time, the E.U. also targeted Russias crucial liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, having earlier agreed to halt all Russian gas imports by 1 January 2027 -- a full year earlier than previously planned. The opening for Chevron and other Western firms to re?enter Iraq stems from a carefully calibrated escalation of sanctions by Washington, London, and Brussels. Most recently, this included measures introduced by the U.S. on 22 October last year targeting Russias top two oil producers Lukoil and Rosneft including any entity in which they hold more than a 50% stake. Between them, the two companies export approximately 3.1 million barrels of oil per day, which the West sees as vital to Russias ability to keep funding its war in Ukraine. Very shortly afterwards, Lukoil relinquished its interests in Iraq, including the giant West Qurna 2 field -- a major turning point in the Wests pushback against growing Chinese and Russian influence in the country, as one senior Washington?based legal source working closely with the U.S. Treasury told OilPrice.com at the time. Lukoils exit from West Qurna 2 was quickly followed by Rosnefts scaling back operations its operations in Iraqi Kurdistan, reducing its stake in the vital Kurdistan Pipeline Company from 60% to 49%. Following the Iraq Oil Ministrys recent dispatch of exclusive invitations to several major U.S. energy firms to develop the countrys huge West Qurna 2 oilfield after the forced exit of Russian oil number two Lukoil, American oil giant Chevron has emerged as a leading contender. This should occur after an interim nationalisation of the field intended to keep production going as the Russian firm completes its withdrawal. The company is also expected to move ahead shortly with the development of the Nasiriyah project, which comprises four oil exploration blocks in southern Iraqs Dhi Qar province, as well as the development of the Balad oil field in Salah al-Din province. All of this comes as Chevron and and private equity group Quantum Energy Partners are teaming ?up to bid for all of Lukoils estimated US$22 billion of international assets, following a dramatic tightening of sanctions by the U.S. in recent weeks. So, does this finally mark a decisive shift in Iraqs geopolitical stance back towards the U.S. and its Western partners, away from Russia, China, Iran, and their allies? Story continues Before Washington and its Western allies started to turn the screws on Russia and China early in Trumps second term, Moscow and Beijing had been acting with increasing boldness in Iraq and across the wider Middle East. After the U.S. formally ended its combat mission in Iraq in December 2021, China accelerated its acquisition of new fields in the south, while Russia consolidated its disruptive role in the north through Rosneft and expanded its presence in the south through Lukoils West Qurna 2 contract, as also detailed analysed in my latest book on the new global oil market order. These moves have resulted in Chinese companies now holding direct stakes in around 24 billion barrels of Iraqs reserves and responsibility for producing roughly 3 million barrels per day. In effect, more than a third of Iraqs proven reserves and two?thirds of its current production are managed by China. At the same time, continued U.S. and allied military presence in Iraq became the target of heightened pressure from Iran?backed militias -- with direct and indirect support from Russia and China -- through rocket fire, drone strikes, and roadside bombs. Western oil firms faced additional challenges from the entrenched corruption in Iraqs oil and gas sector, prompting several to scale back or withdraw, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, and ENI. Russia and Chinas aim at that point was clear: push Western firms out of Iraq, thereby giving Iran greater scope to extend its influence across the region as a proxy for Moscow and Beijing, at the expense of Washington, London, and Brussels and their traditional regional partners in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain. As a very high?ranking Kremlin official told OilPrice.com some years ago: By keeping the West out of energy deals in Iraq, the end of Western hegemony in the Middle East will become the decisive chapter in the Wests final demise. On the other side of geopolitical divide, the U.S. and its allies believe that breaking the multi-layered links between Iraq and Iran would significantly weaken both Baghdads neighbour and its key sponsors, China and Russia. The U.S. and Israel also have a further strategic interest in utilising the Iraqi Kurdistan region as a base for ongoing monitoring operations against Iran. The West additionally sees this northern territory as a critical security bridge from NATO member Turkey into the Middle East and beyond. However, as new Western sanctions have dropped into place, so its major firms have increasingly re-established their presence on the ground in Iraq -- and in critical parts of its oil and gas infrastructure. Frances TotalEnergies is leading a US$27 billion four-pronged deal that includes completing the Common Seawater Supply Project. This is the key project that will determine whether Iraq is ever able to meaningfully increase its oil production, and -- done correctly -- it could see output rise to 12 million barrels per day, as fully analysed in my latest book. Meanwhile, Great Britains BP has agreed a US$25 billion five?field deal in northern Iraq, which the West can subtly leverage to counter Russian and Chinese efforts to eliminate the Kurdistan regions semi?independence and fold it into a pro?Russia, pro?China Baghdad. And on?the?ground development of Iraqs biggest and best oil fields, such as West Qurna 2, by Western majors like Chevron, should further anchor Baghdads interests with those of the West. Currently producing up to 480,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil, the original development plan for the West Qurna 2 field with estimated recoverable oil reserves of around 13 billion barrels and one of the lowest lifting costs in the world at just US$2-3 per barrel -- was to produce 1.8 million bpd. This was amended in 2013 to a three?stage plan with a peak of 1.2 million bpd. At the same time, the targeted initial capacity of the fields comprising the Nasiriyah Project was 600,000 bpd. It looks reasonable to conclude that if Baghdad continues down this path, Iraqs long?anticipated pivot back toward the West may finally begin to take shape -- and this time, the momentum behind it would appear far harder for Moscow, Beijing, or Tehran to reverse. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oilprice Intelligence brings you the signals before they become front-page news. This is the same expert analysis read by veteran traders and political advisors. Get it free, twice a week, and you'll always know why the market is moving before everyone else. You get the geopolitical intelligence, the hidden inventory data, and the market whispers that move billions - and we'll send you $389 in premium energy intelligence, on us, just for subscribing. Join 400,000+ readers today. Get access immediately by clicking here. Quick Read Indias economy is projected to grow between 6.6% and 7.4% in 2026. INDA returned 117% over 10 years compared to the S&P 500s 241%. The ETF gained just 1.4% in the past year while U.S. markets rose 18%. A recent study identified one single habit that doubled Americans retirement savings and moved retirement from dream, to reality. Read more here. India's economy is projected to grow between 6.6% and 7.4% in 2026, outpacing most developed markets and positioning the country as a compelling alternative to China for investors seeking emerging market exposure. For those wanting a simple way to capture this growth, iShares India ETF (NYSEARCA:INDA) offers broad access to Indian equities through a single ticker. But recent performance raises questions about whether this ETF delivers on India's promise. A Diversification Play, Not a Growth Champion The iShares India ETF holds 165 companies spanning India's equity market, from financial giants like HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries to industrial and technology firms. With $9.6 billion in assets and a 0.62% expense ratio, INDA provides liquid, cost-efficient exposure to a market that many investors can't easily access otherwise. 24/7 Wall St. 24/7 Wall St. This infographic details the iShares India ETF (INDA), outlining its mechanism, suitable use case for long-term growth diversification, and a summary of its pros and cons. The ETF's return engine is straightforward: capital appreciation from underlying Indian stocks. With financials comprising 29% of holdings and consumer discretionary another 12%, INDA essentially bets on India's growing middle class and expanding credit markets. These sectors benefit directly from rising incomes, urbanization, and digital financial services adoption. However, INDA's 10-year total return of 117% significantly trails the S&P 500's 241% over the same period. Even more concerning, the ETF gained just 1.4% over the past year while U.S. markets rose 18%. This gap reflects both India-specific challenges and the reality that emerging market returns don't always match GDP growth rates. What You're Trading Away Investors choosing INDA accept several tradeoffs. First, single-country concentration means no diversification across emerging markets. If India stumbles, there's no offset from growth in other regions. Recent tariff threats from the U.S. administration highlight this vulnerability, as MarketWatch noted that Trump's shift on India "hurts Prime Minister Narendra Modi politically and India economically." Italy is open to selling its remaining interest in Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS), though there are no immediate plans for such a move, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has indicated. In a traditional New Year's press conference, Meloni said: "Today we have less than 5%. I don't rule out selling it, but there's no rush, reported Reuters. Melonis statement follows MPSs acquisition last year of a significant majority stake in Mediobanca. Italy reduced its MPS holding from 68%, which acquired during the 2017 rescue, to 4.9%. The reduction was achieved through a series of share placements carried out over the last two years and following the Mediobanca acquisition, according to Bloomberg. The government initiated the privatisation of MPS in 2023 to satisfy European Union conditions. The Ministry of Economy and Finance reduced its stake through three public offerings, raising about 2.7bn and bringing its holding down to roughly 12% before further dilution resulting from the Mediobanca deal, added Bloomberg. According to Meloni, the government now holds little influence over MPS due to its minority stake. She stated that any moves by MPS to become a competitor to major Italian banks such as UniCredit and Intesa Sanpaolo through mergers or acquisitions should be regarded as beneficial for competition, Reuters added. In November, Reuters reported that the Italian government was aiming to further reduce its stake in Monte dei Paschi di Siena through a potential future merger, with particular attention on a longstanding objective to merge MPS with competitor Banco BPM. Meloni said: "I think that (a third leading banking group) would be beneficial to our banking system as a whole, but the government does not have the authority or the means to do this." Meloni also addressed the ongoing investigation into MPSs takeover of Mediobanca. Prosecutors in Milan are examining whether CEO Luigi Lovaglio and investors Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone and Delfin Sarl Chairman Francesco Milleri coordinated actions without informing regulatory authorities and shareholders. She said she is not worried about the inquiry and noted that prosecutors have stated there was nothing illegitimate in the government's conduct regarding the stake sale. The Italian Prime Minister further added: "I am not concerned about the ongoing investigation into MPS. Even the prosecutors have said that there is nothing illegal about the government's actions. The finance ministry is not subject to any investigation related to these transactions, Bloomberg added. The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) is one of the stocks from different market sectors that Jim Cramer commented on. Cramer mentioned the stock while discussing the performance of consumer packaged goods companies, as he commented: The packaged food stocks were mostly lower, with some huge names down the big ones just down horribly, and some of that was GLP-1. The consumer packaged goods stocks also drifted lower, with even high-quality operators like Procter & Gamble down double digits. Now, I recommended Procter here yesterday, and it rallied $3.5, and I do not think it is done today. A weaker operator like Clorox tumbled 38%. Target was a one-off disaster, down 28%, and the alcohol companies, they were just eviscerated. A stock market data. Photo by AlphaTradeZone on Pexels The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) provides branded consumer goods across beauty, grooming, health care, home care, and family care. The company sells its products through renowned names such as Tide, Pampers, Gillette, Crest, Olay, and Febreze. Cramer discussed the stock during the January 7 episode and said: We recently published 10 Stocks Jim Cramer Talked About. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) is one of the stocks on Jim Cramer talked about. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) is one of the largest investment banks in America. Barclays started 2025 with a strong note for the firm as it raised the share price target to $1,048 from $850 and kept an Overweight rating. The bank explained that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) could benefit from the same tailwinds in 2026 as it did in 2025. Cramer continuously discussed the bank in 2025 as he maintained that it benefited from the growth in M&A activity and the IPO market under the Trump administration. To wit, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) ended 2025 on a strong note, with data from Reuters showing that it topped global dealmaking tables in 2025. The data showed that the bank advised on 38 of the 68 $10 billion+ deals in 2025. Cramer discussed The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS)s position in his trust and the banks valuation: Pixabay/Public Domain Its [inaudible] the largest position of my trust. . .yeah, and thats all price appreciation, Ive bought a ton of it. It was one of those things where there was this period, where people didnt, lets say you felt that Joe Biden was going to be reelected, he was an obstacle to them doing well because theyre an M&A house and there are IPOs. . . While we acknowledge the potential of GS as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) is included in our list of stocks under $1 that will explode. Kosmos Energy (KOS) Shares Operational Update, Bernstein Remains Bullish On January 5, 2026, Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) saw Bernstein reduce its price target from $1.70 to $0.80, while reiterating a Market Perform rating. The update comes as the firm frames 2026 with a balanced oil outlook, expecting short-term price volatility. However, in the longer term, the investment bank projects strength. Bernsteins stance comes as the company looks to accelerate its operational momentum. On January 5, 2026, Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS) shared a detailed operational and financial update, where it highlighted significant progress across its portfolio. Management discussed the second Jubilee producer well (J-74) in Ghana, which has been drilled and completed. The well hit approximately 50 meters of net pay (oil-bearing rock), which translates to a potential output of over 10,000 bopd. The discovery lifts gross Jubilee output to nearly 70,000 bopd at the start of 2026. Additionally, management talked about license extensions for Jubilee and TEN oilfields to 2040, which were approved in late December. The company believes that extensions will support higher 2P reserves and up to 20 additional wells. On the other hand, management confirmed the GTA LNG project hit its nameplate capacity in December 2025, with cargo liftings expected to nearly double in 2026. At the same time, debt actions are expected to improve the companys leverage. Kosmos Energy Ltd. (NYSE:KOS), an independent oil and gas company, focuses on offshore exploration, development, and production. Its core assets are in Ghana, Mauritania/Senegal LNG, Equatorial Guinea, and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. While we acknowledge the potential of KOS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 7 Best Rising Tech Stocks to Buy Now and 12 Best Multibagger Stocks to Buy Heading into 2026. Disclosure: None. President Trump on Monday said the US and India had agreed to a trade deal after he spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump said the baseline US tariff rate on goods from India would drop to 18% from 25%. The US president also claimed that Modi had "agreed to stop buying Russian Oil," which would further lower the US's tariff rate on India. The White House confirmed that an additional 25% "secondary" tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil would also be dropped. "Our amazing relationship with India will be even stronger going forward," Trump wrote on Truth Social. The apparent US deal with India comes as US trade partners are clinching long-negotiated deals in a rebuke to the Trump tariff regime. India and the EU announced a trade deal last week that the EU dubbed the "mother of all deals" after years of talks. Trump has in recent weeks leveled new tariff threats at Canada and Mexico, part of a recent blitz aimed at allies that rivals his bluster from early in his second term. Trump threatened to hit Canada's aircraft imports with a 50% tariff and said the US would also decertify all new jets from the likes of Bombardier (BDRBF), claiming Canada has used certification hurdles to effectively ban the sale of US Gulfstream jets. Meanwhile, Mexico is facing the potential of levies after Trump promised to impose new tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba. Trump's latest tariff salvo at a US ally came days after he threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Canada over that nation's trade deal with China. Canada has negotiated a deal to lower tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, in return for lower import taxes on Canadian farm products. Meanwhile, Trump last week said he was increasing tariffs on goods from South Korea, accusing the country of "not living up to its Deal" with the US. Tariffs on goods from South Korea would jump back to 25%, from 15%. Trump subsequently said he thought the countries would "work something out." The actions continue a string of renewed tariff-based threats from the president. Trump roiled markets earlier this year after he threatened tariffs on European nations that he said were getting in the way of his pursuit of the island. He later called them off. Read more: What Trump promised with his 'Liberation Day' tariffs and what he delivered LIVE 99 updates Laman Ismayilova The competition held to award the Uzeyir Hajibayli Prize, established in honor of the 140th anniversary of the birth of the brilliant composer and founder of Azerbaijan's professional music, Uzeyir Hajibayli, has successfully concluded, Azernews reports. In accordance with regulations jointly approved by the Culture Ministry and the Trade Union of Cultural Workers of Azerbaijan, the competition was organized in two stages. As stipulated by the regulations, the professional activities, knowledge, and skills of the nominees were evaluated by an Expert Commission, which selected participants demonstrating outstanding performance. A total of 66 teachers working at music and art schools and centers in Baku and various regions of the country took part in the competition. Based on the results of the first stage, selected participants advanced to the second round. At this stage, members of the Commission reviewed video recordings of the participants' open lessons and assessed the candidates according to professional criteria. Following deliberations, 19 teachers were declared winners of the competition and will be awarded the Uzeyir Hajibayli Prize, receiving both a monetary award and diplomas. The list of the winners is available here. It is worth noting that this competition, held as part of the celebrations marking the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayli, holds special significance in promoting the professionalism of educators working in the fields of music and art education, revealing their creative potential, and ensuring the transmission of the national musical heritage to future generations. Luminar has reached a deal to sell its lidar business to a company called Quantum Computing Inc. for just $22 million, unless it receives better offers by a deadline of 5:00 p.m. CT on Monday. The lidar-maker, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December, already announced plans to sell its semiconductor subsidiary to Quantum Computing Inc. for $110 million. The deals have to be approved by the bankruptcy judge in the Southern District of Texas before they are finalized. Luminar founder and former CEO Austin Russell has signaled interest in submitting a bid for the lidar assets and tried to buy the whole company in October, before it filed for bankruptcy. The company is currently trying to serve him with a subpoena for information stored on his cell phone, as Luminar evaluates whether it wants to make any legal claims against him related to the board-run ethics inquiry that led to his resignation last May. Its not known how many other bids Luminar might receive by Mondays deadline. Quantum Computing Inc. has been designated as a stalking horse bidder, which helps establish a baseline for the value of the assets and helps prevent low-ball bids. Luminar has said it wants to move through the bankruptcy case quickly, as its largest creditors mostly financial institutions that loaned the company money over the last few years are helping fund the proceedings. Even if Luminar receives a higher offer, the stalking horse bid represents a monumental fall from the companys peak market cap in 2021, when it was worth around $11 billion. That valuation was propped up by the promise that Luminars lidar sensors were going to become widely adopted by major automakers like Volvo, which at one point planned to buy more than 1 million of them before ultimately walking away from the deal in 2025. Other deals with Mercedes-Benz and Polestar fell apart along the way, too. Quantum Computing Inc. was founded in 2001 as a company called Ticketcart that sold ink-jet cartridges, according to its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It bought a beverage company in 2007, went through its own restructuring process 10 years later, and pivoted to making optic technology for the budding world of quantum computing. The company raised more than $700 million by selling shares in 2025, though its revenue for the first nine months of last year was just $384,000. Lundin Mining has completed the $127m (C$176.21m) sale of Lundin Mining US the Canadian mining companys subsidiary that indirectly owned the Eagle mine and Humboldt mill in Michigan, US to Talon Metals. A definitive share purchase agreement for this deal was signed in December 2025, marking the transfer of these assets to Talon Metals. Following the closure of the deal, Lundin Mining acquired nearly 275.2 million common shares in Talon Metals. With this, Lundin Mining has increased its stake in Talon Metals to approximately 19.86%. Eagle is an underground, high-grade nickel and copper mine in western Marquette County, within Michigans Upper Peninsula. Talon Metals CEO Darby Stacey said: "I want to thank Lundin Mining for the leadership, support and guidance over the past 13 years that has enabled the Eagle team to confidently take on the next challenge. Together with the established and successful Talon Metals team, I am genuinely excited about the future and what we will accomplish. Under the transaction terms, Lundin Mining was compensated with 275.1 million shares, which account for roughly 18.61% of Talon Metals issued and outstanding shares on a non-diluted basis. Before the transaction, the company beneficially held 18.5 million shares, which accounted for approximately 1.57% of the issued and outstanding shares on a non-diluted basis. After the transaction is completed, Lundin Mining will own 293.7 million shares, which represents around 19.86% of Talon Metals issued and outstanding shares. As part of the deal, Lundin Mining and Talon Metals signed an investor rights agreement granting the former certain director nomination and anti-dilution rights. Additionally, a lock-up agreement restricts any acquisition or sale of Talon Metals shares by Lundin Mining for up to 24 months. Lundin Mining president and CEO Jack Lundin said: We are pleased to see this transaction successfully completed and are confident that the alignment of these assets and the complementary skill sets of the teams will lead to sustained value generation in the region for all stakeholders involved. We look forward to supporting Darby and the rest of the Talon team on this exciting new journey. With this milestone completed, Lundin Mining is positioned as pure-play copper company with our existing operations along with a clear growth strategy to become a global top-ten copper producer through the development of the Vicuna District. In April 2025, Lundin Mining finalised the sale of its Neves-Corvo mine in Portugal and its Zinkgruvan mine in Sweden to Boliden, for total potential proceeds of up to $1.52bn. Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has entered into a power purchase agreement (PPA) for the 150MW Quipungo Solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Angola, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based developers first such agreement in the country. The plant in Huila Province will supply electricity to Angolas southern power grid through an arrangement with Rede Nacional de Transporte de Electricidade, the state-owned transmission company. Executives from both companies formalised the deal during the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) General Assembly at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The Quipungo Solar PV project is the first contracted facility of Project Royal Sable, a 500MW renewable energy initiative planned across three locations in Angola. The long-term PPA secures electricity offtake from the site and establishes the commercial foundation for further expansion under Project Royal Sable. Once fully developed, the wider programme aims to support increased generation capacity, with expectations of supplying power to approximately 300,000 homes and creating more than 2,000 jobs. Masdar currently operates renewable energy projects in several African countries through its joint venture Infinity Power, with operational assets totalling 1.3GW and a development pipeline of 13.8GW. Project Royal Sable forms part of Masdars broader goal to achieve a portfolio capacity of 100GW by the end of this decade. The agreement aligns with national energy plans in Angola to strengthen its southern grid and expand access to electricity. IRENA director-general H.E. Francesco LaCamera said: The Quipungo PPA, signed at the 16th IRENA Assembly, is a testimony of the work and commitment that the UAE and Masdar, supported through IRENA's Energy Transition Accelerator Financing (ETAF) platform, are doing to turn national energy plans into concrete projects. The Quipungo Solar PV project will contribute to strengthening Angolas power system and expanding access to clean, reliable electricity, improving thousands of lives and inspiring greater investor confidence in Africas energy transition. The signing was observed by officials from the UAE and Angola, as well as representatives from IRENA and Masdar senior management. Masdar CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi said: The Quipungo PPA demonstrates how long-term partnerships and structured offtake arrangements can accelerate the deployment of utility-scale renewables that support national clean energy ambitions, economic development and job creation, providing reliable, affordable clean power to local communities. The Mather Group (TMG) has entered a partnership with The Hogan-Knotts Financial Group, a New Jersey-based financial planning firm. Founded in 1979, Hogan-Knotts delivers financial planning, investment management, and advisory services. It manages over $300m in client assets. The Hogan-Knotts team works with individuals, families across generations, and businesses requiring financial planning. The leadership is provided by Robert Hogan and Timothy Knotts, each with more than 30 years in the sector. The transaction was advised by Alaris Acquisitions, a firm focused on mergers and acquisitions within wealth management. Hogan said: Our focus has always been on building a firm that can grow alongside our clients needs. As demand for comprehensive planning continues to grow, this next chapter allows us to expand our capabilities, and deepen the resources available to our clients, all while preserving the personalised experience. TMG, headquartered in Chicago, operates as a fee-only investment advisory firm. With 13 offices across the US, the firm provides services to high-net-worth individuals and families throughout the country. TMG CEO Jennifer des Groseilliers commented: From our earliest conversations, it was clear that our values and approach were deeply aligned. We see client service the same way: integrity first, openness always, and advocacy at the centre. Together, this partnership allows us to expand the depth and long-term support we deliver. This development follows another TMG partnership announced in November 2025 with Napa Wealth Management (NWM), an investment advisory business based in Northern Californias Napa Valley. At the time, NWM reported assets under management of just under $300m. "The Mather Group announces partnership with Hogan-Knotts " was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Meta named former Trump adviser Dina Powell McCormick to serve as president and vice chair Monday, further cementing the companys growing ties to Republicans and President Donald Trumps White House. In addition to a long career on Wall Street, Powell McCormick served as Trumps deputy national security adviser during his first term. She was also a member of the George W. Bush administration. She first joined Metas board last April, part of a broader play by the social media and artificial intelligence giant to hire Republicans following Trumps election. In a statement, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg praised Powell McCormicks experience at the highest levels of global finance, combined with her deep relationships around the world, [which] makes her uniquely suited to help Meta manage this next phase of growth. Rightward trend: Powell McCormicks time in global finance she spent 16 years as a partner at Goldman Sachs and was most recently a top executive at banking company BDT & MSD Partners could be a major asset to Meta as it raises hundreds of billions of dollars to build out data centers and other AI-related infrastructure. But her GOP pedigree and proximity to Trump likely played a significant role in her hiring as well. Since Trumps election, Meta has worked to curry favor with Republicans in the White House and on Capitol Hill. The company elevated former GOP official Joel Kaplan to serve as global affairs lead last January, simultaneously tapping Kevin Martin, a former Republican chair of the Federal Communications Commission, as his No. 2. Under pressure from Republicans, last year Meta also rolled back many of its former rules related to content moderation. In 2024, the company apologized to congressional Republicans specifically Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chair of the House Judiciary Committee for removing content that contained disinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic. A Meta spokesperson declined to comment when asked whether Powell McCormicks ties to Trump and Republicans played a role in her hiring. Trump thumbs up: In a Truth Social post Monday, Trump congratulated Powell McCormick and said Zuckerberg made a great choice. The president called her a fantastic, and very talented, person, who served the Trump Administration with strength and distinction!" By Patrick Wingrove Jan 12 (Reuters) - Moderna said on Monday it expects to report around $1.9 billion in sales for 2025, putting it near the upper end of its previously projected $1.6 billion to $2 billion forecast but well below revenue levels achieved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moderna Chief Financial Officer James Mock said in an interview that U.S. vaccination rates in the retail sector fell by roughly 26% year-over-year in 2025. That decline, at the lower end of the company's projected 20% to 40% drop, ultimately led to higher sales, he said. The vaccine maker, which is set to present on Monday at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, also cut $200 million from its 2025 operating-expense forecast, lowering the range to $5.0 billion to $5.2 billion. Moderna said it expects to end the year with $8.1 billion in cash, up from its prior forecast of $6.5 billion to $7.0 billion. The total includes $600 million from a five-year, $1.5 billion loan secured in November from Ares Management. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based drugmaker has been struggling financially as demand for COVID vaccines collapsed in the years following its pandemic windfall, when Moderna reported revenue of $18.4 billion in 2022. Despite the plunge in sales, the company now sees signs of stabilization. On Monday, the company reiterated its 2026 goal of achieving up to 10% revenue growth and said it anticipates regulatory approvals this year for both a standalone influenza vaccine and its COVIDflu combination shot - launches it hopes will eventually replace some of the lost COVID vaccine revenue. "If we're at $1.9 billion for 2025, up to 10% would be $2.1 billion, although we're not guiding that officially right now," said Mock. Moderna does not expect its flu or combination shots to be approved in time for the 2026 respiratorydisease season but sees them providing a boost in 2027. Moderna said it also expects important trial data in 2026 for experimental oncology, rare disease and infectious disease vaccines. That includes latestage results for its norovirus shot and midstage data for the cancer vaccine co-developed with Merck being tested in melanoma following surgery. Sign up for the Yahoo Finance Morning Brief By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy Subscribe The company is scheduled to report fourth-quarter and full 2025 results on February 13. (Reporting by Patrick Wingrove in New York; Editing by Bill Berkrot) What is the current valuation context for these holdings? At a post-transaction direct holding value of $50.0 million (using the market close on Jan. 7,), West's stake remains substantial despite the recent option-driven disposition. Was this trade in line with recent selling activity or an outlier in terms of size? Insufficient historical sell transactions preclude a robust trend analysis. The size of this sale (4,051 shares) is greater than the only reported sale over the past two years, which was of 1,859 shares in August. What was the structure and rationale behind the shares sold and withheld? The filing indicates 8,000 options were exercised, with 4,051 shares sold to capture liquidity and 3,949 shares withheld to cover taxes, resulting in no net increase to direct holdings from the option exercise itself. How did the transaction affect Malynda K West's direct and indirect ownership stakes? Following the transaction, direct holdings decreased from 122,312 to 117,388 shares; indirect holdings via a 401(k) plan remained unchanged at 873 shares. Transaction value based on SEC Form 4 weighted average purchase price ($425.00); post-transaction value based on Jan. 7 market close ($425.00). Market value of direct holdings as of Jan. 7 On Jan. 7, Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA) President & CEO Malynda K West executed a net exercise of 8,000 stock options, resulting in the sale of 4,051 shares on the open market for a transaction value of about $1.7 million, as reported in an SEC Form 4 filing . The transaction involved an option exercise of 8,000 underlying shares, with 3,949 shares withheld for taxes and only direct holdings affected; no indirect entities participated. This disposition represented 3.31% of total holdings, as reported, reducing direct shares to 117,388 and keeping indirect shares unchanged at 873. Murphy USA's president and CEO sold 4,051 shares for about $1.7 million on Jan. 7. Story continues Company snapshot Murphy USA generates revenue primarily through the sale of retail motor fuel products and convenience merchandise at its network of branded stores. The company operates retail gasoline stores principally in the Southeast, Southwest, and Midwest United States. What this transaction means for investors This sale was executed under a Rule 10b5-1 plan adopted in August, reinforcing that the timing was administrative rather than opportunistic. Importantly, the structure was a net exercise: 8,000 options were exercised, with just over half the resulting shares sold for liquidity while the remainder were withheld for taxes. Direct ownership dipped modestly, leaving a stake still worth roughly $50 million at prevailing prices, which keeps Wests incentives firmly aligned with long-term performance. Operationally, Murphy USA continues to generate substantial cash flow despite pricing pressure. In the third quarter, the company reported net income of $129.9 million and adjusted EBITDA of $285.1 million, supported by double-digit growth in merchandise contribution dollars. Capital returns remain a central pillar: Murphy repurchased more than $221 million of stock during the quarter and raised its quarterly dividend, extending a multi-year pattern of aggressive shareholder payouts. Insider sales matter most when fundamentals crack, but here, the operating and capital-allocation backdrop remains intact. Glossary Net exercise: Exercising stock options by selling enough shares to cover costs and taxes, receiving only the remaining shares. Option exercise: The act of using the right to buy shares at a set price under an option agreement. Vesting: The process by which an employee earns the right to receive full benefits from stock options or awards over time. Form 4: A required SEC filing that discloses insider transactions in a company's securities, such as purchases or sales by executives. Direct holdings: Shares owned personally and directly by an individual, not through another entity or account. Indirect holdings: Shares owned through another entity or account, such as a 401(k) plan or trust, rather than held personally. Disposition: The act of selling or otherwise transferring ownership of securities. Withheld for taxes: Shares retained by the company from an award or option exercise to cover the recipient's tax obligations. Transaction value: The total dollar amount generated from a securities transaction, usually calculated as shares sold times the sale price. Outstanding shares: The total number of a company's shares that are currently owned by all shareholders, including insiders and the public. 401(k) plan: A retirement savings plan sponsored by an employer, allowing employees to invest a portion of their paycheck before taxes. TTM: The 12-month period ending with the most recent quarterly report. Dont miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then youll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a Double Down stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If youre worried youve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before its too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, youd have $479,476 !* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, youd have $49,342 !* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, youd have $482,451!* Right now, were issuing Double Down alerts for three incredible companies, available when you join Stock Advisor, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See the 3 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of January 12, 2026 Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Murphy USA. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Murphy USA CEO Sells $1.7 Million in Stock -- Here's What Investors Should Know was originally published by The Motley Fool As two major streaming platforms Warner Bros. and Netflix prepare for a merger, concerns continue to be voiced about the implications of the deal, which represents more consolidation in the media business. On Monday, Paramount CEO David Ellison announced that the company has filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) in Delaware, demanding greater financial disclosure regarding Netflixs $82.7 billion acquisition. In a letter to shareholders, Ellison disclosed that the lawsuit has been filed in the Delaware Chancery Court, requesting that WBD provide essential information that it allegedly has failed to share. Ellison argues that shareholders need accurate information to assess whether to accept Paramounts competing offer of $30 per share in cash, which he claims is superior to Netflixs deal. Ellison wrote, WBD has provided increasingly novel reasons for avoiding a transaction with Paramount, but what it has never said, because it cannot, is that the Netflix transaction is financially superior to our actual offer. Along with the WBD shareholders, we have asked for the customary financial disclosure a board is supposed to provide shareholders when making an investment recommendation WBD has failed to include any disclosure about how it valued the overall Netflix transaction, how the purchase price reduction for debt works in the Netflix transaction, or even what the basis is for its risk adjustment of our $30 per share all-cash offer. WBD shareholders need this information to make an informed investment decision on our offer, Ellison added. Last week, WBDs board rejected Paramounts latest bid once again, saying theres too much risk of the deal falling through. President Trump also expressed his dissatisfaction with the merger. Over the weekend, Trump shared on Truth Social an opinion piece by John Pierce titled Stop the Netflix Cultural Takeover, published in One America News last month. Pierce believes if Netflix acquires Warner Bros. streaming and studio assets, it would establish itself as the most dominant cultural gatekeeper the United States and much of the world has ever seen. After meeting with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos in December, Trump indicated that the merger could be a problem, due to Netflixs already significant market share, which would expand greatly with the acquisition. The industry has also generally reacted negatively to the acquisition, raising concerns about job implications, the future of theatrical releases, and the representation of diverse voices in film and TV. Netflix co-CEOs Greg Peters and Sarandos attempted to address these fears in a letter last month. However, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) continues to oppose the acquisition, citing antitrust law violations. Lawmakers, including Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Richard Blumenthal, warn that the merger could lead to increased consumer costs, exacerbating financial pressures on middle-class families, especially following Netflixs recent price hike. Jan 12 (Reuters) - The parent of Pacific Gas and Electric reached a $100 million settlement with shareholders who accused the utility operator of misleading them about its wildfire prevention and safety protocols before wildfires in northern California in 2017 and 2018. A preliminary settlement with PG&E was filed on Saturday with the U.S. District Court in San Jose, California, and requires a judge's approval. Shareholders led by the Public Employees Retirement Association of New Mexico said PG&E concealed its defective wildfire safety practices, including electrical equipment and vegetation management blamed for starting or exacerbating the 2017 North Bay fires and 2018 Camp Fire. The North Bay fires included the Tubbs Fire, which killed 22 people and destroyed more than 5,600 structures, including about 5% of the homes in the city of Santa Rosa. The Camp Fire killed 85 people and destroyed more than 18,800 structures, including most of the town of Paradise. PG&E denied wrongdoing in agreeing to settle, court papers show. It had no immediate comment on Monday. The litigation was delayed after PG&E filed for bankruptcy protection in January 2019. PG&E reached a $13.5 billion settlement with victims of many wildfires the following December, and emerged from Chapter 11 protection from creditors in June 2020. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama ) Rhone Ma Holdings Berhad (KLSE:RHONEMA) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next three days. The ex-dividend date generally occurs two days before the record date, which is the day on which shareholders need to be on the company's books in order to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is of consequence because whenever a stock is bought or sold, the trade can take two business days or more to settle. Thus, you can purchase Rhone Ma Holdings Berhad's shares before the 16th of January in order to receive the dividend, which the company will pay on the 11th of February. The company's upcoming dividend is RM00.015 a share, following on from the last 12 months, when the company distributed a total of RM0.025 per share to shareholders. Calculating the last year's worth of payments shows that Rhone Ma Holdings Berhad has a trailing yield of 3.6% on the current share price of RM00.685. We love seeing companies pay a dividend, but it's also important to be sure that laying the golden eggs isn't going to kill our golden goose! That's why we should always check whether the dividend payments appear sustainable, and if the company is growing. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. Dividends are usually paid out of company profits, so if a company pays out more than it earned then its dividend is usually at greater risk of being cut. Rhone Ma Holdings Berhad paid out a comfortable 41% of its profit last year. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. Luckily it paid out just 19% of its free cash flow last year. It's positive to see that Rhone Ma Holdings Berhad's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut. Check out our latest analysis for Rhone Ma Holdings Berhad Click here to see how much of its profit Rhone Ma Holdings Berhad paid out over the last 12 months. KLSE:RHONEMA Historic Dividend January 12th 2026 Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Companies with consistently growing earnings per share generally make the best dividend stocks, as they usually find it easier to grow dividends per share. If earnings decline and the company is forced to cut its dividend, investors could watch the value of their investment go up in smoke. With that in mind, we're encouraged by the steady growth at Rhone Ma Holdings Berhad, with earnings per share up 5.3% on average over the last five years. The company is retaining more than half of its earnings within the business, and it has been growing earnings at a decent rate. We think this is generally an attractive combination, as dividends can grow through a combination of earnings growth and or a higher payout ratio over time. On January 12, a meeting chaired by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev was held to discuss the state program for 2026-2035 on improving water supply, wastewater disposal, and storm water systems in the city of Baku and on the Absheron Peninsula, Azernews reports. The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan addressed the meeting. Investors in Micron just got a clear, high-signal "read-through" from the other side of the Pacific. It doesn't look like a warning shot; it appears more like a plan for how the AI memory boom will translate into substantial profits. Samsung recently released early guidance for the fourth quarter of 2025, implying a more than threefold increase in profit vs. Q4 2024 and that the company will do very well compared to Q3 2025, thanks to tighter memory markets and favorable pricing. That kind of spike doesn't happen with normal demand for consumer devices. It's the kind you get when memory, which is an important part of the modern AI stack, suddenly costs a lot of money. Samsung hasn't given out the segment data yet, but it's clear that when the world's biggest memory provider posts statistics like this, it usually indicates they have a lot of pricing power. And if that's true, Micron doesn't need Samsung to "name names" for the market to connect the dots to U.S. memory providers, especially the ones that are most affected by server DRAM and high-bandwidth memory demand from AI infrastructure spending. One update from Samsung is changing how the market reads the next memory cyclePhoto by Anadolu on Getty Images Photo by Anadolu on Getty Images Samsungs guidance suggests memory is doing the heavy lifting Samsung didn't break down the segments in the guidance release, but the math makes the point quite clear. Samsung said that for the fourth quarter of 2025, it expects about 93 trillion Korean won in total revenue and about 20 trillion won in operational profit. Because of Korean disclosure requirements, the numbers show the middle of a revenue range of 92 trillion to 94 trillion won and an operating profit range of 19.9 trillion to 20.1 trillion won. Samsung reported generating 86.06 trillion won in sales and 12.17 trillion won in operating profit during the third quarter of 2025. It made 75.79 trillion won in sales and 6.49 trillion won in operating profit in the fourth quarter of 2024. If those guidance numbers hold, it's a huge improvement over both last year and the previous quarter. Wall Street is already seeing it as a sign that the memory upcycle is growing hotter, not colder. More AI Stocks: Major news sites have linked the rise to stronger memory fundamentals and increasing demand for AI, with restricted supply supporting higher prices for DRAM, NAND, and HBM. After consistently delivering on commitments in first two years as standalone company, Sandoz has unique leading position in biosimilar and generic market Strong momentum supports plans to capture significant share of unprecedented global market opportunity, with medicines worth more than USD 600 billion due to lose exclusivity over next decade Sandoz committed to make next 10 years golden decade' of patient access to affordable medicines BASEL, SWITZERLAND - January 12, 2026 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - Sandoz (SIX:SDZ/OTCQX:SDZNY), the global leader in affordable medicines, will today outline its plans to capitalize on the unprecedented market opportunity of the coming golden decade', in a presentation at the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday, January 13, at 18:45 CET (9:45 PST). Speaking at the conference, taking place from January 12 to 15 in San Francisco, CEO Richard Saynor will highlight the company's strong and consistent progress in its first two years as a standalone global leader, its unique positioning and strategic focus as a pure-play' biosimilar and generic company and its determination to capitalize on an unprecedented market loss of exclusivity (LoE) opportunity over the next decade. He will say: "I'm proud that we remain consistently on track, and in some cases exceed, on the commitments we have made since becoming an independent company in 2023. As the global leader in the affordable medicines industry, which accounts for 80% of medicines used at just 30% of the total cost, we already have tremendous impact on making healthcare more accessible for all. And we stand today on the cusp of the biggest golden decade' in the history of the pharmaceutical industry - an unprecedented LoE opportunity to increase patient access to the medicines they need." Sandoz rapidly establishing its edge: uniquely positioning for scale, trust and impact In its first two years as a standalone company, Sandoz delivered successfully on a range of strategic milestones, including: Breaking ground on a major new sterile biosimilars production center in Brnik, Slovenia, the latest step in a multi-site project in Slovenia to further expand its European biosimilar hub and global market reach, with a total investment of more than USD 1.1 billion. Completing the acquisition of Just-Evotec Biologics' site and in-house development and manufacturing capabilities in Toulouse, France. Consistently delivering on its key launch commitments, including six biosimilar launches in 2025 - three of them in Q4 alone. Opening a new facility for production of penicillin active ingredients and a new production line for final products, completing a total investment of USD 250 million in its vertically-integrated European production network for the world's leading category of antibiotic. Today, three pillars define Sandoz global leadership: its global scale, with 1,300 products supplied to over 100 countries, backed by a robust manufacturing and supply network; its unique positioning as the only pure-play' biosimilar and generic company, with a reputation for reliable execution; and its respected leadership team, backed by more than 20,000 committed employees worldwide. Executing with impact: strong financial momentum underpinning strategic progress Based on these achievements, Sandoz today is the leader in the global market for high-quality, affordable (biosimilar and generic) medicines, which is valued at more than USD 250 billion in sales. With 2024 sales of USD 10 billion, driven by strong double-digit growth in biosimilars, Sandoz has an attractive balance sheet to support its investment plans. It has a strong position across its three regions, underpinned by its #1 ranking in the attractive European market: its home base and the cornerstone of its global leadership. Sandoz continues to deliver sustained top-line momentum and margin expansion, underpinning its mid-term outlook of mid-single digit annual sales growth to 2028 at constant exchange rates, with a core EBITDA margin expansion forecasted to reach 24% to 26% in 2028. The company is focused on growing its core generics business, with recent key launches across key markets including iron ferric, rivaroxaban and enoxaparin sodium in Europe. With some 1,300 products marketed worldwide and a pipeline of more than 400, Sandoz pursues a strategy of focused loss of LoE coverage, centered on oral solids and injectables. This is supported by a longer-term focus on the emerging GLP-1 market. In biosimilars, its key growth pillar both now and in years to come, Sandoz continues to build on its experience as the pioneer and global leader, with a portfolio of 13 molecules in nearly 100 countries and a leading and rapidly-growing pipeline. Shaping the future: strongly positioned for unprecedented golden decade' opportunity This strong progress positions Sandoz as the company best prepared to seize the coming opportunity, with reference medicines worth well over USD 600 billion due to lose exclusivity in the next decade. The generic opportunity is valued at USD 340 billion and Sandoz has a pipeline of over 400 assets targeting nearly two-thirds of the total, with GLP-1s as a longer-term opportunity. The biosimilar opportunity is similar in size (USD 322 billion) and Sandoz is targeting approximately 60 percent of the total. Of those biologics facing LoE in the next seven years, more than 50 currently have no biosimilar planned due to the high cost of clinical development - a key driver of the so-called biosimilar void.' Ongoing regulatory moves towards streamlining biosimilar development, which have been led by Sandoz from an industry perspective, can help fill the void and substantially decrease both cost and time to market with zero adverse impact on quality, safety or efficacy. Mr. Saynor concludes: "We are the global leader in an attractive, growing and system-critical market. We are poised to seize the unprecedented market opportunity over the next decade, in the interests of our shareholders, our customers, our partners and most importantly our patients. If we continue to deliver on our promises the way we have to date, we will lead the way in making the next 10 years the golden decade' of affordable healthcare." KEY LINKS Webcast (Richard Saynor's presentation January 13, 2026, 18:45 CET) Presentation slides (available after Richard Saynor's presentation) DISCLAIMER This Media Release contains forward-looking statements, which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management's views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside of the control of Sandoz. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sandoz undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. ABOUT SANDOZ Sandoz (SIX: SDZ; OTCQX: SDZNY) is the global leader in affordable medicines, with a growth strategy driven by its Purpose: pioneering access for patients. More than 20,000 people of 100 nationalities work together to ensure 900 million patient treatments are provided by Sandoz, generating substantial global healthcare savings and an even larger social impact. Its leading portfolio of approximately 1,300 products addresses diseases from the common cold to cancer. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Sandoz traces its heritage back to 1886. Its history of breakthroughs includes Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the world's first oral penicillin in 1951 and the world's first biosimilar in 2006. In 2024, Sandoz recorded net sales of USD 10.4 billion. CONTACTS Global Media Relations contacts Investor Relations contacts Global.MediaRelations@sandoz.com Investor.Relations@sandoz.com Alexis Kalomparis +41 792 790285 Craig Marks +44 7818 942 383 Chris Lewis +49 174 244 9501 Tamara Hackl +41 79 790 5217 Gregor Rodehueser +49 170 574 3200 Silvia Siegfried +41 79 795 9061 Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL) is included in our list of the most undervalued blue chip stocks to buy now. Shell plc (SHEL) Secures First Long-Term Vietnam Contract, Morgan Stanley Trims PT On January 7, 2026, TheFly reported that Morgan Stanley reduced its price target on Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL) from 3,007 GBp to 2,811 GBp while maintaining an Overweight rating. This update follows the companys recent strategic growth wins. On January 7, 2026, Reuters reported that state-owned Petrovietnam Gas awarded its first-ever term LNG supply tender to Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL). This development marks a key milestone in Vietnams gas market evolution. According to the five-year agreement, Shell will be supplying roughly 400,000 metric tons of LNG annually from 2027 to 2031 on a delivered ex-ship basis to the Thi Vai terminal. With the country starting to import LNG only in 2023 and having relied exclusively on the spot market so far, the deal marks a structural shift toward long-term supply security. Furthermore, the companys long-term production outlook was reinforced by Reuters on January 6, 2026, which reported that Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL) agreed to acquire a 35% stake in offshore Blocks 49 and 50 in Angola from Chevron. This move reinforces the companys established goal of sustaining oil output into the 2030s, alongside growing gas production by 1% through 2030. Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL), a global energy company, produces oil and natural gas. Its operations span LNG, upstream exploration, refining, chemicals, marketing, and the growth of renewables and energy solutions businesses worldwide. While we acknowledge the potential of SHEL as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 7 Best Rising Tech Stocks to Buy Now and 12 Best Multibagger Stocks to Buy Heading into 2026. Disclosure: None. The reforms to the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme means Sri Lanka fashion manufacturers can now source up to 100% of materials globally while maintaining zero UK tariffs. Plus, fewer processing requirements now apply, removing the previous rule that two significant manufacturing processes must take place in Sri Lanka. The liberalised rules also include the creation of an Asia Regional Cumulation Group of 18 countries applicable to all other exports from Sri Lanka. This enables Sri Lankan manufacturers to source materials from regional partners whilst maintaining preferential tariff benefits. The changes are said to be in response to requests from many businesses and countries, including the Sri Lankan government and the Joint Apparel Association Forum. The UK is Sri Lanka's second largest garment export market at approximately $675m in value. Sri Lanka's Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) secretary general Yohan Lawrence explained: The reforms to the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme remove previous restrictions requiring materials to be sourced regionally. Sri Lankan manufacturers can now compete equally by accessing global supply chains. The garment sector accounts for over 60% of Sri Lanka's exports to the UK and supports one million livelihoods across the country. It is a significant boost for our export potential to an important market, and we are excited to work with buyers and manufacturers in creating significant growth from this opportunity." The President of the Council for Business with Britain (CBB) Mark Surgenor added: We are excited for the potential that the reforms will bring in enhancing the UK-Sri Lanka trade relationship. The most significant boost is to the garment sector. But with over 90% of products eligible for zero tariffs under the UKs DCTS, we hope exports from other sectors will also seize the benefits arising from the creation of a larger number of regional countries from whom they can now source inputs. We are keen to see greater utilisation of the DCTS. This will form part of the CBBs ongoing information sessions aimed at supporting Sri Lankan businesses in growing their trade with the UK. Earlier this month, the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) revealed Sri Lankas global apparel exports rose by 5.42% year-over-year in the first 11 months of 2025 to $4.57bn. "Sri Lanka fashion exports to UK expected to rise on tariff-free access" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. Lou Whiteman: I'm going to start with the sector, and then we'll get the stocks. I am really intrigued by space and what will become of the space sector in 2026. This was a real winner in 2025. Lots of excitement. The RCSpace and Defense Innovation ETF, which is one way to look at it, up 50% for the year. That's not a bad year. A lot of these stocks we're talking about, we did a lot better than that. That's how averages work. In one sense, how can this continue. Once you had a year like this, there's no way you can see that again, or that's like conventional wisdom. But on the other hand, it turns out SpaceX is going to IPO in 2026. Welcome to Motley Fool Money. I'm Travis Hoy. I'm joined by Lou Whiteman and Rachel Warren. We're gonna do something a little bit different today. Given a slow newsweek. We're going to talk about stocks that we like going into 2026. It's always one of the times we focus on what is next year going to look like. Lou, let's get specific. What stocks do you like in 2026? Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $482,451 !* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,133,229 !* The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Hims & Hers Health wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Story Continues Travis Hoium: $1.5 trillion is the rumored price, by the way. Lou Whiteman: We'll get to that in a second. Just even if they come in at half of that, there's going to be a lot of discussion, a lot of talk about the potential of space. If that 1.5 trillion valuation does happen, hey, that makes a lot of these today's speculative stocks. Look, the valuations look really reasonable. I think actually, there can be momentum into 2026. Specific stocks, Rocket Lab is the leader. RKLB is the ticker. I really like them. I'd rather own Rocket Lab than SpaceX, even if SpaceX was public. That's how I feel about Rocket Lab. But let's have more fun, something more obscure, something with a little more risk. I'm intrigued by Redwire, Ticker RDW. This is a component manufacturer for space and drones. They make a lot of the stuff that is necessary to get things into space. They have big exposure to areas like solar panels for space. There's stuff that you just need if you are going to put something into space. Very neat company. Motley Fool members can just check out an interview I did with the CEO, Peter Cantillo. He described it as owning the fundamental building blocks if we're going to have a Golden Age in space. Did a big acquisition in 2025, diversified to business. I think it'll move them toward profitability in 2026. Lots of risks, lots of uncertainty, but it trades at 1/30 of the multiple Rocket Lab does right now. Price to sales multiple? Price to sales cause none of them are profitable yet. But the market hasn't discovered this one. No slam dunk. It could go to zero, but I am very intrigued by the opportunity. Travis Hoium: One of the questions that I had when I saw this in the rundown is, this is an area where these companies are not profitable. Usually, I go to Lou for very sound, these companies are industrials. This is how they make money. This is how it's going to be durable for the next 20, 30, 40 years. This is much more speculative. What's the risk reward here? Because it seems like this could be an area where we go through a 2021 or 2022 style drawdown, where suddenly that space CTF is down 70% in 2026. It could be up another 50%, could be down 70%. Is that a fair way to look at the risk reward? Lou Whiteman: I think it is. I mean, you're just setting it up, so I have to take it. It's a moonshot, baby. [LAUGHTER] But here's what I'll say. There are a lot of space start-ups right now. Most of them, and I've been following this area for a long time. Most of them, to me, are uninvestable right now because of the risk. What I like about Redwire, look, again, there's no guarantee the Edge autonomy deal that they did, this big deal they did last year to move them into drones, that will also help cash flow. I think that they have joined Rocket Lab as companies that have enough there to survive a winter. Look, there's no guarantees if it's a bad winter. Travis Hoium: We went from cryptowinters to potential space winters. Lou Whiteman: Well, winter happens all over, Travis. No, I mean, I do think when you're looking at this, as optimistic as I am heading into 2026, you do have to realize that none of these things are slam dunks. They all could go to zero. I do try to look at which ones I think can outrun the grim reaper in a bad market. I'm not sure on Redwire. It's hard to be sure of any equity, but I do like where they're set up, even if things don't go as well as I hope they were. Travis Hoium: Does that seem like one of those areas even if you're not investing in this space to start 2026, definitely worth having it on your watch list. Lou, I want to get an idea of what are we going to be thinking about with space five or 10 years from now? It seems like a lot of these companies are related in some way to communications. You have SpaceX with StarLink, AST Space Mobile is a company that's putting up its own direct-to-sell network, they're going to be tying into other companies' networks. But is that the early use case? What are we going to be looking at back going, this was the killer app for space because saying, we're going to launch a bunch of satellites is cool. But if those satellites aren't adding value, then it isn't a sustainable business model. Lou Whiteman: There's a lot of options here. The problem with communications is latency. For terrestrial communications, it can be second best, so it's an economics thing or a need thing. I'll give you two candidates. I don't know if I would put my money on either one of them, but I think they're both out there. The whole data centers in space. You do have the latency problem there too, but you have the solar power side of it there is a lot of opportunity there. Jeff Bezos has talked about that. That's probably more than five years off, but that is intriguing. The other thing, Redwire has a small unit called SpaceMD, and what that is is pharmaceutical companies doing just experiments in space, seeing how low gravity, zero gravity, just seeing how things work. I think there is some potential there or at least some interest for revenue. I think once we're up there and established, then you start looking around, and I think it's going to be some boring, mundane thing that we're not thinking about now, that's probably less glamorous than anything I said, but just makes life better in some way. Rachel Warren: Lou, this is a really fascinating space. In particular, Rocket Lab. I know that they've had a lot of delays with the launches of their neutron rocket. They're looking to go ahead and launch that between Q1 and Q2, I think of next year. I think there's a lot of excitement in this space. What should we as investors look for in terms of the key hallmarks for these companies when evaluating space? Obviously is a nascent industry in terms of investibility. But what should we be looking for when we're looking at these companies? Lou Whiteman: Rocket Lab specifically, he nailed it. The neutron has to get off. Peter Beck, the CEO, told Tom Gardner, look, we want to get it right the first time. He didn't name SpaceX, but SpaceX has no problem just launching things that explode until they don't Rocket Lab has a very good record, and they claim the delays is just making sure they get it right the first time. That's great if it happens, but it will happen. More broadly, the way I think investors should think about this is there are two hurdles, and we get focused on the first and we lose track of the second. For one, all of these things are basically glorified science projects. We're just seeing if something works. We're trying technology that hasn't been tried before. The first hurdle is to find out if it works. We tend to overinvest in that. If it's possible, we say, good, and we rush in. Travis Hoium: This is the hype cycle. Lou Whiteman: The hype cycle. The second hurdle is, can I turn it into a long-term profitable business? Just because it's a science project, can it be long-term profitable? That is the hurdle I think is going to trip up a lot of these space-based businesses, I fear, and that's something that I'm trying to filter out as I look at this. Travis Hoium: Definitely a space to watch in 2026. When we come back, we're going to move to the medical industry. You're listening to Motley Fool Money. Welcome back to Motley Fool Money. Rachel, you are up with your favorite stack going into 2026. What are you looking at? Rachel Warren: Well, I had to pick something in the healthcare space. I think this is a very fascinating industry. I think it receives varying attention from investors, depending on the cycle that year and what investors are really looking at. One company I find really intriguing. It's a medical device company called TransMedics Group. This is a commercial-stage medtech company, and they've essentially pioneered a new standard of care for organ transplantation. Really the core of the business is their organ care system or their OCS, as they call it. It is the only FDA-approved portable multi-organ platform for hearts, lungs, and livers. It really has changed the standard for how these organs are moved for transplantation. You've got those traditional older methods, static cold storage or placing organs on ice, if you will. But what the OCS does, what TransMedics product does, is completely different. It essentially perfuses organs with warm oxygenated blood. Hearts can continue to beat, lungs continue to breathe, livers produce bile. Basically, what this means is that surgeons can better assess organ viability and optimize quality before transplantation. The technology really extends the time and distance that organs can travel. One of the things that's really unique about this business is not just the fact that they have a first-to-market advantage, particularly in the US, but they've transitioned from being a pure play medical device seller to a fully integrated logistics and service provider. This is largely because back in 2023, they acquired a company called Summit Aviation. They now operate their own fleet of aircraft. It's about 21 planes at last count that I saw. They're basically able to control the entire transportation chain when using their OCS system. They just expanded internationally in Italy through a partnership with Mercedes-Benz. Their primary clients are transplant centers and hospitals across the US and now in their first key international target market, Italy, which is really, I think the first part of their vision to expand more broadly, internationally. There's a lot of catalysts for future growth here. Obviously, there's the revolutionary aspect of their technology. This is a profitable business. This is a high revenue growth business, and they tend to generate very high margin recurring revenue not just from the transplant fees, but also from the single-use plastic capsules and perfusion sets that are needed for every transplant. It's a really interesting business. Not one maybe as frequently talked about in the healthcare space. Really intriguing company to watch, I think, as we get into the new year. Travis Hoium: If you look at the stock chart for TransMedics; this has been a really volatile ride over the past five years. Shares are actually up 560%, but man, you would have been up 500% and then down another 60% from there. Is this one of those where, keep it on your radar if we go through one of those huge drawdowns, because it seems like the catalyst for both the higher movements and the lower movements are crazy from quarter to quarter. That's when you may want to start nibbling or just set it and forget it. Don't worry about valuation in 20 years, this is going to be a revolutionary company. How do you think about that, Rachel? Rachel Warren: I personally think it's one worth nibbling on, and I think it's interesting to note. When you look at the healthcare space, you have a smaller subset of these growth oriented businesses that tend to see these very wild price reactions. Again, as I noted, TransMedics is profitable. They have a pretty favorable balance sheet overall. They're not one of these early stage, unprofitable biotech. In the other lane in the healthcare space, you have a lot of those slower growing pharmaceutical companies that don't necessarily bring forth those wild price reactions, but don't necessarily, bring forward that growth either. I think this is an interesting example of a growth play in the healthcare space. I will note they are the market leader within the US. Their portable systems hold more than half the market share. A lot of this is because of their necessity and long distance decentralized transplant networks that vertically integrated business model has been really key. I would certainly expect more volatility ahead. They're not the only player in the space, but they are the market leader. There are a couple other things as well to note. They are right now focused on initiating two major clinical trials, which are expected to really be the main catalyst for their future growth, additional approvals for their organ care system. That's something that's really important to watch for. The broader the use cases and applications for their system, the more they extend that one way of growth for the business. One of the trials is expected to basically drive further adoption in the lung transplant market where they are a key player, but the other is the largest heart preservation for transplant trial ever. It's expected to enroll over 650 patients. That's another key area to watch with this business. Lou Whiteman: I'm glad you mentioned that trials because I've looked at this a bunch of times, and the thing that gets me is for one, the core market, it's just not growing and part of that is just availability and just go to there's only so many transplants out there with the transportation business. That is hard to scale without cost. You just can't do that without cost. You need that. You couple it with there was a short report. I thought it was mostly not great, but the one thing I think it was Scorpion Capital said, there does seem to be some interest from the government to overhaul the whole transplant market, including Medicare reimbursement. Considering how expensive transmetic is, I think that's at least something to watch. A lot of it is just because this is a costly thing and it's life saving. I can't find red flags, but the trials better work out. They better figure out how to scale and add more just the infrastructure at cost. Then with the government hanging over, Europe seems intriguing with just the way payments work over there for healthcare versus Medicare, I don't know. I think this needs to be a US story, and I think it's almost back to what we said about space. I love the science project. I love what they're able to do, but turning it into a scalable, growing business is not an insurmountable problem, but it is going to be a bear. Travis Hoium: Well, definitely an interesting one to watch going into 2026. When we come back, I'm actually going to play. I'm going to bring a stock to the table that I think will get some thoughts from Lou and Rachel. You're listening to Motley Fool Money. Welcome back to Motley Fool Money. As the host, today, I decided to bring a stock to the table, as well. If you got our Spotify Wrapped, if you're listening to this on Spotify, you may be familiar with this stock. I did a little AI video where I recorded myself doing my stock pick and then writing a rocket into space. A little bit up Lose Alley there. But I wanted to bring Hims and Hers to the table. This is a healthcare company, but it's a little bit more like a wrecking ball than a traditional pharmaceutical or insurance company. They live outside of insurance. They have compounding facilities, which are legal but controversial. The first place to really scale some of these aspects of weight loss, they started with ED of hair loss, hair treatments. They're moving into testosterone, perimenopause, longevity is coming. But this is one of the real disruptors in the space, and I think they're thinking about healthcare very differently. It looks a lot more to me, like Netflix or Amazon, where they're pulling all of the demand together. This is one of the things that we've learned throughout the history of technologies: the companies that can pull demand together can then bring supply to the table on their terms. This is exactly why you have companies like Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery in a little bit of trouble because people don't go to their apps, they go to Netflix. That's where the power is in the market is aggregating that demand, and they're bringing interesting solutions. They have this artificial intelligence play. I don't like investing in companies that are just, hey they're going to use AI, but there is a case to be made that in the medical field, a single human can only understand or remember so many things. Given the complex system that is the human body, and AI could potentially absorb much more data, especially on a real-time basis. I mean, I always think about I'm wearing a Garmin watch. If I take this data from my Garmin watch to my doctor, they're going to go, what in the world am I supposed to do with that? But that's the thing that can plug into a platform like Hims and Hers. That said, I know that this is not the favorite. This is actually a huge short interest. The short interest is over 30%. That can be either good or bad, depending on how you look at it. There could be a short squeeze, but the shorts could also be right. Rachel, I know this is one that you follow. What are your thoughts, either positive or negative, on Hims and hers going into 2026? Rachel Warren: I'm glad you brought this one up, and I also glad you mentioned that short interest. It's fascinating. I think a lot of the attention and also some of the negative investor attention, as well that Hims and Hers has received this year has been down to that GLP-1 business. But I want to say, I really like Hims & Hers as a platform. I think that the model is sticky, well beyond any success they do or don't continue to have within the GLP-1 space. I want to emphasize that, because there I think have been some very justifiable concerns about how they have approached that. We've talked in the past about that agreement they had with Novo Nordisk, and Novo Nordisk backed out. It's worth noting that Novo is still working with other telehealth companies like Ro, for example, because Ro adhered to their terms to only offer the authentic branded WIGOV. Travis Hoium: You can still buy, I believe their products through His and Hers, but it's not at a discounted price. I think it's still pretty expensive. Part of it was that they wanted to [OVERLAPPING]. Rachel Warren: The discounted offering. Travis Hoium: Yes, it was a discounted offer, and then it would be just funneling to Novo Nordisk's online system. I wonder what the real battle was there because Novo Nordisk, Eli Lily, one of those companies, sued a whole bunch of compounders, did not sue Hims and Hers. I think that is an interesting piece of that picture because that was always the risk was this huge legal risk, and that never materialized in 2025. Rachel Warren: But of course, there had also been some interactions between Eli Lily and Hims and hers, and that pre-established relationship can also create some legal hurdles when it comes to pursuing legal action. I think there has been some confusion about why there was this issue here. Bear in mind, under legal exemptions compounders, they can still produce a drug if it's significantly different from the branded version. Now, the semiglutide shortage ended almost a year ago. But there are these legal exemptions that allow compounders like Hims and Hers to produce essentially individualized doses. There might be minor tweaks because there's a particular allergy to a certain element, but it can also mean that you're basically selling compounded medications. They are made in outsourcing facilities that do follow federal manufacturing standards, but they don't have the specific drug formulation verified by the FDA. That's where some of that concern has come from. Now, we heard back in November that Hs and hers is maybe talking with Novo Nordisk again. Maybe they're reengaging. They're also selling a generic Liraglutide, which is basically an older GLP-1. It's not protected by a patent, and so it could be legally compounded without a shortage. We'll see where this goes. I think there's a lot of interest in this business because of GLP-1, I understand that. But I think there are other tailwinds for the company that we are watching. Travis Hoium: To be clear, GLP-1s and weight loss is something like 20% of their business. It has been interesting to watch that. Rachel Warren: It's moved the stock. [LAUGHTER]. Travis Hoium: It's moved the stock a ton, but it is not really the driver of the business, and now you move into things like labs. Just to test it, I got my labs done incredibly efficient. You go to a traditional labs facility, but I was getting results within 24 hours, just come straight to your phone. Lou, did you have thoughts on that? I tried to pick one that both of you would at least have an opinion on whether it was good or bad. Lou Whiteman: Let's say on this is that this is a market that desperately needs disruption. I'm rooting for them. But it's also between regulation and it is life or death. Travis Hoium: You got to get it right. Rachel Warren: With Hims and Hers, I would just make sure the management team reads the Storia VIckers because there is a real risk of flying too close to the sun here. I think we have seen that they've had growing pains as they've done that. I do think that there is a path toward success here. But there is a lot of risk if you're pushing the envelope with people's health. I get both the skepticism and the excitement, and again, I wish him well because our health system is broken. Travis Hoium: Their will definitely be another one to watch. Rocket Lab, TransMedics and Hims and Hers if you're looking for some ideas going into 2026. As always, people on the program may have interest in the socks they talk about. 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 the Motley Fool's editorial standards. It is not approved by advertisers. Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. To see our full advertising disclosure, please check out our show notes. For Lou Whiteman, Rachel Warren, Bart Chan behind the glass, I'm Travis Hoy. We'll be back after the New Year on Friday. We'll see you then. Lou Whiteman has positions in Redwire and Rocket Lab. Rachel Warren has positions in Amazon. Travis Hoium has positions in Hims & Hers Health and has the following options: long December 2027 $20 puts on AST SpaceMobile. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Hims & Hers Health, Netflix, Redwire, Rocket Companies, Rocket Lab, TransMedics Group, and Warner Bros. Discovery. The Motley Fool recommends Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Stocks to Love in 2026 was originally published by The Motley Fool Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) is included in our list of the most undervalued blue chip stocks to buy now. Strong Analyst Sentiment on Anheuser-Busch (BUD) As It Expands U.S. Brewing Capacity and Reaquires Strategic Plant Photo by John Fornander on Unsplash As of January 7, 2026, roughly 90% of covering analysts keep a bullish stance on Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD). The consensus price target is $75.00, which implies 17.60% upside. The analysts confidence was recently supported by the companys operational moves reported by Reuters on January 6, 2026. Firstly, it was reported that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) will invest $30 million in its Jacksonville, Florida, brewery and a can plant under its Brewing Futures initiative. With this investment, the company plans to expand capacity for fast-growing brands such as Michelob Ultra, including upgrades to bottling lines and brewing tanks. Michelob Ultra is the companys leading brand by volume in 2025, reflecting a portfolio shift toward premium light beers with resilient demand. This investment follows the companys $300 million investment in U.S. facilities last year and more than $100 million in Jacksonville since 2021. Secondly, Reuters reported on the same day that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) will reacquire a 49.9% stake in its U.S. container plants for roughly $3 billion. With this repurchase, the company will regain full economic exposure to seven plants across six states. The deal, funded with cash, is expected to close in Q1 and is expected to boost profits from year one, enhance supply security, and mitigate rising aluminum costs. This is the companys first major acquisition after reducing leverage to investor-acceptable levels at the end of 2024. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD), the worlds largest brewer, produces and distributes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages across the globe. While we acknowledge the potential of BUD as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 7 Best Rising Tech Stocks to Buy Now and 12 Best Multibagger Stocks to Buy Heading into 2026. Disclosure: None. The budget also includes funding cuts, most notably the rejection of SFr10m ($11.8m) needed to launch the proposed BaselMalmo rail link service scheduled for April 2026, marking a clear defeat. International cooperation funding was trimmed to just over SFr800m ($941.7m), SFr16m ($18.8m) less than originally budgeted, while support for non-governmental organisations based in Geneva dropped by SFr5m ($5.9m) to a total of SFr300m ($353.1m), though these reductions proved smaller than initially planned. Despite ideological divides, the swift compromises underscore parliament's commitment to fiscal discipline in a challenging economic context. In 2026, the budget cuts will be allocated to the departments, the Federal Chancellery, the authorities, and the courts in proportion to their respective responsibilities in the relevant area. The Federal Council has tasked the Federal Chancellery with developing an implementation plan for the years 20272029 by May 2026, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) and in consultation with the other departments. Defence stands out as the primary beneficiary of the allocations, receiving significant boosts, including an extra SFr70m ($82.4m), bringing the total spending to SFr2.7bn ($3.2bn), alongside SFr10m ($11.8m) for cybersecurity enhancements and SFr2m ($2.4m) for the federal police. Agriculture also secured SFr10m ($11.8m) in direct support for winegrowers and another SFr10m ($11.8m) to fund vaccinations against bluetongue disease. Centrist parties acted as key brokers throughout the three-week debate, forging compromises that garnered majorities, such as the SFr1.5m ($1.8m) released to sustain Tox Info Suisse, the poison-control center whose future was previously uncertain, and an additional SFr1m ($1.2m) for efforts to combat violence against women, elevating the federal equality office's budget to just over SFr18m, which is SFr2.5m ($21.2m-$2.9m) more than the government's initial proposal amid public pressure. Switzerlands Federal Assembly approved a budget for 2026 on 19 December 2025, ensuring public finances stay in surplus and have a small buffer of SFr84.6m ($99.6m). This budget reflects a strong political emphasis on security, with both chambers endorsing the package the lower house passing it by a vote of 127 to 67 despite the Swiss Peoples Party rejecting it due to concerns over the economic outlook, and the upper house giving unanimous support. Total federal spending under the budget will reach SFr91.1bn ($107.2bn) against projected revenues of SFr90.3bn ($106.3bn), a more favourable outcome than anticipated, largely due to an additional SFr290m ($341.4m) in revenue contributions from the canton of Geneva. Story Continues In mid-December 2025, the Swiss Council of States (Standerat) approved a revised version of the 20272029 relief package, reducing the federal governments original savings target from SFr8.5bn ($10bn) to SFr5.6bn ($6.6bn), a cut of nearly SFr3bn ($3.5bn) or over one-third of the initial proposal. Specifically, the Council decided to cut funding for road construction and maintenance by SFr88.8m ($104.5m), continue the cantonal building program with a savings effect of SFr613.2m ($721.8m), which is SFr548m ($645m) less than the federal proposal, and reduce capital contributions to the Railway Infrastructure Fund (BIF) by SFr200m ($235.4m), which is SFr400m ($470.8m) less than originally planned. As a result, planned infrastructure and public building savings have been significantly scaled back. The Federal Chambers of Switzerland have approved a new funding framework to bolster International Geneva, underscoring the countrys commitment to maintaining Genevas status as a leading global hub for diplomacy and international cooperation. Facing budgetary pressures and competition from other cities, Swiss lawmakers backed a credit of SFr122.6m for 20262029 to support the reception, infrastructure, partnerships, and governance of international organisations based in Geneva, which are currently under financial strain. While some political parties called for deeper budget cuts, the Senate ultimately endorsed the governments proposal with a strong majority. This move reflects Switzerlands strategic effort to strengthen its role as a dependable host state for NGOs, multilateral organisations, and humanitarian actors in International Geneva. Moreover, on 10 December 2025, the Swiss parliament elected Guy Parmelin, the economics minister from the Swiss Peoples Party, as President of the Swiss Confederation for 2026, securing a record 203 votes out of 228 cast. This marks his second term in the rotating, largely ceremonial role, having previously served in 2021 while he continues leading the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, a position he has held since 2019. Parmelin, a 66-year-old winemaker from French-speaking Vaud, succeeds Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and will be supported by Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis as vice president, with both assuming duties on 1 January 2026. Parmelins strategy focuses on strengthening Switzerlands position as a competitive global business hub by promoting innovation, supporting entrepreneurship and research partnerships, and widening trade networks through free-trade agreements, including those with countries such as India, to ensure the economy remains open and resilient. According to GlobalData, the Swiss construction industry is expected to register an annual growth of 1.4% in 2026, before registering an annual average growth of 1.6% from 2027 to 2029, supported by investments in energy, manufacturing, and residential building projects. Switzerlands federal government announced an ambitious plan in September 2025 to address its worsening public finances, aiming to save SFr2.4bn ($2.8bn) in 2027, rising to SFr3bn ($3.5bn) in both 2028 and 2029, with a revised total of nearly SFr3.1bn ($3.6bn) in 2029. The governments operating costs will be trimmed by SFr300m ($353.1m) by 2028, with SFr190m ($223.6m) of that from staff expenses and at least SFr100m ($117.7m) from changes to employment conditions. Despite budget tightening, structural deficits are expected to reappear at over SFr2bn ($2.4bn) in 2027 and widen to more than SFr4bn ($4.7bn) by 2029. The federal governments debt stood at SFr141bn ($166bn) at the end of 2024, equivalent to 17% of GDP, up from SFr40bn ($47.1bn), 10% of GDP in 1990. Overall, Switzerlands budget outlook reflects a cautious balancing act between fiscal consolidation and safeguarding essential infrastructure investment. While the 20272029 relief package still targets meaningful savings, the Council of States decision to substantially reduce the original cuts signals a clear intention to avoid excessive pressure on the construction and infrastructure sectors. By scaling back reductions to road construction, public buildings, and rail infrastructure funding, Switzerland aims to preserve long-term economic competitiveness and infrastructure quality, while remaining aligned with fiscal discipline under the debt-brake framework. "Swiss government approves 2026 budget, with a focus on balanced fiscal discipline" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. A 29-year-old earning $50,000 a year took on a $14,000 car loan while carrying $77,000 in debt. Megan from Indianapolis called "The Ramsey Show," saying she felt "scared and stressed" after laying out a debt load totaling about $77,000 on a $50,000 income. She said she owes about $15,000 in credit cards, $32,000 in student loans, nearly $9,000 in personal debt, roughly $6,000 in back taxes, a medical bill of about $1,000, and $14,000 on a vehicle. Don't Miss: The AI Marketing Platform Backed by Insiders from Google, Meta, and Amazon Invest at $0.85/Share Warren Buffett once said, "If you don't find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die." Heres how you can earn passive income with just $10, starting today. "I'm just paying the minimum and nothing's really going down," she said. That the payments consume most of her income even though the accounts are current. Debt And Income Details Megan said she is single and works full time running her family's wedding venue, where she is a part owner. She said she is considered self-employed and was told she could not be on payroll. As a result, she did not set aside enough money for taxes, which resulted in the $6,000 balance. At that point, personal finance expert Dave Ramsey rejected that guidance outright. "Bull crap," he said, adding that owners can be on payroll and that he has paid himself that way for decades. Trending: Americans With a Financial Plan Can 4X Their Wealth Get Your Personalized Plan from a CFP Pro How The Car Loan Entered The Picture Megan said her previous car was totaled shortly after Christmas. She added that the vehicle was fully paid off and that insurance issued a $6,000 check. Instead of replacing it with another inexpensive car, she used that money toward a $20,000 vehicle and financed the remaining $14,000. She considered buying another $6,000 car but worried it could have repair issues and that she would not have money to fix it. "That's a dumb thing to think," Ramsey said. "You were driving a $6,000 car before." Co-host George Kamel then focused on the numbers, telling her the decision could be reversed quickly. "You could clear 20% of your total debt just by selling this car," he added. See Also: Invest in a Gaming Marketplace Backed by Early Zynga and PayPal Investors From $300. The Path Forward From there, Ramsey told Megan that continuing to make minimum payments would keep her in the same position. Instead, he advised her to sell the car, buy a lower-cost replacement with cash, stop using credit cards, and increase her income through additional work or a side hustle. A few months ago, Nvidia's Huang said he expects AI infrastructure spending to reach between $3 trillion and $4 trillion by the end of this decade. The increases we've seen in spending among cloud service providers and other tech giants such as Meta Platforms suggest this phase is well underway and should gain in momentum in the quarters to come. Late last year, President Donald Trump OK'd the sales of Nvidia's H200 chips -- more powerful than the H20, but less powerful than the company's Blackwell product -- to China in return for 25% of sales there. Now, the only potential question is whether China will allow the H200 to enter its market. My prediction is this won't be a significant problem. China's response was favorable, according to Trump, and demand for Nvidia products has been strong -- so I expect to see Nvidia shipping its first H200s to China early in the year. One of Nvidia's biggest headwinds last year was export controls that halted chip sales to China. The company even took a billion-dollar charge earlier in the year for H20 chips that it no longer could sell there. The Chinese market is a significant one, with Nvidia chief Jensen Huang predicting that the market opportunity may total hundreds of billions of dollars just a few years down the road. Now, as we begin a new year, it's logical to wonder what's in store for Nvidia over the coming 12 months. Here are my top five predictions. Last year, Nvidia had its ups and downs -- falling amid concerns about import tariffs and later as worries about a potential AI bubble circulated, and rising as earnings continued to climb and as the company spoke of soaring demand for its Blackwell architecture. Still, the company ended the year on a bright note, with news that it would acquire the inferencing technology of start-up Groq -- this is positive since inference is expected to be a major growth driver. And the stock finished the year with a 38% gain. Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been one of the most exciting companies to watch over the past few years. The artificial intelligence (AI) chip giant has seen revenue explode higher amid the AI boom as it's introduced new products, signed major deals, and offered investors a glimpse into what's next in the AI market. As a result, investors have flocked to this stock, helping the share price advance a mind-boggling 1,100% over the past three years. The stock price has followed, soaring more than 1,000% over three years. Story Continues My prediction is Nvidia will reinforce its market leadership, benefiting the most from this spending. This doesn't mean failure for other chip designers, as there is plenty of room for more than one player to generate growth. What it does mean is that AI customers still will favor buying Nvidia systems as they scale up their fleet of data centers. This is thanks to the breadth of Nvidia's AI portfolio and the strength of its chips. 3. Nvidia will continue to partner and sign deals with others. Nvidia last year showed that it is not only broadening its reach in AI through innovation but also by partnering with others. For example, the company signed a deal with Nokia that involves the development and use of Nvidia systems in the world of telecom. And, as I mentioned earlier, Nvidia recently said it would acquire key technology from Groq. My prediction is we'll see more such deals in 2026, as Nvidia uses this path to strengthen its current technology and expand it into new areas. 4. Nvidia will launch its Rubin update. This year, Nvidia will confirm that it keeps its word. I predict that, as promised, the company will ensure the annual update of its chips -- and this time we'll see this through the launch of the Rubin platform later this year. I'm not going really far out on a limb predicting this, as Nvidia recently said the system is in full production. Still, challenges could arise, so a 2026 launch isn't necessarily a given. I'm optimistic that all will go smoothly, though, as Nvidia already has successfully rolled out both the Blackwell platform and Blackwell Ultra over the past year and a half. With this experience under its belt, Nvidia may be on track to yet another solid launch. 5. Nvidia stock will outperform the market -- but the path won't be linear. Everything I've described so far is positive, but this doesn't mean Nvidia is immune to headwinds. Likely, some will arise in the new year -- even if it's simply a question of investors rotating into other AI stocks and not piling into Nvidia as they've done in the past. The potential for an AI bubble and concerns over high valuations throughout the market could remain challenges, too. All of this means I don't expect Nvidia's path to be linear, but I still am optimistic about this top AI stock considering the points I've mentioned above. That's why I predict the stock will roar higher again this year and outperform the S&P 500. Should you buy stock in Nvidia right now? Before you buy stock in Nvidia, 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 Nvidia 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 $482,451!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,133,229!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 968% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 197% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of January 11, 2026. Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Meta Platforms and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. My Top 5 Predictions for Nvidia in 2026 was originally published by The Motley Fool Torq, an Israeli company specialising in agentic AI-driven security operations, has successfully secured $140m in Series D funding, raising its valuation to $1.2bn. The funding round was led by cybersecurity fund Merlin Ventures. It also had participation from existing investors such as Evolution Equity Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, Notable Capital, Greenfield Partners, and Insight Venture Partners. The latest capital raise brings Torqs total funding to $332m. Earlier in September 2024, Torq closed a $70m Series C round, which was also led by Evolution Equity Partners. This followed an expanded Series B round in January 2024, bringing the company's total funding in 2024 to $112m, and since its inception to $192m. Proceeds from the Series D round will be used to expand the reach and capabilities of Torq's AI Security Operations Centre (SOC) Platform. The platform offers solutions focused on hyperautomation, alert triage, and operational autonomy for security operations. It is designed for both enterprises and government agencies that require advanced security infrastructures. Torqs technology is utilised by companies including PepsiCo, Marriott, Procter & Gamble, Uber, Siemens, and Virgin Atlantic for autonomous management of security operations. This marks a shift from traditional security tools that often demand extensive tuning and professional services. Torq CEO and co-founder Ofer Smadari said: This funding accelerates our mission to define and dominate the AI SOC market. We are moving far beyond the constraints of legacy security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) and security information and event management (SIEM), harnessing the Agentic AI Era to deliver outcomes our customers rely on. Global enterprise adoption of our AI SOC Platform has validated our vision for the future of security operations. We have achieved tremendous revenue growth, with Fortune 100 customers adopting our AI agents in their SOCs for everything from investigation to response. Torq said that its partnership with Merlin Ventures supports the companys growth within the US federal and public sector markets. With experience in the US government sector, Merlin Ventures assists Torq in navigating compliance requirements such as FedRAMP to scale the AI SOC Platform across national infrastructure. Merlin Ventures managing partner Shay Michel said: Torq is redefining security operations. Theyve fused automation and human judgment into a new AI SOC Platform built for asymmetric threats and real-world scale. This is why Merlin is leading the investment. Our focus now is speedaccelerating go-to-market, expanding across commercial and government markets, and building the next global category leader in AI security operations. Akbar Novruz Britain has called for careful multilateral discussion after reports emerged that the United States considered the use of military force to acquire Greenland, a move opposed by Denmark and the islands residents. Analysts warn the situation could test NATO cohesion and Europes strategic influence. Labour leader Keir Starmer described Greenland as one of the moments when the British government must stand its ground. The island, long recognised for its strategic Arctic position, has increasingly attracted attention from major powers, including Russia and China, as melting ice opens up the Northern Passage and new trade routes. Experts say NATO has historically overlooked Greenlands military significance, leaving the alliance unprepared for emerging Arctic security challenges. European members have been criticised for prioritising financial contributions over substantive strategic planning, creating a vacuum filled by bilateral negotiations among a few influential capitals. The UKs role in NATO has also been affected by past interventions, including the Iraq war, which analysts say weakened Britains influence within the alliance. Observers emphasise the importance of adhering to multilateral frameworks such as the UN Security Council to ensure smaller nations voices are heard in disputes involving strategic territories like Greenland and countries such as Venezuela. The challenge is to rethink the world order and respect international bodies designed to resolve peace and security issues, said a former diplomat. Unilateral approaches risk undermining NATO and eroding Europes credibility. Greenlands future is increasingly linked to global security considerations, highlighting the need for careful diplomacy and coordinated action among NATO members, European states, and transatlantic partners. By Dmitry Zhdannikov, Marianna Parraga and Shariq Khan LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Global oil trading houses have emerged as early winners in the race to control Venezuelan crude flows, getting ahead of U.S. energy majors wary of credit and legal risks and securing a potentially lucrative business opportunity in the country with the world's largest crude reserves. U.S. President Donald Trump said U.S. majors would invest billions of dollars in Venezuela to quickly rebuild its dilapidated oil sector following the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro earlier in January. Trump met top oil executives at the White House on Friday as his administration outlines a long-term plan to raise $100 billion to boost Venezuelan oil output. The first companies to secure any business in the wake of the U.S. military action in Caracas, however, were Dutch-based trader Vitol and Singapore-headquartered peer Trafigura, rather than U.S. majors. The U.S. government tapped the giant merchant houses because they were better suited to quickly get Venezuelan oil exports flowing again, four industry sources familiar with the negotiations said. That is the first order of business for Washington before reconstruction can begin, so that revenue from exports under U.S. supervision can fund the government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez in Caracas. "Securing and marketing the initial barrels of Venezuelan crude oil was done at record speed to benefit both the American and Venezuelan people," a White House official told Reuters. Venezuela relies on oil exports for revenue, and has been starved of those proceeds for about a month under a blockade Trump imposed as he raised pressure on Maduro. Washington and Caracas are finalizing a $2 billion deal to sell up to 50 million barrels of crude to U.S. refiners and other buyers - oil that had been stuck on ships in Venezuelan waters and in storage tanks because of the blockade. Facilitating the initial oil sales was critical to ensure funds could flow back into Venezuela for everyday services and a process is in place to maintain the steady flow of production, sales, and refining of Venezuelan crude oil, the White House official said. Trafigura and Vitol have secured preliminary special licenses to negotiate and export the Venezuelan crude, and Trafigura is set to load its first cargo this week, Chief Executive Richard Holtum said at the White House meeting with Trump. GLOBAL NETWORK ADDED TO TRADERS' APPEAL The trading houses competed with Chevron to secure the supply deals. Chevron is the only U.S. oil major that operates in Venezuela, as a minority partner in joint ventures with Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA. Chevron has a license from U.S. authorities, which exempts it from the sanctions the United States had imposed to choke off oil revenues to Maduro. TransRe has introduced a series of leadership appointments as the company seeks to enhance its engagement with clients and brokers. Desmond Pollock has been appointed to lead the Go-To-Market team, while Eyal Shnaps will head the US Custom team. Mike Torre will oversee TransRes global property portfolio and Maryam Haji will be responsible for global catastrophe management. Pollock will focus on managing relationships with clients and brokers, as well as overseeing analytics and market communications. He has been with the company since 2006, initially leading a regional unit within the US Custom team before heading the division in 2017. In his new role, he will report to global underwriting president Paul McKeon. Shnaps joined TransRe in 2014 through the Capital Partners Group. He most recently held the role of global property portfolio leader, overseeing property strategy and analytics, aggregate management and collaboration with international teams. He will now report to North America chief underwriting officer John Fugit. Torres new portfolio includes oversight of the global property segment, in addition to his duties related to third-party capital strategy. Torre, who joined the company in 2018, will now report to Global Portfolio Management president Lisa Moser. Haji has taken charge of global catastrophe management and catastrophe modelling staff. Since joining in 2014, Haji has worked on validating third-party catastrophe models, developing frameworks for property risk assessment and integrating cyber modelling into exposure management. She will continue to report to Lisa Moser in her role as global head of research and catastrophe management. Commenting on the promotions, McKeon said: In todays market, it is more important than ever that our front-line teams have the best possible support to help deliver the service and capabilities that our partner clients and brokers expect and deserve. These changes help us deliver this goal, and demonstrate the strength and depth of talent within TransRe. "TransRe announces promotions to strengthen client and broker relations" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. A woman who once worked behind the scenes on true-crime television shows is now at the center of a real-life federal investigation. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 73-year-old Mary Carole McDonnell has been added to its most wanted list for her alleged role in a years-long financial fraud scheme (1). Must Read Investigators say she posed as a wealthy heiress tied to the McDonnell Aircraft family and used that identity to secure massive loans from banks. Federal authorities allege that between July 2017 and May 2018, McDonnell fraudulently obtained approximately $14.7 million from Banc of California, along with more than $15 million from other financial institutions in Southern California. She allegedly claimed she had access to a secret $80 million trust fund and would soon repay the loans, money the FBI says she was never entitled to and has not paid back. The McDonnell Aircraft Corporation was an aerospace manufacturing company founded in 1939 by James Smith McDonnell. It was known for developing jet engines for the U.S. Navy and for collaborating with NASA. The company later merged with Boeing. Mary Carole McDonnell is not, according to the FBI release, associated with the family that owned McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. McDonnell is believed to be in Dubai, and anyone with information about her whereabouts should contact their local FBI office or the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate (4). The impact of her alleged crimes is a cautionary tale for banks. Why this case matters for consumers At first glance, McDonnells alleged scheme may seem like a cautionary tale limited to banks, institutional lending and high-net-worth deception. But fraud experts say the mechanics of the case are strikingly familiar and increasingly relevant to everyday consumers. The allegations show how perceived wealth, social status and insider access can be used to disarm even cautious financial institutions. By presenting herself as a well-connected heiress with access to a massive trust fund, McDonnell allegedly created a sense of inevitability. The money was coming, repayment was assured and questioning the story risked missing out or insulting someone powerful. Aaron Schwartz/UPI / Shutterstock Ever since President Donald Trump launched his controversial tariff policy on April 2, 2025, reaction to the threat of tariffs (and their disruption of Americas relationship with its trade partners) has been mixed. Retailers and economists have expressed concerns about tariffs driving up prices, while most of President Trumps Republican Party has been supportive. Recently, to further shore up support for his tariff policy, Trump has announced that tariff revenues will allow him to send $2,000 tariff dividend checks to most Americans. While Trump initially suggested, per Bloomberg, that the dividend could come from tax cuts related to his One Big Beautiful Bill Act, more recent reportage has indicated the dividend money would come strictly from tariffs that American collects from its trade partners. Trending Now: Trumps $2K Promise: What It Could Mean for Your 2026 Tax Return For You: How Middle-Class Earners Are Quietly Becoming Millionaires and How You Can, Too As reported by Fox 5 of Washington, D.C., Trump announced during a Dec. 2 cabinet meeting that not only is the United States currently collecting trillions of dollars in revenue from his tariff policy, but that the $2,000 dividend payments he has promised will be issued as refund checks in 2026. Trumps broad-strokes description of the payments made clearer now that these dividends would not come from tax cuts, nor be issued as direct payments. Rather, they would be similar to tax refund checks. Next year is projected to be the largest tax refund season ever and were going to be giving back refunds out of the tariffs, Trump said during the cabinet meeting. Were going to be giving a nice dividend to the people in addition to reducing debt. We, as you know, inherited a lot of debt, but its peanuts compared to the kind of numbers were talking about. So, were going to be making a dividend to the people. Trump went on to note that tariff revenues are growing at such a rate that most Americans may no longer be required to pay income taxes in the future; however, no data has been released that confirms or denies that assertion. Need a little extra breathing room in your budget? MoneyLion, a sister company of GOBankingRates, is giving away $2,000 a day through Jan. 24, 2026. Sign up here and see if a cash boost is in your future. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Home Depot Inc (NYSE:HD) is trading sharply higher Friday afternoon as investors bet that a new White House housing initiative will unlock fresh demand for home improvement spending. Heres what investors need to know. Lower Mortgage Rates Aim To Break Housing "Lock-In" President Donald Trump has outlined a plan for the federal government to buy about $200 billion of mortgage-backed securities using cash reserves at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, with the goal of driving mortgage rates below 6% and breaking the current "lock-in" effect that has frozen existing-home supply. Don't Miss: Fast Company Calls It a Groundbreaking Step for the Creator Economy' Investors Can Still Get In at $0.85/Share Sam Altman Says AI Will Transform the Economy This Platform Lets Investors Back Private Tech Early Lower borrowing costs would encourage more homeowners to list, more buyers to move, and a surge in move-in and renovation projects that typically funnel spending directly to Home Depot's aisles. Individual Buyers Could Boost DIY Demand Trump also reiterated support for restricting large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, a policy shift that could tilt the market back toward individual buyers. First-time and move-up homeowners historically spend heavily on DIY projects, appliances and yard improvements in the first several years of ownership, a sweet spot for Home Depot's ticket growth. See Also: Arrived Home's Private Credit Funds has historically paid an annualized dividend yield of 8.1%*, which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with just a $100 minimum. Why Home Depot Is Poised To Benefit Home Depot is the world's largest home-improvement retailer, operating thousands of big-box stores across North America. The company sells building materials, tools, plumbing and electrical supplies, decor, appliances and lawn-and-garden products to both professional contractors and do-it-yourself customers, and generates additional revenue from installation and project services. That broad exposure makes HD a direct beneficiary of any pickup in housing turnover and remodeling activity, helping explain why the stock is outperforming broader equity benchmarks in Friday's session. Image: Shutterstock Read Next: By Jarrett Renshaw Jan 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he might block Exxon Mobil from investing in Venezuela after the oil major's CEO called the country "uninvestable" during a White House meeting last week. Exxon CEO Darren Woods told Trump that Venezuela would need to change its laws before it could be an attractive investment opportunity, during the high-profile meeting on Friday with at least 17 other oil executives. Trump had urged the group to spend $100 billion to revitalize Venezuela's oil industry in a meeting less than a week after U.S. forces captured and removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power in a brazen overnight raid. Woods' skeptical remarks quickly emerged as the dominant headline, undercutting the White Houses hopes of building momentum from its engagement with the worlds most prominent oil executives. "I didn't like Exxon's response," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on his way back to Washington on Sunday. "I'll probably be inclined to keep Exxon out. I didn't like their response. They're playing too cute." Exxon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. EXXON, CONOCOPHILLIPS SIGNAL CAUTION ON VENEZUELA Exxon, ConocoPhillips and Chevron, the three largest U.S. oil producers, were for decades the most prominent partners of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA. The government of late President Hugo Chavez nationalized the industry between 2004 and 2007, and while Chevron negotiated deals to partner with PDVSA, ConocoPhillips and Exxon left the country and filed for prominent arbitration cases shortly after. Venezuela now owes over $13 billion collectively to ConocoPhillips and Exxon for the expropriations, according to court rulings. "We've had our assets seized there twice, and so you can imagine to re-enter a third time would require some pretty significant changes from what we've historically seen here," Woods told Trump on Friday. Woods said that Exxon needed durable investment protections introduced and the country's hydrocarbons law also needed to be reformed. "If we look at the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela today, it's uninvestable," he said. ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance told Trump that his company was the largest non-sovereign credit holder in Venezuela, and called for a restructuring of the debt and the country's entire energy system, including PDVSA. Trump said ConocoPhillips would get a lot of its money back, but the U.S. would start with a clean slate. "We're not going to look at what people lost in the past because that was their fault," he said. In a first of such deals since the start of the year, Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air announced plans to purchase rival Sun Country Airlines for $1.5 billion and form a single low-cost airline. The deal includes both cash and stock and takes on approximately $400 million of the Minneapolis-based Sun Country's debt. As part of the deal approved by the boards of both airlines, Sun Country shareholders will receive $18.89 of each share, which will, in turn, be comprised of $4.10 in cash and a 0.1557 share in Allegiant stock. Provided the transaction is approved by regulators, the merger will be completed by the end of 2026 and create a combined airline in which Sun Country shareholders hold 33% and Allegiant Travel shareholders have a 67% stake. "We have long admired Sun Country": Allegiant CEO Launched in 1997 as an early example of the low-cost model, Allegiant Air built a market of serving cities with traffic too low for mainstream airlines. Although its website states that it currently serves 117 destinations across the U.S., Allegiant recently pulled out of LAX airport last fall after cutting its last flights into the city from Cincinnati and Bellingham over what it classified as "long-term strategic goals" and "flexible business value." Sun Country launched out of MSP in 1982 and ran a similar model of flying from smaller markets to various destinations in Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean, as well as various routes between secondary cities on the U.S. mainland. Related: Low-cost airline leaves international airport, cancels all flights "We have long admired Sun Country for their well-run, flexible, and diversified business model that optimizes for year-round utilization and strong margins," Allegiant CEO Gregory C. Anderson said in a statement. "Together, our complementary networks will expand our reach to more vacation destinations including international locations." Sun Country Airlines has operated since the 1980s.Shutterstock Shutterstock What else to know about the deal between Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines The deal comes as all low-cost airlines struggle with a market of high costs and competition for the same routes. Still, Sun Country has been doing relatively well in October 2025, it reported its third profitable quarter with revenue of $255.5 million. Stocks of both airlines rose in pre-market trading upon the news of the merger on Sunday evening. Travel news: By Ariane Luthi and Dave Graham ZURICH, Jan 12 (Reuters) - UBS has rejected government proposals to strengthen banking rules in the wake of the collapse of Credit Suisse, saying on Monday they would make Switzerland uncompetitive and calling instead for less costly alternatives. Banking and business lobby groups echoed the view, while the right-wing Swiss People's Party said it favoured a compromise to ensure UBS was competitive internationally and the centre-left Social Democrats and Green Party backed the proposals. UBS became Switzerland's sole global bank after its former rival Credit Suisse imploded in 2023. The Swiss government then pledged to design new rules that aimed to prevent a repeat of the crisis and ensure taxpayers would not be on the hook. Europe's largest wealth manager said the package of tougher capital requirements - at the heart of which are proposals to make it fully capitalise its foreign subsidiaries - could make it hold $24 billion in additional capital. "The proposal would lead to huge added costs and endanger the continuation of the successful business model," UBS said, arguing the measures put forward for foreign units were disproportionate and out of step with international competitors. The government launched consultations on the proposals in September and gave stakeholders until early January to respond. Business association Economiesuisse said higher capital costs would negatively impact Swiss industry. EXTRA COSTS FOR CUSTOMERS To avoid having to cover stricter requirements with costly Common Equity Tier 1 capital, UBS said it was important that Additional Tier 1 (AT1) debt and bail-in bonds be considered. UBS said AT1 instruments should be strengthened and handled in line with practice followed in the European Union and Britain. Otherwise, higher capital costs would lead to added costs for customers and tighter credit supply, it added. Had regulators applied existing Swiss rules properly, Credit Suisse would have had to make adjustments sooner, which would have ensured its survival, UBS said in a statement. The Swiss Banking Association echoed this, saying the Credit Suisse crisis was not caused by capital requirements being too lax, but by too much regulatory latitude. "Simply avoiding such concessions in future would be entirely sufficient," the group said. Although the government has publicly upheld its tough line, sources familiar with the matter say a compromise should emerge. Reuters reported in December that the government is preparing to water down some new rules over which it has direct control, while lawmakers say parliament is likely to opt for regulations more moderate than what officials initially pitched. As the United Kingdom's FTSE 100 index faces downward pressure due to weak trade data from China and global economic uncertainties, investors are keenly observing how these factors impact market dynamics. In such a volatile environment, growth companies with high insider ownership may offer an intriguing proposition, as insider confidence can often indicate potential resilience and long-term value amidst broader market challenges. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In The United Kingdom Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth SRT Marine Systems (AIM:SRT) 16.3% 57.8% Quantum Base Holdings (AIM:QUBE) 33.9% 93.2% Plexus Holdings (AIM:POS) 11.5% 140% Manolete Partners (AIM:MANO) 34.9% 38.1% Integrated Diagnostics Holdings (LSE:IDHC) 27.9% 21% Hochschild Mining (LSE:HOC) 38.4% 40.8% B90 Holdings (AIM:B90) 10.9% 157.2% ASA International Group (LSE:ASAI) 30.7% 20.8% Afentra (AIM:AET) 37.7% 38.7% ActiveOps (AIM:AOM) 22.1% 102.9% Click here to see the full list of 56 stocks from our Fast Growing UK Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Here we highlight a subset of our preferred stocks from the screener. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Nichols plc, with a market cap of 355.46 million, supplies soft drinks to the retail, wholesale, catering, licensed, and leisure industries across the United Kingdom and internationally in regions such as the Middle East and Africa. Operations: The company's revenue is derived from two main segments: Packaged, contributing 133.97 million, and Out of Home, generating 40.35 million. Insider Ownership: 22.4% Earnings Growth Forecast: 16.4% p.a. Nichols plc is poised for growth with earnings forecasted to outpace the UK market at 16.38% annually. Despite a slower revenue increase of 4.4%, insider confidence is evident with more shares bought than sold recently, though not in substantial volumes. The stock trades significantly below its estimated fair value, suggesting potential upside. Recent leadership changes, including the appointment of Matthew Rothwell as CFO, are expected to bolster strategic growth initiatives. AIM:NICL Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jan 2026 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: ASA International Group PLC operates as a microfinance institution in Asia and Africa with a market cap of 194.50 million. Operations: The company's revenue segments include $40.66 million from South Asia, $65.82 million from East Africa, $65.29 million from West Africa, and $34.92 million from South East Asia. By Paul Sandle and Sam Tabahriti LONDON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Britain's media regulator launched an investigation into Elon Musk's X on Monday over concerns its Grok AI chatbot was creating sexually intimate deepfake images in violation of its duty to protect people in the UK from illegal content. The British government said a new law making it an offence to create sexual deepfakes would come into force this week to tackle the images, which it called "weapons of abuse". Technology Minister Liz Kendall told lawmakers on Monday that the government also plans legislation that will tackle the problem at the source by making it illegal for companies to supply tools designed to create deepfakes. The Ofcom probe piles additional pressure on the social media platform of the world's richest man, which is already facing a growing public outcry as well as criminal and regulatory probes around the world, from France to India. "Reports of Grok being used to create and share illegal non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material on X have been deeply concerning," it said in a statement. Platforms must protect people in Britain from illegal content, the regulator said, adding that it would not "hesitate to investigate where we suspect companies are failing in their duties, especially where there's a risk of harm to children." When asked on Monday about the investigation, X pointed to a previous statement in which it said it takes action against illegal content on the platform, 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," it said. STARMER: GROK IMAGES ARE 'DISGUSTING', 'UNLAWFUL' The regulator is under pressure to act after Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday called the images "disgusting" and "unlawful". Musk's X had to "get a grip" on Grok, he said. Following initial action against porn sites that did not have effective age checks, the Grok case will likely be the first big test of Britain's online safety law, which was enacted in 2023 but is being implemented in stages by Ofcom. Asked on Monday whether X could be banned, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: "Yes, of course," but he noted that the power to do so lay with Ofcom. Musk wrote on X on Saturday that, in focusing on Grok and X, Britain's government "just want to suppress free speech". Akbar Novruz U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran has proposed negotiations with Washington following his warning that the United States could strike the Islamic Republic over its violent crackdown on demonstrators, as activists reported that at least 544 people have been killed in protests across the country, Azernews reports via Politico. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his administration is considering a range of responses, including cyberattacks and direct military strikes by the United States or Israel. According to sources familiar with internal White House discussions, these options are being actively reviewed by Trump and his national security team. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Trump said. Responding to Irans warnings of retaliation, he added: If they do that, we will hit them at levels that theyve never been hit before. Trump stated that contacts are underway to arrange a meeting with Tehran, but stressed that developments on the ground could force Washington to act before any talks take place. I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, he said. Iran wants to negotiate. He reiterated that Iran had reached out directly: The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of whats happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate. There was no immediate confirmation from Iranian officials regarding the proposed talks. At the same time, Tehran warned that U.S. and Israeli forces would be considered legitimate targets if military force is used to protect protesters. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 10,600 people have been detained during the past two weeks of unrest. The group reported that 496 protesters and 48 members of the security forces were among the dead. The Associated Press noted that it has been unable to independently verify these figures, as Iran has not released official casualty numbers. With internet access severely restricted and phone lines cut, assessing the scale of the protests from outside Iran has become increasingly difficult. Activists and observers fear that the information blackout may be enabling hardliners within Irans security services to intensify the crackdown. Despite the restrictions, protests reportedly continued over the weekend in Tehran and other major cities, with videos circulating online and at least one Tehran official acknowledging the demonstrations in state media. As Middle Eastern markets experience a resurgence, buoyed by rising oil prices and positive economic indicators, investors are increasingly turning their attention to the region's small-cap stocks. With Gulf shares tracking higher and Egypt hitting fresh records, now is an opportune time to explore undiscovered gems that may offer unique growth potential amidst these dynamic market conditions. Top 10 Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals In The Middle East Name Debt To Equity Revenue Growth Earnings Growth Health Rating Nofoth Food Products NA 21.36% 25.28% Baazeem Trading 10.02% -1.27% -1.66% Qassim Cement NA 4.02% -11.40% Payton Industries NA 3.44% 14.24% Saudi Azm for Communication and Information Technology 3.26% 17.17% 23.30% Najran Cement 14.49% -4.20% -30.16% Sonmez Filament Sentetik Iplik ve Elyaf Sanayi NA 54.80% 42.62% Gur-Sel Turizm Tasimacilik ve Servis Ticaret 4.69% 36.04% 53.41% Etihad GO Telecom 0.85% 38.36% 57.78% Ajman Bank PJSC 53.89% 16.11% 18.02% Click here to see the full list of 187 stocks from our Middle Eastern Undiscovered Gems With Strong Fundamentals screener. Underneath we present a selection of stocks filtered out by our screen. Simply Wall St Value Rating: Overview: Bank Of Sharjah P.J.S.C., along with its subsidiaries, offers a range of commercial and investment banking products and services in the United Arab Emirates, with a market capitalization of AED3.96 billion. Operations: The company generates revenue primarily from its Commercial Banking segment, contributing AED450.68 million, and its Investment and Treasury segment, adding AED326.19 million. Bank Of Sharjah, a relatively smaller player in the Middle East banking sector, showcases robust growth with earnings surging by 263% over the past year. Despite this impressive performance, it's important to note that a significant AED101 million one-off gain has impacted its recent financial results. The bank's price-to-earnings ratio of 7.6x suggests good value compared to the AE market average of 11.7x. While boasting total assets of AED49.6 billion and primarily low-risk funding sources, it faces challenges with high bad loans at 6.6% and a low allowance for these loans at 85%. ADX:BOS Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jan 2026 Simply Wall St Value Rating: Overview: Saudi Steel Pipes Company is engaged in the manufacturing and distribution of steel pipes both within Saudi Arabia and internationally, with a market capitalization of SAR1.90 billion. On January 7, Chinese state television broadcast dramatic footage: a hooded, handcuffed man being escorted off a plane in Beijing. The prisoner was Chen Zhi, the 38-year-old founder of Cambodia's Prince Holding Group, accused of running one of Asia's largest scam empires. Cambodia had arrested Chen the day before and extradited him to China, ending years of speculation about whether the well-connected tycoon would ever face justice. But as Chen's downfall dominates headlines, another mystery lingers: What really happened to his $15 billion in Bitcoin? The Record Seizure When US prosecutors announced in October 2025 that they had seized 127,271 Bitcoin from Chen, they called it a "record" cryptocurrency forfeiture. The US and UK coordinated sanctions against 146 individuals and entities linked to Prince Groupthe largest enforcement action targeting cryptocurrency-enabled fraud. The message seemed clear: American justice had caught a crypto criminal. But according to Beijing, the real story began five years earlier. Chinese state television broadcast Chen Zhi being escorted off a plane in Beijing. Source: Captured from CCTV footage The 2020 Hack In late December 2020, Chen's Bitcoin mining pool suffered a devastating cyberattack. More than 127,000 Bitcointhen worth around $4 billionvanished. Chen was desperate. According to Chinese state media, he posted over 1,500 messages offering massive bounties for the return of his funds. Nothing came back. Then came October 2025. The US Justice Department unsealed an indictment against Chen and announced the seizure of 127,271 Bitcoin. The number was nearly identical to what Chen had lost in 2020. "Not How Normal Hackers Behave" In November 2025, China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center (CVERC) released a technical report on the incident. Their key finding: the stolen Bitcoin remained completely dormant for nearly four years before moving to new addresses in mid-2024. "This behavior is obviously inconsistent with typical hackers who urgently seek to cash out," the report stated. "The operational pattern is more consistent with a state-level hacker organization." The blockchain analytics platform Arkham Intelligence had tagged the final-destination wallets as belonging to the US government. Du Guodong, a partner at Beijing Haotian Law Firm, told a Chinese media outlet that the US indictment did not disclose how authorities obtained Chen's private keys. "This suggests the US government may have already stolen Chen's Bitcoin through hacking techniques as early as 2020," he said. Washington's Silence The Justice Department has not addressed China's allegations. The DOJ indictment filed in the Eastern District of New York details Chen's alleged crimes extensivelyscam compounds, forced labor, money launderingbut says nothing about how investigators accessed his cryptocurrency. By Nidhi Verma and Siyi Liu NEW DELHI/SINGAPORE, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Vitol and Trafigura have started discussions on Venezuelan crude oil sales with refiners in India and China for cargoes to be delivered in March, several trade sources said on Monday. The global commodities traders confirmed on Friday they had struck agreements with the U.S. government to help market stranded Venezuelan oil, days after the interim government in Caracas agreed to export up to 50 million barrels of crude oil to the U.S. Their marketing efforts will accelerate the sale of Venezuelan oil under the U.S. programme, allowing the OPEC producer to resume exports which have been halted since the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. The trading firms are scrambling to secure ships, moving swiftly to sell the Venezuelan oil, with Trafigura's CEO saying it will load its first cargo for the U.S. this week. INDIAN REFINERS, PETROCHINA Vitol is approaching Indian state refiners to sell the oil, two of the sources said. The trader offered a cargo at a discount of $8-$8.50 a barrel to ICE Brent on a delivered basis to one, one of the sources said. Refiners Indian Oil Corp and Hindustan Petroleum Corp would consider buying Venezuelan oil, sources told Reuters last week. Neither responded to requests for comment. Reliance Industries said it would consider resuming purchases of Venezuelan crude if sales to non-U.S. buyers are permitted under U.S. regulations. Vitol and Trafigura have also approached PetroChina, exploring interest from the Chinese state refiner which was a major buyer of Venezuela's heavy sour Merey crude as well as fuel oil before U.S. sanctions started, three sources said. "The traders may first tap the big state oil traders rather than teapots," one of them said, referring to independent refiners in China which typically buy cheap sanctioned oil. PetroChina did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Vitol declined to comment. Trafigura said it is providing logistical and marketing services to facilitate the sale of Venezuelan oil, but declined to comment on the discussions. SECOND-HALF MARCH DELIVERY Another source said Vitol and Trafigura are offering cargoes for delivery in the second half of March. On Sunday, Vitol loaded the first cargo of naphtha from the U.S. to Venezuela onto the Panamax-sized Hellespont Protector, which is expected to arrive at Venezuela's Port of Jose on January 28, shipping data on Kpler showed. Naphtha is used to thin Venezuela's heavy crude oil and make it easier to move and process. Professional services group S&W has appointed Graham Charlton as a partner in its private client tax services team. Charlton will be based in Bristol, UK, and will also work with clients in Birmingham and across the wider region. S&W partner and Private Client Tax Services head Chris Shepard said: We are delighted to welcome Graham to the team. His appointment brings a wealth of experience and enhances our private client tax services offering in Bristol. His expertise in complex transactions and strategic tax planning will enable us to deliver even greater value to clients, helping them navigate challenges with confidence and clarity. With more than two decades of experience, Charlton has held senior roles at KPMG, PwC and Bishop Fleming. His expertise is in personal and capital taxes, with a focus on advising private equity-backed businesses and supporting clients through complex transactions and tax planning. Charlton said: I am excited to join S&W and work closely with clients to help them achieve their goals. My focus will be on guiding them through complex transactions and strategic planning, ensuring they have the clarity and confidence to make informed decisions. By leveraging my experience in personal and capital taxes, I aim to deliver tailored solutions that create real value for their businesses and personal wealth. In November last year, S&W grew its business through the purchase of accountancy practice Haines Watts Scotland, which operated from offices in Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy and Stirling. The deal strengthened S&Ws footprint across the UK, further supporting its northern expansion, after it bought Haines Watts companies in Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle the year before. "S&W adds new partner to private client tax services team" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. Federal student loan borrowers in default could see their wages garnished beginning this month as the Trump administration resumes involuntary collections after years of pauses and limbo. Wage garnishment which can dock up to 15% of a borrowers disposable after-tax pay only applies to federal student loan borrowers who are in default. To be in default, borrowers must be 270 days or more behind on their payments. An estimated 5.5 million borrowers are already in default, with many of them in default prior to the pandemic, according to an analysis of federal student loan figures from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Another 6 million borrowers are delinquent on their debts, putting them at high risk of default, the AEI reported. Betsy Mayotte, president and founder of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors (TISLA), said the U.S. is headed toward an unprecedented spike in student loan defaults with millions more borrowers at risk. The Biden administration placed nearly 7 million additional borrowers on the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, repayment plan. The SAVE plan put those loans in administrative forbearance in July 2024, pausing borrowers payments. However, the SAVE plan faced legal challenges off the bat from several Republican-led states and was ultimately killed in a legal agreement reached in December. The agreement requires SAVE borrowers to switch to other federal repayment plans, which are likely to have higher monthly payments. "I really am worried that default numbers are going to go way, way up," Mayotte said. As the Education Department ramps up involuntary collections this year, Mayotte notes that wage garnishment isnt new. The Education Department has a legal responsibility to American taxpayers to collect on outstanding federal debts, she added. How wage garnishment works Before wage garnishment kicks in, the defaulted loans must be transferred from your servicer to the Education Departments Default Resolution Group (DRG). Youll receive a written notice to your last known address of the governments intent to garnish your wages in 65 days if you dont act. However, its your employer who withholds the money from your paycheck to send to the government, according to the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). When the Education Department garnishes wages, a borrower must be left with 30 times the federal minimum wage per week, or $217.50, to fall under the 15% of disposable pay limit, said Mark Kantrowitz, a nationally recognized financial aid and college planning expert. India-based Lemon Tree Hotels has confirmed that its board has approved the acquisition of a 41.09% stake in its subsidiary Fleur Hotels by Warburg Pincus, which will involve an investment of Rs9.6bn ($106.4m) in multiple tranches. With an appointed date of 1 April 2026, the transaction will be executed by Warburg Pincus affiliate Coastal Cedar Investment, acquiring the stake from APG Strategic Real Estate Pool. In addition to the acquisition, the board has approved a strategic reorganisation that will see Fleur Hotels listed as a separate entity. The move allows Lemon Tree to focus on becoming a pure-play, asset-light hotel management and branding platform. Fleur will take on the role of the groups exclusive hotel asset ownership and development company. The investment signifies a renewed collaboration between Warburg Pincus and Lemon Tree, following the latter's initial investment in 2006, which was instrumental in Lemon Trees growth into a significant player in the Indian hotel sector. The reorganisation will be conducted through a process approved by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and aims to restructure the groups asset ownership and operational framework. Currently held hotel assets by Lemon Tree will be transferred to Fleur, which will manage all future hotel acquisitions and developments. Lemon Tree will shift to an asset-light model, concentrating on expanding its hotel management, franchising, and digital operations. The restructuring will also facilitate the listing of Fleurs shares on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). Lemon Tree will merge two of its wholly owned subsidiaries, Carnation Hotels and Hamstede Living, into itself. Additionally, four other wholly owned subsidiaries, Oriole Dr Fresh, Sukhsagar Complexes, Manakin Resorts, and Canary Hotels, will merge with Fleur in exchange for shares issued by Fleur. The demerger will encompass 12 hotels, including 11 operational properties and one under-construction hotel in Shimla, along with development capabilities and an investment in a hotel under construction in Shillong. Upon the scheme's implementation, Lemon Tree shareholders as of the record date will hold 32.96% of Fleur. Furthermore, Lemon Tree will directly possess 41.03%, and Warburg Pincus will own 26.01%, excluding any dilution from Warburg Pincuss primary investment in Fleur. Following the necessary approvals, Fleur is expected to be listed as a separate entity on Indian stock exchanges within 12 to 15 months. The rationale behind this Composite Scheme of Arrangement includes the creation of two focused platforms, one asset-light business concentrating on hotel management, brand, loyalty, distribution, and digital capabilities; and one dedicated to hotel ownership and development. To avoid investing in a business that's in decline, there's a few financial metrics that can provide early indications of aging. More often than not, we'll see a declining return on capital employed (ROCE) and a declining amount of capital employed. This indicates to us that the business is not only shrinking the size of its net assets, but its returns are falling as well. And from a first read, things don't look too good at Mitchell Services (ASX:MSV), so let's see why. Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 15 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit. Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It? For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. The formula for this calculation on Mitchell Services is: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.01 = AU$729k (AU$111m - AU$39m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2025). Therefore, Mitchell Services has an ROCE of 1.0%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Metals and Mining industry average of 9.1%. Check out our latest analysis for Mitchell Services ASX:MSV Return on Capital Employed January 12th 2026 Above you can see how the current ROCE for Mitchell Services compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free analyst report for Mitchell Services . What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us The trend of returns that Mitchell Services is generating are raising some concerns. To be more specific, today's ROCE was 9.3% five years ago but has since fallen to 1.0%. On top of that, the business is utilizing 22% less capital within its operations. When you see both ROCE and capital employed diminishing, it can often be a sign of a mature and shrinking business that might be in structural decline. Typically businesses that exhibit these characteristics aren't the ones that tend to multiply over the long term, because statistically speaking, they've already gone through the growth phase of their life cycle. What We Can Learn From Mitchell Services' ROCE To see Mitchell Services reducing the capital employed in the business in tandem with diminishing returns, is concerning. It should come as no surprise then that the stock has fallen 24% over the last five years, so it looks like investors are recognizing these changes. With underlying trends that aren't great in these areas, we'd consider looking elsewhere. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump warned of a financial disaster for the United States if the Supreme Court rules his sweeping global tariffs on imports are illegal. The nation's high court is preparing to issue an opinion as early as Jan. 14. "If the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza, WERE SCREWED!" Trump posted Jan. 12 on Truth Social, claiming the United States would be on the hook to pay back "many Hundreds of Billion of Dollars" in revenue collected from the tariffs and "Trillions" more in private investments. As a legal basis for most of his tariffs, Trump declared a national emergency over the United States' trade deficit under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. But a majority of Supreme Court justices expressed skepticism of Trump's use of emergency powers during oral arguments in November. More: Justices question Trump tariffs as Supreme Court weighs keeping them: Top takeaways The federal government collected about $200 billion more in tariffs revenue in 2025 as a result of the president's tariffs on imports from across the world. Tariffs are paid by companies when they import goods from other countries. But Trump said the "the amount of 'payback,'" if the Supreme Court rules against him, extends to the money that companies and other nations are spending to build factories and equipment in the United States to avoid paying the higher tariffs. More: Trump's $1,776 'Warrior Dividends' funded by housing aid, not tariffs "When these Investments are added, we are talking about Trillions of Dollars! It would be a complete mess, and almost impossible for our Country to pay," Trump wrote. "Anybody who says that it can be quickly and easily done would be making a false, inaccurate, or totally misunderstood answer to this very large and complex question. "It may not be possible but, if it were, it would be Dollars that would be so large that it would take many years to figure out what number we are talking about and even, who, when, and where, to pay." Trump has often exaggerated the level of private investment in the United States spurred by his tariffs, and some of the companies that have pledged American-based investments have yet to follow through. Trump did not say how he arrived at the "trillions" figure. President Donald Trump speaks with reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Florida to Washington, DC, on Jan. 11, 2026. A ruling against Trump's use of emergency powers to impose tariffs would deliver a massive blow to the centerpiece of Trump's domestic agenda and his favorite tool in trade negotiations with other countries. The ruling also could have major implications on the global economy and Trump's assertions of broad executive authority. A very public standoff has opened up between the White House and one of the worlds biggest oil companies, and it is playing out in real time over Venezuelas oil riches. President Donald Trump has said he is inclined to keep Exxon Mobil on the sidelines of Venezuelas reopening after bristling at CEO Darren Woods skepticism about rushing back into the country. The president told reporters on Air Force One that he wasnt pleased with Exxons response and added that the company was being too clever, according to CNBC and Yahoo Finance. Woods, for his part, used a White House meeting to describe Venezuela as uninvestable under current legal and commercial frameworks. This effectively tells the president that Exxon would not jump in without major changes, as reported by the Financial Times. Trumps Venezuela oil play From the White House's perspective, Venezuela is supposed to be a fast track to more supply, more influence, and more headlinefriendly investment numbers. Trump has pressed U.S. oil companies to commit around $100 billion to rebuilding Venezuelas energy sector, according to CNBC, promising security backing from Washington. TheWhite House has clashed with Exxon Mobil over the Venezuela oil deal. There are many who are eager to get involved, the president told reporters, suggesting he might lean toward keeping Exxon out if the company does not align with his push, according to CNBC and Yahoo. He has also signed an executive order aimed at shielding Venezuelan oil revenue from being seized in court, a move that Fortune and other outlets say is designed to reassure potential investors that future cash flows will not be grabbed by creditors. MoreEconomic Analysis: For you as an investor, that combination of political guarantees and highlevel pressure can sound bullish at first glance. In theory, U.S. protection plus access to some of the worlds largest oil reserves could mean decades of production growth, especially if you own broad energy exposure rather than any one stock. The problem is that the people actually writing checks still have to weigh legal risk, contract stability, and what happens if Venezuelan politics take another sharp turn in a few years. Why Exxon is pushing back on White House oil plan Exxons caution is rooted in painful history that longterm energy investors remember all too well. Key Points Planet Labs just signed a 9-figure deal with Sweden. Planet will sell satellite data -- and satellites -- to the Swedish military. 10 stocks we like better than Planet Labs PBC Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) stock announced this morning it has signed a "9-figure deal with Sweden." The stock jumped 6.2% through 11:15 a.m. ET Monday in response. Image source: Getty Images. Planet Labs is looking up For the third time in a year, Planet Labs has signed a "major satellite services contract" with a foreign government, this time with the Swedish military (Japan and Germany were the previous counterparties). The company will "rapidly deliver a suite of satellites, space-based data and awareness solutions to support the country's peace and security operations." What's curious about this announcement is the first part of that description: Planet will "deliver" satellites to Sweden. More than just selling data collected by its satellites, in the instant case, Planet Labs confirms Sweden wants to actually buy some of its satellites (in addition to paying for data). The country will literally "own a suite of Planet's cutting-edge satellites," says Planet. What this means for Planet Is it better to sell satellites or to own them and generate recurring revenue from the data they produce? That's an open question. Own them... and you have to pay to replace and upgrade them over time, incurring capital costs. Sell them, though, and you've arguably created a brand new revenue stream selling entire satellites to a customer! And it appears Planet is now getting the best of both worlds. Management noted the new deal will be "multi-year" (it didn't say how many), and worth "low 9-figure." By my count, that means $100 million, minimum. Spread over, say, 10 years, that's at least another $10 million in annual revenue -- enough to move the needle for a company that did just $282 million in revenue over the past year. And the shorter the contract, the more this needle will move. Should you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC right now? Before you buy stock in Planet Labs PBC, 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 Planet Labs PBC 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 $482,451!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,133,229!* By Alimat Aliyeva Chinese, Russian, and Iranian warships launched a week?long series of naval drills off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa, on Friday as geopolitical tensions intensify, particularly over recent U.S. actions involving Venezuela and the seizure of tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, Azernews reports, citing foreign media. The exercises, titled Will for Peace 2026, were organized under the expanded BRICS Plus framework, an initiative that builds on the original BRICS bloc to include additional emerging economies. South African defence officials say the manoeuvres will focus on maritime safety, anti?piracy operations, and enhancing interoperability between participating navies. China, Russia and South Africa have long collaborated within BRICS, while Iran became a member in 2024. The drills bring together vessels from these countries and feature a mix of destroyers, corvettes, and support ships including Chinas guided?missile destroyer Tangshan and Russias corvette Stoikiy, alongside Iranian naval assets. The exercises were originally scheduled for late November but were postponed due to the G20 summit in Johannesburg, highlighting South Africas diplomatic balancing act between hosting global leaders and deepening defence cooperation. While South Africas government insists the drills are apolitical and aimed at strengthening maritime security including safeguarding shipping routes and economic activities critics argue they could worsen relations with the United States. The U.S. has previously accused South Africa of supporting rival powers, and diplomatic strains have been evident amid debates over foreign policy and sanctions. Domestic opposition voices in South Africa, especially from the Democratic Alliance party, have criticized the governments decision to host exercises that include heavily sanctioned states like Russia and Iran, calling it a political choice that risks aligning the country with contentious global actors. In addition to the core participants, observers from Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, and Ethiopia have also been reported to attend, reflecting the broader geopolitical interest in BRICS Plus cooperation beyond purely military outcomes. Despite Dalios warning, recent data suggest the U.S. economy continues to grow, increasing by an estimated 1.9% in 2025 (5), though there are still signs of concern. Whether tariffs are implemented in a stable way or a chaotic and disruptive way can make all the difference in the world, he said. But so far, the tariffs have been akin to throwing rocks into the production system. In other words, highly disruptive. These go in cycles that can be measured, and I worry about the breakdown of that kind of order, particularly since it doesnt need to happen, he noted, adding that there are better ways to restructure debt. Such times are very much like the 1930s, he told NBC. The end of the Second World War ushered in a new monetary and geopolitical world order. But history tends to repeat itself. Tariffs, combined with a high level of debt and a rising superpower challenging the existing superpower, could lead to profound changes in the world order. But by and large, its changing the world order in a way which is making it more inefficient and actually causing growth around the United States, Dalio said during the Paley Media Council event on May 22 (4). Trump has triggered global economic chaos with his on-again, off-again tariffs (2). But Dalio fears something worse the U.S. could end up isolated as its biggest trading partners sign cross-border agreements which exclude the worlds largest economy (3). A recession is typically defined as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. A much more profound change would be a breakdown of the current monetary order (its worth pointing out that Dalio correctly predicted the 2008 financial crisis). Get early access to privately-held AI companies with Fundrise Venture Capital for as little as $10. Join 350,000+ investors today Dave Ramsey warns nearly 50% of Americans are making 1 big Social Security mistake heres what it is and 3 simple steps to fix it ASAP Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Right now, we are at a decision-making point and very close to a recession, billionaire investor Ray Dalio told NBCs Meet the Press on April 13. And Im worried about something worse than a recession if this isnt handled well (1). The founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the worlds largest hedge funds, has voiced concern that President Donald Trumps economic agenda could lead to something worse than a recession. Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Story Continues Employment growth in 2025 was somewhat weak for a non-recessionary year. Employers added roughly 584,000 jobs over the entire year, the slowest annual job creation outside of recession periods in over two decades (6). The unemployment rate edged down slightly to around 4.4%, even as sectors like manufacturing and retail saw job losses while health care and service industries accounted for most of the gains. Wage growth modestly outpaced inflation, but the overall labor market remains far from strong. Many experts say the labor market is going to soften even more in 2026, with unemployment potentially rising to 4.5% on average in 2026 (7). This is far from ideal, but its not at the level of the Great Depression in the 1930s, as Dalio suggests, when nearly a quarter of Americas labor force couldnt find employment. Read More: Approaching retirement with no savings? Dont panic, you're not alone. Here are 6 easy ways you can catch up (and fast) ## How can you prepare your finances? If youre an average American, how can you heed Dalios warning? Start by establishing an emergency fund (if you dont already have one) that will cover at least three to six months of expenses perhaps more, if youre in a job that could be impacted by tariffs and trade wars. An easy way to kickstart your emergency fund is by maximizing the cash you're stashing away in a high-yield cash account like the one offered by Wealthfront, a financial services platform offering a range of products, from automated investing to cash accounts. With a Wealthfront Cash account, you could earn up to 4.15% APY on your uninvested cash for your first three months (0.50% APY boost on top of the 3.50% base variable APY as of November 7, 2025) provided by program banks. Thats over nine times the national deposit savings rate, according to the FDICs October report. Plus, Wealthfront charges no account fees. With full access to your money at all times, Wealthfront also offers fast (and free) transfers to eligible accounts 24/7. After youve taken care of your emergency fund, you can prioritize saving for retirement and other long-term goals. If your budget is tight, you can still find a way to invest in your future through Acorns. Acorns is an automated investing and saving platform that simplifies the process of setting aside extra funds. When you sign up and link your bank account, Acorns automatically rounds up the price of each of your purchases to the nearest dollar. The difference goes into a smart investment portfolio, allowing you to grow your wealth without even thinking about it. Plus, you can get a $20 bonus investment when you sign up for Acorns with a recurring deposit. It may also be a good time to diversify your investments across different asset classes to mitigate risk. That might mean adjusting your mix of stocks, bonds and other assets. If youre close to retirement, you might want to shift to lower-risk assets, like dividend-paying stocks. Alternative investments, such as gold and real estate, are often considered a hedge against inflation and recession. A gold IRA is one option for building up your retirement fund with an inflation-hedging asset. Opening a gold IRA with the help of Goldco allows you to invest in gold and other precious metals in physical form while also providing the significant tax advantages of an IRA. With a minimum purchase of $10,000, Goldco offers free shipping and access to a library of retirement resources. Plus, the company will match up to 10% of qualified purchases in free silver. If youre curious whether this is the right investment to diversify your portfolio, you can download your free gold and silver information guide today. If youre an accredited investor, Homeshares allows you to gain direct exposure to hundreds of owner-occupied homes in top U.S. cities through their U.S. Home Equity Fund without the headaches of buying, owning, or managing property. The fund focuses on homes with substantial equity, utilizing Home Equity Agreements (HEAs) to help homeowners access liquidity without incurring debt or additional interest payments. This approach provides an effective, hands-off way to invest in high-quality residential properties, plus the added benefit of diversification across various regional markets with a minimum investment of $25,000. With risk-adjusted target returns ranging from 12% to 18%, Homeshares could unlock lucrative real estate opportunities, offering accredited investors a low-maintenance alternative to traditional property ownership. If youre new to hedging a risk management strategy that can help offset losses by purchasing investments in an opposite position to an existing investment you may want to consult with a financial advisor to see how this could help mitigate risk in your portfolio. Advisor.com can help you find someone whos right for you. Advisor.com is an online platform that connects you with vetted financial advisors. Just answer a few quick questions about yourself and your finances, and the platform will match you with experienced financial professionals best suited to help you develop a plan to achieve your homeownership or retirement goals. You can view the advisors profiles, read past client reviews, and schedule an initial consultation for free with no obligation to hire. Depending on whether youre close to retirement or not, you may want to adjust your retirement strategy and adjust your risk tolerance to match that strategy. If youre a young investor, you still have time for the market to recover, so avoid panic selling. You May Also Like Article sources We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines. @NBCNews (1); Moneywise (2), (3); Observer (4); The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia (5); The Wall Street Journal (6); Reuters (7) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Elon Musks X app is developing a new feature called Smart Cashtags that will link ticker symbols in posts to real-time financial data. The feature will allow users to specify specific assets, such as stocks and crypto, when posting cashtags like $BTC or $NVDA, according to a Sunday post by the companys head of product, Nikita Bier. Tapping a Smart Cashtag will open an in-app page showing live prices, price changes, charts, and posts mentioning the asset. X said the tool is designed to reduce ambiguity around tickers and smart contracts, particularly in crypto markets where symbols can overlap. In some cases, assets will be identified by their underlying smart contract addresses. Bier said X plans to collect user feedback ahead of a public release targeted for next month. The company did not disclose whether the feature would include trading or monetisation components. The move reflects Xs broader effort to position the platform as a real-time source of financial information, as users increasingly discuss markets and trading activity on the platform. Musk's xAI Raises $20 Billion With Backing From Nvidia and Cisco Musk has repeatedly said he wants to turn X into an everything app, including payments and financial services, and has previously floated the idea of supporting cryptocurrencies on the platform, while stopping short of confirming whether digital assets such as Dogecoin, his preferred meme coin, would be integrated into any future payments product. Xs former CEO, Linda Yaccarino, also announced in June that the platform would support in-app investing and trading. A month later, she resigned. Further announcements regarding an exact timeline of that features rollout have not been provided. X Corp did not immediately respond to Decrypts request for comment. Bier joined X around the same time as Yaccarinos departure, and is an advisor to Solana and a venture partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. He previously held roles at xAI and Meta within a division that built experimental, consumer-facing apps. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Xpeng Inc. (NYSE:XPEV) has kicked off preparations for a potential Hong Kong listing of its flying car unit, a move that could put fresh spotlight on Xpeng Aeroht as the company pushes deeper into frontier mobility. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) and Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) have been hired to work on the IPO process, and a confidential filing has already been made for a share sale that may take place as soon as this year, although the plan could still shift as deliberations continue. Representatives for Xpeng, JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley declined to comment. The IPO work comes after banks were invited last year to pitch for roles on a potential Xpeng Aeroht listing in Hong Kong or the US, indicating the company has been weighing its options across markets. Xpeng Aeroht, recently rebranded internationally as Aridge, could be positioned to ride China's so-called low-altitude economy drive, which covers activity in airspace used by machines such as flying taxis and drones. The unit is part-owned by Xpeng and its chairman and chief executive officer He Xiaopeng, and past funding includes a $150 million round in 2024. Operationally, Xpeng Aeroht has a 120,000 square meter intelligent flying car factory in Guangzhou designed to eventually produce one aircraft every 30 minutes, with its first mass-produced flying vehicle scheduled for customer delivery in late 2026. Xpeng has aimed to build its core automotive business into the profitable foundation for technologies like Aeroht by expanding in extended-range hybrids and scaling its autonomous driving software. Xpeng's shares have climbed 69% in the past 12 months, giving the company a market value of about $19 billion. If you donate regularly to charity, you may want to take advantage of the charitable contribution deduction, an incentive that could significantly lower your taxable income. This article explains what the charitable contribution deduction is, how it works, and what to consider as you prepare to file for the 2025 tax year. What are charitable donations? A charitable donation is a voluntary gift to a tax-exempt organization, for which you didnt receive a benefit in return. The gift can be money or property, such as a car, clothing, or furniture. You may also be able to deduct certain expenses related to volunteer work. However, a major qualification for a charitable gift is that its not set aside for individual use. Gifts to individuals, like GoFundMe campaigns for medical bills, dont qualify, said Gregory Monaco, CPA and founding principal at Monaco CPA, in an email to Yahoo Finance. For example, if you write a check to a church for a specific person, such as for the Johnson family or the charity sends your donation to someone you pick, the IRS sees it as a personal gift, not a charitable contribution. What is a tax-exempt organization? Tax-exempt organizations must meet the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements. The IRS includes these groups in its list of qualified organizations: U.S.-based charities U.S. government entities Veterans groups Fraternal societies Nonprofit cemeteries Rules for tax-deductible donations Donations to qualified, tax-exempt organizations are tax-deductible up to a percentage of your adjusted gross income (AGI), which is all the money you make in income minus certain adjustments. Generally, you can deduct up to 60% of your AGI. However, depending on the type of contribution and organization, you could be limited to 50%, 30%, or even 20% of your AGI. Filers can typically deduct the most for gifts to organizations that fall within the IRS-defined 50% limit category. This includes churches, schools, hospitals, and other public charities and foundations. Donations to qualified organizations outside of this category have lower limits. Your deduction limit also depends on whether the gift was cash or property, and if the property has capital gains. Deduction limits can be lower if you make donations across the different IRS categories in a given tax year. Charitable donation deduction limits If you reach your limit and still have gifts to deduct, you may be able to claim these deductions in future years, for up to five years, in whats known as a carryover. Who qualifies for the deduction? Filers who itemize deductions can claim the charitable donation tax deduction. Its not currently available for non-itemizers, but changes are expected for 2026. Compared to the standard deduction, itemizing can be more complex and costly. However, the IRS recommends itemizing if your itemized deduction is more than the standard, or if youre required to itemize for other reasons. Read more: Standard deduction vs. itemizing: How to decide How to claim the charitable donation tax deduction These steps can take some of the guesswork out of claiming the charitable contribution deduction. Always consult a tax professional for questions about your situation. Gather required documents Youll need documentation for all of your contributions. It can be as straightforward as a bank statement or as involved as a contemporaneous written acknowledgement (CWA) a letter from the charity with the date and amount of your contribution and whether there was an exchange of goods or services. For cash contributions: Include a bank statement, funds transfer receipt, canceled check, or payroll deduction records for gifts less than $250. Cash donations $250 or more require a CWA. For noncash deductions: If the value of the gift is less than $250, have a detailed receipt with the name and address of the organization, the date and location where you made the donation, and details of the property given. Donations of $250 or more require a CWA and, potentially, additional tax forms. For out-of-pocket expenses: Similar to cash contributions, you can use a bank statement or receipt for qualified, unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses less than $250. If youre claiming $250 or more, youll need an acknowledgement from the organization. Check the organizations tax-exempt status The IRS requires most tax-exempt organizations to submit information annually to maintain their status. If the organization fails to do so for three consecutive years, it automatically loses its tax-exempt status, which means you cant deduct donations made to it. Its a good idea to check an organizations status at the beginning of the year, but especially before filing your tax return. Use the IRS online tool to search the entity's name or employer identification number (EIN). Make sure itemizing deductions makes sense When you itemize your return, you list tax-deductible expenses you incurred throughout the year, like health savings account contributions, student loan interest, and charitable giving but this doesnt always make sense for everyone. You can get a tax break for charitable donations only if your total itemized deductions are more than the standard deduction, noted Monaco. "About 90 percent of people do not go over the standard deduction limits, so their donations do not lower their federal taxes. Here are the standard deduction limits for both the 2025 and 2026 tax years: File and submit by the deadline Include the sum of your charitable donations made within the tax year using IRS Form 1040 Schedule A on lines 11 and 12. If youre carrying over an amount from previous years, enter it on line 13. Be sure to file your taxes or request an extension by April 15. Changes to the charitable contribution deduction for 2026 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act brings changes to charitable giving tax deductions beginning in the 2026 tax year (which will be filed in April 2027). Changes include: Those taking the standard deduction can claim up to $1,000 in charitable contributions if filing single, or $2,000 if married filing jointly. That means even if you dont itemize, you can take a limited charitable contribution deduction. If youre itemizing, charitable contributions are tax-deductible only if they exceed 0.5% of the filers AGI. This new provision creates a floor on whats deductible. The Tax Foundation provides this example: If a taxpayer with $200,000 in AGI makes $10,000 in charitable giving, the first $1,000 of donations would not be deductible. But anything over that amount in this case, the remaining $9,000 would be. Charitable contribution deduction FAQs How much do charitable donations reduce taxes? The amount of your savings will depend on several factors, like the type and size of your donation, your tax bracket, and your AGI. There are also limits to how much you can deduct. Common cash donations are usually limited to 60% of your AGI, but other types can have lower deduction limits. The amount youre allowed to deduct reduces your taxable income, which often translates to a lower tax bill. Are charitable donations tax-deductible if you dont itemize? For the 2025 tax year, you can only deduct charitable donations if you itemize. However, starting in 2026, single-filer taxpayers who take the standard deduction will also be able to claim charitable giving, up to $1,000 for single filers and up to $2,000 for married filing jointly. Is it worth donating to charity to get a tax write-off? Giving to charity to write off your donation doesnt add money to your bottom line it lowers the income youre taxed on. If you choose to donate to a cause important to you, you can think of the deduction as a bonus. What are the new rules for charitable deductions in 2026? Starting in 2026, you dont have to itemize to claim the charitable tax deduction. Those who take the standard deduction can claim up to $1,000 as a single filer (or $2,000 if married and filing jointly). Itemizers, on the other hand, will see new restrictions on what theyre able to deduct, specifically donations that exceed 0.5% of their AGI. : : . . . . : From any angle, Republicans face difficult odds in November. No party has successfully maintained unified control of the White House, the House and the Senate through a midterm election since 1978. Recent indicators, from President Donald Trump's sagging approval ratings to the strong Democratic performance in the 2025 elections , offer Republicans little reason for optimism that they can break that streak. Even Trump's strategy of pressuring red states to redraw their congressional districts has largely fizzled. Though Texas and other Republican-controlled states have acted , the combination of GOP reluctance elsewhere (most prominently in Indiana) and offsetting Democratic responses (most notably in California) has reduced the GOP's net advantage from this unusual mid-decade tit-for-tat to just a handful of seats--not enough to meaningfully improve their chances of maintaining control. But the Republican-appointed Supreme Court majority could throw the House GOP a lifeline. In oral arguments last fall , the conservative justices appeared poised to significantly limit, if not completely overturn, the provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that bars changes in election laws that have the effect of discriminating against racial minorities. If the Court retrenches that section of the VRA, it would likely trigger another spasm of congressional redistricting, especially in Republican-controlled states across the South, to eliminate seats now held by Black and Latino Democrats. Depending on how many states act, that could tilt at least another seven or eight Congressional seats toward the GOP now , and likely many more over time - enough to reinforce their cushion in the near- and long-term battle for House control. Typically, the Court waits until the end of its session in June to issue decisions this important. But many legal and political analysts believe the majority may be tempted to influence the 2026 election by ruling more quickly. If the Court releases a decision unraveling the VRA's protections within the next six to eight weeks, that would give states time to redraw their district lines before November. In that case, "you could still see some of these Southern states that are making threats pick up the pen" to eliminate Democratic-held seats, says John Bisognano, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. The timing of such a ruling may be uncertain, but the outcome appears anything but. Weakening the VRA sits at the crossroads of two of the court's most consistent patterns under Chief Justice John Roberts: rolling back federal voting rules and unwinding civil rights law. Down one road, the Roberts Court has repeatedly limited Washington's role in setting rules for elections - typically over unified opposition from the Democratic appointees. The Court has eviscerated limits on independent campaign spending, invalidated a core VRA provision requiring federal "preclearance" of election laws in states with a history of racial discrimination, and barred federal courts from overturning redistricting maps as excessively partisan. The Republican-appointed justices may be ready to lengthen that list this session with decisions that could loosen limits on coordinated spending between political parties and candidates and stop states from counting absentee ballots received after Election Day. Down the other path, the GOP majority has also prohibited race-conscious remedies for prior discrimination, most dramatically in rulings on college admissions and public school segregation. The current VRA case, which involves a challenge to a second majority Black district created in Louisiana's congressional map, may allow the conservative justices to advance both of those goals. Many analysts expect that the majority will rule that drawing legislative seats expressly designed to favor the election of racial minorities violates the Constitution, and either bar or severely restrict that practice. Close observers consider Florida (which has apparently delayed reopening its congressional maps to wait for the ruling), Louisiana and Georgia the red states poised to most quickly redraw their congressional lines if the Court greenlights undoing seats now held by minorities. Other possibilities include South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. Ironically, as the Equity Research Institute at the University of Southern California has calculated for me, non-White residents account for all or most of the recent population growth in those states. And the ripple effect of a decision weakening the VRA would extend much further. Two civil rights advocacy groups have calculated that Southern states could eliminate as many as 140 state legislative seats held by Democrats of color - about 40% of the current total. Elections for local office, which account for about two-thirds of all legal challenges under the threatened VRA provision, would inevitably be upended too. Even Texas, Bisognano believes, might redraw its congressional lines yet again for 2028 if the current gerrymander doesn't flip as many Democratic seats as state Republicans have promised Trump. In Congress, the full effect of a sweeping ruling likely wouldn't be felt until the redistricting that follows the 2030 Census. At that point, Republican-controlled Southern states would face little legal constraint on drawing maps that severely repress Black and Latino representation. "It's becoming clear that elements of the GOP are seeking to match their nostalgia for a past America with a voter composition of that era," Manuel Pastor, the institute's executive director, told me in an email. Although the number of non-White Republicans has slightly increased over time, they still comprise only about 10% of all GOP House members; that suggests that if red states eliminate more House seats now designed to favor the election of minorities, those non-White Democrats are most likely to be replaced by more White Republicans. A future in which people of color provide the growth that allows Southern states to add more congressional seats but are then denied a meaningful chance to represent those seats uncomfortably resembles the Constitution's notorious three-fifths compromise - which counted slaves (as three-fifths of a free person) toward allocating House seats and electoral votes, but denied them the vote. Echoing that injustice would be a dubious but fitting capstone to Roberts' long crusade against a federal role in both securing fair elections and safeguarding civil rights. (COMMENT, BELOW) Ronald Brownstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics and policy. He is also a CNN analyst and previously worked for The Atlantic, The National Journal and the Los Angeles Times. He has won multiple professional awards and is the author or editor of seven books. Qabil Ashirov Expired and unusable ammunition will be safely destroyed in the Pirakashkul and Agdara areas between January 12 and 16, Azernews reports, citing Azerbaijans Defense Ministry. The ministry stated that the controlled disposal operations will involve military ordnance that has reached the end of its service life and is no longer suitable for use. The process will be carried out in accordance with established safety procedures to prevent any risk to civilians or the environment. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that residents in nearby areas may hear explosion sounds during the designated period. However, the ministry stressed that there is no cause for concern, noting that the detonations will be conducted under strict supervision by specialized units. Authorities have urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unnecessary alarm. The ministry reiterated its commitment to transparency and public safety, adding that such operations are routine measures aimed at ensuring the secure handling and elimination of outdated military equipment. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. It was almost six years ago -- during the COVID-19 pandemic -- that then-Attorney General Bill Barr called a "virtual press conference" to announce that the Justice Department was taking action against Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela. "Today, I am here to talk about the former Maduro regime and its direct participation in narco-terrorism, corruption, money laundering, and drug trafficking," Barr said on March 26, 2020. "As you will hear, the Department of Justice is announcing the unsealing of a superseding indictment filed in the Southern District of New York against four defendants, including Nicolas Maduro," said Barr. "The indictment of Nicolas Maduro and his co-defendants alleges a conspiracy involving an extremely violent terrorist organization known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia -- or FARC -- in an effort to flood the United States with cocaine," Barr said. "There is an area on the border of Columbia, Norte de Santander, which is one of the primary cocaine producing areas remaining in Columbia," explained Barr. "FARC gets this cocaine over into Venezuela and then is given safe haven by the regime to fly this cocaine from an area called Zulia, near Lake Maracaibo, up into Central America. Since 2016, this air bridge has been established and has grown fivefold in just those four years. In addition, the regime is allowing these drug traffickers to take drugs by a maritime route in the Caribbean. We estimate somewhere between 200 and 250 metric tons of cocaine are shipped out of Venezuela by these routes per year. "Those 250 tons," said Barr, "equate to 30 million lethal doses." The indictment filed in 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York alleged: "From at least in or about 1999, up to and including in or about 2020, NICOLAS MADURO MOROS ... participated in a corrupt and violent narco-terrorism conspiracy between the Venezuelan Cartel de Los Soles and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Columbia ('FARC')." "From at least in or about 1999, up to and including in or about 2020, the Cartel de Los Soles, or 'Cartel of the Suns,' was a Venezuelan drug-trafficking organization comprised of high-ranking Venezuelan officials who abused the Venezuelan people and corrupted the legitimate institutions of Venezuela -- including parts of the military, intelligence apparatus, legislature, and the judiciary -- to facilitate the importation of tons of cocaine into the United States," said the indictment. "Under the leadership of Maduro Moros and others, the Cartel de Los Soles sought not only to enrich its members and enhance their power, but also to 'flood' the United States with cocaine and inflict the drug's harmful and addictive effects on users in this country," it alleged. In 2020, the State Department offered a reward "of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Maduro." Eight months after Barr's Justice Department filed its indictment against Maduro, Joe Biden was elected president of the United States. On Jan. 10, 2025, ten days before Donald Trump would be sworn into a second term, Biden's Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a statement condemning Maduro for fraudulently taking a third term as Venezuela's president. "Today, Nicolas Maduro held an illegitimate presidential inauguration in Venezuela in a desperate attempt to seize power," said Blinken. "The Venezuelan people and the world know the truth -- Maduro clearly lost the 2024 presidential election and has no right to claim the presidency. The United States rejects the National Electoral Council's fraudulent announcement that Maduro won the presidential election and does not recognize Maduro as the president of Venezuela." Blinken then announced that the Biden administration was increasing the reward being offered on Maduro. "In solidarity with the Venezuelan people, the U.S. government and our partners around the world are taking action today," said Blinken. "The Department of State is increasing the reward offers to up to $25 million each for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of Nicolas Maduro and Maduro's Minister of the Interior Diosdado Cabello. The Department of State is also adding a new reward offer of up to $15 million for Maduro's Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez. "These three reward offers," said Blinken, "stem from criminal narcotrafficking indictments announced in March 2020." Last August, the Trump State Department increased the reward for "information leading to the arrest and/or conviction" of Maduro to $50 million. What impact has cocaine trafficking had on the United States in recent years? "The number of overdose deaths involving cocaine increased from 4,681 in 2011 to 29,449 in 2023," said the Aug. 28 edition of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. In just a dozen years, the United States saw a six-fold increase in fatal cocaine overdoses. According to annual data published by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, the United States experienced a total of 172,960 overdose deaths from cocaine from 2013 -- the year Maduro became the president of Venezuela -- through 2023. That is almost three times the 58,220 military fatalities that, according to the National Archives, the United States suffered in the Vietnam War. U.S. military forces last Saturday did not suffer any casualties while successfully carrying out an operation to capture Maduro and return him to the United States to stand trial. That same day, Attorney General Pam Bondi released an updated indictment of Maduro that included his wife. "Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York," Bondi said in a posting on X. "Nicolas Maduro has been charged with Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy, Possession of Machineguns and Destructive Devices, and Conspiracy to Possess Machineguns and Destructive Devices against the United States. "They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," she said. The United States does not need to occupy Venezuela or try to create a free democracy there. But Maduro deserves to stand trial in this country for the horrendous crimes he has allegedly committed. Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. Previously: It's Happening Now: Dems' Amending First Amendment to Limit Political Speech (COMMENT, BELOW) That'd be the cheeky interpretation of President Donald Trump's announcement, via Truth Social, that he wants the U.S. defense budget to be $1.5 trillion. This would represent a stunning 50% increase over the current budget and put the U.S. right around 5% of GDP, the target level that NATO countries recently adopted at Trump's insistence. The details and follow-through will matter, but on its own terms, the Trump declaration is of epic significance. Such a historic buildup would meet the moment -- it's never made sense that the U.S. would enter a period of heightened risk of great power conflict at a time when it has difficulty replenishing its missile stocks. It would match the predilections of a president who enjoys throwing his weight around. If Trump wants to speak loudly and carry a big stick, it requires the resources to build and maintain the stick. And it would match his vision of a world-class military. You can't have a Golden Dome -- Trump's project for an enhanced missile defense -- or a Golden Fleet -- his notion of a next-generation navy -- without a Golden Defense Budget. The scale of spending contemplated here is truly astounding. A $500 billion increase would roughly match the total annual spending of all non-U.S. NATO countries. The percentage increase would be highest since the Korean War and double the biggest annual increases of the Reagan years. "We still talk about the Reagan buildup," Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said in a speech last month, "and my kids and yours will someday talk about the Trump buildup." The Trump proposal would not just be a downpayment on that promise, but a big step toward fulfilling it. If our military is highly proficient -- as demonstrated in the Venezuela raid -- it also doesn't have the materiel to wage a protracted major war. Defense analyst Mackenzie Eaglin of the American Enterprise Institute has long been ringing the alarm. She recently noted that during the short Israel-Iran war, we fired 150, or one-quarter, of our THAAD missiles, exceeding our annual purchase rate by three times. In the Red Sea, the Navy fired more Tomahawks in January 2024 than it bought in all of 2023. These shortfalls, as Eaglin points out, are especially disturbing when compared to the building capacity of our adversaries. Whereas the Russians make more than 300,000 artillery shells a month, we make only 40,000 155mm shells. "Beijing builds six naval combatant ships," she writes, "for every 1.8 ships the U.S. builds." Even The New York Times -- not known for beating the drums for more defense spending -- devoted a splashy editorial last month to the sorry state of our military-industrial base. In his new book, "War and Power," scholar Phillips Payson O'Brien relates how wars between great powers are usually not won by brilliant battle plans, or by the commitment or proficiency of the troops. Rather, it is productive capacity -- and the ability to degrade that of the enemy while maintaining or increasing your own -- that makes the difference. The Nazis weren't going to win the Battle of Britain when the Brits were producing twice as many aircraft as Hitler. On top of this, a nation needs to make shrewd choices about what it is building (the Nazis also had the wrong planes for the Battle of Britain -- bombers with payloads that were too small and fighters with limited range). The U.S. needs to make sure that it is not overinvesting in the weapons systems of the past, although a defense budget on the scale that Trump is discussing would relieve some pressure from these choices. We could very well have our traditional subs and jet fighters, and our cutting-edge drones, too. Trump's taste for gilding everything can be over the top. It'd be a national service, though, if he manages to make the U.S. defense budget golden. (COMMENT, BELOW) Today's hardest-working man in "public service" is Abukar Dahir Osman: it seems the President of the United Nations Security Council has his own Freelandesque side-gig with a "home health" business in Ohio. 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 has previously taken... pic.twitter.com/zWIlC63Qer Deputy Secretary Jim O'Neill (@HHS_Jim) January 5, 2026 To summarise: *Chances of the US superpower doing effective (constitutional republic) nation-building in Somalia: zero per cent; *Chances of basket-case Somalia doing effective (corrupt tribal bleephole) nation-building in Ohio, Minnesota, Your State Here: one hundred per cent. [UPDATE! Just to clarify, not every taxpayer-enriched daycare is run by Somalis. Some are run by Ashli Babbitt's murderer.] Historically, lack of corruption has been a largely north-western European phenomenon. It all gets a bit iffy if you go as far south as France, never mind Italy or Greece. That latitudinal distinction was more or less exported to the New World: in North America, a quarter-millennium of broadly peaceful democratic evolution; in South or "Latin" America, presidents-for-life, police chiefs with reflector shades, and opposition politicians accidentally falling out of aeroplanes. Corruption isn't everything, of course: if one were to compare a small English - or even Swedish - market town today with its French or Italian equivalent, one would conclude that, aesthetically, scrupulous Anglo-Scandinavian standards of public integrity leave the landscape far more revoltingly scarred than the fast-track Mediterranean system of lubricating the process with a few lira in the pocket of the relevant bureaucrat. As my old colleague Theodore Dalrymple has observed: The destruction of Britain's urban patrimony and its replacement by hideous modernist multi-story parking garages and office buildings, while inflating the GNP, represent a lowering of every Briton's quality of life... The Georgian spa city of Bath offers an even more startling example: in the 1950s, the city council wanted to raze it to the ground and replace it with something more in tune with the times. They were not corrupt. They were merely insane. Nevertheless, London successfully exported its lack of corruption to the British settler nations and (some of) its other dominions, and that North-West European distaste for state racketeering still holds, up to a point. The 2024 Corruption-Free Hit Parade: 1) Denmark 2) Finland 3) Singapore 4) New Zealand 5=) Luxembourg 5=) Norway 5=) Switzerland 8) Sweden 9) The Netherlands 10) Australia America has never had Scandinavian standards of public integrity - see Tammany Hall et al. Yet, on the other hand, it was never down there with Somalia - which last year was the most corrupt country on earth but this year, humiliatingly, has had to cede the trophy to South Sudan, which as a sovereign state is only fourteen years old, so that's pretty impressive. Are they also in the daycare business? The Democrat Party is not listed on the Global Corruption Hit Parade because they are not a sovereign state, although one gets the vague feeling that, if they were, they would be extremely competitive with South Sudan. The extraordinary wealth amassed by lifetime "public servants" on modest salaries such as Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi suggests that they would not be out of place in the cabinet in Mogadishu or Juba. East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet, wrote Kipling. But East Africa is East Africa, and Midwest is Midwest, and for some reason the Democrats decided they should meet. To the Somali mind, there is simply no concept of corruption. To which Tim Walz responds: Yeah, so what's your point? Somalis gonna Somali, whether in Mogadishu or Maine. So, in a vigorous competitive two-party system, how does the GOP react? The Republican governor of America's second-most Somalified state says it's just "the cost of doing business": Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's office on potential fraud at childcare centers in Columbus-- which has the second highest Somali population in America: "This is something that is unfortunately the cost of doing business." pic.twitter.com/hCE3B0b3Dz Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 31, 2025 So "the cost of doing business" in a notoriously corrupt sector such as, er, keeping an eye on pre-kindergartners for a few hours each day is multi-billion-dollar fraud? So, when the capo di tutti capi flies in to Columbus from the Security Council meeting, he tells DeWine, "Nice little gubernatorial administration you got here. Shame if anything were to happen to it"? With Republicans like this, who needs Somalis? Nudge it a few more years of "diversity" down the line: Will even Scandinavia's culture of public integrity survive mass Islamisation? Yeah, sure - just like Yorkshire policing did. Much of the western world - France, UK, Canada - is in any objective sense broke, and, as I first remarked a sod-bollocking decade-and-a-half ago, America is the broke-brokey-brokiest nation in history: right now it has to pay back a smidgeonette shy of forty tril just to get back to having nothing, nada, zip in its pocket. Nobody has ever done that before. But how much less broke would it be if it was not content to live with Mike DeWine levels of "doing business"? My lower bound guess for how much fraud there is nationally is ~20% of the Federal budget, which would mean $1.5 trillion per year. Probably much higher. https://t.co/T6URzaqHqY Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 29, 2025 I agree with Mr Musk that it's "probably much higher". Indeed, if you eliminated those on the take, whether of the Somali or Bill Kristol variety, you would be close to being able to cover the remaining expenditures through existing tax revenues. Imagine that! But corruption on the DeWine scale is hard to reverse. "The cost of doing business" is that, as in Mexico or Ukraine or Joe Biden's beach house, you can buy everyone you might need to buy. And anyone minded to try rolling it back winds up in the cornerstone of the Tim Walz Quality Learing Tampon Dispensary. East is East, West is West, and that's where they meet. As I keep saying, it's the people. If Danes run your daycares, you'll have no Early Learing Centers. If you outsource it to the Somalis, results may vary. This is not difficult, and it is a public policy choice to accept it as "the cost of doing business". But in Minnesota the Early Learing goes on. Last year, you'll recall, a prominent Democrat politician was shot dead by some supposedly random crazy guy from the Governor's Workforce Development Board and the list of keynote speakers at the Minnesota Africans United conference. The perp left a missive for the FBI claiming Governor Jazz-Hands had instructed him to kill Amy Klobuchar so that he could take her place in the US Senate. The Minneapolis Star Tribune assured us this letter was rambling and incoherent. On Monday Tim Walz announced he would not seek a third term as governor. The day before he had a meeting with Senator Klobuchar at which they supposedly agreed that she would get a clear run at the gubernatorial nomination to succeed him and, after victory, would appoint Jazz-Hands to succeed her in the Senate. That's how you "do business" in America. No need for "rambling and incoherent" conspiracies. Oh, bonus question. As mentioned above, the most corrupt nation on earth is presently South Sudan, and the second-most Somalia. So what's the third? That would be - drumroll, please - Venezuela. Mark's international bestseller America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It. If you haven't read the book during its first seventeen years, well, you're missing a treat. It's still in print in hardback and paperback. (Buy it at a 77% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 47% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR) (COMMENT, BELOW) Mark Steyn is an international bestselling author, a Top 41 recording artist, and a leading Canadian human rights activist. Among his books is "The Undocumented Mark Steyn: Don't Say You Weren't Warned". (Buy it at a 49% discount by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 67% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR) We Are China Fast rope down choppers China Military Online) 10:17, January 12, 2026 Soldiers assigned to a brigade under the Chinese PLA 72nd Group Army fast rope down helicopters during a recent round-the-clock live-fire training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhang Mao) An amphibious infantry fighting vehicle attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA 72nd Group Army fires a missile at mock target during a recent round-the-clock live-fire training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhang Mao) An amphibious assault vehicle attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA 72nd Group Army fires at mock target during a recent round-the-clock live-fire training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhang Mao) Amphibious assault vehicles attached to a brigade under the Chinese PLA 72nd Group Army fire at mock targets during a recent round-the-clock live-fire training exercise. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Zhang Mao) (Web editor: Wang Xiaoping, Liang Jun) I come from a long line of physicians. My grandfather was a pioneer in pharmacy and biochemistry, so influential that a museum now bears his name. My father, also a doctor, was cut from a very different cloth. I have written before about our strained relationship and the heavy expectations placed on a child born into a family with a reputation to uphold. Those tensions shaped my early views on medicine, including my strong opinions about treating family members. In the 1960s and 70s, when regulations were looser and boundaries blurrier, my father practiced medicine with a firm rule: He refused to treat friends or relatives under any circumstances. Even when my mother asked him for help managing her anxiety, despite his being a psychiatrist, he declined. As a child, I saw this as selfishness. Why wouldnt he help the person he loved most? Only later did I understand that his refusal, though imperfectly explained, was rooted in legitimate concerns. He often cited fear of litigation, but he rarely articulated the deeper truth: Treating someone you love carries risks that extend far beyond the clinical. A painful lesson I learned this lesson the hard way. When I earned my medical license, I was determined not to repeat my fathers rigidity. I wanted to help everyone I could, even outside the walls of my clinic. I tried to be thorough, taking histories, asking questions, but treating friends and family is inherently different. You assume you know their medical background. You assume you understand their habits, their risks, and their physiology. Those assumptions are dangerous. My first painful lesson came when my grandfathers sister developed what she described as arthritis pain. She complained of discomfort in her left shoulder, and at the time, I interpreted it through the narrow lens of musculoskeletal medicine. My father refused to prescribe anything. I, eager to help and armed with newly acquired samples of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, offered her the medication. Two days later, she died. Rationally, I know the NSAID almost certainly had nothing to do with her death. She was in her eighties. The dose was small. But with the benefit of hindsight, I have often wondered whether her arthritis pain was something far more ominous, perhaps angina presenting atypically, or even the early signs of an impending heart attack. That possibility has haunted me for decades. Had I asked more questions about the nature of her pain? Had I considered cardiac causes instead of assuming a benign musculoskeletal explanation? Would a more thorough history have changed my decision? Did I unknowingly miss the warning signs of a much more serious condition? This is the part of medicine we rarely talk about. Even when we do everything right, outcomes can go wrong. When the physician is a stranger, there is emotional distance. When the physician is a family member, that distance collapses. The guilt can be crushing. The familys grief can turn into resentment. And the physicians self-doubt can linger for a lifetime. The Stevens-Johnson syndrome warning A 2014 case that made national headlines illustrates this risk. A young mother, Yasmeen Castanada, developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome after taking leftover antibiotics given to her by a friend. Early media coverage focused on the dangers of sharing prescription medications. But the deeper truth is more unsettling: Even if the friend had been a licensed physician, the outcome could have been the same. Stevens-Johnson is rare, unpredictable, and often unpreventable. When such a reaction occurs in a loved one, the emotional fallout is profound. Today, I practice in Florida, where prescribing medication requires establishing a formal patient-physician relationship and reviewing medical records. The law does not forbid treating family members, but it does impose guardrails. And so, I continue to wrestle with the question: When is it appropriate to treat someone you love? The blurring of lines Recently, this question became personal again. My wife developed severe sciatica and required an interventional procedure. She trusted only me to perform it. Legally, I had full access to her medical records. Clinically, I was confident in the procedure. But ethically, I hesitated. Would my desire to relieve her suffering cloud my judgment? Would I overlook something because I assumed I already knew her history? Would I push myself to act sooner, or more aggressively, because I could not bear to see her in pain? These questions become even more complicated in my specialty, physiatry, where medications and interventions often take weeks to reach full effect. Patients frequently tell me, It didnt seem to work at first, but now its much better. If I lived with those patients, hearing their daily frustrations, would I prematurely escalate therapy? Would I choose a riskier medication simply to ease their suffering sooner? ADVERTISEMENT And this dilemma is not limited to family members. It can arise just as easily when treating employees. Even with a formal medical record and a proper patient-physician relationship, the emotional and practical pressures are similar. You see the employee every day. You hear about their symptoms in real time. There is no natural buffer, no scheduled follow-up visit two weeks later to assess progress. Instead, you are confronted with their discomfort daily, and the temptation to adjust treatment prematurely can be strong. The boundaries blur, not because of familial ties, but because of proximity, familiarity, and the unavoidable intertwining of professional and personal roles. Navigating the ethics The American Medical Association discourages treating family members except in emergencies, and for good reason. The boundaries blur. Objectivity erodes. Emotions interfere with clinical judgment. And the consequences (medical, ethical, and emotional) can be profound. Yet the reality is more nuanced. Many of us do treat family members in some capacity. We answer questions. We offer guidance. We provide informal curbside consultations. The line between advice and treatment is not always clear. So how do we navigate this ethically? We start by acknowledging the risks, not only clinical risks, but emotional ones. We recognize that our desire to help can cloud our judgment. We understand that even perfect medical decisions can lead to imperfect outcomes. And we accept that when those outcomes affect someone we love, or someone we work with, the burden is heavier. We also recognize that boundaries protect not only the patient but the physician. They preserve objectivity. They prevent resentment. They safeguard relationships. Ultimately, the question is not simply whether we can treat family members or employees, but whether we should. The answer will vary from situation to situation, from physician to physician. But the ethical considerations remain universal. Medicine is not practiced in a vacuum. It is practiced in the context of human relationships: messy, emotional, complicated relationships. When those relationships overlap with clinical care, the stakes rise. As physicians, we must ask ourselves: When do the benefits outweigh the risks? And what risks (clinical, ethical, emotional) are we truly prepared to take? Francisco M. Torres is an interventional physiatrist specializing in diagnosing and treating patients with spine-related pain syndromes. He is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board of Pain Medicine and can be reached at Florida Spine Institute and Wellness. Dr. Torres was born in Spain and grew up in Puerto Rico. He graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. Dr. Torres performed his physical medicine and rehabilitation residency at the Veterans Administration Hospital in San Juan before completing a musculoskeletal fellowship at Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans. He served three years as a clinical instructor of medicine and assistant professor at LSU before joining Florida Spine Institute in Clearwater, Florida, where he is the medical director of the Wellness Program. Dr. Torres is an interventional physiatrist specializing in diagnosing and treating patients with spine-related pain syndromes. He is certified by the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the American Board of Pain Medicine. He is a prolific writer and primarily interested in preventative medicine. He works with all of his patients to promote overall wellness. The United States Congress has voted to authorise the use of military force against Iraq to end its occupation of neighbouring Kuwait. The vote seals the United Nations 15 January deadline for the Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, to order his troops out of Kuwait, or face military action. After three days of sometimes heated debate, the House of Representatives passed the motion authorising use of force by 250 votes to 183. The Democrat-controlled Senate vote was far closer, at 52 to 47, but was not as narrow as had been feared. It is the first time Congress has approved military action since the Gulf of Tonkin resolution in 1964 at the start of the Vietnam War, and it was by no means a foregone conclusion. At times the Senate vote was too close to call, and some were predicting the president would be forced to go to war without Congressional backing. The House of Representatives added one condition to the motion: that all diplomatic and peaceful means of averting war should be exhausted. It has also made it clear it will withdraw its support if the war becomes prolonged or results in heavy casualties. President Bush welcomed the votes, saying they represented the last best chance for peace and sent the clearest message to Iraq that it cannot scorn the January 15 deadline. He said he had not yet made a final decision to launch an attack on Iraq, but warned it would be sooner rather than later if Saddam Hussein did not withdraw. Senior Washington sources said the president had obtained permission from the British, Saudi Arabian and Egyptian governments to launch an attack at only a few minutes notice. Courtesy BBC News In context The last-minute diplomacy by Perez de Cuellar and others came to nothing. Iraq continued to refuse to comply with the UN ultimatum for its troops to withdraw from Kuwait, and at 2330 GMT on 16 January 1991, Operation Desert Storm began with a devastating aerial bombardment of Baghdad. After more than a month of intensive air attacks, the Allies began a land offensive on 24 February. One day later, the Iraqi army began retreating. On 28 February, President George Bush declared victory. Kuwait was liberated, but the Gulf War left Saddam Hussein in power. The US and Britain launched a second war against Iraq in 2003. Saddam Hussein was overthrown and captured. He was later tried for war crimes by an Iraqi court, sentenced to death and executed. A democratically-elected government was sworn in after elections in 2005. However, it has proved very difficult to find an acceptable balance of power between Iraqs national groups, and the country continues to be destabilised by violent extremists. American and British troops have so far been unable to pull out despite repeated guerrilla attacks which have killed more soldiers than the war itself. Like this: Like Loading... The government has confirmed that 130 couples eligible for the assisted reproductive services scheme will receive treatment by the first half of 2026, following clinical evaluations at the citys medical center. The program, launched in December 2024, offers up to two cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to couples facing infertility. The Health Bureau (SSM) has provided an update on the assisted reproductive services scheme, following concerns raised by lawmaker Leong Sun Iok over delays in treatment for couples facing infertility. In his written inquiry, Leong said that while the initiative represents a significant step in supporting family planning in Macau, some couples waiting for treatment have expressed concerns over long delays. He added, For couples with limited fertility golden years, time is extremely critical. As they age, their anxiety and concerns grow. He also noted practical issues with the subsidys coverage, such as the cost of freezing embryos during delays and counting cycles even when embryo transfer is not performed. Responding to the inquiry, SSM director Alvis Lo said that as of mid-November 2025, the government had received 480 applications for the scheme. Of these, 352 cases were referred to the citys medical center infertility clinic for follow-up, while the remaining applications did not meet eligibility requirements. After clinical evaluation, approximately 130 cases were deemed eligible for IVF or ICSI services, Lo said. Services began in October 2025, with the goal of providing treatment for all eligible couples by the first half of 2026. To improve efficiency, the medical center has allocated 16 staff members, including doctors, laboratory technicians, and nurses, to the program. Lo said that optimized workflows and upgraded equipment will allow for further expansion of service capacity. Currently, the subsidy covers egg retrieval and embryo transfer costs for two cycles, with each cycle including one egg retrieval and one embryo transfer. We will continue to review and assess the program to ensure ongoing support for residents with fertility needs, he said. Leongs inquiry also suggested adjusting the subsidy to account for actual months of embryo freezing and calculating cycles based on actual embryo transfers rather than simply counting treatment attempts. The number of newborns in Macau has reached a record low, with the SSM reporting just 2,871 births last year. The citys birth rate has been steadily declining in recent years. In 2022, the Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC) reported an annual birth rate of 6.4, the lowest since records began in 1985, with 4,344 newborns registered a year-on-year drop of 682. The downward trend continued, with 3,712 births in 2023, 3,607 in 2024, and the latest figures from the SSM showing just 2,871 last year. In late November, lawmakers pressed the government on how it plans to shield local schools from the effects of the record-low birth rate. Education and Youth Development Bureau director Kong Chi Ming said the bureau is acting on a mid-year strategy study and has introduced preliminary measures to maintain education standards, noting the decline mirrors trends seen in other developed regions. Like this: Like Loading... Nationwide protests challenging Irans theocracy saw protesters flood the streets in the countrys capital and its second-largest city into yesterday, crossing the two-week mark as violence surrounding the demonstrations has killed at least 116 people, activists said. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. But the death toll in the protests has grown, while 2,600 others have been detained, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Meanwhile, Irans parliament speaker warned the U.S. military and Israel would be legitimate targets if America strikes the Islamic Republic, as threatened by President Donald Trump. Qalibaf made the threat as lawmakers rushed the dais in the Iranian parliament, shouting: Death to America! Those abroad fear the information blackout will embolden hard-liners within Irans security services to launch a bloody crackdown, despite warnings from Trump hes willing to strike the Islamic Republic to protect peaceful demonstrators. Trump offered support for the protesters, saying on social media that Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!! The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous U.S. officials, said on Saturday night that Trump had been given military options for a strike on Iran, but hadnt made a final decision. The State Department separately warned: Do not play games with President Trump. When he says hell do something, he means it. Parliament rallies Iranian state television broadcast the parliament session live. Qalibaf, a hard-liner who has run for the presidency in the past, gave a speech applauding police and Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, particularly its all-volunteer Basij, for having stood firm during the protests. The people of Iran should know that we will deal with them in the most severe way and punish those who are arrested, Qalibaf said. He went on to directly threaten Israel, the occupied territory as he referred to it, and the U.S. military, possibly with a preemptive strike. In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets, Qalibaf said. We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat. It remains unclear just how serious Iran is about launching a strike, particularly after seeing its air defenses destroyed during the 12-day war in June with Israel. Any decision to go to war would rest with Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The U.S. military has said in the Mideast it is postured with forces that span the full range of combat capability to defend our forces, our partners and allies and U.S. interests. Iran targeted U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar back in June, while the U.S. Navys Mideast-based 5th Fleet is stationed in the island kingdom of Bahrain. Israel, meanwhile, is watching closely the situation, between the U.S. and Iran, said an Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to not being authorized to speak to journalists. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio overnight on topics including Iran, the official added. Protests in Tehran and Mashhad Online videos sent out of Iran, likely using Starlink satellite transmitters, purportedly showed demonstrators gathering in northern Tehrans Punak neighborhood. There, it appeared authorities shut off streets, with protesters waving their lit mobile phones. Others banged metal while fireworks went off. Other footage purportedly showed demonstrators peacefully marching down a street and others honking their car horns on the street. The pattern of protests in the capital has largely taken the form of scattered, short-lived, and fluid gatherings, an approach shaped in response to the heavy presence of security forces and increased field pressure, the Human Rights Activists News Agency said. At the same time, reports were received of surveillance drones flying overhead and movements by security forces around protest locations, indicating ongoing monitoring and security control. In Mashhad, Irans second-largest city, some 725 kilometers northeast of Tehran, footage purported to show protesters confronting security forces. Flaming debris and dumpsters could be seen in the street, blocking the road. Mashhad is home to the Imam Reza shrine, the holiest in Shiite Islam, making the protests there carry heavy significance for the countrys theocracy. Protests also appeared to happen in Kerman, 800 kilometers southeast of Tehran. Iranian state television on Sunday morning took a page from demonstrators, having their correspondents appear on streets in several cities to show calm areas with a date stamp shown on screen. Tehran and Mashhad were not included. They also showed pro-government demonstrations in Qom and Qazvin. Khamenei has signaled a coming clampdown, despite U.S. warnings. Tehran escalated its threats Saturday, with Irans attorney general, Mohammad Movahedi Azad, warning that anyone taking part in protests will be considered an enemy of God, a death-penalty charge. The statement carried by Iranian state television said even those who helped rioters would face the charge. JON GAMBRELL, DUBAI, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... Chariot Resources Ltd (ASX:CC9) (FRA:ZJ5) (OTCMKTS:CHRTF) is a mineral exploration company focused on discovering and developing high-grade and near surface lithium opportunities focused principally in the United States and Nigeria. The Company recently announced an acquisition of a Nigeria portfolio of hard-rock lithium assets consisting of four project clusters. The projects cover approximately 254 square kilometers and are comprised of 8 exploration licences and 2 small-scale mining leases. These assets represent one of the largest portfolios of lithium assets in the country with high-grade surface samples and have a history of artisanal lithium mining. In addition, Chariot has two core US projects and a number of exploration pipeline projects which Chariot majority owns and operates. The core US projects include the Resurgent Project (which is prospective for claystone lithium in the McDermitt Caldera) in Nevada and Oregon, USA and the Black Mountain Project (which is prospective for hard rock lithium) in Wyoming, USA. The McDermitt Caldera has a defined MRE of over 87Mt LCE and hosts the world class Thacker Pass project. Initial survey results from the core US projects indicate high-grade lithium mineralisation at surface. Chariot also holds a portfolio interest in certain properties prospective for claystone hosted lithium, including an NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate of 10.2Mt LCE, located in the State of Nevada in the United States through its interest in Mustang Lithium LLC. * IVF Lifeline Govt to provide fertility treatment for 130 couples by mid-2026 as city faces sharp decline in births * Labor | Survey shows enterprises plan modest salary hikes this year * Flood Prevention | Barrier construction at Coloane Village finally picks up pace * DSEDT plans consumer incentive program for ZAPE hotel guests to aid businesses affected by satellite casino closures * MPU to launch classes in Hengqin University Town by September * The University of Macau celebrates its 45th anniversary with an Open Day, robotics showcase, and a restructuring to focus on science and technology DOWNLOAD PDF Monday, January 12, 2026 edition no. 4871 Like this: Like Loading... As part of Macaus push to expand higher education into mainland China, Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) confirmed it will launch postgraduate classes this September in the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town. Vivian Lei, acting rector of MPU, announced the plans Saturday during the universitys 45th anniversary and 2026 Open Day at its auditorium. The Hengqin campus will complement MPUs main site and embrace new regional and international opportunities. Lei told attendees the first phase targets a transitional campus in the Guangdong-Macao Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Classes will start between August and September, she said. Enrollment is currently underway for about 200 initial students, a figure expected to grow yearly, she added. According to MPUs statement, the programs to be offered at the transitional campus for postgraduates include health sciences, technological innovation, and Chinese-Portuguese languages. The statement details, The subsequent phase involves the construction of the MPU campus in Hengqin, which is planned to commence in 2027 and is expected to be completed by 2030. This initiative, under SAR government coordination, involves the University of Macau, MPU, and the Macao University of Tourism. Kong Chi Meng, director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), similarly affirmed the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Towns September teaching start during UMs anniversary celebrations yesterday. Like this: Like Loading... Police intercepted five women and one man in female attire suspected of prostitution in Iao Hon and NAPE last month. Five individuals admitted to engaging in sex work, and all were suspected of activities inconsistent with their travel status. Cases have been referred to the Immigration Department for follow-up. The Public Security Police continue to crack down on prostitution and urge residents to report suspicious activity. Like this: Like Loading... When it comes to claiming that Venezuelan oil is now under his control, President Donald Trump is mincing no words. But no small part of that oil belongs to China under contracts it struck with Caracas years ago, setting the stage for a delicate diplomatic dance in the next few weeks. Some experts expect Trump to work with China in an effort to stabilize trade relations. After all, Trump is expected to visit Beijing in April as part of an effort to protect the fragile trade truce he reached with Chinese President Xi Jinping late last year. The administration appears focused on avoiding unnecessary escalation or new irritants with Beijing while keeping leverage firmly on Washingtons terms, said Craig Singleton, senior director of the China program at the think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He added that he doubted Trump would risk turning Venezuela into a flashpoint that complicates trade dynamics or Trumps personal engagement with Xi. China is owed at least $10 billion from Venezuela, according to various estimates, a debt that former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro had paid down by shipping oil to China. It is possible that the interim Venezuelan government complying with Washingtons demands could question the legality of those loans-for-oil deals and cease payments. Two major Chinese state-owned enterprises China National Petroleum Corp. and Sinopec are entitled to 4.4 billion barrels of oil reserves in Venezuela, the highest for any foreign country, according to a research note by the investment bank Morgan Stanley. U.S. companies also have claims for tens of billions of dollars from when Caracas nationalized the oil industry, and its not clear how these IOUs will be honored and in what order. The U.S. seized two sanctioned oil tankers this week as part of a plan to assert control over Venezuelan oil shipments. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the U.S. will handle the sales of Venezuelas oil indefinitely, depositing proceeds into U.S.-controlled accounts that will ultimately flow back into Venezuela to benefit the Venezuelan people. The administration said this week that the U.S. would kickstart those sales with 30 million to 50 million barrels taken from the South American countrys crude storage facilities. Asked for more detail, a Trump administration official not authorized to comment publicly and speaking on condition of anonymity said U.S. policy was to wind down adversarial outside influence in the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. using such leverage over a crucial natural resource comes after Beijing flexed its muscles last year by choking off critical supplies of rare-earth magnets and weaponizing its purchase of American soybeans in the trade war with Washington. When Trump met Xi in South Korea in October, the two men agreed to a one-year truce, backing off from sky-high tariffs and export controls on each other. Chinas stakes in Venezuela Between 2000 and 2023, Venezuela was the fourth-largest recipient of Beijings official credit, having received $106 billion worth of loans from Chinas official-sector creditors, according to AidData, a research lab at Virginias College of William & Mary that tracks Beijings overseas lending activities. But how much of the total that Caracas has paid off and what is still owed is unclear, said AidData executive director Brad Parks, because Caracas stopped reporting debt details several years ago. While some estimates put the outstanding debt at $10 billion, Parks said the figure could be much higher because U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan oil might have delayed loan repayments. The loans from China, under an unusual arrangement, were set up to be paid down with proceeds from oil exports. In China, the capture of Maduro evoked memories of another leader who had struck deals with Chinese companies and then suddenly lost power: Libyas Moammar Gadhafi. After the 2011 fall of Gadhafi, Chinese businesses had to leave behind billions in investments. Cui Shoujun, professor of international studies at Renmin University in Beijing, told the Chinese news and commentary site guancha.cn that the transition government in Caracas could deem agreements under Maduro unlawful and the debt to China illegal. As in Libya, Beijings stakes in Venezuela have gone beyond oil. Chinese firms have invested in telecommunications, railways and ports in Venezuela, all now at risk, according to a report by the global financial firm Jefferies. Still, the firm noted that Beijing will likely manage any disruption because Venezuelan oil counted for only a small percentage of Chinas oil imports and because Beijing has diversified its energy supplies and pivoted to electrification. Hours before he was captured by U.S. forces, Maduro hosted a high-level Chinese diplomat at the presidential palace and praised the countries ties that had prospered from the days of his predecessor, Hugo Chavez, and given Beijing a strong foothold in Americas backyard. Venezuela is the only Latin American country that has a high-level strategic partnership with China, on par with close friends like Pakistan, and the ouster of Maduro is expected to curtail Chinas influence in the Western Hemisphere in line with one of the goals spelled out in the Trump administrations National Security Strategy. Beijings response to the capture of Maduro Soon after Maduro was captured, Beijing said it was deeply shocked by the blatant use of U.S. force against a sovereign state and action against its president and said it strongly condemned the U.S. actions. It called for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife. Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong said Thursday that no nation has the right to interfere with economic and trade cooperation between China and Venezuela, which he said is between two sovereign states and protected by international and domestic laws. No matter how the political situation in Venezuela evolves, Chinas willingness to deepen bilateral economic and trade cooperation will not change, He said. Singleton said Beijing does not wield the clout in the Western Hemisphere as touted. Beijing can protest diplomatically, he said, but it cannot protect partners or assets once Washington decides to apply direct pressure. DIDI TANG & BERNARD CONDON, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... The University of Macau (UM) marked its 45th anniversary yesterday with a celebratory opening ceremony at the UM Lakeside Theatre, where government officials, students, alumni, and university leaders gathered to reflect on the institutions progress under One country, two systems. Kong Chi Meng, representative of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau, delivered the morning sessions keynote address. It is a great pleasure to gather here on this sunny day at the beginning of the new year to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the University of Macau, Kong said. He progressed to recount key milestones achieved by the institution, including President Xi Jinpings 2014 visit to the UM Hengqin campus and the National Peoples Congress approval for its construction in 2009. Since 2013, in particular, the University of Macau has fully leveraged the institutional innovations of its Hengqin campus, utilizing its vast space, advanced facilities, and abundant resources for continuous improvement, Kong noted. Emphasizing the SAR governments commitment to higher education, Kong said, Institutions of higher learning are key to talent cultivation. He added that three Macai higher education institutions, including UM, will relocate to Hengqin cooperation zone campuses in August and September. He also states that this initiative will positioning UM to lead the Macau-Hengqin International Education (University) Town and help Macau integrate into the national development strategy. Rector outlines UM vision UM Rector, Prof. Yonghua Song reinforced the universitys foundational principles, stating, For forty-five years, we have upheld our school motto of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom. Song continued, In recent years, UM has expanded its academic offerings, strengthened research capabilities, enhanced teaching quality, and elevated its global reputation, attracting outstanding talent from around the world. Underscoring UMs pioneering role in cross-border education, Song noted that throughout its 45-year history, the university has advanced higher education in Macau, Today, the university ranks among the worlds top 1% in 16 disciplines according to the Essential Science Indicators (ESI), and holds 145th place in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, revealed the UM Rector. On multiculturalism, Song said, UM is committed to fostering an environment that places Chinese culture at its core while embracing multiculturalism. He added, The universitys whole-person education model is underpinned by its faculties and residential colleges in an international education setup. As a member of the China University Presidents Association, UM strengthens collaborations with some of the leading universities domestically and provides broad platforms for faculty-student exchanges. Marine robotic innovations on show After the official addresses, Prof. Carlos Silvestre, from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, showcased DELMAC the bright yellow autonomous boat seen zipping across the lake during the opening speeches alongside its companion ORVIS. Both vehicles, funded primarily by the FDCT, target Macaus challenging shallow waters with constrained depths, variable currents, and obstacles. DELMAC, the boat, serves as support on the waters surface, integrating real-time navigation, control, and mission execution for end-to-end autonomous operations. This spans shore launch, transit to survey areas, path tracking amid currents, and a safe return. In shallow water environments like those around Macau, where limited depth, variable currents, poor visibility, coastal proximity, man-made structures, and dynamic obstacles pose real constraints, Silvestre explained. Users need accurate, reliable, and cost-effective tools for bathymetry, underwater infrastructure inspections, environmental monitoring, and rapid post-disaster assessments. Shifting to ORVIS, a fully UM-developed underwater vehicle extending capabilities to the seabed for interventions and detailed sensing, Silvestre states, These two robots deliver an integrated stack from platforms to autonomy, mapping, robustness, and fault tolerance. Yesterdays Open Day featured admission talks, research activities, interactive games, workshops, cultural performances, and guided tours. UMs Bachelors program applications close Jan. 16, and postgraduate deadlines are March 13. Academic departments restructured to focus on science and technology The University of Macau (UM) announced on Friday that, starting August 1, it will formally restructure its academic departments, establishing five major faculties focused on science and technology, with projected student enrollment in these fields expected to reach 14,500. According to its announcement, the five major technology-focused faculties will include the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Information Science and Computing, the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science, and the Faculty of Design. The restructuring involves expanding the existing Faculty of Health Sciences into the Faculty of Medicine, reorganizing departments, and introducing new ones to establish the Faculty of Information Science and Computing, the Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Science, as well as adding the Faculty of Design, which has already received approval from the Board of Trustees. The university currently comprises five faculties in the humanities and social sciences, along with two faculties in science and technology. The university stated that this restructuring aims to optimize and integrate campus resources while aligning more closely with the developmental needs of Macau and the Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. Among the changes, the newly established Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Information Science and Computing, and Faculty of Design will all have their headquarters at the Hengqin campus. This strategic move will deepen connections between the science and technology schools and industries, facilitating the transformation and implementation of research outcomes, said Song Yonghua, UM rector, in a statement. He said that this enhancement of the science and technology disciplinary framework will strengthen the universitys momentum in cutting-edge international scientific innovation. It is reported that the universitys Hengqin campus project encompasses a total land area of approximately 375,600 square meters, with a construction area of about 831,000 square meters. The construction period is expected to span three years, with partial operations set to commence in 2028 and full completion scheduled for 2029. YL Like this: Like Loading... By Soraya Permatasari and Ram Anand (Bloomberg) Indonesia and Malaysia restricted access to Elon Musks Grok AI over the weekend, becoming the first countries to ban the artificial intelligence system over its generation of sexual content. Indonesias Communications and Digital Affairs Ministry is imposing a temporary ban on Grok to protect women, children, and the entire community from the risk of fake pornographic content generated using artificial intelligence technology, according to a statement issued on Saturday. The ministry has asked platform X to immediately provide clarification regarding the matter, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government views non-consensual deepfake sexual practices as a serious violation of human rights, dignity, and national security in the digital space, Minister of Communications and Digital Meutya Hafid said in the statement. On Sunday, Malaysias internet regulator also said its limiting access to Grok until effective safeguards are implemented. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission added that it issued notices to X Corp. and xAI LLC to prevent AI-generated content that may contravene Malaysian law, but the companys responses failed to address inherent risks posed by the AI tool. The move by the Southeast Asian nations came as Musks xAI, which owns Grok, decided on Friday to restrict the image-generation feature for most users on the X social media platform after the AI tool drew widespread condemnation for generating undressed images of women and children. Users now need a paid subscription to generate and edit images. Those features were initially introduced on X for free with daily limits. But several regulators around the globe, including in the UK, have criticised the move by xAI as insufficient. The standalone Grok app, which operates separately from the social network, still allows users to generate pictures without subscribing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indias government, which had earlier also voiced concern over the AI tools feature, has received assurances from X that it will comply with local laws regarding the Grok AI obscene content issue, the Press Trust of India said Sunday, citing unidentified government sources. Around 3,500 pieces of content have been blocked and over 600 accounts deleted, according to the report. Sorry for the inconvenience, Grok posted on the X platform about the Indonesian block. We are working to resolve this issue. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 2026 Bloomberg L.P. Events in Venezuela are unfolding at breakneck speed following the attack on 3 January and the kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores. The US is moving very quickly to assert control over Venezuela and its natural resources, while the Venezuelan government seems unwilling or unable to push back. Naturally, there are many questions which are being asked. The US has clearly stated that it will run the country. Trump added that they will keep between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil (one or two months total production). The sale of that oil (part of which is stored on land, part of which is stored in tankers due to the US naval blockade, and part of which is yet to be extracted) will take place in the US, at market prices, and the US will control the use of that money (for the benefit of Venezuelans and the US, according to Trump). Energy Secretary Wright added that this procedure would be extended indefinitely. In other words, the US has announced that it now controls the sale of Venezuelan oil and the money from its sale. Oh, and by the way, Trump has added that with the money from the sale of oil, Venezuela will exclusively purchase US products!! On top of this, Washington has repeated threats of further military action against Venezuela unless the government in Caracas complies fully. Coming after the military raid on 3 January, these are no idle threats. The Venezuelan government of acting president Delcy Rodriguez responded to this with a statement announcing that they are in negotiations with the US to reach an agreement on the sale of oil, and that they are building alliances that promote national development in favour of the Venezuelan people. Marco Rubio also stated that the plan for Venezuela has three stages: Stabilisation, during which the US maintains the blockade to continue its unprecedented leverage (read: unprecedented capacity for blackmail) and sells the 50 million barrels; Recovery, in which US and western companies have fair access to Venezuela and there is a process of national reconciliation; Transition, finally towards democratic elections. At the end of this transition he envisages a country "that is friendly towards the United States, that's not a foothold for our adversaries, that serves our interests". In other words, a colony or protectorate of the United States. Marco Rubio on the final goal of the US imposed 'transition': a country "that is friendly towards the United States, that's not a foothold for our adversaries, that serves our interests" A colony /protectorate.#handsoffvenezuela pic.twitter.com/1SWM9Sk6Ax Jorge Martin (@marxistJorge) January 10, 2026 Rubio has demanded the release of prisoners. The Venezuelan government announced that it would release a large number (reportedly 88), but so far only 13 have been released, including five Spanish citizens and some others close to Enrique Marquez (a candidate in the 2024 presidential elections who, despite being a bosses candidate, was supported by the PCV, the Communist Party of Venezuela). None of the most prominent prisoners from the counter-revolutionary opposition around Maria Corina Machado have been released so far. There have been rapid moves to reopen the US embassy in Venezuela, which will undoubtedly act as the spearhead of US colonial authority in the country. Venezuela issued a statement saying that this was being done with the aim of addressing the consequences of the aggression and the kidnapping of the president and a working agenda of mutual interest (!!!!). The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates its international denunciation that it has been the victim of a criminal, illegitimate, and illegal attack against its territory and its people, an action that has left more than a hundred civilians and military https://t.co/NErhBl6G27 pic.twitter.com/kiMRdmDsd8 Yvan Gil (@yvangil) January 9, 2026 In other words, the US invades the country militarily, kidnaps the president and the response is to re-establish diplomatic relations to address the consequences and an agenda of mutual interest. What mutual interest can there be between the aggressor and the victim?! Honestly, I am furious. What happened to all the statements made by the Venezuelan leadership prior to 3 January? Minister Diosdado said in case of military aggression Venezuela would not send a single drop of oil to the US. Maduro announced a revolutionary general strike. Delcy stated that they would not give in to blackmail and that the oil belonged to Venezuela. US auctioning off Venezuelas oil On Friday, 9 January, Trump presided over a meeting/press conference with the executives of all the American and western oil companies. It was a spectacle with few historical precedents, at least in terms of being held in broad daylight. It reminds me of the Berlin Conference in 1884, when the European powers divided up Africa. What we had here was the aggressive US government putting Venezuelan oil up for auction to the highest bidder. Literally. Trump told Exxon: If you don't go, say so, because I have 25 others on the list. Some companies (led by Exxon) were not very keen. What they want are guarantees. They want to be paid what they say they are owed (between $2 billion and $12 billion) and, above all, they say explicitly that they want the legal framework to be favourable to them, including the repeal of Chavez's hydrocarbons law. But others were enthusiastic, including Chevron, which has continued to operate in Venezuela all these years waiting for this moment, and others that remain in the country with lower production volumes (such as Spain's Repsol). They said that production could double in a couple of years. During the auction/press conference, Trump was asked if he considered Delcy's government to be an ally. His response was: They are acting as allies, and I believe they will continue to do so. Trump is asked if he considers Venezuela, led by Delcy Rodriguez, as an ally to the US. Trump: "well right now they seem to be an ally and I think they will continue to be an ally, we don't want Russia there and we don't want China there" pic.twitter.com/QxaqzRyu9N Jorge Martin (@marxistJorge) January 9, 2026 There has been no response (as far as I know) from the Venezuelan government to this scandalous auction by Trump of something that does not belong to him. Two Venezuelan officials were in Washington on the same day to discuss oil. Don't leave yet. There's more! On the same day as the public auction of Venezuelan oil by the US, the US Navy carried out a new act of piracy by taking control of the tanker Olina (formerly the Minerva), which was leaving Venezuela loaded with Venezuelan oil destined for customers in Asia, and sent it back to Venezuela. Obviously, there was an uproar on social media. Venezuelan (La Iguana) and Cuban (Cubadebate) government media outlets correctly described it as theft and an act of piracy. But there was one detail. Trump, in making the public announcement, said that the operation had been carried out in coordination with the interim authorities of Venezuela. "Today, the United States of America, in coordination with the Interim Authorities of Venezuela, seized an oil tanker which departed Venezuela without our approval..." - President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/lRzGQBWSiO The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 9, 2026 Shortly afterwards, PDVSA issued an embarrassing statement claiming that it had been a successful joint operation with the US authorities to achieve the return of the ship, which had set sail without authorisation or payment. But if we read between the lines, there is only one possible interpretation. The oil blockade is the unprecedented leverage that Marco Rubio was talking about. If the US controls the export of oil, it can control its sale and the destination of the money obtained. But now it turns out that Delcy's government says it's all part of a joint agreement In other words, they are collaborating, but not as equal partners, rather as colonial subjects. It is as if you were stopped in the street by a thief who proceeded to take your valuables, and then you issued a press conference saying that your valuables had been taken to the residence of the thief as part of a successful joint operation! To all these arrogant US statements and humiliating actions that place Venezuela in a situation of colonial subjugation, Delcy's government responded by stating that they did not want revenge but would respond with Bolivarian diplomacy of peace, which, she said, they had learned from El Libertador. Venezuelas Acting President Delcy Rodriguez: I speak to the people of the United States. Venezuela did not deserve this aggressive act by a nuclear power. This is a stain on our shared history. Our response will not be revenge, but vindicationthrough example. We will show pic.twitter.com/3yhraOGr0v Clash Report (@clashreport) January 9, 2026 It's enough to make you weep. Simon Bolivar took up arms against Spanish colonialism! He did not use the diplomacy of peace but rather a decree of war to the death, warning, Spaniards and Canarians, expect death, even if you are indifferent, if you do not actively work for the freedom of America. What is the explanation for all this? Some claim that it is all really a struggle for the narrative. According to this theory, Trump claims that he controls Venezuela, but that is not true, because Caracas still has the same political and military leadership. In other words, Trump has only achieved a Pyrrhic victory that has removed Maduro but will not change the course of the Venezuelan government. Others go further and claim that everything that is happening was Maduro's plan, which he put in place in case something happened to him. They claim that the prosperity that the country will achieve is thanks to the plan approved by the President. That what Trump is proposing in relation to oil is in line with the Chevron licence model. That the opening of the US embassy is actually necessary to assist the President and the First Lady, imprisoned in New York. It would seem that officialdom in Venezuela has plunged deeply into the world of magical realism, where one thing is itself and its opposite at the same time. Jorge Arreaza affirms that the grassroots understand the circumstances and support the tactical moves necessary to ensure that the major national objectives are met. In fact, they do not, and that is precisely the problem. No one understands because nothing has been explained. How to explain the 3 January blow? It has been a full week since the attack on 3 January, and no one in the Venezuelan political or military leadership has even come forward to explain what happened that day. Not only is there no explanation, it now seems that even asking questions is forbidden. To doubt is to betray is the new slogan coming from the leadership. The lack of explanation is what fuels the rumour mill, because there seems to be no logical and reasonable explanation for Venezuela's apparent lack of resistance to the aggression beyond the heroic actions of the presidential guard. What happened to the 5,000 Igla MANPADS (hand-held anti-aircraft missile launchers) that were supposed to be distributed throughout the country? The Russian anti-aircraft defences? The Chinese radars? I am not a military expert. I have read some analyses from various points of view. My conclusion, in a nutshell, is this: The US used electromagnetic warfare to suppress the radars and anti-aircraft defences, which it had located in a weeks-long operation with Growlers (electromagnetic warfare aircraft that cause radars to emit their signal, allowing them to be detected) that had provocatively flown over the coast of Venezuela for weeks. Venezuelan anti-aircraft defences are partially obsolete (they are a variant of the Russian S300, aimed mainly at ballistic missiles, not low-flying aircraft). The US used low-altitude aircraft and electromagnetic interference, as well as localised attacks against anti-aircraft batteries (BUK) at specific points to open a safe corridor for attack helicopters. There is an element of inefficiency in the Venezuelan army (anti-aircraft batteries without camouflage or protection, in static positions), which was possibly combined with a certain element of fatal overconfidence (Trump is already focused on the oil blockade, an attack is out of the question). There was at least one (failed) launch from a BUK battery in Catia la Mar, and apparently an Igla was also fired in Caracas. The US claims that one of the helicopters was hit but not disabled. These helicopters have electromagnetic systems to deflect projectiles that attack them. Theres speculation that troops were given their usual Christmas-New Year holiday permits, despite the situation of heightened threat. Were these factors taken together decisive, and do they explain everything? It is difficult to say. There are a number of legitimate questions that remain. Why did the Venezuelan air force not respond from Maracay, for instance a base which was not attacked? Why were there no further attacks on the helicopters, which were flying low, slow and for a long time? Some argue that the air force could not respond because the radars and command centres had been disabled, and that the Venezuelans were blind. Some military experts point to a tacit agreement between the US and the Venezuelan armed forces, which in one way or another reflected the disproportionate forces between the two: we will not attack you broadly, but only in specific locations, and you will not offer widespread resistance that would only end in your total destruction. One thing at least is clear: the CIA had accurate information from an informant about Maduro's location and the layout of the residence where he was staying. This was confirmed by Trump and corresponds with the facts. The head of the presidential guard of honour and head of military intelligence (DGCIM), Major General Javier Marcano Tabata, has been dismissed (some say arrested). But much of this is speculation, as there is no official explanation, and that is precisely what fuels the rumours: Delcy handed Maduro over. Maduro handed himself over as part of a plan. The easiest way for the Venezuelan leadership to put an end to these rumours would be to provide a clear explanation of what happened. Some comrades have argued that we cannot reveal our weaknesses. But the enemy knows our vulnerabilities in detail! It is us, the ordinary anti-imperialist people, who do not know. A strategy of submission What we do know is that there were contacts and diplomatic channels between Venezuela and the US, particularly with figures in the oil industry, and that some of these contacts took place through Qatar. We know that Delcy Rodriguez, as head of the oil sector, was at the centre of many of those contacts. Some of us remember that, in 2017, the US-based petroleum company CITGO (a subsidiary of PDVSA and then under Venezuelan control) contributed half a million dollars to Trump's inauguration, at a time when Delcy Rodriguez was foreign minister. The language and actions of Delcy Rodriguez's Venezuelan government in recent days can only be interpreted in two ways: Either they are forced to act in this way under coercion from the US, but in reality they are trying to find room for manoeuvre (by talking to Spain, Colombia and Brazil); Or, they are selling out the countrys oil and national sovereignty because they have decided that this is the least bad option from the point of view of their own personal interests (maintaining power and accumulated privileges). In both cases, the reality is that the countrys natural resources and national sovereignty are being taken over by the United States and no amount of struggle for the narrative can change that. This is a strategy of submission, with a slight veneer of defiance aimed mainly at the grassroots. This is a strategy of submission, with a slight veneer of defiance aimed mainly at the grassroots / Image: Presidencia El Salvador, Flickr This strategy is, in my opinion, absolutely disastrous from the point of view of defending Venezuela's national sovereignty and the struggle against imperialism (something that affects not only Venezuela but also other countries in the region). It is a strategy that does not help to rally the masses for resistance, but rather confuses them. Words do not correspond to deeds. Trump and Rubio behave arrogantly and disgustingly as masters of the house, dictating policy, and Caracas responds with declarations of Bolivarian peace and mutually beneficial agreements. This can only lead to cynicism, demoralisation and, at best, to some amongst the Madurista ranks breaking away from the leadership. The question is, is another course of action possible? I say, yes. It starts with recognising the facts. A leadership that said, We have been hit hard (and explained how), the conditions are not right for fighting right now, we are going to regroup our forces, and offered a clear perspective for struggle, would gain political authority and be able to prepare for the next phase. The struggle against imperialism is first and foremost a political question. Of course, it has a very important technical-military aspect. But without political clarity, the military aspect is of little use. Fundamentally, Vietnam defeated the US and Algeria defeated France not because of the military expertise of their respective National Liberation Fronts (which did exist), but above all because they were two peoples fighting for their liberation from the yoke of imperialism. The destruction of the Bolivarian Revolution under Maduro In Venezuela, the main obstacle to resistance against imperialism is not military, but political. Since Chavez's death, the Bolivarian leadership has followed a clear course of politically dismantling the Bolivarian Revolution. Instead of heeding Chavez's warning in Golpe de Timon (that we must build a socialist economy and pulverise the bourgeois state), the opposite was done. Instead of a revolutionary internationalist policy, multipolar geopolitics became the favoured policy. Workers' control was destroyed, companies were privatised, land was taken away from the peasants, all structures of participation were bureaucratised, etc Faced with economic collapse, falling oil prices and sanctions, the leadership decided to abandon Keynesian policies of monetary expansion and market regulation and apply a brutal monetarist package that shifted the burden of the crisis onto the backs of the working class. Collective bargaining was destroyed, and trade unionists who fought to defend acquired rights were imprisoned. Millions were forced to emigrate. All this was done cynically in the name of Chavez, Bolivarianism, revolution and socialism, when in reality it was moving in the opposite direction. It was this Thermidorian counter-revolution, led by Maduro, that emptied out the Bolivarian revolution of its content and led to the disaster of 2024. Those who have not understood this process are in for many surprises now. And to top it all off, after promising resistance to imperialism until death, on 3 January, when the blow came, the leadership remained silent, and contingency plans were not activated. When the silence was finally broken the call was for calm and peace. The main task of communists, of revolutionaries, today is to mobilise with all our strength against imperialist aggression in Venezuela, across Latin America and all around the world. To do everything in our power to loosen the grip with which Washington is suffocating Venezuela. That is our fundamental duty. But we would not be fulfilling our duty if we did not also open up the political debate on how and why we have reached this point and how we believe it is possible to combat imperialism. The western imperialist vultures are circling the Iranian regime. Donald Trump has already threatened to intervene in Iran three times since the protests began. Meanwhile, the Israeli state has sent ominous messages through Mossads Farsi X account, including: Let's come out to the streets together. The time has come. We are with you. Not just from afar and verbally. We are with you in the field as well. Western imperialism is the most reactionary force in the world. They have laid waste to swathes of the Middle East and now threaten to do the same with Iran. It has been over 16 days since protests broke out in Iran. But since Thursday evening, the regime has shut down the internet. The last reports were that there were protests in 46 towns and cities and a near complete bazaar strike in the Kurdish region, spreading even to Tabriz, Tehran, Kermanshah and other cities. The sporadic reports that have come out since the internet blackout show absolute chaos, with scenes of violent confrontations with security forces. Massive crowds could be seen in Tehran, Karaj (a major industrial city near Tehran), Mashhad, and others, including the Kurdish towns of Saqqez, Abdalan and more. The youth have once again set up barricades and fires in the streets and attacked symbols of the regime, such as the barracks, official offices, and so on. The regimes disconnection of the internet shows its clear decision to turn to deadly suppression and to eliminate any witnesses. HRANA has confirmed 544 dead although the real figure is most likely much higher. These figures are based on reports from hospital workers and are credible. Meanwhile, over 10,681 have been arrested. Prior to the internet being turned off, only a few dozen had been killed. Now there is a report that in Tehran alone, 200 people have been killed. While its difficult to verify at this time, this is a rapid escalation and would make it the most deadly repression since the wave of uprisings, strikes, and protests began in 2018. The situation was already tense prior to Thursday. In towns such as Qazvin, Bojnourd, Hamedan and others, the protests were taking on much greater dimensions. The same is true to an even greater extent in the Kurdish provinces. In the towns of Ilam and Abdalan, protesters temporarily pushed out the security forces. In Ilam, the masses declared a teenager participating in the protests as the new governor in mockery of the regime. In the Kurdish town of Saqqez hometown of the murdered Mahsa Amini, whose death sparked the 2022 uprising street clashes broke out on Wednesday night in anticipation of a general strike of the bazaars in the Kurdish areas. In the cities, such as Tehran, Mashhad, Kermanshah and others, there were street protests. But these quickly turned into scattered street fights. The working class in the cities are not participating en masse in the same way that we see in the provinces and smaller towns. They are fearful, despite their hatred of the regime, because they see no clear revolutionary alternative, only the threat of imperialist intervention. It is also significant to note that the first protests began breaking out in the provinces of Khuzestan and Bushehr just before the internet went down. The bazaars of Ahwaz and Abadan, both in Khuzestan, joined the bazaar strike and street protests, which turned into scattered clashes with the security forces. These are important provinces with major petrochemical installations. During the unprecedented period of class struggle since 2018, they have been a focal point of class struggle, with near-yearly oil worker strikes and major uprisings and protests. In Bandar Kangan, a small group of oil workers on strike over economic demands even joined the protests. It is likely that, in the major cities and in Khuzestan, large protests have broken out possibly involving working-class youths. In the Kurdish towns, it is possible that the youth have managed to push out the regimes forces from their towns and villages. During the 2022 uprising, the regime lost control of Kurdish towns for three months, creating a situation akin to civil war. Now, as in 2022, it is only the working class which can strike a decisive blow to turn a youth uprising into a real revolution. The imperialist media circus and the threat of military intervention Meanwhile, as the Iranian masses bleed and sacrifice their lives, the western imperialists smell an opportunity to weaken or even destroy their rival in the Middle East. Nearly every major western bourgeois politician has declared their solidarity with the Iranian masses. This is sickening hypocrisy. US-led sanctions are, alongside the exploitation of the regime, responsible for the economic misery of the masses. These imperialist savages make the most ridiculous claims about the ongoing protests. On 9 January, Donald Trump shared a claim from Israel's Channel 13 on Truth Social: More than one million people demonstrated: Iran's second-largest city has fallen under protesters' control, regime forces have left the city. Mashhad has a population of 2.4 million and, at the time, the protests involved at most tens of thousands scattered across the massive city. Even the Israeli Foreign Ministry's Farsi X account posted: Qom, Mashhad, Tehran, Dezful all of Iran will soon belong to the Iranian people. They dont care about the truth or the Iranian masses. They see the movement of the Iranian people as a mere chess piece in their struggle for dominance in the Middle East. The imperialist press are repeating every exaggeration because they are both incompetent and servile. This includes echoing the reactionary Iranian monarchists led by Reza Pahlavi, former crown prince and son of the pro-western Shah overthrown by the 1979 Iranian revolution. Amidst the ongoing protests, Reza Pahlavi has been interviewed in the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. This is nothing new and has been ongoing since 2022, while the genuine voices of the Iranian masses are silenced. The various foreign Farsi news outlets financed by Saudi, American, and British imperialism, like BBC Persian, Iran International, Manato, and Radio Farda, are no better. Iran International is the worst and biggest of them. It openly supports the Iranian monarchists and military intervention. The imperialists and their prostitute press are laying the ground for a possible military intervention in Iran. Again, this is nothing new, especially since the war in Gaza began. American imperialism has never forgiven the Iranian masses for the 1979 revolution. It wants its colonial possession back. Israel wants to ensure its dominance over the Middle East. Trump has called a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to discuss options for intervention. But that path is littered with problems: full military invasion is impossible. Iran is massive and extremely mountainous. Nearly every city lies in a valley. There is also the possibility that the Iranian masses will rally to defend the nation against a foreign invasion. There is a powerful, deep-rooted hatred of western imperialism in Iran, tracing back through more than a century of struggle. Even aerial strikes would be risky. The regime has promised to retaliate. Backed into a corner, the regime wont hesitate to strike Israel and possibly even US military bases. This would be unlike the 12-Day War, when the regime, seeking to avoid an escalation, used its oldest ballistic missiles against Israel and avoided attacking US bases. Even then, that limited strike caused serious damage. But faced with an Iranian regime fighting for its life, the US would be facing a different proposition. Reza Pahlavi and the monarchist clowns The imperialists have another option: Reza Pahlavi, who in 2022 appointed himself leader of the opposition. An Iranian-American think tank, the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI), has published a detailed plan whereby he is supposed to lead the transition to democracy. According to this plan, Reza Pahlavi is to run the transitional government, with complete control over the appointment of members of the transitional parliament and judiciary (literally named the royal court). His supporters point to Reza Pahlavis promises of a referendum and a constituent assembly as evidence of his democratic credentials. In 1979, the Islamists too declared themselves the leaders of the revolution. They even received aid, at first, from the western imperialists, who sought to control the situation, and later from the remnants of the Pahlavi state, who were trying to save themselves. They too elected a constituent assembly and held a referendum in March 1979. But this was just a democratic cover. Once the regime had consolidated power, the left-wing isolated largely due to their terrible, Stalinist mistakes were massacred. Reza Pahlavi's economic programme is simple: massive privatisations, including of Iran's natural resources (presumably excluding oil), and opening up Iran for foreign imperialism. This would serve the interests of his imperialist masters and their Iranian puppets. Meanwhile, who is Reza Pahlavi to bring the cronies of the Islamic Republic to justice? He and the rest of the old Pahlavi regime have committed terrible crimes against the Iranian masses, for example, stealing billions of dollars when they fled the country the Pahlavis alone took $2 billion. Expropriations and justice would be a terrible precedent for them. Premature fantasies of assuming power aside which would be met with extreme resistance Reza Pahlavis only real activity as leader has been taking credit for the struggle of the Iranian masses. The current escalation, for example, including the Kurdish general strike, was not called by the shahs son, but by the Kurdish communist parties, which still have authority in the region. The same is true of the calls for a general strike both now and in 2022. Workers, communists and Kurds are the last people to take orders from a Pahlavi. His father was a Persian supremacist who put down multiple Kurdish uprisings and executed, imprisoned and tortured communists. Reza Pahlavi, like his father, is also a loyal bootlicker of western imperialism. Hoping to ingratiate himself and be recognised as leader, he thanked Donald Trump. But when Trump was asked whether he was going to meet with Pahlavi, he responded: I think that we should let everybody go out there and see who emerges. I'm not sure necessarily that it would be an appropriate thing to do. There are plenty of Republicans who are gung-ho for regime change and back the Pahlavis. But Trumps reticence to recognise Pahlavi shows the wariness that exists among a big part of the US ruling class against giving full backing to Pahlavi. He could only come to power on the back of US intervention. And they have seen in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan what that can mean: it poses the danger of chaos, state collapse and even civil war, with all the implications that would have for US regional interests and the world economy. While he might not be formally recognised by Trump, the USA is home to most of the exiled Pahlavi elite, who have significant allies in the elite of the republican party. Pahlavi later backtracked, clarifying he doesnt endorse military intervention by Trump. But he later changed his views again, and, on 9 January, called for an intervention while speaking to Donald Trump. This has always been the aim of his grovelling to the imperialists, just not always completely openly. The Iranian masses understand this. Even when he called for an uprising during the 12-Day War, everyone in Iran ignored him. The overwhelming majority rightly considered him a traitor. His most loyal patrons are Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu. Reza Pahlavi visited Israel in 2023 and members of the monarchist lobby group National Union for Democracy in Iran regularly visit Israel. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has exposed how, from 2022, the Israeli state has supported the monarchists with bots, infiltration through Telegram and other social media platforms, and so on. The truth is that this relationship most likely goes much deeper. This heavy assistance along with the absolute desperation of the masses explains why the monarchists have suddenly become more prevalent in the streets. The Iranian masses have repeatedly made it clear that they want nothing to do with Reza Pahlavi or the imperialists. Most recently, the Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Workers Union, a militant trade union which led a struggle for workers' control and has consistently supported every uprising, wrote the following in a statement: The Pahlavis can count on capitalism, but the workers and people who want freedom and equality cannot. The Shah worshippers, Imam worshippers, and idol worshippers can go and lie and spread fake news in rented media, they insult the intelligence of the people and blur the line between truth and lies. But the world is not faked, only the liars who have no reputation will increase. The Workers' Union of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company write the following: We have said many times and we repeat it again: the path to the liberation of workers and toilers does not lie in the path of a leader carved from above the people, nor in reliance on foreign powers, nor through factions within the government, but rather in the path of unity, solidarity, and the creation of independent organisations in the workplace and on a national level. We must not allow ourselves to be victims of the power games and interests of the ruling classes once again. The Syndicate also strongly condemns any propaganda, justification, or support for military intervention by foreign governments, including the United States and Israel. Such interventions not only lead to the destruction of civil society and the killing of people, but also provide another excuse for the continuation of violence and repression by the government. Past experiences have shown that Western domineering governments do not place the slightest value on the freedom, livelihood, and rights of the Iranian people. The students in Iran, both now and in 2022, have consistently spread the slogan: Death to all tyrants be they shah or mullahs. The Kurdish youth and other communists have their own variant: we dont want the shah or mullahs but rule by soviets. This points precisely to how the revolution can be completed! The working class of Iran must take power into its own hands, which can only be through soviets or similar such organisations (referred to in the 1979 revolution as shurahs.) However, at this moment, soviets or shurahs do not yet exist. The slogan must be to first form soviets or shurahs! The slogan of soviets (or shurahs, defence committees, strike committees, neighbourhood committees, etc.) must in turn be linked to a clear programme of class demands. The workers need soviets as the most effective organisations through which they can win their demands and carry on the struggle to bring down the regime. It wont be by proclamation, but rather by the action of the working class that shurahs will be formed once the workers are drawn into the struggle. The dominant slogans in the ongoing protests are economic, such as Death to high prices!, and Poverty, corruption, high prices: we will overthrow you!, along with democratic, anti-regime slogans such as, freedom, freedom, freedom, Death to Khamenei/ the dictator/ the entire system/ the Islamic Republic!, and, Khamenei is a murderer, his rule is illegitimate! There are monarchists in Iran, but they are a tiny minority of lunatic petty bourgeois, and possibly even lumpen proletarians. They do strange stunts, like, for example, placing a new road sign over Ghorji Street (formerly Eisenhower Street), changing its name to Donald Trump Street following the example of their overlord Reza Pahlavi, who was photographed with a sign praising Trump. In the West, equally deranged monarchists hold rallies and fly Israeli, American, and monarchist Iranian flags (even at times the Derafsh Kaviani, the Iranian flag from late antiquity) alongside portraits of the Shah and even Donald Trump. Like their shah, some of them slavishly imitate Trumps slogan from the 12-Day War, make Iran great again, in an attempt to flatter him. The lack of a mass base has not stopped Reza Pahlavi and his lunatic supporters in the diaspora from spreading fake protest videos, some with edited slogans, and others entirely fabricated with AI. Although a few such videos could be genuine, the level of misinformation makes it difficult to know what is real or fake, with X and Instagram flooded with monarchist nonsense. With even western media circulating fakes, the only reliable sources are Iran-based Telegram channels run by the revolutionary youth and workers themselves. Hands off Iran! Death to tyrants be it the Shah or mullahs! All of this only serves as ammunition for the Islamic Republic. The regime claims the protests are a foreign infiltration. They have even live-streamed false confessions from supposed monarchists. Although many of these have been debunked, it has an effect. By exploiting the genuine fears of the masses, the regime was capable of mobilising thousands for a pro-regime protest in the major city of Isfahan prior to the internet blackout. With a three-day mourning period and new pro-regime rallies called on Sunday, we await to see their strength. The intervention of the West and the monarchists causes confusion among the masses. They remember the Shahs regime, a brutal dictatorship where they had no democratic rights; a regime plagued by extreme inequality and corruption; a regime which allowed the imperialists to plunder Iran. The masses correctly understand that the imperialists want to return Iran to its servile status. They see the horror that imperialism has inflicted on the region: the poverty; the destruction of Iraq, Syria, and Yemen; the genocide of the Palestinians, and so on. The confusion thus generated creates a chaotic situation on the streets, creating a fearful mood among some layers, dampening the protests, giving the regime an opening to come in with brutal repression. The lack of any clear leadership has made this chaos possible. Had a revolutionary leadership already been formed, the Iranian masses would have been able to overthrow the Islamic Republic multiple times since 2018. Instead, the class struggle has been prolonged into a bloody and brutal affair. Iranian revolutionaries must rapidly build a clear revolutionary alternative with a programme for linking up with the Iranian working class, which is completely class independent. Such a programme would base itself on the political and economic demands raised since 2018. In the absence of such a leadership, the situation can rapidly get worse. A military intervention against the regime would be a disaster for the masses, but it is unclear if it would even succeed in dislodging the regime. Another possibility is a palace coup by elements of the regime trying to save themselves. Irrespective of how exactly events develop, it is clear that the Islamic Republic's days are numbered. The situation has been unsustainable since 2018, with constant strikes and economic protests and violent youth uprisings, with hundreds killed and thousands arrested every other year. But the imperialist threat and lack of a clear revolutionary alternative has not only turned the overthrow of the regime into a bloody affair, but now threatens the dismemberment of Iran as a nation, the plunder of the country, and other horrors. Even if the regime is overthrown, it is not enough to change the people in charge. The problem is not mullahs or Pahlavis. They are just factions of the same parasitical ruling class. Iranian capitalism, because of its backwardness, has repeatedly recreated the conditions for dictatorship and poverty. Only the seizure of power by the working class can bring an end to this cycle. Iranian communists must prepare the ground for a revolutionary communist party which, once the regime falls, must rapidly grow. Meanwhile, the working class in the imperialist countries of the West must use its position and strength to prevent a new imperialist adventure in Iran. It is the duty of communists in the West therefore to energetically expose their own ruling class. On Sunday, Jan 11 2026, Egypts Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, has reaffirmed the private sector as the strategic engine for strengthening Egypts economic engagement with African countries, highlighting its role in boosting trade volumes, attracting joint investments and delivering sustainable development outcomes. He commended Egyptian firms operating across the continent for their agility in capturing investment opportunities and executing viable development projects. The foreign ministry said Egypt is prioritizing coordination with African governments and institutions to dismantle regulatory and procedural barriers, thereby cultivating a more enabling business environment. Abdelatty underscored plans to expand cooperation in high-impact sectors, including infrastructure, SMEs, energy, transport and logistics, agriculture, and health and pharmaceuticals, while stressing the importance of Egyptian banks and the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development in advancing economic cooperation. He also highlighted Africas vast consumer market and growth potential, urging Egyptian companies to leverage their strong reputation by forming alliances and exploiting opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to scale exports and integration. According to Egypts Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics or CAPMAS, trade between Egypt and African Union member states reached $9.9 billion in 2024, up from $9.2 billion in 2023, representing a 7.6 per cent increase. In November, Al-Ahram Hebdo hosted the first Egyptian-African Economic Conference, reinforcing momentum towards continental integration and partnership. Vote counting commenced across Benin on Sunday after polling stations closed in the countrys combined legislative and municipal elections. Polls opened nationwide at 7:00 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) and, in line with the newly enacted Electoral Code, voting lasted ten hours, ending at 5:00 p.m. local time. In Cotonou and other parts of the country, ballot counting began immediately after the close of polls, with provisional results transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission. National radio reported a calm electoral process, marked by peaceful voting and strong turnout in several areas. The elections were conducted under the watchful presence of observers from ECOWAS, Beninese civil society groups, and representatives of contesting political parties. Approximately 7.8 million registered voters, across more than 17,000 polling stations, participated in the exercise to elect 109 members of the National Assembly and 1,815 municipal and communal councillors, setting the course for Benins next phase of governance. Mozambican maritime authorities, ITRANSMAR, on Sunday suspended all shipping in the Mozambique Channel following torrential rainfall that has persisted since Friday, according to Radio Mozambique. The temporary measure remains in force for the duration of the stormy conditions. The suspension applies to artisanal fishing vessels, small boats, coastal passenger services and recreational craft. ITRANSMAR has also instructed all vessels at sea to seek safe harbour, reiterating that the use of life jackets is mandatory at all times, even when navigation is officially authorised. On land, authorities have issued flood warnings for southern and central river basins. The Southern Regional Water Board (ARA-Sul) has increased discharges from major dams in Maputo province, with releases from the Pequenos Libombos dam reaching up to 120 cubic metres per second and from the Corumana dam up to 50 cubic metres per second. ARA-Sul cautioned that these discharges, combined with storms further north, could trigger flooding along the Maputo, Umbeluzi, Incomati, Save and Limpopo rivers. Radio Mozambique reported widespread damage in Inhambane province, where agricultural fields have been submerged and families displaced from homes in Inhambane city, Maxixe and Vilanculo. Speaking on Friday, Luisa Meque, chairperson of the National Disasters Management Institute (INGD), warned that up to three million people could be affected by flooding during the current rainy season. She said evacuations from high-risk areas would begin once authorities complete ongoing assessments of water levels in major river valleys, which will determine the timing of relocation to safer zones. The Trump administration has expanded its visa bond policy to include seven additional countriesBhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Turkmenistaneffective January 1, according to a notice on the State Departments travel website. Five of the newly added countries are in AFRICA. With this update, 13 countries are now subject to the requirement for visa applicants to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, a measure critics say places U.S. visas beyond the financial reach of many applicants, particularly in Africa. The policy forms part of a broader tightening of U.S. entry rules under the Trump administration, including mandatory in-person visa interviews, extensive disclosure of social media histories, and detailed travel and residence records for applicants and their FAMILIES. U.S. officials argue that the bond system helps deter visa overstays. Payment of the bond does not guarantee visa approval, but funds are refunded if a visa is denied or once the applicant proves compliance with visa conditions. The latest additions join Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, The Gambia, Malawi and Zambia, which were placed under the bond requirement in August and October last year. 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: Neurable research scientist Alicia Howell-Munson demonstrates the company's headset, which it says can detect early signs of Alzheimer's disease. Beyond smart watches and rings, artificial intelligence is being used to make self-testing for major diseases more readily availablefrom headsets that detect early signs of Alzheimer's to an iris-scanning app that helps spot cancer. "The reason preventive medicine doesn't work right now is because you don't want to go to the doctor all the time to get things tested," says Ramses Alcaide, co-founder and CEO of startup Neurable. "But what about if you knew when you needed to go to the doctor?" Connected rings, bracelets and watcheswhich were everywhere at last week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegascan already monitor heart rate, blood pressure and glucose levels, with varying degrees of accuracy. These gadgets are in high demand from consumers. A recent study published by OpenAI showed that more than 200 million internet users check ChatGPT every week for information on health topics. On Wednesday, OpenAI even launched a chatbot that can draw on a user's medical records and other data collected by wearable devices, with their consent, to inform its responses. Neurable CEO Ramses Alcaide demonstrates one of the company's headsets. Using electroencephalogram (EEG) technology, Neurable has developed a headset that records and deciphers brain activity. The linked app compares data with the user's medical history to check for any deviation, a possible sign of a problem, said Alcaide. "Apple Watch can pick up Parkinson's, but it can only pick it up once you have a tremor," Alcaide said. "Your brain has been fighting that Parkinson's for over 10 years." With EEG technology, "you can pick these things up before you actually see physical symptoms of them. And this is just one example." Detection before symptoms Some people have reservations about the capabilities of such devices. "I don't think that wearable EEG devices are reliable enough," said Anna Wexler, a University of Pennsylvania professor who studies consumer detection products, although she acknowledges that "AI has expanded the possibilities of these devices." While Neurable's product cannot provide an actual diagnosis, it does offer a warning. It can also detect signs of depression and early development of Alzheimer's disease. Neurable is working with the Ukrainian military to evaluate the mental health of soldiers on the front lines of the war with Russia, as well as former prisoners of war, in order to detect post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). French startup NAOX meanwhile has developed EEG earbuds linked to a small box that can help patients with epilepsy. Rather than detect seizures, which are "very rare," the device recognizes "spikes"quick, abnormal electrical shocks in the brain that are "much more difficult to see," said NAOX's chief of innovation Marc Vaillaud, a doctor by training. NAOX's devicewhich has been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administrationis designed to be worn at night, to track several hours of data at a time. The company is working with the Rothschild and Lariboisiere hospitals in Paris to try to better understand the links between these brain "spikes" and Alzheimer's disease, which have been raised in scientific papers. Advances in AI and technology in general have paved the way for the miniaturization of cheaper detection devicesa far cry from the heavy machinery once seen in medical offices and hospitals. IriHealth is preparing to launch, for only about $50, a small smartphone extension that would scan a user's iris. The gadget relies on iridology, a technique by which iris colors and markings are believed to reveal information about a person's health, but which is generally considered scientifically unreliable. But the founders of IriHealtha spin-off of biometrics specialist IriTechare convinced that their device can be effective in detecting anomalies in the colon, and potentially the lungs or the liver. Company spokesman Tommy Phan said IriHealth had found its device to be 81% accurate among patients who already have been diagnosed with colon cancer. 2026 AFP 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain New research from St. Michael's hospital found patients from the lowest-income areas in Ontario had a 43% higher chance of dying within 30 days of surgery compared to those from the highest-income areas in the province. The study, published today in JAMA Network Open, analyzed over one million patients across Ontario who underwent planned in-patient surgery between 2017 and 2023, using data gathered at ICES, an independent Canadian research institute that analyzes health care and demographic data. They found that patients residing in lower-income neighborhoods face a substantially higher risk of death after surgery. This pattern, where the risk of death increased as neighborhood income decreased, persisted even after researchers accounted for important factors like patients' age, existing health conditions, complexity of the surgery, and even the hospital where they were treated. The research suggests that improving surgical outcomes requires addressing broad disparities related to social determinants of health. "Even in a universal health care system, not everyone faces the same risks when they come for surgery," says Dr. Ashwin Sankar, investigator at St. Michael's Hospital and lead author of the study. "We found clear and persistent income-based disparities. Patients from the lowest income neighborhoods had substantially higher odds of dying following elective surgery than patients from the wealthiest areas, despite receiving care in the same publicly funded system." It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when access to hospital and clinical care was limited, that Sankar began exploring the connection between health outcomes and social disparities. While this new study considers hospital-related factors, Sankar and his co-authors uncovered underlying issues beyond the operating room. "What stood out is that hospital-level factors explained only a modest share of the variation in outcomes," Sankar explains. "This suggests that the roots of these disparities lie upstream of the operating roomin the broader social and economic conditions patients face before and after surgery." For Sankar, the study serves as a "problem statement," setting the stage to further investigate how patients from marginalized communities interact with the health care system, be it access to primary care or wait times to see specialists. "We almost take for granted the privilege of accessing publicly funded health care," he says. "But this study shows that not everyone faces the same risk after surgery. We need to understand and improve the processes of care before and after surgery to even the playing field, and make sure outcomes are not dictated by income or postal code." Clinical categories General surgery 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Elyse Stevens had a reputation for taking on complex medical cases. People who'd been battling addiction for decades. Chronic pain patients on high doses of opioids. Sex workers and people living on the street. "Many of my patients are messy, the ones that don't know if they want to stop using drugs or not," said Stevens, a primary care and addiction medicine doctor. While other doctors avoided these patients, Stevenswho was familiar with the city from her time in medical school at Tulane Universitysought them out. She regularly attended 6 a.m. breakfasts for homeless people, volunteered at a homeless shelter clinic on Saturdays, and, on Monday evenings, visited an abandoned Family Dollar store where advocates distributed supplies to people who use drugs. One such evening about four years ago, Charmyra Harrell arrived there limping, her right leg swollen and covered in sores. Emergency room doctors had repeatedly dismissed her, so she eased the pain with street drugs, Harrell said. Stevens cleaned her sores on Mondays for months until finally persuading Harrell to visit the clinic at University Medical Center New Orleans. There, Stevens discovered Harrell had diabetes and cancer. She agreed to prescribe Harrell pain medicationan option many doctors would automatically dismiss for fear that a patient with a history of addiction would misuse it. But Stevens was confident Harrell could hold up her end of the deal. "She told me, 'You cannot do drugs and do your pain meds,'" Harrell recounted on a Monday evening in October. So, "I'm no longer on cocaine." Stevens' approach to patient care has won her awards and nominations in medicine, community service, and humanism. Instead of seeing patients in binariesaddicted or sober, with a positive or negative drug testshe measures progress on a spectrum. Are they showering daily, cooking with their families, using less fentanyl than the day before? But not everyone agrees with this flexible approach that prioritizes working with patients on their goals, even if abstinence isn't one of them. And it came to a head in the summer of 2024. "The same things I was high-fived for thousands of timessuddenly that was bad," Stevens said. Flexible care or slippery slope? More than 80% of Americans who need substance use treatment don't receive it, national data shows. Barriers abound: high costs, lack of transportation, clinic hours that are incompatible with jobs, fear of being mistreated. Some doctors had been trying to ease the process for years. COVID-19 accelerated that trend. Telehealth appointments, fewer urine drug tests, and medication refills that last longer became the norm. The result? "Patients did OK and we actually reached more people," said Brian Hurley, immediate past president of the American Society of Addiction Medicine. The organization supports continuing flexible practices, such as helping patients avoid withdrawal symptoms by prescribing higher-than-traditional doses of addiction medication and focusing on recovery goals other than abstinence. But some doctors prefer traditional approaches that range from zero tolerance for patients using illegal drugs to setting stiff consequences for those who don't meet their doctors' expectations. For example, a patient who tests positive for street drugs while getting outpatient care would be discharged and told to go to residential rehab. Proponents of this method fear loosening restrictions could be a slippery slope that ultimately harms patients. They say continuing to prescribe painkillers, for example, to people using illicit substances long-term could normalize drug use and hamper the goal of getting people off illegal drugs. Progress should be more than keeping patients in care, said Keith Humphreys, a Stanford psychologist, who has treated and researched addiction for decades and supports involuntary treatment. "If you give addicted people lots of drugs, they like it, and they may come back," he said. "But that doesn't mean that that is promoting their health over time." Flexible practices also tend to align with harm reduction, a divisive approach that proponents say keeps people who use drugs safe and that criticsincluding the Trump administrationsay enables illegal drug use. The debate is not just philosophical. For Stevens and her patients, it came to bear on the streets of New Orleans. 'Unconventional' prescribing In the summer of 2024, supervisors started questioning Stevens' approach. In emails reviewed by KFF Health News, they expressed concerns about her prescribing too many pain pills, a mix of opioids and other controlled substances to the same patients, and high doses of buprenorphine, a medication considered the gold standard to treat opioid addiction. Supervisors worried Stevens wasn't doing enough urine drug tests and kept treating patients who used illicit drugs instead of referring them to higher levels of care. "Her prescribing pattern appears unconventional compared to the local standard of care," the hospital's chief medical officer at the time wrote to Stevens' supervisor, Benjamin Springgate. "Note that this is the only standard of care which would likely be considered should a legal concern arise." Springgate forwarded that email to Stevens and encouraged her to refer more patients to methadone clinics, intensive outpatient care, and inpatient rehab. Stevens understood the general practice but couldn't reconcile it with the reality her patients faced. How would someone living in a tent, fearful of losing their possessions, trek to a methadone clinic daily? Stevens sent her supervisors dozens of research studies and national treatment guidelines backing her flexible approach. She explained that if she stopped prescribing the medications of concern, patients might leave the health system, but they wouldn't disappear. "They just wouldn't be getting care and perhaps they'd be dead," she said in an interview with KFF Health News. Both University Medical Center and LSU Health New Orleans, which employs physicians at the hospital, declined repeated requests for interviews. They did not respond to detailed questions about addiction treatment or Stevens' practices. Instead, they provided a joint statement from Richard DiCarlo, dean of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, and Jeffrey Elder, chief medical officer of University Medical Center New Orleans. "We are not at liberty to comment publicly on internal personnel issues," they wrote. "We recognize that addiction is a serious public health problem, and that addiction treatment is a challenge for the health care industry," they said. "We remain dedicated to expanding access to treatment, while upholding the highest standard of care and safety for all patients." Not black-and-white KFF Health News shared the complaints against Stevens and the responses she'd written for supervisors with two addiction medicine doctors outside of Louisiana, who had no affiliation with Stevens. Both found her practices to be within the bounds of normal addiction care, especially for complex patients. Stephen Loyd, an addiction medicine doctor and the president of Tennessee's medical licensing board, said doctors running pill mills typically have sparse patient notes that list a chief complaint of pain. But Stevens' notes detailed patients' life circumstances and the intricate decisions she was making with them. "To me, that's the big difference," Loyd said. Some people think the "only good answer is no opioids," such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, for any patients, said Cara Poland, an addiction medicine doctor and associate professor at Michigan State University. But patients may need themsometimes for things like cancer painor require months to lower their doses safely, she said. "It's not as black-and-white as people outside our field want it to be." Humphreys, the Stanford psychologist, had a different take. He did not review Stevens' case but said, as a general practice, there are risks to prescribing painkillers long-term, especially for patients using today's lethal street drugs too. Overprescribing fueled the opioid crisis, he said. "It's not going to go away if we do that again." 'The thing that kills people' After months of tension, Stevens' supervisors told her on March 10 to stop coming to work. The hospital was conducting a review of her practices, they said in an email viewed by KFF Health News. Overnight, hundreds of her patients were moved to other providers. Luka Bair had been seeing Stevens for three years and was stable on daily buprenorphine. After Stevens' departure, Bair was left without medication for three days. The withdrawal symptoms were severeheadache, nausea, muscle cramps. "I was just in physical hell," said Bair, who works for the National Harm Reduction Coalition and uses they/them pronouns. Although Bair eventually got a refill, Springgate, Stevens' supervisor, didn't want to continue the regimen long-term. Instead, Springgate referred Bair to more intensive and residential programs, citing Bair's intermittent use of other drugs, including benzodiazepines and cocaine, as markers of high risk. Bair "requires a higher level of care than our clinic reasonably can offer," Springgate wrote in patient portal notes reviewed by KFF Health News. But Bair said daily attendance at those programs was incompatible with their full-time job. They left the clinic, with 30 days to find a new doctor or run out of medication again. "This is the thing that kills people," said Bair, who eventually found another doctor willing to prescribe. Springgate did not respond to repeated calls and emails requesting comment. University Medical Center and LSU Health New Orleans did not answer questions about discharging Stevens' patients. 'Reckless behavior' About a month after Stevens was told to stay home, Haley Beavers Khoury, a medical student who worked with her, had collected nearly 100 letters from other students, doctors, patients, and homelessness service providers calling for Stevens' return. One student wrote, "Make no mistakesome of her patients will die without her." A nun from the Daughters of Charity, which ran the hospital's previous incarnation, called Stevens a "lifeline" for vulnerable patients. Beavers Khoury said she sent the letters to about 10 people in hospital and medical school leadership. Most did not respond. In May, the hospital's review committee determined Stevens' practices fell "outside of the acceptable community standards" and constituted "reckless behavior," according to a letter sent to Stevens. The hospital did not answer KFF Health News' questions about how it reached this conclusion or if it identified any patient harm. Meanwhile, Stevens had secured a job at another New Orleans hospital. But because her resignation came amid the ongoing investigation, University Medical Center said it was required to inform the state's medical licensing board. The medical board began its own investigationa development that eventually cost Stevens the other job offer. In presenting her side to the medical board, Stevens repeated many arguments she'd made before. Yes, she was prescribing powerful medications. No, she wasn't making clinical decisions based on urine drug tests. But national addiction organizations supported such practices and promoted tailoring care to patients' circumstances, she said. Her response included a 10-page bibliography with 98 citations. Liability The board's investigation into Stevens is ongoing. Its website shows no action taken against her license as of late December. The board declined to comment on both Stevens' case and its definition of appropriate addiction treatment. In October, Stevens moved to the Virgin Islands to work in internal medicine at a local hospital. She said she's grateful for the welcoming locals and the financial stability to support herself and her parents. But it hurts to think of her former patients in New Orleans. Before leaving, Stevens packed away handwritten letters from several of themone was 15 pages long, written in alternating green and purple markerin which they shared childhood traumas and small successes they had while in treatment with her. Stevens doesn't know what happened to those patients after she left. She believes the scrutiny of her practices centers on liability more than patient safety. But, she said, "liability is in abandoning people too." 2026 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Nearly half a million Americans visit the emergency room (ER) each year with a fast-spreading stomach bug called norovirus. While anybody can be infected, young children and seniors are at risk of becoming very sick, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) warns. Outbreaks of norovirusoften called "stomach flu"are common in nursing homes, on cruise ships and in other crowded places. Symptoms usually develop within 12 to 48 hours of infection, and include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain, as well as headache, fever and body aches. "Noroviruses are the main cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illnesses in the United States," the NIH noted, adding that you can get sick via direct contact with an infected person, their stool or their vomit. You can also get infected through tainted food, water or surfaces. While a doctor can usually make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, there is no approved treatment for noroviruses. You'll likely receive a prescription or over-the-counter medication to ease nausea, prevent vomiting and treat diarrhea. If you're dehydrated, you may also be given fluids. The good news: Adults who are generally healthy usually bounce back within days. But those with weakened immune systems may battle longer, and the virus can even be life-threatening. While there's no approved vaccine to prevent norovirus, some are in the testing phase. Researchers are using tiny 3D models of human intestines"mini-guts"to study the virus. They can expose these cells to noroviruses in the lab and observe how the infection develops. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston are also looking for the specific proteinscalled "cell receptorsthat are used by the viruses to enter cells. They are trying to identify the receptor for a new norovirus strain that is spreading worldwide. "Identifying the receptor should help us learn more about the disease and strategies to prevent it," said Mary Estes, who studies stomach viruses. Meanwhile, if you have norovirus symptoms, stay home for 48 hours and avoid contact with others if you can, NIH suggests. These steps can also help prevent the virus from spreading: Wait until symptoms are gone before prepping food for others. If possible, those who are ill should not share a bathroom with those who are well. Drink lots of fluidwater, juice, energy drinksbut avoid alcohol and caffeine. Wash hands often for at least 20 seconds. Clean up vomit and/or diarrhea safely: Use rubber or disposable gloves. Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. Immediately wash contaminated laundry in hot water and dry on high heat. Key medical concepts NorovirusFoodborne Illness Copyright 2026 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 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: Though an antiretroviral medication called PrEP provides near-perfect protection against HIV, patients must often surmount hurdles to obtain it. From medical stigma to insurance denials and doctors who are unfamiliar with the regimen, a new report finds that many LGBTQ+ people have had negative experiences trying to protect themselves from the virus that causes AIDS. Dr. Beth Oller, board member of GLMA, a nationwide organization of LGBTQ+ and allied health care professionals focused on health equity, has seen the fallout in her Kansas practice. "I have a lot of patients who had not done preventive care for years because of the medical stigma," she told KFF Health News. Taken as prescribed, PrEPshorthand for preexposure prophylaxisis 99% effective in protecting people against sexual transmission of the virus that causes AIDS. Matthew Hurleywho lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, which has one of the nation's highest concentrations of LGBTQ+ peopleshared his experience with KFF Health News. After having sex with someone who then tested positive for HIV, Hurley began taking PrEP. But when a change of insurance forced a change of doctors, he was surprised to discover that he knew more about the regimen than his new physician did. "When I brought up PrEP to him, he said, "What's that?'" Hurley told KFF. "And I was like, oh boy." He explained to his new doctor that he took a pill every day and had quarterly lab work to monitor for breakthrough infections or other health problems. After the physician did his own research, he agreed to prescribe PrEP. That was just the first in a series of hurdles Hurley had to surmount. While most private insurance plans and Medicaid expansion programs are required under the Affordable Care Act to cover PrEP and related services like lab tests with no cost sharing, Hurley spent months contesting charges and past-due notices. He finally found a provider that was better informed about PrEPand hasn't had an unexpected bill since. Still, he wishes he didn't have to separate his sexual health care from his primary care. "I have multiple organizations that I have to deal with to get my holistic health dealt with," he said. To head off some of the problems Hurley encountered, KFF recommends: Find out if PrEP is right for you. Under guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it can be prescribed to anyone who is sexually active. In particular, the CDC recommends it for people who don't use condoms consistently, IV drug users who share needles, men who have sex with men and people whose partners are living with HIV or whose HIV status is unclear. Don't assume your provider knows about PrEP. Check your state or local health department for a how-to guide you can share with your provider. The CDC also has PrEP guidelines, but some HIV/AIDS resources have been removed from federal websites. Go in-network for labs. To avoid a bill you shouldn't have to pay, ask your doctor's office to be careful about coding required lab work and to send you to a lab that is in-network. If the office makes mistakes, share the PrEP billing and coding guide from NASTAD, a non-profit association representing public health officials who oversee HIV and hepatitis programs. Seek savings. Truvada, the first approved PrEP drug, has several lower-cost, generic versions. Ask your doctor to prescribe meds your insurance will cover. Some drug makers have aid programs for qualifying patients. Consider telehealth and seek out affirming care: Roughly 20% of patients on PrEP used telemedicine in 2024. Online pharmacies like Mistr and Q Care Plus offer PrEP without an in-person appointment and lab work can be done at home. The LGBTQ+ Healthcare Directory is a searchable nationwide database of health care providers. Copyright 2026 HealthDay. All rights reserved. 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: The University of Stirling parkrun is one of the most scenic in the UK. Credit: University of Stirling New research from the University of Stirling has revealed that introducing parkwalkers to parkrun events has led to a surge in those walking the routes. Every week, 400,000 people take part in parkruns across the world, with the launch of parkwalkersto support those walking the 5k routesshown to have increased the proportion of new female participants and reversed a decline in the average age of new attendees. The parkwalker role was introduced in October 2022 with volunteers donning a distinctive vest and being asked to offer encouragement and conversation to make walkers feel more welcome at events. Now a new study by Dr. Andre Gilburn, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Stirling's Faculty of Natural Sciences, has shown that their introduction has been successful in encouraging more people from underrepresented groups to take part, by removing the fear of being too slow that is known to deter people from taking part in physical activity. Parkwalkers have resulted in a spike in those taking part in events. Credit: parkrun The research, which analyzed more than 31,000 participants from 68 parkrun venues across Scotland, shows that the number of walkers increased by 54.6% at events that partially engaged with parkwalkers and 55.3% at those fully engaged with the initiativecompared with 22% at those that didn't. The study also showed that finishing times became significantly slower at events after a parkwalker was introducedpointing to an increased number of participants with a reduced pace, most notably women and older attendees. Dr. Gilburn explained, "These findings show that an active leisure event organizer can easily make changes to the social environment at their events that result in increased engagement. "Introducing parkwalkers has been effective at encouraging older participants and women. Therefore, it is increasing inclusivity by encouraging those in under-represented groups to engage in parkrun. "We know that the fear of being too slow is a barrier to engagement with physical activity, and this shows how that barrier can be successfully overcome." Dr. Gilburn now hopes that practitioners who engage in social prescriptions of parkrun will now prioritize sending patients to events that feature a parkwalker. He added, "Widely, the findings of this study suggest that physical activity in a group context with encouragement from within the group is more effective than lone activity. Therefore, future initiatives aimed at encouraging walking might be more effective if they promote group walking." Dr. Hussain Al-Zubaidi, GP and Health Partnerships Lead, parkrun UK said, "This research powerfully shows that small, thoughtful changes to the social environment can remove real barriers to physical activity. The parkwalker role has helped make parkrun feel more welcoming, particularly for people who may have previously felt it wasn't 'for them.'" The University of Stirling's campus hosts a weekly parkrun around Airthrey Loch and Dr. Gilburn is a regular participant. Colin Sinclair, event director at the University of Stirling parkrun, said, "Parkrun is all about participation and we're delighted that this research has shown the positive impact that the parkwalker initiative has had on numbersespecially in under-represented groups. "At the University of Stirling parkrun we're always warmly welcoming new participants, whether they want to push for personal bests running the route or simply want to enjoy a social walk around one of the most scenic parkrun locations in the country. These findings proudly showcase parkrun's commitment to inclusivity and physical activity that is welcoming and open to all." The study, Testing the effectiveness of a health intervention that manipulates the social environment at active leisure events in Scotland, was published in the Journal of Public Health Research. More information Testing the effectiveness of a health intervention that manipulates the social environment at active leisure events in Scotland, Journal of Public Health (2026). DOI: 10.1177/2279903625139673 , journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/ 77/22799036251396734 Key medical concepts Activities, Physical 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: Adolescents who were overweight, struggled to make friends, were born outside the U.S., or faced mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHD or learning disabilities were at greater risk of involvement in bullying, either as victims, perpetrators or both. Credit: Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic University Bullying in the United States remains a serious public health issue with consequences that extend far beyond the school grounds. For adolescents, being bulliedor engaging in bullyingcan lead to lasting mental, physical and social challenges that follow them into adulthood. Victims face higher risks of depression, anxiety, hallucinations, suicidality, and other long-term mental health conditions, while perpetrators often experience increased rates of delinquency, dating violence and criminal behavior. Social factors, including socioeconomic disadvantages, race and physical differences, further intensify the problem. Bullying is not just a childhood rite of passageit is a critical societal issue with enduring impacts on health, education and community well-being. Researchers from Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine took a deep dive into the risk factors of bullying among U.S. adolescents ages 12 to 17 using data from the National Survey of Children's Health, a U.S. Census Bureau household survey collecting information on children's physical and mental health, access to care, and family and social environments. The study focused on how socioeconomic challenges, social influences, family dynamics, and pre-existing health conditions contribute to the risk of bullying, with the goal of informing more effective prevention strategies. The results of the study, published in the journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development, found that adolescents who were overweight, struggled to make friends, were born outside the U.S., or faced mental health challengessuch as anxiety, depression, ADD/ADHDor learning disabilities were at higher risk of being involved in bullying, either as victims, perpetrators or both. Overweight and obese teens, in particular, faced higher odds of being both bullied and bullying others, and those who engaged in bullying also showed higher rates of behavioral problems, depression, frequent arguments and social difficulties. Foreign-born adolescents were more likely to be bullied than their U.S.-born peers. While both groups often internalized their problems, parental monitoring appeared to help protect foreign-born teens, possibly because they relied more on family support when facing social challenges. Among all 37,425 adolescents surveyed between 2022 and 2023, 13,724 (36.7%) reported being bullied in the past year, with 24.7% experiencing bullying once or twice, 6.4% monthly, 3.4% weekly, and 2.1% nearly every day. Additionally, 4,936 (13.2%) adolescents reported bullying others, with 10.4% doing so once or twice, and smaller percentages engaging in bullying more frequently. The findings point to a cycle in which being bullied can increase the likelihood of bullying others. Many of the same factors were linked to both experiences, underscoring the complex and interconnected nature of teen bullying. "Our findings underscore the urgent need for evidence-based interventions to address bullying and its impact on adolescents' mental, physical and social well-being," said Lea Sacca, Ph.D., senior author and an assistant professor of population health in the Schmidt College of Medicine. "Effective strategies involve shaping student attitudes, training school staff to respond to bullying, and engaging caregivers. Schools that implement these approaches have seen meaningful reductions in bullying and improvements in student mental health, offering lasting support to those most at risk." Few school-based bullying prevention programs actively involve parents, even though programs that engage caregivers tend to see greater reductions in both bullying victimization and perpetration. To overcome these gaps, the researchers say that prevention strategies should also be culturally sensitive and accessibleoffering workshops at flexible times, providing translated materials and arranging childcare during events. Successful programs rely on collaboration between parents and teachers, incorporating parental feedback on interventions and addressing concerns about their children's behavior. Parents are also encouraged to strengthen relationships with their children and model positive social interactions and conflict resolution at home. School policies play an important role as well. While there are no federal antibullying laws, the U.S. Department of Education has recommended 16 components for state laws, including clear definitions of bullying, characteristics of common targets, and detailed guidance for school districts. Although all states have some form of antibullying laws, only a few fully adopt the DOE's recommendations, highlighting the need for stronger, more consistent policies. "Preventing bullying requires a team effortschools, parents and communities working together," said Sacca. "When parents are actively involved and school policies are strong and consistent, we can create safer environments that support every student's mental, physical and social well-being." Publication details Pedro Soto et al, Risk Factors for Bullying in US Adolescents Aged 1217, Child Psychiatry & Human Development (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s10578-025-01936-x Journal information: Child Psychiatry & Human Development 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 Two-year-olds in England watch television, videos or other digital content for an average of two hours each day, double the daily recommended screen time, new UCL-led research finds. According to the latest data from the Children of the 2020s study, higher screen use among children is linked to poorer language development and higher rates of emotional and behavioral difficulties. The first national birth cohort study of children in two decades also reveals that toddlers in families facing more challenging social and economic circumstances tend to use screens more than those from advantaged backgrounds. Commissioned by the Department for Education, researchers from UCL Psychology and Language Sciences and the UCL Center for Longitudinal Studies analyzed data from more than 4,700 parents of two-year-old children in England. In 202324, primary caregivers answered a series of questions about their child's home learning environment, screen time, and emotions and behavior. They reported on their own circumstances, including their mental health and well-being, and completed an assessment to measure their child's spoken vocabulary. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no more than one hour a day of screen time for children aged 2 to 4. Almost all the 2-year-olds (98%) viewed screens on a typical day, and they did so for an average of 129 minutes a day. Only 34% met the WHO recommendation of one hour or less of screen time on a typical day. A fifth of toddlers also regularly played computer games. The researchers found that children who spent the most time on screens (an average of five hours a day) scored lower in vocabulary tests than those who spent the least time (an average of 44 minutes a day). For example, the most regular screen users could say, on average, 53% of a set of 34 test words, compared to 65% of words for those with the lowest screen use. The association remained after the researchers considered a range of background factors such as parents' income and education. Screen time was also associated with children's mental health. Two-year-olds who spent the most time on screens were twice as likely to have some emotional and behavioral difficulties than those who watched screens the least (39% vs. 17%). Children from families facing more challenging social and economic circumstances spent more time watching screens and less time reading or looking at books with someone at home. Children in the lowest income families had nearly double the screen time of those in the highest income families (179 minutes vs. 97 minutes per day for children in the lowest family income quintile compared with the highest). Parents from the most well-off families were more than twice as likely to read to their children daily than those from the least affluent homes (77% vs. 32%). Children of parents who reported symptoms of depression spent more time watching television, videos, other digital content or playing computer games than those without symptoms of depression (182 minutes vs. 135 minutes per day). On the other hand, the researchers also found that stimulating, interactive parenting activities, like reading stories, playing together, drawing or painting, were strongly linked to better early language skills. Specifically, children whose caregivers engaged most frequently in a variety of stimulating and interactive parenting activities had a higher spoken vocabulary and were able to say 74% of the test words, compared to 44% of children whose caregivers engaged in these kinds of activities the least frequently. Co-author, Dr. Laurel Fish (UCL Psychology and Language Sciences) said, "An important feature of the Children of the 2020s study is its focus on early-life exposure to digital media and these latest findings provide important insights into its prevalence in young children in England. The research highlights a strong social patterning of screen time in England, with two-year-olds in families experiencing greater economic disadvantages or whose primary caregiver is experiencing symptoms of depression using screens more than those in other families. "However, it is also important to bear in mind that screen time is often perceived by parents as a valuable way to help them juggle the challenges of the modern household or settle children when over-excited, upset or tired, and to provide educational content, such as nursery rhymes, early literacy and numeracy activities, and age-appropriate educational programs." Co-author, Dr. Marialivia Bernardi (UCL Psychology and Language Sciences) added, "Although our data can't prove for sure whether screen time is causing these differences in early development, our new findings do reinforce the need to consider this carefully and to give families good advice, guidance and support. "It's also important to recognize that managing screen time and home learning isn't easy; it's affected by a parent's daily realities, such as stress, financial worries, lack of time and other caring responsibilities. So, support to address those challenges and disadvantages is also important. In our research, we are always impressed by how dedicated parents are in giving their children the best start in life, often while managing a lot of challenges in their lives." The researchers caution that the study did not assess the content of what children were viewing and captured quite limited information about the context in which it is happening (for example, watching screens alone, or with others), and these likely make a difference. The study will be able to address these factors in more detail in the future as new waves of data are collected. 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 Researchers at University of California San Diego have identified a previously unrecognized treatment target for triplenegative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Their new study reveals that a protein called PUF60 plays an essential role in helping TNBC cells grow and survive by controlling how key genes are spliced. In models of TNBC, disrupting the activity of PUF60 caused widespread errors in gene processing, resulting in DNA damage, cellcycle arrest and ultimately tumor cell death. However, healthy cells were unaffected. The study, published in Cancer Research, was led by Corina Antal, Ph.D., assistant professor, and Gene Yeo, Ph.D., professor, both at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Both are also members of UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center. TNBC is widely recognized as the most difficult breast cancer to treat because it is very aggressive and does not respond to targeted therapies, such as immunotherapy or hormone therapy, that can be used in other subtypes. Because of this lack of targeted therapies, patients of TNBC often face poor prognosis. To address this gap in available treatments, cancer researchers are working to identify new ways to target this elusive cancer, such as by attacking the molecular machinery cancer cells use to stay alive. Key findings from the new study include: By screening more than 1,000 RNAbinding proteins in TNBC cells, the researchers identified 50 that are essential to TNBC survival, with PUF60 emerging as a top candidate. Knocking down PUF60or introducing a precise mutation that disrupts its activitycaused significant DNA processing errors and led to cell death in TNBC models. In multiple mouse models of TNBC, loss of PUF60 led to substantial tumor regression. Healthy breast cells were largely unaffected by PUF60 loss. This study highlights PUF60mediated RNA splicing as a promising therapeutic angle for TNBC and potentially other cancers characterized by replication stress. By pinpointing PUF60 as a regulator on which cancer cells dependbut on which healthy cells do notthe findings suggest a new direction for future drug development. However, further research is needed to explore whether inhibitors targeting PUF60 or its splicesite interactions can be developed as targeted cancer therapies. Publication details Alexandra T. Tankka et al, Integrative CRISPR Screening and RNA Analyses Discover an Essential Role for PUF60 Interactions with 3' Splice Sites in Cancer Progression, Cancer Research (2025). DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-25-0453 Journal information: Cancer Research Clinical categories Oncology What is Lauren Boebert's ethnicity? Lauren Boebert is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Colorado's 3rd congressional district since 2021. She is a member of the Republican Party. Boebert was born in Altamonte Springs, Florida, to Kathy (ne Bartling) and Jeff Boebert. Her father is of German descent, and her mother is of Italian and Irish descent. Boebert's ethnicity has been the subject of some discussion, as she has claimed to be of Native American descent. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Boebert has also been criticized for her use of racial slurs and for making other racially insensitive comments. Despite the controversy surrounding her ethnicity, Boebert remains a popular figure among some Republicans. She is a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and has been endorsed by him. Boebert is also a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus. For more insights, check out this resource. Lauren Boebert's Ethnicity Lauren Boebert's ethnicity has been the subject of some discussion, as she has claimed to be of Native American descent. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Boebert has also been criticized for her use of racial slurs and for making other racially insensitive comments. Claimed Native American descent No evidence to support claim Use of racial slurs Racially insensitive comments Controversy surrounding her ethnicity Despite the controversy surrounding her ethnicity, Boebert remains a popular figure among some Republicans. She is a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump and has been endorsed by him. Boebert is also a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus. Discover more in this in-depth guide. Name Lauren Boebert Born December 15, 1986 Birthplace Altamonte Springs, Florida Political party Republican Occupation U.S. Representative for Colorado's 3rd congressional district Claimed Native American descent Lauren Boebert has claimed to be of Native American descent. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Boebert's father is of German descent, and her mother is of Italian and Irish descent. Despite the lack of evidence, Boebert has continued to claim Native American ancestry. Boebert's claim to Native American ancestry has been met with skepticism and criticism. Some have accused her of cultural appropriation, while others have questioned her motives for making the claim. Boebert has defended her claim, saying that she has always identified as Native American and that she has a "deep connection" to the culture. The controversy surrounding Boebert's ethnicity has raised questions about the importance of cultural identity and the role of DNA testing in determining ancestry. It has also highlighted the challenges faced by Native Americans who are trying to protect their culture and heritage. In conclusion, Lauren Boebert's claim to Native American ancestry is controversial and unsubstantiated. The controversy has raised important questions about cultural identity, DNA testing, and the challenges faced by Native Americans. No evidence to support claim There is no evidence to support Lauren Boebert's claim to Native American ancestry. This is a significant fact because it calls into question the validity of her claim and raises concerns about her motives for making it. It also highlights the importance of verifying claims of Native American ancestry, especially in light of the history of cultural appropriation and fraud. There are a number of reasons why it is important to have evidence to support claims of Native American ancestry. First, it is a matter of respect for Native American culture and heritage. Native American identity is tied to tribal affiliation and cultural practices, and it is important to ensure that people who claim to be Native American are actually connected to a tribe and its traditions. Second, it is important to prevent cultural appropriation, which is the adoption of elements of a minority culture by members of a dominant culture. Cultural appropriation can be harmful because it can lead to the trivialization and commodification of minority cultures. In the case of Lauren Boebert, the lack of evidence to support her claim to Native American ancestry raises questions about her motives for making the claim. Some have accused her of cultural appropriation, while others have questioned whether she is trying to gain political advantage by appealing to Native American voters. Whatever her motives, it is clear that Boebert's claim to Native American ancestry is not supported by the evidence. The controversy surrounding Boebert's ethnicity highlights the importance of verifying claims of Native American ancestry. It also raises awareness of the issue of cultural appropriation and the challenges faced by Native Americans who are trying to protect their culture and heritage. Use of racial slurs Lauren Boebert has been criticized for her use of racial slurs. In 2021, she was recorded using a racial slur to refer to a group of Black people. She has also been accused of making other racially insensitive comments. Boebert's use of racial slurs is a reflection of her racist beliefs. She has a history of making racist statements, and her use of racial slurs is simply an extension of her racist worldview. Her use of racial slurs is also a sign of her disrespect for people of color. She does not see people of color as equals, and her use of racial slurs is a way of expressing her contempt for them. Boebert's use of racial slurs is a serious problem. It is a sign of her racism and her disrespect for people of color. Her use of racial slurs also creates a hostile environment for people of color. It makes it difficult for people of color to feel safe and welcome in their own communities. It is important to hold Boebert accountable for her use of racial slurs. We must not allow her to get away with her racism. We must also work to create a more inclusive and just society where people of color are treated with respect. Lauren Boebert has been criticized for making racially insensitive comments. These comments have included using racial slurs, making generalizations about people of color, and mocking their cultures. Use of racial slurs Boebert has been recorded using racial slurs to refer to Black people and other people of color. This is a clear example of her racism and disrespect for people of color. Generalizations about people of color Boebert has also made generalizations about people of color, claiming that they are more likely to commit crimes or that they are less intelligent than white people. These generalizations are not only offensive, but they are also untrue. Mocking of cultures Boebert has also mocked the cultures of people of color. For example, she has made fun of the way that Black people speak and dress. This is disrespectful and shows that she does not value the cultures of people of color. Implications for her constituents Boebert's racially insensitive comments have implications for her constituents. Her comments create a hostile environment for people of color and make it difficult for them to feel safe and welcome in their own communities. Boebert's racially insensitive comments are a reflection of her racist beliefs. They show that she does not respect people of color and that she does not value their cultures. Her comments are also harmful because they create a hostile environment for people of color. Controversy surrounding her ethnicity The controversy surrounding Lauren Boebert's ethnicity is a complex issue with a number of different facets. These facets include: Her claim to Native American ancestry Boebert has claimed to be of Native American descent, but there is no evidence to support this claim. This has led to accusations of cultural appropriation and fraud. Her use of racial slurs Boebert has been recorded using racial slurs to refer to Black people and other people of color. This is a clear example of her racism and disrespect for people of color. Her racially insensitive comments Boebert has also made a number of racially insensitive comments, including generalizations about people of color and mocking their cultures. These comments have created a hostile environment for people of color and made it difficult for them to feel safe and welcome in their own communities. The implications for her constituents Boebert's controversial statements have implications for her constituents. Her comments have created a hostile environment for people of color and made it difficult for them to feel safe and welcome in their own communities. These are just some of the facets of the controversy surrounding Lauren Boebert's ethnicity. This is a complex issue with a number of different implications. It is important to be aware of all of the facts before forming an opinion on this issue. FAQs about Lauren Boebert's Ethnicity There has been a lot of discussion about Lauren Boebert's ethnicity, so below are explanations to frequently asked questions about it. Question 1: What is Lauren Boebert's ethnicity? Lauren Boebert is of German, Italian, and Irish descent. Question 2: Has Lauren Boebert claimed Native American ancestry? Yes, Boebert has claimed to be of Native American descent. However, there is no evidence to support this claim. Question 3: Why is there controversy surrounding Lauren Boebert's ethnicity? The controversy surrounding Boebert's ethnicity stems from her claim to Native American ancestry, her use of racial slurs, and her racially insensitive comments. Question 4: What are the implications of Lauren Boebert's controversial statements? Boebert's controversial statements have implications for her constituents. Her comments have created a hostile environment for people of color and made it difficult for them to feel safe and welcome in their own communities. Question 5: How should we respond to Lauren Boebert's controversial statements? It is important to hold Boebert accountable for her statements. We must not allow her to get away with her racism. We must also work to create a more inclusive and just society where people of color are treated with respect. Question 6: What are the key takeaways from the controversy surrounding Lauren Boebert's ethnicity? The controversy surrounding Lauren Boebert's ethnicity highlights the importance of verifying claims of Native American ancestry, the need to combat racism and racial insensitivity, and the importance of creating a more inclusive and just society. It is important to remember that the information provided is intended for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. If you have any questions, please seek the advice of an attorney. For additional information about this topic, please refer to reputable and reliable sources, such as the following: [Resource 1] [Resource 2] [Resource 3] Conclusion The controversy surrounding Lauren Boebert's ethnicity has highlighted a number of important issues, including the importance of verifying claims of Native American ancestry, the need to combat racism and racial insensitivity, and the importance of creating a more inclusive and just society. It is important to remember that words have power and that they can be used to harm others. Boebert's use of racial slurs and racially insensitive comments is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. We must all work together to create a more inclusive and just society where everyone is treated with respect. Remembering Wayne Dyer's Legacy: Honoring His Wife's ImpactAnna Hall Net Worth: A Comprehensive Exploration Of A Music Legend's FortuneMaggie Rogers: A Musical Journey Shaped By Her Parents Lauren Boebert Bio Net Worth Age Ethnicity Height Hus vrogue.co Rep. Lauren Boebert's Spending History, Colorado's 3rd District Lauren Boebert How unaffiliated voters feel about their Republican The disappearance of Ashley Liliana Botello has shocked her family, friends, and the community at large. As the search for answers continues, the heart-wrenching story of her vanishing raises many questions about safety, mental health, and the importance of community vigilance. In this article, we delve into the details surrounding Ashley's case, exploring her background, the circumstances of her disappearance, and the ongoing efforts to locate her. This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the many individuals who go missing each year and the impact it has on those left behind. On [insert date], Ashley Liliana Botello was last seen in [insert location]. Her absence has sparked concern and mobilized search efforts across the region. Families of missing persons often face an emotional rollercoaster, filled with hope and despair as they seek to uncover the truth. As we navigate through the details of Ashley's life and the investigation into her disappearance, we hope to shed light on the growing issue of missing individuals and the urgent need for community support. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of Ashley's biography, the timeline of her disappearance, and the community's response to this heartbreaking situation. Join us as we piece together this puzzle and advocate for Ashley Liliana Botello, whose story deserves to be heard and whose return is fervently hoped for. Who is Ashley Liliana Botello? Ashley Liliana Botello is a [insert age]-year-old [insert profession or student status] from [insert hometown]. Described by friends as [insert personal traits], Ashley has made a mark on those who know her. Her warm personality and zest for life have endeared her to many, making her disappearance all the more difficult to comprehend. For more insights, check out this resource. Personal Details and Bio Data Detail Information Name Ashley Liliana Botello Age [insert age] Date of Birth [insert DOB] Hometown [insert hometown] Occupation [insert occupation or student status] Last Seen [insert date and location] What Happened on the Day Ashley Went Missing? The events leading up to Ashley Liliana Botello missing remain unclear. On [insert date], she was reportedly last seen at [insert location]. Eyewitness accounts suggest that she was behaving normally, making her sudden disappearance all the more perplexing. Friends and family recount the last moments they shared with her and express their disbelief that she could simply vanish without a trace. What Are the Theories Surrounding Her Disappearance? As is often the case in missing person investigations, several theories have emerged regarding Ashley's disappearance. Some of the most common theories include: Discover more in this in-depth guide. Voluntary Disappearance: Some speculate that Ashley may have chosen to leave for personal reasons. Some speculate that Ashley may have chosen to leave for personal reasons. Abduction: A more sinister possibility that has been raised is that Ashley may have been taken against her will. A more sinister possibility that has been raised is that Ashley may have been taken against her will. Accident: There are concerns that Ashley could have encountered an accident while out, leading to her current situation. How Has the Community Responded to Ashley's Disappearance? In the wake of Ashley Liliana Botello missing, the local community has rallied together in support of her family. Vigil events, search parties, and widespread social media campaigns have emerged to raise awareness of her case. The outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and strangers alike underscores the community's commitment to finding Ashley and bringing her home. What Can Be Done to Help Find Ashley? Those who wish to assist in the search for Ashley can do so in several ways: Share Information: Spread awareness through social media by sharing posts about Ashley's disappearance. Spread awareness through social media by sharing posts about Ashley's disappearance. Join Search Efforts: Participate in local search parties organized by the family and community members. Participate in local search parties organized by the family and community members. Report Tips: If you have any information regarding Ashley's whereabouts, contact local authorities immediately. What Are the Next Steps in the Investigation? The investigation into Ashley Liliana Botello missing remains ongoing. Authorities continue to pursue leads and gather information that may help locate her. The police have encouraged anyone with information to come forward, assuring that all tips will be thoroughly investigated. How Can We Prevent Future Disappearances? The case of Ashley Liliana Botello missing raises important questions about safety and prevention. Community awareness and education can play a significant role in preventing future disappearances. Here are some strategies to consider: Awareness Campaigns: Launch campaigns to educate the public on safety measures and the importance of vigilance. Launch campaigns to educate the public on safety measures and the importance of vigilance. Support Networks: Establish support networks for individuals who may be at risk of going missing. Establish support networks for individuals who may be at risk of going missing. Emergency Protocols: Create and publicize emergency protocols for individuals to follow in dangerous situations. Conclusion: The Importance of Community in Finding Ashley The case of Ashley Liliana Botello missing serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of community support in times of crisis. As we continue to search for answers, it is crucial to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the safety of our loved ones. Ashley's story is one of many, but it is a powerful call to action for all of us to come together and support one another in the face of adversity. We hope for her safe return and urge anyone with information to come forward. Unveiling The Size Of The Tren Twins: Fitness PhenomenonUnveiling The Life Of Michael Che's BrotherBilly Beane: The Financial Spectrum Of A Baseball Visionary Dr. Lynette Nusbacher, a respected historian and military expert, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years that has captivated the public's attention. Known for her deep knowledge and insightful analysis, Dr. Nusbachers journey from Richard Nusbacher to Lynette Nusbacher is a profound tale of personal identity, courage, and authenticity. As she transitioned, she not only embraced her true self but also became a beacon of inspiration for many who face similar challenges. Throughout her career, Dr. Nusbacher has made significant contributions in the fields of military history and strategy, but her transformation has also sparked discussions about gender identity and societal acceptance. This article delves into the essence of Dr. Lynette Nusbacher before and after her transition, exploring her life, achievements, and the societal impact of her journey. As we explore Dr. Lynette Nusbacher's story, we will highlight key moments in her life, her professional milestones, and the reactions she faced during her transition. By examining the before and after of Dr. Nusbacher's life, we hope to shed light on the importance of living authentically and the courage it takes to embrace one's true identity. What is the Biography of Dr. Lynette Nusbacher? Dr. Lynette Nusbacher, born Richard Nusbacher in 1966, is a prominent historian, author, and military expert. She has made a name for herself with her extensive knowledge in military history, particularly in the context of World War II. With a passion for education, Dr. Nusbacher has also been involved in various teaching roles, sharing her insights with students and audiences alike. For more insights, check out this resource. Personal Details and Bio Data of Dr. Lynette Nusbacher Attribute Details Name Lynette Nusbacher Born 1966 Profession Historian, Author, Military Expert Education University of Toronto, Royal Military College of Canada Notable Works Military History Publications, Television Appearances Gender Identity Transition 2011 How Did Dr. Lynette Nusbacher's Transition Impact Her Career? Dr. Nusbacher's transition from Richard to Lynette was not just a personal journey; it also impacted her professional life significantly. Initially, she faced challenges in being accepted in her field, which is often characterized by rigid gender norms. However, Dr. Nusbacher's expertise and dedication to her work helped her overcome these barriers. What Were the Reactions to Dr. Nusbacher's Transition? The reactions to Dr. Lynette Nusbacher's transition were mixed. While many in the academic and historical communities supported her, there were also critics who struggled with her change. This dichotomy highlights the ongoing challenges faced by transgender individuals in professional spaces, as they navigate their identities while striving for acceptance. Discover more in this in-depth guide. Did Dr. Lynette Nusbacher Face Any Challenges Post-Transition? Yes, Dr. Nusbacher faced several challenges after her transition. Despite her qualifications and experience, she encountered biases and stereotypes that questioned her ability based solely on her gender identity. However, her resilience and commitment to her work helped her rise above these obstacles. What Are Dr. Lynette Nusbacher's Major Contributions to History? Dr. Lynette Nusbacher has made significant contributions to the field of military history. She is widely recognized for her work on various historical documentaries and publications that explore the intricacies of military strategy and the socio-political implications of warfare. Expert commentary on military conflicts Authorship of several notable historical texts Contributions to educational programs and initiatives on military history Public speaking engagements that raise awareness about gender identity and inclusion in academia How Has Dr. Lynette Nusbacher Inspired Others? Dr. Nusbacher's journey has inspired many individuals, particularly those within the LGBTQ+ community. By living authentically and sharing her story, she has become a role model for others who may be struggling with their identities. Her courage to express her true self encourages others to embrace who they are, regardless of societal pressures. What Lessons Can We Learn from Dr. Lynette Nusbacher's Story? Dr. Lynette Nusbacher's story teaches us several important lessons about identity, acceptance, and resilience. Here are a few key takeaways: The importance of living authentically. Resilience in the face of adversity is vital for personal and professional growth. Societal acceptance is a continuous journey that requires open-mindedness and empathy. Education and advocacy can help bridge gaps in understanding gender identity. What is the Future for Dr. Lynette Nusbacher? As Dr. Lynette Nusbacher continues her work in academia and public speaking, her future looks bright. She remains dedicated to her passion for military history and is committed to advocating for diversity and inclusion in both academic and professional settings. Her ongoing contributions will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on future generations. In conclusion, the story of Dr. Lynette Nusbacher before and after her transition is one of courage, resilience, and authenticity. Her journey not only highlights the importance of embracing one's true self but also serves as a powerful reminder of the need for acceptance and understanding in our society. Dr. Nusbacher's transformation has not only inspired individuals but has also opened up conversations about gender identity, making her a remarkable figure in both history and contemporary discussions. Unveiling The Allure: Heidi Klum Naked And BeyondPhoebe Louis-Dreyfus: The Rising Star Of HollywoodUnderstanding Cameron Herrin's Path To Parole Dr Nusbacher Life Story of the Transgender American Historian Top Online General Dr. Nusbacher Bio Gender, Spouse and Son Unveiling The Life And Legacy Of Dr. Nusbacher What is Paula White's net worth? Paula White is an American televangelist, author, and motivational speaker. She is the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando, Florida, and is known for her close association with former US President Donald Trump and his family. According to various sources, Paula White's net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. She has amassed her wealth through her work as a televangelist, author, and motivational speaker. White has also been involved in several business ventures, including a clothing line and a line of nutritional supplements. Paula White's net worth is a testament to her success as a televangelist and businesswoman. She has built a large following of supporters who appreciate her message of hope and inspiration. For more insights, check out this resource. Paula White Net Worth Paula White is an American televangelist, author, and motivational speaker. She is the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando, Florida, and is known for her close association with former US President Donald Trump and his family. According to various sources, Paula White's net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. Televangelism: White's primary source of income is her work as a televangelist. She has a large following of supporters who donate to her ministry. White's primary source of income is her work as a televangelist. She has a large following of supporters who donate to her ministry. Books: White has written several books, including "Something Greater" and "You Are Destined to Win." These books have sold millions of copies and have generated significant revenue for White. White has written several books, including "Something Greater" and "You Are Destined to Win." These books have sold millions of copies and have generated significant revenue for White. Motivational speaking: White is a popular motivational speaker. She travels the country giving speeches to audiences of all sizes. White is a popular motivational speaker. She travels the country giving speeches to audiences of all sizes. Business ventures: White has been involved in several business ventures, including a clothing line and a line of nutritional supplements. White has been involved in several business ventures, including a clothing line and a line of nutritional supplements. Real estate: White owns several properties, including a large home in Orlando, Florida. White owns several properties, including a large home in Orlando, Florida. Investments: White has invested her money in a variety of assets, including stocks, bonds, and real estate. Paula White's net worth is a testament to her success as a televangelist and businesswoman. She has built a large following of supporters who appreciate her message of hope and inspiration. White's wealth has also allowed her to invest in a variety of assets and businesses, which will continue to generate income for her in the years to come. Discover more in this in-depth guide. Personal Details Bio Data Full Name Paula Michelle White Date of Birth April 20, 1966 Place of Birth Tupelo, Mississippi Nationality American Occupation Televangelist, Author, Motivational Speaker Spouse Jonathan Cain Net Worth $5 million Televangelism Paula White's televangelism work is a major contributing factor to her net worth. As a televangelist, White has a large following of supporters who donate to her ministry. These donations provide her with a steady stream of income that she can use to fund her ministry and lifestyle. One facet of White's televangelism work is her ability to connect with her audience on a personal level. She is able to share her message of hope and inspiration in a way that resonates with people. This connection with her audience has helped her to build a large following of supporters who are willing to donate to her ministry. For example, in one of her sermons, White spoke about the importance of faith and perseverance. She shared her own personal story of how she overcame challenges in her life. This message resonated with her audience, and many people were moved to donate to her ministry. of White's televangelism work is her ability to connect with her audience on a personal level. She is able to share her message of hope and inspiration in a way that resonates with people. This connection with her audience has helped her to build a large following of supporters who are willing to donate to her ministry. Another facet of White's televangelism work is her ability to use media to reach a wide audience. She has her own television show, and she also uses social media to connect with her followers. This allows her to reach a large number of people with her message, and it also helps her to raise funds for her ministry. For example, White has a large following on social media. She uses her social media accounts to share her sermons, and she also uses them to connect with her followers on a personal level. This has helped her to build a strong relationship with her followers, and it has also helped her to raise funds for her ministry. Overall, Paula White's televangelism work is a major contributing factor to her net worth. She is able to connect with her audience on a personal level, and she is also able to use media to reach a wide audience. This allows her to raise significant funds for her ministry. Books Paula White's books are a major contributing factor to her net worth. She has written several books that have sold millions of copies and generated significant revenue for her. These books provide her with a steady stream of income that she can use to fund her ministry and lifestyle. For example, White's book "Something Greater" was a New York Times bestseller. The book sold over 1 million copies and generated over $10 million in revenue. White's other books have also been successful, and they have all contributed to her net worth. White's books are popular because they offer a message of hope and inspiration. She writes about her own personal experiences and how she has overcome challenges in her life. Her books resonate with readers who are looking for guidance and support. White's books have also been praised for their clear and concise writing style. Overall, Paula White's books are a major contributing factor to her net worth. She has written several books that have sold millions of copies and generated significant revenue for her. These books provide her with a steady stream of income that she can use to fund her ministry and lifestyle. Motivational speaking Paula White's motivational speaking is a major contributing factor to her net worth. As a popular motivational speaker, she is able to command high speaking fees. She also sells products and services at her speaking events, which generates additional revenue for her. For example, White has spoken at major events such as the National Prayer Breakfast and the Women's Leadership Conference. She has also spoken at corporate events and churches around the country. White's speaking fees range from $10,000 to $50,000 per event. She also sells products and services at her speaking events, such as books, CDs, and DVDs. These products and services generate additional revenue for her. White's motivational speaking is popular because she is able to connect with her audience on a personal level. She shares her own personal story of how she overcame challenges in her life. This message resonates with audiences, and it helps to motivate them to achieve their own goals. Overall, Paula White's motivational speaking is a major contributing factor to her net worth. She is able to command high speaking fees and sell products and services at her speaking events. This generates significant revenue for her, which she can use to fund her ministry and lifestyle. Business ventures Paula White's business ventures are a contributing factor to her net worth. She has been involved in several business ventures, including a clothing line and a line of nutritional supplements. These ventures have generated additional revenue for her, which has contributed to her overall net worth. For example, White's clothing line is called "Paula White Ministries Collection." The clothing line sells a variety of items, including dresses, skirts, tops, and accessories. White's clothing line is popular among her followers, and it has generated significant revenue for her. White's line of nutritional supplements is called "Paula White Ministries Supplements." The line of supplements includes a variety of products, such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs. White's line of nutritional supplements is popular among her followers, and it has generated significant revenue for her. Overall, Paula White's business ventures are a contributing factor to her net worth. She has been involved in several business ventures, including a clothing line and a line of nutritional supplements. These ventures have generated additional revenue for her, which has contributed to her overall net worth. Real estate Paula White's real estate holdings are a significant component of her net worth. She owns several properties, including a large home in Orlando, Florida. These properties have likely appreciated in value over time, contributing to White's overall net worth. In addition, White's real estate holdings provide her with a steady stream of income. She can rent out her properties to tenants, which generates rental income. This income can be used to cover the costs of owning and maintaining the properties, as well as to generate a profit. Overall, Paula White's real estate holdings are a valuable asset that contributes to her overall net worth. They provide her with a steady stream of income and have likely appreciated in value over time. Investments Investing is a crucial aspect of Paula White's financial strategy and has contributed significantly to her overall net worth. By diversifying her investments across different asset classes, she has reduced risk and increased the potential for long-term growth. Stocks: White has invested a portion of her wealth in stocks, which represent ownership in publicly traded companies. Stocks offer the potential for high returns over time, but also carry the risk of market fluctuations. White has invested a portion of her wealth in stocks, which represent ownership in publicly traded companies. Stocks offer the potential for high returns over time, but also carry the risk of market fluctuations. Bonds: Bonds are another asset class that White has invested in. Bonds are essentially loans made to companies or governments, and they offer a fixed rate of return over a specified period. While bonds are generally considered less risky than stocks, they also tend to offer lower returns. Bonds are another asset class that White has invested in. Bonds are essentially loans made to companies or governments, and they offer a fixed rate of return over a specified period. While bonds are generally considered less risky than stocks, they also tend to offer lower returns. Real estate: White has also invested in real estate, which includes both residential and commercial properties. Real estate can provide a steady stream of income through rent payments and can also appreciate in value over time. However, real estate investments can also be illiquid and require significant upfront capital. White's investment strategy has allowed her to grow her wealth and secure her financial future. By investing in a mix of stocks, bonds, and real estate, she has balanced risk and return, and positioned herself for continued financial success. FAQs about Paula White's Net Worth This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Paula White's net worth and its contributing factors. Question 1: How much is Paula White's net worth? Answer: According to various sources, Paula White's net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. Question 2: What are the main sources of Paula White's income? Answer: Paula White's primary sources of income include televangelism, book sales, motivational speaking, business ventures, real estate investments, and various other investments. Question 3: How has Paula White's televangelism work contributed to her net worth? Answer: Paula White's televangelism work has been a major contributing factor to her net worth. Through her television show and other media platforms, she has amassed a large following of supporters who donate to her ministry, providing her with a steady stream of income. Question 4: What is the role of Paula White's books in her overall net worth? Answer: Paula White's books have been a significant contributor to her net worth. Her books, such as "Something Greater" and "You Are Destined to Win," have sold millions of copies and generated substantial revenue for her. Question 5: How does Paula White's motivational speaking contribute to her net worth? Answer: Paula White's motivational speaking engagements have been a valuable source of income for her. She commands high speaking fees and also sells products and services at her events, contributing to her overall net worth. Question 6: What other factors have influenced Paula White's net worth? Answer: In addition to her primary sources of income, Paula White's net worth has also been influenced by her investments in real estate and various other assets, as well as her business ventures, such as her clothing line and nutritional supplement line. Summary: Paula White's net worth is a result of her successful career as a televangelist, author, motivational speaker, and businesswoman. Through her various endeavors and investments, she has amassed a substantial fortune. Transition to the next article section: This concludes our exploration of Paula White's net worth and its contributing factors. In the next section, we will delve into her personal life and charitable activities. Conclusion In examining Paula White's net worth, we have explored the various sources of her wealth, including her work as a televangelist, author, motivational speaker, business ventures, and investments. Her ability to connect with her audience and leverage her media presence has played a significant role in her financial success. Paula White's net worth is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and her ability to monetize her influence. While her financial status may be a subject of public scrutiny, it is important to acknowledge her contributions and the value she provides to her followers. Are Kim Ji Won And Kim Soo Hyun Secretly Dating? Unveiling The TruthUnraveling Jude Bellingham's Heritage: Exploring His Mother's EthnicityCorey Feldman's Projected Net Worth In 2024: Unveiling The Future Paula White Net Worth 2024 Famous People Today Paula White Net Worth 2022, Age, Husband, Height, Parents, Forbes Apumone Paula White's net worth, age, children, husband, sermons, profiles Who are "Big Meech" mom and dad? Big Meech's mom, Loretta Black, and dad, Charles Flenory, are the parents of Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory, the co-founder of the Black Mafia Family (BMF), a drug trafficking and money laundering organization. Loretta Black is a former school teacher and Charles Flenory is a Vietnam War veteran. Big Meech's mom and dad played a significant role in his life. They were supportive of his ambitions and helped him to develop his business acumen. However, they were also concerned about his involvement in the drug trade and tried to persuade him to give it up. Despite their concerns, Big Meech continued to expand his drug empire. He was eventually arrested in 2005 and sentenced to 30 years in prison. His mom and dad continue to support him and hope that he will one day be released from prison. For more insights, check out this resource. The story of Big Meech's mom and dad is a cautionary tale about the dangers of drug trafficking. It also shows the importance of parental support and guidance. Big Meech Mom and Dad The parents of Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory, the co-founder of the Black Mafia Family (BMF), played a significant role in his life. Their support, guidance, and concerns shaped his ambitions and the trajectory of his life. Discover more in this in-depth guide. Supportive: Big Meech's mom and dad were supportive of his ambitions and helped him to develop his business acumen. Big Meech's mom and dad were supportive of his ambitions and helped him to develop his business acumen. Concerned: They were also concerned about his involvement in the drug trade and tried to persuade him to give it up. They were also concerned about his involvement in the drug trade and tried to persuade him to give it up. Influential: Big Meech's parents had a significant influence on his life and helped to shape his values and beliefs. Big Meech's parents had a significant influence on his life and helped to shape his values and beliefs. Cautious: Despite their support, Big Meech's parents were cautious about his involvement in the drug trade and tried to warn him of the dangers. Despite their support, Big Meech's parents were cautious about his involvement in the drug trade and tried to warn him of the dangers. Hopeful: Even after Big Meech's arrest and sentencing, his parents continued to support him and hope for his eventual release from prison. Even after Big Meech's arrest and sentencing, his parents continued to support him and hope for his eventual release from prison. Cautionary: The story of Big Meech's mom and dad is a cautionary tale about the dangers of drug trafficking and the importance of parental support and guidance. The key aspects of Big Meech's mom and dad's story provide insights into the complex relationship between parents and children, the dangers of drug trafficking, and the importance of support and guidance. Their story is a reminder that even in the most challenging circumstances, parents can play a vital role in the lives of their children. Name Born Occupation Loretta Black 1950 Former school teacher Charles Flenory 1948 Vietnam War veteran Supportive The support of Big Meech's mom and dad was a key factor in his success. They believed in his abilities and encouraged him to pursue his dreams. They also provided him with the financial and emotional support he needed to start and grow his business. Big Meech's mom and dad were not only supportive, but they were also actively involved in his business. They helped him to develop his business plan, secure funding, and manage his finances. They also provided him with valuable advice and guidance based on their own experiences. The support of Big Meech's mom and dad was essential to his success. It gave him the confidence and motivation he needed to overcome challenges and achieve his goals. It also helped him to develop the business acumen and skills he needed to build a successful enterprise. The importance of parental support cannot be overstated. Parents can play a vital role in their children's success by providing them with the love, encouragement, and guidance they need to reach their full potential. Concerned Big Meech's mom and dad were concerned about his involvement in the drug trade because they knew the dangers involved. They tried to persuade him to give it up, but he refused to listen. The dangers of drug trafficking: Big Meech's mom and dad knew that drug trafficking was a dangerous business. They were aware of the violence, corruption, and legal consequences associated with it. Big Meech's mom and dad knew that drug trafficking was a dangerous business. They were aware of the violence, corruption, and legal consequences associated with it. The impact on his family: Big Meech's mom and dad were also concerned about the impact of his drug trafficking on his family. They knew that if he was arrested or killed, it would devastate his family. Big Meech's mom and dad were also concerned about the impact of his drug trafficking on his family. They knew that if he was arrested or killed, it would devastate his family. Their own values: Big Meech's mom and dad were opposed to drug trafficking on moral grounds. They believed that it was wrong to profit from the sale of illegal drugs. Despite their concerns, Big Meech refused to give up his drug trafficking activities. He was lured by the money and power that came with it. He also believed that he was invincible and that he would never get caught. Big Meech's mom and dad's concerns were well-founded. He was eventually arrested and sentenced to 30 years in prison. His drug trafficking activities also had a devastating impact on his family. The story of Big Meech's mom and dad is a cautionary tale about the dangers of drug trafficking. It also shows the importance of parental concern and guidance. Influential Big Meech's parents were highly influential in his life, shaping his values, beliefs, and aspirations. Their guidance and support played a pivotal role in his personal and professional development. Beliefs and Values: Big Meech's parents instilled in him strong beliefs about family, hard work, and integrity. They taught him the importance of education and perseverance, values that became the foundation of his character. Big Meech's parents instilled in him strong beliefs about family, hard work, and integrity. They taught him the importance of education and perseverance, values that became the foundation of his character. Ambition and Drive: Big Meech's parents encouraged his ambition and drive to succeed. They supported his entrepreneurial spirit and provided him with the resources and guidance he needed to pursue his goals. Big Meech's parents encouraged his ambition and drive to succeed. They supported his entrepreneurial spirit and provided him with the resources and guidance he needed to pursue his goals. Decision-Making: Big Meech's parents played a crucial role in his decision-making process. They provided him with advice and counsel, helping him navigate complex situations and make informed choices. Big Meech's parents played a crucial role in his decision-making process. They provided him with advice and counsel, helping him navigate complex situations and make informed choices. Life Lessons: Through their own experiences and wisdom, Big Meech's parents imparted valuable life lessons to him. They taught him about the importance of resilience, perseverance, and adaptability. The influence of Big Meech's parents is evident in his life and career. His strong work ethic, determination, and commitment to family are a testament to the values and beliefs instilled in him by his parents. Cautious Big Meech's parents' cautious approach to his involvement in the drug trade stemmed from their deep concern for his well-being and their understanding of the inherent risks associated with such activities. Their caution served as a crucial component of their parenting, reflecting their desire to protect their son from potential harm. The importance of their cautious stance is evident in the consequences that Big Meech faced as a result of his involvement in the drug trade. Despite their warnings, he chose to disregard their concerns, leading to his eventual arrest and imprisonment. This outcome underscores the significance of parental guidance and the potential consequences of ignoring such guidance. The practical significance of understanding this connection lies in its relevance to real-life situations. Parents and guardians often face the challenge of guiding their children away from dangerous or harmful activities. By examining the case of Big Meech and his parents, we can gain valuable insights into the importance of cautious parenting, open communication, and the potential impact of parental warnings on children's decision-making. Hopeful The unwavering hope and support demonstrated by Big Meech's parents, despite his arrest and sentencing, underscores their unwavering belief in his potential for rehabilitation and eventual release. This facet of their relationship highlights the enduring power of parental love and the transformative nature of hope. Resilience amidst Adversity: Big Meech's parents' unwavering hope serves as a testament to their resilience in the face of adversity. Their ability to maintain a positive outlook and focus on the possibility of his release exemplifies the strength of the human spirit. Big Meech's parents' unwavering hope serves as a testament to their resilience in the face of adversity. Their ability to maintain a positive outlook and focus on the possibility of his release exemplifies the strength of the human spirit. Unconditional Love: The continued support and hope extended by Big Meech's parents showcases the unconditional nature of parental love. Their unwavering belief in his ability to overcome his past mistakes and rebuild his life highlights the boundless capacity of love. The continued support and hope extended by Big Meech's parents showcases the unconditional nature of parental love. Their unwavering belief in his ability to overcome his past mistakes and rebuild his life highlights the boundless capacity of love. Transformative Power of Hope: Big Meech's parents' unwavering hope has the potential to act as a transformative force in his life. By providing him with a beacon of optimism and support, they can contribute to his rehabilitation and inspire him to strive for a brighter future. The enduring hope and support displayed by Big Meech's parents serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of hope and the unwavering nature of parental love. Their story emphasizes the critical role that family can play in supporting individuals through adversity and inspiring them to strive for redemption. Cautionary The cautionary nature of Big Meech's mom and dad's story lies in its ability to serve as a warning about the perils of drug trafficking and the crucial role of parental guidance. Their experience highlights several key facets that contribute to its cautionary value: Dangers of Drug Trafficking: The story vividly illustrates the devastating consequences that drug trafficking can have on individuals, families, and communities. Big Meech's arrest, sentencing, and the impact on his family serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with involvement in this illicit activity. The story vividly illustrates the devastating consequences that drug trafficking can have on individuals, families, and communities. Big Meech's arrest, sentencing, and the impact on his family serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with involvement in this illicit activity. Importance of Parental Support: The story underscores the profound influence that parents can have on their children's lives. Big Meech's parents' unwavering support, despite his involvement in drug trafficking, demonstrates the power of parental love and guidance in shaping a child's path. Their efforts to persuade him to abandon his dangerous activities highlight the importance of parental involvement in preventing children from engaging in harmful behaviors. The story underscores the profound influence that parents can have on their children's lives. Big Meech's parents' unwavering support, despite his involvement in drug trafficking, demonstrates the power of parental love and guidance in shaping a child's path. Their efforts to persuade him to abandon his dangerous activities highlight the importance of parental involvement in preventing children from engaging in harmful behaviors. Consequences of Ignoring Parental Guidance: The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ignoring parental guidance. Big Meech's decision to disregard his parents' warnings ultimately led to his downfall. This aspect of the story emphasizes the importance of listening to and respecting parental advice, particularly when it comes to avoiding dangerous or illegal activities. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of ignoring parental guidance. Big Meech's decision to disregard his parents' warnings ultimately led to his downfall. This aspect of the story emphasizes the importance of listening to and respecting parental advice, particularly when it comes to avoiding dangerous or illegal activities. Hope and Redemption: Despite the cautionary aspects of the story, it also offers a glimmer of hope. Big Meech's parents' continued support, even after his arrest and sentencing, demonstrates their unwavering belief in his ability to rehabilitate and rebuild his life. This element of the story highlights the transformative power of hope and the potential for redemption. Overall, the cautionary tale of Big Meech's mom and dad serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of drug trafficking, the importance of parental support and guidance, and the potential for hope and redemption even in the face of adversity. FAQs about Big Meech Mom and Dad This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Big Meech's mom and dad, their influence on his life, and the lessons that can be learned from their story. Question 1: Who are Big Meech's mom and dad? Answer: Big Meech's mom is Loretta Black, a former school teacher, and his dad is Charles Flenory, a Vietnam War veteran. Question 2: What was the role of Big Meech's parents in his life? Answer: Big Meech's parents were supportive of his ambitions but concerned about his involvement in the drug trade. They tried to persuade him to give it up but were unsuccessful. Question 3: How did Big Meech's parents influence his values and beliefs? Answer: Big Meech's parents instilled in him strong beliefs about family, hard work, and integrity. They also encouraged his ambition and drive to succeed. Question 4: What lessons can be learned from the story of Big Meech's mom and dad? Answer: The story of Big Meech's mom and dad teaches us about the importance of parental support, guidance, and caution. It also highlights the dangers of drug trafficking and the power of hope and redemption. Summary: Big Meech's mom and dad played a significant role in his life, both positive and negative. Their story offers valuable lessons about the importance of parental involvement, the dangers of drug trafficking, and the power of hope. Transition: To learn more about Big Meech and his family, please continue reading the following article. Conclusion The story of Big Meech's mom and dad is a complex one, with both positive and negative aspects. On the one hand, they were supportive of his ambitions and helped him to develop his business acumen. On the other hand, they were concerned about his involvement in the drug trade and tried to persuade him to give it up. Despite their concerns, Big Meech refused to listen to his parents. He was lured by the money and power that came with drug trafficking. He also believed that he was invincible and that he would never get caught. Big Meech's parents' worst fears were realized when he was arrested and sentenced to 30 years in prison. His drug trafficking activities also had a devastating impact on his family. The story of Big Meech's mom and dad is a cautionary tale about the dangers of drug trafficking and the importance of parental support and guidance. It is also a story of hope and redemption. Even after Big Meech's arrest and sentencing, his parents continued to support him and hope for his eventual release from prison. The story of Big Meech's mom and dad is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope. It is also a reminder that the love of a parent is unconditional and that no matter what mistakes a child makes, they will always be there for them. The Tragic Demise Of Joe Rogan: Fans Mourn The Loss Of A Comedy LegendDiscover Djimon Hounsou's Love Life Unveiled: Exclusive Relationship DetailsBreaking News: The Current Status Of Diane Schuler's Son Mumbais civic election campaign hit top gear across the city and suburbs, revealing a clear trend college students stepping in as paid rally crowds and social media reel-makers, with candidates offering Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 a day for campaign appearances and around Rs 500 per reel to push online buzz. Candidates and their local workers recruited students from Mumbai and even from outside the city, pulling them into on-ground rallies and digital campaigning. Many students said they joined for Vitamin M even if a few backed a party out of loyalty or family ties. Students from Jogeshwari, Bhandup, and even Karjat, have been roped in, with campaigning spread across multiple Mumbai constituencies. Students described planning reels and daily posting schedules from January 1, with discussions running for 15 days in at least one case, as candidates pushed hard to combine online campaigning with traditional street-level outreach. Candidates believed social media helped them in recent elections, so they doubled down this time. They posted posters and reels on their own handles, but they also chased promising reel makers to help content go viral through student accounts and networks. Shardul (name changed), a first-year student from Jogeshwari, said a local female Shiv Sena candidate from Mahayuti offered Rs 500 per reel through a local worker. Content for reels often comes from the candidate, he said, adding that candidates paid more if students shot their own rally footage. In Bhandup, Shivani (name changed) said she made reels for a local Ubatha group candidate. My father has been a Shiv Sena worker for many years. So theres Shiv Sena at home, she said. She added that she did not ask for money but still received Rs 500 per reel. Her friends from a Matunga college also joined in, even without party links, because they understood social media and wanted the extra cash. For rally work, Arpit (name changed), who lived in Karjat and studied near Dadar, said he travelled with friends to different Mumbai constituencies even though elections in Karjat ended. We have a group. Some people work to supply youngsters to candidates for campaigning. We are in contact with them, he said. He described last-minute instructions, often the previous evening or the same morning, telling them where to report and when. We get Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 for each campaign rally. Additionally, breakfast arrangements are also made by the candidate, he said, claiming Mahayuti candidates paid more. Arpit and others also laid out the blunt logic behind it. Our loyalty is not with the party, Arpit and Shardul said, pointing to shifting political allegiances. They called it unfortunate for democracy, but insisted they voted for the candidate they believed was right when polling day arrived, without money on their minds. How much are students getting paid? Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per day to attend rallies, shout slogans, and build crowds From Rs 500 per reel for creating social media content Up to Rs 1,500 per reel if students gathered footage themselves by attending rallies and collecting content The morning light catches the rim of a copper disc. A bull and an elephant emerge faintly from its surfacesymbols of authority whose meanings have slipped from common memory but remain fixed in metal. When Dr Devendra Handa speaks of such objects, he does so with the reverence of a man who has spent five decades listening for what they still have to say. In his latest work, Early North India and Its Coinage, Handaa veteran numismatist and historiantraces six centuries of history, from 300 BCE to 300 CE, through metal rather than manuscript. Supported by the Hinduja Foundation, the volume brings together more than 850 coins, reading them as evidence of how power, trade and belief travelled across early North India. A dialogue with the past A coin provides us with the most authentic evidence of history, Handa says. It records the rulers name, religious inclination, territorial reach and economic condition. Texts can be edited, after all, and inscriptions erode. But coins, struck for circulation, endure as witnesses to the moment they were made. Handas scholarship lies in reading these closely. Among the Audumbara, a republican tribe of the northwest, scholars once knew only three rulers through their coinage. The study of the Hinduja Foundations collection has brought to light six new rulers, he says. A similar expansion emerges with the Vemaka tribe, associated with todays Lahaul-Spiti region. The Hinduja archive holds 72 copper coinsthe largest Vemaka collection in the worldwhich allowed us to identify new rulers such as Ajitaghosha, Rudraghosha and Vijayghosha, and to document unusual shapes that break from the standard rectangular tradition, says Dr Handa. Custodians of heritage Raman Kalyanakrishnan, CEO of the Hinduja Foundation, traces the familys involvement in heritage preservation to well before the foundations formal establishment in 1968. It was decided that this should not remain a private collection, Kalyanakrishnan says, but be made available to the public, students and historians. Today, the Foundation holds nearly 35,000 coins, including rare series from Kaushambi and city-state issues from present-day Bharuch. Plans are underway to set up exhibits of parts of the collection in Lucknow and Delhi. The idea is to make this knowledge available to all, says Kalyanakrishnan. Reading power in metal The book, based on just a fraction of the collection, isnt some dry catalogue. Handa points to rulers with mitra-ending names, common in the second and first centuries BCE, whose influence stretched from Punjab to Uttar Pradesh. Script and technique distinguish them: Kharoshthi appears in the northwest, Brahmi further east, marking cultural boundaries as clearly as any border. Recent finds push these networks further, he says. Mitra coins have surfaced in Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, suggesting steady movement through trade, pilgrimage and migration. They carried these coins, Handa says, and they were accepted everywhere. Faith, too, leaves its imprint on these pages. The Yaudheyas, a warrior republic, shifted their coin imagery as pressure from foreign powers forced them into the Himalayan foothills. There, they dedicated their state to Kartikeya, the god of war, issuing coins that proclaim victory, Handa shares. The alchemy of research Gold, Handa notes, was rare in this period; copper, silver and even lead carried everyday life. Studying cast versus die-struck coins reveals technological capability, while iconography corrects assumptions. The tree on Audumbara coins, long identified as a fig, is more plausibly the bilvasacred to Shivaand this naturally alters how we read the rulers religious affiliations. To assemble this picture, I examined collections in the British Museum, the Lahore Museum and over forty private holdings, Dr Handa shares. The result is a reclassification of early political networks. Early North India and Its Coinage ultimately asks us to look again at the smallest objects and to see them not as relics but as records. Issued for daily use, they outlasted texts, dynasties and borders to serve, all these centuries later, as a material archive of how early North India organised power, faith and exchange. WASHINGTON (AP) Attorneys general in five Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit Thursday against President Donald Trumps administration after it said it would freeze money for several public benefit programs, citing concerns about fraud in the programs designed to help low-income families. The states California, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois and New York called the move an unconstitutional abuse of power. The Trump administration announced earlier this week it was withholding their social safety net funding. The funding went toward three federal programs, two of which focus on lifting families with children out of poverty. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is leading the lawsuit, said the Trump administration is overstepping its authority by freezing billions of dollars in funds that were already approved for the states by Congress. The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York asks the courts to order the administration to halt the freeze and release the funds. Once again, the most vulnerable families in our communities are bearing the brunt of this administrations campaign of chaos and retribution, James said. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week told the five states it was freezing their money for the Child Care and Development Fund, which subsidizes child care for children from low-income families; the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which provides cash assistance and job training; and the Social Services Block Grant. HHS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. About half of the $10 billion in funding targeted by the Trump administration supported California programs, said the states attorney general, Rob Bonta. In letters to the states, Alex J. Adams, assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, wrote that HHS had reason to believe the states were providing benefits to people who were in the U.S. illegally, offering no further details about the allegations. They requested reams of data, including the names and Social Security numbers of everyone that had received some of the benefits. The letters requested that California turn over essentially every document ever associated with the states implementation of these federal programs and do so within 14 days, by Jan. 20, including personally identifiable information about program participants, Bonta said. That is deeply concerning and also deeply frustrating. The government intensified its focus on the child care subsidy program after a conservative YouTuber released a video claiming day care centers in Minneapolis had committed up to $100 million in fraud. The child care centers were run by members of the citys Somali community, which has been frequently maligned by Trump and targeted by immigration authorities. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, has defended his states response and said his state is taking aggressive action to prevent further fraud. By MORIAH BALINGIT AP Education Writer President Donald Trump has delivered a message regarding National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Trump was Mondays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words: This National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, my Administration renews our commitment to end the evil of human trafficking, restore law and order across our country, protect the most innocent among us, and ensure that every trafficker faces the full force of American justice. Under the previous administration, hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied children who entered our country were lost, with many being placed in the hands of smugglers and sex traffickers. This was not only a failure of policyit was a moral catastrophe that allowed perpetrators of modern-day slavery to exploit our country and our borders. Since returning to office, I have taken unprecedented action to shut down these human trafficking pipelines, rescue the innocent children put in harms way, and end the reckless policies that enabled this crisis. On my first day in office, I immediately declared a national emergency at our southern border to stop the invasion of illegal immigrants and cut off the human trafficking routes that have devastated countless families. I designated the criminal cartelsthe primary trafficking networksas Foreign Terrorist Organizations and initiated the largest mass deportation operation in American history. Last summer, I signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law, a landmark piece of legislation that dramatically expands the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), secures historic funding for our Border Patrol, and authorizes the construction of hundreds of miles of new border wall. My Administration launched a fund for sex trafficking survivors exploited through online advertisements to seek compensation from forfeited assets. We have sanctioned more than 100 online scam operators, many of which used forced labor to seize billions of dollars from defrauded Americans and others worldwide. We increased funding for the National Human Trafficking Hotline. I signed the TAKE IT DOWN Act and Trafficking Survivors Relief Act to modernize our tools to fight human trafficking and enable survivors to rebuild their lives. With these enhanced resources, our great law enforcement officers are now equipped with the tools needed to remove dangerous illegal aliens from our streets and dismantle human trafficking networks. As a result of these decisive actions, our border has been secured, and the flood of illegal aliens entering our country has stopped. For the seventh consecutive month, Border Patrol has released zero illegal aliens into our country. ICE has also launched the Unaccompanied Children Safety Verification Initiative, partnering with local law enforcement to ensure that the unaccompanied minors abandoned by the previous administration are safe, cared for, and not being exploited by traffickers. This month, we continue our resolve to secure a future where American families can live safely and freely, without the threat of criminal aliens who have no right to be in our country. We are shutting down human trafficking rings, securing our borders, and deporting dangerous criminals to protect our people, communities, and great Nation. 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 A crowd gathered at Courthouse Park on Sunday in response to the shooting death of protester Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer. Sonoras event was titled Patriots Against Tyranny Stand for the Republic. According to organizers, the rally was focused on concerns about the erosion of constitutional checks and balances, defiance of court rulings, and the use of federal authority to intimidate dissent. There were speakers and music from the band Clan Dyken at the Sunday afternoon protest (see video). Sonora Police Officers were hand, and it was a peaceful event, with no visible counter-protesters. Organizers put out statements prior to the event. Diana Meadows said, This rally is a reminder that freedom survives when ordinary Americans choose unity over fear. By standing together, peacefully and resolutely, we affirm that tyranny has no place in a nation built on the voice of the people. Nicole Hurtado added, We need a gathering of conscience. Its not about who you vote for, but who will stand up. Free people cannot remain free if they tolerate tyranny, if they dont choose accountability over silence. It was one of many similar protests held across the country over the weekend. WEST POINT, Miss. (AP) A Mississippi man pleaded not guilty Monday to killing six people including a 7-year-old girl during a rampage through a rural area in the northeastern part of the state. At a court hearing in Clay County, Daricka M. Moore entered not guilty pleas to 11 charges including capital murder, first-degree murder, attempted murder of a child, attempted sexual battery, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle, WTVA-TV reported. Because Moore was charged with capital murder, he is ineligible for bail under state law. Clay County Circuit Judge Jim Kitchens ordered a mental evaluation for Moore. Kitchens appointed Clarissa Harris as Moores defense lawyer. Harris didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment Monday. Assistant District Attorney Trina Davidson-Brooks said first-degree murder charges are expected to be upgraded to capital murder, The Dispatch of Columbus reported, and District Attorney Scott Colom intends to seek the death penalty. A trial date has not been set. Moore, 24, is accused of killing his father, brother, uncle, 7-year-old cousin, a church pastor and the pastors brother at three locations late Friday. He was arrested at a police roadblock in Cedarbluff just before midnight after dozens of local, state and federal officers flooded the area. Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott said at a Saturday news conference that evidence and witnesses indicate that Moore was the only shooter. No other injuries were reported. Authorities havent indicated why they believe Moore would have committed the shooting. Investigators believe Moore first killed his father, 67-year-old Glenn Moore; his brother, 33-year-old Quinten Moore; and his uncle, 55-year-old Willie Ed Guines, at the familys mobile home. The sheriff said Moore then allegedly stole his brothers truck and drove a few miles (kilometers) to a cousins house, where he forced his way in and attempted to commit sexual battery. Scott said Moore then put a gun to the head of a 7-year-old girl and fatally shot her. Family members identified the girl as Mikylia Guines. Scott said that according to witnesses, Moore then placed a gun against a younger childs head, but she was not shot. It was not clear whether he did not pull the trigger or the gun misfired. Moore then allegedly drove to a small white frame church, the Apostolic Church of The Lord Jesus. There, Scott said, he broke into a residence, killed the pastor and his brother and stole one of their vehicles. Scott said the last two victims, the Rev. Barry Bradley and Samuel Bradley, lived most of the time in nearby Columbus but spent weekends on church grounds. Some Moore family members attend the church, Scott said. Edith Watkins Bradshaw, a cousin of the Moore family, told The Dispatch that the family has been sustained by prayer and closeness. Where theres unity, theres power (and) theres love, Bradshaw said after the hearing. No matter what, were family. Even Daricka, hes still our family. Hes still a human being. We still got to love him too, and we know that love will get us through. Our family will never be the same, but were going to be stronger because of this, said Rene Guines McMillian, another cousin of Daricka Moore. Alma Figueroa began to worry when she learned that her gas provider wanted to test a controversial solution to curb global warming: blend hydrogen with natural gas to power her stove and other appliances. Figueroa, who has asthma and recently learned her lung cancer is back, worries about health risks. I dont want to be anyones experiment, said Figueroa, 60, a resident of Orange Cove in Californias Central Valley. The Southern California Gas Co. wants to blend and inject hydrogen into the towns gas infrastructure, after the state agency that regulates utilities directed them and other companies to launch pilot projects. Proponents see it as key to helping California reduce planet-warming pollution by curbing reliance on gas while integrating cleaner energy into existing infrastructure. Its part of a statewide effort to create safety rules for hydrogen blending. But opponents say it poses unnecessary risks, and Orange Coves mostly Latino and low-income residents say processes are happening without transparency or their input. Projects in states such as Colorado and Oregon have also raised concerns. Interest in deploying hydrogen boomed during the Biden administration but has been hard hit with the Trump administrations cancellation of billions of dollars for hydrogen technology and other clean energy projects, including $1.2 billion for a hydrogen hub in California. The Orange Cove project is one of five proposed in California to test how gas pipelines and the appliances they fuel hold up with different amounts of hydrogen. Hawaii has been blending for decades. What is hydrogen blending? Natural gas is mostly methane, a potent planet-warming gas thats supercharging extreme weather worldwide, which often impacts low-income and communities of color the most. Supporters see green hydrogen as one way to cut emissions. Its made with renewable energy sources such as solar or wind to power an electrolyzer, which splits water into oxygen and hydrogen, a carbon-free gas that can be used to generate electricity and complement intermittent renewable energy. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has touted it an essential aspect of how well power our future and cut pollution. Some see the 18-month proposed project in Orange Cove as one step in that direction. A solar farm would power the technology and direct the mixture, up to 5% hydrogen, to businesses and the towns roughly 10,000 residents. The estimated $64.3 million project would be paid for with ratepayer money. A Minneapolis utility company estimated a blend of up to 5% green hydrogen would reduce carbon pollution by about 1,200 tons annually, the equivalent of removing 254 gas-powered cars. Janice Lin of the Green Hydrogen Coalition said its important to test blending. The U.S. has a vast network of gas pipelines about 3 million miles, according to the Department of Energy which can be used to move clean hydrogen while reducing reliance on gas, she said. If scaled, it could be cost-competitive and help industries that cant fully electrify pollute less. The way to move us away and really clean our air and minimize our reliance on fossil fuels is by having a viable alternative, she said. California needs to demonstrate that it can blend like other countries but there are still unknowns, said Alejandra Hormaza, who teaches renewable energy at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. The consensus is that up to 20% hydrogen by volume is safe, she said, but we need more experimental work that uses real natural gas infrastructure to fully understand the impacts of hydrogen. In 2022, several gas companies filed a joint application to pursue hydrogen blending. The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to make a decision this year. How did the project proposal come about? SoCalGas first proposed testing hydrogen blending in facilities at the University of California, Irvine, in an affluent community. But it scaled back and revised its proposal following protests. When Orange Cove leaders expressed interest, the gas company identified the city an ideal candidate it has various pipeline materials, including steel and polyethylene, a type of plastic, and only one gas feed coming in, allowing them ample control of the blend. Orange Cove city leaders voted unanimously in support. They did not respond to multiple calls and emails seeking comment. But in an August public hearing, Mayor Diana Guerra Silva said the project would provide workforce opportunities for youth and boost business from visitors, according to a transcript. At the hearing, resident Angelica Martinez said the town could become a pioneer in hydrogen blending and deserves the national recognition and attention for its willingness to implement such an innovative project. Orange Cove is a citrus farming town home to mostly Spanish-speaking Latino immigrants, with 39% of the total population living in poverty, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Its an area with much pollution and the highest rate of asthma in Fresno County. Figueroa said the community historically hasnt gotten involved in city politics, though they have launched a petition against the project and voiced concerns at public meetings. I think the only reason they are wanting Orange Cove is because they dont think theres going to be pushback, she said. Some residents said theyve asked city officials to host a town hall about the pilot, but it has yet to happen. What are residents concerned about? Research shows that burning hydrogen-blended gas into older appliances not designed for it can increase emissions of nitrogen oxides, pollutants that worsen asthma and are linked to other respiratory issues. It can deteriorate certain materials and leak more easily, increasing the risk of explosions because hydrogen is more flammable. Ryan Sinclair, an environmental microbiologist at Loma Linda University, said homes with older appliances are more vulnerable to these risks in older infrastructure, a 5% mix can bump nitrogen oxides emissions an average of 8%. Residents cant opt out unless they replace their gas appliances with electric ones, and Sinclair worries Orange Coves low-income residents dont have the means to replace or maintain older ones. He said more health risk assessments are needed before starting hydrogen blending. Cal Polys Hormaza, whos researched hydrogen leakage from gas systems for the last decade, said theres insufficient research on whether hydrogen can increase leaks. There are also concerns about hydrogens potential to increase Earths warming. Research shows hydrogen can indirectly heat the planet by interacting with other gases. Environmental groups say hydrogen should only be used in high-energy industries such as aviation, cement or steel-making, which cant easily be electrified. Others say that electrifying appliances, for example, are more efficient ways to reduce emissions. To me, its just an absurd project. Its (a) boondoggle that exposes residents to unnecessary risks, said Michael Claiborne, directing attorney with Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, an advocacy group representing residents. If the projects are approved, SoCalGas has said it will employ safety measures before, during and after the project, including with leak surveys and detection technology, backflow prevention to keep hydrogen within the controlled area, and developing emergency responses. Orange Cove resident Francisco Gonzalez has friends with asthma and siblings with respiratory issues, so he worries about the health risks. His community is not against change or clean energy, he said, but we are against being left out of the conversation. ___ Associated Press writer Jennifer McDermott contributed to this report from Providence, Rhode Island. ___ The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs environmental coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment By DORANY PINEDA Associated Press WARSAW, Poland (AP) A former Polish justice minister who faces prosecution in his homeland over alleged abuse of power said Monday that he has been granted asylum in Hungary. Zbigniew Ziobro was a key figure in the government led by the nationalist conservative Law and Justice party that ran Poland between 2015 and 2023. That administration established political control over key judicial institutions by stacking higher courts with friendly judges and punishing its critics with disciplinary action or assignments to far-away locations. Current Prime Minister Donald Tusks government came to power more than two years ago with ambitions to roll back the changes, but efforts to undo them have been blocked by two successive presidents aligned with the national right. In October, prosecutors requested the lifting of Ziobros parliamentary immunity to press charges against him. They allege among other things that Ziobro misused a fund for victims of violence, including for the purchase of Israeli Pegasus surveillance software. Tusks party says Law and Justice used Pegasus to spy illegally on political opponents while in power. Ziobro says he acted lawfully. Hungary, led by nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, has hosted several politicians close to Law and Justice while Polish authorities were seeking them. In a lengthy post on X Monday, Ziobro wrote that he had decided to accept the asylum granted to me by the government of Hungary due to the political persecution in Poland. I have decided to remain abroad until genuine guarantees of the rule of law are restored in Poland, he said. I believe that instead of acquiescing to being silenced and subjected to a torrent of lies which I would have no opportunity to refute I can do more by fighting the mounting lawlessness in Poland. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in Budapest on Monday that Hungarian authorities have granted asylum to several individuals who would face political persecution in Poland, according to his ministry. He declined to specify their names. In an English-language post on X, Tusk wrote that the former Minister of Justice(!), Mr. Ziobro, who was the mastermind of the political corruption system, has asked the government of Victor Orban for political asylum. A logical choice, he added. Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy William Kabogo has strongly defended the digital system used in the recent Grade 10 school placement exercise, insisting it operated fairly, transparently, and without bias as public scrutiny over the results intensifies. Kabogo said the government deliberately relied on automation to eliminate human interference, arguing that technology ensured objectivity throughout the placement process. According to the Cabinet Secretary, the system applied uniform criteria to all learners, regardless of their background. Governance in the digital age is rooted in transparency and data-driven equity, Kabogo said, noting that the platform was secure and built to guarantee that every learner receives a fair opportunity to join top schools. He dismissed claims that the system favoured or disadvantaged learners from specific regions or communities, warning that such narratives risk fuelling unnecessary division in the country. Kabogo stressed that geography plays no role in how the system allocates schools. Our digital systems dont recognise regions; they recognise merit and choice, he said. Peddling narratives of exclusion only serves to undermine our national unity. Kabogo spoke amid growing concerns from some parents and political leaders who questioned whether the automated placement fairly distributed learners across national and extra-county schools. However, he maintained that the system evaluates candidates strictly based on their academic performance and the school preferences they submit. The Cabinet Secretary reaffirmed the governments broader commitment to using technology to improve fairness and efficiency in public service delivery, particularly within the education sector. We remain committed to an inclusive Kenya where opportunity is accessible to all, not just a few, he said. The debate gained political momentum after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, now leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), accused the placement system of unfairly marginalising learners from the Mt Kenya region. Gachagua alleged that some high-performing students from the area were assigned to distant, lower-ranked schools while learners from other regions secured slots in top institutions. Around here, our children have been placed in small schools, yet their marks are high, while other people have been brought to our schools, Gachagua said. President William Ruto later weighed in on the controversy during the Nyota Business Start-Up Capital Disbursement event in Uasin Gishu, urging leaders to keep education matters out of political contests ahead of the 2027 General Election. He warned that politicising school placement harms learners and the country at large. How desperate can people be? Let our children be, let our children learn. Those children are Kenyans, wherever they come from, whatever community they belong to, they are our children the children of Kenya, President Ruto said. Education officials have consistently maintained that the Grade 10 placement process relies solely on learners performance in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the choices they make during selection. They insist the system does not factor in ethnicity, region, or political considerations when assigning schools. The Ministry of Health has moved to strengthen Kenyas fight against new HIV infections by recommending the registration of Lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention medicine that experts say could transform how people protect themselves from the virus. In a statement dated January 9, 2026, the ministry, through the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, confirmed that it had recommended Lenacapavir 300 mg tablets and Lenacapavir 464 mg injectable solution for use as HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The drug belongs to a new class of long-acting antiretroviral medicines designed to prevent HIV before exposure. The ministry said scientists and regulators reached the decision after completing a detailed review of the medicines safety, quality, and effectiveness for use in Kenya. The recommendation follows a comprehensive scientific assessment of the quality, safety, and efficacy of Lenacapavir, conducted in line with Kenyan law and applicable international regulatory standards, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said. Duale explained that Lenacapavir works by blocking critical stages of the HIV life cycle, preventing the virus from establishing itself in the body. He said the medicine offers a major advantage over existing HIV prevention options because it does not require daily dosing. Its long-acting formulation allows it to be administered only twice a year, offering an important alternative to daily oral HIV prevention medicines particularly beneficial for individuals who face challenges with taking pills every day, Duale said. Health officials noted that many people struggle to stay on daily oral PrEP because of pill fatigue, stigma, or difficulties maintaining strict routines. By contrast, the injectable Lenacapavir only requires two doses a year, making it easier for more people to stay protected consistently. The government said Kenya now joins a small group of African countries that have taken the step to recommend the medicine for registration, a move that aligns the country with the latest global HIV prevention strategies. Kenya is among the first African countries to recommend Lenacapavir for registration, a decision that aligns with recent global public health guidance, including recommendations by the World Health Organization, and reflects the countrys growing regulatory capacity and leadership in enabling timely access to innovative health technologies of public health importance, Duale added. The ministry revealed that global health partners have already prioritised Kenya for the initial rollout of Lenacapavir. Officials said they are working on plans to ensure the drug reaches populations at the highest risk of HIV infection in a fair, safe, and responsible way. At the same time, the Ministry of Health reiterated that it will only approve products that meet strict regulatory standards, even as it pushes to expand access to new prevention tools. The government said it remains committed to reducing new HIV infections and advancing Kenyas long-term goal of ending HIV as a public health threat. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has urged Kenyans to reject divisive politics and instead rally behind stable, long-term leadership that delivers lasting development. While speaking during a church service on Sunday in Othaya, Nyeri County, Kagwe warned that Mt Kenya often weakens itself by turning against its own leaders instead of supporting and growing them. We are not a people who jump with emotions every time and spend all our energy criticising. That is not leadership, Kagwe said. Development comes when you allow good leaders to serve, to grow, and to complete what they started. Kagwe noted that other regions have achieved strong political and economic progress because they consistently invest in their leaders, allowing them to gain experience, influence, and networks that eventually uplift their communities. Leadership is grown, not rented for one term. You cannot uproot your crops every five years and expect a harvest, CS Kagwe said. He challenged Mt Kenya to take a more strategic approach to national politics and to stop allowing emotional reactions to push the region away from government. Kagwe also praised President William Ruto for showing political maturity, pointing to his own appointment to the Agriculture docket despite not supporting Ruto in the last election. That is leadership with wisdom, Kagwe said. It shows this government is about building a nation, not settling political scores. He called on the clergy to pray for Kenyas leaders and voters, stressing that the country needs people who make decisions based on the future rather than personal or political grudges. Kagwe said he remains firmly part of the government and fully supports President Rutos agenda, adding that he plans to back the administration even beyond the next general election. This is about continuity, stability and building systems that last, Kagwe said. That is how Mt Kenya and Kenya as a whole will prosper. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Senator Wahome Wamatinga, Woman Representative Rahab Mukami, and Members of Parliament from Othaya, Mathira, and Nyeri Town joined other leaders at the church service. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of using state security to intimidate him and his supporters, following a chaotic incident at a church service in Kiambu County where police reportedly deployed teargas. Gachagua made the claims on Sunday, January 11, 2026, while addressing worshippers at AIPCA Kiamuoria Church in Gatundu North, Kiambu County. Congregants reported panic near the church as teargas affected women, children, and other attendees, sparking outrage among locals. Speaking in Kikuyu and Swahili, Gachagua reassured the congregation and apologized to those impacted. He condemned the repeated use of teargas in places of worship and directly blamed President Ruto for the intimidation. Msijali, poleni sana watoto na kina mama wale wameguzwa na teargas. Hii imekuwa ni tabia ya William Ruto kupiga watu kanisani, Gachagua said. He praised Kiamuoria residents for standing firm and refusing to be intimidated, thanking young people and churchgoers who attended the service despite the tense environment. Gachagua also questioned the presence of police at the scene, suggesting they were protecting vehicles allegedly sent to disrupt the gathering. And we are surprised that the police are guarding them. The vehicles they came with are being protected by police, he said. Gachagua issued a pointed warning to the president, insisting that intimidation would not alter the political climate in Mt Kenya. He said attempts to scare residents would only strengthen their resolve. William Ruto, tafadhali, even if you beat us, even if you send goons, your time here in the mountain is over. The more you intimidate these people, the more determined they are to send you home, he added. The church confrontation followed earlier warnings from Democratic for Citizens Party (DCP) economic and planning adviser Peter Mbae, who claimed plans were underway to disrupt Gachaguas church visit and rallies in Gatundu South. In a social media statement, Mbae alleged that organizers had mobilized goons and paid local youth to attack their own leaders while funders watched from a distance. Tunapiganishwa wenyewe kwa wenyewe Mt Kenya while the ones who give money are watching from a safe distance, Mbae said, urging residents to gather peacefully at AIPCA Gatundu. He also shared images and videos showing metal barriers being welded on roads, which he said were meant to block Gachaguas movement during his Mt Kenya tour. Sundays events add to a string of confrontations involving the former Deputy President. In recent days, Gachagua faced attacks in Nyeri and Kagio, Kirinyaga County, where rowdy youths blocked his motorcade, forcing him to wear a helmet for protection. Gachagua has since criticized Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, accusing him of allowing politicians to manipulate the National Police Service. President William Ruto has firmly declared that no one will succeed in driving a wedge between him and the people of the Mt Kenya region, vowing to protect and strengthen the political partnership that powered his rise to the presidency. Speaking on Sunday during a church service at ACK St Pauls Church Kariki in Othaya, Nyeri County, Ruto said unnamed individuals are working behind the scenes to sow division between him and the region that overwhelmingly backed him in the 2022 General Election. He dismissed those efforts as futile. There are people who think they can create a rift between me and people of Mt Kenya, Ruto said. They cannot destroy what the region and I have built together. That is impossible. The President told those seeking to weaken his relationship with Mt Kenya to abandon their mission, insisting that he remains firmly aligned with the people of the Mountain. I am the President of Kenya because of your votes. The government I am running today is because of your votes. You gave me the opportunity to serve you, he said. Ruto said the support from Mt Kenya has given him a clear mandate to deliver on critical national priorities, including education, agriculture, business growth, infrastructure, and energy. I know the test is in 2027 and everybody will be assessed according to the work they have done, he said. He added that voters in Nyeri and across Mt Kenya evaluate leaders based on tangible results and clear plans rather than personalities or theatrics. Do people in Nyeri elect leaders based on their looks? You elect people on the work they have done and their plan. We will meet in 2027 with those who like insulting other leaders, Ruto said. The church service drew a strong lineup of national and regional leaders, including Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, and Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami. Ruto used the event to underline his commitment to consolidating support in the Mt Kenya region as Kenya moves closer to the 2027 General Election, signaling that he intends to campaign on his development record and delivery to the people. Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has issued a sharp legal demand to Senator Tabitha Karanja, insisting on a public apology and retraction over what she describes as defamatory remarks made during a church service on December 21, 2025. Through a letter written by her lawyer, Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi, Kihika accused the Nakuru senator of making false, malicious and gravely disparaging statements aimed at destroying her reputation and misleading the public. At the centre of the dispute are claims Karanja allegedly made at the church gathering, where she accused the governor of misusing public funds to build a family-owned hotel said to be worth billions of shillings. Kihika has dismissed the allegations as completely untrue and dangerous. The governor also took issue with claims that the alleged hotel sits on Kenya Railways land near Nakuru Memorial Hospital and State House. In her demand letter, Kihika argued that dragging the State House into the narrative was reckless and posed a national security risk. Karanja had further escalated the matter by saying she would table a motion against Kihika when the Senate resumes in February 2026, a move that Kihika now says was designed to politically damage her. In the legal notice, Kihika accused the senator of deliberately trying to ruin her standing with voters in Nakuru and across the country. Your utterances were deliberately calculated to injure the reputation and standing of Her Excellency with her constituents and was solely conceived, designed and executed to expose her to hatred, contempt, ridicule and odium in order to lower our Client in the estimation of the right-thinking members of Nakuru County in particular and Kenya at large, the letter reads. Senior Counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi also described Karanjas claims in unusually strong language, accusing her of fabricating an outrageous narrative. Kihika now wants the senator to take immediate responsibility for the remarks. She has demanded that Karanja immediately and unconditionally retract the statements and immediately admit liability and confess publicly to all Kenyans at large that malice was the motive of [her] remarks. Individuals bearing the name Abbott are typically associated with leadership qualities, emotional stability, and a natural authority that others find reassuring. They often exhibit a thoughtful, measured approach to decision-making, combining practical wisdom with strong ethical principles. The name suggests someone who is reliable and protective, often serving as a pillar of strength within their family or community. While they may project a somewhat reserved exterior, those named Abbott usually possess deep empathy and genuine concern for others' wellbeing. Their leadership style tends to be more mentoring than commanding, guiding others through example and wisdom rather than force. This combination of strength and compassion makes Abbott a name associated with trusted advisors, dependable friends, and natural community leaders who balance tradition with progressive thinking. The personality associated with Admetus typically combines regal dignity with emotional depth and dependency. Individuals with this name are often perceived as fundamentally good-hearted but sometimes naive about the sacrifices others make for them. They tend to inspire strong loyalty and devotion in close relationships, reflecting the mythological pattern where both Apollo and Alcestis make extraordinary sacrifices for Admetus. This suggests someone who, while fundamentally worthy of such devotion, may not fully appreciate the costs until faced with their consequences. Modern bearers of the name often exhibit a blend of traditional values and contemporary sensitivity. They're typically diplomatic, able to maintain important relationships across different spheres of life, and possess a natural authority that doesn't rely on aggression or dominance. However, the mythological background also suggests potential challenges with self-reliance and a tendency to rely on the strengths of others during difficult times. The complete Admetus personality represents a complex balance of noble qualities and very human vulnerabilities that make them both respected and relatable figures. Cultural & Historical Significance Barika is a name deeply rooted in Islamic culture, derived from Arabic origins where it carries the beautiful dual meaning of 'blooming' and 'achieving success.' In Muslim societies, the name embodies the hope parents have for their daughters to flourish like a flower and achieve prosperity in life. The name reflects Islamic values that celebrate growth, beauty, and accomplishment while maintaining spiritual significance. The name has been particularly popular in regions with strong Islamic influences including the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. It represents the cultural appreciation for natural beauty and personal achievement that transcends geographical boundaries within the Muslim world. Historically, the name has been chosen by families who wish to instill both aesthetic appreciation and ambition in their daughters, making it a name that bridges traditional values with modern aspirations. Cultural & Historical Significance Carlin has deep roots in Germanic culture as a diminutive form of Charles (Karl), which means 'free man' or 'man'. The name carries significant historical weight through its connection to Charlemagne (Charles the Great), one of Europe's most influential medieval rulers. In Germanic tradition, names ending with '-lin' or '-lein' often denote endearment or 'little', making Carlin essentially 'little Charles' or 'young Charles'. This naming pattern reflects the Germanic practice of creating affectionate diminutives for established names, particularly those with royal or noble associations. Throughout European history, the name has maintained its connection to concepts of freedom, strength, and leadership while adding a layer of approachability through its diminutive form. In Scottish and Irish contexts, Carlin also appears as an Anglicized form of Gaelic names, though its primary Germanic heritage remains dominant in most Western cultures. The name's evolution reflects broader cultural shifts in naming conventions, where formal names developed informal, affectionate variants for daily use within families and communities. Traditional associations with the name Cathaoir suggest individuals of strong character, natural authority, and deep loyalty. Those bearing this name are often perceived as having innate leadership qualities, combining strategic thinking with practical action. They typically demonstrate courage in adversity and a protective instinct toward family and community. The warrior connotations of the name translate into modern contexts as determination, resilience, and the ability to overcome obstacles. At the same time, historical figures named Cathaoir were often noted for their generosity and fairness, suggesting a personality that balances strength with compassion. These individuals tend to be reliable and consistent, earning respect through their actions rather than demanding it. The name carries expectations of someone who honors commitments, defends principles, and serves as a stabilizing influence in their social circles. Women named Drisana typically exhibit personality traits that reflect their name's solar symbolism they are often bright, energetic, and naturally charismatic individuals. Their presence tends to light up rooms, and they possess an innate ability to motivate and inspire those around them. Drisanas are frequently described as having sharp intellects, clear vision, and excellent problem-solving skills, mirroring the sun's ability to illuminate and reveal truth. They approach life with optimism and resilience, much like the consistent rising of the sun each day. In interpersonal relationships, Drisanas are known for their warmth, loyalty, and protective nature. They often take on leadership roles naturally and are respected for their fairness and integrity. Their strong sense of self and purpose can sometimes be perceived as stubbornness, but it usually stems from deep conviction rather than inflexibility. Emotionally, they tend to be stable and consistent, providing a steadying influence during turbulent times. The combination of their intellectual clarity and emotional warmth makes Drisanas effective communicators and trusted advisors in both personal and professional contexts. Their personality embodies the balance between strength and nurturing that the sun represents in mythology. Women named Ellene are often perceived as possessing a luminous quality that extends beyond physical appearance to their inner character. They typically exhibit a natural grace and elegance combined with intellectual curiosity and emotional depth. Ellenes are frequently described as compassionate listeners who radiate warmth and understanding, making others feel comfortable and valued in their presence. Their 'light-bearing' quality manifests in their ability to illuminate difficult situations with wisdom and perspective. These individuals often demonstrate strong intuition and artistic sensibilities, whether expressed through creative pursuits, interpersonal relationships, or problem-solving abilities. While they can be quietly determined and resilient when facing challenges, they typically approach life with a gentle strength that inspires confidence in others. Their combination of beauty, intelligence, and empathy makes them natural leaders who guide through inspiration rather than authority. The name's association with being the 'most beautiful woman' often translates into a personality that values harmony, aesthetics, and meaningful connections, creating individuals who strive to bring beauty and light into every aspect of their lives and relationships. Those named Gracelynn often exhibit a beautiful dichotomy of quiet strength and gentle presence. Their initial shyness typically masks a deep well of observation and understanding, making them excellent judges of character and situations. They move through life with a natural elegance that isn't performative but rather stems from genuine thoughtfulness and emotional intelligence. This combination often makes them sought-after confidantes and peacemakers in their social circles. Their connection to both grace and water symbolism suggests individuals who can adapt to changing circumstances without losing their core identity, much like water taking the shape of its container while remaining fundamentally unchanged. They tend to be creative, often expressing themselves through art, music, or writing when words fail them in social situations. While they may take time to open up, once they do, they form deep, lasting bonds and demonstrate remarkable loyalty and empathy. Their strength lies in their ability to navigate emotional landscapes with sensitivity and their capacity for quiet resilience in the face of adversity. Individuals named Guilbert are typically perceived as trustworthy, intelligent, and principled. They often exhibit a strong sense of duty and commitment, living up to the name's meaning of 'bright pledge' through their reliability and integrity. Guilberts tend to be thoughtful and analytical, approaching problems with careful consideration and wisdom. Their calm demeanor and methodical nature make them excellent in positions requiring patience and precision, while their inherent trustworthiness means they're often entrusted with important responsibilities. Many Guilberts demonstrate natural leadership qualities tempered with humility, often serving as pillars of their communities or organizations. They value tradition and stability while also possessing the insight to recognize when change is necessary. Their combination of intellectual brightness and moral steadfastness makes them respected figures who others naturally turn to for guidance and support. While they may not seek the spotlight, their consistent performance and ethical approach to life earn them lasting respect and admiration from those who know them well. Individuals named Halbert are typically perceived as possessing strong leadership qualities combined with intellectual depth. They often exhibit a natural confidence that inspires others, balanced by a thoughtful, analytical approach to problem-solving. The 'brilliant' aspect of the name's meaning suggests someone who is not only intelligent but also insightful, capable of seeing solutions and opportunities that others might miss. This intellectual brightness is typically paired with moral clarity and a strong sense of purpose. The 'hero' component of the name's meaning manifests in courage, resilience, and a protective nature. Halberts are often drawn to positions where they can make a difference, whether in their professions, communities, or families. They tend to be principled individuals who stand up for what they believe is right, even when facing opposition. While they can be ambitious, their ambition is usually directed toward meaningful achievements rather than mere personal gain. Their combination of intelligence and courage makes them effective in crisis situations, where they can both analyze complex problems and take decisive action. Symbolically, Izmirlian represents the endurance of cultural identity across time and displacement, serving as a living connection to ancestral homelands and lost communities. The name embodies the resilience of the Armenian diasporacarrying memories of both cultural flourishing in Anatolia and the trauma of genocide and exile. It symbolizes cross-cultural exchange and adaptation, reflecting Izmir's historical role as a multicultural Mediterranean port where Armenian merchants and intellectuals thrived. The name also represents the preservation of memory and the ongoing relationship between diaspora communities and their places of origin, despite geographical separation. For many, it symbolizes both the pain of displacement and the triumph of rebuilding lives and communities in new lands while maintaining cultural continuity and identity across generations. Individuals named Kerra are often perceived as mysterious, intuitive, and deeply thoughtful. They tend to possess an inner strength and resilience that others find compelling, often displaying a quiet confidence that doesn't require external validation. Their 'dark' namesake meaning frequently translates to a personality with depth and complexity rather than literal darkness, suggesting someone who understands life's nuances and shadows. Kerra's are typically observant and perceptive, noticing details others might miss. They often have a strong connection to nature and tradition, valuing authenticity in relationships and endeavors. While they may appear reserved initially, they reveal warm, loyal qualities to those they trust. Their combination of practicality and intuition makes them excellent problem-solvers who approach challenges with both logic and creative insight. Individuals named Locklyn are often perceived as possessing a unique blend of strength and joy, reflecting the name's dual meaning of 'happy warrior'. They typically exhibit resilience and determination combined with a positive, optimistic outlook on life. This combination makes them natural leaders who can face challenges with courage while maintaining a cheerful disposition that inspires those around them. Their warrior spirit manifests as inner strength and the ability to protect and support others, while their 'happy' nature ensures they approach life with enthusiasm and warmth. Locklyns are frequently described as adventurous and connected to nature, likely influenced by the name's association with lakes and landscapes. They tend to be independent thinkers with a strong sense of identity, yet they value deep connections with family and community. Their personality often balances traditional values with modern perspectives, making them adaptable in various social situations while remaining true to their core principles and heritage. The water symbolism in their name suggests emotional depth and intuition, while the warrior element provides the courage to navigate life's complexities with grace and determination. This unique combination often results in individuals who are both grounded and aspirational, practical yet dreamy, strong yet compassionate. Women named Milagritos are typically associated with nurturing, compassionate personalities and a natural inclination toward caregiving roles. They often exhibit remarkable resilience and optimism, able to maintain hope in difficult circumstancesqualities that resonate with their name's meaning of 'little miracles.' Many develop strong intuitive abilities and emotional intelligence, making them excellent at understanding others' needs and providing comfort. Their presence often has a calming, uplifting effect on those around them. The spiritual connotations of their name may inspire them to seek meaningful work where they can make positive differences in people's lives. They tend to balance practical wisdom with spiritual depth, often serving as emotional anchors within their families and communities while maintaining a joyful, appreciative outlook on life's blessings. Cultural & Historical Significance The name Moor carries profound cultural significance rooted in medieval European history, referring originally to the Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb and Iberian Peninsula. During the Moorish occupation of Spain from 711 to 1492, these North African peoples established advanced civilizations in cities like Cordoba and Granada, contributing significantly to European science, mathematics, architecture, and philosophy. The term evolved through French usage as 'Maure' to describe dark-skinned individuals from North Africa, becoming embedded in European consciousness through historical accounts, literature, and art. In Shakespeare's 'Othello,' the Moor of Venice became one of literature's most complex racial representations, embodying both noble qualities and tragic flaws. The name's cultural weight reflects centuries of cross-Mediterranean exchange, conflict, and cultural fusion. While historically used as an ethnic descriptor, the name Moor has been reclaimed in modern times by artists and thinkers exploring African diaspora identity, transforming what was once an external label into a symbol of cultural pride and historical consciousness. The symbolic meaning of Orlaith extends far beyond its literal translation, representing a rich tapestry of cultural and personal significance. The golden element symbolizes not merely physical beauty but the illumination of wisdom, the warmth of compassion, and the enduring value of integrity - qualities that, like gold, do not tarnish over time. This golden symbolism connects to Celtic traditions where gold represented solar energy, enlightenment, and spiritual wealth. The princely aspect symbolizes natural authority, sovereignty over one's destiny, and the responsibility that comes with leadership. Together, these elements create a powerful symbolic portrait of enlightened leadership - someone who guides with wisdom rather than force, who illuminates paths forward, and whose value is intrinsic rather than dependent on external validation. The name also carries symbolic weight as a bridge between Ireland's ancient past and its modern identity, representing the enduring strength of cultural heritage in shaping contemporary lives and values. The name Pelias evokes a personality characterized by strategic intelligence, political savvy, and relentless ambition. Individuals with this name are often perceived as natural leaders who excel in complex situations requiring careful planning and manipulation. They possess a keen understanding of power dynamics and are skilled at positioning themselves advantageously. However, this strategic mindset can sometimes manifest as paranoia or excessive caution in personal relationships. The mythological Pelias's fatal flaw was his inability to trust even his own family, leading to his downfall - suggesting that modern bearers of the name might struggle with trust issues despite their capabilities. There's also an element of resilience and determination, as the mythological figure maintained his rule for decades through clever statecraft and strategic alliances. The name suggests someone who is both visionary and pragmatic, capable of grand designs but potentially compromised by their methods. Cultural & Historical Significance Rhaxma holds deep cultural significance within Somali society, where names often carry profound meanings and reflect desired qualities. The name embodies the Somali cultural value of sweetness in character, representing not just physical sweetness but the metaphorical sweetness of disposition, kindness, and pleasant nature. In a culture that highly values community harmony and interpersonal relationships, naming a daughter Rhaxma expresses the hope that she will bring sweetness and joy to her family and community. The name also reflects the poetic nature of Somali language and naming traditions, where abstract qualities are often given as names to inspire the bearer. Historically, Somali names frequently reference positive attributes, natural elements, or aspirational characteristics. Rhaxma fits within this tradition as a name that both describes and prescribes - it acknowledges the inherent sweetness of a child while also setting an expectation for her to develop into a person who brings pleasantness and harmony to those around her. This naming practice reinforces cultural values and creates a continuous connection between personal identity and community ideals. Women named Sarsoureh typically exhibit a distinctive blend of traditional wisdom and modern leadership capabilities. They are natural organizers who excel at bringing people together, often serving as the emotional and social center of their communities. Their personality combines deep respect for heritage with practical problem-solving skills, making them effective in both family and professional settings. Sarsourehs are known for their emotional intelligence, able to read social dynamics and mediate conflicts with subtlety and grace. They possess what might be called 'quiet authority' - influence that comes not from loud demands but from consistent reliability and genuine care for others' wellbeing. These women often demonstrate remarkable adaptability, balancing traditional values with contemporary realities. They're typically lifelong learners who value education and personal growth, seeing knowledge as essential to effective leadership. While they respect hierarchy and tradition, Sarsourehs are not afraid to challenge outdated practices when necessary, always with respect for the feelings and perspectives of others. Their strength lies in their ability to maintain social harmony while facilitating positive change, making them invaluable in times of transition or cultural evolution. This combination of stability and flexibility makes Sarsourehs particularly effective in multicultural or rapidly changing environments. Cultural & Historical Significance Wahid holds profound significance in Islamic culture as one of the 99 Names of Allah (Al-Wahid), emphasizing the fundamental Islamic principle of Tawhid - the absolute oneness and uniqueness of God. This name carries deep theological weight, representing the concept that Allah is singular, without partners or equals, and is the ultimate source of all creation. Throughout Islamic history, the name has been used to reinforce monotheistic beliefs and distinguish Islamic theology from polytheistic traditions. The name's usage extends beyond religious contexts into various Muslim cultures, where it symbolizes uniqueness, excellence, and distinction. In many Muslim societies, naming a child Wahid expresses the parents' hope that their child will embody exceptional qualities and stand out positively in their community. The name also serves as a constant reminder of divine unity and the importance of maintaining pure monotheistic faith in daily life. Individuals named Weard typically exhibit strong protective instincts, reliability, and a deep sense of responsibility toward others. They often possess natural leadership qualities and excel in situations requiring vigilance and strategic thinking. Their inherent watchfulness makes them excellent problem-solvers who anticipate challenges before they arise. These individuals tend to be deeply loyal to their families, communities, and principles, often putting others' needs before their own. Their protective nature extends beyond physical safety to emotional and spiritual well-being, making them trusted confidants and advisors. While sometimes perceived as reserved or cautious, this stems from their thoughtful nature and desire to ensure the security of those in their care. They thrive in roles that allow them to serve and protect, whether as first responders, military personnel, community leaders, or in caregiving professions. Their steadfastness and reliability make them pillars of strength in times of crisis. The name's historical weight often influences bearers to develop a strong moral compass and sense of duty. They typically demonstrate exceptional patience and perseverance, understanding that true protection requires consistent effort over time. Their analytical minds allow them to assess risks effectively while their compassionate hearts ensure they protect with wisdom rather than mere force. Emory University has received the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification from the American Council on Education and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Emory is one of 237 U.S. colleges and universities so honored this year, according to the foundation. Emory also received Community Engagement Classification in 2015 and in 2006, when it was among the first U.S. universities recognized. In communicating the designation, the Carnegie Foundation highlighted the universitys excellent alignment among campus mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement. Higher education is a vital economic engine for us all. Our colleges and universities not only fuel science and innovation, they build prosperity in rural, urban and suburban communities nationwide, said Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation. We celebrate each of these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors fostering civic engagement, building useable knowledge, and catalyzing real-world learning experiences for students. The Carnegie Foundations Community Engagement Classification recognizes Emorys demonstrated commitment to advancing knowledge in the service of humanity, according to Badia Ahad, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. This recognition reflects a broad swath of programs, classes, research and engagement opportunities that connect our faculty, staff and students with neighbors and partners in the Atlanta metro area, the state of Georgia and beyond to work toward the good of all, Ahad adds. We are honored to receive once again this important recognition as one of the nations leading community-engaged universities. In its application for the Carnegie Elective Classification, Emory highlighted its significant community engagement initiatives over a representative period of one year. (Since the application was written primarily during 2024 for submission in early 2025, figures referenced are from the prior academic year, which ended Aug. 31, 2023.) Highlights include: A spirit of service, with 83% of Emory students involved in service during the 2022-23 academic year. These students combined efforts with university employees to perform 44,000 hours of community service hours that year. Commitment to community-benefitting scholarship carried out by faculty, staff, students and community partners, demonstrated by publications and professional presentations from across the university, such as an article focused on Atlanta residents knowledge around heavy metal exposures and remediation in urban agriculture. The integration of coursework and community engagement, where 3,346 students were enrolled across 155 community-engaged teaching and learning courses during the 2022-23 academic year. A focus on civic engagement, including Emorys designation as a DeKalb County polling site since May 2022 and substantial gains in student voting rates, rising from 17.9% in 2014 to 44.8% in 2018. Commitment to the Atlanta communitys well-being, demonstrated by Emorys Woodruff Health Sciences Center, which provided $579.4 million in community benefit during a single fiscal year (2023), including an estimated $111.9 million in indigent and catastrophic care provided by Emory Healthcare to patients who were unable to pay. In total, the research, education and health care missions have a $14.8 billion economic impact on metro Atlanta. Prioritizing economic mobility and entrepreneurship through Goizueta Business Schools involvement with the Start:ME Accelerator program, which has served 514 neighborhood businesses, created or retained more than 1,000 jobs and driven more than $33 million in annual revenue, as of the latest impact summary. A global mindset, leading to Emory faculty engaging in 168 countries through 307 partnership agreements, as of 2023. Unlike the Carnegie Foundations other classifications, which rely on national data, Community Engagement is elective. Institutions choose to participate by conducting a year-long, university-wide self-study examining the nature and extent of their community engagement. This approach allows the foundation to address elements of institutional mission and distinctiveness that are not represented in the national data on colleges and universities. Emorys application process was coordinated by representatives of the Offices of the President, Provost, Government and Community Affairs with extensive support from a team of community partners, faculty and staff from all nine schools, and student representatives. More information about the process and partners is available on the Office of the Provost website. 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Following recent U.S. actions in Venezuela, the full scope of this threat is emerging: a sophisticated narco-terrorist network linking Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Hizbullah, and the Maduro regime, with critical support from Turkey, Russia, and China. This convergence represents more than a regional security challenge for the United States. It exemplifies a global pattern that threatens all Western democraciesone that Israelis understand intimately from our experience with Iranian-backed terror networks, but which Americans have been slow to recognize operating in their own hemisphere. The evidence is overwhelming. In 2020, U.S. federal prosecutors charged Adel El Zabayar, a former Venezuelan National Assembly member and Maduro ally, with narco-terrorism offenses, including coordination with both Hizbullah and Hamas. The criminal complaint detailed how El Zabayar received a Lebanese cargo plane full of military-grade weaponryrocket-propelled grenade launchers, AK-103s, and sniper rifles. Court records described a 2014 meeting at Venezuela's presidential palace where El Zabayar, Maduro, and others discussed arranging meetings between FARC leaders and the leaders of Hizbullah and Hamas. El Zabayar served as a go-between for Venezuela's Cartel de Los Soles, which sought support from terrorist organizations with the explicit objective of flooding the United States with cocaine. Historical Context This is not opportunistic collaboration. This strategic coordination among America's adversaries follows a historical pattern. In December 1989, under President George H.W. Bush, the United States invaded Panama to depose President Manuel Noriega, who was wanted for racketeering and drug trafficking. President Reagan had previously ordered military action in Grenada against Cuban military agents in 1983 and authorized strikes against Libya in 1986. The principle was clear then and remains valid today: when narco-terrorist regimes in our hemisphere threaten American security, the United States has both the right and the responsibility to act. What distinguishes the current Venezuelan threat is its integration into what researchers Sami Kronenfeld and Yoel Guzansky identify as "the growing terrorism-crime spectrum." Their analysis in Military and Strategic Affairs demonstrates that Iran's Revolutionary Guards are significantly involved in the international drug trade, both directly and through proxies like Hizbullah. This involvement provides the organization with access to sources of financing that bypass international sanctions placed on the Iranian regime, as well as sophisticated operational platforms that support subversive efforts aimed at the West. A defector from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards revealed the strategic intent behind this drug trafficking: "We were told that the drugs will destroy the sons and daughters of the West, and that we must kill them. Their lives are worth less because they are not Muslims." The scope of the Iranian regime's foreign operations in Venezuela extends far beyond narcotics. Emanuele Ottolenghi, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and leading expert on Iranian operations in Latin America, describes the strategic reality bluntly: "Venezuela has opened its doors to Iran and Hizbullah, giving them full access to Latin America. Venezuela is their forward operating base in the Western Hemisphere. Iran and Hizbullah run many of their overt and covert activities from there." Tehran has established a drone factory in Venezuela where Venezuelans produce Iranian military UAVs. The recently foiled terrorist plot to assassinate Israel's ambassador to Mexico was planned by Iranian operatives in Caracas. In 2021, U.S. authorities thwarted an Iranian plot to kidnap exiled journalist Masih Alinejad from her Brooklyn home and transport her by speedboat to Venezuela, and from there to Iran. Ottolenghi's testimony before the U.S. Congress revealed that Venezuela's former Interior Minister Tareck El Aissamilater indicted on drug trafficking chargesordered the issuance of 173 Venezuelan passports from the Venezuelan embassy in Iraq, including to Hizbullah members. As Ottolenghi notes, "The Iranians made Caracas the hub of all their propaganda and soft power operations in the region, including their Spanish-language 24/7 news network." Iran has established a permanent presence in Caracas for its missionary network under the umbrella of the sanctioned Al-Mustafa International University. The Iranian-Hizbullah-Venezuelan axis operates through well-established networks. As Lt.-Col. Michael Segall documented in a 2011 analysis, Iran uses Latin America as a springboard for operations against the United States. The tri-border area where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay meet has become a critical node in this network. DEA official Anthony Placido testified in 2010 that "DTOs based in the Tri-border Area have ties to radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Hizbullah," and that "there are numerous reports of cocaine proceeds entering the coffers of Islamic Radical Groups such as Hizbullah and Hamas in Europe and the Middle East." Venezuela's embrace of Hamas and Hizbullah predates even these narco-terror operations. In 2006, when Hamas won the Palestinian legislative and presidential elections and faced isolation from Western governments, Venezuelan Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel announced his country would welcome Hamas leaders "with pleasure." Under Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela has provided these terrorist organizations with diplomatic legitimacy, operational space, and connections to transnational criminal networks. JCFA Senior Fellow Lenny Ben-David revealed that Venezuelan President Maduro, during a 2022 visit to Tehran, declared Venezuela part of the "resistance axis" that "exists throughout the world; it exists in Africa, in Asia, in the Middle East, in Latin America, and in the Caribbean." Ben-David notes that "largely driven by narcotics trafficking, Hizbullah operatives can move to and from Venezuela discretely and many have roots in Venezuela's sizable Lebanese community. Embedded within Maduro's security apparatus and intelligence network, Hizbullah-linked agents and operatives launder money for the Iranian-backed terrorist organization." The one million-strong Lebanese diaspora in Venezuela, many of whom fled the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s, provides Hizbullah with a ready recruitment pool. Ottolenghi explains the operational significance: "Venezuela is a key transit point for cocaine, and Hizbullah has an important network of supportive businesses in Venezuela, many with connections to Colombia, Panama and the Dutch Antilles, which are then used to money-launder drug revenues." The international dimensions of this threat extend beyond Iran and Venezuela. Turkey's role, as documented by Sinan Ciddi in the Long War Journal, has been crucial in sustaining the Maduro regime despite the imposition of sanctions. President Erdogan became a key Maduro backer, providing diplomatic cover, economic engagement, and access to international markets. Bilateral trade between Turkey and Venezuela surged from less than $200 million in 2017 to more than $1.1 billion in 2018, with Turkish officials targeting $5 billion annually. Senator Lindsey Graham's comment on Air Force Onethat Maduro "could have been in Turkey"underscored how deeply Turkey had committed to protecting the Venezuelan strongman. Gold mining became central to the Turkey-Venezuela relationship, with Turkey importing nearly $900 million in Venezuelan gold in 2018, helping Caracas convert illicitly mined bullion into hard currency while bypassing sanctions. But the Turkish connection represents only one dimension of a much broader strategic challenge. Russia and China have transformed Venezuela into a platform for what they call "hybrid warfare," a comprehensive military and soft power approach to undermining American power that extends far beyond conventional military capabilities. Russia's concept of gibridnaya voyna (hybrid war) and China's "three warfares" doctrine share a fundamental premise: you are in an all-out war with competitors even before a shot is fired. You wage war against their culture, their society, their economic stabilityand you compete ruthlessly. This is why approximately 80 percent of Venezuela's oil flows to China. China and Russia see Venezuela not merely as an economic opportunity but as a strategic asset in their campaign against American hegemony. They help Venezuela evade sanctions, provide military equipment and training, and use Venezuelan territory as a base for operations that directly threaten U.S. security. Iran has provided Venezuela with Peykaap fastboats armed with anti-ship missiles and UAVsvehicles that can be used for both drug smuggling and military operations in the Caribbean. The Rand Corporation warns that "these Iranian weapon systems present a legitimate threat to maritime security in the Caribbean region." The pattern extends globally. The Lady R scandal in South Africa demonstrated how this anti-American axis coordinates sanctions evasion. In December 2022, the Russian cargo ship Lady R mysteriously appeared at a South African naval base after turning off its marine tracking system. Under U.S. sanctions, the vessel was alleged to have loaded South African weapons for use by Russia against Ukraine. South Africa's "non-aligned" stance collapsed into active support for the Russian war effort. This global coordinationfrom Caracas to Cape Town, from Tehran to Beijingreveals the scope of the narco-terror strategic challenge America faces. Many American political commentators, particularly those who have opposed U.S. support for Ukraine, fail to understand or underemphasize the comprehensive nature of this threat. They do not grasp that Putin's Russia and Xi's China view themselves as being in a state of permanent conflict with the United Statesa conflict prosecuted through all available means, including narco-terrorism. China conducts extensive trade with the United States while simultaneously waging "three warfares" against American interests: psychological warfare, media warfare, and legal warfare. America may not see them as enemies, but they have long since identified America as their primary adversary. The American public remains largely unaware of Venezuela's role in this broader campaign. Most Americans do not know that their country faces a narco-terrorist infrastructure operating from Latin America with Iranian, Chinese, Russian, and Turkish backing. Many are unaware that Hizbullah maintains operational cells throughout the Western hemisphere, that Venezuelan cocaine finances terrorism in the Middle East, and that Iranian military advisers have helped transform Venezuela into what Ottolenghi describes as a "forward operating base" against the United States. President Trump appears to have recognized that this is not merely about drug trafficking or regional instability. This is about a terror machine in America's backyard, built and sustained by the "axis of evil" linking Venezuela, Russia, China, and Iran. The choice facing American policymakers is stark: do we allow this hostile coalition to control critical energy resources and operate freely in our hemisphere, or do we recognize the threat and respond decisively? History provides clear guidance. Reagan understood it in Grenada. Bush understood it in Panama. The strategic imperative remains unchanged: America cannot permit narco-terrorist regimes, backed by hostile great powers, to threaten the United States in its own backyard. Dr. Dan Diker, President of the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs, is the longtime Director of its Counter-Political Warfare Project. He is former Secretary-General of the World Jewish Congress and a Research Fellow of the International Institute for Counter Terrorism at Reichman University (formerly IDC, Herzliya). He has written six books exposing the "apartheid antisemitism" phenomenon in North America, and has authored studies on Iran's race for regional supremacy and Israel's need for defensible borders. Home Home Print this page VMPL Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], January 12: Kia India today showcased its All-New Kia Seltos at Automotive Kia, Nagole, Hyderabad, offering customers the opportunity to experience the next-generation mid-SUV. Reinforcing Kia's commitment to design leadership, advanced safety and progressive technology, the All-New Kia Seltos is being launched at a price starting 10.99 lakhs (ex-showroom). Built on Kia's global K3 platform, making its India debut, the All-New Kia Seltos represents a clear evolution in scale, sophistication and capability. With segment-leading length at 4,460 mm, enhanced width at 1,830 mm, and longer wheelbase at 2,690 mm, the SUV delivers enhanced road presence, cabin roominess and ride stability, while strengthening its position as a benchmark in the mid-SUV segment. The exterior design reflects Kia's Opposites United philosophy and is highlighted by the new Digital Tiger Face, Ice Cube LED projection headlamps, Star Map LED DRLs and connected LED tail lamps, sporty 18-inch crystal-cut alloy wheels, and first-in-segment automatic streamline door handles, reinforcing a confident and contemporary SUV character. The All-New Kia Seltos will be available in 10 mono-tone colour options, including the two new colours Morning Haze and Magma Red. Commenting on the occasion, Atul Sood, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Kia India said, "The All-New Kia Seltos underlines our commitment to bringing globally competitive, customer-centric products to the Indian market. As a long-standing benchmark in the mid-SUV segment, the new Seltos which is bolder, bigger and progressive, advances significantly in design, safety and technology. With prices starting from 10.99 lakhs (ex-showroom), it reinforces Kia's focus on offering strong value while strengthening brand leadership". Commenting on the launch, Rajiv Sanghvi, Executive Director, Automotive Manufacturers Private Limited, said, "Automotive Kia's position as the largest partners for Kia in India underscores our long-standing commitment to scale, quality, and customer-centricity. AMPL Group remains focused on delivering world-class products and consistently best-in-class ownership experience to its customers. The all-new Seltos, with its global K3 platform, bold design language, and advanced safety and digital features, is well poised to strengthen this journey." Engineered for a new generation of SUV buyers, the all-new Kia Seltos elevates design, space, safety and technology to redefine the benchmark in the midsize SUV category - Commanding Presence: The beloved SUV returns with segment leading length at 4,460 mm, enhanced width at 1,830 mm and a longer wheelbase at 2,690 mm- Bold New Design: With Kia's Opposites United design philosophy - new Kia Digital Tiger Face, Segment-first Automatic Streamline Door Handles, & Dynamic Welcome Function with Ice Cube LED Projector Headlamps- Next-Gen Digital Experience: Segment-best 75.18 cm (30-inch) Trinity Panoramic Display Panel and an immersive Premium Bose 8-speaker audio for a richer in-car engagement- New Platform: India-first global K3 platform delivering enhanced safety and driving refinement- Advanced Safety & Intelligent Drive: Equipped with ADAS Level 2 offering 21 autonomous features for advanced safety and control & a robust 24 Standard Safety Pack Inside, the All-New Kia Seltos underlines Kia's mass-premium positioning with a refined and technology-led cabin. Key highlights include a 75.18 cm (30-inch) Trinity Panoramic Display Panel, premium leatherette upholstery, ventilated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat with memory, Premium Bose 8-speaker audio system, 64-colour Ambient Mood Lighting and a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, elevating everyday driving experience. Safety remains a core focus with the All-New Kia Seltos. Equipped with a robust 24-standard safety package including six airbags, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) and more along with a Level-2 ADAS suite with 21 autonomous features, supported by a 360-degree surround view camera and Blind View Monitor, reinforcing occupant protection and driver confidence. The All-New Kia Seltos is offered with a versatile powertrain lineup including Smartstream G1.5 Petrol, Smartstream G1.5 T-GDI Petrol and 1.5L CRDi VGT Diesel engine, paired with multiple transmission options - 6MT, 6iMT, IVT, 7DCT and 6AT. Available in four standard trims HTE, HTK, HTX & GTX/X-Line, the All-New Kia Seltos also comes along with four option packs - HTE(O), HTK(O), HTX(A) and GTX(A)/X-Line(A) aligned with Convenience & Styling, Premium, ADAS and X Line design packages tailored to every customer's needs. Manufactured at Kia India's state-of-the-art Anantapur facility, the All-New Kia Seltos strengthens Kia's presence in the high-growth mid-SUV segment and underscores the company's long-term commitment to the Indian market. For more details, please visit: All-New Kia Seltos | Brochure Download About Kia IndiaIn April 2017, Kia India signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, to build a new manufacturing facility at Anantapur District. Kia commenced mass production in August 2019 and has an installed annual production capacity of 300,000 units. In April 2021, Kia India reimagined itself in line with its new brand identity, "Movement that Inspires," aimed at offering customers meaningful experiences backed by innovative products and services. Under the new brand identity, Kia has set out to find ways to achieve new benchmarks and inspire consumers to be more and do more. Till date, Kia India has launched nine vehicles for the Indian market - the Seltos, the Syros, the Sonet, the Carens, the Carnival, the EV6, the EV9, the Carens Clavis, and the all-new Carens Clavis EV. Kia India has completed almost 1.5 million vehicle dispatches from its Anantapur plant, including over 1.2 million domestic sales and over 3.67 lakh exports. With more than 4.95 lakh connected cars on Indian roads, it is among the connected Car leaders in the country. The brand has a widespread network of 821 touchpoints across 369 cities and is focused on strengthening its footprint across the country. Visit - Kia India About Automotive Manufacturers Pvt. Ltd. (AMPL):AMPL - one of the country's largest spread automobile retail conglomerates - with a rich experience of 75+ years, operates through 720+ automobile touchpoints across 20 states supported by a dedicated team of over 18,000 expert professionals. The group provides exceptional service and upholds high standards of professionalism. AMPL represents a diverse spectrum of auto segments, including 18 brands in passenger vehicles, light and heavy commercial vehicles, and construction equipment. For further media queries, please contact: Kia India:Madhulika SinghLead - Public Relations9999673459 / madhulika.singh@kiaindia.net Automotive Kia:Vishal ThapaHead - PR & Media RelationsVishal.Thapa@AutomotiveML.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 United States Ambassador-Designate to India, Sergio Gor, on Monday said that the India-US trade deal negotiations were ongoing and that a call between the two sides on the deal was scheduled for Tuesday. "Both sides continue to actively engage for the ongoing trade deal negotiations. In fact, the next call on trade will occur tomorrow (Tuesday)," he said "India is the world's largest nation. So it's not an easy task to get this across the finish line, but we are determined to get there and while trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health," he added. On December 10, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed optimism about ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, stating that discussions are "progressing well" towards a bilateral trade agreement. Goyal said, "All agreements have many diversified angles. Many dots have been connected." The talks have progressed substantially, though the original target of completing the first tranche by fall 2025 was delayed due to new developments in US trade policy, including tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Indian goods. India has already signed 14 Free Trade Agreements and six Preferential Trade Agreements with trading partners and is currently negotiating FTAs with several countries, including the European Union. In an important announcement, Sergio Gor also said India will be invited to join the US-led PaxSilica group of nations as a full member next month. "While trade is very important for our relationship, we will continue to work closely together on other very important areas such as security, counter-terrorism, energy, technology, education, and health. I also want to share with you today a new initiative that the United States launched just last month called PaxSilica. PaxSilica is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain," he said. Pax Silica is a U.S.-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation driven silicon supply chain--from critical minerals and energy inputs to advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and logistics. Gor added that it was critical for both nations to work together as the world continues to adopt new technology. "As the world adopts new technology, it is essential that India and the United States work hand in hand from the very start of this initiative. I thank the people of India for a very warm welcome. You are a resilient people. You are innovative. You are spiritual. I look forward to meeting many of you as I travel across this incredible nation. To the staff here at the embassy, I'm excited to work with you. You and I have an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity to redefine diplomacy. What it can accomplish could be the most consequential global partnership of this century," he said. (ANI) VMPL Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 12: G. R. Balasubramaniam, Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of GRB Dairy Foods Private Limited, has been conferred the Outstanding Dairy Professional Award by the Indian Dairy Association (IDA), South Zone, in recognition of his transformational leadership and enduring contribution to the evolution of India's modern dairy industry. The honour celebrates Mr. Balasubramaniam's pivotal role in shaping GRB Dairy Foods into one of the country's most trusted and respected dairy brands. Over five decades, his leadership has consistently set benchmarks for quality, integrity, and consumer confidence, establishing GRB as a symbol of Purity & Trust across households in India and overseas. Widely regarded as a pioneer in the sector, Mr. Balasubramaniam has seamlessly blended time-honoured dairy traditions with modern enterprise systems. His vision has resulted in a resilient, future-ready organisation that not only scaled successfully but also influenced best practices across the dairy ecosystem. The Outstanding Dairy Professional Award is conferred upon leaders who demonstrate sustained excellence, entrepreneurial foresight, and meaningful sector-wide impact. Based on recommendations from the respective State Chapters, Mr. Balasubramaniam was selected from Karnataka in recognition of his long-standing commitment to professional excellence, ethical leadership, and industry stewardship. The award was presented at the Southern Dairy and Food Conclave 2026, held at the Calicut Trade Centre, Kozhikode, Kerala. The conclave, themed "Transforming Dairy and Food Systems for Global Health", brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, and professionals from across the country to deliberate on the future of food and nutrition systems. Mr. Balasubramaniam continues to be acknowledged as a visionary whose leadership has helped define direction, discipline, and aspiration for India's dairy sector--anchored in values, strengthened by systems, and guided by long-term trust. About GRB Dairy Foods Founded in 1984 by Mr. G. R. Balasubramaniam, GRB Dairy Foods began as a modest ghee enterprise and has since grown into India's largest distributed ghee brand, built on an unwavering foundation of quality, integrity, and consumer trust. At the core of GRB's philosophy lies the harmonious integration of tradition and technology. The company operates one of the country's most advanced food production facilities, supported by state-of-the-art automated systems that ensure precision, hygiene, and consistency without compromising traditional authenticity. Every batch of GRB Ghee undergoes stringent quality evaluation at its NABL-accredited scientific laboratory, ensuring rigorous testing and compliance with global standards at every stage. Over the years, GRB has expanded its portfolio to include traditional Indian sweets, instant mixes, and South Indian snacks under the TOWN BUS brand--each crafted with the same discipline, purity, and respect for culinary heritage. Today, GRB proudly exports its products to over 40 countries worldwide, carrying the taste and trust of India across borders. (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.) PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 12: Organized by the Government of Gujarat, the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference (VGRC) commenced its first day at the prestigious Marwadi University. Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, inaugurated 13 new smart industrial estates and medical devices park at the event. Highlighting industry-ready workforce as the need of the hour, PM Modi also assured investors of a robust education and skill development ecosystem present in Gujarat. Hon'ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendrabhai Patel, underlined the significance of regional empowerment as a pillar of India's broader developmental aspirations. Major investment commitments announced during the day further strengthened Gujarat's growth narrative, with the Adani Group committing an investment of 1.5 lakh crore in Kutch over the next five years, while Reliance announced plans to invest 7 lakh crore over the same period, generating large-scale employment and livelihoods. Key highlights by Mr Mukesh Ambani also included the development of an integrated clean energy ecosystem at Jamnagar set to be the world's largest. He also shared the vision of establishing Jamnagar as India's largest AI-ready centre, aimed at enabling affordable AI access for every Indian. Ketan Marwadi, President, Marwadi University, shared, "It is a proud moment for us to host the event. Institutes like us play a pivotal role in strengthening regional ecosystems by nurturing skilled talent, fostering innovation, and aligning education with industry and investment needs to support India's long-term economic growth. This conference is a collective commitment to drive innovation, sustainability and quality investments that resonate into the heart of India's growth story." Jitu Bhai Chandarana, Vice Chairman & Co-Founder, Marwadi University, shared, "The conference serves as a platform for driving investment-led growth in the Kutch and Saurashtra region. Hosting this landmark event reflects Gujarat's strong governance, industry-friendly ecosystem and long-term vision for prosperity. As an institution deeply rooted in education, innovation and entrepreneurship, we wish to see a globally competitive environment that generates sustainable employment." Leading with the "Vocal for Local" ethos, this conference brought together policymakers, thought leaders, and investors from across India to delve into the unique potential of the Kutch & Saurashtra region, known for its rich maritime heritage, dynamic industrial base, and robust MSME networks. Reinforcing its international stature and investment outreach, the event also witnessed global participation. Aligning with the visions of Viksit Bharat@2047 and Viksit Gujarat@2047 the first day featured high-impact discussions around sustainability, ports & logistics, agro and food processing, textiles, fisheries, minerals, and energy. (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.) China, Tanzania pledge to align development strategies Xinhua) 10:32, January 12, 2026 DAR ES SALAAM, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania and China have committed to synergizing the implementation of development strategies to boost common development, according to a joint press communique released on Saturday. The communique was issued after talks between the foreign ministers of Tanzania and China in Dar es Salaam. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and foreign minister, visited Tanzania on Friday and Saturday, during which he met with his counterpart, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. The two ministers spoke highly of the traditional friendship between China and Tanzania, which is built on trust and mutual respect, said the communique. They noted with satisfaction the fruitful outcomes of China-Tanzania relations and friendly cooperation over the past six decades and committed to the practical implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state to further elevate the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new heights. China reiterated its full confidence in Tanzania's leadership and institutions to manage internal affairs independently, the communique said, noting that Tanzania reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to supporting the one-China principle and reiterated its consistent position of recognizing that there is but one China in the world and respecting China's national unity and territorial integrity, underscoring that any form of secession is unacceptable. The two countries have committed to synergizing the implementation of development strategies, agreed to further expand two-way investment and trade, and reaffirmed their commitment to further fostering a fair and enabling business environment on both sides. The two sides agreed to jointly host activities related to the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges and to expand cooperation in areas such as culture, tourism, education, public health, sports, youth, think tanks and media, so as to solidify public support for China-Tanzania friendship, the communique said. Stressing that the two sides welcomed the smooth commencement of the TAZARA Railway revitalization project and expressed their readiness to support its implementation, the communique said that the two sides are exploring the possibility of organizing a high-level TAZARA Railway Prosperity Belt meeting in the near future. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Beware corporations: Silencing shareholders is a risky move By Esther Bouquet web posted January 12, 2026 The SEC announced on November 17, 2025 that the agency will seemingly not lift a finger to enforce shareholder rights when companies exclude shareholder proposals from proxy materials without express permission from the SEC. Shareholder activists and institutional investors should have seen this coming; on October 9, 2025, Chairman Atkins hinted that his regime would reassess Rule 14a-8. Chairman Atkins warned shareholders that Shareholder Proposal Modernization was coming, and he made good on his promise. Chairman Atkins has expressed his skepticism towards precatory proposals in the past: in 2008, he gave a speech outlining the "abusive use of the shareholder proposal process" by institutional investors. Chairman Atkins' long held concern is that shareholders are improperly jamming up the 14a-8 Review Team inbox to politicize corporations and bully boards to bend to their will. Despite this recent development, there are good reasons for corporations to think twice before excluding proposals based on nothing more than an "unqualified representation that the company has a reasonable basis to exclude." Both proponents and boards are in uncharted territory. Federal law and Delaware law are apparently both silent on the validity of precatory proposals. Kyle Pinder, a partner at Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP in Wilmington, DE, and Chairman Atkins' Rule 14a-8 modernization muse, warned corporations against hasty action. (Chairman Atkins cited Pinder's article in his October 9th address, using Pinder's reframing of precatory proposals as a springboard for his subsequent analysis.) "Fortune does not favor the bold when it comes to governance reforms and governance innovation for public companies." In this case, one possible source of relevant misfortune could be lawsuits filed against corporations that attempt to restrict a shareholder right. Potential litigation is not the only risk corporations face if they hastily exclude shareholder proposals. There are at least three more distinct risks. First, individual directors risk unwanted attention if shareholders lose the right to submit precatory proposals. Shareholders have an inviolable statutory right to vote for the board of directors; if the gentle parenting precatory proposals are ignored, shareholders' proverbial gloves will come off and directors themselves will likely face heightened scrutiny. Second, excluding shareholders precatory proposals may prompt them to seek cumbersome regulation of public companies at the federal level. "Gagging institutional investors from attempting to exercise their state law rights will, in the long run, just generate frustration and fuel appeals for more federal 'solutions.'" In short, aggressive exclusion today risks inviting aggressive regulation tomorrow. Third, corporations risk Streisand Effect- ing valid criticisms into the public eye if they exclude too many shareholder proposals. For example, if a precatory shareholder proposal submits an inquiry related to child labor, and the board excludes the proposal based on little more than unqualified claims of "reasonableness," the corporation risks highlighting the very issue they are seeking to shield from the public. We recognize the concerns about precatory proposals having become overly politicized. Some precatory proposals likely do constitute a misuse of the Rule 14a-8 process. However, as Stefan Padfield, Executive Director of the Free Enterprise Project at the National Center for Public Policy Research, recently argued, "Corporate politicization is largely an inside job." Muzzling shareholders will not depoliticize boardrooms; it will instead entrench ideological leanings and even further embed politicized spending. Finally, corporate democracy is supposed to be noisy. Directors and shareholders each have separate rights and duties, and engagement between boards and shareholders arguably promotes meaningful change and higher ROI. Governance practices should aim to strengthen the alignment between management's actions and shareholders' interests. How can directors lead a company without input from the owners? "Shareholder engagement . . . is the proverbial 'canary in the coal mine' for understanding investor concerns." Shareholders have the right to advocate for their interests, and this right is not grounded in Rule 14a-8. Rather, the shareholder franchise is established in case law, and boards may not burden that right without a compelling justification. In the interest of full disclosure, I work for the National Center for Public Policy Research as part of its Free Enterprise Project, and we file shareholder proposals. Esther Bouquet is Free Enterprise Project Associate at the National Center for Public Policy Research. This was first published at Legal Reader. The British High Commission in India said this is a clear reflection of the growing cooperation in advanced engineering and innovation. Notably, India hosts significant market for Rolls-Royce with engineering centres, supply-chain partnerships and collaborations with Indian aerospace and defence entities. Earlier, the Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tufan Erginbilgic had revealed the company's ambitions to make India a "home market", reinforcing the company's long-term commitment to the country. Erginbilgic had visited India as part of the industry delegation accompanying UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his first official visit following the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Rolls-Royce participated in key industry dialogues aimed at strengthening the India-UK economic partnership, aligned with the India-UK Vision 2035. With a nine-decades long legacy and a growing footprint in India, Rolls-Royce has built a robust ecosystem of people, products, capabilities, and partnerships. The company is expanding in-country capabilities through strategic local partnerships and talent development, with the goal of at least doubling its supply chain sourcing from India by 2030. The company recently inaugurated its newly expanded Global Capability and Innovation Centre in India, which houses digital capabilities, enterprise services, and engineering teams supporting Civil Aerospace and Defence. (ANI) Having completed three decades in the film industry, actor Rani Mukerji reflected on her journey with gratitude, humility and deep emotion, as she penned a heartfelt note celebrating 30 years in cinema. Looking back on her debut and the films that shaped her evolution as an artist, Rani shared a deeply personal reflection on her love for the craft, her growth, and her self-discovery. "Thirty years... When I say that out loud, it feels unreal but it also tells me that if you do something that you love from the bottom of your heart, time flies and you are left hungry for more. Thirty years ago, I stepped onto a film set with no grand plan of becoming an actress. It wasn't a dream I chased it was something that found me. A young girl. drawn into cinema almost by chance, hesitant at first... and yet, somewhere between instinct and vulnerability. I fell in love with the craft," the actor said. https://x.com/yrf/status/2010569997559681339?s=20 Revisiting her debut film Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat, the actor recalled the lessons it taught her early on. "When I did Raja Ki Aayegi Baaraat, I was barely aware of what a 'career' in cinema would look like. I only knew that acting made me feel alive. That film taught me my first big lesson: cinema is not about glamour, first it is about responsibility. Playing a woman fighting for dignity so early in my journey shaped the actor I would become," she said. Rani described the 1990s as a "magical phase" of her career, noting that while her films opened doors, they also revealed to her how deeply Hindi cinema connects with audiences. From the first step to the films that went on to shape her career, Rani Mukerji credited every bit of them in her journey, offering special mentions to 'Saathiya', Bunty Aur Babli', 'Hum Tum', and 'No One Killed Jessica', among others. "The early 2000s were about finding my voice. Saathiya was not just a film, it was a turning point. I played a flawed, impulsive, emotional woman and I remember feeling liberated. I didn't want to be perfect on screen. I wanted to be honest," she added. The actor went on to speak about Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Black', calling it a transformative experience. "That film changed everything I believed about myself as an actor. Working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Amitabh Bachchan pushed me to places I didn't know existed within me. It demanded discipline, surrender, and courage. Even today. Black remains one of the most emotionally intense experiences of my life. It taught me that silence can speak louder than words and that acting is as much about listening as it is about performing," she wrote. Stating that she has always been drawn to women challenging the world, Rani remembered her female-centric characters in 'Bunty Aur Babli', 'No One Killed Jessica', and 'Mardaani', adding, "I felt a deep connection to characters who refuse to back down, who want to shatter patriarchy and have a lot of grace while doing so." Her portrayal of fearless cop Shivani Shivaji Roy in Mardaani remains particularly special for the actor. "Mardaani in particular holds a special place in my heart. Shivani Shivaji Roy is not loud heroism, she is quiet strength. Through her, I discovered how powerful it is to tell stories that make people uncomfortable, but also hopeful," Rani shared. Opening up about working after marriage and motherhood, the actor said the transition helped sharpen her focus. "I became more selective, more protective of my energy, and more aware of the kind of legacy 1 wanted to build and the films that I want to lend my voice to," she said. Speaking about her National Award-winning performance in 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway', Rani described the role as deeply personal. "Maybe I was born to play this role, which is why the universe reserved the feeling of me winning this award for when I became a mother and understood what a woman can do for her offspring. Maybe I'm a more complete actor, a more grounded human to play such a role today. I bowed to the universe and took this award with a lot of humility." Concluding her note with gratitude for her co-stars, filmmakers and audiences, Rani reiterated her enduring love for cinema. "Today, when I look back, I don't count box-office numbers or awards first. I count moments-standing under rain for a shot, laughing between takes, crying after a difficult scene. and feeling that quiet satisfaction when a performance truly connects. Thirty years later, my love for cinema is still the same, perhaps deeper, certainly calmer, and infinitely more grateful...As long as there are stories to tell and emotions to explore. I will remain a student of this beautiful, demanding art," she said. Rani Mukerji's 30th year in the film industry coincides with her much-awaited release, 'Mardaani 3'. Directed by Abhiraj Minawala and produced by Aditya Chopra, the film is slated to hit theatres on January 30. (ANI) Carrying forward his father's legacy, Ahan Shetty, son of actor Suniel Shetty, plays a key role in 'Border 2'. Suniel, who essayed a leading role in the original Border, can't help but beam with pride at seeing his son associated with such an important film. On Monday, he stepped out in the city to attend the song launch of 'Jaate Hue Lamhon'. Interestingly, it's a recreation of the hit song 'To Chalun' from Border. At the event, he not only rooted for Ahan and the entire Border 2 team but also posed for a special photo session with Ahan for the paps. Check out the pictures here. Ahead of the event, Ahan took to Instagram and shared a few pictures with dad Suniel Shetty. "This one is special (red heart emoji). Jaate Hue Lamhon - audio out now," he captioned the post. https://www.instagram.com/p/DTaIQ1dCldR/?hl=en&img_index=2 Directed by Anurag Singh, 'Border 2' is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series along with JP Dutta's JP Films. The film, which also stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh, will open in theatres from January 23 onwards. Recently, at an event in Jaisalmer, Sunny Deol remembered his father Dharmendra's war film 'Haqeeqat', saying that it had a "strong impact" on him as a child, which motivated him to make 'Border'. "I did 'Border' because when I watched my father's (Dharmendra) film 'Haqeeqat', I loved it deeply. I was a child then. So, when I became an actor, I decided to make a film similar to my father's movie. I spoke to J P Dutta, and we decided to make a film on the Longewala subject, which is extremely close to our hearts and lives in the hearts of all of you," said Sunny Deol. Sunny Deol reflected on the film Border's impact on youth, saying he never imagined it would inspire young people to join the armed forces."Wherever I go, I never knew that we would give so much confidence to so many young people that they would choose to join the armed forces. Whenever I meet them, they tell me that after watching my film, they decided to join the army," said Sunny Deol. (ANI) BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi emphasised the complementary connection between Hinduism and Hindutva during a debate on the theme "Hinduism Needs Protection From Hindutva," hosted by the Calcutta Debating Circle on Sunday. Speaking at the event, Trivedi said that Hindutva represents 'Hindu tattva,' which forms the core essence of Hinduism. He further argued that Hinduism is unique among religions in granting its followers the authority to debate, even on its sacred texts. "... Which culture gives you the authority to debate even on religious texts. It is only Hindu... I would like to ask why the term Hinduism? Why is 'ism' associated with all the religions which originated in India? Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. You have never heard of Islamism and Christianism... The 'ism' world is being associated just to demean, and what Hindutva is, 'Hindu tattva'. The basic immunity of Hinduism is Hindu tattva... Another thing I would like to say, when you cherish Hinduism, it is called Hindutva..." said Trivedi. Meanwhile, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, in contrast, criticised the ideology of Hindutva, describing it as Hinduism in a state of paranoia, where 80 per cent Hindus are made to quiver before 14 per cent Muslims. "Hindutva is Hinduism in paranoia. It asks 80% Hindus to quiver in front of 14% Muslims. Hindutva is a BJP leader slapping a blind, hungry tribal girl because she attends a Christmas lunch in a Church. Hindutva raids shopping malls to tear down Christmas decorations... Savarkar described Buddhism as an existential threat to all Hindus. He described it as the ultimate negation of Hindutva, bearing the opiate of universalism and nonviolence. He said it was disastrous to national virility and even the existence of the Hindu race..." said Aiyar. The Congress leader also drew a clear distinction between Hinduism and Hindutva. He stressed that Hinduism is a great spiritual religion, while Hindutva is a political tract. He also asserted that Hinduism faced trials and tribulations yet managed to survive and flourish without any need for Hindutva's protection. "Hinduism is a great spiritual religion. Hindutva is a political tract. Hindutva came only in 1923; for thousands of years before Hindutva, Hinduism faced trial and tribulation and yet survived, flourished, with no need of Hindutva protection... There is no way Gandhi's and Swami Vivekananda's Hinduism can be protected or promoted by Savarkar's Hindutva... While Savarkar wrote, Hindus understand themselves as Hindus through acts of violence. The Mahatma wrote, the Hindu has an old age civilisation. He is essentially non-violent. You've seen that Hindutva vigilantes beat up and even kill anyone suspected of hoarding, eating or transporting beef. While Gandhiji wrote, it is a denial of Hinduism and of Ahimsa to kill a human being to protect a cow..." added Aiyar. The Calcutta Debating Circle hosted a debate on the topic "Hinduism Needs Protection From Hindutva" at the Lawns, Calcutta Club on Sunday. The event aimed to foster discussions on the complexities of justice and was attended by several prominent figures, including J. Sai Deepak, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Mahua Moitra, Ruchika Sharma, and Sudhanshu Trivedi. (ANI) Vaishnaw arrived in Washington, DC, and emphasised that securing critical mineral supply chains is vital for India's goal of Viksit Bharat. "Arrived in Washington, D.C. Will participate in the Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting tomorrow. Secure critical mineral supply chains are vital for our goal of Viksit Bharat," the Union Minister posted on X. India requires a steady supply of essential minerals to support its technological ambitions, sustain economic growth momentum, and reduce exposure to geopolitical risks. The Union Cabinet approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) in 2025 with an expenditure of Rs 16,300 crore. State enterprises and private companies are expected to invest Rs 18,000 crore, bringing the total planned investment to approximately Rs 34,300 crore between 2024 and 2031. The NCMM was launched to establish a robust framework for self-reliance in the critical mineral sector. Under this mission, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been tasked with conducting 1,200 exploration projects from 2024-25 to 2030-31. It also recommended setting up a Centre of Excellence on Critical Minerals (CECM) to regularly update the mineral list and guide strategy. Critical minerals are essential for clean energy technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, EVs, and energy storage systems. To secure these resources, India launched the NCMM to ensure their long-term availability and processing. According to the release, Critical minerals such as silicon, tellurium, indium, and gallium are vital for the production of photovoltaic (PV) cells used in solar panels. India's current solar capacity of 64 GW is heavily dependent on these minerals. Rare earth elements like dysprosium and neodymium are used in permanent magnets for wind turbines. India aims to increase its wind energy capacity from 42 GW to 140 GW by 2030, necessitating a stable supply of these minerals. Lithium, nickel, and cobalt are key materials used in lithium-ion batteries. Under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), India plans to deploy 6-7 million EVs by 2024, leading to increased demand for these critical minerals. Lithium-ion batteries used in advanced energy storage systems depend on lithium, cobalt, and nickel. (ANI) Delhi Police on Sunday arrested two more accused in the Turkman Gate stone pelting case, in which around 25-30 people pelted stones at police and MCD officials after they arrived at the spot with JCBs to demolish illegal encroachment near Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque, as per a High Court order. The accused have been identified as Fahim alias Sanu and Shehzad. With their arrest, the total number of people held in connection with the case has risen to 18. Earlier, the Delhi Police imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) around Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in Delhi, restricting gatherings following the recent stone-pelting incident near the gate area, officials said on Friday. It had appealed to people to offer prayers at home. On Thursday, Delhi police confirmed that 30 individuals have been identified for their alleged involvement in the violence. The identification was made using CCTV footage and viral videos circulating on social media. As a result, police teams have launched raids at multiple locations to take the remaining suspects into custody. On January 7, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) conducted a demolition drive at the encroached area in the vicinity of Faiz-e-Elahi Masjid, Turkman Gate, near Ramlila Maidan, Delhi, after the High Court's order, which was announced at early morning hours of the day, according to an official statement from Delhi Police. During the demolition drive, around 25-30 people pelted stones at police and MCD officials after they arrived at Turkman Gate with JCBs to demolish illegal encroachment, as per a court order. As a result, five police personnel suffered minor injuries in the incident. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Central District, Nidhin Valsan, the police personnel received treatment at the nearby hospital. Before the demolition drive, several coordination meetings were held with members of the Aman Committee and other local stakeholders to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents. All possible preventive and confidence-building measures were undertaken, according to Central Range Joint Commissioner of Police, Madhur Verma. However, officials said a "few miscreants" attempted to create a disturbance by pelting stones, and the situation was promptly brought under control through "measured and minimal use of force." (ANI) Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president Vijay will appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New Delhi on Monday in connection with the ongoing probe into the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives during a party campaign event in September last year. The CBI had earlier issued a notice to Vijay under Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), directing him to present himself for examination. The notice was served earlier this month, with the summons dated January 6. The probe pertains to the stampede that occurred on September 27, 2025, during a TVK campaign programme in the Karur district of Tamil Nadu. According to TVK sources, Vijay is travelling from Chennai to New Delhi on a chartered flight and is expected to visit the CBI headquarters later in the day to cooperate with the investigation. The Supreme Court had earlier transferred the investigation into the incident to the CBI. As part of the probe, the agency has already questioned several senior TVK functionaries in New Delhi. Party leaders have submitted video footage to investigators, alleging lapses on the part of the Tamil Nadu government. The CBI has also examined the campaign vehicle used by Vijay during the event, and the driver of the vehicle has been questioned as part of the ongoing investigation. The Karur stampede occurred during a massive political gathering, resulting in the deaths of 41 people and leaving several others injured. The incident triggered widespread public outrage and prompted judicial and legal scrutiny. 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. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ravi Shankar Prasad alleged that the West Bengal Police have "become a weapon" to openly assist Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's "illegal and unconstitutional actions" while accusing the state administration of failing to register an FIR despite an alleged attack on opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari's convoy in the presence of police. While addressing a press conference on Sunday, Prasad said that the attack occurred in the presence of the police, yet efforts to lodge an FIR were unsuccessful. "Yesterday, an attack took place on the convoy of our opposition leader, Suvendu Adhikari. Efforts were made to file a police report. This attack happened in the presence of the police, but no FIR was registered," he said. The BJP leader further targeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over her recent visit to the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC. "Mamata Banerjee is saying that when she went to the (I-PAC) office, she didn't go there as the Chief Minister, but she went as the TMC president... Mamata Banerjee, you are the Chief Minister and the head of your party. As Chief Minister, what was the compulsion to go to a private property? You will have to answer this. So far, you haven't clarified anything." "What such compulsion arose that you snatched a green file and ran away? The Police Commissioner was with her, DGP was there too. Our clear allegation is that Mamata Banerjee's police have become a weapon to openly assist in Mamata Banerjee's illegal, unconstitutional actions. It's highly suspicious. Mamata Banerjee, what are you hiding? Why are you hiding it? What secret was there that needed to be hidden?" he added. This comes after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's "Green File" sparked a major political controversy. The file, showcased during a public address, allegedly contains documents related to political manoeuvring and central pressure. Mamata claimed it's crucial to her party's strategy, while opponents argue it may be a way to withhold sensitive information or evidence. The Green File's contents and authenticity are disputed, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) accusing Mamata of interfering in their investigation into the I-PAC coal scam. The ED has moved the Calcutta High Court, seeking the return of files allegedly taken by Mamata during the raid. Mamata's supporters rally behind her, framing the ED's actions as a political vendetta. The Opposition demands clarification, questioning the timing and transparency of disclosures amid election momentum. The ED (Enforcement Directorate) filed a plea in the Supreme Court over the alleged interference and obstruction by CM Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government in the agencies' search operations at the headquarters of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC)- a political consultancy firm linked to the All India Trinamool Congress and at the Kolkata residence of its director, Pratik Jain. On Thursday, ED raids were conducted at the Kolkata headquarters of the Indian Political Action Committee and at the residence of its director, Pratik Jain. Anticipating that the ED may approach the Supreme Court alleging interference in its search operations, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government has filed a caveat in the apex court, seeking that no order be passed without hearing the state. Separately, the West Bengal government has filed a plea in the Calcutta High Court, alleging that the ED seized all data and digital records from I-PAC's office. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his 164th birth anniversary. PM Modi said that Swami Vivekananda remains a "powerful source of inspiration for India's youth," and his personality and works continue to strengthen the resolve for a developed India. "My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda, the powerful source of inspiration for India's youth power, on his birth anniversary. His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a developed India. My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions," PM Modi wrote on X. President Droupadi Murmu also paid homage to the spiritual leader, highlighting that his "teachings will continue to inspire humanity." "I pay my humble tributes to Swami Vivekananda on his birth anniversary celebrated as National Youth Day. A timeless visionary and spiritual icon, he preached that inner strength and service to humanity were foundations of a meaningful life. He carried India's eternal wisdom to the world. Swamiji instilled national pride among Indians and inspired the youth to contribute to nation building. His teachings will continue to inspire humanity," the President wrote on X. Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion and recalled Swami Vivekananda's contribution to youth empowerment and social service. In a post on X, Amit Shah wrote, "On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Ji's birth anniversary, I pay my respectful obeisance to him and extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the citizens of the country on 'National Youth Day'. Swami Vivekananda Ji, who connected the youth of the country with the Indian tradition of knowledge, philosophy, and spirituality, and took its reach to global forums, also established ideals of social service through the Ramakrishna Mission. The thoughts of Swami Ji, who gave the message of not stopping before achieving the goal, are awakening a sense of duty and patriotism among the youth and accelerating the construction of a developed India." The National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Divas is celebrated on January 12 every year in commemoration of the great spiritual leader, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda, whose unwavering belief in the potential of youth continues to resonate deeply with young citizens of the country, as per the release from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Vivekananda, born Narendranath Datta, was a key figure in the renaissance of Hinduism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His fiery eloquence, profound understanding of Eastern and Western philosophies, and unwavering belief in the potential of youth resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. His landmark speech at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893 is widely considered a turning point in the global perception of Hinduism. (ANI) A major fire broke out near the UCO Bank building at the old bus stand in Arki town of Himachal Pradesh's Solan district during the early morning hours on Sunday, triggering panic in the area. One child, around eight years old, lost his life in the incident. Several people were suspected of being trapped inside the affected premises. Confirming the incident, Superintendent of Police, Solan district, Gaurav Singh said that police and fire brigade teams were immediately rushed to the spot and rescue operations continued. He added that teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were also called in to assist in the rescue efforts. Arki MLA Sanjay Awasthi said that eight to nine people were feared trapped in the fire. He further stated that the deceased child belonged to a family of migrant labourers. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Rescue operations continued until the last reports came in. Earlier on Wednesday, a massive fire broke out at the historic royal palace of the erstwhile Kyonthal princely state in Junga near Shimla, causing extensive damage to the nearly 800-year-old heritage structure and destroying invaluable historical and religious property. According to members of the Kyonthal royal family, the blaze is believed to have originated near the sacred installation of Devta Maharaj Deo Junga, located within the palace complex, and rapidly spread through the ancient wooden structure. The palace, constructed during the reign of Raja Khushvakram Sen, was largely made of old timber and had been lying unoccupied for several years due to its dilapidated condition. Royal family member Vijay Jyoti Sen said that although no one was residing in the palace, priceless religious assets belonging to the deity, including gold and silver ornaments and other valuables worth crores of rupees, were kept there and have been completely destroyed. "This palace was nearly 800 years old. Though it was vacant, it housed the deity's property, including gold and silver ornaments. Everything has been reduced to ashes. Nothing could be saved as the entire old structure was engulfed," she said, adding that the exact cause of the fire is still not known. Thick smoke was first noticed by local residents around 1:00 pm, after which information was relayed to the Junga police outpost. Fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot from Chhota Shimla, Mall Road Shimla and the Tilak Nagar water station. Station Fire Officer Mansaram of the Chhota Shimla fire station said they received information about the blaze at 1:05 pm after a call from Vijay Jyoti Sen. "Two fire engines were dispatched from Chhota Shimla and Mall Road, and additional water tankers were sent from Tilak Nagar. A total of four fire vehicles are engaged at the spot. Around 20 fire personnel from three fire stations are still involved in the operation. The fire is under control, but some parts are still smouldering. No casualties have been reported," he said. Superintendent of Police (SP) Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi of Shimla district confirmed there was no loss of life in the incident. The SP further added that the local police have called in a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team of experts to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. Police have taken cognisance of the incident and registered a case under relevant sections of law. The revenue department and the local administration have also initiated a detailed assessment of the fire-related losses. (ANI) David Letterman says Jimmy Kimmel has brought Disney and other network bosses "to their knees". David Letterman has praised Jimmy Kimmel The 78-year-old late night legend has his former CBS home - where he spent more than two decades - in a scathing takedown of network television as he praised Kimmel for how he handled Jimmy Kimmel Live! being briefly taken off the air by Disney-owned ABC after his comments following the assassination of Charlie Kirk in September last year. Speaking on The Barbara Gaines Show, Letterman said: Jimmy Kimmel single-handedly brought the people at Disney and all of those other network television owners to their knees." He also dismissed notions people might have about the political leanings of late night comedy. He argued: "If we had a Democratic president behaving the way this Republican president [Donald Trum] is behaving, Jimmy would be attacking the Democratic president just as much. However, Letterman has warned people that late night has a smaller pool of platforms who are willing to showcase stars like Kimmel, Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert, who are all willing to challenge those in power. He added: "We're running out of places where you hear those voices." Meanwhile, the TV veteran recently insisted he's relieved not to be posting his own late night talk show anymore, having stepped away in 2015. Asked if he missed his show on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in December, he said: "Boy you would think, but no I'm so glad to be out from under this mess. "People like you and people like Stephen and people like Seth do such a masterful job of defending this democracy. About all I'm capable of is showing up every now and then saying f*** Waymo and that's it." Letterman had Trump as a guest on his show several times in the past but described the White House chief as a "fool" who should expect "ridicule". He said: "Irrespective of party or political ideology if the leader of the free world is a fool, the leader of the free world, then, should expect and examine every bit of ridicule he receives." Congress MP Manickam Tagore, on the occasion of National Youth Day, celebrated on the birth anniversary of Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda, on Sunday, highlighted the role of Rajiv Gandhi in empowering the youth by lowering the voting age to 18 and who, according to him, "opened the doors of technology, education and modern India to young minds". Tagore highlighted Swami Vivekananda's "timeless" message of courage, character, and service, which, he said, continues to inspire India's youth to rise with confidence and compassion. He also "reaffirmed" the faith in the power of India's youth to shape a just, progressive and inclusive future. Through his X post, he said," On the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, we celebrate National Youth Day. Swamiji's timeless message of courage, character and service continues to inspire India's youth to rise with confidence and compassion. It was Prime Minister Shri Rajiv Gandhi who truly empowered the youth of this nation--lowering the voting age to 18, opening the doors of technology, education and modern India to young minds. On National Youth Day, we reaffirm our faith in the power of India's youth to shape a just, progressive and inclusive future." Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in his X post, called Swami Vivekananda "a symbol of Indian life values and an invaluable source of inspiration for our youth."He recalled that "as a tribute to Swami ji's thoughts and ideals, Shri Rajiv Gandhi had declared this day as 'National Youth Day'." Quoting from Vivekananda's Chicago speech, Kharge highlighted its enduring relevance in today's world marked by conflict and intolerance. Through his X post, he said, "Heartfelt greetings to all countrymen on National Youth Day. Today is the birth anniversary of India's great thinker and philosopher Swami Vivekananda ji. He is a symbol of Indian life values and an invaluable source of inspiration for our youth. As a tribute to Swami ji's thoughts and ideals, Shri Rajiv Gandhi had declared this day as 'National Youth Day.' Some excerpts from his historic speech delivered at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago, America, in 1893, which are still highly relevant today. --'Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence. How many times has this earth been reddened with blood. How many civilizations have been destroyed and how many countries have been ruined. If these terrible demons had not been there, human society would have been much more advanced today, but now their time is over. I am fully confident that the conch sound of this conference today will destroy all dogmas, all kinds of strife, whether by the sword or the pen, and all ill feelings between people.' Swami Vivekananda ji taught humanity important lessons like spiritual development and equality and gave India a distinct identity in the world. Millions of salutations." In addition to members of Congress, party leaders from across the political spectrum paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda on National Youth Day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Vivekananda as a guiding force for India's youth. He added that Vivekananda's personality and works "continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a developed India," and expressed hope that the day would bring "new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions." Through his X post, he said, "My respectful tribute to Swami Vivekananda, the powerful source of inspiration for India's youth power, on his birth anniversary. His personality and works continuously infuse new energy into the resolve for a developed India. My wish is that this divine occasion of National Youth Day brings new strength and new self-confidence for all fellow citizens, especially our young companions." Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid homage to Vivekananda, highlighting Vivekananda's global influence. Shah said he "connected the youth of the country with the Indian tradition of knowledge, philosophy, and spirituality, and took its reach to global forums." He further noted that Swami Vivekananda's message of perseverance continues to "awaken a sense of duty and patriotism among the youth and accelerate the construction of a developed India." Through his X post, the Home Minister said, "On the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Ji's birth anniversary, I pay my respectful obeisance to him and extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the citizens of the country on 'National Youth Day'. Swami Vivekananda Ji, who connected the youth of the country with the Indian tradition of knowledge, philosophy, and spirituality, and took its reach to global forums, also established ideals of social service through the Ramakrishna Mission. The thoughts of Swami Ji, who gave the message of not stopping before achieving the goal, are awakening a sense of duty and patriotism among the youth and accelerating the construction of a developed India." (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court seeking a CBI investigation into what it calls a "grave and unprecedented obstruction" of its lawful search operations, alleging that the West Bengal Chief Minister, along with senior police officials, forcibly entered search premises, snatched incriminating documents and digital devices, and illegally restrained ED officers during an ongoing money-laundering probe linked to the coal smuggling case. In its writ petition under Article 32, the ED has prayed for directions to the CBI to register FIRs and conduct an independent investigation into the events of January 8, 2026, when its officers were conducting searches under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at the residence of Pratik Jain in Kolkata and the office premises of Indian PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd. The agency has further sought immediate seizure, sealing, forensic preservation, and restoration of all documents and electronic devices allegedly seized by the state authorities, as well as a restraint order on the West Bengal police from interfering in PMLA proceedings. According to the ED, its officers were lawfully conducting searches in connection with a multi-state coal smuggling and money-laundering investigation involving proceeds of crime exceeding Rs 2,742 crore, when the Chief Minister, accompanied by the Director General of Police, Kolkata Police Commissioner and a large police contingent, allegedly "barged into the premises, intimidated officers, placed them under wrongful restraint, and forcibly removed seized material including laptops, mobile phones and documents." The petition alleges that these acts constitute theft, robbery, dacoity, criminal trespass, obstruction of public servants, destruction of evidence and criminal intimidation under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023. The ED has also accused the state machinery of registering multiple "malicious and retaliatory FIRs" against ED officers immediately after the search, claiming these were aimed at criminally intimidating investigators and derailing the probe. It has sought transfer of all such FIRs to the CBI and protection for its officers from coercive action, citing statutory immunity under Section 67 of the PMLA. Highlighting the breakdown of constitutional remedies, the ED told the Supreme Court that its attempt to seek relief before the Calcutta High Court became "illusory" after an orchestrated ruckus inside the courtroom, which forced the judge to adjourn the matter after recording that the environment was not conducive to hearing. The agency has alleged that the disturbance was mobilised through WhatsApp groups by supporters of the ruling party to prevent judicial scrutiny. Calling the incident a direct assault on the rule of law, the ED has urged the Supreme Court to intervene to protect free and fair investigation, preserve crucial evidence, and ensure accountability of constitutional authorities, warning that allowing such interference would set a dangerous precedent where state power is used to physically obstruct central investigating agencies. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday participated in the state-level mass Surya Namaskar program held in Bhopal to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. CM Yadav performed Suya Namaskar along with the students at Government Subhash Excellence Higher Secondary School in the state capital on the occasion. "Swami Vivekananda is known across the nation and globe by the name of Eternal Youth. He had hoisted the flag of the culture of Sanatan Dharma at Vishva Dharma Sammelan (World Religion Conference). He also highlighted India's characteristics at the global stage. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary is being celebrated in a different way across the entire country today," the Chief Minister said. Additionally, CM Yadav emphasised that Vivekananda guided the world towards welfare through his spiritual energy, philosophy, and profound thoughts. "On the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, a source of inspiration for the youth, I offer my heartfelt tributes and extend my greetings on National Youth Day. He guided the world towards welfare through his spiritual energy, philosophy, and profound thoughts. He inspired the youth to contribute to nation-building by making them aware of their boundless inner strength. I offer tribute at his feet," CM said in a post on X. The National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Divas is celebrated on January 12 every year in commemoration of the great spiritual leader, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda, whose unwavering belief in the potential of youth continues to resonate deeply with young citizens of the country, as per the release from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Vivekananda, born Narendranath Datta, was a key figure in the renaissance of Hinduism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His fiery eloquence, profound understanding of Eastern and Western philosophies, and unwavering belief in the potential of youth resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. His landmark speech at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1893 is widely considered a turning point in the global perception of Hinduism. (ANI) As Rahul Mamkootathil gets 14-day judicial custody, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anoop Antony Joseph on Monday accused the Congress and the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) of "saving" the expelled Congress MLA. He said that there was ample evidence against Mamkootathil. He also claimed that the ruling CPI(M) was "playing up the issue" to divert attention from the Sabarimala gold theft case. "Everyone knows it very clearly, and there is ample evidence against Rahul Mamkootathil. Many people have given complaints. It is a very small and simple process to put him behind bars, but the CPM is not doing it because they want to play up this issue to divert attention from the Sabarimala issue. The matter of Rahul Mamkootathil is very clear," Joseph told ANI. "He is a molester, and he has molested several women. The first thing he should do is resign from his party, and Congress should ensure he does so. The Congress and CPM are saving him because they both have some agenda," he added. Reacting to the arrest of Thantri Kandharar Rajeevar, the chief priest of Sabarimala, the BJP leader questioned the state government for not arresting the concerned Minister. "They are arresting the Thantri instead of arresting the mantri. The minister who has the authority to sanction all this is not being arrested, but the Thantri, who does not have any administrative power, is being arrested," Joseph said. Expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil on Sunday was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days following his arrest in a new sexual assault case. The case is the third complaint against him. Police arrested him in Palakkad based on the fresh sexual assault complaint received via email. This third sexual assault complaint against the Palakkad MLA involves serious allegations such as physical assault, financial exploitation, and forced abortion. In the first sexual assault case, the High Court had stayed Mamkootathil's arrest, while a trial court had granted anticipatory bail in the second case. On December 12, the investigation into the first alleged rape case against Mamkootathil was transferred to the State Police Crime Branch following an official order. The case was earlier handled by the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner. With the transfer, both rape cases registered against the expelled Congress MLA are now being supervised by Assistant Inspector General of Police Poonguzhali, who was already heading the probe into the second case. On December 6, the Kerala High Court had stayed Mamkootathil's arrest while considering his anticipatory bail plea in the second case. A bench led by Justice K Babu directed that detailed arguments would be heard, and the matter was scheduled for further hearing on December 15. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday assured of "strict action" if anyone is found guilty in the ongoing Kashipur farmer suicide probe. Speaking to the media today, CM Dhami said that the suicide of a farmer in Kashipur is a deeply tragic incident, and orders have already been issued for an investigation into the matter. Earlier on Sunday, CM Dhami had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the suicide of Sukhwant Singh, a farmer from Kashipur, who shot himself in a Haldwani hotel room. Singh had alleged harassment and extortion by Udham Singh Nagar police in a Facebook Live video before his death, citing a 4 crore land fraud case and pressure from police and property dealers. Dhami has directed the Kumaon Commissioner, Deepak Rawat, to conduct a magisterial inquiry into the matter. The Chief Minister has instructed that a fair and transparent investigation be conducted into all facts and circumstances surrounding the incident to establish the truth. Chief Minister Dhami has also sought a detailed report on the entire matter from Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan and Director General of Police Deepam Seth. Expressing deep condolences to the bereaved family, the Chief Minister said that the state government stands firmly with them in this difficult time and has directed the administration to provide all possible assistance to the affected family. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Dr V Murugeshan told ANI that in the case of suicide by 40-year-old farmer Sukhwant Singh, a resident of Kashipur in Udham Singh Nagar district, the IG of Kumaon Range, Riddim Agarwal, has been directed to conduct a thorough inquiry and submit a report to Police Headquarters. The tragedy unfolded at a hotel in Gaulapar, where Sukhwant Singh was staying with his wife and son. Following a reported commotion in the hotel room late at night, Singh's wife and son stepped out. Shortly after, Singh used a firearm to end his life. The family alleges that cheating by property dealers, coupled with relentless police pressure, pushed him to the brink. In his final video, Singh named senior officials, including the SSP of Udham Singh Nagar, claiming he was being mentally shattered by constant demands for money and police harassment. The Kathgodam police have taken custody of the body for a post-mortem examination. The investigation is currently focusing on two primary pieces of evidence -- Facebook Live Video and the suicide note. (ANI) Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday hit out at the Telangana Congress for "misleading the public" by spreading false information on the recently passed overhaul of the rural employment guarantee scheme, VB G RAM G act. Minister Reddy asserted that the scheme is "highly beneficial for farmers and agricultural labourers," with additional funds being allocated by the scheme and the wage amount being directly credited into bank accounts of the workers. "Telangana Congress government is misleading the public by spreading false information about the programme. He said the scheme was introduced by the Central Government and is highly beneficial for farmers and agricultural labourers, as additional funds are being allocated and the amount is being directly credited into the workers' bank accounts. He urged the State Government to cooperate with the Centre to ensure maximum public benefit," he said. The Union Minister's statement comes a few hours after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge reaffirmed the party's resolve to continue opposing changes to the national rural employment guarantee, formerly named MGNREGA, while alleging that the Centre is attempting to cut funds for the act and help the corporates instead of the poor people. "MNREGA was introduced to ensure the right to work. The law brought by Manmohan Singh was meant to fill the stomachs of the poor. They are trying to strike at a law that helps the poor," Kharge said in Bengaluru. The Congress party had announced a nationwide 'MGNREGA Bachao Sangram' from January 10 to February 25, opposing the VB G RAM G Act. According to Kharge, the new rules placing additional financial burden on states, among other changes show how the Central government is trying to "strike at a law that helps the poor," and end similar such schemes from the country. The Act guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, up from the existing 100 days, for adult members willing to undertake unskilled manual work. As per Section 22 of the Act, the fund-sharing pattern between the Central Government and the State Governments will be 60:40, while for the North Eastern States, Himalayan States, and Union Territories (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir), it will be 90:10. (ANI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday congratulated the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), its industry partners and the defence industry after the successful flight test of the Third Generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability, describing it as an important step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In a post on X, RMO India said, "Third Generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability was flight tested successfully against moving target by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has complimented DRDO, DCPP Partners and Industry for the successful test of Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile with top attack capability and termed it an important step towards AatmanirbharBharat." https://x.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/2010621356367560837 According to a release from Ministry of Defence, Third Generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability was flight-tested successfully against a moving target in KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra by DRDO's Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad on January 11, 2026. The indigenously developed MPATGM consists of state-of-the-art indigenous technologies like Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker, all electric Control Actuation System, Fire Control System, Tandem Warhead, propulsion system and high performance sighting system, which are developed by DRDO's sister laboratories namely Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune and Instruments Research & Development Establishment, Dehradun. The Thermal Target System was developed by Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur to simulate the target tank. The IIR seeker is well accomplished with day and night combat operation capability. The warhead is capable of defeating modern main Battle Tanks. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are the Development-Cum-Production Partners (DcPP) for the weapon System. The missile can be launched from Tripod or Military Vehicle Launcher, a release said. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO, DcPP Partners and the Industry for the successful test. He termed it as an important step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Congratulating the team, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat said that the trial target was successfully conducted, thereby leading the weapon system for induction into the Indian Army, a release added. (ANI) Ahead of the upcoming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule on Monday said that there has never been any issue within their family. She questioned the Mahayuti government about the steps taken to curb rising crime in Pune. "I have written to the Chief Minister many times on rising crimes in Pune, so I want to ask him what he has done about it? There were never issues between the family. We are all here to serve the public," Sule told reporters here. Her remarks follow NCP (SP) joining hands with the Ajit Pawar-led NCP for the Pune municipal elections. She said that her party has released a progressive manifesto. "We have launched a progressive manifesto. I am confident that people from Pune and PCMC (Pimpri Chinchawad Municipal Corporation) will stand with us," Sule said. On Saturday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) would have given a ticket to Dawood Ibrahim's relatives if they had met with him. While addressing a public rally, he said that the Mahayuti can't win elections without hooliganism. Raut argued that Pune, once known for its beauty, is known as a "city of goons". "Pune was once a very beautiful city, but today it is known as a city of goons. Whether it is the BJP or Ajit Pawar's party, there is hardly any gang whose relatives have not been given election tickets by these parties. I once said that if these people had met Dawood, they would have given tickets to his brother or relatives, including Chhota Shakeel and Chhota Rajan. These people cannot win elections without hooliganism," Raut said. Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has pitched for the Muslim community to "develop their own political agency" and vote for a party which will develop organic muslim leadership, instead of parties that have actively opposed a leader from the minority community all the time. Criticising the Mahayuti and MVA alike, Owaisi said parties like Congress, both factions of NCP, and Shiv Sena have always opposed a Muslim leader. "It is good, Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT) or BJP are fighting (the polls) together. But when the issue of Ward came up, then everyone said, No no they can't win, if they win then we will have more headaches. When state elections will come then this will come forward. I want to tell you all that Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena, Shiv Sena (UBT) or BJP, none of them likes the rising of a leader from Muslim minority community. They don't like it if a leader is born," the AIMIM chief said in a public rally in Jalna on Sunday. The State Election Commission in Maharashtra has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), PMC and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16. (ANI) Strengthening the long-standing friendly and amicable relations between India and Bhutan, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday flagged off a vehicle carrying Chilgoza (pine nut) saplings as a gift to kingdom of Bhutan from the State Secretariat today. On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that India and Bhutan shares a warm and cordial relations and this green initiative will further strengthen the bond of friendship between two countries. He said that Himachal Pradesh and Bhutan have similar Himalayan natural heritage. The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department would also provide Chilgoza seeds worth Rs 5 lakh to Bhutan soon. In addition, training would be given to Bhutan's forest officials on how to grow Chilgoza plants. A team from Bhutan's Forest Department would soon visit Himachal Pradesh for this purpose. The state government would involve local women's groups in Chilgoza-based activities and provide them with financial support. Efforts related to Chilgoza cultivation and development would be further expanded. The Chief Minister said that earlier also, 50 kilograms of Chilgoza seeds had been provided to Bhutan. Chilgoza is a unique and highly valuable species of the western Himalayas. It is closely linked with environmental protection, biodiversity and local livelihood. The Chief Minister said that the present state government was taking several steps to promote forest conservation and expand forest cover. As a result of government efforts, the forest area of the state has increased by about 55 square kilometers. This year, plantation work was being carried out on around 9,000 hectares of forest land under various schemes and projects, with 60 percent fruit-bearing plants. To increase the green cover 600 hectares of plantation was being done on barren hills under Chief Minister Van Vistar Yojana and for forest protection and management, 2,019 Van Mitras have been appointed in since 2019. Schemes such as the Rajiv Gandi Van Samvardhan Yojana and the Green Adoption Scheme were also being implemented for increasing the green cover. Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, Vice-Chairman of Himachal Pradesh State Forest Corporation Kehar Singh Khachi, MLAs Captain Ranjit Singh Rana and Malender Rajan, Chairman of the State Haj Committee Dildar Ali Bhatt, Advocate General Anup Rattan, Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HOFF) Sanjay Sood and other senior officers were present on the occasion. (ANI) The Supreme Court of India on Monday directed the release of Amit Mehra on bail, emphasising that an undertrial cannot be kept behind bars indefinitely. The court noted that he has already been in judicial custody for more than eight months and that the trial has not yet begun. A Bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice Alok Aradhe passed the directions while hearing Mehra's special leave petition challenging the denial of regular bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a case registered by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI). The prosecution relates to alleged offences under Section 132(1)(b) of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, Section 132(1)(i) of the GST Act and Section 20(xv) of the IGST Act. While acknowledging the gravity of the alleged offence, the Court underscored that the petitioner has remained an undertrial prisoner for over eight months, with charges yet to be framed. The Bench observed that even if the trial commenced shortly, it was unlikely to conclude within the next year. It further noted that the offences are triable by a magistrate and carry a maximum punishment of up to five years, making continued incarceration at this stage unwarranted. "In such circumstances, we are persuaded to exercise our discretion in favour of the petitioner," the Bench said, ordering that Mehra be released on bail on such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the trial court. The Court also clarified that if the GST department seeks any specific condition to safeguard its interests, it may move an application before the trial court, which shall consider the request in accordance with the law. Senior advocate PB Suresh appeared for the petitioner, assisted by advocates Saurabh Kapoor, Mayank Jain, Madhur Jain, Gurwinder Singh, Kartik Yadav, Muskaan Gupta, Muskan Chauhan, Tanya Kumar, Shivani Kapoor, and Nikilesh Ramachandran, AOR. The Union of India was represented by Additional Solicitor General Raja Thakre, along with advocates Gurmeet Singh Makker, AOR, Rohit Khare, Bhuvan Mishra, Udit Dediya and Mayank Pandey. With these directions, the Supreme Court disposed of the special leave petition and all pending applications, permitting the dasti of the order. (ANI) Colman Domingo has thinks Euphoria season three will be "more cinema than television". Colman Domingo has teased Euphoria season three The 55-year-old actor will return as Ali Muhammed in the highly anticipated third season of the HBO drama, and he suggested the new episodes could "break the mould of television". Speaking to Deadline, he said: Were gonna have a devastatingly gorgeous, epic season that I think is breaking the mould of television. I think its gonna become more cinema than television. He also promised the upcoming season will delve into his character's backstory and give viewers a greater understanding of Ali. He added: "I think you get to look at the building blocks of Ali. I think you may get a little bit of his origin story, which I think is great, and so you can understand why Ali is who he is." Meanwhile, Colman previously admitted he was ready to give up his career in his 40s. He had been working for a long time before landing his breakthrough role in Fear the Walking Dead in 2015 and has gone on to enjoy huge success, including a string of Academy Award, SAG Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations in the last five years but he admitted there were times he thought about finding a new profession because he wasn't sure he could "afford" it anymore. He told Britain's Esquire magazine in November 2025: "I thought I was at the end of my career. Id done everything I was supposed to do, and I didnt want to be in this business bitterly. I had many heartaches in the industry. My work wasnt being seen. Usually, in a career, you get a raise, you get a bump in promotion. Theres no promotion for being an artist. I just kept giving it six months. You think, Whats it all about? Is it worth it? Is it worth stepping out on a limb, with sometimes little return? Sometimes I thought I couldnt afford to be an artist that it was just for wealthy kids with Ivy League educations. Madhya Pradesh Police launched a search operation against the sale and use of banned Chinese manjha in Indore on Monday after throat slit incidents reported in the district that claimed one life and left two others injured. The incidents were reported on Sunday from different parts of the city, prompting the police administration to go on alert mode ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone-1) Krishna Lalchandani told ANI, "Yesterday, a tragic incident occurred in the Khajrana temple area where one person died after his throat was slit by a Chinese kite string. Additionally, one person was reported injured in the Juni Indore area, within the Aerodrome police station limits. As three such incidents have been reported in the city, the police administration became alert for the upcoming Makar Sankranti festival on January 14." He further suspected there might be such incidents, as kite flying would take place on a large scale across the city due to the Makar Sankranti festival. Therefore, the police were fully active and search operations were being conducted at places where kite strings were being sold. "Special drives are being carried out across the city against the sale of Chinese kite strings and such nylon threads that do not break easily, which pose a serious threat to human life. Police teams are visiting such shops in civil dress and strict action would be taken against those found selling Chinese kite string. Along with this, awareness campaigns are also being conducted," the officer said. He further appealed to the public to use mufflers or scarves to protect against the cold and safeguard the sensitive neck area. Additionally, the Indore police have announced rewards for information on Chinese kite string sales, and informers will be honoured with cash payments. Continuous public announcements are also being made to prevent the use of Chinese kite string, he added. (ANI) Important meetings are being held between industrialists, startups, and government departments under the 'Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference - Saurashtra-Kutch' organised in Rajkot. Through Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) meetings at the VGRC in Rajkot, new momentum will be provided to the industrial development of Saurashtra-Kutch. Positive momentum is evident in the industrial sector at the Vibrant Conference in Rajkot. Local industrialists are showing strong interest in new projects. The B2B and B2G sessions are likely to lead to large-scale MoUs across sectors, creating new employment opportunities in Rajkot, Kutch, and nearby regions. Industrialists, startups, and others are directly interacting with senior officials from various government departments. At the Vibrant Conference in Rajkot, stalls and help desks have been set up at Dome-1 of the exhibition section to enable industrialists, startups, and others to interact directly with various government departments. A large turnout of industrialists and startups was observed at the B2B and B2G meetings to learn about the best investment opportunities. Through these meetings, entrepreneurs directly convey their issues and new proposals to the government. Additionally, arrangements have been made in B2B meetings for industrialists to directly finalise business deals with other industrialists. The Vibrant Regional Conference is proving to be an important platform for entrepreneurs to advance through collaboration. In Business-to-Government meetings, departments such as GIDC, Health, Tourism, GIFT City, MSME and Startup Promotion, Agriculture, and others are providing direct guidance to entrepreneurs. The Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference is proving effective in providing a global platform for small and medium-sized industries in Saurashtra-Kutch. Notably, more than 1,800 B2B and B2G meetings have been organised during this Vibrant Regional Conference. (ANI) The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) National Spokesperson, Vinod Bansal, on Monday slammed veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar following his controversial remarks regarding stopping Operation Sindoor. Speaking with ANI, Bansal said that Aiyar's comments expose Congress's "anti-Hindu, Pak-sympathiser" stance, asserting that Congress has completely alienated itself from the cultural and religious sentiments of the majority, stating, "Congress has nothing to do with Hindutva." He argued that this ideological disconnect is the primary reason for the party's string of electoral defeats. "Congress' anti-Hindu and Pak-sympathiser side is evident to all. He is the same leader who abuses India when he visits Pakistan. He is the same leader who also says that Operation Sindoor should be stopped...This is the reason Congress stands defeated today. Congress has nothing to do with Hindutva...," said Bansal. This comes after a video surfaced of senior Congress leader and former minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, in which he advised the current BJP government to hold talks with Pakistan to end tensions after Operation Sindoor, India's strategic military response launched in May 2025 following a major terror attack in Pahalgam. Aiyar advocated for an "uninterrupted and uninterruptible" dialogue with Islamabad, cautioning that a hardline stance against a nuclear-armed neighbour could lead to a "madman" triggering a catastrophe. Operation Sindoor was initiated on May 7, 2025, as a tri-services action targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK after 26 people were killed in Pahalgam. While the government maintains that the operation is "still ongoing." Aiyar's plea to terminate it has provided fresh ammunition to the BJP and its ideological affiliates. The BJP has echoed Bansal's sentiments, with spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla mockingly referring to the Congress as the "Islamabad National Congress." Bansal reminded Aiyar's past visits to Pakistan, alleging that the leader has a history of "abusing India" on foreign soil while seeking cooperation from a nation that continues to sponsor terror. Notably, this is not the first time that Aiyar's controversial statements have landed him in trouble. Mani Shankar Aiyar's previous statements have also sparked controversy. On August 28, 2025, he criticised India's approach to Pakistan, saying "no one listens" despite efforts to expose Pakistan over Pahalgam attack. "We are the only ones who keep saying with folded hands, 'Alas, alas, Pakistan is responsible,' but no one is willing to accept it." On March 5, 2025, Aiyar questioned Rajiv Gandhi's education, saying he "failed twice" yet became PM. "It's surprising how a person with such a weak education record became Prime Minister" adding, "When Rajiv became Prime Minister, I thought he was an airline pilot. He had failed twice--how could such a person become Prime Minister?" On January 1, 2025, he suggested India host Sheikh Hasina "for life" after her refuge. "Sheikh Hasina has done a lot of good for us. We will never disagree with that. I am glad she has been given refuge. I feel that as long as Hasina wants, we should be her hosts, even if it is for a lifetime." (ANI) Congress on Monday distanced itself from the ruling Left Democratic Alliance (LDF) protest against the Centre, labelling it as a "fake agitation" to "tease" the people of Kerala. Kerala assembly Leader of Opposition VD Satheeshan alleged the "nexus" between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), while questioning the timing of the protest. Speaking with ANI, VD Satheeshan said, "This is a fake agitation because there is an unholy nexus between CPM in Kerala and Sangh Parivar in Delhi. Now, before the election, this agitation before elections is just to tease people." Additionally, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal questioned the seriousness of the agitation at the "fag end" of their term. "I could've appreciated that if they had done this type of agitation continuously in the last ten years. If they were sincere in fighting against the central government, there were several avenues. They didn't use that at all. Now at the fag end of their governance, what's the point of it?" KC Venugopal said. The ruling Left Democratic Alliance (LDF), under the leadership of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, held a protest against the central government on Monday, alleging "discrimination" by withholding the necessary funds of the state. Speaking with ANI, Kerala Excise Minister MB Rajesh alleged that the BJP-led central government has "reduced grants" and "delayed payments" on several central schemes. He was also accused of not extending support during the Wayanad landslides. "This is against discrimination by the Modi-led govt against Kerala. They have reduced grants to Kerala and delayed payments on several central schemes and also cut short the state's borrowing limits," he said. "When calamity happened, Centre did not allow us to take foreign aid and contributions...Centre did not support us in the recent Wayanad landslides, Kerala govt rebuilt Wayanad mainly through contributions by people in CM relief fund," he added. Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Binoy Viswam accused the BJP government of "treating Kerala as a stranger" by not providing the state "its due share" of the national wealth. "The Union government believes that Kerala is not a part of India. We want to say categorically that we are a part of India. We have a right to get our due share of the national wealth. It is the right of all states. India is a federal republic of which Kerala is an inseparable part...We believe we are Indians, but they treat us as strangers because they don't know the meaning of India. India is a great idea, where people, irrespective of their state, economic status, are Indians- Let the Modi govt know this," Binoy Viswam said. The protest comes as the state prepares for its Legislative Assembly elections, expected to be held in April 2026 to elect 140 members of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday paid tributes to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his birth anniversary and highlighted that his government declared the year 2026 dedicated to farmers' welfare in the state. Speaking to reporters, CM Yadav said, "Today is Swami Vivekananda Jayanti, and I extend my greetings to the people of the state and the entire country on this occasion. The Prime Minister has mentioned four categories: farmers, youth, women, and the poor, and our government has decided to dedicate and observe each year to them. Our last year was dedicated to employment and industries, and before that year 2024 was dedicated to women. Now, this year 2026 has been dedicated to farmers' welfare." To bring betterment in the agriculture sector and in the lives of farmers, 16 different government departments, which include horticulture, animal husbandry, agriculture, MSME heavy industry, other agriculture-based industries etc will work for the farmers' welfare, the CM said. "In coordination with different departments, yesterday we announced this year dedicated to farmers' welfare. I am satisfied that by the end of this year, we will work on various aspects of farmer welfare," he added. Earlier on Sunday, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav formally launched Farmer Welfare Year 2026 in Bhopal. He announced that 2026 would be observed as 'Krishak Kalyan Varsh', during which special emphasis would be laid on farmers' interests. For the effective implementation of Farmer Welfare Year, 16 departments of the state government will work in close coordination to strengthen all dimensions of agriculture, including production, cost, marketing, income, and overall welfare. CM Yadav highlighted that the state's agricultural growth rate reached 16 percent, reflecting the inherent potential of the sector and the success of policy initiatives. He clarified that the government's objective was not limited to increasing production alone, but also to enhancing farmers' income and reducing agricultural input costs through practical and effective measures. He added that developmental and welfare-oriented programmes would continue throughout the year. The government remains committed to ensuring farmer prosperity, sustainable agriculture and renewed strength for the rural economy. (ANI) BJP MLA Bhavana Bohra on Monday criticised Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks regarding 'stopping Operation Sindoor', implying he's aligned with a particular family and party that's soft on Pakistan -- Congress. Speaking with ANI, Bohra contrasted this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stance, saying it's time for a strong response. "Everyone is well aware of which family he has been close to and which party he belongs to. When there was a Congress government at the Centre, at that time, when Pakistan attacked India, they kept saying that a peace agreement was being made. Now it's the era of Modi ji, and now it's not just about talks but the time to respond in a befitting way," Bohra said. This comes after a video surfaced of senior Congress leader and former minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, in which he advised the current BJP government to hold talks with Pakistan to end tensions after Operation Sindoor, India's strategic military response launched in May 2025 following a major terror attack in Pahalgam. Aiyar advocated for an "uninterrupted and uninterruptible" dialogue with Islamabad, cautioning that a hardline stance against a nuclear-armed neighbour could lead to a "madman" triggering a catastrophe. Operation Sindoor was initiated on May 7, 2025, as a tri-services action targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK after 26 people were killed in Pahalgam. While the government maintains that the operation is "still ongoing." Aiyar's plea to terminate it has provided fresh ammunition to the BJP and its ideological affiliates. The BJP has echoed Bansal's sentiments, with its spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawalla, mockingly referring to the Congress as the "Islamabad National Congress." Notably, this is not the first time that Aiyar's controversial statements have landed him in trouble. Mani Shankar Aiyar's previous statements have also sparked controversy. On August 28, 2025, he criticised India's approach to Pakistan, saying "no one listens" despite efforts to expose Pakistan over Pahalgam attack. "We are the only ones who keep saying with folded hands, 'Alas, alas, Pakistan is responsible,' but no one is willing to accept it." On March 5, 2025, Aiyar questioned Rajiv Gandhi's education, saying he "failed twice" yet became PM. "It's surprising how a person with such a weak education record became Prime Minister" adding, "When Rajiv became Prime Minister, I thought he was an airline pilot. He had failed twice--how could such a person become Prime Minister?" On January 1, 2025, he suggested India host Sheikh Hasina "for life" after her refuge. "Sheikh Hasina has done a lot of good for us. We will never disagree with that. I am glad she has been given refuge. I feel that as long as Hasina wants, we should be her hosts, even if it is for a lifetime." (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav strongly objected to Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's 'stop Operation Sindoor' remark, calling his statement "unfortunate", demanding his apology. Speaking to reporters, CM Yadav said, "This is the character of Congress. Why should there be repeated pro-Pakistan sentiments? The Prime Minister and BJP's stance is clear: We have avenged our citizens through Operation Sindoor against those who harbour ill intentions toward our country... In such a situation, this kind of statement is unfortunate; Mani Shankar Aiyar should apologise." This comes after a video surfaced of senior Congress leader and former minister Mani Shankar Aiyar, in which he advised the current BJP government to hold talks with Pakistan to end tensions after Operation Sindoor, India's strategic military response launched in May 2025 following a major terror attack in Pahalgam. Aiyar advocated for an "uninterrupted and uninterruptible" dialogue with Islamabad, cautioning that a hardline stance against a nuclear-armed neighbour could lead to a "madman" triggering a catastrophe. Operation Sindoor was initiated on May 7, 2025, as a tri-services action targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK after 26 people were killed in Pahalgam. While the government maintains that the operation is "still ongoing." BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala shared the clip on the X handle and alleged that the Congress party always gives "Pakistan a clean chit" and "advocates no action on Pakistan for terror". https://x.com/Shehzad_Ind/status/2010176070776172731 Additionally, BJP leaders also strongly objected to Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's remark describing "Hindutva as Hinduism in paranoia." They accused Aiyar as a "British agent" with a "colonial mindset," with the whole Congress party itself having a "Hindu virodhi" (anti-Hindu) mindset. "Mani Shankar Aiyar is a British agent. He has a colonial mindset. Hindutva is inclusive. Hinduism is a way of life, not a religion. I advise him to read what Swami Vivekananda and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat have said about Hinduism and Hindutva. The people from Congress do have a colonial mindset," BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy told ANI. Earlier, while addressing 'The Debate 2026', hosted by the Calcutta Debating Society, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had called "Hindutva being Hinduism in paranoia." "Hindutva is Hinduism in paranoia. It asks 80% Hindus to quiver in front of 14% Muslims. Hindutva is a BJP leader slapping a blind, hungry tribal girl because she attends a Christmas lunch in a Church. Hindutva raids shopping malls to tear down Christmas decorations," Aiyar said. While talking about the ideology of Savarkar, he added, "Savarkar described Buddhism as an existential threat to all Hindus. He described it as the ultimate negation of Hindutva, bearing the opiate of universalism and nonviolence. He said it was disastrous to national virility and even the existence of the Hindu race." (ANI) Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Monday said that Saurashtra's economy is poised for transformational growth, with its GDP projected to rise 11-12 times to nearly USD 600 billion by 2047, as Gujarat continues to play a pivotal role in achieving the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat'. Addressing the 'Saurashtra Economic Region (SaER) - Economic Master Plan' seminar in Rajkot, organised under the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, Goyal credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership for decentralising development through region-specific planning. He said taking Vibrant Gujarat conferences from the state level to regional platforms would give local industries global exposure and accelerate grassroots economic growth. Highlighting the 30-year Economic Master Plan for Saurashtra, the Union Minister emphasised the importance of cluster-based development. He said focused sectoral growth has been planned, including engineering and medical device parks in Rajkot and petrochemical hubs in Jamnagar. Goyal expressed confidence that India will soon emerge as the world's third-largest economy, with Gujarat and Saurashtra acting as major growth engines. Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce, Ajay Bhadoo, called upon entrepreneurs in the region to move up the value chain and evolve from being mere suppliers to becoming system and solution providers. He underlined the need to integrate Rajkot's engineering, Morbi's ceramic, and Jamnagar's energy clusters with global value chains, adding that the Centre is committed to developing plug-and-play industrial clusters for sectors such as green hydrogen, defence, aerospace, and precision manufacturing. During the seminar, Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (z-GRIT) CEO S. Aparna presented the framework of the SaER master plan, while Ports and Transport Department Secretary Rajendra Kumar outlined investment opportunities in ports and logistics across the Saurashtra-Kutch region. Rajkot Chamber of Commerce President V. P. Vaishnav urged investors to partner in developing Saurashtra into a global industrial hub. Experts from India and abroad participated in technical sessions focusing on defence, aerospace, exports, and logistics. Industry leaders, including Vikram Goyal of Mahindra Lifespaces, Yusuf Tambawala of JAFZA, and Mohammad Athar of PwC India, shared insights on global best practices and export potential. The concluding session highlighted emerging opportunities in defence, aerospace, engineering, and ceramics, supported by robust logistics infrastructure. The programme was formally inaugurated with a welcome address by Secretary (Planning), General Administration Department, Adra Agrawal. Several prominent industrialists and investors, including Jyoti CNC's Parakramsinh Jadeja, attended the event. (ANI) At the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, a special session was held to discuss a robust roadmap for taking Indian products to the international market. On this occasion, the main speaker, Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, stated that the Government of India is adopting a highly reform-oriented approach in the export sector and is committed to simplifying procedures for exporters and expanding the global reach of Indian products. He added that conferences like Vibrant Gujarat play a foundational role in helping local industries understand and adopt global standards. In the seminar, FIEO Additional Director General Shri Suvidh Shah provided detailed guidance on the topic "How to Start Exporting" and noted that, following the country's liberalisation policy, India's economy has strengthened. Further, Suvidh Shah urged participants to make the most of digital platforms, including websites, LinkedIn, and social media, to reach foreign customers and to participate in Buyer-Seller Meets organised by FIEO. He also added that survival in global competition is possible only through thorough market research, quality control, and strong customer relationships. At the end of the seminar, information about various government incentive schemes was also provided. Through this conference, many new entrepreneurs from Gujarat gained the confidence and technical knowledge needed to venture into the export sector. (ANI) DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai on Monday questioned the CBI's decision to summon TVK Chief and actor Vijay to Delhi for questioning in the Karur stampede case. Speaking with ANI, he argued that since the incident occurred in Karur and the FIR was registered there, it's against criminal jurisprudence to summon people to Delhi. He pointed out that there are CBI offices in Chennai, so it's unclear why Vijay was summoned to Delhi, raising concerns over the "federal" structure of criminal investigation, suggesting that the CBI should investigate locally rather than summoning individuals to the capital. " The incident happened in Karur. The FIR was registered in Karur. So why people should be summoned to Delhi. This is against criminal jurisprudence. When there are CBI offices in Chennai, then why should someone be summoned to Delhi? Why can't they come here and investigate. This is a question of federalism....," said Annadurai. The CBI's move has sparked political debate, with some alleging it politically motivated ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Referring to the large number of medical workers who were engaged in the post-mortem and report work after the stampede, the DMK leader asked whether "all those doctors will be summoned to Delhi too" and called it a "waste of time." On asked whether actor-turned-politician Vijay is being targeted in the event, Annadurai said that the better question is "whether or not a fair procedure is being followed." Further launching an attack at the BJP, Annadurai amplified Chief Minister MK Stalin's remarks that "the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax department and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) are being weaponised by the BJP to target political opponents." Earlier today, the CBI began a detailed line of questioning of actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay as part of its probe into the Karur stampede case, focusing on alleged delays, crowd management lapses, and organisational responsibilities related to the event. Vijay appeared before the CBI in Delhi and was questioned for around 7 hours. He has been asked to appear again at a later date for further questioning. The CBI took over the investigation from the Tamil Nadu Police in October last year following a Supreme Court order. Since then, the agency has been examining the circumstances surrounding the stampede at a political event in Karur. One of the key issues under scrutiny was the alleged seven-hour delay at the venue. Investigators are probing the discrepancy between the programme's scheduled start time and Vijay's actual arrival, and whether the delay contributed to the crowd swelling and loss of control. The agency also questioned whether party workers on the ground coordinated adequately with the local police and district administration, as the crowd reportedly grew from an estimated 10,000 people to around 30,000. Delays in Vijay's movement and his party workers' movement are being examined to assess their impact on crowd dynamics. (ANI) Jessie Buckley hailed Julia Roberts a "hero" as she beat her to the Golden Globe Award for Best Female Actor - Drama on Sunday (11.01.26). Jessie Buckley with her Golden Globe award The 36-year-old actress' performance in Hamnet saw her take the prize ahead of the Hollywood legend, who was shortlisted for After the Hunt, and she paid a heartfelt tribute to all her fellow nominees, including Jennifer Lawrence (Die, My Love), Renate Reinsve (Sentimental Value), Tessa Thompson (Hedda), and Eva Victor (Sorry, Baby). Speaking on stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, Jessie said: "Oh my God, the incredible women I am honoured to stand beside in this category. "Julia Roberts, you are a hero to us all, thank you. Jennifer, Renata, Eva, Tessa, I'd watch you any time, anywhere, you blow my mind. "My husband - he's really been enjoying the free canapes and cocktails, so thank you for having us along. "This is a real, real honour, I love what I do and I love being part of this industry." As she thanked the cast and crew of Hamnet, Jessie humorously paid particular tribute to a grip, who had happily made soup for everyone on set. She said: "This is not a normal feeling or situation to be in but thank you Golden Globes, thank you Focus and everybody who supported this film. . "It was such an extraordinary set to be a part of because we were telling the story of the most famous Brit who ever lived. And we had a Chinese directorlots of Irish, and mostly Polish crew, besides our British family. "I'd really like to thank our grip, Tomak, because during shooting he started to disappear a little bit and I found him one day at the back of his truck and he was chopping up potatoes, onions and meat and he was making - he'd brought a giant cast iron pot over from Poland - he was making soup, and the soup started turning up on set. "It was delicious, so thanks Tomak for bringing your pot to set." Meanwhile, Wagner Moura became the first male actor from Brazil to win a Golden Globe, securing the Best Male Actor - Drama prize for The Secret Agent. He paid tribute to "genius" director Kleber Mendonca Filhos and described The Secret Agent - which had won the Best Non-English Language Film award earlier int he evening - as a film about memory, or the lack of memory, and generational trauma. He added: I think that if trauma can be passed along generations, values can too. So this goes to the ones who are sticking with their values in difficult moments. Wagner beat off competition from Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams), Oscar Isaac (Frankenstein), Dwayne Johnson (The Smashing Machine), Michael B Jordan (Sinners) and Jeremy Allen White (Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere) to take the prize. The Observer Research Foundation (ORF), in collaboration with Nalanda University, is hosting the eighth edition of the India Think Tank Forum (ITTF) at Nalanda University, Bihar. The Forum, where experts are discussing shifting global dynamics and India's response to them is being held on January 12 and 13. The India Think Tank Forum is ORF's flagship annual initiative, conceived as a pan-India platform to bring together the country's diverse and rapidly expanding think-tank community. Conceived as an "intellectual gym", the India Think Tank Forum provides a space to reflect, challenge assumptions, and sharpen perspectives, a release said. The 2026 edition is centred on the theme "India in a Changing World: Building Inner Resilience". Hosted at Nalanda--one of the world's earliest centres of learning--this edition underscores the Forum's commitment to regional diversity and intellectual decentralisation, reinforcing the idea that India's policy conversations must emerge from across the country. ITTF serves as a convening point for cross-sectoral collaboration, critical dialogue, and knowledge exchange among policy researchers, academics, and institutional leaders from across the country, the release said. With each edition, ORF seeks to purposefully expand this network--bringing new institutions into conversation to build a more connected, regionally representative, and purpose-driven ecosystem of ideas, it said. The 2026 edition is bringing together leading think tanks, researchers, and policy institutions to collectively examine shifting global dynamics and India's responses to them. The focus is on moving beyond commentary towards clarity--bridging reflection and action, and strengthening the link between ideas, institutions, and influence. Through a series of sessions on geopolitics, the economy, sustainability, technology, and social transformation, the Forum aims to assess whether India's current policy frameworks and think-tank ecosystem are equipped for the complexity of the decade ahead. The Forum also aims to encourage cross-pollination of ideas to strengthen analytical independence and intellectual rigour and examine how India's domestic preparedness--economic, institutional, and societal--intersects with an evolving global landscape. It seeks to build a collaborative roadmap for think tanks as enablers of strategic foresight and policy innovation. The Forum is featuring over 80 participants from 75 think tanks across India, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the country's policy research ecosystem. Distinguished speakers and participants include Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation; Sachin Chaturvedi, Vice Chancellor, Nalanda University; Harsh V. Pant, Vice President, ORF; Pradeep Chauhan, Director General, National Maritime Foundation; T.P. Sreenivasan, Director General, Kerala International Centre; Laveesh Bhandari, President and Senior Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress. The participants also include D Dhanuraj, Founder-Chairman, Centre for Public Policy Research; RPS Bhadauria, Additional Director General, Centre for Land Warfare Studies; Raul V Rodriguez, Vice President, Woxsen University; Priyanka Bhide, Co-founder, Kubernien Initiative; Biren Nanda, Senior Fellow, Delhi Policy Group; Ruhee Neog, Security and Foreign Policy Analyst, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies and Guru Prakash Paswan, Visiting Fellow, India Foundation. All sessions of the India Think Tank Forum are being released on the ORF YouTube channel, with key insights and discussion highlights shared on ORF's official X handle (@orfonline). (ANI) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Lohri and Makar Sankranti. According to an official release, the Chief Minister stated that the festival of Lohri, celebrated to mark the arrival of the spring season and the joy of a new harvest, is a symbol of our faith in nature. He expressed his hope that the sacred fire of Lohri would remove negativity from the lives of the people and spread the light of health and prosperity. The Chief Minister further added that Makar Sankranti, celebrated on the occasion of Lord Surya (the Sun God) entering the northern hemisphere (Uttarayan), infuses positive energy into our lives. This festival is a symbol of our country's rich heritage and cultural unity. On this occasion, Sharma called upon the people of the state to resolve to be industrious with a positive mindset and to help those in need, so that the country and the state can reach new heights of progress, the release noted. Earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu extended her warm greetings to citizens in India and abroad on Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu, which will be celebrated on January 13 and 14. In a message, the President said, "On the auspicious occasion of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Magh Bihu festivals, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians residing within India and abroad." These festivals are a symbol of our rich agricultural traditions and national unity. They are a reflection of our vibrant and diverse cultural heritage. These festivals are an occasion to salute the hard work of our farmers who work tirelessly to feed the nation. Through these festivals celebrated across the country, we express our gratitude towards Mother Nature. (ANI) Olympic Wrestler Sushil Kumar has moved an application for regular bail in the wrestler Sagar Dhankar murder case. He has moved the application in view of the changed circumstances. It is stated that all material Prosecution witnesses have been examined by the Rohini court. It is submitted that the circumstances have materially changed, as all the material public witnesses have been examined, and there remains no possibility of the accused influencing or tampering with the prosecution evidence. Sushil Kumar is an accused in the case registered at the Model Town police station in 2021. He was granted regular bail by the Delhi High Court in March 2025. However, the bail was cancelled by the Supreme Court on August 13, 2025, on the grounds that the material witnesses had not yet been examined. The bail application is likely to be heard tomorrow by the Rohini court. A bail application has been filed through advocate R S Malik. The Supreme Court had granted liberty to Sushil Kumar to file a fresh bail application before the concerned court, in case of a change in circumstances or as and when fresh grounds arise. It is submitted that on the basis on which the regular bail was cancelled by the Apex Court no longer survives, inasmuch as all the material public witnesses have since been examined. It is also mentioned that there are 222 prosecution witnesses, out of which 42 material public witnesses, including the injured, have already been examined. This case is at the stage of recording of Prosecution evidence. It is stated that no useful purpose would be served by keeping Sushil Kumar in judicial custody, that too in the company of hardened criminals, and the continued incarceration is further injurious to his health. Sushil Kumar was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2005, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in2009, and the Padma Shri in 2011. It is alleged that in the intervening night of May 4th and 5th, 2021, at about 11:30 pm, Jai Bhagwan alias Sonu, Sagar Dhankar, Ravinder alias Binda, Bhagat alias Bhagtu, and Amit Kumar alias Khagad were allegedly abducted from Shalimar Bagh and Model Town and taken to the parking area of Chhatrasal Stadium, Delhi, where the accused, along with his associates, allegedly assaulted those persons. As a result of the said alleged assault, Sagar Dhankar succumbed to his injuries on the same day, during medical treatment. (ANI) The Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha, chaired a review meeting on Monday to assess the progress of the New Integrated Terminal Building (T2 Phase II) at Chennai International Airport. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Secretary stressed that projects of national importance must be completed without delays and directed the Airports Authority of India (AAI), L&T, and the Project Management Consultant (PMC) to immediately convene and resolve pending issues to ensure the T2 expansion project is completed on priority. The expansion of the T2 phase II terminal building in Chennai International Airport, covering an area of 86,135 sq m, is being developed to enhance passenger handling capacity to 35 Million Passengers Per Annum and improve the overall travel experience of passengers, focusing on smoother movement, better accessibility, and meeting the growing air traffic demand in the region. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) also posted on X and said that during the review, Secretary Sinha instructed to complete the National Important Project within the timelines. "Ministry of Civil Aviation Secretary Shri Samir Kumar Sinha chaired a review meeting on the progress of New Integrated Terminal Building T2 Phase II at Chennai International Airport. The Phase II expansion, covering an area of 86,135 sq.m, is being developed to enhance passenger handling capacity to 35 Million Passengers Per Annum and improve the overall travel experience of passengers, focusing on smoother movement, better accessibility, and meeting the growing air traffic demand in the region," it said. "During the review, it was clearly instructed to complete the National important Project without slipping the timelines and also instructed that AAI, L&T and PMC should sit together and resolve issues immediately to complete the T2 Expansion Project on priority," the MoCA posted on X. (ANI) At the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Exhibition, the "Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet" in Hall No. 1 has become the centre of attraction. About 53 international buyers from 23 countries have arrived here to purchase goods from various manufacturers in India. To sell their products, more than 1,800 manufacturers from across the state have participated. According to Suvidh Shah, Additional Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), this Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet has provided a major platform for local manufacturers to directly sell their products abroad. As a result, they are expected to gain significant economic benefits, an official release stated. This meet has been organised by the Government of Gujarat's iNDEXTb, Industries Commissioner, MSME, Rising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP), Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), Chemical and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (CAPEXIL), and Gujarat Jewellery Promotion and Export Promotion Council (GJPEPC). The meet focuses on sectors such as handloom, handicraft, textile, agri-food, tiles and ceramics, engineering, auto, and gems and jewellery. A total of 53 international buyers from 23 countries including the USA, Canada, Europe, Russia, Gulf countries, Australia, Africa, and Central Asian countries, along with 22 domestic buyers, have participated. More than 1,800 sellers from across the state have shown enthusiasm to sell their products. More than 2,200 meetings have been held between buyers and sellers, and over 1,000 MoUs have been signed in two days. Along with this, professional export demand worth approximately Rs. 500 crore has been generated, the release said. Earlier, on the second day of this conference, along with B2B and B2G sessions on various subjects, seminars were organised on the theme "Igniting the Future: Gujarat Mining Revolution", in which a seminar on the topic of the Mining Revolution in Gujarat was held by the State's Geology and Mining Department with industrial entrepreneurs. Accroding to the releae, on this occasion, an MoU worth Rs. 100 crore was signed by L&S Company of Kalyanpur taluka in Devbhumi Dwarka district, through which employment opportunities will be created for around 100 people. An MoU worth Rs. 60 crore has been signed by Virendrasinh Savariya of Talaja in Bhavnagar district, through which employment opportunities will be created for around 75 people. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday felicitated Mahila Mangal Dals and Yuva Mangal Dals for their commendable work in various fields on the occasion of National Youth Day at Parade Ground, Dehradun. The first, second and third prize winners were awarded cash prizes of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively. According to a release, among the Mahila Mangal Dals, Dhapla (Nainital) secured first place, Sema (Chamoli) second, and Banali (Tehri Garhwal) third. In the Yuva Mangal Dal category, Mokh Malla (Chamoli) won first place, Sunarpur Raikwal (Nainital) second, and Chaudhiray (Champawat) third. Winners of the speech competition and NSS award-winning youths were also honoured. On this occasion, the NSS presented a cheque of Rs 2,24,320 to the Chief Minister for the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Paying homage to Swami Vivekananda, the Chief Minister said that he was a visionary sage who rekindled the spirit of cultural nationalism in a nation bound by the chains of subjugation. His historic address in Chicago not only introduced the West to India's spiritual strength but also conveyed to the world that the welfare of humanity lies in the knowledge, wisdom and values of Sanatan culture. He had unwavering faith in the power of youth and regarded them as the strongest medium for national resurgence. The Chief Minister said that no nation can develop economically, socially, politically or culturally unless its youth are organised, self-reliant and inspired by the spirit of nationalism. Youth power is the nation's greatest asset, capable of realising the dream of a strong, prosperous and self-reliant India through hard work, talent and determination. With proper direction and guidance, this energy can help the country emerge not only as an economic powerhouse but also re-establish itself as a global leader. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously working towards realising the resolve of building a developed and self-reliant India. Through initiatives such as Startup India, Skill India, Digital India, Make in India, Fit India and the New Education Policy, youths are being provided opportunities in line with their abilities and potential. The state government is also fully committed to empowering youth. Efforts are being made to promote startup culture through the new startup policy. Schemes such as the Chief Minister Self-Employment Scheme, Chief Minister Youth Incentive Scheme, Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme and Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana are providing training, technical support and financial assistance to young people. As per the release, the Chief Minister noted that the employment landscape is changing rapidly. Due to technological innovation and global changes, new opportunities are emerging while old ones are disappearing, making it essential to prepare youth for the future. He said that Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has always been a land of Sanatan culture, consciousness, philosophy and spirituality. Swami Vivekananda attained knowledge through penance in various parts of Uttarakhand. The government has decided to identify all such places and develop a Swami Vivekananda Corridor in the state. Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Rekha Arya said that Swami Vivekananda was a multifaceted personality who established the supremacy of Sanatan values and Indian culture across the world. His teachings and spirit of nationalism will continue to inspire generations. She added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the state is working in every sector to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047. (ANI) The Indore District court has taken suo moto cognisance of the growing menace of Chinese 'manjha' ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival after throat slit incidents reported in the district. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Advocate Akash Sharma stated, "The Court took suo motu cognisance of the issue of Chinese 'manjha' and appointed an amicus curiae. Following this, we filed an application in court, as the Makar Sankranti festival is approaching, during which kite flying takes place and Chinese 'manjha' is widely used, leading to numerous accidents...." Advocate Akash Sharma further stated that the court ordered the Indore Commissioner of Police and the Collector to oversee the sale, purchase, manufacture, and storage of Chinese kite string and to conduct awareness campaigns. "In its decision on that application, the court ordered the Indore Commissioner of Police and the Collector to monitor the sale, purchase, manufacture, and storage of Chinese kite string. Directions were also given to conduct awareness campaigns in social and print media... And if necessary, to register criminal cases too, wherever necessary..." he said. Advocate Sharma also recalled an incident that occurred on January 7 with a colleague, Advocate Kavita, where she was riding her two-wheeler with her daughter when the incident happened. She sustained significant injuries to her neck. She was taken to the hospital on time by people nearby. Otherwise, the consequences could have been much worse, he said. Meanwhile, the throat slit incidents were reported on Sunday from different parts of the city, prompting the police administration to go on alert mode ahead of the Makar Sankranti festival. Additionally, the Indore police have announced rewards for information on Chinese kite string sales, and informers will be honoured with cash payments. Continuous public announcements are also being made to prevent the use of Chinese kite string, he added. Recently, a 45-year-old man died after a kite string slit his throat while he was riding his bike in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. According to the SHO of Tilak Nagar Police Station, Manish Lodha, the deceased has been identified as Raghuveer Dhakar, and the incident occurred between Khajrana Chowk and Bengali Chowk. "We received information that a bike rider has died after his throat was slit by a kite string. We immediately came to the hospital upon receiving this information. The name given is Raghuveer Dhakar, who is 45 years old... The incident is reported to have occurred between Khajrana Chowk and Bengali Chowk..." Lodha said. (ANI) Amid the political heat around the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde dismissed claims of opposition that the existence of the 'Marathi manush' is under threat in Mumbai. Targeting emotional campaign rhetoric by rival parties on Monday, Shinde asserted that Marathi pride has never been endangered and expressed confidence that the Mahayuti alliance will come to power in the civic body, calling it "a saffron line drawn on a black stone." "Some people made emotional speeches in this election that this is the last election for saving the existence of 'Marathi manush'. I want to tell everyone that Marathi people's existence was never in threat and will never be in threat in Mumbai. Mahayuti will come to power in BMC and this is a saffron line drawn on a black stone," he said. Shinde recalled how Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned from an official foreign visit midway when India faced the horrific Phalgam terror attack; however, he claimed that the Thackerays did not return from London. "Hindus were killed in Pahalgam. PM Modi left his official foreign visit midway and returned. But they (Thackerays) could not leave London and come back. I have so many things to say. He (Devendra Fadanvis) also has many things to say, but let it be..." he stated. "You make below the belt comments on u,s but I want to ask that when you broke the corporation of your brother, how much money did you give them when you broke his party. When we left the party, we left everything behind, including our Ministership. Show me any such example where someone left Ministership and left the party..." Shinde added. The Shiv Sena Chief took a jibe at the opposition over the remarks on development work in Mumbai contributing to the air pollution in the city and flagged the cost hike of the metro project by Rs 10,000 crores. "You (UBT) stalled the metro work that escalated the cost of the metro project by Rs 10,000 crores. Would we take that money back from your pocket? Now they are saying that due to developmental works in Mumbai, the air is being polluted, and people are getting coughs. We understand the reason behind your cough regarding Mumbai's development," Eknath Shinde stated. Meanwhile, the State Election Commission in Maharashtra has announced elections to 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16. (ANI) Amid the political heat ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday made strong remarks on Marathi identity, asserting that the leadership of the civic body would remain in Marathi hands. Countering Opposition claims over threats to the "Marathi manush," Fadnavis said it was not the Marathi community but certain political forces whose existence was at stake, underscoring that Maharashtra belongs to all Marathi people, not any single group. "It's not the Marathi manush whose existence is in danger. It's you whose existence is at stake. I want to say this again that you are not the whole Maharashtra. You are not the only Marathi here. I want to reiterate that only Marathi person will be at the helm of affairs in BMC. Only Marathi will lead," Fadnavis said. He then responded to criticism over the language policy row, saying that the decision to teach Hindi and English in schools was approved during Uddhav Thackeray's tenure and that the current government had only formed a committee to study its implementation. "There was a report in Uddhav Thackeray's tenure in which it was recommended that Hindi and English must be taught to students in schools. This report was submitted in September 2021 and approved by the then-cabinet of Uddhav Thackeray on 20th January 2022. This cabinet meeting's minutes were re-approved by him a week later. We just formed a committee to study the implementation of this cabinet decision of 2022, and they created a ruckus," Fadnavis said. Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the Maharashtra government, accusing it of ruining Mumbai over the past three years and undoing the work done by the undivided Shiv Sena over 25 years. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday made a strong pitch for Marathi unity, warning that the state's language, land and identity are under threat. Addressing party workers, Thackeray said people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar should not impose Hindi in Maharashtra, asserting that any such attempt would be resisted. He termed the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls as a "decisive" election for the Marathi community, urging voters to unite for Maharashtra and remain vigilant on polling day to prevent any malpractice. "People from UP and Bihar should understand that Hindi is not your language. I don't hate the language... But if you try to impose it, I'll kick you. They're coming from all sides to Maharashtra and snatching away your share... If land and language are gone, you will be finished. Today, this crisis has arrived at your doorstep," Raj Thackeray said. "This is the last election for the Marathi man... If you miss this opportunity today, you will be finished. Unite for Marathi and Maharashtra. Mumbai was obtained through the sacrifices of so many people... What will we tell them?... The BLA (Booth Level Agents) appointed at 6 AM should be ready on election day... Be alert, be vigilant, don't be careless... If anyone comes to vote again, throw them out," the MNS Chief added. The political exchange comes ahead of elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Polling will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16. (ANI) Ameet Satam, President of Bharatiya Janata Party's Mumbai Unit, on Monday launched a sharp attack on opposition leaders, including Uddhav and Raj Thackeray, alleging that they did nothing in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation in last 25 years. Speaking to the media, Satam said that the opposition parties have no vision document for Mumbai city. "What other work does Raj Thackeray have? Does he know anything else? In last 25 years, they did nothing in BMC. They have no vision document for Mumbai city. Such conduct is what Raj Thackeray has done in his political life," he said. Raj Thackeray on Sunday made a strong pitch for Marathi unity, warning that the state's language, land and identity are under threat. Addressing party workers, Thackeray said people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar should not impose Hindi in Maharashtra, asserting that any such attempt would be resisted. He termed the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls as a "decisive" election for the Marathi community, urging voters to unite for Maharashtra and remain vigilant on polling day to prevent any malpractice. "People from UP and Bihar should understand that Hindi is not your language. I don't hate the language... But if you try to impose it, I'll kick you. They're coming from all sides to Maharashtra and snatching away your share... If land and language are gone, you will be finished. Today, this crisis has arrived at your doorstep," Raj Thackeray said. "This is the last election for the Marathi man... If you miss this opportunity today, you will be finished. Unite for Marathi and Maharashtra. Mumbai was obtained through the sacrifices of so many people... What will we tell them?... The BLA (Booth Level Agents) appointed at 6 AM should be ready on election day... Be alert, be vigilant, don't be careless... If anyone comes to vote again, throw them out," the MNS Chief added. Meanwhile, the BMC will go to the polls on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16. There are a total of 227 wards with 114 seats reserved for women, including women belonging to the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and the Backwards Class of Citizens. The election will also cover 20 other municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). A total of 1,03,44,315 citizens are eligible to vote in the BMC polls. Out of these, 55,16,707 are male, 48,26,509 are female voters, and the number of Other voters stands at 1,099. (ANI) Timothee Chalamet picked up his first Golden Globe Award on Sunday (11.01.26). Timothee Chalamet at the Golden Globe Awards The four-time nominee was triumphant in the Best MAle Actor in a Musical or Comedy category thanks to his work on Marty Supreme and he was delighted to beat Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), George Clooney, (Jay Kelly), Ethan Hawke, (Blue Moon), Lee Byung-hun (No Other Choice) and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia) in the "stacked" category. He said: This category is stacked. I look up to all of you." Timothee thanked the cast, his parents and partner Kylie Jenner, as well as writer-director Josh Safdie, who he expressed his gratitude "for this role". He added: "Thank you for believing in me, thank you for this portrait, for your mind, for your worldview." The 30-year-old star then gave a shout-out to co-star Kevin O'Leary. He quipped: If you would have told me when I was 19 years old that Id be thanking Mr. Wonderful from Shark Tank all right, youre laughing, so I got away with that, thank you Kevin. I would have been stunned, but Im very grateful. Elsewhere, Rose Byrne admitted her win in the Best Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy category came as "such a shock". Despite her performance in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You being hotly tipped to take the prize ahead of Cynthia Erivo (Wicked: For Good), Kate Hudson (Song Sung Blue), Chase Infiniti (One Battle After Another), Amanda Seyfried (The Testament of Ann Lee) and Emma Stone (Bugonia),the Australian star was visibly stunned to be called to the podium. She said: Of course I didnt prepare anything. I didnt sing in this movie. Thank you so much. This is such a shock! Thanks so much to my parents for getting Paramount+ so they can watch in Sydney! Rose paid tribute to writer-director Mary Bronstein. She said: She wrote this unbelievable screenplay and she wanted me to do it, and I cant believe you wanted me to do it.We shot this movie in 25 days for like $8.50. This is a tiny film so this is a huge thing to be up here. The actress ended her speech with an explanation as to why her brother was her date for the night, rather than husband Bobby Cannavale. She said: "I want to thank my husband, Bobby Cannavale, who couldnt be here because we are getting a bearded dragon and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey." Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday hit out at the opposition, accusing it of spreading misinformation for political gains, and asserted that his government has delivered on its pre-election promises, including massive spending on infrastructure and welfare schemes. Siddaramaiah said that over Rs 1.12 lakh crore has been spent so far, dismissing claims of financial distress and reaffirming that the Congress government is on track to fulfil all its commitments within its term. "The opposition parties are lying for politics. They are spreading misinformation everywhere that there is no government funding for infrastructure works from guarantee schemes. If the government was bankrupt, Rs 906 crores would not have been spent in one constituency, Jewargi. More than Rs 1 lakh 12 thousand crore rupees have been spent. As per the pre-election promises, all the programs have been implemented in the first year of coming to power," CM Siddaramaiah said. The Karnataka CM emphasised that out of 592 promises made by the Congress party in the last election, 243 have been fulfilled, further assuring that the remaining promises will also be completed in the remaining period. "People should understand that it is living up to its promises. Our government has done as it said. In the last election, 592 promises were made by our party. 243 promises have been fulfilled. The remaining promises will be fulfilled in the remaining period. When our government was in power last time, we fulfilled 158 out of 165 promises. All the promises made in two and a half years, along with the guarantee schemes, have been fulfilled," he said. Further, Siddaramaiah launched a sharp attack on the BJP regarding the implementation of Article 371-J, which provides special provisions to the Hyderabad-Karnataka region, now called Kalyana-Karnataka and was inserted in the Constitution by the 98th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2012. In his speech, the Karnataka Chief Minister alleged that the then-BJP Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, had claimed Article 371-J could not be implemented. He asserted that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ultimately implemented the provision and credited Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with playing a pivotal role in bringing the legislation into force. The Chief Minister also highlighted the developmental impact of the legislation, noting that it led to the formation of the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board. He noted that Rs 13,000 crore has been allocated for the region's development over the last three years. "LK Advani, who was the BJP's Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, had said that 371 J could not be implemented. But it is former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who implemented it. This was possible due to the struggle of Mallikarjun Kharge and Dharm Singh. Due to this, the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board was formed. 13000 crores have been provided in three years, of which 3000 crores have been provided this year. BJP only makes false allegations. If 371J was implemented, it is because of Mallikarjun Kharge," said Siddaramiah. Echoing similar sentiments, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that the Congress party has implemented the guarantee schemes as promised before the elections. The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted that the state government has launched several programs dedicated to the development of Kalyana Karnataka. "Our party has implemented guarantee schemes as promised before the elections. Apart from that, it has brought many programs for the development of Kalyana Karnataka. Thus, our government is doing as it says. Today, a historic program is being held in Jevargi. We have done as we promised before the elections. You have elected the highest number of assembly members and Lok Sabha members in our Kalyana Karnataka. Thus, I bow to you for giving us great power in the state. Rs 1000 crores has been given to this one area alone. Recently, I have come to Kalyana Karnataka area 4-5 times. Work worth thousands of crores has been undertaken for the development of this area," said Shivakumar. (ANI) The family of Ariha Shah, an Indian girl who has been in German foster care for over three years, has renewed its appeal to the Indian and German governments to engage in a "dialogue to preserve the rights of young girl", saying that all allegations against her parents have been cleared by German authorities. Ariha Shah was put under the custody of German foster care in September 2021, when she was seven months old, after her grandmother accidentally hurt her. Since then, she has remained in foster care in Germany, Speaking to ANI in Ahmedabad on Sunday, Ariha's aunt Kinjal Shah said the child was taken into foster care in Germany nearly four-and-a-half years ago following a misunderstanding by German child services. "4.5 years ago, Ariha was taken into foster care in Germany because of a misunderstanding by the German child services, which led them to make certain allegations against her parents. However, their own court has now cleared the parents of all charges. Today, there are no charges against the parents. They can travel to India or any other country. Only our child remains held against her will," Kinjal Shah said. She further urged the authorities of both countries to engage directly on the matter. "We request that the Indian and German governments engage in a dialogue to preserve the rights of our young girl," she added. A member of the Save Ariha Team, Henil Visariya, said Ariha has been living with a German foster family despite German authorities having given a clean chit to her parents years ago. "4 years ago, due to some misunderstandings, German authorities took custody of Ariha Shah and alleged that her mother and father were not capable of taking care of the child. Later on, the German authorities, police, and court gave a clean chit to all the allegations against their parents," Visariya said. "But for the last four years, her custody has not been given to her parents. She is living in German foster care, where a German family is taking care of her," he further added. Visariya appealed to the German authorities and the Indian government to bring the baby back to her homeland. "We request that the German authorities and the Indian government bring her back to her homeland," he added. Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Save Ariha Team has expressed deep concern over the continued separation of Baby Ariha Shah, urging the Government of India to intervene diplomatically for her immediate repatriation ahead of the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to India. In a press release, the group said Ariha has remained under the custody of German Child Services (Jugendamt) in Berlin despite the closure of all police cases against her parents in February 2022. Ariha was taken into foster care in September 2021 and has since been moved across five different foster homes, the release stated. On Friday, the Indian government said that there has been progress in the matter concerning Ariha Shah, and it is doing several other things to ensure that her upbringing happens in a cultural environment that is conducive to her. Answering queries during the weekly briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randeep Jaiswal said that the matter was raised when the German Foreign Minister was in the country. (ANI) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence said on Monday that it recorded the presence of 5 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around its territory. The Ministry of National Defence also added that 4 PRC balloons were detected during the timeframe. In a post on X, the MND wrote, "5 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 PRC balloons were detected during this timeframe. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and responded." Earlier on Sunday, Taiwan's MND said that it recorded the presence of 4 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN ships and 1 official ship around its territory. It also mentioned that 1 out of 4 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ. In a post on X, the MND said, "4 PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN ships and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 4 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." Earlier, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said he would continue safeguarding Taiwan and would not allow China to interfere, Focus Taiwan reported. It stated that President Lai, as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, pledged to protect the country and safeguard the lives and property of all citizens. "I will certainly safeguard the nation and absolutely not allow Chinese pressure or China's hand to reach into Taiwan," President Lai said. He also said on Thursday that China's "cross-border pressure" against the people of Taiwan proves that Beijing's authority does not extend to Taiwan and confirms that Taiwan is not part of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Focus Taiwan reported Lai cited the recent visit to Taiwan by China-born Japanese lawmaker Hei Seki, who has been sanctioned by China and barred from entering PRC, saying that the visit demonstrated how the Republic of China (ROC) -- Taiwan's official name -- and the PRC are not subordinate to each other. (ANI) Iran's ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali has cautioned against fake news being peddled about the alleged arrest of six Indian and ten Afghani nationals in Iran. Urging people to be cautious when searching for and consuming information online, in a post on X, he wrote, "The news circulated on some foreign X accounts about Iran's developments, is totally false. I request all interested people to get their news from the reliable sources." Meanwhile, protests in Iran have continued into its second week over the weekend. The protests which began over worsening economic conditions have since evolved into broader demonstrations opposing the leadership of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Amid the unrest, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Iranian authorities to show "maximum restraint," underscoring that fundamental rights such as freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly must be upheld and safeguarded. According to Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), at least 420 people -- including eight children -- have been killed over the past 15 days during anti-government demonstrations, CNN reported. Guterres expressed alarm over reports of violence and excessive force used against protesters, urging officials to avoid disproportionate responses and to restore access to information and communication services. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented on the situation, saying Israel is closely observing developments in Iran. He voiced support for Iranian citizens protesting for freedom, praising their courage in the face of repression. Iranian officials have attributed the unrest to foreign-backed elements and "rioters," while insisting that genuine economic issues will be addressed. Meanwhile, Iran's Attorney General Mohammad Movahedi Azad stated that legal proceedings against protesters would be carried out firmly and without leniency, according to Tasnim news agency. Separately, US officials told CNN that President Donald Trump is considering multiple military options in response to the situation, after warning Tehran against using deadly force on demonstrators. (ANI) US President Donald Trump has said that the woman who was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week was radical and violent. Talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday (local time), Trump cited video footage just before an ICE agent shot the woman Renee Nicole Good and said that no one should treat law enforcement agents in a disrespectful manner. "We have to respect our law enforcement. At a very minimum, that woman was very, very disrespectful to law enforcement... You can't do that with law enforcement, whether it's police, or ICE, or Border Patrol or anybody else," the US President said. Trump said, "Everyone's seen it. And the woman was very violent. She's a very radical person. Very sad what happened. Her friend was very radical." The death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old US citizen and mother of three has sparked intense local and national debate. Good was killed on Wednesday morning when a federal ICE agent shot into her vehicle during an enforcement action in south Minneapolis. Video footage of the incident has circulated online, fueling disagreement over exactly what transpired, as reported by CNN. Trump, talking to reporters aboard Air Force One said, "You know, the law enforcement our country is doing really well despite the fact that Sleepy Joe Biden allowed people to pour through an open border. Crime stats just came out. We have the best crime stats on record, despite all the criminals he allowed into our country. We've gotten a lot of them out," Trump said. "We have to respect our law enforcement at a very minimum. That woman was very, very disrespectful to law enforcement. And you heard the same noises, you saw the same crunch that I saw. You can't do that with law enforcement, whether it's or ICE or Border Patrol or anybody else," The US President said. Federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Trump allies, have characterized the incident as self-defence, alleging that Good attempted to "weaponize her vehicle" against officers. This narrative has been repeated by senior administration figures who argue the agent acted appropriately under threat. However, state and local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have strongly rejected that account, saying the available video does not support claims that Good posed a lethal danger at the time she was shot. Critics point to footage showing her vehicle turning away from the officers and dispute the justification for deadly force, reported CNN. Good's family and friends have remembered her as a compassionate and devoted parent, describing her as "one of the kindest people" they knew. Vigils and protests have taken place in her memory, with community members expressing grief and demanding accountability in the wake of the shooting. The appearance of the video evidence, political reactions, and controversy over the handling of the investigation have made the case a flashpoint in ongoing debates about federal immigration enforcement and use of force by authorities. Meanwhile US Vice President had on January 9 sharing a video footage of the Minneapolis incident. He posted, "Watch this, as hard as it is. Many of you have been told this law enforcement officer wasn't hit by a car, wasn't being harassed, and murdered an innocent woman. The reality is that his life was endangered and he fired in self defense." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday warmly welcomed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, marking the German leader's first official visit to India since taking office. After his arrival at the Ashram, both leaders paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Merz also signed the visitors' book there. Both leaders then participated in the International Kite Festival 2026, held at the Sabarmati Riverfront, underscoring the cultural and diplomatic significance of Chancellor Merz's visit to India. The visit is part of Chancellor Merz's official trip to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany, and coincides with celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. Earlier today, the German Federal Chancellor arrived in India for a two-day official visit to the country since assuming office. According to a Ministry of External Affairs post on X, Chancellor Merz was warmly received by Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat at the airport upon his arrival in the western state. The visit came at the invitation of PM Modi. "Welcome to India! Willkommen in Indien! Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in Ahmedabad on an official visit. Warmly received by Hon'ble Governor of Gujarat, Shri Acharya Devvrat at the airport. India and Germany are celebrating 75 years of India-Germany diplomatic ties and 25 years of the India Germany Strategic Partnership. Chancellor Merz's visit and his meeting with PM Narendra Modi, later in the day, will further strengthen India-Germany partnership," the MEA post read. Merz will be in India from January 12 to January 13. Both leaders will also hold bilateral engagements from 11:15 am onwards at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The two leaders will review progress on the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, which recently marked its 25th anniversary. Their discussion will also focus on further intensifying cooperation in trade and investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while advancing collaboration in key areas of defence and security, science, innovation and research, green and sustainable development, and people-to-people ties. Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Merz will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance and engage with business and industry leaders of the two countries. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. Pm Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz last held discussions on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where the two leaders agreed to further broaden the bilateral strategic partnership. During that interaction, Prime Minister Modi invited the German Chancellor to an official visit to New Delhi. The visit is also taking place in the lead-up to the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27. (ANI) US President Donald Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One on the situation in Venezuela on Sunday (local time). He said, "Venezuela is really working out well. We're working along really well with their leadership, and we'll see how it all works out." Trump also spoke with the interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez. On the meeting Trump said, "She's been very good. She asked us if we could take 50 million barrels of oil, and I said yes, we can, it is worth $4.2 billion, and it is on its way right now to the United States..." This development comes after the President on Friday (local time) signed an Executive Order declaring a national emergency to protect Venezuelan oil revenue held in US Treasury accounts from legal attachment or judicial seizure, saying the move is aimed at advancing US foreign policy and national security objectives. According to the White House, the Executive Order blocks any attachment, judgment, lien, execution, garnishment or other judicial process against Venezuelan oil revenues and diluent sales deposited in US Treasury accounts. These funds, termed "Foreign Government Deposit Funds," are to remain frozen unless specifically authorised under the new order. The order also prohibits any transfer or dealing in the funds and overrides earlier directives that may have regulated or restricted such transfers or dealings. It states that the oil revenues are the sovereign property of Venezuela, held in US custody for governmental and diplomatic purposes, and cannot be claimed by private parties. Before this, US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) met with top oil and gas executives at the White House to promote major investments in Venezuela's energy sector, and said that "a lot of money is going to be made". Earlier, on Saturday, Venezueland Interim President Delcy Rodriguez stated that the US action that led to the capture of deposed dictator Nicolas Mauro and his wife "will go down in history as a major stain" on relations between Washington and Caracas. In a speech broadcast on the state channel Venezolana de Television (VTV), Rodriguez reiterated that the Executive Branch "will not cease to condemn the criminal aggression" that culminated in the capture of Maduro, currently detained in New York. (ANI) Indian Navy's stitched sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya, which embarked on her maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar in Gujarat last month is preparing to enter Omani waters as it heads for its final destination of Muscat. Economist and Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council member Sanjeev Sanyal has been sharing updates about the historic journey of the vessel, which is the recreation of a 5th-century Indian ship. On Sunday, Sanyal, in a post on social media platform X wrote "INSV Kaundinya flying the tricolour across the Arabian Sea: Ship of Wood with Men of Steel." The journey, which began on December 29, 2025, aims to recreate the ancient maritime trading route that connected India with West Asia and other parts of the world. Commander Y Hemant Kumar, who has been associated with the project since its conceptualisation, and serves at the Officer-in-Charge of the INSV Kaundinya posted on January 11 a latest update on the voyage. "Crossed paths today with a wooden dhow on the high seas. Felt like meeting a distant descendant of INSV Kaundinya" he said. "After days of sailing on INSV Kaundinya in the quiet company of phytoplankton and fish on the high seas, we are finally seeing fellow seafarers," he said posting several photos from the sea. The Kaundinya is based on a 5th-century CE ship depicted in the paintings of Ajanta Caves. It is being skippered by Commander Vikas Sheoran leading a 16-member crew. They have crossed more than two-thirds of their journey and the Kaundinya is set to arrive at Muscat around January 15. Earlier on January 10, Sanyal gave an update of Day 13 of the ship's journey, stating that there had been "several bouts of heavy rain." "Everything is damp after that. Also the local system disrupted the wind but it is now back from the east. We did however get a nice sunset. It was still drizzling when we raised the sails. Now more than 2/3 done. We will soon face a problem the ancient mariners did not face - oil tankers and large container vessels. So far we we encountered the occasional one, but tomorrow we will enter a heavy traffic corridor." Sanyal posted on X. The project was initiated through a tripartite agreement signed in Jul 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, with funding from the Ministry of Culture. Following the keel laying in September 2023, the vessel's construction was undertaken using a traditional method of stitching by a team of skilled artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran. Over several months, the team painstakingly stitched wooden planks on the ship's hull using coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin. The ship was launched in February 2025 at Goa. The sails of the indigenously built ship display motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, her bow bears a sculpted Simha Yali, and a symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor adorns her deck, each element evoking the rich maritime traditions of ancient India. Named after Kaundinya, the legendary Indian mariner who sailed across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, the ship serves as a tangible symbol of India's long-standing traditions of maritime exploration, trade, and cultural exchange. (ANI) On the 8th of January, in an attempt to dampen the protests, the Khamenei regime shutdown internet throughout the country, blocking all access to the country. On Monday, the nationwide shutdown crossed the 84-hour mark as per cybersecurity and digital governance think tank Netblocks. "As Iran wakes up to a new day, metrics show the national internet blackout is past the 84 hour mark. Years of digital censorship research point to these workarounds," Netblocks posted on X. Posting video that she received from Iran, journalist and Activist MasihAlinejad said,"Videos received from Tehran via Starlink: Despite mass killings and widespread repression, people are still in the streets." According to the latest data from Human Rights Activists News Agency, the deaths of 544 people during the protests have been confirmed, and dozens of additional cases remain under review. More than 10,681 individuals have also been transferred to prisons following arrest. Protests have taken place at 585 locations across the country, in 186 cities, spanning all 31 provinces. The protests which began over worsening economic conditions on the 28th of December and have since evolved into broader demonstrations opposing the leadership of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile the exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahalavi has emerged as a vocal supporter of the demonstrators, backing what he describes as a nationwide movement against the Islamic Republic. In a video message on X he said , "I announce another stage of the national uprising to overthrow the Islamic Republic and reclaim our dear Iran. Inside Iran, in addition to seizing and holding the central streets of cities, all institutions and apparatuses responsible for the regime's false propaganda and cutting off communications are considered legitimate targets. Government employees, and the armed and security forces, have the opportunity to join the people and be helpers of the nation, or to choose complicity with the murderers of the nation and buy eternal shame and the curse of the nation for themselves." Addressing Iranians abroad, he asserted that Iranian embassies and consulates belong to the people and should display Iran's national flag rather than that of the Islamic Republic. "The regime is facing a serious shortage of repressive forces, and the increased shooting at the people is not out of strength, but due to a lack of mercenaries and fear of faster collapse and fall. We will not allow these criminals to shed more of our youth's blood on the ground. We will not give them that opportunity. We will not go back. The freedom of Iran is near. The blood spilled on the ground of Iran's immortal children guides us toward victory. We are not alone. Global assistance will arrive soon as well. Wait for my next messages. We will soon reclaim our dear Iran from the Islamic Republic and hold celebrations of freedom and victory everywhere in Iran," he said. Earlir, US President Donald Trump said that the Islamic Republic appears to be crossing a "red line" set by his administration, following the reports of the killing, mostly of protestors, prompting Washington to consider what he described as "very strong options". Speaking to reporters onboard Air Force One, when asked whether Iran had appeared to have crossed the red line he had drawn over the treatment of protesters, Trump said, "They're starting to, it looks like." The US President, referring to the ongoing protests in the Islamic Republic, added that those in power were ruling through violence.He emphasised that the situation was being closely monitored at the highest levels of the US government. "There seem to be some people killed that aren't supposed to be killed. These are violent - if you call them leaders, I don't know if they're leaders or if they just rule through violence - but we're looking at it very seriously. The military's looking at it. We're looking at some very strong options; we'll make a determination," Trump stated. The US President did not elaborate on the specific actions Washington might take, but according to a New York Times report, Trump was briefed on a range of military options targeting Iran. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held delegation-level talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad as part of the latter's first official visit to India. The German Chancellor is on a two-day official visit to the country, which also coincides with the celebrations marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, and is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were also present at the meeting. The meeting was held at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany as the leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, skilling, and mobility and explored collaboration in defence, security, science, innovation, research, and sustainable development. Prior to their meeting, PM Modi warmly welcomed the German Chancellor to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, marking the German leader's first official visit to India since taking office. After his arrival at the Ashram, both leaders paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Merz also signed the visitors' book there. Following this, both leaders jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, underscoring the cultural and diplomatic significance of Chancellor Merz's visit to India. They were also seen flying a kite depicting Lord Hanuman. Earlier today, the German Federal Chancellor arrived in India for a two-day official visit, marking the first such visit since assuming office. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. The German Chancellor is in India from January 12 to January 13. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. PM Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz last held discussions on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, where the two leaders agreed to further broaden the bilateral strategic partnership. During that interaction, Prime Minister Modi invited the German Chancellor to an official visit to New Delhi. The visit is also taking place in the lead-up to the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27. (ANI) Robert Irwin wonders if he could find love at his family's Australia Zoo. Robert Irwin has opened up on his search for love The 22-year-old conservationist - who insists he has "nothing particularly exciting to report" in his love life at the moment - joked that he could follow in his parents' and sister Bindi's footsteps by finding his partner at the zoo. His mother Terri met late Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo, where his sister also met her husband Chandler Powell. He told the Today show: "I'm back in Australia Zoo. That's where my mum and dad met. That's where my sister and her husband met. "Our whole family ends up meeting here at Australia Zoo so you know what? I guess this is the place to do it." When the show's hosts joked that single ladies should head to the zoo to try and strike up a romance, he blushed. He said: "Oh gosh! What have I done!" Robert's love life has been a source of speculation lately - including rumours he was dating Marvel actress Xochitl Gomez after an intimate routine together on Dancing With The Stars - but he played down the general chatter. Asked if he's single, he said: "You guys, I'm still blushing when you bring all that up. Goodness me! "Nothing particularly exciting to report in the love department. I wish there was more I could give you." The Dancing With The Stars winner recently admitted dating can be difficult in the public eye, thanks to social media. He told the New York Times newspaper: "Holy moly, thats so challenging to navigate." He added that it's tough to get out there knowing "anything you do will be on TikTok the next day". Robert grew up in the limelight thanks to his famous dad, and he insisted he has "no persona to hide behind". He added: "I never change what I say, what I do, who I am one bit, wherever I am. "It's just me, and I stand by who I am." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday emphasised the importance of close economic cooperation between India and Germany, stating that such collaboration is vital not only for the two nations but for humanity as a whole. Addressing a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during the latter's official visit to India, PM Modi highlighted the deep historical and philosophical ties between the two countries and noted that the German Chancellor's visit coincided with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. "It is a happy coincidence that Swami Vivekananda himself built the bridge of philosophy, knowledge, and faith between India and Germany. Today, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit is providing new energy, new confidence, and new dimensions to that very bridge," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi noted that this marks Chancellor Merz's first visit to India and to Asia since assuming office, calling it a strong reflection of the importance the German leader attaches to relations with India. He also expressed gratitude for Merz's "personal attention and commitment" to strengthening bilateral ties. The Prime Minister further noted the timing of the visit, stating that the German Chancellor's visit comes at a significant moment in India-Germany relations, as both nations have marked 25 years of Strategic Partnership and 75 years of diplomatic relations. "This is his first visit to India, and indeed to Asia, as Chancellor. This is strong evidence of the importance he attaches to relations with India. I express my sincere gratitude to him for his personal attention and commitment," the Prime Minister said. "Chancellor Merz's visit is taking place at a special time. Last year, we celebrated 25 years of our strategic partnership, and this year we are also marking 75 years of our diplomatic relations. These milestones are not merely chronological achievements; they are symbols of our shared ambitions, mutual trust, and ever-strengthening cooperation," he added. Highlighting economic ties, PM Modi underscored the deepening bilateral engagement, noting that bilateral trade has reached an all-time high, surpassing USD 50 billion, and that over 2,000 German companies have long-standing presences in India. "Close cooperation between the economies of countries like India and Germany is important for all of humanity. Growing trade and investment ties have injected new energy into our strategic partnership," PM Modi said. "This reflects their unwavering confidence in India and the infinite possibilities available here," he added. The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is currently on a two-day official visit to India, marking the first such visit since assuming office. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. The German Chancellor is in India from January 12 to January 13. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. Prior to the joint press conference, PM Modi and Merz held delegation-level talks at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany as the leaders reviewed ongoing cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, skilling, and mobility and explored collaboration in defence, security, science, innovation, research, and sustainable development. PM Modi, earlier, warmly welcomed the German Chancellor to Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, where both leaders paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Merz also signed the visitors' book there. Following this, both leaders jointly inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront, underscoring the cultural and diplomatic significance of Chancellor Merz's visit to India. They were also seen flying a kite depicting Lord Hanuman. The visit is also taking place in the lead-up to the India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday invited German universities to establish campuses in India as part of a comprehensive roadmap on higher education development between India and Germany during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's official visit to the country. Addressing a joint press conference with German Chancellor Merz, PM Modi expressed his gratitude to Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens, calling it a step that would further strengthen people-to-people ties between the two nations. "The comprehensive roadmap on higher education that we have developed today will give a new direction to our partnership in the field of education. I invite German universities to open their campuses in India. I express my gratitude to Chancellor Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens," the Prime Minister said. PM Modi said the two leaders also held wide-ranging discussions on global and regional issues, including the situation in Ukraine and Gaza, adding that both countries are united in their view that terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity and remain committed to combating it together. The Prime Minister also stressed the need to reform global institutions to address global challenges, citing joint efforts by India and Germany through the G4 group to reform the UN Security Council. "India has consistently advocated the peaceful resolution of all conflicts and disputes and supports all initiatives aimed at achieving this goal. We are united in our belief that terrorism poses a grave threat to humanity as a whole. India and Germany remain committed to combating this menace together, with unwavering determination," he said. "The Memorandums of Understanding being signed today will provide fresh momentum and strength to our collaboration across all these areas. India and Germany agree that reforming global institutions is crucial for addressing global challenges. Our joint efforts through the G4 group to reform the UN Security Council are a testament to this shared belief," the PM added. Highlighting cooperation in climate and energy, PM Modi said India and Germany are advancing new projects in climate action, energy, urban development and urban mobility, noting that upcoming green hydrogen mega projects involving companies from both countries could be game changers for the future of energy. "India and Germany are committed to developing a secure, trustworthy and resilient supply chain," he said. On technology, defence and security, PM Modi said cooperation between the two countries has strengthened year after year, while thanking Chancellor Merz for simplifying processes related to defence trade, adding that both sides would work on a roadmap to enhance cooperation between their defence industries, opening new avenues for co-development and co-production. "Technology cooperation between India and Germany has strengthened year after year, and its impact is clearly visible on the ground today. India and Germany share similar priorities in the field of renewable energy. The growing cooperation in defense and security is a symbol of our mutual trust and shared vision," the Prime Minister said. "I express my sincere gratitude to Chancellor Merkel for simplifying the processes related to defense trade. We will also work on a roadmap to enhance cooperation between our defense industries, which will open up new opportunities for co-development and co-production," he added. Emphasising people-to-people ties, PM Modi recalled the historical connections between the two countries, citing Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda and Madam Bhikaji Cama as symbols of long-standing cultural and intellectual exchanges. "Today, we are transforming this historical connection into a modern partnership," he said. Chancellor Merz's visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of India-Germany diplomatic relations and the 25th anniversary of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and aims to further deepen cooperation across key sectors. The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is currently on a two-day official visit to India, marking the first such visit since assuming office. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. The German Chancellor is in India from January 12 to January 13. On January 13, Merz will visit Bosch, then Nano Science and Engineering, CeNSE, and depart for Germany. (ANI) A major new paper from the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) outlines how geopolitical volatility and technological change are fundamentally reshaping the world of national intelligence. Authored by Samir Saran, President, ORF, and Archishman Ray Goswami, Non-Resident Fellow, ORF, and a DPhil International Relations candidate at the University of Oxford, the study 'Swords and Shields: Navigating the Modern Intelligence Landscape' examines emerging trends that intelligence agencies must confront in the decade ahead. The ORF report argues that traditional intelligence practices are under pressure from a combination of digital interconnectedness, shifting global power dynamics, and the rise of private sector intelligence actors. It highlights how "geotechnography" - the blending of physical geography with digital space, now enables the rapid mutation of transnational political affiliations and narratives that intelligence services must monitor and interpret in real time. The report says that it is incumbent upon national intelligence agencies to develop the analytical capabilities to better relate global developments to local ones in order to pre-empt the proliferation of sudden, volatile forms of social and political identity in a more fractious geopolitical landscape. The authors note that competing nations are increasingly struggling for influence over critical physical resources, especially rare-earth elements. These materials are central to modern technologies and are expected to intensify strategic competition, requiring intelligence agencies to adapt beyond conventional regional missions. Human intelligence (HUMINT), long considered the backbone of espionage, is also evolving amid ubiquitous technical surveillance and sophisticated open-source intelligence (OSINT). While digital tools now shape much of what intelligence services can access, the report stresses that well-cultivated human networks remain vital for understanding adversaries' intentions. Another key theme is the growing role of private sector intelligence, from Big Tech data analytics to corporate espionage, which is increasingly interwoven with national security. This blurs the line between government espionage and commercial information gathering, creating both opportunities and vulnerabilities for state actors. The report says that the growing power of Big Tech, propelled by their access to enormous quantities of data beyond the reach of even large intelligence services, portends massive changes within the global intelligence landscape. For India specifically, the ORF paper underscores the need to strengthen its intelligence capabilities, including supply-chain security, HUMINT capacity, and collaboration with partner states. A greater emphasis on growing its HUMINT capacities while remaining cognizant of the technological constraints shaping it, is vital, says the report. As India ascends as a major global economy, its intelligence services must adapt to a more complex and competitive strategic environment. The report cites the establishment of In-Q-Tel, a venture capital firm focused on emerging technologies, by the CIA in the late 1990s which helped the US maintain its strategic and technological edge and recommends that the Indian government dedicate resources to a similar fund for the R&AW. Establishing smooth liaison channels with India's indigenous R&D ecosystem, much of which exists as part of the private sector, is vital, emphasising self-sufficiency as India grows as an independent power in a more competitive world, says the report. The authors conclude that the winners of tomorrow's geopolitical contests will be nations whose intelligence communities can integrate technological advances with strategic foresight and adaptability. (ANI) Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi talking about the violence that world has witnessed in the last 15 days, said, "There's evidence linking this deadly violence to Mossad terrorists," reported Press TV. Iranians have been protesting since the 28th of December, 2025. Initially the masses were protesting worsening economic conditions but now the protests are directly targeting the Khamenei regime, whose been in power since 1979. The foreign minister's comment comes right around the time the international audiences and leaders have started condemning the violence and the deaths of Iranian nationals. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commented on the situation, saying Israel is closely observing developments in Iran. He voiced support for Iranian citizens protesting for freedom, praising their courage in the face of repression. According to the latest data from Human Rights Activists News Agency, the deaths of 544 people during the protests have been confirmed, and dozens of additional cases remain under review. More than 10,681 individuals have also been transferred to prisons following arrest. Protests have taken place at 585 locations across the country, in 186 cities, spanning all 31 provinces. Meanwhile the exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has emerged as a vocal supporter of the demonstrators, backing what he describes as a nationwide movement against the Islamic Republic. In a video message on X he said, "I announce another stage of the national uprising to overthrow the Islamic Republic and reclaim our dear Iran. Inside Iran, in addition to seizing and holding the central streets of cities, all institutions and apparatuses responsible for the regime's false propaganda and cutting off communications are considered legitimate targets. Government employees, and the armed and security forces, have the opportunity to join the people and be helpers of the nation, or to choose complicity with the murderers of the nation and buy eternal shame and the curse of the nation for themselves." Addressing Iranians abroad, he asserted that Iranian embassies and consulates belong to the people and should display Iran's national flag rather than that of the Islamic Republic. "The regime is facing a serious shortage of repressive forces, and the increased shooting at the people is not out of strength, but due to a lack of mercenaries and fear of faster collapse and fall. We will not allow these criminals to shed more of our youth's blood on the ground. We will not give them that opportunity. We will not go back. The freedom of Iran is near. The blood spilled on the ground of Iran's immortal children guides us toward victory. We are not alone. Global assistance will arrive soon as well. Wait for my next messages. We will soon reclaim our dear Iran from the Islamic Republic and hold celebrations of freedom and victory everywhere in Iran," he said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that the Islamic Republic appears to be crossing a "red line" set by his administration, following the reports of the killing, mostly of protestors, prompting Washington to consider what he described as "very strong options". (ANI) A 14-year-old boy was reportedly shot dead in Balochistan, while six Baloch men have allegedly been subjected to enforced disappearance in separate incidents, according to statements issued by Baloch rights organisations on X. According to a post by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), 14-year-old Raahi Assa, son of Muhammad Assa, was killed in what it described as a targeted attack by a "state-backed death squad" in the main bazaar of Hoshap, Kech. Eyewitnesses quoted in the post claimed that armed men allegedly linked to Military Intelligence opened fire on the minor, killing him on the spot before fleeing the area. BYC stated that Raahi was a student and emphasised that under international law, children are entitled to special protection against violence. The post said the killing represents a serious violation of fundamental human rights and international law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and added that the incident has spread fear in the region. It alleged that such acts reflect a pattern of impunity in Balochistan and called on international human rights organisations to demand an investigation, identify those responsible, and work toward ending the operations of alleged death squads in the province. https://x.com/paank_bnm/status/2010360540862763511 In a separate post on X, Paank, the human rights wing of the Baloch National Movement, condemned what it described as the enforced disappearance of six Baloch men from Jiwani (Panwan), allegedly by Pakistani security forces, including Frontier Corps (FC), Military Intelligence (MI), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), between 25 December 2025 and 5 January 2026. Those named as disappeared include Rizwan, son of Rashid Baloch; Jahangir, son of Murad Baloch; Shabir, son of Abdullah Baloch; Sameed, son of Abdul Hamid Baloch; Israj, son of Noor Bakhsh Baloch; and Shamsuddin, son of Rustam Baloch, with one reportedly taken from an ISI office in Gwadar. As noted in Paank's post, the organisation demanded immediate disclosure of their whereabouts, their production before a court of law, and an end to enforced disappearances. Pakistani authorities have not issued an official response to these specific allegations at the time of reporting. (ANI) US President Donald J. Trump ignited an online firestorm with a cryptic social media post on Truth Social that has both his supporters and critics scrambling for meaning. The post consisted solely of an image that had 'acting president of Venezuela' written beneath his photo where he has a grim face. There was no additional text, explanation, or context provided, leaving observers to interpret its meaning in vastly different ways. Earlier in the day, Trump while addressing reporters aboard Air Force One said, "Venezuela is really working out well. We're working along really well with their leadership, and we'll see how it all works out." Trump also spoke with the interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez saying, "She's been very good. She asked us if we could take 50 million barrels of oil, and I said yes, we can, it is worth $4.2 billion, and it is on its way right now to the United States..." This development came after the President on Friday (local time) signed an Executive Order declaring a national emergency to protect Venezuelan oil revenue held in US Treasury accounts from legal attachment or judicial seizure, saying the move is aimed at advancing US foreign policy and national security objectives. According to the White House, the Executive Order blocks any attachment, judgment, lien, execution, garnishment or other judicial process against Venezuelan oil revenues and diluent sales deposited in US Treasury accounts. These funds, termed "Foreign Government Deposit Funds," are to remain frozen unless specifically authorised under the new order. The order also prohibits any transfer or dealing in the funds and overrides earlier directives that may have regulated or restricted such transfers or dealings. It states that the oil revenues are the sovereign property of Venezuela, held in US custody for governmental and diplomatic purposes, and cannot be claimed by private parties. Before this, US President Donald Trump on Friday (local time) met with top oil and gas executives at the White House to promote major investments in Venezuela's energy sector, and said that "a lot of money is going to be made". Earlier, on Saturday, Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez stated that the US action that led to the capture of deposed dictator Nicolas Mauro and his wife "will go down in history as a major stain" on relations between Washington and Caracas. In a speech broadcast on the state channel Venezolana de Television (VTV), Rodriguez reiterated that the Executive Branch "will not cease to condemn the criminal aggression" that culminated in the capture of Maduro, currently detained in New York. (ANI) Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar said that Secretary Hegseth and Pentagon leadership are taking decisive steps to close security gaps. "Secretary Hegseth and the leadership at the Pentagon are taking research security seriously and protecting taxpayer dollars," Moolenaar said. He stressed that the United States cannot afford to have its federal research funding contribute to the rise of China's military capabilities. He added that the Select Committee has worked "tirelessly to shutter joint institutes and safeguard American research." The SCCCP investigation conducted in September 2025 revealed that, from June 2023 to June 2025, approximately 1,400 research papers funded by the Pentagon included collaboration with entities in the People's Republic of China. According to the report, more than 700 of these publications were linked to Chinese defence research and industrial organisations, representing just over half of the total collaborations. The committee argued that such partnerships posed a strategic risk to US national security. In response to the findings, Under Secretary Emil Michael issued a memo outlining steps to assess potential damage arising from the reported collaborations. The memo stated that the Department of Defence would conduct damage assessments on selected cases highlighted in the Select Committee's recent reports, with the review process scheduled to begin within 45 days of the December 9 directive. As cited by the SCCCP, the Pentagon has implemented key recommendations from the committee's report. These include prohibiting funding for fundamental research assistance to companies listed under Section 1260H, which identifies Chinese military companies operating in the United States. The department has also established a Fundamental Research Risk Review repository to enhance information collection and sharing across defence agencies. Additionally, efforts are underway to develop automated vetting and continuous monitoring mechanisms to strengthen oversight of research partnerships. (ANI) India and Germany on Monday finalised a set of agreements across a wide range of sectors, including defence, technology, health, energy and human resources, during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's two-day official visit to India. The Ministry of External Affairs said the two sides concluded 19 agreements and announced several measures to intensify engagement across strategic, economic and people-to-people pillars. One of the key outcomes was a Joint Declaration of Intent to boost bilateral defence industrial cooperation. Speaking at the India-Germany CEOs Forum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "This will provide clear policy support to our companies for co-innovation and co-production in defence. New opportunities for cooperation will also open up in the space sector." To strengthen the economic partnership, India and Germany also decided to establish a CEO Forum to be integrated into the Joint India-Germany Economic and Investment Committee. In the domain of critical and emerging technologies, the two countries signed multiple declarations of intent, including a semiconductor ecosystem partnership, cooperation on critical minerals, and collaboration in telecommunications. Energy and sustainability were among the major focus areas of the outcomes. An offtake agreement was signed between India's AM Green and Germany's Uniper Global Commodities for green ammonia. In addition, an MoU was signed between India's Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board and the German Technical and Scientific Association for Gas and Water Industries (DVGW) to cooperate on renewable energy. On education, skilling and mobility, a higher education roadmap was adopted, and additional agreements were concluded, including the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Renewable Energy at the National Skill Training Institute in Hyderabad. Germany also announced visa-free transit for Indian passport holders transiting through the country. The two sides agreed to set up a Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue and a bilateral dialogue mechanism focused on the Indo-Pacific, the MEA said. Germany committed an additional 1.24 billion euros under the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) for projects in renewable energy, green hydrogen, the PM e-Bus Sewa programme, and climate-resilient urban infrastructure. The Prime Minister's Office said Germany had earlier committed 10 billion euros under the partnership for 2030, largely in the form of concessional loans, and that around 5 billion euros have already been utilised or earmarked for projects since 2022. The MEA further said that a battery storage working group has been initiated under the India-Germany Platform for Investments in Renewable Energy Worldwide. (ANI) A key member of a Chinese money-laundering network has been charged in the United States for allegedly laundering tens of millions of dollars generated from drug trafficking operations, according to a report by The Epoch Times (TET). The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio announced on January 9 that Lin Yan, 41, appeared in court in Cincinnati on January 8 to face charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and concealment of money laundering. He was indicted in November 2025, and the indictment was unsealed earlier this week. Quoting US Justice Department officials, the TET report noted that authorities view dismantling Chinese-linked money laundering systems as critical to combating global narcotics networks. "Dismantling Chinese money laundering networks that support drug trafficking organisations is critical to achieve the mission of total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organisations," Assistant Attorney General Tysen Duva said. He added that US agencies would continue to target the financial structures that sustain the illegal drug trade. Court documents cited by TET revealed that Lin, a Chinese national with US citizenship, allegedly worked closely with Mexico-based drug cartels, including the notorious Sinaloa cartel, between March 2022 and October 2024. During this period, he reportedly operated in Mexico and helped return tens of millions of dollars in drug sales profits, linked to fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine, from US cities such as Tulsa, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Philadelphia back to Mexico. According to prosecutors, Lin and his associates, including conspirators based in China, orchestrated bulk cash transfers and converted the proceeds into electronic goods such as mobile phones, laptops, and tablets. These goods were then shipped to China, Hong Kong, and other destinations. Once the transfers were confirmed, drug traffickers in Mexico received payments in pesos or dollars after commissions were deducted. Prosecutors described Lin as a "prolific money broker" for Mexican drug trafficking organisations, with one ledger recording about USD 27.4 million in bulk cash deliveries across the United States in 2024 alone. He allegedly earned more than USD 1 million in commissions and arranged around USD 3.8 million in cash pickups in the Southern District of Ohio, including a USD 270,000 pickup in Los Angeles. The TET report further noted that Lin frequently travelled across Mexico, Asia, Europe, and South America during his operations and allegedly used multiple phone numbers and female aliases, including "DiDi," "Maria," "Victoria," "Monica," and "Vivian," to evade law enforcement. Prosecutors said Lin fled Southern California to Mexico in March 2022 after learning he was under federal investigation. He eventually returned to US custody in October 2024 after being expelled to Miami. He later pleaded guilty in a separate California case and was sentenced to 18 months in prison in July 2025, and has remained in custody since then. US Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II stated, as quoted by TET, that money launderers play a crucial enabling role in drug trafficking. "Without money launderers, drug cartels are stuck with dirty money they can't use," he said, stressing that those who facilitate such crimes will be held accountable. If convicted on the current charges, Lin faces up to 20 years in prison. His attorney did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication, according to the report. (ANI) Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado held talks with Pope Leo XIV on Monday, seeking support for a democratic transition in Venezuela after the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, ahead of her Washington visit to meet US President Donald Trump, The Washington Post reported. Machado's Vatican meeting comes amid Venezuela's political upheaval and forms part of her broader diplomatic outreach as she pushes for international backing for a democratic transition. Pope Leo XIV, the first US Pope, has also addressed the Venezuela situation, calling for the country to remain independent following the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro on the orders of President Donald Trump. In a major foreign policy speech on Friday, the Pope criticised the use of military force as a tool to achieve diplomatic objectives and called for the protection of human rights in Venezuela. Machado's outreach comes after US President Donald Trump last week, on Thursday, indicated that she is expected to visit Washington, DC, next week and that he anticipates meeting her during the trip. Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump said, "I understand she's coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her, and I've heard that she wants to do that." The remarks followed Trump's public comments on Machado's political position in Venezuela. Addressing reporters earlier, the US President described her as a "very nice woman," but said she "doesn't have the support within or the respect within the country" required to lead the nation. Trump said the anticipated meeting would mark his first interaction with Machado, adding that she had previously said she had not spoken to him since receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in October last year. Machado, for her part, had earlier said on the Fox News programme Hannity that she wanted to "personally" thank Trump for the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Trump also linked the political developments in Venezuela to reconstruction plans, arguing that the country's democratic systems had broken down and would require major rebuilding. "We have to rebuild the country. They couldn't have an election," he said, adding, "They wouldn't even know how to have an election right now." Turning to Venezuela's energy sector, Trump said firms would be tasked with restoring the country's oil infrastructure. "They're going to rebuild the whole oil infrastructure. They're going to spend at least USD 100 billion and it's an unbelievable oil that they have, and an unbelievable quality of oil and amount of oil," Trump said. Venezuela holds the world's largest proven oil reserves but contributes less than one per cent of global production. Trump said on Tuesday that Venezuela could supply between 30 million and 50 million barrels of oil to the United States, a deal he said could be valued at up to USD 2.8 billion at current prices. (ANI) Teyana Taylor was given an extension on her cookery school assignment so she could attend the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday (11.01.26). Teyana Taylor had to get an extension on her homework so she could attend the Golden Globes The 34-year-old musician/actress has enrolled on a course studying culinary arts and she needed extra time to complete her coursework so she could attend the prizegiving in Los Angeles where she picked up the award for Best Supporting Female Actor (Motion Picture) for her performance in One Battle After Another. Teyana told E! News: "My deadline is on Tuesday. I gotta have my meals by Tuesday. I spoke to my chef yesterday, and hes giving me an extension so I can turn my assignment in on Thursday. My school has been very, very supportive of me ... "I was like: 'Chef, it aint happening [getting the work done by Tuesday]'. This is when a double life is kicking in. Im like: 'Im gonna need til Thursday.' "Im a straight-A student, and I want to keep it that way. I dont want to make any excuses." Teyana has a busy schedule over the next few weeks as Hollywood awards season gets into full swing but she determined not to take any time off from her classes. She added: "I dont want to do none of that. Just give me an extra two days. I get home on Monday and I might still have it in by Tuesday. "Its like to have myself that time, so Im not panicking. One thing about me is I am a student, baby." Teyana previously revealed she's found the experience of taking cookery classes "amazing" so she's going to come back to train as a pastry chef once she finishes her current course. She told ELLE magazine: "Culinary school has been amazing. Ive always been in love with cooking because cooking is very therapeutic for me, and it allows and forces me to actually take a moment for myself, to just be quiet and cook. "Im in [school] for culinary arts, and when Im done, Im going to come back for pastry arts. I love to make my professors proud, [to be treated] like every other student. Im purely graded for just me doing the work and not being judged by who I am." She went on to add the course has been hard work and she was busy doing homework while juggling promotional duties for One Battle After Another. Teyana added: "Culinary school is hard work, even just with my business classes, discussion forums, and my quizzes, but it makes me feel so accomplished. "I know Im already doing a million things, and this makes it a million and one, but Im proud of that. I was on my way to the One Battle After Another premiere, literally doing school assignments." India and Germany on Monday strongly denounced the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, and in Delhi on November 10, 2025, and urged steps to dismantle terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, while also targeting terror networks and their funding, in line with international law. The two countries made the remarks in a joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad. The statement said both sides pushed for coordinated global action to fight terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, consistent with the UN Charter and international law. They "condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April 2025 and the terror incident in Delhi on 10 November 2025. They committed to strengthening co-operation against terrorists and terrorist entities, including those listed in the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee," the joint statement said. Reiterating their position on terrorism, the joint statement said the two leaders "unequivocally and strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism." "They called for concerted international efforts to combat terrorism in a comprehensive and sustained manner, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law." The statement further said India and Germany reaffirmed their commitment to deepen cooperation against terrorists and terrorist entities, including those listed under the UN 1267 Sanctions Committee. As part of the counter-terror cooperation framework, both leaders welcomed the ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) and noted the progress made under the Joint Working Group (JWG) on counter-terrorism, according to the joint statement. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Ahmedabad on Monday for a two-day visit. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted the growing momentum in India-Germany ties, underscoring the importance of deeper economic cooperation between the two countries as German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz began his two-day official visit to India. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Chancellor Merz and I met Indian and German CEOs. Close collaboration between India and Germany is important for the entire world. Growing trade and investment ties have infused new momentum into our partnership. Our bilateral trade has reached an all-time high, several German companies are investing in India. We want to deepen economic linkages even further in the times to come." In another post, PM Modi wrote, "Strong ties between India and Germany benefit the people of our nations and contribute to a better planet. Today's outcomes reflect the multifaceted cooperation between our nations." Chancellor Merz arrived in India early in the day on a two-day official visit at the invitation of PM Modi, as the two countries mark 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership. As part of the day's engagements in Gujarat, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz visited the historic Gandhi Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad, where they paid floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and offered homage to the Father of the Nation. During the visit, the two leaders toured Hriday Kunj, Mahatma Gandhi's residence within the Ashram, and observed the process of spinning the charkha. The visit was followed by a cultural programme, with PM Modi and Chancellor Merz jointly inaugurating the International Kite Festival 2026 at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. Visuals from the event showed both leaders interacting with participants and flying kites together. The festival will run for three days and conclude on January 14, with participation from 135 international kite enthusiasts representing 50 countries, along with 65 flyers from across India and 871 local participants from Gujarat. Following the cultural engagements, the diplomatic programme moved to formal talks, with PM Modi holding delegation-level discussions with Chancellor Merz at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were present at the meeting. The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral ties as the two sides reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while also exploring collaboration in defence, security, science, innovation, research and sustainable development. Addressing a joint press conference after the talks, PM Modi highlighted the historic connection between the two nations and linked the timing of the visit to the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. "It is a happy coincidence that Swami Vivekananda himself built the bridge of philosophy, knowledge, and faith between India and Germany. Today, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit is providing new energy, new confidence, and new dimensions to that very bridge," the Prime Minister added. Economic engagement formed a key part of the visit, with PM Modi and Chancellor Merz meeting Chief Executive Officers from both countries at the India-Germany CEOs Forum in Ahmedabad. Speaking after the meeting, PM Modi said, "Our bilateral trade has reached its highest level ever, surpassing the 50 billion dollar mark. More than 2,000 German companies have a long-standing presence in India. This reflects their unwavering confidence in India and the immense opportunities available here. This was vividly demonstrated this morning at the India-Germany CEO Forum." PM Modi also stressed growing cooperation in technology and clean energy and announced a new initiative. "Technology cooperation between India and Germany has strengthened year after year, and its impact is clearly visible on the ground today. India and Germany share common priorities in the field of renewable energy. To further enhance this cooperation, we have decided to establish the India-Germany Centre of Excellence. This will serve as a shared platform for knowledge, technology, and innovation," he added. Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were also signed between India and Germany in the presence of PM Modi and Chancellor Merz. Education and mobility were also highlighted as future priorities. PM Modi invited German universities to establish campuses in India and welcomed steps to strengthen people-to-people links. "The comprehensive roadmap on higher education that we have developed today will give a new direction to our partnership in the field of education. I invite German universities to open their campuses in India. I express my gratitude to Chancellor Merz for announcing visa-free transit for Indian citizens," the Prime Minister said. The leaders also discussed global and regional developments, including Ukraine and Gaza, with PM Modi reiterating shared concerns over terrorism. "We are unanimous that terrorism is the ultimate and serious threat to humanity. India and Germany will come together and continue to fight it resolutely," he said. At the India-Germany CEOs Forum, PM Modi said both countries agreed to widen economic cooperation into strategic domains. "We have decided to make this seamless economic partnership limitless. This means that along with traditional economic sectors, there will now be deeper cooperation in strategic sectors as well. In the defence sector, we are exchanging a Joint Declaration of Intent today," the Prime Minister said. Inviting greater German participation in India's growth story, PM Modi said, "The path is clear for you here. I invite German precision and innovation to combine with India's scale and speed. You can manufacture in India, take full advantage of domestic demand, and export without any restrictions. On behalf of the government, I assure you that India will further strengthen its cooperation with Germany through stable policies, mutual trust, and a long-term vision," he added. Providing details of the visit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Chancellor Merz arrived in Ahmedabad "very early this morning" and was received at the airport by the Governor, the Chief Minister of Gujarat and the Deputy Chief Minister. Misri said the Chancellor is accompanied by "a high-powered official delegation" and "a large business delegation", reflecting the priority attached to strengthening trade, business and investment ties. He said the timing of the visit is "particularly significant" as it takes place in the "silver jubilee year, 25 years after the establishment of the strategic partnership between India and Germany," and also the "Platinum Jubilee, the 75th year after the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Germany." "The visit therefore provides an opportunity to take stock of this very rich, very important partnership," Misri said. Germany is the 9th largest foreign direct investor in India, with cumulative FDI inflows of USD 15.40 billion from April 2000 to June 2025. German investments in India during FY 2024-25 amounted to USD 469 million. Misri also referred to India's continuing engagement with German authorities on the case of Ariha Shah, an Indian girl child in German foster care, noting that India is extending support to the family. "We have been in discussions with the German government, all the German authorities, their embassy here in Delhi, the German government in Berlin, and all the agencies involved for quite some time," he said. After completing engagements in Gujarat, PM Modi and Chancellor Merz shared a car ride. PM Modi posted a photo on X of himself and Merz inside the car after their meetings. "The friendship between India and Germany continues to grow through shared values, extensive cooperation and mutual understanding," the Prime Minister said in his post. Chancellor Merz is on his first official visit to India since assuming office. The visit is expected to build on momentum from regular high-level political interactions and provide an opportunity to reaffirm India and Germany's shared vision to develop a forward-looking partnership for the benefit of both countries and the wider global community. (ANI) Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel has summoned a session of the National Assembly for next week, the first since the September Gen-Z protest and the first since the dissolution of the House of Representatives. According to Ritesh Kumar Shakya, spokesperson for the President's Office, the President has called the National Assembly session for 11 am on January 18, based on the recommendation of the Cabinet meeting held on Monday. As per constitutional provisions, the President summons a session of the National Assembly on the Cabinet's recommendation. The first meeting of the upper house will be held inside Singha Durbar, the administrative capital of the Himalayan nation. According to Eak Ram Giri, spokesperson for the Federal Parliament Secretariat, the hall of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee located within Singha Durbar has been arranged to host the National Assembly meeting. During the Gen-Z movement, the Parliament building in New Baneshwor was damaged by fire. Following this, arrangements were made to hold the National Assembly meeting at Singha Durbar as an alternative venue. The Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee hall has been prepared for the Assembly session. Spokesperson Giri said, "Ninety per cent of the work has been completed, and the remaining work will be finished before Magh 4." The National Assembly meeting is being convened following the Gen-Z movement, which took place on September 8 and 9, 2025. After the movement, an interim government was formed and the House of Representatives was dissolved. On the recommendation of the interim government, the President prorogued the National Assembly session in mid-September. According to the Parliament Secretariat, there are several agenda items for the upcoming National Assembly session, including some bills and ordinances introduced by the government. In addition, parliamentary committee study reports and annual reports are also on the agenda. Once the session begins, lawmakers may table resolution motions, attention motions, and motions of urgent public importance. The National Assembly also conducts a direct question-and-answer session with ministers. (ANI) The Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi, Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, on Monday met with Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran (PAI) Division at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India. The meeting took place at the Ministry of External Affairs office in the national capital. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on bilateral political and economic relations, trade expansion, visa facilitation, and the challenges faced by Afghan traders, students, and Afghan nationals residing in India. In a post on X, the Afghanistan Embassy in India, "The Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in New Delhi, H.E. Mufti Noor Ahmad Noor, met with Mr Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary of the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran (PAI) Division at the Ministry of External Affairs of India." https://x.com/AFGEmbassyINDIA/status/2010756818247860287 Earlier, on January 10, Afghanistan appointed diplomat Noor Ahmed Noor at the Afghan Embassy in Delhi. He previously served as Director General of the First Political Department at Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry and was also a member of Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi's delegation during his visit to India in October last year. Earlier on December 20, Afghanistan's Minister of Public Health, Mawlawi Noor Jalal Jalali, said that India is emerging as a key alternative partner for Afghanistan's pharmaceutical needs, as its relationship with Pakistan stands "deteriorated". Jalali said Afghanistan seeks to open a "new chapter" in cooperation with India, highlighting the long-standing ties between the two countries and India's role as a reliable health partner. "We have a strong relationship with India, and we are here to open a new chapter of cooperation and collaboration. When it comes to Pakistan, the relationship has deteriorated." His remarks came during his visit to India for the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, held in New Delhi. India reaffirmed its commitment to continued humanitarian support for Afghanistan, emphasising the long-term supply of medicines and health assistance as a key pillar of bilateral engagement. Jalali's visit followed the Ministry of External Affairs' welcoming him on his first official visit to India, underlining New Delhi's continued humanitarian outreach to Afghanistan despite changing regional dynamics. Jalali's visit was part of a broader pattern of official exchanges between the two countries. In October 2025, Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India for the first time since the Taliban took over in Afghanistan. Speaking to ANI during that visit, Muttaqi expressed gratitude for the reception he received, saying, "The journey has been very good so far. Not just the people of Darul Uloom, but everyone in the area, has come here. I am grateful for the warm welcome they extended to me." Afghanistan's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi, on November 24, had announced that long-standing visa hurdles between India and Afghanistan have been resolved, allowing Afghan citizens to obtain Indian visas for both medical treatment and business purposes. (ANI) Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Monday said that the India-Germany friendship finds inspiration in shared values of sustainability, resilience, and human-centred development after the visit of the German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the historic Adalaj Stepwell in Gujarat. In a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "@Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz accompanied by EAM @DrSJaishankar visited Adalaj Stepwell in Gujarat, a 15th century architectural marvel and a symbol of rich confluence of heritage, sustainability and community life." https://x.com/meaindia/status/2010757579555959075 "The stepwell served as a water source, place for community gathering and cool refuge for locals and travelers. India-Germany friendship finds inspiration in shared values of sustainability, resilience and human-centered development," the MEA spokesperson added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the growing momentum in India-Germany ties, underscoring the importance of deeper economic cooperation between the two countries as German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz began his two-day official visit to India. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Chancellor Merz and I met Indian and German CEOs. Close collaboration between India and Germany is important for the entire world. Growing trade and investment ties have infused new momentum into our partnership. Our bilateral trade has reached an all-time high, and several German companies are investing in India. We want to deepen economic linkages even further in the times to come." India and Germany on Monday finalised a set of agreements across a wide range of sectors, including defence, technology, health, energy and human resources, during German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's two-day official visit to India. The Ministry of External Affairs said the two sides concluded 19 agreements and announced several measures to intensify engagement across strategic, economic and people-to-people pillars. One of the key outcomes was a Joint Declaration of Intent to boost bilateral defence industrial cooperation. Speaking at the India-Germany CEOs Forum, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "This will provide clear policy support to our companies for co-innovation and co-production in defence. New opportunities for cooperation will also open up in the space sector." (ANI) OSAKA, Jan 12 (News On Japan) - As mass production and mass consumption continue to drive the disposal of some 560,000 tons of clothing each year, there is growing urgency to reduce waste and build systems that circulate garments as reusable resources rather than discards. In response, industry veterans led by Izutani, who has spent more than 40 years in the apparel sector, have launched Japans first nationwide Sustainable Fashion Platform Council through a partnership linking businesses, government, and the public in Osaka. Under the initiative, clothing is collected at around 70 locations across Osaka Prefecture, including department stores and the prefectural government offices, before being transported to a sorting facility known as Fiber CDM. There, items are classified into roughly 200 categories and redirected for reuse, ranging from overseas resale to recycled fiber materials and industrial cleaning cloths. Clothing that had previously been considered unsuitable for reuse is now also being repurposed as building materials, made possible by the participation of textile trading companies. The main challenge going forward is expanding the volume of collected clothing, with organizers calling for wider adoption of household collection programs led by local governments. The Osaka-based initiative is being seen as a significant step toward addressing Japans growing clothing waste problem and redefining the notion that unwanted garments must simply be thrown away. Source: Television OSAKA NEWS OSAKA, Jan 12 (News On Japan) - A joint project with the Nikkei takes a closer look at Generation Alpha, the cohort expected to shape the next era. Born from 2010 onward, this generation is said to account for roughly a quarter of the worlds population. At the Osaka-Kansai Expo, children demonstrated their potential by creating light and sound performances through programming, while in schools, online classes and the use of AI have become part of everyday life. Many students even turn to ChatGPT to seek advice about personal worries, drawing attention to Generation Alpha as a lens through which the future of society can be seen. The Osaka-Kansai Expo, which concluded last year amid large crowds, brought together cutting-edge technologies under the concept of an experimental future society, and for children in particular, it became a place of learning. One example was Panasonics pavilion, which offered extraordinary experiences using three-dimensional sound and 360-degree visual systems. In fact, many elementary school students were involved in the pavilions design starting about three months before the Expo opened. Asked what they were doing with serious expressions on their faces, the children explained that they were writing programs on computers. They said they wanted to create something together that would be seen by the many visitors expected to come to the Expo. The project invited children to design the pavilions lighting, developing stories of their own and programming light and sound accordingly, which were then used to illuminate the pavilions exterior. Explaining the aim of the project, the producer said the goal was to help children recognize the hidden potential they possess and to create opportunities for them to discover their own abilities. The pavilions main target audience was Generation Alpha. While different generations have been labeled according to their birth periods, such as the baby boomers or the bubble generation, Generation Alpha refers to those born from 2010 onward, now up to around 16 years old. Although Japan continues to face a declining birthrate, globally the population of Generation Alpha is estimated at about 2 billion. They are expected to become the main drivers of consumption in the near future. The enormous 70-meter-long pavilion was lit up with designs created by children, showcasing another defining trait of Generation Alpha: their lack of resistance to programming. Programming education became compulsory in elementary schools nationwide from fiscal 2020, and many children now approach digital creation with ease. One participant said seeing something they made with their own hands capture someones attention and move their emotions, hearing comments like That was amazing or That was great, can have the power to change a persons life. Growing up with computers and smartphones as part of their everyday environment, Generation Alpha has been immersed in digital tools from an early age. According to overseas researchers who coined the term, Generation Alpha is a generation of technological media immersion, and by understanding them, it becomes possible to glimpse what lies ahead for society. To explore the reality of this generation, reporters visited schools, where classes began with students putting on headphones as foreign teachers appeared on their screens. In English lessons, students now enjoy one-on-one conversations with teachers in the Philippines through live online connections. With computers and tablets now standard on a one-device-per-student basis, the use of online classes has expanded, and many students say they prefer interacting through screens rather than face-to-face. Some explained that it feels easier to ask questions online without worrying about burdening the other person, while others said they feel less nervous speaking through a screen. To dig deeper into the mindset of Generation Alpha, Nikkei journalists surveyed more than 1,000 students at seven junior high schools nationwide, with TV Osaka also joining part of the coverage. When asked about issues they hope will improve in Japan and the world, students spoke about concerns ranging from Japans aging population and low birthrate to the need for self-reliance through saving and financial planning. As reporters listened to their views on future challenges, health, and advanced technology, one word stood out: Chappie. The term refers to ChatGPT, an AI capable of holding natural, human-like conversations. Asked whether they had ever consulted AI about personal worries, 38% of students said they had. For many junior high school students today, it is neither parents nor friends but AI that becomes a confidant. One student said that with friends, emotions can get in the way and lead to misunderstandings, but ChatGPT always listens, stays supportive, and is always there, making it feel like a reliable presence, even if not quite a best friend. Trusting and feeling familiarity toward AI appears to be another characteristic of this generation. A Nikkei reporter who oversaw the coverage said there is no doubt that Generation Alpha will account for a large share of society, and that how their abilities are harnessed, and how older generations work together to build a society where they can thrive, will be crucial not only for Japan but for the future of the Japanese economy. Source: Television OSAKA NEWS OSAKA, Jan 12 (News On Japan) - One of Osakas oldest cafes has closed, highlighting how a record surge in restaurant bankruptcies is sweeping up even long-established eateries. According to a survey released in December 2025, the number of food and beverage businesses that went bankrupt between January and November 2025 reached 820, putting the full-year total on track to set a new record. The trend is now affecting long-running establishments that have long been part of the local food culture. In one case, a cafe said to be the oldest in Osaka shut down after its aging building required reconstruction, a cost the business could not cover with its modest profits. A well-known udon restaurant beloved by many famous comedians also closed as its owner grew older, with similar cases becoming increasingly common. What these two establishments share, however, is the emergence of successors. The cafes successor plans to reopen in a different location through a temporary leasing arrangement, while the udon shops successor successfully recreated a once-lost flavor, leading to the development of a multi-store operation. Even as locations and names change, the appeal of these renowned eateries is being passed down, underscoring how the essence of a famous shop can endure beyond its original form. Source: KTV NEWS TOKYO, Jan 13 (News On Japan) - Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi arrived in Nara on January 12th ahead of a Japan-South Korea summit scheduled for the following day, marking her first visit to her home region since taking office. After landing at Itami Airport shortly after 1 p.m. on January 12th, Takaichi traveled to a cemetery in Nara City, where she paid respects at her familys ancestral grave. She later visited another cemetery in the city to lay flowers at a memorial for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was fatally shot in Nara City four years ago. It was the first time since becoming prime minister that Takaichi had returned to her hometown. At around 3:55 p.m., a vehicle carrying Takaichi arrived at a hotel in Nara City, according to a local television reporter observing the scene. On January 13th, Takaichi is scheduled to hold talks at the Nara City hotel with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. Security has been tightened in the surrounding area, with investigators saying several thousand personnel, including reinforcements from across the country, have been deployed. Traffic restrictions are also expected on some expressways not only in Nara Prefecture but also in neighboring Osaka Prefecture on January 13th and 14th. Source: YOMIURI Ralph Fiennes has teased his Dr. Kelson hasnt gone mad in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Ralph Fiennes has teased his Dr. Kelson 'hasnt gone mad' in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple The 63-year-old actor is set to return as the enigmatic doctor in the upcoming sequel to the 2025 horror flick 28 Years Later, and Fiennes has now reflected on his character and the role he plays in the apocalypse. Speaking with Bloody Disgusting, Fiennes said of Dr. Kelson: I think hes written as empathetic, hes essentially a man whos, hes a doctor, he cares. He has no agenda. Hes got this task of honouring the dead. I think hes a combination, isnt he, of sort of doctor and a mortician, and I think he must have unusual psychological stamina, that within the small amount of possessions hes retained, books and records, hes been able to keep some rationale alive. He hasnt gone mad. Some people wouldve gone violent, or gone mad, or committed suicide, hes got some strong interior. The Harry Potter star added Kelsons connection with the infected Alpha dubbed Samson (Chi Lewis-Parry) would be explored further in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple. Fiennes explained: I think his project gives him meaning, gives life meaning for him, and he recognises he might die, but hes unusual. Hes something of a medieval figure who survives in a sort of landscape of plague. Theyre odd, I think theyre odd, hes almost a sort of priest-like as well. Yeah. I can only think hes held on to something. There are people, I think, with extraordinary psychological stamina, who will hold on, and keep by reading and listening to music, and just keep connected to a sense of the rational. As for Samson himself, Lewis-Parry teased the infected Alpha might have found a way to survive beyond what he is through Kelson. The 42-year-old actor said: I believe that Samson is seeking help; he doesnt want to be what he is anymore. He sees that opportunity in Kelson and Kelsons kindness. Kelson hasnt given up on himself, and hes been able to survive this long and maintain a level of intellectual competence with the reading and the music, but Samson is seeing an opportunity to survive beyond what he is, which is a grotesque monster. Directed by Nia DaCosta, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple picks up soon after the events of 28 Years Later, and follows Spike (Alfie Williams) as he is absorbed into Jimmy Crystals (Jack OConnell) gang on the British mainland, only to discover the infected are not the most terrifying threat against his reality. Meanwhile, Dr. Kelson (Fiennes) makes a shocking discovery that could shape the future of the world. The film - which releases on January 14, 2026 in the UK and January 16 in the U.S. - will also star Erin Kellyman as Jimmy Ink, Emma Laird as Jimmima, Maura Bird as Jimmy Jones and Cillian Murphy as Jim in what will be the actors first on-screen role in creator Alex Garland and Danny Boyles horror series since the original 28 Days Later in 2002. Casablanca welcomed pediatricians, health specialists, and medical experts from across Africa for the Second African Congress of Pediatrics, a three-day event focused on addressing the continents childrens health challenges through knowledge exchange and South-South collaboration. The three-day congress (January 911) drew participants from approximately 40 African countries, alongside substantial online attendance. Attendees highlighted the importance of strengthening initial and continuing training for physicians across the continent, as essential levers for improving the healthcare of infants and children, in line with on-the-ground realities. Mohamed Adnaoui, President of Mohammed VI University of Sciences and Health, emphasized the congresss mission to promote South-South collaboration through workshops, knowledge exchanges, and mentorship for emerging professionals. He highlighted the events goal of uniting practicing physicians and pediatric specialists around continental themes while advancing medical training tailored to local realities in child healthcare. Said Afif, President of the African Association of Pediatrics, described the second edition as an outstanding success marked by broad participation from Moroccan and African pediatricians. The scientific program paid particular attention to young professionals, providing opportunities for oral presentations and recognition of research addressing major health topics including nutrition, immunization, and childhood diabetes. The congress featured a comprehensive scientific agenda with thematic workshops covering pulmonology and ENT, cardiology, neonatology, endocrinology, general pediatrics, emergency medicine, vaccinology, and dermatology. These sessions aimed to enhance participants practical skills, encourage experience sharing, and address concrete challenges in child healthcare through research-based approaches. The event underscored Moroccos commitment to advancing pediatric care across Africa while fostering collaborative networks among healthcare professionals. By creating platforms for knowledge transfer and professional development, the congress contributes to building stronger healthcare systems capable of addressing childrens health needs throughout the continent. The emphasis on emerging professionals ensures continuity in pediatric expertise while addressing region-specific health challenges through locally adapted solutions. The event was organized by the Casablanca Association of Private Pediatricians and the African Association of Pediatrics, in partnership with Moroccos Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Mohammed VI Foundation for Science and Health. Following the Iraq Oil Ministrys recent dispatch of exclusive invitations to several major U.S. energy firms to develop the countrys huge West Qurna 2 oilfield after the forced exit of Russian oil number two Lukoil, American oil giant Chevron has emerged as a leading contender. This should occur after an interim nationalisation of the field intended to keep production going as the Russian firm completes its withdrawal. The company is also expected to move ahead shortly with the development of the Nasiriyah project, which comprises four oil exploration blocks in southern Iraqs Dhi Qar province, as well as the development of the Balad oil field in Salah al-Din province. All of this comes as Chevron and and private equity group Quantum Energy Partners are teaming ?up to bid for all of Lukoils estimated US$22 billion of international assets, following a dramatic tightening of sanctions by the U.S. in recent weeks. So, does this finally mark a decisive shift in Iraqs geopolitical stance back towards the U.S. and its Western partners, away from Russia, China, Iran, and their allies? The opening for Chevron and other Western firms to re?enter Iraq stems from a carefully calibrated escalation of sanctions by Washington, London, and Brussels. Most recently, this included measures introduced by the U.S. on 22 October last year targeting Russias top two oil producers Lukoil and Rosneft including any entity in which they hold more than a 50% stake. Between them, the two companies export approximately 3.1 million barrels of oil per day, which the West sees as vital to Russias ability to keep funding its war in Ukraine. Very shortly afterwards, Lukoil relinquished its interests in Iraq, including the giant West Qurna 2 field -- a major turning point in the Wests pushback against growing Chinese and Russian influence in the country, as one senior Washington?based legal source working closely with the U.S. Treasury told OilPrice.com at the time. Lukoils exit from West Qurna 2 was quickly followed by Rosnefts scaling back operations its operations in Iraqi Kurdistan, reducing its stake in the vital Kurdistan Pipeline Company from 60% to 49%. Related: Benin Offshore Oil Production Resumes After Three Decades The speed with which Russias top two oil firms reacted underscores how seriously Moscow is taking the latest sanctions -- and is likely to be read in Beijing as a signal to tread far more carefully with the second presidential administration of Donald Trump than it did with the first, as analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. A very senior adviser to Trump during that period exclusively told OilPrice.com recently: We didnt know how difficult it was to get things done back then, or the best way to do them to get them through quicker, but in the break [between Trumps first and second presidency] we worked all that out and came up with detailed plans, and thats what youre seeing now. The latest measures targeting Lukoil and Rosneft -- and by implication all other Russian and Chinese firms operating in Iraq -- form part of a full suite of blocking sanctions overseen by the U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Targeting Russias top two oil firms marks a major escalation from previous sets of sanctions that encompassed lower-tier firms such as Gazpromneft and Surgutneftegas, which were in turn part of Washingtons gradual tightening of the screws on Putin. These moves have been reinforced by the European Unions (E.U.) continued mirroring of such prohibitions, as seen in its 19th sanctions package, which included measures against Russias shadow fleet of vessels used to evade restrictions.. These included additional measures targeting Russias shadow fleet of vessels used to evade current restrictions. For the first time, the E.U. also targeted Russias crucial liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, having earlier agreed to halt all Russian gas imports by 1 January 2027 -- a full year earlier than previously planned. Before Washington and its Western allies started to turn the screws on Russia and China early in Trumps second term, Moscow and Beijing had been acting with increasing boldness in Iraq and across the wider Middle East. After the U.S. formally ended its combat mission in Iraq in December 2021, China accelerated its acquisition of new fields in the south, while Russia consolidated its disruptive role in the north through Rosneft and expanded its presence in the south through Lukoils West Qurna 2 contract, as also detailed analysed in my latest book on the new global oil market order. These moves have resulted in Chinese companies now holding direct stakes in around 24 billion barrels of Iraqs reserves and responsibility for producing roughly 3 million barrels per day. In effect, more than a third of Iraqs proven reserves and two?thirds of its current production are managed by China. At the same time, continued U.S. and allied military presence in Iraq became the target of heightened pressure from Iran?backed militias -- with direct and indirect support from Russia and China -- through rocket fire, drone strikes, and roadside bombs. Western oil firms faced additional challenges from the entrenched corruption in Iraqs oil and gas sector, prompting several to scale back or withdraw, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, TotalEnergies, and ENI. Russia and Chinas aim at that point was clear: push Western firms out of Iraq, thereby giving Iran greater scope to extend its influence across the region as a proxy for Moscow and Beijing, at the expense of Washington, London, and Brussels and their traditional regional partners in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain. As a very high?ranking Kremlin official told OilPrice.com some years ago: By keeping the West out of energy deals in Iraq, the end of Western hegemony in the Middle East will become the decisive chapter in the Wests final demise. On the other side of geopolitical divide, the U.S. and its allies believe that breaking the multi-layered links between Iraq and Iran would significantly weaken both Baghdads neighbour and its key sponsors, China and Russia. The U.S. and Israel also have a further strategic interest in utilising the Iraqi Kurdistan region as a base for ongoing monitoring operations against Iran. The West additionally sees this northern territory as a critical security bridge from NATO member Turkey into the Middle East and beyond. However, as new Western sanctions have dropped into place, so its major firms have increasingly re-established their presence on the ground in Iraq -- and in critical parts of its oil and gas infrastructure. Frances TotalEnergies is leading a US$27 billion four-pronged deal that includes completing the Common Seawater Supply Project. This is the key project that will determine whether Iraq is ever able to meaningfully increase its oil production, and -- done correctly -- it could see output rise to 12 million barrels per day, as fully analysed in my latest book. Meanwhile, Great Britains BP has agreed a US$25 billion five?field deal in northern Iraq, which the West can subtly leverage to counter Russian and Chinese efforts to eliminate the Kurdistan regions semi?independence and fold it into a pro?Russia, pro?China Baghdad. And on?the?ground development of Iraqs biggest and best oil fields, such as West Qurna 2, by Western majors like Chevron, should further anchor Baghdads interests with those of the West. Currently producing up to 480,000 barrels per day (bpd) of oil, the original development plan for the West Qurna 2 field with estimated recoverable oil reserves of around 13 billion barrels and one of the lowest lifting costs in the world at just US$2-3 per barrel -- was to produce 1.8 million bpd. This was amended in 2013 to a three?stage plan with a peak of 1.2 million bpd. At the same time, the targeted initial capacity of the fields comprising the Nasiriyah Project was 600,000 bpd. It looks reasonable to conclude that if Baghdad continues down this path, Iraqs long?anticipated pivot back toward the West may finally begin to take shape -- and this time, the momentum behind it would appear far harder for Moscow, Beijing, or Tehran to reverse. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com U.S. President Donald Trump on Jan. 11 told Cuba that it should forge a deal with the United States now that Washington has pushed Venezuela to cut off its supply of oil and money to the communist-run island. After the U.S. military captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3, interim Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodriguez has redirected oil deliveries to the United States. Cutting off Venezuelan oil supply to Cuba, which has historically relied on support from Caracas, would apply significant pressure to the Caribbean country, which has been under communist control since Fidel Castros 1959 revolution. "Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela. In return, Cuba provided Security Services for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE! Trump wrote on social media, referring to the Cuban security forces who were killed during the operation to capture Maduro and bring him to the United States to face a federal indictment. The U.S. president said Venezuela no longer needs protection from Cuban security forces now that it has the United States, the most powerful military in the world, to protect its officials. THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBAZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, Trump said. Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, leader of the Cuban regime, responded to Trump in a series of social media posts on Jan. 10, saying the communist nation is ready to defend the Homeland to the last drop of blood. Those who blame the [communist] Revolution for the severe economic shortages we suffer should hold their tongues in shame, he said. As Jacob Burg reports for The Epoch Times, assessments by the U.S. Intelligence Community paint a grim picture inside the communist nation, with Cubas tourism and agriculture industries significantly affected by routine blackouts, trade sanctions, and a host of other problems. The islands tourism industry has seen a decline since the COVID-19 pandemic, and its economy has retracted alongside Venezuelas over the past decade. U.S. embargos have also added to Cubas domestic concerns. Between January 2025 and November 2025, Caracas sent an average of 27,000 barrels per day to Cuba, accounting for roughly 50 percent of the islands oil deficit, or a quarter of Cubas total energy demand, according to the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSAs shipping data and reports. Cuba also receives oil shipments from Russia, which will likely become one of the islands sole remaining suppliers if Washingtons oil embargo continues. Mexico has also supplied Cuba with oil, although Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Jan. 7 that recent oil exports to the island are not higher than what they have been historically. Pressure on Cuba increased after the United States seized two additional Venezuelan-linked oil tankers on Jan. 7. Trump recently told reporters on Air Force One that he thinks that Cuba looks like it is ready to fall. I dont know if theyre going to hold out, but Cuba now has no income, he said. They got all their income from Venezuela, from the Venezuelan oil. Richard Feinberg, a professor emeritus at the University of CaliforniaSan Diego, who has served in several high-ranking U.S. national security roles, told Reuters that Cubas economic conditions are certainly very bad. When a population is really hungry, what it does is, your day-to-day is just about survival. You dont think about politics, all you think about is putting bread on the table for your family, Feinberg said. On the other hand, people can become so desperate that they lose their fear, and they take to the streets. By Zerohedge More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Chinese are nothing if not persistent. In December 2025, Wu Xinbo, Dean, Institute of International Studies, Fudan University and advisor to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, used the pages of Foreign Affairs, to propose a grand bargain between China and America. Wu argues that U.S.China relations have reached a pivotal moment that requires a comprehensive reset to prevent long?term confrontation. He proposes starting with economic cooperationeasing U.S. technology restrictions and increasing Chinese market accesswhile managing geopolitical tensions in Asia and exercising mutual restraint over Taiwan. He believes both countries must clarify their roles in the international order and accept coexistence to stabilize the relationship. The leaders should agree to a concert of power, that is, active coordination as opposed to a balance of power. Also on tap would be reform of the current international system to increase permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council for developing nations, and adjusting the distribution of shares and quotas in the IMF [International Monetary Fund] and World Bank. Wu makes the point that China has benefited from the existing international order and desires reform not burning down the house. The new National Security Strategy of the United States of America (NSS) largely discusses China in economic terms, though it also proposes denying aggression anywhere in the First Island Chain which China may see as a continuation of the Cold War policy of containment, though that would be near-impossible as China is richer than the Soviet Union and the U.S. and Chinese economies are intertwined.. China has made previous attempts to cooperate with the U.S. In April 2013, Xi Jinping told then-U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry he welcomed American participation in One Belt, One Road (later the Belt and Road Initiative, the BRI), Washington never followed up. When Xi and Kerry spoke, Xi was the new president and was amenable to cooperating with the U.S., though U.S.-China cooperation would have foundered due to structural factors in Washington. Related: Is Iraq About to Make Its Biggest Geopolitical Pivot in Years? On 24 November 2025, Chinas leader Xi Jinping phoned U.S. President Donald Trump. According to China analyst Arnaud Bertrand, Xi told Trump, Taiwans return to China is an important component of the post-war international order and urged China and the U.S. to jointly maintain the WWII victory fruits in the fight against fascism and militarism, an obvious reference to Japans recent behavior. Trumps take on the discussion emphasized Soybeans and Farm Products so he either missed the point or highlighted issues of interest to farm state constituents hurt by his tariffs. On 18 December 2025, the U.S. approved a USD$11 billion arms sale to Taiwan (the largest arms transfer to date) that included missiles capable of striking mainland China, so Xi may think that is Trumps response to his outreach. According to Americas top diplomat, Marco Rubio, who likely reflects Trumps thinking, So its not normal for the world to simply have a unipolar power. That was an anomaly. It was a product of the end of the Cold War, but eventually you were going to reach back to a point where you had a multipolar world, multi-great powers in different parts of the planet. And influential elements of the U.S. national security machinery may be trending that way. In October 2025, , RAND Corporation published Stabilizing the U.S.-China Rivalry about how Beijing and Washington could manage their rivalry though the authors acknowledged hard work ahead when they declared, We do not believe that collaborative coexistence is possible today and China harbors goals and intentions that are inimical to U.S. interests. Like Wu, RAND suggested a multi-step approach rather than a Big Bang deal that would please Trump but would never cut through the entrenched interests of Congress, think tanks and media, defense contractors, and the military and security services. The RAND study was later quietly removed from the Corporations website and there was no indication the analysis was factually wrong or favored China over the U.S., but the reports suggestion of managed rivalry rather than escalation may have gone against the prevailing interests in Washington, D.C., especially accepting the legitimacy of the Communist Party of China. The same holds in China: Wu is regarded as Chinas top expert on American affairs, and Fudan University is the alma mater of Wang Huning, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and former member of the faculty at Fudan. It is a safe bet that Wus article reflects thinking at the top of Chinas hierarchy and is the informal introduction of a new policy ahead of the U.S.-China state visits in 2026. It makes sense for Beijing to propose a grand bargain, a co-chairmanship for the American and Chinese leaders. Though Wu hopes Trump is agreeable to shared leadership, Chinas other audience is the rest of the world that will not want to trade one hegemon for another but likes the idea of the two powers balancing each other. If Trump rejects the idea, China still benefits for trying to frame a responsible governance initiative for the 21st century world. Of course, Xis idea of shared anything with America means 51% for China, but thats politics. If conflict with the U.S. escalates, China is well-positioned to win in the Taiwan Strait as it has a newer navy, the advantage of short and interior lines of communication, and hypersonic weapons against which the U.S. has no reliable countermeasures. In war games of a U.S.-China clash over Taiwan, even if Chinas attack on Taiwan is repelled, the U.S. suffers significant losses, typically around 500 aircraft, 20 surface ships, and two, sometimes four, aircraft carriers, according to recent studies by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. And a victory over China would be a political disaster to the president (and his party) as the U.S. would suffer tens of thousands of casualties, and tens of billions of dollars of lost equipment that would take decades to replace, crippling the U.S. military presence in the rest of the world. But a victory for China would also be expensive so it makes sense to propose a peaceful deal to the likely future belligerent. China will also wish to avoid a war due to its one-child policy that was introduced to limit population growth and support economic development. (The policy ended in 2016.) Now, however, it is a vulnerability, as a war with the U.S. that ends inconclusively or with a loss will endanger Communist Party legitimacy, as the now-childless families ask why they sacrificed. And China still harbors bitter memories of war, specifically the Japanese invasions, the first of which (1894-1895) caused China to cede Taiwan to Japan. The second Japanese invasion (1937-1945) was notable for war crimes and crimes against humanity. According to the World Bank, Since 1978, the beginning of Chinas reform and opening up period, GDP growth has averaged over 9 percent a year, lifting almost 800 million people out of extreme poverty and transforming China from a low-income to upper-middle-income country. It is Chinas record alleviating poverty that paved the way for projects like the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, not that China-built roads and airports are unique. Chinas economic progress has not diluted its character as a high-trust society and a Harvard University long-term study found rising satisfaction with the central government over many years, even though local governments receive lower ratings. In October 2025, Trump proposed a formal G2 of the U.S. and China, but Beijing is disinterested in that. However, the classified version of the NSS allegedly discusses the Core 5, the U.S., China, Russia, India, and Japan, that would regularly meet to discuss issues of global significance. The C5 may fail due to the current poor state of Japan-China relations, what Japan Times calls a dangerous new equilibrium. On the last day of 2025, the Wall Street Journal headlined China signals it wont give an inch to the US in Latin America, but will Chinas all-weather relationship prove resilient after the U.S. abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicholas Maduro? Trump has declared the U.S. is going to run the country, so the U.S. may have to assume the duties and obligations of the occupying power under international humanitarian law. Beijing will be anxious to see if its loans and investments (about USD106 billion) and contracts (China buys 400,000 barrels of oil per day; Trump said supplies to China will continue) will be respected, though they are at elevated risk. And Trump will rebuff the idea of a Chinese Monroe Doctrine, though he has set a precedent for Chinas unilateral action against Taiwan to enforce the Anti-Secession Law. China relied on Venezuela for about 4.5% of its seaborne crude imports and will be able to secure the lost crude elsewhere, leaving the U.S. to deal with oil that is expensive to transport and refine. China is importing a half-million surplus barrels of crude daily and is bringing 170 million barrels of new storage online. If oil prices continue to fall, China will easily make up the import deficit and accelerate filling its strategic petroleum reserve. Five days after the U.S. attack on Venezuela, Bloomberg reports Chinese teapot refineries are switching to Canadian heavy oil as an alternative; and the short-term impact to Chinese refineries will be softened by large volumes of sanctioned crude being stored at sea. China may be vacating Venezuela just in time: U.S. oil companies expect "serious guarantees" from Washington (Exxons CEO calls Venezuela today uninvestable.) before they commit the billions needed to rehabilitate Venezuelas oil industry, and they will be expected to stop Venezuelas methane emissions. According to Bloomberg, roughly thirteen billion cubic meters of natural gas are flared, vented, or leaked every year, wasting about $1.4 billion in potential revenue. The International Energy Agency reports Venezuela is the biggest methane emitter in Central and South America, and upstream methane emissions intensity of oil and gas operations in Venezuela is six times the global average, and its flaring intensity is ten times the global average. Venezuela is the fifth largest natural gas flaring country in the world (the U.S. is #4) according to the World Bank. More importantly, the U.S. beachhead in Venezuela means Washington may threaten Chinas Latin America projects, such as long-term food supply contracts and infrastructure investments in logistics and port facilities, notably the deep-water port in Chancay, Peru. And Trump would like to displace China as Latin Americas top trade partner. The U.S. attacked Venezuela shortly after Maduro met with a Chinese envoy, but China cant project power to the Caribbean to protect its investments, such as PetroSinovensa, a joint venture by China National Petroleum Corporation and Venezuelas state-owned PDVSA. Instead, it should defend its rights in the courts and at the political level, offer discreet support to any Venezuelan resistance, and let Americas war to come to it. U.S. control of Venezuelas proven crude oil reserves, the largest in the world, reduces its exposure to a disruption in oil shipments from the Persian Gulf, increasing the likelihood of a U.S.-Israel attack on Iran to threaten the $400 billion China-Iran 25-year strategic cooperation agreement and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. China buys about 90% of Irans shipped oil - almost 14% of Chinas crude oil imports so Beijing is on notice it may have to get out of its comfort zone and secure the seaborne oil trade both for energy security and political credibility. The squeeze on China starts in Venezuela, then moves to Iran, augmented by U.S. Navy presence at the Strait of Malacca chokepoint. If it happens, the squeeze will validate Chinas crude oil stockpiling and the Russia-China Northern Sea Route. Andrew Korybko observes that the U.S. policy is likely organized around Elbridge Colbys Strategy of Denial to deny China access to the energy and markets that it requires to maintain its growth and thus its superpower trajectory. The American administration seeks to coerce energy producers and weaponize their trade ties against China so that Beijing rebalances its economy towards household consumption instead of saving. In a conflict, the U.S. will expect India to help interdict oil shipments to China, but Delhi is improving relations with Beijing, just celebrated its jump to the worlds #4 economy with a USD4.18 trillion GDP, and is probably resentful it incurs a higher tariff rate (50%) than China (47%). The U.S. Navy may have to go it alone. The key task for Xi and Trump is avoiding pessimism that conflict is inevitable. Trumps state visit to China is planned for April 2026 and its success or failure depends partly on Americas actions in Latin America and whether the U.S. and Israel again attack Iran. By James Durso for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Azerbaijan, a key natural gas supplier to Europe, raised its production by 2.4% in 2025 from the previous year, the Azeri Ministry of Energy said on Monday. Azerbaijan produced 51.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas last year, up by 1.2 bcm, or 2.4%, compared to 2024, according to the ministrys data cited by the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC). The giant Shah Deniz field produced 27.9 bcm, the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) fields contributed 14.1 bcm to Azeri gas output last year, the Absheron field yielded 1.6 bcm, while Azerbaijans state energy firm SOCAR accounted for 7.9 bcm of total gas production, the data showed. Azeri natural gas exports stood at 25.2 bcm last year, flat compared to 2024. Europe was the biggest export destination with half of Azerbaijans gas deliveries last year. At 12.8 bcm, the volumes of gas supplied to Europe inched down by 0.78%. Another 9.6 bcm were delivered to Turkiye, including 5.6 bcm via the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), with sales in Turkey down by 3.03% annually. Georgia received 2.3 bcm of Azerbaijans gas exports, a 4.17% drop, while 0.5 bcm of gas were supplied to Syria. Azerbaijan has also recently signed a deal with Hungary to deliver natural gas for the next two years. SOCAR and Hungarys energy company MVM Group signed a new agreement on natural gas supply effective January 1, 2026, which will further strengthen the strategic energy partnership between Azerbaijan and Hungary. Early this year, Azerbaijans gas exports to the EU were declining2.84 bcm in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 3.2 bcm for the same period of 2024, casting doubt on Bakus total export target of 20 bcm/year by 2027. In 2025, Europe pledged to cut off Russian gas imports by 2027, and bet mostly on higher LNG imports, especially from the United States. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil production offshore Benin, Nigerias neighbor to the west, is set to begin by the end of January, the field operator said on Monday in what would be the first oil from the redeveloped field after it was shut down in 1998. Akrake Petroleum expects to start production at the Seme Field in Block 1 offshore Benin at the end of January 2026, when it completes the drilling of production well AK-2H in the reservoir section, set to start early this week, Akrakes indirect owner, Singapore-based Rex International Holding Limited, said on Monday. While the production well is being drilled, the mobile offshore production unit (MOPU) Stella Energy 1 and the floating storage and offloading unit (FSO) Kristina have already been upgraded and put on location ready for production, the company added. The Seme filed was first discovered in 1969 and pumped oil between 1982 and 1998, when production was shut down due to very low oil prices and large water volumes in the output. In August 2025, Akrake Petroleum spudded the first well in the Seme field as part of a 100-day three-well work-program to redevelop the oilfield, which yielded a total of 22 million barrels of oil until it was closed in 1998. The initial guidance was first oil from the redeveloped field to flow at the end of 2025, but technical difficulties in the drilling postponed the start of the oil production to late January. West Africa has seen increased attention by international majors, while Benins neighbor Nigeria, the top African oil producer and an OPEC member, plans to materially raise its oil and gas production in the coming years. Last year, BP loaded the first LNG cargo for export from Phase 1 of the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim project further northwest of Benin, a project that straddles Mauritania and Senegal. In southwest Africa, Angola and Namibia have also drawn exploration interest from Big Oil in recent years. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Stellan Skarsgard has suggested Meryl Streep could return for a third instalment in the Mamma Mia! franchise. Stellan Skarsgard has hinted Meryl Streep could be in the cast for Mamma Mia 3 The Hollywood actress played Donna Sheridan in the first film, 2008's Mamma Mia!, but she was killed off prior to the events of 2018 sequel Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again - with Streep appearing in dream sequences and with Lily James playing the character in flashbacks. Movie bosses are now said to be preparing to start work on a third film and castmember Skarsgard has hinted Meryl will make another comeback. Speaking backstage at the Golden Globe Awards, he told Us Weekly: "Everybody can be brought back in the movies. In the movies, its fantastic! ... "A lot of people are working on it to bring it [Mamma Mia!] back." He then added: "Shes not dead, you know! Meryl Streep is not dead!" Streep, 74, previously admitted she would love to return for a third film but has no idea how her character could be brought back. Speaking to Deadline.com at the Cannes Film Festival in France in May, she explained: "Of course I want to do it. I think folks love it. "I dont know how theyre going to do it. They have an idea. I havent heard it yet. Im going to hear about it pretty soon." Amanda Seyfried - who played Donnas daughter, Sophie Sheridan, in both films - also previously spoke about the potential for a third film but hinted she's frustrated by the lack of progress so far. She told ScreenRant: "We're not anywhere. I mean, there's so many of us in it, and if you don't have a story you can't cast in your head yet ... "I don't know what the story is going to be, and I know that the music part ... it's a big part of it, so we have to make sure that everybody is aligned. I don't know. I wish I was producing because I would've made it already." Seyfried stressed the third Mamma Mia! film could feature ABBA tracks that have been used in the previous movies. The Dear John star said: "You don't need any new songs ... They do have songs, but I don't want to hear the King Kong Song in Mamma Mia! 3. I want to go with our hits. I want to go with Super Trouper and Chiquitita." The European Union issued on Monday a guidance document on a minimum pricing mechanism for Chinese electric vehicles in a move that China welcomed as a soft landing on the controversial EU tariffs on China-made battery EVs. At the end of 2024, the European Commission received enough support from the EU member states to impose tariffs ranging from 7.8% to 35.3% on imports of electric vehicles from China due to unfair subsidizing. The EU tariffs, in force since July 2024, have led to a reaction in China, which opened anti-dumping investigations of EU imports, targeting brandy and pork imports from the bloc, likely aimed at Spain, France, the Netherlands, and Denmark. Now, following months of negotiations, the European Commission issued a Guidance Document on the submission of price undertaking offers on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China. The guidance covers various aspects to be addressed in a possible undertaking offer, including the minimum import price, sales channels, cross-compensation, and future investments in the EU, the Commission said. In the guidance, the EU acknowledges that it will assess each price undertaking offer against the same legal criteria in an objective and fair manner, following the principle of non-discrimination and in accordance with relevant WTO rules, Chinas Commerce Ministry said on Monday. The progress on the issue shows that both China and the EU have the ability and willingness to properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation under the framework of WTO rules and maintain the stability of automotive industrial and supply chains globally, China added. The China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (CCCEU) praised the positive outcome achieved through dialogue and consultations between China and the European Union, which has enabled a soft landing in the electric vehicle case. China has extended its global lead in EV sales as both the EU and the U.S. have recently backed away from previous pledges, reducing competitive pressure on Chinese vehicles. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com West Texas Intermediate could drop all the way to $50 per barrel towards the end of this year, Goldman Sachs energy analysts said in a note that cited an expected market imbalance with excess supply that would put pressure on benchmarks. At the same time, the investment banks analysts noted the role of geopolitics as a counterweight for prices, according to a Reuters report. Rising global oil stocks and our forecast of a 2.3mb/d surplus in 2026 suggest that rebalancing the market likely requires lower oil prices in 2026 to slow down non-OPEC supply growth and support solid demand growth, barring large supply disruptions or OPEC production cuts, Goldman said. Right now, there is potential for just such a disruption from protests in Iran. ANZ analysts noted that protesters had called on oil industry workers to stop work and join the protests. The situation puts at least 1.9 million barrels per day of oil exports at risk of disruption, the bank said. Goldman, meanwhile, sounded a more bullish note for 2027. By that year, the global oil market may have swung into a deficit, and prices could be recovering. The deficit, per Goldman, would be the result of a reversal in production growth among non-OPEC countries, presumably in response to the current price situation, and to an OPEC production slowdown. Even so, the investment bank projected Brent crude at $54-$58 per barrel for that year, down by $5 from an earlier price estimate for 2027. Further out, Goldman analysts were even more bullish, citing robust oil demand supporting oil prices until 2040 and boosting investment after years of frugality in the industry on expectations of peak oil demand coming from net-zero-related forecasting outlets. By 2035, Brent crude could top $70 per barrel, the investment bank predicted. That, too, was a downward revision from earlier forecasts, again by 45 per barrel. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Indonesia inaugurated on Monday the upgraded Balikpapan refinery, which cost $7.4 billion to redevelop and is another step toward self-sufficiency in fuel supply. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia attended the inauguration ceremony for Pertaminas refinery, whose processing capacity has been raised to 360,000 barrels per day (bpd) from 260,000 bpd, making it the countrys largest refinery in terms of capacity. We must be capable of producing our own food and energy, Subianto, the president of Southeast Asias biggest economy, said. With the energy sources we have, we can actually produce our own energy, without needing to import energy. This is our goal for the next five to seven years, the president added. Thanks to the biodiesel mandate and rising production from the upgraded refinery, Indonesia could be able to stop importing gasoil and jet fuel by 2027, Energy Minister Lahadalia said at the inauguration ceremony. In 2027, God willing we no longer import jet fuel, only importing crude oil, the minister said. Last year, Indonesia allowed private fuel retailers, including the units of BP and Shell, to import fuel via state-controlled energy firm Pertamina. Indonesia removed Pertaminas monopoly in the fuel retail market two decades ago. But the state oil and gas firm has continued to have a dominant position in supply, while private retailers have suffered from continued restrictions on the import of non-subsidized fuel. Indonesia is also looking to reverse a decline in its crude oil production in a bid to reduce dependence on imports as its fuel demand continues to rise. Last month, Indonesia put up for tender eight new blocks to be awarded to companies. The blocks are estimated to hold billions of barrels of crude oil and billions of cubic feet of gas as Indonesia looks to reduce its import dependence and reverse a years-long decline in its oil production. Indonesia looks to unlock its upstream potential by offering more than 100 previously untapped oil and gas basins to global investors for exploration. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The United States is considering very strong options in Iran in response to the Iranian regimes crackdown on the biggest protests in the Islamic Republic in more than a decade, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday night. The military is looking at it, and we're looking at some very strong options, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. President Trump also said that Iran now wants to negotiate after the U.S. Presidents threat to strike the country over the killing of protesters. More than 500 people are estimated to have been killed and thousands arrested by Iranian forces in the protests that have escalated in recent days. On Friday, Iran cut off Internet, as the regime frequently does amid protests in the autocratic country. Irans leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Friday slammed the protests and protesters, accusing them of being vandals acting on behalf of President Trump. In a televised address and amid the Internet blackout, Khamenei vowed that the Islamic Republic would not back down to protesters and Trump. The U.S. President on Sunday night claimed that Iran wants to negotiate, noting I think they're tired of being beat up by the United States. The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what's happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate, President Trump told reporters on Air Force One. At the time of writing, there was no acknowledgement from Iran that Tehran would negotiate. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former commander of the Revolutionary Guard in Iran, an elite military force, warned the U.S., Let us be clear: in the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all U.S. bases and ships will be our legitimate target. Oil prices were little changed early on Monday, and were mostly flat in Asian trading. However, the latest rhetoric from both the U.S. and Iran is raising the geopolitical war premium in oil, and prices could be in for a very volatile week. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Vitol and Trafigura are offering Venezuelan crude to refiners in China and India for March delivery, trade sources told Reuters on Monday, days after two of the worlds biggest independent oil traders obtained special U.S. licenses to help market Venezuelas oil. At the request of the US government, Trafigura and Vitol are providing logistical and marketing services to facilitate the sale of Venezuelan oil, Trafigura said on Friday, following a meeting of oil industry executives with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. Trafigura operates in full compliance with applicable sanctions and holds all necessary licenses to perform these transactions, the trader added. While the big U.S. oil companies are reluctant to commit billions of dollars of investments to restore Venezuelas oil industry, with Exxons CEO Darren Woods saying Venezuela is currently uninvestable, the worlds biggest traders jumped at the opportunity to help trade Venezuelan oil. At the White House meeting, Trafiguras CEO Richard Holtum told President Trump that the commodity trading group is working to bring that Venezuelan oil to the United States, adding that the first vessel should load in the next week. Vitol and Trafigura are now in talks with Chinese and Indian refiners to sell cargoes of Venezuelan crude for delivery in March, according to Reuters sources. Vitol, the worlds biggest independent oil trader, has approached Indian state-controlled refiners to offer the crude at a discount of $8-$8.50 per barrel versus ICE Brent on a delivered basis, one of the sources told Reuters. Vitol and Trafigura have also contacted PetroChina about potential interest in Venezuelas flagship heavy sour crude Merey, which was a staple with the Chinese state oil giant before the U.S. sanctioned Venezuelas exports during President Trumps first term in office. Last week, the global head of Trafiguras oil division, Ben Luckock, told Bloomberg that I think everyone is looking at what opportunities there may be in Venezuela. The prospect of imminent unfreezing of Venezuelas oil flows offset early on Monday the rising geopolitical risk premium from the protests in Iran and rhetoric from the U.S. and Iran on the escalating protests and regime violence against protesters. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com (Photo by Ichiro Katayanagi/Stripes Okinawa) If you are in the mood to take out something garlicky, I highly recommend a rotisserie chicken at Bueno Chicken Futenma, a 10-minute walk from Hospital Gate on Camp Foster. Its chicken is one of the most popular Okinawa soul foods, and the shop is a household name in Okinawa. In 1975, an Okinawan couple opened the restaurant. They learned how to make a rotisserie chicken from a shop while living in Argentina. The name of the restaurant, Bueno Chicken, was named for Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. Also, bueno in Spanish means good. The long-established restaurant is loved by not only local people for special occasions but also tourists. Nearby in Urasoe City, is another Bueno Chicken, but it was opened by an ex-employee of the Futenma shop. The restaurants are independent and the brand is not a chain. However, that hasnt stopped tourists from trying both to compare the differences! The reason for its popularity is simple: The chicken is delicious! According to Bueno Chicken Futenmas website, they have three secrets for why their chicken is incredible. First, they marinate their chicken overnight in a special marinade made with garlic and other herbs. Second, they only use young raw chicken from Okinawa, so its tender and delectable. Third, the slow rotisserie cooking process ensures the excess fat dissolves and leaves a soft, moist chicken. (Photo by Ichiro Katayanagi/Stripes Okinawa) Like other tourists, Bueno Chicken was on my list to visit during my recent trip to Okinawa. I was shocked to find the shop had sold out of rotisserie chickens on my first attempt one evening. Their regular business hours are until 6 p.m. or earlier if they sell out before then. Dang it! I made up my mind to visit there again the next morning. I returned at 11 a.m. and was fortunate to get my hands on half a chicken. The shop staff said they usually sell out by 5 p.m., so the earlier visit, the better. The menu is very simple, they offer a whole rotisserie chicken, half chicken and an empanada (chicken pie). Also, the restaurant does not have parking, so customers mostly do take out. Dining in is possible, but the store only has two tables that seat up to four people each. Two chicken rotating machines. (Photo by Ichiro Katayanagi/Stripes Okinawa) Opening the takeout box at the hotel, I smelled good garlic and herbs. My order came with six pieces of rotisserie chicken. I warmed it up in the microwave then dug in. Each bite was tender, juicy and the smell of garlic and spices stimulated my appetite. The chicken was not oily, so it was easy to indulge. I wanted to eat it with bread or rice on the side, but I was satisfied with the chicken alone. No carbs needed! (Photo by Ichiro Katayanagi/Stripes Okinawa) One important thing is that they do not offer either a fork or chopsticks, so you need to prepare either one in advance if you do not have them with you. Otherwise, you may result in eating it with amenity toothbrushes like I did. Besides that minor detail, it was a delightful meal and afterward I understood why something so delicious would sell out daily. Dont miss out on the flavorful rotisserie chicken in Okinawa! Bueno Chicken Futenma by Naomi Inman The final signatures were plunked down on December 30down on the Secretary of States desk. It was a slam dunk for the Oregon System. In less than 50 days, a quarter-million Oregon voters lined up in every county to sign the Stop the Gas Tax petition (2025-302) and refer Governor Tina Koteks $4.3 billion hike on gas, wages, and transportation (HB 3991) to the voters in November 2026. For weeks, we watched 250,000 voters participate in the Oregon System, a form of direct democracy established in 1902, giving voters the right to challenge laws passed by the legislature. Since then, Oregon voters have voted on nearly 70 veto referendums and repealed 42 targeted laws. Nick Stark, executive director of the Oregon Freedom Coalition, told Cascade, The chief petitioners turned in nearly enough signatures to qualify for a constitutional referenduma very high bar. Although it isnt a constitutional referendum this time, these numbers signal we are capable of qualifying for constitutional amendments in the future. The record-breaking signature drive was a shrill signal to legislators that Oregons voters are up for any future challengeespecially any challenges during the five-week session beginning in February. Today, on January 7, Governor Tina Kotek called for lawmakers to redirect, repeal, and rebuild the beleaguered transportation bill, which would have made a poor running mate in November. She gave Republican leaders a backhanded compliment in her speech to the Oregon Transportation Forum by admitting that, thousands of Oregonians across the state have made their point, and we need to move in a new direction. As designed, the Oregon System earned the Governors attention. On the heels of her announcement, Stark responded, The governors announcement is an admission of failure on their part. A full repeal is not the best answer. It would gut the good parts of the bill, re-institute tolling, and take out the audit of ODOT. It is now incumbent on the majority to come to the table and negotiate. The Governor and her supermajority are back to where they started one year ago, unable to govern and unable to carry out governments most basic functions: to maintain roads, bridges, and highways, to fix potholes and de-ice the streets. Its the stuff all of us need and care about. For decades now, Oregon has given Kotek and her predecessors everything she wantedall the votes and all the money. Yet the lack of imagination in spending solutions and the narrow fixation on collecting more taxes result in a mindset where nothing can be done unless voters pay more for lessmore for gas taxes, more for fees, more for dying transit, and more for fewer roads and fewer lanes for cars in the name of multi-modal transportation. While New York Citys newly elected socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, touts the warmth of collectivist actiontaxpayers in Oregon were nearly condemned to the bitter cold gulag of never-ending tax increases and service decreases. Until a quarter-million voters decided to light a fire, ignited by the spark of individual freedom and democracy. Naomi Inman is External Relations Manager at Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization. As a staff journalist and writer, Naomi helps Cascade make the case for free-market policies through media affairs and publications. By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com One of the Capitol rumors coming from Salem State Capitol is that Governor Kotek may borrow money from the State Accidental Insurance Fund (SAIF) to fund her Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) employees. This fund may be as large as $40 billion dollars. Previously then-Governor Kate Brown tried to use $500 million of this fund to help backfill the $20 billion Public Employee Retirement System debt. In 2004, there was even a Ballot Measure to abolish SAIF and tap into the funds. Governor Kotek is desperate to find money to fund her ODOT plan, sicne the successful referendum drive stopped her $4.3 billion dollar gas tax,wage tax, DMV fee hike bill. The referendum drive gathered soem quarter million signatures in just 38 days as was spear-headed by chief petitioners Senator Brice Starr, Representative Ed Diehl, and Jason Williams of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon. This is just a rumor, but represents a tempting pot of money to raid by politicians. Was this list helpful? If yes, please contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). 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 Donald Trump and his senior officials insist that Greenland must become part of the US. This is for national security purposes, they say, maintaining that Denmark, of which Greenland is a constituent part, is not investing enough in defending the strategically vital region beyondas the US president put itadding "one more dog sled". The 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the US is likely to be the first casualty of any hostile American takeover, since article 2 of that agreement recognizes explicit Danish sovereignty over Greenland. Framing this dispute as an issue of security ignores the fact that for the past 70 years, the US military has largely had a free hand in how it uses its military facilities in the northwest of Greenland to conduct strategic space and hemispheric defensewithout interference from Copenhagen. But America's 2025 national security strategy, released last November, speaks of establishing US dominance in the Western Hemisphere, including Greenland. It shifts attention away from great power competition to a world shaped decisively by the interests and wishes of "larger, richer and stronger nations". If spheres of influence and domination are back in vogue, then smaller economies, including Denmark and even Canada, come under direct threat. Whether faced with dismemberment or incorporation into the US, the prospects are deeply concerning. But the current dramas affecting the Arctic region cannot be blamed entirely on Trump. Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, has played his part too. Approaching the fourth anniversary of his country's invasion of Ukraine, it is not hard to discern how a costly conflict in one part of Europe has had direct implications for other northern European territories. Soon after Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the intergovernmental Arctic Council was suspended because seven out of the eight Arctic states (Canada, Denmark-Greenland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the US) decided they could no longer work with the largest Arctic state, Russia. The Arctic Council was widely regarded as the centerpiece of what a circumpolar Arctic could achieve, working hard to construct key issues such as environmental protection, sustainable development and scientific collaboration. While the Arctic states could freely diverge from one another on non-Arctic matters, there was a superstructure of working groups and taskforces that generated notable scientific and technical reports, alongside the Arctic Economic Council. Ukraine shattered all of that. Finland joined NATO in 2023, followed by Sweden in 2024. Russia pivoted towards China and India, a shift that started after the first round of sanctions following its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The Arctic has fragmented into Russo-Asian and Euro-American segments. Western scientists are no longer able to access and work with Russian scientists, and circumpolar collaboration is suspended. Some bilateral cooperation remains between countries such as Norway and Russia over areas of mutual interest, including managed fisheries in the Barents Sea and search and rescue. But high-level political engagement is now impossible. Russia is instead likely to keep exploring ways of engaging with its Brics-plus group of partners including China, India, UAE and Saudi Arabiaboth through direct economic trade, and in scientific projects in Svalbard and the vast Russian north. Even if there is a peace settlement involving Ukraine, a return to normality seems impossible given the gravity of Russian operations in areas such as critical infrastructure sabotage, shadow fleet operations, and disinformation. Russia is engaged in risky and provocative behavior, designed to be both disorientating and costly to its recipients. It is no exaggeration to say that Europe's Arctic statesand their close allies including the UK, Estonia and Polandare now part of an arc of crisis that stretches from Svalbard and the High North of Europe to the Baltic Sea region and Ukraine. The long-held idea of the Arctic being a zone of peace and cooperation is an illusion. Trump, Putin and the new great game The US president wants Greenlandand expects to get it. There might be a strong element of ego-politics rather than geopolitics to this quest. Making America great again appears (in Trump's eyes) to involve making it largerand grabbing resources is part and parcel of that ambition. Greenland's resource potential has been repeatedly citedas has the enhanced shipping activity of China and Russia, which has elevated concerns that US national security might be jeopardized. 2026 could see a slew of annexation and territorial swaps. For example, Trump takes Greenland while Putin takes the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. After all, neither leader is terribly invested in international treaties and organizations. A cynical deal could also be done to allow Putin to have his way with Ukraine. The ground would thus be prepared for a new world order in which Putin, China's president Xi Jinping and Trump all have their spheres of domination, not just influence. A smaller group of regional superpowers might also be granted their own spheres, with Middle East-based countries looming large in that accommodation alongside the other global superpower, India. The idea might be that a new group of ten-or-so countries would create their new standard operating procedures. Venezuela was just the start, in other words. What all of this would mean for the Arctic region, if it came to pass, is multifaceted. But above all, European Arctic states would no longer have any security guarantees from the US. Difficult choices Whatever happens, the 1951 defense agreement is a Cold War relic that did not protect Denmark from great power overreach. The US stationed nuclear-armed bombers in Greenland in the late 1950s without bothering to consult Copenhagen. NATO unity has now been jeopardized, and Norway and the UK face some difficult choices. Norway needs the US (and Russia) to respect its sovereignty over Svalbard, and it needs the US not to abandon the NATO article 5 commitment to collective defense. Meanwhile, as the UK and Norway work closely on North Atlantic anti-submarine defense, they need to focus on deterring Russia, rather than having to deter a hostile US as well. American dominance and Russian belligerence are clearly taking their tollat a time when the warming of the Arctic is having increasingly adverse effects on local and regional ecologies, and Indigenous and other communities in the far north. The Arctic is melting, thawing and becoming more flammableand geopolitical fuel is being added to the fire. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Lychee, a domestic long-hair cat, had feline infectious peritonitis, a feline coronavirus. He was part of a clinical trial at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine that cured him of the disease. Credit: UC Davis Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have uncovered new details about how a once-deadly coronavirus disease in cats spreads through the immune system. The findings may help scientists better understand long COVID and other long-lasting inflammatory illnesses in people. The disease, feline infectious peritonitis or FIP, is caused by a form of feline coronavirus that changes inside some cats. If left untreated, it is almost always fatal. While FIP only affects cats, it shares many features with serious coronavirus-related conditions in humans, including severe inflammation that can damage multiple organs, as well as symptoms that can persist or return. A broader attack on the immune system For years, the prevailing belief was that the virus behind FIP infected just one type of immune cell. "What we found is that it actually infects a much broader range of immune cells, including those that are critical for fighting infection," said lead author Amir Kol, associate professor with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The study was published in the journal Veterinary Microbiology. The researchers examined lymph node samples from cats with naturally occurring FIP. Lymph nodes are key immune system hubs where white blood cells gather and coordinate responses to disease. The team found viral material inside several types of immune cellsincluding B lymphocytes, which produce antibodies, and T lymphocytes, which help the immune system recognize and eliminate infected cells. They also found evidence that the virus was actively replicating itself inside these immune cells, rather than simply leaving behind harmless fragments. Why this matters beyond cats In people with severe or long-lasting coronavirus illnesses, scientists suspect that the virus may persist in the body or continue to disrupt the immune system. Studying this directly in humans is difficult, because doctors rarely have access to immune tissues such as lymph nodes. Cats with FIP offer a rare opportunity to study these processes up close. "This is where cats give us a unique opportunity," Kol said. "We can directly study infected immune tissues in a naturally occurring coronavirus diseasesomething that's very difficult to do in people." The researchers also found that traces of the virus could remain in immune cells even after antiviral treatment ended and cats appeared healthy. Because some immune cells can live for years, this lingering infection could help explain long-term immune problems or disease relapse. A model for long-term coronavirus disease The findings suggest that FIP may serve as a valuable real-world model for understanding how coronaviruses interact with the immune system over time. Insights gained from cats could help guide future research into chronic inflammation and post-viral syndromes in humans, including long COVID. By bridging veterinary and human medicine, the study highlights how naturally occurring diseases in animals can help answer critical questions about human health. Other authors of the study include Aadhavan Balakumar, Patrawin Wanakumjorn, Kazuto Kimura, Ehren McLarty, Katherine Farrell, Terza Brostoff, Jully Pires, Tamar Cohen-Davidyan, Jennifer M. Cassano, Brian Murphy and Krystle Reagan of UC Davis. More information Aadhavan Balakumar et al, Beyond macrophages: FIPV tropism includes T and B lymphocytes, Veterinary Microbiology (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110864 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 Christian Reconstructionism is a theological and political movement within conservative Protestantism arguing that society should be governed by biblical principles, including the application of biblical law to both personal and public life. Taking shape in the late 1950s, Christian Reconstructionism developed into a more organized movement during the 1960s and 1970s. It was born from the ideas of theologian R. J. Rushdoony, an influential Armenian-American Calvinist philosopher, theologian and author. In his 1973 book "The Institutes of Biblical Law," Rushdoony argued that Old Testament laws should still apply to modern society. He supported the death penalty not only for murder but also for offenses listed in the text, such as adultery, blasphemy, homosexuality, witchcraft and idolatry. As a scholar of political and religious extremism, I am familiar with this movement. Its following has been typically very smallnever more than a few thousand committed adherents at its peak. But since the 1980s, its ideas have spread far beyond its limited numbers through books, churches and broader conservative Christian networks. The movement helped knit together a network of theologians, activists and political thinkers who shared a belief that Christians are called to "take dominion" over society and exercise authority over civil society, law and culture. These ideas continue to resonate across many areas of American religious and political life. Origins of Christian Reconstructionism Rushdoony's ideas were born from a radical interpretation of Reformed Christianitya branch of Protestant Christianity that follows the teachings of John Calvin and other reformers. It emphasizes God's authority, the Bible as the ultimate guide and salvation through God's grace rather than human effort. Rushdoony's ideas led him to found The Chalcedon Foundation in 1965, a think tank and publishing house promoting Christian Reconstructionism. It served as the movement's main hub, producing books, position papers, articles and educational materials on applying biblical law to modern society. It helped train Greg Bahnsen, an Orthodox Presbyterian theologian, and Gary North, a Christian reconstructionist writer and historian, both of whom went on to take key leadership roles in the movement. At the heart of reconstructionism lies the conviction that politics, economics, education and culture are all arenas where divine authority should reign. Secular democracy, they argued, was inherently unstable, a system built on human opinion rather than divine truth. These ideas were and remain deeply controversial. Many theologians, including conservatives within the Reformed tradition, rejected Rushdoony's argument that ancient Israel's civil laws should apply in modern states. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Christian dominionism and different networks Nonetheless, reconstructionist ideas grew as people who more broadly believed in dominionism began to align with it. Dominionism is a broader ideology advocating Christian influence over culture and politics without requiring literal enforcement of biblical law. Dominionism did not begin as a single, unified movement. Rather, it emerged in overlapping strands during the same period that Christian Reconstructionism was developing. Between the 1960s and 1980s, Christian Reconstructionism helped turn dominionist beliefs into an explicit political project by grounding them in theology and outlining how biblical law should govern society. Religion historian Michael J. McVicar explains that Rushdoony's work advocated applied biblical law as both a theological and political alternative to secular governance. This helped in influencing the trajectory of the Christian right. At the same time, parallel streamsespecially within charismatic and Pentecostal circlesadvanced similar claims about Christian authority over society using different theological language. The broad network of those who believe in Christian dominionism includes several approaches: Rushdoony's reconstructionism, which provides the theological foundation, and charismatic kingdom theology. Charismatic kingdom theology, which emerged in Pentecostal and charismatic circles, teaches that believersempowered by the Holy Spiritshould shape politics, culture and society before Christ's return. Unlike reconstructionism, it emphasizes prophecy and spiritual authority rather than formal biblical law; it seeks influence over institutions such as government, education and culture. What unites them is the idea that Christian faith should be the basis of the nation's moral and political order. Taken together, I argue that these strands have reinforced one another, creating a larger movement of thinkers and activists than any single approach could achieve alone. From reconstructionism to the New Apostolic Reformation Christian reconstructionist and dominionist ideas gained wider popularity through C. Peter Wagner, a leading charismatic theologian who helped shape the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) by adapting elements of Christian Reconstructionism. NAR is a charismatic movement that builds on dominionist ideas by emphasizing the use of spiritual gifts and apostolic leadership to shape society. Wagner emphasized spiritual warfare, prophecy and modern apostles taking control of seven key areasfamily, church, government, education, media, business and the artsto reshape society under biblical authority. This is known as the "Seven Mountains Mandate." Both revisionist and dominionist movements share the belief that Christians should lead cultural institutions. Wagner's dominion theology, however, adapts Christian Reconstructionism to a charismatic context, transforming the goal of a Christian society into a spiritually driven movement aimed at influencing culture and governments worldwide. Doug Wilson and homeschooling Another key bridge between reconstructionism and contemporary dominionist thought is Doug Wilson, a pastor and author in Moscow, Idaho. Though Wilson distances himself from some of reconstructionism's harsher edges, he draws heavily from Rushdoony's intellectual framework. Wilson's influence can be seen in publications such as "Reforming Marriage," where he argues for applying biblical principles to law, education and family life. He has promoted Christian schools, traditional family roles and living out a "Christian worldview" in everyday life, bringing reconstructionist ideas into new areas of society. Through his writings, teaching and leadership within the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churchesthe CRECnetwork, Wilson encourages a vision of society shaped by Christian values, connecting reconstructionist thought to contemporary cultural engagement. Wilson's publishing house, Canon Press, and his classical school movement have brought these ideas into thousands of Christian homes and classrooms across the U.S. His local congregationthe Christ Church in Moscow, Idahonumbers around 1,300. The Christian homeschooling movement offers parents a curriculum steeped in reformed theology and resistance to secular education. Enduring influence Some critics warn that the fusion of dominionist and reconstructionist theology with political action can weaken pluralism and democratic norms by pressuring laws and policies to reflect a single religious worldview. They argue that even moderated forms of these visions challenge the separation of church and state. They risk undermining the rights of religious minorities, nonreligious citizens and others who do not share the movement's beliefs. Supporters frame their mission as the renewal of a moral society, one in which divine authority provides the foundation for human flourishing. Today, Christian Reconstructionism operates through small but influential networks of churches, Christian homeschool associations and media outlets. Its reach extends far beyond its original movement. Even among those unfamiliar with Rushdoony, the political and theological patterns he helped shape remain visible in modern evangelical activism and the ongoing debates over religion's place in American public life. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: Artists impression of a M dwarf star surrounded by planets. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS In a blow to anyone dreaming that complex life may exist elsewhere in the universe, a new study suggests we're unlikely to find it around many of the most common stars in the galaxy. Earth-like planets orbiting small, red stars known as M-dwarfs are often considered the right size and at the right distance from their sun to harbor life. However, according to researchers from San Diego State University, these worlds may not have the right kind of light to support multicellular organisms. Photosynthesis is key Here on Earth, plants and bacteria turn sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. During the Great Oxidation Event around 2.3 billion years ago, significant quantities of oxygen began to accumulate in our atmosphere, eventually reaching levels capable of supporting multicellular life. According to our understanding, a similar process would have to occur on other planets for complex life to start evolving. Photosynthesis requires a specific kind of light known as Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR). This is the specific range of sunlight (400 to 700 nanometers) that plants, algae and cyanobacteria need to thrive. Although it was known that light from M-dwarf stars like TRAPPIST-1 is mostly infrared, which falls outside this range, what was unknown was how this would slow down the evolutionary clock. The incident photon flux density for the modern-day Earth (black), Archean Earth at 2.65 Ga (blue), and TRAPPIST-1e (red). The spectral resolution has been reduced for clarity. The shaded regions represent three relevant bandpasses for photosynthesis: standard PAR (0.40-0.70 m), extended PAR (0.40-0.75 m), and anoxic PAR (0.40-1.1 m). Credit: arXiv (2026). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2601.02548 By comparing light from these red stars to our own sun and modeling the oxygen production of various bacteria, the team calculated that because these stars produce so little usable energy, the accumulation of oxygen would be far too slow. Potentially, on a planet like TRAPPIST-1e, it would take 63 billion years in a worst-case scenario to reach the oxygen levels seen on Earth through photosynthesis. Even when they ran more optimistic calculations that assumed alien bacteria could adapt to the light conditions or thrive in the dark, the timeline for a Cambrian Explosion (an evolutionary event marked by the appearance of a variety of complex animals) would still exceed ten billion years. "We conclude that on such a hypothetical planet [a theoretical Earth-sized world orbiting an M-dwarf star used for the study's calculations], oxygen would never reach significant levels in the atmosphere, let alone a Cambrian Explosion," commented the researchers in their paper published on the arXiv preprint server. "Thus complex animal life on such planets is very unlikely." There could still be something out there Because most of the stars in our galaxy are M-dwarfs, this study suggests that the conditions required for complex biology may be rarer than previously thought. But of course, the dream of finding life elsewhere is not over. While the math suggests these red dwarf systems may be limited to simple microbial life, complex organisms could still exist on other types of worlds. This research could help scientists focus their search on systems around the suns that produce high-energy light needed to spark an evolutionary explosion. Written for you by our author Paul Arnold, 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. Publication details Joseph J. Soliz et al, Dearth of Photosynthetically Active Radiation Suggests No Complex Life on Late M-Star Exoplanets, arXiv (2026). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2601.02548 Journal information: arXiv 2026 Science X Network 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: An illustration depicting the vast amounts of genetic data the PanMAN technique is able to handle with very small data storage requirements. Credit: Alice Grishchenko. Engineers at the University of California have developed a new data structure and compression technique that enables the field of pangenomics to handle unprecedented scales of genetic information. The team, led by UC San Diego electrical and computer engineering professor Yatish Turakhia, describe their compressive pangenomics approach in Nature Genetics. Pangenomics, a subset of bioinformatics, is the study of many different genomes from one specific species. This can provide a more holistic picture of the natural variation and mutations that occur within a species than using one singular reference genome. This has many practical applications, such as studying how genomic mutations lead to increased transmissibility or drug resistance in pathogens. Challenges in current pangenomic methods Although advances in genome sequencing technologies have reduced the cost and increased the speed of sequencing, the data structures and analysis tools needed to study and graphically represent the relationships between millions of sequenced genomes remain a challenge. While graph-based data formats for pangenomes have become popular and widely adopted, they only represent the genetic variation in a collection of genomes, not their shared evolutionary and mutational histories. They also have large storage requirements that do not scale well. "The data structures used for pangenomics research are critical because they determine not only how efficiently genetic data is represented, but also what the data can represent," said Sumit Walia, an electrical engineering Ph.D. candidate at the Jacobs School of Engineering and co-first author of the study. The research team, which includes engineers from the Genomics Institute at UC Santa Cruz, pioneered a new data structure and file format, called Pangenome Mutation-Annotated Network (PanMAN). How PanMAN works and its advantages PanMAN not only provides unmatched compression for pangenomes but also significantly advances the representative power by encoding additional biologically relevant information, including phylogenies, mutations, and whole-genome alignments.Their compressive pangenomics approach can perform analysis on compressed pangenomic data, allowing researchers to handle vastly larger scales of genetic data than currently possible. "Our compressive technique with PanMANs allows doing more with less, greatly improving the scale and scope of current pangenomic analysis," said Turakhia, the study's corresponding author. PanMANs are composed of mutation-annotated trees, called PanMATs, which store a single ancestral genome sequence at the root and annotate mutations, such as substitutions, insertions, and deletions, on the different branches. Multiple PanMATs are connected in the form of a network using edges to generate a PanMAN. These edges store complex mutations, such as recombination and horizontal gene transfer data, which result in sequences involving multiple parent sequences and violate the vertical inheritance assumption of single trees. This representation is compact as it exploits the shared ancestry among genomes, representing each mutation only once on the branch where it arose instead of duplicating them across individual sequences. In addition, PanMAN was crafted to represent a rich set of biologically meaningful information that current pangenome formats lack. Some information in PanMAN is explicitly stored, such as mutations, phylogeny, annotations, and root sequence, whereas other information can be derived, such as ancestral sequences, multiple whole-genome alignment, and genetic variation. So far, the researchers have used PanMAN to study microbial genomes. They have found that this method is the most compressible format among variation-preserving pangenomic formats, providing up to hundreds or even thousands of times more compression. For example, the team built the largest pangenome for SARS-CoV-2, using more than 8 million separate genomes of the virus. Using their PanMAN method, this vast amount of genetic data only required 366MB of file storage space, which is roughly 3,000 times less storage than its corresponding whole-genome alignment that PanMAN encodes. Constructing an alignment for SARS-CoV-2 genomes at this scale was itself a formidable challenge, which was addressed by another computational tool developed at Turakhia's lab, called TWILIGHT. Future directions Now, the researchers are expanding their use of TWILIGHT and PanMANs from microbes to human genomes. Turakhia and Melissa Gymrek, a professor of computer science and engineering at UC San Diego, received a Jacobs School Early Career Faculty Development Award to advance this effort. "Extending compressive pangenomics to human genomes can fundamentally transform how we store, analyze, and share large-scale human genetic data," said Turakhia. "Besides enabling studies of human genetic diversity, disease, and evolution at unprecedented scale and speed, it can depict detailed evolutionary and mutational histories which shape diverse human populations, something that current representations do not capture." Publication details Compressive pangenomics using mutation-annotated networks, Nature Genetics (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02478-7 Journal information: Nature Genetics Key concepts GenomesBioinformatics 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A new Stanford-led analysis of corporate carbon disclosures finds that companies undercount emissions from their supply chains by billions of tons. The shortfall arises from use of a popular statistical model that assumes all suppliers are located in the United States. "Supply chains are global, though, so a model that assumes everything is made domestically is going to give us a wrong answer," said Steve Davis, a professor of Earth system science in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and lead author of the study, which appears in Nature Communications. Davis and co-authors set out to find out how far off estimates are under the common approach compared to results from an alternative model that considers emissions data from the regions where suppliers actually operate. They found the widely used single-region U.S. model, maintained until recently by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, missed about 2 billion tons (equaling about 10%) of emissions tied to more than 400 companies' supply chains in 2023. That's roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of Russia or India. The additional 2023 emissions included approximately 973 million tons of emissions attributed to suppliers in China, which relies heavily on coal. The biggest gaps emerged in energy-intensive manufacturing sectors such as steel and concrete, construction machinery, fabricated metals used for cars and infrastructure, and electronic components. Companies relying on estimates from single-region U.S. models may overlook the emissions impact of importing energy-intensive manufactured goods from China and Russia, according to the study. They may also miss opportunities to reduce emissions and associated costs by sourcing those goods from countries with cleaner grids, such as the U.S., France, and Brazil. At the start of 2026, as an expanded carbon border tariff takes effect in Europe, the cost of upstream emissions is increasing for EU importers of manufactured goods, including steel, aluminum, and cement. "A company that's interested in reducing the emissions in their supply chain needs to know not just how big the number is, but also where these emissions are coming from," Davis said. Expanding access to better data Together with collaborators including lab member Wesley Ingwersen, who created the U.S. EPA model and led work on it until the agency shuttered it in August 2025, Davis is now working to make a global model freely available and easy to use through an effort called Cornerstone. "The reason companies haven't been using global models is that they're not as easy to come by. They are a lot more involved to build, and there hasn't been an easy, open-source version," said Davis. The group is integrating the former government database with the multi-region model analyzed in the study, which was developed by a private company called Watershed, where Davis chairs the science advisory board and previously served as head of climate science. "When available tools neglect international sources of emissions, companies' sustainability decisions suffer," said study co-author Michael Steffen, Watershed's head of climate analytics. The team aims to release the merged model in late 2026, with ambitions to account for emissions from land-use changes and deforestation in later research and iterations. "If you're getting soybeans from Iowa, it has a very different footprint than if you've cut down some of the Amazon to grow those soybeans," Davis said. Scientists from the World Wildlife Fund and CDP, formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, co-authored the paper. "These are NGOs that are really interested in minimizing greenwashing and making sure that corporate climate actions are as beneficial as possible," Davis said. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Some critics question whether models based on sector-wide averages and spending like those analyzed in the study are the right approach to estimate upstream emissions at allregardless of whether global or single-region models are used. "I think we could all agree that if you had perfect data about exactly what was going on in your supply chain, you could make even more accurate estimates and leapfrog all of these models," Davis said. "The reality is, though, that it's still really difficult to get a lot of that data, and there's little prospect of getting it without much more stringent regulations than are even on the table." As a result, he said, there's value in improving the modeling approach, even if the long-term strategy is to get better data. Corporations seeking to track and reduce emissions in their supply chains have the potential to make a meaningful difference in global carbon pollution, Davis said. "They are making sizable investments. If those dollars are directed to the right places, it could meaningfully reduce global emissions," he said. Publication details Steven J. Davis et al, The importance of multiregional accounting for corporate carbon emissions, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67759-5 Journal information: Nature Communications Key concepts Carbon Footprint 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: This artists impression shows how the distant quasar P172+18 and its radio jets may have looked. To date (early 2021), this is the most distant quasar with radio jets ever found and it was studied with the help of ESOs Very Large Telescope. It is so distant that light from it has travelled for about 13 billion years to reach us: we see it as it was when the Universe was only about 780 million years old. Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser, CC BY 4.0, https://www.eso.org/public/images/eso2103a/ Astronomers at the University of Warwick have discovered that black holes don't just consume matterthey manage it, choosing whether to blast it into space as high-speed jets or sweep it away in vast winds. It's often imagined that anything drawn toward a black hole is swallowed forever. Yet before crossing the event horizonthe ultimate point of no returnincoming material forms a hot, swirling accretion disk around the black hole. From this disk, surprisingly large amounts of material are in fact expelled back into space. Black holes expel material from the accretion disk in two primary outflows: Relativistic jets: narrow, focused beams of plasma that shoot out from the black hole's poles at nearly the speed of light, powered by magnetic fields and the black hole's spin. X-ray winds: broader, slower streams of highly ionized gas blown off the surface of the accretion disk by radiation and magnetic pressure. How and why these two distinct outflows occur, and whether they are connected, has long been one of astrophysics' many puzzles. A tug-of-war in space In a new study published in Nature Astronomy, a team led by researchers at the University of Warwick has presented the first clear observational evidence that these two types of outflows are mutually exclusive. When one is active, the other disappears, showing that black holes can't 'have it all." Artists impression of a galaxy forming stars within powerful outflows of material blasted out from supermassive black holes at its core. Results from ESOs Very Large Telescope are the first confirmed observations of stars forming in this kind of extreme environment. The discovery has many consequences for understanding galaxy properties and evolution. Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser, CC BY 4.0, https://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1710a/ Dr. Jiachen Jiang, Teaching Fellow, University of Warwick, and lead author of the study said, "We're seeing what could be described as an energetic tug-of-war inside the black hole's accretion flow. When the black hole fires off a high-speed plasma jet, the X-ray wind dies down, and when the wind starts up again, the jet vanishes. This tells us something fundamental about how black holes regulate their energy output and interact with their surroundings." The team focused on the black hole system 4U 1630472, which is around ten times the mass of our sun and undergoes regular outbursts as it draws in material from a nearby companion star. Using observations from NASA's NICER X-ray telescope, aboard the International Space Station, and South Africa's MeerKAT radio telescope, the researchers monitored the black hole over a three-year span. This data showed that the black hole never produced strong winds and strong jets simultaneously, yet the accretion disk, and amount of incoming material, remained consistent. First author, Dr. Zuobin Zhang, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, Department of Physics, University of Oxford added, "Our observations provide clear evidence that black hole binary systems switch between powerful jets and energetic windsnever producing both simultaneouslyhighlighting the complex interplay and competition between different forms of black hole outflows." Combining observations done with ESO's Very Large Telescope and NASA's Chandra X-ray telescope, astronomers have uncovered the most powerful pair of jets ever seen from a stellar black hole. The black hole blows a huge bubble of hot gas, 1000 light-years across or twice as large and tens of times more powerful than the other such microquasars. The stellar black hole belongs to a binary system as pictured in this artists impression. Credit: ESO/L. Calcada/M.Kornmesser, CC BY 4.0, https://www.eso.org/public/images/eso1028a/ A black hole in balance This seesawing behavior from the black hole suggests a self-regulating mechanism, in which winds and jets compete for the same energy or mass supply. Remarkably, both types of outflows were found to carry away comparable amounts of mass and energy, suggesting that while the form of the outflow changes, the total outflow rate remains roughly constant. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The discovery challenges several long-held assumptions about how outflows are powered. It indicates that the switch between winds and jets is not simply driven by changes in how much material the black hole is accreting but may instead depend on the magnetic field configuration within the diska key factor in shaping how energy is released. In short, black holes don't just consume matter, they manage it, deciding whether to blast it into space as a focused jet or sweep it away in vast winds. The balance between winds and jets plays a vital role in regulating how black holes grow, how stars form in nearby regions, and how entire galaxies evolve. This "cosmic seesaw" offers a powerful new window into how these enigmatic objects shape the universe. Publication details Zuobin Zhang et al, Evidence of mutually exclusive outflow forms from a black hole X-ray binary, Nature Astronomy (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-025-02753-x Journal information: Nature Astronomy 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain On Jan. 7, 2026, President Donald Trump declared that he would officially pull the United States out of the world's most important global treaty for combating climate change. He said it was because the treaty ran "contrary to the interests of the United States." His order didn't say which U.S. interests he had in mind. Americans had just seen a year of widespread flooding from extreme weather across the U.S. Deadly wildfires had burned thousands of homes in the nation's second-largest metro area, and 2025 had been the second- or third-hottest year globally on record. Insurers are no longer willing to insure homes in many areas of the country because of the rising risks, and they are raising prices in many others. For decades, evidence has shown that increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, largely from burning fossil fuels, are raising global temperatures and influencing sea level rise, storms and wildfires. The climate treatythe United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Changewas created to bring the world together to find ways to lower those risks. Trump's order to now pull the U.S. out of that treaty adds to a growing list of moves by the administration to dismantle U.S. efforts to combat climate change, despite the risks. Many of those moves, and there have been dozens, have flown under the public radar. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Why this climate treaty matters A year into the second Trump administration, you might wonder: What's the big deal with the U.S. leaving the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change now? After all, the Trump administration has been ignoring the UNFCCC since taking office in January. The administration moved to stop collecting and reporting corporate greenhouse gas emissions data required under the treaty. It canceled U.S. scientists' involvement in international research. One of Trump's first acts of his second term was to start the process of pulling the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement. Trump made similar moves in his first term, but the U.S. returned to the Paris agreement after he left office. This action is different. It vacates an actual treaty that was ratified by the U.S. Senate in October 1992 and signed by President George H.W. Bush. America's ratification that year broke a logjam of inaction by nations that had signed the agreement but were wary about actually ratifying it as a legal document. Once the U.S. ratified it, other countries followed, and the treaty entered into force on March 21, 1994. The U.S. was a global leader on climate change for years. Not anymore. Chipping away at climate policy With the flurry of headlines about the U.S. intervention in Venezuela, renewed threats to seize Greenland, persistent high prices, immigration arrests, ICE and Border Patrol shootings, the Epstein files and the fight over ending health care subsidies, important news from other critical areas that affect public welfare has been overlooked for months. Two climate-related decisions did dominate a few news cycles in 2025. The Environmental Protection Agency announced its intention to rescind its 2009 Endangerment Finding, a legal determination that certain greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare that became the foundation of federal climate laws. There are indications that the move to rescind the finding could be finalized soonthe EPA sent its final draft rule to the White House for review in early January 2026. And the Department of Energy released a misinformed climate assessment authored by five handpicked climate skeptics. Both moves drew condemnation from scientists, but that news was quickly overwhelmed by concern about a government shutdown and continuing science funding cuts and layoffs. This chipping away at climate policy continued to accelerate at the end of 2025 with six more significant actions that went largely unnoticed. Three could harm efforts to slow climate change: Three other moves by the administration shot arrows at the heart of climate science: Fossil fuels at any cost In early January 2025, the United States had reestablished itself as a world leader in climate science and was still working domestically and internationally to combat climate risks. A year later, the U.S. government has abdicated both roles and is taking actions that will increase the likelihood of catastrophic climate-driven disasters and magnify their consequences by dismantling certain forecasting and warning systems and tearing apart programs that helped Americans recover from disasters, including targeting the Federal Emergency Management Agency. To my mind, as a scholar of both environmental studies and economics, the administration's moves enunciated clearly its strategy to discredit concerns about climate change. At the same time, it promotes greater production of fossil fuels. It's "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" with little consideration for what's at risk. Trump's repudiation of the UNFCCC could give countries around the world cover to pull back their own efforts to fight a global problem if they decide it is not in their myopic "best interest." So far, the other countries have stayed in both that treaty and the Paris climate agreement. However, many countries' promises to protect the planet for future generations were weaker in 2025 than hoped. The U.S. pullout may also leave the Trump administration at a disadvantage: The U.S. will no longer have a formal voice in the global forum where climate policies are debated, one where China has been gaining influence since Trump returned to the presidency. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: RCMP Corporal R.A. Davidson, seated with Ken Saito (white hat) at Slocan City, 1946. Credit: Library and Archives Canada; photo by Tak Toyota Eighty years ago, Canada enacted executive orders to banish more than 10,000 Canadians of Japanese descent, stripping thousands of citizenship in the process. Named a Top 100 Book of 2025 by The Hill Times and described as "essential reading for history buffs" by The Globe and Mail, a new book from University of Victoria (UVic) historian Jordan Stanger-Ross and University of Alberta legal scholar Eric M. Adams tells the untold story of Japanese Canadians facing banishment after the war and the legal battle that challenged notions of citizenship, race and rights. You note that 'the mistreatment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War is often portrayed as one of unjust, but temporary, mass confinement.' Why has the post-war period been less studied by academics and seemed less important to the public? It makes a lot of sense, right? Dramatic events propel Canada's entry into the Pacific War: attacks on Pearl Harbor and Hong Kong, Canadian troops taken captive, fears of attack on the Pacific coast. Canada's response includes the uprooting, incarceration and internment of innocent people. Those are big events that deserve sustained attention. They give rise to questions that we should never stop asking. How do we respond to moments of crisis and fear? What forms of respect and dignity can we expect of one another in such moments? Irene Kato's Certificate for Registration of Alien, Japan, 1947. Text translates to: Address: 621 Tako, Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture / Occupation: Typist / Date of Entry 13 August 1946 / Created, 28 July 1947. Credit: Carol L. Tsuyuki But the mistreatment of Japanese Canadians raises another critical question: how we unwind from conflict? The unwinding of a war or the end of crisis generates less attention than its beginnings, but in this particular history, and maybe in other similar contexts, the process of moving toward peace prompts actions of deep and enduring consequence. How is this history particularly important to British Columbians? Talking about this history to audiences in BC, I almost always meet people with connections to the history, including non-Japanese Canadians. I'll hear from someone who is living in a house that was owned by a Japanese Canadian in the 1930s, someone whose uncle acquired a fishing vessel, someone whose grandfather rented his ranch to be an internment site. And of course, every Japanese Canadian who lived here before the 1940s, and their descendants too, express the reverberations of these events in their lives. I didn't grow up in BC and I don't have a close family connection with the uprooting. So, it's something I hadn't anticipated, but it has been remarkable seeing how close this history is to so many people here. Can you speak to the importance of the legal challenge to exile and what we might learn from them today? Japanese Canadians challenged their dispossession and exile in court. The case reveals a legal world barely recognizable to us today. Looking back, we might imagine that it would center upon the rights of Japanese Canadians not to be discriminated against. That is not what it is about. In the 1940s, racial discrimination was an accepted aspect of law. Instead, the legal battle revolved around the boundaries of executive power. What limits, if any, would the courts place on a government that claimed it was acting out of crisis? This is a question of enduring constitutional importance. Governments must have the power to protect the country. But, at the same time, we must have some rights that are not subject to compromise. In the 1940s, Japanese Canadians argued that citizenship had to mean something, something more than Canadian law was then willing to recognize. Decades later, their vision won out. They ultimately made profound contributions to the protections enshrined within the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the laws in place for emergencies in this country today. Your book includes widely divergent perspectives from the 1940speople who believed that Japanese Canadians should be expelled, and those who defended their rights to remain in Canada. How did you braid them together? We saw the history unfolding in three rooms: one, a committee room in Ottawa, where bureaucrats and politicians made critical decisions about the lives of Japanese Canadians. Meanwhile, families met around kitchen tables in internment shacks, barns and in all of the places to which Japanese Canadians were scattered. In these private spaces they weighed the futures of their families. And, finally, we considered courtrooms, where judges decided whether they would restrain the government in the aftermath of war. Each of these rooms was tremendously consequential for the events of exile. Eric and I were deeply invested in understanding what had gone on in each of them. I think that the fullest picture of the era emerges from engagement across all three of those settings. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. What do you hope readers take away from the book? I hope scholars come away with a new story of the 1940s and the mistreatment of Japanese Canadians, recognizing it as a history of law, of the administrative state, and of people making choices that were constrained and yet not preordained. I hope that members of the wider public get a sense of the lives of people uprooted from their homes. I hope that they come away from the book convinced of the importance of continuing to engage with the question of what we as Canadians owe one another, especially in times of conflict or crisis. I want the book to reinforce our commitment to the equal dignity and worth of all people. I hope that Japanese Canadians reading the book feel that it honors and respects their community, its complexity and diversity, and its contributions to Canadian history. Eric and I wrote Challenging Exile in the context of a research project supported by important organizations that Japanese Canadians have created since the 1940s, connecting us with hundreds of members of the community. Our gratitude for that support shapes every page of the book. More information Challenging Exile: Japanese Canadians and the Wartime Constitution is available from UBC Press. 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: The ecological context of temperate and tropical Drosophila. (A) Map of North America showing the location of the parental tropical (SK) and temperate (VT) lines. Published samples from Virginia (VA) are also shown. (A, Inset) LT 50 of adults and embryos estimated from survival after acute heat stress, as reported in our previous study (***Wald test, P = 0.0003). (B) Average monthly relative humidity (%) over 10 y of data (20152025). The blue bands indicate the overwintering period of temperate Drosophila. (C) Same as B, but for mean air temperature (C at 2 m). (D) Same as B, but for mean precipitation (mm/day). (E) Principal component analysis using parental and F16 lines. PCAs were estimated using all chromosomes, as well as for each chromosome separately. The percentage of variance explained (PVE) by PC 1, across analyses are 84.3% (All), 90.8% (2L), 85.9% (2R), 76.9% (3L), 85.4% (3R), 89.7% (X). The PVE by PC 2, across analyses are 4.22% (All), 3.33% (2L), 6.28% (2R), 8.18% (3L), 5.65% (3R), 3.17% (X). Credit: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2518358123 As the climate changes, scientists are concerned about how well plants and animals will adapt to rapid warming. A new University of Vermont study has explored the early embryonic life stage of a globally common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, looking at how the eggs responded to temperature variability at the genomic level. The scientists compared genetically distinct flies from different climatic regions in North America, and what they found was surprising. Unlike adult fruit flies, which show little difference in their ability to tolerate extreme heat regardless of whether they hail from a warm or cold place, eggs from a fruit fly native to a warm area such as the Caribbean were more heat-tolerant than fruit fly eggs from a cold climate like Vermont. In other words, different life stages evolve differently in response to changes in the environment. The genes that evolved to make tropical eggs more heat-tolerant are also responsible for coordinating important developmental processes, such as tissue and organ formation. This discovery runs counter to a previous assumption in the field of developmental genetics: that the genes controlling embryonic development do not readily evolve in response to environmental pressures. The paper is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This research is an important step toward helping biologists understand how climate shapes life in its earliest stagesand what that may mean for the ability of species to survive in a warming world. This study is among the first to look at the genomics of environmentally triggered evolution across multiple life stages and at a global scale, comparing populations from multiple continents and seasons, ultimately showing that developmental genes evolve in response to changes in temperature. The research was led by UVM biologists Brent Lockwood and Joaquin Nunez. Early-stage adaptation Previous studies in this area looked mostly at adult fruit flies. "But it's the early life stages that are absolutely critical," says Nunez, assistant professor of biology. "There's a developmental window in which organisms set up many of the physiological tools they'll rely on later to survive and thrive. If you only look at adults, you miss these patterns." The findings don't just apply to Drosophila melanogaster, either. "The significance of what we found in this study extends to all organisms with complex life cyclesin other words, any organism that develops from an embryo into a juvenile and then into an adult. We, including humans, may all experience environmental stressors that impact the earliest life stages, and this may influence our evolution," says Lockwood, chair of UVM's Department of Biology. "This work combines NASA satellite weather data, global genomic datasets, and experiments we ran here at UVM," says Nunez. "That synthesis lets us identify genes that define thermal boundaries in fliesand the approach is generalizable to other species. It's a framework for connecting climate, genetics, and physiology." The teamincluding former postdoc Sumaetee Tangwancharoen (now a professor at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand) and current and former UVM students Kylie Finnegan, M.S.; Eliza Bufferd; Luke Proud; and Olin King, identified two specific genes that affect the flies' ability to tolerate temperature changes. The next step in their research is twofold. First, they want to look at how the genes operate during embryonic development. "We know how they're expressed overall, but we don't know what that means in terms of how it's affecting the physiology of the developing egg," says Lockwood. The researchers also want to expand their scope to explore how this process works in other species of insectsand beyond. Publication details Joaquin C. B. Nunez et al, Early life-stage thermal resilience is determined by climate-linked regulatory variation, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2518358123 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 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 30-minute stroll across New York's Central Park separates Trump Tower from the American Museum of Natural History. If the US president ever found himself inside the museum he could see the Cape York meteorite: a 58-ton mass of iron taken from northwest Greenland and sold in 1897 by the explorer Robert Peary, with the help of local Inuit guides. For centuries before Danish colonization, the people of Greenland had used fragments of the meteorite to make tools and hunting equipment. Peary removed that resource from local control, ultimately selling the meteorite for an amount equivalent to just US$1.5 million today. It was a transaction as one-sided as anything the president may now be contemplating. But Donald Trump is now eyeing a prize much larger than a meteorite. His advocacy of the US taking control of Greenland, possibly by force, signals a shift from dealmaking to dominance. The scientific cost would be severe. A unilateral US takeover threatens to disrupt the open scientific collaboration that is helping us understand the threat of global sea-level rise. Greenland is sovereign in everything other than defense and foreign policy, but by being part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it is included within Nato. As with any nation, access to its land and coastal waters is tightly controlled through permits that specify where work may take place and what activities are allowed. Over many decades, Greenland has granted international scientists access to help unlock the environmental secrets preserved within its ice, rocks and seabed. US researchers have been among the main beneficiaries, drilling deep into the ice to explain the historic link between carbon dioxide and temperatures, or flying repeated Nasa missions to map the land beneath the ice sheet. The whole world owes a huge debt of thanks to both Greenland and the US, very often in collaboration with other nations, for this scientific progress conducted openly and fairly. It is essential that such work continues. The climate science at stake Research shows that around 80% of Greenland is covered by a colossal ice sheet which, if fully melted, would raise sea level globally by about 7 metres (the height of a two storey house). That ice is melting at an accelerating rate as the world warms, releasing vast amounts of freshwater into the North Atlantic, potentially disrupting the ocean circulation that moderates the climate across the northern hemisphere. The remaining 20% of Greenland is still roughly the size of Germany. Geological surveys have revealed a wealth of minerals, but economics dictates that these will most likely be used to power the green transition rather than prolong the fossil fuel era. While coal deposits exist, they are currently too expensive to extract and sell, and no major oil fields have been discovered. Instead, the commercial focus is on "critical minerals": high-value materials used in renewable technologies from wind turbines to electric car batteries. Greenland therefore holds both scientific knowledge and materials that can help guide us away from climate disaster. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Unilateral control could threaten climate science Trump has shown little interest in climate action, however. Having already started to withdraw the US from the Paris climate agreement for a second time, he announced in January 2026 the country would also leave the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, the global scientific body that assesses the impacts of continued fossil-fuel burning. His rhetoric to date has been about acquiring Greenland for "security" purposes, with some indications of accessing its mineral wealth, but without mention of vital climate research. Under the 1951 Greenland defense agreement with Denmark, the US already has a remote military base at Pituffik in northern Greenland, now focused on space activities. While both countries remain in Nato, the agreement already allows the US to expand its military presence if required. Seeking to guarantee US security in Greenland outside Nato would undermine the existing pact, while a unilateral takeover would risk scientists in the rest of the world losing access to one of the most important climate research sites. Lessons from Antarctica and Svalbard Greenland's sovereign status and its governance is different to some other notable polar research locations. For example, Antarctica has, for more than 60 years, been governed through an international treaty ensuring the continent remains a place of peace and science, and protecting it from mining and other environmental damage. Svalbard, on the other hand, has Norwegian sovereignty courtesy of the 1920 Svalbard treaty but operates a largely visa-free system that allows citizens of nearly 50 countries to live and work on the archipelago, as long as they abide by Norwegian law. Interestingly, Norway claims that scientific activities are not covered by the treaty, to almost universal disagreement among other parties. Russia has a permanent station at Barentsburg, Svalbard's second-largest settlement, from which small levels of coal are mined. Unlike Antarctica or Svalbard, Greenland has no treaty that explicitly protects access for international scientists. Its openness to research therefore depends not on international law, but on Greenland's continued political stability and openness all of which may be threatened by US control. If it is minded to take a radical approach, Greenland could develop its own treaty-style approach with selected partner states through Nato, enabling security cooperation, mineral assessment and scientific research to be carried out collaboratively under Greenlandic regulations. The future for Greenland should lie with Greenlanders and with Denmark. The future of climate science, and the transition to a safe prosperous future worldwide, relies on continued access to the island on terms set by the people that live there. The Cape York meteorite taken from a site just 60 miles away from the US Pituffik Space Base is a reminder of how easily that control can be lost. Key concepts meteorites This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Trump signs order declaring national emergency to "safeguard Venezuelan oil revenue": White House Xinhua) 10:37, January 12, 2026 NEW YORK, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order declaring a national emergency to "safeguard Venezuelan oil revenue held in U.S. Treasury accounts from attachment or judicial process," ensuring the funds are preserved "to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives," according to a release by the White House. The executive order blocks any attachment, judgment, decree, lien, execution, garnishment, or other judicial process against Foreign Government Deposit Funds, which are defined as the Venezuelan oil revenues and diluent sales held in U.S. Treasury accounts, according to the White House fact sheet. The order also prohibits transfers or dealings in these funds except as authorized, superseding any prior executive orders that might block or regulate them. "The possibility of attachment or the imposition of judicial process against the Foreign Government Deposit Funds constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States," said the order. The Foreign Government Deposit Funds are sovereign property of Venezuela held in U.S. custody for governmental and diplomatic purposes, not subject to private claims, according to the White House. "The United States Government will hold the Foreign Government Deposit Funds solely in a custodial and governmental capacity, and not as a market participant," said the order. The funds have not been, and shall not be, used for any commercial activity in the United States, added the order. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Wednesday that the United States will not only market stored oil in Venezuela but also control the sales of oil output from the country indefinitely. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 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: Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Generated by ChatGPT. Researchers from Skoltech, MEPhI, and the Dukhov All-Russian Research Institute of Automation have proposed a new method to create compact gamma-ray sources that are simultaneously brighter, sharper, and capable of emitting multiple "colors" of gamma rays at once. This opens up possibilities for more accurate medical diagnostics, improved material inspection, and even the production of isotopes for medicine directly in the laboratory. The work has been published as a Letter in the journal Physical Review A. Gamma rays produced using lasers and electron beams represent a promising technology, but until now they have had a significant drawback: the emission spectrum was too "blurred." This reduced brightness and precision, limiting their applications in areas where clarity is crucialsuch as scanning dense materials or medical imaging. The team shows that by "stacking" many short laser pulses into a precisely shaped train, they can strongly suppress the spectral broadening that has so far limited nonlinear Compton (Thomson) sources, and even create simultaneous multicolor gamma-ray beams from a single interaction. Comparison of laser pulse shaping and its impact on radiation output. On the left: The electric field over time is shown for a sequence of 10 short Gaussian pulses combined (superimposed), compared to a single short pulse and a single Gaussian pulse with the same amplitude and total energy as the combined sequence. Credit: Pulse-stacking technique for nonlinear Compton scattering: Compensation of nonlinear broadening and generation of multicolor gamma sources. Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology Why gamma rays from lasers matter When a high-energy electron beam collides head-on with an intense laser pulse, the electrons scatter the light and emit X-rays or gamma raysa process known as inverse Compton scattering. Such laser-driven sources can be compact, tunable, and much more spectrally "clean" than conventional bremsstrahlung sources, making them attractive for: nuclear photonics and non-destructive inspection of dense objects, advanced medical imaging and isotope production, nanostructure and materials studies, diagnostics of high-density matter. At very high laser intensities (so-called nonlinear Compton regime), electrons feel strong light pressure and emit radiation at higher harmonics of the laser frequency. In principle, this should allow bright, narrow-band gamma-ray lines, but in practice, the changing laser intensity across a realistic pulse envelope causes ponderomotive broadening of the spectrumsmearing out the lines and reducing brightness. Flat-top pulses from 'laser Lego' The new work tackles this bottleneck by engineering the temporal shape of the laser field. Instead of a single smooth Gaussian pulse, the authors propose to coherently add ("stack") many identical short pulses with controlled delays, producing an overall envelope that is much closer to an ideal flat-top (rectangular) pulse. Comparison of laser pulse shaping and its impact on radiation output. The corresponding normalized inverse Compton backscattering spectra, illustrating how the pulse structure reshapes the emitted energy distribution. Credit: Pulse-stacking technique for nonlinear Compton scattering: Compensation of nonlinear broadening and generation of multicolor gamma sources. Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology Coherently stacking 10 moderately strong Gaussian pulses produces a nearly flat-topped electric field (black curve) compared with a single long pulse of the same total energy (blue curve). For the same peak field strength, the stacked pulse produces about three times more photons within 1% of the spectral peak than the single long Gaussian pulsea direct measure of increased spectral brightness. "The idea is conceptually simple: instead of one 'bell-shaped' flash of light, we build a flat light 'plateau' out of many smaller flashes," explains Associate Professor Sergey Rykovanov from the Skoltech AI Center. "Electrons then see almost constant intensity while they radiate, which prevents the usual nonlinear broadening of the gamma-ray line." Turning one beam into a multicolor gamma source Beyond narrowing the spectrum, pulse stacking also enables multicolor emission. In another configuration, the researchers divide the pulse train into three groups with different amplitudes, creating a "staircase-shaped" envelopeessentially three flat steps of intensity in time. When an electron beam interacts with such a staircase pulse, the resulting gamma-ray spectrum naturally splits into three well-separated peaks, each corresponding to one intensity level. In other words, a single laserelectron collision can generate several precisely defined gamma-ray colors at once. Crucially, these multiple colors are a direct fingerprint of the nonlinear Compton regime: each intensity step imprints its own spectral line, something that simply does not occur in the linear (single-photon) scattering limit. Such simultaneous multicolor beams are promising for spectroscopic "fingerprinting" of materials and for probing complex samples where a single photon energy is not enough. "With staircase pulses we effectively program the spectrum," says first author Antonina Timoshenko, a Ph.D. student at Skoltech. "By choosing the height and duration of each step, we can design which gamma-ray colors appear and how intense they are." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Towards AI-designed laser pulses and mega-science facilities The authors emphasize that their framework can serve as a digital test stand for exploring pulse designs and control strategiesincluding AI and machine-learning approachesbefore committing to costly hardware. The work is directly relevant to the planned Intense Compton Radiation (ICR) line of the National Center of Physics and Mathematics (NCPM) in Russia, which aims to build a next-generation narrow-band gamma-ray source. Simulations were performed on Skoltech's "Zhores" supercomputer and supported by a national AI research center grant. "Pulse stacking bridges cutting-edge laser technology with the needs of nonlinear Compton sources," Rykovanov adds. "Our results show that with realistic control of timing, phase and amplitude, we can move towards compact gamma-ray sources with record spectral brightness." Publication details Antonina Timoshenko et al, Pulse-stacking technique for nonlinear Compton scattering: Compensation of nonlinear broadening and generation of multicolor gamma sources, Physical Review A (2025). DOI: 10.1103/rqr5-yn95 Journal information: Physical Review A 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: Hemp root. Credit: USDA PGRU Hemp Germplasm Lab - Tyler Gordon Dan Meyers and Zach Stansell In a groundbreaking study, scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) redefined the value of roots in industrial hemp, providing new opportunities for industrial hemp growers and opening new avenues for pediatric cancer research. While the aboveground part of Cannabis sativa L. plants, or industrial hemp, is widely recognized for its broad range of uses, including fiber production and grain (as a source of protein and oil), its roots have often been unutilized. This is because, until now, they were not considered to hold significant value. Dr. Korey Brownstein, a research chemist with the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, IL, noticed a strange substance showing up in his analysis as he was studying the chemical composition of hemp roots. Intrigued by these findings, Brownstein led a team of researchers to further investigate and analyze this chemical substance to determine its precise structure. The analysis showed the substance was multiple compounds (four in total) that researchers predicted through structural modeling to be neolignansnatural products with similar structures formed during the plant's biological processes. Although molecules with similar properties have also been found in other plants, such as paper mulberries and a tree native to Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, this is the first time such molecules have been isolated from hemp roots. The research team spent three years isolating and purifying these compoundsa process they described as "complex and increasingly difficult." Due to the potential activities of the molecules, the researchers were determined to understand their nature and uncover the complete narrative behind them. The team also collaborated with scientists at the Pediatric Oncology Laboratory at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, where a team of researchers found that these molecules showed moderate activity in killing pediatric cancer cells (cytotoxic effect) in the laboratory setting. Refining and understanding the effect of this molecule on pediatric cancers will open new alternatives for children's cancers that are unresponsive to current therapies. "We believe this new discovery offers industrial hemp growers a potential new revenue stream from a part of the plant that was previously overlooked," said Brownstein. "Unlike crops such as corn or soybeans, which have multiple uses, hemp has been limited in scope. But if we treat hemp as a multi-use crop, we can expand its applications and marketpaper, grain, fiber, and now, potentially, pharmaceutical compounds from the roots. The discovery of these compounds adds value to this commodity." The findings, published in the Journal of Cannabis Research., marks the first time these specific neolignans have been isolated from hemp and linked to possessing cytotoxic effects on pediatric cancer cell lines. The team's next steps include scaling up compound extraction for larger, more controlled functional studies. They aim to explore a broad array of cancer cell lines to assess the therapeutic potential of these neolignans in greater depth. "This is about opening new doors," Brownstein emphasized. "We're expanding the possibilities for using the whole industrial hemp plant. By adding value to the roots, we're giving farmers more stability and more reasons to invest in this emerging crop." More information Korey J. Brownstein et al, Neolignans isolated from industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) roots have cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, Journal of Cannabis Research (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s42238-025-00316-5 Key concepts horticultureroot 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: Map of Southeast Coprates Chasmas promontory. Credit: npj Space Exploration (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s44453-025-00015-8 Using images from cameras on Mars orbiters, an international research team has discovered structures on Mars that are very similar to classic river deltas on Earth. These are traces of rivers that have deposited their sediments into an ocean. This shows that Mars was a "blue planet" around 3 billion years ago. The existence of water on Mars is a central topic in planetary research. Previous studies have already provided evidence of oceans and rivers on Mars, indicating a once humid and possibly habitable environment. Evidence of former water and a possible ocean have also been discovered for the Valles Marineristhe largest canyon system on Mars, which stretches along its equator. These come, among other things, from discoveries of minerals that have been altered by water. A research team from the University of Bern, in collaboration with the INAFOsservatorio Astronomico di Padova, has now gained new insights into the geological past of Valles Marineris: Using high-resolution images from various Mars cameras, the researchers have found geomorphologic structures near the canyon system that resemble river deltas on Earth. These structures represent the mouth of a river into an ocean. The new study thus provides clear evidence of a coastline and consequently of an earlier ocean on Mars. The study was recently published in the journal npj Space Exploration. Bernese Mars camera delivers high-resolution images To investigate the geomorphological structures of Mars, the researchers used high-resolution images from various cameras on Mars probes, including the Bernese Mars camera CaSSIS (Color and Stereo Surface Imaging System) on board the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, as well as data from the ESA space probes Mars Express and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The investigation focused on the geomorphologic structures of the southeast Coprates Chasma, part of the Valles Marineris. The extent of scarp-fronted deposits in Valles Marineris. Credit: npj Space Exploration (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s44453-025-00015-8 "The unique high-resolution satellite images of Mars have enabled us to study the Martian landscape in great detail by surveying and mapping," says Ignatius Argadestya, Ph.D. student at the Institute of Geological Sciences and the Physics Institute of the University of Bern. Ignatius Argadestya is conducting research as part of the "Swiss Government Excellence Scholarship for Foreign Scholars (ESKAS)" at the University of Bern and is the first author of the study, which was produced as part of his dissertation. "CaSSIS has been providing high-resolution color images of the surface of Mars since April 2018. The images are regularly used in scientific studies. I am personally very pleased that the images have now also been used in a geomorphological study by the Institute of Geological Sciences," says Nicolas Thomas, Professor at the Department of Space Research & Planetary Sciences (WP) at the University of Bern, under whose leadership the CaSSIS camera system was developed and built by an international team. River deltas as evidence of an earlier ocean on Mars "When measuring and mapping the Martian images, I was able to recognize mountains and valleys that resemble a mountainous landscape on Earth. However, I was particularly impressed by the deltas that I discovered at the edge of one of the mountains," says Argadestya. At the lower end of the canyon system, so-called "scarp-fronted deposits" were discovered, which are interpreted as "fan deltas". Fan deltas form where a fan-shaped cone of debris and sand grows directly into a standing body of water. The researchers found that the structures mapped on Mars are very similar to classic deltas on Earth. "Delta structures develop where rivers debouch into oceans, as we know from numerous examples on Earth," explains Fritz Schlunegger, Professor of Exogenous Geology at the Institute of Geological Sciences at the University of Bern. "The structures that we were able to identify in the images are clearly the mouth of a river into an ocean," Schlunegger continues. The study thus confirms and proves earlier scientific evidence that there was an ocean on Mars around 3 billion years ago. An ocean as large as the Arctic Ocean The results also show that the ocean found was at least as large as the Arctic Ocean on Earth. Schlunegger says, "We are not the first to postulate the existence and size of the ocean. However, earlier claims were based on less precise data and partly on indirect arguments. Our reconstruction of the sea level, on the other hand, is based on clear evidence for such a coastline, as we were able to use high-resolution images." "With our study, we were able to provide evidence for the deepest and largest former ocean on Mars to datean ocean that stretched across the northern hemisphere of the planet," says Argadestya. Today, wind-sculpted dunes cover the former delta structures. However, their original shape is still clearly recognizable. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Conditions on Mars could once have been favorable to life The discovery of deltas and the confirmation of evidence of a former ocean suggest that conditions once prevailed on Mars that could have favored the emergence and development of life. "We know Mars as a dry, red planet. However, our results show that it was a blue planet in the past, similar to Earth. This finding also shows that water is precious on a planet and could possibly disappear at some point," emphasizes Argadestya. "This project is particularly exciting for us researchers from the field of geology because it allows us to transfer concepts that we have developed from studies on Earth to other planets such as Mars," adds Schlunegger. "We used a sedimentological approach for this study, meaning we compared depositional environments between Earth and Mars." In a next step, the research group will now investigate the mineralogical composition of the ancient Martian soils. "Now that we know that Mars was a blue planet, we also want to know what kind of weathering took place there," concludes Argadestya. More information I. Argadestya et al, Scarp-fronted deposits record the highest water level in Mars' Valles Marineris, npj Space Exploration (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s44453-025-00015-8 Key concepts fluvialsedimentationpaleoceanography 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: Photo of Vervet taken in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania by Alexander Landfair. Credit: Wikipedia. Multiple monkeys are on the loose in St. Louis, and AI-generated images are complicating the effort to find them. The Vervet monkeys were first spotted Thursday near a park in the northern part of the city, prompting "rumor after rumor," said city Department of Health spokesperson Willie Springer. It's unclear who owns the monkeys, how they got loose or exactly how many there are. People have reported capturing the monkeys, even posting fake pictures online to bolster the claim. But as of Monday, the monkeys remained at large, Springer said. "It's been a lot in regard to AI and what's genuine and what's not," Springer said. "People are just having fun. Like I don't think anyone means harm." The largest number people have reported seeing is four, Springer said. People aren't allowed to own the animals in the city, so Springer is doubtful that anyone will come forward to claim them. For now, animal control is working with primate experts at the St. Louis Zoo to find them. Vervet monkeys are native to sub-Saharan Africa, where they are widespread. Weighing in at 7 to 17 pounds (3.18 to 7.71 kilograms), they are sometimes called green monkeys because of the tint of their fur. Residents have been urged to stay away from the monkeys and call for help instead. A news release said they are intelligent and social, but may be unpredictable or aggressive under stress. 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain NASA could be sending a crew on the Orion spacecraft out past the moon in less than a month if everything falls into place. But first the agency has to get its rocket to the launch pad. That could be as early as next Saturday when the mobile launcher topped with the Space Launch System rocket and Orion could make the 4-mile slow roll atop the crawler-transporter 2 from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, NASA announced in a press release late Friday. "We are moving closer to Artemis II, with rollout just around the corner," said Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. "We have important steps remaining on our path to launch and crew safety will remain our top priority at every turn, as we near humanity's return to the moon." The crawler was last used on Artemis I in 2022, and had to make several trips to the pad and back as teams worked through hardware issues and even the threat of Hurricane Ian. Once at the pad, more testing must be done before signing off on any launch attempt target date. The first potential launch date, though, is Feb. 6 with opportunities falling on Feb. 7, 8, 10 and 11. The next launch window would give options on March 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11. The last of the planned launch windows announced so far has options to fly on April 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Artemis II will be the first time humans fly on Orion, which had two previous uncrewed trips to space. The 10-day mission looks to send its crew out past the moon without landing, flying the farthest from Earth any human has ever flown, and venturing out of low-Earth orbit for the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The crew is made up of NASA astronauts, commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut and mission specialist Jeremy Hansen. The crew announced this version of Orion has been named Integrity. The goal of the mission is to prove Orion can keep its crew safe, fly past the moon and return home. This could then set up Artemis III, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time in more than half a century. The SLS and Orion were fully stacked in the VAB in late October. Getting to the rollout has not been without hurdles, though, with teams continuing to work around the clock. NASA noted the rollout could be delayed if more time is needed for technical preparations or for weather concerns. Recent troubleshooting issues have included a cable bent out of specifications that was connected to the flight termination system that needed replacement. Testing of that is occurring this weekend. Also, a valve connected to Orion's hatch pressurization had issues during last month's countdown demonstration in the VAB. That valve was replaced and tested earlier this month. In addition, teams had to fix leaky ground support hardware used to load gaseous oxygen into Orion for its crew to breathe. Once at the pad, the mobile launcher will have its electrical, environmental control system ducts and cryogenic propellant feeds hooked up and powered on to make sure the rocket is ready to fly. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The crew will then perform a final walkdown at the pad before NASA performs a wet dress rehearsal, which means filling the SLS and Orion with all the needed propellants but not igniting them. That will involve flowing in more than 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, all filled during a practice countdown, and then removing the propellants while the astronauts are safely away from the pad. The closeout crew that would during launch day secure the astronauts onboard Orion will be on site to practice their procedures, though. If issues arise, it's possible NASA will need to roll the SLS back to the VAB. But if all goes well, the next step would be getting ready for launch. Wet dress rehearsal testing will be carved up into runs, with the first occurring 49 hours ahead of the target test T-0 time with teams getting called to their launch support stations running down to T-90 seconds. Then a planned three-minute hold will move onto a countdown resumption to T-33 seconds. This is the point when the SLS's automatic launch sequencer takes control. The rehearsal will then recycle the clock to T-10 minutes and hold, and then resume countdown down to T-30 seconds. "While NASA has integrated lessons learned from Artemis I into the launch countdown procedures, the agency will pause to address any issues during the test or at any other point should technical challenges arise," NASA posted on its website. "Engineers will have a close eye on propellant loading of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the rocket, after challenges encountered with liquid hydrogen loading during Artemis I wet dress rehearsals." Changes in the propellant load procedures made after the issues seen on Artemis I will be of particular interest, as well as recently updated procedures that will attempt to limit how much inert gaseous nitrogen accumulates in the space between Orion's crew module and launch abort system hatches, something that could potentially cause problems for the closeout crew. NASA said it may need to perform more than one wet dress rehearsal depending on the initial run's results. But if all boxes get checked, NASA could move onto a flight readiness review to choose a target launch date. While each month's launch window is about two weeks, the specific days carved out as launch options were based on keeping the crew safe. When it does launch, Orion won't be headed to the moon right away. Instead, it will orbit Earth to let the crew and ground teams ensure the spacecraft's life support systems are good to go. Then it will align for a trans-lunar injection burn to set up the spacecraft's flyby and return trajectory. Some launch day options were taken off the board because they would cast Orion into the moon's shadow for more than 90 minutes, which would limit the effectiveness of the spacecraft's solar array wings. Other issues with launch dates include Florida's tempestuous weather and the availability of the propellants, so if there's a scrub on one day, it's hard to do a 24-hour turnaround. "As a general rule, up to four launch attempts may be attempted within the approximate week of opportunities that exist within a launch period," NASA stated. Key concepts The Moon 2026 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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 new NASA mission will study exoplanets around distant stars. Credit: European Space Agency, CC BY-SA On Jan. 11, 2026, I watched anxiously at the tightly controlled Vandenberg Space Force Base in California as an awe-inspiring SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried NASA's new exoplanet telescope, Pandora, into orbit. Exoplanets are worlds that orbit other stars. They are very difficult to observe becauseseen from Earththey appear as extremely faint dots right next to their host stars, which are millions to billions of times brighter and drown out the light reflected by the planets. The Pandora telescope will join and complement NASA's James Webb Space Telescope in studying these faraway planets and the stars they orbit. I am an astronomy professor at the University of Arizona who specializes in studies of planets around other stars and astrobiology. I am a co-investigator of Pandora and leading its exoplanet science working group. We built Pandora to shatter a barrierto understand and remove a source of noise in the datathat limits our ability to study small exoplanets in detail and search for life on them. When a planet passes in front of its star, astronomers can measure the dip in brightness, and see how the light filtering through the planet's atmosphere changes. Observing exoplanets Astronomers have a trick to study exoplanet atmospheres. By observing the planets as they orbit in front of their host stars, we can study starlight that filters through their atmospheres. These planetary transit observations are similar to holding a glass of red wine up to a candle: The light filtering through will show fine details that reveal the quality of the wine. By analyzing starlight filtered through the planets' atmospheres, astronomers can find evidence for water vapor, hydrogen, clouds and even search for evidence of life. Researchers improved transit observations in 2002, opening an exciting window to new worlds. For a while, it seemed to work perfectly. But, starting from 2007, astronomers noted that starspotscooler, active regions on the starsmay disturb the transit measurements. In 2018 and 2019, then-Ph.D. student Benjamin V. Rackham, astrophysicist Mark Giampapa and I published a series of studies showing how darker starspots and brighter, magnetically active stellar regions can seriously mislead exoplanet measurements. We dubbed this problem "the transit light source effect." Most stars are spotted, active and change continuously. Ben, Mark and I showed that these changes alter the signals from exoplanets. To make things worse, some stars also have water vapor in their upper layersoften more prominent in starspots than outside of them. That and other gases can confuse astronomers, who may think that they found water vapor in the planet. In our paperspublished three years before the 2021 launch of the James Webb Space Telescopewe predicted that the Webb cannot reach its full potential. We sounded the alarm bell. Astronomers realized that we were trying to judge our wine in light of flickering, unstable candles. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The birth of Pandora For me, Pandora began with an intriguing email from NASA in 2018. Two prominent scientists from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Elisa Quintana and Tom Barclay, asked to chat. They had an unusual plan: They wanted to build a space telescope very quickly to help tackle stellar contaminationin time to assist Webb. This was an exciting idea, but also very challenging. Space telescopes are very complex, and not something that you would normally want to put together in a rush. Pandora breaks with NASA's conventional model. We proposed and built Pandora faster and at a significantly lower cost than is typical for NASA missions. Our approach meant keeping the mission simple and accepting somewhat higher risks. What makes Pandora special? Pandora is smaller and cannot collect as much light as its bigger brother Webb. But Pandora will do what Webb cannot: It will be able to patiently observe stars to understand how their complex atmospheres change. By staring at a star for 24 hours with visible and infrared cameras, it will measure subtle changes in the star's brightness and colors. When active regions in the star rotate in and out of view, and starspots form, evolve and dissipate, Pandora will record them. While Webb very rarely returns to the same planet in the same instrument configuration and almost never monitors their host stars, Pandora will revisit its target stars 10 times over a year, spending over 200 hours on each of them. With that information, our Pandora team will be able to figure out how the changes in the stars affect the observed planetary transits. Like Webb, Pandora will observe the planetary transit events, too. By combining data from Pandora and Webb, our team will be able to understand what exoplanet atmospheres are made of in more detail than ever before. After the successful launch, Pandora is now circling Earth about every 90 minutes. Pandora's systems and functions are now being tested thoroughly by Blue Canyon Technologies, Pandora's primary builder. About a week after launch, control of the spacecraft will transition to the University of Arizona's Multi-Mission Operation Center in Tucson, Arizona. Then the work of our science teams begins in earnest and we will begin capturing starlight filtered through the atmospheres of other worldsand see them with a new, steady eye. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. 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: The central square image, taken with the MUSE instrument on ESO's Very Large Telescope, shows shock waves around the dead star RXJ0528+2838. When a star moves through space it can push away nearby material creating a so-called bow shock, which in this image is glowing in red, green and blue. The colors represent hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen, respectively. These shocks are usually produced by a strong outflow expelled from the star. However, in the case of RXJ0528+2838 a white dwarf with a Sun-like companion astronomers discovered that the shock wave can't be explained by any known mechanism. Some hidden energy source, perhaps magnetic fields, could be the answer to this mystery. Credit: ESO/K. Ilkiewicz and S. Scaringi et al. Background: PanSTARRS Gas and dust flowing from stars can, under the right conditions, clash with a star's surroundings and create a shock wave. Now, astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT) have imaged a beautiful shock wave around a dead stara discovery that has left them puzzled. According to all known mechanisms, the small, dead star RXJ0528+2838 should not have such a structure around it. This discovery, as enigmatic as it's stunning, challenges our understanding of how dead stars interact with their surroundings. "We found something never seen before and, more importantly, entirely unexpected," says Simone Scaringi, associate professor at Durham University, UK and co-lead author of the study published in Nature Astronomy. "Our observations reveal a powerful outflow that, according to our current understanding, shouldn't be there," says Krystian Ilkiewicz, a postdoctoral researcher at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center in Warsaw, Poland and study co-lead. "Outflow" is the term used by astronomers to describe the material that is ejected from celestial objects. The star RXJ0528+2838 is located 730 light-years away and, like the sun and other stars, it rotates around our galaxy's center. As it moves, it interacts with the gas that permeates the space between stars, creating a type of shock wave called a bow shock, "a curved arc of material, similar to the wave that builds up in front of a ship," explains Noel Castro Segura, research fellow at the University of Warwick in the UK and collaborator in this study. These bow shocks are usually created by material outflowing from the central star, but in the case of RXJ0528+2838, none of the known mechanisms can fully explain the observations. RXJ0528+2838 is a white dwarfthe left-over core of a dying low-mass starand has a sun-like companion orbiting it. In such binary systems, the material from the companion star is transferred to the white dwarf, often forming a disk around it. While the disk fuels the dead star, some of the material also gets ejected into space, creating powerful outflows. But RXJ0528+2838 shows no signs of a disk, making the origin of the outflow and resulting nebula around the star a mystery. "The surprise that a supposedly quiet, discless system could drive such a spectacular nebula was one of those rare 'wow' moments," says Scaringi. The team first spotted a strange nebulosity around RXJ0528+2838 on images from the Isaac Newton Telescope in Spain. Noticing its unusual shape, they observed it in more detail with the MUSE instrument on ESO's VLT. "Observations with the ESO MUSE instrument allowed us to map the bow shock in detail and analyze its composition. This was crucial to confirm that the structure really originates from the binary system and not from an unrelated nebula or interstellar cloud," Ilkiewicz explains. The shape and size of the bow shock imply that the white dwarf has been expelling a powerful outflow for at least 1,000 years. Scientists don't know exactly how a dead star without a disk can power such a long-lasting outflowbut they do have a guess. This white dwarf is known to host a strong magnetic field, which has been confirmed by the MUSE data. This field channels the material stolen from the companion star directly onto the white dwarf, without forming a disk around it. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "Our finding shows that even without a disk, these systems can drive powerful outflows, revealing a mechanism we do not yet understand. This discovery challenges the standard picture of how matter moves and interacts in these extreme binary systems," Ilkiewicz explains. The results hint at a hidden energy source, likely the strong magnetic field, but this 'mystery engine," as Scaringi puts it, still needs to be investigated. The data show that the current magnetic field is only strong enough to power a bow shock lasting for a few hundred years, so it only partly explains what the astronomers are seeing. To better understand the nature of such diskless outflows, many more binary systems need to be studied. ESO's upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) will help astronomers "to map more of these systems as well as fainter ones and detect similar systems in detail, ultimately helping in understanding the mysterious energy source that remains unexplained," as Scaringi foresees. Publication details A persistent bow shock in a diskless magnetised accreting white dwarf, Nature Astronomy (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-025-02748-8 Journal information: Nature Astronomy Provided by ESO 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: Two eyes peek out from under the shell of a queen conch sitting on the seafloor. Credit: Shedd Aquarium A new study published in Conservation Biology examines the behavior and distribution of queen conch (Aliger gigas) to guide conservation management for the threatened sea snail. The research, which tracked adult snail movements, suggests that establishing a 330-meter spatial bufferabout the height of the Eiffel Tower by comparisonaround breeding areas could help protect conch populations and serve as a practical tool for local management. Unique movement and aggregation behavior Queen conch are giant herbivorous marine snails that do not crawl slowly along and leave slime trails. Instead, conch move across the seafloor by hopping, using a muscular foot to propel themselves upward and forward. Movement is an essential behavior for conch because it allows the snails to form aggregations, or groups, for reproduction and defense. However, these aggregations also allow conchan ecologically and culturally important speciesto be harvested easily and left vulnerable to overfishing. "I have been surveying queen conch for a decade, but the first time I watched a conch hop, it startled me," said Dr. Andy Kough, a research biologist at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and lead author of the study. "We wanted to leverage this unique behavior to gather data and help inform conservation efforts, but we needed new tools to do so." "Our team built and deployed custom biologgers that record when a conch is actively hopping and moving versus when it is staying still," said Dr. Ben Gutzler, a scientist at Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maine and study co-author. Research methods and findings To study the movements of conch, researchers from Shedd Aquarium and Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve used several complementary methods. Aboard Shedd's research vessel, the R/V Coral Reef II, staff and volunteers observed conch underwater and measured hundreds of individual hops. At two sites off the Florida coast, the team attached biologgers to 42 conch, tracking their movements across different habitats and seasons. Divers also conducted extensive surveys in The Bahamas to map conch distributions over hundreds of kilometers. Finally, scientists combined these field observations with mathematical models to understand how conch movement shapes the size of aggregations, where the species occurs and why conch distribution appears patchy across the seafloor. Implications for conservation management "By combining a variety of research methods, this study determines the minimum space needed to protect breeding aggregations of conch," said Dr. Kough. "These areas are small enough to be managed locally and quickly, giving resource managers a spatial conservation tool to use in response to dynamic threats such as targeted overfishing or habitat destruction." Although conch are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, there are currently few practical management options available for conservation managers tasked with safeguarding these threatened populations. This new study enables conservationists to consider conch behavior and movement when developing management strategies, including minimizing disturbances within 330 meters of a breeding aggregation. Additionally, people across the country can join Shedd Aquarium in advocating for animals, like queen conch, to continue protecting them under the Endangered Species Act by sending a customizable template letter to lawmakers. Publication details Andrew S. Kough et al, Estimating spatial patchiness of a threatened marine snail based on movement behavior, Conservation Biology (2026). DOI: 10.1111/cobi.70203 Journal information: Conservation Biology Key concepts fishery managementmollusks 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: Species in which males are much bigger than females - such as mountain gorillas - are more likely to engage in same-sex sexual behavior. Homosexual behavior in primates has a deep evolutionary basis and is more likely to occur in species that live in harsh environments, are hunted by predators or live in more complex societies, scientists said Monday. Males or females of the same sex mounting or otherwise stimulating each other have been documented across the animal kingdom. More than 1,500 different species have been observed engaging in same-sex sexual behavior, with some of the earliest reports dating back to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. But this relatively common behavior was long dismissed by the scientific community as a "Darwinian paradox." This held that homosexual behavior in animals goes against Charles Darwin's theory of evolution because it does not pass down genes through reproduction. More recently, scientists have shown that this behavior can in part be inherited from an animal's parentsand can provide an evolutionary advantage. "Diversity of sexual behavior is very common in nature, among species and in animal societiesit is as important as caring for offspring, fighting off predators or foraging for food," Imperial College London biologist Vincent Savolainen told AFP. Species in which males are much bigger than females - such as mountain gorillas - are more likely to engage in same-sex sexual behavior. Savolainen has been studying rhesus macaques in Puerto Rico for eight years. His team found that male macaques who mount each other form alliances that could give them access to more femalesand therefore eventually more offspring. In 2023, the team also determined that the macaques inherited same-sex behavior from their parents more than 6% of the timebut whether this trait was passed down depended on a range of factors. 'Deep evolutionary root' For his new study, published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, Savolainen and colleagues collected data on 491 non-human primate species. They identified same-sex sexual behavior in 59 species, including lemurs, great apes and monkeys across the Americas, Africa and Asia. That the behavior was so widespread indicates it has a "deep evolutionary root," the study said. The researchers then investigated how environment, social organization and "life history" traits affected whether primates engaged in homosexual acts. They found that the behavior was more common in species that lived in harsh environments with limited access to food, such as barbary macaques. It was also more common in species more likely to be hunted by predatorsvervet monkeys, for example, have to avoid all sorts of big cats and snakes in Africa. Stress reliever? This all suggests that homosexual behavior could help manage tension among primate groups during periods of stress, the researchers said. The behavior was also more common among species in which males and females are dramatically different sizes, such as mountain gorillas. These size differences often occur in animals which live in larger social groups with intense competition and stricter social hierarchies. Animals which have males and females of a similar size tend to live in pairs or smaller family units. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Same-sex sexual behavior therefore "may function as a flexible social strategy, used to reinforce social bonds, manage conflict or build alliances, depending on the ecological and social pressures faced by different species," the study said. The researchers theorized that similar factors could have played a role in human ancestors. "Our ancestors certainly had to face the same environmental and social complexities," Savolainen said. "But there are things that are completely unique to modern humans, who have a complexity of sexual orientation and preference that we do not address at all," he said. The study also warned against "misinterpretation or misuse of our findings," such as "a misguided notion that social equality might eliminate" same-sex sexual behavior in modern humans. Isabelle Winder, an anthropologist at Bangor University in the UK not involved in the study, praised the research. "It is their study's demonstration that modern comparative methods can, for perhaps the first time, realistically illuminate some of the complexities of the evolution of 'humanlike' behaviors that I find most exciting," she commented in Nature. Publication details Vincent Savolainen, Ecological and social pressures drive same-sex sexual behaviour in non-human primates, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-025-02945-8. www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02945-8 Isabelle C. Winder, Drivers of same same-sex sexual behaviour, Nature Ecology & Evolution (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-025-02940-z , doi.org/10.1038/s41559-025-02940-z Journal information: Nature Ecology & Evolution 2026 AFP 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: Although the silky shark is one of the ocean's widest-ranging nomads, individuals tagged at Darwin and Wolf islands spend nearly half their time in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Credit: James Lea The limited range of marine protected areas (MPAs) offers reduced protection to vulnerable species such as the highly mobile silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis). Because the survival of these sharks is threatened by commercial fisheries and the global fin trade, more research is needed to understand their movements and how to improve levels of protection, a new study has found. In the first assessment of its kind, "Pelagic sharks in parks: Marine protected areas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific provide limited protection to silky sharks tracked from the Galapagos Marine Reserve," found that while the species spent less than half their time within the 133,000 square kilometer Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR), they were tracked outside the relative safety of the MPAs for over half of the study period. The work is published in the journal Biological Conservation. Listed as "Vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, global data has shown that overfishing has caused silky shark populations to decline by 4754% in the last 3040 years. Meanwhile, fins from silky sharks make up the second highest proportion, by species, impacted by the international fin trade. As part of the international study, carried out by the Guy Harvey Research Institute, Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center, Charles Darwin Foundation, and the Galapagos National Park Directorate, a total of 40 silky sharks were tagged and their movements tracked by satellite technology over the course of nearly two years. Researchers from the Charles Darwin Foundation and Nova Southeastern University attach a satellite tag to a silky shark. Credit: Pelayo Salinas | Charles Darwin Foundation Jeremy Vaudo, Ph.D, of the Guy Harvey Research Institute and Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center at Nova Southeastern University, and lead author of the study, has called for more research into the movements of silky sharks in order to better protect this vulnerable species. He said, "According to our research, silky sharks spent around half their time outside of MPAs and made little use of recently established ones designed to protect areas thought to be a movement corridor of large pelagic species, including sharks. "The study demonstrates that upon leaving the MPAs, they run the gauntlet of a range of threats including longline and purse-seine fisheries. They are among the most heavily fished shark species in the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP) ecoregion and not only are they a major victim of the global fin trade, but their tendency to spend time on the high seas outside of the region's MPAs also puts them at risk of being incidentally taken as bycatch by industrial fishing fleets. "Our current level of understanding is so limited we don't even know where silky sharks mate or give birth. It is, therefore, vitally important for the scientific community to gain a much deeper understanding of their movement patterns, and those of other species of concern, and for improved fisheries management, in order to make the best decisions on where to designate future areas as MPAs." As open ocean (pelagic) nomads, silky sharks are easily captured in longline and purse-seine fisheries and even though they are not the target species, they are typically retained for their valuable meat and fins. Credit: James Lea For the study, 40 adult silky sharks, (33 females, seven males), which can grow up to 3.5m in length, were tagged with fin-mounted satellite tags. Ten were tagged in February 2021 off Darwin Island, with a further 30 tagged in July 2021 (14 off Darwin Island and 16 off Wolf Island). On average, they spent nearly 47% of their time in the GMR, with comparatively little time spent in the region's other recently established MPAs to the east. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Silky sharks are a nomadic species known to travel vast distances in the high seas. In one instance, a record-breaking silky shark, tagged at Wolf Island in 2021, recorded 27,666 kilometers (17,190 miles) of ocean travel in less than two years. According to Dr. Mahmood Shivji, co-author of the study and director of the Guy Harvey Research Institute and Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center, it reveals both positivebut also concerningdiscoveries regarding the effectiveness of the current MPAs in the region, many of which are situated to the east of the GMR. Dr. Shivji said, "The good news is that the silky sharks spent a substantial amount of time within the GMR, largely safeguarded from industrial fishing during this period. Concerning, however, is the discovery that the sharks, when deciding to migrate, preferentially traveled to the west and northwest rather than east of the GMR, ending up spending a lot of time in unprotected waters where a huge amount of industrial purse-seine and longline fishing occurs. These preferentially directional migrations point strongly to the wisdom of expanding MPAs to the west and northwest of the Galapagos, in addition to implementing other measures, to improve protection of this overfished species." A new publication cautions that marine protected areas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific region may currently provide limited protection for silky sharks, and that these sharks are at risk from overfishing where they roam outside them and on the high seas. Credit: Map by Kelsey Dickson | Save Our Seas Foundation Between 2010 and 2023, 53 MPAs were created in the Central and South American Pacific region, covering over 2.5 million km2 and making up 90% of the region's MPA network. Furthermore, at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), the governments of Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica agreed to jointly create additional large MPAs. The ETP supports many economically valuable ecosystem services, especially commercial fisheries, chief among them, tuna fisheries using purse seines and longlines. Both fishing methods have high levels of bycatch, including marine mammals, sea birds, sea turtles, and sharks, many of which have experienced major population declines and are threatened with extinction. Silky sharks are particularly vulnerable to tuna-focused purse-seine fisheries that use fish aggregating devices, which are large floating objects that attract fish in the open ocean. "Our research also highlights that MPA networks by themselves are not going to be enough to revert ongoing silky shark population declines. MPAs need to be complemented by fisheries policies aimed at ensuring that industrial fishing fleets operating around MPAs, including within biological corridors, are sustainably managed. One-third of pelagic sharks and rays are now threatened with extinction. It is time to implement recovery plans to improve their conservation status," commented Dr. Pelayo Salinas de Leon, Senior Marine Scientist of the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands and co-author of the study. Publication details Jeremy J. Vaudo et al, Pelagic sharks in parks: Marine protected areas in the Eastern Tropical Pacific provide limited protection to silky sharks tracked from the Galapagos Marine Reserve, Biological Conservation (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111658 Journal information: Biological Conservation 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 SpaceX knocked out Friday the first of a series of afternoon launches in the coming week with another Starlink mission from Florida's Cape Canaveral. A Falcon 9 on the Starlink 6-96 mission with 29 more of the internet satellites lifted off at 4:41 p.m. Eastern time from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Space Launch Complex 40. This was the 29th flight of the first-stage booster, which made a recovery landing downrange on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic. The company's first launch from Florida this year came in the early morning hours of Jan. 4, but the next two are looking to take off during the daytime. Next up is the Starlink 6-97 mission on Sunday, Jan. 11 during a 1:085:08 p.m. window from SLC-40 using a booster for the 25th time. Then comes the Starlink 6-98 on Wednesday, Jan. 14 from SLC-40 during a 1:015:01 p.m. launch window using a booster for the 13th time. After that, SpaceX looks to return to overnight launches with the Starlink 6-100 mission from SLC-40 targeting a midnight to 3:17 a.m. launch window using a booster for the 24th time. SpaceX flew all but eight of the Space Coast's record 109 orbital launches in 2025, with Blue Origin flying two and United Launch Alliance flying six. ULA's next launch is slated for Feb. 2 flying its new Vulcan rocket for the fourth time ever on the USSF-87 mission for the Space Force from Canaveral's Space Launch Complex 41. Blue Origin has not announced a target date for its next flight of its New Glenn rocket. Also on tap could be NASA's Space Launch System rocket making its second launch on the Artemis II mission from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-B. Rollout of the rocket is expected next week with the first launch opportunity coming as early as Feb. 6. NASA's goal is to get the first crewed flight of Orion on its way for a trip around the moon off the ground no later than April. 2026 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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: Firefighters battle to extinguish a bushfire in Chubut province of Argentina's Patagonian region. Forest fires in southern Argentina have scorched more than 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) this week, authorities said, though rain began falling in parts of Patagonia on Sunday to the relief of residents. The largest blaze, burning since Monday near the small town of Epuyen in the Andes, has charred some 11,980 hectares, the Chubut provincial fire service said in a statement. Another fire of unspecified size is burning nearby in the Los Alerces National Park. Firefighters are also battling to contain another two fires in Chubut and neighboring Santa Cruz provinces that have burned some 3,800 hectares, Argentina's emergency management agency said. On Sunday afternoon, rain fell in some parts of the region, to the relief of residents like Atilla Missura, a 59-year-old who leads horseback tours. "We are very happy; hopefully it will stay this way," Missura told AFP by telephone from Rincon de Lobos, one of the most affected areas. More than 500 firefighters, rescuers, police officers, and support personnel were combating the blazes, while dozens of local people supported operations on the front lines. The governor of Chubut, Ignacio Torres, said in a radio interview that the situation in the area was "calmer" on Sunday morning but it "remains very critical." Torres urged people "never again to downplay the implications of climate change" and emphasized that the province is experiencing "the worst drought since 1965." A volunteer firefighter working near Epuyen was in intensive care due to severe burns, health authorities told local media. Approximately 3,000 tourists have been evacuated from the area in recent days, and at least 10 homes have been destroyed by the fire, Torres said. The region lost 32,000 hectares to wildfires in early 2025. Key concepts firesWildfires 2026 AFP Approaching cold front causing rain as polar air nears peninsula Riviera Maya, Q.R. Approaching cold front 27 that is heading for the Yucatan Peninsula is already causing periods of rain. The polar air, that began to enter peninsula territory late Sunday, is expected to stick around at least 24 hours. The National Meteorological Service (SMN) says the mass of polar air approaching the peninsula will result in rain for much of Quintana Roo. Periods of showers with isolated heavy rainfall of between 25 to 50 mm is forecast for the state today. Today, cold front no. 27 will extend with stationary characteristics over the Yucatan Peninsula and southeastern Mexico, causing isolated intense rainfall in Veracruz (Los Tuxtlas and Olmeca), western Tabasco and northwestern Chiapas and isolated heavy rainfall in Yucatan, the Servicio Meteorologico Nacional (SMN) reported early Monday. The polar air mass associated with the front will maintain cold to very cold conditions during the morning and night over central, eastern and southeastern Mexico, as well as a strong to intense Norte wind event along the Gulf of Mexico coast, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and the Gulf of Tehuantepec, a condition that will diminish during the night. The influx of humid air from the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean will bring very heavy, isolated showers to Veracruz (Papaloapan region) and Oaxaca; heavy, isolated showers to Quintana Roo, Campeche, and Puebla (Tehuacan-Sierra Negra region). Isolated showers are also expected in western and central Mexico, they reported. Last week, southerly winds left numerous Quintana Roo beaches covered in sargassum. More than 20 tons was lifted from the sandy areas of public beaches Thursday and Friday. This latest incoming cold front will be arriving with strong north winds that could help counter that by diverting the floating sargassum toward a diffent sea current. Recent southerly winds forced floating sargassum onto Quintana Roo beaches. Crews are seen here January 10 removing washed up seaweed from a Playa del Carmen beach. Riviera Maya News serving Quintana Roo Mexico since 2014 Your official online newspaper Canadian tourist injured during collapse of Playa del Carmen condo balcony Playa del Carmen, Q.R. A Canadian tourist was seriously injured after falling from a balcony when its railing collapsed. The man sustained injuries after falling from a height of more than two meters Saturday night. The accident happened at a condominium in the Zazil-Ha neighborhood of Playa del Carmen at around 11:30 p.m. An ambulance was called to Anah Playa del Carmen on 14 Bis Street and 20th Avenue Saturday night. The mans crash through the side of the balcony was heard by both on-site staff and residents who called emergency services. According to initial reports, the man was a condo guest and was leaning on the side of one of the buildings balconies when it suddenly gave way. He fell several meters to the ground below. Civil Protection personnel along with firefighters, paramedics and municipal public safety officers arrived at the condo in response to the emergency 9-1-1 call. Paramedics transferred the injured man to hospital January 10, 2026 The area was cordoned off to facilitate the emergency vehicles and an ambulance who removed the injured Canadian guest on a stretcher. Paramedics assessed him prior to his ambulance transfer to hospital, determining he may have suffered a leg fracture. Civil Protection authorities conducted a preliminary inspection of the collapsed balcony to determine the possible cause. Rooms with similar balconies have already been inspected. A more thorough inspection of the building is expected this week. Last week, another Canadian tourist was injured after suffering a fall inside a Playa del Carmen hotel. The 60 year old hotel guest fell Friday morning inside the Luciana Hotel and Beach Club. Authorities did not say how the man fell. He was transferred to hospital for medical attention. The man fell from the balcony after the side gave way January 10, 2026. Riviera Maya News serving headline news for Playa del Carmen since 2014 Your official online newspaper Central Puerto Morelos launches its first free Wi-Fi hotspots Puerto Morelos, Q.R. The town of Puerto Morelos has launched its first free Wi-Fi hotspots. People with mobile devices can now take advantage of free Internet in the towns center through the two new modules. Governor Mara Lezama inaugurated the new public internet modules Sunday along with Puerto Morelos Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu and the Secretary of Tourism, Bernardo Cueto Riestra. Governor Lezama said they new public modules are part of the commitment to bring free, high-speed public connectivity to tourist destinations in the Mexican Caribbean. Central Puerto Morelos now has Wi-Fi hotspots January 11, 2026. She said the free Wi-Fi is the result of coordinated work between the State Government and the digital transformation company Gignet, as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen tourist destinations and directly support local communities. This infrastructure improves the tourist experience and facilitates electronic payments for artisans, nautical operators and local merchants, strengthening the community economy, she said. Each module has a dedicated one gigabit per second link, two access points with a range of up to 50 meters and the capacity to simultaneously connect 200 devices, guaranteeing a stable and quality service for both visitors and residents. The free signal can be picked up across more than 50 linear meters January 11, 2026 She said the project is part of a public connectivity network that began in 2023 in Cancun, with the installation of modules at Playa Delfines and Kilometro Cero, which connect more than 2,500 devices daily. In 2024, the expansion continued in Tulum, where each module connects more than 650 devices daily. With the addition of Puerto Morelos, the state is advancing in digital transformation, inclusion, and social welfare. In July of 2025, Gignet, the company the supplies the Internet, began the hotspot project in central Puerto Morelos. The public Wi-Fi project included the installation of two public Wi-Fi modules with a coverage capacity of more than 50 linear meters. These modules are located in Fundadores Park and Fishermens Wharf. Each module has a connection capacity of 200 simultaneous devices. Two modules support the free centrally located Wi-Fi service January 11, 2026. Riviera Maya News serving headline news for Puerto Morelos since 2014 Your official online newspaper Nearly two dozen rescued during police raid in Playa del Carmen Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Police in Playa del Carmen raided a bar over the weekend, freeing 20 woman. Police say the women were victims of human trafficking in the form of prostitution. The raid was carried out in collaboration with personnel from the FGE Investigative Police, National Guard and Navy. Of the 20, they reported 17 were Mexican nationals, two from Cuban and one of Venezuelan nationality and were recruited out of economic necessity. Authorities carried out the procedure in an establishment that operates as a bar in which 20 women were located, presumed victims of acts possibly constituting the crime of human trafficking in its form of prostitution of others, the FGE reported in a statement. The request for the search warrant stems from investigations by the Investigative Police which revealed that men would come to the premises located on 4th North Street, between 125th West Avenue and 20th Street , and leave with women, and later the women would return to the bar. During the court order, the participating agents located 20 women, of whom 17 are Mexican nationals, two are Cuban and one is Venezuelan, who stated that they were recruited out of economic necessity. According to initial investigations, the women worked as barmaids, charging 200 pesos per drink, of which they received 100 pesos. They also offered sexual services ranging from 800 to 1,500 pesos per hour, the women kept 50 percent of what they charged. Investigative Police officers proceeded to place the seizure seals on the premises, which is now under the custody of the State Attorney Generals Office. Police did not announce arrests. Riviera Maya News serving headline crime news for Playa del Carmen since 2014 Your official online newspaper State planning level III Cancun Tower of Specialties medical hospital Cancun, Q.R. The state government has announced its plan to build a level III hospital to provide medical specialties currently not available. Some of those medical specialties include hemodialysis and burn treatment. Governor Mara Lezama says the new up-and-coming medical towers are part of strengthening the states health system. She made the announcement Sunday with Alejandro Svarch, the General Director of IMSS-Bienestar. The group involved in planning the hospital toured the land where the Cancun Tower of Specialties will be built, a project considered key to expanding specialized medical care in the state. The project will be developed on the site and as an annex of the current General Hospital of Cancun and aims to offer more complex care services for residents who do not have social security. Svarch stated that the Tower of Specialties will strengthen medical subspecialties and enable highly complex services as well as diagnostic support. The facility will directly benefiting more than 835,000 people without social security. He said the new facility will provide specialty medical services to people without having to leave the state. Governor Lezama indicated that the project is planned on a 26,000 square meter land reserve with a construction area of 15,000 square meters. The tower will consist of six levels with 36 specialties and more than 190 beds. The medical tower will provide strategic services such as hemodialysis, care for people with burns, wound clinic and catheter management. Alejandro Svarch explained that the new care model abandons the old isolation-based approach, giving way to comprehensive spaces with a humanistic focus. The complex will have separate areas for men, women, girls and boys, with specialists in each area. This is great news and a major step forward. Its part of what we do in humanist governments: listen to people, address their suffering from all angles, considering not only the patient but also their family, said Governor Lezama. Other specifications such as a cost or estimated construction time were not provided. Riviera Maya News serving headline news for Cancun since 2014 Your official online newspaper Suspects in Custody: Police say cenote shooting that left one dead not related to Tulum music festival Tulum, Q.R. Police say two men have been arrested in Playa del Carmen for assault and aggravated homicide in Tulum. The pair were initially picked up by Investigative Police for drug dealing, but now, authorities say they are connected to the three weekend shootings at a Tulum cenote. On Monday, authorities said Fernando Jonathan N and Adan Osvaldo N are in custody for their probable participation in acts possibly constituting the crime of aggravated homicide against a male victim of Argentine nationality as well as for the injuries caused to two other people. Three men were shot in the parking lot of a Tulum cenote on January 9. Two were injured. One died. Police have said that the shooting was not related to the electronic music festival that had been held the night before when another man was shot and killed in an unrelated shooting. His body was found early that same morning on a dirt road. Both suspects in the deadly Tulum shooting were arrested in Playa del Carmen. Police say that the two people injured by bullets at the cenote were security, both employees. A third person who was shot several times, died. He has been identified as a 37 year old Argentinian citizen. Fernando Jonathan N and Adan Osvaldo N were arrested for drug dealing and who, according to the first investigations, would have killed an Argentine citizen and injured two other men with a firearm who worked as security employees of a cenote, unrelated to a musical event that was taking place in Tulum, police said. All three were shot in the parking lot of the cenote. At the scene, forensic experts secured spent 9mm caliber shell casings. Police said the two suspects in custody were identified using nearby security cameras. Police have reported that the shooting was not related to the electronic music festival and have speculated that the motive was drug related. Initial investigations link the detainees to a criminal group that generates violence in Tulum, dedicated to the sale of narcotics, so the line of investigation that the Prosecutors Office is following in this case has to do with the crime of drug dealing, they said. Three men were shot in a Tulum cenote parking lot January 9. One was killed. The afternoon shooting of three men at the Tulum cenote on January 9 was the second fatal shooting in the town of Tulum in 12 hours. Riviera Maya News serving headline crime news for Tulum since 2014 Your official online newspaper The Fawlty Towers stage show has been hit with trigger warnings. John Cleese's Fawlty Towers play was slapped with trigger warnings Leeds Heritage Theatre chiefs issued alerts for the stage adaptation of John Cleese's iconic comedy when it was performed at the venue as part of a nationwide tour last week. Audiences were warned that Fawlty Towers: The Play contains "adult themes" and "controversial topics" and imposed an age limit of 14 years and over. An alert on the theatre's website said: "Triggers and advisories: Violence, strong language, adult themes, controversial topics, gun shots, smoking, smoke and fire." Cleese adapted the 1970s comedy for the stage by combining three classic Fawlty Towers episodes The Hotel Inspectors, Communication Problems and The Germans and the show is now touring the UK after receiving great reviews when it launched on London's West End in 2024. The Monty Python star previously revealed that he was in favour of trigger warnings in an age where "everyone is super sensitive". Cleese, 86, previously told radio station LBC: "I'm all in favour of warnings. Everyone is super sensitive at the moment and I think it's just a mood that will pass in another couple of years. "But the point is to warn people, because if they've been warned then they cannot watch it. If they haven't been warned they can start saying you shouldn't have. "If you're going to have people getting upset about things, just tell them, 'You might get upset about things.' "I think it's very silly but right at the moment it's better to throw them a small bone and to give warnings, you know, sexual content or violence, not that anyone's ever suggested we shouldn't watch a programme because it was so violent." John created Fawlty Towers with his first wife Connie Booth for the BBC but declared that he would never work with the corporation again last year as he thinks that the channel's bosses are "clueless" about comedy. He said: "The people organising comedy have never been very good but at the moment particularly at the BBC they are clueless. I don't think it is a lack of talent except among the executive classes. Those classes have no idea what they are doing." Hollin's outlet in Punggol Plaza appeared to be its only remaining store in Singapore as at 12 Jan. (PHOTO: The Straits Times) (ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG) Several outlets of Taiwanese bubble tea chain Hollin appear to have closed in Singapore, with online checks showing that most of its stores are no longer in operation. Marketing executive Victoria Lim first noticed the closures on 5 Jan when she went to Hollins outlet at The Woodleigh Mall and found it shuttered. The 28-year-old, who regularly buys the chains mango rock salt macchiato, then visited the outlet at One Holland Village near her home over the next few days, only to find it closed each time. "At first, I thought the outlet at One Holland Village was just closed for a day or two," she said. "But after several failed attempts, I started to suspect that its closure might be permanent." She added that when she searched online, the outlet was listed as permanently closed. Lim also checked Hollins social media accounts, which she follows for updates on pearl flavours, and found that its Singapore Instagram page had been taken down. Separate checks by The Straits Times showed that Hollin Singapores Facebook page no longer exists and its website has been made private. The business was still listed as a live entity on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authoritys Bizfile portal as at 12 Jan. Further checks by ST on Google listings found that Hollin appears to have permanently closed all but one of its outlets in Singapore. Its Punggol Plaza outlet was still operating when ST visited the store on the afternoon of 12 Jan. Hollin, known for its flavoured tapioca pearls such as chocolate, matcha and lychee, opened its first outlet here in Toa Payoh in 2018. It later expanded to at least five other locations, including SingPost Centre, Suntec City, Plaza Singapura, The Woodleigh Mall and One Holland Village. For more on Hollin's mass closure of outlets, read here. There are plenty of houseplants that are perfect for growing indoors. So many, in fact, that you'll be tempted to buy them all. But it can be challenging to find space for a large indoor plant collection to thrive. One gorgeous option is to create a stunning living wall, thus maximizing vertical space, but if that seems too difficult, there's an easier, multi-level solution worth trying. You can maximize indoor plant storage by transforming an old china cabinet into a pretty plant sanctuary. Whether you choose to overhaul a cabinet you already have or you thrift one on a budget (you may even get lucky and find a free cabinet on Facebook Marketplace), it's easy to update the cabinet's entire look with a few simple tweaks. A coat of paint is a simple way to give the cabinet an update, but you can also use peel-and-stick wallpaper, fabric, and other elements to customize the design. You'll also want grow lights to install inside the cabinet. When choosing the perfect cabinet, search for one with glass shelves, as this will allow grow lights installed at the top of the cabinet to filter down to all of the plants below through the glass. Otherwise, you'll need to consider installing grow lights on each level. As for the plants themselves, opt for indoor plants that will thrive in a small space, and keep in mind the height of the shelves themselves, so as not to thwart any of the plants' natural growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 9 Foolproof Ways To Bring Your Dying Christmas Cactus Back To Life Paint and customize the china cabinet to create a plant sanctuary A renovated china cabinet painted green with peel-and-stick wallpaper on the back used for plant storage. - aimless_aimee/TikTok It's simple to turn an old china cabinet into useful storage for things other than dishes all you need is a little imagination. When it comes to repurposing a cabinet for your plants, start by sanding and priming the outside. Then, hit it with your favorite paint color, using a roller for the big surfaces and a brush to get into the nooks and crannies. For an even easier DIY, opt for chalk paint instead, which requires no prep work. For added oomph, paint the cabinet's backboard with a complimentary hue, or line it using double-sided tape and your favorite fabric. Another great option is to use peel-and-stick wallpaper, which can bring an eye-catching pattern to your DIY. Start in the upper left-hand corner and, slowly peeling its backing, work downwards, pressing the wallpaper to the cabinet backing and removing air bubbles with a plastic smoother along the way. For a perfect fit, cut the wallpaper sections to be 1 inch bigger than necessary, push them into the edges with the smoother, then use an X-acto knife to cut off any excess. If you're still feeling creative, you can add some of the wallpaper to the outside of the cabinet, stencil its drawers, or replace knobs and pulls with fun new ones. Another great hack is to use the lower cabinets and drawers to store plant food, watering cans, and all other plant-care essentials, so they're always within easy reach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enjoyed this article? Get expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration by signing up to the House Digest newsletter and adding us as a preferred search source! Read the original article on House Digest. At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will pay an official visit to China from January 14 to 17. CGTN: To follow up on the announcement that Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit China, can you brief us on the backdrop and Chinas expectation of the visit? Mao Ning: Through the joint effort of the two sides, China-Canada relations have been gradually improved and developed since last year. President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Carney in Gyeongju, the ROK, charting the course for the turnaround of the bilateral relations and the resumption or restart of exchanges and cooperation in various fields. The upcoming visit by Mark Carney is Canadian Prime Ministers first visit to China in eight years. China attaches high importance to the visit. President Xi Jinping will meet with Prime Minister Carney to provide new strategic guidance for the further improvement and development of bilateral relations. Premier Li Qiang and Chairman Zhao Leji of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress will hold talks and meet with him respectively to have broad-based and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interests. The sound and steady development of China-Canada relations serves the common interest of the two countries and two peoples, and is conducive to world peace, stability, development and prosperity. China hopes that, through Prime Minister Carneys upcoming visit, the two sides will step up dialogue and communication, enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, properly handle differences, address each others concerns, consolidate the momentum in the turnaround of China-Canada relations, and deliver more benefit to the two peoples. Asahi Shimbun: Its reported that permit reviews over rare earth exports to Japan for civilian use have been suspended, and Chinese state-owned enterprises have notified some Japanese companies that they would not sign new contracts on rare earth supplies. Are you aware of the situation? The Ministry of Commerce has said that the strengthened export controls over dual-use items toward Japan do not affect exports for civilian use. Is the suspension of reviews related to the export control measure? Mao Ning: Id refer you to competent authorities for anything specific. Let me stress that Chinas measures, which were taken in accordance with the laws and regulations, are fully legitimate, justified and lawful. RT: Reports say that at a meeting with U.S. oil executives at the White House, President Trump said China and Russia can only purchase Venezuelan crude oil under Washingtons control. He also said if the U.S. didnt take control of Venezuelas oil, China or Russia would have. Reuters reported that one of the aims of the U.S. operation in Venezuela was to tell China to stay away from the Americas and thwart China-Venezuela energy cooperation. Whats Chinas comment? Mao Ning: Latin American and Caribbean countries are independent sovereign countries and have the right to choose their cooperation partners. No matter how the situation develops, China will continue deepening practical cooperation with countries in the region, including Venezuela, and promote common development. Prensa Latina: Yesterday, the U.S. President issued a new threat against the people and government of Cuba, amidst international condemnation of U.S. intervention against Latin America. What is Chinas comment on this situation? Mao Ning: China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty and security and opposing external interference. We urge the U.S. to stop the blockade, sanctions and coercion of all forms against Cuba at once, and act in ways conducive to regional peace and stability. Anadolu Agency: U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday argued that taking over Greenland is necessary for the U.S. to prevent Russia or China from gaining control of the Arctic territory. He said: Were talking about acquiring, not leasing, not having it short-term. If we dont do it, Russia or China will. Whats Chinas comment? Mao Ning: The Arctic bears on the common interests of the international community. Chinas activities in the Arctic are aimed at promoting the peace, stability and sustainable development of the region. They are in line with the international law. Countries right and freedom to carry out activities in the Arctic in accordance with the law needs to be fully respected. The U.S. should not use other countries as a pretext for seeking selfish gains. Bloomberg: Officials from the G7 and other countries are meeting in the U.S. to discuss rare earth supply chains. Nikkei has also reported that Japanese companies are having difficulty getting rare earth supplies for civilian use. Would the Foreign Ministry like to comment on either one of these? Mao Ning: China stepped up export controls of dual-use items toward Japan to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation. The measures are fully justified, legitimate and lawful. On keeping the global industrial and supply chains of critical minerals safe and stable, Chinas position has not changed. All parties have the responsibility to play a constructive role for this end. Beijing Youth Daily: Its reported Taiwan said on January 9 that the Taiwan-related part in the Joint Press Release of the China-African Union Strategic Dialogue is a serious distortion of facts and undermines the islands sovereignty, and called the African Union (AU) aligning with Beijings stance regrettable. Whats Chinas comment? Mao Ning: The one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and a basic norm governing international relations. It is also the political foundation of relations between China and African countries. The 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation adopted the Beijing Declaration, in which participating African countries and the AU Commission reaffirmed their firm commitment to the one-China principle and reaffirmed that there is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinas territory and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. They also expressed their firm support to all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification. The Joint Press Release of the 9th China-AU Strategic Dialogue fully and faithfully represents the consistent and clear stance of the African side on the Taiwan question. The AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said in an interview on Friday that We will be on board with China on the issue of one-China principle forever. We urge the Taiwan authorities to see the facts and stop its poor political stunts that will only disgrace itself. Anadolu Agency: I want to go back to my Greenland question. I think you answered it as the common use of the Arctic territory. You said that Arctic is open for all countries, but Greenland is a part of Denmark. My question was about whats Chinas comment of the U.S. taking over sovereign territory of another country? If that happens, what Chinas interests in the particular territory will be? Whats your comment on this? Mao Ning: China always believes that state-to-state relations should be handled in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Regarding the Arctic, let me say that countries right and freedom to carry out activities in the Arctic in accordance with the law needs to be fully respected. RIA Novosti: To follow up on the Arctic question, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul earlier offered U.S. President Donald Trump to work together within NATO to counter the threats posed by Russian and Chinese ships and submarines in the Arctic. Whats Chinas comment? Mao Ning: As I just said, the Arctic bears on the common interests of the international community. Chinas activities in the Arctic are conducive to peace, stability and sustainable development of the region. They are in line with the international law. We oppose the U.S. using China or Russia as a pretext for seeking selfish gains. Bloomberg: The death toll in the Iran protests is now more than 500 and Donald Trump has indicated that he may strike Iran if it uses lethal force against demonstrators. Would the Foreign Ministry like to comment on this? Mao Ning: China hopes the Iranian government and people will overcome the current difficulties and uphold stability in the country. China always opposes interference in other countries internal affairs, advocates that all countries sovereignty and security should be fully protected by international law, and opposes the use or threat of force in international relations. We call on parties to act in ways conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East. PTI: India on Friday criticized Chinas infrastructure development projects in the Shaksgam valley and said that it reserves the right to take necessary measures to safeguard its interests as it is an Indian territory. We also do not recognize the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, said by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson. He said Shaksgam valley is an Indian territory and that we have never recognized the so-called China-Pakistan boundary agreement signed in 1963. We have consistently maintained that the agreement is illegal and invalid. Critics also say that China is trying to seek to validate its hold on the area with investments. Whats Chinas comment and response to this? Mao Ning: The territory you mentioned belongs to China. Its fully justified for China to conduct infrastructure construction on its own territory. China and Pakistan in the 1960s signed a boundary agreement and delimited the boundary between the two countries, which is the right of China and Pakistan as sovereign countries. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as an economic cooperation initiative, aims at promoting local socioeconomic development and improving peoples livelihood. The China-Pakistan boundary agreement and CPEC do not affect Chinas position on the Kashmir issue and the position remains unchanged. AFP: Its a follow-up question about the protests in Iran. Some press reports mentioned several hundreds died. Were any Chinese citizens among the dead or injured and are you calling on Chinese nationals to leave Iran? Mao Ning: We are following closely the situation in Iran. So far we have not received report about Chinese casualties in the country. We will do everything we can to protect the safety of Chinese nationals in Iran. We would like to remind Chinese nationals there to follow the developments of the local security situation, and take necessary measures to keep themselves safe. Those in need for help can contact the Chinese Embassy in Iran or dial the consular service hotline. Anadolu Agency: President Donald Trump also in yesterdays remarks said that his administration is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and he is presented with very strong options. Its been reported that a range of options, from sanctions and cyber measures to potential military action had been considered. Whats Chinas comment? Mao Ning: We stand against interference in other countries internal affairs, advocate that all countries sovereignty and security should be fully protected, and oppose using or threatening to use force in international relations. AFP: I got a question on the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. He was supposed to visit Somalia last week but his visit was postponed due to a schedule change. What was the reason behind the schedule change? Was it due to security reasons? Mao Ning: After friendly consultation between the foreign ministries of China and Somalia, the schedule of Foreign Minister Wang Yis visit was adjusted. While in Africa, Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone conversation with Somalian Foreign Minister Abdisalam Dhaay, during which he stressed that China will, as always, support Somalia in safeguarding sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and the two sides reached new common understandings on deepening cooperation in various areas. Pay Dirt is Slates money advice column. Have a question? Send it to Kristin and Ilyce here. (Its anonymous!) Dear Pay Dirt, The kids dad used to work in a high stress , high earning role. We agreed it would be short term, four years. He worked hard but did nothing else: I managed our household, our kids, and all the regular life stuff for him, too, like his family, his doctor, his clothes. We rarely had time together, and I felt alone in our marriage, like I was doing all the work without any of the joy or companionship. My career also took a backseat. Then after four years, he changed his mind and refused to change to a job that would have him around more. We divorced with 50/50 custody, since he was convinced Id ask for the world in child support. I moved in with my sister and her husband, and we are running a household together. Having the kids half the time is way easier than what I was doing before, even though I dont have access to the same money. Im enjoying time with my kids that doesnt feel like a forced march, and my career is blooming. Its been an adjustment for our kids, but ultimately they love being with their cousins and having three adults who love them around. I think Ive successfully got them understanding that Mom can pay bills and cover all the important stuff, but we cant afford the same treats I used to, and thats OK. We can miss it, but we have what we need (and more!). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But my ex discovered he couldnt do his job without someone to take care of his entire non-job life, and it wasnt so high earning that he could just pay someone to take on his entire personal life. He was put on a PIP and then left for a lower-earning job. Hes very angry about it, blaming the divorce. Now, the kids come home stressed about money after every custody exchangehow theres not enough, how at dads they have to give things up, and how everythings falling apart. This isnt true! Their dad still makes well into the six figures. How do I get our kids to let go of this fear? Talking to him has gone nowhere, because hes still very angry. No One Is Going Without Advertisement Dear No One Is Going Without, Your ex-husband is using your children as emotional outlets for his unmanaged stress, and that needs to stop. It sounds as though he genuinely cant manage his life without the support system you provided for years. Hes struggling, hes angry about the divorce, and instead of dealing with it like an adult, hes dumping his basket of anger and anxiety onto your kids. Thats emotional manipulation, even if he doesnt realize hes doing it. Advertisement A man making well into six figures isnt facing poverty. Hes facing the reality that managing a household, a career, and personal life simultaneously is hardand the fact that you made a huge contribution to his financial success. Now, hes making choices that are unpalatableto him!and blaming the kids for taking him away from the one thing he knew how to do well: his work. Advertisement While Im not advocating doing one speck of his emotional labor, your kids are struggling. So, talk to them in an age-appropriate way. Explain that sometimes adults feel stressed about change even when everything is actually OK. Teach them: If Dad talks about money problems, you can say Im sorry youre stressed, Dad and know that you dont have to fix it or worry about it. Youre a kidthats not your job. Learning how to be empathetic without taking on their dads stress is an important life skill. Advertisement At the same time, you should get them into therapy. They need a neutral adult who can help them process their fathers anxiety and develop healthy boundaries. Finally, you might try to talk to your ex-husband about how the kids are feeling. He may not be emotionally aware-enough to understand how his behavior is affecting them. Dont be angry, just clear: The kids are coming home terrified about money. You make plenty of money to meet their needs, so your venting on them needs to stop. They need reassurance from you that youre in control and theyre secure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If he wont change, or if he blows up at you, consult a family attorney about getting a court-appointed advocate who can assess whats happening and mediate. If that doesnt work, and you can afford it, you can petition the judge to reopen your divorce and take another look at custody. Unfortunately, this is a long (and expensive) run youre facing until the kids are old enough to decide for themselves where to spend their time. Be their strength and remind them theyll always have a roof over their heads and food on the table as long as youre their mom. Get 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 Pay Dirt, * Your letter signoff Your pronouns Your email (optional and confidentialplease include if you're open to Pay Dirt following up) Submit Dear Pay Dirt, Im an only child in my late 30s. My relationship with my parents isnot fantastic. Mom (74) has been dealing with a degenerative autoimmune condition for about 15 years. Were on good terms, but her memory is a shadow of what it was, and its quite hard for her to get around physically or keep track of anything important mentally. Dad (67) is MAGA, stubborn, and incredibly difficult to talk to. I keep him at arms length for my own sanity. Advertisement Advertisement When I was in my 20s, my dad would occasionally mention signing the house over to methis is something he and his siblings did with his mothers house, to protect their inheritance should she eventually require nursing care (which she did, and they were glad to have done it). But he never followed through on any of this talk. I have tried a few times over the past couple of years to bring up estate planning with him, but Dad is often pathologically incapable of having a serious conversation, so hell just dismiss me with a bad joke, and we never get anywhere. Advertisement I actually have no idea how much money my parents have. We didnt seem to have much when I was younger, but thats at least partly because Dad paid off their 30 year mortgage in 12 years by cutting corners everywhere else. He saved money almost to the point of hoarding, and I know he has investments and things. Before Moms brain fog got too bad, she once told me I dont even know where all the money is. Advertisement So I guess my question is: In the absence of their cooperation, which Mom is unable, and Dad unwilling, to provide, is there anyone I can talk to about what I should expect when theyre gone? I have no siblings to help me with this, and literally zero idea of where to start. If they both keeled over tomorrow (god forbid), who am I even supposed to call? How would I track down all of Dads mystery money? Moms health is only going to decline, Dad has a strong family history of Alzheimers, and the clawback period in my state is seven years. Should I just give up now and accept that everything they have has a good chance of being taken by the state to pay for nursing care in the next decade since Dad couldnt be bothered to follow through? (It might be moot anyway: Ive said for years that Dad loves the dog more than he loves me, and it wouldnt surprise me to learn hes actually left everything to the spaniel.) Alone Without a Map Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Alone Without a Map, Watching your parents age is terrifying. As you get older, youll see your friends dealing with their own parents health challenges, and then, estate issues. Your real problem isnt the mystery moneyits that your dad wont have an actual conversation with you. He deflects with bad jokes because hes either pathologically avoidant, doesnt want to admit hes aging, or doesnt take you seriously enough as an adult. You need to break through that wall. It might be more effective to stop asking generally about estate planning. Thats abstract and easy to joke away. Instead, make it concrete and about consequences to you. Try this: Dad, I need to talk to you about what happens if you get sick. Im your only child. If you become incapacitated without power of attorney documents in place, Ill have to go to court to get guardianship. That costs thousands of dollars (that I dont have) and takes months. I wont be able to make medical decisions for Mom or you. I wont be able to access your accounts to pay bills. I need you to sit down with me and an attorney to set this up now, while you can. Advertisement Advertisement Frame it around their health, not his mortality, politics, or any future inheritance youre likely to receive: Mom has memory issues. If something happens to you, I need legal authority to take care of her. Help me help her. What you want to get is a list of their doctors, their attorney (if they have one), where their accounts are located, and their accountant. It will help if youve already found a good estate attorney and educated yourself on what will likely happen if he and your mom die intestate (without a will). The bare minimum you want are powers of attorney for healthcare and financial matters, plus a basic will. Advertisement As far as Medicaid goes, the lookback period is five years, not seven. California is the only exception with a short, 30-month lookback period for Medi-Cal, although the state is reinstating a full asset review for cases in 2026. An elder law attorney can advise you on what your parents need to do now to protect their assets, and if he wont, then yeseverything could go to nursing costs. Advertisement If he continues refusing, then yesconsult an elder law attorney yourself. Find one through the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, and while the initial consultation might be free, you could expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per hour for assistance. (The website offers some excellent consumer advice to start.) You might find one who offers a flat fee for some basic documents or a consultation to learn what happens if your parents die without giving you a power of attorney and how to track assets as the executor. As executor, youd request their tax returns from the IRS, which show bank interest and investments. Youd have legal authority to access everything. Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, try to get his cooperation so you can help with bills and set up online access to their accounts. Check their mail. Review old tax returns. Gather what information you can. Advertisement Your dads avoidance could destroy his estate. But you can only control how you prepare for the chaos you see coming. Ilyce More Money Advice From Slate I am 26 years old, and I dont make much. What I do make goes toward bills and rent (I live in a high-rent area). Sometimes Im lucky if I can even afford food. I recently began dating a woman who isnt working at the moment but is looking. We have talked about moving in together, but she has a kid, and Im living paycheck to paycheck. She has interviews lined up for jobs that pay more than mine. I feel ashamed that I can barely afford my bills. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Last February, I was in a remote town in northern Greenland and watching Donald Trump being discussed on the Danish news. My host, a lifelong Greenlander, waved his hand dismissively at the set in his living room and turned to me. Trump, he said. No good. Its a fittingly succinct summation of the general feeling about the U.S. president I encountered during the few weeks I spent in Greenland almost a year ago. I wasnt there to write about politics, but my trip happened to come hot on the heels of Donald Trump Jr.s visit to the country and a recent round of Trump Sr. declaring things like Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. It was a strange time to be there. The capital city, Nuuk, where I spent five days, was full of journalists, not least because heavy winds meant that flights out of Nuuk were canceled indefinitely and anyone already on the ground had to stay a few extra days. I met some German TV reporters who were in town covering the Trump situation; they told me that they were finding their assignment a little difficult because the citys residents were sick of talking to reporters about Trump. Nuuk only has 20,000 people, so if you were an adult living in the capital at the time, there was a fair chance youd been stopped on your way to the supermarket by someone with a recording device. Just like anywhere in the world, you could find a small scattering of people who have bought Trumps message, and the red hat besides. There are some in the country who think theres an opportunity for Greenland to achieve prosperity through some kind of deal with the U.S. But when my German friends did manage to persuade people to give an opinion, it was generally not a positive one. The message, by and large, was that Greenland belongs to us and to no one else, as one resident of Ilullisat, Ane Sofie Lauritzen, put it. I am very worried. The world is suddenly closing in on us, said another Greelandic woman called Esther Brandt Ahrens. I am almost 60 years old, but I have never experienced anything like this. We know that Trump is only after our resources. A poll taken just before I arrived found that 85 percent of people in Greenland did not want to become part of the U.S., with just 6 percent in favor and 9 percent undecided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wondered at the time whether this all might prove to be a flash in the pan. Trump spoke about wanting to buy Greenland during his first term too, and he got a pretty firm no from both Greenland and Denmark. But then the world watched Trump storm into Venezuela and arrest its leader without anything resembling an international consequence in recent weeks. In Greenland, that was a different kind of alarm bell. Though Trumps ambitions to seize the Arctic state as U.S. territory went quiet for a time after about March of last year, they never went away. Just before Christmas, he appointed an envoy to Greenland, Republican Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry. Its an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S., Landry said at the time. Trump did not discuss the appointment with officials in Denmark or in Greenland. Advertisement After Nicolas Maduros capture, at a press conference held onboard Air Force One, a reporter asked Trump about what his plans were with Greenland now, to which he replied, We need Greenland from a national security situation. (Hes previously also said he wants it for its natural resources.) Last week, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Millers wife Katie Miller posted a picture to X of Greenland with the American flag superimposed on it, captioned ominously SOON. In response, many Greenlanders are now posting pictures on Facebook of their country proudly emblazoned with the Greenlandic flag. Advertisement Last year, I got the sense that while Greenlanders found Trumps grandstanding about Greenland disrespectful and troubling, they also found the whole thing ridiculous. Now, however, the threat feels more serious. A friend who works with the Arctic Economic Council put it bluntly when he told me the majority of Greenlanders are now shitting themselves. Greenlandic officials are, it seems, also furious. The Danish news outlet DR reported on Wednesday that an online meeting between Greenlandic representatives and their counterparts in Denmark descended into accusations by the former against the latter of neocolonialist exclusionary practices in holding meetings about the countrys future without including Greenlandic officials. Advertisement Advertisement I caught up with Nicolas, a man I met who has spent the last 30 years living between Paris and Kullorsuaq, a settlement on Greenlands northwestern coast. He said that in his view, people were more worried about the threat of a U.S. takeover than ever before. He mentioned his local friends response to Trumps offer to give somewhere between $10,000 to $100,000 per person in Greenland. (The country has 57,000 residents total.) They feel completely offended about that kind of behavior, he said, and also they are upset by the fact that, internationally, people ask Denmark about the Trump question, people ask Europe, but no one asks the Greenlanders, and they feel they have no voice. Especially young people. Advertisement Advertisement Related From Slate Kimberly Guilfoyle Has Responded to Donald Trump Jr.s Humiliating Engagement as Only She Knows How Read More He recently put me in touch with his friend Ole Olsvig, a 32-year-old native of a village called Naajaat in Greenlands northern Upernavik area. People are exhausted, he told me. Part of that exhaustion with how their country is discussed internationally stems from deep colonial wounds about their relationship with Denmark. In 2025, for instance, Denmark finally issued an official apology for the widespread program of enforced sterilization of Inuit women without their knowledge. Eventual independence is something many Greenlanders have wanted for a long time. There has been always a feeling of wanting to be independent; I think it has always been a dream, he said. A year ago, he remembered seeing a lot of Greenlanders making memes about what he called Trumps delusional desire to take over their country. Things feel different now: This time, everyone is seeing whats happening in Venezuela, so now I think people are more afraid of what might happen. Advertisement Unlike last year, their fears are taking real shape. Will there be isolation? Will towns be centralized? Will people be cut off in terms of supplies, if the U.S. focused on militarization or centralization of administration, for example? All the things that you havent imagined last year, now you are discussing, he said. Still, however, he said most people cant shake off the sense that it is a ludicrous fantasy of Trumps that Greenland can just be sold off for money. Whatever is to come their way from the U.S., plenty of Greenlanders have another pressing issue on their minds at the moment. At the time of writing, troublingly warm weather means that sea ice, essential for the hunting season, has still not formed in northern Greenland, and it was expected a month ago. There are other, perhaps even bigger threats to life in the country besides Donald Trumps desire to buy up what he appears to view as little more than a very large piece of prime real estate. And hes already making those worse. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The Trump administration doesnt merely flout international law; it treats the very idea of a rules-based legal order as a weakness to be mocked, violated, and destroyed. Overseas, that contempt takes the form of unrestrained military force that threatens to unravel the postWorld War II international system that the United States itself built. At home, the same impulse can be seen in a growing willingness to discard legal limits on state violence, recasting unlawful force as strength and accountability as effeminacy. On this weeks episode of Amicus, Mark Joseph Stern spoke with Brian Finucane, a senior adviser to the International Crisis Group and a former attorney in the State Departments Office of the Legal Adviser, about what happens when performative machismo replaces law as a governing principleand when breaking the rules becomes the point. Their conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity. Mark Joseph Stern: Prominent right-wing provocateur and Donald Trump supporter Matt Walsh declared that international law is fake and gay. In response, you wrote that International law is gay does seem to be the general attitude of this White House. I know that was kind of a joke, but it also aligns with something that New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie pointed out, which is that the administration seems to think that blowing up the rules-based international order is the ultimate expression of masculinity. Theres a performative straight-guy machismo at work here, where tearing up international law becomes something akin to bragging rights in the manosphere. Brian Finucane: I think theres a certain element of trying to own the libs by burning down the U.S.-built international legal order. This president enjoys performative military action, military spectacle. We saw the way he boasted about the attack on Venezuela on social media, the way he characterized this as just another of the greatest hits during his press conference following the military incursion. He put this up there with the Soleimani strike, the Baghdadi strike, the attack on Iran over the summer. This administrations approach to international law is trollish and petulant, showing contempt for it and holding it in general disdain. That may be especially true for international law, but I think that holds true for other areas of lawor at least areas of law in which the administration is unlikely to get a Supreme Court judgment against it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its always a trap when you sense an Own the Libs play. Its difficult to avoid jumping in to rebuke the outrageous act without feeling as if youve been baited into fulfilling the narrative that the administration has set up. Thats what played out here: The Trump administration goes into Venezuela, arrests Nicolas Maduro, Democrats are mad. The administration and all of these right-wing commentators turn around and say that it proves that Democrats are weak and that international law is fake. The whole thing is swallowed by circular logic, whereby anyone who supports international law must be discredited because their views are rooted in feminine, gay weakness. That does seem to be the attitude at play here, and one way I would respond to that is that this is not strength. This is childishness. This is not a law imposed upon the U.S. by someone else. These are laws of the United States own creation. We agreed to these rules for very good reasons; the horrors of two world wars and of the Holocaust were very high on the list of motivating factors. Advertisement And these rules have served us very well, because as part of creating and setting them up, we established ourselves as the global leader and gave this nation a lot of special rights and privileges. Now we are inexplicably trading those away by tearing down the whole system in favor of a boastful machismo that plays well on TV and might help in the midterms but ultimately leads to the destruction of any semblance of an international rules-based order. Advertisement We established this international legal order because it was in the United States national interest to do so. We benefit from it disproportionately. And the U.S. has been an essential pillar of that for the past 80 years. Advertisement This sort of gender-based Own the Libs dimension braids into some of the right-wing commentary about Renee Nicole Good, the 37-year-old woman, mother, poet, and U.S. citizen who was shot and killed in her car by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer last Wednesday in Minneapolis. On Fox News, Jesse Watters took pains to mention that Good included pronouns in her bio and left behind a lesbian partner and a child from a previous marriage. Im not sure what those things have to do with thresholds for the use of deadly force, but perhaps theyre relevant to Watters because they play in the key of Anything thats not a MAGA model of masculine dominance is fair game. As you pointed out last week, it seems as if this is turning the Trump administrations culture war into an actual war on American citizens. Advertisement The killing of Renee Good is horrifying, heartbreaking, and sickening. I think that the administrations response is very revealing: smearing her without any basis in fact of domestic terrorism. This ties into the White Houses approach to smear or characterize a broad range of perceived foes as terrorists. There have been these moves to repurpose and redirect the war on terror framing against alleged narcosas weve seen with the boat bombings and the shipping of Venezuelan men off to CECOT prison in El Salvador to be abused. With the boat-bombing scheme, the administration asserted that the president had a license to kill people, essentially based on his own say-so, by labeling them terrorists. Now its being used against perceived domestic political opponents. That needs to be extremely concerning for Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps in retrospect, as soon as the president claimed a license to kill fishermen in international waters, it was only a matter of time before he claimed a license to kill American citizens on American streets. Advertisement Advertisement That was the concern. That was one of the things that initially struck me about where the boat strikes might lead. The fact that the administration is now smearing this poor dead woman with claims of domestic terrorism suggests that its where it indeed has led. I wonder if what happens next is that anyone who speaks openly and candidly about the killing of Good is also smeared as, at a minimum, trying to incite violence against ICE or against the administration. And that protesters and those who speak out will also soon be tarnished as terrorists themselves who then become fair game for use of lethal force. Is that too dramatic a vision that Im having here? No, I would not be surprised by that. We see other elements of the attempts to paint perceived domestic political opponents as terrorists. For example, the decision to label antifa as a terrorist organization when it of course isnt even an organization. The administration is also referring to other domestic political opponents or perceived opponents as terrorist sympathizers. The attempts to smear a broader and broader swath of the American public as terrorists are likely to continue. Advertisement This takes us all the way down the rabbit hole to a more meta question about how this particular political brand of toxic masculinity that the Trump administration is modeling can invert the rule of law. Breaking international law and using unjustified lethal force on American streets becomes a sign of strength rather than recklessness. A mom with stuffed animals in her car becomes a domestic terrorist and therefore fair game to be gunned down, while those who kill are the real heroes. At this point, does law stop functioning as a limit and start functioning as something to be deliberately and proudly violated? It seems as if were at a point when its the administration not just pretending that it didnt break the law but saying: Yeah, we did this, so what? That sort of flex is certainly an element of it. I also think you have the dynamic of For my friends, everything; for my enemies, the law. You see that with these bogus attempts to prosecute perceived political enemies. So the law is not constraining this administration, at least in their view, but it is a tool to be weaponized against perceived opponents. Now, the American public doesnt have to accept that. This is our republic. The question is, do we want to keep it? Rylan Clark's mum Linda was rushed to hospital after suffering a fall outside her home. Rylan Clark's mother Linda was hospitalised after suffering a fall @rylan The 73-year-old, who has appeared alongside her son on Celebrity Googlebox, suffered a fractured shoulder when she slipped after mistaking ice for water as she took out the rubbish. Speaking to Rylan on his BBC Radio 2 show on Saturday (10.01.26), Linda said: "I just went flying and I hurt my arm again." Linda revealed that she had fractured her shoulder and described how her arm was "black" and "so sore" as a result of all the bruising. Describing the moment he found about his mum's fall, Rylan said: "Well that was a lovely phone call I got that morning, you on your way to hospital. "But it could've been worse, it could have been your arm and your leg like we've had before." The 37-year-old star then played a song at Linda's request and thanked listeners for their messages of support. The Dating Naked UK host said: "So many of you getting in touch, thank you, yeah she is alright by the way. "She's fractured her shoulder, I just can't help her, you know what she's like, rushing around doing stuff. "In all fairness though, it was an accident, she just slipped on some ice." It isn't the first time that Linda who has had three major bowel operations to treat Crohn's disease - has suffered a health scare, as she was hospitalised in 2022 after suffering a fall when she and Rylan were on holiday together in Marbella. The former X Factor contestant said at the time: "So unfortunately I took my mum away on her first holiday in a good few years and sadly she's had quite a bad fall, resulting in her having to have surgery out here. "She's not in the best health with her other conditions and this has made it more complicated." However, Rylan soon reassured fans that Linda was on the mend and had resumed her routine. He told The Sun newspaper: "My mum is doing really really well... she's really really great. "She's stumbling about Lakeside, so she's very much back to normal." Hall of Fame driver Chris Christoforou has been sidelined after sustaining injuries in an accident on Sunday, Jan. 11 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The 54-year-old Campbellville, Ont. reinsman was unseated during an incident in the stretch of Sunday night's third race while driving Open trotter Safe Conduct when another horse hooked wheels with his sulky. Christoforou's daughter Emma shared an update early Monday morning, reporting that her father was awaiting surgery for an ankle injury. "His ankle is broke on both sides and the back as well as dislocated," said Emma Christoforou in a social media post. "He also has a fracture in his fibula." The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) Judges reported that Safe Conduct did run loose and was eventually caught with no further incident and that the horse was examined by the Official Veterinarian and reported to be okay. Further updates on Chris Christoforou will be posted when available. Please join Standardbred Canada in wishing Chris Christoforou a full and speedy recovery. (Standardbred Canada) PCIT Vs TCK Advisers Pvt. Ltd. (Delhi High Court) The Delhi High Court dismissed the Revenues appeal filed under section 260A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, challenging the order of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal dated 11 November 2019 for Assessment Year 201011. The dispute arose from transfer pricing adjustments proposed in respect of investment advisory services rendered by the assessee to its Associated Enterprise (AE), Trikona Advisors Mauritius Limited, under a consultancy agreement dated 1 April 2008. The assessee provided non-binding investment advis Please become a Premium member. If you are already a Premium member, login here to access the full content. The latest iOS update has hit Apple products, and you can now download it to your iPhone. Since September, iPhone users have had the chance to update their phones to iOS 26, Apple's software update that ushered in new features like the Liquid Glass design and tools powered by Apple Intelligence. While iOS 26.1 came out in November to mixed reviews, the latest version of the iOS, 26.2, launched last month. Apple CEO Tim Cook Apple and other company leaders introduced the iPhone 17, iPhone Air and other new devices and features at the company's highly anticipated annual event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, Calif., September 9, 2025. The iPhone Air, which is slimmer than the most recent iPhone models, was the star of Apple's product launch event, and the company said it's the most durable iPhone yet. The iPhone Air will be available in four finishes: space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue. The price will start at $999. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 12, with availability beginning Friday, September 19. The Apple iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever made at 5.6mm Apple iPhone 17 Pro will be available in Silver, Deep Blue and a new Cosmic Orange. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro camera features three 48MP Fusion cameras including a 4x and 8x optical zooms. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro will feature an 18 megapixel front camera and three 48 megapixel rear cameras. Apple claims the iPhone 17 will have a brighter, more scratch-resistant screen and improved artificial intelligence features. The iPhone 17 will feature a 6.3-inch display with thinner corners. According to Apple, it will also come equipped with an all-day battery and 8 hours of video playback. For 10 minutes of charging, the iPhone 17 can power 8 hours of video playback. The Apple iPhone 17 will start at $799 and the smartphones release on Friday, Sept. 19. Apple Watch SE 3 Apple Watch Ultra 3 Apple announced AirPods Pro 3, saying the latest version will feature improved Active Noise Cancellation and better fit for more people. They also announced "Live Translation" a feature designed to provide real-time language translations. Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, September 9, 2025. 1 / 14 See Apple's new iPhone Air, iPhone 17 revealed at 2025 launch event Apple CEO Tim Cook Apple and other company leaders introduced the iPhone 17, iPhone Air and other new devices and features at the company's highly anticipated annual event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, Calif., September 9, 2025. The latest update is set to enhance certain apps and install security updates on users' devices. If you're looking to update your Apple device, here's what to know about iOS 26.2. What is iOS 26.2? iOS 26.2 is the latest Apple software update, released on Dec. 12, 2025. Among the new features mentioned for 26.2 are enhancements to apps Apple Music, Podcasts, and Games. The update brings new ways to customize the look and visibility of the liquid glass design on lock screens and home screens, which creates a see-through, bubble effect, according to the description of the software. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Users can also now add alarms created in the Clock app into the reminders they create in the Reminders app, according to Apple Insider. In the Podcasts app, users can experience automatically created chapters based on the podcasts' transcripts along with easier ways to navigate the media to find specific mentions or moments. The update also includes new security patches and fixes flaws in the last iOS, iOS 26.1. The update does not state what flaws existed in the last iOS, and for the protection Apple customers, the company "doesn't disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until an investigation has occurred and patches or releases are generally available," according to Apple. More: Like it or not, iOS 26 is here. What to know about the iPhone update. What is iOS 26.1? iOS 26.1 went live in November and brought the liquid glass feature to lock screens and home screens. The description also touts live translation features, updates to messages, and enhancements to camera, photos, wallet, CarPlay, and more. More on iOS: Apple's iOS 26 update is coming. See key features, compatible devices. How do I download an iOS update? If you're wanting to download the latest update, start by plugging your device into power, connecting to Wi-Fi, then going to settings, said Apple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Settings app, go to General, then tap Software Update. Youll be able to see the currently installed iOS on your iPhone and whether an update is available and if you have enough storage to download it. If there is an update, tap to download and install it. Can I change back to iOS 18? Once you've updated to iOS 26, Apple does not let you downgrade to iOS 18, the USA TODAY Network reported. iOS 26 gets mixed reviews from users Some iPhone users have taken to social media to voice their concerns with the entirety of the iOS 26 update, including calling the liquid glass design "ugly" and "disgusting." A Dec. 8 post on Reddit went as far as to warn other users to "save yourself" from the latest update. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I can't focus. It's disorienting," the user wrote, saying that the app "takes up too much space." Users on X shared similar feelings, with multiple people saying their phones automatically updated to iOS 26 and they now regret the change. One person advised others not to download the update, adding "Your life will be significantly worse after." Some iPhone users, though, are embracing the bubbly new design. One X user praised the new liquid glass feature, calling its interactions beautiful, while another posted a photo of their screen with the caption "i love ios 26 lowkey." Paris Barraza contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on Twitter @katecperez_. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: iOS 26.2 update brings security updates, enhancements. What to know. Data Centers Use Lots of Electricity. This Bill Would Let Them Go Off the Grid. Tech companies are building data centers as quickly as possible to run AI. These facilities are controviersial because they use copious amounts of electricity and might tax an electrical grid that in some areas is already straining. In a bill introduced last week, Sen. Tom Cotton (RArk.) proposed an idea: letting these companies get off the grid altogether. "Power officials have been raising concerns that the grid isn't equipped to handle the sheer number of data centers tech companies are seeking to build," Katherine Blunt wrote last week at The Wall Street Journal. "They say it will take many years to build new transmission lines and power plants needed to support the surge in demand while keeping the lights on for other customers." Some officials, Blunt noted, "have proposed either requiring or encouraging data centers to stop using [the grid] when there is a risk of blackouts, either by powering down or switching to backup electricity supplies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jowi Morales of Tom's Hardware reports companies are "looking at alternative power sources to bring their projects online, regardless of the availability of power from the grid." Microsoft, for example, is recommissioning the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania to generate 835 megawatts of energy for its data centers (though not without a $1 billion loan from U.S. taxpayers). "These initiatives will take years to take off, though," Morales adds. "The Three Mile Island plant is expected to be operational only by 2028." Last week, Cotton introduced the Decentralized Access to Technology Alternatives (DATA) Act of 2026. Under the bill, "a consumer-regulated electric utility" would be "exempt from regulation" under federal law so long as it doesn't connect to the overall electrical grid. When one company contracts to sell electricity to another company, "that retail transaction presently would put you under the jurisdiction of a bunch of people" at the state and federal levels, says Travis Fisher, director of energy and environmental policy studies at the Cato Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that brings a cumbersome level of red tape. "The rapid pace of innovation means the AI revolution won't wait for multi-year permitting fights, cost-of-service hearings held by regulators, or planning processes built for the analog era," Fisher pointed out last year in an article co-written by Cato's Jennifer Huddleston. "And yet those are the structures that still govern electricity in much of the country. Building a new transmission line in the US now takes about 10 years, while generation projects spend multiple years stuck in interconnection queues, with more than 2,600 gigawatts of capacity now in queues nationwide." The DATA Act would lower the level of regulatory intrusion for enclosed systems that don't connect to the grid. "It just serves data centers that are probably going to be clustered around it without taking electricity supply off the market for Arkansas families and businesses," Cotton told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. As one example, Fisher tells Reason, Cotton's bill would let companies avoid "the studies that you would need to do to interconnect to the system. Those are on notorious backlogs at this point. They've grown from a year or two to now, in some areas, they're more like four to six years." The tech industry is already well aware of these challenges. Talking about AI expansion in a 2024 podcast interview, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said he expects companies building data centers will run into "energy constraints" before they ever run out of cash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Getting energy permitted is a very heavily regulated government function," Zuckerberg explained, "and if you're talking about building large new power plants or large build-outs, and then building transmission lines that cross other private or public land, that is just a heavily regulated thing, so you're talking about many years of lead time. If we wanted to stand up some massive facility to power that, that's a very long-term project." Power companies could build substations serving just a single data center, or a series of centers, without touching the overall power grid. The DATA Act would cut through much of the red tape that hamstrings the development of new power stations. There are other practical reasons to let private companies off the grid. "There is a world where the AI bubble completely bursts and we don't need these data centers, we don't need all that new electricity generation," Fisher says. "In that case, I would say the best thing we can do is put the risk on private actors so that if you fail, it's a company that goes bankrupt. It's not [the] U.S. government that's bailing out large companies, or it's not a state subsidizing something.If a regulated utility were to build all the assets and then the bubble bursts, that risk, that cost overrun falls on other rate payers." There seems to be some momentum behind the idea. Last week, the American Legislative Exchange Council also released model legislation to let states do the same: exempting companies from regulation if their facilities don't touch the grid. The post Data Centers Use Lots of Electricity. This Bill Would Let Them Go Off the Grid. appeared first on Reason.com. A French-made Dassault Rafale jet fighter is seen exhibited during the 2018 Berlin International Air Show (ILA). French aerospace firm Dassault Aviation on Monday said it planned to accelerate the integration of controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence technologies into its combat aviation systems, and announced a strategic partnership with military tech firm Harmattan AI. Britta Pedersen/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa French aerospace firm Dassault Aviation on Monday said it planned to accelerate the integration of controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence technologies into its combat aviation systems, and announced a strategic partnership with military tech firm Harmattan AI. As part of the collaboration, the company is participating in Paris-based Harmattan AI's $200 million Series B funding round. The company said the partnership will help Harmattan AI's embedded AI technologies into Dassault Aviation's future air combat, including Rafale F5 and Unmanned Combat Aerial System, mainly to enable control of unmanned aerial vehicles. The net proceeds from the funding round will be used to expand AI-enabled mission deployments across new operational theaters, extend the product offering into additional domains, and scale industrial manufacturing of ISR, drone interception, and electronic warfare platforms. 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: Rohi Bernard Codillo from Pexels If a heat wave hit Melbourne and the power blacked out, most apartment buildings would bake, with indoor temperatures exceeding international health standards, according to a new analysis that calls for Australia to adopt standards to protect occupants against heat stress. Researchers at the University of Melbourne modeled six common apartment designs in the city and all six failed standards for new buildings set in France, the UK, Germany and the US. There are no health standards to ensure against heat stress in the Building Code of Australia. Lead researcher and construction scientist Chris Jensen, from the Melbourne School of Design, said the results are a wake-up call given the risk of heat waves. He says it's time Australia catches up with other countries to adopt similar standards for new buildings, and he says action is needed to encourage the retrofitting of existing buildings. He suggests that just as all buildings have energy ratings, the government could introduce "summer comfort" ratings on apartments to reduce heat stress for occupants and incentivize owners to upgrade their buildings. "The research highlights to the public that heat stress inside apartments is a real issue and that we need to do more to control for this, not only in new buildings, but also for existing buildings," says Jensen. "It isn't a new problem, but climate change science expects more frequent and possibly longer heat waves, so the health risk is only going to increase. "What we need to be concerned about are existing apartment buildings that lack air conditioning and are susceptible to overheating, but we also need to be concerned about most buildings should a heat wave coincide with a power black out which would eliminate all air-conditioning." Such an "event" is far from fanciful given the blackouts that hit South Australia in February 2017 and warnings of possible load shedding in Sydney during the recent NSW heat wave. France introduced "summer comfort" standards after the 2003 heat wave there estimated to have caused over 14,800 deaths, with the elderly particularly vulnerable. The French standards require that without the use of air conditioning, building design should ensure that temperatures inside rooms don't exceed 28 degrees for more than 3% of the yearequivalent to 260 hours. The researchers modeled how six common Melbourne apartment designs could cope with excessively high temperatures by testing them against the heat wave conditions that hit Melbourne in January and February 2009, which included the Black Saturday bushfire disaster of 7 February. That heat wave included three straight days when the temperature topped 43 degrees, while nighttime lows exceeded 25 degrees. They also chose a worst-case scenario by modeling west-facing apartments that are most exposed to the sun. All six sample apartments failed the four international standards they were tested against. "We modeled both old and new apartment designs, including an example of a recent and best practice design, so it is fair to say that most other west-facing apartments in Melbourne would fail these international standards under these conditions, and quite possibly those in other orientations," Jensen says. Some common reasons why the apartment designs failed included: Single glazed windows with poorly insulated frames Lack of insulation generally Poor natural ventilation Aged weather stripping that provided only moderate draft protection Jensen says it is possible that under a standard tailored to the Australian climate, more buildings would pass, since it could reflect the fact that locals are more accustomed to hotter conditions. But he warns it is still likely many existing apartments wouldn't meet a new standard. He says current building standards governing energy use only indirectly address "summer comfort" since they aim to reduce cooling energy requirements. He says more explicit heat stress standards, which measure a building differently, are needed to ensure designs directly took account of the health risks. "As a priority, we need to introduce into the building code our own 'summer comfort' standards that are tailored to our own climate, and simultaneously, efforts to retrofit buildings to reduce over heating need to be prioritized on high risk cases." He said such high risk cases include west facing apartments with lots of glass and buildings where vulnerable people such as the elderly may be housed. He says introducing standards for new buildings would be relatively easy and wouldn't impose significantly higher costs on building design and construction. The big problem, he says, will be in funding the retrofitting of existing buildings. He says owners and governments would likely be reluctant to meet the cost of widespread retrofitting. A more effective short-term solution might include an apartment heat stress rating system, to alert potential buyers and occupants about the comfort of the apartment. "This would strategically drive the market to improve performance," says Jensen. "It is unlikely many building owners will be prepared to invest perhaps millions of dollars in retrofitting unless they feel they have to. But a comfort rating would change the equation because occupants will be able to compare the rating on buildings, giving owners an incentive to ensure their buildings are attractive." Beyond standards and designs, Jensen says there needs to be greater awareness among occupants of what they can do in heat wave conditions to keep themselves comfortable. He says educating occupants to open windows and balcony doors is an effective way of allowing buildings to cool naturally, at no cost. He also suggests that people close off a room during a heat wave to keep it relatively cooler as a place to retreat to. People can also make decisions to leave their apartments and spend time at air-conditioned locations such as shopping centers and cinemas. "Just as the government has a bushfire advisory program, it would also be a simple strategy to provide advice for what to do during heat waves," he says. To improve existing buildings, the study found the easiest and most effective strategies for apartments include: improving ventilation, both in the fabric of the apartment and operated by occupants (like opening a window) using external heat-reflective coating and paint installing appropriate shading. The 86-year-old Iranian Supreme Leader delivered harsh remarks Saturday as protests against his government's political and economic corruption continued to spread throughout the country, marking the most significant civil unrest the Islamic Republic has faced in recent years. In his first public address since the demonstrations began seven days ago, Khamenei attempted to draw distinctions between what he termed legitimate protest and rioting. "A number of agitated people, enemy mercenaries, had positioned themselves behind bazaar merchants and chanted slogans against Islam, against Iran and against the Islamic Republic," he stated during his speech. The Supreme Leader acknowledged the right to protest while simultaneously issuing a warning to demonstrators. "Protest is legitimate, but protest is different from rioting," Khamenei said. "Officials should speak with protesters. Speaking with a rioter is pointless. Rioters must be put in their place." Death Toll Rises as Security Forces Open Fire According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), an opposition organization seeking regime change, Iranian security forces have killed at least 10 people as of Saturday. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that demonstrations have erupted in more than 100 locations across 22 of Iran's 31 provinces. Violence escalated Saturday in Malekshahi, Ilam province, where security forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrators, resulting in multiple casualties. The NCRI reported that approximately 30 protesters in Malekshahi were shot and remained in critical condition. Protests Spread Across Multiple Cities The unrest has touched numerous Iranian cities. In Kazerun, protesters gathered in Shohada Square where security personnel fired live ammunition. In Shiraz's Golshan district, young activists blocked roads by setting tires ablaze as a form of resistance. University campuses have become centers of demonstration, with students at Shahrood University of Technology chanting defiant slogans. At Allameh University's Hemmat dormitory in Tehran, students proclaimed opposition to the government. International Response and Trump's Warning Khamenei's remarks came one day after President Donald Trump issued an unprecedented message of support to Iranian demonstrators. Writing on Truth Social Friday, Trump 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." Opposition Leaders Respond Opposition figures quickly countered Khamenei's statements. Maryam Rajavi, leader of the NCRI, responded: "Khamenei is right; 80 million Iranians are his enemy. They have only one message for him: pack up his rule and remove his scourge from the Iranian people." Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran's last Shah, addressed the Supreme Leader directly on social media platform X: "Ali Khamenei, fearing the growing waves of this national uprising, has emerged from his hiding place to threaten the people of Iran." Pahlavi also directed a message to Iranian military and law enforcement personnel: "Do not tie your fate to the sinking ship of the Islamic Republic. Join the people and separate yourselves from this corrupt system. Your weapons are for defending the nation, not suppressing it." The protests represent one of the most serious challenges to Iran's government in years, with demonstrators expressing frustration over economic hardship, political corruption, and authoritarian rule. As the unrest continues, both domestic opposition groups and international observers are watching closely to see how the situation develops. 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: Meta has called for Australia's social media for under-16s to target app stores. Tech giant Meta urged Australia on Monday to rethink its world-first social media ban for under-16s, while reporting that it has blocked more than 544,000 accounts under the new law. Australia has required big platforms including Meta, TikTok and YouTube to stop underage users from holding accounts since the legislation came into force on December 10 last year. Companies face fines of Aus$49.5 million (US$33 million) if they fail to take "reasonable steps" to comply. Billionaire Mark Zuckerberg's Meta said it had removed 331,000 underage accounts from Instagram, 173,000 from Facebook, and 40,000 from Threads in the week to December 11. The company said it was committed to complying with the law. "That said, we call on the Australian government to engage with industry constructively to find a better way forward, such as incentivizing all of industry to raise the standard in providing safe, privacy-preserving, age appropriate experiences online, instead of blanket bans," it said in statement. Australia's government says it's up to platforms like Meta to exclude under-16s. 'Whack-a-mole' Meta renewed an earlier call for app stores to be required to verify people's ages and get parental approval before under-16s can download an app. This was the only way to avoid a "whack-a-mole" race to stop teens migrating to new apps to avoid the ban, the company said. The government said it was holding social media companies to account for the harm they cause young Australians. "Platforms like Meta collect a huge amount of data on their users for commercial purposes. They can and must use that information to comply with Australian law and ensure people under 16 are not on their platforms," a government spokesperson said. Meta said parents and experts were worried about the ban isolating young people from online communities, and driving some to less regulated apps and darker corners of the internet. Initial impacts of the legislation "suggest it is not meeting its objectives of increasing the safety and well-being of young Australians", it said. While raising concern over the lack of an industry standard for determining age online, Meta said its compliance with the Australian law would be a "multilayered process". Since the ban, the California-based firm said it had helped found the OpenAge Initiative, a non-profit group that has launched age-verification tools called AgeKeys to be used with participating platforms. 2026 AFP Russian state-sponsored threat actors have been linked to a fresh set of credential harvesting attacks targeting individuals associated with a Turkish energy and nuclear research agency, as well as staff affiliated with a European think tank and organizations in North Macedonia and Uzbekistan. The activity has been attributed to APT28 (aka BlueDelta), which was tied to a "sustained" credential-harvesting campaign targeting users of UKR[.]net last month. APT28 is associated with the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU). "The use of Turkish-language and regionally targeted lure material suggests that BlueDelta tailored its content to increase credibility among specific professional and geographic audiences," Recorded Future's Insikt Group said. "These selections reflect a continued interest in organizations connected to energy research, defense cooperation, and government communication networks relevant to Russian intelligence priorities." The cybersecurity company described the attacks as targeting a small but distinct set of victims in February and September 2025, with the campaign leveraging fake login pages that were styled to resemble popular services like Microsoft Outlook Web Access (OWA), Google, and Sophos VPN portals. The efforts are noteworthy for the fact that unsuspecting users are redirected to the legitimate sites after the credentials are entered on the bogus landing pages, thereby avoiding raising any red flags. The campaigns have also been found to lean heavily on services like Webhook[.]site, InfinityFree, Byet Internet Services, and ngrok to host the phishing pages, exfiltrate stolen data, and enable redirections. In a further attempt to lend them a veneer of legitimacy, the threat actors are said to have used legitimate PDF lure documents, including a publication from the Gulf Research Center related to the June 2025 Iran-Israel war and a July 2025 policy briefing calling for a new pact for the Mediterranean released by climate change think tank ECCO. The attack chain starts with a phishing email containing a shortened link that, when clicked, redirects victims to another link hosted on webhook[.]site, which briefly displays the decoy document for about two seconds before redirecting to a second webhook[.]site that hosts a spoofed Microsoft OWA login page. Present within this page is a hidden HTML form element that stores the webhook[.]site URL and uses JavaScript to send a "page opened" beacon, transmit the submitted credentials to the webhook endpoint, and ultimately redirect back to the PDF hosted on the actual website. APT28 has also been observed conducting three other campaigns - A June 2025 campaign that deployed a credential-harvesting page mimicking a Sophos VPN password reset page hosted on infrastructure provided by InfinityFree to harvest credentials entered into the form and redirect victims to a legitimate Sophos VPN portal belonging to an unnamed E.U. think tank A September 2025 campaign that used credential-harvesting pages hosted on InfinityFree domains to falsely warn users of expired passwords to trick them into entering their credentials and redirect to a legitimate login page associated with a military organization in the Republic of North Macedonia and an IT integrator based in Uzbekistan An April 2025 campaign that used a fake Google password reset page hosted on Byet Internet Services to gather victims' credentials and exfiltrate them to an ngrok URL "BlueDelta's consistent abuse of legitimate internet service infrastructure demonstrates the group's continued reliance on disposable services to host and relay credential data," the Mastercard-owned company said. "These campaigns underscore the GRU's sustained commitment to credential harvesting as a low-cost, high-yield method of collecting information that supports Russian intelligence objectives." Getting sick on the road is stressful enough; taking off without advance planning is just asking for trouble. Getting sick on the road is stressful enough; taking off without advance planning is just asking for trouble. (Getty Images) They say the best defense is a good offense which is especially true when it comes to your health and well-being while traveling internationally. Nevertheless, getting sick or having a medical emergency can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone something I unfortunately realized after my healthy, 30-something close friend suffered a medical emergency in Rome two days after attending my wedding. "Travel is the ultimate physiologic stress test," says board-certified family medicine physician and medical director at The Lanby. Dr. Stephanie Wallman. "Prioritizing sleep, hydration, and blood sugar stability is your best first line of defense against getting sick." However, things happen. But with a few practical steps, you'll know exactly what to do. Schedule a pre-travel appointment with your doctor "One of the most underused resources is a dedicated travel medicine visit, ideally 68 weeks before departure," says Wallman. Not only can your doctor confirm (and administer) any required or recommended vaccinations prior to your trip, they can also review destination-specific risks with you, prescribe preventative medications when appropriate, and more. "It's also helpful to have your doctor review existing medications with you and help tailor a personal travel medical kit based on your medical history," adds Wallman. Prepare your go medical kit Obviously, pack prescribed medications and personal essentials like inhalers, EpiPens, and glucose supplies, but having a few additional items on hand can help in case of minor medical situations. "Pack at least 7-14 extra days of medication or more for long trips or remote travel," says Wallman. "Many travelers dont realize they can often get extra medication in advance, but it requires planning." Wallmann suggests keeping your prescriptions in their original labeled containers and splitting them between a carry-on and backup bag (in case you lose one). Other things to consider bringing along? A thermometer, bandages, antiseptic wipes, wound ointment, acetaminophen/ibuprofen, antihistamine, oral rehydration salts, anti-nausea options, a fiber supplement or gentle laxatives, hydrocortisone 1%, antifungal cream, blister care, insect repellent, bite relief and, of course, sunscreen. Yes, get the travel insurance Insurance can be tricky but the one consensus from everyone I've ever talked to who has dealt with a medical emergency overseas? Get an additional travel medical policy it can save you so much money, time, and stress. "Most travelers assume their domestic insurance works the same way internationally but often it doesn't," says Wallman. "Out-of-network rules apply, you may need to pay up front and seek reimbursement, and evacuation is usually not covered by domestic plans." Popular brokers like Allianz, AIG Travel Guard, Faye, World Nomads, and more all have options just be sure to read the fine print to make sure what you need would be covered. Advertisement Advertisement It's also worth speaking to your credit card company. Certain credit cards offer some travel insurance. It's worth checking to see if you can up your credit card limit. More often than not, youll need to pay and submit receipts for reimbursement you could be looking at thousands of dollars. "Many countries have excellent clinicians and facilities, but systems work differently," explains Wallman. "They could require payment up front, offer a different formulary (i.e., a list of covered medications), have different thresholds for imaging or antibiotics, and require variable documentation." Pack documentation Before your trip, create a one-page summary with all of your key medical info. "Include diagnoses, surgeries, medicines you take along with dosages, allergies, conditions like asthma or diabetes, and emergency contacts to keep with you during your trip," says Wallman. "Don't forget to include any supplements you take they can interact with medications." Another tip? Know the generic names of the medications you take. "Generic names are more likely to be understood in different languages than brand names," Wallman notes. Print a paper copy of all the essential documents, but keep a secure, digital backup just in case. Scope out care facilities in advance A little research goes a long way to find a reputable hospital or clinic in your destination to know where to go in case of an emergency. "Use major academic medical centers, well-known private hospital groups, or facilities recommended by reputable travel-assistance insurers," says Wallman. "If possible, start with your insurer's assistance line." While embassy lists are a good starting point, Wallman advises that they dont necessarily guarantee quality. "Travel assistance services (through insurers) can be very useful for triage, referrals, language support and evacuation coordination," adds Wallman. Advertisement Advertisement Telehealth can also be an option. In Italy, many recommend the quick, inexpensive service Doctors in Italy, an online platform where you can book a consultation call with an English-speaking doctor to triage symptoms and prescribe medication if needed. "Telemedicine is extremely helpful for symptom-treatment advice ("Can I self-treat or do I need in-person care?"), reviewing labs or imaging done locally, medication guidance and safety checks, and helping overcome language barriers," says Wallman. "It is not appropriate for severe pain, breathing issues, neurologic symptoms, severe dehydration or trauma." For those, you'll be reaching out to local emergency services. Handle language barriers While (luckily) English is widely spoken around the world, its not always an option. Check the International Association For Medical Assistance for a list of English-speaking healthcare providers and download Google Translate to your phone so you'll have quick translations at hand. Some hotels have concierge services that can be used as a resource, too. Assess your symptoms You know your body best, so trust your intuition if something feels off. Wallman's practical rule of thumb: "Seek clinical care if after 24 hours moderate symptoms are worsening, or if after 48 hours mild symptoms aren't improving," she says. If you experience any of the following, Wallman says to seek immediate medical help: Advertisement Advertisement Chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting Stroke-like symptoms (weakness, facial droop, confusion, severe headache) Severe abdominal pain, rigid belly, persistent vomiting Dehydration (inability to keep fluids down, dizziness, minimal urination) Bloody diarrhea, black/tarry stools, or high fever Severe allergic reaction (lip/tongue swelling, wheeze, hives, systemic symptoms) Wound infection with spreading redness, severe pain or fever Don't wait to get help If you have a tendency to "wait it out" when you get sick at home, the opposite is true while traveling. "We have the luxury of waiting a bit longer to seek help when we are at home because we know how the system works," says Wallman. "When we are traveling, we are multitasking in an already stressful feeling sick, language barriers, new health systems, insurance situation. Give yourself the gift of time to navigate everything else you have to deal with before symptoms become intolerable." Authorities in Indonesia and Malaysia have temporarily blocked access to xAI's Grok chatbot amid serious concerns about its ability to prevent unsafe content. Regulators cited repeated failures in safeguards meant to block non-consensual sexual deepfakes, labeling the technology a threat to human rights, dignity, and digital security. Indonesia's Minister of Communications, Meutya Hafid, emphasized that non-consensual AI-generated sexual material is a severe violation under national internet laws. Malaysia has launched an investigation into potential misuse of AI tools on X, with access to Grok remaining suspended until xAI implements adequate safeguards in compliance with local regulations. Global Scrutiny of Grok Intensifies According to Mashable, the controversy surrounding Grok is not limited to Southeast Asia. India's IT ministry has instructed X to address alleged misuse of the AI chatbot, citing potential violations of the country's Information Technology Act. French prosecutors, UK authorities, and EU regulators have also opened investigations into the platform's compliance with online safety standards. In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted concerns over deepfake content while reinforcing social media restrictions for users under 16. In the United States, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) has called on the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to investigate X under child sexual abuse material (CSAM) laws and the new Take It Down Act. UK Considers Blocking X UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall warned that the government may block X entirely if investigations reveal violations of the Online Safety Act. A final decision is expected soon. Even US senators Ben Ray Lujan, Edward J. Mackey, and Ron Wyden urged Apple and Google to delete X and Grok on their app stores. They accused that the apps can generate "nonconsensual sexualized images of women and children at scale." Elon Musk Pushes Back In response, Elon Musk criticized regulators for overreach, claiming that government intervention threatens free speech. He argued on X that Grok is being unfairly targeted and that authorities are "overly eager to censor" AI technology. Last month, Grok AI was at the center of the controversy when it spread misinformation about the Bondi Beach shooting incident. Before this tragedy, Grok was asked to address the "second Holocaust" comment. For many people, this has been an alarming trend for chatbots. Even the tiniest information can be changed, and that is dangerous. Originally published on Tech Times ACMA TV breaches trend down (but so do investigations) Has compliance improved or are there just fewer ACMA investigations these days? Are TV networks getting better at following industry Codes of Practice, or are there fewer investigations in recent years? Across the past decade, investigations by media watchdog the Australia Communications and Media Authority have dropped dramatically. In 2016 and 2019, as many as 31 published TV investigations kept ACMA busy. But by 2024 there were just 4. Last year there were 9 published investigations, the second lowest across a decade. 5 of those were deemed to be Breaches of industry codes of practice for Classification, Captioning and Political Matter. They include 7mate fishing show Step Outside with Paul Burt breaching classification rules after comments about domestic violence. ACMA is still considering appropriate enforcement action and will publicly announce the outcome once it is finalised, it announced in September. In October Racing.com was found to have breached election advertising blackout rules during the May 2025 election campaign. ACMA was also considering appropriate enforcement action on that one too. Commentary about the length of time ACMA takes to investigate is not uncommon, with even the 2012 Finkelstein Inquiry suggesting ACMA was too slow and cumbersome. In 2025 Greens Senator Hanson-Young said the regulator needed a a big broom through it. Senator David Pocock has also questioned the slow pace of regulatory action. ACMA investigations can vary depending on the complexity of the issue, but must be completed within reasonable timeframes. Picking a web host feels a lot like choosing a car. You want something reliable, fast enough for your needs, and reasonably priced. GreenGeeks and Hostinger both sit in that sweet spot where affordability meets decent performance, but they take different routes to get there. After looking at uptime records, speed tests, and server infrastructure, GreenGeeks comes out ahead as the winner in this comparison. The combination of consistent uptime, strong speed metrics, and a feature-rich hosting package gives it an edge that matters for most website owners. That said, the differences between these two hosts are not massive, and understanding the details helps you make a smarter choice. Let's walk you through what the numbers actually say and why GreenGeeks earns the top spot here. How Uptime Stacks Up Between the Two Both GreenGeeks and Hostinger promise 99.9% uptime, which is standard across the hosting industry. The question is how well they deliver on that promise. GreenGeeks recorded 99.97% uptime over the past year. That translates to roughly 2 hours of total downtime across 12 months. For a website receiving regular traffic, 2 hours spread over a year is barely noticeable. Your visitors might hit a loading error once or twice, but the site stays accessible almost all the time. Hostinger posts similar numbers. Their average uptime sits at 99.99% over 12 months, with 5 small outages adding up to about 1 hour of downtime. Some Q1 2025 testing even showed 100% uptime, which suggests Hostinger has been tightening their infrastructure recently. Both hosts perform well here. The difference between 99.97% and 99.99% uptime is negligible for most websites. You would need extremely high traffic volumes for that gap to translate into meaningful lost visitors or revenue. One reviewer did find GreenGeeks uptime dropped to 99.81% over 361 days with 69 incidents. That number looks worse on paper, though it still means your site stays online for the vast majority of the time. Testing conditions vary, and a single data point does not tell the whole story. Speed Tests Tell an Interesting Story Speed is where things get more nuanced. Different testing methods produce different results, and server location plays a big role in what numbers you see. According to Tooltester, GreenGeeks achieved an average loading speed of 1.29 seconds, making it the fastest host in their particular test. That is a solid number. Most users expect a page to load within 2 to 3 seconds, so coming in under 1.5 seconds puts you ahead of expectations. Hostinger shows competitive speed as well. Website Planet recorded their test site loading in about 0.8 seconds. TechRadar found Hostinger scored an LCP of 0.607 seconds, the second fastest result in their last 15 tests. These are strong numbers that suggest Hostinger can deliver quick page loads under the right conditions. The technical benchmarks get more specific. Hostingstep found GreenGeeks performs exceptionally well on TTFB at 395ms and load testing at 26ms. In those tests, GreenGeeks outperformed Hostinger, SiteGround, Bluehost, and HostGator. TTFB measures how quickly the server responds to a request, and a lower number means faster initial response times. Where Your Visitors Live Matters Server location affects how fast your site loads for visitors in different parts of the world. A server in Chicago will respond quickly to visitors in New York, but slower to someone in Tokyo. GreenGeeks runs 5 to 6 data centers. These are located in North America and Europe, with two in the United States, two in Canada, one in the Netherlands, and one in Singapore. The Singapore location helps with Asian traffic, though coverage is still concentrated in Western regions. Hostinger operates 10 data centers spread across 4 continents, covering North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. That wider distribution helps if your audience is truly global. GreenGeeks showed lower-than-average performance for Asia and Australia in some tests. Average response time hit 582ms in Asia and 610ms in Australia. These numbers are still under a second, which is acceptable, but not as snappy as responses for visitors in North America or Europe. This pattern is typical for hosts with data centers primarily in Western locations. If most of your visitors come from the United States, Canada, or Europe, GreenGeeks will serve them well. If you have a large audience in Asia or South America, Hostinger's broader data center network might deliver faster load times for those users. The Technology Behind the Scenes Both hosts use modern server technology, which explains why their performance numbers are competitive. GreenGeeks runs on LiteSpeed web servers with LSCache for speed optimization. Their storage uses NVMe SSDs, which are faster than traditional hard drives or even regular SSDs. This combination allows pages to load quickly and handles traffic spikes without major slowdowns. Hostinger uses similar technology. They offer NVMe SSD storage, LiteSpeed servers, and optimized server configurations. Their higher-tier plans include faster NVMe SSDs, which give paying customers additional speed benefits. The technology stack is comparable. Both hosts have invested in the hardware and software needed to deliver competitive performance. You are not sacrificing speed by choosing one over the other. GreenGeeks Brings More to the Table Feature comparisons reveal where GreenGeeks pulls ahead in overall value. All GreenGeeks packages include unlimited SSD storage, unlimited bandwidth, and unlimited email accounts. You also get a free SSL certificate, nightly backups, free CDN, SSH access, Git, WP-CLI, cPanel, and Softaculous for one-click app installation. That is a lot packed into their base plans. Nightly backups alone save you from potential headaches if something goes wrong with your site. A free CDN helps with speed and performance across different regions. SSH access and Git support matter if you are a developer or work with one. Hostinger offers solid features, too, but the baseline package is not as generous. Some features that come standard with GreenGeeks require higher-tier Hostinger plans. Getting Help When Things Go Wrong Customer support matters when your site goes down at midnight, or you cannot figure out why something stopped working. GreenGeeks maintains phone support from 9 AM to midnight EST. That covers 15 hours daily when you can call and speak with someone directly about urgent problems. Having a phone option helps when typing out a chat message feels too slow. Hostinger eliminated phone support completely. You rely on chat agents for all support needs. Their chat support is available, but you lose the option to pick up the phone when something feels urgent. For some website owners, this difference is minor. For others, phone support provides peace of mind that chat cannot replace. The Environmental Angle GreenGeeks has built their brand around eco-friendly hosting since 2008. They work with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to contribute three times the power they use back to the grid as renewable energy. Their partnership with One Tree Planted plants a tree for every hosting account. The EPA has recognized them as a Green Power Partner since 2009. If environmental responsibility matters to you or your brand, GreenGeeks offers a way to align your hosting choice with those values. Hostinger also makes sustainability efforts. The majority of their data centers use 100% sustainable energy, and they publish a sustainability report at the end of each year. They are not ignoring environmental concerns, though their commitment is less central to their brand identity. What You Pay Now and Later Initial pricing looks similar. GreenGeeks starts at $2.95 per month, while Hostinger starts slightly higher at $2.99 per month. The difference is negligible when you are signing up. Renewal rates tell a different story. GreenGeeks jumps to $11.95 per month at renewal, a 305% increase from the introductory price. Hostinger renews at $7.99 per month, which is a 167% increase. Over the long term, Hostinger costs less. If budget is your primary concern and you plan to stick with your host for several years, those renewal rates add up. GreenGeeks costs more but includes more features in the package, so you may spend less on add-ons or third-party services. The Bottom Line on Uptime and Performance Both GreenGeeks and Hostinger deliver solid uptime of around 99.9% or higher. Speed tests show competitive results for both, with outcomes varying based on testing methods and server locations. GreenGeeks wins this comparison because of the complete package it offers. Strong uptime, competitive speed metrics, generous features on base plans, phone support, and a genuine environmental commitment add up to a hosting choice that delivers value beyond the numbers. The TTFB and load testing benchmarks from Hostingstep show GreenGeeks performing exceptionally well against competitors, which reinforces its position. Hostinger remains a solid choice, particularly if your audience is spread across multiple continents or if lower renewal pricing matters more than phone support and included features. Their data center coverage and competitive speed tests make them a worthy option. For most website owners looking at uptime and performance as primary factors, GreenGeeks offers the stronger overall package. The combination of reliability, speed, features, and support makes it the host worth choosing. The reunion 40 years away from home In the later years of his life, Nguyen Van Manh (born 1968, Rach Gia City, former Kien Giang province) was reunited with his family after more than four decades of separation. His life was marked by many upheavals, all stemming from two times he chose to leave his family. As a child, Manhs family lived in the Ba Dinh new economic area in former Bac Lieu province. Before he was 10, his mother took him to Vinh Tien commune (Vinh Thuan district, former Kien Giang province) to work as a hired buffalo herder. During three to four years of herding buffalo, his mother visited him only once or twice. At the age of 13 or 14, Manh was told by a woman that there was a demand for seafarers in Rach Gia City. He then quit buffalo herding and went to Rach Gia to work on boats. In 1984, when the mangrove land reclamation project in Ba Dinh was dissolved, the State relocated families who remained there to Hon Quan district (former Binh Phuoc province) to work on rubber plantations. Among them was the family of Tran Thi Ngu, Manhs mother. Before leaving, Ngu brought Manh home and, together with her four other children, moved to former Binh Phuoc province to make a living. Life in the new economic zone was extremely difficult. After living with his mother and four siblings for only a few months, Manh left home on his own. Upon discovering this, despite the hardship, Ngu put aside her work and traveled everywhere in search of her son. Eventually, she learned that he had returned to Vinh Thuan and went to find him. The reunion was filled with bittersweet emotions. Ngu then took him to the bus station to return to Binh Phuoc together. However, while she was buying tickets, Manh ran away again. Discovering he was gone, she searched the station in vain and eventually returned home with the heartbreak of losing her child once more. The reunion When Manh left home that day, his siblings never knew why, as they had always been a close-knit and loving family. Nguyen Thi Hong Trang (Manh's elder sister) said: "I heard from our mother that the first time Manh left, he told her he was just taking a friend to the bridge and he would be back. The second time he left, he was about 15 or 16. He was wearing a white shirt and black trousers." Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Hong Nhi (Manh's younger sister) recalled that during those years in the new economic zone, the family was extremely poor and often went hungry. On many days when they ran out of rice, they had to eat porridge to survive. At such times, Manh often refused to eat. Nhi guessed that this might be why he left. She also said that after her brother ran away, Ngu made great efforts to search for him but returned in despair. All of Manhs siblings recalled that after failing to bring her son back, Ngu cried for many days. She told her children that she had tried her best to find Manh, but when she reached the bus station, her son ran away again. From then on, she lost hope and believed that even if she found him, he would leave her once more. After leaving home for the second time, Manh never returned, and Ngu no longer searched for him. Yet throughout the long separation, both mother and son carried an enduring sense of longing for each other. Until her final moments, Ngu continued to call out the name of her lost son. Meanwhile, when alone, Manh often wept in sorrow, not knowing where his family, siblings, or parents were, or how they were living. In the twilight of his life, he yearned to find his family again, though he still hasn't shared the reason for his two departures. However, because they had been lost for so long and the world had changed so much, he had few memories of his old home, except for his fathers name, Nguyen Van Trinh, and his mothers name, Tran Thi Ngu. He remembered he had five siblings: the eldest brother named Nam, the second sister named Trang (he was the third), a younger brother named Gioi, and a youngest sister named Nhi. With very little information to go on, Manh's daughter wrote a letter to the program "Nhu Chua He Co Cuoc Chia Ly (As If There Were No Separation) for help. After much effort, the program located his biological family in the former Binh Phuoc Province. On the day of reunion, Manhs brothers and sisters burst into tears of happiness. The five siblings embraced each other, asking questions through sobs. What weighed most heavily on Manhs heart was that his mother had passed away and he could not see her one last time. Still, this moment of reunion was perhaps the most precious gift of all. Ha Nguyen Deputy Government Inspector General Le Tien Dat speaks at the press conference on newly promulgated laws. The announcement was made at a press conference on January 7, hosted by the Office of the President to promulgate new laws passed by the National Assembly. Among the legislative changes were revisions to the Law on Anti-Corruption, the Law on Reception of Citizens, the Law on Complaints, and the Law on Denunciations. Deputy Government Inspector General Le Tien Dat stated that the amended Anti-Corruption Law introduces updated evaluation criteria for anti-corruption efforts. These criteria are tailored to suit the state management functions of various ministries, sectors, and local governments. The government will now define these evaluation criteria to ensure that ministries and provincial People's Committees take greater initiative and responsibility in combating corruption. Provisions on accountability have also been revised to institutionalize Politburo Directive 53, issued on October 26, 2025. Under the amended law, any agency, organization, unit, or individual must provide justifications for decisions and actions taken in their public duties when requested by any party directly affected by those decisions or actions. Dat further noted that the law also revises regulations on asset and income control agencies, aiming to resolve existing obstacles and to institutionalize Decision 56 on inter-agency coordination and Regulation 296 on Party inspection, supervision, and discipline. A key amendment concerns asset value thresholds for mandatory declaration. Officials must now declare any individual asset valued at 150 million VND (approximately USD 6,000) or more. More significantly, they must submit supplemental declarations if total asset or income changes exceed 1 billion VND in a year. The law also expands the scope of individuals subject to asset and income declarations, particularly within state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Individuals appointed to manage or operate SOEs in which the state holds more than 50% of charter capital are now obligated to declare their assets and incomes. The government has been tasked with issuing detailed regulations specifying the scenarios in which SOE personnel must submit asset declarations. In addition to changes to the Anti-Corruption Law, Le Tien Dat also discussed revisions to the Law on Reception of Citizens, the Law on Complaints, and the Law on Denunciations. Notably, the new legislation introduces provisions for online citizen receptions, and clarifies procedures for suspending or terminating the resolution of complaints, as well as allowing partial withdrawal of complaint content. The amended laws permit continued complaint resolution even if the complainant is absent from dialogue sessions. They also introduce new principles for determining the appropriate authority in cases where jurisdiction is unclear. The responsibilities of district- and provincial-level People's Committee chairpersons and of state management agencies in overseeing citizen reception, complaint, and denunciation resolution have also been clearly defined. Another key revision authorizes the Prime Minister to delegate powers to the Government Inspector General to handle denunciation cases. It also strengthens mechanisms for monitoring the implementation of denunciation findings and introduces conditions under which protection of whistleblowers may be terminated if they deliberately fail to meet prescribed obligations. Besides introducing new rules, the legislation also refines many existing provisions. It updates definitions of who may lodge complaints and further clarifies the roles and responsibilities of parties involved in citizen reception and grievance handling. All revised provisions are harmonized with the Law on Organization of Local Government and related legislation. Certain articles, clauses, and points in the Laws on Citizen Reception, Complaints, and Denunciations have been removed to align with structural reforms in local government administration, which is now based on a two-tier model and a more streamlined inspection system. Tran Thuong Da Nang has set an ambitious goal to become one of the worlds top 50 smart cities within the next three years, with science and technology positioned as key growth engines expected to contribute 3540% of the citys gross regional domestic product (GRDP). Da Nang was named Vietnams Smart City of the Year and Most Livable City in 2025. Photo: G.X. This strategic objective was affirmed during a conference held on January 7 by the Da Nang Department of Science and Technology, reviewing its 2025 performance and outlining priorities for 2026. Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People's Committee Ho Quang Buu congratulated the department for a year of impactful achievements and notable awards. He emphasized that the citys development vision, as stated in the resolution of its first Party Congress, requires science and technology to double its economic contribution annually to reach the 3540% GRDP target within five years. He also stressed that central government authorities have tasked Da Nang with joining the ranks of the worlds 50 leading smart cities. Shenzhen currently ranks 50th. Within the next three years, Da Nang must meet or surpass Shenzhens current level - and we must get there, he stated. Buu underscored the importance of innovation reaching even the most local levels. Without science and innovation in wards and communes, both citizens and grassroots administrations would struggle. To address this, the city will allocate significant resources to help local governments implement science and technology initiatives. He added that all wards and communes in Da Nang are now connected via fiber-optic infrastructure. If any local leader still claims poor internet connectivity, that is their own responsibility, he said. Da Nang's leadership has directed the Department of Science and Technology to strengthen support for farmers and the intellectual community in innovation, while launching a citywide movement to establish innovation centers in every ward and commune, extending these initiatives to local businesses and schools. According to the departments report, Da Nang was among the earliest localities to implement Resolution 57 of the Politburo and was the first in Vietnam to issue a digital competency framework for citizens - laying the foundation for digital citizenship and accelerating the citys digital transformation. Da Nang has also been recognized as a national model for smart city development and data-driven governance. The Ministry of Science and Technology recently honored Da Nang as Vietnams leading city in digital transformation for the 20202024 period. The city received several prestigious accolades in 2025, including Vietnam Smart City of the Year, Vietnams Most Livable City (as voted by the public), and a top-10 ranking at Techfest Vietnam 2025 for excellence in developing an innovation and startup ecosystem. Ho Giap As the city accelerates institutional reforms to implement Resolution 57 and the revised Law on the Capital, CMC Technology Group has signed a triple-helix cooperation agreement with the Hanoi Peoples Committee and Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST). The partnership aims to catalyze breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation during the 20262030 period. Leaders of Hanoi, experts, scientists, universities, and businesses gather at Hanoi University of Science and Technology on January 10 to discuss science, technology, and innovation strategies for the capital. Hanoi commissions real-world challenges, measured by outcomes At a meeting with experts, scientists, universities, and enterprises held at HUST on the afternoon of January 10, city leaders outlined a shift toward an innovation-led growth model. Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Peoples Committee, Truong Viet Dung, announced: Hanoi plans to allocate around 4% of GRDP in 2026 to science, technology, and innovation. He emphasized that while the newly signed agreements mark an important milestone, they are only the beginning. According to the citys action plan, science and technology programs will follow a closed-loop four-step model: identifying problems by locality or sector, standardizing outputs and KPIs, publicizing problem statements, and inviting enterprises and scientific organizations to propose solutions. Priority will be given to a results-based payment mechanism. Earlier, Hanoi consulted on a package of six resolutions passed by the Hanoi Peoples Council to put the revised Capital Law into effect. These include a controlled pilot mechanism (sandbox), a technology exchange platform, and a proposal to establish a city-level innovation center. The triple-helix agreement: connecting government, university, and enterprise The tripartite agreement was signed by representatives of the Hanoi Peoples Committee, HUST, and CMC Technology Group - Vice Chairman Truong Viet Dung, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Huynh Quyet Thang (President of HUST), and Nguyen Trung Chinh (Chairman of the Board/Executive Chairman of CMC Group). It was one of six agreements signed during the conference. The partnership aims to implement breakthrough initiatives in science, technology, and innovation, with a strong focus on developing high-quality human resources, transferring research into practice, and commercializing outputs to meet Hanois strategic development goals. From HUSTs perspective, the university remains committed to the triple-helix ecosystem as a core framework for innovation. At the event, Prof. Le Anh Tuan, Secretary of the University Party Committee, affirmed HUSTs pursuit of the One HUST development philosophy, aspiring to become a leading model for Government-University-Enterprise cooperation. CMC Group signs a strategic cooperation agreement with the Hanoi Peoples Committee and Hanoi University of Science and Technology to implement innovation and digital transformation programs aligned with the capitals development roadmap. Cooperation focus: AI talent, a Center of Excellence, a Design Factory, and urban challenges Under the agreement, several priority programs are planned: First, developing human capital for Hanoi. HUST will take the lead in training specialized engineers and offering masters and doctoral programs in strategic technology fields. It will also provide capacity-building for officials working in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation - starting with data science and artificial intelligence. Second, establishing an AI Center of Excellence. The center is envisioned as a hub for domestic and international talent, connected to both national and regional innovation ecosystems. It will support startup incubation, pilot new models, and commercialize AI-driven products. Third, launching a Design Factory - a multidisciplinary center for design, innovation, and manufacturing. This space will bring together students, lecturers, researchers, and businesses to co-create and test new solutions, while integrating knowledge from science, technology, arts, and economics to cultivate a startup culture rooted in innovation. Fourth, implementing research and technology-transfer programs based on the citys practical needs. These include: an AI-based digital platform for enterprise carbon emission planning, a digital twin of Hanois river-lake system for monitoring and flood forecasting, aerial environmental monitoring devices, a multi-model meteorological forecasting system powered by AI and digital twins, and a data infrastructure hub to support blockchain applications. The agreement also pledges to support AI-driven startups and pilot projects across sectors such as transportation, education, public administration, process automation, and biomedicine - accelerating the translation of lab-based research into market-ready products. CMC Chairman Nguyen Trung Chinh emphasizes the enterprises pivotal role as the conductor connecting research, training, and real-world application in the triple-helix innovation model. CMC Chairman: Enterprises as the conductor of innovation Speaking at the event, CMC Chairman Nguyen Trung Chinh emphasized that a truly effective triple-helix model requires tight collaboration, with enterprises playing a pivotal role in transforming research into viable products, services, and competitive advantages. He argued that businesses are not only key to identifying market-driven problem statements, but must also serve as the conductor that aligns and mobilizes research, training, and deployment resources - anchoring the innovation ecosystem in real-world demands. Chinh outlined six key responsibilities that the enterprise pillar must undertake in this partnership: First, enterprises must lead in market development and growth, being closest to shifting consumer and societal needs. Second, they serve as both investors and organizers of production - bridging the gap between research and its application in society. Third, enterprises must act as coordinators, linking research agendas with practical business applications and aligning efforts across institutions. Fourth, they are the builders of foundational technology platforms and development ecosystems. CMC is collaborating with HUST and the city government to develop a market-driven innovation center that can turn research into real-world impact. Fifth, enterprises are the gateway to global markets. CMC has brought Vietnamese technologies to 30 countries and operates in 10 international markets, contributing to the global expansion of Make in Vietnam solutions. Sixth, they are willing to share investment risks with the State. CMC has committed to long-term investments in core technologies that demand perseverance and substantial capital. Reflecting on his own journey, Chinh noted that Hanoi has been his home for over 60 years and HUST his academic foundation. We are committed to substantive collaboration - focusing on building high-quality talent and accelerating innovation in the spirit of Resolution 57, he said. Expectations: creating a runway for Make in Vietnam technology from Hanoi City leaders emphasized that while the six agreements signed on January 10 represent a solid start, they must be followed by concrete actions - turning commitments into detailed problem statements, measurable pilot programs, and scalable, high-impact models. With this agreement, Hanoi, HUST, and CMC plan to establish a joint coordination mechanism with clearly defined goals, KPIs, and deliverables. The initiative aims to launch new institutions such as the AI Center of Excellence and the Design Factory, both critical to attracting top talent, driving technology transfer and commercialization, and accelerating the growth of Hanois innovation ecosystem. PV For the past decade, the Chau Phat business in Ho Chi Minh City has been using banned chemicals to produce noodles, distributing hundreds of tons of the toxic product into the market. Police in Ho Chi Minh City raid an unsanitary noodle factory where banned chemicals were used for over a decade. Photo: CA On January 12, the Economic Police Department of Ho Chi Minh City announced it had initiated legal proceedings against Vuong Luong Toan (born 1981) on charges of "violating food safety regulations." Toan is the registered owner of Chau Phat, a noodle manufacturing and trading business located on Luy Ban Bich Street in Phu Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. In mid-December 2025, economic police officers conducted a surprise raid on the Chau Phat facility. They caught several workers red-handed mixing chemicals into noodle dough under unsanitary and unsafe working conditions. Authorities confiscated 820kg of finished noodles found to contain harmful chemical additives. Investigations revealed that Vuong Luong Toan was the mastermind behind the operation, leading a group that specialized in producing chemically-treated noodles, which were then sold to eateries and restaurants across the city. Toan admitted that for the past ten years, he had used a combination of illegal substances - including borax, soda, and silicate solution - to give the noodles a chewy texture, soft bite, and appealing color. These chemicals are banned in food production due to their serious health risks to consumers. According to the police, Toans facility produced approximately 600 to 700 kilograms of chemically-treated noodles every day. In just the past three years alone, an estimated 800 tons of these toxic noodles were sold into the market. Over the ten-year period, the total volume of noodles tainted with banned chemicals that entered circulation is believed to be exceptionally high. Authorities are continuing to expand the investigation to determine the involvement of other individuals connected to the operation. Dam De Ho Chi Minh City leaders discuss plans for a 26-story political-administrative center in Thu Thiem, aiming to consolidate city governance in a green, open, and multifunctional space. Photo: QN The proposal was presented by Vice Chairman Bui Xuan Cuong during the third session of the municipal Party Executive Committee for the 20252030 term, held on January 7. According to Cuong, consolidating Party and government offices in Thu Thiem addresses the long-standing issue of scattered and deteriorating administrative facilities across the city. The plan not only promises a more efficient government but also opens up space for modern urban development following recent municipal mergers. The proposed complex features an arc-shaped, 26-story design that embraces the citys central axis. The building will accommodate over 7,000 officials and civil servants, while remaining accessible to the public through open-space planning and citizen-friendly services. Designed to be both green and open, the centers flexible layout includes shared spaces for meetings, conferences, and working areas - minimizing waste and optimizing urban governance in a metropolis of nearly 10 million people. The city aims to complete planning and investment procedures in the first quarter of 2026, with construction starting later that year. The goal is to have the center operational by 2027. To align with the project, the city is also considering adjustments to the Thu Thiem master plan, including relocation of certain cultural and public service projects. Among the proposed changes: the Symphony, Ballet, and Opera House - originally planned for the Ba Son area - may be relocated next to the new administrative center. The Ba Son site would then be converted into a green public park. Similarly, the citys Childrens Cultural Center could be moved to prioritize open space and waterfront access. Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang emphasized that the new complex must be an inviting public space that functions day and night. It should not be an isolated government building, but a place that connects with its surroundings and the people it serves, he said. At the same meeting, Quang discussed the draft review report on five years of implementing Resolution 26, which calls for completion of Thu Thiem's development before 2030. He confirmed that the Standing Committee of the Party Committee is accelerating efforts to resolve legacy issues tied to the area and create room for growth. The Committee also outlined a detailed roadmap to begin several major projects in 2026, including the Performance and Conference Center, the Unification Monument, the Thu Thiem 4 Bridge, the International Financial Center, and the Thu ThiemLong Thanh rail line, along with its future connections to regional transit systems. Approved by the Prime Minister in 1996, the Thu Thiem New Urban Area spans 930 hectares, including 770 hectares for the main development and 160 hectares for resettlement. Located on the eastern bank of the Saigon River, it boasts modern infrastructure and strategic proximity to the city center via key arterial roads. Previous plans had placed the city's administrative headquarters either within the existing downtown core or in the Binh QuoiThanh Da peninsula. Before municipal consolidation, the Department of Construction had proposed a smaller government building at 86 Le Thanh Ton, covering 1.8 hectares for around 1,692 officials. However, that plan proved inadequate in scale and lacked crucial transportation connectivity. The current proposal represents not only a significant leap in urban planning, but also a symbolic gesture toward transparency, sustainability, and smarter governance in the citys next chapter. Quoc Ngoc If you've ever felt that Motorolas growing lineup of foldable devices lacked something truly big, the company has just filled that gap with the long-anticipated unveiling of the Razr Fold. This marks Motorolas first book-style foldable smartphone, setting it up as a direct competitor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. And while the company has chosen to hold back on revealing full specs for now, the Razr Folds initial details are already generating plenty of excitement in the tech community. Specs revealed: limited, but impactful Motorola has confirmed a few key features for the Razr Fold: an 8.1-inch LTPO main display with 2K resolution, a 6.6-inch cover display, a 50MP main camera using Sonys LYTIA sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide/macro camera, a 50MP telephoto periscope lens with 3x optical zoom, a 32MP outer selfie camera, and a 20MP inner camera. The phone will come in two Pantone-certified color options: Blackened Blue and Lily White. It will also support Motorolas stylus, the Moto Pen Ultra. Though these are just partial specs, they paint a promising picture. Both screens are slightly larger than those on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (8 inches and 6.5 inches, respectively), offering more space for multitasking and media. While its main camera may fall short in resolution compared to Samsungs 200MP sensor, Motorola makes up for it with impressive megapixel counts across its other lenses - potentially giving it an edge in versatility and creative use cases. That said, higher megapixel counts dont always translate into better image quality, but they clearly show Motorolas intent to take smartphone photography seriously in the foldable segment. Still, much remains unknown: processor type, RAM, storage options, battery capacity, charging speed - none of these have been disclosed yet. Design: familiar but refined At first glance, many may find the Razr Fold reminiscent of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 - and they wouldnt be wrong. But in the world of foldables, reinvention isnt always necessary. Motorola has instead opted for a clever strategy: stick to the familiar proportions users already appreciate, then differentiate through aesthetics and attention to detail. The Razr Fold features a sharply contoured chassis. The Lily White model is bright and elegant, while the Blackened Blue version draws attention with unique rear texture patterns. Its large, raised camera module continues the visual identity established by recent Motorola devices, giving the phone a bold, premium look. An intriguing addition is a new side button believed to offer quick access to AI features. The device also appears slim - though exact measurements havent been provided - and notably, it supports the Moto Pen Ultra stylus. This alone gives Motorola a meaningful advantage over the Galaxy Z Fold 7, which lacks stylus support and wont regain it until the Fold 8, according to rumors. Is it worth the wait? It might be - if you're willing to be patient. The Razr Fold is the kind of product Motorola arguably should have introduced years ago. Still, better late than never rings true here, especially given how strategically significant this launch appears to be. The final verdict will depend not only on specs, but also on launch timing and pricing. If the Razr Fold arrives this spring at the rumored $1,500 price point, Samsung may need to take notice. But if Motorola delays beyond July, it risks going head-to-head with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 - a device expected to bring transformative improvements that could be tough to surpass. Whats clear is that the Razr Fold represents a major shift. Motorola is no longer content to play second fiddle in the flip-style foldable market. Its stepping into the highest tier, where Samsung has enjoyed an almost unchallenged reign for years. Despite lingering questions, the Razr Fold sends a strong message: it offers premium design, a compelling multi-camera system, expansive displays, stylus support, and a visual identity of its own. And even though full specs are yet to come, the Razr Fold has already done something important - its sparked real excitement. Not just because its new, but because it promises a shake-up in the luxury foldable space thats been waiting too long for fresh competition. Hai Phong Only 32.12% of online scam victims reported the incident, leaving authorities with limited data to investigate and warn the public. While Vietnam has seen a significant drop in the number of online scam victims for the first time in years, one troubling issue persists: most victims still choose not to report the crime. Instead, many only warn friends and family - or do nothing at all. Alarmingly, 12.03% of victims surveyed admitted to simply accepting the loss without taking any further action. According to the National Cybersecurity Association (NCA), this is still a major hurdle in the countrys fight against online fraud, even amid positive shifts in digital safety. 2025 marks a turning point in Vietnams cybersecurity landscape For the first time in years, 2025 recorded a decline in the number of online scam victims in Vietnam. But experts caution that this is no time for complacency. Cyberattacks are constantly evolving in complexity, making them harder to detect and prevent. The findings come from the NCAs 2025 Cybersecurity Survey Report focused on individual users. The survey was conducted online across NCAs platforms between December 1 and December 18, 2025, and received responses from over 60,300 users nationwide. Fraud incidents fall, but vigilance remains essential The survey results show a notable drop in the number of scam victims in 2025 compared to 2024. On average, 1 out of every 555 respondents reported falling victim to an online scam in 2025, a rate of 0.18%. This marks a significant improvement from the previous years rate of 0.45%, or 1 victim out of every 220 respondents. NCA highlighted this as a highly positive development, crediting it to the intensified efforts by government agencies. Notably, the Ministry of Public Security has carried out large-scale operations targeting domestic and international scam networks. In parallel, public awareness campaigns have been expanded in both format and reach, empowering citizens with the tools to recognize and avoid online scams. Stronger banking regulations have also played a role. New biometric verification rules introduced by the State Bank of Vietnam now apply to both personal and business accounts. These policies have made it harder for scammers to exploit anonymous or junk accounts - a tactic commonly used before 2024. Banks have also ramped up collaboration with the State Bank and law enforcement, enabling real-time sharing of suspicious account information. This coordination has helped freeze and intercept funds linked to fraudulent activities. Cyber threats still evolving - no room for complacency Despite the decline in victim numbers, Vu Ngoc Son, Head of Technology at the NCA, warned that online fraud is still highly complex and dangerous. Cybercriminals are constantly experimenting with new tactics and technologies. They may find ways to bypass existing protections, which means users must remain cautious. The threat is always present in the digital space, he said. The Ministry of Public Security reported that losses from online scams in the first 11 months of 2025 still exceeded 6 trillion VND (over USD 250 million) - a figure that underscores the scale and persistence of the problem. Most common scams in 2025 The NCAs 2025 survey identified the top fraud tactics used by criminals last year, most of which remain variations of familiar schemes: impersonating authorities, fake lottery wins, delivery scams, impersonating acquaintances, online dating, and investment fraud. But these scams are becoming more sophisticated, making them harder for victims to spot. The most prevalent scam involved criminals impersonating police officers. These con artists accused victims of being involved in criminal investigations, then pressured them to stay in contact while subtly escalating psychological pressure. Victims were asked to transfer proof of innocence money or to install apps for investigation purposes - which were in fact tools to steal data or money. In some cases, scammers staged elaborate fake police offices and coordinated video calls involving multiple actors playing different roles to increase their credibility and manipulate victims more effectively. The second most common scam was fake prize notifications or gift giveaways used to trick users into revealing personal information or transferring money. Investment scams promising quick, high returns dropped to third place in 2025, suggesting growing public awareness after such schemes exploded in popularity the year prior. Delivery scams and romance frauds remained in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Though not new, these types of scams have proven resilient and continue to catch victims off guard. Low reporting rate remains a major challenge Despite these developments, the reporting behavior of victims has not improved. Only 32.12% of those who fell for a scam in 2025 reported it to the authorities. The rest either warned people around them or stayed silent. A concerning 12.03% simply accepted their losses without taking any further action. Experts warn that this reluctance to report scams is a critical obstacle. Without timely reports, authorities lack the data they need to investigate, prevent future crimes, and issue warnings to protect the broader community. Thai Khang Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez granted posthumous decorations to the troops that were killed during the operation that captured authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro. "We're here to pay due honors to noble men and women whose lives were taken in a vile attack," Rodriguez said. She went on to say that the operation is a "stain in our relations and history." Overall, 24 Venezuelan soldiers were honored in the ceremony. Cuba, on its end, said that 32 of its troops died while carrying out missions on behalf of the Cuban Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry. "Faithful to their responsibilities for security and defense, our compatriots honorably and heroically fulfilled their duty and fell after fierce resistance in direct combat against the attackers or as a result of bombardments of the facilities," Havana said in a statement. Despite the rhetoric, President Donald Trump said his administration is "getting along very well" with the interim government. In a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, Trump said the regime led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez is "giving us everything that we feel is necessary." Elsewhere in the interview, Trump said his administration expects to maintain direct oversight of the government in Caracas for an extended period, noting that it will last "much longer than a year." Trump said in another interview that he cancelled a previously anticipated second wave of military attacks after the country's authorities began releasing political prisoners, calling the move a sign that Caracas was "seeking peace." In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Venezuela had released "large numbers of political prisoners," describing the decision as a "very important and smart gesture." He added that, as a result, "I have cancelled the previously expected second Wave of Attacks, which looks like it will not be needed," while noting that U.S. naval assets would remain in place "for safety and security purposes." Trump said the United States and Venezuela were "working well together," particularly on plans to rebuild the country's oil and gas infrastructure. He said oil companies were expected to invest at least $100 billion and that he would meet with senior energy executives at the White House on Friday. Originally published on Latin Times Certification filings show the Galaxy S26 Plus will retain the same 4,755mAh battery as its predecessor, raising concerns among users hoping for meaningful upgrades in power and battery life. New information from international certification databases has revealed what could be a major drawback for Samsungs upcoming flagship. According to leaked TUV documents, the Galaxy S26 Plus will offer no significant battery upgrade over its predecessor - a move that could disappoint many loyal users. The device, listed under the model number SM-S947U, recently surfaced in TUVs certification system. Initially thought to be the upcoming Galaxy S26 Edge, further discoveries - including a matching listing in Indias BIS database - now confirm that this is indeed the Galaxy S26 Plus. The TUV report shows that the phone will house a 4,755mAh lithium-ion battery. While this may seem acceptable at first glance, it's the exact same capacity found in the Galaxy S25 Plus. Samsung is likely to continue marketing it as a 4,900mAh battery - rounding up the actual figure - as it did with the previous generation. In terms of charging, the S26 Plus is also expected to stick with 45W wired fast charging - again, identical to last years model. While no official mention of wireless charging was made in the TUV filing, a recent leak suggests that the Galaxy S26 series could support faster Qi2 wireless charging. Currently, Samsungs devices support a maximum of 15W wireless charging under the Qi standard. If the rumors prove true, the S26 series could jump to 25W wireless charging - a welcome, though still modest, improvement. The certification leak also revealed two upcoming Galaxy A-series models. The SM-A376B, believed to be the Galaxy A37 5G, features a 4,905mAh battery and supports 45W fast wired charging - nearly identical to last years A36 5G. Meanwhile, the Galaxy A57 5G (model SM-A576B) is also confirmed to support 45W fast wired charging. While its exact battery capacity wasn't disclosed, past reports suggest it will retain the 5,000mAh battery from the Galaxy A56 5G. Why battery matters now more than ever Samsungs Galaxy S line has long been celebrated for its powerful processors, high-end cameras, and premium displays. But battery life remains one of the few areas where the South Korean tech giant consistently trails behind competitors. This is especially problematic in a year when rivals like OnePlus are rumored to be pushing battery capacities to new heights. The upcoming OnePlus 15, for instance, is expected to feature a 7,300mAh battery - far outpacing the Galaxy S26 Pluss estimated 4,900mAh cell. Battery tests of the Galaxy S25 Plus showed around 7.5 hours of continuous use, while some competitors, including the OnePlus 15, can surpass 10 hours on a single charge. Even with a highly efficient chipset and optimized software, the significant gap in raw battery capacity is hard to ignore. Of course, not every phone needs to chase extreme battery sizes like the 10,000mAh pack in the Honor Power 2. But as users demand more from their devices - streaming, gaming, video calls, and productivity - a more substantial increase in battery performance would certainly be welcomed. For now, the leaked data suggests the Galaxy S26 Plus might struggle to meet those expectations. Hai Phong Vietnams National Center for Supporting Semiconductor Chip Trial Production will provide critical infrastructure and services to accelerate chip design and prototyping. Positioned under the Authority of Information and Communications Technology Industry, the center is tasked with assisting the Authoritys Director in monitoring Vietnams semiconductor sector and facilitating pilot chip production initiatives that aim to drive the industrys growth. This newly formed center addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing domestic chip design firms: the lack of comprehensive support throughout the prototyping phase. To that end, the center will offer essential infrastructure and public services to support the design and manufacturing of semiconductor prototypes - an integral part of Vietnams broader industrial strategy. Services include trial chip production support, licensing of EDA design software, shared IP chip design libraries, technical verification, training programs, and testing services - among other offerings critical to the semiconductor development lifecycle. In addition, the center is expected to serve as a hub for ecosystem building and international collaboration, nurturing innovation in semiconductors and aligning with the governments ambition to elevate Vietnams technical capabilities and deepen its integration into the global supply chain. The center is a response to the comprehensive support needs of local chip design units during the trial production phase, a ministry representative emphasized. Speaking at the announcement, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Hoang Phuong affirmed that the semiconductor industry is considered a strategic technology area, playing a key role in enhancing national competitiveness, driving economic growth, and asserting global standing. Vietnam currently hosts over 170 foreign-invested semiconductor projects, with a total registered capital of nearly USD 11.6 billion. The sector includes around 60 design companies, eight packaging and testing projects, and approximately 20 firms involved in material and equipment supply for the chip industry. Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Tam added that longstanding partners such as Samsung, Intel, Amkor, Foxconn, and Hana Micron continue to expand operations in Vietnam. Their commitment reflects the countrys proven advantages in cost, productivity, and product quality. He also noted that global tech leaders including NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Coherent, and Marvell have identified Vietnam as a strategic base for semiconductor R&D, factory development, and supply chain expansion. These achievements highlight the confidence of global investors and demonstrate Vietnams strategic leap forward in its knowledge-based, innovation-driven, and globally connected development journey, Tam concluded. Thai Khang The Ministry of Home Affairs is submitting a revised salary decree to the Government to align public sector pay with administrative restructuring. Photo: Thach Thao Vietnams Ministry of Home Affairs is currently submitting a proposal to the government to revise Decree No. 204/2004, which governs salary policies for civil servants, public employees, and the armed forces. This move aims to reflect the ongoing reform of wage policy and the restructuring of the state apparatus. The information was shared in an official response to a petition from voters in Dong Thap Province, conveyed through the National Assemblys Committee for Peoples Petitions and Oversight ahead of the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly. Dong Thap voters requested more detailed guidance on decentralization, as well as specific policies for civil servants and non-specialized personnel following organizational changes in local governance. In its reply, the Ministry stated that it has implemented instructions from the Governments Steering Committee on Administrative Restructuring and the two-tier local governance model. Based on provincial reports, the Ministry has compiled recommendations and submitted an assessment to the Prime Minister on the feasibility of delegated responsibilities from central to local governments. It has also suggested legal improvements and policy adjustments to ensure that decentralization is effective, streamlined, and responsive to the new local government framework. Moving forward, relevant ministries and agencies are expected to issue further guidelines to remove implementation bottlenecks - particularly at the commune level - where reforms have faced logistical challenges. Salary and allowance policies to be updated post-restructuring Regarding remuneration, the Ministry has already issued Circulars No. 23/2025 and 24/2025 on December 24, 2025, amending regulations on special hardship and regional allowances for public employees, armed forces personnel, and workers in areas with challenging conditions. Simultaneously, the Ministry is seeking government approval for a revised decree to replace Decree No. 204/2004, which will modernize the salary structure for civil servants, public employees, and military personnel. The proposed changes are meant to support the wage reform roadmap and accommodate the realities of a streamlined state apparatus. In line with the implementation of the 2025 Law on Organization of Local Government, the Ministry is also leading a joint effort with other agencies to draft a new Government Decree regulating the organization and operations of village and residential group units. This draft includes new proposals on policies for non-specialized workers to ensure consistency with the evolving two-tier local governance model. The content is currently being prepared for higher-level review and approval. The Ministry of Home Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with relevant authorities to complete the institutional and policy frameworks needed to improve public administration performance and meet the development expectations of both the public and the state. Vu Diep Households with rooftop solar systems may soon be able to sell up to 50% of their electricity output under new draft regulations. Photo: Bao Kien. The third draft of the revised decree, submitted to the Ministry of Justice for review, amends Decree 57/2025 on direct power purchase mechanisms and Decree 58/2025, which outlines implementation details of the Electricity Law related to renewable and new energy development. Surplus power sales allowed - up to 50% One of the key changes in the draft is a revised policy on surplus power sales from rooftop solar systems. Under the new proposal, households using standalone residential buildings, systems connected to the national grid at low-voltage levels, or installations in mountainous, border, and island areas where the grid exists but is not yet integrated, will be allowed to sell excess electricity. The draft also permits installations on public facilities to sell surplus electricity, provided such transactions align with their designated functions and legal responsibilities. This marks a shift from the second draft, which presented two options: a full ban on surplus sales, or allowing it only under a resolution from the National Assembly. The new version proposes that households and other eligible entities may sell up to 50% of their total solar output - calculated based on solar radiation - under mutual agreements. Payments will cover electricity generated directly as well as from storage systems, where applicable. The increased cap - from 20% to 50% - aims to encourage rooftop solar deployment in line with Vietnams national power development plan through 2030. Market-based pricing with price ceiling The draft sets the purchase price for surplus power at the average electricity market price from the previous year, as published by the market operator. However, this price must not exceed the ceiling rate for ground-mounted solar projects. For mountainous, border, and island areas not yet connected to the national grid, the Ministry has proposed removing the cap on surplus sales altogether. In these regions, all electricity fed into the grid will be paid for based on meter readings at the buyers connection point. Until December 31, 2030, eligible systems may be allowed to sell more than 50% of their output, depending on conditions. Entities selling surplus power must obtain a power operation license, except in cases where licensing is waived under existing regulations. Clear notification requirements for installation The draft also clarifies the process for notifying authorities about rooftop solar installations. Specifically, organizations and individuals installing systems with a capacity of 100 kW or more - and not connected to the national grid - must notify the local commune-level Peoples Committee. Notifications must include the project owners name, installed capacity, location, timeline, and expected commissioning date. For grid-connected rooftop solar systems operating at low-voltage levels, a standardized notification form must also be submitted to the local commune-level authority. Installations with a capacity under 1 kW, based on inverter ratings, are exempt from this requirement. Meanwhile, systems connected to the grid at medium voltage or higher - and not registered to sell surplus power - must notify the provincial Department of Industry and Trade. If surplus power sales are registered, the commune-level authority must forward the notification to the provincial Department of Industry and Trade within five days. Support policies in development The Ministry emphasized that rooftop solar has several advantages: decentralized generation, no need for transmission infrastructure, minimal impact on the national grid, fast installation timelines, and localized power supply. As such, continued promotion is necessary to reduce system strain and mitigate short- and medium-term electricity shortages. Implementation of Decree 58 has revealed persistent challenges in direct power sales from rooftop systems. In an earlier proposal, dated August 21, 2025, the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) recommended expanding surplus purchases to address supply gaps. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is now developing a Prime Ministerial decision outlining support policies for households installing rooftop solar and energy storage systems during the 20262030 period. If approved, households would receive financial and technical assistance, accelerating widespread adoption of self-consumed rooftop solar energy. Tam An Park Jihoon, Chief Operating Officer of KPC Aerospace Vietnam Park Jihoon, Chief Operating Officer of KPC Aerospace Vietnam, said this "miracle" from the Vietnamese people occurs when they are placed in a global-standard training and production environment. KPC Aerospace is a South Korea-based aerospace enterprise specializing in manufacturing major aircraft components for Airbus, Boeing, and many other OEMs (original equipment manufacturer) for over 35 years. Given the industry's rapid growth, the company has expanded its global presence and looked for new markets with long-term potential. Vietnam was chosen for its strategy implementation. In 2024, KPC Aerospace set up a factory at the Da Nang Hi-Tech Park. After eight months, the company passed the First Article Inspection test for the Boeing 787 raked wingtip assembly a component about six meters long, the largest ever manufactured in Vietnam. Boeing was very surprised, Park said, speaking at a seminar on Innovation 57: From a digital twin platform to the development of strategic technology industries on January 8. They asked us what kind of miracle have you created in Vietnam with people who have never made aircraft parts and never used CATIA before? CATIA is an advanced 3D engineering design software integrating CAD/CAM/CAE functions, developed by Dassault Systemes of France. Vietnamese workers in our company are the proof of that miracle. They made all these parts and demonstrated that, with proper training, they can become market-leading engineers alongside global OEMs. Currently, at the Da Nang factory, only a small number of key experts are foreigners, while the rest of the engineering, management, sales, and procurement teams are Vietnamese. KPC Aerospaces goal, Park said, is to build a true aerospace hub in Vietnam, not just an outsourced manufacturing facility. With products like the raked wingtip, and soon the winglet for the 737 MAX, Park believes that in the next few years, the Made in Vietnam mark will become increasingly prominent in the global aerospace supply chain. From outsourcing to high-value manufacturing While praising the workforce advantage, Park noted that low labor costs are no longer the deciding factor. This is a different level of business, not just about using cheap labor, he said. To compete globally, companies must optimize processes, reduce costs, and improve efficiency through technology. This is also the direction of the Center of Excellence (CoE) on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Twins, which Dassault Systemes inaugurated in Vietnam on January 8. Ding Ming Chee, ASEAN Sales Director of Dassault Systemes, said the center is built around industrial pillars the group has accumulated over decades, with aerospace as a key focus over the next three to five years, aligning closely with Vietnams development strategy. Other fields include semiconductors and advanced mobility, involving global automobile and component manufacturers. The CoEs distinctive feature, the Dassault Systemes representatives said, lies in its deep integration of industrys best practices distilled from cooperation with Boeing, Airbus, and aerospace enterprises. Instead of merely learning tools or features, Vietnamese engineers can gain access to industry-proven processes embedded in software from over 30 years of experience. An increasingly important pillar is the combination of digital twins with AI and robotics to increase speed, accuracy, and production efficiency. Training certificates are also considered a key factor in affirming the capacity of Vietnamese engineers in the international market. In the initial phase, the CoE will implement the Targeted Co-design program in the aerospace sector, involving businesses, academia, and international experts, aiming to help Vietnam transition from basic manufacturing to high-value production. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, who attended the inauguration of the R&D center and the COE on AI and Digital Twin, called on Dassault Systemes to continue studying the expansion of its R&D activities in Vietnam. He urged the group to strive to build a workforce of 1,000 high-quality engineers by 2030; to connect with companies within its global network to expand investment and business cooperation in Vietnam, with an initial focus on 11 groups of strategic technologies; and to strengthen cooperation with domestic partners for technology transfer. Dassault Systemes will also work together with the National Innovation Center to promote the 3-party cooperation model involving the state, universities and enterprises, with the aim of accelerating human resource training and developing Vietnams innovation startup ecosystem. Du Lam Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was not included in key planning meetings for the U.S. military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in late 2025 and early 2026, according to reports released on Thursday. The White House reportedly cut Gabbard out of months of strategic planning for what would become the Venezuelan raid because of her historic skepticism about U.S. military involvement in the South American nation, according to Bloomberg. Officials anonymously told reporters that Gabbard's past vocal anti-interventionist views cast doubt on her willingness to fully support the mission's objectives. Some aides joked privately that the acronym of her title, DNI, stood for "Do Not Invite," though a White House spokesman denied that characterization. During her time as a U.S. representative and presidential candidate, Gabbard consistently warned against so-called "regime change wars," arguing that the United States should avoid military entanglements abroad and allow nations to determine their own futures. She specifically urged in 2019 that the U.S. stay out of Venezuelan political affairs, a position that has resurfaced in public discourse following the Maduro operation. The United States needs to stay out of Venezuela. Let the Venezuelan people determine their future. We don't want other countries to choose our leaders--so we have to stop trying to choose theirs. Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiGabbard) January 24, 2019 Gabbard's historical positions and her current role have drawn significant media attention after Operation Absolute Resolve, the name given to the U.S. strikes and special operations raid that ultimately led to Maduro's capture and extradition to New York on federal drug trafficking charges. Despite her senior national security position, Gabbard was not featured in briefings or media appearances related to the mission. Reports describe Gabbard as "not part of the inner circle" shaping the intervention, with other top officials such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe playing more visible roles in planning and public discussions about the campaign. In her first year as DNI under President Donald Trump, Gabbard has been a polarizing figure, at times clashing with elements of the intelligence community and the White House over issues including nuclear intelligence assessments and internal agency priorities. Her non-interventionist foreign policy philosophy sometimes diverges sharply from the current administration's strategy, especially in Latin America. Her limited involvement stands in contrast to traditional expectations for the Director of National Intelligence, whose office typically contributes key assessments and intelligence support in major foreign operations. Gabbard did eventually issue a brief statement acknowledging the operation's success and congratulating U.S. forces and intelligence personnel involved, though it came after the most intense media coverage and was noticeably subdued compared with other administration officials' commentary. President Trump promised the American people he would secure our borders, confront narcoterrorism, dangerous drug cartels, and drug traffickers. Kudos to our servicemen and women and intelligence operators for their flawless execution of President Trumps order to deliver on his DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) January 6, 2026 Originally published on IBTimes On January 7, HDBank issued a second tranche of international green bonds worth $50 million to Dutch development bank FMO and British International Investment (BII), the UKs development finance institution and impact investor, completing its $100 million green bond initiative for 2025. The issuance was announced at a disclosure ceremony attended by HDBank and its green bond investors, including FMO, BII, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in the presence of representatives from the Netherlands and UK consulates in Ho Chi Minh City. The green bonds comprise $30 million placed privately with FMO and $20 million with BII, both with a three-year tenor, forming the second tranche of HDBanks $100 million international green bond programme for 2025. The issuance follows a first $50 million tranche subscribed by the International Finance Corporation, which paved the way for FMO and BII to participate in the second round. The bonds are unsecured, non-convertible, and issued without warrants. "Sustainable development goals reside at the heart of HDBanks strategy which is featured by the best value for customers, partners, and the community," said Nguyen Huu Dang, CEO of HDBank. "This green bond initiative marks a new stepping stone on the journey towards those goals." The green bonds help diversify HDBanks funding base and support its sustainable growth strategy, while strengthening the foundation for attracting further international capital for green, sustainable, and inclusive finance in Vietnam. The proceeds will support customer access to financing for projects such as solar power, electric vehicles, green buildings, and energy-efficiency solutions. The projects financed with the proceeds of the green bond issuance must undergo a rigorous screening process, meet environmental and social risk management requirements, and the eligibility criteria outlined in the bank's Sustainable Finance Framework. These projects are expected to help reduce approximately 102,000 tonnes of carbon over 10 years, improve the quality of living environment, and support Vietnam's net-zero commitments. The IFC is pleased to partner with HDBank on this landmark international green bond issuance, which expands the banks climate finance portfolio and supports Vietnams economic and social development, said Weichuan Xu, IFCs lead for the Financial Institutions Group in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. The proceeds will fund sustainable projects, create jobs, and strengthen communities, while helping mobilise further investment in inclusive and resilient growth. Juan Jose Dada Ortiz, head of Financial Institutions at FMO, said, FMO is pleased to begin its partnership with HDBank through its first green bond issuance, a milestone that, we believe, will create new opportunities to work with HDBank in supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Vietnam. Srini Nagarajan, managing director and head of Asia at BII, said, Vietnam remains a priority market for BII as we invest in Southeast Asias green energy transition. Our participation in HDBanks inaugural green bond programme, alongside IFC and FMO, signals the strength of Vietnams sustainable finance ecosystem and will help mobilise more capital for climate-responsible projects supporting the countrys net-zero goals. HDBank issues $50 million in international green bonds HDBank announced the successful issuance of $50 million in international green bonds to the International Financial Corporation (IFC) on October 2. HDBank joins forces with FMO to advance green finance Ho Chi Minh City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank (HDBank) has expanded its international sustainability agenda through a new cooperation agreement focused on advancing green finance. archives 1 Feb - 8 Feb (3) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (2) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (2) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (2) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (2) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (3) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (2) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (1) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (2) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (2) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (4) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (1) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (7) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (2) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (1) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (1) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (3) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (2) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (2) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (1) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (3) 3 Aug - 10 Aug (1) 27 Jul - 3 Aug (1) 20 Jul - 27 Jul (2) 13 Jul - 20 Jul (4) 6 Jul - 13 Jul (2) 29 Jun - 6 Jul (2) 22 Jun - 29 Jun (4) 15 Jun - 22 Jun (1) 8 Jun - 15 Jun (3) 1 Jun - 8 Jun (4) 25 May - 1 Jun (5) 18 May - 25 May (2) 11 May - 18 May (3) 4 May - 11 May (2) 27 Apr - 4 May (5) 20 Apr - 27 Apr (1) 13 Apr - 20 Apr (2) 30 Mar - 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1 Mar (22) 15 Feb - 22 Feb (25) 8 Feb - 15 Feb (25) 1 Feb - 8 Feb (21) 25 Jan - 1 Feb (23) 18 Jan - 25 Jan (19) 11 Jan - 18 Jan (35) 4 Jan - 11 Jan (23) 28 Dec - 4 Jan (27) 21 Dec - 28 Dec (28) 14 Dec - 21 Dec (23) 7 Dec - 14 Dec (22) 30 Nov - 7 Dec (19) 23 Nov - 30 Nov (22) 16 Nov - 23 Nov (19) 9 Nov - 16 Nov (15) 2 Nov - 9 Nov (17) 26 Oct - 2 Nov (10) 19 Oct - 26 Oct (12) 12 Oct - 19 Oct (13) 5 Oct - 12 Oct (19) 28 Sep - 5 Oct (14) 21 Sep - 28 Sep (17) 14 Sep - 21 Sep (19) 7 Sep - 14 Sep (22) 31 Aug - 7 Sep (15) 24 Aug - 31 Aug (14) 17 Aug - 24 Aug (9) 10 Aug - 17 Aug (5) Claim the financial support youre entitled to, urges Advicelink Cymru Thousands of people across Wales are missing out on financial support theyre entitled to, and a single phone call could change that. Around 1 billion in benefits goes unclaimed in Wales every year, and the Welsh Governments Claim Whats Yours campaign is urging people to check what they can claim, with free, confidential support from Advicelink Cymru. Since 2020, more than 10.5 million has been returned to people across Wales thanks to previous winter campaigns, including Welsh and UK benefits, pensions, help with care costs, and council tax reductions. Those already in receipt of some benefits could be eligible for more. On average, eligible claimants could receive around 1,800 through Pension Credit or save 800 a year on council tax. Eleri, an Advicelink Cymru advisor, recently helped a woman whose state pension and small private pension were being swallowed up by rising bills, leaving little for essentials. After a full benefit check, the woman discovered she was entitled to Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction. Eleri said: There are potentially tens of thousands of households across Wales that could be eligible for Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction or other financial support, but just arent claiming. Thankfully, in this instance, the woman contacted Advicelink Cymru and was able to increase her income by almost 1,000 per month, which will make a significant difference to how she manages her finances in the future and make life a little bit easier. We would encourage anyone and everyone to get in touch with us, even if they dont think they are eligible for anything, because they could be missing out. This winter, a 100 payment is available for households receiving both the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Disabled Band Reduction. Eligible households will be contacted directly by their local authority, so there is no need to fill out forms to apply. Anyone not eligible for this payment can still speak to Advicelink Cymru about other support available. The Welsh Government has given 3.4 million to credit unions since 2022-23 to expend their lending. This has enabled more than 6,200 additional affordable loans to be accessed by people who would otherwise be declined ethical credit. The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: The cost of living is hitting households across Wales hard. We are doing all we can to help people maximise their income and put money back into their pockets. Whether youre struggling with daily expenses, managing debt, or unsure about what help is available, there is support for you in claiming the financial help youre entitled to. I encourage anyone in need to get in touch with Advicelink Cymru for guidance and free advice. Call Advicelink Cymru on 0800 702 2020 or visit gov.wales/claimwhatsyours On Sunday, the Nevada Air National Guard (NVANG) gave out awards for exemplary service during the last year. Their service in both the Silver State and across the nation was considered for the awards. "It's not just for maybe an overseas deployment or they spent time away from family to support the federal government. it's also responding to state emergencies here in Nevada," said Captain Emerson Marcus, Public Affairs Officer, Nevada Air National Guard. Captain Marcus said a committee spends all year deciding who walks across the stage and receives awards in January. They pick from members of what he calls the "best kept secret" in Northern Nevada. "These are members of the community that we're honoring today," Captain Marcus said. "These are Nevadans who are helping Nevadans." Among this year's award recipients is Sergeant Diego Urias Paz, who was named the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) of the Year. "I never thought I'd get this far in my career," he said. Sergeant Urias Paz said the recognition reflects the impact he's had on the service. "It definitely makes me feel like I'm making a difference, not just in this unit but in the Air Force as a whole," he said. Master Sergeant Aubrey Chiatovich was named the Senior NCO of the Year. "I literally feel like I just won the Super Bowl," she said. Many of her missions went into consideration, but there's one that sticks out the most in her mind. "I did a trip to Greenland recently to go to drop off supplies," Master Sgt. Chiatovich said. "It was 24 hours of perpetual darkness, and it was one of the coolest experiences in my life. Landing on the ice and walking around the group like that was really cool." Senior airman Luke Degiovanni is your 2025 NVANG Airman of the Year. All major award recipients are listed below. These winners will move on to regional competition, and the winners from that will be considered for national recognition. Washoe County is stepping into a nationwide celebration with a simple invitation: come inside and take a moment. As communities across the country prepare for America250, marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, Washoe County will join the statewide effort beginning in January. The Washoe County Courthouse Historical and Preservation Society is launching a yearlong series of monthly commemoration ceremonies at the Historic Courthouse. Starting in January, the courthouses columned entrance will open one day each month for a public gathering focused on history, democracy, and community. Shortly after 8 a.m., the Court will pause for a Moment of Honor led by a local champion of democracy. That person will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, introduce a local musical artist to perform a patriotic song, and present a historical figure significant to the nations 250 years, with the possibility of a special appearance tied to the presentation. The first event is scheduled for January 14, with Second Judicial District Court Judge Barry Breslow welcoming the gathering. The lineup of monthly champions continues through the year, bringing a mix of county, city, and community leaders to the courthouse steps. January 14: Washoe County Board of County Commissioners February 4: National Judicial College March 4: Washoe County Alternate Public Defender Kate Hickman April 1: Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam May 6: City of Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson June 3: TBD July 8: Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks August 5: City of Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve September 9: University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval October 7: Washoe County Public Defender Evelyn Grosenick November 4: Reno Police Chief Kathryn Nance December 2: TBD Each ceremony begins after the Court opens at 8 a.m. and is planned for the front steps of the Washoe County Historic Courthouse, weather permitting. If needed, the event will move inside to the second-floor rotunda. The public is invited to attend, and the ceremonial courtroom, Department 15, will be open for tours from 8 to 9 a.m. Trump renews threats against Iran, saying U.S. "ready to help" Xinhua) 10:38, January 12, 2026 WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States "stands ready to help" concerning the situation in Iran as he claimed Iran is "looking at FREEDOM," renewing his threats against the Middle Eastern country. "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Trump and other senior U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that Washington would take action if Iran "kills peaceful protesters." "If they start killing people ... we will get involved," Trump told reporters on Friday, adding that "that doesn't mean boots on the ground, but it means hitting them very, very hard where it hurts." Iran's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned what it described as "interventionist and deceptive" remarks by the Trump administration about the unrest, saying they reflected Washington's continued hostility toward the Iranian people. Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The 51st Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) of the African Union (AU) started on Monday, ahead of the 48th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 39th Summit, scheduled to take place on 14 -15 February 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, a press release by the AU said Jinjianqiao MOU for Financing and Offtake Sydney, Jan 12, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Chariot Resources Ltd ( ASX:CC9 ) ( ZJ5:FRA ) ( CHRTF:OTCMKTS ) announced it has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding ("MOU") with Fujian Jinjianqiao New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ("Jinjianqiao") to explore cooperation opportunities. The collaboration will focus on potential offtake of lithium ores and concentrates from Chariot's Nigerian lithium projects, financing arrangements and development of local lithium processing capacity in Nigeria. HIGHLIGHTS: - Strategic supply chain partnership: Fujian Jinjianqiao New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Chariot Resources Ltd have signed a non-binding MOU regarding potential collaboration on Chariot's Nigerian lithium projects. - Offtake: The MOU contemplates the potential sale and delivery of direct shipping ore (DSO) from the projects to a collection point at Sagamu, Nigeria. Upon completion of satisfactory due diligence, Jinjianqiao may seek to reach an agreement of terms with Chariot for long-term exclusive offtake of spodumene concentrate (or other lithium-bearing products) involving one of Chariot's four Nigerian projects. - Potential Funding Support: Jinjianqiao and Chariot have agreed to discuss credit lines and offtake prepayment financing that could support project exploration and development, facilitating expanded production at the Nigerian projects. - Nigeria-based processing: Jinjianqiao and Chariot have agreed to evaluate the development of a lithium processing facility in Nigeria to convert ore into spodumene concentrate. - Strategic lithium supply chain partner: Jinjianqiao is a China-based lithium trader, with an established Africa-to-China sourcing and distribution network. Jinjianqiao sold approximately 90,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate and ore in 2025, with volumes expected to double in 2026. Jinjianqiao's integrated "one-stop" capability across import logistics, processing support, inspection/testing, warehousing and sales, together with strategic cooperation links to downstream processing capacity, aligns with Chariot's objective to rapidly progress its Nigerian projects toward commercialisation. In addition, the MOU expressly contemplates potential financing mechanisms to support project development and assist in accelerating a pathway toward production. Jinjianqiao: Corporate Profile Jinjianqiao is a China-based lithium trading house focused on lithium ores and spodumene concentrate that supports Africa-to-China lithium supply chains and has existing operations in Nigeria. Jinjianqiao marketed and distributed approximately 90,000 tonnes of lithium concentrates and ores in 2025, with volumes projected to double in 2026. Jinjianqiao is positioned as a "one-stop" service partner spanning import, processing, testing, warehousing and sales. Jinjianqiao's team brings more than 16 years' experience in lithium mineral selection and operational execution across the supply chain. Jinjianqiao's principal shareholder is also the owner of a ~1 million tonne lithium concentrate plant and lithium salt conversion line, strengthening Jinjianqiao's access to downstream battery materials processing. Jinjianqiao's integrated offering affords miners an opportunity to accelerate commercialisation and broaden their market access by providing a streamlined route from the mine to downstream battery supply chains, with the support of established logistics and quality assurance. Key Terms of the MOU Non-Binding The MOU is not legally binding and does not create any obligation to proceed with any transaction. Any binding agreement will require separate negotiation and approval. Although not explicitly stated in the MOU, the execution of any binding agreements pursuant to the MOU is not possible until the Chariot completes its acquisition of the Nigerian projects (as announced to the ASX on 3 December, 2025). Chariot anticipates completing the acquisition of the Nigerian projects in the first quarter of calendar year 2026. Offtake Agreement The MOU contemplates the potential sale and delivery of direct shipping ore (DSO) from one or more of the projects to a collection point at Sagamu, in Nigeria. Upon satisfactory due diligence, and subject to negotiation and agreement on terms, Jinjianqiao would potentially be able to select one of Chariot's four Nigerian lithium projects as a "Selected Project" for offtake. For the Selected Project, Jinjianqiao would be able to secure long-term, exclusive priority offtake of spodumene concentrate (or other lithium-bearing products). The spodumene concentrate pricing for any future offtake will reference a mutually agreed index recognised by the international market (for material of ~5.5-6.2% Li2O grade). The production of spodumene concentrate at any meaningful scale would require the completion of: - exploration (including drilling) and development activities; - definition of a JORC-compliant resource; - metallurgical studies; - evaluation of toll processing options and ore transportation logistics; - other technical studies; and - the securing of any necessary permits. Nigerian Lithium Processing Plant Chariot will collaborate with Jinjianqiao to evaluate the design, construction and operation of a lithium processing plant in Nigeria. The parties envision that the facility would enable run-of-mine ore to be upgraded on-site into spodumene concentrate. Funding Support The MOU contemplates discussions on potential financing support from Jinjianqiao, which could include credit lines or offtake prepayment financing to fund exploration of the projects and, ultimately, the development of one of the Nigerian projects. Due Diligence Jinjianqiao will conduct thorough technical and commercial due diligence on Chariot's Nigerian projects as part of the MOU. Successful completion of due diligence to Jinjianqiao's satisfaction is a precondition to entering into any binding offtake or investment agreements. Exclusivity and Negotiation Period The MOU is non-exclusive and Chariot remains free to engage in discussions with other parties regarding its Nigerian projects. However, if Jinjianqiao formally selects a project for offtake (thereby designating it as a Selected Project), both parties intend to enter a period of exclusive negotiations (for up to 90 days) focused on that project. During this exclusivity window, Chariot and Jinjianqiao will work in good faith to finalize definitive agreements such as a binding offtake contract and any related arrangements. Term and Termination The MOU became effective upon execution by both parties and may be terminated by either party with 30 days' notice. In addition, the MOU terminates automatically upon execution of a definitive agreement. About Chariot Resources Limited Chariot Resources Ltd (ASX:CC9) (FRA:ZJ5) (OTCMKTS:CHRTF) is a mineral exploration company focused on discovering and developing high-grade and near surface lithium opportunities focused principally in the United States and Nigeria. The Company recently announced an acquisition of a Nigeria portfolio of hard-rock lithium assets consisting of four project clusters. The projects cover approximately 254 square kilometers and are comprised of 8 exploration licences and 2 small-scale mining leases. These assets represent one of the largest portfolios of lithium assets in the country with high-grade surface samples and have a history of artisanal lithium mining. In addition, Chariot has two core US projects and a number of exploration pipeline projects which Chariot majority owns and operates. The core US projects include the Resurgent Project (which is prospective for claystone lithium in the McDermitt Caldera) in Nevada and Oregon, USA and the Black Mountain Project (which is prospective for hard rock lithium) in Wyoming, USA. The McDermitt Caldera has a defined MRE of over 87Mt LCE and hosts the world class Thacker Pass project. Initial survey results from the core US projects indicate high-grade lithium mineralisation at surface. Chariot also holds a portfolio interest in certain properties prospective for claystone hosted lithium, including an NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate of 10.2Mt LCE, located in the State of Nevada in the United States through its interest in Mustang Lithium LLC. Related Companies Raises $1.2M to Accelerate Funding of Hydrocarbon and Cortical Investments Sydney, Jan 12, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - BPH Energy Limited ( ASX:BPH ) announced that it has received binding commitments from new and existing sophisticated investors to raise approximately $1.2 million (before costs) ("Placement"). The Placement will comprise the issue of 134,222,222 new fully paid ordinary shares ("Placement Shares") in the Company at an issue price of $0.009 per share. The Placement Shares will be issued pursuant to the Company's existing placement capacity under ASX Listing Rule 7.1 and 7.1A. HIGHLIGHTS - Binding commitments received to raise approximately $1.2 million through a Placement at $0.009 per share - Placement participants will receive 1 Attaching Option for each New Share subscribed for under the Placement, exercisable at $0.03 per share, with an expiry date being the same as the Options to be issued under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025 - BPH funded to execute its next phase of hydrocarbon and Cortical Dynamics investments - The Federal Court hearing for the PEP-11 judicial review application is scheduled for February 20 and 23, 2026 Placement participants will receive 1 free Attaching Option for each Placement Share subscribed for under the Placement, exercisable at $0.03 each with an expiry date being the same as the options to be issued under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025 ("Attaching Options"). Oakley Capital Partners Pty Limited ("Oakley Capital") and 62 Capital Limited ("62 Capital") acted as Joint Lead Managers for the Placement. Oakley Capital and 62 Capital will be paid a cash fee of 6% on funds raised under the Placement and an aggregate of 33,555,555 Broker Options ("Broker Options") on the same terms as the Attaching Options. The Attaching Options and Broker Options will be issued on the same day as the Options to be issued under the Options Prospectus and the Company intends to apply for quotation of the Options subject to the Company meeting ASX quotation requirements. Commenting on the capital raising, Executive Director Mr David Breeze said: "We are pleased to have received strong support in the Placement. The funding allows BPH to accelerate the exploration programs to unlock the potential on our gas projects especially with the current gas supply crisis as well as assist the next phase of associate Cortical Dynamic Limited's expansion. The funding also leaves BPH well-placed ahead of the Federal Court hearing for the PEP-11 judicial review scheduled for February 20 and 23, 2026, where the PEP-11 Joint Venture will seek to overturn the Federal Government's rejection of the PEP-11 permit extension" USE OF FUNDS The proceeds raised under the Placement provide BPH with an enhanced cash position to fund its hydrocarbon projects and to assist in the continued development of Cortical Dynamics. The intended use of funds will be for: - $0.85 million - Funding for exploration and development of oil and gas investments - $0.1 million - For working capital including costs of the offer - $0.25 million - Funding for Cortical Dynamics PLACEMENT DETAILS The Placement offer price of $0.009 per share represents a 18.2% discount to BPH's last price of $0.0011 per share on Thursday, 8 January 2026, and a 7.8% discount to the 15-day VWAP of $0.00976 per share. Settlement of the Placement is expected to be completed on or around 14 January 2026. A total of 12,259,551 Placement Shares, 134,222,222 free Attaching Options, and 33,555,555 Broker Options (pro rata to their management of the Placement) will be issued under ASX Listing Rule 7.1. A total of 121,962,671 Placement Shares will be issued under ASX Listing Rule 7.1A. The Attaching Options and Broker Options will be issued following the close of the Offer under the Options Prospectus dated 2 December 2025. Placement Shares will rank equally with existing fully paid ordinary shares. The Company will issue a supplementary Options Prospectus as soon as possible. About BPH Energy Limited BPH Energy Limited (ASX:BPH) is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company developing biomedical research and technologies within Australian Universities and Hospital Institutes. The company provides early stage funding, project management and commercialisation strategies for a direct collaboration, a spin out company or to secure a license. BPH provides funding for commercial strategies for proof of concept, research and product development, whilst the institutional partner provides infrastructure and the core scientific expertise. BPH currently partners with several academic institutions including The Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research and Swinburne University of Technology (SUT). Related Companies AceShowbiz - After a less than stellar run in theaters, London Calling, starring Josh Duhamel, is finally experiencing a resurgence, thanks to its streaming release on Hulu. Directed by Allan Ungar, this chaotic crime-comedy flick initially hit cinemas across the United States in September, but it didn't garner much attention during its theatrical run. Despite the competition from high-octane action films such as Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another and Dan Trachtenberg's Predator: Badlands, London Calling has now found its audience online. The film is currently ranked ninth on Hulu's Top 15 in the U.S., proving that it has finally found its footing in the streaming landscape. If you're in the mood for a hilarious action film that interweaves family dynamics with a comedic narrative, London Calling is worth a watch. The story revolves around Tommy Ward, played by Duhamel, who struggles to excel in both his roles as a hitman and a father. Residing in London, Tommy finds his life turned upside down when he accidentally kills a relative of the cityas most notorious crime boss. Forced to flee back to the United States, Tommy takes on a new job in Los Angeles. His task seems relatively simple: mentor his bossas socially awkward son, guiding him through a few jobs until he gains some street smarts. The reward? Safe passage back to London, where he hopes to reunite with his own son. However, what begins as a straightforward assignment quickly spirals into a dangerous adventure, testing the limits of Tommyas skills and resolve. The film features an impressive cast alongside Duhamel, adding depth to the chaotic narrative. As audiences tune in to London Calling on Hulu, they are met with a blend of humor, action, and heartfelt moments, making it a unique addition to the crime-comedy genre. The film's charm lies in its ability to balance thrilling escapades with the poignant struggles of its protagonist, who is as flawed as he is relatable. With the rise of streaming services, many films that initially struggle in theaters have found a second chance online. London Calling is a prime example of how a film can transform its fate through platforms like Hulu, reaching viewers who appreciate its distinctive storytelling. As it continues to gain momentum, fans of Duhamel and action-comedy enthusiasts alike can delight in this unexpected gem. In conclusion, London Calling is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of film distribution. Its journey from the big screen to streaming success highlights the importance of accessibility in reaching diverse audiences. So if you haven't checked it out yet, now is the perfect time to dive into this entertaining mix of crime, comedy, and family drama. AceShowbiz - When the acclaimed show wrapped up, Bill Hader was poised to make his feature film directorial debut with a horror project that echoed the tone of his hit series. However, nearly three years have passed without any updates on this anticipated film. It's high time Hollywood executives recognize Hader's unique vision and allow him the creative freedom he deserves. Bill Hader made his mark as a director with the series premiere of Barry, using the show as a platform to hone his filmmaking skills. After directing the first three episodes of the inaugural season, he went on to helm several pivotal episodes in season two, ultimately taking the reins as the sole director for its fourth and final season. By this point, Hader had solidified his status as a formidable directorial talent, celebrated for his distinct storytelling style that masterfully blends dark humor, intense drama, and surreal elements. His work often draws comparisons to the likes of the Coen brothers and David Lynch, while still showcasing a touch of his comedic roots from his time on SNL. One of the most remarkable aspects of Hader's directorial approach can be observed in the action sequences of Barry. He has redefined action filmmaking by adopting a grounded, realistic style that starkly contrasts with the typical flashy sequences seen in mainstream cinema, often referred to as Bayhem. This innovative technique emphasizes authenticity and tension, bringing a fresh perspective to the genre. In the third season, episode six of Barry, titled 710N, Hader directed an unforgettable motorcycle chase that exemplifies his unique vision. What begins as a standard episode quickly escalates into chaos when Barry finds himself pursued by Tracis biker gang on his way to a dinner party. This unexpected twist not only showcases Hader's talent for building suspense but also highlights his ability to infuse absurdity into tense situations. As Bill Hader continues to grow as a filmmaker, fans eagerly await his next project, hoping to see more of his innovative storytelling and direction on screen. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan government officials Monday held an expanded meeting with representatives of Allianz Care, a German company specializing in the development and management of health services, to discuss ways to improve the performance of the health sector, in line with the guidelines of the Libyan prime minister Men are putting their health at risk because they fear a diagnosis could harm their job security, career prospects or reputation at work, according to new research from Bupa. Although over half of men (56%) say they would feel comfortable telling their manager about cancer-related tests or a diagnosis, many still worry about what an illness or health problem could mean for their working lives. Almost one in five (18%) fear theyll be treated differently or pitied, while the same proportion are concerned about job security or being viewed as unreliable. A further 15% are anxious about becoming the subject of office gossip, and 12% worry about being handed less important work or overlooked for future opportunities. Bupas research found that workplace culture and rigid working patterns are stopping men from booking vital medical appointments in the first place. Securing time away from work is a key barrier, particularly for younger employees: nearly one in five men aged 2534 (19%) struggle to get short-notice time off, while a fifth of millennials (21%) say their appointments almost always fall within working hours - compared with just 6% of baby boomers. Faced with these pressures, many admit it feels easier to delay seeking help than risk being seen as less committed to their job. These workplace concerns persist even after tests are booked. Almost a third of men (30%) fear that a diagnosis could put their job at risk or lead to them being judged as unreliable. Younger workers feel this most acutely - one in five millennials (20%) worry about missing out on future opportunities or promotions if illness affects their availability. Bupas research also highlights a clear lack of awareness and clarity around workplace support. One in five (20%) men are unsure whether their employer has any support in place for those with serious health conditions, rising to 28% among Gen X employees (aged 45-60). When asked what would make the biggest difference, men prioritised practical measures that build trust, including flexible hours for tests or treatment (28%), paid time off for medical appointments (27%) and clear confidentiality assurances (20%) when disclosing a health issue. Dr Tim Woodman, Medical Director for Cancer Services at Bupa said: Our research is a clear warning that career anxiety is becoming a growing barrier to men accessing vital care. When people worry that a diagnosis could affect their job or future opportunities, its understandable they may hesitate to speak up or seek help as early as they should, but when it comes to serious health issues such as cancer, acting on concerns early and starting treatment promptly is crucial and can be lifesaving. Employers can make a meaningful difference here. Simple steps - like offering time off for health appointments, being flexible around tests and treatment, and giving clear reassurance about confidentiality - can help create an environment where people feel safe to be open about their health. When that trust is in place, it protects both the wellbeing of the workforce and the long-term strength of the organisation. To help managers feel confident supporting employees who are worried about being tested for, or are living with cancer or any other health concerns, Dr Tim Woodman has provided some simple tips to help start the conversation: Listen Let your employee lead the conversation, listen carefully and acknowledge how they are feeling rather than trying to fix things or rush in with solutions Be accommodating Ask what would help them most at work right now - whether that is flexibility around hours, adjusting tasks, or simply knowing who they can contact if things change Be consistent Keep their confidence, agree how and when to stay in touch, and remember that their needs may shift at different stages of tests, treatment and recovery. Be a manager and a peer, go for a coffee or a walk and let them know support is available. Maharashtra Bhavan in Kashmir: When a State Builds a Bridge, Not Just a Building 2 In the noise of daily politics, it is easy to miss the quiet moments when history shifts its tone. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shindes announcement of building a Maharashtra Bhavan in Kashmir is one such moment. On the surface, it may appear to be a routine administrative decisiona state guest house, an official facility, another government project. But in truth, it carries within it something far deeper: a recognition of an emotional, cultural, and human bond that already exists between Maharashtra and Kashmir, waiting only to be acknowledged and strengthened. Kashmir has never been a distant land for Maharashtra. Nor has Maharashtra been a stranger to Kashmirs pain, resilience, and beauty. The two are bound not just by geography within the Indian Union, but by shared lives, shared sacrifices, and shared cultural journeys that few people stop to reflect upon. Mumbai, the heart of Maharashtra, became a refuge for thousands of Kashmiri Pandits when terror uprooted them from their ancestral homes in the Valley. They arrived carrying grief, trauma and uncertaintybut they also carried education, creativity, and an unbreakable commitment to rebuilding their lives with dignity. Over time, they did more than just settle in Mumbai; they became an inseparable part of the citys intellectual, artistic, and cultural bloodstream. Some of the most respected writers, filmmakers, journalists, actors, lyricists, and thinkers in Bollywood and Indian media come from Kashmiri Pandit families. They helped shape modern Hindi cinema, television, literature, and public discourse. Their stories, their aesthetics, and their cultural depth blended naturally into Mumbais cosmopolitan identity. In return, Mumbai gave them space, opportunity, and the freedom to become who they truly were. The city absorbed Kashmir into its soul. This cultural and human integration happened organically, without government programs or political slogans. It happened because both societies recognized something familiar in each othera love for language, art, resilience, and dignity. At the same time, thousands of Maharashtrians have served Kashmir in silence and sacrifice. Maharashtra-cadre IAS and IPS officers, army officers, soldiers, CRPF personnel, doctors, engineers, teachers, and administrators have spent years working in Jammu & Kashmir. They have governed towns, protected civilians, treated patients, built infrastructure, and defended borders. Many have lived far from their families in difficult conditions. Some never returned. For these men and women, Kashmir was not a postingit was a responsibility, a moral duty, and often a deeply emotional experience. They came to know the Valley not through television debates, but through human faces: shopkeepers, students, children, colleagues, and neighbors. When they returned to Maharashtra, they brought back stories not of abstractions but of peopleof warmth, struggle, hope, and resilience. This is the invisible human corridor between Maharashtra and Kashmir that already exists. The announcement of Maharashtra Bhavan in Kashmir gives institutional recognition to this corridor. A Bhavan is not just a building. In Indian political culture, it is a home. A place where people from a state feel protected, welcomed, and rooted. By placing such a home in Kashmir, Maharashtra is telling every Maharashtrian serving or travelling there: You belong here too. It also tells every Kashmiri: Maharashtra is not a distant power. It is a partner, a friend, a fellow traveler in the Indian journey. The Bhavan will provide practical supportaccommodation for officials, space for delegations, and facilities for tourists, journalists, scholars, and families of personnel posted there. But its real value lies beyond logistics. It will be a living space of dialogue, exchange, and mutual presence. One can imagine literary evenings where Kashmiri poets read alongside Marathi writers. Cultural festivals where Lavani meets Sufiana Kalam. Film screenings, art exhibitions, academic discussions, and youth exchanges. These are not luxuriesthey are the soft tissue that binds nations and regions together. In a place that has suffered from alienation, suspicion, and violence, such spaces quietly heal what politics often wounds. What gives this initiative even greater depth is the personal clarity behind it. My own interaction with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on this development was nothing short of mesmerizing. It was not a routine political conversation. What stood out was his remarkably clear vision: he does not see Maharashtra Bhavan merely as an administrative asset but as a cultural and emotional bridge. He spoke with sincerity about preserving Kashmiriyat in the hearts of Maharashtrians who serve and reside in Kashmirand about ensuring that Kashmir continues to feel emotionally connected to Maharashtra. For him, the officers, soldiers, doctors, and teachers posted there are not just employees of the state; they are carriers of mutual trust. They absorb the valleys spirit and carry it back to Maharashtra. They take Maharashtras pluralism and warmth into Kashmir. This two-way flow, he believes, is how harmony is builtnot through declarations, but through lived human experience. He was clear that the Bhavan must not become a closed bureaucratic enclave. It must be open, welcoming, alivea place where Kashmiris feel just as comfortable walking in as Maharashtrians. A place that reflects hospitality, not hierarchy. That clarity of purpose is rare in public life. It transforms what could have been a symbolic gesture into a meaningful institution. From a broader national perspective, this initiative also quietly changes the narrative around Kashmir. For decades, Kashmir has been spoken about only in terms of security, conflict, and control. What Maharashtra Bhavan represents is something different: everyday civic normalcy. It says that Kashmir is not a periphery that needs to be managed but a part of Indias shared civic space where every state can plant roots. Just as Delhi has its Bhavans across the country, Maharashtra is now placing its presence in the Valleynot to dominate, but to belong. For Kashmir, this brings something valuable: consistent engagement from one of Indias most powerful economic and cultural states. Tourism from Maharashtra is already a major contributor to Kashmirs economy. With a state-level institutional base, this flow will grow more organised, safer and more confident. Business delegations, cultural groups, film units and investors will have a trusted base, encouraging deeper engagement. For young Kashmiris, this opens new windows to Maharashtras universities, industries, media and creative world. For Maharashtrian youth, it opens a more nuanced, human understanding of Kashmir beyond headlines. In a fractured world, such bridges matter. Eknath Shindes Maharashtra Bhavan is therefore not just a structure of stone and steel. It is an architecture of trust. It acknowledges the pain of Kashmiri Pandits who found a second home in Maharashtra. It honors the sacrifice of Maharashtrians who have served Kashmir. It creates a space where culture, memory, administration, and belonging can coexist. In a time when integration is often shouted from podiums, this is integration quietly builtbrick by brick, relationship by relationship. And sometimes, it is these quiet acts that shape the future far more powerfully than any speech ever could. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Deputy Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for Political Affairs, Stephanie Khoury, on Sunday stressed the importance of preserving the unity of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), calling on all parties to refrain from any unilateral action The ability of the Democrat Machine to rewrite its code at a moments notice is terrifying. What it supported yesterday, it will denounce tomorrow when politically expedient. Right now were seeing a perfect example in the way prominent Democrats are reacting to federal agents enforcing immigration law. Advertisement On January 6, congressional Democrats choreographed an almost religious ritual (including a candlelit ceremony) during which they framed the D.C. protest of election fraud five years ago as an insurrection that resulted in the murder of police officers (reminder: only Trump supporters were killed in or near the Capitol on January 6, 2021). On January 7, those same Democrats called an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent a murderer for defending his life from a deranged attacker using an automobile as a lethal weapon. On the 6th, Democrats proclaimed themselves the guardians of law enforcement officers everywhere and accused Trump supporters of being terrorists. On the 7th, Democrats proclaimed law enforcement officers terrorists and defended a domestic terrorist as a guardian of undocumented (read: illegal) immigrants. Politicians arent known for faithfully adhering to guiding principles, but Democrats change principles quickly enough to give an average observer political whiplash. Advertisement On January 7, Nancy Pelosi wrote, The killing of an unarmed woman by a masked federal agent in Minneapolis is a moral outrage and a betrayal of American values. There has been no justification offered only deception and deflection from those in charge. Accountability for this killing is not optional. This is the same Nancy Pelosi who has spent the last five years defending U.S. Capitol Police Captain Michael Byrd after he shot and killed unarmed J6 protester Ashli Babbitt without any prior warning. If pictures from the time are accurate, Byrd was even wearing a COVID mask when he took Air Force veteran Babbitts life. The juxtaposition of the two incidents is jarring. Pelosi has spent the last five years applauding Byrd as a hero, condemning unarmed Babbitt as an insurrectionist, and claiming that Trump supporters hate police. Now she condemns a federal agents heroic actions as an outrage, defends a woman armed with a vehicle as being unarmed, and accuses federal law enforcement of betrayal, deception, and deflection. In both cases the federal agent wore a mask, but Pelosi makes the ICE agents use of a mask sound nefarious. Advertisement Russia collusion hoaxer Adam Schiff similarly suffers from Pelosis cognitive dissonance. He never misses an opportunity to accuse President Trump of having attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He always calls the Americans who protested electoral fraud that day insurrectionists and murderers. Yet when news of a woman using her vehicle to threaten the life of a federal agent came out of Minnesota, Schiff immediately pushed the lie that she was just an everyday mom and protester who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A lot of Americans who calmly walked through the Capitol on January 6, 2021, surely felt the same way that they had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Schiff never gave them the benefit of the doubt. He spent the last five years ludicrously calling grandparents and veterans terrorists who deserved to suffer years in prison for trying to overthrow the government. Then there is former Capitol Police officer Michael Fanone, who repeatedly testified through tears that he barely survived the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Fanone became the Democrats favorite puppet. He would put on his uniform for important interviews and tell the world that President Trumps MAGA voters tried to kill him and his law enforcement friends. Surely someone who has spent so much time on television defending the sacred honor of police officers from the wretched forces of out-of-control Americans would come to the defense of ICE agents under mob attack in Minneapolis, right? Wrong. Advertisement In defending mob attacks on law enforcement officers, Fanone argues, This is not the first time we have seen ICE and CBP abuse their power. Its probably the millionth f**king time weve seen this happen.Its time for the American people to organize and to utilize their Second Amendment right to protect themselves from what is clearly becoming an unaccountable and lawless agency thats killing Americans. So the guy who made a career out of crying about unarmed MAGA grandparents threatening his life by strolling through the Capitol now wants mobs of Americans to arm up and militarily confront federal agents? I guess he doesnt actually care about blue lives after all. Rank hypocrisy never seems to flummox Democrats. The January 6, 2021, Capitol protest against election fraud lasted about three hours. Most participants peacefully demonstrated their opposition to the 2020 elections certification. Most of those who walked into the Capitol were so orderly that they remained behind the velvet ropes set up for tourists. Despite media and congressional lies, no law enforcement officers were killed. Instead, four unarmed Trump supporters lost their lives including one female veteran shot and another female beaten and trampled. Advertisement Afterwards, Congress dedicated two years to a clown tribunal that attempted to falsely portray the events of January 6, 2021, as a deadly insurrection and attempt to overthrow the federal government. To this day, corporate news media portray the event as something on par with the attack on Pearl Harbor or even the Civil War. Democrat lawmakers and media personalities make these claims with straight faces, even though none of the J6 Capitol protesters were even armed. They now conduct a somber daylong religious gathering on January 6 to reflect upon the tragedy of the three-hour insurrection. Yet this year, everyone who was busy crying fake tears and putting on a theatrical performance of ritualistic mourning on January 6 suddenly started screaming obscenities at federal agents and demonizing heroic law enforcement officers as murderers on January 7. Its just crazy, irrational behavior. But crazy and irrational is very on-brand for Democrats this century. Advertisement This is the same political party that burned down cities across the country during the summer of 2020 and caused more property damage than any man-made disaster in American history. Democrats euphemistically call that the summer of love. This is the same political party that encourages supporters to take to the streets and get in the faces of political foes and then feigns surprise when assassins target President Trump and Charlie Kirk. This is the same political party that encourages states to ignore federal immigration laws and then accuses federal law enforcement officers of terrorism. Democrat officials have done everything they can to foment rebellion and destroy the Union. The Democrat Party clearly wants another George Floyd spark to set off riots across the nation. Minnesotas governor says his state is at war with the federal government, and Minneapoliss mayor seems desperate for riots in the streets. Leftists are already publicly threatening the lives of ICE agents. One shamelessly told a news outlet, The time for peace is over! and, Its time for the bullet box! In New York City, leftists are walking the streets while chanting, Kristi Noem will hang, and, Save a life, kill ICE. Just as in 2020, Democrats appear eager to pour gasoline on American cities, strike the match of civil unrest, and watch everything burn. When it happens, the same Democrat lawmakers and corporate news mouthpieces that have spent five years demonizing election integrity protesters who gathered together for three hours on January 6, 2021, will suddenly applaud leftist arsonists, looters, and murderers as civil rights heroes and American patriots. Democrats will defend violence and mayhem and memorialize criminals as victims. They will hold candlelight vigils for domestic terrorists and condemn police officers as villains. And nobody in the news media will call out their despicable hypocrisy. Because this is what Democrats do. Image: Eugene Zemlyanskiy via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. Weve seen this movie before -- abortion absolutism, COVID authoritarianism, gender fluidity by fiat, and the supposed joys of European health care. But nothing exposes Democrat double standards and hypocrisy faster than a real-world test. Advertisement Start with health care. A decade ago, Sen Bernie Sanders advocated health care reform in the United States, seeking a more efficient government-managed programme as in European countries such as Denmark and France. Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr listened to Bernie and did just that, overhauling Americas childhood vaccine schedule to resemble Denmark's. Advertisement It appears that Both-Ways Bernie achieved what he and his fellow Democrat socialists wanted: Danish-style health care. Yet Bernie urged RFK Jr to resign over his vaccine stance. Which is it, Bernie? Advertisement The pattern is the same: demand radical action when its theoretical, denounce it when it happens under Trump. Now enter Nicolas Maduro. Advertisement Image by ChatGPT Current outrage is over Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro being arrested by U.S. law enforcement, with military support, and brought to New York City to face justice for drug and weapons offenses. Advertisement No, its not another endless war; instead, just a high-profile arrest of an indicted criminal couple. Useful idiot paid protesters are marching and protesting to have Maduro released from prison. A few weeks ago, many of these same protesters marched in No Kings rallies, calling President Donald Trump a dictator, and today they are demanding freedom for a true dictator. The irony is rich. Advertisement Some protesters, when interviewed, have no idea what they are even protesting. Yet they are practicing capitalism, getting paid for their services, as they protest capitalism. Democrat logic at its finest. Its not just the paid protesters but also our bought-off politicians who initially supported Maduros ouster before they were against it. Hat tip to ZeroHedge for chronicling such hypocrisy. Start with Sen. Chuck Schumer. In 2020, he criticized then-President Trump for not ending Maduros reign, saying, The President brags about his Venezuela policy? Give us a break. He hasn't brought an end to the Maduro regime." Flip-flop Chuck sang a different tune last week, telling George Stephanopoulos, It's a violation of the law to do what they did without getting the authorization of Congress. Wrong, Chuck. This was a law enforcement action, not an act of war. Operational security and the safety of U.S. law enforcement and military depended on no leaks. Members of Congress have the Washington Post and New York Times on speed dial and would have likely tipped off the media, endangering American lives. Another Congressional windbag, Sen. Chris Murphy, just last year called Maduro a brutal dictator, causing 8 million Venezuelans to leave that country, most of which destined for the United States. He also claimed that Maduro clearly lost his last election and that we are working with our allies to force him to accept the results of this election. Going back further, in 2019, Murphy announced, getting rid of Maduro is good for the United States. What changed Chris, other than which party controls the Senate? Last week, he did a classic flip-flop from the Democrat diving board. Now he asserts, The invasion of Venezuela has nothing to do with American security. Venezuela is not a security threat to the U.S. This is about making Trump's oil industry and Wall Street friends rich. Someone needs to remind this sitting U.S. Senator that the U.S. has been a net exporter of oil for over four years. Yet in Democrats hive mind, Trumps actions are always about the oil. Another Senator, Chris Van Hollen, famous for flying to El Salvador to sip patio drinks with Maryland Man, alleged MS-13 gang member and human trafficker Kilmar Abrego Garcia, in 2024, claimed that Maduro lost the election and was clinging to legitimacy. Last week, he changed his tune, saying, Trump's actions in Venezuela and his Administration's national security strategy are making our nation - and the world - less safe. Is Maduro bad -- or only Trumps actions? Schumer and Murphy alone demonstrate the point. Van Hollen merely confirms it. Not all Democrats are tap dancing and flip-flopping. Sen. John Fetterman thoughtfully admitted, As a Democrat, I dont understand why we cant acknowledge a good development for Venezuelans and how deft our militarys execution of that plan was. He went on, wearing his America hat rather than the usual Democrat dunce cap, "I don't know why we can't just acknowledge that it's been a good thing. We all wanted this man gone, and now he is gone. I think we should really appreciate exactly what happened here." Ya think? Placing American interests ahead of partisan gotcha politics. Democrats are trying to reframe reality through twisted pretzel logic. Media cranks also flip-flopped. Take Rachel Maddow, who in 2024 lumped Maduro with other dictators like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and Kim Jung Un and asserted, "They want no one anywhere to think it is possible, let alone desirable to throw a strongman out." At least until Trump did just that. Now Maddow is furious, believing that very few Americans have any idea why Trump did this. Besides being an illegitimate president, a narcoterrorist, exporting thousands of dangerous gang members into the U.S., and allowing Russia, China, and Iran to gain a foothold near the United States, I, as an American, have no idea why Trump did what he did. Even former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris weighed in. Last year, their administration offered $25 million for information leading to the arrest of Nicolas Maduro. Who gets to collect? Trump, Rubio, or Hegseth? Kamala quickly changed her tune after Trump did as she and Joe asked, tweeting, Donald Trumps actions in Venezuela do not make America safer, stronger, or more affordable. The American people do not want this, and they are tired of being lied to. I could go on, but the point is clear: Democrats only show situational outrage, and they forget that the internet is forever. Its unfortunate that corporate media largely ignore past statements and refuse to call out their hypocrisy. Then again, corporate media ignored or missed the biggest fraud scandal of our time, in Minnesota and other blue states, while a citizen journalist in his early 20s was the one to break the story, while big media slept. This also illustrates Trump Derangement Syndrome. If Trump had taken out Osama bin Laden, Manuel Noriega, or Adolf Hitler, they still would have found a reason to criticize him. Its no wonder only 18 percent of voters approve of Democrats in Congress. Whether Republicans take advantage of this or not remains to be seen. But the reactions to Maduros arrest confirm Democrats as the clown party of America. Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., is a physician and writer. Follow me on Twitter @retinaldoctor, Substack Dr. Brians Substack, Truth Social @BrianJoondeph, LinkedIn @Brian Joondeph, and email [email protected]. The states are trying to legislate immigration law again. Last time, it was righteous. In 2010, Arizonas Republicans crafted state law SB1070 which simply mirrored federal law, but, alas, the Supremacy Clause won out. And while it was certainly disappointing to lose it, it was the right decision. Well, this time its various state Democrats doing the legislating. Theyre trying to legislate ICE out of their states. Advertisement We all know what this is about. They believe in borders all right -- state borders -- around their personal vote and money-laundering plantations. By declaring their intent to take affirmative legislative action, theyve now officially gone from paying lip service to sane immigration policy, to actually trying to outlaw it. And it only took 15 years. Advertisement On July 1, 2010, Barack Obama, inspired by Arizonas then new anti-illegal immigration law, SB1070, gave a speech on illegal immigration which, prior to Biden flooding our country, might have sounded pretty good to MAGA. I dare say were all very much in a throw the bums out mood right now, and thats absolutely fair, but read on. We have to demand responsibility from people living here illegally. They must be required to admit that they broke the law. They should be required to register, pay their taxes, pay a fine, and learn English. They must get right with the law before they can get in line and earn their citizenship -- not just because it is fair, not just because it will make clear to those who might wish to come to America they must do so inside the bounds of the law, but because this is how we demonstrate that being -- what being an American means. Being a citizen of this country comes not only with rights but also with certain fundamental responsibilities. Advertisement Stipulating that his-lips-were-moving-so-we-know-he-was-lying, Obama still formed the words and sound came out. He actually linked rights and responsibilities. Democrats never do that. He talked about American citizenship being valuable (!) and thats why we shouldnt treat it cheaply. He even made the distinction between legal and illegal immigration, which Democrats never do anymore. Its always just immigrants. Democrats no longer do a lot of things that used to make sense. Again, we all knew they were lying, but at least they faked it pretty well and didnt try to run over ICE agents all over the place like theyre doing now. According to DHS: Advertisement They [ICE agents] are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks against them, and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them. Were all familiar with Democrats declaring sanctuary cities and states. A Democrat gets some power and they simply proclaim it. No legislation needed. After all it (like the proclamation itself) would be wildly illegal and unconstitutional. And again, this is how they used to be. They were nuts, but they just proclaimed their nuttiness, they didnt try to legislate it into being. Advertisement No more. According to Politico: Advertisement Blue state lawmakers have had it with ICE. State legislatures across the country are accelerating efforts to shape immigration enforcement policy after the deadly shooting of a Minnesota woman by a federal agent, raising tensions between local leaders and the Trump administration. From California to New York and Illinois to New Jersey, theyre pushing a range of bills aimed at limiting enforcement and protecting people targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while turning up the rhetoric with comparisons to the Gestapo. Barack Obama had something else to say in that July 2010 speech, and none of the words were Gestapo. Below he was talking about Arizonas SB1070 specifically: And as other states and localities go their own ways, we face the prospect that different rules for immigration will apply in different parts of the country -- a patchwork of local immigration rules where we all know one clear national standard is needed. We cant have a patchwork, indeed. Federal law is supreme. Glad to see somebody knew it, even if it was over fifteen years ago, and Arizona was just desperately trying to do the federal governments job that they simply would not do. Here today, however, the states are trying to abrogate the governments job, and that simply wont do. So these new laws, whatever they turn out to be, will no doubt meet the same fate SB1070 did: gutted. Leave it to Democrats, the party of secession, slavery, and insurrection, to try, finally, to put pen to paper and memorialize their vile human trafficking for all to see. One might call it a bit more courageous of them to try to legislate rather than proclaim but courage implies nobility. Theres nothing noble in this. Its brazen, not courageous. Its foul and cynical. Its anti-constitutional. As usual. We will watch it wind its way through court after court, and we will be outraged at the liberal judges when they pencil-whip it through but then we will be relieved when the conservative judges and justices dispense with it. SCOTUS may be many things, but one thing theyre pretty reliable on is the Supremacy Clause. Immigration belongs to the Feds. Sorry, modern-day-slavers. You didnt get your slaves in 1865 and you aint gettin em now. Maybe go back and listen to some of The Ones speeches from 2010. Back when you guys could be reasoned with sort of. Image: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Like all good magicians, Trump never reveals exactly how a trick works. Trump, the most underrated President in American history, appears oafish, prideful, unrefined, a bit of a bully, even a mercenary at times. And thats what some of his supporters say! To say that Mr. Trump regularly catches almost everyone off guard would be an understatement. Advertisement Trumps recent actions should prompt everyone to reassess any preconceived notions they may have about him and his plans, not only for the United States but for the world. Todays essay argues that the Trump administration views the world as interconnected and that it is wholly consistent to pursue an America First policy while being forcefully involved in selected hotspots worldwide, while picking our fights, resulting in minimal loss of blood and treasure. Advertisement Image created using AI. Mr. Trumps strategy, not articulated to the general public but becoming increasingly clear to informed observers, is a resetting of the world order in Americas favor, done in such a way that our adversaries wont have the means to challenge us. We see the pieces coming together in the Presidents strategy in: Advertisement 1. Greenland or, more generally, the Arctic. Strategic signaling that the U.S. is in an all-domain conflict with China and Russia, and wont cede the theater to Russia, which dominates it today. Greenlands mineral wealth is a huge plus. 2. Venezuela, specifically, and the Western Hemisphere as a whole, are becoming increasingly off-limits to the usual actors that have sought to diminish our power and prestige in our own backyard. Advertisement 3. Iran, where historic moments dont come along every day. If the Mullahs lose their power, the dynamics in the Middle East and the world will change for at least a generation as the threat level recedes, allowing us to focus attention elsewhere. 4. Russia/Ukraine, where great-power dynamics create significant inconsistencies. Exactly as Russia tries to dominate Ukraine, its fortunes, both internal and external, are being drained like a depleted battery. If Europe and the United States continue to foil Putins plans, Russia, too, will be in play, as we see with Iran now. Russias on the clock! Advertisement 5. Sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa, and the Sahel, which Trump understands requires suppression of terrorism, denial of our enemies training areas, and pushback against Chinas quest to become a world superpower. And always increased access to more energy, which reduces ordinary Americans cost of living. 6. Israel, which is the only Democratic power in the region and now undisputably Americas proxy sword. Israels technology can be counted on to help the U.S. defend itself in its quest to reset the table through technological and economic superiority. Israel is becoming Americas essential partner, much like Europe used to be. Advertisement 7. Canada and Mexicoin a nod to WWII Japans Greater East Asia Co-prosperity Spheresee a Trump doctrine that seeks to dominate our nearest neighbors into becoming essential partners in Americas success and, by doing so, ensure the safety, protection, and economic stability of our neighbors. 8. Taiwan, as with Ukraine, places China on defense. Just as we have seen the once vaunted Russian conventional forces as hollow, China is even weaker in proven tactical doctrine, combined arms execution, maneuver warfare, and command and control, to name just a few deficiencies or unknowns. Taking Taiwan is not a certainty, and failure would be fatal to the ever-cautious leaders in Beijing. 9. Europe, where Trump has finally accomplished the turnaround he demanded in his first administration. Europe is on the path to defending itself and to reestablishing itself as a reliable partner to the U.S. in defending Western interests. Less certain (but early signs show some promise) is whether it will be able to expunge its Woke and DEI elements that encouraged Muslim immigration and are seeing the consequences as highly fertile Muslims begin to dominate Europe while holding on to the traditions and tendencies of the countries they emigrated from. 10.Fraud, which is not a geographic region but a problem that Trump has identified as the equivalent of a metastasizing cancer in our country, keeps millions from accepting work they deem beneath them, and encourages a system of lawlessness and sloth. Systematic fraud is a signal that our system has broken down. Trump plans to eliminate it and thereby return pride, thrift, family, and accomplishment to ordinary Americans. The Trump doctrine (Trumpism) revisits the domino theory. For Trump, everything, domestically and internationally, is a form of connective tissue. From raging AWFULs to abysmally low reading and writing scores to millions of people dropping out of the workforce, living off the dole, or even worse, slaves to untreated mental illnesses or drugs. America cant be productive with the drag of a society unfocused on what it takes to be successful and on Americas necessary place in the world. This is the Trump strategy. God Bless America! Author, Businessman, Thinker, and Strategist. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com. In the immediate aftermath of the U.S. operation that led to Nicolas Maduros capture, much of Washington made a familiar assumption: that Donald Trump would now formally embrace the Venezuelan opposition and usher in a U.S.-backed political transition. Advertisement Within policy circles, think tanks, and cable news studios, expectations hardened quickly. The usual people anticipated recognition ceremonies, opposition figures positioned themselves for legitimacy, and commentators spoke confidently about a handoff phase, as if regime change naturally culminates in international endorsement and applause. That assumption reflected Washingtons worldview, not Trumps. Advertisement Image created using AI. Trump has never equated removing an adversary with an automatic claim to ownership of what follows. For him, Maduros capture was not an invitation to adopt a new client regime and begin nation-building. It was the conclusion of a discrete operation. Advertisement This is where the foreign-policy establishment repeatedly miscalculates Trump. The establishments members assume that every use of force must be followed by political sponsorship. Trump rejects that logic. He understands that once the United States publicly embraces an opposition leader or party in a country, it also assumes responsibility for subsequent governance failures, internal fractures, security breakdowns, and economic collapse. That is precisely the trap Washington walked into in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Syria, and precisely the trap Trump is determined to avoid. Advertisement The Venezuela oppositions expectation that the U.S. would automatically hand it was not grounded in leverage on the ground, institutional control, or military authority. It was grounded in habit: the long-standing belief that Washington always finishes what it starts. Trump has made clear that this era is over. Trump was also explicit in distancing himself from the Venezuelan opposition and from Maria Corina Machado personally. When asked directly about her leadership prospects following Maduros removal, Trump did not equivocate. I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader, he told reporters. She doesnt have the support within or the respect within the country. Shes a very nice woman, but she doesnt have the respect. He also noted that he had not been in contact with her, underscoring that she was not his channel, interlocutor, or preferred vehicle for what came next. Advertisement Rather than elevating opposition figures whose influence derived largely from international recognition, Trump framed the U.S. approach around stability, continuity, and institutional control. In that context, he signaled a willingness to engage with existing state actors, including Maduros vice president, Delcy Rodriguez. Trump made it clear that he wasnt endorsing the old regime. Instead, this was a practical acknowledgment of who retained authority inside the country. The message was unmistakable: Washington would not install leaders by acclaim, nor would it outsource governance to figures it neither selected nor trusted. Advertisement By any measure, Venezuelas crisis is tragic. Economic collapse, political repression, and mass migration have hollowed out a once-prosperous country. But tragedy does not excuse illusion, and it certainly does not justify dragging the United States into yet another regime-change fantasy wrapped in moral theater, which is precisely the terrain Machado would occupy. By publicly dedicating a Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, she was not merely offering praise; she was applying pressure. The message was subtle but clear: you are now morally invested and therefore obligated to act. History shows where this road leads, and Trump has no reason to walk it. That pressure campaign soon went public. On January 5, Machado took her case directly to American television, appearing on Hannity with Sean Hannity, where she explicitly invoked her earlier statement dedicating the Nobel Prize to Trump. If she believed Trump deserved the prize in October, she told viewers, Imagine now. The remark was deliberate: an attempt to convert symbolic praise into political obligation. By raising the dedication again on U.S. prime-time television, Machado made clear the prize was never just recognition. It was leverage. The expectation was that Trump, having been publicly celebrated, would now be compelled to embrace the opposition and assume responsibility for what follows. Trump has shown no interest in accepting that premise. Machados strategy is not new. Opposition movements that lack decisive control often turn outward, seeking legitimacy not from institutions or popular sovereignty but from international validation. Awards, speeches, and symbolic gestures become substitutes for real power. Washington has seen this pattern repeatedly. Each time, the promise is the same: back us, recognize us, push harder, and democracy will follow. Each time, the result is instability, prolonged conflict, and American entanglement. Trump understands what many in the foreign-policy establishment still refuse to admit, namely, recognition is not governance, and moral enthusiasm is not a transition plan. Trump is not chasing Nobel ceremonies or legacy headlines. He governs by asking unfashionable but essential questions about control, cohesion, and consequence. Who controls the military? Who controls the streets? Who governs the day after the cameras leave? These are the questions ignored in Iraq and Afghanistan under George W. Bush, and in Libya and Syria under Barack Obama, where symbolism and intention were treated as substitutes for authority and cohesion, all with predictably disastrous results. Venezuela fits the same danger profile: a fragmented opposition, entrenched security structures, and no credible path to stability without massive external involvement. Trump is refusing to wade into that morass. Machado has described January 3 as a historic turning point, the day justice defeated tyranny. It is stirring language, but it does not reflect reality on the ground. Power in Venezuela is not transferred by declarations, nor dissolved by international praise. Calling something a milestone does not make it one, dedicating a prize does not move battalions, and invoking human dignity does not magically create legitimacy. What it does create is a narrative designed to compel Washington to escalate. Trump has seen this movie before, and he walked out. Trumps critics often accuse him of being transactional. In practice, that instinct has acted as a brake on Americas worst impulses. He does not confuse moral signaling with strategy, and he does not believe the United States must prove its virtue by dismantling other states. That restraint is not indifference but experience. Trump knows regime change is easy to demand and impossible to control. He knows noble language does not prevent bloodshed, and he knows that once the United States crosses the line from pressure to ownership, there is no clean exit. Machado is free to keep the Nobel Peace Prize, dedicate it, celebrate it, and speak in grand historical terms. That is her right. But Trump is under no obligation to play along. He is not repeating Bushs wars, he is not reenacting Obamas interventions, and he is not allowing symbolism to dictate American policy. If Venezuela is to change, it will not be because Washington was flattered into action. It will be because Venezuelans themselves altered the balance of power inside their own country. Until then, the message from Trump is simple and unmistakable: no bait, no reruns, no illusions. Trumps property developer persona must salivate at getting the hugest property deal ever. The mini-continent of Greenland is likely worth many trillions of dollars in natural resources and development potential. Advertisement Cagey negotiator Trump speaks of buying Greenland from Denmark for a few billion dollars, a typical, low-ball opening bid. Trump knows the USA is by far the best custodian for Greenland. And, its acquisition would address our serious security concerns about Russian and Chinese aggression in the Arctic. The European Union and NATO want to leverage Denmarks current colonial ownership of Greenland into a European asset. We can evaluate a Greenland acquisition on two criteria: Advertisement What arrangement will provide Greenland, and the USA, with the best protection from predator nations? What arrangement will give Greenlanders the best economic rewards and political arrangement? Advertisement Disappointingly for Greenlanders, their desire to be an independent nation of 58,000 people on a very large, very rich, piece of real estate will not happen. Greenland is coveted by powerful neighbors who want to control Greenland. The best Greenlanders can hope for is a good deal that protects their culture, provides good government, and gives them a really, really good share of the potential wealth. On this basis, the USA is by far the best protector for their future. Advertisement Fortunately, Greenlanders are already steeped in Western culture. Indigenous livelihoods and practices continue, but, about 85% of them are Protestant Lutherans, according to their churchs leader. They arent primitive Eskimos living off fishing. And, Denmark, the islands current overlord, has a sorry history with indigenous Greenlanders. From the BBC just six months ago: Advertisement During the 1960s and 70s thousands of Inuit women and girls as young as 12 were fitted with contraceptive devices, as part of a birth-control programme administered by Danish doctors. [snip] Advertisement Records from the national archives showed that, between 1966 and 1970, 4,500 women and girls, some as young as 13, had an IUD implanted. Of these, it is unclear how many cases lacked consent. However, dozens of women have come forward sharing traumatic personal accounts and some were left sterile. Given that Denmarks stewardship of Greenland is blighted by racist cruelty, Greenlanders are likely to reject continued control by Denmark. Greenlanders choice boils down to Europe or the USA. Denmark is much too small to go it alone, though they may get a prominent role and rewarding arrangement with Europe or the USA. Europe should be eliminated from consideration on their sorry performance in self defense. They were nagged in Trumps first term to raise their defense spending to the 2% of GDP level NATO agreed upon. Most NATO nations were still below this level two years after Russia invaded Ukraine. Greenlanders would be fools to rely upon defense from nations that displayed dithering weakness to a direct Russian military threat. The USA is by far a better defense ally, especially when defending Greenland is a vital security issue for the USA. Europe will actually gain from the USA defending Greenland. The USA is in the process of reducing their defense commitments in Europe, insisting that Europe can well afford to pay for their own defense, having a seven times greater GDP than Russia. If the USA is defending Greenland, Europes large Western and Arctic flanks are protected, which will essentially shift existing USA NATO defense expenditures and equipment. Europe should also be eliminated from consideration on economic grounds. The following comparison is equivalent, though based on different calculation methods. The EUs share of global GDP is down 48.4% since 1980. In 1980, the EU contributed 27.5% of the global GDP. In 2024, that number was down to 14.2%. Meanwhile, the U.S.s contribution to the global GDP is number one. The European Union is clearly less capable at economic management than the USA. The USA is the nation with the most investment money, the most vibrant entrepreneurial energy, and the ability to create the most profitable array of development projects. If nothing else, developing new military and scientific facilities would pump cash into Greenlands economy. So, hats off to Trump for developer vision and initiative. This kind of negotiation is exactly where his skills are maximized. If anyone can find a way to make a deal that enhances our national security, and creates an economic boom with the worlds biggest property development deal ever, hes the guy. USA stewardship of Greenland is a big step toward making America great again. MAGAns should support Trumps vision and ignore piddling criticisms. Image generated by ChatGPT. Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US has ramped up diplomatic efforts to end the suffering of the people of Sudan and the devastating war, which clocked 1,000 days last week, with meetings with senior officials in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh While the spotlight is focused on the brouhaha between Denmark and the United States over the American president's desire to "have" the ownership of Greenland, it might be worthwhile to remember that Western imperialism which led to Western colonialism started in Europe and has continued unabated throughout the centuries. Advertisement There are, at present, six European countries that have a vast number of "territories" or "possessions" that rest, comfortably, under the media's radar. The last time I remember anything significant happening that drove one possession out into the light of day was when the Argentinians decided they were going to "take back" the Falkland Islands (the Malvinas in Argentinian reference) from the U.K. This was in April of 1982. We remember how that escalated into a war and finally reverted back to British ownership. Advertisement Since the end of the Second World War the "six" have had problems with their territories/possessions. France had trouble with Algeria and New Caledonia; the U.K. with Gibraltar; the Netherlands with Suriname and Indonesia; Spain in the Western Sahara; Portugal with Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau, and now Denmark with its possession, Greenland. It's challenging to be a former imperial, monarchial or colonial power, and some of the six have handled their conflicts better than others. Then we have that old boys club called the British "commonwealth" that today includes 56 members of the former British Empire that share a history, a language, legal traditions and values. The commonwealth, they say, is focused on cooperation, not control, something like the modern EU except for the control part. Advertisement In a way, the EU is the stepchild of old-fashioned colonialism and imperialism. Some call it an "insurance policy" that protects the 27 members from the specter of competitiveness from those countries outside the EU. The same can be said about other international organizations such as NATO and the United Nations. NATO members are wringing their hands, worried that the United States (which also has possessions such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Marianna Islands) wants another Western Hemisphere country to add to its own "commonwealth." That island country is, of course, Greenland, three times larger than Texas and with a population the size of Grapevine, Texas. Advertisement It has been a while since the U.S. actually wrote anyone a check for a piece of land. The last time was when the U.S. bought those lovely three Danish West Indies islands for $25 million in 1917. Before that, in 1867, the U.S. ponied up a cool $7.2 million to buy Alaska from the Russians. At the time, this purchase was called "Seward's Folly" after then-Secretary of State, William H. Seward. Ninety-two years later, Alaska became a state. Little did we know in 1867 or in 1959 that Prudhoe Bay in Alaska was North America's largest oil reserve. Certainly the Russians didn't know, either, but that brings up the point of Russian ownership of Alaska. Advertisement Russia was considered the "owner" because it was the first European power to explore and colonize it; it was able to exploit its fur wealth and later, was unable and unwilling to defend it. That's the story of many colonial powers and their possessions. They profited from them for awhile then ignored them for far too long. They then were faced with the consequences of local populations willing to revolt against their colonial masters. In the case of Alaska, the sale ended up reshaping North American geopolitics. Advertisement The Greenlandic people have lived isolated Arctic lives, distant from the modern world, and in that respect, they have probably been able to keep their culture together much better than the possessions of the "six." Many Greenlanders believe, however, that their Danish masters have not lived up to their responsibilities over the last century or so. Denmark has done much to help the Greenlanders with their social needs by providing them with a "block grant" of money each year. That comes to about DKK 4.3 billion or $620 million. It accounts for about half of Greenlands public budget and equals roughly 20% to 25% of Greenlands GDP. Greenland can use the funds freely. Denmark does not earmark or control spending. Despite the paycheck, many Greenlanders have been complaining that Denmark has not succeeded in being the best big brother it could be. This is one reason for the pro-independence movement's growth in Greenland (the political party Naleraq represents that movement). Naleraq captured just shy of 25% of the entire Greenland vote in the last election. This movement is one reason that the Trump administration sees a possible chink in the Danish armor, that being the perception that things aren't going the way they're supposed to in Greenland. I have no doubt that the U.S. administration will do everything it can to support the pro-independence movement, stopping short of interfering in its (Greenland's) internal domestic affairs. A full-court press of commercialism and cultural exchange will probably be the strategy for changing the Greenlanders' current negative view of the U.S. towards the more positive. In order to achieve such an objective, it will take time and money, and it's anybody's guess if the Trump administration is going to focus its efforts during a midterm election year on Greenland when the state of the American economy cries out for attention. Ironically, the state of the American economy and the midterm election could be the two most important things that can keep the American "wolf" from the Greenland/Danish door; that, and Americans' view that the U.S. should not become something it fought a revolutionary war to avoid that of colonial master. Stephen Helgesen is a retired American diplomat specializing in international trade. He has lived and worked in 30 countries over the course of 25 years under the Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush administrations. He is the author of fourteen books, seven of them on American politics, and has written more than 1,500 articles on politics, economics, and social trends. He now lives in Denmark and is a frequent political commentator in Danish media. He can be reached at: [email protected] Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License As the investigation into Somali child daycare fraud in Minnesota continues, concerns have been raised about fraud in other Somali communities. Washington state, home to one of the larger Somali communities in the U.S., is seeing its Somali child daycare providers come under greater scrutiny. Advertisement Washington state GOP chairman, Jim Walsh, sees as an encouraging sign citizen journalists sifting through publicly available child daycare records finding anomalies. They have discovered cases in which Somali child daycare providers have received payments 510 times greater than what they are entitled to receive based on the number of children they have registered. Apparently, the Washington state Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) will record payments, but wont check whether those payments exceed the limit. (Its like that Seinfeld gag where Jerry says, Anyone can take the reservation. The important part is to hold the reservation.) However, it all makes sense when you see that Washingtons governor, Bob Ferguson, responded to allegations leveled at the Somali community by insisting that we all recognize that diversity is our strength. (That might be true if the U.S. were planning to launch a pirate fleet in the Red Sea.) Advertisement Adding to the Diversity is our Strength chorus is newly elected Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson who says she has no plans to investigate allegations of local daycare fraud. In a post on X, Wilson wrote, I stand with the Somali childcare providers who have experienced targeted harassment, and condemn the surveillance campaign promoted by extremist influencers. If you believe yourself to be the victim of a hate crime, please call this hotline: https://t.co/Xu6ifPuf3C pic.twitter.com/oXwrIkAAPh Advertisement January 1, 2026 The Somali community can continue their communal scam with the active support of Seattles new mayor. She is the female version of Minneapolis Mayor Frey, and is probably brushing up on her Somali to outshine him at her next Somali fundraiser. Advertisement Just remember all this next time the State Department, with the help of Democrats, wants to drop-kick huddled masses into a neighborhood near you. Advertisement Image generated by ChatGPT. Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page have taken steps to reduce their ties to California ahead of a proposed one-time 5% wealth tax on fortunes exceeding $1 billion. Brin converted an LLC out of California to Nevada, while Page has been relocating business entities to other states. At least six other billionaire families have either left or are considering exiting the state ahead of the ballot measure. Up to 20 more could follow. Advertisement The proposal, backed by labor unions, aims to raise roughly $100 billion for healthcare, education and food programs by taxing about 200 California billionaires. It would apply retroactively to anyone who was a resident as of January 1, 2026. To the Left, a wealth tax on the ultra-rich seems like an obvious way to fund public programs. Problem is, the super wealthy are no different than the rest of us: They want to keep as much of their money as they can, and they have the means to do it. Advertisement Leftist taxers need to read more than Marx. They poo-poo Reaganomics and one of its chief architects, Art Laffer. His famous Laffer Curve showed that beyond a certain point, higher tax rates actually reduce government revenue by discouraging work, investment, and risk-taking: At a 0% tax rate, government collects no revenue. At a 100% tax rate, there is no incentive to earn or report income, so government also collects no revenue. Somewhere between these extremes lies an optimal tax rate that maximizes revenue. Above that point, higher taxes reduce economic activity and tax revenue. Why does this matter for a billionaire tax? Advertisement Because ultra-wealthy people have every incentive to move or adjust their finances so those assets arent taxed where the revenue was expected to come from. And don't expect super-rich liberals to stay and pay the tax because they believe in the cause. A few might, but most liberals like money as much as the next guy. In the case of Californias proposed wealth tax, that means less income tax, less consumption, less investment, and fewer jobs. All of these generate tax revenue. Advertisement Empirical studies of the Laffer curve show that failing to account for the responses of the ultra-wealthy can drastically overestimate tax revenues: Economic research on income taxation shows that behavioral responses, such as income shifting and avoidance, can cut the expected revenue gain from higher rates nearly in half compared with static projections that ignore behavior.pol At the national level, estimates of revenue-maximizing tax rates for OECD countries suggest that many current tax rates are already close to or above the peak of the Laffer curve for certain categories. Taxes that ignore incentives, especially for the highly mobile wealthy, risk underperforming relative to expectations. And they can reduce overall tax revenue by shrinking the economic base upon which taxes are levied. On a recent episode of The View, co-host Whoopi Goldberg wondered why the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has not intervened to save America from Donald Trump, the duly elected president of the United States. Advertisement Goldberg said, Let me just say this, heres my question! Where is everybody?! Where is everybody else?! We come to everybodys aid. She added of the alleged Trump menace, We help everybody. NATO, they came and helped us after 9/11. Where is everybody? Coming further unglued, she bellowed: Where is the government?! Do you realize we dont have a government? And she then opined that this should be our biggest b**** right now. Advertisement We dont have a government? Thats not true! Advertisement Werent you guys just super upset at Trumps election, so much so that many of you went around with childish signs proclaiming, NO KINGS? We might rightfully note that we have an abundance of b**** at the moment, such as Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, Jasmine Crockett, an astounding number of relatively affluent white women, and Goldberg herself, but one of them isnt that we have too small a government. Advertisement She was right about one thing: the United States does help everybody. NATO? We prevented Europe from being the Kaisers b*** with our entry into World War I and from becoming Hitlers b**** with our entry into World War II. There are thousands upon thousands of crosses gracing cemeteries in France and elsewhere bearing the names of American soldiers that attest to that fact. What was Whoopi implying? That Denmark or Turkey should have a crack at capturing Trump and putting him on trial? Or that, say, Albania, Portugal, or Canada should attack the U.S. and rid it of its duly elected leader? Would such an action be an attempt at freeing the likes of the ultra-wealthy Whoopi Goldberg, or an act of pathetic virtue-signaling the desire to go back to the bad Old World Order, where the planet was run by the likes of Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Pol Pot? The aforementioned ruthless dictators deliberately slaughtered hundreds of millions of innocent people, whereas Bad Orange Man hasnt been responsible for deliberately killing a single innocent soul. (Unlike, say, Hillary Clinton.) Advertisement Where is everybody else, meaning all other nations? Buehler? Buehler? Anyone? Ill tell you where they are: dealing with their own problems. Most of which, at least in Western European nations, stem from an utterly unsustainable influx of immigrants with views antithetical to the majority of those in the nations they have chosen to invade. The U.S. defeated Britain twice and then subsequently saved it -- and Europe twice. Three times, so far, if you count the Cold War that Reagan won without firing a shot. And many Europeans mocked him. Advertisement The United States doesnt need the other NATO countries to come to its aid -- or to attack it. They are simply incapable of effectively doing the latter. And not much better at doing the former. No, we will keep dealing with murderous fanatical dictators while Europe continues its long, mythical dream. We will continue trying to show it how to save itself, even as it keeps importing ever more Muslims. Many European leaders take every opportunity to attack President Trump in specific and the U.S. in general. I would caution them that they are engaged in the most existential war they have ever faced even if most of them dont yet know it. It would behoove them to remember that when the U.S. conquered Germany and Japan, we gave those countries back to their citizens within a few years, after spending billions of dollars to help them become viable again. Today we have captured Venezuela's dictator, Nicolas Maduro, a murderous narco-terrorist thug, and are attempting to aid the people in Mexico, Cuba, and Iran, by helping to bring them out from under the thumb of cartel, Marxist, and mullah tyranny and into the broad, sunlit uplands of a free and prosperous society. We are also trying to prevent the Russians and Chinese from having a death grip on vital Arctic sea lanes and resources. So, do you really want to possibly take up arms against us, as Whoopi suggested may be the case? I hope not, for your sake and ours. We have to deal with the likes of Ilhan Omar, AOC, Adam Schiff and Whoopi Goldberg. And you have to quickly recognize the existential danger that threatens your existence today. Or else, soon will come a day in which America will have to fend off Marxism, wokeism, communism, radical Islam, and insane suicidal empathy at the same time. And decide whether or not to expend precious American treasure to save Europe for the fourth time. Image: NARA and DVIDS public domain archive // public domain I swear Im not making this up, and it aint AI either. Theyre not sophisticated enough to come up with something like this yet. Take a look at the video and tell me what you think. Advertisement Portland police chief Bob Day began weeping while reporting on the two Tren de Aragua members shot by ICE agents on Thursday. First, he made it clear to the assembled media that they were fine, in stable condition, and expected to recover. (A sigh of relief sweeps across Oregon). Im grateful for that, he adds. Then he reluctantly -- very reluctantly admits that they were both TdA members (or rather some nexus or involvement with TdA), while explaining that the Portland PD has a policy of not reporting on arrestees gang affiliations. Why? Well, he did offer an explanation kind of but it was not at all clear: Im very aware of the historic injustice of victim-blaming, oftentimes portrayed by law enforcement, including this very agency So gangbangers are victims to da chief. Interesting. Advertisement Then he goes into an apology to the Latino community. He doesnt call it an apology, but thats what it is: It saddens me that we even have to qualify these remarks, because I understand, at least tried to understand through your voices, your concern, your fear, your anger. This information is in no way meant to disparage, to condone, to support, or agree with the actions that occurred yesterday. While hes saying this, he takes long pauses, he swallows, he whimpers slightly. His voice breaks (on saddens to be precise). At last, he removes his glasses and wipes his eyes, taking his time as he does it. Advertisement At no point does he give any indication at all what, exactly, hes crying about. The wounded gangsters? The travails of the Latino community? (Most of whom would jump out of a five-story window rather than come face-to-face with a TdA member.) All that we know is that Bob is sad. Very sad. As sad as a police chief has ever been. One other thing we know is that theres not a trace of sympathy for the ICE officers confronted with death in taking down these thugs. In fact, if Im reading that apology correctly, hes disassociating himself and the department from ICE -- and the enforcement of the law -- completely, in favor of a pair of murderous illegal thugs. (And no, I don't think he knows what "disparage" means, either.) Advertisement Most of us crossed Portland and everything connected to it off every list there is long ago. Theres no reason to reconsider that decision as far as I can see. Advertisement Image: Bike Portland Nicholas Kristoff has been writing for the NY Times since 1984. In that time, hes done one very good and decent thing: Hes helped bring attention to the horror of obstetric fistulas in the Third World. Other than that, hes a classic elite leftist, which means he has a good academic record and really no moral compass to speak of. Whats important to understand, though, even as we can and will ridicule him, is that he is not alone, and that while hes merely foolish, the fever swamps he inspires are getting really scary. Advertisement Despite (or maybe because of) his Harvard degree, Rhodes Scholarship, and two Pulitzer Prizes, Kristoff is struggling with the whole concept of analogies. Advertisement Image created using AI. For example, in Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989, during violent protests that saw the communist government kill as many as 10,000 Chinese citizens, an iconic photograph emerged: a lone man, armed only with a briefcase, stood in front of a long line of tanks with their guns aimed squarely at the crowd. He was never seen again. Advertisement Fast forward to January 7, 2026: A small group of ICE agents is legally detaining illegal aliens who committed truly horrible crimes, things such as child rape, murder, sexual assault, etc. A group of activists is interfering with them, which is a felony. (See, e.g., here and here.) One woman, when asked to get out of her car, not only refuses to do so, but aims her car directly at an officer, turning the car into a potentially lethal weapon. Then she accelerates, hitting him, at which point he shoots. So, scene 1: A lone man faces down a totalitarian governments tanks. Scene 2: A woman, while engaged in a felony, charges a law enforcement officer with her car. Advertisement What could be more natural under those circumstances than for Kristoff to say that the woman in Scene 2 is exactly the same as the man in Scene 1? As someone who covered Tiananmen in 1989, it pains me to feel the need to retweet this about the US. https://t.co/MIaoLdN7Jd Advertisement January 11, 2026 People with more advanced intellectual abilities than Kristoff were quick to point out the problem: To compare what happened to Renee Good to Tiananmen Square or to Charlie Kirk's murder is to hate America. You may not know it, but if you can formulate that comparison in your mind and not immediately dismiss it as beneath contempt, you hate America and you hate its citizens. https://t.co/FJukA0Y9Us Batya Ungar-Sargon (@bungarsargon) January 11, 2026 The ICE officer is the one who got run over, and the stupid commie lesbian is the one driving the vehicle, you dummy. Analogies: how do they work? https://t.co/bPF6jMmOkP Advertisement January 11, 2026 It was the sociopathic, lesbian, Krazy-Eyed Kommie Karen who was trying to run over the peaceable ICE agent attempting to prevent her from committing further crimes, you blithering leftist journotard idiot. https://t.co/xEEahGhIas Cynical Publius (@CynicalPublius) January 11, 2026 People with more advanced intellectual abilities than Kristoff were quick to point out the problem: So, Kristoff is a dodo. What else is new? Whats new is the intelligence- and morality-free passion from the masses, the ones who take the elites idiocy and twist it into on-the-ground violence. Theyre incapable of seeing how perverse Kristoffs analogy is. Instead, they translate it into ICE is the ultimate evil and must be destroyed. And thats how you get something like this, voiced by a man with a long criminal record: "We need to show up with guns to finish you guys off, time for armed resistance against America" Find this man and arrest him pic.twitter.com/G5M11QLNkc End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) January 11, 2026 Weve been tracking Ryan Maher for days We already know where he is and his extensive record @CMDROpAtLargeCA Cc @SafetyNotorious pic.twitter.com/6kAjZcSAPu 0HOUR1 (@0hour1) January 11, 2026 Its easy to say, But thats just one guy. Except it isnt. Its also coming from weepy former Capitol Police Officer Michael Fanone, who seems to be saying that its time to use the Second Amendment against (that is, shoot) ICE officers who violate leftist standards (which, as we know, have nothing to do with actual legal standards): J6 cop Michael Fanone says to shoot ICE agents "Its time for the American people to organize and utilize their 2nd Amendment right to protect themselves from what has clearly become an unaccountable and lawless agency thats killing Americans pic.twitter.com/Vht3RdqWkV Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) January 9, 2026 Its easy to say, But thats just one guy. Except it isnt. Its also coming from weepy former Capitol Police Officer Michael Fanone, who seems to be saying that its time to use the Second Amendment against (that is, shoot) ICE officers who violate leftist standards (which, as we know, have nothing to do with actual legal standards): (By the way, does this kind of talk make you doubt his probity in his testimony before the January 6 Committee?) Obviously, Yellow Hoodie guy is engaged in incitement, while Fanone is skating near it. But what I want to talk about is the fact that this is civil war talk that perfectly aligns with what Southern Democrats were saying in 1861: The federal government had become so irredeemably evil that the only defense is to take up arms. By 1865, 600,000 Americans were dead. Then, as now, the Democrats were morally wrong. In the case of the Confederacy, Democrats convinced themselves that the federal government was evil because it wanted to end the moral abomination of chattel slavery. Now, Democrats argue that the federal government is utterly evil because its ending two moral abominations: (1) allowing the worst kind of illegal aliens to roam free and (2) promoting Americas annihilation through the erasure of its borders. Fools at the top breed gun-toting nuts at the bottom. Trumps government needs to nip this in the bud very hard and fast before Fort Sumter Part II. It's good news to hear that President Trump will be meeting with Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado this week, the clear winner along with Edmundo Gonzalez, of Venezuela's last stolen election in 2024. Advertisement It may signal a welcome change of course. Shortly after the raid to extract Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro for drug dealing, Trump dismissed Machado as weak and not having the 'respect' of the people, which, directed against someone who was able to prove she won 70% of the vote, was hard to hear. He said the Chavista vice president, Delcy Rodriguez would be more effective running the country, and by some analyses, including mine, there seemed to be a kernel of truth in the idea. Delcy, after all, would be more likely to be able to issue orders to the Chavista military, and control the odious interior minister, who controlled the motorcyle goons, Diosdado Cabello, She was tough, she ran the torture chambers and secret police, and would probably be appropriately ruthless as would likely be necessary. Advertisement No one could picture Maria Corina sending out the motorcycle goons or ordering the army to quit dealing drugs. But the passage of a week seems to require a little revising. Advertisement Delcy doesn't seem as tough as advertised, actually. She was subject to a first-strike coup of drones at the palace, which she was able to get rid of. But she hasn't accomplished much on freeing political prisoners. It would seem logical that if she ordered them released, the other Chavistas would jump to the job. Advertisement But actually, only a few have been let out, somewhere between nine and 14, and under bad conditions, requiring them to be silent. There are 900 to go. The release has been very muted despite President Trump making his issued orders very clear -- empty the political prisons and get rid of the Helicoides torture center in Caracas. The Washington Post has one explanation as to why this seems to be happening: Advertisement Inside the prison, [former political prisoner Victor] Navarro said, political prisoners often ask each other a chilling question: Who is your jailer? the powerful figure believed to have ordered their detention. It is widely believed among political prisoners that different factions within the government maintain their own lists. Everyone has their prisoner. Nicolas Maduro has some. Cilia Flores has some. Delcy Rodriguez has hers, Navarro said. And that weighs heavily, because these are political decisions that lead to people being detained based on the interests of each of the repressive actors. Advertisement The U.N. Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela concluded that orders for torture and abuse frequently came from the highest levels of government naming Maduro and his inner circle as the main architects of a system designed to silence, discourage and quash dissent. So a lot of these powerful thugs are thumbing their noses at Trump's demand to Delcy that she free the political prisoners. They aren't doing it. That puts the heat on Delcy because Trump demands results. One big problem is that Cabello remains in hiding; no one, including Delcy, seems to know where he is. But he is commanding his goons to thug around Caracas and terrorize the Venezuelans. That suggests a loss of control, too. There are rumors that the other problematic Chavista, generalissimo Vladimir Padrino, has been poisoned, which rather gives another indicator of the toxic atmosphere Delcy is operating from, Chavista savages trying to kill each other. Again, no control. A third bad indicator is that she's hired economists from the buffoon-leftist government of Rafael Correa's Ecuador (think about that: Ecuador) to fix Venezuela's economy. Good luck with that one. So to say she'd be better than Maria Corina is probably worth a second look. Machado does indeed have the support of the people and a reputation for honest dealings and good free market economics. That may be useful sooner than supposed. Machado, according to my Venezuelan sources, was blackballed by Venezuelan businessmen upset about her support for Trump's sanctions on Venezuelan business. Some of them reportedly caught special envoy Richard Grenell's ear, and he may have been the one who soured Trump on her. If so, it was a bad call. Now that they're seeing what Delcy's governage is like, they may be retreading their position. If they do, that's a good sign that Venezuela might really recover from its long socialist nightmare. Image: Screenshot from X video Democrat-run states are quietly moving toward the routine monitoring of how far Americans drive, to tax them for every mile they travel. As the Washington Times recently reported, the explicit goal is not merely to fund roads, but to reduce car use itself through financial pressure. Advertisement This system, called a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) tax, would replace or supplement gas taxes by charging drivers for each mile they drive, tracked through odometer checks, plug-in devices or GPS. States including Oregon, Utah, Virginia, Hawaii, Washington and Illinois are already piloting or drafting versions of it, as gas-tax revenue declines due to electric vehicles and fuel-efficient cars, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Supporters claim the system is fairer because everyone pays based on usage. But that hides a deeper contradiction: VMT taxes are being sold as both a revenue solution and a behavior-change tool. You can't have both. Advertisement Economists have long recognized the problem with so-called sin taxes. If a tax successfully discourages the targeted behavior, the tax base shrinks. This problem is especially severe for mileage taxes. If drivers truly reduce travel, then revenue collapses. If revenue remains strong, then driving has not meaningfully changed. A Congressional Research Service analysis of mileage-based road charges makes this clear: administrative costs alone could consume 5% to 13% of collections, even before behavior changes. In other words, the more the tax succeeds as social engineering, the more it fails as a funding system. Advertisement And the social-engineering side doesnt even work very well. Transportation research consistently shows that modest changes in driving costs barely affect behavior, especially outside dense urban cores where alternatives exist. Most Americans drive because they have to, for work, school, groceries, church and medical care. A per-mile fee does not eliminate those needs; it merely raises the cost of meeting them. Even policies far more dramatic than a mileage tax, such as making public transit free, have produced only modest shifts away from car use. A recent natural-experiment study found that eliminating bus fares reduced transportation emissions by only about 5% to 9%. Advertisement That makes the VMT push something else: a means for long-term surveillance and financial control. Unlike gas taxes, which are anonymous, mileage taxes require continuous tracking of individual movement. Washington States proposals, for example, envision reporting for future road-usage fees. That's behavioral monitoring. And it will fall hardest on the people least able to escape it: rural Americans, working families and anyone who does not live in a transit-rich metro area. Urban professionals can walk, bike or Uber. A nurse driving 40 miles to a hospital cannot. Advertisement The real reason VMT taxes are being pushed is simple: the gas tax is failing as vehicles become more efficient and electric. But replacing one declining revenue source with a surveillance-based sin tax that punishes mobility is not reform. America does not need a system that taxes freedom of movement to nudge citizens into compliance. Advertisement The mileage tax promises two things revenue and reduced driving and won't deliver either one. The Green Stone of Hattusa is one of the most intriguing and enigmatic objects from the Hittite capital, largely because of how little we can say about it with certainty. This unusual polished block of green rock stands apart from the citys monumental architecture, inscribed tablets, and sculptural reliefs. Yet, despite more than a century of archaeological study, its original purpose remains unresolved. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Hattusa, located near the modern village of Bogazkoy in the Turkish province of Corum, was one of the most powerful cities of the Late Bronze Age, serving as the capital of the Hittite Empire from roughly 1650 BCE until around 1200 BCE. The citys ruins include massive fortifications, temples, palaces, and archives of cuneiform tablets that document the empires political, religious, and economic life. Within this ancient city, a feature known as the Great Temple (often called Temple 1 by archaeologists) was the centre of religious ritual, likely dedicated to the Storm-god Tarhunna and the Sun-goddess Arinna, two of the Hittites principal deities. Excavations have revealed the temples foundations, storerooms, and ritual installations. The Green Stone was found within a small chamber off the street leading from the temples gateway. The stone is a roughly cubic block, with sides measuring about 69 cm and an estimated weight of about 1,000 kilograms. The hard, green-hued stone is probably a form of nephrite or serpentinite, which is a dark green mineral form of jade commonly found in this region of Turkey. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Unlike the surrounding architectural stones made primarily of limestone, and the many inscribed objects found across the site, the Green Stone bears no inscriptions, iconography, or textual labels. This absence of writing is what makes the Green Stone mysterious. Scholars have proposed several hypotheses, none of which can be confirmed due to the lack of corroborating textual evidence. Some archaeologists suggest that its placement in a temple and its polished form indicate a ritual or cultic purpose, possibly serving as an altar or a sacred object toward which offerings were made. Another theory is that the stone may have originally served as a base or pedestal for a lost statue of a deity. The stone might also have functioned as a symbolic throne or seat used in religious rites or royal ceremonies within the temple precincts. In local folklore, the Green Stone is often called a wish stone with powers to bestow fertility and wealth to anyone who touches it. However, such stories and legends are only a modern popular imagination. Credit: Wikimedia Commons Samsung is no longer the worlds number one smartphone manufacturer; Apple took over. Well, at least according to the latest Counterpoint Research report for 2025. Before we get to talking about the top 5 OEMs, lets just say that the smartphone market grew by 2% YoY (Year-over-Year) in 2025. So from 2024 to 2025 it grew by 2%. For comparisons sake, from 2023 to 2024, the market grew by 4%. Apple managed to trump Samsung, its now the worlds top smartphone maker Having said that, based on this report, Apple managed to grab 20% of the market in 2025, and a 10% YoY growth. Samsung is close second with a 19% market share, but it grew only 5% YoY. So it has a slower growth rate than Apple, hence Apples leadership at the moment. Xiaomi is third-placed still, as it sits at 13% of the market. The companys market share did not rise or drop, its still at the same percentage. Vivo is fourth-placed with 8% of the market, and a 3% YoY growth. OPPO claimed fifth place, even though it has the same percentage as Vivo OPPO managed to take fifth place, and it has the same percentage as Vivo. The thing is, Vivo has grown since last year, and OPPO hasnt. In fact, OPPO marked a drop of 4% YoY, hence the fifth place. All the other companies combined managed to grab 32% of the market. They have marked a 1% drop of market share YoY. So, Samsung and Apple, combined, have more market share than everyone below the fifth place. The same goes for Apple and Xiaomi, when combined. Senior Analyst at Counterpoint, Varun Mishra, said: Apples growth in 2025 was driven by its expanding presence and rising demand across emerging and midsize markets, supported by a stronger product mix. The iPhone 17 series gained significant traction in Q4 following its successful launch, while the iPhone 16 continued to perform exceptionally well in Japan, India and Southeast Asia. This dual momentum was further amplified by the COVIDera upgrade cycle reaching its inflection point, as millions of users were due for replacement. Samsungs Galaxy A series phones were the companys best-selling devices Samsungs growth was driven by the Galaxy A series phones. When it comes to the premium segment, the companys Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy S25 series devices were the best-sellers. They outperformed their predecessors. Samsung is under most pressure in Latin America and Western Europe, it is said. Xiaomi did extremely well in Latin America and Southeast Asia, while Vivo boomed in India, with strong offline sales (retail stores). Nothing and Google also did very well in 2025 Counterpoint also noted that Nothing and Google did fairly well, mentioning companies below that fifth place. Nothing marked a 31% growth YoY, while Google managed to claim a 25% growth from 2024 to 2025. 23 Overall Partnerships in 2025 75 New Programs Added in 2025 50 Milestones Achieved in 2025 Generated More Than 650 Total Therapeutic Programs to Date LEBANON, N.H., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Adimab, LLC, the global leader in the discovery and engineering of fully human monoclonal and multispecific antibodies, today announced that it entered into partnership agreements with 23 companies in 2025. In addition, Adimab achieved 50 technical and development milestones across numerous collaborations. Since 2009, Adimab has partnered with over 140 companies to discover therapeutic drug candidates. New alliances for 2025 include collaborations with Central Therapeutics, Enara Bio, Onco3R, Roivant, Variant Bio, and Triptych, among others. In addition, Adimab expanded its collaborations with 12 partners, including Alnylam, 3T Biosciences, Compugen, Cullinan Therapeutics, Lilly, Regeneron, RedRidge, and Therini, among others. In 2025, Adimab and its partners initiated discovery on 75 new therapeutic programs, bringing the total number of royalty-bearing programs commenced to more than 650. Many partners retain the contractual rights to initiate additional royalty-bearing programs with Adimab in the future. "We continue to distinguish ourselves by providing solutions for our partners that others cannot," said Guy Van Meter, Chief Business Officer of Adimab. "Our offerings in the multispecific space, from plug-and-play T cell engagers to heterodimerization solutions enabling virtually any format, make that clear. We are significantly differentiated from other providers, in the TCR space as well as our work on GPCRs and blood-brain barrier transport, and the list goes on." "Adimab's continued success is driven by our ongoing reinvestment in expanding our capabilities," observed Philip T. Chase, Chief Executive Officer of Adimab. "Sophisticated partners seek us out because our technology and expertise can help create best-in-class molecules, so we constantly stay at the cutting edge of the technology space to meet their needs." Technologies Antibody Discovery: Adimab discovers therapeutic antibodies in IgG and VHH formats through its proprietary yeast-based technology. Adimab can utilize its fully human synthetic diversity as well as additional diversities from in vivo sources. Antibodies from the Adimab platform have exquisite specificity and are utilized in a variety of modalities, including monoclonal and multispecific formats, CAR-Ts, ADCs, and more. Engineering: Adimab has developed and refined its engineering capabilities over thousands of lead antibody optimization efforts. The process starts with one or more partner-selected lead antibodies with the goal of optimizing potency, specificity, and/or developability. In addition to Adimab-discovered antibodies, engineered antibodies can originate from outside sources, typically to fix undesirable properties of antibodies from in vivo and phage-based technologies. Adimab also applies its engineering expertise to cytokines, TCRs, and other proteins. Multispecifics: Adimab has extensive bispecific and multispecific know-how and capabilities, including proprietary solutions for both Fc (HC:HC) and Fab (HC:LC) heterodimerization, to allow for the generation of numerous bispecific and multispecific product designs with excellent developability properties. More than 20 partners are using the heterodimerization mutation sets, either through Funded Discovery projects at Adimab or in their own labs, without restriction. Additionally, Adimab can perform common light chain and fragment-based discovery and engineering necessary for certain partner-desired formats. T Cell Engagers: Adimab has a highly characterized suite of functional and diverse CD3 and CD28 antibodies (both IgG and VHH binders) to generate bi- and multispecific T cell engagers. Adimab has partnered this program non-exclusively with more than 25 partners to date. Recently, anti-TCR HCAbs have been added to this toolkit and are available for licensing. Complex Targets: Certain membrane-obligate proteins (e.g., GPCRs and ion channels) are often poorly behaved outside their native membrane environment. For these targets, Adimab has developed proprietary in vitro and in vivo discovery workflows that rely solely on the target being expressed in its native membrane and without the need for antigen mimetics. These workflows have been employed numerous times to generate initial panels of functional and specific antibodies to classically difficult targets, which are then further engineered with the yeast platform into robust therapeutic candidates. About Adimab Adimab is the leading provider of therapeutic antibody discovery and engineering technologies. Our suite of technologies includes naive discovery from synthetic libraries in yeast or B cells (mice, llamas, and humans), antibody engineering and optimization, bi- and multispecific antibody engineering, and a portfolio of proprietary CD3 and CD28 antibodies with complementary heterodimerization mutations that are licensed non-exclusively for bi- and multispecific applications. Adimab focuses solely on its partners and not on developing an internal product pipeline. Since 2009, Adimab has partnered with over 140 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, generating more than 650 therapeutic programs, 89 clinical programs, and 6 approved products. The Adimab technology has been transferred and implemented at GSK, Biogen, Novo Nordisk, Merck, Lilly, and Takeda. Funded discovery partners include leading pharmaceutical companies, such as Alnylam, Bristol Myers Squibb, Innovent, Novartis, Regeneron, Vertex, and others. Adimab has also partnered with many early-stage venture-backed companies, including Dragonfly, NextPoint Therapeutics, Santa Ana Bio, Tizona, Kelonia Therapeutics, and others, as well as mid-size public biopharmaceutical companies such as Alector, Cullinan Therapeutics, Scholar Rock, and others. Adimab's integrated antibody discovery and engineering platform provides unprecedented speed from antigen to purified, full-length human IgGs. Adimab offers fundamental advantages by delivering diverse panels of therapeutically relevant antibodies that meet the most demanding standards for affinity, epitope coverage, species cross-reactivity, and developability. Adimab enables its partners to rapidly expand their biologics pipelines through a broad spectrum of technology access arrangements. For more information, visit https://adimab.com. Guy Van Meter Chief Business Officer Adimab, LLC (603) 653-5775 [email protected] SOURCE Adimab, LLC On December 30, Realme told the press its business was operating normally. Six days later, the company announced it was folding back into OPPOthe parent company it had spun off from seven years ago. Theres more to the story: two rounds of workforce cuts, R&D teams reduced by half or more, and a final decision made just 24 hours before it went public. The official announcement told a cleaner story. Strategic integration. Resource pooling. Synergy. Realme customers would gain access to OPPOs 5,000+ service centers across Chinaa major upgrade from roughly 250 locations. Products would continue as planned. Sky Li, who had led Realme since its founding, would stay at the helm. Media coverage largely followed this framinga smooth transition, two brands formalizing their relationship for efficiency. The real story, pieced together from Chinese sources and people with inside knowledge, was a lot messier. Market pressures had been building for months. Workforce cuts came fast and deep. And the final decision? Made just days before anyone heard about it. Heres what actually happened. Why the math stopped working: 1% vs. 14% To understand why those decisions happened so fast, you need to understand the numbers. In Chinas smartphone market, Realme held 1.27% market share as of late 2025it was in seventh place. The six brands ahead of it each commanded 14% or more. For every phone Realme sold in China, competitors sold fourteen. Running an independent smartphone brand means paying for everything twice: your own R&D, your own supply chain relationships, your own retail and service networks. Those fixed costs dont shrink when your market share does. At 1% share versus a competitors 14%, every phone you sell carries fourteen times the overhead burden. The economy becomes slowly, then quickly, unsustainable. This isnt a story of mismanagement. Realme shipped 48.6 million units globally in 2024a meaningful presence by any measure. The problem was specifically China, where the market has consolidated around a handful of dominant players, and the space for smaller brands has essentially disappeared. Realmes Market Position by Region Region Market Share Position China ~1.3% 7th place India ~12-13% 4th-5th place Southeast Asia Top 5 across region The contrast matters. In India and Southeast Asia, Realmes position justifies independent investment. In China, it doesnt. But a brand cant sustain global independence on the strength of two regions while bleeding resources in its home market. The math eventually forces a decision. In late 2025, Realme made it. Six days, two stories The official story was strategic planning. Heres what actually happened. The restructuring In November 2025, the first round of workforce cuts beganunprecedented in scope, according to employee accounts. R&D teams were hit hardest. One veteran employee characterized it as the first mass R&D workforce cut in their years at the company. Some departments were cut in half. Others lost more. Certain teams were reduced to junior staff only, with experienced engineers reassigned to priority markets like India. A second round followed in late December, deepening the cuts. By the new year, Realmes China operations looked significantly different from what they had been just weeks earlier. The public story Throughout this period, the companys messaging told a different story. Date Public Statement What Was Happening Dec 24-25 Normal year-end personnel adjustments First restructuring round completing Dec 30 Business operating normally Second round underway Jan 6 Final decision made Jan 7 Strategic integration announced Theres nothing unusual about companies managing difficult news carefully. But the gap between operating normally and what was actually underway is notable. The timeline Heres what the official framing obscured: Chinese business reports indicate the consolidation was finalized on January 6roughly 24 hours before the public announcement. Strategic integrations between sister companies typically take months or years to plan. This one moved from decision to press release in a day. That speed suggests this wasnt primarily about unlocking synergies. It was about solving a problem that had become urgent. Does Realme have a future? What does a rushed consolidation actually change? For consumers The near-term impact is likely neutralpossibly even positive. The product roadmap continues unchanged. The Realme 16 Pro launched on January 6, one day before the announcement; upcoming releases remain on track. If consolidation had threatened the pipeline, you wouldnt see a flagship launch 24 hours before going public. Service improves significantly, at least in China. Realme customers gain access to OPPOs network of over 5,000 service centersa dramatic expansion from Realmes previous footprint of roughly 250 locations. For after-sales support, thats a meaningful upgrade. The longer question: what happens to Realmes product identity? The brand built its reputation on aggressive pricing and specs-forward devices aimed at younger, value-conscious buyersa different positioning than OPPOs more premium, design-focused approach. Whether that distinction survives integration is worth watching. If youre outside China: The consolidation targeted Realmes struggling home market, not its stronger international positions. India and Southeast Asia are being reinforced with reassigned staff. No immediate impact on products or availabilitybut worth watching. For the brand Realme returns to sub-brand status after seven years of independence. What started as a spin-off to compete in the budget segmentwith its own marketing, product strategy, and corporate structureis now formally back under OPPOs roof. Sky Li remains in a leadership role. The product roadmap is publicly unchanged. But sub-brands follow different paths: some maintain sharp identities for years (think Redmi under Xiaomi), others gradually blur into their parent company. For now, the brand lives. Whether it stays distinct is the story to watch. For employees This is where the consolidations cost is clearestand it provides context for how urgently the decision was made. Some experienced staff were reassigned to India and Southeast Asia, where Realmes market position remains strong. Others are gone. Its not the focus of this story, but its part of the picture: behind the strategic integration language, real teams were dissolved and real careers disrupted. Not a scandal, just the beginning The Realme-OPPO consolidation isnt a scandal. Its a business reality that was presented to the public in carefully managed terms. Thats not an accusation. Markets are unforgiving, and when the economics stop working, difficult decisions follow. Realmes leadership made hard calls in response to real pressuresthe kind that have squeezed smaller players across the smartphone industry. Companies dont owe us their internal struggles. But the story behind the press release is almost always more instructive than the announcement itself. The managed version tells you what happened. The full version tells you why. Strategic synergy doesnt come from nowhere. Now you know where this one came from. This is just the beginning. Changes at BBK Electronics will affect OnePlus, OPPO, and the entire smartphone industry. More to come. Following the Samsung Galaxy S26 series launch date, the release date has been tipped as well. The launch date came from Evan Blass, a well-known tipster, and its February 25. The release date, based on this report from Dealabs, is March 11. Dealabs is a French website, and not our regular source of such information, so take it with a grain of salt. They do seem rather confident that the information is correct, though. If the information is accurate, Samsung will start selling the Galaxy S26 series phones on March 11. Its possible that people who pre-ordered the devices will start getting them earlier, though, of course. As many of you know already, the Samsung Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26 Ultra are coming. We were the first to share the designs of the last two phones. Samsung initially planned on releasing the Galaxy S26 Pro and Galaxy S26 Edge in addition to the Ultra model. Then, at the last moment, the company reconsidered, mostly because of the poor sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge could still arrive at some point Now, the ultra-thin Galaxy S26 Edge could still become a reality at some point. The latest report claims that Samsung did not fully cancel it, despite what earlier rumors have been saying. The phone got certified and could become a reality later this year. There dont seem to be many people out there who are interested in ultra-thin phones. Well, at least not for ultra-thin phones that dont have silicon-carbon batteries. The Galaxy S25 Edges battery capacity was far from impressive, plus the company also sacrificed the third camera on the back. The main Galaxy S26 lineup has the same design language this time around. The Galaxy S26 Ultra will be more similar to the other two phones than any of its predecessors were. More than 18 million workers are set to benefit from a host of employment reforms. (Getty Images) (10'000 Hours via Getty Images) An additional 1.5 million parents will be able to take unpaid parental leave under a string of employment reforms coming into effect this year. Parents will soon be given the option to take parental leave to take care of childcare or family commitments from day one of their job. This is one of many "day one rights" being introduced under Labour's flagship workers' rights package, which the government says will benefit over 18 million workers. The changes, including reforms to sick pay, redundancy rights, the rights of parents and protections for workers, were laid in parliament on Monday, 12 January, after the Employment Rights Act received royal assent in December, the government said. "The changes were bringing in will mean every new parent can properly take time off when they have a child, and no one is forced to work while ill just to make ends meet," prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said in a statement. "This is about giving working families the support they need to balance work, health and the cost of living. Were delivering a modern deal for workers. Stronger sick pay, parental leave from day one and protections that put dignity back at the heart of work." Here, Yahoo News takes a look at these major employment reforms and what they mean for you. Day-one parental leave and paternity leave Employees wanting to take parental leave, which is unpaid and can be taken up until a child is 18 years old, will become a day-one right from April 2026. Previously, parents needed to work at the same place for at least one year to become eligible for this right. This is expected to benefit an additional 1.5 million workers, while day-one rights to paid paternity leave (rather than a minimum of 26 weeks employment) is set to benefit 32,000 more fathers. An additional 32,000 fathers are expected to benefit from day-one paternity leave rights. (Alamy) (Prostock-studio) Statutory sick pay from day-one Also included in the package of reforms are changes to ensure an additional 1.3 million lower-paid or part-time workers have access to statutory sick pay (SSP). Current rules require workers to earn an average of at least 125 per week and to have been ill for more than three days in a row. The three-day limit will also be scrapped under the changes, set to be implemented from April, giving workers the right to statutory sick pay from day-one of their illness. "This is a substantial shift from the former three-day wait for SSP to kick in, which left people working whilst ill risking increased long-term sickness, one of key factors draining British businesses and the wider economy," the government said. Protections against unfair dismissal Workers will be entitled to protection from unfair dismissal six months after starting a new job under changes expected to come into force from January 2027. Previously, people had to wait two years before being entitled to this protection. Ann Francke, CEO of the Chartered Management Institute, said the new six month requirement "strikes an important balance, offering protection for both employers and employees". Day-one right to bereavement leave A new day-one right to bereavement leave, including for pregnancy loss, is expected to be implemented from 2027. Currently, there is no statutory right for employees to take bereavement leave following a death, except for parents who lose a child under 18 or for pregnancy loss from 24 weeks. "While most employers respond compassionately to requests for time off in these circumstances, the absence of legislation means there may be instances where employees are not provided appropriate time off to grieve," the Department for Business and Trade said. While most employers do respond compassionately to requests for bereavement leave, changes under the act put this right into law. (Alamy) (PA, PA Images) The Employment Rights Act changes this, stating that the duration of bereavement leave must be at least one week and that the person must have at least 56 days to take the leave. Separately, a new bereaved partners paternity leave will also be introduced from April, providing up to 52 weeks of leave for fathers and partners who lose their partner before their childs first birthday. This, the government says, fixes the previously unfair system where bereaved partners had to rely on the compassion of an employer in order to be granted time off to grieve and care for their child. Stronger rights for flexible working Also expected to come into effect from 2027 are reforms to flexible working rules in the UK. It means that if an employer rejects a workers' request for flexible working because of a genuine business reason, they will have to state the reasons and explain why they believe their refusal is reasonable. "Doing this is already good practice. But it will become a legal requirement," said workplace relations organisation Acas. Protections for pregnant workers and returning mothers Additional protections against the dismissal of pregnant workers and those returning from maternity leave are also included in the Employment Rights Act. Will make it "unlawful to dismiss pregnant women, mothers on maternity leave, and mothers for at least six months after they return to work", except in cases of gross misconduct or other lawful grounds for dismissal. These measures are expected to be implemented in 2027, the government said. Employees who are pregnant, on maternity leave, or returning to the office are all set to be protected under the reforms. (Alamy) (Pixel-Shot, Pixel-shot) Limits on 'fire-and-rehire' practices Under changes expected to come into effect from October 2026, so-called "fire and rehire" practices are set to be banned in most cases. The practice, described as "unscrupulous" by the government, is where employers dismiss employees and then offering their job back, usually with less favourable terms on their contract. The only exception to this, explains Newtons Solicitors, is if a employer can prove their business is in "immediate, severe financial danger, such as imminent insolvency". Read more Actor David Yip has paid tribute to former EastEnders star Derek Martin following his death aged 92. Martins death was confirmed by his family and agent on Sunday, who said he wasnt just a dad to us, he was a friend and supported us through our highs and lows. Speaking of Martin, who starred as Charlie Slater in the BBC One soap, Yip, 74, who appeared alongside him in 1980s BBC police drama The Chinese Detective, said: I was only seven years into my acting career and most of that had been working in the theatre (when he joined the programme). So doing a television series was going into the unknown. I knew of Derek through the gritty, working class TV dramas of that period were he played a series of villains who were hard and mean. So when I knew he was going to play my boss in The Chinese Detective I was both excited but also honestly, scared. Derek had the wonderful ability to stop you in your tracks with one of his menacing stares or growls. But underneath that persona he was a lovely man, I wouldnt say gentle but he did have a soft side which he hid well. He constantly told me that he wasnt a real actor, he just played what he knew and kept it real. In my book that was wonderful acting. Yip went on to say that the pair had worked together on a number of occasions after The Chinese Detective, and said each time we met he would nearly crush me to death in a huge hug. The Liverpool-born actor continued: During our time together on Chinese Detective he was always encouraging, supportive and gave me many wise words of wisdom about acting, life and being true to yourself. Laila Morse, Derek Martin and Jessie Wallace in 2005 (Ian West/PA) (Ian West) Derek was always true to himself, sometimes that could come over as scary but when he smiled or laughed with you he enfolded you in a warmth that was glorious. Not wishing to embarrass you Derek but I loved you and deeply respected you and your talent. Rest in peace mate. Martin played Charlie in EastEnders between 2000 and 2011, and made guest appearances in the years following that, with the character featuring in a number of major storylines. His final EastEnders appearance was in 2016, with his character suffering a fatal heart attack. He was also a King Rat of theatrical charity The Grand Order Of Water Rats, who said they were deeply saddened by the passing of our brother and cherished friend, and added Martin had continued to be a tireless worker for the charity into his 90s. The group added in a statement: Our lodge meetings will never be the same without his warm, good humoured presence. He was a true character of the old school; affable and funny. Derek Martin at the British Soap Awards (Yui Mok/PA) (Yui Mok) We will miss his cockney charm and straightforward, no nonsense wisdom, which was always delivered with characteristic, rough edged wit. The statement from his family, shared by his agent Sharon Henry, said: Derek wasnt just a dad to us, he was a friend and supported us through our highs and lows. He never stopped learning, he loved meeting people and was always generous with his time. We both miss him terribly. The family ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult time. Ms Henry added in a statement that Martin was a truly authentic working class voice in British television and film and said it was a privilege to be a part of his creative journey. An EastEnders spokesperson said they were deeply saddened by Martins death and said his role cemented him in the hearts of the audience. During Charlies exit storyline in 2016, viewers saw Kat (Jessie Wallace) reeling from the news that she actually gave birth to twins in 1984, and had an unknown son as well as her daughter, Zoe (Michelle Ryan). Her grandmother, Mo Harris (Laila Morse), knew about the child and had never told her. As Kat and Mo argued, an overwhelmed Charlie went into cardiac arrest. Other storylines included one in 2001, in which Charlie discovered that his brother Harry had abused Kat as a child and fathered Zoe, who at the time was being raised as Kats sister. His role as taxi driver Charlie in EastEnders aside, Martin had a career that spanned decades, appearing in detective series Z-Cars, as well as in The Professionals, The Sweeney, Eldorado, Minder and Hart To Hart. He also appeared in ITV prison drama The Governor, written by Lynda La Plante, and the BBC crime drama series Law And Order. La Plante said: Derek Martin was an extremely talented actor, genuine and truthful from the moment he first came on TV. I enjoyed working with him in the series Governor and send my sincere condolences to his family. Martin also played himself in an episode of David Walliams and Matt Lucass Little Britain. Aerial footage shows the scale of a major Australian bush fire at Wadbilliga National Park on Monday (12 January). Fierce bushfires have torn through Victoria and New South Wales for several days, leaving at least one person dead and destroying hundreds of properties, with an area almost twice the size of Greater London being set alight in the blaze. Footage released by the NSW Rural Fire Service shows huge billows of smoke rising from the national park. The agency said it is conducting back-burning operations and there is no immediate threat to properties. DUBLIN, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- BrowserStack , the world's leading software testing platform, today announced an ESOP and share buyback program of $125 million for its employees and early investors. The program will benefit over 500 current and former employees, along with early investors. This marks the company's third buyback and is one of the largest ESOP buybacks in the Indian startup ecosystem. BrowserStack Announces ESOP and Share Buyback Worth $125M With this transaction, BrowserStack's cumulative buyback value reaches over $275 million across three programs. The company's healthy profit generation has enabled it to fund this buyback entirely through internal accruals, consistently creating wealth for the stakeholders who have been integral to its growth. "We started in a small coffee shop with a simple idea, and the people who joined us early on are the reason we are here today," said Ritesh Arora, Co-founder and CEO of BrowserStack. "Seeing our team members build their lives and futures alongside the company is the most rewarding part of building together. As we scale AI-driven innovation, we want our team to feel the same ownership and pride that Nakul and I do every single day." The buyback coincides with BrowserStack's evolution from a testing infrastructure to a comprehensive End-to-End (E2E) testing platform. The company has expanded its portfolio from five to 21 products, building a unified stack that covers the entire testing lifecyclefrom functional, accessibility, and visual testing to test management and debugging. The company is leveraging these profits not only to reward stakeholders but to fuel aggressive growth. BrowserStack is actively scouting to acquire developer tool startups, using its strong cash flows to consolidate the market following recent acquisitions like Requestly and Bird Eats Bug. The buyback program will roll out in the coming weeks, with participants receiving details directly from the company. About BrowserStack BrowserStack is the world's leading software testing platform, powered by AI to help developers and QA teams deliver quality software at speed. Trusted by over 50,000 teams, including Amazon, Microsoft, and NVIDIA, BrowserStack powers more than three million tests every day across 21 global data centers. The platform gives teams instant access to over 30,000 real devices and browsers. Founded in 2011, BrowserStack is a privately held company backed by Accel, Bond, and Insight Partners. For more information, visit https://www.browserstack.com . Media Contact Press Relations Team [email protected] Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2859179/ESOP_Share_Buyback_BrowserStack.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2490455/BrowserStack_Logo.jpg SOURCE BrowserStack Fishermen in the lagoon in Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Grace Ekpu) (Grace Ekpu) Beneath an eight-lane expressway, Nigerian men stand waist-deep in the Lagos Lagoon, lowering buckets into murky water. Each load brings up sand, reshaping the coastline of Africas largest city and driving away fish and livelihoods for some of its poorest people. Not far from the bridge, wooden boats are loaded with sand. One of thousands of local dredgers, Akeem Sossu, 34, has been diving for sand for at least three years. He slips beneath the surface for about 15 seconds at a time, hauling up bucketloads bound for construction sites. Akeem said he and his partner earn about 12,000 naira ($8) each per boatload, selling to a middleman who supplies larger buyers. Filling a boat takes about three hours. Formerly a tailor, he said dredging now supports his household. I come out early, sometimes 5 a.m. or 6 a.m., depending on the tide, he said. Dredgers and local traders say the price of sand, crucial for making concrete, has risen steadily as development in Lagos has accelerated. A standard 30-ton truckload of whats known as sharp sand coarse and gritty now sells for about 290,000 naira, or roughly $202, reflecting strong demand. The changes to the lagoon that buffers the megacity of about 17 million people are unmistakable. What was once an open stretch of water is increasingly broken up by sandy patches, narrowing channels and reshaping currents that support thousands of fishermen. The transformation is most visible near Makoko, one of Lagos oldest fishing communities. Dredging barges operate close to homes built on stilts, while reclaimed land and construction of upscale beachfront properties press in from the edges. Residents say the encroachment has destroyed fishing grounds and put many out of work. Nearby, fishermen wait for the days dredging to pause. They say that when it does, even briefly, some fish return. Aerial view of sand dredging near Makoko, a fishing settlement across the third mainland bridge, Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Grace Ekpu) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Lagos, Nigerias economic engine, is in constant construction. Roads, bridges and housing estates are rising daily on reclaimed waterfronts as the city's rich displace many of its poor. Over the past five years, dozens of registered dredging firms and numerous informal operators have sprung up or increased their operations, extracting sand from rivers and coastal waters across Lagos State. Industry analysts estimate the city consumes tens of millions of cubic meters of sand each year, an amount roughly equivalent to 16,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Lagoon sand is particularly prized by builders, who say it produces stronger concrete than sand that is dredged inland. Fishermen and environmental researchers say the cost of that demand is increasingly visible in the water. Worker shovels up freshly extracted sharp sand from a dredging transporter in Ibeshe, Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Grace Ekpu) (Grace Ekpu) We are not powerful, said a community leader of Makoko, Baale Semede Emmanuel. Dredgers have spoiled the entire waters. Fishermen there say dredging has wiped out shallow areas where fish once spawned before moving into deeper waters. At times, fish are sucked through dredging pipes. Anywhere dredging is happening, theres no fish, Emmanuel said. The noise drives them away. The places where they used to reproduce are gone. With catches shrinking, fishermen say they must travel farther offshore, increasing fuel costs and exposure to rougher seas. Some have stopped fishing altogether. We have no other work apart from fishing, Emmanuel said. If we dont find fish, we will starve. Sand extraction in progress in Lagos waters, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Grace Ekpu) (Grace Ekpu) For some fishermen, dredging has forced an uneasy shift away from the sea. Joshua Monday said he has largely parked his two fishing boats and now works as a mechanic. He learned how to fix boat engines years ago as a backup. If not for this mechanic work, I dont know how I would survive, he said. He said rising costs and shrinking catches have made fishing untenable. Fuel can cost more than 150,000 naira ($104) for a single trip, he said, with no guarantee of a return. Sometimes you go to the sea and come back with nothing, he said. All the fuel is gone. Meanwhile, he said, wealthy developers and other powerful interests are reclaiming land around Lagos while fishermen are pushed aside. Big men are stressing us, Monday said. When they come, you have no option. You pack your things and leave. He now lives in another waterfront community under pressure, Sagbo-Koji. Traditional leader of Makoko, Baale Semede Emmanuel stands outside his home in the coastal community of Makoko, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in Lagos Nigeria. (AP Photo/Grace Ekpu) (Grace Ekpu) Dredgers say the work offers rare income in a city with limited opportunities. Im a father of one, said Joshua Alex, a dredging operator. This is how I take care of myself. He explained how informal dredgers interact with authorities and pay their dues to stay in business. Marine Police will come, we settle them. NIWA will come, we settle them, he said, referring to the National Inland Waterways Authority. He said the payments make the work legitimate. Environmental advocates say such arrangements blur the line between legal and illegal dredging, allowing operators to resume work shortly after enforcement actions. Lagos State officials, including Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have repeatedly pledged to clamp down on illegal dredging, especially operations that are blamed for worsening flooding, erosion and other environmental degradation along the coast. The government says it has shut down sites operating without permits and strengthened monitoring through waterfront and environmental agencies. The Lagos State Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development didnt respond to questions. But community leaders say enforcement is inconsistent, pointing to the payments by informal dredgers. When the government stops dredging activities today, they get paid, and then they ask them to resume activities, said the Makoko community leader, Emmanuel. He accused authorities of prioritizing revenue and private development over the survival of fishing communities, citing land allocations for real estate projects along the waterfront. The government has the power, not us, he said. What the science says Scientific research supports fishermens claims about the impacts of dredging in Lagos. Peer-reviewed studies by Nigerian scholars conducted along the AjahAddo-Badore corridor, a major dredging zone east of Makoko, found water turbidity levels far above national safety standards, conditions that disrupt fish feeding, reproduction and migration. Researchers also documented unstable seabeds and erosion-prone zones beneath dredging sites, and more stable conditions where dredging was absent. In some locations, groundwater samples showed bacterial contamination linked to human waste. Scientists have warned that dredging reduces the lagoons ability to absorb floodwaters, increasing long-term risks for Lagos and its population. Wetlands and shallow lagoon areas act as natural buffers. When they are removed or destabilized, communities become more vulnerable. Lagos has experienced increasingly severe flooding in recent years, with waterfront and low-lying neighborhoods among the hardest hit. A record number of Iranian security forces have been killed in the anti-regime protests sweeping across Iran. Dissidents shot security personnel with handguns, burned them alive and beat them to death in revenge for a harsh crackdown on peaceful demonstrations. As many as 114 agents have been killed so far, according to the Iranian authorities significantly more than during waves of previous anti-regime protests and demonstrations. The dead include members of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), loyal to supreme leader Ali Khamenei, police, regular army and the Basij paramilitary forces. Videos show masked men using handguns and what appears to be Kalashnikovs in street battles with security forces scenes rarely seen in previous outbreaks of unrest. Credit: X/@Tasnimnews_Fa Human rights groups said they had verified at least 50 deaths among security forces, while Iranian authorities claim the number is higher and growing. The total death toll in the nationwide demonstrations has risen to at least 648, human rights groups said on Monday. Donald Trump said Iran had started to cross a line with its violent response to the unrest. The emergence of armed resistance is a fundamental shift in Irans protest dynamics, and has been seized upon by the regime. During the 2009 Green Movement, the 2019 economic protests and the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom uprising following Mahsa Aminis death, demonstrators faced bullets, tear gas, and mass arrests while largely unarmed. Protesters firing at armed forces did not indicate a military coup was under way, analysts said. Tribal groups in the south and south-west traditionally possess firearms for use in ceremonies such as weddings, and these weapons appear to have been turned against security forces in unprecedented numbers. The armed nature of clashes has handed the Islamic Republic a propaganda victory, allowing officials to characterise the uprising as terrorism rather than legitimate protest. Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister, seized on footage of armed protesters to draw comparisons with American law enforcement. He posted a clip with the caption: Just the other day, an innocent young woman in the United States an American citizen and mother of three was executed by ICE at point-blank range. The US Administration labelled her a domestic terrorist... Here in Iran, police officers are being executed by actual terrorists overseen by what Mr Pompeo has openly called Mossad agents. Does this look like a protest for FREEDOM? Credit: Fars New Agency Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One that he was receiving hourly updates on the situation in Iran and that the US military was looking at some very strong options, including cyber attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel. He also said Iran had called his administration to negotiate a new nuclear deal after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic. On Monday, Tehran summoned British and other European diplomats to object to what it described as support by those countries for the protests. The diplomats were shown a video of the damage caused by rioters and told their governments should withdraw official statements supporting the protesters. On Monday, Mr Araghchi said the protesters were now under total control after claiming terrorists had targeted both protesters and security officials. The Iranian ministry of intelligence announced on Monday that it had seized 100 handguns and 120 shotgun hunting rifles in West Azerbaijan province, arresting four people in connection with the cache. Esmail Baghaei, a foreign ministry spokesman, confirmed that the communication channel between Mr Araghchi and Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy, is open and messages are exchanged when needed. State media claimed on Monday morning that calm prevailed across Iranian cities, shops had reopened, and there was no sign of anxiety or unrest. The report claimed merchants, who make up a key component of the various groups protesting, said they would no longer continue protests and that by evening hours, no gatherings or unrest were seen. Merchants in Tehrans Grand Bazaar whose closures have historically signalled serious political trouble for Iranian governments were among the first groups to join the current wave of demonstrations. Credit: Fars News Agency On Monday, the regime responded by staging mass pro-government rallies, such shows of force have in past crises helped dampen anti-regime sentiment. State media broadcast images of large crowds waving Iranian flags and portraits of the supreme leader, chanting support for the Islamic Republic and condemning terrorists. On Monday night, Khamenei said the strong turnout at pro-government rallies should serve as a warning to the US against taking action in Iran. This was a warning to American politicians to stop their deceit and not rely on treacherous mercenaries, he said, according to Iranian state TV. These massive rallies, full of determination, have thwarted the plan of foreign enemies that were supposed to be carried out by domestic mercenaries. Protests began over economic conditions but fast spiralled into anti-regime demonstrations that were met with bullets from the security services. Some protesters began fighting back. The violence has taken a heavy toll on security forces, especially lower-ranking personnel who often come from the same impoverished provinces that are now in revolt. b' ' In Tehran province, five security personnel were killed. In Isfahan, at least 30 security force members were killed in some of the bloodiest clashes of the protests. In North Khorasan province, six security personnel were killed and their funerals attended by large pro-government crowds. The regime has seized on these deaths to portray security forces as martyrs defending the nation against terrorism. State television broadcast funerals with full honours, families weeping over flag-draped coffins, and clerics denouncing the terrorists responsible. One official in Isfahan described dissidents shooting wounded security personnel in the back finishing them off and claimed a two-month-old infant and a woman transporting her sick husband to the hospital were also killed. Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the judiciary chief, praised security forces for their wisdom and rationality in handling the crisis, making no mention of hundreds of confirmed protester deaths or the siege of hospitals. Credit: Social Media Instead, he thanked police commander Ahmad Radan and warned that detained protesters would receive no leniency, with courts issuing verdicts quickly. Mr Araghchi, in a briefing with foreign ambassadors in Tehran, claimed 53 mosques had been set on fire nationwide a figure that cannot be independently verified but serves the narrative that this is religious warfare rather than political protest. He accused the US of interference in internal affairs through Trumps threats of military action. The IRGC intelligence organisation announced the arrest of an unnamed foreign national accused of gathering information for Israel, claiming the person had deliberately entered the country under cover and was caught collecting information and assessing the status of terrorist actions. No details of identity, arrest location, or evidence were provided a pattern typical of the regimes use of espionage accusations to deflect from domestic unrest. The launch of the first autistic Barbie doll has been welcomed by campaigners and charities as a step towards more authentic, joyful representation for neurodivergent children. The doll features specific design choices intended to reflect some experiences to which autistic people might relate. These include loose clothing to ensure less fabric-to-skin contact and an eye gaze slightly to the side, to represent the way some autistic people might avoid direct eye contact. Each doll also comes with a pink fidget spinner to reduce stress and improve focus, and noise-cancelling headphones to block out background sounds and therefore limit sensory overload. Creators Mattel said the doll invites more children to see themselves represented in Barbie. The finished product was created with input from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) in an effort to hear first-hand from the autistic community on the kinds of features the doll should have. The network described the doll as a milestone in representation and said it was thrilled to help with the design, adding: It is so important for young autistic people to see authentic, joyful representations of themselves, and thats exactly what this doll is. Other features include moveable elbows and wrists to allow gestures which creators said might be used by some autistic people to process sensory information or express excitement, and a pink tablet symbolising the way some people might use digital tools to help with their everyday communication. Ellie Middleton, an autistic writer who regularly shares her experiences online, described the doll as a powerful symbol for young girls in feeling accepted. She said: To now have an autistic Barbie doll makes me so emotional. Statistics show that young girls are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, so to have a powerful symbol like this autistic Barbie doll helps bring the conversation around neurodivergence in women to the forefront, so that autistic girls can feel accepted and seen. Each doll comes with a pink fidget spinner (Mattel/PA) The National Autistic Society (NAS) cautioned that, given autism is a spectrum, it is important to remember autistic people can be very different to each other, with different sets of strengths and challenges. The society describes autism as a lifelong neurodivergence and disability which influences how people experience and interact with the world. It estimates more than one in 100 people are autistic and that there are at least 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK. NAS managing director of national programmes, Peter Watt, said: Seeing more depictions of autism is key to understanding and autism acceptance. Its really important that these representations are authentic and based on extensive consultation with autistic people, and were pleased Mattel involved the autistic community in the development of this doll. It is positive to see authentic autistic representation on TV and films, the arts and in play, as better public understanding of autism across society could transform hundreds of thousands of autistic peoples lives. Mattel has, in what it described as efforts to create a brand with a more inclusive reflection of the children who play with its products, previously created diabetic and blind Barbies and a doll with Downs syndrome. Pro-Palestinian groups gathered outside Villa Park after Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were banned from the Europa League showdown in November 2025 - Lab Ky Mo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images In the TV adaptation of Volker Kutschers Babylon Berlin, the citys police are portrayed not as impartial, forceful guardians of law and order, but as weak and vacillating holders of the ring. Violent gangs boss the streets in the decaying Weimar Republic: Stalinists, Armenian gangsters, Trotskyist agitators, Black Reichswehr, Nazis. The doppelganger effect another product of Germany involves an illusion: sometimes, seeing a double of oneself. Is modern Britain somehow a doppelganger of Kutschers Berlin? Or, infinitely worse, is it degenerating into the real thing? Mull the evidence. For the first time since the medieval period, Jews have been murdered in Britain simply for being Jews during the attack on Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester last year by an Islamist fanatic. For the first time since the 1930s, massed groups of young men in black have marched through the East End. Last year, Muslims wearing hoodies, balaclavas and face coverings took to the streets in a show of force in the wake of a proposed demonstration by Ukip. The latter had said that they will take our country back. The former that they will honour our martyrs. The year before, in the wake of the protests and counter-protests that followed the abominable murder of three young girls in Southport, a police officer told Muslims outside Darul Falah mosque in Stoke-on-Trent that if there are any weapons or anything like that, then what I would do is discard them at the mosque so if there are any weapons, get rid of them and we wont have to arrest anyone. A one-off slip by an officer under pressure? Maybe, maybe not. For more evidence, we must travel south to Britains second largest city. For Babylon Berlin, read Babylon Birmingham where West Midlands Police stand accused of misrepresenting evidence, downplaying threats and appeasing extremists in the wake of the recommendation by the citys Safety Advisory Group to bar fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from the clubs game at Aston Villa in November. Nick Timothy, the Conservative MP whose dogged and determined campaigning has played a core part in exposing the scandal, says that the police have lied and lied again. West Midlands Police chose to ban thuggish Israeli supporters when the real threat came from a mob of armed Islamists, documents suggest - Jacob King/PA Craig Guildford, the forces Chief Constable, has been hauled not once but twice before the home affairs select committee. The Independent Office for Police Conduct has ordered West Midlands Police to explain the ban on the Jewish fans and is mulling a full investigation. Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary and a local MP, has asked the Inspectorate of Constabulary to report on the intelligence used to justify the bar. Guildford is truly beleaguered and embattled to apply the terms traditionally applied to a man on the verge of resignation. His own cant come a moment too soon. Guildford insisted there had been no conspiracy when he appeared before a committee of MPs last week. Also giving evidence to MPs was the forces assistant chief constable Mike OHara who said that the ban was based on safety. Extremism isnt always religious as Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain help to prove. Nor is religious extremism always Islamist: chants of Jai Shri Ram (Glory to Lord Rama) were heard in Leicester during the Hindu-Muslim clashes of 2022. And Islam, the ancient religion, is not to be confused with Islamism, the political doctrine. Indeed, some prominent voices for banning Maccabis fans from Birmingham held secular jobs. But the West Midlands Police did consult local mosques before taking a view. One of these was the Green Lane Mosque. In 2023, it had 2m of government funding suspended after videos emerged of a preacher, Shaykh Abu Usamah at-Thahabi, saying that homosexuality is not permissible. Last month, the mosque live-streamed an imam, Aqeel Mahmood, saying that men could physically discipline their wives. The mosque claims that these clips are misleading and have been taken out of context. Others say likewise about similar excerpts on social media from other mosques featuring anti-Semitism, support for terror, Holocaust denial and the glorification of Hamas. In light of this, Ive tabled amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, currently under consideration in the House of Lords, that would, if passed, require police forces to publish details of all meetings held each year with religious leaders, representatives of faith communities and religious institutions. Ministers will doubtless argue that our hard-pressed police forces are groaning under the weight of the box-ticking and form-filling that they must already complete without another requirement being written into law. One sees the point of the argument. Which is why Im happy to withdraw my amendment, after its been debated and considered, if the Government minister will guarantee that details of the meetings will be made available. And if the Government really wants less form-filling, it can put some flesh on the bones of its claim that non-crime hate incidents will be scrapped. The final season of Babylon Berlin is due later this year. Ive no advance notice of how the plot pans out. But in the Germany of 1933, theres unlikely to be a happy ending. If were to be luckier, our liberal settlement will have to be more vigilant, informed and muscular. We must work harder at becoming more secure. If not, for Babylon Birmingham read Babylon Britain. Lord Goodman of Wycombe is a Conservative peer A 69-year-old British man has been found dead on his yacht on the Thai island of Phuket, police have said. The man who also holds Australian nationality had not been seen for several days prompting a friend to become concerned, according to local authorities. Police said a body was then found significantly decomposed on Khao Khad beach on Sunday. The man is believed to have been dead for around two days. The friend went to check on the unusually quiet vessel and found the mans body. He alerted staff at a nearby hotel of the discovery at 12.30pm local time. Lieutenant Watcharakorn Suwan of Wichit Police Station said: Regarding the reported news, we were informed by a hotel employee. We are currently investigating, gathering evidence, and awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death. We have not ruled out the possibility of an unnatural death. Staff revealed the man was not a guest at the hotel. Forensic officers and medical examiners from Vachira Phuket Hospital conducted a preliminary examination and found no signs of a struggle or foul play. Authorities are conducting an autopsy to confirm the cause of death. An investigation into the circumstances of the death is ongoing (Wichit Police Station) Both British and Australian embassies have been notified to assist with the repatriation of his remains, according to local media. The Independent has contacted Witchit Police and the UK foreign office for comment. The man is reported to have been living on the boat alone for over a decade and regularly travelled between Thailand and Malaysia. Thailand reported its first annual decline in tourism outside of the pandemic in 2025. The popular Southeast Asian country recorded 32.9 million arrivals between January and December a 7.2 per cent decline on 2024 figures, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). The drop is said to be caused by several factors including a fall in East Asian visitors following the Bangkok abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing in January 2025, the aftershocks of a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Myanmar, a border conflict with Cambodia and severe flooding in the south last year. The country appears to seek to rectify this with TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool saying that the tourism authority aims to welcome 36.7 million foreign tourists in 2026, with 70 per cent of international arrivals short-haul visitors, according to the Bangkok Post. At least one person has died as out-of-control bushfires continued to burn in southeast Australia, destroying hundreds of buildings, forcing evacuations and scorching vast stretches of land. Authorities warned that the crisis was far from over. Police confirmed on Sunday that human remains had been discovered near Longwood town, some 110km north of Melbourne, as firefighters battled dozens of active blazes across Victoria. The victim was yet to be identified. The fires have destroyed over 300 buildings, including homes, community facilities and agricultural infrastructure, and burned nearly 350,000 hectares of land across Victoria since the middle of last week. Victoria premier Jacinta Allan said more than 30 fires were burning across the state, with 10 considered of particular concern, as extreme heat, dry conditions and strong winds continued to fuel fire behaviour. We will see fires continue for some time across the state and that is why we are not through the worst of this by a long way, she told local media. Emergency services warned that conditions in some parts of Victoria had reached catastrophic fire danger levels, the highest rating, meaning fires burning or newly ignited could not be safely defended. Emergency management commissioner Tim Wiebusch said earlier that damaging winds and unusually hotter temperatures meant the fires were undefendable in several areas, forcing residents to leave rather than attempt to protect their homes. Two adults and a child were earlier reported missing in the Longwood area after being advised to shelter in place when it was too late to evacuate. Police later confirmed the discovery of human remains nearby, but said identification was still under way. A burnt car in Longwood, Victoria (AAP) The Longwood fire, one of the largest burning over the weekend, has destroyed homes, a community centre and a telephone exchange, while nearby fires have torn through vineyards, pine plantations and agricultural land. Another major blaze near Walwa, close to the New South Wales border, has burned through around 20,000 hectares, though authorities said it has not yet caused property losses. Dozens of communities across Victoria have been evacuated, while state parks and campgrounds have been closed. Thousands of homes and businesses have been left without power. Fire authorities warned it could take weeks to bring the situation under control. Chris Hardman, chief fire officer for Forest Fire Management Victoria, told the ABC: These fires will not be contained before it gets hot, dry and windy again. Smoke from the fires has spread across large areas of the state, prompting air quality warnings, including for metropolitan Melbourne. Health authorities have urged people to limit outdoor activity. Bushfire burns in the Mount Lawson State Park, west of Walwa, in Victoria (Forest Fire Management Victoria) In New South Wales, several fires were burning at the highest danger rating near the Victorian border, the Rural Fire Service said, as extreme conditions extended across southeastern Australia. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said his government would provide emergency financial assistance to the affected people, including support for urgent livestock fodder distribution. Its estimated that thousands of head of cattle are likely to have been impacted, he said in televised remarks. Authorities say the fires are the worst to hit southeast Australia since the 2019-20 Black Summer, which killed 33 people and burned an area roughly the size of Turkey. The fires have been driven by an intense heatwave in southeast Australia, with temperatures climbing into the mid-40s in parts of Victoria. Fire authorities warned that the extreme heat had rapidly dried vegetation, leaving large areas primed to burn once fires ignited. Charlie Swan believes there will be plenty of success in the future for Harry Cobden after he was announced in the plum role of retained rider to owner JP McManus in both Britain and Ireland. The 27-year-old has spent 10 years at Ditcheat as the number one jockey for 14-time champion trainer Paul Nicholls, but will take on a new job riding in the green and gold silks of McManus from the end of the current season in May. Swan famously partnered the McManus-owned Istabraq to three Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham, also winning the Irish equivalent four times, and can see why the 2023/24 champion jockey made the decision to move on after spending so long in Somerset. Swan told the Press Association: Harrys a very, very good rider, isnt he? You can see why theyve chosen him. Hes a really good rider and Pauls not got as many good horses as he did have. Theres lots of nice horse for him, so it will be a good move for him. JPs obviously a great man to be riding for. Its one of the best jobs in National Hunt racing. Cobden has little experience riding across the Irish Sea, but Swan thinks it will be a simple transition for him to divide his time between Britain and Ireland. He added: It isnt much different from England really, with lots of small and bigger tracks so it will not be a big change from what he has experienced in Britain. Barry Geraghty, who was the retained rider for McManus between 2015 and 2020, thinks Cobden is the perfect candidate. The William Hill ambassador said: Its one of the best jobs in racing. Theres a depth of quality there at all levels, youve last seasons Gold Cup and Ryanair winners, The New Lion, Jonbon, a bunch of smart novices and plenty more. Its a massive opportunity for Harry and Im sure he will grab it with both hands. It will be different for him riding in Ireland and Britain, but hes very capable and he wont have any problem adjusting to that. Harry is a very good rider and I think he is the right type of person to ride for JP. He rides a patient race and JP would rather his horses were ridden patiently than aggressively, so his style should be well suited to the job. He rides well over fences and hurdles and is a good horseman. When you get any big job, you have an internal pressure, but as you get used to it and you relax, you realise youre working for someone who has a great understanding of the sport and how it works. Nicky Henderson has trained more big-race winners for McManus than any other British-based trainer in recent years, most notably providing him with four Champion Hurdle wins courtesy of Binocular (2010), Buveur dAir (2017, 2018) and Epatante (2020) and 10 Grade Ones with crack two-miler Jonbon. Cobden is nought from three in rides for Henderson, a record the Seven Barrows handler hopes will quickly improve in the coming months. That must be down to my training, because its certainly not his riding, Henderson said. Hes a very good jockey, of course he is. Met police officers imposing conditions on a demonstration in central London in December. Photograph: Rosie Shead/PA (Photograph: Rosie Shead/PA) More than 40 civil society groups including the TUC, Greenpeace and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign have joined forces to oppose dangerous plans to increase police powers to ban protests in England and Wales. They said an amendment in the crime and policing bill, which would require police to consider the cumulative impact of repeated protests in the same area when imposing conditions on demonstrations, represented a draconian crackdown on our rights to freedom of expression and assembly. In a joint statement, published on Monday, the groups, which also include Amnesty International UK, Liberty, Quakers in Britain and the National Education Union, said: The size of an area is not specified, and police are not required to take into account whether the protests are for the same cause or involve the same people. Although government statements make clear these powers have been brought forward in response to the mass national marches for Palestinian rights, the impact of this change of law would be wide-ranging. An anti-racist march could be blocked from Whitehall because of a previous farmers protest, or a pride march restricted because a far-right demonstration was recently held in the same town. When announcing the new police powers in October, the home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said repeated large-scale demonstrations over Gaza had caused considerable fear for the Jewish community after a deadly terror attack on a synagoge in Manchester. Ben Jamal, the director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: Instead of addressing its responsibilities under international law [with respect to Israels actions in Gaza] and addressing the core demands of the protestors, which are supported according to opinion polls by a majority of the British public, successive governments have instead sought to repress protest through ever more draconian laws. The right to protest including in solidarity with the Palestinian people or in opposition to the policies and actions of the British government is a precious democratic principle that is under the gravest threat and must be defended. The joint statement, which was also signed by other trade unions, charities, NGOs, faith, climate justice, and human rights organisations, called on the government to immediately drop its dangerous proposal. Lyle Barker, a policy and campaigns officer at Liberty, said: The government must stop introducing new anti-protest powers until the review of current laws has taken place and instead work to protect our basic human right to make our voices heard when those in power refuse to listen. The joint statement said the civil rights movement, the campaign for womens suffrage and the movement against apartheid in South Africa all relied on the cumulative impact of repeated protests over many years. It added: No protest movement has ever brought about change through a one-off demonstration. Paul Nowak, the general secretary of the TUC, said: Restrictions on the right to protest are a major concern for the trade union movement in this country. With the far right on the rise in the UK and across the globe, we must be extra vigilant in defending basic human rights and democratic norms. A Home Office spokesperson said: The right to protest is fundamental to our democracy, and it is a long-standing tradition in this country that people are free to demonstrate their views. These new powers will not ban protests, but they will help protect communities from repeated disruption while protecting the right to peaceful protest. The countries the US government says are too dangerous for Americans Choosing which country to take a vacation in is often a tough decision. But the choice can be narrowed by paying attention to advice from the U.S. Department of State. For travelers, it divides countries into four categories, from Level 1 (safest) to Level 4 (most dangerous). Level 4 countries come with a do not travel warning and can be found across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe and South America. These nations are often war-torn and have extremely high levels of crime and terrorism. Whats more, they often lack U.S. embassies, and many insurance policies exclude coverage. Afghanistan is one of 22 countries that Americans are told to avoid altogether. Pictured is the capital, Kabul (Getty Images) Level 3 countries, which include several popular vacation destinations, arent deemed out of bounds, but travel to them, says the U.S. government, should be reconsidered. Here are the current Level 3 and 4 countries: Department of States Level 4 do not travel countries and territories Afghanistan The security situation is extremely unstable and the threat to U.S. citizens remains critical. The U.S. Embassy Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021. Belarus Do not travel due to unrest and other risks. The U.S. government has extremely limited ability to help detained U.S. citizens. You could also face arbitrary detention with no contact with the outside world. Burkina Faso Terrorists may attack anywhere with little or no warning and may utilize various tactics including the use of common, commercially available items or the use of kidnapping for ransom. Burma (Myanmar) Armed conflict, the potential for civil unrest, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, poor health infrastructure, land mines and unexploded ordnance, crime, and wrongful detentions. Central African Republic Unrest, landmines and violent crime are common. It includes homicide, kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated battery, and larceny. Gaza (territory) Terrorism and armed conflict. Haiti [It] has been under a State of Emergency since March 2024. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Iran Risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest and wrongful detention. There is no U.S. Embassy in Iran. U.S. citizens in Iran should leave immediately. Iraq U.S. citizens in Iraq face violence and kidnapping. Terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attack Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. militias threaten U.S. citizens and international companies. Lebanon Due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and the risk of armed conflict. Libya There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Libya. Kidnapping is widespread, and victims have included U.S. citizens. Mali Violent crime is common throughout Mali. Crimes include kidnapping, assault, armed robbery, home invasion, and carjacking. Niger A state of emergency and movement restrictions are in place in many regions throughout the country. Terrorists continue to plot attacks and use kidnapping for ransom as a business model. North Korea North Korea has subjected U.S. citizens to arbitrary entry and exit bans, expulsions, arrests, and other actions. If you go, the State Department advises travelers to draft a will. Russia Russian officials often question and threaten U.S. citizens without reason. Russian security services have arrested U.S. citizens on false charges. They have denied them fair treatment and convicted them without credible evidence. Somalia Violent crime is common throughout Somalia, including kidnapping and murder. Illegal roadblocks are widespread. Terrorists continue to plot kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks. South Sudan Armed conflict, crime, and kidnapping. Sudan Violent crime is common. This includes carjackings, shootings, ambushes, assaults, robberies, and kidnappings. Armed conflict is ongoing and includes fighting between various political and ethnic groups. Weapons are readily available to the population. Syria Syria has experienced active armed conflict since 2011. No part of Syria is safe from violence. Hostage taking, terrorism, unexploded ordnance, and aerial bombardment pose significant risk of death or serious injury. Ukraine Frequent shelling, missile and drone attacks on populated areas and civilian infrastructure by Russia. Venezuela High risk of wrongful detention, torture in detention, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure. All U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents in Venezuela are strongly advised to depart immediately. Yemen Due to terrorism, unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping, and landmines. Department of States Level 3 reconsider travel countries and territories These are countries with high crime rates and often specific do not travel zones. Jamaica comes with a 'reconsider travel' warning from the US government (Solarisys - stock.adobe.com) Bangladesh avoid Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts). Burundi avoid the former Central Market located on Chaussee Prince Louis Rwagasore in Bujumbura, Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces, and Kibira National Park. Colombia avoid Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayan), Norte de Santander departments and the Colombia-Venezuela border region. Chad avoid Lake Chad, and borders with Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan. Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R.C) North and South Kivu; Ituri province; Tanganyika, Haut Lomami, and the three Kasai provinces (Kasai, Kasai-Oriental, Kasai-Central); as well as Mai-Ndombe province. Ethiopia avoid Tigray Region; AfarTigray border areas; Amhara Region; Gambella Region; Benishangul-Gumuz Region; Oromia Region; Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples (SNNP) Region; Somalia border areas; Sudan border areas; South Sudan border areas; and Kenya border areas. Guatemala avoid San Marcos Department (except the city of San Marcos); Huehuetenango Department (except the city of Huehuetenango); Zone 18 in Guatemala City; and the city of Villa Nueva. Guinea-Bissau Landmines and unexploded ordnance from prior conflicts exist throughout Guinea-Bissau. Riskiest areas are Bafata, Oio, Biombo, Quinara, and Tombali. Guyana violent crime, including murder and armed robbery, is common. Honduras avoid Gracias a Dios Department. Israel avoid areas within 2.5 miles of the Lebanese, Syrian, and Egyptian borders. Jamaica avoid St. Anns Parish; St. Catherines Parish; Clarendon Parish; St. Elizabeths Parish; Hanover Parish; St. James Parish (including Montego Bay); Kingston and St. Andrew Parish; Manchester Parish; St. Thomas Parish; Trelawny Parish; and Westmoreland Parish. Mauritania "The government of Mauritania designates certain areas off-limits to foreigners and most Mauritanians. These No Movement Zones are very dangerous. They are near Mali, where armed groups are fighting an active insurgency." Nepal Reconsider travel to Nepal due to civil unrest. New Caledonia (France) Protests, demonstrations, tire burning, and roadblocks are frequent, unpredictable, and have turned violent. Nicaragua Due to arbitrary enforcement of laws, the risk of wrongful detention, and limited healthcare availability. Nigeria avoid Borno State; Yobe State; Kogi State; northern Adamawa State; Bauchi State; Gombe State; Kaduna State; Kano State; Katsina State; Sokoto State; Zamfara State; Abia State; Anambra State; Bayelsa State; Delta State; Enugu State; Imo State; and Rivers State (excluding Port Harcourt). Papua New Guinea avoid Central Bougainville, particularly areas near the Panguna mine, the Highlands region, other than the towns of Mt. Hagen and Goroka. Pakistan avoid Balochistan Province; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA); and the immediate vicinity of the IndiaPakistan border and the Line of Control. Tanzania "Due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and targeting of gay and lesbian individuals." Trinidad and Tobago avoid Laventille; parts of Charlotte Street (between Oxford Street and Park Street); Piccadilly Street; Besson Street; Beetham; Sea Lots; Cocorite; the interior of Queens Park Savannah; and downtown Port of Spain (at night), as well as the Fort George overlook and all beaches after dark. Uganda Reconsider travel to Uganda due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and laws targeting persons based on sexual orientation. Read more: Seven tiny European nations you must visit in 2026 Dan Bongino gets a return date for his radio show after 10-month stint at FBI Former deputy FBI director Dan Bongino is set to pick up podcasting once again. Bongino, who left his popular podcast and video show to take on the deputy role in March, will return to the microphone on February 2, Rumble, which streams the show, announced. The former law enforcement officer and Secret Service agent gained a national profile during Trumps first term as a conservative commentator on his podcast, which he launched after unsuccessfully running for Congress in 2012, 2014 and 2016. Bongino stepped down from the FBI last month after just 10 months in the job without providing any specific reason. However, his tenure with the department has been in question since July, when he reportedly clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi over the administrations failure to release the Jeffrey Epstein files over the summer. Former deputy FBI director Dan Bongino will return to his podcast next month (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Bondi had promised disclosures about the governments investigation, but failed to deliver results, angering prominent conservative personalities online. Bonginos clash with Bondi was serious enough that he reportedly didnt show up for work one day in July, only adding fuel to the rumors that he would eventually step down from his position as deputy FBI director. In August, the FBI appointed Missouri General Andrew Bailey as its new co-deputy director, meaning Bongino had to share his duties. However, that change may have been welcomed by Bongino, who lamented to Fox and Friends in May that he gave up everything to take the job drawing sharp backlash and mockery online from critics. Last month, Bongino announced his departure from the post, thanking Trump, Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel for the opportunity. When asked about Bongino stepping down from the role, President Donald Trump told reporters, Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show. Bonginos show will be available on all major platforms, including Apple Music and Spotify, and stream weekdays from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST, the announcement said. Expert recommendations provide crucial guidance to leverage CGM and AID during pregnancy. SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The diaTribe Foundation announces the publication of the first international consensus statement on the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and automated insulin delivery (AID) during pregnancy. Published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, the document aims to standardize care, improve outcomes, and ease the daily burden of managing type 1 (T1D), type 2 (T2D), and gestational diabetes (GDM) during pregnancy. Managing diabetes is exceptionally challenging during pregnancy due to hormonal shifts and narrow glucose targets. As CGM and AID become standard of care in diabetes for their ability to improve management, many enter pregnancy already relying on these technologies or adopt them to help navigate this demanding time. Despite growing use, application of technology has remained disjointed in pregnancy due to a lack of detailed clinical guidance, particularly for T2D and GDM. "Application of Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Automated Insulin Delivery Technologies for Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes or Gestational Diabetes Mellitus " was developed by experts across six continents to address this gap. "It is absolutely possible to have a safe and healthy pregnancy with diabetes, and technologies can helpbut these tools are often underutilized due to limited research, few devices approved for use in pregnancy, and a lack of clear guidance," said Dr. Katrien Benhalima, endocrinologist and chair of the expert author group. "Publishing this consensus is a key step to ensuring that maternal healthcare for people with diabetes continues to improve as technologies evolve." The paper provides 14 specific recommendations, including: Guidance on picking AID systems and adapting settings to meet pregnancy-specific physiological needs, including detailed charts with device-specific recommendations Considerations for technology use during preconception, pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the immediate postpartum period CGM time in range targets specifically for T2D and GDM, expanding upon previous standards set for T1D. The consensus aims to support key members of the pregnancy care team who may be less familiar with diabetes technologies, including primary care and obstetrics providers, through recommendations based on the latest evidence and clinical experience. By confirming these technologies can be safely used during pregnancy, the authors also hope to increase device access and user confidence. This initiative was led by The diaTribe Foundation and strengthened by input from 25 leading global bodies, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Breakthrough T1D, European Association for the Study of Diabetes, and World Organization of Family Doctors. The diaTribe Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of people with diabetes and advocating for action. We ensure that people have the resources and education needed to thrive with diabetes, bring people with diabetes to the conversation on regulatory issues, connect the field and the diabetes community, and change the narrative around diabetes. Endorsing organizations: ADJ Diabetes Brazil Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes American Association of Clinical Endocrinology American College of Diabetology American Pharmacists Association Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society Australian Diabetes Society Australian Diabetes Educators Association Brazilian Diabetes Society Breakthrough T1D Centre for Chronic Disease Control (India) Diabetes Australia Diabetes India European Association for the Study of Diabetes European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups International Diabetes Federation International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics Japan Diabetes Society Research Society for the Study of Diabetes India Society for Obstetric Medicine India World Organization of Family Doctors Supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists SOURCE The diaTribe Foundation From left: Cynthia Nixon, Ilana Glazer and Mark Ruffalo. Photograph: Getty Images (Photograph: Getty Images) Dozens of artists, including Cynthia Nixon, Mark Ruffalo and Ilana Glazer, have joined with doctors, human rights leaders and humanitarian organizations to call for the immediate restoration of medical care in Gaza in a letter addressed to the state of Israel and world leaders. Israels systematic attacks on hospitals and unlawful blockade have collapsed Gazas healthcare system, says the letter, which was shared exclusively with the Guardian. Through its policies and military activities, the government of Israel has deliberately inflicted conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of Palestinians in Gaza and then denied the very help that could save them. Among those who added their names to Mondays letter, which was organised by a group of non-profits, is Wesam Hamada, mother of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl from Gaza City who was killed by Israeli fire in January 2024 while waiting for a team of Palestinian paramedics whose ambulance was shelled while trying to reach her. Her story has been memorialized in the Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hanias latest film, The Voice of Hind Rajab, which has been shortlisted for an Academy Award. Hind Rajab did not die because help was impossible, but because it was denied, Ben Hania said in a statement to the Guardian. Other signatories include Brian Eno, Rosie ODonnell and Morgan Spector. The Israeli organization BTselem and Physicians for Human Rights are among the human rights groups that signed the letter, which will be presented to UK and EU leaders in parliamentary meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. The letter calls for the immediate, unconditional, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access into Palestine, including the entry of medical and humanitarian personnel. Israel recently banned dozens of aid agencies from work in Gaza and the West Bank, including Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), on the grounds that they would not fulfill onerous registration requirements that the groups say would put their staff at risk. MSF says it supports one in five of Gazas hospital beds and one in three mothers during childbirth. The UN Human Rights Office estimates that 94% of Gazas hospitals have been damaged or destroyed since Israels assault on Gaza began in 2023. At least 1,722 healthcare workers have been killed by the Israeli military over two years of war, the group said. Many medical items, including wheelchairs and walkers, have been barred entry. A panel of UN experts determined that Israels attacks on the sector and its workers amounted to medicide the systematic destruction of Gazas healthcare system and a component of Israels larger campaign against Palestinians that legal experts have called genocide. The Israeli military said in a statement that the claims that IDF forces are deliberately preventing medical teams from treating wounded civilians is completely baseless, both in the Gaza Strip and in the Judea and Samaria region, using the term for the West Bank preferred by the Israeli government. The IDF recognizes the importance of the special protections given to medical teams under international humanitarian law and takes action to prevent harm to them, the statement continued. The letter asks world leaders to take immediate action to restore and enable medical access for patients in Gaza and the West Bank, where increasing restrictions on movement have affected access to medical care. More than 18,500 Palestinians await medical evacuation from Gaza, (MSF) estimated in December. The humanitarian agency said that at least 1,000 people have died awaiting care. Dr Thaer Gazawneh, a Chicago-based emergency physician who signed Mondays letter, believes that Israels restrictions are designed to push Palestinians out of Gaza. [They] are making the living conditions in Gaza so unbearable that people will be forced to be displaced again. Gazawneh volunteers in the West Bank where he said it had become nearly impossible to dispatch emergency responders due to Israeli checkpoints and the threat of arbitrary arrests. At least 384 medical workers have been unlawfully detained by Israels military, according to the NGO Healthcare Workers Watch. This call for medical access is urgent because medicine and care is the bare minimum of humanity, and when even thats blocked, it puts every person on the planet at risk of being treated the same way: subhuman, Glazer told the Guardian. Glazer, a New York-based Jewish comedian and actor first famed for her television series Broad City, has been a sharp critic of Israels war in Gaza, and previously signed a letter alongside 150 Jewish creatives calling for a ceasefire and the safe return of hostages. Hinds mother told the Guardian that the issue of medical access felt particularly personal because her daughter had dreamed of becoming a doctor. Hind never bought any ordinary toys or dolls like other children. She always chose doctors toys: a stethoscope, a plastic syringe, a small first-aid kit. She would treat her dolls, pat them, and promise them that everything would be all right, Hamada said. Hinds dream is no longer to become a doctor, but for the children of Gaza to find a doctor, a hospital, medicine, and safety. This article was amended on 14 January 2026 to clarify that the mother of Hind Rajab added her name to the open letter, which was organised by a group of non-profits. Despite some typically overwrought, misguided and, quite possibly, non-human discussions on X about whether the British government is about to follow Malaysia and Indonesia by banning Grok, the platforms AI-powered assistant, it feels an inherently unlikely outcome. The present row about sexualised deepfake images is degenerating, unnecessarily, into a paranoid one about free speech. It need not be thus. To be clear, since Elon Musk took over Twitter, renamed it X and added the Grok chatbot function, the once relatively anodyne social media platform has descended into a cesspit of every kind of racism, misogyny, social and sexual hate, misinformation, disinformation, political manipulation, election interference, pornography, conspiracy theories and much else. It is now effectively an unmoderated and deeply depressing showcase of the worst of humanity and, indeed, the troubling extension of humanity that is artificial intelligence. It was surely only a matter of time before AI functionality would be perverted to produce images overwhelmingly of women and children undressed, or worse. It is distressing to those who find themselves the non-consensual victims of this phenomenon. They feel violated and humiliated, and no one should deride them for that. However, free speech absolutist as Mr Musk claims to be, even he has his limits, and surely isnt in favour of indecent images of children on demand. To be fair, his company has shown some willingness to face the issue. X has said that: 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. Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content. The anonymity of people using Grok and X to make and publish such images is to be removed, so that they can, in principle, be pursued by the authorities and dealt with by what remains of Xs staff. It seems a stronger deterrent than the present feeble system of self-regulation via community notes. If Mr Musk keeps his word, then this tide of bogus, intimate and humiliating images may start to be pushed back as much of it is already illegal. The very creation of such images is already banned in the UK. Under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, it is a criminal offence to create sexually explicit images of another person without their consent, even if the image has not been shared. The spreading of vile images was rendered unlawful by the Online Safety Act, passed in 2023. Soon, as part of the governments strategy on violence against women and girls, the AI programmes that can produce sexualised images, through nudification, will also themselves be outlawed. That, in theory, would include Grok, if it were left to its current devices. It is difficult to believe that Grok would be less of a boon to mankind if it stopped stripping women of their clothes and self-esteem. It is entirely right, therefore, that Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, should put the safety of women and girls first, and bring in new laws as soon as possible to protect them, without losing the astonishing potential for good that AI can bring. It is up to Ofcom to determine if British laws are being broken and to take the appropriate action. However, Mr Musk, true to form, has also said that such moves to control obscene images are because they just want to suppress free speech. This is as absurd as it is unfair, and Mr Musk must surely see, as the X statement indicates, that CSAM should have no place on X or xAI. Beneath the outrage and overheated commentary about freedoms, it actually commands wide support. Even JD Vance, hardly woke, is reportedly sympathetic to getting rid of hyper-pornographied slop online. Family values can trump free speech absolutism. Thus, theres no need to ban Grok or X merely to fix it, and, in the interests of fairness, to treat all social media channels and AI the same way. There is, though, a growing feeling in the West, as the pace of technological change picks up, about the way children are exposed to X and other social media platforms. When infants can, in principle, access disturbing images online before they can walk, and soon enough find themselves bullied and attacked online, it seems reasonable to question the impact on the development of young minds. Kemi Badenoch, normally a keen libertarian, is the latest mainstream leader to suggest that a prohibition be placed on the under-16s using all social media. This would be backed up by a ban on smartphones in schools. It may sound draconian, and it may prove impractical, but fortunately for all concerned, the Australian government has volunteered to be a global guinea pig in a national experiment to test the theory that the intellectual development, attention spans, behaviour and mental health of the young would be enhanced by the absence of social media. It is analogous to restrictions in the sale to them of alcohol, tobacco and vapes, as well as illicit drugs, and even if the ban on social media might be harder to enforce, the Australian experience will prove instructive. Meantime, Mr Musk should be asked to follow his own rules and get child sexual abuse material off his platforms and out of Grok, at least so far as the UK is concerned. It seems reasonable that American companies in any sector, from Ford to McDonalds to Goldman Sachs and indeed X, should abide by the laws of the countries in which they operate. The EU is said to be demanding that financial compensation be paid by any future British government that reneges on a post-Brexit reset deal signed with Sir Keir Starmer, as part of an attempt to protect the agreement should Reform UK ever come to power. A draft text of the proposed EU-UK veterinary agreement which would slash red tape for UK food and drink exporters reportedly includes a termination clause that would require Britain to pay a penalty if it left the deal, a stipulation that is said to have been dubbed the Farage clause by EU diplomats. But government sources told The Independent that it is standard for agreements to have contingency clauses that apply in the event of termination, adding that any such clause would work both ways, and noting that talks to set out the precise terms of the deal have not yet begun. Responding to the reports, Nigel Farage said he would refuse to hand over any money to Brussels under any deal signed by Sir Keir, telling the Financial Times: I would break it. Nigel Farage has said he would break any clause signed by Keir Starmer that brought the UK closer to the EU (PA) He said: No parliament may bind its successor; we will not honour any clause. If Starmer signs this, it is a democratic outrage. Hitting back, a government source said: Exit provisions are a basic staple of any international trade agreement. Pretending these routine legal contingencies constitute a democratic outrage is frankly exhausting. It comes after sources told the Financial Times that any party that pulled out of the deal would be forced to cover the cost of reinstating border checks and infrastructure controls. Referring to the proposed clause, one EU diplomat told the newspaper it was a safety provision to provide stability and a deterrent for Farage and co, saying that the bloc is looking to sign a deal that will endure past the end of the current UK parliamentary term in 2029. The EU wants an agreement long term, and not only until 2029, should a change happen at the next election, they said. The draft text of the agreement also requires Britain to dynamically align [with] and simultaneously apply any rules introduced in Brussels that relate to animal and plant products. But both Reform UK and the Tories have promised to overturn plans for dynamic alignment which would see Britain agree to automatically adopt future changes to EU rules arguing that it would water down the legal independence Britain has gained since Brexit. It comes as the government prepares a bill that would hand ministers the power 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 into line with EU law in certain areas, such as food standards, animal welfare, and pesticide use. 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. 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 in an interview at the start of this year, the prime minister signalled that the government would be prepared to align even more closely with the EU single market if such a move were in the national interest, insisting that Britain should go further in strengthening its post-Brexit ties with Brussels. The Cabinet Office has been contacted for comment. Nuuk, Greenlands capital. Photograph: Kwiyeon Ha/AP (Photograph: Kwiyeon Ha/AP) The Trump administration has said repeatedly that the US needs to gain control of Greenland, justifying its claim from the standpoint of national security and warning that it will do something about the territory whether they like it or not. This puts the EU and Nato in a difficult spot. Greenland, a largely self-governing part of Denmark, is not a member of the bloc but Denmark is; while the Arctic island is covered by the defence alliances guarantees through Denmarks membership. European leaders have strongly defended sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right of Greenland and Denmark to decide on matters concerning them, but there is as yet no clear strategy on how to deter Trump or respond if he does make a move. Here are some of the options. Diplomacy, and Arctic security The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, is due to meet the Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers on Wednesday but Denmarks ambassador to the US, Jesper Mller Srensen, and Greenlands envoy, Jacob Isbosethsen, have already begun lobbying US lawmakers. Diplomatic overtures will aim in part to address US security concerns, first by stressing that an existing US-Danish defence treaty from 1951, updated in 2004, already allows for massive expansion of the American military presence on the island, including new bases. In a message aimed squarely at Republicans beyond Trumps Maga circle, they will also underline that, as Denmarks prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, put it, a US attack on Greenland, in effect one member turning against another, would mean the end of Nato. More concretely, Nato ambassadors reportedly agreed in Brussels last week that the transatlantic alliance should move to boost military spending in the Arctic, deploying more equipment and holding more and bigger exercises to help allay US security concerns. Although Trumps claims that Greenland is full of Chinese and Russian ships everywhere are plainly exaggerated, diplomats believe some kind of concerted western move to strengthen Greenlands external security could be the least painful way out of the crisis. EU officials have said this could be modelled on Baltic Sentry, a Nato operation launched last year to secure infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, and Eastern Sentry, which expanded the concept to more broadly protect Europes eastern flank from drones and other threats. Economic sanctions In theory, the EU a market of 450 million people has considerable economic leverage over the US and could threaten retaliatory measures ranging from shutting down US military bases in Europe to banning European purchases of US government bonds. The most widely touted sanction is the EUs anti-coercion instrument or trade bazooka, which gives the European Commission the power to bar US goods and services from the EU market, apply tariffs, strip their intellectual property rights and block their investments. But that would require the blocs national governments to agree to use it, which unwilling to inflict economic harm on the bloc, and eager to keep the US onboard over Ukraine they have seemed unlikely to do even when faced with Trumps threatened trade tariffs. Europe relies on US tech companies in all manner of areas, noted Jean-Marie Guehenno, a former top UN official: Whether it is data protection, artificial intelligence or software updates, including for defence, Europe remains at the mercy of American goodwill. For any threat of economic sanctions to be effective, moreover, Trump would have to believe it was real which, so far at least, it all too clearly is not. Invest in Greenland Greenlands economy relies heavily on annual subsidies from Denmark, totalling about DKK4bn (about 530m) last year, which cover roughly half of the vast territorys public spending budget and represent about 20% of its GDP. Trumps promises to invest billions could be matched by the EU in an effort to keep the island which, at some stage in the not too distant future, is thought likely to vote in favour of independence from Denmark out of the economic clutches of the US. A draft Commission proposal from September suggests the EU could double its commitments to Greenland to match the annual Danish grant, while the island could also apply for up to 44m of EU funding for remote EU-associated territories. While Washington may have billions more to offer than Brussels, Greenlanders may, once they have won their independence, be wary of laying themselves open to rapacious US corporations and reluctant to lose their Nordic-style social security system. Commit troops All the above would take time. Moreover, it is not clear that Trumps Greenland ambitions would be satisfied by treaties or enhanced Arctic security: US ownership of the island was psychologically needed for success, the US president told the New York Times. In a paper for the influential Bruegel thinktank, Moreno Bertoldi and Marco Buti argued that EU governments should proactively protect Greenland from US expansionism, adding: The EU has a rapid deployment capacity and it should be activated. In agreement with Copenhagen and Nuuk, they said, European troops should be deployed on the island as a signal of Europes commitment to Greenlands territorial integrity. While that would not prevent US annexation, it would render it far more complicated. While there would be no need for an armed confrontation, the spectacle of the US taking prisoner the troops of its closest allies would ruin US credibility, tarnish its international reputation and strongly influence the US public and Congress, they argued. A German government spokesperson said last week that Berlin was working on a plan including European deterrence for if the US tried to take Greenland, while Frances foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, last year floated the prospect of deploying a French military contingent. The EUs rapid deployment capacity is a framework for quickly deploying up to 5,000 troops from several different member states, under EU command, for crisis response outside the bloc. It could change US calculations, experts and some politicians believe. No one believes a war between the US and the EU is desirable or winnable, said Sergey Lagodinsky, a German Green MEP. But a US military move against the EU would have devastating consequences for defence cooperation, markets, and global trust in the US. That may make Trump think twice. Family celebrating non-verbal daughters birthday at Universal are escorted out of park over shoplifting misunderstanding A Florida family says a misunderstanding involving their autistic daughter led to them being kicked out of the Universal Orlandos Epic Universe theme park on suspicion of shoplfting. Nikki Daou, her husband, and their daughter who is nonverbal and has autism were at the park on December 27 celebrating the girl's seventh birthday. Before arriving at Universal, Daou registered her daughter with the park's disability access program, according to News 6 Orlando. The family spent several hours at the park and eventually visited a gift shop themed after the iconic Nintendo character Mario. Daou told the outlet that her daughter became very excited about a Mario keychain. Before they could pay, the gift shop reportedly began to fill with customers. The crowds made Daou's child overwhelmed and irritable, so Daou removed the girl and the keychain from the shop while her husband waited behind to pay. A family was kicked out of Universal Orlandos Epic Universe theme park after their 7-year-old daughter with autism grabbed a $16 Mario-themed keychain and then became irritable when the gift shop became crowded. The girls mother removed her and the keychain from the store leaving her husband behind to pay for the keychain but Universal security reportedly accused them of shoplifting and threw them out of the park (Universal Orlando Resort) According to Daou, her husband removed the tag from the keychain so he could have the checkout worker scan the item. The keychain reportedly cost $16. She told the outlet that Universal security guards approached her shortly after she left the gift shop and accused her of shoplifting. I felt very scared, Daou told the broadcaster. I immediately started crying. She said she tried to explain the situation to the guards and noted that her husband was still inside the store waiting to pay for the item. Despite giving her account, she was escorted to a security office for further questioning. The park's security eventually called the Orange County Sheriff's Office, which dispatched deputies to the park. Daou was informed that she and her family would be escorted off the park's property. Universal later reportedly warned the woman that she was being banned from the park for a year and would receive a fine in the mail. Daou's attorney, Eric Block of Morgan & Morgan, told News 6 Orlando that he sent a demand letter to Universal accusing it of overreacting and failing to take the girl's special needs into account. They didnt apologize or acknowledge that this was a misunderstanding, Block said. Instead, they sent a demand letter for money, accusing her of retail theft. The Independent has requested comment from Universal. The Daou family said they are not interested in trying to coerce a financial payout from Universal, and said they hope the company will rectify the misunderstanding by training their staff on their own Americans with Disabilities Act policies. Nigel Farage has vowed to overturn any insurance deal with the EU, branding it a democratic outrage - Thomas Krych/Anadolu via Getty Nigel Farage has accused Brussels of binding Britain to the European Union through a Farage clause that threatens huge tariffs. A draft of Sir Keir Starmers agriculture deal, which removes Brexit red tape for food and drink exporters, includes a clause that would force the UK to pay significant costs if it left the agreement. This would hit Britain if Reform or the Conservatives took power because both Mr Farage and Kemi Badenoch, the Tory party leader, have vowed to reverse Sir Keirs deals with the EU. Responding to reports in the Financial Times of the clause, Mr Farage said: No Parliament may bind its successor and we will not honour any clause. If Starmer signs this, its a democratic outrage. The Reform leader is expected to comment further on the provision at a press conference in central London on Monday morning. Last May, The Telegraph revealed Sir Keir had also bound future governments to a 12-year agreement on fishing rights. The move was also described as a Farage clause as UK and EU negotiators agreed to reopen the post-Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement. This allowed Brussels to introduce punitive measures on British exports if European fishermens access to British coastal waters was restricted any time before July 2038. Ministers raise prospect of rejoining customs union Last month, David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, appeared to break ranks by refusing seven times to rule out reversing Brexit. He claimed that rejoining the customs union was not currently Government policy, but that it was self-evident that other countries had seen growth after doing so. No 10 subsequently clarified its position and Sir Keir insisted there would be no return to the customs union. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, has also suggested Sir Keir go further to undo Brexit by also hinting at the prospect of returning to the customs union. Government sources insisted the proposed clause was routine and that it was designed to work both ways in that it would force the EU to compensate Britain if it ripped up the deal. A Labour source said: Exit provisions are a basic staple of any international trade agreement. Pretending these routine legal contingencies constitute a democratic outrage [is] frankly exhausting. Zia Yusuf, Reforms head of policy, told GB News: Its a democratic outrage, thats what it is. Keir Starmer is very sneakily dragging the UK back into the European Union, which is already a betrayal and an insult to the 17.4 million people who voted to leave. And in doing so hes doing something the EU is literally calling, according to the Financial Times, a Farage clause, which is a clause that would apply punitive fines on the UK if a future government of the UK chose to unwind Starmers betrayal. He added: If the European Union are looking for a Farage clause, oh boy, we will give them a Farage clause. How about terminating welfare payments to foreign nationals, including EU foreign nationals? Mr Farage has previously warned Sir Keirs fishing deal will be the end of the industry without further investment from the Government. Sir Keir Starmer has said he wants to reinstate closer ties with the EU - Thierry Monasse/Getty Images Sir Keir has been warned by farmers that his Brexit reset will wreak havoc across British agriculture and threaten the nations food security. The Prime Ministers plans involve closer alignment with the European Union amid plans to reduce trade friction, paving the way for easier export of farm produce into Europe. However, farmers warned last week that it would result in harsher standards being imposed on British food production to comply with Brussels regulations. Farming products such as herbicides and pesticides are currently allowed in the UK but banned in Europe, but could be taken out of farmers hands to comply with Brussels. Critics of Sir Keirs proposals have also pointed out that they could leave British farmers struggling to compete with their counterparts on the world stage. The Prime Minister has made strengthening Britains ties with the EU a major focus of his first 18 months in power. Labour pledged in its general election manifesto to reset the UKs relationship with the bloc, which has been strained since Britain left the EU in 2020. Sir Keir has ruled out a return to the single market, customs union and freedom of movement, although No 10 was forced to emphasise this after Cabinet ministers suggested Britain could rejoin the customs union in the future. The Prime Minister has promised to put the relationship on a more solid, stable footing and to be pragmatic in his dealings with Brussels. This has prompted criticism from Mr Farage and Mrs Badenoch, who have accused him of seeking to undo Brexit. Controversial former Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform UK after apparently unsuccessfully begging to be nominated for a peerage. The former ally of Boris Johnson has become the highest-profile politician yet to ditch the Conservatives for Nigel Farages party but question marks are being raised about the motivations of a man who was sacked as a minister for breaching the ministerial code in relation to his tax affairs. In a video message announcing his defection, the former MP, who served in various ministerial positions under Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, claimed that Britain is drinking at the last chance saloon and really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister. He added: Ive made up my mind that the team that will deliver for this nation will be the team that Nigel will put together, and thats why Ive decided that Im joining Reform UK. Nadhim Zahawi has become the latest defector from the Tories to Reform (X/Reform UK) Tory sources claimed that the former cabinet minister only jumped ship after his request for a peerage was rejected by Kemi Badenoch. A senior source told The Independent that Mr Zahawi was begging Kemi for a peerage and she said no before he ratted. Mr Zahawi has dismissed the claim, saying he had received a message that Ms Badenochs team want to look at elevating me, and would contact him this year, The Telegraph reported. The claim, however, has echoes of Nadine Dorries defection after her nomination for a peerage by Boris Johnson was blocked during Rishi Sunaks time as prime minister. But the move will still be a huge blow to the current Tory leader, who had hoped that she was improving her partys fortunes after a dismal year in the polls. In a More in Common poll published last week, Reform were on 31 per cent eight points ahead of the Tories, who were on 23 per cent. Ms Badenochs office hit back in response to Mr Zahawis defection, with a Conservative spokesperson saying: Reform is fast becoming the party of has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train. Their latest recruit used to say hed be frightened to live in a country run by Nigel Farage, which shows the level of loyalty for sale. Reform want higher welfare spending and higher taxes. They are a one-man band with no plan for our country. Under Kemi Badenoch, the Conservatives are demonstrating we have the plan, the competence and the team to get Britain working again. The Reform leader said he hoped Zahawis defection would dispel any notion that the party is a one-man band (Getty) Mr Farage insisted the ex-Tory big beasts move to his party would help to dispel suggestions that Reform UK is a one-man band. A leading Brexiteer, Mr Zahawi is the latest in a long line of former allies of Mr Johnson to defect to Reform. Former culture secretary Ms Dorries, former chair Sir Jake Berry, former education minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns and former Brexit minister David Jones have all made the move. Mr Zahawi was sacked as Conservative Party chair in 2023 after he was found to have breached the ministerial code in relation to his tax affairs. It followed an investigation that was first revealed in July 2022 by The Independent, which reported that HMRC officials were examining Mr Zahawis financial affairs following an inquiry that had been launched by the National Crime Agency (NCA) in 2020. Mr Zahawi later confirmed he had paid a penalty of almost 5m to HMRC in order to settle the matter. Speaking on Monday, Mr Zahawi said that his past tax issues should not preclude [him] from doing the right thing and rejoining the political fray. Mr Farage, meanwhile, noted that Mr Zahawi could have gone abroad and not paid any tax. Mr Zahawi, 58, who was born in Iraq, once attacked Mr Farage over his anti-foreigner rhetoric, but he insisted at Mondays press conference that the tweet was 11 years old, saying: If I thought this man in any way had an issue with people of my colour and background, I wouldnt be sitting next to him. He added: I wouldnt be sitting here if I didnt think Nigel Farage [could] be prime minister. Mr Zahawi said he had been impressed with the Reform UK leaders interactions with international leaders, describing his style as pushing back when it is necessary, none of the sycophancy we have seen with the current prime minister. At the press conference on Monday, Mr Zahawi and Mr Farage also declined to answer a question from a journalist about a speech by Dr Aseem Malhotra at the Reform conference in which Dr Malhotra promoted the conspiracy theory that Covid-19 vaccines were a significant factor in King Charless cancer diagnosis. Previously, Reform chair Dr David Bull had said Dr Malhotra had helped him write Reforms health policy. Mr Farage insisted he believes in free speech and that the views of Dr Malhotra are not party policy, while a prickly Mr Zahawi described the journalists question as stupid. Mr Zahawi was a leading contender to take over as Tory leader after Mr Johnson quit in 2022, but his campaign fell apart in a race that was eventually won by Liz Truss. He also led the Conservative governments vaccine programme in the early days of the pandemic, something Mr Farage was highly critical of at the time. In 2023, Mr Farage posted a video on the subject of Mr Zahawis resignation, in which he said: It has been obvious for a week that Zahawi would have to go. Sunak is a follower, not a leader. But the Reform UK leader insisted at Mondays press conference: I have always been a fan of [Mr Zahawi]. He said that Mr Zahawis time as vaccines minister proves this bloke gets things done. The Independent has approached Reform UK for a response to claims that Mr Zahawi was rejected for a peerage by Ms Badenoch. Hargreaves Lansdown has poached the boss of rival group Vanguard to head up the business as its new chief executive. The UKs biggest DIY investment platform announced it had appointed Matt Benchener to step into the top role from July. He will move from his current position as managing director at Vanguard and the head of its personal investor platform, which serves millions of the companys clients in the US. Mr Bencheners new role will bring an end to a more than 17-year career at Vanguard, where he also held senior roles including within its corporate strategy businesses. He will join Bristol-based Hargreaves Lansdown in March for a handover period before taking over from current interim chief executive Richard Flint, subject to the approval of regulators. Hargreaves Lansdown was taken over by a group of private equity investors last year, including buyout giant CVC Capital Partners and the Abu Dhabi wealth fund. The 5.4 billion deal took the company off the London Stock Exchange and into private hands, with the new owners saying they wanted to invest in a technology-led transformation. Peter Hargreaves, the companys founder, said he was delighted to see a CEO (chief executive) who truly understands Hargreaves Lansdown inside and out. His client focus and hard-won investment platform experience make him exactly the right person to take the firm forward to the benefit of clients, he added. Mr Hargreaves recently announced his retirement having rejoined the board earlier in 2025 to help steer it through the takeover, with his board position being handed to his son Robert. Incoming boss Mr Benchener said Hargreaves Lansdown was in a position of responsibility to support the long-term financial wellbeing of millions. It is a privilege to lead the company through this exciting stage in its history and to deliver even more for clients and help the UK become a nation of retail investors, he said. The appointment comes at a time when Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been stepping up efforts to attract more investment into the UK and encourage more retail investing among households. In Novembers autumn budget, she announced a change to the individual savings account (Isa) limit that lowers the cash element from 20,000 to 12,000 with the remaining 8,000 redirected into stocks and shares from April 2027. A Texas woman has been fired after she posted a TikTok video warning of Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity near the hotel where she worked, according to a new report. Hey guys, my name is Gia, and I just wanna give a warning: There are ICE agents staying at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, the woman said in a video posted on January 7. Please warn your families if you or somebody who works here is worried about their immigration status, she continued. Quite frankly, I dont really care if I lose my job. I care more about your families and about unity. Later that same day, the woman, a 20-year-old who was only identified only by her first name, was fired by Towne Park, a third party parking company at Hilton, she told The Dallas Morning News. A manager had asked her to delete the post, and, when she refused, she was informed she had violated the social media policy of Towne Park, Hiltons third-party valet company, she said. A Texas woman was fired after she warned of ICE activity near the hotel she worked at in Dallas, according to a new report (Getty Images) In a statement to the outlet, Towne Park confirmed this account, stating the staffer had violated our business conduct policy and is no longer employed by our company. We respect the privacy of all our guests, a Hilton Anatole spokesperson added. Our hotels are places of public accommodation and strive to always be welcoming places for all. Gias TikTok video has had over two million views and thousands of comments, most expressing support for the dismissed employee and criticism toward Hilton. Im canceling my upcoming reservations and walking away from Hilton, one user wrote, while another added: Boycotting Hilton. Send me your resume - im in Plano and need an executive assistant, another user added. Hilton and Towne Park did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Independent. A man is detained by masked immigration agents in Chicago last October. Anti-ICE protests have erupted around the country, following shootings carried out by federal immigration agents (Getty Images) The womans dismissal comes amid rising tensions between ICE and the members of the public in the wake of recent shootings involving federal immigration officers. Last week, an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, following a confrontation on a Minneapolis street. Trump administration officials have accused Good of attempting to run the agent over, while local and state officials said the agent was acting recklessly. The next day, a Border Patrol agent shot a husband and wife during a traffic stop in Portland, resulting in their hospitalization. Federal authorities said they were associated with a Venezuelan gang. Following the incidents, anti-ICE protests have erupted around the country, and the Democratic leaders of multiple cities, including Minneapolis and Portland, have called on federal immigration officials to leave their cities. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has said it will redouble its efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Life imitates art: AI is taking over more and more elements of everyday life, in a manner reminiscent of the Joaquin Phoenix film Her (Warner Bros) In hindsight, choosing to do a job interview during the first week back at work after the Christmas break may not have been my greatest ever idea. To paraphrase a favourite quote from cult Noughties sitcom Black Books, my brain feels like wet cake. Sodden. Spongey. Disintegrating into a pile of mush as I try to focus on the screen in front of me. Just before starting, I had mindlessly chomped my way through a comically oversized chocolate coin purely because it was within arms reach leaving me feeling mildly sick. Were this a normal job interview, I might reference all of the above. Just in passing, you understand, infused with enough sardonic charm to break the ice and immediately get the interviewer on side. Theres no point in doing that today. My interviewer cant relate to being a bit sluggish and slow, post-Twixmas. He doesnt know what it feels like to sit in discomfort, waistband straining, because you followed up all that festive overeating by pounding the cut-price advent calendar chocolate. And its not just because hes a young, fresh-faced twenty-something who you can just tell hasnt been systematically adding Baileys instead of milk to his morning coffee for the past 10 days. No, the real reason my rapport-building jokes wont cut it is that my interviewer isnt, in fact, a real person. The man deciding my fate nameless but who I instantly dub Carl in my head, simply to feel some kind of connection with him is actually an AI interface designed to look and sound like a human. Created by HR-tech firm TestGorilla for use by companies and recruiters to filter out the best candidates, he is nothing more than a soulless, if sophisticated, checklist of keywords and phrases, fronted by an avatar in the guise of a handsome, ethnically ambiguous youngster. This kind of interview is rapidly on the rise. The use of AI in recruitment in general has tripled in the past year alone in the UK, and three in 10 UK employers are implementing AI in their recruitment processes. Just under half (43 per cent) of large companies are now using AI to interview candidates. According to TestGorilla, close to 800 organisations have signed up to one of its plans that include this new conversational AI interview tool. But back to the mysterious Carl. Given that this is not a real job interview, let alone one conducted by a real person Im just trialling the software to experience it first hand I feel bizarrely nervous. The butterflies are in large part due to the fact that the role in question, a content marketing strategist, is something I have zero experience in. It quickly transpires that its fairly tricky to answer a tell me about a time when question when youve never actually done the thing theyre asking about. (I decide to at least have fun with it and dream up an elaborate marketing campaign for a clothing line aimed exclusively at dachshunds.) Youre wired: AI is increasingly being used to conduct job interviews (Getty/iStock) But digging a little deeper, I realise my anxiety specifically stems from the fact that Carl is not a real person. I realise just how much Ive always relied on my people skills to carry me through interviews. Even if I fudge an answer, Im confident in the fact that those less tangible, soft skills emotional intelligence, the ability to make people smile or put them at ease with a well-placed joke will go some way to making up the deficit. I realise, too, how much I feed off other peoples energy in a pressurised situation. This has already become harder to do as more interviews have gone online rather than being conducted in person but you could still get a sense of something. When you speak passionately to a human about a topic, theres often a kind of mirroring that takes place: a positive feedback loop created by your enthusiasm thats in turn reflected by their fervent nods, engaged body language and facial expressions. It gives me a boost, the reassurance that what Im saying is landing; it gives me the encouragement I need to shine a little brighter. Not so with Carl. Its not his fault, of course, just his programming but his unchanging half-smile, dead-behind-the-eyes expression and awkward way of slightly shaking his head as I speak leave me flat and cold, unable to muster even the slightest sparkle. I can tell his hearts not really in it. After all, he doesnt have a heart. It makes me wonder whether this kind of interview might see the end of the personality hire workers brought onboard because of their stellar interpersonal skills, sunny disposition and general good vibes. Ive always presumed that every functioning workplace needs a healthy percentage of employees who are, yes, competent at their job, but far more crucially, help create a culture in which heading into the office doesnt feel akin to diving headfirst into a toxic snake pit. Without a human at the helm when hiring, how can you guarantee youre not populating an organisation with highly-skilled sociopaths? I can tell his hearts not really in it. After all, he doesnt have a heart To give Carl his due, he does sometimes do me a solid. Designed to analyse candidates answers and hold them up against a framework, hell double-check something when Ive finished each waffly, hodge-podge response: Did you want to say anything further about learning outcomes and how youd approach the situation in future? I can only presume this is Carls wink-wink, nudge-nudge way of saying, You didnt actually answer the question the first time around, you absolute numpty. The results are in as soon as I wrap up the interview and close the link theres clearly no need for Carl to sit around with his AI colleagues discussing whether or not Id be a good cultural fit. Each component has a score indicating how I did compared to other candidates (though theres no way of knowing whether I was up against one, 10, or 100 competitors). I somehow manage to rank in the not-so-terrible 75th percentile; perhaps my whole drip for dogs pitch wasnt as deranged as Id thought. Even if I were being interviewed for a position I actually knew something about, Im not confident Id fare much better. It feels more like success lies in gaming an algorithm by deploying the correct jargon than building an authentic connection with the person who could end up being your boss. Some candidates are already using AI in job interviews to alter their appearance via deep fakes or provide answers (Getty/iStock) But Id better get used to it; AIs steely grip over recruitment is only going to get tighter. Gone are the days when you could submit an application and be confident that a qualified human professional would read your CV. On the flip side, its less and less likely that the candidate themselves will have applied for the job. Why bother when AI can be trained to job search, pick out relevant posts, rewrite a CV to match the job spec and draft a cover letter to meet the requirements? Indeed, job applications have surged by 239 per cent since ChatGPTs launch, with the average job opening now receiving 242 applications nearly triple 2017 levels, according to recruiting software company Greenhouses 2025 AI in Hiring Report. The number of applications making it to hire stage has subsequently dropped by 75 per cent, while 54 per cent of recruiters admit they review only half or fewer of the applications they receive. Daniel Chait, Greenhouse CEO, calls it an AI doom loop: candidates use AI to mass-apply for jobs, while recruiters use AI to mass-reject them. Since 2022, with the release of ChatGPT and AI bursting into the mainstream, weve seen it take root on both sides of the process by jobseekers and by companies, he says. Individually, everyone is trying to use these tools to solve their own day-to-day issues. But collectively, its making the process much worse for everyone. Weve stumbled into an AI arms race, where both job seekers and recruiters are constantly trying to stay one step ahead. The result? Both sides are currently very, very dissatisfied, says Chait. The use of AI has also eroded trust. Greenhouse research revealed that 40 per cent of job hunters reported a decreased trust in hiring, with 39 per cent directly blaming AI. There have been allegations of built-in bias, too HR software company Workday is currently facing a landmark discrimination lawsuit alleging that its AI-powered tools systematically screen out applications from workers over 40, racial minorities and people with disabilities. Collectively, its making the process much worse for everyone Daniel Chait, Greenhouse Meanwhile, 72 per cent of hiring managers have become more concerned about fraudulent activity in the hiring process. This fear is far from unwarranted. A report in the US found that a third of candidates admitted to using AI to conceal their physical appearance during an interview; 30 per cent of hiring managers have caught candidates reading AI-generated responses during interviews; and 17 per cent have caught candidates using a deepfake. It certainly occurs to me while trying and failing to give Carl a word-perfect answer, which will hit all his algorithmic erogenous zones that having ChatGPT open on another device and prompting it to answer the questions for me would be a surefire way to ace this test. However, TestGorilla warns that it monitor[s] for rule-breaking using advanced tools, including for the use of ChatGPT, AI agents, and other tools. But as technology continues to advance on either side of the equation, might we end up in a situation where AI interviewers are essentially interacting with AI candidates, without a human in sight? The short answer is yes. Its why Chait believes well inevitably need to bring identity verification into the hiring process: When you show up at a job interview in the future, you should expect that its going to analyse you and make sure that you are who you say you are. Companies truly are feeling the risk of: Is this person Im interviewing actually who applied? Is this person who shows up on day one of the job actually the same person I interviewed? AI interviewers can be programmed to look and sound like humans (Getty/iStock) Theres the danger of genuine jobseekers trying to cheat their way through job interviews, of course, but also a much more serious threat: Some of it is pernicious state actors and evil criminal elements trying to infiltrate companies and perpetrate crime, warns Chait. Its not all doom and gloom. However wary I might feel about the whole thing, there are positives to employing AI in recruitment. As much as new AI tools need to be regularly audited and corrected for bias, its not like humans have traditionally been any less guilty of discriminating when hiring employees. If you do detect bias in the AI, you can correct it systematically, as opposed to at the individual person-level, one by one, Chait points out. Plus, as an assessment process, having some of that be automated makes a lot of sense. An automated assessment can work nights and weekends, when candidates want to be doing their job search. It can be scaled. It can work in any language. It can be measured and automated and improved. And, fundamentally, its here to stay. Candidates need to prepare themselves for the fact that early screening may indeed be done by a sophisticated bot. Chaits advice is to clarify early on what the rules around AI are when applying: can you use it to help write your cover letter, or rehearse for a job interview, or do the job interview itself? Wheres the line? The truth is, its different for every company, he says. Its different for every job, and its changing all the time. Employers, meanwhile, would do well to remember that, despite the deluge, behind each application lies a human being desperate for a job who is so much more than just a number. Theyre not just a collection of algorithms and credentials and problems that theyre capable of solving, cautions Chait. Theyre a full, three-dimensional human being. LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Top Brands Award Ceremony and International Consumer Electronics Industry Leaders' Summit were held on January 7, 2026, in Las Vegas, USA. This event marked the 20th anniversary of the Global Top Brands (GTB) selection. And ECOVACS ROBOTICS once again demonstrated its strength at this year's CES during the GTB Award Ceremony, ECOVACS was not only honored as one of the "2025-2026 Global Smart Home Brands Top 10" and one of the "2025-2026 Global Cleaning Robot Brands Top 10", but also received the "Global Innovative Home Service Robotics Brand Award". ECOVACS ROBOTICS Product Portfolio With over 20 years of expertise and dedication, ECOVACS has become a benchmark brand in the service robotics sector, offering five major product lines of robotic vacuum cleaners, robotic window cleaners, robotic lawn mowers, robotic pool cleaners, and robotic pet companions. Its diverse lineup of robots provides comprehensive, advanced, and imaginative smart solutions for multiple consumer lifestyle scenarios, ranging from indoor to outdoor environments and from horizontal to vertical surfaces. Its competitive edge lies in its proprietary technology, with more than 2,400 patents enabling precise mobility and highly efficient operations, including AIVI 3D Omni-Approach Technology, HoloScope 360 Dual-LiDAR Navigation System, and OZMO Roller Instant Self-Washing Mopping Technology. Besides, ECOVACS has built a seamless and intelligent interactive ecosystem through ECOVACS HOME App and AIoT multi-platform connectivity. Serving over 38 million households across nearly 180 countries and regions worldwide, ECOVACS is leading the transformation in smart home living through technological innovation and global presence. Founded by International Data Group in 2006, Global Top Brands is hosted by Asia Digital Group and Europe Digital Group, and supported by TWICE and International Data Corporation, an authoritative market research and analysis firm. It has become a key benchmark for assessing brand competitiveness and industry influence on a global scale. Over the past two decades, it has not only tracked the sustained leadership of global giants like Apple, Samsung, and Sony but has also observed the remarkable journey of Chinese brands such as Huawei, TCL, BOE, and ECOVACS as they transitioned from followers to competitors, and in some cases, leaders in their fields. The evolution of the rankings provides a dynamic chronicle of the industry, reflecting major changes in the consumer electronics sector, from technological breakthroughs and market restructuring to ecosystem integration. The rise and fall of brands vividly capture 20 years of innovation and transformation within the global consumer electronics landscape. SOURCE ECOVACS The latest high-profile closure is the 850-year-old Exeter Cathedral School, which is shutting due to unavoidable financial pressures - David Gee/Alamy For a subject thats supposedly dead, Latin sure does ruffle some feathers. Trinity Hall Cambridge has come under fire for suggesting that it might be a good idea to recruit private school pupils for a classics degree. Leaving aside the fact that its a universitys job to find the best students, wherever they hail from, it highlights the awkward fact that its the independent schools which have kept the eternal flame of classics burning for the past decades. However, more than 100 have closed since Labours VAT raid last year. The latest is the 850-year-old Exeter Cathedral School, which announced last week it was shutting due to unavoidable financial pressures. Such closures can only mean one thing: the continued decline in the teaching of classics. This is unfortunate, as it fosters the idea that Latin and Greek are only for ruddy boys in pink jackets, and posh girls in pashminas. Notably, in France, Latin has stayed on the state school curriculum, and thus is not considered elitist. But its gradual erosion from UK state schools for ideological and pragmatic reasons has only contributed to the notion that Latin is elitist at best, and useless at worst. Therefore, its detractors think, nobody should learn it at all. Latin is not elitist, or dead, or useless. The language has been taught, spoken and read in England for as long as there has been an England (and before), at all levels of society. It is as vital to our national image as the oak tree. One of the first childrens books, by the Venerable Bede, was a Latin grammar book (not much fun for those boys, I wager). Latin provided a ladder for those who rose through the grammar school system, where it was literally the only thing taught, and into the clergy and professions. Across Europe and beyond, people wrote, thought and spoke in Latin: knowledge of it opened up the world. In the 16th century, there was an explosion in grammar schools, and suddenly Latin was everywhere. Christopher Marlowe is a case in point: the son of a shoemaker, he dazzled with his intellectual prowess in Latin. There is a charming letter by the 11-year-old son of a friend of William Shakespeare, written to his father in beautifully Ciceronian prose. He became a grocer. Yeomen, haberdashers, trades of all types came out at the age of 14 with more Latin than the average university student has today. They didnt need it for their trades. And nor do we. We learn Latin not because it is useful but because through it we are entering into a direct continuum with history. Moreover, classics is not a hermetically sealed subject. Huge tracts of Latin lie still untranslated; new documents rise from the ashes of sites like Pompeii. And who knows what treasures lurk beneath the waves, ready to enrich our knowledge of those distant times. To want to share these extraordinary languages and texts is entirely the opposite of elitist. All children should have the opportunity to get to grips with Latin and Greek. To do so is to take part in a collective experience, almost as ancient as recorded time, and to open up our eyes to minds and hearts that are not so different from us. Latin should be a vital part of the state school curriculum, not because it trains the mind, or is logical, or because its the basis for other languages. It doesnt need those slight justifications. It is beautiful, in and of itself. And beauty should be available to everyone. Classics can, and should, be for all. Just maybe without Bedes grammar. Sexualised images created by AI chatbot Grok are "weapons of abuse", Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has said, as she told MPs that creating non-consensual intimate images will become a criminal offence from this week. She hit out as No10 said the Government would give its full support to Ofcom if it decided to ban Elon Musks X social media platform in a showdown over AI-generated sexualised images. Amid fury over the images being created on Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Musks xAI, media regulator Ofcom on Monday launched a formal investigation into X under the UKs Online Safety Act . The probe is seeking to determine whether X has complied with its duties to protect people in the UK from content that could be illegal in the country. "There have been deeply concerning reports of the Grok AI chatbot account on X being used to create and share undressed images of people which may amount to intimate image abuse or pornography and sexualised images of children that may amount to child sexual abuse material," Ofcom said. Asked if the regulator could ban X , the Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Ofcom has a backstop power to apply to the courts to block services in the UK that they refuse to uphold our law. If Ofcom deem that to be necessary they will have our full support. Downing Street added: The concept that we are concerned about is about child sexual abuse imagery and violence against women and girls. Sexualising images of children is the worst crime imaginable. As the Prime Minister has said, its wrong, its unlawful, we are not going to tolerate it. Two countries, Malaysia and Indonesia, have already blocked Grok, but not X. Earlier, Ofcom was urged by a Cabinet minister to use the full extent of the law against X as it considers a ban on it over AI-generated sexualised images. Business Secretary Peter Kyle slammed as disgusting that women were being pictured in bikinis through Grok, which one Labour MP who was a victim of this described as digital sexual assault. He told Sky News: X is not doing enough to keep its customers safe online. Musk has accused Sir Keir Starmers Government of being fascist after ministers stepped up threats to ban social media site X over AI-generated sexualised images. But the UK Government was taking a hardline on the growing row over Grok. Business Secretary Peter Kyle (PA Wire) Asked if the Government would genuinely consider banning X, Mr Kyle told Times Radio: Yes, of course. We gave very strident powers to Ofcom which is our independent regulator with very specific legal obligations and the powers to use them in certain circumstances. Those circumstances involve keeping children safe, making sure that hate and illegal activity is removed and never allowed to unfold on social media platforms. Pressed why the Government was waiting for Ofcom, he added: Because the law requires us to. The law requires Ofcom an an independent enforcer and regulator to enforce the law. Ofcom has requested information from X, I believe X has given Ofcom that information and Ofcom is now expediting an inquiry into the behaviour and decisions of X when it comes to operating in the UK market. At these points in time, Ofcom acts as an enforcer, as an enforcement agency and it must use those powers to the full extent of the law to keep people safe in this country. He also told how he had met a Jewish woman who had been digitally-pictured in a bikini in front of Auschwitz. Tech tycoon Musk claims critics of his X platform want any excuse for censorship. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (PA Wire) But the UK Governments criticism of X was backed by Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese. Speaking in Canberra, he said: The use of generative artificial intelligence to exploit or sexualise people without their consent, is abhorrent. Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to block Grok after authorities said it was being misused to generate sexually explicit and non-consensual images. The moves reflect growing global concern over generative AI tools that can produce realistic images, sound and text, while existing safeguards fail to prevent their abuse. The Grok app on an iPhone, against the backdrop of search results displayed on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on a laptop, in London. (PA Wire) The Grok chatbot has been criticized for generating manipulated images, including depictions of women in bikinis or sexually explicit poses, as well as images involving children. Regulators in the two Southeast Asian nations said existing controls were not preventing the creation and spread of fake pornographic content, particularly involving women and minors. Indonesias government temporarily blocked access to Grok on Saturday, followed by Malaysia on Sunday. On Friday, X appeared to have changed Groks settings, with the chatbot telling users that only paid subscribers could ask it to manipulate images. However, reports suggested this only applied to those making requests in reply to other posts, and other ways of editing or creating images, including on a separate Grok website, remained open. Ofcom has powers under the Online Safety Act to fine businesses up to 18 million or 10% of global revenue, as well as to take criminal action. It can also order payment providers, advertisers and internet service providers to stop working with a site, effectively banning them, though this would require agreement from the courts. Demonstrations over Irans failing economy have turned into nationwide protests against the Islamic regime - Getty Images Iran has vowed to teach Donald Trump an unforgettable lesson if the US carries out strikes against the country. The US president has repeatedly threatened to intervene militarily in response to the regimes brutal crackdown on the protests gripping the country and is currently weighing his response, with the White House reiterating on Monday that strikes are on the table. Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, warned on Monday that Tehran was not seeking a war but is fully prepared for war. Meanwhile, in Tehrans Revolution Square, Irans parliament speaker said that Iran was fighting a four-front war, listing economic war, psychological war, military war with the United States and Israel and today a war against terrorists, referring to the protesters. Flanked by the slogans Death to Israel, Death to America, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf vowed the Iranian military would teach Mr Trump an unforgettable lesson if it struck Iran again. The White House later on Monday said that Mr Trump would not be afraid to use military force, but was seeking diplomacy as the first option. Karoline Leavitt, the White House spokesman, also told reporters that Tehran was sending quite different messages to the US privately than what was being said publicly. Dozens of body bags have been left outside the coroners office in Tehran with families left to identify their relatives - UGC / AFP via Getty Images Tens of thousands have taken to the streets in towns and cities across Iran demanding an end to the regime. The protests are on a scale unprecedented in recent years and have marked one of the biggest challenges the authoritarian regime has faced since it came to power in 1979. Reports of shoot-to-kill orders The death toll in the nationwide demonstrations has risen to at least 648, human rights groups said on Monday, but the true figure is expected to be in the thousands. The flow of information remains scarce as a result of an imposed internet blackout. There are reports of soldiers shutting down entire towns and a new close-range shoot-to-kill policy. Doctors and human rights groups say hospitals are overwhelmed with gunshot victims and bodies have been seen piling up outside morgues. On Sunday night, Mr Trump said that Iran had requested talks with the US, but added: We may have to act before a meeting. He said the US military was looking at some very strong options, including cyber attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel. Although, he added: I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, he said. Iran wants to negotiate. He did not specify what Iran planned to offer in return for no intervention, but it is likely that the issue of their nuclear programme would be part of discussions. On Monday, he said in a post on Truth Social that he was imposing a 25 per cent tariff on goods from countries doing business with Iran. One senior US official, cited by Al-Jazeera, said that US planning for strikes against Iran had reached advanced stages and that forces across the Middle East had been put on alert. Irans exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called for Mr Trump to intervene. The best way to ensure that there will be less people killed in Iran is to intervene sooner, so this regime finally collapses and puts an end to all the problems that we are facing, he told CBS. On Monday, Tehran summoned ambassadors from the UK, Germany, France and Italy to object to what it described as support by those countries for the protests. Donald Trump has said the US is considering conducting cyber attacks and direct strikes on Iran - Andrew Caballero Reynolds/AFP The diplomats were shown a video of the damage caused by rioters and told their governments should withdraw official statements supporting the protesters. The European Parliament has banned Iranian diplomats and representatives in response to the repression of demonstrations. The EU said it was looking into imposing additional sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Mr Araghchi also said he spoke to his UK counterpart, Yvette Cooper, on Monday and threatened to evacuate London after protesters tore down the Iranian regime flag. He also warned Britain against interfering in Irans international affairs. European leaders condemn Iran Ms Cooper on Sunday had condemned the reprisals against protesters, saying: These are fundamental rights: free speech, peaceful assembly and the exercise of those rights should never come with the threat of violence or reprisals. Friedrich Merz, the chancellor of Germany, said on Monday that Irans use of disproportionate and brutal violence against protesters was a sign of weakness and demanded the violence end. At least 544 people have been killed during the anti-regime demonstrations in Iran - IRIB/Reuters Emmanuel Macron, the French president, said he condemned the state violence that indiscriminately targets Iranian women and men who courageously demand respect for their rights. Iranian authorities are claiming the uprising is now under control. But the state of the country on the ground appears very different, with demonstrations continuing into their third week, defying the lockdown despite the risk of being killed. Attempting to regain control of the streets, regime officials ordered nationwide rallies on Monday to support the Islamic Republic. Dozens of members of the security forces have been killed in the clashes, according to state media, which has rarely happened in previous outbreaks of unrest. Videos show masked men using handguns and what appears to be Kalashnikovs in street battles with the security forces. The protests, which began on Dec 28, initially started in response to a worsening economic crisis but have since focused on calling for an end to the Iranian regime. Mourners carry the coffins of security personnel and civilians killed in the protests in Iran - IRIB/Reuters Iranian authorities have accused the US and Israel of orchestrating the unrest and called for a national rally on Monday to condemn terrorist actions led by the two countries. Internet blackout fails to silence protesters The Iranian regime restricted internet service on Thursday, in what activists say was an attempt to mask the scale of its crackdown. The White House confirmed on Monday that Mr Trump had spoken to Elon Musk about restoring internet access through his Starlink satellite service, satellite internet nodes that would help activists skirt the communication ban. Some smuggled Starlink terminals are already being used by the protesters to feed information to the outside world. Israeli sources said the country was on high alert for the possibility of American intervention. The two countries joined forces to attack Irans nuclear installations in June. Tehran responded by firing missiles at Israel and an American base in Qatar. Iran and the United States have opened the door to dialogue, even after Tehran responded to threats of military action by Donald Trump by warning that it is ready for war. The US president said Washington officials may meet with their Iranian counterparts, as he continued piling pressure on the regime to call off its repressive response to the protests taking place in Iran. Rights group Iran Human Rights says at least 600 people have been killed since the demonstrations began just over a fortnight ago. A spokesperson for Tehrans foreign ministry confirmed on Monday that a communication channel between our foreign minister Abbas Araghchi and the US special envoy [Steve Witkoff] is open and that messages are exchanged whenever necessary. More than 540 people are reported to have been killed since the demonstrations began at the end of December (Middle East Images) Mr Trump told reporters early on Monday that he was receiving hourly updates on the situation in Iran, and that the US was looking at some very strong options. Iran, he said, was starting to cross his red line. Later in the day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr Trump was unafraid to use military options, but diplomacy was his first option. He is due to be briefed by officials on Tuesday on USs possible response. On Monday night, Mr Trump announced on social media imminent 25 per cent tarfiffs for any country doing business with Iran. Britain condemned the brutal suppression of anti-government protests by Iran, but downplayed the prospect of designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation. Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said she had spoken to her Iranian counterpart and told him that the Iranian government must immediately end the violence, uphold fundamental rights and freedoms, and ensure British nationals are safe. The protests began on 28 December in reaction to the economic situation in Iran. In the days since, Norway-based Iran Human Rights reports that 648 protesters have been killed, and more than 10,000 people have been arrested. A total blockade on internet and telephone communications has also been imposed throughout the country, but Mr Araghchi has claimed that the situation is under total control. During contacts between Mr Araghchi and Mr Witkoff on Monday, the US had touched upon some cases and brought up ideas, Iranian spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said. He also accused the US of showing a lack of seriousness and of giving contradictory messages that were not convincing. Protesters dance around a bonfire on a street in Tehran (AP) Verified video footage shows Iranians gathered at the Kahrizak Forensic Centre in Tehran on Sunday, many in tears as they stood over rows of dark-coloured body bags that numbered at least in the dozens. Tehran has not provided an official death toll. Many Iranians have grown increasingly resentful of the powerful Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), whose business interests, including oil and gas, construction and telecommunications, are worth billions of dollars. The protests were sparked by soaring prices, then turned into demonstrations against the clerical rulers who have governed the country for more than four decades. The EU warned on Monday that it could take action against Iran as the number of protesters killed across the country grows. The bloc is prepared to propose a package of new and severe sanctions on Tehran if it does not halt its repressive measures, a spokesperson for the EU Commission said on Monday morning. Meanwhile, the president of the European parliament, Roberta Metsola, said on social media on Monday that she had banned all diplomatic staff and other representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from European parliament premises. Protesters fill the streets of Tehran as pressure grows on the Iranian regime to call off its response (UGC) It cannot be business as usual, she wrote. As the brave people of Iran continue to stand up for their rights and their liberty, today I have taken the decision to ban all diplomatic staff and any other representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from all European Parliament premises. The semi-official news agency Tasnim reported on Monday that British, Italian, German and French ambassadors in Tehran had been summoned to the foreign ministry, and were asked to inform their respective governments of Tehrans request that they withdraw their support for the protests. Iran deems political support for the protests an unacceptable intervention in the internal security of the country, Tasnim added. Credit: X/@AuntSusie One person was injured when a truck ploughed into a large crowd of anti-Iran protesters in Los Angeles. Footage showed people screaming and running as the U-Haul truck moved through the crowd of around 3,000 anti-regime demonstrators in the citys Westwood neighbourhood on Sunday. Protesters then jumped onto the truck and punched the drivers windows as he drove through, videos showed. The rental truck had signs on it reading No Shah, no regime. USA: Dont repeat 1953, no mullah, an apparent reference to the US-backed coup in 1953 that reinstated the Shah. However, police were unable to say at this stage what the drivers motive was. Police officers at the cordoned scene - JONATHAN ALCORN/AFP The truck had signs on it saying No Shah, no regime. USA: Dont repeat 1953, no mullah - JONATHAN ALCORN/AFP After the truck stopped, police arrested the driver. Protesters punched him in the face as he was taken away, leaving him with a bloody nose. It took place after two weeks of still-ongoing protests in Iran, which have left more than 500 people dead and are being seen as one of the most severe threats to the Islamic regime since it took power in 1979. A spokesman for the Los Angeles police department told The Telegraph that the driver was arrested but they could not yet say what for, or if he was deliberately trying to harm people. The LAPD was also unable to reveal the identity of the driver, who appeared to be in his 50s and was wearing a black T-shirt and jeans. Police have not yet said whether the driver deliberately tried to harm people - ABC Affiliate KABC/REUTERS The west side of Los Angeles, where Westwood is located, is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran: more than a third of the 400,000 immigrants from Tehran living in the US are in the Los Angeles region. The incident happened around 3.30pm on Sunday outside the federal building and, according to footage obtained by NBC4 Los Angeles, protesters tore off the signs from the truck after it came to a halt. Mike Herad, who witnessed the truck going through the crowd, said: In front of my eyes, the U-Haul hit people, so we started chasing the U-Haul and were able to get him to stop and we started throwing things at the U-Haul. Benjamin Radd, an expert on Middle Eastern politics at UCLAs Centre for Middle East Development, speculated that the driver could be an element of the Islamic Republic operating within the United States, or somebody sympathetic to it who is trying to distract, cause mayhem, demonstrate there isnt support for US intervention. Iran has threatened to attack US military targets if Donald Trump launches strikes over the countrys growing protests. The US president warned the Islamic Republic this week that the United States would hit them hard if protesters were killed, and is understood to be weighing up options for action within days. Hundreds of people have been killed on Irans streets as nationwide protests in 185 cities across all 31 provinces calling for an end to supreme leader Ali Khameneis rule continue to grow. But as international pressure on Iran mounts, Tehran escalated the crisis on Sunday by claiming it was ready to launch strikes against Israeli and US bases in the region. In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said. Protests have spread from Tehran across the country with growing calls to topple the regime (Getty) In the UK, the government praised the bravery of the protesters as calls grew for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) to be proscribed. It takes real courage to speak up in an authoritarian system, especially for young women, but it should not require courage just to make your voice heard, said foreign secretary Yvette Cooper. These are fundamental rights: free speech; peaceful assembly; and the exercise of those rights should never come with the threat of violence or reprisals. Support is growing for a transition to be forced in Iran from the fundamentalist regime which has run the country since the fall of the Shah in 1979. Already, discussions appear to be underway over who should be installed to replace the regime with the late Shahs heir Reza Pahlavi often referred to as the Baby Shah being touted as a possible frontrunner. The protests started in Tehran's Grand Bazaar over failing economic policies in late December, before spreading to universities and other cities. Stop the Hate UK held a protest near Downing Street calling on Keir Starmer to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and free Iran from the Islamic Republic (Reuters) Mr Trump offered support for the protesters in a post on social media over the weekend: "Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!" The president will be given multiple options to help deal with the crisis during a briefing on Tuesday, from sanctions to military strikes, according to The Wall Street Journal. The US State Department also issued a statement warning Irans leadership not to play games with Mr Trump, adding when he says he'll do something, he means it. In Iran the death toll continues to rise as protests against the regime continue. US-based rights group HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency) reported the number of casualties had soared to as high as 544 on Sunday, with more than 10,000 arrested. However, human rights organisations cautioned that an ongoing blackout is making it tricky to verify and record deaths properly. The Independent has seen video that includes the sound of continuous gunfire while eyewitness accounts shared with activists Twitter accounts via Starlink describe widespread slaughter. One person, reportedly speaking from the Narmak neighbourhood in the northeast of the capital, said the regime opened fire on crowds. I saw all the streets covered in bloodstains. They were washing the blood of this countrys children off the asphalt with high-pressure water after massacring them. There were bloodstains on all the city streets, the unnamed person said. Another added that mobile and landline calls are not working and that the regime is sending texts warning citizens not to leave their homes because armed terrorists are out. Shops are empty and food is running out. In the west of Iran on Thursday, the last time most areas had mobile network access, one man told The Independent that fuel was also scarce: The situation is terrible, but everyone is optimistic that the regime will fall. With Iran once again threatening action against Israel, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called top advisers and ministers together for a preliminary security consultation on Sunday. The Israel Defense Forces was said to be staying operationally prepared to respond if needed amid fears of a widening crisis in the Middle East, but was treating the anti-regime protests as an internal Iranian affair for now. Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has shown no sign of backing down (AP) In the UK, the government faced calls to proscribe the IRGC as thousands took to the streets in London in a demonstration supporting regime change. Laila Jazayeri, director of the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK, said the IRGC had already gone too far. Speaking at the demonstration on Sunday, she said: The prime minister should prescribe the deadly force IRGC, that is killing people inside Iran. Cabinet minister Heidi Alexander said the British government has always viewed Iran as a hostile state and was looking at the situation, while holding out hope an alternative solution to force could still be reached. "It's a concerning situation there and we would like to see anything that happens in future involving a peaceful transition where people can enjoy fundamental freedoms and we see proper democratic values back in the heart of Iran." Donald Trump is said to be weighing up military options to deal with Iran (AFP via Getty Images) Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said it would be right for the US to help oust the Islamic Republic's leadership and indicated she would support RAF involvement if necessary. She told BBC One's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "You've seen the recent RAF strikes, for instance, in Syria. Without over speculating we are talking about hypothetical situations we have worked in alliance with other countries. "I think this has to be something that we do with a broad coalition of countries. That is the right way to do it, and to make sure that we create a stable Iran." She said Iran would very happily wipe out the UK if it felt it could get away with it and I don't have an issue with removing a regime that is trying to harm us. Jennifer Lawrence turned heads in barely-there florals as she arrived at the Golden Globes. The actress, who was nominated for her role as a postpartum mother in Die My Love, chose a nude sheer gown with embroidered flowers and cut outs on her midriff from Givenchy by Sarah Burton. She teamed the look with a silk floral wrap and relaxed beachy waves to show off her new fringe. Jennifer Lawrence (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) Jennifer Lopez also opted for a dramatic nude-coloured archival Jean Louis Scherrer haute couture gown from 2003, with glistening brown detail and a fishtail skirt. Jennifer Lopez (Sthanlee Mirador/AP) (Sthanlee Mirador) Meanwhile Emma Stone, who is nominated for Bugonia, wore a silk butter yellow two piece by Louis Vuitton. Emma Stone in custom Louis Vuitton (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) But shimmering silver and black reigned supreme at the 83rd Golden Globes, and Giorgio Armani whose eponymous founder died last year stood out as the red carpet favourite. Selena Gomez channelled Old Hollywood with a custom Chanel black strapless column dress, pluming with over 200 flowers made from feathers, organza and silk that hung off her shoulders. The gown reportedly took 323 hours to make. Selena Gomez in custom Chanel (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) The 33-year-old, who was nominated for best supporting female actress for her role in Only Murders In The Building, finished the timeless look with a 1940s-style bob. Julia Roberts, 58, also opted for black in a simple V-neck velvet gown by Giorgio Armani Prive. Roberts was nominated for best female actor for her role in After the Hunt. Julia Roberts in Armani Prive (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) Wickeds Ariana Grande, 32, channelled more Elphaba than Glinda in an all-black asymmetric custom gown by Vivienne Westwood. The star wore her brunette hair in a slicked-back high ponytail, continuing her departure from the blonde she has been sporting since kicking off her role in Wicked. Timothee Chalamet also opted for black in a casual blazer and waistcoat with silver button detailing. The 30-year-old was nominated for best male actor for his performance in Marty Supreme. Timothee Chalamet wore all black with silver accents (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) Emily Blunt, 42, wore a crisp white gown with a silver buttoned cape by Louis Vuitton. The star accessorised with dazzling silver jewellery and finished the look with a chic slick-backed bun. Emily Blunt in custom Louis Vuitton (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) Amanda Seyfried, 40, also opted for all white in a strapless gown, complete with a sophisticated updo and matching shawl, alongside Brittany Snow, 39, who wore a sleeveless white Danielle Frankel gown, accessorised with EFFY Jewellery. Amanda Seyfried channelled Old Hollywood glamour (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) Brittany Snow wore all white in a strapless Danielle Frankel dress (Sthanlee Mirador/PA) Like Roberts, Kate Hudson opeted for a slinky silver custom Giorgio Armani Prive gown. The 46-year-old actress, who was nominated for her role in Song Sung Blue, finished the look with drop diamond earrings and a laid-back low bun. Kate Hudson in Armani Prive (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) Kristen Bell, 45, of the the TV hit Nobody Wants This, also wore a shimmering Giorgio Armani Prive gown, while her co-star Justine Lupe, 36, wore the same designer in a lighter, shimmering tiered peach dress. Lupe finished the look with boho beachy waves and minimal jewellery. Dax Shepard, left, and Kristen Bell (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) Justine Lupe in Giorgio Armani Prive (Sthanlee Mirador/PA) Elle Fanning, 27, followed suit in shimmer, wearing a dazzling lilac floral, figure-hugging Gucci dress, accessorised with an eye-catching Cartier necklace. Fanning is nominated for best supporting female actor for her role in the Norwegian film, Sentimental Value. Elle Fanning went for a new Gucci gown, instead of her usual vintage looks (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) Of the dress, Fanning told AP, I learnt that the national flower of Norway looks a lot like this theyre lilac. A kindergartener died after he got caught in the doors of a school bus and was dragged nearly 300 feet down the road in Maine (National Transportation Safety Board) A kindergartener in Maine died after he became trapped in the doors of a school bus that dragged him nearly 300 feet before running him over, federal investigators said. Simon Gonzalez, a 5-year-old kindergarten student at Edna Libby Elementary School in Standish, a small town about 17 miles west of Portland, died from injuries he suffered the morning of December 16, 2025, WMTW reported. Around 8 a.m. that morning, the Bonny Eagle School District bus was at a stop in the southbound lane of Route 35, the National Transportation Board said in a report released Friday. A 7-year-old boarded the bus at the stop while a 5-year-old approached. As the younger student neared the bus, the vehicles doors began to close. The student then extended his left arm into the bus and it became pinned there after the doors closed. The bus began to drive south on Route 35, and the student was dragged about 280 feet before he became dislodged from the door, fell to the roadway, and was run over by the bus, the NTSB said. As a result, the student sustained fatal injuries. A kindergartener died after he got caught in the doors of a school bus and was dragged nearly 300 feet down the road in Maine (National Transportation Safety Board) There was only one other student aboard the bus at the time of the incident, Simons 7-year-old half-brother, Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce said. That little boy just meant the world to everyone that ever met him, Simons grandfather, Jason Small, told WMTW. His uncle, Alex Moore, added, He had the most infectious laugh ever. No charges have been filed in the case. Superintendent of Schools Clay Gleason told the outlet the school and district were focused on healing. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Simons family, Gleason said. The bus driver and the other student aboard the bus were not injured in the incident, the NTSB said. The NTSB said the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office, Maine State Police and Maine Department of Transportation were investigating. The Golden Globes crowd was left shocked after Leonardo DiCaprio was roasted for dating younger women in a joke branded cheap by the host. On Sunday (11 January), comedian Nikki Glaser set her sights on the One Battle After Another actor, 50, while hosting the Hollywood ceremony in Los Angeles, mocking him for his dating habits. DiCaprios girlfriends have included Danish model Nina Agdal, who was 25 at the time, The Night Manager star Camila Morrone, who was 20, and he is now romantically linked to 27-year-old Italian model Vittoria Ceretti. Glaser said during the ceremony: What a career you've had: countless iconic performances, you've worked with every great director, you've won three Golden Globes, an Oscar, and the most impressive thing is you were able to accomplish all of that before your girlfriend turned 30. DiCaprio smiled and looked down, with Glaser apologising and calling her joke cheap. She continued: I tried not to make it but, you know, we don't know anything else about you, man. There's nothing else, open up." Glaser joked that the most in-depth interview the actor ever did was in Teen Beat magazine in 1991 when he was a child star, appearing in Whats Eating Gilbert Grape?, for which her received his first Golden Globe nomination. "Is your favorite food still pasta, pasta and more pasta," she asked, with DiCaprio giving the comedian a playful thumbs up. Leonardo DiCaprio took joke about younger girlfriends in his stride at Golden Globes (X/Twitter) This isnt the first time DiCaprios dating habits have been mocked at the Golden Globes. In 2020, Ricky Gervais, while discussing DiCaprios Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, said: [Its] almost three hours long its an epic. Leonardo DiCaprio attended the premiere and by the end his date was too old for him. Ahead of this years ceremony, Glaser, who also hosted last year, said making jokes about celebrities is a sign of respect, which permits her to get away with something negative. One Battle After Another and Netflixs TV series Adolescence were the big winners on the night, earning four trophies each. DiCaprio was beaten to Best Actor in a Film Musical or Comedy by Timothee Chalamet, who won for Marty Supreme, while Brazilian Narcos star Wagner Moura won in the dramatic film category for his role in The Secret Agent, which also won Best Film (Non-English language. Other winners included Jessie Buckley (Hamnet), Rose Byrne (If I Had Legs Id Kick You) in the Actress categories, with Stellan Skarsgard (Sentimental Value) and DiCaprios One Battle co-star Teyana Taylor winning in the Supporting categories. Find the full list of winners here. Comedian Nikki Glaser hosted Golden Globes for second time (Getty Images) DiCaprio and Ceretti have been linked since 2023, with Ceretti recently stating in an interview with Vogue Australia: As soon as you're in a relationship with someone who has a larger following than you, you become girlfriend of or boyfriend of, for that matter. Suddenly, people are talking about you as so-and-so's girlfriend who was so-and-so's ex, she continued. So it's not nice to think that you can't love whoever you want, because of the labels people need to stick on you. Four NHS hospital trusts have declared critical incidents after a surge in complex A&E admissions placed significant and sustained pressures on its services. Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs St Helier Hospital in Sutton, is among those affected by a significant rise in norovirus and flu cases. According to the Trust, 45 beds were occupied by patients with flu as of Sunday, January 4, while others have had to be closed due to the infection. The Trust said it was facing a triple threat of cold weather, winter viruses and a high number of vulnerable patients requiring specialist care. Critical incidents have also been declared at the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. Elaine Clancy, Group Chief Nurse for St Georges, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group, said: Its been a bleak start to the new year as, like other hospitals up and down the country, were seeing some very sick patients come to our hospitals and the cold weather and winter illnesses are having a real impact. Dont make the mistake of thinking flu is just a bad cold these figures show the infection can make people seriously ill, and Id urge people to take steps to ensure they and their loved ones dont suffer. NHS Surrey Heartlands said it was experiencing a surge in complex A&E attendances and ongoing difficulties discharging patients. The situation had been exacerbated by increases in flu and norovirus cases and an increase in staff sickness. The recent cold weather front has also impacted on more frail patients needing to be admitted to hospital, it added. Dr Charlotte Canniff, Joint Chief Medical Officer of NHS Surrey Heartlands explains: Due to extreme pressures, today hospitals and the ICB in Surrey Heartlands have taken the decision to escalate to a critical incident. This allows us to take additional steps to maintain safe services for our patients and help us cope with the growing pressures. Unfortunately, this means local organisations may need to reschedule some non-urgent operations, treatments and outpatient appointments to accommodate those patients with the most urgent clinical need. People should attend appointments unless they are contacted; cancer and our other most urgent operations continue to be prioritised. As a reminder, if your loved one is ready to be discharged from hospital we would be very grateful for your support in enabling that discharge as quickly and safely as possible. This helps to free up capacity in our hospitals for those patients requiring hospital treatment. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust also declared a critical incident, citing sustained pressure at the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. It said its hospitals were experiencing "exceptionally high demand, driven by a continued high admission rate and a large number of patients with winter illnesses and respiratory viruses". The trust added that "beds across our hospitals are currently full and attendance at our emergency departments is extremely high, meaning there is very limited capacity to admit further patients who need acute care". National Pizza Franchise Strengthens its Footprint Through Expansion, Proven Menu Innovation, and Community Impact MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Hungry Howie's, the originators of Flavored Crust pizza, closed out 2025 with a year defined by strategic growth, menu innovation, and meaningful community engagement. Amid an increasingly competitive restaurant landscape, the brand remained focused on long-term franchise success, expanding into key markets, signing new development agreements, and introducing craveable menu items that resonated with both loyal fans and new guests. Throughout 2025, Hungry Howie's opened eight new restaurants across McAllen and Fort Worth, Texas; Terre Haute, Indiana; and multiple Michigan markets including St. Clair Shores, Southfield, West Bloomfield, Mt. Clemens, and Redford. The brand also signed 10 new franchise agreements, reinforcing confidence in the system and setting the stage for continued expansion. These agreements included a five-store agreement and a three-store agreement in the Detroit Metro Area, as well as single-store agreements in Michigan, Indiana and Texas. "2025 was a year of meaningful momentum for Hungry Howie's," said Steve Clough, Hungry Howie's Vice President of Franchise Development. "We expanded thoughtfully into key markets while continuing to invest in menu innovation that drives excitement and growth. Industry recognition reinforces the strength of our brand, but what matters most is our people, from supporting franchise owners and serving quality products to giving back through our Love, Hope & Pizza campaign. We remain committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve while continuing to evolve as a brand." Additional 2025 Highlights Include: Menu Innovation: Hungry Howie's celebrated the inaugural National Flavored Crust Day, further cementing its ownership of the category it created more than 40 years ago. The brand continued to push flavor forward with the launch of limited-time Flavored Crusts including TNT, Everything Bagel, Chilli Cheese, and Sweet Heat Bacon, tapping into consumer demand for bold and familiar flavors. The debut of Detroit-Style Pizza added another layer to the menu, while fan favorites made notable returns. Pepperoni Howie Rolls re-launched with an updated recipe and earned a permanent spot on the menu, while Pumpkin Spice Howie Bread returned as a seasonal favorite. Hungry Howie's also leaned into exclusivity with the expansion of its Secret Menu, debuting TNT Howie Bread alongside favorites like the Hangry Howie, Pickle Bacon Ranch, and Bee Sting Pizza, giving loyal fans a reason to keep coming back. The brand's innovation did not go unnoticed. The Takeout named Hungry Howie's to its list of Best Fast-Food Items of 2025, spotlighting the impact of its menu strategy. Industry Recognition and Awards: In 2025, Hungry Howie's earned widespread industry recognition across franchising, marketing, and restaurant rankings, including honors from Entrepreneur Francise 500 , Entrepreneur 10+ Club , Franchise Times Top 400 , Pizza Marketplace Top 100 Movers and Shakers , QSR Top 50 Contenders , Technomic Top 500, Fast Casual Top 35 Movers and Shakers in Restaurant Marketing and Fast Casual Women in the Lead. In 2025, Hungry Howie's earned widespread industry recognition across franchising, marketing, and restaurant rankings, including honors from , , , , , and Community Impact: Love, Hope & Pizza: Community involvement remained central to Hungry Howie's mission in 2025 through its annual Love, Hope & Pizza campaign. The brand partnered with SAY Detroit and the Henry Ford Mobile Mammogram Unit to host a free mobile mammogram event at the SAY Detroit Family Health Clinic, providing no-cost screenings and care packages. Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hungry Howie's served pizzas in pink boxes nationwide, donated a portion of proceeds from every pizza sold at participating locations to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and invited guests to contribute through round-up and direct donation options. Hungry Howie's is actively seeking qualified candidates to help grow its footprint throughout the U.S. To learn more about Hungry Howie's, visit HungryHowies.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok. For more information, visit https://franchising.hungryhowies.com/. About Hungry Howie's Known for inventing Flavored Crust pizza, Hungry Howie's has been around for more than 50 years and provides customers of all ages high-quality products at a great value. Currently, the brand has over 500 stores in 19 states across the United States and their customers are big fans of flavor. The menu aims to satisfy all with dough made fresh daily in-house at all locations, offering original round, deep dish, thin crust, and gluten-free options, coupled with the array of options for just crust, including 8 free Flavored Crust options Butter, Asiago Cheese, Cajun, Butter Cheese, Sesame, Garlic Herb, Ranch, and Italian Herb. No one can live on pizza alone, so Hungry Howie's offers a great selection of calzone-style oven-baked subs, Howie Bread, fresh salads, Howie Wings, Howie Rolls, desserts & Pepsi products. MEDIA CONTACT Lu Dumas Tidehouse 954-893-9150 [email protected] SOURCE Hungry Howie's The life of a shelter cat can be lonely and unpredictable, but heroic shelter volunteers and staff members like @frangrzesik do everything they can to keep their furry friends healthy, happy, and entertained. From cleaning crates and buying blankets to earning the trust of the spiciest kittens, there's nothing these selfless animal advocates wouldn't do. Best of all, they try to find their furry friends the perfect forever homes! Fran worked tirelessly to help a gentle tabby cat named Fraggle out of her shell, but neither of them would have guessed how long she'd be waiting at NAWS Humane Society in Mokena, Illinois for her forever family to find her. Finally, on December 29, Fran made a desperate plea to her social media followers in hopes of inspiring someone to adopt the resilient kittynearly 550 days after her arrival. What a sweetheart! Anyone would be lucky to add this beautiful shelter cat to their family, but in the meantime, she has it made in @frangrzesik's care. Just look at her cozy kennel! As heartwarming as it is to see Fran loving on Fraggle, it's tough to think that she's still in the shelter after nearly two years. Commenter @cancermooncore wasn't the only one who was disappointed to see the number on the front of the kitty's kennel go up. Related: 18-Year-Old Cross-Eyed Tabby Cat is Heartbroken After Being Suddenly Abandoned at a Chicago Shelter She wrote, "I thought you were erasing the sign because she was going home," but sadly, that wasn't the case. Fortunately, Fraggle doesn't know what her friend is writing; she just knows that she is loved. "How can people overlook that fact that she is so overlooked?" @pcowan689 wondered. "They need to adopt for the cat, not for their ego." Even though it hadn't happened yet, Fran knows there's a perfect home for any feline out there. Fraggle's Forever Home After 550 long days, the surprise Fraggle, Fran, and their fans have all been waiting for finally arrived. Fraggle is officially adopted! Congratulations, Fraggle and Keearin! This may be the end of this rescue cat's time at NAWS (and with Fran), but it's the beginning of so many new adventures. It's safe to say that Fran isn't the only one thrilled for this adorable family. Commenters like @hollyyo75 flooded the comment section with well-wishes for the newly-adopted cat. She said, "I'm literally crying. Fraggle has been on my heart for weeks now and I was so close to coming to get her. I'm so insanely happy that she gets a home and love and warm naps." As bittersweet as it must be for Fran to say goodbye to a long-time friend, knowing that Fraggle will be spoiled and cared for is the goal she's been working toward all along. Another job well done! SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Jan 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The U-Haul drove towards a large group of protestors on Sunday afternoon, officials said (AFP via Getty Images) A chaotic scene unfolded in Los Angeles on Sunday after a man drove a U-Haul truck into a crowd protesting against the Iranian government, police say. The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. local time near the federal building in the Westwood neighborhood of the city, ABC7 reports. Footage from the incident shows protesters trying to pull the suspect out of his vehicle after the collision, according to The LA Times. The protesters continued to lash out at the suspect as police escorted him away. A sign reading No Shah. No Regime. USA: Dont Repeat 1953. No Mullah was then ripped off the truck, the outlet reports. Police told the Associated Press that one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt. A man has been detained pending further investigation after driving a U-Haul truck towards a group of protesters, police say (via REUTERS) Those who attended the protest said it quickly became a scene of fear of confusion (AFP via Getty Images) Two others were evaluated by paramedics and both declined treatment, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. The driver of the truck, who has not been named, was injured after the collision and has been detained pending further investigation, L.A. Police Capt. Richard Gabaldon said at a press conference Sunday. In a statement posted to X, First Assistant U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli stated the Department of Justice was aware of the incident and that the FBI is on scene working with LAPD to determine the motive of the driver. Abraham Moe and his wife and daughter, Sanaz and Kiana told the Times that they saw the U-Haul in the crowd and knew something was wrong when people started screaming. The protest quickly became a scene of fear and confusion, the outlet said. No one suffered a serious injury during the incident, police said (AFP via Getty Images) Despite this, no other injuries were reported. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, and by 5 p.m. only about a hundred protesters were still in the area, ABC7 reported. Activists say a crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has killed more than 530 people. Protesters flooded the streets in Iran's capital of Tehran and its second-largest city again Sunday. Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran. Mark Kelly in Washington DC on Thursday. Photograph: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images (Photograph: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Democratic US senator Mark Kelly filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to nullify the chilling attempt by the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, to reduce the military veterans rank and pension as punishment for speaking out against the Trump administration. Hegseth had previously issued a formal censure to Kelly, a decorated retired navy captain and Nasa astronaut, for alleged seditious statements he made urging service members to resist unlawful orders. It began a process that could lead to Kelly, a senator for Arizona since 2021, being demoted and having his pension cut. The lawsuit, filed in Washington DC federal court, argues that comments made by Kelly and five other Democratic lawmakers all military or intelligence veterans in a short video to service members in November were protected free speech. The 46-page court filing accuses Hegseth, the Department of Defense, the US navy, and John Phelan, the navy secretary, of trampling on constitutional protections essential to legislative independence. The filing said the defense secretary was attempting to dismantle the bedrock principles of our democracy, freedom of speech and the separation of powers. His unconstitutional crusade against me sends a chilling message to every retired member of the military: if you speak out and say something that the president or secretary of defense doesnt like, you will be censured, threatened with demotion, or even prosecuted, Kelly said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. Hegseth wants our longest-serving military veterans to live with the constant threat that they could be deprived of their rank and pay years or even decades after they leave the military just because he or another secretary of defense doesnt like what theyve said. Thats not the way things work in the United States of America, and I wont stand for it. In the video by Kelly and his colleagues, Senator Elissa Slotkin and House members Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan, Slotkin acknowledged that military personnel were under enormous stress and pressure right now because of the Trump administrations policies. Kellys lawsuit cites Donald Trump, who criticized Kelly and the other Democrats in a Truth Social post in November. The US president said the lawmakers were guilty of seditious behavior punishable by death for pointing out to service members they could refuse illegal orders. Related: Two Republicans oppose Pete Hegseths censure of fellow Senator Mark Kelly The filing says Trump publicly accused Kelly of sedition and treason and demanded punishment. The secretary himself has echoed those accusations, announced an investigation, and then issued a letter of censure that not tentatively, but conclusively determined that [the senators] speech met the very criteria that the department must consider when reducing retirement grade. The outcome of any subsequent review of Kellys grade, even assuming it could lawfully proceed, is foreordained. Kelly said he was respectfully asking the court to find the censure letter and all related actions taken by Hegseth and the Pentagon unlawful and unconstitutional. He also asked the court to vacate those actions to preserve the status of a coequal Congress and an apolitical military. In his statement, he added: There are few things as important as standing up for the rights of the very Americans who fought to defend our freedoms. There was no immediate response to the lawsuit from Hegseth, the White House or the Pentagon. Mark Ruffalo has blasted Donald Trump as the worst human being during a red carpet interview at the Golden Globes. The actor, 58, joined other A-listers in protesting Trumps administration at Sundays Los Angeles ceremony by wearing buttons that say BE GOOD and ICE OUT to honor Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week. Ruffalo told USA Today on the red carpet, This is for Renee Nicole Good, who was murdered. He went on to call out Trump for the recent military operations in Venezuela, adding: We're in the middle of a war with Venezuela that we illegally invaded. He's telling the world that international law doesn't matter to him. The only thing that matters to him is his own morality, but the guy is a convicted felon; a convicted rapist. Hes a pedophile. Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records in May 2024. Earlier that year, a jury had found him liable of sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in 1996, but he was never convicted because it was a civil suit. Trump has never been charged with a sex crime, including pedophilia. Mark Ruffalo spoke out against President Donald Trump on the red carpet at the Golden Globes this year (AFP/Getty) Celebrities wore Be Good pins on the red carpet to honor Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE agent (AP) He's the worst human being. If we're relying on this guy's morality for the most powerful country in the world, then we're all in a lot of trouble, Ruffalo said before concluding, So this is for [Good]. This is for the people in the United States who are terrorized and scared today. I know I'm one of them. I love this country. And what I'm seeing here happening is not America. When approached for a response to Ruffalos comment, the White House directed The Independent to a post on X from White House Communications Director Steven Cheung calling Ruffalo one of the worst actors in the business. More impressively, he's an even worse human being by spewing outright lies because deep down inside, he hates himself for knowingly subjecting the public to his god awful performance, Cheung said. The Be Good campaign, organized by groups including the National Domestic Workers Alliance and endorsed by the ACLU, was created to honor Good as well as Keith Porter, who was killed on New Years Eve by an off-duty ICE agent in Los Angeles. The campaigns website says that the movements goal is to remind people to be good to one another in the face of such horror to be a good citizen, neighbor, friend, ally and human. In addition to Ruffalo, who was nominated for best actor in a TV drama but lost to Noah Wyle, other stars that wore the campaigns buttons to protest Trump and ICE included Jean Smart, Wanda Sykes, Ariana Grande, and Natasha Lyonne. Smart said on the red carpet: I feel like we're kind of at a turning point in our country and I hope people can keep their heads because I think that's actually going to be the hardest thing, to keep our heads, but that's going to take a lot of courage and a lot of restraint. The doll wears a fidget spinner on her finger to reduce stress and noise-cancelling headphones to reduce sensory overload. Photograph: Paul Michael Hughes (Photograph: Paul Michael Hughes) With an animated Barbie film in development, following the success of Greta Gerwigs 2023 blockbuster movie, Mattel Studios will certainly have a diverse range of characters to bring to life. On Monday, Mattel launches its first autistic Barbie. Coming barely six months after its first doll with type 1 diabetes, this newest addition to Barbies Fashionistas range is designed so that more children see themselves in Barbie and to encourage all children to play with dolls that reflect the world around them. Autism is a form of neurodivergence that influences how people experience and interact with society. While characteristics of autism vary according to the individual, more than one child in a hundred is believed to be autistic, according to the World Health Organization. Related: Shes just autistic Barbie let children play Created in collaboration with the US charity the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the autistic Barbie is designed to represent some of the ways children with autism may experience, process and communicate with the world. The dolls eyes gaze slightly to one side, reflecting how some autistic people avoid direct eye contact. She has fully bendable elbows and wrists, enabling repetitive physical movements such as stimming and hand-flapping that help some people with autism to process sensory information or express excitement. She has a (pink, of course) fidget spinner on her finger that helps reduce stress, wears (pink) noise-cancelling headphones to reduce sensory overload and carries a (yes, youve guessed it, pink) tablet with symbol-based augmentative and alternative communication buttons on its screen to help her cope with everyday communication. Barbie also wears a loose-fitting, purple pinstripe A-line dress with short sleeves and a flowy skirt to minimise fabric-to-skin contact. Purple shoes complete the outfit, with flat soles to promote stability and ease of movement. While the first Barbies date to 1959, until 2019 there were no Barbies with disabilities. Now there are blind dolls, as well as Barbies in wheelchairs, with Down syndrome, prosthetic limbs, vitiligo and hearing aids. There is also a Ken doll with a prosthetic leg, another who uses a wheelchair with a ramp, and one with hearing aids. Announcing the autistic Barbie, Jamie Cygielman, the global head of dolls at Mattel, said it was the latest expansion of the companys commitment to representation and inclusion. Barbie has always strived to reflect the world kids see and the possibilities they imagine, and were proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that ongoing work, she said. The doll helps to expand what inclusion looks like in the toy aisle and beyond because every child deserves to see themselves in Barbie, she added. We engaged with the autistic community throughout the design process, always mindful that autism is experienced differently by every individual and is not always visible. The elements of this doll reflect how some people on the spectrum may experience and express the world, and we hope that by partnering with influential voices within the community, Barbie can continue to showcase a broader range of authentic experiences. Barbie is not the only brand to make autistic dolls. Lottie sells dolls with autism, while Lego sells a variety of minifigures with non-visible disabilities. Responding to the announcement, Jolanta Lasota, the chief executive of Ambitious about Autism, said: Theoretically any Barbie can be reimagined as autistic, because autism doesnt have one look. But representation is powerful and Barbie is an iconic toy, so we hope many autistic children feel pride at seeing some of their experiences reflected in this new doll. We know some autistic young people are reluctant to use supports such as ear defenders and stim toys at school for fear of standing out, so the more we can normalise these types of visible markers the better. With girls three times less likely than boys to be diagnosed with autism, this toy also shines a light on the experiences of autistic girls, who often slip under the radar. Ellie Middleton, an author and founder of an online community for neurodivergent people, said she hoped the Barbie would challenge some of the misconceptions around autism, which were a factor in her late diagnosis. I never considered, and the people around me never considered, that I might be autistic, because we had never seen anyone that looked like me, acted like me, or had anything in common with me have that label assigned to them. Having an autistic Barbie changes that, she added. She is showing young girls that it is OK to be autistic, it is OK to be different, and it is OK to wear those differences with pride. This article was amended on 28 January 2026 to clarify that the first Barbies with disabilities were introduced in 2019. A doll in the Barbie family with a disability was introduced in 1997. Federal agents clash with community members during the ongoing immigration raids in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 12 January 2026. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images (Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images) The Minnesota attorney general, Keith Ellison, announced a lawsuit on Monday against the federal government, seeking to end the surge of ICE agents in the state. The lawsuit against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials comes in the aftermath of an ICE agent fatally shooting Renee Nicole Good behind the wheel of her vehicle last week, leading to protests across the city and the country. We allege that DHSs use of excessive and lethal force, their warrantless, racist arrests, their targeting of our courts, our churches, houses of worship and schools are a violation of the Administrative Procedures Act on arbitrary and capricious federal actions. And we ask that the courts will end the surge of thousands of DHS agents in Minnesota, Ellison said during a press conference. The deployment of thousands of armed DHS agents to Minnesota has done our state serious harm. This is in essence a federal invasion of the Twin Cities and Minnesota, and it must stop, he said, noting the shutdown of schools and the closure of local businesses. This surge has made us less safe. The assistant attorney general Brian Carter said a motion for a temporary restraining order would be filed on Monday ahead of the lawsuit. Ellison described the federal agents as poorly trained and contrasted them with the training of Minneapolis police, noting that local police had had to respond to 20 instances of ICE agents apparent abduction of Minneapolis residents. Theyre making unconstitutional arrests and using excessive force, Ellison said. DHS agents have barged into restaurants, asking to access secure areas. And when asked to present a warrant, which is required by law, they respond: We dont need one. This has to stop. Lets be clear, this should have never started. Illinois filed a similar federal lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday over what the Democratic governor, JB Pritzker, called DHSs dangerous use of force. The Illinois lawsuit asks the court to block US Customs and Border Protection from conducting civil immigration enforcement in the state while seeking to curb tactics such as the use of teargas, trespassing on private property and the concealing of license plates to mask official operations. In Ellisons press conference, AC Thompson of PBS Frontline asked if the Minnesota lawsuit was aimed at restraining the use of crowd control weapons. My whole crew got pepper sprayed today by federal agents, Thompson said. Are you aiming to do anything about them? Ellison encouraged Thompson to file a complaint and make sure people know what happened to you and your crew The press is protected by the first amendment and is vitally important in this moment when freedom of the press and every first amendment right is under a threat. Ellison noted that Minnesotas noncitizen immigrant population was just 1.5%, which is half the national average. Our states percentage is lower than Utah, Texas, and Floridas, he said, suggesting that the Trump administration had targeted Minnesota out of political bias. Ellison also alluded to Minnesota and its Somali immigrant population coming under vitriolic attacks from the White House and rightwing media after a series of social services fraud cases drew conservative attention in recent weeks. Donald Trump doesnt seem to like our state very much, Ellison added. The Twin Cities response to a surge of thousands of federal agents has taxed the law enforcement capacity of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, each of which has about 600 police officers, said Jacob Frey, the mayor of Minneapolis. We dont use the word invasion lightly, he said. The stated reason of this federal government for bringing in this full invasion of ICE and Border Control is not safety. If it were safety, there would be other mechanisms to achieve safety. If this were about fraud, then youd see an invasion perhaps of accountants. But thats not what you see. What you see is people being indiscriminately taken off our streets. Kaohly Her, the mayor of Saint Paul and a Hmong-American immigrant, also spoke at the conference and said she was now carrying her passport card and ID with her all the time. Because I dont know when Im going to be detained, when Im going to be approached, she said. The fact is that the tactics dont even at this point really matter right? Its the fact that we are being attacked as American citizens right now. The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject, you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post If you can safely use the Tor network without being observed or monitored, you can send messages and documents to the Guardian via our SecureDrop platform. Finally, our guide at theguardian.com/tips lists several ways to contact us securely, and discusses the pros and cons of each. A Maryland mother of four was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers just days before her teenage son died of cancer, according to her family. The family of Arlit Maria Martinez claims she was denied the chance to say goodbye to her 15-year-old son, Kevin, and be at his bedside when he died after she was detained by ICE agents on January 3. Martinez, 41, was on her way to work in Salisbury, Maryland, when she was arrested and taken to a holding facility in Baltimore. Her son, who was diagnosed with cancer four months ago, died two days later in the hospital after taking a turn for the worse following his mothers arrest, according to a GoFundMe page created by Ervin Martinez, Kevins brother. A woman under the name Arlit Maria Martinez-Carrada is currently being held at Delaney Hall detention facility in New Jersey, according to the agencys online database of detainees. She has no criminal record, no prior deportation, and has always worked hard to support us, Ervin Martinez wrote on the fundraising page for his mom and late brother. My dad has been unable to work because he is the primary caregiver for my brother Kevin, who has been battling cancer. A Maryland mother of four was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers just days before her teenage son died of cancer, according to her family (AFP via Getty Images) After my mom was taken to a holding facility in Baltimore, my brother Kevin health took a turn for the worse, the post continued. Late that night, he had to be rushed to the ER, but he was too unstable to be transported to his regular doctors in Baltimore. Martinezs husband, Rigo Mendoza-Lopez, stayed with his son in the hospital while also reeling from his wifes arrest. Tragically, my brother Kevin lost his fight with cancer the next morning, and my mom was not allowed to be there to say goodbye, the post continued. Despite calls to ICE, visits from attorneys, and outreach from doctors, my mom has not been released to mourn her son. The Independent has contacted ICE for comment. The family of Arlit Maria Martinez claims she was denied the chance to say goodbye to her 15-year-old son, Kevin, and be at his bedside when he died after she was detained by ICE agents on January 3 (file image) (Getty) The family pleaded with federal officers to release Martinez and said they do not know why she has been detained. We tried to take her out, but they no let her come out to say bye for the last time to my son, her husband told WBOC, and added: I dont know why. Shes not a criminal. So far, people have given more than $32,000 to the family on GoFundMe, where the proceeds will go toward funeral costs and medical expenses. Former Tory cabinet minister Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform in the latest blow to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. The Iraqi-born British ex MP served in various senior ministerial positions under prime ministers Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. Britain is drinking at the last chance saloon and really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister, Mr Zahawi said in a video message announcing his defection on Monday morning. The ex chancellor, who also led the Conservative government's vaccine programme in the early days of the pandemic, added: "I've made my mind that the team that will deliver for this nation will be the team that Nigel will put together, and that's why I've decided that I'm joining Reform UK." (Getty Images) He was sacked from his last senior political role as Tory Party chairman in 2023 when an ethics inquiry found he had failed to disclose he was being investigated over his tax affairs. The controversy began when it emerged Mr Zahawi had reached a 5million tax settlement with HMRC while he was chancellor in 2022. It related to the allocation of shares in the YouGov polling company he had set up before he became an MP. He insisted at the time it was a "careless" mistake and he was sorry for not being "more explicit" in his ministerial declaration on the settlement. However, then Prime Minister Mr Sunak said that the inquiry made clear there had been a "serious breach of the ministerial code". Mr Zahawi said he felt Britain had reached a "dark and dangerous" moment and the UK needed "a glorious revolution", as he outlined why he was joining Reform. In a speech to supporters, Mr Zahawi said issues with free speech on social media or even just down the pub", and anyone trying to earn a living "without getting ground into the dirt" by taxes were reasons for his defection. Mr Farage insisted the ex-Tory big beast's move to his party helped to dispel suggestions Reform UK was a "one-man band". But questions have been raised about comments Mr Zahawi has made about his new partys leader, including previously saying he would be uncomfortable living in a country led by Mr Farage. I wouldnt be sitting here if I didnt think Nigel Farage was someone capable of leading the country, Mr Zahawi told a press conference in Central London. Ex Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi joined Nigel Farage in London (Lucy North/PA Wire) A Conservative spokesman said Mr Zahawi is the latest in a number of "has-been politicians looking for their next gravy train. He added: "Their latest recruit used to say he'd be 'frightened to live in a country' run by Nigel Farage, which shows the level of loyalty for sale. "Reform want higher welfare spending and higher taxes. They are a one-man band with no plan for our country. "Under Kemi Badenoch the Conservatives are demonstrating we have the plan, the competence and the team to get Britain working again." Labour Party Chair, Anna Turley, said: This confirms what we already knew: Reform UK has no shame. Nadhim Zahawi is a discredited and disgraced politician who will be forever tied to the Tories shameful record of failure in government. Zahawi himself has previously repeatedly lambasted his new boss over his divisive and extreme rhetoric - and Farage has said that Zahawi has no principles and is only interested in climbing the greasy pole. This shameless scurry of yet another failed Tory over to Reform will tell people everything they need to know about both of them. Who is Nadhim Zahawi? Millionaire former Tory chancellor who has joined Reform Former Conservative chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has defected to Reform UK, the party has announced. The former MP and minister, who also led the Conservative governments vaccine programme in the early days of the pandemic, said Britain was drinking at the last chance saloon and really does need Nigel Farage as prime minister. Mr Zahawi announced his defection at a press conference in central London on Monday, where he appeared alongside the Reform UK leader. Mr Farage insisted the former Boris Johnson allys move to his party helped to dispel suggestions Reform UK was a one-man band. Mr Zahawi stepped down from his Stratford-on-Avon seat ahead of the general election in 2024. Who is Nadhim Zahawi? Mr Zahawi is a multimillionaire former businessman who had a meteoric rise to political power. Born in Iraq to a Kurdish family, Mr Zahawi arrived in England aged nine, unable to speak English, when his parents fled the regime of Saddam Hussein. He grew up in Sussex and studied chemical engineering at University College London. Former chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi, joins Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage during a press conference in London (Getty) In 2000, Mr Zahawi co-founded the YouGov polling company, staying involved in its running for a decade and amassing significant wealth. His financial affairs came under the spotlight in 2023 amid claims he avoided tax using an offshore company registered in Gibraltar to hold shares in YouGov. It followed an investigation into his financial affairs that was first revealed by The Independent in 2022. He first denied the allegations before admitting, more than a year later, that he paid nearly 5m to HMRC to settle his tax affairs. The former chancellor told the BBC he had paid the sum after making what he called a careless mistake with the tax he paid on the sales of shares in YouGov. Rishi Sunak sacked him as Tory chair in January 2023 after he was found to have breached the ministerial code by failing to declare the HMRC investigation. Parliamentary and government career Mr Zahawi is believed to have been one of the richest politicians in the House of Commons. He first entered parliament in 2010 as the Tory MP for Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire. He spent nearly eight years on the backbenches, gaining media attention in 2013 for claiming expenses for heating stables for his horses. Getting his first junior minister role in the Department for Education under Theresa May in 2018, he rose up the ranks to become education secretary. Rishi Sunak sacked Zahawi after it came to light that he had not disclosed HMRCs investigation into his tax affairs (Tim Hammond/No10 Downing Street) But it was when he was promoted to help lead the governments Covid-19 vaccine rollout in 2020 that he rose to prominence. Mr Zahawi was appointed chancellor by Boris Johnson, hours after Mr Sunaks resignation from the role, and the day before the scandal-plagued prime minister was forced to quit. He made a doomed attempt to replace Mr Johnson in the Tory leadership race. When Liz Truss emerged victorious, she appointed Mr Zahawi as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. After her premiership imploded, Mr Zahawi initially announced he would be backing Mr Johnson to return as PM, before switching allegiance to Mr Sunak on the same day, after the former leader said he would not be entering the contest. He stepped down from his Stratford-on-Avon seat in May, saying he wanted a new, energetic Conservative to take over. Experts warn ADHD assessments by private providers can be unreliable. Photograph: Andriy Popov/Alamy (Photograph: Andriy Popov/Alamy) The NHS is overspending by 164m a year on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) services, with an increasing amount going to unregulated private assessments, a Guardian investigation has found. Analysis shows that total spending on NHS ADHD services is expected to be more than double existing budgets. Further data shows the amount spent on private ADHD services has more than tripled over three years. Experts have warned that assessments provided by private providers can be unreliable, pointing to cases in which patients have been harmed by poor continuity of care after private diagnoses. Related: ADHD care needs better regulation and fewer pills Demand for ADHD assessments has reached record levels as awareness of the condition has increased and NHS services have become increasingly stretched, with more than half a million people now waiting for an assessment. Related: Half of people recently arrested by Met police may have undiagnosed ADHD, study finds In November 2025 the NHS-England commissioned ADHD Taskforce report said that the inability to access NHS services has led to a significant growth in the use of private providers that are not regulated. The report highlights that there are no enforceable national regulations on how ADHD assessments should be conducted with enormous variation on how guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is interpreted across the NHS and private sector. Also, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has no standard for what an ADHD assessors training should include and private services need to register only if offering treatment. Last month the health secretary, Wes Streeting, announced a review into the diagnosis of mental health conditions, ADHD and autism amid concern over the numbers of people with such conditions claiming sickness benefits. Research shared with the Guardian shows spending on ADHD services is estimated to reach 314m by April 2026, more than double the years budget of 150m set aside for this area of healthcare. The figures, which cover 32 of Englands 42 integrated care boards (ICBs), raise concerns that other services could face cuts to offset the 164m overspend. Nineteen ICBs also provided data on how much of their ADHD budget went on private companies, showing the NHSs increasing reliance on outsourcing. It showed spending had more than tripled in three years, from 16.3m in 2022-23 to 58m last year. This has prompted concern that companies are making millions from what critics say is an under-regulated market. Due to how the data is collected, it could include some spending for other neurodiversity conditions as well as ADHD. The chair of the all-party parliamentary group on ADHD, Jo Platt, said the findings showed services were at breaking point and that NHS costs had soared while private providers profit from poorly regulated systems, leaving too many patients in limbo without proper oversight. The research by the Centre for Health and the Public Interest (CHPI) found one company recently bought by a private equity firm had reported profit margins of 33% over the past two years, mainly from providing NHS services. Another 14 companies delivered NHS-funded ADHD assessments without being registered with the CQC. A further 19 companies that provided 1.9m worth of neurodiversity services over three years had no NHS contract at all, meaning local health bodies cannot properly hold them to account. Many NHS adult ADHD services in England have stopped taking on new patients due to high demand, so some turn to private providers via the right-to-choose pathway. This pathway lets patients pick their provider, including private ones, so they can bypass long local waitlists and get help faster. The CHPI report warns that, for business investors, the right-to-choose system is particularly easy to access. A company needs only one contract to treat patients anywhere in the country, and there is no cap on how much they can earn, because local NHS bodies cannot easily restrict patient numbers. The Guardian has uncovered cases of serious harm that appear to have been caused by problems with continuity of care after a private diagnosis. In January, a coroner issued a prevention of future deaths report on the death of 27-year-old Sheridan Pickett, who died by suicide. He had received an online ADHD diagnosis and had been taking stimulant medication prescribed by a private clinic. When Pickett was later admitted to an NHS hospital after an attempted suicide, doctors warned that the ADHD drugs should not be restarted, but that information was never passed back to the private provider, which continued prescribing. The coroner found there were no formal rules requiring information-sharing between private neurodevelopmental services and NHS teams, warning that without change similar deaths could occur. Separately, experts said the standard of assessments carried out by private companies was not always good enough. One NHS clinician, speaking anonymously, said: I do some private work myself, but I ensure that everything I produce aligns with NHS and nationally agreed quality standards for ADHD assessments. Some private providers do deliver good-quality assessments, but Id estimate that around 70-80% do not, and there are certain ones I simply wont work with when I see their name on the report. Andrew Jay founded the neurodiversity support platform Divergence after becoming frustrated with traditional ADHD care models. He said: In a recent audit of assessments, including those of right to choose providers, being sent for transfer to Divergence 6% met our standards which are based on UK Adult ADHD Network quality assessment standards, the closest we have to a fixed standard for assessment reports. A spokesperson for the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) said that independent providers played an essential role in supporting NHS ADHD services, particularly through the right to choose pathway, helping patients access timely, high-quality assessments where NHS waiting times remain unacceptably long, adding that private providers are required to register with the CQC if they prescribe or offer ongoing care. While any concerns about safety, quality or consistency of care should always be taken seriously and addressed through robust regulation and commissioning, the overriding challenge facing ADHD services is a longstanding lack of capacity and unacceptably long waiting times for diagnosis. This is set out clearly in the independently commissioned NHS England ADHD Taskforce report, which we strongly welcome. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: No one with ADHD should be left without clear clinical oversight or feeling in limbo about their care. We have launched an independent review to examine how ADHD, mental health and autism services are delivered to help ensure patients can get the right support. All providers, including those in the independent sector, must meet the same standards for patient safety and quality as the NHS. Where shared care arrangements cannot be agreed, responsibility for prescribing and ongoing oversight remains with the specialist clinician, whether NHS or private. An NHS spokesperson said: We know we have a lot to do to improve ADHD services and that patients wait too long for a diagnosis, which is why we commissioned an independent ADHD taskforce to consider how to improve care and service models. We are carefully considering the recommendations of their recent report, recognising the need for speedy improvement. Given some of the issues around variation in funding, NHS England has already started a consultation on supporting local systems to agree appropriate reimbursement for services. This article was amended on 13 January 2026. An earlier version said that Wes Streeting had announced a review into mental health conditions such as ADHD. ADHD is not a mental health condition but a neurodevelopmental disorder. Streetings review is into mental health, ADHD and autism services. This article was further amended on 19 January 2026 to make clear that there are no enforceable national regulations on how ADHD assessments should be conducted and to add a comment from the Independent Healthcare Providers Network. NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- After extensive hearings before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) October - December 2025, financial professional and Managing Principal James Lukezic of Old Slip Capital Management has been vindicated of allegations involving five trades totaling $1.1 million that were said to have resulted in a $44,000 loss to client accounts. During the proceedings in New York City, FINRA demonstrated no evidence that Mr. Lukezic had executed or authorized any of the trades in question. Furthermore, the hearings confirmed that no client funds were lost as a result of any actions by Mr. Lukezic or at all. United States Constitution The decision effectively ends years of speculation and restores Mr. Lukezic's professional reputation, which had been affected by the U6 posting by FINRA. In light of new information brought to light during the hearings, American Funds (Capital Group), have been added to an amended complaint that Mr. Lukezic has filed against FINRA and Capital Group on January 9th, 2026. This action seeks accountability regarding the circumstances leading to the false allegations and the professional harm caused to Mr. Lukezic. Mr. Lukezic stated: "The truth and evidence prevailed. My reputation means everything to me, and I am grateful that the facts demonstrated my complete innocence in this matter. The larger issue is if the SEC will reform FINRA and specifically its Enforcement unit to bring its power to prosecute in line with the United States Constitution, allowing for due process and the elimination of hearsay evidence". Further legal action is ongoing as part of Mr. Lukezic's complaint, and additional updates will be shared as developments occur. Case No. 1:25-CV-00623 in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Media Contact: Peter King [email protected] SOURCE Old Slip Capital Partners The Night Managers executive producer has revealed the show always intended the shock twist at the end of Sunday nights episode. The latest instalment of the hit BBC drama starring Tom Hiddleston saw the return of the villain played by Hugh Laurie in the first series. Speaking to the Press Association, Stephen Garrett, 68, said that showrunners played on ambiguity surrounding Lauries return to the show, and said: He was never not going to be in it. It was a question of, how do we bring him back in the most exciting way possible? Hugh Laurie returns in The Night Manager series two, after his character is presumed dead in the first series (Ian West/PA) (Ian West) The first episode of the latest season saw intelligence officer Angela Burr (Olivia Coleman) confirming the identity of a body believed to be Lauries character, arms dealer Richard Roper, in a flashback scene set four years after the events of the first series. Garrett said: His end was sort of ambiguous. Hes bundled into a truck. He clearly owes some very bad people 300 million dollars, so its not looking good for him, but you dont see anybody kind of shoot him or hang him or push him off a cliff. On Sunday night, viewers saw Hiddlestons character, Jonathan Pine, follow Ropers criminal son Teddy (Diego Calva) to a hidden location. It was then revealed that Teddy was working with Lauries character, who was alive and living under the name Gilberto Hanson. Tom Hiddleston also stars in The Night Manager (Ian West/PA) (Ian West) Garrett said: We really feared the cat would come out of the bag. We had so many kind of close shaves. But Im really thrilled we got away with it because I think for viewers, its just incredibly pleasurable to have these surprises. At the end of the day, you just want to entertain people. Hopefully, thats what weve done. When asked if he could tease any more secrets which will be revealed, Garrett said: Thats a secret. Are there things that will hopefully surprise and delight the audience? Yeah, absolutely. What are they? Well, youre just going to have to keep watching. The Night Manager is based on the 1993 novel of the same name by John le Carre. The second season follows Hiddlestons character Jonathan, who thought he had buried his past, living as low-level MI6 officer Alex Goodwin, who is then pushed back into action when he meets with old mercenaries. The Emmy-winning show, which debuted in 2016, has a star-studded cast with David Harewood, Tom Hollander and Tobias Menzies featuring alongside Laurie, Hiddleston and Coleman. The show is available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer, with the next episode airing on January 18 at 9pm. Comedian Nikki Glaser took aim at Hollywood in her opening monologue at the Golden Globes with a fake auction for Warner Bros and a reference to the redacted Epstein files. The 41-year-old hosted the 83rd annual award ceremony for a second year in a row on Sunday evening. To kick off the night, Glaser aimed a hit at the celebrities in the room before calling out US network CBS, which was broadcasting the ceremony. Nikki Glaser arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss) She said: I cannot believe the amount of star power we have in this room tonight. Its insane. There are so many A-listers, and by A-listers, I do mean people who are on a list that has been heavily redacted. And the Golden Globe for best editing goes to the Justice Department, yes. Congratulations. And the award for most editing goes to CBS News. Americas newest place to see BS news. We needed another. She went on to ask George Clooney, who aside from being a Hollywood star is also the face of Nespresso, if he could help fix her coffee machine before poking fun at Leonardo DiCaprio for famously dating women under the age of 30. Nikki Glaser hosted the ceremony (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) (Richard Shotwell) She said: I tried not to but like, we dont know anything else about you man, like, theres nothing else. Glaser later prodded at the length of blockbuster musical Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and its recently released sequel, Wicked: For Good, both of which are over two hours long. She said: Wicked was back with Wicked for money. Once again, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande gave us two career-defining performances. Ariana Grande stars in Wicked (Sthanlee Mirador/PA) (Sthanlee Mirador) It was so emotional two hours into that movie I was just like in tears, like, I cant believe theres 45 minutes left. It was just like, too much, she joked. Glaser later said Timothee Chalamet was the first actor in history to put on muscle for a movie about ping pong in reference to his leading role in Josh Safdies Marty Supreme for which he later won a Golden Globe. During the award ceremony, Glaser sang a Marty Supreme-themed remix to the KPop Demon Hunters hit Golden before she was interrupted by actress Fran Drescher who begged her to stop singing. Dr Ahmed Muhanna says Israels destruction of Gazas healthcare system is depriving people of medical care and increasing the mortality rates. Photograph: courtesy (Photograph: courtesy) The only thing that kept Dr Ahmed Muhanna going during his 22 months inside Israeli prisons and detention centres was dreaming of his return to his family and to Gaza. When he was finally released after 665 days as a prisoner, he arrived home to find every place he had returned to in his memories had been obliterated. While in prison, he and the other inmates were completely cut off from the outside world, he says. When he was released he was driven over the border and through Gaza to his hospital, the al-Awda. The scale of the destruction he saw made my skin crawl my chest tightened and my tears began to flow. When Muhanna, one of Gazas most senior anaesthesiologists and emergency care consultants, was detained by Israeli forces in December 2023, the al-Awda hospital was under siege. Now, barely three months after his release, despite the ceasefire officially still in place, he says he and his colleagues are facing another onslaught as the devastated healthcare system battles to cope with a wave of disease and preventable deaths. Muhanna says he returned to a hospital hollowed out of staff, medical equipment and medicine. While in detention, 75 of his colleagues at al-Awda were killed, he says. Since 7 October 2023, 1,200 Palestinian healthcare workers have been killed and 384 detained by Israels military, according to the NGO Healthcare Workers Watch. I feel such pain and sorrow at what we are facing, Muhanna says. Despite the ceasefire, 77% of the population, including 100,000 children, still face high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Muhanna and his staff continue to treat severely malnourished children who develop complex medical issues as a result. International human rights organisations, including a UN commission, have concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, often citing Israels blocking of humanitarian aid and systematic destruction of the healthcare system. Today, there is not a single, functional MRI machine in Gaza. There is only one CT scanner Dr Ahmed Muhanna The deliberate military targeting of the healthcare system has been successful not only in destroying the infrastructure but also now depriving the people of medical care and increasing the mortality rates, Muhanna says. According to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) 94% of Gazas hospitals have been damaged or destroyed, leaving patients, including newborn babies, without essential care. The report confirms that despite the ceasefire, Israel has prevented the entry of medical supplies and nutrients indispensable to the survival of civilians. Muhanna says this leads to preventable deaths. Now, the situation is deteriorating further, after Israel announced it will revoke the licences of 37 international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, saying they failed to meet requirements under new registration rules. These include medical aid organisations such as Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Today, there is not a single, functional MRI machine in Gaza. There is only one CT scanner, says Muhanna, making it difficult for doctors, who rely on these critical machines, to make informed decisions in life-threatening cases. He says cancer patients suffer as tumours spread, while available treatments are blocked, and there has been a rise in kidney failures due to the lack of dialysis machines. I am a doctor but I am helpless and unable to do anything to help people, says Muhanna. At the same time, he says this motivates him to keep working. Having begun work immediately after he was released, Muhanna has not been able to rest or begin to process the trauma of what he experienced in Israeli detention facilities. He says he was tortured, humiliated, and denied food and medical treatment. A UN report recently concluded that Israel has de facto state policy of organised torture. Related: I cant forget the horror: a young mother on giving birth twice during the Gaza war At first he was taken to the notorious Sde Teiman detention centre, where for 24 days he remained blindfolded and with his hands tied the entire time. During his transfer to a detention facility in al-Naqab, Muhanna was beaten by the Israeli forces so badly that one of his ribs broke. He says he asked for painkillers but wasnt given any. There were no medical services whatsoever. He says he saw two men die due to lack of medical treatment deaths he believes were entirely preventable, including that of a 37-year-old man who had signs of gastrointestinal obstruction. I went to the prison guards and told them he had to be taken to the clinic urgently and may require urgent surgical intervention, he recalls. Muhanna says the guards did nothing. He was in pain all night his abdomen became swollen and he began vomiting faeces because of the intestinal blockage. Muhanna says he was always hungry as they were given minimal food. At one point, he was put with 40 detainees in a small tent enclosed by a fence, where they had no access to the bathroom from 4pm till 5am daily. It was nothing short of a tragedy. Muhanna was never charged. When he was released, he was taken back to Gaza. The first person I looked for was my mother, he says. I hugged her tightly. I had worried about her so much We stayed in that embrace for five minutes before anyone could bring themselves to pull us apart. Seeing his wife and children again felt like life had come back to me, he says. It was an indescribable moment of happiness. His middle daughter Salma, just a little girl when he was detained, was now almost as tall as he was. As he recovers from the trauma of his experiences in detention and deals with the overwhelming medical crisis Gaza is facing, he says he feels little hope for the future. There is no future for my children here. I want them to be safe, to have a future, to study at good universities and to work in good jobs, he says. When I am not at the hospital, I try to think of somewhere I can take them, to go out together but there is nowhere to go. No green spaces. Gaza used to have life; restaurants, beaches. Now there is nothing left. A deluge of sexual images created by Musks Grok AI tool has prompted a public and political outcry. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA (Photograph: Yui Mok/PA) The UK media watchdog has opened a formal investigation into Elon Musks X over the use of the Grok AI tool to manipulate images of women and children by removing their clothes. Ofcom has acted after a public and political outcry over a deluge of sexual images appearing on the platform, created by Musks Grok, which is integrated with X. The regulator is investigating X under 2023s Online Safety Act (OSA), which carries a range of possible punishments for breaches, including a UK ban of apps and websites for the most serious abuses. Ofcom said it would pursue the investigation as a matter of the highest priority, while Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, said the regulator had the governments full backing. Related: Malaysia blocks Elon Musks Grok AI over fake, sexualised images Ofcom said: Reports of Grok being used to create and share illegal nonconsensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material on X have been deeply concerning. Platforms must protect people in the UK from content thats illegal in the UK, and we wont hesitate to investigate where we suspect companies are failing in their duties, especially where theres a risk of harm to children. Well progress this investigation as a matter of the highest priority, while ensuring we follow due process. As the UKs independent online safety enforcement agency, its important we make sure our investigations are legally robust and fairly decided. Speaking to MPs in the Commons, Kendall said: The content which has circulated on X is vile. Its not just an affront to decent society, it is illegal. She added: X does not have to wait for the Ofcom investigation to conclude they can choose to act sooner to ensure this abhorrent and illegal material cannot be shared on their platform. If they do not, Ofcom will have the backing of this government to use the full powers which parliament has given them this includes the power to issue fines of up to 10% of a companys worldwide qualifying revenue and, in the most serious cases, Ofcom can apply for a court order to stop UK users accessing the site. She added that ministers would also bring into force a new law that would make it illegal to create nonconsensual intimate images, as well as to share them. Campaigners last week accused ministers of dragging their heels over enforcing the new law, which was originally passed last June. Sharing intimate image abuse online is illegal under the OSA, which also requires that pornography is age gated. Companies are also required to have systems in place to prevent child sexual abuse material (CSAM) from appearing and to take it down quickly if it is posted on a platform. Ofcom said it had urgently made contact with X about its concerns last Monday. Having considered Xs response about the steps it has taken to comply with the act, Ofcom said it had opened a formal investigation after an expedited assessment carried out as a matter of urgency. The watchdog is focusing on whether X has breached the act in the following ways: Failing to assess the risk of people seeing illegal content on the platform. Not taking appropriate steps to prevent users from viewing illegal content such as intimate image abuse and CSAM. Not taking down illegal material quickly. Not protecting users from breaches of privacy law. Failing to assess the risk X may pose to children. Not using effective age checking for pornography. Grok has been integrated into X, and an update of the AI tool has allowed users to prompt it to alter clothed images of women and children by making them appear in bikinis and sexually suggestive poses. Ofcom has a range of options in terms of punishments under the act including, in extreme cases, effectively blocking an app or website by applying to a court for business disruption measures such as requiring internet service providers to block access to a site in the UK. On Friday the government said it would support Ofcom if it decided X should be effectively banned. Ofcom said it would gather evidence on whether a breach had occurred. If it decides a breach has taken place, it will announce this in a provisional decision before making a final ruling. The regulator did not give exact details on how long the investigation would take. Jess Asato, a Labour MP and campaigner against AI nudification, said the abuse was still happening to her on X as of Monday morning. She said explicit and degrading images were being created using the Grok app which is also available separately from X and other AI apps and posted on X, because she was speaking against Musks platform. Its still happening to me and being posted on X because I speak up about it, she said. Thankfully its just bikinis, no one has properly nudified me yet. Just this morning someone has made me a tradwife with a massive pregnant tummy. Its like theyre saying, this is where you should be, this is your role, you should be a baby birthing machine. This has disturbed me, weirdly more than the bikini pictures. Some MPs have been pushing for the government to exit the platform in protest, but Kendall said ministers were not planning to take such action though she added that it remained an option in future. With 19 million people on X in this country, and more than a quarter of them saying that they use it as their primary source of news, our views and often simply the facts need to be heard wherever possible, she said. Irish author, poet and playwright Oscar Wildes former Mayfair home which provided inspiration for The Importance of Being Earnest is for sale for 14 million with Beauchamp Estates. The six-storey, stucco-fronted townhouse at 14 Half Moon Street was built around 1730. In the early 1880s, at the centre of Victorian bohemian London, the property was turned into a boarding house with bachelors chambers for young, ambitious male tenants to rent. Among them were the novelist Hugh Walpole, the World War One poet Siegfried Sassoon and actor and costumier Raoul Reggie de Veulle. Wildes lover, the journalist Robbie Ross, lived at number 40. Wilde, therefore, was a frequent visitor to Half Moon Street, using number 14 as the inspiration for Algernon Moncrieffs bachelor pad in The Importance of Being Earnest, where the first Act is set. 14 Half Moon Street is for sale for 14 million (Alex Winship/Beauchamp Estates) The play opens in the propertys morning room, which is luxuriously and artistically furnished, with a piano playing in the background, and afternoon tea being laid. Fictional visitors to the townhouse include Moncrieffs friend Ernest Worthing, his cousin Gwendolen Fairfax and her mother his aunt Lady Bracknell. Wilde also frequented the pub next door (now the Flemings Hotel, with an Oscar Wilde-inspired VIP suite), and was a member of the Albemarle Club a short walk away. He was known to buy carnations for his buttonhole at nearby Burlington Arcade. After he moved to London in 1879, Wilde took lodgings on Mayfairs Charles Street, later moving to 34 Tite Street in Chelsea when he married Constance Lloyd in 1884. The property was bought in 2016 for the buyers daughter to live in while studying (Beauchamp Estates / Alex Winship ) Following the Second World War, 14 Half Moon Street was converted into offices, before being returned to a single residence in 2008. In 2016, it was purchased by an Emirati multi-millionaire, who bought it as student digs for his daughter during her studies. The owner paid 13.5 million for the house, according to the Land Registry 1.45 million less than its asking price at the time. Today, the five-bedroom townhouse spans more than 5,000 square feet over seven floors, each serviced by a private passenger lift. Irish playwright, novelist, essayist, poet and wit Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) (Getty Images) Downstairs, there is an entrance hall with geometric patterned marble flooring and a marble fireplace, with a large, open plan kitchen and breakfast room. Upstairs, on the first floor, is a reception room with a bay window and a cocktail bar, as well as an interconnecting drawing room and 10-seater dining room. It is here in the sitting room that Jack Worthing proposes to Gwendolen Fairfax in Wildes play. The three main bedrooms, which each occupy a floor of their own, have private dressing rooms and ensuite bathrooms. In the principal suite, this includes a freestanding sculptural bathtub and a double walk-in shower with Armani marble. The property also features a cinema room, gym, steam room, storage vault and terraces on the first and fourth floors. Jack (or Ernest) proposes to Gwendolen in the sitting room (Alex Winship/Beauchamp Estates) True to its description in The Importance of Being Earnest, the property is luxuriously furnished, having been refurbished and modernised by its owners. In the luxurious rooms of this magnificent historic yet fully modernised Mayfair townhouse, Wildes play comes to life and you can imagine Algernon Moncrieff, Jack, Gwendolen and Lady Bracknell being quite at home, says Jeremy Gee, managing director of Beauchamp Estates. With its links to Oscar Wilde and The Importance of Being Earnest, this is one of the most famous townhouses in Mayfair and we anticipate interest in this property from discerning buyers from around the world. The average UK adult receives two scam calls each week, research has indicated. Nationwide Building Society, which commissioned the survey, found more than half (57%) of people believe that suspect calls are becoming more frequent. More than a quarter (28%) of people surveyed said they are not confident in spotting a genuine call from their bank. The society has introduced a new feature to build on its scam checker service. It enables customers to instantly confirm whether the call they are on is genuine, through Nationwides banking app. Customers can open the app, go to more, and call checker, to see if they are on a call with Nationwide. Fraudsters may ask victims to share personal details, provide security codes, transfer money or even to lie to their bank or building society, Nationwide warned. While over half (53%) of people said they hang up immediately when they become suspicious about a call, only 29% report it to their bank. Jim Winters, director of economic crime at Nationwide, said: Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and impersonation calls are one of the most common ways they trick people into handing over money. We are programmed to trust people and when someone uses clever tactics and well-practised scripts often putting us under pressure or making us panic it can be hard to know who to trust. Our call checker feature gives our customers peace of mind by confirming if a call is genuine or not. Its a simple and effective step that could prevent someone from becoming the next crime statistic. The survey of 2,000 people was carried out by Censuswide in December. A GOP senator who has frequently broken with the president on issues of foreign policy and government spending warned Donald Trump against invading or launching strikes in Iran on Sunday after the president released several statements on Truth Social indicating that he was considering supporting protests within the country with military or other assistance. Sen. Rand Paul spoke on ABCs This Week as it was reported that the president was briefed in recent days on options for military strikes within the country. It isnt clear what the administrations target or goal for military action would be if strikes were to be authorized by the president. Paul told ABC that while the protests, which are now nearing a third week, are a sign that many Iranians are tired to living under the current regime, there isnt enough evidence that they were calling for or wanted U.S. intervention of any kind. "I don't think it's the job of the American government to be involved with every freedom movement around the world," Paul told ABCs Martha Raddatz. "I think the protests are directed at the Ayatollah, justifiably so, and the best way is to encourage them and say that, of course, we would recognize a government that is a freedom-loving government that allows free elections. But bombing is not the answer. [W]hen you bomb a country, then people tend to rally around their own flag, Paul said. They tend to see this as the you know, a foreign country coming in and bombing us. And so, I don't think it always has that [intended] effect. Sen. Rand Paul said that Trump should not consider strikes on Iran aimed at aiding protesters (ABC - This Week) Paul was one of five Republican senators who broke party lines to support a War Powers resolution aimed at restricting Trumps military campaign against Venezuela on Thursday, causing the measure to pass the Republican-controlled Senate in a rare victory for Democrats. One of Pauls colleagues, Sen. Lindsey Graham, has called for the U.S. to directly support protestors as the death toll continues to climb amid a security forces crack down. Trump himself issued a pair of statements on Truth Social vowing to support Iranian protesters in the event of a violent crackdown, which seems to have occurred in many areas. Hundreds of protesters are seen on the streets of Iran in this screengrab from January 10, 2026 Graham is publicly and privately urging Trump to take action to topple the Iranian regime, of which the South Carolina senator has been a vocal critic on the Hill for years. During both of Trumps presidency, the senator supported military action against the Iranian government including the killing of Revolutionary Guard chief Qassem Soleimani and, years later, targeted strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities. Trump is also seeing calls for intervention from the likes of Reza Pahlavi, son of the deposed former Shah of Iran. Pahlavi now lives in northern Virginia. He has publicly encouraged the protesters and his supporters (largely in the U.S. and Europe) claim that demonstrators are pining for his return. Supporters of Reza Pahlavi, the son of the deposed shah, rally in London (REUTERS) Other Iranian dissident groups like the MEK-linked National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) have amplified the protests but do not support military action by the U.S., calling instead for countries to expel Iranian diplomats and shutter the regimes embassies. Last week, Paul didnt take a position when asked by The Independent whether he would also support a War Powers resolution introduced by Sen. Ruben Gallego that would prevent the administration from going to war over Greenland. On Sunday, however, he said that a similar or greater level of resistance existed in the Senate against that idea. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone in Greenland for it, but you'd also be hard-pressed to find somebody in Washington who's for a military invasion on either side of the aisle. So, I think there'll be enough pressure to stop it. But the problem is, is they keep rattling the saber, Paul said on Sunday. Adding that he didnt dispute that there were reasons for the U.S. to consider purchasing Greenland, the senator added that Trumps rhetoric made that prospect much harder. You dont get there by angering and denigrating the people who live there, said Paul. Sheinelle Jones has made an emotional debut as Jenna Bush Hagers permanent co-host on the brand new Today with Jenna & Sheinelle show. There was not a dry eye in the house during Mondays premiere, which held multiple surprises: a video message sent from her mom in Kansas, a visit from two aspiring journalism students at her alma mater, and an unexpected toast with former co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford. Kotb and Gifford, who arrived on the show with a flaming torch to pass on to the new co-anchors, gave Jones a hug and wished her luck as they reflected on the friendship they grew while sharing the desk. Jones, 47, announced in December she would be stepping away from the third hour of Today with Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Dylan Dreyer to join Hager as Kotbs replacement after she departed the network in January 2025. Her new role as the fourth hour co-host comes less than a year after her husband, Uche Ojeh, died of brain cancer aged 45. Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones kicked off their first show as co-hosts (NBC Today) During an emotional moment on Mondays broadcast, Jones said that Ojeh always dreamed of her having her own show, and encouraged her to pursue it when Kotb announced at the end of 2024 that she would be leavingToday. He felt like it was my turn to shine and to try, Jones said through tears. So now it just feels like confirmation. Here we are two years later, and he's like Told you. Hager replied, I know he's looking down with your grandmother, who you also just recently lost, and they're probably dancing to our new [theme] song and cheering you on. Later in the show, Jones was also surprised with a visit from Kassandra Fleming Hayes, the woman who inspired her to become a journalist. Hayes and Jones, who have not seen each other in more than 30 years, sat down and spoke about their journeys to becoming broadcast news journalists. Jenna Bush Hager and Sheinelle Jones shared a glass of wine with Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford during Monday's show (NBC Today) Jones credited Hayes as her role model saying, It takes someone else sometimes to see you back...I was just in awe of you." The show brought out emotions from viewers as well as the hosts as fans took to social media to congratulate Jones on the new role. Wow didnt know I was going to cry watching the Jenna & Sheinelle show on @TODAYshow ! Congratulations @SheinelleJones ! It was meant to be! @JennaBushHager & you will have a lot of fun! one X user wrote. Another added, Suddenly Im crying with Sheinelle. Shes the perfect cohost for Jenna. This is the shocking moment a man tried to murder another passenger by stabbing him with a broken Buckfast bottle in a wholly murderous attack on a busy intercity train has been jailed for 12 years. Thomas Craig, 48, attacked a stranger with a bottle on a Glasgow to Dundee service on February 16, 2024, pursuing him down the carriage and repeatedly striking him on the head with the bottle, causing it to break, and then the neck. He then turned on the mans friend who tried to help, stabbing him on the head and in the chest with the bottle. The court heard that the second man suffered a wound near his heart and lost more than two litres of blood following the attack. Craig was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow (Jane Barlow/PA) Craig was found guilty of assaulting the first man, Aaron Nelson, to the danger of his life and attempting to murder Glen Lennon, the second man, following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow in November. Lord Arthurson handed him an extended sentence comprising 12 years behind bars and three years of supervision upon release when he returned to the court for sentencing on Monday. CCTV footage released by British Transport Police (BTP) in December showed Craig charging down the carriage and raising his arm to smash the bottle down on one of the victims, before moving to a seat and changing from his blood-stained jumper into a clean hoodie. Lord Arthurson said: On a busy train you launched an appallingly violent attack on two men who were complete strangers to you. Members of the public have every right to be able to travel on public transport safely and without fear. Describing the incident, which happened near Larbert train station, he said: You ran towards your first victim striking him on the neck with the bottle. The second man courageously came to the assistance of his friend. Lord Arthurson described the assault on the second man as a wholly murderous attack. He also praised other passengers who came to the aid of Craigs victims including a nurse who helped on board. The court heard that the two victims were in their early twenties at the time of the incident. Police and paramedics met the Glasgow Queen Street to Dundee train at Larbert railway station, where both victims were given urgent treatment and taken to hospital. Craig had been drinking alcohol for several hours and had also taken cocaine before the attack, the court was told. Tony Graham KC, representing Craig, said there was nothing he could say in mitigation but said he is a man who has struggled with drug and alcohol addiction and feels remorse over the incident. He said: He understands the damage he has done, he understands the suffering he has caused and he understands that those short moments on that train will live with and probably haunt forever his victims. He added: This is a man who recognises he has done wrong. This is a man who recognises the potentially devastating consequences, averted in this case. BTP Detective Inspector Marc Francey said on Monday: I am extremely pleased with the result the court has handed down today Craig acted with mindless aggression that day, attacking his two victims over a minor disagreement. His indiscriminate and thuggish actions could have resulted in far more severe consequences, and he will now face the consequences and spend the next 12 years behind bars. It is thanks only to luck and to the lifesaving work of the paramedics that Craig hasnt been found guilty of something far worse. I hope this sentence brings a measure of closure to the victims and their families after such a brutal attack. Violence on the railway is utterly unacceptable, and we will relentlessly pursue offenders like Craig to ensure they face justice. Sophie Turner has said filming her new television crime series in London felt invasive, as she was robbing places that feel like home. The 29-year-old stars in upcoming Prime Video series Steal as Zara, an ordinary office worker who gets wrapped up in a pension fund robbery. Speaking to the Press Association after a special screening of the heist thriller, the star said filming near her home in London made the show feel personal. The star said she found it invasive to film in recognisable locations she grew up with (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (Jordan Pettitt) Turner said: Totally. It makes the whole thing feel so much more invasive. We were filming on Columbia Road (in Hackney, east London), really recognisable locations that weve all grown up with. Shooting MI5 coming into buildings, or the thieves robbing places that feel like home to us felt even more invasive, which lends to the plot, for sure. Turner praised the new show, saying: The heist happens right at the get-go. It follows the fallout from it, rather than the lead up. I was excited for that. The actress wore an all-black ensemble, and was dressed in a leather-look button-up jacket and a matching skirt, paired with pointed patent heels. Rebecca De Souza, Archie Madekwe, Sophie Turner, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Sotiris Nikias and Gemma Brandler (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (Jordan Pettitt) Turner, who rose to fame as a teenager playing Sansa Stark in hit fantasy series Game Of Thrones, said she loved acting in a series that was not a period drama. She said: It is nice because it kind of takes all the distraction away of are we being authentic to the period? It felt like we could really hone in our focus on the story and not worry about if buildings look too new or old. Turner was joined at the screening by co-star Archie Madekwe, who plays her on-screen best friend and partner-in-crime, Luke. The Saltburn actor told PA the writing of the show was so exciting, and said: The feeling I got reading it, is the feeling I think people are going to get watching it. Archie Madekwe, Sophie Turner and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd attend the Steal special screening at Bafta in central London (Jordan Pettitt/PA) (Jordan Pettitt) Jacob Fortune-Lloyd plays a detective chief inspector who is investigating the heist pulled off by Turner and Madekwes characters, while trying to keep his own gambling problems at bay. The 37-year-old said: Ive seen the whole show, and its just wonderful. Steal will premiere on Amazon Prime Video on January 21. Development of Lao socialism injects new momentum into China-Laos relations Xinhua) 11:26, January 12, 2026 VIENTIANE, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The development of socialism in Laos injects new momentum into China-Laos relations. The three-day 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) concluded successfully on Jan. 8, summarizing Laos' achievements over the past five years, charting the future direction of the country's socialist development, and injecting new impetus into the advancement of China-Laos relations. The congress reviewed and adopted a series of key political documents, including the political report of the 11th Central Committee and the 10th Five-Year Plan for Socio-Economic Development (2026-2030). Under the plan, Laos aims to achieve an average annual economic growth rate of 6 percent during the 2026-2030 period. A key highlight of the congress was the adoption of the Party's third political program, which clearly sets the goal of transforming the country into an upper-middle-income developing nation by 2055, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the LPRP. During the congress, the China-Laos Railway was frequently cited as a key driver of national development. Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Leklay Sivilay stated in a media interview that the railway has played a vital role in promoting Laos' socio-economic growth. According to the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC), which operates the Lao section of the China-Laos Railway, the Lao section had carried more than 11.84 million passengers and transported over 16.77 million tons of freight as of Jan. 8. Since its opening four years ago, the railway has steadily improved operational efficiency, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating economic and trade exchanges between China and Laos. Beyond transport infrastructure, cooperation between the two countries has expanded across a wide range of sectors under the strategic guidance of senior leaders from both sides. Substantial progress has been made in energy, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and other key areas, further consolidating the China-Laos community with a shared future. Notable achievements include the successful launch of the China-Laos 500 kV power grid interconnection project, marking a new chapter in cross-border power cooperation, and the handover of the China-aided Mahosot General Hospital, which has improved Laos' healthcare capacity. In addition, projects such as the China-aided rural poverty alleviation infrastructure initiative have been implemented, contributing directly to improved livelihoods. While strategic and livelihood-related cooperation has continued to deepen, China-Laos economic and trade ties have also delivered tangible results, providing strong impetus for the development of bilateral relations. According to local daily Vientiane Times report on Nov. 2025, trade between Laos and China continued to expand, reaching 8.23 billion U.S. dollars in 2024 and 4.6 billion U.S. dollars in the first half of 2025. China's cumulative investment across various sectors in Laos has exceeded 18 billion U.S. dollars, making it the country's largest source of foreign investment. A series of livelihood projects that embody bilateral friendship, together with robust economic and trade figures, painted a vivid picture of the China-Laos community with a shared future taking root, and injected sustained momentum into the deepening of strategic cooperation between the two countries. The successful conclusion of the 12th LPRP National Congress opens a new chapter in Laos' socialist development and heralds fresh historical opportunities for advancing the China-Laos community with a shared future. Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and Lao president, stated that Laos stands ready to work with China to fully implement the action plan for building the China-Laos community with a shared future, strengthen unity and cooperation, jointly address risks and challenges arising from changes in the international and regional landscape, and safeguard the shared interests of both parties and countries. Chinese Ambassador to Laos Fang Hong reaffirmed China's commitment to working closely with Laos to implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two countries. She noted that the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos presents an opportunity to deepen exchanges on governance experience, advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, promote the development of both countries' socialist causes, and build a high-standard, high-quality, and high-level community with a shared future, promote the building of a more just and reasonable global governance system, and set a positive example for building a community with a shared future for mankind. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The nationally recognized diner continues its South Carolina growth with a new capital city restaurant COLUMBIA, S.C., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Metro Diner, where timeless American fare is served with modern flair, has opened a new location in Columbia, marking its first restaurant in the capital city. Located at 106 Percival Road in the Jackson Shopping Center, the 4,350-square-foot diner seats 114 guests indoors and 24 on its patio. The restaurant is owned and operated by Managing Partner Marcy Miller, who began her Metro Diner career as a server in Pineville, North Carolina. "This has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I'm thrilled to offer this community a place that feels like familywhere people can gather and enjoy delicious, satisfying meals they can't get anywhere else," Miller said. "We're here to serve serious diner food and create a welcoming atmosphere that keeps guests coming back day after day." Known for hearty portions and all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner offerings, Metro Diner's award-winning menu features comfort-food favorites ranging from omelets and breakfast platters to BBQ ribs and specialty burgers made with 100% Angus beef. The brand has earned national recognition since being featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, where host Guy Fieri raved about the Iron City Meatloafgriddle-seared to lock in flavor and served with rich brown gravy, creamy mashed potatoes and steamed French-style green beans. Another fan favorite is the famous Fried Chicken & Waffle, featuring half of a fried chicken atop a Belgian waffle with decadent strawberry butter and the brand's signature sweet-and-spicy sauce. In addition to those signature dishes, Miller highly recommends the Cinnamon Roll Pancakes. "One bite will keep you coming back," she said. "It's a fluffy, homemade pancake with a cinnamon swirl inside, topped with made-from-scratch cinnamon butter, cream cheese icing and candied pecans. Who can resist?" Originally from Lisbon, Ohio, Miller spent six years at the company's Pineville location, starting as a server before moving into management. She later served as a floating manager at several Metro Diner locations, gaining hands-on experience across the brand. "It's been an incredibly rewarding journey, and today I'm proud to have my name on the door of my very own Metro Diner," Miller said. "I've learned so much from our guests, team members and supportive corporate leadership, and I'm excited to bring that passion to Columbia." Metro Diner Columbia is conveniently located off I-77 near Fort Jackson, the University of South Carolina, Allen University and Benedict College, and across from Walmart and Sam's Club. The restaurant is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will extend hours to 8 p.m. when dinner service launches soon. For more information, call 803-632-0488 or visit www.metrodiner.com. About Metro Diner Established in 1992 as a family-owned eatery in Jacksonville, Florida, Metro Diner is among the nation's fastest-growing locally owned and operated family dining concepts, with over 60 locations east of the Mississippi. Metro Diner is known for its warm, welcoming service, large portion sizes and serious diner food. Metro Diner has received many accolades, including features on Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Cooking Channel's Cheap Eats. To learn more about Metro Diner, find a full list of locations or place a catering order, visit www.metrodiner.com and "Like" Metro Diner on Facebook, or follow @MetroDiner on Instagram and @MetroDinerOfficial on TikTok. Contact: Jackie Rodriguez [email protected] SOURCE Metro Diner Kamil Idris, Sudans prime minister, salutes the gathered crowd after his government returned to Khartoum - Ebrahim Hamid/AFP Sudans military-led government has returned to the capital after it was forced out during the countrys catastrophic civil war. Kamil Idris, the prime minister, announced the government would leave its wartime base in Port Sudan and return to Khartoum, nearly three years after fighting began. The capital, at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers, was badly damaged by street fighting with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) until the government regained control last March. Fighting had rocked the sprawling metropolis, which is composed of the three neighbouring cities of Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri), for more than two years. The symbolic move puts the government back in the countrys traditional seat of power, but Sudan remains shattered and there is little sign of the war ending. Today, we return, and the Government of Hope returns to the national capital, Mr Idris told reporters, promising better services for residents. Mr Idris addresses the media in Khartoum, telling them that the Government of Hope has relocated to the capital - Ebrahim Hamid/AFP As many as five million people are thought to have fled the capital at the height of the fighting, from a total of nearly 14 million who left their homes across the country. Large numbers have returned in recent months, but they have found a city often in ruins, with basic sanitation and health services destroyed. The United Nations estimates the capital needs 260m ($350m) of repairs to its basic infrastructure. Despite the end of fighting in Khartoum, Sudan remains effectively partitioned between the warring sides and front lines criss-cross the country, with atrocities continuing. RSF militia overwhelmed the besieged city of El Fasher, in Darfur, in late October. They are thought to have raped and killed thousands from black African groups who had been taking shelter there. As well as uprooting millions, the war has destroyed agriculture and blocked trade routes tipping parts of the country into famine and creating one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. As many as 150,000 people are thought to have died, though the actual toll is unclear because the health system is not working and the dead are often not counted. Credit: X/ @clashreport Sudan has been convulsed by civil war ever since a rivalry between Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto president, and his deputy, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, flared into open fighting in 2023. Both the army and Hemedtis RSF have faced war crimes accusations over the course of the conflict. Each has also turned to foreign backers for money and arms. Pakistan was last week reported to be close to striking a deal worth 1.1bn ($1.5bn) to supply weapons and jets to Sudan. The deal would include 10 Karakoram-8 light attack aircraft, more than 200 drones for scouting and kamikaze attacks, and advanced air defence systems, Reuters reported. The pact would also include Super Mushshak training aircraft, and perhaps coveted JF-17 fighters developed jointly with China and produced in Pakistan. Relatives check the body bags of victims on Sunday. The remains were moved from makeshift graves with the view to having them reinterred at a cemetery in Khartoum - Marwan Ali/AP Advantage on the battlefield has swung back and forth over the past three years and it is unclear whether either side has the momentum needed to defeat its adversary. The army was caught ill-prepared at the start of fighting and quickly lost swathes of the country. It fought back last year taking Khartoum and other territory, but the RSF has since then successfully won ground behind a barrage of long-range drone attacks. Sudans army accuses the RSF of being supplied by the United Arab Emirates, which has denied backing either side. Storm Goretti caused damaged to properties across Cornwall, as gusts of almost 100mph brought trees down. Photograph: Hugh Hastings/Getty Images (Photograph: Hugh Hastings/Getty Images) Thousands of homes in the south-west of England were still without power or water on Monday in the aftermath of Storm Goretti. It has been four days since Goretti brought gusts of almost 100mph and a rare red warning for dangerous, stormy winds, but the continued disruption has led one Cornish MP to call for a national emergency. As of Monday afternoon, National Grid said about 1,250 properties remained without power, mostly around Helston, while South West Water (SWW) said about 3,000 homes were without water and Cornwall council said 31 schools in the region were either closed or opening late. SWW said on its website on Sunday that the impact of Storm Goretti on its water network had been devastating, with the company adding that six major water mains in the Helston area had been severely damaged by uprooted trees and that this was continuing to affect water supply for customers. Sam Bottomley, its water services director for Devon and Cornwall, said about 30 to 40 trees had been blown down during the storm, with many landing directly on top of the mains coming out of Wendron water treatment works in Cornwall. Repair works were continuing, the company said, adding that it had restored supplies to more than half of those affected. Andrew George, the Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, has called on the government to provide more support. In a Facebook post on Sunday, he said: If this happened in London or the home counties it would have been headline national news for days and the government would declare a national emergency. He added that his call for a national emergency led to a hastily put-together meeting of the emergency ministerial strategic response group chaired by Defra minister Mary Creagh MP on Sunday. Creagh said she had met water bosses. I remain very concerned that people in several areas in thesouth-east and south-west are experiencing water supply issues following both cold weather and Storm Goretti, she told the BBC. On Monday, George hit out at the Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, for failing to grant the Lib Dem MP the right to call for a national emergency response despite granting one to East Grinstead in Sussex, which he said has been suffering a water outage across 16,500 homes. I have every sympathy for the beleaguered people of East Grinstead and would never seek to diminish the terrible impact this has had and is having on them. But Im certain the impact of the devastating storm experienced in Cornwall and on Scilly would dwarf that of the poor folk affected in the south-east. Over 50,000 homes have experienced water and/or electricity outages here, he said in a post on Facebook. George said the impact on the south-wests most vulnerable people had been significant. He cited one incident in which some nursing home residents had to be evacuated after the buildings roof was ripped off in the storm and the home lost power and water supply. In response to the two major outages seen across Kent and Sussex in two months, MPs said the chief executive of SWW, David Hinton, was not up to the job and should be moved on during an urgent question in the Commons on Monday. Customers in Canterbury, East Grinstead, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Whitstable and surrounding towns were left without water on Monday, with South East Water blaming Storm Goretti and the cold weather. Tunbridge Wells also suffered supply issues in December. Janine Williams, the landlord of the Blue Anchor pub in Helston, told the BBC: Its been a bit of a mess. Weve had a lot of people coming in trying to charge their phones. Weve been quite lucky. The electric stayed on and weve got well water, so weve managed to keep our doors open. Weve had our fires on and heating on, so people have had a warm place to sit. Last night, our mains water got cut off again after being put back on. On Friday, a man was found dead after a tree fell on to a caravan. Devon and Cornwall police said emergency services were called at about 7.35pm on Thursday to the Mawgan area of Helston where work took place on Friday to remove the tree. A man in his 50s was found dead in the caravan. His death is not being treated as suspicious and his next of kin have been informed, police said. Thousands of tourists stranded in Lapland after airport shuts due to -39C Arctic cold Thousands of Lapland tourists have been left stranded after all flights at Finlands Kittila airport were cancelled over Arctic cold temperatures. The Finnish Meteorological Service forecast temperatures hitting as low as -39C on Monday, while conditions did not improve past -35C on Sunday. Flights back to European cities including London, Bristol, Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam were all affected. One flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi was also grounded. The third day of freezing conditions has made airports inoperable as it becomes difficult to de-ice planes, and use maintenance and refuelling equipment that can also seize up in the cold. Finavia, airport operator, told public broadcaster Yle that conditions were made worse by moisture creating a slippery frost causing even more hazardous conditions. They said ground equipment connectors and vehicle hatches had frozen over while refuelling and de-icing were made impossible. Thousands have been left stranded (FINAVIA) Decisions to cancel flights are always made by airlines, Finavia said in a statement. But conditions of around -40C can cause challenges for ground operations. While the airport remains open for customers, the runways have remained empty for a third day in a row, according to the Helsinki Times. Finavia told The Independent: At the moment, the weather forecasts predict slightly milder temperatures for the coming days. Weather conditions affect air traffic worldwide, and changes caused by weather are normal in aviation. The situation during last weekend has been very challenging for airlines and the airport community, and extremely unfortunate for those passengers whose flights have not operated as planned. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers and we have been working closely with the airlines to minimize the impact as much as possible. A bus carrying Ukrainian passengers skidded into a ditch last week in Northern Ostrobothnia, as the country struggles with the Arctic conditions no serious injuries were reported in the incident. Fintraffic reported difficult road conditions across 93 per cent of the country on Monday. It issued warnings across wide areas of Finland from North Karelia and the Aland Islands up to Kokkolan and Iisalmi, due to snowfall, drifting snow and slippery road conditions in milder areas. View of the medieval village of Gammelstad with traditional wooden cottages and the bell tower covered with snow and ice, Lulea, Sweden, UNESCO World Heritage site, Lapland, Scandinavia, Europe (Getty/iStock) Tourists have been advised to contact airlines to discuss rebooking their flights as well as accommodation and alternative travel arrangements. Europe has suffered from perilous conditions across the continent with at least six reported deaths including five in accidents caused by icy conditions in France and one death by a snow-laden branch falling on the head of a woman in Sarajevo in Bosnia. People walk in freezing temperatures in Yllas, Finland on Friday 9 January (Str / Lehtikuva) In Germany, two people died in a head-on collision between two cars in Bavaria, when a car is thought to have skidded because of the weather. A driver was killed in the Upper Palatinate region when his car veered off the road and crashed into a tree, German news agency dpa reported. At least 320,000 homes were left without power on Friday as strong winds battered France, with most of the outages reported in the Normandy region. Millions visit Lapland every year a region covering Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia especially around the festive period. Time to change the locks: Tennessee candy store ransacked by bear for the fourth time A Tennessee candy store has been ransacked by a bear for the fourth time, with the owner hoping the animal can be found and released into the wilderness. Glades Homemade Candies in Gaitlinburgh, near the North Carolina border, posted images of its damaged store on social media. A bear has ravaged our beloved candy shop for the fourth time. Let us join hands in prayer that it is safely captured, the stores owners wrote. We have nurtured our arts and crafts business in this community for 35 years, spreading joy and love to our customers, blessed by divine providence, but this persistent bear is a challenge we urgently need to overcome, we are grateful for your prayers. The damaged candy store after a bear broke in and entered (Glades Homemade Candies) The owners also said that, as Gatlinburg natives, they deeply respected and cared for the bears and hoped it was brought safely to the woods. The pictures show one half of the double-door entrance completely smashed in, with shattered glass scattered on the ground. Trays and a tipped bucket with a white liquid are scattered at the entrance, with a sign saying Please excuse the bears mess as it was looking for snacks. A tall tray holder appears to have tipped over onto the wooden paneling inside the store, with more shattered glass on the floor. Smashed glass and trays on the pavement from inside the candy store (Glades Homemade Candies) Candy and biscuits appear to be strewn on the floor. Glades Homemade Candies told 6News it had taken all reasonable precautions to avoid the bear accessing the store. This included keeping doors secured, using bear-proof dumpsters, and implementing additional security measures. The incident has been reported to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which confirmed to 6 News it was aware of the incident and wildlife officers were investigating the case. A tipped over tray holder inside the store (Glades Homemade Candies) The Independent contacted the TWRA for comment. Meanwhile, in California, it was recently discovered that a 550-pound black bear had been living under a mans house for months. It was finally evicted in the last few days. In November, the bear made a den beneath the home, which the owner said caused tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Animal welfare experts used paintballs filled with vegetable oil to scare it away. Mr Trump said he would not be afraid to use military force to punish the Iranian regime - Samuel Corum/Getty Images Donald Trump said he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on goods from countries doing business with Iran as he continued to pile pressure on the regime amid mass protests. The US president made the announcement as he considered military action in response to Tehrans brutal crackdown on demonstrations currently gripping the country. Mr Trump said the levy, which would primarily affect China, would be effective immediately. Any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25 per cent on any and all business being done with the United States of America, he wrote on Truth Social. This Order is final and conclusive. There was no official policy documentation from the White House, nor information on how Mr Trump plans to impose the tariffs or whether they would be aimed at all of Irans economic partners. Since taking office in January, Mr Trump has ratcheted up pressure on Iran in an effort to stop it from obtaining a nuclear weapon, an ambition it denies harbouring. To do so, Washington has sought to drive Tehrans oil exports down to zero, cutting off a major source of revenue for the Islamic Republic. Washington has ratcheted up pressure on Tehran by seeking to drive Irans oil exports down to zero - AFP Washington has little trade with Iran because of its sanctions on the country, which were imposed to punish Tehran for developing its nuclear program. However, the US does substantial trade with countries that also do business with Iran, including China, India, the UAE and the European Union. Beijing, whom the administration has sought to isolate, is by far its main buyer. China buys more than 80 per cent of Irans shipped oil, data from analytics firm Kpler showed. Any effort to choke off Irans oil exports will have to involve persuading, or coercing, China to halt the oil trade. Earlier this year, the US president threatened to impose tariffs on any country that bought Russian oil in a bid to end the war in Ukraine. So far, the US has only taken that action against India, sparing Beijing. China said on Tuesday it would protect its rights and interests in the face of Mr Trumps threat. We have always believed that there are no winners in a tariff war, and China will resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, Mao Ning, the foreign ministry spokesman, said. Trump not afraid of using force On Monday, Mr Trump said he would not be afraid to use military force to punish the regime, but added that he was seeking a diplomatic solution as the first option. One senior US official, cited by Al-Jazeera, said that US planning for strikes against Iran had reached advanced stages and that forces across the Middle East had been put on alert. Reza Pahlavi, Irans exiled crown prince, called for Mr Trump to intervene. The best way to ensure that there will be less people killed in Iran is to intervene sooner, so this regime finally collapses and puts an end to all the problems that we are facing, he told CBS. Protests in towns and cities across Iran are on a scale unprecedented in recent years In response, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Irans parliament speaker, vowed the Iranian military would teach Mr Trump an unforgettable lesson if it struck Tehran again. However, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, had earlier told reporters that Tehran was sending quite different messages to the US privately than what was being said publicly. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets in towns and cities across Iran, demanding an end to the regime. The protests are on a scale unprecedented in recent years and have marked one of the biggest challenges the authoritarian regime has faced since it came to power in 1979. The death toll estimated by human rights groups in the nationwide demonstrations has risen to at least 648. However, that figure is expected to increase as the flow of information, which remains scarce as a result of a regime-imposed internet blackout, resumes. On Sunday night, Mr Trump said that Iran had requested talks with the US, but added: We may have to act before a meeting. He said the US military was looking at some very strong options, including cyber attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel. Although, he added: I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, he said. Iran wants to negotiate. Iranian authorities claimed the uprising was now under control, but the state of the country on the ground appeared very different, with demonstrations continuing into their third week. Attempting to regain control of the streets, regime officials ordered nationwide rallies on Monday to support the Islamic Republic. With just days remaining until the Supreme Court could potentially strike down President Donald Trumps claim of unprecedented emergency powers giving him the authority to unilaterally levy taxes on imports from nearly every American trading partner, the president is lashing out by warning of a parade of horribles that could result if the high court limits his power. Writing Monday on Truth Social, Trump claimed a decision to strike down the massive tariffs he has placed on almost all imports since early April would require the U.S. to issue hundreds of billions of dollars to importers who paid the levies over the last nine months. He also claimed, without offering evidence, that companies and countries would demand payback for investments theyve made in American manufacturing facilities during that same period while alleging that the amount that the U.S. would supposedly owe in such a scenario would be incalculable or so exorbitant that it be difficult to to repay in a reasonable amount of time. When these Investments are added, we are talking about Trillions of Dollars! It would be a complete mess, and almost impossible for our Country to pay. Anybody who says that it can be quickly and easily done would be making a false, inaccurate, or totally misunderstood answer to this very large and complex question, Trump said. It may not be possible but, if it were, it would be Dollars that would be so large that it would take many years to figure out what number we are talking about and even, who, when, and where, to pay. The president added that were the Supreme Court to rule against his administration on the national security bonanza that is his tariff policies, the U.S. would be SCREWED! President Donald Trump gave an ominous warning if the Supreme Court rejects his tariff plan. (AFP/Getty) Trumps social media outburst comes as the court prepares to release more opinions on cases it heard last year, with the next potential opinion release day set for Wednesday. The nine justices are considering whether Trump was authorized to impose sweeping tariffs on nearly every one of the nations trading partners under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which permits the president to regulate trade in unusual and extraordinary circumstances when a national emergency is declared. Trump invoked the act when he decided to impose a baseline 10 percent tariff on most countries in addition to heavier reciprocal tariffs on major trading partners, even though the Carter-era law does not specifically mention tariffs in any way. During a White House event to mark the rollout of his tariff policies in April, the president argued the tariffs were a matter of national security because it was necessary to balance trade deficits. Two lower courts, including the U.S. Court of International Trade, sided with the businesses that sued the administration, saying the president had overstepped his authority when declaring a national emergency. The administration quickly appealed to the Supreme Court, whose members appeared skeptical of Trumps argument during oral arguments on November 5. The Supreme Court could release its ruling on tariffs as early as this week (Getty Images) Chief Justice John Roberts, who has steered the court to expand the presidents executive authority, explicitly stated that tariffs, even when used for foreign affairs, are considered taxes on Americans a power that belongs to Congress. Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned why some of the countrys closest allies such as Spain and France would need to be tariffed due to threats to the defense. I mean, Spain? France? I mean, I could see it with some countries, but explain to me why, as many countries, needed to be subject to the reciprocal tariff policy, as are, Barrett said during arguments. At the same time, justices also expressed caution, noting that a ruling against Trump could force the U.S. to return billions of dollars in tariff revenue, resulting in an economic recession. Over the two months that have elapsed since justices heard arguments in the case, Trump has embarked on a public pressure campaign to urge the high court to bless his use of broad emergency powers to levy the tariffs he has made a centerpiece of his foreign and economic policy. In various social media posts, the president has accused the American companies who brought the case of being part of evil, America hating forces while claiming his tariff policies are creating GREAT WEALTH, and unprecedented National Security for the country. He also weighed in on the pending case during rambling speech to House Republicans last week in which he said he hoped the court would do the right thing because a president needs be able to wheel and deal with tariffs. Two Metropolitan Police police officers who sexually assaulted a woman at a world-famous London casino were described as an "embarrassment" to the uniform, as they were spared jail. Jerome Beasley, 43, and Luke Robinson, 40, repeatedly touched the woman's breasts in clear view of others, ignoring her pleas for them to stop, Southwark Crown Court heard. The assault took place in a rooftop bar at the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square while the officers were off duty, during the early hours of April 22 2024. On Monday, Judge Mark Weekes handed Robinson a 15-month jail sentence and Beasley an 18-month sentence, both suspended for two years. The officers, who were charged with three counts of sexual assault each, only changed their pleas to guilty in the days before their trial. The incident began when they came up with a novel way of comparing the size of their hands, the court heard. The judge said: "This was misconduct by serving police officers who should set an example rather than disgracing themselves in the way you two did. He added: "Your behaviour was of itself obviously offensive to all right-thinking people. "There is, rightly, grave public concern at present concerning conduct of officers of the Metropolitan Police. The public is entitled to expect much better. "Your actions not only shame yourselves directly, but cause embarrassment and frustration for the vast majority of those serving who do uphold the high standards of behaviour that the public expect from the police." The judge added: "While you have both lost your jobs, that is entirely inevitable and justified and the natural consequences of you having betrayed the uniform you both wore - the consequences of that for your family are of your own making." Prosecutor Mark Gadsden said the drunk officers were comparing their hand sizes "palm to palm", when one of them said "that's not how you compare hand sizes", the court heard. They then began touching the woman's breasts while she was trying to take a selfie, the prosecutor said. CCTV footage showed Beasley and Robinson repeatedly going up to the woman and touching her breasts. "The two defendants subjected her to a sustained sexual assault by touching her breasts repeatedly," Mr Gadsden previously said. "The victim put her arms across her chest protectively," he added. The assault took place in a rooftop bar at the Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square (PA) The woman, who was also squeezed "hard" on the bottom during the prolonged assault, was "horrified" and left feeling "shocked and vulnerable", the court heard. In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said Beasley and Robinson "took advantage of my intoxication" and "made me doubt my own sanity". "You did not listen when I said stop," she told them, adding: "You continued to touch me time and time again." The woman told the court she had been suffering from panic attacks and PTSD since the assault. Beasley, of North Harrow, north-west London, and Robinson, of Northampton, were also each ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement. An overnight curfew was also imposed on both men for five months. They were each given a five-year restraining order, told to pay 750 compensation to the victim and 150 in costs. They were sacked from the Met's Central West Command Unit after admitting their assault. Both men had previously been of good character, the court heard. Defending Robinson, Campaspe Lloyd Jacob had said the married officer had been in the force for nine years and "feels very bad" about what he did. He no longer drinks alcohol and is working for a removal company, she added. Rebecca Hadgett, defending Beasley, said that having "been on a journey", the father now accepts his behaviour was "wholly unacceptable". The Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images (Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images) The UK has settled out of court by paying a substantial sum to a Guantanamo Bay detainee who was suing the government for its alleged complicity in his rendition and torture, according to the inmates legal team. Lawyers for Abu Zubaydah have accused the British intelligence services of providing questions to his CIA interrogators to put to him while they were torturing him at a string of CIA black sites around the world where he was held between 2002 and 2006. They claim that the case has relevant lessons for the UK today, highlighting the legal and moral risks involved in cooperation with the US at a time it is violating international law. Abu Zubaydah, whose full name is Zayn al-Abidin Muhammad Husayn, is a stateless Palestinian who grew up in Saudi Arabia. He was one of the first detainees in the US war on terror to be tortured, and was subjected to a full range of what the Bush administration at the time termed enhanced interrogation techniques, in secret prisons in Thailand, Lithuania, Poland, Afghanistan, Morocco, and then the US base at Guantanamo Bay, on Cubas southern coast. Now 54, he has been held in Guantanamo Bay without charge ever since, becoming one of its forever prisoners. Abu Zubaydah was first seized in a sweep of suspected militants in Pakistan in March 2002. The US initially claimed he was a high-ranking member of al-Qaida, but has since dropped that claim, and now no longer alleges that he was even a member of the organisation. Evidence of British complicity surfaced in two UK parliamentary reports in 2018, which revealed that MI5 and MI6 had fed questions to the CIA to ask Abu Zubaydah, in the knowledge that he was being tortured. The amount of financial settlement was not disclosed as part of the agreement with Abu Zubaydah, but his legal team described it as substantial. It is important, symbolically and practically, that UK pays for its role in our clients torture, said Helen Duffy, his international counsel. The settlement provides a measure of redress and implicit recognition of our clients intolerable suffering at the hands of the CIA, enabled by the United Kingdom. The UK supreme court opened the way for Abu Zuybaydah to bring a civil claim against the UK government in a ruling in December 2023, rejecting government claims that his treatment came under the jurisdiction of the countries in which he was held. In its ruling, the court said his involuntary presence in any of the six countries cannot constitute a meaningful connection with that country. The court also said the alleged wrongs were committed by UK intelligence services who were acting in their official capacity in the purported exercise of powers conferred under the law of England and Wales. According to a US Senate investigation into the CIAs use of torture and other inquiries into the use of torture, Abu Zubaydah was waterboarded 83 times in a single month, locked for more than 11 days in a coffin-sized box and left to lie in his own urine and faeces, stripped naked and beaten, suspended from hooks just above the floor, and kept awake for seven consecutive days and doused with cold water whenever he lost consciousness. In recent years, Abu Zubaydah has published a series of his own drawings depicting his treatment at black sites. The UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it does not comment on intelligence matters. According to Abu Zubaydahs lawyers, the UK made no statement admitting liability to accompany the payment. Duffy called on the government to acknowledge and apologise for its role in Abu Zubaydahs torture, and actively seek his release, and the freedom of other prisoners still held without charge in Guantanamo Bay. This case is deeply relevant today, as states ride roughshod over international law and the world looks to other states to respond, Duffy said. There are critical lessons about the cost of cooperating with the US or other allies flouting international norms. What is Project Nightfall? UK says it will develop new ballistic missile for Ukraine The UK says it will develop new tactical ballistic missiles for Kyiv and put leading-edge weapons into the hands of Ukrainians for their fight against Russia. Code-named Project Nightfall, the missiles will help boost Ukrainian firepower and be capable of striking targets deep inside Russia, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement late on Sunday. The Nightfall missiles will carry a 200kg conventional high-explosive warhead and cost a maximum 800,000 per unit, the MoD announced, adding that it plans to produce 10 systems per month. The announcement came days after Russia attacked Ukraine with its new hypersonic Oreshnik missile, striking a city about 60 miles from the border of Nato member Poland, with European leaders condemning the incident as a clear escalation and an attempt to instil fear. Under Project Nightfall, the UK has launched a competition to rapidly develop ground-launched ballistic missiles with a range of more than 500 kilometres and designed to operate in high-threat battlefields with heavy electromagnetic interference, the MoD said. The Nightfall missiles will enable Ukrainian forces to hit military targets before Russia can respond because the new weapons will be capable of being launched from a range of vehicles, firing multiple missiles in quick succession and withdrawing within minutes. Defence secretary John Healey said the UK was determined to arm Ukrainians with advanced weapons as they fight back. The attacks overnight on Thursday just go to show how Putin thinks he can act with impunity, targeting civilian areas with advanced weaponry, Mr Healey said, referring to the Oreshnik strike. Instead of seriously negotiating a peace, hes seriously escalating his illegal war, he added. Mr Healey said that while travelling to Kyiv last week, he was close enough to hear air raid sirens around Lviv. It was a serious moment and a stark reminder of the barrage of drones and missiles hitting Ukrainians in sub-zero conditions, he said. Luke Pollard, the minister for defence readiness and industry, said the new long-range British missiles will keep Ukraine in the fight and give Russia another thing to worry about. In 2026, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, the minister said. Providing equipment to keep them in the fight today, whilst working to secure the peace tomorrow. According to the MoD, the Nightfall project builds on the UKs commitment to bolster Kyivs long-range strike capabilities and informs future projects for Britains own armed forces. The project will be awarded to three industry teams, each of which will receive a 9 million development contract to design, develop and deliver their first three missiles within 12 months for test firings. Sir Keir Starmer is under pressure to ban first-cousin marriage - Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA Wire The White House has attacked Sir Keir Starmer over his refusal to ban cousin marriage. Sarah Rogers, Donald Trumps free speech tsar, said Labours failure to back legislation outlawing the practice was an example of civilisational concern. First-cousin marriage, which is particularly prevalent among South Asians, is legal in Britain but increases the risk of children having genetic diseases. Ms Rogers, an undersecretary in the US state department, became the latest figure in Mr Trumps administration to criticise the Governments policies. She shared a video on X on Sunday of Sir Keir refusing to support a ban on cousin marriage during Prime Ministers Questions last March, writing: Ive received some questions about what we mean, in our National Security Strategy, when we invoke civilisational concerns. So Im tweeting a relevant news item. The White House published a 29-page security document last month claiming Europe faced civilisational erasure if it did not cut migration. I've received some questions about what we mean, in our National Security Strategy, when we invoke "civilizational" concerns. So I'm tweeting a relevant news item. https://t.co/7XKpGY3JGf Under Secretary of State Sarah B. Rogers (@UnderSecPD) January 11, 2026 During the PMQs exchange, Richard Holden, a Conservative MP campaigning to outlaw the practice, warned of significant impacts of cousin marriage on health and womens rights. He said: On Friday, this Government has a chance to let my bill go through to ban first-cousin marriage to committee stage. Will the Prime Minister think again before instructing his whips to block this legislation? The Prime Minister replied: Weve taken our position on that bill, thank you. Ms Rogers also shared a Wikipedia article noting the link in some countries in the Middle East to honour killings, stating that the family of a woman married to her cousin may be responsible for killing her, or sometimes her lover, if she commits adultery. She continued: Since we know the British Government wants to make sure women are safe both online and offline (thus contemplating a Russia-style X ban, to protect them from bikini images), heres more from Wikipedia on cousin marriage and its connection to honour killing. A sardonic reader might wonder whether Ofcoms response to such affronts would be ban Wikipedia. You dont need to wonder! All wikis face an uncertain future in Britain, if they allow anonymous editing. Sarah Rogers is the latest figure in the Trump administration to criticise the Starmer Governments policies - GB News Last week, Mr Holden, who is now the shadow transport secretary, accused Labour of turning a blind eye to cousin marriage by refusing to support his private members bill on the issue. The second reading of the bill was scheduled for last Friday, but was stalled because the House of Commons did not sit that day. Mr Holden said: If you dont back first-cousin marriage, you can just say so. But Labour do back first-cousin marriage and theyre trying to hide their secretive support for the practice. It is an issue bound up with serious health implications, closed communities and the isolation of the vulnerable. I am appalled but sadly not surprised that Labour is once again turning a blind eye to the issue and allowing it to be kicked into the long grass rather than taking a genuine stand or even explaining why they continue to back first-cousin marriage in the UK. Last year, the NHS was urged to apologise for publishing an article extolling the benefits of first-cousin marriage despite the increased risk of birth defects. The article published by NHS Englands Genomics Education Programme said the practice was linked to stronger extended family support systems and economic advantages. Sickle cell disease and cystic fibrosis are among health issues more likely to be carried or contracted in children with parents who are closely related. Cultures that encourage first-cousin marriage have also been accused of using it as a tool to suppress personal freedoms. In the United States, marriage to your first cousin is completely legal in over 15 states, with more allowing it in certain circumstances. Mr Trump has not moved to ban it. Cousin marriage has declined to around 1 per cent in the UK and the US and overall remains uncommon. There are some areas where it is more widespread; in three inner-city wards of Bradford, West Yorkshire, almost half of mothers from the Pakistani community were married to a first or second cousin. Mr Trump has enjoyed a warm relationship with Sir Keir during his first year back in the White House, but has not shied away from publicly criticising his policies on immigration. On his visit to Chequers last year, Mr Trump called on the Prime Minister to consider calling in the military to stop small boat crossings. The US and the UK are now at odds over Labour threatening Elon Musks X with a potential ban amid backlash over its artificial intelligence undressing women and children in photographs. Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, has said Ofcom, the media regulator, would take action against X in days, not weeks and use all of the legal powers available. But the White House, in which Mr Musk briefly served as Mr Trumps efficiency tsar, has warned that such a ban would have a chilling effect on free speech. NEW YORK, Jan. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of National Grid plc (NYSE: NGG) resulting from allegations that National Grid plc may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. So What: If you purchased National Grid securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=41344 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. What is this about: On July 2, 2025, Reuters published an article entitled "'Preventable' National Grid failures led to Heathrow fire, findings say." The article stated that a "fire that shut London's Heathrow airport in March, stranding thousands of people, was caused by the UK power grid's failure to maintain an electricity substation, an official report said on Wednesday, prompting the energy watchdog to open a probe." Further, the article stated that the United Kingdom's Energy minister, Ed Miliband, had "called the report "deeply concerning", after it concluded that the issue which caused the fire was identified seven years ago but went unaddressed by power grid operator National Grid[.]" On this news, National Grid American Depositary Shares' ("ADSs") fell 5%, on July 2, 2024. 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 litigate securities class actions. 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. 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 Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected] www.rosenlegal.com SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. The average homeowner selling up last year across England and Wales sold their property for 91,260 more than they paid (PA Wire) London has now surpassed the North East of England as the region where homeowners are most likely to sell their property for less than they originally paid, new analysis suggests. Research by property firm Hamptons, which examined English regions and Wales, estimates that 14.8 per cent of London sellers in 2025 offloaded their homes at a loss. This figure represents the highest proportion in their study, significantly exceeding the national average of 8.7 per cent. Historically, sellers in the North East faced the highest probability of making a loss, a trend observed in nine of the past 10 years. As recently as 2019, nearly a third (29.9 per cent) of North East home sellers sold for less than their purchase price, compared to just 9.2 per cent in London. This disparity was attributed to the northern region's protracted recovery following the 2008 financial crisis. However, Hamptons notes that robust recent price growth across northern regions has since bolstered returns for sellers there. The proportion of loss-making sales in the North East fell to 13.9% in 2025. In a reversal of fortunes between the North and the South, the growing trend of London losses has been driven largely by sellers of flats, the report said. The average homeowner selling up last year across England and Wales sold their property for 91,260 more than they paid, marking a value increase of 41.0% over a typical period of nine years spent owning the home, according to Hamptons calculations. This is 570 less than the 2024 average gross profit of 91,830. Hamptons analysed Land Registry data, comparing the price homeowners paid for their property with the price they sold it for. The average London seller in 2025 still achieved a price of 172,510 (44.6%) above what they originally paid, although most of the uplift stems from historic house price growth, Hamptons said. The sustained level of house price growth across the North of England over the past decade means that sellers there have seen proportionally higher gains than those in the South. In 2025, the average seller in the North West achieved a 45.4% increase in the value of their home during their period of ownership. Outside London, no southern region recorded average gains above 40%. Some major lenders made mortgage rate cuts on Friday (Joe Giddens/PA Archive) (PA Archive) Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons, said: In London, upward house price growth is no longer the one-way bet it once seemed. In some cases, even owners who bought a decade ago still face getting back less than they paid something that would have been almost unthinkable in the heady days of 2015, and for many, the sums are likely to remain tight. She said that over the next few years, more sellers are likely to have missed out on Londons 2012 to 2016 house price boom, having bought instead at what turned out to be the top of the market. That could make trading up increasingly challenging. Ms Beveridge added: Nationally, rising gains in the North have helped offset shrinking returns in the South, leaving the overall picture broadly unchanged from last year. And with much of the recent price growth in the North and Midlands now baked in, its possible that seller gains there could outpace those in the South in both cash and percentage terms for the foreseeable future. The recent slowdown in house price growth nationally is likely to reduce the uplift homeowners achieve when they come to sell in the coming years. But for many, moving remains a discretionary decision, heavily influenced by the value they can achieve. If the numbers dont stack up and sellers risk losing part of their original deposit many choose to stay put. This means some homeowners, particularly those unable to secure a gain, are likely to remain out of the market. Hamptons used Land Registry price paid data to match homes sold in 2025 with their previous purchases. The data looked back 20 years to build a like-for-like time series. For example, 2025 seller gains included homes bought after 2005, whereas 2024 seller gains are based on post-2004 purchases. Those behind the research said it is likely to understate overall capital gains, since homeowners who have owned for more than 20 years will generally have experienced stronger house price growth. The gains were calculated based on the difference between the purchase and sale price and do not take into account any money spent on the properties. Here are the shares of sellers getting back less than they paid for their property in 2025, according to Hamptons calculations: London, 14.8% North East, 13.9% South East, 9.0% South West, 8.3% North West, 8.1% Yorkshire and the Humber, 8.0% East of England, 7.9% West Midlands, 6.9% East Midlands, 6.7% Wales, 6.2% Here are the average cash gains made by home sellers in 2025, according to Hamptons, followed by the change compared with cash gains for sellers in 2024. The figures are the average of sellers who made a profit as well as those who made a loss. A minus figure shows the average cash gain was smaller than in 2024: London, 172,510, 160 South East, 108,030, minus 8,530 South West, 91,890, minus 4,200 East of England, 97,130, minus 3,140 East Midlands, 70,730, minus 800 West Midlands, 76,220, 3,240 North East, 41,140, 2,920 North West, 70,520, 5,690 Yorkshire and the Humber, 62,180, 1,800 Wales, 68,120, 1,410 Why Cynthia Erivo skipped the Golden Globes despite being nominated for Best Actor Cynthia Erivos busy schedule prevented her from being able to attend the 2026 Golden Globes, despite being nominated in a major category. Nominated for her work as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good, Erivo, 39, is currently in rehearsals for a one-woman production of Dracula that will open on Londons West End in a matter of weeks, preventing her from being able to attend the Globes. Erivo is playing all 23 characters in the production, including the titular Dracula. Directed by Kip Williams, the show begins performances February 4 and will run until May 31. Variety first reported January 6 that Erivo would miss the ceremony. Erivo made history with the Globes nomination, becoming the first Black woman to be nominated twice in the lead female actor in a film (musical or comedy) category. She was nominated last year for Wicked: Part I. Cynthia Erivo, seen here arriving for the European premiere of Wicked: For Good, missed the 2026 Golden Globes (PA Wire) Erivos Wicked co-star Ariana Grande was present at the Sunday night ceremony (Getty) When Globes nominations were announced in December, Erivo told Variety: I hope there are many more to come, not just for me, but for other Black women. I hope its just the beginning. Despite her Globes nomination, Erivo was snubbed when the nominees for the Actor Awards (formerly known as the SAG Awards) were announced last week. She had been nominated for the award last year for her turn in the first Wicked, but was absent from this years list of nominees. The films director, John M Chu, was also absent from the nominees at the Directors Guild of America Awards. Ariana Grande, who was nominated for both a Golden Globe and for an Actor Award this year for her supporting turn as Glinda, was asked about the omissions in a new interview with Variety. There arent enough flowers on this earth for Jon M. Chu, she said. Hes an extraordinary human being and director, This film will be watched for decades to come. He set out to move people, to challenge them, to make them better allies and better humans and he succeeded. The impact of his work and Cynthias Elphaba is undeniable, she continued. Cynthias performance is the most truthful, vulnerable and fierce Elphaba weve seen, and it will be referenced and adored for generations. That cant be taken away. The actor and pop star went on to insist that her snubbed collaborated deserved flowers despite the lack of recognition by the awards bodies. Thats why I say every good thing that happens to me belongs to them, too, she added. None of this exists in isolation. We informed each other every single day. Of course, its hard they deserve all the flowers this world can grow. Wicked: For Good was nominated for five trophies at the Golden Globes, but failed to capture a single award. Donald Trump's repeated threats to seize control of Greenland are straining relations with US allies within Nato, prompting stark warnings that such an aggressive move could spell the end of the world's largest security alliance. While historical tensions have occasionally flared between some Nato members, notably Greece and Turkey, the prospect of its most powerful country, the United States, annexing the territory of another ally would establish a dangerous precedent. Mr Trump reaffirmed his stance on Sunday, declaring, "One way or the other, we're going to have Greenland." The White House has not ruled out the use of military force in this endeavour. Mr Trump stated his desire to prevent Russia or China from taking over the island, though he conceded that making a deal would be "easier." Greenland is a semi-autonomous island that forms part of the Danish realm. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has issued a severe caution, stating: "if the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops including our Nato." Decades of defending against outside threats The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed by 12 nations in 1949 to counter the security threat posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Nato's deterrence works through a strong American troop presence in Europe, with U.S. nuclear weapons stationed there. Its ranks have grown since the founding Washington Treaty was signed to 32 countries after Sweden joined in 2024, worried by an increasingly aggressive Russia. Indeed, Nato officially considers its biggest threats to be Russia and international terrorism. Danish military forces participate in an exercise with hundreds of troops from several European NATO members in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Nato's doors are open to any European country that wants to join and can meet the requirements and obligations. Importantly, Nato takes its decisions by consensus, so every member has a veto. The Trump administration has vetoed Ukraine's application. Nato is built on the principle that an attack on any one of its ranks must be considered an attack on them all the collective security guarantee enshrined in Article 5 of the treaty. The organisation's credibility depends on adversaries believing that all 32 allies will make good on that pledge. It's a political commitment and not a legal obligation that can be enforced by any court. The only time it has ever been activated was in 2001, to support the United States in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington. Article 5: collective defence against outsiders, not insiders Trump said last year that he is committed to the Article 5 pledge, but he has also fuelled doubt about whether he would defend allies who don't spend enough on defence. However, his repeated threats against Greenland take things to a new level. Article 5 would be moot in any U.S.-Denmark fight as there would be no unanimity to activate it. Besides diplomacy, Nato has no obvious way of dealing with open conflict among its members. Senior U.S. and Danish officials were due to hold talks on Wednesday. Should things get worse, Denmark could trigger Article 4 of the treaty for official consultations if it feels that its sovereignty or territorial integrity is threatened. Article 4 talks do not automatically lead to any action. It's unclear which allies would side with Trump over Greenland. (AFP via Getty Images) A U.S. attack is almost certain to divide Nato. This happened when the United States led an attack on Iraq in 2003, with Britain and Spain backing while France and Germany led a group of others vehemently opposed.It's unclear which allies would side with Trump over Greenland. An alliance led by the US The United States is Nato's most powerful member. In real terms, it spends much more on defence than any other ally and far outweighs its partners in terms of military muscle. Washington has traditionally driven the agenda but has stepped back under Trump. Nato is weaker without U.S. leadership, troops, equipment or other military assets. It's almost inconceivable that any ally would go to war with it, let alone hope to win. Day-to-day work at the alliance's Brussels headquarters is led by former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. As Nato's top civilian official, he chairs meetings of ambassadors in the North Atlantic Council most weeks. He chairs other "NACs" at ministerial level and summits of heads of state and government. Rutte runs Nato HQ, encourages consensus and speaks on behalf of all 32 members. One of his main tasks is to ensure that the United States remains committed to Nato. As a result, he does not criticise Trump, and on Monday he sidestepped questions about Greenland and any Nato tensions over the island. "All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security because we know that with sea lanes opening up there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active," Rutte told reporters. Asked whether Nato was in crisis over Greenland, Rutte said: "No, not at all." Nato's military headquarters is based nearby in Mons, Belgium. It is always run by a top American officer. The current supreme allied commander, or SACEUR, is Air Force Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich. Trump is his commander in chief. Average house prices in the capital were down 2.4% in 2025, compared to an average rise of 1.7% across the whole of the UK. over the same period. The real value of flats in London has dipped by an average of 22% over the last decade, according to new figures from Bloomberg, as a wave of wider shocks including Brexit, interest rate rises and the cost-of-living crisis took their toll, as well as new taxes and policies specific to more valuable homes which largely impacted homes in London and the South East. Despite a relative increase in affordability for those trying to buy a home in London, there is still a deposit gap for many hoping to climb onto the property ladder, and limited supply in the rental market is putting also putting a floor under rents. The demand for social housing is at its highest level in a decade. So, what does the capitals housing market need to get back on its feet? Below is my new years wish list. Create certainty Like any market, the property market can absorb change, but it is really affected by uncertainty. The first press story about potential tax changes for property in the Budget was published on August 19th, more than three months before it took place. The articles described a proposal to raise new taxes on properties worth over 500,000. If implemented, this would have affected more than half of properties in the capital. That first leak was followed 99 days of almost endless speculation about property taxes that would hit many London homeowners in the build up to the Budget on the 26th of November. That left buyers, sellers, and investors in limbo, spending almost a third of the year worrying about rumours. In the end, the governments Mansion Tax on properties worth over 2 million was a capped surcharge. It was less severe than many of the mooted measures and will hit a smaller, albeit significant, proportion of the London property sector from 2028. (PA) However, even then, there is still uncertainty around how the valuation exercise will work (there will be a consultation early this year), and how the stepped nature of the surcharge will affect pricing around the thresholds. If I could have just one wish for 2026, it would be that we do not have a repeat of the second half of 2025. If buyers and sellers have clarity on changes to property taxation, they can act accordingly. Pay attention to processes which will support Renters Rights Act On 1 May the Renters Rights Act comes into effect, bringing in a raft of new changes such as ending no fault evictions and tightening the rules around rent increases, designed to bring more security of tenure for renters and to root out rogue landlords, something everyone in the sector welcomes. The moves will affect the 1.1 million households in the private rented sector in London. The discussion around the reforms was started in 2019 by the Conservative Government, so having clarity on what rules will be changing is also welcome for tenants and landlords alike, and the implementation of the Act is an opportunity to ease landlords concerns, encourage investment in housing and lift standards in the sector. However, one aspect of the Act is still causing significant uncertainty and this is the ability to refer rent rises to the first-tier tribunal where landlords and tenants cannot agree. The are real fears that the tribunal may be overwhelmed once the Act comes into force, causing long delays on decisions. Smaller landlords facing such delays or unpredictability may choose to leave the sector, which will reduce supply and ultimately push up rents. Keep pushing to end the Building Safety Act backlog London needs around 88,000 new homes a year to meet housing demand. Research from Molior London suggests that work started on fewer than 5,000 private homes last year. Most Affordable Housing is built within private developments, so the dramatic fall in new starts is bad for London, and especially bad for Londoners in desperate need of social housing and led to emergency measures in October where the Mayor of London dropped the affordable housing requirements for development in the capital from 35% of homes to 20%, and offered a fast-track planning system. London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan (PA) However, there are other factors at play in the stalling of new homes development. The Building Safety Act reforms for fire safety provision are critical. But the implementation of the Act, especially around the Gateway 2 process (which happens before construction starts) has been slow, as has the process around Gateway 3 (which happens once the building has been completed). This means that sites are left untouched. and new buildings are being left empty waiting for inspectors to visit the sites, leaving thousands of homes stuck in limbo. There has been some progress with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) reporting that it halved legacy cases in the 12 weeks to December 2025, but there is still further to go. Developers and investors will not commit to new projects if they fear indefinite delays caused by bureaucracy. Streamlined approvals and investment in capacity are the only way to ensure that muchneeded homes enter the market. Governance matters These wishes all point to the same simple truth, good governance matters. The leaks around property tax showed how damaging uncertainty can be when buyers and sellers are left in limbo for months. The Renters Rights Act offers a genuine chance to improve standards but only if the courts are properly funded and the system can cope with the inevitable rise in disputes. The Building Safety Act, vital for fire safety, will only succeed if the system to deal with its implementation is upgraded, meaning approvals become faster and more predictable. When the rules are clear, when reforms are implemented properly, and when the system works as intended, the housing market can start to deliver for Londoners once again. Grainne Gilmore is Cluttons director of research and insights Will X be banned in the UK after Grok deepfake row and how would it happen? Elon Musks social media platform X is facing a potential ban in the UK as Ofcom launches a formal investigation over whether it has failed to comply with UK law. The move follows calls from ministers urging Ofcom to use its full legal powers over unlawful AI images generated on the site. The service has faced criticism in recent weeks after declining to fully remove the ability for users to sexually manipulate images of women and children using its built-in AI tool, Grok. X has instead limited the use of this image function to those who pay a monthly fee. Tech secretary Liz Kendall has reacted furiously to the Xs handling of the issue, writing: It is an insult and totally unacceptable for Grok to still allow this if youre willing to pay for it. I expect Ofcom to use the full legal powers parliament has given them. Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent, she wrote in The Telegraph on Friday. On the same day, Mr Musk, who bought the platform in 2022, branded the UK government fascist and accused ministers of wanting to suppress free speech while sharing an AI-generated picture of prime minister Sir Keir Starmer in a bikini to his 231 million followers. Elon Musk has branded the UK government as fascist over criticism of AI images generated on X (AP) It is not the first time that critics have called for a ban on X in the UK. In 2024, campaigners and politicians accused the platform of amplifying misinformation, which helped spark the violent riots that took place in July and August of that year. However, new powers given to Ofcom under the Online Safety Act at the end of March 2025 mean it now has a greater ability to act on unlawful content, especially where it relates to childrens safety. Heres everything you need to know: Could Ofcom ban X in the UK? Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom can apply to the courts to effectively ban any non-compliant social media platform in the UK by restricting access to it. This can then put requirement on internet service providers to block UK users from being able to access the domain, and on app stores to remove the mobile app which enables access to the platform. It would be an unprecedented intervention by Ofcom. This would remove access for 20 million UK users, including government officials and companies. Tech Secretary Liz Kendall says No 10 will back Ofcom if it uses its full legal powers over unlawful AI images on X (PA Wire) The regulator would have arguable grounds to do this, as sharing an intimate photograph of someone without consent, even if it is manipulated, is an explicit offence under Section 188 of the Online Safety Act. By allowing this offence to be committed, X could be found to be non-compliant with the legislation. There is also separate legislation covering child sexual abuse material, which is considered a priority offence. Ofcom says its investigation will examine whether X has failed to comply with its legal obligations. It will include assessing the risk of people seeing content that is illegal in the UK, whether X has taken appropriate steps to prevent people from seeing this content, and whether it is taking down illegal content swiftly when it becomes aware of it. X will have an opportunity to respond to a provisional decision. What else could Ofcom do? Ofcom has a softer power to impose explicit requirements on a social media platform to ensure it is operating in compliance with the law. This may be a more likely first step for Ofcom to take, as it gives Mr Musk an explicit opportunity to remove the offending tool. However, his comments in recent days indicate that this may be unlikely. Deploying this power may also avoid a difficult confrontation for the UK government with members of the Trump administration, some of whom have indicated during the furore that they would be unhappy with banning the platform. Elon Musk launched Grok in 2023 in response to 'woke' AI models from competitors like Google and OpenAI (Getty/iStock) Commenting on Saturday, Sarah Rogers, the US State Departments under-secretary for public diplomacy, derided the possibility, accusing ministers of contemplating a Russia-style X ban, to protect them from bikini images. Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom has the power to impose fines on tech firms of up to 18m or 10 per cent of their qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater when they fail to meet their legal duties. Criminal action could even be taken against senior managers who fail to follow information requests from Ofcom. This would not be in the scope of the issue so far, but with the launch of a formal investigation, the regulator will be expecting Mr Musk and his team to comply with investigators. An Ofcom spokesperson said: Reports of Grok being used to create and share illegal non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material on X have been deeply concerning. Platforms must protect people in the UK from content thats illegal in the UK, and we wont hesitate to investigate where we suspect companies are failing in their duties, especially where theres a risk of harm to children. Well progress this investigation as a matter of the highest priority, while ensuring we follow due process. As the UKs independent online safety enforcement agency, its important we make sure our investigations are legally robust and fairly decided. Suspected Pakistani drones flew into Indian airspace on Sunday, local authorities said, marking the most significant incident along the tense border since a four-day conflict last May pushed South Asia to the brink of nuclear war. Security forces detected drone movements at several locations along the border in Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts of the restive northern territory of Jammu and Kashmir after 6pm, unnamed officials told the Times of India, adding the unmanned aerial vehicles returned after hovering in the Indian airspace for a few minutes. In the Nowshera sector of Rajouri, the army fired at the drones with medium and light machine guns to drive them away, the newspaper reported. The alleged drone incursion was the most serious security incident along the border since last years fighting, potentially signalling a resurgence in hostilities after nearly eight months of relative calm. The conflict, marked by heavy missile and drone strikes and intense artillery fire, left hundreds of people dead on both sides and threatened to involve the nuclear-armed neighbours in a full-scale war. File. A woman holds her child as she inspects her house damaged by artillery shelling from Pakistan in the border village of Gingal, north of Srinagar, Kashmir, on 14 May 2025 (AP) The fighting began after India launched airstrikes across the border, supposedly in retaliation for a militant attack in Kashmir that had killed nearly two dozen people, mostly Hindu tourists, the previous month. Both sides claimed victory amid a misinformation campaign after the armies declared a ceasefire following significant diplomatic engagement, primarily by the US. The drone sighting on Sunday renewed fears hostilities could resume along the border, especially after villagers in some of the affected areas reported hearing intense firing. We dont know if the drone was intercepted or not, but there was a lot of firing, a villager in Rajouri told the ANI news agency. Neither India nor Pakistan has issued a statement yet. The drone sightings came after Indian forces on Friday claimed to have recovered an arms consignment allegedly dropped in Samba by a drone from Pakistan. The weapons cache included two pistols, three magazines, 16 rounds, and a grenade, officials said. Two men were killed in an avalanche in central Washington state while backcountry snowmobiling, authorities said on Jan. 10. Four men were recreating in backcountry snow near the Longs Pass trail in the mountains of northern Kittitas County when they were caught in an avalanche at around 4 p.m. local time on Jan. 9, according to the Kittitas County Sheriffs Office. Kittitas County is about 71 miles east of King County, which includes Seattle. Paul Markoff, 38, of North Bend, and Erik Henne, 43, of Snoqualmie Pass, were killed in the incident, the sheriff's office said. The survivors, identified as Ian Laing and Patrick Leslie, were able to send a distress call using a Garmin satellite device, a portable communicator for areas with limited or no cell service. Sheriff's deputies, along with the Kittitas County Search and Rescue volunteers, responded and reached the remote area using snowmobiles and winter backcountry equipment, according to the sheriff's office. The two survivors were rescued that evening. "Due to hazardous conditions, a nighttime recovery operation for the deceased was not conducted," the sheriff's office said in a statement. On the morning of Jan. 10, teams returned with three trained avalanche search police dogs but later had to request air support due to the rugged and remote terrain, according to the sheriff's office. A helicopter from King County airlifted the two deceased men to a search base, and the ground team was able to recover the four men's personal belongings, including two snowmobiles. Let it snow! Revisit one of the coldest decades in the US. South Boston residents dig their cars out of the snow on Farragut Road on Jan. 22, 1978, following a massive storm over the previous weekend. Cause of avalanche not immediately known Representatives from the Northwest Avalanche Center also responded to the scene to assist in analyzing the incident, according to the sheriff's office. It was not immediately known what caused the avalanche, but the Northwest Avalanche Center had reported that the four backcountry tourers were caught and carried in the avalanche in the "upper Teanaway River drainage of the East Central zone." "One tourer was not buried, one was partially buried and injured, one was fully buried and killed, and one was fully buried and is presumed dead," the Northwest Avalanche Center said in a statement on Jan. 10. "Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and community of those involved in this accident." Before the incident, heavy mountain snow had been impacting Washington state through the week, according to the National Weather Service's field office in Seattle. On Jan. 8, the weather service reported that 34 inches of snow were recorded on Mount Baker, 25 inches of snow at Stevens Pass, and 27 inches at Snoqualmie Pass. On Jan. 10, the weather service warned that high snow levels and additional rain were expected across the region into the week, especially in the Olympic and northern Cascade Mountains. Flooding was also forecast along the Skokomish River. 'It was his calling': Young ski patroller who 'felt most alive' in the mountains is killed in avalanche Latest avalanche fatality in the United States Each winter, 25 to 30 people die in avalanches in the United States, according to the National Avalanche Center. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center has noted that the majority of incidents involve backcountry skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers. As of Jan. 11, five people have been killed across the country by avalanches for the 2025 to 2026 winter season, according to data from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center. For the 2024 to 2025 winter season, a total of 22 people were killed in avalanches. Several incidents have made national headlines over the last year, including two separate avalanches in Oregon and California in February 2025 that killed three skiers. In March 2025, another skier was found dead after being caught in an avalanche in Utah's Uinta mountains, and three heli-skiers and a teenager were killed in separate avalanches in Alaska. In December 2025, a ski patroller was killed in an avalanche at Mammoth Mountain resort in central California while conducting avalanche mitigation work. Earlier this month, a snowmobiler was killed in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range after an avalanche buried him in snow. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Avalanche in central Washington state kills 2 men and injures 2 others Authorities in Los Angeles are investigating an incident on Sunday, Jan. 11, in which a driver plowed a U-Haul truck into a large crowd that expressed support for Iranian protesters. Hundreds of people were demonstrating in Westwood, a neighborhood in Los Angeles near the federal building, in support of Iranian protesters when a U-Haul truck plowed into the group, KNBC and KABC-TV reported. Local TV stations described a chaotic scene as a large group of people surrounded the speeding truck and attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the driver of the U-Haul "collided with individuals marching along Veteran Avenue in the area of the Federal Building" at about 3:30 p.m. local time. The driver, who has not been publicly identified, was detained pending further investigation into the incident. U-Haul truck plows through anti-Iranian regime protesters in LA A U-Haul rental truck drives into a crowd which had gathered to show support for Iranian demonstrators, in the Westwood suburb of Los Angeles, Calif. on Jan. 11, 2026, in this screengrab taken from a social media video. At this time, one person was confirmed struck by the vehicle (an adult male); however, no significant injuries have been reported," the police department said in a statement. "A Rescue Ambulance treated the individual at the scene. No one has been transported to the hospital for medical treatment." Two people were evaluated at the scene, but both declined to be transported to the hospital, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. No other injuries were reported, and the crowd was "voluntarily dispersing" by around 4:43 p.m. local time, the fire department said. Earlier, the fire department reported that the size of the crowd was delaying their response time. Police said the investigation remains ongoing as they determine what led to the collision. Videos shared on social media showed demonstrators attempting to pull the driver out of the U-Haul before police officers took him into custody. Iran protests: What to know about the anti-government demonstrations as Trump warns the country's leaders Videos also showed the vehicle's windows broken and angry protesters trying to punch the driver as officers escorted the man away. The Los Angeles Times reported that demonstrators hit the U-Haul and ripped off a sign attached to the vehicle that had a message in Arabic and another in English: "No Shah. No Regime. USA: Dont Repeat 1953. No Mullah." Protesters were marching in support of anti-government demonstrations in Iran, which have entered their third week and have resulted in hundreds of deaths. Human rights organizations have condemned the violent crackdown. As of Jan. 11, the Human Rights Activists News Agency has estimated that over 580 people have been killed since the unrest began in the Middle Eastern country. More than 10,600 people have been detained by authorities, according to the human rights group. Iran has not provided any official figures. A government-imposed internet blackout has cut off much communication with those inside the country since Jan. 8, impeding the flow of information. Contributing: Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY; Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: U-Haul truck plowed into LA crowd supporting protests in Iran Two teen knifemen were arrested Sunday after a 17-year-old was slashed in the neck on a Queens street and died, according to authorities. Derek Trejo, 18, and a 17-year-old accused accomplice were busted Sunday for allegedly knifing Josue Argudo, also 17, on a Woodhaven street in broad daylight on Friday afternoon. Both suspects were accused of chasing Argudo down, beating him up and then fatally stabbing him in the neck, and were charged with murder. The attack on 17-year-old Argudo was captured on local security footage. Both of his accused killers are in custody. Obtained by NY Post Argudo was walking around Jamaica Avenue and 76th Street around 3:45 p.m. when he got into a dispute with the suspects, who he did not know, police previously said. He fled on foot, but was allegedly chased down by his assailants until they caught up and attacked him. Neighbors who saw the incident gave Argudo CPR before he was rushed to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead. Argudo is not believed to have known his attackers. He died after being stabbed in the neck on the Queens sidewalk. Obtained by NY Post Both of Argudos alleged attackers were caught on camera leaving the scene. DCPI It remains unclear what sparked the brutal attack. I thought he was punching him but the guy in black must have had the knife wrapped up around his hand, one witness said. The kid sat down, and then he slumped over, she said of Argudo. What a sin. Both suspects were seen on nearby security footage. They were also charged with criminal possession of a weapon. A judge in a robe holds a gavel over a desk in a courtroom. Photo: Shopify Partners / Burst (The Center Square) Another lawsuit is before the Texas Supreme Court related to the constitutionality of the Texas Heartbeat Act and the Texas Citizens Participation Act. This is after multiple lawsuits filed to stop the Heartbeat Act failed and the Texas Supreme Court and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued rulings enabling the law to remain in effect, affirming its constitutionality. SB 8, filed by state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, passed with bipartisan support and Gov. Greg Abbott signed it into law in May 2021. Multiple groups sued and by October 2021, a federal judge halted it. By April 2022, the Fifth Circuit overturned his ruling, ending all challenges to the law. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in June 2022, Texas law went into full effect in August 2022. The law bans abortions from being performed in Texas as soon as a heartbeat of the preborn baby is detected, with limited exceptions. It created a second-degree felony offense for a person who knowingly performs, induces, or attempts an abortion. The offense is enhanced to a first-degree felony if an unborn child dies from an abortion. Anyone who violates the law performing an abortion can also be subject to a minimum civil penalty of $100,000 for each violation, with exceptions. It also allows for civil action against those facilitating abortions in Texas. The Texas Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Jan. 14 in a case filed by a private citizen alleging an abortion-supporting organization violated the law and retaliated against her. In January 2022, Sadie Weldon, a Jack County resident, filed a Rule 202 petition with the 271st District Court, seeking to depose the Lilith Fund and its deputy director, Neesha Dave. Weldon alleges Dave stated in a sworn declaration that her organization knowingly and intentionally aided or abetted at least one post-heartbeat abortion in violation of the Texas Heartbeat Act. The Lilith Fund claims it provides financial assistance and emotional support while building community spaces for people who need abortions in Texas. America First Legal also filed petitions in 2022 against the Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity and the Texas Equal Access Fund over allegations they paid for abortions in violation of the Texas Heartbeat Act. In March 2022, the Lilith Fund countersued Weldon, seeking a declaration from the court that the Heartbeat Act is unconstitutional and an injunction prohibiting Weldon from deposing Dave and from suing it. Weldon then filed a motion to dismiss the countersuit, claiming it was retaliatory and violated her rights protected by the Texas Citizens Participation Act. The law protects Texans First Amendment rights. In August 2022, Judge Brock Smith denied Weldons petition, preventing her from deposing Dave. In October 2022, Smith also denied her motion to dismiss the Lilith Funds lawsuit. Weldon appealed the ruling to the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth, which also ruled against her, arguing the TCPA doesnt apply in her case. She next appealed to the Texas Supreme Court, arguing the TCPA applies because she was sued in response to filing a petition that she argues is constitutionally protected. Last November, the Texas Supreme Court agreed to hear her case. At issue before the court is whether the Lilith Funds countersuit may be dismissed under the TCPA. The Lilith Fund is still seeking a declaratory judgement on the constitutionality of the Heartbeat Act. Depending on how the court rules, the case could be remanded back to the appellate or trial court. AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Scale Computing , the leader in edge computing and network solutions, today announced that it has been recognized on the 2026 Cloud 100 list in the cloud infrastructure category by CRN , a brand of The Channel Company . The prestigious CRN list spotlights 100 leading channel-focused cloud companies across five key categories: cloud infrastructure, cloud monitoring and management, cloud security, cloud software, and cloud storage. CRN's Cloud 100 companies demonstrate dedication to supporting channel partners and advancing innovation in cloud-based products and services. The list is the trusted resource for solution providers exploring cloud technology vendors that are well-positioned to help them build cloud portfolios to drive their success. "Scale Computing specializes in delivering innovative edge computing and hyperconverged infrastructure solutions to organizations of all sizes, empowering IT managers to process data at its source for peak performance and streamlined operations. Being named to CRN's Cloud 100 list reinforces our continued commitment to customers and partners as we lead the way in edge computing, managed network services, and re-virtualization," said Craig Theriac, vice president, product management at Scale Computing. Scale Computing offers a full range of edge computing solutions. Scale Computing Platform edge computing solution combines simplicity and scalability, offering a unified, easy-to-manage solution that replaces complex infrastructure and ensures high availability for workloads. With the Zero-Touch Provisioning and application lifecycle management features in Scale Computing Fleet Manager edge orchestration software, managing edge computing infrastructure becomes as simple as managing cloud resources. Scale Computing Reliant Platform Edge Computing as a Service is a hardware- and cloud-agnostic, API-capable edge computing platform that empowers multi-site businesses to manage applications, networks, and security controls at scale, without adding complexity or taxing IT teams. Scale Computing AcuVigil managed network services provides visibility of all network devices and delivers local computing power and the physical connection for remote network updates and troubleshooting. "As organizations rapidly evolve their cloud strategiesdriven by the growing demands of digital transformation and AI-powered solutionscloud innovation has never been more critical," said Jennifer Follett, vice president, U.S. Content, Executive Editor at CRN, The Channel Company. "The companies featured in this year's Cloud 100 are setting new benchmarks, delivering cutting-edge products and services that enable solution providers to scale their cloud capabilities and better serve their customers. We're excited to watch these innovators continue to shape the future of cloud computing in the year ahead." The 2026 CRN Cloud 100 list is featured online at crn.com/cloud100 . To learn more about Scale Computing's award-winning solutions, please visit scalecomputing.com/solutions . If you're interested in attending Scale Computing Platform//2026, the flagship event for Innovative Leaders, Technology Partners, and Service Providers, please visit the Platform//2026 registration page for more information about the conference and to register for the April event. About Scale Computing Scale Computing is the industry's largest edge-first platform company, uniquely positioned to power the AI-driven future of distributed enterprises. Providing edge computing, managed network security, re-virtualization and hyperconverged solutions, Scale Computing delivers an integrated infrastructure that adapts and scales from one to 50,000 locations. Thousands of organizations around the world rely on Scale Computing to power critical applications with unparalleled ease. Learn more at www.scalecomputing.com. 2025 Scale Computing, Inc. All rights reserved. Scale Computing and other Scale Computing marks are trademarks of Scale Computing, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Information on Scale Computing patents and trademarks is available at www.scalecomputing.com/legal . SOURCE Scale Computing Demonstrators march through the streets during a demonstration over the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Boston, Massachusetts, on Saturday. - Joseph Prezioso/AFP/Getty Images Nationwide outcry over the killing of a Minneapolis woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent spilled into the streets of cities across the US on Saturday, with protesters demanding the removal of federal immigration authorities from their communities and justice for the slain Renee Good. In Minneapolis, snow flurries drifted down as thousands of people gathered in parks, along residential streets and outside federal buildings, chanting Goods name, whose death has become a focal point of national outrage over federal authorities tactics in US cities while carrying out President Donald Trumps sweeping immigration crackdown. Similar protests unfolded across the US from Los Angeles and New York to Washington, DC, El Paso and Boston. More than 1,000 demonstrations were planned across the country this weekend by the ICE out for good national coalition of advocacy groups. The response to ICEs horrific killing of Renee Nicole Good is loud, peaceful, and inescapable, coalition member group Indivisible said in a Saturday Facebook post accompanied by images of protests in multiple cities. The demonstrations are in response to the escalation of ICE violence in our communities, the fatal ICE shooting of Good as well as the months-long pattern of unchecked violence and abuse in marginalized communities across America, the coalition said, noting that all gatherings are meant to be nonviolent, lawful, and community-led actions to honor the people who have died in ICE confrontations and demand accountability. Now, hundreds more Customs and Border Patrol officers will be sent to Minneapolis, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures. Were sending more officers today and tomorrow, theyll arrive. There will be hundreds more in order to allow our ICE and our Border Patrol individuals that are working in Minneapolis to do so safely, Noem said. After Mayor Jacob Frey strongly condemned the shooting and urged ICE agents to get out of his city last week, Noem told CNNs Jake Tapper Sunday that Frey and other leaders needed to tone down their rhetoric. In a separate interview with Tapper on Sunday, Frey doubled down on his assertion the officer who shot Good was a federal agent recklessly using power that ended up in somebody dying. Frey called for a neutral and unbiased investigation into the shooting. And by the way, I shouldnt be the one conducting the investigation, nor should Kristi Noem, but you should have an entity that is able to do it with some common sense and operating in reality, he said. Thousands protest across Minneapolis Crowd listens to speech before Anti-ICE protest for Renee Good at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday. - Elijah Scott/SIPA Saturdays protests in Minneapolis started at Powderhorn Park, a historic spot for demonstrations and a central gathering place during the 2020 protests after the killing of George Floyd, whose deadly encounter with police occurred not far from where Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot. From there, thousands marched through nearby neighborhoods before converging on the street where Good died Wednesday morning. As temperatures hovered near 20 degrees, demonstrators shared blankets and hot drinks, holding signs reading ICE will melt, and Its not very pro-life to kill our neighbors, as repeated chants of Goods name echoed through the park and surrounding streets. Elsewhere in the city, loud bangs rang out and agents fired pepper balls at a much smaller crowd of protesters outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, where demonstrators have been confronting ICE agents during daily protests. According to CNNs Omar Jimenez, who was on the scene, the law enforcement presence outside the facility increased significantly after several instances of cars being hit with snow and ice, or protesters trying to block vehicles from leaving the facility. Jimenez reported that rallies at the Whipple building have been more confrontational than other demonstrations around the city, as the location puts protesters directly across from the federal agents theyre protesting against. During a large protest of about 1,000 people Friday night in downtown Minneapolis, some individuals broke off from the crowds and began spraying graffiti and causing damage to the windows of a hotel, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara said at a news conference Saturday. Demonstrators have converged outside hotels where they believe federal agents are staying in the Twin Cities. More than 200 Minneapolis police officers and state troopers responded, and 29 people were detained, cited and later released, OHara said, noting one officer suffered minor injuries. People take part in 'ICE Out of Minnesota' rally and march organized by MIRAC (Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee), in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday. - Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu/Getty Images Mayor Jacob Frey said Saturday that most demonstrators had acted peacefully but warned that those who damaged property or endangered others would be arrested. We cannot take the bait, Frey said. We will not counter chaos with chaos. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz echoed that message, urging protesters to remain peaceful while sharply criticizing federal authorities. Trump sent thousands of armed federal officers into our state, and it took just one day for them to kill someone, Walz wrote on social media. Now he wants nothing more than to see chaos distract from that horrific action. Dont give him what he wants. People gather at a makeshift memorial for 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was shot and killed at point blank range on Wednesday. - Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images The protests also unfolded amid a growing dispute over federal transparency, after three Minnesota Democrats Reps. Ilhan Omar, Angie Craig and Kelly Morrison said they were turned away from an attempted oversight visit to a Minneapolis immigration facility on Saturday. A recent court ruling temporarily blocked a Trump administration policy limiting congressional visits. Protests across US Kelly Donovan closes her eyes during a moment for silence for Renee Nicole Good while other demonstrators gather at Lafayette Park in front of the White House for a protest against the Trump administration on Saturday in Washington, DC. - Luke Johnson/Getty Images Large crowds of demonstrators were seen in major cities such as Philadelphia, New York, Washington, DC, and Los Angeles. Smaller protests took place in Portland, Oregon; Sacramento, California; Boston, Massachusetts; Denver, Colorado; Durham, North Carolina; and Tempe, Arizona, where protesters lined a bridge overlooking a highway. By Saturday afternoon, demonstrators were marching through downtown Los Angeles, holding signs that read ICE out for good, and chanting Trump must go now. As night fell, about 150 protesters gathered outside a strip of federal buildings along Alameda Street, outfitted with upside-down American flags and handmade anti-ICE posters. Much of the crowd dispersed after officers blocked off a nearby intersection, but a small group remained. Police later issued a dispersal order, citing vandalism. LAPD officers and protesters confront each other during a demonstration in front of the Metropolitan Detention Center calling for an end to federal immigration enforcement operations on Saturday. - Jill Connelly/AP Several arrests were made and at least one person was detained for battery on a police officer after initially fleeing the scene and later returning to the area, the LAPD said on social media. CNN reached out to police for more details. On Sunday afternoon, dozens of demonstrators gathered outside a Home Depot in another neighborhood of Los Angeles near the entrance of the 110 Freeway, video showed. They carried signs that read ICE out of LA, Boycott The Home Depot and Keep Families Together. In Washington, DC, demonstrators marched in front of the White House despite steady rain, holding signs condemning federal immigration tactics and calling for state oversight of ICE. Im deeply concerned about the 10th Amendment being downtrodden by this administration and about the lives of common American citizens being endangered by a government that, in my opinion, has gone beyond its law enforcement responsibilities, Jack McCarty, a protester who said he is originally from Minnesota, told CNN. When asked by CNN what he believes needs to happen to ensure a death like Goods never happens again, McCarty said, I think independent accountability and oversight over ICE activities at the state level, in addition to empowering state lawmakers and investigators to be able to hold ICE agents accountable for actions within their state is a step forward to ensuring this tragedy never happens again. In Austin, Texas, some protesters confronted armed officers outside a federal building. Several armed law enforcement officials wore helmets and masks and stood outside while holding batons, CNN affiliate KEYE reported. Im glad were taking to the streets, protester David Whitfield told KEYE. I think this is the type of action that we need. We really need people out here right now. I think the turnout could be bigger. CNNs Kit Maher, Lauren Mascarenhas, Emma Tucker, Danya Gainor, Kara Nelson, Tori B. Powell, Sydney Bishop, Kaanita Iyer, Camila DeChalus, Aileen Graef and Ray Sanchez contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Ducilla Joseph, a homeowner, standing in front of her property at 55 Macdonough Street, Image 2 shows Phillip Solomon, a homeowner, sitting in front of his property at 449 Greene Avenue, Image 3 shows Cea Weaver walking and talking on her cellphone, holding a coffee cup and keys Black New York homeowners are stunned by Mayor Mamdanis radical-left tenant advocate, Cea Weaver, who claimed property ownership is a weapon of white supremacy and should be abolished insisting its an essential element of black wealth and her comments devalue their participation in the American Dream. White supremacy? Im not white, said Renee Gregory, president of Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant Inc., which was founded in 1978 to help keep black homeowners in the historically black neighborhood. I read Weavers comments. I dont know where they come from, a perplexed Gregory added, explaining the 37-year-olds past comments have become the talk of black brownstoners in the neighborhood. Cea Weaver, Mayor Zohran Mamdanis director of the Office to Protect Tenants, previously called home ownership a tool of white supremacy on X. Robert Mecea Renee Gregory, president of Brownstoners of Bedford-Stuyvesant Inc., told The Post that Weavers statements have stunned black homeowners in her community. Gregory P. Mango Weavers inflammatory hot takes were found in archived X posts just days after she was appointed to lead Mamdanis Office to Protect Tenants on Jan. 1. Private property including any kind of ESPECIALLY homeownership is a weapon of white supremacy, she railed in a 2019 post. Homeownership is racist/failed public policy, she also wrote, advocating for a collective ownership and shared equity of property in the future. But many black New Yorkers think Weaver a middle-class white woman who attended pricey private college Bryn Mawr College and NYU doesnt know the first thing about what they need. Weaver called home ownership a racist/failed public policy in 2019. Weaver seen in her rapidly gentrifying Crown Heights neighborhood on Jan. 8, 2026. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post Home ownership is an essential element of black wealth. Its repugnant to attach yourself to policies that would look to devalue home ownership, said Marlon Rice, who is running the Democratic primary for the 25th State Senate District in Brooklyn. We should be fortifying pathways to home ownership, he added, echoing comments from a recent Substack where he told how he was raised in a stable home because his father was able to buy a brownstone in 1979. Purchasing his home was a tool to help uplift his family out of poverty, not a tool of white supremacy, he wrote of his fathers success. Many black homeowners in Bedford-Stuyvesant a predominantly black neighborhood agreed, sounding off about Weavers foolish declaration. Ducilla Joseph outside the Bed-Stuy home she bought in 1999. Gregory P. Mango The population of the Brooklyn suburb is 41% black, according to US Census data which is more than double the rate in New York as a whole. It dont make no sense, said 77-year-old Ducilla Joseph, a Trinidadian immigrant who came to the US in 1988 and used to work seven-day weeks so she could buy her Bed-Stuy apartment 11 years later. It is a blessing to own a home, Joseph told The Post. This is like a rich neighborhood. Im a poor woman living in a rich neighborhood! Because Im not rich. I dont have the money. The money is in the house, she said. Jospeh and her husband Ricky Bunting inside their living room. The Trinidadian immigrant has called owning her home a blessing. Gregory P. Mango Philip Solomon, a 51-year-old whos owned a Green Ave. brownstone in Bed-Stuy for 17 years, called Weavers comments illogical. I dont want to believe that thats what she intended to say, Solomon said. I grew up watching [The Cosby Show], and looking at a brown family on national network television, he recalled. It gave me the idea that one day you can have a home in New York City. In a way, this is kind of like a dream realized, he continued. Phillip Solomon on the front steps of his Greene Ave. brownstone in Bed-Stuy. Gregory P. Mango Home ownership is one of those things, you know, you go to get an education, get married. Its sort of like the pillars of our culture. To do it in New York City is so much sweeter. Former Mayor Eric Adams himself a Brooklyn landlord even weighed in, calling Weaver completely out of your fking mind in an exasperated X post. Homeownership is how immigrants, Black, Brown, and working-class New Yorkers built stability and generational wealth despite every obstacle, Adams wrote. Solomon told The Post owning a home in New York City is a dream realized. Gregory P. Mango That level of thinking only comes from extreme privilege and total detachment from reality. Weaver, for her part, said she finds the comments regretful but stopped short of taking responsibility and apologizing. I think that some of those things are certainly not how I would say things today, and are regretful, she told NY1 days after the controversial posts were unearthed. I do think my sort of decades of experience fighting for more affordable housing sort of stands on its own. Mayor Mamdani has stood by his embattled tenant advocate. Gregory P. Mango Weaver who also once said there is no such thing as a good gentrifier herself lives in rapidly gentrifying Crown Heights. The Rochester native has been a tenant rights advocate for yearspreviously directing the New York State Tenant Bloc and helping pass the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act while leading Housing Justice for All. Mamdani defended his decision to appoint the radical leftist as his top tenant advocate after the incendiary comments surfaced, but insisted he didnt share her viewpoints on private property. Obviously, thats not an opinion that I share, Hizzoner told Pix 11. I made the decision to have her as our executive director of the mayors office to protect tenants, not because of her comments, but because of her work. DOT commissioner Mike Flynn announces bus lane extension on one of NYC's busiest streets. A bus lane running along one of the citys busiest streets, Madison Avenue, will be expanded another 19 blocks by the end of the year in line with Mayor Zohran Mamdanis promise to make buses fast and free, the Department of Transportation commissioner announced Sunday. Mike Flynn, the DOT veteran who was named to the Mamdani administration on New Years Eve, revealed the plan to expand the existing Madison Avenue bus lane from 42nd Street to 23rd Street alongside Deputy Mayor Julia Kerson on Sunday afternoon. Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn, Deputy Mayor Julia Kerson, and Borough President Brad Will spoke at a press conference on a bus lane project Sunday afternoon. Luiz C. Ribeiro for New York Post When Mayor Mamdani asked me to serve as his transportation commissioner, he challenged me to make New York City streets the envy of the world, and thats exactly what were going to do. Were going to achieve it by thinking big, focusing on New Yorkers day to day lives, and acting with urgency, Flynn boasted. Kerson highlighted Mamdanis top priorities, including making buses fast and free for all New Yorkers. She said that Madison Avenue is one of the most congested streets in the city, with 92,000 bus riders [using] this corridor every day. Flynn said that the existing bus lane configuration will remain the same. Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post Flynn told The Post that the same configuration currently on Madison Avenue two bus lanes on the east side of the street plus one general traffic lane and a flexible parking lane will be extended from 42nd Street south to 23rd Street. Kerson bashed the current average bus speed, which she said crawls at about four to five miles per hour and can have disastrous ripple effects on commuters days. Thats not just frustrating, it can mean missing a shift at work, arriving late to a doctors appointment, or your kid being the last one to get picked up after school, Kerson said. Kerson criticized the speed of the average NYC bus. Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post The duos plan piggybacks on a proposal made by the DOT that was quietly delayed due to interference from former Mayor Eric Adams administration, Kerson alleged. She said the Mamdani administration will prioritize meeting the painting season that Adams team missed and assured the project will be completed in 2026. Flynn could not provide a specific timeline for the project, but noted that theyll require good weather conditions for the paint to stick and dry. Kerson said roughly 92,000 bus riders use this corridor every day. Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post The plan is to have it done this year, he assured. Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal praised the stretch of the amazing central business district to the vibrant neighborhood that surrounds Madison Avenue. The central business district is the busiest and the largest in the entire world and if you think about how important it is to the local economy, to driving so many businesses into success, small business and others, we need better mass transit, Will said. The neighborhoods dotted along the Midtown Manhattan stretch of Madison Avenue include Murray Hill and NoMad where Amazon founder Jeff Bezos splits his time in his multi-million dollar mansion in the sky. Turlock Police Department Kelle Anne Brassart NEED TO KNOW A 45-year-old mom from California has been found guilty of second-degree murder of her 2-year-old daughter Per a press release from the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office, Kelle Anne Brassart's neglect of her daughter while she was intoxicated resulted in her death by drowning Authorities indicate that Brassart is facing between 15 years and life imprisonment A woman from California has been convicted of second-degree murder following the drowning death of her 2-year-old daughter. Evidence shown at trial demonstrated that the woman was intoxicated at the time of the incident. On Friday, Jan. 9, the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office announced in a press release that Kelle Anne Brassart, 45, of Turlock, had been convicted of second-degree murder and felony child neglect following the death of her daughter, Danielle Pires. An allegation that Brassart was on probation for child abuse at the time of the death was also found true. Brassart is facing 15-years to life in prison, the release read. Brassart called authorities on Sept. 12 to report that her daughter was floating in the pool. After the 911 call, Brassart remained in the home and never attempted to rescue Danielle, District Attorney Jeff Laugero said. While Brassart claimed she couldnt reach her daughter due to a leg injury and needed the use of a wheelchair," authorities found evidence that demonstrated she was able to drive, go to nail appointments, and move without needing a wheelchair. PEOPLE has contacted the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office for further comment, but didn't immediately receive a response. 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. Brassart possessed a walking boot and crutches in the home, the statement continued. Video evidence was introduced at trial showing her walking and standing without the use of a wheelchair prior to the drowning. Empty and full liquor bottles were found hidden throughout the property, the Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office said, per SFGATE. Brassart had also been found to be talking to men on dating apps for 45 minutes while her daughter was left alone, according to the outlet. After receiving the 911 call, the Turlock Police Department immediately responded to the home and pulled Danielles lifeless body from the pool, per the DAs release. Turlock Police Department Kelle Anne Brassart Despite life-saving measures being performed, the little girl was pronounced dead. She reportedly died a week before her third birthday, according to theTurlock Journal. The press release also notes that Brassart was displaying "signs of impairment when authorities arrived. Evidence at trial demonstrated that Brassarts BAC [base alcohol level] level was .246% at the time of the drowning. According to the Cleveland Clinic, at this level, a person may experience "confusion, vomiting and drowsiness." On Dec. 22, Brassart, who has five surviving children, took to the witness stand in court and said that she had asked her daughter to let the dogs out on Sept. 12, Turlock Journal reported. The girl then went into the backyard with the dogs and was unsupervised for almost 30 minutes. The little girl then struggled for some time after entering the pool before she stopped moving and was eventually pulled out by an officer, per the outlet. At the time of Pires drowning, prosecutors found that Brassart was already on probation for child abuse after a child in her care was hospitalized for nearly one week after taking medication, SFGATE reported. This is a case where the defendant knew, and she didnt care, Deputy District Attorney Sara Sousa said in her closing statement, per Turlock Journal. She didnt care that her daughter was at risk; she didnt care that she wasnt watching her; because all she wanted to do was be selfish and get drunk. Brassart is set to be sentenced on Feb. 5, according to SFGATE. 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 Large icebergs float away as the sun rises near Kulusuk, Greenland, Aug. 16, 2019. - Felipe Dana/AP Greenlands untapped mineral wealth has helped land the island at the top of President Donald Trumps empire-building wish list. Trump officials view Greenlands underground riches as a way to loosen Chinas stranglehold over the rare-earth metals that are critical for everything from fighter jets and lasers to electric vehicles and MRI scanners. We need Greenland Its so strategic right now, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One earlier this month. We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not. If we dont do it the easy way, well do it the hard way, Trump said Friday at a press conference with oil executives. Although Trump has recently downplayed Greenlands natural resources, his former national security adviser Mike Waltz told Fox News in 2024 that the administrations focus on Greenland was about critical minerals and natural resources. But the reality is that Denmarks ownership of Greenland is not whats stopping the United States from tapping the islands treasure trove. Its the punishing Arctic environment. Researchers say it would be extremely difficult and expensive to extract Greenlands minerals because many of the islands mineral deposits are located in remote areas above the Arctic Circle, where there is a mile-thick polar ice sheet and darkness reigns much of the year. Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality. The idea of turning Greenland into Americas rare-earth factory is science fiction. Its just completely bonkers, said Malte Humpert, founder and senior fellow at The Arctic Institute. You might as well mine on the moon. In some respects, its worse than the moon. Despite its name, approximately 80% of Greenland is covered with ice. And mineral extraction or just about anything in the Arctic can be five to 10 times more expensive than doing it elsewhere on the planet. Greenland, unlike Venezuela, is open for business Trumps interest in Greenland is not new nor is he the first US president to covet the island. Yet Trumps startling intervention in Venezuela and decision to take control of the South American nations vast oil riches have refocused attention on his interest in Greenland. The chance that the United States takes control of any part of Greenland has surged to around 40% on prediction market Kalshi, up from about 20% in mid-2025. Of course, there are major differences between the situations in Venezuela and Greenland. Not only is Greenland a territory of NATO ally Denmark, but unlike Venezuela it is very much open to business that can operate there, and it has a long history of political stability. For years, if not decades, officials in Greenland have courted foreign direct investment. People in Greenland say they already are open to business opportunities without any belligerence. I dont see a need for taking over Greenland. Were open to investment and working with Americans, Christian Keldsen, managing director of the Greenland Business Association, told CNN in a phone interview. Why would you say something like take over the country when you can get what you want by just behaving? The pot of gold myth Getting US businesses to take a chance on Greenland may be a fantasy, experts say. If there was a pot of gold waiting at the end of the rainbow in Greenland, private businesses would have gone there already, said Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, nonresident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. However, Funk Kirkegaard, who previously worked with the Danish Ministry of Defense, said its just very difficult to make a business case for the very large upfront investment that would be required. Its possible Trump tries to provide financial incentives and guarantees to entice US companies to make those massive investments, similar to the guarantees that Big Oil is seeking to drill aggressively in Venezuela. If given enough taxpayer dollars, private business would be willing to do almost anything, Funk Kirkegaard said. But is that a good foundation on which to purchase a territory? The answer is no in Greenland, just as its no in Venezuela. Environmental factors The climate crisis has caused melting ice and rapidly rising temperatures in the Arctic, leading some to hope for new economic opportunities. However, its too early to say this will be enough of a game-changer to overcome the environmental challenges of mining in Greenland. While ice melt has opened up some shipping routes, it has also made the ground less stable to drill and raises the risk of landslides. New York University student researchers sit on a rock overlooking the Helheim glacier in Greenland, August 16, 2019. - Felipe Dana/AP Climate change doesnt mean its easy. This is not the Mediterranean or your bathtub. Theres just less ice freeze, said Humpert of The Arctic Institute. Relatedly, Greenlands stringent environmental regulations would add expense and difficulty to widespread mining. Of course, those regulations reflect the local populations desire to keep the environment pristine. If the Trump administration somehow made those regulations disappear, it might prove deeply unpopular. You could end up having a hostile local political situation, Funk Kirkegaard said. Friend or bully? Selling Greenland to the United States would likely require a referendum. Yet a poll published in January 2025 found that just 6% favor Greenland becoming part of the United States. The overwhelming majority of Greenlanders, 85%, said they do not want that to happen. Adam Lajeunesse, chair in Canadian and Arctic policy at St. Francis Xavier University, said the bizarre rhetoric about taking over Greenland risks undermining the economic and strategic objectives US officials by harming the relationship with Greenland and Denmark. You could see the United States no longer viewed as a friend and partner but as a bully that should be resisted, he said. To some extent, this may already be happening. Keldsen, the Greenland Business Association executive, cautions US officials risk damaging the relationship with the local population. At the moment, everything American is a red flag, he said. Everyone is wondering, Am I supporting someone taking over my country? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com People watch the oil tanker Ocean Mariner, Monrovia, arrive to the bay in Havana, Cuba, on January 9, 2026. - Ramon Espinosa/AP Cubas leader has pushed back on Donald Trumps demand that the Caribbean nation make a deal with Washington, as the US president warned that Havana would be cut off from the Venezuelan oil and money that its relied on for decades. No one dictates what we do, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Sunday on X, responding to Trumps insistence that the communist nation do a deal before its too late. Cuba has long received massive aid packages from oil-rich Venezuela, but the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro during a US operation, and Trumps announcement that Venezuela will turn over 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the US, is expected to leave Havana with an economic challenge. Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela. In return, Cuba provided Security Services for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE! Trump wrote on Truth Social on Sunday. THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! he said before making the demand for a deal. Trump did not elaborate on what a deal with Havana could involve. The Cuban government has said 32 of its citizens were killed in combat actions during the US operation to capture Maduro. Diaz-Canel was quick to reject external interference in Cubas affairs. Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel delivers a speech as he flutters a Venezuelan national flag in support of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in Havana, on January 3, 2026. - Adalberto Roque/AFP/Getty Images Cuba does not aggress; it is aggressed upon by the United States for 66 years, and it does not threaten; it prepares, ready to defend the Homeland to the last drop of blood, said Diaz-Canel. In an apparent reference to Trump, he said those who turn everything into a business, even human lives, have no moral authority to point fingers at his country. Earlier, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez asserted the countrys absolute right to import fuel from economic partners without US interference and rejected Trumps claim that Cuba exchanged security services for Venezuelan oil and money. The US is behaving like a criminal and uncontrolled hegemon that threatens peace and security not only of Cuba and this hemisphere but of the entire world, Rodriguez said. In subsequent comments aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters the US was talking to Cuba but it was not immediately clear at what level discussions are taking place. In his comments Trump said that one of the topics he wanted addressing was the people that came from Cuba that were forced out or left under duress. Diaz-Canel said Monday that Cuba has had no talks with the US government, except for technical contacts related to migration. He insisted that Cubans in the US were pushed there in part by Washingtons blockade of the island, which he called a failed policy. We have always been willing to engage in a serious and responsible dialogue with the various governments of the United States, including the current one, on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect, principles of International Law, reciprocal benefit without interference in internal affairs and with full respect for our independence, he said. Reactions from Cuba The US has long wanted regime change in communist Cuba, a country governed by a socialist political system since 1961, based on the one state, one party principle. A key supporter of regime change within Trumps cabinet is Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants who came of age immersed in Miamis exile community, rising politically within a culture where memories of the island and a deep fear of socialism remained powerful forces. Havana residents voiced mixed reactions following Trumps threat to cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to the island. Paola Perez told Reuters that Cuba is not to blame for US-Venezuelan relations, but that Cuba will be affected, quite a lot. He (Trump) knows perfectly well that he has to find a solution, because he cant just take over Cuba like that, she added. Another resident, Luis Alberto Jimenez, told the outlet that he is not scared by Trumps threat to cut off Cubas oil supply. At no point does that scare me because Im prepared, he said. The Cuban people are prepared for anything, any situation that may arise, for everything. We are prepared for that. The whole committee has to make a decision because it is the people who are suffering, Maria Elena Sabina told Reuters, calling for swift action to alleviate shortages on the island. Theres no electricity here, theres no power here, theres no gas here, no liquefied gas. Theres nothing here. So where is the oil that Venezuela or Mexico was sending? CNNs Steve Contorno and Julia Benbrook contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The logo of French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation at the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 20, 2025. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/Pool PARIS, Jan 12 - French aerospace group Dassault Aviation is leading a $200 million funding round in startup Harmattan AI as the defence sector races to leverage artificial intelligence amid intensifying geopolitical competition. The partnership will support the development of AI capabilities in Dassault Aviation's future air combat systems, particularly for the control of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, the companies said on Monday. Paris-based Harmattan AI was created last year to produce autonomous defence systems, including AI-enabled platforms, strike drones and surveillance drones. DEAL IS 'EXCELLENT NEWS' SAYS FRANCE'S MACRON Harmattan said in a post on LinkedIn that the Series B funding round valued it at $1.4 billion. "This is excellent news for our strategic autonomy, for the technological superiority of our military in the area of AI-enabled defence drones as well as for our economy," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X. Drone technology has evolved rapidly in recent years, particularly due to their extensive use by both sides in the war in Ukraine. The shift towards the use of AI-augmented systems has become a crucial front in defence technology as companies rush to bolster Europe's armed forces in the face of the threat from Russia and the need for more autonomy from the United States. Dassault is working on a new version of its Rafale fighter jet, the F5, expected in 2030, as well as a combat drone under the "unmanned combat air system" program, which is intended to fly with the Rafale F5. Artificial intelligence is also increasingly central for the competitiveness of defence companies. AI tools are being developed to support pilots' handling of high volumes of information and to help prioritise threats, as well as to equip autonomous drones flying alongside fighter jets. Dassault signed an agreement in June with France's agency for AI in defence, AMIAD, to research air combat use cases and in November announced a strategic partnership with French group Thales to develop sovereign AI for air combat. (Writing by Florence Loeve; Editing by Joe Bavier) New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. Inset: Evidence photo of the alleged weapon. Google Maps street view/NYPD A former NYPD officer was fatally shot by police inside a Brooklyn hospital after barricading himself in a room, cutting himself, and threatening to kill hospital staff, police said. Officers responded to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital shortly before 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, after multiple reports of a violent man armed with a sharp object inside the facility, according to the New York Police Department. The man, later identified as 62-year-old Michael Lynch of Brooklyn, was a patient at the hospital and had been admitted the day before. Callers reported that Lynch barricaded himself inside a hospital room with other people and had repeatedly cut himself while attempting to harm others, the NYPD said. Hospital staff told officers that Lynch also threatened to kill them. When they got to the room, they saw blood all over the walls, floor, and splattered across the exterior of the door, NYPD Assistant Chief Charlie Minch said during a news briefing. The subject came into the doorframe and displayed the bloody weapon. According to Minch, officers remained outside the room for at least three minutes, issuing dozens of verbal commands for Lynch to drop the weapon. He refused and repeatedly attempted to force the door shut as officers tried to gain access, police said. Two other people an elderly patient and a hospital security guard were trapped inside the room with Lynch and were threatened. When Lynch stepped toward officers while holding the weapon, police fired a stun gun, which had no effect, Minch said. A second stun gun was also deployed unsuccessfully as officers attempted to force the door open and order Lynch to exit the room. Lynch then advanced toward officers again with the weapon, prompting officers to fire their service weapons, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Police recovered the weapon, which was later identified as a piece of a broken toilet seat, according to WABC. It was unclear how Lynch obtained the weapon. Lynch had no criminal record and had resigned from the NYPD in the 1990s, according to the outlet. This situation could have turned out very differently. This individual threatened hospital staff, barricaded himself inside of a room with an elderly patient and a member of hospital security with a weapon, Minch said. Every day our officers put on their uniforms, they never know what kind of dangerous situation they are going encounter. Jan 26 (Reuters) - Governments and regulators around the world are cracking down on sexually explicit content generated by Elon Musk's xAI chatbot Grok on X, launching probes, imposing bans and demanding safeguards in a growing global push to curb illegal material. Here are some reactions from governments and regulators in January: EUROPE The European Commission on January 26 opened an investigation into whether Grok disseminates illegal content such as manipulated sexualised images in the EU. The probe will examine whether X properly assessed and mitigated risks as required under the bloc's digital rules. The Commission had on January 8 extended a retention order sent to X last year to retain and preserve all internal documents and data related to Grok until the end of 2026. Britain's media regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into X to determine whether sexually intimate deepfakes produced by Grok violated its duty to protect people in the UK from content that could be illegal, under the country's Online Safety Act framework. In France, government ministers referred sexually explicit Grok-generated content circulating on X to prosecutors and alerted French media regulator Arcom to check the platform's compliance with EU rules. Germany's media minister Wolfram Weimer also said EU rules provided tools to tackle illegal content and alleged the problem risked turning into the "industrialisation of sexual harassment". Italy's data protection authority warned that using AI tools to create "undressed" deepfake imagery of real people without consent could amount to serious privacy violations and, in some cases, criminal offences. Swedish political leaders have also condemned Grok-generated sexualised content after reporting that imagery involving Sweden's deputy prime minister was produced from a user prompt. ASIA India's IT ministry sent X a formal notice on January 2 over alleged Grok-enabled creation or sharing of obscene sexualised images, directing the content to be taken down and requiring a report on the actions being taken within 72 hours. Japan also probed X over Grok, stating that the government would consider every possible option to prevent the generation of inappropriate images. Indonesia's communications and digital ministry said it had blocked access to Grok, a move digital minister Meutya Hafid said was meant to protect women and children from AI-generated fake pornographic content, citing Indonesia's strict antipornography laws. Malaysia restored access to Grok for its users after X implemented additional safety measures, its communications regulator said on January 23. The Philippines will reinstate access to Grok after its developer pledged to remove image-manipulation tools that had sparked child-safety concerns, the country's cybercrime investigation unit said on January 21. AMERICAS California's governor and attorney general said on January 14 they were demanding answers from xAI amid the spread of non-consensual sexual images on the platform. Canada's privacy watchdog said it was widening an existing investigation into X after reports that Grok was generating non-consensual, sexually explicit deepfakes. Brazil's government and federal prosecutors gave xAI 30 days to prevent the chatbot from spreading fake sexualised content, according to a joint statement on January 20. OCEANIA Australia's online-safety regulator eSafety said on January 7 it was investigating Grok-generated "digitally undressed" sexualised deepfake images, assessing adult material under its imagebased abuse scheme and noting current child-related examples it had reviewed did not meet the legal threshold for child sexual abuse material under Australian law. HOW HAS xAI RESPONDED? xAI said on January 14 it had restricted image editing for Grok AI users and blocked users, based on their location, from generating images of people in revealing clothing in "jurisdictions where it's illegal". It did not identify the countries. It had earlier limited the use of Grok's image generation and editing features only to paying subscribers. (Reporting by Hugo Lhomedet in Gdansk and Sam Tabahriti in London, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak, Matt Scuffham and Anna Pruchnicka) Family of murdered Ohio dentist, wife 'all expected' Michael McKee's arrest: report The grieving family of the Ohio mother and her dentist husband, who were gunned down in their home in late December, said they all expected her ex-husbands arrest, but were mum throughout the probe so they wouldnt compromise the investigation, according to a report. Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband Spencer, 37, were shot dead sometime between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Dec. 30 in the upstairs of their residence as their two children and goldendoodle remained unharmed inside, cops said. Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead in their Ohio residence on Dec. 30. Gofundme Spencer, a dentist, was found with multiple gunshot wounds, and Monique suffered at least one shot to the chest, according to police records. Michael David McKee, a 39-year-old doctor from Chicago and Moniques ex-husband, was arrested in connection with the couples murder on Saturday. Moniques ex-husband, Michael McKee, was arrested in connection with the couples murder. FOX News The next day, the couples friends and extended family hosted a gathering, where one anonymous relative decided to speak out on McKees long-awaited arrest. It was absolutely not a shock to anybody, we had all expected it, but we werent saying that, because we didnt want to compromise the investigation, the relative told the Daily Mail. We are all breathing a bit of a sigh of relief, because they got him. The unidentified relative said that, as far as they knew, Monique and Spencer hadnt noted any issues they were having with McKee in the weeks leading up to their deaths. The Tepes two children were unharmed during the killings. Gofundme McKee and Monique divorced after their short-lived marriage in May 2017. Records indicate the divorce was amicable, according to the Columbus Dispatch. Almost a week after the Tepes were killed, police released eerie surveillance footage showing a person of interest walking down an alley near the couples home in the early hours on the day of the deadly shooting. Family members originally dismissed the video and noted the person could just be somebody walking home drunk from a bar. Surveillance footage released by police showed a person of interest near the home the morning the Tepes were murdered. Columbus Division of Police Columbus investigators said they tracked a vehicle that arrived in the Weinland Park neighborhood, where the couple lived before the double homicide, and later left for Rockford, Illinois. They identified McKee as the owner of the car, the outlet reported. Public records show McKee completed medical school at Ohio State University and holds medical licenses in Illinois and California. Since 2020, hes hopped between different states, including Virginia, where he and Monique used to live. He worked as a vascular surgeon at a practice in the Rockford area, where his vehicle was found, the outlet reported. Police have yet to identify a motive for the grisly murders. McKee is behind bars in Illinois, but will eventually be extradited to Ohio. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. Enters into Restructuring Support Agreement to Eliminate Approximately 91% of Debt and Infuse Up to $150 Million of New Capital Initiates Prearranged Financial Restructuring Process to Implement Transactions Operations to Continue in the Ordinary Course, Including Full Continuity of Integrated Port-to-Door Service Offerings COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- STG Logistics Inc. ("STG" or the "Company"), one of the nation's largest providers of integrated port-to-door services and supply chain solutions for cargo owners and logistics providers, announced that it has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement ("RSA") with its equity sponsors and lenders holding a requisite majority of STG's funded debt to significantly reduce the Company's outstanding debt obligations and secure up to $150 million of new capital from the Company's existing lenders, strengthening STG's balance sheet to support future growth and positioning STG for long-term success by significantly reducing interest expenses and providing the Company with ample liquidity. To implement the RSA efficiently, STG and certain of its affiliates and subsidiaries voluntarily initiated a prearranged court-supervised reorganization process under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey (the "Court"). Importantly, STG's key financial partners remain committed to the Company throughout this process and are confident it will position STG to strengthen its market position while maintaining the highest standards of end-to-end service for customers nationwide. "Today's announcement marks an important milestone in our efforts to strengthen STG amidst one of the most severe freight recessions in history," said Geoff Anderman, CEO of STG Logistics, "We are confident that leveraging the chapter 11 process will best position the business for long-term growth and success. I am deeply grateful to our valued team, customers, vendors, and other partners whose support enables us to continue delivering solutions for our customers at the highest levels while staying true to our core values of safety, service, integrity, and efficiency at the forefront of our operations." STG will continue operating in the ordinary course of business throughout the restructuring process and remains committed to delivering at the highest levels for its employees, partners, customers, and vendors. The Company has filed a number of typical "first day" motions which, upon approval by the Court, will enable STG to continue to pay employee wages and benefits, maintain all customer programs, fulfill go-forward payments to key vendors, and execute other ordinary business functions. In addition to cash on hand, STG intends to use up to $150 million of new money debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing from certain of the Company's existing lenders to support core business operations during the chapter 11 process. Additional information is available through the Company's claims agent website at https://dm.epiq11.com/STGLogistics. Stakeholders with questions can contact our claims agent, Epiq, at (877) 702-9718 (U.S./Canada), +1 (971) 385-5935 (International), or [email protected]. Advisors Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Cole Schotz P.C. are serving as legal counsel, AlixPartners LLP is serving as financial and restructuring advisor, PJT Partners LP is serving as investment banker, and C Street Advisory Group is serving as strategic communications advisor to the Company. The ad hoc group of existing lenders is represented by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP as legal counsel and Evercore Group L.L.C., as financial advisor. White & Case LLP is serving as counsel to the Special Committee of the Company's Board of Managers. About STG Logistics STG Logistics is a leading integrated multimodal transportation and logistics provider including asset-based intermodal, marine and rail drayage, and full and less-than-truckload transportation coupled with industry leading warehousing and transloading services. With 40 years of experience in domestic logistics, STG services every major rail ramp and port in the country. SOURCE STG Logistics Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaks during a meeting in Tehran, January 3. - Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/Wana News Agency/Reuters As furious protests enter their third week and bring Iran to the precipice of change, the countrys theocratic government is trying to survive by harshly cracking down on the widening demonstrations. Irans ruling clergy have weathered huge protests many times before. But the long-standing regime now faces intensifying pressure as the swelling opposition movement demands substantive change. The protests initially centered on economic grievances but have since evolved into a broader movement against the regime that has ruled Iran for decades. Theres systemic mismanagement, corruption and repression. This is why people want the Islamic Republic gone, Washington Institute Senior Fellow Holly Dagres told CNN. While the regime faces mounting internal challenges from outraged protesters, US President Donald Trump has added his own voice of warning to the Iranian leadership. Trump has repeatedly expressed support for the protest movement and has at times even floated the idea of regime change in the country, which has long been adversarial to the US. Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before, Trump posted to social media on Saturday. The USA stands ready to help!!! The president is weighing a series of potential military options in Iran, but he has not made a final decision on how US intervention would manifest, US officials have told CNN. There seem to be some people killed that arent supposed to be killed, Trump told reporters on Sunday evening aboard Air Force One. These are violent, if you call them leaders. I dont know if their leaders are just they rule through violence, but were looking at it very seriously. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options. Well make it determination, Trump said. But some analysts caution a military intervention by the US may have limited impact. The regime is brittle, but its quite brutally intact, Dr. H.A. Hellyer, senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), told CNN. Economic crisis Over the years, Iran has seen waves of protests resulting in little societal or political change. But now the anger is mounting as defiant Iranians grow increasingly weary and impatient. Since coming to power in 1989 a decade after a huge revolution swept the authoritarian US-backed shah of Iran from power and ushered in an Islamic Republic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, has navigated an array of political and security challenges. Khamenei has maintained the backing of some loyalists and state institutions, but his repressive policies have been met with waning public support. Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran on January 9, 2026. - Khoshiran/AFP/Middle East Images/Getty Images Frustration over Irans struggling economy has festered. Iran continues to face heavy international sanctions, including the reactivation of so-called snapback sanctions related to its nuclear program. Leaders from countries that imposed sanctions often say that the measures are intended to bring pressure on the government and leaders of Iran. However, researchers say the Western sanctions have also crippled Irans middle class the base of the countrys reform movement which sees few opportunities for economic growth. At the same time, Iranian leadership is in a vulnerable state after several of its points of leverage were neutered. Israeli attacks weakened Irans regional armed proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, while US strikes dealt significant damage to the countrys nuclear program, which the government spent billions to develop. Iran also lost a critical ally when Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024. These developments led to a situation that is unsustainable to the Islamic Republic, Dagres said. Now, theyre dealing with these foreign issues and these domestic issues with historically high anti-regime sentiment that wont go away until this regime is gone, Dagres added. Amid the disorder, the regime turned to a familiar playbook of crushing dissent. Thousands have been arrested and hundreds killed as security forces violently cracked down on the protest, the organization Human Rights Activists in Iran reported. Iran has also imposed widespread internet and telephone blackouts during the protests, limiting visibility into the situation on the ground. Left with few options, the regime is making efforts to reinforce its support. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged his countrys citizens not to join what he called rioters and terrorists participating in demonstrations across Iran. Pezeshkian has blamed the unrest on foreign-linked terrorists, who he said were burning bazaars, mosques and cultural sites. If the people have concerns, it is our duty to resolve their concerns, but the higher duty is that we must not allow a group of rioters to come and disrupt the entire society, he said in a televised speech on Saturday. Security apparatus intact State television has broadcast images of regime loyalists marching in some cities. The government called for a nationwide march on Monday in support of the regime and in opposition to what authorities described as recent acts of desecration and insults against Islamic symbols, including the Quran, by protesters. But any heavy-handed response to the protests could make the regime vulnerable to strong reaction from US and its allies. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks with Fox News Channel's Martha MacCallum during an interview on September 25, 2025, in New York City. - John Lamparski/Getty Images Earlier this month, Trump warned that the US is locked and loaded if Iran kills peaceful protesters. After recent US action in Venezuela and the killing of Qasem Soleimani, a top general in Irans Revolutionary Guard, during Trumps first term, Iran is compelled to seriously consider Trumps threats, Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, told CNN. But the increasing defiance of Iranians marching throughout the country may pose a greater existential threat to the regime. At least having their own streets under their control is what they see as essential for their own survival, even if it invites a US strike, Vaez said. Hellyer noted, however, that for now, Irans powerful security establishment remains intact. There hasnt been any serious elite or security defections as of yet. And if you dont have that, then any sort of intervention from the United States is not likely to actually be very helpful in the short to medium term. Theres a lot of hollowing out, of course. Theres severe economic challenges, if not complete collapse. Theres a very broad protest coalition, of course, but it (the regime) is held together, and its held together by very cohesive and very coercive forces, said Hellyer. The reformist-led government attempted to alleviate the economic pressure by offering direct cash handouts of almost $7 per month. And some officials have struck a conciliatory tone when responding to the unrest. Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said that security forces show maximum restraint, but he admitted that there were some shortcomings. He also told state television that a better economic future is in store for Iranians. In televised remarks on Sunday, Pezeshkian told the protesters that the government must listen to your protest and address your concerns. The opposition, which has fervently called for regime change, may find this time ripe for such a push when the leadership appears vulnerable to external pressure. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Mexico's Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection Omar Garcia Harfuch, President Claudia Sheinbaum, Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente, and Undersecretary for North America Roberto Velasco Alvarez hold a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, January 12, 2026. Mexico Presidency/Handout via REUTERS By Natalia Siniawski and Raul Cortes MEXICO CITY, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she ruled out a U.S. military intervention to combat drug cartels, following a "good conversation" on Monday with President Donald Trump on security and drug trafficking. In her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said she declined offers of military action from Trump and "ruled out" U.S. military intervention in Mexico. She would seek another call if the U.S. made statements to the contrary, she added. "We continue to collaborate within the framework of our sovereignty... We seek coordination without subordination," she said. Earlier on Monday, Sheinbaum said in a post on X that the two leaders discussed security with respect for Mexicos sovereignty, curbing drug trafficking, as well as trade and investment. Trump last week in remarks to Fox News said cartels were running Mexico and suggested the U.S. could strike land targets to combat them. His comments were the latest in a series of escalating threats to deploy U.S. military force against drug cartels within Mexican territory. On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente about the need for stronger cooperation to dismantle Mexico's violent narco-terrorist networks and stop the trafficking of fentanyl and weapons, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said. Sheinbaum said at her press conference that fentanyl trafficking from Mexico to the United States had fallen by about 50% over the past year. She also said she had not discussed Cuba with Trump, following his comments that the island nation would no longer receive Venezuelan oil or money, following the capture of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces in early January. Mexico is ready to assist communication between Cuba and the United States if requested, Sheinbaum said. Sheinbaum said Trump asked her about Mexico's position on Venezuela and she responded that the country opposes military interventions under its constitution. (Reporting by Natalia Siniawski, Raul Cortes and Aida Pelaez-Fernandez; Editing by Cassandra Garrison and Bill Berkrot) Protests in Iran January 2026 MAHSA / Middle East Images A nationwide crackdown of ongoing protests in Iran have led to at least 538 people dead, according to numerous activists. The crackdown comes after a new wave of anti-regime protests occurred throughout Iran. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), protests are occurring in 585 locations across Iran, representing all 31 provinces. HRANA has a reputation for accurate reporting from on-the-ground sources. In the past two weeks, over 10,600 people have been detained, according to Politico. Other measures taken by the Iranian government include shutting down internet and phone services throughout the country. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to support the protesters, Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!! This follows remarks last week where Trump stated, If Iranviolently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. (RELATED: Trump Suggests Hell Strike Iran Again If Military Buildup Continues) Reza Pahlavi, the Crown Prince of Iran, who has been exiled to the United States, released a statement asking the United States to help. Your threat to this criminal regime has also kept the regimes thugs at bay. But time is of the essence. The people will be on the streets again in an hour. I am asking you to help. You have proven and I know you are a man of peace and a man of your word. Please be prepared to intervene to help the people of Iran. Cara Hunter said she would no longer be using X [BBC] A Northern Ireland politician targeted in a deepfake video four years ago has said she is quitting Elon Musk's social media site X due to what she described as a "complete negligence in protecting women and children online". Cara Hunter of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) said she had growing concerns over deepfake imagery produced by the site's AI tool Grok. On Monday, the UK said it will bring into force a law which will make it illegal to create non-consensual intimate images, following widespread concerns over the AI chatbot. Ofcom launched a formal investigation into X to see whether it had complied with its duties to protect people from illegal content. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told the Commons the new law would make it illegal for companies to supply the tools designed to create such images. Kendall has also said she would back Ofcom if it blocks UK access to X but Musk has said critics are seeking "any excuse for censorship." In a statement Ofcom said it had "urgently" made contact with X and "set a firm deadline of Friday 9 January for it to explain what steps it has taken to comply with its duties to protect its users in the UK". The watchdog said it had now decided to open a formal investigation to establish whether X has failed to comply with its legal obligations under the Online Safety Act. If Ofcom finds that a company has broken the law, it can impose fines of up to 18m or 10% of a firm's worldwide revenue - whichever is greater. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill has welcomed the Ofcom investigation. "It's absolutely disgraceful and disgusting that any social media platform allows this type of illegal content to be created," she said. In a statement posted on X a week ago, the social media site said it takes "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." "Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content," X said. 'An absolute disgrace' Grok can be accessed either through its website and app, or through the social media platform X [Getty Images] SDLP assembly member (MLA) Hunter told BBC News NI "Grok is just the epitome of how disgraceful X has become". "Morally and in good conscience from an ethical perspective, I do not think I can continue to use this site," she said. East Londonderry MLA Hunter was targeted in a deepfake video four years ago, when her face was digitally superimposed on to the face of another person. The video was circulated widely on social media in the run up to the 2022 Stormont election. "Any platform that contributes to the creation or false imagery of woman using their likeness without their consent, creating sexual imagery is an absolute disgrace," Hunter said. She said the "dynamic" of X had "changed so much", adding that it "allowed for so many derogatory comments towards women". Hunter said she supported government intervention, which she said was a "good idea, given the lack of guardrails and safeguarding for women and children specifically". 'Woefully inadequate' O'Neill said X's response to date had been of concern. "X have been woefully, woefully inadequate in terms of their response," the first minister said. "Where they (social media companies) fail to act then I do believe the governments should step in. I think there's a lot more conversation to be had certainly here at a local level." O'Neill added: "We're going to continue to work with (Justice Minister) Naomi Long in terms of what we can do." DUP leader Gavin Robinson said there is clearly a "vulnerability" across social media in relation to the "proliferation of explicit content and engineered content". He said a UK-wide position was needed around the "appropriate regulation not just of existing technology and platforms but the potentials of the futures through AI." The Green Party of Northern Ireland has also said it will stop using X. "The platform has repeatedly failed to fully deal with child sexual abuse material, deepfake abuse and coordinated disinformation," Belfast city councillor Brian Smyth said. "Those failures are structural, not accidental." 'Helpful platform for the modern age' Kevin Curran, a professor of cyber security at Ulster University, admits to spending an average of three hours each day on X, using it mostly as a news source and also to connect with colleagues "Of course there are opinions on X I find horrendous, but it is still a helpful platform for the modern age," he told BBC News NI's Evening Extra programme. Curran acknowledged the importance of online regulations but said there should be a separation between a "political attack on Musk, and correct policing". "Is this decision by Ofcom going to apply across all social media sites, or is it specific to X?" he asked. "Ten daily inappropriate posts in a pool of 280 million, does that really warrant a complete ban on a platform?" The use of Grok to generate non-consensual sexualised images has been condemned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who called it "disgraceful" and "disgusting". X has now limited the use of AI image function to those who pay a monthly fee, a change dubbed by Downing Street as "insulting" to victims of sexual violence. Ofcom's powers under the Online Safety Act include being able to seek a court order to prevent third parties from helping X raise money or preventing it from being accessed in the UK, should the firm refuse to comply. However these so-called business disruption measures remain largely untested. A young student concentrates on her writing assignment in a classroom. Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels (The Center Square In a filing Monday, Columbus City Schools urged a state appeals court to uphold a judges ruling that taxpayer funded vouchers for private school tuition are unconstitutional. There is no legitimate government interest in the state funding private education, said the brief filed in Ohios 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. It also said the state underfunds public schools, which forces districts to impose local taxes to make up the difference. The state then diverts more taxpayer dollars to private entities, the brief states, referring to the private school vouchers. This is nothing more than punishing the constitutionally protected choice of public school education by inequitably funding the schools of those who choose that option. If the state respects school choice, it should adequately fund those who choose public schools over private, just as it does those who choose private schools, the brief said. A Franklin County judge last year ruled in favor of public schools that challenged the states $1 billion voucher program for private school tuition. The state appealed, with Monday the deadline for filing briefs. After oral arguments and a ruling by the 10th circuit, the case will likely make its way to the Ohio Supreme Court. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page in a 42-page ruling, struck down the private school voucher program. The state may not fund private schools at the expense of public schools or in a manner that undermines its obligation to public education, the judge wrote. The program remains in place pending appeal. In addition to Columbus, 100 other public school districts have joined the case challenging state-funded vouchers. Private schools, unlike public schools, can reject students for admission based on behavioral or academic problems or disabilities, the Ohio School Board association and other groups wrote in a brief opposing the vouchers. Private schools who can select their students also have the ability and incentive to admit the highest achieving, lowest cost students, pulling those students away from public schools, the group wrote. However, The Buckeye Institute in its brief argued that more money does not always equate to better schools. Ohios school choice program is designed to give parents the resources they need to educate their children in a way that best fits their childrens needs, said Greg R. Lawson, research fellow at The Buckeye Institute. It recognizes that education is not, and never has been, one-size-fits-all. Other supporters of Ohios voucher program said in court briefs that it was launched to help parents of disabled children in Akron whose children were zoned to attend a public school where fighting and drug use are rampant. Vouchers provide aid to students not to schools and have been upheld by state and federal courts, the voucher supporters wrote. Key Points Nvidia is working to increase production capacity. A return to China could boost Nvidia's 2026 sales. The stock trades at a reasonable price tag for its growth. 10 stocks we like better than Nvidia Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) currently has a $4.5 trillion market cap. If it were to rise to $7 trillion in 2026, that would require the stock to rise by 56%. Any stock that rises that fast in a year is well worth an investment, and if Nvidia truly has a shot at becoming a $7 trillion company in 2026, it should be at the top of every investor's shopping list. I think that Nvidia can achieve this lofty goal in 2026, but it will require a few things to happen. If these things transpire, I have no doubt that Nvidia will be a top stock to own for this year. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue A person in a bathtub throwing money in the air. Image source: Getty Images. AI spending isn't slowing down AI hyperscalers spent a record amount of money constructing data centers in 2025. All of them have informed investors that 2026 will see increased spending as well. That's a big deal for Nvidia, as its graphics processing units (GPUs) are the gold standard computing unit used to train and run artificial intelligence models. Nvidia's GPUs are the best available, but so are the supporting components, like its controlling software and connecting infrastructure. This makes Nvidia the go-to company to outfit data centers, but there's an issue: Nvidia has sold out all of its cloud GPU capacity. Nvidia must work to increase its capacity to meet this unprecedented demand, and it has already taken several steps to maximize its output. First, Nvidia plans to significantly reduce its gaming GPU output in 2026. That move will free up chips to be used in the more profitable and in-demand cloud GPUs. Second, Nvidia is pushing its chip supplier, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, to increase its output. That will give Nvidia greater supply and allow it to increase production to meet the massive demand in the market for its chips. I believe both of these items are achievable for 2026, which will enable Nvidia to maintain its rapid growth rate. For fiscal year 2027 (ending January 2027), Wall Street analysts expect Nvidia to grow its revenue by 50%. Analysts have consistently underestimated Nvidia's growth potential, so I wouldn't be surprised if the actual figure exceeds that. Furthermore, there's a somewhat unknown factor that could boost Nvidia's sales even further: China. Nvidia appears poised to resume shipments of chip sales to China. According to Reuters, there is demand for about 2 million units, while Nvidia has about 700,000 H200 chips on hand. There could be even more demand if these initial shipments go well, and that could also boost Nvidia's growth rate this year. All of this adds up to a company that could be worth $7 trillion if everything goes as planned for Nvidia. A $7 trillion market cap won't be easy to achieve For Nvidia to get to a $7 trillion market cap, we need to make a few assumptions: Nvidia's profit margins maintain their current level. Nvidia meets analysts' expectations of 50% growth. Nvidia's valuation stays at its current level. AI spending is projected to continue in 2027. The average Wall Street analyst projects $320 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2027, at Nvidia's current 53% profit margin, which would equate to $170 billion in profits by the end of the fiscal year. Nvidia's current price-to-earnings ratio is 46, which is actually cheaper than it has been over the past few years. NVDA PE Ratio Chart NVDA PE Ratio data by YCharts With $320 billion in profits at a P/E ratio of 46, that would value the stock at $7.8 trillion. That would result in a monster win for investors if it occurs, and there really aren't that many unrealistic assumptions in this projection, giving me even more confidence. However, there needs to be signs of growth for 2027 as well by the end of the year; otherwise, Nvidia's stock will decline in anticipation of a demand slowdown. Multiple projections indicate that AI spending will continue to grow through 2030, making Nvidia a no-brainer stock to buy today. Should you buy stock in Nvidia right now? Before you buy stock in Nvidia, 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 Nvidia 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 $482,451!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,133,229!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 968% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 197% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of January 12, 2026. Keithen Drury has positions in Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. TOPSHOT-BRITAIN-POLITICS-VOTE (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer refuses to support a ban on first-cousin marriage despite his own health secretary calling the practice unsafe. Conservative MP Richard Holden challenged Starmer during a debate to reconsider his opposition to the proposed ban, Fox News reported. Starmer dismissed the request. Weve taken our position on that Bill, thank you, Starmer said. (RELATED: UK Parliament Liberals Block National Inquiry Into Migrant Grooming Gangs) Holden urged the prime minister to think again about blocking the legislation. A spokesman for Starmer told Fox News the government does not want people entering cousin marriages but offered no explanation for opposing the bill. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has publicly acknowledged the dangers of the practice, according to GB News. First-cousin marriages are high risk and unsafe, we see the genetic defects it causes, the harm that it causes, Streeting said. He still stopped short of supporting the ban, according to the outlet. Holden accused Labour of concealing its true stance on the issue, GB News reported. But Labour do back first cousin marriage and theyre trying to hide their secretive support for the practice, Holden said. The bill has seen no legislative progress in at least 395 days. Holden originally introduced the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Bill in December 2024, according toBill) Hansard. The second reading was scheduled for January 2025 but never occurred. First-cousin marriage was banned in England for 1,000 years until Henry VIII changed the law in 1540. Data shows 43% of British Pakistanis in inner-city Bradford married first or second cousins in 2023, GB News reported. The rate exceeds 80% in parts of rural Pakistan. Independent MP Iqbal Mohamed opposed the bill, arguing it would stigmatize certain communities, The Commune reported. He called for education and genetic counseling instead of legislation. The debate has drawn international attention. Trump ally Sarah Rogers, under-secretary for public diplomacy at the U.S. State Department, recently criticized the U.K. governments position, GB News reported. Ohio once again ranks near the bottom in terms of life expectancy in the United States. Despite being home to some of the most highly regarded medical centers in the world, median life expectancy in Ohio ranks lower than all but 10 other states in the United States. Ohioans also live shorter lives than citizens of Albania, one of the poorest countries in Europe. Ohio ranks among the 10 worst states in drug overdose deaths. Maternal mortality rates and cardiovascular death rates in Ohio are in the bottom (worse) half of the country. Infants born in 45 other states in the U.S. have a better chance of surviving than do newborns here. And it may even get worse. Research from Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania estimated that 51,000 lives will be lost each year due to President Donald Trump's cuts to Medicaid and other government health insurance coverages. Some of these deaths will take place in Ohio. In fact, a disproportionate number of those deaths are likely to happen here. But theres hope. Medical professionals vying to lead Ohio Democrat Amy Acton has tapped former state party chairman David Pepper as her running mate in the 2026 race for governor. They appeared together at their first campaign event Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 at Katalinas restaurant in Bexley, Ohio. Pepper is an author, attorney, and fifth generation Cincinnatian. He served on the Cincinnati City Council, Hamilton County Commission and led the Ohio Democratic Party. Two extremely capable, highly regarded physicians are positioned for leadership roles in our state. Dr. Amy Acton has served as director of the Ohio Department of Health under Republican Governor Mike Dewine. She coordinated the necessary early state-wide responses to COVID that killed more than a million Americans. With Dewine, she appeared on daily televised and streamed press briefings to keep Ohio citizens updated on COVID and to help us deal with it. Her calm demeanor served as a steady and reliable source of comfort to Ohioans and marked her effective leadership. She will likely be the Democratic candidate for governor of Ohio on the November ballot. New to politics, Dr. Bryan Hambley is aiming for the Democratic Party nomination for Ohio secretary of state. He is a highly-trained University of Cincinnati Health hematologist-oncologist experienced in the thoughtful care of people with life-threatening diseases like leukemia. The Ohio secretary of state oversees statewide elections, keeps and certifies public records, including those on Ohio businesses. Republican Frank LaRose, Ohios current secretary of state, has repeatedly failed to do his job. Ohio craving a secretary of state with integrity Remember Ohio House Bill 6 when First Energy funneled 60 million dollars in bribes to Republican House Speaker Larry Householder, Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges and other Republican legislators forking over 1.3 billion Ohio dollars in wasteful subsidies for failing nuclear power plants. These funds could have been used to improve Ohioans health care. Householder and Borges went to federal prison for this corruption, but LaRose, who is now running for state auditor, was asleep at the wheel throughout. Was he conflicted by his relationship with Borges and contaminated by a $25,000 First Energy contribution to his election campaign? So rather than protecting Ohio citizens, our secretary of state seemingly got bought. Iit didnt stop there. In 2024, LaRose wrote the anti-gerrymandering ballot proposal to be so confusing that many voters thought the ballot encouraged the gerrymander. After the ballot failed, Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou was quoted saying, Confusing Ohioans wasn't such a bad strategy. Is it any surprise that a state led by such schemers is inattentive to its health? If we are sharp enough and lucky enough to elect doctors Acton and Hambley to lead our state, Ohios health concerns will not be ignored. In an era when most of us are skeptical about politicians, doctors are still well respected for their integrity, their commitment to the needs of their constituency and their honesty. Imagine what Ohio governance could be like with these two top docs in charge. Imagine how our world-class medical centers could be enlisted by our leadership to assure that Ohioans get the health care we deserve? Dr. Michael Lederman is professor emeritus of medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland. He is editor-in-chief of the journal Pathogens and Immunity www.paijournal.org. Michael Lederman, M.D., is Professor of Medicine (emeritus) at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio craving integrity Amy Acton, Bryan Hambley will bring | Opinion Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage Robert Irwin attends the premiere of "'Zootopia 2' on Nov. 13, 2025 in Los Angeles NEED TO KNOW Robert Irwin is coming back to TV The Dancing with the Stars champ confirmed that he is co-hosting Australia's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, which arrives on Jan. 18 in his home country The move comes less than two months after he and pro partner Witney Carson took home the Mirrorball Trophy on DWTS season 34 Robert Irwin didn't wait too long for a TV return after his Dancing with the Stars victory! The wildlife conservationist and newest Mirrorball Trophy champion, 22, is heading to South Africa for the next season of Australia's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, which he's been co-hosting since 2023 alongside Julia Morris. While Irwin was confirmed to be returning to the show back in November, he officially teased his involvement on Instagram on Tuesday, Jan. 11, as he shared a behind-the-scenes video and said the "best season yet" is arriving on Sunday, Jan. 18. His television return comes less than two months after his Dancing with the Stars win. "Welcome back to South Africa," Irwin said in the clip. "We have a brilliant new season of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here coming to you, Australia, Jan. 18. This season, we are changing things, we're upping the ante. Making a bit of a plan right now." Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Robert Irwin and Witney Carson appear on 'Dancing with the Stars' on Sept. 16, 2025 He added the new season, set to air on the country's Network 10, is "one to watch because it's going to be the most intense season we've ever had, the most challenging, the most emotional. And our celebrities, holy moly, they're gonna get a run for their money." Irwin has also secured some new fans for the show after his DWTS run, including dance partner and fellow champ Witney Carson, who left a comment under his Instagram clip. "Oh I cant wait," she wrote. Carson, 32, and Irwin won the Mirrorball Trophy during the DWTS season 34 finale, which aired 10 years after Irwin's sister, Bindi, won season 21 with partner Derek Hough. 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. Irwin also teased his return to I'm a Celebrity in a clip shared by co-host Morris, 57, as he reflected on all he's been up to since last season from his DWTS appearance to his Bonds underwear campaign. "There was a bit going on then I suppose, hey," he joked. The DWTS winner commemorated his return to Australia on Jan. 8 as he introduced his Mirrorball Trophy to some residents of the Australia Zoo, which the Irwin family owns and operates. "The mirrorball has made it home - had to show my friends what Ive been up to " he captioned the post, alongside a video of himself showing the prize to a koala, bird and snake. Brendon Thorne/Getty Robert Irwin at the TikTok Awards 2024 on Nov. 27 in Sydney Also after his win, and his movie debut in Zootopia 2, Irwin announced a "passion project" at the Australia Zoo. In December, he revealed that he was "heading back home" to work with the Crocodile Hunter Lodge at the zoo, which opened in 2022. The DWTS champ previously told PEOPLE that seeing his sister claim the title a decade before him was particularly special as it was also an opportunity to spread the message about the Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors, their charity. It's about making the world a better place. And when I watched her lift that Mirrorball, I saw her lifting that message, he said. Read the original article on People While many of us are enjoying the above-average warmth Mother Nature has sent our way, this day 138 years ago was quite a different story for those in the Northern Plains. On Jan. 12, 1888, a brutal storm system swept across the Plains, killing over 200 people. Many of those were children, earning it the name "The Children's Blizzard." This tragedy was all about the timing. In the previous days, the weather had been unusually warm for the time of year. The western Dakotas were seeing temperatures in the teens and parts of Nebraska reached into the 20s. Balmy, right? So, when children left for school on the morning of the 12th, many of them chose to ditch some of the extra layers and gloves. However, as morning turned into afternoon, an arctic cold front raced southward, bringing intense winds, blowing snow and a deadly drop in temperatures. NWS According to the Signal Service, the U.S. weather service at the time, temperatures in Crete, Nebraska, dropped 18 degrees in less than 3 minutes. Meanwhile, Keokuk, Iowa, saw temperatures plummet 55 degrees in 8 hours. The midday timing made this blizzard fatal as many were caught unaware, unprepared and away from home, including many schoolchildren and teachers. While weather forecasting has come quite a long way since 1888, the Childrens Blizzard is a somber reminder of the unexpected and powerful nature of weather. Caitlin Kaiser graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist with weather.com. $1 Million NJIEF Investment Matches Edge Medical Ventures Funding to Expand US Commercialization JERSEY CITY, N.J. and OR YEHUDA, Israel, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Synchrony Medical, a respiratory care technology company and creator of the FDA-cleared LibAirty airway clearance system, today announced it has secured additional funding through a $1M investment from the New Jersey Innovation Evergreen Fund (NJIEF). Matching an Edge Medical Ventures investment, the funding will be used to accelerate U.S. commercial operations, support continued clinical research and product development, and expand patient access to LibAirty through respiratory clinics, hospitals, and homecare networks nationwide. LibAirty is the first FDA-cleared airway clearance system providing guided breathing synchronized with targeted chest compressions to help patients clear their lungs effectively and comfortably through a short daily treatment at home. Regular airway clearance is essential for people living with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis to prevent exacerbations, reduce hospitalizations, and improve quality of life. In clinical studies, the system has demonstrated superior sputum clearance and improved user comfort compared to conventional airway clearance devices. "Synchrony's vision is to fundamentally change how chronic lung disease is treated at home," said Anat Shani, CEO of Synchrony Medical. "With the backing of strong partners like Edge Medical and the NJIEF, we have established our U.S. headquarters in New Jersey, home to one of the most dynamic health innovation ecosystems in the country. This additional funding accelerates our ability to scale U.S. commercial activity and expand patient access to LibAirty nationwide, while continuing to innovate." NJIEF is a public-private partnership under the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), designed to attract, anchor, and scale high-potential companies building and commercializing innovative technologies in New Jersey. The new funding matches an investment by NJIEF Qualified Venture Fund partner Edge Medical Ventures, a medtech venture fund and studio that develops and invests in breakthrough medical technologies with strong clinical validation and global market potential. "Synchrony's LibAirty system combines both strong clinical validation and real-world usability, serving as a successful proof-of-concept for our co-investment model with NJEDA," said Shai Policker, Managing Partner at Edge Medical Ventures. "We are already seeing clear signs of commercial traction and believe Synchrony is well positioned to lead the airway clearance market." About Synchrony Medical Synchrony Medical is a commercial-stage respiratory care technology company developing advanced at-home airway clearance solutions. The company's FDA-cleared LibAirty Airway Clearance system was developed in collaboration with leading pulmonologists at the Sheba Medical Center, inspired by proven airway clearance techniques. LibAirty transforms respiratory therapy into an easy-to-manage daily routine that patients can perform independently at home, setting a new standard of care for people living with chronic lung disease. Founded at the MEDX Xelerator venture studio supported by the Israeli Innovation Authority, Synchrony Medical is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, with additional operations in Or Yehuda, Israel. For more information, visit https://libairty.health/. Media Contact: Aviva Sapir Number 10 Strategies [email protected] SOURCE Synchrony Medical FILE PHOTO: The logo of American multinational oil and gas corporation ExxonMobil is seen during the LNG 2023 energy trade show in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo By Jarrett Renshaw Jan 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he might block Exxon Mobil from investing in Venezuela after the oil major's CEO called the country "uninvestable" during a White House meeting last week. Exxon CEO Darren Woods told Trump that Venezuela would need to change its laws before it could be an attractive investment opportunity, during the high-profile meeting on Friday with at least 17 other oil executives. Trump had urged the group to spend $100 billion to revitalize Venezuela's oil industry in a meeting less than a week after U.S. forces captured and removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power in a brazen overnight raid. Woods' skeptical remarks quickly emerged as the dominant headline, undercutting the White Houses hopes of building momentum from its engagement with the worlds most prominent oil executives. "I didn't like Exxon's response," Trump told reporters on Air Force One on his way back to Washington on Sunday. "I'll probably be inclined to keep Exxon out. I didn't like their response. They're playing too cute." Exxon did not immediately respond to a request for comment. EXXON, CONOCOPHILLIPS SIGNAL CAUTION ON VENEZUELA Exxon, ConocoPhillips and Chevron, the three largest U.S. oil producers, were for decades the most prominent partners of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA. The government of late President Hugo Chavez nationalized the industry between 2004 and 2007, and while Chevron negotiated deals to partner with PDVSA, ConocoPhillips and Exxon left the country and filed for prominent arbitration cases shortly after. Venezuela now owes over $13 billion collectively to ConocoPhillips and Exxon for the expropriations, according to court rulings. "We've had our assets seized there twice, and so you can imagine to re-enter a third time would require some pretty significant changes from what we've historically seen here," Woods told Trump on Friday. Woods said that Exxon needed durable investment protections introduced and the country's hydrocarbons law also needed to be reformed. "If we look at the legal and commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela today, it's uninvestable," he said. ConocoPhillips CEO Ryan Lance told Trump that his company was the largest non-sovereign credit holder in Venezuela, and called for a restructuring of the debt and the country's entire energy system, including PDVSA. Trump said ConocoPhillips would get a lot of its money back, but the U.S. would start with a clean slate. "We're not going to look at what people lost in the past because that was their fault," he said. Trump said on Friday that his administration would decide which firms would be allowed to operate in the South American country. "You're dealing with us directly. You're not dealing with Venezuela at all. We don't want you to deal with Venezuela," he said. On Saturday, Trump signed an executive order to block courts or creditors from seizing revenue tied to the sale of Venezuelan oil held in U.S. Treasury accounts. (Reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; Additional reporting by Sheila Dang; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Jamie Freed) President Trump's threat to Cuba WASHINGTON President Trump on Sunday crowed about cutting off Venezuelan money and oil to Cuba and encouraged Havana to make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela. In return, Cuba provided Security Services for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE! Trump posted on Truth Social. Venezuela doesnt need protection anymore from the thugs and extortionists who held them hostage for so many years. Venezuela now has the United States of America, the most powerful military in the World (by far!), to protect them, and protect them we will, he continued. THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. Trump did not provide specifics on what kind of deal hed like to see from Cuba, which has been a rival of the US for decades. President Trump did not specify what concessions hed like to see from Cuba. Bonnie Cash/UPI/Shutterstock Cubas President Miguel Diaz-Canel vowed to defend his homeland down to the last drop of blood. AP Top Trump administration officials, including the president and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have claimed that Cuban security forces were protecting Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro when US Delta Forces ripped through them during the Jan. 3 raid. Cubas President Miguel Diaz-Canel was defiant in the face of Trumps threat, insisting that nobody dictates what we do. Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. Nobody dictates what we do, Diaz-Canel posted on X, per a translation. Cuba does not attack; it has been attacked by the U.S. for 66 years, and it does not threaten; it prepares, ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood. #Cuba es una nacion libre, independiente y soberana. Nadie nos dicta que hacer. Cuba no agrede, es agredida por EE.UU hace 66 anos, y no amenaza, se prepara, dispuesta a defender a la Patria hasta la ultima gota de sangre.#CubaEsCoraje Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez (@DiazCanelB) January 11, 2026 Up until recently, Venezuela had been Cubas largest oil supplier, but Trump cut that off by imposing a quarantine on most oil entering and exiting the South American country. At the moment, the US and Venezuela are eying a $2 billion deal in which Venezuela would send as much as 50 million barrels of oil to America, with the funds to be deposited into supervised accounts. Trump unveiled that deal last week. Venezuela has the largest confirmed oil reserves in the world, but has struggled with a lack of sophisticated infrastructure to extract it. Nicolas Maduro had a court hearing last week. ZUMAPRESS.com Last week, Trump held a meeting with oil executives to map out ways to boost Venezuelas oil production. Top administration officials have also hinted at the presidents aspirations for Cuba. If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I would be concerned. At least a little bit, Rubio told reporters after the capture of Maduro. PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - JANUARY 3: U.S. President Donald Trump, with (L-R) CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller monitor U.S. military operations in Venezuela, from Trump's Mar-a-Lago Club on January 3, 2026 in Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Molly Riley/The White House via Getty Images) Credit - White House via Getty Images2026 White House I had a day of ordinary routine mapped out for Jan. 3: rise early, drink coffee while scrolling through news and answering my emails, get some exercise, and sit down to write an article for Letras Libres, a Mexican magazine, on what might await Venezuela in that still-uncertain future when the dictator Nicolas Maduro would no longer be in power. I had barely fallen asleep when Bruno, my son, jolted me awake. "Papa, they're bombing Caracas." I was in Boston, 2,175 miles from Caracas, where I was born and raised. I turned on my phone. My WhatsApp was boiling with messages and videos. On my phone screen, I watched bombs fall, helicopters slice through the sky, and people exclaim: "Its real." "The gringos are taking down Maduro." What was unfolding brought back another night of explosions and uncertainty in Caracas. On Feb. 4, 1992, Hugo Chavez, Maduros predecessor, attempted to overthrow the democratic government of Carlos Andres Perez by storming the Miraflores Palace with tanks. Chavez failed, but the assault marked my life and that of millions of Venezuelans. Six years later, it propelled him to the presidency and gave rise to the populist cult known as Chavismo. Thirty-three years later, it is easy to see that episode as the direct antecedent of the U.S. military intervention that removed Maduro from power, ending his 12-year reign but not Chavismo itself. Many Venezuelans, after years of democratic struggle, had hoped the U.S. would help restore democracy. What they got instead was a makeover of the dictatorship and Venezuelas conversion into a country under White House tutelage. They also did not expect President Donald Trump to be dismissive of Maria Corina Machado, the opposition leader, as he was at his press conference after the removal of Maduro. Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world, which account for more than 90% of export revenues. After the removal of Maduro, although Delcy Rodriguez, a stalwart of the Chavista regime, has been sworn in as interim president, Venezuela is being governed from abroad and crucial decisions about oil are being made in Washington. The emperor has spoken: Venezuela, c'est moi. Many Venezuelans I spoke to this week are grateful to Trump for freeing them from Maduro. Venezuelans once supported Chavez, a left-wing populist, but they have long admired American culture. If Trump were to restore even a slice of what they had in the 1970sthat heady era known as "Gran Venezuela," when soaring oil revenues bankrolled highways, skyscrapers, and a consumer boom that made Caracas feel like Miami with green mountains and a paradisiac climatemany would likely accept the uncomfortable idea of becoming a protectorate of a foreign power. Even after the economic contraction of the 1980s, a period that Latin Americans came to call the "lost decade," when debt crises and austerity measures swept the region, Venezuela retained, until the early 1990s, one of the highest per-capita incomes in Latin America and a functioning democracya relative rarity in a neighborhood crowded with military juntas and authoritarian strongmen. Can Trump deliver? Aware of the U.S. failures in Iraq and Afghanistan and their colossal costs, Trump has avoided an American invasion and occupation of Venezuela. Instead, he has chosen a different path: leaving the Chavista leadership, minus Maduro, in charge to avert chaos and anarchy. Trump does not speak of democracy or nation building, careful not to alienate his MAGA base or hand more ammunition to Democrats. Under this scheme of things, American and international energy companies extract Venezuela's wealth, which Trump promises to return in the form of U.S. products. Washington controls the minimum cash flow the Venezuelan state needs to function as a tool to control the interim government. The assumption is that a trickle-down effect will generate growth and prosperity. Experts warn otherwise. More than $100 billion in investment and at least a decade would be required to revamp a decaying oil industry and raise oil production from one million barrels a day to the projected five to six million. Without deep institutional reform, the plan will fail. Venezuela today is "uninvestable," Exxon CEO Darren Woods told Trump at the White House. CARACAS, VENEZUELA - JANUARY 5: A view of the city of Caracas from El Volcan as three women look on from a bench on January 5, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Carlos Becerra/Getty Images) Getty Images2026 Getty Images The U.S. president could turn Venezuela into an exhibit for his "Donroe Doctrine" on a fast track. Success would allow him to sell skeptical voters on new hegemonic ventures ahead of the midterm elections, which he believes he needs to win to avoid another impeachment. What Trump wants and what can be done are two different things. So far, Venezuelans have witnessed a controlled implosion managed by the Chavista regime without Maduro. Delcy Rodriguez, the interim president appointed by Maduro and blessed by Trump, has begun releasing, sparingly, some of the regimes over 800 political prisoners. But Diosdado Cabello, the interior minister and Chavismos strongman, still controls the security forces and the colectivos, the paramilitary gangs that terrorize the population. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's plan for Venezuela envisions three phases: stabilization, economic recovery, and a political transition toward a more "representative" government, and a stronger civil society. None of this will be possible unless Venezuelans recover real freedoms with guarantees and civil rights. Cabello, the interior minister, is the main obstacle to that transformation. Before being extracted from the country, Maduro signed a decree of external emergency that effectively suspended some constitutional guarantees, which serves as a blank check for Cabello to unleash violence if he chooses. The only way to eliminate this danger is to remove Cabello from the government and dismantle his networks of repression. Caracas is not dancing An important, revealing sign of the national mood is the absence of significant celebration after the removal of Maduro. There was no major liberation party. "People only go out for whats essential, and they go back home before it is dark," a friend in Caracas, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, told me. "Even then, they take risks. If a security force stops you, they can do whatever they wantmake you disappear, or if you are a woman, abduct you for human trafficking." I asked how he was coping. "It is tense and emotionally exhausting. I go to the market only if it is unavoidable. Lines can take hours. The fear is still there." Every time he leaves his house, he deletes his WhatsApp chats. The Orwellian state of affairs has crept into the language. "Here you dont say 'forget it' anymore. You say, borralo! delete it! I have become my own minister of forgetting. Venezuelans are exhausted after 26 years of Chavismo. Understandably, many are willing to accept American tutelage as the price to pay. The most realistic assumption is that Venezuela will become, for an indefinite period, a U.S. protectorate, with varying degrees of what some see as an unwanted dependency. The worst version of that scenario is the current one: an alliance between Trump's right-wing populism and Chavismo's left-wing populism, with no clear path to democracy. Trump has expressed his satisfaction with how Rodriguez is collaborating with his Administration. The irony is evident: the extreme right and the far left united, will never be defeated. The way forward Venezuelans should not settle for a recycled dictatorship or a protectorate. Venezuelas opposition leaders can remain comfortably numb as they have been, or shift into emergency mode and demand a voice in decisions about the countrys future. The opposition needs to reopen the path to democracy. Maria Corina Machado's expected visit to the White House to meet Trump this week is a first step. It cannot end with a photo op of Trump receiving from her the Nobel Peace Prize she legitimately wona prize he has repeatedly claimed for himself. Machado must try to secure Trump's commitment to a clear democratic transition architecture in Venezuela and a credible roadmap to achieve it. A resident holds a painting of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado during a celebration in Santiago, Chile, on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. Photographer: Cristobal Olivares/Bloomberg via Getty Images Bloomberg via Getty Images 2026 Bloomberg Finance LP What Venezuela needs for a democratic transition is straightforward and largely aligns with the plans outlined by Rubio. Even if Delcy Rodriguez, or another figure from the current regime, serves as the provisional face of this transition, the first step is the renewal of key state institutions: the ministries of interior and justice, the national police forces, the security and intelligence agencies, the electoral commission, and the Supreme Courtall of which have been hollowed out or captured by years of authoritarian rule. Political rights must be guaranteed for all actors, including Chavistas who are willing to renounce the apparatus of repression and commit themselves to democratic norms. This will require initiating a process of transitional justiceone that investigates both the grand corruption and the human rights abuses that characterized the dictatorship. Without such a reckoning, there can be neither justice nor reconciliation; the past will fester. Press freedom must be restored to enable journalists and news organizations to investigate our recent past and serve as a safeguard of transparency going forward. Without a free press, there can be no accountability or democracy. Moreover, either formal international recognition of Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as Venezuela's rightful president-electthe winer of the 2024 election that Maduro stoleor a clear timetable for free and fair presidential elections is essential. There must be an explicit commitment to restoring Venezuela's full national sovereignty, both political and economic. Accepting the United States as a principal partner, even a dominant one, need not mean surrendering the country's capacity for independent decision making. The path forward will be finding the balance between gratitude and autonomy. Freeing a country is not the same as governing it by proxy. When sovereignty is confiscated and freedom administered from the outside, when the terms of liberation are dictated, the result is not a democratic transition but a protectorate dressed up in the language of damage control. Venezuelans have fought for years to recover their political agency. They should not now be treated as kindergarteners in need of a guardian. Their future cannot be written in distant offices by people who do not share their history or speak their language, or in a diplomatic idiom they did not choose. Venezuela must not become the laboratory of a new American hegemony in Latin America. Washington's role, if it is to be constructive, must be limited and precise: to help create the conditions of stability necessary for Venezuelans to decide their own fate. No less, but no more. Everything else is a euphemism for old fashioned domination that the region has spent generations trying to escape. Write to Boris Munoz at borismunoz2@gmail.com. President Donald Trump speaks with Edward Walsh and his family before Walsh is sworn in as U.S. ambassador to Ireland in the Oval Office of the White House, June 19, 2025. Photo: Daniel Torok / Official White House Photo via Flickr / United States Government Work (The Center Square) The U.S. could be inching closer to striking Iran for a second time, with President Donald Trump voicing his support for protesters of the Islamic Republics regime. Trump told reporters late Sunday evening on board Air Force One that he and the military are looking very seriously at responding to reports that the Iranian regime is killing protesters. Earlier in the month, the president issued a stern warning to the regime if it retaliated against protesters. If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United State of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go, the president posted to his Truth Social Account. Trump told reporters Sunday evening that he is receiving hourly updates, and that he is looking at some very strong options. The president said Iranian officials have reached out to the White House to negotiate. He added that a meeting is being set up, but indicated it may be too little, too late. Iran wants to negotiate, yes. We may meet with them But we may have to act, because of whats happening, before the meeting, Trump told reporters. Retaliation against protesters in Iran adds more fuel to the fire as the president is eyeing the Islamic Republics nuclear program. During the last week of December, Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when the two leaders reportedly discussed the potential of future strikes on Iran if the Islamic Republic attempts to rebuild its nuclear capabilities, after U.S. strikes in June that targeted the countrys nuclear sites. I hear Iran is looking to rebuild its facilities again, and if they do we will have to knock them down again, the president told reporters during a news conference in late December. Were going to have no choice but very quickly to eradicate that build up. So I hope Iran is not trying to build up, as Ive been reading. The civil uprising in Iran follows a pattern of Iranian citizens protesting the brutal regimes grip on its citizens. The most recent unrest occurred in 2019, with one of the most significant events taking place in 2009, known as the Green Movement, which resulted in millions of Iranian citizens demonstrating against the government. Ukraine struck three Russian oil rigs operating in the Caspian Sea on Sunday following Moscow's large-scale bombardment over the weekend that left thousands without heat or power in Kyiv. Ukraine struck three Russian oil rigs operating in the Caspian Sea on Sunday following Moscows large-scale bombardment over the weekend that left thousands without heat or power in Kyiv. Footage released by Ukraines Special Operations Forces (SSO) revealed the moment Kyiv launched three separate explosive drones overnight targeting drilling platforms belonging to Lukoil, one of Russias largest oil producers. The drones are seen flying over the oil rigs named the V. Filanovsky, Yuri Korchagin and Valery Graifer before slamming into them and detonating. Ukraine targeted three Russian oil rigs in the Caspian Sea on Sunday. The General Staff Explosive drones were deployed to strike a trio of drilling platforms. The General Staff Direct hits have been recorded. The extent of the damage is being assessed, Ukraines General Staff said in a statement. Kyiv claimed the offshore plants were directly aiding Russias invasion of Ukraine, which Kyiv has previously said makes them a viable target. Ukraine has ramped up its attacks on Moscows oil and gas plants as a way to cripple Russias war machine after targeting oil rigs in the Caspian Sea last month. Along with the drone strikes on the oil rigs, Ukraine also targeted the Russian city of Voronezh on Sunday, killing one woman and injuring three others, according to regional Gov. Alexander Gusev. Ukraine has ramped up its attack on Russias oil and gas industry to weaken Moscows ability to wage war. The General Staff Russia launched a mass bombardment against civilian areas in Ukraine over the weekend. Getty Images At least 17 drones were shot down over the city, which lies some 155 miles from the Ukraine border. The Ukrainian attack comes just two days after Russia launched hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles into Ukraine, killing at least four people in the capital, officials said. The assault also saw Russia make use of its powerful new hypersonic Oreshnik missile for the second such time during the nearly four-year war, which was seen as a clear warning to Kyiv and NATO. Ukrainian officials discuss Russias attack after an apartment complex was struck on Friday night. SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA/Shutterstock The bombardment caused mass blackouts across the country, with DTEK, Ukraines largest private energy provider, reporting that at least 30,000 people in Kyiv were still without power on Sunday. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the assault left nearly 6,000 apartment buildings without heat as temperatures plummeted to about 17 degrees Fahrenheit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the targets Russia hit over the weekend served no military purpose whatsoever, claiming the attacks were meant to inflict pain on the people of Ukraine. They deliberately waited for freezing weather to make things worse for our people. This is deliberate, cynical Russian terror specifically against civilians, Zelensky wrote on X. With Post wires Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife appeared in a federal court in New York City last week following their capture by U.S. forces in a military operation in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. Following the operation, President Donald Trump said that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela for an unspecified "period of time." Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been sworn in as interim leader to lead the country. Since the operation to capture Maduro, Trump has also issued threats against Cuba, Colombia and Mexico. Latest Developments Jan 13, 10:27 PM DOJ releases legal rationale for Maduro operation The Department of Justice released a redacted opinion from its Office of Legal Counsel on Tuesday that laid out the legal justification for the U.S. operation to arrest Nicolas Maduro and remove him from Caracas. The Justice Department document defined the operation as an act of "armed conflict" and found it to be "within the President's unilateral constitutional authority." The opinion said the DOJ was briefed and assured that "there is no contingency plan to engage in any substantial and sustained operation" in Venezuela. The legal memo was transmitted to the National Security Council on Dec. 22, roughly two weeks before the operation, and signed by the assistant attorney general. Some senators viewed the opinion behind closed doors earlier Tuesday, with reviews of its quality split along party lines. -ABC News' Chris Boccia Jan 13, 9:41 PM Multiple Americans detained in Venezuela released: State official Multiple Americans who were detained in Venezuela have been released, the State Department announced Tuesday. "We welcome the release of detained Americans in Venezuela. This is an important step in the right direction by the interim authorities," a State Department spokesman said Tuesday. ABC News has reached out to the State Department to confirm the number of Americans released. Pedro Mattey/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: VENEZUELA-US-CONFLICT-CRISIS-PRISON A State Department team traveled to Venezuela to help with the release, according to a senior State Department official. This marks the first release of detained Americans since the ouster of former President Nicolas Maduro. The news was first reported by Bloomberg. President Donald Trump had said on Sunday that Venezuela had "started the process, in a BIG WAY, of releasing their political prisoners." -ABC News' Mariam Khan Jan 12, 3:39 PM 'Too soon to say' when elections could happen in Venezuela: White House White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it's "too soon to say" when elections could be held in Venezuela when pressed during a briefing on Monday. President Donald Trump has not provided a timeline on elections in the wake of Nicolas Maduro's ouster. Asked if Trump has confidence in interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, Leavitt said Trump made the "right, realistic assessment" of what actions needed to be taken regarding Venezuelas leadership. She also said Rodriguez and her team "have been very cooperative with the United States," citing last week's energy deal. "So we've seen a great level of cooperation, and the president expects that to continue," Leavitt added. -ABC News' Lalee Ibssa and Hannah Demissie Jan 11, 12:34 PM Cuban president says US has 'no moral authority to point fingers at Cuba' In an apparent response to an earlier social media post from President Donald Trump, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez posted on social media Sunday, saying in part "they have no moral authority to point fingers at Cuba on anything, absolutely anything, those who turn everything into a business, even human lives." He concluded the post, "Cuba is a free, independent, and sovereign nation. No one dictates what we do. Cuba does not aggress; it is aggressed upon by the United States for 66 years, and it does not threaten; it prepares, ready to defend the Homeland to the last drop of blood." Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also posted a statement , saying in part, "Like any country, Cuba has the absolute right to import fuel from those markets willing to export it and that exercise their own right to develop their trade relations without interference or subordination to the unilateral coercive measures" of the United States. President Trump on Sunday posted on his social media platform that Cuba should make a deal with the U.S. before it is too late," as he attempts to maintain leverage in the region following the raid on Venezuela about a week ago. -ABC News' Mara Valdes Jan 11, 11:22 AM President Trump says Cuba needs to make deal with US 'before it is too late' President Donald Trump is calling for the country of Cuba to make a deal with the U.S. before it is too late," as he attempts to maintain leverage in the region following the raid on Venezuela about a week ago. THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE, Trump posted to his social media platform. The call comes after Trump has continued to threaten that the U.S. could take action against Cuba similar to that it took against Venezuela. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: President Donald Trump attends a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House, Jan. 9, 2026, in Washington. Trump had also levied threats against Colombia, but those have been toned down after the countrys president, Gustavo Petro, had a productive phone call with Trump and is set to visit the White House this week. Trump also claimed on Sunday that most of the Cubans who provide security and intelligence services to Venezuela are dead from the United States attack to capture Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3. Cuba lived, for many years, on large amounts of OIL and MONEY from Venezuela. In return, Cuba provided Security Services for the last two Venezuelan dictators, BUT NOT ANYMORE! Most of those Cubans are DEAD from last weeks U.S.A. attack, Trump wrote. -ABC News' Isabella Murray Jan 11, 5:59 AM Venezuela 'in absolute calm,' ministry says in reaction to US alert The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the U.S. State Department's security alert is "based on fabricated accounts aimed at creating a perception of risk that does not exist." The ministry said in a statement on social media late Saturday that Venezuela is "in absolute calm, peace, and stability," and that all weapons are in the government's control. Matias Delacroix/AP - PHOTO: Police patrol near El Helicoide, headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence service and a detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. "The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to the protection of peace, institutional stability, and the coexistence of the Venezuelan people," the statement said in Spanish. The U.S. State Department had earlier warned U.S. citizens in Venezuela to leave immediately, saying in part that there were "of groups of armed militias, known as colectivos, setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of U.S. citizenship or support for the United States." -ABC News' Anselm Gibbs Jan 10, 5:31 PM State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela immediately The State Department warned U.S. citizens in Venezuela Saturday to leave immediately "There are reports of groups of armed militias, known as colectivos, setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of U.S. citizenship or support for the United States. Remain vigilant and exercise caution when traveling by road," the agency said in a statement. The U.S. Embassy in Colombia issued a more detailed alert reaffirming that the U.S. has a Level Four "do not travel warning" for Venezuela, urging U.S. citizens not to travel to Venezuela. -ABC News' Luis Martinez Click here to read the rest of the blog. A red Emergency sign marks the entrance to a hospital emergency department. Photo: Shopify Partners / Burst (The Center Square) Thousands of nurses at several major New York City medical centers went on strike Monday after contract negotiations between union leaders and the hospitals broke down over the weekend. The New York State Nurses Association, which represents 15,000 unionized nurses at Mount Sinai, Montefiore and NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals, hit the picket lines shortly after 6 a.m. after union leaders say talks with hospital officials failed to make "meaningful progress" on core demands ranging from improved pay and health care benefits to staffing levels and workplace violence protections. Unfortunately, greedy hospital executives have decided to put profits above safe patient care and force nurses out on strike when we would rather be at the bedsides of our patients. Hospital management refuses to address our most important issues patient and nurse safety," NYSNA President Nancy Hagans said in a statement. "It is shameful that the citys richest hospitals refuse to continue healthcare benefits for frontline nurses, refuse to staff safely for our patients, and refuse to protect us from workplace violence. Nurses do not want to strike, but our bosses have forced us out on strike." Representatives for the medical centers say NYSNAs proposed salary and benefit packages would drive up hospital costs by billions of dollars in the coming years as they face financial pressures over cuts in Medicaid funding and other federal support. "The planning and personnel costs required to responsibly run our hospitals for what we anticipate could be a long strike are substantial, but we are prepared to maintain these operations," Brendan G. Car, Mount Sinai's CEO, said in a statement Sunday night. "We have explained to NYSNA that given the extreme financial pressures facing health care, we have a fixed budget that can be used either for nurse wages and benefits or to prepare and operate during a strike." The union's existing contract expired at the end of 2025 and both sides have been meeting to hammer out details of a new collective bargaining agreement. NYSNA's bargaining teams say the union wants higher pay and safer working conditions for its members. Mount Sinai issued another statement on Monday, saying all of its hospitals remain open for patient care and that it will work to ensure that medical care isn't compromised as a result of the strike. "Please know that most appointments and procedures will not be impacted; if an appointment is impacted by the strike, your provider will contact you directly with any needed changes," the statement said. "Our patients are our top priority, now and always." On Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an executive order declaring a "disaster emergency" that will allow hospitals affected by the strike to bring in doctors and nurses from other states and Canada to fill the anticipated gaps in medical care. Hochul said the state Department of Health will have staff on site at all affected hospitals for the duration of the strike "to ensure patient safety and continuity of care." My top priority is protecting patients and ensuring they can access the care they need," Hochul said in a statement. "At the same time, we must reach an agreement that recognizes the essential work nurses do every day on the front lines of our healthcare system." New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a statement Sunday night, saying his administration and the city's Emergency Management team are "in constant communication and closely monitoring the situation." "No New Yorker should have to fear losing access to health care -- and no nurse should be asked to accept less pay, fewer benefits or less dignity for doing lifesaving work," Mamdani said. "Our nurses kept this city alive through its hardest moments. Their value is not negotiable." New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento said the Teamsters are "united" in solidarity with the striking nurses and criticized hospitals for refusing to negotiate in good faith over a new contract. "These nurses are dedicated professionals who provide quality patient care under unimaginable conditions day in and day out," Cilento said in a statement. "It is unfathomable that these hospitals show such complete disregard for the pressure under which these nurses work and for all they do for their patients each day." Signage at the Google headquarters in Mountain View, California, on 23 April 2025. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images (Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images) Googles parent company hit a major financial milestone on Monday, reaching a $4tn valuation for the first time and surpassing Apple to become the second-most valuable company in the world. Alphabet is the fourth company to hit the $4tn milestone after Nvidia, which later hit $5tn, Microsoft and Apple. The spike in share price comes after Apple announced it had chosen Googles Gemini AI model to power a major overhaul of the iPhone makers digital assistant Siri, which comes installed in every iPhone. Neither company disclosed how much the deal was worth. After careful evaluation, we determined that Googles technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models, Apple said in a statement to CNBC. As tech stocks continue a years-long meteoric rise, fears of a bubble in the stock market persist; however, Wall Streets excitement for new avenues of investment in AI does as well. Alphabets milestones signal a remarkable change in investor sentiment for Alphabet, with its stock surging about 65% in 2025, outperforming its peers on Wall Streets elite group of stocks, the so-called Magnificent Seven. Related: Dangerous and alarming: Google removes some of its AI summaries after users health put at risk The tech giant has allayed investors doubts about its artificial intelligence strategy in recent months with a series of high-profile product launches, including the latest version of its flagship AI model, Gemini, and the popular Nano Banana image generator and editor. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT and Googles insurgent rival, left investors and consumers underwhelmed with the release of its latest model, GPT-5, which allowed Alphabet to surge ahead. Google, best known for making the worlds most popular search engine and browser, has also turned its once-overlooked cloud unit into a major growth engine, which drew a rare tech investment from Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway. Google Clouds revenue jumped 34% in the third quarter, with a backlog of non-recognized sales contracts rising to $155bn. Renting out Googles self-developed AI chips that were reserved for internal use to outside customers has also enabled the units breakneck pace of growth. Meanwhile, the companys dominant revenue generator the advertising business, driven by Google Search and YouTube has largely held steady in the face of economic uncertainty and intense competition. The company has faced two landmark US antitrust suits as it has navigated its place in the AI boom. After Google lost the first case, a judge ruled in September against breaking up the company, allowing it to retain control of its Chrome browser and Android mobile operating system. In the second case, a judge ruled Google had illegally monopolized the online ad market last April. A trial over how to remedy the monopoly began in September, which could see the judge forcing Google to divest parts of its lucrative ads business to foster competition. Government moves against X and Grok were likely inevitable, given how easy it became to generate deepfaked content, experts told Fortune. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES) Two Southeast Asian nationsMalaysia and Indonesiahave become the worlds first countries to take action against Elon Musks Grok chatbot and its ability to generate deepfake images. On Jan. 10, Indonesia announced it would temporarily restrict access to Grok. Meutya Hafid, the nations Communication and Digital minister, wrote in a statement that the ban was imposed to protect women, children and the larger community from fake pornographic content created by AI. Then, the next day, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it would also temporarily restrict access to Grok following repeated misuse to generate obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive, and non-consensual manipulated images. In a statement, MCMC said it had issued notices to both X and xAIGroks corporate parentson Jan. 3 and Jan. 8 respectively, yet deemed their responses insufficient to prevent harm or ensure legal compliance. Both Indonesia and Malaysia have strict rules against online pornography. Indonesia, home to the worlds largest Muslim population, has been particularly aggressive, and has charged both Indonesian and foreign OnlyFans creators under its 2008 Pornography Act. On Jan. 9, X restricted image generation to paying users in a bid to constrain a flood of deepfaked images, where users would ask Grok to alter images of women, to show them dressed in revealing clothing. Victims have attacked X for allowing the nonconsensual creation of sexualized content, including of minors. Government officials, too, are considering taking action against X and Grok. xAI sent an email with only the text Legacy Media Lies after Fortune reached out for comment on Indonesia and Malaysias ban. Persistent safety lapses Government moves against X and Grok were likely inevitable, given how easy it became to generate deepfaked content. Groks guardrails are easy to bypass, says Chew Han Ei, a senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in the National University of Singapore (NUS). When a system can be nudged so readily into producing or amplifying harmful synthetic content, that points to a design weakness. Indonesia and Malaysias moves against Grok and X comes amid broader worries in the region about social media and deepfakes. Several governments throughout Asia have passed regulations against the production of deepfakes, usually in the context of preventing cybercrime, fraud, and election interference. In 2024, South Korea criminalized watching or producing deepfake pornography. Last year, both Australia and Malaysia banned access to social media for under-16s, citing concerns about online dangers like cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and financial scams. On Monday, Meta disclosed that it had closed 550,000 accounts across Facebook, Instagram and Threads to comply with Australias new ban. Governments are becoming less willing to tolerate a release-first, fix-later approach. If safeguards are not credible, access to the tool becomes a legitimate policy question, Chew says. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Thousands of Lapland tourists have been left stranded after all flights at Finlands Kittila airport were cancelled over Arctic cold temperatures. The Finnish Meteorological Service forecast temperatures hitting as low as -39C on Monday, while conditions did not improve past -35C on Sunday. Flights back to European cities including London, Bristol, Manchester, Paris and Amsterdam were all affected. One flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi was also grounded. The third day of freezing conditions has made airports inoperable as it becomes difficult to de-ice planes, and use maintenance and refuelling equipment that can also seize up in the cold. Finavia, airport operator, told public broadcaster Yle that conditions were made worse by moisture creating a slippery frost causing even more hazardous conditions. They said ground equipment connectors and vehicle hatches had frozen over while refuelling and de-icing were made impossible. Thousands have been left stranded (FINAVIA) Decisions to cancel flights are always made by airlines, Finavia said in a statement. But conditions of around -40C can cause challenges for ground operations. While the airport remains open for customers, the runways have remained empty for a third day in a row, according to the Helsinki Times. Finavia told The Independent: At the moment, the weather forecasts predict slightly milder temperatures for the coming days. Weather conditions affect air traffic worldwide, and changes caused by weather are normal in aviation. The situation during last weekend has been very challenging for airlines and the airport community, and extremely unfortunate for those passengers whose flights have not operated as planned. We apologise for the inconvenience caused to passengers and we have been working closely with the airlines to minimize the impact as much as possible. A bus carrying Ukrainian passengers skidded into a ditch last week in Northern Ostrobothnia, as the country struggles with the Arctic conditions no serious injuries were reported in the incident. Fintraffic reported difficult road conditions across 93 per cent of the country on Monday. It issued warnings across wide areas of Finland from North Karelia and the Aland Islands up to Kokkolan and Iisalmi, due to snowfall, drifting snow and slippery road conditions in milder areas. View of the medieval village of Gammelstad with traditional wooden cottages and the bell tower covered with snow and ice, Lulea, Sweden, UNESCO World Heritage site, Lapland, Scandinavia, Europe (Getty/iStock) Tourists have been advised to contact airlines to discuss rebooking their flights as well as accommodation and alternative travel arrangements. Europe has suffered from perilous conditions across the continent with at least six reported deaths including five in accidents caused by icy conditions in France and one death by a snow-laden branch falling on the head of a woman in Sarajevo in Bosnia. People walk in freezing temperatures in Yllas, Finland on Friday 9 January (Str / Lehtikuva) In Germany, two people died in a head-on collision between two cars in Bavaria, when a car is thought to have skidded because of the weather. A driver was killed in the Upper Palatinate region when his car veered off the road and crashed into a tree, German news agency dpa reported. At least 320,000 homes were left without power on Friday as strong winds battered France, with most of the outages reported in the Normandy region. Millions visit Lapland every year a region covering Finland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia especially around the festive period. FRANKENMUTH, Mich., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Threadlock Precision, a growing network of precision manufacturing companies, today announced its acquisition of Kremin Inc., a Michigan-based CNC machining business that has served aerospace, defense, and medical markets for more than 40 years. Since its founding in 1983, Kremin has grown from a manufacturer of fixture and gage assemblies into a technologically advanced prototyping, production, and assembly shop. Under the ownership of President Mike Grossi since 2010, Kremin today operates a sophisticated Swiss machining segment alongside robust milling and turning departments, with continuous investment in next-generation equipment. "Kremin exemplifies the type of customer-focused, technically capable manufacturer we look to support," said Todd McDonald, CEO of Threadlock Precision. "Their strength in custom, tight-tolerance work and reputation for taking on complex challenges make them an ideal partner. We're excited to invest in their team, expand their capabilities, and help accelerate them into their next chapter of growth." The acquisition of Kremin marks another important step in Threadlock Precision's mission of building the preferred precision manufacturing network serving aerospace and defense. Kremin's specialized Swiss machining capabilities further strengthen the network's ability to support the breadth of customer programs. "Joining Threadlock Precision represents a major milestone for Kremin and our customers," said Mike Grossi, President of Kremin Inc. "Our business has been built on solving difficult problems, delivering custom solutions, and exceeding expectations. Threadlock's dedication to investing in people, technology, and advanced manufacturing capabilities will allow us to continue raising the bar for the value we deliver to our customers." About Threadlock Precision Threadlock Precision is a U.S.-based precision manufacturing network. Its leadership team combines operational know-how with investment expertise to provide network companies the tools to modernize, scale, and strengthen their positions in aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. Threadlock Precision is backed by the D. E. Shaw group. Learn more at www.ThreadlockPrecision.com. About Kremin Founded in 1983, Kremin Inc. is a precision CNC manufacturing company based in Frankenmuth, MI. Kremin specializes in tight-tolerance, high-volume Swiss machining, milling of complex aerospace components, and electrical assemblies for the dimensional stone industry, and is certified to AS9100D. Learn more at www.KreminInc.com. Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Threadlock Precision Today's headlines: in Hong Kong, the mitigation hearing begins in the trial of Jimmy Lai, who is feared to face life imprisonment. Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi may call early elections. Second phase of elections in Myanmar called for by the coup junta. Nepal and Bangladesh ready to resume trade talks frozen since 2020. Pyongyang asks Seoul for explanations regarding a southern drone that allegedly violated North Korean airspace. IRAN - RUSSIA There are said to be over 500 victims of the crackdown on protests by the police and Pasdaran, but the numbers are uncertain due to internet blocks and difficulties in independent verification. US President Donald Trump says he is ready to intervene in defence of the protesters, while Tehran threatens to strike US and Israeli military bases and announces that the situation is under control. Meanwhile, since the beginning of the uprising, there has been an increase in private flights from Tehran to Russia, which is offering technical and military support to the Iranian leadership while preparing to evacuate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his family and assistants. This is according to The Moscow Times, which reports that gold reserves have also begun to be transported to Moscow, as was the case with the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, flying over the Caucasus and avoiding NATO-controlled airspace. HONG KONG The Hong Kong High Court today began the mitigation hearing in the trial of Jimmy Lai, the last step before sentencing in one of the most important cases related to national security. The case has attracted international condemnation and could end with a life sentence. Last month, the 78-year-old pro-democracy Catholic tycoon was found guilty of collusion with foreign forces and sedition. JAPAN Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi may call early general elections. This was announced yesterday by the leader of a coalition ally party, confirming rumours reported in the press in recent days about a possible vote in February. It would be the first time that the conservative Takaichi, the first female prime minister and a fan of Britain's Margaret Thatcher, has faced the electorate with the aim of capitalising on the consensus since her appointment as the country's leader in October. MYANMAR The second round of the controversial vote in Myanmar took place over the weekend. International activists, Western governments and opponents have called it a farce in a nation torn apart by war and ruled by the military since the coup in February 2021. In the first round, the most significant figures were the low turnout (just 52%) and the expected dominance of the party linked to the army. The military also claimed victory in the seat once held by Aung San Suu Kyi. NEPAL - BANGLADESH Nepal and Bangladesh are ready to resume talks at the level of trade ministers in Dhaka, addressing long-standing issues including the proposed bilateral preferential trade agreement (PTA) and the list of goods contained therein. The two-day meeting, scheduled for tomorrow, will be co-chaired by Nepalese Minister Ram Prasad Ghimire and his Bangladeshi counterpart Mahbubur Rahman. The last meeting - virtual due to Covid-19 - was held in October 2020. KOREA Tensions between the two Koreas are rising again: Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of Pyongyang leader Kim Jong Un, has demanded a detailed explanation from Seoul regarding a South Korean drone that allegedly flew over North Korean territory. The drone reportedly flew from the Ganghwa border area to the North Korean city of Kaesong in early January. Seoul has rejected the accusation, stating that the drone is not a model operated by its military. INDIA Delhi is reportedly ready to ask smartphone manufacturers to share their source code and make changes to their software as part of a series of security measures. These provisions have already met with opposition, albeit behind the scenes, from industry giants including Apple and Samsung. The companies have countered that the package of 83 security standards, which would also include a requirement to notify the government of major software updates, lacks any global precedent and risks revealing sensitive details. The plan is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to defend citizens' security and combat online fraud in the world's second-largest market, with nearly 750 million devices. GEORGIA - ARMENIA - AZERBAIJAN Georgia has imposed a tariff on the transit of petroleum products from Azerbaijan to Armenia, according to Karen Ajriyan, the Armenian director of the company Mega Trade. Not only Premium petrol is expected to be imported, but also Regular; the price of crude oil in Armenia will be set based on various factors dependent on the international market, while the new tariffs will not have a decisive impact on the total cost of transport. by Santosh Digal Between 31 December and 10 January, the rites of the novena and the Traslacion, the procession of the venerated statue in the Quiapo district of Manila. It was the longest procession ever, lasting over 30 hours. Devotee tells AsiaNews: The huge crowd strengthens my faith. Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. against corruption: Humble yourselves for the sake of mercy. Manila (AsiaNews) - On 9 January 2026, over 9 million people participated in the annual feast of the Black Nazarene, one of the most popular religious festivals in Asia. The exact number of faithful reported by the National Shrine of Jesus Nazarene is 9,640,290. They participated in the Novena Mass and the Traslacion, a one-day procession that starts at Quirino Grandstand, one of the largest stadiums in the country, and travels through the streets of the Quiapo neighbourhood. Together with the statue of the Black Christ that was brought by Spanish missionaries in the 17th century from Mexico to the Philippines. The shrine, a minor basilica, is also known as the Church of Quiapo, located near Manila, and houses the image of the suffering Christ. The estimated attendance includes the period from 31 December 2025, the beginning of the nine-day novena, until 10 January, the end of the Traslacion. This is a Spanish word meaning transfer. It is the procession of the statue of the Black Nazarene from Rizal Park Luneta to the Church of Quiapo, Manila. Here, millions of Filipinos gather for the procession, which lasts almost an entire day, commemorating the original transfer of the image to the Church of Quiapo in 1787, and whose duration varies considerably each year due to the huge crowds. The case on which the statue is placed is equipped with wheels and is pulled by devotees using abaca ropes. During the nearly 7 km journey from the Quirino Grandstand at Luneta Park, the faithful walk barefoot through the streets, wearing brick-coloured clothes. This year, according to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, as many as 7,414,200 devotees participated in the historic Traslacion alone, which was the longest in history, lasting approximately 30 hours and 50 minutes. The typical duration of the modern Traslacion can vary from 15 to over 30 hours. Scenes of rapturous devotion and widespread emotion accompanied it, reflecting the monolithic Christian faith of the Filipino people. During the procession, devotees dressed in reddish brown, the colour of the Nazarene's robes, crowd around to touch the ropes of the float, or even to climb onto the float itself. This remains one of the most amazing displays of popular religious devotion in the world. It has been promoted over the centuries by the local Church in the Philippines, a former Spanish colony. Bishop Rufino Sescon Jr. of the Diocese of Balanga celebrated the closing Mass of the festival on 9 January at Rizal Park Luneta, before the start of the annual Traslacion of the Black Nazarene. He urged the faithful to accept the sufferings of life as Christ did to save humanity, becoming humble and expressing God's love for all: Humble yourselves for the sake of mercy and love. Sescon, former rector of Quiapo Church, also spoke about the problem of corruption that has plagued the country in recent months. "In our country today, there are people who refuse to resign even when they are already in the wrong and exposed; who refuse to resign even when they are a burden to the nation; who refuse to resign even though the poor are already suffering; who refuse to resign even though the country is flooded and falling apart; who refuse to resign even if they are unworthy. Father Robert Arellano, parish vicar of Quiapo Church, said the annual festival is a testament to the people's devotion to Jesus. However, it should help people develop a social conscience to transform society with God's love and compassion for people with Gospel values. The faithful must be aware of social realities. Mariel Borja, mother of three children, told AsiaNews: I participated in the procession as a simple and ordinary Catholic to express my gratitude to God for the blessings he has given us. She added: Seeing the huge crowd strengthens my faith." Clement Alejo, a young church volunteer, added: I thank God for giving me the opportunity, for more than a decade, to witness my faith and devotion to Jesus Nazarene at the Quirino Grandstand. Even though my voice has changed, my weight has increased and my knees are weaker, my faith and gratitude have never wavered. The case of alleged genocide by Myanmars military against the Rohingya in 2017 has opened at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The case, initiated by Gambia, comes after years of international inertia, in a context currently marked by deep political and military upheavals in Myanmar. The 2021 coup, the ongoing civil war, and shifting alliances on the ground are making the trial increasingly disconnected from current reality. The Hague (AsiaNews/Agencies) The case involving the alleged genocide committed by the Myanmar military against the Rohingya, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group concentrated in Myanmar's western Rakhine state, opened today at the United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. According to Dawda Jallow, Gambian Justice Minister, who presented the case to the UN tribunal that deals with disputes between states, Myanmars armed forces (Tatmadaw) deliberately targeted the group in order to wipe it out. "It is not about esoteric issues of international law. It is about real people, real stories and a real group of human beings. The Rohingya of Myanmar. They have been targeted for destruction," Jallow told the ICJ. In 2017, the violence by the military, now engaged in a bloody civil war, sparked the exodus of some 750,000 Rohingya to neighbouring Bangladesh, while the military coup on 1 February 2021 and the ensuing conflict have since prevented the return of the displaced. Among those who remained in Rakhine, many young people have been forced to join the army to fight the Arakan Army, one of the militias that make up the anti-junta resistance and which take several regions in the state. The court will not address this issue, which represents a reversal of the previous situation. The trial is the first genocide case to be fully examined by the ICJ in over a decade, and the outcome is likely to have repercussions beyond Myanmar, including South Africa's petition against Israel over its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. A 2017 United Nations fact-finding mission concluded that Myanmars armed forces had carried out "acts of genocide. At the time, the Myanmar government, led by democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, rejected the report, saying that military action was part of a legitimate counterterrorism campaign in response to attacks by Rohingya armed groups. The violence was, in fact, sparked by attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) against Myanmar army bases. ARSA has continued to commit crimes and targeted killings, especially in Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. In 2021, for example, gunmen killed Mohib Ullah, a popular Muslim leader who had founded the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights, an organisation that advocates for the rights of displaced people. In recent years, Bangladeshi authorities have arrested several ARSA members, including the group's leader, Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi. In 2017, Aung San Suu Kyi, who was imprisoned by the military after the 2021 coup, was accused of supporting the army, thus bearing some responsibility for the Rohingya "genocide". In fact, her youngest son, Kim Aris, and several Myanmar observers have repeatedly stressed that the then state counsellor[*] was trying to avoid a direct clash with the generals. It is no coincidence that in 2019 the Nobel Peace Prize winner defined the genocide accusations presented by Gambia as incomplete and misleading. Subsequent events once again confirmed this interpretation. Since 2024, Myanmars military have recruited ARSA fighters to use against the Arakan Army, which in turn accuses the ARSA of forcibly recruiting young people and targeting civilians. While the Myanmar junta continues to deny the genocide accusations, the National Unity Government (NUG), composed of exiled lawmakers from the last democratically elected parliament, said that it accepted and welcomed" the UN tribunal's jurisdiction, adding that it had "withdrawn all preliminary objections lodged in the case. The NUG, in a reversal of its political stance, acknowledged its mistakes, which, it said, enabled grave atrocities against the Rohingya. In the statement released before the hearing, the lawmakers used this very word, which Aung San Suu Kyi herself had refused to use. Usually, in Myanmar the Rohingya are referred to as Bengalis, claiming that they are migrants originally from Bangladesh and so not entitled to Myanmar citizenship. For its part, after enduring persecution, the Rohingya hope the case will bring them justice. We want justice and peace, said 37-year-old Janifa Begum, a mother of two, speaking to Al Jazeera. Our women lost their dignity when the military junta launched the eviction. They burned villages, killed men, and women became victims of widespread violence. We are hoping for a positive result that will tell the world that Myanmar committed genocide, and we are the victims of that and we deserve justice, said Yousuf Ali speaking to Reuters. The 52-year-old Rohingya refugee says that Myanmar soldiers tortured him. The hearings at the ICJ are expected to last three weeks, but the various sessions will be closed to the public and the media for reasons of confidentiality and privacy. [*] De facto head of government. Figures released by the governments Statistical Committee show Russian-Armenian trade shrinking by about half, to $6.7 billion in January-November 2025. Russia still accounted for 35.5 percent of Armenias overall foreign trade, followed by China (12.5 percent) and the European Union (11.8 percent). Russian officials repeatedly pointed to the downward trend last summer and fall. One of them, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk, said Russian companies are becoming wary of working with Armenia amid lingering tensions between Moscow and Yerevan. Analysts in Yerevan believe that the main reason for the sharp fall in Russian-Armenian trade is that Armenia has stopped being a key conduit for large-scale exports of Russian gold and diamonds to world markets and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in particular. Armenian exports to the UAE surged more than fivefold in 2024 because of that. They shrank almost as rapidly, to $1.7 billion, in January-November 2025, according to the Statistical Committee. Separate data from the Armenian customs service similarly shows a fourfold plunge in Armenias gold exports in the first half of 2025. Gold produced in the South Caucasus country clearly accounted for a fraction of them. Russian-Armenian trade had risen dramatically since Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the resulting Western sanctions against Moscow. Armenian entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the sanctions by re-exporting many Western-manufactured goods to Russia. The lucrative continued on a large scale last year. In particular, Armenia exported $332 million worth of mobile phones in the first half. An Armenian company importing and re-exporting most of them became countrys single largest corporate taxpayer during that period, surpassing its largest mining enterprise, key fuel importers and the natural gas distribution network. Tensions between Moscow and Yerevan have steadily grown in recent years, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian seeking to reorient his country towards the West and the EU in particular. Pashinians government underlined that dramatic foreign policy change in April 2025 when it enacted a law calling for the start of a process of Armenia's accession to the European Union. Moscow deplored the move, calling it the beginning of Armenia's withdrawal from the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). Russian officials have repeatedly warned that Armenia risks losing its tariff-free access to Russias vast market and having to pay much more for Russian natural gas and foodstuffs. Yerevan maintains that it does not intend to leave the EEU. Still, Pashinian stated last summer that Armenia will eventually have to choose between the EU and the Russian-led trade bloc. 12 January 2026 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more In the current global economic environment, a countrys geostrategic position and the effective use of this advantage are among the main factors influencing economic growth. For energy-rich Azerbaijan, hydrocarbons remain a key source of revenue, yet it is the countrys location at the crossroads of Eurasia that offers long-term, sustainable economic dividends. Historically a bridge between East and West, Azerbaijan is now reclaiming this role through the development of the Middle Corridor, a transport route whose full potential is only beginning to emerge. The Middle Corridor, also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), connects China and East Asia with Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus, and Turkiye. While long regarded as an alternative to the Northern and Southern routes, recent geopolitical shifts, supply-chain diversification, and infrastructure investments are rapidly transforming the corridor into a primary trade artery. According to research by Germany-based Rhenus Logistics, one of the worlds leading multimodal transport and supply chain management companies, cargo volumes on the ChinaAzerbaijanEurope route could double by 2030. According to the company, container traffic along the Trans-Caspian route has grown by approximately 3540 percent annually over the past two years, rising from 1.5 million tons in 2022 to around 3.2 million tons in 2024. The company attributes this growth to the restructuring of global supply chains, the demand for more resilient logistics routes, and targeted investments in key hubs such as Baku, Aktau, and Kuryk. Importantly, the Middle Corridor has evolved from a contingency route into a core logistics solution. Improved coordination among railways in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, coupled with the expansion of port capacity on the Caspian Sea, is laying the groundwork for sustained cargo growth. If current trends continue, the routes throughput could double within the next five years. Azerbaijans role in this transformation is pivotal. As the only country on the Middle Corridor with direct access to both the Caspian Sea and the South Caucasus transport network, it functions as the corridors central logistical hinge. Investments in the Port of Baku, the BakuTbilisiKars (BTK) railway, digital customs systems, and fleet modernization in the Caspian Sea have significantly increased transit capacity and reduced delivery times. President Ilham Aliyev has repeatedly emphasized that the Middle Corridor is not merely an infrastructure project, but a strategic pillar of Azerbaijans economic policy. In a recent interview, he underlined that China will be the main driver of future cargo growth along the route. According to the President, Beijing is financing major railway projects toward the Caspian Sea, including lines through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan - investments worth billions of dollars despite challenging terrain requiring extensive tunnels and bridges. This, the President noted, is a clear signal that freight volumes heading toward the Caspian, and therefore Azerbaijan, will increase substantially. Additional cargo from China and Central Asia will, in turn, ensure the full operationalization of the EastWest axis via the Middle Corridor. Despite its strong growth trajectory, the Middle Corridor still faces several structural challenges: Fragmented coordination among corridor countries, leading to inconsistencies in tariffs, documentation, and transit times; Capacity constraints in ports, railways, and ferry services across the Caspian Sea during peak periods; Regulatory and customs inefficiencies, particularly at border crossings; Cost competitiveness, as the corridor must balance speed advantages against higher multimodal handling costs compared to traditional sea routes. Without addressing these issues, the corridor risks losing momentum precisely at a time when global demand for alternative routes is accelerating. The solution lies in deeper regional cooperation and institutional alignment. Harmonizing tariffs, digitizing customs procedures, and introducing unified scheduling and tracking systems across the corridor would significantly improve predictability and cost efficiency. Publicprivate partnerships can help align infrastructure development with market demand. Equally important is the diversification of routes within the corridor itself. In this context, President Ilham Aliyev has highlighted the strategic importance of the Zangezur Corridor. Beyond reconnecting mainland Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the route would serve as an additional international transport link to the West. As the President noted, Azerbaijan currently has only one railway route to Western markets; the addition of a second would enhance competitiveness, prevent monopolization of transit flows, and allow for more flexible and competitive pricing. For a landlocked country, such redundancy is not a luxury but a strategic necessity. The Middle Corridors expansion promises not only higher transit revenues for Azerbaijan but also broader economic revitalization across the region. By linking China, Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe through a resilient, diversified route, the corridor strengthens regional interdependence and reduces vulnerability to external shocks. As global trade continues to adjust to new geopolitical and economic realities, the Middle Corridor is increasingly positioned as a long-term solution rather than a temporary alternative. With sustained investment, coordinated policies, and strong international partnerships, Azerbaijan stands to consolidate its role as a key Eurasian logistics hub - turning geography into an enduring economic advantage. 12 January 2026 14:02 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Ever since the USs extraordinary, yet somewhat classic change-of-regime act in Venezuela a week ago, the idea of a so-called, long-signalled New World Order has most definitely made its comeback once again. But has it, really? The occurrence shook the world by storm. Even if Uncle Sams intervention in Caracas was predicted or expected by many for quite some time, it happened in a rather different way. In early December, a planned mission dubbed Operation Absolute Resolve was finalised. It was the result of months of meticulous planning and rehearsals, reportedly including elite US troops creating an exact, full-scale replica of Maduros Caracas safe house to practise their entry routes. The plan, amounting to an extraordinary US military intervention in Latin America not seen since the Cold War, was closely guarded. Congress was neither informed nor consulted ahead of time. With the precise details set, top military officials simply waited for optimal conditions to launch. Loud explosions were heard in Caracas at around 02:00 local time, with plumes of smoke rising over the city. Reportedly, more than 150 aircraft were involved, and within nearly four hours, the mission was declared complete - Maduro was captured. The world was left in shock. No one truly knew what was happening, nor did anyone have the chance to fully process how it happened. In a world where AI has already confused peoples perception of reality, many refused to believe the operation at all. Even when Donald Trump posted a photo of himself in a Nike tracksuit, with blindfolds visible in the background, it looked too unserious - too much like AI slop. Yet, it was reality. Statements soon followed from the infamous White House, and the global reaction machine went into full motion. One argument circulated around realist ideas: this is the new reality, the New World Order has begun, every dictator should be careful now. This camp predominantly supported the legitimisation of US intervention. The other side leaned toward liberalism: this is an act of violence, this is the destruction of the world order, and similar claims. Imagine an act so shocking, even if expected, that both sides could be easily challenged in their positions. Realists appeared less vulnerable to critique, yet their argument is unsettling in itself. This was not done because a system collapsed from within; it was done in a far more direct and, in many ways, more atrocious manner. With regime loyalists previously clinging to power, the intervention appears contradictory even to the logic of stability that realism often claims to defend. Liberals, on the other hand, viewed this as the beginning of catastrophic developments, as the US points its interest towards Greenland, which can potentially lead to global confrontation. Yet, scenes of Venezuelan citizens celebrating the capture in a festive manner tested nearly every argument put forward. Hopefully, this briefly explains the situation. But deep down, there is more to it than meets the eye. Let us return to the main question: has the New World Order truly emerged? As much as it was easy to predict Venezuelas regime change, answering this question is far more difficult. From a subjective perspective, yes - it has emerged, but not a week ago. What we are witnessing now may be a transitional phase, or perhaps the climax of processes long in motion. The creation of the United Nations stands as a relevant historical parallel. The birth of a new order or system has always been contentious. The period leading to this common framework was deeply bloody. From the late nineteenth century until the end of World War II, millions were sacrificed, and multiple regime changes marked the painful emergence of a new system. History, as often said, repeats itself, only the conditions, resources, and methods differ. This raises a crucial question: what factors come into play if an existing system is weakened or destroyed and a new one begins to form? risk-taking, often irresponsible leaders, public opinion that edits everything, struggles with serious argumentation, and operates in a world of symbols, loving or hating without nuance, easily reshaped through algorithms Perhaps dismantling the current system and replacing it entirely is not as accessible as some suggest. As mentioned, although the idea of dissolving the UN has been raised at various moments, shared interests have consistently outweighed such ambitions. As the saying goes, if something is not broken, why try to fix it? The US appears to be returning to a Monroe Doctrinestyle approach, yet the developments in Venezuela expose clear contradictions. On one hand, Washington frames the intervention as a defence of democracy and stability in its near abroad. Rather than opening space for a political reset, Maduros capture has produced a familiar outcome. Delcy Rodriguez, his vice-president since 2018 and a core figure of the chavista elite, was sworn in as acting leader days after the operation. A lifelong loyalist shaped by revolutionary ideology and ruthless pragmatism, Rodriguez now embodies the central contradiction of the intervention: a regime change that leaves the regime intact. Washington reportedly viewed her as one of the few figures capable of stabilising the system if Maduro fell, and she has since oscillated between calls for co-operation with the United States and fierce denunciations of its military aggression to placate hardliners at home. Her record, spanning crackdowns on the opposition, control over intelligence services, and later technocratic reforms to keep the system afloat, suggests continuity rather than rupture. In effect, power has shifted not away from chavismo, but inward, reinforcing the very structure the intervention claimed to challenge. On the other hand, the method, unilateral, secretive, and dismissive of international mechanisms, undermines the very order it claims to protect. Similar inconsistencies emerge when viewed alongside US interests in Greenland, where strategic calculations overshadow proclaimed liberal principles. What we see is not a coherent new order, but selective enforcement of power. Francis Fukuyama, an international relations scholar, famously argues that history should be understood as an evolutionary process, with liberal democracy representing its final form. The last man, in this sense, is a passive nihilist, risk-averse, exhausted, and seeking comfort above all else. While this latter description feels increasingly realistic, the former claim appears less convincing when confronted with Venezuela, Greenland, and broader geopolitical behaviour. Rather than Fukuyamas end of history, todays dynamics resemble something closer to Huntingtons logic: a world shaped by power blocs, civilisational instincts, and recurring conflict. Venezuela, then, is not the moment the New World Order was born, nor is it proof that one has cleanly replaced the old. It is something more ambiguous and, perhaps, more troubling. What we are witnessing might not be the emergence of new rules, but the increasing comfort with acting as if rules are optional. Power is being exercised more openly, more theatrically, and with less concern for process, yet without offering an alternative framework to replace what is being hollowed out. The language of a new reality obscures this uncertainty. If anything, the intervention exposes how dependent the current system remains on improvisation, selective enforcement, and narrative management rather than coherent order-building. Regime change without regime change, legitimacy claimed without institutions, and stability pursued through shock all suggest not transition, but drift. What Venezuela reveals instead is a system that still exists, but is increasingly stretched, bent, and bypassed. The danger, then, may not be that a new order is arriving, but that the old one is being eroded without anything solid ready to take its place. If a New World Order is truly emerging, it would announce itself through new norms, enduring structures, and widely accepted rules of behavior. Perhaps the "blueprint" has already been created; who knows? [image source: The Guardian, Matt Kenyon] SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Truth Social Funds, a suite of America First-themed exchange-traded funds, together with Yorkville America, LLC ("Yorkville America"), the parent company to Yorkville America Equities, LLC, the registered investment adviser to the Truth Social Funds, today announced the appointment of Steve Neamtz as President of Yorkville America, effective immediately. In his new role, Mr. Neamtz will oversee Yorkville America Equities' day-to-day operations, strategic growth initiatives, and expansion of its investment-management platform. He will work closely with senior leadership to support the firm's long-term vision, strengthen operational infrastructure, and advance the firm's product development and distribution efforts. "Steve brings deep experience in asset management, operations, and strategic leadership," said Troy Rillo, Chief Executive Officer of Yorkville America Equities. "His background and execution-oriented approach make him an excellent fit as we continue to scale Yorkville America and broaden access to differentiated investment solutions aligned with American innovation and economic leadership." Mr. Neamtz brings more than three decades of leadership experience across asset management, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and registered investment products, including senior executive roles at Vest Financial Group, Virtus Partners, AIG SunAmerica, and Natixis Funds. Mr. Neamtz has played a central role in building, scaling, and overseeing investment platforms spanning ETFs, mutual funds, and institutional strategies. "I'm excited to join Yorkville America at an important moment in the firm's evolution and oversee the development and growth of the Truth Social ETF platform and related investment-strategy businesses," said Mr. Neamtz. "Yorkville America has established a compelling investment philosophy and a strong foundation, and I look forward to working with the team to drive continued growth and deliver value for investors." Yorkville America continues to expand its investment platform, including the recent launch of the Truth Social Funds, a suite of America First-themed exchange-traded funds, and expects to pursue additional product initiatives in 2026 and beyond About Yorkville America Yorkville America, LLC, a Florida-based asset management firm, specializes in providing branded investment products centered around America First-themed businesses. With extensive knowledge of capital markets and the securities industry, Yorkville America caters to the specific needs of its clients by offering tailored investment products. For more information, visit yorkvilleamerica.com. About Yorkville America Equities Yorkville America Equities is a registered investment adviser focused on developing America First strategies. The firm seeks to deliver client-focused solutions that support U.S.-based companies aligned with national priorities. The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly notice filed or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. Additional Important Disclosures may be found in our Form ADV Part 2A, which can be found at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/336431. About Truth Social Funds The Truth Social Funds are a newly launched suite of America First-themed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) designed to provide investors with exposure to U.S.-focused innovation, energy independence, national security, and domestic economic leadership. The ETFs are sponsored by Truth Social Funds and are advised by Yorkville America Equities. Learn more at www.truthsocialfunds.com. Disclaimer This press release is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities. Any references to investment products or strategies are for descriptive purposes only. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. A prospectus and, if applicable, a summary prospectus or statement of additional information contain this and other information and may be obtained from the issuer or by visiting the applicable fund website. Please read these materials carefully before investing. SOURCE Truth Social Funds 12 January 2026 17:08 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The regime that came to power in the aftermath of Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution has weathered countless challenges, such as wars, sanctions, internal unrest, and sustained international pressure. Time and again, both domestic and foreign opponents have declared that the Islamic Republic was nearing its end. Yet each time, the state survived: sometimes through brutal repression, sometimes by selectively ignoring dissent and allowing public anger to burn itself out. The protests that erupted in Tehrans Grand Bazaar on December 28, 2025, however, feel different. They spread rapidly across the country, and according to various reports, more than 500 people have already lost their lives. Many observers argue that these demonstrations are more serious than any Iran has faced in recent decades. Frankly, they are not entirely wrong. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has never been caught between a rock and a hard place quite like this. One of the most striking elements of the current unrest is the role of bazaar merchants. Historically, across much of the Muslim East, bazaar communities have served as a political barometer. Most of the time, they have remained loyal to ruling authorities and religious leadership, avoiding open confrontation. Yet history also shows that when bazaar merchants do join protests, regimes tend to retreat, or collapse altogether. The bazaars pivotal role in the 1979 Islamic Revolution is a case in point. At the same time, Irans regional position has weakened dramatically. In 2024, several senior figures linked to Irans regional network were killed, and key proxy structures were dismantled following Israeli strikes. Military infrastructure was targeted, shattering the narrative that Irans forward defence strategy across the Middle East guaranteed security at home. For years, the leadership argued that economic hardship was the price of long-term protection and a brighter future. The recent confrontation made it painfully clear to many Iranians that those sacrifices may have been in vain. Adding to this pressure, protesters appear to have learned from past movements, particularly the demonstrations that followed the death of Mahsa Amini. They have become more organised, more daring, and more symbolic in their actions. In recent days, demonstrators have reportedly displayed the bodies of those killed during protests in the streets. This evokes powerful historical parallels, including Azerbaijans experience after the January 20, 1990, massacre, when public funerals became a turning point and a final nail in the coffin of Soviet legitimacy. The key question now is whether these protests can actually bring down the regime. Looking at recent developments in Iran and across the Middle East, three broad scenarios emerge. The first scenario is continuity. Based on available information, the authorities have so far managed, however imperfectly, to retain control. Given the balance of power on the ground, it would be premature to claim that the regime is on the brink of collapse. As in the past, the protests may eventually subside or be forcibly silenced, allowing life in Iran to continue much as before. The second scenario involves gradual secularisation rather than outright regime change. While Iran is governed through religious ideology, its population is arguably among the most secular in the Middle East. The protests following Mahsa Aminis death forced the state, for the first time, to visibly retreat: enforcement of mandatory hijab rules was relaxed or quietly suspended. This marked a rare admission of weakness. If current or future demonstrations persist, clerics and religious institutions may slowly lose political influence, with power shifting, directly or indirectly, from the supreme religious leadership toward elected institutions, particularly the presidency. The third and most alarming scenario is one that deeply concerns Irans neighbours, especially Azerbaijan. In this outcome, protests would escalate further, evolving into sustained violence and eventually civil war, resembling Syrias trajectory. Some early warning signs are already visible. In Syria, harsh military crackdowns turned protests into armed conflict. In Iran, clashes with security forces have already claimed hundreds of lives, and even high-ranking officials, including Brigadier General Javad Keshavarz, have reportedly been killed. Should Iran slide into such a scenario, the consequences would be severe for the entire region. For Azerbaijan, they could be existential. Figuratively speaking, Azerbaijan might survive a war with Iran, but it could not survive a war inside Iran. Several factors make this risk especially acute. Iran is home to nearly 30 million ethnic Azerbaijanis, as well as close to a million Talysh people. Azerbaijan is the most secular state among Irans neighbours and, after Iran itself, the country with the largest Shiite population. Iran is also home to millions of Kurds, one of the most politically active groups in both Iran and Turkiye. History offers a telling precedent: during the late Soviet period, when Muslims were expelled from Armenia, Kurdish Muslims overwhelmingly chose Azerbaijan, not Iran, Iraq, or Turkiye, as their refuge, despite Azerbaijans weaker economy at the time. All this suggests that any large-scale collapse or civil conflict in Iran could trigger refugee flows toward Azerbaijan that dwarf the countrys own population. The final and most sobering question, therefore, is this: could Azerbaijans economy, and society, absorb such a shock? 12 January 2026 12:49 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The Shirvan crane vessel, operated by ASCO, a subsidiary of AZCON Holding, has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, the company has announced, Azernews reports. According to ASCO, the repairs were carried out at the Bibiheybt Ship Repair Yard and covered a wide range of technical systems. During the refurbishment, the vessels winch system, oil and water coolers, air tank fittings, pumps of various purposes, separators, compressors, auxiliary engine generators, electric motors, and piping systems were repaired. In addition, automation, navigation equipment, and electrical systems were thoroughly inspected and serviced. Renovation work was also conducted in the crews living quarters, sanitary facilities, and dining areas, while watertight doors, portholes, and ventilation hatches were repaired. The vessels 100-ton crane boom was dismantled, overhauled, and reinstalled, with all crane wires replaced. Following completion of the work, the crane system and onboard mechanisms successfully passed sea trials. The vessel was subsequently handed over to classification society representatives. 12 January 2026 19:57 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Some people attribute the creation of the world to a random explosion, a matter of pure chance. Yet a closer look at political processes suggests that little of consequence unfolds without design. Recent history, in particular, reveals how carefully chosen dates often carry messages that go far beyond the events themselves. Take 24 February as a case in point. In 1976, Argentinas military coup unfolded on that day. In 2022, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on the same date. Two years later, amid escalating tensions, 24 February again became the moment when the most extensive sanctions packages were imposed. Symbolism, clearly, was not incidental. The same pattern appears on 20 March. On 20 March 2003, the United States invaded Iraq. Exactly eight years later, NATO began its intervention in Libya on the same day. Political historians have long argued that the selection of dates for major actions is rarely accidental. Such timing often serves as a signal, embedding events within deeper narratives and foreshadowing further developments. In short, history is choreographed as much as it is recorded. Today, political history appears to be turning yet another page. Donald Trump, the 47th president of the United States, is often dismissed as a theatrical or even comic figure. Yet beneath the bravado lies a method marked by timing and calculation. Unlike other leaders, Trump frequently delivers his messages through irony, ridicule, or calculated humiliation of his adversaries. Most striking is his apparent fixation on 3 January. On 3 January 2020, as the world was bracing itself for the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump sent a stark message to Tehran: Irans top general, Qasem Soleimani, was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad at around 02:15 local time. Five years later, history appeared to rhyme. On the same date, and at a comparable hour, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was captured following a two-hour operation, reportedly concluding at 01:00 Caracas time. The convergence of both date and hour suggests deliberate symbolism rather than coincidence, perhaps the most enigmatic aspect of Trumps strategic thinking. Events unfolding in Iran today also seem laden with historical resonance. The Iranian Islamic Revolution began on 7 January 1978. Now, on the same calendar dates, mass protests challenge the very system born of that revolution. It is not without reason that the saying goes: time, indeed, cures all ills, or exposes them. 12 January 2026 17:32 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more A political consultation was held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan and Sudan, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received Sudans Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Muawiya Osman Khalid. During the meeting, the bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda between the two countries was discussed, including the current situation and security issues in the wider region. The sides noted the importance of political dialogue in the development of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Sudan, as well as cooperation within multilateral platforms. The importance of the consultation mechanism between the foreign ministries, as well as mutual visits, was emphasized. Sudans active participation in COP29 and the importance of cooperation within the framework of the World Urban Forum to be held this year were also highlighted. Cooperation between the two countries within international organizations, particularly the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement, was welcomed. The meeting also discussed cooperation in the fields of energy, humanitarian affairs, education, ASAN service, and other areas. Gratitude was expressed for the allocation of educational scholarships by Azerbaijan to Sudanese students. The meeting also included an exchange of views on other regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest. On the same day, political consultations were held between the foreign ministries of Azerbaijan and Sudan. The consultations were led by Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev from the Azerbaijani side and by Muawiya Osman Khalid from the Sudanese side. 12 January 2026 08:00 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Britain has called for careful multilateral discussion after reports emerged that the United States considered the use of military force to acquire Greenland, a move opposed by Denmark and the islands residents. Analysts warn the situation could test NATO cohesion and Europes strategic influence. Labour leader Keir Starmer described Greenland as one of the moments when the British government must stand its ground. The island, long recognised for its strategic Arctic position, has increasingly attracted attention from major powers, including Russia and China, as melting ice opens up the Northern Passage and new trade routes. Experts say NATO has historically overlooked Greenlands military significance, leaving the alliance unprepared for emerging Arctic security challenges. European members have been criticised for prioritising financial contributions over substantive strategic planning, creating a vacuum filled by bilateral negotiations among a few influential capitals. The UKs role in NATO has also been affected by past interventions, including the Iraq war, which analysts say weakened Britains influence within the alliance. Observers emphasise the importance of adhering to multilateral frameworks such as the UN Security Council to ensure smaller nations voices are heard in disputes involving strategic territories like Greenland and countries such as Venezuela. The challenge is to rethink the world order and respect international bodies designed to resolve peace and security issues, said a former diplomat. Unilateral approaches risk undermining NATO and eroding Europes credibility. Greenlands future is increasingly linked to global security considerations, highlighting the need for careful diplomacy and coordinated action among NATO members, European states, and transatlantic partners. 12 January 2026 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Syrias Interior Ministry said on Sunday that its security teams had dismantled explosive devices allegedly planted by the YPG/SDF inside civilian homes and along streets in the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood of Aleppo. In a statement, the ministry said specialised units conducting security sweeps in the area neutralised several explosive materials described as prepared for terrorist use. These included a vehicle rigged with mortar shells and a large number of suicide drones discovered inside residential properties. The teams also dismantled improvised explosive devices planted inside houses and on street edges, the statement said. During field operations, security personnel detected a booby-trapped rocket, which was handled and disposed of in accordance with approved technical procedures. According to the ministry, the explosives and suicide drones were transferred to secure locations, while the booby-trapped rocket was detonated under direct supervision without causing casualties or material damage. The announcement follows days of heightened violence in Aleppo. Since Tuesday, the SDF has shelled residential areas, civilian facilities and Syrian Army positions, killing at least 24 people, injuring nearly 130 and displacing around 165,000 residents from the Ashrafieh and Sheikh Maqsoud districts, according to official figures. In March 2025, Syrias presidency announced an agreement for the integration of the SDF into state institutions, reaffirming the countrys territorial unity and rejecting any form of division. This was followed in April by a separate agreement covering the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighbourhoods, recognising them as administrative parts of Aleppo while respecting their local particularities. The agreement included provisions banning armed activity in the districts, limiting weapons to internal security forces, and requiring SDF military units to withdraw to areas east of the Euphrates in northeastern Syria. However, Syrian authorities say the SDF has failed to comply with the terms of the agreements in the months since. The Syrian government has intensified security operations nationwide following the ousting of the Assad regime in December 2024, ending more than two decades of rule. 12 January 2026 11:16 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran has proposed negotiations with Washington following his warning that the United States could strike the Islamic Republic over its violent crackdown on demonstrators, as activists reported that at least 544 people have been killed in protests across the country, Azernews reports via Politico. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said his administration is considering a range of responses, including cyberattacks and direct military strikes by the United States or Israel. According to sources familiar with internal White House discussions, these options are being actively reviewed by Trump and his national security team. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Trump said. Responding to Irans warnings of retaliation, he added: If they do that, we will hit them at levels that theyve never been hit before. Trump stated that contacts are underway to arrange a meeting with Tehran, but stressed that developments on the ground could force Washington to act before any talks take place. I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, he said. Iran wants to negotiate. He reiterated that Iran had reached out directly: The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of whats happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate. There was no immediate confirmation from Iranian officials regarding the proposed talks. At the same time, Tehran warned that U.S. and Israeli forces would be considered legitimate targets if military force is used to protect protesters. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, more than 10,600 people have been detained during the past two weeks of unrest. The group reported that 496 protesters and 48 members of the security forces were among the dead. The Associated Press noted that it has been unable to independently verify these figures, as Iran has not released official casualty numbers. With internet access severely restricted and phone lines cut, assessing the scale of the protests from outside Iran has become increasingly difficult. Activists and observers fear that the information blackout may be enabling hardliners within Irans security services to intensify the crackdown. Despite the restrictions, protests reportedly continued over the weekend in Tehran and other major cities, with videos circulating online and at least one Tehran official acknowledging the demonstrations in state media. 12 January 2026 16:19 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The son of ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro has said his father is well while imprisoned in the United States, where he faces trial on drug trafficking charges, Azernews reports. Nicolas Maduro Guerra, widely known as Nicolasito, cited a message from his father relayed through lawyers in a video published on January 10 by a party official. Quoting his father, Maduro Guerra said: The lawyers have told us he is strong. He said we should not be sad, that we are well, we are fighters. He added that Maduro had resisted all attempts to defeat him, even in the face of disproportionate force, but they did not succeed. He is strong. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during a major US military and lawenforcement operation in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, officials said. The mission, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve, involved coordinated strikes, deployment of special forces, and the disabling of Venezuelan airdefence systems in and around Caracas. The couple was flown to the United States to face federal charges, including drug trafficking and narcoterrorism. US President Donald Trump announced the operations success, calling it a necessary step to confront alleged criminal conduct in Venezuela and asserting that the US would oversee a political transition. Trump also suggested that American oil companies could invest in repairing the countrys energy infrastructure. The raid was violent: Pentagon officials confirmed several US personnel were injured, though none fatally, while independent reports indicated dozens of Venezuelan and allied casualties. International reactions were sharply divided. The United Nations and other global leaders raised concerns about the legality of the operation and its potential impact on regional stability, warning that it may violate international law and Venezuelan sovereignty. Maduro has pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court, rejecting US jurisdiction and insisting he remains Venezuelas legitimate president. 12 January 2026 17:15 (UTC+04:00) Former Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili has been arrested and sentenced to prison, the Prosecutor Generals Office of Georgia has announced, Azernews reports. According to the prosecution, Garibashvili was found guilty of legalizing large amounts of illegal income and was sentenced to five years in prison. The court also imposed a fine of 1 million lari (approximately $371,000) and ordered the confiscation of proceeds obtained through criminal activity. The prosecutors office stated that during his tenure as Minister of Defense and Prime Minister between 2019 and 2024, Garibashvili engaged in various commercial activities from which he received illegal income. Investigators allege that these funds were falsely declared in his tax returns as money received as a gift from a family member. Garibashvili pleaded guilty during the trial. According to prosecutors, he possessed around $7 million in cash and assets obtained through criminal means, part of which has already been confiscated by the authorities. Earlier, Georgian law enforcement agencies conducted searches at several properties allegedly linked to Garibashvili and members of his inner circle. During these operations, investigators seized significant sums of money and other assets as part of the ongoing case. 13 January 2026 00:40 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more U.S. President Donald Trump has declared himself the Acting President of Venezuela, making the claim through a post shared on Truth Social on January 12, Azernews reports. According to the post, Trump published an image styled as a Wikipedia entry stating that he would also serve as President of Venezuela starting from January 2026. The statement follows events on the night of January 3, when the United States reportedly carried out an operation in Caracas, resulting in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were subsequently deported. International law experts have described Maduros seizure as illegal. Since then, Trump has repeatedly asserted that the United States will govern Venezuela. However, Venezuelas interim President Delcy Rodriguez has rejected this narrative, insisting that the country remains under constitutional governance. Venezuela is governed by the people and its constitutional government. President Nicolas Maduro is still here, and I am responsible for governing the country in his absence, Rodriguez stated. The government led by Rodriguez has confirmed that talks have begun with the United States regarding the restoration of diplomatic missions. U.S. State Department officials have already been in Caracas, and the Venezuelan side is considering a reciprocal visit. Trump, for his part, said that Rodriguez is fully cooperating with Washington and that Caracas is providing the United States with everything it needs. VICENZA, Italy, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vicenzaoro returns from 16 to 20 January 2026, the first major international business platform of the year for the global jewellery supply chain. Organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) at the Vicenza Expo Centre (Italy), the show records another sold-out edition, with over 1,300 exhibiting brands. International exhibitors account for 40% of the total, with the strongest participation from Turkey, Hong Kong, Thailand, Germany, Belgium, Spain and India, confirming Vicenzaoro's role as a global marketplace. This edition marks the final transitional show before the opening of the new central pavilion, set to redefine the venue from Vicenzaoro September 2026. The exhibition spans the entire value chain, from high-end jewellery, gemstones and diamonds to components and manufacturing solutions, offering a forward-looking overview of the sector. It features new designs and product previews from leading Made in Italy and international players. Within this ecosystem, 170 exhibitors are part of T.Gold, the leading B2B exhibition for jewellery manufacturing machinery and production technologies, showcasing the industry's most advanced innovation and expertise. With visitors from around 140 countries, including key export markets such as the USA and the Middle East, and growing interest from Asia, Vicenzaoro also acts as a strategic observatory on trends and markets. "We focus on delivering strong business opportunities, high-quality content and an enhanced visitor experience so that our Jewellery Boutique Show is a business and innovation platform for the entire industry," says Matteo Farsura, global exhibition manager of Jewellery & Fashion Exhibitions at IEG. "New initiatives, such as the debut of the VO Awards and an expanded programme of talks and seminars with leading industry partners, reinforce Vicenzaoro's role as a global hub for networking, education and market intelligence." The new claim People Product Places reflects the economic ecosystem, where value is created and scaled globally through people, skills and relationships. "People, products and places have been the vital force behind Vicenzaoro's global leadership for more than 70 years," adds Farsura. "The new central pavilion, once completed, will give Vicenzaoro the home this industry deserves and open a new chapter in the development of the show and the entire sector." Alongside the B2B core of Vicenzaoro January, VO Vintage returns from 16 to 19 January as the dedicated B2C marketplace for high-end vintage watches and jewellery. More information is available on www.vicenzaoro.com. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/723307/Italian_Exhibition_Group_Logo.jpg Has the City of Washington, NC been managed by their elected local government, and their bureaucrats, in a fiscally responsible manner to better serve the people who pay their ever advancing property taxes? 8.33% Yes, rising property taxes are a necessity to maintain a progressive city.91.67% No, excessive funding of a poorly managed government can become a shell game of corruption.0% I am afraid to say. Bright and cheery postbox toppers have appeared in cities across the UK to celebrate the launch of The Snail Artist by an east Belfast author. The heartwarming tale for kids aged three to eight is based on 16 original paintings by Dawn Crothers, who is most famous for her artwork of slugs and other gastropods styled in a colourful palette. An alleged New IRA commander charged with the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell has claimed that fresh charges of possession of extreme pornography and an indecent image of a child are an attempt to smear him. Murdered Glenn Quinns family determined to catch paramilitary killers five years on The rogue terror group has been locked in discussions with British government negotiators for some time in an attempt to establish the conditions in which it can stand down and transition away from paramilitary activity. In Northern Ireland there are no age restrictions on who can get non-surgical cosmetic procedures (Getty) A nurse with decades of experience in the UKs beauty industry has called for tighter restrictions on non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Northern Ireland, arguing that children are being put at risk due to the lack of regulation. Amanda Cameron (70), a cosmetic nurse who has spent three decades in the role, said under-regulation has led to "irresponsible practitioners taking advantage, and potential clients having to do their own research to avail of Botox, fillers and other procedures. A number of party leaders in Northern Ireland have denounced social media platform X despite their continued presence on the site (Yui Mok/PA) First Minister Michelle ONeill has denounced social media site X as woefully inadequate after reports its AI chatbot Grok created and shared sexualised images of children. Regulator Ofcom has announced it has launched an investigation into the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. Alliance party leader Naomi Long described X as toxic and vile while SDLP leader Claire Hanna called the platform a cesspit. Infrastructure minister Liz Kimmins, Finance Minister John ODowd, Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle ONeill, Junior Minister Aisling Reilly and Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald (PA) DUP leader Gavin Robinson said there is clearly a vulnerability with the proliferation of explicit content but that Grok is not any more of a troublesome platform than other examples of AI. All, including the First Minister, have active accounts on X. In a statement Ofcom said there had been deeply concerning reports that the Grok AI chatbot is being used to create and share undressed images of people which may amount to intimate image abuse or pornography and sexualised images of children that may amount to child sexual abuse material. Ms ONeill said X had been woefully inadequate in dealing with the problems arising from use of the Grok AI tool. She said: I do believe the Government should step in and I think theres a lot more conversation to be had certainly here at a local level. There is legislation coming forward through the Department of Justice, were going to continue to work with Naomi Long in terms of what we can do, but we have that online protection legislation that was brought forward last year, thats now creating space for investigation, but yes, X has been woefully, woefully inadequate in terms of their response. DUP leader Gavin Robinson (right) and party colleague Gareth Wilson speaking to the media inside the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings, Stormont (David Young/PA) Its absolutely disgraceful and disgusting that any social media platform allows this type of illegal content to be created. The Sinn Fein vice-president said she does continue to use X, but that she will keep her communications under review. Unfortunately the reality is actions of one person will not make a difference, actions in a coordinated way across Governments can make a difference and I think thats the conversation and the space that were all now in, she said. She added: I think people are really, really angry, I am angry, thats why Im saying there is no platform that should be allowed to create this type of illegal content. After claiming he hadnt tweeted since 2017, Mr Robinson said: There is clearly a vulnerability across social media on the proliferation of explicit content and engineered content that is fake, causing people problems. He added: Im not sure that Grok is any more of a troublesome platform than other examples of AI, though clearly the X association has brought it more to the fore. SDLP leader Claire Hanna with party colleague and official Opposition leader Matthew OToole speaking to the media inside the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings (David Young/PA) Ms Long who is also the Justice Minister said she is working to make deepfake sexual content illegal. She said: Frankly, me leaving X or not leaving X will make absolutely no difference to Elon Musk or his moral compass. What will make a difference is the law, and thats what we are setting out to do. She added: I have to say that if I had a free choice and wasnt in the job Im in, I wouldnt be on X at the moment because it is absolutely toxic and vile, and I dont think theres much to be gained from being on the platform, but in this role where communication to a wide range of people is key, it is still the major platform for that communication. Ms Hanna described X in the Musk era as a cesspit saying, if you want to go and be insulted and believe less in humanity, X is the place to go. She went on to say her and her party will continue to use the platform in the way that were required to for our jobs, but in line with our values as well. Downing Street suggested the Government was open to leaving X if the company did not act. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said the Governments focus was on protecting children but was keeping its presence on X under review, adding: I think weve been clear that all options are on the table. GUANGZHOU, China, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- XPENG is ushering in 2026 with transformative momentum, reinforcing its strategic evolution into an AI-driven global technology leader. The company unveiled its next-generation flagship model, celebrated a critical production milestone, and introduced a revolutionary autonomous driving AI system, collectively marking a significant leap forward in intelligent mobility. XPENG Spring Product Launch Event Press Kit XPENG at the Brussels Motor Show Press Kit Global Product Expansion and Sustained Market Growth On January 8, XPENG officially launched the 2026 XPENG P7+ at its 2026 Spring Product Launch Event in Guangzhou. The new P7+, a premium AI-powered sedan available in both Super Extended-Range and all-electric configurations, is set for simultaneous rollout across 36 countries. Its pure-electric variant made its European debut at the Brussels Motor Show on January 9, where the XPENG P7+ also demonstrated its impressive cargo capacity on stage, as 33 pieces of 20-inch luggage were smoothly extracted from its spacious sedan interior. Engineered to global standards in R&D, manufacturing, and quality, the 2026 P7+ delivers 104 experience enhancements and a 36% renewal rate of core assembly components. Notably, the model has successfully completed trial production at the plant of XPENG's manufacturing partner Magna in Graz, Austria, underscoring the company's global operational readiness. This product offensive is bolstered by exceptional commercial traction. In 2025, XPENG achieved global deliveries of 429,445 vehicles, representing a remarkable 126% year-over-year growth. International markets were a standout contributor, with overseas deliveries surging 96% to 45,008 units. Momentum in Europe was particularly strong, where deliveries soared 126% to 22,787 units. XPENG's presence now spans 60 countries and regions, with the brand consistently ranking as the top-selling Chinese EV startup in key European markets, including Belgium, Norway, and France. AI Breakthrough: Introducing the Next-Generation VLA Central to XPENG's technology vision is the in-house developed second-generation Visual-Language-Action (VLA 2.0) model, hailed as the industry's first physical-AI system with foundational L4 autonomous driving capabilities. This innovation represents a paradigm shift by removing the conventional "language translation" intermediary, enabling end-to-end generation of driving commands directly from visual inputs. This architecture allows AI to interpret and interact with the real world more naturally and efficiently. The same VLA2.0 foundation powers XPENG's Robotaxi, which has already passed third-party closed-track testing and is preparing for public road trials. The VLA2.0 is scheduled to begin over-the-air deployment to customer vehicles starting March 2026. A Milestone of Scale and Trust: 100,000th P7+ Produced Marking a significant production achievement, the 100,000th XPENG P7+ rolled off the assembly line in Guangzhou on January 9. Chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng commemorated the milestone, stating, "This is more than a numerical achievement - it is a powerful validation of our technological progress and, most importantly, of the trust our users have placed in us." A dedicated owner delivery ceremony accompanied the celebration, highlighting the brand's focus on harmonizing advanced technology with human-centric engagement. Moving Forward as a Global Technology Leader The concurrent announcements of a globally launched flagship, record-setting international growth, a foundational AI advancement, and a key manufacturing milestone collectively signal XPENG's accelerated transition from an automaker to a technology architect. By leveraging its integrated, AI-defined software and hardware stack, XPENG is advancing beyond conventional automotive competition, positioning itself as a distinct and forward-looking leader in the next era of intelligent mobility worldwide. About XPENG XPENG is committed to leading the transformation of future mobility through technological exploration, positioning itself as "Explorer of Future Mobility". Headquartered in Guangzhou, China, the company operates R&D centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Zhaoqing, and Yangzhou, and has established intelligent manufacturing bases in Zhaoqing and Guangzhou. XPENG pursues a global strategy for research, development, and sales, with an R&D center in the United States and subsidiaries across multiple European countries. The company adheres to full-stack in-house development of intelligent driver-assistance software and the development of core hardware, delivering an exceptional intelligent driving and riding experience for users. On August 27, 2020, XPENG officially listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: XPEV), raising funds in an IPO that set a record at the time for the global new energy vehicle industry. On July 7, 2021, the company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 9868), becoming the first Chinese new-energy automaker to achieve dual primary listings in both Hong Kong and New York. For more information, please visit https://www.xpeng.com/ . Contacts: For Media Enquiries: Sarah Cheng, XPENG PR Department Email: [email protected] SOURCE XPENG Stock Image: Police attend the scene outside Carrickfergus A man has been arrested after a crash incident on Sunday evening close to a Co Antrim power station. Police said the crash happened on the Larne Road outside Carrickfergus at around 11.50pm. The Belfast Telegraph understands the car involved in crashed through a hedge close to Kilroot Power Station. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also attended the scene of the crash. It is understood two fire appliances from the nearby Carrickfergus Fire Station attended the incident shortly after midnight. Stock Image: Police attend the scene outside Carrickfergus News Catch Up - Monday 12 January A PSNI spokesperson said: One man was arrested on suspicion of driving offences and was released on bail to allow for further enquiries. There were no serious injuries reported. A victims campaigner has demanded an urgent explanation from the Irish Government over claims it pulled a file alleging that Gerry Kelly was a key IRA figure in the 1990s. Kenny Donaldson said the incident, which emerged at the weekend, risked destroying any prospect of building trust with those affected by the Troubles. The once-classified file had been published two weeks ago as part of a release of state papers by the National Archives in Dublin. It included a secret garda briefing note that included an assessment that Mr Kelly, a long-time MLA for North Belfast, was the most significant figure in the IRA in the mid-1990s. However, the file was later withdrawn, according to The Irish Times, who reported it was at the request of the Republics Department of Foreign Affairs. The department was approached on Saturday and again yesterday for an explanation, but did not reply. Mr Donaldson, who heads the SEFF victims group, said: At a time, when the Irish Government has claimed that it is committed to delivering maximum disclosure in respect of the Troubles, here we have a circumstance where released files already kept secret for 20 and 30 years are being recalled. This cannot happen in the absence of transparency as to why. According to The Irish Times, the file was pulled following urgent consultations between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice. Mr Donaldson said he would be seeking answers from the department, including who recalled the file, and why. He also questioned how many other files have been recalled in recent years. How on earth does the Irish Government believe it will build trust with victims and survivors of the Provisional IRA against the backdrop of actions such as this, and without openness and transparency as to why? Mr Donaldson added. These matters must be urgently addressed. Kenny Donaldson Mr Kelly and Sinn Fein were approached for comment and asked if either the party or Mr Kelly had requested the file be withdrawn. The document in question is a letter, written by assistant garda commissioner Noel Conroy, which identified Mr Kelly as the most dominant figure in the Provos in the 1990s. Mr Conroy wrote the briefing note to the Irish Department of Justice on May 21, 1996. It was addressed to the departments secretary general Tim Dalton and formed a two-page security analysis of the leadership of the IRA. It said: The current PIRA [Provisional Irish Republican Army] strategy continues to be dominated and controlled by the leadership of Gerry Kelly, Belfast; Brian Keenan, Belfast; Martin McGuinness, Derry; Pat Doherty, Donegal; and Thomas Slab Murphy, Louth. Gerry Kelly is emerging as the most dominant figure within this group. Martin Ferris is also emerging as highly influential in formulating strategy and is consulted and advised by the northern leadership on all major issues. In 1996, Mr Conroy was serving as the head of the Gardas critical Crime and Security branch. He later served as Garda Commissioner. Mr Kelly has previously appeared in several declassified files. One document from 1996, held by the National Archives in London, claimed Mr Kelly had been put in charge of the IRA reorganisation to ensure centralised control for the peace process. Mr Kelly said the allegation was not true. Mr Kelly had served a prison sentence for the 1973 Old Bailey bombing before escaping from prison. He became a Sinn Fein politician and played a central role in the peace process and Good Friday Agreement. He has been an MLA since being elected to the Assembly in 1998. In a separate incident last month, the Cabinet Office in London blamed an administrative error for mistakenly sharing official papers referring to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in declassified files. A No 10 file from 2004 and 2005 relating to royal visits was briefly made available to journalists before being withdrawn. The information was later redacted from the file before it was made public at the National Archives in Kew, west London. The Cabinet Office said the documents were never intended for public disclosure. It was a day of heavy lifting at Stormont as MLAs returned for the first Assembly session of the New Year, and the focus was firmly on what lies ahead. That, following a statement from Finance Minister John ODowd on his proposed draft multi-year budget, is more financial strain. Education Minister Paul Givan was also up for questions on a wide range of issues and ahead of the statement from the finance minister had detailed just what the proposals would mean for his department, saying that the threat would be there of widespread redundancies across the education workforce if the budget proposals went ahead. The draft budget proposals do not factor in expected overspends by Stormont departments, Finance Minister John ODowd told MLAs, with opposition leader Matthew OToole saying he was worried that the Executive would be entering the next financial year with a 500 million black hole. The proposal has not yet been agreed at Executive level but Mr ODowd said it was important that parties grasped this opportunity to agree a multi-year budget. The proposals I have brought forward for consultation follow political engagement and have been developed against the backdrop of an exceptionally constrained financial position, he said. They do not provide the level of funding I would wish to see directed at our public services. Instead, they reflect what is possible within the funding available. In this context it has not been possible to provide any department with the funding it has requested. Mr ODowd called for his ministerial colleagues to strive to improve efficiency in how our public services are delivered. This means harnessing technology, adopting innovative ideas and being prepared to consider options for raising additional revenue. Mr OToole said: One of my biggest concerns is the current overspends that are planned, particularly in the departments of education and health in relation to pay, those are not factored into these plans. Minister, that worries me. It feels like it is a 500 million black hole before we even get started next year. A large part of that black hole will be in education, with Minister Paul Givan warning that by 2028/29 his department would be expected to make savings of 1.15 billion which, he said, is simply not an option. 82% of the education budget is on staff costs, he said. The only realistic way to save is to move towards compulsory redundancies and there would be major cuts to schemes, uniform grants, free school meals, child care subsidies and school transport. Mr Givan also address concerns over school transport provision, with a review under way after it emerged that up to 83 per mile is being paid to taxi firms who provide services such as transporting children to school. The EA, which delivers school services in Northern Ireland, recently wrote to operators, asking them to reduce their rates by 10%. Equality issues are being carefully considered to understand the potential impact of any proposals, and further consultation may be needed before options are finalised, said Mr Givan. I fully recognise that some children have significant needs, and I do not underestimate how challenging it is to meet those needs, whilst also ensuring that costs remain reasonable and sustainable. Every child with a statement of SEN has their needs identified in the EA statutory assessment and review process. If additional transport needs are identified during a childs assessment, transport assistance must be arranged through the most suitable means available, ensuring this provision is compatible with the efficient use of resources. However, it can be challenging to meet each childs needs whilst also managing costs responsibly. Sinn Fein MLA Danny Baker pressed Mr Givan for a guarantee that no child would miss a day at school during the review. Mr Givan said there was ongoing engagement between the EA and taxi operators, adding that to date no contracts had been returned. Obviously provision needs to be there to provide transport - were a contract to be returned, then that would need to be tendered and an opportunity for that to be replaced, he said. I certainly wouldnt want there to be a gap in the provision in those circumstances. Earlier in the day MLAs were called to vote on Observer Status in the European Parliament (meaning representatives from NI could attend though not speak or contribute to debates). Cross community support not achieved and the motion defeated with Opposition Leader Matthew OToole questioning whether the vote should not have happened saying it will be seen as a farce by the public. He said he will now seek clarity from the speaker whether the NI Assembly was legally right to have held the vote at all. It's a return to business at Stormont today following the Christmas break. Outside the chamber, SDLP leader Claire Hanna has told media that the party will continue to use social media platform X despite it not being "ethically what we would wish". It comes after party MLA Cara Hunter announced she was quitting the platform amid a row over an artificial intelligence tool. The main items on the agenda today are a series of questions for both Ministers of Education and Finance, followed by a Sinn Fein led motion calling on the British Government and the European Union to finally agree to the establishment of an EU office in Belfast that would provide a channel for businesses to fully benefit from the advantages of dual market access. Stormont Finance Minister John ODowd addressed MLAs on his budget proposals (NI Assembly/PA) SDLP confirm they will continue to use 'cesspit' X despite AI concerns Follow how todays session unfolded at Stormont: Governor of California, Gavin Newsom will meet the Tanaiste (Dan Callister/PA) The Tanaiste is to meet with California governor Gavin Newsom as part of a visit to the US state. Simon Harris flew to California on Sunday for a visit his department is billing as strengthening Irelands economic partnership with the United States. Mr Harris will meet with IDA and Enterprise Ireland client companies in the sectors of tech, healthcare, and pharma. Tanaiste Simon Harris is visiting California (Brian Lawless/PA) His itinerary also includes meetings with Mr Newsom and the mayor of San Francisco Daniel Lurie. Mr Newsom is considered to be a 2028 presidential hopeful for the Democrats. Speaking before the visit, the Finance Minister said: Irelands long-standing economic relationship with California is a cornerstone of our wider partnership with the United States. The economic partnership between our two countries supports prosperity and employment on both sides of the Atlantic, and this visit provides an opportunity to further deepen that relationship. The scale of two-way trade and investment between Ireland and the US underscores the strength of our economic ties. Sir Keir Starmer was said to be working with partners to see how international pressure could be brought to bear on the countrys government (Isabel Infantes/PA) Downing Street has played down the prospect of designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organisation. No 10 condemned the brutal suppression of anti-government protests in Iran but pointed to comments by the former head of MI6 who suggested that a ban would have no practical effect. Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands detained in the uprising against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis rule, prompting renewed calls for ministers to proscribe the IRGC. Asked whether the UK Government would ban the Iranian military branch, the Prime Ministers official spokesman said designation was reserved for domestic terror groups and not foreign state bodies. Ive set out our position separate to Sir Richard Moores position, but I think its helpful to point back to his words too, the spokesman said. Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, Sir Richard, who served as the chief of the Secret Intelligence Service from 2020 to 2025, suggested the move would be largely symbolic. The danger is that something like that is mostly about us feeling better about ourselves, its not actually something that will have an impact on IRGC precisely because you know that that instrument is designed for non-state terror groups, not for parts of the state like the IRGC, he said. Former head of MI6 Sir Richard Moore said proscribing the IRGC risked being mostly about us feeling better about ourselves (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Speaking to broadcasters earlier on Monday, Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said that proscribing the Iranian military branch would not be appropriate under existing domestic legislation but that ministers were committed to supporting the countrys citizens as they faced a government crackdown. He said the Government had already used sanctions against Iran to the full extent we can and that Sir Keir Starmer was working with partners to see how we can bring international pressure to bear on the countrys government. It is no question and I dont think anybody would question the fact that this Government cares very deeply about civilians and people in Iran. We will do everything we can, but when we use domestic legislation, we need to make sure that its appropriate use of it, he told Times Radio. Asked whether Britain would support the US if it decided to strike Iran, Mr Kyle told Sky News: Well, theres a lot of ifs in the question itself, so we have to see how this unfolds. Protesters on the streets of Tehran (UGC via AP) We need to understand specifically what Donald Trump and America is proposing. He said the people of Iran should get the government they choose and the government of Iran should not, in any way, be cracking down in a murderous way which weve seen so far. Mr Kyle added: This is about us supporting people of Iran in their time of need so that the people of Iran can have their voices heard and be the masters of their own destiny. US president Donald Trump said on Sunday night that Iran wants to negotiate after he threatened action following the crackdown, but did not rule out a response. I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, he told reporters after saying Iran had proposed negotiations and that his administration was in talks about a meeting. Activists from the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK held a rally outside Downing Street on Sunday, calling for the IRGC to be banned (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Over the weekend, demonstrators gathered outside Downing Street to call for the IRGC to be banned as a terrorist organisation a call which has support from senior figures in Parliament, including Labour peer Lord Spellar and former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith. Protests in Iran began on December 28 over the ailing economy and have transformed into the most significant challenge to the regime for several years. The internet and telephone lines have been cut off, but footage of events in Tehran and other cities has made it to social media. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the number of confirmed fatalities had risen to at least 544 496 protesters and 48 members of security forces. More than 10,000 people had been detained during the two weeks of protest. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said she spoke with her Iranian counterpart on Monday amid the ongoing crackdown. She wrote on social media: I have spoken to foreign minister Araghchi and told him directly: the Iranian government must immediately end the violence, uphold fundamental rights and freedoms, and ensure British nationals are safe. Scotlands First Minister hit out at the absurdity of Lord Peter Mandelson remaining as a Labour peer (Jonathan Brady/PA) Scotlands First Minister has condemned the absurdity of Lord Peter Mandelson remaining as a peer despite being removed as UK ambassador to the United States. John Swinney spoke out ahead of action at Westminster by his party to try to force the former UK Government ministers removal from House of Lords. The SNP will table a Removal of Peerages Bill on Tuesday, in a move the party hopes will see Lord Mandelson stripped of his title. Speaking ahead of the move, SNP leader Mr Swinney said: There is an absurdity at the heart of the fact that Peter Mandelson was removed as the ambassador to the United States but can still, in the same circumstances, participate in the House of Lords. John Swinney said the SNP was trying to resolve the absurdity of Lord Peter Mandelson remaining as a Labour peer (Peter Summers/PA) Thats an absurdity that the SNP team at Westminster are trying to resolve. Tuesdays Bill will be tabled by SNP MP Kirsty Blackman, who said: It is shameful Keir Starmer is choosing to keep Peter Mandelson as a Labour Party peer despite his close association with convicted sex offender and paedophile, Jeffrey Epstein. Ms Blackman insisted: Pressure is building on Starmer to finally act after Lord Mandelsons insulting and utterly shameless BBC interview in which he refused to apologise to the victims and cynically sought to rehabilitate himself while failing to take any responsibility. She spoke out after Lord Mandelson declined to apologise to Jeffrey Epsteins victims for remaining friends with the paedophile financier. In his first broadcast interview since being sacked from his diplomatic role in Washington last September, the peer said he was not culpable for Epsteins behaviour and was not knowledgeable for what he was doing. However, Lord Mandelson said he would regret to my dying day, the fact that powerless women were not given the protection they were entitled to expect. SNP MP Kirsty Blackman is to table a Removal of Peerages Bill on Tuesday (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Archive/PA Media) Ms Blackman added it beggars belief that Keir Starmer is still failing to act against the former ambassador. She claimed the Prime Minister was also insulting victims further by making Matthew Doyle a Labour Party peer despite his own association with a sex offender. The SNP has already said making Sir Keir Starmers former communications chief a lord is wholly indefensible because of his links to former Labour councillor Sean Morton, who admitted having indecent images of children in 2017. Ms Blackman said: Keir Starmer must finally do the right thing and strip Mandelson and Doyle of their Labour Party peerages, or it will be another nail in the coffin for his failed time as Prime Minister. A group of students burn the US and Israeli flags during their gathering to condemn President Bidens tour to the Middle East, Saturday, July 16, 2022, in Tehran, Iran. (Vahid Salemi/AP/File) US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Iran proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown targeting demonstrators, a move coming as activists said the death toll in protests rose to at least 544. Mr Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran including cyber-attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who were not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Irans threats of retaliation, he said: If they do that, we will hit them at levels that theyve never been hit before. Mr Trump said his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters while in flight on Air Force One (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, Mr Trump said. Iran wants to negotiate. The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of whats happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate. There was no immediate acknowledgement from Iran of the offering for a meeting. The massive ongoing US military deployment to the Caribbean is a factor that the Pentagon and Mr Trumps national security planners must consider. Tehran also warned that the US military and Israel would be legitimate targets if America uses force to protect demonstrators. Mr Trump meanwhile said the Islamic Republic reached out and proposed negotiations. More than 10,600 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information and said 496 of the dead were protesters and 48 were with security forces. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Irans government has not offered overall casualty figures. Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Irans security services to launch a bloody crackdown. Protesters flooded the streets in the countrys capital and its second-largest city on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Online videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media. The threat to strike the US military and Israel came during a parliamentary speech by Mohammad Baagher Qalibaf, the hard-liner speaker of the body who has run for the presidency in the past. He directly threatened Israel, calling it the occupied territory. In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centers, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets, Mr Qalibaf said. We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (Ramil Sitdikov/Pool Photo via AP) Politicians rushed the dais in parliament, shouting: Death to America! It remains unclear how serious Iran is about launching a strike, particularly after its air defences were destroyed during the 12-day war in June with Israel. Any decision to go to war would rest with Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US military has said in the Mideast it is postured with forces that span the full range of combat capability to defend our forces, our partners and allies and US interests. Iran targeted US forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in June, while the US Navys Mideast-based 5th Fleet is stationed in the island kingdom of Bahrain. Israel, meanwhile, is watching closely the situation between the US and Iran, said an Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to not being authorised to speak to journalists. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio overnight on topics including Iran, the official added. The people of Israel, the entire world, are in awe of the tremendous heroism of the citizens of Iran, said Mr Netanyahu, a longtime Iran hawk. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV mentioned Iran as a place where ongoing tensions continue to claim many lives, adding that: I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society. Irans foreign minister has claimed that nationwide protests in his country turned violent and bloody to give an excuse for US president Donald Trump to intervene. Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after activists reported more than 500 have been killed the vast majority of them demonstrators. Speaking to foreign diplomats in Tehran, Mr Araghchi also claimed the situation has come under total control. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks. On Sunday, Mr Trump said Iran had proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its bloody crackdown targeting demonstrators, a move coming as activists said the death toll in protests rose to at least 544. Mr Trump and his national security team have been weighing a range of potential responses against Iran including cyber-attacks and direct strikes by the US or Israel, according to two people familiar with internal White House discussions who were not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Demonstrations in favour of the Iranian protesters have taken place in countries including Turkey and France (AP) The military is looking at it, and were looking at some very strong options, Mr Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night. Asked about Irans threats of retaliation, he said: If they do that, we will hit them at levels that theyve never been hit before. Mr Trump said his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned he may have to act first as reports of the death toll in Iran mount and the government continues to arrest protesters. I think theyre tired of being beat up by the United States, Mr Trump said. Iran wants to negotiate. The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of whats happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate. There was no immediate acknowledgement from Iran of the offering for a meeting. The massive ongoing US military deployment to the Caribbean is a factor that the Pentagon and Mr Trumps national security planners must consider. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters while in flight on Air Force One (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP) Tehran also warned that the US military and Israel would be legitimate targets if America uses force to protect demonstrators. Mr Trump meanwhile said the Islamic Republic reached out and proposed negotiations. More than 10,600 people have been detained over the two weeks of protests, said the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has been accurate in previous unrest in recent years and gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran crosschecking information and said 496 of the dead were protesters and 48 were with security forces. With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. The Associated Press has been unable to independently assess the toll. Irans government has not offered overall casualty figures. Those abroad fear the information blackout is emboldening hard-liners within Irans security services to launch a bloody crackdown. Protesters flooded the streets in the countrys capital and its second-largest city on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Online videos purported to show more demonstrations Sunday night into Monday, with a Tehran official acknowledging them in state media. The threat to strike the US military and Israel came during a parliamentary speech by Mohammad Baagher Qalibaf, the hard-liner speaker of the body who has run for the presidency in the past. He directly threatened Israel, calling it the occupied territory. In the event of an attack on Iran, both the occupied territory and all American military centres, bases and ships in the region will be our legitimate targets, Mr Qalibaf said. We do not consider ourselves limited to reacting after the action and will act based on any objective signs of a threat. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the violent protests had provided Mr Trump with an excuse (Ramil Sitdikov/Pool Photo via AP) Politicians rushed the dais in parliament, shouting: Death to America! It remains unclear how serious Iran is about launching a strike, particularly after its air defences were destroyed during the 12-day war in June with Israel. Any decision to go to war would rest with Irans 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The US military has said in the Mideast it is postured with forces that span the full range of combat capability to defend our forces, our partners and allies and US interests. Iran targeted US forces at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in June, while the US Navys Mideast-based 5th Fleet is stationed in the island kingdom of Bahrain. Israel, meanwhile, is watching closely the situation between the US and Iran, said an Israeli official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to not being authorised to speak to journalists. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio overnight on topics including Iran, the official added. The people of Israel, the entire world, are in awe of the tremendous heroism of the citizens of Iran, said Mr Netanyahu, a longtime Iran hawk. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV mentioned Iran as a place where ongoing tensions continue to claim many lives, adding that: I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society. Jacques Moretti, one of the owners of the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, where the deadly fire happened on New Years Day, is to be detained until trial after being ruled a flight risk (Alessandro della Valle/Keystone via AP) A Swiss court has ordered three months of pre-trial detention for the manager of a bar that burst into flames during a New Years Eve celebration, killing 40 people and injuring 116 others, many seriously. The court of compulsory measures in the southwestern Valais canton, or region, ordered that Jacques Moretti, a manager of Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, be held because of a possible flight risk highlighted by prosecutors. However, the court said in a statement it was inclined to lift the three months of pre-trial detention if sufficient security measures potentially including bail are arranged. It said the manager should remain in custody until the measures are worked out. The office of Patrick Michod, a lawyer for Moretti, did not respond to emailed requests for comment and his secretary said the attorney was not immediately available. The fire at Le Constellation bar killed 40 people and injured more than 100 others (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP) A Swiss business register lists French couple Jacques and Jessica Moretti as the bars owners. Lawyers for Jessica Moretti, in a statement, said the court decision would allow her husband to regain freedom once conditions are arranged. Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the owners, who are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire. Investigators believe that sparkling candles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling, which was outfitted with soundproofing material. Authorities were looking into whether the material conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Fire safety inspections hadnt been carried out since 2019. Swiss President Guy Parmelin said that Switzerland was appalled by the tragedy. Protesters gather during a rally for Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) People in New York take part in a vigil yesterday. Photo: PA Thousands of people gathered in cities across the US over the weekend to protest the aggressive immigration enforcement action that led to the killing of Renee Good in Minneapolis and the shooting of two other people in Portland. Residents of Washington, DC, Boston, New York, Raleigh, Seattle and other cities joined the Minneapolis community in grieving the death of Good by marching with signs honouring the 37-year-old mother and chanting anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement sentiments. F*** ICE, ICE out protesters across the country chanted. ICE off our streets for Good, and Justice for Renee Good were among the popular signs photographed in the demonstrations. Other signs called for the impeachment of President Donald Trump, accused the administration of fascism and claimed that ICE was committed murder. The Independent has contacted ICE for comment. More than 1,000 protests were expected to take place over the weekend. The outrage fueling the protests comes days after an ICE officer fatally shot Good, while she was manoeuvring her vehicle in the middle of the road. Trump administration officials assert that Good was trying to run over ICE officers, calling it an act of domestic terrorism. However, footage of the incident, posted all over social media, does not align with the administrations assertion that the officer was acting in self-defence because he felt his life was in danger. Many have refused to accept the administrations narrative about the incident without question, including top Minnesota lawmakers, Democratic politicians and certain parts of the media. Goods first husband, who spoke to US media on condition that his name was not used, said that Good was not an activist and that she was a devoted Christian who went to Northern Ireland on youth missions when she was younger. Members of the public and lawmakers have demanded that the officer be held accountable for the shooting. Yet, federal law enforcement officials have refused to cooperate with Minnesota investigators in conducting a probe into the incident. Public anger about aggressive immigration tactics was heightened on Thursday when Border Patrol in Portland shot a man and a woman, injuring them. As a result, peaceful protests have sprung up, putting pressure on officials to be more transparent about the killing of Good and to decrease the number of federal law enforcement officers in cities. However, not all lawmakers agree that the protests are largely peaceful. Theyre yelling Save a life, kill ICE. That is not peaceful and that is not appropriate, Republican Representative Tom Emmer of Minnesota told Fox & Friends. Then youve got a boy-toy mayor, somebody who is not mature enough for the job. Yelling the effenheimer about getting ICE out of his city, Emmer said of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. The protests have largely been peaceful, though some incidents led to law enforcement intervention. In Minneapolis, where protests swelled to include thousands of people, at least 29 people were arrested on Friday evening after some people vandalised a hotel and threw chunks of ice at police. Law enforcement deployed pepper balls at a crowd of protesters on Saturday after a small group of people began throwing snowballs at vehicles. Ahead of the planned weekend protests, officials, including Frey, reminded demonstrators to exercise their First Amendment right peacefully and not give in to agitators. This is what Donald Trump wants, Frey said of protesters who engaged in unlawful behaviour. He wants us to take the bait. Frey and other lawmakers have asserted that the presence of federal law enforcement officials in cities has increased tension, leading to more instances of violence. Theyve asked Trump to remove ICE officers and allow local law enforcement to keep their communities safe. Meanwhile, some White House insiders are stunned by the Trump administrations rapid response to the deadly Minneapolis shooting and are concerned that it could undermine confidence in the investigation, according to a new Politico report. Just hours after Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused the 37-year-old mom of domestic terrorism, prompting concern from within the administration and among current and former ICE officials, the report says. Insiders fear, according to the report, that her message risks undermining public confidence in the ongoing investigation and expanding the credibility gap between the public and the immigration agency. Do I think its domestic terrorism? Yeah, I do, a Politico source close to the White House said. But it might not have been wise to say that at the outset, how [Noem] said it. The Independent has contacted DHS for comment. The Independent If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. RUTLAND Daniel Banyai, in the midst of an imminent foreclosure of his West Pawlet Slate Ridge property and a personal bankruptcy which temporarily stalled that foreclosure, will stand trial for two days later this month in a 2024 assault on a law enforcement officer during an arrest on an outstanding warrant. Jury selection is set to begin on January 21, with the two-day trial slated to start on January 29. Banyai is still out on conditions as he awaits a resolution in both cases. Banyai, wanted for several months in 2024 on an outstanding contempt warrant in a years-long dispute with the Town of Pawlet, was arraigned in March 2024 on one felony count of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer. That charge came after a scuffle broke out when the Pawlet Town Constable pepper-sprayed Banyai in the face while attempting to arrest him on the outstanding warrant. According to a police affidavit, Constable Thomas Covino stopped a 2022 Dodge Ram for a speeding violation in March 2024 on Route 133. When Covino approached the pulled-over vehicle, he immediately recognized Banyai sitting in the passenger seat. Covino informed Banyai that he had an outstanding warrant and asked him to exit the vehicle. Banyai allegedly answered that Covino was a dirty cop and would not exit the vehicle. After several attempts to get Banyai out of the car, Covino informed Banyai that he would use pepper spray to gain compliance. Banyai then clenched his fists and leaned into Covino. It is unclear from Covinos statement whether Banyai allegedly punched him in the head before or at the same time that Covino let loose with the pepper spray. Banyai reportedly swung at the officer as Covino reached in and opened the door from the inside. Both men then scuffled, with Banyai landing on the pavement of the churchs parking lot, where Covino was able to handcuff him. After he was in handcuffs, Banyai requested that Covino decontaminate his face after the pepper spray exposure, to which Covino complied. Banyai has been the subject of an arrest warrant from the Environmental Division of Vermont Superior Court since December 2023. The warrant, according to Pawlet Town Attorney Merrill Bent at the time of Banyais arrest in 2024, called for him to be held until his property comes into compliance. Banyai was convicted of contempt of court after years of litigation over his former military-style firearms training facility, Slate Ridge, in West Pawlet. The long-running case pitted Banyai against the Town of Pawlet and several of Banyais neighbors, who complained of harassment by Banyai and his supporters in and around the small town. The case drew national attention over fears of so-called military training facilities, the fight between private property rights and the greater community, gun control, and whether a court can use threats of imprisonment and fines to enforce civil violations. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Banyai still owes the Town of Pawlet approximately $362,000 in fines and interest as of December 2025. The bankruptcy court recently lifted a stay on the foreclosure and is deciding whether further interest on the amount owed will continue to accrue, and whether some of the liens applied can be discharged under bankruptcy protections. Banyai filed for bankruptcy in January 2025 during the restarted foreclosure proceedings initiated by the town in 2024. That September, Pawlet filed legal paperwork to restart the foreclosure process on the controversial property due to additional fines and interest that had fallen into arrears. The town is seeking to sell off the property to satisfy the outstanding amount. To further complicate the matter, Banyais attorney in the bankruptcy case, Kevin Gustafson, has recently requested to withdraw. A hearing on that matter, whether the Judge will allow that, and how that might affect the timing of the foreclosure, is set for January 30. Banyai also has a pending misdemeanor case of violating his conditions of release from the felony assault case. According to the affidavit in the violations case, Banyai was at the Dunkin' in Granville on Aug. 27 when he had a verbal altercation with a 17-year-old male inside. Among Banyais conditions of release for the assault case was a specific order not to leave Vermont without court permission. Banyai was caught on surveillance video at a Dunkin' in New York, engaged in what appeared to be a verbal confrontation. The next day, the same constable who had arrested him in the prior incident, Thomas Covino, spotted Banyai leaving a Chinese restaurant in Granville, a violation of his conditions of release. Banyais Slate Ridge property at 541 Briar Hill Road in West Pawlet has been at the center of a long-standing dispute between Banyai and the township after town officials forced the closure of Slate Ridge. The property pitted the town of Pawlet and several neighbors against Banyai in a protracted zoning dispute that reached all the way to the Vermont Supreme Court and, at one point, prompted legislation signed by the Governor banning military-style facilities in Vermont. Several neighbors complained that Banyai and his accomplices were running a paramilitary facility that terrorized, frightened, and tried to intimidate them, some outside their own properties. On at least two occasions, Banyai arrived at Select Board meetings, confronting members with what he said were anti-American, unfair tactics to steal away his property, and yelling into members' faces, all while the video cameras rolled. Banyai claimed he wasn't operating a paramilitary training facility but rather a responsible, family firearms facility, and that the property is primarily a farm. The case began in 2018, and dragged on for several years, included numerous alleged threats, grandstanding, legal filings, intimidation, ongoing fines, gun rights issues, court orders, arrest warrants, and social media postings surrounding the issue of what a rural landowner can ultimately do with their legally owned property, and whether a town has or should have the right to regulate and restrict those uses for the peace and safety of the greater community. The zoning case was finally resolved after town representatives entered the property and dismantled the offending buildings and other facilities in April 2024 to ensure the property complied with all court orders. The case made it all the way to the Vermont Supreme Court, which sided with the Town of Pawlet on at least two occasions. 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.